Private The Unusual Pairing (Complete)

[Jax Thio]

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Location: On a freighter entering the atmosphere of Kayshykk​

Equipment: Jedi Robes, Jax's Lightsaber​

Tag: Aveline Cuiléin​

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Jax dreamt that same dream again.​

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His head leaned against the window as sat alone in the back of the freighter tossing and turning whispering out for his dead master: Oda Marson. She was a true Jedi Master in, strong, calm and dutiful to the Galactic Alliance and the force. Oda was everything Jax wasn't which was why he wondered she took him as her padawan. Jax was talented especially when it came to Lightsaber combat but had trouble focusing on his training and had a reputation of being a prankster. A few masters already pegged Jax for Agricorps but Oda took Jax under her wing and taught Jax the mysteries of the force. In many ways she and Jax were polar opposites, her Lightsaber skills were a combination of Makashi and Niman two styles which banked themselves on precision and versatility while Jax was his age groups reigning Shii-Cho specialist: A basic but wild and unpredictable form. Oda was calm and never broke focus while Jax was easily distracted by almost everything. Jax also had a reputation of flirting with every woman he sees though nothing came up from it, Jax could tell that master Oda was annoyed but maintained her discipline.

Jax didn't tell Oda but she was the closest person she had to a mother. Even if he wasn't a perfect Padawan but he did appreciate her influence on Jax. Sometimes he wondered if the New Jedi Order would be better off if she was alive and he wasn't. One of his greatest feats was slaying Arthur the Remorseless in the battle of the Sandy Steps in the planet Tatooine a decade ago. Despite the media glorifying the battle, it was something Jax wanted to forget. It lead to the death of Oda who saved Jax life after he recklessly got himself surrounded by Arthur's men. She cleared the blaster assailants but the Mandalorian impaled her with his massive Cotorsis Greatsword. As she lay on the floor dying, Jax held her bloodied body his face full of tears.

"The force will always be with you," were her last words. "With the force, death is never final you must remember that my apprentice and always look forward."

Her death lead to Jax leading the rest of the troops in a bloody battle, the Padawan cut through as many Mandalorian as he could and met Arthur in the middle of the fight. A vicious melee ensued and it ended with Jax decapitating Arthur which effectively ended the battle. The Jedi Council promoted Jax to Jedi Knight but the feeling was hollow, there was no celebration for the young man only a period of mourning and trying to escape from Master Oda's death. Jax found that solution in Alcohol and his work as a Jedi Knight often working multiple missions in a span of a month. Jax woke up at the sound of the attendant: "We are entering the atmosphere of Kashykk," she announced. "Please remain seated until the pilot turns on the All Clear sign.

He sighed, a few days ago he received a message by the Silver Jedi Council that he has a surprise waiting for him. A "thank you" for assisting them during Yrvena's Plight. In honesty, Jax had forgotten that mission all ready. He and BB-12 drank their troubles away after that epic battle, allegedly the surprise was waiting for him on the landing pad. It would be rude of Jax to gift a Wampa in the mouth so he rather take the prize now and get it over with.

Hopefully it's a new Starfighter to replace his old one which was destroyed during Yrvena's Plight.

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[Aveline Cuiléin]

Safe to say, things had gotten heated lately for Aveline. Deneba... Yverna... She'd seen combat there. In one hand she had held life, in the other death, and she had delivered her judgement as she had seen fit. The young Padawan had been following orders, sure, and on Deneba it had been a matter of the survival of herself and her friends... But still. A life was not something lightly taken.

Was she still a a guardian of peace? Or a killer? Could she be one without the other?

Aveline walked up to the landing pad, watching as she did so a ship come in for landing. She was in the traditional Jedi robes, about a formal of a getup a Jedi could get. They itched something fierce today though, but she put it to the back of her mind. This was when she would get assigned to a master. In truth she had known already in the fight at Yverna, but she hadn't found the right time or place to tell him then.

She wasn't completely sure she knew how she felt about being assigned a master like this either. Not since Ebras had someone filled that role. After that it had been a mixture of tutors and masters handing off pieces of wisdom as she passed. And to make matters more complicated, he was a Jedi of the Galactic Alliance. She didn't much appreciate that her life and career was made into a political pawn. The goal was to deepen the bond between the two Jedi orders no doubt, a sign of friendship and cooperation... But why her?

