Searching for Peace (The training of Krug Tull)

[JM76]

Chester smiled briefly, proud that his Padawan could let go of his own pride and admit defeat. This was a good sign. The Jedi Master's face quickly turned somber, though, and he put the sword on the ground in front of him.

"You speak truthfully, and your words are honest. While I may have been in the victor in our duel, you are the true winner this day. To overcome your bold pride and speak as such; you may not think such a thing is important now, but you will look back and reflect upon it's importance later."

Chester approached his Padawan and laid a single, gloved hand on his shoulder. Biting his lip and closing his eyes, Chester urgently - and with difficulty - called upon the Force, allowing it to flow from his limbs and turn into a healing energy, reflected by a visible green-blue aura emanating from his hand onto his Padawan's shoulder. The glow worked miracles, it seemed, resewing skin and repairing cells, forcing Krug's body to heal his shoulders and side hundreds of times faster than normal.

Once the act was done, Chester removed his hand from his pupil's shoulder and motioned for him to remain where he was. The Jedi Master took a seat on a nearby balcony ledge and positioned himself in a meditative pose. "We shall continue with basic meditation. Before we train and hone your abilities, you must first find a connection to the Force. Reach out to it. Feel it around you. Invite it to guide you. Join with it in the subtly harmony of the universe."

 

[McFisticuff]

Krug thought about his master's words, he copyed his master's posture and concentrated. His forehead wrinkled and he thought he could feel it, it felt like a stream just outside his reach, he tried to get closer, to go into the stream, but he couldn't, he quickly got frustrated and tried harder, he began to get angry that he couldn't reach. The stream got farther away. "Arrrgh!" He tried harder to reach it but it got farther away.

He remembered his master's words, he tried to stay calm, the stream got closer, he reached it. He felt the force around him. "Amazing." He said. He felt his master on the ledge even though his eyes were closed. "This is... amazing."

 

[JM76]

"Good..." Chester mused. "Your potential - in the Force and in other things pertinent to the Jedi - is unlimited. Or, I stand corrected, you are the limiter. Your will to serve the light and earn redemption will determine how far you go go."

The Jedi Master recovered his footing, jumping off the balcony ledge and walking around the general area. "Use the ability of Force sight - that is, seeing through the Force - to trace my path. Not only will you feel my presence, but you will comprehend it, as though you had new eyes. Tell me when you have grasped the ability."

 

[McFisticuff]

It took Krug multiple times and much frustration before he finally calmed down and told his master "I have. This is amazing, I could duel with my eyes closed!" He started trying to reach farther,he saw farther and farther things until he couldn't see farther, this resulted in a bubble of 50 feet.

OOC:50 feet isn't unrealistic is it?

 

[JM76]

{{It sounds above-average for a Padawan, imo. It would probably be as far as his Force sight could go, and only then when he's at full strength.}}

"Very good," Chester lauded the Padawan. The fact that the Zabrak was starting to reach into the Force and grasp its basic powers were good; much learning would follow.

"Now, before we continue, may I ask you to recite the Jedi Code and give an opinion on its tenants? If you do not know the code, I have a datapad here with it quoted verbatim, just in case," Chester concluded, pulling a very plain-looking datapad out of his pocket.

 

[McFisticuff]

Krug got up wearily, he suddenly felt tired from his force exertions.(That make it more realistic?) He grabbed the datapad and looked at the code.
"The code is Emotion, yet peace, Ignorance, yet knowledge, Passion, yet serenity, Chaos, yet harmony, Death, yet the force. I believe it means we may have emotions but we control them and we know a lot but we dont know everything, we keep ourselves and our environment under control, and there is no true death." Krug knew that was a jedi-like thing say. He didn't know if he believed it yet, though.

 

[JM76]

"I see. Although your answers are satisfactory, I am responsible for ensuring that they are more than just satisfactory. If you would, tell me how we control our emotions, why we can have knowledge and still know so little, how we keep ourselves under control, and why there is no death," Chester said, hoping his Padawan would expound on his answers, if only a little.

 

[McFisticuff]

"We keep our minds... rational when we feel emotions, and no one man can know everything in the universe. We keep our minds rational and keep our emotions in check, and if you say the force is everywhere, wouldn't death just make you part of it?" He hoped his answers were good enough, he felt like he needed a rest. The force could really take it out of you.

 

[JM76]

"Heh. Very good," Chester said. "I don't demand a treatise on the Jedi Code, but I'd like to know your opinion on it. After all, you will be dedicating your life, and by association, your actions, to it. How can you follow what you do not understand?"

