Faction [NJO] Knighting of Jand Talo

[Caltin Vanagor]

New Jedi Temple

Knighthood​

The gathering of Padawans in the hall was a bit of a confusing one. The vestibule outside the hall was full of young hopeful Jedi all confused as to why they were there. No feelings or emotions could be read from inside, which could mean a mental block, or that no one was in there.

It was only when Master Vanagor walked up to the vestibule himself that confusion rose. What was going on?

Why are there so many people here?

He didn’t know? Why were they being summoned??

It was when he had seen Jand that he made sure not to lock eyes.

I am going to go in there and find out what is going on. Sit tight, but before I do, I suggest if someone had done something that I will have to report, to speak up now.

There was of course stunned silence and before his Padawan could approach him, Caltin had made his way into the dark room and shut the door. Waving his hand once the doors were shut, the lights soon went out. A few moments later is when Jand Talo would hear in his mind.

~Jand, please make your way inside.~

...​

As the Nagai Padawan would make his way inside, he would see darkness for the most part but bodies lined up on either side of him. It was when the vibrant colors of the lightsabers of the Council, and various other Jedi formed and closed the circle around him, would be Talo’s signal to kneel at this point. Master Vanagor would be standing at the head of the circle, his own lightsaber held up to his face like the others.

Bringing the blade down to his left shoulder.

"By the right of the council.."

Bringing the Sovereign Gold blade up and just over his head.

"By the will of the Force.."

Finally, shifting the blade again, hovering it over the right shoulder.

"I dub thee..."

"Knight of the New Jedi Order." ​

Bringing his saber back up into a traditional final salute, Vanagoe disengaged his weapon, putting it over his back and brought the lights up. As he took a few steps back and out of the limelight, he nodded to his former Padawan to look around where he would see the likes of Valery Noble , Kahlil Noble , Jasper Kai'el and everyone who had gathered.

 

[Jand Talo]

JEDI TEMPLE | CORUSCANT​

Jand stood to one side of the gathering of Padawans and Jedi in the hall.

In a manner that Jand had become familiar with, Master Vanagor spoke in a stern voice for those around, as he alluded to trouble. It was possible that there had been some development with the Sith, or in the wake of the Maw, which necessitated the Jedi Council to convene. Potentially a meeting and discussion to prepare an announcement, but until the large Jedi Master was able to discern more, Jand remained quiet and prepared for ill tidings. Yet, moments after Master Vanagor had stepped into the adjoining chamber, Jand was surprised to hear a mental summons, to which he moved through the throng of Jedi and entered the chamber.

It was dark, quiet, serene.

Then lightsaber blades pierced the darkness and Jand's first instinct was to reach for his own.

...

Jand's motion stopped, when Master Vanagor - at the position ahead, in the circle of blade light - was seen and the situation revealed. It seemed the moment had arrived, to which the Padawan stepped forward and went to a knee in front of the large Jedi Master with the golden blade. The plasma moved from shoulder to shoulder, as Jand listened to the words spoken, and when the final statement was spoken, the Padawan - now a Knight - nodded his head with a bow and stood.

"Thank you, Master Vanagor," Jand said, before he looked to the Jedi Council gathered. "And the council."

The young Jedi raised his chin.

"I will do my utmost to be worthy of the title Jedi Knight."

The lights came on, and Jand turned to look at the other Jedi gathered, a tight smile of gratitude on his face.

Caltin Vanagor | Valery Noble | Kahlil Noble | Jasper Kai'el
Open​

 

[Jasper Kai'el]

Coruscant, Jedi Temple
Tags: Jand Talo , Caltin Vanagor

​

Jasper had begun to settle into his new title. Being on the council was not what he expected it to be. To be more accurate, he never anticipated rising to take a seat in the first place, but he was learning a lot. The intricacies of running relief operations was something that he was steadily improving at, and it seemed that the Order as a whole was eager to rebuild after the war.

Of course, with the era of the Second Great Hyperspace War at a close, there were knew inductees ready to rise to knighthood. One such individual was Jand, someone he had gotten to know in his time as a padawan. Blunt, straight forward, but a good man, if a bit out of touch. There was no contention with such a promotion. The Nagai was ready. Jasper didn't go up to congradulate him immediately, however. He wanted others to get their time to speak to Jand, and as a now member of the council he had very little doubts that they'd have an opportunity to speak. That being said, the knight was also plagued by the burden of thought.

