Tyro had been in this room for less than a week. He hadn't even finished unpacking his things in the first place. His imagination drifted as he tossed the last of the belongings he could possibly think of uses for into his bag. At least there wasn't much to have to choose between, Jedi kept their equipment pretty basic. Packing, knowing he was going into battle though shed a strange light on everything. Usually he didn't go into a mission expecting a fight, rather being prepared in case their was one. He tried to imagine what a full scale battle like this, with armies, clones, and droids, would be like, but there was no context. Yes he'd taken down individual or small sets of droids before, worked with small teams of clones. He had been injured before. He had killed before. But the amalgamation of all these parts did not equal a clear picture of just what exactly what he was about to face.

He had studied all of this, in classes, reports, stories from older students. It was tempting give into imagining the horrors of war, the anxiety, fear; but he understood that the only thing he had learned from it all was that this was going to be nothing like he expected, no matter how much he felt he knew now. So he accepted it. Right now he was as prepared as he could possibly be.

Then he remembered what Gavyn had felt earlier. That stuff lingered, even for Jedi clearly. That was what battle did to a person, he supposed. Gavyn seemed to know what he was doing, well, clearly he did know, but even he still felt these things. Maybe, Tyro thought, I should be feeling something then.

Tyro cinched up his bag and left the room, kicking the door closed behind him. Gavyn was already waiting on the couch in the common room. "Master…" Tyro started hesitantly. Perhaps he shouldn't ask, it was private after all. He had to know though. It was the only thing he had to go off of. "Earlier...with the council, how they treated you..it hurt you." Though it was a statement, he held the question in his eyes. Are you okay? Will this be okay?


It didn't take long for Gavyn to get his things, most of his own equipment was still on board the Republic cruiser with his legion of clones. He made a few calls to get the hangar crew to prep his transport for hyperspace travel. It would be ready to fly in a few hours. It was going to take Tyro a while longer to gather his things and get ready to leave. He took the opportunity to meditate.

Closing his eyes, Gavyn let the feel of the temple wash over him. The force was strong here, but peaceful. Gavyn had not known any other home, even though he only returned every once in awhile. Focusing on one aspect of his senses at a time, he committed each to memory, to carry with him. Even in the heat of battle, he could center himself around the thoughts of the jedi temple.

Lost in meditation, Gavyn's eyes glanced open when he heard Tyro's voice. He had packed quicker than Gavyn had expected. Stretching out his shoulders, Gavyn stood up and straightened out his tabard. Expecting Tyro to say something along the lines of 'I'm ready to go." Gavyn had to pause and think about his statement. Tyro looked upset by the matter, far more than Gavyn felt about it. He had already moved on, and was focused on the mission ahead.

"They question my judgment." Gavyn said simply. Not without reason. "But they are on the jedi high council for a reason. I respect their wisdom." To not entirely trust me. Gavyn knew that they respected him as a general, but Esseles was going to be a permanent stain, no matter what heroics he did to earn their trust back.

Tyro looked concerned, though, and Gavyn softened. "I've made some mistakes, Tyro, but I've learned from them, and can carry that wisdom with me in the future. The council also learned from those mistakes, and they are just trying to make sure they are not repeated." In short, they always thought twice about sending in Gavyn to areas thick with civilians or local militias. "It does hurt, but that is how those lessons are not forgotten." Gavyn finished heavily. It took him a long time to center himself so he did not dwell on the battle of Esseles, but since then it served as a painful reminder, not a source of grief. It was a lot to explain to a Padawan, and the two of them had really only just began getting to know each other. There was going to be plenty of time to tell Tyro about everything he fully learned from that experience. For now, Gavyn did not want to shoulder the burden of trying to both let go of his pain while still retaining the wisdom he learned from it. It was too much for a jedi master much of the time, it was certainly going to overwhelm a Padawan in the middle of his own emotional changes.

Tyro nodded, taking in Gavyn's words. Understanding the best he could. He recognized there was only so much he could get though. There was clearly much more to him than he had considered. Obviously he would get to know Gavyn better as time passed, but even the small bit he had discovered today made him realize he was holding onto rumors and perceptions. He knew he was doing it, on purpose even, but if today had showed him anything it was that going on letting those things guide him would only lead to hurt and misunderstanding.

"Earlier today, you asked who I was. Seems only fair I ask you the same thing."

Gavyn shot Tyro a sideways smile. He was glad that Tyro was picking up tricks that he used, but it was a difficult question to answer. It was only a matter of time that these tables would have been turned. Gavyn knew his right as a jedi master meant that he did not need to answer the question if he did not want to, but he disliked playing mind games. His own master was reserved, and as a Padawan he found that distance frustrating. He would give Tyro the best answer that he could.

Gavyn heaved a sigh, and sat back down. Where to begin? "It is a long story. I have a few years on me." He was close to forty five. He was no Master Yoda, but there were still parts of his life that could not feel more distant. "I never was a good student." He started, echoing Tyro's statement. "Memorizing, fact-finding, technology and tests were never my strength. I always got along well with people, but I had no interest in politics. I think my master wanted me to be a infallible swordsman, but I think all her lightsaber training served to just make me very resilient." He joked. Gavyn took a lot away from her lessons, but it never seemed to be what she expected. He developed a good head for war tactics, excellent defensive form, and incredible stamina.

"I believe in the Jedi Order, and I believe in the Republic, and I'll fight for them until my last breath. I don't like war, but I know I'm good at it. That's why I am one of the first to volunteer when there is a necessity." And why I have a reputation of being a warmonger. "The people I fight beside, however, I care a great deal about." Many of the best friends that Gavyn had made were from the battlefield. He had been leading the same legion of clones since Geonosis, almost without interruption. He often felt fortunate to have a group of trusted brothers fighting by his side, particularly since his previous Padawan had left the order.

