Private Hearts and Minds

[Ikenna Tahj]

Braze | Casaana | Valery Noble

When Ikenna found out he had been called to Coruscant he'd felt more than a little excitement. While the Alderaanian temple was nice, nothing compared to the Coruscant Temple. The lights, the sounds, atmosphere was all so different than boring old Alderaan. When he arrived though his excitement vanished in a flash. Younglings. He was escorting YOUNGLINGS. How had his name even been pulled for this kind of duty? The Knights and Masters all said it was a right of passage for any Padawan to escort a group of Younglings into Illum's caverns to collect their first lightsaber crystal. He knew from overhearing Knights complain that they would have to do it again as a Knight anyway, so why did he have to be the one this time? He'd rather have spent time at home with the nerf than the icy depths of that planet. And his companion? Braze? Well...He wasn't the brightest saber in the bunch. Airsick for sure.

The GR-95 transport approached the Illum enclave, the talkative younglings finally turned speechless from the view of the planet. A giant tree grew from the ice, its lush, green canopy an oddity among the frozen wasteland. Icy metal husks of Imperial tanks and the wreck of an Alliance capitalship marred the landscape where Imperials had tried years ago to strip the planet of Kyber for a weapon that would never again see the light of the stars. They passed over the old battlefield and landed on a platform just outside the temple. Jedi Master Valery Noble was waiting for them, muscles bulging and golden eyes piercing. Ikenna shivered, and not from the cold. What did one do when a Master on the Council personally greeted you on a rather mundane, routine mission?

"M-Master Noble," he said and bowed his head.

 

[Valery Noble]

Ilum

​

Outfit: Factory Link | Wedding Ring
Weapons: Lightsabers
Tag: Braze Casaana Kahlil Noble Ikenna Tahj BB-610

"They insisted to fly here with the other younglings," Valery told Kahlil Noble as they watched the transport making its way down towards the surface. Vera and Aris weren't little kids anymore — or at least, that's what Vera kept telling her parents. At 10 years old, they were on the verge of completing their youngling training, and becoming eligible for being picked up as a Padawan. It was both exciting and terrifying at the same time.

Her little girl was growing up, and now she didn't even want to fly with her parents anymore. She had to be with the other young Jedi instead, and Aris had joined her.

"At least I got to dress them up warm before they left..." She smiled a little at her husband, but soon straightened her posture and stood ready to welcome the other Jedi. Vera and Aris had both been forced into winter coats by her motherly hands, and they were each wearing a little backpack with emergency supplies. They were only going into the caves, which wasn't too dangerous, but better safe than sorry, right?

Together with the younglings, Padawan Ikenna Tahj stepped forward — he would be leading this little excursion. But Valery had wanted to welcome them to Ilum first, and show them some support.

"Greetings, Padawan Tahj. Thank you for helping us out here today," Valery said before she offered a respectful bow of her head. Her fiery gaze then shifted to the young Jedi, and she offered them a smile.

"I hope you're all ready for your gathering today."

 

[Loomi]

Ilum
Tags: Valery Noble , Braze , Casaana , Ikenna Tahj , Kahlil Noble

Loomi didn't have a a kyber crystal.

She had arrived without one, and hadn't even been with the Jedi for a full year yet. Older younglings were supposed to go to get crystals on Ilum, but she hadn't had the chance due to her arriving slightly older than the average youngling. Padawan aged but with no kyber, so here she was. A part of her was embarrassed, here going through the trials that she should've gone through as a younger girl, but she had to do it.

"I hope you're all ready for your gathering today."

The Godoan didn't think she was ready, but she wouldn't say anything. She'd simply sit quietly and wait for these trials to start. Hopefully they wouldn't be too bad, and she certainly didn't want to look bad in front of the younglings and the older padawan overseeing them.

It was going to be a rough day.

 

[Braze]

TAGS: Loomi Ikenna Tahj Casaana Kahlil Noble



Braze wasn't complaining about the trip. He had found himself on this unexpected trip, feeling shocked by the call to duty. He couldn't help but think back to his past attempts and visits to Illum when he was younger. The memories of those times, and especially the overwhelming experiences on Centerra and the Sith Tomb cave with Aliris Tremiru who had stolen and bled the tiny Ember Tide; those experiances haunted him. He used to have Ember Tide by his side during those earlier missions to Illum, and it offered him comfort when he had failed in the past. There had always been some problem or another with finding his own crystal that called to him specifically.

