Master Trials: Ashlyna Talmount

[Arda Breaux]

Ifrane

The Jedi temple on Ifrane stood in the center the vast plains that stretched to the horizon. Regardless of where one stood, there seemed to be no end, but the warmth of the winds seemed to take one beyond what they would see, carrying the sweet scent of water and new blooms from the south. The windows were open in the master's hall where the Grandmaster Arda Breaux stood with Jedi Master Eisa Swan as they waited for the Knight to arrive. They were present to adhere to trials that had not been completed since before the fall of the Order five centuries prior and the group of Jedi Knights that were chosen would be the first to undergo these tests to determine if they were ready become Jedi Masters.

It was in Arda's hope that one day the Jedi Council could return, and they would be closer to becoming complete as several pieces of the Jedi Order seemed to still be missing. Their first Knight entering for her trial was Ashlyna Talmount. She was humble in her teachings and practice, but a rebel and smuggler at heart and if Arda remembered correctly, she belonged to the heart of her trusted General, Tycho Draykon. To see though if she had the qualities of a Jedi Master was different entirely. As a Jedi Master required the dedication beyond leading missions, but would also require commitment to upholding balance in the Force.

Arda glanced at Eisa and gave her a reassuring nod, there was no doubt there was pressure on the both of them for ensuring they make the right decision this afternoon.

@Plebometer @Algarus

 

[Ashlyna Talmount]

She wasn't perfect, force knew that as well as she did. But she did care, not just about others, but life in general. It was such a fickle thing, life that is, and speaking personally she knew just how quick it could be taken away. In all honestly, she didn't think of herself worthy of the honor, there was clearly someone more deserving of it. She just cared too much, which was entirely on her, but it was that very same thing that was her failing in a way. Tycho, Ayasha, Reuben, as well as others, she cherished them. She was used to losing people, but them...they were different. She could let them go, if she absolutely needed to, she had done that before had she not? But five years of isolation had shown her just how important such bonds could be, after all she was alive because of those bonds.

She made a rare choice today, donning the robes she had so violently despised wearing, but this was something befitting of the order, so she would pay them the respect they were deserved; she owed them much as it was, taking in someone as troubled as her. She entered the hall, head held high, as she looked to the two women, showing a level of respect the two probably had never seen from her in their brief meetings. She would proceed halfway into the room, stopping before the two women before bowing. "Master Arda, Master Eisa, before we start, I just wanted to thank both of you. If that is allowed?" She paused, raising from her bow as she folded her hands behind her back. If allowed, she would continue. "I know I haven't been the ideal jedi, and I've had my fair share of failings as well. Five years ago I left the order in the belief that I could make a difference beyond the call of war. I was naive back then, and hasty in my actions. But yet you allowed me to return and serve, not only that but you allowed me to become a knight as well. And for that, words can't express my gratitude. Thank you both. With that said, I full accept the judgement that you two have reached." Ash out let out a breath, having felt she said all she wanted to say. Even if she hadn't been given the title of master, that was okay, there was always room for improvement. With that said, she would await the words of the two women, to know if she was worthy enough of being labeled as a master.

@GABAdactyl @Plebometer

 

[Eisa Swan]

Well this was certainly an odd one, of all the worlds that the order had established an enclave upon, Ifrane was perhaps the only temple which the Ashen Haired Master has set foot within. It seemed that like all the other temple worlds, there was a unique sensation that the Force presented itself with, Jedha was rich in history and faith, Elllora had a strong air of primal nature around it. Ifrane, well it seemed tranquil, the air carrying the welcoming scent of freshly budding crops and fresh water. Standing in close proximity to the Grand master, Eisa leaned against the window reveal, her emerald hued gaze intently looking out into the sea of meadows that stretched out beyond her sight.

The two remaining masters of the Order had gathered within the temple, to conduct a seemingly long forgotten right of passage for Jedi Knights, who wished to bare the heavy title of Jedi Master. The trials, however were by no means understood to be close to that of what a Padawan would face when looking to step up to Knight. The intention was for the Jedi Masters to test the protective candidate on thier commitment to the light side and to the Order, something that was appeared to have been borne out of necessity due to the amount of Ancient Jedi Masters who succumbed to the Darkside.

Stepping away from the window as the presence of the approaching candidate grew stronger. The Ashen haired Master turned round to face the Grand Master, a bright smile curling on her lips in response to the offered nod from Arda. Before quickly casting a cursory glance down her body, making sure that her formal robes were in order and sitting correctly. Her eyes lifting as the sound of the large ornate wooden doors started to creak open echoed within the Hall, regarding the new arrival with a warm smile, Eisa watched as Ashlyna stepped into the hall through the opening. A curious expression crossing Eisa's features as the Knight kicked off the proceedings by speaking out, expressing her gratitude for the two masters even considering her ready to face the Trial.

