Private Oceans of Change

[Mak Ondor]

Tython is a beautiful planet. Soaring mountains, lush forests and Jedi Temples dot the landscape. But today Mak Ondor was at the beach, overlooking the planets eastern sea. While he normally liked to spend his time in the woods the beach had its own appeal, specificly the sunset. Mak found it helped him visualise the change of the force, when the power of the sun surrendered to the might of the sea.

Mak Ondor sensed another presence, one filled with the light side. He could sense the great compassion and empathy within him, but he was troubled. Perhaps Mak Ondor could aid the youth. he tuned his vocoder to make sure it would translate clearly.

"Come, young one. What troubles you this fine evening?"

Emery Lloren

 

[Emery Lloren]

"Master Mak Ondor, it is an honor to meet you here by the sea." Emery’s voice was steady but carried a trace of uncertainty, his eyes scanning the calm waters as if seeking answers in the horizon. He took a slow breath before continuing. "Your compassion and empathy are inspiring. I hope to carry even a fraction of that in my own heart."

He shifted slightly, the soft sound of waves blending with the gentle breeze. "What troubles me is that I sometimes feel overwhelmed by the kindness I try to live by." His gaze dropped to the sand beneath his feet. "I want to help and heal, but when action is needed, I hesitate."

A faint furrow appeared between his brows. "I worry this hesitation might be seen as weakness or indecision."He glanced toward the distant cliffs, as if measuring the weight of his own doubts against their steadfast presence. "The galaxy can be unforgiving, and I fear my gentle nature might leave me unprepared."

Emery’s hands clenched briefly at his sides before he spoke again, voice softer now. "I question if I am truly ready for the weight the Jedi path demands." He met Mak Ondor’s gaze with earnestness. "I often struggle to balance mercy with strength, peace with decisiveness."

The sun dipped lower, casting long shadows over the shore. "Sometimes the path feels unclear, and doubt creeps in." He swallowed hard. "I want to walk the Jedi way fully, but without losing myself to fear or confusion."

Finally, Emery’s expression steadied, hope flickering in his eyes. "Master, if you could share your wisdom on carrying both a gentle heart and a steady hand, I would be deeply grateful."


TAG: Mak Ondor ​

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[Mak Ondor]

Mak Ondor listened carefully to the young padawan. He was being genuine and open with him. To reveal so much of yourself took great courage, and Mak Ondor was impressed. He saw a lot of himself in the boy.

"I have been in your place too, young one. Many, many years ago I too was a padawan asking these same questions. Back then I was told that I had to turn off my emotions to make the right choice, cut off attatchments to be impartial."

He sighed.

"But that is not what I have found. As I have lived I have seem much of this galaxy. I have seen its pain and it has forced me to make hard decisions, to stand up when I don't want to.

I have found that being merciful in a galaxy of the unmerciful is a strength. Few are prepared for mercy or peace. And in times when it seems the only way out is hate there is always an alternative. But most importantly I have learnt that doing the right thing means following your heart and the force."

He looked Emery in the eye.

"Your kindess is not a weakness, but a strength. Being peaceful is decisive. This does not mean to always stand down, to never fight for what is right. But it means choosing your fights carefully. Many Jedi resort to their lightsaber far too quickly, before even asking themselves if there is another way. To seek another path, the path of reconciliation, is much harder. In seeking peace there is its own conflicts, much more subtle than a duel. But always by trusting in the guidance of the force you will find your path."

Mak Ondor gestured to the sea.

"Take the sea. It appears to change all the time. When the wind is strong it seems choppy, and when the wind dies it seams calm. When there are rocks it seems jagged but where there is sand it seems smooth. The sea deals with these factors in its own way, but it is still itself. A thing of beauty, where life and wonders reside. I know that no matter what happens to you, if you stay true to yourself you will weather it, and remain as beautiful inside as ever."

He thought for a moment.

"Being gentle is no simple thing. It takes great strength to hold back when you have the power to end it. Gentleness is being kind when you could be cruel. If I were to eliminate a criminal cabal with my lightsaber I may have accomplished good, but it would not be the right way to do it. The path of violence can lead to anger and hatred, emotions that can taint your inner soul. It would be far better to come to an agreement, help them see the error in their ways, and let them surrender to the authorities. That way you will have brought not just peace to the people, but to them and yourself. And the force prospers. It is only once you have considered all possible options that you should fight. It is then that you will have peace. Decisiveness can be another word for impatience. Do not act brashly just because you feel pressured."

Mak Ondor seemed to realize something.

"By the trees I have been talking a lot! Ill run my vocoders battery flat if i go on like this. You must stop me when I ramble on. Was I?"

