Private Simple Beginnings

[Aiden Porte]

Ensy
​

Aiden Porte stood before the Council dais, hands folded calmly behind his back as the assembled Masters regarded him. The hum of distant fountains and the faint rustle of banners outside gave the moment a stillness that felt almost sacred.

"Knight Porte." the presiding Master said, her tone formal yet warm, "You have requested to take Ensy as your Padawan learner. We have reviewed your petition and finds your readiness and his, sound. From this day forward, Ensy shall train under your guidance."

Aiden bowed his head with quiet reverence. "Thank you, Masters. I will guide him with patience and integrity, as I was once guided."

They had spoken their assent with grace. Their eyes had lingered on him longer than most, as if to remind, that the bond he was about to accept was both a gift and burden. Still, when the decision was made, Aiden felt something deep in the Force settle into place. Ensy would no longer walk as a student among many he would walk alongside him, as his Padawan learner.

Outside the chamber, Aiden found him waiting in the courtyard.

“It’s official, my friend." Aiden said. "The Council has approved it. You’re my Padawan, Ensy.”

“Be sure to pack lightly, in a few hours we begin our first journey together, your first journey.” He explained. “Ukatis is where we will be going for a few days, there’s some important things I want to teach you there.”

“You said once you wanted to see more of the galaxy.” Aiden said with a big smile. “We’ll start there. I’ll teach you what it means to travel with the Force as your compass, to guide you and as you grow, I will be there every step of the way. That is my promise, my young friend.”

 

[Ensy]

☽ Ensy ☾

He sat just outside the Council chamber, legs pulled close and head lowered, the edge of his satchel strap turning over and over in his hands. He could hear faint voices through the doors. A part of him wanted to try and listen in but he did not want ease dropping to be the reason anything went wrong. He trusted Aiden, even if he wouldn't be his master - he was his real friend.

Then, the doors opened.

The first thing he felt was Aiden's presence in the force. Steady, warm; the Knight's energy meant good things. Still, when Aiden spoke, his heart leapt.

"It's official, my friend. The Council has approved it. You're my Padawan."

For a moment, Ensy just froze, mouth open in silent disbelief. Then all at once, the tension broke like glass. "I, I am!?" he nearly shouted, his voice echoing off the courtyard stones. He shot up to his feet, spinning in a small, giddy circle before catching himself with a grin so wide it almost hurt. "I'm really your Padawan!"

He took a half-step forward, eyes bright and hands clasped together as if trying to keep the excitement from bursting out of him. "Thank you, Master Porte! I promise I'll do my best."

The satchel bounced against his side as he shifted on his feet, already overflowing with energy. "I'll pack right away!" he blurted out, nodding rapidly. "I want to take the pencil set and some paper, I could take notes! Oh! And snacks. We'll need snacks for our first adventure!"

Turning to head towards his room and to prepare for the trip; he paused mid-flow, the momentum catching up to him, and laughed softly. "Ukatis," he repeated. "I've never even heard of it before, but I am excited! Is... it scary?"

Aiden Porte

 

[Aiden Porte]

Ensy
​

Aiden couldn't help but laugh softly at first, then fully. The kind of laugh that came from pride rather than amusement. Ensy's joy filled the courtyard like sunlight, unrestrained and pure. The boy's energy had a way of brightening even the most solemn halls of the Temple.


"Snacks." Aiden repeated, with a fond grin. "You'll fit in just fine."

He stepped closer, resting a steady hand on Ensy's shoulder. "You earned this, truly. You've shown patience, courage, and heart the kind of heart the Order needs more of." His voice gentled as he spoke, the familiar calm of a Jedi Knight wrapping around his words. "As for Ukatis… it isn't scary. But it is mysterious. There are storms there—natural and otherwise—and people who don't easily trust outsiders. Which is why I'll need your instincts and that open heart of yours."

The breeze caught his cloak as he gestured toward the Temple's long corridor. "Go on then, Padawan. Pack your notes and your snacks. We'll brief before we depart."

He waited a moment, watching the boy dart away with the same excitement that had once lived in his own heart. Aiden lingered a moment longer outside the Council chamber. He reached out through the Force, sensing the echo of the Ensy's elation, and smiled. For all the wars, for all the politics and unrest that weighed upon the galaxy, there were still these moments. Quiet, bright beginnings....

And that, he thought, was worth everything.

 

[Ensy]

☽ Ensy ☾

The stars had stretched into streaks of blue and then settled again. Hyperspace was quiet now, just the hum of the engines and the soft creak of the ship's frame. Ensy sat in the cockpit, knees pulled close, a small block of pale wood turning between his fingers.

He'd started carving it not long after they'd left Naboo. The rhythm helped steady him, the gentle scrape of the knife, the grain catching under his thumb. It wasn't perfect; the faces were too round, and one of the robes came out a bit crooked, but anyone could tell who it was meant to be. Aiden stood taller, smiling, with a smaller figure beside him holding a little satchel.

When the navcomputer pinged their approach, Ensy blinked and lifted his head. A small gulp left his throat as he became a little anxious but he looked over at his new master and a lot of that emotion went away. Replaced by genuine happiness. He knew it would all be okay.

Then looking down he noted the planet looked beautiful. Large grasslands that spread out with forests between them. Ensy tucked the carving safely back into his satchel before looking toward Aiden. "Do the people there like visitors?" he asked, voice quiet but full of curiosity. "You said they don't trust outsiders much. Maybe if I show them kindness, they'll see we're not here to hurt anyone."

He hesitated, fidgeting slightly before adding with a sheepish grin, "I can always draw them something!"

The ship gave a gentle lurch as it began to descend, the light outside flickering from white to gold. Ensy steadied himself with one hand against the console, excitement rising again. "This is my first time seeing a new world just as a visitor. No running... or being brought to Naboo by others. We are really here together! It is all so exciting. Thank you Master Porte."

Aiden Porte