Fear is a great motivator
Unexpected help! The curator of the clan in which Santal Sabura studies, Tera Saynube, asked for help from a former student, Master Dooku. He wants him to help the little girl believe in herself and help her overcome her fears. Otherwise, due to the lack of progress, the youngster may be sent to the laggards or sent to the service corps. Despite the skeptical attitude, the native of Serenno gets down to business…
When Master Dooku left, Santal tried to return to meditation. But it didn't work out, the mood was already shot down. The girl after the last words of the former student of Yoda began to get very nervous. My stomach turned cold.
She has to go to the training hall in half an hour. What for? The answer is obvious. Yesterday she told Master Dooku about her problem, and he apparently thought and thought and eventually came up with his own way. On the one hand, Santal was grateful, and on the other, she was scared.
And why did she tell him only yesterday? She could have kept silent. Although Master Dooku is a very experienced Jedi, he easily realized that she was not all right. That's why she realized that it was useless to deny it. Even if she didn't say anything, the master would still understand everything, see through her. If Santal had lied, he would have noticed right away and pointed it out. She would be ashamed. But she did well to at least hold back the tears. It's already good. After all, Jedi should be able to control their emotions. Of course, if she had burst into tears, nothing terrible would have happened. But the girl would still feel awkward.
When the time was up, Santal went where she needed to go. With every step she took, she became more and more afraid. She clearly understood what was waiting for her, but it didn't make her feel any better. She will be forced to perform these acrobatic exercises again. And this time you won't be able to shirk. All the attention will be on her. Yes, even if I was in a group… Anyway. Nothing escapes Master Dooku's gaze. At least that's what she was told. And Max once mentioned that he is one of the strictest Jedi, usually requiring full dedication. From everyone. He is also one of the best swordsmen. Along with the masters Yoda, Windu and others.
Suddenly Santal realized that she wanted to go to the toilet. Moreover, the sensations were such that it seems like I want to, but it seems like I can still be patient. She remembered that she was just on her way. The toilet is further away from the training hall down the corridor and to the left. The girl even thought maybe she should go there first? Nothing terrible will happen if she stays late, right? There's nothing like that here.
Thinking whether to go or not to go, Santal did not notice how she reached the training hall. A few seconds later, the white doors slid open. Master Dooku was standing on the threshold. Santal froze in surprise. It was as if he was waiting, smelled and "caught". As a hunter of prey.
— You came. And I was going to follow you.
The girl was scared. Was she too late?
— Come in, — the magister made an inviting gesture, stepping aside.
The daughter of the Jedi took timid steps into the room, which she found a little creepy, but at the same time radiated calm and friendliness. There are only two colors: brown and white. Thanks to the latter, the room has acquired a dual color. Two posters. One has a temple with three spires instead of five because of the angle. On the second is the emblem of the Order (two bird wings and a sword with a six-pointed star). Both are painted with black paint. The first one is on the wall, the second one is on the ceiling right above the doors. Plus the hilts of swords on hooks, which are attached to two parallel straight ones, as if according to a list. And somewhere all the same, and somewhere in the form of an arc. One thing is clear — the creator clearly wanted a beautiful composition. Therefore, for example, in one place there are two pairs of "arcs", two pairs of long straight lines. It turned out beautifully and with taste.
Anyone who knew would probably have thought that there were two floors in the hall, although in fact this is just a trick of the eye. Brown drawers complemented the interior interestingly. Also near the door there were also ordinary doors with handles and also brown. There are also white lower lockers.
"Probably, there are some things stored there for training. A mysterious closet—type room, Santal thought.
When the magister and Yunling came to the middle of the hall, the first one stopped and said:
— Let's start with the warm-up.
From the first classes Santal knew that she needed to warm up, tune in to more complex exercises and cheer up. She has never had any problems with her, so there is no need for details here.
Having remained more or less satisfied, Dooku moved on to the main part.
— So, I've been thinking for a long time how to help you. There are two ways. We can start with what you're most afraid of. And for this we need to ask you in more detail. Or start all over again.
— The second option is better. Suddenly, thanks to you, I will succeed.
— Then let's start with the racks, the bridge, somersaults and twine. Elementary exercises.
At first, nothing foreshadowed trouble. But everything changed when it came to an exercise in which you had to stand on your forearms and throw your legs forward — trouble began. It is worth noting that in this situation Santal was no longer afraid, rather, she did not succeed. At first, Master Dooku wanted her to cope on her own, but then he got tired of it. He decided to help a little and grabbed the girl by the legs to fix her, but immediately realized that he had done it in vain. Santal screamed at the unexpected touch. She thought she was going to fall.
