Ask Ajan Kloss Darkness and Fury

[Altina Tiramara]

Altina watched closely as the padawan meditated on the floor within her quarters. The padawan appeared calm, at ease, and deep in thought. Altina wanted these things too. She had tried mimicking what she saw, before. But it never seemed to work.

"I feel it again."

Her eyes darted to the invisible source of the voice. A male voice, seemingly rasped from within a mask.

"The pull to the Light."

Her breath quickened. Everything is rushing to her again. Altina looked back to the padawan to try to focus on that serene face, but he was not there. Again. Instead, it was a woman sitting in the same spot.

"The belonging you seek is not behind you."

The voice did not seem to match the image of the woman, nor did it seem to come from the person's lips. She seemed far too young to have such an elderly sounding voice. More and more voices started to ring in her ear. It quickly became impossible to tell who is saying what. The words started getting drowned up by raw emotions. Laughing, screaming, crying.

Altina clammed up, cupping her ears and squeezing her eyes shut. She cannot simply ignore it all. It is mentally taxing to keep it up for hours every day. When her mental barriers break, the caretakers that ensure that Altina is properly fed and taken care of would find her in an emotional wreck on the floor, sometimes bleeding from how deeply her nails dug into her own skin. In the past, Altina tried to find solace in the bits and pieces that she heard and remembered, but the onslaught never ended. Nothing seemed to help.

She is sick of it all. Why won't the Jedi just make it stop? Wasn't that why her parents left her here? Do they really know how to make it stop in the first place? Is this just going to be how life will be for the rest of eternity?

@Srota

 

[Kyp Eridan]

A padawan, he had never expected to be asked to take one on. No, this was something new. He remembered his own master, it had been a difficult relationship, one defined by self-sufficiency. Kyp had always been left on his own, sent off to perform research, allowed to wander on his own on rare missions. He had been assigned to his master in order to help foster his connection to the force and to aid him in controlling that facet of his training. Before when he had opened himself to the Force, he was inundated with information, advice, visions, colors, whispers, everything. He had barely been able to focus on the world around him, let alone to understand what it was the Force sought from him. Hours upon hours of meditation under the guidance of his master had followed, and he had learned, in time, to control the flow of information. Now, he would have the chance to help another Jedi to overcome and to grow. He was actually a bit excited for this despite his nerves, plus, he would perhaps now have an assistant to aid him with his research as well.

He was approaching their quarters now, looking to introduce himself, his heart pounding with nerves. He wondered just what he would say. He wondered just what they would say. He could feel his heart beating faster, wilder, his hands shaking with nerves. He was never very good at this sort of thing. He stopped himself short, leaning against the wall, closing his eyes. He reached out, let his mind clear, slowed his breathing down. This was the will of the Force, the council would not have assigned him a Padawan otherwise, would they? No, no, this needed to be the right decision, he had to trust in himself, he had to trust in the Force, no matter what.

And so he arrived, hands inside the sleeves of his robes as he walked calmly to the indicated quarters, having reminded himself to trust in the Force, to remember the lessons of the past and the whispers of the Force in the present. He raised a hand and knocked on the door to the chambers, this first interaction would be key. He knew he had to make it count. He rapped his fist against the door, once, twice, a third time.

"Hello, Padawan Tiramara? Are you there? It is I, Kyp Eridan. I have come on orders of the Masters."

@Lavi

 

[Altina Tiramara]

Still trapped in the box of voices, noises, and emotions, Altina would have ignored the knocks on her door. It was just more noise to add to the din. Whether they were real or just part of another vision, she had no way of knowing.

"Padawan Tiramara?" a voice cut through the others.

She opened her eyes. Her room remained a blur except, perhaps suspiciously, the door before her.

"The belonging you seek is not behind you. It is ahead," another voice consoled her.

Altina wiped the sweat from her brow and slowly got herself to her feet. She opened her mouth to respond, but hesitated. Is this another vision? Usually the knock is accompanied by the door opening whenever a caretaker stopped by to drop off her next meal.

"Who's there?" she whispered as she stepped towards the door.

Silence. Perhaps she spoke too quietly? Altina began to speak again, but her senses were assailed yet again. Fear dominated her.

"WHAT DO YOU WANT?!" she yelled.

She curled up again, fending off the next wave. Her body slammed against the door as Altina returned to the floor. This is just another vision. They're trying to trick her again. Altina sniffed and wiped her nose. She won't let them do it again.

