An Old Reunion

[Mother Chucker]

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The world was so delicate, yet the Jedi treated everything as if it were a fragile piece of glass ironically. The Horizon was dotted by two great red suns that lifted elegantly into a crimson sky, 'morning' Makal thought closing his eyes briefly. A familiar tree stood nearby, its branches all but withered, the pink petals had all but fallen away in time. Leaving a withering and dead tree in their parting. The old Jedi Monastery laid in ruins, forgotten and replaced. Yet, this was where his journey had begun, when he was only a Padawan. Eye lids unhinged, a vacant star upon the surrounding land, wanderings of a time long ago. We must not forget those who had fallen, in the wars that were raged in his youth. The galaxy is always besieged by some opposition, that would harm its delicate course. The knight thought, turning slowly to approach the a sapling that now grew next to the once mighty tree. Digits grasping its wood, pink petals yet seemingly in their beginnings, the first steps of birth into life.

"There is no death, there is the force. The Jedi respect all life in any form."

A saying Makal did not understand in his adolescence, one phrase that had taken him so far. The Hutts threatened the Jedi Order, the republic, and soon our place in this war was to be decided. The knight, was a guardian, highly skilled in the art of lightsaber combat-- the hidden scars upon his form were proof alone. With that thought he fell into deep thought, now knelt upon the ground grass matted under knee. Eyes closed in translucent and harmonious meditation.

 

[Rev]

It had been nearly two decades since the Jedi Master, a Jedi Council member now, had seen one of his strongest Padawans, now Knight. He had been requested to meet the now man at where they had first trained all those years ago, it was far different from what it had once been, that was a fact. Looking up at the pale white blue sky as he approached the all too familiar grove he had trained those who wished to become members of the Order. Stopping behind Makal he watched the young man in meditation, his eyes staring at what his former pupil had just been gazing upon, it was a beautiful sight.

"Nearly two decades my young friend, seems like it was days ago I was training you here. Showing you the ways of the Force from Master to Padawan, dueling, and learning from one another. How is it you have been?"

Walking towards Makal he walked a circle around the man before stopping in front of where he had been facing all along and falling to his knees. A meditation at this grove was much needed, it had been years since he had laid foot on this spot, he missed it more than he imagined he would.

 

[Mother Chucker]

Glee, utter resolve had grown inside him all these years, and now here before him stood his teacher. Makal was taken by surprise yet glad to have seen his old master take him up on the offer. It was true, the place had changed greatly, ever since then it had become the knights sanctuary. Parting in deep mediation, he gazed upon his master. The man had been struck by age, though he did not see an old man-- but a wise teacher who had grown in his knowledge of the force.

"Master it is indeed a surprise to see you here. I did not think you would have the time to meet with me. It is such a pleasure to see you yet again! You must have taken on a new padawan. So I heard they made you part of the council, such an honor. Anyhow, so where does the force lead you now a days? We have alot of catching up to do."

A smile grazed his features, his gaze drifting to the man whom now knelt infront of him, the sapling now between them both.

 

[Rev]

He listened to his former pupil, he had matured greatly, but his voice still held that of a Padawan on his first day of training, this brought a small smile to the middle aged man's face. There was much to discuss, it had been rare that a pupil would want to meet him just to chat, it was usually to request aid on something or be informed on something else, it was nice to sit down with another Jedi simply to discuss the times.

"I'm unaware if you knew this, but I have a wife and son. Sadly they have both have moved on in life. I wish I could go in more detail with you on that, but it is touchy and I'm unsure if I should tell anyone of it."

He smiled at his old Padawan, if the man wanted to know more, the Jedi Master would give him answers.

 

[Mother Chucker]

Makal felt sympathy for his former master, he had never known that he had a family, a wife and child. They had both passed, traumatic for any follower of the force. It is known that such attachments lead to the darkside, that was why the order was divided amongst the issue. Makal had learned when he had lost his parents to the hands of Alsakans, it had nearly lead him to the darkside. It was only through the teachings of the Jedi Order--- he had found a way through.

