Private Magnolias and Maples

[Henna Ashina]

The younger of the Treicolt twins had shown up alone, in a transit from Denon, both nervous and enamored. Kyric had spoken often of his cousins, and their desire to walk the Jedi path — but their need for discipline. They were as he described, except for the separation. Joyful and full of life, Tansu Treicolt seemed thrilled to talk about anything… but for her missing sister, and what had left her fleeing Denon. Henna could sense the hesitation and sheer fear. For the night, she had allowed the girl to keep her secrets, instead focusing on giving her rest.

As dawn came and went, the Master went through her usual routine. Meditation, training, updates from Lightsworn members sent about their missions. The day was unseasonably warm, the rising sun beating down upon previous snows without relent. Then she made her way to the guest quarters. An entire wing of the estate, it was empty this morning but for their young padawan. For the best. With whatever was going on, the girl didn’t need any ideas about following their knights to war.

Two quick raps preceded the shoji sliding open. Henna nodded to the guard posted at the door, dismissing him. The room was full of incense; for all her leadership and force training, the Ashina aunts and cousins still insisted on their traditions. A blend of cherry grass and likna flower would draw the truth out of the girl.

“Good morning.” She announced to Tansu, inviting herself to take a seat in the living space. It was a small table, 6 inches from the floor, with pillows surrounding it. Tea had been brought from their kitchens, still warm. Two glasses were prepared and sat upon the wood. “How did you rest?”

Motioning for the girl to join, she helped herself to a sip from the porcelain glass.

“Will your sister be joining us today? I’m not sure how long you would like to stay; if for a few days, I could have Hera provide some lessons. I had also planned to walk the grounds today, should you want a tour.”

Henna tread lightly. Her own teenagers were loathe to break upon the rock; perhaps a slow erosion would be the trick with the Concordian.

 

[Tansu Treicolt]

​

Mud, mud, mud, and more stars-blasted mud. Every step up the Hebo slopes sucked at her boots like the mountain didn't want her there. She'd stopped counting how many hours ago she'd left the last road behind. Her calves ached, her hair clung to her face in sweaty, damp curls, and she already missed Talin somethin' awful.

Kyric had made this place sound like a dream. High Atrisia, he called it—where winter snow kissed the rooftops and the wind danced like a spirit through the trees. Where Force sensitives didn't just train, they listened. Where it wasn't just quiet, it was peaceful.

But this wasn't peace! This was exhaustion! This was silence so loud it rang in her ears. This was her knees buckling, and her hands catching gritty stone just before her face met it. She hated silence, she decided, and she hated doing stuff alone — it was lonely!

She didn't know when she'd stopped walking and started climbing. Her boots scraped against rock slick with moss, and her fingers burned gripping jagged holds. There was no more banter to herself and the wind, all she could do was breathe and grit. And then—light. Not sunlight. Lantern light. Flickering, amber, delicate as a whisper. Perched on a thin post in the mist like a firefly that twinkled invitingly.

She'd ungracefully scrambled the last few meters on all fours and when she'd crested the rise, she'd given a strangled laugh. There it was. Not a grand estate, not rooftops reaching for the stars—but a quiet, sloping house built into the mountain itself. Smoke drifted in a lazy curl from a pipe chimney. A garden wall, barely held together by time and ivy, surrounded the space like an old hug.

And the door opened before she could knock. A woman stood framed in the light, tall and spare, wrapped in silken robes that rippled even without wind. She'd been awed from the first moment.

Thankfully, the woman Kyric held in such high esteem understood Tansu's exhaustion and despite her second wind coming back around in a giddy bout and happiness to talk about her travels, how pretty Atrisia was (Ah-trees-yeuh), how pretty Henna was, kindly suggested she rest before they cover any meaningful ground.

Tansu was already awake when the knock came, though not up. She was lying on her back, the way she liked to do when bathing in the moonlight. Her eyes fixed on the grain of the ceiling, following its quiet grooves with appreciation she felt she should feel. All this material seemed so delicate, yet so strong.

