Natalya scrambled to her feet quickly. While Ember's lunge had caught her off guard, and had indeed connected with her punch, Nat had managed to deflect most of the force, but had lost her balance in the process, and the pair of them had fallen into the table.
From that point on, it was just a scrappy mess…
Nat was fuming, she could take the taunting, even the sucker-punch, but the hair-pulling…
That was just…low
Alright.. she seethed to herself icily, as her fingers darted up to the side of her face to check if she was bleeding
….if thats the way you wanna to play it…
Natalya backed away herself, and raised her hands to keep her guard up, and as Ember opened her mouth to speak again "Ready for round two" Nat promptly booted the fruit-bowl which had fallen onto the floor from the table they had both just destroyed, and sent it hurtling towards Ember's already injured leg.
Nat heard it connect with a satisfying dull thud.
As Ember yelled out in pain and grabbed her leg in reaction, Nat launched herself at the woman, easily deflecting Ember's hands away , and grappling her to the ground, attempting to shift her body behind Ember in order to get an arm around her neck in a choke hold.
“I do not know that you realize this, but girls who have mouths like yours usually get knocked on their asses before they know what happened!”
Round two was impossibly short lived, because like a sharp bolt of lightning, both females found a swift yet curt halt to their reckless behavior. It came in the form of one confident yet resilient Jedi Master as Amalia sent them both sprawling smack down onto their asses with a sharp force push, nearly knocking the wind right out of them.
"You know, Ember.. I happen to agree with your concept, that girls who have mouths like yours, that they should get knocked on their asses. It was a rather brilliant suggestion, so thank you."
It didn't seem to phase Amalia in the least that she had knocked both women onto their bottoms, now staring down upon them with her angelic face full of innocence.
Briefly pausing, Amalia carefully plucked Ember's recognizable saber off of the table, only to attach it safely to her own utility belt as Ember watched her.
"You can have it back when you've earned the right to wield it..."
Brown eyes with hints of fiery edge to them fell to Natalya, to which Amalia made an indication with her left hand to signal with signs that she required the same of Natalya.
"Yours as well..."
Amalia knew, that for any Jedi seriously committed to their cause, the lightsaber was not just a weapon, but a tool. Not just any tool, but an instrument full of meaning. In order to wield one, it took tremendous discipline, focus, not to mention respect.
“What??!!” Ember watched as Amalia waited for Natalya to hand over her lightsaber as well as her hands were on her hips. She then offered the usual loud argumentative comments a teenager might in a situation like this but it was of no use. Amalia was clearly holding the cards with her saber, and Natalya’s, now being held hostage. “This is so stupid,” she said while she ruffled her hair anxiously. She then wiped a bit of blood from her lip with her knuckle and glanced at Natalya briefly. “Nice left hook,” she said under her breath before storming past Amalia. “I need some air…”
It always took Ember a long time to settle down. She stepped outside and walked down the street until she reached a small cantina and walked inside after hearing the loud music inside. Ember angrily marched up to the bar where she reached over and tugged the bartenders cloak before pointing over to someone else sitting to the left. “I’ll have one of those.”
A stiff drink was placed in front of her which she took down quickly. “DAMMIT,” Ember shouted as her split lip burned from the alcohol in the drink. Slamming the glass down and ruffling her hair, Ember let out a loud and annoyed sigh as she realized this day was not getting any better.
She could not be more right as a large Herglic whose massive size shoved her and towered over her. It murmured something to Ember who just shrugged it off and turned away. Another tap on the shoulder produced a Gran whose three eyes glared at her. “My friend does not like you.”
“Sorry,” Ember said not really caring.
“I do not like…”
“Oh, you know what,” Ember interrupted loudly as she spun around clearly annoyed and she waved her hand in front of the Gran’s face. Not a casual wave, but more like she was swatting at him to go away as one would a bug flying near their face. “I’m not the girl you want to mess with.”
“You’re not the girl we want to mess with.”
“Take your whale friend and your three eyes over to the corner and mess with someone else.”
“I’m going to take my whale friend and my three eyes over to the corner and mess with someone else.”
