Faction Welcome to the Temple! | TJO (Invite only)

[Zaiya Ceti]

Outfit: x x x x x | Equipment: x x x x x x | Weapons: x x x | Companion: Domxite
Interacting with: Oryn Selvar Daxin Veyr Del Mirah
OOC: Anyone else may ask me for an invite if you would like to join as an Initiate/paddy mentor or a new Padawan. The goal will be to check how we all vibe and see who to assign as Dormmates.

Zaiya practically bounced the last few steps into the hall, her presence arriving before she did in a soft shimmer of shifting colors from teal and gold in joyful excitement.

"Oh! You're here!!" the Lovalla beamed, clasping her hands together as if she might actually start clapping and had to restrain herself.

The Jedi Knight tried very hard to stand still, but couldn't help the slight tiny bounce on the tippy toes of her boots, her colorful hair giving a gentle sway as the magenta, teal, and cobalt blue strands brushed along her shoulders.

"Hi! Hello! Welcome to the Jedi Temple -- this is where the everything starts." Her grin widened, eyes bright with unmistakable delight. "Which is very exciting and only a little overwhelming, but that's okay, because that's where I come in."

She placed a hand over her chest with a small, proud lift of her chin.

"I'm Zaiya! Jedi Knight Zaiya Ceti -- and I get to be your orientation guide and Initiate Mentor until you are assigned a Master or placed in the Service Corps." She revealed, giving a delighted little joyful clap as the Empath studied each and everyone one of the Padawan's aura through the Force, trying to see how the Force painted them on its canvas.

That was what the Lovalla was able to do. See the bonds and how emotions and auras colored an individual and the Force around her.

"So-o if you're confused, or nervous, or accidentally wander into a room you weren't supposed to be in…" she leaned in slightly, lowering her voice in playful conspiracy, "…that last one happens more than you'd think…"

She straightened again, rocking back on the balls of her feet as the glow over her mottled spots shifted into a calm, reassuring blue.

"I've got you!"

The Lovalla then panned a quick glance across the group, taking each of them in.

"First rule of being here?" Zaiya added with a wide, bright smile. "You don't have to have it all figured out. None of us did when we started."

A second passed, and she added with the utmost seriousness.

"…also second rule is don't eat mystery snacks from the training rooms, but we'll get to that later."

 

[Del Mirah]

Tags: Zaiya Ceti | Daxin Veyr | Oryn Selvar

Del shifted her weight, gripping her datapad. The transition from Initiate to Padawan had been a long time coming, especially since she had joined the Order later than most. Back home, her peers understood her drive, but here, her focus was often mistaken for abrasiveness. Other students whispered that no Master would take on someone so rigid. Del ignored them. She had moved into the Padawan dormitories with an organized efficiency, viewing this new beginning as a chance to prove her worth through sheer competence.

She hadn't expected their orientation to be led by a woman who looked like a spilled palette of watercolors. Del watched Knight Ceti with growing skepticism, her brow furrowing as the Lovalla bounced on her toes. The sheer amount of energy radiating from the woman was distracting. Del glanced around the group, spotting Daxin, a broody Zeltron she'd met recently, and a Nautolan whose name escaped her. Most of the other Padawans seemed charmed, but Del felt only a mounting sense of disorder.

When Zaiya mentioned the Service Corps, Del's jaw tightened. Failure wasn't an option. She wasn't here to become a glorified gardener or a technician for the Corps, she was here to be a Jedi. To achieve that, she needed structure, not whimsical anecdotes about mystery snacks. The lack of a formal syllabus for this meeting was already grating on her nerves.

Del clicked her stylus and raised her hand, her posture straight as a vibroblade. She didn't wait to be called on for long.

"Those don't sound like actual rules," Del said, her voice crisp and devoid of the Knight's airy playfulness. "Could you please inform us of the official mandates and temple protocols? I'd prefer the standing regulations over made-up ones, if you don't mind."

She poised her stylus over the screen, waiting for something quantifiable to record. If she was going to navigate this new life, she needed a map, not a pep talk.

 

[Xuko Pagoi]

If Zaiya examined Xuko's aura, the Iridonain's solid presence would be colored by a general sense of unease; as if every situation was mildly overwhelming. The Zabrak had arrived at the temple on Naboo only a few days ago, and rumors had quickly spread that Xuko's prior memories had been wiped or stolen not long before he'd arrived. That Xuko had spent most of his time in the medbay since arriving only lent credence to those rumors.

