Ask Yavin IV Louder Than Words

[Haldir Eressëa]

"Spicy fried tip-yip is good," he told Elidan with another smile. "It's one of my favorites."

The Knight admittedly had no idea what it was like living in an orphanage despite having visited a few with his Master. The kinds of orphanages he visited with Rudra in the past were mixed, often with ones were children were in good living conditions while others weren't. He felt a pang of sadness for the young half-Sephi as he shared some of his experiences as an orphan, mostly when it came to food. There were orphanages that were funded by the government – and generously so – but there were also others whose form of support only came from volunteers and donations. Haldir didn't have to wonder were the orphanage Elidan was from lay, if only because of the Padawan's mention of foods being served on repeat.

The Arkanian was glad that the young man had been introduced into the Order, if only to spare the half-Sephi from the fate most orphans like him found themselves in.

He watched patiently as the teenager signed responses, and Haldir couldn't help but chuckle again when Elidan mentioned that he could only cook eggs and rice. The Knight had to learn the basics as a child, and while his current skills weren't really comparable to that of a highly-skilled chef he could still proudly say that he was a decent cook.

"Well, we all have to start from the basics, haven't we?" signed the Arkanian before rising from his seat after Elidan had asked yet another question – this time about the types of food Haldir was used to cooking. "All this talk about food is making me hungry," he said with a grin. "So in response to your question, why don't I show you instead? You'll get one part of an answer, and we'll get to partake on what we're going to cook."

Like he'd told the Padawan, cooking was a vital skill. If there was something Haldir could teach Elidan, maybe this was it. It was why he included the half-Sephi in the first place. Perhaps Elidan wasn't expecting for their conversation to end up like this, but the other Knights always told Haldir to teach whatever he could to the Padawan learners. Cooking didn't equate to combat, but it was still a skill to be taught and learned, correct?

"Follow me, young Elidan," he signed to the Padawan and added, "but only if you're interested. You don't have to if you're not."

The half-Sephi was free to choose. If Elidan was interested, Haldir would wait for him to stand and the Padawan would find himself walking side by side with the Arkanian Knight towards the kitchen. If Elidan wasn't, however, Haldir wouldn't begrudge him for it and the Knight would head for the Temple's kitchens anyway since he was actually feeling hungry.

@LouJoVi

 

[Elidan]

Elidan smiled when Haldir said that he also liked fried tip-yip. The half-Sephi remembers when he tasted it for the first time. He was still living at the Temple of Ajan Kloss and one day the lunch had this meat. At first he was unsure of it, but after tasting the first piece, the boy thought that it was wonderful.

When the Knight said that this conversation was making him hungry, Elidan’s stomach decided to announce its agreement. The Padawan blushed a bit with it, hoping that Haldir would not have heard the sound. The half-Sephi thought that perhaps he could invite the masked man to go have lunch with him, this way they could continue this conversation.

He didn’t expect that Haldir would invite him to go to the kitchen to learn how to cook. “Of course, I would love that.” Elidan always loved learning new things, except if these things were math and engineering. Of course he would agree with the opportunity of learning how to make other types of dishes.

Elidan would follow Haldir while they walked toward the kitchens. The Padawan was curious to know what the masked man was going to cook.. While they walked, the half-Sephi decided to continue their conversation. “What planets have you already visited?” since he rarely left the Temple, the boy always liked to hear stories of other Jedi about the places that they visited.

@Forsythe Crowholde

 

[Haldir Eressëa]

Haldir pretended not to hear the sentiments of an empty stomach and instead offered Elidan a grateful smile and nod. There was an air of enthusiasm from the Padawan, a sure confirmation that the Knight had done the right thing by inviting the half-Sephi. If truth be told the Arkanian shared Elidan's desire to continue their conversation, and Haldir was glad to add learning a new skill for the Padawan to acquire during their discussion.

