Greenhouse Glum

[Lamper]

INDUPAR
Indupar East Stronghold

14:30_ East Wing. Rear Courtyard Garden.
[closed-ask]​

A peaceful green garden. Lacking in color and diversity. Welcoming with a sense of security beside a massive cream colored castle wall. Coolly basking in soft sunlight, its trees providing plenty of shade. One particular tree affectionately doted upon one white stone bench at its base. There, one Cappi Tremaine sat upon the grass beneath it, his legs fed through the underside of the bench and torso draped depressingly over the seat; his arms hanging over, hands down beside his knees. His chin rested upon the bench, head slightly off kilter; relaxed and kind of miserable. Still in his casual clothes, the ones from yesterday, his eyes sadly stared at the little plant under his right hand growing just beside his right leg. His fingers swirled slowly, aloft. His mind ... adrift.

What am I doing here? What am I here for? Is it really gonna be ten years soon? The Jedi. Lightsaber forms. History. Philosophy. Politics. Ugh. Fighting for freedom. For the little guy. Against the big guy. Er, guys. And gals. I wish Zia was here. She'd say something perfect. She's so ... perfect. Not that I'd be able to say anything back. Stupid. This sucks. What do I wanna be a Jedi for? S'not like I'm in any danger. Or Zia. Or Pops. Or stupid face. What'do I care who rules the galaxy? What can I do about it? What's the point? I don't know. Nothing. Ugh. What should I have for lunch? I don't know. Ughhh.

"Ughhh..."

Thinking in solitude, Cappi enthralled the little plant in the meanwhile. Applying the Force. Feeding its cells with the only positive energy he had, his love for plants. Almost immeasurably, the plant's cells began to participate with him. The Force formed around them, unifying a bond that accelerated its response. Its stem slowly warmed to his compassion. He willed its incentive to love. Pooled its life-force that it might reach him, touch him as he could not touch others, find a way with one purpose as he failed to now. He forced it to grow. The little plant was under his spell and, eventually, began to reach. It thickened ever so slightly, and moderately lifted towards his toiling hand. It budded tiny little stems that would one day unfold into leaves. It produced a head that moments ago was not there, that one day might bloom into a beautiful flower. It reached by his command, surging in size at least a few centimeters higher. But it shown a wealth of life as it matured breadth and glow. He could achieve such control, these mystical powers Jedi boast. And yet he sighed, in melancholy.

 

[Richie B.]

The planet held a special place in the young mans heart, having trained someone for the first time and than going on a mission with said person and maybe or maybe not getting a crush on the girl but that was for another time or at least Jaleer put that out of his head for now. Walking around the peaceful planet was nice seeing the many green plants was strange for the sage having grown up on Ryloth you don't get the luxury of seeing the beauty of a smile flower very often. Yet the sage never complained about his upbringing being happy with it for the most part, though the day his mother died still haunts the sage from time to time even if it was 4 years ago the sage was only 12 and that leaves a scar. Yet the sage has been doing better about the pain an doesn't think about it very often anymore and after getting a new master has helped, but right now the padawan was alone or at least he thought he was alone sensing another force user near by the young Jedi began to follow the trail the force has given him.

The sage began to head towards the green house that seems to be housing the fellow force user, Jaleer took a moment to take a deep breath wanting to make a good impression the young sage walked in his brown cloak covering most of the sages body, making him look mysterious even if he was only 16 years old. The sage had his Jedi robes that he always wear, honestly he never really takes them off since he doesn't have anything else to wear plus the sage is kind of nomadic and doesn't have a place to change and clean clothes. Walking towards the Jedi that seems to be resting in deep thought, Jaleer thought the Jedi was contemplating very serious matters by the look the Jedi had so once the sage was close to the resting the sage stood there a minute to think of something to say.

"Hello friend it is nice to meet another one of our order, I hope that I am not intruding on a private moment. If you don't mind I would like to maybe have a conversation with you seeing as I am free and would enjoy the company." The sage hoped that he would get to know the older Jedi, maybe even becoming friends with the Jedi yet at the moment they are just two strangers, made brothers only by the order they both belong to but even if Jaleer would trust any member of the order it was always best to get to know those you will be relying on.

