Private the past is like a cape, you can only wear it behind you

[Ariana du Couteau]

Ariana du Couteau, Jedi Padawan
Location: Atrisia
Outfit

Ariana watched the slow-moving river as it pooled into the pond, its ripples gently carrying away petals and leaves. The bench she sat on offered a perfect view of the pond, and she felt a small sense of pride at having managed to secure such a spot. She closed her eyes and began to steady her breathing, a meditative technique meant to deepen her connection to the living Force that surrounded her.

It was a simple idea, but the challenge lay in the execution, something Ariana had never truly mastered. She imagined herself swaying like the petal floating in the river before her. Tension crept into her shoulders as she worried about being pulled into the dark depths of the water.

Wait, let’s try something different. Her face crunched in thought as she abandoned the attempt to visualize herself as part of the natural scene before her. Her father had once suggested another meditation technique, and so Ariana tried to relax once more.

The folds of the cape had to be squared perfectly, and with a patient, well-practiced hand, Ariana managed it. Next came the unfolding of the fabric, ensuring not a single crease remained, wrinkles were a sign of poor attention and lack of discipline. Her brow furrowed, eyes shut tight, lips pressed into a grimace of concentration.

“Okay, I’ll work on that later,” she muttered. How people managed to sit calmly with their thoughts was still a mystery to the young du Couteau.

She looked beside her at the small rectangular box and gently placed her hand on top of it.

Atrisia was a beautiful world to visit and explore a home away from home, her brother would say whenever they arrived. But the true peace came from the people she had traveled with to the Hirata Enclave. They had shown her a renewed sense of what it meant to be a Jedi, and in them, Ariana had glimpsed the vision of hope she had so desperately needed to see for herself.

At least I’m no longer that anxious before my meeting. Small victories were more easily cherished and to hold with two hands.
​

|| Henna Ashina ||​

 

[Henna Ashina]

The invitation was promising. Henna had been thrilled to receive Ariana on Atrisia. Seto had always been held in her utmost regard; Some part of her believed he might have even supported their cause today, were he here to bear witness. Nobility - royalty, even, and Jedi lordship were not mutually exclusive. The Ashinas were testament to that. Even more than her contributions to their cause, she was proud of the Jedi for requesting her presence. Since her arrival, she'd seemed... troubled. Anxious, perhaps. Henna had thought it would fade with time, as it did for most new arrivals when they found their place amongst the crusade. Not so for Ariana - though her voice at the midnight council was a start.

She chose robes of cream and gold. Representative of her status as a Jedi, not that of a ruler. As Henna departed the manor, she was glad the padawan had chosen a spot outside. With their war and her seership, she barely got to spend time in the nature she loved. Across the pond, blossoms were in bloom - just as they. Approaching quietly, she greeted Ariana with a nod.

"Hello, Ariana. A fine view you've chosen." Golden orbs flickered between the Tetan and the pond. "I've been meaning to give you a proper welcoming, anyways, just the two of us. My apologies you had to summon me instead. It is... unusually busy, as you've seen." Henna motioned to the empty seat beside Ariana. "May I?"

 

[Ariana du Couteau]

Ariana du Couteau, Jedi Padawan
Location: Atrisia
Outfit

“Yes, there’s a certain serenity here. . .” Ariana spoke with a hint of aloofness as she slowly turned her attention to Henna.

A moment of realization passed, and with widened eyes, Ariana nearly jumped to her feet and offered a proper bow. Her cheeks warmed into a soft red as she slowly straightened.

“O-o-of course, plenty of room here!” Ariana tried to smile away her embarrassment as she gestured to the bench. “And no apology needed, the galaxy never follows anyone's schedule. . .” she added quickly, sitting back down, a flicker of fear in her mind that her legs might give way.

“If anything, it should be me apologizing to you, Lady Ashina. . . I’ve not exactly been an exemplar of noble ideals or determination. So I thank you for bearing with me as I continue to walk with trembling legs, as if I were just newly born,” Ariana said, her tone apologetic and laced with anxiety.

The young du Couteau heiress breathed deeply to calm herself. Her shoulders had tensed, but after a moment, they relaxed too. Confidence was a fickle sensation for Ariana, who struggled to remain upright and steady, representing both Tetan nobility and her family name before someone who deserved true respect and excellence.

“But I’m sure you don’t want to hear me complain,” Ariana said, waving her hand to dismiss her earlier words. “I wanted to give you, albeit belatedly, a gift, to show both the appreciation and commitment of House du Couteau.”

Ariana held up a box with both hands. Inside was a cape similar to the one she wore herself. The differences lay in the gold trimmings attached to each point, and the interior dyed a darker, deep-sea blue shimmered with small flecks of light that; when caught just right, resembled a starry night sky. She knew how difficult it was to part with it, gripping the box firmly, but the cape had always been intended as a gift. The difficult was always that both du Couteau children felt unworthy to present them, as if a thief who stole what wasn't theirs's to give away.

It even has that silly instruction page dad insisted on including.

“This whole nobility and Jedi duty thing has me both scared and confused, so I also want to thank you for accepting me all the same.” She had originally intended to arrive as just a soldier, following orders to attack.

Anything more, and she felt like a lost child at a festival.
​

|| Henna Ashina ||​

 

[Henna Ashina]

Before accepting the seat, Henna took up the box gingerly when offered. A finger trailer across the lip before opening it - anticipation finely rewarded when she did. The fabric was beautiful. Midnight, and holding all the stars in the sky. Only something a Tetan could acquire, their tastes unmatched. With a delighted smile, Henna took up the instruction panel, folded it as shown, and with furnish, threw it around her. Careful hands made sure to button the clasp and smooth any crevices.

"It is beautiful, Ariana. Truly. Thank you."

The master offered a short bow in return. It was still uncustomary at Hirata, but there were equals amongst her both in blood and rank. Still, the gesture felt too... distant for such an intimate gift. For a moment, Henna considered hugging the girl, then decided that may just set her in shakes after she had worked up all this courage to be here. Instead, she finally drifted to join her place on the bench.

"You do not have to apologize for your fear. I know this is all very.. new. Some of it goes against what we have been taught as Jedi after the Ruusan Reformation."

Conflict played across her brow a moment. In her youth, she had to make her own choices about where her loyalties had lay. This way of life was not even an option at that time.

"Tell me what it is that troubles you about it all. Maybe I can assist with making sense of it."