Welcome, (Un)welcome! (Skyla's advanced training)

[Garuga]

The weather was perfect. In the courtyard of the Shade Order enclave on Thyferra, members of the shade order were sparring, or engaging in everyday chit-chat. Which was why it was astoundingly odd why a girl would be sitting by herself on a bench, close enough to observe everyone else's activity, but far enough away to distinctively distance herself from the others. Skyla Shimagura, aged 21, sat by herself on the bench, her large dark eyes scanning the faces present. Even sitting down, it can be noted that she was very petite, standing barely above 5 foot. Her jet-black hair, with various purple streaks and highlights covered some of her face, as she awaited for someone's arrival. Someone indeed. Having left the Jedi Order when she was a knight, she had been just recently recruited by the Shade Master into the order.

Though it was not neccesary, as Skyla had previously undergone her Jedi training completely, she had been recommended by the Shade master to undertake training with a Council member whose name she didn't know. The shade master had told Skyla that it would help her understand the Shade order better, and reaffirm her knowledge further. Skyla wasn't dressed as an ex-Jedi or a Shade Knight, she looked every bit the spacer. Light arm and legging armour, and red exploration clothing. Her headset was rested against the groove of her neck, currently not being used. What was most distinct was her neck brace, which contained a glowing orange beacon and HUD. The only thing that identified her as being a force-user were the two lightsabers clipped to her belt. A standard hilt, and a shoto.

Skyla felt that the members of the Shade Order were nice enough, but her own confusion at the situation along with her speech impediment meant that she couldn't talk with the others effectively. Perhaps this training will help me get my bearings right...

 

[T.J]

" It'll do more than that young miss. "

A seemingly harmless old man said as he stood from a sitting position from a not far off bench. Walking with a slow pace over to Skyla, the aged man took a seat at the same bench as the young woman. As he sat down, Sol Kavos removed the hood of his grey robes, revealing a face worn by time but with eyes revealing a hidden youthfulness. Sol had listened to the unguarded thoughts of the young woman, and had responded audibly. The true strength of his connection to the force was masked, brought on by a habit due to Sol's traveling days in his youth. If anything he would appear much weaker than his new pupil, though that couldnt have been further from the truth.

" I can tell you've been trained before miss. I assume the jedi, you haven't nearly enough hate in your heart to have been apart of the jedi's darker counterparts.... "

Drifting off as if having suddenly remembered something, Sol was quiet for several seconds before speaking again. This time however the topic was different from what he was originally talking about.

" Waiting for someone? "

 

[Garuga]

Turning around, Skyla stared intently into the old man's eyes. He interpreted her thoughts, and she understood what that meant. No doubt, this was one who was immensely in tune with the force. She opened her mouth, though initially only a death-croak like sound could be heard. This normally happened when she hadn't made any sound for a while, and the result normally startled people. Skyla had a serious speech impediment caused by childhood injuries, and it hurt her to speak, though it had improved somewhat with her aging and advancement in the force.

"You are correct..." Skyla said softly to Sol Kavos. "Though... I suspect you hardly required affirmation on your part."

Her speech had pauses in them, but Skyla was trying her hardest to finish the sentences. She looked at Sol in his grey robes, and guessed that he was likely to be the master who she was waiting for. Skyla took a deep breathe, and closed her eyes, conserving enough energy to finish a sentence.

"Waiting." Skyla said curtly, though she sounded like she was saying it herself instead of Sol who was beside her. "We all wait, just as I was waiting for you, you too are waiting for me."

Her dark eyes scanned the man's face intently, looking for a reaction. She did this not out of rude manners, but purely through her own peculiar way of thought.

 

[T.J]

" Clever. "

As Sol spoke he let his force prowess reveal itself, though not entirely. It didnt take a genius to see it pained Skyla to speak, the sound she made right before doing and the discomfort Sol could feel was more than apparent. So Sol quickly thought of a way for them to communicate without it troubling his new pupil. His first words with her was his inspiration.

" Please... It troubles you to speak does it not? Instead converse with your thoughts, you need only think what you mean to say. I will respond in kind... "

Sol would wait for a response before continuing. There was no use in trying to teach someone if they were preoccupied with something or were in discomfort. The Shade master had seen it time and time again, and he would try and make Skyla as comfortable as possible. After all, using the force required concentration pain tended to deny.

