Star Wars Roleplay: Chaos

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The Book Room [Norah]

Silver Temple Library
Voss
jediarchivesossusvt2.jpg
[member="Norah Kitts-Castillon"]
She was told that a certain young lady could be found in the library. Coci was eager to meet this girl after hearing all about the adventures of the trip to Midvinter from Théo and of course, Thrand, Théo grandfather. The shuttle on which they traveled enroute to Midvinter had been attacked by a group and from the description of them they concluded pirates. This was of great concern to herself and the grand master, as they could not allow ships travelling through Sanctum protected space to be in danger of such events. Not to mention what business these pirates had in Sanctum space, the thoughts of slavers had crossed their minds which will not be tolerated.

However, Coci wanted to meet one of the young people that had experienced the attack, not for further information but more to see if the young girl was alright and had no lasting effects from the experience. Théo had told her as much as he knew, that she lives elsewhere and now awaits her guardian to come for her. In the mean time Coci would make her feel welcome and well looked after.

The Silver Temple Library, is vast to say the least, and filled with much knowledge gathered from all avenues afforded to them. It is also filled with many many Jedi of all levels and abilities, here to learn not only about the Force but the wider galaxy and it's secrets. Classes involve much research on topic set by their tutors, and master alike, and so they lean over data pads and computers to ascertain their knowledge. Coci walked down the main avenue of the Library, she senses all the force present here within the Jedi and the Temple. A description of Norah from Théo will have her look for a slight red headed girl with freckles and a great amount of fortitude. She is not force attuned which in a place like this will make the search more easy.

Finally, seated in one of the alcoves is this girl, she seemed preoccupied with something in her hands and on approach, Coci recognises a data pad. Coci walked up to her and stands directly before her. Dressed in Jedi robes with saber clipped to her belt, "Norah Kitts-Castillon I believe?", she asked with a smile, the name of Castillon familiar to Coci as she remembers a small group of Rebels commanded by a woman by this name, back when Coci was with the Army of Light. "May I sit with you?, I am Master Coci Heavenshield, Théo's mother".
 
Arriving back in one piece, Norah had used the communication services found in the Jedi Temple to reach [member="Dirks Hutchinson"] . He wasn't answering the comm. Norah had suspected as much since he was at work. Probably working even harder with the attack that had happened. Even though it didn't involve the company Uncle Hutch worked for, they were still concerned about their goods for sure. Norah had learned that much from her mother, who was often late do to her security work.


The Jedi had mentioned she could wander about while she waited. Norah suspected they didn't think a pre-teen girl could cause much damage. She had already given a statement about her ordeal with the other younglings. They had scattered back to their parents or caretakers or whatever Jedi had.


Norah was left on her own. She had slowly wandered around, looking like a complete outsider. Little kids had stared while bustling down the hall. The gardens and grounds were beautiful but she soon found herself in the library. Finding a small two-person study table along a row of other tables, Norah placed her bag on the table and pulled out her datapad. She supposed some homework could be done, there was time to do it.


Deep in a biology problem, Norah didn't hear or see [member="Coci Heavenshield"] approach until she spoke. The redheaded girl looked up, studying the woman. Even if she hadn't spoken her name, Norah would have known Mrs.Heavenshield was Theo's mother. They looked quite alike.


"You can sit here Mrs.Heavenshield." Norah paused, looking a little nervous. "Am I in trouble? For stowing away?"
 
She pulled out the chair and sat down across from Norah and placed her hands on the table together. "No you are not in trouble and please call me Coci".

Coci looked her over, checking for any signs of injuries sustained from their adventures, just like Théo, it is where he gets his concern from. "Are you alright?", she was not asking about physical injuries now but more from a mental side of things. "Experiences like that can be frightening".

She looked around them, Jedi moving about between the rows of 'books', more electronic in nature and in the back is the restricted information. Holocrons are kept elsewhere. "This is nice place, quiet and soothing .. I should come here more often".

"Norah I believe you have a guardian? Théo told me as much and he is worried you have nowhere to stay until your guardian arrives for you". Coci will make sure this little girl is not forsaken, not on her watch. "I will not allow you to simply stay here all this time, but I will find you a place in the Temple of your own and I will make sure you are safe and look after. What is your guardian's name, I can contact them for you if need be".
[member="Norah Kitts-Castillon"]
 
[member="Coci Heavenshield"]



Shoulder's relaxed slightly. She was not in trouble with the Heavenshields or Jedi. This was a good thing. She was more than likely still in trouble with [member="Dirks Hutchinson"] but at least it wouldn't be a triple whammy coming straight at her. Feet moved idly as she listened to the dark haired woman talk.


"I've been through worse Mrs. Heav-....I mean Coci." Norah was referring to the death of her mother. While the experience wasn't a cake walk it was far less scary than the thoughts that ran through her mind. If she thought too hard, Norah realized she was truly alone now. There was Hutch but it wasn't the same. "Thank you for asking though."


