Class Dismissed (Open)

[Vreem Took]

(This is open primarily to younglings, but Padawans are easily welcomed and it wouldn't be rare for a Knight to stop by, considering his standing. Although if you want a more in depth conversation between Vreem and your Knight, then this probably isn't the place and if that's the case, pm me.)

He stepped briskly across the worn floor of the classroom. His boots were quiet considering their size and weight, causing the assembled younglings to be distracted as little as possible. They were going over a simple lesson under Vreem’s guidance, to reach out with the force, strengthen their connection with it through meditation and then practice their control of telekinetic abilities. Previously having been a Sentinel, Vreem was well versed in most areas that built the foundation of the Jedi, thus he was often designated to teach a large number of classes, those involving both the force and lightsaber combat.

Since his return from Devaron he quite enjoyed the change. He hadn’t been out on a mission since, nor had he seen Meira since she was knighted, or Niv-Taro since the mission itself, he hoped they were both faring well. Things would be difficult for both of them, both had seen things they needed to improve on; their miraculous medic had come to see that his lightsabers skills would probably lead him to needing a healer, in a twisted and ironic way. And Meira, well, the first year or two of Knighthood were difficult, and no doubt she would discover a lot about herself that she didn’t previously know, it had been the same for him all those years ago.

However, these two were not the only Jedi on his mind as he spoke calming words to one of the students beginning to fail. There was Jahn. How many months had it been since their mission on Kashyyyk? It had been a long time since Vreem had heard from him. In fact, it had been a long time since anyone had heard from him, he hadn’t been seen in the temple for a while now and the esteemed member of the High Council was beginning to worry.

And so, in order to cease the worry and anxiety which welled up inside of him, Vreem took the lessons and teaching of the temple’s students with a great deal of effort and vigour. If he could move his mind away from the thoughts of those he had recently connected with, then he would be able to help both himself and others.

Currently he was teaching one of his middle-aged classes, if you will. Usually classes were based upon those of the same age/ability. But this was an extra lesson Vreem had put together for those who wanted more than their standard lesson structure would provide. They aged from seven years of age to twelve, some of the older students wanted to do everything they could in order to prevent their dismissal from the Order. He had been one of the lucky ones, chosen at the age of ten to become an apprentice meant he never went through the worry that the masterless twelve year olds had to.

Looking at the clock upon the wall, Vreem raised his voice to speak to all his students. “Everyone ease your connection with the Force, you may go once you have put away your materials. Class dismissed.” With those few words the room that had seemed like a graveyard moments early was now bursting with life and activity, younglings scurried around at an unbelievable speed and soon the crowd was much thinner. Of course, his work was not yet done, students would frequently stay behind to talk to him, or maybe a student unable to get into the lesson would be waiting outside for the class to finish. Or maybe he would get a visit from one of many Padawans or Knights who often stalked the halls of the temple, searching fro a helping hand, or sometimes just a friendly face.

[kaim]

The 11 year-old silently meditated as they were instructed to. He sat in the far back for he was older than almost all of the Younglings, save the 12 year-olds. As slow breathing took place, he began to reach out for the force. T'was a funny feeling when one first reached for it.

Thoughts disintegrated as he focused more on the power granted to unique minds. In his mind, appeared to be a thin grey line. It gradually got bigger untill it seemed medium sized. He began to focus on it more as it wavered disobediently. He told it to 'hold still' in his mind but it was becomming difficult. Frustration came to him as he blinked. The next time he closed his eyes, it was gone.

Thoughts came to him now. He started to wonder about his family. He must've came from somebody, it wouldn't make sense if he didn't. He could barely remember his own childhood since it was focused on reaching to the force. There were some kids he remembered who could not succeed as the rest did. They may have been granted a small ability of it but they did not connect to it. Some of them he became friends with but they were held back. He then thought about his years of training. He studied hard and worked for everything. Unfortunately he did not get a master at the age of 10 which initimidated him. Was he ever going to get one? He had to! He couldn't have just wasted years on working together with the force to be set aside.

Opening his eyes again, he looked at the teacher who seemed to be beside another kid helping him. "Ngh." The feminine boy grunted quietly. He went to close his eyes again before the teacher had dismissed his class.

