Ask Kashyyyk Teachers

Vaen Kesselle

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Vaen drew near towards the end of Rishe's explanation and watched. However, she was rather unimpressed watching Rishe hold the fish in place before striking it. The refugees didn't seem to notice it, but Vaen had a very visible frown. The refugees probably thought it would be easy to fish now, but she knew they would find it very difficult.

Most of them seemed to be carrying spearguns instead of fishing poles, Hordij did have his own pole though. It seemed much more difficult to use a speargun than an actual fishing pole, especially if a force user had to keep a target still just to use it. The refugees would clap as Rishe showcased the fish she caught, but Vaen just crossed her arms. She wouldn't say anything to the Padawan, and instead just turned her head to watch some of the other refugees fish.

The refugees would constantly miss whatever fish they could see, some of them didn't even get a chance to catch some. The constant splashing of water scared most of the fish away. Hordij separated himself from the group and was fishing further down the bank. Some of them were so bad, it felt dangerous just to let them hold a speargun.

Vaen led the children away further down and would help them fish, but she wouldn't let them use a speargun. She asked one of the other refugees for their pole, and they were willing enough to give it up. Each kid got a turn holding the pole and Vaen would stand behind holding it with them. Whether a fish bit or not was completely up to chance.

@Stick
 

Rishe Vakren

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Rishe knew that whatever was coming, it wasn't going to be fantastic. Rishe could see the frustration with the refugees, watch their brief motivation flag. Did they think they'd be able to fish as well as a Jedi did? Granted, Rishe didn't know how to fish either.

Hordij was alone, having separated himself from everyone. She actually started tugging at her hair, keeping a frustrated sigh from escaping with all the willpower she could muster. The small pain was a reminder that she probably wasn't going insane. That, and the uncomfortable feeling of drying sand clinging to her legs.

She passed by Vaen - and the temptation was strong. Call to her, tap out, admit defeat. Rishe had no idea how to make the refugees to do anything right. But she'd seen the disapproval earlier, and Rishe wasn't sure if the look was demoralizing or moralizing out of sheer spite. She didn't feel like a Jedi right now. She didn't even feel like an adult. Coddled around a fishing pole like those younglings were. And if she tapped out now, the mission really would be taken away. Just like the years of apprenticeship, the failed trials, Vaen would probably smile and say something Jedi and cryptic like the old Masters did.

"Hordij." She says to the sitting fisherman, sitting down nearby in the sand. "Why are you here alone? You're the only person here who can actually help them catch anything meaningful. Or not end up hooking and shooting each other."

For Vaen, the children reacted well to the nurturing Jedi. Chance wouldn't help those children catch much of anything, but they felt like they were participating. Some of them had probably grown up hearing fairytales about Jedi and seemed sufficiently wowed by Vaen. As children often did, they asked questions and chattered. "Can we see your lightsaber?" And "My mum says you can shoot lightning outcha hands, show us, show us!" And "Are we gonna catch anything? I'm bored." And the best of all, "I can handle it!" As said by a slightly older and stubborn miralan boy if and when Vaen tried to help him hold the pole.


@Allevia
 

Vaen Kesselle

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Hordij held his hand up towards Rishe signaling her to stop, but his head was still facing towards the ocean. He would be silent for half a minute before saying anything. "Can't be fishin if there is too much commotion. Yer partna seemed to have understood that too." Hordij's voice was somewhat quiet, and he had what some referred to as a farmer's accent. He'd bring his hand back to his pole and sit patiently. "The fish ain't fond of all that ruckus. That bait there is the trap. Do ya think you could trap someone if you were hootin n hollering?"

Vaen would smile and giggle while messing around with the children. Although she never liked working with others, she was fond of taking care of kids. As an only child, Vaen never got the experience of having little siblings, so it was fresh to be around kids. Vaen would show them a few things though. "Alright everyone, step back for a second." They all backed away and faced her, anticipating what would happen. Vaen took her index fingers and pointed them towards each other, about an inch apart. She'd take a deep breath and with her full concentration, she created a small arc of electricity between her fingers. The arc would last for about 10 seconds before she stopped. That was the most Vaen could do at the moment, but fortunately, the kids would assume she was just holding back.

