Private Willow World

[Vayla Mirana]

Spoiler: Music OOC

Wind. Percussion. The instruments drifted within, reminiscent of the wind, and kissed her skin as much as they penetrated her brain. There was a flute in there somewhere. It reminded her of truth. There was a bell as well. It showed her the moment that her hand fell, when she failed to recognize the strength of her foe, and her sword hit the floor before her eyes opened.

Memories. That’s all these were. Yet they were everything to her in this moment. An ocean of remembrance, to be sure, as the Pantoran woman knelt before the sunlit water surrounded by forest thickets, hearing the rush of liquid over the singing birds, otherwise quiet in her outfit; grey robes streaked in blue.

She was alone. Not lonely though. There was no one around her at the moment. That was fine. To a degree. She might not need the company but the silence of her mind might prove to be too challenging. Challenge me. The Knight beckoned the trees. Balance me. The Jedi beckoned the breeze.

There was no response, however. Not yet. So, eyes closed, the Shadow watched her breath and listened to the notes of her environment. Hood pulled over her head. Meditation at its best. Lulled by her senses as they spread.

On her knees, she curled her fingers over her thighs, with no lightsaber in her grip. It was on her person, at her hip, but the weapon was not needed. It was the current she heeded; that singing stream diving into the deep. Jedi is in my being. She thought silently. “And the Knight is my creed,” she whispered quietly.

What, though, was the Shadow? Am I just a ghost? She wondered as one does when they are alone. A girl alone in the world. A woman grown, to be fair. Eyes closed, she could only hope she wasn’t as weak as her master’s student was those years ago. “A seed beside the willow tree.”

 

[Jairdain]

There was a quiet and peaceful location that very few people knew about on Alderaan. Jairdain had visited here more than once in her younger years, seeking out an old friend. Her friend couldn't be found, so she decided to walk down by the water. They had met here originally all those years ago, and Jairdain wanted to walk down that memory lane.

Something drew her here. Something beyond her desires. Another lost soul?

The blind Jedi did not try to hide her approach, though she could have. What would the point be in doing that? She was no threat to Vayla, and she sensed the woman was searching. Maybe Jairdain was just what she was looking for.

Unless Vayla stopped her, she would take a seat on the fertile ground next to her and get into a similar meditative position. Sensing the questions, Jairdain remained silent and would wait until the Knight broke the confused silence between them.

Vayla Mirana

 

[Vayla Mirana]

Blind. Eyes closed. Eyes opened. Either way, they weren’t truly a Jedi’s eyes. The mind could see in ways that organic oculars could not hope to. Trite words, perhaps, but ask any Knight, any Padawan, master or apprentice, and one would find the truth in this lesson. It wasn’t hidden. It was one of the first teachings. Don’t rely on your eyes, on your senses, Vayla, but on your sense. So her master had said once upon a time.

She wasn’t blind. However, her eyes were cybernetic, and such prosthetics weren’t hidden. For her own reasons, the woman wanted others to witness her implants. The vibrant electric lights within her sockets were obvious. These were not the eye color typical for Pantorans. Forsaking colored lenses to blend in, anyone could tell that she might otherwise be blind.

Emotion, yet peace. No token to recite the Jedi Code. Words were words. Though, it wasn’t the repetition. There was no redundancy in this creed. She simply reflected on those words and their meaning as she meditated. Your eyes were broken, Jedi, yet in adversity they were opened.

Her eyes were closed this moment. She had since sensed the approach of another person in her solace. If she was honest, though, it wasn’t her sanctum to begin with. Yet she said nothing, did nothing, and allowed this presence to simply exist without interruption as one woman sat beside the other under the cover of the willow tree.

“Peaceful here,” the Pantoran spoke just above a whisper. “Tranquility beneath this tree.” Maybe her contemporary agreed. Might be either Jedi was here for similar reasons. Yet, perhaps they were just two women who wanted to breathe in the fresh air of the environment amid grass and river. They might not be sisters. For the moment, however, they shared this land and this universe together.

Jairdain

 

[Jairdain]

"I find tranquility almost anywhere."

If one knew how to find it, even in the heat of battle, there might be tranquility. Some people thrived on fighting and found peace with it. Jairdain wasn't one of them. In nature, it was different, and it was here where she could.

