[IC] Star Wars: A New Force

[AHeartlessNobody]

☾ ΟÐξΤΤξ ΚξΝΟβΙ ☽

Odette glanced up from her book when she noticed Ben stirring from his 'sleep'. To be honest, she doubted he had been asleep the while time they had been sitting there, but she didn't mention it. It was...sort of adorable how he tried to hide that he had enjoyed her leaning against like that. But of course, what man wouldn't hide that, trying to keep his dignity?

She looked back to her book and was reading it for a few moments more when Luke walked in from outside of the ship, making her look up in surprise. She had thought he had still been asleep with the padawans. Apparently not. So, had he seen she and Ben asleep and leaning on each other? But, if he did, surely that wouldn't be enough to suspect the two of anything. After all, for all he knew the two of them could have just fell asleep and accidentally fell to leaning against each other. And even if he didn't think accidentally leaning on each other was probable, then surely it could be seen as something just friends could do as well, leaning on each other like that. Right?

She nervously looked back to her book, pretending to read when Master Luke spoke, "Where's Ben?"

Odette moved her gaze back to her Master and spoke, "He went to the lavatory."

"When he returns, I need to speak with both of you." And with that, Master Luke walked away, most likely to go retrieve Ben so that the young man didn't go off somewhere and he could bring him back into the main front room of the ship.

Just what did he need to talk tot hem about? Nervousness and worry swept over her as she sat there and soon, Luke had returned, and not too much longer after, Ben walked in as well. She looked to him and the two shared a glance, both clearly nervous and unknowing as to what the old man might say to them.

"We will be returning home in a few hours time, after we walk about the Temple one last time. When we return, I am sending you two on a mission."

Odette looked at him in surprise. Well...that certainly wasn't what she wasn't expecting him to say, "A...mission, Master? What sort of mission?"

"As you know, there are a few Jedi Temples scattered throughout the universe. The one here are Coruscant is by far the largest, but there are four others. I am looking for one in particular and its whereabouts have been hidden for many years, even before the fall of the Order. It was the first Jedi Temple ever built and has been said to hold many secrets of the Force. Within each Jedi Temple, there is a portion of the map to this temple." He looked out the window of the ship and toward the temple, "Today, we will find the first portion. But, when returning home, I must continue training the other padawans. They are too young and helpless to be taken from temple to temple. The attack yesterday was proof of that. But, you two, while still in training, are also able to and old enough to care for yourselves. Which is why I will be sending you to the second biggest Jedi Temple, to retrieve the second part of the map."

"What about our own training? Are we going to be continuing it?" Odette question, tilting her head to the side.

"Yes. You will be. When you return from the second temple, we will continue your training until I feel you ready to go to the third temple, as it is on a rather danger filled planet."

She sat up a little bit, "And what do these maps look like?"

"You will see once we find the first portion of the map today." He nodded to them, "Get ready to go. I will go wake the other."

With that, he walked off and Odette stood up, grabbing the blaster she had used yesterday, putting it in sash around her waist before walking over to Ben, speaking softly so the others wouldn't hear, but with relief in her voice, "Our first solo mission, Ben. That's exciting. And a relief. I worried for a moment there he had found out about last night." She paused for a moment, looking up at him, "I didn't dream all that, did I? I mean...it really happened, right?"

[Renny]

Ben Solo

He tried his best to shake the vision away and for the most part he had. It had become a muffled echo in the back of his head as Luke spoke, elaborated on a plan to explore the Jedi Temples. All he had been worried about was their training, how it would be slice into it. But Odette, the mind reader that she was, had gotten the answer the for him. As usual he was pleased with her; he refrained from showing it outwardly.

Ben found his eyes on Luke as he left. It was like an invisible thread had connected them suddenly and as he vanished through the doors of sliding metal, he turned to watch him. The semblance of a farewell in his soft darkened eyes. Exactly where the farewell had come from, he wasn't sure but since last night; he'd felt invigorated... changed. It was the coming of a new path in his destiny and for whatever reason, Luke wasn't on it.

Odette's word found his ears next.

He felt worried for her trepidations all of a sudden. Did his lips not feel real? Were they not as tangible as he was right in front of her? The confusion he felt came in the form of a slight tilt, a narrowing of his eyes, and pursed lips.

"Of course it happened, Odd," he answered, feeling insecure about his actions. "Do I have to expose myself to you again, let you peel away my raw, hard exterior a second time? It was hard enough the first." His voice was but a whisper to the world, though he made it clear and unintentionally emotional for Odette.

Emotion filtered through the infinitely tight weavework of the Force, he could feel it bolstering him. He tried his best to keep it in check.

"I forget myself with you sometime. How manic and crazy I can seem. It was no dream, Odette. This... Us, it was plenty real and its not something I would hope you'd doubt in the future." He forced a kind of smirk, an assurance--he hoped--that turned into charm and beauty.

[AHeartlessNobody]

☾ ΟÐξΤΤξ ΚξΝΟβΙ ☽

Odette grinned slightly at his words, "Good. I'm glad it wasn't a dream. I was so exhausted last night I worried it had just been my imagination." She took his hand gently in hers and, after a quick glance to the door to make sure none of the padawans or Luke were heading back into the room, she smiled and looked to him once more, placing a gently, yet quick, kiss to his lips, "And it is something I will never doubt again, Ben." She felt the presence of Luke and the others returning and after a small and meaningful squeeze to his hand, she stepped away from Ben and began putting her books back into her bag as the Master and padawans walked in, acting as if nothing had just happened.

