[Closed] A Talent Within

[Fyston]

Spoiler: Location

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Fyston sat patiently, his body frozen in his meditative stance. His powerful legs were crossed and his keen eyes were closed, though he could see perfectly. He was full in tune with the Force and light poured through him as if he was a lighthouse beacon. He was reflecting on his time with the Jedi, his past experiences, and pondering the future. His mind was at peace, and flowing with the strength of a roaring river but as calm as a small creek.

​

He had been drawn to the place by the Force during one of his study sessions in the Archives. He had felt the distinct call to set aside his pile of books and to walk. At the time, he knew not the location. In the end, however, his walking had brought him to a beautiful meditation spot. Knowing that the Force had brought him there, he sat down and rested, his mind working at full speed. He pondered the mysteries of the galaxy while at the same time pondering his life. Nothing could go wrong, and he spread outward with the Force, sensing the life around him. Some of the life reacted, calm and reassured by his presence.

In fact, a single lizard had decided to test the waters by moving towards Fyston. When the human did not react, the reptilian had settled upon Fyston's head to warm his blood as the sun shone down upon them. Fyston felt that something would happen, that he was destined to meet someone. He did not know who, but the presence was in the back of his mind. He did not allow it to trouble him, rather peacefully smiling that the Force was involving him in its plan. While he waited, he switched his thoughts to one that was troubling him: The apparition that he had been dreaming of occasionally ever since he had "fought" it in a training session with his Master. He did not allow it to disturb him, rather sat meditating on the topic.

 

[TweedPawn]

It was easy to get lost when you didn't know Basic very well. Still, it was sometimes worth getting a little lost when there were so many beautiful things to look at. Della was starting to become more relaxed in her surroundings. She followed the building along a large lake. The sight of such a large body of water was also new to Della. On her family's farm, there were some scattered ponds and streams. Never a large water system. That waterfall was even more amazing.

Della had walked through the campus to find the best view. She wished she had paper and charcoal. She was never an artist back home, but her attempts to communicate made her want to be better at drawing. There was something about being here that made Della ant to be better at everything she tried. It wasn't competition. It just seemed like the proper way things were here. She wondered if the wealthy school back on Sacul were like this.

She saw Fyston meditating. She had seen a lot of students do that. She didn't understand the particulars of it, but she understood that it was important for her to know it. When she had tried to imitate the other students, her mind became cloudy with thoughts about her home. She then noticed the lizard on his head. Fyston looked very silly with the reptile on his head.

It was different from the confused, sometimes brash youth she had known so far. He seemed so peaceful. Della slowly walked up to him to get a better look. She began to wonder about his experiences here. Della recalled when she was terrified of him, and began to wonder why she was so scared of this boy at all.

 

[Fyston]

Fyston felt the Force gather nearby and slowly come closer and wondered who could have found him. Immediately, he denounced the question as foolish, as he had been certain that he was to meet someone. He didn't open his eyes, however. He stretched out with the Force, utilizing it to empower his senses. He heard the footsteps and then, through the Force, saw the form of Della Frey. Fyston had seen her frequently throughout the Temple, at least when he wasn't drawn elsewhere by his schedule. He often wondered how she saw things, how she coped with being taken from her home and brought to a completely new location. He had been scared and confused enough without language, and wondered how everything was from her point of view. When Della got close enough, he spoke, not opening his eyes or moving his body.

"Hey, Della. How are you today?

Finally, he decided to stand. He had lost track of time quite a while ago and was shocked when his joints ached in protest as he moved. Still, he didn't allow it to disturb him, smiling at Della as he rose, opening his eyes at the same time. He hoped she didn't feel intrusive or that she had disturbed him, as he actually felt better knowing that it was Della who found him, as opposed to someone he didn't know. He was curious as to how she was adjusting and progressing, as learning Basic from a completely different language was no small feat. Still, from what he could tell, she was moving along nicely.

 

[TweedPawn]

Della nearly jumped when Fyston spoke. She wasn't expecting him to take notice of her, but he didn't seem cross at her. She watched him stand up and she stepped back to take a note of his size. He seemed to be dwelling on something, but she couldn't figure what. He was a lot more friendly than what Della was used to from him.

