Faction The Knighting of Balun Dashiell

[Connel Vanagor]

TRIALS AND TRIBULATIONS OF THE NOT SO INNOCENT
NABOO TEMPLE
OUTSIDE THE COUNCIL CHAMBER

Omega Squad Every Day Gear Locations

• Michael, Gabriel, Azrael, Sariel, Raphael, Jeremiel, Connel, Raguel
  [Any text in brackets signifies comm-link usage and not face to face conversation]
• 
  Rides
  
  • "Enterprise" Station Ship
  • Null Vector
  • Speederbike
  • Iron Psalm
  Gear/Armor
  
  
  • Gear(“Bodycam” Datapad, UAD Drone, link to Seraphim AI and Nanotech included)
  • Lightsaber(Dawn’s Light)
  • Lightsaber(Morning Light)
  SURGICAL - CRYBERNETIC IMPLANTS
  
  • Repli Implants that would be for the limbs
  • Bonemer enhancements to strengthen structure of the body
  • Muscle enhancements.
  • Hemo enhancements for blood flow
  • Hawkeye implants for eyes
  • Advanced Medical Implant
  • Scentzy
  • Injected Nanotech upgrades
  
  
  
• Shadow Sanctuary - Enterprise

Ala walked out and just as quickly, collected the Togruta girl and walked back in. Same ole’ (don’t call her “old”, she’s small but she is a “quiet one” #iykyk) Ala, quick as a hiccup, but she wanted them to stay.

Sigh.

Connel did not really want to. Not because he did not want to be around others (anxiety or not), but because he had somewhere he needed to be. He did not have the luxury of principles he could stand on if he left, it was not a Conclave, he needed to stay if only for posterity and to show her the respect her request deserves. Besides, there could be pie!

Where did that come from?

So, since there was a few moments, he would meditate. No one was talking to him anyway, so Connel let the Force flow around and elevate him, and he focused on his breathing, and the flow of air around him. If someone wanted to talk to him? By all means. Until then, he floated quietly about a foot and a half off the ground.

Don’t ask him how he floated, he was not trying to, probably did not even know he was.

TAGS • ARE • OPEN • Cerys Dyn • Balun Dashiell • Casaana • @Ty’Raj Vex • Rix Braji
Personal Effects - Omega Squad Loadouts​

 

[Cerys Dyn]

"I appreciate the offer," she said in a quiet response to Ty'Raj. She glanced back to Balun, hoping for some confirmation from him that she had responded appropriately. It was so hard to know when rejection of connection was so much her preset.

The door slid open. Cerys tensed. And the Grandmaster's light presence washed over her. Cerys was already relaxing before Ala spoke.The relief that washed over Cerys was nigh to overwhelming.

A breath she had not known she was holding pushed passed her lips, almost giving a reverberating sound, but she just prevented the embarrassment. Her muscles relaxed, only for her to tense again when Master Quin spoke of consequences, and then...festivities?

What did that mean?

And then she mentioned a joyous occasion? Cerys brown knotted deeply, confusion adding to her circumspect relief. When Master Quin pulled her into the council chambers, Cerys almost tipped over, unlocking her knees just at the last moment. Her feet moved quickly to catch up with the shorter Master, who seemed very huggy. Cerys was not sure she totally appreciated that, but did not squabble over it. After all, she was supposed to be better about attachments...right?

"Thank you...Master," she said to Colette, who was far more complimentary than Cerys deserved. Her cheeks flushed that deeper orange, and she fought the urge to correct the council member for asserting Cerys had done anything well.

Colette Balun Dashiell Connel Vanagor Rix Braji Ty'Raj Vex Casaana​

 

[Ala Quin]

The Grandmaster squeezed Cerys' arm, and then released her. The small woman's posture changed, taking on the more official feel that she had been trying to cultivate.

