p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"The man hurled himself at them, his blood-thirsty eyes never leaving Tera's frightened ones. Tera heard the slick shrum of the lightsaber flicking on next to her, its green light once again filling the streets./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Tamba, please!" She shouted at him. He froze, mere inches from the tip of the lightsaber. "Let us go," she begged, trying to find reason within the known murderer. He only gave her another evil grin./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Is the little monster concerned for my well-being?" he laughed mockingly. "Compassion will earn you a place alongside your friends."/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""I'm afraid if you wish to harm this youngling, you will have to go through me. I made a deal with her, and I intend to keep that deal," Qui-Gon intervened, the Jedi's voice just as even as it was before, but a trace of a threat could be detected within it./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""You're kidding me, right? I own her," Tamba's eyes narrowed at the Jedi. "Little tramp was sold to me two years ago. She's mine."/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""I don't belong to you, you laser-brained asshole!" Tera threw at him. "I don't belong to anyone!" She darted at his feet, aiming low. From her back pocket, she produced a small knife, keeping it close to her. She could hear Qui-Gon's protests behind her, but she ignored them. Tamba swiftly dodged her first attack, but she kicked off the wall behind him and landed the knife into his shoulder, causing him to yelp in pain./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""You underestimate me, Tamba," she hissed through gritted teeth. "I may be young, but I will not lose." She pulled the knife out from his shoulder, pushing him down to his knees. Qui-Gon only looked on, ready to step in should he need to./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Deliver a message for me, you harpy," she mocked. "I'm not a part of you anymore." She kicked him away, Tamba grasping his arm in pain, squirming on the ground of the alleyway./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Where will you even go?" he spat back at her, his eyes filled with venom. "Where could a monster like you ever go?"/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"Tera only looked at him. She felt a moment's worth of pity for the poor creature. He was so consumed by his greed – his need for more power and money – that he failed to realize that the monster that he spoke of was inside of him. She kneeled down beside him, her eyes locking onto his./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Where my parents wanted me to," she said. She motioned for the Jedi to follow her, and he did so, sheathing his lightsaber. The two left him on the ground – not to die, but to feel pain. Tera picked up the bag that contained the heads of her friends and retraced their steps back down the dark alley, not looking back when she heard the howls of pain coming from Tamba./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""You have more fight than you let on, young one," Qui-Gon remarked when they were out of eyeshot of Tamba. "It appears we will have much to discuss over our meal."/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Yes," she said softly. "My friends. I must burn them." Tera followed the Jedi back to his ship. She tried her best not to think about the bodies that were surely on her own ship – how someone else was going to discover the two headless bodies of her friends. The Jedi nodded in approval, taking the young girl to the nearest crematorium he knew of. When they landed, he explained that he needed the bag to be burned, paying them the proper amount of credits./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Wait," Tera protested as the workers were about to toss the bag into the furnace. She moved to put her hand on the bag, allowing a strong force to guide her actions. Their spirits were long gone, but she knew they died as warriors - just how they would have intended it. /p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Sleep well," she said quietly. She nodded to the mortician, who threw the heads into the furnace. The stench of burning flesh quickly filled the air, and Tera had to cover up her nose with her cloak to try and hide from it. Qui-Gon led her from the crematorium without a word and kept a firm hand wrapped around her shoulders./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"The Jedi Master led Tera to his ship and the two set off for the surface. Looking out of the window of the shuttle, Tera saw how the light seemed to creep down the wall. It had been a week since she had seen the surface. She embraced the light's warmth, reveling in how good it felt to be able to truly see again. Qui-Gon flew the ship over the Jedi Temple, Tera's eyes grew wide as they flew past the it, never before taking in its splendor. The four pillars on each corner towered over the rest of the building easily, the sheer size of the place enough to amaze the mind of a small child./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""That's where the Jedi are," she said out loud, not particularly expecting a reply from Qui-Gon. "If that's how big it is on the outside, it must be massive on the inside. You could fit, like, a million people in that building!"/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"Qui-Gon laughed at her remark. It was true: however large the Temple looked on the outside, it was even bigger on the inside./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""It's the central hub of the Jedi Order," he explained./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""I used to have dreams of becoming a Jedi," Tera said quietly, sitting back down in the co-pilot seat. She put her legs up in it, crossing them, and leaned on her knees with her elbows. "They always felt so real. My father tried to contact the Order, but no one ever responded. He wasn't a bad man, my father. He just... made some big mistakes. As it turns out, the Shadow Dwellers were quicker to respond."