Responsibility

Meanwhile in the Jedi Temple on Coruscant, Raven and Serin walked alongside Master Yoda as they entered one of the private consult rooms that were in the Jedi Council chambers. Raven's hair had started to grow longer and now lightly brushed his shoulders which made the reddish-brown colour more obvious than it had been before in the traditional Padawan hairstyle. While Serin's hair had stayed the same length as before but the Padawan braid was kept safe inside one of the pouches on his belt.
The Jedi Grandmaster sat down on one of the cushions and directed simply, "Sit you must."
Then he turned to Serin first with a steady eye, "A request you have Knight Starfall," he said confidently as he waited patiently for the young Jedi Knight to speak.
"Master Yoda, I wish to request permission to start training a Padawan Learner" Serin requested, although it sounded more like a statement than a question.
"Thought of someone you already have, hmm?"
Serin nodded, "Youngling Obi-Paulo Vekarr, if you approve Master," he answered and then patiently waited for the Jedi Grandmaster to answer.
Master Yoda hummed softly as he thought about the request thoroughly and then nodded, "Yes, ready for a Padawan Learner you are."
"Thank you, Master Yoda," Serin thanked the Jedi Grandmaster as he bowed in respect before exiting the room.
Then Master Yoda's firm gaze turned to Raven, "Request to select a Padawan Learner as well, do you?"
"Yes, Master Yoda," Raven answered, "I know it is uncustomary for a Knight to take on a student so soon after being knighted but I am sure-," he started but was interrupted by the little green alien.
Master Yoda shook his head slowly, "Not ready are you for the responsibility of teaching a student," he stated, "Complete confidence a Jedi Knight needs when making such an important decision, not good enough surety is."
Raven frowned slightly but waited for the Jedi Grandmaster to continue explaining his reason for turning the request down, but Master Yoda just sat there in silence.
"So, is that? My confidence level?" Raven asked.
Master Yoda sighed, rose to his feet and started walking towards the door with Raven close behind him.
"Master Yoda?"
This comment resulted in the Jedi Grandmaster giving Raven a good whack with his walking stick to the Jedi Knight's shin who jumped slightly further away from the small green alien.
"Patience Jedi Knight Vitalis," Master Yoda stated in finality as he exited the room.


An hour later, everyone was gathered outside the Council Chamber, waiting for them to be admitted into the room. The mixed group of Jedi Knights and Jedi Padawans talked quietly amongst themselves as they always did. The talking of which halted when the doors opened to allow them entrance to find all the Jedi Masters in there. Upon the door closing, Master Mace Windu began to talk as he usually did when the Council was giving assignments out to members of the Jedi Order.
"I am sure that you are all aware of the new Senator that has recently joined the Galactic Senate, Cyrinity Kallus?" Master Windu inquired.
Those in the middle of the room all nodded their heads curiously and waited for the Jedi Master to continue but he was quickly interrupted by a newcomer in the room.
A Jedi Knight entered abruptly, looking very flustered and rushed as she bowed to the Masters, and began apologising for being late.
"I am so sorry Masters, I got here as soon as I got your message," she spoke very quickly as she straightened her robes. This newcomer had long fiery red hair that came down to just belong the shoulders and was curled over one shoulder. Her eyes were a piercing and bright emerald green that had a slight mischievous spark in them. Then she noticed the group of Jedi Knights and Padawans in the room which was followed by a long list of apologies, "I am so sorry I hope I did not interrupt anything important."
"Jedi Knight Novastar, meet your team for the mission you should," Master Yoda chuckled.
"Knights and Padawans, this is Jedi Knight Kayli Novastar," Master Mundi introduced her to the group.
Kayli turned back to face Master Yoda, "Are you sure this mission requires such a large group Master Yoda?" she asked.
"Size matters not," the Jedi Grandmaster dismissed her comment.
"Introductions can happen after the meeting," Master Windu interrupted, cutting the small conversation off.
"The Republic Senate has just welcomed a new planet into the Republic and we want you all to help ensure this happens as smooth as possible," Master Unduli stated.
"Which planet?" Gav asked curiously.
"Lothal."
Serin paused momentarily, "There is a Jedi Enclave on Lothal," he said thoughtfully.
"Which is why this mission cannot fail," Master Kenobi stated firmly.
"Jedi Knight Dubreas will be leading the mission and has already been briefed beforehand fully by Senator Amidala and Supreme Chancellor Organa," Anakin revealed.
"Are you ready to hand the information over to your team members?" Master Koon asked the newly knighted Jedi Knight.
"Yes Masters."
"Very good. Very good," Master Yoda said, "Ended this Council meeting is," he added as he dismissed everyone in the room.
Upon exiting the Council chambers, Anakin approached his former Padawan before she could disappear.
"Are you sure that you're ready for this Tiger?" Anakin asked seriously.
Ashlyn currently had her hair out of the usual ponytail which had hidden the thick curls for most of her life at the Jedi Temple and it reached to the middle of her shoulder blades.
Ashlyn smiled, "Master, you taught me everything I know, and I don't think I have ever thanked you for everything that you did teach me," she responded gratefully.
"I can come on the mission if you need me to be there," Anakin offered.
Ashlyn shook her head solemnly, "I will be fine-," then she corrected herself as she glanced over at the group, "We will be fine."
Anakin nodded as he watched Ashlyn walk away and enter the elevator with the rest of the group and he turned to his right to find Obi-wan standing next to him.
"Letting go of them is always the hardest thing," Obi-wan sighed.
"I imagine it's easier for you, after all your connection with Daly was never as strong as mine was with Ash," Anakin stated.
"Don't assume too much Anakin, you need to trust that your teachings are substantial enough for Ashlyn to know how to take care of herself out in the Galaxy," Obi-wan pointed out.


"I think introductions are in order," Ashlyn said, "Kayli, I am Jedi Knight Ashlyn Dubreas. Everyone calls me Ash."
The rest of the group introduced themselves, ending with Kai whom Kayli winked at flirtatiously which caused the Senior Padawan to become flustered.
"Ouch," Kai mumbled as he tripped over the toe of his own boot.
"Better watch yourself, Snow-top," Kayli whispered in his ear mischievously.
Kai frowned slightly as his cheeks became slightly pink but he decided to shake the comment off and continued walking alongside the group to keep up. He wasn't sure yet whether he liked the newcomer or not, especially now with that nickname.
"I will see you guys all later," Serin said and then turned to look at Ashlyn, "Hangar yeah?"
Ashlyn nodded as Serin then walked off.
"Hangar?" Kayli inquired, "Bit of an odd place to deliver details of the assignment, isn't it?"
"The rest of the team is waiting in the Hangar," Daly revealed.
"Wait, so are you telling me that this already very large team has more people in it?" Kayli asked in astonishment.
Daly nodded lightly as he caught up to speed with Ashlyn and the two's hands touched for the briefest of moments in reassurance. Daly's hair was the same as it had been before his knighting, the only things missing were his Padawan ponytail and braid which the latter of the two was safely kept inside a pouch on Ashlyn's belt.