Log:Jedi Order: One Path Among Many
Jedi Master Qutha Buvu Pah offers some insights to Jedi Padawan Zalon Bo.
OOC Date: June 18, 2024
Location: Nar Shaddaa
Participants: Qutha Buvu Pah, Zalon Bo
Some time ago a message was sent along to Jedi Master Qutha Buvu Pah. That message was a simple request for his presence in the Jedi Order's hidden sanctuary on the Smuggler's Moon, from the Padawan of the Wookiee Jedi Master Garo(wwooka). While the message was sparse on the details related to the request, it did at least mention there were some questions to be had regarding lightsabers and their construction. Or reconstruction in this case.
The meditation chamber of the clandestine hold is where the Padawan can be found. The purple furred Lasat seated with his legs folded among one another and his hands resting upon his knees. The expression of the Padawan is calm, but stern like some distant father figure. For one who may stumble across the long-time Padawan, the reason for his meditative efforts today are abundantly clear.
A lightsaber lays before him with its hilt broken into two pieces and the upper portion of the two blossomed outward. The crystal that rests among the debris seems intact, but within the ebb and flow of the Force it feels lost and uncertain with its grasp on the Force tenuous at best.
Eyes glazed over, walking without error the older Zelosian maneuvers with steps that seem to drift and fall in a manner that gives him an awkward gait that hinders him none. Hands folded behind his back, head tipping one side to the other - lifting as though hearing something or when beckoned by movement, Qutha Pah makes his way through the intentional chaos of the meditation hall.
A group of porgs, known to have been his charges for over fifteen years, trailing after. Some riding the hems of his cloak and some riding on his shoulders or in the hood worn back from his head. But it's in the direction of the lasat he's carried. Orbiting path driving him to stop in eyeline of Zalon, but at modest distance the gemstone like irises flit to the younger.
"Condemnation ain never good, reckon. 'Tentional... or no. F'yee self or otherwise." chin dipping as Qutha notes the expression on the kneeling one's face, his voice wrapped in a heavy mid-rim rustic tone.
Slowly the Lasat's eyes open and the words seem to resonate. Both in the tangible world and the Force itself. A sudden breath is inhaled as Zalon slips from his meditative state and takes a moment to take stock of his surroundings. While all that exists around him is felt through the Force and one shouldn't trust their eyes in every scenario; in this one it seems that the Padawan returns to the organic habit of using their physical senses to consider his surroundings and those within it. The Jedi Master that stands before him is regarded, of course, but so too is his entourage of curious creatures. Bo's eyes travel from Pah's feet and up, regarding the porgs as his visual attention climbs.
"You're right, Master," the Lasat answers with a voice that is a low rumble of warmth and calm. He begins to shift then, rising up to his feet as his prehensile toes reach and grip at the ground which he had only just sat. Soon Zal rises up to his full height and the parts of the lightsaber are left behind; not that he'll be straying far from them at all. For the moment the Lasat remains anchored in his place, standing with the broken parts of the lightsaber before himself and between Master and Padawan.
"I have felt guilt about my lightsaber suffering an unfortunate accident during a mission with Master Garo," he explains, likely of the condemnation that has been noted. "Master Garo believes - and I agree - that this is an opportunity to gather perspectives and insights from others regarding protecting our lightsaber as much as it protects us". A pregnant pause follows, though his pause is interrupted by an addition to Master Garo's apparent reasoning for his Padawan's latest tour of inquiry, "My crystal's attunement has been shaken. Master Garo bid that I seek answers from others about how I should pursue bringing it and myself back into alignment."
"I's jus' Qutha. Ain' no need Maister'n me. I exist, s'all. Ranks n'titles is unnecessary." said in a perfunctory fashion. A matter of course to address before moving on to something that garners more attention. Though his eyes have begun to wander, moving as if hooked and being led around by unseen lines, the older mystic's brow knits. Thought lines carving their way through the petal like flesh of his features.
"Y'e'er thought... t'ain' the crystal's shaken? Th'crystal's part've th'Force. Quite lit'rly personified. It's purpose, en'rgy, and will made man'fest. N'jus' like th'Force s'only as much've the Light'r Dark as the one calling on it. I y'ain' gonna presume none, but merely postulate... Is it jus' guilt, perse?"
He trails off some, head canting again and then bobbing rhythmically with the pecking of one of the avians crawling on his shoulders. "Guilt is a soft path to anger... Y'should ask yee'self. What does I feel? We'se all been there, n's hard t'ask that question ourselves wit'out sommat else bein' 'that bugger' bringin' it up."
