The Studentless Teacher

[Talau the Ever-Lurking]

Sihara could feel the anxiety and consternation the boy felt ripple through the force at her words. She wasn't entirely sure which set of them had caused the reaction, but she felt it strongly. Frowning a bit, she enveloped him in what comfort she could through the force. At the moment it wasn't much, but it was there, telling him that it would be alright...whatever was troubling him at the moment. Suddenly he spoke, his words causing her eyes to widen slightly and her jaw to go slack. Swiftly recovering from her shock, she chuckled and shook her head at his apology.

Of all things Makiro, do not apologize for what you just said. You're entirely right....I....don't like the fact, but it is the truth. Never be sorry for speaking the truth.

Sihara managed another small chuckle and scratched lightly at the back of her head between two of her lekku.

How odd that I should need to be reminded of the code by one so much younger than myself. This just goes to prove that even fully trained jedi are not infallible. You may not realize it yet Makiro, but that was a very wise thing you just said...something several of the masters have had to remind me of since Kain's death.

It is, however, a difficult idea to stomach, and so I tend to lose sight of that fact.

She sighed again and regarded the boy in a new light.

Tell me, Makiro, what troubled you a moment ago? It was something my words triggered, and had something to do with your learning group...but I didn't wish to read more into it than that. Are you having troubles with one of them?

She asked, tilting her head to the side, the sound of metal and shell jingling slightly as the tail of her headdress shifted along her back lekku and fell over her shoulder. It would be a shame if the boy was having difficulties in his learning group. Children could be unkind, even if they didn't fully intend to be so, and Makiro was a sweet boy who didn't seem the type to have troubles with anyone. Well, either way, she would get to the bottom of this, and perhaps she could help him.

[Makiro]

Makiro bowed his head modestly as Sihara spoke, inwardly pleased by her compliments. Only when she posed him a question did he look up into her warm eyes and smile, almost pathetically.

“No Master Sihara; I could not ask for a better clan – the Soaring Hawkbats are like family to me.” And it was true. Ever since he had been whisked away from his home on Naboo - at the tender age of three - the younglings at the Jedi Temple had been the closest thing he had had to a real family. Being placed in the same learning clan as his closest companions had served only to strengthen that bond, allowing friendships to grow and flourish. Now however, those bonds were being strained as more and more Hawkbats were taken off to the far reaches of the known Galaxy with newly found masters.

“It’s just that…” He paused briefly and pushed a strand of tousled brown hair out of his dark eyes. “It’s just that, well, I’m twelve.” The boy stopped. Every Jedi knew what happened when a youngling reached thirteen without fining a master.

[Talau the Ever-Lurking]

Sihara watched and listened as he spoke about his learning group. It wasn't until his final sentence that she fully understood. Nodding once, she sighed. That WAS a shame....but she couldn't really do...well, she COULD but....would she allow herself? Would HE allow her to?

I understand Makiro. Trust me, youngling, a master will come for you...perhaps when you least expect it. Don't be discouraged.

She scooted a bit closer to the boy and wrapped her arms around his shoulders, hugging him lightly and pushing reassurance. If no one else came for the boy, Sihara would offer to be his master. Already she could feel the faint bond forming between the two of them that accompanied taking on a youngling as a padawan, but she didn't yet want to admit it to herself. The thought was too much for her at the moment, and she wasn't sure if she would be able to form that bond fully once more.

[Makiro]

Makiro smiled weakly, trying desperately to look like he wasn’t discouraged.

”I shan’t be discouraged, Master Sihara.” He said pathetically, not even believing the words himself. As he spoke, Sihara moved closer and placed a comforting arm around his shoulder. His smile became marginally more genuine.

As he sat by the old tree, the Togruta’s arm wrapped reassuringly around his shoulder, he listened to the faint rustling of leaves in the breeze. He was glad that it had been Sihara who had found him in the training room. Her presence soothed him, like a blanket in the Force. Her presence also encouraged him; after all, if she had taken an interest in him, who was to say that another Knight would – albeit one with whom he felt he shared less of a bond. A sudden thought struck him.

Trying hard to appear nonchalant, he ventured, not daring to look the older Jedi in the eyes “Master Sihara, after you lost Kain, did you ever consider taking on a new Padawan?”

[Talau the Ever-Lurking]

She had felt it coming...Sihara could all but hear the words as they formed, first in the force, then in his mind, then his throat until finally he said them. She wasn't ready for that question to be asked, never mind having to answer it...but she knew it had been coming. He wasn't ignorant or stupid...he felt that bond forming just as she did. To be honest, it frightened her a bit. Taking a deep breath, she gazed up at the leaves above them as they fluttered gently in the sun and breeze.

