Open Starlight Jedi Ascension Trials Observation — T'vani

[The Storyteller]

Open to all Jedi.
This thread is directly connected to Jedi Ascension Trials — T'vani and happens alongside it simultaneously.
All Jedi may post here to observe and comment on the trials.

Trial Participant: T'vani​

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___A return to the older days, the Jedi Order created the new Jedi Ascension Trials to foster a newfound sense of progression within the Jedi Order and provide a means to inspire everyone to strive for their best. Today was the first implementation of the Trials, and T'vani was the very first to experience them.

___The room dedicated to the Trials was a large, square room created with segmented flooring that the trial host could easily adjust to accommodate any configurations to allow on-demand adjustments for the various tests. Above, protected by a ray shield in conjunction with a deflector shield, was an observational deck to allow other members of the Jedi Order—from Initiates to Masters and everything in between—to observe and cheer for the trial's participants.

___Below, T'vani was already standing in the middle of the room, prepared to take on her series of trials.

 

[R'ashtaro]

It had been a while since R'ashtaro was last on the Starlight Beacon. It wasn't a temple he was known to frequent, but he had made a point of being there now. T'vani was undergoing her Trials to advance to the rank of Padawan. The red-coated Reiko remembered how nerve-racking it had been back when he underwent his trials. He hoped that his presence could offer the other Fiani some comfort as she went through the ordeal.

The Fiani Knight stood on the observational deck, observing the room where the Trials were held through the ray shield. There were other members of the Order there as well; the start of the new Trials caught the interest of those Jedi who had the time to set aside to be there. For now, R'ashtaro wasn't engaging in conversation with anyone, focusing instead on what was happening down below on the floor.

 

[Hiraya Manawari]

Hiraya had heard about an Ascension Trial about to take place hours prior, and decided to take a look as to what the fuss seemed to be all about. The participant was a Fiani lady he did not know, and instead of brushing it off because he had better things to do, he determined to swing by and watch.

The Tiefling, clad in standard Padawan garb, arrived quietly, for once respecting the sanctity of the Trial as he slipped into the observational deck. Clutched close to his chest was his P9-H1 droid, Itty Bitty, her photoreceptors deactivated in an imitation of sleep as she nuzzled against the Padawan. As he gazed at the large room below, he took note of the white-haired Fiani as well as the Masters and Knights who were gathered to oversee her Trials.

Hiraya stepped closer and stopped beside Master R'ashtaro, leaning forward slightly to get a better look at the room below as total darkness plunged the wide space. Tail swishing with excitement, the Tiefling's eyes comically widened as he tried - but failed - to get a good look as to what was happening below.

"Finding stuff in a super dark room? Must be fun!" murmured the Padawan excitedly, keeping his voice quiet as if afraid to break the hush that filled the observation deck. Then, looking at the Fiani Knight, Hiraya straightened his posture once more and asked, "Can you see what's happening, Master?"

@Casmer

 

[Natalie Hope]

Now this was a surprise! Mr. Jawline doing his Jedi duties, while ignoring the abhorrent food in the cafeteria. Natalie wiggled in her black robes, leaning on the railing of the observation deck. Wonder if Mr. Jawline would judge her trials? Bet he'd fail her just on her clothes. She really should spend more time with Theia to get some dirt on him. Smug, beauti- Fuck Natalie WHY!?

Shoving those thoughts deep into the pit of "never again- oh wait- I lied," Natalie turned her hazel gaze to the initiate. She was adorable! A little bright for Natalie, but adorable. Maybe it was one of those deals where she looks cute and innocent but hits you with a left hook when you aren't looking? Yeaaaaaaah, that was it. Masters of lightsabers everywhere felled by a cute girl with a fierce shin kick. Shin-Kicker was her name now.

There were a couple of other Jedi with her on the observation deck. They weren't as entertaining as the show going on below though. Her stomach growled. Still no ramen vending machines. Would it kill for the Jedi to have at least a snack machine or something!? What she wouldn't give for a big bowl of ramen, with some egg and gizka. The imaginary bowl of deliciousness made her shiver.

