Post by Moonfire on Aug 7, 2011 19:38:26 GMT -5
Name: Moonfire Starlight Essense
Species: Human
Age: 32
Sex: Female
Height/Weight: 5’10/ 145lbs
Appearance:
Personality:
Character Rank: Jedi Master (Sentential)
Special Skills: Moonfire Crystal- All stats receive a +10 increase while lightsaber is in use, thanks to Anniversary Prize : Moonfire Crystal.
Lightsaber Forms:
Shii-Co- Advanced
Soresu- Proficient
Ataru- Advanced
Djem So/Shien- Novice
Physical Attributes
Strength: 45
Speed: 50
Intelligence: 75
Force Proficiency
Telekinesis: 80
Telepathy: 35
Body: 65
Sense: 20
Channel: 60
Alignment: +85
Bio: Fuzzy Future (Birth to 5)
To understand the origins of Moonfire Essense, one must understand those of her parents. Artemis and Anaye Essense were an incredibly eccentric couple. Having moved to Ruusan from their Coruscantian and Corellian roots, they set up their home amongst the vivid forests and mountains the planet had to offer when they discovered they were expecting their first child. Artemis being an anthropologist saw a new planet with new things to study, in particular the Ruusian Bouncers. Anaye, a proper business woman and small time trader saw new cities and new trade routes.
Soon after establishing their new home and comfortable lives outside the city of Enari, located in the more lush and mountainous region of the planet, their first child was born, Moonfire. To this day the rest of the Essense clan back on Coruscant isn’t clear on why the couple named their first born such an awkward name, hoping that the first boy wouldn’t be given an equally unfortunate name.
And soon, one child became two with the birth of Skywise Essense merely two years later. A curious pair, the two were polar opposites. Moonfire, or more commonly called; Mooney was a quiet and shy child, spending most of her time inside, playing with her mother. Meanwhile, young Skywise was quite the mischief maker, teasing his older sister, and later in life his other siblings as well. Once the third Essense child was born, Sunstorm, Moonfire took on the charge of being the doting older sister, now with two brothers under her wing.
About halfway through her fifth year of life, a young Mooney had wandered out into the forests surrounding her home in search for some of the wild berries she and her family had grown fond of. As she walked between the towering trees, gently pulling the great bundles of berries from the vines that wound over them, she spotted the most curious creature she had ever encountered.
Around the size of a medium sized dog, fur pure and white, it slept curled into a little ball, its long floppy ears splayed about as the tail wrapped about its body. With wide blue eyes Moonfire carefully reached out and pulled the rabbit-like animal towards her, gently stroking its silky fur. Still deep in its sleep the little girl cradled the animal in her arms before picking it up (nearly toppling over in the process) and taking off into a run. Shouting for her mother, Moonfire had hardly noticed the Kushiban was awake until she was halfway through asking her mother if she could keep it.
“You most certainly can not keep me.” He said before effortlessly flipping out of the young girls hands. Landing gently he proceeded to introduce himself as Master Teiko of the Jedi Temple to the Essense parents. Moonfire reacted in a way as any little girl would have, by trying to velcro herself to the adorable creature. Thankfully Master Teiko, who had come to Ruusan for some soul searching, was able to fend her off while explaining the child’s curious potential to her parents.
"Force sensitive? Moonfire?" Artemis repeated quietly to himself, his arm wrapped about his wifes waist. "What does that mean for us?"
"I would like to take Moonfire back to the Temple on Coruscant, where we will begin to train her in the ways of the Jedi. You of course are welcome to go about your lives as you always have." Teiko said using his cane to hold the little girl at bay.
"Hes so fluffy!" She said giggling trying her hardest to evade the cane that kept from cuddling into the pure white fur.
"Moonfire, thats enough." She mother said patting her daughter gently on the head. Anaye was pained at the thought of losing her daughter. Leaning down on one knee she looked the wide eyed girl in the eye. "Mooney, do you want to be a Jedi?"
"Uh huh! I wants to help people." Giving her biggest, gap toothed smile the dark haired girl nodded hard, almost knocking herself over with the force.
"Well then its settled." Artemis said quietly. "Moonfire will go to Coruscant, and so will we." The coupled nodded, since they needed a few months to settle their affairs on Ruusan they allowed Moonfire to go with Master Teiko to Coruscant then. After a tearful goodbye young Moonfire left, headed to the city-world of Coruscant for the first time.
Bumbling Beginnings (5-12)
The vast city world of Coruscant was far from anything the little girl had ever imagined. Gleaming buildings that towered high above the ground, droids and people constantly bustling about, never sleeping. The Temple was simply beautiful, far more glamorous than anything she had seen before.
Quickly she settled in, placed into the care of Jedi Master Si Quan who was in charge of instructing the younglings. A shy girl Moonfire had trouble adjusting to the other children, having only had her brothers as playmates.
Moonfire didn't start off as the most capable Jedi. Her nerves often got the best of her, manifesting itself in bouts of extreme clumsiness. Often while practicing her form in Shii-cho alone she could easily remember and pull off each move, though when thrown into a sparring match she'd fall apart, the pressure to do well often would be too much causing her to make simple mistakes. With each mistake Moonfire would internally berate herself, causing even more trip ups.
The cycle continued on, even late into her Youngling years as she struggled to prove her worth amongst the others. She found it hard to make friends because of her frequent embarrassment over her latest public mistake, usually very quiet and her deep inner turmoil over her easily frazzled nerves made her difficult to approach. Anxiety had begun to eat away at Moonfire by the time she turned 11, something she would be riddled with well into her apprenticeship.
Sitting her room one evening she practiced her Force training. The training saber Moonfire favored was sitting across the sparring room. Concentrating she carefully withdrew it, pulling it towards her across the room catching it in a pale, dainty hand before activating. With a hiss the dark blue blade extended and the girl began to go through the stances of Shii-Cho, determined to complete each in succession without a mistake.
Carefully she moved through each motion, flowing into the next her concentration so intense she hardly noticed Si Quan quietly entering the room to watch. Finally she finished, completing the ending stance with flair before she noticed the Jedi Master hovering at the entry way. With the sudden flood of self-consciousness the girl tripped over her own feet, falling to the ground with a flourish.
"I-i-i'm sorry! I didn't mean to fall, I just get so..."
"Moonfire, you don't need to apologize for being startled." He said kindly, helping the girl up. "You did very well just now, your form was very good. Why haven't you performed that well while sparring?"
"I don't know." She said quickly, eyes glued to the floor. "I.. just get so nervous, when I make one mistake I just keep making more and more."
"Its overwhelming, isn't it?" Gently the master placed a hand at her shoulder, beckoning her to look up at him. "Its just a mistake Moonfire, you have to remember that. No one in the galaxy is perfect, even I make mistakes. Don't let them effect you so." He said softly, patting her on the head. "Next time you spar with one of your classmates, I hope to see you perform that well. Carry on with you practice." And with a flutter of his cloaks he was gone again.
Soon it came time for Moonfire to spar again, trying her best she kept her nerves under control for most of the battle, though once more she tripped up and with it went her confidence.
