A Means to an end (Nagisa's training)

[Geeva]

Nagima had received notice that she had been selected as someones padawan, which was surprising to her due to her significant lack of training and experience, she had almost just recently became a padawan after all, but maybe this was a good sign. Yin was perched on her shoulder and she reached up to lightly scratch under the reptiles chin as she wandered the halls, finding the room with the name of the person who was to be her new master. She wanted to know a little more about them before she met them, of coarse she could probably just look in the datafiles and find all she needed to know, but that was boring. She opened the door to the room and peeked inside to make sure they wasn't there before wandering in and making herself at home, hoping she wouldn't wander in during her little exploration.

She wandered up to the desk, letting the tips of her fingers drift lightly over it as she walked around it and casually looked at the objects there, nothing to interesting catching her eye. Yin jumped off her shoulder and onto the desk, scurrying about the new terrain in what seemed random patterns. She sighed as she watched the creature and sat down in the rather comfy looking chair behind the desk, lightly closing her eye's, her little adventure of getting to know her new master having become boring all ready. She didn't know what she expected to find but she definitely didn't find it.

The chair spun around so the back was facing the door and she lightly tapped the hilt of the lightsaber she had...acquired using some special skills she had learned in her time as a slave, thinking the previous owner would probably build another one before going hunting for the lost one. She began to rock herself left and right in the chair, finding it a lot more comfortable then she expected. She would have to leave soon before someone caught her in here, the punishment for rummaging threw someones room uninvited probably pretty severe.

 

[Rev]

The Grandmaster of the Jedi Order had received not that he'd be getting a new Padawan, more than happy to take on his newest pupil, he happily strolled through the temple grounds. Walking through the great hall of the Temple he couldn't help but to be stopped by various members of the Order and greeted each of those members with the happiness and joy he had always accentuated. However, it wouldn't be long before he was pushing some aside and moving on his way, after a polite goodbye. Reaching out through the Force it would envelop Nagisa in its powerful energy, even from across the temple grounds. A Force message would be sent to his Padawan, the result would be his voice projecting into her mind, a cool sensation running throughout her body as it did so, an almost welcoming feeling.

"Nagisa Takai, I'm Rev Ultor, Grandmaster of the Jedi Order... I require your assistance outside of the temple, near the great falls to the Northwest."

The words would linger in her mind, almost repeating themselves several times until he stopped relaying the message, or she began to block it out. Moving his own feet quickly, he knew she was slightly closer, by the time he got there she would hopefully be just arriving herself. Turning down a narrow passage he'd slip out of the temple and towards those falls, training inside was no place for a true Jedi.

 

[Geeva]

The young padawan almost literally fell out of the chair when the voice materialized in her mind and she quickly caught herself and sprang out of the chair. Looking towards the door and seeing no one, she quickly realized the voice was coming from inside her own head, and she marveled a few moments at the ability. She nodded and then ruffled her brow, knowing it was a useless gesture in this kind of conversation and she quickly thought of how she could respond in the same manner. She took a deep breath and concentrated, pushing out towards what she though was the source of the voice, projecting her message back, though it more then likely would be so quiet and broken up that it wouldn't be understood, but she had plenty of time later to practice the skill.

"Yes Grandmaster."

Quickly she scooped up Yin, hugging the reptile into her chest as she slipped out the door and headed towards the destination, taking the quickest route there. Yin rubbed his scaled head over Nagisa neck and she glanced down at him. "Not now Yin, you can have some food later." Her talking to the lizard making a few people nearby give her strange looks, but she ignored them as the beast gave a hiss of displeasure at his meal being delayed. She soon arrived at the destination and saw Rev approaching. She quickly stopped, the lightsaber at her side, that she technically wasn't supposed to have yet, letting out a small jingle as he was jostled around, and she bowed deeply in respect of the grandmaster.

"Greetings Master, what can I assist you with?"

 

[Rev]

Rev stood at the alcove that came out over the falls, looking downwards at hundreds of feet drop into a pool of water he couldn't help but feel a little uneasy at the height. Taking a step back he'd turn to see his newest of Padawans, Nagisa Takai. That all too familiar smile would creep onto the Grandmaster's face as he was happy to see the young lady received his message. Walking towards her he'd stop and return the respectful bow she had given him.

