Private Roots in Quiet Soil

[Elenna Sylari]

ROOTS IN QUIET SOIL
A Story of Introspection & Discovery​

ELENNA SYLARI
Shiraya's Sanctuary. Naboo
Early Morning

Quiet & quaint.

Trees rustled alongside the songs of various Naboolian birds. Rays of golden sunshine illuminated the garden alcove, interrupted only by the trees before touching the warm and welcoming stone walls of the Jedi temple; The Sanctuary was quiet this early in the morning, the halls dotted with roaming Masters & Knights beginning their days, or eager Padawans wanting to get a jump on their day ahead.

Elenna hadn't been up long herself, yet she made it a point- almost a ritual- to start her days in a small garden alcove tucked away in a quiet corner of the Sanctuary; And she had made it clear to those who'd be brave enough to ask that this would be the time to come and see her, before she buried her head in research, lectures and teaching.

Tap, tap, tap.

She had finished gently stirring her tea. She took a deep breath as she admired the garden in her vicinity- of which she had encouraged a few Padawans to help maintain. A gentle breeze ran through her wispy, grey hair, directing the steam from her cup as it did so, and causing some chimes nearby to produce its own soft music.

Sip.

Elenna took a slow sip of her steaming tea, closing her eyes for but a moment as she took it all in. Mornings like this offered a unique moment of introspection. The calm, the quiet, the peace. A moment to acknowledge, and reflect upon those around her, soon to begin another chapter of their busy, unique and important lives. A moment to understand and listen to the soil, the trees and the birds, to understand that life is everywhere and flows through everything. A moment to wonder what the day would bring, who would seek her counsel, whose life would she have the privilege of playing a part in.

Her life had been long and purposeful. She had no stories to tell of defeating great evils, or thwarting the plans of those who would cause harm to the galaxy; Yet she could tell many stories of Younglings she had guided, Padawans she had taken as her apprentice or had held lectures for, and the counsel that Knights & Masters had sought her out. Her journey had been one of learning, discovering and guiding- and she was grateful for the privilege of being a part of so many lives.

After another deep breath, her eyes opened once more. Sat peacefully, she took another sip of her tea as she continued to ponder, and meditate...

Cerys Dyn

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[Cerys Dyn]

Every step was intentional. Every step landed firmly. Every step made a clipping noise. Because Cerys was annoyed with her master...again.

He still refused to offer her the trials. Still insisted she had not grown in the areas that he had highlighted. Of course, Brandyn had been more diplomatic about the way he said it, but it was still as stupid a thing as it had been before. She could be perfectly diplomatic, and kind, and caring...just...there was so much pressure to be like the other Jedi. Those other Jedi and all their families, and spouses, and lovers. It was sickening.

She shook her head. Her lekku flapped about with as much incredulity as she felt. Reprimand. That was the immediate feeling she felt after thinking the word 'sickening'. She had reprimanded herself.

It was with this air of self-flagellation and frustration that Cerys entered into the vicinity of the elderly Jedi Master.

The agrarian nature of her surroundings caught Cerys by surprise. She hadn't intended to go for a walk in the garden. But perhaps it was exactly what she needed. Alone time. In the garden.

| TAG: Elenna Sylari |

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[Elenna Sylari]

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ELENNA SYLARI
Shiraya's Sanctuary. Naboo
Early Morning

Silence...

Moments passed, a gust of wind nudged the trees above, rustling its leaves as it did so. Once again, Elenna closed her eyes to listen to the singing chimes, taking yet another moment of reflection- this time, wondering how Zahari Kaan was progressing with her rehabilitation, and if Cerys Dyn had learnt anything from their tour of the temple. Or perhaps in retrospect.

...

Elenna's eyes opened slowly to the sight of Cerys' standing in-front of her. Her face unchanged, unsurprised. She gestured to the seat next to her. "Wont you join me?" Her hand reaching over the steaming pot of tea, gently pushing a cup into position before pouring- effectively attempting to making the choice for the Padawan.

Should her offer be accepted, she'd let the silence of nature fill the void once more for a few moments. Of course, such an opportunity presented its own benefits, namely a few moments for the seemingly distressed Padawan to calm herself. Elenna would sit with her for a while longer in silence, taking a sip of her tea.