 

[Garuga]

Skyla raised her right hand, making the gesture to symbolise that she was fine. "For now it is fine, though thank you for the kind gesture." Skyla said. She knew that this was an obstacle that she would have to meet head on if she ever wanted to be rid of it. "Though I will resort to it if the circumstance asks for it." Skyla said quietly. For a 'practice', she sent a telepathic message to Sol. If that is fine, of course. Skyla thought. She looked at the shade knights sparring in the courtyard for a moment, and turned back towards Sol.

"Where are my manners. My name is Skyla, the authenticy of my last name is doubtful, so just Skyla is fine." She said, coughing. Knowing that it was likely the time for the telepathic method of communication once again, using the force, she sent another message with her mind. Thank you for taking the time to ease my entrance into the order, I trust that I made the right decision.

Skyla was still hazy on the last bit. She would seek to prove herself before making a final decision. Still, she was looking forward to the training, a oddity given her normal passion being purely exploring space.

 

[T.J]

" Sol Kavos. Know now that I dont and have never expected my pupils to call me by any other name. My birth name has done just fine over the years, and will prove adequate for this purpose as well. "

As he spoke, Sol stood to his full height, no longer playing the part of a frail old man. Though his body looked the part, the force had been kind to him in such respects. The shade master was still more than capable of sparring with the younger members of the order, whether it be with his saber or his force abilities. Turning to face Skyla as she still sat, Sol again spoke.

" You'll have to excuse my earlier attempt to fool you Skyla... Over the years I have grown fond of a certain type of acting you see... People always tend to act differently when you approach them just so, and it fascinates me to see how each person will react. I tell you this... Because it will be apart of your first lesson. "

Pausing for a few seconds to add a bit of dramatic feel to the conversation, Sol flipped the hood of his robe back over his head before continuing.

" Concealment is key to force users in this day and age you see... Some Jedi might tell you that hiding ones true self is a form of deception, and therefore one of the many paths to the darkside. I myself say that many of the paths they claim lead people astray are merely stepping stones to true understanding of the force. One must see all aspects of something to truly understand it no? "

 

[Garuga]

Skyla smiled briefly, a rare sight indeed. "You speak to one who has no understanding of the 'nature' of the force. This is fortunate, and unfortunate." She said, in regards to understanding the force. Skyla stood up, and her petite height and figure was accentuated. You see, I learned the applications of the force taught to me by the Jedi, though I never took in what it meant. You must excuse my mind for this, for I am no slack student. It's just that I never felt the supposed 'warmth' that the force brings to one. Nevertheless presumably this means that I have no knowledge of this 'dark side'. This is unfortunate as it means that I have little experience in these such matters, but it is also advantageous as I am what you call a blank slate. Skyla communicated through the force for this message, knowing that she couldn't handle saying it all.

She raised her right hand, two similarly sized pebbles levitated into the air, spinning in a spiraling formation. "I see no restrictions to my learning of the force. Anything that you may wish to teach me is acceptable." She said in her real voice. Skyla closed her eyes, and the pebbles dropped to the ground, lifeless once again.

 

[T.J]

" A blank slate you say? "

Sol said as he scratched the grey stubble on his chin in thought. He thought it odd that someone who looked as if they had so much potential in the force would have such a small understanding of it. Apparently the Jedi teachings had become lacking since his time amongst their order.

" I wouldn't call it, warmth... I think of the force as more of a unifier. No matter what back round one has, or even what species they are, the force creates something we all have in common. It ebbs and flows through every living thing... "

Pausing as he picked the two pebbles from the ground with the force, Sol made the small objects circle around one another in between himself and Skyla as he continued to speak.

" That fact brings me to my previous statement. One must see all sides of the picture in order to truly understand it. The Jedi would have you believe that only their side is correct. Unbeknownst to them however, it only scratches the surface. "

With his last words, the twin pebbles started spinning continuously faster while simultaneously getting closer and closer together. All the while the stone they were made up heated up until both were white hot until finally the two collided mid air. The collision made both pebbles vaporize nearly entirely, leaving only a small puff of smoke behind.