Dooku immediately removed his hands, and the girl got back on her feet. For some reason she wanted to cry, although nothing terrible had happened. But she felt much more ashamed of the scream. Although what is her fault? She was scared.
Oddly enough, the master said nothing and ordered to make a bridge. Same story. Santal was ready to howl with annoyance. What's wrong with her? Why can't she do it? Why is everyone flexible and she's not? What is she doing wrong?
That's when Dooku spoke:
— I got a clear picture. There is uncertainty and fear in you. This is visible to the naked eye.
— But I just can't do it! I'm kind of doing like everyone else! I'm trying to repeat it, but it doesn't come out at all. And I don't understand what's the matter," the girl was ready to cry.
"That's your problem. You were initially determined to lose. And you also let fear control you. You need to trust the Force and your feelings. That's the main reason why you're not doing it right.
— Is this not a scam? Santal asked.
Dooku raised his eyebrows.
— You are the first Youngling who asked me such a question. No, this is by no means cheating, it only seems that Strength improves skills, makes you stronger. In fact, she has always been a friend of the Jedi, helping out in various situations. However, it is useless if you do not work yourself. The Jedi must do the main work himself. The force only pushes. All the physical abilities of the Jedi, like running and jumping, are fueled by the Force. With the help of these techniques, we become conductors of Living Force.
— If she's a friend, why doesn't she feel bad for me and can't help? That I can't do it myself, no matter how hard I try?
"The Force is not a sentient being to talk to. She needs to open up. Close your eyes and feel it. Concentrate and imagine how it flows around you, penetrates you through and through.
Santal decided to try, she understood: since Dooku says so, explains, it is obvious that he believes in her. He's already spent a lot of time on it. It would be very ugly to disappoint him.
This time the handstand turned out flawlessly.
— Well done, — again this slight lifting of the corners of the lips. — Let's move on.
Then Santal tried the bridge again, then somersaulted and tried to sit on the splits. Everything worked out for her, but not on the first try. One of the reasons was the lack of flexibility. This disadvantage, according to Dooku, is easily corrected by constant training, thanks to which the body develops, plus stretching.
In the end, the girl received praise for her efforts.
Next, she was instructed to do a couple of rolls, half-turns, flips and flips. The Jedi daughter felt a strong fear again. It was as if he had crept up behind her again and grabbed her by the shoulder. All confidence was gradually disappearing. However, Santal tried not to show it, trying to give her all in other exercises. Again there were successful attempts and unsuccessful ones.
— And now the flip.
The girl froze in horror. It was as if she had been frozen in a block of ice. She understood that she would not be able to do this in any way. It's not even worth trying. Santal remembered how others did somersaults, even in combination with other movements. She was always genuinely surprised how they managed it. It seemed to her beyond the bounds of possibility that only adults and experienced people can do such things. Or those who were born with the talent to do such things.
— I won't. I won't be able to, — Santal decided not to torment anyone and confess right away.
- why? Master Dooku immediately frowned.
"I can't. I'm afraid of falling, hitting my head.
"I thought you weren't afraid anymore," the old Jedi said with emphasis.
— This is different. During the training, I realized that I underestimated that I could do a lot of things. But not a somersault. I'm sorry, it's beyond my strength," the girl lowered her head.
— If you are afraid of such trifles, then what will grow out of you next? — Dooku slowly began to get angry.
Santal was struck to the core by what was said. The magister had never shown anger before. And certainly not insulting an innocent child. Because of one small mistake, I have already decided what her future will be.
— It's not nothing! Do you think I won't be able to become a normal Jedi without some kind of flip? — the girl was surprised.
— How else can I call what all Jedi, without exception, have been able to do since childhood? This is a mandatory program.
— So what? I read that after training, the Jedi go their separate ways. I will choose a profession where acrobatics is not needed.
— If you want to go to the service building, then you would say so, — the master said sternly, trying to keep his emotions under control. — At the beginning of the training, you pleased me, even if not immediately, by showing that you can overcome difficulties. I even started to believe in you, as it turned out, in vain. You let fear control you. You are not confident in yourself and your abilities. Therefore, remember on your nose: the only thing that prevents you is yourself. No one and nothing will help you if you don't start working on yourself. Or do you think it was easy for others? For me? Master Yoda? Or Bastian and Adira Shan? Santal felt as if she had been touched by the blade of a lightsaber. — They also had difficulties, but they did not give up. Fear tried to control them, but they did not allow it and subordinated it to themselves. Time after time. Unlike you. After what happened just now, you have no right to call yourself a fan of them. And you know what? I started the training not on my own. I was asked by your supervisor, Tera Saynube. He once led the clan where I studied. That's why he thought I could help you. Although I doubted it, I took up the case anyway, because I didn't want to disappoint my former mentor. And that's exactly what you're doing now. Today I will say that he believes in you in vain. Good luck and goodbye," Dooku turned around and walked to the door. But suddenly he stopped, wanting to add something, but changed his mind.