Moonfire continued on this way through out her Youngling years and despite the fact that she mastered Shii-Cho and the basics of pushing and pulling with the Force the girl had convinced herself that she would never be worthy of becoming an apprentice, let alone a full fledged Jedi.
Mysterious Master (12-13)[/b]
As time passed, Moonfire became of age to become a Padawan, and quickly the others of her age group were picked up by Jedi Masters. Much too her shock, Moonfire was far from last to be accepted as an apprentice.
"You remember Master Teiko, the one who brought you to the Temple?" Si Quan asked her one morning. "He has decided to take you on as his Padawan.
"Really?! That’s great!" She bubbled excitedly. "What’s he like? I hardly remember him."
"Well... Master Teiko is a little hard to get used to, he usually warms up to people after a week or two. He despises humans and has nothing but contempt for women, so you might take a little longer than most."
"Oh."
Si Quan couldn't hold back a chuckle. "I assure you, you'll be fine Moonfire. Now come with me, its time that you begin your training as a Padawan." Beckoning her towards the door the pair walked through the Temple towards the fountain room.
As they reached the beautiful gardens within Moonfire spotted the small-rabbit like Jedi Master.
"There he is, you'll do great Moonfire. Just remember, mistakes happen. Don't beat yourself up over it." Si Quan gave the youngling he'd help to raise a quick hug before returning to his duties with the Younglings.
Tearing up from their quick good bye, Moonfire brushed the tears away from her overly large blue eyes sucking in a deep breath before heading towards the Jedi for the first time in 7 years.
Tentatively she approached the Kushiban. "Master Teiko, I'm Moonfire... I was told you'd be taking me on as your apprentice." The girl said brightly, glad to introduce herself.
Suddenly a stream of high pitched noises shot out at her. Words in a language she didn't understand assaulted her. Confusion covered the girls face as she began to stutter.
"M-m-master Teiko, I don't understand. I only spe-" The small cane clutched firmly in the old Kushiban's hand quickly struck out cracking over Moonfire's head. Another string of foreign words coming out.
"Ow ow ow ow ow!" She cried out, clutching her head tightly. Tears welled up in her eyes. "Why did you hit me?" She said, trying to stop the flow of tears, her voice small and squeaky.
Another string of high pitched yelling and the cane fell over her head again, issuing another whimper from Moonfire who could hardly contain her sobs. "I don't know what you're saying! I only speak Basic!"
Afraid the cane would thwack heavily over her head again her arms reflexively. In a voice so unfitting with his physical appearance, proud and strong deep in pitch Teiko spoke. "If you can't understand me then I will treat you as I would a dog. By hitting you and pointing." His voice so harsh another whimper came from the girl.
Another thwack of the cane on her shin and he pointed towards the training saber at her belt, another string of unintelligible words come out. Wiping her eyes, Moonfire took this to mean he wanted to see her use her saber. Taking the saber she ignited it.
"Do you want me to show you my Shii-Cho?" She asked quietly, her voice still squeaky from crying.
With a nod of approval the girl took a deep breath and began to move through the stances. And too her surprise she managed to get through it mistake free. Master Teiko nodded to himself before turning away to leave. "Keep practicing. Tomorrow the real training begins.”
Her training went on in this fashion for several months as she became proficient in Shii-cho, when Master Teiko took her on their first mission together.
Mission One- Saving Senators(12-13)
Much of Moonfire’s training involved long runs back and forth across the courtyard, the old Kushiban riding on her head as he babbled on his strange squeaky language, striking her lightly with the cane if her pace slowed. Moonfire found this exhausting and more than anything, frustrating. A relatively weak girl, she was unaccustomed to the constant usage of her muscles and most nights would collapse into her, asleep before she hit the pillow. But this training, despite its intensity, made her stronger. Within a few months, Moonfire found herself able to understand Teiko’s awkward tongue and during one of his infamous tongue lashings she quietly begged for his forgiveness in the Kushiban language. Teiko, though surprised only spoke to her in Basic after that, pleased that her Force Translate ability had finally come in.
Over the next year Moonfire found the physical labor demanded of her by Teiko to become easier and easier, her arms had become less scrawny and her legs stronger. Running great distances with the old man atop her head stopped being a challenge, and the long hours of light saber drilling had become almost second nature. Finally Teiko thought it was time for Moonfire to join him on her first mission. It was relatively simple job, escorting a Senator to a peace talk with a neighboring planet. Several threats had been placed in the past few months against the unpopular politician, and so Teiko and Moonfire with a few other people were asked to come along.
Most of the visit had been standard, and Moonfire eagerly took to her babysitting duties. Her excitement soon turned to fear when their ship was attacked by extremists. Threatening to shoot the Senator, Moonfire jumped in front of him, a blue light saber clutched in her hands as the homicidal Twi’lek inched closer, blaster clutched in hand. Teiko, occupied with the other ruffians shouted to her “Moonfire! Use Barrier!” just as the blaster went off, grazing her arm. Hissing with pains he clutched the wound, remembering the technique Teiko had been teaching her.
With the pressure on Moonfire did as instructed, a near invisible wall erected between her and the assassin, protecting herself and Senator from harm. Swiftly Teiko and the other Jedi disposed of him and the rest. After the Senator was returned safely to his home Teiko took Moonfire aside.
“You did well today, Girl.” A kindly smile small but visible over his furry face. Extending a small paw he beckoned forward her arm, looking over the singed wound. Carefully holding his paw over it he explained in detail how he was going to heal her wound. She listened intently as the Master worked his magic, her wound first numbing and then knitting together before her eyes.
Extending his own injured arm, he asked Moonfire to try her best to replicate what he had just done. Nervous and tired from her ordeal she protested, but in the end tried her hand at it. Her try, though ultimately unsuccessful did relieve the pain. Teiko commended her and under the praise she flourished for the moment. Because of this momentary success she drove ever harder to perfect the two abilities, spending much of her free time in the sparring room blocking attacks from remote droids and in the sick bay, attempting to heal others.
Rain on Ruusan (13-14)
Shortly after the mission to protect the Senator, Master Teiko insisted on moving Moonfire back to his hut on Ruusan. Her family, having vacated the area years before for Coruscant were no longer an issue. Teiko feared that living on the same planet as the large family would cause the sentimental girl to try and reach out to them. Moonfire, excited for an adventure, but sad to leave her friends moved back to her home world.
The Ruusian air was good for her, and she found Teiko’s hut, while on the small side she found very charming. The plants and the animals were familiar, despite the many years it had been since she’d left. It was here at Teiko began to train her in Soresu and the usage of Force Valor and Speed.
Out in the country, Teiko lived simply and taught as such. There were no remote droids or fancy training machines. She was taught much as he taught the other pupils that had come under his tutelage. For Soresu she’d spend every rain fall outside, spinning and swirling her blade to try and deflect the raindrops themselves, though despite her efforts she’d return after the rains sopping wet every time. It was those nights where Teiko would hardly speak to her, and because of it she pressed ever harder.
Force speed and Valor though she took too easily. Great joy was found in running and jumping between the trees, even if she took the occasional tumble from a branch, tripping over her own feet. The feelings of the force moving and strengthening every fiber of her being was intoxicating.
