Tús Nua [Rhianna]

[Serena Laran]

Serena knelt in the garden plot beside her tent, a ten by ten area of soft dirt and herbs from what she considered her home planet. The seeds Rhianna had given her had been cultivated first in the hydroponic garden, and then here, once things were stable enough that she could be sure a construction crew wasn't going to stomp through it without looking. Her hair was braided and pinned to her head, her usual Jedi robes set aside in favor of dark brown pants and a green tunic.

She looked up at the sound of a soft footstep, and smiled, shading her eyes against the warm Ossus sun. "Rhianna, I'm glad you came. Look, they're doing so well here." Serena tugged on a leaf, and then pushed herself up to her feet to greet her padawan with a hug.

[Rhianna]

It was past midday when Rhianna had completed enough work that she did not feel guilty about letting someone else take over. While some might view their little growing colony as rustic, it was this very aspect that had engaged Master Laran's padawan. Living off the land, being responsible for the care and feeding of many people, this was familiar ground to her. Rhianna had been helping out however she could, but the mess hall needed the most of her time. So she tried to start each day by getting up early and helping out there from before breakfast, until around this time of day.

Picking her way through the little city of tents, she made her way to where her master had set up her own dwelling. Today she too was absent of Jedi apparel, and dressed in her own unique (http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h227/Drakania/rhianna7_zpsfa02ecdb.jpg) clothing. After returning her master's hug and greeting, Rhianna peeked around her at the little plot of dirt that was quickly becoming an impressive garden. Already the patch was sprouting with little rows of twisting ground cover, and tidy green stems pushing up through the soil. A smile of part pleasure, and part satisfaction brightened her already sunny expression.

"Good afternoon, Master Sámh. They are coming along nicely!"

With her staff in one hand Rhianna walked mindfully along the perimeter inspecting the plants that had come from her home. Their home. Her master had lived among the Tincéir people long enough to be counted as one of them, their healer and holy woman all in one, in fact.

"A little piece of the Dhomanda A'lainn right here on Ossus..", she said, kneeling beside a some herbs that were rather unimpressive looking from the top. They were like some kind of stunted, dried-up heads of a leafy vegetables, but it was what was hidden deep in the soil that would be of use. The crushed juices of the buried roots would eventually make a cure-all tea for many ailments. It was bitter and awful to taste, but there was no denying it's healing power.

[Serena Laran]

"I cannot thank you enough for bringing these with you to Ossus," Serena said, smiling and brushing any residual dirt off her hands. "Between this and what you have planted in the hydroponics garden we will soon be overflowing with familiar herbs." She stepped over the short wire fence that kept the gokobs out of the plot, and added, "Will you walk with me a moment?"

[Rhianna]

Her first concern had been that if the seeds and clippings that she had preserved from her world did not take root in unfamiliar soil that they would lose their one chance to cultivate and grow the medicines she was familiar with. It had been a relief to learn that not only could the hydroponics garden almost always sprout the seeds, but that the specimens she had brought could also be replicated somehow, new ones created from them indefinitely. Rhianna did not understand the science behind it, but in theory if this was done they might never run out! It was such a wonderful skill they had.

Coming back around to the front of the garden, Rhianna nodded. "Of course."

Falling into step beside her master, she followed her along the path.

[Serena Laran]

They walked in companionable silence for a minute or two, passing the dorms and heading toward the Jedi Council chambers. Serena pointed out a group of younglings playing in the grass with a ball, an older padawan overseeing them. "We have grown so much since the early days. At the time I found Vortex so hard to leave, but look at us now. I couldn't have imagined such a camp - almost a town now, and a safe place for those who wish to become Jedi to gather." She lifted her face toward the sun, drinking in the warmth.

"And you, you have grown much as well, Rhianna. Maybe not in size," she smiled, "but in knowledge and strength. I am proud of you."

[Rhianna]

Looking to where her master pointed out the younglings at play, Rhianna sent a smile their way, watching their game for a time as she kept walking, and listening to Sámh. She understood about Vortex. After leaving her own home for the first time, it had been the first place they had settled that had really felt like it could become a new place to call home, and for a while it had.

The ball came rolling their way and Rhianna stepped off the path for a moment to catch it and toss it back into the game, giving the group a little wave before she rejoined her master.

"Thank you, master. That means a lot to me." She stopped at her side to show her gratitude for her master's words. Serena was the closest thing to family that Rhianna had, apart from distant cousins on a far off world. What Sámh thought was very important to her.

