Beyond - Legends Grown and Still Growing (OC; DDiary2008 challenge)Update 10/31

Title: Grown and Still Growing
Author: Alexis_wingstar
Timeframe: 500+ years ABY
Note: Kavin's first diary was Growing in the Force, and there are two stories that happened between that diary and this one: The Ysalimir Effect and Breaking the Silence.

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Entry 1:

As I start this new journal, I cannot help but reflect on past journals. I read my journal from ten years ago and can't believe how... dramatic I was! I was very intense and uptight about everything. It seemed worry oozed from every pore of my being back then. Granted, there were many things which warranted sober thought, but geesh! No wonder I annoyed Jefri back then! I have to laugh at how I agonized about the lifeday present I sent Miri.

I'm happy to say I'm more at peace with myself than I was back then... though by Jefri's standards I'm still an overbearing stick-in-the-mud, which he is more than happy to point out whenever he feels the occasion dictates.

I'm happy to say that my friendship with Jefri has not only been restored, but is strengthened by a brotherly bond... though he can still be a pain in the posterier.

There is one thing I am just as intense about as I was back then... if not more so. I love Miri. She is my heart and soul. I have invited her to my knighting ceremony, and am awaiting her reply.

Yes, I'm being knighted, as is Jefri. The ceremony will be held in two weeks. You may think it funny that I look forward to seeing Miri more than the knighting ceremony, but with the exception of conversing with her via the holo-com (rarely), I haven't seen her in ten years. I love this woman, yet I haven't seen her face to face since we were little more than younglings. I long to hold her in my arms. I long to kneel before her and slip the ring I had custom made for her onto her finger as I officially propose to her. The ring's gemstone is one of the crystals I used in my first lightsaber.

The other crystal I have in one of the lightsabers I use now. I have trained in using dual lightsabers by Master MqCray. Master Jev became one with the Force five years ago. Master MqCray took me under his wing soon afterwards. He's a friend of my father's, and was his best man at my parents' wedding. I'm not sure who will be my best man when I marry Miri... Jefri, Stave, my father, and Master MqCray are the four I'm considering.

Well, I must go now. My master and I are on a mission after all, and we've just come out of hyperspace.

 

Very nice beginning.

I hope Kavin's mission goes well and he's able to make it to the knighting ceremony...

Please PM me when you update

Looking forward to more

 

Yippee Kavin is back and you can PM me when you update

 

KELIA: Thank you, I'm glad you like it. A PM will be coming your way shortly.

earlybird-obi-wan: Yep, bigger and better than ever.

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Entry 2:

Well, that could have gone better. We had come to Telvan to rescue a family who had crashed on the planet's surface. The shields of their ship had been overwhelmed and short circuited by the lightening of the ever-present storms. We didn't have that problem, but the high winds made it near impossible to land safely.

I managed to make an emergency landing, but our landing gear broke, and the repulsor lifts were damaged.

We were also able to get the family onboard our ship. I'm concerned for the youngest daughter, Kami. She has a severe head injury, and is in a coma. Neither Master MqCray or I are strong in force healing. At least we have plenty of bacta patches, and other first aid equipment.

Now we are making repairs. We should be heading home soon.

 

What a bumpy beginning!

I certainly hope they are able to repair the ship in time to get Kami to a med center.

Great update

 

Nice update and response to the 'winds' challenge. I hope all are going to be fine.

 

Hopefully, they'll all be fine. They WILL, won't they?

 

Thank you all for reading.

ead on and you shall see how the mission ends.

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Entry 3:

After we finished the repairs, Master MqCray piloted us off the planet. I don't understand why he says he's not a skilled pilot. I have the feeling if he had been the one to land the ship, we would not have had to make any repairs. When I asked about it, he grinned and said he cheats. Master MqCray reminds me of Jefri. They both have the same sense of humor. The big difference is, Jefri has a chip on his shoulder and tends toward sarcasm, where Master MqCray is calm and relaxed. I wonder what my master was like when he was our age.

Anyway, once we were in hyperspace, we went back to talk to the family. Kami wasn't doing so well. In fact, her pulse was getting weaker.

