Faction [NJO] Knighting — Jasper Kai'el

[Valery Noble]

New Jedi Temple

Knighthood
​

Valery could still remember meeting Jasper outside on the staircase leading up to the Temple. The young duelist had been so very different back then but had grown so much during his time within the NJO. From participation in some of the crucial battles to rid the Maw from the core to helping other Padawans grow as well by training together. Jasper Kai'el had left his mark on the order and its Jedi already, and his journey as a Jedi Knight is only about to begin.

With great promise, new skills, and the will required to make a difference, a new part of his path begins today.

...
​

With friends and familiar faces gathered around, Valery stepped forward to raise her violet blade up high above the ceremony, before carefully lowering the blade down to hover just above Jasper's left shoulder. "By the right of the council.."

Slowly, the blade shifted to hover just above his head. "By the will of the Force.."

Finally, Valery lowered the blade again, hovering it over Jasper's right shoulder. "I dub thee..."

"Knight of the Jedi Order." ​

With a final salute of her lightsaber, Valery closed the official part of the ceremony before she disengaged her weapon and returned it to her belt. She offered Jasper a proud smile, bowed her head one last time, and turned her gaze to those who were gathered in the halls with them. "Thank you all for attending this most important ceremony. Take the time to congratulate our new Knight, and may the Force be with you all."

 

[Jasper Kai'el]

Coruscant, Jedi Temple
Tags: Valery Noble , Open...

He was here. He was finally here. Fear, doubt, anxiety... none of it seemed to matter anymore. In spite of everything that made Jasper think that such a thing was impossible, or all the different ways that he felt he set himself back, he was finally hearing the words that so many before him had...

"I dub thee... Knight of the Jedi Order."

Jasper had scrambled to get ready for the ceremony. His hair had gotten longer during his time off world, and some stubble had begun to come in on his chin, though not much else. The young man had found it in him to actually wear something that wasn't his old flight suit, dawning a garb that fell somewhere between Jedi robes and the typical Jedi jumpsuit. Of course, no sleeves. He needed the flexibility, after all. So here he was, standing in front of the people he had gotten the privilege of getting to know over the past year or so. He should probably turn and see who was present, at least give them a smile or something.

So, he did just that. Jasper turned to face the gathered crowd after Master Noble had given him a bow of approval and addressed those present one last time. He was beaming, the largest smile he had ever had spread across his face. At the same time, a steady stream of tears had begun to flood out of his eyes, at a rate which one might even consider to be unnatural. Tears of joy. A lot of tears of joy. He was crying at his own knighting ceremony, and he frankly didn't care. Jasper was a Knight of the Jedi Order.

Who cared if he looked stupid while being one?

Spoiler: New Art :)

 

[Iris Arani]

Huh. She was actually here for once. Iris watched the preceding rather curiously. It was the same as her own, right? Even Valery was the one in charge of the proceeding. The actual knighting. It was pretty. And yet, the colors around Jasper were.. Confusing. Joy, happiness, pride, nervousness, and-

Oh. That's why. He was crying. She bit back a laugh as she clapped with the rest of the crowd once he stood. That was the most Jasper thing she'd ever seen him do.

Jasper Kai'el | Valery Noble

 

[Amani Serys]

Amani observed the proceedings and applauded with the rest as Jasper's graduation into knighthood was made official. Her own ascension was a more quiet and unofficial affair, so any time one of the others had reached this stage, she gained a tinge of vicarious pride and enjoyment out of the experience. Seeing this generation of padawans grow up had her feeling sentimental; They were after all her first class of students.

Thankfully, knighthood wasn't the end, merely the start of a new chapter. There would be plenty more to come, and the students of now would all soon stand beside her to welcome them in as well. It made the influx of change a bit easier to bear.

But pondering the future could wait. Today was Jasper's day.

Valery Noble | Jasper Kai'el | Iris Arani | Open​

 

[Ala Quin]

A brief visit to Coruscant was not complete with seeing one of the new Knight's of the Order getting their promotion. Looking on from the back of the group assemble to witness and congratulate the new Knight on their promotion, a hooded unknown Jedi watched on quietly. It called to remembrance her own promotion, many years before, fond memories around friends. She didn't recall crying though, something that she was surprised that she had not done.

Jedi Master Ala Quin smiled, clapping in concert with her Jedi compatriots, and then turned to depart the room.​

 

[Jand Talo]

It had been some days since Jand's release from the bacta tank. It had been a very long four days for the Nagai. But, not long after, the announcement for Jasper's knighting ceremony had been shared, and Jand planned to attend. Today was that day, and as the ceremony - which Jand had witnessed now for several other of his Padawan fellows - was performed, the pale Padawan stood there with a small smile on his face, as he looked from the Jedi Masters present, to Jasper, then back to the Masters.

