Private Double Disability

[Jalen Kai'el]

Double Disability
Coruscant, Jedi Temple
Tags: Kyell Laysel

​

All of Jalen's worries had faded away. There were always a handful of things on his mind, from flames to flamboyant strangers looking to bother him, but everything fell away when he was in the temple's mess hall. The only thing that mattered in this cantina was the burger plated in front of him. There was nothing quite like a warm burger. It was the only thing Jalen looked forward to in his day aside from the regular visits he made to his brother Jasper. The sensation of sight may have been long gone, but Jalen was locked onto it's warm, radiant aura.

He was sitting alone in the corner of the cantina, as he usually did. Making friends was always a hassle, and the first reaction to people finding out he was blind was usually sympathy. Jalen didn't want to be the kid people felt sorry for. Being on his own could at least spare him the shame. So, there he was. Alone with his burger, just as he would have it. So long as he sat there with his grilled confection, the padawan could comfortably forget about the world.

That was all he needed, right?

 

[Kyell Laysel]

Location: NJO Temple
Tag: Jalen Kai'el

<Mind if I join you?> Kyell asked telepathically, his tone careful just in case the young boy wasn't used to it or even just disliked it. Not that Kyell had much of a choice, but usually he'd ask for permission with written text on his datapad. That, however, wasn't going to work with Jalen. He didn't know the kid, but he could tell that he was blind by studying his eyes.

Although, perhaps he was gifted with Force Sight instead.

Normally, Kyell would have also left him alone — he knew what it was like and how it could be more comforting to just sit in silence and focus on your own things. But at the same time, he also knew how good it felt when he finally did make friends, and people were interested in spending time with him. Whether that would be the case for Jalen as well, he didn't know yet, but he was willing to make an effort to just get to know a fellow student.

So with his plate in his hands, he waited for the boy's response.

 

[Jalen Kai'el]

Coruscant, Jedi Temple
Tags: Kyell Laysel

​

It took Jalen a moment to locate who had spoken to him. The words seemed to ring in his head, permeating his very thoughts. Telepathy? It seemed to be the most logical answer. Why not just speak to him? The young padawan turned his head, locating the aura of the man who had spoken to him. He seemed youthful, at least based on how his presence felt, but seemed to be older then him. Maybe in his early twenties?

"S-sure," Jalen responded with a slight cock of his head. "Go ahead."

Now what should he do? Starting a conversation wasn't exactly his strong suit. He should probably introduce himself. Yeah, that was a good idea.

"I'm Jalen," he greeted.

 

[Kyell Laysel]

Location: NJO Temple
Tag: Jalen Kai'el

<Thanks, and it's nice to meet you, Jalen. I'm Kyell,> he said to introduce himself while he lowered into a seat and set down his plate. But as he did, he realized he hadn't even explained why he was communicating telepathically. He had been spending so much time around Miri and other Jedi who already knew him, that the use of telepathy no longer felt strange.

<I hope the telepathy isn't uncomfortable. I'm mute, so it's the only way I can talk,> he thus added. Kyell then took a bite from his food and studied the young boy for a moment. He seemed a little nervous, or perhaps just uncertain. It was a feeling Kyell could relate to quite easily.

<Are you new here at the Temple? I don't think I've seen you here before.>