Once she had all of her books put up, she slipped the long strap over her shoulder and across her chest so that the bag itself hung on the opposite side of the shoulder the strap was on, moving to stand beside Ben, tying her blonde hair back from her face and into a ponytail, "We're ready to go to the temple again, Master."

"Very well. Then let's head out. Stay close and keep an eye out for anything that seems out of place. I will take the lead, Ben and Odette, you take the back so that the others are between us." Luke instructed, to which Odette nodded,

"Yes Master." With that, she watched Master Luke walk off of the ship and once all of the other seven padawans followed behind their Master, Odette and Ben took the back, Odette eyeing the world around them carefully. After yesterday's close call with the Nexu, she didn't exactly trust it here and knew that she needed to protect the younglings at all costs. And so, she walked cautiously, ready to take out her blaster if any sign of danger should show itself to them. Even as they entered the Temple and began looking for the first piece of the map, she was very watchful, keening into her senses and focusing on the Force for any signs of danger.

Glancing over at Ben to see how he was doing, she spoke quietly to him, "Are you okay? With coming back in here after yesterday?" She looked ahead, continuing to keep an out out, "The temple seemed to mess with us both a lot in the lower levels. Hopefully if we stay to the upper levels though, we should be okay. And stick together of course. It can't really mess with us if we're together and looking out for each other, right?"

[Renny]

Ben Solo

He feared she was wrong; that even if they had stayed together the visions would still haunt him as voraciously as they were. Still, Ben felt her eyes on him, expecting of an answer. He couldn't believe wholeheartedly like she could but he attempt too for her. He could feign it, the type of feigning one might see in galactic theaters or holovision.

Yes, he could feign it for her.

The smile that appeared on his face as he trailed behind the padawans and Master Luke was one of practiced ease. Years pretending to be okay when actually struggling on the inside with the Dark and Light had finally come in handy. His lips quirked into a half smile, it was charming and not at all any different than his father's.

"Right, we're both strong in the Force. If we continue to guard each other's minds and hearts, we'll be just fine."

He remembered the kiss she planted on his hand not twenty minutes earlier and felt guilt for lying to her. But he cringed at the thought of her uncertainty turning into darkness. Only one of them should be on the borderline, only one should be face the Dark Side. The other should be forever looking at the light, ready to grasp him- ready to help the other up should they falter, he fixed in his mind.

Ben soon folded his arms over his chest; the tenseness, the anxiety of which was hidden well beneath his flowing robes. "Yes, we'll be fine. We should be more worried about are them. Their are few who are our equal in age but weak in the Force. They will be harder to convince to listen after yesterday. Their pride may cloud their judgements. May make them susceptible to stupidity," he whispered with a cool chuckle.

"Either way, I leave those foolish few to you. The rest I'll heard like livestock"

Between the shoulders of padawans, he could feel Luke investigating him in the Force. Perhaps he was checking if the Temple was affecting him. Ben glanced towards Odette, looking for any taletell signs that she may be experiencing the same.

[AHeartlessNobody]

☾ ΟÐξΤΤξ ΚξΝΟβΙ ☽

Odette felt sometimes she knew Ben better than anyone. After all, why wouldn't she? They had spent years together and had been through many long talks with one another, sharing different thoughts and feeling on things. She supposed it was through that she had come to recognize certain facial expressions and body language that came from him. There was a always a difference in his true smiles when he was at ease, than there was his fake smiles he put on to have everyone think what he wanted them to. Perhaps the other padawans couldn't tell the difference, but she could. There was always a difference in his gaze, she had always been able to tell from his eyes. They didn't seem to gleam as much when he was trying to convince someone of something.

And this was no different. The way he looked at her, with that half smile meant to woo and convince, was nothing but a facade, meant to make her think he agreed with her, when really, he didn't. But, that was just Ben. She had come to accept when he wanted to keep some things and thoughts to himself, and respected him enough to not intrude too much into his thoughts, though sometimes it was hard to resist.

She laughed slightly at his last comment, "Oh, so now I take care of the troublesome ones too? I thought that was your job? Or is it just my job to do all the tasks you don't feel like doing?" She questioned with a smirk on her lips. Right now, she of course, was putting up her own facade that she believed what he was saying before about him agreeing with her. She wasn't going to focus too much on it now. No reason to have him worried more than he already was.

Besides, she could feel something else that caught her attention and pulled her away from her thoughts of Ben. Master Luke was trying to reach out in the Force to her emotions. She glanced up at Master Luke, and though he was doing this, wasn't looking in her direction. She had a confused expression on her face and looked over to Ben, seeing his expression on his face. Master Luke was doing the same to him as he was to her.

Well, it was strange, but understandable. After all, they had gone through some pretty traumatic things the day before, he was probably just checking to see how they were doing. Still, it left her with an unease that he wouldn't just talk to them about it, rather than trying to investigate them as such. She looked to Ben once more, raising an eye brow in question, as if silently asking what his thoughts on what Luke was doing were.