She would show off a couple of other cool tricks such as creating a tiny flame in the palm of her hands or using the force to make things levitate. Eventually, they completely forgot about fishing and started to play games. The kids wanted to play Jedi vs Sith, and funny enough they made Vaen be the evil dark lord that they had to take down. She would use the force to throw pockets of water at the kids, almost like a water balloon. "Mwuahahaha, you'll never beat me!" Vaen put on her best evil mastermind voice. After a while, she would let the kids bring her down into the water and would childishly yell "Nooo my evil scheme is ruined!"

@Stick
 

Rishe Vakren

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Rishe waited. It was calm, even with the far off noise. It would be a nice place to meditate.

"I don't think I could." Rishe admits, her voice low. "But, like them, I didn't know how. That quiet, patience, and certain kinds of skills are needed."

She was happy to let the silence sit for a bit. The fisherman didn't seem like one to talk much. Just the waves, the far off annoyance of the refugees, and the mirth of children. It probably was too loud for fish. But, just as the fisherman needed to fish, she needed to make sure the refugees were taught. "Getting them to all be quiet and calm might not help them alone. There's more to fishing than I could teach them in a week. And that's all the time the camp does have. None of them seem to realize it." She says. "They are going to need you, and others, to share what you know."



The kids were having a complete blast. Aside from the occasional spat where someone was pushed over a little too hard. The merriment had a mixed effect, it definitely helped scare away fish in a good radius around it, but seeing children play would have a morale benefit of it's own. It reminded someone why the struggles were worth it, the things that might be at stake.

"Master Kesselle might have known to be quiet at one point, but she seems to be making plenty of noise now." Rishe pointed out.

It was charming, that in a galaxy still plagued by the Sith that children can still act as if they're some sort of distant boogeyman. A foe that can't possibly be real, only inhabiting their make believe worlds. In their own ways, they've come from war and poverty, but the fantasy of that eternal battle seemed so alluring to them. Good versus evil, light against dark. It made sense. Rishe watched them scuffle, laugh, shriek and pretend. She kept her thoughts away from Kloss. From what she felt there. Children playing a game with a Jedi shouldn't occupy her thoughts like this.

And those children didn't pretend to be the modern Jedi. Some of them wanted to be a Skywalker. A Solo. They asked Vaen to impersonate old dark lords they might have heard in history books or stories. Vader and Ren. So recent, but such a long time ago for their minds that they wouldn't understand the gravity of it.


@Allevia
 

Vaen Kesselle

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"I ain't much of a talker, but I'll give ya some advice to tell them. Spread-out, at least 10 feet away from each other, and standstill. Throw em' spear guns away too they ain't gonna hit anything with that. Take some sticks, tie some strings, tie some bugs at the end, cast the line, then pull once there is a tug." As he finished his sentence he quickly pulled on his pole and started to reel in a fish. He already had caught a couple already that he kept by his side. "Don't worry bout em kids either she brought them far enough away from everyone else."

"Alright little ones," Vaen said while standing back up. "We should go back to the camp now and dry off." They all simultaneously agreed and followed along with her, the two youngest ones holding her hand. She would make her way all the way back to the camp with them and would help dry them off. Hopefully Rishe has a plan. I'm starving."

@Stick
 

Rishe Vakren

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Rishe's plan basically amounted to acting like she did, and assuming it will fill out. She was quickly discovering how much she hated that plan, and that she'll never be this unprepared again, despite an entire trip over spent studying Kashyyyk.

But this time, she actually had something she might be able to use. Some real advice. It seemed too simplistic for fishing, but Kashyyyk was supposed to be plentiful. Even with the beyond primitive fishing poles, they should be able to catch things. Maybe. And after this? Maybe this system could work. She'd approach the expert, look for advice, and teach it to the camp.

She decided to collect the wood for the poles herself. Maybe she needed time alone with her thoughts. Maybe she wanted to actually cut something with her saber. Here on Kashyyyk was the first time that blazing yellow blade was ignited. Not since Ajan Kloss, back when it belonged to another. And instead of Sith, it cut wroshyr wood.

