Zieh was ruthless. She quickly flicked her blade back down, aiming for Erenu's leg. Erenu blocked as best she could, it was clumsy. Erenu's blade was pinned close to her leg by Zieh's blade.
She kept pushing, and Erenu's blade grazed her leg, she screamed out, giving a Force push to Zieh, knocking her off balance, giving Erenu enough time to recover and ready for the next attack.
Zieh gritted her teeth as she stumbled, kicking her leg back to keep from falling. She charged forward again, blade in a one handed grip.
She flicked her wrist, but the style was different from what Master Naabriil used, it was more offensive, the footwork looked different, the bladework was more controlled with slight swings instead of sweeping strikes.
Zieh and Erenu's blades collided over and over in quick pecking strikes, Zieh attacking, advancing slowly while Erenu backpedaled, barely blocking her attacks.
The two blades locked for a moment, and it was all Zieh needed to twist the saber out of Erenu's hand, the blue blade disappearing, and the yellow point aimed at her throat.
"Excellent work, Zieh." Praised Grandmaster Kingawa. "Though more aggressive than needed.
"Form two, you used." Began Yoda. "Aggressive, a duelist's form, it is. Disagree with its usage, I do. However, for a youngling, good form, you have."
"Thanks." Zieh nodded her head, saber drawing back into the hilt and stepping back to the side.
"Erenu." Began Master Keleo, "A good use of form one. Though you still have a long way to go. Do not be disheartened, I feel that you will make a great Jedi."
"Thank you, Masters." Erenu bowed and trudged over to us.
"Any observations, Master Erioh?" Asked Master Kingawa with a self satisfied grin.
Erioh let out a chuckle. "I did feel that Erenu's connection to the Force was stronger than Zieh's. Erenu, now you need to be able to channel the Force more into your movements, it'll take practice but you will get it. You have the connection, don't be afraid to take that step." He turned his head over towards Zieh. "Zieh, work on controlling your emotions, they are what is blocking you from the Force."
"Master, Keleo," Began Master Yoda. "Pick the next pair, you may."
The shorter alien nodded, he looked us over. "The Atoan, and the Chiss."
"Ahrina, Lore." Called Yoda, "Take positions."
"You guys got this." Cheered Ceza as the two faced off.
Erenu slumped against the wall beside me, hanging her head in defeat. "I can never win against her."
"Hey. you'll get better. I know it." I lightly punched her on the shoulder as two lightsaber blades sparked to life.
She looked up at me and gave a faint smile, her big black eyes sparkling. "Thanks. We haven't even known each other that long, but I consider you one of my best friends."
I gave a warm smile. "Same for me."
Lightsabers collided in the training yard as Ahrina's green saber sparked against Lore's purple.
Lore was in a defensive stance, saber across his body while Ahrina was aiming for a shoulder shot.
Lore pushed back with a sweeping arc, quickly stepping forward followed by a swift strike towards Ahrina's leg, narrowly blocking the strike, whipping around for a strike to Lore's back.
Lore pivoted, keeping his feet anchored and blocked the strike. Even with Ahrina's momentum it was clear that Lore had the upper hand, using both of his arms he force pushed Ahrina back, sending her to the ground.
Lore's blade disappeared and he offered his hand, Ahrina looked up at him as her saber deactivated.
"Thanks." She mumbled, taking his hand. I could barely hear it.
"Of course." Lore smiled as the Masters began their review.
"Lore, was it?" Asked Kingawa; Lore nodded. "You have good technique in Form Five. You were able to use the defensive form to combat your opponent. The best offense is the best defense. Keep improving though, you have a long way to go."
"Ahrina." Called Keleo. "You have much to improve on, you were off balance and sloppy. There is a lot you need to review and work on, including the basics."
"Thank you." Lore bowed, while Ahrina was silent.
"Master Erioh." Called Yoda. "Pick the next pair, if you wish."
"Thank you Master Yoda." The Miralukan nodded and 'looked' in our direction.
"Mirialan, what is your name?"
"Ceza."
"And, you Ravash."
I nodded and stepped out, tapping my saber as I took my position.
"Let's go Ravash." Cheered Erenu as Ceza and I faced off.
"How does he know you?" Asked Ceza.
"He's the one who brought me to the Temple."
"Ah."
"Are you ready?" Asked Yoda.
Ceza and I nodded, igniting our sabers, both shimmering emerald green.
