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[Aiden Porte]

"You think she will like it?" Aiden inquired to the audience before him. He crossed his arms as he stared at it for a long while before he looked back to those who's opinions he was asking.

A group of Jedi younglings he had just gotten done telling a Life Day story too.

"Maybe!" "Another story" "I'm hungry!" "You said there was cookies!"

"There is cookies here!" Aiden said with a laugh as he opened the small tin can and there was several tasty baked cookies in there. "See right here!" Aiden said with a small shake of his head. "And no, just a few cookies and no more stories. Plenty more evenings for those." Aiden said as he stood up and he placed Solenne Abraxas 's present back in the box. More so a nice present for a really good friend. She was much more than that to him, a confidant and someone he could always count on. He had a small breakdown a few weeks ago, and it was then that he decided he needed to set his fear and such aside and began to start focusing his mind as clearly as possible.

Determined, and gracefully he would proceed.

"Alright kiddos, that's enough cookies." Aiden said as he closed the tin can, perhaps he was spoiling them since they had breakfast already. He looked to them as younger siblings, they were indeed special to him as well. "Have a great day!" He said with a small smile as they all ran up to him to hug him. He returned the hug and chuckled lightly. "Pay attention to your masters today. They are wise and strong." He gave them a small wave and smile before he would make his way towards Solenne's room. The small box had a small red bow on top as he set it outside her room and he knocked on the door before running off. Once she saw it and opened it up there would be a snow-globe inside.

***** 1 Hour Later ******

Focus, focus, focus......

The Jedi Padawan had a rather strange set up around him. There was on chair, two stacks of books of three that were floating around him. However it was best to keep his mind focused and trained on the task. The Jedi Padawan's hands rested flat on the ground as he was in a hand stand formation. While it wasn't present right now, he could just easily hear that sinister voice that pierced his mind on Hapes.

Shield your mind, all is not lost. It couldn't be, it wouldn't be. Aiden knew that he was stronger than this. The Jedi couldn't let this evil, whatever this menace was. He couldn't let it defeat him. He didn't want to see his friends and family suffer, he would protect them.

Shield your mind, fight the storm. Focus your energy, a Jedi's strength flows from the force. Focus the mind and you can fight the storm, he would be able to withstand the storm.

He could face it, he had too.

He couldn't let them down.

Aiden would not let her down.

 

[Solenne Abraxas]

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Location: Coruscant Jedi Temple
Tag: Aiden Porte

Solenne drew up from her studies when a knock sounded at her door. Her head tilted while she looked at the door, feeling her Padawan, and yet, also feeling him rapidly retreating as if loth wolves were nipping at his heels. A soft chuckle ran through her while she rose from a small table and set down her teacup. She waved her hand over the portal and the door rushed open with a faint gust of wind. She glanced down the hall but Aiden was long gone. He could be quick, when he wanted.

Hazel orbs drifted for a moment before she bent down to pick up the wrapped box at her feet.

Her head tilted in curiosity but she disappeared back into her rooms to see what it was. It had been a long time since anyone had thought to gift her anything. Not that she expected it. Jedi were usually not bound by holiday customs, but, the excitement and youth of a Padawan could not be fully contained by tradition. Delicate fingers pulled at red ribbons and eventually she opened the gift. She lifted the snow globe and turned it upside down for moment. Flipping it back over.

Watching, snow fall.

The auburn-haired woman eventually set it on the mantle and set about to finishing her heading. She would find a way to thank Aiden that was both practical and meaningful. Something, that would help with his training perhaps.

Sometime later would find her walking through the halls of the learners' quarters with her hands clasped behind her back. They ran this way and that, though, they slowed their pace when they realized one of their Jedi Masters was present. Afterall, they never rushed. They moved with thought, poise, and deliberate intent. At least…Until she was out of eyesight. They could be so exuberant at times but when Life Day rolled around it turned into a pandemic of optimism.

Solenne, opposed doctrine, and quite enjoyed it.

They deserved a little bit of light. A dash of hope—And a cookie or two.

It had taken a little bit of doing, in short order, but she had found the perfect gift for her Padawan. She knocked on his door exactly as he had knocked on her own but the Jedi Master stayed. She could feel him inside but would never simply intrude. Unlike some, she believed that their students deserved some measure of privacy and autonomy. If they expected them to be little adults so often it was imperative that they treat them accordingly.

She kept the gift hidden in the sleeve of her robe. For now, at least.

 

[Aiden Porte]

Persevere....

"Worry not, Aiden. There is no ignorance, for us. Only knowledge."

Aiden tended to have a plethora of thoughts rolling through his mind. Perhaps it was his own way of thinking through situations even at the most stress free of times. Part of him felt that he was just mentally preparing himself for what was to come, whatever trial and tribulation that lay before him.

With what was going on with Brandyn and his situation.

What was going on with Aiden's own family.

Everyday from here on out would be a step forward and not a step backward. Aiden opened his eyes just for a few moments as, his gaze staring directly ahead at a random spot in his room. He was breathing more steady now, even with the remembrance of the dark fissure that made its appearance in his life.

"Do you know why Control is so important?"

A small smile appeared on the face of the Jedi Padawan. "If you concentrate on control, you very well might outlast them all." The Jedi Padawan whispered then taking another strong steady breath. While the dark fissure was there, something else was there too.

Her name was Solenne Abraxas ........

For all intents purpose, his guiding light. The light tower guiding his way through the immense dark fog. Every single word and even time he spent with her solidified him even more. As she had protected him that day, should the day come that she might need it.

