Residential and Guest Quarters

Until more was known, Jade was currently unsure how to track down the cause of Terra's almost nightly dreams. She definitely intended to keep an eye on her though, and until she had further information to go on she'd attempt to make sure that Terra could keep a good account of herself in a fight. So she suggested, "Perhaps Nala may be able to reach more into the vision-ey phase of things if you want to seek a more immediate resolution than I am able to offer at this point in time." Also, she knew that Terra and Serrin Roma had gotten along very well, and the Twi'Lek Healer might be more comfortable to Terra as she and Serrin were the same species. Besides, her bedside manner was far smoother than Jade's, she recollected ruefully.

She found Terra's hesitation a bit endearing, something about the whole confused eyes thing, but she'd never ever say anything of the kind. Ever. Instead, she continued calmly, "It is an offensive form, yes, but there are others. Ataru's appeal generally is found in its flashy acrobatics, because to the viewer these are the 'prettiest' so to speak." Jade took a drink of her tea and leaned back in her seat, still levelly gazing at the young girl across from her, but in a state of semi-relaxation. Selaya's ears twitched and she yawned widely...the yawn turning into a low howl halfway through as she showed off her fangs before stretching. "Against one or even two opponents the acrobatics can be useful in dodging an enemy's strikes or the odd blaster bolt; however, those same acrobatics do tend to wear one's own self down much quicker than a more sedate Saber Form. For instance, when we were fighting earlier, for the most part you attacked using basic Shii-Cho at first. The true advantage of Ataru lies in its similitude to the Hawk-Bat, the ability to attack from any angle anywhere. The acrobatics must lead into your next offensive move or place you into position to make an offensive move. It does not make a good defense against many attackers." She sighed. "Ultimately."

"Terra, the point is---" Jade broke off, for once in her life she was completely unsure how to say what needed to be said. It had been awhile since she had encouraged any sort of relationship that required more than curt professionality. And how could she tell Terra that honestly she did not yet know where to go from here? Particularly when the girl had opened up, practically confessed to a rather close working relationship with a Sith Lord, and asked Jade for help?

"---the point is that right now I am not sure how to proceed in the matter of your visions. The enforced waiting is often the hardest part of being a Jedi. Patience is never easy." Cloudy green eyes reflected the concern that she genuinely felt. "It is hard to feel something drawing closer, impending doom if you will, and not see how to clearly get to the bottom of the matter." She shrugged. "I just want to make sure that you can take care of yourself, if and when all this does become clear. I don't want you to get killed..." For the first time, she leaned forward and placed her hand on Terra's momentarily, just as quickly withdrawing again. "If something does happen, I'll do my best to get you out of it."

Jade considered Terra for a few moments in silence, wishing she had concrete answers for the girl. She guessed at a history that so far had been hidden. "Of course, Terra. You're my padawan now." As if she'd simply 'abandon her to her fate'---ridiculous! 

Her comlink pinged. When she looked, the general summons of Jedi Masters to arrive forthwith on Coruscant in the old Jedi Temple was shown.

"Interesting. It looks like the war is finally forcing the Jedi Order to unite as it has not done in a long time now." Funny, when she was on Galantos, she had been semi-stationary. Now that she had chosen a home, she was being called upon to travel.

"It doesn't look like I have much choice," she replied, considering the options. Why had Masters specifically been stipulated? There was only one reason she could put to that, and it boded portentous change within the Jedi Order itself. Years had passed since she had set foot in the old Jedi Temple. When she had left Coruscant, she had fully intended never to return, but it seemed the Force and Elements had conspired to influence her path once again.

"I shall not be there long, at least not this time. We need to proceed with your training so you can successfully pass your Trials and take on a padawan for yourself." She smiled warmly at the young woman. Then, getting up, she took her empty cup as well as Terra's and put them in the kitchen. Standing in the doorway, she surreptitiously watched her new padawan, thinking something over.

Suddenly reaching a decision, she marched over to her bed, stooped and pulled out a thin drawer underneath it. Most of the features of the rooms in the academy had been designed to save space and maximize efficiency. This was no exception. Reaching under a folded tunic, she pulled out a folded parcel and closed the drawer before walking back to where Terra was seated.