Then the master left, closing the doors behind him. Stunned, Santal remained standing in the middle of the hall. And then she screamed loudly:
— I just can't, I don't want to do ONE miserable exercise! IT'S NOT MY FAULT! You have no right to say that! I didn't know!
But in response, she received only an echo that spread throughout the hall. The girl fell to her knees. Tears began to flow from his eyes in thin streams. Santal sat in this position for a few minutes, then hurried away, so it became creepy to be alone in the dojo. The girl even thought that terrible music would start playing now.
Going out into the corridor, Santal decided to go to the bathroom to freshen up and at the same time be alone. If she only needed the latter, she would have gone to her room and confined herself to a simple wash. But it was unwise to do so at the moment. Santal was sweating a lot because of the workout and it would be better to change clothes.
And only now the girl noticed that she did not want to go to the toilet at all. Although the strange feeling of "I want to-I don't want to" passed during the workout. It's clear why. It wasn't up to that.
Santal Sabura went straight to the bathroom, bowing her head low, hoping that she would not run into anyone she knew. It was about 6 pm.
Master Dooku, in a terrible mood, walked briskly into his room, which was dominated by green. Abruptly he sat down on the bed, breathing heavily from indignation. And then he moved to a white round ottoman and began to meditate. I needed to calm down. The man was angry at the same time at Santal, the master of Saynube and himself. At Santal for pissing him off with her behavior unworthy of a future Jedi. For stumbling at the last stage. At his former mentor, who changed his plans for the day with his request. You see, he doesn't want to lose a talented student. We need to save her. But what if someone who is in trouble does not want to be saved? This is the first. And secondly, it is nowhere to be seen that she is incredibly talented. So far, he has seen a weak-willed coward.
In the master's head, his own tirade against the girl continued to scroll without interruption, like downloaded music from a holonet when pressing the "repeat composition" button. The longer he listened, the stronger the urge to scold himself became. After all, he didn't behave like a Jedi either.
He snapped at the child. Or rather, I didn't break down, but scolded more than I should have. He was too strict. But it still doesn't change the essence. He reacted too harshly to a problem that is not as big as it seems. The girl was just afraid to do ONE single exercise out of all that he told her to do. And the one that the tongue does not dare to call easy. It takes time to learn how to do somersaults. And preferably a higher age, and he, such a fool, tried to make the child jump above his head. And it's unclear why he started talking about Bastian and Adira. They were no sideways here at all. Well, the height of his stupidity is that Santal said that she was allegedly unworthy of being their fan. This is all nonsense. No matter what the success, the girl has the right to admire anyone.
Mentally, Dooku understood that he did not wish Yunling any harm. He carefully analyzed the words and decided that he specifically mentioned those Jedi heroes that the girl likes. So that there is a more understandable example.
"Speaking of Basti..." the Magister sighed, "It's a pity that you merged with the Force too soon. If he were alive, he would have coped much better in my place. You've always been good with children," he thought, reminiscing.
Dooku was for Bastian, or Basti, as he liked to call him, a kind of senior comrade. Because of the twenty-eight-year age difference, their friendship was unusual. We rarely saw each other, especially until Basti became a knight. In the future, Dooku introduced a friend to his student Qui-Gon. He did not remain in debt and introduced him to Adira.
The rapprochement was facilitated not only by the support of the older comrade in relation to the younger one and a considerable number of common topics for discussion. Master Dooku, who at one time survived the betrayal of another friend, whose name he did not particularly want to remember, began to be afraid to get close to anyone, to be friends, but Basti, like Bacta, began to heal the wound slowly. But despite the efforts, it did not work out completely. Moreover, Dooku has repeatedly expressed that he should be more careful that betrayal is inevitable. But Bastian didn't really listen and advised to stop being paranoid.
