Delak's comlink beeped, halting further conversations about the celebrations. The table became quiet so the Master could answer the signal.
"Master Delak, here." The Mon Calamari said as he put down his drink.
"Master Delak, this is Padawan Lionel. The Council would like to see you." The Senior Padawan's voice cut through the silence.
"I'll be right there." Delak replied and put up the comlink. He then retook his glass and finished off the drink. "Well Lindoro, guess that sparring we were going to do will have to wait another day. Perhaps tomorrow then?" He smiled as he got up. Grasping his plate and drink he nodded to the initiates and Menaria as they got up to bow respectively.
"Sounds good to me, we'll do it tomorrow then. See you around Delak." Lindoro returned the aquatic Master's smile.
Delak waved and headed out the door.
Lindoro and the others finished up their meals.
"Guess we'll see you later then, Menaria. We'll work on ideas for the celebration tomorrow. See you at evening meal. Good day Knight D'Lockens." Seriu said as he and the other two initiates got up from their benches. The three bowed farewell and took their plates and glasses with them.
"Sounds good. We'll have to figure out what type of designs to use on the banners." Menaria waved goodbye to her friends as she waited for her Master to finish up the last of his meal.
"Banners?" Lindoro asked in between his last bite of pasta.
"We got selected to create banners for the festival. We're excited!" Upon his lifting of an eyebrow, she sighed and frowned slightly. "Yes, I know; 'A Jedi craves not excitement.'"
Lindoro chuckled and nodded. "Well...some is not harmful as long as you keep your focus." At those words, the smile returned to her face.
She then gathered her plate and glass and stood up to follow her Master as he took his own to the tray table.
"We'll work on the defensive katas after our meditation. Hopefully I'll not hit the mat like I did the other day." His eyes sparkled with mirth as he chuckled.
Menaria eyed Lindoro warily, though her own eyes reflected his humor.
The two walked to their regular meditation room. An hour later, the two headed for the gym.
The four hours of practicing seem to have flown by all too quickly as Lindoro stepped back signaling the end to their lessons.
Menaria took several deep slow breaths to slow her heart rate. Turning off her saber, she placed it back upon her belt. Using the sleeve of her tunic, she wiped the sweat from her face. She noticed that her Master had barely even lost his breath let alone had much more than a slight shimmering of moisture on his skin. Her undertunic was close to being drenched. She had taken her overtunic off prior to starting the lessons.
"Let's do some cool downs then we'll shower. Excellent work out so far Menaria." He grinned with approval.
She blushed a little and nodded her thanks.
Lindoro placed his saber upon his belt and stepped closer to Menaria.
The two began to move to one of the beginning levels of the katas.
Lindoro moved his arms separately, left moving up while the right moved down then to the side. He slid across the ground circling around Menaria with his back to her.
The Padawan reflected the Master's movements with her own back toward him. They continued the gradual movements of arms and legs circling one another for another few minutes. Then suddenly the two twirled at the same time turning to face one another.
"Let the Force flow through you to allow a unity between your breathing and motions. Once one masters this technique, it transforms into something more." He eyed the girl as she nodded and seem to delve further into her concentration.
They continued moving in different positions through a variety of motions ranging from gymnastic stretches to a few acrobatic flips.
"The main lessons from these katas are to teach a person to flow from one style to the next without missing a beat and maintaining harmony with the Force at the same time." Lindoro said as they finished the 1st through 3rd level of katas.
Menaria nodded. "I understand, Master."
"Let's shower up and go eat then." Lindoro said, smiling as he patted her shoulder. He then went to the bench that their overtunics and boots were on. They both picked up their belongings and headed to the appropriate shower sections.
After about 15 minutes of showering, the two dried off, dressed, and met up at the entrance of the gym to head for the cafeteria.
Menaria couldn't hold back a chuckle as she walked behind Lindoro a few steps. His hair was curling slightly at the ends as they were still damp with moisture from the shower. Upon Lindoro's turning to eye her wistfully, she blushed slightly.
"What is it?" He asked as he came to a stop right outside the doors to the cafeteria.