As the Gran walked off and large Herglic waddled away after him, Ember turned back towards the bar and shook her head while letting out another loud sigh. “I hate cantinas,” she said to herself as she tapped her empty glass on the bar top and waited for a refill. Once she received her refill, Ember swallowed down another gulp and winced as her cut burned again. “Why me,” she said as her head came to rest on her hand.
Without warning, Natalya suddenly found herself on the floor, on her arse, somewhat dazed.
After blinking a couple of times, attempting to register exactly what had happened, Nat sluggishly got to her feet, groaning as she did so.
It was then Amalia's words began to sink in...
"You know, Ember.. I happen to agree with your concept, that girls who have mouths like yours, that they should get knocked on their asses. It was a rather brilliant suggestion, so thank you."
"You can have it back when you've earned the right to wield it..."
…hah!… Nat thought to herself, feeling somewhat vindicated after the chaos the stranger had just wrought…
It was then, Amalia turned her gaze to Nat...
"Yours as well..."
"What!?" Natalya blurted out indignantly… "You can't be serious?"
But her outburst was simply met with Amalia's, impassive yet stern stare…
After an uncomfortably long silence (which Nat had observed Amalia to be quite proficient at) she relented, unclipped her lightsaber and reluctantly handed it to the Jedi Master…
Not before shooting Ember a glare that could have sliced clean through the Deathstar itself.
And as Ember ranted about the unfairness of it all , Nat found herself looking around at the room, and the mess they had made, and her heart sunk a little, as a sobering thought hit her…
…Leia and Tyscio are going to kill me!...
Ember's voice interrupted her thoughts “Nice left hook,” she threw out, but before Nat could even open her mouth to respond, the woman had stormed outside.
Feeling somewhat sheepish, Nat self-consciously brushed aside a rogue strand of hair, and rubbed her sore jaw with her right hand…
"not so bad yourself" She murmured, as she started to tidy up the mess.
Amalia didn't say a word, at least outright, leaving Ember and Natalya to their own devices. She had learned early on, through her own personal relationships, how bad it was to go after someone when they were likely wanting space. Having made her point with both women for the most part, Amalia left things to be dealt with in their own way as she moved over to another space in the dining area that needed cleaning.
She had plans to take the women off of Capricia and head elsewhere, just as soon as they all got their affairs in order.
Stretching out with the force, the Jedi Master did her best to locate Ember and attempted to offer some words of wisdom. It was an act that did not come as swiftly as it could have because their connection within the force was still evolving. Amalia hoped that over time, that she and Ember would eventually bond, allowing Amalia's own draw on the force to come easier. When time matter, her promptness in connection toward both women would be vital. Uncertain, Amalia could only hope that her thoughts were strong enough to reach Ember.
Your saber... it is not who you are, but an extension of who you are. Just as your name is. It is my hope that you stop running away from who you truly are, and embrace yourself and your path; for you are more than just a name. I realize this, but that is not enough. You must come to realize it yourself. It is the only way for you to truly live. To live, truly live, this I cannot explain to you, but when you come to live, you will understand the significance to my words.
Ember sat still for quite some time as several thoughts rushed through her mind. She recalled her previous two masters and how many times they both scolded her for being so temperamental and for not thinking about a situation before rushing into it. Here she was again when, instead of being mature about it, she just punched Natalya in the mouth before really listening to her. It’s true that Ember knew who Lexus was but it was not like she had led her here. It was pure coincidence which maybe she could have told everyone if she communicated better.
Ember then thought about her conversation with Amalia earlier and the impression it left on her. Then she kept hearing her words again and again where it seemed Amalia expected to keep Ember around. It was something she had never heard before. Her two previous Master complained about her and one even seemed ready to have Ember kicked out of the order entirely. Now she was practically being invited to be taken as an apprentice even after her recent incident with Lexus.
“What?”
