Reflection:
Part 14
*****
"Her health has increased dramatically, Master Yoda."
"Yes, yes. Much better she is."
It was the next day after Yaro and Yaddle's return to the Temple. They had spent the entire night with their daughter, taking shifts to care for Yiara, with the occasional help of Madam Zionas. Since then, Yiara's strength had returned to its fullest, and her will to live along with it. A good deal of the Temple had been relieved; Yiara tended to grow on people.
Yoda and Hismonia were walking down the hallway. Hismonia had become dependant on a cane like the far more ancient Jedi Master beside her.
She smiled down at Yoda, who had cheered up because of his great- granddaughter's recovery. "I'm very happy that Yiara is better, Master Yoda."
Yoda nodded happily; even he couldn't deny he had been worried about the child. "Yes." His face soured. "But proves, it does, that Yiara needs her parents."
Hismonia sighed and dwelled on this. "Correct...but they cannot be allowed back into the Order. That would show that we were wrong in our decision, and possibly lower the Senate's and the Order's faith in our choices."
Yoda halted and Hismonia stopped as well. He closed his eyes, searching the back of his eyelids for answers. Hismonia stood silently, waiting for what the ancient Jedi would say, slightly impatient.
For the first time in a LONG time, she was beginning to feel less and less patient with even the littlest of things. She felt her body's desire to leave this world quite clearly, but she wished to further the tutelage of Mace Windu, and would lengthen her time in this world as much as possible. She felt that this boy was incredibly special, and would someday shape the future of the Republic and the Jedi Order. Hismonia could feel it in her very bones.
Yoda opened his eyes and looked up at his old comrade. "My decision alone, it is not. When in Council, we are, my opinion then will I state. I must see to my grandchild now."
Hismonia nodded her approval on this. "Alright then. We will discuss this later." They began to walk away from each other; him to the nursery, her to her room, both in very deep thought. When Hismonia got to her door, she suddenly had the feeling that she might not speak to Yoda after all.
*****
"She looks so much healthier! Doesn't she?" Madam Zionas' face was lit up with joy at seeing how much Yiara had improved. Her body and spirit had recovered to when she had arrived to the Temple. The babe no longer just laid there still and quiet, but seemed to bust at the seams with energy, constantly wriggling and looking around.
Her eyes were no longer dull and bored, but bright and full of life and curiosity of the world she knew so little of.
Yiara's parents, too, seemed in much better spirits upon returning to their offspring. Yaro could be heard whistling through the corridors, and Yaddle smiled much more than she used to.
Yaro grinned proudly as he cradled his babbling, wiggling child in his arms. Yaddle was sleeping in the next room, exhausted, for she had stayed up all night with Yiara. "Yes, she has, and Yaddle and I couldn't be happier."
"It's a shame you and Yaddle will have to leave again. I'd hate to see poor Yiara suffer so like she did," Zionas said with a sad face. "It was horrible."
"Yes, I suppose it was." Yaro's face scrunched, making his face look much older than it was, expressing all of his inner doubts, concerns, and fears. "I don't know what we'll do if the Council doesn't allow us back into the Order."
Zionas shook her head sadly. "Neither do I." She put her chubby hand on his tiny shoulder comfortingly. "But practically the whole Temple is hoping for yours and Yaddle's return, including me."
Yaro's scowl turned back into a smile. "Thank you, Madam Zionas, very much." When the nurse had left, he looked down at his heir, who was now had complete concentration on her toes, sticking them in her mouth experimentally. Even then, it amazed him that this just wasn't a child, this was his child. The fact that he and Yaddle had created such a wonderful, beautiful, elegant person constantly blew his mind.
He wondered how she would look when she got older, what her personality would be like, how powerful in the Force would be. Always in motion, is the future, Yoda had taught him.
But no harm in trying, eh?
Pulling a toe out of her mouth, he said, "I have to go for a little while, Yiara, sweetie. Is that okay with you?"
Paying no attention whatsoever, Yiara simply pulled her foot out of her father's hand and promptly stuck it back in where it was. Yaro laughed and said, "Well, I suppose that means 'yes'!" Walking over to her crib, he set her back down gently.
