Private Paper and Fire

[Junko Ike]

Zavra Shae

"There are a couple, the general one in your interface, the one the maids use which allows them to navigate through some of the tunnels and chambers without alerting anyone, one for droids because they are much smaller and finally mine which has a number of passages I had installed for various things... but you'll be able to learn it all with your lessons and most of the rooms are marked or you have attending droids who can direct you." She said it and remained there... the food letting them enjoy the time. "There will also be other time for you to explore the different courts... mostly. The ghost courtyard is for temple and shrines to those passed so I am unsure if you would want to go. The women's court has some of the most beautiful gardens and beyond the palace is the shadow pass which leads to a private grotto and hot springs."

 

[Zavra Shae]

I nod my head slowly, back and forth, to let her know I understand the information she's given me. Truthfully, I have no real desire to visit the more somber corners of this place. Right now, I just want to savor the newfound freedom I've been granted. At the same time, I know I must continue to prove myself trustworthy to remain here peacefully.

Now that she's explained everything, I'm genuinely excited to explore the grounds, especially the courts and gardens. Having this kind of access feels surreal. I've never really had the chance to explore nature, let alone walk barefoot on grass. Even what we're doing now feels like a dream come true.

"Of course, I understand. I'll be sure to respect the peace and dignity of this place, Mistress," I reply sincerely.

The last thing I want is to disrupt the tranquility of the palace. On the contrary, I want to contribute to it. I even learn there are hot springs here something I've only ever heard about. They're supposed to be excellent for relaxation and recovery after training. That sounds perfect for my routine, and I make a mental note to add them to my post-training schedule.

"Mistress I would you grant me permission to visit the hot springs? I've never experienced anything like that before, and I'd love the chance to try."

I feel a bit foolish admitting it. Simple pleasures like this are things I've missed out on entirely. But it's not too late. Now, as a free woman, I can begin to embrace these small joys in life. I just need to learn to accept it.

"You have my deepest gratitude, Mistress. Thank you for everything," I say, bowing slightly, my voice filled with quiet sincerity.

Junko Ike

 

[Junko Ike]

Zavra Shae

"Of course." She said it and offered a smile not entirely saying what it was an answer for but she was glad to let anyone partake in the hot springs. "They are incredible and depending on your enjoyment there are attendants there to offer oil massages for relaxation." She said it finishing with her food and had the tea for a moment. Her gaze drifting to the size and she looked at the large beaast that was walking there as Xīfāng came to sit at her feet. The massive atrisian tiger. "Oh Xifang you are here." She said it and the beast even laying down was still larger then her as it yawned with a switching tail behind it... one large paw on the table that had been set up while she was touching its head.

"He has certainly been a handful." The voice was known and she watched the woman approaching who had a massive grin on her face. Hair down her back and a form fitted dress. The sleeveless design leaving her arms exposed and the prismatic look of it left little to the imagination albiet distorted and fractal. The sound of the boots she was wearing muffled when she came close. ONe hand coming out as she took a cup as well as a sip of the tea. "Lady Ahri." Junko said it as she looked at Ahri Tanaka Aphra who was overlooking the new girl and offered a smile while she leaned against the back of the seat Junko was in and spoke. "New girl is cute, I will have to show you my new assistants for dig site princess."

 

[Zavra Shae]

I'm really not used to receiving compliments. In my former life, I was more accustomed to receiving blows from a stick. In fact, if one pays close attention, it's easy to notice the scars here and there on my body, evidence of the mutilations and things I wish I could forget. I don't consider myself particularly beautiful; the princess is a thousand times more stunning.

"Thank you for the compliment."

I wonder what kind of excavations they're conducting. I've settled down with the princess so we can continue our journey in peace. As time goes on, more and more people surround us servants, archaeologists. I still wonder what remains to be uncovered.

"What will our next destination be? And I'm curious what exactly are these excavations about?"

Junko Ike

 

[Junko Ike]

Zavra Shae

"The ruins of Apasas." Ahri said it while Junko looked up at her. "Supposed ruins, there is no proof either way and even for some of our myths... it is a difficult one to believe." She said it but wasn't dismissing it as Ahri shrugged. "Maybe, but we have found much more on far less... I remember a certain princess wanting to find the legendary shrine of the maidens cause the idea of having ten thousand handmaidens to care for her sounded amazing." She said it with a grin and Junko. "Yeah and we did... only no handmaidens and most of the palace was covered in overgrowth." She sounded disappointed in it but turned to looked at Shae with a nod. "After this we will see what you can do with the force... your ability with a blade has been started and you will get better. Now we see how your connection to the force is and where it can be improved."