Once more she fell into the comfortable routine of training and mediation. Her anxiety and perfectionism still plagued her. Every failure like a fresh cut on psyche, especially her short comings with Soresu finding herself, while rather capable unable to stop every drop as demanded of her. Because her frantic worries and endlessly turning mind Moonfire’s meditation suffered and most nights were spent with hellish nightmares. Though it here Moonfire on Ruusan that Moonfire has her most found memories. The short year spent there strengthened her resolve to become a better Jedi and breed a deep love of her Master into her. Time stretched almost endlessly before them until their next mission, a trip to give relief to people of Taris as they struggled to rebuild their world.
Mission Two- Rakghoul’s Rampage[/u]
Moonfire was excited beyond words for their newest Mission. Teiko had left from time to time on small missions, usually returning within a day or so. Most though he deemed were much too dangerous for her, but after much time and much training on her part the old Master found a mission he believed she’d be adept for.
Traveling to Taris they approached the ruined planet in hopes of aiding in relief effort for the broken and battered people of the city world. The people there were grateful for the assistance as the Jedi delivered food and helped the people to clear some of the rubble, aiding more and more in the rebuilding efforts.
Moonfire’s job was the help clear out of the more sturdy buildings to help reclamation squads turn them into livable conditions for the displaced citizens, many of who had resorting to living in the Lower City, much of which had become incredibly dangerous, more so than its usual criminals and swoop gangs, as reports of Rakghouls and other creatures became more and more frequent. The Rakghouls were believed to have entered through a damaged gate that cut off the Lower City from the Under City, usually protecting the people from the mutated humans.
But, Moonfire and Teiko had little fear of these. This area just out of the Lower City and didn’t take long for them to clear out the rubble. Using telekinesis they had all but cleared out the main section of the building before deciding to split up to clear out the individual rooms. Eacch Jedi took a few of the reclamationist with them before going their separate ways.
The first few rooms were easy enough, Moonfire, shy around the strange adults babbled insistently as they cleaned room after room, only really using her skills to help move the larger pieces of old furniture. It was tiring work, mentally and physically, but she liked it well enough. This strange pleasure ended abruptly as they moved a heavy piece of the torn down wall, revealing the darkness of the floor below.
Igniting her light saber the girl peered down into the darkness, struggling to see. Heavy breathing and noxious stench hit the group head on. “H-hello? Is anyone down there?” She called out when the bellow came. “T-t-that doesn’t s-s-sound good…” The girl mumbled as she stepped back. Moonfire’s mumbling was drowned out by another loud bellow as the Rakghoul sprang. Tottering backwards the girl called out the others, begging them to run with her.
The group scrambled as Moonfire shouted for her Master the massive Rakghoul thundering after her. Racing up the steps she shouted Teiko’s name, using the Force to enhance her speed. The creature lumbered after her, and for that she was thankful. Better her than it chasing after the poor Taris reclamationists. Running ahead just far enough, the girl darted into a nearby room, pressing herself against the wall, light saber tightly gripped. Afraid and close to panic the girl struggled to control her breathing, willing herself to calm before the monster heard her. The force flooded her as she attempted to calm, feeling it rush into her lungs, her breathing stopping all together, chest stilling. Yet some how, she did not feel the need to gasp and struggle for breath. The force alone sustained her as she listened carefully to the creature as it slowly stalked the hall. Holding her breath she waited, stock still light saber clutched between her tight fingers the Rakghoul busted through the ragged wall next to her.
Jumping back she held the saber before her, swinging the blue blade in high arcs around her as the Rakghoul thundered closer. Its arm within moments was sliced clean off, a moan of pain echoing around her as she continued to cut at the air around her before driving the blade hard once more in to the Rakghoul until it lay lifeless and gory before her. With a harsh gasp Moonfire felt the sweet air rush her lungs, breathing heavily she stumbled from the room, exhausted but completely unscathed.
“Master… Master, I killed it.” She called as the tiny Kushiban rushed forward, yellow blade ignited. He surveyed her quickly before ducking into the room she left, treading carefully as he looked over the slaughtered mutant.
The girl staggered, exhausted from the encounter, propping herself up against a piece of tattered wall. Turning to the girl and the group behind them he rested a paw against the girl. “I think… We’re done here for the day.”
After the frightening ordeal the group agreed and Teiko escorted the young girl back to their ship, his fur a distinct and worried grey the whole flight. Moonfire slept quietly the whole ride home.
Another Ally[/u]
After returning to Ruusan, Moonfire settled back into her usual routine, physical training in the mornings, meditation in the afternoons and more PT before sundown. She found comfort in this repetition, until the day came where Teiko approached her and requested she pack her things.
“Are we going on another mission, Master?” She asked, her interest peaked. It had been many months since their adventure on Taris, and Moonfire was eager to get back out in the world, and try to have a less disastrous adventure.
“No no, not this time, Girl. Nar Shaddaa is no place for a Padawan. You will be staying at the Temple on Coruscant for the next week.” Teiko said sternly, motioning for her to hurry and pack her things.
Moonfire did not protest, accepting quietly that she’d be better off out of the way of the other Jedi. Within a few hours the now 15 year old girl was settling back into her old room in the Temple. Giving Teiko a hearty hug she said goodbye as the stuffy old Kushiban gave her a gentle smile and left for his mission.
That week was average to say the least. Moonfire spent most of it wandering the halls, finding herself slightly homesick for Ruusan. The air there was different, as though it had been filtered a thousand times by the giant skycrapers and ships that buzzed and flooded the air. By the 1st she had already sought out the few friends she had made in her youngling years, giving quiet hellos and polite how-are-you’s. On the 3rd she had taken to the sparring room, swirling and spinning her blade to deflect the bolts of the remote droids. As the 6th day rolled around she packed her things back up, eager to be gone of the Temple. The 7th day came and went, but Master Teiko did not return. The other Master’s told her not to worry, that Teiko was probably merely unable to contact her in his undercover mission on the Smuggler’s Moon.
On the 10th day Moonfire asked the other masters daily if they had heard from him, her bag still packed and waiting by the door.
By the 15th she had spent much of her days locked in the expansive library the place had to offer, crouched low over the data pads all day and night, filling her mind with facts and figures.
As the sunset on the 25th day Moonfire had explored the courtyard and learned the names, planet and properties of every piece of flora in the courtyard.
The sunset on her 30th day, and with wet eyes and a heavy heart Moonfire unpacked the bag by the door. Master Odan Thos had informed her that afternoon that Teiko had not been heard from in several weeks, despite their investigative efforts he could not be found. They still had Jedi investigating his disappearance, but their expectations were low.
With every robe she unpacked the girl wept a little harder, curling up on the floor as the last robe laid out mournfully over her bed. She laid there for a while, even after the sobs stopped, reviewing what she ought to do next.
It was on the 31st day that Moonfire returned to training. Her vacation was over, a Padawan without a Master she resumed the routine she had found comfort in. The council refused to allow her to return to Ruusan without a Master, but were wary to give her a new master in case Teiko returned. The days were filled with PT and meditation, the nights spent pooring over data pads, hungry for knowledge.
