Open A Knight to Remember

Hera hummed quietly as she walked down the aisles and toward the front clearing where Dash paced back and forth. With her blackened goggles removed and placed into her pocket, her pupilless eyes were affixed on her Padawan. 'No,' she thought, 'former Padawan now.' Hera was dressed in a traditional set of Jedi robes and a cloak, one of the few times she ever took off her armor. Additionally, she had her hair braided in order to look nicer than normal. This was an occasion worth looking nice.

Walking up to Dash, Hera embraced him without a word. Releasing him, she grinned widely and spoke, "Congratulations, Dash. You've more than earned this, and I cannot express in words how proud I am." Tears had begun to form in her eyes and Hera furiously attempted to rub them away the moment she felt the waterworks begin. The pair had endured a rocky few weeks before this, a misguided interaction where Hera had spoken harshly and prematurely. Thankfully, Dash had not only endured it but appeared to come out stronger as a result.

But these past few weeks had also been the first time Hera had given a heartfelt apology for something she did. The Jedi Master knew she was possibly the most stubborn and hardheaded warrior in the entire order, and Dash had pulled a genuine apology from her, a concession that he was right and she was wrong. While most might've seen that as simply a sign of maturity from Dash, to Hera it felt utterly miraculous.

Continuing to smile, she looked around and spoke once more, "I'm going to sit down now, too much standing is bad for the knees. I'm sure everyone else will be arriving soon- so don't be nervous! Everything in your life has led to this moment, and everything will be perfect." Hera meant what she said, as well. No one deserved this promotion more than Dash in her eyes. There possibly was a little bit of bias in there, but Hera was nothing if not a little emotional.[/abox3}

Contrary to what Dash may have expected, Ezra was actually on time to the Knighting ceremony. He told Leon(@Zay) he could punch him in the face if Ezra didn't get out of the shower on time, and it was incentive enough to get ready quickly. As usual, he refused to wear Jedi robes or tunics, opting instead for a crisp outfit that managed to make him look even taller than he already was. His hair was styled, he sported a bit of stubble, and he had an expensive chrono on his wrist.

He looked around for others he knew, spotting a girl (@Aspire )he hadn’t met that was over a foot shorter than him. His piercing, silver gaze fixed on Hera for a moment, his jaw tightening at the sight of her embracing Dash. As if she hadn’t been the sole cause of his state of intense distress the past few days. Dash may have forgiven things, but she would see an icy stare drilling into her as she walked back.

And of course, he looked at Dash, the man of the hour. He managed to make even the ridiculous Jedi attire look good. He had gone through countless scenarios that tested his resolve and commitment to the Jedi. He overcame obstacles where many would have failed, and he did it all without losing sight of who he was as an individual. It was a lot more than he could say about a lot of Jedi that had no dimensions to their personalities outside of being a Jedi.

Ezra kept his distance for now, eyeing him quietly from near the back. If Dash looked, he’d catch a smile from the Thorne, which was almost unheard of in a public place. There was a mixture of fondness and pride in his eyes, a stark contrast to the way he had looked at Hera.

@Black Noise @Alhon

Rain had never attended such a ceremony before, at least not for the Jedi. She had been to a few promotion parties for the Guardians, but as far as she knew the Jedi hadn't really had a promotion in a hot minute. Somehow padawans seemed to linger at the rank, so it was only now that she was able to attend such a celebration.

Not entirely sure what the dress code was, she had worn a mix between formal Jedi robes and her old Guardian uniform, putting together an ensemble that represented both her past and her present. Though once she reached the celebration she realized that the dress code wasn't quite as strict as she thought it would be, which combined with Caris' comment during their time on Devaron made her wonder if she was being a little too paranoid with her adherence to the look of a Jedi. It seemed like there wasn't really one, as long as you did the job.

Curious about what other envelopes she could push against, she spotted the drinks table. Last time, and this was just something that she had heard through the scuttlebutt after the actual party, Hera had swapped out the alcoholic drinks for more tame beverages. She wanted to see if things were different this time. So instead of heading over to Dash and congratulating him, which was the right thing to do as per protocol, she moved towards the drinks.

"Two please," she said to the Wookiee behind the counter, "one for me, and one for the Councilor!" She leaned forward conspiratorially, and followed up with a whisper. "Give her some of the good stuff, I hear she's having a bad day." The wookiee gave a quick glance in the Councilor's direction and nodded, worry evident in his demeanor. Despite him easily eclipsing the Master twice over, he was genuinely scared of pissing her off. Rain found that intriguing, wondering if maybe this wasn't the right person to be using to pull this trick?

But there was no time to change her mind as the Wookiee handed her two glasses, making a point to let her know which one was for Kaisa. After thanking him and she turned to make her way to Kaisa, leaving him with one last assurance. "Don't worry, I've got this. Left hand for me, right hand for her."