--

"We're going to change our strategies since you're all having some trouble!"
Rishe called out when she returned to the water. She dropped the bundle of long, relatively straight poles on the sand, just like she was dropping the convenience of blaming the refugees' failure on them, and not on the fact she'd cheated to spear a fish. "Come around. It will get dark soon, so we need to start now... if you have shoes, use the laces. If you know of any other place to get some string, go and get it."

Catching insects was something she was familiar with. It was easier for her to teach the refugees how to catch their bait than it was for them to all assemble poles, make sure the knots were tight and snug, and to get the spacing right. But even if it took time, even if there was the occasional spout of difficulty, it all eventually came together. Not perfect, not even optimal, but functional.

And Kashyyyk delivered. Even with the rush job, they caught plenty. When two of the three moons rose into the night sky, casting a dual ghostly pallor over the camp, the refugees were tired, sandy, worn, frustrated... but successful. As they returned, they split as they always do, but Rishe returned to her temporary master, sitting near Vaen.

"Is being a Jedi often this confusing? And mundane?" She asked candidly of the Knight. "I thought when I became a Padawan, I'd have some idea of what I was doing, despite a rushed initiation. But I didn't imagine this. And I didn't imagine doing so poorly at it." Over the camp, fires were started. Things hadn't been fixed instantly, but instead of cold, quiet rations, people were huddling around these flames preparing fish... engaging in some sort of a community. Still often divided by species lines, but it felt different. She could feel the threads of emotion shift over the camp. And in her, as well. She'd actually approached the Knight for advice or guidance of sorts.


@Allevia
 

Vaen Kesselle

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A few of the refugees didn't seem too excited about fishing, but others didn't mind doing it. They didn't catch enough for everyone to have 1, but some people could share or eat something else if they didn't like fish. It would be a matter of time before they all get tired of eating fish.

Vaen helped the children cook their food before turning towards Rishe. She chuckled at the padawan's question. "Being a Jedi is the most confusing and mundane thing you could be in the world. You're taught with riddles and philosophy. Then you have to meditate for hours." Vaen turned back around to blow on a fish, cooling it down for one of the younger girls to eat.

Turning back around she continued, "Don't worry about how you're doing. You're expected to fail all the time. Who is your master by the way?"

@Stick
 

Rishe Vakren

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It wasn't perfect, but the night's preparation had been a last minute, hectic, messy affair. The fact they caught this much was a blessing, and hopefully meant Rishe could move on to actually helping the refugees settle later. She was content to rest while Vaen juggled both the padawan and the children. If you were suitably dour you could argue there's no real difference. Rishe was as out of her element here as children were in life. Barely able to make a community feed itself just like the children had problems cooking their meat through. Yet, their excitement and wonder was infectious - almost literally in Rishe's case. She couldn't help but feel fragments of their stronger emotions through the Force. Pure and unrestricted.

"When a normal man or woman fails, the consequence affects them. Or their family. Rarely, a community." Rishe counters. "When a Jedi fails, the galaxy suffers. It's responsible to worry, we can't allow failure to be our teacher."

She rested her arms on her knees, sitting on a crate that's been turned into a low stool. The weight of her saber in her sleeve was comforting. But, less comforting was how quickly Rishe had come to calling it hers. She answered Vaen's question, "Ahotta Ran. She was one of the instructors for initiates at Ajan Kloss." Rishe said, her tone measured. Almost dispassionate. "I had been one of her pupils, but was only an official apprentice for a day."

The implication would be clear enough. She tightened her jaw, her speech was a little slower than usual, signs of effort being put into the mere appearance of seeming unbothered. It was a good act, but an act nonetheless, and indicated that Kloss still wasn't something she'd confronted. There was a flare of guilt, loss, uncertainty. Flickers of her thoughts escaping into the Force before Rishe mentally bludgeoned them, stuffing each back into the comfortable box like those emotions were escaped asylum patients, unsuited for the outside world.

"And there hasn't been much time for a new Master, I suppose. Many knights already have apprentices, or they're also too busy." Rishe said, before not-so-subtly averting the topic, "Which counts you, I'm sure. I do remember hearing bits and pieces about the Diplomat hotel incident. Sounds like it was a little messy?"

@Allevia

If i'm off about the timeline with the hotel incident and the kashyyyk thread, let me know and I can edit! I'm assuming it took place before this in the timeline?
 

