An Excessive Disturbance In The Force.

[Ayin Tsade]

The little black communicator device floated out of Ayin’s hand and clipped onto his brown belt, attaching at his right hipbone. The Jedi master shook his head.

“What luck. My padawan has already been diagnosed with cooties,” Ayin said to himself aloud. “Guess I should give them time to finish. Maybe Jacen’ll forget to breath and then I won’t have to bother walking over.” He smiled at the idea of blowing off his meeting with Jacen, and then the smile began to grow. It was a brilliant idea! Ayin walked over to one of the slabs of marble that vaguely resembled benches and stretched his back across it. He cushioned his head with his folded arms and gazed upward. Now he could get some rest a little easier.

Seriously, those fossils running the council need to get off their bums and do something useful for once, like put worthwhile seats by the temple gate! The ones in the council chamber are nice. Why can’t they put some here? I at least fell asleep in one of those. The image of his coronation to the Jedi Council repeated itself in his mind with vivid clarity. The circle of seats with backs that hardly reached any Jedi master’s shoulders, the room painted in ceremoniously drab shades, the geezers with beards larger than their heads staring endlessly at Ayin. Never once in his memory had he seen one of them blink. They blathered instructions on how to pass the meditation exercise that was customary for initiation into the council, and then…

Blank. Ayin didn’t remember anything after the lecture. After pondering a short while as to what happened next, he realized that he had zoned out. Actually, he had fallen into some of the best slumber he’d had in years. There were dreams of fortune, fame, a little women and returning home to his family. Of course, then the geezers had to snap him awake with their scratchy, irritated barks. Fine sleep, but the waking up to reality part stunk. After Ayin successfully dozed off three more times, one of the Jedi masters suggested that they accept Ayin to the council, as his light saber skills were more than on par for one to sit on the council, and that a test of meditation in the force was really not necessary. Some short bickering followed, but the master won over the adamant ones with his reason and calm disposition. Ayin didn’t remember anything the master said, but there was some freakish scar on his head. Though most of the Jedi present were past their prime, the man looked like a true ancient.

“HEY! Where are you?!”

Ugh. Forgot to silence the stupid comm.

Ayin reached for the respond button. “Yeah, yeah, I’m coming…” He dragged himself to his feet and brushed off his blue robes. After that, Ayin ran a hand through his brown hair, which tended to stray in every direction but up. He stifled a yawn, and trudged towards the fountains section of the temple.

“I avoided receiving any students for six years, and then I volunteer to take on this kid. That’s it, I’m retracting.” In spite of what he told himself, however, Ayin kept walking.

When he came into the behemoth recreational fountains room, Ayin spied his new apprentice and his “attachment” partner. By the Force, they’re still generating their own Force Lightning. Ayin rested a hand on his hip and folded his other arm across his torso as he approached them. Time for a little fun.

“Hey Jacen. So are you going to share or what? Or at least introduce me to her if you’re going to be selfish about it.”

[Ayin Tsade]

A mischevious spark lit up in Master Tsade's hazel-brown eyes. "My pleasure meeting you," Ayin said. He stooped down onto one knee and took Kari's hand, and put his lips to the back side of it. His kiss lasted only a fraction of a moment, for Kari brought the palm of her other hand sharply against Ayin's cheek, causing his head to turn in correspondence with the slap.

While Ayin rubbed his bruise, Jacen moved over next to him and whispered in his ear, "That means she accepts you." Another slap fired off, this time at Jacen. Both young men now had a vibrant red sting on the side of their faces.

"I guess I won't be applying the maxim, 'Turn the other cheek' with you around."

Ayin stood back up, rubbed his cheek one last time and then put his hand in a pocket he had made in the side of his robe. "Nice meeting you both. Actually, I believe we met two months ago. But I'm happy to meet someone like you more than once, Kari." Ayin whipped his head back just in time to evade another palm.

[Ayin Tsade]

Ayin Tsade stood before the silvery gates to the Jedi Council chamber. His eyes were shut, and his face contorted in a deeply meditative look. Ayin had no thoughts of his surroundings, for his mind's eye was busy gazing at the image of the council sitting in a circle around him. Anticipation rushed through his blood. Ayin realized his heart was thumping out of his chest, and he shivered involuntarily.

"Master Tsade, is there something wrong?"