"Greetings, Nagisa, I'm told you're quite advanced in some of the trainings of the Jedi. They say you were one of the best in your class as a youngling?"

He motioned for the woman to follow him, leading her towards a path that would take them to the river where the falls would start. A somewhat long walk was set out before them, along the way he would prepare the girl for what the Jedi had in store for her, something he wondered if she was even ready for.

"Let me first ask you, what do you think of the Jedi? What do you believe our beliefs our, what is your outlook on the code?"

Looking over at the girl he'd stare down at her, his 6 foot stature towered over her, something he was used to when training the Padawans. Awaiting a response he would stare forwards into the distance, waiting for the long pathway to finally open into the clearing that was the falls beginning.

 

[Geeva]

Her cheeks turned a light shade of red at the praise and she couldn't help but smile.

Thank you master, but I don't think I did anything to extraordinary... with enough effort I'm sure any of the others could have surpassed me.

She Followed close behind him, wondering where the path would take them and carefully listened to his question. She honestly had never thought about what the code meant to her, so she didn't answer immediately, thinking over her answer, she wanted to make sure she gave one that she truly meant, not just one she was told at some point in time. She looked up at him when she was ready to answer but hesitated for half a second, not having realized how tall he was, it was kind of intimidating but when he looked away she continued.

Well... I believe the jedi are necessary for maintaining peace in the galaxy, and that they strive to protect others even in the face of even their own death. As for the code, the code for me means...well... freedom. Others have described it as a set of rules and guidelines to live by, which might not be wrong, but for me they give me a sense of peace, reminding me that I am finally free to pursue my own dreams...

She tilted her head slightly at him, wondering if her answer would suffice and gave Yin a gentle scratch under his chin as they continued down the path, still curious as to what awaited her at the end of it. Yin scurried himself up the Nagisa's shoulder and perched there completely still for a few moments before snapping a fly out of midair. Nagisa ruffled her brow and looked at the creature, muttering to him. "That's gross Yin... you really couldn't wait till later?" The lizard just hissed at her and crawled back down into her arms.

 

[Rev]

Rev was glad to see this Padawan was humble, long had he been acquainted to Jedi that had an arrogance and ego about them. This one appeared to have completed her Jedi Youngling training to perfection and was well on her way to becoming a Jedi. This thought alone brought a large smile to the Grandmaster's face, he was happy to see the underbelly of the Order was improving. Looking to his right he'd look down at the girl again, but not before watching the creature on her shoulder snag a fly out of the air, laughing at her reaction he'd look back forward.

"Do you feel you're ready to be a Jedi? Could you so easily give your life for a stranger? A civilian of the Republic?"

He only asked due to the fact that many regarded life as if it were something to easily be thrown around, and the Jedi were a group that were willing to give their life for the good of others. Stopping along the path there was a tributary of the river that shot to their location, running parallel to the pathway. Looking at the clear water various fauna lept from the water and drank from the clean stream.

"What do you feel at this place?"

Looking at Nagisa he'd walk to the edge of the water, looking down at the sander underbelly of the water supply. It was beautiful to look into, the water was almost too clear to be true, as if a layer of glass came over the setting and not the cool liquid. Moving to the clearing on that pathway's stoppage point he'd fall to his knees and motion for Nagisa to do the same.

"Have you meditated Takai? Get comfortable and we'll start with this.."

 

[Geeva]

Nagisa continued to follow him down the trail, listening closely to the next set of questions he had. She ruffled her brow and thought ocne more, not having expected a quiz from the grandmaster. She chewed lightly on her lower lip before she answered, lightly petting down Yins back as he nestled in her arms.

"I don't think I am ready to become a jedi yet," she hesitated a moment before continuing."I am still having trouble with some temptations of the dark side..." she admitted, seeming a little ashamed of herself for that fact. "I just," she sighs "I remember what my life used to be like before I ran away and was brought here, remember my old owner... and it just makes me so angry..." Her head tilted down and she focused on her boots as she continued to think about the answer she had just given. "I try really hard to push those emotions away, but sometimes I just cant..."