"I contacted my guardian, Dirks Hutchinson. He works security for a company in the sector....I don't think he can just leave at work."


Bright blue eyes looked around the library.


"I am fine here....that is...if you don't mind me waiting in the library. Or I can wait outside Temple grounds. I don't mind...I think I saw a bench or two around the outskirts."
 
She could feel a sense of loss from the young girl, it appeared she had experienced something greater than the pirates. Coci would not pry unless Norah wanted to talk about it. She simply offered her a weak smile of understanding. "Alright, since you have contacted Dirk you will stay with us".

Coci followed Norah's gaze, it was no surprise she marveled at the place. However, "You know if you don't want to take a room in the Temple that is fine, but I can't have you just sitting here until he comes for you. Many Jedi from other Orders come to this library to do research and some stay here. We have small residencies here in the Library for such a purpose, would you prefer that?".

Coci pointed to a stair case leading up to the upper levels, "See those stairs? they will take you to them, and there is a small mess hall to get food as well. I will not allow a young girl to wander about", she smiled a little more.

To change the subject, "So, where do you live, and what is the name of your school?". She noticed a datapad that seemed to be of more importance than most children would have it.
[member="Norah Kitts-Castillon"]
 
Norah didn't know how to explain to [member="Coci Heavenshield"] she actually wanted to stay in her very spot. Surrounded by books,the quiet, the sense of a grand learning adventure. The redheaded girl felt if she said something against the suggestion of the residencies that she would be taken as ungrateful. Part of her didn't understand the concern Mrs.Heavenshield had for her in the first place. Was this a Jedi way? Maybe the woman was what one could call a 'natural mother'.


"Okay...thank you."


Feeling a little awkward, Norah was thankful the subject was changed.


"I live on Ceto. Its...nice but not Laekia. My school is Teran Secondary School. Very boring. I already know a lot of the material. Maybe I should be happy I don't have to put a lot of thought into my school day?"
 
[member="Norah Kitts-Castillon"]

"Well, maybe that is something you should mention to mister Hutchinson, that you are not happy at the school. Norah how did you come to be here on Voss in the first place?", Coci is curious as to how a young girl could be here alone before the 'trip'. She started to wonder if this mister Hutchinson was neglectful of her, and maybe Coci should 'have a word', with him when he arrives.

"What do you like to read Norah? you seem most comfortable here in the Library. And from what you say, you are clever and not challenged by your school".

Coci stood up and walked a little way from the table to a water cooler. She grabbed a couple of cups and filled them before returning and placing a cup in front of Norah to have if she was thirsty.

"Théo attends school here in the Temple, we offer this along side force training for our younglings. The grand master, Théo's father and I believe that a well rounded education for all Jedi is most important".

She considered Norah for a moment, the force telling her there was more to this young lady then a want for learning and a great deal of tenacity. The force had guided Norah to them and Coci began to consider why.

"You know, you could attend the Silver Temple School, .. if, it was something you would like. We set the curriculum around a child's talent as well as strength anything that might be .. a weakness, so that that becomes a strength as well".
 
[member="Coci Heavenshield"]



Norah couldn't tell Hutch that she wasn't being challenged in school. He didn't have any money to send her somewhere that would challenge her on a daily basis. When her mother died there was a sizeable life insurance policy but Norah knew it was going to go to her upbringing and University education. She was only a pre-teen, that money had to last for at least another decade.


"I came to Voss because Hutch was in the area for work. I can't be left home alone so I came with him...he hired a caretaker to watch me but I slipped away from her."


Norah paused. She liked to read everything. She carefully took a cup and took a few sips, grateful.


"Thank you. I like reading anything. I read a whole bunch of young adult novels....history stuff, biographies. True event stuff....Things maybe other people have forgotten about. I like to know why."


Norah brightened for a moment about going to the school but quickly sobered. She couldn't leave Hutch. Hutch couldn't relocate his job. She wasn't a Jedi. After her loss, even if Hutch did let her go, she couldn't live alone. The pain was still too deep, she needed Hutch to keep her afloat.


"I...I don't think I can Mrs. Heavenshield. I want to but,I can't. Thank you for thinking of me. It sounds amazing but....its just not possible."
 
[member="Norah Kitts-Castillon"]

"Your caretaker must be worried sick", she grinned as the girl explained her escape. It reminded Coci of Théo, as he has become master of this. "It is a good thing to do to read as much as you can. Knowledge is everything, it is one of the many things we Jedi do in order to learn more about the galaxy as well as yourselves. We need to in order to continue to grow as people and find knowledge to help others".

"Jedi follow a code for good reason, not just to 'preach', in fact I find Jedi that have a tendency to preach to be lacking the capacity of understanding and not open minded to allow views of others to inform them. Even if you do not agree with them, their opinions are valid".