With that she started navigating her way through the crowd, beginning to sip on the drink she held in her right hand. Feeling a burning sensation in her throat with the very first sip, convinced that this was no fake-booze, she continued sipping and making her way towards Kaisa, coming to a stop before her with half the drink downed.

"Master," she spoke up with a smile on her face, holding out the untouched drink in her left hand "might I interest you in a drink?"

@Logan

Knight ceremonies had once been commonplace. When the new Order was young, there were few Jedi and even fewer Knights. The occasion was one to be celebrated. Even as the Order grew, there were still smaller gatherings held with a Master and a few friends. The war had changed much of that. There was little time for ceremony and even less for celebration. They’d lost a piece of themselves by neglecting who they were outside the battlefield. Alex hoped to put those pieces back together. Dash served as a powerful example of turning corner from student to teacher.

The Grandmaster arrived shortly after the start of the festivities. Her Force signature was carefully dampened. This was not her party. The focus should be on Dash. She wore traditional Jedi robes, no armor, her saber tucked against her hip. Alex’s eyes found Hera first. She smiled softly towards Dash’s Master. The woman had done well with him. She had every right to be proud. (@Black Noise)

Alex made her way towards Kaisa. She could almost see the thoughts running through the Councilor’s mind. “You know you’re paying for this? The newest Councilor’s always treat.” She gestured around the party. “Very generous of you.” (@Logan) White teeth flashed brilliantly in the light. She surveyed the crowd one last time. A sizeable gathering had swelled. It was time. Slowly, she made her way to stand at the front of the assembled benches. Using the Force to augment her voice, she spoke.

“Master Albion, Master Vanloa…if you would join me.” She waited until they would stand beside her. Alex waited just a moment. Letting the gravity of why they were here sit. “Dash Pavan, step forward.” Her voice rang out clearly across those assembled. Alex caught Dash’s eyes, her mind flashing to his for a second. “This is your moment. Do not be nervous.” It was time to being.

@Alhon @everyone

Hera smiled as Dash (@Alhon) spoke, then stepped away to scan the crowd. And quite a crowd had gathered. The Jedi, both those that Hera knew and those she did not, had come out in force for Dash. On top of that, Zathria had come up to give her congratulations with a soft touch of Hera's arm. It was nothing more than a physical acknowledgment of presence so that Hera did not turn into the other woman, but it warmed her heart nonetheless.

As Hera moved back, she began to scan the crowd for the faces she could recognize. It gave her great joy to see so many faces, though the face she was particularly looking for was that of Ezra Thorne (@Sreeya). To say that Hera had a rocky relationship with the Padawan would be a gross understatement, and the moment that she caught his gaze at her out of the corner of her eye she could see that he had not forgiven her yet.

But whether or not Ezra cared for Hera was not her concern at this moment, she looked for him to see that he was here for Dash. To see for her own selfish desires that she had not torn the two apart. From the way that Ezra still looked at Dash, Hera could see that their relationship still held strong. Breathing a sigh of relief, Hera moved to stand beside Grandmaster Alex (@Valen Pelora) as she was called over.

Crossing her arms behind her back, Hera stood to the side of Alex and quietly smiled. Everyone else would be taking their seat now, preparing to see and hear the Knighting of Dash Pavan. Hera couldn't help the thought that crossed her mind as she waited on the Grandmaster, 'This is good, Dash had done more than enough to deserve this. We should do this for every Knight from now on.'

Ezra was about to wave to his Master (@Phoenix ) when he caught her looking at him and almost taking a tumble. What? He could do nothing but stare blankly at her, wondering what just happened. He looked over when Maura (@lizziie ) walked by, “‘Ey,” He greeted her, reaching out for a fist bump. He looked over towards the food table, floated over some napkins, and then used it to grab the chips. Ezra didn’t like food residue on his hands, “Maybe if the robes didn’t look like something my great Aunt Jamila Altaris would wear..” He muttered. The chips had a nice, spicy burn just the way he liked.

Now that she mentioned it, the whole thing did look like a wedding ceremony set up. Even down to the flowers. He looked over when Leon (@Zay) showed up and they did their usual handshake. Ezra nodded in approval to Leon’s attire for once. He had been teaching his best bud how to iron and other etiquette skills that were drilled into him by his Pops. While Jaikus adjusted back to his pampered lifestyles, Emryc stuck to his humble roots, still doing all his chores and upkeep himself. He refused to have his children not know basic skills.

Ezra glared at Leon when he blurted out about proposing, elbowing him right back, but right in the gut to make him buckle. He kept his gaze calmly trained ahead as if nothing happened, looking around to next spot Liana (@LadyRen ). Ezra’s face did the slightest twitch at her demeanor. He had found her annoying before, but he was surprised at how much he disliked this new persona. It didn’t feel like her. Externally, he simply gave her a nod, surprised at the change.