[Renny]

Ben kinda felt invaded on. Luke had done this before, multiple times if he was to be honest with himself. It felt like his privacy wasn't his own sometimes, others he knew was coming from a place of affection and love. This was one of those times, he whispered to himself. When he felt a the Force nudge him, hinting at Odette's gaze, he looked.

Her questioning eyes raised a small shrug from him, it was barely noticeable.

It wasn't until Luke had brought group to a stand still had Ben let himself drift in the Force. He had come to realize that if he was to control his destiny, that he'd have to get over his fears. That included diving into the Force fully and allowing it to permeate every inch of him. Since Luke had been stressing that he control his emotions, he'd been thoughtful of just how far he should go... now he wasn't. If only for a moment he would dive as far as possible, allow it to surround him and weave its entity through him.

For a long while he was open to a infinite amount of feelings. At first he winced from the overdrive then quietly accepted it as he realized they were his own.

He didn't get the chance to fully explore it all before Luke had finished explaining everyone's jobs, duties, and whatnot.

Ben walked over to Odette only to stand a head or so over her. "What now? You lead me and I'll follow."

[AHeartlessNobody]

☾ ΟÐξΤΤξ ΚξΝΟβΙ ☽

Odette listened quietly to everything Luke was telling them. They were splitting off into groups this time, only they were all to stay on the main floor so that should anyone run into trouble the others would be just a shout away. They were to locate the map, which, as the old Master explained, would likely be in the form of a small chip. Any such things found, whether it was the map or not, were to be brought to Luke just in case. Luke assigned different rooms to each group, and needless to say, Odette was ecstatic to hear she and Ben would be the ones to search for the Library and scope it out to see if there were any signs of the map there. And, strangely, R2-D2 would be accompanying them. But then again, in the library there were sure to be a few chips and he was probably coming along to let the two view them by hologram.

When Ben walked up to stand beside her, she put her hands on her hips, giving him a small smirk, "You always make me do all the work." She laughed softly, "Come on, we're in charge of finding the library and looking for the piece of the map there. And we're apparently babysitting R2." The droid beeped, "Or possibly the other way around?" She said with another laugh as they made their way down the halls. It shouldn't be that hard to find the library, at least, that was Odette's thoughts. After all, libraries were normally fairly large and they knew it was likely on this main floor so they shouldn't have had any trouble finding it.

And sure enough, after a good half hour of searching, Odette spotted some rather large doors and grinned, "Well, that looks promising." She looked over to Ben with a smile and walked over to the doors, carefully pushing them open. The room was filled with dust and it was clear it hadn't been walked into for many years. But, it was indeed the place they were looking for.

The walls were lined with tall shelves filled with all sorts of books. The sight of it made her eyes brighten and widen in glee, "Wow! Look at all this! This is what I call a library!" R2-D2 beeped and she sighed, pouting a little, "Yeah, yeah, I know you old bucket of bolts. We're here to find the map, not look at books." She straightened up, "Alright then, let's get looking. If it's in here, I have no doubt we'll find it."

[Renny]

The library was grander than he thought it would be. If nothing else, The Jedi had a ravenous appetite for flare. In his studies and teachings, Ben was taught the Jedi was simple beings, men and women of meditation, and delicate diplomacy. But this library spoke different words. As decrepit as any ruin, the library still had regality to it. Stairs spiraled in the far off corners, connecting on the second and third floors overhead. Even then, some of the shelves went even further up. It was then that he took notice of the torn, charred, and ragged tapestry that was once radiant pieces of art.

Ben strode forwards, placing a hand on Odette's shoulder to ease the excitement that wafted off of her in the Force.

"Easy now," he started with a cool word. "Try to stay on task after we leave each other."

Artoo beeped a long series of sounds before strolling along side him. His obvious doubt that she could made Ben smile in, pseudo, agreement. With a preternatural leap, one that he was sure was never allowed inside, he clear the first floor and landed on the dusty flat overhead. A curtain of dust flow outward from his careless drop.

He grasped the graceful railing and looked down at Odette. "I'll start up here, Odd. Artoo and you should look together down there."

The upperlevel was far more expansive than the below-view would lead one to believe. He sauntered through isles of books, scrolls, and an immense collections of holotech. The map areas were the only ones that received a thorough investigation from him. When he felt time slip then nudge him, Ben jogged over to the railing again to peep down Odette. He hoped, so very desperately, that she was having better luck than him. He had never been good at physical research, she however was far better.

He could hear Artoo beeping at her, though it kindly and cooperative. That was good... that's how he wanted her to be treated.

Maybe... he thought, letting it trail off as he reached into the fringes of the Force for a clue to the map.

[AHeartlessNobody]

☾ ΟÐξΤΤξ ΚξΝΟβΙ ☽

Odette gave Ben and R2-D2 a look when they seemed to be talking about her lack of self control when it came to books, crossing her arms over her chest and raising an eyebrow, though her attitude was merely a friendly one, a kind of annoyance only friends could share without it being turned to anger or any other bad feelings. She grinned a bit afterwards, watching Ben jump up to the second floor over head, giving a nod, "Got it. If you find anything interesting let me know and I can get R2 to holo-display it." And with that, she turned and began looking through the first floor to find any signs of the map.

