Open Yavin IV Psychology Today

[Kumasi Okun]

OPEN to members of the Jedi Order.

At a plateau high in the mountains of Yavin 4, Kumasi sat, meditating. His little clearing overlooked the main Temple facility, sitting so high that one could barely see the padawans, temple guards, and other Jedi-affiliated staff scurrying about. It was a thing of beauty. While Kumasi could not see them, he could feel them all, feel the entire planet, through the Force. This secluded location was chosen intentionally for his first group therapy session, which two young Jedi had already registered for. It was here, slightly away from the temple, that they could share their challenges without fear of unwanted ears. And from this vantage point, they could appreciate the beauty of the temple while they spoke.

He expected they would soon arrive. To help the Jedi feel welcome, Kumasi laid out a picnic blanket with some small, healthy fruits and lightly-salted vegetables for the Jedi to snack on. For drinks, there was water and tea. Kumasi himself drank water - committing himself to his daily practice of fasting from sunup to sundown. It wasn't something he always did, but it served its purpose: It helped him reflect clearly, made him more energetic, and helped him appreciate the meal at the end of the day. With Yavin IV nearing the middle of spring, the days were beginning to lengthen. The cycle of nature continued.

The Jedi who expressed interest in this group healing session need only to follow the clearly-marked trailhead to his location. As Padawans were eager to explore the jungles around the temple, Kumasi had worked with Jedi in years past to create safe routes for Jedi of all ages to use. While likely a well-tread road to many of the Jedi, the daily work of being a Jedi likely kept them away from such peaceful spaces. Another reason to have this meeting, in the first place.

He realized, too late, that he should have made smoothies. That would have really set a positive, healing tone. Truth be told, he was nervous. Since joining the Justicars, he had come to appreciate just how challenged the Jedi today felt by the state of the galaxy. While group therapy was an attempt to help the Jedi understand, process, and master their emotional impulses, he wondered if there were more capable Jedi who could handle the task. He shook his head. Such doubts were unhelpful. He was the Jedi that had done it - regardless of if there was a better fit.

His mind was wandering, so he ceased meditating to continue his preparations. As he did so, he almost thought he heard the shuffling of footsteps up the mountain path to their outdoor session.

@Braden @Forsythe Crowholde

 

[Miyamoto Koji]

Miyamoto looked up at the winding trail which led away from the Jedi Temple and towards his lesson of the day. He looked back, the morning sun had broken free from the horizon and was casting a warm glow across the small valley the Jedi occupied. Some morning lessons were in session, groups of Padawan’s and Younglings following the instructions of their masters in the training grounds to the East. He had yet to join any of those classes, his ‘history’ meant that till now much of his training as a Jedi had been in private one to one sessions, just encase.

It was one of these trainers, Master Yvain, who had mentioned the class being taught by Kumasi and that it would perhaps be good for him to attend. Miyamoto was doubtful of how useful it could be, but he would try it just to get the little green Jedi to stop talking.

The path up had been well travelled over time, but some of the foliage had grown back, forcing him to duck or push out a few of the larger leaves. Once he broke through to the clearing he spotted Kumasi, cross legged and meditating. Already getting ready for his lesson it seemed, approaching the edge of the little area he waited for the Jedi Knight to acknowledge him, before giving him a respectful bow. “Master Okun.”

With that he took his seat on the laid out blanket, though he did not attempt to take any of the food or drink on offer. He just sat quietly and waited, knowing there was at least one other joining them today.

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[Arctus Friers]

He needed someone other than Ruzaan and Clove to talk to about his problems, and while he still had not fully opened up to them just how much he was continuing to suffer from the loss of the Younglings that have been abducted by the Sith Arctus knew that he couldn't keep everything bottled up inside. With each passing day that he felt the grief as strong as when he first discovered that they were taken, the former smuggler knew that the more he kept the pain inside, the closer he was going to implode. Dealing with the grief was one thing, and even more so shutting down the Darkness as it reminded him how he remained powerless despite being a Padawan of the Jedi Order.

One dead Youngling. Clove, bound to a wheelchair due to the injuries she had sustained from fighting a Sith. Maikee and the other Jedi kids, taken captive by Darksiders.

Signing up for a group therapy session would surely help his mental state. And, Arctus thought as he followed the path to the session's location, perhaps would help lessen the pain he felt whenever he looked at the remaining Younglings. Attending the session would be the first step to a gruelling recovery, that much he was certain, because it was not going to be easy. It never would.

The Padawan snapped himself out of his spiralling thoughts, keeping his eyes trained on the path and at the sight of another Padawan ahead of him. He didn't recognize the latter, but they could always introduce themselves before the session started. He trudged on instead, taking a deep breath once he reached the summit. Arctus took a brief moment to admire the place, to bask in the nature around him, before he turned to face the Knight and his fellow Padawan.

Mirroring the other Padawan's gesture, the former smuggler offered the Knight a respectful bow. "Master Okun. I'm Padawan Arctus Friers. Honored to meet ya, sir."

Hazel grey eyes scanned the food and drink laid on the blanket, an appreciative smile curling his lips. Arctus then took his seat beside his fellow Padawan, though making sure to keep a respectful distance from the young man. He then reached for a canteen of water and placed it beside him, hoping that the Knight wouldn't mind.

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[Kumasi Okun]

Good. Both had arrived. They could begin their exercise, now. He eyed each, having read their files before they arrived. Miyamoto Koji - a secretive Padawan. Or perhaps not secretive, but shy, shrouded in mystery, and just opening up now to the Order. This meeting could be important to the learner.

