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[Jade the Protector]

Place: Tython
Time: Morning
Location: Newly built part of Temple


It had been a week since she was brought to the med bay in Tython. She had been taken to Ilium by Kiro Snow, but was moved to Tython when she was partly healed. The Jedi in Ilium thought she would heal faster in a forested, warmer area rather than the cold of Ilium.

When Erin was assigned her own room, she was stunned at first. She had never had a room to herself, if she did, it was a mere closet. Most of her sleeping life was spent in a cell or a shared room with about six other slaves. Erin was told she could decorate her room if she wanted, but the girl was unsure how to find what was to her liking.

And this is where her new chapter begins:

Erin woke up to the sun streaming boldly through her open window. Sitting up, she sat there for several minutes feeling the warmth before getting out of bed. Part of her brain urged her to get ready quickly, but Erin took her time, she had been told she wasn't a slave anymore, that she didn't need to serve others. The breeze flew into the room with a gentle "woosh," ruffling her unbrushed hair, making her giggle a bit.
She felt free....

Freedom...... such a strange word, well to her anyways. She still had a lack of understanding, but with time, comes knowledge.

Erin brush her hair, got dressed and generally, got ready for the day. Once she was set, Erin walked out of the room and stood for a moment in the hall, unsure what to do. Her stomach growled, well, she knew what to do next, but where was the cafeteria?

Smells permeated through the halls, the smell of cooked food. Turning to the left, Erin followed the smells till she found the place she was looking for. Going to the buffet table, she paused for a moment. What would she choose? After several minutes, she grabbed a tray and took some fruit, tater tots, ham, and some kind of warm liquid. However, she didn't take much, not wanting to force someone to go without.

Sitting at a table a distance away from the crowd, Erin watched as people milled about. When ever anyone approached her table, she instinctively placed her arms around her food.
She was afraid someone would take it from her, afraid this was all a trick of the mind.
Erin found herself eating quickly before placing the tray with other used ones. Looking around, she noticed some glanced at her strangely, but why?

Her stomach churned and she ended up throwing up. Erin stood from her bent position and sank into the chair. A cleaning lady came with a droid and started to clean the mess. "No, Miss, I can..." Erin started, but the lady shook her head.
"It's alright, Little One, you just relax." The messed cleaned, the lady and the droid went to the kitchen.
Erin sat there, a bit shaky and feeling back for making a mess. She would hear some of the other people whispering among themselves.

 

[Wit]

Not far from where the young girl, at least she looked young to him, had thrown up, another Jedi was sitting and eating in silent seclusion. Valin didn't really have any friends on Tython. Will he did have one, more than a friend really, but she was in no condition to be walking to the mess to get lunch with him. Not that she would have done that if she had been able to, she pretty much hated his guts right now. Everyone he had known as a padawan growing up on Tython was gone, most of them died in the fight against the Sith, some had met a worse fate. Either way, the point was that Valin was left with just himself for company on the Jedi planet. And he was fine with that.

Having finished his food, he walked up to the counter to return his tray, stopping close to where the girl was sitting. Setting down his tray, he was about to turn around and leave when he sensed the glanced aimed towards him. Or was it towards the girl? He could sense her unease, it was like a beacon in the Force, and in a room full of Jedi that would probably attract more attention than stripping down and dancing naked on one of the tables.

Stopped besides the girl on his way out, he tossed her a ripe green fruit he had picked up from the counter and tossed it to her. You're too jumpy, too anxious. They can all sense it, it intrigues them. He continued walking again, pulling out another one of the fruits from a pocket and biting into it as he moved. Better move, I'd give you five minutes before you are surrounded by the eager brats....Don't worry, they probably mean well. Most probably want to help. Saying so he moved on, making his way towards one of the gardens scattered all over the temple grounds.

 

[Jade the Protector]

Erin caught the fruit and nodded at the man. Taking a bite, she tasted the sweet juices that went down her throat.
The man walked another direction as he finished speaking. Erin decided to walk out of the cafeteria, heading towards the outer steps of what part of the Temple that was standing. She finished the fruit and tossed the core into the woods, the seeds would grow into a small grove of fruit trees.

She thought about what the man said, about her being jumpy. Could you blame her though? She wasn't too fond of crowds, or people for that matter.

"If you have seen what I've seen, could you blame me?" She said in a soft tone of voice to no one in particular. "What I've felt, sometimes feels like a pelt."

 

[Talon maara]

"If you have seen what I've seen, could you blame me?"

The girl muttered ever so softly, but yet loud enough for the jedi to over hear as he approached slowly.

"as a matter of fact yes..."

The jedi known as Kip Koom, replied stepping to her side he maintained his sense of direction not looking to her or her direction.

"We all are slaves in a past life, one way or another..."

Looking down to the girl, the Neti smiled softly with his eyes.

"One would say even now....we are slaves....to even something simple as our own destiny."

Introducing himself he changed his staff from his right hand to his left and reached out for a greeting.

"Kip, kip koom."

Kip was a gentle old neti that over time had become very nurturing and loving, very far from his early Sith years that is. Kip had a love for the younger persons who freely went about learning the jedi lifestyle and practiced its arts.

