Ask Ajan Kloss Some enchanted evening…

[Fiach Dubh]

“The zymod was an arboreal creature native to the jungle moon Ajan Kloss. They had the ability to change the colour of their hide.”
– Galactic database on fauna, native to Ajara

Although Ajan Kloss was a moon, it had two moons of its own. And the jungle resonated with life although there were no large predators present. The environment had been likened to the planet Dagobah, where Luke Skywalker trained under Yoda. As far as Fiach could tell, the similarities between Dagobah and Ajan Kloss were that they were wet, warm, green and overflowing with life, although – apparently – Ajan Kloss did not smell as bad.

Fiach enjoyed running through the jungle as part of her training. Not all of her focus was on the Force or even Jedi Lore. Some of her time was devoted to keeping fit and healthy and so she performed a daily run – or two if time allowed. And today was such a day, as she headed back towards the Temple as dusk fell.

She stopped abruptly as something jumped out in front of her and startled the young Padawan. She laughed to herself when she realised it was a zymod, which had frozen in place and assumed the colour of the path it was now resting on.

“Be careful,” she chided it, “I could have stepped on you. Sometimes you can be too well camouflaged for your own good.” Carefully and gently, she bent down and lifted the small tree-loving creature up to take a good look at it. “Back up high for you, where you can’t do any mischief,” she said and placed it on a nearby branch.

@DizzySteinway

 

[Connie Callas]

Even as dusk fell over the temple, Connie found herself out exploring. It was a way of coping with the rapid change in her circumstances. Here she was, on a moon filled with people she barely knew, if it all. Gone from her seemingly simpler, cosier life, even if it was by her own choice and permission. In the hustle and bustle of the temple, it was easy to be overlooked. So, whilst she was waiting for lessons, guides and being assigned to her master, she tried to take in the place a little more.

She'd explored some of the library before now, which had quickly become her favourite place. It could do with a few more interesting novels though, and perhaps fewer ruminations on the nature of the Force. She'd found where to eat, she'd found some of the places where people trained... she'd even found the gardens.

Connie had been lingering near the jungle, where the tree line became a solid wall of vegetation, heat and life. Sat on an old bench made of stone, which was surprisingly more comfortable than it seemed. It was quieter there, with the noises and lights of the temple just a little off in the distance, making a pleasant mumble in the air. It mixed with the sounds of animals and insects in the jungle there, making it both calm and vibrantly alive. Almost like the hum of vibration and power in a ship while it's moving. That's what Connie missed the most.

She leaned over her datapad, tapping idly. She'd sworn to write to her family as much as she could, and sworn to herself to keep up her diary. She needed some place to unload her fears and feelings into. Finding inspiration to write around the temple was getting harder and harder though, with her feeling more and more overwhelmed and exhausted by the day. When she looked up, she saw a young woman handling some small creature just by a tree. She saw her smile at it, which made her smile in return. Connie waved over at her, before looking back to her datapad, tapping a few more times.

@Corbeau

 

[Fiach Dubh]

It was easy to forget you were adjacent to the Jedi Academy sometimes. Such was the density of the jungle, you could be literally metres away and not see anything but vegetation. Of course, so many Jedi in a relatively small space meant the Force reminded you where you were even if you forgot. In fact, it was virtually impossible to get lost in the jungle, such was the beacon that the collected Padawans, Younglings and Knights broadcast.

But, for some precious moments, you could get distracted. Fiach enjoyed those very much. She did not socialise and spent only as long in the canteen as she needed to get refuelled. For in the Academy was one thing she enjoyed but needed to spend some time apart from – people.

Most misunderstood the concept of an introvert. They were not automatically incapable of social interaction. Rather, they needed some time by themselves – every now and then – to recharge their batteries. In much the same way extroverts needed to every now and then be surrounded by people. It was the same process in reverse, but with the same output.

Fiach glanced up and saw a fellow Padawan. Connie. Fiach’s steel trap of a memory did not let her forget faces or names. Or pretty much anything for that matter. And, like most of her peers, Connie was someone she knew of, as opposed to knew. Aware that her Master continuously impressed upon her the benefit of being a more rounded person, Fiach took a deep breath and avoided her natural inclination to wave back and walk back to the Academy. Instead she waved and walked over to Connie.

