Open Social Moving Day

[Zathria]

Oh for... you had to be kidding. It had been like two minutes and already Ezra was kissing people in front of all the media.

Oh, and perfect the Grandmaster was actually here. Of course she was and of course she wanted to "speak to" Zathria. Zathria hadn't even had a chance to have her first training session with him yet.

With the noise of the crowds to easily cover it, Zathria sighed and headed after the Councilor.

Yes, master? she asked. The reality was that regardless of what happened, she was going to go to bat for Ezra. He was her Padawan now, and that meant it was simply what she would do. That's what a master did.

@Valen Pelora @Black Noise

 

[Maura Starwalk]

"Uhhh you might get like, a set of standard robes or something for official missions," Maura answered, though uncertainty laced her voice. She'd worn hand-me-down's herself until her master forced her to start wearing some proper, nice robes for missions. No more graphic t-shirts and baggy jeans in the field, not if Alex could have anything to do about it. "I only really wear mine when I have to," she added cheekily, glancing over in Alex's (@Valen Pelora) direction as she said that. If the Grandmaster happened to look their way again, Maura would give Alex a happy little wave before turning back when Ezra asked his question.

Lucky him, because she knew lots of fun things to do. "Skimboarding! I love coming here 'cause there's actually room outside to move around. I can't really manage that on Brighthome or the fleet..." While skimboarding down Brighthome's hallways was totally possible, it definitely wasn't appreciated by those trying to walk the halls. Unfortunately, "...and the wifi here's not terrible either, so you can definitely play games too."

What else did people do? She knew people took transports off to other major planets to hang out or shop, but she wouldn't chatter on too long. One of the others could answer too. She needed to quick and double check she was taking him to the right room.

"...101...102...103...oh! He has a roommate!"

"We're almost there," she added after a bit after there was a lull in the conversation or after they got too close. "You'll be able to meet your roommate too!" "Leon." The name wasn't familiar, but if she'd seen him around before, she'd see when they reached the room.

tags: @Valen Pelora @Sreeya @Altaris @Alhon @Zay @others[/color][/b]

 

[Cirilla Shan]

As Ezra said his goodbyes to his father and finally entered the dorms, a threshold the reporters could not cross, the crowd started to slowly dissipate. Ciri was contemplating settling down on a bench somewhere to wait out the excitement before heading back to her room, when her senses went on alert. The twinkle in the air of light reflecting just right, the smell of lilacs, and the soft yapping of a creature she knew all too well. Prepared for the day to get a whole lot worse, she turned to see her mother and their pet nexu-poodle approaching from the direction of one of the auxiliary buildings.

Miming a kiss her way, she dropped the pup into her arms as she continued walking and came to a stop before Jaikus Thorne (@Altaris). "Mister Thorne, Shiera Shan from the administrative office. I contacted you regarding Ezra's paperwork. I need a few signatures from you and we'll be out of your hair. Which," she continued with a tilt to her head and a smile on her face, "I must say, you do know how to present yourself. What do you say we grab a cup off coffee and talk things over, maybe tell me about you hair care routine?"

Ciri, who had walked over, glared at her mother, and years of exposure to her daughter allowed Shiera to sense her presence, even though the older woman possessed not a drop of the Force awareness. She turned to give her daughter a look, a playful smile on her lips. "What? It's just coffee, just because I'm married I can't have a drink with a handsome man? What are you doing here anyway, shouldn't you be helping your friends throw a house warming party or something?"

Still glaring, Ciri pushed the pup back into her mother's hand and turned around, fighting the urge to stab her with the syringe as she left. She loved the woman, but she was just so infuriating. So as her mother turned her attention back to Jaikus, she looked away, only to spot Jayna standing nearby.

"I don't have any candies on me this time, though this one's just as likely to throw up on you." She looked down at the pup in her hands, who was yapping excitedly towards Jayna.

 

[Hera "The Joyful" Albion]

The commotion rose and fell as the Grandmaster herself stepped forth from the temple to calm the crowds. It would take a blind Jedi Knight not to feel the great hand of the incredibly powerful woman exercised over the equipment of the reporters. There was a level of strength that the Grandmaster carried in her every step that many Jedi could only dream of, and there was, of course, respect that came with that.

Hera did not look in the Grandmaster's direction, however, affixed on the pair of Ezra and Dash as they entered the temple, joy apparent on the face of the Justicar. Her smile betrayed the happiness in her eyes, even if the blackened goggles covered those. Then came the request from Alexandria, and Hera reflexively winced. It was not a request, of course, but a command.

Turning towards Zathria and following in her footsteps, Hera made a few mental notes. One, that is what Zathria looked like. Two, Zathria was Ezra's master. Three, Hera would need to become Zathria's friend. If Hera was to continue teaching Dash, and Zathria Ezra, and their padawans engaged in a relationship, then the pair of knights would need to communicate in their teaching and watching of the young men.