Very well, he thought to himself as the two of them made their way out of the library, a datapad each in their grip, and towards the kitchen. Haldir excused himself and Elidan to the female Archivists spying on the two Jedi, unaware that the red on the human and the shade of yellow-green on the Mirialan's cheeks were caused by the Knight shedding half of his mask. With the Knight being strictly secretive of his background (the major details only known by his Padawan Willa), the half-Sephi's differing hypotheses were proven right (keeping the full image of his face a secret) and wrong (the disfigurement theory).

The Arkanian Knight, however, wouldn't bother explaining why he partly unmasked for a Padawan he had just interacted with. He was sure that the Archivists who caught glimpses of what they could see of Haldir's face would speculate about many things, and mostly about the Padawan being the Knight's student. If truth be told he just felt comfortable around Elidan, someone who was also well-versed in silence. While there were Knights, Masters, and Padawans who knew how to sign, interacting with someone who shared the same selective mutism just felt vastly different and more meaningful.

His former Master's lifespan had given the Morellian decades to learn and master the Force, and to learn from other species who utilized the Force. As such, Rudra had been adept with using Force Sight, a skill he had passed on to Haldir. The Morellian Knight had been constantly worried about the Arkanian's sight that was almost always obscured by a thin swathe of black bandages or his peripheral vision severly limited by a rigid mask. So even with his vision partly obstructed by the black bandages that covered the upper half of his face, Haldir employed Force Sight to help himself see the path ahead better and to recognize whoever he and Elidan passed by.

The young man was signing a new question, Haldir noticed, and he was quick to respond.

"Far too many to count, for the whole duration of my life as a Jedi and up to this very day," he prefaced with an honest smile. "Though I can say that I've visited the Outer and Mid Rims more than the Core Worlds. Tatooine has been kind of a pilgrimage site for the Jedi considering the Jedi Master and Jedi Knight turned Sith Lord grew up there. Then there's Felucia, Dathomir, Wayland, Dagobah, Kashyyyk, Jedha, Bakura, to name a few... and Lwhekk, of all places." The list would have gone on and on if he continued. His obscured gaze fell on the Padawan. "I assume you rarely left the Temple, even more so given the Jedi Order's mandates in light of past and recent events. Am I mistaken with my assumption?"

There were Padawans who found themselves overstepping their lines, after all, with Denon from a few years back still resounding strongly with some Knights and a few Masters. A Padawan had endangered civilians during the planet's defense which led to said Padawan and his companion injured – and not to mention the dead civvies.

@LouJoVi

 

[Elidan]

Elidan followed Haldir out of the library. While they walked toward rhe exit, the Padawan noticed the two librarians staring at them. He knew the look on their faces, it was like how he used to be when ashamed. The half-Sephi was curious. Why were they acting this way?.

Maybe the librarians were ashamed that they were seen spying on him and the Knight. Beyond the shame, the only other circumstance that Elidan acts this way is when Zana was close to him. This happened because he had a crush on her and thought that she was pretty. He wondered if the two were thinking that Haldir was handsome.

While they walked toward the kitchen, Elidan paid close attention to what the masked man was saying. The Knight had visited so many planets. “You are right. I rarely leave the Jedi Temple. The only times that it happens is when I go on a field trip or on some small mission with a Knight.” this was the worst part of not having a master, he couldn’t do much, staying most of the time there.

Thinking about the necessity of having a master, Elidan remembered the conversation that he had early with Haldir. An idea started to form in his mind. Before he could decide against it, the half-Sephi signed to the Knight. “Would you like to be my Master?” he knew that the man already had a Padawan, but due to the small number of Jedi that could train the next generations, many were starting to teach more than one. Perhaps Haldir would like to be his Master. If not, well Elidan would continue searching for one.

@Forsythe Crowholde

 

[Haldir Eressëa]

Elidan's confirmation had proven Haldir's assumption correct. It wasn't a surprising revelation given the Order's mandates, but it didn't stop some Padawans from ignoring said mandates in favor of venturing out on their own. Curiosity and the desire to travel without constraints were things the younger members of the Jedi Order were prone to displaying, and they weren't going to disappear anytime soon.

