[center][b]Aria Blair
Coruscant[/b][/center]

She simply shook her head in the face of Leon’s compliment. “I don’t think I did anything great. Not yet, Major.” A rush flowed through the air. Aria felt the sensation of excitement tingle over her entire body. War had come, and she was about to go. She did not know what it meant, or what it would be like. No amount of studying Exar Kun and other conflicts within the Archives could tell her what it was like to be in the middle of combat. Dueling practice was one thing, but there was no threat of death. Only once did Aria remember the feeling of fighting to kill, and it was a memory she would like to forget.

Would war be like that time as well? Aria hoped not.

Arren boarded the troop transport and awaited her student, patiently meditating in her own thoughts. Aria appreciated the silence, Master Kae always seemed to know when Aria needed to share her thoughts or if she needed things to be quiet. Now was a time of quiet.

It thrilled her to see so many Jedi signing up with the Republic. There seemed to be masters who were enlisting as well, an outward display of defiance in the face of the high council’s decision. Aria wondered if it was her words that did it, or if certain masters were only coming for the purpose of protecting their padawans. Even so, it was better to have numbers than not.

Soon, Aria met Xeviiy, adding onto the list of Jedi who wanted to talk to her about the speech on Dantooine.

“Aria,” she said, “I like to think that if I didn’t do it, someone else would have. If you were there, who knows, you might have too.” Aria scanned over Xeviiy and the crowd and also noticed that Ken Grant was there amongst them.  “Ken!” She was surprised. “I didn’t expect you to be here. Thought you would have wanted to live by the council’s decision, but maybe there’s more to you than I thought.” Aria glanced back and forth to Xeviiy and Ken. “Xeviiy, this is Ken Grant. Ken, this is Xeviiy. I guess we’re all going to have our backs out there. This is good, Ken is incredible. I don’t know many other Jedi other than my master who I’m comfortable fighting with me out there.”

Arren spoke from inside of the troop transport. “I do believe it’s time we set off to Cathar, Major. No sense in delaying.”