Chrysalis {Gusha}

[Prodigal]

"Oh war is the common cry, Pick up your swords and fly.
The sky is filled with good and bad that mortals never know."
~ Battle of Evermore

"So you're the one that no one knows what to do with hmm?" The deep baritone that was Krasis's trademark seemed to emanate a few feet down the hallway moments before Gusha came into view "Lets see if we can decipher what can be done hmm?" Uttering a deep seated chuckle, the spry Cathar continued his way down toward one of the many training halls, not even bothering to hear a reply.

Stopping only to motion for Gusha to follow, Krasis took him on a labyrinthine chase throughout the Temple proper; adjacent hallways, through empty classrooms, which eventually resulted in a long drawn out chase. With that damnable speed so indicative of the Cathar race, the simple walk {or slither if case may be} inevitably resulted in a full blown jaunt and eventually a run as they reached one of the outer courtyards.

With the cobblestone worn from the pressure of a million footsteps, the small training courtyard seemed sparse, as was appropriate to the Order. As one entered, the feel of dust and gravel seemed to caress ones feet and the sickly sweet smell of rotten plant life creating a bizarre contrast with the scent of flowers in bloom; once used for combat training, it had long since fallen from it's lofty perch as technology enabled the creation of more amicable training halls... Turning it into a place seldom used except perhaps by the nostalgic or stubborn old guard....

Throughout the whole ordeal, Krasis had offered neither words of praise or shouts of belittlement; indeed it seemed that if Gusha had felt eager to cease the trek, Krasis would merely slow the cadence of his step until the young Hutt had garnered his second, third, and/or fourth breath before picking up the pace back to it's original levels.. Coming to a quick stop deep within the aforementioned courtyard, Krasis merely smiled faintly "Lets see if those late night practices have paid off young one..."

Motioning with his dominant hand as he cast off his seldom used cloak, a saber {thankfully a training one} immediately came to his grasp as he advanced upon the youngling "Guard yourself for true Gusha." There was no venom in his voice or bluster, merely an even-toned voice hinting at grim finality; there was no doubt he would refuse to go softly on Gusha, but he wouldn't be vindictive either.

In most Jedi, self-worth was something to rein in at times, but in some there was a need to actually understand ones worth before the need for control could take place; this young Hutt had to be built up physically and mentally before any sort of true training could began to take root, and who better then one who had began his training as a sickly child? Still appearing stern in his technique, a smile threatened to creep upon his features but was quickly banished...

[gusha]

Gusha exited the training room with a mind to find Master Varn for the discussion that he had asked for. Gusha was surprised to find him not far ahead of him in the hall. He started to call after Master Varn when he spoke "So you're the one that no one knows what to do with hmm? Lets see if we can decipher what can be done hmm?" Mastern Varn said this as Master Varn turned around and headed down the hall. Gusha followed Master Varn as he marched off through the temple.

The Cather started to quicken his pace as they went and Gusha quickened his to follow suit. He thought this was odd of a Master who had asked to see him. It began to get quite frustrating as Master Varn broke into a run. When ever he was about ready to give up Master Varn would turn and motion him to follow. Gusha slithered as fast as he could but Master Varn was always just ahead of him. Gusha was having a hard time keeping up with the Cathar. He would only slow down for Gusha to catch a few breaths every now and again.

They moved in and out of hallways and rooms, not even stopping to talk. Was Master Varn lost? They must have looked a curious pair to the other Jedi in the temple, the Cat and the Slug. As they were charging about Gusha began to notice a change to the areas in the temple they were in were getting older less traveled. Gusha had rarely come to this part of the temple before.

They entered a courtyard in the older part of this temple. The soft gravel and sand crunched and Gusha slid over it. Master Varn stopped in the middle of the courtyard. Gusha obediently followed suit. He looked nervously around. There were a flower beds around the courtyard. The stink of decaying plant matter in the from of mulch combined with the flowery perfume of the plants to give the courtyard a smell of life, and there fore the Force.

Gusha looked up as the Cathar Master slung off his cloak. He had in his hand a training saber without a word. With only the statement "Guard yourself for true Gusha." Master Varn advanced on him with amazing swiftness. Gusha barely had time to react. He quickly pulled his own saber from the belt he wore and met Master Varn’s with a vertical block. The blades crackled for a bright instant. Gusha was not sure what to do next.

[Prodigal]

Staring deep into Gusha's eyes as the blades made prolonged contact, he immediately broke off the connection between the two as he noticed a flicker of indecision grace the young Hutt's features. Un-igniting the saber and lowering it to signify a break in the impromptu spar, his gruff exterior slowly was supplanted while he allowed for his young charge to collect both breath and thought "We'll at-least we know you won't quit, but then I had already suspected that about you."