"My name is Jairdain Ismet."

Leaving off any titles, there was a chance Vayla might know her name, but it didn't matter to the Master. She had never tried to be famous or well-known. It happened, though, and she accepted it.

She, too, had been born blind but had eyes, even if she couldn't use them. Instead, she saw through the Force, and it might have given her more clarity than those who had sight. It sometimes felt that way to her. Without vision, she could not see the cybernetic implants of Vayla and didn't think of them at all.

"What are you searching for, young one?"

The fond name she called the woman wasn't meant to be offensive, but offered a sense of familiarity. Maybe to try and soothe any nerves she might have. Jairdain had a calming aura, and hopefully, it was felt by Vayla.

Vayla Mirana

 

[Vayla Mirana]

The words of her contemporary were already an echo. Vayla was so alone in these woods, with only the willow tree and the river to keep her company, and that was good and just as well. She existed inside her own mind, like a ghost in the shell, but at the same time she could appreciate the sentiments of someone nearby. There was alone and then there was lonely. She was never the latter, was she?

Tranquil beneath this tree.

Her own words were an echo.

Yet tranquility is anywhere in this galaxy, wherever you may claim it, Vayla.

The words of her contemporary, maybe, exaggerated, perhaps, or the echoes of her master as he traded blows with her so far back in her past.

Jardain. Maybe she knew the name. Maybe she didn’t. What mattered most at the moment, however, was that these two women shared this environment together, and the willow tree was bigger than both of them. It would show them the way of nature, with no titles of Knight or Master, no idols of stone or beast, and only the flow of the river as its current murmured. Though the Jedi Code and the Shadow’s decree was at least one woman’s peace.

“I search…”

She trailed off. Her eyes were closed. She felt no need to open them at the moment. She was composed, though this other woman in her presence only served to enhance her sense of serenity. It may even be the reason she was being more open, never mind a Jedi in the Force.

“...For answers.”

Then again, if her listener wanted a better explanation then it might be too early to get more than what was just said.

“Vayla Mirana,” the Jedi Knight introduced after her vague reply. “Pleasure to meet you.” And that was that, as the river chattered its mirth against the banks, and the leaves of the trees were blown by the breeze, though they did not shatter. "And you?"

Jairdain

 

[Jairdain]

"What kind of answers? What are your questions?"

The peaceful atmosphere allowed Jairdain to relax into a deeper meditative state, even as she was engaged in conversation. She was a master and could multitask better these days. This was not in a frightening battle setting, and she didn't need to worry about getting attacked.

When the other woman introduced herself, she also asked Jairdain to repeat her name. Or at least, that's what she felt. In this contemplative condition, she was sure Vayla just missed it.

"I'm Jairdain Ismet. It is nice to meet you as well, Vayla. Can I help you with your search?"

More than once in her life, she had also searched for answers and help. Others had stepped up and helped her. Now it was her turn, and it filled her with a sense of accomplishment.

Vayla Mirana

 

[Vayla Mirana]

Jairdain Ismet. The other woman repeated. Vayla was sure that she had already offered her name, however. Yet what Vayla wanted was an answer to another question as she had prompted this woman for what she herself was searching for after introductions. No matter. Maybe hers would come later.

They weren’t playing some game here. This setting did not cater to it. The willow tree was ready and waiting, like the river, and there was no animosity between two strangers who had gathered, only honesty. At least, such was one woman’s intention if not both of them. That remained to be determined after names.

“If I could use words…”

Vayla uttered. Perhaps Jairdain could indeed help her with her search. Perhaps they could help each other.

“...Like the breeze blowing against the leaves in this tree…”

Sure, one woman might wonder what had brought the other into this environment, this sanctum, but were they determined by fate to share each other’s presence? Or was it just the wind?

“...Or the murmurs of the water as waves escape the river…”

Lost in thought, perhaps; trapped in a meditative trance so as to have her words echo like that of a ghost. Who would know?

“...Then I might not be here on my knees listening to my heartbeat.”

Vayla took a breath, held it steady in her chest, and listened for a moment to silent chimes and lifeless bells, before she exhaled.

“You can help me see, Jairdain, by breathing beside me, but my questions are my own.” She meant no offense; her tone spoken just so. “As are my answers at the mercy of this universe.”

Jairdain