Stopping beside Zathria, Hera, at first, simply grinned at the Grandmaster. What more did they expect of 'Hera the Joyful?' Folding her hands behind her back, she decided to add, "How might I serve, Grandmaster?" In the most respectful and meaningful way she could muster. She did mean her words, after all.

@Valen Pelora @Phoenix

 

[Ferrin Sipal]

While everyone else seemed eager to meet other members of the Thorne family.. Ferrin was actively trying to avoid eye contact with mommy dearest. Though it had only been for a moment, the Pantoran didn’t miss the sharp look from Jaikus - and was fairly convinced that Ezra’s father would eat him at the slightest misstep or comment. Instead he merely smiled, keeping his eyes on the newest Padawan - watching as he was practically dragged away by the rest of the class.

His brows furrowed a bit though, as a new presence entered his general vicinity. It send a pang of irritation through Ferrin at once, for reasons he couldn’t explain. It was almost as if he could smell cheap cologne and desperation in the air—

Oh look, there’s Dash.

Ferrin couldn’t help but aggressively roll his eyes - taking in the sight of Dash‘s completely tacky, not at all smooth and refined attire. He watched as the towhead Padawan tried to introduce himself to Ezra’s family like a scene right out of a cheesy Spallmark movie. And then narrowed his eyes when Dash went in for the kiss.

The Pantoran couldn’t help but scowl at the sight, immediately glancing around in every direction except for his fellow Padawan abruptly macking on Ezra. It didn’t bother him whatsoever - Ferrin just couldn’t help but gawk at how desperate it all seemed in front of all the cameras. Even worse when Ezra pulled Dash to return the kiss - causing Ferrin to glare daggers at no particular section of an adjacent wall.

Unfortunately for Ferrin, the kiss was seen and captured by countless photographers and journalists - and it didn’t take long for the same reporter from earlier to track down Ferrin - immediately thrusting a microphone into his face. “Knowing him as you do, can you tell us anything about the relationship between Ezra Thorne and-“

Ferrin immediately glared. “Oh piss off,” Clearly the woman thought he had insider knowledge on the entire ordeal, and the Pantoran wasn’t having any of it - proceeding to walk right past her to follow the group into the temple. He purposefully didn’t look at Dash or any attention he was getting. Maybe one of those camera would flash close enough to blind Casanova.

 

[Dash Pavan]

Dash knew how Ezra felt about him, but he didn't know for sure how he would react to the young Jedi throwing it out there in front of everyone. When Ezra kissed him back, arms around him, he had his answer. His sense of being invincible was complete.

"I'll try not to make any statements on the record" Dash whipsered back, a wink in his eye "After all, I know too much".

He followed Ezra into the temple, hand in hand as the crowd of Jedi coalesced around them. Dash tried to act cool, but he could feel the sands shifting beneath his feet. He had been the centre of attention on a stage before, but never in ordinary life. This was going to be totally different.

Ezra let him go rather suddenly and Dash saw the calculation in those familiar silver eyes. He followed the other teen's gaze to a group a senior Jedi a little way off, including Hera, Zathria and the Grandmaster herself. Surely there was no issue, was there? Dash tried not to worry about it. This day was too good for worrying about shit like that.

He took the opportunity to glance around while Maura was telling Ezra about the delights of the temple. He noticed Ferrin of all people slinking around in the crowd. He had to assume the Pantoran had been there through it all. It had been a little while since the warehouse on Zeltros and the strange vibe that had flickered to life there. Maybe they could have a reset.

"Hey Ferrin" he called, looking straight at those gold eyes (@Altaris ). They were not unappealing, despite the hostility he sensed from the off. "Big day for the guy" he nodded towards Ezra "guess we'll all have to pull together to help him settle in". The smile he gave the Pantoran was a genuine one; he sincerely hoped they could find some common ground.

 

[Alexandria Voran]

The Force moved around the three Jedi. The Grandmaster leading the way over to a side hallway, quietly constructing a barrier to dampen the sound around them. Her words were for Hera and Zathria alone. The Morellian Jedi letting the silence linger for just a moment. “In more peaceful times, I would have had the space to handle this gently…but those days are far behind us, and each moment is precious.” Already, Alex had missed a stream of messages on her datapad. “And I know neither of you will take offense.” Hera had a reputation was being blunt and Zathria no-nonsense. They were Justiciars. They knew the challenges the Jedi faced internally.

“Ezra Thorne should be treated as every other Padawan. He is not his fathers. He deserves the chance to become his own man and our duty is train him as we would any young soul who finds us.” Alex’s eyes flicked to Zathria. “But we cannot ignore the reality of his heritage. I will not ask you to alter your training, Zathria…yet if anything should happen to that boy the political ramifications would be disastrous.” Training him was the right thing to do. Managing that training was all the more difficult. “The war is growing out of control. We cannot afford distractions. I trust you will make the right decisions. We must not be blind to conseqneces of this decision.” Alex would not micromanage either of them. She would however keep an eye on things…just in case.

