Entering the Crucible

“Mother Vyshara, the Force mentions constant change, but one thing will never change, which is. . . I cannot imagine a greater fear than waking up in the morning and Avaria not being here." My voice broke and I wept silently. "Though the suns would continue to rise and set, the worlds spin on their axes. . . . " I turned and my eyes found Avaria's. My next words were to her clan, but I only had eyes for her. "The stars continue to shine, my universe would mean nothing without her, for she means everything in it to me. That's why I undergo this Selection. For her.”
I reached for Avaria and hugged her. I knew she probably wouldn't approve of me doing this. . . that's why I'd agreed to it the night before while she was asleep. "Please don't be mad at me for what I'm going to tell you, honey. Please?"
"I could never be, Firmus." She sent a wave of love through our bond that brought happy tears to my eyes. 
"I know what I have to do to prove myself to Mother Vyshara and your clan. Take me to the Crucible tomorrow night, I'm ready for the first trial."
"WHAT?!?!" She practically screeched.
"I'm serious about this. I have faith that I can do it. For me, for you and for your clan."
"Oh Force, don't tell me you mean. . . the Selection?!"
"I do mean it." I felt her shaking, reached up and caressed her cheek with a gentle hand.
"No human's ever been entered in the Selection before--!"
"I'm doing it for the other half of my heart. I love you that much. I'll enter it, and I'll make it through all three trials."
"You could be KILLED!"
"My life would have no meaning without you, Avaria. You are my passion, my life, my love. Without you I would have no reason to live. You are everything to me. Everything. I would die without you. You're my universe. I want to prove to them that I can be a worthy mate to you and be married fully in the ways of your people afterward. All the stars in the universe could not replace what we have together. If we'd never met, I would have known that my life wasn't complete. And I would have wandered the universe in search of you, even if I didn't know who I was looking for."
Silence fell between us. Finally, Avaria spoke, haltingly. 
"F-Firmus, the first t-t-test is. . ." Unable to continue verbally; she reached out to me through the Force.
...Firmus, the first test of the Selection is the Test of Fury. It involves physical combat. The second test is theTest of Night. ...
I heard the echo of a voice explaining the Test of Night . . .
"In order to fight against the Force, you must see what cannot be seen. Only three of you remain. Who will be the first to fall?"
...The third test is the The Test of Elevation. 
Avaria took one of my hands in both of hers. "Firmus, though we resemble our Dark brothers and Sisters, we follow the teachings of Allya. First blood is all that's needed to disqualify a Dathomirian from the Selection in our Clan. It's not permanent, the disqualified has to wait a full year before he or she can try again . . . " 
Leaning in, I brought my face within inches of hers. 
. . . May I please . . ? I sent.
Releasing my hand, Avaria brought her
Our lips met, one word echoed in her head:
Jaa'mae.
Her eyes flew open. I didn't know you knew Pacean, Firmus!
I wanted to tell you what you mean to me in your own language.
Category:Story scenes