"Begin."
Ceza and I rushed to meet each other, his lightstaff coming up. I blocked and our blades sparked. I could feel the power behind the strike, reminding me that this was a lightstaff. If I could move how Master Naabriil taught me, I would be much better off.
I pushed his blade down before slashing to his shoulder. He blocked, I pulled straight up so he couldn't twist the saber out of my hand.
I took a deep breath in, and felt the Force flow. Time slowed, and I saw his movements. Ceza was going for a two hit move: a sweep to my side followed by a quick to the shoulder from the other.
My body moved faster than I thought it could, I blocked Ceza's attack then with blazing speed I slashed to his open side, connecting.
I saw Ceza wince as the blade hit, but it didn't stop him.
Everything went back to normal and I knew I was in trouble. Ceza struck back with calm vengeance, his two blades a green blur.
The ground rose up to meet me, my head bounced against the marble, and an emerald blade hummed against my throat.
"Well I think I lost." I chuckled, turning my saber off.
"It was a good fight." Ceza smiled, his blades disappearing and the two sabers disconnecting.
Ceza helped me up as the Masters began their review.
"Ravash." Began Master Kingawa. "I understand that you are the newest youngling in this group."
I nodded.
"Then you are quite impressive. I could feel your connection to the Force, even for a moment. You are coming along well."
"But you also have more to learn than any other youngling here." Barked Master Keleo. "Your technique is sloppy, rough, hasty. Even if you are new, you must learn fast. You have a lot of catching up to do. I hope you're ready for it."
"Ravash, your teachings have shown today." Called Master Erioh. "Do not give up hope."
"Ceza." Began Kingawa. "You have shown great skill to use a lightstaff at such a young age. Well done."
"I agree." Nodded Master Keleo. "Though you also have much to improve on. Your fighting style is unorthodox. Pick a form, and master it."
"Thank you, Masters." We bowed in unison.
Ceza and I collapsed next to Erenu as the next fight began: Zentuur against Lore. Zentuur cleaned house. Erenu went up against Ahrina, it was a close match, but Erenu came out on top. Ceza went up against Lore before the final match, Ceza won, of course.
Yoda called out the final match: Zentuur against me.
I took a deep breath and stepped towards my doom.
"Beat him up Ravash." Cheered Ceza, before being bashed in the head by Erenu.
"You know the code. Just win." She corrected.
"I'll try." I scoffed, drawing my saber.
"You're going down." Zentuur smirked, his blue blade pulsing faintly.
"Not without a fight I'm not."
"Begin."
The two of us charged, I snarled, with claws bared and fangs gnashed.
Our blades slammed into each other, plasma growling. I swiped with my claws, narrowly missing him. With a flick of his wrist Zentuur whipped his saber around, my face burned, welts materialized on my arms, searing, smoldering.
Frustration, boiled over to anger, retribution.
I whipped my saber up in a blindingly fast strike, clipping against his hand. With a snarl I reached out my other hand, his training saber flying towards it. He struck, fist meeting face.
My jaw screamed out, the challenge was laid down.
I rolled, feeling the metal of both sabers in my hands, I threw them to the side. I wouldn't need them.
With a lunge, My claws were ready to strike, Zentuur raised his hands. My strike would be perfect. Sabers and forms got in the way, my real skills were in my claws. I would not miss my shot.
"Enough." The voice was authoritative, booming and all-commanding.
My foot slid across the courtyard, claws millimeters from his face, those grey eyes burning with defiance and fury.
"The both of you clearly have more to learn than I realized." Scolded Master Kingawa, I backpedaled, the stern voice commanded attention. I knew the tone well. "Ravash, though you might be new, you must grow accustomed to our ways, your ways. Cathar have always had it rough in the Order, but they thrive, eventually.
"Zentuur. Just because you are Sarkhai don't think for a second I'll give you special treatment. You should know better, your use of the Force is excessive and does not align with our Code, even in the most lenient interpretation.
"The Jedi are peacekeepers, mediators, guardians of peace and justice in our galaxy. None of that work can be accomplished without patience. and I can see that both of you need to be trained in patience, as such, you will get a job to do around the Temple until you pass your Initiate Trials. You will get to choose a field you are interested in, but what work that entails is up to the Jedi you will serve under, am I understood?"
"Yes, Master." Zentuur and I bowed in unison.
