[Shaak]
Leaving the ship she calmly strode down the ramp and gave a polite nod to the hangar personnel who were hanging about. Behind her, a little hesitant, was the boy she had chosen to take as her padawan. During the trip she had taken time to get to know young Nova better and was pleased to see how open and curious he was. According to him he was his squad's navigator, as well as their best broadcaster. He spoke about the classes given to all the clones and what he had learned so far about the force. She had been pleasantly surprised to learn that they were already proficient in Shi Cho as well as meditation.
"Are you alright, padawan?" She called to him as he paused at the top of the ramp, eyes flicking back and forth as he took everything in. It was all very new to the poor boy. After all he had been 'born' and raised his entire life on the rainy planet of Kamino with its stark white walls and strict structure.
His eyes fell on her and he gave her a shy smile before descending the ramp and standing next to her. "Yes, Master Ti. It's just…" Placing a hand on his head she ran her fingers through his hair with a small smile.
"A little overwhelming?" He nodded. "It does take some getting used to for visitors. But I hope you will come to see the temple as your home." His expression and presence in the force both brightened before she felt the equivalent of a flinch and his force presence was once again shielded. Inwardly she frowned. It was something else she'd noticed. The closer they came to Coruscant the more withdrawn his presence became, as if he were scared someone would notice him.
"You don't need to hide yourself from us, young one." He looked at his feet, going quiet.
"I'm not hiding from you." He mumbled. Mildly alarmed she gently put her hand on his back and motioned they should enter the temple. Without a word he allowed her to lead him inside, his expression brightening once again as he took in the wide open spaces and warm colors of the temple.
As they walked the halls jedi would nod or call out greetings to her, which she returned. There were a lot of curious looks toward Nova but he weathered them well, smiling and greeting them in return whenever he was spoken to. Whenever he called those he was talking to General, however, it earned her a couple of confused or scrutinous looks herself.
Entering the main supply room she reached out with the force. Almost immediately Master Sageon, the temple Quartermaster, appeared from behind a stack of crates. Inclining his head minutely he looked between her and Nova for a moment before he smiled. "One moment." He said quietly before disappearing. The boy next to her shifted on his feet, looking up at her in confusion. A moment later the man re-appeared holding a bundle of pale brown cloth. Taking the bundle from him Shaak gave a low bow of thanks. Nova, seeing this, quickly followed suit, though it was clear he didn't really understand what was going on.
Looking down at the bundle she smiled at the small pouch, knowing what it contained. "Come, Nova, let's get you properly dressed." Looking between her and the bundle the boy smiled, understanding lighting up his chocolate brown eyes.
Once they arrived at their new quarters, given to them as her old quarters did not have the space for a padawan, she showed Nova where the fresher was located and told him to get dressed. He looked at her a little nervously. "But I don't know how to do all the layers." He admitted, head drooping.
"Just change into the under tunics and I will help you with the rest when you come out." Nodding he vanished into the fresher. Walking over to the couch she set the other items down on the low table and separated them into the different layers. Picking up the pouch she opened it and carefully dumped out the contents. With Nova's hair cut to GAR regulation length a padawan braid wouldn't be possible for a while. What she had been given was the leather and canvas strips that could be woven with beads and worn around a wrist or neck. For the time being it would suffice.
"Gen- Master?" Looking up she smiled and waved him closer.
"They're a little different from the cadet uniform, but you will get used to them in time." Kneeling next to the table she picked up the first layer and helped him into it. As she worked she explained each layer and showed him how it was supposed to be worn. "When you become a knight you'll be free to wear whatever you like. But I want you to know that I will not stifle your individuality, your creativity. I understand that it is important for you and your brothers." Fiddling with the hem of his new tunics the boy caught her eyes and frowned.
"Why don't the trainers like you? You're very nice to all of us and keep the Kaminii from trying to hurt anyone for stupid reasons." He finally asked. Sitting back on her heels she mulled the question over as she reached for the belt that would hold the layers in place.
"Mandalorians and Jedi have had a very long history of being on opposite sides of war. Our cultures are very different as well, so it often causes misunderstandings." The boy wrinkled his nose.
