Open Yavin IV Ikatuhlirya Misida Haran Ut Ni

[Ruus’all Solus]

(OOC Note: Open to all Padawans and other members of the Jedi Order, though this thread is mainly for Padawan Learners.)

Ruus'all had been patiently waiting outside a clay dome-shaped hut on Yavin just outside the Jedi temples. It was his forge where he melted down metals to make vibro-weapons or blaster casts, pieces to ligthsabers, or even armor plating, for the Jedi who wanted such things. The Mando-Jedi had gotten word out to the Padawans that he was going to give a lesson on how to use a forge- and if they behaved themselves properly, Ruus might even make them a Mandalorian armor piece of their choice.

If Ruus was going to be honest, teenagers scared the shit out of him. They were so...chaotic! And spontaneously happy, depressed, angry, jealous, and naïve all at the same time. Some of them even sent shivers down his spine when the Jedi Knight greeted them in the halls. The whole lesson idea was not Ruus' and was actually his master's, Russel Monti, to see if he could introduce Ruus to potential Padawans that he could teach himself as Russel once did with Ruus.

His lesson was more than just how to beat a blazing hot piece of slag into something beautiful, though, and as much as Ruus had dreaded the teaching opportunity, he did his best to go all out anyway to make it more enjoyable for himself. It was mainly an object lesson about creation in general, and he was actually pretty proud of his philosophical and figurative understandings and tried to excite himself enough in case anyone showed up.

For now, he was simply leaning on the door to his heated forge decked out in his traditional beskar'gam, awaiting the arrival of literally anyone at this point.

@Logan

 

[Arctus Friers]

The Knight surely might have been expecting teenagers to show up, but an adult – a decade older than him – was the first to arrive.

Arctus personally wasn't a fan of forges, and while he had seen his fair share back in the day he knew that smithing was something he surely sucked at even if he hadn't tried it yet. The notion was preconceived, but even so he decided that smithing was a skill that might be useful in the near future. So when one of the Knights sent out word about forge-work the former smuggler signed up for the lesson. He might be reluctant, but he was honestly willing to learn.

Though it came as a surprise to him that the Knight in question was also a Mandalorian. Arctus's thoughts immediately drifted to his Mando savior – Reiel Crowholde – but he was quick to dispel the thought. No use in chasing after a woman whose heart was already claimed by another man, but a small part of him still held on to hope that he would get a chance someday.

But really, he always told himself, he would never have that chance.

Love was kriffing messed up.

Shooing such hopeless romantic thoughts away, the Padawan focused on the task at hand. He was off to learn how to use a forge, and even someone stupid like him knew that it would take concentration and effort. The former smuggler stepped out of the Temple, and was immediately greeted by the sight of a Jedi Knight clad in full Mandalorian armor. Grey overlapped the green and red of the man's beskar'gam, and Arctus had to shake his head once, twice, to shoo away intrusive thoughts off of his mind.

Approaching the Knight, the Padawan raised a hand in greeting and introduced himself rather amicably, "Padawan Arctus Friers, present!"

@Charles

 

[Anig'zagut]

Anig had heard about the forging, and being eager to learn, she decided to go check it out. Unlike most her age, years of watching her parents work—even helping with her mother's work from time to time—had taught her to be calm and gentle.

While she'd heard about the armor as well, the Twi'lek was more interested in the learning experience. She saw Ruus and Arctus, making her way over as she spoke. "Padawan Anig'zagut, present!" She said.

 

[Ruus’all Solus]

Dang.

Only two showed up- which was fine. The age difference was laughable, at least. Ruus had a tail-head and a geezer, and though the guy was only around thirty or something, it was still a decade older than he was.

"Hey, I've got a good crowd today, don't I? Also, I don't care too much for all the formalities, and what not...I'm making nicknames as we speak, heheh." He chuckled.

"I'm Ruus'all Solus, by the way. You probably already know that. But, I'm assuming you guy don't already know how to work a forge, which is why I'm here." Ruus unfolded his arms and let them sway at his side for a moment or two.

