~Cira POV~
         "Master Yoda?" I peered into his private meditation room. It was small and cozy, with two large cushions on the floor and a dim, warm light. Very peaceful.

"Yes, Master Lorus?" He opened his large, soft eyes and looked up at me from his cross legged position. He must've not been deep into meditation yet.

"I was wondering if I could speak to you about my Padawan."

"Mhm, yes. Take a seat, you should," he gestured to the cushion opposite from him,"Outstanding, her progress is."

I smiled,"Yes, that's actually part of what I wanted to talk to you about. Now, I may be wrong since she's my first Padawan, but I do think she's ready to be considered for knighthood."

His expression went from friendly and lighthearted to thoughtful and serious. He rubbed his chin and grumbled,"Why say this, do you?"

I took a deep breathe, getting ready to recite the speech I'd been nervously planning. "Yula's progress is undeniable. Her lightsaber skills have gone from practically nonexistent to advanced, but her connection to the Force has also deepened. As you know, she's begun to tap into her ability to use Battle Meditation, a rare thing that most Masters don't even know. She's also become a very courageous and intelligent leader, sometimes better than myself. I truly think she's ready."

He was silent for a moment before calmly replying,"About her young age, what do you say?" He wasn't being rude or even implying that it was an issue, just wanting to know my answer. Chances are, he was testing me right now as well.

"War has driven her to mature at a rapid pace. Her age does not equate to her maturity whatsoever," I quickly added,"in a good way."

"Mhm, that it does."

He didn't say much more, just sitting there thinking in his calm state, so I broke the awkward silence. "I'm not quite sure what to do from here."

"Talk with the members of the Council, I will. Be in contact soon enough, we shall be."

I smiled and bowed my head after getting up from my seat,"Thank you, Master Yoda."

~Yula POV~
        It was time for the weekly group Lightsaber practice. Every Padawan of the same age group, 16-18, gathered in the training arena. This was relatively new but I guess the Masters are finally realizing we learn better by just practicing and figuring shit out.

We all lined up in a row, like usual, and were counted off. Jek and I would always try and guess how they'd count us off so we could end up as partners. It was a much tougher duel since we know all of each other's moves.

Every time we do the duels I can't help but thinking back to that one incident, it was over a year ago. The one where I punched that Twi'lek girl, Prim I think was her name. Gosh, even her name sounds awful. Yeah she ended up breaking her nose and I got a trip to Pantora to "clear my mind." Worked out well for me, especially because she deserved it. Nobody calls me a "Sith" and gets away with it. Only makes me wanna wear black more often.

Though, I've always had a feeling of regret that I didn't actually beat her. Yes, I did defeat her, but not honorably or fairly. And after all these weekly practices, I've never gotten to fulfill that. Until today.

We both stepped up to our starting places. Two red boxes set about 10 feet apart. I could sense tension from her end. Maybe even a hint of fear. I hit a bit of a growth spurt since last time and have muscled up, so I'd better scare her.

"On your count," was all she said.

I smirked and rested my hand on the trigger of my saber, eager to ignite it.
"One..,"
"Two..,"
We both ignited our sabers and held them vertically before or faces. "Three."

She made the mistake of lunging at me first. Trust me, doesn't work. I stepped effortlessly to the side and blocked as she swung, trying to hit me as she lost her balance. She was being much too anxious about this fight. I held my saber with one hand, and then other out to the side for balance. From there she stumbled and that's when I moved in. My dark emerald blade came quickly towards her back but she lifted hers behind her and was able to block it. She then took a step forward, crouched, and did a back flip up and over my head, all too fast for me to act. She was fast enough that I couldn't outrun her, but I could outsmart her. My next move was where I brought the Force into my attacks. I did a front roll forward and away from her, as she did get dangerously close to my back, then stood and did a 180 degree spin to face her. Without batting an eyelash I gave a solid Force push, sending her backwards. She fell on her back and I rushed forward to get in the winning position, thinking it was over, but her acrobatics bested me. She pushed off with her feet and into a handstand before flipping back to her feet and landing a safe distance away from me. Damn it.

"Couldn't beat me before, can't now," She said with a petty smile that made me wanna break her nose again.

I chuckled,"I can always break your nose again if you'd rather."

She grimaced angrily and then we both rushed towards each other, icy blue against dark green, but my green was stronger. I used all my weight, which was definitely more than her, and pushed her back hard enough she had to step back. I gave her no more than a millisecond before striking again, catching her before she could regain her balance and strength. I was steadily sensing more and more fear, but also anger. That's bad for me.

