Jedi Master J'tash Celeste walked alone through the halls of the Jedi Temple, occasionally passing fellow Jedi Masters or Padawans, inclining his head ever so slightly as the only sign of recognition. He wore his standard Jedi robes, and as always, his lightsaber hung deactivated at his side. As an advanced male Togruta, his lekku were draped on his shoulders as he strode through the halls, heading to the training room, where his Padawan, Ventral Sycheck, was practicing his lightsaber skills. Master J'tash had been assigned to the Temple as a punishment after refusing to follow orders on Ryloth, which led to a Republic defeat. He paused outside the training room, gathered his thoughts, then entered.
Sure enough, Ventral, a male human, was dueling another Padawan, this time a female human, in the far corner of the dueling ring. Among the red carpet of the dueling ring, masters were instructing their Padawans on dueling, different species here and there. J'tash spotted a male Twilek lecturing a young Togruta, and a female Zabrak instructing a younger male. As he passed, the masters nodded formally to J'tash; he was well known in the Temple, his previous victories in the Clone Wars earning him a reputation that had not been dimmed by the defeat on Ryloth.
As he approached his Padawan, he realized that his trainee had become stronger; his tactics were almost flawless matched against those of his opponents. He was dueling Reisha Tylaw, the thoughtful Padawan of Jedi Master Adi Gallia. Reisha Tylaw was one of the foremost Padawan duelers in the Jedi Order, also the prettiest, and most likely to attract males. Reflecting on this, J'tash hoped that his own Padawan would be wise enough to realize that love led to the dark side, and focus more on his training.
When he stopped a meter or two from the duelers, inspecting them, Reisha disarmed Ventral with a flourish of her saber sending Ventral's lightsaber flying. J'tash caught it with ease and handed it back to his Padawan.
"That was great, Reisha!" Ventral congratulated, receiving his lightsaber back. Although his eyes showed annoyance at his defeat, his spirit was high. "Shall we go again?"
Reisha shook her head. "Master Gallia wanted me to do research at the Archives for her on notorious bounty hunters," she said. "Maybe next time? We could do it after, or-"
"I'll come with you!" Ventral put in. "I haven't got anything to do, since I finished my research yesterday." He gave a pleading look at J'tash, who had other things on his mind.
"I'm afraid not, Ventral," J'tash said, casting a warning look at his Padawan. "We have work to do."
Ventral nodded respectfully, although he showed regret so clearly to J'tash. "Until next time, then, Reisha."
Reisha nodded, then walked to the door, where her master was waiting for her. Together, they walked out and down the corridors to the Archives. Ventral followed them with his eyes, an emotion showing clearly. J'tash recognized the emotion at once, though he had hoped for else. Thinking about it, he would not let that emotion cloud his Padawan's sense and turn him to the dark side.
"Come, Ventral," he said. "We have much to discuss."