At first...no, I did not. I was originally recalled back to the temple two months ago to choose a new padawan after refusing to take one for over a year. Even now I am hesitant...though it seems that the force has...other ideas for me.

She mused calmly, turning her head to look at the boy. She smiled slightly and tapped his nose once.

I know you feel it too youngling...but as I said, I'm.....hesitant.....to take on another padawan.

She took another deep breath of the cool air, scenting the wind and the smell of warm grass and flowers reached her, putting a calm smile on her face. Perhaps it was time to take on another padawan after all? The boy was slowly filling that gaping hole in her heart, easing the hurt she felt there. It would never be gone, but perhaps it was time to allow it to heal?

I would like to spend more time with you, Makiro. Perhaps we can polish you up a bit and find you a master along the way?

[Makiro]

Makiro listened with bated breath as Sihara spoke, wanting to hear each word, but at the same time willing them to remain silent forever. As she fell silent, Makiro mulled her words round and round in his head, looking for the slightest dreg of hope. Finally, he came to his conclusion.

”The will of the Force is a powerful thing… but if you do not feel ready, nothing in the Galaxy can change that. I think that when the Force really wants you to take on a new Padawan, you will know.”

He fell silent, wishing that he had not had to say those words. A small bird twittered from a nearby tree – an unusual sound on the durasteel-encased world of Coruscant. Slowly, inch by fluttering inch, a leaf fell from the tree above, its progress shaky and uncertain. Focussing on this fitting symbol for his own future, the youngling brought it to a halt in mid air, toying with it. Round and round it looped, captured by the flow of the Force, caught on an updraft of telekinetic energy.

“I would like to spend more time with you, Makiro. Perhaps we can polish you up a bit and find you a master along the way?”

Sihara’s words pulled him out of his reverie, bringing him – and the leaf – crashing back to harsh reality.

“I would like that.” He said, meaning it, “I would like that a lot.”

[Talau the Ever-Lurking]

Sihara watched idly as he toyed with the leaf, her eyes following its circular movements as it was held suspended in the air by his will. She watched, also, as the leaf fell from its position once more as he gazed at her before replying. She smiled then, knowing that he meant what he said. Good. Perhaps she wasn't destined to be his master, or perhaps she was, but either way she had made him...made them both...a bit happier.

Good. I'm free tomorrow if you would like to meet me after your classes?

She suggested, catching the leaf from falling to the ground completely, holding it suspended just above the grass and allowing it to turn, to rise and fall as if on strings. Idly she brought it up to eye level and with a few thoughts bent the leaf into a small 'glider' form, holding it there for a bit longer before sending it out with a light push into the winds and allowing it to float away to land in the grass near another set of younglings talking together.

[Makiro]

Makiro nodded enthusiastically, practically beaming. For a brief moment, the worries of his thirteenth birthday had lifted, and he was free to be a child. For a brief moment.

”I have an astrography lesson all morning, but after that I’m free all day.”

Makiro was glad to have something to fill up tomorrow’s afternoon. Thanks to the inexperience of a few of the younger Hawkbats whose training was having to be extended further into the day, he had been facing an afternoon of pointless wandering with his friends. Not that he didn’t enjoy the company of his friends of course, it was just that an afternoon of training would be much better to take his mind off things. A better way to relax.

Watching the leaf float over to a small group of younglings – none of them Hawbats, he noted – he mused upon his newfound hope for the future. Even though it did not seem likely that Sihara would be ready to accept him as her Padawan, at least he had found a new friend in whom he could confide.

“Thank you, Sihara.” He said, his face serious for a moment.

[Talau the Ever-Lurking]

Sihara chuckled slightly at his exuberance, and she couldn't help but feel it flow into her through the force. Ruffling his hair slightly, she fully noted his appearance and sighed slightly. She would have to address that topic. Being a jedi, appearance was almost as important as training and doing one's job properly.

You're welcome Makiro.

She said as she removed her arm from around his shoulders and stretched slightly before standing. Time was wasting and she still had research to do before the evening meal.

I'm afraid I have to get back to work for now, but perhaps I can meet you for the evening meal? If so, I would like you to get yourself cleaned up. It's a good rule for jedi to follow that one should remain clean cut and well groomed...part of what we do is deal with others...no one wants to see a dirty jedi.

