Two Steps Forward (Morgan Evanar)

[Serena Laran]

(OPEN for now, takes place after Valley of Humiliation, Information Overload, and Halajin joining the order)

Serena stood quietly in an expansive hangar on board the Challenger. Her padawan, Morgan, was back with the fleet for the moment as the Novgorod had returned to the convoy unexpectedly. All things happened for a reason, she was convinced, and the Force had made it clear that Morgan having returned just as she received word that Sol -

She took a deep breath, centering herself and stretching out her senses to the furthest corners of the hangar. Other than a handful of X-Wings, it was empty. Serena was standing in the center of it when Morgan entered, walking confidently toward her. She opened her eyes and smiled at her padawan, waiting until he was close to speak.

"It is good to see you again, Morgan. I trust the Alliance is treating you well?"

[Morgan Evanar]

"It's... an incredibly interesting assignment." Morgan said.

"And it's really nerdy." He added with a wide smile. Morgan hadn't been this mentally engaged since he quit slicing. He did bits and pieces for the Alliance but never on such a consistent basis, and never with the same sort of rapport as MARCUS provided.

"Oh hell." Morgan gave Serena a hug.

"It's good to see you too." He said, and let her go. She was feeling better. Serena would slowly overcome her demons.

"How are you? What's new?" He asked.

[Serena Laran]

Serena smiled, happy to see his enthusiasm for the project. "I am finding things to do around the Wheel. Teaching healing to some of the padawans who have an affinity toward it."

She paused, and said softly, "We got news about Sol." A stab of sadness ripped through her heart, but she swallowed it down. Morgan's face creased with concern. Of course he had felt it.

The Force folded itself around her and she reached into it, watching her pain float away. "He has fallen to a Sith." Even now she could not bear to name Her. "I will be leaving soon to recover his body -"

He moved to hug her again, but she intercepted his hand and held it for a moment. "The Council wants to be sure. I have to be sure." Serena took a deep breath and let it out slowly.

[Morgan Evanar]

"Oh." Morgan said, now morose. It explained the sleepless night. While the living Force was something he might never grasp, he was part of it, and not immune to it's effects. He wasn't remotely as close to Sol as Serena or some of the other Jedi, but he counted him among his friends. Morgan had found him philosophically fascinating, and a good instructor for fundamentals of the lightsaber. Although Morgan counted his knowledge about such matters as limited, Sol was a good person. Good people were rare things in difficult times. Fact of the matter was that all the Jedi could fit in the Whaladon, and they'd lost one of the most experienced Jedi, in both the Force and more importantly, in life. It was a tremendous blow.

"Do we know..." Morgan took a deep breath. Serena gave him a pained look. She knew the question and the answer, and desperately didn't want to say it. Of course it was known. Worse, the answer hurt. Sol knew exactly what he had walked into. Sol was a wise man. Sol left a parting letter.

Morgan sniffed and wiped a wet eye with his jacket sleeve. The hydrophobic garment discarded the drop. It fell to the Challenger's flight deck.

"I guess it doesn't matter much." He croaked. Sol was gone.

"Serena, who's going to tell me where to point this thing now?" He patted the lightsaber under his left arm, and laughed through the tears.

[Serena Laran]

Serena looked at his lightsaber, the memory of the trip they had taken together to complete it there in her mind like a precious jewel. She smiled at him, his emotions overflowing in the moment. They were coming from a true place deep inside him, a place of strength, not weakness.

"The Force will tell you when and where to point it," she said quietly, her face full of empathy. "I know you will be fine. You have changed so much since we first met, Morgan...and in some ways you have not altered one bit. Your heart is still the same. A good, compassionate heart. The heart of a Jedi."

[Morgan Evanar]

"Oh, I know. Thanks." Morgan said with a deep breath and a sigh. He wiped his eyes with his sleeve, and his nose with a cloth he used to keep datapad screens clean. He felt better.

"So what now?" He asked.

[Serena Laran]

"I have taught you all I can, Morgan. I have learned a lot from you as well, about what is possible. You have grown and become more than my student - I count you as friend.

"Your new assignment with the Alliance is a good fit for you, especially in these troubled times. Old enemies and new threaten the Jedi way. And you, Morgan, will face them as a Jedi Knight."

The doors to the hangar opened and people began to walk inside - a vast majority of the Jedi from the Wheel fleet, along with friends from among the Rebels.