 

[Theia Durand]

Theia was excited to cheer on her friend T'Vani as she begun her padawan trials. She was crafty and tough, and probably one of the sweetest girls she had met so far at the temple; she knew she would make a great jedi one day. Theia dressed comfortably, she was still not fond of the padawan robes and opted for something more civilian: button down, loose white blouse, cuffed trousers, boots, and her hair had a fancy beret to pin it back. Though if one took notice, she no longer just had one padawan braid, but also several more to supplement the one she had.

She leaned against the railing, trying to keep herself from jumping up and down in her own eagerness to see T'Vani be successful. However, she had been trying to practice more stillness, and less distracted, but as she glanced around, she saw her other friend, Natalie.

"Psst...Nat!" she nearly hopped from her spot to the darkhaired elder padawan, "Hi!"

@TheDudeMike

 

[Kaedan]

Kaedan wasn't sure what to expect. He had never been to the Starlight Beacon but he was more than happy to be there to support the Jedi Initiate who was doing her testing that day. He had never met her but that didn't matter. She was a member of the same order that he was in and that alone was enough for him to want to support her.

Dressed in his padawan robes, Kaedan had entered the observatory area and watched as the trial got started. He didn't know any of the other people gathered and had no problem approaching them and introducing himself. He didn't want to do that and distract them from watching the trial though. He also wasn't sure if they'd even be kind to him. After all, none of them knew who he was. He could tell by the braids that there were padawans among him and since they were technically all padawans, maybe they would be nice. For now though, he decided to watch as the initiate was tasked with finding a lightsaber without there being light. That seemed like a challenging task to give to someone but it would be a good way to see if they could sense it with the force. Luckily, she was able to find it and that made Kaedan smile a bit.

With the first task finished, Kaedan decided it would be a good time to maybe meet some new friends. He slowly approached Natalie and Theia before waving. "Hello there. I am Kaedan." Maybe that wasn't the best start but it was something.

@TheDudeMike @GABA

 

[Natalie Hope]

Did someone just say her name? Not just her name, the abbreviated version of it! There's only one person she said could do that. Natalie turned, and her suspicions were confirmed. Her sister of the trash bins; her ride or die against little punk bitch zabrak girls, Theia. Except they were clean this time, and there were no little zabrak bitches to put the beat down on. Her eyes flickered across Theia, real quick. Maybe Natalie should invest in new clothes...

"Oh hey!" she said, trying to match Theia's excitement. It was one of the most painful things she'd ever endured. Think of something excited to get you going! Ramen! Yeah that's it! Shit.. no, now you're just more hungry. "You uh... you seem to be collecting braids." Her voice dropped to a whisper. "You're not like, collecting them from punk-ass zabrak girls are you?" Of course, she joking, and made it clear with her famous shit eating grin. "How've you been?"

Then another padawan joined them. He also had a braid. For a brief moment, Natalie hoped she would see Serial Killer Theia in action, ripping her prey apart and adding yet one more braid to her growing collection. It wasn't likely to happen, but a girl could day dream. Seriously though, was she the only padawan that didn't wear the braid!? Natalie glance at the boy. He was younger, and that pesky compassion button in the back of her head was pressed. She really ought to get that damn thing removed.

"Hey," she said, keeping her shit eating grin. "I'm Natalie, this is Theia."

@GABA @StephDLegend

 

[Elenath]

It was during the darkness portion of the Trial of Spirits that Elenath decided was a good time to enter the observation deck of T'vani's ascension trials. Sliding into a seat, the Echani smiled and closed his eyes as he recalled how he underwent a similar test many years ago. This was one that he excelled in — sensing the unseen. Unfortunately, he did very poorly with the rest of the tests, much like the second part of T'vani's trials once the lights came back on.

