The Tranquil Path

[Teynara]

She'd staved it off, rejected the notion time and again and had even started to doubt the idea that it was ever going to happen to her, but finally Teynara had been forced to recognise that you couldn't escape it forever. The Order always cautioned it's members to remember that it would eventually happen to all of them, to accept this and perhaps even resign themselves to their inevitable fate, knowing fully well that it was futile to try and run away from it, or deny the reality. That's right, Teynara thought with the softest of sighs, [/i]Jedi are nothing if not pragmatists[/i]. Oh well. There was only one thing for it: to turn into the storm and face what she had coming to her.

That's right: she was taking on an apprentice. She wasn't sure who'd need the Force to be with them more: herself or the poor student. Frankly, the blonde woman couldn't imagine a crazier idea than her teaching someone in the long term, given that her preferences were for keeping her own company more often than not, added to the fact that she was probably the unlikeliest teacher the Order could have offered: a near-complete pacifist, a Healer and an occasional diplomat, someone that rejected the notion of war, even though the Jedi were up to their eyeballs trying to fight one, added to which was the simple fact that she still often felt like she was still a student herself. How's that for irony, friends?

The young woman paced around the courtyard restlessly, perhaps in a manner that might have been considered impatient on anyone else, but Teynara often paced when thinking, using the nominal exercise just to help focus her thoughts and give her some clarity, as well as a channel for some of that restless pent-up energy that often seemed to plague her. It's funny, when you think about it: Jedi are supposed to be all about calm and stillness, yet every one of us still has more energy than we know what to do with. Well, she was only Human, after all. It was perhaps to be expected.

Sighing softly once again, the Jedi Knight came to a stop and sat down on the solid wooden bench that was parked just nearby, pulling her skirt off a little to the side so it didn't wrinkle when she rested her weight on the bench, releasing it once she was comfortable. Teynara was presently waiting for this new student to arrive, though she had no idea whether she'd be getting a six-year-old neophyte or a twenty-year-old late-comer, since she hadn't specifically requested a student and had instead simply had one forced upon her by the Council, since there weren't nearly enough Knights and Masters to go around these days to cover the sheer number of new students in the Order. And they did say it was part of my responsibility to pass on my knowledge to the next generation, she thought. The Force help them.

 

[mtntopview]

Walking towards the place he was told to meet his master, Dahr Sleto was apprehensive. His life before this was structured and organized, his teachers giving him definite tasks to finish. He had set up a schedule he followed every day, and enjoyed completing it at the end of the day. It kept him in check, and allowed him to know exactly what to do at exactly the time he would do it. When he had been told he was a Padawan, he wasn't happy, he was scared. This event would completely change his life, send his carefully laid out order into dust. His whole life he lived for 15 years had ended, gone to the wind, in an instant. Although there was nothing he could do, he still worried. Will my master get along with me? What if I am considered a failure?, he kept making up different ways that he would fail, or embarrass himself in front of his master.

Entering the courtyard, he noticed he was late, this fact added into his fear. He was almost at the point of exploding. The only thing that kept him from complete panic was that he hadn't done anything stupid or foolish yet. Seeing the Jedi sitting down on a bench, he walked towards her, pretty sure she was to be his trainer. Walking briskly toward the Jedi, he was not paying attention where he was walking. He then promptly tripped on a crack in the floor, and fell flat on his face. So much for not making a major mistake he thought to himself. This put him on the brink, almost at tears, he was terrified. This was completely new, and he was confused and lost, nothing in life so far could have prepared himself for this moment.

Getting up, he dusted himself off, and started walking towards the side of the courtyard. He was trying to avoid as much attention as possible. Now walking towards the Jedi, he felt very sheepish. He almost wanted to turn back and go back to his room. However he knew he couldn't, he already was here, he had to do what he was told. Drawing up what little courage he could, he approached the woman and quietly said, "H-Hi, I'm Dahr Sleto, ar-are you Teynara Jeralyr?" He was pretty sure that this was his master, and he was also pretty sure that she had seen his fall, and he hoped she didn't think to much of it.

 

[Teynara]

Glancing up as someone moved into the range of her senses, Teynara watched patiently as a young boy crossing the courtyard, heading in what looked like her direction. Might be the one I'm waiting for, she thought, then watched as he stumbled and fell over, almost rising from her seat to go over and see if he was alright, but restrained herself from doing so, wanting to see how he reacted. Besides, I can't offer much more than a little sympathy for skinned knees and a bruise or two, she thought, dampening her usual protective instincts and forcing herself to remain calm and seated. Patience, Tey...

The boy stood up again and dusted himself down, persevering and continuing in her direction, such that the blonde felt compelled to at least offer him her attention as he approached, making it clear that she'd seen him and was waiting for him to arrive. She could sense the anxiety pouring off him in waves, at least through the Force, though she noted that he least kept from expressing such misery openly on his face, which proved that at least some of the basic training was taking root.

"Hello, Dahr," she said politely, responding to his question, though not yet answering it. "I hope you didn't hurt yourself too much on your way to come and see me," Teynara added, with a sympathetic smile. His presence in the Force didn't suggest that he was in agonising pain, so he obviously wasn't hurt too badly. Just a bump, a bruise or a scrape, I suspect. "And, yes, I am Teynara," she observed. "Take a seat and tell me why you're here," the blonde said, patting the empty spot on the bench beside her.