She said with a friendly wink to the boy. He wasn't as bad as all that, but he could certainly do with a good clean up, but, like most boys his age, he managed to find and attract the dirt around him. Chuckling at the thought she shook her head slightly, a quirky grin on her face.

Will I be seeing you?

[Makiro]

Makiro looked down bashfully at his grubby robes. He supposed that they did rather need a clean. He grinned sheepishly.

“Consider it done, Master Sihara.”

Makiro beamed at her wink, happy to have met the older Jedi. The bird in the tree twittered again as Makiro considered the possibility of sharing a meal with someone other than the rowdy bunch of beings he called his friends.

“And I’m sure I’d love to see you at dinner.” He said politely. As he stood up from the tree, brushing bits of grass and foliage off his robes, he bowed respectfully.

“I shall see you later, Master. However, I too must return to my training.”

[Talau the Ever-Lurking]

((I think we should continue with this thread for dinner, then start a new one? other thoughts?))

Sihara nodded and bowed slightly as well before turning and heading away to the archives, leaving the boy to his own devices. It would be several hours between then and the evening meal, and the woman had quite a bit of searching and meditating to do.

As she headed into the archives, Sihara placed herself before one of the many data screens and sifted through the data that had been compiled over the past years about this 'Vex Praetor'...there wasn't much to be had until recently, considering it seemed that he preferred to keep his dealings silent and with as few traces back to him as possible; however, the more Sihara looked over the information available, the more connections she saw...and the thoughts surfacing disturbed her greatly.

All of the victims had something in common...they all had connections...not in the literal sense of the word...but they either were, or knew, someone of influence in the galaxy...most specifically the Republic. If they didn't, they held some knowledge of the jedi. Those that didn't have either seemed to have simply gotten into his way. Then there was the problem of the Major...former Major...Aunna Borgonia. Praetor seemed to have gotten more careless once she'd come into the picture. This wasn't to say he was sloppy, far from it...aside from the one incident on Manaan and one incident on Nar Shaddaa where the man had seemed to slaughter needlessly, leaving a gory scene of bodies in his wake...but he hadn't seemed to be showing the same level of discretion. What had changed? What was different? The only thing she could see was the Major. It had something to do with her. All the odd changes in his actions seemed to revolve around situations involving the woman.

This thought was only furthered by the incidents on Nar Shaddaa and now at the prison. Standing, she had closed down the information she had been sifting through and had headed to the meditation chambers. Sihara had ruminated for nearly two hours on the topic, her mind always circling back to two things...a man she'd tended to in the healing wing of the temple, and love. Everything pointed to these two things...why had Praetor become increasingly visible in his protection of the Major, even after her sentencing? She couldn't have been useful to him, so why then had he rescued her from her fate? Even on Nar Shaddaa, when she could have been of use to him, certainly he hadn't been without some other plan? Why then had he risked everything to save her? Also...his first appearances...the manner in which he attacked, mentally and physically...the reports of his appearance from Saleucami...the people he chose to attack...it was all to familiar. It all seemed to point to a man...a former jedi...who she'd heard was dead.

Shaking her head, she'd ended her meditation, if possible, more anxious than when she'd started it. The bells of the temple rang once to signal the beginning of the meal, and so she had headed down to the halls where the food was served. It took her several minutes to get there, but once at the door, she got the distinct feeling that Makiro wasn't yet there. Good. Unlike many of the other jedi who were sending up beacons for their friends or padawans to find them, Sihara used a greatly different measure to gain attention...she withdrew. The togruta woman created a void of force where she stood, calling in her signature and emotions to a point where anyone searching would only be meet with a disturbing sense of nothingness....especially around the silent cacophony of force signals being bounced around. This earned her more than a few uncertain looks, but she ignored them and continued to wait.

The boy was clever...he would find her.

[Makiro]

((Nope, I think that’s a good idea

Wandering back through the meandering Temple corridors, Makiro managed to locate the rest of the Hawkbats. After Makiro had explained his absence, the rabble of assorted beings made their collective way to their next lesson: the History of the Jedi Order.

Entering the circular classroom, they settled themselves down on the rows of concentric benches that circled a central holoprojector. Their teacher, an old Ithorian Jedi Master bowed as they sat and smiled broadly at each of them.

“Greetings younglings,” he said in flawless Basic, “Today we shall be learning about the establishing of the Jedi Order on Tython…”

Makiro groaned inwardly; he had sat through this lesson innumerable times, as well as doing plenty of private background reading on the subject. He listened nevertheless, dutifully taking notes on a well-used datapad and throwing his hand into the air whenever he knew the answer to a question – which, naturally, was a lot.