Getting up, he brushed his 'Youngling Robes' And fixed his training saber on his belt. He watched as the kids moved hurriedly to either their next class or break. Softly taking steps, he walked over to the teacher and smiled nervously.

"Sorry Sir. You must get this a lot." He apologized knowing he wasn't the first one to see the Jedi. "There's just something bugging me, and I seek your assistance Master Took." He said softly.

Gazing around quietly, he wondered if anyone else would stay behind, or come in. "Course if you're not busy."

[Vreem Took]

As the children, in their large flocks, scattered gleefully, Vreem couldn’t help but smile at the innocence which covered them in a coat of wool. The younglings really were sheltered during their time at the temple, never leaving the temple except on the extremely odd occasion. It was a questionable stratagem for the early part of a Jedi’s training, if they spent years in such an enclosed and structured space it was doubtful many would survive the transaction into apprenticeship. Suddenly they were travelling the galaxy, moving from world to world, different cultures booming around them often their inability to adapt would lead to a number of… sticky circumstances.

In fact, the younglings faced very few problems in the temple, the largest of which would arrive at the deciding age. Often Vreem contemplated ways in which they may be able to better the progression of the youngling’s training in order to prepare them for life and missions outside the temple. Things were rarely as comfortable or safe as they were inside those walls.

Most of the younglings carried on, their minds never lingering on such thoughts. And yet, as most rushed off, a few remained and one youngling in particular had approached the Jedi Master, who smiled softly as the young boy addressed him. The youngling was short in comparison to Vreem, yet a decent height for his age. His hair was a noticeable dirty blonde, slightly longer than the contemporary short cut look many of the younglings had. Vreem quickly put a name to the boy’s face, Kaim. This wasn’t the first time he’d taught him and the High Council member tried to make it a habit of his to learn the names and faces of all those he taught at the temple.

Kaim was a good student; he was beginning to near the age of twelve so the worry was most likely beginning to set in. That worry and panic would often hamper a student during the last and, some might say, most important part of their training. In fact, towards the end of the class, Vreem had noticed that the youngling’s focus had waned and wavered slightly.

As he looked the boy eye to eye Vreem spoke in a more personal tone than when he was talking to the entire class. He spoke as he would to any Jedi, Knight, Padawan or Council Member, he didn’t think it was right to talk to the boy in a condescending way. “Not at all Kaim, please take a seat,” he said, sitting down on one of the soft rounded seats which stood at the side of the room, he waited for the youngling to join him before continuing, “now, what is it I can help you with?” He smiled again; perhaps this boy would reveal some sense of character not often seen in a youngling.

[kaim]

The young boy looked calmly into the eyes of the Master. Taking the order, he pulled up a chair and sat down on it, brushing his robes.

He had been taught by this Master before. He remembered that his voice helped Kaim to relax, especially when tapping into the force. He had to admit, that throughout his years at the Academy, he was taught a great number of lessons from him.

"Thank you Sir." He graced him for having his presence. "Well today in meditation...I guess something bugged me. I know it's pretty much hard to lose contact with the force when already tapping to it...but today well, today wasn't just my day. I couldn't really keep a hold on it, even though I rely on it to aid my vision." He remembered how much he trusted his sight into the force. "Today, well, I got visions about my family. Like, I can't even remember what my home was like." He gave a frown. "Then it started reminding me on how some of my friends were held back since the force wasn't as strong in them as usual...Which then led to the time last year...When a good number of Masters came to pick Students." He guessed the other Jedi could tell he was thinking on how come he wasn't chosen, was he going to the scraps after all?

"I guess I still have this year, and next year to go." He stated as he kept his hopes up. "I understand that my family would tie an unbreakable bond to me which might lead to my downfall in the future...I guess I just seek....Well someone to talk to." He looked to the jedi across from him. Luckily he had seen this Master long enough to the extent where he could from a picture of him in his head.

Finishing his talk, he finally say, "Am I ready for what's to come?"

[Vreem Took]

Vreem kept his eyes on the Youngling in order to show his concern and dedication to the boy’s words. The questions posed were not entirely a surprise to Vreem; he had been there to council a number of worried Younglings through this stage of their training. Although he had to admit, most only approached him in their last few months, but he would help despite this fact.

