Bastila Starr’s Training (Ask)

[Padmé]

Bastila arrived at new Jedi training Monastery on Tython. Starr couldn’t help but notice the rather pristine location of the training grounds. The lush green forest surrounding the area is very reminiscent of Starr’s home at Naboo.

Anxious about her upcoming training, Starr quickly made her way inside the Jedi training grounds after she was dropped off. She is just thankful that her master took on a young 19 year old. As she walked inside the building, she saw man walking her way with the likes of her master. Starr walked towards the man, mindful of the look on her face.

Character sheet link:
http://www.thestarwarsrp.com/forum/showthread.php?t=29484

 

[Saint]

Approaching the young, attractive female Jedi padawan, Kidd Vegas smiled warmly as he offered a light bow towards her, "Jedi Padawan Bastila Starr. Good morning. Jedi Knight Kidd Vegas." Erecting his posture as he held his gaze upon her, he inquired, "I trust the day finds you well?" With that, he turned and gestured towards the great entryway that was open to the surrounding area, indicating that they would be heading outside.

Reaching down by his belt, Kidd retrieved a simple training lightsaber. Spinning it about in one hand, he offered it over to Bastila as he added, "Here, you'll be needing this later." As they walked along a simple dirt path surrounded by the natural beauty of the forest, Kidd inquired, "So Bastila, what are your expectations, hopes, desires and dreams for your future?" Quirking an eyebrow, he glanced over at her inquisitively, his left hand guiding a branch from brushing against his face.

 

[Padmé]

“And good morning to you, sir. My morning has been delightful so far, sir” responded the young Padawan. Bastila was hoping she would get a tour of the Monastery on Tython prior to heading out, but the Jedi Knight Vegas headed outside instead. She followed his lead as he motioned for her to follow him outside.

Starr wondered what her first day of training would be like, and was rather elated as she was given her first lightsaber by the Jedi Knight. The Jedi Knight’s lightsaber offer on Starr’s first day of training was yet another surprise to her. She watched the Jedi Knight spin the lightsaber as he passed it to her. As she took the lightsaber she wondered what to with it, and thanked the Jedi Knight for the pleasant surprise.

As they walked further into the forest, she remembered that she never answered the Jedi Knight’s questions earlier concerning her expectations, hopes, desires and future dreams, and figured now would be a good time to respond to the Jedi Kinght’s inquiry. “Well, sir, at this point I don’t have any concrete plans for my future. My goal is to get through training first. I only have myself to be concerned with as I lost my family a while back at Cloud City. I have a few ideas about post training, but I am open to new ideas.” Bastila at this point stopped walking as the mere mention of Cloud City and her family almost brought tears to her eyes.

 

[Saint]

Chuckling lightly at the amount of 'sirs' thrown his way, Kidd Vegas waved a dismissive hand as he replied, "Please... No need t'call me Sir." Glancing over at her briefly, he added, "If you feel the need t'be formal, then simply refer t'me as Jedi." Offering her a warm smile, he soon turned his attentions back to the path they were walking. He wasn't a Master Jedi, and didn't care to be called such, even if he were the Padawan's master, technically speaking.

Upon her mention of the loss of her family, Kidd noted that the pain and sorrow was still strongly present. Either it was most recent, or her bonds with her family members had been that strong. Huh... Turning about alongside a gnarled tree that was -just- off the edge of the trail, Vegas turned his back to it, leaning up against it as he inquired with a raised eyebrow, "An' what happened with your family?"

He expected an emotional response, but that would do her well in his mind. May as well get it all out so that Kidd knew exactly what he was dealing with. Also, it'd be good for those emotions to surface and spill over. Perhaps she hadn't gotten out a good cry for them yet. Doubtful... but perhaps. The bonds of family were ones not easily severed, and when they had been forcibly or suddenly so, there was always pain to follow. Always.

 

[Padmé]

“Duly noted, sir, I mean Jedi” Bastila replied as the Jedi commented on her overly formal approach towards him. Formality and proper approach, especially towards those in authority, was something that Starr’s parents instilled in her. Some think Bastila at her age, and they way she carries herself is albeit old fashioned. She doesn’t think so, as she believes in giving honor where honor is due.

