Jedi Academy

Taime entered the halls, having refreshed himself by washing his face. He sat down crosslegged and waited for his debate opponent to appear.

Taime would not have to wait long at all. Chriala stepped into the room, robes flowing gracefully around her.

"Good morning, Taime." She said with a smile. With an impressive grace, she knelt across from him. "How do you find yourself today?"

He smiles seeing Chriala enter, though he knows she does not see it. "I am well Master Chriala. Thank you for asking. And you?"

Chriala chuckled. "Oh, well enough, well enough. I find myself both looking forward to and apprehensive about the journey ahead. Such is adventure."

She tilted her head, regarding Taime. Sort of. "How do you feel about it?"

He took a deep breath, before answering. "Uncertain. Apprehensive is likely a good word. I am unsure of my abilities. But I have hopes that I will learn a great deal."

"Hmmm." Chriala's lips curled up. "Do you think you would be less apprehensive if you knew how it would turn out? Even if you knew it would be difficult?"

He thought that over. "Probably. Failure is what is most concerning to me. It would be a grave problem if I failed, especially with all that family hoped for when I came here and all the work you have done. I feel...a weight. On my shoulders. If I fail, more than I am affected."

Chriala considered this for a few moments.

"Do you think you are ready?" She asked.

He looks down, unsure what to say. "I don't know. It is difficult to be ready for a test that's parameters are unknown. Am I ready for the test of knowledge and strength? Likely. Am I ready to become a Jedi and learn how to help others and find balance within myself? That one...I don't know."

"Hmmmm..." Chriala let that go on for rather a long time.

"And how will you know you are ready?" She finally asked, still smiling.

He looked up and saw her smile, wondering if he was missing something. "I...I don't know. If it is waiting to feel ready, I suspect that will take some time. I suspect...I will go until I fail. And if I fail, I will know I was not ready yet."

"If you fail, than I will have been wrong. Because I think you are ready." Chriala said. She chuckled throatily. "Of course, I am wrong, from time to time. But I fancy not too often."

His eyes widened at her laughter and ease. "Truly...you think I am ready Master Chriala?"

Her expression softened, although her lips set. "Taime. Students who undergo the trials do not do so simply because they reach a certain age, or because they have been here a certain number of years. They undergo the trials because it is the judgement of the masters that they are ready to do so. This does not mean that we know, of course. If we knew, there would be no need for the trials. Nevertheless..." She made a vague but graceful gesture with one hand.

His shoulders relax a bit and some of the tension leaves his posture. "I know Master. Its just...it means a great deal to hear it from you. I worried that perhaps..a mistake had been made."

He looks up at her. "I know it is part of the process. Shedding one's ego, learning how to find balance and gaining competency. I suspect I am learning what will be my toughest challenges."

"Hmmm." Chriala said again. "Than something is gained from the adversity. As it so often is."

"Now..." Her lips quirked. "Shall we begin? We are here to debate, after all. Although I do enjoy the chance to talk to you, too."

He smiles, almost glowing in the face of her approval.

"Of course. I would have no one say you went easy on me. What shall we debate?"

Again, Chriala smiled. "A difficult question. We could almost have a debate on that. But that grows too circular for my tastes."

She tilted her head. "Perhaps... tell me about the role of the Force in the life of a Jedi. That seems like a fine place to start."

He ponders for a moment. "The Force is what makes up everything, even a Jedi. So for a Jedi, the Force must play a central role. We safeguard it, within ourselves, others and the Galaxy. We also ensure it is not misused by others."

Chriala nodded slowly, acknowledging the words, at the very least. "How does it affect the actions that you take?"