"Pick up your sabers, have more respect for them. I expect you to find jobs in five days. If you don't. I'll find one for you, or I'll remove you." He looked up to the rest of the younglings. "You're dismissed."
I bowed again before picking up my weapon and stomping over to my friends, gingerly touching the places where I got burned. I was okay, all my fur still intact, just my skin all welted up.
"That was rough." Sighed Ceza.
"I've never seen you get like that." Added Erenu. "From what you've been telling us, you've gotten so much better."
"I know." I sighed. "I'm sorry for letting you guys down."
"Hey, cheer up." Encouraged Lore. "We know how hard you've been working. You're still brand new."
Erenu wrapped her arm around my shoulders. "And now, I have an excuse to get you into the Archives. Ravash Tor: youngling Archivist's aid. I'll get to see you a lot."
"Eh." I pictured spending hours upon hours reading titles and authors, making sure everything was in order, then ten minutes hiking across the Archives to gather specific books and what nots for Jedi Knights.
"You could help out in the engineering room." Suggested Lore. "We don't get much help on larger projects the Council asks us to do."
Tinkering around with machines was interesting, but I didn't know a thing. I grew up in a tree, we didn't use a lot of technology besides old comm systems and hologram emitters, and I was never allowed anywhere near it either.
"I have an idea." Cheered Ceza. "Why don't you try both for one day, and see how it goes. If you don't like either, then you still have three days to find something."
I mulled over the options as we entered the expansive hall. "I'll try both and see how I do. First, I need to head to the med bay, these burns are killing me."
"See you at lunch." Called back Erenu, our paths diverging.
"Aimeja." I called into the med bay, her head whipped around the corner.
"Hey Ravash." She winced. "Dueling day?"
"Dueling." I nodded.
"Come around here." She called, and I stepped deeper into the medbay.
The sterile room was a deep tan color, a few beds attached to the walls with medical drips ready and waiting, a clear tank, large enough to hold a kiltik beetle, filled with some kind of fluid sat in a corner, I shuddered at the thought of being put in it.
"Take a seat on one of the beds. I'll get the salve."
"Thanks." I sighed, jumping up to one of the med bay beds, ignoring that tank in the room.
Ameija noticed my tension. "What are you so nervous about?" She asked, standing in front of me with a small jar.
"Just, whatever is in that tank. It looks like water."
"You don't like water, do you?" She teased, putting the first bit of cream on my cheek. The cold jelly sent chills up my spine.
"And if I don't?"
"Then I'll keep that in mind so I never put you in the bacta tank."
"Thanks." Ravash mumbled, pouting slightly.
Aiemja began putting the soothing cream over my burns, it was gold against my skin, which was partially exposed from the burn streaks.
"I sense you're tense." Noted Aimeja. "What happened?"
"I lost."
"That's not what I mean."
I let out a faint sigh. "I got in trouble."
"Well that's not too bad. You are new here, and you're quite old for just starting out."
"By Grandmaster Kingawa."
"Oh." Aimeja's lips pursed. "That changes things. What did you do?"
"I got angry, and used 'aggression', or something like that." I shrugged. "I was just fighting like I knew how, and I guess I got a little irritated."
"Well, you're going to get better." Encouraged Aimeja. "I mean that. You will make it to be a Jedi."
"Thanks."
"So, what's the punishment?"
"I gotta find a job." I answered, Aimeja moving to apply the salve on my arm.
"Well, that's not too bad, got any ideas?"
"Lore suggested I should help him work on mechanical projects, while Erenu wanted me to help her in the Archives."
"Well, what do you want to do?"
"That's a good question." I chuckled. "I'm probably just going to try both and see which I like more."
"Sounds like a plan." Aimeja nodded, sealing the canister and handing it to me. "If your burns keep bothering you, just rub this on it."
"Thanks." I palmed the little metal cylinder in my hand before slipping it into my robes. "I'm headed out, thanks again." I called, hopping off the bed, Aimeja had already moved over to another project in the med bay.
"Alright. See you later."
I ran as fast as I could without stretching my burns, which sadly wasn't very fast.
The mess was starting to clear out, so I had to quickly grab some meat and a piece of fruit and sat down at our usual table, which thankfully had Lore waiting for me.
"Thanks for waiting for me." I blurted before scarfing down a couple slices of meat.
"No problem." He took a sip of some kind of juice. "You ready to get to work?"
"Guess I have to be." I shrugged, washing down my food with a gulp of water. "I just hope I understand it all."