When she didn't cry out for his attention, he walked into the other room. Spying Yaddle on the couch with his cloak on her, he shook her gently. "Yaddle. It's time."
*****
I'm going to scream, Yaro kept repeating over and over in his head. He and Yaddle stood in front of the Jedi Council (except for Hismonia, who had not come). The Council was speaking amongst themselves for what seemed to take a millennia. If they go on whispering one more nanosecond, I'm going to run shrieking out of this room like a mad man.
Thankfully for Yaro, the Council looked back at him and his wife. I wonder why Master Hismonia is suddenly missing, Yaro pondered. She's always at these meetings; is she well?
"Yaro, Yaddle, we would first like to say that it is very wonderful to see you both in good health, and your child as well," a Rodian Jedi Master said, and the other Masters nodded to show how they felt as well.
Yaro and Yaddle bowed respectfully. "Thank you, Master." Yaro began to translate the words in his head to the way he heard them:
"Yes...it has become clear that Yiara evidently needs the two of you to live, for she refuses care from no one else..."
Translation: You're just here to care for your kid.
"...but even in light of this, both of you were expelled from the Order of the Jedi..."
Translation: You can't come back, so nyah.
"...so we have decided to what has never been done before."
Translation: We're gonna kick you out AGAIN!! And your daughter too!
The Rodian Master paused, then looked to Yoda, who nodded and finished the other's message, "Allowed to return to the Jedi Order, you two are."
Transla-WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAT!?!?
*****
"I do not believe it."
"Yaro-"
"I do not believe it."
"Yaro!"
"I do not-"
Yaddle clapped a hand over her husband's mouth, unable to stand Yaro's flabbergasted babble. They were heading to the Playtoy (with Yiara in tow) to tell them the good news. The whole way from the Council room to the Senate Building hangar, Yaro had had a blank expression on his face, his eyes staring straight into space. Releasing, her hand, she said, "You say that again, I'm going to toss you off of one of the Temple towers."
"Oh. Sorry." He looked to the sky, watching vehicles zoom by. "I just can't believe it; we're returning to the Jedi Order."
"Yes, it is a shock. But a blessing too, I think."
The two saw the Playtoy in Docking Bay 1645; Yosho was making last minute preparations on the ship, and Aoife was inside, probably happy to return to her home planet and her people. Arthree whistled and beeped happily at the return of his pilot.
Seeing his son and his little family, Yosho smiled and waved at them. "So! I see my granddaughter is all better!" He took the little girl in his arms, cooing at her as lovingly as any proud grandparent possibly could.
Yaro smiled impishly. "That's not all."
Yosho looked up, a curious gleam in his ancient eyes. "Oh?"
Taking a quick glance at Yaddle, then looking back at his father, Yaro took in a deep breath and said, "Yaddle and I have been accepted back into the Jedi Order."
Seeming to be suffering the same reaction his son had felt, Yosho's mouth unhinged. Then his gaping mouth closed and formed a broad grin. "I don't believe it."
Yaddle scowled and pointed a threatening finger at the old man. "Now don't YOU start!!"
"It's just...wow!" He used his free hand (the other being fingered by Yiara) to pat his son on the shoulder. "That's wonderful! I'm very happy for you all."
Aoife chose to make her appearance then, and when informed of Yaro and Yaddle's return to the Order, she was ecstatic. Clapping her hands together like an eager child, she said, "This is simply superb! I couldn't be happier for the both of you!" She angled her head on her shoulder. "Are you going to continue your duties as Representative, Yaro?"
Yaro paused; he hadn't thought about that. In fact, he had forgotten it completely. Spending a few seconds in thought, he said, "Yes, I will. I can not accept these responsibilities, then shirk them at the first opportunity."
"Very well said, Yaro. I take it that you are going to stay here with your daughter, then?"
"Yes, we are. I'll have a ship made for you." Looking at his father, Yaro said, "Will you remain, father?" He desperately hoped Yosho would stay; there was still so much of his past that he didn't know, and only his father held the answers.
Yosho smiled sadly. "No, actually."
"What? Why?"