During the journey, Braze wasn't his usual talkative self. Instead, he remained quiet and introspective, observing the younger members of their group who were filled with excitement over the adventure. His thoughts and unease nagged at him, but he pushed them aside, determined to put his best foot forward. As a chaperone, he needed to set an example and be a reliable presence for the group.

He could feel the irritability radiating off of Ikenna and presumed it was about essentially being a babysitter for younglings. Sure it wasn't the most exciting task but it had its purpose none the less.

Once they landed, Braze offered a faint smile to his fellow chaperone, Ikenna, and began to speak softly, almost in a whisper. "It's not that bad, you know. Think of it as an honor; these young ones will remember us and what we say and do during these formative years. Our actions may shape their experiences, and the least we can do is show some enthusiasm and encourage them. This is a significant step for them."

Turning his attention to Loomi, he sensed her anxiety and tried to offer her comfort. "It's okay, Loomi. Don't worry about what others think; it won't matter in the future. Try to focus on the present and embrace the moment. We might not have a chance for such peaceful moments like this in the future. Just take a deep breath and... relax. I'm here if you need me too."

Braze's words were meant to reassure and uplift, even as he grappled with his own inner turmoil. He knew that this journey held significance, not just for the young ones but for himself as well.

As he stood there, dressed for the occasion, Braze's attire reflected his unique 'style'. He wore a sleeveless ensemble, predominantly in dark colors, that provided both comfort and functionality. His thick baggy pants resembled hakama, offering him ample warmth and flexibility. On his feet, he had sturdy, thick-soled boots suitable for the terrain they would encounter.

His arms were adorned with gauntlets, hand wraps, and gloves, adding an extra layer of protection. Over his outfit, he draped a fur-lined hooded cloak with arm openings, a practical choice to shield himself from the elements. Despite the cold, he chose to wear a halter top, leaving his upper arms, and lower abdomen bare. It was a distinctive look though looked as if it might leave him rather cold.

As he disembarked from the small ship, Braze's soft, pale jade-green eyes settled on Valery Noble . The sight of her here surprised him momentarily, and he felt a chill run down his spine as the cold atmosphere enveloped him. His porcelain-white skin reacted to the cold, with the bridge of his nose, the tips of his ears, and his lips flushed, acquiring a rosy hue. The cold was brisk, causing him to shiver involuntarily.

Quickly, he drew on the Force, implementing tapas to adjust to the temperature. As the warmth of the Force enveloped him, his shivering subsided, and he felt more comfortable in the frigid surroundings. Bowing his head in greeting, he offered Valery a warm smile. "Good morning."​

 

[Kahlil Noble]

Kahlil was not smiling.

Instead, he sadly looked off, almost as if he was pouting. He was of course. Aris and Vera had both decided they wanted to go off on their own, and the somber father that Kahlil was couldn't pretend to not feel some heartbreak at his children's independence. He knew this day was coming, that they would no longer need their parents. But it still made him very, very sad. He'd get over it, of course.

Especially once the others had arrived. The pout would be gone, but every now and then he'd glance to his children with a sad twinkle in his eye before focusing on the meeting at hand.

"They'll stay warm, for certain."

He gave Ikenna a bow of his head just as Valery did. Turned his gaze to similarly look out at all the younglings and Padawans gathered. And smiled. Just a little. It wasn't the normal warm smile he had, but even with how somber he was with facing the reality of how much his children had grown he couldn't help but feel proud of all the Jedi gathered here. The crystal trial was one of the most important, after all.

Braze | Loomi | Valery Noble | Ikenna Tahj

 

[Casaana]

Tags: Valery Noble , Braze , Ikenna Tahj , Kahlil Noble , Loomi

As boring as the trip through space normally would have been, Casaana hadn't stopped slightly vibrating the whole trip. Whenever told to stay still, she'd try to be good and would just stand, slightly bouncing on her toes. Then the day came, the day she'd be getting her lightsaber, or at least the crystal, that would be just as good. Well not really, but it was the important first step, she could finally move on up from this training saber.

