Ask The Art of Induction

[Ava Xeto]

Takodana

Ava had visited the Takodana temple quite a few times now. She’d become familiar with its layout and had even developed a little routine she followed when she was there. It wasn’t a complex routine. Frequent trips to the cafeteria, followed by long exercises in the woods to make up for the food consumption. Maybe a few sneaky cigarra breaks in the woods as well.

This time she was here to help potentially induct someone into the order. Their name was Nashlaa Vi and they had turned up at the temple, wanting to join the Jedi.

The meeting had been arranged to take place in a meditation room, and Ava sat on one of the small seats. She was wearing her usual outfit, her lightsaber at her waist.

She had sensed some suspicion amongst certain others at the temple, but she couldn’t be so cynical. She was looking forward to meeting the potential Jedi and getting to know them.

@Alexikat

 

[Nashlaa Vii]

It had been said that Takodana was one of the first places where you could get a taste of civilization as you travelled towards the core worlds. That may be true and Nashlaa had noticed some differences culturally between Takodana compared to some Outer Rim planets she had been to. But she had travelled a lot with Robec who was her old teacher and that meant she had been to many worlds, so the lush planet she now was on probably didn't have many surprises for her.

After having made it to the planet she had wandered the surface for a few week's. She had taken in the beautiful forests which sprawled across the planets surface and the many lakes which shone like jewels in the landscape. It had been a comfort for her to be on such a planet where nature clearly still ruled to some extent. Her abilities with animal-bond were admittedly unrefined and weak but that didn't mean she hadn't tried to practise. It was hard though to learn without a tutor and she missed her old teacher Robec. The last she had seen of the Miraluka had been on a mission where he’d told her to run whilst her faced a dark-side user. She may not have seen him be struck down but she had felt it strongly through the Force. That was another reason why she hadn't gone to the Jedi Temple straight away. Grief was still within her and it made it hard for her to see a future. She had lost everything again, but unlike last time where Robec had been there to help her she had to take the steps forward herself..There was no one to pick her up and look after her as that was now her job.

Nashlaa now walked through the Jedi building. She took in the layout as she walked as it had been a while since she had last been in a place this maze-like. The architecture wasn't like anything she had seen before. Robec hadn't always painted the most favourable picture of the Jedi and had always stated they were very harsh and strict in their rules. Nashlaa was aware of the fact he had never actually been in the Jedi Order and it was his Master who had taught him what he knew so who knew how much of a basis the man had. That had been why Nashlaa was willing to give the Order a chance, as well as the fact she had no where else to go. But the building and everyone she had met so far felt positive, albeit seemingly close-minded. As someone who was trained in Force Empathy she was very intune to beings emotions and she was fully well aware of the apprehension surrounding her sudden appearance. Understandable. After all how were they to know who she truly was and what her true intentions where. They probably didn't have many independent Force users approach them in this way. Besides their apprehension was certainly matched with her own about the Jedi themselves.

She came to an open door and walked in without knocking. This could be perceived as rude but Nashlaa didn't really think about being seen that way. It just unbothered her. Inside a young Jedi sat in dark clothing, a light saber attached to her belt. Nashlaa still found it weird seeing others with the weapon as it hadn't been something she came across much whilst with Robec and she had mostly been taught that light saber meant danger. Her hand subconsciously flitted over her own weapon as she took steps into the room. She scanned over the woman and gleen what she could from her appearance. She was about the same height and a similar build to Nashlaa. She also seemed oddly unkempt which contradicted some of the passed down stories she had heard from Robec but she mentally shrugged. It wasn't like her own appearance had been particularly deliberated over. She wore her typical grey clothing with a blue Togruta sash and Togruta headdress. The beads hung over her forehead and gleamed in the artificial lighting as she crossed her legs below her. She chose to sit on the floor in front of a chair instead of actually on it. She felt more comfortable this way.

