Many species, one temple(zettrem5, Kinny, Zarkan)

((OOC---This is after Gharassk's return from Rodia after the "Escape artist" thread.))

Gharassk's routine was as normal as it had been sense returning from Rodia and being hurt by his former master, to be healed by the Hutt healer master Mal Konti. He woke that morning and watched the sunrise as was his custom, it was so calming he loved how no matter what he was doing he could watch the sunrise or set and be soothed by the differing colors.

Then he sat on the edge of his bed and just meditated for a good long hour about the day to come, but most of it was just about things he had learned. Then he looked down at his stomach where his former master had stabbed him in the gut, barely a scar was left there and the pain was already gone, the Master Healer, Mal Konti Had done a marvelous job to see to that. Never the less, he still had a burn type scar that entered his stomach and exited out of his lower back, he remembered the pain it had given him when his former master just stabbed him there, how he looked up at him and thought he was about to die.

But now he was back home at the temple and it didn't look like he would be leaving for quite some time.

He left his room for the training halls where the next part of his routine would start, he powered a Saber droid up and battled for around 45 minutes before needing food and leaving for the food hall to eat breakfast, After eating he still had his hot Cocoa that he was drinking, I need to get out of this rut.
He sighed and walked to the counter and poured another cup of the drink then spoke up to the Jedi who was behind the counter this day, one he had seen many times before and had had quite a few good conversations with the middle aged Jedi, they knew each other by name now, Master Quanol.

I'll bring this back later today. He raised the cup over his tall Togrutan Head as he was walking away from the counter. It was met with only a smile a nod and a "Okay Padawan."

Stopping outside the lunch room he looked around then thinking out-loud Now where haven't i been in a while?
He took a sip of the hot drink and started to the Archive room, he had no master so anything he could learn there was practically free information that he might be able to teach himself.

He sat down at the first computer that was open at the time it had no one on the other side of the table but about fifteen minutes into his study on Biochemicals another student sat across the table on the other computer, Gharassk recognized the race but it took him a few minutes to name it, a Mon Calamari.

Gharassk took another long drink of the hot cocoa and then sat it back on the table He looked deep into what ever he was reading up on so Gharassk didn't raise any questions yet...

Deenar was looking into the computer screen and wondering what lightsaber form was the best. The boy was going to have to leave the Jedi Order in just 2 weeks, so he would like to practice whatever form he would find to be suitable. Or he could find a master, but there were so few free masters in the Order and so many younglings, that it made Deenar wonder about the future of both the Jedi Order, and the unfortunate younglings. He silently sighed and he leaned back on the chair to relax for a while.

Deenar’s nose curled as he sniffed a familiar smell. Chocolate. He looked up with his left eye and saw a red skinned Togruta male dressed in blue grey robes. Deenar couldn’t tell his age, or his rank, as Togrutas were hairless species and thus didn’t wear any braids. Judging by the height, he was either a Padawan or a fresh Knight. He was sitting right opposite of the young Mon Cal, reading on the computer and drinking something that made Deenar’s taste buds damp.

Even though Deenar was by no means specieist, he considered Togrutas to be slightly barbaric and inferior compared to his own species. But then again, he considered most of the other races to be slightly inferior to Mon Calamarians. Mon Cals were the greatest shipbuilders in the galaxy and incredibly technologically and culturally advanced species and still were often called fishes. The boy was trained and taught that all sentients vere equal, and even though Deenar disagreed with that, he still wouldn’t let some prejudices to affect his actions. The Togruta in front of him was a Jedi, so he had the same level of education and thus, Deenar truly thought of him as equal. Looking up with his right eye as well, he decided to ask where one could get whatever he was drinking.