"Please, you must do something!" Mrs. Grenald begged as she grasped my master's cloak.

"Danna, show respect!" Mr. Grenald gasped, and his wife imediately let go of my master's cloak as she apologized.

She seemed fearful and I didn't understand it then, but Master MqCray explained it to me later. The Grenald's come from a planet where they rever the jedi as children of the gods. To touch the cloak of a jedi is to show great disrespect. Now I understand why he said what he did... he had clasped her hands in his and spoke in a quiet voice, "The hands are clean as is the soul of the mother worried for her child."

He was not trying to imply their beliefs were right, but trying to disavow their religion at that time would have caused strife and taken precious time away from helping Kami. After examining her, he had an unorthodox plan in saving her. See, her brain was swelling, and it was necessary to cut a hole in her skull to prevent damage to the brain. We did not dare to use a seditive on her. She was so small and so weak... so, while Master MqCray prepared to operate on her, I melded with her mind and helped her enter a healing trance. I stayed with her in the trance while he operated. In this way, she was sedated without drugs.

I was changed in an unexpected way by my close contact with the child. Her innocence was so touching. She was in such awe of me as a 'child of the gods'. I took my master's lead and did not renounce her beliefs. To do so would have put her at odds with her family. Yet, I somehow feel dirty. I am not a child of a god or gods. I am just as human as this small family we rescued.

Anyway, we took the Grenald's to their homeworld and we are now on our way back to Coruscant. We will arrive in two days. There will be four more days until the ceremony.

I hope Miri will come. I need to hold her.

 

That was nice Kavin saving her like a healer. Great work

 

I was changed in an unexpected way by my close contact with the child. Her innocence was so touching. She was in such awe of me as a 'child of the gods'. I took my master's lead and did not renounce her beliefs. To do so would have put her at odds with her family. Yet, I somehow feel dirty. I am not a child of a god or gods. I am just as human as this small family we rescued

Simply lovely!

 

I'm glad to see Kami got some help.

I was changed in an unexpected way by my close contact with the child

That is usually what happens in life. I'm glad the Jedi respected the family's religious beliefs, while not sharing those beliefs.

Great update

 

Thank you.

Thanks

Thanks. Yes, it's important for Jedi to respect others' beliefs without subscribing to it. Sometimes it's a hard line to draw...

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Entry 4:

There was a message waiting for me when I got back to the temple. It was from Miri, and she had left it a few days ago. I was alarmed the moment I saw her image. She appeared so sad, and as she spoke a tear rolled down her cheek.

"Congratulations on becoming a knight, Kavin. I know you are going to do so much good. You already have. I... I'm sorry, I cannot come." She looked like she was going to break down crying, and she broke the connection.

Well, of course I had to try to contact her! If she couldn't come, that was fine, but I had to know what made her so upset. When I called, I was relieved it was Miri's mother who answered. I always had the impression her father disliked me for some reason, but her mother was always friendly. Mrs. Hiroma's eyes had the same sad expression Miri's held when she realized it was me who was calling. "Mrs. Hiroma, may I speake to Miri, please?"

"That may not be a good idea, dear." Her voice was hesitant.

"Please, ma'am, is she alright? She was crying when she left a message for me."

Her expression changed somewhat. It seemed as though she came to a decision about something. Then she nodded. "Hold on, I'll get her."

Soon, Miri stood in front of the viewer, looking so beautiful yet very sad. "I'm sorry I can't come to your knighting ceremony, Kavin."

"Miri, are you alright? What's wrong?"

"I... Kavin, you cannnot call here anymore. We... I..." She stopped as tears ran down her cheeks. "Oh, Kavin, I am so sorry. I didn't know my parents arranged a marriage for me when I was a baby! I can't come because it would not be proper."

The news stunned me, and I'm sure my mouth hung open for a few moments.

"Kavin, I have to go now. Please, don't call any more. It'll be easier on both of us if you just let go." She was about to hang up.

"Miri, wait!" I blurted desperately, but wasn't sure what to say. When she hesitated, I continued. "You can bring your fiance. That way it won't be improper. Please, I'd like to meet your future husband."

