Probation

[Jacen Voidstalker]

The first day of his probation. In some regards this was as unnerving as it was a happy occasion. He was out of his tiny duracrete box, but instead he would now be escorted all around the grounds, the fallout from his actions clear for all to see.

Finishing in the refresher, Jacen donned his robes and waited. There were no guards; he was expected to take some responsibility for himself. However, he still had to confine himself to his quarters – which had been located near the healers – until escorted. His mind drifted off on its own little set of mental exercises as he waited, his breathing became shallow as he entered a meditative state as he attempted to make the time move more quickly.

[member="Adele Adonai"]

 

[Adele Adonai]

"Knight Voidstalker."

The quiet lull of [member="Jacen Voidstalker"] 's meditation would be interrupted by the serene query from A'dele. She stood beside the entryway, her placid tattoo'd visage quietly observing the Jedi Investigator with her hands neatly resting in front of her. The task of warden and overseer of Voidstalkers' free time had been assigned to the Iridonian Jedi, much to her silent displeasure. However, none of this would reflect upon her person, as she simply seemingly carried forth with the responsibility.

"Good morning," she added in greeting, giving a slight incline of her head as she did so. By all appearances, A'dele did not disappoint in her attire, the familiar white robes with the full cowl hugging the heartshape of her face would place her quite demurely in first place as a Nun of G'aav'aar'oon. One could barely make the slight ridge of her vestigial horns under the thick white cowl, not a hair out of place, all perfectly tucked away to make one wonder its hue.

"Have you broken fast?" came her subsequent question, asking if he had his breakfast yet. This would be a day full of chores, enough to the point she could only hope would ensure the focus of Voidstalker's inquisitive mind.

 

[Jacen Voidstalker]

[member="Adele Adonai"]

That soothing voice gradually roused him from his reverie. His eyes blinked twice before staying open and he slowly and he returned to his feet. “Good morning. Have I eaten? Yes,” he said. The cowl was new, he noted. This time he was barely able to trace her lavender markings. What happened to lead to her becoming like this? He thought to himself. Then he silently chastised himself and brought that mental train to a halt. A’dele didn’t give much away – almost nothing at all in fact – but he had discerned the fact the he made her uncomfortable.

This concerned him. Jacen didn’t like to put others out of their comfort zone on his account. He was genuinely concerned that she had suffered some trauma involving men in her past and this was all very unpleasant for her. There was a slight twist in his guts are he looked up at her. It would be easiest to simply follow her lead and let her get through this time in a manner she was most comfortable with. Unfortunately he had a few questions.

“A couple of, erm, logistical questions. Now I’m back in the open I’d really quite like to get back to doing a five kay run in the morning. I don’t suppose you either run, or have a padwan to hand you could delegate escort duties to for a while?” Jacen asked tentatively.

 

[Adele Adonai]

“A padawan, Knight Voidstalker,” A’dele began, her voice passive, but a firm reminder none the less, “Is not an escort in such matters.” she stated plainly, her gaze slightly lowered in a picture of demure femininity. It was true, while Padawans certainly were trained at a young age to learn discipline, honor, integrity, and to strengthen themselves not only in the Force but in character, having one as an escort would not be conducive towards ensuring a smooth transition for the Tatooine native.

The temptation of corruption, was ever present. While Jacen Voidstalker may not intend it, his casual method of conversation and translucent manner at discussing his own concerns could very well plant a seed within an impressionable mind.

Everyone had their place and purpose. Their role. For the present time, A’dele was assigned that responsibility.

However, she would explain the options he had.

“Sullust base, if I am not mistaken, provides a closed circuit for physical fitness. The Galactic Alliance guard duty partake in early morning physical training that may be a favorable option.”

A pause. Her voice dropped an octave and she would follow with, “I break fast prior to first light, and partake in meditation,” there was a slight tense of her fingers over her robes,” The trails within the biome are smaller and nearly silent... but even in the throes of the Force, I shall be with you.”

