Private the New aprentice

[Laphisto]

Laphisto stepped in behind her, his hands folding neatly behind his back as he observed in silence. One brow lifted slightly, a quiet curiosity settling into his expression as he studied her stance and the way she seemed to take in the space around her. A faint chuckle escaped him, low and thoughtful rather than mocking. He found himself wondering what form her weapon would ultimately take. Whether she would lean toward something familiar and traditional, or if her instincts would drive her toward something more unconventional, something uniquely her own, a double-bladed weapon, or maybe she might take inspiration from his own weapon? The possibilities were vast.

With access to an extensive library of nearly ten thousand molds, she had no shortage of options to draw from. Each design represented a different philosophy, a different approach to combat and identity. Beyond that, there was the added freedom to construct something entirely original, to mold from scratch if she chose to commit to that level of detail. The tools were there.

Laphisto's gaze shifted briefly toward the terminal, then back to her, his posture relaxed yet attentive as he gave her the space to think. He did not rush her or press her toward any particular choice. This was not a task to be completed quickly. It was something that required intention. After a moment, he spoke.

"Don't think, imagine what you want. And let the Force guide you." There was no pressure in his voice, only encouragement. He understood the weight of the moment, the uncertainty that often came with creating something so personal for the first time. If there were nerves, he did not call attention to them. Instead, he simply stood behind her, present but unobtrusive, allowing her to find her own direction while offering the steady reassurance that she was not alone in the process.

Selvrali

 

[Selvrali]

Found herself wondering if she was ready for such a weapon. If she was ready for the duty it came with. Her selection followed no database- or personal preference. The relative quietness of the forge helped her focus. Even still- the shear amount of options was intimidating. Lists of part names she had no grasp of, material specs that seemed arbitrary to her. She was not perusing for specific parts- or with favor to one kind of build. Even what descriptions where provided- it was all extremely clinical to her.

She seemed almost fustrated- as if she was rushing herself. His voice broke her concentration- her shoulders dropped relaxed as she looked back to the Commander. Nodding to his advice, and offering a slight smile. With a slow collecting breath she looked back to the terminal screen. She started over, this time from the base up. Having to remember exactly how it was laid out on the holocrons she learned from. Instead of pulling up each listed part- she simply chose names that somewhat reminded her of people she had met. Laphisto would start to notice many parts ran standard issue. Durable, battle-tested parts. That fact unknown to Selvrali, as she started to avoid even looking at the descriptions.

Finally with all parts selected, she slowly echoed each parts name out loud to herself. As if checking her work. The button to confirm slowly blinking green. Her slender finger rested on the physical button- hesitating for a moment as she looked back to the Commander. As if expecting to be corrected. When none came- she pressed the button. Different conveyor belts sped up to present the selected parts. She went down the line and collected the molds and fittings- before laying them out on the worn workbench. She had yet to pick a crystal though- instead taking to basic assembly first. Nimble fingers and some use of the force helped build the bottom casing of the hilt- working her way up its length the way she picked the parts.

 

[Laphisto]

He wasn't going to let her sink, but he also wasn't going to do the work for her. Laphisto remained where he stood, watching closely as she began to move through the process, his presence steady but restrained. When she hesitated or faltered, he stepped in only just enough to guide her forward. A suggestion here, a partial answer there. Never complete, never enough to take the decision from her hands. Each time, he left space for her to finish the thought herself, to reach the conclusion on her own terms rather than simply following instructions.

A quiet chuckle slipped from him now and then, soft and genuine, as he observed her working through the process. There was no judgment in it, only a quiet recognition of the effort she was putting in. His eyes stayed on her movements, attentive and focused, not missing the small adjustments, the moments of uncertainty, or the gradual confidence beginning to take shape beneath it all. To Laphisto, this was not just a lesson in construction. It was something far more important. Forging a saber was sacred.

It was not simply a tool to be carried into battle, nor a possession to be replaced when damaged or lost. It was something deeper, something that carried meaning beyond its function. In his view, a saber was an extension of the self, a physical imprint of the one who created it. Every choice made in its design, every imperfection left within its structure, every deliberate detail became a reflection of the individual behind it.

When a warrior finally passed from this world, the weapon remained. And through it, others could understand something of who they had been. Perhaps that belief came from his Kiev'arian heritage, from traditions older than the Order itself, shaped by a culture that placed meaning in creation and legacy. Or perhaps it was simply his own interpretation of what it meant to wield something so personal. Either way, Laphisto did not speak those thoughts aloud. He simply watched, guiding when necessary, allowing her to shape something that would one day speak for her long after she no longer could.

Selvrali

 

[Selvrali]

She worked in relative silence. Fitting each component togeather one by one until they formed something resembling the base of a lightsaber. In truth- she had yet to select a crystal because she was still unsure if she was even ready for it. The hiss and sparks of the soldering tool caused her to tense slightly. The connections far from perfect- with some places burning the surrounding metal darker. Double checking nearly every seam, making sure her rookie welds hold togeather. The scent of the heated alloy burned her nose some. Eventually the saber lay on the table, the final housing for the crystal the only part left open. She sat there for a moment- tired hands resting in her lap.

