Aiden Lee Deshra sat cross-legged on the cold stone floor of the ocean cave with his eyes closed. From beyond the mouth of the cave, he could hear the steady crash of the surf against the beach and the calls of the seagulls. Cold seeped through his thin pants, but the warmth of the rising sun was beginning to warm him.

He extended his senses, sensing the delicate connection of the Force to the living things around him. The sea birds that swooped and called in the air. The small fish that darted amongst the waves. The larger creatures that swam in the darker depths. Someone standing behind him. The sea turtles, still encased in their eggs, being warmed by the morning sun.

Wait… what?

He opened his eyes and whirled to see that there was was indeed someone standing behind him, partially enshrouded by the darkness. A Miraluka with a white blindfold covering her eyes, clad in simple white robes. Pasted to the blindfold were a set of plastic googily eyes, one green and one pink.

Well. There was little doubt as to who she was. Aidan frowned slightly. “Lady Arconae? Atyiru? What are you doing here?”

“I came to talk to you, silly!” The Miraluka offered him a brilliant smile as she stepped out of the shadows and into the circle of sunlight at the mouth of the cave. She stepped into a tidal pool and began wiggling her toes in the cool water. The movement created a pleasant splashing sound that offset the roaring surf. “This is a nice place. Peaceful. I can see why you come here to meditate.”

“Thanks…” Aiden replied, though he could not help but to be a bit confused. He had discovered this sea cave a few months ago, on one of the less populated Selenian beaches. He enjoyed coming here because it was so desolate. In fact, this was the first time he had encountered another person here. He wasn’t sure how to feel about that. “What did you want to talk about?”

“About Balance. Something I think you know a lot about.” She whirled to face him, her robes flowing around her, and smiled at Aiden. “How does one achieve Balance?”

“One achieves Balance by acting in accordance with the Light Side and the Dark Side of the Force. By existing perfectly in both.” Aiden’s answer was immediate, without needing to pause or reflect. It was a matter that he had meditated on so often that the answer was printed on every aspect of his being. It weighed, judged, and influenced his every action as he brought balance to the Galaxy, whether it was saving a station ravaged by crystal abominations or sheltering the smallest beetle as it crawled through this cave.

“Hmm, yes. Yes I see.” Atyiru paused, grinning at Aiden. But when he did not comment on her little joke, she pressed on. “Well, I suppose I don’t. How does one exist perfectly in both the Light Side and the Dark Side?”

“By never giving fully into either,” Aiden replied.

“But how does one know? Is there a book? Some manual out there that says ‘this action is a Light Side action’ or ‘if you do this, you’ll be feeding the Dark Side’?” As she spoke, Atyiru gave a little hop, jumping out of the puddle. She stood so that half of her body was bathed in sunlight, while half was covered in shadow.

“Sometimes it speaks to me,” Aiden said as he watched the Miraluka hop from right to left. From darkness to light. “It guides me.”

Atyiru’s ears twitched slightly at that. “Ah. Not you, silly. Someone else. How would someone else that’s not you achieve Balance?”

Aiden paused at that. “Do you know someone who wants to learn the ways of Balance?”

“No. This is purely hypothetical. So. How would a made-up, purely hypothetical person seek Balance?”

Aiden took in a deep breath and closed his eyes. This was not the sort of conversation he had anticipated having this morning. But he soon opened them, keeping his attention squarely on the Miraluka. There was something… wrong. But he could not put his finger on what it was.

At last, he answered. “Mediation. Focus. Studying the ways of both the Light Side and the Dark Side.”

“You don’t trust me, do you?”

He paused, pressing his lips together at the sudden change in subject as he studied her intently. “It’s nothing personal. I don’t trust a lot of people when I first meet them. Especially when they sneak up behind me when I’m trying to meditate.”

It was at that moment that he realized what was wrong with the scene in front of him. Though Atyiru had stepped into the tide pool, she did not leave wet footprints on the stone. He stared down at the ground where she had stepped, and then at her, his hand instinctively dropping to his lightsabers.

“Ah,” Atyiru’s smile took on a touch of sadness. “I can understand that. I’m sorry to say this won’t help matters much then.”

The illusion of Atyiru vanished, even as he felt the presence of more figures lurking within the shadowy depths of the cave. A black bag was pulled over his head a moment later as his arms were seized from behind.