The old Jedi sighed. "I'm older than you think, my son, nearly 700, to be exact! I want a place to fade away peacefully, and I believe Kopa to be that place." Seeing his son's distraught face, he handed Yiara back to Yaddle, and embraced his son as tightly as his old bone's allowed him. "Don't worry about me, Yaro. I'm gonna be around for a long time still, if your grandfather is any example!"
He stepped back to gaze at his only child. Over two centuries ago, he had seen Yaro as a mere boy, still having much to learn. But now he saw him for what he was; not just a man, but a Jedi Knight, with a wonderful wife and a beautiful child of his own.
"You can do this on your own, my son," he said finally. "You no longer need my guidance, whatever you think. Everything I can teach you, you already know."
Yaro stood stock still, letting this soak in. With a deep, heavy sigh, he said, "I understand, Father. I'm going to miss you deeply, and you as well, Aoife."
Aoife knelt and the group held each other close, finishing their silent goodbyes.
*****
"YARO! YARO, YADDLE!!"
Before Yaro and Yaddle could turn around, both were swept up and crushed in tight hugs. Yiara wailed in shock and protest.
"Hey! Who the hell-" Yaro looked up and gasped. "Trixis?! Fibril!? Ilene!?"
His best friends smiled and set them down. Ilene laughed heartedly and said, "We've heard the news, Yaro, Yaddle, and we couldn't be happier, couldn't we guys?"
Trixis nodded, her lekku waggling from the movement. "Yes! I'm so glad to see you both again!"
Yaro cooed to Yiara, quieting her bawling, and said to his friends, "It is wonderful to see you once again, too, my old friends! I've missed you all!"
Fibril squatted down and lightly slapped Yaro on the back. "You just have to tell us your tale! We've heard several dozen versions, and aren't sure which one to believe which is which!"
Yaro began to tell his tale, but was interrupted by a young man's voice crying, "Yaro! Yaddle!"
Yaro turned around, and was overjoyed to see Mace Windu running towards him. "Mace! How are-"
"You have to come quick!" Mace stopped in front of the group of Jedi, panting. Pointing up the stairs, he said, "It's Master Hismonia!"
*****
When Yaro entered the room, along with his friends, Mace, and Yaddle, he caught his breath sharply.
Master Hismonia, who had been here since he was a Padawan, lay on the bed. Her complexion was pale, her light-peach had turned as white as chalk, and the scattered, dark-brown spots on her body were now a tan color. Her breathing came in short breaths as she struggled to hold on to life.
The rest of the Jedi Council was there, their heads hung down in respect as their friend and colleague faded away.
Seeing Yaro, Hismonia smiled faintly, and signaled for him to come closer. When he got close enough, she said to him, in a strained and quiet whisper, "Yaro...I am dying..."
"Master Hismonia..."
She inhaled as best she could, then let the air flow back out before speaking again. "I need you to do me a favor, old friend."
Yaro nodded. "Anything, Master Hismonia."
"I need you to train Mace Windu when I am gone, Yaro. You must do this for me."
Looking over at the young human, then back to the ailing Jedi Master, Yaro said, "Why me, Master?"
"Because I have seen how much the two of you care for one another; you are the right teacher for him, Yaro." Hismonia took in a deep breath, then exhaled again, more weakly then she had before. "Will you do as I wish you too, Yaro?"
"Without a second thought, Master Hismonia."
"Thank...you..." The Twi'lek inhaled sharply, then let all the breath in her body escape. Her body quivered once, then faded away as she became one with the Force. Thus, Jedi Master Hismonia Risho passed away, leaving only crumpled robes and sore hearts behind.
Yaro tried his best not to weep, but a single tear escaped from his eyes and traveled down his cheeks to drop onto Hismonia's empty bed. The Council began to leave, accepting the death of their associate. Yoda hesitated, concerned for his grandson. "Will you do as Hismonia wished for you to do?"
Quickly regaining his composure, Yaro wiped away the wet line left by the tear and straightened up. "Yes, I will, Master Yoda. To not do so would dishonor her memory, and I would cut my arms off before I do that."
"Alright then, Yaro. Teach young Windu well, you will."
