Private Garden of Stone

[Corazona von Ascania]

Ukatis Jedi Enclave​

Tucked into the natural contours of the land, the territory of the Ukatis Jedi temple sprawled over hills and fields.

Centered on the structure of an abandoned castle, the Jedi had slowly transformed ancient stonework into a spartan, if livable building. In reverence to their surroundings, they'd taken care not to disturb the plant life that sprawled along archways and twined up high walls.

Corazona sat in one of the temple's many gardens. Back straight, legs crossed, eyes closed, she hovered several inches above the ground in meditation.

It had always been easier for her to focus here among the flora, particularly with those native to Ukatis. Perhaps there was an element of Force attunement at play.

The enclave hummed steadily around her. There was the distant crack of hammers breaking stone, and nearby soft chatter from a high window as one of the knights lead a guided exercise.

Through it all, the Force shifted as a gentle presence - unknown, but not unwelcome - drifted towards her. One corner of Cora's lips lifted into a faint half-smile.

She remained among the flowers and vining plants, patient and serene.

Sora Aslendi

 

[Sora Aslendi]

TEMPLE GARDEN
JEDI TEMPLE
UKATIS

The wind blows on my face as I take a stroll through the Temple Garden, humming softly a tune that's never been sung.

I almost don't notice the Master as she is deep in meditation, but I am intrigued as to how one can achieve such levels of concentration.

I ponder on what mediation is like for a moment. 'Where does the mind go? Is it the absence of unnecessary thoughts?' I'm not really sure, but what I do know is it's really fricking cool. My youthful curiosity moves as I noticed something in the grass, but ultimately nothing is there. Perhaps my mind was playing tricks. I am just intrigued by everything as I hum that tune once more.

Corazona von Ascania
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[Corazona von Ascania]

The Padawan's soft humming was another note in the melody of the Force. One corner of Cora's lips lifted in a half-smile.

Slowly, her hovering form lowered to the ground. Ocean blue eyes opened, regarding the Togruta with a gentle sort of steadiness.

"A new face," she murmured with a pleased lilt to her voice. "Welcome, Padawan. Would you like to join me?"

Cora gestured to the grass in front of her. Whether or not Sora obliged, she would tilt her head to him in greeting. "I am Knight Corazona von Ascania," she introduced herself. "What brings you out here?"

While recently established, the Ukatis enclave was often sought after by those who were interested in a more simplistic lifestyle, or who held an interest in the healing or agricultural arts.

Sora Aslendi

 

[Sora Aslendi]

TEMPLE GARDEN
JEDI TEMPLE
UKATIS

I feel the grass beneath my feet, even though I'm wearing shoes, perhaps my growing attunement with the Living Force is to blame.

"Um, I'm not too sure..." I thought for a moment, contemplating what my answer would be. "I guess I wanted to feel closer to life... the nature is beautiful." I step closer, taking her up on her offer.

"My name is Sora... Sora Aslendi." I sit down in front of her with my legs crossed as well. I look her up and down, The Force radiates from her. It surrounds her and flows through her, I can feel it. She is powerful. "Woah..."

Corazona von Ascania
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[Corazona von Ascania]

"The Force resides within all living things," she acknowledged. "Nowhere can it be felt more purely than in nature." Her smile grew as a sort of mutual understanding began to unfold between them. Some Jedi thrived in urban environments, and they were just as necessary as those who were drawn to more natural surroundings.

After all, they served the galaxy. And much of the galaxy did not live in forests.

Cora leaned in a little closer, her head tilted just slightly to the side.

"I much prefer greenery to city streets, too."

For a quiet moment, she observed Sora and the way the Force flowed around him. He was young, but full of potential.

"Padawan Aslendi," she began, "what sort of Jedi do you wish to be?"

Sora Aslendi

 

[Sora Aslendi]

TEMPLE GARDEN
JEDI TEMPLE
UKATIS

He was a little caught of guard by the question, but is willing to answer. He ponders for a moment and remembers what he can of his parents and touches the necklace around his neck that was given to him as a baby.