When Master Shang died, Dooku was saddened, as was his disciple. It seemed unfair to him that someone younger than him had died. And even with a pregnant wife. Strangely enough, but the magister with Serenno never envied his friend that he could get married thanks to his ancestors. He generally treated it neutrally and was glad when he said that he would be a father. The man was not even surprised that fate would give him such a gift. Basti was always affectionate with children, sometimes gave advice when meeting, patted their heads.
One day, the two of them were walking down the corridor when a boy bumped into them. Dooku wanted to scold for inattention, but Basti did not give it.
—Be careful," he said then, smiling.
"I promise," Yunling replied and went on calmly.
Yan Dooku was always surprised at such moments. How does he do it? Why does he force children to obey without rudeness and severity? The man asked himself these questions again when Adira became pregnant. He was absolutely sure that Basti would make a great father.
Unfortunately, the wish never came true.
"And now, I want to ask again," Dooku thought. "What's your secret, Basti? It's a pity you're not here. You'd better help Santal. Not me. Although... just a minute. Bastian died a long time ago, yes. It cannot be returned. All that remains is to honor his memory. And the best way is to do at least once, as he would have done."
Dooku stood up and decided. Tomorrow he will try to apologize to Santal and hold another training session. This time he will take a few Bastian techniques into service. He'll be nicer to the girl. Help her. For Basti's sake.
Meanwhile, Santal was standing in the shower, exposing herself to the jets of warm water. Once again, I was convinced that a warm shower is one of the best medicines in the world, thanks to which the girl calmed down for a while and was able to calmly change a set of clothes in a special room. I gave my dirty clothes to the laundry. Then Santal refreshed herself a little more. As a result, I reluctantly got out of the bathroom twice. On the way to my apartment, I began to feel very tired and sleepy. With great difficulty, the girl crawled to her room and fell on the bed. And, apparently, the brain received a signal that its mistress was alone — as a result, memories came flooding back. The girl buried her face in the pillow and howled with resentment and injustice. Broken and depressed because of everything that had befallen her all day.
And why would she do all this? What did she do to deserve this? She thought she was going to have a relatively easy life. And here it is not! Everything is bad. And she also wanted to find her parents.
Remembering them, Santal quickly found their photos in the datapad.
"Mom, Dad, why did you leave so early? I really need you! Help me! I'm all alone. I don't know what to do. Go home or ask for help from someone else, for example, from Obi-Wan."
The girl stopped abruptly and waved away such an idea. It won't work. Master Dooku told the truth. No matter who she turns to, if she doesn't change herself, nothing will come of it.
However, it did not last long. Santal, unbeknownst to herself, could not stand it and fell asleep. She had a dream.
The girl found herself in some dark, but still slightly illuminated place, standing in the middle of a circle from which four roads branched off into the unknown. At first there was a deathly, terrifying silence. But then Santal began to hear whispers calling her, which grew louder in arithmetic progression. Silhouettes appeared, which turned out to be her fellow clansmen.
—What a loser you are," Green said.
—Oh, you," Max sighed.
"Even I'm doing something, even if I'm a coward," Svante put in a word.
"What's going to come out of you?" Nick scoffed.
"Cowards have nothing to do among the Jedi," Risha shouted.
"I'm sorry, but you have to deal with your shortcomings," Dasha said softly.
Etc. Everyone said something in a circle. To someone, once seemed not enough. As a result, all the voices merged into one mass. A real choir. Santal felt heartache. Unable to stand all the nastiness in her address, she screamed:
— STOP IT!
Abruptly, everything quieted down and disappeared. A white flash. This time the girl was where it was light, which has already added courage. Beautiful garden with green juicy leaves. The curb and the path are made of white stone.
Santal began to admire the surrounding nature, when suddenly there was a rustle in the distance. The girl immediately got up, took a step back. Fear and curiosity began to fight for her mind. This time the second one won.
Moving on tiptoe, the girl quietly approached the end of the alley, pushed aside the branches and ... froze in shock. Because she saw someone she had almost forgotten and whom she most of all did not want to meet. At least not yet.
The man in the hat was standing in front of her. Evil Hat—that's what she called him, I think.
The man was standing at the end of the path in the center of a circle, only white. Around the same white rounded balustrade with columns in the form of bottles, on which a bar seemed to be placed. From a bird's-eye view, the entire white path looked like a lollipop.
Santal wanted to escape, but she was noticed. Duros saw her and smiled.
— I found you. Come over here. Don't be afraid, I won't hurt you. - he even beckoned with his finger.
But Santal didn't believe a word the hunter said. She didn't forget the one who wanted to sell, brought her to tears. And therefore categorically refused to move even a millimeter.
Then duros himself approached a few steps.
