Chapter 32 – Becoming a Master

It's been some time since my last update. Sorry about that, but there were things happening in my life that didn't leave me in much of a writing mood. That said, things are picking up a bit again. I'm getting back into writing again, but I don't know how long it'll take for me to update my stories again.

In any case, I hope you enjoy this chapter.

;-

Jedi Knight Barriss Offee stood waiting outside the Council chambers. She was about to inform them of her decision to take Scout as her Padawan learner. She had a feeling that they probably already knew she intended to take a Padawan, considering the fact that she had joined a few classes for new Masters. The Masters that taught those classes no doubt kept the Council informed, especially now during the war, considering the amount of Jedi that had already fallen.

They probably already knew of her plan to take a Padawan, but they wouldn't know who she was thinking off. Considering what Scout had told her before, it might be a little difficult talk with them. The younger girl was sure of the fact that some members of the Council would rather ship her off to the Agri Corps. Barriss wondered if the Council would disagree with her choice of Padawan. It wouldn't really matter, it was clear to her that it was the will of the Force and she would follow It.

She had spent the last four days preparing both herself and her quarters for her new Padawan. Being a Master herself would be something that she would have to get used to. She was quite grateful for her former Master's help and advice. In their talks, Luminara Unduli had given her some good pointers on how to start with their training. There was no doubt in her mind that it help her out a great deal. She wouldn't have really known what to do otherwise.

She was also glad that she, as of now at least, had no new upcoming missions. It would give her and Scout some normal quiet time to get to know each other. She agreed on that with the Masters teaching those classes. It is important for a Master and Padawan to be able to get to know each other, so they can form the bond needed for the training. Otherwise, getting off to a good start could get a little bit rocky.

She remembered one of the talks she had with Ahsoka after they had met. They had shared the stories of them meeting their respective Masters. She had been somewhat shocked with how unusual and rather chaotic Ahsoka's first meeting with Anakin Skywalker had been. Sure, they had bonded later, but it had been a very rough start. She wanted to avoid that herself with Scout. She and Luminara had been able to spend plenty of time together in the Temple before their first mission. During that time they had meditated and trained a lot of times, so they were able to bond properly.

Right now she hoped that she would be able to do the same with Scout, before whatever crisis required her to travel who knows where. Scout would be a different Padawan than most. Besides that, the young girl would be her first Padawan. She wanted them to be able to properly connect before she would be called into another battle or stressful medical emergency somewhere in the Galaxy. It would certainly help them in the long run.

Barriss pushed the thought away for now as she was called into the Council chamber. She walked into the room and bowed to the Masters present. "Good afternoon Masters," she greeted them.

"Knight Offee, something to share with us, you have?" Master Yoda asked her.

"Yes Master Yoda, I do," Barriss replied. "The Force has been guiding me towards a Padawan learner. Over the past few days, it has shown me several visions of us together. With some guidance from my former Master, I have decided to follow what The Force has shown me and take on this Padawan."

"Always a good development, that is," Master Yoda said. "Tell us, guiding you to who, the Force is?"

"Everyone calls her Scout, but her real name is Tallisibeth Enwandung-Esterhazy," Barriss replied. Almost right away, she could feel a bit of a shift in some of the Council members. "Guess she wasn't wrong in the way some Council members thought about her," she thought to herself.

Mace Windu looked at her with his usual expressionless gaze. "You are certain of this decision?" he simply asked her, not seeming all too enthusiastic with her words.

Barriss nodded in return. "Yes, Master Windu, I'm sure," she answered him. It was quite clear to her that he felt otherwise about Scout continuing as anyone's Padawan.

"Surely there are plenty of other Padawans that would make for a better apprentice," Mace Windu replied, the look on his face saying quite clearly how he felt about her decision.

"No Master, I don't agree with you on that," Barriss said lightly, keeping the emotion out of her voice. The fact that a council member would be so against the training of a Padawan just struck all kinds of wrong feelings in her. As Masters of the Jedi Council, they were supposed to support the younger members of the Order at all times. Fortunately for her, it was Shaak Ti that spoke next.

