Open Yavin IV New Faces, New Friends!

[Charlie "Char" Ballard]

Forest faded into city, and city faded into forest once more. Charlie had been moving for a while now, trailing behind the strange yet kind new friend. He told her that she can contact her parents at any time, stopping by some junk shop to pick up a used data pad. Charlie was confused, scared, and missing her home.

Forest faded into vast clearnings, temples and high, towering buildings abound. Charlie had never seen houses as big as the ones in front of her! "Mr. Jay?" Charlie questioned, her head spinning in circles, taking in her surroundings, "What are those pointy things? And are the people wearing acorns on their head?" The man accompanying her laughed, squatting down to meet her gaze. Charlie thought he had a very rough looking face for someone so nice. "Those," The Jedi said, pointing to the "pointy things" behind her, "are ships. And the acorns they are wearing on their head," He knocked on his head with a scarred fist, "are helmets! They protect the people in the ships from any danger."

Charlie was full of wonder, curiosity, and still some fear. What has she gotten into? One day she was living in the forest with her parents, the next she found some stranger lying on the mossy ground, bleeding! Charlie curses herself for regretting rescuing the older man. Her parents always taught her to be merciful to those wounded, especially animals. Either rescue or put them out of their misery. She usually didn't have the heart to kill them. "You still haven't told me where we're going, Mr. Jay." That silly name is just a placeholder for his real name, which Charlie didn't know. This was his payment for her parent's medical skills, he claimed.

"You're going to school, sweetie."
"School?"
"You know how the first time we met you showed me how you use your bow? You're gonna learn how to do that, but better!"
"Are you gonna be my teacher?"

The older man gave Charlie a bittersweet smile, glancing around his shoulder. They still were moving at a quick pace. "I'm gonna make sure you get the best teachers, Char. You'll meet so many kids just like you. You won't have to be alone anymore." Charlie didn't understand. What was wrong with her past? It's all she's known. Her and the forest. That doesn't seem too lonely.

"Alright. We're here." They stopped. There was a group of taller people standing in the distance. The Jedi let go of Charlie's hand. "Be careful, okay? I don't want to have to report back to your family with only an arm or a leg." He stepped back a couple of feet, leaving Charlie out in the open.

"Uh... Hi."

 

[Atias Zaldreell]

This was like any other day in Yavin IV. The Jedi moved around the Temple, busy with their activities of the day. While Knights went to participate on missions or help guard the place, the Padawans were going to their classes of the day. As the future of the Order, they needed to study in preparation for when their time has come to become knights.

Atias was among the Padawans going to class. While he knew that studying was very important and necessary for his formation as a Jedi, the half-Morellian still preferred to have stayed in his room. Meditation wasn’t his favourite, it was boring and there wasn’t much to learn after you started to meditate for the first time. The proceedings were always the same.

The Padawan preferred classes like lightsaber combat and Galactic History, the ones that would present new things every day. At least after Meditation there would be a class of Astronomy. This was one of the classes that he liked. Today they were going to learn about Ion Storms.

While he walked toward his class, Atias saw a small child alone. The girl seemed to be 10 years old. He stopped to look at her and noticed that she seemed to be lost and scared. Was she a youngling? Usually by this time of the day, they should be with a Jedi nanny. Feeling that perhaps he should do something, the half-Morellian walked toward her.

He approached the girl, while waving and smiling. "Hey! Is everything fine with you, Kiddo? Do you need help?" if she needed, the half-Morellian would help her find the other Younglings

@moobuddy2424

 

[Edaara Tonor]

Edaara Tonor walked out of the temple, closing her eyes briefly as the light breeze washed over her. She opened her eyes and looked around with a smile at all the Jedi walking around. She had recently put in a request for a padawan, and she felt hopeful. She was naturally very motherly and nurturing. Since Jedi forbid attachments, she could not have a child, but she still felt an almost unquenchable need to teach a youngling.