— Coward. I don't even want to deal with people like you," the man began to openly mock. — I have always respected those who meet the enemy face to face. And the Jedi, too. But I feel that with such a character you will never succeed. I was afraid of the first difficulties. How such infuriate me. If you haven't noticed, life isn't a heavenly place like this. She is harsh and unfair. I remember you also talking about your parents? I don't know who they are, but I doubt they would be happy if they saw you as you are now. A disgrace. A loser. In general, I wonder why they took you to the Jedi!
Duros did not stop sneering and laughing. He also had such a grin that Santal really wanted to punch him. She frowned, rushed at him, but the man dodged and ran to the fence and jumped on him, keeping his hands on his belt.
"You know I'm right. Goodbye, Jedi! — gracefully threw his arms back a little, like a bird, and then jumped, soaring up and disappearing behind the clouds.
Santal froze in surprise. She did not know, and did not think that he, it turns out, can fly. And then she began to try to escape from the clutches of dreams. She succeeded. Santal's eyes snapped open.
"What a dream!" she thought. Gradually, she began to recover, realizing that she had returned to the world of reality. She's in her room. Everything seems to be fine, nothing happened. No one has done anything wrong to her, but how much has been said!
Insults and ridicule were still audible in my head. Although Santal understood that it was only a dream, it was still morally bad. And from whose words, it is unclear. From the words of fellow clansmen, because she studies with them, close relationships and so on? Or from the words of someone who, in general, no one has the right to speak out in this case? No matter.
And what is really important is that the dream made the girl think seriously. What if that guy, for example... is right? The girl was afraid of her own thought. Is the criminal right? What nonsense! But on the other hand, it is. I have to admit it reluctantly.
Santal decided to remember their first meeting, she still thinks about him. And, to my surprise, I realized that this time I was looking at the situation from a different angle. Now the uncle gave her the impression of an extremely purposeful person... that is, a duros. How many times had she begged, begged him to let her go? A million. And he? He did not give in and did not retreat. I went to the goal to the end. Santal, though she didn't really know who this man was, but she understood that he was not the last in his profession. And why? Because there's a hat on his head. A clear sign of influence. Is it logical? Logically. And if he said that life is hard, then he should know. Also logical.
Then the girl became very ashamed. Only now has she fully realized what she has been doing lately. Instead of overcoming difficulties, trying, training, she preferred to run away from problems in the hope that everything would resolve itself. It turns out that she is worse than this uncle, worse than a criminal! It's... terrible! That's really a shame! And the heiress of the famous Jedi dynasty! We need to do something urgently!
Santal looked at her watch. 4 o'clock in the morning! And at the same time, she slept well. So, we need to do something useful. Practice.
To begin with, the girl warmed up, repeated the exercises she learned yesterday. It turned out I hadn't forgotten almost anything. Then I began to train in jumping. I suddenly remembered Master Dooku's advice about trusting the Force. I decided to try it. She spread her arms out to the sides, closed her eyes and concentrated, trying to feel it, imagine how it envelops her. Finally, I made up my mind, gathered myself and jumped almost twice as high as usual.
It was an incredible feeling! During the jump, the girl felt her insides jump with her. She wanted to jump again. Another successful attempt.
Then Santal decided to repeat the exercise, which included running along the wall. She stood on the edge of the bed, inhaled, exhaled, started running on the spot to accelerate and jump. Repeating to herself about trusting the Force, the girl rushed forward, jumped like a frog, trying to make her feet touch the wall. I fell for the first time. The second time I jumped without running and tried not to linger.
Finally tired, I decided to try to do a somersault. After thinking a little, I remembered all the elements of the exercise, figured out how to make my work easier. First, jump as high as possible so that there is more time for tumbling. I just wanted to try it, when the alarm clock rang. Seven in the morning! Classes were always at eight. Santal and many other younglings always got up around this time, and someone a little earlier, so that they could wash up without haste, have breakfast, and then without delay with a calm step to the right class. Even now, a little disappointed, Santal went to class, trying to calm down and focus on what would happen after breakfast, and not after lunch. Otherwise, other teachers may be disappointed with it. And Santal has firmly decided since the evening that from now on she will be bolder.
At first, everything went as usual. At the Power Cognition lesson, her results were always among the best. And in general, the girl liked to teach Strength abilities much more than physical training. But this time she managed to fully immerse herself in the lesson only in the middle of the lesson. However, there were no special consequences. Except for a light remark.
