Awaiting a New Master...

[Kur Deruh]

Kur walked through the hallways, no particular destination in mind. His thoughts drifted seamlessly from one thing to another, inexorably tied down to his former master. He felt abandoned, betrayed, and, most of all, alone. The man had been like a second father, someone to confide in, someone to care about, someone that cared back. He remembered how he'd felt when he'd first been brought to the temple, when he'd joined countless others in instruction. He'd been torn away from his parents, his sister, the home he'd known. At first he was lost, but when he'd become a Padawan, his master had been something constant, something he could hold on to.

And now it was gone...

Sunlight filtered in through the windows, warming the Nautolan's green skin. He absently ran a hand along one of the long tendrils that came from his head, falling down to his stomach. His deep, black eyes sparkled in the light.

He tried with all his might to calm himself. This was the way it had to be, his Master had decided. He would have a new Master, a new teacher, his future was out of his hands. And he would never be alone, never separate from the man, the Force connected everything, they would always be connected.

He sighed. Being connected through the Force wasn't the same as actually being together.

Eventually, he found himself outside on a set of grandiose steps. He descended them, but only part of the way before he sat himself on the stone. Absently, he reached for his belt and pulled off his saber, releasing the bright green blade from within. He stared at it, turning the blade slowly as he examined it blankly, a light buzzing coming from it. Kur turned it off, leaving only the handle, and placed it back on his belt before he laid back on the steps, looking up at the bright, clouded sky.

[Catatafish]

"Any landing you walk out of, is a good landing, I guess..."

Balek walks out from the battered freighter that brought him to Coruscant from his homeworld, Caamas, after suffering a rough landing in the northwestern landing area of the jedi temple. While the droids in the area quickly rushed to inspect the area for injured crewmembers or possibly hazardous materials, the jedi spots the pilot of the vessel, A Twi'lek by the name of Ayos, on the floor, complaining of a minor injury in his right arm.

"Ayos, are you alright? Can you walk?"

"Yeah, I'll make it."

"Droids!" calls Balek, as he pulls up the injured twi'lek from his good arm, onto his feet. The droids quickly clank near the two of them. "Take him to the medical quarters in the public center".

"Yes, master jedi" uttered the droids in unison, as they carried Ayos away. This was the first time he was regarded as a master since he completed the trials of knighthood, two years ago. Is it possible something as trivial and inconsequencial as a droid's response to a command from a member of the jedi order, could help him decide the course of his actions?

Balek nods, thinking he shouldn't be swayed by the programmed responses of a mere droid, stands up, and dusts himself off, determined to return to the reason why he came to coruscant: An audience with the jedi council to resolve if he is prepared to take on an apprentice.

While pacing through the immense hallways leading to the council chambers, Balek notices a nautolan padawan learner, sitting on the stairs leading to one of the many alcoves in the temple. He could tell he was young, although almost as tall as him, strong, but with a troubled expression on his face. It was obvious the young nautolan was upset about something.

Balek approaches the boy sitting on the stairs, cautiously of course, so he would not feel at all overwhelmed, as he was evidently immerse in his thoughts.

"Greetings, young one." He muttered softly as he took a seat one step below, next to the boy. "Something troubles you, yes?"

[Kur Deruh]

His thoughts were interrupted by a voice from behind him, a Jedi having just approached him.

"Greetings, young one," came the voice, the Jedi sitting himself down beside Kur.

"Greetings Master Jedi," he said, half standing to bow before he sit himself back down.

"Something troubles you, yes?"

Kur took in a breath, the black orbs he had for eyes fixed intently upon the Jedi. Even after all the time he'd spent here, surrounded by Jedi and those in tune with the force, it was still a bit chilling, the way that they just seemed to know things.

"Yes," he said, bowing his head. "My Master- former master has decided that I am to be put under the tutelage of another. He has said that he cannot teach me that which I need..." Kur sighed, "And it is difficult, difficult to let go, though I know I must..."

It was difficult, though part of the Jedi way. A Jedi must avoid attachment. A Jedi must not want. At times it seemed impossible.

"How," Kur started, turning towards the Jedi, "How can one avoid attachment when it comes so easily? How can one no want?" There was a pause, the very air seeming to have slowed around them, waiting for the answer. The Nautolan, however, shook his head and spoke again.

"I apologize, I did not mean to burden you. I simply... allowed myself to become attached, I must not do so again..."

[Catatafish]

The pain in the padawan's eyes was evident. To Balek, the young one seemed lost in a sense, and yet, still willing to get his bearings straight.

"You are familiar, padawan, with what the teachings of the order say about such matters", recited Balek, even though he is aware, the words of a jedi, and the philosophy of the order do not offer much comfort in situations such as these. The jedi changes position, as to appear somewhat more comfortable, and approachable in the eyes of the young nautolan.

"The wisdom of the more experienced masters, however, is undenyable. You must not let your emotions conceal what is to be the final lesson you will learn from your former teacher". Balek stands up in front of the young padawan. His own words still reveberating in his head. He wished someone would have implied the lesson he obviously learned during his own trials...

"Now, in regards to the how, the answer is more simple. The physical body yearns. But to know yourself enough as to recognize these yearnings, and be able to cast them aside, is jedilike. That is how you learn, young one."

With this said, He hops two steps down the staircase, and turns to face the nautolan again. Then, with a playful smile on his face he says:

"But enough of jedi lectures for now. I believe it is time for proper introductions, would you not agree? I am jedi knight Balek Ak'qli, from the planet Caamas." Respectfully, he bows his head at the padawan slightly, still sporting an impish smile.

[Kur Deruh]

As the Jedi spoke, his words rang true within the Nautolan. The things he said simply made sense, they clicked into place within his mind. He would want, it was the nature of all things alive, but it was his duty as a Jedi-to-be to learn to discard those wants, to be free of yearning.

Something within the Padawan seemed to release pressure, like a ball in his throat disappearing and allowing him to breath once again. It was one thing entirely to know what one should do, how one should act, what one should think, but it was something entirely different to understand.

Kur smiled, standing upon the steps and accepting the Jedi Knight's greeting.

"Greetings Jedi Knight Balek," he said with a bow, "I am Padawan Kur Deruh, from the planet Glee Anselm."

Kur seemed to regain something just then, something that seemed to radiate from within. Somehow, the Jedi had managed to help Kur to accept his former master's decision, he had made it more sacred, somehow, like a dying wish.

"Thank you," he said, bowing again, "Thank you for your council. I find it has helped me to accept that which has yet to come, and allows me to await the future in peace." Though, even in peace, Kur could still not help but wonder, who would his new master be? What would become of him if there was none? He pushed the thought aside, trying with all his might to keep the peace flowing through him. He'd just gotten it, he didn't want that peace of mind to be crushed by something so soon...

[Catatafish]

Walking down the stairs towards the nearby window, Balek cannot help offering his personal evaluation of the situation, and insight on the force.

"It seems, Kur Deruh, there is no coincidence in our meeting today. The force evidently ordained this, so we may help each other." Still he slowly paces alongside the window, stroking his snout with his right hand, in deep contemplation. "The force appears to have brought me here for more than one reason." He turns to face the young padawan again, who awaited his explanation with a somewhat puzzled look on his face.

"You see, I have come to seek the knowledge of the council, to learn if they deemed me ready to take on a padawan. And, although I will nevertheless seek their wisdom on this matter, I am confid... " He pauses abruptly, and frowns at his own thoughts.

Subsequent to a few seconds in quiet contemplation, he smiles at the nautolan again. "Pride...", he mutters softly. "Always be mindful of your thoughts, young one".