Ayin opened his eyes and turned towards where the soft-toned voice had originated. A handmaiden in a humble tan dress stood before him. Her silky hair had been tied in strands and knots, and she possessed a gentle, concerned look in her entrancing eyes. Ayin blinked a few times and stuttured a reply.

"Ahhh... nope, everything's fine!" He said, regaining his confident voice.

"Oh? I don't mean to intrude, but you seemed very strange just standing there. Are you certain that nothing is the matter?"

Ayin curled his hand and put it to the tuft of hair that grew on chin. Think, Ayin. There was a reason you were standing there staring at the door like a Rodian. Ayin now began to hold his head as he tried to conjure up his train of thought again. Wait, what did I come to the Council Chamber for again? Ahhhh, Sith spit! Useless memory!

Ayin turned and kicked the chair next to him, which skidded a ways and thumped against the wall. The handmaiden looked at Ayin as if he were deranged. He stood, statue-like, realizing that his mental struggle was displaying itself for all those around him.

"Sorry about that. I'm just, er... you know..." As Ayin tried to think up an alibi, his memory clicked back into place with a snap of the finger.

"Aha! The Council is meeting! Of course! Your sharp looks helped me remember what I'm here for!" Ayin swooped in on the unsuspecting girl, who looked to be about the age of nineteen, and pecked her on the cheek. Her cheeks instantly flushed, and she pushed him away, looking very irate, but choked on her words as if she didn't dare say what she felt. He then turned and headed for the Council Chamber doors. "Think of that as my symbol of gratitude!" Ayin called over his shoulder to her.

He then pressed his palm against the chamber doors and exerted a surge of the Force into them, pushing them aside. Into the chamber he walked. The next moment, Ayin heard the most irritating voice in his life.

"Master Tsade, IF you PLEASE. WHAT is the meaning of this disturbance?!"

Ayin's eyes narrowed. Of course. The ever-so-rigid Bajakian, or Pain-in-the-Bajak as Ayin used to call him during his youth, was using his disciplinary voice on him for the three-thousand fifty-second time. Or was it three-thousand fifty-third time? Every single time Bajakian corrected Ayin for being an upstart and a dispicable urchin, Ayin wished for death. A lightsaber carving up his innards; the temple collapsing upon him and crushing him to powder; being inserted into the center of a power coupling - any of those would suffice and spare Ayin the crotchety old Jedi's superior attitude.

Ayin was in no mood to deal with this nemisis from his padawan days at the moment, and decided to save his snarkier comments for later. He walked to his blue-coated seat and lay down, putting his arms behind his head, which he laid on the arm rest. Ayin kicked up his feet onto the arm rest of the empty seat next to him, not caring whose it belonged to. He then struck the Jedi Master a sarcastic smile.

"What's the matter, Baja? Aren't you happy I'm more awake now than during that pointless ceremony earlier?"

Jedi Master Tso Bajakian looked displeased. He always was. Bajakian was the same species as that Old Republic Jedi, Ki-Adi Mundi. Ayin wondered if Mundi had burst as many blood vessels as Bajakian.

"It makes no difference if you're on this council," Bajakian scolded, brow furrowed. "Remember that you are the youngest one here, and that all your elders still hold influence over you. Do not test my patience as you did during your reckless padawan days."

Ayin swatted the air. "Pffft, not like you hold any real power over me. You can say whatever makes you happy, but that doesn't mean I'll listen." He shifted back in his seat a bit, so as to look Bajakian on a more even level, while still maintaining his lax body posture.

Ayin could feel the hostility radiating from Bajakian, but didn't care. The old duff could suffer some slings and bowcaster bolts in return for trying to expel Ayin from the Jedi Order five times over his Jedi career. It had been a miracle for his master, Leddre'in Majernik, and the slender minority in the Council to convince the others that Ayin was not a Sith, and was furthermore a valuable asset to the Jedi.

An even greater wonder was how Ayin had been accepted as a member on the Council. Once again, it must have been the persuasion of his master. Ayin found it so ironic that his master had once been a strong proponent of punishing Ayin for breaking the mold, and then came to be one of the few Jedi to respect him. Perhaps the crisis involving Sith Lord Skran Nepheous had been what changed his mind. Regardless, Ayin now found himself with enough support to become a Jedi Master at twenty-one, and now a council-member at twenty-seven. Of course, Ayin still had some of his old enemies, the same old-timers that saw nothing but the troublemaker and rebel Ayin personified during his early Jedi days.