She had to admit, it was difficult to focus with all these books here. She wanted nothing more than to just pick on up and begin reading. She could only imagine just what secrets of the Force these old bindings held. She wanted to know it all. To be as in-tuned to the Force as she could be. But, she knew she had a mission to accomplish and she couldn't be getting distracted from it. And so, she looked for any small chips that might be the map. She found quite a few, piling them onto one of the tables until a good forty chips lay there,

"Alright, R2. Let's start going through these. Hopefully we'll find the map somewhere in this pile. If not, well, then I don't know where else to look." With that, she began, one by one, placing the chips in R2-D2, looking at what the chip held, and when she saw it wasn't the map, would take it out and set it to the side. It was a process, but she was getting it done. Finally, after a long while, they had gone through all the chips she had found and she sighed, leaning back in the chair she sat in, feeling a bit discouraged.

They knew the map was some where in this temple, and Odette was so sure that, if it was anywhere, the Jedi of old would have stored it here in the library somewhere. Yet, these were all the chips she had found and none of them were a piece of a map, just whole maps leading to other things and all sort of other information that, while interesting, was not what they were looking for. She just didn't know where else to look and it was kind of getting her down, feeling as though she was failing this mission. R2 beeped at her, as though to encourage her and she sighed once more, looking to the little droid, placing a hand on its head, "You're right. I shouldn't give up so easily."

Wondering how Ben was doing, looking to see if he had any luck, she saw him near the railing, eyes closed. She could feel him, feel him reaching into the Force in search of something, Likely the map. Maybe that was a good idea. It was worth a shot anyway. Silently Odette, in one graceful leap, jumped and landed next to him onto the over head as well, standing next to him so she had a view of the whole first, and most of the second, floor. At first, she had just meant to stand next to him and do the same as him. But, as though to encourage him, she lightly she layed her hand over his and closed her eyes, reaching into the Force as well.

But, she felt something strange when she did.

Being so close together, it was almost as though they were synced as their hands touched. Unlike how it always was, with the two of them separately diving into the Force, this time was different. It was like they were one. Together, working as one into the Force, they were able to reach farther, and dive deeper into it than she didn't even know possible. It was a strange feeling, one that surprised her. They were much stronger when they worked together, reaching into the Force as one, rather than two separate beings reaching into the Force at the same time from far distances away. Together they could do far more and feel far more of the Force.

Despite her surprise, she kept this going, and very soon, she felt it. Something hidden in one of the books. What book though? Another moment, the title of the book appeared in a flash of an image and she opened her eyes, smiling brightly at Ben, "Did you see that? Come on, it has to be there." She hopped down from the second floor and down onto the first floor once more. The books were arranged by the last name of the author and so she quickly went through the shelves, trying to find the book she had seen by using the lat name of the author on said book.

Sure enough, after a few moments, she found the exact book and pulled it off of the shelves, opening it up. She flipped through the pages until she was at the back cover. It first glance, it just seemed like a normal book one would just read. But, she carefully pealed back the covering for the book until there was a small object able to be seen. She pulled out the chip, looking it over. It was smaller than the others she had looked at, and would have been very easily noticed by anyone who happened to pick up this book to read because of its size, "I think we found our map."

Turning, she knelt next to R2-D2 and put the chip in place before standing up and taking a step back, sure enough, a large holomap appeared around she and Ben, with blanks and pieces missing in between that the other parts of the map they still needed to find would fill it.

Smiling with glee, she laughed and turned, hugging Ben, "We found it!"

[Renny]

Ben Solo

In the Force he roamed idly, searching thoughtfully for the disk. When it proved uneventful, he was preparing to give up but Odette had other plans. He felt her hand fall onto his own, then felt her presence in the Force come alive inside him. A impromptu culmination of immense potential, an awakening of the supernatural kind had exploded to life. Ben soon felt their desires meld and the Force had no choice but to give up its secret.

Ben felt a pressure growing in his chest a sudden flame that bellowed regally. Near-instant visages of bookcases, shelves, and collections through his mind. When all was done he reached up to grip his head, a dull ache and wozziness threatened to make him kneel. Grasping the railing, he nodded to Odette. He knew where it was as well.

Following her to the first floor, hurrying down the spirial stairs; he bore witness to the map that Artoo-Detoo projected forth. It stretched above him in a spectacular light blue. Ben folded his arms over his chest and tried to grip its location.

"Is this the full map?" he asked curiously, a bit confused by the surrounding planets and moons. He had never heard of any of them.

Before an answer could come heard and felt one of the padawans approaching. "Odette, you in here? Ben? This place is so dirty, it'll be the death of me." The voice was gravely and young.

[AHeartlessNobody]

☾ ΟÐξΤΤξ ΚξΝΟβΙ ☽

"No. Its just a piece. The other pieces are in the other temples. We have to find the other three pieces to complete the map. Then we can finally find the First Temple. But still, we're one step there, Ben. Just three more pieces." She was so excited to have found a clue to the whereabouts of such an ancient and revered place such as the first temple. And right after leaving here, Luke was sending them to go find the second piece. Hopefully within the next few years they could actually find all the pieces to complete the map. Then they could finally see the First Temple for themselves.