Can't wait to get talked down to, she thought to herself as the ship set down. Did she even really need a master?

Jax Thio

 

[Jax Thio]

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Location: Kayshykk​

Equipment: Jedi Robes, Jax's Lightsaber​

Tag: Aveline Cuiléin​

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Jax groaned remaining on his seat, he continued to stare at the tall trees of Kayshykk despite the loud shutter of the freighter's large engines Jax could hear the sounds of birds passing above them. His mind was still scrambled, scattered it was hard to concentrate lately ever since Jax had been plagued by the death of his master. Oh how Jax wouldn't give to have a bottle of whiskey right now, every time he thought about Master Oda it would go downhill as his mind was occupied about his regrets for finding himself surrounded by thugs. Master Oda warned Jax hundreds of times to always be cautious and trust his instincts but Jax wanted glory, wanted to please and it ended up costing his master's life.​

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"Why was I so reckless?" Jax mumbled turning his gaze from the window and watching the occupants get and exit the freighter. "I mean in many ways I haven't changed one bit over the years. It should've been me not her, let me pay for my-"​

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The Jedi bit his tongue wishing for death was not the Jedi way, it wasn't the right way period. What happened, happened and there was mothing that Jax could do to change it. But remembering Oda still hurt twelve years later, the pain still hasn't subsided and each time it did, Jax would try to drown himself in alcohol to douse the flames. It was after all the only thing standing between Jax and mental degradation, Jax willed himself to get up and leave the freighter. As he found himself going down some stairs he was greeted by the lush forests of Kayshykk. The planet was home to the Silver Jedi and it was one of his favorite planets to be on. Wookie homeworld thankfully hasn't given in to modernization leaving a natural feel to the planet.​

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A refreshing change of pace compared to bustling and quite frankly foul smelling city planets that the majority of the Galactic Alliance space was filled with. As soon as his feet touched the landing pad, Jax found Aveline standing in the middle. The last time he saw the young woman was at Yverna's Plight a few days ago. Jax saved her life after she sustained a nasty landing and the two joined the Jedi Strike Team to assist them in repelling the raiders. Part of Jax wondered why was the force telling him to get to know her, why was the bond between them strengthening each time Jax thought about Aveline? It was strange but he chalked it up to the Force just giving him good karma or something.​

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"Aveline!" Jax gave the young woman a large grin. "You've come to greet me? The Silver contacted me a few days saying that I they have a gift for me for assisting them at Yverna. Come to lead me to them?"​

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[Aveline Cuiléin]

"Hey" Aveline said with a growing smile, walking over to greet him. Their encounter had been brief, and though the first impression hadn't knocked her off her boots... He had saved her. It'd been a high pressure situation for everyone, Aveline too. She could've easily died. In short, it felt good to see him again.

That is to say until he opened his mouth.

Her face drew into a blank expression. The young brunette was clearly not amused. "A gift? A gift!?" she repeated in disbelief. "Unbelievable" she threw her arms in the air and turned around, starting to walk off the hangar bay. Jax, she assumed would tag along. Or not. She was arguing with herself, with the council, with everyone at the moment.

"I am not a fething prize! I am not some karking accessory you put on. I am a kriffing person. Motherfething kath hounds" she cursed and kicked at an invisble rock.

"A gift." she scoffed again, then suddenly threw herself back around, walking with determined steps back towards Jax. "Should I have wrapped myself in red gift wrapper? Strung a little green bow tie on top? Honestly!" she groaned loudly, taking a deep breath. When she spoke again she was calmer, though not by much. "What's a girl gotta do to earn some respect around here"
Jax Thio

 

[Jax Thio]

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Location: Landing Pad, Kayshykk​

Equipment: Jedi Robes, Jax's Lightsaber​

Tag: Aveline Cuiléin​

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Jax was happy to see Aveline again, it was good to see her safe and sound. However he quickly sensed that something was off as she went on a rant that she wasn't an object. "Aveline?!" Jax's smile began to crack feeling embarrassment rather then a genuine grin that he flashed her half a second ago. "Chill with the cursing."​

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"Only adults can do that," he thought.​

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"What are you talking about?" Jax said his smile fading and his face becoming more serious. "I never said that you were a gift, I said that the Silvers said that they left me with a gift. I respect you plenty Aveline!"​

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He approached Aveline. "Perhaps you misread me my friend," he said placing a hand on her shoulder. "So are you here to escort me to the Silver council? Curious to see what they got for me!"​

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[Aveline Cuiléin]

They were off to a wonderful start again! Although Jax handled her little tantrum well, and allowed her to ride the waves of her anger until she calmed herself. If he'd fanned the flames, well... Things might have escalated further.