A nod is given from Zalon to Qutha at the mention of setting aside rank or titles. The Padawan's hands move to rest before himself, with one hand overlapping the other. His fur seems to ripple with a subtle cascade of movement as the tall alien's chin lowers and he appears to delve into thoughtful consideration of Qutha's words. Another nod is given, both accepting and understanding. When his gold eyes shift again to Qutha and his escort of porgs, the Padawan's next words are more a statement than a question, "The crystal may be fine. It's my guilt that's creating the imbalance. I am different in this moment than when I attuned myself to it and it to me".
The Padawan's expression shifts subtly and the Lasat's attention drifts down to the lightsaber and the crystal that sits among the debris. The question of what he feels though does earn an answer, though Zalon's gaze remains on the husk of his lightsaber, "I feel that I failed in a responsibility. My failure was allowing an important tool to suffer due to my negligence. Accidental as it may have been, it still happened. I should have been more mindful".
The Lasat's attention finally shifts, barely moving on account of their height difference. His look down requires only a slight shift of his eyes to consider Qutha. One hand leaves the other and rises up, delving into thoughtful reflect as that hand moves to stroke one of the braided mutton chops that hangs below his jawline, "I must hold myself accountable, but recognize that dwelling on the past isn't going to resolve the present?"
"S'one way've lookin' at it. Ayuh." Nodding faintly, his gaze drifting as if the mote of dust catching the light of the Lotus has taken all of his attention, rapt attention in an otherwise slack expression - as though listening to something, or someone, speaking before Qutha's voice drifts up as if from some well.
"Y'kin be's mindful as poss'ble... But th'un'pexted is gonna come. Jus 'cause th'Force selected yee t'be on've its agents, y'never gonna be omniscient. None've us will an one who 'spires to it is gonna have pride t'trip'm up and risk they's falling down a darker path when it happens." For a moment his attention sweeps back to Zalon, passing over and then trailing after whatever eddies and currents have garnered the following of the resident mystic. "Mayhaps a lesson... Y'see it as a failure. It's a tool, importan'... pers'nal. A lifeline at times. But it's a tool. It ain' th'Force. T'ain' you. If'n th'Force deems it time f'it to be destructed, they's a reason f'that. Same as if it kin be fixed, or ifn' yee need fin' a new crystal. Attachment. While impos'ble t'deny, despite what they ol' lessons try t'say, is 'nevitable."
One foot lifts slightly, shaking, "I like m'boots. I'll be twinged painful when they's finally gone. N'I accept that I'll mourn a set've boots. You mourn y'lightsaber. Y'study it. Y'decide ifn' mayhap tis time its put t'rest. Was this the time y'need t'start new? New chapter? Is this the next step f'yus, n'yee need t'lift y'foot t'take it?"
Again his gem like gaze is back on the Lasat, brow raising. "T'ain n'absolutes. We have paths, n'they cross over more'n mos'd take time t'acknowledge. Y'may step off've one, t'fin' y'self back on it seven more down that new path."
Qutha's words are absorbed in Zalon's silence. He does not interrupt or otherwise tread into the conversation anew. Instead the Padawan listens, nods on occasion, but altogether focuses his being into taking in the lessons imparted from the Jedi Master that is Qutha Buvu Pah. While the Jedi Master's wandering eyes may draw the curiosity of some; for Zalon he simply watches on with the acceptance of someone who has seen such things with increasing regularity over nearly two decades. A deep nod, nearly a bow of the Lasat's head, is given at the mention of old lessons and new thinking. The nature of the Force and the paths that it may lead one sensitive to its currents, down.
The shaking of the boot though does result in a small smile threatening at one corner of the alien's dark purple mouth. Much to his credit he does keep a carefully professional expression, even if the urge to smile it's subtly evident upon his alien features. The explanation does earn a nod of understanding, along with a few words to such an effect, "The incident may be an opportunity for growth and my guilt at its loss could reveal some attachment that I hadn't known was there," he pauses a moment, but his strong voice rises up again with a continuation of his answer to Qutha, "which would be the Force revealing something that needs be brought to my attention. An opportunity not just for a new path, but for greater consideration or scrutiny of myself."