@Srota

 

[Kyp Eridan]

He could feel the anguish radiating from the room now, as he spent time here, the pent up frustration, worry, fear. They seemed to radiate out in the Force, and so the words did not surprise him. The shout echoing out from behind the door. He leaned in closer and said calmly, loud enough to be heard, but not yelling.

"It is I, Master Eridan. Padawan, is there something the matter?"

He felt the impact as she slammed against the door and he felt it, not even personally, but in his heart. He could feel the pain, the anger, the frustration reaching out, flooding out of this room, a pit of despair. He was not sure what to say, what to do, he was no expert with such things. All he knew was that this was what the Force asked of him, to help this young Padawan.

"Padawan. Open the door please. The council has sent me to aid you, to guide you. I am your new master." He reached out, putting emphasis on his words using the Force, he wanted to express the sense of urgency, the sense of compassion in his words. He opened himself up, letting his presence, his emotions be known to those around him. Hopefully that would be enough, hopefully that would be a start, hopefully that would let him inside.

@Lavi

 

[Altina Tiramara]

"Padawan. Open the door please. The council has sent me to aid you, to guide you," the voice cut through the noise again.

Aid me? Guide me? Why did it take so long for them to do anything?

It's a trick, she reminded herself. It has happened before and surely will happen again.

"In a dark place we find ourselves," a wizened voice said.

For some reason, the voice calmed her more than it frightened her. Whose voice is it? Altina opened her eyes. She felt like she knew who that voice was, but she couldn't place the name to sound.

"I am your new master," the voice - the real one - echoed in her head.

Shakily, Altina rose to her feet. She rested her fingers over the door control and hesitated. This was probably the first time she opened the door herself. It was always someone else who opened the door to check on her. And it always ended the same way: another wave of visions, voices, and emotions.

After a soft beep sounded, the door slid open. To the Jedi Knight, she looked like a mess. Her hair is disheveled from a complete lack of grooming. Her clothes, although fresh from the last time a caretaker stopped by, was dotted with dried tears. Altina looked up at the Jedi with shadow-lined eyes from what little sleep she was able to have.

"... and a little more knowledge lights our way." the wizened voice consoled her again, seemingly coming from the Jedi Knight.

"Who are you?" she asked. Her voice was laced with uncertainty, even as the Jedi's gaze acknowledged her. Visions don't do that.

@Srota

 

[Kyp Eridan]

"Who are you?" Those were not the first words he had expected. She could see a man, slightly bookish, of average height, brown hair and blue eyed, he looked her in the eyes and she could see the concern in them, the acknowledgement of her, the hint of pain at the sight of her, no one should have to feel like she clearly had been. Then a smile crept across his face. This was his Padawan! He had to show her things would be alright! This was his first step towards acknowledgement within the Jedi as well, this was someone who might even appreciate his research!

"I am Kyp Eridan, the council has assigned me to be your new master, Padawan. I look forward to taking this journey with you, and hopefully helping to guide you further down the pathways the Force has seen fit to provide us."

Fairly nice words, he thought, he had practiced them before hand. This was an important relationship after all, one that would define them both, he suspected. He offered her his hand in a friendly handshake.

"The council has not seen fit to tell me much about you, where your strengths are, what gifts the Force has given you." He offered her a smile, a bit awkward, but sincere, as he continued. "I certainly hope you are a better pilot than I am, if so, we may have a bit of trouble!" The bark of laughter that followed was a bit awkward, he suspected, but he felt it wise to attempt to take the moment and give it a more pleasant tone. "Anyway, please, why don't we take a walk? I am sure we can find a nice spot to meditate and to get to know one another better along the way. If you would like, I can wait if you wish to freshen up some."

@Lavi

 

[Altina Tiramara]

Altina instinctively took a step back from the smile that adorned Kyp's face. No one really looked at her like that. Usually, they were gazes of sadness or pity. Or both, for that matter. But the Jedi Knight, Kyp Eridan he called himself, offered his hand. She raised her hand, hesitating for a moment, before taking it in a soft grip. This is real.

More voices pierced her thoughts. Altina's eyes darted to the side, then behind her, as she sought to locate their sources. Nothing. They're fake. She looked back at Kyp as his voice brought her back to reality.

"The council has not seen fit to tell me much about you, where your strengths are, what gifts the Force has given you," her master was saying.

'What strengths?' she wanted to say. But she couldn't muster the courage to do so. How could anyone see strength in curling up in a ball, haunted by things that only she could see, hear, and feel? All Altina ever felt was fear.

