Logged October 17, 2001
Logged by Ashton
Titled:  Moira is Knighted 
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Characters: 
Ashton 
Phanton 
Moira 
Bzzzzt 
Jorna (NPC'd by Ashton) 
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Courtyard -- Jedi Praxeum Coruscant
    This vast courtyard is where much of the daily life of the Jedi can be 
observed. A park-like area near the bridge is often used as a study area, and 
the open areas in that park are teaming with life as students and teachers alike 
take part in sports and athletic activities, honing the body. At each corner of 
the square compound is a tower that is easily 200 stories high. Paths criss-
cross the entire compound and run the perimeter, from tower to tower. At the 
north end of the compound is a large hill constructed of many different types 
and sizes of boulders.
    In the center of the courtyard is the largest tower, rising another 100 
stories above the other towers in the complex. The double-wide, ornate doors to 
this tower are always open. Unlike the other towers, this one has a wide section 
near the top that removes the tapered look the other towers have. Above this 
bulge is where the Jedi Council Chamber is located.

Emerging from the training tower, a muscular human male in a blue tunic and 
black pants makes his way out into the courtyard of the complex at a brisk, yet 
unhurried gate. The young man doesn't look to be much older than Moira, but 
carries himself differently. Less like a learner, and more like a teacher. He 
spots Moira and Bzzzzt and alters course to intercept them. Just to make sure he 
isn't interrupting, he sends a brief mental tug at Moira to get her attention 
before he nears them. 

Bzzzzt obviously doesn't feel the mental Tug and considers Moira's words. He 
chuckles, moving his shoulders up and down with great heaves, causing his 
chintin to clack and complain at the unnatural motion. "Izzzz juzzzt Tube?" he 
starts to dream of buying a tube of his very own.

Moira turns to wave and greet her master, as soon as she feels the mental tug. 
It's a brief movement, and then she's facing Bzzzzt again. "It's more than a 
tube, but that's how it looks when deactivated. A cylinder with switches." After 
all, Ashton probably didn't even need the wave to know he's welcome. But Moi 
likes turning to wave, and so she does even with people who can sense her 
agreement.

Ashton approaches the two and nods a greeting to Bzzzzt with a rather charming, 
and disarming smile. Nevertheless, his mood is serious. He turns his head to 
look at Moira. "The Council has summoned us." He turns back to Bzzzzt and his 
mood is apologetic. "I'm sorry to steal Moira away from your conversation. We 
shouldn't be too long."

"Yes, master." Moira says, climbing to her feet. "It was nice to meet you," the 
Padawan girl says, briefly looking to Bzzzzt with a smile of her own. "I hope 
you enjoy the rest of your stay on Coruscant." Then, she glances to Ashton, to 
make sure he's ready to head off.

Council Chambers -- Jedi Praxeum 
        The top level of the tower, this floor is much smaller than those below 
it. The room the single elevator opens into has a breathtaking view of 
Coruscant, visible through the six massively large transparasteel glass windows, 
each separated only by the support beams that reach up to merge into a single 
six-pointed star above. Directly below this is the center of the burgundy and 
gold hardwood floor. Twelve chairs face the center of the room, each reserved 
for a specific member of the Jedi Council. No other furniture is present.

The Council chamber's 13 chairs are almost all filled. Only Siobhan and two 
other Masters are absent, obviously away on other important business. The other 
masters nod as Ashton enters the council chamber, flanked by his padawan. When 
it is time to speak, it is the largest, and oldest, Jedi Master who does so. The 
Tchuukthai Master known as Jorna. "Ashhhton... and yourrr padawann." He gestures 
towards the center of the chamber.

Phanton sits silently near what appears to the be the center of the seating. He 
sits as impassively as ever watching the knight and his padawan enter.

"As requested, Master. We are here." Ashton inclines his head first to Jorna and 
then to Phanton, and then to the other Masters in the room. His hands are before 
him in the classic Jedi stance. He knows why they're here, but wonders if his 
padawan knows.

Moira follows her master in, taking her cue to move when he does. Though she's 
got no idea why they've been summoned, she's not actually actively thinking 
about it. Now there's a surprise. She offers the Masters with a gesture of 
respect, the nod-shoulder bow that is a Moira's version of the greeting, and 
waits quietly for the Council to reveal the reason for the summoning.