"Look, Conehead," Ayin said, "Maybe you're miffed about me raising a ruckus. I actually enjoy having fun for once - so sack me. What we're here for is to discuss what I propose we do with Jacen Aurion, and we can't start until he arrives. I suggest you use the wait time to cool off that pointy head of yours."

"Why, you---!!!"

Bajakian launched a string of accusations at Ayin, but none of them struck home. Ayin tuned out his nemesis and bobbed his head to the music he created in his mind.

[Li-An Jinn]

"Enough." Lorac's voice boomed over the cacophony and the chamber fell silent. "We are here to decide the fate of young Aurion, let us begin." Jedi Master Lorac Fiien took his seat at the head of the council. Fiien was a lithe man, old and hardened from years on the battlefield. His robe was a light gray and its siver accents picked up the highlights in his silvery hair which was pulled back in a long queue. He sat down and called Jacen Aurion before the council.

Jacen entered the cirlce of masters. He stood before them with a defiant demeanor, like a prisoner awaiting a sentence.

"So," Lorac said eyeing the young Padawan. "You were the apprentice of the late Akcel Ketaru, were you not? Tell me, what have you learned?"

[Ayin Tsade]

The Jedi whose seat Ayin's feet were taking up hadn't come. Ayin figured that there was just an extra seat for some reason or another. On closer inspection, however, Ayin realized his legs were penetrating a hologram image of a Kel Dor male, who didn't look too pleased at Ayin treating his usual seat like a reclining object. But since Jacen was busy showing off his lightsaber skills and the other masters were busy watching him, Ayin shrugged it off and figured that whoever that Jedi was could just suffer. It was his fault that he wasn't in the chamber in the flesh, anyways.

Ayin felt extremely comfortable at the moment, so much so that he shut his eyes and drank in the relaxation. Not even the constant whirring of Jacen's lightsaber and the angry ravings of Vera disturbed him much. He enjoyed a refreshing nap up until the point his pal Raxyce stirred him with his voice.

"I sense that you have withheld something from all of us, my friend."

"Huh? Oh, right." Ayin slid his feet off of the armrest and stood. He glanced at each of the other Jedi Masters before drawing a deep breath.

"Before this conversation progresses any further, I must make an announcment of the greatest importance. Please, everyone turn and take a look outside the window."

The other Jedi exchanged somewhat befuddled glances, but in the end they looked outside to see what it was Ayin was talking about. Master Lorac spoke after five minutes of utter silence.

"What do you sense outside, Tsade? We do not see anything."

"What I see," Ayin replied, "is a perfectly gorgeous day going to waste! Enough babbling about forbidding hook-ups and red lightsabers. Let's be realistic. Some of us here are married. Why, the whole Jedi Order is practically built from the Skywalker clan, for Geonosis' sake." Ayin paused for emphasis, and turned to stare down the furious muppet, Vera. "Unless you're talking about some rules that were in place during the Old Republic, there's nothing against romantic entanglements or the color red. Of course, perhaps Master Vera is of the same perspective as our friend Bajakian. But no matter."

Ayin felt his foe's hostility rise, but gave no opportunity for Bajakian to defend Vera. He walked over to Jacen and placed his hand on Jacen's shoulder.

"I trust none of us here are Miraluka, since they died out long ago. Everyone here just saw Jacen's stellar display of ability with his excessively red lightsaber. As far as I can tell, he hasn't broken any real rules, at least none worthy of kicking him out of the Order." Ayin shifted his position to present himself more fully to the view of the other masters, and scanned his gaze past each one of them, pivoting slowly as he did so.

"Allow me to remind you of an even older Jedi practice than holding prejudice against certain colors. From my study of Jedi history, it has been enstated almost since the beginning that no Jedi that loses a master be left without a replacement for a period longer than ninety days. By my count, it's been seventy-six since Akcel left us to join the flow of the Force. That leaves two weeks to decide what to do with Jacen Aurion. If we are to hold to tradition, he must be expelled, given a new master, or offered an opportunity to pass the Trials.

"Having not done anything worthy of expulsion, Jacen is not to be abandoned for a Sith. As Master Raxyce pointed out, though he could easily conquer at least most of the trials, he would benefit from greater study under a weapon master. I hereby volunteer to take in Jacen Aurion as my Jedi Apprentice."