Altina was so self-absorbed in what Kyp was saying that she missed his jab about piloting. Not that she knew anything about such things to begin with. His awkward laugh sparked a slight smile. However, it faded as quickly as it came.

"Anyway, please, why don't we take a walk? I am sure we can find a nice spot to meditate and to get to know one another better along the way. If you would like, I can wait if you wish to freshen up some."

Altina could only nod in response to Kyp's suggestion, stepping backwards into her room and closing the door between them. She looked down at her hands, shaking from the moment. What she just witnessed seemed unreal, but Altina felt the warmth of her new master's hand from the handshake. She could feel her heart pounding from the encounter, especially as she rested a hand over it to calm herself.

She could feel it. Hope.

Hope led her to her dresser. It motivated her to pick up her brush and, at the very least, make her a bit more presentable for the day. And it guided her back to Master Kyp's side. "... take the next chance. And the next. On and on..."

"Where are we going?" she asked him, a little more confidently than her last question.

@Srota

 

[Kyp Eridan]

He saw the way she reacted to that smile, the hint of one at his own laugh. It was good to see that. Even just a brief light in the darkness could be a start. He felt himself pulling back as the door closed, and he slumped just a bit, she seemed like she needed a light, and he was not sure he was capable of such a feat. But she deserved a chance, and he would try his best to provide a beacon, to help her guide herself from the darkness of her own despair.

He straightened himself out, adjusting his robes some, pulling out a book, he pressed it to his head, his notes, his journal of his own lessons provided by the Force, it helped him center himself, reminded him that he was a vessel for the Force, and that it would always send him where it needed him. It was clear that this was a place he was needed. He let the book fall from his head as he heard the door open, and he smiled warmly as she appeared, her hair straightened, looking more presentable for the day, indeed.

"Where are we going?" She asked as she appeared, and he shrugged some. "Wherever the force takes us, Padawan." There is was, that word, it felt weird to say, he had never expected to have a learner apprenticed to him. "Do you have a lightsaber, by any chance?" He asked as an aside, it might seem a bit of an odd question, given his stated desire for meditation, but he figured it would be good to learn this now. With that, he set out, making his way aimlessly, the Force would guide him where they needed to go.

"Padawan, what history courses have you taken at the temple?"

@Lavi

 

[Altina Tiramara]

Altina was perplexed by the response she was given. This is the man who is supposed to help her? Help without a plan? She did her best to ignore the whispers and focused on the questions that Master Eridan was asking her.

Lightsabers? "No."

History courses? "None."

Her own responses made herself feel unprepared. Unprepared and unworthy to be someone's student. Frankly, Altina hardly did anything ever since she was brought to the temple. Where is this place again? Yavin? Dago--no that can't be it. Wasn't that planet arid? Or swampy? Everything felt like a blur in her mind, no thanks to the bits and pieces of the visions she witnessed. She couldn't bring herself to ask Master Eridan: it seemed like it's supposed to be obvious what planet they are on right now.

The mention of classes also made her nervous. Are there going to be other padawans there too? Or are they going to be alone? Surely it is just the two of them. She wouldn't be able to take the weird stares that she was witness to in the past, when she lived on Naboo. At least she could remember that.

"Why? Is that my first lesson?" she asked back, gesturing to the book that Kyp carried at his side.

@Srota

 

[Kyp Eridan]

Kyp smiled, turning as he walked so that he could face her and speak to her. He smiled warmly as she responded to his questions and even asked her own. He looked down at where she was pointing, chuckled. "Oh, this? I suppose so, it might as well be." He raised the book and closed his eyes for a moment, the book lifted into the air and made it's way gently to her. Eyes opened once more and he continued on. The book was simple, leather-bound, without a word on the cover. As she would flip through it, she would see pages and pages of scratchy, messy, writing. Pages barely decipherable, rambling on and on about visions, meditations, comments on travel, to even recent holodramas.

"That is a journal, I keep one of my own thoughts, of meditations, of visions granted by the Force." He said simply, continuing to walk backwards, his feet carefully placed as best he could. He was used to reading and walking, after all, so he had a good sense of direction, or so he thought, as he backed into the wall of the hallway, then reached up and rubbed the back of his head absentmindedly. "Heh. Whoops." He said with a sheepish smile, before turning around once more. "The Force speaks to us, to those of us who are willing to listen. When it does, I write it down, I include my own thoughts as well, so that I may decipher them at a later time. It may be worthwhile for you to try this as well. But since we have no understanding of where your talents lie, we will need to start from the beginning." He looked about his surroundings and turned right, making his way out towards the grounds of the Temple. He was going to take her out to find a quiet location, they would begin with meditation, with learning to open oneself to the Force wholly and completely.