“Hi,” she said, forgoing the formal bow of introduction that she now reserved for more official greetings. “Are you reading anything interesting?”

@DizzySteinway

 

[Connie Callas]

Connie looked up and saw the young woman coming towards her. Oh. Oh dear. She wasn't expecting to have to talk to anyone. She used to be so good at talking to people, before she moved to Ajan Kloss. They used to call her a little charmer, before everyone she met was a monk obsessed with the Force. They all seemed to be immune to smiles and rosy cheeks.

"Hi," Connie replied, smiling up at the new person. She lifted up her datapad a little, enough for Fiach to notice the lines of text on the screen. "Oh, it's not a book. Just my diary," she told her. Obviously she wasn't going to share much of what was in there. Diaries are very private things, especially to fifteen year olds.

Connie looked over her again, brushing a lock of hair back nervously. She seemed nice, so Connie just felt the words come out. "It's kinda late to be out running, right?" she asked, looking at her clothes and her relative sense of... exertion. "Especially in the jungle. It looks like you could fall in some mud-pit and never be found," she said, thinking aloud. Then she snapped back into reality and the smile slipped off her face. "Sorry, I didn't mean uh... it's just strange."

She put the datapad down on the bench and stood up. "I'm Connie. What about you?"

@Corbeau

 

[Fiach Dubh]

As Fiach drew closer, her ubiquitous smile did not falter. It was odd. She lacked social skills yet her demeanour invariably put people at ease. It was when dialogue began that the crack began to show – although she was learning strategies to help her in these situations.

“A diary?” Fiach echoed. “Oh…” There was not much that Fiach could add to that. She could hardly have read the contents herself, or ask questions about them. Private thoughts remained private unless the other person chose to share – Fiach had learned that much about people.

“I never had one myself. Is this new, since coming here, or have you always used one?” Did one write, use or complete a diary? Fiach was unsure and hoped she’d not made a faux pas.

She glanced around at the fading light. “I enjoy running at dusk and dawn mostly. Although I hadn’t considered mud-pits. There are plenty of well-trodden trails to follow and I rely on the Force if I go somewhere new. It’s actually good training for that…to use the Force to sense surroundings. And ideally turn that from a conscious effort to a subconscious one.”

“Oh, I’m Fiach by the way.” She hoped they wouldn’t have to shake hands or hug – but she steeled herself for it, just in case.

@DizzySteinway

 

[Connie Callas]

Connie looked back at the datapad with a small smile. "Oh, I've always had one. Well, always as long as I've been able to actually, y'know, write words down properly." She turned back towards Fiach, smiling at her. She seemed nice. Attentive. Like she was actually interested, which was welcome among a temple filled with busy knights and head-in-the-clouds instructors. "It's supposed to be a good idea, especially if you're new. You know, somewhere to put your worries so you can deal with them?" That was the rationalisation that they'd used when she'd first arrived. Something about emotions and peace, anyway.

Connie didn't really hug on the first meeting. She liked a good hug, don't get her wrong, but hugging people you only just met gave people ideas and she didn't want that happening. She stayed a respectful distance away from Fiach as they talked. She looked over at the trees again, not sure how much she liked the idea of running somewhere she didn't know, but Fiach probably had a point. "Yeah, I guess it'd be good training for that. Still scary though."

"So uhm... how long have you been here? You look pretty comfortable with everything," Connie asked, just trying to get a feel for things. "Are you a padawan too, or a... is it a knight after that?" The intricacies of the Jedi hierarchy hadn't sunk into Connie's head yet. "I'm like, so new that they haven't even got me a 'master' yet. They said it'd be soon but... things are busy. Lots of important missions and meetings." Connie shrugged as she repeated what she'd been told. They'd insisted that it wasn't normal but circumstances were a little different lately.

@Corbeau

 

[Fiach Dubh]

Fiach's right eyebrow raised. To anyone that knew her, it was a sure sign she did not quite understand something. Much as describing 'interesting' meant she did not agree with whatever was said.

"Is it common to have worries? I mean, I have questions I find hard to answer, which is why I run. It allows me time to process my thoughts until I come up with a solution. So, is it like that?" Fiach was truly intrigued, and wondered if she had worries of her own that she wasn't even aware of.

