A Second Chance

[Dutch]

Peace. Calm. Tranquility. Those three words were the best that described the meditation room that Sage Master Ozzril Ackbar sat in. The aged Mon Calamari sat cross legged on one of the few resting pads that were perched on the ground. A handle-less green ceramic cup sat gently in his webbed hands, a soft stream of steam wafting off the liquid. His eyes were closed as he brought the liquid to his mouth, the pungent liquid sliding soothingly down his throat.

His mouth smacked and a soft sigh of serenity flowed from his lips. This was by far one of Ozzril's favorite places to be, especially when accompanied by a cup of his favorite Rylothian Ginger tea. The pungent, acrid smell was one most people couldn't stand, let alone the taste, but to the Mon Cal, it was nirvana. He figured that this would be the best place for him to meet his latest apprentice- his first one since his first disaster. Ozzril prayed to the Force that this one wouldn't be so wayward- he wouldn't be able to repeat the events from the past again.

With eyes still closed Ozzril drew the Force into himself before slowly exhaling it out, peace and zen drifting from the aged Jedi. He didn't know much about this girl, her having completed her training as a youngling before Ozzril took over as their instructor. Lamilia... Thought the Master, his mouth parting into a Mon Cal smile. He really did love working with the youth of the Temple, and hoped she would enjoy the experience as much as he did.

And so he waited, he had sent a youngling to deliver the message to her a few hours ago- the council having asked him to take another apprentice after some time. Ozzril accepted, and chose very carefully from a list of hopefuls. His hand had stopped at the name "Lamilia" out of the whole list, a padawan he was neither familiar with nor met. But he had never questioned the Force, and wasn't going to start now.

[Apillis]

Insecurity seemed to grip the young Hapan Padawan, she lost her first master to the battles on Dantooine, and the next she was given became lost to her. For even a devoutly pious Padawan as herself, she could not help but feel a bit shaken - her piety put to a test in a sense as she begun to feel perhaps there is something inherently wrong with herself - flawed in some way, why did this have to become a trial as well?

Though, maybe not is all as fearful as her situation begun to make her believe, another opportunity was given to her; and this time was even chosen and by a High Council member no less - a Sage Master. Maybe she was not as abandoned as she begun to think herself to be, and the Force watches out for its devout followers of the light. There is so much she could learn from one such as Ozzril Ackbar, and to be chosen by him none the less she could not help but feel an immense sense of honor. Her only hope being she does not lose him as she has lost her two prier masters.

She knew of his reputation for often teaching younglings, and the gentle-handed nurturing nature of Lamilia could not help but smile at the prospect of aiding him in his teachings to the future of the Jedi Order. Though insecurity still seemed to have a hold on her heart, but still - it appears there is always a turning point - another chance. She did not waste time to go see him.

[Dutch]

{OoC: Sorry if it's a tad short, like completely forgot where I was going with this post like halfway into it XD}

Ozzril took another deep sip of his tea, the pungent smell wafting through the entire chamber at this point. He sighed in a relaxed manner, waves of tranquility washing off of him through the Force. His meditations often had multiple purposes. At first, he would enjoy his tea and relax, using the Force to channel his own tranquility out into the other members within the temple. He was sure at this point, that almost any Jedi that had been in the temple within the last ten years would be quite familiar with his presence, even if they hadn't met the veteran Jedi master yet.

That was the stage he was at now, after ever sip of the herbal tea, he would follow through with a deep breath and slowly exhale, letting the Force flow from him freely. As he let his very essence wash off of him, he also reached out unconsciously, then felt someone approaching the meditation chamber he was in. Only vaguely coming out of his trance, he gently and warmly touched the person with the Force, feelings of apprehension and worry were there, but were also accompanied with hope, and a slight pride. The person was young, but not terribly young.

Come on in Lamilia...

Sent the aged Mon Cal to the young woman, a wave of friendship following his words. Instead of continue on with his meditation as he would normally, Ozzril began to bring himself back to his body, his eyes remaining closed but his senses more focused in the immediate area again. He awaited his new apprentice's entrance, mind gently touching the door to the chamber so that he knew when she arrived.

[Apillis]

((lol No worries XD Sorry for short post, too, my connection is acting up, forcing my posts to be a bit condensed. ))

Quite nervous in meeting her new master face to face, Lamilia timidly entered upon Ackbar's invitation. Her nose wrinkled a tad in reaction to the smell of the tea, it seemed her Hapan senses did not really care for it. Though, she did not wish to be rude, so she merely put up with the acrid smell. A gentle grew upon her face, she is after all a very compassionate girl, and it is often expressed upon her features other than within her very presence of the Force.

With a respectful bow of her head she uttered with a quite humble and quiet tone often common with her soft voice, "Thank you, Master Ozzril, for taking me in as your apprentice it is deeply appreciated and an hon--", she paused in her words seeing the Sage Master still in a meditative pose, though she was ignorant to the reality that he was no longer meditating at the present time, and merely kept his eyes closed.

"Oh.", she mumbled quietly feeling more than a little awkward and embarrassed. So, instead stood silently, timidly glancing away as she rubbed her right bicep with her left hand as a sort of unconscious means to comfort herself. She did not speak another word not wanting to intrude in her master's meditations.

[Dutch]

A hearty Mon Calamari smile graced Ozzril's face as Lamilia walked in, a wave of compassion, uncertainty, and shyness washing into the Master Jedi's mind. He could tell that the young girl was a bit stiff, something her previous master may have instilled. But Ozzril was not that sort of Jedi, and that was something he wanted to make known.