He walked at a brisker pace now, knowing that she would keep up, even with the book in her hands. It felt odd to show it to someone, his own private thoughts and musings, the whisperings of the Force, and more. Even so, he would need to let his new Padawan (that still sent shivers down his spine) in, let her see what and who he was. Perhaps this would help her take the first steps. How could the Council have left her like this? How could they have let her suffer so? He shook his head. No, they had some reason, he was just not privy to it now. He would learn this in time, he was sure of it.

"Let me know when you see a place that you think will let you clear your mind. I am quite fond of the library, but the forest is also nice."
@Lavi

 

[Altina Tiramara]

Altina scanned through the pages as Master Eridan talked. It is difficult to both keep track of what is on the pages while listening to Master Eridan at the same time, all while walking, so she relied on his guidance to ensure she does not bump into anything. However, it seemed that it was not her that needed a guiding hand.

The same slight smile twinkled for a moment as her master regained her bearings and led her through the temple. Perhaps things will be all right after all.

"The forest, please," Altina quickly answered.

She rather not be watched by the others, even at the library. All they ever do is stare whenever she has one of those episodes. The thought of succumbing to one right now scared her and she huddled close by Kyp's side as they made their way outside and into the forest.

The wooded area, although it bore little similarity to her home planet, felt more welcoming than being inside. When they arrived at the meditation site that Master Eridan had in mind, Altina suddenly stopped. It seemed as though someone is already occupying one of the smooth rock faces that dotted the large lake.

She hesitated to say something, since Master Eridan didn't seem to flinch at the sight, but when the padawan looked back at the same rock, the meditating figure was gone. It's happening again.

Altina took off at a jog to catch up with her teacher. Sweat beaded down her brow as her nerves fought with her senses. She didn't want to break down again in front of her teacher.

"Sorry..." she mumbled.

@Srota

 

[Kyp Eridan]

The forest, a wise choice indeed. Kyp had to agree with her decision, not everyone was suited to the busier library, and he took a moment to scold himself for even offering the option. He made his way out into the wooded area, and over towards the lake. Allowing her to huddle close to him as they walked. He let her stop, she would make her way to him when she was ready. Instead, he took his way to a smooth rock by the lake. He settled down, crossing his legs as he sat there. Eyes closed, he spoke as she arrived at a jog. He dismissed her mumbled apology with a gentle motion for her to sit beside him.

"Come, padawan, sit beside me. We shall begin the basics of meditation, of opening ourselves to the Force." He waited to feel in the Force that she had settled near him. Once she was ready, he continued onward with his planned lesson. He kept his eyes closed, for he would allow himself to view the world through the Force itself. "Settle yourself, close your eyes and clear your mind. If you wish, you may join in repeating my own words as they come. Focus on the words, if you need. As your mind clears, let your feelings extend outward, feel the life in the trees, the lake, the air. This is the Force, the energy that connects all living beings." He took a deep breath and began to practice as he had described. His mind slowly began to clear, but it was harder than normal. Without his book, he found his mind wandering, so without thinking, he withdrew his lightsaber, and set it before him, focusing his mind on the crystal within.

"I am one with the Force, the Force is with me." He began to chant, focusing on the crystal, letting his mind empty and his senses expand, allowing the Force to come to him, to seek him out, to speak to him. He would let whatever visions he had guide him. "I am one with the Force, the Force is with me." He repeated, softly, slowly, letting his concentration deepen. Slowly, he focused harder on the lightsaber, letting it break down into its components, separating out before him. Even as he did so, he let himself feel what how his new student was coming along. After all, that was the most important part of today. "I am one with the Force, the Force is with me."

@Lavi

 

[Altina Tiramara]

Altina watched as Master Eridan soothed himself into a meditative state. It was much like the Jedi in her room. She sat down across from Master Eridan, copying how he sat, which was much like the other times that Altina tried to meditate. And much like those other times, Altina was scared.

She closed her eyes as instructed, trying to mirror the rhythmic breathing that Master Eridan was showing her as he uttered the mantra. Everything had to be as she seen it for it to work, right?

After several cycles of the mantra, Altina tried to join in. She had no idea what the phrase meant, but maybe it would help. "I am one with the Force. The Force is with me."

Her voice dragged behind Master Eridan's, but Altina tried to match his speed as they spoke. All the while, the voices in her mind sought to distract her.