Edaara noticed a little girl who appeared to be ten or eleven. An older boy who looked to be 17 or 18 squatted in front of her. Edaara headed over their way. "Hello, there," Edaara said, a kind and gentle smile on her face. "What's your name?" she asked the little girl. She looked new; Edaara knew each of the younglings by appearance if not by name.

 

[Maru C'renic Tel Illo]

“New arrivals new arrivals”

Maru hummed to himself as he walked along the pathways, the tall lanky Jedi turning to allow others to pass as he hurried along having received word that they would be getting a new padawan today. He was munching one of his treats, the Sweet Leaf mostly devoured but a bit of yellow sticking from his mouth until his jaws worked to crunch it as well. Meeting fresh arrivals was an important task especially as a Justicar wanting to put a friendly face to a task that some might consider a title to be concerned with. He wore his proper attire for such an important day his tunic cleaned and pressed as nicely as he could though he skipped his cloak. His personal choice of saber made the use of a cloak a pain as the long hilted weapon rested on his back, putting a piece thick fabric between him and it only caused problems.

He hurried along remembering his first day all those years ago, he remembered how it felt, the fear of a new place the loneliness of missing his family. He couldnt help a smile remembering all the hell he raised in protest and then finally rounding a corner he spotted the pair of them…..pair?. Not to mention a fellow Jedi had already arrived “Just had to stop to chat didnt you?” he chided himself.

As he moved he tugged out his data pad from a pocket on his pants glancing at it but he saw only one name and with a furrowed brow he looked up to still see two Padawans.

“Good day little brother, little sister” he called out first addressing the young ones. Then he dipped his head down to his fellow Knight lower in respect. “Sister Edaara”. Of course knowing a fellow Jedi even if they haven't interacted much. No amount of training or chastising had ever broken his habit of referring to many of his fellow Jedi as brother and sister, a manner of speaking from his youth that still stuck with him to this day. Then he turned lowering his head in respect to both of them and a warm smile lighting up his face as he stepped a bit closer. He took another look at the data pad “Which of you is Char?” he asked curiously then grinning introduced himself

“I’m Knight-Justicar…” he paused and grew visibly annoyed, an exaggerated motion as part of a joke he had made far too many times. “Maru C’renic Tel Lio” then rapidly added “But the only time my full name is used is when I am in a lot of trouble so please just call me Maru” he added

 

[Edaara Tonor]

Edaara glanced up as another knight walked over. She nodded her head back. “Hello, Maru,” she said, straightening up. “I believe the little one is Char,” she continued. She knew Maru, but not very well. He had been known to have a wild side that some Jedi looked down on. Edaara thought it was nice to see a change of pace, after all, he was still a very good and well-trained Jedi.

@Maru C'renic Tel Illo @Charlie "Char" Ballard @Atias Zaldreell

 

[Charlie "Char" Ballard]

Her first day, and Charlie was already so popular! Three people... "All tall, so they must be adults." Charlie thought, smiling at the attention she was getting. It's like she had her parents again! "My name is Charlie! I just came here with Mr. Jay. Do you know Mr. Jay?" She looked up expectantly, expecting some kind of grand answer. Truthfully, Mr. Jay didn't exist. It was just easier for Charlie's child mind to make up a name for someone she didn't know, especially if they just waltzed into her home.

Kind faces smiled down at her, and made her feel very welcome in this new, strange place. "I'm here to learn! I can use my bow and arrow really well, watch!"

She closed her eyes, removing her bow from her large duffle bag. Leaving it unzipped, she put the bow in her left hand. Charlie closed her eyes, focusing on her mind and the world around her. The sounds of frantic feet pounding to class mixed with the buzzing of sabers echoed in the distance of her mind. Charlie moved her right hand, sweeping it above the open duffle bag. A singular, wooden arrow floated out, following her motions. It settled in the small notch built into the bow, prepared to fire.

~SHWISH~

The arrow flew between the heads of the woman who identified herself as Edaara and the man who approached them named Maru. It landed in the wall behind them with a loud THUNK.