Vaen Kesselle

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"When a Jedi fails, the galaxy suffers. It's responsible to worry, we can't allow failure to be our teacher." Those words were somewhat disheartening in Vaen, but not because of their meaning; she felt disheartened because the padawan seemed to genuinely believe in those words. Vaen opened her mouth to respond, but no words exited. She would close her mouth and just ignore it, "it doesn't matter anyway." she thought to herself.

Ahotta Ran was a very familiar name. Vaen had actually wondered where she had been for a while, but the answer was just given. Vaen ignored the small slip-ups in the force since it was only natural for a being to feel such an emotion.

Vaen's ears perked up hearing the mentioning of the hotel incident. She was a bit surprised, even though the event was broadcasted all over the holonet. "Well don't worry about being an apprentice too much, you'll be assigned to someone eventually. Just like I'll be assigned with some brat eventually." She chuckled, but Vaen knew she couldn't avoid the responsibility for too long. She just needed a bit more time to figure out that situation.

"The hotel incident was a little crazy I guess. I wonder what happened to those two girls." Vaen looked up towards the night sky, staring at the small milk drops that filled the galaxy with light. "They didn't seem that terrible. I could have caught them but it felt disrespectful to not test out the Zeltron girl's capabilities." Her right hand reached out towards the sky, reaching for the moon. "She was very skilled, it was exciting. She is probably at the same level as a Jedi master in terms of lightsaber combat. Hopefully, I can meet her again, haven't had a good lightsaber duel like that in nearly 4 years"

@Stick
You're spot on with the timeline!
 

Rishe Vakren

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The matter dropped between them, the weight of the associated baggage dragging it down with a thump. Duty, responsibility, perfection, and probably a few complexes that a physician might be able to identify somewhere. But not here, not on Kashyyyk, where the two women sat in silence for a moment. That was fine by Rishe. She did believe in them, just as much as she believed in the Jedi. And as she looked out at the refugees, mismanaged by her own inexperience, it felt like it cemented her views. The Jedi needed to be better. Much better.

"It will be strange to have a Master. Recently, it feels like the padawans have this..."
She pauses, reaching for a proper word. "Independence. A lot of us aren't really being tracked or accounted for. Our home feels like it's in disarray."

Of course, if she said that kind of thing around the other padawans, she'd probably get death glares. So she never really talked about it, she liked spending time with other people too much to exile herself like that.

But Vaen's recollection of the events caused Rishe's brows to rise in surprise before eventually furrowing with concern, her fingertips tapping against each other as she considered her next words. "The footage isn't exactly clear, Master Kesselle." Rishe said, slipping back into the comfortable formality as she approached an uncomfortable topic. "But she's not a Jedi. They were stealing from the hotel, and the saber is probably stolen as well. What if stealing isn't their worst crime? What if by respecting the skills of a pair of thieves, you let killers loose? For how else would they have gotten a lightsaber?"

Of course, the idea of a Jedi leaving the order for crime just... didn't stick with Rishe. She assumed Jedi retired from trauma, or fell to the dark side. Willingly leaving seemed much less likely than someone who's already a criminal in her eyes stealing from or killing a Jedi for their saber.

@Allevia
 

Vaen Kesselle

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"Independence.." Vaen recalled a moment in time when she was excited to finally go out on her own, to show the galaxy the capabilities of the Kesselle family. Most importantly, to make her master proud. Although she understood Rishe's worry about the looseness of the order, Vaen did not mind. She was once popular amongst her peers back in their younger days, but overtime as ideals changed so did the relationships. Vaen laid down with her arms behind her head, continuing to look up at the sky. "You're like all the other Jedi; too worried about the future. Don't you know that is partly how Darth Sidious was able to destroy the entire order long ago? Worry about the task directly ahead of you, and the future will decide upon that."

Rishe's assumption about what happened at the hotel was rather irritating. Vaen turned her head towards the girl, with a rather stern look. "Don't disrespect people. Always respect your opponents because they are enemies you have generated. The reason why they look like enemies is that we are all contestants who want to reach a common goal, that’s all." Vaen stared directly into the young padawan's eyes, with a laser-sharp glare. She would hold it for a few seconds, before looking back up at the stars.