"So, before we begin, I want to get to know you two a bit better. Where were you two born? Give me a brief sum of how you grew up- I'll go first; I was born on Concord Dawn to parents I'll never meet and never want to meet. Clan Solus picked me up when I was a toddler and they're now my family. I grew up as a foundling, learning how to fight, forge, scrap, and smith. I was a bit of a wild child, at that, and got involved in a lot of simple speeder heists and petty theft before becoming a bounty hunter around sixteen. I had known I was Force sensitive since I was a kid, but my Clan tried suppressing those powers, which didn't help my rebelliousness, heheh. That's when I met my master Russel Monti- but I didn't know he was my master then, just some shady fellow who knew how to use a blaster as well as I could. Then, one day, he figured out I was Force sensitive and...here I am now." He kept it pretty brief for the most part and didn't want to get into his trauma or anything. Ruus had to watch plenty of people die, but it wasn't a competition to name all of the friends you lost in battle.

A lot of the kids felt that mental-health was like a game. Whoever had more problems, more trauma, more stress, more of anything won the game. Maybe Ruus'all didn't understand kids- which was why he was so grateful that Arctus had shown up and was part of the reason why Ruus'all took two almost-adults as apprentices to teach.

Ruus did sense a little unease with Arctus, however, but he wasn't going to get all mystical and monastic and kept a mental note to keep tabs on him while the lesson progressed.

"The biggest thing that I learned growing up...my motto, or so to speak...is probably...Keep Moving Forward. Endure to the End. Either one of those fits fine. That was kind of how I had to live, though. If I gave up every time I got shot or knifed, I wouldn't be who I am, where I am, or how I am today." His little motto was pretty basic, but hopefully it gave the other two an idea of how this was gonna go.

"Alright, buddies- your turn." Ruus folded his arms again and awaited patiently.

@Forsythe Crowholde @Jayda Ekkreth

 

[Anig'zagut]

Anig listened to Ruus speak before speaking herself. "I was born on Ryloth. Both of my parents are Jedi. My father is a Healer here at the Temple, and my mother works abroad with plants and animals. There isn't much to my story. I've been raised watching my parents work—even helping them from time to time. I'm not nearly as much of a fighter as either of you. I've been taught to be calm and gentle, but tough. I fight when necessary, but I'm not as rusty as one would expect. I guess my motto is...be like an akk dog. Kind, gentle, and loyal, but tough and fierce when needed."

 

[Jendu Gash]

Jendu was late. Kicking up dirt and grass behind him as he ran through the Yavin forest, pre-emptive embarrassment building inside the lanky Duros. It had been such a short time since his presentation before the council that he didn't even feel like a proper Padawan yet, let alone a Jedi. It wasn't a good look to show up late to one of his first lessons with his new master, even if this was a group session. Even though he knew Ruus'all would likely be lenient on him this early into training, Jendu felt he couldn't afford to let himself down for a single moment.

Running down a heavily trodden path, his tan-coloured robes flailing behind him, Jendu spotted three figures outside what he presumed was the forge. A short, young looking Twi'lek, a much taller, older man and Ruus'all, who stood closest to the forge. Interrupting the flow of conversation and skidding to a halt a meter or so behind the group, Jendu struggled to catch his breath. "Sorry, master-" He said between small wheezes. "I was- uh, I was..." Jendu paused, gesturing down to the visibly clean and new outfit he wore as he regained the ability to speak. Maybe this kind of robe was a little old-fashioned and cliched among the modern Jedi, but in the new apprentice's eyes it made him feel slightly closer to the real deal.

 

[Arctus Friers]

Arctus couldn't decide if the Knight was torn between amused or disparaged at the pair of Padawans who showed up. If Knight Solus had openly expressed that the situation was laughable the former smuggler would have awkwardly agreed. Perhaps it was for the better that the younger male kept whatever impression he had to himself, though Arctus, of all people, really shouldn't start assuming what other people thought.

Not his business, so why would he start minding?

Still, he had a fairly good expectation that he'd pick up something other than forge-work that he would be able to use sometime in the future.

Arctus let out a small smile as the Mando-Jedi Knight's words favored amusement over being disparaged. One brow raised as Knight Solus talked about nicknames, and the former smuggler would've joked about wanting a cool one to somehow ease both the Mando and the younger Padawan but the armored Jedi had plowed on with further introductions. Of course there had to be a "getting to know each other" stage before the actual lesson began, and Arctus was up for it.

He just didn't expect that, while keeping it brief, the introductions would start with the basic "where are you from".