 

[Jacen Voidstalker]

Taking his next breath felt difficult, as if he had to force air into shallow lungs. Jacen's eyes turned to his feet, looking quite abashed. How could he have suggested something so foolish? Still, she had at least made some entirely sensible suggestions. There was a pause as he studied his boots intently, his lips twisted as he considered his response.

“I'll get in touch with them about joining some PT sessions,” he said with a slow nod of his head. His chin came up and he met A’dele’s eyes again. “I have always found that biome relaxing,” he admitted. “Would you perhaps mind if I joined you before dawn for some meditation and form practise. Just a training blade of course!” he added quickly. “Going through the forms, feeling my body work through the muscle memory… I've always found it a good way to clear my mind.

“And my thanks and apologies again. I know this was thrown on you really. I'll try to keep out from under you feet as much as possible, work to whatever routine you have. I just wanted to get those little requests in before we started,” he said with another apologetic shrug. There was a lot he could learn from the healer, he supposed. Not just in mental control, but in managing his outward appearance. Then again, keeping his problems to himself was what had landed him in those darkest of times before.

[member="Adele Adonai"]

 

[Adele Adonai]

[member="Jacen Voidstalker"]

"As you wish," floated A'dele serene response, her eyes still downcast from the Jedi investigator. They had shared the briefest of glimpses, their eyes latching but for a moment before A'dele lowered the curtains of her eyes. Nonetheless, the slight rub of her fingertips against the fabric of her robe indicated a slight tension within the Iridonian. A quiet nod of acceptance came. If he so desired to train forms in the atrium, she had no reason to deny him. To do so would seem out of place. It was much an area of meditation as much as a place to center oneself. It was for that very reason that the healer spent so much time within the grounds of the botanical garden.

"Would you like to commence the day with your run?" came her subsequent inquiry. If he so desired, then she could escort him to Sullust base for him to practice his physical conditioning and training. That would leave her time to continue her studies and review the latest notes on the progress of the newly constructed healing crystal chamber.

"I can escort you to Sullust Base and you may spend your morn there."

 

[Jacen Voidstalker]

[member="Adele Adonai"]
“That sounds good, thank you A’dele. It'll be great to stretch the legs again,” he said in a heartfelt manner with a small nod. He didn't even catch himself falling back into his casual mannerisms, the ones which seemed to put the softly spoken Iridonian on edge. That small cell had been so constricting that at times it had felt hard to breath, let alone move. It had only been after her brief visit to check his wounds that he had seen the light at the end of the tunnel. His newfound mental fortitude had started with her assistance in finding his centre again that day.

Realising he was looking through her veil, whilst her eyes were cast to the floor, Jacen turned slightly away and found something else in his room to look at. Part of his mind started looking for patterns. Would her fingers curl up against the fabric of her robe when addressing any other Jedi? Only the casual ones? Just the men?

He firmly halted that mental process; the inquisitive nature was almost instinctive now. There was only one thing that matter about the stolid healer: twice she had gone out of her way to aid him when he needed it most. For that she deserved his thanks, not his critical appraisal.

“I imagine you'll have tasks in the gardens I can assist with?” he asked. “I suddenly find myself with an overabundance of both time and gratitude,” he said in a quiet tone. His eyes turned towards hers once more, if only briefly. It was only natural to try and make eye contact when expressing oneself.

 

[Adele Adonai]

[member="Jacen Voidstalker"]

Questions. He was always asking questions.

A'dele kept her cordial poise, feeling his brown gaze upon her once more. Sweeping, inquisitive, then sheepish as it would pan to the side as if catching himself.

"There is always work to be done in the gardens, Knight Voidstalker," the Jedi Healer would inform quietly, lids kept low. She wouldn't dare meet his eyes. It was easier that way. "Tasks can be assigned based on necessity." she would add. Then as if the conversation was over, a hand would gesture for him to proceed.