"Are we not killers as well? Do we not cut down the Sith and criminals to administer what we believe is necessary to survive in this galaxy? Just like those girls are committing crimes, to do what is necessary for them to survive in this galaxy?" Vaen was slightly hesitant to let this thought out, but she could not help but speak what was on her mind. The very thought that made her an outcast to some of her peers. She expected the padawan's response to be "but what we do is good, and they are just selfish." "The red-haired girl was a former Jedi but was kicked out due to her illness. There was light in her, she is most likely on the run from something. I'm unsure about the Zeltron, but she certainly wasn't a Sith. She's too experienced with a lightsaber to have stolen it."

As the refugees finished eating and began making their way to their tents, Vaen stood up and gestured for the padawan to follow. "To assume everyone that thinks differently or acts differently than you is evil is pure ignorance, and in my opinion, a sign of fear." Vaen made her way towards the shuttle, each footstep being heard picking up from the wet sand. "Chastise me, shun me, belittle me, or whatever for this." Vaen turned around to face the padawan. "There is nothing either good or bad but thinking makes it so. I didn't pledge my allegiance to the Jedi Order and announce myself as an enemy of the Sith because it was good. I did so because it aligns with what I believe."

@Stick
 

Rishe Vakren

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It was all a lot for Rishe. Vaen's sudden defensive posture, sharp glares, and scathing responses. But the padawan weathered it to her credit. She didn't fidget. She didn't look away. She met each withering gaze from the Knight, determined to avoid meeting the sudden passion half way. She could have a retort for each thing Knight Kesselle said, but she bit it down. At least for now.

And as the knight indicated, Rishe followed, keeping her bearing and looking back towards the camp, hoping that they hadn't just seen the argument between the two Jedi. It wouldn't be good to air dirty laundry like this. If the Jedi couldn't be better than this, they at least needed to look like it.

"A padawan has no authority to chastise or belittle someone of a higher rank."
Rishe finally said with pointed words. It might very well be accurate in another place or time, but it came from Rishe now as a deliberate jab. A rebellious adherence to the strict, orderly creed that Vaen seemed so disdainful of.

Though, she eventually shot her own act of rebellion in the foot as they reached the ramp of the shuttle, far out of the camp's earshot. "The lesson is blunted by your own assumptions. I didn't claim them to be evil, and I am not afraid." She said, the final two words landing with a stressed finality. "And I am not a full Jedi, but the mistakes the Order has made are well documented. I am not blind to them, to our origins, or the worst impulses of our members."

"But, if we are discussing the methods of Sith Lords - Force be good that we're now out of earshot of impressionable people - isn't your entire argument the best weapon they have against the Jedi?"
Rishe accuses, an increase of volume and pace accompanying her words now as she flicks the door controls with the Force, causing the ramp to rise. Her hands slide out of the sleeves of her robes as she grows more animated, counting off the points on her fingers. "The Jedi too are hypocrites and killers? That there is no objective good or evil, and how you think about things changes the definition? That the potential enemies of the Order are just contestants with a common goal? Stories of us wronging the galaxy or our own members?"

"I am sure Sidious might have said very similar things when he corrupted Vader. Muddying the moral waters of the Light and Dark side, dragging the Jedi down to a more comfortable level when compared to those who always fight against them."
Rishe said, finishing. She exhaled sharply, her brows furrowed as she folds her arms again, trying in vain to regain some of that artificial dignity as the night grew even darker.


@Allevia
 

Vaen Kesselle

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Vaen listened to Rishe, hoping for something new, but the points had been made before. She let the padawan catch her breath for a moment, before responding to everything. "You did not claim them to be evil, but you referred to them as thieves and killers. Are you admitting that I'm right about thieves and killers not being evil?" Vaen crossed her arms as well to match the padawan, "If so, then you have agreed with everything I've said already. The reason my argument is the Sith's best weapon is simply that it is true. We claim we are just and morally good protectors, but we kill just the same. The reason why Sidious could corrupt Vader is that his words were true." It was a harsh pill to swallow, but Vaen must confront reality. There were truths on multiple sides, and she could not bear that the Jedi only chose their truth.