*****
*****
"Her health has increased dramatically, Master Yoda."
"Yes, yes. Much better she is."
It was the next day after Yaro and Yaddle's return to the Temple. They had spent the entire night with their daughter, taking shifts to care for Yiara, with the occasional help of Madam Zionas. Since then, Yiara's strength had returned to its fullest, and her will to live along with it. A good deal of the Temple had been relieved; Yiara tended to grow on people.
Yoda and Hismonia were walking down the hallway. Hismonia had become dependant on a cane like the far more ancient Jedi Master beside her.
She smiled down at Yoda, who had cheered up because of his great- granddaughter's recovery. "I'm very happy that Yiara is better, Master Yoda."
Yoda nodded happily; even he couldn't deny he had been worried about the child. "Yes." His face soured. "But proves, it does, that Yiara needs her parents."
Hismonia sighed and dwelled on this. "Correct...but they cannot be allowed back into the Order. That would show that we were wrong in our decision, and possibly lower the Senate's and the Order's faith in our choices."
Yoda halted and Hismonia stopped as well. He closed his eyes, searching the back of his eyelids for answers. Hismonia stood silently, waiting for what the ancient Jedi would say, slightly impatient.
For the first time in a LONG time, she was beginning to feel less and less patient with even the littlest of things. She felt her body's desire to leave this world quite clearly, but she wished to further the tutelage of Mace Windu, and would lengthen her time in this world as much as possible. She felt that this boy was incredibly special, and would someday shape the future of the Republic and the Jedi Order. Hismonia could feel it in her very bones.
Yoda opened his eyes and looked up at his old comrade. "My decision alone, it is not. When in Council, we are, my opinion then will I state. I must see to my grandchild now."
Hismonia nodded her approval on this. "Alright then. We will discuss this later." They began to walk away from each other; him to the nursery, her to her room, both in very deep thought. When Hismonia got to her door, she suddenly had the feeling that she might not speak to Yoda after all.
*****
"She looks so much healthier! Doesn't she?" Madam Zionas' face was lit up with joy at seeing how much Yiara had improved. Her body and spirit had recovered to when she had arrived to the Temple. The babe no longer just laid there still and quiet, but seemed to bust at the seams with energy, constantly wriggling and looking around.
Her eyes were no longer dull and bored, but bright and full of life and curiosity of the world she knew so little of.
Yiara's parents, too, seemed in much better spirits upon returning to their offspring. Yaro could be heard whistling through the corridors, and Yaddle smiled much more than she used to.
Yaro grinned proudly as he cradled his babbling, wiggling child in his arms. Yaddle was sleeping in the next room, exhausted, for she had stayed up all night with Yiara. "Yes, she has, and Yaddle and I couldn't be happier."
"It's a shame you and Yaddle will have to leave again. I'd hate to see poor Yiara suffer so like she did," Zionas said with a sad face. "It was horrible."
"Yes, I suppose it was." Yaro's face scrunched, making his face look much older than it was, expressing all of his inner doubts, concerns, and fears. "I don't know what we'll do if the Council doesn't allow us back into the Order."
Zionas shook her head sadly. "Neither do I." She put her chubby hand on his tiny shoulder comfortingly. "But practically the whole Temple is hoping for yours and Yaddle's return, including me."
Yaro's scowl turned back into a smile. "Thank you, Madam Zionas, very much." When the nurse had left, he looked down at his heir, who was now had complete concentration on her toes, sticking them in her mouth experimentally. Even then, it amazed him that this just wasn't a child, this was his child. The fact that he and Yaddle had created such a wonderful, beautiful, elegant person constantly blew his mind.
He wondered how she would look when she got older, what her personality would be like, how powerful in the Force would be. Always in motion, is the future, Yoda had taught him.
But no harm in trying, eh?
Pulling a toe out of her mouth, he said, "I have to go for a little while, Yiara, sweetie. Is that okay with you?"
Paying no attention whatsoever, Yiara simply pulled her foot out of her father's hand and promptly stuck it back in where it was. Yaro laughed and said, "Well, I suppose that means 'yes'!" Walking over to her crib, he set her back down gently.