 

[Lamper]

"Sup," Cappi moaned impassively with a sigh, his cheek smushed by the stone bench. His brown eyes looked up, independent from his lifeless body. But they soon fell back down, staring at the plant below. His fingers curled with temporary conclusion to their task, skin brushing against the soft texture of the plant. Then he rolled his head to gesture to the vacant slab of stone they might share.

"Take a load off. It's callin' your name." Sigh. "So. What's it all about, huh? What d'you make of all this Jedi stuff, mister uh...?"

Cappi didn't waste any time diving right into it. The kid wanted conversation. So there it was. And introductions, formalities, were a waste of falsehoods in his eyes. Why pretend to like someone when you can just find out if you actually like them? No reason at all according to yours truly. Plus, Cappi wanted somebody there to bounce his thoughts off of. And just like that, there was right where somebody had appeared.

"You plannin' on bein' somebody? Changing something?"
He followed up lazily, half spewing nonsense and half expecting a child prodigy to bless him with wisdom beyond his years. And then, there was this other mystery half that entered the equation; it being Cappi's pessimism and loading theses questions just to spite them with his confusion, to snap back at the universe for all its malfunctionings thereby making this poor soul its scapegoat and defendant in one go.

 

[Richie B.]

Jaleer was caught off guard at the language the older jedi used, taking a moment to react accordingly even if the sage wasn't used to talking to in just a relaxed way the younger man didn't want to come off as weird. Than came the questions something that the sage could work with since Jaleer wished to be a teacher he could use this to maybe help a fellow Jedi that seems down and in the dumps. Deciding to sit down on the ground next to the man the sage had his legs crossed and with the hood still covering most of his head Jaleer hoped he looked like a cool monk or something yet after thinking about it the younger man realized it might look or seem weird.

"Well I like to think the Jedi are people that fight against the darkness using many different methods, some are teachers, others healers many are warriors but yet all Jedi know their lives are one of sacrifice we give our lives to the light side and at least I like to think we should give up our own lives if it meant saving someone, not matter how small or insignificant. All live is special and most be protected and we Jedi are the ones to do it not because its our duty or our responsibilities but because that's who we are, just good people that like to believe that small actions can make all the difference." Though it might seem completely strange or random and not answering the older Jedis question he hoped it helped explain how the sage saw the Jedi.

"But for myself I like to become a teacher maybe but healing is good also, how about you what path do you travel?" Finally answering the question and asking one of his own the sage wanted to hear what the older Jedi said.

 

[Lamper]

"Yeah-yeah. That. But."
Cappi raised a palm in protest to stop Jaleer from grazing over the part HE wanted to discuss, deflecting that last question to backtrack and redirect this train of thought towards his desired endgame.

"Why?" Was the magic question. "That small act, however good, is only one moment in one day in one lifetime in an infinite abundance of lifeforms that is almost always outnumbered and overwhelmed by otherwise not-so-good experiences. And even if that act was huge. Huge. It would only last for an instant, replaced by the next moment. Time. Change. For better or worse. And if an act is defined by its goodness, then all others are defined by their opposition to that goodness; measured by their distance of failure."

"How long have we been fighting quote-unquote evil? What's changed? People suffer no matter who's on top. The Good, quote-unquote, seem to only suffer more by their resistance to evil. While the Evil seem intent on torturing themselves, thus proving the endless supply of evil in their origins."

"How d'you tackle that, man? Why d'you do it?"

His fingers closed on his forehead, then gestured explosions out both ways. Mind. Blown.

 

[Richie B.]

Jaleer could understand the older Jedis worries about how even good deeds could never be enough. But the thing the older Jedi might not realize is that it requires a bit of faith, a bit of optimism and understanding that you might never see the good that will come out of your deeds.

"I would do it because I want to, because I have faith not just in the force but in people. That my good deeds will influence people to do good deeds of their own, that if enough people around the galaxy just stopped and took a moment to do something good, there might actually be peace within the Galaxy. We might never see it but that's not the point of the Jedi, we are here to give our lives to the people that need it, to spend our lives in pursuit of doing something that will help in any way no matter how small. Think of it like this maybe one day a man was inspired by seeing someone risk their live for someone and the now inspired man gave a few credits to a poor child that will help that child live to become a adult who will become a scientist that discovers a cure to a terrible disease but none of that would have happen if the first person didn't risk his live to inspire the man to help the kid. It's like a chain reaction the more good deeds we do the more good there will be and the light side of the force will become stronger because of it." Taking a breath after talking a lot and had a small smile if the man looked at the sage.

