You Or No One

[Connor Harrison]

While he was content walking back up the garden path to the congregation in the courtyard up above, Connor was intrigued – she always managed to drip something into a conversation that grabbed his attention. He turned and narrowed his eye curiously.

”What are you up to Miss Raaf? I am suddenly worried for those Padawans.”

As he asked, he pulled his comlink from the small satchel at his side and activated it, speaking softly through to his Padawan, [member="Syala Daivik"].

”Sy, could you come to the South entrance to the courtyard if you’re still around, towards the gardens please? I have someone I want you to meet.”

Killing the signal, he pocketed the com and looked back to Corvus, standing aside the steps with the garden below and number of Jedi before them. He gently patted her hand and leaned over slightly to her.

”When you are a Grandmaster, and look out to see all those Jedi who look up to you, aspire to follow you and hang on your every word…what does it feel like? How do you cope with such a feeling?”

[member="Corvus Raaf"]

 

[Corvus Raaf]

“Nothing to worry about – just something to make crafting sabers more enjoyable, more traditional. That’s all. The next time you’re in the neighbourhood you should drop by and take a look.”

Corvus then laughed at his comments. “I suspect you have the wrong idea of what it’s like to be a GrandMaster – at least this GrandMaster. If I inspire, I am pleased but not expectant. I just hope they feel I don’t make life any more difficult. But if they looked up to me I’d be cross. We are all Jedi. None is more important than any other – that was Kiskla’s legacy. We are a meritocracy. Even Dooku understood that. Hopefully in a short while, they’ll remember me as someone who built bridges, who joined us with other Orders whilst retaining our own identity where it’s important. So coping isn’t that difficult.”

“So, is Sy your new Padawan?”

[member="Connor Harrison"]

 

[Connor Harrison]

Looking out over the mingling bodies in conversation, sombre but hopeful and determined to keep the spark burning amongst the Jedi, Connor nodded as he listened. It wasn’t about power over others, just how one could handle so much, knowing that an entire Order looked up to you, followed you. Your examples, your dreams, your leadership – that was a mighty responsibility. Corvus would do that in her sleep.

”Ossus, yes, I’ve never been there. I find that I tend to keep my distance, but for what I don’t know. Confidence, maybe? With everything that happened I somehow feel safer when I’m alone, an no-one can be let down or disappointed or…y’know? No. I’m babbling.”

He smiled, batting away his response, moving on quickly.

”Syala Daivik. You and her would get on so well – she is so wise for her age, so clear in thought. I can imagine you were a lot like her actually.”

Gently, he shook his head, a tiny knot forming on his brow.

”She said that the Force visions she experience from time to time led her to me, so that in itself is a lot to comprehend as I don’t really feel I am worthy of a Padawan. I’ll train and help others, but to have one under my wing who I have to guide forward, considering my truncated past?”

He didn’t feel he had to say more to her.

”But, yes, she’s on a good solid path forward as a Jedi. I see nothing but great things for her. And if anything ever happens to me Corvy, I entrust YOU to make sure she stays on the straight and narrow and she fulfils her destiny as a Jedi that will be long remembered to generations. Jedi like you.”

That was a line he was proud to say and he glanced sideways with that smile.

[member="Corvus Raaf"]

 

[Corvus Raaf]

“If we were alike, perhaps I could tell her where I went wrong,” she laughed but perhaps there was an element of truth in what she said. “But wise for her age is always a good start – as long as she doesn’t forget there’s more to life than being a Jedi.”

“Anyway…you should try Ossus now we’ve revamped it. Kept it traditional – you know me – and when it comes to listening to what the Force says, you know my view. If it’s not meant to be, the Force will let you know. Trust in the force, right?” She smiled again.

“And if you entrust her to me, we’d better make sure nothing happens to you. Give her the benefit of your wisdom. Of your training, of your experiences and she’ll do just fine. I too see great things for her.”

“Now…where is she?”

[member="Connor Harrison"] | [member="Syala Daivik"]

 

[Baalagor]

The last thing Syala expected was a message to crackle through on her commlink, but it only took her mere seconds to recognize the voice, and she couldn't help but smile slightly. It seemed their training never ended, even during such solemn events as this. But it gave her something to focus on other than the grief that permeated the very air, not to mention the Force itself. And she couldn't exactly complain besides, given that she always enjoyed the chance to make a new acquaintance and perhaps learn something new in the process. The most valuable knowledge had a way of presenting itself in the strangest situations. The visions she sometimes saw had made a point of driving that lesson home.

It would have been the logical thing to do, answering the message sent and following the directions that had been relayed to her. But it took marginally less time to reach through the Force and locate Connor, and her senses was something she'd learned to trust in from early on. So with that as a guide she began walking away from the quiet gathering, it not taking a long amount of time to locate the two of them, one signature nearly as familiar as her own, the other less so but still light in the aspect that told her this was another Jedi, though perhaps of a different denomination. That didn't exactly matter, because her Master had deemed the other individual one to meet, and that was that.

Once the two came into sight she smiled, stepping up beside Connor and nodding respectfully in greeting to the other Jedi. The woman was unfamiliar both in appearance and presence, which led her to assume she was likely of the Republic. Unsurprising, given that their Order rivaled the numbers of the Silver Jedi, if not outnumbering them completely. This was her first time meeting one who didn't call themselves a Silver, and with Connor involved it would likely prove interesting. Her grey-blue gaze shifted to the man in question. "Yes, Master?"

