Opening new doors

[Arturin]

Arturin sighed as he approached the Jedi Temple. He knew that if he wanted to follow in his parent's footsteps he would have to find a master and have formal training. But what if they looked down on him pike so many others for being the result of a forbidden love between two Jedi? What if nobody wanted the orphan as a padawan? He quickly cleared his mind of such negative thoughts. Today was the day that he would open doors to his future.

 

[Ras'kala'han]

Joryn sat on an elegant stone bench, looking down at his book. Trees shaded the area just outside the Jedi Temple, casting those below in dappled light colored with the hues of dawn. Once, he would have called this place home. Now, he served the Republic in a different way. He glanced up, expectant. He was supposed to meet with an old friend. Instead, he saw an unfamiliar face, worried. He shot the nervous youth a comforting smile.

 

[Arturin]

Arturin looked around, wondering if he should gain permission to enter the Temple or if he could just walk in. Sitting on a stone bench was a man reading a book, hair tied back in a ponytail. The man looked up and, seeing Arturin, smiled. Arturin froze. He hadn't expected to see any friendly faces, at least not yet. He smiled and bowed his head in greeting.

[member="Cloudstrider"]

 

[Ras'kala'han]

Joryn saw no traditional Padawan braid on the blonde youth, but when he met his gaze, even he could see the power of the Force teeming within him, like the fiery light that rings an eclipse. A potential, a new arrival, he thought.

"Come on over." He said cheerfully. "Are you looking to enter the Temple?"

Arturin

 

[Arturin]

Arturin obeyed the older man and walked over to him. "Yes, I am," Arturin replied."I aspire to become a Jedi knight. I feel like it's my destiny." He looked to the man, hoping he would understand.

[member="Cloudstrider"]

 

[Ras'kala'han]

"A noble aspiration." Joryn said. "I'm Warden Kaylem, representative to the Senate for Ord Radama. I'm waiting for a friend of mine." He looked towards the austere structure reaching into the sky. "Destiny is a strange thing - a Jedi I knew once said that the future was like a stone about to be made a statue. Some things are fixed, yes, but what ultimately hews it into shape is our choices." He paused, and after a moment of wistful recollection, added: "Don't think that I'm dissuading you. Becoming a Jedi is a good choice. A brave one."

Arturin

 

[Arturin]

A representative to the senate. Arturin felt insignificant in the presence of one so important. Maybe, one day, Arturin would be as important as warden Kaylem. "It is a choice my heart and soul has made. I am Arturin."

[member="Cloudstrider"]

 

[Ras'kala'han]

The boy - Arturin, seemed to adopt a stance that Joryn had seen before. His posture, his eyes all pointed to a nervousness that bordered on intimidation. Certainly not the way someone would behave around a friend, or a peer. When he was a Jedi Padawan, he noticed that people woud act with this nervousness also. Although he was far from the kind of person who would advocate disrespect towards one's seniors, this always bothered him.

"Well, Arturin, it's very good to meet you." Kaylem said, taking the Jedi aspirant and giving him a firm handshake. "I've been waiting long enough, I think. My friend is probably embroiled in some sort of meeting, out on a mission - maybe even just lost track of time meditating. Regardless, I think we both can find what we're looking for inside the temple. Would you mind accompanying me inside?"

Arturin

 

[Arturin]

"Not at all" Arturin said, smiling. Arturin took a deep breath. He reminisced on everything leading up to this point. This was the end of one chapter of his life and the beginning of another. Each step one closer to his destiny. Each action, each move, another word added to the story of his life. A story he was making. He exhlaed and walked into the Temple beside warden Kaylem. "And who, if you don't mind me asking, is your friend?"

[member="Cloudstrider"]

 

[Ras'kala'han]

As Jorym passed through the threshold, even he couldn't help but feel the tension build inside him. Do ex-Jedi ever visit this place? Is it even allowed? He only arrived with certainty that he would be allowed to pass since he was on official business. He showed the watchman his senatorial identification, and identified his companion as an "associate".

"My contact is Master [member="Matsu Ike"]. She once was my instructor in the Order, before I parted ways with it." He remembered the woman 0 pale, dark-haired, serene. "Such a passionate sense of curiosity." He added fondly. "I'm sure that you understand, [member="Arturin"]. It was my duty to my family - assuming my father's position after he passed on."

Became one with the Force, he thought. He had believed that, once. Or maybe he still did.

