Ask Past Heroics

[Caul]

Caul’s training blade was held at the ready as he carefully inched in a deadly orbit with his arch nemesis, Anakin Skywalker! But what was that? He wasn’t Caul, a dorky padawan with no friends and an unhealthy obsession with old holovids, he was none other than legendary hero of the Jedi, Obi-Wan Kenobi! (not)Kenobi flourished his blade landing in the opening stance of Shi-cho as he cried, “Anakin, Chancellor Palpatine is Evil!”

To his immense relief the maintenance crew had forgotten to wipe the memory of this particular sparring droid because Caul had hidden it. With what looked like an exasperated sigh, which was surprising to Caul because he didn’t know droids could sigh, the droid said, “From my point of view the Jedi are evil,” in a voice that screamed, “Please shut me off and wipe my memory I don’t ever want to remember this moment for the rest of my service.”

Without missing a beat Caul screamed, in the totally empty training room, “Well, then you are lost!” Before leaping into the air, flipping head over foot and slashing down… at nothing… “Aye?” Then he was hit. The stun blade wielded by Ana-droid 3000 walloped him so hard on his left side it knocked him off his feet and into the ground. The undulating stars dancing across his vision let him know it was a headshot and the lack of most motor function in his body told him he needed to wipe the droid’s drive when he could feel his toes again…

@Aberforth

 

[Perun]

As he traversed the austere corridors of the Jedi enclave, Perun was lost in contemplation. His thoughts meandered through the complex implications of the schism threatening the very fabric of the Jedi Order. The reformation of the Jedi Lords, a divisive issue, had found an unlikely supporter in Perun. Despite his often irreverent demeanor, he recognized the potential in reviving these ancient roles, believing it could infuse the Order with much-needed vigor and adaptability.

As he ambled, his acute senses picked up the distinct hum and clash of a training saber. Drawn by curiosity, Perun found himself at the threshold of a training room. Inside, a scene unfolded that brought a wry smile to his lips. A young Padawan, Caul, was locked in a spirited duel with a sparring droid. Perun's keen eyes noted the lad's stance – a bit too rigid, a reflection of inexperience rather than ineptitude. The Padawan's technique, while fundamentally sound, betrayed a hint of overzealousness, a common trait among the younglings. Yet, there was an undeniable fire in him, a spark that Perun found both amusing and promising.

As the duel reached its climax, with the Padawan theatrically proclaiming his stand against evil, only to be unceremoniously knocked down by the droid, Perun couldn't help but chuckle. Stepping into the room, his presence commanded attention despite his playful demeanor.

"The greatest battles, young one, are often fought within," he said, his voice a blend of wisdom and light-hearted mockery. "And sometimes, they involve knowing when to dodge."

Approaching Caul, who was still recovering from his ungraceful landing, Perun's mind was a whirlwind of thoughts. Here was a young Jedi, full of potential yet untempered by the harsh realities of their calling. He saw a bit of his younger self in Caul – the same eagerness, the same burning desire to prove oneself. It was a path Perun knew all too well.

"Do you mind if I join your training?" Perun asked, his tone casual but his intent serious. He knew he could impart some of his hard-earned wisdom to the young Padawan, and perhaps in doing so, rekindle some of the passion he once held for the art of lightsaber combat.

@Zay

 

[Caul]

Caul’s head had just landed on the soft mats of the training room floor when a voice nearly scared the bantha poodoo out of him. His head jerked toward the sound and he ended up meeting Jedi Master Perun’s question upside down… literally. His tawny eyes widened to saucers and he kicked up off the ground in a single fluid movement. His face was crimson and the color in his cheeks had nothing to do with any exertion he’d been experiencing during his “Training Session.”

Quickly, Caul bowed his head, “Y-yes of course, Master, I’m sorry.”

In Caul’s experience the Jedi were decisively split in ideology. Those that remained to guide the next generation were old farts who just wanted to impart their ideas onto the impressionable younglings stuck away from the battles raging across the galaxy. They were spiteful, filled with pretense, and often vindictive.