"As I said, being a killer does not make you evil, just like how I believe the Jedi are not evil. In the same regard that those two girls are not evil. The Jedi are hypocritical by claiming actions as just, but expression scorn for similar actions." Vaen's eyes had a rather depressing look to them, as she maintained her glare onto Rishe. "I've questioned and overheard some Padawans and Knights recently. Would you care to know why they want to become strong and destroy the Sith? So that the Jedi can live."

The depressed look in her eyes would now transfer to her face, as her neutral lips shifted into a frown. "Somewhat of a selfish reason if you ask me. Not one mentioned it was to prevent the Sith from destroying the galaxy but in order to protect their own. However, this isn't a bad thing, because it is natural. Just like those two girls were fighting to survive and protect each other. Just like the Sith fight us back in order to survive." Vaen's body began to tense up as she spoke, shivered but it was not from the cold."You must accept the truths that are on both sides of the coin. For far too long, the Jedi have only accepted one truth: their own. I can envision it, our downfall will occur if this continues. To grow as an order, as a group, as friends, and as family," the last part of her words were emphasized heavily, and her voice trembled as Vaen attempted to hold back a tear "we must accept the ideological faults of the order and improve on them."

Vaen used her left hand to wipe the single tear off of her face. "Look through the history, our order was destroyed every time we neglected the problems of our order. Then it would return once a Jedi solved some of the problems, but they too would ignore their own faults. The old order of the galactic republic failed because they would not acknowledge the emotions of a young hurting boy. Luke returned the order and failed because he feared the power of his own nephew. Rey brought the order back again, and now it will fail because we fail to see the imperfections of our order."

Vaen extended her right arm towards Rishe, like a handshake. "I love the order, but I will not be brought down because of their own wrong-doings. If it comes down to it, I will" a harsh emphasis filled with determination was expressed in that last word "make sure that I bring back the Jedi order after it is broken apart. Nothing in this galaxy can prevent me from seeing that through."

Sorry for all the dialogue with little details applied to it. I just wasn't sure how to exactly write it in, and I needed Vaen to say a lot in order to make her point clear!

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Rishe Vakren

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"It's curious that you only discuss rebuilding or fixing the Order after I point out the rampant criticism." Rishe finally says, staring at the hand, but her own arms remain folded. "I always have respected a more traditional... orderly order." She says, stumbling over the awkward sentence for a moment, "But you cannot claim that you are here to fix faults, that our current direction is as a result of stuffy Jedi hypocrisy when all of our current problems are due to that mindset you find so appealing. Not worrying. Not accepting the responsibility. Saying that order and structure and concern over the future is a poor ideal. Letting two criminal force users escape because you admired the duel you had with them."

"And do not say you didn't, Master Kesselle. You didn't talk about the misfortune of their situation or your supposed pacifism, it was a good duel to you at first and you justify it now with lofty sithspit. You claim understanding of the other side, but seem more empathetic to why criminals and Sith fight than why a Padawan may believe what she believes."
Rishe continues, digging her hole deeper with the curse. She knew in the back of her mind that this was going to sabotage teaching the refugees. Well - Kesselle was here because the Padawans needed supervision, wasn't she? It's not like Rishe couldn't handle this alone if the Knight grew to hate her.

"The galaxy riots against the Jedi. We've lost our order and influence, and every time the Order falls, it's not because of a lack of compassion or ignoring their own faults, it's because they start breaking their own rules. Making exceptions." Rishe says. Her eyes trail towards the cockpit, seeing the darkened sky above, and she deflates. Someone was going to have to put this to rest. Forcefully if needed. She spoke, but her words were restrained once again. Trying to be polite, even. "But, there's no point to this. It's late. Take your cabin, Master Kesselle. I left a few things in the cockpit, so I'll use the co-pilot's seat to sleep."

She was lying, of course. She kept what remains of her datapads in her satchel, filled with the information she often seeks. But the Sojourn was built for one dignitary, one Jedi. And Rishe stubbornly wanted to take the less comfortable accommodation if only out of spite to feel more validated. She gave a bow to Vaen, more stiff and shallow than the padawan would typically offer, and she retired towards the seats. She was tired, angry, and feeling as though she shouldn't have been the one to tie the argument to a close.