Though she wasn't hardly surprised, the Jedi Master had flown many Missions with the Knight in thier shared capacity within Star Squadron. Over that time, though perhaps it was in part to the informal attitudes within the squadron, she had known Ashlyna to air what ever was on her mind, without hesitation. A light chuckle escaped Eisas lips as she slightly shook her head, her bright emerald hued eyes locking with the Knight's - it seemed that now was as good a time as any to start with the Trail. "Welcome, Knight Talmount" Eisa spoke out, as she looked up towards the taller Jedi Master beside her, her gaze meeting with Ardas for a moment, giving a subtle gesture that there was something she was ready to question the Knight on.

"You say, you've not been the Ideal Jedi, you left the order to seek a path to make a difference beyond the war, and you've had your share of failings." Eisa resumed, as her gaze moved away from the Grand Master and onto the Knight infront of her, the light demeanor of her voice shifting into a firm inquisitive tone. "To what standard do you hold the Ideal Jedi to? By your own admission, where do you see yourself as having fallen short of these standards?" The ashen haired Master continued, pressing on the point that the Knight had admitted her own short comings against the Jedi Ideal. Which was a curious point to make, by what definition of being a Jedi had Ashlyna been comparing herself against?

 

[Ashlyna Talmount]

Well, so far so good, she hadn't had a book thrown at her thus far. Out of the two women here, she knew Eisa by far more than Arda, that was her flight commander after all. It was a little hard to not call her Star Three out of habit, but Ash had stopped herself before she let that line slip. Her brown eyes would meet with Eisa's, before she would explain her faults; which if you asked her were many.

"As I said, I left the order with my master and her master long ago, shortly after it became known that the jedi were first outed. I went with them, along with other padawans. We thought that should the worst come, we could work together to keep a jedi order out of the war. At the time I thought this was a noble course, but as I now see it, we were wrong for doing so. By leaving, we neglected to think about the greater whole of the Galactic Alliance." Ash closed her eyes, drawing on what she saw as the ideal jedi, then opened them again, taking a small breath as she did so. It was rather difficult for her to come to grasp such a concept, even her own master hadn't been able to describe it in full for her. "Being honest Master Eisa, I care for many of my peers. Some I see as family, and perhaps one even more so than that." Her mind went to Tycho briefly, but she pulled back from those thoughts, aiming towards what she was on about, else she'd just be stuck in a rut until the two threw her out. "It's that compassion that lead me to leave the order in the first place, to go with my master, with people I considered friends. Those same things that drew me away from the order, it blinded me to what was truly important. I had been thinking too small, limiting my compassion for those around me, when in reality I should have been thinking of the greater whole. It was Knight Atrix who made me realize that I had been thinking incorrectly about what my role as a jedi was, when we were on Jedha not too long ago."

She wished she had time to say something to the man before he had left, least let him know his words had some level of impact on her, but she would just have to hope to see him again if the force willed it. "He told me I was thinking with only fear, and at first I didn't understand why he would say such a thing to me. But in hindsight, I can see that I had let those people I care about obscure me from the truth of the matter. In a way, I wasn't so much as helping them, but rather using them as an excuse to justify how I felt about a course of action." It was a tad embarrassing, she had to admit, having had such a flawed view of her own ideals, but that was part of growing up. You learned from your mistakes, other wise you never got anywhere. "A jedi is supposed to be selfless, yet compassionate, show wisdom without arrogance. I would like to think in these respects I have upheld the code, but my greatest failing was becoming too close to those I came to know and letting those attachments blind me to what needed to be done. But I know how to look past those bonds now, and to not let them blind me from my duty as a knight." Ash closed her eyes once more, looking to the ground for a moment, before looking back up to the two women. She would now wait to hear what the two masters had to say.

@GABAdactyl @Plebometer

 

[Arda Breaux]

Arda watched Ashlyna as she entered the chambers, her presence felt uneasy in the Force and Arda associated with nerves, even the strongest of Jedi were not immune to such natural feelings. However, she was surprised at Ash's opening, sensing guilt and regret within the Knight as she ruminated about past choices almost as though she were surprised at the decision to call her before the two masters. Eisa spoke first, inquiring about what made a true Jedi. There was generally no right or wrong answer, just as many Jedi had different paths in following the Force, their ideas would be different of what qualities would make an ideal Jedi.

The Grandmaster sat in silence, listening to the ebb and flow of the Force as well as the Knight's own words. She seemed stuck on past choices, but the woman allowed the Knight to fully explain herself, touching on her own personal growth over the years until presently. The room fell silent for a moment, a few seconds passing before Arda would speak with her own observations and questions.