"I will escort you to Sullust Base, Knight Voidstalker." she told him, her voice low and informative. Perfectly pleasant. "After you."

 

[Jacen Voidstalker]

[member="Adele Adonai"]

Jacen fell into step beside the healer. There was a palpable silence as they walked across the Temple together, but it did not seem uncomfortable to him. A quiet walk with a view was perfectly pleasant when compared to a static view of a bleak duracrete wall. He was handed over to a new chaperone at the base, it all seemed rather formal and he had to swallow down his embarrassment at the whole affair. However, once he'd joined a drill team the conversation turned quite casual. They talked sports, the state of the war, the less polite conversations soldiers went through on a daily basis. Even with his break he was able to put some one-pip officers ten years his junior to shame.

In hindsight he should have brought a change of clothes. Broad chest heaving and coated in a thin sheen of sweat, he held his robes bundled up in one arm and waited at the entrance with the guards on duty. His breathing had barely returned to a normal rhythm when Adele floated back to the entrance.

 

[Adele Adonai]

[member="Jacen Voidstalker"]

The whisper of A'dele's robes would bring her to a halt about a meter and a half away from the Knight. Her head gave an incline as the Duty of the Guard relayed any pertinent pass down. Another nod and A'dele murmured her thanks.

Turning towards the Knight in question, her eyes gave the subtlest nuance of widening before once again casting her gaze downward.

"I hope you found the time pleasing, Knight Voidstalker." she would inquire, a rarity in it of itself. The Iridonian rarely ever began conversation on her own prompting. Then again, she could just merely be inquiring for his state of mind and pleasantries. She herself had a productive morning, and after her mediation, felt a new found focus and stability. Rare did it ever wane now a days.

Couldn't afford for it to.

 

[Jacen Voidstalker]

[member="Adele Adonai"]

"Definitely," Jacen replied quickly. "I've always found pushing the body helped focus the mind. Being cooped up in that small space is probably part of the reason I so desperately needed your help before," he mused. A long slow exhalation and he felt his consciousness drop into a deeper state of focus. He could sense the flow of the Force passing around them. All life affected the flow of the Force. It was only gently diverted by calm lifeforms who held no control of the Force, such as the guard besides them. A’dele was like a small nexus the flow diverging from its course to pass through her. When he saw Sith in battle in this manner they were tumultuous storms, leaving swirling eddies in their wake. Was it truly the exercise or actually the sound of her voice which he found so soothing now? He idly wondered. Was it selfish that some part of him was glad A’dele had been set to mind him, when he was all too aware of his discomforting she found it? Probably.

“You have some duties I can help with now?” he asked, his tone taking a more formal tone, echoing her own.

 

[Adele Adonai]

[member="Jacen Voidstalker"]

The Iridonian female gave a subtle incline of her head in confirmation. During his physical training, A'dele had taken some time to determine what tasks were available for Knight Voidstalker to aide in. Work around the botanical gardens was not the sort of activity one would aspire towards cleanliness...

"While there is work to be done," she began, commencing the slow amble out towards the railway that would connect them back towards the main Jedi Temple. "Would you care to take some time to rejuvenate yourself?" she would inquire, referencing the necessity to cleanse and perhaps have lunch if he so would desire.

"The botanical gardens are in no rush and I can assure, are patient in waiting."

 

[Jacen Voidstalker]

[member="Adele Adonai"]

"Yes a quick sonic wouldn't go amiss, probably some tougher trousers as well," he reflected. Neither robes nor PT gear were liable to be the best for working on his knees.

"Could you drop me at me quarters for thirty minutes or so?" he asked. They meandered back to where he was currently housed. The skyline above was a plain canvas of dark clouds, just the odd black whisp of contrast.

He stretched himself out before a quick sonic. Afterwards he changed into a pair of worn jeans, simply t-shirt and boots. Not very Jedi-like he supposed. After a quick sandwich he realised the thirty minutes was nearly up. He made up a pot of tea, just in case she'd like one herself when she stopped off to collect him.