If left to his own devices, Xuko wasn't sure that he'd have chosen this particular activity; orientation with his peers at the hands of a bubbly Jedi Knight. What he really wanted was time to himself; to think, to process, and to try to peer through the haze clouding his memories. But according to the healers, socialization would be good for him, and so here he was. The one thing his brain did seem to be good at was sizing others up; a survival instinct, Xuko reckoned. He did it almost unconsciously, sorting information and observations about those around him.

His brain started with the Mikkan ( Del Mirah ), since the two of them were standing somewhat nearby each other. Tall, composed, and almost stiff in her movements, she carried herself with confidence. Her rigidity implied discipline and structure, which meant that an unorthodox approach- a shift in timing or style, for example- could potentially throw her off. The Mikkan was one who demanded conformity.

It was also a style that clashed spectacularly with that of the Jedi Knight in charge ( Zaiya Ceti ). If Del was ice, Zaiya was water; sparkling, flowing, and difficult to suppress, capable of wearing down even the toughest stones if given enough time. Her breezy style appeared authentic, but Xuko also guessed that it served the double purpose of putting nervous Padawans at ease.

Or, in the Mikkan's case, unintentionally push their buttons.

"Perhaps they are more like guidelines" Xuko offered, seeking to head off any confrontation before it reached a head.

 

[Daxin Veyr]

Del Mirah Zaiya Ceti Xuko Pagoi

The room settled around Zaiya's energy. She was bright and energetic and enthusiastic. Daxin naturally reverberated with that energy. He grinned back at her.

Daxin was also watching the effect on the others around him.

"Those don't sound like actual rules," Del said, her voice crisp and devoid of the Knight's airy playfulness. "Could you please inform us of the official mandates and temple protocols? I'd prefer the standing regulations over made-up ones, if you don't mind."

Del didn’t just seem to resist the enthusiasm, she actively braced against the whimsy.

That tracked.

Daxin raised his hand.

"Hi everyone, I'm Daxin and I would like some more rules please too," he added. He could barely even manage the sarcasm.

He was a little old for a fresh start, but after the incident he had been stood down from active training. This was probably his final chance.

 

[Oryn Selvar]

​

Tags: Zaiya Ceti | Del Mirah | Daxin Veyr | Xuko Pagoi

It was a new dawn for Oryn's career as a Jedi. It began with melancholy. His surroundings did their best to offset his gloom, and very nearly succeeded. Surely the beauty of Naboo's Jedi Temple was unmatched, its smooth, flowing lines and elegant domes married to natural splendor of cascading waterfalls and lush greenery woven through the spaces between. His new life began here, but it was hard not to think of it as his last chance to become a Jedi. He was becoming too old to be a Padawan. If not this, what was next for him? AgriCorps? Force forbid.

Turning the corner, he was swiftly introduced to the little group. The Jedi Knight who was their guide was certainly colorful, in more ways than one. Zaiya's mood was infectious, giddy, and it was hard not to smile. She certainly wasn't intimidating, despite the rank. The positivity was inviting, and he wanted to wash himself in it. As he shuffled in and listened to the introduction speech, he felt his nerves and concerns begin to be carried away on a wave headed for distant shores.

"I'm Oryn. Oryn Selvar" he said with a kind smile to the group when it was his turn.

Zaiya was right, it was overwhelming. But he didn't have to have it all figured out. Force knew he hadn't. Of course, it had been a long time since he started his journey to become a Jedi… Now he was closer to the end than ever before. His sea of thoughts became tainted by a sense of foreboding creeping up - wait, there's snacks in the training room?

Oryn looked over to Del who spoke up. He'd actually been taken for a Mikkian a few times, and wondered if she'd ever been mistaken for a Nautolan. Del was fascinating, her presence felt both tight and contained, almost like a sealed container under pressure. There was a rigid focus to be envied, and… Did he taste fear amongst it all? If it was, it was faint, and it wasn't in any way mingled with the usual panic. It instead mixed in her emotional current, which overall he interpreted as a shell of iron resolve hardened around a core of worry. Or was he simply projecting? It certainly described him well enough. Well, apart from the iron resolve… Kriff…

"That the snack rule came up this early is... concerning. How many learned that one hard way?" Oryn shot in with a careful grin, leaning in to the current gag and trying to let all else but the present evaporate into mist.