She took a moment to inspect him properly. His skin was an unusual colour, certainly not a shade found on anyone of Human descent, so she had to reason that he was of non-Human origin, possibly Borneck, or more likely Zeltron. He was shorter than she was, but also considerably younger, judging by the lack of sharp refinement on his facial features and the nervousness with which he'd approached her. I'd say...probably 10, maybe 11 Galactic Standard. She wasn't very good at judging age, though, so it wouldn't surprise her to find that he was closer to 14.

Beyond that, it was hard to get a good read on him, given how nervous he was - fear tended to throw off the most astute Jedi, and she was hardly that. She'd just have to wait until he relaxed or decided to reveal more about himself directly.

 

[mtntopview]

He sat down next to her, still feeling a bit sheepish for looking so foolish before."I'm fine, nothing that won't go away in a few minutes" he said, now feeling slightly more calm and relaxed, "They told me my master would be you, and I would find you at the courtyard." He was calming down now, he was no longer unsure about what was going on. His anxiety eased away, and he was comfortable now. He noticed her observing him, and decided to help her a bit, "I'm a Zeltron-Human mix, and I'm a little older than 15 years." He was still cautious, but he was much better than he was a few minutes ago. He noticed he was still a bit jumpy, and decided to calm himself. Taking a deep breath, he focused on calming thoughts, he thought of organized plans and clear orders. When he was done, he felt a lot better, and any remaining bit of fear in him was washed away. He was now ready to accept the change that was occurring, and comforted himself with the thought that he would make a new schedule to follow, and stability would be restored.

 

[Teynara]

Perceptive for one so young, she thought, but then, Teynara herself hadn't been much different at that age. Little more confident, perhaps, but my scary monsters were school tests, insurmountable homework and deciding what I wanted for breakfast, the blonde mused with a faint smile curving her lips. It was a different world that she'd lived in, one normal to most people but very rarely so to Jedi, so she'd been far luckier than that respect. Somehow she had the suspicion that this lad hadn't enjoyed what she'd considered a normal childhood before being drawn into the ranks of the Order. Then again, who does, these days?

"That was rather observant," Teynara said, her blue eyes narrowing slightly as she looked at her new Apprentice. "How exactly did you know what I was thinking?", she asked, suspecting that he'd probably guessed, but curious despite herself. She didn't make a habit of using telepathic skills, since most people in the Temple kept their minds well-guarded and it was an invasion of privacy to do otherwise, and hopefully her student would respect that. "You're younger than I was when I joined the Order, though," she observed. "I'd already graduated from University and started making my way in the world by then," she added in conversational tone.

Truth be told, there were days when she wondered what would have happened if she'd taken a different path, become a Doctor or a Xenobiological Scientist, the way she'd seemed likely to before she'd turned her steps towards being a Jedi. I'd get paid more, be a little more stressed out, and have to ask well-built guys to lift heavy objects for me, instead of using the Force, she thought, amused by the idea of it. I don't suppose any of us are really destined for normal lives. The Force would always find a way to interject and get us involved in the affairs of the wider galaxy.

"Anyway," she said, shaking herself from her reverie and bringing herself back to the present moment, "I usually end up here first thing in the morning, unless I'm on a run around the grounds," Teynara observed, figuring it was probably best to let the lad into her routine so he at least had some idea of what to expect. "I also work a duty in the Temple's Medical Unit, so you can join me there from time-to-time, if you've any interest in healing," she offered, though she'd have been a little surprised - most students of Dahr's age were more interested in lightsabers than surgical scalpels. "Just be warned, though: I don't teach the more violent arts. I'm a Healer and a Diplomat, not a warrior or ace pilot," she added, waving a finger warningly at him.

 

[mtntopview]

"I saw your eyes looking over me, so I could easily guess what you were trying to find out. As for the species, I thought that was an apt start, not intentional. I'm not very skillful at telepathic things, although I'm not behind or anything. I'm just different, and a lot of people tend to want to know the kind of thing." He was used to people wanting to know what species he was. Because he was clearly not human, but not entirely Zeltron, it made people curious, and he had figured a while ago that the best way to kill rumors was to tell the truth.

He was interested in what the world outside was like, but decided that was a bit personal, so left it alone. Instead, he replied, "I am whey more interested in medical fields. I spend much of my time in the library, reading books about healing practices and anatomy. I was actually considered below average on my lightsaber skills. Most of the students in my class thought I was crazy, more interested in books about healing and medical procedures instead of lightsabers and force powers." He was now excited, now he had a chance to actually see a medical room, rather than just read about them. He had read so much about healing that his other skills actually lessened, although they were not dismal. So when she actually suggested that he could join her in the Temples Medical Unit that all he could do to stop exploding with such enthusiasm was to let his legs shake. He had been dreaming of this his whole life, and now he actually had the chance to see it done. He knew his first visit to a new place would usually make him silent, and extremely observant, this time would however be different. He would act visibly the same, but inside he would be energetic and enthusiastic. His quiet observation would not be to see what others were doing and copy them, but to learn as much as possible. He replied with much enthusiasm "I'd be honored to come with you and see the Medical Unit!"