House Away from Home

[Sirdi Kōhō]

The disarmed light-freight perched beyond the dormitories. An YT transport constructed by the good Corellian Engineering Corp boys, its cockpit sat in the front of the saucer-like design. Styled for war, its armor boasted heavier shields than any civilian needed. The sun kissed its gray husk and made it shimmer. It was recently washed. Wind spun dust at the landing ramp, but not a blemish showed on the starship. However, the freight owner wasn’t unstained. Slouched along the ramp but held up by his elbows, the bottoms of his military-issued combat boots were blotted with the soft-soil’s mud. His black slacks were damage too. The pocket holes were worn and had slight tears at the seams. Each day in Ossus’ sun was delightful, rewarding the man opportunities to wear a simple white t-shirt. Of course, the plain white shirt was spoiled with blotches of smears. For hours the young man had tinkered with the ships engines and nav-computer. There was no telling when trouble would call and he’d have to flee to space.

The man had to be ready.

The man’s name was Sirdi. The youth of his name matched his baby face. Few hairs sprung from his face. The round brown small face bore only chin fuzz. His full curved lips, wide-bridge snub nose and cropped soft curls hadn’t a wrinkle around them. Even his thin and dark, deep set, curved almond eyes were clear. His chesnut skin had yet to feel the Ossus heat. Born somewhere other than Ossus, he was accustom to playing inside. Those fingerless gloved hands always tinkering, punching codes; they never rested. Shoulders even and relaxed, head hung back, and back warmed by the ramp, his fidgety hands idly spun a bottle of half-drunk fizzpop.

Sirdi eyed the dorms.

Since his reassignment less than four weeks ago at the local Rebel base, much had changed. When deployed, he was confused. No one he knew was stationed near the outpost. The very name Ossus was foreign to his ears. At his superior’s office, he heard the word, scrunched his face and asked if it was fungus. There was a laugh after by his guard escort, but Sirdi was still confused. Weeks prior to the reassignment Sirdi was subjected to needles & test for the opportunity to work chef at a new base. There was plenty more safety cooking nerf burgers over a fire than the frontlines. Sirdi needed that gig. When results had returned and his officer gave the dire news with a slight smirk: “We will not be taking as a chef, soldier.”

Of course, Sirdi asked why. In return, he found he’d be on inactive duty on the fringe planet.

The codexes given to him in reference to his reassignment were filled with more foreign words than just Ossus. Results of abnormal midi-chlorian counts, guides on Bothan wilderness survival tactics and spacecraft registration documents were coupled with several other miscellaneous files in the datapad during his deployment. None of it made any sense until his shuttle landed at the docking bays near his previous base. There he received reins of the YT-2000 light freight (http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/YT-2000_light_freighter), apparently inherited from an engineering grand-uncle of his whom had passed. After coordinating a flight pattern to the Auril Sector, he read more thoroughly through his test profile and diagnosis.
All the data pointed to living at the new Jedi enclave’s dormitories. But, as he sat there eyeing them weeks later he preferred his uncle’s ship.

It was home – for now.

[Wei Wu Wei]

Wei Wu Wei looked at his datapad, then at the ship a few meters away. Apparently the new recruit was supposed to have arrived days ago, but hadn't reported in. So, with time between tasks, the Jedi knight offered to check on the ship to see if Sirdi Koho was aboard.

Wei approached the ship and waved to the young man lounging on the boarding ramp. "Hi there!" Wei said. "I'm looking for a Sirdi Koho."

[Sirdi Kōhō]

When the Jedi trotted over, the recruit’s mouth was on the soda bottle's lip. He was caught mid-sip. The shock of his own name wrapped in foreign tongue paused Sirdi. Few correctly pronounced the trainee’s surname. He was impressed. He flashed a weak smile, lips still pressed to the bottle.