To say that Aveline was calm was perhaps not accurate. 'Contained' was more like it. She rolled her eyes and groaned, stepping off to the side but keeping close by. "I was told something too. To come here, and that my new master would be arriving shortly. I am the gift. I'm your new Padawan." Yippedi-fething-do. It wasn't that she wasn't excited about being assigned to a master, it was just the manner and the phrasing that ticked the little bomb off.

Aveline looked over her shoulder, to gauge his reaction as she told him. "This is a mutual thing. I am not a reward" she said through pursed lips and gritted teeth as she pointed a finger at him. Aveline sighed, dropping her arm. "Something about building bonds and strengthening the friendship between the Silver Jedi and the New Jedi Order." She didn't know if the Silver Council were on Kashyyyk, but some of its members surely were. They could probably get them on a holo-call in case he wanted a refund. She was very curious to see how he took the news.
Jax Thio

 

[Jax Thio]

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Location: Landing Pad, Kayshykk​

Equipment: Jedi Robes, Jax's Lightsaber​

Tag: Aveline Cuiléin​

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Wait WHAT?!​

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Jax stared at Aveline in a bemused expression, did he hear her correctly that she was his new Padawan? "A Padawan?" Jax said trying to use the force to quell Aveline's rising anger. "What is this about you being my padawan? I never requested a padawan." Especially from the Silvers, Jax knew that the NJO and Silvers were trying to strengthen relationships by exchanging padawans and masters with each other but it was usually through consent.​

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"Like I said Aveline you are not a reward, you're a young albeit snippy woman." Jax said already regretting the words that slipped from his mouth. "But I'm not the Jedi training type. I can barely train my Droid to not be act like a damn gluttonous idiot what makes the Silvers I can train a person?!"​

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Especially after his master's death, Jax felt that he was unworthy to train an apprentice. When Jax was knighted he earned the privilege of training other Padawans which was highly encouraged by the NJO. Jax refused to do so instead taking on missions that took him far away from the core worlds and commanded troops into battle. "Maybe the master was someone else," Jax looked behind knowing full well that there were no Jedi other than himself in the freighter. "No one is there frack me."​

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Jax placed a hand on his forehead. "This has to be mistake right?" he said forcing a smile. "Right?!"​

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[Aveline Cuiléin]

Jax's reaction, in a weird way, actually made her feel a little better. Maybe it was because she didn't feel so much like she was acting crazy. Maybe it was because he was trying to manipulate her via the Force. At the very least she didn't feel like a trophy, or a necklace.

Jax clearly had blurted out the part about her being snippy, perhaps (and tbf, rightly so) expecting her anger only to fire up even further. To his surprise then, the brunette actually burst out laughing. He wasn't wrong. "Oy, I heard your droid on Yverna. I wouldn't say he's trained..." Suppose that only backed up what Jax was saying.

"I never requested a master. But here we are" again, she threw up her arms. At least her tone was calm now. The two had seemingly switched roles. "I'd say this was a mistake, or a joke, but in my holo they definitely said you've been assigned Jax Thio of the New Jedi Order, and you definitely said that was your name, so."

Aveline sighed. Deeply. "Suppose this is all some giant test on us both, eh?" Kark, it probably was. Him, with his inability to train a person, his words, and her with her... Well, own issues.
Jax Thio

 

[Jax Thio]

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Location: Kayshykk​

Equipment: Jedi Robes, Jax's Lightsaber​

Tag: Aveline Cuiléin​

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Aveline was not as happy about this revelation as Jax was, for some odd reason that made him relieved. Right now what matters was that he needed to get to the bottom of this. Who the hell had the idea to assign Jax a Padawan? "I know that Aveline," Jax mumbled. "That damn droid has a mind of his own." Part of Jax thought that BB-12 was pranking him but then again he's been filling his circuits with Cola and sweets lately. BB-12 was just as sluggish as a Hutt when they don't have anything to eat.​