The chaperones made sure she was super bundled up before opening up the ship with extra warm clothing and left her standing around as they cheked on the others. Braze, whom Casaana was pretty sure was secretly a guy, was talking to Loomi to cheer her up about something. Intrested, she made her way over too. "It's alright, I'll help you too and we'll get through alright." In a lower whisper that didn't help much she added probably unnecessarily. "I'm late for getting my crystal too."

Then the doors opened, inviting in the freezing burst of wind that immediately grabbed Casaana's attention and sent her scampering down the ramp to what she figured was her fourth ever planet. A few steps off the ramp, she paused, took a deep breath and looked down to the ground. Snow!

Squatting down she started digging to see how deep it was and then made a snow ball, then a bigger one as she set about making a few small snowmen. Wait, new planet was more interesting than her first snow right? Standing, she took in the sights of Ilum, the dark sky so clear she could see every star, the blues and greens streaking the sky and over the icy mountains. "Woooah."

 

[BB-610]

| LOCATION: Ilum |
| TAG: Valery Noble | Kahlil Noble | Ikenna Tahj | Loomi | Braze | Casaana |


Ever the babysitter, BB-610 was more than happy to accompany his family to the caves of Ilum. The personal pickings of kyber crystals were an integral part to one's journey to becoming a Jedi, and he had seen such remarkable growth in the Noble children in such a short amount of time that he had to be there with them. They meant the world to him, and sooner would he deactivate it permanently than allow any harm to come to them. A worry wart at his core, the astromech would be lying if he said a part of him hadn't wanted to tag along just to keep a watchful eye on the kids.

He trailed behind them, allowing them to lead the way while still remaining in arm's reach should anything happen to them. They'd soon stopped, huddling up with the ensemble of other Padawans, a few of which he recognized, and many of which were complete strangers. A tad intimidating to be met with so many unfamiliar faces, but the droid had grown far past the skittish bundle of nerves he used to be around humans. He saw it as an opportunity to make new friends, just as he'd done with Loomi - it seems the two are spelunking once more, much to his entertainment.

BB-610 turned to Vera and Aris, inching closer to them as he bweeped. He asked them if they were excited, and which colored crystals they were hoping to get. Silently, he hoped the two would behave, but he knew Vera's adventurous spirit far too much to be certain.

 

[Ikenna Tahj]

Valery Noble | Kahlil Noble | Braze | Loomi | Casaana | BB-610

"It's not that bad, you know. Think of it as an honor; these young ones will remember us and what we say and do during these formative years. Our actions may shape their experiences, and the least we can do is show some enthusiasm and encourage them. This is a significant step for them."

Ikenna sighed, knowing that Braze was right. He still remembered coming to Ilum for his crystal and his trials. He'd learned a lot about himself that day and though his journey had been accompanied by a single Knight rather than a gaggle of Padawans he knew that to the younglings there was little difference between a Jedi Padawan and a Jedi Knight if they had their lightsaber, which Ikenna did. It was a cross guard design based on ancient High Republic schematics from the Architect Droids. Crossguards were becoming more and more popular, especially with Master Noble and his iconic blade at the forefront of modern Jedi.

"I know, I know," he muttered.

"I hope you're all ready for your gathering today."

The group of Younglings exploded in excitement, various affirmatives coming from the ten or fifteen kids. Typically the trip was done in smaller groups but with two Padawans and two Initiates a larger group of Younglings had been sent. It should have been just enough to be herded by the four, but Ikenna was begining to have second thoughts as they started shouting off questions to the Sword of the Jedi like: "How do I choose my color?" and "Will I get to stab bad guys with it?" and the most common question, "Can you show us your lightsaber?" They were ravenous, like a pack of hungry Manka kittens.

"Come on everyone, this way, one at a time!" Ikenna tried his best to quiet them but they just got more rowdy at the sight of one of the "Initiates" playing in the snow. "Cassaana," he hissed. He didn't have anything else to add to the threat. He wished he could activate his lightsaber and give them all a good shock bonk to get them in line like he did with the Nerf back home when they got unruly and ornery.