 

[Del Mirah]

Tags: Zaiya Ceti | Xuko Pagoi | Daxin Veyr | Oryn Selvar

"They aren't guidelines. She said rules. Rules are specific and unwavering," Del snapped, turning her sharp gaze toward Xuko. She didn't appreciate the Zabrak's attempt to soften her inquiry. Order was the only thing keeping the chaos of this transition at bay, and she had no intention of letting it slide into "guidelines."

Before she could press the Knight further, Daxin chimed in with a mock-serious request for more rules. Del swung her head toward him, her head-tendrils whipping with the motion as she narrowed her eyes. He was clearly making fun of her, and her patience for his sarcasm was already nonexistent in this trying time.

Zaiya didn't seem bothered by the tension. Instead, she practically floated toward Xuko, her aura shimmering in ripples of warm, sympathetic violet. To her empathic sight, the Zabrak felt like a static-heavy transmitter, flickering with an unease that tugged at her heart. She leaned in close, her mottled spots glowing with a soft, pulsing light. "Oh, you poor thing! You feel like a tangled ball of yarn," she chirped, her voice a soothing melody. "But don't you worry your horns about it. We're going to get all those knots smoothed out together!"

The mention of snacks by Oryn momentarily broke Del's stare-off with Daxin. Realizing she hadn't followed the social script, she stiffened her shoulders. "I am Del Mirah, from At Attin," she declared, her tone suggesting that her origin alone should explain her high standards.

Zaiya bounced back into the center of the semi-circle, her colors shifting into a vibrant, sunrise orange that radiated reassurance. "It is perfectly okay to feel anxious or completely overwhelmed!" Zaiya exclaimed, clapping her hands. "New beginnings are just big, scary boxes of potential. But since we're all friends now, let's get you settled." She spun on her heel and began a skip-step down the hall toward the residential wing. "Follow me! Dormitory tour starts now!"

The Mikkian marched begrudgingly behind the Knight, her datapad held like a shield. "Since I am the only female Padawan in this group, I assume I will be assigned my own private room and refresher," she stated. It was a matter of basic logistics and privacy.

The Lovella let out a melodic giggle, glancing back over her shoulder. "Oh, don't be silly, Del! Everyone gets their own room here. We aren't monsters!"

Zaiya led them into a bright, airy common area. The space featured comfortable seating, a shared kitchenette stocked with canisters, and several doors leading to individual sleeping quarters. "Alrighty! This is your hub!" The Knight announced, gesturing grandly to the shared living space. "You share the kitchen and the lounge so you can bond and grow together. You will be one big loving team!"

Del stared at the communal sofa in disbelief. "The Order expects us to live this closely together?" she asked, her voice rising in pitch. "The University of At Attin provides significantly more square footage for thousands of enrollees. Surely the Jedi Temple has more accommodations than this?" The idea of being forced into constant proximity with Daxin's jokes and the strangers beside her was a logistical nightmare she hadn't prepared for.

 

[Xuko Pagoi]

If Xuko was cowed by Del's tone or glare, he didn't show it. "I am sure that Knight Zaiya thought it important to share them for a reason" he replied, with a slight shrug. The Zabrak could see where Del was coming from in wanting more tangible information, but that didn't seem to be the vibrant Jedi's style. If he had to guess, Del simply was looking for different rules; it was the perceived lack of structure in other areas that was getting to her.

But before Xuko could respond further, he was the subject of Zaiya's attention; something about yarn and knots and smashing. Xuko didn't quite follow the metaphor, but his brain did analyze the two newcomers, Daxin and Oryn.

Daxin immediately picked up on Del's theme about rules and further poked the bear. Whether the Zeltron sought escalation or simply responded to heightened tension Xuko didn't know, but that one would bear watching. Xuko didn't feel inherently threatened by Daxin, but he did note the scars on his face. A fighter.

Then there was Oryn. The Nautolan had the steady presence of one who only spoke when they had something to say; rarely the first voice raised in a conversation, but one who contributed nonetheless. If the four of them were to be a cohort, Oryn had the potential to be the glue that held them together.

Xuko introduced himself when it was his turn, keeping his introduction brief. Not only was he not one to waste words, but there also wasn't a lot that he could share about himself. Instead, he resigned himself to the tour.

Their first stop was the dormitory, where Xuko looked over the accommodations with quiet approval; even if he wasn't convinced that the four of them would grow to be a "loving team", as the Jedi Knight suggested. Love was a romantic emotion, and Xuko felt a strange detachment in that area... something else besides his memories that seemed to be missing.