"There might always be suffering but than there is always people ready to help those that suffer. If we let ourselves question why we do good than the evil will win, there will always be evil yes but it can be kept in check if everyone was vigilant and doing good deeds to counteract the evil. Besides when those that follow the path of evil and like you say torture themselves than its our duty to help redeem them and bring them out of that path. An besides we resist because it's the right thing to do, because if we just let the dark side or evil take over than everyone will suffer and I don't know about you but I won't allow that, an I doubt I am the only one that will fight and do the right thing." The sage turned to the older Jedi, smiling hoping that what he said will encourage and explain at least his views to the man.

 

[Lamper]

Cappi casually rolled his eyes at the boy's textbook regurgitation. He wanted answers of the heart, not vague iteration of corporate manual. Cappi poised his fingertips up together, shaking the importance in his wrist.

"Of course it's the right thing to do. But is it right to trivialize your entire existence? To mix a gram of water into an ocean of wine? We teach wisdom over carelessness. But I can't see the wisdom in waste. Bro. What is duty? A moral or legal obligation, right? A moral? A person's standards, beliefs. It's what you choose, not something you blindly follow. To have that moral is one thing. I get that. But to waste it. Why?"

"Evil is just as contagious as good is, if not more so. So this idea that you hope for the best just doesn't fly with me, man. At best you're sprinkling sugar into a sandstorm."

"This inspired man you've got goin. Maybe, MAYBE, he gives that kid some credits. But some other guy sees this and kills the kid and takes his money. Or the guy, instead of giving the kid money, decides to take advantage of the kid's savior by lying and claiming the kid is his son and he's got no money and plays to the savior's weakness of charity and just rips him off?"

"It's just naive."

"But what gets me the most is that I want to give. I want to see things like you're sayin. But I just can't. Right now, the Sith outnumber us like a thousand to one. If we're affecting change. And they're affecting change. Who's gonna outdo the other? It's math ... I hate math."

 

[Richie B.]

Jaleer listened to the older man's worries the fear and lack of hope has gotten to the man, something that wasn't surprising to the sage considering what has been happening around the Galaxy but in the end of the day the young kid, the Jedi though only a padawan still had hope. Still believed that people were inherently good, that the light side will win as it always does even in dire times good always win because history has proven that. Though there were times when it looked like the light will lose that the Galaxy will forever be in darkness those few that still had hope were rewarded.

"I understand that the reality seems like there is no hope that the darkness will win, but haven't this happened before many times the temple of coruscant has been abandon or destroyed yet each and every time that has happened those that keep hope were rewarded. When the Jedi were betrayed by one of our own during the clone wars, our order was nearly destroyed but even as the Sith ruled the Galaxy unopposed those that fought back were rewarded and Luke skywalker was the answer they needed. An what happened, the Sith were beaten back peace was restored even if it didn't last the darkness no matter how strong will always fall by the light." Jaleer said still calmly.

"This is why we need to keep hope, we aren't alone in our fight one that goes beyond the Sith vs the Jedi because there will always be people that wished to do the right thing. Yea it is naive and yes we shouldn't trivialize our entire existence, but I do it only to myself though the Jedi life is one of sacrifice. I hope for a day I can live out my twilight years just meditating on the hill next to my village, a small kid calling me master and grandpa but most of all I wish for a galaxy in peace with the Jedi taking up the ancient tradition of being peacekeepers and just doing the right thing. And I will spend my entire life believing in this, even if it seems like blind faith, that I blindly follow my morals but if I was to forsake my morals and beliefs than I have lost." Jaleer said explaining his beliefs and wishes.

"You say this because you have lost hope, you think we will lose this fight yet I ask you is it better to just let the Galaxy to be ripped apart because we just stop resisting or do we take the pain and keep on fighting. Some say that failure is from not succeeding but I have learned that isn't the truth. The only time we fail is when we quiet, when we just give up and stop trying even if we don't succeed yet we never stop trying we aren't failures or fools that held on to false hope but rather they succeed. Even if it takes generations for there actions to mean anything, even if they are forgotten they can rest easy knowing that they never gave up hope, that they fought the good fight." Jaleer said with confidence truly believing that even if you don't succeed as long as you try till the end than you are not a failure.