[Zem Vymes]

It had been some time since Zem Vymes wore the traditional robes of a Jedi. It seemed for decades, it was a point of survival to abandon them. To practice the ancient arts in the dark. To hide. Run away. Recent betrayals had cut deeply; every bit as deep as they once did during Order 66. He'd run once before. Cut ties with his ways because he thought he'd protect someone close to him. He'd been a fool then. The years that followed were spent correcting that mistake.

"Morgan Evanar."

He placed a hand on the tall man's shoulder, looking aside to his master for a moment before turning back to him.

"A Jedi doesn't believe in chance. You've returned to us at a key time. Your Master believes you are ready. As do I."

[Cirrsseeto Quez]

Filing in behind the Jedi Master, Captain Raurrssatta didn't mind wearing his dress whites for this occasion. Not one bit. Saying not a single word, but daring to cast a thin, fleeting smile at his friend, he quickly found a spot behind the Jedi, standing to attention with eyes forward.

[Kala'ndryl Ryj]

Silver tipped fingers smoothed out her snugly fitted cream-colored tunic, belted over leggings in the same shade. Her father's beloved lightsaber hung over her right hip, where one hand came to rest.

On a day such as this, it should be her father here to offer words of wisdom and advice to Morgan. Not her, floating along alone.

But as he would have said, it is what the Force wills it to be. Kala entered the hanger and joined the other Jedi, standing quietly and observing, black eyes swirling in the light.

[Jamis Kerr]

He came in with Kala, uncharacteristically quiet in the presence of so many elders, and as such the boy stood close to the Nautolan halfbreed. Of course, his attentions were clearly split. Akasha's bunkmate was far more agreeable than the surly Orryxian herself, and not to mention much easier on young eyes - but still, he had never seen a knighting ceremony before. It was a conflict of interest.

But Jamis Kerr made sure to put his best behavior forward, and with eyes set forward, he watched with as much keen interest as he could spare.

[Yolie Devix]

Even she knew what an august occasion this afternoon was. They were so few, and still reeling from the recent losses. They needed this, she mused. A bit of a bright spot amidst the darkness they were all accustomed to.

Entering the hangar, Yolie tugged her black tunic into its proper place, fussing with the belt as well for a brief moment. It was the first occasion she'd had to wear her more official looking garb, as Inyos allowed her a certain amount of freedom in her everyday garments. Something for which she was thankful.

Yolie tucked herself in the back of the assembled Jedi, dark eyes observant as she took in the solemn ceremony.

[MARCUS]

MARCUS's bipedal droid module walked into the room that was assigned for the ceremony. As instructed, he did not speak, and filed as discretely as he could to the back of the room to stand alongside Captain Raurrssatta. He opted to record the proceedings in a high quality data file, due to their predicted high sentimental value.

[Ilias Nytrau]

The tall, ginger'd Jedi Knight, clad in off-white and touches of green followed most siliently along behind his charge and her newfound tagalong. The boy wasn't at all a trouble and he seemed not to do much in the way of interfering, but the googly eyes faintly reminded him of someone else he knew very well, in a time long ago, in a temple far away from here. It made the knight somewhat wistful. That aside, he blessed his lucky stars that Kala was deeming it more and more necessary as of late to behave. It almost made him simmer low with suspicion, but he thought better of it.

The hope was that every young padawan learner grew into the wisdom eventually.

Coming to a halt, he stood two feet behind Kala'ndryl and Jamis, folding his hands behind his back and setting his eyes on the scene of Morgan and Serena, laid before them all. It seemed like an age since he had last witnessed a padawan coming to be blessed with the mantle of a Knight and that was verily so - this was a marked sign of recovery from the damages of Palpatine's culling. Further, it seemed an age beyond even that since he had recieved this honor for himself. He smiled soft for the advent of another joining the ranks of those that passed on their knowledge to the growing new generation of learners.

[Mara Tallen]

The last time she'd worn her full dress uniform had been nearly a year and a half before...for the formal memorial service of her best friend and partner, whom she'd lost in the line of duty. A sobering thought thought she tried to push away. This was a much happier occasion, if still a solemn ceremony.

Fingers smoothed out the fitted forest green jacket before tugging at the hem to ensure its proper place. The crisply pressed skirt ended just above her knees, as did her adherence to protocol. Standard issue black heels had been replaced with a pair of black stilettos.

Straightening the small cap atop her pinned up auburn curls, she entered the hanger bay and quietly joined those assembled. Mara stood beside Cirr, who was clad in dress-whites, and carefully stayed out of MARCUS' way as he recorded the proceedings. She chanced a soft smile for Morgan before adopting a more stoic expression and proper posture.

