illustrated fic: the gathering

[wrennette]

the gathering (423 words) by wrennette
Chapters: 2/2
Fandom: Star Wars - All Media Types
Rating: General Audiences
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
Characters: Chagrian Jedi Initiate
Additional Tags: Planet Ilum (Star Wars), The Gathering, Kyber Crystals (Star Wars), Fanart, Watercolors, chagrian species, jedi initiate - Freeform, jedi june 2023, Permission statement in profile, do not copy or repost to other sites, described image in chapter one, ficlet in chapter two
Series: Part 4 of jedi june 2023, Part 42 of a thousand words (fanart & illustrated fanfics)
Summary:

Ze enters the frozen caves, eager friends and glittering ice and singing crystals all around zir.

[image i.d.: watercolour painting with coloured pencil detailing of a chagrian jedi initiate in the crystal caves of ilum. ze is pictured from the thighs up, facing left in profile, with both hands raised to shoulder-height in front of zir. a bright yellow kyber crystal surrounded by a yellow glow with orange and yellow rays of light floats above zir hands. ze is wearing a tan quilted parka with the hood up and fur around the cuffs, hem, and hood opening, with bright red mittens. the background is shades of blue and white, and undrground passage receding into the distance. the artist's name 'wrennette' is written along the floor on the left and along the figure's back at right. /end i.d.]

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Ze enters the frozen caves, eager friends and glittering ice and singing crystals all around zir. Soon, ze is separated from the others, each Initiate finding their own path, searching for their own crystal. The silence settles dark and cold around zir. Before long, ze isn't sure how far ze's walked, nor how long ze's been down here in the dark. Zir breath speeds up, misting in front of zir face.

What if ze really isn't cut out to be a Jedi?

What if ze wanders down here forever?

Ze shudders, trembling all over. The caves seem to grow darker and stiller and colder around zir as fear crowds zir mind, zir breath stuttering in and out in ragged gasps.

Ze is going to freeze to death down here, and some other Initiate will find their frozen mummy.

Reflexively - a short lifetime of training making it almost unconscious - ze reaches for the Force. It engulfs zir like a warm blanket, and calm rushes through zir.

No, ze thinks. Ze wouldn't have been invited on the Gathering if ze weren't ready. The teachers push the Initiates, but never so hard they break. It is supposed to be a challenge, but not insurmountable. Ze gulps in a frigid breath, zir breath burning in zir lungs.

"I am a Jedi," ze reminds zirself firmly. Ze gulps in another freezing breath, and this time ze holds it in for a few moments before exhaling slowly. Ze takes a few more meditative breaths, then again reaches for the Force. It sparkles with approval, and after a few moments basking in that familiar warmth, ze walks on, following the Force to zir crystal. This is but the first confrontation of zir quest, but ze feels confident now that the Force will not let zir go astray.

Comments

[satsuma]

💛

[wrennette]

thanks!