Charlie opened her eyes, excited to see how happy they were with her trick.

"Ta-da!!!!"

 

[Maru C'renic Tel Illo]

He had figured he had the children correct but when the little one mentioned a Mr Jay he didnt let the confusion show on his face but his eyes did lift up glancing behind her looking for someone yet he saw no one….but he got nothing but a sense of honesty from her about and what she said. He would have to keep a mental note of Mr Jay after all he seemed important to her after all.

He didn't flinch or even show much worry about when she drew her bow and notched an arrow he felt the way she drew and focused. She already had impressive focus and he didn't flinch when she loosed the arrow close enough that the wind from it rustled his hair. He wasn't concerned because he felt no malice or aggression, just youthful excitement that made his grin widen. Turning to see where she struck he gave a soft whistle and looked back to her and chuckled “A fine shot and impressive control” he praised “Though next time I might suggest we find you a proper target instead of the temple walls” he suggested but his playful smile was to let the child know she wasn't in trouble.

“But if you want to see what training and experience will let you do…” he started before glancing to Eldaara and he gave a sheepish grin “Dont report me for this” he muttered after all exaggerated displays of powers wasn't good behavior for a Jedi. Then he crouched down finding a suitable rock, a rough lumpy mess and he smiled at both the padawans. Before he made a show of closing his hand over the rock and then he channeled his own power into his arm letting it wash over his fingers and muscles flowing into his very bones. He squeezed and there was a cracking crumbling noise as he focused on his work. When his palm opened back up he blew away the excess dust now in his palm was a smooth almost polished stone due to the pressure he had just subjected it to.

“Not my best work” he admits looking at the stone now “I can sometimes do shapes but I was in a hurry” he explains

 

[Edaara Tonor]

Edaara chuckled at the girl, Charlie, and Maru's antics. “You will be able to use your strengths for something perhaps a little more beneficial to the galaxy, though,” she said kindly. Edaara couldn't help but notice how young and innocent Charlie looked. “But to learn, first you need a master- someone to teach you the ways of the Force. You used the Force already when you shot the arrow, and you showed great control for your age,” Edaara complimented. She couldn't help but wish she herself could be the young girl's master.

@Charlie "Char" Ballard @Atias Zaldreell @Maru C'renic Tel Illo

 

[Atias Zaldreell]

Before the girl could answer his question, two other Jedi approached them. One was a female Mirialan called Edaara, while the other was a man called Maru. Atias never saw them before, perhaps they had recently become knights, or used to work in one of the other Temples.

Since they were sharing names, the boy decided to do the same. "I'm Padawan Atias Zaldreell." he said, giving one of his friendly smiles. "I was going to class when I saw her alone there and decided to say a hi." the half-Morellian should continue going there. It seems that the girl seemed to be fine.

However, he decided to stay there some more. The girl had told that her names was Charlie and had came to the Temple with a Mr. Jay to study. While Atias had no idea who that guy was, he understood that she was going to become a Youngling or a Padawan. She seemed to be excited about it.

Then, Charlie showed them their abilities with a bow and arrows. It was a bit primitive, but Atias liked her technique. She seemed to be very good with it. "This is so cool! Do you know how to use an energy bow? I have one in my room. We could practice archery together some day." it was rare to see Jedi interested in other weapons beyond a lightsaber. Perhaps he was even the only one in the Order that practiced with an energy bow. It was good to know that now there was someone else with knowledge about archery.

However, his smile disappeared when Knight Tonor said that they should use their abilities for something more beneficial for the Galaxy. It sounded a bit arrogant in his opinion. Charlie and Maru were only having some fun. For him it was beneficial. How the Order can protect the Galaxy if they were a bunch of stoic and detached monk? This was the reason why the Jedi failed in the past.

"Good work, Knight Maru! Maybe you could teach this trick to me." Atias said, showing support to the man. He wanted the others to see that he didn't share the opinion of the Mirialan woman.