She hesitated, then nodded. "I will see if he agrees to come. If you don't hear from me, then we won't be coming."

"I love you, Miri," I said quickly.

"I..." she reached to disconnect us as she whispered, "I love you, too."

Force, I feel like there's a lightsaber stuck in my chest! I know she didn't lie. She loves me. I feel it. She is being forced to marry someone she doesn't love. I'm not even sure she even knows this guy. I have to meet him. I have to know if he's a decent man who will treat her kindly. I hope I hear from her.

 

Oof, arranged weddings I can see why Kavin is so upset

Waiting for the next post

 

"I... Kavin, you cannnot call here anymore. We... I..." She stopped as tears ran down her cheeks. "Oh, Kavin, I am so sorry. I didn't know my parents arranged a marriage for me when I was a baby! I can't come because it would not be proper."

The news stunned me, and I'm sure my mouth hung open for a few moments.

"Kavin, I have to go now. Please, don't call any more. It'll be easier on both of us if you just let go." She was about to hang up.

 

An arranged marriage?



I respect Miri for telling Kavin to his face but

It'll be interesting to see if her husband-to-be agrees to meet him.

Great update

 

Thank you all for reading. Yes, it's an unhappy situation for both Kavin and Miri, and I'm afraid it only gets worse.

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Entry 5:

Today is the day. The knighting ceremony is this afternoon, and Miri will be there with Kormik Di'Grell, her fiance. That is a whole five hours away! Of course, time chooses to take its own sweet time.

I forced myself to eat breakfast this morning. I didn't have much of an appetite, but I was hungry. Now I feel like I'm going to throw up. I know it's nerves. I'm even too on edge to meditate.

Someone just knocked on my door. I know that knock. It's Jefri. Good, he'll help me pass this time away!

 

good to see he has a friend.

 

Nice to see Kavin has some support.

I fear today will be a tougher day than he can imagine.

Great update

 

Anticipation. It's a killer.

 

Yes, he'll need lots of support to make it through the day!

Yes, but not as tough as days to come. there i go with the foreshadowing!

Yeah... anticipation isn't the only thing...

Thank you all for reading.

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Entry 6:

There have been less than a handful of days in my life I would categorizes as bad. Two had to do with something beyond my control: They day my mom died, and the day Master Jev died. The third one was because of something I did: The day I pushed Jefri into a lake of contaminated water... I had severely disappointed Master Jev, and worsened the already deteriorated friendship I had with Jef at the time (though Jef would laugh at me if he knew I considered that one of the worst days of my life). Today has been bad because of both something beyond my control and something I did to make things worse.

As you know, Miri was to come to the ceremony with her fiance. Well, after the ceremony, in which the masters remove the padawan braid, was the time for mingling with friends and family. Well, my family already knew of my desire to see Miri, so when they noticed my reaction when I finally laid eyes on her, they imediately parted and let me go to her... though it was rather embarrassing how Rosh shouted out, "Go get her, Kav!" I was somewhat relieved Stave bopped him upside the head and reminded his twin she was engaged to someone else.

Anyway, I walked over and thanked Miri for coming, and she introduced me to Kormik Di'Grell. I don't like him, and not because he's taking Miri away from me. I offered my hand politely, and he wouldn't take it. Not only does he look down on the jedi, he looks down on Corellians. I'm both. If it were just that, I could overlook the fact I didn't like him if I thought Miri would be happy with him.

There were some other things that set off warning bells for me. One was how possessive he was of Miri. He held her so tight and kept himself between her and me. Did he actually think I'd grab her and take her away or something?

It's when I looked into his eyes that clenched it for me. I saw violence there. I know it was the Force. I truly feared for Miri.

That's when i enlisted Jefri's help to distract Kormik so I could take Miri somewhere we could talk privately. Jefri made a show of anouncing that the old tradition of guys dancing with guys... it's a very old tradition in a culture that's pretty much gone, but who cares... it distracted Kormik, because Jefri hopped off the stage from where he made the announcement and promptly started dancing with him.