Jorna nods to the Knight. "I haavve beenn watchingg thhe progresss of yourr 
padawann forr some time noww, youngg Knightt," he grumbles in his deep voice. 
"Herr actionss speeak welll of herr ap-titude and growthh as a Jedii." He turns 
to Moira, but speaks to Phanton. "What say youu, Massterr Phantonn? Herr recent 
achievementss resscuingg thhe senatorr speakk highlyy of her readinesss."

Phanton moves his heads just centimeters in a nod as he looks to the padawan. 
"Good faith in the force I believe." He returns the floor to his colleague with 
a nod.

Ashton raises an eyebrow curiously. He had believed they had been summoned here 
to prepare Moira for her trials. Yet Master Jorna and Master Phanton speak as 
though she had already taken them. He wasn't asked to speak yet, so doesn't. 
Instead, he simply keeps his eyes looking at Master Jorna, but doesn't ignore 
the senses he picks up from the other Masters in the room.

Phanton raises his hand to his fellow master who seems to be presiding and 
offers him a slight nod no doubt speaking to him without words. "There is one 
concern I had though" He looks to Moira. "Have you no faith in your saber?"

Ashton receives the mental confirmation from Jorna and remains silent. It /was/ 
her time and nothing he could say would benefit the padawan as the Council 
addressed their concerns about her growth and progress.

Well, this certainly wasn't what Moira was expecting. But instead of reacting, 
she stands calmly beside her master and awaits what will come with patience. The 
girl's getting better at the whole quiet thing. But of course, as she's settling 
into that state she's directly asked a question by Master Phanton. There's a 
pause as it dawns on her she's probably supposed to reply, so she does. "When I 
began training I found it hard to use, Master, that is true. I still only draw 
it as a last resort, but instead of this being due to lack of faith, it's 
because I prefer to try other methods first. I have had to draw it on two 
occasions now, and I've found it hasn't failed me either time." Though the 
statement itself is phrased in a rather cocky-confident way, she feels nothing 
of this. Rather, she's stating that she's come to understand that hey, 
lightsabers can be a tool just like talking or persuasion. Everything has a time 
and place, and you've just got to be certain and decisive about using things in 
the proper situation.

Jorna nods to Ashton, "Yes Ashhtonn, youu arre correctt. Moira hass facced 
greaterr trialss in herr time as a Padawan than maany Jedii everr do." He 
contemplates Moira and Ashton's response to Master Phanton's concern. When she 
does respond, the Tchuukthai master peers at Moira intently but makes no other 
move or indication. After a few moments, he does glance at Phanton, but says 
nothing. Nothing aloud anyway. 

Letting her words seep into the minds of the council Phanton makes no show of 
his own thoughts of her answer. Instead he turns to Jorna and offers again just 
the slightest of nods then turns back to the padawan and her personal master.

Ashton picks up the mood slightly in the room, but also senses questioning from 
one of the other Masters. Apparently enough to warrant a response from the 
Knight as a mental suggestion is directed at him from a Master to his left. He 
turns to face that Master, keeping Jorna and Phanton in his front arc as well. 
"Yes Master, I do believe she is ready at this point. Moira shows a great 
understanding of the Force and a strong respect for the Code. I don't believe 
her feelings for another being, Jedi or not, is a detriment to her capabilities 
as a Jedi Knight."

Phanton tilts his head to Ashton and the answer given considering it a moment. 
His hands in his sleeves before him even when he sits move just slightly as he 
looks back to the padawan. Always appearing the pacifist his expression never 
changes. "And what of that child? What of these personal feelings, do you 
believe they effect you?"

As she feels the scrutiny of the Council on her, Moira does not flinch away or 
close up. Not only would it be silly to do so, but it would be detrimental to 
not let them explore their decision with all available information. And hmm, 
seems Tai was right. Apparently the Masters do care that they spend recreational 
time together. Well, spent. Of late Moira's seen nothing of Tai, and so far the 
world's not imploded. So perhaps apart works, as well as together. "Effect me?" 
Moira asks, truly considering that for a moment. "I enjoy my time with Tai, this 
is true. But I rarely see him anymore and I'm still functioning. I'm not sure I 
can say what that means. My personal interpretation is, while Tai means much to 
me, I am capable of going on about my life and duties without his direct 
involvement in it."