"My dear Cerys, you act like a ripple in the water-" she stopped herself from turning the moment into a lecture. She let out a sigh, her eyes scanning the garden slowly for a few moments, offering a quiet pause while she decided whether to continue talking- or whether to let Cerys talk first.

She made her decision. "-You seem troubled..." Short. Simple. Effective. It handed control to a frustrated Cerys.

Whatever the young Padawan decided to do, whether it be to vent, sit in silence or storm off into the garden, Elenna would be there- waiting.

... Sip.

Cerys Dyn

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[Cerys Dyn]

Cerys froze, and her eyes glanced off towards the exit. She could just leave. But then Brandyn's annoying voice echoed in her mind. Her shoulders slumped.

Of all the people she could try to be friendly towards, Elenna Sylari was by the the least objectionable. She reminded her of her mother, back on Dantooine. She was a caring, earthy type of woman that would feed stray pets, and read bed time stories to her daughters - even her adopted one.

Within moments, Cerys had plopped down in front of the elderly Jedi. Her body was all limbs and ragdoll efficiency as she came to rest in a comfortable lotus position. Her's was the posture of frustration and pouting.

"Troubled is a way of life it seems," she murmured.

Why was it that this elderly Jedi was already tugging at her desire to just let slip all her angst and tension. Was she really that desperate for a sounding board?It was weakness to be so tumultuous. It was very un-Jedi. En-Vala would be so disappointed in her. Cerys' cheeks burned with shame for what her late master would think of her now.

"This place is not working for me. I think I need to leave."

| TAG: Elenna Sylari |

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[Elenna Sylari]

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ELENNA SYLARI
Shiraya's Sanctuary. Naboo
Early Morning

... Sip.

Elenna observed the young Padawan as she collapsed into the wooden seat. An eyebrow raised as she carefully listened. She sat silent for a few moments, allowing the quiet to fill the void, the rustling of trees, the singing of birds and the chiming of the chimes- all negators of empty space.

The silence wasn't uncomfortable, at least not to Elenna. It was relaxing. It was peaceful. It was inviting.

She took a deep breath, turning to Cerys as she did so.

"Fine."

Perhaps not the reaction Cerys' would expect, but she had purpose & meaning behind her words.

"You would be missed deeply- But that is your choice, you're here of your own free will after all..."

Once again, Elenna paused. Letting her words sink in as she took another sip of her tea. Her intention wasn't to hastily usher Cerys out of the order, but instead was an invitation to really consider who she was, what her purpose was, and who she needed to be. She continued her train of thought, putting on a face of gentle curiosity towards the young Padawan.

"Why are you here?"

Her question wasn't antagonistic or mean-spirited, but genuine. Merely angled as an invitation to reflect, to consider, or perhaps to remember. She could see Cerys' struggling as plain as day, and she would delay her daily activities for as long as it took to help guide the Padawan- if she wanted to be guided.

She cared.

Cerys Dyn

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[Cerys Dyn]

Call it jaded, but Cerys knew what Elenna was doing. The whole 'calm old master shtick'. She had seen it before, and come out the other side. It was meant to pull something out of her. And it wouldn't.

"I am here to finish my Padawan training and become a Jedi Knight. Then. I can take my own padawan and continue the Oathwardens just as my...late master...intended."

Her words were blunt, clipped and matter-of-fact. Except at the end where the wishes of Master En-Vala were brought up. Her death at the hands of the Sith lizard on coruscant still stung, even so long after the event.

Emotion welled up. Again. Every time she thought about En-Vala it was like this. She pushed the emotion, not down, but towards some other irksome feature of life.

"Brandyn Sal-Soren is my master. I am his superior with the blade. We don't even duel very often any more. I am honestly more capable than him in almost every aspect of the Jedi arts...sure...he has his specialities...but I am not, nor ever would be a Jedi Shadow, like him. It would have been better to have been trained by his sister, but I got stuck with him...and he will not promote me...even though I deserve it..."

She cleared her throat. And then took a few quick, deep breathes, and Cerys was back in control her bubbling emotions.

"Apologies. Master. I should know my place."

| TAG: Elenna Sylari |

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[Elenna Sylari]

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ELENNA SYLARI
Shiraya's Sanctuary. Naboo
Early Morning

Elenna listened cautiously, believing in Cerys' frustrations on a personal level. So much so that it had made her ponder her own time as a Padawan; Her old master, a fine duellist, was quite different from herself. He lacked a connection to the force that Elenna so craved.