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"Didn't think Silvers can request for a master," Jax said placing his hands on his hips. "They're usually chosen in the NJO, but we don't get forced into training padawans."​

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Aveline then mentioned that she received a holotape that she was assigned to Jax. The Jedi raised an eyebrow, "that is interesting," he said. "Maybe this is test for both of us though I'm not sure what. Do you have this Holo? May I check its contents?"​

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He wanted to slice the Holo and try to track where the message came from. Perhaps it'll give Jax an answer on who the hell was fracking with them.​

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[Aveline Cuiléin]

She shrugged. "Normally you get told you're ready, and formally introduced to your master. I guess the masters must think I'm ready" Whether she was or not time would tell. She had attended many a group lesson, following the education of other Padawans, sitting in on lessons both basic and advanced. Suppose she should feel grateful that they had deemed her ready for more in-field experience. The next path of her learning lay before her.

"Though to get a master outside the Order... That's unconventional" Again she shrugged, by way of saying 'sure' as she handed him her a mini holoprojector from one of her pockets. "Help yourself." She played the track, and sure enough, Jax would hear his name spoken aloud in connection to Aveline.

"NJO not really on top of the flow of information game, are they?" she chuckled. It was a little funny to her that she seemed to know more about this than him at this point. But gauging from his reaction, if he knew what awaited him he might've never showed up. Even now she didn't know what to expect.

Jax Thio

 

[Jax Thio]

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Location: Kashyyyk​

Equipment: Jedi Robes, Jax's Lightsaber​

Tag: Aveline Cuiléin​

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Jax wondered how often cross training happened between the NJO and the Silvers. He didn't pay attention to their join operations despite Jax working part time with the Silver Order. Jax never considered himself a teacher, he was considered by his fellow Jedi to be difficult to handle and even during Yrvena's Plight, he annoyed Master Caltin Vanagor when he complained about not getting credit. "A Jedi is seeks humility not glory," Jax could hear the words of Master Oda echoing in his head. If Aveline deserved a master, it would've been Oda who should be teaching her not Jax. He was not fit for this kind of thing, he hardly knew himself at times.​

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"Admittedly I'm not too involved with the affairs between the Silvers and NJO," Jax muttered activating the Holoprojector. "Unless there's a mission involved." Jax spent the past years drowning himself in missions no matter how perilous they may be. He found it comforting to travel the galaxy while also distracting himself from his master's death. There was no mission deemed too suicidal nor difficult, if there was a mission to be done then Jax would take it on. If left to his own thoughts, then a douse of alcohol was enough to mercifully dull his memories of his dying master. "Why Master Oda?" Jax thought. "Why did you have to die? Why was I so weak? Maybe.... just maybe if you let me-"​

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The Holoprojector showed a Jedi shrouded in a hood, it was hard to make out what he or she was saying. The voice was distorted perhaps due to problems on Aveline's end or their end. However, Jax managed to get the gist of it Aveline was to be assigned to Jax as her master. "Like I said Aveline," Jax muttered refiling through his pocket and taking out a data chip. "I'm not involved the affairs between the Silvers and the NJO," inserting the datachip into the projector. "Something about this Holoprojector though," he said frowning. "Just going to check something, mind leading me to whoever is in charge with placing padawans with their masters?"​

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[Aveline Cuiléin]

"Ah, fair enough" she said absent-mindedly and with a nod. She'd gotten the impression he was a pretty diehard NJO fella, but perhaps not. To be a Jedi alone was enough. Group mentality and tribalism seemed to her unnecessary and trivial, and more dangerously; a distraction from the real threats that lay in wait on the edge of light.

"Heyy, what are you doing?" She took a step forwards and held out a hand, as if to take the projector back but she didn't actually make a move to do so just yet. Was he hacking her? She didn't get it. Did he question the Silver Assembly? Or did he perhaps think this was a ploy by a very bored Sith? "What was that thing you put in?" She wasn't a data expert.

"Umm... I don't know if there's one person in charge of that alone. I don't know who that'd be in any case. I figured it's the Silver Assembly as a whole?" As for leading him to them... She raised a hand again, this time pointing back at the ship he came from. "Well you could always hop back on a transport that'll take you to Commenor. That's our capital."