"Padawan Dyn. Your actions midst the ambush of Black Sun aligned Sith were unacceptable. The report filed by Padawan Balun Dashiell indicates that you avoided returning to the Order when he encountered you on Genarius. But your path has taught you lessons. Some, I wonder if we were never able to teach you. And it is my hope that with your return we have more than just your presence...but we also have your heart."

"Take this lesson on board, Cerys. And know. That your master En-Vala she loved you...in spite of what she taught you." Ala stepped forward, placing her hand on the young woman's shoulder. "Your mother...loved you...Cerys. And it is a good thing that you loved her too, even though you did not know who true relationship to you."

Ala's voice had softened, but now returned to the more official tone. Her hand dropped to its side. "You are an experienced Padawan. Your ability is easily matching that of a Knight of this Order, but you must prove yourself to us again. With admission back into the Jedi Order, you will restart your Padawan training. You will be viewed as having just started the path."

She let young Padawan have a moment to allow that to sink in.

"Furthermore. You will be barred from critical missions for the next 6 months, pending review at that juncture. And, you will be assigned to a new Master, one who I believe will be able to guide you in the areas where you lack...my hope...is that in the coming years, I can knight you just as I am about to knight your new Master."

With a flick of her hand, the door to the chambers slid open. And Ala looked outside the room, eyes making contact with her own Padawan learner.

"Balun Dashiell. My dear friend. Enter the council chambers, and receive the reward for your service."

| Tag: Balun Dashiell Colette Connel Vanagor Ty'Raj Vex Rix Braji Casaana |​

 

[Balun Dashiell]

THE PRODIGAL PADAWAN
INVENTORY: Jedi Robes | Lightsaber & K-16 Bryar Pistol
TAGS: Cerys Dyn | Casaana | Rix Braji | Connel Vanagor | Colette | Ala Quin

The silence was unnerving. Nothing on the other side of the Council entrance could be heard, and Balun had remained with his back to the corridor wall, wishing all the more he had a cigarra to ease his mind.

It was an unhealthy habit, one he shared with his father and one the Jedi Order didn't condone, but it was something he had picked up all the same along the way. Years spent roaming from system to system before meeting his Master, Ala Quin , and being encouraged to visit the Jedi Temple, Shiraya's Sanctuary.

With a flick of her hand, the door to the chambers slid open. And Ala looked outside the room, eyes making contact with her own Padawan learner.

"Balun Dashiell. My dear friend. Enter the council chambers, and receive the reward for your service."

At first, Balun thought perhaps he hadn't heard her correctly. Why would he? It didn't make sense; they were here for Cerys Dyn . This was a debrief and disciplinary hearing.

Yet his Master's gaze, fixed upon his own, unflinching, made him stand upright, his eyes widening as if his awareness of the situation suddenly dawned on him: "Wait, what?" he said aloud, confusion written across his face. He spared a glance at the others, as if seeking clarification, but quickly realised none among them had any of the answers any more than he did himself.

There seemed nothing for it but to step on through the chamber entrance, his lack of understanding and sudden concern pointed at his Master.

His eyes swept across to Colette , then to Cerys herself, before he turned back to Ala Quin.

"Master?" he spoke up cautiously, "I'm afraid you're going to have to explain this one to me".

Jedi Master: Ala Quin
Major Faction: The High Republic
Sub-Faction: Jhaessa Prime
Conglomerate: Dashiell Incorporated™
Subsidiary Company: Dashiell Retrofit™​

"Speech"
'Thought'​

 

[Connel Vanagor]

TRIALS AND TRIBULATIONS OF THE NOT SO INNOCENT
NABOO TEMPLE
OUTSIDE THE COUNCIL CHAMBER

Omega Squad Every Day Gear Locations

• Michael, Gabriel, Azrael, Sariel, Raphael, Jeremiel, Connel, Raguel
  [Any text in brackets signifies comm-link usage and not face to face conversation]
• 
  Rides
  
  • "Enterprise" Station Ship
  • Null Vector
  • Speederbike
  • Iron Psalm
  Gear/Armor
  
