-A Padawan's Journey-

The Youngling Finds Her Voice

It was early in the morning on Coruscant. Valerie of course was awake than most, she got her breakfast and made her way to the courtyard at the Jedi Temple. When she got outside of course there were others, mainly Jedi Masters and their padawans getting in some early morning lessons. Valerie looked over and saw Ahsoka sitting by herself, her back was to Valerie. She was facing The Great Tree. Valerie walked up behind her.

"Can I sit with you?" Valerie asked.

Ahsoka turned her head and smiled when she saw it was Valerie. "Of course."

Valerie sat down and Ahsoka turned to face her, both girls took a bite of their breakfast. "What has you awake this early in the morning? I normally don't run into you until later." Valerie asked.

"I just rose early today," Ahsoka said in between bites. "Figured I would enjoy my time in the training grounds."

"Yes the force is very strong here, especially with the Uneti Tree."

"Mhmm." The two girls quietly ate more of their breakfast before Ahsoka spoke up some more. "So what has you awake?"

Valerie took a drink from her water canteen. "I'm normally an early riser. I get my breakfast and find a quiet spot to sit before I throw myself into my studies."

"You are always studying."

Valerie shrugged. "You're my only friend Ahsoka, before you all I had was my studies."

"Yea, I guess you're right." Ahsoka nodded. "But you could've always made friends."

"No one wanted to be my friend before you."

The two girls continued eating in silence. Valerie was the first one to finish her breakfast, she stood up and collected her trash.

Ahsoka quickly scoffed down the rest of her breakfast and stood up as well. "Let me guess, heading to the archives for more studying?"

"Actually." Valerie patted her newly made lightsaber. "I was hoping for more of a different kinda studying. But I need a partner."

Ahsoka smiled. "You're on."

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Both Valerie and Ahsoka were training hard, they two girls were actually sweating. Valerie was working on her offensive technique while Ahsoka worked on her defensive technique. Valerie was bringing her lightsaber down on Ahsoka while she backflipped away from the other girl. Ahsoka ended up kneeling down on one knee and blocked Valerie's lightsaber with her own. Ahsoka smiled at Valerie. The two girls deignited their lightsabers and Valerie helped Ahsoka up.

"You're getting better with your offensive technique." Ahsoka said.

"Thank you, you also are showing great improvement with your defensive technique." Valerie nodded.

Ahsoka laughed. "Thanks."

Clapping came from the end of the training hall and the two girls turned and saw three other younglings from their class. "Well, well, well. What do we have here?" The boy in front said. Valerie looked away

"Go away Xander." Ahsoka said. "Unless you're here to train, this is private."

The boy put a hand over his chest and gasped. "Whatever do you mean? Can I not observe my fellow Jedi?" His eyes fell to Valerie. "Still no voice?"

"Leave her alone!" Ahsoka demanded.

The three walked towards Ahsoka and Valerie. "Come on now, I wanna hear the weirdo speak."

Weirdo.

They still think you don't belong. Valerie thought.

The girl behind him laughed. "You should know better, she doesn't know how to speak."