There was a lot on his mind. Recent excursions away from his Order had brought about revelations about his family, the latest schemes of Carnifex had resurfaced his visions of the end-times, and an attack on the Jedi Praxium of Ossus had made it very clear that the threat of the Sith was just as prevalent as it had been back in the war.

It was better to not drag down the mood with these thoughts. He'd prepare for the future on his own time. For now, the floor belonged to Jand.

 

[Ichika Masudo]

THE PINK JEDI OF ATRISIA
NEW JEDI ORDER
THE HALL OF KNIGHTHOOD - JEDI TEMPLE - CORUSCANT
Caltin Vanagor | Jand Talo | Jasper Kai'el

​

Ichika had quietly returned to the temple, with no fanfare or advance notice - with such a long absence, she had little doubt that there would be questions from most whose lives she had intersected with, if not touched in the time… before. She didn’t wish to avoid it, but was it really their concern?

Maybe.

Hours earlier, she had entered her quarters, finding them as she had left them months ago. Untouched and tidy, but now bearing a layer of dust, which she would have been vigilant about banishing if she had been present. Well, there was no time like the present. That and other necessary tasks of settling back in would keep her occupied until the one thing that appeared on the general open schedule of the temple, a thing that could entice her to emerge from the busywork, came to be.

That gave her something to think about as she tended to the cleanliness, among the actual requirements of her return: It really hit home just how removed she had been that Jand was today becoming a knight, and when the time came, she slipped into the Hall of Knighthood and situated herself towards the rear of the space.

Of any ceremony of ascension, she wouldn’t have wanted to miss being witness to his; of anyone, she was doubtless that Jand would take well to the expanded responsibility. And yet, she had once been certain that she would reach this point first. Now she didn't have a Master. Now, none of the feelings Ichika had taken with her into her first day as a padawan of the Order remained. It wasn’t the same wish to bring pride that drove her any longer.

[ I have no doubt you will do that, and more, Jand Talo. ]

There was much work to be done.

 

[Corazona von Ascania]

Cora stood among the gaggle of Padawans that had gathered outside of the council chambers. Somber murmurs of concern drifted from the crowd, worried over Master Vanagor's troubling words. Despite the confusion, alarm bells weren't ringing just yet.

Then Jand moved, pushing past the large ornate doors to slip inside. Cora's gaze tightened on the Nagai as he disappeared—something was up. Jand wouldn't simply disobey an order from his Master. Had he sensed something? Trouble, perhaps.

With that thought in mind, she moved in closer, slipping through the gathered apprentices until her shoulder rested against the wall just beside the doors. A few tense minutes had passed, and all she heard was talking.

Then the distinctive sound of lightsabers flaring to life, and the doors opened.

"I dub thee..."

"Knight of the New Jedi Order." ​

All at once, the anxiety hanging over the Padawans had dissolved. Relief swept through them, even joy among those who knew Jand personally.

Cora couldn't keep but smile fondly, nodding towards the freshly minted Knight as she followed the flow of foot traffic into the hall. Where they hadn't gotten along at first, the two had formed a bond after the trials of Exegol.

When the ceremonies had died down and the Masters and Knights had given their congratulations, Cora approached Jand.

"I can think of no one more deserving of the title of Jedi Knight, Jand."

Her smile polite, her words genuine. With a hand pressed to her chest, she dipped her head deeper this time, offering a bow of respect in recognition of his new position. Jasper, Silas, and now Jand—it was uplifting to see her friends succeed, to watch them grow into warriors and leaders and peacekeepers.

Straightening out, she spoke a little softer.

"I'm glad I was able to be here to witness your Knighting."

Jand Talo Caltin Vanagor Jasper Kai'el Ichika Masudo

 

[Colette]

She looked on from afar. The crowd was far bigger than Colette was comfortable with, but she had managed to find herself a nice and somewhat quiet spot on one of the many staircases around the hall. As the big muscular jedi dubbed the pale jedi as 'knight' she couldn't help but think ahead to her own dubbing and how that would go or who she would even be then.

The possibilities were fascinating, the reality uncertain. Not because she was unlikely to make it there but because it was still so early in her training and only time could really tell who she would become. There was an undeniably exciting part of that too, of course. Change was inevitable and to struggle against it was a lesson in futility. In just a few months she had gone from a clueless hopeful to a fiercely driven padawan, and she had none other than Valery to thank for that. Learning was easy when you had a teacher that enabled you to push yourself.