"If you would like to attend school here in the Academy, I am sure we can arrange something with Hutch, if as you say, he has work around these parts, we can look after you while he is away. Speak to him about it".

"Now you must be hungry, lets go and find some food in the Library mess". Coci would not take no for an answer, being a mother she entered into 'mothering' mode. Standing up beside the table, she waited for Norah to gather her belongings.

"Would you like to see the Academy?".
 
[member="Coci Heavenshield"]



"Yeah, he probably will be mad at me."


Norah thought about it before but really didn't think it through. The pain and suffering she was putting Hutch through. Hopefully she would have a chance to explain her side later on when he came for her. Mrs.Heavenshield entered a long explanation about the Jedi and their ways. Norah merely nodded, not knowing much about the Jedi or their ways. Her encounter with Theo and Boo Chiyo was her first meeting with any type of Force users.


"I suppose I can speak to him when he comes..."


Norah started to gather her belongings at the mention of food. She slid her schoolbag on to her back and pushed in her chair. Her stomach was grumbling a little. The redhead didn't want to eat their food or take advantage of the kindness involved but Mrs.Heavenshield seemed to insist on it.


"I would love to see the Academy. I walked around a little earlier, its very beautiful."
 
[member="Norah Kitts-Castillon"]

Back along the main thoroughfare of the Library, Coci escorted Norah. About half way down she turned right, and lead Norah to a set of double doors and as they approached the door opened and from here would lead to the Voss Academy. Soon they would hear the voices of younglings and masters filtering along the corridor from various class rooms and training areas.

Coci paused as they approached the first of the rooms and allowed Norah a peek inside. "This is the Jedi mediation room, it is where the padawans learn to center their focus. And much more".

Moving on a little further, they stopped at a sparse room with training sabers on the walls. "Here we train with light sabers, and over here". She pointed to the door of another "We educate in Navigation, Ships, map reading, anything connected to the navy".

"Toward the end of this main corridor, is the general school in which we educate all children subjects not pertaining to their Jedi training, that would be where you would attend"
 
[member="Coci Heavenshield"]


Norah followed in relative silence behind Mrs.Heavenshield. Like what she had seen earlier, most of the Temple was grand. Soaring ceilings, wide hallways and a general hum of activity that could be heard just above the overall silence. Feet padded along the stone floors, echoing throughout as they moved. Peeking in the classrooms, they would see children at work in their studies. Norah found it odd that some of the instructors looked to be older teenagers rather than 'real live' adults.


She dutifully nodded at the mention of the main corridor, where she could possibly go. The girl had no heart to come and stay away from what she loved full time. It looked like studying at the Jedi school was a lot like boarding school. A real commitment which meant leaving everything behind. Norah wasn't prepared for that.


"Sounds interesting and real exciting. You know I can't attend Mrs.Heavenshield so why are you showing this to me? I feel like I am wasting your time. From what I know with my time being around Theo, you are important around here. You must have things to do."
 
[member="Norah Kitts-Castillon"]

"No Norah, never is it a waste of time being in the company of some one interesting and a child", Coci stopped and turned to Norah. "Why do you think you cannot attend? We have students here from all over Voss as well as the galaxy, Jedi or not. If you really want to, you can if your guardian will allow it, that is all that stops you coming here to study".

"I guess .. I guess my position within the Order is an important one, but I never lack time to spend with someone that requires my attention. Beside that .. I enjoy talking to you".

"Tell me, what do you want to be when you grow up". This, an opened question, as with children things change but some children know what they wish to be from an early age, a calling to a vacation in a sense and she wondered if this was Norah.

Coci placed a hand on Norah's shoulder, "Come with me I want to show you something I think you will find most interesting".

Leading the young girl down a corridor that would have them exit the Academy and into a small building attached to both the Library and school. It is the museum, a small one but full of interesting artifacts, books, data and force relics. "We house some things here mostly found are the area of the Temple. Things discovered when we first began to build this place. Other things from Voss relating to Jedi and Sith alike. Voss has a long history of both, not to mention the native peoples as well. You must go into Voss-ka and see the building there, their art work is amazing".
 
Norah stopped to look at [member="Coci Heavenshield"] . She still wasn't understanding so it seemed the redheaded girl would have to just come out and explain it. She didn't want to explain it to a stranger. It was hard enough to try to communicate her reasons with someone like Hutch.


"I can't come because my mom just died and I don't wanna leave Hutch. Maybe when I am older....when there has been more time....I could come and learn."


All the words came out in a bit of a rush. Freckled cheeks flushed slightly with mild embarrassment. Mrs. Heavenshield went on though, asking what she wanted to be as an adult. To be honest, Norah didn't have much of a clue. There had been a few ideas floating in her mind, such as a doctor or scientist of some sort.