[member="Corvus Raaf"], [member="Connor Harrison"]

 

[Connor Harrison]

As if almost on cue, Syala drifted through the Jedi towards them, ever respectful of her surroundings and those she passed, and she continued to carry that unnerving warmth to her smile and peace as she walked towards them.

”Right on schedule.”

As the Padawan approached and made herself know, Connor shifted behind her and rested his hands on her shoulder; proud, but always protective.

”Corvus Raaf, I would like you meet my Padawan, Syala Daivik. You will never meet a Jedi so attuned to the Force and wise for her age as she. And Sy, it’s my honour to introduce you to Grandmaster Corvus Raaf of the Republic Jedi Order; a truly unique Jedi and a true friend, and the brightest candle burning in the dark for all to take hope from in these troubled times.”

With a smile and gentle pat on Sy’s shoulders, Connor looked up to Corvus and gave her a small wink.

[member="Corvus Raaf"] | [member="Syala Daivik"]

 

[Corvus Raaf]

Corvus noticed the approaching Jedi – no doubt Connor’s Padawan. As she approached and bowed, Corvus responded likewise.

Corvus remembered she was wearing her Baran Do ceremonial robes – gifted to her when she visited Dorin – which were bound to confuse anyone who hadn’t met her before. So Corvus allowed Connor to do the introductions.

Except she couldn’t help but laugh softly when he built up her part way too much. “Believe half of what he says. I suspect you are everything he says and it’s very much a pleasure to meet you. I accept that I am Corvus and serve the Republic. As for the rest?” She wrinkled her nose at him, “I’d have the healthiest pinch of salt to hand.”

“Mind you, I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve saved his hide.” She allowed the comment to settle for a few seconds before laughing, “Like the time I didn’t crash my ship on top of you. That surely has to count.”

She turned back to Syala. “But the darkest times aspect has a ring of truth, and we’re all working to do what we can to bring our Orders closer together and that can only be a good thing. So tell me, what’s he like as a Master?”

[member="Connor Harrison"] | [member="Syala Daivik"]

 

[Baalagor]

"Better than he says he is." With a knowing smile Syala glanced to Connor. "It depends on exactly what you'd like to know. I can tell you for a fact that he's an amazing teacher, no matter what he'll tell you, and that I've learned more in my time spent with him than I have in my studies beforehand. But it goes deeper than just teaching and learning. We support each other, and that's one of the most important traits. The Force led me to him for a reason, no matter how he might object." There were many more things she could have said, and she could have spent a long few minutes elaborating on just what made him such a good teacher in comparison to the others. But they weren't here for that.

There was obviously a close friendship between the two already, and something told her she had been the topic of discussion not long before Connor had requested her presence here. For one who was so reluctant about taking on a student at first, he seemed to have no issue with telling others just how much potential his student had. "I've lost count of how many times i've had to insist that he's perfectly suited to being anyone's Master, let alone mine. But I don't think we need to get into that just now." She knew he was likely still touchy about it all, and didn't want to pry into that personal side too much. Even if it was something she firmly believed.

In the off chance that Connor didn't sense her tone as entirely joking she stretched out through the Force to communicate that lighthearted feeling, akin to the gesture of a smile and a laugh in any other scenario. Through that same link she spoke solely to him, "And I don't want to hear any of that nonsense now, either. You're a great teacher and friend, and I won't accept anything less."

[member="Corvus Raaf"], [member="Connor Harrison"]

 

[Connor Harrison]

Connor thought he knew what Sy would say, but hearing it being said to another, especially Corvus, was embarrassing. Not in a bad way, but hearing praise...well, it wasn't something he was used to from another. Sy had come to him for a reason - he trusted in the Force to show him what that reason would be one day, and so for that purpose alone he would do what he could to ensure she stayed safe, stayed enlightened and stayed true to the Light.

He stifled a smile and glanced away as she talked, a small shake of the head, a little lick of the lips as he had to listen to her. He didn't dare look at Corvus because he'd just laugh probably. Krayt Dragon surfing and Sith tomb raiding to now this? Only in a holo-vid.

”That means a lot. Thank you Sy. Far too much, but thank you.”

Her words touched gently in his mind, and he squeezed her shoulders gently. He looked to Corvus and chuckled gently.

”And I didn't tell her to say that, I promise. Did you say your Padawan was here? And I'm surprised you only have one...?”

[member="Syala Daivik"] | [member="Corvus Raaf"]

 

[Corvus Raaf]

Corvus laughed. "I suspect I am something of a Mother Hen. To the point where I lose count." She checked her fingers. "Nope, best to say a few! Less than a dozen...probably...at any given time."

She looked at Syala, "I never doubted him for a moment. And it is your burden to ensure he does not ever doubt himself. But it is a pleasant burden no doubt. And yes, the Mother Hen did lose one of her chicks around her somewhere." She located Dair quickly and sent a gentle message to him to find them and join in the conversation.

"In fact we just got back from Rhen Var - your neck of the woods. He needed something and I knew no better place to find it." She smiled at the memory of the visit and also the fact that regardless of ownership, everyone seemed to treat the planet as if it were their own.

[member="Dair Cotarin"] | [member="Connor Harrison"] | [member="Syala Daivik"]