- CASTLES CRUMBLING (A.S.) -

- 𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐑𝐓𝐘-𝐎𝐍𝐄 -

we will stand tall & face it all together

FAR BELOW WHERE Regina stood, the young Knight could see the hundreds of Padawans, all of them anticipating their official induction into the Jedi Order.

Despite the massive crowds that clustered together into one giant mass of life forms below, Regina found it quite easy to see Anakin from where she was seated inside a nice and cool room inside the Temple itself.

She was viewing the ceremony from the chambers that she'd been given when she'd been Knighted herself. The place wasn't yet something she could call home; since she had only been a full Jedi for about a month and a half plus being gone most of the time on her mission, she'd had little time to decorate the room the way she pleased. By now, most new Knights would have had decorated their rooms to fit their aesthetic, some collecting treasures from their adventures or simply bringing in plants and wildlife, along with many other ways of decoration. But Regina's remained plain with only a bed, desk, chair, and storage for her minimal belongings along with the other various parts of the chamber decorated barely at all; it was much like her Padawan room had been, just bigger.

Sighing, she watched from the viewport of her small sitting room that happened to overlook the massive Jedi training grounds near the center of the Temple. Honestly, she would have preferred a more secluded living space, away from everyone else, but for now she had to make do. She was yet a young Knight, and she felt it wasn't her place to demand new living quarters.

On the ground level, the ceremony was beginning. Since this was considered to be a "mass Knighting ceremony," there were many spectators on site. She knew little of the events surrounding what had triggered it, but she did know that there were several government officials attending this event. Chancellor Palpatine himself was supposed to have been in attendance, but he'd unexpectedly gone away. However, that didn't retract from the hundreds of people viewing the ceremony.

Padawans were taking their places before their masters. Since there were so many apprentices being Knighted, their former masters would be actually doing the honors while the Council and viewers observed. As the masters ignited their lightsabers, Grandmaster Yoda began pronouncing the formalities.

Seconds later, the lightsabers crossed over the shoulders of each Padawan. And then, before anyone could rise, Master Windu spoke.

"You are Jedi Knights." Windu pronounced each word with careful consideration. "Responsibility. Peace. Discipline. You are the examples the galaxy looks to." He paused, looking at each of the newly knighted Padawans, each still kneeling. "Rise, Jedi Knights, and may the Force be with you."

Regina watched as Anakin rose to his feet to stand beside Obi-Wan. She could sense the emotion that ebbed from both of them. From Kenobi, she sensed pride and wistfulness, as well as a feeling of letting go. From Skywalker... Not much, just like when he'd told her that he had been Knighted already. She sighed. This was supposed to be a momentous event in his life, yet to him it felt like a waste of time. She could see him talking to Kenobi now, something clutched in his right hand.

I have better things to do than wait here, spying on him from my window, she suddenly thought to herself. Standing to her feet, she righted the chair that she'd turned in the direction of the viewport. Walking briskly for the door, she exited her chambers and made her way to where her speeder was stowed.