Having finished his speech, Ayin bowed in the direction he was facing, and then gave another bow to his friend Raxyce before returning to his seat. The great collection of different responses, from smiles to furrowed brows to flushed cheeks, Ayin could tell he had captured the attention of all the council members. It would be a hard measure to pass against the might of Vera and Bajakian, but he felt no anxiety. Instead of panicking, Ayin returned to his previous prone position and shut his eyes while the Jedi argued amongst themselves.

[Li-An Jinn]

"This is all nonsense!" Bajakian blurted out. He rose and moved to address the council. "The fact remains that young Aurion is still without a master, despite the gushings of Master Tsade."

"Oh, shut it Bajakian!" Tsade shot back.

"It is the decision of this council what to do with the boy, not yours." Bajakian hissed while glaring at Tsade.

"And it is not your place to lecture the council of its duties, Bajakian." Lorac Fiien interjected in a calming voice. "Please take your seat." He motioned to the empty seat and Bajakian collapsed in a huff. "Alright Bajakian," Lorac began. "What is your suggestion, what do you think should become of the boy?"

Bajakian seemed to mull it over, then he straightend himself up and stated plainly. "I think he should be sent to the Agricultural farms and his training be discontinued." There were murmurs about the council.

"Im not sure everyone here agrees with that." Lorac replied extending his arms outward, gesturing to the council as a whole. "Tell us, what are your issues with Tsade taking the boy as an apprentice?"

"I dont believe Master Tsade can handle the boy. Aurion is reckless and completley out of control. The incedent this morning just proves my point. " Again there were murmurs througout the council, apparently some of the members could see his point. "If the boy is to continue his training, and I strongly recommend otherwise, then he should have a Master who can instill discipline in him. Not one who is barely an adult himself." He glared at Tsade who simply retorted with a "who-me?" expression on his face.

"Thank you for your opinion, Master Bajakian," Lorac stated. "I would like to now hear the thoughts of one of our newest members to this council. Master Jinn," Lorac turned to face the old Jedi, "you have been very quiet. Please, what are your feelings on the matter?" Li-An Jinn seemed to have been in deep thought, but he looked up at Lorac and the rest of the council. The chamber fell silent, Li seemed to choose his words carefully before he spoke.

"It is clear that Aurion can put on an impressive display of lightsaber skills," Li began. "So, we know, that if motivated, the boy can learn. However, though his fighting skill is formidable, it is still apparent that he has much to learn in the ways of the force. This does not mean that I believe we should expel him from the order. On the contrary, I believe we should embrace Jacen Aurion. It is at this time, when his training is incomplete, that he is most vulnerable" Li-An Jinn paused to look from Jacen to Master Tsade. "We all know the boy can be a bit...unruly. But his foundation is sound, all he needs is a push in the right direction. I believe that Master Tsade is a good match for young Aurion and it will be interesting to see the effect that they have on eachother. Perhaps in the end they will both learn to grow."

After Li-An Jinn finished speaking it was a full minute before anyone in the chamber made a sound. Master Lorac Fiien nodded to Li.

"Thank you, Master Jinn, for your words. Very wise council indeed." Lorac began. "I believe we have come to a verdict. Padawan Jacen Aurion," Lorac's voice boomed in the chamber. He looked down directly at the boy. "It is the decision of this council that, for the time, you will remain a Padawan, under the instruction of Master Tsade. Now, if there is nothing else, this matter is adjourned. Good afternoon everyone."

[Jacen Darxtryder]