 

[Jade the Protector]

"Erin Trask." The girl said. "I've observed that while we are slave as you say, some seem to have a grasp and control over their destinies." she still wasn't sure about the whole shaking hands thing yet, so she just gave a nod. "I'm told I'm free, but I don't know what to do with it."

She looked up at Kip for a moment before turning her gaze to the forest, where she wanted to wander, but wasn't sure it was allowed. "This is the first time I've seen so many trees and plants. Most planets I'm from tended to be desert with very few plants." She took a deep breath, mentally silencing the voice in her mind that tried to tell her to be quiet, that she was still a slave. She focused her thoughts on the forest around them, the peace and calmness it projected
"I.. like how calm it is here, no one seems to be in a rush." Her stomach churned in protest to the fruit. She gagged a bit, but kept it down.


A particular plant caught her eye, a tree with purple flower clusters. Walking over, she ran her fingers over the soft petals and gave a brief smile as she smell the sweet scent from it.

"what kind of plant is this..... Kip?" She had hesitated before saying his name.

 

[Talon maara]

"No one has control over their destiny, only if the force wills it, shall one have even the slightest say."

Kip was a firm. Believer in the force and its role in everyday lives, even in fate and destiny itself.

"My past as a slave, was far more dark than i care to think about...."

Kip paused for a moment in silence, remembering his many years following the sith order from birth till he was middle aged when he was converted by the Jedi's Grand master. Reaching out he placed his hand on the girls shoulder and let a slight smile out.

"Dont let your past hinder your future."

Looking up as the girl approached the flower he wondered.

"Hhmmm? That i dont know. But it sure is beautiful. I tend to enjoy the Floras presence and beauty."

Reaching out he too smelt the flowers essence.

(Inhales with a slight smile)

"Sweet...."

 

[Jade the Protector]

She smiled and gave the Jedi a nod. "I've never seen anything like these plants. My masters were mostly desert dwellers, some had gardens, but the plants were nothing compared to what is here." She thought about Kip's words, she was beginning to understand the concept of destiny. "If you'll permit my asking, Kip, how does the force control our destiny?"

Erin looked at towards the upper branches, seeing a bird on the branch over her head. Seemingly on impulse, she reached out to the bird. The bird tweeted once and flew away to another tree. The girl had the strange urge to follow it, but why? She shook away the impulse only for it to return when she saw another bird.

She settled for watching it fly about, a longing in her chest.

 

[Talon maara]

"How? Does it you ask?"

Kip smirked at the girls question

"The force flows through us, both you and i. Like it does these trees, these birds. Even this stone."

Kip reached down grabbing a handful of small pebbles letting each drop from his hand until one remained. Holding it in the middle of his palm, not to emplace it inbetween his fingers, restricting its path. But with an open palm, treating even it with love, respect and admiration.

"The force....lives in us all. Its what grants us the abilities we use so lightly."

Regardless of kip being a well seasoned jedi of the order, he never fully followed the orders teachings, Nor its commands. A rebel, he could be considered to some, and stubborn to others.

Looking to the birds he commented.

"Beautiful...isnt she....shes quit nervous for her size..."

Kip had a way with communicating with animals and plants alike. By using the force he was able to use them as he pleased. Animal bond/friendship and plant surge was what hed use in such situations but alas. He wouldnt entice the bird into anything she didnt want nor feel comfotable to do.

"Dont be afraid..."

He mentioned to Erin.

"These grounds are safe to roam."

 

[Jade the Protector]

Erin tipped her head as he explained the force. She regarded the small pebble with interest. "I see, the force is like the water in a planet. It's everywhere and in everything." she followed the bird, being careful not to scare it. She sat on the roots of a large tree and looked up at the branches above. a small bird alighted on her left shoulder. "Hello." Erin spoke softly. The bird tweeted in response. It was a small, plain thing, a sparrow of some sort.

She picked up a rock and thought about what Kip said about the force. "The force flows through us, at least that's what Kip said." She rambled to the bird. "Reminds me of water, but.... what happens when their is no water? Is there a such thing as no force somewhere?"

On a spur of thought, she climbed the tree. She went to the highest branch, despite the bird chirping frantically with warning. "I've seem students here do this all the time, how bad can it be..... woah!" she looked down and regretted it. Her heart pounded with fear, she gripped the swaying branch, unsure what to do.
"Master Kip, Help Me!" Erin kept her eyes closed.

 

[Talon maara]

"Thats the spirit.."

Kip laughed with delight looking to the girl as she propelled up the tree.

"No need to fear, just relax."

The Neti slightly held his hand to the girl. Encouraging her to clasp his hand so he could help her down.

"You must control your fear, for fear is only an emotion your body uses against your thoughts in response to being unable to control the situation. And your thoughts are only controlled by...well....you."

Smirking kip pulled his hand back and held out his double bladed sabers that had been interlocked into his walking staff. It only extended his reach by 2 meters but still his strength aided with the force would be enough to carry her to safety.

Kip enjoyed the girls company, and most off all he seen himsef amidst the girl. Rebelious, yet inline. Brave yet scared. Strong enough to continue but weak enough to know the limits and Lost....but found.