 

[Lamper]

Cappi smiled and sighed a lighthearted breath of admiration for the kid. A promising little guy. A bundle of hope. The future of the Jedi was secure if men like this kept heart. If only it were so easy for Cappi. What this young man didn't yet realize is that, some people, don't lose hope; but never had it to begin with. But that was an experience for another day, as Cappi didn't have it in him to expose that deep a wound to teach that lesson today. Instead, he resigned himself to the teenager. He knew when he'd been beat.

"A rousing speech I'm sure I'll hear one day with you at the head of a thousand strong. Name's Cappi." He cordially extended a handshake. "Y'know. Hope and goodness aside. It's bad manners to keep a hood over yer face when talkin' a buddy out of a slump. What d'you have a skin condition or something?"

Cappi smirked, teasing him. And after he got a reaction and a response, he'd extend an olive branch.

"Hey. C'mer. I wanna show you somethin." He beckoned Jaleer closer, folded his legs in, and refocused on the plant by his side. "Check this out."

There, Cappi resumed his enticing of the plant, his fingers alluring the life in its core to swell with the Force once more. And just as before, eventually it began to grow and bloom under his care. The beauty and promise of life.

 

[Richie B.]

Jaleer could sense what people feel though the young sage was no expert in this technique it was obvious that the older Jedi still seem down. Even if the young man blushed a little from the compliment Cappi gave him, but of course the young man really started heating up his face turning a deep red from embarrassment, actually afraid that his hood which was meant to make the sage look mysterious wasn't having the desired affect.

"N-no I don't have a skin condition, I t-thought that maybe i ummm looked cool with it on." Though it sounded completely childish the sage was serious and the fact embarrassed the sage, thankfully Cappi seemed to have moved on.

Jaleer watched wide eye as the plant began to grow, the young sage felt the force at work and was shocked to see Cappi was able to do this. Completely focused on trying to figure out how the older Jedi did it, the sage would continue to stare at the plant for a long time until realizing that Cappi was still there.

"Wow sorry for zoning out, my name is Jaleer. But that's not important how did you do that?" Jaleer was focus on one goal and that was just learning the technique that Cappi just demonstrated to the young sage.

 

[Lamper]

"Ya like that, huh?" Cappi giggled. "That, young hoodlum, is Consitor Sato. Otherwise known as Cha-Cha-Cheeya. You remember those commercials? Ah you're prolly too young. My favorite one's the Eewok. Once it grows, it's like you can't even see his face. It's just a big ball of green. Growin' out of his nose and his ears."

"You wanna learn? I can only make it grow a couple centimeters at a time. But eventually the idea is to grow entire trees at will. You could trap somebody with roots. Or build a defensive wall of trees. Or hide a bunker in bushes and vines. All kinds of cool stuff. Here."

Cappi waved Jaleer even closer, motioning Jaleer to copy Cappi's outstretched hand.

"Wrap your head around this, my hooded friend. It's a channeling of life energy. Into plants. You improve it. Even guide which way it goes. So it's completely dependent upon how much love you supplement it with. It's entirely Light Side oriented. You're essentially inspiring it to live. Like pouring water onto a sponge. You fill it up so that it expands. The more attention you give one spot, the more that spot shows. For me, though, it's about channeling my positive emotions. And you got plenty of that. Ha ha."

"Start simple. Just feel. Feel everything around us. Me. You. The tree next to us. The garden. Everything. Let it all in. Whatever comes to you, like we do in class."

He gave Jaleer time to get in the right mindset. Cappi used the same process that most every Jedi used when learning a knew skill.

"Tune into the bugs on the bark. Feel the blades of grass rubbing together. The rays of the sun absorbing in the warm leaves. Pollen floating through the air. Feel this plant, here. Get in touch with its physical form. And say what you see."

Cappi figured the describing of what you felt, what you saw, was so that you could visualize what you were doing and probably further your connection with what you were about to do.

 

[Richie B.]

(OOC: Sorry about short post.)