 

[Valery Noble]

Ilum

​

Outfit: Factory Link | Wedding Ring
Weapons: Lightsabers
Tag: Braze Ikenna Tahj Kahlil Noble Loomi BB-610 Casaana

<You're cute when you're pouting.>

As hard as it was on her to let her children travel alone, without parental supervision, Valery took her shot to tease her husband. He was a very protective father, so she knew what this was like to him. At least Bee was still with them to keep an eye on them - Vera especially would need it. She had this day on her calendar for a while now, and had barely been able to sleep because of how excited she was.

"Don't worry, love. They still need Mom and Dad too," Valery added out loud, but still in private to him. She then took his hand, smiled and squeezed it while the herd of younglings was approaching. They were definitely getting more independent, but they were also still young kids.

There was plenty more time to enjoy being protective parents.

"Hey Mom! Hey Dad!" Vera called out loud, as she walked over with Aris, Bee and the other younglings or Padawans. She didn't care about proper greetings when it came to her parents - she just had to make sure that everybody knew that the two Jedi Masters were her Mom and Dad. She felt proud about it, and wasn't afraid to show it. "Hey Aris? Are you going to use the new crystal or use Mom's old one?" Vera whispered while other kids started bombarding her mother with questions.

Valery just blinked, but didn't seem to be botheres at all. She loved kids, and seeing them all so excited warmed her heart, "I'm not going to spoil too much. The gathering is a special little trial, and as long as you all stay focused, you'll have answers to your questions very soon." She dipped her head and turned to Braze and Ikenna, "Thank you two for guiding this gathering and may the Force be with you all." She then took a step back to stand besides her husband and looked at the little twinkle in his eye.

<Don't be too sad, love. Just look at how much fun they're-> She stopped as one of the kids began playing in the snow, and blinked when she watched Vera turning towards Casaana . Why was she getting involved?

"You should take this seriously, or the cave Wampa will eat you," Vera said with an innocent smile, but she knew there was no Wampa in the crystal caves.

Valery sighed and really hoped Bee would keep Vera from causing trouble before the trial started.

 

[Kahlil Noble]

Kahlil gave a somber wave to their children. At least Vera and Aris hadn't forgotten them. He could take solace in that. That was enough to bring an admittedly sad looking smile. At least he was smiling again. Though he did glance over towards the group of Padawan's who'd decided to start to play. It was heart warming to see them playing. Smiling, laughing. This was what he thought Padawan's should be doing.

Valery seemed to be thinking the same. Or at least just excited to see the next generation get their lightsabers.

"They'll do great, I imagine."

Aris shrugged, a little. Glanced to Vera. "I think I'm going to use mom's. And if I get a new one, I might try to make it Entropite, like dad. Seszil isn't exactly the.. Unharming type." Seszil was a sword. That was all there was to say about that. He blinked though as he watched vera walk towards the other Padawans and frowned. Just a little frown as he stepped over to take her hand and gently pull her along.

"Don't scare them like that, Vera. There's no Wampas on Ilum."

Valery Noble

 

[Casaana]

Tags: Valery Noble , Braze , Ikenna Tahj , Kahlil Noble , Loomi , BB-610
Casaana's head whipped around at hearing her name. She knew what it meant when someone said it like that. She wanted to, but rather than defend her sky-gazing, she turned to the little ones and spread her arms to heard them back into the rest of the group. "Come on," she whispered to them while shooting a glance towards the Nobles, "Behave in front of the Masters or we're gonna make Ikenna and Braze look bad."

After a few moments she'd managed to wrangle the smaller children into some semblance of order alongside Ikenna. She looked up at him, then over to the Masters having a moment with their own kids and back to him. Her expression seemed to say 'what now?' Were they expecting a briefing or speech?

No one seemed certain so after a bit, all eyes slowly turned to the two parents and their children as the group waited for its last members to join them.

 

[BB-610]

| LOCATION: Ilum |
| TAG: Valery Noble | Kahlil Noble | Ikenna Tahj | Loomi | Braze | Casaana |


BB-610 could tell that he already had his work cut out for him. He gave a fleeting glance to Valery and Kahlil, offering a humble nod, before he rolled off after Vera, joined by Aris before the latter had taken the girl's hand in his. The astromech warbled, telling her that she should listen to her brother. His tone was gentle, his binary worded in a way that wasn't too confrontational, but there existed an underlying sternness to his words, birthed from concern. BB-610 wasn't one to boss the children around, but Vera was always a smidge too rambunctious for her own good.