In hearing one of the other padawans speak up, Odette smiled and turned, "Yes, Collen. We're in here." R2-D2 shut off the map as the little nine year old walked in, looking at the two elder padawans and the droid, "We were about to head back to Master Luke. Where's Jared? I thought you were supposed to be partnered with him to look in the far end storage area?"

"We were. But we didn't find anything that would lead to the map. So we went to Master Luke. He told me to come in here to see if you and Ben needed any help." The youngling said, frowning slightly, "But, if you're about to head back to Master Luke then I guess not."

Odette laughed slightly, "Well, we found the piece of the map, so there's no reason for us to stay in here."

"You found it!? Aww, you two always have the fun of finding the cool stuff." Collen said, pouting as she ruffled his hair,

"Oh, come on. When your older than you can go on adventures and find really cool stuff too. Now, let's get this chip to Luke." She said, leading the youngling out and motioning for Ben and R2 to follow.

[Renny]

Ben Solo

Ben felt slightly embarrassed.

Luke had told them the very same thing in the meeting and he had went so far as to repeat the obvious. He hoped Odd didn't see that in a negative light, or himself for that matter. He touched Artoo on the dome absent-mindedly as Collen bumbled in, looking around the decrepit library with a child's curiosity and a padawan's eye. Ben was sure the child had felt a small tinge in the Force here.

As was usual, Ben got when the padawans were around. He found their wondering eyes and questions to be too digging. If one of them had even begun to stray towards his past, he was unsure of how he'd react. It was better for them all if he continued the way he was. More so now that he had decided to take grasp of his own destiny.

Artoo bumped into his leg to get him out of his stupor. Ben was able to catch Odette motioning for them to follow her, he smiled once she turned her back again. She didn't realize just how amazing she was in his eyes. Even the small gestures sent his heart deeper in the Force. With a powerful inhale, followed by a quiet exhale, Ben pursued the two.

Artoo beeped ludicrous accusations at him about eating after lights out as they pooled out the temple's grand entrance.

"Where's your proof you glorified trashcan." countered Ben cooly.

Another series of beeps and whirls came from Artoo-Detoo as he smashed into his legs. Ben knelt down with the grace of a pouncing feline and gripped the astromech's dome with both hands; bitting back the pain. It sent the droid spinning and screeching in mechanical tones. Artoo slipped from his grasp but Ben was quick on its tail,

"I'm gonna sell you off and tell Master Luke we lost you!" He trailed off seeing the dull colors of robes and hearing the children's snickers.

"Oh, you will huh?" Luke murmured as Artoo sought refudge behind him. "Now, now, Artoo. You shouldn't start anything you can't return in full... Did you two find the piece?" he asked, his eyes never leaving Ben and Odette's.

[AHeartlessNobody]

☾ ΟÐξΤΤξ ΚξΝΟβΙ ☽

Odette smiled at Ben as he and R2-D2 began bickering back and forth with one another. She was sued to this. The droid and Ben, despite always poking fun at one another, were rather close after all, just like the droid was close with Master Ben. That little droid had seen a lot of things and was certainly something special. When it wasn't causing trouble that was. She winced slightly when she saw it run right into Ben's legs at full speed, only to start giggling softly as she saw Ben chasing the droid down. She quickened her pace to follow them so she wouldn't be left alone, laughing, "Alright you two, calm down before Master Luke...."

She trailed off as well when she rounded the corner after them, seeing that Master Luke and the other padawans were there, the droid hiding behind the Master while she and Ben stood there. She laughed softly, rubbing the back of her neck, "Yes, Master Luke, we found it. It's safely in R2-D2."

Master Luke nodded, reaching down to retrieve the chip from the droid and put it in his own pocket for safe keeping, "Very good Odette. And I hope R2 and Ben didn't argue the whole time and helped you?"

There were some more snickers from the other padawans as they started making their way back to the ship, leaving the Master, Ben, and Odette alone. Odette giggled softly once again, smiling over at Ben before nodding, "Yes, he did. We likely wouldn't have found it without Ben's help." She stood up straight, "Master, as you know, there is some of the Force in each and every one of us. So, I have a question. Was there ever such a thing as combining the Force inside one another? To strengthen it?"

This question was something Luke had to think on, "Not that I recall. Force users normally work alone unless they have a padawan by their side so it's never been properly looked into. Why do you ask?"

"No reason. I was just wondering since there are so many of us working together I think it might be something to look into." Of course, this was a lie. She was really thinking back to the combined power of the Force she and Ben had shared. It had strengthened their bond with the Force when they had worked together in such a way and made them do more than they could have possibly done on their own. If Master Luke was skeptical about her answer, he didn't show it. She looked back to Master Luke, "Are we going to head back to out planet now, Master?"

"Yes." Master Luke said, turning and walking back toward the ship, the other two and the droid following. Odette, as they walked, glanced over at Ben, giving him a soft smile. Once they returned, their mission to go off to another planet and find the next piece of the map on their own would begin. It was exciting to be given such an honor as their own mission. And on top of that, it would be just Ben and her. They wouldn't have to be secretive. They could just be themselves.