Jaleer listened to every word the strange man said, honestly it was hard to understand him sometimes but Cappi seemed to know what he was talking about, and once the sage had the idea began to do as instructed. Allowing the force to flow through him, the young sage began to extend his senses picking up on everything the older Jedi had mention. Though the hard part now was to actually do it, waiting a few moments to build up the force in him.

"Alright any more advice?" Jaleer asked simply ready to get started, this will be one strange training session yet the sage was used to strange.

 

[Lamper]

Cappi's own hand began to trail over the grass nearby, following his own instruction as he plied his craft; nursing the green blades to germinate a small path slightly higher than the rest. Mind beginning to wander in his own thoughts, Cappi almost forgot he was helping Jaleer try for the first time.

"Oh. Uh ... Give it your all?"

And that was the extent of Cappi's official type personality, the real player come back to reality. But even he realized Jaleer might need a little more than that. Cappi fidgeted. And so he added.

"Pump it with some juice, man."

He smiled. A job well done. He might as well be made a Knight, right there, because of that. Well. Maybe not.

 

[Richie B.]

Realizing that was the best that he was going to get the Sage began to let the force flow through him, using positive memories and using the emotions that came with it the sage tried to channel it to the plant that was in front of him. At first the plant didn't move but after a little bit Jaleer began to see that the plant began to move when he wanted it to, though the sage was already feeling drained even if the sage had good endurance when using the force it was a new technique and the young Jedi was still trying to figure it out.

Though the plant only grew a little bit and moved closer to Jaleer it was a big step at least in the sages mind, though the young man was excited the discipline his mother beat into him made the young sage not show it. Yet Jaleer was still smiling but that was about it.

"Damn that was hard who taught you how to do this? I never realize being able to manipulate plants was a thing." Jaleer said honestly surprise in learning the new technique.

 

[Lamper]

"Yeah man. A few years back, when I was feelin' down, kinda like today actually, this guy Toth found me in a floral garden. I've always liked nature and plants. He knew I was having trouble and wanted to cheer me up. Showed me this trick. I couldn't do it at first. But after a week of practicing I realized it'd given me something to focus on. And when I stopped wanting it so bad, I did it. Not sure what that meant, since the focus helped me get my mind off things but I couldn't do it until I stopped trying so hard. Maybe it didn't mean anything. I don't know. I know I think about things too much sometimes. Think about myself too much. Been told that a bunch'a times. But there's something I just can't get past. Like some thing is in my way and I can't see straight."

Cappi didn't want to say what he thought that thing was, but had his suspicions. He had a sense of virtue, on a small scale. But nothing like what other Jedi had. He didn't have this burning desire to save the galaxy. Whenever the opportunity came, he saw only reasons why it didn't matter what he tried to do. He didn't despair. He hadn't lost hope. He just didn't see a point. And didn't care to. That was what bothered him though. His conscience was there, in retrospect, to point out that he had no conscience; that he should have felt more or wanted to do something more. Ah well. He could still try to do the right thing, even if he was conflicted about himself now.

"There's more you can do with life energy," Cappi smiled.

He enjoyed sharing these minuscule powers he'd picked up along the way. It made him feel a little more connected to the Jedi. A little less self absorbed. So he looked up, over, and back down to Jaleer. All the while reaching out with the Force, tapping into the well that flowed all around them. It was difficult. He strained to achieve the desired effect. But soon, a gentle breeze kissed Jaleer's cheeks. The breeze started to cool, dropping in temperature until it almost chilled Jaleer's skin. Despite the sun's rays, the slight breeze had managed a cold touch; manipulated just in that small area for a moment.

Then Cappi released a breath of held suspension. And the breeze was gone, as was the ghost chill. Cappi opened his hands, presenting the trick's conclusion.

"Ta-da."

 

[Richie B.]

Jaleer listened to every word Cappi said thinking maybe he should help the older padawan but with personal stuff like what Cappi mentioned since well the sage had a lot of person issues himself. But seeing as the older Jedi explained a little bit more about the technique maybe Cappi didnt need help but Jaleer will still offer it.

"Damn that's cool, you seem to know a lot of force techniques. But more importantly you shouldn't beat yourself up to much considering your a Jedi just carrying the name and trying to be one proves you are selfless." Jaleer hoped that would cheer Cappi up but wasn't quiet sure.

