Shiny (Aria Dran training)

[AriaDran]

Aria was nervous. She had been told that she would meet her new Master today, and also told that all Padawans were nervous before meeting them. Still, just knowing that did little to calm her nerves. So nervous was she that she would show up at the required meeting place fifteen minutes early, only to discover that in her anxiousness she had left her lightsaber in her room. Checking the clock, she figured she would probably have just enough time to make it to her room and back here if she ran. With that thought, it was certainly time to get a move on!

 

[Sreeya]

"You will not be needing your lightsaber today."

The voice was warm, yet boasted a hint of authority. The owner of the voice made her appearance shortly after. The Grandmaster of the Order was a tall, imposing woman, her skin black as charcoal and hair silvery white to contrast her dark complexion. She had a permanently astute gaze upon her eyes, which were an odd amethyst color. Talzea motioned for Aria to return to the training room.

It had been quite some time since Talzea had trained a padawan, having been caught up with her duties as the new head of the Order. She knew that training new padawans was one of the most important things on her list of priorities. As soon as she had the chance, she had returned to the temples to pick up a padawan to train. She turned to the young woman, smiling as she noted how nervous she was.

"I am Talzea Keldroma. I will be training you in the ways of the Jedi. Now, can you tell me a little bit about yourself?"

 

[AriaDran]

Aria froze as she heard a voice call out to her from within the room, a voice that seemed to have known what she had been thinking. She turned towards the voice, then would walk forward as she was beckoned into the training room. She stared at her new master, taking in her features and those odd eyes, and couldn't help but feel that she was familiar for some reason. The name hit her like a slap in the face. Talzea Keldroma? She was being trained by the Grandmaster of the Order, the greatest Jedi of the age? Her jaw dropped open, then she quickly regained her composure - or tried, anyways. Was she supposed to introduce herself or bow or kneel? She hesitated for a moment, then quickly decided on a respectful bow. Straightening up, she would keep her head tilted and eyes on the ground as she spoke. "I-I am Padawan Aria Dran." she said softly, berating herself for the falter in her voice. She cleared her throat quietly before continueing, her voice growing a bit stronger. "I was born on Coruscant, I don't know who my father is and um... and I like spicy foods..." she trailed off, not sure what else to say.

 

[Sreeya]

"Ah, yes, spicy foods are quite delicious."

Talzea smiled warmly at the comment, assuring Aria that she had no reason to be nervous around her. The Danthiri walked to the middle of the training room, sitting down on the floor. She beckoned for Aria to sit down across from her.

"First things first. I'd like you to tell me what you think the Force is and now you view it."

Her approach to training was not too different from other masters. However, she also liked to get more background information on her pupils. Talzea's ultimate goal was to remove the notion that this training would be more challenging simply because Aria was being trained by the Grandmaster herself. Part of being a good leader was being able to relate well to the students, a fact that Talzea prized above all else.

 

[AriaDran]

Aria smiled down at the floor as the Grandmaster agreed with her - it was enough to coax her into actually looking up at the woman. She quickly crossed the room, moving to sit across from Talzea and doing her best to copy the way she was sitting. She would sit silently for a few moments as she thought about the question, composing her thoughts before answering.

"Well, I guess I think it is an omnipresent presence that guides us through life and lends us its power. I.. well, I like to think of it as a friend instead of a tool, though our conversatns are fairly one sided..."

She looked towards the ground again, afraid that her answer would be perceived as stupid or naive.

 

[Sreeya]

"Very good. The dark side seeks to manipulate it to their own means. If you see it as a friend, it will guide you down the path of light and always aid in your endeavors instead of you forcing it to do your bidding."

Talzea opened up a bag and released numerous blocks onto the ground. This wouldn't be the extent of their training, but she wanted to demonstrate the use of the Force in a practical display. She looked up at Aria.

"The Force is everywhere. It's all around us, in every nook and cranny and it exists right alongside of us. It accompanies even those that do not know of its existence. We are gifted individuals in that we are granted a greater measure of sight to be able to understand such a strange phenomena."