The rooms themselves were simple, spartan and, according to Del, far too small. Xuko had no idea what the University of At Attin was, but he didn't see anything that concerned him about the hub.

The Zabrak walked towards one of the doors leading off from the main hub; presumably, one of the private rooms Zaiya had mentioned. A panel on the wall glowed softly; these were activated by one's handprint, apparently. Xuko tried it and it flashed red. "This room will not allow me to enter" he said, puzzled.

Zaiya Ceti Del Mirah Daxin Veyr Oryn Selvar

 

[Daxin Veyr]

Daxin watched the exchange without interrupting this time, his attention moving between them in small, deliberate shifts. Del pushing for structure. Xuko smoothing edges. Zaiya… being Zaiya.

It was a strange mix.

He let Xuko try the door first, noting the red flash, the brief pause that followed. His gaze flicked to the panel, then to Zaiya, then back again.

"If you move out," Daxin told Del, "we'd all have more square footage and could host a party?"

 

[Oryn Selvar]

​

Oryn worried for a moment that the banter would escalate into something more serious, but tensions were steadied, perhaps by Zaiya's reassuring and calming aura. Caught between uptight frustration, joking nonchalance and subtle waves trying to calm it all down, Oryn was feeling a little dizzy. The path up to their dorm was spent drawing in calming breaths, and trying to steady himself.

Oryn tied to latch onto the light-hearted waves of Zaiya's emotions, but the undercurrent of Del's frustration was pulling him in. The negative emotions had a way of always settling deeper than the alternative. And what even was an At Attin? "If you want better accommodations, make Knight." he said, walking past Del to examine his own quarters. He hadn't snapped, had he? No, he had been perfectly calm... Okay, perhaps not perfectly, a little direct, but...

He needed to center himself. Deep breaths, feel the Force. There is emotion, but you can find peace.

Oryn walked the common area, taking in the sight. It suited his standards. He wasn't really sure he had any. How much time would he spend here anyway? "How far to the nearest training room?" he asked, before falling step with the rest of the group. Nothing to clear the mind like lightsaber drills. Aggressive meditations.

The panel came up red from Xuko's hand. Interesting he thought. It offered privacy, even if he owned nothing to keep private.

'If you move out, we'd all have more square footage and could host a party'

Del and Daxin couldn't feel further apart. Instead of bracing for impact in anticipation of Del's reaction to Dax's joke, Oryn distracted himself by stepping up next to Xuko and placed his hand on the panel.

"Huh. Green. I guess this is me"

Zaiya Ceti | Del Mirah | Xuko Pagoi | Daxin Veyr

 

[Zaiya Ceti]

Outfit: x x x x x | Equipment: x x x x x x | Weapons: x x x | Companion: Domxite
Interacting with: Xuko Pagoi Daxin Veyr Del Mirah Oryn Selvar

Zaiya only seemed to be more amused at Del's aghast at the thought that they would be rooming so close together.

"This isn't bad at all!" the Lovalla sang, giving a wide grin, "You each will have your own room and refresher. Imagine if you had to share a room!"

Of course, the colorful Knight only paused to consider such a scenario, and it was evident with the ripple of happy color tones and bioluminescence shimmering off of her rosy golden skin that it was an excellent prospect.

"You know, that sounds like it would be an even better way to make friends!" She beamed, once again giving a little clap that made her bangles jingle in a light melody that seemed to tease Del.

With a playful wink over towards Xuko for his assurance that her sharing those tidbits about the gym snacks being important, the Lovalla Knight continued the tour, addressing the comment Daxin made regarding Del's moving out.

"Now now, no moving out. This is one of the best ways to make connections within the Order and as you go out on volunteer missions and training." Zaiya explained, adding, "But a party does sound lovely! It is a great way to mingle. One of the first parties I went to when I first join the Order was a fellow padawans birthday party!"

The Lovalla padded along, taking in Oryn's question. "We have several training facilities, it just depends on what sort of training you would like or if you are searching for a general practice room."

"So, does anyone have a particular type of training they like to do or want to learn?"

 

[Del Mirah]

Tags: Zaiya Ceti | Xuko Pagoi | Daxin Veyr | Oryn Selvar

Del shot Oryn a sharp look when he suggested she simply "make Knight" to improve her living conditions. "I will be there significantly faster than you," she shot back, her tone thick with arrogance. As Zaiya continued to babble about the joys of shared living, Del surveyed the common room with a critical eye. Living in such close quarters with these boys was a logistical disaster. She already viewed them as a collection of disorganized womp rats.