[Halajiin Rabeak]

Had had been aboard the Whaladon for only a day, and so when he was told that a padawan was to be knighted, he knew his timing had been most fortunate. Tugging on a set of borrowed robes until he could be properly fitted for new ones of his own, he made haste to follow the others as they headed to the ceremony.

He could remember his own ceremony well, as it was the last time his scuffed and worn boots had been polished. But for all his rough edges and unconventional behaviors, the Nehantite entered the chamber quietly and with the utmost respect for the --

Hal paused in his tracks. He had been expecting someone in their late teens, maybe twenty or twenty-one, at most, but certainly not the man that was Morgan. Eyes going a bit wide as he looked up, and then up more at the massive knight, Hal nodded to himself that he'd have to ask later about an exercise regimen.

Later, he reminded himself, then continued on to stand a bit closer than those who had decided to hang back. A Jedi Knight should never be afraid to show his support or respect for one who had worked so hard and proven his worth, even if he'd never met him before. There had been many Jedi in the old Order which Hal had never met, but he would not have hesitated to give them thier due honor when it was called for. Clasping his paws behind his back, the yellow-furred Nehantite stood proudly, nodding a greeting to Morgan Evanar.

[Morgan Evanar]

Jedi of past years dreamed of such occasions. Morgan never gave knighthood much thought. He knew that he was the first of a new group of Jedi.

Morgan's ears grew red. He took a deep breath, and gave Zem a nod. A grin came slow.

[Ben Merasska]

Ben was hiding. At least that's what Cirr said he was doing. He always managed to come up with an excuse as to why he'd never leave the hangar bay if he could help it.

"Ben, there seems to be an issue with the power couplings leading from the main power core to the sensory array. Please direct some attention to rectifying this problem."

"Uh, sure thing, Xerxes," Ben answered, sitting up and replacing the paneling to the console which held the shielding controls. He sighed and wiped his forehead with his arm. It had been hot in the ship lately due to the climate controls going out of whack, and he'd foregone his normal attire for a black shirt that had its sleeves removed without much care for the stitching.

"What's going on out there?" he asked himself, seeing a large crowd in the center of the hangar bay.

"I do not know, Ben," Xerxes replied. Ben said something to the effect of being back in a bit, and strode out of the ship and leaned against one of the struts of his ship, watching the ceremony and enjoying the cooler temperature of the hangar bay.

"Huh," he grunted to himself. "It looks like a Jedi thing."

[Siyndacha Aerin]

Sindy had tiptoed in, bubbling with the thrill that was a whole group of Jedi in one place. And she had never witnessed someone being knighted... Papa Marezius had only told her briefly about it each time it happened in his stories and histories about the Jedi, as if it were a footnote, despite the twinge of pride in his voice that went along with the mentions. She was finding it difficult to keep her mouth clamped shut.

She wondered if, since she was going to be not just the girl with the born affinity for mechanical and electrical constructs but a Jedi, if that which was happening to the nice-looking guy would happen for her someday. That thought made her nervous and it made staying quiet that much easier and further, she wondered what kind of Jedi she would be, who would teach her or if that person would understand what she seemed to be able to do - nobody did, before and thought she was slightly nuts. She glanced subtely around at those gathered and wondered how many of them were knights, how many were masters, and how many were padawan learners. Clearly age indicated nothing if Morgan was being knighted. It threw her for a loop.

Papa would have just laughed and accepted this and been... what's the word? Congratulatory!

[Daria Nytherciria]

Daria lingered at the edge of the gathered crowd, looking from face to face, Jedi to Jedi. Few and far between where the occasions when they gathered in such numbers and were not faced with grave news. That this particular gathering was an exception to the rule made it all the more worth celebration. More than that, it was an occasion to honour a good man and one of the few people Daria could fall friend.

Morgan, the slicer, their get-away driver in the ruined praxeum of Arkania. Morgan the inquisitive, beaten bloody by his own mother. Morgan the giant, capable of embracing both Daria and Navaria side by side in his arms. Endlessly practical yet capable of feats which were bafflingly illogical. Though they saw little and less of one another, so much of their journey to this point had been shared.

Daria smiled at the sight of him, the Force shining brighter in him than ever before. She moved through the crowd towards him, sharing a small smile with the newly risen Jedi Knight as she reached his side. Like many others, she had chosen to mark the occasion by donning her robes, though the grey fabric of her long-suffering outer cloak was faded and worn. As it had been the first time she had met Morgan, on Arkania.