/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""So, you are without a family now?" the Jedi asked, wary to not overstep any boundaries. She laughed bitterly at his question./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""I don't really know," she said. "Doesn't matter, Jedi," she said, her voice betraying her slightly. While being distracted, Tera failed to realize where exactly it was they landed. "What kind of diner is this?" she retorted, moving up from her seat. Looking up out of the window, she saw one of the pillars of the Jedi Temple towering over their ship. Tera suddenly felt very small in the world./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Change of plans, young one," said Qui-Gon as he moved from the pilot's spot, pushing the button to lower the landing ramp. "We shall eat here."/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Eat here? Are you serious right now? Only Jedi can go in –"/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""And I am a Jedi and I am making you authorized personnel. As of now, that is," he cut her off with a smile. He put a hand on her back and led her up the steps of the Temple. Mechanics began to swarm around the ship, assessing any damage that may have been sustained on the journey. Tera was mesmerized at how efficient they were at their work./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""You're certainly one crazy old guy," she mumbled, not caring if he heard her or not. As they reached the doors of the Temple, they, too, loomed over their figures, as a giant would tower over an ant. Two temple guards were posted, blocking their entrance. They both bowed as Qui-Gon approached them./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Master Jinn," they said respectfully, pushing the door open for him. Qui-Gon bowed back, ushering Tera into the main hall. The large pillars loomed on either side of them, seemingly going on for miles. The tiles below them reflected the retreating daylight from above with a radiance that filled the entire room, allowing Tera to see clearly without the need of artificial lighting. The hustle of the main hall was enough to make Tera cower behind the Jedi Master she was trailing. He only laughed and pushed her ahead of him with a little more force than she liked. She felt exposed – unable to blend in with her surroundings. Some of the nearby people – Jedi, she assumed, by the lightsabers strapped on their belts – looked their way, sending not only her but also Qui-Gon, curious looks. She crossed her arms under her black poncho, which only covered half of her body. She wished for nothing more than to slink away into the background of the temple./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""I don't like this," she whispered, her voice carrying across the tile. She moved closer to him once again, but this time he did not push her into the open./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""I didn't expect you to, young one. It's quite a lot to take in all at once, wouldn't you agree? I remember when I first came to the Temple; I was enveloped in the same curiosity that you were, but I was much younger." He smiled down at the young girl at his side – the one he felt so much power within. "Come with me. Let's head to the dining hall."/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"Qui-Gon led Tera down the many corridors, showing her the many wonders of the Jedi Temple. Her curiosity was piqued when they passed the training room of the Initiates', a certain blonde one catching her eye. He gave her a small, encouraging grin as she walked by. Tera felt a similar grin creep across her face. She sighed in relief as they reached the first human-sized door in the Temple, welcoming the humbling sight. The doors slid open, revealing a larger than life cafeteria. Rows upon rows of dining tables lined up and down the hall, diminishing any humility she may have found within the temple walls. Qui-Gon ushered her over to the serving area, where two droids plopped piles of food onto their trays. Finding a table, the two sat down and began eating./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"Tera's stomach had growled relentlessly on the trip there, and she hungrily shoveled down the food on her plate before Qui-Gon could even get a word in. He watched as she ate as if she had never eaten before. Looking at her thin frame, he wondered if she had even eaten that week./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Young one, tell me, when was the last time you ate?"/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Uhh, it might have been a couple of days ago? No, that was Coab. Wait, it was my turn to eat a week ago. Yes, a week ago," she talked in between bites before her eyes went wide. "Excuse me, I forgot my manners," she slowed her eating, allowing her mouth to savor the food; however, her eyes still gazed hungrily at the food below her. Qui-Gon only waved it off./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Eat, child. It is your right," he said, feeling a pang of pity for the girl. Her eyes lit up and her mouth pulled into a large smile. He began eating himself, asking her questions in between his own bites./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Do you know what the Force is?" he inquired, wiping his face with a napkin. Tera hesitated, thinking about her answer. Her plate was almost clean, and she had to resist the strong temptation to lick it. She glanced over at the serving droids, longing for seconds./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Not really," she admitted, scratching the back of her neck. "I've heard of it. I used to sneak into the Shadow Dwellers' archives and read. I learned all sorts of things about, well, all sorts of things. They kept mentioning this all-powerful 'Force' thingy mabobber, but they didn't really say what it was. Do emyou/em know what the Force is?" she said, pointing her fork at his face while raising one of her eyebrows./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""I should hope I do by this point, my dear," he responded, tipping her fork from his face using his finger, warranting a pout to spread across the young girl's face. "The Force is the lifeblood of the Universe, and is consisted of the Living Force and the Cosmic Force."