"I am fine. I learn new word every day. Tired. Study lot. Everyday. I think too much. I not study at Sacul. I run. I run everyday." said Della. She looked up at the lizard and smirked, trying to stifle a chuckle.

 

[Fyston]

Fyston was impressed, and smiled widely while nodding to show it. The last time they had spoken, she had had a lower level of comprehension and had known quite a few less words. In just the span of time since they had last had a conversation, she had improved her vocabulary drastically. Such an improvement was to be commended, especially in her situation.

"That's extremely good! I'm impressed with your progress. I wish I had your courage, and your ability to pick up Basic. What do you think of? Sacul? Your past?"

Fyston wondered what she was laughing at and remembered the lizard sunbathing on his head. He reached up with his left hand and, before he could touch the lizard, the lizard scrambled down his face and onto his shoulder. Fyston turned his head and raised his eyebrow, silently questioning the reptile. The lizard responded by turning its head towards him and eyeing him in return before looking back at Della.

"Do you want to pet him? He's rested on my head for some time, and he's harmless."

 

[TweedPawn]

Della gave a shy smile at the compliment. It was encouraging to hear that she was getting better. It made the hours of studying worthwhile. Not to mention that hearing everyone around her speak Basic helped her retain some of the information.

She watched the lizard scramble and tried to touch it. When she touched the lizard's head, it darted from her. She focused on the lizard while she tried to put into words her feelings about leaving home. She missed it so much.

"It is sad. I think. Why the bad..." she tried to find the words to express her sadness.

"Why bad jedi go to me? Why..." she stopped. She didn't want to think about what happened while they held her captive. The way she had to fight for food. Having to hide the best she could in plain sight as she and her brethren were segregated like cattle. Only five of the children on the first ship were taken, including herself. It was after the medical examinations and being looked at by strange men. She wasn't sure, but it was as if their eyes had peered into her thoughts. She shuddered.

"I am here. Why I am here? I want mother. I want father. I want home. I want...Words. Words that help. I need words." she sighed. How in creation could she possibly tell her story? Especially everything that happened to her.

 

[Fyston]

While Fyston couldn't determine her mood solely from her presence in the Force, like more experienced Jedi could, but he could tell from the way the lizard reacted and her body language how she was feeling, or at least a general idea. He smiled sympathetically, somehow wishing that he could help her, somehow wondering if there was a way to take away her pain. Alas, he could not, but he could listen. He sucked at advice, but he could listen and help her talk it out. That's what the Jedi had done for Fyston, though he had talked to a camera. He calmed the lizard and had an idea spark in his mind. Rather than keeping his calm feeling for himself, Fyston attempted to use it like he had when he first met Della. Using the Force, he attempted to calm her.

"It's okay, Della. The bad Jedi can't get you here. They went after you because you're special in your own way. They saw how great you were as a person and wanted to destroy that. But no, you kept strong! You escaped! You did what few did, you stood like a fortress, unwavering. You came out an even better person! You should be proud! I know it's hard to be proud of something like that, but you did something I doubt many can do. I know that I couldn't have done it!"

When she spoke about her family, Fyston didn't know what to say. He hadn't known his family. He hadn't known his mother. He hadn't known his father, nor his home. He only knew the gutters and slums of a dozen planets and none of those fostered a sense of family. He couldn't help Della in that aspect, and he knew it. He just hoped that, in his attempt, he didn't sound like a complete jerk.

"Your mother, your father, your home...they want you too. It's hard coming from knowing your home, your family, your planet to not knowing or having anything. It's hard to come from a home to the Jedi. As for words...perhaps I can help you learn Basic or you can help me learn your language. Then, we'll be able to understand each other, and you can have words that help."

 

[TweedPawn]

Della sighed. She couldn't understand most of what Fyston said, but he was trying her best. She felt comforted by his attempts to help her. It was nice to be in a place where most people were like that now. She had been able to sleep better and even began to eat as much as she did back when she was home. Things were better, but she still felt homesick.