"I-I am..." she hesitated as a particularly loud voice cut her off.

"NO!"

She recoiled at the scream. But the voices would not relent. "Show me again. The power of the Darkness."

Her eyes flicked open. Altina realized she was visibly sweating. Her breath was way quicker than she remembered and her heart pounded like a drum. Much like the other times she tried.

"Keep your concentration here and now, where it belongs."

"I can't..." Altina sniffed.

She wanted to curl up again. How can she be a student if she cannot even do the first thing asked of her?

@Srota

 

[Kyp Eridan]

He felt the Force ripple as she settled in and began her meditation. The slow mantra repeating, repeating, and then the sound of her voice joining his own. Then there was a shooting pain inside him, the immense pressure, he had never experienced something like it before and his eyes snapped open, his lightsaber falling in pieces. And he was greeted by the sight of his Padawan sniffling, stating that she could not proceed. His heart sank, not from disappointment in her, but in himself and he inwardly cursed his own foolishness. He reached out to place a comforting hand on her knee and offered her a soft smile.

"Padawan, are you alright?" She could sense the concern in his voice, could hear the hint of worry as he spoke. He looked her in the eyes and continued on. "Breathe deeply, Padawan, slowly, calm yourself down. You did well, Altina, you did very well indeed. I too struggled at clearing my mind when I first started, you will come to find your center in time. But for now, please tell me what you experienced, do not hold anything back. Anything you can tell me will allow me to aid you further."

He withdrew his hand and settled back sitting calmly before her. He should have known better, he should never have asked her to try this to start. Meditation did not come easy to some, and this one, she had no experience whatsoever. How could the council have let her remain here with no training? How could they have left her unsupported like this? How could he have assumed they had trained her in the basics? He never should have made assumptions. He never should have agreed to this. Why had the Force seen fit to bring him to her? He was a failure. He was not a good teacher, he was barely good at much of anything aside from research and listening to the Force. No, she deserved better, and he knew it. Perhaps, just this once, the Force had made a mistake. He felt his face fall from a smile into a neutral expression as his own doubts weighed heavily on him. Altina might even feel such thoughts rippling out from him, as he found himself turning his own doubts in on himself.

He reached down with his hand and set to replacing the components of the lightsaber, restoring the symbolic weapon to functionality. This was merely an idle action, but it provided him some comfort, foe his doubts were heavier on him than they had been in some time. Oh how he wished he had that book, the item that provided him with some semblance of comfort, that allowed him to center his own thoughts by focusing on their words. But he could not obtain it, it was with her, and she had need of it more than he did. No, he was wrong to think of himself in a time like this. She needed him more than he needed to wallow in his own failures. As his thoughts reached this point, he looked back at Altina and forced himself to focus on the present, to focus on her and what she needed.

@Lavi

 

[Altina Tiramara]

Kyp's feelings struck Altina as much as the voices have. Doubt layered doubt. Her feelings of hope were smothered by ever increasing doubt. She did look into Master Eridan's eyes as he consoled her. She could feel his sincerity, which was about the only thing that kept her from bursting into tears. Well... it would have, if it was not for the voices.

"At last, we will reveal ourselves to the Jedi. At last, we will have revenge."

Altina wiped her reddening eyes as she turned to face the neutral stone beneath her. She couldn't bear to look at her teacher any longer.

"Fury... Sympathy..." she rattled off words. Really any word that came to mind. "Darkness..."

Although not prepared as a padawan learner, years were spent bringing Altina to this moment. Most of them on Naboo, where she was kept hidden out of concern that she had health issues. Then more spent in a vain attempt at therapy. And then what felt like weeks couped up among the Jedi. Her parents gave up on her. The Jedi had gave up on her. And now her teacher just might give up on her too.

@Srota

 

[Kyp Eridan]

He had failed her, and he knew it the moment she looked away, rattling off emotions that she had felt. It was something, but he was not sure how he could aid her further. This poor Padawan was lost and he did not have the map to help her find her way. It was a sinking feeling deep within his heart. She deserved someone better. She deserved someone who could help her.

"Perhaps this form of meditation may not suit you well. We will work on this together, Altina." He spoke calmly, seeking to keep the feelings of doubt and failure from his voice. He would give her the best he could, even though it was clearly not enough. "Have you eaten today? Perhaps some food might be a good idea. Or would you like to try again? What would you like to try? What would you like to learn?" Perhaps if he let her guide her lessons for now, he might gain better insight into how he could help her find the right path.