He had to admit it was odd that Kaim had not already been taken by a Master, after all he was gifted in his application of the force and it was not like he was unable to wield a saber well. Perhaps he had just been unlucky. Or perhaps the Force had something in mind for the young boy. Sadly Vreem was not well gifted when it came to visions or premonitions. His foresight was limited at best and to receive visions of the future of another was something he was never able to do. Even interpreting Master Vakkor’s visions proved to be a challenge for Vreem. And so he found himself frequently having to rely more upon his internal wisdom in order to find the solutions to the problems and the numerous questions he was presented with.

“We all face troubles when it comes to using the Force,” began the Master warmly, “there are many mental hurdles we have to overcome in order to make sure that we are able to try and move perfectly with the Force. You are at a deciding moment in your life Kaim and I am in no position to simply tell you if you are ready for what is to come, only the Force can give you that answer young one.” He paused for a moment, letting the words of wisdom Masters often bestowed sink into the youngling’s mind. Then he carried on. “However, you do still have a long time Kaim, and you are certainly doing well in your training, I can vouch for that fact. And we Masters are not just here to tell you what to do and how to do it, we’re here for you to confide in and we’ll help however we can. The best solution I can give you would be to meditate merely upon the Force, don’t try and follow the structure of any lesson, simply let your mind flow, connect and bind with the Force; it is the greatest source of answers as well as the greatest source of questions.”

He stopped and once again let his words sink in, before concluding with a question to the Kaim, just to see if the boy understood what had been said. “Is that of any help to you Kaim? Or is there anything else you wish to ask me or talk about?” He smiled warmly, he was in no rush to go anywhere else, it didn’t appear that anyone else was seeking him.

[kaim]

Kaim listened intently on what the Master had to said. Clearly, this Master had already been around the Galaxy, so he knew his lessons well.

Kaim didn't know if he should be afraid of the Dark Side. They were taught not to go for it, which meant if he stayed clear from it, such evil force would not drive him in. Though, didn't fear cause one Jedi to get violent? The dirty blonde boy did keep in mind his choices, but one easy way to fall to the dark side was emotions. He couldn't fall in love, he couldn't get angry at anyone (not that he did. He was indeed pleasant.) nor could he use them to his advantage. Such a confusing time it is. When they were young, they did not have such worries. They just focused on training and laughing with their friends.

"Thank you Sir." He nodded as he would begin to think of more questions. He was happy that the Master was pleased with his work. "Do we Jedi fear the Dark Side? How do we know when our hearts our tainted? Have you ever experienced it?" Curiosity picked the student's interest as maybe this was time to actually befriend a teacher. Maybe then he could get some private lessons through, to help him use the force to see better.

"And I'll definitely keep that in mind when meditating." He added with a smile, which slowly grew to a regular expression.

[10Tickler]

His ears, soft and rounded, had picked up on the soft tones of the Master's voice as he had "Dismissed" the class of Initiates, allowing the majority of them to leave the overly-large classroom in an explosion of excited noise and quick movement. Several others remained behind, most being slow to finish up, some milling around in the hopes of Talking to the Jedi Master before scurrying off to another class, or to go and eat somewhere else, and indeed, the Master had been approached and conversed with by another youngling.

All this activity was beyond the youthful male that had remained seated throughout the entire class and had deigned to stay behind, his eyes remaining closed, their crimson glow hidden by the thin cerulean skin of his eyelids. The gentle lights that had risen in intensity upon Master Took's pronouncement of the lesson's completion, cast a pale glow over his dark blue skin and, darker still, Hair, cut short as per uniform requirements. The youngling's skintone set off by the light robes that he wore, over the simply-woven trousers, soft shoes forgotten beside him as his breath escaped his lips silently.

The youngling was, by any outsider's account of the temple, alone in a sea of people different from him. His Race was unknown, his homeworld never revealed, neither by him, nor the Jedi Knight that had stumbled across him on a distant world. Yet, at the same time, Jon'arichi'kotokk, usually called Arichi by those that he lived with and trained under, had never felt more at home. Deep in his Meditative trance, he could feel the life that coursed through the Temple, all around him, enveloping him in a sea of light that filled his body with a powerful warmth.

