Faction [Jedi] A Knighting - Zaiya Ceti

[Iris Arani]

​

The galaxy was all over the place these days. Iris hadn't the time to keep up with far too many happenings. Even now she still didn't know everything she should, but there was one thing she did know. Despite her distance, despite the infrequent training she could only offer between her growing slumber within the Bacta tank that had become her second home, she'd watched. Domxite had been her eyes, her ears, her only true way to understand.

There was no formal hall, no large temple. Iris stood within a field of grass, her eyes watching the skyline yet never focusing on anything visible. The colors, the Force, they were at peace here. That was more than enough for her. "Did you invite those you wanted to?" Focus, real focus, returned to her eyes as she looked to the girl beside her. No, not quite a girl, but blooming into adulthood in a way Iris had only dared to hope for quietly. Was this how Jasper Kai'el felt, perhaps? A hope that their students would see a better galaxy.

Domxite hopped up onto Iris's shoulder, settling down with a gentle trill and a blooming warmth of joy.

"We can wait for them, but we don't have to."

Zaiya Ceti

 

[Zaiya Ceti]

Iris Arani and everyone else! ^_^

"I did!" the Lovalla replied, her grin bright and giddy as ripples of bioluminescence danced across the mottled spots and stripes of the Padawan who would soon become a Knight. She had sent out invitations to everyone she knew, hoping they would come. And if they could only make it via hologram, that was okay too, because she could feel them in her heart.

She was nervous. Excited. Almost dizzy with it. But above all, she was happy.

Her thoughts drifted back over the long path that had brought her here. There had been a time when she had not even known what the Force was. SHe had not known who the Jedi or Sith were, nor what it truly meant to walk the path of a Jedi.

All the Lovalla teenager had known at fourteen, when she first met Aris Noble so many years ago, was how wonderful it felt to meet someone… and to feel them again.

Zaiya had lost her parents when she was nine during the Battle of Commenor. For a Lovalla, to lose those bonds so young was a quiet kind of exile. Without those strong social connections, her colors had dimmed, her bioluminescence had muted to a dull sheen, and she had obsessed over trying to be as bright as she could with makeup and dying her hair and all the shiny jewelry she could find. Others seemed brighter, more vibrant, while she remained a shade of herself at the edge of the crowd.

It had been a lonely existence.

Until she discovered the Force.

Through it, she learned that bonds did not have to vanish. The Force connected people. It connected everything. It revealed that she had never truly been alone.

She could learn. Teach. Reach out and touch the lives of others. She could push her body and mind beyond what she once believed possible. Travel across the stars to help people, protect them, defend them.

To bring light. Joy. Hope.

And even if she was only one person, after everything she had learned from Shan, Iris, Cora, Lossa, and so many others along the way, Zaiya understood something important.

All it takes is one person to make a difference.

It might be small.

But even a small flame is still a candle in the dark.

"We can wait a bit!" she finally decided, flashing a wide smile, and Domxite joined her with an excited shuffle. They were also excited to see this day come, as he had been equally important as much as Shan and Iris in mentoring her to where she was now. "Aris and the others will be here soon too!"

 

[Iris Arani]

​

An increasingly rare smile formed on Iris's face as she nodded and looked back out to the field of grass. They'd be here soon enough, all the friends and allies Zaiya thought should be here. It was good that she had these friends. That her nature as a Lovalla wasn't a weakness, but her greatest strength as a Jedi. She was proud. Endlessly so.

"Good. Then in the mean time.." She trailed off, instead rummaging around the bag on her hip. Soon enough she'd bring out her goal. Canvas, paint, brushes. She held one brush to Zaiya, smiling fainter now.

"Paint with me. This place is beautiful, so, let it inspire you."

Zaiya Ceti

 

[Makko Vyres]

MAKKO

Zaiya Ceti Iris Arani

Outdoors was - as far as Makko was concerned - the perfect location for a knighting. Fresh air was pleasant and if Luciana started to cry her voice wouldn't carry so far and he could simply walk a little distance away.