It seems as though the Jedi’s intended destination was a long off. The deeper they got into the forest, and away from the Monastery building, the more Bastila wondered when the intended destination would draw near. “Surly this must be her first test, and I probably blew shouldn’t have stopped walking a few minutes ago. The Jedi will probably want to know what the sudden stop and teary eyes were all about” Bastila thought as they kept walking. Sure enough, the dreaded question came. As they kept walking, the Jedi asked Bastila, his second question since the beginning of the training, “what happened to your family?” To which Bastila responded with the edited version- “my family was part of the massacre that occurred on Could City a few years ago.” Bastila said, this time she did not stop, she kept up with the Jedi as he cleared the path ahead of them.

One thing Starr couldn’t help but notice is the geographic landscape of their current location on the Tython, which is no doubt very reminiscent of her home, Naboo. The deep wooded forest they were currently exploring reminded her of the verdant carving labyrinths of rolling grass, and the hills in Naboo. Bastila expected an indoor training, but this outdoor, deep forest first day training suits her just well.

 

[Saint]

Rather than inquire further about the massacre at Cloud City, Kidd decided instead to focus more on her relationship with her family. Standing still, his back against a gnarled tree as it had been for a few moments now, the Knight further asked, "And I take it you were close to them? Your family that is?" Lifting his chin a bit, he gave her an inquisitive look as he awaited a response.

Glancing over his shoulder back up towards the Monastery, he began to wonder if it wouldn't be a good idea to visit Cloud City. Perhaps there was a memorial there of sorts that she could touch and feel; maybe get some closure and have some last words with her family. Sometimes, being at the right location for such a deal was just as important as getting it out there and off your chest.

Returning his warm gaze back towards the young, attractive padawan, Kidd maintained his focus upon her, attempting to get a read and a feel for just how far he should take this line of questioning. A few years ago was quite some time to still be mourning, but then again, if she never was able to close the book, then the story would remain unfinished and feelings would continue to haunt her until she was able to properly deal with them.

 

[Padmé]

((Are you planning on heading over to the memorial on Cloud City? Either way is fine with me.))


Glad that the Jedi finally stopped, Bastila mimicked the Jedi, and leaned against one of the tress near by. Starr thought about how to answer the Jedi’s question without giving too much away. She moved away from the tree, and turned in the direction of the Jedi and said “well, yes I was very close to my family. My father, mother, older sister and her husband and my best friend were among the few people massacred at Cloud City. I was away, traveling, when the dreadful event occurred. Incidentally, today marks their third anniversary.”

With that Bastila moved back to the shady spot to lean against the tree, wondering what the Jedi was doing as his eyes now gazed upon the direction of the Monastery.

 

[Saint]

So it was the third anniversary of their passing. THAT explained the semi-emotional state she was in regarding reference to them. Turning his focus entirely back to the attractive padawan, Kidd inquired sincerely, "So have you had closure with that fact, accepting the finality of their passing, or are there stones still left unturned? Words left unspoken?" He quirked an inquisitive eyebrow as he awaited a response.

Today would not be a day for much training in armed combat, or unarmed for that matter. Nor would it be geared towards the honing of Force-enhanced talents and abilities. Nope. Today would be focused on meditation and reflection; perhaps a trip to Cloud City would be in order, if there were a need to say some final words. Closure of such matters was of some import to the Jedi Knight, considering that they were family.

He'd never been to Cloud City. Then again, he'd only -recently- just returned to Tython, and wasn't much looking forward to leaving his home planet so soon. His time in Coruscant had been a little... much. Kidd found it a challenge to even -find- inner peace while living anywhere on that city-planet that teemed with all sorts of humanoid life; not to mention the criminal activities as well as the poor and downtrodden. To him, that place, was a mess. One big planet mess.