Jacen felt slightly different as he got up from his kneeling position. It was as if the weight of his Master's death had been completely lifted off of his shoulders. According to protocol, today would be his last day by himself, before tomorrow officially he would become Ayin Tsade's padawan. He bowed to the council before turning and starting to leave the same way. When he was about 5 feet from the door he heard Raxyce's voice calling to him, "Hey, Jacen can you hold on a moment?" He didn't even need to turn around, in another three seconds Raxyce had caught up to him, and motioned for Jacen to keep walking, which he did. "Yeah?" Jacen replied, looking to see the Jedi Watchman who had sometimes called Jacen his (Raxyce's) 'Bro'. "I must confess that I knew about all of this ahead of time, but after ceremonies tomorrow, You, Ayin, Kari and I will be going on a tracking mission on Kashyyyk. It was Ayin's idea and he was willing to have Kari and I come along because it's been a while since we did that. However I figured that you could tell her, Bro." Raxyce finished, with an excited expression on his face. Jacen wanted to jump up and pump his fist in the air, he had always loved the tracking missions that Master Ketaru had taken him on, and as it occurred to him, tomorrow was supposed to be the day they would have gone on their seventh tracking outing. "Yeah sure, Rax. Just if you're gonna call me 'Bro' just remember that I'm making out with your sister." Jacen said, patting Raxyce on the back. "Sorry, Jacen, I guess I still do that out of habit. Other than this morning, it's been about since Akc's funeral since I've seen you for more than 5 minutes." Raxyce replied, with that ever-joking tone in his voice. "I've been so busy with the Council, heck I haven't done anything with Kari for the last 4 days." Raxyce continued, in his trademark way of asking Jacen how Kari was. "She's doing fine, as a matter of fact both of us wouldn't mind if the Council keeps you and Master Ayin busy from time to time." Jacen joked back, getting the desired confused look off of Raxyce's face. "I'll guess that's a good thing? Catch you later, I gotta run off and find Master Vera." Jacen heard as they reached the end of the hallway where Kari's room was. That was quick Jacen thought, noting both Raxyce's unusually quick exit and how short of a distance it had seemed to Kari's hallway. By now the other girls had grown accustomed to Jacen coming down to see Kari quite often. At first they had all given him looks like "We know you're trying to charge up Kari's loading ramp and we don't like it." by now though, they had come around to seeing his way of things. They were all nice girls too, although there was that annoying Twi'lek chick that always seemed to be hitting on Jacen. For this time of day everything was surprisingly quiet, he figured that the girls must be off with their masters, but he had sensed Kari was here. I guess this is my payback for not 'waking up' when she called. He thought to himself, as he walked down the hall, counting the number of doors. Five ... Six ... Seven ... Eight, here we go. He thought as he noticed the open door and his eyes became fixed on Kari who was busy at her workbench. Holy Deathsticks, She is beautiful. He thought, for about the thirtieth time that day. Just as she was about to speak she turned around, smiling.

"Hey" Kari greeted, turning around and re-hooking her lightsaber (which had been in her hand) to her belt. "I got kinda distracted," She finished, pointing her head behind her at the Lightsaber hilt behind her.

"Oh, what's this?" Jacen said, pulling down his hood, and force pulling his lightsaber hilt to him. "Thanks for putting my power cell back in place, you didn't have to do that." Jacen said, placing the hilt on his belt right next to his new lightsaber. He then pulled off his black cloak and put it on a chair before walking over and sitting next to Kari. He began to count in his head one-- but he was cut off. "Hey that's why you left your lightsaber in your room, since when have you been working on a new one? let alone finished it?" Kari asked him pointing to the silver lightsaber hilt.



"Oh this? Well I got the design from a file under Anakin Skywalker and I've changed a few of the features. I just chose to not incorporate the grips at the bottom like Anakin had." Jacen replied, handing the saber to Kari so she could feel it. "I like it." She said, noticing that the top part of the hilt was warm. It then occurred to her that she still didn't know what had happened. And she wasn't so comfortable with the idea that Jacen had had to use his lightsaber. Jacen grew concerned when he saw the worried look she suddenly showed. "I have a new Master." He said, taking the saber back from her and sensing her confusion. Kari's expression changed faster than a star fighter at full speed. Jacen almost jumped out of surprise. "Master Tsade has taken me as a Padawan. Not only that but your brother told me to tell you to pack your things because the four of us are going tracking tomorrow on Kashyyyk." Jacen continued, smiling a very wide smile as Kari hugged him. "Well I guess I better get packed then." Kari said, giving Jacen a look that confused him. "Yeah, I gotta do that too, I'll see ya later" Jacen said, as he got up for the door. "Oh, you're not going anywhere mister." Kari replied, force pushing the door closed. "Whoa" Jacen said, somewhat surprised at what Kari was hinting at. "Let's wait.. Not now. I love you, Kari that's why I can't." Jacen continued, a little bit upset. "HAHAHAHAHAAHA! you should have seen the look on your face" Kari said, pulling a datadisc off of a pocket camera she had taken out a moment before. "You really need to learn to figure out when you're getting pranked because you just got played!" She continued, force opening the door for him. "I love you, now get outta here!" She finished, sticking her tongue out at him. "Love you too." Jacen replied, his hand on his head trying not to die from embarrassment. On his way back to his quarters he couldn't help but laugh at himself.