Upon his return to the Order, Haldir had brushed up on everything he'd missed during his departure from the Jedi fold. From the invasion of Denon to a group of Jedi being waylaid on Ajan Kloss. The Arkanian blamed no one for the things that needed to happen. Fate, after all, was something not everyone could battle head on. Losses were taken and lessons were learned. The improving defenses of the Jedi Temple here on Yavin IV was an answer to the tragedy on Ajan Kloss. Haldir hoped that the same tragedy wouldn't befall this very temple he walked on – the temple he now called home.

Beside him, he felt the Force swell around Elidan like an overflowing river. The Padawan seemed to be contemplating something, and when he signed a new question Haldir let out an audible 'hmm'. If the Knight was caught off guard by the question he hid it perfectly well behind the smile he wore throughout his conversation with the half-Sephi. Through the Force Haldir was felt like a placid lake, quiet and undisturbed. Concealed by the calm mask, however, was a feeling of surprise – and a pleasant one, too.

The pair reached the kitchen, all the while Haldir keeping the response to himself. He wasn't opposed to taking another Padawan, and Elidan's bold move amused the Knight greatly. The half-Sephi reminded the Arkanian of himself when he was recently elevated to Padawan rank. The way Elidan asked Haldir mirrored what the Knight had done with Rudra in the past.

It was rather nostalgic, the Padawan's question and the way he asked it.

The kitchen currently lacked most of it's usual buzz of activity. Save for a few staff, the cooking area was quiet. Some of the cooks were catching up on their own meals, and they greeted the pair of Jedi as Haldir led Elidan into the main kitchen.

Another Padawan learner under his wing... Willa would definitely turn out to be the talkative, extroverted one out of their group of three. They would make for a rather peculiar group, now that he thought about it.

The Knight took off his gloves and stuffed them in his robe's pocket. Haldir raised one pale hand and, channeling the Force, floated an unused wok and a spatula towards him and placed the former on top of the stove. Then, in one of the many voices he used when speaking with those who did not understood sign language, asked,

"Are there any leftover rice from breakfast?"

A towering male Zabrak with orange skin waved a hand in response, and a bowl of cold rice floated over towards Haldir. The cook resumed eating, gaze fixed on the datapad in front of him. With a word of thanks, the Arkanian turned to face Elidan, the smile ever present on the Knight's face.

"It would be my honor," he finally replied to the half-Sephi's question. Speaking once more, he added, "But in turn you would have to keep a secret."

The Knight signed at Elidan to retrieve three eggs, two carrots, a small bag of peas, cooking oil, onion, spring onion, and two cloves of garlic. The rest of the ingredients were within reach. Haldir looked up when a voice called out from the kitchen, and moments later the Zabrak left. With only him and Elidan in the kitchen, Haldir shot the Padawan a rather mischievous smile.

If he were to take the half-Sephi as Willa's Padawan brother, then Elidan – like Willa – was entitled to hear the Knight's real voice.

"Have you tried egg fried rice before?"

With Haldir verbally speaking, he signed a kind, understanding reminder to Elidan.

"You don't have to verbally speak just because I'm currently doing so. If I am to be your Master – and like I've said earlier, it would be my honor – you have to recognize my true voice from the ones I am using. There are only three of you in the entirety of the Jedi Order who have heard it, excluding my former Master."

His face would be revealed next, but it would depend entirely on Elidan's answer. Willa had seen Haldir's face prior to them becoming Master and Padawan, and it would only be fair for Elidan to know the face of his new Master.

@LouJoVi

 

[Elidan]

Haldir’s lack of reaction made Elidan become a bit apprehensive. He thought that if the masked man wanted to refuse, he would already have said no. The Jedi Knight didn’t seem to be mad with his question. Through the Force, the Padawan could feel that Haldir was calm.

The Padawan thought that this could mean that Haldir was thinking about this possibility, trying to think how he should answer it. Even with him reaching this conclusion, Elidan still felt nervous and hearing the masked man’s “hmm” wasn’t helping him calm down. By now, the half-Sephi’s ears were constantly twitching.

