[Flashback 1023ABY] Gone with the Great Wind

[Resolute\\.ZEN]

Ze'kyre leaned back in his seated position, and looked up to see the stars himself. Alright then, a few more minutes. He thought about what might be happening for his brothers in sisters of the Order. Regret was not something the monk felt however, despite staying longer than he had intended, clearly it had been meant to be, and even thought he had only just met Nakoma today he somehow knew they would be close for a very long time to come. The notion warmed him, and with a soft smile he reclaimed his position lying beside the young woman, setting the flute down to his left.

"Not quite, it will take us a while to get to the city. It is not too far, but a days travel at the least." If they jogged for most of the daylight. "But when you do find yourself amongst the stars it may at first be startling." He revisited his first moment upon a space shuttle. It had been rather frightening, and exhilarating all at the same time, to realize that Thyrsus was no longer anything more than the furthest spec of dust, growing further the whole time he travelled to Coruscant. The monk remembered the way the stars had stretched out when the ship had entered warp, and a chuckle escaped him as he imagined what Nakoma's face would look like when she saw the same scene for the first time.

The trees continued to sway, as if they could still hear the final chord, their branches reaching out to brush past and obscure the sight of certain stars and constellations. "But it will be inspiring to see all that you will come to fight for. Their are many young Jedi waiting to bring the Universe back to balance. I think you will make a lot of friends within the Order." Ze'kyre had always been a bit of a loner himself. His charismatic master and mentor had helped him to come out of his shell during his time as her padawan, but it was not until today that he had known what it was like to completely let go of your barriers, or even forget they were there. He enjoyed the sense of closeness Nakoma brought out of him, and somehow knew that even though he would be teaching her the ways of battle and balance, he also had a lot to learn from her.

Lifting his arms and placing his hands behind his head, he willed the feeling of serenity to continue on. He knew in the morning he would have to return to his duties as a Jedi, resharpen himself and prepare for the journey back. He knew somehow that the daughter of the Hidden Forest was prepared to leave, as her tribe must truly have prepared her for this day since her birth, but it still felt harsh to have to take her from such an abundant life. Ze'kyre turned his head and looked at her. Nakoma's amber eyes were full of adventure and he could see her imagination at work.

His lazy grin widened. "You must be very excited. I could not imagine, to finally meet the day you were born waiting for. I feel very fortunate to be the one to find you, Nakoma."

 

[Wolf]

The serenity in the air came to rest upon the pair as they lay looking up at the future. The reality of what lie ahead in the coming days would have been enough to knock anyone off of that roof, but Nakoma was not just anyone. She couldn't allow herself to be. Even as a child, she sought refuge in the cave behind the falls and more often than not, practiced her goodbyes in that hidden place. She was ready and would go now if Ze'kyre had asked. She finally knew what her callling was. She was to be a Jedi. The word itself felt regal and implied much more than the young woman understood at the moment. "A long journey begins first in your heart, Nakoma." She recalled the words of her mother who had always encouraged her to follow the internal compass that the Great Wind had placed within her.

As Ze'kyre reclined and joined her in watching the incredible display painted so far above them, Nakoma imagined meeting so many others that would eventually become her new family. This added to the excitement she felt. The Jedi beside her was right, she was at the threshold that separated all things familiar and the destiny that had been foretold so long ago. "I feel very fortunate to be the one to find you, Nakoma." The words were rich with a warmth that the young woman had quickly grown to appreciate over the course of their day together. She smiled from somewhere deep within herself and it swept across her lips like a beautiful rainstorm in the midst of the Growing season. She felt the same way about this man. She had tried in vain for years to create him in her mind, but none of those that she imagined could compare with him.

Nakoma's breathing slowed as she relaxed even deeper into the soft thatching that covered the wooden roof. "Thank you for this time", she relayed mentally, her internal voice as gentle as the breeze to which the branches swayed overhead. The young woman turned her head so that her eyes came to rest upon the Jedi's face. She smiled as the starlight enhanced the depth of the warrior's eyes. "I'm glad you found me..." her words trailed off as she turned her head back and her eyes followed to the sky above. Just then, the most wonderful thing happened. From the corner of their window to the sky, a brilliant silver star streaked through the night and disappeared behind the branches of the mighty trees. Nakoma's eyes widened and she gasped with joy at the sight. "Did you see it?!" she questioned him with very apparent glee.

As the village around them slipped deeper into sleep and the two of them remained in that perfect moment, Nakoma felt her eyes grow heavy. She fought them to stay open, but was quickly losing the battle. Another yawn escaped her and she thought just closing her eyes for a moment would not hurt anything. Breathing in deeply, her heart rate began to drop to a slow, steady rhythm akin to the deep beating of the drums around the sacred fire. Her breathing became deep and rhythmic as her mind began to take her soul to the Land of Dreams. Unintentionally, the Laku'na had now fallen asleep in the same place that she had done so countless times since she was a child. As Nakoma was drifting off, Ze'kyre inched closer to the woman and gently slipped an arm beneath her head. The she did not wake but turned instead to her side so that she came to rest against the body of the Jedi. The warmth that built between them was as comforting as the fire they had enjoyed that evening and it quickly caused Ze'kyre to drift off in a journey to the Land of Dreams with the princess of the Laku'na sleeping in his arms.