 

[Padmé]

The Padawan upon hearing the Jedi inquiry thought “well, it doesn’t look like I will get to use my lightsaber today, or anytime soon for that matter. For someone that I just meet, he sure seems to be a tad bit inquisitive. I suppose all the questioning is part of the training.” Bastila moved her lightsaber and placed it by the tree she was leaning against, and then turned back towards the direction of her trainer. “About my family, I never got to say good-bye to them because I was away when the tragedy occurred. When I returned to Cloud City, what was left of the bodies was already gone. I am okay with that fact; however it would have been nice to say a formal good-bye.” Starr felt a little relived that she actually verbalized what she had been feeling.

Bastila followed her response with more questions for Vegas. “So where is home?” she asked, while adjusting her belt. “Have you ever been to Cloud City? I hear the Jedi had a training facility a while back at Could City. Whatever happened to the temple?” as the Padawan waited for Kidd’s response she stepped back over to the tree to retrieve her lightsaber. Starr listened intently, while dangling her ightsaber, as the Jedi responded to what seemed like a zillion questions.

 

[Saint]

"Here. No. I don't know," Kidd replied with a quirky grin on his face in response to his attractive padawan's three questions that she had just spat out in rapid fire succession. It was clear that she was trying to change the subject, moving away from the topic of her family's passing. The Knight wasn't about to allow that though. Nope. Part of her development would be to help put all that behind and not allow the pain or hurt to seep in.

There seemed to be something there that she didn't want to talk about. Perhaps a sense of guilt since she wasn't there with her family? Some people referred to it as Survivor's Syndrome. With a warm gaze, his eyes rested upon her as he adjusted his folded arms over his chest, canting his head slightly to one side as he continued with his original chain of questioning, "So do you blame yourself then... for their loss? For not being there? Wish it would've been you? Any of that type of... pain and remorseful-type thinking?"

In his mind, it was imperative that she get this all out, address it, and be done with it. Carrying around such a heavy burden was just not good for the soul. Hopefully, with some guidance, meditation and self-reflection, the young padawan could get through this and move on, leaving the past in the past and disassociating herself from any and all blame for the tragedy. He awaited patiently for her response, willing to dwell on the topic for as long as it took.

 

[Padmé]

Clearly, the Jedi will not relent until he sees to it that Starr’s family issues are dealt with. The idea of going back to that dreadful place on Cloud City just brought a knot in Starr’s stomach. She did not think she will be going back to Cloud City anytime soon, let alone only days after leaving! Lying is not an option here either, as the Jedi has so far successfully read the Padawan’s thoughts.

Kidd’s words rang in her ears (no, more like a loud echo) as she contemplated her response to his piecing question: "So do you blame yourself then?” Bastila once again turned towards the direction of the Jedi to give her account. “Nope, sure don’t blame myself for what transpired on Cloud City. Yes, I am sad to see my family lost to a rather dreadful event, but I don’t spend a time dwelling on it.”

The Padawan was rather surprised as the Jedi listened intently. She carried on with her two cents analysis of the massacre. “While I don’t think that I could have done something to prevent their death, I think that the group(s) behind the massacre deserves some kind of punishment for their actions. A lot of innocent lives were lost. All for what? The way I see it the criminal activities in Cloud City deserves some attention, and perhaps new leadership.” Bastila stopped with what seems to her like random rantings and waited for Kidd to respond.

Instead of turning back to the tree she had been leaning against, this time the Padawan stood, only steps away from the Jedi, as she adjusted her belt. “No drawing on the force to sprint up and down, wall kicking, and no landing above ground today,” thought Bastila. “But at least I get to have long, healing conversation.” The Padawan’s thought drifted off yet again, as she listened to Kidd’s response.

 

[Saint]

Kidd nodded lightly as he listened to the attractive young Padawan. Seemed that she had simply had an emotional response minutes ago. There was no sign of blame or regret in her words and thought process. Perhaps a bit of vengeance, but that was to be expected and it didn't seem that Bastila was taking it too personally. More like a passing thought or an idea that hadn't been fed too much; which was a good thing. She shouldn't dwell on it so much, which she wasn't. Again, a good thing.

