With the upcoming trails just around the corner, Casper found it difficult to get a good night’s sleep. The next day would define his future, his path towards becoming a Jedi Master, and he would need to display his capabilities to achieve the opportunity. Running his clawed fingertips across the stone structure with a gently touch, Casper sat on the temple steps and had his large eyes turned towards the starlit sky. It was a new planet, a new galaxy and so many new possibilities. He was a part of it and given the Black Storm’s embrace, Casper considered himself lucky. How many other Tinnell were there? He hadn’t seen any during the years spent at the temple and astonished by the Neom architecture, it was not uncommon for him to stroll through the city. 

“Focus…” The feline rubbed his forehead and leaned against the wall. Too many thoughts were penetrating his skull and this would distract him greatly, which in turn could cost him the most important day of his life. “Focus.” He repeated, taking a deep breath and brought his feet to a legged position, wrapping his tail around his legs. 

Which part of the upcoming trail would challenge him the most? The philosophical part or the physical one? He loved philosophy but he wouldn’t deem it a strength, he was good at fighting but more than skill revolved around battle. Another deep breath traveled down his lungs before leaving his lips. Casper would need to wake up in but a few hours and using these to sleep was probably the wisest decision. Ascending to his feet, Casper felt a gentle breeze travelling through his fur and softly caressed the skin below. It was sensation of serenity, a quiet and silent touch by nature which filled the young feline with life. Casper couldn’t help but smile at the thought and his mind traveled to the code of the Jedi, in particular his favourite part. Jedi use their powers to defend and to protect. It was a sentence Casper had held close to heart for a very long time and it meant more to him than one could imagine. Just like the wind embracing him, all life was a moving cycle like that of a warm breeze or crashing wind. Never had he considered life as literally colourful as he did on Neomisia and he wanted to be its shield. 

All life is sacred, and as a Jedi he knew what he would be fighting for, what he would be striving for. Yes, with a gentle embrace this night had indeed managed to calm an otherwise anxious heart. “Thank you.” Casper bowed before heading back into the temple to catch up on some well needed rest. 

Sure as it was, the following morning came quicker than he had expected and the anxious feelings were returning. This time however, Casper’s thoughts returned to night sky and its loving caress before he felt the burden lifting from his heart. The padawns were lead towards the council room to stand before the masters as their eyes silently judged every breath he took. Casper was feeling his heartbeat escalating but focused on keeping calm. The masters would sense his worry and after the years of training he had gone through, he wasn’t going to let this one trail get in the way of his ambitions. 

Behind the feline padawan stood a Kel Dor, Tyr. Never had Casper seen anyone as interested in lore and knowledge as this young man behind him and it was a given fact that Tyr spent many hours in the archives. Casper was the polar opposite, spending the majority of his days physically training. Ironically, Tyr possessed the bigger, bulkier build, though Casper’s slender frame mostly leaned towards his feline heritage. It was well known that Casper couldn’t manage the same amount of force that most of the padawns could, but the force embraced him in a different way. His physical capabilities by far surpassed natural given strength and speed, but against force powers he was struggling. He was still trying to figure out a practical way to dodge and withstand the mystical energies thrown at him. 

Before he knew it, Casper stood before the masters and the question posed at him brought him back to the thoughts he had felt the night before. "Good day to you all. Tell me your favourite line from the code of conduct and explain to us why it relates to your desire to become a Jedi apprentice.” 

“Masters.” Casper bowed respectfully. “When I was but a kitten, I roamed the fields of Naboo alone and afraid. I scavenged what I could to survive and I felt my spirit fade to nothing but a shell of what I once was. Everyday I told myself that I needed to hunt and could not solely focus on stealing, but I never managed the strength.” He paused for a second, watching the council before he continued. “It was an endless loop I could not escape, until Matthew Hare entered my life. I tried to steal from him while the man was eating a loaf of bread. Quietly I snuck towards his backpack and attempted to reach into the contents before I heard his voice.” Casper looked down, a soft smile managing across his lips. 

“‘There is some more bread in the outer pocket.’ Matthew spoke and almost scared me to a faint.” Casper’s smile widened and he kept the story going. “I didn’t trust him at first but after grabbing the bread and running away, his words stuck in my head. He hadn’t attacked me, he hadn’t stopped me. He didn’t see me as a wild animal. Matthew offered me charity and once I quietly returned, hidden in the shadows of the night, I heard his voice once more. He told me that I could sit besides him by the fire to shield myself from the cold.” 

Casper’s eyes returned to meet the masters’ as he came to a conclusion in the story. “I asked him why he helped me and his answer would continue to shape my future. He said ‘You were hungry. Like the fire shields us from the cold, so too must we shield one another from hunger, from pain, from sorrow. You have been here quite a while, haven’t you my friend? Sit besides me and allow the flame’s embrace to warm you this cold night.’ Jedi use their powers to defend and to protect. Like Matthew allowed that flame to protect me from the cold, so will I be the flame that protects others.” Casper finished with another bow before he stepped aside.