Ask [Dantooine] The Gathering: Introduction

[Nax el Vashee]

Not long after the young padawan made it out of the ship was when the pain started to slowly deteriorate. He was to worried about it without even noticing one of the Jedi Masters had departed from the ship. When the Master approached, Nax-el watched him crouch before him to ask him what was wrong. Nax-el pointed at his face, but there was no particular spot due to his whole face being red. Then, before he could respond, a fellow padawan exited out the ship as well to follow behind the Jedi whom was helping. His emotions started to grow with anxiety, because he didn’t mean to start a commotion to where everyone would tru and help.

Though, it wasn’t long until the rest of the group managed to land without his awareness again. He noticed a few more master, and as his fellow padawans as well. Time was almost here for him to start his trials and obtain his own lightsaber. He listened to everyone as best as he could until he heard one master who seemed tp be the group leader. Everything he had spoken Naxel tried to remember as best as he could. When the master had finished he looked at the master in front of him with a smile. “Thank you master for checking on me. As well as you my friend.” Speaking to the master, and then the padawan behind him. “My name is Nax-el Vashee. What are your names?” Speaking to them once again, and then walked over to the padawan behind the master in front of him. “Are you ready for the trials?” Saying with a smile on his currently red face.

 

[Rhea Nadal]

Rhea gave a small sigh of relief, seeing that the younger boy seemed more-or-less fine. "Oh, my name is Rhea Nadal. Nice to meet you, Nax." Looking out towards the ruin, she nodded. "I think I'm ready. I think we all are, actually. Just remember; even if you fail, it's just another chance to learn and grow." While a nice sentiment, it was hardly one she had accepted herself, but she felt compelled to try and be more mature in the presence of the younger student. Speaking of...

She looked over at Nara sympathetically, making note to not mention her own age, which she was pretty sure was the same, and Naxel was consideraly younger then either of them. She did smirk a little at Fiach's reaction, though - it seemed very like her. She listened as Master Tropam spoke, before speaking up again herself. "Fi's got it absolutely right. If we weren't ready for this, if we weren't at this level, none of us would be here. Age is nothing but a number in the face of experience."

She looked up at the Masters, grinning broadly. "The concern is appreciated, of course, but... well. What's life without a little risk? This is technically the first step on the path to being a Knight, a life that could easily include near-constant mortal peril. Might as well get used to it now, right?" And then, specifically to Ash, "Right?"



@Shax @Corbeau @Charndley @Tomce795 @christhebarker @samdragon @Naxel @iiLevitate

 

[Fiach Dubh]

Fiach nodded at the Knight’s words. She was not familiar with him, but believed he was called Luth. She fully understood that the trial was an individual one — she was merely looking to get going and ensure every Padawan had a chance to get their own crystal. She did not, however, pick up on any negativity from Nara — but then Fiach was not blessed with social skills.

And it seemed the group as a whole was supportive and Fiach, for one, hoped they’d stop talking and start their quest in earnest. Yes, she was a little unsure about the prospect of a trial, but they’d all been chosen to come along and she was brought up to believe that nothing worth having comes easy.

So, buoyed by the sudden interaction, she smiled broadly and said, “Are we heading in then?” She hoped it would spark movement.

 

[Eckaaso Shyn]

The Kaleesh knight chuckled softly at Rhea's statement and smiled. "That's a good point, Padawan Nadal. I wanted to see if anyone of you would try to contest my decision, and your statement was exactly what I was looking for! I'll allow the young girl go alone" he said, then turned around and walked towards the temple. "Come on, time to get going!" he said as he waved at them to follow him.

As they entered in the building, they would be quickly surrounded by darkness. Eckaaso's droid turned on the spotlight, showing a ruined hall that led to a series of corridors. The Kaleesh took the leftmost one and kept walking, humming a soft tune, looking warily around, a hand on his lightsaber. "Keep your senses alerted, you never know what we could find in the depths of the temple"

 

[Juniper]

Nara was grateful for Fiach stepping in, making her feelings known. She knew her a little by that point but not all that well. She went up in Nara's estimations, however, by the way she spoke. It made Nara a little more confident... and helped stoke some of the fire inside her. "Thanks," she said to her, once the focus had gone off the two of them. And the blush had passed from her cheeks, of course.

"No no, it's fine. I'll keep with Fiach if she still wants me. We can rely on each other, face whatever's waiting together. Y'know, because we're never alone with the force, right?" Truth be told, she was kinda making some of that stuff up, but as they entered the Temple itself, Nara was feeling a nervous tugging in her guts. Apprehension and uncertainty about what awaited. It was a weird, unusual feeling for her... not that she'd ever admit to it.