"The Rid'alor doesn't think so. He said that the Jedi and the Mando'ade are very similar, they just follow different paths." Shaak watched him, listening quietly. "The Jedi and the Mando'ade are both very protective of children, they're both trained to be warriors from a young age, they both value community, they're both made up of many different species, and they both have a strict code of honor." To say that Shaak was surprised would be an understatement.
"I can see now that there are a lot of similarities between us, yes." The boy smiled, wriggling a little as she adjusted the belt so it sat where it was supposed to. "Uncomfortable?" She asked, knowing that the belts worn by the cadets during training were a lot lower on the hips.
"No, just new." She smiled.
"Good. Grab that pillow there and sit here. There's one last thing." Settling down in front of her he watched her hands as she wove the cloth and leather strips, threading a single bead onto them. "Give me your wrist." She instructed. Seeing where this was headed the boy held out his left arm. Smiling she wrapped the braid around his wrist.
"Normally you would be required to meditate for a set amount of time before we both appeared before the council. I would declare you my padawan and you would recite the Oath. Once accepted I would then braid your hair, or give you a braid like this one. However due to the circumstances," the war, "we cannot call a full council to witness. Instead you and I will be meeting with Master Yoda and Master Windu. They will witness the oath." Tying off the braid she released his arm and watched him inspect the woven band.
"What's the oath?" She smiled.
"I promise to uphold the Jedi Code. I promise to respect all life and to help those weaker than myself. I vow to use the Force only for good; never in anger and only to defend those who cannot defend themselves. I promise to find new ways to improve myself so that I may be an example to others; to provide guidance to those that seek it, while not seeking to lead or rule them." Nova listened, eyes intense with focus. She repeated the vow twice more until he could repeat it back to her word for word. "Good. I'll make us some tea to drink while we wait." Standing she went into the small kitchen to boil some water.
Returning with the steaming cups of tea she settled down on a floor cushion so she could be closer to her padawan and set the cup in front of him. Curiously he picked it up and sniffed it. She chuckled, startling him slightly. "It's not that bad, I promise you." With a shy smile he took a small sip before a look of surprise crossed his face. Shaak had used one of the sweeter tea leaves for his drink and was glad she had done so.
"Nova," he looked up at her, "what did you mean when you said it wasn't the jedi you were hiding from?" There was a look of fear in his eyes that made her heart sink. Placing her hand gently on his shoulder she gave it a reassuring squeeze. "You're safe here, I promise you." His body sagged.
"There's just so many people here." And so few of them were brothers.
"We'll be returning to Kamino soon. Back to your brothers. Once we complete the oath and go to find your crystal for your lightsaber."
"My own lightsaber!" He exclaimed, excited. "We've held one before but only a few brothers felt comfortable with it." Shaak was a little surprised by this.
"He let you use his lightsaber? Did he fight you unarmed then?" Nova shook his head.
"He has the Dha'kad'au so he could teach us Shi Cho. But he only taught the force sensitive vode. There isn't enough time or resources to teach everyone."
"Dha'kad'au?" Nova grinned.
"The Darksaber." Shaak Ti understood immediately. The man was able to share his lightsaber because he had two of them. She would have to ask Obi-wan for more details later.
The door chimed and she rose to answer it. Standing outside was Master Yoda and Master Windu. Allowing them inside she smiled as Nova got to his feet and gave them both a nervous bow. Standing beside him she pet his hair with a smile. "Ready to give your oath?" Nova looked up at her.
"I'm ready."
[Rex]
Sensing a familiar presence he looked up from he datapad in his hand only to blink in surprise at the crimson and white armor of a Coruscant Guard. He could feel apprehension from some of the others in the room and wanted to grimace in response. None of them should ever feel the need to fear a brother. Putting the pad down he stood to greet the fellow commander.
"Commander Fox. Is there something the 501st can do for you?" Taking off his helmet the older clone gave him an almost haughty look before a small smirk crossed his face.
"It's Adatoya today, ner vod." Shoulders relaxing he stepped forward and clasped forearms with the commander of the Coruscant Guard. Seeing their own commander relax and accept this brother warmly the others shed their apprehension and went back to what they'd been doing before being interrupted.