But of course, the Assembly wasn't always in session. With duty calling, there was a good chance the Masters would be scattered anyway. "I'm sure there's someone here on Kashyyyk though, if you really want to know." On one hand she didn't know what good could come from it... The Masters hardly seemed prone to changing their mind once they settled on something. On the other... Actually hearing their reasoning spelt out to them could be interesting.

"Follow me." She turned, and headed back the way she came from, moving back towards Silver Rest. "How're you finding Kashyyyk so far? Ever been?" It turned out that when she wasn't throwing a temper tantrum, she actually could manage a little small talk.

Jax Thio

 

[Jax Thio]

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Location: Kashyyyk​

Equipment: Jedi Robes Jax's Lightsaber​

Tag: Aveline Cuiléin​

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"Just trying to adjust for a better quality signal," Jax said to Aveline when she asked what he was doing, it did look sudden and suspicious but Jax secretly was trying to track whoever was in the Holoprojector. Everything about that hooded Jedi just seemed off to him, the chip gave off a green light and Jax immediately removed the chip and casually tossed it to Aveline. "Had trouble fixing it," he shrugged placing the small device inside his pocket. "Perhaps you need a Holoprojector or maybe the problem is on the Jedi's end."​

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He looked back at the freighter but the ship already took off heading into the atmosphere surprising a ship that size can launch without making a lot of noise. "Seessh didn't notice that the ship was gone," Jax said scratching his head. "What hell is that freighter? A stealth ship?"​

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Jax began following Aveline assuming that she was leading him to Silver Rest. It was the Silver's Jedi Temple not as impressive as the Jedi Temple in Corascant but still an impressive sight to behold. "It's a nice place," Jax responded. "Been here a couple of times for missions, the only complaint I have are the Wookies constant howling especially on Life Day. Their roars can travel for miles."​

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The Jedi internally groaned remembering barely sleeping when it felt like every Wookie on the planet was yelling when Jax visited Kashykk. Those Wookies while lovable can really be grating at times. "So Aveline," Jax asked if she was his padawan then might as well get to know her a little better. "Where are you from exactly? What were you doing before you became to the Silvers?"​

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[Aveline Cuiléin]

Aveline laughed at his comment about the freighter. She too hadn't noticed it was about to take off. But in their defence, they'd both been hit with a bit of a bombshell, although Aveline had had slightly more time to process it all. "Don't let the Wookies hear you say that" She laughed again. Kashyyyk was starting to feel like a home to her. She didn't mind the Wookies so much, but then again, she'd never really had that much Wookie-interaction. They were big, a little scary, and prone to angry outbursts. Wouldn't want her arm ripped off just because a Wookie was having a bad hair day.

Aveline took a deep sigh before answering Jax Thio . It was a heavy and loaded question. "I grew up on Nubia. Countryside. Nowhere too crowded. It was just my mentor and I for the most part... We'd travel a bit, I guess. Sometimes he'd leave me alone, sometimes he'd take me with me." She said with a shrug, not allowing the pause to linger long before she spoke again. "If you're asking where I was born... I don't really know. I joined the Silvers like... I don't know, maybe two years ago? Must be something like that. But I've been training for this whole 'Jedi' thing for as long as I can remember. My destiny, innit?"

It was a rather informal way of speaking to someone who was supposed to be her master, but, well... Jax didn't give off the same vibe as the Jedi Masters she was used to here. "What about you? When did you know you were going to become a Jedi?" She threw a similar question back at him.

 

[Jax Thio]

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Location: Kashyyyk​

Equipment: Jedi Robes Jax's Lightsaber​

Tag: Aveline Cuiléin​

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"I know," Jax sighed again. "There was a phrase that goes among gamblers and card players throughout the Galaxy: Let the Wookie win." It shouldn't be a surprise considering Wookies were known for their temper. Jax had fought with them a couple of times and was amazed of their speed and strength. The ability to rip a droid to pieces using nothing more than their bare hands was simultaneously awe-inspiring and terrifying. Being a Sabacc player, whenever Jax sees a Wookie at the table he would try to go easy on him for fear of having his arms removed from their sockets if he wins.​

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The Jedi listened intently to her backstory seeing the other Jedi mediate or practice with their Lightsaber skills while they walked. So Aveline grew up in Nubia as a country girl and traveled with a mentor? Where was her parents? Dead? Was she like Jax? Didn't know her parents? He decided not to pry for questions like that can have a person relive painful memories. Like Jax, Aveline doesn't remember where she was born at which caused the Jedi to frown, that's another thing that they have in common. It may not be hobbies like Jax observe some Jedi masters and their padawans bonding over but for Jax and Aveline it was the fact that they don't have any blood relatives that they remember.​