It was eerie enough that she didn't even make a smart comment as she followed Master Shyn down the dark corridor, her boots scuffing on the cracked stone. "Yes Master..." she replied, grateful for the presence of her droid. He climbed up onto her shoulder and beamed out his small spotlight, ancient dust and motes coiling in the stale air around her.

 

[Ash Valentine]

Ash smirked at the general going's on of the Padawans as they milled about. Some of their arguments had merit but he didn't really care. Age had nothing to do with maturity or experience, and despite tradition Ash would honestly have preferred if all the Padawans were together for this. But, like the birds he was using for this allegory, they needed to spread their wings some time.

He was happy when his own padawan spoke up, and wasn't that a scary thought. Not that Rhea was talking, but that Ash was a teacher now. Regardless he listened intently, and while the biggest emotion he felt was pride for her words he was also sad because she was correct. It was better to get used to the danger of being alone and in the galaxy sooner rather than later, Ash just regretted that it had to happen at all.

He gave his supposed student a smirk and a slight nod of his head before he turned to follow the Kaleesh. It was dark, water seemed to drip in the distance which was odd considering there wasn't any major water sources that he knew of in the area. 'Twas certainly eerie, but not something that immediately activated his danger sense. He followed silently for a time before speaking up. "Remember, whatever happens you are all Jedi. Trust yourselves, and everything will be alright." He rasped ominously. His voice carried down the cavernous hall in a distorted echo.

 

[Fiach Dubh]

Fiach nodded at Nara’s thanks. She was not about to make a fuss of the gesture. Despite Fiach’s lack of social experience, she knew enough not to draw new attention to the situation.

She even ignored the prospect of not pairing with Nara and gave her answer by remaining at her side. “Neither of us is as smart as both of us,” she said. “And with the Force as our ally, we’re more than ready for what lies ahead.” Yes, it was rhetoric, but it was well-intentioned and from the heart.

And with that she followed, a half-step behind Nara and her droid, as eager as ever to progress.

 

[Rhea Nadal]

Rhea tried to keep her mouth from smirking upwards, but failed miserably; watching Nara latch onto Fi despite her earlier reservations was pretty adorable. She didn't comment on it, instead giving her attention to the Knights present. "Yes, Masters, of course." She didn't even have to try and reach out as they entered the temple grounds, the Force manifesting it's presence clearly. This place, it was so... old? The word seemed ill-fitting. It was ancient, not merely in the sense that the structures had likely been here for millennia, but in a more primal way. Like an anchoring spot for the universe, the Force.

"This place feels so layered. Scarred. Feels like we're... invading, somehow." Her tone was slightly uncomfortable, not out of fear but reservation. It felt like they were traipsing over someones grave. As they walked down the leftmost hallway, she did her best to push any such thoughts from her head; a distraction could prove dangerous for the group as a whole, let alone herself.

As they passed various small chambers, she peaked her head in each, trying to look for any hint of where they should go.

@Shax @Corbeau @Charndley @samdragon @Naxel @Tomce795 @iiLevitate @christhebarker

 

[Eckaaso Shyn]

The group of Jedi kept walking through the corridors, which were mostly silent apart from their steps and voices, and the occasional screech from some creature hidden who knows where. They went down a flight of stairs that brought them in what looked like an underground dojo, and they then went to the right, soon reaching another large chamber where they were greeted by a humonguous stone door with inscriptions and images carved in it. The most prominent image was a pair of unidentified humanoid figures that held what looked like a large crystal. Eckaaso took a deep breath, and motioned at the other knights to follow him. "We need to open the door, which leads to the Crystal caves underneath. Once open, the Padawans will go inside and begin their trials" he said and turned towards the students. "Once the doors open and you get inside, you will have twenty-four hours to find your crystal, or the doors will seal once again" he said. It was obviously a lie only he and the knights knew, its purpose being to make sure the Padawans will know that they have a limit.

Spoiler: OOC

Alright, now the knights will open the doors, and the Padawans will go inside. Once all that happens, we can move to the separate threads!

 

[Fiach Dubh]

The journey into the building was uneventful. They were, for the most part, silent now and focused. Well, Fiach was for sure. The sound of distant creatures was a little disconcerting but oddly Fiach did not feel at all afraid. Maybe it was because there were so many of them? Or maybe the Force was sharing with her no reason to be concerned?

Either way, they made it to an impressive door — with various inscriptions and carvings on it. You didn’t need to be a Jedi to appreciate this was a significant entrance to something and she listened to the Knight as he explained that the crystal caves were beyond.

Twenty-four hours? That seemed a very long time and for the first time, Fiach felt intimidated. Up to a day to find a crystal? She shook her head softly, an involuntary movement and she stole a glance at the other Padawan’s to see if they were looking as uncomfortable as she felt.