When she didn't cry out for his attention, he walked into the other room. Spying Yaddle on the couch with his cloak on her, he shook her gently. "Yaddle. It's time."
*****
I'm going to scream, Yaro kept repeating over and over in his head. He and Yaddle stood in front of the Jedi Council (except for Hismonia, who had not come). The Council was speaking amongst themselves for what seemed to take a millennia. If they go on whispering one more nanosecond, I'm going to run shrieking out of this room like a mad man.
Thankfully for Yaro, the Council looked back at him and his wife. I wonder why Master Hismonia is suddenly missing, Yaro pondered. She's always at these meetings; is she well?
"Yaro, Yaddle, we would first like to say that it is very wonderful to see you both in good health, and your child as well," a Rodian Jedi Master said, and the other Masters nodded to show how they felt as well.
Yaro and Yaddle bowed respectfully. "Thank you, Master." Yaro began to translate the words in his head to the way he heard them:
"Yes...it has become clear that Yiara evidently needs the two of you to live, for she refuses care from no one else..."
Translation: You're just here to care for your kid.
"...but even in light of this, both of you were expelled from the Order of the Jedi..."
Translation: You can't come back, so nyah.
"...so we have decided to what has never been done before."
Translation: We're gonna kick you out AGAIN!! And your daughter too!
The Rodian Master paused, then looked to Yoda, who nodded and finished the other's message, "Allowed to return to the Jedi Order, you two are."
Transla-WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAT!?!?
*****
"I do not believe it."
"Yaro-"
"I do not believe it."
"Yaro!"
"I do not-"
Yaddle clapped a hand over her husband's mouth, unable to stand Yaro's flabbergasted babble. They were heading to the Playtoy (with Yiara in tow) to tell them the good news. The whole way from the Council room to the Senate Building hangar, Yaro had had a blank expression on his face, his eyes staring straight into space. Releasing, her hand, she said, "You say that again, I'm going to toss you off of one of the Temple towers."
"Oh. Sorry." He looked to the sky, watching vehicles zoom by. "I just can't believe it; we're returning to the Jedi Order."
"Yes, it is a shock. But a blessing too, I think."
The two saw the Playtoy in Docking Bay 1645; Yosho was making last minute preparations on the ship, and Aoife was inside, probably happy to return to her home planet and her people. Arthree whistled and beeped happily at the return of his pilot.
Seeing his son and his little family, Yosho smiled and waved at them. "So! I see my granddaughter is all better!" He took the little girl in his arms, cooing at her as lovingly as any proud grandparent possibly could.
Yaro smiled impishly. "That's not all."
Yosho looked up, a curious gleam in his ancient eyes. "Oh?"
Taking a quick glance at Yaddle, then looking back at his father, Yaro took in a deep breath and said, "Yaddle and I have been accepted back into the Jedi Order."
Seeming to be suffering the same reaction his son had felt, Yosho's mouth unhinged. Then his gaping mouth closed and formed a broad grin. "I don't believe it."
Yaddle scowled and pointed a threatening finger at the old man. "Now don't YOU start!!"
"It's just...wow!" He used his free hand (the other being fingered by Yiara) to pat his son on the shoulder. "That's wonderful! I'm very happy for you all."
Aoife chose to make her appearance then, and when informed of Yaro and Yaddle's return to the Order, she was ecstatic. Clapping her hands together like an eager child, she said, "This is simply superb! I couldn't be happier for the both of you!" She angled her head on her shoulder. "Are you going to continue your duties as Representative, Yaro?"
Yaro paused; he hadn't thought about that. In fact, he had forgotten it completely. Spending a few seconds in thought, he said, "Yes, I will. I can not accept these responsibilities, then shirk them at the first opportunity."
"Very well said, Yaro. I take it that you are going to stay here with your daughter, then?"
"Yes, we are. I'll have a ship made for you." Looking at his father, Yaro said, "Will you remain, father?" He desperately hoped Yosho would stay; there was still so much of his past that he didn't know, and only his father held the answers.
Yosho smiled sadly. "No, actually."
"What? Why?"
