A last minute study (Aaron)

[Charlie Sharper]

It was late as the young boy padded quietly down the halls, silently sneaking down the passage; it was quiet as he walked down the empty corridor. Tem was coming from the Jedi Archives, he was fascinated by the past, the stories of ancient Jedi and Sith struggles, tales of bravery and loss, and he was rereading the tales of great Jedi Nomi Sunrider when he had fallen asleep. Once he awoke he thought to head to his room for the night, when he decided to make a quick stop at the training quarters for a late night saber practice.

Tem walked in the darkness, his feet barely touched the ground making very little sound, he always stalked when it was dark, he wasn’t sure why, but he felt like he couldn’t let people know where he was for some reason, he just chalked it up to one of his various personality quirks. It was hard for the boy to forget the life before the Jedi, the quiet night was a reminder of his former home, but he worked hard to detach himself from it, it was his only hope to ever be a great Jedi, which was the only thing the boy every truly desired.

He walked toward his room, his training saber on his belt. He had always loved the temple at night, when it was so dark that he could remove the painfully stuffy goggles and actually look at the world around him, move as if he was just another normal youngling, his thoughts turned to his mother, though not as most children think of a parent, but as a Jedi would. He had seen her a few months before, she had traveled to the inner core to see him, she told him that he was becoming more like his father, and gave him a new black and red robe in celebration of his eleventh birthday. He thought that she seemed happy, but he could feel her sadness, for he was the only thing she had to remember her late husband with, and he thanked her in his mind for her sacrifice.

He hadn’t noticed that he had arrived at his destination, mentally scolding himself for not keeping his thoughts on what the here and now. He slid over to the door and opened it with a wave of his hand, quickly and quietly slipping into the room, shutting the door behind him. He looked around the room and seeing it empty as expected, he reached up and removed his goggles, not needing their protection in the dark, the glow from a saber wasn’t enough to hurt his eyes, and for just awhile he could enjoy his Miralukan gift. Unlike most Miraluka, he could see in the regular spectrum, due to father’s parentage, but his pupils were unable to adjust to changing light like most humans. It was a blessing and a curse, granting him wonderful night vision, but also making him super sensitive to light, forcing him to use special goggles in the day time.

He took out his saber cleared a space; he turned on his saber and took a deep breath, then started his kata. He started in a blocking stance, as was customary in Shii-Cho. From the block, he made a stepping slash, then a forward block, a side block, then a vertical slash. He rolled foreword into an upper block above him, then a stab and parry, recover, and finally another one last block and then a dive and vertical slash, he then stood, and bowed, placing his saber at his hip. He had executed the kata with great care and precision, though any Master saw his weaknesses, the saber was not his greatest strength, but it was also not his weakness either, he could hold his own against the other younglings and was quickly mastering Shii-Cho. He stood again and heard the door open behind him, and as he turned to look, a sudden flash blinded the young boy as the room came alight. “Ahhhh!!!” he screamed as he tried to cover his eyes, the pain furious, and he fell to the ground.

[Sir Aaron]

Vince had been recently spending some time in the Jedi Academy on Coruscant as a way not only to get away but to also meditate and focus on the Force, himself, and his destiny. After his recent fight which he has lost his body, and has had to take on the empty shell of a droid. Now, Vince was in state of confusion, he was trying to refind himself.

Though, after spending a few weeks at the Temple, it all had became clear. And now, he was wanting to practice, it was awkward for him fighting like this, in this new body. So he decided he wanted to practice some, see the possibilities of his new body. He was a bit more flexible and agile than when he was in his human body though. His old had its limitless, this was now less limited.

Vince silently swayed through the dark, the only noise the occasionally squeek of a limb, the sound of his metal feet hitting the floor. And when things goes especially quite his attention would be brought to the rhythmic patters of the respirator, which was one of the many mechanical devices keeping him alive. Though, he had slowly learned to tune out the noise, when ever it got really quite his attention would be brough to the object.

Finally reaching his destination, Vince quitely opened the door and felt around blindly for the lights. It was exceptionally dark, though, though his eyes were always slow to adapt to sudden blackness. Reaching the light, Vince cut them on, only to be shocked at a yell as a young Jedi fell to the floor, gripping his eyes and screaming. Vince quickly ran forward, towering over the young boy.

Vince didnt' offer the boy his hand, nor did he pull back the hood of his robe. He stool still, looking down, what had he done? What had happened? All he did was cut on the lights. After a moment, Vince's mind finally comprehended it all and caught up, and it him him, that apparently the source of the boy's pain came from light. Vince ran back over and shut off the lights, blindly making his way back to the boy.