Her head swung toward Daxin when he mentioned hosting parties. The idea of loud, unsanctioned gatherings in a place of learning was preposterous. "Surely there are regulations against festivities within the dormitories? This is the Jedi Order, not a gathering for Sith acolytes looking to carouse," she said, punctuating her point with a cold glare in Daxin's direction. She needed the Knight to cite a code of conduct immediately, but Zaiya seemed more interested in reminiscing about birthday parties than enforcing discipline.

Seeking an escape, Del moved to the farthest door in the hub, hoping distance would provide some semblance of a barrier. She pressed her hand to the panel and felt a surge of relief when it glowed green. The room inside was rough but functional. She noted the desk first, it was large enough to accommodate her datapad and several reference cylinders. She could already see herself holing up here to study, far away from the distractions of her roommates.

Zaiya's voice drifted in, asking what specific training they were interested in pursuing. Del stepped back out into the common area, her expression one of weary pragmatism. She gestured vaguely toward the three boys. "We will need to prioritize the practical aspects of Force healing if these are the Padawans I'll be dealing with," she said dryly. "They are bound to get themselves into trouble sooner or later, and someone will need to know how to fix the damage."

 

[Xuko Pagoi]

As Daxin continued pushing Del's buttons, Xuko revised his initial read on the Zeltron. The scars on their face were less likely to be a result of Daxin searching for a fight and more likely because a fight found him.

At least there was a private room that he could retreat to when he desired solitude. Xuko ended up finding his own room; situated between Del's and Daxin's, which meant that by some small mercy that the Zeltron and Mikkian were not next-door neighbors. Oryn's room was located directly across the common area from Xuko's, completing the loop, with the shared common space in the center.

Xuko inspected the sparsely-furnished room, deeming it to be sufficient. Xuko wasn't one to seek out luxuries or comforts with much frequency, and as a result the simple room was something of a relief. A desk, a 'fresher, and a bed with a small table next to it were the main features; a second glance revealed that a small dresser/storage space was built into the bottom of the bed. The drawer appeared to also open with one's handprint. Xuko opened his and found a couple clean sets of robes and boots, along with instructions for doing laundry. Practical.

The Zabrak returned to the central area just in time to catch the discussion about parties. To his surprise, Xuko found himself favoring Del's stance on the matter, if for different reasons; at the end of the day, this was their dormitory and their refuge. "I agree with Del" he said, glancing around the room. "I would not welcome a party in this space."

Xuko's ears perked up at the mention of training; he had discovered a drive to improve himself in as many ways as possible, and that meant practice. The kind, he told himself, that would not lead to him being healed by Del. "What kinds of things are taught at this temple?" Xuko asked Zaiya.

Zaiya Ceti Del Mirah Daxin Veyr Oryn Selvar

 

[Warren of the Narrows]

​

The pitter patter of paws against the polished temple floors sounded like an army marching through, though it was just one Padawan. One very late Padawan. Selonians were able to reach high speeds while using all four of their feet, and that's what Warren had done. The Padawan was very tardy to the orientation, something his late master would have scolded him for. It was hard enough navigating the Jedi without Master Abarosis after his passing, but now they wanted him to meet other Padawans. Warren had only really known Master Abarosis, and he hadn't really wanted to make any new friends. He just missed his master.

That didn't mean he wasn't responsible for showing up anyways once summoned, and his strong sense of duty overtook his desire to be alone. He had a habit of getting in trouble for running off, making use of Naboo's many swamps and lakes to find refuge among the craziness of the galaxy. Today, however, no matter how badly he wanted to disappear under the murky waters of the swamps, he had to face his fears. And face them he did, multiple Jedi jumped out of the way of the speeding Selonian as he skirted around edges and jumped over obstacles. A few of the Masters shouting at him to slow down as he did so.

Finally, as he was nearing the dormitory, he heard the group having their exchange. It was his sign that he was getting close, and he started to slow down his speedy approach. The Selonian's clawed feet weren't able to grip onto the hard floors of the temple, and he went speeding around the corner as his paws scrabbled for purchase against the slick floor, and for a few seconds he was just running in place before his paws gained traction. He was able to stop right around the corner before he ran into the group. He stood to his full two meters, taking a steady breath in, centering himself in the Force before letting it out.