“What's your name?” It may have been a bit blunt, but communication hadn't always been her strong suit and she had a fairly candid nature as is.

Nashlaa had given the guards some of her backstory but a part of her actually doubted whether all the information had actually been passed over plus there was a feeling that she was disbelieved when stating her backstory. Hopefully now she would be believed and
listened to.

 

[Ava Xeto]

Ava waited patiently for Nashlaa to arrive. She was an energetic person and couldn’t resist the desire to fidget and move around; eventually, she went back to sitting on the small seat. I hope they’ve not got lost.

Eventually, the doors did slide open and a Togruta walked in. She had green skin and her lekku were dark grey with green markings. Ava gave her a big smile. “Hi,” she said happily. She noticed the Togruta’s hand hover near to their lightsaber, but she didn’t think too much of it.

When the visitor did speak, the question was straight to the point. “Well, my name’s Ava. It’s nice to meet you,” she said, smiling at Nashlaa again.

“You must be Nashlaa? Right. So, what brings you to Takodana?”

@Alexikat

 

[Nashlaa Vii]

Ava waited patiently for Nashlaa to arrive. She was an energetic person and couldn’t resist the desire to fidget and move around; eventually, she went back to sitting on the small seat. I hope they’ve not got lost.

Eventually, the doors did slide open and a Togruta walked in. She had green skin and her lekku were dark grey with green markings. Ava gave her a big smile. “Hi,” she said happily. She noticed the Togruta’s hand hover near to their lightsaber, but she didn’t think too much of it.

When the visitor did speak, the question was straight to the point. “Well, my name’s Ava. It’s nice to meet you,” she said, smiling at Nashlaa again.

“You must be Nashlaa? Right. So, what brings you to Takodana?”

@Alexikat

Nashlaa nodded in agreement to Ava. She didn't verbally respond as her brain didn't see a need to as such and besides, she was bad at small talk. That didn't stop her from offering a warm smile in response. Although standoffish at times Nashlaa was far from unkind.

“No I'm not” Nashlaa replied to Ava with a small smirk. It wasn't intended to be rude as such. Robec had always told her to keep her mouth shut and be less sarcastic but it was a trait of hers that she had never really grown out of. She had never been great with the whole respect your elders mentality of the Togruta tribe. The respect she gave was determined by ones actions. Most would assume this had disappointed her mother but in reality it hadn't, her mother actually encouraged her. She wasn't showing disrespect towards Ava however and hopefully that was clear judging by her tone, body language and presence in the Force. Nashlaa was worried though so after a second she added, “Sorry that was a joke”

Ava continued. How much should she share? Truthfully she didn't know much about the Jedi, or at least what she knew was likely from a biassed opinion. She had always been told by Robec that she likely wouldn't fit well as a Jedi due to her free thinking attitude. But she had nowhere else to go. Her attention dropped down to her fingers which were twisting a golden fidget ring round and round her middle finger before she looked up at Ava. She couldn't have an interaction like this without thinking. In truth she never stopped thinking and her brain always ran a million miles an hour. That was the reason why she fiddled, so she could actually concentrate on what was being said.

“I am interested in learning more about the Jedi and the Force. There is nowhere else for me to go after….events. I have prior training independent of the Jedi” she paused sensing the conclusion that the woman may come to, “No I am not a Sith nor a Dark side user. I utilise the light side of the Force just like yourself. My story is long, and I doubt you have the time nor patience to listen to my ramblings. I shall spare you if you so wish” It was a question but said like a statement. Nashlaa would share more if required.


@DMCK

 

[Ava Xeto]

Ava was initially slightly caught off guard by Nashlaa’s response, even though she had noticed Nashlaa’s smirk. “Oh, uhh…” Fortunately, Nashlaa quickly made it clear she was joking. “Ha! Right,” Ava said, smiling. “Sorry, sometimes I think I’d forget my head if it wasn’t screwed on,” she added, cheerily.