The droid turned to the girl she'd spoken to, offering her an apologetic chirp. He bweeped, apologizing on Vera's behalf, as he told the girl that she sometimes took a little too much after her mother's adventurous side. BB-610 cast a brief look back to the two Nobles to keep an eye on them, but he had enough faith in them to sit still for a little while longer. The astromech continued, mentioning to Casaana that he'd never seen her before. He introduced himself as Bee, Valery's droid, his binary bubbly with excitement as he asked the girl what her name was.

 

[Loomi]

Ilum
Tags: Braze , Ikenna Tahj , Casaana , Valery Noble , Kahlil Noble , BB-610

"It's okay, Loomi. Don't worry about what others think; it won't matter in the future. Try to focus on the present and embrace the moment. We might not have a chance for such peaceful moments like this in the future. Just take a deep breath and... relax. I'm here if you need me too."

That was good. She was at the very least happy that Braze was here. The other boy, the notably older Ikenna, seemed to be not so stoked about overseeing the expadition. He seemed to relent at Braze's words, but there was clearly some frustration to needing to oversee the younglings. Loomi could at least respect that he was maintaining his composure and trying his best to lead.

The Godoan zipped her coat up tighter and continued to follow silently, giving Braze a silent feeling of appreciation through the force. Everything would be fine, right? This was something that kids younger than her experienced, so why should she have any trouble as a... however old she was kid.

Her eye would drift over to the Noble kids and BB-610. They seemed so... joyous. The warmth that radiated from their parents was apparent, as well as a hint of sorrow from Master Kahlil in particular. He didn't seem quite ready to let them go on their own, or at least that's what Loomi determined. She couldn't help but feel a pang of jelousy. There was so much love there, all things that were alien to the Godoan. Her childhood had been so cold. It was something that she didn't want to think about, so her focus shifted back to the task at hand.

She could do this. There were no doubts in her mind whatsoever.

 

[Braze]

TAGS: Loomi Ikenna Tahj Casaana Kahlil Noble

​

Braze took his role as a guide and mentor seriously, especially when it came to the younger members of the group. He watched over them with a watchful eye, ensuring their safety and well-being throughout the outing. His first priority was to keep them all in line and make sure they understood the importance of their actions as representatives of the Jedi Order.

As he noticed Loomi's unease, he decided to employ a familiar and friendly tactic. Just like he had done in the Museum on a previous occasion, he leaned in toward her and nudged her lightly with his elbow. It was a subtle but warm gesture, a silent invitation for her to relax and enjoy the day. He knew that Loomi had her own struggles, and he wanted to be there to support her.

Braze couldn't help but inject a bit of silent humor into the situation as he put on his best impersonation of Gabriel Pryce attempting to replicate his stern and serious demeanor.

When Casaana spoke about the importance of not making them look bad, Braze chimed in with his own words of wisdom. "Fortunately, we are by ourselves on this outing, with no strangers to impress. But first impressions are hard to change, so I advise you all to try to make good ones. Your actions don't just reflect yourselves; they reflect on the entirety of the Order. I'm certain knights interested in finding new padawans enjoy reading the reports Ikenna and I will write as well when looking to further their information on possible candidates for an apprentice."


With a warm smile Braze continued to help guide the group. As they were about to enter the caves for the crystal gathering, he addressed the younglings, speaking with genuine enthusiasm.

"Alright, everyone," Braze began, his voice filled with excitement. "Today, we're embarking on a special journey to find our kyber crystals. These crystals will become the hearts of your lightsabers, and they'll bond with you in a unique way. It's a momentous step in your path as Jedi."

He paused for a moment, letting the significance of their mission sink in for the younglings. Then, he continued with an encouraging tone.

"Each of you will feel a connection to a particular crystal—almost like it's calling out to you. It's a bit like finding a friend, and this crystal will become an extension of yourself when you construct your lightsaber. Trust your instincts, young ones, and let the Force guide you to the crystal that's meant for you. This journey is not just about the destination. I think Ikenna Tahj can elaborate a touch better than I can about this. " Braze stated deferring to the elder padawan.

