Ask Ajan Kloss The Start of a Friendship

[Oren Zapan]

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The temple library, it was one of his favorite places growing up in the order. The vast books collected and stored was nearly limitless and it would take several lifetimes to read through them all. Oren didn't mind the idea of hiding out in the aisles, reading through various collections and journals. He'd have done it nearly all day, if it wasn't for his Master, who forced him to socialize and connect with others.

While the Knight was often busy with teaching and guiding the younger students in the force, he still made it a priority to try and make it to the library when he could. Today was his off day, and Oren had planned to get in a whole day's worth of analyzing and studying. He had spent a few hours, picking through the books and logs, pulling several records on the mysterious planet of Rakata Prime. He had planned a trip to see the golden beaches and clear oceans. To experience and uncover possible myths that laid within the islands and coves. He was unsure why, but felt a calling to visit the planet.

He'd make his way from the aisle and towards his table. He'd pause as he noticed a woman sitting at the table he normally sat. His teeth would clench slightly as he almost called out, but realized that it wasn't truly his seat--just his preferred one. "Hello," he'd say in a soft voice, "I don't believe we've met before," he'd smile as he placed his books down onto the table. Remember what my master taught me, try to socialize. Maybe the force brought us together. He'd gulp as he took a seat across from her, "My name is Oren Zapan, I'm a teacher here."

 

[Lilly Lynn]

Lilly was sitting engrossed in her books. Every day she was back on the planet, she'd spend at least an hour here in the Temple Library. The limitless wealth of knowledge excited her... and the idea that the original Jedi Temple has exponentially more than this was a thought she couldn't fathom. One day we will get that knowledge back... I know it. Looking around one last time, she delved back into her book. This week she had been reading about the Old Republic... the OLD Old Republic. Her knowledge didn't extend much further than a few hundred years before the Clone Wars and it was time to become educated.

As she became more engrossed, she barely registered the books plop down in front of her. Looking up, she was startled to see a man standing in front of her. "Oh my, hello", she says looking over him. The first thing she notices are the markings on his face, circle connecting into lines. Are those scars or intentional markings? she wonders. Though this was the first time she noticed his face in detail, she definitely recognized him as someone who graces these walls with his presence often, another library goer.

"Hello Oren... My name is Lilly Lynn, recently promoted Knight, though it looks like I never took a class with you before I was promoted... You are now about to be the third person I've met in a library." she says jokingly. "Is there something I can help you wit-..." she trails off, distracted by the book in front of her he placed down. Rakata Prime... where have I heard of that? She digs through the book she has in front of her, The Republic from 4000 BBY to 3500BBY. Going back a few dozen pages, she finds it. "Ah the legend of Rakata Prime", she states with pride, "I didn't realize there was more to it than this short blurb in the general history book." She looks up to him. "What are you researching?" she asks.

@TWD26

 

[Oren Zapan]

His brown eyes would focus in on Lilly, as a soft smile formed on his face, though that quickly faded as he could feel her gaze upon his markings. He had often gotten looks for it, many had assumed that he was a human, he practically was, but during intense emotions his markings would begin to turn a vibrant red.

The Jedi instructor would force himself to smile as he let out an awkward laugh, "Lilly, it's a beautiful name." He'd sigh as he raised a brow nodding, "Aye, I've been a Knight for over a decade now. I do believe you were on the class roster opposite of mine. I taught The History and Sacrifice of Ben Solo and The Formation of the New Jedi Order." It was a boring class, one that most Jedi students had known the knowledge of since they had joined. He wanted to teach more classes, something deeper about the ancient Jedi, but sadly there was little to nothing to go on.

Though when she mentioned Rakata Prime, his brow would raise, "You know of the planet?" He'd grin as he ran his gloved hand through his Brown hair, "Even their own history is a mystery. They say the First Order had been camped out around the planetary system long ago, but no one ever knew why. They say there is a rumor of temples that existed before the Jedi did, but I doubt such a claim." He'd chuckle as he leaned back into his seat, "Regardless, I plan to go and see for myself. It should make for a fun adventure away from the temple."

tag: @Jowsh

 

[Lilly Lynn]

Lilly's eyes turned from the markings on Oren's face, meeting his soft brown eyes with her vibrant hazel.. Though she did not intend to stare, she feared that maybe she looked for a little too long... As Oren let out his laugh and spoke, she listened intently, intending to make up for her slightly awkward interaction.

