The Room of a Thousand Fountains (Flashfyr)

[andrewtech]

_{(Art by Darthtemoc, link in watermark)}

Ah, the Room of a Thousand Fountains...

Located deep within the Jedi Temple, this beautiful greenhouse is widely renown throughout the galaxy for its natural beauty and wide repository of galactic flora. The Jedi Order had spent many millennia cultivating it, the botanical specialists within it doing the utmost that they could to make it a perfect sanctuary for plant life of all varieties.

However, this place also happened to be a young human padawan's favorite part of the Jedi Temple, where she often came to study and practice her Force techniques...

This padawan's name was Rayna Maisal, and she was no more than 18 years of age. Although old for a padawan, she would be considered to be quite young by almost any other standard. The girl wore simple, light tan-colored Jedi robes with sturdy leather boots, notably without a cloak to accompany them, and her long, black hair would flow freely down her back. 

Next to her is a T7-model astromech droid, which peaceably scans the perimeter in silence as the young girl reads a text on her datapad that she had just recently downloaded from the Jedi Library.

"Oh T7, what a lovely day it is!" Rayna would let out a happy sigh of joy as she attempts to pat the astromech droid like some sort of a pet. "I do wish that Master Araya was here to join us!"

The droid beeps in apparent agreement, although it's doubtful that it really cares about anything other than its master. Although the droid has received several upgrades in the past, including a personality core and one that allows for it to conduct independent thought, T7-B4 was fiercely loyal to the young padawan that commanded it. So long as his master was happy, so was he.

"She did say that she had something to teach us today... I wonder what it could possibly be?" She would muse, continuing to scroll through her datapad as she reads through it in wait of her master. "I do hope it's not anything to do with lightsaber training again..." The girl from Onderon would roll her eyes somewhat, this clearly being her least favorite part of her Jedi training.

[flashfyr]

    White armored surfaces shifted beneath the brown fabric of Araya Ves'kade's slim-fitted combat robes. Coruscant's sunlight passed through one thousand nano-filters that separated ozone and other particulates that would otherwise harm the flora. The yellow rays splashed across Araya's chiseled face, making her porcelain skin a lighter shade of gold. Her boots crunched on fallen stems and treaded on patches of soil that had been cultivated for centuries. Great, hulking trees reached high towards the greenhouse's glass ceiling, each trunk wrapped by bark chips that were as large as the Jedi's face.
    Peaceful as it was, this was not Araya's choice of destination. 
    She much preferred to tinker with machines- her ship for instance. There was something about metal: the efficiency, the absolute control over what it did. No room was left for it to go in its own direction or disrupt the owner's plan with its own. It was an extension of the user's will and only the user. Somehow, Araya ended up with a padawan who preferred the exact opposite. 
    If there was a credit for everytime Rayna was caught getting distracted by communing with wildlife or prancing through a meadow, the Republic would be far more wealthy than the Imperials. And yet, the padawan would sometimes get so engrossed in her readings that one had to wonder if she had snuck out of her room. Araya taught war through hardened experience, and Rayna learned peace through datapads. How the two got assigned to each other was a mystery never to be solved. 
    The Jedi Knight was glad they met, though. 
    Not just because she needed someone to be the cool head, but because Araya had been given a chance to explore the side of the Jedi that never really interested her. After all, what good was pacifism to a peacekeeper in a galaxy full of thugs? As it turned out, there were plenty of times that was needed. Among the few downsides were Rayna's usual choices for location; if one more blood-sucking insect came towards Araya, she would be liable to burn this whole place down. 
    At last, she spotted her padawan through the trees.
    "Rayna!" she cried. "When I said to meet me by the garden, I didn't mean this jungle." 
    A sigh passed through her lips as she passed the apprentice and continued towards the nearby waterfall. "I lost my comms unit but I suppose it's for the best. The Force is stronger here- maybe it'll be better for you."
    She led them to the edge of the turquoise pool, sitting beside the shallow bank. One hand gestured to the reflection in the immediate water before them, "What do you see?"
    That same hand began to splash the water around and create ripples that ebbed and waved through the mirror finish. "Now what do you see?" 
    

[andrewtech]

Rayna would suddenly lower her datapad as she hears Araya's voice.

"Master!" She would greet her with a pleasant smile as she attempts to stand up, covering her mouth as she stifles a soft giggle at her apparent dislike of the Jedi Greenhouse. "Well, you didn't say that we couldn't meet in this 'jungle' either, master! And besides, I think it's rather serene, and it'll do you some good to get some nice, fresh, filtered air.~"

The padawan learner knew quite well that her master wasn't very fond at all of nature, as she was. Perhaps it had something to do with her little remembered childhood... Her mother had always had an affinity with the jungles of Onderon, and had established her own private gardens at her family's walled-off, Iziz estate on Onderon.

Rayna barely remembered the place, but she did recall that she would use to play in that garden for hours as a child. That's where she exhibited her first signs of Force sensitivity, in fact...

This wasn't to say that she disdained technology, for she herself had studied advanced hacking skills in the past, and she regularly installed upgrades onto her droid and starfighter, along with various other devices. She actually considered herself to be a pretty good technician, in fact, one of the few things that she and her master had in common.