"It's been a while since we've seen this side of you." Rex commented as he reached out in the force to touch the other's presence. The response was tentative at first but once Adatoya's shields were lowered Rex could sense the full brunt of his emotions. He winced under the sudden outpouring but didn't pull away. After being isolated for so long his fellow force user needed someone to connect to. Especially after working with the dar'jetii for so long.
'Do you think he suspects you know you're able to touch the force?' Watching the man's expression he noted an almost ruthless slant to his smirk.
'No, and I'm not compromised either. The misdirection worked. He really believes that we're all just brainless puppet soldiers taught by Mandalorian Savages.' Rex could hear the disdain dripping from the man's mental voice. He added his own impression of disdain-disgust and felt the other commander's approval through the force.
'So buir was right.' Adatoya nodded, feeling equal parts accomplished and disturbed.
'My mental shielding technique has kept him out so far. Although it's getting harder and harder to subvert his orders.' Rex could feel the heavy weight of strain this was putting on Adatoya's mind and his concern grew. He was already undergoing the most harrowing mission out of all the vode. Standing right next to Palpatine as he ordered the deaths of their brothers must have been heartbreaking. But buir had tested the ever loving hell out of Adatoya to ensure the man would not break under any circumstances. He had a mental fortitude that would put most others to shame.
'What you're doing is essential. Our brothers will be avenged.' The man gave him a rueful smile and finally let go of his forearm, cutting off their mental connection.
"In any case, I've come to see your healer." There was a soft hint of teasing in his tone of voice that made Rex scowl, even as his face began to feel warm. Why did everyone have to say it like that?
"Healer Liera is in medical with Kix. You'll have to wait a while to see her." There was already a line-up of brothers waiting to have their accelerated aging stopped, along with who knows what else.
As the older clone left to find their healer Rex wondered how she would see Adatoya in the force. If she could see what had been done to him in order to make him the perfect spy against the dar'jetii. Honestly he hoped she couldn't. If she could see how fractured his mind had become, balanced on a knife's edge, she might try to help him. But until the dar'jetii was dealt with once and for all none of them would ever feel safe enough to properly heal from the emotional damage this cursed war was causing them.
[Liera]
Stepping into the large building for the first time the young woman looked around curiously. After all the admonishing comments about needing armor before their next tour she finally took the time to visit the GAR quartermaster. The man behind he counter was a regular human with a stern look on his face. She could tell immediately that he took his job very seriously, and was feeling quite stressed from overwork. Putting on a serene smile she let her own calm filter out into the room, shooing away as much tension in the air as she could.
"Good afternoon. I was told I could be fitted for a set of armor here?" The man looked surprised for a moment before taking in the lightsabers on her belt and frowning.
"Just the bare basics then?" Liera shook her head and held out a datapad. She'd been going over the armor specifications and decided which pieces she would like to keep and which she would prefer to go without. Everyone in the 501st was going to fuss at her for choosing not to take a helmet but she knew those were important to the vode. She didn't want to take away their identity and besides, she didn't like how confining it felt. It made looking at people difficult.
"Hmm, it'll take a couple days to fabricate. But it shouldn't be too difficult." The man turned and suddenly hollered. "Link!" From the open door behind the counter a clone in uniform quickly appeared.
"Yes, Sir?" The man motioned toward her, still holding her datapad.
"Take her measurements and note them down here. Then copy the file for the records." The clone straightened as the man handed over the datapad.
"Yes, Sir." He turned his attention toward her. "If you'll come this way, Miss?" With a smile she followed the clone into a side room so he could take her measurements. The sense she got from him was a very hardworking and dutiful man, meticulous, but with a bright outlook and light sense of humor.
"All done, Miss. Was there anything else?"
"Yes, I was wondering if I would be permitted to have…" Reaching over to the datapad she opened another file with a shy smile. "This. If it's permitted, of course." The man looked at the image and his eyes widened.
"Are you sure, Miss? I don't think it's against regulations, but it might cause a bit of a stir." She nodded. It was something she'd been intrigued by since she first caught sight of it.
"Yes. It reminds me of something they wear on my home planetoid. As long as it won't be any trouble, of course."
"I'll see about having one modified for you. If that will be all, Miss?" A large smile crossed her face as her eyes danced with mirth.