The Jedi Master could feel his Padawan's fatigue, and glanced about, seeing the sun setting over the vast skyline of the galactic capital. Using the Force to snatch the swords they had used prior, Chester placed the weapons in two extra sheaths that he had with him.

"I think that will conclude our training for today. Meet me in the slums outside the "Rotting Nerf" hotel at 0800 hours. Until then, you are dismissed to do as you please." The Jedi Master nodded, bowed, and took his leave from the Padawan.

{{Feel free to finish up any of your character's thoughts about today, and then skip ahead to the slums.}}

 

[McFisticuff]

Krug was thankful for the rest, but didn't go straight to sleep when he got to his room. He practiced his combat skills for an hour, he still couldn't believe he had lost. With his robes were drenched in sweat, he sat down on the utilitarian bed. He fell asleep immediately.

The next morning, he went to the slums to meet his master. He got there at 0730 because he had awoken early, he wasn't used to much sleep. Krug felt at home here in the underworld. He had never stayed at the rotting nerf, but he heard about it. With his flimsy robes on, and being unarmed, he quickly became a target for some small-time thugs. There were 4 of them, 3 male and 1 female, all were human. They were dressed in cheap armor. Two of them had slug-throwers, all of them had swords.

The leader advanced, he was a human about 27 years old. "You got cash. Give it to us." Krug figured he was supposed to be intimidated. He wasn't. He said calmly "You don't want to mess with me, now leave." The leader laughed and said to his fellow thugs, "Looks like a wise guy. Get 'im!"

They rushed at him, the ones with slug-throwers pulled them out. The two that didn't, charged at him with their swords. He could tell they were amateurs. He spun below a slice and delivered a fist into his attacker's stomach. They stumbled down onto their knees. He gave a kick to the head and they were out cold. The other thugs had begun shooting; it was a good thing they weren't the best marksmen. The other sword attacker thrust his blade towards Krug's heart. Krug dodged and gave him a backhand to the face. The thugs with slug-throwers ran away while shooting blindly at him. He looked at the two thugs on the ground. He picked up their swords. He felt anger at them. He was about to stab them when he saw his master.


OOC: Don't know if you'll want to keep the stuff about the attack in there, I just got some inspiration and wrote it out.

 

[JM76]

Chester Ducere had approached the 'Rotting Nerf' at exactly 0800 hours. Dressed in rather simple attire, the Jedi Master had forgone any sort of fanciful Jedi robes (much to his dismay) and worn a rough shirt made of thick animal hide and loose trousers, perfect to run around in. He arrived shortly after the two slugthrower-wielding thugs had fled, and he watched his Padawan, feeling his anger, and waited for him to stab them. Krug did not; however, this was only because he had seen his Master. Although Chester had no way of knowing, there was a good chance that he would have carried out his attack had Chester not arrived.

The Jedi Master walked over toward his Padawan and the two thugs on the ground. Chester stooped over one of them and laid one of his gloved hands on thug's forehead. Although he objected, Chester ignored his gruff voice and allowed the Force's healing power to flow into the individual, restoring his vitality and stamina and any minor wounds Krug had inflicted. Before Chester could help the other thug, he had fled, frightened of the Jedi's mythical powers. Not long after, the other had left as well, leaving the two Jedi alone.

The Jedi Master crossed his arms and turned toward the Zabrak. "Tell me what happened here, Padawan," he said plainly. His voice betrayed no emotion - he was not angry, but he obviously was not pleased, either. He would await a response.

 

[McFisticuff]

"I was attacked, they tried to kill me." Krug replied. The adrenaline had faded and he was a little scared of what his master would do. He mustered up his courage and said "Why did you help him with the force? He was scum and he wasn't hurt bad." He said it more to be defiant than to actually express disagreement.

 

[JM76]

"Keep in mind, Padawan, that we are not hear to enact judgment or retribution on others. We inhabit this place, this capital, to protect and serve. A Jedi is ever focused, ever vigilant, and ever mindful of the Code. 'Emotion, yet peace. Passion, yet serenity.' It is clear that you do not yet understand these things," the Jedi Master said. He hated lecturing his pupil, but he felt it must be done.

He was pacing now, walking back-and-forth in front of his Padawan. "A Jedi uses the Force for the benefit of others and to defend oneself. Never to attack. Those people, though they attacked you, are only part of a larger design. Before you take the life of another, you must ask yourself: why?" Chester stressed his last word. He turned and faced Krug, crossing his arms again.

"Ask yourself why they were attacking you. Perhaps they had been misplaced, lost their homes in the Alsakan invasion of Coruscant over twenty years ago. Perhaps they had children, starving, and needing food. Perhaps they were sick, needing money for medicine. That is why I aided them.