Jorna nods slowly to Ashton's response to the Quarren Master's concern, and then 
to Moira's response to Phanton. He wouldn't show it, but he had battled the same 
concerns and come to the conclusion that, in moderation, such emotions were 
understandable and perhaps even healthy. Many beings were prone to have emotions 
for one another. Such emotions were not forbidden by the Code. Only when those 
emotions became more important than the will of the Force were they a detriment 
to the Jedi involved. For that was selfishness. And that treaded the line 
between the dark and light side of the Force. "Jedii Knightt Ashhton Quince," 
Jorna says with a nod, "Yourr padawan hass learnedd welll fromm youu. If you 
arre agrreeable, Knight Quince... you mayy do the honorrs."

Ashton nods slowly at Jorna, a small smile emerging onto his face. From his belt 
appears a small knife. He steps back and moves around to Moira's far side. 
"Moira Brennan, I have been honored to teach you what I know to assist you in 
achieving the status as a Jedi Knight. You have been an apt pupil and your 
actions and words have honored the Council and the Order." He takes her braid in 
his right hand and slides the blade up near her scalp. With a slight flick, the 
knife is away from her head and not a drop of blood spilt. Ashton offers the 
braid to Moira as he moves in front of her. "Congratulations, Moira," he says 
with a smile.

Moira blinks, looking down at the bit of hair being offered her. Well, shucks, 
it'll take that forever to grow back. But of course Moira's not really thinking 
about that, she's thinking that she's actually rather surprised. But hey, she's 
learned to roll with it, and roll she shall. Now, what does one say to this? 
She's not sure if there's some pre-scripted reply. If there is, she doesn't know 
it and speaking spontaneously is a good thing, anyways. "Thank you for your 
instruction and the time you've spent teaching me. I will do everything I can to 
continue to act in the way the Force and the Code lays out for me." And that's 
all she can really offer. Continuing to strive for the goal that is always 
moving away, the more rapidly you approach it. Knowledge, peace, becoming more 
attuned to the Force. Because it's silly, really, to think losing a little hair 
makes you perfect. It just means those who have trained you think you're ready 
to go off and do things on your own. You still have to keep learning.

Jorna rises from his flat chair as the braid is cut,, but does not rise to his 
hind legs. It would cause him to tower over the other Masters in the room, and 
here, they were all equal. As he does so, several of the other Masters also rise 
to their feet to welcome the new Knight. "Congratulationss, Knight Brrennan," he 
rumbles.

Phanton stands as the others do and approaches the new knight. "I look forward 
to seeing your continued growth Knight Brennan." He motions to her saber. "You 
are correct to think of that as a tool but remember that tool is one very few 
can wield, and therein lies its honor, not in its use."

Ashton nods to Moira and steps back as the Masters approach. This was her 
moment. He was very proud of her, but also recognized that much of what she had 
accomplished had been the work of all Jedi. So it was an achievement for the 
order when a padawan succeeded in becoming a knight, not just an achievement for 
the student.

Moira turns to look at Master Phanton with a serious expression for a moment. 
She considers his words, and nods her acceptance and understanding. "Yes, Master 
Phanton," is all she says, for little more is called for. He's right, what more 
can she add?

After a few moments, Jorna nods to Phanton, indicating it was time for his 
student as well. He rumbles at Ashton, "Ashton Quince... you and yourr fellow 
Knight arre frree to leave. We'll wish to hearrr more of this attempt on the 
senatorrr some other time..."

Ashton nods to Jorna and the other Masters, then turns to lead Moira out of the 
chamber. Once they arrive at the elevator, he actually lets his former padawan 
enter first, as her first sign of equality as a Knight.

Moira offers the Masters another gesture of respect in parting, since a big wave 
probably isn't proper. And then she turns to follow Ashton out, swallowing her 
surprise at the whole elevator thing. It's just about as surprising as the time 
Tai pulled out the chair for her. But she's not going to question, just going to 
go with it all.

END OF LOG