"Tha'd be the possible. I cain' say yes'm or no... 'Cause un'erstanin' th'Force with certainty, in my 'sperience... S'like grabbin' river currents. It's pers'nal. It shifts from each, 'cause've poin'a view." The older one offering a whispering sort of chuckle, "I think s'like that with meanin' t'be frustratin'. Keep us all thinkin'. Rem'em'rin' t'be mindful've our thoughts n'emotions, eh?" Head tipping to one side, brow up a little higher.
"N'I know I soun' like I'm dodgin' answerin'... But tell you what, these long years? S'bout as close t'a firm answer as I done think I've ever come to." Qutha's hands move to fold before him, sleeves sliding to cover them and one of the little avians takes the opportunity to bite on from the ground, starting to sway back and forth.
"I think, n'tis my 'pinion... 'Cause m'other 'pinion is y'us need t'make y'own while listenin' to others... Is that all this is parts of the puzzle that yee need t'find fits. One path f'all Jedi is rigid. Leads t'destruction. One timber don't hol' up a bridge. Criss-crossin' ones do. If that analogy make any sense." For a moment he silences, sniffing as if hunting down words, "Al'us remember... As much as we'se t'gether. This journey is pers'nal. People givin' lessons oft'n seem t'f'get that the way they go is not the only way, but it's experience others can look to while blazin' they own trail, reckon?"
A few nods are passed from Padawan to Master. There's clear understanding there and more than likely some amount of unspoken agreement, too. "Master," he pauses a moment, though corrects himself with a polite bow of his slightly ridged head, "Qutha," he continues with his head rising up and a large hand that continues to thoughtfully stroke one of his braided mutton chops, "you've shared many wise insights, but I think what has resonated the most with me in this moment is precisely what you've just described," the rumbling voice of the Lasat answers with a mixture of calm appreciation. "'It takes different sorts' as I've heard said from time to time. Our connection to the Force is as unique to ourselves and it is our unique traits that establish a strong foundation not only as individuals, but the whole Order as well".
Zalon's hand slips from his braid chop and moves to rest at his side, along with the opposite hand. The warmth returns to the Padawan's voice and finally the smile grows, plainly visible as it casts itself toward the Jedi Master and his entourage of small avians, "I will meditate further on these concepts so that I may seek further self-discovery and how best to navigate the paths laid before me". He pauses for a moment and the alien shifts on his feet, prehensile toes flexing as they seek for purchase upon the meditation chamber's floor. When he stills once more, Zalon's gaze rests gently upon Qutha, "There are opportunities within this mishap and it would be unwise for me not to explore every aspect of it. Those beyond the sense of loss or failure, but also of opportunity and how this loss can bring me closer to the Force."
Then Padawan Bo straightens slightly, before he bows forward and low before Master Pah.
A small shake of his hand within the drooped sleeve, "I knows tis f'respect... But no need f'that either. I appreciate th'meanin'... But I's jus' an ol' plant, tryin'a explain m'own experiences, s'os others can make they own minds up." A twitch at the corner of his mouth, "But I think y'us got the right've it, by my poin'a view... But jus' 'cause I think so, make sure'a what'ee think. But I's agree. Think on it. Work wit' it, an' see where'n this'll go from this point."
His head tips towards the saber on the floor, both brows lofting now, "If'n y'feel y'd like some he'p with that, I'll be happy t'lend my s'perience. I reckon I'll learn sommat m'self as well, tell you what."
Qutha shifts his shoulders, the porgs issuing a series of 'Bawk!' sounds that vary from offended in tone to amusement. "Ifn' y'us need th' room, I ain' gonna be offended t'mosey on so ye kin, neither."
The tilt of Qutha's head toward the broken lightsaber results in Zalon's attention drifting downward to regard it. The offer made is met by a soft nod from the Padawan that is likely intended to illustrate his having heard it, rather than outright acceptance. "I will meditate on it, Master. I do appreciate the offer and will go the path the Force guides," Zalon answers honestly before his attention rises upward again. He watches the porg and as their chorus goes up. This results in a subdued, yet still amused expression flitting across the Padawan's face.
"Please stay," he imparts first, even as he lowers himself down to a kneel. Zalon's three-fingered hands begin to gather up the ruined components and the crystal that suits among them. His efforts contain some small degree of reverence, as though the gathering of the parts were a ritual that required the utmost seriousness and honor. Only when they have been gathered does the Padawan rise up anew, the lightsaber's husk in one massive hand and the crystal carefully secured within the other. A final bow is offered toward Qutha along with an explanation, "I think a change in setting for my meditations is in order anyhow, please, stay. Thank you again, Master."
Only then does the large alien begin to drift away and toward the chamber beyond.