This had, of course, been a cause of frustration for a young Elenna, to have a master who doesn't speak to you on a spiritual level. A master who doesn't understand your needs. A master who doesn't understand the kind of Jedi one needs to be...

Listening to Cerys' had somewhat touched her on a personal level.

She chuckled gently, "No, no- Don't apologise," she started. "Without emotion, there is no life- it is best not to let it... brew."

Elenna paused for another moment. "You're only here to become a Jedi Knight? And an... Oathwarden, was it?"

Sip.

"Is that what you want, or what your late master wanted?" she proposed, curiously. A small but potent question. Elenna thought of it as some form of verbal meditation, an opportunity to actually consider what was important to oneself.

"I'd perhaps give your Master a chance, Cerys." she continued, reflecting on her own experiences. "There's always something to learn," she paused for a moment in contemplation.

"Much like your visit to my class with young Zahari. It was a learning experience even for me..."

Cerys Dyn

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[Cerys Dyn]

The way Elenna said brew caused Cerys to glare at the elderly woman's teacup. Was it a lesson too? Elenna seemed like the type to make everything a lesson. Even if had Cerys painting a wall.

"Yes. I owe it to Master En-Vala. She gave so much and asked so little in return. The truest Jedi I have ever known, and my pattern for what I want to be," she said with an earnest tone that surprised even Cerys, "you say only like it is a bad thing to want to be that...or only that. But I can imagine no greater honour than to be considered on the same path as someone so great."

The sip. Cerys shrunk back into herself with the sip. It was like Elenna was waiting for this.

"Of course its what I want," Cerys blurted with markedly less composure, "it is what all Padawan should want. Surely? To be like their Masters?"

More words were going to pour out, but she grabbed them just before they fell from her lips.

"I have learned plenty from Brandyn," she said, again without patience in her tone. She was swatting away accusations that had not been made. "And I am...improving...with what he said I need to work on. I haven't...made anyone angry...in a while."

| TAG: Elenna Sylari |

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[Elenna Sylari]

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ELENNA SYLARI
Shiraya's Sanctuary. Naboo
Early Morning

Sip...

Elenna paused once again, allowing the sounds of the garden to fill the air. Cerys' was strong in her convictions- though perhaps not for the right reasons.

She considered her response carefully, noticing that Cerys' had answered her question by not answering her question. Her response sounded practiced, a performative reflection of who she believed she was expected to be, or at least Elenna thought.

After hefty sigh, her eyes met the young Padawan- she had one burning question question for her.

"Do you owe it to yourself?"

She'd let that pause for a moment, "Hm?"

"You've come so far in your own right, you have learnt so much though one can never learn enough in a lifetime," Elenna began, verbally illustrating what she saw. "There is no shame in choosing your own path, but we must consider whose path we walk..."

"You mentioned that you didn't want to follow the path of your Master, the path of a Jedi Shadow- yet you also mention that it should be the goal of all Padawans, to be like their Masters..."

Clink.

Elenna's cup tapped the table as she placed it down, nearly empty.

Her eyes squinted gently at young Cerys', seeing how her confusion could turn into contradiction.

"Your path, your decision is an honorable one- nobody can dispute that... But it's important that you choose your path for the right reasons..."

She'd let that sink in, and she'd patiently wait for a response, warmly accepting what Cerys' would say next.

Cerys Dyn

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[Cerys Dyn]

Cerys bristled.

How dare she make so much sense. "But Brandyn Sal-Soren is not my real...mas...ter..."

Your tongue, Cerys! Control your tongue!

Elenna was going to have a field day with that. It was enough to make Cerys want to stand up and leave immediately.

How could she tell this woman that Master En-Vala had been like a mother to her? How could she express the depth of sorrow and longing she felt every day for the woman that had practically raised her? She could not say any of it, without contradicting the precepts that the very woman she missed...had taught her.

Cerys winced.

"Forgive me," she said, retreating into herself, "I speak too rashly. It is a foible. I know."

She shifted uneasily, pretending to get more comfortable, but really preparing for a quick departure should it be required.

"Brandyn is a fine...and patient teacher...more patient than I probably deserve," she said, finding one of her lekku to run her fingers over. It was a small gesture of vulnerability, but it quickly passed.