/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""I know that already, but I don't see how Jedi fit into it," Tera cut in, scraping her plate into her mouth./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Patience, young one," Qui-Gon lectured. "As I was saying, the Living Force is made up of all living things," he gestured all around them, motioning towards all the people in the room. "As Jedi, we are the physical embodiment of the Force, and it is our duty to help keep the peace."/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""So without the Jedi, the Republic would fall into war?"/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""I wish it were that simple. Some believe we are bound for war no matter what; it's just a matter of how long until one breaks out now," he said, his eyes falling down onto the table in front of them./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""The Republic has been at peace for a thousand years now," she said, feeling the tension growing between them. "I don't think there will be a war."/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""I hope you are right," he said, locking eyes with her. "Tell me about these dreams you have. The ones where you believe you are a Jedi."/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Not much to say. I have flashy glowy sabers and a cool robe getup – you know, the whole garb. There's someone there, but I don't know who he is. Some guy with a beard and a mullet," she chuckled, picturing the man with the auburn mullet. His eyes were a soft blue; they were almost the same color as the oceans on her home planet./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Want to see a trick?" Qui-Gon asked, snapping Tera out of her daydream. She looked up at him suspiciously./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""What kind of trick?" she questioned, cocking another eyebrow at him and scrunching her face. He lifted his hand up dramatically. As he did so, Tera felt the soft tug of the fork in her hand as it lifted up out of it, suspending itself in thin air./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Hey!" she sputtered, looking at the floating object. "What kind of Dathomirian magic is that?" Qui-Gon only laughed at her remark./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""As the physical beings of the Force, we are able to manipulate physical objects. Let's just call it levitation, for simplicity's sake," he smiled as the fork fell back down into her hand, Tera staring at it in wonder. "I believe you are capable of learning how to do this. You have a strong force presence within you, young one."/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""If I can do something really cool like that – count me in," Tera smiled, still looking down at the fork in her hand. She felt a new feeling fill her body – one full of both curiosity and determination./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Tamba, please!" She shouted at him. He froze, mere inches from the tip of the lightsaber. "Let us go," she begged, trying to find reason within the known murderer. He only gave her another evil grin./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Is the little monster concerned for my well-being?" he laughed mockingly. "Compassion will earn you a place alongside your friends."/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""I'm afraid if you wish to harm this youngling, you will have to go through me. I made a deal with her, and I intend to keep that deal," Qui-Gon intervened, the Jedi's voice just as even as it was before, but a trace of a threat could be detected within it./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""You're kidding me, right? I own her," Tamba's eyes narrowed at the Jedi. "Little tramp was sold to me two years ago. She's mine."/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""I don't belong to you, you laser-brained asshole!" Tera threw at him. "I don't belong to anyone!" She darted at his feet, aiming low. From her back pocket, she produced a small knife, keeping it close to her. She could hear Qui-Gon's protests behind her, but she ignored them. Tamba swiftly dodged her first attack, but she kicked off the wall behind him and landed the knife into his shoulder, causing him to yelp in pain./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""You underestimate me, Tamba," she hissed through gritted teeth. "I may be young, but I will not lose." She pulled the knife out from his shoulder, pushing him down to his knees. Qui-Gon only looked on, ready to step in should he need to./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Deliver a message for me, you harpy," she mocked. "I'm not a part of you anymore." She kicked him away, Tamba grasping his arm in pain, squirming on the ground of the alleyway./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Where will you even go?" he spat back at her, his eyes filled with venom. "Where could a monster like you ever go?"/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"Tera only looked at him. She felt a moment's worth of pity for the poor creature. He was so consumed by his greed – his need for more power and money – that he failed to realize that the monster that he spoke of was inside of him. She kneeled down beside him, her eyes locking onto his./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Where my parents wanted me to," she said. She motioned for the Jedi to follow her, and he did so, sheathing his lightsaber. The two left him on the ground – not to die, but to feel pain. Tera picked up the bag that contained the heads of her friends and retraced their steps back down the dark alley, not looking back when she heard the howls of pain coming from Tamba./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""You have more fight than you let on, young one," Qui-Gon remarked when they were out of eyeshot of Tamba. "It appears we will have much to discuss over our meal."