 

[Zavra Shae]

That's a lot of explanations to understand and take in. For a first day it's very busy and I try to keep up with the pace as the mistress provides explanations.

"Okay, I'll try to show you what I can do with the force connection."

She seems to want to test my abilities, which is perfectly normal. I'm going to have to go into deep meditation and concentrate even harder to reach this meditative state so that I can effectively connect to the force.

She also says that the palace was full of vegetation on the other hand if the place hasn't been explored for a long time it's classic to envisage it having been overgrown.

"I see, thank you for your clarification Mistress."

All this talk of legendary sanctuaries escapes me completely at the moment, I've only recently got into the ways of the world, I can't wait to continue learning all about it.

Junko Ike

 

[Junko Ike]

Zavra Shae

"Good." She said it as finishing she looked at the large tiger and spoke. "Come on, time to get up. We're going to the garden." She said it as the tiger opened an eye and brought a paw up... yawning for a moment but it got up and turned around as it was walking through the people who were dispersing. Others coming for the food and Junko rose up stretching herself out. "Then finish up and meet me in the gardens of womans court." A smile on her face when she was walking while the maids stayed to attend to Shae with Koruki as the younger girl beamed excitement. "Well done Lady Shae." Ahri stayed there long enough to sit down and take some bites of food and drink. "Don't worry cutie, just enjoy yourself here. The princess will teach you well enough."

 

[Zavra Shae]

The princess wishes for me to join her in the women's courtyard once I have satisfied my hunger and we have finished eating. I watch her take a small lead while I focus on the tray of food that keeps being refilled.

After enjoying a hearty snack, I took the opportunity to discover many new flavors. So far, I've loved everything I've tasted. It's far more appetizing than a mere nutritional tube, whose only redeeming quality is its unfortunate mushy texture, not very appealing.

As for having fun, as the other suggested, I will do a bit of everything, meaning I'll have fun while also working seriously to avoid tarnishing the reputation of this place.

"Understood. In any case, I plan to work hard and have fun at the same time to discover all that I've missed."

Once the snack is finished, I head to the garden the princess mentioned to join her, taking care to retrieve my shoes and put them back on so I can move comfortably.

I eventually arrive at the garden and join the princess.

"Here I am, Mistress! I must thank you for the snack; it was excellent."

I politely incline my head as a sign of respect, then straighten up, standing tall and ready for the next part of the lesson.

Junko Ike

 

[Junko Ike]

Zavra Shae

Junko looked up, the gardens were made to be beautiful. Circular rings of rising flowers with central stones. A pathway carved within the rock itself and around the furthest sides of it concealing some of the buildings fruit trees. With similar rings filled with small streams of water that collected the fruit and ssent it into a collection basin where some og the women were gathering it. "Welcome." She said it and smile motioning to one of the raised stones. "The gardens here are slightly different then the ones around the palace. Many of the Sansin and Daughters of Hibana come here when they are visiting or returning to the capital." She would explain them some other time but for now it was about meditation. "Come and sit and tell me what you know of the force or have been able to do?"

 

[Zavra Shae]

I am struck by the beauty of the garden; everything is so well-organized, the plants are harmonious, and the vegetation is very well maintained. The princess asks me to join her, and I sit cross-legged next to her in this sumptuous garden.

She then asks me what I know about the Force. The truth is, not much apart from the Jedi Code and the meditation she has started teaching me. Despite my time at the temple, my knowledge is quite limited. I've taken a rather swift approach to finding a master so I can begin learning in proper conditions. The advantage of having a master is that they can offer me so much more than just a manual. In return, I can interact with them, and I much prefer lively exchanges over static learning.

"To be honest, aside from the Jedi Code you taught me and meditation, I don't know much, Mistress. I'm sorry."

The advantage, at least, is that she can teach me in whatever way she sees fit. I wouldn't be able to argue much, since I can't immediately verify the information or simply because I have no preconceived notions about her teaching methods.