  
  • Gear(“Bodycam” Datapad, UAD Drone, link to Seraphim AI and Nanotech included)
  • Lightsaber(Dawn’s Light)
  • Lightsaber(Morning Light)
  SURGICAL - CRYBERNETIC IMPLANTS
  
  • Repli Implants that would be for the limbs
  • Bonemer enhancements to strengthen structure of the body
  • Muscle enhancements.
  • Hemo enhancements for blood flow
  • Hawkeye implants for eyes
  • Advanced Medical Implant
  • Scentzy
  • Injected Nanotech upgrades
  
  
  
• Shadow Sanctuary - Enterprise

Connel was pulled out of his meditation with a fall and a thud.

OW…

Getting up grabbing his lower back, almost symbolically, the Knight stood listening to Ala call for Dashiell and bring him into the Council Chamber. Three guesses what is happening. He had no proof, but he knew the pixie more than well enough to know that tone of hers, she had something she wanted to give and was excited, which in his case meant… well… Connel was not going to give it away.

So he stood at attention by the door and waited patiently. He didn’t know Dashiell enough to know his resume(so to speak) but if what was about to happen was about to happen, then there was darn well a good reason for it.

A good day.

TAGS • ARE • OPEN • Cerys Dyn • Balun Dashiell • Casaana • @Ty’Raj Vex • Rix Braji
Personal Effects - Omega Squad Loadouts​

 

[Casaana]

Cerys Dyn | Ty'Raj Vex | Balun Dashiell | Ala Quin | Connel Vanagor | Rix Braji | Colette

"She said 'took,' not 'talk.'" Casaana pointed out to the quiet corridor after Ala Quin took Cerys into the council chambers. Looking around at the others, she was tempted to resume her duties at the temple's entrance, but Miss Grandmaster has asked everyone to stay, and she also wanted to talk with Cerys some more. It sounded like she was being forgiven. Plus, maybe cake?

Clicking her tongue in a little rhythm as she waited to fill the silence, a few moments later and they were back. Apparently that talk hadn't taken long at all. And yeah, Cerys had been right about the fire not being the same at all, but then she'd been trying to give an example of growth and learning. Maybe she still had some things to learn on the wise analogy front. Maybe she should have mentioned how she'd moved on to building droids in her room? That had been much safer and the few minor explosions had been much easier to hide. Muffled pops really, could have been anything.

Then they were back! But not with a cake, but Balun's promotion! Patting him on the shoulder, Casaana gave him a big grin along with telling him "Congratulations! You definitely deserve it." Still, she found herself looking to Cerys, wondering how she was taking this turn of events. The Torgruta had been one of the first people to welcome her to the Order on her move from the Galactic Alliance, and while she'd never exactly opened up or been that personable, she was one of Casaana's few friends. She worried about her.

 

[Corazona von Ascania]

While primarily stationed on Ukatis, once or twice a month, Cora taught at the temple on Naboo. She'd been ushering a gaggle of younglings down the corridor, intending to pass by the council chambers on their way to one of the meditation rooms.

"Master, what's going on?"

A little Chiss girl looked up to the teacher, blinking through the soft glow of her red eyes.

The council's doors were open, and Jedi of all ranks seemed to linger at the threshold. Balun Dashiell was called forward, and Cora caught the hesitance in his expression.

"Hm," she murmured, directing her class to stand against the far wall. It took her a few long moments to recognize Padawan Dashiell's name - from the post mission report on Moorja. He'd faced Darth Nefaron , and survived.

"I'm not certain," Cora responded lightly. "Let's see what happens."

“I think he’s in trouble,” the girl offered in a not-so-secretive whisper.

 

[Colette]

Colette bowed her head to Cerys as she addressed her. The 'master' title made her skin crawl, but Colette could endure it for the sake of ceremony. The 'punishment' seemed fair to Colette, and the rest of the implications could be handled by the Council later. The parts that required a bit more politicking.

For a moment Colette was certain that this was it. She failed to see the joyous celebration part in this until Balun was called upon.