/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Yes," she said softly. "My friends. I must burn them." Tera followed the Jedi back to his ship. She tried her best not to think about the bodies that were surely on her own ship – how someone else was going to discover the two headless bodies of her friends. The Jedi nodded in approval, taking the young girl to the nearest crematorium he knew of. When they landed, he explained that he needed the bag to be burned, paying them the proper amount of credits./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Wait," Tera protested as the workers were about to toss the bag into the furnace. She moved to put her hand on the bag, allowing a strong force to guide her actions. Their spirits were long gone, but she knew they died as warriors - just how they would have intended it. /p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Sleep well," she said quietly. She nodded to the mortician, who threw the heads into the furnace. The stench of burning flesh quickly filled the air, and Tera had to cover up her nose with her cloak to try and hide from it. Qui-Gon led her from the crematorium without a word and kept a firm hand wrapped around her shoulders./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"The Jedi Master led Tera to his ship and the two set off for the surface. Looking out of the window of the shuttle, Tera saw how the light seemed to creep down the wall. It had been a week since she had seen the surface. She embraced the light's warmth, reveling in how good it felt to be able to truly see again. Qui-Gon flew the ship over the Jedi Temple, Tera's eyes grew wide as they flew past the it, never before taking in its splendor. The four pillars on each corner towered over the rest of the building easily, the sheer size of the place enough to amaze the mind of a small child./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""That's where the Jedi are," she said out loud, not particularly expecting a reply from Qui-Gon. "If that's how big it is on the outside, it must be massive on the inside. You could fit, like, a million people in that building!"/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"Qui-Gon laughed at her remark. It was true: however large the Temple looked on the outside, it was even bigger on the inside./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""It's the central hub of the Jedi Order," he explained./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""I used to have dreams of becoming a Jedi," Tera said quietly, sitting back down in the co-pilot seat. She put her legs up in it, crossing them, and leaned on her knees with her elbows. "They always felt so real. My father tried to contact the Order, but no one ever responded. He wasn't a bad man, my father. He just... made some big mistakes. As it turns out, the Shadow Dwellers were quicker to respond."/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""So, you are without a family now?" the Jedi asked, wary to not overstep any boundaries. She laughed bitterly at his question./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""I don't really know," she said. "Doesn't matter, Jedi," she said, her voice betraying her slightly. While being distracted, Tera failed to realize where exactly it was they landed. "What kind of diner is this?" she retorted, moving up from her seat. Looking up out of the window, she saw one of the pillars of the Jedi Temple towering over their ship. Tera suddenly felt very small in the world./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Change of plans, young one," said Qui-Gon as he moved from the pilot's spot, pushing the button to lower the landing ramp. "We shall eat here."/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Eat here? Are you serious right now? Only Jedi can go in –"/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""And I am a Jedi and I am making you authorized personnel. As of now, that is," he cut her off with a smile. He put a hand on her back and led her up the steps of the Temple. Mechanics began to swarm around the ship, assessing any damage that may have been sustained on the journey. Tera was mesmerized at how efficient they were at their work./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""You're certainly one crazy old guy," she mumbled, not caring if he heard her or not. As they reached the doors of the Temple, they, too, loomed over their figures, as a giant would tower over an ant. Two temple guards were posted, blocking their entrance. They both bowed as Qui-Gon approached them./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Master Jinn," they said respectfully, pushing the door open for him. Qui-Gon bowed back, ushering Tera into the main hall. The large pillars loomed on either side of them, seemingly going on for miles. The tiles below them reflected the retreating daylight from above with a radiance that filled the entire room, allowing Tera to see clearly without the need of artificial lighting. The hustle of the main hall was enough to make Tera cower behind the Jedi Master she was trailing. He only laughed and pushed her ahead of him with a little more force than she liked. She felt exposed – unable to blend in with her surroundings. Some of the nearby people – Jedi, she assumed, by the lightsabers strapped on their belts – looked their way, sending not only her but also Qui-Gon, curious looks. She crossed her arms under her black poncho, which only covered half of her body. She wished for nothing more than to slink away into the background of the temple./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""I don't like this," she whispered, her voice carrying across the tile. She moved closer to him once again, but this time he did not push her into the open./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""I didn't expect you to, young one. It's quite a lot to take in all at once, wouldn't you agree? I remember when I first came to the Temple; I was enveloped in the same curiosity that you were, but I was much younger." He smiled down at the young girl at his side – the one he felt so much power within. "Come with me. Let's head to the dining hall."