She sneered, furrowing her brows, and force pushed me back. I flew back a little ways, but broke my fall with two hands outstretched behind me.

"Shit!"

My saber flew a good 20 feet to my right and she immediately sprinted towards me. When I say sprint, I mean she was fucking moving. But I could use that against her. I barrel rolled right and called my saber over. Then I ignited it. As she turned her course towards me, since I'd moved, I made a dash for her left side, throwing her off balance even more, and then simply outstretched a foot and tripped her. That's it. She came crashing to the ground and I stopped my saber just before her neck. She sighed, giving into defeat. With dismay she shut off her saber and put it back on her belt after sitting up. I offered a hand to help her up after putting mine away as well. She took it, but didn't look up.

"Thanks." She said it with a rather embarrassed tone.

"No problem. Good fight." I️ smiled at her and stuck my hand out for her to shake. She thought for a moment, then smiled in return and shook it.

        After all the practices were done, all of us were dismissed. Jek jogged over and put his hand out for a high five,"Well done!"

I️ laughed and high fived him,"How'd your match go?"

He shrugged,"It was okay. I️ had better defense but got too fixated on it."

"Progress is progress," I️ replied with a slight smile. We started leaving the arena to go on with our day. At least one of us had a victory today.

"So, how goes the search for a new Master?" I️ asked as we continued walking.

He sighed,"Not great, but the Council has given me special permission to continue my training and even be knighted without a Master. If I️ don't find one."

"Seems like a pretty sweet deal to me. Plus, you will find one. Lots of Knights and Masters are without a student right now. Surely one of them will be lucky enough to take you in."

He smiled and chuckled a little bit,"Thanks. I️ hope so."

We chatted for the rest of the walk until we hit the fork in the road. I️ had to go back to my quarters first and Jek was off to another mission. This time he would be the Commander of a lone Jedi General in a tedious ground assault against a Separatist base. Ouch.

"Well, I'm off to go take down some clankers," he said as he pretending to slice one down in thin air, making a dramatic face for comedic effect.

I️ laughed,"You do that. Good luck, let me know how it goes if you get the chance." I️ smiled and gave a joking smirk,"And try not to get killed."

He laughed,"Yes ma'am," he gave a salute with his hand above his forehead before turning s little life serious,"I'll be fine. It's a pretty routine operation," he gave a reassuring smile, his red eyes glowing,"See you 'round, Blue Buddy." With that he was on his way. "Blue Buddy" always made me smile. It was what we called each other as younglings, back when we first met. Back when things were simpler.

"Yula, back here!" It was Cira walking up behind me. She told me she had some sort of meeting today, but entirely sure what about. Though, I️ have my suspicions. She caught up and walked into our quarters with me,"How'd practice go?"

"Actually really great!" I️ couldn't help but smile with a hint of pride,"I️ got paired up with that Twi'lek girl Prim, you know, the girl who's nose I️ broke?" Cira chuckled and crossed her arms, listening intently,"It was a close call but I️ totally skunked her! It was awesome. Man, you should've seen her face."

Cira laughed and patted my shoulder on her way to get a drink across the large room,"Wish I️ could've seen it. Though, I'm really happy for you. Eventually you'll agree when I say you're doing immensely well." She smiled and took a sip of some water from a small, blue glass.

I️ just laughed a little bit and smiled. "So What was that meeting about this morning?"

She shrugged and went to go sit down st the table with a Holo and a drink in hand,"You know, Jedi stuff."

I️ cocked an eyebrow up and gave her a stern look.

She sighed,"I️ was speaking with Master Yoda."

"Oh. Was it about..."

"Yes, and I️ do believe he thinks you're ready. Though, he wouldn't give a solid answer. He's going to consult the rest of the Council."

I️ was honestly expecting Yoda to disagree and come up with some long winded, confusing as all hell explanation as to why. "So this is actually happening?" I️ asked in wonderment.

Cira smiled, just a pure, happy, proud smile,"It really is."

I️ smiled,"Never thought I'd get this far," I️ chuckled,"Still don't know if I'm terrified or crazy happy."

"You should be both," she replied rather jokingly.

I️ was terrified though. Honestly, if I'm Knighted and given full command of my own Unit, I️ don't know how it'll go. In the end, probably fine. But there's always that "what if" that sneaks up on you. Guess I'd just have to live to tell the tale someday. Maybe to my future Padawan. That is, when this war nonsense is over.