"Sorry about that, is everything all right?"

[Charlie Sharper]

Tem’s eyes welled with tears out of reflex, and he felt an intense pain in his forehead. He shut his eyes tight and tried to regain his composure. His mind grappled with the pain and his head spun. As Tem lay on the floor, he could feel another presence, someone strong in the force, it had to be a knight or master, but he couldn’t see what they were doing through his hands. He got the distinct impression that the person was standing over him, and he heard what sounded like a rasping breath, and it had a slightly metallic hue to it, which only further puzzled Tem’s reeling brain.

After a few seconds, he felt the presence turn and he heard ringing footsteps quicken back to the door, the light stopped stinging his eyes through his closed lids. He felt comfortable enough to open his eyes and was rewarded as the world came back to him. He slowly stood up and looked behind him and saw a large, clocked figure, but there was something different about the way the force was flowing through and connected to it. He could see it towered over him by almost two feet, and was pretty intimidating, if he weren’t in the temple, he would probably be a little more then worried.

He didn’t know what to say at first, but after a moment, his thoughts returned and he grabbed his goggles, returning them to their position over his eyes, then bowed to the Jedi. “I’m sorry master, I shouldn’t be here, it will never happen again.” He said quickly, hoping not to be scolded for being up so late and using the training facility without permission. The imposing figure had yet to turn around, and Tem then added, “And I’m sorry to have scared you,” he appoligizied again “I didn’t have my goggles on and my eyes are really sensitive to light…But I’m ok now.” Tem said quickly before looking back up to see if the figure had turned yet.

[Sir Aaron]

Vince let out what sounded like a laugh, which was quite pitiful. Vince only knew the young boy was below him because of the boy's movement, if he weren't to move, he could have easily been fooled that the room was empty. Finally, Vince kneeled down next to the young Jedi, getting down a bit to the others level.

"There's nothing wrong, I am glad to see our young, bright-minded Jedi showing so much determination and diligence. And you didn't scare me, I just figured the room would be empty, and what scared me the most was I thought you were injured, which I did seem to cause ssome pain, so it should be I who apologizes, no?" Vince stood up again, "Well, glad to know you are okay."

Vince pulled up a chair and sat down, looking at the boy in the darkness. He was still quite young, the boy had a long journey ahead of him, and a fruitful life. But a bulb went on inside of Vince, and mentally a smile crept up on him. Glancing down at the boy, he figured the boy was nearing age of having a master, if he didn't have one, he would be pushed off to do some petty work which was a waste of a good Jedi.

"So, do you have a Master?" Vince asked curiously, leaning forward, trying to get a better look at the boy in the darkness.

[Charlie Sharper]

Tem almost beamed at the compliment, but quickly let go of that feeling, as it wasn’t proper of a Jedi. He then looked up at the Jedi, pondering his words about apology. “No need to apologize, master Jedi.” Tem laughed a little, and watched as the tall Jedi knelt down to his level, he couldn’t quite make out the face, but it was odd, he could see that much. Then the Jedi grabbed a vacant chair and sat down. Tem could see his legs, and they were robotic, that much he was sure of, though it wasn’t unheard of, many Jedi had lost limbs in their work as galactic peacekeepers, it was a hard life, Tem had no illusions about this, he knew what would sometimes be asked of him in his life as a Jedi…If he ever made it to the trails. No, Tem thought to himself, mustn’t think of it like that, the force would find a use for him someway or another, and he knew this.

The young Jedi could feel eyes on him; he was being sized up by the mysterious Jedi. “Do you have a master?” He asked. “No master, I am still a youngling…” He said with a bit too much complacency, he know it wasn’t right, but he sort of hated being called a youngling, he was eleven after all. He couldn’t get a sense of what the Jedi was looking for, maybe a Master to talk to about the importance of a curfew. “Well, not exactly a youngling, but I have yet to be taken on as a padawan.” Tem said, a little more satisfied with that response.

[Sir Aaron]

Vince glanced down a moment, and immediately it occurred to him what the youngling seemed to be interested in for a moment. Vince quickly covered his legs with his robes, which had snagged on the chair as he went to sit down. He leaned back a moment, thinking, he was making a very important decision. Something he had done in a long time. Finally he leaned forward one last time to get a closer look at the young boy before leaning back agian.

"I would like to take you in as my apprentice, I don't know why, but there's something about you, I feel like I know you. Maybe you just remind me of someone I know, or knew, but its not just that, I can't epxlain it. If the Council is willing to agree, would you become my protege? Of course I have yet to talk to the Council since..." it occurred to Vince the boy wouldn't know what he was talking about so he stood up once again.