She knew that the lapse in her training had been a cause for concern, and had tried to compensate for her absence by keeping pleasantly busy now. When she was not under her master's direction, or training on her own she was trying to find some other way to fill her time with purpose.

[Serena Laran]

Serena looked at Rhianna, and then smiled, breaking the serious feeling of the moment. "Come on, we are almost there." She nodded with her head toward the natural formation the Jedi had been carefully cultivating into an amphitheater. The land rose gently, and then dipped down in a slightly lopsided half circle which was being shaped into grassy steps. The master and padawan walked down the slope around the edge until they were standing at the bottom, looking up at where Jedi would sit for meetings or celebrations that required everyone attend.

"Soon we will have enough Jedi to fill this space," Serena mused.

[Rhianna]

It seemed that during her return to her home world, Rhianna had missed a lot. There were many unfamiliar faces that had been discovered during her absence. New Jedi and also dlúthchara, friendly allies, from both the Alliance and others. The faces she kept waiting to see had yet to make an appearance, but she had not lost hope. She would see her friends again. The day they were all here, old friends and new. That would be the day Sámh spoke of.

It was a lot for Rhianna to take in, so she could only imagine how much it more it must be for her master to try to process, after everything that she had been through from her exile forward to this point in time. Once there had been many Jedi, one day there would be again, and she was proud to be a part of that. Standing at the top of the rise that lead downward into the amphitheater, she could see it filled with people in her mind, all diverse, but each devoted to the same purpose.

"It's like... building a new clann.", she remarked on her thoughts as they reached the bottom.

[Serena Laran]

"Exactly so," Serena agreed. She turned to face Rhianna, taking one of her hands in her own as people began to filter into the amphitheater. A bit of surprise, a bit of theatrics, she enjoyed the momentary look of confusion on the other woman's face. "You are one of the first, Rhianna, of this new generation of Jedi Knights. You have constructed your own lightsaber, and have completed your training. You are no longer my padawan, but an equal.

"I can see forward to the day when you will promote your own padawan in front of the Jedi Order." Serena hugged the newly minted Jedi Knight, and then stepped back to allow others to offer their words of encouragement and congratulations.

[Vaikhari Twiceborn]

Among the well-wishers invited to the makeshift amphitheatre was the Guardian who had been a travelling companion to Serena and Rhianna, in the months past. Vaikhari Twiceborn. He had made few acquaintances on Ossus since their arrival; the lure of the wilderness was too great to deny and it was a small wonder that he'd not worn out the soles of his boots in all the walking he had done. Still, there were familiar faces in the crowd who had come to congratulate Rhianna. It was a fine day for it, with the sun high and bright in the sky. Its light on his face, warmth suffused through Vaikhari and when he Breathed – drawing upon what Rhianna and her kin called the Force – he felt at peace.

Leaning on his staff as he got to his feet, Vaikhari paced over to the two Jedi. As Serena took a step back from Rhianna, the Guardian beamed a broad smile full of warmth.

“The bards will sing songs about this day.”

[Ndonsa]

Ndonsa sat near the top of the bowl, watching the proceedings. She had seen the female Rhianna around the town often, mostly working with plants. This "knighting ceremony" was somewhat similar to a coming of age ceremony among her tribe, with specific actions completed in order to be declared a man, or a Knight as it was now. She wondered if there would be a feast and dancing later.

[Akasha Khan]

Akasha, too, lingered near the back of the amphitheater, seeing as she no longer needed to get close to see what was happening. It was the second knighting ceremony she had attended, and it was no less austere than the first. Idly she wondered if she would still be on Ossus for her own ceremony, or if Lord Callidus would call upon her first. Being made a Knight would be nice, but the Orryxian had her eyes on larger prizes.

[Rev Solomon]

Reverend Solomon stepped out from the gathering crowd to greet Rhianna with a one-armed embrace. Though he had only briefly met her, he knew how she had accompanied Serena to Generis to search for him when he was lost, and as Serena's student, he considered her as family.

"Síocháin a thabhairt duit," he said to her, and as they parted he added, "May God go with you in all the paths you walk."

[Rhianna]

Some had already been sitting around the amphitheater site already, as if waiting for something. Rhianna did not find anything peculiar in this. It was not unusual to find people here. If nothing else the site was a nice place to sit quietly, perhaps envision the possibilities of filling the space with many Jedi in the near future, as she and Sámh had just been. It was not even strange to see people that she knew among the expectant few, but when Sámh took her hand and began to say more.. Rhianna was pretty sure she was might have stood gaping momentarily. A sudden blush of pink blossomed on her cheeks to be so thoroughly, pleasantly, caught off her guard but she recovered quickly in time to return her master's hug.