Well, someone had to do it. Someone had to be the first to do anything hard. Rishe settled with that lot as she settled into the seat, provided Vaen hadn't interrupted her. The Jedi needed to be perfect to fix things. She needed to be perfect, not squabbling with a Knight. In the morning, she knew she'd have to swallow her pride and apologize, that a Padawan shouldn't have spoken as she did. The morning was going to be unfortunate.


@Allevia
 

Vaen Kesselle

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"Do you not realize how you are agreeing with me? The reason why our current problems exist is that the Jedi do not share the same mindset. You truly believe that the people out there are blatantly hating the Jedi, with false reasons? You also don't understand why my admiration was a part of me understanding their misfortunate. A bad Jedi like yourself or others, would have struck those girls down with no thought. I was able to have that admiration because I saw them as beings, not a source of evil."

"Also, the order fell because they broke their own rules? I don't recall the Galactic Republic order breaking the rule about showing love when they disregarded a young Anakin Skywalker's feelings. I don't recall Luke Skywalker breaking the rules about the dark side being evil when he attempted to strike down his nephew." Vaen made her way into the shuttle and sat directly on the entrance floor, with her legs crossed. "I've had enough with you. Go to sleep."

Vaen closed her eyes in preparation to meditate, having her right hand in the center of her lap creating a small flame. "I promise to come to collect your belongings and your lightsaber after the order leads you to your doom." For the rest of the night Vaen sat there and meditated, maintaining the flame in the middle of her hand. Pyrokinesis was a difficult ability to master, and her level of disappointment with the Padawan inspired her further to complete her training. She refused to let the order die completely out and knew she had to expand her knowledge in order to bring the Order back in the future. Vaen was certain of a downfall occurs.

Hours passed, and morning would eventually come. The morning sun shined, and dew covered the grasses in the area. Many of the villagers up and ready to begin their days. Vaen was up the entire time, meditating, the flame still burning within her hand. It would still be the exact same size, not smaller or bigger. Nor did the flame go out at all during the night. The flames were Vaen's determination, and no wind could have put them out.

@Stick
 

Rishe Vakren

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A bad Jedi.

That wasn't inaccurate. Rishe was old for a Padawan, and she knew it, especially with a youth spent as an apprentice. The remark stuck with her, out of everything else the Knight had said. It denied her any sleep or rest, and her eyes remained half-open, tracing one of Kashyyyk's moons as it streaked across the night sky. She wrapped her robe around herself, searching for comfort within it and the cold hilt hidden in the cloth. But like the traditions she wanted to cling to, it was just a robe, a stolen lightsaber, and those traditions were archaic ideals. None of them could make a Jedi from mediocrity. It would have been a suitably disappointing thought to leave the night on, but unfortunately for her, the last thought she had before sleep took her was more mundane. For she instead rebuked herself for staying up so late as she'd have dark circles the next day.


And she did. The tablet alarm ripped her from sleep after it buzzed in her satchel, playing something from some music station one of the padawans had mentioned before. She wasn't a fan of the music, but she didn't want to ruin the music she did like by waking up to it.

The shuttle was a luxury ride, but that's all it was. Intended for Jedi or Order VIPs to get to their destination quickly, in sleek style, it lacked some amenities. Like beds. It did have a water reclamation system at least, but with Kesselle having given the ship's week-long supplies away, there wasn't much else but toothpaste. She made a note to pack more things for herself on these kinds of missions.

Ignoring the Knight literally sitting on the floor near the shuttle's exit didn't make it any stranger. It was after a modicum of preparation that Rishe stood in front of the woman, and bowed. She was at least determined to maintain those ideals. And within those old Orders, she would be a padawan who spoke out of turn. The ages didn't matter, the fact that Rishe still believed she was right didn't matter.

"I apologize for my conduct last night, Master Kesselle." Rishe said, before standing back straight after the bow. She didn't seem too disheveled, though her jaw set as she fought with effort to stifle a yawn without making it obvious. After a moment, she took a breath and continued, "With your leave, I'll finish our task today. I... think it may be less difficult than yesterday was, I'll be teaching them to create new homes."


@Allevia
 

Vaen Kesselle

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Allevia
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Vaen was taking in everything in her surroundings. The warmth of the fire, the alarm, the refugee camp, the water sloshing up and down the shore. Everything of equal volume to her, in perfect balance. Through many years, Vaen had learned how to transform nature's distractions, into mental aids. Everything had a useful purpose for existing.