Well, that had been his experience anyway. So, when The Jedi asked if he could join Caul’s training the Padawan assumed he was going to be punished for his theatrics. With a pensive furrow of his brow the Padawan said, “Of course, Master. I’d be delighted.”

Caul clipped his training saber to his belt and clasped his hands in front of him awaiting the Master’s instruction. If Perun were to peer just behind the furrowed brow he’d sense the fear hiding just underneath.

@Aberforth

 

[Perun]

Perun, observing Caul's reaction, felt a twinge of empathy. He recognized the blush of embarrassment, the posture of deference – all too familiar responses in the presence of a Jedi Master, especially for a Padawan caught in a moment of unguarded enthusiasm. Perun's keen intuition, honed through years of navigating the intricacies of the Force, sensed the underlying fear and uncertainty in Caul. It was a sentiment he had encountered many times before, in young Jedi who stood at the crossroads of tradition and personal expression.

Perun stood tall, his white fur subtly catching the light, giving him an almost ethereal appearance. He knew the perceptions many young Jedi held of their elders – as rigid, unyielding figures set in their ways, often imposing their ideals without regard for the individuality of their students. Perun, however, was a different breed. His journey had taught him the value of understanding and empathy, qualities that often got overshadowed by the Order's more dogmatic teachings.

"Relax, young Caul," Perun said with a gentle smile, his voice soft yet carrying an air of authority. "This is not a test, nor a reprimand. Consider it an exchange – of skills, of ideas, perhaps even of perspectives."

Unclipping his own lightsaber, he twirled it expertly, a motion that was both a display of skill and an invitation to a dance as old as the Order itself. "Let's begin with something simple," he continued. "Show me your form, your style. I am here to guide, not to judge."

@Zay

 

[Caul]

Caul hated being told to relax, it was like telling a monkey lizard to stop laughing. Nevertheless, he gave it his best shot. The Padawan took a deep breath and felt himself begin to calm. Then Master Perun unclipped his lightsaber and asked Caul to do the same. Was this guy out of his mind? The Padawan had been with the Jedi as long as he could remember and in that time he’d only ever been trained in the first form.

"Yes, Master," he said, vomiting the only response his anxiety filled mind could muster.

With more than a little apprehension, he unclipped his saber and ignited it. Gone was the suave confidence of Jedi General Obi-Wan Kenobi and in the wake of it’s absence stood the towering insecurity of Caul Barrow, Padawan extraordinaire.

Yay.

Caul inched forward, front foot then back, just as he was taught. His movements were rigid and robotic as if he was imitating something he’d seen rather than embracing the fluid movements. In his truncated movement, he slashed horizontally aimed at the Master’s torso. Caul could feel that nothing was right about the strike. He could feel his feet were off place and knew the power behind the attack would be diminished because of it. He knew these things… but he didn’t know how to fix them without looking like a moron in front of the combat classes he’d been assigned…

@Aberforth

 

[Perun]

Perun, his white fur gently swaying to the rhythm of his movements, watched Caul intently. The Padawan's response, a mixture of apprehension and deference, was palpable in the air, as tangible as the hum of their ignited lightsabers. Perun's golden eyes, shimmering with a mixture of amusement and understanding, followed every motion of Caul's rigid and methodical approach. The young Padawan's adherence to Shii-Cho was evident, albeit executed with a stiffness that spoke volumes of his internal struggle.

The Jedi Master's sharp senses picked up on the nuances of Caul's movements – the hesitance in his steps, the tension in his shoulders, the uncertainty that clouded his strikes. Perun knew well the intricacies of Form I, the foundational style taught to all Jedi. Its simplicity belied a depth and versatility that could be astonishing in skilled hands. Yet, in Caul's execution, it was evident that the Padawan had yet to grasp the essence of Shii-Cho – the fluidity that transformed its straightforward strikes and parries into a dance of blades, the calm center that transformed its simplicity into strength.

