NationStates Jolt Archive

What's a mother to do?

The last month has been a mixture of moments of relative calm and moments of utter terror. My son is having violent nightmares every time he closes his eyes, and none of the dozens of highly respected specialists that have been brought in have been able to do, or even recommend, anything that works. The drugs they recommend I wouldn't give to a condemned prisoner, mych less my son.

It started the night that Daniel Masaki broadcast his last words throughout the universe...or was it earlier when I accepted the gift of those wretched holos when we brought the Ninja aerospace fighters? I'm not certain, and I'm not certain that it matters.

What matters is that my son is in trouble. The psionic masters from Cats Keep say its not true psionics, but similar. The master mages from Tarlachia say that it's not magic, but in many ways similar to some forms. It's not mutancies as Tanara know them...it is something that is close, but different, and heretofore unknown within the Tanaran Empire.

My son is growing pale and wan and afraid to sleep...and I who have so much power, here have none.

At last I do what I am so very loathe to do. I broadcast out, on the holonet, throughout the universe..[/i]

"If you are a Jedi, as Daniel Masaki was, please hear my plea. My son needs training."


Michiko Jones, Empress, Tanara
*******************************************

I know when my mom makes the broadcast and smile. Soon there will be some one here who can help me get everything untangled.

"There is no emotion, there is peace
There is no ignorance, there is knowledge
There is no passion, there is serenity
There is no death, there is the Force."

"Peace is a lie,There is only passion
Through passion I gain strength
Through strength I gain power
Through power I gain victory
Through victory my chains are broken
The Force shall set me free."

I look over the words I have written, and shake my head. I know enough to know that both are correct and both are wrong.

There is peace and there is passion, each in their proper time and place – just because I don't jump and down on a passion does not mean that I don't feel it – "mastery over emotion, not negation of emotion" says the 'Little Mother'...and I'm getting better at it. Though I threw a fit when I didn't get to go to Earth with mom, boy was I a total brat!

You can't have passion, energy-in- motion with out a core of peace in which to nurture it.

There IS ignorance, and it is cured by knowledge, but more than just knowledge - you have to have wisdom to temper that knowledge and thus know true strength...Mom's a pretty wise lady and she's taught me alot about being strong...like having to go to all those functions and be nice to people who make you sick inside...'cause carving their guts out would just make more problems and wouldn't solve the ones already there.'

Victory and failure both but sides of the coin, the ever turning wheel that sees all things in their time. Everythings a circle, all coming back around.

Death is but a door to a different facet of being. Life and death are both sacred, and profane. Neither holds ascendancy over the other....

I think this would scare the crap out of mom if she saw it, so I'd better lock it away.

Oh, I'm RACE - pleaaasse don't call me Richard, much less Albert ( snork...ewww) How my dad put up with such dorky names I'll never know. Why couldn't I have a cool name like Sigrun, or Raijin, or Valkai, or Jason?

Richard Albert Cromwell IV - Race for short and I'll be 12 in two months.

Midgard, capitol planet of the Tanaran Empire ( and I still want to go see Earth darn it!)

Jedi Academy, Jurai...

It was an ordinary day in the Communications Room. Apprentice Walter Modgen was on duty today, feeling extremely bored. So bored that he's going to take off five minutes early and do some swimming in the Mystical Lake, the large lake near the Academy.

"Blah, I think I'll go. Nothing interesting ever happens, and the droids can take care of the minutes." Unfortunately for the young Jedi, a message reaches across the cosmos as he got up to go and gets collected through the Holonet by a droid named Groovy (don't ask).

"Yo, Walt! Hold up, man!" The droid squawked.

"What now? Another prank call?" The Jedi asked tiredly. "And don't call me Walt. It's Walter."

"Not this time, man. We got a gee-nun-ine message today!"

Walter sighed. "Fine, let's hear it."

"If you are a Jedi, as Daniel Masaki was, please hear my plea. My son needs training."

His jaw dropped. "Where did this come from?"

"A place called...Tanara. Ugly name if you ask me."