In a blink, he took his delayed swig of the fizz. His eyes closed to enjoy as he bottomed the cold beverage. A gulp sent the soda trickling down his hatch. Although, the carbonated after-taste wasn’t to his liking. It had to be cleared. Sirdi snorted - turning his head to the side - and spat it away. Then, returned his gaze to the Jedi. A glint sparked in the newcomer’s eye. His lips curled up for a faint grin. Quickly, he unraveled himself from his lounge on the ramp, “Sur-dee, ya dats me.”

Finally up, he patted his dirty gloved hands off on his thighs, took a few steps and reached out for a handshake. He kept eye contact. While most of his service duty was as a cook, he still was a trained soldier; he knew some of the value of first impression:

“And what’dja say ya name was, mista…?”

[Wei Wu Wei]

Wei took the handshake firmly and meet Sirdi's gaze. "Wei Wu Wei, Jedi Knight." He released the man's hand. "We were expemadecting you at the dohandhandrmitory days ago. Is everything all right?"

The Force Cripple looked over the ship. It was in fantastic shape. He pulled some of the shaggy hair out of his face and made a visor with his hand to block out some of the glinting sunlight.

[Sirdi Kōhō]

Sirdi's left brow jumped at the term Jedi Knight. In the core worlds few dare whispered about the old religious cult. If they did, it was in a curse or grumbles of yester-years and their horrible ways. However, this man wore the badge of honor proudly.

Inspite the dossier full explanation Sirdi's purpose on the planet, and his awareness, he still was quite unfamiliar with the kooky ways the fringers spoke about in his travels. He was wary, but he made sure not to show it. Instead, he pocketed his hands, kept his shoulders relaxed and glanced over his shoulder as the Jedi inspected his ride.

"Yaa, its my uncles," he nodded proudly at his handy work. Sirdi was sure to keep it in tip-top shape. "Good on d'eyes now, since I'm livin 'ere, ya know?"

Sirdi turned about, cocking his head, a smirk telegraphing his purpose, "I bet you live around 'ere too, eh?"

[Wei Wu Wei]

Wei looked at the sleeves of his sapphire blue tunic--one of the few tunics he received from his wife and had managed to keep in decent repair over the years. He could relate.

"Yes, I live in the dormitories over there," Wei said, pointing. "And soon enough, so will you. You won't have to share living quarters. It's not a barracks, after all." He smiled. "But we can get you settled into a room last. Come, let's get you acquainted with the rest of it. You can leave your things here for now. We'll come back for them when we're finished with the tour."

[Sirdi Kōhō]

His lips scrunched up at the middle as Wei said dorms. The barrack life was a pain. Sirdi knew first hand. Close quarters, where a neighbor could hear a sneeze, weren't very private.

Yet, he knew better than start a disagreement here.

Sirdi stepped from the ramp snagging his fizz bottle, "Aiite," he nodded. "Let's go"

[Wei Wu Wei]

"Behind us the road extends to the Alliance base. Off to our left, you'll find where the Cizari keep their base and personnel. You will likely only deal with those two places on an 'as needed' basis. First along here are some of the warehouses where we keep materials we need for construction. The Cantina is on the left and the restaurant on the right. These are the only two places you can get a bite or grab a drink if you don't like going to the mess hall." Wei paused. "Well, there's a second cantina closer to the mess hall. Still, your options are somewhat limited."

Wei paused in the tour as the walked by. The buildings were pretty well spaced out, and he figured he could wait until they were almost upon them to describe them.

"So, do you have any questions about why you're here, or about the Jedi Order?"

Wei was comfortable with silence, but wasn't so sure Sirdi would be. It seemed to Wei that a good way to help him with any discomfort (and avoid long periods of silence) would be to let him ask questions.

[Sirdi Kōhō]

When he flew over in his uncle's YT light freighter he surveyed the settlement from above. There wasn't much on Ossus, but without the coordinates the stronghold would have been hard to find. Now that he stood amidst the outpost, his presumptions were verified. The colony would grow. But, in the meantime, there would be some growing pains. As Wei pointed down the trails at the few keypoints, Sirdi's surveying eyes glazed over.