Now illuminated, Elenath could clearly see what his mind's eye had observed when he first entered. Most of the attendees were, in fact, also padawans. The jedi seer's light grey clothes contrasted with most of the darker garbs in the room, and he also perceived that most others had no snacks for the occasion. Likely due to the disaster that was the Starlight Beacon's mess hall. Shrugging, Elenath peeled off the top of his quick-heat ramen pack taken from his personal stash. He dug in while watching the training blaster bolts fly.

"Ooh," he commented with his mouth full of noodles. "I was terrible at this part. Actually failed the Ascension Trials my first attempt due to the physical training part. I'm sure T'vani will do well though." Elenath continued to watch with great enthusiasm as the wafting smell of broth filled the observation deck. He gave a meek, yet cheerful wave to the two padawans that he'd seen and (sort of) met some time earlier in the great Starlight Food Fight and Pool Party™. Good times.

@TheDudeMike @GABA

 

[Theia Durand]

Theia grinned widely when Nat noticed her braids, she didn't think of it, but she liked the idea that she was nabbing them from other padawans. "Yeah, totally." she glanced to see T'Vani was able to find the lightsaber and now was moving on to the next part. Though speaking of the zabrak punk, she had not seen her for a while. "I'm doing good, what about you?" she asked when another padawan popped in, introducing himself as Kaeden. Natalie quickly introduced the both of them and Theia gave a small wave and then saw another familiar face waving at her and Natalie.

Theia's brow narrowed, "Where did he find noodles." now she was getting hungry as she waved back to Elenath. She heard the snap hiss of a lightsaber and her attention turned back to T'Vani, "How did all you guys do with the ascension trials?" she asked, leaning against the rail.

@TheDudeMike @Vosrik @StephDLegend

 

[Kaedan]

Having approached the two ladies and introduced himself, Kaedan observed the older one who introduced herself as Natalie and then she introduced the other girl as Theia. From the look of it, Natalie didn't have a padawan braid. It was possible that she didn't care to wear one or she was a young Jedi Knight. Either way, it didn't matter that much. Theia on the other hand wore multiple Jedi braids which may have been a fashionable choice.

Theia had spoken to the other person around, asking him about where he had found noodles. Was it that hard to find specific food items around the space station? It was a question that Kaedan would keep in mind for awhile. Since his primary temple was Takodana, he didn't really expect to be on the Starlight Beacon that often unless he needed to be there.

Theia then asked them all how'd they do with their ascension trials. Kaedan thought back to his, remembering how much different it was from this testing that T'vani was going through. "Mine was interestingly manageable. I did good on it and my final task involved me building my lightsaber. What about you?"
@TheDudeMike @GABA @Vosrik

 

[Natalie Hope]

NOODLES!? WHERE!? Natalie searched the room, frantic with need. How the Jedi Order could go on with the shit they gave out in the cafeteria was beyond her. How was anyone supposed to focus with cardboard steak and soupy eggs? How was anybody supposed to function when the oatmeal came out green!? It was a tragedy on par with that one soap opera where some long haired hippie knight gets stabbed in the gut by a horned demon with a crazy sword. She loved that episode.

There he was. The bringer of noodles. The holder of all things good in the galaxy. A god amongst mortals. An alpha, and ome- wait no, it's just the asshole that flipped the gravity switch at the pool party, and almost drowned a bunch of padawans. They fixed the problem though, so like she GUESSED it was okay. What wasn't okay, was his holding of the sacred noodles. This canoodling would not stand in her eyes. She had to have justice.

Which was all said and good, if had actually moved to enact that justice. Instead however, she stood and stared at the noodles, completely forgetting where and who she was. By the time she remembered, Kaedon had just finished talking about building a lightsaber. "I'm noodles- fine. I'm good." she said quickly, snapping back to her noodle-less reality. She turned to Kaedan. "I'll let you know soon," she said. The trials were the only thing she was waiting on to become a Knight.

Perks of annoying the Jedi in charge of giving you the initiate trials so much they just sign the papers and let you through without them, if only to get rid of you.