​

 

[Ikenna Tahj]

Valery Noble | Kahlil Noble | Braze | Loomi | Casaana | BB-610

​

The trek to the caves wasn't long, though he felt the pressure of making sure none of the younglings vanished down a snowpit or got lost in the expanse of white hills and icy crags. He hadn't realized that the Noble's children were part of their group and he watched them especially, the mere thought of a missing Noble on his watch sending him into a near panic. Once they got there though all the younglings were accounted for and he was able to loose a sigh of relief.

Braze's speech was surprisingly mature. Maybe he had pegged him wrong when he had insisted on coming all the way out here with no coat. Maybe, just maybe, he was a little bit jealous that he was a Padawan with no saber while he was still an Initiate with no Master. He squashed the feelings aside and nodded, taking Braze's cue. It was time to show the Younglings what they'd been asking for. Ikenna pulled his lightsaber hilt from his belt and brought it out in front of him and very deliberately thumbed the activation switch.

The blade came to life in two stages, a low rumble-hiss as the crosgurad bits activated and the typical snap-hiss after as the long blade of his lightsaber rose before him casting a white-blue light across his skin. There were a few "oooos" and "Ahhhs" from the Younglings as their big eyes oogled his lightsaber.

"A lightsaber is more than a weapon to cut down bad guys," he said. "It is a Jedi's life, a symbol to the Galaxy that to many means peace, safety, and security. For a Jedi it," he faltered, his brow pinching together, "it..." he sneezed, the sound echoing down through the mouth of the cave. "Sorry." He gave a quick flourish, the tip of his long blade hissing when it cut through the snow. "Anyways, a lightsaber isn't just a proffered weapon. It is a badge of honor that we, and we alone wear for the good of others. But you can't have one without kyber. You'll feel it when you feel it. It might come as a song, that's how I found mine. It sang to me in the dark after I got lost in the caves." Ikenna got a far off look, remembering his adventure into the crystal cave. He deactivated his lightsaber and hooked it onto his belt again.

"I know you can all do it. The Force will be with you."

 

[Valery Noble]

Ilum

​

Outfit: Factory Link | Wedding Ring
Weapons: Lightsabers
Tag: Kahlil Noble Braze Loomi BB-610 Ikenna Tahj Casaana

"There could be Wampas on Ilum," Vera said with a grin, despite both Aris and Bee trying to stop her from scaring the slightly older girl. "But fine," she said before she let her brother drag her off to the rest of the group. It was a funny sight to Valery, seeing Aris pulling Vera along to keep her from causing trouble. Hopefully, there wouldn't be too much of that during this trial — the Padawans who were running the show already seemed a little nervous.

The last thing they needed was for a Noble to make their lives more difficult.

Turning to Ikenna, Vera listened to what he explained about lightsabers but didn't seem nearly as excited as the other kids. She had seen lightsabers many times before, and even used one in an emergency situation. But the idea of actually getting her own crystal and making her first lightsaber was very cool, though!

"Come on, it's time to go," Vera said before she waited for Ikenna to lead them to the caves.

Meanwhile, Valery decided to remain quiet, rather than offer a large speech as well. She wanted Ikenna and Braze to handle things, and just watched all the younglings instead. Especially her own kids, who she still struggled to let go. Not as much as Kahlil though, but that wasn't too surprising for her.

<Hey love, why don't we go to the hall and I'll make some hot cocoa? We can talk a little about... this.> she offered with a warm smile while the group left for the caves.

 

[Casaana]

Tags: Valery Noble , Braze , Ikenna Tahj , Kahlil Noble , Loomi , BB-610

Ohhh a speech, she didn't have one prepared but Ikenna had said a lot of good stuff that she probably would have if she'd had time to prepare one and Braze told them all what to do. That had to count right? Should she say something before heading in? Oh right! She was heading in. "And I'll be heading in with you if you need help." Casaana nodded in affirmation and crossed her arms as if sure of herself. Really this was one of the first big tests for her, never mind that nearly every padawan succeeded, there was always the fear of going into the unknown caves and what it would be like to return without a crystal and having to watch the others build their sabers.

Wait, Ikenna had said 'May the Force be with you.' That meant it was time to go! Pointing dramatically, one foot up on an ice rock she yelled out, "Alright, charge!"