As Caul's blade arced towards him in a predictable, horizontal strike, Perun effortlessly deflected it with a subtle twist of his wrist. His movements were a study in contrast to Caul's – relaxed yet precise, casual yet purposeful. Each motion was a word in the unspoken language of lightsaber combat, a language Perun spoke with fluency and flair.

"Shii-Cho is more than a sequence of strikes and blocks, Caul," Perun advised, his voice imbued with a gentle firmness. "It is the foundation upon which all other forms are built. But remember, the foundation is not just stone and mortar; it's the soul of the structure."

He demonstrated a series of fluid movements, his lightsaber tracing elegant arcs in the air. "See how each motion flows into the next? How defense seamlessly becomes attack, and attack melts back into defense? That's the harmony you should strive for."

Perun paused, lowering his saber momentarily. "Don't just mimic the movements. Feel them. Each swing, each parry, let it be an extension of your will, your understanding of the Force." Perun sought to coax out the potential he sensed in Caul, to guide the Padawan towards a deeper connection with his art.

@Zay

 

[Caul]

Master Perun deflected his attack like it was a fly buzzing around his head. Immediately Caul was off balance and stumbling. To his relief he didn't fall and make a fool of himself. He wasn't surprised the Master was able to deflect his attack, it wasn’t like Caul had any real fighting experience. Of course, it was easier to make excuses than it was to admit his disappointment. Then Perun was on him. No malice or anger in his expression, he looked like the embodiment of peace, and his blade… his blade moved as if it were a limb.

Clumsily, Caul got a hasty deflection in, but the balance he’d been so proud to retain betrayed him. The second strike from The Master caught him midstep and forced him on to bad footing, the final swipe just barely grazed Caul’s weapon, the lack of contact acting as the final straw to break the banta’s back, sending the Padawan careening forward with a frantic flail of his arms before crashing into the ground.

Caul blew his hair out of his face and rose to a kneeling position as Perun gave instruction. His pride smarted and shame colored his cheeks, but he kept it to himself. He hated being embarrassed, he hated feeling out of control, he hated… he took a breath in and calmed the voice in his mind. He’d missed a little of Master Perun’s advice while dealing with his issue, but he could piece together what he’d missed.

Perun’s example was like watching a deadly dance. Each movement ebbed and flowed as the waves in the ocean. The grace he displayed was supernatural. The distance between himself and Perun was so substantial he honestly felt a little intimidated. He could feel his internal monologue starting back up, so he ignored it and answered, “I see master, thank you.”

In all honesty, he didn’t see. He understood what Perun was saying of course, but there was nuance and experience missing on the Padawan’s behalf. His brow furrowed slightly as he tried to capture the lesson completely. After a moment Caul stood. He looked down as the training saber, then back to the Master. Perun’s blade was still ignited. Surprised, the padawan quickly snapped into a ready stance.

Caul’s tawny eyes darted around as if what was happening wasn’t real, was this Master actually looking to train him? A small hint of excitement glinted in his eye as the opportunity presented itself. He began to orbit the Master, doing the best he could to forget what was possible, and devoting his attention to the task at hand.

The Padawan loosened up, found the balls of his feet and began to test the water. His strikes were still ungainly and clumsy compared to that of a master, but purpose motivated each movement. He feinted, slashed, stabbed, and angled for better positioning. His actions were textbook, but each strike was crisp. Gone was the hesitance of the first encounter.

 

[Perun]

Perun observed the transformation in Caul with a sense of quiet satisfaction. The young Padawan's initial faltering, marked by a lack of balance and a clumsy deflection, was a natural part of the learning process. Perun's own blade moved with an ease that only years of dedication could bestow, each motion a testament to his mastery and understanding of the Force.

As Caul gathered himself from his fall, Perun noted the flash of embarrassment on his face, quickly masked by determination. The Jedi Master understood this emotion all too well; it was a feeling that had once been his constant companion in his early days. Perun remained patient, a stoic yet supportive figure, as he watched Caul wrestle with his pride and doubts.