"Enough of those formalities child. Please, take a seat, relax. Would you like some tea?"

Said the elder Jedi as he opened his eyes serenely and gestured fluidly to the meditation pad to his left before gesturing to the pot of tea he had brought along with a second hand-less ceramic cup. This was a special time for the Jedi, a time of healing, and was something he wanted to share with his apprentice. Over time, the Mon Calamari had begun to fall to a mysterious illness, something he hid well, but something even the Jedi Healers seemed unable to diagnose.

But the wise Jedi had his own theories. Three weeks had passed since the sacking of Dac- and that was when the symptoms seemed to start. One as attuned to the Force as himself would naturally feel the suffering of his own people, not to mention the dark presence that invaded his thoughts. Ozzril opened his eyes almost startled, realizing that his thoughts had began to show physically. He took a deep, shaky breath and cleared his throat.

"Excuse the mind blanking of an old man, m'dear. Now tell me, how do you feel today?"

Asked Ozzril before taking another gulp of his tea. He had hoped that she didn't notice his momentary weakness, and that by asking Lamila a question that the subject may be turned towards her.

[Apillis]

((Oi... sorry taking so long to repost, been extremely busy past few days... ))

The Hapan's brow furrowed a little at the offer of the tea, that is where the putrid smell was coming from. It took almost every shred of her will not to grimace at it, but she did not want to be rude or impolite. Besides, it is... something new... right? Or maybe, that is just something she is desperately trying to convince herself of as she replied with a quiet, timid tone, "S-Sure... thank you, Master Ozzril."

The girl moved walked to the meditation pad, sitting on her knees upon the pad, and pouring a cup of tea offered to her by the old Jedi Master. The young padawan held her breath as not to breath it before taking a sip. Though, that did little to help her as she the taste of the tea upon her pallet was far more vile the smell. She tried her earnest and hardest not to make a face, but regardless in her struggle her eyes watered up - it was the most disgusting thing she had ever drank in her life. Still, she put on a polite and grateful smile for her Master nonetheless, for it was a kind gesture by him all the same even offer a humble cup of tea.

As she gracefully set the cup of tea down, she smiled as she softly spoke, "Th-Thank you, Master Ozzril... it was... um... interesting. I never drank such tea before.", but then answering the Master's question her humble smile grew a little wider, "I am well, thank you for asking, Master Ozzril. Though, still learning to adjust to the... changes... within the past several months.", while she was trying her best hide it with diplomatic words, the loss her first master is still a blow she is struggling to get beyond. But, such a thing is too be expected given she is still young and his loss being only some months ago.

[Dutch]

(OoC: It's more than fine, I've been busy with classes starting and going back to work after surgery. So no worries ;D)

Ozzril's mouth opened in a smile and a soft chuckling laugh sounded from the Jedi. He appreciated the young girl's willingness to try new things, even if her every sense told her not to.

"Rylothian Ginger, only grows in the undercities on the planet. Most people can't stand it, but to more aquatic species, it's like sugar to us. But it pleases me to see you are willing to try it- an open mind is one of the best tools of a Jedi. The minute you close your mind off to possibilities, it can be detrimental to your teachings."

It was funny how such a simple test would finally make the Jedi's decision. His first apprentice was closed minded- as were the majority of fallen Jedi. But Lamilia's openness was a very good sign, despite her being older than most apprentices, it was clear her mind was good and open still. He turned the left side of his face towards the Hapan- a Mon Cal expression of approval. As Lamilia responded, his smile grew wider as well, the girl's presence in the Force washing over him. But unlike most people, he did not put up any boundaries to repel her presence, but instead opened himself up to her, for Ozzril had nothing to hide from his new apprentice.

He inhaled and sighed pleasantly, the girl's youthful presence welcoming to the aging Mon Cal. As he opened himself to Lamilia, he also very gently reached out with the Force, a soft touch of friendship and compassion sent to the girl. But he was surprised to find something he didn't expect. Pain. Shock. Abandonment. The Sage Master gasped gently, his eyes slowly closing. She had felt loss, it was hidden, but still there. A slow sigh escaped Ozzril's lips and he only strengthened his reach to Lamilia, letting her know she was not only not alone anymore, but supported in every way.

"I am sorry for the loss of your master m'dear... The bond between Master and Apprentice always runs deep, the Force does not make these bonds lightly- it always has a purpose. And I think it has brought you to me specifically for a reason. Just as you've known only one master besides me, I have also lost my first partner. Let me ask you, Lamilia, are you familiar with my reputation?"

He turned his head and cocked it to the right, a questioning expression. Not many of the young generation knew about Ozzril's reputation among the Order. In his fifty plus years serving the people of the Republic, he had only taken a single life. Out of the many thugs, raiders, bandits, slavers, Dark Jedi, and bounty hunters he has had to face, not a single one had lost their lives- but always came back with Ozzril, though not necessarily with all their limbs intact. Except one, his own fallen apprentice, twisted by her own sister's hate and lust for revenge. Sad thing was, the sister was redeemed, and now worked for the Republic, but his apprentice, she tried to take advantage of the Mon Cal's kindness, and it ended with her demise.

Ozzril constantly asked the Force to be with him with this new partnership, but something told him not only would Ozzril help heal and teach her, but that she would help him as well.