As Warren turned the corner, he was met with an interesting group of people, most of which he had never seen before. The padawan thought the excited one with the pretty hair had sat in on one of his saber training tournaments from before Master Abarosis had passed. There weren't many in the Jedi halls who looked like she did. He couldn't help but notice the others looked far more… normal than he did. He had still yet to meet many others who looked as different as he did.

Not wanting to draw too much more attention to himself than he did by his size and species, Warren approached Zaiya Ceti . He lowered his head a bit as he neared the group, his tone matching his body language. "I am sorry for my tardiness." He said in a thick accent. He was dreading introductions and wasn't going to try to start them on his own.

TAG: Del Mirah Daxin Veyr Oryn Selvar Xuko Pagoi

 

[Daxin Veyr]

"This isn't bad at all!" the Lovalla sang, giving a wide grin, "You each will have your own room and refresher. Imagine if you had to share a room!"

. "Surely there are regulations against festivities within the dormitories? This is the Jedi Order, not a gathering for Sith acolytes looking to carouse," she said, punctuating her point with a cold glare in Daxin's direction.

"We can have a house warming party, see if any rooms get shared."

There were times when his Zeltron nature flashed to the surface.

The sharp waggle of one salacious eyebrow aimed at Del to get a reaction was one of those moments.

"I agree with Del" he said, glancing around the room. "I would not welcome a party in this space."

"How about a quiet...gathering," Daxin proposed. "We could get some hologames in. Meet some other Padawans."

This time he was serious.

"I am sorry for my tardiness." He said in a thick accent. He was dreading introductions and wasn't going to try to start them on his own.

"Hey there," went Daxin. His gaze lingered a moment as he tried to recall if he had ever met the species. He would ask quietly later, deciding it would just be a rude way to break the ice."

 

[Zaiya Ceti]

Outfit: x x x x x | Equipment: x x x x x x | Weapons: x x x | Companion: Domxite
Interacting with: Xuko Pagoi Daxin Veyr Del Mirah Oryn Selvar Warren of the Narrows

"Surely there are regulations against festivities within the dormitories? This is the Jedi Order, not a gathering for Sith acolytes looking to carouse,"

The Lovalla Knight turned to flash Del a smile.

"You are able to have small get-togethers and parties with other members of the Jedi Order. We encourage you to mingle and get to know each other beyond your initiate and padawan duties to build rapport and trust with one another." Zaiya explained, thinking back how those get-togethers had been pivotal to her own growth and socialization.

"What kinds of things are taught at this temple?"

"We have many subjects -- As Padawan Mirah has indicated, the knowledge of how to heal in both secular and via the Force is an option. We all start out with the aspects of the Force -- Control. Alter, and Sense, with Sense being the first aspect we learn as our initial building block. Curito Salva, Sense Life, Tapas -- to help you regulate your temperature and the like are some of the training taught in the beginning, with more intermediate and advanced techniques in defense and lightsaber combat involved, of course."

It was then that another student joined in, and Zaiya beamed, giving a slight gesture to Warren that it was okay.

"I am sorry for my tardiness."

"No problem at all. Let me introduce you. This is Padawan Oryn Selvar , Padawan Del Mirah , Padawan Xuko Pagoi , and Padawan Daxin Veyr . We were just discussing what training can be found at the temple. Among the standard training, we also partner with various enclaves that can also provide a rotating class of specializations from Jedi who specialize in specific areas -- be it healing, force imbuing, or even archeology."

 

[Del Mirah]

Tags: Zaiya Ceti | Xuko Pagoi | Daxin Veyr | Warren of the Narrows | Oryn Selvar

Daxin's persistent sarcasm and joke comments earned him another incredulous stare. Del had expected some friction, but the Zeltron's constant need to provoke was a genuine test of her patience. Relief flickered in her chest when Xuko sided with her on the party ban. She offered the Zabrak a rare, appreciative smile and a subtle nod of the head.

When Daxin finally relented, suggesting a quiet gathering with hologames, Del considered it with a stiff posture. "That sounds... agreeable," she admitted, her voice cautious. If it stayed quiet and followed a clear schedule, she could tolerate it.

The arrival of a massive, furred Padawan was a shock. Del's shoulders slumped as the Selonian skidded to a halt. The living space felt smaller by the second. She wondered if the Council had intentionally surrounded her with boys just to test her temperament, or if they assumed she simply wouldn't get along with the other female Padawans. Regardless, the prospect of navigating a common room filled with this much muscle and sarcasm was exhausting. She gave a perfunctory wave and mouthed a silent "hi" to the newcomer during the introductions.