Walter scowled at the droid in annoyance. "Ok, get this up the line to Master Masaki, considering that they seem to know his grandson. Let him know we got a possible Force-sensitive in need of training."

"Right-o, pardner!" Groovy crowed in a cowboy accent and saluted mockingly. He then printed out the message and its location and handed the paper to the apprentice.

"I told you to do it." Walter said dryly.

"Sorry, but someone's gotta watch the comms and I don't trust a fleshbag like you to do it." The droid pointed out.

Walter fumed, sighed, and walked out, muttering something about putting in a petition for Groovy to get a memory-wipe.

"I HEARD THAT!" The droid called back.

-------

Jedi Master Alex Masaki was currently in his large office, polishing a broadsword he recieved from the king of Vanuea for preventing a civil war on that planet. He sensed the fuming young Jedi, smiled and called out, "It's open."

Walter walked in and bowed. "Master, I have a message from a place called Tanara on old Terra. A mother needs to train her son."

"Let me see." Alex read it through. He hasn't heard much about Tanara, but he has heard that there was an Empress (doesn't she have a young son) ruling over that nation. Familiar ground for a Patriarch like him. "Get me Jacen and tell him to get to the hangar in ten minutes. Also, send back a message saying that we have recieved their reply and a couple of Jedi will be arriving in about 6 hours. Oh, and you can go off-duty after this."

How did he--never mind, he knows anyway. Walter bowed. "Yes, Master."

He sighed, and headed back to a smug Groovy the droid, wishing he could turn him into scrap metal, but that's unbecoming a Jedi, of course.

------

Jacen Masaki, cousin to Daniel and Alex's fourth grandson (on his son Yanosuke the Secretary of State's side; non-Jedi) walked to the hangar bay carrying a knapsack with his clothes and other items. He is fourteen years old and unlike his father, he's a Knight Apprentice like his cousins. Force Sensitivity does sometimes skip a generation. "Grandfather? What is it you wanted?"

"We're heading on a trip to a nation called Tanara." Alex explained. "I just want you around since we're going to speak with an Empress and her son. Know what I mean?"

"Yeah, I see what you mean. One dynasty to another." Jacen nodded.

Alex smiled. "Let's go to Tanara, then."

They boarded one of the Academy's shuttles (a Lamda) and took off after recieving traffic clearance. In moments, they have cleared the gravity well, and jumped into hyperspace for Tanara...

OOC: bump. Edited!

"They'll be here soon mom, so you'd better cancel making it to that party tonight" I can't keep the satisfaction out of my voice. And her aide hasn't brougth her the reply from where ever its coming from...and I couldn't tell you where, just that they are coming...

"I'll go pack a bag"

"Just what do you thinking you are going to do? Run off with some strangers, on your say so?"

"Yes. You taught me to trust myself" oops maybe I shouldn't have said that, she looks ready to cry. I know the way to make her feel better, so I go over and hug her...and put up with a hair messing with only a "Mom!"

****************************************

"He's only twelve" I murmur to myself, remembering when I held him and rocked him in my arms, fed him at my breasts. He's my son damn it and far to young to go galavanting about the universe goddess knows where! But he's more than just my son, my skinny, tow haired scamp, and dare I lock that down, tie that up?

Whats a mother to do?

OOC: An opening is now available for a Darksider to try and lure the boy down the path of darkness. TG me or Tanara for an application! Tanara, do you have MSN? If not, just download it at msn.com.

IC:
Six hours later...

Grandfather and grandson reverted to realspace at Midgard.

"Midgard Traffic Control, this is Jedi Master Alexander Masaki, the Empress is expecting us." Alex commed the traffic control as Jacen played on his Gameboy Advance before putting it away for the mission (He is 14, after all).

OOC: I do, but not at work, the connection is too iffy.

**********************************************

*"Welcome to the Empire, Master Masaki. We have been advised of your arrival, and have authorization for a flight path to the Imperial compound at Nova Terranis."* The young lieutenant in the crisp gray and white uniform of the Imperial navy took over from Traffic Control

*"If you wish an escort, please feel free to request one, if not a party will greet you at the main landing pad"*

He sent the coodinates and flight path information in a data burst as he waited for the reply from the Lambda. The fact that the shuttle would be under constant discrete tracking by weapons went unspoken. The Empress might hand out blanket invitations. The Navy was there to make sure no one took advantage of that generosity. Even the Empress was human and could make a mistake.

