Firith and Zernvik

You're sitting at a wooden table, like the ones found in any dining hall at the Jedi Temple, across from an adolescent male Zabrak in Jedi robes. He's also wearing a pair of glasses with beaded chains hanging down from their sides in a manner that evokes padawan braids. It takes Vesper Syl'tine a moment to recognize him as Zernvik Akawoi.

Zernvik: It's funny, kind of. Everybody always talks so much about how to be a good padawan. How to listen to your master, how to learn from them, how to live up to their expectations so they can help you become a Jedi Knight. But nobody ever talks about what you should do if your master just...

Zernvik spreads his hands helplessly, looking distraught. You hear Firith Mobak's voice, calm and conciliatory, like you've always known him to be.

Firith: You're Master Kovani's first padawan. You may find this difficult to believe, but this is also a learning experience for her, much as it is for you.

Zernvik: That's not what I mean. The problem isn't her lessons. Sure, they're weird sometimes -

Firith: Weird how?

Zernvik: I don't know. I guess I don't have anything to compare them to. But sometimes it's like she just...rambles. Talks about places she traveled to, or visions she saw. Like how she thinks there's going to be a war against clones, or a war between clones, but really we'll be fighting the Sith? Or maybe she said that already happened before? Either way, I don't get the point of it.

Firith: It took me years to get the point of many of the stories my own master told me. Sometimes we only truly understand our masters' teachings with the benefit of hindsight.

Zernvik is obviously frustrated now.

Zernvik: I can't benefit from her lessons in hindsight if she's never around to teach me anything at all. I haven't seen her in months.

Firith: I didn't realize it had been so long.

Zernvik: Does the Jedi Council even know where she is right now? Do you? She's your friend.

Firith: I don't. I'm sorry.

Zernvik looks like he's about to really fly off the handle, before he makes a visible effort to center himself, closing his eyes and taking deep breaths until he's settled again.

Zernvik: I want to become a Jedi Knight, like you. And a Master after that. But I don't know how I can ever do that if the Master who claimed to want me for her padawan can't even be bothered to train me. So what am I supposed to do?

Firith sighs heavily.

Firith: Look. I'm not your master, or anyone else's, not yet. But there's no rule against knights sharing their knowledge with padawans. If you think you might benefit from a little tutoring, come find me in the archives tomorrow afternoon. Maybe I can help direct your studies.

Zernvik: I'd appreciate that, Knight Mobak. Oh! But what about the lightsaber? No offense, but you're not very…

Firith: None taken. I'll talk to Knight Singan. She rarely turns down a new sparring partner.

Zernvik blanches a bit at the idea of sparring with Lilikai, but nods. He and Firith exchange a few more rounds of gratitude and pleasantries before Zernvik stands up to leave.

Zernvik: One more thing. If they ever do make me a Master, and let me take on a padawan, I'll know better than to treat them like Master Kovani is treating me. So maybe some good will come out of all of this after all. And you can tell her I said that, too.

Firith responds under his breath as Zernvik is walking away, probably too quietly for Zernvik to have heard him.

Firith: I have a feeling she already knows.