"I think you'll get there soon. It's not that hard."
"Says the genius." I teased; the apple-like fruit my next victim.
"Ready?" Asked Lore, getting up and setting his cup on the cleaning track.
"Yep." I cheered, almost throwing my tray next to his cup.
"Then follow me."
We trailed off down into the heart of the Temple, and before I knew it I was standing in the mechanics shop, only a couple other Jedi inside, tinkering with what looked like a ship's laser cannon.
"Come back here." Lore beckoned eagerly, a smile on his face. "You won't believe what they gave me to fix."
He led me into the forests of shelves, deeper until we came into a smaller work area. Sitting on a table were two partially disassembled droids. Two 'legs' were supported by treads, while the body was in two pieces, the body, the head -all of the wires, circuits, and brains exposed-, and a dome with a small eye piece, the color scheme red and orange. The other droid was in a little bit worse shape. The black legs were broken down into the feet and support beams, the body had all of its panels open, with what looked like several parts missing, the conical head of the astromech was in a similar predicament, the panels falling out with the eye and holo emitter popped out of their sockets and the panels on the side of its opened, exposing some computer bits.
"The dome goes on top to hide all of the circuits, for this one." Explained Lore, hitting the droid on the table.
"Astromech droids?"
"An A-LT utility droid, and an R-4 unit." Answered Lore.
"So, where do we begin?" I asked, wiping my hands on my robes.
"We need to connect the A-LT up to a power source and charge the internal batteries." He looked around for a second. "There." He pointed to a thick cable coming off the wall. "Pass me that cable."
I stumbled over a few droid pieces and grabbed the cable, which was already plugged in.
"Here you go." I handed the cable over to Lore, who plugged it into the droid with a snap; the computer brain flickering in half-life.
"Don't worry." Consoled Lore. "The droid has no idea what's happening. I haven't repaired its logic and higher function systems. It's just the computer acknowledging the power."
"Phew. The last thing I want today is a screaming astromech."
Lore chuckled as he opened a large tool kit, various old wrenches, screwdrivers, and what nots crammed into slots.
He set a wrench in my hand. "We need to get the legs back on to make sure the circuits from the body to the legs aren't busted. You get the left, I'll get the right."
"Sounds good to me."
I rubbed down the leg, feeling the cool metal, before picking through the mess of wires and circuits, like the dense patches of forest back home, even if they were few and far between. I'd only been to the forests once. It was beautiful, but I liked the wide open savannah to the mountains beyond, watching the sun fall and the moon and stars rise.
Here I watched the four moons rise and carry the stars with them, the cities dotting each satellite.
With a huff I began connecting wires, wrapping metal and fusing them together as best I could, but my work felt slow. Especially compared to Lore, he already was checking the treads for any problem, I barely had the leg on.
The shop got hot as sparks began to fly, from Lore's side and mine. The connections sparking against each other in a frenzy, I tore my hands away and pressed my back against the wall, away from the harsh electric sounds.
"Are you alright?" Asked Lore, looking up from his work, the leg seamlessly attached, he was working with the wiring inside the panels.
"Yeah. I guess. It just sparked up on me."
He furrowed his brow, red eyes puzzled. "Let me check."
He slipped over to my side and poked around, the metal tool making sparks fly. "I see the problem."
"What is it?"
"It's a basic crossed wiring problem." He answered, grabbing a set of small tongs and maneuvering the wires. "You fused some wires together that shouldn't be touching."
"Oh." I let out a sigh.
"It's ok. Beginner's mistake."
"I don't think engineering is the right thing for me."
"You sure?" He asked, looking back at me. "With a little practice you should be fine."
"I dunno." I sighed. "I'm going to check out the Archives, try to find Erenu. I think I'll have more luck there."
"Alright." He nodded. "Well, if you ever want to come down here, the shop door is always open."
"Thanks." I wove my way through the shelves and back up to the Archives, which were bustling with Jedi.
"Master Jin." I called, walking up to the desk. "Do you know where Erenu is?"
He looked up from his book. "Ah, yes. She's on the second level, working through the records on Hutt Space. She mentioned you could be coming by. If you don't mind, I have a project for you as well."
"Lay it on me."
He let a small grin dust his face. "The section on the Unknown Regions needs to be reorganized, downloaded and ready for copying by the end of the day."
"The whole section?" I asked, following the librarian over to a large shelf near the back of the Archives.