As the Knight listed the various specializations available at the temple, Del's focus sharpened. She was eager to move past the basics and into something that required real discipline. "What do you specialize in, Knight Ceti?" she asked, her curiosity momentarily overriding her annoyance. The question hung in the air for a second before the Mikkian realized she had been so focused on the curriculum that she hadn't even let the newcomer speak.

A flush of embarrassment warmed her face. Looking up at the tall Selonian, she cleared her throat and adjusted the grip on her datapad. "Uh-- sorry. What is your name?" She preferred names to the vague "he" or "it" that her mind was currently using to categorize the giant creature now taking up a significant portion of their shared square footage.

 

[Warren of the Narrows]

Well, great, they were introducing themselves now, which meant he was expected to go next. The Padawan listened carefully to their names, trying his hardest to remember them. He smiled at Oryn Selvar , it was nice to see another aquatic species. He had never met a Nautolan before, but he at least knew they were aquatic as well. Warren's gaze then went to Del Mirah , another near-blue being with tendrils on her head. He tried to repeat their names in his head, the vowel sounds in their names harder for the Selonian to manage. Next, his attention was drawn to Xuko Pagoi , who appeared to be Zabrak by the looks of it.

Already impressed by the variety of the group, Warren was surprised when his eyes finally made their way to Daxin Veyr . The Padawan hadn't noticed he was a Zeltron when he first arrived, too embarrassed by his tardiness to take everything in. It was exciting to see the diversity among the Padawans, though he couldn't help but notice he still stood out even among the other aliens. He was the only one pushing two meters, the only one covered in fur. So even though it was only a couple seconds before he said anything, to Warren it felt like a millennia.

"Thank you." He wasn't sure the appropriate way to greet a group like this. Back on Selonia, his people rolled around on the ground together to cover each other in their scents, but he figured that would not go over well here. "My name is Warren." His words were thick with an accent as his eyes shifted between the group, his height still towering no matter how small he tried to make himself. Somewhere, he could feel his old Master pushing him to try a little harder.

"I am not good at..." He racked his brain for the word they used, to no avail. "…hellos." He stepped back a bit, not wanting the spotlight on him any longer, but he was proud of himself for saying something. He wanted to hear more about the different schools of the Jedi, he hadn't even thought about what kind of hero he wanted to be, he was so worried about right now.

 

[Xuko Pagoi]

It took Xuko a moment to realize that Del was smiling at him, since he hadn't seen her make that expression before. Inwardly, the Zabrak shrugged. He did not seek Del's approval, only her respect; same as the other padawans. He was beginning to get a better sense of the Mikkan; she thrived on structure and predictability, and would be best approached in advance and with details in mind. Daxin, on the other hand, seemed much more spontaneous; the kind to talk their way into and then out of trouble. And Oryn... Oryn was the most difficult to get a read on in the moment.

An eclectic group with no simple connections; a small get-together with hologames would suffice to help them get to know each other, Xuko decided. Knight Zaiya was right in that they would need to bond as fellow initiates in order to best succeed, otherwise sharing space together would become a distraction at best and a source of conflict at worse- conflict that would only hinder their ability to learn. Xuko listened intently as Zaiya listed some of the aspects of the Force that they would be studying, feeling a thrill run through him at the mention of lightsaber combat. The Zabrak longed for challenges and challengers to test himself against.

Then, his attention shifted as Warren arrived.

Xuko had probably seen odder things in his life than Warren, but a lack of long-term memories meant that he spent several seconds simply analyzing this new arrival. Even the normally quick-witted Daxin seemed taken aback by the newest member of their cohort.

First impression: tall. Second impression: tail, probably used for balance and also potentially as a weapon. Third impression: nervous, but a nervousness born out of a lack of experience rather than a lack of aptitude. Although the Selonian's rushed arrival at first concealed it, they moved with an easy grace that belied their gangly appearance. "Well met, Warren" Xuko replied. "You are welcome here."

Xuko caught Oryn's eye as the Nautolan returned from exploring their room, taking the opportunity to welcome Warren into the conversation they'd been having by way of also looping Oryn and Daxin in. "We were just talking about options for training" the Zabrak said the three of them. "What would you like to study further as part of your Padawan training?"

