The quiet humming of the hyperdrive is as soothing as working on T3 is. She should probably be practicing listening to the Force and her companions instead, but that doesn't really appeal to Meetra right now. Perhaps it's rather some quiet time alone with her memories she desires right now.
A sunlit yard of the Enclave on Dantooine. Sparring time is her favourite of all, and it's not just some mundane youngling sparring, oh no! It's a real Padawan guy she's got at her service now, all grown-up and blondey and handsome and really cool and awesome! Maybe not that cool to his own master, but in Meetra's eyes, Kavar fights like a god. And for what it's worth, she has him teaching her every move, testing her strength, pointing out her mistakes.
The training swords cling and clash, singing the song of motion in tune with her body. The next moment the feeling of being looked upon nearly makes her eat the next blow. Out of the corner of her eye, she notices a thin albino-haired figure seated in the shade of the big tree, quickly staring back at the datapad she's holding.
- Heeey Atris, - both of the combatants wave simultaneously. - I thought you hated the sun, as well as distractions? - Meetra asks, grinning.
- The fresh air helps me keep my mind keen, - the student replies unfazed, showing in every way she prefers whatever there is on the datapad to the conversation. Yet the feeling of being watched comes again and again throughout the entire training session, and Meetra can't help but start showing off a bit. Well... just a little bit.
Click. Clack. Wr-r-r-r.
The archive is not really some dead quiet place one would expect it to be. It's humming with energy, filled with electrical power and flickering lights. No wonder Atris tends to prefer the yard, even with all those skirmishes ongoing.
- I think it should be somewhere in this section... there. Do you have any personal data storage?
- Er... no?
- Very well... I guess we can borrow one of the extra datapads for you. Just don't break it, alright? For that would get me into trouble, - she is merely a couple years older, yet manages to sound as important as some decorated Jedi Master. It's not hard to imagine her becoming one though, no-one else seems as dedicated to Jedi teachings and history as the whitey is.
- Thank you, - Meetra smiles, taking both datapads. - I am really having hard times with all that... (don't say 'stupid ages old stuff', don't do it!) ...excess of information. If there's something for me to fail at during the finals, it's this.
- Well... at least you won't have any trouble with combat, unlike myself, - Atris sighs. - And you still have quite some time to work on your weaknesses.
No wonder she is concerned - despite her trying her hardest, Master Zhar seems quite unhappy with her weapon training progress, as well as with unarmed techniques. It is not a Jedi way, to ignore the martial ways completely for the sake of books.
- I... you know, I could ask Kavar to spar with us both! He's a good guy, he won't refuse, - Meetra offers suddenly, wondering why she would even do it, sharing him like this. The scholar lets a small ironic smile.
- Thank you, but I think he's already got lots on his shoulders. Perhaps... - she stops, eyeing Surik musingly, gulps down and finishes:
- Maybe you could help me out with that?
- Me?! Why? I mean, yeah! Sure, why not!
Click. Fzzt.
The Enclave seems a new home now that several years have passed. Meetra paces back and forth in front of the huge closed doors leading to the Council chamber. Trial time, big deal! Not her own though, not yet, but still an important one. She nearly jumps in anxiety when the doors open, letting out the colourful and cheering crowd of prospective padawans, and spots the one she needs immediately, as no other students seem to risk wearing something that easily stained. She did it, the teenager figures from her friend's content and serene looks - my, like a true Jedi! - only her blue eyes betraying the joy and excitement.
- So? This is it? Your Master will take you away now? - Meetra knew that someone from Coruscant already had an eye on Atris, and all the matter was only up to her finals.
- Not really. I am bound to help finish reorganizing the Archive here on Dantooine, it's no small task. Will take some time. But after that - yes, the Temple Archives await! - now it's her true passion speaking, leaving no trace of respectable serenity remaining. - I just can't wait to dive into all that knowledge of millenia!
- Hey, that's great, - the youngling grins, not nearly as enthusiastic but glad to hear of the delay. Then she has a quick look around and lowers her voice. - Look, there's something I want to talk about. Have a minute?
- Er... sure, why?
- Let's go... somewhere else, - Meetra grabs her hand, slender and cold to the touch - such a proper bookworm hand! - and drags the young historian to the outskirts of the Enclave.
- Now tell me... what do you know about those nearby ruins?
- About wha- wait, how do you know? It's classified!
- Ooooh, - that most sly smile is never up to any good. - Is it? How do you know then?
Atris blushes.
- By a... conicidence!
- Oh. Suuure. Well, me? I have eyes. Younglings aren't allowed to wander too far into the fields, that's true, but I... had my own coincidences.
- Very well. What of it? - Atris whispers, her eyes sparkling with guilty interest.
- Do you know, by any chance, what's in there?
- I only know that they are considered so dangerous that the entrance is sealed and even approaching it is strictly forbidden to anyone but Masters. Maybe it has to do something with the dark side.
- Wow, that's big! - Meetra whistles. - Just to think of what one could find there!
- Don't you ever think of it! I... I forbid you going near it, you sneaky stupid bantha! We Jedi must... must fight our curiosity... and... well, I don't think I fully understand this part of the Code, to be honest, - Atris frowns. - What the strive for knowledge is if not curiosity? I'll need to ask my Master about it. Anyway! You don't! Promise me you will never try to get close to those ruins.
- Alright, alright, I promise, - Meetra sighs, her mind already racing through alternatives. A droid? Perhaps. A remote control, a camera... some explosives? Ugh... okay, just a camera. And a manipulator.
Fzzt. Clang-chk.
- So! They say, you are nothing but trouble, - a cheerful voice comes from behind, and Meetra turns around to see a well-built red-haired woman walking up casually and giving the girl an appraising look. She is geared up rather like a spacefarer than a Jedi, but the Force she radiates and the lightsaber attached to her belt leave no doubts at all.