"Does it come in blue?" The matching smile she got in return was worth it.
With all that was happening in and outside of the temple the days quickly began to blend together. Studying and teaching in the early mornings, visiting the GAR in the late morning until the afternoon, then reacquainting herself with Coruscant until she had to return to the Temple for the evening. Where she would train, meditate, and teach more for healing techniques to the jedi.
"That should be the last of them, vod'ika." Blinking at Kix's voice she removed her hands from the soldier she was currently working on. She flushed slightly, embarrassed that she'd been caught with her mind wandering.
"I'll make the report, Commander. You're free to go." Picking up his crimson helmet Commander Fox gave her a curt nod in thanks. Even without looking at his spirit she could tell he was a very serious, no-nonsense, sort. There was something almost… unsettling about him. So much of his personality was shadowed by dark grays. She wondered what trauma he had suffered to make him clamp down on his emotions so hard they were practically non-existent. But before she could raise any concerns the man was striding away, back stiff and shoulders tense.
Once he was gone Liera lay over her desk, propping her head on her arms with a tired sigh. She had been pushing herself a little harder than usual lately. Once they were back on the Resolute and in hyperspace she would have to take a proper break. "I'm surprised that the Commander of the Coruscant Guard came in himself. I wanted to heal some of them before we left but I didn't think they'd agree. They seem so distant compared to the other battalions." Kix gave her an indulgent smile.
"They take the defense of Coruscant and the Senate very seriously. Just don't wear yourself out, vod'ika." His eyes sharpened slightly as he looked her up and down. "Hmm. You need something sweet to eat, and more sleep." Hiding her face in her arms she let out an exaggerated groan. Kix laughed as he picked up the datapad on the edge of her desk. "Go, I'll finish up the reports."
"Okay, ori'vod. I have something I need to pick up on the way back to the temple anyway." He gave her a questioning look but she just smiled and said nothing.
"I'll see you in the med bay on the Resolute tomorrow. Have a good rest." After stealing a quick hug Liera left the 501st barracks and headed straight for the supplies building where she knew her new armor would be waiting for her.
Stepping into the room she was happy to see a familiar clone behind the counter. "Hello Link." Looking up from his work he smiled.
"Good afternoon, Miss. I'll go fetch your package. One moment." When he returned he set down a cloth bundle on the counter and she eyed it quizzically. "I hope you don't mind me taking liberties, Miss. I didn't think you wanted to change into it here."
"No, I don't. Besides, it's not quite finished is it?" He smiled at her before ducking beneath the counter, picking up two metal pots and a slender case. Liera didn't need to ask to know what they were for. She gave the man a bright smile as he chuckled and tucked them into the fabric covering the armor pieces.
"Be safe out there, Miss." Picking up the bundle she nodded.
"I'll try. May the force be with you."
Back in her quarters in the temple she stashed the bundle away for the time being and settled herself down to meditate. She wanted to take her time and think about how she wanted to represent herself. There were many symbols in both Republic and Jedi history she could use but she felt very detached from them both. Everything had changed so much it was like being in another galaxy entirely. Who was she now? What did she have that was distinctly hers?
While she meditated an idea slowly formed in her mind and she realized it wasn't a complicated decision at all. Liera knew there was a perfect way to represent herself to others that was unique to her. Running her hands down her shoulders and arms she opened her eyes and smiled softly to herself.
The attack had not gone as planned, that much was certain. There were a lot of missing faces when the men returned from the surface of Felucia. She felt, more than heard, the argument between Ahsoka and Anakin about the chain of command and winced at the tumultuous feelings in the force. Thankfully the calming presence of Master Plo Koon, who she had recently been introduced to, was there to mediate. Stuck in the med bay as she currently was, tending to the wounded, she couldn't be there to help tempers cool. But she made a plan to speak with both Anakin and Ahsoka soon.
Quiet sobbing nearby made her pause as she entered the store room. Hiding behind some shelves was one of the medical assistants. Carefully, making sure he could hear her coming, she came closer to the man, who was half hunched and pouring grief out into the force. "Racket?" Tentatively she reached out, gently touching his shoulder in case he didn't want the physical contact. The man looked at her, eyes bloodshot, before he tried to wipe the tears from his face.