"Interesting," the Togruta Master said calmly. "Tell us, why do you feel that way?"

"I know that many Masters and Knights don't see her as a worthy apprentice. She's not as strong in the Force as others are, I've sensed that as well. Because of this weakness, they don't look any further at her," Barriss replied. "She might be weaker in the Force, but her spirit is all the stronger for it. She always had to work harder than her fellow Jedi, but she didn't allow herself to be discouraged by that. Despite everything working against her, she always kept on going. Her willpower and drive to succeed are very strong. In those areas, I feel that she surpasses other Padawans. If she is just given a proper chance, I believe that she can become a skilled Jedi Knight. A bit of an unorthodox Knight perhaps, but a skilled Knight nonetheless, regardless of her handicap."

"I see," Shaak Ti said as she lightly nodded. "And you are willing to give her this chance, Knight Offee?"

"Yes, Master Ti, I am," Barriss replied. "There are a lot of Jedi that aren't willing to support her in becoming a Jedi Knight, a situation that I, sadly, am quite familiar with. It was for different reasons, but I know how it feels for others to be against your training. I can feel the Force steering me towards Scout, to help her and guide her in the path to Knighthood."

"Your mind is made up then, Barriss?" Obi-Wan asked her, a slight amused smile on his face.

"It is, Master Kenobi. I can tell that it is the Will of the Force and I will follow It," Barriss answered truthfully.

A few of the Council members shared some looks, but no one had any further comments about the situation. Master Yoda noticed this and nodded. "Settled then, the matter is. To the Council chamber, call young Scout, we will," he said. The majority of the Council nodded in agreement and the message was sent.

;-

Master Ilena Xan was overlooking her class going through several lightsaber katas when she suddenly received a message on her datapad from the Council. She checked it and saw that they wanted to see Scout in the Council chambers. She gave a slight sigh before turning her attention towards the young girl.

"Padawan Tallisibeth, please report to the Council chambers. The Council wishes to see you," she informed her.

Scout looked at Master Iron Hand and worry set in on her immediately. None of the Council Masters had recently bothered with her at all. She could think of only one reason for why they wanted to see her now. Before she could reply to the Master though, another voice called out.

"Looks like you're finally getting thrown out the Order!" the boy that had hurt her last week called to her. "It's about time! They should have…" He froze and flinched when he saw the look that Master Iron Hand was giving him.

For a moment, Ilena Xan just gave the young Padawan an icy glare, to remind him of his behavior. Then she turned back to Scout. "You may go, Padawan Tallisibeth," she told the girl, slightly hoping that it wouldn't be the last time she saw her in her class.

"Yes Master," Scout replied slowly. She bowed to the Jedi Master and began making her way out of the training room.

Scout walked through the halls of the Temple, on her way to the Council chamber. She kept a straight face before the other Jedi walking in the halls as well, but she couldn't help the emotions welling up inside her. That boy was a jerk, but he was probably right, unfortunately. They probably had enough of her and were about to throw her out the Order. Probably ship her off to the Agricorps so she wouldn't bother them anymore. So that the Knights and Masters could focus on Padawans with more 'promise' than her. She let out a deep sigh.

Determination trickled into her mind as well. If they wanted her gone, they had to throw her out. She had made that promise to herself before. She wouldn't quit just because they wanted her gone. She wouldn't leave on her own, they were going to have to make her.

;-

Scout walked into the Council chambers and moved to the center, where she bowed to the Masters. She would keep acting like a Padawan should, as properly a Padawan as she could be anyway. She was a bit surprised to see Knight Offee in the Council chamber as well, but it probably didn't have to do much with her. She was probably there for a mission briefing, being a Jedi Knight. They were all so busy these days. She managed to keep herself from sighing, she would never be one. She straightened herself and waited for the Council to address her.

"Padawan Esterhazy," Mace Windu said. "Do you know why we called you here?"