Several months past, and it was in this near directionless haze that she found a next person to impact her life. The sparring room was one place where the girl who filled herself with worries and wants could cease thinking. Her whirling mind calmed when thrown into the endless onslaught of remote droid bolts.
It was here that they meet. The blaster bolts spun and hissed as they deflected off her whirling blade, her Soresu was good, she had become rather proficient in the form, but was no where near Mastering it. Her ability to sense the blaster fire was lacking, her precog had never been really up to par. She held it off for a long while, but a single bolt slipped past, landing square on her cheek.
“Ouch! Ouch! Ouch!” She cried, holding her cheek as the remote droids continued to fire. “Stop! Stop!” The girl shouted crumpling to the floor, still holding her cheek and rubbing the black mark the bolt left.
“Careful, careful, you’ve got to concentrate better than that, kiddo.” Came a gentle voice from the door way. The Knight smiled down as he walked over to help the girl up. Tears welled up in her eyes shamefully as she scrambled to stand up.
“I’m fine, I’m fine, honest.” Moonfire said rubbing the hot tears out of her face. “I didn’t mean to fall down.” She grumbled, straightening her robes.
“Of course you didn’t…” He chuckled, brushing the reddish hair from his eyes. Her heart thumped, uncontrollably.
“So, is Soresu the only form you know?” He asked casually, picking up her light saber from the ground, inspecting the hilt closely.
“Other than Shii-cho?.. Y-yes.” She sputtered, her nerves bothering her. Was she behind the other Padawans? Teiko had spoken about teaching her Ataru when he returned… But it never happened.
Ryuu smiled more, projecting an aura of calm, attempting to relax the nerves of the poor girl. Moonfire felt it like a soothing tidal wave, a lazy grin widening across her face.
“Soresu, while very useful on the defensive isn’t very practical in dueling situations. Perhaps you’d like to learn more about the Perseverance form; Djem So and Shien?
“Yes… Please…?” She fished for a name.
“Ryuu. Ryuu Satori.”
Ryuu took her carefully through each step of Djem So. By the end of the lessen Moonfire had felt more at ease than she had in a long time. She felt for the first time in years that she had made a friend.
After that it was hard for Ryuu to shake the energetic girl. When she wasn’t chatting with him excitedly she was asking him to practice light saber forms with her, or just walk with her through the courtyard. Most mornings would be spent wondering around looking for him, ready to share the latest bit of information she’d discovered in the data pads she poured over each night.
The weeks she spent with Ryuu were wonderful. She had found a friend, a companion to train with, to discuss the things she read and loved. And for a while Moonfire felt a sort of happiness she hadn’t experienced before.
Fallen Friends[/u]
Then one day, Ryuu too disappeared. He too had gone off on a mission, and no one would speak about what had happened. No one would tell her where he went or what he did. Only that he wasn’t coming back. Moonfire was crushed by this, throwing herself at the mercy of her routine, her emotions and fear twisting up in her stomach like a solid stone.
But there were bigger problems afoot.
A hush had fallen over the Temple, much of which Moonfire had little understanding. The Masters acted differently, the Padawans were nervous, afraid of what was going on.
And then, they disappeared. People all over the temple seemed to disappear up in smoke, those who asked questions about it seemed to disappear as well.
The new Masters came. Moonfire had been treading carefully, wandering the courtyard when a strange boy called her over. He couldn’t have been much older than her, but called himself Master Hatori, and asked her rather politely how her training was going. She told him about her lack of instruction, but withheld her fears to what was happening in the Temple.
Instead he offered to show her something new, to continue her education. A group of them formed, all Padawans who were left Master-less in the recent climate. Out in the courtyard what they learned seemed harmless enough at first, despite the weird feelings Hatori gave off. He lacked the calm, the soothing feeling the other Masters gave.
He showed them Growth first, an interesting power. Making plants grow from the earth and stretch out, become overgrown around them. It took a few tries at first, but Moonfire was surprised by how easily it came to her. How the sprout seemed to grow rapidly around her, grasping the other students at Hatori’s request. Her delight was short lived though.
The lessons turned to a much more obviously dark nature. Hatori then began to detail to each student in turn to take the weird feelings they had around him, to lock onto the fear and the pain and the worry and to unleash it into the air around them. The Force Lightning he produced made a spectacular display around the student, and Moonfire felt the fear rise up, her heart pulsing in her throat.
Each student in turn unleashed a crack of lightning, small sparks, but the feeling was… horrifying. The pure power lashing out of them, uncontrolled and unrelenting, the likes of which Moonfire had never seen before.
“This… this isn’t right…” She muttered as Hatori asked the students to stand against one another, to unleash their new found abilities on one another.
Afraid, Moonfire scrambled backwards, refusing to lash out in such a way against her comrades, her friends. With a wave of his hand Hatori had raised the bodies that had piled up within the temple, puppetting them into attacking her with telekinesis. An ambush had happened, the people of the temple were given two choices, to
The shattering of glass brought her attention up to the temple window above. Landing roughly before her was a red haired Jedi clad in the tan and white robes so common to their order. A single man ran through her head.
“Ryuu!” She shouted, grabbing his arm, her light saber out as they pair began to fight their way through the group. The fight was intense, but they made it by the skin of their teeth to a ship. Blasting off world, it was only then that Moonfire realized her mistake. Ryuu was still missing, lost to the dark side, but his brother Kyo Satori wasn’t.
United in the Union
Moonfire didn’t take the news of Ryuu particularly well. But with this disappointment, she had found a new ally. Kyo Satori was a healer in the Temple, and someone she had encountered on many occasions in her clumsy youth. Only in her moon-eyed haze had she mistaken the twins.
Together the two were at a loss. Their home, the Temple of Coruscant was no longer safe, the planet was falling under the rein of Cain. There was only one place they could turn, the Union.
Flying out to the deep space, Moonfire and Kyo became official members of the Union under Jor Halcyon. It was here Moonfire spent the next few years of her life, as the Empire began to spread and move across the galaxy. It was also here where she met Drake Hellion, the Drunken Jedi and a man who would become one of her closest friends and mentors. Under the tutelage of Drake and Jor, Moonfire trained, her driving force was her need to find Ryuu, to save him.
The years she spent with the Union were tense, but with them she became stronger. Kyo had blossomed into a great friend, his dedication to finding and redeeming his brother was short of inspiring. These people, Jor, Drake, Kyo made her want to become a better Jedi, to put aside the inner turmoil she felt over Teiko, over Ryuu and the horrors that occurred on Coruscant.
It was about this time, exploring the library on the Union’s base that she stumbled upon a holocron. The holocron was an old one, of a Master she had never heard of, but he offered to teach her Ataru, another light saber form. Taking the holocron Moonfire excitedly began to learn the form in the sparring room on the base, but soon found it too confining for her to truly practice the flips and spins necessary of the form.
With that in mind she left for Ruusan, the planet was still independent, and she hoped that it was still the world she remembered. The Holonet held images of Coruscant, twisted and black and burning, a shadow of its former self. But Ruusan, Ruusan would always be rich and clean and clear.