"The whole section." He confirmed, pulling out a large tablet from his robes, and tapping lightly.
"You'll be able to find everything you need on this tablet. All Unknown Regions books, journals, and reports from across the galaxy. Organize by author last name in aurebesh order, then by date it was written, if that isn't listed use the date it entered the Archives. Got all that."
"I think so." I answered, honestly.
"You'll get it done." Encouraged Master Jin. "See you before dinner."
"See you then." I sighed, tapping away at the tablet. There weren't many books in this section. Maybe one hundred tops. A couple books on the Chiss, Lore's species, and their home world Csilla, and the Ascendancy. Several Jedi texts about a planet called Ilum, a cold and barren world that held kyber crystals. I suppose I'll be headed there someday, if I can survive being a youngling. There were a few journal entries on gravity phenomena, wells and black holes that littered the Rift, the expanse of desolate galaxy between us and the Galactic West, and how it was almost impossible to navigate. Some journals spoke of space dwelling creatures the size of ships, great ship graveyards littered with metal hulks and corpses among the floatsoam. There were several journals and records on other Jedi Temples near the Unknown Regions in the Expansion Disk and Wildspace, places like Jehda and Ahch-To.
A shadow passed over my tablet, the setting sun casting a shadow on the pillars, and my stomach rumbled that it was dinner time.
"Oh crap." I hissed, bolting up and running towards the Archives main desk. "Master Jin." I called, not seeing the old master anywhere. "I finished organizing."
"I thought you would never finish." Crooned Erenu.
"Ahh." I cried out, my fist moving before I thought, stopping a micrometer from Erenu's face. "Don't scare me like that." I let out my breath, hand dropping to my side.
Erenu burst into laughter. "I got you good."
I gave a small growl.
"Admit it." She pressured.
"Oh fine." I relented. "Yes you scared me." I thrust the tablet to her chest. "Now help me find where to put this."
"So he made you finish off the Unknown Regions?" She asked, scanning through the files, walking behind the Archivist desk.
"Finish off?"
"Yeah." Nodded Erenu. "You did about a quarter of it."
"That was only a quarter?" My jaw dropped. "These Unknown Regions sound pretty well known to me."
Erenu chuckled, hooking up the tablet to a larger console. "Compared to all the information we have on everywhere else in the Galaxy." She motioned to the shelves. "The number of books about the Unknowns is a drop of a drop in an ocean, that also happens to be Kamino."
I gave a whistle. "Yeah. I don't think I'll be able to work here without falling asleep."
"You'll get used to it." Shrugged Erenu.
"Say's the girl who reads and walks." I teased, sitting on the counter, swinging my legs.
"Hey, books are awesome."
"So is dinner. So let's hurry up and get there." I grabbed her arm and pulled her over the desk and to the mess.
"But the files haven't finished downloading yet." Complained Erenu.
"It'll be fine." I dismissed. "Master Jin will take care of it."
"How do you know?" Asked Erenu, I let go of her arm and we ascended the stairs to the main hall.
"He would never leave the Archives with me in them." I pointed out.
Erenu thought for a second. "Fair point."
"So glad you two could join us." Teased Ceza as we sat down, Lore already eating, ready to get back to his astromech before we had to go to bed.
"I'm glad to be here." I chuckled. "I'm famished." I bit into a chunk of roasted meat, and it was oh so good.
"You didn't even move that much." Erenu teased, taking a square of what looked like dehydrated seaweed.
"I'm still gonna be hungry." I shrugged. "Ever since I got here, I've been eating less. Portions aren't as big as I'm used to."
"What's normal on Cathar?" Asked Lore, slurping up some noodles.
"About twice as much as I have now."
"You have a mountain on your plate." Cried Ceza.
"This is nothing." I boasted. "My father could eat half a beast in one sitting."
Erenu shook her head. "I'll never understand warrior cultures."
I shrugged. "I don't mind, as long as you don't mind how much I eat." I gave a toothy smile before taking another bite.
"So, did you like your job down in the shop?" Asked Erenu, taking a small bite out of her fish.
"Surprisingly, yes and no." I answered. "I liked working down there, but I don't think I'd like to do it as a job."
"So, Archives tomorrow right?" Asked Ceza.
"Uhm, I went there this afternoon, and didn't like it too much."
"So, what are you going to do?"