Quartermaster Colette Noble blinked for a moment in surprise. The celebration was… Not for Cerys?

It would seem not. It was for Balun. The dots slowly connected and Colette straightened her back once more as a sign of respect for the title about to be bestowed upon the Padawan.

What a curious day.

Cerys Dyn

 

[Rix Braji]

Rix patted Cerys on the back as she followed Ala into the Council Chamber, hoping to impart a last bit of reassurance. When the padawan disappeared, his mind flitted to what he was going to do now. Waiting out in the hallway seemed unnecessary.

But that was just what the Grandmaster asked of those gathered, so stay he did.

In good time, door to the chamber swished open. Rix could see Cerys from where he stood, but he couldn't decipher the expression on her face before Balun stepping forward obscured his view.

Rix blinked, confused.

Was this judgement becoming a knighting ceremony?

That combination seemed somewhat disrespectful to both Cerys and Balun.

Of course, Rix would not question Ala's decision though. That wasn't his place now, and maybe never would be.

Still, in a selfish way, he was glad to be attending a Knighting before Miona's. Her scheduled event would be upon them in a week and a half. He doubted that he'd be ready to see his former padawan by then, even with the experience of being a witness now, but it wouldn't hurt. It'd be practice in a way of how to act and what to say free from the oppressive memories of what he had done.

Or so he had thought for a precious few moments.

His heart dropped again. The reason was not immediately discernable. An urge to look away from Balun tugged on him to find the source of his sudden discomfort, but he kept his attention on the knight-to-be.

It didn't matter, though, if he didn't look to see Cora behind him across the hall. His unconscious felt her and became conscious in the memories that it fed into his head.

"Turn back and walk away. I will draw on you."

He breathed out deep and slow.

"They are conspiracists, Miona, enemies of Ashla just as much as the Sith or Dark Jedi are."

Would she recognize him? Perhaps not. His current fashion was a far cry from the white, wide-shouldered Jedi tunic had had worn on Taris and before they had met there. His red hair was the same itself but appeared much more muted against his semi-fitted black and grey outfit. His Force presence felt different too, mostly but not altogether: Lighter, certainly, but also muddied, not with Darkness but with guilt that he hadn't mastered just yet.

But she'd be able to find a seed of familiarity at its center, if she dug and if she remembered Master Farr's radicalized assistant.

Corazona von Ascania Cerys Dyn Balun Dashiell
Casaana Ty'Raj Vex Connel Vanagor​

 

[Ala Quin]

"Balun Dashiell." Ala announced in a tone that didn't boom enough to be called loud. It was an honest attempt though. "My dear friend. My padawan. The Force will make things clear in time."

Her hand fell to her side, pulling the longer of her two lightsabers to hand. The blade burst to life with the classic snap-hiss. A yellow hue was cast across her face as she held it upwards, and before her.

"You have passed many a challenge. And I believe you are ready. But you must ask yourself...are you ready to wander no more? Should you take the knee before me this day...you shall no longer be alone. You will be one of us...and a Knight of the Jedi Order."

Her eyes softened, tears forming in the corners. She was half pleading and half happy.

"Do you accept this path, Balun?"

| Tag: Colette Balun Dashiell Rix Braji Corazona von Ascania Casaana Connel Vanagor Ty'Raj Vex |​

 

[Balun Dashiell]

THE PRODIGAL PADAWAN
INVENTORY: Jedi Robes | Lightsaber & K-16 Bryar Pistol
TAGS: @Cerys Dyn | Casaana | Rix Braji | Connel Vanagor | Colette | Ala Quin

A Knighting ceremony. His Knighting, arguably less ceremonious.

It was all but confirmed by his Master, Ala Quin , who had encouraged him to come before her, to bend the knee before his superior as had generations of Jedi, granted the honour of attaining the rank of Jedi Knight and completing their journey as students.

Yet he was still in disbelief.

