far away. . . .
-| JEDI ACADEMY |-
A Reboot of Beiarusia's RP of the same name
> Yavin 4
> 19 ABY
> 0/0 Introductions
The kilometers long orange contrail left by a shuttle upon re-entry was not something one could easily miss, especially if one was inside the vessel. Four engines barreling it down through the layers on layers of gas that composed Yavin 4's atmosphere, the mildly angular box was by no means aerodynamic, but after a few minutes of super-heated falling, eventually the windows cleared, revealing the green canopy of the moon below. Spotted with ancient ruins and the wreckage of not so distant battles, the planet had seen many things in it's time, more soon to come.
"We'll be landing soon." announced the pilot, the voice over the PA sounding somewhat tinny through the shuttle's almost overloaded space. Of a maximum capacity of nearly a hundred people, the shuttle carried nearly 120. Prospects of a new future, not all were children, some were almost venerable, middle aged. A wrinkled and white haired human sat off to the side, what looked like a cane at his side. Some wore barren Imperial uniforms, the only remnant of a sensible life being the forsaken clothes they wore. Others had scars of a life they so gleefully left behind. All were here to be Jedi.
The transport slowed to a crawl, before slowly bumping into the ground and settling. The ramps opened, and people began to depart, around them were a number of other craft, most if not all of them emblazoned with the insignia of the New Republic, a few were independent vessels, and a choice freighter was notably emblazoned with the insignia of the Jedi Order. As the newly inducted apprentices mulled about their landing spot, a single figure approached them. The woman was rather young, and looked human, though given her height it was unlikely. Her garb consisted of a slight deviation to normal Jedi Robes, forgoing sleeves entirely, her arms being covered in what looked to be bleached elastic bandages, giving a decent idea of the athleticism required to be a Jedi. The right side of her head a notable braid extending down past her neck, well beyond the edge of the rest of her hair.
Her voice managed to cut above the surrounding echo of various craft being worked on for both the Praxeum itself as well as the newly reestablished Republic base. "Welcome to Yavin 4. I am Padawan Xin Endoni, I'll be escorting you to the Praxeum. It is quite a hike from here so I hope you didn't bring too much carry on." with that she turned and beckoned to the group. Heading away from the direction of the Republic base, and down a relatively beaten path through the brush. It was a good 20 minute hike through a wooded area, before having to trudge through wet swampy land, before finally arriving at a clearing.
After dawning through the brush, the revelation of a massive stone structure, triangular and with a distinct structure that didn't entirely fit in with the rest of the Republic. It was unique in form, as well as function. Those assembled would work their way across the clearing. Something that would catch the eyes of many were the areas of grass that seemed to be trodded down from sheer travel, but only in very select spots, in odd patterns that held unsure meanings. Flanked by four anonymous guards, garbed in white and gold robes stood stock still at the entrance, the new arrivals entered. Xin spoke again for the second time, "Those of you with younglings, please proceed down the hall to the right with Master Ta Da." the woman gestured down the hall to a robed Kaminoan a silver cylinder at his waist. With some hesitation, a number of young children escorted by adults of their according species filed down the hall. Leaving their number at roughly 30, Xin once again continued on, beckoning to follow.
It would be a short walk to the end of the hall, where within a separate chamber beyond a wide open door, stood a few figures. Master Skywalker, stood chief among them, his regular black garb setting quite a contrast to his surroundings. behind and just to the left, stood a boy who looked vaguely like Skywalker, though only in passing.
To Skywalker's sides stood a quartet of other masters, from an equally diverse set of species. One of them, another human, wore a simple shirt and pants, only a few leather straps outside of that. Graying hair was short cropped and decorated his face in a trimmed goatee and mustache. Another was a Zabrak, wore robes over what seemed like old plates of Clone Trooper armor, from the Clone Wars. To the other side were a Rodian and Togruta, both wearing robes, teal and red respectively. Those who would look for their guide would find them mysteriously absent. Leaving them alone with the masters.
Luke spoke up, "I would like to welcome all of our new apprentices to the academy." the man was soft spoken, his voice carried no harsh reverberations or aggravating subtones. It was even, calm, it was the voice of someone who would say something and very earnestly make you believe it. "Here we will train you as Jedi, for some this may be a grand endeavor, for others, a path you have taken before. But no matter how long it takes, or swiftly you may catch on, you are all worthy to be here."
Guards like the ones at the entrance approached, each holding a small rack of what looked to be lightsabers, rather deftly they began handing them out. Master Skywalker once again spoke, as they were done being handed out, "What you hold within your hands is the weapon of the Jedi. While we utilize what tools we can, from blades, to staffs, to blasters, the weapon you will become most familiar with is the light saber. For now you have been given sabers that are modified to avoid fatal injury. Xin, if you would."
The sound of a lightsaber igniting within the crowd shocked a few, even more so when the woman raked the lit, yellow blade across her neck... though to no real damage, just a small red streak indicating a high amount of heat.
"Thank you. While these weapons are foreign, and far from your own, we will train you with them as we train you with the force, and with time you will make your own, and it will become one with you." a pause, "For now though, you are likely all eager to settle in. You'll be granted reprieve from your journey and be given rest, tomorrow morning our training begins." Luke stepped back, and for the next few minutes, names were called, and people were shuffled away with their new teachers. Though the Zabrak and the Human, now known as Master Ganthor and Master Katarn respectively, seemed to head in the same direction, conversing with each other as their new charges and the tall Padawan, followed.
After another brisk walk, they came upon a dead end, bunks set up in alcoves to the sides and an enclosed bathroom each, but other than that, nothing more. With that, the two masters finished their conversation and turned. Katarn spoke up, "Welcome to your new homes, it's not much now and it likely never will be. You'll find that asceticism is the way to go around these parts."
Then Ganthor, "As you can probably expect, this little corner is where both of our little cabals will be spending a bulk of our time. Where many other masters are more concerned with avoiding the whole 'Two Rancors on a Mountain' conundrum, myself and Master Katarn see it differently. While we do have different methods with how to teach, our goals of teaching are notably the same."
Back to Katarn, "Over the next few weeks, months, years perhaps, you'll see those beside you as siblings you never knew at birth. It's really the only view you should have of them now. As of now you're Jedi, and while Luke-" an elbow to the ribs from the Zabrak cause Katarn to catch himself, "Master Skywalker, would be hesitant to attach any titles to avoid any false hopes or whatnot, it's what you are now, apprentice or no."
Ganthor spoke up again, stopping Katarn to a rather indignant response, before he could start on another belt of words, "Now, I'm sure you have plenty of questions..." a pause, "Those can be directed to Xin, patience has been something she's need to work on for some time." A few of the more sensitive in the assembled rookies could tell a slight clod snap eminate from Xin for a moment, as a tranquil fury reared it's head for a fraction of a second. "Anything she can't answer will need to wait until morning when we reassemble. With that, I bid you all a good night."
Katarn mirrored the sentiment before both masters departed without another word.
Xin simply stood, "Welp, if you're going to torture me, do it one at a time please."