Vince lowered his shoulders and gently pushed the robe from his body and pulled the hood back revealing who he really was... No, what he really was. He looked down at Tem, if he was going to make such a big decision as to take in this young boy as his apprentice, Vince believed also it was the boy's decision and that he also deserved to see what he was going in.

"I am Vince, Vince Beole."

[Charlie Sharper]

Tem watched as the Jedi covered his legs, Tem was unsure of why though. Tem stood a little straighter now, and keep his eyes on the hood of the robe, not wanting to make the elder uneasy about anything, when the Jedi said how he wanted to take Tem on as his padawan learner. Tem couldn’t believe it at first, but there it was, he was going to be taken on as a padawan, he was overjoyed, but then he stopped himself and regained his composure as best he could. It was far from assured that the council would let him be an apprentice to this mysterious Jedi, who Tem had just realized he knew absolutely nothing about.

That was when the Jedi stood up to full height, Tem again felt a little intimidated at the immense stature of the mysterious Jedi. "I am Vince, Vince Beole." The Jedi said as he opened the cloak and let down the hood, and in the dark Tem could see that what stood before him looked like a giant droid, but with its connection to the force, Tem knew a person was there, deep inside the robotic frame. Tem was taken aback for a moment, but then calmed himself, stifling his curiosity. “And I am Tem Farelle.” Tem said steadily, bowing to Vince again. He couldn’t pinpoint it, but he felt a connection to, his giddiness rising again as he thought about the possibility that maybe this was the will of the force.

[Sir Aaron]

"Don't be fearful of what I have become..." Vince trailed off, though a moment later, all of his thoughts were though interupted as he felt a smaller form climb on top of his shoulder, confused Vince looked over and let out a semi-sigh.

By now, Vince's eyes had grown accustomed to the dark room, and he made out the form of his good friend, co-pilot, and long-time partner, Crumb. A Kowakian Monkey-Lizard, which had stowed away on his ship during his time on Kowak. Vince turned his attention to the eager, excited Youngling, if only Vince could smile. His heart swelled with pride at the thought of being accepted, despite what he was.

"You seem excited, if you want me to be your master" Vince pulled his robe back over himself, leaving his hood down and kneeling, "it would be an honor, young Tem."

[Charlie Sharper]

Tem calmed a little bit, but logged a few questions for later. He looked with even more interest at the new arrival; he recognized it as a Kowakian Monkey-Lizard from his studies, though Tem had never seen one in person. He looked it in the eyes and it cocked it’s head as it stared back. They looked at each other for a moment before Tem looked back at Vince. “Ummm…Well, sir, I’d love nothing more then to be an apprentice” He said honestly. But still there was so much he didn’t know about this Jedi.

“Sir, I was wondering…What, ummm, have you become? If you don’t mind me asking, master Beole.” Tem asked timidly, not wanting to anger him or make him uncomfortable. Tem was very intrigued by this Jedi, and wanted to know why he felt connected to the Knight he had never met.

[Sir Aaron]

"I have become, a cyborg, I guess, ninety-precent robot, ten-precent human. I was scared it would frighten you away, hence why I train mainly at night and keep my body concealed. And I know it may seem odd to you, you seem to be confused, which you have full rights to. But the Force works unexpectedly at times, and I have a feeling our destinies were brought together. And if you would, I know it is otu of respect, don't call me Master Beole" Vince chuckled.

Then, erupting from next to his head and breaking the silence were long strings of high pitched, shrillish laughter. Nearly falling from his perch, Crumb grabbed onto Vince's robe as he fell down, and pulled himself back up. Finally gaining his composure, he looked between Vince adn Tem. he knew that something was going on, he just couldn't sense it, he wasn't as sensitive as the Force as most of the occupants of the Temple and Academy.

"Ask all the questions you want."

[Charlie Sharper]

As Vince talked, Tem pondered even more questions. Then, a sudden, shrill laughter erupted from the Monkey-Lizard and it startled Tem, and almost laughed out loud when it fell slightly, but a small chuckle did escape from his lips. Tem’s gaze returned to Vince when he heard him speak again.

“Ask all the questions you want.” Vince said in a calm voice. Tem realized that his thoughts weren't very hidden right now, but he decided to not worry about it and accept this invitation. He pondered for a few second on what would be the best way to ask this, but he couldn’t come up with a more delicate way to ask it so he decided to just get it out. “Well, master…I mean, Vince, how did you come to be a cyborg?” Tem spoke quietly, hoping it didn’t sound half as intrusive to Vince as it did to Tem.