Alright. He could manage.

The former smuggler listened intently as Ruus'all and Ani (Arctus wondered if he could call the kid that) introduced themselves one after the other. One was a foundling while the other was practically a Jedi since birth. One never wanted to meet his biological parents while the other was raised by Jedi parents. Interesting. When his turn came, one hand lifted to gingerly rub the back of his neck, and before he could open his mouth to speak a Duros in Padawan garb stormed into the gathering.

It wasn't his place to say it, but Arctus wanted to assure the newcomer all the same. Gotta look out for the young ones, after all.

"Hey, mate, no worries. We're just getting started, so..." he told the Duros, and Arctus would've snuck in a friendly shoulder pat but he also didn't want to make his fellow Padawan feel even more embarrassed by keeping everyone's attention to him. Turning to face the Knight once more, the former smuggler began to give his response. "Alright, my turn. I was born on Corellia and lived most of my childhood up to my late twenties not knowing I'm a Force-sensitive. I'm the oldest among four siblings – well, the younger three are triplets, so I get to look after them while Mum's at work. Grew up with–"

He paused for a short moment. Should he say the next words? Probably. Knight Solus didn't pull punches when it came to his childhood even if the discussion had been brief.

"Grew up with daddy issues, turned out he's not my biological father. Loved my old man nonetheless, though I have no idea if he's still alive out there. Same goes for my real dad. Got involved with the wrong crowd as a teenager, miraculously finished school while thieving and smuggling in the sidelines, forgone my degree in favor of being a full-time smuggler, done bad shit– I mean, stuff. Made bad choices like everyone else..."

The former smuggler let out an awkward chuckle. No need going into detail about horrible things he'd done as a smuggler nor mention anyone he'd manipulated, beaten up, or killed. Those were going to be such a downer, anyway. And besides, someone else out there had it worse, right? No need comparing one's angsty journey with someone else when people each have their own burdens to bear.

"Saw some shady people on Malastare and felt weird – in a bad way – after that. Met a Sith in my homeworld, told I was Force-sensitive, then took it upon myself to look for a Jedi who's willing to teach me about the Force. That's how I met my Master on Onderon, and now I'm here. Tryin' to set myself straight so I can be someone my Mum and brothers are proud of. As for mottos, well... it's something I picked up from someone very important to me – 'be good and do good, in all sincerity, so when you die you'll be surrounded by those you love and who love you in return.'"

The last part turned kind of morbid, but life and death always did come in pairs, didn't they?

@Charles @Jayda Ekkreth @Headastator

 

[Ruus’all Solus]

Ruus smiled warmly from behind his T-visor when one of his apprentices showed up to his lesson. Maybe, if they got lucky, Armen would show up to! Though, Ruus'all wasn't worried too much about attendance.

"Glad you could make it, bud! Just don't call me master- makes me feel old and you're almost as old as I am- we could pass as brothers from different mothers." He gave Jendu a small salute before returning his attention to the eldest among them; Arctus Friers. Ruus'all liked his story- mainly because Arctus was honest and true to the word. The Tail-head had a good story, too, but it was obvious that she probably stood out the most in this crowd. Jendu's story was going to sound a lot like Arctus and Ruus'all's, too, but Ruus wanted to hear what he had to say anyway. It was courteous and respectful, anyway.

"That's some good stuff, you two. I feel like a proud daddy!" He teased, dipping his head to Arctus in a friendly gesture. He meant nothing by the joke, and Ruus assumed that Arctus had tougher skin than Ruus did- which was saying something because nothing bothered Ruus'all.

Except women. Women were terrifying.

"New-School, I loved the bit about your sibs. Selflessness is hard to come by in this galaxy and I think everyone should take notes. Ani, I want to meet your folks later- I'm trying to learn about Force Healing, and maybe even you could help with that." Ruus complimented, finally lending out the Nicknames he spoke of earlier. Arctus was New-School, because he was older and also because it seemed that he had a bit of a rebirth after coming to the Jedi Order. Ani was Ani because there was no way in hell he was going to say Anig'zagut every time.

"Alright, Melon." Ruus turned on Jendu- Melon fit the man perfectly, not only because of his big blue head, but because Jendu knew how to use it. Besides, it was either gonna be Melon or Forehead and Ruus thought Melon was a little nicer.