As she spoke, the blocks rose from the ground, serenely hovering around the both of them. None of them twitched even the slightest, all floating in perfect harmony as if tied on a long string. Talzea kept her focus on Aria, so the blocks appeared to be moving entirely of their own accord.

"Part of becoming a Jedi is, like you said, seeing the Force as a friend. Right now, I'm asking my friend to help move these blocks around. And from the looks of it, I'd say he's doing a pretty good job."

She smiled, her demeanor just as casual. Talzea was never overly serious when the situation did not call for it. She would be on the same wavelength as Aria, making it easier for her to open up.

 

[AriaDran]

Aria looked back up at Talzea, surprised that the Grandmaster had agreed with her. She was really starting to like her new mentor. Her eyes moved to the blocks as they were dumped out on the floor, and she would lean forward to study them closer. She looked back to Talzea as she started to speak again, eyes remaining on her until the blocks floated up to hover in the air aorund them. Her eyes were wide, a look of child-like wonder in them as they followed the movement of the blocks.

"You two must be great friends." She spoke softly, her eyes finally tearing from the blocks to look back at Talzea, the wonder still in them though. "Does it talk to you as well?"

 

[Sreeya]

Talzea sighed.

"Not as often as I'd like. The Force works mysteriously. Sometimes it wants to reveal to me many things, yet when I ask, it remains silent."

She playfully caused one of the blocks to gently nudge against Aria's head before flying back towards her and falling to the ground. Talzea gathered all the blocks into one pile before looking up at her padawan again. She abruptly rose to her feet.

"We shall continue this outside. As your first test, I want you to close your eyes and give yourself to the Force. I want you to lead me out of this room, outside of this temple, to where you feel the Force beckon to you the most. This is different for each individual. However, you will keep your eyes closed the whole time. No peeking! Trust in the Force. I will be right beside you, so you do not have to worry about injuring yourself. Can you do this?"

 

[AriaDran]

Aria let out a girlish giggle as the block touched her forhead, her eyes then drawn up to Talzea as she was spoken to. She listened intently, then would move to stand herself.

"I will, well, I mean, I'll do my best."

She had a bit of trouble getting the words out, a nervous smile on her face as she closed her eyes. She spent a few minutes concentrating on the force and asking it to guide her out of the temple to someplace special, her lips moving along with the words in her head though no actual sound came out. Turning, she would manage to make it out the door and down the hallway - the force guided her into making the right turn, then another. She grew more confident with each step that didn't end with her forehead hitting a wall, that confidence in herself making her stop asking the force for guidance, then make a turn where there wasn't one. She would walk right into the wall unless stopped.

 

[Sreeya]

OOC: Sorry about the delays. I'm in like 98728974 rps right now lol

Talzea closely followed Aria, her light steps inaudible. Though there was no need for it, she always walked silently, each step precise and measured. Her reflexes were that of a cat's though her demeanor was always one of grandeur. The Grandmaster watched quietly as she made progress, confidently leading the way. She noted that her padawan was getting slightly hasty, her connection to the Force waning rapidly. Talzea could only smile, watching her head right for a wall. Before the full on collision, she applied a gentle pull on Aria, a tug away from her set course of action so she would hit the wall, but only slightly. It would be a small reminder not to get so caught up in confidence again.

"Patience, padawan. You can't get ahead of yourself. The Force is like an ocean...sometimes it has tumultuous waves that you can't control, and sometimes it is calm and gentle to where you can cut right through it. In order to tame it, you must keep pace with it and gently exert control and don't get lost in the process."

She motioned for Aria to continue her journey.

"Remember. Eyes closed. This time let's focus and let the Force do the guiding."

 

[AriaDran]

OOC: It's not a problem, I completely understand ^^.

Aria breathed out slowly after her light bump into the wall, glad that hew Master had softened it for her. It still served as a good reminder to heed Talzea's words, which she listened to with an embarassed blush on her face. She took a deep breath as they ended and concentrated on the force again, this time viewing it as the ocean it had been described to her as.

She started walking again, her steps careully slow and measured; she wouldn't make the same mistake twice, and now asked the force to guide each step. Her slowed steps took longer then her hasty ones before, but with each one she was brought closer to the entrance to the temple and through its doors.

