A mesa named Ben…

[Corvus Raaf]

It was hard to say who the process was harder on. Corvus or Taeli?

Following the Council Meeting, Corvus had taken charge of Taeli’s saber and endured her sister being placed in a Ysalamiri bubble whilst the preliminary investigation had taken place. And once her story was verified, she was released into Corvus’ custody.

Taeli had volunteered to do some specific medical work as part of her rehabilitation, and Corvus, knowing her sister only too well, let her get on with it. But there came a time when the rehabilitation had to stop and as much as she was probably enjoying what she was doing, Corvus wanted her to accompany her on one trip before meeting the Council again and being formally inducted into the Order.

So Corvus asked her sister to meet her in the hanger on Ossus. They’d each have a room on board, and as Corvus lived out of her ship, she brought no bag with her. They were going on a bit of a homage for Corvus. Was it a little self-indulgent? Perhaps but it would also give them both time to talk away from Ossus and the pressure the proximity to other Jedi brought to bear.

So she stood by the hangar and reflected on a time before. When she’d wait as eagerly for someone else to join her. But time had a way of making some things better and others worse. She rubbed her eye with the heel of her hand and sniffed. “Hay fever,” she said to no-one in particular. And then she waited.

[member="Taeli Rae"]

 

[Taeli Raaf]

[member="Corvus Raaf"]

Taeli had been quite happy doing the medical work as part of her rehabilitation to join the Jedi. She had never seen so many sprained wrists and ankles as she had from these younglings, but she used her spare time when not treating injuries to work on a pet project.

Initial tests of her anti-scarring agent had shown promising results, but she needed to do some more testing of it when she had access to a proper lab. Or maybe she should see about making on here, but that would be for after she was a full Jedi.

Walking towards the hanger Corvus had asked to meet her at, Taeli still had her lab coat on over her outfit and was looking over her datapad. An academy guard was following behind her, but she paid him no mind, especially once she reached the hanger.

"I didn't know you had allergies, sis," Taeli said as she saw Corvus wiping her eyes. "If you need something, I could go get it before we go wherever you have planned for us to go to."

She really hoped this trip symbolized the beginning of the end of her probation, but she would be patient and wait until Corvus thought she was ready.

 

[Corvus Raaf]

Corvus looked surprised when Taeli mentioned allergies. “Me? Oh...yes, no, it erm…comes and goes is all. I’ll be fine where we’re going.”

“We’re going to see what I bought with some of my inheritance. And I thought we could take in a few sights along the way. Meet a Tusken Raider I know. Maybe avoid any Krayt Dragons. Show you where to get the best blue milk and an atmosphere to die for. Well…best to skip the dying part.”

“And a chance to chat and learn. It’s about time Padawan Raaf learned some proper Jedi skills. And I have something rather appropriate in mind.”

“But first, you’ve got the ambassadorial suite and so get yourself set and meet me in the cockpit. I promise not to crash before you get there.”

[member="Taeli Rae"]

 

[Taeli Raaf]

[member="Corvus Raaf"]

"Tatooine huh? Hmm, I feel like there is a hidden message there, but just not quite sure," she said, smiling at her sister as she pictured what they could do while there. hearing they might actually learn some proper Jedi skills had Taeli extremely excited, so much so, she raced onto the ship before her sister had finished speaking to get her stuff on board.

'Sorry, sis, you got me excited now,' she sent through their bond as she took out her research datapads and changed into a yellow vest and white skirt. She probably would never be one to wear traditional robes, she liked her freedom of movement and other clothes more. Then again, she would probably do well to have a few pairs of Jedi robes once she was done with her probation.

"Padawan-on-probation Raaf reporting to the flight deck," Taeli said saluting at her sister in a jokingly way once both were in the cockpit. "Permission to take the copilot seat, Grandmaster?"

 

[Corvus Raaf]

Corvus smiled. “Have you met Cornix yet? He’s my protocol droid.”

“All property is theft…Master” A voice came from within the ship and reached their ears.

Corvus lowered her voice “He, um, is very efficient. He translates all of my messages for me, even though they’re all in Galactic Basic to begin with.”