The large lake, whose black glass bottom formed the picturesque moat about Nova Terranis was proof that leaders can and did makes mistakes. The lake, which covers some 10,000 square miles - lay where once Tanara's capitol had, just over a decade ago.

General information on Midgard system (http://www.atddm.com/midgard.html)

"Acknowledged, Traffic Control." Alex replied and headed down the path the data burst sent him. He knew their military would be watching, as he would have made sure that was done if the position was reversed...

Like some whirlwind bearing his name Race raced through the teleportal, and with a small frown Michiko did the same. It had just become legal- and fashionable- again for use with living beings. It had taken all of the Empress's powers of persuasion to get the nearly century old law overturned. The terminal was currently set for the reception lounge of the Imperial Palace's main landing pad, which rose nearly a mile above the deceptively placid surface of the lake. Then she was through, stepping into a spacious room with a high ceiling and vast panoramic windows that allowed one a three hundred and sixty degree view of the landing mad and the surrounding countryside.

Race was already pelting for the archway leading to the landing pad, a pair of ImpSec sargents trying to keep up with him. He was, not even twelve yet, already nearly as tall as they. 'How am I going to be able to box his ears when he is full grown, if he keeps on growing like that?' Michiko thought exasperatedly as her own pair of ImpSec book ends fell in about her. She winced slightly as he nearly tripped going through the door.

Race had grown a full three inches over the last year, and the speed at which he had grown had cost him in coordination, and made a hash of his burgeoning skills in the martial arts. Both his senseis and his mother had curtailed his training until he regained his ballance. That had occasioned another mother- son dispute but the free time had been spent swimming, his first love and an element that he took to like the proverbial fish.

"I wonder if they'll charge extra for all the food he'll go through?" Michiko mused to herself as she watched the shuttle land gracefully. Race ate like he had a black hole tucked away somewhere.

The Lambda's wings folded up as it landed and soon, the two Jedi disembarked to meet with the Empress. Alex could sense a strong aura coming from the young and tall boy, the very first sign that he's Force-sensitive. Of course, he's a bit of a clumsy lad, but balance-training will fix that.

"Madam Empress, young Race, I am Alexander Masaki, Jedi Master and Patriarch of the Masaki Clan." Alex introduced himself as he walked down to meet them. "This is my grandson Jacen Masaki, he's 14. I'm very pleased to meet you two."

"Hi." Jacen smiled to Race.

http://www.keystar-r-s.com/reviews/pics/scifi/starwars/E2/dooku.jpg
Grandfather Masaki

http://www.flavor-red.com/men/makoto.jpg
Jacen

Michiko left the book ends behind and moved towards the Patriarch with a warm smile on her full lips, holding out both hands in welcome

"Please, just call me Michiko, Lord Makasi, and" She nodded her head to Jacen "Hello Jasen, this is Race, as he prefers to be called."

Race had hung back a little, suddenly shy, but stepped foreward now and his smile was as warm as his mothers

"Hi, I'm going to be twelve in a couple of months...Hey, Jacen have you ever seen a dragon? There's a pair out flying, care to let 'them'.." That was a of roll eyes at the adults if ever there had been one. " talk alone while we go get a better look?" He pointed to a pair of tiny in the distance winged figures soaring amonght the clouds

"Lord Makasi, is it okay? His eyes swivveled between the two adults "Mom, I promise we won't go past the yellow hazzard lines"

Michiko nodded - there was also the transparent protective barrier after that, and Impsec personel to accompany the lads, and cocked her head looking at Lord Makasi for his answer

http://www.atddm.com/michiko.jpg

http://www.atddm.com/race1.jpg

Far to the west dark storm clouds built up. There was an alignment of the three moons and that meant impressive storms, but for the next few hours the sun was still shining and the winds over the main landing pad little more than cooling breezes.