Inwardly, Scout cringed a little. They were going to make her say it herself? "No way I'm going to hang myself like that," she thought a bit defiantly. "I'm not sure Masters. Master Xan only informed me that I needed to report to you," she answered, doing her best to keep her voice as neutral as possible.

Master Windu frowned slightly, which seemed to be the only expression Scout had ever seen on the Jedi Master, but he didn't say anything else to her. He then turned his attention to Barriss Offee, standing on her right side. "Knight Offee, your decision is final?" he asked her, sparking some confusion in Scout. It didn't really make sense for the Master to first address her, then seemingly ignore her. Wasn't he always so eager to throw her out of the Order?

"It is, Master Windu," Barriss replied calmly as she nodded. Mace Windu's frown seemed to deepen a bit at that.

Master Yoda seemed a bit entertained by his reaction, but she, like many other Jedi, never really had a clue as to what the old Master was thinking. "Then, know what to do now, you do, Knight Offee. Proceed, you may," he informed the Knight.

Barriss nodded at the Grandmaster and turned to Scout. "Remember when I told you that the Force might have other plans for you?" she asked the younger girl.

Scout nodded slowly, her confusion at the situation only increasing. Wasn't the Council about to throw her out of the Order? What exactly was going on here?

Barriss smiled at her. "As you know, the Force isn't always as clear about Its ways. Sometimes, Its plans can be quite surprising, you may not even be prepared for it, but it can be a very welcome change," she said before she moved closer to Scout. "It really does move in some mysterious ways."

Barriss' words confused Scout even further. She was about to ask what the Knight meant, but then she froze when Barriss reached up, lightly took hold her of hair and begun to tie it into a braid. "Is this really happening?" She tried to look, but her body wouldn't move. She felt completely frozen, as if she'd spend three days on Hoth without so much as a pair of socks. She could only move her eyes to look at the Knight forming her hair into a braid, her mind desperately trying to catch up with what was happening.

It took Barriss some slight effort not to laugh at the shock and surprise she felt radiating from Scout. It was pretty clear to Barriss that this outcome was definitely not what Scout was expecting when she was called to the Council. She finished the braid in her new Padawan's hair and placed her hand on her shoulder, giving it a gentle squeeze.

Master Yoda looked at the two. "Knight Offee, Padawan Esterhazy, Master and Padawan, you now are. Serve each other and the Force, you will," he told them.

Barriss bowed to the Grandmaster. Scout, still in a bit of shock, copied her movement automatically, more on instinct than anything else.

It was clear to Barriss that Master Yoda was amused by all of this. The little smirk on his face was a clear giveaway. "Dismissed, you both are," he told them. "Help your Padawan get settled in, you should, Knight Offee."

Barriss nodded and turned to her new Padawan. "Come on Padawan, let's go and get you settled in," she told her with a smile. She lightly pushed the younger girl's shoulder to guide her out of the room, seeing as Scout was still in a bit of shock.

Scout let herself be lead out of the Council room, her mind still processing what had just happened. They were a short distance away from the chamber when they stopped walking. Scout reached up and felt the new braid in her hair. It was difficult to believe. So many Jedi had not even considered her as a potential Padawan. She was all but certain that the next time she would be called to the Council, it would be for her to be sent away from the Order. But now, she suddenly had a new Master. She let go of the braid and looked at the Mirialan Knight.

Barriss gave her a warm smile. "I can tell that this wasn't the outcome you were expecting, was it?" she asked with a slight tease in her voice. "I'll admit, I was not expecting the Force to guide me to a Padawan either. I thought that it would be a few months still before I took a Padawan, but then the Force presented me with those visions and now, I like to think that I made the right decision."

Scout finally managed to break through some of the shock and smiled as well. "But, why did you pick me?" she asked quietly. So many other Jedi didn't even want to bother with her, but now Knight Offee had picked her. "Others are…" she wanted to continue, but Barriss gestured for her to stop.