“Whatever that was…” She gestured in the general location of the kiss. “Falls on both of you. I need not explain the dangers of young love.” She sighed. “Our ways have changed for the better. It is not forbidden, and I will not forbid it. I will, however, expect you both to watch them carefully. Hormones and the Force do not mix well.” Her eyes momentarily drifted back towards where the Padawans gathered. The future was lost to her. Hidden behind a cloud of darkness. Uncertainty followed their every step. “Caution is warranted.”

@Phoenix @Black Noise

 

[Ferrin Sipal]

Ferrin deliberately didn’t linger outside for very long - shooting the reporter a nasty glare before striding for the temple entrance. The Pantoran didn’t need to hear any other questions from strangers about Dash or Ezra, and promptly put that entire scene out of his mind.

Of course, he didn’t make it too far into the temple before he was intercepted by someone else entirely.

The Pantoran’s golden eyes flicked onto Dash, arching a brow at the blonde Padawan. He half-expected the dude to waltz over with some smug or gloating remark, but was instead met with nothing but a seemingly genuine smile. He blinked a few times, allowing a grin to pull at the corners of his lips.

“Guess we will,” He eyed the Padawan, allowing his gaze to flick over to Ezra. “I’m sure he’ll feel right at home in no time.”

 

[Hera "The Joyful" Albion]

Hera wasn't sure what it was about the Grandmaster but, in that moment, her speech rubbed the red-headed knight the wrong way. It was not that she felt a need to defend Zathria or Ezra, or even that the Grandmaster was necessarily 'attacking' them in any way. Rather, it was that note about attachments. Did not Maura speak endlessly of her master, the Grandmaster? Did not the Grandmaster have a personal padawan eating up their time, when the whole order was in the throws of war? And now she saw fit to lecture Hera on her own Padawan's actions?

A smile spread across Hera's face, but not one of joy. It was a strange, indignant sort of grin. The kind of smile someone might have as a defense mechanism, as they said something they weren't sure whether or not it should've remained an 'inside thought.' But Hera, with that damnable grin, spoke anyway.

“I have just returned from burying a former Padawan, perhaps we allow them to live in joy with what short lives they have- while they still have them? What distraction is young love between peers? There is no power difference between them that might muddle or manipulate a relationship. Need I remind you, they are nearly adults as well. Have you, in the distraction of your own padawan, blinded yourself to other padawans in the Order? We needn't walk on eggshells all the time, I-"

Hera stopped herself, her mind finally slapping the shit out of her mouth. Sighing deeply, she bowed and responded, "Apologies, Grandmaster, I have said too much."

@Valen Pelora @Phoenix

 

[Alexandria Voran]

Alex slowly raised a single eyebrow while Hera spoke, letting the Jedi finish. “Yes, you have.” Her tone remained even. “We have all buried Padawans in this war, Hera…lost friends and loved ones.” The Force dampening barrier remained around the Jedi. This was not for the younger ears. “They should be allowed to live. Encouraged to live but they are vulnerable not because of their age but because they are new to their powers.”

She shook her head slowly. “Love is a powerful emotion, they must learn to manage that to remain balanced.” Alex’s voice pitched down a level. Hera had over stepped. However, her reputation within the Order was sterling and her heart nearly always in the right place.

“My concern is for all Jedi. You, Zathria, Ezra, Dash, Ferrin, Cirilla…and yes Maura.” The Force bond between Master and student was undeniable strong. She’d taught Maura for 6 years. That bond was difficult to set aside. “You both have my faith…have earned it. I know I will not be disappointed.” She let the barrier hang for a moment before dropping. “See to them. May the Force be with us.” Alex nodded slightly before turning towards the steps. She had preparations to make. The war had not been polite enough to stop.

@Black Noise @Phoenix

 

[Zathria]

Zathria wasn't oblivious to the tension between the Master and Grandmaster, and she just kind of stood there for a moment. Suddenly the focus was much less on Zathria and her responsibilities and much more on... this.

Ultimately, Zathria intended to watch out for Ezra as if he were her own, and that would come with its own scrapes and bruises so to speak.

I understand, she said, and she did all too well. The fact was that in taking on Ezra as an apprentice, a massive amount of pressure had been placed on her, and yet she didn't regret it. It was the right thing to do no matter how hard it would be.

May it be, she agreed with the Grandmaster's final statement. Yes, Zathria's work was certainly going to be cut out for her, but she wouldn't abandon training him no matter what pressure she got. Right was right.

@Black Noise @Valen Pelora