Private Duality of the soul

[Kaelyn Serev]

Dusk slowly crept across the training terrace of Shiraya’s Sanctuary a once warm day giving way to the chill of evening. Hunched near the center of the terrace sat a young Padawan, muscles aching and breath ragged exhausted from pushing himself far beyond what had been advised.

With a muttered curse, he straightened as a soft breeze swept copper hued locks from his eyes.
“Should have listened to the instructor,” he grumbled to no one in particular. “Why didn’t I listen to the instructor?”
The question drifted unanswered into the open sky, carried off by the wind.

He remained there in quiet bewilderment, still struggling to accept the distance between who he had been a simple artisan’s son on Epica and who he was now: an aspiring Padawan standing at the unknown.

Aiden Porte

 

[Aiden Porte]

Kaelyn Serev​

Aiden Porte moved quietly through Shiraya's Sanctuary, the stone still holding the last warmth of the day beneath his boots. Evening had thinned the crowds, though a handful of Padawans lingered on the training terrace, pushing themselves a little too far in the fading light.

His attention settled on one in particular. The young Padawan sat near the center of the terrace, shoulders tense, muttering frustrations to the open air. Aiden slowed, a small and knowing smile touching his expression. He had heard that tone before. He had worn it himself once.

He stepped closer, his presence calm and unassuming, careful not to startle. "What exactly was it," Aiden asked gently, his voice carrying easily in the quiet, "What advice did you not heed?"

He stopped a respectful distance away, hands loosely folded behind his back, eyes kind rather than judging. The Force around him was steady, offering patience instead of pressure, as dusk finally gave way to night.

 

[Kaelyn Serev]

The sudden words startled the young Padawan , catching him off guard as he hadn’t expected anyone to address him. Cerulean hued eyes widened slightly as they turned toward the one who had spoken.
Kaelyn hesitated, unsure how to respond. He struggled to recall the proper way to greet another member of the Order let alone a Jedi Knight. Not wanting to leave an uncomfortable silence hanging between them, he finally spoke.

“I was instructed not to attempt the more difficult settings of the training course,” he admitted, “but I couldn’t help myself and prove that I can handle it.”

Instinctively, Kaelyn braced for whatever reprimand might follow. Such moments had become commonplace in his life, a familiar pattern that seemed to be one of the few constants he could rely on.

Aiden Porte