"But he is just...finishing...what Master En-Vala started. Does that make sense?" She said, without adding - this is all because I loved her so much.

| TAG: Elenna Sylari |

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[Elenna Sylari]

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ELENNA SYLARI
Shiraya's Sanctuary. Naboo
Early Morning

How dare she make so much sense. "But Brandyn Sal-Soren is not my real...mas...ter..."

A frown formed on Elenna's face momentarily. An unusual one at that, missing her usual warmth and character. It had seemed there was more to the young Padawan than met the eye- layers of complexity that could illuminate the reasons and motivations behind much of Cerys' behavior.

Interesting...

She listened closely as Cerys' worked to piece together her composure. The warmth slowly returning to Elenna's face as she did so; Watching as Cerys shifted uncomfortably in her seat.

Did it make sense?

It didn't, but at least it made sense to young Cerys.

"Your 'old' master sounds... delightful," she finally spoke, a hint of sincerity and a hint of sadness. What she could clearly see was how much Master En-Vara meant to her, and she could see the effect that the loss had on young Cerys. "I'm so sorry..."

She thought for a moment more, shifting forward in her seat as if preparing to stand up.

"As you can imagine, I have more questions than answers- questions that I shan't ask just yet..."

Elenna's eyes scanned over the garden, she had an idea. An exercise, perhaps.

"Care to join me for a walk around the garden?" she offered politely, offering a distraction from Cerys' unease.

And perhaps offering a new perspective...

Cerys Dyn

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[Cerys Dyn]

The wincing continued. She had more questions. That was never a good sign.

Cerys made a hand gesture as if to say, "Oh don't worry about it". However, Elenna was already moving on. She would just have to accept the ticking time bomb that was this woman's inquisitive mind.

"En-Vala was...a great woman," Cerys said stiffly. She worked over time to remove any and all emotion from her tone.

"You needn't apologize. It wasn't your fault," she said with a shrug. Cerys understood that the 'sorry' was an expression of sympathy, but she would rather feign ignorance that engage with the sentiment.

Her expression lightened, ever so slightly, with the suggestion of a walk. "Certainly." She bounced up onto her feet like she had been bitten. And her hand extended out to help the older woman.

After all...she was a senior citizen.

| TAG: Elenna Sylari |

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[Elenna Sylari]

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ELENNA SYLARI
Shiraya's Sanctuary. Naboo
Early Morning

She reached out her own hand to meet Cerys' own, accepting her offer of help from her seat; It wasn't necessary, but it was nice. She took a moment to look around the garden as if deciding which way to go, the sun had risen a little more since their conversation began, and the golden glow of the garden had slowly dissipated in the relief of warm daylight.

She had a plan.

Elenna began walking at a leisurely pace, gesturing for Cerys' to join her as she did so. Passing multiple varieties of flora, she'd begin pointing them out to the young Padawan: "Thalyss Fern, it glows faintly gold at night," her gaze turned to the other side. "Serris Bloom, their petals only open after heavy rain..."

After a few moments of observations, she glanced at Cerys' to see if she had lost her attention yet- there was a point to this exercise after all.

She'd point out several more fascinating flora spread out throughout the garden. Eventually the pair would reach a raised bed overlooking the edge of the Sanctuary. A pair of slender, willow-like plants with silver-veined leaves sat proudly within the bed of soil.

As the wind whistled through the garden, the plants released a faint harmonic hum in unison, pleasing to the ear. Their pale-blue, bell-shaped flowers swaying as they did so.

"Veyura Bloom..."

Elenna smirked with a hint of pride. She had been growing them for a considerable amount of time, tending to them often.

"Found on Phemis II as part of my research on the ethnobotanical study of force-sensitive flora..."

She winced, she didn't want to get too technical. She had a point to make.

"Locals called it 'The Garden's Whisper' in their native tongue, they can only be found on rain-soaked mesas- meaning they require quite a bit of maintenance to look after."

She'd glance between the plant and Cerys' to try and gauge her interest, hoping that she found it somewhat intriguing.

"They uh-" she cleared her throat gently. "-are usually grown near meditation sites, they are believed to heighten a Jedi's ability to sense the flow of the living force..."

Hopefully Cerys' would find this part at least interesting.

"Go ahead, touch it," she smiled warmly, gesturing towards the pale-blue plant.

Should Cerys' accept her offer, she would notice the colour slowly shift to a lovely lavender hue.