@GABA @Kaedan

 

[Aranmir]

Aranmir arrived at the observation room late, the trials had already started. It was a shame for him, since the Tiefling had wanted to see how these events were going to be. After all, a new Padawan was going to join their ranks if they were approved. He wanted to show his support to them.

He approached the group that was already here. Aranmir recognized Theia and Natalie, but he had no idea of who the others were talking with the two girls. The Tiefling got near them right at the moment that Nat mentioned noodles. The Padawan wondered if the girl had something on her mind that wasn’t noodles.

"Hey, everyone!" he said, before smiling at them. "Did I miss much of the trials?" the Tiefling asked, before turning to look at the event happening in the arena. Knight Ezra Thorne was giving his evaluation. In his suit, Thorne looked like the host of a talent show. "Is it already coming to an end?"

@GABA @StephDLegend @TheDudeMike @Vosrik

 

[Lilith candorus]

It was now Lilith decided to show up, a new face to the jedi order, well sorta, she had been in the order for a while, but mostly she was just a weird recluse lady who enjoyed her books and lore searching, so she seldom was in the spotlight, or anywhere close to it. literally the jedis local old recluse, but for once she decided to attend a public event, unarmored even! the narcoleptic sentinel had decided to boast a white lab coat style coat, with a red ribbon on her hair. She was not here to pick out people to make friends with, because again, social recluse, she just wanted to watch the ascension trials, So she took a seat.




@observationpeeps

 

[Elenath]

T'vani's display in deflecting the blaster bolts was marvelous, eliciting a cheer and light clap from Elenath as he watched intently. However, he couldn't help but sense the wave of hunger and envy coming from the other side of the observation deck. Finishing the last dregs of his ramen bowl, the purple irises of the Echani flicked towards the padawans to notice Natalie gazing longingly at the cheap, yet oh-so-fulfilling cup in Elenath's hands.

A pang of guilt welled up in the jedi seer. For all his precognition and foresight, he hadn't thought of the other attendees here. Elenath felt especially bad for the padawans, who had limited personal space here on the Starlight Beacon and may not have access to their own staches of snacks and whatnot. And so, peering down at his bag, he protruded another sealed and pre-heated bowl of ramen (that he'd intended on eating too). Holding it out towards Natalie and Theia, Elenath also retrieved a pair of on-brand lightsaber chopsticks and quietly asked, "Either of you want some?" There was still plenty of time to enjoy the noodles before the end of the trials, and perhaps Theia could finally have her lightsaber...

@GABA @TheDudeMike

 

[R'ashtaro]

As T'vani's Trial went on, the observation deck slowly filled up. A stream of young Jedi - some with the tell-tale signs signifying their place as padawans of the order - had congregated. They were engaged in lively conversation amongst each other, which put a smile on R'ashtaro's face. Old memories of his own times as a padawan wisped through his mind. Times good and bad, made bearable through friendships.

Only then did R'ashtaro notice the young Tiefling who had approached him. He met the Tiefling's eyes, ears perking up as he finally grasped what the young Jedi had asked him. "Oh, I'm sorry," he said, offering the Tiefling a smile. "I was focusing on the Trials. I believe young T'vani is making good progress in the tasks she's presented with. Are you a friend of hers?"

@marshland

 

[Theia Durand]

It was as though her stomach grumbled on cue when he produced the extra ramen noodles for the two of them. "I'm so hungry..." she whispered, also knowing Nat was hungry; she had not stopped by the cafeteria and was able to avoid hallway monitor Master Agnus to sneak into the archives for some extra reading. Plus she had to wait until she got an opportunity to get off the base to get more fruit for her smoothies, to which the latter Theia was certain the holocams were now programed to pick her out when she got too close to the hangers.

Theia grinned as she handed the noodles to Nat to hold, and hopefully she didn't swallow the entire thing before she was able to take the chopsticks from Knight Elenath. Though as she thanked him, she looked closely, a pout forming on her face as she realized they were designed like lightsabers. A long sigh escaped her as she handed over the chopsticks to Nat and she turned her attention back to T'Vani who was doing great.

The next task, she heard them ask her a question and the silence hung with the tension from the audience of Jedi as they waited for her response. Theia thought about her own response to such a question, and she was instantly reminded in Ezra's voice of how impulsive she can be as she daydreamed about swinging around a lightsaber and freeing everyone from the sudden tyranny of this leader's proposal for slavery.

@Vosrik @TheDudeMike

 

[Natalie Hope]

This sweet girl. This sweet, wonderful, braided girl. The moment the cup of PRE-HEATED ramen touched Natalie's hand, she had opened the top. Next came the lightsaber chopsticks. Half the ramen was gone in an instant, practically swallowed hole. Natalie was not without conscious, though, and knew the sweet girl next to her, her Sister of the trash bin, keeper of the braids, was hungry too. Natalie held the ramen out for Theia.

"Here," Natalie said. Technically, Theia was getting more than half, because the broth was one of the best parts. Natalie wasn't going to say anything though. Suddenly, jumping in to fight that bitch of a zabrak girl in the cafeteria seemed like it was one of the best things Natalie had done as a Jedi; which was saying something! Natalie once kicked a homeless hobo out of a temple for opening a holocron of an ancient Sith butt dialing the Dark Lord at the time.

@GABA

 

[Alhazred]

Alhazred quietly slipped into the observation area like one would slip into the audience during the middle of a theatrical performace: carefully but swiftly to a seat without saying a word to anyone. As open and talkative some of the Jedi were, Alhazred couldn't help but try to maintain an air of quiet dignity and mysteriousness. Perhaps it was just a trait of his own odd species, or perhaps it was because he was just often older than most of the people around him and that age brought about a kind of restraint, or perhaps it was because he still felt like an outsider.

The seat that Alhazred found was next to the female human in what looked like a white lab coat. Alhazred felt like he somewhat recognised her, though he couldn't place where he had seen her before. Most likely in passing in a hallway. Still, the fact that she felt familiar tickled his brain slightly. A tickle that soon turned to an itch, and one that was not going to go away anytime soon. Judging by her age, he would've guessed that she was not a padawan.

Then again... Alhazred thought as he adjusted his turban slightly, musing on his own age... looks could be deceiving.

Unsure on how to start up a conversation, Alhazred went with the obvious subject matter:

"How is she doing so far?" Alhazred whispered with a slight gesture towards the trial..

@Hastur

 

[Hiraya Manawari]

Hiraya took note of the beings coming into the observation deck, but he kept his place beside the Fiani Knight. Although the older Jedi did not answer the Padawan's question immediately, the Tiefling paid it no heed. He understood that the Knight might be too focused on the proceedings below to truly hear or notice the young man's presence. Hiraya answered the Knight's preoccupation with patience and understanding for he, too, had become rather engrossed with the Initiate's progress.

The Tiefling's smile widened slightly, tail swishing behind him when the Fiani Knight finally took notice and responded to the former's question. Hiraya dipped his head politely at the Knight.

"I understand, Master," he assured the Knight, ears twitching with amusement. Crimson gaze swept back at the Initiate, his brows furrowing at the question posed her way. At the older Jedi's question, Hiraya shook his head no. "No, Master. I don't know her... at least not yet."

The young Tiefling listened to the Initiate's answer, his own pointed ears drooping in contemplation. His gaze settled back to the Knight, confusion furrowing his brows as he mulled over her response. He wondered how those judging her trials might react in response to her words, but Hiraya hoped that it would not be too severe or stern.

"I'm confused," Hiraya began. "Jedi jurisdiction doesn't exist, right? At least that's what I've been told when I became a Padawan."

@Casmer

 

[Lilith candorus]

"Oh, I kind of zoned out, so I don't know how they're doing."

She confessed, her gaze falling to him for a moment, before returning to her observations, she rested the side of her head on her fist, her elbow on the arm rest.

The sentinel would continue watching silently now, she wasn't the most conversational woman in the world. But she couldn't help but have her thoughts drift off, as she kept growing older more of her mistakes came back to haunt her.

@Narzen