“I want to spread hope throughout the galaxy and bring help to anyone that needs it...” He stops to think once more, but only momentarily as he pieces it together. “I want try to make things better for others, now and in the future.”

He nods as he feels proud and satisfied with his response. He smirks softly as he looks up at her awaiting what she will say to him, now that she heard his answer. He hopes that she would approve of his sentiment and wish.

Corazona von Ascania
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[Corazona von Ascania]

Cora remained quiet, giving Sora the space that he needed to answer her question. As he spoke, her eyes followed the motion of his hand as it brushed against the pendant.

She smiled. It was a soft, knowing expression.

"I believe that is the essence of what it means to be a Jedi - using our gifts to help heal the ills of the galaxy. To let our actions speak louder than the code."

Cora paused, a grave note running through her otherwise kindly tone.

"At times, that means lifting a blade when Darkness threatens to rise. More often than not, it means problem solving and diplomacy. Not everyone will welcome the Jedi, no matter how good our intentions are."

Indeed, their first contact with the Mandalorian Empire hadn't gone as well as it could have. Fortunately, they'd managed to smooth a bumpy situation over.

"Tell me, Padawan Aslendi. What skills do you think you'll need to develop in order to achieve your goal?"

Sora Aslendi

 

[Sora Aslendi]

TEMPLE GARDEN
JEDI TEMPLE
UKATIS

He stops and ponders for a moment, thinking of the best way to answer this question. It takes him a just a few seconds before he had an idea.


“Telekinesis is a good skill. I've seen that many Jedi know this." He responds.

He thinks once again, but then stops with a nod as he is certain that this is a correct answer. He waits patiently for a responds even if it's just for a second.

Corazona von Ascania
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[Corazona von Ascania]

"Telekinesis is a remarkably versatile skill for a Jedi," she acknowledged with a dip of her head. "Many choose to specialize in it."

Before she could say more, something shifted in the Force. It could be felt in the way the wind rustled through the tall grass, and a few moments later, one of the temple's Padawans jogged toward them.

"Master Ascania!" He called, stopping to rest his hands on his knees. He was a humanoid male, clad in sandy brown robes a few shades darker than his hair. "There's been an accident in the village - something with the farming equipment."

Cora frowned, already rising. "And there are injuries?"

The Padawan nodded quickly.

"I see," she murmured, and turned toward Sora. "Come, Padawan Aslendi. I could use your help."

Sora Aslendi

 

[Sora Aslendi]

TEMPLE GARDEN
JEDI TEMPLE
UKATIS

Sora noticed and felt a bit of the shift in the Force. The wind brushed past him and it felt like it had a faint hint of pain as it blew. He saw the look on the young Padawan's face. He could tell that this was not good. He could tell that it went very bad.

He looked back at Master Ascania, a worried look on his face.

“Yes, Master.” I say while nodding affirmingly. This is a serious situation and must be treated accordingly.

Corazona von Ascania
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[Corazona von Ascania]

Without further delay, the group of Jedi departed the garden and made their way into the nearby village fields. Very quickly, they'd come upon a group of townsfolk crowded around what appeared to be an overturned harvester crawler.

"The Jedi are here!" One of them shouted, breathless. The mob of people parted for them, allowing the trio past.

At the front the crowd, they'd see the toppled piece of farm equipment pinning a young man to the ground by the lower half of his torso. A middle aged woman knelt by the harvester, her face a mask of tearful worry.

"Oh, please!" She pled, "Please, you have to save my son. The men tried to move the harvester but it seems to be stuck."

Cora knelt beside the machine, inspecting the odd angle that had pinned the boy. "We will get him out of here," she assured the woman. Then, she rose and turned to Sora.

"Padawan, we will use the Force to help assist them in lifting the harvester. Are you ready?"