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"Destiny," Jax chuckled. "Funny thing about destiny, it's never pre-determined. The future is always in motion, just because you see a vision of yourself dying in action doesn't mean it's set in stone. Which is why you have to not worry about the future too much and focus on the here and now where it belongs: The Living Force in other words."​

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Was that his first lecture? If so, Jax felt like some wise Jedi master stroking his wizened beard giving sage advice. It felt good, as though he was passing down knowledge that only he knew to a person eager to learn. Was Aveline eager to learn? Perhaps but Jax rather make sure that he was legitimately assigned to Aveline before he strokes his own ego again.​

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"When I was born," Jax shrugged when they exited the landing pad. "I was left at the Jedi Temple as a baby so no memories of my parents or relatives. Though there are times I wish I knew who they were so I can find out if they sold me to Temple for drinking money or they sensed that I was strong in the force. I spent most of my life on Corascant pulling pranks, dominating in Lightsaber tournaments, pulling pranks, giving Jedi Masters headaches, did I mention I liked pulling pranks as a child?"​

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Thinking back, Jax was really load to handle as a child. A combination of curiosity and the need to explore, there was one point that he briefly considered leaving the Jedi Order to explore the world when came of age. Thankfully that didn't come to fruition since he had the best of both worlds. "I was trained by my a Master," Jax continued his breathing more haggard. "She goes by the name Oda...... I've learned a lot from her."​

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[Aveline Cuiléin]

"Suppose that's true. I intend to make my vision true, however" she said with some determination. The way he mentioned the Living Force made her smile though. It's been a while since she'd heard that phrase. "My old mentor used to talk about the Living Force too. That, and don't listen to everything the Jedi tell you. Make up your own mind" she chuckled at the thought. At least that was a fond memory.

Aveline looked long at him once he got personal and shared his own background. It gave her pause to think, and she didn't speak for another few moments. She just nodded slowly, before finally speaking up. "I've got no memories of my parents either." In truth, their story sounded very similar. "I was dropped off as a kid. Don't remember much. That mentor I mentioned? He found me, lived with him ever since. Raised me and trained me."

Jax Thio

 

[Jax Thio]

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Location: Kashyyyk​

Equipment: Jedi Robes, Jax's Lightsaber​

Tag: Aveline Cuiléin​

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Jax chuckled at Aveline's response, he had to admire her dream of becoming a Jedi Knight. It seems beneath the tantrum throwing and the snarkiness lay a good heart. In many ways, Jax was like Aveline wanting to become a Jedi but yet want to stick to his own path rather than mindlessly following Jedi doctrine. "Well you're lucky that you learned about the principles of the Living Force early," Jax said continuing to walk. "I mean I was always rebellious as kid but I was a restless kid, a rebel without a cause you know?"​

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This mentor was the opposite of Master Oda, Oda believed in the goodness of the Jedi and constantly taught Jax about showing compassion and understanding. While Jax does have compassion, the methods that he often uses were less than conventional combined with his butting heads with Jedi officials it made him somewhat of a black sheep in the Jedi Order. "Who was your mentor?" Jax asked. "Sounds like an interesting person."​

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His eyebrows raised when Aveline informed him of her background. "Oh," Jax said when she finished. "It seems that you and I have a lot in common my ambitious apprentice."​

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Jax stopped wondering what the hell did he just say, the words left his mouth but It wasn't Jax who said them. It was though the force was compelling him to say those words as if he was meant to bond with Aveline. The Jedi sighed, he wasn't meant for this he was meant to take on missions that were perilous and suicidal barely escape, drink himself to death while enduring the snide remarks of BB-12 who gorges himself in Pizza and Nachos and party on. As much as Jax tries hide it through snark and a devil may care attitude there were times that he felt that he was unworthy of becoming a Jedi Knight.​

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"Sorry about that," Jax said traces of fear were evident in his tone. "I-I don't know If I'm capable of training you Aveline. You would be better off being trained by someone like my Master before she-"​

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The Jedi sighed heavily, memories of his old master still flickered in his mind. Just for once could the force let him live his life instead trying to fit him in a place that he clearly is not cut out for?​

 

[Aveline Cuiléin]

Aveline nodded and smiled as he talked about his past as a bit of a rebellious child and a prankster.