But repair was a different sort of escape for her, one that she loved to focus on when she wanted to think about things. Escaping to nature was for when she didn't want to think about things at all, something that allowed her to bask in the Force and in the beauty of all living things. And to be a frivolous, 18-year old girl as well, a luxury that she was not regularly afforded while on assignment for the Jedi Order.

In any case, the girl would move over to sit next to her master on the bank of the lake, sitting down in a criss-crossed position as she stares out at the waters. "Why... I see my reflection, master. And yours too, of course!"

As she splashes the water around, the young padawan would tilt her head rather curiously... "And now I see ripples in the water, distorting our images... A disturbance, I suppose, in the natural order of things..."

[flashfyr]

    "Yes, exactly. The Force is a lot like water, it ebbs and flows, giving life to everything around you. No matter how chaotic it can get, it always comes back to settle. But the dark side is another matter. It is a poison that seeks to disrupt the water and kill everything it breathes life into. It's why the Jedi work to eradicate the Sith, at least until recently..." Araya trailed off, looking up at the Council tower high above. She pulled her hand out of the water and flicked it dry, rubbing it on her robes for good measure. 
    "Anyway, you have a strong sense of morality and ethics; that's something that will keep you on a straight line and make sure you use the Force responsibly. Remember, we are servants to those who do not have the Force. But your firm grasp on those qualities also comes with a burden of its own. You didn't learn them from me, and your old master failed to tell you that it can get in the way of one of the most fundamental things you need to learn as a padawan. You need to constantly see the universe through no lens and understand how the Force influences everything around us. Unlearn what you have learned from society. While we hold a responsibility to civilization, that all stems from our duty to the Force. We don't connect to the world through our senses, but through our feelings. That is how you get closer to the Force. If you truly want to be able to adapt to any situation and do the right thing, you'll have to understand that there are times where your sense of morality can't be carried out. There are times you'll want to do something but you can't because there's a bigger picture. We can't save everyone, and not everyone is meant to be saved. I'm not telling you this as something to memorize or frighten you. It's just that... there will come a moment when every fiber of your being wants you to intervene in some way, but you shouldn't. When it comes, you'll have to think about why you're a Jedi."
    Araya stood up and pivoted on her heel, heading towards the clearing behind them with a slow walk. "It's moments like these when Jedi turn to the dark. They lose sight of their duties, either in the heat of the moment or in the slow, chronic fear of what may happen. More often than not, their learned ideals are what drive them to commit actions that serve the need to fulfill the construct they've built. Life is precious in the context of the Force, but certain societal morals would have you act rashly to try saving all of it. Individualism is a wonderful thing, but your desires and your identity come second to everything else. Don't fall into that trap. Everytime you reach out with your feelings, remember that you are not projecting them onto everything else. It's the opposite. You, as in your opinions and biases and experiences, don't factor in. The will of the Force flows into you. If you have to take a life, understand that they were a child, a sibling, maybe a parent to someone out there, but don't mourn them. If you don't save someone, understand the gravity of that loss, but don't mourn them either. As long as you do the right thing, you never fail; you only succeed at carrying out the natural order of things and achieving the best possible outcome. Do you understand?" 

[andrewtech]

"I understand, master..." Rayna would reply softly, having been listening to her master's words with the utmost attention.

"The Force must be brought into balance, but we must be wary, for the Dark Side is a poison that seeks to permanently corrupt that balance. We can't save everyone, and there will come a time when I won't be able to do so, or might risk the greater good of things if I try. When that time comes, I shouldn't mourn their passing, for I am simply ensuring the continuation of the natural order of things, and am attempting to achieve the best possible outcome for the universe."

A bit cold, but Rayna understood where her master was coming from. The Sith were a menace, a galactic plague that had to be eradicated. That's not to say that couldn't be saved. The stories of Revan, the Prodigal Knight, were still quite clear in her mind from her youngling days. If a dark lord of the Sith could turn to the light, then couldn't the worst followers of evil also be redeemed?

Perhaps not, she thought to herself. Revan was a special case, and while it could be possible to turn someone so dark back to the light again, Rayna doubted that the conditions required to do so would appear in many. No, it was best to listen to her master on this one. She shouldn't try to save everyone, not when the greater fate of a world or even the galaxy might hang in the balance.

"In short, I should always endeavor to look at the bigger picture of things, yes? And act to do whatever it takes to maintain the natural order of things, as they are meant to be?" Rayna would turn her head to look over at her master, resting it in her arms as she continues to sit in her criss-crossed position.