"Yes, others may be stronger in the Force than you are, that's true," Barriss replied gently. "They had that advantage over you, but you refused to let that discourage you. Instead of just resigning to that, you decided to focus on your strong areas. Others have tried to talk you down, to make you quit and give up on being a Jedi, but you didn't give in to that. So yes, others are stronger in the Force, but you have a much stronger will and determination to succeed. You had to work harder than them to get to where you are, but you have gotten all the more stronger for it. You have advantages over them that they will never have."

Scout smiled widely at that. "Thank you… No one has bothered to look at it that way. They only saw my lack of the Force," she said with a mixture of joy and sadness.

Barriss smiled again. "Like I said, you have a very strong will and that will always help you. There are a lot of others that think you won't be able to become a Jedi Knight. You were right about a few Council members, by the way," she replied with a slight frown. They were all Jedi and were supposed to support each other, no matter what. Members of the Council acting that way just made her feel wrong. "Despite all that, you kept going. All you really needed, was a chance to prove yourself." Barriss paused a moment. "After what happened with the Temple bombing, many thought that I wasn't fit to become a Jedi Knight as well. Ahsoka's forgiveness gave me the determination to see all of the struggles through to the end. Master Unduli gave me the chance that I needed. I'm willing to do the same for you."

Scout's eyes watered a little at that. "Thank you… Master," she said softly, but the happiness in her voice was easy to hear.

"It's my pleasure, my Padawan," Barriss replied. "Just don't take it personally if things are a little awkward sometimes. I'm new to being a Master." Scout giggled a bit at that. "Now then, let's go and collect your things from your class and your dorm. We'll get you settled into your new quarters." Scout nodded eagerly at that and the two set off towards the classroom.

;-

Scout and her new Master waited outside of the training room. She had asked the Mirialan Knight if she could enter the room first. She already suspected that a certain someone would likely try to insult her right away. Seeing the new braid in her hair might shut him up for good. Hiding her amusement, Barriss had agreed.

After hearing Master Iron Hand call out, Scout walked into the training room. Almost immediately, a voice called out from her left, just as she had expected.

"Hey guys, look! It's the ex-Jedi!" the same boy called to her. "So, when are they shipping you off? It's about time…"

He shut up when Scout turned to face him. The smirk on her face was clear to see, as was the newly formed Padawan braid in her hair, swinging lightly with the movement of her head. "I'm sorry, what did you say?" she asked in an innocent tone, quietly enjoying the shocked look on his face.

"Well now Padawan Scout, this is a pleasant surprise," Master Iron Hand commented with a slight smile.

Scout turned to her and smiled. "Thank you Master," she replied.

"Who in their right mind would pick you?" the boy asked again, the disdain in his voice quite obvious.

"I did," Barriss stated simply as she walked into the room. "And I do believe that I've made a very good choice in doing so."

A number of the young students in the room, mainly the ones that always picked on Scout, just stared at her. "But she's weak!" the boy protested. "We're all much stronger than her!"

Barriss merely shook her head. "In many ways, she's stronger than you, but you fail to see that," she explained calmly. "There is more to being a Jedi than just your prowess in the Force."

"Well said, Knight Offee," Master Ilena Xan commented. "Some of you might do well to remember that lesson," she addressed the class. She looked over at Scout who had collected her things in the meantime. "Padawan Scout, may the Force be with you on your path to Knighthood."

Scout smiled at her and bowed. "Thank you, Master Xan. I'll do my best," she replied. After that she walked up to her new Master and they made their way to her about to be former dorm to collect the rest of her belongings.

;-

Scout eagerly followed Barriss back into her, no wait, now their shared quarters. The last time she was here, it was just to treat her ankle. Other than that, she had never really been in the quarters of a Jedi Knight before. Yes, she did have a Master before, but she had been in the Halls of Healing herself then to recover from her wounds from the Apprentice Tournament and after that they had immediately left on their mission. Because of that, she never really had the chance to get settled in with her former Master.

Pushing away some of the sad thoughts about her fallen Master, she followed Barriss around with a smile as the Mirialan Knight gave her a brief tour of the quarters. With that completed, she put away her things in what was now her room. She still had a little difficulty wrapping her mind around it, that she was now truly a Padawan again.