Despite the honor she was being given, Rhianna felt sure she had a very long way to go before she would truly be an equal to the Banfáith she had known for so long. Still, if Sámh felt she was ready, then that was what she would be.

"Thank you, Master Sámh.", she said stepping back to give her her master a bow. "I am not done with you yet. The road to your experience and wisdom has been long and perilous. Not easily caught up to, I think."

Turning to Vaikhari, Rhianna returned his smile. Her friend was more right than he knew. Back on her home world they had been reciting stories about Rhianna and Serena both, and their fight against the Coimhthíochs. The Strangers. The Empire. With that in mind, she was trying her best to live up to their heroic standards set for her. "Thank you..", she tipped her head graciously, happy that he could be here with her today. They had been through much together in a very short span of time, and her trust in him had not been misplaced.

Catching up Sol in a return hug, she was suddenly overcome with a moment of humble thanks. She had lost people, as had they all, but they had also been given much to be grateful about. Like each other.

"Agus a bhfuil tú, Athair Solomon.", she said as she too stepped back giving him a respectful bow.

[Zem Vymes]

Zem approached the two as they entered the amphitheater, greeting Rhianna with a bow.

"Greetings to you, young Knight."

While many things had changed from the old ways, this was nevertheless a moment of great portent. Once, the Jedi Order minted dozens of new Knights at a time. Now, their numbers were fewer. Each Jedi who made the serious commitment to make it this far was a blessing.

"Your master's praise of your talents has been glowing, Rhianna. You've done all that has been asked, and learned much in a short time."

Zem looked to Serena with a knowing smile, and back to her ascended pupil.

"You will find that this is only the beginning of your learning. A Knight's discoveries lie within. These truths can only be discovered by you."

[Anbira Hicchoru]

Anbira filed into the amphitheater, clad in his armor and over-robe. His normally wild hair was drawn back into a simple ponytail, and he took a seat adjacent to Akasha to watch this momentous occasion. It made him think of his time on Felucia, and his training in solitude. In that desperate time, there had been no milestone to pass. There was no ceremony. That the Jedi could afford to rekindle such traditions spoke volumes to their nascent order.

The Jedi Hermit wondered what Tionne would think of this. She was always set in her ways, one foot in the old traditions, and another elsewhere. He missed his friend.

[Draiya Naaianeya]

Clad in her black tunic and with her hair drawn back, Draiya made her way to the amphitheater as had been requested. She sought out the place where Loki was seated, taking her place to his right.

"One of the Padawans is becoming a Knight?"

She had an eager look to her, sitting on the edge of her seat to watch the Jedi acknowledge the ascension of another member of their order. Draiya thought of her own training, and hoped that she too would one day be able to join the auspicious ranks of the Jedi Knights.

[Hwooroc]

Not quite understanding the protocol involved, an enthusiastic Hwooroc bounded to the dais where Rhianna was being congratulated, and beamed his adoration.

"Augauauuf hnngraaauu!"

She was Serena's student, and Serena was an amazing teacher! He hoped one day to follow in Rhianna's example, and he wished her the best.

"Gnnnaaaaauuuuuwawaauu!"

Wookiees didn't shake hands. Wookiees hugged! Hwooroc wrapped his arms around her waist in a kid-sized embrace.

[Rhianna]

"Go raibh maith agat, Master Vymes.", she thanked the Jedi Master, accompanied with a respectful bow.

If his words seemed cryptic to her now, she did not let it bother her too much. She found that most things could only be understood in their own time. Rhianna fully expected to know the meaning of the words in her own time, by looking within herself if she understood the Jedi Master correctly.

However she would have responded, it was quickly sidetracked as two furry arms closed snugly around her waist. Since the amphitheater was not yet complete and the ceremony, so far, had not exactly been standing upon any kind of formality, Rhianna gave into the laughter that bubbled up. She did not yet understand Wookiespeak, having just become proficient with Basic herself, but the younglings enthusiasm for her promotion did not really require translation. She understood his meaning just fine. Tucking her own arm around his shoulders, Rhianna returned the squeeze.

"..and thank you too, Hwooroc.", she smiled down at him.

[Abarai Loki]

"Rhianna has earned herself a place amongst the Jedi Knights."