"They are attuned to force-sensitive beings," she reached down and would touch the other one, also turning it lavender in the process. "Folklore surrounding the plant says that if the flower blooms in your presence, it means the Force has accepted your current path- if it withers, a warning to seek clarity."

She had not studied such claims herself yet, therefore she had little idea on how such a change would manifest in the plant.

She wasn't sure if she even believed it herself.

After a few moments passed, she'd shift her gaze fully to Cerys.

"They are also rumored to grow more vibrantly when looked after someone with a compassionate heart..."

A warm grin appeared on Elenna's face- her motive now manifesting into reality. She wanted to give Cerys' a purpose, apart from being just another Padawan in the temple. Something that would draw her back to the Sanctuary whenever she sought comfort or stability.

Routine in her seemingly chaotic life.

"I'd like you to look after one of them, for me..."


Cerys Dyn

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[Cerys Dyn]

Cerys listened intently, but did not find it very interesting. Flowers were not her thing. She was, though, willing to entertain the education because it was important to Elenna. That would bother her later.

"Very beautiful flowers," she said, sincerely, but with a hint of the detachment she was trying to hide.

And then they arrived at the point of the exercise. Cerys saw through it with her usual blinkered cynicism. This was clearly a lesson about Cerys' unwillingness to find attachments. Perhaps if she could care for a plant...something like that.

She didn't roll her eyes, despite wanting to. It was a sincere, though misguided attempt to change her.

"The Garden's Whisper," she repeated. Her shoulders rolled a little, giving surely the only hint to her discomfort with where this was going.

Her head moved quickly, but only slightly, to allow for a suspicious glare aimed at Elenna. Why did she want her to touch it?

Cerys gripped her wrist, and kept her hands behind her back...for a moment...before relenting. There was something about the hopeless sincerity in Elenna's eyes that compelled Cerys to oblige her.

The touch was only just barely offered - just the tip of her index finger - and the flower transformed before her. Colour unfolded in a mesmerising purple kaleidoscope. Her hand pulled back, by instinct, but then she stepped forward with newborn curiosity.

Her whole posture softened. Eyes lightening with just hint of wonder. Her hand cupped the flower gently, pulling it towards her face as she dipped her head to breathe in its fragrance.

"It's...beautiful," she said, mindlessly praising the plant that moments earlier had earned only scorn.

The orange of her face seemed a little lighter as she turned towards Elenna and took in the information about the folklore. Despite the moment of wonder, she felt the pull of that well worn path of suspicion creeping back. This was still a lesson.

She stood straight again, back arched with proper - dignified - comportment.

"You wish me to care for one of these flowers?" she said, trying so very hard to withstand the charm assault of this elderly Jedi. Cerys glanced back at the flower.

A smile formed, tickling at the corner of her mouth.

"I accept."

| TAG: Elenna Sylari |

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[Elenna Sylari]

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ELENNA SYLARI
Shiraya's Sanctuary. Naboo
Early Morning

The wind slowed to a near halt, and the garden went quiet. Insects now chirping and buzzing louder than before, unmasked by the gentle hum of the greenery. As the early morning turned to late morning, the garden began warming up as the golden glow of the sun transformed the garden into a charming well-lit area of the Sanctuary.

Elenna watched as Cerys participated in her little exercise. A warm smile washed over the Elder Jedi's face, pleased that she had given the young Padawan more of a purpose, a reason and an attachment.

"I'm so glad!" she beamed with joy, and perhaps a sense of pride.

"You'll need to stop by often, of course," she began, clasping her hands together. "As I said before, they're usually found on rain-soaked hills and such, so they need a lot of care and time..."

"But I imagine you'll find it quite rewarding," Elenna hinted, highlighting the force-sensitive properties of the plant and its uses.

She turned around, hovering her hand towards the back of Cerys' as if gesturing for the pair to make their way back through the garden.

"My dear Cerys, it has been so wonderful to meet you properly," she began her walk back to their previously shared table. "If you ever find yourself in need of guidance, tea or a good conversation, I'm here every morning when possible..."

"Please, do come and see me again," she smiled warmly at Cerys, genuinely hopeful that the pair would continue to meet.

She saw something in Cerys, a hidden, complex warmth. Much like a puzzle to be unraveled, a puzzle of her own making.

If Cerys would let her, she would find an eager Elenna waiting to help her solve it...


Cerys Dyn

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