The younglings seemed to surge forward into the caves around the padawans and Casaana watched them for a moment before realizing someone might get her crystal and took off after them. "Come on Vera!" She playfully called out to the younger girl as she passed her, "You don't want your brother to beat you out do you?"

 

[Loomi]

Ilum
Tags: Casaana , Valery Noble , Braze , Ikenna Tahj , BB-610 , Kahlil Noble

"There could be Wampas on Ilum,"

The shoulder bump from Braze had given her some reassurance, but these words had her panicking again. Wampas? She had no idea what that was, but it certainly sounded like a big, scary animal that ate children. The Godoan was a teen, but still very much a child. It wasn't hard for her imagination to run wild.

Loomi leaned closer to Braze, a concerned look now on her face.

"Braze?" she began in a hushed tone. "What's a Wampas?"

 

[Kahlil Noble]

"If there are, Seszil and the Jedi watching us will handle them. But there's no reason to worry the others like that. It's mean." The last thing Aris wanted was to scare the other Padawan's here. He and Vera could handle that kind of thing, but he didn't know about the others. He let out a sigh before nodding. They had to focus on their trials here. He wasn't sure how well he'd do, given there was supposed to be some connection he was to make with the crystal.

He could, he knew, but it's not like he could feel it like the others.

Aris glanced over to Bee though, gave the droid a soft smile. "You wanna come with us?"

<Hot chocolate sounds okay.> Kahlil gave Valery a brief smile. It wasn't his favorite like it seemed to be for Aris, but he'd never turn down a cup. Especially if it meant they'd have time to talk while the Padawan's were off collecting their crystals.

Valery Noble | BB-610 | Casaana | Braze | Ikenna Tahj | Loomi

 

[Braze]

TAGS: Loomi Ikenna Tahj Casaana Kahlil Noble Valery Noble
​

Braze's gaze swept over the younglings, a group of eager faces looking up at him, their eyes reflecting the vast, white expanse of Ilum's icy landscape. He cleared his throat, ready to dispel any notions that this was a mere field trip.

"The creature you're asking about; The Wampas. " Braze began, his tone measured, "is indeed formidable. Picture a beast towering over you, cloaked in thick, white fur, with the kind of primal hunger in its eyes that tells you you're nothing more than prey." He let the image hang in the air for a moment. "They may not be native to Ilum, but they're as real and dangerous as the legends suggest. Think of them as snow yetis of the galaxy."

He watched a ripple of excitement and apprehension pass through the group and decided it was time to ground their imaginations in the stark reality of their mission.

"But Ilum itself harbors creatures just as perilous," he continued, his voice taking on a grave note. "Gorgodons with their imposing size and strength, Asharl Panthers that blend into the snow until they're right upon you, Razhak Worms that could swallow you whole, and countless other dangers that are very much native to this planet."

He spared no expense in building the drama and tension; he was going to lean into playing the role of a 'wise and grizzled mentor' as best he could. He wanted to prove he could enact his duties and offer his own experiences and wisdom for bettering and teaching the young-lings. He paused, ensuring he had their undivided attention before delving into his own experiences.

"Twice I've come to Ilum for my gathering trial, and twice I've left empty-handed. Not because I couldn't find a crystal, but because I underestimated the planet's challenges." Braze's eyes darkened with the memory. "The first time, the cold was a wall, impenetrable and unyielding. It sapped my strength, clouded my judgment, and I learned that even a Jedi can succumb to the elements."

"The second time," he continued, "a Gorgodon outwitted me. I thought I was clever, agile enough to evade it. I was wrong. The hours I lost in that encounter were critical, and by the time I reached the crystal I was seeking, my time had run out."

He let the stories sink in, his expression serious. "This is my third attempt, and I carry the weight of those lessons with me. Time and temperature are as much your adversaries here as any predator. The trial is as much about survival as it is about the crystals."

Braze's smirk had faded, replaced by a stern look that underscored his next words. "This is not a game. It's a rite of passage that demands focus, respect for the environment, and an understanding of the real dangers present. Take it seriously, because Ilum will not forgive carelessness."

With that, he stood taller, embodying the role of a mentor who had walked this path and stumbled, but had risen each time with a greater resolve. "Stay sharp, stay aware of your surroundings, and remember, the Force is your ally. But even the Force respects the laws of nature. Let us proceed with caution and purpose."

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