Order of things

[Charlie Nooran]

The light tapping of her boots followed behind Jyoti as Charlie did her best to keep up with the taller Echani. She allowed the Master respectful space, following a couple of steps behind her. Every so often Charlie would glance at the way the armor moved with every weight shift of Jyoti's steps.

Quite... interesting.

It didn't take them long to arrive to the courtyard and Charlie got a full sight at the ship that slowly came to life as they drew closer. Charlie nervously bit her lower lip as she kept her focus on the ship to fully take in the beauty of the Kitsune. It was pretty impressive and was beyond clean. The aroma that lingered in the air made Charlie inhale deeply and sigh with a happiness as it brought back pleasant memories of the treats she got back on the temple.

Jyoti spoke and once again, Charlie gave her all of her attention. “It is pretty roomie, I can see why you're sleeping here and not in the temple. Must be super comfortable too” she wandered a little - wanting to explore more. Her manners were minded and she nodded. “I do! Do you have a droid that helps you pilot and keep up the ship?” Astromech droids were always a dime a dozen, but she was still interested.

[member="Jyoti Nooran"]

 

[Eugen Aker]

"I actually wouldn't mind a room at the temple," she admitted. "There is something special about Tython temple. I'd like to spend the next day looking around if you don't mind being my guide."

"There's a hatchling droid for emergency repairs during flight, but I typically maintain the ship myself or with a live crew when they're around. The ship is small enough for solo work."

The engineer loved tinkering. She could speed hours or days just working on anything put before her. As of late, she had made a project of upgrading her Padawan's freighter, slowly but surely converting the cargo hauler into a capable gunship.

"Of course, there was a droid brain that governs the whole ships, and carries out most spot maintenance and adjustment without any input required."

Charlie had started wander as they spoke, but Jyoti didn't stop her, happily following around and letting the younger woman explore the interior until she was satisfied.

[member="Charlie"]

 

[Charlie Nooran]

[SIZE=10pt]Charlie continued to wander towards what she assumed was the cockpit, she listened and nodded at times to show that she was listening. She was in awe at everything that the ship was. How wonderful it would be to have a ship like this. Charlie wondered silently to herself if when she became a master if she was going to be able to pilot a ship around the galaxy exploring and having adventures. Stopping, she poked her nose into the cockpit and smiled. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=10pt]She would have to get off Tython first. “That’s pretty awesome. I’m not very good with machines, but mostly because we don’t have much out here. I want to learn, I’ve always loved watching the shuttles and ships take off when they leave Tython.” Charlie didn’t reveal that she mostly watched wishing she was on them. Jyoti had mentioned wanting a room in the temple and the padawan looked at the woman with a confused look. “I’m sure if you asked the Council they would grant you one, I offered you my quarters. I don’t sleep, so I could just hang out in the archives and study. Hang out till you’re ready to sleep or something.” Scratching the back of her head, she didn’t know what more to offer the Master. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=10pt]“Also, I don’t mind being a guide. Like I said I know a lot about my home.” She wandered out of the cockpit and headed towards the hallways that lead towards the rooms on the ship. “You said twenty-four could be on the ship? Does that mean every person could have a room as well? Oh, when do we get to try the hot cocoa? I’m uh…” Pausing, Charlie tried to figure a way to word it so that she didn’t sound desperate, “I’m really looking forward to it.” [/SIZE][member="Jyoti Nooran"]

 

[Eugen Aker]

Charlie had no shortage of observations to make or questions to ask while Jyoti showed her around the cockpit. She didn't mind at all, nodding along as she was genuinely enthused to have a guest on the ship. Aside from the droid brain of the ship, it was lonely riding from Kiribi to Tython.

She followed along as Charlie headed out of the cockpit center of the ship where the crew quarters lay. She took the lead then, flipping on the lights and showing Charlie the inside of one of the cabins, a large room with two stacks of double bunks.

"At max capacity, one wouldn't be able to have their own cabin on a ship of this size. I know some outfits that have 'hot bunks' where they're more or less sharing their beds with other crewmates on different shifts."

In her years of service, Jyoti had on several occasions experienced the immense displeasure of such a bunk sharing arrangement. There were certainly perks to having her own ship.

"We can have some cocoa now," she replied, giving Charlie a pat on the shoulder.

She led them back to the lounge area and motioned Charlie to take a seat at one of the booths while she entered the kitchen area.