When they arrived at the kitchen, Haldir still hadn't answered the Padawan’s question. There were few people working, being perfect for Elidan. He was already nervous due to the Knight’s lack of reaction and being around strangers would make him feel even more uncomfortable.

After he heard the Knight talk, Elidan stared wide eyed at him. Was it Haldir’s voice? The masked man told him that he had selective mutism, but the Padawan didn’t think that he was going to hear it so soon. The half-Sephi was still so confused by it that he barely noticed the smile on the man's lips and the signs that he made.

Haldir had accepted Elidan as his Padawan!

A smile appeared on the half-Sephi lips, matching the one that Haldir had. He finally had a Master! The Padawan didn’t understand exactly what secret the masked man wanted him to keep, but nodded in agreement. Then, he went to pick the ingredients that his Master had asked him.

He was so happy to have one!

Once again, the Padwan stared wide eyed at Haldir. The Knight had spoken to him again, but this time using another voice. Elidan knew that there was a Force ability that allowed someone to change their voice, but he never saw it. This was interesting and made him wonder if he could learn how to do it someday. “I’ll guard you secret.” he signed to his Master. Elidan knew that he should talk with Haldir, but he still couldn’t do it. Perhaps someday he would find the will to do it.

@Forsythe Crowholde

 

[Haldir Eressëa]

It was not Haldir's intention to unnerve or make the Padawan feel nervous and uncomfortable by not replying immediatelty to the latter's question. The Knight simply lacked the sense to be prompt when needed – given the Arkanian's own social ineptness he most often than not let others' perceptions about him go over his head, nor their feelings towards him. As such, his eyes widened beneath their concealment when he felt the half-Sephi's happiness when the young man realized that Haldir had agreed to be his Master.

It was the same kind of happiness he felt from Willa when they became Master and Padawan. He thought about how he would break the news to her about not being his only Padawan any longer, but she was a good person. She would definitely accept Elidan with open arms, and Haldir reminded himself to prepare for any good-natured jokes Willa might throw his way for taking a Padawan who was as silent as him. With Elidan's selective mutism, Haldir hoped that the Padawan would come trust both the Knight and Willa, and for the half-Sephi to find both courage and will to speak.

For his part, Haldir would not even try to hasten the process. He would work hard to build trust between him and Elidan as much as he would with Willa. The Arkanian would not even think of putting either of his Padawans in danger to force and foster the trust he gave them. He would let them trust in him, have faith in him, on their own accord. And as long as they were under his wing, he would protect them with his life.

"Thank you, Elidan," he told the half-Sephi when the latter handed him the ingredients he needed. The wide-eyed stare Elidan was giving him made the Knight chuckle in amusement. Haldir began prepping the ingredients for the egg fried rice, chopping what needed to be chopped, before beginning the actual cooking. He made sure to relay to the Padawan every process involved in cooking the dish – he'd told the half-Sephi that he would teach him how to cook, after all.

Haldir could sense that Elidan was surprised to hear him speak so soon, but the half-Sephi – now the Arkanian's Padawan – had every right to hear his Master's true voice. The Knight had long since been comfortable in Elidan's presence that he found that he didn't mind verbally speaking immediately. Perhaps the half-Sephi's boldness at asking Haldir in a straightforward manner added to his complacency. The number of people outside his family who knew his true voice – and his face – was slowly growing. Under normal circumstances he would feel uneasy, but Haldir's own rebellious feelings towards the family traditions and rules he was meant to uphold emboldened him. He would still prefer to keep the numbers low if ever he found the will to join the Shadows. The skills that were drilled into his mind and body would be a great fit for the Jedi's covert squad.

He didn't want to commit though, not yet. He only had Willa to teach at first, but now that Elidan was in the picture Haldir couldn't afford to leave the two of them behind for covert ops – or worse, if he was killed in action. Willa already lost Master Tionson, and Elidan lost almost everyone he knew in Ajan Kloss. Haldir now felt the weight of responsibility he had to carry, and he made a silent promise to his Padawans that he would try not to get killed while they were still learning from him. He had to do right by them.