Perched, as he was, on the outermost rung of the ampitheatre, Loki watched the people below with reserved curiosity. It was a strange thing, and he was undecided as to whether or not a knighting ceremony should be a more formal sort of celebration, or something very private. In any case, it was social gathering, which he traditionally made a point of avoiding; that it was also an auspicious occassion for the Jedi left him conflicted on the matter. He'd been present the moment Morgan Evanar became a Jedi Knight, and that was a similar sort of affair, which he'd fled swiftly thereafter. His plan, as it stood, was to bear witness to the knighting, offer a quiet congratulations when the host of well-wishers dispersed, and vanish before they started to... mingle.

"Draiya Naaianeya, you would do well to follow her example. Jedi Knight Rhianna did not punch her fellows at breakfast."

[Draiya Naaianeya]

"It was a Battle Rreadiness Test!"

Looking wounded by the rebuke, Draiya pouted. She'd hoped that Loki would approve of her unorthodox methods! After all, if a Jedi wasn't prepared for unseen dangers to arise at a moment's notice, then they were hardly ready for an unforgiving galaxy beyond. Still, Loki didn't appear to be swayed. He apparently held the status of a Jedi Knight to another ideal.

[Serena Laran]

Serena grinned at Hwooroc's enthusiasm, and carefully pried him off of Rhianna, holding the youngling by the shoulders in front of her. "Let us give everyone room," she murmured to him, stepping back and bringing him with her.

[Daria Nytherciria]

It felt like a lifetime ago that Daria and Rhianna had first met on Arkania (http://sw-fans.net/forum/showthread.php?15161-Foundations-in-Light). In many ways, that meeting had been the precursor to everything that surrounded them now. Together, they had taken the first tentative steps towards restoring the Jedi Order. At times, it felt like no amount of caution would be enough to ensure safety, even in their small numbers – and yet here they all were.

Mostly, the Miraluka thought to herself, her blind-eyes failing to pick out the auras of Morgan Evanar or young Wyl Staedtler as they swept across the gathering. The Force works as the Force wills.

She walked down the steps of the amphitheatre and approached the newly risen Jedi Knight.

“An honour well deserved,” Daria said, dipping her head to Rhianna.

[Abarai Loki]

"It was a Battle Rreadiness Test!"

"Oh? And what of your own battle readiness, Draiya Naaianeya?"

There was a dull thud as the palm of his hand met the back of her head. It wasn't a violent blow; there had been just enough firmness to drive his point into the padawan's stubborn thick skull.

"Look to your own faults, padawan, before illuminating the shortcomings of your peers. That is my job."

He stood, and cast a glance back at the pouting padawan.

"Come, we should congratulate the new Jedi Knight."

[Draiya Naaianeya]

"Ow." Draiya grimaced, her dark expression having no outlet and no recourse as she was soundly rebuked by the Jedi trainer. Her cheeks reddened in a brief physical admission of shame, and only when Loki bid her to follow did she do so, reluctantly. Waiting behind Loki gave her a moment or two to sulk staring at her feet, and she self-corrected her attitude when they approached Rhianna.

She bowed in a perfectly textbook and polite manner.

"Congrratulations on yourr prromotion." Draiya's eyes met the red-head, hoping Rhianna hadn't been witness to her rebuke.

[Abarai Loki]

"Jedi Knight Rhianna," Loki greeted her with a curt nod, "Congratulations."

[Rhianna]

Turning to the sound of a familiar voice, Rhianna's already cheerful expression brightened further to find Daria among the faces coming forward to wish her well. Returning the gesture to the blind Jedi, she knew that her friend would be aware of the action, having sight beyond what physical eyes could see.

"Go raibh maith agat, Daria.." Rhianna wanted to say more than just a simple thanks, but there were others offering her their best wishes too. Later, she would find the time to seek out the Miraluka Jedi so that they could sit and catch up properly.

Giving her attention to the Jedi Knight and his padawan, Rhianna returned the nod, unaware of any of their previous discussion. "Thank you. Both of you.", she smiled to them.

Knight Loki's padawan did not appear sullen, or melancholy, but she did seem to carry a lingering sense of chagrin about her. Rhianna did not think that it had anything to do with her, or the impromptu ceremony, and yet she wanted everyone here to feel as filled with hope for the future as she did.

"I expect the amphitheater will be more complete for the next padawan on the rise.", she commented, looking to Draiya speculatively.

[Kazahan]

"Which will be this one, of course."

Despite the confidence oozing through his statement, Kazahan the Trianii didn't do more than simply his feline smile and bow courteously to Rhianna. It wasn't bravado or arrogance that had him speak so; he simply knew that his rise to the top was inevitable. Sooner or later he'd be there, getting knighted, getting mastery, and from there...

The Trianii laughed.

"Unless it is not this one. We will see. Kazahan congratulates you on your advancement."