I glance at the garden again it's truly magnificent before turning my attention back to the Mistress.

"Could you explain more to me, Mistress?"

Junko Ike

 

[Junko Ike]

Zavra Shae

Well that made it both easy and fun to say the least. Junko was rather excited at the prospect of a blank canvas of a padawan.. no preconceived notions... no oh oh oh. She remained there and was still... her excitement contained but barely when she spoke. "Then we will continue from what I said with the saber lessons. It is in the breathing.. it is in how you interact with the world. Inhale the energy and let it go to your limbs... to the tips of your toes and fingers... and then hold it.... and exhale. Bringing your awareness back into yourself." She said it while sitting there with a smile on her face... Shae was open to learning which helped... she would just have to work on the other parts like her knowledge.

 

[Zavra Shae]

I am indeed a blank canvas, yearning to be imbued with knowledge, wisdom, and experience. All I want for now is to become a respectable Jedi. She then tells me to do the breathing exercise.

So, I settle down and do a small breathing exercise with the sole purpose of refocusing my mind on myself so that I can make the most of her teachings and what she is about to tell me.

What seems to interest her more are the combat lessons. It is true that I could really use some training, knowing that I am starting from zero and only have what she has begun to teach me. While meditating, I also look into the interface to see if I can find some interesting data to keep on hand, in order to strengthen my learning.

I believe that the combination of the interface and the princess's teaching will, over time, be enough to gradually fill in my gaps.

"How could I pledge allegiance to you, Mistress?"

This question is important to me; loyalty holds a significant place in my life—perhaps because of my former status as a slave but this time, it would be for a cause I have chosen.

Junko Ike

 

[Junko Ike]

Zavra Shae

Junko looked at her breathing and remained there for a moment. The subject of swearing loyalty was... kind of fast but she understood it.. she wasn't going to deny her but she also needed to think of the best way to do it. "Hmmm well we can discuss that in a moment. For now once your ready, extend your hand and try to feel where I am with the force." She said it and moved more remaining silent for a moment as she kept her eyes on the woman. Allowing herself to be sensed in the force as she dropped concealing herself with the white current. The jedi princess walking around on her toes and avoiding making sound when she was moving around the different rings.

 

[Zavra Shae]

I hold my hand out while remaining focused through the force to try to do the exercise she's asking me to do. I have to locate the movements of the princess through it. By reflex my hand begins to follow his movements as if to accompany his gesture.

His movements are slow which allows me to take the time to concentrate more and to breathe in to let the force influence me, I remain focused on his exercise, because I want to do things well.

I feel vibrations through the force, it's quite subtle, but I think I perceive the vibrations that it causes, I need to connect more to my environment and the people around me. If I can feel them through the force, then I might start to anticipate certain things, I'm applying the basic lesson.

She continues to make small circular moments, from time to time I make mistakes, but I correct myself when I feel them and I try to calibrate as best as possible in order to train effectively.

Junko Ike

 

[Junko Ike]

Zavra Shae

Junko approved, Shae was starting to feel it as the jedi princess kept moving around her. Remaining silent and her hands were used to grip stones as well as muffle her movements. She was watching and keeping her eyes trained on her before she spoke. "Good, now keep feeling with the force and build upon it. You can sense me, sense my movements... expand it out. Feel the garden around you.. the space within your mind that wil alert you to dangers, to problems that might be coming." She said it while slowly gathering the force and her hand wrapped around a small plum she was able to pick up... and then she tossed it but not hard to try and provoke a defensive gesture.

 

[Zavra Shae]

I'm concentrating more on my breathing and on the vibration provided by the force, and finally we're back to another exercise with the princess, different from the first one, which according to her would enable us to learn to detect at a distance an enemy or a particular danger about to reveal itself.

As for me, I've got my eyes closed, because it's not just a question of seeing, but of sensing my surroundings and what might happen. If I can't connect with the force and find the source of the problem, there's not much point. In fact, when I'm thinking, I don't really need to find out what the problem is; I have to wait for it to reveal itself to me.

You don't know where things are and it's hard to predict what's hidden under the carpet. I've decided to change my approach and focus solely on what's coming my way. However, I'm still not focused enough, because I'm thinking too much. The reason is simple: I caught the object sent by the princess and failed to anticipate its trajectory.