“Congratulations, my friend.”

[Abarai Loki]

Once the bulk of the crowd had filtered into the expansive hanger bay, Loki arrived, latching onto the tail end of the gathered spectators. It didn't sit well with him, the idea of associating himself with a mad scrum of people waiting to unceremoniously pile into a room en masse, as such he elected to take the scenic route. This decision proved beneficial, as it afforded him the opportunity to inspect a squad of training marines en route to his destination. In any case, it seemed his concerns had been misplaced, the whole affair appeared to be unfolding with due order and ceremony. He did not, however, regret his decision to err on the side of caution.

The sight inside the hanger bay was impressive, the organised congregation of Jedi and their allies, gathered to bear witness to the first Jedi knighthood to take place since the Wheel's inception. The significance of the moment was not to be understated, in Loki's opinion, and it pleased him to see that everyone had made an effort. There were smart Jedi robes and military dress whites everywhere. In his captain's uniform, Cirrsseeto was transformed, cutting a proud and striking figure amongst his peers. And, by a miracle, Halajiin Rabeak had managed to shed his typical Corellian vagrant look for the day. If he can scrub up for one day, considered the young Jedi, he can scrub up everyday.

Loki, on the other hand, was dressed in his usual fashion. Immaculately. And, as fortune had it, he'd been able to barter early passage to the Challenger on the grounds that he had a tactical review he would like to deliver personally to the captain. Now, his hair was not only pleasing to the eye, with a neat crop for the back and sides and a crest of light springy spikes on top, but also to touch and smell, courtesy of a new fresh mint treatment. The extravagance rankled his otherwise frugal Jedi sensibilities but, given the rare significance of the occassion, he considered it an acceptible exception. It was, after all, his first knighting ceremony.

[Akasha Khan]

Akasha slunk he way into the assembly near Kala and Jamis and watched the proceedings with wide, unblinking eyes. Unlike all the knights and most of the padawans in the hangar bay, she knew very little of Jedi history and had nothing with which to compare the spectacle except for the fealty ceremonies she'd witnessed in her father's court on her homeworld of Orryxia. Compared to that, there was a lot less ostentation, less noise, and a distinct lack of disemboweled animals. In her eyes, the plainness of it all was downright embarrassing. And yet there was no mistaking the solemnity of the Jedi all around her.

The young Orryxian licked her lips and watched the tall Jedi with an fascination bordering on hunger. For better or for worse, this was how the Order conferred power on its acolytes. And she wanted that, however humble she had to appear to get it.

[Serena Laran]

Serena watched Morgan's face as the other Jedi filed in, a loose circle forming around them. She took her lightsaber from it's spot on her belt and held it in her hand.

"In the past you would have spent a day and a night in meditation preceding this ceremony. In the past the Jedi Councils and the Grand Master of the Order would facilitate your transition in the Hall of Knighthood in the Temple.

"We have no Hall of Knighthood. The Council stands before you, a handful where once there were many powerful Jedi. We are at war, and cannot spare a day and a night for meditating on your future. You, Morgan Evanar, know your place in the galaxy already, and have taken steps toward it."

She held her lightsaber up, as did the other Knights in the forefront of the circle, and ignited the blade. The hangar reverberated with the sound of the lightsabers signature snap-hiss as the others followed her example.

"We are all Jedi. The Force speaks through us. Through our actions, the Force proclaims itself and what is real. Today we are here to acknowledge what the Force has proclaimed."

Serena smiled. "By the right of the Council, by the will of the Force, I dub thee, Knight of the Jedi Order."

[Navaria Tarkin]

Learning the ways of the Force as a vagabond with Drin and eventually crossing paths with Gen-Yil Kehandu on Dantooine, Navaria's education had been extensive in Jedi history and tradition. They challenged her, made her think, to debate what was and what became of the Order. To believe that the old ways could be renewed before an ensemble such as this was almost fantasy for the young Padawan, at that time. Even her own evolution had been quiet and merely accepted. Never did it once cross her mind that she would be standing with her peers, witnessing a friend rise to a Knight and strengthen the bonds within them and through the Force.

Though she could not perceive his transcendence like Daria could, she sensed how his potential had grown since the time they had last seen each other and was proud to stand and witness this momentous occasion.

Clasping a hand upon his shoulder would be difficult considering their size difference, but Navaria pat his back and gave him a bright smile. "It's good to have you back in so many ways."