She could see that the Togruta was hesitant. They fiddled with a gold ring on their middle finger, repeatedly twisting it around the digit. After a pause, they did continue to speak.

Ava listened closely, continuing to smile. She wanted to offer as reassuring a presence as possible. When Nashlaa spoke of independent force training, she didn’t assume that was from the Sith. There were plenty of force users in the galaxy who weren’t with the Jedi or the Sith.

“Hey, take as much time as you need. I’m all ears,” she replied, with a warm tone of voice,

@Alexikat

 

[Nashlaa Vii]

Nashlaa grinned “It's fine. It wasn't like it was that funny anyway” she said with a dismissive shrug.

“Right” Nashlaa replied, quickly trying to align the story in her head to say it in the best way possible. “So I was taught by Robec. A factionless Miraluka who found me on Shilli. He trained me and gave me this light saber which once belonged to his old Master” she tapped the saber which hung from her belt.

“The old Master was a Jedi, or at least a Jedi who left. There was a lot he didn't agree with that the Jedi taught and he thought the Jedi were closeminded. No offence. And now I'm here. Which is kind of ironic don't you think?”

She didn't state that Robec had been killed by the Sith as she didn't know what that information would do. Besides she wasn't here to trauma dump. “So yeah, I want to be taught by the Jedi and work on my already existing Force abilities.”



@DMCK

 

[Ava Xeto]

Ava listened as Nashlaa told her story. She had been trained by someone independent of the Jedi and the Sith. A person called Robec.

She glanced at Nashlaa’s lightsaber. Unlike Ava, Nashlaa hadn’t constructed her own saber. She had instead inherited one.

Even if Nashlaa’s teacher had not been a Jedi, there was Jedi lineage. A member of the order who had left and then trained Nashlaa’s master.

“Yes, sure. No offence taken, by the way,” Ava replied, laughing. Nashlaa soon made it clear that she wished to be trained as a Jedi.

“That sounds good, but there’s one thing. What about your teacher? Are you not with them anymore then?”

@Alexikat

 

[Nashlaa Vii]

Ava listened as Nashlaa told her story. She had been trained by someone independent of the Jedi and the Sith. A person called Robec.

She glanced at Nashlaa’s lightsaber. Unlike Ava, Nashlaa hadn’t constructed her own saber. She had instead inherited one.

Even if Nashlaa’s teacher had not been a Jedi, there was Jedi lineage. A member of the order who had left and then trained Nashlaa’s master.

“Yes, sure. No offence taken, by the way,” Ava replied, laughing. Nashlaa soon made it clear that she wished to be trained as a Jedi.

“That sounds good, but there’s one thing. What about your teacher? Are you not with them anymore then?”

@Alexikat

Nashlaa knew Ava would likely ask about Robec, it was to be expected. Should she state the truth or lie? She seemed to be able to trust the young woman in front of her and the Jedi but what if her judgement was wrong. She had learned quickly whilst with Robec that not everyone was what they seemed and right now her Force Empathy abilities weren't telling her much.

Nashlaa shrugged, “He's…on a mission” she came up with a quick lie and just hoped Ava couldn't actually tell the truth. “He told me to come here as he was growing concerned that he didn't have the full knowledge to teach me on certain abilities and he thought I could benefit from the archives. He didn't have much knowledge on Animal Bond and Force Empathy, or at least not enough to actually meet my level of skill and connection. Not to sound egotistical of course” she added with a smile. “That's why I am here. But I don't know much at all about the Jedi, only what has been passed down. So I don't even know how to induct myself or the rules” She said the word ‘rules’ with a certain amount of disdain. Being a freethinker meant she always struggled with restrictions. Even the restrictions on only using light side abilities although Robec had tried hard to dispel her curiosity with the dark side. Not that she had actually ever considered joining them, not after all they had done to her family and Master, but she still held interest in the mysterious ways of the Force.