" The force may infact be a unifier, but it can also be a destroyer. There is a fine line to walk if you wish to know it as a whole, ruin can come quite easily if the gift is squandered.... I must ask though, what do you want to learn of the most? I can start wherever you like. "

 

[Garuga]

"Considering what you have told me about the Jedi's ways, even the best of them are 'blank slates' considering their personal restrictions." Skyla said, considering what Sol told her. She watched the pebbles spin with a passive expression while listening to Sol's words. When Sol finished speaking, she gazed up and stared him in the eye. "Unifier, destroyer." Skyla said, pausing for effect. What better introduction than to introduce me to the 'other' side. She communicated telepathically. Teach me about this dark side, what it holds, what it can achieve.

She stepped away a few steps, her metallic boots crunching against the rocks and pebbles underneath. Skyla turned around, the intense glare returning to her eyes. "Don't worry excessively over a possible 'fall', I trust that I was guided here for a reason other than to lose myself." She said, anticipation rising within her. This is new... She mused to herself, not particularly caring whether Sol could 'hear' her or not.

Skyla knew that she had been guided to the Shade Order by the force, that much was clear. She was to learn both paths, and to tread the ever fine line. Only then, would her abilities be fully released. Skyla walked back to Sol, her eyes probing for a reponse.

 

[T.J]

" Very well... But I must warn you... The force doesnt necessarily lead people to where they need to go, its always more of a suggestion. In a sense, it can be quite fickle in that respect. What one might think if a path to understanding and peace, can actually lead them to one of strife and ruin. All the force does is nudge us in the general direction, what we make of it decides the outcome. "

As Sol spoke his hands returned to their places inside the sleeves of his robes, turning on the ball of his foot to face away from Skyla, the Shade master briefly looked over his shoulder and spoke-

" Follow me. The courtyard is no place for me to teach you advanced force techniques. "

- and then promptly started walking towards the exit of the courtyard. He kept a brisk but easily catch up-able speed, no longer sporting the hobble of an old man. His destination was out of the enclave and deep within the forest, where he could teach in solitude, and prevent any property destruction if his pupil's force training went astray.

Once outside the main gate's of the Shade enclave, Sol turned and waited for his companion to join him before speaking.

 

[Garuga]

Skyla nodded, having felt that nudge on Manaan. The force had lead her to the Shade Order, but she does was still dependent on herself.

And so it begins... Skyla thought to herself as she followed her new master out of the Shade enclave. Or rather, the training began the moment I set foot on Thyferra. Skyla noted that Sol had dropped his pretence of being a frail old man, she would take that lesson of concealment to heart thoroughly.

They appeared to be headed out into jungles, a decision Skyla agreed with. After all, she hadn't visited the wilds on this planet yet, and what better way to experience it than this. Skyla wondered what it will be like, but she supposed that it should be fairly different to the Jedi training, though to be fair she couldn't remember the details particularly well.

Once Sol came to a stop, Skyla stepped next to him, and awaited for him to speak. She noted the quick change in terrain, already the jungle around them was more wild.

What sentient and non-sentient species dwell on Thyferra? Skyla asked telepathically.

 

[T.J]

" None really worth mentioning.... The Vratix are the main sentient species native to Thyferra, but they pretty much leave us to our own devices. They're a little... buggy... So to speak, but otherwise harmless. Why do you ask? Worried we'll run into something big and toothy? "

Sol allowed himself a smirk and a light chuckle at his last remark, in his younger days he had been known for his terrible jokes, although much of that had been slowly weened out of him.

" Its not like we're going too far out into the forest, I just didnt want something to accidentally blow up in the enclave.... I assume you know how to increase your running speed with the force? If not it might take us some time to get where I plan on going. "

 

[Garuga]

Skyla failed to recognise the attempt at humour, and turned to face Sol nonchalantly. "No." She said in monotone, replying with one word. She stared at him and gave him a small smile, puzzled over why the man was laughing. "I was taught that skill." Skyla responded. "I should be adequately skilled."

She looked around the jungle wide-eyed, her dark eyes unblinking. Odd planet. Skyla thought briefly. "I am ready." She said, turning around to face Sol once again.

The force gathered around Skyla, and she was ready to sprint at a moment's notice. Seeing as the order established their enclave right within the jungle I highly doubt anything here would prove to be a threat anyway. She said telepathically, regarding to the local species.