Two hours later, Makiro deactivated his datapad and stood up from his seat, stretching. Glancing around the classroom, he saw that most of his friends were engaged in talking, and so slipped out stealthily into the vast corridor beyond. Walking briskly through the cavernous hallways of the Temple, the young dark haired human made his way to his dormitory.

Once inside the relatively small room, he stripped off his dirty robes and went into the small refresher where he had a long shower – thoroughly washing his hair of course. Once satisfied that he was presentable, he dried himself and his hair and changed into a fresh set of robes. Looking down at himself, he smiled, pleased by the result. As the Temple bells called the Jedi to dinner, he combed his hair and brushed an imaginary speck of dirt off his robes before stepping back out into the corridor and setting off towards the Dinner Hall.

As he neared the scrum of hungry Jedi that had formed outside the hall, he extended his mind into the crowd and searched for Sihara. She was nowhere to be found. Confused, he pushed his mind further and was shocked to come across a blank space in the Force. He withdrew his mind quickly, before realising that the space had had a strangely familiar quality. Probing out with the Force once more, he nudged the void cautiously. Recognising it as the same absence in the Force that had earlier been thrown up by the Togruta Knight, he laughed and withdrew his mind again.

Pushing through a gang of older Jedi, all eager to be served, he made his way to Sihara and stood, a little sheepishly before her. A single comma of dark brown hair fell rebelliously across his forehead as he waited for the other Jedi’s approval.

[Talau the Ever-Lurking]

((i apologize ahead of time for all the horrible spelling errors i'm going to be making, since i'm not using firefox. >_< ...I should be a bit better at my spelling by now, you'd think, but considering I've become far to dependent on spell check...I fail. lol ....oh and...*noms all typos* I've been mauled by the typo monster today as well...just warning you))

It didn't take long for the boy to arrive, his mind reaching out to find her in this mess of milling bodies. She found his confusion at her lack of presence amusing, but kept herself still. If he was going to find her, she wansn't going to help him...he needed to be able to find the particular person he was needing, besides, this was a good exercise for his sense skills. After a moment, she felt his prod in her direction and smiled. Good, he'd found her...but he seemed hesitant, unsure, as if he didn't know if it was her. Well, she couldn't exactly blame him...most jedi didn't willingly hide themselves from the force in the middle of the jedi temple. There was a laugh from a little ways away, and she too chuckled, standing up from where she was leaning against the wall.

After a moment he appeared before her, and the change she saw was astounding. Clean pressed and well washed, the boy was bound to be handsom for any race...no doubt the older he got the more human, zeltron, chiss, and anyone else remotely human would be fauning all over the poor boy. Chuckling at this thought, she let the barriers she'd put up, drop, allowing the force to flood toward her and from her like water with a dam removed. Walking once around Makiro, she stopped in front of him again and grinned, nodding her approval.

Very good Makiro...you clean up well, and I have to say that this look suits you much better. I approve.

She stated warmly, and put a hand on his shoulder. Before looking up at the throng of jedi milling about and attempting to get a better position in the serving line. Shaking her head she sighed a bit.

Well...shall we join the masses and attempt to get some kind of food? Or shall we wait until the crowd clears and see what dregs we can scrounge up after the ravenous beasts have left?

She asked jokingly, leaving the decision up to him. Sihara knew how to survive on bread and water for long periods of time...she'd become accustom to it...but the boy hadn't had experience in such things, the temple having fed him propper meals every day like all the younglings. It was good he get them while he could too, because when he did get a master, those things were not always certain to be had.

[Makiro]

Makiro smiled unabashedly as Sihara complimented him on his newly improved appearance.

”Thank you, Master Sihara, your words are most kind.”

Makiro looked around at the unusually disorderly crowd of Jedi, all wishing to eat first.

“I wonder why so many wish to reach the front of the queue first.” He said softly. “It is not very Jedi-like…”

”Well...shall we join the masses and attempt to get some kind of food? Or shall we wait until the crowd clears and see what dregs we can scrounge up after the ravenous beasts have left?” Asked Sihara.

Makiro mulled the question over in his mind momentarily, before coming to an easy conclusion.

”I feel we should wait. After all, the others seem to need the food much more than we do.”

He looked up at her questioningly, wandering whether she would approve of his answer.

[Talau the Ever-Lurking]

(( Ossus day: starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Ossus_Day_(day) ))

Sihara smiled back at his thanks, and glanced around with him as he scanned the crowd. Hearing his question, and subsequent musings, the togruta chuckled lightly and nodded.