Ember looked over her shoulder with an expression of confusion. She could have sworn someone was talking to her but nobody was there. She continued to look back and forth several times before she turned back around slowly. Ember then could feel a familiar presence and soon realized Amalia was speaking to her through the force. Your saber... it is not who you are, but an extension of who you are. Just as your name is. It is my hope that you stop running away from who you truly are, and embrace yourself and your path; for you are more than just a name. I realize this, but that is not enough. You must come to realize it yourself. It is the only way for you to truly live. To live, truly live, this I cannot explain to you, but when you come to live, you will understand the significance to my words.
Ember lowered her head as her finger traced the place on her belt her saber attached to. She seemed lost in deep thought for several minutes before she took in a deep breath and stood up. She looked around the cantina before she turned and left through the door she had entered in earlier.
Standing outside, Ember hesitated as her hand was next to the door activator. Her thumb and index finger rubbed against each other as she thought about what she wanted to do. Finally, after sucking in her own pride, she pressed the button and rejoined Amalia and Natalya who were finishing up cleaning up the mess that she and Nat had made.
Ember offered Amalia a simple glance before she slowly knelt down next to Natalya and began to help her pick up some pieces of glass that were scattered on the floor. She looked at Natalya for a moment and then did something she never did before in her life. “Sorry,” she said under her breath before her eyes returned to the floor and she helped Nat to finish picking up the last shards of glass.
After standing up, Ember looked at Amalia and then lowered her head. “You can give her back her saber. You wouldn’t have taken it from her if I didn’t hit her.”
It had taken the best part of two hours to clean up the mess that the two Jedi apprentices were both responsible for, even with Amalia's help. The fact that Ember was not around to help with most of it was not lost on Natalya.
A part of her was still seething at what Ember had said to her, but had put it aside.
For now.
In fact, concentrating on the task at hand, had allowed her to work it off in a way. There was something to be said about losing oneself in something mundane as cleaning. After a while, although still annoyed at the situation, Nat had calmed down enough to reflect on her own behaviour, and had found herself somewhat embarrassed.
While Nat still felt the same about Ember (and in fact proven right after the recent incident) She had to concede to herself that, perhaps, in this instance she had been quick to judge, as Amalia clearly saw potential in her.
The Jedi Master had remained silent for the duration of the tidying up, and the young apprentice found herself wondering what Amalia thought about the pair of them. It was hard to read Amalia, as her face did not give much of her thoughts away, although obviously she was not happy at what had just transpired, that much was clear, but it seemed to Nat the Jedi Master had expected this.
That being said, Natalya was not happy at having to hand her lightsaber over. A part of her already felt vulnerable, like she had suddenly lost a limb.
It was not just a weapon to the young woman, it had sentimental value also, as it had originally belonged to her Mother. Perhaps it was foolish to feel such a way about a weapon, but the feeling was there nonetheless.
Nat did not have many things left of her Mother's, and it simply did not feel right to be without it.
Secretly, while she had understood Amalia's reasons for taking both Lightsabers away. Nat still felt the decision was unnecessarily harsh, especially since neither of the two apprentices had even attempted to use them.
Not only that, but there was a part of her that felt that Amalia, Jedi Master or not, had no right to expect to take what was not hers to begin with.
The very fact that Nat had handed it over in the first place, showed a great deal of trust on her part, as well an indication of just how serious her desire to make amends was.
Natalya got the impression also, that this was more of a precaution, alluding perhaps to past experiences or incidents that had happened in the past, had Amalia been in similar situations before?
This thought had barely skirted across Natalya's mind, when Ember returned.
Nat froze as she squatted down to pick some broken glass up from off the floor, and looked up. Her body instinctively tensing up in reaction at the other apprentice's presence, unsure of what to expect.
An uncomfortable silence fell upon the room as the pair regarded each other and Natalya glowered at her, ready to move in an instant, in case Ember wanted to try anything else.
“Sorry…"
An apology. Nat blinked. But she had not heard wrong, Ember had indeed apologised, and the young apprentice could sense it was genuine.
Nat was taken aback, and could only watch Ember warily as she began to kneel down and help with the rest of the tidying up.
As they finished quickly, Ember stood and spoke.
"...You can give her back her saber. You wouldn’t have taken it from her if I didn’t hit her.”