When Caul stood and readied himself once more, Perun could sense the change in his demeanor. The Padawan's eyes, previously clouded with frustration, now shone with a glimmer of resolve. His movements, while still lacking the fluid grace of a seasoned Jedi, carried a new-found purpose. He was no longer merely mimicking forms; he was beginning to understand them.

Perun met Caul's strikes with a practiced ease, deflecting and parrying with minimal effort. He allowed the Padawan to lead the exchange, to explore the boundaries of his current skill and push against them. With each feint, slash, and stab, Caul's confidence grew, his movements becoming more assured.

"Good," Perun encouraged, his voice calm and even. "Feel the flow of the Force through your movements. Let it guide you, but do not rely on it entirely. Your own instincts are just as vital."

As the duel continued, Perun subtly increased the complexity of his defenses, presenting Caul with more challenging scenarios. He did not aim to overwhelm the Padawan, but to gently nudge him towards greater awareness and adaptability. It was a delicate balance – pushing enough to encourage growth, but not so much as to discourage.

As their training session wound down, the Jedi Master paused, a mischievous twinkle in his golden eyes. "Tell me, Caul," he began with a sly grin, "what force grows stronger when you push against it, never yields under the heaviest weights, yet flees at the first sign of surrender?" He watched the Padawan, curious to see how he would interpret this riddle, which on the surface spoke of hard work and perseverance, but beneath lay a deeper question about the Padawan's understanding of the Force and his own inner strength.

@Zay

 

[Caul]

Caul dripped with sweat as he continued to press his attack to his chagrin, no matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t even come close. The whole time Perun moved with a deadly grace. He expertly redirected, deflected, and slipped each and every move Caul made, but that didn’t stop the young man from pressing his attack. He’d never had a chance like this, a chance to be truly tested.

Perun’s encouragement only spurred Caul on. The Padawan met each clash with enthusiasm, peppering in techniques from other forms as the flow of their bout ebbed. He could feel the guidance of the light side showing him the way. Unfortunately his understanding wasn’t perfect, it was like being told the answers to a test, but the answers were in a language you didn’t understand. Finally, Perun called an end to their session. Caul pushed his sweat matted hair out of his eyes and breathed. Before he could catch his breath Master Perun hit him with a riddle or a test or a pop quiz, Caul was too winded to be sure. He did his best to repeat the words in his mind.

The Padawan was utterly lost. His eyes looked down and for a moment he thought about trying to lie, but that didn’t feel right, so… He just answered honestly.

“I’m sorry master I’m afraid I don’t know,” he chewed on the inside of his lip nervously, “In my limited experience I'd rather not speculate on something I don't understand.”

@Aberforth

 

[Perun]

Master Perun observed Caul's honest admission with a gentle, understanding smile. The Padawan's earnest response, coupled with the subtle signs of his inner turmoil – the chewed lip, the downward gaze – spoke volumes. Perun appreciated the raw honesty in Caul's answer, a rarity in a world where many sought to mask their ignorance with bravado or guesswork.

"Ah, but that's the essence of learning, Caul," Perun replied, his voice imbued with a warmth that seemed to fill the room. "To embrace the unknown, to admit when we do not have the answers. It shows wisdom, not weakness."

He stepped closer, his fur slightly dampened by the exertion of their duel, yet his aura remained calm and composed. "The riddle, my young friend, is about the Force itself – and our journey with it. It grows stronger when we challenge it, supports us under our heaviest burdens, yet it cannot be grasped by those who give up the pursuit of understanding."

Perun placed a reassuring hand on Caul's shoulder, a gesture of camaraderie and support. "Your journey as a Jedi is not just about mastering the lightsaber or the texts. It's about understanding yourself, your place in the Force. It's a path filled with riddles and uncertainties, but also with growth and enlightenment."

As he spoke, the training room seemed to become a sanctuary of learning and reflection, far removed from the rigors of physical combat they had just engaged in. Perun's gaze held a depth of experience and knowledge, a silent invitation for Caul to delve deeper into the mysteries of the Force and his own potential.

