Felucia's Open Terrain

*Iella couldn't help but giggle at Kent's actions. She was a little surprised that Kent had chosen to splash Morgan like that, but then again she had said that training was over for the day. There wasn't any rush to return to the base anyway, so if Kent wanted to goof off a little bit, there was still time.

She shook her head, still smiling.*"I don't think there's any rush to get back, unless you needed to be somewhere, Morgan."*Her smile grew a little mischievous.*"Besides, are you just gonna stand there and take that from her?"

Sorry, I just wanted to see if I could do that. It was not the splash she wanted, in her head, she wanted something to soak Morgan. The soft splash was still something. Also, Morgan was right. The fabric of the tunic she was wearing would absorb water and with the air, it would never let it go. Morgan mentioning gear did make Kent think.
she had nothing the way of gear. Her blaster pistol was taken from her and locked away somewhere when she arrived. She had nothing.Well, I am not ready to be done learning today... could you teach me anything about making a lightsaber?

*Iella shrugged.*"Fair enough."*She had to suppress a groan as Morgan stated that she felt naked without her gear. The irony of that statement was not lost on Iella, but that didn't make Morgan's little joke any less groan-inducing. She rolled her eyes and shook her head, having nothing to really say to that, even if a small part of her did find it funny.*



*She turned back to Kent and nodded.*"Yes, I can. Part of your training is to make your own lightsaber, so I'd be happy to explain it to you. Let's see..."*She cleared her throat before continuing.*"Lightsabers are a Jedi's most valuable, and in many cases, only item they'll own. It's more than just a weapon, it's a symbol of what you are, recognizable across the galaxy. A Jedi never draws their saber unless they're given no other choice and always in defense of those weaker than ourselves."*She looked Kent in the eye.*"Once you've demonstrated that you can handle the training sabers here, I'll take you to Ilum so you can get your crystal. Each one of us gets and meditates on a crystal, or multiple if you're building a saberstaff like mine. Meditating on the crystal and fitting into your lightsaber is what makes it yours and yours alone."*She sighed and smiled.*"Whew...didn't expect to go on that long! So, any questions?"

*The quest was nearing an end... After this next stop, there was only one more to make. The meditations across many points of the galaxy, all strong in the light, all steeped in Ashla's tradition... He was stronger now. He could see and sense things he was unable to before. Even Felucia felt more alive to him...

But even that, it seemed, paled in comparison to his daughter's own link with the world.

She accompanied him now, seated behind him in the cockpit of the Quiet Perseverance as the star yacht soared over the fungal jungle of Felucia. Ever since their trip at Dagobah, she'd shown him a step in his journey he almost hadn't considered... and it was the penultimate step. He'd gathered around his closest friends and family and, with them, meditated on the crystal... But this step was more personal and even more enriching.

The ship weaved its way through the tall stalks and plants of the forest, finding its way into a clearing that was just large enough to fit within. Morgan was as ever eager to reach their destination; maturing though she was, she always treated the world of Felucia with very childlike excitement. For that matter she had originally requested they make this voyage on foot; Aerandir almost acquiesced but decided it was better if they save the time traveling by flight. Regardless, he smiled at her as they descended the ship's ramp, he dressed in his white robes, her dressed in that Felucian-made garb she cherished so much. It was getting noticeably smaller on her now, but he was certain she wouldn't give it up until she was able to replace it.

As the ramp sealed behind them, Morgan took off at a jog towards their destination; instead of call for her to slow down, Aerandir indulged and kept pace with her. They weaved their way through the foliage and were soon met with the sight of the Felucian village that was in some ways like a second home to the girl. He sensed her elation before he saw her beaming widely. She descended into the village with him behind her, waving and greeting its inhabitants in their native tongue. Children gathered around her, excited to see their "sister" again; judging by their disappointed reactions, she had reluctantly shooed them away for the time being.

From there they met with the Shamans Kyator and Kygrek, who greeted and welcomed them back to the village; Kyator had noticeably aged, but he was no less hospitable. Aerandir briefly explained to them his reason for coming, holding out the near-white crystal. They seemed intrigued by this but nevertheless granted him and Morgan passage through the cave beyond them, past the glittering walls and out into the misty valley beyond.

History... Aerandir had not been here for over five years. This is where Aerandir had brought Morgan's then-lifeless body, and Felucia had restored her soul to it. The spiritual energies here were immense; he knew that then, but he could especially feel it now. In many ways, Morgan's "rebirth" had been the catalyst of a change in his life. She had come back even stronger, especially in her connection to the world. It had proven to him the strength of the world and its kinship with its inhabitants. Choosing to come here instead of remain at Belkadan after the destruction there had been an easy decision; easier still had it been to argue its viability as the new central home of the Jedi Order, as it now was.