Reunion on Ruusan[/u]
Moonfire gave a quiet goodbye to the others, giving the excuse that she needed some air and left for Ruusan. The moment she stepped off the ship it was as though she had been transported back in time. The canyon around her glittered beautiful
Purchases:
Species: Human
Age: 32
Sex: Female
Height/Weight: 5’10/ 145lbs
Appearance:
Personality:
Character Rank: Jedi Master (Sentential)
Special Skills: Moonfire Crystal- All stats receive a +10 increase while lightsaber is in use, thanks to Anniversary Prize : Moonfire Crystal.
Lightsaber Forms:
Shii-Co- Advanced
Soresu- Proficient
Ataru- Advanced
Djem So/Shien- Novice
Physical Attributes
Strength: 45
Speed: 50
Intelligence: 75
Force Proficiency
Telekinesis: 80
Telepathy: 35
Body: 65
Sense: 20
Channel: 60
Alignment: +85
Bio: Fuzzy Future (Birth to 5)
To understand the origins of Moonfire Essense, one must understand those of her parents. Artemis and Anaye Essense were an incredibly eccentric couple. Having moved to Ruusan from their Coruscantian and Corellian roots, they set up their home amongst the vivid forests and mountains the planet had to offer when they discovered they were expecting their first child. Artemis being an anthropologist saw a new planet with new things to study, in particular the Ruusian Bouncers. Anaye, a proper business woman and small time trader saw new cities and new trade routes.
Soon after establishing their new home and comfortable lives outside the city of Enari, located in the more lush and mountainous region of the planet, their first child was born, Moonfire. To this day the rest of the Essense clan back on Coruscant isn’t clear on why the couple named their first born such an awkward name, hoping that the first boy wouldn’t be given an equally unfortunate name.
And soon, one child became two with the birth of Skywise Essense merely two years later. A curious pair, the two were polar opposites. Moonfire, or more commonly called; Mooney was a quiet and shy child, spending most of her time inside, playing with her mother. Meanwhile, young Skywise was quite the mischief maker, teasing his older sister, and later in life his other siblings as well. Once the third Essense child was born, Sunstorm, Moonfire took on the charge of being the doting older sister, now with two brothers under her wing.
About halfway through her fifth year of life, a young Mooney had wandered out into the forests surrounding her home in search for some of the wild berries she and her family had grown fond of. As she walked between the towering trees, gently pulling the great bundles of berries from the vines that wound over them, she spotted the most curious creature she had ever encountered.
Around the size of a medium sized dog, fur pure and white, it slept curled into a little ball, its long floppy ears splayed about as the tail wrapped about its body. With wide blue eyes Moonfire carefully reached out and pulled the rabbit-like animal towards her, gently stroking its silky fur. Still deep in its sleep the little girl cradled the animal in her arms before picking it up (nearly toppling over in the process) and taking off into a run. Shouting for her mother, Moonfire had hardly noticed the Kushiban was awake until she was halfway through asking her mother if she could keep it.
“You most certainly can not keep me.” He said before effortlessly flipping out of the young girls hands. Landing gently he proceeded to introduce himself as Master Teiko of the Jedi Temple to the Essense parents. Moonfire reacted in a way as any little girl would have, by trying to velcro herself to the adorable creature. Thankfully Master Teiko, who had come to Ruusan for some soul searching, was able to fend her off while explaining the child’s curious potential to her parents.
"Force sensitive? Moonfire?" Artemis repeated quietly to himself, his arm wrapped about his wifes waist. "What does that mean for us?"
"I would like to take Moonfire back to the Temple on Coruscant, where we will begin to train her in the ways of the Jedi. You of course are welcome to go about your lives as you always have." Teiko said using his cane to hold the little girl at bay.
"Hes so fluffy!" She said giggling trying her hardest to evade the cane that kept from cuddling into the pure white fur.
"Moonfire, thats enough." She mother said patting her daughter gently on the head. Anaye was pained at the thought of losing her daughter. Leaning down on one knee she looked the wide eyed girl in the eye. "Mooney, do you want to be a Jedi?"
"Uh huh! I wants to help people." Giving her biggest, gap toothed smile the dark haired girl nodded hard, almost knocking herself over with the force.
"Well then its settled." Artemis said quietly. "Moonfire will go to Coruscant, and so will we." The coupled nodded, since they needed a few months to settle their affairs on Ruusan they allowed Moonfire to go with Master Teiko to Coruscant then. After a tearful goodbye young Moonfire left, headed to the city-world of Coruscant for the first time.
Bumbling Beginnings (5-12)
The vast city world of Coruscant was far from anything the little girl had ever imagined. Gleaming buildings that towered high above the ground, droids and people constantly bustling about, never sleeping. The Temple was simply beautiful, far more glamorous than anything she had seen before.
Quickly she settled in, placed into the care of Jedi Master Si Quan who was in charge of instructing the younglings. A shy girl Moonfire had trouble adjusting to the other children, having only had her brothers as playmates.
Moonfire didn't start off as the most capable Jedi. Her nerves often got the best of her, manifesting itself in bouts of extreme clumsiness. Often while practicing her form in Shii-cho alone she could easily remember and pull off each move, though when thrown into a sparring match she'd fall apart, the pressure to do well often would be too much causing her to make simple mistakes. With each mistake Moonfire would internally berate herself, causing even more trip ups.
The cycle continued on, even late into her Youngling years as she struggled to prove her worth amongst the others. She found it hard to make friends because of her frequent embarrassment over her latest public mistake, usually very quiet and her deep inner turmoil over her easily frazzled nerves made her difficult to approach. Anxiety had begun to eat away at Moonfire by the time she turned 11, something she would be riddled with well into her apprenticeship.
Sitting her room one evening she practiced her Force training. The training saber Moonfire favored was sitting across the sparring room. Concentrating she carefully withdrew it, pulling it towards her across the room catching it in a pale, dainty hand before activating. With a hiss the dark blue blade extended and the girl began to go through the stances of Shii-Cho, determined to complete each in succession without a mistake.
Carefully she moved through each motion, flowing into the next her concentration so intense she hardly noticed Si Quan quietly entering the room to watch. Finally she finished, completing the ending stance with flair before she noticed the Jedi Master hovering at the entry way. With the sudden flood of self-consciousness the girl tripped over her own feet, falling to the ground with a flourish.
"I-i-i'm sorry! I didn't mean to fall, I just get so..."
"Moonfire, you don't need to apologize for being startled." He said kindly, helping the girl up. "You did very well just now, your form was very good. Why haven't you performed that well while sparring?"
"I don't know." She said quickly, eyes glued to the floor. "I.. just get so nervous, when I make one mistake I just keep making more and more."
"Its overwhelming, isn't it?" Gently the master placed a hand at her shoulder, beckoning her to look up at him. "Its just a mistake Moonfire, you have to remember that. No one in the galaxy is perfect, even I make mistakes. Don't let them effect you so." He said softly, patting her on the head. "Next time you spar with one of your classmates, I hope to see you perform that well. Carry on with you practice." And with a flutter of his cloaks he was gone again.
Soon it came time for Moonfire to spar again, trying her best she kept her nerves under control for most of the battle, though once more she tripped up and with it went her confidence.
Moonfire continued on this way through out her Youngling years and despite the fact that she mastered Shii-Cho and the basics of pushing and pulling with the Force the girl had convinced herself that she would never be worthy of becoming an apprentice, let alone a full fledged Jedi.