[flashfyr]

    "Good. Later, I want you to study the Four Stages of the Dark Side as outlined by Master Tolaris Shim. You like Revan, right? This document was written by Master Shim through her direct observations of what happened to him; she was alive during the Mandalorian Crusades. Study well and have fun with it, but y'know... take it seriously too." Araya blew a tuft of hair out of her eyes and then snapped her fingers at a mosquito. Why were none of these creatures attacking the less armored Jedi?
    "Now, take out your saber. We need to work on-" Suddenly, the wavering bee-dee of the woman's wrist comm interrupted her. Both eyes shifting down to the device, Araya's free hand pressed the unit's operating button as she lifted it towards her lips. "This is Jedi Knight Ves'kade."
    "This is Master Crux," an aged voice replied. "Your presence is requested in the communication center."
    A glance was thrown at Rayna. "I'll be right there, Master. I'll be bringing my padawan with me if that's alright."
    "Very good. I'll be seeing you both shortly."
    The wrist comm let off a low tone as it shut off. "Come on then, saber training will have to wait for another day. Or maybe we'll get lucky and Master Crux is gonna send us somewhere we can get some good ol' experience." 
    

[...]

    The communication center was a relatively open room, its singular holo table surrounded by rows of circular, ascending seats. Many war plans had been discussed here, but there were only two people within when Araya and Rayna arrived. Long, angular shadows were cast across the chamber due to Coruscant's setting sun, and what light was left fled like draining water. Master Crux turned towards his guests, wrapped by the sturdy and familiar cloth of Jedi robes. Lines were etched into his dried-out skin, and his eyes followed them without moving a flicker in another direction. "Greetings," he said. "I wish we could have met in a more suitable arrangement, but I'm afraid I may be sending you somewhere dangerous." 
    Araya turned her face towards Rayna, completely hiding her face from the master so that she could make a 'YES!' expression.
    "About twelve years ago, the Republic established a mining colony in the Unknown Regions. About fifteen percent of the galaxy's raw material is in that section, and the Senate thought it would be a good idea to charter a private corporation to harvest from there. We lost contact with that colony. At the time we couldn't do anything about it, but we managed to send one 'Captain Kenedis' to investigate with his crew of forty men. We lost contact with them too. Two days ago, we received a transmission from Captain Kenedis- the first entry in his data journal. We fear that he had no time to issue a proper SOS and he sent the journal entry in a panic, and that the disappearances have been the result of Sith interference in that area. The Empire may be staging something where we can't see them. That's why I want to send you there with your warship this time." 
    A smirk touched Araya's lips. 
    "Of course Master," she replied. "I'll leave right away."

[...]

    The bridge of the Mercurian buzzed with activity as the light cruiser prepared for departure. Short notice had been given for the launch, but the well-oiled personnel team moved with a rarely seen efficiency. Stars dotted viewport's every direction and shuttles with cycled out troops were making their last-minute exits from the hangar bay. At the head of it all, Araya issued down orders to the seated tech crew of the communications' cubicle. "Take this data and lock onto the transmission algorithm. It may be only one of many incoming messages and I want to intercept all of them." 
    "Yes sir," was the answer.
    Turning her attention to Rayna and T7, the knight began, "You know, you don't have to come with me. Master Crux wasn't lying when he said that this could be dangerous. After all, spoooooooky things happen in the Unknown Regions~"
    

[andrewtech]

Rayna would clasp her hands together, letting out a squeak of joy as her master assigns her these readings! "Ooo! Mandalorian Crusades material! Oh, you know how I love that stuff master!"

Of course, her excitement quickly dissipated after Araya proposed that they engage in a lightsaber training session. The young girl had never much liked dueling, although she knew that it would a vital skill to have if she was to one day become a Jedi Knight. Her master had reassured her that she would one day become a respectable swordsman, but she had a hard time believing such at times.

For her true strengths lay with the Force... And with her various other skills, of course. Although she was all but certain that she wished to become a Jedi Consular at the end of her training, she had often considered taking on the role of a Jedi Sentinel as well.

But this aside, as soon as Araya received the message from Master Crux, she would have gone silent out of respect for her elders. Once they're done talking, she would have simply smirked and replied to her master, "Force willing!~" And would have followed her into the communication center.

T7, of course, rolls after them.

*~!~!~!~!~!~* 

The young padawan had always felt rather comfortable in space. Next to the serenity and peacefulness of the living force found in nature, Rayna had always enjoyed the stillness, the peacefulness of the void...

...But now, she was beginning to doubt these feelings that she had long held about space.

What Master Crux had told them about the disappearance of Captain Kenedis and the mining colony in the Unknown Regions had greatly perturbed her... The Republic must have been quite desperate for resources to have explored such a risky mining operation, she thought to herself, as she stood next to her master on the bridge of the Mercurian, hands folded neatly behind her back.

"Master... I won't lie. I've quite frankly got a really bad feeling about this mission," Rayna would admit, letting out a deep sigh as she says these words. "A mining colony in the Unknown Regions that the Republic has lost contact with, in addition to forty vigorously trained marines...? This sounds like the work of the Sith, or a rather industrious band of marauders... Perhaps even deserves from the Republic military!

But no, I'm coming with you on this one, master. You'll need me! Besides, the experience will help me get one step closer to eventually being able to take the trials!" She would nod her head as she says this. "I'd hate to still be your padawan when I'm thirty years old!~" The girl would let out a hysterical giggle.

*~!~!~!~!~!~*

Captain Goddard Querand, the commander of the Mercurian, would turn to face Araya. "Master Jedi, our navicomputer has just finished the calculations for the jump to hyperspace," The mustached, fifty year old war veteran would offer to her.