Jefri is very hard to ignore... especially if he's dancing with you. At least that's what I heard from some of the female padawans. I wouldn't know first hand.

Anyway, I got Miri out of there and took her down to a meditation room down the hall.

"Kavin, we can't do this!"

"Miri, you can't marry this guy!"

"I have no choice. If I don't my father will lose his share of stock in the company he and Kormik's father owns. He will also loose face in the government."

"So his wealth and power means more than your safetly?" My voice rose.

"Kavin, what are you talking about?"

"He's going to hurt you, Miri. I saw it in his eyes."

"Kormik's family is one of the most respected..."

"Respected or feared, Miri?"

"Kavin, let go! You're hurting me."

I hadn't realized I grabbed her by her elbow and was squeezing. I apologized and let go. "Miri, look at me. I only want you to be happy. If I thought he would treat you right, I wouldn't stand in your way."

"You're making this very hard."

"Good! It should be hard! This is a big step, Miri! Would you rather risk your

 

Poor Kavin, give him a hug And I hope his vision will not come true

 

Poor Kavin!

Then I kissed her.

And she kissed back.

More than our lips touched during that kiss.

I don't mean that way! What I mean is our souls touched. Miri and I are a part of each other... and she is refusing us.

 

I have lost her



It's unfortunate Miri wasn't willing to listen to Kavin's warning, though I understand her dilemma.

I saw violence there

Uh Oh!



Great update

 

Yes, he definitely needs a big hug

It's not so much a vision as the gift of reading people. Kavin can look into a person's eyes and see their disposition, and what he saw in Kormik was a man who has beaten up past lady friends, and he is justifiably concerned the pattern won't change with Miri.

Thank you.

Thank you, I'm glad you're enjoying the story.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Entry 7:

I'm on my way to Achillea. We really need to find a mode of travel faster than hyperspace! I need to get there yesterday.

Okay, I'm getting ahead of myself. See, it's been a week since Miri... well, since the knighting ceremony. I haven't slept well since then, nor have I been able to concentrate on anything. I spoke to Master MqCray about it yesterday, and he told me about something that happened between him and his wife twenty years ago.

"Everyone must make their own decisions, right or wrong. Even though you know someone you love may be making the wrong turn, you cannot force them to go the other way."

"I know, but, I..." once more tears came to my eyes and I had to swallow a lump in my throat. "I said things that hurt her. I didn't mean them! I..."

He put a hand on my shoulder. "You were hoping in saying them it would change her mind?"

I nodded. "But she didn't and now she doesn't know I'll be there for her if she needs me."

"I'd be willing to bet she does know, Kav."

"Jedi don't bet." It was an ongoing joke between us going back to our first mission together... long story, but it is equivalent to a hug between us. We spoke some more until I felt somewhat better.

Last night I was able to sleep almost like normal... until the nightmare that was not a dream. I saw Kormik striking Miri... through Miri's eyes. I felt her running away... still through her eyes... and him grabbing her from behind and have his way with her. I heard her cry out, pleading... and just before she passed out, I heard her voice whisper in my head, ~~I'm sorry, Kavin!~~

This was not just a vision of a possible future. It had happened as it came to me. I felt Miri's terror and pain while he assaulted her. I fear I forgot to get dressed and went down the temple's corridors in my underwear as I rushed to Master MqCray's room. Thankfully, due to the late hour, there was no one who saw me, and his room was only just around the corner. Seeing my nearly nude state, he pulled me inside. "What is it?"

I told him of the dream that wasn't a dream. "I have to get a hold of her parents. They may not even know yet!"

"Where are you going?"

I had turned to go out of his quarters. "To the temple communications center!"

"Not like that!" He pulled out some trousers from his closet, as well as a tunic.

Thankfully we are close to the same size. He's taller, but our waist and shoulders are the same measurements. Soon, we were both at the comm center, and Master MqCray was able to secure a transmission. It was Miri's father who answered, and seeing me, he almost ended the transmission before I had a chance to speak, but my master (I keep thinking of him as my master, even though I'm a full knight now) stepped in and convinced him to search for his daughter.

Two hours l

 

Kavin was right and now he has to save Miri.

Great update