After three meditations and politics, the Santal clan went to lunch. The girl took a full tray and wanted to sit in her favorite place, but it was occupied. Santal took this as a bad omen and sat down at another table. A few minutes later Max sat down next to her and immediately got down to business:
— Santal, listen, we have physical training after lunch, right?
— Yes, why?
— Nothing. It's just that you're going to start being afraid again.
The girl was scared. Will the nightmare come true? However…
— I decided to ask, maybe I can help you, suggest, train you? You know, it can't go on like this anymore.
Santal put her hand on the boy's arm and said:
— Don't do anything. This time I will succeed.
Max looked into her eyes and saw something he hadn't seen before—a determined sparkle and confidence. He was so startled that he didn't say another word.
When the lesson started, Tera Saynube gave a task after the warm-up:
— First you need to reach the wall, run along it a little, push off, somersault back and land. Is everything clear?
- yes! — the children answered.
— So, who wants to be the first?
Santal involuntarily blurted out.
Master Saynube was surprised. And the girl understood him perfectly. Even when he entered the hall, his gaze fell on her. She read a slight fear in him. He thought she would be afraid again. But today everything will change. She'll surprise him. She will surprise EVERYONE.
Santal walked with firm steps to the indicated starting point. She sighed, exhaled. She was scared. It's one thing to train in private. It's quite another to do something in front of others. You start to worry. So Santal's legs started to shake a little. But she took the will in her fist and ran, slowly accelerating and saying to herself like a mantra:
— I'm not afraid of ANYTHING! If I don't even try, then I'm worse than that uncle! Look ahead! Trust the Force!
Having guessed the right moment, she quickly stepped with a full foot on the wall, then another. She ran a little, then pushed off harder due to the Force, bent over, but fell on her back. Max gasped softly.
However, Santal got up quickly, although it hurt a little. I wanted to cry, but she quickly imagined a grinning uncle, stretched out her open palm forward, saying, wait, there is no need to help. I returned to the start. This time I ran even more confidently, because the run along the wall turned out to be longer.
As soon as Santal landed on her feet, she immediately saw the shock on the faces of the other guys. There was silence. Then a sound was heard. It was Max who started clapping softly, triggering a chain reaction. After a few seconds, a strong noise of clapping arose. Someone clapped loudly, someone quietly, someone a lot, someone a little. Santal was very confused.
— Why? I didn't do anything wrong. And the second time.
"That's not the main thing," Tera Saynube said. — The main thing is that you have overcome fear. I see and feel that confidence and determination have increased in you.
- yes. I feel it inside me.
"It looks like Master Dooku helped you. Now you understand: don't give up?
— Yes and yes.
— And one more piece of wisdom for you. You'll need it when you become a padawan. Listen to the teacher, but adjust everything you need to learn to yourself, creating your own style.
"Thank you, Teacher,— Santal's smile stretched to her ears.
— Next! — cheerfully commanded the curator.
After the lesson, Santal came out extremely pleased. The girl wanted to rush to no one knows where, jump for joy. After all, now what used to frighten her began to bring pleasure.
— Wait! Santal heard a scream behind her. It was Max.
— What happened? she stopped.
The boy also stopped and asked:
— What was that? I mean, now. What you showed, it was... wow! How? You haven't been able to do anything before. You were afraid. I was afraid too. I thought you'd start refusing again. But no! You've blown us all away! The guys are talking about you all the time!
— Wow.
— So how? What has changed?
"I just believed in myself," Santal replied with a smile and mentally added: "And one wise Jedi and a hunting grin helped me!".
The girl laughed, and then went along with everyone to meditate.
That's how Santal unexpectedly began to slowly turn into another person. The girl even began to feel different. It's like she's been reborn. Updated. And it made me want to scream with joy. Or just live. Easy, without heavy load.
Starting from the next day, the training went uphill. Santal has become more proactive, diligent. After all, nothing scared her now. Moreover, after classes, she began to train additionally. She even distributed when and on what day she would do what.
It ended with the fact that one day Santal was expecting a surprise. The curator of her clan, Tera Saynube, announced that she became the best in the group. She did not expect this and was very embarrassed when she received congratulations from Max and Dasha. The latter even hugged. Others reacted less emotionally.
A few days have passed. Santal was in the best of spirits going to the library. The Jedi Master Togruta was walking towards her.
— Hello, Master Shaak Ti, — the girl immediately greeted. This was one of the most important rules for Younglings.
— Hello, Santal. How's school going?
— Everything is fine.
— Very good. I was just looking for you.
- why?
"You're being summoned to the Jedi Council.