“It’s all part of the service Master. And I have exceptional hearing.”

Corvus shook her head. “Anyway, I thought we deserved a break and I can’t think of a better place to go. And on the way, we can do some training my young Padawan.”

Corvus punched the final code and they entered hyperspace. “Follow me.”

She stood and entered the main room. A protocol droid was present. “Cornix, this is Taeli, she’s my sister. Please treat her precisely as you would treat me.” Of course, Corvus wished she hadn’t used those exact words but it was too late.

“Does she crash ships too?” The droid shook his head and scuttled off. “Two Masters? Two? The possibility of successfully managing two Masters is approximately 3,720 to 1.”

Corvus ignored him. “Please sit down and tell me what Kian’s been asking.”

[member="Taeli Rae"]

 

[Taeli Raaf]

[member="Corvus Raaf"]

"He does seem efficient," Taeli laughed. "A break does sound nice, I've been busy in the infirmary. I've never seen so many sprained ankles and wrists, although I did have time to work on a little per project to help with scarring."

As she heard the comment about crashing ships, she just gave her sister a cheeky grin. She was still on ship number one at least.

"Young Padawan? I'm four years older than you, but I certainly wouldn't mind learning some stuff on this little break," she said, still smiling and sitting down at the table. "Kian just asked me for some general information on important Sith . . . and I gave him some sensitive information on the Sith Assassins and a group of Sith trying to establish a secret cell to develop terrors."

 

[Corvus Raaf]

Corvus listened to her sister. She knew Kian had been looking for information on the Sith for some while. Although Corvus had been able to give generic information - she'd faced enough in battle and knew what abilities they used on her, their saber Forms and even the armour they wore, but she didn't know names and knew precious little about them in truth. But in adding all of the various pieces together, Kian would be able to make a more complete dossier on each of the prominent Sith.

"I suspect Melori has met a few of them. Possibly even ones that I've faced before. But that's for another day. I've never given up on her but suspect she'll come around when she wants to, not because she's encouraged to. If she's like father, she'll be difficult to budge."

"But now is about training. Remember how you connected to the Light-side before? I want you to do it again. But this time, I want you to act like a sponge. Suck in as much as you can." As Corvus spoke she used the Force to open a drawer and a small signet ring floated from it and onto the table in front of them. "It's been tainted in some way. It's one of the ones that I wore when it affected me when I was a Padawan. We found a small supply underneath the Academy. They were used to help turn Padawans. Anyway, the point is, it is Dark-sided. And you're about to use the power of the Light-side to neutralise it. Tell me when you feel full with the Light-side of the Force."

[member="Taeli Rae"]

 

[Taeli Raaf]

[member="Corvus Raaf"]

"We can only hope that Melori will come around," Taeli said. "I may have planted a small seed when I took her to Ambria, but we will see. I certainly hope we don't end having to do anything to put a stop to her."

At the mention of training, Taeli perked up immediately, almost exactly like an eager Padawan would. She was right now, yes, but this was how she always reacted when she might learn something new. She could actually reveal this about her around her sister and the Jedi, unlike the Sith where one had to be careful or they might reveal a weakness a rival could exploit.

"A sponge of the light side?" Taeli questioned, her mind slowly starting to realize what Corvus was aiming to teach her. Force Light. Something she had been excited to learn, but she was also nervous. Alex got destroyed whenever she tried to use it and Taeli was worried that her time as a Sith might limit her ability to use this technique and it might backfire. Then again, she never backed down from a challenge and her sister had issued one by giving her this to learn and trying to purify that ring.

"Okay sis," she said, closing her eyes and opening herself to the Force, letting it flow into her. As the Force flowed into her, she made the current start to rotate on itself so she could collect the light in her without bending the Force to her will like a Sith. She merely just diverted the flow so it circled around and around, gaining more and more energy and light. She let the Force suffuse every one of her cells, she was almost basking in the peace and serenity it offered her, she didn't care about the power it offered. She liked the feeling being in touch with the Force brought.

Opening her eyes, she said, "okay, I think I'm full of the light side, what do I do next?"