"He was a Grey Jedi named Ebras. Heard of those?" She asked, curiously. Extra curious was she to hear his interpretation of the Grey Jedi, if he had any. She hadn't met anyone who were familiar with them yet, and to be honest, aside from Ebras, she wasn't entirely sure she understood it either. To her it seemed much like being a regular Jedi, only one wasn't affiliated with any Jedi Order.

She laughed, briefly. Not maliciously, but almost as if a reaction to being called 'my ambitious apprentice'. She hadn't expected that one, and her guard was down. "So I am your apprentice now after all?" The mood was certainly lighter than it had been. Aveline had calmed from that initial misunderstanding in their greeting.

Jax Thio showed a different side of himself as he apologised and suggested he might not be the right one to train her. "Probably. But you're not so bad, Jax" she laughed, and gave the side of his left arm a friendly punch.

Finally they passed by inner gardens and made it into the temple proper.

 

[Jax Thio]

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Location: Name (optional)​

Equipment: Jax's Lightsaber​

Tag: Aveline Cuiléin​

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Jax could barely feel that punch Aveline gave him, sure it was a friendly and not intended to hurt him but judging by her slender frame it was unlikely that she could hurt anyone. A quick sense of Aveline though did give Jax the impression that she was very strong with the force potentially as strong as he was. Maybe he could get a midi-chlorian count from her and he can determine how connected she was to the force, though given how midi-chlorians were deemed too controversial by the NJO it would be tough to get it. Why were Jedi always so concerned with the spiritual side? There were so much that they don't know about the relationship between the midi-chlorians and the force. If it weren't for the midi-chlorians, there were be no way that the force could breathe life into living beings.​

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"You're rough around the edges Aveline," Jax said. "You're like a baby lion: Clawless, toothless, but determined to be the best and you possess a great deal of potential."​

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The Jedi stopped at the entrance of the Temple and placed his hand on Aveline's shoulder. Did it matter that they were assigned together, Jax began to realize that the force was trying to put them together. That was what he felt back when he rescued Aveline back at the battle of Yrvena it wasn't just that Aveline was strong in the force but it was the force telling him that they were both meant to be together. To learn from each other, Jax wasn't the one to obey authority and even if there was a mistake he would deny them and say it was the will of the force that guided him. In this case this was the force's will.​

​

"Aveline," Jax said. "You know what? Forget it, there's no need for us to go confirm it." The Jedi closed his eyes. "I can feel the force bringing us together," he whispered. "It's as though we are connected but not through our stories of parental abandonment or even our personalities. But the way the force is linking us. Sometimes it's best not to listen to what a person says, they are flawed beings like the rest of us."​

​

Taking her hand, Jax opened his eyes placed Aveline's hand on her chest. "Breathe," he said. "And close your eyes, concentrate and rely on your instincts. What does the force tell you? Are you meant to be my padawan?"​

​

 

[Aveline Cuiléin]

Jax Thio was doing it again. She wondered if it was intentional, the way he poked and prodded at her, subtly belittling her in-between compliments. "Who're you calling toothless?" said with brows furrowed. She'd show him toothless. She wasn't having it though. Toothless.

"Yeah?" She asked, stopping before the entrance. It seemed they both had needed time to let things sink in. "Maybe you're right" what he said gave her a lot to think about. She did feel, somehow and for whatever reason, that the Force was moving such that their paths overlapped. To what end and for how long she did not know.

Aveline watched him with caution as he took her hand. She took a step back after, letting her hand fold down by her side after creating a comfortable distance. Slowly her eyes closed, and she opened herself to the Force. What did it tell her? There were no words, only the calm gust of a gentle wind on her cheek. She felt at ease, ready to shoulder any burden or take on any challenge that lay before her. Much like the Jedi robes she wore, they were not chosen for comfort, but there was a lesson in there. About humility and restraint.

"I think..." she spoke at last. "You are my test. And I will be a great test to you. We will either overcome or fall, but we will come out the stronger for it if we do. We will expose our weaknesses to ourselves, and show the path for growth. I don't want to question the Force. Ours paths have probably been set for a reason."