Another sigh escapes her lips and she glanced over into the depths of the surrounding treeline, deciding to move on to the next question for now, she could expand on those feelings if the grandmaster asked more questions about it. "As for giving my life for someone. If I knew it would help them, maybe prevent them from having a life like I used to have, put them on a better path, I would gladly give my life for anyone in this galaxy, republic citizen or not. "

Her eye's seemed to sparkle as she looked at the beautiful stream that now was in front of them. She moved up next to the stream and knelt down, leaning over the water till she saw her reflection. "This place gives me a sense of calm, tranquility... It's peaceful," she dipped her hand in the water, breaking the glass like surface for a moment. "But it's easily disturbed if we are not careful...

Shaking her hand a little to dry it off and moved over next to Rev, sitting cross legged next to him as Yin ran off into the forest to find something to eat. "Yes Master." She closed her eyes and lightly rested her hands on top of her knee's, taking a deep breath to calm herself down as she started to slip into a deep meditation. She love meditating, it was her only escape that she found when she was still a slave and she has done it often since her escape. The force seemed to easily flow threw and around her, almost like it was imitating the ceaseless stream nearby and all the muscles in her body relaxed, her mind seeming to escape from the confines of her body.

 

[Rev]

He listened to Nagisa, despite what she may think, she was quite wise beyond her years. He could see now why she had been proficient in her classes as a youngling, she had a higher understanding than most. As they walked he he stared into his pupil's eyes and listened to her almost melodic voice, occasionally looking at the pet she carried around. Breaking his silence to respond to her own answer he found this aspect of the training most rewarding.

"Those temptations will never go away I'm afraid to say, Nagisa. There will always be a torment from that part of the Force, your qualm will be with your past life... During our training I will teach you to control these angers, control your emotions, become at one with them. I have seen the acts of slavery and they are painful even to watch, but to experience I can only imagine..." There was much pain in Rev's voice as he spoke here, there were many connections to slavery in his own life that had broken his family. "I will tell you a tale one day of my own experiences.. when you think you're ready do ask me about it. I hope it will help you with your own skeletons. Though I must ask... what is it about your past that angers you? What is it that sets you off the most?"

Rev's voice asked out of care and to help his newest of Padawans. He had already felt a connection that only grew between Padawan and Master developing, a rarity between himself and those he trained. Smiling it was now that they entered the clearing to that tributary where the conversation would continue.

"..Then you are ready to be a Jedi."

He looked over at Nagisa and gave her a reassuring nod and smile, he had no doubts she would one day be among the greats in the Order. Perhaps she would even become a council member, the Grandmaster could foresee great things for her, that was all. As they both went into meditation his thoughts would reach out prodding her mind just as he had done earlier.

"Telepathy is a unique talent... You tried earlier with much more success than most, you had the right idea. Find your words then project them to your target.. It can be difficult at first, but over time it will become easier. Think of something small to say and work from there, narrow in on your target and project your thoughts..."

Awaiting a response he took in a deep breath, beginning the first stages of going into a meditation, if she did not follow, he would soon instruct.

 

[Geeva]

She took another deep breath as he asked her what about her past made her feel those emotions and once again she chewed lightly on her lip as she responded. "Well... just about everything to be completely honest. I just don't know how someone could do such... horrible things to another person," she sighed, trying to hold back her anger as she remembered the bad memories from her past, though with little success. "Forgive me if I'm not to specific... a lot of the stuff that was done is rather personal and embarrassing and I don't feel to comfortable sharing that right now." she cleared her throat. "I would get beaten for almost no reason at all a lot of the time, and the only friend I have had my entire life is Yin. The thing that sets me off the most..." Her mind went to the memory of her previous owner and almost instantly was filled with anger, hatred, and most of all fear. It almost feeling like it was radiating off her. "My owner... I just pray that I never meet him again," she said quietly, chewing on her lip once more as she struggled to get in control of her emotions.

She chose not to comment on him saying she was ready to become a jedi, feeling that she wasn't prepared herself, still needing a lot more training. Instead she just tried to gain control of her emotions so she could delve deeper into her meditation, though by now she was thoroughly distracted from bad memories of the past and couldn't seem to do so. She shifted a little where she sat and tried to focus on projecting a message to him, slowly forming the words she wanted to convey to him in her mind, making sure nothing else slipped threw in the message that was to be sent to him. "Is this good?" she attempted to say, though it almost sounded fuzzy, like they were talking on a two way radio that had a bad signal.