Morgan was slowly stepping about, staring at the ground as though analyzing it. Sometimes she would stop and deliberately feel the ground with her toes, bending over slightly to get a better look, before moving on. Eventually, after another instance of this, she stopped and looked up with a smile, announcing,* "Here."

*He approached her with a curious smile.* "Why here specifically?" *he asked.*

"It's... where Michelle and I meditated when I took her to meet Jamie again."

"Ah, right," *he commented, recalling that miraculous event that she and later Michelle had recounted to him. This of course put idle thoughts into his head, of Jamie himself, if he would be able to meet with him here as well... But he had long ago accepted the past. This was the time for something else.

He sat down cross-legged upon the grass across from Morgan, who had likewise seated herself... after removing her dress. He should have expected this, and he knew why she did it: She believed it made her feel more one with the planet. He only shook his head, not bothering to contest this through process; better to let her fully believe that and be confident with the upcoming meditation than let her have doubts later.

Was that being too lenient? Would that have been a proper life lesson? She was getting too old for this...*

"Well, here we go," *he announced, putting the thought aside and holding up the crystal, allowing it to hover in the air before him.*

"Right," *said Morgan, who extended her hands toward him.

He took them in his and bowed his head, heart connecting with hers, with the crystal, and with the world around them.*

"Mother..." *Morgan began.* "I mean, Mommy. Please bless my dad. I know that... that you're strong in the Force... and in Ashla..." *Even as she spoke this, the air around them indeed seemed to grow even heavier with the Force, channeling itself between both people and the crystal between them.* "Please let him use some of your power... please protect him like you protect me!"

*Her earnestness suddenly showed through her words; Aerandir could almost sense her tears. Also could he sense the world's consciousness itself, turned towards them, regarding them... and swirling around Morgan as a protective mother would.*

"Please be a part of this crystal!" *she continued, voice growing stronger, belying her tears.* "He wants to protect you, and me, and the entire galaxy..." *A choked laugh escaped in her next words.* "He needs all the help he can get."

*He smiled as a soft, muffled laugh escaped his own throat... and then he felt Her touch. It was gentle yet firm, like a hand upon his shoulder. In his mental visualization of the scene, he could see one other. A tall, limber figure, female, with long, curled, earthen brown hair. Two amethyst eyes were set within a bronze face, and she was adorned in a dress of leaves and vines that seemed to sprout from the very ground where she stood. She looked upon the father and daughter with a smile before releasing the father's shoulder. She stepped around to the child, the dress seemingly trailing leaves behind her, although it never lost its length. She crouched down upon her knees, reaching out to stroke her child's cheek with her thumb lovingly. Her gaze lingered before she regarded the crystal between them. After a moment, she reached out with one hand, a single finger extended. It made contact with the crystal, which emanated with a great light suddenly.

Aerandir's eyes shot open and he glanced around... but once more he and Morgan were alone. He looked across the crystal to his daughter, who smiled at the crystal through a tear-streaked face. He snatched the crystal and pocketed it with one hand; with the other, he pulled Morgan into his lap, once more embracing her like he had within Yoda's abode.*

"Thank you," *he said to her.*

"No," *she replied, sniffling once.* "Thank you." *She hiccuped as she sat up, wiping her eyes on her forearms before looking into her father's, still smiling.* "Now me and Felucia will always be a part of you."

"You always were." *He stroked her hair a moment, only stopping when he reminded himself she was no longer a younger child, and instead rested his hand on her shoulder.* "But I suppose this has made our bond even stronger, hasn't it?"

*She nodded, wiping her eyes again.* "That's okay with me."

*He smiled and set her on her feet as he too stood, looking around at the scene before him one final time.* "... it's time for me to make the final trip now."

*She looked up at him curiously.* "Would you leave me here? I kinda want to stay a while... I can call to Rush even this far away, so he can come get me and I'll go home with him later!"

*He laughed and nodded.* "As you wish. Just make sure he gets to rest between trips."

*She nodded.* "Obviously! I'm not gonna wear him out!"

*Chuckling, he shrugged.* "Guess you are the responsible pet owner."

*They gathered their things and returned to the Felucian village, Aerandir once more greeting the shamans and bidding them farewell. Even though he knew it would be no problem, he asked if they minded if Morgan stayed for a while anyway; as expected, they agreed instantly. And so, with a final hug to Morgan and a bidding of farewell to the local Felucians, he left them behind, returning to his ship. It lifted off once more for the sky... but not towards the Base. While he did send a message home—which amounted to "Morgan wanted to stay behind, as expected"—the ship itself instead pointed towards the stars.

Once free of the planet, it made its way to the final destination...*

*Iella nodded.*"I'm sure the library would have what you're looking for. Just be aware that some of the information in there will be restricted. Even I don't have full access to everything."*She smiled.*"But if poetry, flowers and animals is what you're looking for, I'm sure you'll find something in there."*She turned to Morgan.*"Ready to show us the way back?"