He smiled at Elidan's signed words, sincere and grateful. He put the spatula down and turned off the stove, the egg fried rice now done. He'd been a little lost in his thoughts that he'd belatedly realized that he was done cooking.

"Can you get us two rice bowls and two spoons? Thank you," he told Elidan, still using his real voice to speak. He could feel other people outside the kitchen but felt no intention from them of entering. It was still safe for him to speak, and as more of the presence outside departed from the kitchen to the dining area, Haldir felt that it would be equally safe for him to fully remove his mask.

And that was what he did.

In one swift motion Haldir brought the bandages covering the upper half of his face down with one pale hand revealing to Elidan a pair of pale blue eyes. Snow white hair fell over his eyes with the absence of the half-mask.

"This is one of the things you'll have to keep a secret from everyone," he finally told the Padawan. Though Haldir was smiling, Elidan would feel that he was serious. "There are three of you now in the Order who know my voice and my face – Willa Kanz, my first Padawan, and Knight Crix Aran. You can ask me anything else, or anything more.

"I told Willa that I will not have her trust me without knowing who I am as a person, and that I will not do the same. It's one of my few requirements for my Padawan – and now you make two. On my and Willa's first proper meeting, we asked each other about ourselves, and most of the questions were personal. I believe that's one process of knowing another person. Trust will either be forged stronger or disappear from then on. You don't have to answer any of my questions that you're not comfortable with, and I will not force the answers from you.

"Now, my Padawan: Have you more questions to ask? I will answer them to the best of my abilities."

@LouJoVi

 

[Elidan]

Elidan was still perplexed with Haldir’s real voice. The fact that the man revealed it to him showed that he already trusted his Padawan. The half-Sephi hoped that he would not do something idiot to break this trust. He would do everything to not disappoint his Master.

After Haldir asked him to pick the rice and spoons, Elidan nodded and moved to pick it. When he returned, the half-Sephi saw that his Master had removed his mask. Now the Padawan was certain that the Arkanian trusted him. This revelation made him even more curious to know why he covered his face.

While Haldir spoke, Elidan could understand that these gestures had great importance. So few individuals knew his Master face and true voice. “I’ll keep this secret.” the Padawan felt honored for being one of them. He wanted to be able to use his voice to say it to the Arkanian, but he couldn’t. The half-Sephi hoped to one day be able to do it.

When his Master asked he had more questions, Elidan decided to make the one that was plaguing him since they had met at the Library. “Why do you use a mask?” the half-Sephi would understand if Haldir didn’t want to answer this one. It could be something private that not even his padawan could know.

 

[Haldir Eressëa]

With both hands now free, the Knight signed a quick "Thank you" to the Padawan before taking one of the proferred rice bowls. He began to serve Elidan his portion before Haldir took some of his own. Haldir then led Elidan to the table the Zabrak from earlier had vacated, and the two would find themselves sitting beside each other, a contrast to their sitting arrangement in the Library.

The black bandages that acted as Haldir's mask were hanging 'round his neck, and he made no move to remove it in case someone else waltzed into the kitchen.

The Arkanian Offshoot took a spoonful of fried rice, gently blew on it to let it slightly cool, then took his first bite. Haldir was not one to brag about any of his skills – and he never even thought about doing so – but once Elidan would take a bite of his own share of food the half-Sephi would find that the dish, despite its simplicity, actually tasted good. The Knight wouldn't comment about his own cooking, though, having been used to it ever since he acquired the skill.

"Thank you, Elidan," Haldir told his new Padawan moments later. Elidan and Willa wouldn't know it yet – nor would they in the nearest future – but Haldir greatly appreciated their words and promises. Letting them hear his true voice – let alone the magnitude of willingly showing them his face – showed that he already had some degree of trust to the half-Sephi and half-Morellian despite his code of not trusting another soul without knowing who they were as a person. Maybe it was another sign that the Arkanian was slowly outgrowing the strict codes and laws his clan imposed on him. While he actively broke the most important teachings of Clan Erennor, Haldir felt that his actions were now more than simply rebelling against the family (parents and the rest of the clan, his brothers excluded) who disowned him for following his heart.