Though, it was true, on Coruscant, in the Jedi Temple, racially, Arichi was alone, the only Chiss that had happened to find his way into the order, through a series of odd events and even odder circumstances. However, the Jedi were more of a family then any boy could ever want, the other Younglings his brothers and sisters, the Knights and Masters acting like a Group of Parents to care and nurture the Talents that the children possessed, teaching and assisting in the quest for knowledge. In this fact, Arichi was secure, and in his meditation, he was silent, the conversation before him both none of his Business and of no worry to him as it continued.

[Meira]

Ah the temple. Meira held it in her heart, as she was sure all Jedi did, with a warm sense of belonging. How could they not. Many Jedi remember the Temple as their first home, having been brought their before memory was established in their young minds. Meira herself, though she had been back to Kiffu twice since she had been taken in as a Jedi, only carried faint memories of life before these halls.

She had just returned from her second mission since knighthood. It had been a quick and simple one. The Naboo were crowning a newly elected monarch and wished for a peaceful representative of the Republic to witness the occation. Meira had accompanied a Senator to the coronation ceremony. It was really no mission at all, more a formality, but Meira understood the importance of the Jedi being present in peaceful matters in the Republic. Her presence showed the Jedi's support of the new monarch and of Republic representation as a whole. She was, in fact, quite honored.

She knew that, as a Jedi, her merit would be tested, and in many ways, it already had. But she also knew that there was no danger in enjoying the moment. In fact, it was the Jedi way to be mindful of the present.

Well, she wasn't that mindful. As she moved through the hall, a class of younglings suddenly came pouring out into her path, nearly causing her to trip. She avoided collision with one child and also managed to keep him from falling as well. He couldn't have been more than five, and his dark skin and dred-locked hair easily identified the youngster as of her own people.

Kiffar. The boy said, pointing at the black band tattoo that ran across Meira's eyelids. Yep, Kiffar. She responded with a smile. I'm Vosa! The boy said proudly, sticking out his chest slightly. And I'm Valli. Meira responded, showing the boy where her tattoos ended in crescent shapes on the back of her hands. I'll get mine some day. He said, hope sparkling in his eyes. And Meira nodded, waving as the boy hurried away to join his friends.

She turned to continue down the hall as another class came out of a door to her left. She turned her head with mild interest and caught a glimpse of the master who was leading the lesson. It was none other than Master Took. The man who had accompanied her, along with Healer Niv-Taro, to Devaron on the mission that would decide her advancement within the order. Indeed, it had been Master Took who severed Meira's padawan braid shortly after their return. With a smile, she stepped into the room and waited respectfully as a youngling spoke with Master Took.

Looking around, Meira caught sight of another youngling who had stayed behind, and seemed to still be in meditation. Her eyebrow raised at the site. Many younglings, though serious during their lessons, were quick to leave when they were done. She herself had been that way; a serious mind while learning, and quick feet when it was time to go. It was impressive to see one who did not so quickly flee to freedom when the door was opened.

[10Tickler]

Crimson-hued eyes flashing open, Jon'arichi'kotokk's glance, still half-glazed from the trance he had entered, locked onto Meira's for a moment before he shook his head gently and pushed himself off of the small Pouf he had been sitting on, onto his feet. Reaching down and smoothing his robes with cerulean hands, he brushed off any dust and looked around as well, his eyes taking in what he had been aware to via the Force. Across the Training hall, Jedi Master Took was speaking with Kaim, another of the Younglings in the Temple.

Turning his head back to where Meira stood, the young male's eyes took the knight's physical form in, having felt her through the force when she had entered, and a brief smile crossed his lips as he put his small cushion away. His area tidied quickly, the Chiss turned back towards the door and started to slowly walk towards the exit, and by proxy, Master Took and Meira, as well as his fellow Jedi Initiate.

Taking mere moments to span the distance between the other three Jedi and himself, Arichi looked on at the two that were talking amongst themselves before looking at Meira, directly between himself and the door. Pardon me he said to the Knight, the accent provided by his native Cheunh marring the basic words slightly as he tried to make himself look smaller, as though it would help him slide by easier.

