Master Aurora
The Jedi Temple on Coruscant. Sacred sanctuary of knowledge, peace, and harmony of the famous Jedi Order. Thousands of Jedi lived within its walls as it overlooked the city. All of whom had taken an oath to the betterment of the galaxy and maintaining the balance of the Force.
On an average day much like any other a Jedi Master waled through its halls. She was a human woman. Tall, beautiful, and young. She strode content through her home, amongst her friends and comrades, occasionally greeting a fellow master or acknowledging a youngling or Knight with a smile. She was known as Master Aurora. And unlike most Jedi her robes were of a lilac and purple color. But the lightsaber at her belt was clear indication of her status. As she strolled through the halls going nowhere in particular she felt a small disturbance. She slowed her pace and smiled to herself as she felt a presence following her.
She glanced over her shoulder and her suspicions were confirmed when she saw a small shadow hiding in a corner. She turned her head and continued along, pretending not to notice. Meanwhile the figure kept back a reasonable space as she followed the Jedi master. She watched her with big green eyes, biting her lip as she tried to suppress a smile and giggles at their game.
She followed the Jedi until she disappeared into a courtyard. She ran out in pursuit, only to find the master gone. The figure looked around in confusion. Wondering where the older woman could have gone.
"Hello there youngling," came a voice at her ear.
"Eep!" the figure shrieked. Immediately she was on alert. She dropped and tried to trip Aurora. But with a laugh the master backflipped, easily avoiding the attack. The little girl leapt at the master, throwing punches and kicks that were easily parried, blocked, or just avoided. The master laughed at the child's tenacity. Even when she was severely outmatched she fought her little heart out.
The girl leapt at her with a yell. Master Aurora dropped onto her back and placed her boots on the girl's chest before rolling backward and tossing her into the air. The child yelped and fell to the ground with flailing arms. But she was saved from impact by Master Aurora, who extended her palm out and used the Force to catch her. She lowered her hand slowly, setting the youngling down.
Master Aurora approached the little girl with a smile, she ruffled her hair as the little girl beamed up at her.
"Welcome back Master Aurora!"
"Thank you Rapunzel. Its good to see you. How have you been since I've been away?"
The child, Rapunzel, was a little brunette girl with grass green eyes. She'd been brought to the Jedi Order by Aurora herself after rescuing her as baby from a Nightsister. Even as a child she'd shown aptitude in the Force when she healed a scratch Aurora had received in her duel with the witch. And ever since their meeting Aurora had felt a connection to her. She'd watched her, looked out for her, and tracked her progress. She became someone the youngling looked up to and emulated. She wanted to be a great Jedi Master like her savior.
With a smile she began to excitedly talk about her training. Aurora listened with a smile.
Years passed, and soon enough Rapunzel was older, and at the stage of her training where she had passed her initiate trials. Soon the annual tournament for the initiates would take place. And if she did well then maybe a Master, or a Knight, would take her as their Padawan. The only problem was...Rapunzel wasn't great at lightsaber combat.
She wasn't terrible either. She was just...average. Not like some of the top in her clan. She sighed as she sat alone under a tree in the courtyard. Tomorrow would be the tournament. And if she didn't become a Padawan she'd be reassigned to the one of the branches in the Service corps. While even that was a noble pursuit Rapunzel still had her dream. To be a great Jedi like Master Aurora.
"Hello youngling." Rapunzel gasped and looked up in surprise to find Master Aurora standing before her. She leapt to her feet.
"Master Aurora, you're here!" she cried happily.
Aurora smiled and chuckled. "Of course Rapunzel. I wanted to see you in the tournament tomorrow," Aurora said she she ruffled her hair. The pair caught up, Aurora spoke about her most recent missions. Rapunzel listened in wonder as Aurora spoke of her adventures. She longed to see the galaxy like the Jedi master. The only place she'd ever remembered going was Ilum, and that was only to create her lightsaber.
"I sense...nervousness and anxiety in you little one. Are you ok?" Aurora asked in concern.
Rapunzel flinched. She fiddled with her hands nervously. "Yes Master. I'm just nervous about tomorrow's tournament. I hope to do well enough to get a Master."
Aurora hummed. "Is there anyone in particular you were hoping to attract?" Aurora asked innocently. Rapunzel blushed. Her mouth went dry. She wanted so badly to admit she hoped for Aurora to take her on as her Padawan. But she knew that was unlikely. The Jedi Master showed no interest in taking on a student. Never had. She wanted so much to learn from who she believed to be the greatest of all the masters. And the most beautiful.
"No. No one in particular," Rapunzel said shaking her head.
Aurora cocked a brow. "I see. Well, come along young one. Lets eat. You have a big day ahead of you," Aurora said standing up from beneath the tree. Rapunzel nodded and followed after her. She stared at the Master's back before casting her eyes down in shame.
