Just a Few More Days (Eclipse)

[darkrei9n]

Myri sat in the garden meditating, letting the force flow through her, it was one of the few times she could "see". She could feel the plants around her, the trees, even other people nearby going about their business. For her, it was more of knowledge of where other beings were rather than true sight. She would never be able to tell you what color the piece of cloth was, nor would she be able to paint a picture but she would be better off than most blind people, rather than relying on a cane or an animal she would always be able to rely on the force.

She was there because it was relaxing, easy to put the fears of her upcoming birthday behind her. She didn't want to go to the agricorps, even if most of the younglings who came through would end up going it would be a failure for her. A waste of how much time she had spent into the night trying to lift a ball or every morning run to build endurance. So there she sat, letting the force ease her fears away, letting it engulf her as best she could, it was the most relaxing thing she knew how to do.

[10Tickler]

Silene was...tired, to say the least. Her body was sore, from rushing about left and right, hither and zither in the Healer's wing, treating Younglings who were a little clumsy, and Jedi who'd made mistakes, most notably, one poor soul who'd managed to drop a Starfighter on his leg while trying to fix one of the Landing struts. That had been a mess, and afterwards, it had taken nearly a half-hour to finally clean up the room, as well as herself.

Now though, now she was off, relieved for the day with other healers filling in where she had been working, and while hungry, it wasn't food that her body required. Silene was a Zelosian, although a casual glance would never tell. Looking closer, however, one would see a pale green tinge to her skin and colorful hair. Technically, Silene Stellata, Jedi knight, was a Plant. As such, she required something more than most humanoids, and while she could eat normal foods, so long as they didn't contain sugar, she had to have sun and water daily, if she wanted energy, that was.

So it was off to the Gardens, one of the least-frequented places in the Vast, expansive and Labyrinthian temple of the Jedi. For Silene, however, it was perfect. A good amount of sun, even this late in the afternoon, a running stream that she could dip her feet into, and it was always quiet. A few turns, a few hallways, and she found herself in the Courtyard. Casting green eyes about, she felt the presence of another among the green leaves and bright floral petals. Stretching, she moved towards the feeling, only to find a Youngling in the traditional meditative stance. Oops, sorry. Didn't mean to interrupt you, sweetie she said, backing away a little. Unfortunately...the girl was right near the water feature, a small pond.

Shrugging, Silene just sighed before moving over to it, hiking her robes up to her knees as she sat on the Edge of the water, her feet and legs dipping into the cool, moist liquid, absorbing it into her, slowly. Oh...that's wonderful she sighed with relief, fanning her hair out behind her and relaxing herself, just enjoying the day.

[darkrei9n]

Myri was surprised to be able to sense another presence in the courtyard, this was a relatively hidden section of the temple. Few people if any came here. She was even more surprised to sense the presence of one of the healers. The only reason she knew it was a healer was because she had visited the Healer's Wing of the temple quite a few times. Mostly because she was a blind girl who preferred to try and rely on the force to find her way. Unfortunately she was also inexperienced in the force and the danger sense in most of the older Jedi did not seem to be something she could feel constantly.

Oops, sorry. Didn't mean to interrupt you, sweetie

It was Master Stellata, Myri had heard from other Younglings that the Knight was actually a plant but she wouldn't exactly know. She could identify a few species by their voice, but Master Stellata's sounded human to her.

She could hear the Jedi Knight's footsteps in the grass, she didn't expect Silene to get any closer, but was surprised to hear the splash of water and a sigh of relief coming from the old knight. She spoke mostly to acknowledge the Zelosian's presence. "Master Stellata?"

[10Tickler]

The Jedi Knight had leaned back, absorbing the late-day sun with all of her might, an odd concept, considering what a passive activity it actually was. Either way, she was relaxed, feeling the cool water lapping about her ankles and the warmth of the Sun's rays upon her pale face. She had entered a sort of reverie when the Youngling finally spoke, not having moved from her seated position. Eyes fluttering open, the spell was broken as Silene rotated, keeping her feet submerged, but rolling onto her stomach to gaze upon the child.

Yes? Did I disturb you too much? I'm really sorry about that she said, truly worried about what the Girl needed. Or did you have some sort of Question, or...ailment or something? the Knight probed, smiling weakly at her.

Oh yes, Silene recognized Myri, the stubborn blind girl who, in her desire to do everything on her own, ended up in the Healer's wing more often than not.

[darkrei9n]

Or did you have some sort of Question, or...ailment or something?

She gave a feeble smile as she realized what the Knight was here. She took a deep breath through her nose and exhaled, ready for the bombshell she had been expecting. She had thought they would tell her after she turned thirteen, and she hadn't been expecting them to send Master Stellata to tell her.

"I take it you're here to tell me I'm off to the Service Corps?"

She tried to mask the sad note in her voice. She could feel a pit in her stomach, and her shoulders sag. She thought she had at least a few more days to find a Master, but this was it. The effort she had put in hadn't been enough. She sighed and thought about the possible futures.

Perhaps they would put her in the education corps. Maybe make her a librarian. She might not mind that. Though she might have a bit of an issue reading any physical texts. Maybe they might make her help plants grow or even help the sick. Maybe she would end up being Master Stellata's nurse one day.