Jand looked forward to his own knighting, when it was time.

"Jasper is crying," Jand muttered to Iris, as he inclined his head. "A lot. Is that normal?"

Nonetheless, when Master Noble announced the ceremony completed, Jand adjusted his hand on the walking cane, which helped with the residual injuries that needed follow-up healing, and took a few limped steps toward the long-haired and newly christened Jedi Knight. With a nod, Jand felt some degree of pride for his friend, even though it meant that the Nagai was left in the Padawan ranks as another of his companions was promoted...

"Jasper, you honor yourself and the Jedi."

Jand smiled.

"Congratulations, Jedi Knight."

Jasper Kai'el | Iris Arani | Amani Serys | Valery Noble Ala Quin​

 

[Iris Arani]

"If you cry at yours, we'll know if it's normal. I only have my own to compare. Valery cried for mine."

Iris shrugged, casting a glance to Jand. She hadn't cried at her own, but.. She didn't cry often at all.

Jand Talo | @Others

 

[Caltin Vanagor]

New Jedi Temple

Surprise, Surprise, Caltin Vanagor was there as well. Truth is, he liked the kid, Jasper. Was he truly ready to be Knighted? Not for him to decide, but Valery was a good judge of character. Nothing wrong with him crying, Caltin himself did as well, felt like he was at a meaningful point in his life when he was. It was a good thing to see though, good that being here meant so much to him, he took this for what it was, not what so many of this young generation do not seem to understand.

There was something else too, or in this case, someone. Someone familiar. Someone he knew all too well.

She was here.

Then gone.

Not even a “hello”.

Walking over and clapping his Padawan on the back, Caltin nodded.

It is endearing actually, I would think, Jand. It says to me that it means something to him, it means a lot to him. That is a good thing, that his life has meaning. It does anyway, but this cements it for him and I can respect that.

Then he turned to the young Knight.

Yes, my friend, congratulations. May this showing of emotion give others proof at just what it means to be called “Jedi”. May you never forget this day.


TAG: Valery Noble | Jasper Kai'el | Iris Arani | Ala Quin | Jand Talo

Spoiler: Personal effects

"Vanguard" (Secondary - Long Handle)

"CONSERVATOR" (Primary - Long Handle)
HK-88 Robes, Battle Armor,Toraynor-Henkan(mind crystal added) Advanced Jedi Utility Belt
Starship: Spectre, (NC-1000 X-wing (Jedi Variant) in the hangar, Dilorian, and Bike both in the cargo bay, the late Karki Eusith's Armor, Shield, Temple Guard Lightsaber mounted on the wall)
Sanctuary Island

 

[Thelma Goth]

"Somebody should get that guy some tissues."

Jasper Kai'el Caltin Vanagor Iris Arani Valery Noble Jand Talo Amani Serys​

 

[Ariana Du Couteau]

Ariana Du Couteau, Jedi Padawan
Location: Coruscant, Jedi Temple
Action: Congratulating Jasper on his Knighting
Outfit

Ariana pulled on her robe, a gentle tug with her left hand as she realized that it still needed to be fitted properly. Perhaps I’d figure out the missing appendage issue I have so my robe can fit better. The young Du Couteau Jedi mentally shrugged as she refocused her thoughts to the ceremony in front of her, the Knighting of Jasper. Once a fellow Padawan, now he was ascending to the ranks of the Knights.

Master Noble held her blade and gracefully handled the lightsaber around Jasper as she anointed him as a new Knight of the Order. Jasper stood back up, still seemingly the same person before the ceremony but his aura was clearly different. Ariana smiled and attempted to clap before she remembered she couldn’t and simply cheered instead. She knew that Jasper would be a great Knight, it would be impossible for him not to be, but Ariana figured that she could keep her thoughts to herself for the moment.

Don’t want to add more responsibilities on his shoulders, the weight of the pressure that Master Noble gave him by simply knighting him probably feels tremendous. Ariana instead smiled widely, sharing in Jasper’s clear happiness. Though she did consider approaching the newly minted Knight and offering him her handkerchief.
​

 

[Jasper Kai'el]

Coruscant, Jedi Temple
Tags: Valery Noble , Jand Talo , Iris Arani , Caltin Vanagor , etc...