Soon, they entered the ship and were heading back home, Odette smiling as she looked out of the window, all to ready for their mission upon return.

[Renny]

Ben Solo

As Odette and Master Luke spoke, Ben remained quiet. He had nothing to say to Master Luke, he wasn't as brazen as Odd to draw so close to their relationship in front of the master. He thought that perhaps she had forgotten how mystical he could be, how preternatural his senses were. Ben felt like a shadow inside the dark folds of his cloak, he was just as still as one too. Neither moving nor giving face of emotion. He had become that porcelain statue, that ghostly beauty that so often visited the new generation of Jedi. Instinctively veiled in the Force.

"That's good to hear, I'm ready to leave this temple. It gives me the shivers, among other things." He was referring to his visions of the dark-armored warrior.

Once on the ship and out of Coruscant's orbit, Ben felt himself calm. His eyes fell towards temple--even though he knew they were too far away for it to be seen. The Force was funny that way, he thought. It always seemed to drag attention to things that didn't need it. He sighed to himself before letting his head lax and his eyes close. Once alone with Odette... everything would be okay. She always made everything okay.

[AHeartlessNobody]

☾ ΟÐξΤΤξ ΚξΝΟβΙ ☽

It didn't take long to arrive back to the temple and when they did, Odette felt so excited. She couldn't wait to head off and go to this other temple with Ben. It was an honor that Master Luke was trusting the two of them with such an important task, and that he thought them ready to go off on a mission by themselves. It was nerve wrecking, but exciting all the same. What would happen? Would there be any danger? Surely if there was then the two of them would be able to handle it. She herself was sixteen after all, and Ben was eighteen. The two of them were old enough to care for themselves. They would be just fine.

Once back on their planet, the younger padawans were sent to bed and she watched as Master Luke put the piece of the map away in a small box on a shelf, before the old man turned to the two of them, "You two will be taking a smaller ship, loaned to us by my sister." This made Odette glance sideways to Ben, knowing the old man meant Ben's mother, before she looked back to the master, listening to him as he continued speaking, "R2 will be staying with me, but there are two BB units aboard the ship that will be accompanying the two of you to help you look at the different chips of information you may come across."

"How long do you think it may take to find the next part of the map, Master?" Odette asked, tilting her head to the side.

"With just the two of you going, it will take a bit longer than it had to find the first piece. I will give the two of you two weeks to find the piece." Luke smiled, "No worries, if you haven't found it by then, then the others and myself will come to assist you both."

Odette smiled slightly, "Yes Master."

"Now, before we send you on your way, first, you and Ben must craft your light sabers."

Soon Master Luke had retrieved quite a bit of material to make their sabers with and Odette beamed a smile, glancing excitedly over at Ben as she sat down with him. She set the glowing purple crystal on the table and watched as Luke helped to retrieve Ben's blue crystal from the broken blue saber it had come in, "You both must concentrate. Feel the Force and construct it carefully."

With a nod, Odette looked to all the material in front of her. It was a bit overwhelming to think that she could make any kind of saber she wanted. But, in the end, for now, decided that perhaps just a simple saber should do. And so, taking a deep breath, Odette's eyes closed and she honed in on the Force, the different materials lifting into the air and coming together to assemble her saber. It took no more than a couple of minutes, but was still a complicated process. Once she was done though, she smiled and took it into her hands, igniting it and looking at the purple beam with a bright smile, "My own saber. One that I actually made all on my own." She looked to Ben, watching as he finished up his own, waiting to see the type of saber he himself would make.

[Renny]

Ben Solo

Ben remained a step or two behind Odette as Luke spoke to them. He lowered his eyes at the mention of his mother's involvement. How long had it been since he's seen her? Heard from her? Far too long, he decided. A small part of him felt contempt for Luke's communication with her. All he had was that holophoto of her, the one that was always perched on his sidetable. She was the first thing he saw when he woke up a lot of the time.

"So the Princess has decided to help her general... How typical," he sneered under his breath, his arms crossing his chest as he mentally put walls between them.

The weathered Luke seemed to notice his discomfort; showing it in the form of a small, uninterrupting glance towards his direction. When he continued on without skipping a beat, Ben knew that Luke was going to let it pass. He always did. His eyes soon slid to the obscured direction of his bedroom. The small shack had been his home for so long that he had wondered if he had, imprinted some darkness in there. It wouldn't be too much, nothing to worry about... but it would be akin to having a skeleton in the closet.

Ben soon went to work on his own lightsaber, feeling incapable of speaking kindly after hearing his mother's attachment with Luke and not him. Emotions were supposedly the way to the Dark Side but since speaking with Odette, he had decided to embrace every feeling that was conjured from his situation. Because of this, his mediatation was... distracting.

Unease palpitated from him, though his face remained steeled and smooth. He focused on the components that littered his space. Dark pieces of metal along with slender pieces of cooper and gold begun to float and bob in front of him. The Force was at work around him and the blue crystal he had found was positioned directly across from his nose. It was the only still piece in a whirlwind of electronics and metals.