At the sound of the door, she sat up and offered a polite, if sheepish smile as Henna entered. She was still in the silken sleepwear the woman had offered her the night before (and truth be told, she never wanted to be rid of it. It was the comfiest garment she'd ever worn!) and her hair unbrushed.

"Mornin'," she murmured, voice still soft from sleep. Henna moved like mist through trees, calm and knowing, and Tansu couldn't help but realize she'd never match such serene energy — especially when she rose up from the gifted bed, a little awkward in the graceful space, and crossed to the table. Her usual confidence was there, but dulled. Like she wasn't sure how loud to be in a place this quiet.

She settled onto a cushion.

"Slept fine, bed's real nice. Smelled like flowers all night." A pause, then she added, "Not the fake kinda flowers, neither. The real, in-the-ground kinda smell. Almost close to home. Didn't realize how much I missed it 'till right now to be honest."

At the question of her sister, her easy smile faltered.

"No ma'am," she said finally, gaze flicking up. "Talin's not with me. Ain't likely she'll be catchin' up anytime soon." She sounded like she was trying so hard to be casual that it didn't work. "We split ways a few weeks back. Real intentional though.

But I'd be honored to stay a spell. Ain't in any hurry, and I reckon my legs'd revolt if I tried to leave today anyhow. Oh but —" quickly, she rushed to amend her rejection "—not so angry that I can't take a walk. I'd love to see the place! The glimpses last night were beautiful. Everything seems to peaceful."

She looked around, at the soft light, the steam rising from the cups, the hush of incense curling around the walls.

"I'd love lessons!" She brightened at the idea of learning. After her conversation with the little fox-Jedi, she realized her path was a bit too mucky and wouldn't sort itself out with her being somewhat intentional about it. "Oh, but, before that, if it's not too much, I actually came because Kyric said you were really good at understanding things that were otherwise pretty understood. I.." she sheepishly touched the collar of her high-necked pajamas.

"My sister and I," she went on, quickly filling the silence with as many words as she could think of "—When we left home, we sorta pilfered some keepsakes from our parents, all with good intent I swear, but they're old from their piltoin' days with the Dawn of the Alliance and we've been picking up heebie jeebies from the necklace and honestly it's getting to the point that anytime we try to sleep at nigh with the things, our dreams are all mucked up and layered with stars and systems we've never seen, heard of, or can even place on a map! Like they ain't even real."

Her tone shifted to something low, almost conspiratorial: "We kinda think they're haunted."

____________________________________________________________
Henna Ashina
____________________________________________________________
​

 

[Henna Ashina]

A twinkle of amusement sparked in Henna’s eyes. The claim evoked memories of Tython. The hunched woman in the wilds, the alien of a race not known to today’s census, Asmundr, always watching, amongst an eternal guard not of this world. Ghosts were real, but it far from the holo flicks depiction. The girl’s tone suggested she did not know the difference, just yet; but nonetheless, Henna believed the claim.

“Keepsakes of your parents, you say?”

Though the smile formed on her lips, the seers gaze seemed to roam far beyond Tansu’s form. Her blonde hair twisted and stretched, growing into a wild mane; her soft features transforming into something skinnier. Her mother dressed in full battle armor, some two decades ago, the jungles of Felucia around her. Henna shook her head, the invading vision falling away and their current time resurfacing.

“I never got the chance to meet them, I’m afraid. They had been discharged just shortly before I settled with the Order. Though, a hobby of mine is studying Force and Royal lineages - and yours is quite interesting. We do carry ghosts with us, you know, especially those who are strong in the force. Many a line has known their ancestors to pay visits. The dreams, of course, could be unrelated. Ashla often guides us while we sleep, without need for a conduit.”

The master rose from a crisscross, her robes unfurling and touching the floor. She stepped over the pillows, careful not to step on the satins and silk.

“I am rather interested to see it, if I may?”

She stopped a few feet short of Tansu, holding out an expectant hand.