"Well, um, your hair is curling." She giggled again and quickly covered her mouth. She sputtered out an apology and tried to look at something else besides his hair.
"Curling? Now that is different..." He mumbled as he snatched a handful of his hair to inspect. Sure enough, his ends were curled slightly. "Well I'll be a bantha's a...ahem behind." He hmfed a little and tossed his hair back over his shoulder. "That's new to me. Thanks for letting me know. And I am glad to have been a comical relief for you, Padawan." He said seriously, but the twinkling of his eyes told her otherwise.
"I am sorry Master, I couldn't help myself. It's...it's just something I didn't expect to see. Well that is on you rather." She stopped seeing that she was digging herself deeper in the hole.
"Well it really doesn't matter to me. I am not worried. Most of them people don't care for me any ways so it doesn't matter what they think either." His tone got a slight edge to it as he turned on his heel and walked through the doors once they slide open at his presence.
Menaria had to nearly jog to catch back up with him. 'Great...now I've gone and blew that moment. I didn't mean to remind him...but I didn't say anything that would have brought up their dislike for him. Hmmm.' She sighed and joined her Master at the serving line.
The scowl was still on his face when he went to sit down with the initiates and Delak. Delak seeing his scowl he eyed Lindoro carefully.
"What has you riled up?" The aquatic Master asked as he ate a few more bites of his vegetable meal.
Lindoro sat down with a sigh and nodded at the initiates' welcoming bows. Menaria joined them at the table as well.
"Nothing has me riled up, just thinking." Lindoro said as he pushed several chucks of meat around. Taking several of the pasta strands he slowly twirled them around the fork.
"Uh hmm. Are you sure?" The Master insisted.
Lindoro nearly slammed his fork down, but instead of doing that he closed his eyes for a second and drew in a slow breath. 'He's only worried...don't need to loose control. Not now and not here.' Opening his eyes, he turned his head to look at Delak. "I'm fine, don't worry about it. Eat your meal." He paused for a second and tried not to sigh. "What did the Council want with you earlier?"
Delak nodded slightly sensing that Lindoro didn't want to talk about what was bothering him. 'Same ole Lindoro...keeping things bottled up.' Nearly sighing himself, he shrugged the feelings into the Force. "They had an assignment for me. Looks like I get to go to Chandrila next week." He said as he sipped on his drink.
Menaria spoke up before thinking. "You're leaving? You aren't going to be here for the festival?" She blushed at her outburst.
Delak chuckled at her blushing. "Aww fear not Padawan Darce, no need to blush. Yes, unfortunately I'll have to miss the celebration. Which, believe or not, I was looking forward to." Delak took a couple more bites of his meal.
Lindoro shook his head. "Well that does kind'a suck, doesn't it? So what's the mission about or can you tell?" He finished up the last little bit of his meal and pushed the plate forward just a little bit.
The initiates listened intently at the discussion. They were always curious to learn more about different planets and the people who lived there. Kork's ears continually flicked forward and to the side as he leaned on his elbows, chin on his knuckles. Seriu and Nania's face reflected their curiosity as well.
"It is only to observe a treaty that is being signed by their government for the Republic. Supposed to be a few days of negotiations on the finalizing of it then they'll sign. Other than that, not much to it." He concluded as he took another drink from his glass.
"Does sound kind of boring." Lindoro said as he eyed Delak with a smirk.
Menaria tapped his arm gently, "Master! Are we not supposed to say that? Missions are not considered 'boring' but intellectual and inspiring!" Her green eyes shimmered with excitement.
Lindoro chuckled at his Padawan's boisterous remark. "Well of course, Menaria. All missions have a lesson or two for one to learn. Master or apprentice, we all learn from each mission." His blue eyes sparkled with amusement.
"True...so true Lindoro. I'm surprised the Council didn't send you to this one since you are the one that is supposed to be 'freshening up' on your mediation techniques." Delak's silver eyes took on the same shimmer that Lindoro's had.