His gaze swept between his Master and Cerys Dyn , wondering how she was feeling right now. The revelation that her place in the Order would hinder on his capacity to be a role model for her, as Ala had done for him. The problem was that Balun and Cerys had always, in his mind, been on level footing with one another, side by side. Balun understood that she had challenges with regard to socialising, but he himself had gaps in his knowledge, challenges that he didn't feel he had confidently surpassed.

Looking back ahead to his Master, she was confident in her decision. She was more experienced, and he believed that she knew better than he did when it came to such things. Balun was always first to doubt himself, first to question his abilities, whereas Ala Quin had often countered his doubts with her own perspective. Trust in him, earned over the years.

It was ultimately a matter of trust that would see him step forward. Balun was not so arrogant as to think he knew better than his superior, let alone Grandmaster of the Order; Nor did he wish to know what the alternative might have been. For both himself and Cerys. Better for Cerys to know that she could trust him as her Master, rather than have to get to know someone new when she struggled with relationships in general.

"I do, Master", he confirmed, stepping forward in approach and dropping to his left knee in front of her.

The sentiment hadn't gotten past him. Ala Quin knew that Balun had never felt at home within the New Jedi Order because he had been adopted out to the Jedi by an unwilling mother, a path that had felt forced on him in his early life. The Jedi Order of the High Republic, on the other hand, was an organisation that he had chosen to commit himself to. He had a home on Jhaessa Prime, had a family in the Dashiells, and now he was being reminded of the fact that the Jedi Order was an extension of all of that, his second family.

Jedi Master: Ala Quin
Major Faction: The High Republic
Sub-Faction: Jhaessa Prime
Conglomerate: Dashiell Incorporated™
Subsidiary Company: Dashiell Retrofit™​

"Speech"
'Thought'​

 

[Aiden Porte]

Balun Dashiell​

Aiden sensed it, he showed the smallest of smiles, as he watched the door, who passed through it. Balun had shown his aptitude for courage, strength and even recklessnes. He mused at the though, it was funny because they were all like that to a degree.

"Well deserved my friend." Aiden whisphered as he turned and walked down the hallway. So much to be done.

 

[Corazona von Ascania]

Balun Dashiell Ala Quin Rix Braji @All​

Cora exhaled slowly. So this was a knighting; odd, but not unwelcome. The class looked on as Grandmaster Quin spoke with fondness, a dozen little eyes following the motion of her yellow blade as it lifted before the Padawan. Perhaps they were imagining their own future knighting ceremonies.

The hairs at the back of Cora's neck rose, prickling her skin. One hand rubbed idly along her collar, and she lifted her gaze from the gaggle of starry-eyed students to pan over the gathered Jedi. Her eyes lingered on the form of Rix Braji just long enough to be considered more than a passing glance.

Something about him was familiar, but she hadn't placed yet.

Her attention returned to the young Dashiell as he stood on the precipice of knighthood, waiting to watch that golden-yellow light sweep over his shoulders and induct him into a knighthood that had stood for centuries of galactic history.

 

[Ala Quin]

Her smile was born part of relief, part of satisfaction. Balun was the type that would not accept such an offer to please her. He was stubborn in the right ways, and sometimes in the wrong ones. But in this, she trusted him to know himself best. And if he thought himself ready, that only confirmed what she had come to believe.

Her saber rose. And dipped to stop just above his left shoulder. Then rose in an arc to the other shoulder.

"Padawan Balun Dashiell. It is the will of this council, and the will of the Force, that you should be granted the title of Knight of the Jedi Order, with all the benefits and responsibilities associated with the role."

Her saber disengaged, and her hand stretched out. Not that he needed the help to stand up.

"Arise, my friend. You stand among equals, worthy of the legacy of the Force."

She turned her smile to the Togruta Padawan who still stood dumbfounded by events that transpired.