 

[Corvus Raaf]

Corvus suppressed a laugh when she saw how eager Taeli was to learn. Age, it seemed was no barrier to the infectious enthusiasm that learners generated.

“I love being around you. I can let my defences down and enjoy emotions like typical people can. I still have to filter, or I’d be invasive, but I can enjoy your company fully and share emotions myself. Oddly, I can’t put a name to some. I have no…reference point if that makes sense.”

“A while ago, I’m sure I experienced envy or jealousy – I’m not sure which. I’ve not felt it again. And I’ve never felt anger yet. But sadness I understand, and the love of family of course. And happiness!”

“But I’m distracting you. Now you can feel the Light within you…” For a second Corvus seemed at a loss for words. But her next sentence revealed the true rason for the pause. “I suspect it’s a little like the Sith Lightning. Imagine the Light travelling though your body to your hand. Allow it to coalesce around your fingers.”

Corvus momentarily closed her eyes and then held up her hand. Ethereal wisps of white light surrounded her hand – like a small translucent cloud.

"Then, once you have it there, focus on the thing you wish to target. It could be a person, an object, anything really. What you aim to do is surround the object, to cut it off from the Dark-side of the Force. For a Sith, it means they can’t access the Force. For an object, it at worst temporarily neutralises it or at best destroys it."

[member="Taeli Rae"]

 

[Taeli Raaf]

[member="Corvus Raaf"]

"Okay," she said, channeling the light side energy in her down her arm and to her fingers like water flowing. It was the easiest way she could visualize this, and it always helped with channeling lightning. The energy flowed easily enough, it felt a little weird to feel just pure light side energy flowing through her to her fingers. She almost wanted to crack a joke about her fingers glowing slightly, but she refrained as it might break her concentration.

Her attention turning to the ring, she let the energy in her flow outwards in a cascade of light that slowly surrounded the ring. She could feel some strain though, and the light encircling the ring was not a thick band of light, but it was still something. Wrapping the light around the dark side taint of the ring, she started to try and neutralize it. The taint tried to escape the containment she was wrapping around it, trying to maintain its connection to the rest of the Force and the dark side.

Sadly for it, it was dealing with a Sith Lady turned Jedi so she knew exactly what the taint might try and do. Like a blitzball defense, she intercepted and severed every attempt by the ring to re-connect with the dark side, while tightening the ring of light until it was engulfing the ring. The dark side taint started to burn away, the light too strong for it now.

With a heavy sigh, and her frame shaking a little from the effort, she let the light fade.

"How did I do?' she asked, smiling weakly. It had taken some out of her, she would need to train with that more. Oh definitely train more in that.

 

[Corvus Raaf]

Corvus sat and watched. Her own first attempt hadn’t even reached the target. Her sister had done well and she suspected that was in part down to her determination and expectation to succeed.

“One of the greatest challenges Padawans face is a fear of failure. They doubt and therefore they fail, which fuels there fear all the more. Do or do not is a great line because it’s true. Trust in the Force I tell them. And you do. I sensed no possibility of failure in you and that, in part, is why you did so well. Even now, when I try something I have no reference for, I sometimes have doubt.”

“In time you’ll be able to destroy the ring instantly but removing the taint was awesome. Eventually you’ll be able to surround a Sith with this and stop them using the Force. Vahla are particularly susceptible to its effect. As, apparently are Vahla Jedi. It seems to affect them too for some reason.”

“And you can use it internally. When on Kashyyyk, a Sith used Taint on me. Oddly I was about to unleash Force Light on her, so I simply turned the effect inwards and it removed the taint…eventually. That was the other moment with the gatekeeper remnant.”

“And I suspect that took it out of you? It will do. But you know the mantra…practice, practice, practice.”

Corvus glanced around. “In truth there’s little else I can actually show you. And anyway we’ll be arriving at Anchorhead too. Given it’s more of a backwater, we should be OK to land.”

[member="Taeli Raaf"]

 

[Taeli Raaf]

[member="Corvus Raaf"]

"I guess it also helps that I'm not exactly a newbie when it comes to using the Force," Taeli said, smiling a little bit. "But I learned long ago, from my mother, that learning has no place for doubt. When you have a Mandalorian mother, you are expected to show just how tough you can be and never waver in what you do, so that merged into my personality. I will doubts about somethings, but never about learning something."

Hearing her sister talk about using Force Light to stop a taint within her gave Taeli an idea, but one she would need to research before even suggesting something. It did show just how strong her sister was though, Taint could be quite destructive towards Jedi and their connection to the light, but her sister had been able to wipe that taint away.

"Practice always helps, but I'm feeling better now," Taeli said, her eyes getting bright again as her sister mentioned they were nearing their destination. "So, you've been particularly quiet about what else this trip is about. I mean yes, learning some stuff and seeing your farm are all fine and good, but knowing you, you have another reason too."

 

[Corvus Raaf]

Corvus checked the time and as the clock hit the hour mark, the flicker of holographic images appeared in the room they were sitting in. One by one the Council appeared.

Ten minutes later, they blinked out again. The second and in this case final interview was concluded. Her progression was ahead of what was stipulated in the process and so it was agreed to move to step 5. Although no detail was given.

Corvus excused herself for a moment and returned with a suit bag. Unzipping it, it contained a set of Jedi robes, linen and essentially identical to Corvus'.

"It is my great pleasure to confirm you formal induction into the Galactic Republic Jedi Order. It is a pleasure to have you join our order...Jedi Master Taeli Raaf." And yes, a tear fell down her cheek and she hugged her sister tightly. "You don't have to wear them all the time but once in a while might be nice."

"And to complete the formalities, no Padawans or training others until I say so." She grinned and then fell silent, clearly overwhelmed by it all. Her mental defences were down for once.

[member="Taeli Raaf"]

 

[Taeli Raaf]

[member="Corvus Raaf"]

Taeli had not been expecting the Council to appear or to have another interview so soon, but she answered the questions as best she could about how her probation had been. She didn't get a definite say either way on what their decision was in whether it was over or not, which was a bit disappointing to her but she kept herself carefully neutral in her emotions.

When Corvus excused herself, Taeli assumed she was moving to a private chat with the Council to discuss things. She would wait patiently in the room, meditating until she heard her sister coming back. Getting to her feet, she was a little confused on why Corvus had a suit bag with her. Not exactly something she had expected, and then she removed the robes from within. The Jedi robes.

Pure shock and joy rocketed through as Corvus made the announcement and she hugged her sister tightly, her happiness, pure and simple, rebounding across their bond and she had tears in her eyes as well.

"I'll wear them when the time calls for it," she stuttered out, her throat was all choked up. "I have to learn more myself before I start teaching anyone, so that's fine . . . but Corvus . . . thank you for believing in me."

 

[Corvus Raaf]

Corvus was similarly overwhelmed, so it was a good thing the ship was on auto-pilot as it landed without them needing to be involved.

And then Corvus reached into her pocket and pulled out a lightsaber. Her sister’s lightsaber. “Of course I believed in you, and I think you may need this although we’ll have to do something about that crystal. It’s a bit…red.”

Corvus quickly gave the ship the once over and quite literally rushed them to leave. She was like a young Padawan herself again, full of youthful enthusiasm.

“Anchorhead,” she said as they walked through the hot and dusty streets. “Don’t you just love the atmosphere?” It was – at best – an acquired taste. And soon Corvus had taken them to a building. The sign outside gave away its purpose. “Junix's Joint. It was his first stop when he brought the baby here.” She was almost squealing now.

She pushed the door open and smiled at the green-skinned bartender. The Duros nodded to her and said, “Blue Milk?” She nodded and turned to Taeli.

“It’s kind of my regular when I’m here. What’ll you have?”

Corvus surveyed the room whilst she waited for her sister to order. It was just like the last time she was here. The blaster marks on the wall which weren’t her fault. The blaster mark on the ceiling which was. It was best described as homely. Or dirty. Yes, probably dirty did it most justice.

[member="Taeli Raaf"]

 

[Taeli Raaf]

[member="Corvus Raaf"]

"I actually changed the crystal to asynthetic purple one I made after leaving Ruusan," Taeli admitted as she clipped the lightsaber to her side. "Didn't like the red color anymore."

As they went into Anchorhead, she could appreciate the stubborn old community. The place just kept ticking, no matter what ills or gains happened to the desert world, but of course Corvus wanted to follow Kenobi's path. Shaking her head, but smiling at her sister, they entered the cantina and Corvus placed her order.

"I'll just have what she's having," she said, almost certain this place didn't sell tea . . . or at least any tea she might actually drink. Looking around the room, she could see some blaster burns and a fresh coat of paint on some surfaces. A dejarik table looked like it had been recently flipped over by two patrons, but she could see some of the appeal to the place. It wouldn't be anywhere on her list of places to actually frequent though.

"So, I have to ask sis, any of those blaster burns caused by you?" she asked, teasing her sister a little bit.

 

[Corvus Raaf]

In truth, Corvus had simply kept the saber safe. There was something very personal about them and so she had no inkling her sister had changed the crystal.

“Very wise,” Corvus added when told of the modification.

“About those blaster marks. Well…you see…the first time I was here…that is…yes. The ones on the ceiling. I shot the lights out. It seemed a good idea at the time. There was some dodgy clientele. But it’s full of atmosphere, isn’t it?”

If Corvus wore spectacles, they would have been tinted the brightest shade of rose.

“So, once you’ve finished your drink, we can hire a couple of eopies and go on a little tour. You’ve ridden them before, yes?” It sounded such a standard question the way she asked it. Like enquiring if you’d tried blue milk or been on a starship.

[member="Taeli Raaf"]

 

[Taeli Raaf]

[member="Corvus Raaf"]

"Yeah, but I might design a new lightsaber and keep this one in reserve, maybe," she said, thinking while her sister waxed in memories of her time here before.

"It's Tatooine, of course there is a dodgy clientele," Taeli laughed. The bartender glared at her a bit as he handed her the milk, and she blushed a little. "No offense meant sir, none at all."

When her sister mentioned eopies, well Taeli fell immediately silent and froze a little.

"Uh . . . yeah . . . about riding . . . eopies," Taeli mumbled, looking down at the bar. In a very quiet voice, she continued saying, "I may not . . . umm well . . . I don't know how to ride one."

It was an embarrassing admission, but she had a reason. When she was little, a childhood friend of hers had a birthday party themed after a petting zoo, and the eopie that had been there bit her on the hand. She had cried and screamed, turning a molehill into a mountain, as the bite had been a tiny little love nip if that. Still, it had instilled in her a fear of eopies that she had never gotten over.

 

[Corvus Raaf]

Corvus looked shocked. Didn't everyone ride eopies? On reflection, she'd seen hardly anyone on her travels.

"A dewback? Or would you prefer a speeder? You know I'm going to breed eopies here eventually. And dewbacks. Have a little ranch. Maybe then I can teach you?"

Corvus moved on with the conversation. "I thought we'd take the scenic route to...to where we're going. There's someone I'd like you to meet on the way if that's OK?" She took a swig of her drink and as ever, the blue moustache appeared. This was not the sort of premises that offered straws.

"And Tatooine is wonderful. It's full of character and...smells." She sniffed the air. Someone had opened the door and the aroma wafting in was decidedly unpleasant. "Anyway, drink up, we need to get going. If we're going to use a speeder, we need to do a bit of walking to see my friend. He doesn't like technology very much."

[member="Taeli Raaf"]

 

[Taeli Raaf]

[member="Corvus Raaf"]

"Uh if that's okay, a speeder is fine by me," Taeli said, blushing a little. She was not going to tell her sister that story, it was embarrassing and she would never hear the end of it. "I'm guessing your friend is one of the natives of the planet."

Her nose crinkled as a fresh wash of a very pungent aroma wafted towards them. Tatooine would not be her chosen place of residence, Chandrila or Naboo would be more her style, if she ever decided to retire to a quiet place. Erilnar was also on that list, but that was her company's headquarters and she would want a place separate from that.

"Okay, chugging milk now," Taeli said, taking a large gulp of her drink and putting the glass down. A spectacular blue milk mustache was on her upper lip. "Okay, I feel like a little kid again right now."