"Now, wait here just a minute..." He started but stopped as Delak busted out laughing. "That isn't fair, Delak! But yeah...you are right. Maybe they're letting Menaria and myself get used to one another first. That would be reasonable." Lindoro said as he rubbed his goatee absently.
Delak chuckled a little more and nodded. "That is possible. I wouldn't doubt it if that was it. The two of you are getting used to one another, and that does take time. It took me and Leana only a couple of months before we worked great together." He then looked off into the distance as a far away expression came over his face.
Lindoro watched the Master carefully. "Have you heard from her lately?"
"No...not since last month. She is still working with the people of Anaxes. Helping them with the ever-changing treaties with the Republic. Since that is where most of the Republic's ships come from, they are always adding or changing the treaties. I don't know how long she is to stay there. I must admit...I miss her terribly. It's been nearly a year since her Knighting...but it sure is quiet in our...well my quarters."
Lindoro patted Delak on the shoulder. "Well she couldn't have had a better Master." He smiled warmly at his friend.
"Wow...she's there? That must be sweet!" Seriu commented, his dark brown eyes glistening. "I hope to visit there one of these days. Anaxes is at the top of my lists of places to visit once I'm a Knight." His grin spread from ear to ear.
"Yeah...I mean all those ships! Can you imagine that planet's shipyards!" Kork's ears were flicked forward as his fur rippled slightly echoing his excitement.
Nania nodded in agreement with her friends. "It would be a nice place to visit. Though I'd love to visit Chandrila. I hear it's a beautiful planet."
"It is, I visited Chandrila with my Master when I was a Padawan. Actually I was 14 when we went there. It is beautiful and clean atmosphere. Not contaminated like Coruscant. The air is fresh and their lands wonderful." Lindoro smiled at Nania. "And their food...exquisite."
Nania chuckled at his comment of 'food.' "Really Knight D'Lockens? Was that the best thing there was the food?"
Lindoro eyed her seriously, "Well of course, when I was a Padawan that was how I judged a planet and their people were by their food." He chuckled at that and shook his head when she giggled. His Padawan joined in her giggling. Kork and Seriu tried to hide their chuckling behind their hands. Delak's laughter echoed the Initiates' sentiments.
"Well it is true! I didn't later when I got older. I was barely older than you all!" He exclaimed faking that he was hurt by their laughter.
"Oh Master! I had no idea that was how you were back then! Perhaps you should tell us some of your adventures as a Padawan!" Menaria said as she patted his arm affectionately. "You know we are not laughing at you... but only at what you did back then."
"I know, Padawan, I know." Lindoro smiled as he turned to look at his apprentice.
His smile was the best thing ever, Menaria thought.
"As for telling of my adventures...maybe another day. But I do believe you have homework?" He paused to look at the other initiates. "And you 3 as well?" The 3 nodded as Menaria sighed.
"Yes, Master. Unfortunately." She looked at her friends. "Guess we should get that done so we can work on the banners day after tomorrow on our day off. I'm glad we are allotted a day off from classes!" She chuckled.
"Yeah, you are right Knight D'Lockens. We should get back to our room and do our assignments." Seriu said as he got up from the table.
The other 2 initiates followed suite and then bowed to the Master and Knight. "Good night Master Delak, Knight D'Lockens. Guess we'll see you in the morning Menaria." Nania said as she waved goodbye to her. Menaria waved back to her friends as they dropped off their plates and glasses then left.
"Well, I better head off to do some research on Chandrila. Guess I'll see you in the morning then as well Lindoro. Good night to you Menaria." Delak bid the two good evening and dropped off his plate and glass on his way out.
"Let's go back to our room so you can do your lessons before we meditate." Lindoro smiled at her sigh of disgust. "Come on now, they can't be that bad. Just think I had to go through all those lessons too!" He ruffled her hair as he then grabbed his plate and glass to drop off on the tray table.
"Master!" She cried out, as that was the first time he had messed with her hair. As the Master chuckled and walked to the tray table, a smile spread across her face as she gently put her hair back in order. 'He ruffled my hair...he is happy to be my Master!' Joy and pride bubbled from her as she dropped her dishes off and joined her Master in leaving the cafeteria to head back to their quarters.