"Thank you," she says smiling back at him genuinely, "I do not know the origin of your own name though I am afraid". She discerned that the markings on his face were not scars, but a biological feature, and that it might be related to his culture or homeworld. She was intent on understanding his background. As Oren described what class he taught, she immediately remembered it in her own training. "Ah yes, that class. You are correct then that I was the other section. Knight Natanna taught that one I believe." She thinks back to the class, one of the first in the sequence of courses a padawan must take before undertaking a one on one apprenticeship with a Knight or Master. Its foundation sets up the entire Order's philosophy and modern history. She looks to Oren, "One question I wish was explored more often is the morality of redemption when said person committed grievous atrocities," she states solemnly, "Full glad am I that Ben Solo came back to the light and saved Rey to lead us to where we are today, but I can't help but wonder how history would have turned different had he not died. Surely he would be ridiculed, distrusted, and probably tried by government factions. Same for Vader before him." The lightside vs the darkside was difficult to explain to the common man and it would have no bearing on how a commoner would perceive Ben's actions as Kylo Ren, and rightfully so. Why should they care if he came back to the light when he committed genocide against entire villages? She pauses momentarily... "I don't really know what point I am trying to make honestly... I just wonder how often we forget the evil things someone did because they 'came back to the light'."

"As for Rakata Prime... I only heard of it two hours ago when I read it in this book," she says giggling, holding up the book in front of her. Her knowledge of ancient history was much slimmer than her knowledge of the past few hundred years so she didn't know much of the planet besides its name and place in ancient Republic lore. "I was not aware that the First Order potentially had an interest on the planet." The First Order had accomplished much in such a short time and the logistics of how they were able to do so isn't always so clear. "As I'm sure you know, there is always a bit of truth to rumors or myths - I wonder what these temples could be... if they exist of course. Other philosophies about the Force perhaps? " She tried not to show too much excitement at first, but Oren's description of the planet had quite intrigued her. Delving into ruins was the best part of being a Jedi and she wanted as many opportunities to do so as possible. As she pondered the thought, her excitement began to bubble up and after a moment she bluntly asked "Would you care to have company? I would very much like to explore these temples." She looks into his eyes, waiting expectantly with obvious enthusiasm showing on her face.

@TWD26

 

[Oren Zapan]

Oren would rest his chin in his gloved hand, his head tilting slightly to the left as he thought about his own past. He had no particular memories of his homeworld or his parents, instead his earliest memories were that of the spice mines in the outer rim. "I'm afraid I don't quite know, I was taken from my parents when I was a boy. I worked in the spice mines for most of my childhood," he'd say in a neutral tone, the pain he felt from such an experience had long past, now it was just a distant memory.

"If you're curious, I am basically a human, it just seems that the markings on my face are unique of my people, they glow when we experience emotions such as anger, pain, sadness, even love.." His voice would trail away slightly as he could feel the markings warm slightly. He was curious to know more about her, she seemed friendly and their interests seemed to align. Maybe the force brought us together, for a reason?

He'd smile at the thought, before turning back to the woman, she mentioned the ethics of redemption and the morality behind accepting one back. He had often pondered the same question. Rey learned from her own Master Luke, who saw the light inside of his own father. People were neither completely light or dark, or so that was what his master told him. They all had made mistakes in their life, they all carried burdens, it was simply a matter of learning from them. He was curious as to her own opinions on the idea, or how she would take his response.

"A price for redemption is the burden that one carries for their own past deeds. One will always carry the pain and suffering they did, but in my eyes, redemption is not about gaining the acceptance or forgiveness of others. But, for understanding one's own mistakes, learning from them and in a moment of critical need, breaking that cycle." He'd pause, "The archives state that Ben did just that, that he followed in the footsteps of his Uncle before him and gave his life to save Rey and continue the legacy of the Jedi." He'd sigh as he contemplated the implications of her follow up question, "I suppose some would always be weary of him, ignorance to the truth, but the knowledge would always be there. Those who call themselves a Jedi would learn to accept him, for no one is truly dark, the past leads us to who we are today, but a person always has the chance to make a change, thus you should always allow them to do so, unless they threaten your life or the life of the galaxy."

He hoped that his answer didn't bore the woman to tears, he had always been interested in such talks, yet his own student would never listen to his nonsense and babble. Though when she mentioned the idea about the force and Rakata Prime, that was when his excitement began to fill his body. "Yes, I don't know what they were doing there, but possibly they were after something...That's what I want to find out!" He'd clasp his hands together, his own brown eyes locking in with hers as he could feel the sensation and eagerness coming from her.

"Yes.." His voice would trail away as he broke contact, his face markings growing bright red, "I would love for you to join me."

tag: @Jowsh

 

[Lilly Lynn]

"Oh..." she says, frowning, "I am sorry to hear that", she now looks down. "I know many Jedi come from less than equitable origins... I didn't know." She smiles then though and says "We are fortunate to have a home here though!"

As Oren described the markings on his face and how they signify strong emotions in his species of human, they began glowing. Lilly raised an eyebrow, wondering what it could be meaning in this moment. Why did he approach me? she wondered... she felt drawn to him in a way she couldn't quite understand. How have I not met him before... It seems as if I should have known him all along. She elected not to say anything though as Oren soon began answering her philosophical pondering.