Fiach's other eyebrow got in on the act now. "I hadn't considered my runs to be scary." She gazed into the dense jungle. "I'm not sure what I should be scared of, at least not in there. Maybe there is something I hadn't considered. The thing is, the way I'd solve that conundrum is to go for a run..." She pointed into the foliage. "In there." Her smile broadened. She was hardly an expert on humour, but she was getting better.

"I've been here a while now. My first Master disappeared on a mission but I was lucky enough to have found another. And yes, I'm still a Padawan." She fished into her hair that was tied back in a pony-tail and pulled out a braid. "I'm quite traditional, so fashioned this. If and when I become a Knight I will remove this. But I've a way to go before I'm ready to be a Jedi proper."

"And I'm sure you'll find a Master soon enough, meanwhile, just keep learning. Do you have a favourite lesson?"

@DizzySteinway

 

[Connie Callas]

Connie frowned a little bit more, thinking over Fiach's question. Was it common to have worries? "I mean... I think it is. I don't really think anyone doesn't have any worries. They're probably just better at hiding them. I wish I could be more like them," she admitted, smiling a little wilfully. Still in that stage where showing weakness and actual emotions was something to be avoided, something that'd open her up for attacks. Living with two sisters would do that to you.

"I'm sorry to hear about your first master," Connie offered with a smile. She quite liked Fiach, she decided. She was nice to talk to and... refreshingly direct. "It looks very nice. I've seen some other padawans with them in but... I don't know, I think mine would just curl up into a tangle," she said, tugging on a strand of her lightly curled hair.

"I quite like learning about things in the past. The history of the Jedi and everything. I really liked studying with ps... psychometry? I think that's what they call it? Feeling emotions and little bits about who used the object was really, really interesting. But aside from that, I've not had much chance to do things. Just practising with the Force. It seems like everyone's super helpful here though, which is good."

She looked up at Fiach a bit more, trying to guess how much the other padawan had seen. "Do you still do lessons? I bet you get to go out and do actual things. Have you been anywhere cool?"

@Corbeau

 

[Fiach Dubh]

Fiach nodded, her head slightly to one side. “I must have worries then, it stands to reason.” She raised both eyebrows simultaneously. “I guess I’m now worried by the fact I don’t think I have any worries. Which is both logical and irrational at the same time.” She shrugged her shoulders and appeared not to be unduly phased by the situation.

“I’m presuming my first Master is just busy. I’m sure she’ll return some day. But life and death are more than just concepts here. They’re very real for all of us and it is something we all have to accept, sooner rather than later.” Again, her tone was not at all serious despite the nature of the conversation.

“As for braids, it’s simply a matter of personal choice. They’re not a requirement at all. And as for how they look, I really wouldn’t make it a reason to have or not have one. Just go with what feels right to you.”

Fiach seemed interested that Connie enjoyed Jedi Lore and raised an eyebrow at the subject of psychometry. “I know about connecting with objects through the Force, but in my experience it’s been a theoretical lesson only. I’ve never felt anything from anything I’ve touched. It sounds a really useful ability, and relatively rare. So if you have that affinity, I would develop it if you could.” She wrinkled her nose. “I wish I could suggest someone to help you specifically, but I can’t think of anyone off of the top of my head. Practicing by yourself is good, but learning from someone more adept is a huge plus. At least in my experience.”

“They say a Jedi never stops learning. OK, maybe not here,” she jerked her head in the direction of the Academy, “but from other Jedi or Holocrons. I love learning but don’t want to be someone who knows a little bit of many things. There are only so many hours in the day. I’d prefer to limit my learning to a slightly narrower field. I just haven’t decided what yet.”

She sat on the ground now, cross legged, facing Connie. “I’ve been to a few places with my Master and done some basic missions – you know, dropping off or picking up supplies. Given I spent all my time before I came here in one town, every new place is cool. Tython, Nar Shaddaa, Dxun. They’re all worth a visit, believe me.”

“What about you, did you travel much before coming here?”

@DizzySteinway

 

[Connie Callas]

Connie listened as Fiach explained some of her training, particularly where she'd been on missions and what she was considering training in. Or rather, her quest to find something to narrow her focus with.

"I've been learning with Master Pallodrin, about psychometry. He's very skilled with it, he uses it to teach history," Connie shared, relating one of her most recent lessons. "It's quite hard to get your head around but it can be very interesting. Particularly feeling something from that time. The emotion can be a little hard to handle though..." Connie admitted, smiling. She'd definitely been overwhelmed by that feeling when she'd been studying with the objects.