He'd brought a soft play mat and mobile that he could set in the grass to keep her occupied.

"Is this the knighting? Did I get the day wrong?" Makko asked as he approached. He was Pushing luciana along towards them in a hover pram.

Instead of anything formal, they appeared to be setting up for a painting lesson.

 

[Feng Huang]

Zaiya Ceti Makko Vyres Iris Arani​

Feng had never been to a knighting! It was exciting to be invited to one, even if it was just to fill up seats as it were. That didn't matter she was honoured nevertheless. The honour that came with being a part of the Jedi Order. Even if she was only just still a padawan. Hopefully that would be changing soon, it was really up to her when she thought she was ready for the trials.

Honestly Feng was starting to fear it was only her fear and anxiety holding her back, she hoped not, she just wanted to be absolutely sure she was ready not just for the trials, but for the path of the Jedi Knight before her Feng had spent so long thinking she would be a Jedi Shadow a semi independent knight. Recently however she had been considering other options, namely Jedi Temple Guard.

Feng shook her head, it was hard not to think of her own impending knighthood at an event of someone else's knighthood. Still today wasn't about her, she was here to offer her support as a fellow Jedi. Hopefully the fact that she were a padawan so would know the nervous excitement the applicant must be feeling would be helpful.

Feng approached three Jedi gathering for the ceremony.

"Hi! I'm Feng! Thanks for the invitation! I should be taking my trials soon, so it's a great honour to see a knighting ceremony in person! You must be a nervous tense, excited, stressed mess!" Feng said the last with a laugh but realised belatedly that in her excited babble it probably wasn't the thing to say.

"Oops sorry. I just meant I would be, I didn't mean to suggest you are or should be, I mean it's a big step, being honoured and charged with the responsibility of being a Knight. Who wouldn't be a little nervous. Not that you have any reason to be, I'm sure you wouldn't be knighted if the masters didn't think you were ready for it. I just meant I'm… here for support…"

Feng hunched her shoulders in embarrassment at her word vomit tirade.

Feng considered the three Jedi. Feng didn't know much about any of them. A Handsome Knight. An elegant woman Atrisian maybe? Or Aakaashian like herself? Feng would be pleasantly surprised, but she knew Aakaashians in the galaxy were rare. Finally a young woman who seemed to glow with positive energy. Feng guessed she was the initiate for the ceremony.

Hopefully I haven't fumbled my introduction too badly, I could use more friends.

 

[Connel Vanagor]

LIGHT SHINES EVEN IN DARKNESS
UNDISCLOSED
LOCATION

Omega Squad Every Day Gear Locations

• Michael, Gabriel, Azrael, Sariel, Raphael, Jeremiel, Connel, Raguel
  [Any text in brackets signifies comm-link usage and not face to face conversation]
• 
  Rides
  
  • "Enterprise" Station Ship
  • Vigilant Reaper
  • Null Vector
  • Speederbike
  • Iron Psalm
  Gear/Armor
  
  
  • Gear(“Bodycam” Datapad, UAD Drone, link to Seraphim AI and Nanotech included)
  • Lightblaster
  • Shortsabers (“Night” and “Day”)
  • Throwing Lightknives
  • Force Blinding Flashbangs
  • RI-17 Rifle-w-MS-0412 Grenade Launchera
  SURGICAL - CRYBERNETIC IMPLANTS
  
  • Repli Implants that would be for the limbs
  • Bonemer enhancements to strengthen structure of the body
  • Muscle enhancements.
  • Hemo enhancements for blood flow
  • Hawkeye implants for eyes
  • Advanced Medical Implant
  • Scentzy
  • Injected Nanotech upgrades
• Shadow Sanctuary - Enterprise

“Light can shine… even in Darkness…”
His father used to say that. It had multiple possible references and meanings, today, it was a chance to find something nice, in a galaxy of turmoil. He took the phrase as a reminder to seek beauty amidst chaos, to focus on the small, uplifting moments that could bring light to dark times. It was a philosophy that helped him navigate challenges, grounding him in gratitude and the pursuit of meaning even when circumstances seemed overwhelming.