„Er, Togruta! Where can I get that hot chocolate or whatever is that drink?“

Just After Gharassk had turned back to the computer he heard the Mon Cala ease back into his seat a little and then ask,
„Er, Togruta! Where can I get that hot chocolate or whatever is that drink?“

Gharassk looked back to the Mon Cala with a half smile on his face, Yes... it is Hot cocoa, and there was a fresh pot back at the lunch hall. Now that the subject was brought up he wanted another drink, and took a sip. Then extended his arm across the table and around the computer monitor,
Gharassk Ran, Err Padawan Gharassk Ran, Sorry still trying to get use to that. He had remembered the lesson master Teer Ka Had taught him, and as much as he wasn't used to it from his former master's teachings he would have to get use to it now.

Gharassk's right arm stay suspended waiting for the other to shake it or refuse it, the latter of which was unlikely unless he had heard of Gharassk's breaking the code even for such a good cause, he imagined that some would look down on him from now on in disgust with him for that, but he was serving his punishment for running away for that one day.

Then he wondered if it was even possible for a Mon Cala to shake flippers, and weather or not his extending his hand was a bad or disgraceful sign for the race.

´So there was a fresh pot of the hot cocoa in the lunch hall, and I was drinking water there.´ Deenar thought. Last time he was in the canteen, he took cup of water as usually, he didn’t even think about looking for something else. He will have to be more attentive next time. He considered getting up and going for a cup of that brown drink, but it would be impolite towards the Togruta.

The Togruta introduce himself as Gharassk Ran, a Padawan. Gharassk extended his arm and waited for Deenar to shake it. Mon Calamarian way of greeting someone was a slight bow, it’s degree depending on a position of the another person, but Deenar was well accustomed to human habits, as humans were dominant species and he lived with them for so many years in the Temple. The young Mon Cal stretched out his own arm and shook Gharassk’s hand. It felt a little bit weird, as Mon Calamari hands, apart from being webbed, also had five claw-tipped fingers; one opposable thumb with two more shorter claw-like protrusions, two long middle fingers, and two extremely short outer fingers. Their palms also had three suction-cup like holes. Togrutas had hands just like humans. Still, the difference didn’t stop them from shaking their hands.

“Deenar Ica, a youngling. For now. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Padawan Ran.” He let go of the Togruta’s hand and leaned back into his seat. The boy wondered who the Padawan’s Master was. Deenar was getting quite frustrated as everyone in this Temple except him had a Master. He felt like he had failed when he was unable to get a Master, but he had no idea how.

“Who is your Master, Padawan Ran?” he asked and stared right into Gharassk’s eyes, trying to read the Togruta’s emotions from them, as Mon Cals were very good at recognising emotions from one's eyes.

“Deenar Ica, a youngling. For now. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Padawan Ran.”

A pleasure to meet you too. You'll fine a master soon.
Then Gharassk was asked a question that he so often heard asked, and had memorized his answer to it, “Who is your Master, Padawan Ran?” Please Just Gharassk. A smile came across his face then he started to answer the question, Who was my master, He was a Rodian named Gwaldosa, He turned to the dark-side however so now I'm looking for a master as well.

Gharassk was now reminded of his duel with his master and the scar that would now remain with him for the remainder of his life, His hand moved to touch his belly where even through his robes he knew right where the scar was.

It was painful when he got it, but the memory was more painful knowing that his master really didn't have any love for the Jedi Order any more and in it's place lay only hatred for it.

Gharassk shook the thoughts and allowed himself to return to the present.

Deenar didn’t know how to feel about Gharassk’s words about getting a master soon. His words were probably meant to console him and give him some more hope, but the young Mon Cal has already given up any hope. He’s been trying to find a master for the last 2 years, and he has always failed. He wasn’t sure whether it was his fault or not, but he was in peace with leaving the Order. He wasn’t prepared for that, however, as nobody can be prepared for that.

When the Togruta told him about his master falling to the Dark side, Deenar wasn’t sure how to react to that and sighed silently. There were already so few people willing to train padawans, and when one of them fell to the Dark side, it meant not only one less master, but also many masterless children. The boy was unsure what was worse, whether not having a master at all, or having a master who becomes a Dark Jedi. Deenar saw lots of pain in Gharassk’s eyes, and noticed when the Togruta touched his belly. He was probably wounded in a battle with his master. If so, he was lucky to be alive, as lightsaber wounds were usually deadly, except for disarming moves.