The old Jedi sighed. "I'm older than you think, my son, nearly 700, to be exact! I want a place to fade away peacefully, and I believe Kopa to be that place." Seeing his son's distraught face, he handed Yiara back to Yaddle, and embraced his son as tightly as his old bone's allowed him. "Don't worry about me, Yaro. I'm gonna be around for a long time still, if your grandfather is any example!"
He stepped back to gaze at his only child. Over two centuries ago, he had seen Yaro as a mere boy, still having much to learn. But now he saw him for what he was; not just a man, but a Jedi Knight, with a wonderful wife and a beautiful child of his own.
"You can do this on your own, my son," he said finally. "You no longer need my guidance, whatever you think. Everything I can teach you, you already know."
Yaro stood stock still, letting this soak in. With a deep, heavy sigh, he said, "I understand, Father. I'm going to miss you deeply, and you as well, Aoife."
Aoife knelt and the group held each other close, finishing their silent goodbyes.
*****
"YARO! YARO, YADDLE!!"
Before Yaro and Yaddle could turn around, both were swept up and crushed in tight hugs. Yiara wailed in shock and protest.
"Hey! Who the hell-" Yaro looked up and gasped. "Trixis?! Fibril!? Ilene!?"
His best friends smiled and set them down. Ilene laughed heartedly and said, "We've heard the news, Yaro, Yaddle, and we couldn't be happier, couldn't we guys?"
Trixis nodded, her lekku waggling from the movement. "Yes! I'm so glad to see you both again!"
Yaro cooed to Yiara, quieting her bawling, and said to his friends, "It is wonderful to see you once again, too, my old friends! I've missed you all!"
Fibril squatted down and lightly slapped Yaro on the back. "You just have to tell us your tale! We've heard several dozen versions, and aren't sure which one to believe which is which!"
Yaro began to tell his tale, but was interrupted by a young man's voice crying, "Yaro! Yaddle!"
Yaro turned around, and was overjoyed to see Mace Windu running towards him. "Mace! How are-"
"You have to come quick!" Mace stopped in front of the group of Jedi, panting. Pointing up the stairs, he said, "It's Master Hismonia!"
*****
When Yaro entered the room, along with his friends, Mace, and Yaddle, he caught his breath sharply.
Master Hismonia, who had been here since he was a Padawan, lay on the bed. Her complexion was pale, her light-peach had turned as white as chalk, and the scattered, dark-brown spots on her body were now a tan color. Her breathing came in short breaths as she struggled to hold on to life.
The rest of the Jedi Council was there, their heads hung down in respect as their friend and colleague faded away.
Seeing Yaro, Hismonia smiled faintly, and signaled for him to come closer. When he got close enough, she said to him, in a strained and quiet whisper, "Yaro...I am dying..."
"Master Hismonia..."
She inhaled as best she could, then let the air flow back out before speaking again. "I need you to do me a favor, old friend."
Yaro nodded. "Anything, Master Hismonia."
"I need you to train Mace Windu when I am gone, Yaro. You must do this for me."
Looking over at the young human, then back to the ailing Jedi Master, Yaro said, "Why me, Master?"
"Because I have seen how much the two of you care for one another; you are the right teacher for him, Yaro." Hismonia took in a deep breath, then exhaled again, more weakly then she had before. "Will you do as I wish you too, Yaro?"
"Without a second thought, Master Hismonia."
"Thank...you..." The Twi'lek inhaled sharply, then let all the breath in her body escape. Her body quivered once, then faded away as she became one with the Force. Thus, Jedi Master Hismonia Risho passed away, leaving only crumpled robes and sore hearts behind.
Yaro tried his best not to weep, but a single tear escaped from his eyes and traveled down his cheeks to drop onto Hismonia's empty bed. The Council began to leave, accepting the death of their associate. Yoda hesitated, concerned for his grandson. "Will you do as Hismonia wished for you to do?"
Quickly regaining his composure, Yaro wiped away the wet line left by the tear and straightened up. "Yes, I will, Master Yoda. To not do so would dishonor her memory, and I would cut my arms off before I do that."
"Alright then, Yaro. Teach young Windu well, you will."
*****