Shadows of Bankor

Zerras walked through the halls of the temple. It felt so empty. So much was gone. From what she'd been told, even the memory of what this temple once was could be lost. She had never been the best student of history or other academics. Zerras possessed only a small motebof what the Curoscant temple contained. And now, all that lore might be lost.

The young padawan wanted to learn whatever this temple might be able to teach her.

As the newest (and youngest) padawan walked around, he would eventually find a room that was almost entirely empty. In the middle of it sat a large woman, crossed legged with her eyes closed. Her walking staff laying in front of her.

That made her pause in her exploration. After watching for a moment, Serras moved closer and quietly sat down facing Qareme. She took a similar position and closed her eyes. She couldn't remember the last time she had meditated. It had been some time since she had been anywhere appropriate for it.

Qareme hadn't reacted to the person arriving, just continuing to quietly meditate for a short while before she quietly said "what do you see when you look inside?"

"Loss." she replied quietly. "So much has been lost."

"Picture that loss as a field. Empty, but not barren. The field will become fertile, and it will grow. Trees, flowers, bushes. Becoming more than what they were, but not forgetting what has given them the nutrients to grow" Qareme lowered her head "it is no different to you. Remember those you have lost, and through those memories they are never gone."

"I try. But, I cannot remember them all." she responded. "I'm not sure I want to. Some memories feel overwhelming."

"In time, they will feel less overwhelming. For now, know that those who have passed are please that you have not. the Force brings us all together, both to remember those who gone and to prepare us for those who have not yet arrived. You are never alone in the Light, Zerras" Qareme smiled "your burdens are our burdens. Your joy is our joy. Together."

"It's comforting. To be among others." she smiled. "It's been so long."

"You have traveled alone for a long time" Qareme said, her tone not making it obvious if it was a question or a statement "Where did you travel from."

"After I passed the initiate trials, we provided aid to those the war harmed." she answered. "Healing, food, shelter, comfort. My master was very capable and we went wherever there was need. I was eager to learn everything I could, for the little amount of time I had with him."

Zerras was quiet for a moment. "Then the betrayal came. He sent me away, ordering me to protect a refugee transport, while he faced the clones alone. We made it safely to our destination, but he never joined us. I haven't been alone the entire time. There were friends and allies who helped me. Many were those we had helped before. I didn't want to endanger anyone, so I never stayed long."

There was a nod from the large Zabrak. "A similar tale to mine. The Jedi Knights and masters knew to protect those who would be able to face this threat in the future. Although I have not been moving from place to place, I remained here on Bankor the entire time. Watching over those who wished to leave the life of the Jedi behind, making sure they were able to live peacefully."

"I was born on Coruscant. The temple was the only home I knew." she sighed. "I cannot return there."

"I spent the vast majority of my life on Coruscant. It was the only home I knew before I came here. Now Bankor is my home" Qareme lowered her head "any place is home if you want it to be. Home is the place where we feel close to, hold memories and reside for a longer period of time."

"I hope I find one." she smiled. "Once everything is safe. What do you see, when you look inside?"

Qareme closed her eyes, and took a moment before speaking.

"A quest uncompleted."

"A quest? Something on Bankor?" she asked.

There was a shake of the head.

"No. Tomorrows quest, the trial."

"Oh. Then you will complete it soon." she smiled. "It will be some time before I'm ready for that, I think."

"It is never that simple. I believed I was prepared only three weeks ago, when I took the trial. I was....incorrect" Qareme frowned, looking down at the ground "very incorrect."

"We learn through failure. We succeed by learning." she responded. "That's what my Master told me, every time I faltered."

"My Master would say much the same, except often in less obvious words" Qareme shook her head "sometimes it was as infuriating as trying to understand Master Yoda. However, upon reflection, I can understand why she did it."

"I suppose it's better for us to understand some things for ourselves, rather than being told directly." she chuckled. "He didn't like indirectness, though."

"I feel like I agree with your master. I prefer directness" Qareme shook her head "however there was wisdom in it. I often spent days trying to translate my Masters words, only to find out the answer was something I had already known."

"That's how it should be, a realization of who we are." she nodded.