 

[Adele Adonai]

By the time [member="Jacen Voidstalker"] had stepped out of the refresher, A'dele was waiting outside his quarters quietly. Punctual as always, the Iridonian was never late when it came to assignments or appointments. She was seemingly a creature of habit and discipline. When she wasn't doing her rounds with the Circle of Healers, she was putting this into practice with her meditation and the small training classes she oversaw. Were any observer to spend the day with the Jedi Knight, her life would be summed up simply one of service. Hers was a role of support, seldom seen and rarely in the front lines.

Which was a position the Zabrak seemingly preferred.

At exactly thirty minutes, a small knock would indicate her presence. Quietly she waited, recalling that the last encounter resulted in catching Knight Voidstalker coming out of his refresher. Not a predicament she held to repeat if it didn't involve a nature of medical necessity. Nevermind that the Jedi Investigator already made her have to maintain her bearing and her focus while in his presence.

Had to be perfect... Above reproach.

The ideal Jedi.

All that Jacen Voidstalker would believe of her.

 

[Jacen Voidstalker]

[member="Adele Adonai"]

Jacen looked down at his chrono as he sensed Adele’s presence approach. Metronomic precision didn’t even begin to cover the fact that she paused at the threshold before knocking on the door to within a second. As usual he could sense her presence, but not even a hint of her surface thoughts or emotions. Whatever walls she had built in her mind they were far deeper than what he had achieved in their practise sessions. Only when she had been brushing against his consciousness to aid his meditation did he feel that tremor of discomfort before. The visual cues were far more apparent to the investigator.

The door slid open and Jacen bowed his head briefly. In one hand he still held a small cup. He reflected that perhaps a long sleeved top and some gloves, rather than the white t-shirt might have been more appropriate to gardening.

“Would you care for a cup of tea?” Jacen asked. Some part of him held some trepidation for the afternoon’s activities. Gardening was fine. Simple manual labour was something he was used to. It helped him focus. At some point he would have to turn his thoughts inwards. The sessions with Adele down in the chamber had reinforced his resolve, but there were many outstanding regrets burning through his sense of purpose. He needed to look back on his failures, accept them for what they were and move on. In his past he had rarely handled them well. There had been drinking, there had been dark weeks spent in solitude. That pattern had almost been repeated after Aela had dragged him down. There was a tight little smile as he met her eyes briefly and took a half-step back. He would have to find some small way to show his appreciation for her timely intervention that she would appreciate.

 

[Adele Adonai]

[member="Jacen Voidstalker"]

Their eyes met, deep cognac against glacial blue. Lashless lids fell and she politely accepted his invitation. It wouldn't do to reject it after all. All that would do would bring her under higher scrutiny. She was prepared this time around. Ready. A tower of fortitude and perseverance.

They both embarked on the small awkward dance of stepping back, moving to the side, accidentally blocking one another until a sheepish grin and apology would gesture for the Iridonian to please take her leave first. A'dele would incline her head in gratitude, the faintest amount of pink rushing over her cheeks. Was it the heat or was it embarrassment?

"Pardon the intrusion," she would apologize, her voice barely a whisper. Polite in demeanor and grace. It was strange to hear the Jedi Knight make such a a gesture when she was by all accounts his warden for the present time. But it was expected.

Stepping into the room, A'dele took sight of her surroundings. Simple but lived in as before. She felt his contemplative stare struggle with his desire to respect her boundaries, and as a token olive branch, she quietly added, "An herbal tea would suit fine if you have it, Knight Voidstalker."

 

[Jacen Voidstalker]

[member="Adele Adonai"]

An awkward sideshuffle in the entrance of his quarters was, perhaps, the most down to earth interaction he'd ever shared with the quiet healer. He turned his back to Adele as he stood over the counter, reaching to a cupboard above his head to search for a herbal tea. That seemed to suit her; he would have been most surprised if she knocked back a double espresso in the middle of the day.