He saw Ferrin (@Altaris) approaching, surprised at the outfit choice. Of course, it was still distracting as hell, but he expected the Pantoran to show up half naked. A faint grin appeared on his face at the present titled to Glub. For all their hardships and the near-death experience, they all came out of it stronger together. Ezra looked over at Ferrin when he added to the proposal comment, “Oh? Did Dur and Reed break up then?” He asked with a smirk, recalling the cover story Ferrin used solely to upset Dash.

Ezra’s attention was turned up front when the Grandmaster called the Councilors over. He had never witnessed a knighting and felt a bit uneasy as he watched Dash surrounded by the ancient women, “Are they about to do some voodoo chanting or drain his blood or what?” Even if he was a Padawan, he still considered Jedi strange, eccentric hippies or borderline cultists.

@Alhon

Alex waited for the noise of the crowd to settle once Dash stood before her. Kaisa and Hera to her sides. Her eyes swept across the gathering. She spoke clearly. Her voice cutting across the rows of benches. “We begin with the recitation of our long and ancient history...” Her voice perfectly solemn. A wonderful monotone. Again, she paused. A small smile just beginning at the curve of her lips. She could almost feel the collective sigh bubbling up. “Although I fear you all might fall asleep.” That smile spread across her face. The solemnity quickly fading from her voice. Alex took a small breath and let the Light in. Her barriers fell so that Force flowed like rapids through the Grandmaster. “This is not about who we are, or what we might be, but a celebration. A celebration of a young man who has proven himself to be an example others should follow.” Alex’s eyes shifted to Dash.

“A young man who has stood tall in the face of the Darkside, fiercely loyal to his friends, and with tremendous love in his heart. A young man who we should all be proud to call family…kneel.” She would wait until the soon to be former Padawan would take a knee. Her lightsaber flicked into her hand. The pure white blade coming to life with a snap-hiss. The crystal was once Oota’s and now belonged to her. Fitting.

The blade fell over his left shoulder. “By the right of this Council.” Now over his right. “By the will of the Force.” Now over his head. “You join us in Knighthood.” She let the blade fall to her side. “Raise, Dash Pavan. Knight of the Jedi Order!” Her left hand rose and all the trees around them suddenly bloomed. A hundred different flowers of all variety on Ithor. A burst of sudden color and scent. The petals in the walkway rushing into the air. Alex winked a Kaisa. She wasn’t above a little showmanship. The Grandmaster’s voice raised again. “Now all of you stop staring and go have fun. This is a party.” Another wave of her hand sent music playing from somewhere. She lowered her voice for half a second, turning to look at Hera. “Well done. Very well done.” (@Black Noise)

@Alhon @everyone

When the Grandmaster implied she would tell the history of the Jedi, Ezra’s eyes already began to glaze over and he started to reach for his NalPhone. To his surprise, she pivoted to moving on with the ceremony. There was a comically surprised expression on his face - The Grandmaster was…joking? He watched the rest of the scene play out, reminding himself that he’d do his Knighting in private. His ego was far too obnoxious to allow him to kneel in public and with a blade that close to his ear.

Ezra watched the ceremony play out and stood silently as the others cheered. He looked around to spot that virtually everyone else had made a mad rush towards the drinks. He still wasn’t convinced it was alcohol or the food wasn’t questionable. Ezra figured the councilors would crowd Dash for whatever reason, so he began to wander around. That was when he caught Dash making a beeline right for him, politely dodging and dancing past anyone that got in the way.

Though normally not one for public displays of affection, Ezra wouldn’t complain when it was such a big day for his boyfriend. He caught Dash in his arms, pulling the Knight into a tight embrace. For a moment, he ignored the entirety of the event. It was right back to just the two of them - like it had been on Thyferra, Rhinnal, Kro Var. Ezra held him like that for a few moments before drawing back to look at him, his arms still loosely around the teen’s waist, “You’re not going to be wearing capes and cloaks on missions now, are you?” He asked with a playful smile that was reserved only for Dash.

Ezra met Dash’s blue eyes with his own, thinking through all they had been through together. He knew things would be different. He knew Dash would venture into a world entirely separate to what Ezra experienced. He would be sent on far more dangerous missions and dealing with Sith wouldn’t be a surprise - it would be routine. All of that concerned Ezra far more than he would admit or allow to surface to his face. Their fingers entwined and his ears twitched the slightest bit as he looked at Dash, “I love you,” He said very quietly, almost as low as a whisper. He didn’t say it back to Dash in a perfect moment where they were alone, but then nothing ever went according to plan for them. The most important thing was that whatever journey Dash went on next, likely as soon as the very next day, he would know he was cherished.

@Alhon