He drifted.

His mind to wondrous cities the Alliance had sent him to. Druckenwell brandished massive buildings. The industrious planet of the Doldur sector always bustled. Each nights was filled with several swooping speeder's hum and the drums of commoner's feet. The cantinas were often filled. And, the mornings were even louder. Each face along those memorable streets held origins in wayfar lands or deep stories. Sirdi had grown accustom to the hustle. Things were a changing.

Sirdi returned to reality as Wei's voice raised at the end of a sentence. The man had asked a question. Quickly, he had to come up with something - anything - to show his interest. "Yea," he blinked, side-eying the cantina down the beaten path. The gears in his head shifted.

"Can I drink?"

[Wei Wu Wei]

Wei raised an eyebrow. Did Sirdi mean he wanted a drink now? Wei scratched his head. "After a long day, if you would like a drink, you're welcome to it. I'm sure if the Jedi Council didn't want Jedi to drink, they would have demanded the cantina be moved to the Alliance base. We can drop in and see after we get you settled."

They walked past the Cantina to a few buildings and turned right. The road stretched out a little bit. "What do you know about the Jedi so far?" he asked.

[Sirdi Kōhō]

The Clone Wars spanned 3 Galactic Standard years and swept over hundreds of planets. Beyond the Old Republic's governance in the Outer Rim Territories the love and knowledge of Jedi were different. Following the fall of the Jedi Order in 19 BBY, the Galactic Empire’s anti-jediism removed most of the valor believed by the war worlds. From Anaxes to Ryloth, Sirdi heard the grumbles from elders as to how unbelievable the Jedi were. However, the ridicule the Old Jedi Order’s dissolution stained on the people, in spite the Jedi’s services were deep. Most of the insults were cultural; jedi became a prefix for curse words. There was little ever expounded upon. All Sirdi knew was how truly troubling the Jedi history had been.

“Eeh, I know ye guys are kinda kooky, right?”

One brow rose as his eyes were pulled his glare from the cantina. “Like religious ‘n frell – I didn’t kno’ if alcohol was one of ye guy’s things, ya know…”

[Wei Wu Wei]

Kooky? Religious? Wei had to admit, he had no idea how people nowadays saw the Jedi Order. On Talus, no one discussed the Jedi since Wei's one stunt involving Darth Vader. But from the time he had "checked out" to the time he re-joined the Order, he wasn't sure what people thought. Sirdi's honest answer was enlightening. It spoke to how well the Imperial propaganda machine had destroyed and distorted what people understood about the Jedi. Wei had grown up around Jedi philosophy and culture, so of course it seemed perfectly normal to him.

"Well, I suppose a lot of what we do looks strange to people on the outside," Wei started, "but religious? Our philosophy isn't really like the Trandoshan religion involving Scorekeeper, or the Tusken Raiders' veneration of Tatooine's twin suns. The Force is different from those gods--even though it touches every element of life in the galaxy. We do have a Code we live by, though."

Wei paused. "I can explain it, but it's something you likely won't entirely understand until you experience it. But in time, you will." He smiled. "Ah! Here's the Med center on our left, the dorms on our right, and the Jedi Library, Council chambers, and other rooms reserved for teaching again on the left."

[Sirdi Kōhō]

The young recruit brow rose as he listened. He walked alongside the Jedi, but head was held at a distance as he scrutinized his words. Although Sirdi read the manuals, description and data on what the Alliance of Free Wolds knew of the Jedi, he found it hard to believe. He had to see it for himself. The ability to make rocks and ships levitate seemed far-fetch. It seemed even stranger to believe he was capable of such feats.

Even as the Jedi rattled on, explaining the differences between Trandoshians (which Sirdi knew only as hunters) and Tusken Raiders (Sirdi had only been to Tatooine once. Not a pleasurable experience, but he kept to the cities), he was more concerned with how long his stay would be. Being on inactive duty freed up his schedule, but his assignment still mandated he remained under the Jedi tutelage.

The young man was suppose to learn something there.