- Uh... I guess? Doesn't matter now, maam. I am leaving tomorrow. Finals or not, no Master wants trouble, it seems. Why?
- A-ha, I see. And... what are you going to do next? - the Jedi squints at her with a little cattish smile, raising an eyebrow. The wrinkles around the corner of her eye suggest of some age, but there's more life in this one than even in some Padawans.
- Surely there are more Jedi than I've met here! I will go on a search. Will meet people... and maybe I'll be able to find someone who agrees to train me, - Meetra declares wilfully. The stranger nods to her thoughts and her smile shines bright.
- Well, if these words are true, then I'm almost sorry to strip you of your search, kid. So happens that trouble is my speciality! Go get your things, we are leaving right now. Ah. Guess I owe you some introduction, - she extends her hand. - Name's Vima. Master Vima to you.
Totally dumbstruck, the girl takes the hard palm and shakes it, speechless. Holy mynock, the Vima? The legendary younger Sunrider? The one who managed to redeem the infamous Qel-Droma? Her favourite hero of childhood stories? This cannot be true, she must be sleeping.
- Hey, drop the awe, I ain't some ancient relic. Yet. Hopefully. Now, not that I'm not informed, but you could still go on with a proper introduction, I guess.
- Ah. Oh! I'm sorry! I mean... I'm Meetra. Er... trainee graduate Meetra Surik, at your service, maa- ster, - she mutters, failing to let go of the Jedi's hand, overwhelmed with all the feelings. Sunrider falls silent and serious suddenly, furrowing her brow and giving the girl a careful glance.
- Did anyone tell you of your talent yet, kid? - she asks in a low voice, getting hold of Meetra's shoulders.
- N-no?
- I see. Close your eyes and let me show you something...
- Holy bantha, - the girl whispers after a while, astounded with the vision received. - So, all of those were actually Force Bonds? I thought I was only making friends!
- So it may seem, yes. The trick is, bonds of such magnitude as the one you've just created are usually formed in years, even decades of apprenticeship. And considering how easily I got caught, I might be lacking the knowledge you need. But... you know what? - Vima grins eagerly. - I like challenge.
Crank-screech. Clack.
- And then we-! And he goes-! And then I... - the words echo throughout the halls of the Temple Archives, breaking the usual silence. Gesticulating violently in excitement, Surik hits the side of a massive flower pot with her elbow, and the next moment both she and Atris catch it simultaneously with telekinesis - inches from the floor.
- Easy, you stupid bantha, - the historian smirks, placing the pot carefully back in place. - Plants are not slavers. These in particular, at least.
- Hah! Good for them! And there's more good news - our next assignment involves some archaeological sites! - she sure knows how to make that nerd happy. Strange though, the reaction seems a bit... dull this time. - You get the first hands-on, as usual!
- That's... good.
- Hey, what happened? - Meetra squints, trying to look past the impassive facade.
- Nothing but more good things actually. I've been given a Master rank recently.
- Wow, that's great!
- ...and a Council seat.
- You wha-
- No kidding.
- Hrm. That's big. What do they want with you?
- Well... I have been studying the sources of corruption within the Order closely. Since my padawanship - it was the reason it ended so quickly, actually. Putting together all that data - ancient, recent. Making conclusions. Seeing patterns. Many Jedi went to support my thinking. So here I am.
- The thinking being?..
- We have forgotten the old ways, the way the Jedi Order was meant to be. That was what had led us to downfalls like Exar Kun's. There's too much freedom within the Order, not intended for unwise. We were right to start the changes, and should invoke much more restrictions in the future.
- Ew... is this really your opinion? Master Vrook didn't bite you, did he?
- It's facts, Meetra! I've studied thousands! Facts don't lie, no matter how hard the truth is to accept, - as unbelievable as they are, the words cause something snap deep inside Surik.
- Oh. Alright. I understand. You're an important big fish now, yes? No personal attachments, there is no emotion, bla bla bla. Right?
- Are you trying to mock the very Jedi Code here? Disrespect is hardly a virtue. Speaking of attachments... Is it true what they're saying about you?
Now that's what really troubles you, Mistress of the Archives. Well - there's nothing but truth your friend has for you.
- Why, yes! It is. What do your 'facts' say about Force Bonds?
- Nothing in particular about them being created intentionally.
- It wasn't intentional! Alright, maybe the intention was there, but I was unaware of what exactly I was doing. I was just a youngling!
- I... don't know what to do with it now, honestly. I don't see much difference between this and other kinds of attachments. Which prove dangerous. Always, - is that a note of regret Meetra hears, or just her wishful thinking?
- Then the whole apprenticeship thing is dangerous, isn't it?
- There's always the Master in that kind of relation. The one wiser and in control.
- Like yourself?
- No! - Atris snaps, her cheeks burning.
- Why? You're a Master now.
- So what? I clearly have zero authority to you! It's not how it works.
- I... see, - the knight sighs. - Well, I want you to know one thing about my power then: it works both ways. Always. I cannot affect anyone without them affecting me in the same way. Now it's up to you what you do with it. So long, High Councillor.
- Wait! Powers or not, you're still one of my fellow Jedi. You're welcome here. Anytime. Do come after that expedition, even if you bring nothing.
Does this mean she still cares? Dammit, these things are complicated enough even without the Force involved.
- Fret not, I'll make sure I bring at least something, - Meetra grins, raising her hand in a farewell gesture.
K-chunk!
- And then... the Mandalorians took Onderon, - she whispers hoarsely to T3 before powering the droid up. - How do you feel, little one?
- Beep-wreet-dit-dit!