"Miss, sorry. Is there something I can help with?" His words were stilted, thick with emotion. She shook her head.
"No, Racket. I just wanted to know if you needed to talk. I can feel your grief." She kept her voice soft, gentle, letting him feel her sincerity. Another sob tore through him and he hung his head.
"I-it's Dune. The shabla clankers got him! He w-was my brother!" Gently she reached up and around his neck, pulling him down until his face was pressed against her shoulder. The man stood there stiffly for a moment before he latched onto her and began crying in earnest. Stroking the back of his head she let him release all of his shock and grief, soothing the more jagged edges of pain in his mind. Someone entered the room and she looked over her shoulder to see Wick, who stopped in his tracks and watched them quietly. She gave him a sad smile and could see in his eyes that he understood. With a small nod of acknowledgment he picked up the supplies he'd been looking for and quickly left them alone.
"Racket, go take a break." Looking up at her tiredly from her shoulder he shook his head.
"I'm n-needed here." Hugging him once more she finally stepped back.
"No, you're going to head back to your quarters and rest. If you have a brother on shift comm them and tell them I've given them permission to stay with you. I'll take over your work." He opened his mouth to protest but she held up a hand to stop him.
"You need to grieve. Besides, I outrank you." She spoke lightly, making sure he knew it was more of a tease than a reprimand. He gave her a watery smile in return. "Give me that and go on. I'll come see how you're doing later." Taking the datapad from him she watched him leave the medical bay and let out a sad sigh. Hitting her comm she called up the chief medic for the shift.
"Plasma." Was the curt answer.
"Liera here, I've sent Racket to his quarters." There was a confused silence on the other end. "He lost one of his close brothers and needed time to grieve. I'll be taking over for him." There was a moment where she thought he might protest but in the end he just let out a low growl of frustration.
"Fine. But I will sic Kix on you later." It was a warning and a threat all in one.
"I'll take a proper rest later." She promised meekly, knowing that the chief medic would go through with his threat if he had to.
But this was for the best. Liera had the force to bolster her, the vode did not.
After a good eight hours of sleep she finally dragged herself out of bed, had a quick meal, and sequestered herself in her quarters. She was just applying the last coat of sealant to her armor when her comm chirped. Setting down the last piece she left it to dry and answered.
"Liera! Um, are you busy right now?" Came the young feminine voice on the other end.
"Not at all, Ahsoka. What do you need?"
"Oh, well, it's not so much 'need' as well… I wanted to know if you'd spar with me and give me some tips for Jar'Kai." She could hear the hopefulness in the padawan's voice.
"I'm free right now. I'll meet you on the training deck?" The girl squealed in delight.
"I'll be right there!" Ending the call she rose to her feet and fetched her training clothes. By the time she arrived Ahsoka was already there and bouncing on her heels in excitement. Liera chuckled. Tying up her hair she motioned toward the floor.
"There aren't any training sabers here, are there?" She asked as the young Togrutan palmed her lightsaber.
"No, we don't have any on the ship. We always train with live sabers." Liera frowned.
"Then give me one moment." Sitting on the floor she set her two lightsabers down and focused on them entirely. It took her a lot of effort, more effort than it really should have, to modify the energy output. But she didn't want to hurt the padawan by accident. Even if she could always heal her afterward.
"What are you doing?" Looking up into a curious face she smiled.
"I adjusted the blades so they won't be lethal. Just in case." The young woman's face scrunched slightly.
"Is that all you were doing?" Liera felt her cheeks color slightly.
"I am someone who is well in tune with the Living force. Because of the way I perceive things I have a hard time exerting control over what my mind deems as 'dead.' Which includes metal." It was a concept no one had ever been able to teach her out of. Living things had an aura while dead things did not. Rocks, metal, driftwood, all of them registered as dead to her. Even water if it was purified and sterile. "Crystals, like my Adegans, are a different matter. They feel active and alive in the force." Picking up her lightsabers she turned them on and looked over her work. She was pleased to see the light was dimmer than before.
"Do you want to start with a spar or with kata?" She asked as she rose from the floor, turning off her lightsabers.
"We can start with kata, if you want." Clipping her lightsabers to her belt she nodded and stepped onto the mat.