It was difficult to say the least.

Yet here he was… along with who else but Buster… and even his cousin Michael Angellus .

Yo, why are we here?

”Yo”? Have you been hanging around the Gold Beaches again?

Answer the question… Connel glared at him in a manner that reminded him who he was talking to. Please?

Buster was of course running around, happily getting his energy out as Connel pointed forward at the gathering. I want you to see someone getting Knighted. It’s an important tradition.

I’m not a Jed… wait that’s the glowstick!

Okay, that’s rude, please don’t say that around her, or any of them… and you may not technically be a “Jedi” but you are a part of a family line of them. This is a chance to see something good in so much bad. If only he really believed it himself.

Once reaching everyone, Connel took off his mask, he would not have had it on for this, but not everyone knew him without it… so… Nice day for this.

Zaiya Ceti • Iris Arani • Makko Vyres • Feng Huang
Personal Effects - Omega Squad Loadouts​

 

[Shan]

Tags: Lily Decoria Iris Arani Zaiya Ceti Feng Huang Makko Vyres Connel Vanagor
----------------------

Shan let out a long sigh to himself as he laid amongst the field, resting his head atop of his arms. The Mirialan's eyes firmly focused on the sky above the group as he contemplated with his thoughts. He wasn't exactly an "official" Jedi in his opinion, not anymore. But he couldn't help but think back to what Lily had said after her Knighting about Shan hiding off to the side because he thought he didn't "deserve" to be there. The Echani had been right though, Shan did deserve to be there. In the same venue that he deserved to be here.

He threw himself up to his feet at that, swinging his arms up with a slight grin, brushing the dirt and mud off his old robes. Stretching for a moment to make sure that he hadn't grown out of them. There was a part of him that did miss wearing the robes, but he still wasn't ready to go back to being a Jedi. Not yet at least. He'd continue his clinic work, though he glanced over towards Lily, giving her an awkward grin.

"I...Sorry about that. Just needed to think. You know...you didn't have to wait for me, right?"

It would have made snse for Lily to be here before he was. She was still amongst the Order, and would have been able to get to the location faster. Yet here she was, having waited for Shan to arrive. Either way, the Mirialan linked his arm up with Lily's, breaking out into a more honest grin as he made his way over towards the group, giving a short little wave.

"Hey! Hope I'm not too late."

 

[Caelian Tane]

OBJECTIVE -A Knighting

Caelian Tane reminisces about his own Knighting ceremony as he walks up to the others gathered for the event,
it feels like ages ago, but it was a good time and definitely one of his most treasured memories,

"Hi I'm Knight Tane," he says with a slight smile, "Honored to be here."

He's never talked to anyone here before but a Knighting ceremony is too important to miss, especially during theses times.

Plus its a lot better then the cold.​

 

[Zaiya Ceti]

Outfit: x x x x x | Equipment: x x x x x x | Weapons: x x x | Companion: Domxite
Interacting with: Iris Arani Makko Vyres Feng Huang Connel Vanagor Shan Caelian Tane

Zaiya immediately beamed at Iris's invitation to paint.

"Of course!" she chirped out, giving a light joyful bounce of her feet and a wide giggly grin. She took the offered brush, flipping it between her fingers as she would a stylus for a moment before clasping it properly.

"It is a great day to paint with all the brightest, shiniest colors!" the Lovalla sang, giving a brief but joyful arch of her brows as a shimmer of multicolored kaleidoscopic hues danced over her rosy, golden, pearly skin.

A few voices and flutters of the Force drew her attention, and that was when Zaiya turned her head to beam at the approaching figures.