"Teachings? About wha'??"

[Wei Wu Wei]

"About the Force. How to sense it. How to call on it to aid you. You'll learn to use a lightsaber. You'll also understand balance, peace, and how to you stay rooted in both."

Wei took a deep breath. "Ultimately, you will become an agent of peace and balance in the galaxy. It will take time, discipline, and care. But when you are fully trained, with the Force as your ally, you will be unshakeable, incorruptible--a symbol of hope for the entire galaxy."

Wei laughed. "No pressure. By the time you get to that point in your training, nothing will bother you."

[Sirdi Kōhō]

As per usual, Sirdi was skeptical. While Wei talked he still raised his brow, upturned his lips and side-eyed. "Sounds too good ta be tru..."

A bratty look a way took the young man's eye to the mess hall down the street. Inside his ship there was a bit of food left. Although rations were good for travel, it wasn't much for enjoyment.

"What bout..groceries, ya kno' I like food.." He rubbed his belly with a smile, "..as much as de next guy"

[Wei Wu Wei]

Wei laughed. "Even Jedi have to eat! The mess hall is where you get your meals. The dormitories don't offer much in terms of cooking, but if that's something you like to do, just speak to the staff. Of course, bear in mind, they are always looking for new recipes.and the like. If you have any secret recipes, you're likely going to have to share it if you want to cook it."

He gestured at the mess hall. "Let's get a quick bite and we can talk more about anything you care to know."

[Sirdi Kōhō]

"Yeaa," Sirdi took the first step. A snort cleared his throat, and straighten his back. "I use ta be a chef." The two neared the mess hall door, but at this point Sirdi seemed relieved and reached to open it out of courtesy. A group from inside was reaching to open it at the same time. After a quick laugh, he waited and entered with Wei.

"Man, how many folks are at dis settlement??"

[Wei Wu Wei]

"You know, I'm not sure. A couple hundred, I suppose? I'm not terribly good at numbers." He chuckled as a few younglings darted around him and Sirdi. "Enough to make you feel like you're not alone, but not so many you feel cramped and crowded." Wei shooed off the little ones.

"I've noticed this is a big adjustment for you. Where were you before you came here?"

[Sirdi Kōhō]

"The last last place?" Sirdi jumped in line and grabbed a tray. His eyes shot up as one scrunch, the gears working there way around his head. "I been alotta places latelee, but uh last" He grabbed up some utensils. Whatever they serve, he knew he'd need those. Or, at least he hoped he would.

"Naboo. Evah been?"

[Wei Wu Wei]

A short while ago. I was there for..." Wei paused only a second. "training. Got into trouble with the Imperial Inquisitoriate. Barely got away. What did you do on Naboo?"

Yes, best to leave it at that. Sirdi had enough to process without having to deal with the notion of Force Ghosts too.

"Were you cooking?"

[Sirdi Kōhō]

The line moved up a bit. He laid his tray on the rail and listened. At the word Inquisitoriate, his lips scrunched. It was foreign. As his mouth agaped to speak, the question was raised to him.

"Ya," he smiled. "Somethin like that."

There was little more to it, but Sirdi liked the idea of being mysterious.

[Wei Wu Wei]

"Fair enough, good chef!"

Wei reached for a bowl of bean paste, but it floated beyond his grasp. He followed the bowl's path to the outstretched palm of one of the Padawans.

"Mind you I don't activate my lightsaber and give you a lesson you won't soon forget!" He tried to look and sound angry, but the smile wouldn't leave his eyes.


A fresher, hotter bowl floated onto his tray from the kitchen.

"Balance in the Force!" He chuckled. "Better grab a bowl before this batch floats away too!"

[Sirdi Kōhō]

Sirdi watched in quiet awe as he grabbed up his own bowl from the stack. Children's hands waved and utensils flew. Spoons, forks and bowls jumped by the pull off invisible strings to the kids' trays. They smiled at one another continuing chatter and banter.