The importance of redemption to one's self and not to the people around them... that made sense. Growth - perhaps the most important aspect of all life. "I find that answer... mostly satisfying. It makes sense to me. The actions of Ben and his Uncle before him both led to massive change in the history of the galaxy and it won't soon forget that, even if individual people won't forget what they did." Partially, she was surprised that the this teacher she didn't have was quick to answer her question. He had obviously thought about this before, something that she appreciated. "I guess the difficulty to me is how to make the judicial rights of governments and our beliefs in what redeems a person coincide. But I guess people with more responsibility than me have to make that decision," she says, laughing. She pauses a moment and that catches his eyes, "You're very thoughtful though, our ability to learn from our mistakes is paramount."

She then noticed his excitement for the subject of the Rakatan ruins in his being. It spilled out into the Force, his desire to learn from the past, the same desire she felt. As his markings glowed and he let his answer be known, she smiled. "Great! When do we leave?"

@TWD26

 

[Oren Zapan]

Oren would shake his head, "Oh...no, it was long in the past," he'd force himself to smile, "It's simply a part of me, the force willed it to happen and I don't question it." He'd lean back in his seat, "It brought me to the order, to my students, to my padawan...and one could even say you," the words would linger in the air for a bit as he raised a brow before breaking into a laugh. He could feel a connection with her, an urge or a sensation.

Possibly an attraction, he hadn't quite pondered the emotion himself. Jedi were not forbidden to love, as long as their love did not become possessive afterall. But, it was strange, and something he hadn't quite processed. The knight would push away the thoughts as he ran a bit of his hand through his hair.

"To answer your question, it is not up for us to decide or dictate the rules that govern the galaxy. Though Ben would be redeemed in my eyes, we all still pay for our crimes or sins per say. He would have faced his trial and the public and I have no doubt he would have accepted any wrong doing he brought upon himself and the galaxy." He'd smile.

The thought of heading off to the tropical islands with Lily seemed intriguing and the excitement in him wanted to leave at that moment. Patience..Passion, yet serenity. The Jedi knight would take a deep breath before peering towards the woman, "Soon, my Padawan has to finish a few schooling assignments before she can depart with us." He'd pause, "Say, care to grab some food from the dining quarters?"

tag: @Jowsh

 

[Lilly Lynn]

"I see..." she says, nodding in approval, "I guess it's helpful to keep that in mind isn't it?" She looks him in the eyes. "Perhaps it did bring us together. I have a strong feeling this will turn out to be quite the adventure," she says, smiling. Lilly had always been so involved with learning, with growing, with finding who she was supposed to be, that she rarely ever entertained the notions of feelings for others. "Too busy" as some would meekly put it. Not to say she's against it though, just no one had ever come along and made her stop to consider it yet. The Jedi of yesterday were not allowed, but the Jedi of today are... Maybe one day for her.

"I think you are right. Part of redemption comes from accepting that judgement of your wrongdoings I'd imagine." Concluding the topic, she thinks of where they'd be going. The newfound autonomy of promotion was still something she was not quite used to. The fact that she can go anywhere she finds fit, within the Jedi beliefs of course. She thought of all the ruins and knowledge she'll be able to discover, the good she can do. These thoughts excited her, but those were for the future and tomorrow, today... she would be going to Rakata Prime, maybe learning about the Ancient Republic with this Knight who seemed so... familiar and comforting. Though she didn't realize that he had a Padawan. When he informed her that his Padawan would be joining them, she could feel just an ever so slight nagging annoyance deep down. She did not quite understand the feeling. A Jedi's duty is to teach and even she was even anticipating her own student, yet the thought of going just with him was exciting to her. She brushed off though and smiled to him, "I hadn't realized you had one," raising her eyebrow jokingly, "Not a problem. I'd love to," she says, beginning to pack her stuff up.

@TWD26

 

[Oren Zapan]

Oren could sense the twitch of disappointment in Lily's voice at the mention of Nara. Her eyes lingered on him for a fraction longer than he had normally been used to, and he could feel the tension in the air. The markings on his face began to glow a feverish red, requiring him to take a few deep breaths before he could find the center he required. Does she feel that through the force as well? Is it a sign or something in my gut telling me this?

He could smell and taste the sea salt in the air and the sound of gentle waves crashing along the beach filled his ears, it seemed peaceful and he at that moment wanted to drop everything to head there now. Passion, yet Serenity. Emotion, Yet Peace. His mind rang the tenants through his head as he stood up, holding the book he required.

"It..should be fun," he'd say with an awkward smile, "I probably should have made that known before hand," he'd rub the back of his neck with an awkward laugh, "I can be forgetful at times, she can be a handful, but I think you'll like her." He'd say to Lily as he guided her towards the cafeteria. This was nice and in a few days they would depart out for an adventure across the stars, letting the force guide them to whatever happens.

/END THREAD

tag: @Jowsh