I do not condone their actions. But I do not condone yours, either. Even if someone wrongs you, you should, nay, you do know better. I know this isn't easy. Altering your lifestyle from the gruff, merciless attitude of an enforcer to the tranquil meanderings of the Jedi is difficult. That is why I am here. That is why we are here.

Are you ready for your lesson?"

 

[McFisticuff]

"I suppose." He stated. He didn't like to be lectured, but his master's words rang true. "I am sorry, master." He gave a slight bow and said "I am ready for the lesson."

 

[JM76]

Chester nodded. "So we begin. Yesterday, if I recall, we learned basic meditation and the ability of Force sight. While useful skills in their own right, I believe we would be better off learning some powers that are applicable to lightsaber combat or standard combat."

Chester motioned for his Padawan to follow him, and the two Jedi eventually found themselves in a small sluice, a waterway that once served as a sewage tunnel of sorts. There was only one easy way out of the tunnel, and Chester was standing in front of it. He motioned for his Padawan to step inside the waterway for this lesson.

"In here you will study and practice the art of Breath Control. It is a useful and practical power to know. Should an enemy attempt to poison you, drain your compartment of oxygen, or otherwise attempt to hinder your ability to breath, then you may use this skill to save your life. Tap into the Force, feel its presence around you, and use it's vivacious power to replace your body's need for oxygen. Slow your metabolism, allow your lungs to sustain themselves on trace amounts of oxygen. Think, feel, and use this power when you are ready."

 

[McFisticuff]

Krug liked the sword lessons better but he supposed he would have to learn everything to be a jedi. He thought about an aproach to this and drew upon the force, he stayed calm and focused the flow inside him towards his lungs, he drew a breath and held it. He walked towards the waterway and started to walk inside when he lost concentration. He ran back out side and vomited on the grass.

He quickly regained his focus and kept it repeating the process. He walked into the waterway and kept walking...

OOC:I'm not sure where to go so i'll let you do that part.

 

[JM76]

The Jedi Master waited patiently as his Padawan continued to practice with the power of breath control. Although the first attempt ended in a messy pool of who-knows-what, Chester watched and waited as Krug continued to attempt the power, and noted his increasing proficiency in it.

"It seems you have learned the basics of this ability. This is good. Now to apply it practically," Chester called out.

Suddenly, the Jedi Master used telekinesis to pull apart a pipe that was bolted to the roof of the sewage area. As soon as the pipe was torn apart, a thick, purple-hued gas began to pour into the tunnels. Chester quickly stepped out of the sewage area and closed the emergency doors, securing Chester's safety outside and separating him from his Padawan.

This is nytinite gas. It is highly toxic to all carbon-based lifeforms. You must utilize breath control if you are to survive. Find your way from your current position to the only other exit, which leads to the business district. Use your instincts and the Force to guide you. Chester spoke telepathically to his Padawan.

 

[McFisticuff]

The sudden surprise of the whole situation made Krug lose his focus. He quickly regained it after a moment of panic. Calm down, Krug, you'll make it.

He walked through the sewers for half an hour, he had hit dead-ends and had had to backtrack. He had felt the gas around him and could feel that tiny amounts were seeping in. He started to feel panic but calmed himself down.


After another 15 minutes he found it and rejoiced.

 

[JM76]

Chester was waiting for him at the end of the tunnel. The surrounding area was much more lively and filled with people, so they did not stand out amongst the hustle-and-bustle of the crowd. The Jedi Master waved and greeted his Padawan.

"Congratulations. You made it out; I knew you could do it. Your proficiency in breath control is evident."

The Jedi Master paused, stepped away from the crowd of people he was standing nearby, and continued.

"A power you might find more practical is the art known as Force Valor. This ability increases your strength, skill, and reaction-time, among other things. It is primarily used in combat, or in training, when you must endure lengthy periods of duress. This is a very broad power that has many uses. It can be used to strengthen yourself mentally and make you more aware, it can be used to increase your agility and stamina, and it can temporarily empower your muscles, ligaments, and the like.

The power itself is similar to breath control in nature. Instead of focusing on the lungs and blood, however, you must extend your reach to your entire body. Focus, allow the Force to flow through your entire body, and allow yourself to be caught up in its emboldening waves. Feel it's presence, and let it invigorate you."

 

[McFisticuff]

Krug considered this and said "Ok." He drew upon the force and found that it was easier this time than earlier attempts. He felt the flow of it and directed it towards his tired muscles and ligaments, the force cradling them in its glow. He felt much better now, the walk through the sewers and the breath control technique had tired him quite a bit.

His use of the force was far from masterful and it seemed even something like breath control could wear him down. Krug took a deep breath and said "Wow, this feels great."