Sirdi eyed them all. Behind his eyes there was an intensity. He fixed his glare on an older man whose right palm was face side up. A bowl twirled mid air above the hand. A slight grunt escaped Sirdi gut as the bowl finally eased down on the man's plate.

"I sure coulda used that when I was cooking." He turned his head to Wei.

"What is it?"

[Wei Wu Wei]

"The Force!"

Wei pointed to the Jedi in training about him. "When I was a Padawan, these kinds of exercises weren't allowed, but there's no real harm in it, as long as no one gets hurt. The only way to achieve mastery is to practice, and nearly any kind of practice will do." He took a couple cups and filled them with water. "That being said, training to be a Jedi takes the most serious mind and the deepest commitment. It's more than learning to make things float: there's a great deal of responsibility underpinning the use of these abilities."

[Sirdi Kōhō]

The recruit grabbed his cup and placed it on the tray. The two men edged closer to the end of the line. In Sirdi's bowl there was something that looked like bantha meat. He wasn't sure. The slop thrown together was stacked with delicious red sauce and beans. It was a strange concoction with a sweetness for the nose case by a sprinkling of spices. Whatever it was, it'd be as unusual as the adventure he had began to embark as a new settler of the Jedi Order.

After snagging a straw, he yanked his eyes away from grazing over the magical hand waving and back to the Jedi Knight.

"Yaa, but de floatin' has gotta be pretty cool," he smiled, and elbowed Wei.

"When am I gunna learn dis stuff..?"

[Wei Wu Wei]

"Well, the techniques will begin after you have been assigned your quarters in the dormitories and we've gotten your robes and things. We can begin the philosophical portion now, though," the Jedi Knight replied. "Like I said, there's a lot of responsibility that goes along with this training. Having the right mindset before you begin will help you in your training."

The Jedi Knight considered it for a moment. He had never had a Padawan before, and even though he had taught lightsaber drills with Loki a few times, he had never been in a position to introduce a recruit to the ways of the Jedi. He wanted to get it right. After all, the path to becoming a Jedi Master wasn't like taking a trip from Corellia to Tatooine, when any number of routes would take you to the same place. No, when it came to Jedi training, where you started very much determined where you ended.

[Sirdi Kōhō]

"Assigned," he grabbed his tray and headed over to three nearest table. "But I thought I could jus' stay n de ship.." Sirdi's voice trailed off as he watched the room. Men, women, children were everywhere. Most were trained to a degree.

"So what's did bout right mind set, eh? Like–" Sirdi mocked a pray, eyes closed and hands pressed as he fauxed peacefulness.

Then, he smirked.

"Like that?"

[Wei Wu Wei]

Wei sent a smirk right back at Sirdi. "Sure," he said.

"Honestly, calm looks like most of the people around here," he said, "when you're around people who are like this, content in their circumstances and not easily upset by change to any degree, you learn to gain those qualities for yourself. Which is why you're going to be living in the dormitories. It'll help you get used to the lifestyle."

Wei set a cup of water in between them, polished off the last spoonful of bean paste from his bowl and set that between them, too. "Let's talk about the Force for a minute." He recalled the wisdom of his past teachers, and began. "Life creates it--makes it grow. It surrounds us. It binds us. Some say the Force is life itself. We Jedi are sensitive to it; we can tell when all is as it should be. We also are aware of when something goes wrong. The Force can be twisted--brought out of balance by those who don't care about life, but only about themselves."

[Sirdi Kōhō]

Sirdi leaned back in the chair. He listened. Actively. When Wei brought up the others sitting, he glanced about. Everyone did seem at ease. It was an idea of peace very rarely recognized amongst the mass populous. The idea itself forced a light grin across Sirdi's face. Yet, when the conversation turned to the Force, his brows narrowed. He focused. The concept was peculiar. It seemed like holistic doctrine; a spiritual development most spacers didn't delve into.

"So ye sayin' selfish laserbrains ruin de flow of everything?" An amused grunt escaped Sirdi.