[Li-An Jinn]

Li-An Jinn was distracted as he exited the council chamber. I know I felt them, I know it, he thought to himself. I need to check the holonews to see if anything unusual has been reported. He was so deep in thought that he didnt even notice when a jedi wearing blue robes approached him.

[Ayin Tsade]

It felt awkward to have the Aurion kid fall down and worship him, but Ayin sat still and tried not to squirm. He listened to some more pointless geezer banter, and nearly blanked out again except that Lorak called attention to a Jedi that Ayin didn't really know before. Upon a second inspection, Ayin got the feeling that he had seen him before, but the memory was fuzzy. He had graying hair on his head and some glowing blue mark on his head, and actually spoke some sense. Ayin slapped himself in the head when he realized it was the guy from earlier that had spoken in his favor during the pointless meditation exercise that morning. He made a mental note to talk to him afterwards.

Head Councilman Lorac dismissed everyone at last after stating the verdict - Jacen Aurion would proceed with his training under Ayin's supervision. Ayin cracked a slender grin as he heard the declaration; it meant that he wouldn't have to fight anybody to get what he wanted just yet.

He stood up and arched his back to get the stiffness out. When the chorus of cracks and pops from his spine ended, Tsade turned to leave, only to bump into his worst enemy. Bajakian did not bother to face him, even to give Ayin a nasty glare. Ayin restrained his urge to spit as his accursed foe with an overly-veiny oval for a head brushed robe hems with him.

Peh, Baja's as full of it as ever, Ayin thought. You only THINK you can tell me what to do, but your influence over this council means nothing when you can't stop me from doing what I want anyway.

He put his hands into his robe pockets and strolled out of the chamber, as if he was going on a Sunday morning walk. Brilliant rays of amber light from Coruscant's evening sun splashed through the windows on both sides of the walkway. Ayin could finally relax and enjoy the dying embers of a brilliant day now that all these meetings and arguments were done with. He wondered what he would spend the time on. He came to a halt when it struck Ayin that he intended to speak with that Jinn fellow.

"Ahh, blast. I forgot about him again." Ayin clapped his palm to his forehead for being so stupid, and then turned around and double-timed his way back towards the council chamber. He found Jinn when he reached the intersection before the chamber walkway. Jinn had taken a right, which put Ayin directly behind him. He approached the sage and tagged him with a pat on the shoulder.

"Hey, pal, what's happening?" Ayin asked. He usually used questions to invite himself into a conversation."Lorac called you Jinn, didn't he? Thanks for chiming in when I needed you. That Bajakian dork would have made things more complicated for me otherwise. The things you said about Jacen were right-on; you've got sharper insight than the rest of them combined."

Ayin stopped talking when he realized that Jinn had been pondering something. He tilted his head and studied the old Jedi to figure out what it was he was thinking about, but Ayin couldn't begin to guess. In fact, Jinn still looked a little lost in his own mind circuit. Ayin waved to him to make sure he was still on the same mental plane of reality.

"Hey... you all right, pal? Somebody told me you collapsed or something this morning during a saber exercise. I know it's not my business, so I won't press you. But if you're willing to tell me, I'm offering willing ears."

[Li-An Jinn]

Li looked up when he realized someone was talking to him.
"What...oh, I'm fine thank you." There was an awkward silence while the Jedi master seemed to think on something. He snapped out of it and quickly changed the subject.

"I want to wish you good luck with you new padawan," Li said genuinly. "He looks like he could be a handful."

[Ayin Tsade]

"Thanks," Tsade replied, not missing a beat. He had become so accustomed to conversations with other people being awkward that he hardly felt the oddness any more. In fact, Ayin's smile didn't even flicker when he sensed uneasiness in Jinn's tone. "It shouldn't be a problem for me, though," he continued. "The others just see the rogue in him, but there's more than that. He's gifted and dedicated, and that's what counts."

Ayin walked a few more paces with Jinn before saying more: "Tomorrow, I'm taking him to Kashyyyk for a 'hunt.' Should be lots of fun. I'll use the exercise to observe him to learn more about his personality and fighting style."

As the pair came to a bend in the walkway, Ayin caught sight of a genotonic dispenser. Its purple neon lights and smooth control module called to him. Ayin instantly gravitated towards it.

"Excuse me a moment, will ya? Duty calls."