Her face turned back towards the jungle, Skyla wondering where they could be headed. These people were much more 'interesting' than the Jedi she had to admit, a welcome change.

 

[T.J]

((Sorry bout the wait, RL stuff keeps coming up.))

" Excellent! That makes this trip much easier. If you'd please... follow me... "

At the end of Sol's sentence, he exploded into motion one would think impossible for someone his age, using the force to augment his limbs to increase his speed exponentially. As he bounded off into the jungle, the Shade master's thoughts drifted to his own training. It had begun remarkably similar to Skyla's, though he was sure her's would be a little more force using intensive. Back then Sol had a very minor understanding of the force, definitely different from the present for sure.

Bounding over branch and stone alike, Sol began to slow gradually over time as he neared his destination. Though the force had indeed granted him youth beyond his years, using it constantly drained said vitality much faster than his younger counterparts.

Finally, Sol reached the small break in the underbrush he was looking for. Pushing several low hanging branches aside, the aging force user revealed a circle of open ground, strewn about with a wide assortment of rocks varying in size from small pebbles to large boulders. Finding one with a flatter top than the others, Sol took a seat and sighed deeply as he attempted to catch his breath. The spot had some significance to the Shade master, as it was also the place where his training had taken place.

 

[Garuga]

((hehe, no problem. I've been real busy too))

The moment Sol began the force-aided run, Skyla followed in suit. The force flowed around her body, improving her already excellent athleticism. She was not particularly surprised that Sol could manage the feat, given his rank within the Shade Order. Nevertheless, Skyla still had to admit that the man possessed great force capabilities despite his age that she had rarely seen amongst the Jedi. And while Skyla wasn't sure what was exactly sure what was meant by humour or enjoying someone's company, Sol's attitude so far was the right kind for guiding Skyla through this process.

Skyla leaped across the natural hurdles formed by trees and boulders, her grey eyes holding a small glint normally not present in her vacant stare. Her metallic boots thumped into the ground in rapid rhythm, though with her natural light weight, the indentions were very small, barely visible. Eventually, Sol, who was a few meters in front of her, began to slow down, and Skyla did likewise.

When they finally reached Sol's intended destination, Skyla came to a stop. She looked down at her clothing, and saw a few scattered rips in her spacer-clothing. Skyla hardly cared, clothing was probably one of the least interesting things to her. She reached behind her glowing neck brace to check if her headphones were still there. Yes... She thought, feeling the familiar shape.

Skyla walked forward, standing a few meters away from where Sol sat. She was puffing slightly, but not significant enough to be clearly audible. Skyla stood patiently, her eyes scanning the clearing.

 

[T.J]

" I'm glad you didnt get lost in the underbrush miss Shimagura, where you now stand is the very place I myself was trained, as well as many others before and after me, though it appears that this glen had not been used in quite some time. It is also the spot where I taught my first padawan... I remember it quite fondly, however I have not heard nor seen from him in quite some time... "

Sol's last words were somewhat somber, though his mood quickly recovered and he continued to speak.

" This planet was chosen to shelter the Shade Order's main enclave due to its deep connections to the force. Everything around us is connected, intertwined in more ways than one person can begin to imagine. The animals.... trees, and even the planet itself are made to be in common by said connection. This fact is what allows us to feel the life force of living things, and to heal where necessary.... But.... it can also be used to to tear apart and destroy the very same things others may wish to protect. The connections that also occur naturally can also be used to drain the very life force from living creatures. Like so.... "

Not far off to the left of the rock Sol sat perched on, a young sapling stood isolated from the tree line. Extending an open hand to the small plant, the Shade master focused his energies into the plant before quickly pulling them back. The act didnt just bring Sol's energies back, but the saplings life force as well. As its life energies left its body, the small plant quickly dried and wilted. With the last of its dead leaves falling off, the sapling was reduced to nothing more than a dead piece of wood. Sol's technique wasnt the most effective way of using fore drain, but it had been a self taught ability during his several decade long self imposed exile.