Feeling a little awkward, Natalya brushed aside some loose strands of her hair from in front of her face, tucking them behind her right ear, as she responded herself "Thank you, I'm, uh" Nat started as she crossed her arms defensively "...Sorry I upset you"
After a brief hesitation, and a furtive glance towards Amalia, Natalya sighed and introduced herself properly...
"My name's, Natalya, Natalya Vinda... but I guess you already knew that" She said with a rueful smile, alluding to Ember's earlier outburst regarding her 'rich daddy'
“Unfortunately, I’m afraid I cannot do that,” Amalia began, in response to Ember’s efforts in helping Natalya obtain her saber back.
“It makes little difference who started the fight. I took both of your sabers because you are both just as defenseless with your sabers as you are without them.”
Amalia realized that her response possibly left her sounding more daft than anything else, which left her keen on elaborating.
“You both had a choice, several, and yet you both chose to behave recklessly. I will not condone that kind of behavior while allowing you to carry and wield an instrument of the force at the same time. To wield a saber requires tremendous focus and discipline. Overtime, your very aura, otherwise known as your force signature, it will become one with the object. The saber, it isn’t just a weapon. It is also an instrument of the force, as I just mentioned. If you lack the discipline and focus, behave recklessly, well then, you are merely carrying around the instrument blindly. If you think you have been wielding your saber, using them to their full capacity, I’m going to contradict the thought by telling you that you have not. You’ve merely been whipping them around instead, like they're toys, without conscious thought.”
Yet what did taking away their sabers have anything to do with their fight? She was about to tell them that. “Your actions today, they have shown me that you are without conscious thought, and that is just one of the reasons I took your sabers away. I will teach you both how to wield a saber properly, and until I deem you both ready to wield one, at least under my watchful eye, you will both carry training sabers.”
Considering her words merely food for thought, because she really did believe in the power of choice, Amalia quietly gestured to the table, hoping the two women would join her as she sat down. Once the pair had made their choice to sit or not, Amalia directed her gaze to Ember and Natalya at the same time. It was time to try and implement her plan, and she hoped both Jedi would be on board for it.
“My intention is to leave Capricia. It may be home for Leia and her family, but it is not home for me. No, my calling is elsewhere, even if my heart will choose to still linger here, being that my Master, Leia is here. I’ve grown just as fond of the children, and of Tyscio. They’re like family. Yet I cannot stay when the force is calling me elsewhere.”
Amalia began to share her plan with the intention of hoping that she could somehow sway the women to join her, though she did not try very hard to convince them, leaving the choice completely up to them. Natalya was still Leia’s student, Amalia a mentor. The Master could not rightfully expect Natalya to come with, knowing she belonged to another teacher.
“How you both choose to proceed now, that is completely up to you. If you decide to stay, I’ll return your saber to you, no questions asked, and wish you well. However, it is my hope that you both decide to come with me.. to Ossus.”
"My name's, Natalya, Natalya Vinda... but I guess you already knew that…"
Ember glanced at Natalya. “I’m Ember Sk…” She hesitated, rather obviously, knowing full well that her last name was quite recognizable. Still, it was time to move forward and, as her father urged, embrace her name yet be herself all in the same. Without even using what senses she could through the force, it was very obvious Amalia knew who she was already. “Ember Skywalker,” she finally concluded while offering a slight hint of a smile. “Unfortunately, I’m afraid I cannot do that… It makes little difference who started the fight. I took both of your sabers because you are both just as defenseless with your sabers as you are without them.”
Amalia’s voice quickly interrupted and brought back the realization of the situation at hand and the consequences.
“Your actions today, they have shown me that you are without conscious thought, and that is just one of the reasons I took your sabers away. I will teach you both how to wield a saber properly, and until I deem you both ready to wield one, at least under my watchful eye, you will both carry training sabers.”