The dragons had flown closer and their shimmering hues could be easily seen. Scarlet and emerald they flowed sinuously through the azure sky. Crew served weapons tracked them, they were justifiably feared predators that had been known to attack and damage light craft.

Michiko left the book ends behind and moved towards the Patriarch with a warm smile on her full lips, holding out both hands in welcome

"Please, just call me Michiko, Lord Makasi, and" She nodded her head to Jacen "Hello Jasen, this is Race, as he prefers to be called."

Race had hung back a little, suddenly shy, but stepped foreward now and his smile was as warm as his mothers

"Hi, I'm going to be twelve in a couple of months...Hey, Jacen have you ever seen a dragon? There's a pair out flying, care to let 'them'.." That was a of roll eyes at the adults if ever there had been one. " talk alone while we go get a better look?" He pointed to a pair of tiny in the distance winged figures soaring amonght the clouds

"Lord Makasi, is it okay? His eyes swivveled between the two adults "Mom, I promise we won't go past the yellow hazzard lines"

Michiko nodded - there was also the transparent protective barrier after that, and Impsec personel to accompany the lads, and cocked her head looking at Lord Makasi for his answer

http://www.atddm.com/michiko.jpg

http://www.atddm.com/race1.jpg
"Dragons? Not only have I seen them, my cousins have a powerful Silver Dragon for a friend." Jacen smiled to Race, then he pointed to his head. There, a small silver dragon fades into view. "He insisted on coming with me."

"Yo, Race. The name's Ryujin, Prince of the Core Dragons." The silver dragon said, smiling a toothy grin and waving his tail in greeting.

"Sure, go on ahead young ones. Ryujin will protect you just in case." Alex said.

----

As for the adults...

"I hope it wasn't troubling to bring Ryujin here. He was my grandson Daniel's best nonhuman friend." Alex said to the Empress.

Michiko’s eyes went sad. When one of the lights went out...and to lose a grandson.She spoke softly, extending her condolences

“The universe will miss Daniel more than it can guess.”

She'd had a small start when Ryujin first appeared. She met sentient dragons on visits to Cats Keep, but never one so small.

"It is perfectly alright, friends are always welcome. Would you care to take in the view from the lounge? Perhaps some tea, or coffee?"

She led him toward the luxuriously appointed lounge with its panoramic views as the Race, Jasen, and Ryujin trotted over to edge of the landing pad.

*********************************************

"I'm very pleased to meet you Prince Ryujin. In Tanaran Ryu means dragon, and it's also one of the master level ranks in Ai'kido." Race looked up at Ryujin floating above Jacen's head. "Midgard dragons can't talk, they aren't smart enough, though some in the past, have been trained for riding. They can be very dangerous and unpredictable."

The dragons scales glinted brightly in the sun as they dove in and out of the lake's depths.

"You know I think this may be the first time the dragons have come so close since the capitol was glassed" Race thought aloud.

Michiko’s eyes went sad. When one of the lights went out...and to lose a grandson.She spoke softly, extending her condolences

“The universe will miss Daniel more than it can guess.”

She'd had a small start when Ryujin first appeared. She met sentient dragons on visits to Cats Keep, but never one so small.
"So it will, so it will." Alex Masaki added his sentiment.

"It is perfectly alright, friends are always welcome. Would you care to take in the view from the lounge? Perhaps some tea, or coffee?"

She led him toward the luxuriously appointed lounge with its panoramic views as the Race, Jasen, and Ryujin trotted over to edge of the landing pad.
"Tea will be fine." The Jedi Master replied. "Your boy. He's strong in the Force."
*********************************************

"I'm very pleased to meet you Prince Ryujin. In Tanaran Ryu means dragon, and it's also one of the master level ranks in Ai'kido." Race looked up at Ryujin floating above Jacen's head. "Midgard dragons can't talk, they aren't smart enough, though some in the past, have been trained for riding. They can be very dangerous and unpredictable."
"Interesting. We Core Dragons are actually sentient enough to reach into the stars with our human allies. Some other places we have seen, there are dragons that we needed to deal with, especially when human and dragon lives are concerned." Ryujin said, soaring on silvery wings. Technically, a Silver would have ice breath powers, but Ryujin is special in that his powers in order of preference are lightning, firebreath and ice. He also knows the powerful magics of his race, but isn't a mage or anything like that, just naturally powerful in dracon magic. One notable power is the ability to change size or shape at will, from small or human to one hundred and twenty five feet long in battle mode.