 

[Jade the Protector]

Erin opened her eyes slightly, seeing the stick he stretched out to her.

She took a steady breath, calming the voice of fear in her mind. She reached out her hand, only to pull it back when the branch moved again under her weight. Erin gave a frightened whimper and shivered. "No... don't let fear take over.... I control it, not the other way around." She gripped the stick, waiting for Master Kip to react.

(OOC: Sorry for short post.)

 

[Talon maara]

Kip slowly pulled his staff down, only to jerk his staff in attempts to scare Erin. Only for giggles that is, not intentionally to harm her in any way. He lowered her giggling by his side.

"How do you feel?"

Kip with a smile on his face turned and began to slowly walk down the stone path, looking over his shoulder he motioned for the young girl.

"This temple was once my home."

Looking down to Erin

"This must all be a new for you? I really hope you enjoy your stay with us. And im glad you have found it, everyone needs someone to look after them."

(Ooc: it's ok. Im busy too!!!)

 

[Jade the Protector]

Erin yelped then giggled as she was lowered. A weight was lifting off her shoulders, one she didn't know she had. She attempted a skip and ended up just jumping
"What's home?" the question seemed simple, but weighted. "I hear the words you say, home, free...... she trailed off for a moment.
"But I don't know what they mean." She jogged after him, slowing slightly behind him, still not quite getting that she could walk besides someone.

She tripped a bit on the stairs and caught herself. Pushing herself up, she kept following.

"How do I be... free like you?"

 

[Talon maara]

"Home?"

Kip thought for a moment.

"Well, home is?"

He even at the moment questioned himself, unsure how to explain it. How to...show it.

"Home is a place you are welcomed, safe. Surrounded by ones you love and whom love you in return."

Kip was unsure if she grasped the concept, so he felt he should now show her. Venturing off into parts of the temple kip explained.

"How do you become free like me?"

He began to chuckle

"Its easy. Are you not walking on your own accord? Did you not choose the path you are currently now taking?"

Kip turned and smirked at the young girl.

"You see freedom only comes to those, who....let themselves be free."

His words contrdicting himself from his past statements of everyone being slaves and such, knowingly he still continued forward.

"Freedom is really only a word. You see these birds? They are free to roam the skies, but are enslaved by hunger....by fear...by...well much larger predators such as hawks. They are limited regardless of their so called freedom. As you and i are. We are still slaves to our own limitations. And our own hearts and minds."

Continuing forward kip approached a room. The door was cold, unlike most doors in this time, this door was not opened via electronics or gears. It was simple. Turn the handle and pull. The door was made from wood as well as various metals. A light faintly shown beneath the sealed door.

 

[Jade the Protector]

Erin listened, slowly starting to understand. "When I was walking to do what my masters commanded, was that my choice?" She followed kip further into the Temple.

"If that is what home is, a place of love, then I've never had one." She looked up a Kip, looking into his eyes for the first time. This time, no voice told her look down, no blow from a hand or whip came. Yet, that wasn't what surprised her.....
His eyes were kind and patient. They held no malice, unlike her masters from before.
There was.......love.... at least that what seemed to be there, but she didn't know. What was there held no malice, it wasn't hidden anger, it held no reason to fear.

She got closer to Kip each time someone else went through the halls. Some were students whom looked at her strangely. Why though? What was she doing wrong? Erin kept as close as she dared to Master Kip.

They stopped at a door, but this one was different. IT wasn't an automatic door, but a manual one. Erin had seem this type of door very often. Many of her masters had these doors, not wanting to waste money on the technology they didn't need.
"What's this room, if I am permitted to ask?" She tipped her head and looked at Kip with nervous eyes.

 

[Talon maara]

He smirked, looking down at the girl he slowly opened the door. The pressure of the door opening created a minor vacuum inside the room, releasing a fresh smell of pine as well as the smell in the air before a thunderstorm.

The door swing calmly open, revealing a medium tree in the center of the room, from the ceiling fell water from a fountain giving the illusion it was raining indoors upon the tree.
Small birds floated about the room, as small chameleons cralled upon its branches. A small sloth like creature dangled from the top of the tree as it rested.

Removing his shoes he placed them next to his door before entering. Stepping onto the rooms carpet it would be revealed that it was no carpet nor hard grounds as the rest of the temple, but instead the floor was covered in a soft grass, that absorbed majority of the impact upon your feet creating a calming and soothing glide to your step. The walls were covered in a mossy rock substance as well as the "furniture".

The room was his safe haven within the temple. The nature of the room created a more peaceful aura for the Neti, seeing as he too was a plant like creature it helped him feel at ease with oneself. This room carried an artificial loghting for his skin as feel as food for his body, unlike most creatures who needed an actual substance.

The room with its fresh smell, calming nature and primitive animal calls and water russling would make one think they had stepped out of the temple and into small grotto of some sort. Exactly how he needed it.

Looking to Erin he smiled and mentioned.

"My second HOME."

 

[Jade the Protector]

(Erin has been archived, however, I have a new character, if you want)