Fortunately, he did not need to be able to see in order to fight. He jerked his arm, pulling it free from the person who was trying to grab hold of it. He threw it out in front of him toward where he thought his attackers were and channeled the Force. Lightning shot forth from the palm of his hand, arcing outward. The air was filled with the smell of ozone, but no cries of pain accompanied the attack.

He pulled himself free and his hands dropped to his lightsabers once more, only to find them missing. A moment later, something heavy crashed against his skull, causing stars to explode across the darkness that composed his vision. He rocked backwards, seeking to move with the unseen attacker, but something heavy impacted against him. The breath exploded from his lungs as he fell heavily against a stalactite.

“But you see, it’s a bit of a tradition,” Atyiru said. A moment later, something heavy impacted against his head, sending him into unconsciousness.

-=x=-

Aiden groaned, bringing a hand up to press against his aching skull. “And people wonder why I have trust issues,” he muttered to himself.

He took a deep breath as he looked around his surroundings. The peaceful cave on the Selenian beach was long gone. Instead, he was lying in a clearing in a forest. Ancient gnarled trees stretched their branches overhead, creating a heavy canopy that allowed only individual fingers of sunlight through. The soil was of the dark, volcanic variety, spotted with patches of brilliant green moss. He could just barely see a path in the soil leading away from him.

He could feel wildlife all around him: birds in the trees, a few deer off to his right, and a particularly industrious mole digging a few feet away. He also felt a familiar presence on the path coming toward him. Still others were scattered further down the path.

“Oh good, you’re awake!” Atyiru said as she emerged from the trees. She smiled brightly at him, her eas wiggling in enthusiasm. “How’s the headache? Better?”

Sure enough, his headache was rapidly receding. “It is now, yeah,” Aiden replied. “Where are we? What’s going on?” He looked down to see that his lightsabers were still missing. Probably a smart choice.

“This is the Feluriglade. It’s where we raise cythrauls, but it's also a place of memory.” Atyiru said. She shifted impatiently from one foot to another, before gesturing for him to accompany her. “Come on! You slept so long, and we’re not done with our talk yet!”

“For the record, I ‘slept’ so long because someone hit me over the head,” Aiden said dryly as he got to his feet.

“That was me,” Marick Tyris said. The dark-haired man looked weary, and he held Aiden’s lightsabers in his hands. Atyiru gave him a slight nudge to prompt him, and Marick added, “Sorry.” He held out the lightsabers to Aiden as he said it.

“So! Back to what we were talking about,” Atyiru said as she gestured for Aiden to follow them. “You mentioned that a made-up, purely hypothetical person should study the ways of the Light Side and the Dark Side of the Force, right? So that means they should seek out examples of people and follow their example?”

Aiden glanced around the clearing, wondering if he should just leave. But, they had clearly brought him here for something, and he wanted to find out what. “That’s one way to do it,” he said as he fell into step beside Atyiru.

Atyiru smiled widely at him. “I think so too! And I also think you’re a good example for other people!”

“To seek the Balance?”

“No, in general!”

Aiden pinched the bridge of his nose between his thumb and forefinger. “You keep changing the subject.”

“I know. Marry says that all the time. But I always get to my point eventually!” Atyiru’s smile once again took on a touch of sadness. “You’ve done a lot for the Clan. I know you sometimes think people don’t notice, but we have.”

A tall, sunken-faced man clad in a black cloak emerged from the shadows. He made a gesture, and one of the googily eyes lifted off of Atyiru’s blindfold to rest on Aiden’s left shoulder pauldron. “One might say we’ve been keeping an eye on you for some time,” he said with a slight smirk. “Hi, I’m James. Good to finally meet you in the flesh.”

Aiden glanced at the plastic eye that was not stuck to his armor. “Have you now?”

“Yes. Ve have seen that you have given much for Arcona,” Tali Sroka said as she stepped onto the path, moving to walk beside Aiden. Like the others, the purple Twi’lek was clad in black robes bearing Arcona’s crest in gold. “Time. Sweat. Bloodt. Each time the Clan has calledt, you’ve answeredt.”