The dragons scales glinted brightly in the sun as they dove in and out of the lake's depths.

"You know I think this may be the first time the dragons have come so close since the capitol was glassed" Race thought aloud.
"Oh? I wonder why." Jacen wondered aloud. "You think something is up about them?"

"I don't know" Race replied "Two summers ago the troops" He gestured back towards his Impsec guardians "took me camping in the Copper Heights reserve, it's really back country, we backpacked in" he said proudly, remembering how heavy the back pack had been at first, and yet he'd managed to pull his share of the chores. "And on our fourth day we came across a copper one. It was injured but it didn't attack us....I just ..it just ..we stared at each other for what seemed the longest time." His voice faltered as he tried to describe the incident

*************************************

"He is? Richard was a mutant, but never activated. I have but the circumstances were not " She searched for the proper word, and settled on most neutral "the most normal. Race inherited x factors from both sides, though Richards was a random rather than family line mutancy, and my family...I don't know. My father never told me of my family and despite my connections" Michiko, Empress of the Tanaran Empire chuckled ruefully "I've been unable to find out any information[/i]

She broke off as a steward brought a tea service and poured delicately scented jasmine tea for both of them, then slipped away as quietly as he'd arrived

"I don't know" Race replied "Two summers ago the troops" He gestured back towards his Impsec guardians "took me camping in the Copper Heights reserve, it's really back country, we backpacked in" he said proudly, remembering how heavy the back pack had been at first, and yet he'd managed to pull his share of the chores. "And on our fourth day we came across a copper one. It was injured but it didn't attack us....I just ..it just ..we stared at each other for what seemed the longest time." His voice faltered as he tried to describe the incident
"Wow, that seems interesting." Jacen said, intruged. He looked up at Ryujin, and the two seemed to share a silent word with each other.

Sounds like his Force powers might have something to do with dragons. Ryujin sent. Or perhaps animals in general, like old Master Solo, your namesake.

Yeah, but we won't be able to find out until he's ready to learn. Jacen replied. "Hey, Race, I wonder...when have you started feeling that you have the Force, the energy field and more that gives us Jedi our powers?"

*************************************

"He is? Richard was a mutant, but never activated. I have but the circumstances were not " She searched for the proper word, and settled on most neutral "the most normal. Race inherited x factors from both sides, though Richards was a random rather than family line mutancy, and my family...I don't know. My father never told me of my family and despite my connections" Michiko, Empress of the Tanaran Empire chuckled ruefully "I've been unable to find out any information[/i]

She broke off as a steward brought a tea service and poured delicately scented jasmine tea for both of them, then slipped away as quietly as he'd arrived
Sipping tea, the old Master mulled over the information. This x-factor appears to be a genetic manifestation of the Force, a mutation in the DNA that would allow people to access it in a variety of ways. He'll have to do more research on that little information, but for now...

"It appears that indeed the Force has begun to manifest in his genes, but to actually harness his abilities, he would need to be trained, to learn the Jedi arts. I understand you may have some...doubts about it, but I assure you that not only he would be safe where we train students, he would also become a powerful and wise Jedi, and a great leader as well."

"I can understand the need for training, but as to him becoming a leader, well that is his choice." She looked about the luxurious trapping of rulership and shook her head minutely "It's not necessarily a happy place to be."
Her voice went fierce, but not loud "and thats what I want for my son. Happiness. Not as I determine it to be, but as he does. He's good with people, far better than I am, so maybe leadership would come more naturally for him."

She took another sip of her tea. "Please, if you would, tell me of the training and the people who will care for him while he is with you"

******************************************

"Hey, Race, I wonder...when have you started feeling that you have the Force, the energy field and more that gives us Jedi our powers?"

