Culture Clash
Heavy footfalls sounded out with every step the former bounty hunter took within the halls of the Jedi Temple on Dantooine. Arms tucked inside her robes, the woman allowed herself this moment to take in the energies of the Force around her, basking in its presence.
Bao-Dur, meditating in his chambers as he no doubt deliberated on one thing or another.
Brianna performing her daily exercises in the sanctity of the Training Hals.
Atton discussing something or another with the Miraluka Visas - the two had been getting along more. Considering the often tense atmosphere between the last of the Jedi, it was thankful that some were taking to furthering their relationships. Not to say everyone hated each-other, but Meetra Surik had been the catalyst for them all, a glue that bound them all as one. Without her? Well, there was a reason Mira could rarely be seen talking to anyone outside of mandated meetings.
Oh, she could also sense the presence following her around every corridor. With a deep sigh, she mentally uplifted her stalker, a deep and guttural yell of fright ringing out and echoing down the hallways. With a turn, and a hand on her hip, Mira lifted a brow at a somewhat familiar face.
"So," she began, approaching the person, whom was currently rubbing his horns from where they'd landed on the ground. He looked up at her, eyes wide like prey in its final moments. Mira felt herself smirking despite herself, "you've been following me for the last hour. Gonna talk, or what?" She knew she looked cocky, hand on her hip and staring down the bulky kid. He squawked, mumbling incoherently as he rose unsteadily to his feet. Yellow skin with black markings along it, Mira could immediately make out the resemblance between this kid and their resident Grandmaster.
"Ah, hello! I am Ralec - Ralec Varn," He began, voice a deep rumble as the awkward lad towered over the relatively smaller woman. "I was... watching your movements," he explained. "It reminded me of my fellow people. I wanted to ask you, how you came to adopt such a thing - it is not often I see anyone baring your stance."
Mira tapped her foot, considering the question. "Kid," she began in an almost lazy tone, "I have no clue what you're talking about. Besides, I don't have much idea of your culture, Bao-Dur would probably be better suited to that kinda talk if you're looking for it."
The teen shook his head at the suggestion. "My apologies, I do not think I would find myself relating to the Grandmaster." At Mira's raise of the brow he elaborated. "I myself was born to a fringe colony along the Outer-Rim. While the details are lost to me now, I still recall some of it. I however, was taken during the earlier years of the Mandalorian Wars, as one of many, we were adopted young to be raised as Mandalorians. Things are much more... hostile, where I come from." Mira took stock of the towering teen, looking him up and down and finding only what he appeared to already be. "You don't seem the hostile type," she admitted, before continuing her walk, gesturing for the Zabrak to follow. He did so hesitantly.
"Yes, I am considered to be very 'tame' compared to my brothers and sisters. I do not have the heart for violence as many of them seem to." He pondered his next words as they found themselves in the courtyard. "I believe that is what spurred me on to come here. I could not embrace the militant doctrine as many of my fellow people were able to do. It often led me to become ill when I attempted to do so, a dark presence often associated with my attempts at great violence and want for blood-lust. However, there was little I could learn by myself, so when I spoke to my clan leader, I explained that I would be leaving to seek out a life for myself, and as such I offered payment through labor upon a nearby trading ship and made my way to a place that could better my understanding of the Force." His explanation ending when he looked around, catching up to where they'd arrived. A tree stood tall in the center of the courtyard, other Initiates casually making conversation with one another as they went around the enormous structure.
"Nice story kid," Mira stated, finding a stone bench nearby that she sat upon with a lazy cross of the legs. "Now c'mere and sit. You talk a lot." The adolescent hesitated, before he too sat on the stone bench, legs crossing underneath him like the woman. His movements were stiff and seemingly unsure, a reminder to her of how she herself often was growing up - it gave her a measure of fondness for the kid.
"Now," she began. "Stop thinking for a moment. Stop talking, stop doing anything at all. Feel out with the Force..." the boy tried, closing his eyes and attempting to grasp the Force. "Wrong," she chastised, as a link was made between the two. "Here, follow my lead." And so he was gently led by the 'hand', his presence being cast outward as a warmth began to encompass him. His presence was being directed outward, to the tree before them. "Feel this? Follow its roots." With that simple direction, she allowed him the freedom to explore the Force at his leisure. Eventually he let out a gasp.
"It is... it's immense. Connected to everything," Mira let herself smile at the progress. "I can feel the planet, its gentleness, the animals roaming in the plains." His eyes reopened, and he looked at Mira with what could easily be considered awe. "T-thank you Master Jedi! I have always wondered what it was that felt missing throughout my lessons growing up... it is good to know now what it was." A joyous smile lit the gentle giants face, as he offered an awkward bow.
"Glad I could help," she said truthfully, rising to her feet. "Well, I'll see you around kid. Try and practice that some more on your own time." With a wave she left him to his own devices, inwardly pleased at the success she'd helped him achieve.
A/N
Okay, so for anyone that saw this before the edit, you'd know I initially made the kiddo a Dathomirian... a sub-species of Zabrak that doesn't yet exist in this time-period! Oopsie, and thanks to
@The Englanderish for pointing it out for me. It led to what I think is a far more compelling character - a quick deep dive tells me that the Zabrak colonies were one of the first and hardest to be hit at the beginning of the Mando Wars. That in mind, I put this kid as having been quite young when it all happens, resulting in him being still quite young now - Mandalorian Wars began in 3976, and KOTOR 2 ends in year 3951, so I'd say his colony probably got sacked around... 3967 - 68 or so? Just an estimate, I hope you guys enjoy!