"Master Delak, here." The Mon Calamari said as he put down his drink.
"Master Delak, this is Padawan Lionel. The Council would like to see you." The Senior Padawan's voice cut through the silence.
"I'll be right there." Delak replied and put up the comlink. He then retook his glass and finished off the drink. "Well Lindoro, guess that sparring we were going to do will have to wait another day. Perhaps tomorrow then?" He smiled as he got up. Grasping his plate and drink he nodded to the initiates and Menaria as they got up to bow respectively.
"Sounds good to me, we'll do it tomorrow then. See you around Delak." Lindoro returned the aquatic Master's smile.
Delak waved and headed out the door.
Lindoro and the others finished up their meals.
"Guess we'll see you later then, Menaria. We'll work on ideas for the celebration tomorrow. See you at evening meal. Good day Knight D'Lockens." Seriu said as he and the other two initiates got up from their benches. The three bowed farewell and took their plates and glasses with them.
"Sounds good. We'll have to figure out what type of designs to use on the banners." Menaria waved goodbye to her friends as she waited for her Master to finish up the last of his meal.
"Banners?" Lindoro asked in between his last bite of pasta.
"We got selected to create banners for the festival. We're excited!" Upon his lifting of an eyebrow, she sighed and frowned slightly. "Yes, I know; 'A Jedi craves not excitement.'"
Lindoro chuckled and nodded. "Well...some is not harmful as long as you keep your focus." At those words, the smile returned to her face.
She then gathered her plate and glass and stood up to follow her Master as he took his own to the tray table.
"We'll work on the defensive katas after our meditation. Hopefully I'll not hit the mat like I did the other day." His eyes sparkled with mirth as he chuckled.
Menaria eyed Lindoro warily, though her own eyes reflected his humor.
The two walked to their regular meditation room. An hour later, the two headed for the gym.
The four hours of practicing seem to have flown by all too quickly as Lindoro stepped back signaling the end to their lessons.
Menaria took several deep slow breaths to slow her heart rate. Turning off her saber, she placed it back upon her belt. Using the sleeve of her tunic, she wiped the sweat from her face. She noticed that her Master had barely even lost his breath let alone had much more than a slight shimmering of moisture on his skin. Her undertunic was close to being drenched. She had taken her overtunic off prior to starting the lessons.
"Let's do some cool downs then we'll shower. Excellent work out so far Menaria." He grinned with approval.
She blushed a little and nodded her thanks.
Lindoro placed his saber upon his belt and stepped closer to Menaria.
The two began to move to one of the beginning levels of the katas.
Lindoro moved his arms separately, left moving up while the right moved down then to the side. He slid across the ground circling around Menaria with his back to her.
The Padawan reflected the Master's movements with her own back toward him. They continued the gradual movements of arms and legs circling one another for another few minutes. Then suddenly the two twirled at the same time turning to face one another.
"Let the Force flow through you to allow a unity between your breathing and motions. Once one masters this technique, it transforms into something more." He eyed the girl as she nodded and seem to delve further into her concentration.
They continued moving in different positions through a variety of motions ranging from gymnastic stretches to a few acrobatic flips.
"The main lessons from these katas are to teach a person to flow from one style to the next without missing a beat and maintaining harmony with the Force at the same time." Lindoro said as they finished the 1st through 3rd level of katas.
Menaria nodded. "I understand, Master."
"Let's shower up and go eat then." Lindoro said, smiling as he patted her shoulder. He then went to the bench that their overtunics and boots were on. They both picked up their belongings and headed to the appropriate shower sections.
After about 15 minutes of showering, the two dried off, dressed, and met up at the entrance of the gym to head for the cafeteria.
Menaria couldn't hold back a chuckle as she walked behind Lindoro a few steps. His hair was curling slightly at the ends as they were still damp with moisture from the shower. Upon Lindoro's turning to eye her wistfully, she blushed slightly.
"What is it?" He asked as he came to a stop right outside the doors to the cafeteria.