Gavyn's countenance darkened. "I am still learning- I don't have all the answers." He said thoughtfully. "I am glad that you agreed to be my Padawan, Tyro." He missed having a jedi companion, to share the spiritual culture they all grew up with. He missed having someone to connect through the Force with. He missed being able to share his wisdom with someone, and not need to go back and explain a dozen different jedi sayings. Not to mention, Gavyn felt like he could learn a lot from Tyro. He finally felt at ease with himself to allow himself to start growing again, rather than withdraw and defend the identity he already had.

Gavyn knew that there was inner conflict that he was omitting, but he also knew that it would serve no purpose to appear to Tyro as confused and emotionally fragile as he felt. As much as it represented who he was, the fearless, powerful, inspirational general represented who he was as well. His own persona became his model to live by. Gavyn looked at Tyro with an expression of finality. He too, was offering Tyro a statement of facts, that he could either trust or not trust.

Tyro smiled back. "Thanks, for being my master...and thanks for giving me a second chance." It was almost awkward being this sincere, that was probably why he hadn't said it yet. "I didn't even realize I needed one."

Gavyn nodded, giving Tyro an affectionate smile.

"Well," Gavyn said, standing back up. "If you have all your things, our transport should be ready by now."


Tyro readjusted his bag on his shoulder and followed Gavyn out of the room. It had grown late, there were fewer people in the halls now. The sun was setting over Coruscant, it's warm orange light streaming through the windows. Even though the day hadn't gone at all as he had expected, and despite the less than warm welcome back he had received, Tyro realized with a tinge of nostalgia that he was going to miss this place. There was no knowing how long it would be before he was back here again.

"Tyro!" A voice suddenly split the silence of the hallway before he could get too lost in his thoughts.

Tyro spun around to face an Ithorian boy, long brown fingers extended in an excited wave as he ran to catch up with to him.

"Donol?" The recognition slipped out as a question. There was nothing but honest friendship and appreciation in Donol's voice however. Donol was one of the kindest people he had ever known and had been one of his best friends for so long Tyro was ashamed that he had let his own insecurities even question that fact.

"I am truly glad to have found you." Donol's two mouths slipped into wide grins. "I heard you were back, but I did not have time to find you. I was in drills with my master for most of the day." Tyro noticed the glint of a beaded chain hanging from Donol's head, bobbing slightly as he spoke.

Tyro grinned back, seeing his friend again was a respite he hadn't even realized he had been craving. He wanted to grab him in a tight hug but Gavyn was still right there. Hopefully the Jedi Master wasn't too upset about this interruption. Tyro decided he would wait a moment before seeing if that was true. He would rather deal with a reprimand later than miss this chance for a proper greeting...and goodbye. "Your master? That's great! When? Congratulations!"

"It was just after you left." Excitement waned. "Oh Tyro, I tried to tell everyone what really happened but they wouldn't listen. I thought I would never see you again. I wish I could have been there for you more-"

"Donol, you were there." Tyro could never thank him enough for keeping him sane during the trials for his old master. "Knock it off. Now tell me about you," Tyro grinned, giving Donol a playful push. The guy was always putting people before himself.

"Honestly there is not much to tell. I have been at the temple, training with my Master. He requested some time for that before we were assigned at any battles." Donol's tone was one of plain acceptance. Though he seemed to acknowledge that war was about to become his life, but the idea of it stung Tyro. Donol was only eleven, which had never mattered before, but that just seemed...wrong now. He was almost insufferably kind too, trying to imagine what he would be like on a battlefield was impossible.

"Hm," Tyro acknowledged, not knowing what else to say to that. "Things will work out," he tried.

"Of course," came the automatic agreement with a wan smile. Donol looked him over, eyes lingering on Tyro's bag. "Leaving again then?" He asked with a hint of regret.

"Yea, we've got a transport waiting." It hurt Tyro to have to say that. Donol deserved more of his time, and a conversation that was about something other than just Tyro's life. They would see each other again soon, he assured himself. Hesitantly he looked back to Gavyn.

Gavyn hung back as Tyro caught up with his friend. He recognized Donol from a demonstration a year or two ago, of students looking to be taken as Padawans. The boy had performed well, but Gavyn could not justify bringing someone so young into battle. He could not afford to take months away from his post as a commander to train someone. Gavyn couldn't help but notice, with the two boys standing next to each other, how young Tyro was as well. He was tall for his age, but he hadn't seen too much violence- and certainly nothing like the frontlines of war. He could only hope that his new apprentice would be able to keep up and learn fast. And hope he wasn't dragging Tyro away from a long life of AgriCorps, only to die in the midst of a war.

Nodding to Tyro when he glanced back to him, Gavyn made it clear that they should hurry to the hangar.

Tyro gave a quick nod back before turning to say his final goodbye to Donol. "Take care of yourself okay? I owe you a real conversation, got it?"

"Sure thing," Donol smiled. "Make sure you take care of yourself as well. We will see eachother again before we know it. It will not be so bad."

"For sure," Tyro smiled at Donol, but as he turned away it faded to melancholy.

Gavyn walked a few paces, wearing the expression of a soldier's resolve. He paused, however, as his heart fell. If he was honest with himself, he knew that Tyro and Donol would never see each other again. War was a dangerous place for both of them, and battles spanned the galaxy. The likelihood they would be able to find each other in this place of peace was slim. Gavyn turned back around to the young Ithorian. "Why don't you come along, Donol?" He asked. "You can see us off."


A/N:

And so concludes part 2.

Thank you so much for reading! It would be great to hear what you think, whatever your comments or critiques may be!

Part 3 will be out some time next week, a new story in the series complete with clones, battle, and its consequences.