[Sir Aaron]

"Well, it happened just a few weeks ago... I was on Naboo meditating when I sensed a Force Use not far from me, but... This one was filled with anger, hate, and strife. It was a Dark Jedi, she was in a tavern about to kill the owner. Instinctively I was going to defend the man when she decided to attack me. My guess is she was an assassin as well, she was highly profficient with a blaster. A fight broke ensued, everyone in the bar fled.

Somehow a fire started, but that didn't stop her. During the fight, she got a blaster shot to my shoulder, a one of of a million shot, and what ever it did, it rendered my whole arm useless. Then after that, she threw her lightsaber which went through my other arm. The last thing I remember was falling to the ground, seeing her form walk out, and the flames grow nearer as I went unconcious. Crumb here ran to my ship and contacted an old friend, a biologist, scientist, and expert droid maker, this was all he could do to keep me alive, he told me" Vince finished the storsy with a sigh.

He really didn't like the story, because he didn't feel human any more. Though, when he told it, he had no problem with telling it. It was truly an awkward thing. He looked down at Tem, his heard raced, he was hoping that Tem would accept his offer as a Padawan. He did miss Falo, though the boy had disappeared. And he didn't want to join the Jedi Order, Vince couldn't take him in as his Padawan, even if he wanted.

[Charlie Sharper]

Tem listened intently as Vince told his story, it was very intriguing but Tem could tell that Vince didn’t much like telling it; when he was done, Tem could sense some reluctance or pain, but he couldn’t really tell what exactly, the limit of his force sense reached. “I see.” Was all Tem could think to say, not the most tactful of people. He drew in a breath and then stood up slowly, then letting out the breath, he let the force consume him, and Tem knew that it was the will of the force that the two had met, he would be Vince's apprentice, that much Tem was certain of. He bowed low to the senior Jedi, then rose back up, “Vince, I would be honored to be your padawan.” Tem said sincerely, then, walking over to the door, he turned the lights on. “I had one other question, Vince, who is that exactly?” Tem asked pointing at the Monkey-Lizard on Vince’s shoulder, laughing a little.

[Sir Aaron]

Vince mentally smiled once again. The boy had accepted his proposal, as sudden and odd as it was. Then, the lights came back on, Vince's eyes stung for a few seconds as they had to adjust once again to the blinding light, but finally all of the things around him came into view. Then the young Padawan question about Vince's companion, Crumb.

"I am Vince's-" Crumb began, before being cut off by Vince.

"-Pet!" Vince finished the sentence for Crumb.

There was the sound of something hitting metal, which was Crumb, instinctively hitting Vince on the head.

"You know I hate being called that" Crumb said sourly.

"Yeah, I know. This is Crumb, my partner, co-pilot, companion, and friend. He found me-" Vince was cut off by Crumb.

"-He found me, stowed away on his ship, while on Kowak."

The two laughed softly, looking down at the young Tem. This was going to be an interesting new story in Vince's life.

[Charlie Sharper]

Tem chuckled and walked back over to the two, “Well, it’s a pleasure to meet you Crumb.” Tem bowed again before the two, the he rose back up and looked at Vince. “It is getting late and I think that I should be getting to bed, goodnight master Beole…I mean Vince, good night Crumb.” He then bowed and turned toward the door. He crossed the room and the door opened, but he stopped and turned around to face Vince again. “Should we go before the council tomorrow and make it official?” Tem asked, almost forgetting that they still weren’t sure if the council would let them train together.

[Sir Aaron]

The two men nodded softly as the boy bid them farewell and good night. But then, he paused, asking whether or not they should confront the council in the morning, about making their training official. This caused Vince to pause though, a thought crossed his mind. Visiting the Council? Nervousness shot through his body, but he kept posure, more for the image for his new Padawan.

"Of coures, we can do it whenever you wish" Vince bowed his head politely, to the young Padawan.

[Charlie Sharper]

(I know it's not the best, but it's the best I can do right now...)

Tem smiled and nodded "Then we'll do it tomorrow!" He said trying his best to sound calm but failing. Tem could barely contain the joy in his heart, this was the first step to becoming a Jedi, the only dream the boy ever had. In all his years Tem never wanted anything but to be a Jedi, ever since the day he last saw his father, ever since that day...But then his mind returned to the moment and he realized that his words might have sounded a bit too commanding, so he reiterated, "If that is fine with you, Vince." he finished and bowed to the two, mentally scolding himself for feeling so excite without even knowing if the council would allow such a pair, but Tem had a feeling that they would, he could feel the force at work in them both. Tomorrow will be a new day for him, Tem could feel it, he knew this was just the first step on his journey, and he couldn't wait.

(Hey! That wasn't half bad...I should feel bad about my posts more often XD)