Emery Lloren

 

[Emery Lloren]

Emery had listened closely throughout, his posture quiet but attentive, eyes slightly wide as if drinking in every word. The gentle roar of the waves was nothing compared to the tide that had just risen in his chest — the sense that someone not only understood, but validated everything he’d been afraid to admit aloud.

When Mak fell silent, Emery exhaled, almost laughing under his breath as the older Jedi apologized for rambling. He stepped closer to the water’s edge, letting his boots settle in the sand before turning toward the Knight.

“You weren’t rambling, Master..”

His voice trembled slightly, not with fear, but with emotion. There was something raw in him, like a knot finally loosening.

“I didn’t know I needed to hear that until you said it.” He glanced toward the crashing waves, then back to Mak Ondor. “That kindness can be decisive. That mercy is not just a delay before violence.”

He paused, hands loosely folded behind his back — a nervous, thoughtful posture he’d developed over the years of meditative study.

“I think… I’ve been so afraid of getting it wrong, of hesitating when someone’s counting on me… that I never considered patience might be the right answer.”

There was a smile now, tired but warm. He tucked a strand of sandy-blond hair behind one ear, still processing.

“I want to be someone who brings peace — not just with a saber, but with presence.” His tone softened, and he looked back out over the ocean.

“If I can be like the sea… ever-shifting, but always itself…”

He trailed off for a beat, eyes blinking slowly, letting the Force ripple through him like the water.

“Then maybe I’ll find my own shape in this order.”

He turned back to Mak, smiling now — a quiet, sincere thing, the kind that wasn’t offered easily but meant everything when it was.

“Thank you, Master Ondor. Truly.”​

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[Mak Ondor]

Mak Ondor listened to the youth, smiling with both of his mouths. This was a young man who now believed in himself, and that belief could do wonders.

“I want to be someone who brings peace — not just with a saber, but with presence.”

"A very noble calling. In ages past Jedi could bring peace to a world with just their presence and wisdom. I believe you can achieve such feats as well, in time." The Jedi Order needs more peaceful hearts like yours, and I believe your soul shows the best qualities of the light side. If more thought as you do then the galaxy would be a much more peaceful place."

Mak Ondor shifted as well, feeling the sand as it passed over his feet.

“Then maybe I’ll find my own shape in this order.”

"I know you will, Emery. And when you do, you will look back at how far you have come and wonder how you ever doubted your convictions. Just remember to pass on your wisdom, so others can see things as you do."

“Thank you, Master Ondor. Truly.”

Mak Ondor bowed his head.
"And my thanks to you, young one. You have reignited my hope for the orders future. If I can help affirm its future masters, I count myself blessed."

He shuffled a little closer to Emery.

"Let me tell you a secret, young Emery. Many younglings wonder what the best part of being a master is. Some say its the power you wield and decisions you make. Others say its your mastery of lightsaber techniques and force prowess. And yet others say its the comfy chairs and ability to take naps."

Ondor chuckled to himself.

"In truth the best part of being a master are these moments. When a student comes up to you with raw, honest questions and you help them, imparting wisdom for your life so that they will not have to suffer as harsh lessons as you. And knowing you helped make a difference in their lives, and played a small part in the noble person they become. That is the best part of being a master."

Emery Lloren

 

[Emery Lloren]

Oceans of Change

"The unexamined life is not worth living."
________

Equipment — His Lightsaber.

Clothing — Civilian clothing.

Theme — N/A
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Emery listened in silence, letting each word settle like morning light on still water. Mak Ondor’s presence was unlike anyone else’s — steady, weathered, calm in a way that didn’t just comfort. It made you want to grow into something better.

He looked down for a moment, then smiled. Not wide. But real.

“Then I hope I can give someone a moment like this, one day.” His tone was quiet, thoughtful. “Not because I’ll have all the answers... but because I’ll have learned to listen like you do.”

There was admiration there, but not flattery. Emery meant it.

He turned his gaze out toward the horizon, where sand met sky in hazy lines.

“I think... I used to believe Jedi had to be something already. Like peace came after the saber, after the title. But maybe it’s the other way around.”

He looked back to Ondor, eyes steadier now.

“Maybe we become Jedi because we try to live that peace. Not after we master everything. But because we try anyway.”

A breath.

Then, with a flicker of warmth, almost playful:

“Though I wouldn’t complain about the comfy chairs part, either.”

He bowed his head slightly, hands at his sides.

“Thank you, Master Ondor. For the wisdom. For believing in what’s ahead. For seeing something in me before I did.”

A thoughtful pause, then Emery added:

“I’ll carry it forward. I promise.”​