He whispered to himself, "Bet dats true.."

[Wei Wu Wei]

"Yes, actually. On a small scale, that's exactly how that goes. On a larger scale, the consequences can be more severe."

Wei was glad to see Sirdi catch on so fast.

"To help guide our thoughts and actions in stewardship of the Force, we have a Code we follow. The Jedi Code is this: there is no emotion. There is peace. There is no ignorance. There is knowledge. There is no passion. There is serenity. There is no chaos. There is harmony. There is no death. There is the Force."

The Force Cripple paused to catch his breath. "Five pairs of statements make up the entire foundation of all we do. Though they are simple on the surface, their depth of meaning have given centuries of Jedi Masters plenty to meditate upon."

Wei held up a hand. "We don't have to discuss the Code in depth today, but we will certainly discuss it later, when you formally begin your training."

[Sirdi Kōhō]

"And when's that?"

His brows jumped up and he ate his food. Between chomps, he grabbed for a nearby napkin to swipe any slop from his face.

"Cuz I'm ready"

[Wei Wu Wei]

"Then let's get you settled in. We'll cut the tour short. You'll have time to explore on your own later, anyway."

Not a half hour later, Sirdi had a datapad with the philosophy and history of the Jedi Order, a room in the dormitories, and a set of fresh Jedi robes. All that was left was to either enroll him in group classes our see if there were any Knights or Masters that had time to take a Padawan.

[Sirdi Kōhō]

The fresh robes looked strange. When Sirdi's looked them over he couldn't help but think of strange cults. The dormitories weren't bad. They were accommodating. For years, Sirdi had become accustom to the barrack life. It seemed no different, just more domestic. However, as he scrolled through the info on the datapad he was sure he had signed up for an academic internship. The reports were extensive.

"When's class start," he groaned, eyeing the datapad.

[Wei Wu Wei]

"Tomorrow," Wei chuckled at the groan in Sirdi's voice. "Don't worry about reading all the information on that datapad at once. You'll cover all of it eventually." Wei paused and glanced down the dormitory hallway, as though whatever he was going to say next was in sight a few meters down. "Right! Since you're a learner now, you will be called 'Padawan.' So if someone says that, and you're the only one around, they may be talking to you. Most of the higher ranked Jedi here are Knights, like myself. There are a few Jedi Masters in our ranks (they're the highest ranking Jedi), but as a Padawan, it's proper that you refer to everyone above you as 'Master Last Name.' Then, when you become a Jedi Knight yourself, Padawans will call you Master. Jedi Knights and Masters usually refer to each other as 'Master' as well. You get used to it."

Wei pointed at the datapad again. "You should have your schedule. If you get lost, don't worry. People around here are more than happy to help."

[Sirdi Kōhō]

Sirdi pocketed the datapad. A slight frown down turned his lips as he gazed down the dorm hallway with Wei. the groan which escaped him echoed. The halls were empty. A quiet bestowed by midday shuffles and outdoor play fell upon the dorms. It was going to be something to get use to, a long with the rest of the unusual customs of Jedihood.

"Sounds like boarding school," Sirdi mumbled as he stared down the hall. Then, he turned his head aback.

"But, ok - Master Wei. I guess I'll be seein' you tomorrow then, eh?"

[Wei Wu Wei]

"First thing. Exercise, meditation, aaaaand your very first lightsaber lesson. Form I, Shii-Cho. The Way of the Sarlaac. The Determination Form." The Jedi Knight chuckled. "Apparently ancient Jedi really loved having names for the different styles." He pointed at the data pad. "There's information on all seven of the Forms in there, along with a handful short demonstration videos I shot to demonstrate some of the differences in the first six. Form VII is dangerous, and after some deliberation, I have decided to restrict information on it."

"For now, look around, watch some lessons, play with the younglings. Don't hesitate to ask anyone for anything you might need or want to know. And again, welcome to the Jedi Order."

Wei bowed to Sirdi and took his leave of the new recruit. He had high hopes for Sirdi Koho.