Mysterious Master (12-13)[/b]
As time passed, Moonfire became of age to become a Padawan, and quickly the others of her age group were picked up by Jedi Masters. Much too her shock, Moonfire was far from last to be accepted as an apprentice.
"You remember Master Teiko, the one who brought you to the Temple?" Si Quan asked her one morning. "He has decided to take you on as his Padawan.
"Really?! That’s great!" She bubbled excitedly. "What’s he like? I hardly remember him."
"Well... Master Teiko is a little hard to get used to, he usually warms up to people after a week or two. He despises humans and has nothing but contempt for women, so you might take a little longer than most."
"Oh."
Si Quan couldn't hold back a chuckle. "I assure you, you'll be fine Moonfire. Now come with me, its time that you begin your training as a Padawan." Beckoning her towards the door the pair walked through the Temple towards the fountain room.
As they reached the beautiful gardens within Moonfire spotted the small-rabbit like Jedi Master.
"There he is, you'll do great Moonfire. Just remember, mistakes happen. Don't beat yourself up over it." Si Quan gave the youngling he'd help to raise a quick hug before returning to his duties with the Younglings.
Tearing up from their quick good bye, Moonfire brushed the tears away from her overly large blue eyes sucking in a deep breath before heading towards the Jedi for the first time in 7 years.
Tentatively she approached the Kushiban. "Master Teiko, I'm Moonfire... I was told you'd be taking me on as your apprentice." The girl said brightly, glad to introduce herself.
Suddenly a stream of high pitched noises shot out at her. Words in a language she didn't understand assaulted her. Confusion covered the girls face as she began to stutter.
"M-m-master Teiko, I don't understand. I only spe-" The small cane clutched firmly in the old Kushiban's hand quickly struck out cracking over Moonfire's head. Another string of foreign words coming out.
"Ow ow ow ow ow!" She cried out, clutching her head tightly. Tears welled up in her eyes. "Why did you hit me?" She said, trying to stop the flow of tears, her voice small and squeaky.
Another string of high pitched yelling and the cane fell over her head again, issuing another whimper from Moonfire who could hardly contain her sobs. "I don't know what you're saying! I only speak Basic!"
Afraid the cane would thwack heavily over her head again her arms reflexively. In a voice so unfitting with his physical appearance, proud and strong deep in pitch Teiko spoke. "If you can't understand me then I will treat you as I would a dog. By hitting you and pointing." His voice so harsh another whimper came from the girl.
Another thwack of the cane on her shin and he pointed towards the training saber at her belt, another string of unintelligible words come out. Wiping her eyes, Moonfire took this to mean he wanted to see her use her saber. Taking the saber she ignited it.
"Do you want me to show you my Shii-Cho?" She asked quietly, her voice still squeaky from crying.
With a nod of approval the girl took a deep breath and began to move through the stances. And too her surprise she managed to get through it mistake free. Master Teiko nodded to himself before turning away to leave. "Keep practicing. Tomorrow the real training begins.”
Her training went on in this fashion for several months as she became proficient in Shii-cho, when Master Teiko took her on their first mission together.
Mission One- Saving Senators(12-13)
Much of Moonfire’s training involved long runs back and forth across the courtyard, the old Kushiban riding on her head as he babbled on his strange squeaky language, striking her lightly with the cane if her pace slowed. Moonfire found this exhausting and more than anything, frustrating. A relatively weak girl, she was unaccustomed to the constant usage of her muscles and most nights would collapse into her, asleep before she hit the pillow. But this training, despite its intensity, made her stronger. Within a few months, Moonfire found herself able to understand Teiko’s awkward tongue and during one of his infamous tongue lashings she quietly begged for his forgiveness in the Kushiban language. Teiko, though surprised only spoke to her in Basic after that, pleased that her Force Translate ability had finally come in.
Over the next year Moonfire found the physical labor demanded of her by Teiko to become easier and easier, her arms had become less scrawny and her legs stronger. Running great distances with the old man atop her head stopped being a challenge, and the long hours of light saber drilling had become almost second nature. Finally Teiko thought it was time for Moonfire to join him on her first mission. It was relatively simple job, escorting a Senator to a peace talk with a neighboring planet. Several threats had been placed in the past few months against the unpopular politician, and so Teiko and Moonfire with a few other people were asked to come along.
Most of the visit had been standard, and Moonfire eagerly took to her babysitting duties. Her excitement soon turned to fear when their ship was attacked by extremists. Threatening to shoot the Senator, Moonfire jumped in front of him, a blue light saber clutched in her hands as the homicidal Twi’lek inched closer, blaster clutched in hand. Teiko, occupied with the other ruffians shouted to her “Moonfire! Use Barrier!” just as the blaster went off, grazing her arm. Hissing with pains he clutched the wound, remembering the technique Teiko had been teaching her.
With the pressure on Moonfire did as instructed, a near invisible wall erected between her and the assassin, protecting herself and Senator from harm. Swiftly Teiko and the other Jedi disposed of him and the rest. After the Senator was returned safely to his home Teiko took Moonfire aside.
“You did well today, Girl.” A kindly smile small but visible over his furry face. Extending a small paw he beckoned forward her arm, looking over the singed wound. Carefully holding his paw over it he explained in detail how he was going to heal her wound. She listened intently as the Master worked his magic, her wound first numbing and then knitting together before her eyes.
Extending his own injured arm, he asked Moonfire to try her best to replicate what he had just done. Nervous and tired from her ordeal she protested, but in the end tried her hand at it. Her try, though ultimately unsuccessful did relieve the pain. Teiko commended her and under the praise she flourished for the moment. Because of this momentary success she drove ever harder to perfect the two abilities, spending much of her free time in the sparring room blocking attacks from remote droids and in the sick bay, attempting to heal others.
Rain on Ruusan (13-14)
Shortly after the mission to protect the Senator, Master Teiko insisted on moving Moonfire back to his hut on Ruusan. Her family, having vacated the area years before for Coruscant were no longer an issue. Teiko feared that living on the same planet as the large family would cause the sentimental girl to try and reach out to them. Moonfire, excited for an adventure, but sad to leave her friends moved back to her home world.
The Ruusian air was good for her, and she found Teiko’s hut, while on the small side she found very charming. The plants and the animals were familiar, despite the many years it had been since she’d left. It was here at Teiko began to train her in Soresu and the usage of Force Valor and Speed.
Out in the country, Teiko lived simply and taught as such. There were no remote droids or fancy training machines. She was taught much as he taught the other pupils that had come under his tutelage. For Soresu she’d spend every rain fall outside, spinning and swirling her blade to try and deflect the raindrops themselves, though despite her efforts she’d return after the rains sopping wet every time. It was those nights where Teiko would hardly speak to her, and because of it she pressed ever harder.
Force speed and Valor though she took too easily. Great joy was found in running and jumping between the trees, even if she took the occasional tumble from a branch, tripping over her own feet. The feelings of the force moving and strengthening every fiber of her being was intoxicating.