He grappled with his robe pocket for a few moments before finding some credits, which he slipped into the nearly two-dimensional slot on the machine. The dispenser churned and hummed, then robotically coughed up a green can with a handle bar. Ayin bent over and scooped it up with an adoring hand. After popping off the top with his free hand, Ayin's cheeks blossomed with warmth and color as he tilted his head back to allow the elixir to slide down his throat. Praising his beverage and indulging in another gulp, Ayin wiped his mouth dry on the back of his robe sleeve.

"Y'know, for acting like a pack of rigid nomads, at least the Jedi Council was smart enough to spread this stuff about the temple. Hey, I'll buy you one. I have just enough. It's on me, for being the coolest old man around." Ayin drew out credits from his pocket and levitated them in a circle around his head. The credits then slapped into a clean stack on the surface of Ayin's open palm.

[Li-An Jinn]

Li waved his hand, declining Ayin's offer for a drink.
"Tell me," Li said. "What is this hunt your taking? I have been away for awhile and Im afraid Im not familiar with this exercise. Your not hunting wookies are you?" Li laughed a bit at his own joke while continuing down the walkway. Before Ayin had time to answer the two men were stopped by a youngling. A small Togruta girl had stepped in front of them and was tugging at Li's robe.
"Master Jinn" the youngling said "Why do you wear feathers in your hair? Do you like birds?" Li softened and smiled down at the little one.

"Why, yes I do like birds, but I wear the feathers because I am of the R'vi, and all members of my tribe wear them." The little girl seemed to get a dissapointed. "Do you like birds?" Li asked. The little girl shook her head with an enthusiastic yes.

"I remember birds from back home, I miss them."

"You do? Hmmm, lets see what can we do about that." Li made a show of scratching his chin before he finally spoke again. "I know," he said snapping his fingers. "Hold out your hands and close your eyes." The girl did as the master said. Then Li cupped his hands around hers. "Keep your eyes closed," he reminded her. He then closed his own eyes and began to concentrate. After a few seconds he asked, "Do you see it? The Bird?" The girl scrunched up her nose, also concentrating. It seemed that nothing was happening, then her face lit up like a supernova.

"I see it!" She exclaimed. "A bird!' In her minds eye the girl could see a small blue bird sitting in her hands. It had a spotted tail and an orange belly. It cooed softly as she stroked its feathers. She opened her eyes and the vision disappeared. She flipped her hands over and over as if looking for the lost animal. "Where did it go Master Jinn?"

"Nowhere, young one." Li answered. "It was always in your mind. Remember, the force is your ally, use it right and your imagination is limitless."

"Can you do it again?" She asked with a big smile.

"Not right now, but if you practice, soon enough you will be able to do it on your own. Now run along youngling, Master Tsade and I need to finish our conversation."

"Thank you Master Jinn." The young Togruta said before turning around and taking off down the hall.

"Now," Li said turning to Ayin, "You were telling me about your upcoming hunt."

[Ayin Tsade]

Ayin stood speechless, blinking as Jinn created a stunning image of a winged creature Ayin had never seen before. It fluxed its wings and extended its long, feathery neck in pride before flapping away into nothingness.

"Where did it go Master Jinn?" the little girl asked.

"Nowhere, young one." Jinn answered. "It was always in your mind. Remember, the force is your ally, use it right and your imagination is limitless."

Jinn then politely shooed the girl away, with a promise of spending more time with her later. Ayin blew a puff of air out of impressment.

"That... that was really cool, Jinn. I've never used the Force that way before. Maybe you should teach ME sometime." Ayin gave Jinn a thumbs up with his mug hand, while keeping his grip on the handle with the use of his fingers. He winked his approval with hints of humor in his eyes. Apparently, Jinn hardly noticed Ayin's informal gestures.

"Now," Li said turning to Ayin, "You were telling me about your upcoming hunt."

Ayin paused, and reached up to scratch the hair on his chin with what he thought was his free hand. As he opened up his palm, the credits he had been holding fluttered to the floor. Ayin rubbed his head and grinned, as if embarrassed for being such a klutz in front of the respectable old Jedi.

"Ah... oops. Clumsy me..." Ayin extended his empty hand and drew the scattered papers into his palm. He made certain he had pocketed them before continuing the conversation and answering Jinn's question.

"Where were we... Oh, yeah! The hunt... thing... we're not smiting wookies," Ayin said, grinning. "If this hunt involved wookies, I think they'd be the ones hunting and trying to smite US." He only somewhat succeeded in stifling his own laughter upon making the joke.