"Oops, sorry Mistress, I'm thinking too much..."

It's not very natural for me to mix with the force in this way, so I calm my mind and refocus so I'm ready to try the exercise again in the right mood. It's like a kind of sixth sense and I have to rely on that alone.

Junko Ike

 

[Junko Ike]

Zavra Shae

SHe laughed lightly at that and had a nod of her head. "It is fine mostly. Overthinking things can remove you from the moment. THe force will help your body react without having to think if you let it." She said it while moving before she was climbing up onto the back of the large tiger but was still quiet. "Your mind will want to fill the silence of waiting... it will want you to think of a thousand small things that mnight have happened or could happen... the distractions are something we all have and organizing them.. being able to filter them. It is half the fun... the other half is the physical fitness... you woudn't believe how shredded some of the jedi can get from working out."

 

[Zavra Shae]

I lower my gaze slightly, thinking about what she just said.

"I... I try not to overthink, but it's hard," I admit softly. "My mind has always been like that... Jumping from one thought to another, and sometimes, I feel like it pulls me away from the present moment before I can even stop it."

I run a hand over the tiger's fur, seeking some kind of anchor, something tangible.

"But I like that idea… that the Force can guide my movements if I let it. That I don't need to control everything, just listen, just feel."

I lift my eyes to her, a glimmer of curiosity mixed with amusement in my gaze.

"As for training… well, I may not be 'shredded' yet, but I guess that comes with time? At least… I hope so." I chuckle softly before adding, more sincerely, "But I want to learn. I want to be able to do what you do with that same level of mastery. Can you tell me what i need practice more mistress?"

Junko Ike

 

[Junko Ike]

Zavra Shae

"Well what I do is more then just force and blaade padawan. I also travel across the planet and back again to ensure things are working the world.. visit the other worlds and try to help whoever I can." She said it but looked down from the back of the tiger as she wasn't saying she couldn't do it. "Which takes time but it is worth it. My meditation and lessons with the force and blade happen generally on the airship or when i am here and able to do things." Junko said it while she motioned and the tiger started moving towards one of the doors that went into the other districts. She remained seated for the moment but looking at Shae she did have a look of enjoyment on her face. "It will take the time, patience and... well daily meditations and working out. We'll also have to go over a few things... namely first or third if you are looking at it is the darkside of the force and dangers of emotions... Don't fall to the darkside... don't use it... it makes your skin dry and ashy... your lips crack and your eyes look all yellow and sickly... plus your skin will sink it... it also makes your butt flat and boobs tiny... which is bad."

 

[Zavra Shae]

I gently run my hand over the tiger's silky fur beneath me, letting my fingers tangle for a moment before lifting my gaze toward the horizon. Mistress Junko's words still echo in my mind, and I feel a blend of pride and excitement at the thought of continuing my training under her guidance.

I close my eyes briefly, taking a deep breath to sense the Force moving around us. Each inhale grounds me more firmly in the present moment. I'm already relishing the idea of traveling to other worlds, discovering fascinating cultures, and especially helping others through Mistress Junko's teachings.

I can't help but smile when I recall her warning about the dark side and its rather unflattering side effects—it was both humorous and hauntingly serious. It reminds me just how crucial this training is, demanding more than mere lightsaber drills. I'll need to maintain my inner balance, watch my emotions, and above all, safeguard the purity of my intentions.

Keeping my fingers woven into the tiger's mane, I turn slightly toward Mistress Junko.

"I will do everything in my power to live up to your expectations and never yield to darkness. I know the road ahead is long and demanding, but I'm prepared to meditate daily, train without respite, and assume the responsibilities that come with mastering the Force."

I straighten my posture, drawing another deep breath, as if sealing my silent promise. I sense the tiger quicken its pace, perhaps buoyed by my growing resolve.

"I'm honored to be able to travel alongside you. Your dedication to protecting these worlds, your determination to make the galaxy a better place… it all inspires me. I know I have much to learn, but I'm ready to climb every step of this journey. That's my dream Mistress."

As we near the gate leading into another district, I ready myself mentally to embark on a new chapter of my training. The potential dangers and trials ahead do not frighten me. I am committed to forging my own destiny, forever mindful to remain in the light, preserving the balance and harmony Mistress Junko so gracefully embodies.

Junko Ike