Even so, his meditation over, thoughts still seemed to race through his own head as he inhaled deeply, trying to calm himself. By the Galactic standard, Arichi was nine years old, and to his young mind, his next few birthdays loomed too close for comfort. The young Chiss didn't particularly desire to leave the Temple, however if he were to, he would prefer it as a Learner, rather then an Agroworker, destined to water plants on some jungle planet with too much rain already. In the grand scale of things, he reasoned, two and one-quarter years wasn't that long in comparison.

Afraid that he hadn't been heard the first time, Jon'arichi'kotokk looked back up from his feet to the Jedi Knight before him. Pardon me, he said again, his voice just as quiet as the last time, I really must be going now

[Meira]

Meira had caught parts of the conversation between Master Took and the student who had been addressing him, and she couldn't help but smile. It seemed that she had asked the same questions at one point or another in her life, either to the masters at the Temple or to her uncle when she was his padawan. It seemed that, just as the Force was constant, so were the questions. Again she was impressed with the students of the Temple, many of them were eager to learn. Perhaps it was Master Took's teaching style.

Meira was brought out of her thoughts by the soft sound of a voice. Her head turned and her emrald green eyes suddlenly caught with shy red ones. She'd be a liar to say she wasn't at least slightly stirred by them. She had seen many species of sentients, both in and out of the Temple. But she had never seen one like this. They boy was not startling in the least, simply different, and if Meira could be honest, quite interesting.

By all means. She said, moving to the side and giving the boy a smile. She hadn't realized she was blocking the exit. Enjoy your free time. She said, again offering a smile. It was a relfex of sorts, her smile. She offered it freely to everyone. Though she had sometimes encountered someone who took her smile as naivety, or worse, as false, she still found that it best suited her abilities to relate to others if she offered this gesture of kindness. She was, in essence, allowing an important part of herself to show.

[kaim]

Seeing as the Master and pupil's conversation had ended he looked about viewing one student who continued to meditate. Orbs then flickered to the one at the exit. He chuckled a bit looking at the twos' meeting.

The boy gave a slight bow to Master Took and with a soft 'thank you,' took his leave. Gentle footsteps carried him to the doorway as he flashed a smile to the female standing at the entrance. "Sorry." He said, pardoning himself to catch up with the other boy. Kaim had to admit that he had never seen a species like that guy and wanted to get a closer look. Was that weird? Was that treating the other youngling with disrespect? The Jedi Temple is of course, not a zoo.

"Hey." Gentle vocals emitted as the feminine boy tried to catch up with the other youngling.

[Blag Gotta go x.x)

[10Tickler]

((OOC: I'm not sure if Kaim's Done, so I'll post, and if it needs editing, I'll just do it later))

With a short nod to Meira, Arichi smiled back, bowed his head slightly before speaking, Thank you he said, his accent being the only thing that kept his voice from sounding droidlike as he swept past the Knight and out of the door, into the expansive hallway without another sound. Spacious as it may be, the outer hallway was still a part of the Jedi Temple, and as a Result, Several Knights and their Padawan learners bustled around him, heading to one room or another in the immense temple, as well as other Younglings and the Droids that kept the Temple free from debris and odor.

Although so much was occurring around him, the Young Chiss could hear the other Youngling from the room call out to him, the boy's voice soft and feminine-sounding, a sharp contrast to Master Took's, whom they had been listening to for the past hour and a half. Turning and Staring at the oncoming boy, Jon'arichi'kotokk's eyes caught another glimpse of Meira, now alone in the room with the Master, and as he was approached by the other Initiate, he blinked, an image flashing through his mind, one of himself with a long braid that crossed his face and a burning gold glit-bladed saber that hid a taller figure behind him...Yet in the instant it had come, the vision was gone, disappeared and banished into the back of his mind for good.

You called? Arichi asked the other youngling, someone that he didn't know by name, merely that the two of them had been in several training sessions together, while pushing a short lock of hair back behind his ear. Is there something that I can do for you? He then asked the other boy, head tilting to the side as he spoke the question

[kaim]

The young boy's legs finally caught up with Chiss. Was this Kaim's chance to actually make a friend? Would this time he be able to keep it? Plus this one had been in a lot of his classes which made it more pleasing.