Race closed his eyes for a moment as he thought back "Well, I didn't know what to call it until mom got me the holos a couple of years ago. I just ...I guess always felt it, like a blanket..You know how it feels right as you're getting a fever, that warmish about you? I thought it was just auras at first, but I came to feel that very few had it, an' every one has an aura, so it was something else"

His eyes opened. "Isn't that the way it is?"

"I can understand the need for training, but as to him becoming a leader, well that is his choice." She looked about the luxurious trapping of rulership and shook her head minutely "It's not necessarily a happy place to be."
Her voice went fierce, but not loud "and thats what I want for my son. Happiness. Not as I determine it to be, but as he does. He's good with people, far better than I am, so maybe leadership would come more naturally for him."

She took another sip of her tea. "Please, if you would, tell me of the training and the people who will care for him while he is with you"
Master Masaki set down his tea cup. "I will not lie to you. The boy must have the most serious mind, the deepest commitment to become a Jedi, for it is not an easy task, and neither is training in the ways of the Force something one can do quickly. It is truly something that must be thought thoroughly. Many Jedi have given their lives to preserve, protect, and defend the lives of the weak and innocent. It is a high price for those who champion the forces of good, and Race must be ready if and when that time comes. You know I lost my grandson to the forces of evil, but even in the end, he championed the power of light to overshine the evils of darkness, and that is the Jedi way."

He then turned to lighter matters. "Training will consist of extending his 'sixth sense' accompanied by physical and saber training especially since we're swordmasters first and foremost. There will be training in various aspects of the Force, like psychokinesis, telepathy, and other powers. There will also be training in diplomacy, current galactic affairs and basic history of the galaxy from the Jedi perspective. We're not always warriors, we're negotiators and diplomats as well. If Race chooses to as a heir to your throne, he could also take leadership courses, of which I teach from time to time." Alex allowed a wry smile. Many Jedi children of powerful families have been honored to be taught by the Patriarch himself, whether in Makashi, the fencing form that Alex has mastered, or the courses in leadership.

******************************************

"Hey, Race, I wonder...when have you started feeling that you have the Force, the energy field and more that gives us Jedi our powers?"

Race closed his eyes for a moment as he thought back "Well, I didn't know what to call it until mom got me the holos a couple of years ago. I just ...I guess always felt it, like a blanket..You know how it feels right as you're getting a fever, that warmish about you? I thought it was just auras at first, but I came to feel that very few had it, an' every one has an aura, so it was something else"

His eyes opened. "Isn't that the way it is?"
"That's the way it is for many Jedi." Jacen nodded. "It is a very common sign of Force Sensitivity. What else did you notice?"

"Race is not the heir to the throne. I am abdigating the throne in less than two months. Kaylinde Moore- Apollon is Empress- in- training. Once I am free, - well I was heading to Earth to see if the man I'm in love with wants to get married. but thats was not to be" Her eyes were sad, and filled with loneliness "Race may or may not be going with me."

She offered him a plate of tiny almond pastries

Even though he is young, I believe he does have potential, and if he goes with you for training I believe he would benefit greatly from leadership courses." But that would be his choice, not hers for him. He would be his own person, not having to live up to some one elses expectations

"I must ask, this Jedi mantra of ...'She sought words, could not find them, and continued with such words as she could "It sounds as if a Jedi is not allowed to love, to care for people, to have emotions. I love my son, and I believe he loves me...NO , I know he loves me..What will the Jedi way do to that? Rip my son from me, make him care no more for me that he does for a orange in a market place. Will it make him into an emotionless robot? It sounds as if it completely lacks harmony"

******************************************

" I always know how bad a storms going to be...there's going to be a bad one tonight. It's going to be at least a force five. And I know when something goes wrong with people around me, inside, with their bodies." Race admitted.

"Race is not the heir to the throne. I am abdigating the throne in less than two months. Kaylinde Moore- Apollon is Empress- in- training. Once I am free, - well I was heading to Earth to see if the man I'm in love with wants to get married. but thats was not to be" Her eyes were sad, and filled with loneliness "Race may or may not be going with me."