He would protect her.

"But you are the mighty Jedi Porte. Surely, you can take care of yourself."

One day perhaps, not mighty but strong in the force and light that would guide others who have lost their way or are seeking guidance. Just as she was teaching and nurturing him.

A small tinge in the force and redirected his focus as he felt the presence of his Master and he took another steady breath. "Come in." The Padawan said as he slowly maneuvered himself right side up and the chair and stacks of books slowly lowered to the ground.

"Master Abraxas, its good too see you. I hope you got my gift, I also hope it wasn't too much." Aiden said with small smile and bowed respectfully towards her. He placed a chair to the side for her in case she wanted to sit down.

 

[Solenne Abraxas]

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Location: Coruscant Jedi Temple
Tag: Aiden Porte

She opened the portal and took a moment to observe.

He'd been practicing. Good.

Solenne gave his slightly disheveled state an approving and indulgent nod. Some Masters might scold their student for allowing themselves to appear anything less than perfect—But Sol knew that true growth took focus. Purpose. Often, it was messy and difficult. He was trying to ascend to the teachings that she had provided. Not serving tea. "You are a very silly youngling…", her voice poured fourth with a wealth of generosity and understanding. The elegant Hapan with glimmering hazel orbs moved into the small quarters with all the grace of a little queen.

"Thank you, Padawan Porte, but such kindness should not go unrewarded. I think it was just right…But you left too quickly."

Rich chocolate tresses fell down her back in endless curls that seemed to float and sway with every movement. Almost as if it had a life of its own. She approached her young learner with a kind smile and accepted the seat that he offered. He was so very gracious that Solenne often skipped that part of their lessons entirely. Aiden was already too selfless by half. If she didn't remind him to take time for himself, to take care of himself, she oft thought he might forget. "How have you been sleeping?"

Her question was pointed. She knew on some level that the darkness that followed Aiden wouldn't give in so easily. In one swift moment her halo had destroyed the frightening illusion—But there was a real Sith behind it. A true monster that wouldn't be so easily blown away by the hope that burned with such intensity that it resembled white phosphorous. Her light was indomitable. But, so was the Darkside.

"You mustn't forget to shield your mind. In all things—Do you understand?"

Solenne knew that he wouldn't be able to lock down his mind when he was sleeping as easily as she could, but he would learn. No student that huddled beneath her wing would be anything less than a fortress by the time they left her care. She would keep them safe to the best of her ability but she would also teach them to take care of themselves. To fly high and above the rising tide of darkness that was always flowing. Always seeking, new victims.

The azure-clad Master opened her hand and left it in the air for him to take.

When he did—She would place a small glowing crystal attached to an innocuous chain in the center of his palm. It was a refined nova crystal that amplified the light that it absorbed. She had fed some of her own power into the crystalline matrix. "…A light."

"For when I cannot be with you. For when all other lights have gone out."

It would protect him by flaring brilliantly in the presence of the Darkside, a shield, that would let him rest with peace. He would feel her energy in the gem. It would recharge in the sunlight and could even act as a true light source if required. Solenne let go of him and leaned back in the ornate wooden chair. It was comfortable enough, but, Padawan quarters were typically quite sparse. She was gladdened to see him taking threats seriously.

Saddened, that he had to.

 

[Aiden Porte]

"You are a very silly youngling…"

"Thank you, Padawan Porte, but such kindness should not go unrewarded. I think it was just right…But you left too quickly."

Aiden's smile grew slightly and the smallest of laughs escaped him as he then cleared his throat. "Very silly only though, Master Abraxas." He said with small bow of his head. Aiden had hoped when he got older that he could conduct himself with at least half as much grace and intelligence that she had shown since he had met her. In truth when he first met her he had thought that he had fallen into a daydream of sorts.

Aiden wasn't seeking reward for the things that he did. No recognition or songs of praise or anything like that. It was good to let those that were in your life know that they matter. The relationship between Master and Padawan was a special and important one. He was incredibly grateful for the path that had been laid before him and everything that led up to these moments.

"How have you been sleeping?"

"You mustn't forget to shield your mind. In all things—Do you understand?"

"After that specific night, I have been sleeping much better. I realize that I need to put more focus into strengthening my fortitude and the only way to do that is to practice and train my mind as you have instructed me to. I will do so vigorously." Aiden took a deep breath as he stood with his hands behind his back, hands resting with each other nicely. "I have remembered everything you have taught me so far."

The Jedi Padawan nodded his head with another small bow of his head. "I completely understand, Master Abraxas." Aiden smiled as he looked to the side started to tidy up his area which included the books and that was until he was presented with something from his Master.

"…A light."

"For when I cannot be with you. For when all other lights have gone out."

Aiden opened his palm as the necklace connected with the crystal touched his palm. He stared deeply at it, the glow reflecting in his eyes. He could feel it, it was her. Essentially, she would be with him always. His hand closed over the crystal and necklace as he looked back to Master Sol. There was a slight twinkle in his eyes as he looked at her.

"Thank you so much Master." He moved forward and gave her a big hug. No further words were needed as the hug was the deepest from of appreciation. The hug broke as he backed up his hands rose and he would now place the necklace around his neck.

"Force forbid the day should come that you become helpless Solenne Abraxas" Aiden said as he took a deep breath. "I promise with my entire heart that I will come and defend you, just as you have defended me."

Solenne Abraxas