After taking some time to put away her things and to let it sink in on her, she joined her Master in the living room. Barriss had brewed some tea in the meantime and offered her a cup. "Are you finally getting over the shock?" she asked after she sat down.

"A little bit," Scout answered with a smile. It would probably still take some time for her to get used to it.

Barriss gave her a small smile. "Well, don't worry. I should be free from missions for a little while. We'll have plenty of time to settle in and get to know each other," she replied. "I do prefer it that way. I don't know if she told you, but Ahsoka's start with Master Skywalker was a little hectic and unusual because of the war. My own start with Master Unduli was a lot quieter thankfully."

Scout nodded slightly as she thought back to it. "Ahsoka did mention it before in one of her letters. Master Skywalker didn't want a Padawan at first, but thankfully for her, he changed his mind about it," she recalled.

"Indeed, they were quite the pair together," Barriss replied. "They were quite a bit alike and they had this little habit of breaking tradition and regulations. Things never seemed to go normal with them around, but they also had a way of turning even some of the bleakest situations in their favor. It was never dull with them around."

Scout laughed a bit at that. "Yeah, that's exactly the picture I got from Ahsoka's letters," she said as between some giggles. She settled down again. "I'm glad we have this chance. Then again, I'm really glad to be a Padawan again. I was certain that I would be kicked from the Order the next time the Council called me before them."

"Well, there'll be no more talk about that. You're my Padawan now. Others can complain about that if they want, but it won't change a thing," Barriss replied, a slightly strict tone in her voice, just to try and get the message across to Scout that she shouldn't focus on that anymore either. "Now then," she continued in her normal tone, "I'd like to know a bit more about your training so far. That way, I can play ahead accordingly. I am new to being a Master after all. Master Unduli taught me so much about the Force and lightsaber Form III. Apart from that, I've studied a lot with the Healers to learn about Force Healing and the different applications of medicine. So, what have you practiced and studied up until now?"

"Well, seeing as I was never really that strong with the Force, I focused on my physical skills," Scout began. "Master Iron Hand's classes were great for that. Unlike other Masters, she didn't seem to mind my lack of the Force that much in her lessons." She smiled and began to excitedly tell about some of the classes.

;-

They talked about both of their training for almost two hours. Scout sharing more stories about her lessons and the additional training that she had done on her own. Barriss also told her more about her life as Luminara's Padawan, some of her lessons, training and missions they had gone on together. Scout had listened intently to everything.

It pleased Barriss that Scout was interested in learning more about Form III. She had originally guessed that Scout would be more the offensive type. She was proven right about that, but the young girl knew that a strong attack wasn't everything. Without a good defense, one can still lose. With everything that she herself knew of Form III, defense was definitely her strong point. It was already clear to her that they could learn quite a bit from each other. She smiled at that thought.

"Oh, by the way, will we be doing any training tonight?" Scout then asked with an eager tone in her voice.

Barriss thought it over for a moment. It was clear to her that Scout obviously felt the need to or wanted to prove herself to her. She didn't have to, of course, but it would give her more insight in Scout's skills. But, she did have somewhere else to be soon. "No, I think that we'll start tomorrow," she answered after a moment.

"Okay, but why not?" Scout asked a little disappointed.

Inwardly, Barriss laughed a bit. She had had similar talks with her former Master before. However, where she accepted Luminara's answer and left it at that, Scout seemed to be a bit more outspoken than she used to be. "I already made some plans for tonight a little while ago, but you are welcome to come along," she replied.

Hearing that seemed to overwrite Scout's disappointment immediately. "What were you going to do?"

"Before I became a Jedi Knight, I spent a lot of time with three of my close friends. One of them, Padawan Nyla Sonter, had lost her Master on a mission and she had been badly tortured," she explained. "We spent a lot of time with her to help her recover. When she could do some light training again, we helped her with that as well."