For the remainder of the time she would simply stand there and look, still from afar, and imagine it was herself taking that bow to be knighted.

Colette's time would come sooner or later. For now it was time to revel and bask in another beacon being lit in a sea of injustice.

 

[Dreidi Xeraic]

Outfit: Jedi Outfit
Tag: Jand Talo | Caltin Vanagor | Jasper Kai'el | Ichika Masudo | Corazona von Ascania | Colette

Another Padawan was progressing to the rank of Knight. While Dreidi ensured her ceremony was private and purely between her Master who was not a part of the NJO and herself, she was more than happy to join in on the celebrations of others. It was great to see others progressing into the rank of Knight and she was excited to see what they would bring to the Jedi now that they were progressing.

She was also excited at her own opportunities now that she was a Jedi Knight.

Watching the ceremony, she noticed Corazona, Jasper, Daisy, a couple of other faces she was less familiar with and smiled. Seemed to be a good turn out in support which meant that while she didn't truly know the new Jedi Knight, she knew he was well liked and probably a good man to be taking up the mantle of Jedi Knight. That was all that mattered. Once the ceremony had been conducted, Dreidi clapped her hands loudly in support and congratulations to the new Jedi Knight.

She decided to linger back, made sense for her to be one of the last to congratulate him, since his friends and close ones would want their chance first and only fair that they received that opportunity as well.

 

[Joland Graves]

---------------------------
PLANET: Coruscant
LOCATION: NJO Temple
---------------------------

Joland stood among his fellow padawans. Without context to the unfolding event, he looked on with a restrained confusion. Perhaps he felt more curiosity than anything. As the Nagai padawan entered the darkened room, the ceremony began. Joland's irises lit up with immense light. Diverse colors spilled into the hallway; numerous lightsabers penetrated the darkness. He smelled the faintest odor of burning ozone, the result of so much warm plasma heating up air particles.

As the padawan was dubbed a Knight of the New Jedi Order, Joland couldn't help but follow strands of thought leading to his own distant future. His mental cup was filled with bittersweet sentiment; half full of admiration, half empty with apprehension. The implications of responsibility and commitment weighed heavy on him.

Joel pushed the thoughts aside. Time and place. He leaned against a pillar in the hall.

Joland wasn't familiar with the newly dubbed knight. So, ever curious, Joland pulled the datapad from the inner pockets of his synthweave jacket, flipped through menus and submenus, and read about his exploits.

 

[Valery Noble]

NJO Temple

​

Outfit: Factory Link | Wedding Ring
Appearance: Link
Weapons: Lightsaber
Tag: Jand Talo Caltin Vanagor | @everybody else

During the ceremony itself, Valery quietly watched and only flashed a proud smile when her gaze met Jand's. She had gotten to know him decently well through a series of missions together, as well as several conversations they had. He was very different from the rather loud and difficult Padawans she often worked with, and reminded her just a little more about the days prior to her time in stasis.

He was definitely no type to paint-bomb her or call her fat like Colette did.

So to see him finally ascend to knighthood was no surprise, but a very welcomed moment, and when the ceremony finally ended, Valery showed that through her smile. She dipped her head when he thanked his Master and the Council, then waited for her own turn to briefly talk to him, and congratulate the new Jedi Knight.

First, though, she was sure his friends would want to talk to him.

 

[Ko Vuto]

New Jedi Order Temple

Ko had never actually been to a knighting ceremony himself yet. Not really by choice however, fate just had a habit of having him miss out on within the New Jedi Temple. There were a good number of other padawans too. The ceremony was a good reminder of the primary goals of a pupil in the order. The rank of knight opened a lot of doors for a Jedi. Guardian, Consulars, and Sentinels as well as their various sub branches. The Kel Dor teen could imagine that it would be a rather thrilling prospect.

Given his height Ko stood in the back among those who were gathered, being able to look over a past most of them There were a few familiar faces, but many more unfamiliar. The new Knight the ceremony was for being one of them. Ko really didn’t know much of anything about Jedi Knight Jand Talo other than that they looked as though they could use some sunlight. But Ko harbored no doubt that he was worthy of his new title. A Knight meant you were legit, the real deal now.

Although for now Ko himself was without a mentor he didn’t worry that he too could likely join Jand in knighthood down the line as well…

 

[Thelma Goth]

Thelma was there along with the others, witnessing Jand’s knighthood. They had met before and had even been on a few missions together, though she didn’t know the Nagai that well. He was considerably more handsome than she remembered. Must’ve hit a growth spurt.