"Basic good. But I am tired of study. I want to do something else. I am...how do you say..." She made gesture of someone moving around like a jogger. She didn't need to jog, but she needed some way to release her pent up energy. She tried to think of a way that she could get some exercise without challenging Fyston. He didn't seem very swift. And Della did not want to make the boy feel bad after he had worked so hard to help her.

 

[Fyston]

Fyston smiled when she said she was tired of studying. He knew where she was coming from, though he was a frequent visitor of the Archives. After he had his daily fill, he wanted nothing more than to do his daily training regimen. In fact, he often scheduled smaller study and training sessions so that he could take breaks and not have much time to waste on unneeded activities. He could understand her want to exercise and to do something physical. When she made the motion, Fyston chuckled. He wasn't much of a runner outside of his daily routine. His preferred form of lightsaber combat, Ataru, required speed and agility, which is the main reason he ran at all. He could utilize the Force to enhance his abilities, though knew that it wouldn't be fair. Still, he wouldn't mind running through a light bit of exercise with her. It might even be fun, he thought. He wondered what else might be able to help her burn off some energy, and made a mental list for later use.

"We can run. I want to see how good you are. No more study today, we'll take a break."

Again, he smiled, copying her running motion while nodding to help her understand. He then brought his hands together in a book fashion and then shook his head, indicating a no.

 

[TweedPawn]

Della smiled. Yes! She did a small hop. It was her culture's way for young people to express their joy. She immediately looked around for a little stretch of land that she and Fyston could dash across and saw where the grass would give them some traction and provide a soft place to fall. She pointed eagerly to the spot and quickly sprinted to the location. She was grinning ear to ear when she got into a runner's position ready to dart.

 

[Fyston]

Fyston chuckled, happy that he had been able to connect with Della. He also wondered what the hop signified, though figured that it had something to do with her smile. Then, she began looking around. After a few seconds, she pointed excitedly at a clear bit of land. Fyston didn't know the particulars of running, he ran wherever. The Temple had accommodations for those who wanted to work out inside, but Fyston generally got his exercise on the other side of the Temple, where it opened to the forest and had a number of foot paths. Heck, he thought, he was able to run anywhere. Having a clear stretch of land mattered little to him, he was able to run whenever the want took him. Nevertheless, he watched as Della dashed at full speed towards the plot of land. Fierfek she was fast, Fyston thought while making his way over to the plot of land. She'd be able to run circles around him, and the same could probably be said even if he used the Force to enhance his speed, which he would never do without her permission. He got there shortly after she did and noticed her wide smile as he mimicked her stance. He looked at her and nodded, trying to signal that she could start the countdown.

 

[TweedPawn]

Della grinned. She focused on the divine luck she once called upon on her homeworld. She could feel energy flow through her muscles.
"SNIE! IEWZ! IERD!" She cried out. The energy coursed through her. Her mind became crystal clear. She knew exactly how to step off of her left foot to give her an advantage over Fyston. She already could feel something guiding her every step. She tuned out Fyston and her environment as her focus became narrow like the head of a pin. She didn't need to see the finish line, just the sight of how each of her joints were moving in unison to carry her there.

Step now. Swing right leg. breath. Land right foot.breath.Press off right foot.breath.Swing left leg.breath.Move right arm. Move left arm. Breath.

Her concentration was absolute.

 

[Fyston]

Fyston heard the countdown and immediately figured out what the words were. He couldn't tell if they were three, two, one backwards or forwards, but he knew what they meant. Then, he felt the Force surrounding Della, as if she was calling upon it. Had she been taught anything during her stint with the Sith? Were there Force Sensitives on her homeworld? How could she have learned it otherwise? He didn't know what exactly she was doing, but he knew something was happening.

And then they began, Della shooting out in front of him. It dawned on him that she was utilizing, possibly by instinct, what it had taken him practice to learn. She was using the Force. Fyston was faced with the dilemma of using it as well or allowing Della her victory. If he used the Force to increase his speed, she might take offense or get angry, whereas she might feel that it was too easy if he didn't. Rather than using it to increase his speed, Fyston used it to control his breathing and relax his muscles, making his lungs able to quickly adjust to the force of his inhales and allowing his muscles to skip his normal warm-up that he did before his runs.