"I sense guilt and remorse for your past choices, qualities that are not poor, in fact are promising, but only if you are able to move forward from them. You recognize your flaws, but what of your strengths?" Arda asked to have the Knight begin thinking, "How do you hold yourself to the ideals of the Jedi even in times that you are tried and tested by the events of the galaxy that are thrust upon the Order?" she added. Arda knew the Jedi in the current Order would be so much more different from five centuries ago and even five centuries ahead, however, what connected them was the Force and upholding peace not only within those around them but in themselves also as they followed their journeys with the Force.

@Algarus @Plebometer

 

[Ashlyna Talmount]

Ash turned to face Arda, nodding to the grand master as Ash would speak once again. Arda asked about her strengths, about what the jedi knight believed in, if she held herself to the ideals, and deep down Ash felt she did just that. "I will never abandon the tenets of the order. We are defenders of the innocent, guardians in times of darkness. We bring the hope to those lost in the dark, and guide them back into the light. That was one of the things that drew me to the order in the first place." Ash took in a breath, knowing there was more that she needed to say. There was always more she needed to say. "Despite the situation facing us, I will stay true to the order and it's tenets, even if it could result in my death."

She kicked herself mentally for the five years she had wasted, knowing just how much help she could have been to others, but that wasn't the time for such this sort of thinking "That is the duty we uphold, that is the sacrifice we must uphold. I don't regret taking up this role, and I have no shame in being a part through this order. If the worst happens, and this order is render no more, I will not forsake the innocent in order to save myself. I lived on too many worlds that were plighted by such selfish behaviors, I know what that behavior leads to."

She knew that all to well, from her life on Nal Hutta and her time as a pirate, there was so many things that a simple peace maker could have stopped. "I had no way of helping people before I knew of the order, when I was a pirate, all I did was cause pain to others. Being a jedi, being a part of this order, has allowed me to try and mend some of the damage I have done, but I am no where close to balancing it out." She paused to take a breath, was she rambling? She hoped she wasn't. It was just so hard to explain yourself and not get carried away. "I just...think of how by keeping true to myself and this code, that as a whole I am improve the lives of those around me. I came into this order to make a difference in this galaxy, Master Arda. That constant struggle against the galaxy is what keeps me centered."

@GABAdactyl @Plebometer

 

[Eisa Swan]

Pursing her lips in thought, the Ashen haired Master listened intently to reponse that the protective Master provided to the Grand Masters question. Eisas emerald hued gaze narrowing slightly as she studied the Jedi Knight, through her choice of words and the subtle shifts in the Currents of the Force around her. There was a burden upon the Knights shoulders, borne from the actions and mistakes of her past, but yet from that guilt and remorse that Ashlyna held - there was the conviction and desire to keep true to herself and the Jedi Code, to ensure that amends for the mistakes of her past can be made.

Whilst it was comforting to hear that despite all of her past mistakes, the young Knight was able to take a step back and critically evaluate and reflect on herself. The Jedi were despite the tales that proceed them, not infallible. They made mistakes, but it was the ability of learning from the mistakes and bettering themselves that was a strong asset to have in a Jedi.

Leaning forward slightly in her chair, the Ashen haired Master rested her elbows against her knees, lips curling slightly as she bit on her bottom lip in thought for a moment. "Whilst many of us draw strength of belief and our wisdom from The guiding tenants of the Jedi Order" Eisa spoke out, after the chewed over the question in her mind. "Where do you see the greatest weakness is withing the Teachings of the Jedi Code?"

 

[Ashlyna Talmount]

Ash turned to the flight commander, tilting her head as the woman's words had to settle in the knights mind before a clear image could take form. What was the weakness of the order? It was rather obvious to Ash. It was the reliance of the force, depending on it so much at all times that when one was deprived of it they became next to useless. But there was another issue that she saw, it was small, but it could potentially grow into a bigger issue. Ash took a moment to pull her elegant words out of the archives before speaking. "I feel like the greatest failing of the order is our need to stand out among the rest of the denizens of the galaxy. Our robes, our lightsabers, even our abilities, we carry it with prestige, and indeed we should to a degree. Sometimes I worry that by keeping to these practices we encourage a divide between who is a jedi and who is not." Ash bit her lip just a tad, as she was certain her next pair of words would get a level of reaction from the two masters.

"The force flows and welcomes all creatures equally, just because we can access it's gifts does not make us superior to those who can not. Sometimes I worry we focus too much on being centered with the force, and not seeing the people through which the force works with." Ash put her hands together and locked them in front of her, then realized that wasn't comfortable and put them around her back. "It's part of the reason I so rarely wear the garb of the order. I prefer to be as close to those people we protect, so I can understand them, and in it grow from coming to know them. I feel our current teachings might detract from such an approach. If we wish to protect the innocent, then we should know what they need protecting from." Ash nodded once more, as she would await the words from the two masters.

@Plebometer @GABAdactyl