 

[Rev]

Rev could feel the emotions within her beginning to swell to an almost uncontrollable nature. These emotions were risky and could taint one to the darkside. Allowing his own Force Aura to surround his Padawan the pure lightside energy would act as a buffer, almost settling any nerves her body had and trying to ease her mind. This part of her life was an obvious struggle, and he was there as a mentor and friend to guide her through the pains.

"No one can compare your struggles to anything they have been through, but you must realize there are purely evil people in this Universe. Some are raised throughout this galaxy, this universe, bred on hate and destruction. Their only wish is to watch it burn.. It is easy to hate these men and women, but as Jedi we must also be in control of our own emotions and actions at all times. You carry much hate for your previous owner.. I understand, but your struggles have brought you here Nagisa. You are a strong willed youngling that has moved on in her Padawan training. I assure you with control of your emotions and understanding of actions you will be a great Jedi, I have foreseen it. However, you must remember we are Guardians of peace, we do not act in revenge nor for personal reasons. Remember the nine tenets of our Order and you will be great, once we become personal our emotions are involved. Should you ever need advice or a simple talk, do come to me."

He closed his long speech with a smile before he finally went into the meditation. It was light, but he could feel his own nerves settling from the talk and his breath to relax, his body following in suit. He'd reach out through the Force, his telepathic aura surrounding Nagisa and sending his words into her mind.

"Relax... maintain your breathing... take a deep breath and hold it in, Nagisa." His words would pause for only a moment before continuing within her mind. "You are doing well... build from your previous question."

He smiled on the outside, it was always an experience to see the first steps of a Padawan down their path to becoming a Jedi. His meditative form digging deeper and going into an even further trance.

 

[Geeva]

Nagisa felt Revs aura surround and envelope her, letting herself take a deep breath as she slowly started to feel herself slowly relax, the bad memory of the past slowly fading away as she let the force flow threw her, giving her master a small smile in thanks. She shifted where she sat and started to focus on her meditation once more. "Thank you master, I really appreciate it." She heard his voice in her head once more and she followed it's instructions, taking a deep breath in and exhaling once he started to speak to her again. She concentrated on forming the words more solidly in her mind before carefully sending them towards Rev.

"Im not sure if I quiet have the hang of this yet... it feels strange to me"

She dove her mind deeper into her meditation, her body relaxing even more as her mind explored the possibilities of this familiar and and comforting world. Yin wandered over from the forest just as she had slipped deeply into her meditation and crawled his way up next to her face, hissing for some attention, breath smelling like a rancid meal freshly eaten. Her nose wrinkled in response and she used the force to gently lift the lizard from her should, moving her above the nearby stream, and promptly dropping the reptile in. Yin hissed in revolt and swam out of the stream, deciding not to bug Nagisa again until her meditation was over.

She carefully formed more words in her mind and pushed them out towards Rev, seeming to be getting the hang of it as she concentrated more. "I still don't think I am ready to be a jedi like you say master."

 

[Rev]

Her words and sentences were forming well, almost flawlessly, for her first attempts she was doing exceptionally well. Her words would flow from her mind just as easily as they had from her tongue, only it had taken more energy he would guess, she just needed the confidence that was he was doing was just right.

"You're handling it quite well, Nagisa... keep doing what you're doing and I sense you will get the hang of it.."

His body out reached to every living being in the immediate area. This took in the flora and fauna that surrounded them, Nagisa was included as well as her small lizard pet. The various insects below and birds above, it was quite an amount of Force energy to be taken in if one wasn't prepared for it. Smiling as he watched through the Force, Yin, get dropped into the river only to crawl out. It wouldn't be long before Nagisa's words would again enter his mind and this time he'd offer her the guidance she was unaware of.

"You may not think so, but you are Nagisa. You do not acquire the talents of a Knight of Master, but you carry the qualities of a Jedi, and that alone can make you more powerful than the most Force efficient Jedi. You have a great deal to learn, and upon this you will become a better Jedi, but a Jedi you will always be."
His words held no doubt in them, she had much emotion and pent up energy within, but he had no doubts she would overcome them with ease. Sending forth another thought he'd project it into her mind yet again.