Eventually the Force gave him a vision for the lightsaber, it wasn't perfection, not by a long-shot but it was good enough for his first. The mostly black handle of his lightsaber was a bit too-long. It was about a hand-and-a-half, with wire thin pieces of cooper lining the sides and a thick ring of gold near its single exhaust port. When it was done, Ben held it with a single hand, ignited it with a flick of his thumb, and spun it in succession. The sizzling hum brought a feeling of pride to him as it seared the air.

Odd's eyes laid on him, so he flickered his own towards her; a gentle, accomplished smile was on his lean face. "Your lightsaber looks... well its looks... like you." His voice sounded awkward and kinda embarrassed as he said so. "I'm heading to the ship now," he spoke aloud, feeling no need for goodbyes to the Padawans or Luke.

* * * *

The ship was placed in the same clearing. It brought back memeories of his arrival but also feelings of his departure. Once close enough, he could feel his mother in the Force, nearby on the ship. He was frozen for a moment but quickly tossed it aside in hopes of seeing her inside. With a dash of preternatural speed, he neared the ship, opened the ramp, and hurried inside. The hull was empty, all except the BB droids and the essentials. Ben almost lashed out in anger at his own foolishness but before he could, thought of Odette and calmed himself.

Why? Why the hell did I feel her...

[AHeartlessNobody]

☾ ΟÐξΤΤξ ΚξΝΟβΙ ☽

Odette smiled slightly at Ben's comment, "I suppose it is. Simple, yet efficient. Just like me." She joked, though as she watched him walk away, making his way outside and to the ship, her eyes followed him and a frown formed on her face. She had heard Ben's comment from before about his mother and Luke communicating. He apparently wasn't so thrilled about it, but of course, who was she to blame him? He hadn't seen his mother in so long. If her parents were still alive she would have been wanting to see them as well. But, at the same time, she was also growing worried about him. She had, every so often, been feeling something about them that left her uneasy. A sort of...darkness in a way. Ever since she had that talk with him it had seemed more prominent and she worried over his well being over much so. Yet, she didn't know what to do or what to say to help drive that darkness away.

"You're worried about him."

This was a statement, not a question, that Luke spoke to her, making her turn to face him once more, a frown etched on her face and her worry very clear now that Luke called her out on it, "Yes, Master...I just...it feels..."

"You feel the darkness. The Force is a mysterious way. And the people that work through it are just as mysterious. Some are drown heavily to the light, such as yourself, just as your father and grandfather before you. Some though, while fight it, are drawn to the darkness, with very little hold them back from sinking into it and succumbing to its will."

Odette looked at him worried, "And you think that Ben could possibly be..."

Luke placed a calming hand on the girl's shoulder, "Ben has much of his grandfather in him, but on his own I do not believe he would turn to the darkness. He is a great padawan and one day will be one of the best Jedi this universe has known, just as you will be. But, to keep him safe and on track it will take keeping a careful eye on him and keeping him on the right track." He let go of her shoulder and stood up straight, "The best thing you can do, young padawan, is to be a friend and help him. Even if it may be difficult at times." He smiled at her, attempting to calm her nerves, "Now go, he is likely waiting for you now."

Trying her best to give a smile, she nodded and hugged Master Luke goodbye, as well as told the younglings goodbye as well, before packing what things she would be taking with her and hurrying out toward the field where the ship was. She paused though as she neared it. Something felt weird. Like she felt a fleeting presence she had felt many times before, perhaps because it was one similar to Ben's presence she always felt. Yet it was different at the same time. She also felt though, a smothering blanket of anger that she knew was none other than Ben's. She could feel it, and also felt his struggle as he calmed himself as well. She was glad he was able to calm himself and not let his anger take control and was proud of him for that.

Smiling softly, Odette walked up the ramp of the ship, looking to Ben, "Alright, I'm all ready to go, Ben." She set her small bag down and knelt to get a look at the two short beeping droids, one white and orange, while the other looked identical, but with green instead of orange, "Ah, you two much be the droids coming with us. Let's see..." She said, looking for their numbers, "Ah. BB-8 and BB-11. Well, good to have you aboard, I'm Odette and this is Ben." The two droids beeped cheerfully in greeting, making Odette smile as she stood up and walked over to Ben, keeping her bright smile on her face, attempting to wash away the remains of his anger and cheer him up, "Are you excited, Ben? Can you believe it? Our first mission all on our own."

[Renny]

Ben Solo

"Definitely," he answered, composing himself and walking aimlessly around the sterling hull. Tapestry of his ancestral planet lined the hull, the symbol of the republic was a centerpiece for the starship. "I can't believe I've finally got some time with you. Its... almost like a dream y'know? I've always wanted to be alone with you, away from the temple and Master Luke. Its the small things... the moments that I'll cherish the most."

Those were the things he had decided in private, keeping them close to his heart. To Odette.

A moment later Bee-Bee-Ate rolled into his foot and chirped urgently. He understood the droid briefly but lost translation among its numerous sounds and movements. Ben knelt down and held its form tight to the floor. "Calm down, Bee-Bee..." He took a better look at its codes. "Bee-Bee-Ate," he said with sureness. "What's the problem?"

It swiveled its eye around so that it was facing towards the steel ceiling before projecting an enlarged image of his... his mother. Her full face was royalty incarnated and it was than that he realized just how different he was now. That afterthought was pushed aside as he took a few steps back to grasp the full message; she had begun to speak after a bit of fiddling. It was obvious she was setting up the recording herself.