"Serve your master well, Padawan Dyn. And you too will one day serve as knight of this order. Heed his wisdom. Follow his example. Let the Force guide you. And shed the guilt that could so easily undermine your path."

| Tag: Balun Dashiell Corazona von Ascania Ty'Raj Vex Rix Braji Connel Vanagor Aiden Porte Colette Casaana |​

 

[Cerys Dyn]

Dumbfounded. Confused. Upset. Annoyed. Frustrated. She was all of these and more, at Master Quin and then at herself, and then back through the cycle again. The turmoil within was greater than the guilt, for the moment.

Balun Dashiell? Her master? Ala hated her. That was the only possible answer.

She watched a moment, that even she would have celebrated. Normally. She would have patted her fellow Jedi on the back, the closet she could imagine to offering a hug. And she would have congratulated them for their success. It was the appropriate thing to do.

But Cerys did none of it.

Instead, she stood — slack-jawed and wide-eyed.

"Ah. Bah..."

A punishment worse than death it was. She had a master with smoke-breath. A master than cared for her, openly and brashly. It was...highly...inappropriate.

Cerys almost protested, but the Ala spoke, and the Padawan shut her mouth

Whatever this was, it was likely to be a disaster.

 

[Balun Dashiell]

THE PRODIGAL PADAWAN
INVENTORY: Jedi Robes | Lightsaber & K-16 Bryar Pistol
TAGS: @Cerys Dyn | Casaana | Rix Braji | Connel Vanagor | Colette | Corazona von Ascania | Ala Quin | Aiden Porte

​

Balun took his Master's hand, though rose with the strength of his legs, accepting the gesture as a means of being polite and appreciative of the offer. Ala Quin spoke of him being amongst equals, worthy of the legacy of the Force, in which Balun responded to her; "It was an honour training under your tutelage, Master. Thank you for your guidance, and your confidence" he smiled, and for the time being kept his reservations to himself with regard to his newly appointed Padawan.

Ala Quinn then turned to Cerys Dyn and spoke words that brought on mixed feelings in Balun, though he buried them deep so they wouldn't show. The unorthodox manner of his Knighting and the subsequent revelation of Cerys' future now being firmly within his hands was all a lot to take in. Balun's feelings suggested that he needed to question the decision later on when he had a moment of privacy with the Grandmaster of the Order, yet his discipline and training told him to trust in the will of the force, no matter what came their way.

When Balun and Cerys had departed from Genarius, en route back to the Jedi Temple on Naboo, he had anticipated life to return to normal. The same routines encouraged by his Master: exercise, saber training, study and then field work when they were assigned missions together. But none of what had happened today had factored into those expectations, a startling reminder that Jedi always remain capable of adapting to the unpredictable nature of their duty.

Turning to face Cerys Dyn and the others further back in the corridor, his eyes fell upon the Togruta looking far less certain of herself than Balun was accustomed to. Only when he had come upon her in the holding cell of Genarius had she appeared so at a loss, and he knew that this time, though their environment was entirely safe, it would seem like a prison sentence to her all the same.

He would need to speak to her, one-on-one, as soon as possible. The responsibilities that had fallen upon his shoulders meant that things had changed, and he couldn't allow himself to disgrace the oath that he had just agreed to. Even if that meant burying his feelings in order to ensure he did not lead Cerys astray by any means. As it was, it was difficult to look upon her with a hierarchical stance; she was not beneath him in any sense of rank or level of progress in her training. It was his belief that her emotional state, and her unwillingness to accept attachments as part of the natural process for Jedi, combined with discipline and restraint, didn't mar their sense of the greater good and the will of the Force, which was where she fell short.

Seeing her with a strong, reciprocal support network would greatly enhance her reach as a Jedi. Before this, however, they needed to work on rebuilding her confidence and moving past the guilt that hung over her.

Force willing, Ala Quinn hadn't made an error of judgment.

Former Mentor: Ala Quin
Jedi Apprentice: Cerys Dyn
Major Faction: The High Republic
Sub-Faction: Jhaessa Prime
Conglomerate: Dashiell Incorporated™
Subsidiary Company: Dashiell Retrofit™​

"Speech"
'Thought'​