thanks for the reviews! here's chapter 3 (sorry that its a bit short...but they get longer). i guess i should have mentioned this in a previous chapter (but i bet you've figured it out) that this story takes place pre-"Phantom Menace." enjoy!
same warnings & disclaimers apply. (and i forgot to give credit to the 16 people/groups who have contributed words-of-wisdom that fit this story)
dialouge/thought code:
'single quotes italics'--Katarin's thoughts
'single quotes bold'--other-character-in-the-scene's thoughts (usually Obi-Wan, sometimes Setti)
'single quotes bold-italics'--a character's recollection of something another character has said (usually Katarin's, sometimes Obi-Wan's)
Chapter 3: Discovery
Awe inspiring. That's mostly what she saw of the Jedi Temple. Awe-inspiring and beautiful. So peaceful, majestic even, with long slender hallways lined with graceful arches along the ceiling. But force almighty it was bright. So many windows letting light shine in all over. She breathed deeply, squinting as she turned a corner, bringing two fingers to rest on the bridge of her nose above her glasses. Even though she managed to catch a little sleep on the transport to Coruscant, she still was exhausted from the past two weeks of continual drilling and meditation.
And it didn't help that her clothes were layered much thicker than she was used to. The cloth she'd always thought was too heavy to be of any practical use, but it was long and flowing which allowed her the full range of her motions. It also gave her actions a gracefulness that she wasn't used to possessing. As she passed by other Jedi who nodded respectfully as she did the same, she awed at how their long flowing cloaks and clothing made them all seem as though they were floating. She could only guess if she looked the same.
At least the colors were to her liking. She had about died when she found out most of her wardrobe consisted of browns, grays and beiges. No black anywhere. At least her "Jedi" robe was a dark, slate gray—the closest to black she could wear while in full Jedi-attire. And to accompany to her dark gray robe, she'd been outfitted with dark chocolate pants and a beige tunic with a belt that matched the pants. She hoped she looked the part…and not too dark. She had been instructed to let the curls that naturally ran through her hair to return and not straighten them out. So not only was Katarin walking around in clothes she had no choosing over, she wore no makeup and had long flowing curls softly naturally framing her face. She hated the look…she felt too pure and unassuming. The look inspired no respect…no power.
'Why am I thinking on clothes and looks? Who am I trying to impress?' She suddenly wondered, almost disgusted with herself for thinking so shallowly. 'I need to go clear my head,' she decided resolutely, despite her exhaustion, shaking her head quickly as she continued walking, sensing some gardens lying ahead of her.
It would be different to mediate among so much life. Usually it was just the walls of her quarters and the familiar objects she had placed there. But today, surrounded by plants teeming with life…it would be interesting to see how much she could delve inside herself with all that around her. With all that positive energy fighting against her dark side skills. She settled on a bench, crossing her legs underneath her, forming an open triangle with her hands as she let her eyes close and a deep sigh leave her.
All the energy from the plants had a very cleansing air to it. As though if she let it in, it would sweep her mind clean and keep it clear only for positive thoughts. Katarin guessed that was a good thing. ''Nature never makes things for mean or no uses.' Of course…,' she mentally groaned, remembering that everything had a purpose, even if it only benefited Jedi.
Gradually she pushed those thoughts away and felt out with the force around her, internalizing what she could, suppressing everything that had to be kept hidden. Deeper and deeper she pushed the truth, locking it away and building around it an array of fabricated memories and feelings, using everything she knew of to keep the prying minds of Masters out. So far it seemed to be working…but Katarin was by no means out of the woods yet. 'Oh…another human…a Jedi.'
Another person had joined her in the gardens to meditate. She reached out further to the new arrival through the force, circling around his life force. A Padawan learner. A slight smirk tugged at her lips. 'This should be fun—he should be easy to read, after all, he is just a student.'
'You would think that wouldn't you.'
'Shit, he heard that!'
Her mind screamed before she could quiet it. So, this other person was a more advanced Padawan learner…this should be even more fun.
'Colorful word there.'
'Why thank you.' She felt a warmth surrounding her and slowly sifting through her mind. Only returning the favor, she focused closer on the Jedi's thoughts and feelings, gliding smoothly through all kinds of different things. It felt almost refreshing…some warmth into the coldness of her mind. Katarin could only hope her own searching wasn't revealing the dark coldness that usually surrounded her force aura.
Suddenly, she started to pick up on some deep hidden feelings…feelings that Jedi shouldn't have—longing, frustration, anger even. Katarin dared not to look further. There were just parts of the human psyche she never cared to explore nor felt right to, dark side or not.
Without realizing it, she was smiling as she continued to reach out to him, finding herself unwilling to stop. Suddenly she felt gnawing at her mental shields hiding the truth.
"Ah-ah—don't go there." She said aloud, feeling his concentration somewhat falter.
"I wasn't going to." A voice more softly elegant and silky had never before reached her ears. 'Oh wow…,' she quickly thought.
"Just making sure." She nonchalantly replied as she pulled away from him, finding some new indescribable feeling, mixed with contentment swell in her mind. A hazy peace surrounded her, and she laughed inwardly at her abandoned mission of trying to clear her mind. 'You keep your thoughts and feelings well controlled for a Padawan…not too much to go on anymore….' 'Have to leave some things to mystery, or else's where the fun?' She heard a soft chuckle from somewhere out in the gardens. Her olive-green eyes opened.
"Where are you?" She called out curiously, not moving from her meditating position.
"I'm here…where are you?" His voice filtered out of the surrounding plants. 'Playful, arrogant little thing…,' she thought almost annoyed, as she rolled her eyes, a playfully annoyed smirk on her usually stoic face.
"Do I get to see you?" She asked again, an almost hopefully note to her voice. 'I think not… 'have to leave some thing to mystery, or else's where the fun?'' She laughed silently. 'Very well—then at least a name—you'll have mine.'
"Katarin." She said softly, waiting for his response.
"Obi-Wan." Her brows furrowed in disappointment as his life force left the gardens and she found herself alone once again. Her eyes flew open. What was she doing…and what was that interaction all about? It was almost as though he was playing hard-to-get…but then again, so did she it seemed. She groaned in annoyance as she flew from the bench towards her quarters, already finding her first day in the Jedi Temple, surrounded by so much positive light and energy, to be a mental hell.
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Seeking out Master Gitan was proving to be harder then Katarin had originally thought. She knew it was a test of sorts, so in no way would she fail, but it was proving rather trying to navigate through the light to find to find the right Master. She found him eventually, and wound her way through the corridors towards him. The door slid silently open and she sat opposite him as he meditated quietly.
"I sense exhaustion and bewilderment at everything bombarding you all at once—I felt much the same way my first day here," Gitan smoothly said, "as though I would never again feel the way I once felt all thanks to the energy from the place coursing constantly around me. But that's where the true test of your strength lays—in how well you hold fast to all that you have learned or in how quickly you abandon it." Katarin looked at him blankly, taking in all he was saying, knowing in her heart of hearts she could not fail. 'Would not fail..,' she mentally corrected herself. "Go rest—we'll speak more when you're refreshed. More of the rules and places you are allowed to wander freely, and more on your interactions with Jedi—the ones you have yet to meet, and the one you have met." She glanced at him rather sharply, surprised to hear he knew of her meeting with Obi-Wan, as consciously she was not even thinking of it. She nodded mutely, shoving everything to the back of her mind as she rose, shaking her head and popping her lenses off as she made her way to her room for some much needed sleep.
there ya go. review if'n ya want. next chapter should be up before the week is out. thanks again!