"No! Not wrong at all!" Zaiya chirped, only to furrow her brows a bit as she squinted at Makko's direction. Wait... he seemed familiar...

But any thoughts on the matter switched as Feng appeared. The Lovalla beamed again.

"Thank you for coming!" She laughed, not taking anything Feng said as offense.

"It is okay. I mean, it's pretty evident how nervous, excited, and maybe a tiny bit stressed I am." She gave herself a slight point in a manner that made the dozen bangles on her arms jingle, her mottled spots and stripes rippling with bioluminescence and color shifting to reflect the shift of her emotions.

"But yes. It is a big step, but I am ready for it!"

More people arrived, and amidst Zaiya welcoming them and waving hello to Connel and Caelian arrival, Zaiya saw the familiar figure of Shan.

"Shan!" Zaiya called out with happiness, and the Lovalla was a darting stream of luminosity and vibrant colors as she went to him and gave him a hug.

"It is so great you are here!"

 

[Iris Arani]

​

Iris smiled ever just a bit more before her gaze turned to the cavnas before her. A chirp from Domxite and a gentle press of the droid chassis's head was enough for her to focus on the task she'd set herself. Her canvas didn't start blank. The prject she'd been working on for months only needed one last layer for her to be finished. For the moment she let Zaiya, bright and bubbly as she ever was, focus on those who'd come for her celebration.

Domxite in turn focused in. The Force soothed around her, soothed her aching wounds, helpex to keep her hand steady to finish the finer parts. A smattering of paint later, which as always found it's way onto Iris's skin and clothing. She was finished, turning her gaze up to the others as she pet the painting dry.

Shan had made it. Good. Jedi or not he was as much Zaiya's master as Iris herself. She gave a nod before pushing up to her feet and turning to the others.

"It's unconventional, but we've never been the most conventional Jedi. We'll give a little more for the others to arrive, so make yourselves comfortable. Enjoy the spring day we have here."

Zaiya Ceti | Caelian Tane | Shan | Connel Vanagor | Feng Huang | Makko Vyres

 

[Michael Angellus]

​

PERSONAL FLIGHT LOG – Entry #32323
Location: – I have no idea… Connel flew, probably Odessen
Assigned Craft: My X-wing
Astromech Partner: BRED (BB-30)
Current Mood: Suddenly annoyed
Background Noise: I can’t hear anything over the spherical Diva.

How rude is that? They make a point of talking to everyone else, both of them, and not either of us? A flippin’ wave?

“Wooo-beeep.” [Translation: … and you say I get pissy!]

It’s flippin’ wrong, man! Bunch of Jedi snobs!

“Weeep-bwoo.” [Translation: Isn’t your cousin a Jedi?]

Tell that to him. Besides, he makes a point of being cordial, even when he’s a grumpy jerk.

“Chrrp.” [Translation: Just calm down.]

Never thought I would hear you say that.

“CooEEEp.” [Translation: Yeah, me neither.]

I guess we don’t know each other enough for conversation. Let me introduce myself… Michael Angellus… Striker Squadron.

Of course Connel gave me another look at that point.

What the? You don’t need to be rude!

I spent enough time being ignored when I tried to be a Jedi… I’m not trying anymore…

Walk away… cool off…

I guess he apologized after I did. Not that I wanted him to.
– Michael A.
People don’t have to like me. I have friends now! Yeah! I said what I said!

TAG: Zaiya Ceti , Iris Arani , Shan , Makko Vyres , Feng Huang , Caelian Tane

This is where he is speaking

 

[Katherine Holt]

​

The invitation had arrived whilst Katherine had been in the middle of still getting settled within the High Republic. She hadn’t hesitated for a moment, to drop what she was presently focused on in order to travel to where the Knighting was going to take place.

Force, am I glad I returned when I did. If I had missed this…

The winged Jedi would’ve been kicking herself if that had been the reality.