"Kaim Shepard." Kaim introduced himself with a smile and a hand to shake.

The human began to walk with the Chiss boy. "I just well..." He said embarrassingly. "thought that we could walk wherever together...You know it's less fun walking alone." He chuckled and then added. "We've been in a lot of classes together. So I thought, why wait?"

Explaining himself made the boy turn flushed with embarrassment. Kaim really didn't have a reason he wanted to meet this one. It just so happened that they were the two last students out of the class.

"Where you headed next?"

[10Tickler]

Giving a confused look at the proffered hand, the Chiss Youngling just continued to walk, his movements fluid, and yet stiff at the same time, as though he were some sort of soldier. Jon'arichi'kotokk he replied, giving his name in return for Kaim's as the two of them continued into the deeper parts of the Temple. I was heading towards the Archives he added, unsure as to why the other male had approached him so freely.

It wasn't that Arichi considered himself better then others, but rather how he had been raised while a baby, and even still in the Temple. No one had ever approached him without having some sort of reason, something that they wanted him to do or give them. So when Kaim stated his reason for approaching the young Chiss, Arichi snorted slightly. I see he said, leaning his head back, crimson eyes scanning the ceiling above him, even tho there was naught to see.

Do as you wish, I'm in no position to stop you from Going wherever you please he said, his voice carrying a tone of finality.

[kaim]

Kaim found himself having to catch up more and more times as he was half facing the young chiss and half facing where he was walking. He felt even a bit more guilty about giving his hand to shake.

A chuckle escaped him as he continued to walk beside the male to the archives. "Wait a minute. You seem like a busy-boy." He stuck out his tongue in a joking manner as the eleven year old he is.


"Here Let me come with you. I mean I have nothing better to do. Plus..."

Silence grew in the hallways as he paused. It was rather a long pause for they probably were near their destination. "It's just, I don't know if you've ever come across this but it's hard to call someone a friend when they keep leaving. I mean." He paused again trying to make his point clear. "I don't mean to be emotional, but it's difficult always to find someone new to talk to." Kaim tried to explain hoping the other got it.

Every friend Kaim had was either taken by a Jedi or sent to the vile place where you'd never fulfill your dreams as a Jedi. Kaim also feared he had 'weirded' this one out by admitting he was rather lonely.

"Do you get what I mean? Or am I speaking in a foreign language?" He added a bit of pun as he hoped the other would tolerate him longer.

[Eww this makes my character seem emo ;-; Sorry Eclipse :/]

[10Tickler]

Turning fully, stopping his gait to look at Kaim, Jon'arichi'kotokk's eyes seemed to trace around the other Youngling. No Jedi is ever lonely, the Force is our Ally, our Teacher, our Friend. There is no emotion, there is peace he added as an afterthought, smiling gently as he tilted his head slightly, looking back down the hall, towards the door they had left, his brow creasing in thought momentarily.

Looking back to Kaim, a flash of pity moved through Arichi's spine, and he smiled again. No, I have never really had to bother with trying to make friends he said, Usually, I'm avoided by the other Hopefuls, I'm quiet and thoughtful and to quote one, "Creepy as a hungry Hutt" he added with a short laugh as he rested his hands on his hips, leaning back and popping the bones in his spine before turning around, seeing Kaim's face from the corner of his eye as he said something about speaking a foreign language. This made him laugh a little, and looking over his head, he spoke, the words harsh and Guttural, in no way reminiscent of Basic. Harak hor ne Stae, Tila'hte fre adonh he stated, in a matter of fact tone, reciting one of the older parables he had learned in Cheunh before translating. Words come and Go, meanings are everlasting. he explained as he began to walk again, this time slower, allowing Kaim to catch up if he so chose.

[kaim]

Kaim sighed as the strange looking youngling repeated the quote. Masters had reminded Kaim quite frequently that his emotions would lead him down a path of darkness. The smile although, forced a smile back to the other. It was almost as hope was growing in him.

Kaim giggled at the comment about him being as hungry as a hut. "Hopefuls? Why not? You seem like a gentleman...Someone who wouldn't eat humans." He stuck out his tongue as he did a skip-jog to catch up.