Making for the sidelines of the training area, his words seemed to flow a bit easier now that he wasn't leading Gusha on a wild Bantha chase "By now I expect you know why I chose to speak with you Gusha.. I'm not the best at playing the stoic so I'm going to speak bluntly; you're going to listen and then make an informed decision once everything is said and done" Sitting down upon a decrepit bench with a sigh, his words were clipped, concise and to the point "I think you've heard most of the stories about my training methods; how I push the younglings to become stronger and faster, that I don't remember what it's like to be young or that I just don't understand.. The problem is that I do understand Gusha, and thats why I will end up pushing you even harder then imaginable." Smiling faintly, Krasis's hand rested upon Gusha's shoulder for a moment "I don't speak in riddles and I don't play mind games but I can be harsh Gusha, almost to the point where you may think that I am being cruel; but the truth is that the Galaxy is a harsh place and unless one is prepared.. You get dragged down to the same level."

Placing the training saber down upon the cold stone beside him, his eyes seemed to narrow slightly once more "What I will promise you Gusha is this; when the time comes for you to partake in the Trials, you'll know both the hows and the whens..." Absently cracking his neck, his tone seemed far more serious then as it had been within Master Beleren's class "Learning how to do a thing is easy but understanding the long-term ramifications and learning when to truly implement it, now thats a truer test I think..." Watching Gusha for a moment as he leaned back on the bench, he nodded his head slightly in sympathy "It's a difficult decision, especially when the one who wishes to train you out and out says he is going to be hard on you... In any event, I will be here for at-least two more standard days, take that time to reflect Gusha and if what we have discussed seems right to you then come find me.. Spotting a seven foot tall Cathar isn't that hard after-all"

Sitting in object silence as he awaited the inevitable series of questions and queries, Krasis hoped against hope that he hadn't embarrassed or intimidated Gusha; that had never been his intent, but he also refused to sugar-coat the stark realities of it all and then have his padawan resent him for hiding things. Krasis had enough blood on his hands, he didn't need stains on his soul to match...

[gusha]

Gusha decativated his training saber as Master Varn disengaged. He returned the Saber to his belt as master Varn moved the edge of the training ground. He listened to Master Varn as he spoke. It apperared as if Master Varn was giving Gusha the option of becoming his padawan. Master Varn seemed to have reservations about his teaching style. Master Varn sounded like he would be hard but Gusha could think of no one better then. Who else could take him and turn him into what the force would need of him, and it sounded like he would do it without much of the ambiguity that many masters seemed to relish. Gusha was not open to the force but even he could see clear as day what the force willed here. "Master," Gusha began, "I understand that you are a hard master, you exepct the best out of your students and will let them know if they do not give it. Master I try to do my best in every situation. I think that you would be wonderful for me to study under. Regardless of your reputation as a demading Master." Gusha made eye contact with the big Cathar, "Master Varn I do not need time to decide. It is clear to me. I want to be trained by you. Will you accept me as your apprentice?"

[Prodigal]

For a long moment, nothing was said as a vast smile erupted on the Cathar's face "Well then, if you're sure, I will inform the Council of this turn of events and humbly request you as my Padawan-Learner Gusha.. While I am doing so I would suggest packing up what little things you have and say you're good-byes; I've never held much stock by training in controlled environments."

Standing up to his full height, a smile still evident on his features, Krasis absently patted his soon-to-be student on the arm as he went in search of Master Beleren; as soon as he was granted the opportunity, it was off into the Wylds of the Galaxy with Padawan in tow, and away from the creature comforts that would distract and encourage laxity on both their parts..

[gusha]

Gusha bowed to his new master, "I will Master, thank you." With that Gusha slithered off through the temple toward his dorm room. As he was sliding down the halls of the temple he was a rush of emotion. Excitement, he had found a master and on top of that they were leaving the temple. Pride, he was now a Jedi Padawan, what an honor to be one. Nervousness, he now was a Padawan, that is a lot of responsibility. Nothing compared to a Knight but way more then a youngling. Gusha recognized what it was.

When he returned to his room he practiced the exercise that Master Beleren had showed him earlier today. He didn't need his emotions to get away from him. He felt his emotions leaving being replaced by a centered serenity. He was at peace again. He moved to his part of the dorm. He did not have much to gather, just a few things. There was of course his training saber but he already had that. He had a few other simple belts he put in his bag. As well an all purpose cloak. He kept another out for the journey. Finally he placed his most valuable possession in the bag. It was a small data pad. In it Gusha had downloaded some of the seminal works by Jedi. Some on the code, some on the force, and even some on Lightsaber styles. It wasn't much but he was ready.

Gusha didn't have any good-byes to say. Gusha in his time at the temple had not made any close friends. Many people he had been friends with had already moved on. He did not miss the irony of that. Here he was going off to train to protect the people and he had no one close enough to protect.