Zaiya had been a friendly, warm and compassionate face during a time where Katherine had felt at her lowest. The colourful Lovalla had been a beacon of light amongst a myriad of dark thoughts.

So the least Katherine could do was attend the teenager’s Knighting ceremony.

Her arrival was announced by the sound of wings flapping. The span of which was on full display as she soared above, circling around until the redhead began to descend. She landed a fair distance away, a conscious act to ensure she didn’t knock anything or anyone over.

She just about caught some of the conversations as she walked over. “Honestly, I’d have been shocked if this had been a conventional ceremony.” Katherine said, her gazing lingering over those in attendance, before settling on Zaiya.

“Thank you for the invitation.”

Iris Arani | Zaiya Ceti | Makko Vyres | Feng Huang | Connel Vanagor | Shan | Caelian Tane | Michael Angellus​

 

[Corazona von Ascania]

Luciana liked to kick off her socks. There was a faint chill in the air, and Cora had slipped the tiny garments back over tiny feet for the umpteenth time today.

Familiar faces came into view, and it was as if the Order's fracturing had never occurred. Suspended in time, soothing, for at least these few hours.

Lucy babbled softly from her pram. A little arm shot out from beneath her blanket, accompanied by a happy squeal as the colorful Zaiya came into view.

Cora smiled warmly. "Congratulations, Zaiya. And Iris," she turned to the artist, her expression shifting into something a little more tender.

"It's good to see you again."

Makko Vyres Zaiya Ceti Iris Arani @everyone

 

[Lily Rhodes]

Lily dug her hands into the pockets of her jacket to keep them still, hovering a little ways back from the small crowd that was gathering, a nervousness setting in her that she couldn't quite shake. Crowds didn't bother her, people were easy to talk to, no, this wasn't born from an inability to function socially. His came from that dark twisted little pit in her stomach that told her she did not belong, that among these beacons of light in the force...she was a poison.


That thought alone kept her where she was, watching the group come together with easy smiles and warm exchanges as she began to chew the inside of her cheek. She wasn't entirely sure why she'd been invited, but the ceremony seemed important to Zaiya so she was here. She glanced over her shoulder, mentally calculating how easy it would be to slip away unnoticed but in an open field someone was bound to see her...


She let out a heavy sigh and turned her eyes forward again, reaching out in the force for Zaiya.


Hey Discoball.


Corazona von Ascania | Katherine Holt | Michael Angellus | Zaiya Ceti | Caelian Tane | Shan | Connel Vanagor | Feng Huang | Makko Vyres | Iris Arani

 

[Colette]

Zaiya Ceti Iris Arani

It was art in its most raw and lasting manner, an expression of violence in black and white. Strong brush strokes strode across the canvas like careful caress of a scorned lover. A red gradient in watercolor fronted by black. A strong and proud gate stood rigid against the blood red sunset. A base of two pillars, crossed twice by a smaller set of sturdy lines at the top, Atrisian by design.

There was nothing unpretentious about this. Art was an expression of the now. The shapes Colette saw were not the same the others saw. The message was hers to bury and the meaning theirs to find, just like with music. The beauty in the expression wasn't in her brush but the brain behind it and she would never be ashamed of that. Her technique was sloppy, the gradient was essentially something she took from another painter next to her, but the feeling was there.

In truth she had forgotten that this was about Zaiya and the rest. For the moment, Colette tickled her arm with the soft grains of her tool and squinted to see what her next addition would be.

A bird, perhaps? That would seem fitting.

 

[Zaiya Ceti]

Iris Arani | Zaiya Ceti | Makko Vyres | Feng Huang | Connel Vanagor | Shan | Caelian Tane | Michael Angellus | Michael Angellus | Katherine Holt | Corazona von Ascania | Lily Rhodes | Colette

"Oh! You all came!" Zaiya chimed, as she gave a joyful little clap, bouncing lightly on the balls of her feet like a star about to burst into a tiny celebratory supernova.