Once more she fell into the comfortable routine of training and mediation. Her anxiety and perfectionism still plagued her. Every failure like a fresh cut on psyche, especially her short comings with Soresu finding herself, while rather capable unable to stop every drop as demanded of her. Because her frantic worries and endlessly turning mind Moonfire’s meditation suffered and most nights were spent with hellish nightmares. Though it here Moonfire on Ruusan that Moonfire has her most found memories. The short year spent there strengthened her resolve to become a better Jedi and breed a deep love of her Master into her. Time stretched almost endlessly before them until their next mission, a trip to give relief to people of Taris as they struggled to rebuild their world.
Mission Two- Rakghoul’s Rampage[/u]
Moonfire was excited beyond words for their newest Mission. Teiko had left from time to time on small missions, usually returning within a day or so. Most though he deemed were much too dangerous for her, but after much time and much training on her part the old Master found a mission he believed she’d be adept for.
Traveling to Taris they approached the ruined planet in hopes of aiding in relief effort for the broken and battered people of the city world. The people there were grateful for the assistance as the Jedi delivered food and helped the people to clear some of the rubble, aiding more and more in the rebuilding efforts.
Moonfire’s job was the help clear out of the more sturdy buildings to help reclamation squads turn them into livable conditions for the displaced citizens, many of who had resorting to living in the Lower City, much of which had become incredibly dangerous, more so than its usual criminals and swoop gangs, as reports of Rakghouls and other creatures became more and more frequent. The Rakghouls were believed to have entered through a damaged gate that cut off the Lower City from the Under City, usually protecting the people from the mutated humans.
But, Moonfire and Teiko had little fear of these. This area just out of the Lower City and didn’t take long for them to clear out the rubble. Using telekinesis they had all but cleared out the main section of the building before deciding to split up to clear out the individual rooms. Eacch Jedi took a few of the reclamationist with them before going their separate ways.
The first few rooms were easy enough, Moonfire, shy around the strange adults babbled insistently as they cleaned room after room, only really using her skills to help move the larger pieces of old furniture. It was tiring work, mentally and physically, but she liked it well enough. This strange pleasure ended abruptly as they moved a heavy piece of the torn down wall, revealing the darkness of the floor below.
Igniting her light saber the girl peered down into the darkness, struggling to see. Heavy breathing and noxious stench hit the group head on. “H-hello? Is anyone down there?” She called out when the bellow came. “T-t-that doesn’t s-s-sound good…” The girl mumbled as she stepped back. Moonfire’s mumbling was drowned out by another loud bellow as the Rakghoul sprang. Tottering backwards the girl called out the others, begging them to run with her.
The group scrambled as Moonfire shouted for her Master the massive Rakghoul thundering after her. Racing up the steps she shouted Teiko’s name, using the Force to enhance her speed. The creature lumbered after her, and for that she was thankful. Better her than it chasing after the poor Taris reclamationists. Running ahead just far enough, the girl darted into a nearby room, pressing herself against the wall, light saber tightly gripped. Afraid and close to panic the girl struggled to control her breathing, willing herself to calm before the monster heard her. The force flooded her as she attempted to calm, feeling it rush into her lungs, her breathing stopping all together, chest stilling. Yet some how, she did not feel the need to gasp and struggle for breath. The force alone sustained her as she listened carefully to the creature as it slowly stalked the hall. Holding her breath she waited, stock still light saber clutched between her tight fingers the Rakghoul busted through the ragged wall next to her.
Jumping back she held the saber before her, swinging the blue blade in high arcs around her as the Rakghoul thundered closer. Its arm within moments was sliced clean off, a moan of pain echoing around her as she continued to cut at the air around her before driving the blade hard once more in to the Rakghoul until it lay lifeless and gory before her. With a harsh gasp Moonfire felt the sweet air rush her lungs, breathing heavily she stumbled from the room, exhausted but completely unscathed.
“Master… Master, I killed it.” She called as the tiny Kushiban rushed forward, yellow blade ignited. He surveyed her quickly before ducking into the room she left, treading carefully as he looked over the slaughtered mutant.
The girl staggered, exhausted from the encounter, propping herself up against a piece of tattered wall. Turning to the girl and the group behind them he rested a paw against the girl. “I think… We’re done here for the day.”
After the frightening ordeal the group agreed and Teiko escorted the young girl back to their ship, his fur a distinct and worried grey the whole flight. Moonfire slept quietly the whole ride home.
Another Ally[/u]
After returning to Ruusan, Moonfire settled back into her usual routine, physical training in the mornings, meditation in the afternoons and more PT before sundown. She found comfort in this repetition, until the day came where Teiko approached her and requested she pack her things.
“Are we going on another mission, Master?” She asked, her interest peaked. It had been many months since their adventure on Taris, and Moonfire was eager to get back out in the world, and try to have a less disastrous adventure.
“No no, not this time, Girl. Nar Shaddaa is no place for a Padawan. You will be staying at the Temple on Coruscant for the next week.” Teiko said sternly, motioning for her to hurry and pack her things.
Moonfire did not protest, accepting quietly that she’d be better off out of the way of the other Jedi. Within a few hours the now 15 year old girl was settling back into her old room in the Temple. Giving Teiko a hearty hug she said goodbye as the stuffy old Kushiban gave her a gentle smile and left for his mission.
That week was average to say the least. Moonfire spent most of it wandering the halls, finding herself slightly homesick for Ruusan. The air there was different, as though it had been filtered a thousand times by the giant skycrapers and ships that buzzed and flooded the air. By the 1st she had already sought out the few friends she had made in her youngling years, giving quiet hellos and polite how-are-you’s. On the 3rd she had taken to the sparring room, swirling and spinning her blade to deflect the bolts of the remote droids. As the 6th day rolled around she packed her things back up, eager to be gone of the Temple. The 7th day came and went, but Master Teiko did not return. The other Master’s told her not to worry, that Teiko was probably merely unable to contact her in his undercover mission on the Smuggler’s Moon.
On the 10th day Moonfire asked the other masters daily if they had heard from him, her bag still packed and waiting by the door.
By the 15th she had spent much of her days locked in the expansive library the place had to offer, crouched low over the data pads all day and night, filling her mind with facts and figures.
As the sunset on the 25th day Moonfire had explored the courtyard and learned the names, planet and properties of every piece of flora in the courtyard.
The sunset on her 30th day, and with wet eyes and a heavy heart Moonfire unpacked the bag by the door. Master Odan Thos had informed her that afternoon that Teiko had not been heard from in several weeks, despite their investigative efforts he could not be found. They still had Jedi investigating his disappearance, but their expectations were low.
With every robe she unpacked the girl wept a little harder, curling up on the floor as the last robe laid out mournfully over her bed. She laid there for a while, even after the sobs stopped, reviewing what she ought to do next.
It was on the 31st day that Moonfire returned to training. Her vacation was over, a Padawan without a Master she resumed the routine she had found comfort in. The council refused to allow her to return to Ruusan without a Master, but were wary to give her a new master in case Teiko returned. The days were filled with PT and meditation, the nights spent pooring over data pads, hungry for knowledge.
Several months past, and it was in this near directionless haze that she found a next person to impact her life. The sparring room was one place where the girl who filled herself with worries and wants could cease thinking. Her whirling mind calmed when thrown into the endless onslaught of remote droid bolts.