Not wanting to continue talking about his inability to get a master, or about Gharassk’s master, Deenar asked him another question to change the subject.

„Say Gharassk, what were you reading? I was looking at some info about lightsaber styles, and before that, well, I was looking if the Encyclopedia about species hasn’t been stolen. I went swimming about half an hour ago, and some youngling asked me if I wasn’t drowning. Would you believe that?“ Deenar asked and slightly closed his right eye, a Mon Calamarian sign of curiosity. Also, the barbel on his chin started quivering, a sign of amusement.

Gharassk was more then happy to get off the subject at hand,
„Say Gharassk, what were you reading? I was looking at some info about lightsaber styles, and before that, well, I was looking if the Encyclopedia about species hasn’t been stolen. I went swimming about half an hour ago, and some young ling asked me if I wasn’t drowning. Would you believe that?“

He looked back at his screen that had a full list of different chemicals, Ah, just trying to expand my knowledge in an area I'm not to wise in, Biochems, After answering the question Gharassk went over to the next part of Deenar's comment, A padawan thought you where drowning? I thought that it was common knowledge that Mon Calas could breath under water. A smile crept onto his face again that was accompanied by a chuckle.

((OOC---Sorry for shortness i was writing this as i was leaving the house.))

Deenar didn’t think that biochems were particularly useful to the Jedi, they should concentrate on lightsaber and the Force training. Still, if Gharassk thought it will be of any use to him, why not. The Mon Cal was confused when the Togruta smiled, as Deenar‘s species were expressing emotions mainly through their eyes. When he heard the chuchle, however, he realized the Togruta was amused. The young Mon Calamari did his best to mimic a human smile, and looked on the computer screen, wondering why were some humans so ignorant.

Humans were undoubtely dominant species, as there was so many of them in the galaxy. Still, many of them, like the youngling who knew nothing about aquatic species, were pretty dumb. Deenar wondered what would happen if Mon Calamarians were dominant. The galaxy would be a better place to live, that’s for sure. Even though, still better humans than Togrutas. They were hunters, not scientists.

„Yes, it is common knowledge, but you know humans. They often think they are the only race in the whole galaxy. They are the most numerous, but that is just because they are constantly mating.“ Deenar chuckled and paused for a while before looking back into Togruta’s eyes and continuing.

„I heard your race has one, in my opinion quite barbaric, belief. Is it true your species are leaving the weak ones behind?“ The Mon Cal was quite curious about this. The person in front of him was a Togruta, so he would expect him to somehow follow that belief. Yet, he was also a Jedi, and thus should help everyone, particularly those who couldn’t protect themselves.

„Yes, it is common knowledge, but you know humans. They often think they are the only race in the whole galaxy. They are the most numerous, but that is just because they are constantly mating.“
Gharassk nodded, then gave a reply, Quantity goes up, Quality goes down. He was happy at the conversation so far, He had so far made at least an acquaintance out of Deenar if not a friend.

But the next question caught Gharassk off guard,
„I heard your race has one, in my opinion quite barbaric, belief. Is it true your species are leaving the weak ones behind?“ Gharassk thought about it for a second then replied,
I can't be sure i was taken in by the order very early i know little about my own culture. However that is indeed quite barbaric! And not one i believe, in fact i risked my life to save those just recently that couldn't fight, and never would have thought about leaving the 'Weak' behind.

Gharassk was always intrigued at how any culture could be so cruel that was thanks to his up bringing. But it was something he hoped would someday be taken out of at least most of the galaxy, but that hope was for sure not going to happen.

Deenar was quite pleased that he and Gharassk had the same opinion about the subject. He thought about what Gharassk said about humans. Quantity goes up, quality goes down. Humans had huge differences, some families had only one child, whether other families had at least 10 of them. He wondered whether the family with so many children didn’t have money to buy a contraceptive, or were just hugely irresponsible. Probably the latter.