/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"Qui-Gon led Tera down the many corridors, showing her the many wonders of the Jedi Temple. Her curiosity was piqued when they passed the training room of the Initiates', a certain blonde one catching her eye. He gave her a small, encouraging grin as she walked by. Tera felt a similar grin creep across her face. She sighed in relief as they reached the first human-sized door in the Temple, welcoming the humbling sight. The doors slid open, revealing a larger than life cafeteria. Rows upon rows of dining tables lined up and down the hall, diminishing any humility she may have found within the temple walls. Qui-Gon ushered her over to the serving area, where two droids plopped piles of food onto their trays. Finding a table, the two sat down and began eating./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"Tera's stomach had growled relentlessly on the trip there, and she hungrily shoveled down the food on her plate before Qui-Gon could even get a word in. He watched as she ate as if she had never eaten before. Looking at her thin frame, he wondered if she had even eaten that week./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Young one, tell me, when was the last time you ate?"/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Uhh, it might have been a couple of days ago? No, that was Coab. Wait, it was my turn to eat a week ago. Yes, a week ago," she talked in between bites before her eyes went wide. "Excuse me, I forgot my manners," she slowed her eating, allowing her mouth to savor the food; however, her eyes still gazed hungrily at the food below her. Qui-Gon only waved it off./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Eat, child. It is your right," he said, feeling a pang of pity for the girl. Her eyes lit up and her mouth pulled into a large smile. He began eating himself, asking her questions in between his own bites./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Do you know what the Force is?" he inquired, wiping his face with a napkin. Tera hesitated, thinking about her answer. Her plate was almost clean, and she had to resist the strong temptation to lick it. She glanced over at the serving droids, longing for seconds./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Not really," she admitted, scratching the back of her neck. "I've heard of it. I used to sneak into the Shadow Dwellers' archives and read. I learned all sorts of things about, well, all sorts of things. They kept mentioning this all-powerful 'Force' thingy mabobber, but they didn't really say what it was. Do emyou/em know what the Force is?" she said, pointing her fork at his face while raising one of her eyebrows./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""I should hope I do by this point, my dear," he responded, tipping her fork from his face using his finger, warranting a pout to spread across the young girl's face. "The Force is the lifeblood of the Universe, and is consisted of the Living Force and the Cosmic Force."/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""I know that already, but I don't see how Jedi fit into it," Tera cut in, scraping her plate into her mouth./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Patience, young one," Qui-Gon lectured. "As I was saying, the Living Force is made up of all living things," he gestured all around them, motioning towards all the people in the room. "As Jedi, we are the physical embodiment of the Force, and it is our duty to help keep the peace."/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""So without the Jedi, the Republic would fall into war?"/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""I wish it were that simple. Some believe we are bound for war no matter what; it's just a matter of how long until one breaks out now," he said, his eyes falling down onto the table in front of them./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""The Republic has been at peace for a thousand years now," she said, feeling the tension growing between them. "I don't think there will be a war."/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""I hope you are right," he said, locking eyes with her. "Tell me about these dreams you have. The ones where you believe you are a Jedi."/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Not much to say. I have flashy glowy sabers and a cool robe getup – you know, the whole garb. There's someone there, but I don't know who he is. Some guy with a beard and a mullet," she chuckled, picturing the man with the auburn mullet. His eyes were a soft blue; they were almost the same color as the oceans on her home planet./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Want to see a trick?" Qui-Gon asked, snapping Tera out of her daydream. She looked up at him suspiciously./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""What kind of trick?" she questioned, cocking another eyebrow at him and scrunching her face. He lifted his hand up dramatically. As he did so, Tera felt the soft tug of the fork in her hand as it lifted up out of it, suspending itself in thin air./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Hey!" she sputtered, looking at the floating object. "What kind of Dathomirian magic is that?" Qui-Gon only laughed at her remark./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""As the physical beings of the Force, we are able to manipulate physical objects. Let's just call it levitation, for simplicity's sake," he smiled as the fork fell back down into her hand, Tera staring at it in wonder. "I believe you are capable of learning how to do this. You have a strong force presence within you, young one."/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""If I can do something really cool like that – count me in," Tera smiled, still looking down at the fork in her hand. She felt a new feeling fill her body – one full of both curiosity and determination./p