She offered him a plate of tiny almond pastries
"Thank you." Alex took an almond pastry and it was good. "My compliments to the chef. Now Earth, you say? 'Tis a beautiful planet and we help many other nations defend it."

"Even though he is young, I believe he does have potential, and if he goes with you for training I believe he would benefit greatly from leadership courses." But that would be his choice, not hers for him. He would be his own person, not having to live up to some one elses expectations
"Of course, it is his choice to make if he wishes to have leadership courses." Alex assured her.

"I must ask, this Jedi mantra of ...'She sought words, could not find them, and continued with such words as she could "It sounds as if a Jedi is not allowed to love, to care for people, to have emotions. I love my son, and I believe he loves me...NO , I know he loves me..What will the Jedi way do to that? Rip my son from me, make him care no more for me that he does for a orange in a market place. Will it make him into an emotionless robot? It sounds as if it completely lacks harmony"
"It was that way in the old Order many years ago. Jedi were forbidden to have attachments, but it was a flawed thinking, a flawed training program." Master Masaki explained, knowing that some Jedi wanted to go back to the old ways, but the new ways worked better. "Even Yoda, the greatest of our late Jedi Masters knew this. But it was Master Luke Skywalker and his sister Leia Organa Solo who changed the ways things worked after they married and had children. Many Jedi nowadays have families, and yet commitments to the Order. I suppose you could say that we're like a military yet we're keepers of the peace (glorified police if you will), not soldiers."

"In the end my dear, Race will be training hard, but he will make many friends, and perhaps find a love interest. We're not known as the New Jedi Order for nothing." Master Masaki allowed a smile. "It is a choice Race and Race alone can make, to be a Jedi or not."

******************************************

" I always know how bad a storms going to be...there's going to be a bad one tonight. It's going to be at least a force five. And I know when something goes wrong with people around me, inside, with their bodies." Race admitted.
"Hmm. I sense the storm's approach as well." Jacen said, feeling the humidity in the air build up, and looking out to distant clouds as a breeze ruffles his black hair. His element specialty is water, and like his late cousin Daniel, he could detect changes in weather patterns, especially storms. "You'd also be good as a medic Jedi if what you say is true. Ryujin, how's it going up there?"

The dragon was so high he couldn't talk, but he instead used telepathy. <High winds up here! I'm coming down so I don't blow away!>

A silver streak flew down lower to avoid the stiff breeze, flared and alighted on Jacen's head again. "Whoo! I haven't seen weather like that since Kamino!"

Michiko was greatly reassured by Master Masaki's replies, and by what her own mangled empathy told her. She had researched the situation as thoroughly as some one with the resources of an Empire at her fingertips could. She had expected these aswers, but to hear them in person from the the Patriarch of the fabled Masaki clan was reassureing beyond belief to a worried mother.

"Master Masaki, thank you greatly for relieving my worries. I wouldn't be much of a mother if I didn't use every resource to be a good mother, but sometimes it's hard to seperate fact from well crafted fiction, or disinformation. I've always trusted Race. He makes mistakes, but he learns from them, and his basic instincts are sound" she gave a small laugh

"Better than mine own. He is already packed and reareing to go. I don't suppose though that you'd be willing to be our guests over night? Theres plenty of room, and our chef loves to cook."

********************************************

"My 'aunt' Lady Shalamar of Cats Keep says that Midgards weather, when the moons get alined right is something even she wouldn't want to try and control. But I love the lightning storms, the interplay of the enegry is just awe inspiring. Did you know that a big lightning strike can be hotter than the surface of your average star?"

Rave swung about to watch a dazzeling multi branched example of nature's firework display, then looked up as the storm dome began sliding over the landing pad.

"We'd probably better go in if they are bringing up the dome...and being a Jedi Healer might be part of the path...but there are so many things I want to learn! I'm so glad that you all came Jacen, and you too Ryujin. I think there are some almond pastries waiting, and I'm starved" In many ways Race was a typical eleven year old, constantly hungry, both for more knowing and more food. He led them inside, running over to where the two adults sat.

"Mom, the storms going to be a bad one, so we won't be leaving till tomorrow I think....That's if they'll have me" He was suddenly unsure and looked hopefully at Master Masaki.

