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It had been over nine years since Nejaa set foot in the great Jedi Temple on Coruscant, and yet the sounds and the smells were still familiar to his senses. Polished stone tiles underfoot gleamed with years of wear and cleaning. The wide corridors with their high arched ceilings echoed with the laughter of children hurrying in small groups to their classes. Unexpected little things brought Nejaa a deluge of memories from his own years as a student here.
His time at Temple had not been as long as other Jedi. Unlike most, who were not raised with strong Corellian values of home and family, Nejaa remained at home for his early childhood and was instructed in basic Jedi skills by a Knight his parents were close friends with. That Knight went on to become his Master when he was ready to become a Padawan learner. Many years and shared adventures later, Aven Brice was Nejaa's dearest friend.
While Nejaa considered himself a Jedi above all, he considered it significant that he was a Corellian Jedi and an heir to the proud, independent Corellian traditions. It wasn't arrogance to Nejaa for him to feel pride in his heritage. He found that in the many races that spawned Jedi Knights, most had their own customs and practices which differed from star system to star system, culture to culture. The Force bound them all to each other. But, it was in the learning to accept and appreciate the subtle differences in cultures that the harmony and symmetry of the Jedi was created.
Nejaa smiled to himself as he scanned the multitude of young faces in the halls and classrooms as he passed by. He felt the buoyant energy of youth surround him and fill him. It lightened his step and soothed away the deep weariness he felt from the long journey. In the back of his thoughts was the message he had received days before. In it, Yoda had personally requested his presence at the Temple.
"Nejaa?" A voice called from behind him in the corridor.
Nejaa turned around to find Aven Brice. "Aven?" He gasped, surprised to find his dear friend here at the Temple. "What are you doing here?"
"Well, it is good to see you, too, Padawan. I am fine, thank you very much for asking." His former master teased. "I am here to eat Torsellan crow, I believe, but that can wait until after you're settled into your suite." He took Nejaa's bag and slung it over his shoulder with an easy, fluid motion. His dark eyes sparkled with some secret delight, which he had no intention of sharing with Nejaa until he felt the moment was right.
"If you won't tell me why you are here, can you at least shed a bit of light on why I am here?"
Aven laughed. "All in good time, Nejaa. All in good time."
Once they found his rooms and he had a chance to freshen up, he cornered Aven while the older man made tea and frowned, "Ok, I am as settled as I am likely to be, so tell me what brings you to the Temple."
Aven turned from the cook-top, and his smile was almost sheepish. "I'm taking a new Padawan."
Nejaa heard himself gasp. "But, I thought..."
"I know I said I would not take another after you, but then the council called me here and I found I couldn't say no. I didn't even want to say no."
Aven poured the tea into two stone mugs and carried them to the table. He took a place at the table across from Nejaa and sighed, "I worried that taking a second Padawan learner would be unfair to her, but it took only one meeting for me to realize that Jenn has her own special talents and gifts to offer. She is Corellian and she deserves a Corellian Master to guide her."
"Jenn?"
"Jenn Maeder. I can't wait for you to meet her, Nejaa, she is... something else."
Nejaa gave his master a cocky grin. "Something tells me I didn't make this trip just to meet your new Padawan, Aven."
Aven sipped his tea, hiding his smirk behind the rim of his mug. "You always were perceptive."
"You aren't going to try to fix me up with a Padawan are you?" Nejaa's eyes narrowed suspiciously.
"Really, Nejaa... Would I do something like that?"
"Yes, you would, and you would get immense pleasure from it, too."
Aven's eyes sparkled with mischief. "I can't force you to take a Padawan, only the Force can force you."
"I don't think I like the sound of that." Nejaa thought aloud. "No, I know I don't like the sound of that. I don't want a Padawan. I like the freedom I have right now."
"Soon, you too will be eating crow..."
Nejaa was called before the council the next morning, and as he stood outside the doors to the main chamber he felt as if he were a Padawan again. He took a deep breath and exhaled it slowly, using the simple act of breathing as a focus to calm his nerves. The door opened before him, and he unconsciously smoothed his robes with his hands and stood up straighter, chin held high and proud. Whatever the council's motives, he was not in for a dressing down. He was a hardworking Knight, and he felt the pride of his accomplishments well in him.
He stood before the council and made a respectful bow to the Masters before him. "Masters," Nejaa started, in a voice that was only slightly anxious. "I have returned to the Temple, as you requested."
"Thank you for being prompt, Knight Halcyon. We know from your excellent reports that you are a busy man, and we do not wish to keep you from you work, but perhaps, once you hear what we have to offer, you will agree that this is worth the journey." The Master smiled at him. It was not the gleeful smile Aven wore, but was kind and compassionate.
"I respect the Council's wisdom. Only a fool would take a summons from Master Yoda lightly." Nejaa turned his body slightly to his left and gave a half bow to Yoda.
"Told you, I did. A fine Jedi, he is. Ready for new challenges." Yoda addressed the other council members. "Yes, ready."
The smile faded from the one Master's face. "What we offer you, Nejaa Halcyon, is the chance to take one of our best initiates as your Padawan. We have reviewed your reports and your abilities match nicely with hers. She is young to be a Padawan, but her basic skills are exceptional, as is her temperament. The few weak areas come not from a lack of ability, but from a lack of application."
"Application, Master?" Nejaa had been following the Master, but suddenly he was lost.
"She is Corellian, intelligent and stubborn to her very core. Corellians are some of the most stubborn people in the galaxy. I can say that," the Master's smile returned, "because my mate is a Corellian woman and I know it to be truth."
"I would not dare to dispute such wisdom, Master." Nejaa said.
The Master's face smoothed once again into solemn lines. "You are the first person we have honestly considered as a potential Master for this initiate, out of respect for you. You brought Galiena to the Temple, against Corellian traditions, to be trained. Your decision was the correct one, but as correct decisions often are, it was a painful one. It is only right to offer you the chance to continue her training now that we feel she is ready."
Nejaa realized that his mouth was hanging open and closed it. "Galiena... but she can't be old enough to be a Padawan, yet. She was a baby."
Yoda made a tsk tsk sound. "Too long away from the Temple, you have been, hmmm? A baby she is not." When Nejaa opened his mouth to defend himself, Yoda tapped the end of his cane on the floor to stall his comment. "Age matters not, when strong in the Force one is."
"I don't know what to say." Nejaa stammered.
"We don't need your answer today." The head master added, "Just meet her, talk to her."
"I will do as you ask, but may I ask a question?"
"You may."
"Does she even remember me? Have you told her who I am and why I am here?"
There was a long silence. Finally, Yoda spoke, "Told her I have not."