"I'm sorry to hear of your loss. I had no idea you had a family, it must be troubling. I understand your need for privacy, but you must get it off your chest. If you would like to talk on the matter I am all ears, do not let their loss lead you off the path of light. Such attachments have destroyed many of our order you do know. You mentioned it to me, therefore speak freely, your in good company friend."

Makal had indeed matured in the force, his wisdom was not of a brash youth anymore. His master had been there for him, now it was his turn to do the same.

 

[Rev]

He stared at Makal for a moment, his former pupil so far had not ceased to amaze him in his abilities and maturing through the Force. He had grown so much since their last meetings, and for the far better, he would be a great teacher to those in the order, and an ever better Jedi.

"I would say I worded it long my friend... They are not gone as in they have left this universe, but in that they have made choices. Arabella was once a Jedi Knight within our order, she had much hate in her though... She once was a slave and I believe a mission her and I did was her breaking point, we freed slaves from a distant planet. In the attack on the Hutt slavers she let loose on many of the men, decapitations, torturous killings... it was something a Jedi should never do. Our lives continued on as normal, but it wouldn't be until almost 3 years ago we felt she had to leave, for our son, Caed. She was letting off so much dark energy we feared it may effect him, her leaving for the Dark Jedi sparked Caed's interest in the dark ways as well and he left in search of her, to save her. Neither Arabella nor myself have heard from him in almost 2 years, I don't sense his death, but that he is still looking, still searching for her."

Letting out a long breath he looked up to let his mind resettle.

"I only hope his search for her, hasn't led him down a darker path, a path we could have saved him from."

He shook his head at the thought, there was a slim chance his son would fall for such tricks, he was brought up as a Jedi, and he would become a great Jedi, or at least the Jedi Master hoped.

"What of you Makal? Where has these years taken you?"

 

[Mother Chucker]

Tried to show simply no emotion but compassion and understanding. A jedi must maintain his composure at all times. A Jedi does not allow his personal feeling to cloud his mind. Makal smiled deeply, it was good to see his master again, yet he felt a sorrow of his old teacher-- this man deeply hurt.

"I'm sorry to hear of your loss. I know you love your son, who would not, yet the force is a mystery. Your son has left to find his destiny, this is dangerous indeed he is not yet even a Jedi knight. You are wise to fear for his soul, youth are irrational and will always take the quickest route if not given a strict teacher. I am Jedi Knight, I have fought in countless wars, I have taken a liking to light saber combat. Be it may, I am a guardian of the force. I have been given a new mission, I am to find the daughter of the late Senator Jun Roman Saturnyne of Serrano . I feel this mission different though, I have meditated on it much. I can't spend my days in the archives like you master. I'm a battle hardened warrior now a days. Far from the youth I once was. The mission, it troubles me some. Ever time I meditate on it I come back with the same response."

He paused indifferently.

"All I can see is darkness, as if the dark side clouds my vision. I can't see her and when I do I feel death, loss. Then always at the end there are two cloaked figures. Its too dark to tell who they are, one branishing a green saber the other the brightest of red. I have been looking into her, her mother was once a Jedi Knight. Who committed suicide not long ago, it is believed she surmised to the darkside. Roma her daughter, apparently had a one-way ticket purchased for Ando Prime. I'm thinking of all the places in the galaxy why would she go to such a unpopulated and rural location. Why Ando Prime?"

Makal seemed lost in deep though.
Took a deep breath, expanding his stomach rather than his chest. Allowing the air to expand and build deeper into his lungs-- causing a rush of oxygen into this blood stream. That calmed the nerves somewhat.

"Well that's what I have been off to friend. Look I would not mind and this could just be between you and me but, if you want I could look for son for you. I know this girl might take me from one side of the galaxy to the next but it would honor me to help an old friend. You must keep your mind on matters of the council now. If helping you find your son will do that I would be more than obliged to help."

Makal simply finished with a smile.