"This is for you,---" she began quietly after a pronounced hesitation. She handed a meticulously folded, hand-sewn piece of heavy dark emerald cloth, embroidered in a spidery black script to Terra Kiros. Upon opening it, she would find loops to secure it to a staff, flag-fashion, and down the main body of it, four names in a language not Galactic Basic. Jade considered how best to explain this. From a deeply private person with a convoluted life, she was not sure how to go about welcoming someone else in. Z'har was different. This was Terra, another private individual. And though she might not know it, Jade was offering her familial status. "---if you will,---" How should it be said in Basic? Jade had never before tried to explain a tradition that for her people was as old as their legends. "---announce my names to the faces of the gods of my people at the appointed time."

To encourage trust, one must show willingness to trust in return. Jade could tell that Terra was both uncomfortable and confused. There was not time to give minute details, but there was enough time for some history. The faintest hint of a smile flickered at the corner of her lips as she pointed to the names.

"On my world, we are given four names: a family name, think of a dynasty, a house name, as in where we are from, a name by which the world knows us, like a human's first name, and a fourth name, unlike the others this fourth name is chosen by one's self to reflect something, a character quality, etc, and it is a private name revealed only to those with whom one shares the deepest of bonds, family, lover, etc." She did not often talk of her family or place of origin, and this was the first time she had shared details of her culture with another in nearly four decades. "At the occasion of one's death, much like human funerals, there is a procession to some point chosen earlier, generally out in the middle of nature... and there one is cremated and scattered upon the winds. There also, one's name flag is set up, and also burned while the bearer, usually the deceased's lover/partner, eldest child, or next closest blood kin, announces to the Elements the name of the one who is joining them."

Stormy emerald eyes gazed at Terra in silence for a moment, letting all of that sink in. Perhaps it would answer her questions, maybe it would raise others.

"My people have long considered it to be the worst fate to leave this life, with no one to speak one's names to the gods. It is akin to being sentenced to an eternity of wandering the spirit world alone, instead of joining those who have gone before."

"To have no family, no name...is the ultimate dishonor."

 

"Precisely. If you so desire?" She wished Terra to make her own choice in the matter as a free agent. It was her aim to make the padawan not feel so alone or isolated in the universe. Frankly, if she was consulting her own wishes, she would not be making a trip to Coruscant at this exact moment in time.

She folded her arms in front of her, involuntarily tapping her right upper arm with the fingers of her left hand as she was thinking. The light in the room flashed against the ring of Corusca gems that she wore. Reflecting upon the giver as well as the occasion of giving, she smiled warmly at Terra Kiros. The girl had been uneasy with telling Jade of the Sith Lord in her past. Unlike many, Jade preferred to reserve her opinion for the future. Time and experience had taught her that allies could be found in unlikely places. Of course, she was not advocating a blithe unawareness, since the Sith are the traditional enemies of the Jedi. It would never do to let down one's guard, but at the same time, they could be useful in a pinch.

Jade was pleased. 

I have a family, mother, in spite of your efforts. Elements drag you all to the depths-- well. I paused in that thought. That was the petty sort of thing I had attempted to rise above and leave behind. Despite being an outcast I have cut my own place in the universe. I have a man who loves me...and a padawan who is learning to trust me.

In fact, she chuckled heartily. The Force had many things up its figurative sleeve.

"I suppose you can manage to stay out of trouble for a few days?" She wasn't about to order Terra to remain in the Academy. That would have gone against the grain and been most irksome to both of them. However, she did hope that if Terra decided to vacation somewhere, she'd leave a message behind or find some way to let Jade know.

Jade arched a brow, surprised that Terra had 'giggled,' but glad that she seemed to be feeling better than she had been earlier. She thought about something, then finally decided to mention it. "One day soon, there's someone you should really meet." But, she didn't go into detail at this point, since firstly it would be dangerous, and secondly, she did not wish to place the girl in an uncomfortable position. It was hard to know what to say, and what to leave unsaid since either could be equally damaging.

"Let's just hope I can manage," she replied ruefully. "Politics is not an arena that I enjoy."

"I shall leave Selaya here with you, I think," Jade mused quietly, "She likes the hunting and besides, fighter cockpits tend to be cosy to begin with, adding a vornskr doesn't help."