She paused outside, the fresh air telling her that the first leg of the journey was through, and she couldn't help but smile, finding it hard to resist opening her eyes. She took a deep breath, putting thoughts of accomplishment out of her head, and concentrated on the force again. Her steps still slow and measured, they would lead into the forest, eventually leading to a quiet clearing with a small river running through it. She came to a stop a few feet short of the river itself, her hands folded over her heart as she felt the force like she never had before, speaking in a quiet voice full of reverence. "Here."

 

[Sreeya]

"Very good."

Talzea gazed around them, breathing in the fresh air of Alderaan. The sounds of the river were soothing to the ears and the chirping of birds only added to the atmosphere. She was about to speak, but a gentle nudge in the Force caused her to look up. There was a wounded deer laying on the edge of the river. Talzea bade for Aria to follow. The deer had a wound on its leg, preventing it from standing. It began to pull away as Talzea approached, but she exuded an aura of warmth, causing the deer to stop moving. She turned to the padawan.

"A sad sight indeed. However, it may be a good opportunity to apply use of the Force. You see, the Force can be destructive and it can be protective. A certain method of commanding the Force can even allow you to heal. Here."

She motioned for her to crouch down beside her. The deer trembled slightly in fear. Talzea turned to Aria and gently grasped her hand, guiding it towards the wound, but not touching it.

"Close your eyes and tap into the Force once again. I will aid you because this is the first time you are performing this. Bid the wound to heal and extract the pain away. This will require your full focus and you must clear your mind beforehand. Give it a shot."

 

[AriaDran]

Aria gasped as she saw the wounded deer, following as quietly as she could along beside her Master. She had to concentrate to resist letting out an audible 'Aww' for the poor thing. She listened intently, her eyes going wide with wonder. She had heard stories of the Force being used to heal, but had never seen it firsthand.

She crouched down quickly - she had never actually been this close to a deer, and wondered how it was that the deer wasn't afraid of them. She looked to Talzea, guessing that it was her doing, then back at the deer as her hand was guided towards the wounded leg.

She closed her eyes as she was bade and started clearing her thoughts of everything but the wounded leg. She steadied out her breathing, slowed it down and concentrated on the wound itself then, and thinking of her Master's words she asked the Force to heal the wound, to make it close and take the pain away. She felt the Force flow through her and into the wound itself, though even with all her concentration, some self-doubt crept in - she didn't think she was strong enough to heal it entirely on her own.

 

[Sreeya]

Talzea said nothing as Aria focused. Even words of encouragement would break the thin thread of Force that tied her to the healing. The Grandmaster watched quietly, finding an opening in the Force to tap into it and aid the padawan's efforts. She allowed only small tendrils of energy to flow into the actions, joining the intangible wave that connected Aria to the deer. Within seconds, the wound began to heal. The deer jerked about, realizing that the pain was being alleviated. Talzea put a hand on the deer, the creature easing back instantly.

Within moments, the wound was completely healed. Talzea lightly tapped Aria on the shoulder to allow her to witness the fruits of her labor. The small deer pushed itself up on the leg, blinking up at the two of them. A second later, it turned and dashed back into the forest, an extra spring in its step. Talzea chuckled quietly, glancing back at Aria.

"I'm sure that's his way of saying thank you."

She rose to stand, looking out over the river again.

"Healing is one of the more difficult tricks to master, though it's vastly important, as you've most likely gathered. You'll get it in no time. I hardly had to help you."

Talzea walked to the edge of the river, glancing down at her ebony reflection.

"The Force can accompany you in any task you seek. All you have to do is ask, and not command."

Without further words, the Danthiri leaped into the air. She flew high up, clear across the river and landing on her feet on the other side. The Grandmaster had made it appear as one effortless, seamless motion that required no energy. Talzea patiently waited for Aria to attempt the same thing.

"Don't worry, I'll catch you if you start to fall."

 

[AriaDran]

Aria held her breath as she felt the force flow through her, stronger then she had ever felt it before - she was sure it was due to the Grandmaster helping her heal the deer. Her eyes blinked open as her shoulder was tapped and she let out a soft giggle, watching the deer dash away. She wondered if Talzea was under exaggerating how much help she had been given, though.