Mother?

"Are you recording this, Bee-Bee Ate?" she asked tenderly, her hair a bit astray but mostly upkept.

A whirl of mechanical noise confirmed her question.

Leia nodded, the hints of bags lied beneath the perfectly executed makeup. "Ben..." she muttered, her voice so filled with love and warmth, that just the sound had unnerved him. He flinched as he felt his walls start to crumble.

"...Mom," he uttered in response; he knew she couldn't hear him.

"How are you, Ben? I've been, so very worried about you. I know... I know that Luke has forbidden communication but I had to check on you. I'll keep this short. Your aunt Winter and I have delegations to attend to about Naboo's plasma exports. " She paused for a long second as if feeling Ben's desperate eyes on her. Eyes that were filled with emotions incapable of being put into words.

"... Y-You can do this, Ben. I can only imagine how hard it must be but you... you are a Skywalker and a Solo. You are Han's spitting image, my mental doppelganger, and the nephew of the last jedi. I can feel in you the hu-"

She was interrupted as See-threepio scuttled through the frame and voiced, in his overly mannerly way, that her ship was ready for departure. Leia spoke something in a hushed whispered and soon afterwards, See-threepio had waved drone-like at the camera. "Greetings, Master Ben. How is your training preceding. Swell I hope."

Ben couldn't help the smirk that blossomed into a smile. He had once hated the droid but now he held him almost as dear as his mother. When the droid was gone, Leia smiled once more before blowing a kiss towards the recorder. "Take care of yourself, Ben. I love you beyond the will of the Force."

The hologram flickered out.

Ben held his cheek as if he had caught the kiss and planted it there, a tear trailed its way to his lean chin. "So you hadn't forgotten me," he uttered calmly, seemingly unaware of his tear. "That's good, I've been worrying about you too, Mom."

He let out a sigh, turned his head towards Odette, and grinned widely. "Let's find this map!"

[AHeartlessNobody]

☾ ΟÐξΤΤξ ΚξΝΟβΙ ☽

Odette couldn't help the smile on her face as Ben said he was glad to be there with her, away from the shack they were living in and Master Luke, "Oh, come on. They aren't that bad." She said with a grin sitting in one of the seats by the window, "Though, I do admit, it is nice to have some peace and quiet and to just be alone by ourselves for once." Turning in the chair, she began to set the coordinates given to her by Master Luke to the temple, when she heard BB-8 pestering Ben and looked over her shoulder with another grin. Droids just always seemed to take a pestering liking to Ben, something Odette found quite amusing.

Though, as she sat there, she saw a hologram of who she could only assume was Ben's mother. She had never met the woman herself, as there had been no one to accompany him when he had arrived on the planet. But, she could see the warmth in the mother's eyes and knew the woman cared very deeply for her son. It made Odette feel warm and relieved that Ben could see this and know that he was cared for and loved by someone other than just herself. He seemed relieved as well and, much to her surprise, she saw a tear slide down his cheek before he finally turned to her where she had come to stand beside him.

She smiled brightly at his excitement and nodded, "Yes, let's go find it, Ben." Gently though, she reached up to place a hand on his cheek, wiping away his tear as she did, speaking softly, "Those who care about you never forget Ben. Even if they may be out of sight, they will always be there for you. That includes your mother, Master Luke, the other padawans, and even myself." Smiling gently at him, she took his face softly in her hands and she placed a gentle kiss to his lips, which sure shocked the two BB units, making one squeal in a surprised high pitched fashion, while the other spewed out a series of chirps and beeps, making her look down to the two,

"Tell anyone about this and you'll both be scraps." She warned, causing both to calm down and look at each other before giving a sort of thumbs up with a built in lighter that they agreed to keep this silent. Seeing this, she smiled up at Ben and laughed softly, "Well, let's get going, huh?"

[Renny]

Ben Solo

Ben sat in the chair next to Odette at the controls. He wasn't good at piloting but he had an extensive knowledge of operations and ship mechanics, especially the mechanics of his mother's vessels. Tinkering kept him busy when he was adamant about spending time with his mother or on the Millennium Falcon with Han. So it was no wonder when his arms shot up and around to make sure everything was and would run smoothly.

He glanced over at Odette and shot her a knowing, almost cocky smirk.

When the ship lurched forward into hyperspace, Ben stood from his chair and started to check the rest of the ship out. His mother was notoriously meticulous so he knew she had a plan for ever contingency. He wondered if she had a place for meditation set up or some for combat training droid stored somewhere. He paused in the middle of the hull and felt Bee-Bee Ate's persistent eye on him. Its large optic stared as if seeing something he hadn't.

"Keeping staring and I'll pluck it out." he mumbled casually, though joking in all honesty.

It whirled with noise, spinning around in a full circle before taking off towards a dark space, one that shied from the luminous lights of the bridge. Ben walked in and turned on the light. The room was a small kitchen and mediation area combination. One half was meant for preparing meals, the other, for cultivating oneself in the Force.

"Odette," he called out to loudly. "Don't you wanna make me a meal... something healthy?" he asked her with tease tinge to his tone, his back still facing her.