@moobuddy2424 @Reylo4evr @DonBongo

 

[Edaara Tonor]

Edaara noticed the other padawan, Atias, looked crestfallen when she reprimanded Maru. She smiled to herself. "That does not mean we can't have fun once in a while," she said, moving her hand slightly, calling on the Force. Using the Force, she lifted Charlie's hair up so it floated above her head. She waved it around, as if the young girl were under water. She let go of her hold, and the girl's hair fell down around her face. It was common for Edaara to come off as stiff and arrogant when she was really just trying not to disappoint anybody.

@Charlie "Char" Ballard @Atias Zaldreell @Maru C'renic Tel Illo

 

[Charlie "Char" Ballard]

"Energy bow? Master?" Charlie looked back and forth at the people surrounding her. She was very confused. It seemed like a fun environment, she thought, but it also seemed like a potentially stressful one. "I don't really know what those words mean, but I do know that I have to go to class soon or else I'll be in trouble!" Charlie remarked, packing her bow back into her large duffle bag. "Where can I put this big thing? Are there storage spaces like back at home full of extra blankets, oil, and meat?"

Charlie hoisted the large duffle bag into her arms, extending it out in front of her. The three surrounding her seemed friendly enough to help! "Maybe you could use your magic to help carry it, since it's pretty heavy." She said, giving them a careful glance. She didn't want to see anyone get hurt because of her weakness.

Charlie started toddling forward with her bag in her arms, looking for the place Mr. Jay described as a "classroom". She was looking for desks? Or was it discs? He also said something about mats, too, for when people fight. Moving her way around the three taller ones, she headed off in the opposite direction.

"Is someone gonna help me find a classroom?"

 

[Edaara Tonor]

Edaara straightened up. "This way, Char," she said, pointing in the opposite direction the girl had started to walk. Edaara used the Force to lift Charlie's bag out of her hands. "You can meet the other younglings," she said. "It can all seem like a lot, so we'll just take it one thing at a time." she reassured the girl.

 

[Charlie "Char" Ballard]

~~~~~~~
Charlie's first week went by very smoothly. Her classmates, as MR. Jay called them, were all around her age. She found love in the history classes as well as a knack for combat. Ms. Edaara, who guided her to her classes on her first day, talked with her frequently. She had her own room in which she had tons and tons of fun books, practice mats, and even different colored training sabers! Charlie was always welcome to swing by at any time.

The halls of the school were always busy, and there was always someone new. One time, Charlie could've sworn she saw a girl with rainbow-colored hair! Ms. Edaara didn't seem to believe her, but she knows what she saw. In fact, Charlie was more talkative around her than with the younglings her age. She was quite shy around them, since she came in late- but still, nobody really approached her. Maybe she still smells of the woods? Or maybe they're scared of newcomers? Charlie had to find out.

"Miss Edaara?" Charlie said one day, "Why is it that the other kids never want to be with me?" She sat on one of the soft mats in Edaara's space, reading a book about different kinds of kyber crystals, "Did I do something wrong?"

@Reylo4evr @LouJoVi @DonBongo

 

[Jade Hart]

Sitting on a nearby mat was a young girl deep in meditation. Sweat beaded on her forehead. Her eyes were closed. Her lips pressed together. Her brown hair braided in two interlocking loops down her neck. She looked like the image of a stone Buddha statue such was her concentration. The girl's gray robes rippled like waves in the ocean, though it was hard to tell if this was from the force or another mysterious force within. Nothing would disturb her.

 

[Edaara Tonor]

Edaara was sitting with Charlie on the training mats as Charlie flipped through a book on kyber crystals. Edaara looked up when the young girl asked her about the other younglings. "You did nothing wrong, Char," she said kindly. "You are just new, it will take time for them to warm up to you. But if anyone is being mean to you, you should tell someone," she said.

Suddenly, her holoscreen lit up with a message from the council. She gasped in delight when she read the message- they had let her officially train Charlie.