"Well, um, your hair is curling." She giggled again and quickly covered her mouth. She sputtered out an apology and tried to look at something else besides his hair.
"Curling? Now that is different..." He mumbled as he snatched a handful of his hair to inspect. Sure enough, his ends were curled slightly. "Well I'll be a bantha's a...ahem behind." He hmfed a little and tossed his hair back over his shoulder. "That's new to me. Thanks for letting me know. And I am glad to have been a comical relief for you, Padawan." He said seriously, but the twinkling of his eyes told her otherwise.
"I am sorry Master, I couldn't help myself. It's...it's just something I didn't expect to see. Well that is on you rather." She stopped seeing that she was digging herself deeper in the hole.
"Well it really doesn't matter to me. I am not worried. Most of them people don't care for me any ways so it doesn't matter what they think either." His tone got a slight edge to it as he turned on his heel and walked through the doors once they slide open at his presence.
Menaria had to nearly jog to catch back up with him. 'Great...now I've gone and blew that moment. I didn't mean to remind him...but I didn't say anything that would have brought up their dislike for him. Hmmm.' She sighed and joined her Master at the serving line.
The scowl was still on his face when he went to sit down with the initiates and Delak. Delak seeing his scowl he eyed Lindoro carefully.
"What has you riled up?" The aquatic Master asked as he ate a few more bites of his vegetable meal.
Lindoro sat down with a sigh and nodded at the initiates' welcoming bows. Menaria joined them at the table as well.
"Nothing has me riled up, just thinking." Lindoro said as he pushed several chucks of meat around. Taking several of the pasta strands he slowly twirled them around the fork.
"Uh hmm. Are you sure?" The Master insisted.
Lindoro nearly slammed his fork down, but instead of doing that he closed his eyes for a second and drew in a slow breath. 'He's only worried...don't need to loose control. Not now and not here.' Opening his eyes, he turned his head to look at Delak. "I'm fine, don't worry about it. Eat your meal." He paused for a second and tried not to sigh. "What did the Council want with you earlier?"
Delak nodded slightly sensing that Lindoro didn't want to talk about what was bothering him. 'Same ole Lindoro...keeping things bottled up.' Nearly sighing himself, he shrugged the feelings into the Force. "They had an assignment for me. Looks like I get to go to Chandrila next week." He said as he sipped on his drink.
Menaria spoke up before thinking. "You're leaving? You aren't going to be here for the festival?" She blushed at her outburst.
Delak chuckled at her blushing. "Aww fear not Padawan Darce, no need to blush. Yes, unfortunately I'll have to miss the celebration. Which, believe or not, I was looking forward to." Delak took a couple more bites of his meal.
Lindoro shook his head. "Well that does kind'a suck, doesn't it? So what's the mission about or can you tell?" He finished up the last little bit of his meal and pushed the plate forward just a little bit.
The initiates listened intently at the discussion. They were always curious to learn more about different planets and the people who lived there. Kork's ears continually flicked forward and to the side as he leaned on his elbows, chin on his knuckles. Seriu and Nania's face reflected their curiosity as well.
"It is only to observe a treaty that is being signed by their government for the Republic. Supposed to be a few days of negotiations on the finalizing of it then they'll sign. Other than that, not much to it." He concluded as he took another drink from his glass.
"Does sound kind of boring." Lindoro said as he eyed Delak with a smirk.
Menaria tapped his arm gently, "Master! Are we not supposed to say that? Missions are not considered 'boring' but intellectual and inspiring!" Her green eyes shimmered with excitement.
Lindoro chuckled at his Padawan's boisterous remark. "Well of course, Menaria. All missions have a lesson or two for one to learn. Master or apprentice, we all learn from each mission." His blue eyes sparkled with amusement.
"True...so true Lindoro. I'm surprised the Council didn't send you to this one since you are the one that is supposed to be 'freshening up' on your mediation techniques." Delak's silver eyes took on the same shimmer that Lindoro's had.
"Now, wait here just a minute..." He started but stopped as Delak busted out laughing. "That isn't fair, Delak! But yeah...you are right. Maybe they're letting Menaria and myself get used to one another first. That would be reasonable." Lindoro said as he rubbed his goatee absently.