It wasn’t surprising that the Togruta didn’t share the belief of his species. He was taken into the order when he was very young, so luckily, he didn’t learn many barbaric wasy of his race. „I suspected that, Gharassk. That is one of the things I like about the Jedi Order the most. No matter what race you are, the training just erases the differences between us. I think it is also partly because we are isolated in the Temple from the outside world as younglings, so we are used to dealing with another species, and they are used to dealing with us. It is a shame we cannot do this with Force non-sensitives. The separation of children from their parents and teaching them the right values, I mean. It would surely help the galaxy greatly.“

The Mon Cal boy conspiratorialy looked at the Togruta, his right eye nearly completely closed, and asked him another question, something that has been bothering him ever since he came to the Temple. „But between you and me, I don’t trust Miralukas. You cannot see into their blind eyes, if they even have some eyes. I find that absolutely creepy when they… stare at you. Don’t you think it’s creepy?“ Deenar asked and waited for the answer. He was a Mon Cal, and Mon Cals were often simply judging people by the quality of their eyes, which was impossible to do in case of Miralukas. It was natural for a Mon Calamari to be scared of them.

Deenar asked another question, one that Gharassk hadn't really thought about before. „But between you and me, I don’t trust Miralukas. You cannot see into their blind eyes, if they even have some eyes. I find that absolutely creepy when they… stare at you. Don’t you think it’s creepy?“

Well, I never really thought about it. They are pretty much just like humans. And the main reason they wear the eye covers is for our benefit i think, so we who can see ain't creep-ed out by them. But i can't have much say on the subject I've only met one Miraluka, and i don't think she was quite the model student.

Gharassk let one another smile and noticed that his drink was bone dry now, he had finished it and remembered that he said he would bring the drink back to the lunch room when he was done.

you wanna come with me to take this back to the lunch room? maybe get you one too?
He waved the black mug sightly to make sure Deenar could see it.
It seemed to me that it sounds like you like hot cocoa.

Deenar was satisfied with Gharassk’s answer, the padawan was a Togruta after all, and didn’t care about eyes as much as Mon Cals did. When Gharassk waved the black mug at him, and suggested to go to the canteen for more, Deenar accepted. He had nothing important to do anyway, so he’ll at least drink all of the hot cocoa he’ll be able to find.

„Yes, I like chocolate and cocoa. It’s just so sweet and tasty! Also, it is pretty good for nerves.“ the boy chuckled and stood up. Then, the Mon Calamari and Togruta walked together through the halls of the Jedi temple into the canteen. There weren’t many people, so Deenar immediately sighted a pot containing the drink. He used the Force to pull one of the clean cups into his right hand, put the cup under the tap and pressed the button. The hot cocoa poured into the cup, and Deenar eagerly raised it to his big mouth and took a sip. It tasted just like he liked it, very sweet and chocolate like. The temperature was also good, so he drank the whole content of the cup without burning his tongue, and poured more cocoa into the cup. And then another two. Four. Seven.

With the pot empty, and his stomach satiated, he felt charged with energy. Maybe he could have a sparring duel with Gharassk? He was a padawan, after all, and needed to practice often too. „Gharassk, what would you say to a little sparring match?“ asked the Mon Cal, smiling, with his right eye slightly closed. He didn’t expect to defeat the Togruta, but he could certainly learn something new, like moves, tactic and Force powers. And if not learn something completely new, at least get better at something he already knew.

Gharassk Stood and started to fallow Deenar but remembered that he left the computer powered on-line He was several feet away he simply raised a hand and concentrated for a few seconds before it powered off as if by it self.

Gharassk got one cup of the cocoa to the Mon Cala's, Six? Seven?
He was starting to lose count,
I think saying you 'Like' Hot cocoa was a under statment. Gharassk Chuckled, as he watched the other as he finished the last cup.

„Gharassk, what would you say to a little sparring match?“
A sparing match, Gharassk did enjoy those and it had been a few days sense he had done a duel with another living person that didn't stab him in the gut.
Sure.
Gharassk didn't have any thing else to say except that, and then he stood to begin walking to the training hall.


