Disclaimer: This is a short story based on my character Irel Kirsi from Jedi and Clone. This takes place when she is a padawan, about 15 years old. I do not own Star Wars, nor are my works cannon (except in my own mind.)
"Again!" The hovering balls reset in the training room. Irel picked herself up off the ground, clutching her lightsaber feebly. Her master, Saesee Tiin, resumed his place and motioned for her to continue.
Irel drew in a deep breath and stood, igniting her lightsaber. The sequence began again. The balls surged towards her and began to zip past, shooting tiny stun lasers at her. Irel deflected a few, stumbling from the sting.
The orbs moved closer, diving around her and surging past. Irel twisted from side to side. Panic rose within her and she flailed her lightsaber around. She heard several of the orbs clatter to the ground.
Saesee clapped and the exercise stopped. He sighed, shaking his head. "Irel, there could be times when you are swarmed by animals, blaster fire, anything! You have to learn to keep your head clear."
She stood up with a huff, clipping her lightsaber to her belt. "I try to! I just get freaked out and panic. I can't help it!"
"This is one of the easiest lessons to master. Even the younglings could overcome this." He rubbed the bridge of his nose. "I don't see why you can't."
"I told you. It scares me."
"You must learn to let go of your fear. Fear is the path to the Dark Side," Saesee admonished further.
Irel narrowed her eyes. "Would you stop lecturing me for one minute and listen? I don't know what's wrong with me! It's not my fault that the Council thought I could become a padawan early. It's not even my fault that I'm a Jedi, and, you know what? I'm not even sure I want to be one, especially if we're all supposed to be as self righteous as you!"
Without another word, she stormed out of the room and into the hallway. A few of the other padawans smiled, spying her. Their smiles faded as she stomped past them. Irel blindly made her way to her bare chambers.
She flung herself onto the cot, finally letting the frustrated tears fall. "It's not my fault," she whispered. After a few minutes, Irel sighed and sat up. She quickly redid her loose hair in its usual style, and tying off her padawan braid that hung over her right shoulder.
She knew she should expect a visit from her master. She would be lucky if he didn't send her to the Council for further admonishments! Irel felt a small nudge of guilt, recalling what she had said to her master.
"I know he just wants me to do the best that I can. He thinks I can do anything that he can or that the others can, but I can't. I'm not him," she murmured to herself.
A knock sounded on her door. "Irel?" Saesee called.
She quickly swiped the last of the tears from her cheeks, hoping that he wouldn't notice. The door hissed open and Saesee entered. "I'm sorry, Master," Irel said softly.
"It's all right. I should respect how you feel. Sometimes I get caught up in trying to teach you that I forget you don't always want to be taught," Saesee laughed. "Now, come on. We have an assignment."
Irel leaped to her feet, instantly intrigued. "Where are we going?"
"No where particular. We're looking for a bounty hunter with Master Kenobi and his padawan."
She resisted the urge to roll her eyes. "Ugh, Anakin? That hotshot thinks he's something special."
Saesee gave her a strange look. "That's not very kind. He's only a few years younger than you."
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Short Stories
Short StoryThis is a collection of my short stories! Poems are being moved into their own book, so be sure to check that out if you like poetry! This is updated spontaneously so don't expect too many regular updates.