It was here that they meet. The blaster bolts spun and hissed as they deflected off her whirling blade, her Soresu was good, she had become rather proficient in the form, but was no where near Mastering it. Her ability to sense the blaster fire was lacking, her precog had never been really up to par. She held it off for a long while, but a single bolt slipped past, landing square on her cheek.
“Ouch! Ouch! Ouch!” She cried, holding her cheek as the remote droids continued to fire. “Stop! Stop!” The girl shouted crumpling to the floor, still holding her cheek and rubbing the black mark the bolt left.
“Careful, careful, you’ve got to concentrate better than that, kiddo.” Came a gentle voice from the door way. The Knight smiled down as he walked over to help the girl up. Tears welled up in her eyes shamefully as she scrambled to stand up.
“I’m fine, I’m fine, honest.” Moonfire said rubbing the hot tears out of her face. “I didn’t mean to fall down.” She grumbled, straightening her robes.
“Of course you didn’t…” He chuckled, brushing the reddish hair from his eyes. Her heart thumped, uncontrollably.
“So, is Soresu the only form you know?” He asked casually, picking up her light saber from the ground, inspecting the hilt closely.
“Other than Shii-cho?.. Y-yes.” She sputtered, her nerves bothering her. Was she behind the other Padawans? Teiko had spoken about teaching her Ataru when he returned… But it never happened.
Ryuu smiled more, projecting an aura of calm, attempting to relax the nerves of the poor girl. Moonfire felt it like a soothing tidal wave, a lazy grin widening across her face.
“Soresu, while very useful on the defensive isn’t very practical in dueling situations. Perhaps you’d like to learn more about the Perseverance form; Djem So and Shien?
“Yes… Please…?” She fished for a name.
“Ryuu. Ryuu Satori.”
Ryuu took her carefully through each step of Djem So. By the end of the lessen Moonfire had felt more at ease than she had in a long time. She felt for the first time in years that she had made a friend.
After that it was hard for Ryuu to shake the energetic girl. When she wasn’t chatting with him excitedly she was asking him to practice light saber forms with her, or just walk with her through the courtyard. Most mornings would be spent wondering around looking for him, ready to share the latest bit of information she’d discovered in the data pads she poured over each night.
The weeks she spent with Ryuu were wonderful. She had found a friend, a companion to train with, to discuss the things she read and loved. And for a while Moonfire felt a sort of happiness she hadn’t experienced before.
Fallen Friends[/u]
Then one day, Ryuu too disappeared. He too had gone off on a mission, and no one would speak about what had happened. No one would tell her where he went or what he did. Only that he wasn’t coming back. Moonfire was crushed by this, throwing herself at the mercy of her routine, her emotions and fear twisting up in her stomach like a solid stone.
But there were bigger problems afoot.
A hush had fallen over the Temple, much of which Moonfire had little understanding. The Masters acted differently, the Padawans were nervous, afraid of what was going on.
And then, they disappeared. People all over the temple seemed to disappear up in smoke, those who asked questions about it seemed to disappear as well.
The new Masters came. Moonfire had been treading carefully, wandering the courtyard when a strange boy called her over. He couldn’t have been much older than her, but called himself Master Hatori, and asked her rather politely how her training was going. She told him about her lack of instruction, but withheld her fears to what was happening in the Temple.
Instead he offered to show her something new, to continue her education. A group of them formed, all Padawans who were left Master-less in the recent climate. Out in the courtyard what they learned seemed harmless enough at first, despite the weird feelings Hatori gave off. He lacked the calm, the soothing feeling the other Masters gave.
He showed them Growth first, an interesting power. Making plants grow from the earth and stretch out, become overgrown around them. It took a few tries at first, but Moonfire was surprised by how easily it came to her. How the sprout seemed to grow rapidly around her, grasping the other students at Hatori’s request. Her delight was short lived though.
The lessons turned to a much more obviously dark nature. Hatori then began to detail to each student in turn to take the weird feelings they had around him, to lock onto the fear and the pain and the worry and to unleash it into the air around them. The Force Lightning he produced made a spectacular display around the student, and Moonfire felt the fear rise up, her heart pulsing in her throat.
Each student in turn unleashed a crack of lightning, small sparks, but the feeling was… horrifying. The pure power lashing out of them, uncontrolled and unrelenting, the likes of which Moonfire had never seen before.
“This… this isn’t right…” She muttered as Hatori asked the students to stand against one another, to unleash their new found abilities on one another.
Afraid, Moonfire scrambled backwards, refusing to lash out in such a way against her comrades, her friends. With a wave of his hand Hatori had raised the bodies that had piled up within the temple, puppetting them into attacking her with telekinesis. An ambush had happened, the people of the temple were given two choices, to
The shattering of glass brought her attention up to the temple window above. Landing roughly before her was a red haired Jedi clad in the tan and white robes so common to their order. A single man ran through her head.
“Ryuu!” She shouted, grabbing his arm, her light saber out as they pair began to fight their way through the group. The fight was intense, but they made it by the skin of their teeth to a ship. Blasting off world, it was only then that Moonfire realized her mistake. Ryuu was still missing, lost to the dark side, but his brother Kyo Satori wasn’t.
United in the Union
Moonfire didn’t take the news of Ryuu particularly well. But with this disappointment, she had found a new ally. Kyo Satori was a healer in the Temple, and someone she had encountered on many occasions in her clumsy youth. Only in her moon-eyed haze had she mistaken the twins.
Together the two were at a loss. Their home, the Temple of Coruscant was no longer safe, the planet was falling under the rein of Cain. There was only one place they could turn, the Union.
Flying out to the deep space, Moonfire and Kyo became official members of the Union under Jor Halcyon. It was here Moonfire spent the next few years of her life, as the Empire began to spread and move across the galaxy. It was also here where she met Drake Hellion, the Drunken Jedi and a man who would become one of her closest friends and mentors. Under the tutelage of Drake and Jor, Moonfire trained, her driving force was her need to find Ryuu, to save him.
The years she spent with the Union were tense, but with them she became stronger. Kyo had blossomed into a great friend, his dedication to finding and redeeming his brother was short of inspiring. These people, Jor, Drake, Kyo made her want to become a better Jedi, to put aside the inner turmoil she felt over Teiko, over Ryuu and the horrors that occurred on Coruscant.
It was about this time, exploring the library on the Union’s base that she stumbled upon a holocron. The holocron was an old one, of a Master she had never heard of, but he offered to teach her Ataru, another light saber form. Taking the holocron Moonfire excitedly began to learn the form in the sparring room on the base, but soon found it too confining for her to truly practice the flips and spins necessary of the form.
With that in mind she left for Ruusan, the planet was still independent, and she hoped that it was still the world she remembered. The Holonet held images of Coruscant, twisted and black and burning, a shadow of its former self. But Ruusan, Ruusan would always be rich and clean and clear.
Reunion on Ruusan[/u]
Moonfire gave a quiet goodbye to the others, giving the excuse that she needed some air and left for Ruusan. The moment she stepped off the ship it was as though she had been transported back in time. The canyon around her glittered beautiful
Purchases: