Becoming the Fortress [Valeria Aetani]

[Thurion Heavenshield]

Laekia
Apartments

It had been some time now since Master Heavenshield and Padawan Aetani had arrived on planet Laekia in Sanctum space, and he hoped that the girl had gotten herself somewhat used to living in an apartment like a normal person rather than in a monastic temple solely devoted to training and discipline. He took her for one who places devotion and skill above all else - a traditionalist, much like his Asha had been. That was her way, and he would not impose on her; he'd done his many years of padawan training and knew full well how it strained your body and mind alike, and therefore he would let her find her own way of coping with the stress. Freedom of choice was the number one rule among the Levantines, after all, and one he supported wholeheartedly.

*knock, knock*

"Valeria? It's Thurion, can I come in?" he asked from behind her door, while keeping a sharp ear for any sounds from within the apartment, which was conveniently just down the hall from his and Nina's. Perhaps she was still mourning her late master, and grief could sometimes become too much to bear. He knew that first hand, and would not hesitate to barge in should he hear sounds of sobbing or the likes from the other side. He cared that much for her already. He cared about anyone enough to offer consolation from sorrow, as should everyone; so much good can come from just showing a little compassion. One of his virtues he held dear.

[member="Valeria Aetani"]

 

[Valiens Nantaris]

[member="Thurion Heavenshield"]

Valeria had been meditating on the floor when the knock came. Immersed in the Force she had sensed her Master’s approach, felt his slight apprehension. So immersed was she that she almost didn’t react to the knock on the door, instead having to pull her way back to reality.
“Come in!” she called. A guilty look around the room to make sure there was nothing too badly out of place. Fortunately there wasn’t. She was, on the whole, pretty neat, and she quickly made her bed and sat on it as he came in.

“Hi, Thurion. Are you alright?” she asked. For her part Valeria looked happy and healthy. She was recovering from the loss of her Master, but she wasn’t lost in grief over it.

 

[Thurion Heavenshield]

Her smile was met with one of his own as he stepped inside her humble abode and saw her sitting on her bed. "I'm fine, thanks. You starting to get comfortable around here? I know it's probably not what you expected, but I've found that living like this makes for a welcoming change. And if you think about it, it's not far off from the dorms at the Jedi Temple", he chuckled. It had been easier for him to adapt; he had Nina living with him, which made it feel more like an ordinary home. Why shouldn't Force-Users be allowed to live like normal people? The sterility and tranquility of a temple was something the Jedi Master would probably never get the same feeling for again, even though his deep respect for tradition would never wane. This was just how he chose to live, and he was happy here with Nina.

Speaking of Nina, when her father had left the apartment she had done the same without him noticing. The barefooted, light walk of hers was impossible to pick up on until she got close enough to touch his hand as Thurion stood in the doorway. "Well, hello there, little one! Have you come to say 'hi' to our newest friend?" he said with jovial voice, giving her tiny hand in his a gentle squeeze. She wouldn't answer in the form of words, as per usual, but rather looked over at the padawan sat in her bed and managed a smile followed by a nod, after which she nuzzled her face into Thurion's hand. In the time that Valeria had been getting herself sorted on Laekia, she and Nina had met on numerous occasions. Perks of living only a hallway away from eachother, and her father had made sure to introduce the two and familiarise the otherwise shy little girl to her presence.

"So! I've given it some thought and I believe that it's high time for your first lesson, Padawan. Do you feel up to it, or shall I come back later?" There was an enthusiastic tone to his voice as he spoke; it had been some time since his last lesson to an apprentice of his. He just hoped he hadn't gotten rusty at it.

[member="Valeria Aetani"]

 

[Valiens Nantaris]

[member="Thurion Heavenshield"]
This writer...is rather forgetful, so without constant prodding tends to forget about threads. On the other hand, this writer is incredibly skilled in retaining otherwise useless trivia, so perhaps it balances out somewhere.
Valeria herself looked up at Thurion and to the young girl. She'd seen the girl around, assumed she was the daughter of Thurion. That in itself was an odd thought considering the way the vanilla order acted for the most part.
Still she smiled and waved back, a little foolishly. "Hi there, Nina right?" she asked.
Looking back to Thurion she smiled. "Sure, I'm ready if you are, Thurion."