"Have you actually had hot cocoa before?" she asked as she started pulling dishes and ingredients from the cabinets. "It's not a common beverage being so hard to produce. The good stuff anyway. I've seen some attempts made a recreating cocoa through molecular converters, but it never comes out quite right. There's just some things nature does better."

 

[Charlie Nooran]

Charlie followed happily behind Jyoti towards the kitchen. She hoped that when she was a full fledged Jedi she would have a ship just like this. Taking a seat, she felt the softness of the booth and wiggled herself in. She couldn't believe how lucky she was to experience this. Ships were always something she found fascinating, except the disgusting shuttle that dropped her off on Tython.

Several times when Charlie had found herself studying some of the old battles, she imagined herself as one of the great Jedi that was able to fly and fight. They were only dreams, but they made the old stories interesting. Charlie stopped her day dreaming about ships and watched the Jedi begin the unknown process of hot cocoa.

“No I've never had it before. Um the Masters don't have a lot here so things like sugars and candies aren't really around. Some of the others have access, but I.” Charlie paused and thought carefully about her words. If she said too much about not being allowed sugar, then Jyoti might not let her try the hot cocoa.

“I know what it is, one of the council members drinks it all the time. I'm really not allowed sugar…” A sheepish smile spread along her face as her cheeks blushed slightly embarrassed about the whole thing. “So do you have the real cocoa?”

The padawan’s face showed her hopefulness.


[member="Jyoti Nooran"]

 

[Eugen Aker]

Jyoti raised an eyebrow as Charlie admitted the lack of access to sugar and confections. And existence with little or no sweets, or chocolate! She definitely wouldn't have lasted on Coruscant. She was a worldly woman, for better or worse, and required such comforts to help cope with the dreary state of galactic affairs.

"I don't have much say what goes on within the temple, but within the holds of this ship, you can have all the sugar that your teeth can take."

​All items assembled, she started making the hot cocoa, first heating up a pot of green milk and cream. Once she mixed in the dry ingredients, the green color would thankfully disappear.

​"Real cocoa, straight from Kashyyyk," she explained. "The planet is orbited by a trio of moons that serves as breadbaskets for the whole system."

​"It doesn't seem like you stray too far from the temple. Have you been off planet since you were brought down here?"

​[member="Charlie"]

 

[Charlie Nooran]

Smiling, Charlie smelled the sweetness from the milk and cream as it warmed up. It was something special and rare. She was usually only given milk that had been watered down or water in general. The smile remained wide as she was told she had all the access to whatever sugar she could have while on the ship. Charlie wanted to never leave the ship.

She continued to watch Jyoti as she continued to make the cocoa. Licking her lips, she could taste the aroma from the hot cocoa. Blinking, Jyoti mentioned Kashyyyk. The padawan only knew of it from books and studies she had never seen it firsthand. Lips pressed together as she tried to remember the pictures she had seen in the books about the lush forest and the trio of moons. The planet sounded amazing and she secretly wanted to visit one day.

Though, she needed find a Master first who would take her from the temple. She highly doubted the council would let her off alone. Jyoti questioned her adventures and Charlie stopped being mesmerized by the thrill of the cocoa. “Uh.” She tried to remember a time that she wasn’t surrounded by the wilds of Tython, even the memories of her childhood before this was blank.

Shrugging, the Padawan stopped looking at the Master and shook her head. “No, I’ve never left Tython. For as long as I can remember, I’ve been here and only here.” Scratching the side of her face delicately as she thought. “Tell me about Kashyyyk please? I want to know what it’s like.”

[member="Jyoti Nooran"]

 

[Eugen Aker]

She slowly stirred in the dry ingredients into the milk and cream as it came to a simmer, including a few large pieces of milk chocolate to go with the cocoa powder. Soon, the whole lounge would be filled with the aroma of the cocoa.

​"Let's see, Kashyyyk. It's a planet almost entirely covered by jungles, marshes, and oceans. The chief race of inhabitants are the Woookiees. Mostly a kindly bunch, but they are quick to anger over the pettiest things, so you always have to watch your words around them. They all have a knack for science and engineering, but prefer to live in harmony with their surroundings, so there hasn't been much development on the planet. Not unlike the Alderaanians."

​There was more she could say about the fauna, but that usually wasn't a topic she liked to lead with when discussing the home planet of the Silver Jedi. The Echani personally would have preferred some place cooler, where there weren't man-sized insects and rodents that could snatch you up in an instant.