She turned and followed as her Master moved towards the river, still listening intently - every word of wisdom that came from the Grandmaster she treated as a precious pearl. Not everyone got to train under the Grandmaster, and she wasn't about to let the opportunity go to waste. She looked towards the river, then quickly back to Talzea with wide eyes as she jumped over the river effortlessly. She looked back to the river, trying to gauge how far across it was.

"I will try, Master."

She spoke quietly, voice full of doubt in her own abilities, but she took a small step back and closed her eyes. She concentrated on the force again, asking it to help her not make a fool out of herself, as she wasn't sure what to specifcally ask for, then started moving. She took two quick steps to get a running start and leaped. She went much farther then she normally would have gone, but still wouldn't quite make it to the other side.

 

[Raif]

Owyn Deak sighed as he dropped his rucksack and looked around at his new quarters. They were almost identical to what he had been living in for years – modest, clean, no personal touches or splashes of color – except for one major difference; these living quarters were on Alderaan, not Ossus.

“Well, Tikk, here we go again…”

Owyn spoke to the small primate sitting on his shoulder, whose fur was currently shifting from bright green, to dull yellow, to black – a clear sign of uneasiness. The small creature had been a friend and companion of Owyn’s for years, and though the shift from Ossus to Alderaan had been overwhelming for Tikk, the thought of not accompanying Owyn to his new home was inconceivable.

Walking across the small room, Owyn sat on the bed and breathed out heavily as his mind raced, recounting the events of the last several days:

He had been on a small freighter with his former Master, training and heading out for a grand adventure. Then, Master Shingen had suffered a sudden and overwhelming break-down of some kind. With his Master thus out of commission, the young padawan (with no real flight training to speak of) had been forced to drop their freighter from hyperspace and return to the Jedi Temple. Once they had landed at Ossus, Owyn had quickly been informed that his Master had suffered an emotional break of some kind, and that Owyn had been reassigned to be the Padawan of a new Jedi; he had twenty-four hours to pack his things and be ready to move to Alderaan.

The move had been sudden and difficult for Owyn to understand. He had been training with his Master for months, and the two of them had finally begun to grow close. However, the young man was not blind and had his suspicions as to the cause of Shingen's issuess. Owyn was training to be a Jedi, though, and Jedi were obedient and more-than-capable of adapting to a changing situation, so he followed the orders given to him no matter how much he personally disliked them. His personal belongings were few, so he didn’t need long to gather them up; he spent the rest of his time in the archives, downloading files onto his datapad. There were several force powers that his former master had mentioned to him, and Owyn wanted to do as much research as possible in the hopes of continuing his studies with his new master.

