Taming the Shrew

[Gar]

The Zeltron did make an effort. She thought long and hard, squinting at the ceiling, frowning at the floor, then finally shaking her head in defeat. "It has been difficult for me to recall Master Henoch's teachings ever since..." her words trailed off. It seemed that she preferred not to finish that sentence.

[aipsylon]

"Ni, it is important that you recognize these things. I have given you a bit of space, because I know it is something that is important to you, but you have heard how the dark side corrupts, I know that you would not want to become ruled by it, and the only way to stop that from happening is to be more vigilant against it. You know that I give you your privacy and space, but maybe talking about things would help you. In any case if you want to the offer is there."

[Gar]

Ni grimaced and replied, "I just never thought that it was necessary to talk about it. It is a sad story, and sad stories are no fun." She stared up at the ceiling to gather her thoughts, then returned her focus to Gadeon. "Master Henoch, as you may remember, was my teacher...he was kinda the only teacher that really never gave up on me. He'd go to these great lengths to make each lesson stick in my head... " Ni took a deep breath, stared down at her lap, and continued, "I don't know if I told you this, but I attended the academy in Alderaan. Its a rich and entitled place, full of rich and entitled people."

[aipsylon]

Gadeon settled it to listen to what Ni has to say about Master Henoch. He was not really referring to that, but he'd have to listen to her to see for sure. Here did know that the Alderaan Temple was subject to the problem many of the Temple were, that corruption that comes along with the retention of familial wealth and position as well as connections. The story did not seem too sad yet, but he would wait patiently to see if Ni would continue to tell the story. To show some interest he said "Yes, I have heard that, please go on."

[Gar]

Ni chewed her lip nervously and continued, "Master Henoch was always picking up 'hopeless cases'. Oh, that's what the academy board called me," she explains, smiling sadly, "I learned later that they really didn't want to bring a Zeltron into their school, but they didn't want to offend the planet Zeltros, either, so they chose the politically sound option and expected to have me expelled once I caused too much trouble"

She laughs dryly, "They didn't want a Zeltron Jedi graduating their academy and giving them a bad name. At least, that's all they expected that I'd become--a spot on their superior reputation. They hadn't have even met me yet, but I guess they had a point." Ni stared down at her hands and picked at her nails. "Master Henoch had a bleeding heart for the younglings and he thought the academy had lost sight of what it means to raise up them up in the ways of the Force. Long story short, I guess he believed that the current system at the academy was corrupt. He was a big advocate to those who did not have the connections to give them the edge in school..."

Ni sighs, "I did not know, at the time, how big of an advocate he was for me, or how hard he fought to keep me in the academy. But I remember something he told me once when he was really upset one day..." she quotes in a masculine, elderly tone, "'The true function of Master and padawan, Nienna, is to guide young souls to the Force and to help develop its connection to the individual. Every soul is unique; it should not be twisted and molded into a superficial, shiny copy of what everyone else expects it to be. You are to listen to the Force above all else. Other voices, even my voice, are secondary. What matters is that I help draw you closer to the Force to understand what it wants from you.'" The Zeltron grew silent for a moment, her face falling.

[aipsylon]

Gadeon once more listened, as she told the story about Master Henoch. How he went to advocate for her and work on her connection with the force. All the things that she had going against her and how he had helped her make it through them. "Ni, it is important that you listen to the force as your master said, knowing its will is something that I admittedly am poor at, but when you are involved in things this big there are a lot of grey lines and only the force can guide you through them. Like what happened back on the mission we rescued Jaden and Trista. I talked with you after it, do you know why?"

[Gar]

Ni laughed dryly, remarking quietly, "You sound just like him, you know? You remind me of Master Henoch...that is kinda why I took an interest in you..." When he asked her the question she shook her head. "I think you told me why, but I forgot..."

[aipsylon]

"I hinted at it, and I think that you understood, but it was because of the darkness that I had felt in you. I wanted to give you the chance to talk about what had happened, and well in a way you passed on it, even though we talked. I know things have been more serious here than you would have wanted, but can you do me one favor?" He up to make sure he had her full attention before asking it did wander more and more easily the more serious things got.

[Gar]

Ni answered his question by staring into his eyes tearfully. There was a lump in her throat that made it impossible to talk. She looked down at her lap and nodded.

[aipsylon]

Can you take a short time and meditate, thing on where the force seems to be guiding you, then come back and talk with me about it. Ni, I know you are free willed and love experiencing everything don't want to be tied down, but here you are, even after you knew how this group worked and I would really like for you to know why. Someone doesn't just let themselves be stunned and come back no questions asked unless something is pulling them that way.