As the male started saying something in a rather...awkward language for Kaim, he chuckled as he shot out his hip to one side mimicking the hands on his hips from Jon. "Very funny." He said after the boy spoke the translation.

Continuing on, passing by a map, Kaim would glance at it making sure they were going in the right direction. "You should bother to make friends. You have a sense of humour, and you seem nice from the past 10 minutes we've been talking." He complimented with his sweet smile.

"What are we doing at the archives? Studying? Looking for someone?" He questioned as they passed student by student, dodging traffic. "I mean, I've only gone their when needed. Not for spare time" He blushed embarrassingly. "The uhm... Text is hard." He said reminding himself of his part-blindness. "I'll admit, I've never gone through a full book. Never had the time."

The student left the truth out. He'd only tell the other if the other asked the reason, or made a crack at his eyes. Course, perhaps the youngling already noticed the difference in his pupils.

[Vreem Took]

Vreem watched curiously as their conversation slipped onto a darker topic of discussion. He thought it odd how he were about to talk to a child regarding a subject he rarely spoke of to many, even the Council Members. The Dark Side of the Force, Kaim asked some pretty interesting and personal questions. There were a great deal of members of the Order who had never been touched by the Dark Side, at least, in Vreem’s opinion. They had not had to face the trials, the pain, the anger, it was a memory he’d hope to forget. Yet he drew wisdom from those years, as well as ideas and theories not many would take upon themselves. The Master smiled softly to the young boy as he began to talk about his past, something very few knew about.

But first he had to answer the boy’s other question. “As a principle,” he began, “we Jedi do not fear the Dark Side because if we fear it then all too quickly one can find themselves walking down that darkened road. It is hard to know if your heart is tainted, often it is easy to believe that you are perfectly fine; it usually takes the words or guidance of another to help us through what we cannot do alone.”

“Yes,” he replied blatantly, uttering only words of truth as Meira slipped almost unnoticed into the room, “I was once very close to the Darkside, more than I would wish any other Jedi to be, I was lucky enough to escape that path though and now I understand how lucky I was to do so, it would have led me to a horrible fate.” It was brief, but for such young ears, he doubted much detail was really necessary, although there was a lot of detail for him to go into. He smiled and sat back a little, drawing away, perhaps, from the conversation. “Now then,” he said with a burst of freshness in his voice, “I believe you have training and studying to do Kaim, good luck with your meditation, if you need any other help or guidance, do not forget that I and any other Jedi in the temple are here for you.”

He watched as Kaim moved quickly after one of Vreem’s more… unique students. Of course, that wasn’t to say none of those he taught were unique as he did seem to attract the attention of many who didn’t follow contemporary routes. But Arichi, as Vreem had come to know him by, was from a culture and race of which Vreem had no knowledge, no one really knew much in fact, but it was not his place to act, so he didn’t. It wasn’t entirely the boy’s appearance which struck Vreem as different, he seemed quite intellectual and mature, more so than most his age. Vreem had taught him for a while now, yet they had rarely spoken outside of lesson, one day, the aging teacher said to himself, he would make sure to do so.

But for now his eyes slipped to the figure he had not seen in a while. He couldn’t clearly remember how long it had been since they had last spoken, it had been at her knighting ceremony, that much he knew, but time seemed to lose all sense of itself within the walls of the Jedi temple. He stood and bowed slightly with a smile. “Jedi Knight Meira,” he said carefully, making sure to use her full title, “it’s a pleasure to see you so unexpectedly like this, is there anything I can help you with? How have you been? I trust the Council haven’t beset you with too much to do as of yet?” Being on the Council did not mean that he was fully aware of everything they did, after all, not all members were constantly present, there were other things they needed to do, other matters which required their attention.

[Meira]

Meira smiled as the other boy made his way out of the room and hurried off after the blue one. She followed the sight of their retreating forms until they were swallowed into the number of people who frequented the halls of the Jedi temple. She wasn't exactly sure what it was, but something inside her, something in the Force, had compelled her to do so. But then she heard Master Took's voice and her attention was again brought back to the present.

Her smile returned yet again as Master Took addressed her by her knightly title. She returned the bow and moved further into the room from the door. Oh no, I just heard your voice and thought I'd peek my head in. She said in response to his first question. She then nodded as he inquired about her time since they had last seen each other. Yes, I've actually been honored. She said, allowing just a small hint of pride to escape with her words.