It doesn't seem that way does it? They must be serving something decent today...what is the day any...oh THAT'S why....It's the evening before Ossus Day!

She stated, chuckling slightly at her own forgetfulness.

It seems that we'll be fed something good this evening as a treat before the meditations called for tomorrow.

Her tone was a bit darker as she thought over what she would be meditating on tomorrow morning. At his reply to her question, she nodded slightly and smiled.

So we shall do. Help me find a seat then, Makiro, preferably one near a wall?

She asked, scanning the large room for the two of them to sit as she guided him through the throng of other jedi so that they could both see the seats more easily.

[Makiro]

As they wound their way through throngs of hungry Jedi, Makiro mused upon the upcoming day of rememberance. If he was honest, he was a little annoyed that he had forgotten. Spying a couple of empty seats between an enormous Wookie and a tiny Sullustan, Makiro indicated it to Sihara and navigated towards the space.

As they took their seats, he looked around the large hall, wandering how many of the surrounding Jedi had lost friends in combat - or worse, had seen them die. The number, he was sure, was astronomical. A lump formed in his throat as he thought once more of his protected upbringing in the Temple, and then, subsequently, his upcoming transferral to the AgriCorps.

A wheel-mounted serving droid wobbled up to the table, arms splaid out wide with offerings of various delicacies and comfort foods, and Makiro selected a steaming bowl of yellowish soup. The soup had a spicy smell and a few strange-looking lumps floating in it. It tasted however, extremely pleasant, and he continued to eat with gusto.

[Talau the Ever-Lurking]

Following the boy to the seats he had found, she nodded to the two other jedi there, who had already gotten their food and were speaking quietly to each other...well, as quietly as a wookiee could speak anyway. Seating herself beside Makiro, the togruta gazed about, running a hand over her montral lightly to ease the vibrating of it. She didn't need to know every move that every jedi in here made after all. Sihara didn't bother to think much on it, and when the droid wheeled up, she chose a plate of meats, cheeses and fruits...nothing flashy, but it was FAR better than bread...especially when one was a born predator.

After a little while, she slowed in her eating and gazed at the boy beside her drinking up his soup like he'd not eaten in an age. The woman had forgotten just how much boys ate at that age, and she shook her head with a chuckle.

Slow down Makiro...the slower you eat the more full you'll feel.

She stated, a piece of knowledge learned the difficult way over her years. Despite this, she pushed her plate toward the boy, some of the various slices of food left untouched, which she now offered to him.

[Makiro]

Makiro slowed down as instructed and sheepishly took one of the proffered pieces of fruit. He ate it carefully so as to avoid squirting the juice down his clean robes and then continued to eat his soup - his mouthfuls now much more measured.

Finishing the last few bites of the yellow liquid, Makiro placed his spoon carefully in the bowl and took another slice of fruit from Sihara's plate - after of course, looking at her for reassurance. As he chewed the soft fruit pensively, he reflected on the day's events.

"Master Sihara," he said finally, "why do you think the Force willed us to meet today?"

[Talau the Ever-Lurking]

((heh...left a bit of my message in there did you? ^_^ ))

Sihara thought quietly on that question, taking a scrap of the meat that was left on the plate and chewing on it quietly. She guessed the answer, but she wasn't yet sure she wanted to share it with the boy. Sighing slightly, she decided it was best to answer him honestly.

Hmm...that's a good question Makiro. I believe that...the force has intended for us both to receive what we need most at this time. Perhaps for you it is someone to help guide you toward getting the master you deserve....and perhaps for me it is a chance to begin healing.

Her statement was pensive and measured as she thought carefully over her choice of words. Again she ran a hand over her montral to ease some of the vibration in it.

Why do you ask, Makiro?

She asked curiously, tilting her head to the side slightly as she gazed at him.

[Makiro]

((lol, it's the second time I've done it today... clearly I just managed to edit it soon enough last time ;D)

Makiro listened carefully to Sihara's words, glad that she was being truthful. From somewhere on the other side of the room, a tray was dropped and a clatter of food spread across the floor. The Wookie Jedi next to him had dozed off into a light slumber, clearly tired after a day's training.

"Why do you ask, Makiro?"

Makiro looked deep into the honied eyes of his new friend before answering.

"Because meetings like ours do not happen by chance." He said simply.

He looked away again, peering across the room, searching for the source of some imagined commotion. A group of tiny younglings, no more than four or five years of age, shot past their table, pursued by a harrassed-looking handler.