"Your past.. it is filled with much unease and pain, but there is a side to the coin I'm sure you do not look at. What have you gained from facing your past? What aspects of your own life did you cherish and hold dear thanks to those experiences.. I promise you Nagisa, every pain you felt your slavers felt in a far worse way. What you faced physically they dealt with emotionally, their own pains being lashed out upon you. These men and women are an evil amongst the galaxy that I must agree should be stricken, but this is an impossibility unless we become what they are. Shall we move on from this place?"

Standing from his meditation he looked around, the sight of the sun burning his eyes until they finally adjusted. Crossing his arms he awaited his Padawan to join him before continuing down that path.

 

[Geeva]

Nagisa listened to her masters words words carefully, feeling a bit of pride when her master spoke of her as a jedi. She then thought about what he said next, about things she cherished because of her had past and she chewed on her lower lip. she wasn't sure what she could take from those experiences to find a positive side, or something she cherished, the only thing really coming to mind was Yin. She let out a small sigh and nodded, slipping out of her meditation rather easily. Hers wasn't as deep as her masters, she always had a small fear of if she dove to deeply into her meditation that she wouldn't be able to wake up from it, it was an irrational thought, but she couldn't help but have it. She opened her eye's, picked up Yin, then stood up, stretching a little, thankful that she had the hood covering her eye's so she didn't have to adjust to the brightness.

"Where are we off to now master?"

She wandered over to him, her hand brushing against the saber on her side, and she felt a small bit of guilt, it not having rightfully been her's, yet she wore it anyways. If she could build up the bravery to find the jedi she had liberated it from she would have to find a way to return it to them, preferably without them coning to find that she had taken it in the first place, not wanting to have her master angry at her and possibly punish her.

 

[Rev]

((PM Me when you're back :) ))

 

[Rev]

Rev slipped out of the meditation moments after his Padawan had, not entirely wanting to leave it yet. However, both seemed to confer that it was time to move onto the next act in Gisa's training. Getting to his feet he'd brush the minimal dirt off his robes that had collected, much of it coming out with ease due to the dry season they found themselves in.

"What do you think you're ready for?"

His steps continued in no specific pattern, before he knew it they were at a bridge that would cross some rather rowdy rapids. Looking down at the wet rocks that jutted out and appeared to be impossible to reach he couldn't help but wonder if she would be willing to follow. With one leap his right foot came in contact with the wet rock, water constantly running over the sharp stone. Balancing on the lone limb the Force would aid his body in a jump as he lept across the river finally landing on the other side.

His eyes traced back over the rapids, there were several routes one could take, some safer than others, but each rendered the same result; a descent off the Ossus Falls and inevitably to their death. Of course if she felt she wasn't ready the bridge was still an option.

 

[Geeva]

((sorry, I didn't realize you had posted :x ))

Nagisa followed suit and got up from her meditation, dusting herself off with her hands. She slowly followed her master as he moved on, turning to Yin who was perched comfortable on her shoulder. She reached over and lightly scratched under the reptiles chin, looking in front of her and noticing the bridge they were walking towards that was placed over the rapids. She opened her mouth to answer the question but stopped as she saw her master leap onto several of the jagged rocks and making his way across the rapids in a few leaps. Her brow ruffled and she took Yin off her shoulder, placing the lizard on the ground for safety, she wouldn't risk her little friend with a stunt like this, he could take the bridge across.

With almost no hesitation she leaped into the raging torrent of water. She points her feat and lands gracefully upon a rock the the tip of her toes before using the force to launch herself to the next one, making it look almost like she didnt even touch the rock. She continued to make her way across before she landed gently on the other side next to her master. Yin scurried quickly over the bridge to catch up with her and dashed up her back, taking it's place on her shoulder again. "I think I am ready for almost anything master, it is what I was trained for wasn't it?"

 

[Rev]

((I returned the favor :-p if you see it's been several days like 3-4 and I haven't posted let me know haha, usually I'm pretty cool about it and forget about the trainings lol))

Rev's entire body almost relaxed as he came to the ground across the river. Turning to watch as Gisa began her preparation of crossing the river he quirked a brow. The lizard being set down was something unique to watch to say the least, she had an attachment to the lizard, one he was fearful of. His attention then went to her nimble body quickly hopping from rock to rock until finally landing at the bank of the river with a smile.