He sped forward as quick as he could, running in a full sprint after Della. Practice took over and his muscles reacted out of ingrained memory, propelling him forward. He was impressed with the speed of Della and, while not able to catch up to her, didn't lose any ground.

 

[TweedPawn]

Della did not notice any sort of progress that Fyston might have made. It was as if her sight had been clouded over. She could only see in her mind's eye the way her body moved against the grass. What Fyston and the others called the Force, she only knew it as the Divine Luck. It granted her the ability to concentrate. She had tried before to explain this to another runner on her home planet, but the runner was unable to utilize it. They were not blessed.

They would come across the finish line soon.

 

[Fyston]

Fyston sped across the finish lines a few seconds after Della had finished. He skidded to a halt and stopped only to catch his breath. How could he explain to her that she had utilized the Force? She barely knew anything about it, if anything at all. He didn't want to discourage her, nor did he want her to think that she had cheated or otherwise wasn't doing it herself. Perhaps Della and her people knew about the Force, but called it a different name. It would explain why she knew a technique. Perhaps there were those who were able to use the Force and had created their own sect believing that only they existed with the knowledge. Nevertheless, he decided to try to tell her what she had done.

"Della...that was the Force."

Fyston followed up by levitating a nearby rock into his palm, as he had seen Rhunon do with a piece of chalk.

"The Force is in all of us but only certain people can use it."

Fyston pointed to the surrounding landscape before pointing at Della and then himself. To demonstrate both the Force and how they were able to use it, Fyston pointed at Della and made a running motion. Then, he summoned the Force into his legs and leapt into the air, propelling himself into a flip as he utilized the Force to bring him safely to the ground.

"What you did was use the Force. Do you understand?"

 

[TweedPawn]

Della decided that Fyston was confused. Yet, there was something inside of her that was telling her that everything he said was true. Fyston did the trick she had seen Rhonun do. As the rock floated to him, she became somewhat frightened. What did that mean? Maybe there was a mix-up in the words Fyston used.

When he jumped into the air, Della tried to explain it according to what she understood about the Divinty. Yet, that nagging feeling that Fyston was right began to bother.

"No. What is it? It is Divine Luck. Maybe little force. Jump? Divine." she said. She seemed insecure about what she was saying.

 

[Fyston]

When he noticed her reaction, the change in her body language, Fyston wondered why she was scared. Of course, maybe she was a logical person. Perhaps she needed reasoning for everything. Reasons as to why things happened the way they did. Before the Jedi, Fyston had been such a person, so he could try to rationalize it for her. However, she answered him and began speaking about divinity. Was it a religion on her homeworld? She described his actions as Divine Luck, the Divine. He made the connection that, to her people, the Force was known as the Divine, a religion which they worshiped. If she had not been taken, she may have been a monk or some other religious official.

"Della, Divine Luck and the Divine are the Force. They are the same thing."

 

[TweedPawn]

"Divine Luck. Maybe. Divinity, no. How do you say...Woman make? Woman make man. Woman make stars. Woman make luck." She tried to explain. Della wasn't sure how she felt about this. What the Jedi called the force, she had understood as magic or Divine Luck. She had been okay with that. She was not okay with someone telling her that the Divine Goddess was on the same thing as Divine Luck or Force.

 

[Fyston]

She was extremely sure in her beliefs, he gave her that. She was determined, obstinate, and fully unwilling to give up her beliefs, which may be the only thing she had left. Fyston envied her for that, but knew that the rest of the Jedi may not see it that way. Thus, he kept at his attempts to teach Della, to change her. As long as she knew what the Force was, how to use it, and how to live with it, in the end it didn't matter to Fyston what she called it.

"Della...I know that this is hard. This is a radical change. The Force made all of those things. The Force is inside us, it guides us. You may call it luck or the Divine, but it is the Force."

 

[TweedPawn]

Della felt hurt. How could someone say that? It must have been a misunderstanding. Even if it was, she didn't want to discuss it anymore. She didn't know how to respond. How could someone not know of the Divine Goddess?
"Goddess make Force." she responded. The idea of something coming from nothing was ludicrous. Yet, it seemed odd that an entire school thought this way. Maybe it was just Fyston.