And now here Owyn was, on Alderaan, and he was exhausted. He was told upon landing that he wouldn’t be told his new Master until the morning, so he gratefully laid back and was almost immediately asleep.

~~~~~

Owyn was awoken the next morning by a knock on the door to his quarters. An initiate stood there with a message for him. Thanking the young boy, Owyn read the note…and almost swallowed his tongue at what the words told him. Tikk, sensing Owyn’s surprise, bared his small fangs and hissed before bounding up to his usual spot on the padawan’s shoulder.

Talzea Kel Droma was to be his new master? As in, Jedi Grand Master Talzea Kel Droma, one of the most powerful known force-users in the galaxy?

Owyn’s mind was blank as he went to meet his new master. The nervousness he had felt before meeting his original master was nothing compared to what he was feeling now. However, then he did not have nearly the connection with the Force that he had now. Pausing for a moment, Owyn allowed himself to open up to the Force and felt the cool embrace calm and reassure him like the embrace of an old friend. Thus fortified, Owyn continued on his way.

The directions he had been given to find Master Kel Droma were to head to the forest and find the most powerful Force signature he could sense. Once among the foliage, Owyn reached out with the Force and immediately felt what he assumed was his new Master; her presence in the Force blazed the sun among the blackness of space.

Finally getting to the clearing with the stream, Owyn saw a woman…and then another woman. He had not been expecting Master Kel Droma to already have a student, but Owyn wasn’t going to just stand there like a lost child.

Coughing lightly while simultaneously reaching out with a gentle force-nudge towards the Grand Master, Owyn waited until he had her attention before bowing deeply.

“Grand Master Kel Droma, I am Owyn Deak. I was told I was to be your new padawan.”

A hiss by his ear reminded Owyn that he had once again forgotten to introduce Tikk. Blushing slightly, Owyn hurried to rectify his mistake.

“And this is Tikk, my…companion, I guess you could say. We are at your service, ma’am.”

 

[Sreeya]

Talzea patiently watched as her padawan began a running start. The young girl almost made it..almost! But alas, she began to tumble towards the river. The Grandmaster did not move a muscle, her Force energy projecting out in intangible waves that entwined around the padawan, catching her in mid air. With a quick jerk, Aria was pulled towards land, gently eased onto the ground. The action looked effortless, but one that demanded precise control over every aspect of the Force. Talzea smiled warmly at Aria.

“That was a very good first try.”

She was about to continue when another presence distracted her temporarily. Talzea turned to find a young man walking towards her, along with a curious monkey. The tall Danthiri nodded in response to the padawan’s words.

“The more the merrier.”

She motioned for Aria to come forth.

“Owyn, this is Aria. Aria, this is Owyn. It appears that you are both to be my padawans. Owyn, I understand that you have had some training already?”

 

[AriaDran]

Aria landed gently, then bowed her head at the praise - she had failed, she was fairly sure.

"Thank you for helping me across, Master."

She looked back up as someone else started talking - a man's voice - and would move over to stand close to the two as the newcomer introduced himself. She let her eyes wander over him for a moment, noticing that he looked to be in good shape, but her eyes quickly caught on the animal. Tikk, he had called it, and she wondered if that was the name of this specific animal or its species as a whole.

She looked back to Owyn's face as they were introduced and smiled warmly, then favored him with a small curtesy.

"Nice to meet you, Owyn."

She spoke softly, then fell quiet again as the Grandmaster spoke to him again. He had already been trained? She couldn't help but wonder why he had been transferred to Talzea - not that she minded training with another, she just hoped it wasn't because his old Master had been injured or killed.

 

[Raif]

((OOC: Per Stevo/Shingen's suggestion, I edited the details on my separation from my former master a bit. Hope nobody minds.))

"It is an honor to meet you, Grand Master. And you, Aria..."

Owyn hesitated momentarily as he took in his fellow padawan. He had hardly any experience at all with the "fairer sex," and now here he was being taught by and learning alongside of two women. Not only that, but Aria was a beautiful petite young woman around his own age, whose pretty smile and curtsy made Owyn blush magnificently.

Next to him, Tikk's fur flashed pink and the small primate chitterred out his version of laughter at his friend's embarrassment. Quickly trying - and failing, most likely - to change the subject, the young man turned back to Grand Master KelDroma.

"Uh...what, uh, yes! Yes, I do have some training, ma'am. As I'm sure you're aware, I was assigned as the student of Knight Shingen Ujio until his recent...issues, led to my reassignment here. He and I had covered most all of the 'basics,' and were traveling to study more advanced aspects of the Force."

 

[Sreeya]

Talzea noticed the abrupt change in demeanor as Owyn noticed her female padawan. Being over eighty years old, this was something she found amusing, though chose not to highlight on it. She pondered his words carefully, turning to Aria. At last, she decided that having two padawans cooperate would make things progress much faster. Talzea turned back to Owyn.

“Because you are further in your training than Aria, I would like you to go over the Jedi tenets and code. Ultimately everyone has their own interpretation of it, and I’m sure Aria will understand it differently than you. However, this will give her a chance to be up to speed.”

His timing had proven to be advantageous, as Talzea had planned on going over the tenets once Aria jumped across the river. The young girl had determination, which was always a prized quality among padawans. She knew they would both make great Jedi Knights. Talzea stepped back, allowing Owyn to take up the role of teacher.

“I will be here. I want to cover combat training shortly after the tenets are taught.”