He descended the platform to speak to his friends. “Congratulations,” Thelma said as he drew near her, smiling.

"I'm glad I was able to be here to witness your Knighting."

Thelma’s smile wavered at the softness of Cora’s voice and the implications of her words. Despite her isolation from the other Padawans, she was well aware of that particular situation—she had sewn Cora’s wedding dress, after all. “We’re always glad to have you here, Cora,” Thelma said, then turned away, a bit embarrassed that she had said anything at all.

Jand Talo

 

[Caltin Vanagor]

New Jedi Temple

Knighthood​

Making his way to the back hall of the gathering room, Caltin chose to never offer any other words when he was the one conducting the ceremony. To him, it was almost nepotistic and disrespectful. This is why the big man always chose to teach and train his Apprentices to the level that they would get to and then offer his own words upon completion. That was his time to do so.

This was not.

Jand had always quietly went about his business, forever a Vanguard. He deserved a chance to be in a spotlight. That doesn’t mean that Vanagor couldn’t have a slight smile on his face.

Tag: Open

 

[Jand Talo]

Jand looked to those that had gathered and was appreciative that they had come.

There were several familiar faces that the - now - Jedi Knight saw in the crowd, particularly those that he had fought alongside, and who had visited him during recovery from wounds and injury. And there were others, those who he had yet to meet but had no doubt they would, with the ever increasing camaraderie of the Jedi Order.

Jand nodded to those that stayed back, he saw them, and to those that clapped and congratulated.

"We will see, Corazona," Jand said as he stopped before the blonde sentient. "I did not know what to expect, joining the Jedi Order, though I am glad my efforts and development are looked on favorably."

The arrival of Thelma, through the crowd, and her congratulations was met with a small smile and nod.

"Thank you, Thelma," Jand said. It had been a while since the pair had seen one another, not since a mission that involved a ship boarding, if recalled correctly. "I trust you have been well?"

Yet, there was a harder glance with Jand's gray eyes, as Corazona mentioned being able to be present.

"Yes, I understand. I am glad, also."

For better or worse, Corazona's circumstances had been circulated throughout the Jedi, so her situation was known to many. Or that was how it seemed. Nonetheless, Jand had kept what he knew to himself, and would refrain from sharing details with others - even if those details were the same or similar.

"There is worth in duty, no matter where it sends you."

Corazona von Ascania | Thelma Goth​

 

[Corazona von Ascania]

Cora's smile contracted just a little at the assurance that came from Thelma and Jand. Her impending marriage wasn't exactly ideal, but she made peace with her duty. At least, that was what she'd told herself.

She flashed Thelma a grateful expression with her eyes, reaching down to momentarily squeeze the girl's hand, and tilted her head briefly to Jand in a gesture of thanks. In truth, a thread of jealousy had woven into her soul as she watched the ceremony progress—not because the Nagai had been knighted before her, she always knew that would be the case—but because she'd never climb that far herself. But, today wasn't about her.

"I'm proud of you, in any event, Jedi Knight Talo." The blonde Padawan offered him a smile, one that pulled at the corners of her lips almost wryly. "You've done so much for the Order already. I don't know of any other Padawans who've killed a Sith Lord twice and taken a Sith Knight into custody."

A low chuckle drifted past her lips as Cora shook her head, eyes sliding over to Thelma.

"I'd likely have died on Exegol were it not for him."

Jand Talo Thelma Goth

 

[Thelma Goth]

"Thank you, Thelma. I trust you have been well?"

"Yes," she answered with a shy smile. Jand had gotten taller as well. But then everyone was tall compared to Thelma. "You seem... self-assured. Not that you weren't already, but now... more than then."

Her stumbling compliment was hopefully comprehensible enough. Thelma was surprised when Cora squeezed her hand, but she accepted the gesture for what it was. An expression of gratitude.

"I'd likely have died on Exegol were it not for him."

Thelma's smile flickered, memories of her own experience on Exegol rising to the surface of her mind. She had dueled against Marrow alone, and the rival vampire had drained her to the point of death. It was only Silas and the other Jedi present reaching out to her through the Force that allowed her to escape the planet alive.

"It's good to have friends," she said softly. "And allies who can help. You never know when you'll face something you can't overcome on your own."

Jand Talo Corazona von Ascania