"Lemme explain what a 'hunt' is all about. The idea is that a small group of Jedi take a survival test on any planet they choose. Usually, they go for well-forested places like Kashyyyk. The goal is to survive the harsh wilderness while successfully tracking down a Jedi Master who agrees to be the intended 'target' of the mission. It provides a good opportunity for a Jedi Master to teach important life lessons to his pupil, such as how to survive in any environment based only upon one's intuition and intellect." Ayin paused before going on to specify further. "Generally, participants of a hunt dont have much food because there's only so much you can carry on your person. With no shops or allies to provide for you, you have to make it on your own. It is a marvelous test of an individual's strength and will to live. That, and the beasts in the forests of Kashyyyk are particularly vicious I'm told, so this hunt should be a solid test of Jacen's fighting prowess, as well.

"And," Ayin added, raising his index finger, "the master being hunted doesn't sit still, either. One can't afford to in a Kashyyyk forest. So, Jedi students must learn to sense their target with the Force, and use their tracking skills to find the individual. It forces them to gather information in a hostile environment - just like on a Sith controlled planet, or an uncharted one. I'll be able to understand Jacen Aurion thoroughly, both inside and out, from studying him on this mission." He put his mug to his lips and took another sip, licking his lips afterwards.

"I'm just shaking with excitement over this. Too bad you haven't gone on a hunt before, Jinn. They're one of the best friendly contests Jedi can hold with each other, besides the lightsaber tournaments. You should give it a try sometime."

[Li-An Jinn]

Li smiled, "I'm glad your excited, theres nothing quite like getting to know your new apprentice. I hope the trip for you is both fruitful and enlightening." Li's expression changed and a shadow fell across his face. "Unfortunately, I will be unable to join you. I have pressing matters that I need to attend to." Li looked up and saw confusion in Ayin's eyes. However, before Ayin could ask any questions Li cut in. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I must be on my way, as I am sure you do as well. Good luck with your hunt, perhaps if I conclude my business early I might be able to join you. Good day Master Tsade." Li bowed his head in salute to the young knight, he then turned on his heel and strode swiftly down the hall, leaving a speechless Tsade to stand there stunned at the rapidty of the Master's departure.

(if u want to follow Li click here...knightsandlords.proboards56.com/index.cgi?board=thejeditemple&action=display&thread=1183411355)

[Ayin Tsade]

Ayin stared with a blank expression while the Jedi Master departed godspeed. He emitted a disappointed sound from between his teeth.

"Tch. Good day to you too, old man." Ayin scuffed the carpet with a kicking motion. "So much for that maneuver. Now, what'll I do? Like my old master provides any sort of a decent challenge."

The lone Jedi took a left at the next hallway intersection, towards his rooming area. He was so glad he didn't have to keep going straight towards the padawan housing any more; the intersection reminded him that he had been under the heel of his superiors for too long in the past. Now, he was free.

Free. Free to chuck his empty mug out the window towards the unending stream of Coruscant air-speeder traffic. So he did. The small window shattered, and Ayin watched with satisfaction as the mug executed a beautiful spiral, plummeting toward the ground so far down no one could possibly see it from the Jedi Temple.

"Heh." A smile found its way onto Ayin's face as he spoke, despite that no one was around. "Well, fine then, Jinn. Be busy. I'll be able to test your skills another time myself. You'd better uphold your reputation. After all, not everybody survived Vader's purge during your time." Ayin reached his door and opened it with his key. Once inside, he sat onto his cushy blue and white bed and grabbed a small messenger droid. He recorded a message in a serious tone.

"To Jacen Aurion: Meet me at the water fountains tomorrow. 5 AM. Being late isn't an option. I'll see you there."

He clicked the recorder button, and then typed in the directions on the droid so that it would stop directly in front of Jacen's room: # 58694, East Wing. Ayin set the droid on the ground, and it rolled off, beeping and whistling as it whirred around the corner.

"May as well sleep the rest of the evening and night away. It's going to be a long day tomorrow... and the day after that. Maybe a week." Ayin clicked the light switch and laid down, not bothering to change out of his robe. He dozed off almost as quickly as he had during the Jedi Council meeting earlier that day.

[To "Initiation" thread. www.knightsandlords.proboards56.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=temple&thread=10&page=1]