Mrs.Heavenshield led her into a room filled with artifacts. She knew well enough to look and not touch, gazing at the items on display. Most looked old. Some were so old they were broken into pieces of just rusted bits of what they used to be at one point in time.


"Wow. People get to actually go and find these things?"
 
Guardians of children can be placed for many reasons, the death of parents or neglect or Jedi in some cases where they are placed in Temples throughout Orders. Although these day by of the child rather than taken as in the past. Coci had never liked that procedure, considering it barbaric and very counter-productive in ones life. It caused more problems than removing them. Love is a very power emotion, and lack of it even more so dangerous to an individual.

"My apologies Norah, I did not realise your mother's death was recent", she said looking down at the girls face and stopped walking. "I understand, your mother was a good woman". She lead Norah over to a bench that rested against the side of the wall. "It is good you have someone to take of you. I did not mean you would have to be removed from him, it would completely your choice to attend here if you wish and you can do that when Hutch is away on business and we would take care of you and your schooling. You could also do school work and attend classes via the holo, you don't even have to be in the room".

Coci looked over to the artifacts Norah was interested in. "Yes we have a group that goes to find them and bring them back for analysis and safe keeping, some of these artifacts are from Voss, others from different parts of the galaxy. The Jedi study them, if they are force relics for example and others are from the peoples of Voss and in some cases we return the relics to their rightful owners"

[member="Norah Kitts-Castillon"]
 
[member="Coci Heavenshield"]


"So I could have a robot that annoys Theo in class?"


Norah had a vague idea on how distance education would work. She was fairly certain there were no robots to pass notes to in class or annoy others with in general. It was a joke, trying to break up some of the seriousness and tension that had worked its way into their conversation. It would be exciting to learn from the Jedi Temple. Maybe they would be far more challenging than her current school. Besides, they seemed really keen on teaching a subject one was interested in.


Looking back at some of the artifacts, Norah found it interesting they had all been dug up,found and some even returned to their owners. How would a person even know what some of it was for? Let alone finding the person or group who had owned it before. Freckled face found itself close to the class of a display case.


"I want to do that. Maybe one summer I could internship. I'll practice my digging skills in the mean time."
 
She could not help but smile at Norah, her threat to tease Théo in class. "I am not sure you would succeed! I think Théo might get the better of the robot, he can be annoying can't he?". Of course Coci does not think this, but she can also see Norah's point of view.

"Norah you would be welcome to the Voss Academy any time you wish to come and take lessons, all you need to do is contact me and I can arrange it". Coci stood up, it was time to take Norah back to the Library and show her her quarters. If she wished to revisit the Library so could, but moreover she had somewhere to rest her head come the night.

Coci glanced down at Norah as they walked, there is something special about this little girl, so full of attitude and cleverness. "Have you heard of the Jedi Code? Well, there are a couple of them and some of the Jedi here in the Silvers live by different codes. I, for example, prefer the old one, where as Grand Master [member="Thurion Heavenshield"] prefers the more recent one. The code is there more for guidance then a set of rules, at least that is how I live my life by it .. and you don't have to be force attuned to live by it either. In fact I believe you don't have to be force attuned to be a Jedi".
[member="Norah Kitts-Castillon"]
 
[member="Coci Heavenshield"]


"I wouldn't say annoying....just a boy."


Norah wasn't used to being around children her age so often. Their ill-fated voyage on the ship sent her for a loop. Yes, she attended school and had certain friends but she wasn't used to being in the company of them for such a stretch of time. Most of her time had been around her mother's friends and acquaintances, making for a colorful patchwork of sentients.


"I've heard of the Jedi Code. Most of us who don't have the Force have our own personal code ethics. I suppose everyone makes their own choices when it comes to that though. At least thats what Mom says.....I guess it makes it easier for some to justify killing or fear."


"I wouldn't want to be a Jedi....Force or no Force. There are too many rules. Too many things to give up."
 
[member="Norah Kitts-Castillon"]

They passed more class rooms, each devoted to a set subject and fitted out with facilities to give lessons. They had walked full circle and soon found themselves back at the double doors to the Library.

"What do you think Jedi give up Norah? There are rules everywhere, you will see that as you grow up. Laws, social conventions, school, academies, military and so on .. they all have them, Jedi don't give up anything more than you will or do". She said looking down at Norah as they entered the Library once more. This place seems to relax Norah more so than any other.

"But it is how one lives life that determines their path regardless of the force, as you say. Every one can be evil or good, or ignorant or educated, happy or sad, but it is the choices you make that make you. Events that happen in ones life, as a child does not necessarily mean that is the way of life till the end. At some point one must take responsibility for your own life and what they do. Adults fail at this, they hide behind the events that shaped the past, but when you reach that point where the choice is handed back to you, that is the defining moment .. one can choose to continue a life the same, or change it".
 

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