"Never fear the questions, Caul," Perun concluded, releasing his hold. "For in seeking the answers, you will find your true strength."

@Zay

 

[Caul]

Caul did his best to repress a skeptical frown as Master Perun tried to convince him of his wisdom. Truthfully, The Padawan just preferred to set the bar low. It’s easy to be impressive if no one expects anything from you.

Or so he told himself…

To his surprise, he’d been on the right track with Master Perun’s riddle. He’d talked himself out of the correct answer because it had seemed too obvious… Oh, his wisdom was truly vast… vast as a karking puddle on Tatooine, he thought. He let his frustration go, it didn’t matter. He might have been close to the answer, but he was nowhere near the truth.

Perun’s explanation was concise and for once, Caul felt like he actually understood what he was being told. He let himself consider his place within the force and what that meant, now that was vast. It made him feel small, but not insignificant. It was… weird, but he couldn't help but feel a better understanding of the preternatural power he was connected to.

Caul bobbed his head in gratitude to the Jedi Master, “Thank you for your time, Master. You’ve given me much to consider.”

The Padawan wasn’t really sure where to go from here so he just kind of stood there, eventually he gave Perun an awkward smile, while he desperately wrestled his crashing hopes. After all it’d be rude for a Padawan to dismiss himself, or did this impromptu exercise not fall under the normal protocol. By the stars he hated rules…

@Aberforth

 

[Perun]

Perun noticed the whirlwind of emotions playing across Caul's features. The Padawan's internal struggle, the battle between self-deprecation and burgeoning understanding, was an all-too-familiar sight for the seasoned Jedi. He could see the wheels turning in Caul's mind, the awkwardness of the moment as the young Jedi grappled with the formality of their impromptu session.

As he prepared to conclude their encounter, Perun's expression softened, a knowing smile playing at the corners of his mouth. "Caul," he began, his voice carrying a hint of encouragement, "remember that the path of learning is never a straight line. It meanders, with many crossroads and scenic detours."

He casually reattached his lightsaber to his belt, his movements deliberate yet relaxed. "Should you ever wish to explore these paths further, to test your skills and understanding," he continued, his golden eyes meeting Caul's with a glimmer of camaraderie, "seek me out. I can think of a few ways I could use the assistance of such a fine Padawan as yourself."

Perun's offer was more than an invitation for further training; it was an acknowledgment of Caul's potential and an open door for growth. It was an opportunity for the Padawan to step beyond the confines of routine instruction and delve into the deeper, more personal aspects of being a Jedi.

"There's much you can learn, and perhaps, much I can learn from you," Perun added with a slight chuckle, breaking the formality of their master-student dynamic. With a final nod, Perun began to turn away, his white fur catching the light as he moved. "Until our paths cross again, Caul. May the Force be with you."

As Perun turned to leave, he cast a final glance over his shoulder at Caul, leaving the young Padawan with a sense of accomplishment and an open invitation for the future. In his heart, Perun hoped he had ignited a spark within Caul, a curiosity and eagerness to explore further the depths of his abilities and his connection to the Force.

@Zay

 

[Caul]

Caul stood there preparing for the worst. It was always the same thing, “You’ve done well padawan—” or “Trust that the force has chosen your path—” or worst yet “You’re not ready…”

The Padawan’s chest rose and fell with a mixture of exertion and emotion as Master Perun spoke, to his credit, he’d seemed the most genuine—What? What had he just said?

Caul blinked as the revelation hit him. Had… Had Perun just offered to train him? The Padawan’s mouth opened and closed like a fish trying to breath out of water. Never in a million lightyears would he have expected to receive an offer like this. As if afraid it would evaporate like a puddle in the desert he rushed after the Master saying, “I can start now!”

As he rushed after Perun he felt himself vomiting at the mouth, “Can you teach me how you did that thing? That was so awesome, did you use the force on me while we fought I’ve heard that’s an eff—”

Hopefully, Perun knew what he was getting into. Then again, maybe the force had something in store for the both of them.

@Aberforth