 

[Ava Xeto]

“Right, ok,” Ava replied, nodding at Nashlaa’s explanation that her master was on a mission. She listened as the Togruta spoke, nodding along.

She smiled slightly at Nashlaa’s suggestion that she wasn’t trying to sound egotistical. “Uh-huh.”

Despite feeling that Nashlaa seemed ok, there was something bothering her. Ava was a carefree type, but she couldn’t ignore her gut feeling. She knew that when she became a knight, it would mean greater responsibility. It would be nice to tell those at the temple that everything was ok and that Nashlaa could be taken in as a padawan as soon as possible, but she had to do her job. Ok, Ava, let’s do this.

She stretched her arms up towards the ceiling, groaning slightly. “Sorry, had some pretty intense exercises this morning.” She paused before continuing. “You know, Nashlaa, being a Jedi is a serious commitment. You can’t just sign up for a little bit to learn a few things, because your master can’t teach you them.” She didn’t want to upset Nashlaa. “I don’t want to be fussy or anything like that.”

@Alexikat

 

[Nashlaa Vii]

Nashlaa remained silent for a few seconds. She literally had nowhere else to go and if the Jedi weren't to take her on what was she to do? She was coming across as fillipant, and maybe a little rude and Nashlaa was aware of that. But at the end of the day that was because it was how she protected herself and kept distance. She didn't want to tell her deepest darkest secrets because that feared her yet did she have to? Nashlaa knew though that she had to change her attitude.

“Ok….” She took a deep breath before continuing. Her demeanour had suddenly switched to more serious and so had her precense in the Force. “I lied. Robec was…killed. I apologise if I was previously rude but let me explain…” she would now be honest.

“Robec found me on Shilli after my tribe was killed. He nursed me and took me on when he discovered I was Force-sensitive. I trained and trained under his tutelage and I travelled from planet to planet in the Outer Rim. It was 5 years and during that time I learnt a lot. I learnt how to use the Force and how to fight with a light saber. My main abilities are with Animal bond and Force Empathy but in all honesty I actually am not that skilled. I know a little about Force Healing but again I have a long way to go and much to learn. I want to help people and I truly care. It's fair if the Jedi don't take me on, I understand. I may not be the best match either. But if you guys were to take me on? I truly would try and give it my best. I'm only asking for a chance as I literally have no where else to go. And I don't say that to influence you but to be honest. Robec was killed by a Dark sider and now I'm by myself. I want to learn and….I will take on the commitment. But the ball is in your court and it's your decision, I will respect whatever you decide”

Maybe Nashlaa was a little desperate and she hoped Ava would see her side of the story. She just wanted a ch
ance.

 

[Ava Xeto]

There was a brief silence after Ava spoke. She was immediately worried that she had annoyed Nashlaa. Things became a lot clearer when the Togruta spoke.

She wasn’t upset by the fact that Nashlaa had lied. Probably just nervous. She listened patiently to Nashlaa’s story as it unfolded.

“First of all, I’m sorry about your master. I realise that it must have been tough for you,” she said, with a gentle tone of voice. “Second, you can be up front with me. I’m here to help, ok.”

Nashlaa’s story had raised a question. “Your master was killed by a darksider. You’re not looking to avenge that? Or are you?”

@Alexikat

 

[Nashlaa Vii]

Nashlaa nodded in appreciation to the Jedi Knight’s comments. It was tough but hopefully things will get better from now on…
“Honestly…maybe. I can make a Sith pay for what they did” she said as she made eye contact with Ava. It was best to be honest. Ava had said herself that she was here to help.



@DMCK

 

[Ava Xeto]

Ava could appreciate how Nashlaa felt. However, what the Togruta said was problematic.

“I understand why you feel that way. But being a Jedi isn’t about looking for revenge. It’s not about settling scores. I know you said you want to help people, and that’s good. But you can’t go looking for retribution if you join the Order.”

She hated having to be firm, but it was necessary. More senior Jedi would be far more stringent than her.

@Alexikat