Jedi Masters were gathered around the sparring rings. Watching the initiates spar as they looked for any initiate they'd like in a Padawan. There were many eligible candidates. Many skilled younglings who'd make great apprentices. The children were all nervous as could be. They hoped to show their best stuff, to let the Masters see what they were made of.
Rapunzel fidgeted nervously. Eyes scanning the crowds in the hopes of seeing one face. She hoped to see Master Aurora. Even her presence would prove comforting.
"Initiate Rapunzel. What can you tell me about her?" Master Valka asked to an instructor.
The instructor stroked his chin. "Well, she's not a bad initiate. But there's nothing particularly special about her either. Her hand to hand skills and lightsaber combat skills are...average. She's not the worst nor the best in her class."
The masters hummed as they watched the youngling step into the ring with another initiate. The sparring match began. And as they watched the younglings spar the instructors words were confirmed. She was decent. Not bad nor great. Easily looked over.
They watched as she was suddenly knocked out of the ring by her opponent's kick. Ending the match. Unfortunately her first round.
Rapunzel's heart sank. She hadn't even made it past the first round. How was any Master supposed to believe she would make a good apprentice? She stood up, and bowed to her opponent. Then she stood among the other tournament participants who'd been defeated.
She scanned the crowds once more. And still, there was no sign of Master Aurora.
Rapunzel walked briskly behind her instructor. She'd been dumbfounded to hear that a Master was requesting her presence. When she asked who it was he hadn't responded. SImply told her to follow him. Her heart thrummed in her chest. She wondered who it could have been. There had been many masters at the tournament. She hoped one of them was going to request she be their Padawan. That would be great, it would be the realization of the first step in her dream to being a true Jedi.
Soon she was led to a meditation room. The doors slid open, she peeked around the instructor, and she gasped when she saw Master Aurora standing in the center of the room, posture relaxed and arms behind her back.
"Master. As instructed. Initiate Rapunzel," the instructor said as he stepped aside.
Aurora smiled gratefully. "Thank you. That will be all," she said to dismiss him. The instructor gave a nod before leaving the room. Leaving Aurora and Rapunzel alone. Aurora smiled at Rapunzel, who shifted on her feet nervously.
"You wanted to see me Master?" Rapunzel muttered nervously.
Aurora nodded, her face a calm smile and not giving anything away. "Yes Rapunzel. In recent years I have suddenly found myself seeking a Padawan. I was hoping you could help me," Aurora stated.
Rapunzel's heart leaped. Aurora wanted a Padawan! Rapunzel opened her mouth to nearly scream that she'd be happy to be her apprentice. But she stopped. Because while she would be happy to be her Padawan...was she the most worthy of the master? What about the other students who performed better than her? Weren't their skills enough to warrant her tutelage? She swallowed. This was no time to be selfish.
"Well...there are a lot of initiates in my clan who'd make a good Padawan," she offered.
Aurora cocked a brow. "Oh really? Tell me about them," she requested.
Rapunzel nodded before going through all her classmates, stating their good points, trying to make them sound as good as possible.
"Oh my, so many choices," Aurora said thoughtfully. "Still. I've noticed you haven't proposed yourself? Am I an unsuitable master Rapunzel?" she asked cocking her head to the side.
"NO!" Rapunzel cried. She flushed at her shout before collecting herself. "No Master. Of course you are. Its just...I'm nothing special," she mumbled with a shrug.
Aurora looked at Rapunzel. Staring into her face for a long time. Rapunzel began to fidget and blush under her gaze. And then to her surprise Aurora chuckled lightly. She placed a hand on her shoulder. "You say you are not special. But I disagree. I've watched you for a long time Rapunzel. And I know you are something great," Aurora said warmly. She reached a hand up to rub her thumb over her cheek. A gesture of remembrance to their first meeting.
Rapunzel was frozen on the spot. It sounded like Master Aurora-no. Impossible! It couldn't be. Could it?
"Now then Rapunzel. Won't you be my Padawan?"
Rapunzel gasped. She lost her voice as her mind stopped. Aurora chuckled, causing her to snap back to reality. She composed herself, though she was barely stopping herself from hopping in pure joy.
"I would be honored...Master," Rapunzel said sincerely.
Truer words were never said. And soon Rapunzel was made Aurora's Padawan. And the pair were almost always together after that. Even during the days of war time that soon descended on the Republic. But through it all Rapunzel had her master. And she watched her, hoping to be half as graceful, kind, brave, and compassionate as the beautiful Jedi master.
For even if she could become half as extraordinary as her, then perhaps she had the makings of a great Jedi in her afterall.