 

[Arturin]

Arturin nodded. "I do. If more people honored family and friends as you do, the world would be a lighter and happier place." Arturin sighed. "I understand completely. My father has also passed away. He...was a Jedi. As was my mother."

[member="Cloudstrider"]

 

[Ras'kala'han]

A Jedi father and mother. Such things were not unheard of - but rare, and he half-remembered the distant times when he had studied such things. Now, his knowledge of the omnipresent Force itself was limited to that of a casual practitioner. "You have my condolences, [member="Arturin"]. I'm sure you'll make a fine guardian of the Republic - and that they would be proud to see you follow this path."

The countless windows of the Temple lit it naturally, although dim artificial lighting would fill the halls at night. Between this and elegance to the stonework that only a wielder of the Force could manage, it felt like a single piece of time-worn, smooth stone. A part of the landscape itself, and an expression of the Order's devotion to life and the Light Side.

With time, the power of the Force could build within certain locations. The looming statue of Darth Malgus, towering over the Central Palace of the capital of his homeland was more than a reminder of its subjugation in ancient times by the Sith. Its shadow still carried a dread chill. He avoided the thing when possible.

"Now - where do we go to process a new applicant? It's been such a long time..."

 

[Arturin]

"Thank you," Arturin said, remembering his father's last words. Arturin followed Warden Kaylem through the temple, admiring its elegance and beauty.

"Now - where do we go to process a new applicant? It's been such a long time..."

Arturin froze. New applicant...he was about to become a padawan?! Excitement surged through him as he eagerly scanned the surrounding area for a desk or office where he could apply, if that's what had to be done, but couldn't find any.

[member="Cloudstrider"]

 

[Nefertari Sovint]

Nefertari walked into the area near the entrance, a youngling in tow. The little Ferroan hid behind the knight's leg and grabbed onto her clothes.

When Nef saw the reason, she said to the youngling "No need to be shy, it is simply a newcomer."
She knelt by his side and directed the child to one passage.

When the little one ran off, Nefertari approached [member="Arturin"] and [member="Cloudstrider"]
"Welcome, you are joining the order, am I correct?"
The force was strong in this youth..

 

[Arturin]

Arturin hesitated, as if not knowing if the graceful Jedi was talking to him. "Yes, you are. I am Arturin, and I wish to become a Jedi Knight," He said, bowing his head in greeting.

Arturin felt something about the lady that he only felt from Jedi, not non-force sensitives.

[member="Cloudstrider"]
[member="Nefertari Sovint"]

 

[Ras'kala'han]

When [member="Nefertari Sovint"] approached, the contemplative frown that Joryn had been wearing disappeared. "Ah. Master Jedi, how good to see you. I'm Warden Kaylem, a senator. I understand it's normal for these things to be processed more formally, but I was hoping I could get in touch with Jedi Master [member="Matsu Ike"]. It's a matter of some importance." In a brief bout of self consciousness, he straightened the pin that was attached to his slim, blue Radaman tunic. "Well, I also suppose my friend here should be attended to first."

 

[Nefertari Sovint]

When the youth bowed, Nef bowed back. "A Jedi Knight, you say? A difficult, although worthwhile path. I am Nefertari Sovint, Jedi Knight."
The lady turned to the senator "I am unaware of Master Ike's whereabouts, but you should find her if you look hard enough. Now let us see about young Arturin, shall we?"

[member="Arturin"], [member="Cloudstrider"]​

 

[Arturin]

A difficult, although worthwhile path? Arturin knew from the bottom of his heart that no matter how difficult or trying, he would become a Jedi. He shed all doubt, all nervousness.

..."Now let us see about young Arturin, shall we?"

Arturin looked to [member="Nefertari Sovint"]. Whatever he had to do, he was ready.

[member="Cloudstrider"]

 

[Nefertari Sovint]

[member="Arturin"] looked to Nefertari
"Okay, before I get ahead of myself, I should ask if you have any prior experience."

I should probably show him around as well
What would happen next? Only time would tell.

 

[Arturin]

Arturin closed his eyes to better remember his past training. "I have been raised by a jedi and taught the lightsaber techniquw shii-cho, including the body target zones and the three rings of defense. I also learned the efficient defense form of soresu and the dueling technique of makashi. In the force I have been taught force pull, force push, and force leap." Arturin hoped this was a good start, given his age.

[member="Nefertari Sovint"]