Jedi Academy

It was far from the first time that a group of masters gathered together in the training hall. Not even this particular group of masters. There was something special about it this time, though. Perhaps the students would find it especially momentous. Perhaps not.

Either way, there was an extra air of formality to the assembled masters, all six of them, as they waited for the students to arrive. A bit of extra excitement. After all, even if the students had been training for most of their lives, even if the masters had been studying them the whole time, this was going to be different. If there was going to be a time to call the start, this would be it.

The trials were beginning.

...

Please post in here when you get a chance.

Byron arrived in his customary black robes and simple garb, ready to do as was demanded of him.

Mir arrived, clad in his robes. As he entered the room he pulled his cowl back. Ears on top of his head twitched nervously.

O'vala walked in and made her posture as tall and straight as she could, at attention with her hands at her side. She had gotten good at staying in that sort of pose and was ready to hold it through whatever speech they gave.

Zanja reminded herself not to slouch. She rolled her neck and tugged down the cuffs of her robe as she straightened her posture, trying to stay straight while she waited.

Ares arrived in grey tunic and pants, his saber tucked into his belt. He stood formal and stiff, settling between O'vala and Mir. He took a deep breath, and tried not to show his nervousness.

Eir felt her stomach twist as she entered the hall. She felt small, painfully so, next to the other students, next to the masters, next to the towering ceilings overhead. Her hands were clasped around her forearms, sleeves neatly pushed together over them. The others were so tense and formal, and that didn’t help the girl’s nerves either.

The roiling butterflies in her stomach reminded her of the day she first met Chriala, and she almost clutched at her belly in response. It was the waiting that was the worst. She wished she could skip the speeches and ceremonies and get to... well, whatever it was they were going to have to do. Too much waiting around was too much time to think about everything.

Seemingly accompanied by her own breeze, Zizzy approached the group with her tendrils drifting, carefully picking out all of the details and committing them to memory. It was a big day, even though it could have been mistaken for any other. She relaxed a little as she took a spot next to Byron.

A small smile crossed her lips as she looked at Orgus Din, remembering that day on Mikkia. When are you taking me to the temple in the stars? She'd asked. A lot had happened since then.

"Did we look so nervous too, Corvin?" Farissa remarked calmly with a smile to her fellow knight.

Spotting the young Mir, she made sure to give him a wink, hoping it would put him at ease.

Mir noticed and his ears twitched and turned to the side as he looked down at his feet.

Eir also noticed, and shot the farghul a suspicious look before looking around for Taime. I should have waited outside for him.

Actually, Corvin looked a bit nervous himself. Perhaps it was the formal robes he wore; the collar was clearly a bad choice for him. He tugged at it awkwardly.

Swallowing, he turned to give his fellow knight a quirk of his lips. "Don't know about you." He said in his rough voice. "But my knees were almost knocking together, I'm sure. Yeah, I thought I hid it well at the time, but I doubt any of the masters were fooled." He hesitated a moment, then turned to look out at the assembled students. "This brings me back."

"Times change. And yet, they don't." Master Chriala said in her soft, alto voice. Compared to Corvin, she looked entirely at ease, and well dressed besides, her brown robes decorated with a bit of a red fringe, matching the thick, soft belt she wore, and the band over where her eyes would be.

She, too, was watching the assembling students. Probably. It was hard to tell for certain; even more than most Miraluka, she tended not to look directly at things.

Still, as her 'gaze' swept over Eir, a smile quickly flickered across her face.

Eir wrote:Eir felt her stomach twist as she entered the hall. She felt small, painfully so, next to the other students, next to the masters, next to the towering ceilings overhead. Her hands were clasped around her forearms, sleeves neatly pushed together over them. The others were so tense and formal, and that didn’t help the girl’s nerves either.

The roiling butterflies in her stomach reminded her of the day she first met Chriala, and she almost clutched at her belly in response. It was the waiting that was the worst. She wished she could skip the speeches and ceremonies and get to... well, whatever it was they were going to have to do. Too much waiting around was too much time to think about everything.

Taime entered, shortly after Chriala with a stoic face and serious manner. He slid in next to Eir as nonchalantly as possible, but giving her a tiny bump with his shoulder.

Eir glared at him, “fathead,” but the relaxing of her tense stance spoke volumes to her relief.

He smiled briefly and bumped her again lightly. "dragonbreath" He whispered, before turning his gaze to the teachers.

Since it seemed everyone was here, Murah spoke first.

"Good morning, students," her voice was used to speaking to gathered students, and it flowed with ease. "For those of you who do not know all of us, I am Murah Bakash, and with me is Orgus Din, Chriala Hulis, Jaric Kaedan, Corvin Zell, and Farissa Kho." She gestured to each of the Jedi as she introduced them.

"We'll be the ones presiding over your trials in the coming days. You've all come this far because we believe in your abilities to become Jedi, and that you are ready to prove your talents in different settings."

She paused to favor the children with a smile. "Tomorrow afternoon, we'll be testing your combat skill here in this hall. And the day after, in the morning, a test of knowledge overseen by Master Hunya Xilu of the Jedi Library - followed by an oral exam afterwards. That day will also be your last day on Coruscant for the rest of your trials, as the council has agreed on a little excursion for all of you."

"Your final destination will be Ilum, the most sacred ground for all Jedi to visit during their rite of passage," Jaric said after clearing his throat. "But we will be visiting one place before going there. That location, however, is for the moment... a surprise." He gave a bit of an awkward smile, probably in an attempt to be a bit more relaxed and congenial himself.

"We'll also see how well you plan ahead for going into unknown territory."

Ares felt his body stiffen. Everything what he heard was... overwhelming. At least combat training was the first test. He had the best chance there. "Will we be allowed to pack anything for the trip, or are we taking only what we have?"

Combat first. Well it was to be expected. At least the knowledge test was coming up soon. She wondered about the secret destination. Maybe the force would give her some insights.