" This ability can be used on anything that shares a connection with the force... including people. Questions? "

 

[Garuga]

Skyla listened to Sol silently. She was unable to detect the Shade Master's emotions during his talk, though she did sense a flutter. She watched his demonstrations with interest, watching the leaves dieing intently without blinking. When Sol's demonstration had finished, Skyla walked up to the Shade Master, his explanation of the force embedding themselves into her mind deeply. The force power Sol had demonstrated was intriguing. A healer, a destroyer... Skyla thought telepathically to Sol. I take it this is a part of what you meant...

She walked a few steps away from the Shade Master, thinking about what it could be like utilizing the force drain on another living sentient... Skyla strolled over to a young sapling, similar to the one that Sol had demonstrated on. Though the plant was still very short, it was still around two thirds of Skyla's stature. It's shoots were the typical green of the Flora found on Thyferra. Skyla closed her eyes, allowing herself to be immersed within the force. She replayed the Shade Master's words, feeling the link between herself and the young plant clearly.

"A destroyer for the first time..." Skyla spoke aloud, her words should be barely audible to Sol. Raising a hand slowly, Skyla directed her attention towards the link between her and the plant. Bring it's energies within myself? She thought to herself. Skyla wasn't too sure how it would work, but the Shade Master's actions had been fluid and 'natural' despite the amazing feat.

Skyla pointed her right hand at the plant, forcing her will over the link in between them. A purple streak appeared between them, representative of the plant's lifeforce flowing away from it and into Skyla's body. The plant witted away and the once healthy green turned into a dull dead brown. The sensation was new to Skyla, the powerful force power's use being the first step of her training.

Skyla turned around to face the Shade Master, her face remaining passive. "On anything?" She asked quietly. "Is the energy that I gain permanent?"

 

[T.J]

" Yes. It will work on anyone that shares a connection with the force. Considering there hasn't been many beings that Ive seen that can live without said connection, I think its safe to say it will work on the majority. "

Sol paused at Skyla's second question. It was one he hadn't really heard before, more were content on simply having the power instead of trying to understand it. It was refreshing, seeing a student willing to understand the powers taught to them instead of simply wishing to use them.


" That... I do not know. I first learned this ability in my time away from the order. Solitude and deep meditation revealed it to me, I was never actually taught it per say. With the limited knowledge I have on the subject however... I would have to say yes. I myself rarely use the power, so I have not done any extensive testing... Is there anything specific you wish to learn? Or should I continue going through the more basic line-up? "

 

[Garuga]

Interesting. Skyla thought earnestly to herself. A power that drains the other being's life force while rejuvenating herself. She nodded at Sol's answer, knowing that it meant if she used and explored the power's use more, she would come to understand it better herself. Learning and utilising the power was fairly tiring, exhausting her more than the run. Skyla closed her eyes and took a deep breathe before replying.

"I am not entirely familiar with the power." Skyla said, coughing to clear her throat. Despite her common boredom with the Jedi, her time with them had resulted in a fair proportion of knowledge being installed within her mind. Skyla looked towards the Shade Master, turning her head onto one side.

"I believe it is a method of utilising the force to produce a powerful lightning strike..." She said quietly, pulling some scraps of information from her memory. Skyla seemed to recall it being a technique that the Jedi did not commonly teach, but the Shade were different after all. If that is not possible, anything else you would seek to teach me is appreciated. She thought, directing the message to Sol's mind.

 

[T.J]

" Ah... What you speak of is normally called force lightning... Would you believe that its one of the favorite things new Shade members wish to learn? " Sol spoke with a light chuckle. His statement was more fact than joke, though he probably wouldnt tell Skyla that fact until later.

" Its not overly difficult really... My first time using it was by accident actually... Though I wont go into details, I will say it was one of the more defining moments in my life. Its not so much electricity as it is the living force itself, you must feel the natural ebb and flow of the force in your body. To me its akin to literally pushing the force energy out of your body, quite violently infact.... Normally extreme emotion of anger is involved in harnessing this ability, but masters of it can summon it at will... Like so... "

Extending his pointer finger so that it aimed straight up into the sky, Sol let a small spark arch off his finger. It wasn't anything extravagant, and only reached three or four inches off the tip of the Shade Master's finger tip. Sol didnt really see the need for any razzle dazzle, not at that particular moment anyway.

" That was extremely dumbed down of course, but once mastered force lightning can be powerful enough to kill instantly and has been known as a quite effective torture device.... Though I do not condone such behavior.... "