Sora Aslendi

 

[Sora Aslendi]

VILLAGE FIELDS
UKATIS

I look down at the young man pinned by the harvester crawler. I have a worried expression on my face as I look at the mom's worry who is ever so slowly turning to distraught.

The fear in her eyes is almost impalpable. I don't know why, but I feel her emotions heavily, almost as if they were were my own. Through this I realize that we must help him. We must help her.

I direct my gaze back on Master Ascania before leading with an understanding nod as I take a deep breath.

Corazona von Ascania
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[Corazona von Ascania]

A moment passed where Cora could feel the way the Force shifted around Sora, heavy with feeling.

It lasted only for a moment before her attention returned to the task at hand. They could address how this made him felt later - after a life was saved.

"On my count," she said while rising, hands extended out toward the fallen vehicle. "One, two…three!"

Together, Knight and Padawan would call upon the Force. The harvester trembled, before slowly tilting upward. Two men clambered forward to drag the boy out from beneath the machine. Once he'd been extracted, Cora released her hold on the farming equipment. She dropped down to one knee before the injured boy, motioning for Sora to do the same.

The dark fabric of his pants was a muddled mess, torn and soaked with blood in several places. Cora's hands pressed to wound at his thigh, temporarily stemming the flow of blood.

"Padawan," her gaze flicked up to the Togruta, "have you ever healed anyone using the Force before?"

Sora Aslendi

 

[Sora Aslendi]

VILLAGE FIELDS
UKATIS

I feel good that I was able to help with using the force to move the tractor. I kneel down and get close to the wound.

I hear her words and shake my head in response. “No Master.”

I look down at the wound a assessing it for a quick second before looking back at up her.


This is the moment, some first hand experience. For some reason at that moment, the Force seemed to be beckoning me to get closer, almost calling me to do it. I could feel the Force soaring through me, deep in my skin, in my bones. This is unusual. I've never felt anything like this before, but I try to stay on track and keep a brave face as I wait for her response.

Corazona von Ascania
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[Corazona von Ascania]

"Today, I'd like you to try."

The way that the Force moved around Sora did not go unnoticed. Cora directed his attention to the wound on the man's thigh, using one hand to widen the hole in the fabric around bloodied flesh.

"Put your hand closer. Is the wound clear? Can you tell if anything was left behind?"

If Sora would reach out into the Force, he might feel a metal shard embedded into the man's leg.

"If so," she continued, "use the Force to carefully guide it out. I will stem the blood flow while you work."

Sora Aslendi

 

[Sora Aslendi]

VILLAGE FIELDS
UKATIS

I nod quickly, but firmly as I take a deep breath and try to focus on the wound and feel the Force around me and within every living thing. I feel that there is a piece of metal stuck inside his wound.

I make a slightly surprised face before almost commanding with feeling that the piece should be moved up very slowly. I'm actually using the Force for something very big.

The piece ever so slowly and delicately makes it way out with the slight turn of my fingers. I maneuvers diligently as not to hurt him further.

Once it has made it's way out, I let it fall onto the ground beside us as I look up at you for affirmation and direction on what to do next.

Corazona von Ascania
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[Corazona von Ascania]

Cora watched Sora work, intent on letting him manage the extraction himself unless their patient was in danger. She could feel the Force flow, both in her application of stopping the bleeding, and in Sora's where he concentrated on guiding the metal shard to the surface.

"Careful," she cautioned, low and steady. "Try and extract the fragment the same way it went in. We don't want to risk hurting him further if we can help it."

Slowly, carefully, Sora guided the debris from the man's leg. Cora made a pleased sound from the back of her throat. "Good. Very good, Padawan. Now," she brought her finger to the edge of the wound, "I will help you with this next part. Channel the Force to knit his flesh back together. Remember that the Force flows within all living things – it is life itself."

As she spoke, the air around them began to swell with the Light side of the Force. Cora would guide Sora through mending the wound.

Sora Aslendi