"Your turn, buddy."

@Forsythe Crowholde @Jayda Ekkreth @Headastator

 

[Jendu Gash]

"Okay, sure, introductions..." Jendu said, trailing off slightly. He considered the best way to sum up his life so far. He also considered how much he actually wanted to tell these two Jedi he'd just met. Sure, they were Jedi, but he'd learned over his period of travelling to not reveal too much about himself unless completely necessary. Whilst before he might've been eager to trust anybody that presents themselves as an ally, Jendu now felt that trust was something to be earned, not given freely.

"Well I'm from Onderon, for a start. My parents were traders so I hardly had an interesting childhood." Jendu began with a nervous chuckle. "I've had Jedi in my family, but none that I've ever met, so this is all pretty new to me. I met Ruus'all a little while ago on Cato Neimoidia, because I, for some reason, believed I was capable of making my own way in the galaxy." The Padawan continued with a smile in his master's direction. "Long story short I pretty much owe him my life now and he's offered to take me up as his newest Padawan." Jendu said, making an effort to not ramble too much. "As for some kind of motto or life lesson, I'm not sure, really. I guess I've found it important to decide for myself what I want to be, instead of letting other people make decisions for me..." The Duros finished, his eyes momentarily drifting off into the forest as his thoughts turned back to his family at home. For a split second he almost felt as though his grandmother was right here with him. He realised with a hidden smile that she'd probably once been in this very same situation herself, decades ago.

 

[Arctus Friers]

Keeping in line with Ruus'all's joke, Arctus shot the Knight a cheeky grin. The younger man seemed pretty laid-back for someone his station, and if truth be told the former smuggler appreciated such attitude. Seeming as if he was someone others could joke around with, Arctus decided that he quite liked the Mando-Jedi.

"Mum raised us well, eh," the Padawan joked back with a snicker as he lightly nudged Ani's arm with an elbow. Suddenly remembering that it was the first time he'd met the young Twi'lek, the former smuggler would be quick to offer her a muttered "sorry!" if his gesture would be perceived and considered an offense.

At the Knight's following compliment and nickname-giving, Arctus shrugged and gingerly rubbed the back of his neck with one hand. For someone who had been jokingly (and even condescendingly, most probably by someone he'd rather not name) called "old man", New-School came as an actual surprise. Was it because Ruus'all took to mind that Arctus was still new to the Order despite already being a member for quite a while? Maybe there was still no moving on from that even if he'd been through some Jedi missions. The former smuggler, in all honesty, took no offense.

At least he wasn't going to be called geezer or something worse. He was still on his early thirties, godsdamned it. Thirty-something wasn't even that old yet!

Selfless, huh? Arctus was still on the way to reconnecting with that forgotten– no, buried aspect of himself. He'd been pretty selfless for the majority of his childhood and early teenage years, but falling into the wrong crowd had him hiding that part of himself. Mostly to protect the people he loved, and his self came second. Looking back, most of his earnings as a smuggler went straight to his Mum's bank account. Even after he'd committed one screw up after another, his family's welfare was all he would always thought of first.

Maybe he never really stopped being selfless.

"Thanks," was all he could say in response to the Knight's compliments. The former smuggler didn't want to linger around that too much and instead focused on the Duros after the latter was prompted by Russ'all for the introductions.

A Jedi in the family he never even met, huh? Kinda sounds like Arctus's biological father, if the gossipmongers back home were to be believed. But he'd planned on returning to Corellia – if only to clear that part of his past with Mum. He'd been putting off asking her, but the longer he kept the question to himself the more he started to hate the man he hadn't even met yet. And besides, he knew it must have been a burden his mother had to carry for decades.

The Duros finished his introduction without really telling his fellow Padawans his name. Arctus was quick to remedy the problem – and besides he really wouldn't want to proceed with the lesson without knowing everybody's names. Also, he doubted that the Duros's name was actually Melon.

"Ah, so Knight Solus here's your Master, then? Cool," he commented with a smile before extending a hand to the Duros. "I'm Arctus, by the way. Nice to meet ya." The former smuggler smiled at the young Twi'lek, as well. "Nice to meet you as well, Anig'zagut. Hope I didn't just butcher the name your ma and pa gave you, buddy."

@Charles @Jayda Ekkreth @Headastator