"I have no idea." I shrugged. "I mean the only other place I'm familiar with around the Temple is the med bay, mostly because I've been there at least twice a week." I snapped my fingers, which wasn't that loud. "That's it." I grabbed my plate. "Gotta go. Explain later." I set my tray down and ran to the med bay, hopefully Aimeja was still working.
"Aimeja." I called into the med bay.
"What now?" She teased, coming around the corner, tapping away at a tablet.
"I think I know where I want to work."
The human gave me a quizzical look before realizing. "It'll be a lot of work, and study."
"That's fine."
"There's a lot of biology and physiology you have to learn, along with a lot of procedures."
"I don't care. This is the only other place in the Temple that I know how to get to on my own and am familiar with. And I need a job, otherwise I'll get dropped."
"I hear you." Aimeja smiled faintly. "I need someone to get a few canisters from the top shelf, they can take a bit of weight."
It took a second to realize what her answer was. I nodded, "Yes ma'am."
"You're in a good mood." Noted Erenu as she munched on a piece of seaweed bread.
"You bet I am." I smiled before testing into a nice slice of meat. "I found a job."
"What did you end up doing?" Asked Ceza.
"I'm working in the med bay." I proudly declared.
"Wow." Lore let out a faint whistle. "That's gonna be a tough job."
"I know." I let out a small sigh. "But I'm kinda looking forward to it."
"I wonder what Zentuur is gonna do." Mused Erenu.
Ceza furrowed his brow and searched around the mess hall. "I don't actually see him, or Zieh."
"Oh, I know where they are." Erenu rolled her eyes. "They're in the hangar, Zieh likes to practice flying in the sim, Zentuur probably asked if he could help working with ships."
"Maybe it'll fix his attitude too." Muttered Ceza.
Erenu socked him in the arm. "Hey, we don't talk like that. I don't like him either, but remember, we're Jedi, well kinda. The least we can do is support the other younglings."
"Says the code follower." Teased Lore with a faint smirk.
"Hey, I'm getting better." Erenu flashed a smile with a chuckle.
"Oh, Erenu." Called Ravash. "Would you be willing to find me some texts on medicine and basic first aid?"
"For sure." She nodded. "I can get 'em to you before we go to bed tonight."
"Thanks."
After dinner, I began wandering the Temple Halls, and stumbled into one of the gardens. Flowers of every color bloomed in a swath of light from the setting sun, the soft grass felt good against my feet.
"It's beautiful, isn't it." Called a voice in Catharese.
My head turned to face the voice, his dark fur stood out against tan robes, his hair braided in rows and tied back, blue eyes gleamed in the city-lights.
I bowed. "It is." I agreed, speaking in my mother tongue. "It feels so nice to have a reprieve from all the metal."
He gave a nod. "Indeed. I'm Ykho Pon."
"Ravash Tor." I paused. "So, where on Cathar are you from?"
"Near the pole." He answered. "It gets mighty cold up there. Where are you from, Ravash?"
"Oh, the savannah, close to the mountains around the equator."
"I've been told there's good hunting down there."
"You bet there is." I cheered. "Lot of hoppers like to hang around the foothills."
Ykho's turned towards a patch of bushes, barren of flowers. "Ah, here comes the show."
"What show?"
"Just watch that empty patch."
The sun dipped below the horizon, the evening fading to dusk. In a matter of seconds, silver blooms shimmered in the russest light.
"What are they?" I asked, moving over to inspect the shimmering petals.
"A very rare species of moonflower, only found on a planet in the outer rim called Frescal."
A silence hung in the air.
"How did you get used to, well all of this?" I motioned around me.
"It took time." He answered. "I was taken from Cathar at such a young age. I scarcely remember it." Master Pon's eyes grew distant. "But, I remember the beauty. I still miss the plains, the snowfalls."
"Oh."
"But I also have learned to love it here." He continued. "There is a beauty about this place you can't find anywhere else. In the people, the lights, the Temple. The Frescan moonflower only shines when the sun has set. Goodnight, young Ravash."
I offered no reply as I knelt in the garden, the dusk fading, gazing at the silver flowers, and thinking of home.
I shuffled back to my quarters, a couple data pads sat on my desk, with a handwritten note.
'You weren't here, so I left the books. And nice little sprout, I gave it some water.' ~Erenu.
I gave a slight smile and looked over to the window, the sapling barely poking out of the topsoil.
I rolled myself into bed, and readied myself for the long journey ahead.