"Thank you. Really! I know traveling across the galaxy is a bit of a bother sometimes, and there are so many important things Jedi usually have to do, so it means a lot that you came anyway."

Her gaze turned first toward Michael and Connel, head tilting curiously. She could feel the irritation and annoyance bleeding from the younger one.

"Sorry, I got all giddy seeing one of my Masters arrive," Zaiya explained, drawing away from Shan but still providing a wide happy grin.

"Striker Squadron?" she repeated brightly. "That sounds very dramatic. I like it! Welcome, Michael Angellus. And hello to you too, Connel. I hope you both find something nice to snack on while we wait. Celebrations should always have snacks!"

Then her attention lifted skyward just as Katherine descended, and Zaiya's colors flashed in a delighted teal and gold.

"Katherine!" she beamed, waving enthusiastically. "Your wings are still so pretty! It is so great to see you!"

It was then that she caught sight of Knight von Ascania, and the Lovalla's gaze softened as she spotted Cora and little Luciana. Instantly, her bioluminescence warmed into gentle turquoise and soft gold.

"Cora!" She beamed, bounding over until she paused in front of them. "Ohh... who is this?!" She chirped with wonder, looking up to Cora with a grateful smile.

"It's really good to see you again. Thank you for coming."

Then, quietly, she felt the familiar brush in the Force. Zaiya's head turned slightly, eyes landing on Lily standing at the edge of the gathering and her glow brightened immediately.

"Lily!" she called warmly, raising a hand in greeting before answering through the Force with cheerful ease.

Hello, Lily! Also hello to you too, Discoball Appreciator.

Her colors flickered playfully as she added: You should come closer. The sunlight is much better over here. Also Iris might accidentally paint you if you stand still too long.

THat's also when she spotted Colette, and a shimmer of more joy went over Zaiya's face. It was good to see her again. All the most so when she saw the woman painting as well.

This was exactly what she wanted. Then The Lovalla turned back to everyone, her glow settling into a calm, happy shimmer.

"I'm really glad you're all here," the Lovalla said simply. "Today feels… Super brightful!"

But with all that in mind, it was time!

Zaiya went bounding over towards Iris Arani , brush in hand and excited to join in.

"Okay! Let's do this!"

 

[Iris Arani]

​

"Cora." Iris gave a gentle nod in turn, her eyes glancing about as they tended to. Following the colors as she studied just how everyone was feeling. Lucy had her attention the most, though. A new life, after so much loss. Her expression practically melted into a genuine smile before she turned her gaze from the light, nodding instead to Zaiya.

She stood a little straighter, glancing up to her Padawan. Once upon a time it was the other way around, with a much younger Lovalla listening to the lessons Iris tried so hard to speak correctly with wonderment and amazement. She'd never been the best of masters to any of the Padawan's she'd tried to take on, but it was that wonderment even at Iris's failures that took a completely different light. All the hate, rage, and grief from her life time of war, faded in that warmth.

Zaiya had already become a better Jedi than Iris had hoped.

"Yeah. Let yourself be guided by what you're feeling here. The warmth, the joy. This is my final trial for you."

Zaiya Ceti

 

[Aris Noble]

"That's a bird, right?" Aris plopped down beside Colette , glancing over the painting curiously. He was terrible at painting, it turned out. He'd tried his hands a couple of times, but the disconnect from his vision to what ended up on paper was too much. At least that's what he'd say if asked, it had nothing to do with the barely stick figure quality.

His eyes did travel though, glancing around to the others that had attended before they focused on Zaiya. She was happy. It was always good to see her happy, but this was something beyond what he'd seen before. He leaned back on his hands, again looking to Colette's painting. Better he didn't end up distracting Zaiya. His sister though?

"It's definitely a bird. I can see it." He flashed the ghost of a smirk. Teasing, perhaps? Colette would know best that he absolutely was. "How have you been, Colette?"