He rose to his feet and looked down at her, offering a hand to help her rise, should she wish. Perhaps some semblance of normalcy might help. Or would she like to spend more time outside in the woods? He could not give her much, but he would give her what he could. After all, Compassion was the most important part of being a Jedi. He offered her a soft smile, something simple, hoping to hide his self doubt behind that thin veil.

@Lavi

 

[Altina Tiramara]

Altina dried her eyes and wiped her nose before taking Master Eridan's hand and rising to her feet. She could have told him that she tried to meditate on her own, but she did not. There were a lot of things that Altina could have said. Even simply eating a proper meal with someone sounded more appealing. But there was only one that mattered to her.

"How do I make it stop? The voices. The mirages. All of it," she asked.

Perhaps it is because she was so focused on hearing the answer she wanted, but it felt like the world had gone silent in anticipation of the answer. Surely there is a way to just turn off the switch forever. Even if it meant she can never become a Jedi. At the very least, she would be able to go back to Naboo and have a normal life. Whatever that meant.

"Is it even possible?" she dared herself to say.

Jedi are supposed to possess immense power through the Force. Surely, they have the power to end this torment.

@Srota

 

[Kyp Eridan]

Voices? Mirages? He forced himself to hide his surprise at her comments. He did not think that she had fully opened herself up to the force in so brief a time, that took a good deal of experience. He raised a hand to his chin and thought for a moment. Would it be possible to cut them off completely? How could he help her? What did he need to do? This was not something he was experience with. He continued to stroke his chin, saying nothing. It took him a full minute before he said anything.

"Perhaps, if you had something to focus on? I admit, I do not experience the Force in exactly the same way. I only get a feeling unless I work to open myself completely to the Force." He looked her in the eye to show her how serious he was about what came next. "I do not know the answer now, but I will do my best to help you make this stop." His mind began racing, he would need to begin to research this, in the meantime, perhaps he would devise a series of exercises to help her with focusing on something to the point it drowned out the rest? He was not sure, and that worried him. But this young one deserved his help, and he could not turn away.

"I.. I know I am not the Master you expected. I... I am sorry I do not know the answer to your question. But I promise... I will do my best." He could feel his face fall a bit, the serious look fading into almost sadness. He forced himself to steel himself and the serious look returned to his face, she did not need to see his self doubt, that was better saved for in private. His worries were for himself and only himself.

"We shall work together to come up with the answer, with the solution. In the meantime, you will need to begin studies in history, philosophy, you will begin studying the lightsaber, you will be working out every day. These exercises will help you hone your mind, hone your body, and hone your connection with the Force. We will be researching this together." He looked away. He hoped this would be the right thing to do. He could not imagine any other way. He hoped it would help. Something had to be done, but was he the right one to help her? Surely someone on the Council was better suited to this? He knew his meager skills would not be enough, but he would use what he could. In a way, it felt good to have a problem to sink his mind into. He needed this sort of puzzle, and he knew this would soon encompass his thoughts.

@Lavi

 

[Altina Tiramara]

Focus? Focus on what? Altina's expectant look turned to confusion. Then to despair as Master Eridan's response ran contrary to her expectations. Even the Jedi had no answer for her. That must be why they are so quick to abandon her. Her teary eyes turned to anger as the realization of what Master Eridan said burned itself into her mind.

"Why am I here, then?" she demanded.

She was ready to scream and yell. Why is he wasting her time with this? If Master Eridan did not have an answer, then who does? Is there even an answer? Altina balled her hands into fists as she opened her mouth to let loose her fury. But the look on her master's face gave her pause.

"I... I know I am not the Master you expected. I... I am sorry I do not know the answer to your question. But I promise... I will do my best." he said to her.

Altina stared at him for several moments. She wanted to be angry at him, but she couldn't bring herself to unload her anger. Was it the way he spoke to her? Or the feelings that she felt? The young padawan forced herself to look away, across the lake, as Master Eridan suggested studies and physical training. A part of her doubted that any of it would help. What makes studying history and philosophy help where meditation does not?

"The greatest teacher, failure is," the wizened voice from earlier perked her attention.

She could see its owner, sitting at the edge of that lake. Usually the visions were preoccupied with whatever happened in the being's world, but the small, elderly alien met his eyes with hers. No more words were said, but Altina instinctively understood the alien's meaning. Trust him; trust Master Eridan.

The anger had evaporated. Altina looked down, finding Master Eridan's journal in her hands. She turned back to her master, the one who promised to help solve this mystery with her.

"Then you will need this," she said, offering him his journal.

// THE END

@Srota