With only one last part left- she left the workbench and returned to the terminal. Each crystal now displayed. Unlike the other components- she knew what the effect of this one was. She though first of her sister, a beautiful deep red. Glancing to a vivid red crystal for a time- but felt nothing. If she had let her past guide the foundation of the weapon, she felt the crystal had to mean something to her, and her alone. Instead simply leaving the terminal and standing in front of the slowly rotating belt of crystals. Blue- Green- White... colors she did not even think crystals could be. She at first seemed lost- until a slender yellow crystal turned in her view. Without a pause she reached for it and held it in her cupped hands for a moment. The warm yellow glow of the crystal started to follow the shallow breaths of Selvrali- causing her to notice her doing so, and relaxing her breaths.

With the final piece in hand, she returned to the open Saber. Force-lifting the glowing crystal into the socket as to not get it smudged with soldering smoot. The final facets tighten down held the cover in place. The saber was finished- yet she refrained from touching it; as if it did not belong to her. It was not just a weapon- or a tool. It was a physical manifestation of her autonomy, and with it- she wanted to be like the Commander that day back on the Slaver ship. Perhaps that why she had requested to study under him, as she still was unsure why exactly she did so.

 

[Laphisto]

As he watched her work, Laphisto felt a quiet sense of pride begin to settle in. It was not something he voiced, nor did it show openly across his expression, but it was there all the same. Each decision she made, each adjustment and correction, spoke to the effort she had put into the process. She had not rushed it. She had not taken shortcuts. she was focused, Patient and he guessed some what excited?

His own saber still hovered nearby, disassembled and suspended in place by the Force, its individual components slowly rotating in a controlled orbit. Only when she finished did he draw his attention back to it. With a subtle shift of focus, the pieces snapped back together in a precise sequence, locking into place as the hilt reformed in his hand. He ignited it briefly. The blue blade extended with a sharp, familiar hiss, steady and clean as it cast its light across the workshop. He held it for only a moment, long enough to confirm its integrity, before disengaging the switch and allowing the blade to retract just as quickly.

"Go ahead, Turn it on. Make sure it works properly. Make sure you didn't get any wires crossed." There was a faint hint of amusement in his tone as he spoke, and he stifled a small chuckle under his breath. His saber returned to his side a moment later, the magnetic lock catching it securely against his hip with a soft click. "And make sure you didn't build it out of purely non-magnetic materials," he added, the teasing remark slipping in easily as his arms crossed over his chest once more. He leaned back just slightly, giving her the space to test her work, but his eyes remained on her creation. Despite the light tone, there was still a measure of expectation behind his words.

Selvrali

 

[Selvrali]

Eventually she carefully took the Saber in both hands at first. The hilts shape was simple- bare metal that had scars from when the soldering tool stuck to the metal. The metal grip was cold in her hand. Frowning at first as she turned it in her dominant hand, the grip was too smooth. Until a idea visibly formed, with her free hand she unbound her Lekku. The long- thin length of leather was perfect! The supple leather from years of use fit snuggly in the slight grooves of the hilt. Tucking the wrap in a simple pattern, and finishing with a easy self-tie.

Now standing, she held the finished saber. The warm leather fitting perfectly in her slender hand. She glanced over to Laphisto for just a moment, offering a little not before holding her Saber out. Low at first- almost in proper guard. Not that she seemed to know that- she held it not up and proudly. She held it tightly- bracing for something to go wrong as she pushed the activation lever.

The blade snapped alive suddenly with a bright yellow flair- then stuttered, not enough to fail. The idle hum the blade softly crackled like a broken speaker. The Interior white plasma of the blade flickered faintly. Her grip on the hilt tighten reflexively, having to lift it some as to not cut the ground between them. Her stared at the saber- at her Saber for a time. Finally- with some hesitation she glanced up to the Commander.

 

[Laphisto]

"Excellent craftsmanship, You didn't blow up." The joke was light, delivered with a subtle shake of his head as a small, genuine smile formed. He gave a single nod, measured and certain, before continuing. "I'll have a personal tool set issued to you, That way, if you want to make adjustments or refine anything, you won't need to come all the way back down here every time."

As he spoke, his attention shifted briefly around the room. With a small motion of his hand, the scattered remnants of her work began to stir. Loose bolts, discarded fragments, and unused tools lifted from the worktable and floor, With a series of controlled flicks of his fingers, each piece sorted itself, drifting cleanly into its proper storage bin.

Within seconds, the space was orderly again. Laphisto gave the room a final glance, ensuring nothing had been left out of place, before turning back to her. He motioned with a slight tilt of his head, signaling for her to follow as he began to step away from the workstation. "Welcome to the Lilaste Order, We have a lot to do in the coming weeks, and very little time to do it."

Selvrali

 

[Selvrali]

She finally let out a held breath, and even giggled slightly as Laphisto broke the tension a bit with his tease. "I-I was really worried that it would!" she admitted. Watching for a second as the Commander started organizing the worship. Taking this time to maneuver the saber. The hilt was built for a single hand- but with her she could afford both hands. Not that it was needed- the materials ended up rather lightly. Defensive reaction would serve her far better then brute strength and saber weight. The yellow blade faintly crackled as it cut the quiet workshop air. Eventually pressing the activation leaver back down to shut it off. Once more holding in both hands, horizontal as she let it roll slightly in her palms.

She brought it to the mag-holster that rested behind her right hip. The magnetic field catching the saber and holstering it. Even still- she would reach back and make sure it was still at her hip as she followed Laphisto back down the corridor they first came from. "It is a great honor to be welcomed by you, High Commander. Promise I wont let you down!" she stuck close to him like before- but already she followed quicker. Perhaps now that she did not stick out like a Jedi- she was getting some confidence already.