The pot of milk and cream shifted from a minty green to a rich brown color as she finished mixing in the dry ingredients. The hot cocoa was ready to serve. She poured the contents of the pots into two large thermos, then set them on a small platter with a packet of marshmallows and some homemade snickerdoodles.

​"Here we are," she said, setting the platter down on the table.

​Still in her armor, she began the process of pulling off her gloves and sliding out of the top of the black ensemble, revealing a loose fitting black tank top underneath.

​"Dig in. There's a good bit of cocoa still in the pot if you fancy an extra mug or two. So, as it looks like you'll be my guide on Tython, tell me about it. What are your favorite spots to visit?"

[member="Charlie"]

 

[Charlie Nooran]

Charlie closed her eyes to try and see Kashyyyk through Jyoti's words. The place sounded kind of like Tython, but more wild. The sharing of the planet stopped and Charlie was left wondering if the Wookies looked like what they appeared to lol like in the history books. Hearing about another planet made Charlie wish she could get off Tython, but there were a few hiccups so she tried not to dream too much.

The hot cocoa was set in front of her as well as a plate of snickerdoodles and marshmallows. They were things she had never seen before and her eyes first set on the cookies then on the cotton ball shaped white things. Charlie stared at them wondering if they were going to do a trick. Reaching out hesitantly, she grasped one and brought it to her. Examining it, she turned it over and then squished it in her hand. Surprise was written all over her face as she looked at the blob that now covered her hand.

The hand that was now a crime scene found it's way to Charlie's mouth. Very slowly she licked her palm, after realizing that the marshmallow was delicious she quickly stuck a finger one after another into her mouth, when she went to pull it out after cleaning it off. She would slowly pull the finger out. Nice and slow, watch finger became free of the marshmallow. A napkin that was nearby helped dry it off. Looking at Jyoti who had asked a question, Charlie shrugged and grabbed a cookie with the hand that did not go into her mouth.

“Um, there's a lot of caverns near and under the temple. Also the main parts of town are nice, the moons, waterfalls. Tython really has it all..” she bit the cookie and melted. It was amazing, what followed the bite was a sip of the cocoa. “Oh wow! Do you always have this stuff on your ship and at your Jedi temple?!” [member="Jyoti Nooran"]

 

[Eugen Aker]

Jyoti was about to lean back and enjoy her cup of bug, but she became utterly mesmerized by the sight of Charlie picking with marshmallows. In quick time, it became evident that Charlie had in fact never had a marshmallow.

She couldn't even be mad at the younger woman making a mess of herself with a marshmallow, it was honestly disheartening bearing witness to how much Charlie seemed to miss out by living such a sheltered life. Not good at all for a Jedi, or anyone for that matter.

"Usually, we try to keep our ships well stocked. Missions and patrols can be terribly long, so it's always nice to have some little treats enjoy along the way."

She finally took a sip of her hot cocoa, not much interested in the snickerdoodles. Charlie was free to have everything else on the platter to herself.

"The Silver Rest has its own dining hall and a large commissary where you can pick a myriad of items from groceries to consumer electronics. There's nothing like that here? Even in town?"

[member="Charlie"]

 

[Charlie Nooran]

The mug never left Charlie’s face only to grab a cookie and eat it as Jyoti talked about Kashyyyk and the Rest. It was interesting how the Rest had the sorts of things that the Tython temple had, but seemed to be far more stocked than what she got to have. The marshmallows drew her attention again, but remembering how terribly sticky they were she avoided them with a sad look in her eye. Another sip and she shrugged.

“We only get to go to town for a list of supplies. Whoever is given the job of going into town to get the supplies is only allowed to get what is from the list.” Charlie wasn’t allowed to go down into town, when she had she only looked around and never bought anything. The stuff she did have were things that she had brought with her from when they had found her wandering the streets. She ate another cookie and then finished her cocoa. Her eyes fell on the pot that Jyoti had used to make it, but she didn’t ask for another cup.

“I don’t have any credits to buy anything. The things you saw in my room that weren’t the usual things like my gaming device were things I came to the temple with. Beyond that, the clothes I have are the ones issued to us, growth spurts kind of suck, but I get by.” She ate another cookie and then attempted another marshmallow, except this time shoved the whole thing into her mouth. Chewing it bit she finally swallowed and smiled.

“The Silver Rest sounds like a cool place, maybe one day I’ll get to see it.” Charlie knew it was a farfetched dream. The only way she was getting off Tython is if she was invited to leave with someone. Her prison was going to be Tython for possibly the rest of her life. At least today was a good day.