“You’ve got a knack for showing up in the nick of time to save the day. Makes you a big damned hero,” said a blue-eyed Kiffar as he stepped onto the path behind Aiden. Terran Koul’s cloak barely covered his chestnut brown duster. “Sorry for the whole kidnapping thing. But at least they didn’t use stun cuffs on you.”

“What we’re saying,” Zujenia said as she emerged from the gloom and offered Aiden a warm smile. Of all of them, she seemed the happiest to see him. “Is that we name you di Tenebrous Arconae. You’ve earned it, for everything you have done.”

“It’s a well-deserved honor, darling,” Lucine Vasano said as she stepped onto the path from the opposite side as her sister-apprentice. Her green eyes sparkled as she gave him a look that made the area between his shoulder blades itch. “You have worked so hard in the name of the Clan. And you had better accept, or Tabriss will have lugged all the supplies for the celebration up here for nothing.”

A Ryn dropped out of a nearby tree, landing on his feet with remarkable grace. “I’m just here for the snacks, eh,” Kordath Bleu proclaimed in his unusual brough. Zuji fixed him with a glare, and he quickly added, “I mean, congrats.”

Aiden continued to walk along the path, now surrounded by other members of Clan Arcona. “A titlebearer,” he said. “You want me to become an Arconae?”

“Of course! I think it’s a wonderful fit!” Atyiru said with a giggle. “People need examples to know how to achieve Balance. In the same way, people need examples to know how to an Arconan! And you do both so well!”

They reached another clearing, one that was larger than the first. Stone markers, two in the shape of cythrauls and four plain markers rose from the dark soil, each one having been carved from stone mined from Doto Peak. Each one bore a name. Kira and Laurian on the cyrthraul markers. Sashar, Zandro, Orv, Atyiru on the plain markers.

It appeared as if the clearing had been decorated for a party. Brightly colored streamers had been string across the branches of the trees, and tables had been set to the side, laden with food and alcohol.

Atyiru moved to the closest marker and brushed her fingers over it. “The path isn’t always obvious. Sometimes people need guidance, both in the ways of the Force and in matters of the Clan. An example to live by. Traditions to follow as they seek their path, either through Balance or by other means. You have served Arcona and you have led it. You have bled for it. You have answered the call, time and time again.”

Aiden found himself nodding his head. His own path had been a winding one, with many twists and turns. The betrayal on Arx, the glassing of Karufr, the loss of his arm, the death of his parents, his discovery for the need for Balance. The constant research and meditations that led the Mandalorian to certainty in his beliefs.

That path had led him to Arcona. His home. A place and people that he had fought for, and was willing to die for. To have a chance to help and guide others? Yes, he was willing to do that. “So what happens now?”

“Now you keep doing what you’re doing, and we’ll see where the path takes us,” Zuji replied. The others nodded in agreement.

“But first, we celebrate!” Lucine added.

“No. The tattoo first,” Marick put in, his monotone voice brooking no argument.

“Yeah, trust me. You don’t want to get a poison tattoo when the person holding the gun is drunk,” Terran said with a grimace.

"I would prefer not to."

"Great! Now hold still, nobody ever lets me do this part," Atyiru cried, throwing her arms around him in a hug while someone took the tattoo gun out of her hand.

Beautiful fiction by Lucine Vasano.

Hello, lovelies!

Please join us today in welcoming a new Arconae: Ben, or Aiden/Eleceos/Rhylance. Many of you probably know him, but for those who don't, know this:

Ben has been a stalwart member of Arcona since he transferred from Tal six years ago. He spent four straight years of that time in Arconan leadership, first as Quaestor, then Proconsul, and finally as Consul. He treated each of his positions faithfully and has been a diligent volunteer in every possible way he could, always voicing his willingness to help for any Clan job or project and to help mentor any new member. As a "lay" member, he is so active that we can't award him fast enough. He's on his way to having completed 2000 competitions, all credits going to Arcona. He constantly runs competitions and shares with the Clan. He has been consistent and chosen to bleed Arconan every day he's been present, nonstop, and vocally carries the spirit and pride. He is kind, open, and welcoming and cheers on everyone around him, an always positive influence to the Clan. For all these reasons, we thank him, and celebrate this. Drinks on you tonight, my friend!

Thank you, welcome, and well done.

Signed and sealed,

Atyiru Caesura Entar Arconae

Arconae Primus