 

[Rev]

Rev looked at Makal with great appreciation and an almost thanks, though he had done nothing of yet. Though it was to quite the contrary this man had just taken a burden off the middle aged Jedi Master's shoulders, though it would not be completely removed.

"I thank you for this offer Makal, I do not wish for you to search for him, though if you hear of his presence, of where he has been... I would greatly appreciate a notification. Though should you seek him out, be wary as he was one of the Orders best, should he have been manipulated by the Darkside I fear what he has done."

Pushing that thought aside he wanted to speak to his former pupil about his mission.

"These visions you see of this woman, it interests me greatly. You may have aged, but you are still filled with youth, my friend. I might suggest you travel to Ando Prime and search out this woman of yours. Simply meditating and reaching out through the universe can only do so much for one like yourself. You must remember we are Guardians of the Force, it is the Consulars that have a better reach and connection with the mental side of the Force. I sense that these figures you speak of could be Jedi who had left the order years before, but there is no telling who either are."

Rev stood from his kneeling position and walked over to the old tree that sat in the ground so perfectly, though rotted away.

"Perhaps it is a time we both step out of these temple walls and begin a search for those we seek, simply meditating and waiting does nothing for either of our endeavors."

 

[Mother Chucker]

His wise jedi, his response somewhat surprised Makal to say the least. 'Did he just offer to accompany me on my travels?' This peculiar thought brought a smile-- remembrance to feelings he had as a padawan.

"I would be honored if you accompanied me to Ando Prime, your right that simple mediation will not solve these problems. They offer guidance to our grievances, though I fear that these issues will not be solved on Ando Prime. I believe it will reveal to us maybe even some more. It would be good to leave prepared for anything old friend."

Makal nodded respectfully, climbing to his feet to join his former master by the old tree. Though rotten, and dead, it still held so many memories, this tree touched his soul like no other. It was here he had changed for the better, it was here he found his true connection to the force.

"I will be your blade, friend. It would be safest not to travel alone."

He added, clasping a closed fist upon his chest.

"So when do we begin?" ​

 

[Rev]

He laughed at his former pupils response of being the Jedi Masters blade. He knew the man was capable with the tool as he had trained Makal with that very lightsaber he had hanging from his belt.

"Just because I've aged my old friend does not mean I am no longer capable with the blade. Being a member of the council does not hinder my abilities either, if anything they increase them. I have years of practice with the tool of the Jedi under me, if anything I feel we would share the battlefield, I will not so humbly hand it over to you."

He shot him a friendly smile before running his hand over the old gray wood of the tree before turning his back to it. Walking towards the small tree they had just been meditating in front of he reached out to one of the skinny branches and plucked the pink flower from it. Giving it a long smell he let it fall to the floor as the wind allowed the others to do so naturally. Perhaps one day Makal would bring a Padawan here to be trained, perhaps they would one day have a conversation as they once had.

"We leave when you feel you are ready, my friend. The council has nearly no meetings for the next coming weeks, so I feel the sooner we leave the more convenient it will be, if for me alone. Otherwise we can leave when you feel you're prepared to travel to Ando Prime."

He crossed his arms tucking his hands into either sleeve and took in a deep breath, awaiting a response.

 

[Mother Chucker]

Makal couldn't help but let out a laugh himself. For he had unintentionally made his master think he was incapable. It was not the case, Makal was all too aware that he was an experienced veteran of the order and would not need any help if it ever came to that. Though Makal also knew if it had ever came to the time came to battle-- he would give his life to save the master, of this he was certain.

"I was unaware that my statement would have made you think so."

Laughing momentarily before regaining his composer.

"You are the wisest of an Jedi I have ever known, your skill with a blade is unmatched by many. When I say I will be your blade, I mean it. I will protect you with my life whether you need it or not old friend. We should set off as soon as possible, the sooner the better. I follow your lead, may the force be with us both."

Makal folded his arms to match that of his masters, a grin formed upon the contours of his eager face. Then soon he would follow his late teacher out of the temple, and to Ando Prime where they would search and hopefully uncover these mysteries.
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