[10Tickler]

Blinking a few times while looking at Myri, Silene's head tilted in confusion. I'm here to whanow? she asked, confused as could be by the girl's assumption of her goals here at this moment.

Pausing, Silene stopped to think about it for a few moments, lips pursed as she reached out, taking Myri's hand and pulling the girl towards her. Come here, sit with me, let your feet get a little wet, eh? she invited, smiling, even though she knew the youngling couldn't appreciate it. Digging through her pockets with her other hand, she found something quickly, a Cellophane-wrapped, sugar-free candy, and placing it in Myri's hand, she shook her head.

Tell me what's on your mind, why you're jumping to such conclusions. Maybe two heads will be better than one with this problem, huh?

[darkrei9n]

Myri stood shocked as Silene pulled her towards the water. Thoughts of resisting quickly fled her mind and soon enough her boots were off and her feet were in the water. The water was surprisingly nice, especially after a long day. She could see why the Knight was here. It was surprisingly soothing. She heard the sound of crackling of cellophane and the feel of a small round object in her hand. This was definitely reminiscent of Master Stellata.

Then she asked what the hell Myri was talking about, which left Myri frowning. Master Stellata had never struck as the kind to lie to her, yet surely that had to be why she was here. "Well I'm thirteen and still a Youngling... You know what that means..."

She shuddered, she could feel the tears welling up. The candy in her hand was forgotten as she tried to fight them back. She didn't want to go to the Service Corps, she had worked to hard to get shunted to the Corps. It might be just as honorable as being picked as a Padawan but it felt like failure.

[10Tickler]

Watching the girl's reaction to her own worries and thoughts plaguing her mind and tormenting her soul, Silene merely sighed, shoulders shifting slightly as she pulled the Girl closer, into a gentle hug. When it came to these sorts of things, the Jedi always felt uncomfortable, but there was an undeniable feeling in the air. Defeat.

That was one thing that Silene couldn't stand. Shifting again, she chewed on her lip for a few moments before she finally spoke, her usually melodic tones haunted by the tinge of pity that she was feeling for the Girl and her problems.

The Force...is confusing most of the time, and it's difficult to actually listen to what it's trying to tell us. You might be having trouble with this because you have an idea that you deserve a master, a teacher, and honestly...I'm sorry, but you can't get what you don't work for. Take these flowers as an example. If they didn't stretch above the Grass, they'd wither and die.

With another pause, Silene chuckled. I'm so sorry, I'm terrible at these motivational speeches she told the girl apologetically. What I guess I'm trying to tell you is to not give up. If you'd like, I'm sure I could tell you something that happened to me once, but...it's not the most uplifting of stories. The fact of the matter is...You have to try. If you don't then you're consigning yourself to being on the bottom rung of the ladder for the rest of your life

[darkrei9n]

Myri winced at the Zelosian's "encouraging speech". She had heard the same speech from probably everyone in the temple. She was sure even a padawan had given her the speech at one point. She had taken the hard work part to heart, she was practicing constantly, working to become the best she could be. At times it felt fruitless though, as if there was a brick wall standing in front of her that she couldn't pass by.

She was surprised at the apology though. Usually when she got that speech they just have a weak smile and shrugged shrugged afterwards, as if that was all they could say regarding that.

Slowly Myri pushed herself out of the Knight's embrace and stepped back to her spot. She looked in what she though to be the direction of Silene and smiled. She was safe for another day at least, she could keep practicing, even if she knew it was futile. But nonetheless she sat down and took a deep breath, if she was going to go the Service Corps she could at least learn to get by without a droid to help her out.

[10Tickler]

Silene felt terrible, her advice completely wretched in this situation. The Green-tinged Jedi knew that there had to be another choice, another way for the Youngling to not be sentenced to a life outside of the Jedi, or in the Service corps.

Then it struck her.

Silene didn't crave to be a Master Jedi, taking a Padawan was something that had never crossed her mind, but...looking back at Myri, she felt a pull, a call. When Silene was a youngling, she'd found her path, and early at that. Some younglings never truly discovered their path, not until they'd been out into the Galaxy.

Silene made her decision, standing quickly and reaching out, gripping Myri's hand. I need you to trust me and come somewhere with me, okay? she asked, tugging on the girl's arm gently.

[darkrei9n]

Myri's thoughts were in turmoil when Silene tugged at her arm. It was a welcome distraction to her current thoughts. She was barely able to focus in general. So when she felt the Jedi Knight tugging on the hem of her robes followed. She was curious though.

"Alright?"

Her voice was weaker than she thought. More questioning what she was beginning to assume to be a senile healer than telling the person she would follow. If she hadn't been blind her eyes may have gone wide or her eyebrows would pull together in a sign of surprise at the sudden turn around.

"May I ask where we're going first?"

She knew even if she didn't want to follow she likely would have to. Silene was a Knight and she was a youngling, so it wasn't as if she had much choice in the matter anyway.

[10Tickler]

With a rapid turn, Silene grinned, kneeling down and placing a gentle hand on Myri's shoulder. I don't get 'Flashes' very often...I'm not great with ideas or solutions, but I got one. We're going to the Council's Chamber...unless you don't want to she said, her tone serious as she shared the general idea with the Youngling.

[If this continues, I think it should continue in the General Council thread]