"Let's stretch first." Ahsoka's face crinkled in annoyance.
"Ugh, fine." Liera blinked at her, amused. Raised as a jedi or not she was still a teenager.
"You know it's important, you would have learned this in the creche." Ahsoka very carefully did not roll her eyes but Liera could practically feel it. She chuckled.
"So… I'll just follow you then." Liera smiled at her, resigned, and slowly went through each stretch.
"Wow, you're really flexible and graceful. Like a dancer!" She smiled.
"When I was a padawan we spent some time with a traveling Rylothi entertainment troupe. They taught me a lot of dances and exercises to keep limber." It had been one of her favourite missions. She'd always loved dancing but it wasn't something jedi did all that often.
"Alright, now that we're warmed up. I'll go through the Jar'Kai kata once on my own. The second time I want you to try and follow along." She left her lightsabers on her belt and got into the first stance. She moved through each motion with slow precision, making sure Ahsoka could see how she shifted her weight.
"Of course my main styles are Soresu and Ataru. You'll have to adapt them to your own style." The young woman nodded as she got into the beginning stance and began following along with the movements, brow furrowed with concentration and eyes sharp as she took in each movement a second time. After running through them a few times Liera motioned for her to stop.
"Why don't we try that spar now? I want you to show me your own style, whatever you're comfortable with." With a bright smile she pulled out her saber and ignited it, shifting it in her hand so it was held in a reverse grip before falling into a Shien stance. Liera paused. "Reverse grip Shien?" Ahsoka's face fell slightly before she shifted her grip. Liera frowned. "Didn't you want to use the reverse grip?" The young woman shuffled on her feet, glancing around as if worried someone would appear to scold her.
"My master doesn't like me using a reverse grip… he thinks it's too dangerous." Liera rolled her eyes.
"Ahsoka, listen to me. The force moves through us all, helping us in the form of instinct and a sense of knowing. If holding your lightsaber in a reverse grip feels right and isn't some attempt to impress your peers then I want you to use it. You are both female and a Togruta. You have advantages and disadvantages that your master does not." With a bright smile Ahsoka shifted her grip once more and settled into her opening stance. Liera smiled and lit her two sabers, falling into a defensive stance. The two stared at one another for a moment before Ahsoka launched herself at her sparring partner.
By the time they had finished they were both breathing heavily and smiling. "That was so much fun! I didn't think I'd be able to keep up with you." Liera laughed.
"I might have spent time on battlefields but I was always a healer. My master was a blademaster but I've just never had a talent for dueling." Which was why she focused on an evasive and defensive style. "You're also very talented, Ahsoka." The young woman's face colored in embarrassment at the praise.
"What now?" Deactivating one of her lightsabers she held it out to the surprised padawan.
"Now you use your lightsaber in your offhand, since you're more familiar with it, and use my lightsaber in your main hand to try and get used to how it feels to wield two weapons at once." Reverently Ahsoka took the lightsaber from her hand and her eyes widened in surprise.
"It feels so alive!" Liera smiled.
"My crystals are Mephite from the Adegan system. They're a bit more active in the force than Kyber crystals." The young woman's mouth dropped open in surprise.
"But aren't Adegan crystals really rare?" Liera frowned. When she had been a padawan there were still jedi living in the Adegan system. The crystals were difficult to get but they weren't considered all that rare. Things really had changed in the last seven hundred years.
"It might be a lineage thing. My master was also taken to the Adegan system to get his crystals." She deflected. Ahsoka seemed to accept this and continued to examine the lightsaber in her hand with the force.
"It feels very warm, like a hug." Liera smiled.
"It must like you. Some who have touched my lightsabers found the crystals very… unaccommodating." She had heard them described as cold, sharp, and aggressive. But to her and a very select few people they were always warm, protective, and comforting. "Shall we?" Igniting her second lightsaber she motioned for Ahsoka to come at her. With a wide grin she flipped the lightsaber in her hand and ignited it.
"Oh it's on!" She leapt forward with a laugh.
Mando'a Translations:
Adatoya- Hunter. From Adate, person, and Oya, Hunt.
Dar'jetii-Sith.
Bit of a side note; I've caught sick. So far it just looks like a normal head cold though.