He hummed to himself quietly to fill the silence. Steam rose as he poured out her hot water. The china cup, saucer and teaspoon were placed before the iridonian. The white string still hung over the side of the cup as the tea continued to brew.

Jacen took a seat opposite him and continued to sip at his own cup. He pondered for a moment. Small talk seemed the order for the day, but questions invariably made her uncomfortable. He didn't know how long this probation would last and he was hoping to find a more comfortable rapport with Ad'ele, not make things more difficult for her.

"So, how did you end up making your way out to this end of the Galaxy with the Alliance?" he asked. It seemed innocuous enough to put forwards.

 

[Adele Adonai]

[member="Jacen Voidstalker"]

“Do you have a small teaspoon, Knight Voidstalker?”

A question would answer his question; a redirect. A’dele’s query seemed innocuous, and to anyone a necessity for a tea service. Did she take sugar with her tea? Or perhaps honey? Perhaps the realization that the Jedi Healer might be so inclined to utilize such items in her tea service would provoke the Jedi Investigator to rectify the situation… and avoid further probing.

“The Botanical Garden schedule is busy today,” she would add, following the man with glacial eyes in seemingly quiet observation. “We have a shipment of Baffor trees coming in.” she stated simply, and the importance of such an event was evident for any who had fought against the Yuuzhan Vong.

With Ithor dangerously close to One Sith territory, the necessity to ensure the preservation of the Baffor trees was paramount. Further study by fellow Zelosian botanists could potentially provide research into the hybridization of a new tree that could very well attack the current shaped versions of Baffor pollen resistant armor.

“The objective is to settle and plant the trees based on Master Eden’s recommendation.”

 

[Jacen Voidstalker]

[member="Adele Adonai"]
“Of course,” he replied simply. Once again he turned his back on her as she outlined the plan for the day. One draw was bereft of spoons so he found and cleaned a dirty one. “Terribly sorry, did you want anything to go with it?” he asked over his shoulder. Whatever she required would be fetched from the cupboards before he sat back down.

There was the most subtle narrowing of eyes as he sat back down. It was there for just a heartbeat before he made a conscious decision not to repeat the question.

“Sounds a worthwhile task,” he said with a slow nod. “Fought the damn Vong a couple of times now. Nearly made me soil myself the first time I tried to take one on up close. They just keep fighting to the end, no surrender, no quarter given. Read in reports they used baffor quite successfully against them a few times,” he added before finishing his cup. His eyes turned to the counter again. He'd already filled up a large water bottle and filled a bag with some snacks having expected tiring work.

“What's that going to involve then? Lots of digging?” he asked, choosing an even more innocuous question.

 

[Adele Adonai]

[member="Jacen Voidstalker"]


A request was made for honey, which afterward was placed delicately beside A'dele's cup of herbal tea. A small smile and a bow of her head came next in gratitude. Honey delicately would drizzle into the cup, stirred gently by the extended teaspoon for her to mix. The small tink of it placed upon her saucer came next.

"Thank you, Knight Voidstalker." there was something rather humble about the manner she spoke. Quiet and courteous. Perhaps a bit too delicate, as if a mere strike would cause her to wither.

The sort that came at the mention of Baffor pollen and fighting the Yuuzhan Vong. Knuckles went white against the handle of her teacup, bringing it up to take a sip of the hot minty liquid. A drenched pollon cloak that had once belonged to Master Boolon came to mind. The ferocity of the battle. The sudden stillness of the Force. The crack in the armor...

The corners of her mouth pursed ever so slightly. "Yes. Among landscaping the area surrounding them. The botanical gardens are not the only area; Master Eden mentioned a potential location of the nearby moon as well." Whatever the Jedi Master so desired is what A'dele would strive to ensure took place. As it was, it would all be very tiring work.

Enough to ensure the mind never wandered far from that task.