Esinons

Chapter 8

Opening my eyes the next morning, I could feel a different energy in the temple. I closed my eyes to do a quick scan, but couldn't find anything. Eventually, I realized that it was coming from me. Realizing this made me think that Master Yoda's words had more power than I had originally thought.

Maye is given the news of being selected by Master Luminara Unduli right after breakfast. I'm super happy for her, but we haven't gotten the chance to talk about it because of lessons. I'm super nervous because I only have 10 more days, but Yoda's words are still projecting a huge energy inside me, so I don't lose hope.

I go through my day normally. Still missing Ahsoka and being worried about being chosen, but I Master Yoda's words with me throughout the day and that helped me not mourn her leaving as much.

As I walk out of my quarters to head to dinner, the small, green, Master Yoda approaches me.

"Young Esinons. A pleasure it is. Come with me, you shall." Master Yoda instructs me.

"Yes Master," I respond as I bow to him.

As I'm following him, I start to get nervous. Did he find out about the kiss? I wouldn't put it past him to have found out. He could have seen it on a camera or something. It's Master Yoda. Who knows what he can do.

"Come, sit young one." Master Yoda says to me once we reach his meditation chamber.

Master Yoda must sense my nervousness because he says, "fear you need not to. Good news, I have mhm."

I gave a sigh of relief. I seriously thought he had found out about the kiss. I'm not sure what I would've said if he did. I'm not one to lie, so of course, I'd admit to it. Would I be kicked out of the order? I really don't know, so I'm incredibly glad he didn't find out. And if Master Yoda didn't know, then chances of other Jedi knowing are slim.

"A master, you now have." Says Master Yoda happily.

"Master Yoda, if you're pulling my leg, I swear." I respond, dumbfounded.

"Pulling your leg, I am not, young one." Master Yoda says holding back a chuckle. "Requested you specifically, Master Kenobi has," Yoda says.

I am in complete shock. Master Kenobi requested me by name?! I wouldn't have thought he knew my name or to select me personally!

"Go to Ilum with Maye, you will tomorrow." Master Yoda tells me.

"Thank you, Master. Thank you so much." I could not feel more relieved or excited. I'm going to be a padawan! I'm going to have a master to train me! I'm going to get to fight in the Clone Wars! I'm going to get to help people!

"Go. Eat, you shall. Instructions for Ilum await your holopad tomorrow, they will." Master Yoda instructs me.

"Thank you so much, Master," I say as I stand up from the meditation pillow and bow to Master Yoda.

I can't help myself from smiling the whole way to the dining hall to find Maye. She was so kind to not talk about her new master today when we were in our afternoon lessons together since she knew I'd be stressed about being picked. I feel wrong rushing to her to tell her my news, but I just can't help it. I feel like I'm going to burst if I don't tell someone!

Maye lifts up her head as soon as I walk into the dining hall. Whether it was because a person walked through the door or it was because she could sense my radiating energy, I was happy to see her nonetheless.

"Maye!" I shout as I approach her at the table.

"Hey, Izzie! Come sit! I saved you a seat." Maye tells me happily.

I can't decline her offer, so I get some food and decide to tell her after dinner. Anyway, it would be an odd place to share my announcement if I only wanted Maye to know.

I successfully get my food and sit down with Maye and some of the other initiates including Melly and Ropaan. But I see some faces I don't recognize as well. I make the quick guess that they are younger initiates. I feel inclined to introduce myself, but I decide not to. They probably don't care, and I won't be seeing them for a while, if ever again, after tonight.

Once everyone has finished eating and chatting, we all go back to our quarters for personal reflection time. But instead of going to my room like Maye and I normally do, I go to her quarters first. Maye doesn't ask any questions, as if she already knows I am on the verge of bursting with excitement.

"What's on your mind Izzie?" Maye asks. "I don't have to be a Jedi to know you have something to tell me."

"Guess what," I respond with a smile on my face. "I'VE BEEN REQUESTED PERSONALLY BY MASTER KENOBI TO BE HIS PADAWAN LEARNER!!!" I shout, trying to not be too loud but also not really caring.

"Esinons, I knew this day would come! WE'RE GOING TO BE PADAWANS!!" She exclaims loudly.

We jump up and down, holding each other. Maye and I are two of the oldest initiates in the temple at the moment, so it feels so good to have the stress of time running out to be chosen off our chests.

"Okay, tell me everything about Master Unduli!" I tell Maye.

"Okay, so she actually was looking for another padawan that one time she came to the temple and talked with me. I was told that she requested me because of my clear strength with the force and my wisdom! She currently has a padawan named Barriss. She is 18. She's super nice! I remember her from when we were younglings." Maye tells me excitedly.

"Aw Maye, that's amazing! I'm so happy for you!" I say with a huge smile on my face. I truly am so happy for Maye. She is one of the smartest, nicest, and most hardworking people I know and she deserves this more than anyone.

"Tell me about your master!" Maye asks.

"So I actually don't know much about him except for the fact that his last Padawan, Master Skywalker, is now Ahsoka's master. Master Yoda didn't tell me anything about Master Kenobi or any reasons why he chose me. And that's okay! I'd rather figure him out for myself anyway." I say, just happy to have somewhere to go in the next few days.

"I told you we'd be padawans someday!" Maye tells me as she wraps me in a hug. "When are you going to Ilum? I'm assuming that we'll go together."

"I assumed that too. I'm going tomorrow! Oh, that reminds me. Master Yoda said that instructions for tomorrow should appear on my holopad tonight." I respond, making a pointing gesture that means I'm going to my room to grab it.

Pulling my holopad out of my desk drawer, I see that Master Yoda fulfilled his word. An alert in bright orange shone on the pad. I walk back into Maye's room and start reading the alert out loud.

"You are to pack only your parka, an extra pair of robes, and your holopad for your trip to Ilum tomorrow. You will be attending Ilum with padawans from Alderaan and Lothal. Master Yoda will escort you to Lothal where you will meet Master Luna who will from there escort you and the other initiates to Ilum. Please be ready to meet Master Yoda at 3:00 am in the courtyard." I read it aloud.

"Oh geez, that's really early!" Maye exclaims. "We should get packing. An early bedtime will probably do us good."

"I wholeheartedly agree. Meet you outside your door at 2:50? My chances of getting lost in this temple, especially during the dark, are extremely high." I tell Maye.

"Sounds good! Haha, I'm the same way. I've only been to the courtyard a few times. It's not too familiar to me." Maye responds.

"Alright, perfect. Well, see you in the morning, bright and early!" I say happily.

"See you in the morning Izzie!" Maye responds with a smile on her face.

I head back to my room, super excited for what tomorrow will bring, but there's no time for giddiness, sleep will be incredibly important tonight. I put the few things in a small pack and hop in bed, excited for the day ahead.