Michiko was greatly reassured by Master Masaki's replies, and by what her own mangled empathy told her. She had researched the situation as thoroughly as some one with the resources of an Empire at her fingertips could. She had expected these aswers, but to hear them in person from the the Patriarch of the fabled Masaki clan was reassureing beyond belief to a worried mother.

"Master Masaki, thank you greatly for relieving my worries. I wouldn't be much of a mother if I didn't use every resource to be a good mother, but sometimes it's hard to seperate fact from well crafted fiction, or disinformation. I've always trusted Race. He makes mistakes, but he learns from them, and his basic instincts are sound" she gave a small laugh

"Better than mine own. He is already packed and reareing to go. I don't suppose though that you'd be willing to be our guests over night? Theres plenty of room, and our chef loves to cook."
"That would be fine. I won't try flying through that growing storm, even with a shielded shuttle." Alex mentioned.

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"My 'aunt' Lady Shalamar of Cats Keep says that Midgards weather, when the moons get alined right is something even she wouldn't want to try and control. But I love the lightning storms, the interplay of the enegry is just awe inspiring. Did you know that a big lightning strike can be hotter than the surface of your average star?"
"Oh yeah, and Daniel once said that they can toss anywhere from 10 to 100 million volts per stroke." Jacen smirked. "Powerful stuff."

Rave swung about to watch a dazzeling multi branched example of nature's firework display, then looked up as the storm dome began sliding over the landing pad.
Not even Danny can cast this much lightning. Wow... Jacen thought as the electricity danced to the tune of thunder.

"We'd probably better go in if they are bringing up the dome...and being a Jedi Healer might be part of the path...but there are so many things I want to learn! I'm so glad that you all came Jacen, and you too Ryujin. I think there are some almond pastries waiting, and I'm starved" In many ways Race was a typical eleven year old, constantly hungry, both for more knowing and more food. He led them inside, running over to where the two adults sat.
"Yeah. There's many paths in the Order you can choose. You said pastries?" Jacen's stomach chose to growl at this point. "Uh, yeah, I'm hungry too."

The older boy and his dragon followed Race to the adults.

"Mom, the storms going to be a bad one, so we won't be leaving till tomorrow I think....That's if they'll have me" He was suddenly unsure and looked hopefully at Master Masaki.
"Of course we'll have you. It's up to you to decide in the end." Alex smiled.

bump

OOC: My apologies for missing your reply!

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Michiko stood, as the chrono in her wristband chimed softly. "My apologies, but there is a meeting I must attend. I took the liberty of having a large suite prepared, in hope that you would stay. Race will be glad to show you around" She tousled his hair as he grinned up excitedly at her.

"Yeah, there's lots of things to see." He picked up the tray and offered Jacen some of the light pastries. "And we can raid the kitchen for something to 'hold us until dinner'" He said consipiratorily to the older boy and the silver dragon "Ryujin, would you care for one?"

"The meeting will only be an hour and a half, and we can eat in two if that is acceptable to you?" Michiko looked back at Alex.

OOC: My apologies for missing your reply!
OOC: No problem.

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Michiko stood, as the chrono in her wristband chimed softly. "My apologies, but there is a meeting I must attend. I took the liberty of having a large suite prepared, in hope that you would stay. Race will be glad to show you around" She tousled his hair as he grinned up excitedly at her.

"Yeah, there's lots of things to see." He picked up the tray and offered Jacen some of the light pastries. "And we can raid the kitchen for something to 'hold us until dinner'" He said consipiratorily to the older boy and the silver dragon "Ryujin, would you care for one?"
"Thank you." Ryujin took a pastry and started eating as the boys went to raid the kitchen.

"The meeting will only be an hour and a half, and we can eat in two if that is acceptable to you?" Michiko looked back at Alex.
"That would be acceptable." Alex nodded.

OOC: You know, I think this is the point where evil rears its ugly head. :p

bump

bump

OOC: Bump. Thought we'd RP once more with Race and my Masakis. Look me up on MSN. If you've forgotten, it's fastfalconus@yahoo.com.