Elidan's question was not unexpected, and it was amusing in the sense that his first Padawan had asked the Arkanian about his voice instead of his face. Haldir's smile widened at the fact presented to him – his Padawans were an interesting pair. They both held curiosity about his secretive nature but their priorities weren't exactly matched. Or were they, since Elidan's question seemed to be the continuation of Willa's despite her claims of not asking about the mask nor his face?

In a straightforward manner much like he did with his first, the Knight answered the Padawan's question. "My family belongs to a clan who produces spies and double agents. The Erennor Clan then offers their services to the Sector Rangers for covert operations." Haldir paused to take another bite of the fried rice. In a display that was unexpected of the usually stoic, prim, and proper Arkanian, he continued to speak while chewing the last of the spoonful of fried rice. "Showing our face and using our true voice with outsiders around are one of the gravest misconducts an Erennor could commit, since we're only to trust our family and our family alone. I've been doing this since I was five."

Haldir would've asked Elidan about the cause for the latter's selective mutism, but the half-Sephi had already talked about it – which, in itself, was already a personal information he had shared. Instead the Knight opted to give the floor to the Padawan first and let Elidan ask anything he was curious about.

@LouJoVi

 

[Elidan]

After Haldir finished cooking, Elidan followed his Master toward a table. The food that the man made was smelling so good that the stomach of the Padawan once again made a sound. When they sat, the half-Sephi would wait for the Knight to eat first. Only then he would take a spoonful of it.

Before bringing it to his mouth, the Padawan would blow it up so he could eat it without burning himself. When it was good enough, Elidan brought the spoon to his mouth. While he chewed the rice, the half-Sephi closed his eyes. It was delicious! He hoped that his Master would teach him how to cook it.

Elidan paid close attention to Haldir’s explanation for why he used the mask. The half-Sephi couldn't imagine how it was to spend nearly the entire life without being able to reveal his face to anyone else, except to his family. He wondered if it was a burden for his Master. If it was, he was happy to share it with him.

Would not take much time for Elidan to eat all the fried rice. “It was delicious! Can you teach me how to make it?” talking about being taught, the half-Sephi remembered something important. “When will we start my training?” he couldn’t wait to start it!

@Forsythe Crowholde

 

[Haldir Eressëa]

His new Padawan seemed content to listen to the Knight speak and explain the reason behind the mask. From the corner of his eyes Haldir could see Elidan enjoying the fried rice, smiling as the half-Sephi closed his eyes for a moment to savor the food. The sight reminded the Arkanian Offshoot of his younger brother, and the smile on his face turned a little brighter than it already was.

He didn't know what Elidan was thinking regarding this new glimpse into his new Master's life. Haldir refrained from getting a read on the young man through the Force, paying respect to the half-Sephi's thoughts and opinions on the matter. What mattered to the Knight at the moment was that he had been given a new opportunity to help another Padawan by taking Elidan under his wing. That, and Elidan visibly liked the food cooked for him.

Well, the auburn-haired teen finished the entire bowl in record time, and Haldir was close behind. He saw what the Padawan had signed to him and it prompted a soft chuckle from the Knight. "Of course." Then, as if seemingly remembering something important, Elidan asked about his training.

Placing his empty rice bowl behind him, Haldir proceeded to lift the mask from around his neck to cover the upper half of his face once more. He rose from his seat, then raised a brow and smiled at the Padawan's eagerness.

That was a good sign. A very good sign, indeed.

"Given that your Padawan sister is close to achieving Knighthood," he said by way of response, the tone of his voice amused and almost raising a challenge for the half-Sephi to grab with both hands, "we'll start tomorrow. Pack some clothing and necessities and meet me in the hangar in two hours."

With that, Haldir shot Elidan another smile before turning on his heels and leaving. He had his own preparations to make.

[End Thread]
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@LouJoVi