Steps Into The Bendu

[Lief]

Azar City​

Aurum​

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There was no time to return to the old Je'daii Enclave, where the skeletal remains of their fellow Je'daii had only recently been burned, much less to begun reconstruction efforts there. Azar was beginning to grow, the Spaceport was already fully functioning and staffed by the Queen's men, and a few prefab facilities had been swiftly erected in place of the medical and refugee tents. A few buildings, true buildings that would stand the test of time, were having their foundations poured, and as far as could be told all of the refugees, including those from Levia, had already made the journey back to the City, and had been tended to by the medics.

Rates of infection were slowing, sickness was becoming a thing of the past, and in the streets - at least, down by the spaceport where construction was minimal - children could be found playing, their laughter infectious. Sometimes that was all that was needed, a little laughter, something to take your mind off the true horrors which had been faced. Her sister, Kyra, had even distributed a few mechanical toys, and much to Jyn's surprise the children seemed to share them without issue. How long that would last was hard to tell, but at least the Orphans that Asha had brought to Teth with her what felt like an eternity ago, but in truth could barely have been even a year, were able to teach them games. Show them what it was to enjoy themselves.

Jyn smiled as she turned her attention away from the jovial youths to look upon her student. Was she ready for this responsibility? It was difficult to say. She had not long since passed her trials, and typically Rangers were dissuaded from taking on students, but times were tough, and there were not enough Masters to go around. Heck, most of the Je'daii Council consisted of Je'daii Rangers and lower. There were even some Journeyers among them. No, it was not a matter of feeling ready... She simply had to be, and that was that. Anything she didn't yet understand she would pick up. For wasn't teaching one of the best methods of learning?

"Greetings, Caesar," she said, as her student approached. As always she inclined her head into a deep and respectful bow of greeting, and flashed him a small smile. She was stood upon one of the only set foundations, technically within a construction zone but the Queen had granted her permission to utilize the space this morning, and truthfully she doubted they would remain within it for long. The Jungles called to her, they reminded her of Teth, and of Fuz. For a moment her skin turned ashen, and slight veins of magmatic red prickled into existence. It was tough to think about her old companion.

Fairly quickly she got her emotions under control, and her skin returned to its usual state. These days she didn't even think twice about the process, nor did she try to hide it. She had accepted the flames as simply being apart of her, it wasn't likely they would ever truly leave her.

 

[Caesar Valen]

The very young apprentice bowed before his equally young master. They had met not so long ago, and had now taken on the role of master, and student. He saw her beautiful smile and returned the gesture with one of his own. She was standing atop a small platform, they were in a temporary location, but a training grounds nonetheless. The sounds of the surrounding jungle filled his ears with memories of hunting on Rishi with his father, and training with the Clone Commando, Jackpot. His mind traveled back to those faithful days when he learned to use his instincts, and to overcome his fear.

Suddenly he snapped back into reality and approached his master. Wearing his new gear, the young Je'daii Explorer awaited his masters next orders.

Caesar said with an excited smirk, "Good morning master Jyn."

His thoughts began to dwell on his past for a few moments. Was his grandfather still alive, had the Sith finished him off. How did my parents die. He remembered the holovid he had of his father on his ship. A tall, dark haired man. His eyes were a coco brown much like Caesar, but Lieutenant Aldrenek Valen had distinctive sideburns flanking each side of his face. His skin was slightly lighter than his son who was darker than his father, but not as dark as his mother. Lieutenant Valen stood adorned in an Imperial uniform. It suited him in every way, shape, and form. He was indeed Imperial material. Before his departure to train, he stared at a holovid of his father for what seemed like an hour. Finally he turned off the Holovid and descended from the Raider-class corvette.

He now waited patiently for his master's first lesson, the first step to redeeming his family, and the Empire.

 

[Lief]

"I won't pretend that you're here for the Je'daii exclusively," she began, as her new student approached with an easy smile; his attire wasn't specific to any one Order, it did not denote him as a practitioner of light, dark, or balance, he remained just as aloof as he had the day he arrived, though these garments suited the situation moreso.

"However, when you walk among our people, it is our Order you represent. When I train you, it is for the future of our Order, and for the good of those aid in service of the Force. Do you understand?"

Her tone was light, and within it there was no judgement on her part. She knew that his path was predominantly with the Imperial Knights, but they followed a similar message of Balance, they followed the Bendu just as the Je'daii did. A step forward for Caesar would aid both parties... And that was good enough for Jyn.

With a slight gesture of her hand she bade him to come closer, turning somewhat to look back out to the surrounding jungle.

"We can begin here, amidst the chaos of the rebuild, or we can head out into the jungle where the Force is rampant and tranquility lies all around. It is up to you, my student."

[member="Caesar Valen"]

 

[Caesar Valen]

Caesar was taken aback by his master's words. Though he knew they were true, he wasn't here merely to learn the ways of the Force. He wanted to gain a tool to aid him in his quest to restore his empire. Her words echoed in his head like criticism he had received as a child. He always feared a woman's yell, hell have no fury like a woman's scorn, he thought to himself.

Her tone was welcoming and reassuring, he overthought her words. After finally gathering himself he spoke.

"The jungle would be perfect, I was forged by it." He said confidently as he referred to his childhood on Rishi.

 

[Lief]

"Forged by it?" she inquired, with one lightly raised brow of intrigue, "I should like to hear that story, one day."

Stepping down from the foundation platform she had been stood upon, and offered him a gentle smile and began to walk at a leisurely pace away from all of the construction efforts and out into the surrounding jungle. Many of the trees on the edge were saplings which had sprouted in the past few years, no doubt this entire area had been ravaged not just the City. A small frown played at her lips to that thought, who could ever bring destruction for destruction's sake?

She looked back at him, to ensure he was keeping up, and her frown softened.

"Is there anything specific you wish to learn, my student? While I have things in mind, of course, this is your path you are walking. I am merely here to guide your growth, and see to it that your intentions are true."

Finally they broke into the underbrush, with the canopy overhead protecting them from the fierce heat of the day. Of course, the humidity which came with the climate still remained rather oppressive. She was grateful for the filled water canister on her belt, no doubt they would find need for it and likely more before the day was up.

[member="Caesar Valen"]