The thought of those distant places made her smile. "Wow. Those all sound incredible. Except... maybe not Nar Shaddaa. My parents told me never, ever to go there if I could help it. I don't think they had good experiences there. My family live on Takodana but they're traders, so we spent half the year going from system to system. We went to Jakku, Bespin, Naboo, even Corellia once. My parents have been to plenty of other places but.. that was when we weren't aboard." Connie thought for a second and then remembered. "Oh, I mean, me and my sisters. I have two. Younger and older."

"Everyone seems quite friendly here though. Most people I've spoken to are happy to speak to me. Though I haven't really approached many knights or especially masters," Connie shared, leaning in a little closer. "They always look so busy and absorbed in something and serious... I just get this feeling that they'd tell me off if I interrupted them. Even though I know they wouldn't." She shrugged at her own weird misgivings. "Do you get on with the other padawans?"

@Corbeau

 

[Fiach Dubh]

Fiach listened intently. Just because she was not gifted in psychometry did not mean she had no interest. On the contrary – it fascinated her because of her lack of knowledge and ability. Given she was unlikely to learn first-hand, Connie’s explanation was illuminating.

“You get a sense of time as well as emotion, wow!” Fiach was really intrigued now. “As something of an amateur historian, the opportunity to not just read about the past but feel it too, that’s…amazing.”

“And I’d agree that Nar Shaddaa is not the nicest of places, but we’re Jedi and I guess we don’t always get the chance to choose where we end up. The first time I went with my Master. The second time was actually because I volunteered for a mission. But someone had to do it, I guess.”

“And I have to say I’ve never been to any of those planets. So much history surrounds them – especially for the Jedi.”

“And you have sisters. What’s that like? I’m an only child – I think – so never had siblings. I don’t know if I missed out or not.”

Listening to Connie’s question, Fiach looked up at the sky for a few moments before replying. “You’re right, nobody would tell you off. But I think they look occupied just to avoid unnecessary contact. But I don’t care, if I have a question, I ask the closest Jedi. And as for Padawans, well…they tend to come and go. You see someone a lot and then…never again. Sometimes they’re off on a long mission. Some leave the Order. But I’ve never met one I didn’t get on with though.”

@DizzySteinway

 

[Connie Callas]

Connie listened to Fiach explain why she had to visit Nar Shaddaa. The way she justified it so simply, just because someone had to do it. Connie already admired a whole lot about Fiach, namely how easy she was to talk to and how knowledgable she was. Now she was admiring her casual bravery. Hoping that when she'd been there a little while, when she'd trained a little more, she could be anywhere near as brave as her.

"Having sisters? Hm..." she said, thinking aloud. She'd never really considered a life or Galaxy without them. They were just like a constant of the universe. "It's kind of... equal parts sweet and annoying. It's nice to have someone around with you around your age but... yeah. There's fights sometimes. Or... there were fights," she said, realising that her days of sharing the cramped space of a trader's ship with her sisters was probably at an end.

Fiach's explanation eased Connie's worries a little. Just a little bit though. Something niggled at her. "You never see them again? Wow. Sounds scary. Don't you ever get... lonely? I don't know if I could deal with never knowing if I'd see someone again." The thing left unsaid hung in front of her now. That I'll have to get used to that. That the life of Jedi means more than just these connections.

@Corbeau

 

[Fiach Dubh]

Fiach was invariably driven by logic — and even the subject of siblings was dictated by facts over any potential emotion. “It sounds an interesting mix — having sisters. On the whole, I think that the down-side would outweigh the good, so I think I’m pleased I have none. But I suspect it’s one of those things where, you don’t miss what you’ve never had. So my viewpoint is laking in any substance really.”

“But the good parts, I imagine you’ll miss those. Not that we’re supposed to dwell on relationships, for the fear of loss is not a positive driver of emotion or behaviour. I’m therefore relatively lucky in that regard. The other Padawans call me a ‘cold fish’ — not that I mind by the way. It’s true, so it would be wrong to be upset by it.”

“Which is probably why I accept the nature of Jedi coming into and out of my life so readily. At least that’s my take on it. Which may sound uncaring, I don’t know. Is it something that would be able to deal with — you’ve already left home and won’t see your family often.”

@DizzySteinway