Deciding to close it out though, the Knight went ahead and inquired, "So what would you have said to them?" After a moment's thought though, he had a different idea. Holding up a finger meant to signal her not to speak just yet, he whispered softly as he stood up from the against the tree, "Hold tha' thought." With that, he began to look about, searchingly, until he found a nice pocket within a grove-like setting.

There was a small open area surrounded by trees with the sun shining in just beautifully. With barely a cool breeze gliding through, it seemed so very peaceful. Kidd listened for a moment, hearing nothing but the soothing sounds of the forest, mostly birds and such. Beckoning for the Padawan to step forward, he gestured towards the middle of the grove as he led her, "Here, come meditate on your family, an' speak your peace in private."

Pointing out and down along the trail, the Knight added, "I'll be just up the way there, out of earshot and out of sight. Let's put some closure to this and speak what needs be spoken, then leave it all in the past." Smiling warmly, he waited for a few moments to see if she had anything to say to him before commencing with his instruction. If she did not, then he would simply walk away quietly, moving further up the trail and back towards the Monastery. He'd wait for her just outside the forest.

 

[Padmé]

The young Padawan reluctantly dangled her belt yet again, and with a rather austere look on her face said to the Jedi, “sure, sounds like a plan.” With that the Jedi stepped away, towards the direction of the Monastery. Bastila waited until the Jedi was out of site and then headed towards the new found “private place” in the forest.

And off she walked, into the “private place” all the while thinking about the Jedi’s inquiry “what would you have said to them?” As Bastila arrived in her new found place of solitude, she could help but cry. She fell on her knees and then cried some more. The young Padawan was only sixteen when she lost her family and has since then lived on her own. “Oh father, our move from Naboo to Cloud City was a terrible idea. We a thriving business, and the corruption was not that bad compared to what you had to face in Could City. Too bad you did not listen to my adamant protest against the move.”

The young Padawan continued to explain how much she regrets the fact that she was not on Cloud City the day of the massacre. And then cried some more. As Bastila continued to cry she realized that this day was the day that she shed any tears after the massacre. “Good bye” said Bastila as she got off her knees, retrieved her lightsaber and walked towards the direction of the Monastery.

 

[Saint]

As the attractive young Padawan approaching, Kidd didn't make mention at all of anything that had happened in the grove. It was all personal and his part in it was over. Moving along, he began to walk along, heading back up towards the Monastery as he inquired, "So what aspects of trainin' were you hoping for from our time together?" He glanced over at her inquisitively, quirking a singular eyebrow as he did so.

Initially, he had made his way out to the forested area simply for a walk and perhaps some lessons in utilitizing the Force to enhance one's abilities in an exercise he had learned from his mentor called free running. Now though, after what had just happened, training for today would most likely be cut-off at what it was, closing doors from the past and moving along. Perhaps they'd share some blue milk together in the lounge of the Monastery...

 

[Padmé]

Walking right along the Jedi as they both headed to the Monastery, Starr was glad that the forest part of the training was over. So was also elated that Kidd finally asked her “what aspect of training” she was hoping for. “Actually, I was looking forward to learning everything there is to know and master about the Force” said the young Padawan. “I realize I am young, and not the typical up and coming Jedi, but I am willing to learn.” Bastila further added as she continued to follow the Jedi. She held the side of her belt, making sure that the lightsaber was still securely fastened.

As they got closer to the entrance of the Monastery, Starr asked the Jedi where she would be staying. Because they went straight into training upon her arrival at the training grounds, that topic was not covered. Bastila now turned towards the direction of the Jedi and said “I look forward to a tour of the Monastery when we arrive back. Do you think we can do that later on today?” The young Padawan hoped the response will be in her favor.

 

[Saint]

Chuckling lightly as they walked along, Kidd replied, "Everything is a lot to start out with. Why don't you give me a more specific idea. We'll eat this elephant one bite at a time instead of trying to swallow the WHOLE thing right from the get go." Smiling warmly at her, he knew precisely what she was feeling, himself having felt that way before when he had been selected to be a Padawan amongst a large group of Hopefuls. Ah, the memory... heh.