"Listen if you need help me and any other members of our order will be more than willing to help you Cappi." Jaleer wanted Cappi to know that he wasn't alone, but right now the young sage was glad to meet another interesting member of the order.

"So how did you do that?" The sage was more than willing to continue learning and hoped to learn many new techniques.

 

[Lamper]

"Eh. Pffff," he blew dismissively, rolling his lips, and waved a hand to decline Jaleer's offer on behalf of the Order. He smiled. "Don't sweat it. I shouldn't've even said anything."

Cappi felt a little uncomfortable after sharing more than he probably should have. Just by talking about it, he'd made his little dilemma out to be something bigger than he thought it was. Compared to what others have gone through, are going through, this was nothing. Though considering he was training to become a Jedi, he did understand the significance of feelings like these. He just downplayed his self importance in the grand scheme of things. Or tried to. It seemed the right thing to do to be less self absorbed.

"But thanks, man. You're a good guy. You'll make a special lady very happy one day," he joked with a wink. "So, it's like this. You tap into nature, connect to it, become it the same way you tapped into this plant and its life-force. You use what's already there and guide it further. The trick is finding the right current, then getting it to roll the way you want. You create a ripple. Make it cold or hot. Least that's about all I can do. A Jedi used it on me when I was a kid. Thinned the air and made me pass out. I was a little inebriated at the time so it didn't take much," he laughed. "Give it a go. Somethin' simple. Like, make a little wind blow."

 

[Richie B.]

Jaleer blushed a little when the man mention making a special lady happy since the sage was not good with girls, most of the females he meet either fight him or he doesn't know that well. But listening to the rest of the story Jaleer thought he understood what Cappi was saying and tried to feel the wind around him after a little bit of sensing the Jedi thought he felt the air current that might be what he was looking for. Using the force to change it and make it blow at Cappi though it was barely a breeze it was something or at least the sage considered that since it was his first time was impressed with him.

"Damn that was hard, and you my friend have a lot of stories I mean what kind of person makes a kid pass out, I mean seriously it seems like you get into trouble a lot." Though Jaleer realized what he said might be rude, only hoped that the older jedi wouldn't be offended by it.

Though it seems that Cappi has a lot of force techniques which is something the sage liked since he wanted to know a lot of force techniques and it seems Cappi was more than willing to teach them to him.

 

[Lamper]

"That I do, kid. That I do," Cappi exhaled a sigh with a certain satisfaction. His legs stretched out leisurely and he collapsed onto his back, hands behind his head; eyes closing. The cool grass felt comforting against the back of his hair and neck, tickling his ears. He crossed his legs. "Nothin' I can't handle though. It's the easy life for me. I'm here to do my part an all. But no fancy flyin'. Not in this life. Uh-uh. You ever need a wing-man to help you snag a lady friend, though, don't you hesitate to ask. I'm here for you buddy."

Cappi's oath to hook a brother up was his way of thanking Jaleer for talking to him, without actually thanking him. Of course he avoided the question about the Jedi in his past. He didn't like the way he was basically pressed into service, like a son sent to military school. Only his father wasn't really his father, and the school was a lifelong commitment to shoving a stick up your *ss and quoting gummy bear packaging. Still, they weren't all bad. Jaleer was nice enough to give him perspective. Cappi knew he'd need to start working on himself. Not thinking so hard. Just taking it one step at a time. Making the best choices he could.

"Wanna hear about the time I tripped out on stolen mushrooms with a hutt's slave girl?"

 

[Richie B.]

Jaleer could tell the older Jedi was a relaxed person something that the Jedi needed an was thankful to have found a friend though as a wing man that was something the sage desperately needs. Looking at the older Jedi with a small smile but eyes that showed how much the younger Jedi needed a wing man.

"Thank you I umm really will need a wing man." The look Jaleer had was completely destroyed and one of shock and disbelieve.

"Y-YOUR JOKING RIGHT?" The young sage couldn't imagine any jedi even the one in front of him using mushrooms and being with a slave girl at the same time.

The sages face became red and even though Jaleer could see that Cappi was fine, he was worried that the older Jedi has been making more questionable live choices and stood up his hood dropping revealing his blond hair though Jaleer wanted to have brown or even black hair yet no luck but the sage wasn't going to dye his hair seeing no point at doing that.