In their first meeting, Master Took had passed wisdom to Meira, whether he had known it or not. He had helped her to understand that pride was not the same as vanity, and that in moderation, it was alright to display. Meira had taken that to heart. She had always, by nature, been humble and quick to deflect praise to others, especially her superiors. But Meira was learning to accept praise with grace, as a gift. She had to admit, it made her feel good.

I just got back from the new Queen's coronation ceremony on Naboo. I escorted a Senator and stood as a witness representing the Order. She knew it hadn't been an assignment to single her out for honor, but she felt the honor all the same. If it hadn't meant much to the Council members that sent her, it had to her.

Changing the topic, Meira turned her gaze to take in the room. I think I might one day love to teach. She said, feeling inside that it was very true. If that turns out to be my path. She added, noting that her future could take her anywhere. But the thought of teaching recalled the image of the blue skinned boy with red eyes. Again she felt a strange pull inside of her. Her eyes then turned back to Master Tooks.

Master Took. She said contemplatively. How does one know when they are ready to teach? The question came out quickly, before she had the chance to decide if she should ask it. But now that it was out, she did want to know the answer.

[Vreem Took]

Vreem was pleased to hear of her recent assignment, for the Council to choose her for such a mission they must have seen her as a good representative for the Order, which meant that perhaps they were now quite secure in their decision to promote her. “Congratulations,” he said beaming, like a father would to their child after they had achieved something which really deserved praise, “there are few who have been on such missions so soon after their promotion, the Council usually waits until they gain more perspective on a member of the Order before dispatching them on such missions. I hope the visit was productive, I hear Naboo’s a lovely place.” As she slid further into the room, Vreem moved back over to the round plump chair he had previously been sitting at and squatted back down once again, gesturing for Meira to do the same.

He didn’t quite know why, but Vreem felt some form of attachment to the Knight. It was a problem of his and happened whenever he was together with any Jedi on a mission, it was the same with Jahn, and it was for that reason that he worried more than a member of the Council should. He became overprotective, much like a father or close uncle might. For the most part the effects of this problem of his were not overly bad, he would just be more pleased when he happened to meet them, such as now.

Ever since his return to the Order he had slowly began to notice this flaw and failing to cure it, he was now able to hide, cloak it like he did so many emotions, he had to seem like all of the other Masters, otherwise he would be considered a problem.

But it didn’t take long for the conversation, and Vreem’s thoughts, to quickly fall onto a more serious topic and once again he found himself taking upon the role of a wise man, bestowing knowledge onto those who needed it. He found it quite peculiar at times that he would be the person that many Knights turned to for help, after all he didn’t think himself all that wise, sure he had the sayings and the teachings to bestow upon students, but so did every other Master. Those were the lectures everyone liked to roll their eyes.

Yet this was a topic which caused Vreem to pause for thought, and it took a few moments to structure some form of answer, yet the words rolled smoothly off his tongue, as if the answer were obvious. “Everyone is ready to teach, Meira, even the youngest of our Order would be able to spout out ideas and thoughts that perhaps the oldest and wisest had never contemplated. However,” he began with a coy smile, “I assume you are on about taking on an Apprentice? Although any help with the temple classes would be gladly welcomed.” He finished with a joking suggestion, as a Master, one had to attempt to exploit their position as much as possible, cracking jokes which seemed to lack even the slightest scrap of humour.

This time when he spoke he took on a serious tone, “I would think, Meira, that the fact you’re thinking so deeply about this matter would suggest that you are almost, if not already completely, prepared to take on an Apprentice. I was in the same position as you when I was a Knight, but when I met Ren I…” he paused slightly as he said the name, he hadn’t said it in years and there were a lot of painful memories surrounding it, “I just knew that he was the one I was meant to train. It could be a drawing you feel towards someone, or perhaps a meeting with them through the will of the Force, but there will be somebody, you just have to keep your eyes peeled and your mind open.” He finished carefully, trying to think solely on the moment, about Meira’s situation, trying to fight away the memories which now tried to break down the barrier he had set up in his mind. It was something he didn’t want to face right now, given his current company.