Nodding lightly in response to her remark about a tour, Knight Vegas went on to say, "Certainly a tour would be in order. First though, I'll show you to your quarters and the dining facilities. The Monastery is not all that complicated to move around unlike the Jedi Temple back on Coruscant. Mostly it's open spaces surrounded by a wall of rooms and private offices. One could not -possibly- get lost within." He gave her a reassuring pat on the back as he glanced her way, continuing up towards the Monastery.

 

[Padmé]

While the Bastila did not know exactly what to expect of her trainer, she so far has been mesmerized by the Jedi Knight’s demeanor. Starr was glad to see her trainer nod in response to her request for a tour. She was quite glad when Kidd consented to a tour of the Monastery, even though it seems that the place is not that difficult to navigate. Still, a tour would be nice as in Bastila’s view it would serve as another way to hear more from her trainer’s perspective of the Tython.

As the pair finally reached the main entrance to the Monastery, the Padawan with a slight grin replied to her trainer’s question in reference to specificities of her training expectations. “I am prepared for whatever difficult training that is ahead of me. Personally, I would like to really learn the ways of the Force, particularly with its three applications-controls, sense, and alter. I am certain upon my mastery of the Force the other aspects will fall into place. So, what say you?” The young Padawan paused her thoughts, both outwardly and inwardly, to listen to the Knight’s response to her.

 

[Saint]

Smirking back at her, Kidd replied, "I say you haven't narrowed down your desired lessons in the least, heh. Maybe down to -half- the size of an elephant, but nothing manageable." Heading into the central great room that had a roof over the top, but was open on the sides up at the top for the breeze and such to move through, he added, "We'll get there though, regardless. We'll start instead with what -I- want t'teach, rather than specifically what you want to learn, though with your generalized desire, it won't be hard t'please."

Giving her a playful wink, he turned to the Southwest corner of the great room, gesturing towards the cafeteria area. "Here's the dining facilities, just off to the side here. Within the great room here, it still feels like you're outside, since the roof is open on the sides up there," he pointed as he spoke, even a few birds being visible as they flew in and perched on various support beams and such, the sounds of nature filling the air.

Walking up to one of the attendants, he inquired of the attractive padawan, "Care for a glass of blue milk as we continue our little walk an' talk?" He smiled at her warmly as he awaited a response. A tall glass of cool blue milk was a favorite of his... at least during the daylight hours. At night, he had other preferential drinks, heh. But then again, there was a time and a place for everything.

 

[Padmé]

“Sorry if I sound a tad bit too optimistic. As much as I would like to learn about the Force, still, I will go with what you have in mind,” responded Bastila as she smiled to the idea of blue milk. Blue milk reminded the young Padawan of growing up in Naboo, the fertile labyrinth of grass and all things fresh. However, after she moved to Cloud City she and her family never quite got a hold of the not so fresh milk the found. Nothing like a good cup of cold milk after a long days work. “Sure Kidd, a cup of cold milk in the great outdoors sounds like a plan. Let’s see how the Tython’s milk fares,” Bastila added as she waited for afternoon delight.

 

[Saint]

Stepping up to the counter, the Knight ordered a couple of tall glasses filled with cool, blue milk. Passing one off to the Padawan, he addressed her, "Nothin' like a tall glass of blue milk, 'specially in th' morning." He smiled warmly as she took the glass which was cool to the touch. As he approached a corridor that let to an outer square about the inner great room, Kidd began to explain, "So the sleeping quarters are mostly arranged by rank..."

Making their way down the wide halls with tall ceilings, these were actually enclosed above instead of open to the environment like the great room. Of course though, there were slats that could be closed or adjusted as appropriate so as not to allow rain or snow within the great room as well. Much of the structure was natural wood, quite often hand-carved with the design of either a tree, pillar, or animal. Really inspiring and sightly.

Hand sweeping up and down the western corridor, Kidd explained, "The western wall here is dedicated to Masters and the occasional Senior Knight." As they rounded a corner to the southern corridor, he went on, "While this southern corridor is dedicated to mostly Knights." Pointing towards where the corridor met the entryway for the great room, he added, "My room is just up ahead here; the one with a small boy playing carved into the woodwork."