Ember’s eyebrow rose just slightly as that cocky side of herself surfaced briefly. Teach HER to wield a saber properly? Now that comment struck a nerve as the one thing Ember was confident, perhaps overly confident in, was her use of a saber in combat. Since the moment she was first trained, Ember showed advanced skills in wielding the weapon. Ember herself had no doubt in her ability yet, for as confident she was in using a saber, she was not so confident in using the force. It was ironic since wielding such a weapon was done through the force yet Ember was oblivious to such a notion thinking it was raw skill.
“My intention is to leave Capricia. It may be home for Leia and her family, but it is not home for me. No, my calling is elsewhere, even if my heart will choose to still linger here, being that my Master, Leia is here. I’ve grown just as fond of the children, and of Tyscio. They’re like family. Yet I cannot stay when the force is calling me elsewhere.”
“Calling you elsewhere,” Ember said rather confused. “So, like, the force tells you where to go then you go there? Not that I mind or anything, it just sounds kinda odd.” Ember did feel it confusing to let the force guide you to other places. To Ember, it was more that her mood took her to different places thought a small part of her did understand how it was possible. Her last master had mentioned it but was more prone to letting ember fling her saber around just to keep her quiet and out of trouble. “How you both choose to proceed now, that is completely up to you. If you decide to stay, I’ll return your saber to you, no questions asked, and wish you well. However, it is my hope that you both decide to come with me.. to Ossus.”
“OSSUS,” Ember blurted out loud before she ruffled her hair anxiously. Of all the planets in the galaxy, Amalia chose the one planet Ember fled not long ago. Ember let out a loud sigh and began to pace back and forth while running her hand through her hair. “Ossus,” she said again no louder than a mumble. Ember was well known to many of the Jedi at the temple there and she would no doubt be faced with even more consequences than just popping Natalya in the mouth. Plus she would be in for some long winded lecture from her father and even her mother about her actions and choices. In fact, they would both be furious to see Amalia had taken her saber from her.
Still, it was decision making time. Ember could grab her saber and run out the door where she could go anywhere. Anywhere? It sounded easy but it was far from it. Getting places cost money which was something Ember had little. What good would it do her anyway? She could go elsewhere and then what? The seventeen year old girl needed to start making better choices and just perhaps returning to Ossus with Amalia as her new master was the first one.
Ember scratched the back of her hair nervously and then ruffled her hair before she finally took in a deep breath and calmed down. She turned to face Amalia again, glancing down at her saber now on Amalia’s belt for a moment, and then let her eyes meet Amalia’s. “Ossus it is then… but we need to talk about the training saber thing," Ember added with a small smirk.
While Ember was regarding the visit to Ossus with no small amount of trepidation, Nat couldn't have felt any more different. The young Jedi had never seen the planet, or a Jedi Temple for that matter, and even just contemplating the chance to meet and learn from other Jedi was something she had been itching to do ever since she had first heard of it.
Her mind raced ahead with all she might see and do...
Finally!…
In fact, until Amalia had arrived, Salazar, Leia and Tyscio were pretty much the only Jedi Natalya had ever met (at this point she didn't really think of Ember as being a Jedi, just more of an annoying guest, whose company she would have to tolerate….evidently)
Amalia had not quite won her over in that regard, but she kept her reservations to herself for the time-being, it was not her place to question a Jedi Master's judgement.
Even if she did think it was wrong.
That being said, Ember's apology had made Nat give her the benefit of the doubt, for now.
Natalya was so excited by the very prospect of going to Ossus, that she only just caught what Ember said, and perhaps more importantly, the way she said it.
Clearly the new acquaintance was not relishing the journey in the way Nat was, which only served to strengthen her doubts about their new addition to the household, it also made her curious as to why Ember seemed reluctant to go.
In fact, now that Natalya focused on the girl, she could sense a lot more bubbling under the surface, the Jedi apprentice had been so irritated and distracted earlier she'd missed it somehow…
Nat was tempted to look deeper with the Force, but stopped short. Feeling like it would be crossing some kind of unspoken private boundary, and instead turned her attention to the Jedi Master…
"I'm ready when you are" Nat said eagerly, before hesitating for a moment as her eyes met Amalia's steady gaze "…assuming you'll still have me as a student"