Delak chuckled a little more and nodded. "That is possible. I wouldn't doubt it if that was it. The two of you are getting used to one another, and that does take time. It took me and Leana only a couple of months before we worked great together." He then looked off into the distance as a far away expression came over his face.
Lindoro watched the Master carefully. "Have you heard from her lately?"
"No...not since last month. She is still working with the people of Anaxes. Helping them with the ever-changing treaties with the Republic. Since that is where most of the Republic's ships come from, they are always adding or changing the treaties. I don't know how long she is to stay there. I must admit...I miss her terribly. It's been nearly a year since her Knighting...but it sure is quiet in our...well my quarters."
Lindoro patted Delak on the shoulder. "Well she couldn't have had a better Master." He smiled warmly at his friend.
"Wow...she's there? That must be sweet!" Seriu commented, his dark brown eyes glistening. "I hope to visit there one of these days. Anaxes is at the top of my lists of places to visit once I'm a Knight." His grin spread from ear to ear.
"Yeah...I mean all those ships! Can you imagine that planet's shipyards!" Kork's ears were flicked forward as his fur rippled slightly echoing his excitement.
Nania nodded in agreement with her friends. "It would be a nice place to visit. Though I'd love to visit Chandrila. I hear it's a beautiful planet."
"It is, I visited Chandrila with my Master when I was a Padawan. Actually I was 14 when we went there. It is beautiful and clean atmosphere. Not contaminated like Coruscant. The air is fresh and their lands wonderful." Lindoro smiled at Nania. "And their food...exquisite."
Nania chuckled at his comment of 'food.' "Really Knight D'Lockens? Was that the best thing there was the food?"
Lindoro eyed her seriously, "Well of course, when I was a Padawan that was how I judged a planet and their people were by their food." He chuckled at that and shook his head when she giggled. His Padawan joined in her giggling. Kork and Seriu tried to hide their chuckling behind their hands. Delak's laughter echoed the Initiates' sentiments.
"Well it is true! I didn't later when I got older. I was barely older than you all!" He exclaimed faking that he was hurt by their laughter.
"Oh Master! I had no idea that was how you were back then! Perhaps you should tell us some of your adventures as a Padawan!" Menaria said as she patted his arm affectionately. "You know we are not laughing at you... but only at what you did back then."
"I know, Padawan, I know." Lindoro smiled as he turned to look at his apprentice.
His smile was the best thing ever, Menaria thought.
"As for telling of my adventures...maybe another day. But I do believe you have homework?" He paused to look at the other initiates. "And you 3 as well?" The 3 nodded as Menaria sighed.
"Yes, Master. Unfortunately." She looked at her friends. "Guess we should get that done so we can work on the banners day after tomorrow on our day off. I'm glad we are allotted a day off from classes!" She chuckled.
"Yeah, you are right Knight D'Lockens. We should get back to our room and do our assignments." Seriu said as he got up from the table.
The other 2 initiates followed suite and then bowed to the Master and Knight. "Good night Master Delak, Knight D'Lockens. Guess we'll see you in the morning Menaria." Nania said as she waved goodbye to her. Menaria waved back to her friends as they dropped off their plates and glasses then left.
"Well, I better head off to do some research on Chandrila. Guess I'll see you in the morning then as well Lindoro. Good night to you Menaria." Delak bid the two good evening and dropped off his plate and glass on his way out.
"Let's go back to our room so you can do your lessons before we meditate." Lindoro smiled at her sigh of disgust. "Come on now, they can't be that bad. Just think I had to go through all those lessons too!" He ruffled her hair as he then grabbed his plate and glass to drop off on the tray table.
"Master!" She cried out, as that was the first time he had messed with her hair. As the Master chuckled and walked to the tray table, a smile spread across her face as she gently put her hair back in order. 'He ruffled my hair...he is happy to be my Master!' Joy and pride bubbled from her as she dropped her dishes off and joined her Master in leaving the cafeteria to head back to their quarters.