Zaiya Ceti Daxin Veyr Oryn Selvar Del Mirah Warren of the Narrows

 

[Novac Lyrikal]

Xuko Pagoi Warren of the Narrows Del Mirah Zaiya Ceti Daxin Veyr Oryn Selvar

oh no, he was late. he was suppose to meet with the group a while ago. its because his old mater. her species was naturally extremely slow and often late to thing because of their lack of speed. he got his tardiness from her. oh well, hes here now and thats what matters. he was quite, he didnt walk since he didnt have legs so he made no footsteps. instead he slithered up to zaiya quietly, by mistake however. he knew he could scare people by being so quite. that plus his size, he might aswell be a giant compared to all of them. his height and length mixed with how quite he tended to be made it far to easy to accidentally scare people. he never liked that about himself, plenty of people already stare at him in public or are uncomfortable around him. but hopefully these people will be different. as he came up behind zaiya he said "hello, sorry im late, i lost track of time, my mistake. im novac lyrikal. its a pleasure to meet you ma'am." he said it with a small bow, his voice surprisingly soft for someone his size.

he looked around at the group. fairly diverse group, colorful to. at a glance them seemed nice enough, novac did recognition warren. 'good, at least theres someone i know, somewhat..kind of, i mean i only know his name but thats better then nothing' he thought. he never liked meeting a new group, not knowing anyone always made him a tad uncomfortable.

looking at the group he made mental notes. warren he'd met once before, didnt get to talk much, but he seemed nice enough. the zabrak seem to be analyzing the others, makes sense gotta make your opinions on those around you, like novacs doing. the pink guy seemed to be nice, at least in a good mood. he could hear miss zaiya while coming down the hall, she was high energy. thats good, high energy people are usually good, plus it means novac wont have to talk as much. the mikkian, no the nautolan, had a good vibe around him as well. the other nautolan, nope..mikkian, she seemed very rigid. 'hopefully she isn't' he thought. the group had a good vibe to it. perhaps it wont be to bad.

as pretty much always novac was the tallest in the room, which probably meant the rooms they where staying in where appropriately sized for the others. but novac being the size he was would..prefer to say the least, a larger room. at least a larger door if hes going to be coming and going everyday. he learned the hard way that he would forget how tall he was when he first got his ship, he had to have it modified so he didnt hit his head everyday. luckily he noticed one of the room's doors where larger. perhaps it was bigger inside for him.

"if you dont mind me asking miss Zaiya Ceti , ismy room...my sized i guess i should say? and if not can it be modified? i'd rather not hit my head on the doorframes everyday."

 

[Oryn Selvar]

​

"I will be there significantly faster than you,"

The words hit his back. He didn't dispute her claims. Oryn was convinced she was right.

It didn't take him long to explore his new quarters, but he was thankful he got to do it alone. For a long moment he simply stood in the middle of it and breathed through a simple meditation technique. It was embarrassing to be this unbalanced. Suppose he had been more nervous about meeting his potential new dormmates than he had thought.

Peace. Calm. Become centered. He finally stopped his thoughts before they wandered too far.

When he re-emerged, their party had grown two more. He thought the Selonian looked tall, until he saw the massive snake-guy.

The Selonian's unease somewhat mirrored his own. To Oryn's mind, he had no reason to feel out of place. In a weird way, that made Oryn feel easier about himself.

The otter's unease and discomfort somewhat mirrored his own. To Oryn's mind, he had no reason for it. In a weird way, it made Oryn feel easier about himself and smiled. Smiling, Oryn introduced himself to the pair. "I'm Oryn. Pleased to meet you"

"We were just talking about options for training" the Zabrak said the three of them. "What would you like to study further as part of your Padawan training?"

Oryn forced down the reflexive 'Oh, whatever you guys want'. What did he want to study? The first thing that came to mind was lightsaber combat… But no, that was the comfortable answer. That was what he wanted, not what he needed. As for what that was, well… Today held too big of an audience to burst that bubble.

Bubble. Wasn't that a thing, Force Bubble?

"Maybe some defensive techniques? If you're caught without a lightsaber. Shielding yourself, or someone else? Or any useful techniques when left unarmed." he should've left it there, but he couldn't keep himself from adding "But I'm open to anything really" he stopped himself talking.

Zaiya Ceti | Del Mirah | Xuko Pagoi | Daxin Veyr | Warren of the Narrows | Novac Lyrikal​