When they got there Gharassk removed the light-saber from his belt and then his outer robes and sat them onto the bench. Then he walked to one of the rings on the ground and called a pair of the identical Training sabers to himself and began to hand one over to Deenar.

Whenever you're ready.
Gharassk powered the blade and let it cross Deenar's blade and waited for him to make a move.

Deenar and Gharassk entered the training room, and Deenar amusedly watched the Togruta removed his robe. The Mon Cal felt hot in robes and thus wore just his dark grey tunic, leaving his robe in his room. What practical use did the robes have inside the Temple anyway? They could protec against the hot or cold weather, but in the Jedi Temple they were just plain useless. Deenar also noticed the padawan had a real lightsaber.

The boy followed the Togruta into the circle and watched him as he used the Force to get two training sabers. Deenar gulped. He has never fought an opponent wielding two lightsabers, but then he realised one of the sabers was meant for him. Smiling softly at his soon to be an opponent, he politely took the offered blade and put it back where Gharassk took it from. „Thank you, but I have my own training weapon. I am just a youngling.“ Deenar said, and reaching to his belt, he took out his dull, training lightsaber. He pressed the button with his thumb, igniting the blue energy beam and took a typical Shii-Cho opening stance. „May the Force be with you.“ the Mon calamari boy said to the Togruta.

He used the Force to enhance his speed, strength and reflexes. Quickly, he took two steps forward and strongly slashed vertically at Gharassk’s right hand. It wasn't the strongest of attacks, but it was very fast, leaving Gharassk a little time to react.

„Thank you, but I have my own training weapon. I am just a youngling.“ Gharassk nodded as he watched the other remove his own light saber, Oh go ahead. It didn't come as to much of a surprise to Gharassk that the other was only a youngling, The only way he could have been a Padawan and still looking for a master would be if his master had died or had a similar fall as Gharassk's own.

Then before starting the duel Deenar spoke again, „May the Force be with you.“
and with you friend...

Gharassk let the blade's remove from each other and then a quick slash came toward Gharassk's Right hand, Gharassk pulled back just before the strike and flicked the blade so that it might strike the opponents blade back away. He then took a step back and over to his left around to the right of Deenar before making a round house double swing from his right arm, stopping on the second spin. It wouldn't be to hard to block or dodge the strike but the second would be only slightly harder as there would be little time to reposition the block. However it also made a easy way for a counter attack after the strikes.

It wasn't too surprising when Gharassk deflected his attack. Keeping right eyes on the Togruta, Deenar saw the next attack coming. Before it could hit him, he jumped into the air and did a backflip to confuse his opponent a little. Before he even landed on the ground, he horizontally striked against Gharassk's head.

Gharassk pulled the blade to himself and watched Deenar back flip out of the way and into the air. Then tried to do a strike upon landing that did catch Gharassk off guard. Gharassk let himself drop to one knee and push his own saber up onto the one falling toward his head but used it's momentum to slide under his opponent then rolled to his stomach keeping his own saber away from himself and pushed himself up off the floor now standing about 10 feet from Deenar.

OK, that was unexpected I'll give you that.

He then stood upright and lower his saber behind himself and gave it a spin in his hand he stood waiting for the next attack, which he could now guess to be unorthodox.

Deenar didn't expect Gharassk to actually hit the floor. Nobody has ever used something like this when fighting against him, Dennar made a mental note to remember that. He landed and turned to face the Togruta. He was standing with his saber lowered and behind him. The boy smiled when the older padawan commented about the unexpectedness about his previous attack. ´Let's see how you'll like my next attack´ Deenar thought and quickly crouched to the floor. He didn't really have much space for a good upswing, but this attack will serve it's purpose, to really surprise the Togruta. At the same time, he really hoped his opponent will deflect this, as it would put him out of combat for a long time, despite their training blades, and Deenar didn't want to hurt him. Just to surprise him. With that in mind, he made a quick, vertical slash aimed between the Togruta's legs.