"After she recovered completely and found a new Master, she resumed her training fully. With that, we found that it was a bit more difficult for the four of us to get together like we used to. So, she came up with the idea for us meet up if we are all on Coruscant. Seeing as the four of us are on Coruscant now, she came up with the idea of going out for dinner together. This time was also going to be a bit special, seeing as our friend Naria has recently become a Knight as well. So, we're going to celebrate a bit."

"That sounds great!" Scout replied excitedly. "And I can really come along with you?"

Barriss nodded. "Of course you can. You're now my Padawan after all," she said with a light smile. She checked the time. "We should go and get ready. We'll leave in about forty minutes." Scout nodded and got up to head to her quarters.

;-

Barriss walked into the restaurant with Scout right behind her. It looked like a nice enough place. It obviously wasn't the expensive type of restaurant that Senators would go too, but that didn't matter to them and besides, the smells from the kitchen were nice.

Nyla, Naria and Alyva were already there, waiting at their table. They were obviously discussing something when Nyla noticed her presence. The three of them looked in her direction and smiled. "Barriss! You made it!" Nyla greeted her excitedly.

Barriss smiled back. "It good to see you guys again. It's been a little while since we've all been together," she replied. "And congratulations to you Naria. The second one of us to become a Jedi Knight. And I'm sure that you two won't be that far behind, will you?" she asked Nyla and Alyva.

"Oh, you can bet on that," Nyla said eagerly. "We'll catch up to you both soon enough."

Alyva nodded in agreement. "We sure will. Don't you worry about that." She then focused her attention on the young girl standing behind Barriss, that was wearing Jedi robes and had a lightsaber clipped to her belt. "Barriss, who is this with you?" she asked, curious about the girl's identity.

Barriss smiled and gestured for Scout to come a bit closer. The younger girl walked up and stood at her side. Barriss placed a hand on her shoulder. "This is Tallisibeth Enwandung-Esterhazy, also known as Scout, my new Padawan," she answered.

Her friends' eyes widened a bit at that. "You took on a Padawan?" Nyla asked in surprise. "That's wonderful! I was wondering when the Force would lead you to a student. It's nice to meet you Scout, I'm sure that you and Barriss will get along great. There is a lot that she can teach you."

"That's great Barriss! I'm sure you'll teach her well," Naria said with a smile. She then gave Nyla and Alyva a teasing smirk. "You two better hurry up, otherwise Barriss will be a Jedi Master before you even become Knights."

Everyone laughed a bit at that. "It's nice to meet all of you," Scout said with a smile. "I'm really excited to be a Padawan again."

"I'm sure that you'll do great! Barriss is a great Jedi! With her teaching you, you'll become a fine Knight yourself," Nyla replied excitedly. "Oh, but come on, sit down! This is a restaurant after all!" she said as she gestured at the table. She signaled one of the waiters and asked for an additional chair. The table was large enough for five people.

"I'm not sure what she's more interested in, our company or the food," Naria commented as she walked towards the table. Nyla shot her a look, but then laughed and joined her at the table. The others followed and they all sat down, ready to enjoy a nice night together.

;-

That's the end of this chapter.

Barriss now has her own Padawan. Some people might not be too familiar with the character Scout, but I liked her when I read the novel, so I decided to include her in my story. Barriss will be able to help her out greatly during their time together and Scout will be there for her when she needs it.

I'm honestly not sure which of my stories I'll update next. Now that the time skips are at their end, my two biggest stories will be approaching a finale of sorts (but it won't be the end of the storylines). I also have several other ideas that I would like to work on as well. Several are one shots, even though some could easily become full stories too, and one is a multi-chapter story. It will be an AU story where the season 5 finale didn't happen, so Ahsoka is still with the Order and Barriss didn't go crazy. Ahsoka will become a Knight a bit later on and the Force will lead her to an unusual Padawan, an new oc that I thought off a little while ago. This story will also include the events and characters of a different author on this site whose stories I've enjoyed greatly.

All that said, I don't know what I'll work on first. I have a few one shots that are partially complete still saved. I might finish one of those first or I will write a chapter for a different story, maybe a first chapter for that new story. I'll just have to see.

Until next time.