Letting her arm fall, she clasped her hands before her and her smile turned into a smirk, her voice dropping a bit lower, "And you've yet to give me a proper hug since returning."

There was a pause.

"But it can wait a few more moments."

She looked to Serena with a nod to continue but the amusement had yet to leave her face entirely.

[Serena Laran]

Serena smiled at Master Tarkin, and nodded, the Knights switching off their blades and returning them to their belts. She did the same. "You have no padawan braid to sever, so the ceremony is complete. Congratulations, Knight Evanar."

She stepped forward, her eyes suddenly bright with unshed tears, and hugged him. Once she released him she moved back out of the way and the others gathered swarmed in with loud congratulations. The hangar buzzed with sudden and happy conversation.

[Morgan Evanar]

"Thank you." Morgan said with a grin that was simultaneously joyful but nervous. After all, the rest of the Jedi just handed him a big plate of expectation and responsibility.

Morgan swept up Daria and Navaria in his long arms and gave them a heartfelt hug.

"This wasn't fair, you know. Everyone else is dressed up." Morgan pouted, but it didn't last long, and he broke into a smile. The Jedi was the last person who would complain about attire.

Serena had stepped back, but Morgan returned.

"Listen." He said, very serious.

"Thank you for everything. I know I wasn't the easiest student."

[Serena Laran]

"You are more than welcome. Seeing you do well is reward enough for me." Serena squeezed his arm, and smiled. Sol would have... he would be... She let Morgan get surrounded by others, and was content to watch the merriment.

[Cirrsseeto Quez]

Cirr clapped a hand across Morgan's shoulder as the crowd all crushed in to offer their well wishes.

"Ja'irra korra nai, Morrgan."

He looked at the taller Jedi, then to Serena, and around the large room at the gathering of other Jedi and Rebels.

"jIt's a helluva thjing. jI'm prroud of you."

He gave his shoulder a squeeze, letting his praise be brief as he knew Morgan was the man of the hour.

[Halajiin Rabeak]

The ceremony section of the knighting being briefer than he'd imagined it would be, Hal glanced around at the gathered crowd, and realized time for congratulations had begun. Straightening his posture, the Nehantite cleared his throat lightly before stepping up to Morgan and shook his hand with a firm grip.

"Congratulations, fellow knight. Ours is a heavy mantle, but I'm sure you'll bear it with no problems at all," he said with a smile.

And with a build like that, you could probably bear a lot more than just a mantle. Dang, dude, where do you work out, because you are lookin' good!

Shut. Up. This is about him, not you.

Oh, yeah, right. Sorry.

Releasing Morgan's hand, Hal stepped back once more, nodding and smiling still.

[Mara Tallen]

When the press of people moved in to offer congratulations, Mara took advantage of Cirr's size and let the Cizerack lead the way. She smiled brightly, amber eyes flicking back and forth between the different Jedi and Rebels assembled for the ceremony. It was a sight to be seen, and one she'd never thought she'd be privy to witnessing.

As Cirr and then Hal stepped back, she took the opportunity to step forward. She favored Morgan with a soft smile, amber eyes dark with the presence of her beast. A warm embrace gave her time enough to whisper, "Jate'parjir at gar, Morgan...we're both proud of you."

Mara stepped back slowly, reluctance in her gaze when what she really wanted to do was kiss him. But that wouldn't be quite proper, so for once, she behaved herself.







---

There is no Mando'a phrase or word for 'congratulations' in the Karen Traviss spreadsheet, so I cobbled one together: jate = good, parjir = victory, at = to, gar = you. Literally, good victory to you, but 'congratulations' in Mara's lexicon.

[Morgan Evanar]

Morgan gave Mara a nod and a warm smile. He had quickly become acquainted with that glint in Mara's eyes. Restraint was the order of the day. No one was under any illusion that this was anything other than a small but important step. He knew this was arguably more important for the Order than it was for him. Morgan hoped he would be the first of many.

He wondered about Rhianna, and hoped she was doing well.

[Abarai Loki]

Loki was disappointed. It was over so soon, and there hadn't been much at all in the way of ceremony. Serena Laran spoke decorative words and there had been a show of lightsabers, but before he knew it, it was over. In an instant, a crush of well-wishers swarmed the newly-appointed Jedi Knight, decorum scattered to the winds in an orgy of handshakes and hugs. It had turned into a social event. In truth, he didn't know what to expect, his experience with knighting ceremonies was limited to his own, which had been anything but a ceremony. On the periphery of the crowd, he held his ground and watched, formulating the best course of action.