Within the gardens of the Jedi Temple lay one of the few areas that had mercifully escaped damage during Ultron's assault weeks earlier. Since then, it had become a refuge for many Jedi seeking temporary peace and respite from the galactic chaos.
Currently sitting beneath an ancient tree was a certain Twi'lek Jedi Knight, legs crossed in meditation posture, lightsaber resting before her, arms balanced on her knees.
Her face appeared calm and serene at first glance, but that tranquility quickly dissolved into obvious frustration.
She muttered under her breath and took a deep breath, attempting to clear her thoughts once more. Within seconds, she failed again.
Shaking her head in annoyance, she tried once more to center herself and allow the Force to flow through her consciousness.
...
The Twi'lek Jedi suddenly yanked a handful of grass from the ground and hurled it away in exasperation.
She leaned back against the tree trunk and released a frustrated groan.
As she struggled with this internal turmoil, two Jedi Masters stood observing from a respectful distance, both very familiar to the young, agitated Knight.
One was a middle-aged human with graying hair, bearing prosthetic replacements for his left leg and right eye, battle scars from decades of service.
Beside him stood a Jedi whose serene demeanor radiated perfect calm. Her hair resembled woody tendrils, her entire presence emanated natural tranquility, and her humanoid appearance was distinguished primarily by the absence of a conventional nose.
Both Jedi Masters, respected members of the Council, had been observing for several minutes after noticing the distressed state of Aayla Secura.
"I've never seen her so agitated," the female Jedi spoke first.
"Neither have I."
"Have you spoken with her recently, Tholme?"
The veteran Jedi Master shook his head. "I haven't seen her in some time, T'ra Saa. This war has scattered many Jedi across the galaxy."
"Unfortunately, tragedy and brutal loss have become what bring us together now," Master T'ra Saa said softly.
She felt a weathered but gentle hand settle on her shoulder. Without looking up, she placed her own delicate hand over Tholme's.
T'ra Saa squeezed gently, expressing her gratitude and allowing her emotions to flow freely through the Force to the man beside her.
He responded in kind, and the two shared a moment of peace. They briefly turned from observing Aayla to gaze at each other with obvious affection. After several seconds, they broke eye contact and returned their attention to the Jedi Knight beneath the tree, who was attempting meditation once more.
T'ra Saa couldn't help but chuckle and shake her head fondly.
"She's always been more stubborn than she lets on," T'ra Saa observed with amusement, walking toward Aayla with Tholme following closely.
"I fear she inherited that from me," Tholme said ruefully. "Or perhaps from Vos."
"You both tend toward... unconventional methods," T'ra Saa said lightly, earning a good-natured scoff from the man she loved.
As they drew closer, both Masters had to suppress laughter at the sight of Aayla now throwing pebbles into the nearby reflecting pool, having failed once again to achieve a meditative state, like a frustrated child.
"Is something troubling you, Aayla?" T'ra Saa asked gently.
Aayla blinked and turned to see two Jedi Masters she deeply respected approaching.
"Master Tholme, Master T'ra Saa," Aayla quickly stood and bowed slightly. "I didn't sense your approach. Forgive me."
"There's nothing to forgive," Tholme said, waving dismissively. "You seem troubled by something significant."
"Master Tholme," Aayla sighed heavily. "Jabiim... it was catastrophic."
"We know, child," T'ra Saa said, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder. "We've read the reports."
"So many lives lost," Aayla said, looking down and shaking her head. "How did we allow this to happen?"
Tholme smiled grimly. "If I were some stuffy Council traditionalist, I'd offer platitudes about the will of the Force. But the truth is, none of us anticipated this. I'd wager even the Sith were caught off-guard when Ultron declared war on the entire galaxy."
"This enemy cannot be defeated through conventional means," T'ra Saa admitted.
Aayla slumped slightly and gave her former Master a wan smile.
"Stuffy traditionalist? You've been talking to Bly, haven't you?"
Tholme returned her smile. "He's a good man. Always kept this old soldier honest."
"Yes," Aayla sighed again, her mood darkening once more. "He was..."
T'ra Saa and Tholme exchanged meaningful glances. The latter gestured subtly, and the former nodded understanding.
"There is... something else troubling you, my dear," T'ra Saa said with maternal warmth.
Aayla remained silent for several seconds before exhaling slowly. "I'm... worried about Steve."
"Ah, yes," Tholme nodded. "Captain America' disappearance is deeply concerning."
Both Masters clearly remembered their encounters with the super-soldier, who had shared accounts of his adventures with the Avengers. They were also well aware of how often Aayla had fought alongside him, having witnessed the two sparring together on multiple occasions.
Initially, these appeared to be simple exchanges of combat techniques, until T'ra Saa mentioned to Tholme that their conversations had grown increasingly personal. Some might dismiss it as developing friendship, but the Neti Jedi Master sensed something deeper.
"He vanished right in front of us," Aayla began. "I was fighting beside him, and suddenly Steve's shield was lying in the mud at my feet. I can't believe I allowed this to happen."
"You bear no fault in this, Aayla," Tholme said kindly. "Recent days have been chaotic for everyone. The last thing we need is unnecessary self-recrimination."
"The Avengers are torturing themselves with guilt," Aayla muttered. "They believe Ultron's presence is their fault because they failed to destroy him permanently in their previous encounter."
"This was an unforeseeable situation," T'ra Saa said. "Such events occur beyond anyone's control."
"But we can find Steve," Aayla said with sudden determination. "We owe him so much, we must at least locate him."
"He's alive somewhere in the galaxy," Tholme assured her. "We simply need patience. Men like Captain America don't disappear quietly."
"In time, the path will reveal itself, Aayla," T'ra Saa added. "For now, I believe Master Yoda spoke wisely when he suggested many Jedi need time to recover from these traumatic events."
"How can we rest at a time like this?" Aayla asked incredulously.
"How can anyone ignore the consequences of rash action when exhaustion clouds judgment?" Tholme countered.
The Twi'lek Jedi lowered her head, jaw clenched, until she finally nodded reluctantly.
"I... perhaps proper rest would help," Aayla admitted.
"Good," T'ra Saa said, placing an arm around Aayla's shoulders. "Come, let me help you find some peace."
"The same as before?" Secura asked, smiling at the Jedi Master, who laughed softly.
"Yes, dear. Just like when you were a Padawan."