Vaen did not move or falter hearing the padawan's footsteps and continued her meditation as she spoke. Getting the refugees would be a difficult task, and it would be interesting to see how Rishe could accomplish it. Maintaining the fire in her hand, her eyes still closed, Vaen responded: "Do not apologize. If you wish to follow what you believe is the correct and perfect Jedi way, then you should not apologize. For those with the same view as yourself do not apologize for defending what they believe." Her one was very bland and neutral since her concentrations were elsewhere.

"It will be difficult for one such as yourself to convince the refugees to move, especially now that they have had time to think, discuss, and dream about what is occurring. When you desire help, hopefully, the Jedi savior philosophy can guide you. However, when you desire my help, I will be waiting here." Vaen offered the young padawan a scenario, to which her actions and choices would choose her next path. In the same regard that Vaen believes the force presents a scenario. The fork was unfavorable to Jedi because it meant they could not continue in the same direction they came. Either left or right, an unbalanced decision.

@Stick
 

Rishe Vakren

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"I apologized for the conduct, not the views." Rishe said. She knew that Vaen was meditating, keeping the fire stoked in her hand. Rishe herself was unable to manage the feat.

Maybe that's why she'd been assigned to this. An underperforming padawan set to teach refugees carpentry and fishing, rather than give her responsibility. That, or keep her from the death that Vaen thought inevitably awaited her.

"It will be difficult." Rishe agreed, "Yet, I'll do it." She had in mind a method to approach the day. She'd learned from the fiasco that was getting them to fish. First, she'd approach the expert - Simirn. He was an engineer, and while she might be able to lead some of the refugees to do something, she needed to know what needed to be done first.

But, she still didn't leave. Instead, she knelt in front of Vaen. Rishe had relied upon stubbornness before, and nothing about the codes or teachings ever really... taught you how to build a community. So she picked her fork... and asked a question. "How do I find someone suitable? I think the only reason they listen to me - when they do at all - is because I'm a Jedi. Whoever has to lead them after we leave can be taught, but I need to know what to look for, as you've said earlier."

It was strange, asking for guidance. She was sure that between the two of them, neither woman held any respect for the other. But this wasn't something Rishe knew, and it was something that she hoped Vaen would. What made a leader? What were the qualities she'd be able to look for... and in the future, maybe nurture in herself?


@Allevia
 

Rishe Vakren

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The padawan was meant to take the initiative with these tasks, though after the encounters and terse arguments she had with the Knight, she was ill willing to listen to the other woman's advice.

The refugee camp over the course of the next few days took shape into a village. Messily, with squabbling and strife and much difficulty, but it did. Rishe, ever the organizer, was a poor fit for an interim leader, seeing the process as a series of numbers to balance, tasks to accomplish, and people to satiate. She had put her original plan into action, placing each 'expert' in charge of managing their area of expertise. Many of them did not make good leaders either, and some were even reclusive, much like the fisherman had been.

Though with a drive for survival, for building a new life, and after Rishe had bled her hands raw to push the village into place, a strange economy did form. Some of the refugees took to their tasks better than others due to interest or previous experience, bartering with other families and groups. The attempts Rishe took to appoint a leader were pointedly rebuffed, but older members among the community eventually banded together, among them one or two of Rishe's favored experts to finalize the village's direction as a unified council. If she was poor at leading and finding other leaders both, she'd at least managed to bring the village together and set it in motion to form the impromptu leadership group. After a week, they had comfortably hollowed new homes among the wroshyr trees, finally managed to live off their own food production, and started to live comfortably as a community. At this time, the Jedi realized she had worn out her welcome, and the tired padawan did return wearily to the shuttle for the final time, ignoring the smug aura she encountered there.

Whether due to her animosity with her assigned Knight, or the average performance at her actual duties, Rishe was certain her review wouldn't be very favorable. But at least it was over, and the refugees had survived. They were naturalized Kashyyyk natives now.


Due to Vaen's writer not being available anymore, I've wrapped up the thread with a short timeskip that hopefully ties it up well enough. No miracles, no sudden 'aha' moment. Rishe didn't know how to build a village so putting it together was hell for everyone involved. But it would have gotten done eventually!

/end thread
 
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