"Very good, I'm quite impressed with your skills in the Force, Gisa. You will surely become a great Jedi one day."

The next act would surely show him into her more than she could imagine. Reaching down as Yin crossed the bridge he'd allow the small lizard to scurry up his arm and finally grasp him near the forearm. Holding the small lizard in place he held no expression and stared into his pupil's eyes, one whom he'd even say he'd care for like a child of his own. With a soft snap the lizard's leg was broken, it would no only come as a training exercise to the Padawan, but a read of his Padawan, was she truly detached from those that she loved.

"The next act is Force heal.... a technique that Jedi have learned for centuries.. perhaps even millennias. Healing yourself is a far easier task than healing another... this is where your reptilian friend comes in."

Holding out the more than angered lizard it was apparent it was in no real pain. It was a mere discomfort for now, but he was sure Gisa would have some distaste for himself after the act.

"You must reach out, find those white blood cells that act out the healing process in Yin. Direct them... guide them, and his pain will subside... his wounds will heal."

He smiled at her and gently set the small reptile down on the grass before taking a step back. If she couldn't heal the lizard, the Grandmaster of the Jedi Order surely could.

 

[Geeva]

A smile crossed Nagisa's face as her master complimented her. She was glad she wasn't letting him down, she was trying her hardest at her training, though she could probably still use a lot more work in her saber techniques. She was about to reply to him when she say him pick up yin, and then broke the lizards leg. Her mouth literally dropped and she had to hold herself back from jumping forward and taking yin away from him. She clenched her fists lightly and took a few deep breaths to try and calm herself down.

She kneeled down next to yin after her master put him down and gently scooped him up, cradling him almost like a baby. Her main focus now was to try and heal the reptiles leg. She closed her eye's and tried to focus on what her master said, the leg slowly healing itself. A few moments later she examined the limb, it wasn't healed perfectly, this was her first time trying the technique after all, and she would definitely need more practice. She glanced up at her master with a look of disdain.

"Master, please don't use Yin like that... she is the closest thing I have ever had to any kind of family and it's hard to see her hurt..." I would rather go to a hospital and practice there..." she said quietly, hugging yin gently into her chest.

 

[Rev]

Rev watched the almost anger boil within his Padawan, the emotion radiated from her very presence even if she was trying to calm it. This was something he feared, but something he'd gladly respect. Smiling as Gisa healed her lizard companion's leg, he couldn't help but reach out within his own ability and extend the healing, taking care of Yin's wound fully.

"Bringing you to a hospital to heal injuries there would be taxing not just on you, Nagisa, but the patients there. There is a choice Jedi must make, a choice that echoes through the very Force that we possess, possibly for decades. Imagine being bed-ridden, Gisa, the Jedi come into the hospital and help several injured patients, but not you. Not because they don't want to, but because they're unable to accomplish the task, imagine the emotion that would follow.."

He allowed his right hand to clasp down on her left shoulder and give it a soft squeeze.

"I apologize, Nagisa, but your connections can be both your greatest strength, and weakness. You have a strong control over your relationship with Yin, but you must remember at times you may have to make a choice..."

His pause between words was minimal at best.

"a complete strangers or a close friend or family member..."

He let out a breath and smiled at Gisa once again.

"I know you'll make the right choice, should you ever have to."

 

[Geeva]

Nagisa's brow ruffled as she lightly held Yin against her chest, letting her masters words sink in. She should have realized that practicing in a hospital would be a bad idea for that reason, but in her haste to heal Yin she had not thought things threw clearly. She only wished there were enough jedi to be able to heal everyone. She took in a deep breath, letting it out with a sigh, her head hung slightly in the lesson that was just learned. She still had demons lurking within that she had to be careful about, all her training would be for nothing if she lost control to one of these feelings, she knew they were paths to a place she didn't want to visit.

"Im sorry master... I should have kept my mind clear... I hope you are right, and I am able to make the right decision if that time ever does come."

She slowly got to her feet, glancing over towards her master, yin perched around her neck, looking at him in a distrustful manner.

"It seems I still have a lot more to learn then I thought I did."

She let a small smile creep across her lips, trying to remain optimistic, and wanting to move on from her moment of weakness as quickly as possible so she wouldn't have to dwell on it.