Jedi Academy

Ares walked idly in the garden, dressed in a black tunic and associated pants and boots. He was preparing himself mentally for the upcoming trial.... which was difficult when the thoughts of the girl who contacted him floated into his mind. Still, he sighed, and tried to review mentally what he knew of the different forms.

Punctual as proper, he did not have to wait or search for his 'date'. The young woman was well-dressed - the tunic and style was similar to what most wore in the temple, but it had some embellishements to make it stand out a little.

"Ares. Good morning," she greeted, somewhat shyly, but she smiled so that was probaby a good sign. "Excited to begin your trials today?"

"Hi, good morning." Ares smiled shyly as well, looking into her eyes, before they slid down to her clothes. "You look nice. And.. yes. Excited. Nervous. Today is the trial of combat. I hope to do well. The other areas are not my strong suit."

"I don't think you need to worry too much," Ayura remarked, her smile growing a bit more. "You're one of the best among us students when it comes to wielding a lightsaber. Besides, I saw the news - how you and the others stopped a group of Mandalorians, so a sparring match should be easy for you."

Ares raised a hand behind his head, and smiled nervously. "It was nothing... they weren't too tough. Or sober." He felt his ears redden at the praise. "I1ll do my best. How are things with you? I am sure the masters will let you try out next."

"I hope so, but..." she sighed. "Well, like you, I lost my parent a few years ago too. The masters think I'm still too... stuck on that still."

Ayura frowned at that. "Is it so wrong though? I mean, she was a Sith. They are creatures of treachery and deceit anyway... I think it would be doing the galaxy a favor..." she didn't say it out loud, but it was obvious what she was thinking about.

Ares frowned, as he slowly walked next to her. "Well...." he fell in thought. "Be careful. Anger leads to the dark side. What you feel..." He fell silent. "Perhaps the galaxy would be better off without them. But that is easy to say. It... hurts." He said lamely. "I still recall, what happened, but I also try to keep in mind what would they have wanted. It's not easy. It's damn difficult. Perhaps try thinking of how to help others, instead of taking revenge for what you suffered."

"You make it sound so easy," she replied dryly.

"I think it is more that if we could purge such darkness, there wouldn't be others who would have to suffer as you did. As I did." In a very bold move, Ayura's hand touched Ares'. "We're supposed to protect others from threats they can't face, right?"

Faily wrote:"You make it sound so easy," she replied dryly.

"I think it is more that if we could purge such darkness, there wouldn't be others who would have to suffer as you did. As I did." In a very bold move, Ayura's hand touched Ares'. "We're supposed to protect others from threats they can't face, right?"

Ares shrugged lamely. "Sorry. It's just..." He started blushing at the touch, but didn't shirk away. "Yeah, I get your point. If we could protect people before they get hurt..." he eyed the temple complex. "Maybe this place would have less orphans." He let out a sigh. "I am sure the masters have their reasons for not doing so, though to be honest... if I meet her on the battlefield, I won't be sorry."

"Don't be either. She's not even sorry for what she did."

Since Ares didn't shirk away, Ayura carefully took hold of his hand. "I have faith that you will defeat her. I've seen how you've grown, and come so far."

Ares continued to turn red at the touch. "Perhaps. It will be up to the Force whether we meet or not." She let out a sigh. "How is your saber training coming along?"

"Well enough... the teachers say I have the strongest aptitude for Makashi among the current batch of students."

She looked away for a moment, still holding his hand. She was blushing too, after all. "... I... well, you've been an inspiration - to help me refine my skills."

Ares' hand slowly tightened its grip, though he tried to be gentle. "Masaki is a good style. I used to spar with Alysele... Knight Cortess now. It can be a wicked form to fight against, especially if you are a saber wielder." He took a breath, drawing in her scent, his warmth. It was a strange, yet pleasant, sensation.

"I... am sure you manage on your own. If I helped, I am happy, but I am sure you did most of it on your own."

"It probably sounds weird..." she mumbled a little, "but since you and I had such... common backgrounds, it was always a strength to me that you were strong. Because I was not."

Ares' walk slowed. "But... you are. You are still here. You fight. You work hard. You are strong."

He sighed. "We are not the only ones to experience loss, but we are unique in how we experienced it. Not many have had their parents taken way while here." He looked into her eyes. "You are strong. Never doubt it. You endure. You work hard. That is what matters."

Ayura looked over at him with a warm smile now. "Thank you... it means much to me, to hear that from you, Ares. Because... I like you. Very much." She blushed quite a lot now.

"I... like you too." He nervously moved closer to her. He wasn't sure if it was the right thing to do, but it felt right. "And don't look up to me too much. You don't want to know how afraid I am of the trials."

Oh my, Ayura flustered at his words. "I... think we're all a bit worried about the trials, right? I am confident you will pass them, and return to Coruscant with your own lightsaber."

"I.. I hope so. Tomorrow is the trial of knowledge." He looked at his feet as they shuffled. "I am... not the brightest in our group. Hopefully I won't embarrass anyone."

"Trust your training, Ares. You will do well," she said with confidence in him and her hand gave his a reassuring squeeze. "I have faith that you will do well. Master Jaric thinks highly of you, and I don't think he would if not for the fact that he too believes in you."