[member="Jyoti Nooran"]

 

[Eugen Aker]

As Charlie revealed more about her life on Tython, Jyoti couldn't help but think of her own origins - her real origins - in the slums where she didn't have much of anything. What little she could gather for herself was often pawned off by her mother for drugs.

"It's a very cool place," Jyoti agreed after another sip of cocoa. "And I could show you."

She set her thermos down, then clasped her hands together on the table as she prepared to make an offer.

"What do you say, that at the end of my expedition here, that I take you back to Kashyyyk with me? Our doors are always open to all fellow Jedi. I think it would be an enriching experience for you to see more of the galaxy."

[member="Charlie"]

 

[Charlie Nooran]

Blinking, Charlie stared at Jyoti somewhat dumbfounded. The offer was something she had hoped would eventually come from the Master, but she had assumed hope was lost after Jyoti had mentioned she wasn’t on Tython for a Padawan. Tilting her head, she continued to stare at the Echani woman. “Um.” Another marshmallow was shoved into her mouth as she felt the nerves starting to work their way through her. She swallowed after buying herself some time for the answer.

“I want to.” Charlie nodded, though if Jyoti wasn’t looking for a student who would she be assigned to. Shifting uncomfortably, the K’paur brushed her brunette hair from her face and looked away from the Jedi. Nerves were getting the best of her, but she needed to know.

“I would…I would be your padawan?” She felt her face shift from the smile into a look of concern, at least if she got off Tython she could use that time to convince Jyoti to train her – or she could get to know a little bit about the Master she would be brought to. Shaking her head, she sighed. “I want to leave Tython and I want to see the rest of the galaxy. I want to go with you.” [member="Jyoti Nooran"]

 

[Eugen Aker]

"My Padawan?" Jyoti repeated. "Hmmm. I could take on another Padawan, but you and I both know that there is a process to it."

Always open to taking new apprentices, Jyoti didn't dismiss Charlie out of hand, but she wasn't sure she was the right person to take on Charlie. The woman needed special care from her stunted development on Tython, which may not be something Jyoti could adequately provide as she already had mutliple apprentices. On the other hand, she liked the idea of working with a blank slate; she had been a Jedi Master known to take all the "problem" children without question, but she secretly craved to pick out an ideal apprentice of her own choosing.

"I like to take my time feeling out the other person to see if we're compatible, and make sure that they can follow my expectations. The Silver Order, whether we like it or not, is always in a state of war with the Sith, Imperials, and several other dangers that threaten the fragile stability of the galaxy. By becoming my apprentice, you would be immediately thrust into the frontlines of these conflicts. This is all on top crime and other disturbances that I investigate throughout the galaxy. It's all very demanding work."

​"It would be quite a switch from what you're probably used to here. I'd caution you to take some time to consider your options. There are other Knights and Masters available that would offer you an easier transition at a more relaxed pace."

[member="Charlie"]

 

[Charlie Nooran]

Nodding, Charlie understood the process. It wasn’t as easy as a Master going ‘mine’ and taking said Padawan with them everywhere. They had to be compatible, a Master that executed saber combat to a perfection couldn’t train someone to become a healer. Charlie knew this quite well, she didn’t have any overly exceptional skills, mostly because she was at the end of what she could learn from the teachers on Tython. Meditating all day could only go so far and Charlie needed to leave.

The mention of things being easier if she was with a different Master or Knight made the Padawan shake her head. The last thing she wanted was for things to be easy for her, she wanted to fight the Sith, she wanted to be on the front lines. Tython wasn’t free from hearing about the war in the galaxy and Charlie had experienced the force of the Sith first hand. Her brow came together as she stared at the table then at Jyoti, there was an odd focus to the girl when the Sith was mentioned.

“I don’t want an easy transition. Everything here is easy. I want to fight the Sith, I want to push them back into the dark holes of the galaxy they came from. I didn’t train to become a Jedi, so I could have it easy.” She gripped the hem of her tunic tightly as she frowned, “I need to fight them, I won’t…I can’t have it any other way.”


[member="Jyoti Nooran"]

 

[Eugen Aker]

Mention of the Sith and intergalactic war seemed to light a fire under Charlie. Her entire demeanor shifted being starry eyed and care free to grim determination. Charlie didn't even have to speak anymore to make her case. Jyoti could now feel something special about the woman that begged further investigation.