As Jasper took a moment to clear his eyes and recompose himself, some familiar faces had made their way up to him. Jand was at the forefront, with a crutch but walking now, which was reassuring to see. He'd hug the Nagai, but he refrained from doing so out of fear of returning him to the hospital.

"Jasper, you honor yourself and the Jedi."

Jand smiled.

"Congratulations, Jedi Knight."

He was followed by his master, Caltin Vanagor. A real imposing fellow, but no doubt a man of great wisdom, so to hear congratulations from him was certainly comforting to some extent, albeit bizarre.

Yes, my friend, congratulations. May this showing of emotion give others proof at just what it means to be called “Jedi”. May you never forget this day.

"Thank you, both," Jasper replied, giving a quick bow of respect. "I'm... honored to be here. I still have a long way to go, but I hope to do right by the order."

Jasper scanned the gathered crowd. The presence of Iris wasn't lost on him. He didn't need to "read colors" to know that she had held in a laugh. Jasper had admittedly gotten pretty good at reading something else: Faces. The young knight didn't mind. She'd likely tease him after the ceremony, or find some time to come over and poke fun. He made sure to make eye contact with her, at least to give her a window to come up and speak if she wanted.

The crowd, of course, wasn't all familiar faces and good times. It was still a gathering of people, and Jasper's anxiety was slowly creeping in again. He hated big crowds, especially being the center of attention. It took a little extra work to keep himself composed, but it had to be done. There was a lot more people that would surely want to speak with him, after all.

 

[Corazona von Ascania]

Jasper's Knighting ceremony was the first Cora had ever attended. It was an austere, sincere event—and meaningful, if the tears were any indication.

Hopefully those are tears of joy?

Jand and Iris, who were seated closer to the circle seemed to be wondering something similar. When the ceremony ended, she followed the flow of the crowd to congratulate the newest of the NJO's Jedi Knights. She wasn't particularly close with Jasper, but they'd briefly crossed paths a handful of times.

Cora hung back, giving those who were more familiar with Jasper their space to interact. When appropriate, she approached.

"Congratulations, Knight Kai'el.” All airs and noble decorum, she smiled graciously. Reaching into her pocket, she retrieved a swatch of luxurious fabric, monogrammed with her initials. Extending her hand, she offered the handkerchief to him.

"I am sure that Jalen is particularly proud of his brother on this day."

Jasper Kai'el Valery Noble Iris Arani Jand Talo Caltin Vanagor Ariana Du Couteau Thelma Goth Amani Serys Ala Quin

 

[Silas Westgard]

Location: Coruscant
Objective: Knighting ceremony
Tag: Jasper Kai'el

Standing towards the front, Silas had tears in his eyes from how far his friend had come. The pair of them had fought, trained, and gone through tough times together, he was just grateful to see a friend get what he truly deserved. Silas wasn't the type of person to cry, the only time he had done it was for Valery when he was struggling to overcome the emotions that came with revisiting his homeland. Sometimes, even good moments like these brought him close to that.

Clapping with the rest of the Jedi present, he let Jasper have some time to greet the others before sneaking up behind him. Wrapping his arms around Jasper's chest, he playfully pulled back into his own chest "Who would have thought huh?" he said with a big smile across his face. using the opportunity to ruffle his hair.

"I'm so proud of you mate, you deserved every last bit of this and more" ​

 

[Dominik Borra]

Jasper Kai'el , being Knighted. He had fought alongside the young man a number of times, and he could be trusted. He had trusted Jasper with his life.

Jedi. Their temple was grand and their uniform robes marked each one as part of the collective family. It also helped him blend in. There were so many Jedi now and it really wasn't hard to put together an authentic-looking Jedi outfit. Plus he wasn't a Force User, so he'd give off no signature to anyone looking. Just another of the crowd. Was he supposed to be there? By the Force, no he wasn't. But he was there to support the young man to become just 'a man'.

As he mingled with the crowd watching the ceremony of Valery Noble knighting Jasper, he found himself longing and wishing he could have been a part of something like this. A group larger than himself. A common element and connection they all shared. It wasn't blood with them, but the Force. And they were a family in it. He hadn't been born into the Force, or even a caring family. Boy, wouldn't being taken away at a young age to a temple like this have been so much better for his life? At least Jasper had it. Good for him.

The boy cried, it meant so much to him. Well, now it was 'the man cried'.

He began to mingle with his fellow padawans and some other masters, and Dominik thought it best if he leave. Valery might find it amusing that he managed to sneak in here, but others might not be so friendly to his intruding on the ceremony. So he hoped to at least just catch Jasper's eye among the crowd. Then he would turn and, with a small smile on his face, make his way out.