"I admire your resolve," she replied with a nod, "but please don't forget what this is all about. We fight to protect, not destroy. Keep that in mind, always. So many Jedi get so caught in our struggles with the Sith that we lose sight of our mission."

She leaned back in her seat, sighing. "On the Sith. There's no place to banish them. Our forebears in the Je'daii Order made that mistake of kicking the can down the road with banishment instead of defeating the Sith the right way."

She placed a hand over her heart.

"As long as we draw breath, the Dark Side will be with us, in our hearts and mind. The real war isn't with starships and soldiers across far flung battlefields, but always within. With the Sith, it's never a war about territory or resources, but ideas. That's not so easily conquered, especially as we each have the potential to fall. The Sith were born from the Jedi, after all."

[member="Charlie"]

 

[Charlie Nooran]

Charlie nodded, she was aware of the history between the Jedi and Sith. She had studied the history since she arrived on Tython. Sitting back into her seat she grabbed another cookie and munched on it trying to think of something to say. As much as she wanted to argue the point of eradicating the Sith would be in their best interest, she knew deep down that Jyoti was right.

Finishing the cookie, she left the crumbs on her face and closed her eyes. “I know you’re right. I know no matter what we do there’s two sides to one coin.” Frowning, Charlie tilted her head back and stared at the ceiling. “There’s-“She stopped and knew what she was going to say wasn’t going to be something that would help her case.

“It’s kind of scary knowing that all Sith started or could have been Jedi.” The snickerdoodles still looked good, but she started to feel her stomach start to be full, but it had been years since she had had any sweets, so she reached back over and grabbed another one. She didn’t quickly put it in her mouth, just stared at it. Looking back up at Jyoti she smiled.

[member="Jyoti Nooran"]

 

[Eugen Aker]

"It is troubling," she agreed. "Some of the worst Sith to date were Jedi. That just highlights how seductive the Dark Side can truly be, able to corrupt our greatest champions into our worst monsters if allowed."

Charlie had looked like she wanted to say something earlier, but stopped herself. The way Charlie almost bristled at the mention of the Sith had piqued her curiosity in the woman, so she felt like probing now.

"Was there something more you wanted to say? I'm taking you to Kashyyyk like you wanted, so you don't need to censor yourself. Please, speak you mind."

[member="Charlie"]

 

[Charlie Nooran]

Charlie should have known it was going to be brought up. Jyoti seemed to be the type that likes to know what was going on. She was looking into a place Charlie felt uncomfortable talking about. Not even the Masters on Tython could pull it out of her, but Jyoti was different.

It was almost instant that she felt an inkling of trust for the Master Jedi. Lips pouted and Charlie remained silent for a few more minutes. She needed to gather her thoughts.

“I want to protect and live by the code all Jedi follow, but there's one Sith...I want to destroy.” Charlie shifted uncomfortably in her seat as her hands brushed aside her hair from her face. “That Sith is why I'm here. Why I was brought to Tython. Some wandering rogue masters found me. They realized I was force sensitive so instead of an orphanage I was brought here.” Charlie didn't know where to start trying to find the sith most of her memories were locked away after arriving on Tython.

“I want to destroy the Sith, but I know it's an impossible task...the light can't survive without the dark and vice versa.” The phrase was engraved into her mind as she had said her desires of destroying the Sith several times while growing up.

[member="Jyoti Nooran"]

 

[Eugen Aker]

Jyoti nodded in understanding, Charlie's reaction to the mention of the Sith making sense now. Cravings for vengeance was problematic, but with some training, those feelings could be tempered into something productive.

An ideal Shadow candidate.

"The Silver Order could help you find justice for your family, but remember that the death of the Sith won't bring them back. If they're taken down, then it's to protect others from getting hurt."

Charlie showed a good grasp of the (Living) Force as she acknowledged its duality. Though she didn't agree with something Charlie said about the Sith.

"The Sith certainly don't have a monopoly on the Dark Side, as much as they would like us to believe. There's a whole wealth of alternate organizations out there, like the Ren and Fallanassi. The Force and Force practitioners existed long before the Jedi and the Sith, and will continue to do so long after our demise. We are nothing but a blink in time."

"On the topic of balance, though. Do the Jedi on Thython utilize any remaining Je'daii structures? Part of the reason I came to Tython was to study the Thor Yor, and see what the old Bendu monks saw in the old days. After all this time, I still feel like we haven't even scratched the surface in our understanding of the Force."

[member="Charlie"]