The other was Padawan Friers. A Padawan still, who was nearly Kumasi's own age. A former smuggler who, as an adult, had decided to join the Jedi Order to learn control. The Jedi of old would have never accepted an adult as a Padawan, preferring to indoctrinate them young, but Kumasi deeply appreciated the sacrifice Arctus must have made to come here. As an adult with the power of the Force, many dark paths to power would have opened to him; anything from the Sith Empire to just low-level crime and manipulation. The Force was a powerful ally, and Kumasi was glad to have a student who had volunteered himself to learn.

He cleared his throat to speak, his voice tranquil yet strong. "It seems like we're all here." He gestured to the snacks and drinks once more for Miyamoto's sake, noting that Arctus had already chosen to take some water. "And here, I am Kumasi. You are Miyamoto and Arctus. If that feels appropriate." He would not want to overstep their boundaries, but he hoped to tear down some of the walls that separated Padawan from Knight from Master from Grandmaster. The Order still had a hierarchy, even if it was not as strict as in previous generations. But to truly share, they would need to step past their assigned roles within the Order, and learn about one another.

He had thought of many ways to start the session. Perhaps with an art exercise, or around the cloth introductions, or even a meditative exercise. But, he thought the Padawans likely had enough of the same ol' meditation practice in the rest of their courses. "I'm going to tell you both why we've started this program. Please, focus on your breathing and listening to my words. Deep breaths. Count to four while inhaling and exhaling." He couldn't resist. A good deep breathing exercise always helped him to center the present moment. "Then, I would like you to share what you're hoping to get out of this program, or why you're here. Sound fair?" He tilted his head towards each of the two, waiting for their approval, before he began.

"When I was a Padawan, I had a close friend in the order. Ra'Seh. They were a little older than me, had spent some more time in the Order. They showed me the ropes of the Order, the do's and don'ts, in a way that even my Master could not." He paused, speaking slowly enough that each word could sink in. Perhaps the Padawans had met someone like this - someone they trusted with their whole heart within the Order.

"They were taken from me, from the Jedi Order. Killed while investigating a Hutt crime ring on Nar Shadaa." His voice remained peaceful, but his memories from that time resurfaced. Learning that they had fallen in the service of the Order, protecting others. The knowledge that they died doing their duty had done nothing to alleviate his pain, and the anger he felt towards the Hutts afterwards. The Padawans would feel this from him, if they were open to it. He opened his mind to them, sharing with him the pits of confusion and peril he had felt at that moment. "My Master...he could be detached. All he told me was that she died as Jedi do, and to honor her memory. He reminded me that such a fate could befall me. He said that the Jedi must relieve themselves of attachment."

"But there was no comfort, no conversation, and no learning. For a long time, I carried the scars of wrath with me. It ruled over me. I channeled it into what I thought was strength. But...it was just savagery. Brutality." Mercilessness. If dying was the duty of the Jedi, he would die well, he had thought, surrounded by a pile of enemies. His missions "It took me facing my demons head on to clear out of that. Telling my Master that he was wrong. Grieving the loss of Ra'Seh. Realizing that rage took more from me than it gave. While I had strength, then, I had lost intimacy, vulnerability, and trust. These are the bonds that make us Jedi."

"We live in troubled times, Miyamoto and Arctus. My story seems light in comparison to the tragedies many of us have faced, both inside and outside the Order. My hope is that, from sessions like this, you will be able to avoid the mistakes I have made. No matter how dark the path ahead seems, you will always have the Order, me, by your side. You are never alone." He paused again, letting the words simmer while he poured himself a glass of water.

Taking a sip, he gestured to the Padwans. "Please." He offered to let either of them speak. "What are you hoping to gain from this? Why are you here?"

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[Miyamoto Koji]

The second Padawan arrived shortly after Miyamoto, he was much older, really old for a Padawan. He looked worn out and torn, perhaps he would too when he reached that age, though Master Okun didn’t look as worse for wear. He wondered which one of them was older? Miyamoto gave him a side-eyed look as Arctus took a seat nearish to him, subconsciously or not Miyamoto shuffled himself a little further away from the Arctus looking to keep a good distance from both the Padawan and Knight.

Once he was settled Okun began talking, he pointed out towards the food and drink again but Miyamoto chose again to not partake. So this was a breathing exercise, the Jedi liked to practice their breathing, this was at least the third time this week he had been instructed on how to breathe during one lesson or another. The Padawan let out a quiet sigh before closing his eyes and trying to make his breath’s last the requisite time.

Master Okun then went on about the death of his old friend, how the Jedi still didn’t seem to understand attachment and so on and so on. He only paid half attention, concentrating on his breathing more than the words as well as trying to formulate his own response to the reason he was there.

He smiled when Okun said that they were not alone, that they had the order, him and others. Would he be saying that when they were dying on the battlefield he thought. Miyamoto opened his eyes as Okun finished and he gestured for them to give their answers. “Master Yvain told me this would be good for me.” He replied, it was flippant, a little rude and definitely not the answer Okun wanted but it was the one he gave for now.

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[Zoya Unduli]

A few moments after Miyamoto spoke up the distinctive sound of a droid, a big one at that, blanking its way mountain path that lead up to the gathering. Along with it came a female voice, slightly irritated, yet somehow upbeat, as if she was enjoying berating whoever she was berating.

"You really should try to keep up, like is this supposed to be part of my punishment? To be strapped to a living personification of the turtle god?"

The girl whose voice it was, a Mirialan of middling height with roughly cut short hair, that she just might have cut herself, stopped mid speech as she noticed the gathering. "Oh thank heavens, we're here. Can I go now," she addressed the large droid behind her, who seemed to be her chaperone, "or are you going to follow me in, stand brooding over everyone?"

"I will not accompany you further unless so requested, switching to standby."

With that the droid took a few steps to the side, turned, and powered down as it came to a stop with its back against a tree. The girl glared at the droid before turning away and eying the little gathering. Her eyes went from Miyamoto to Arctus to finally come to a rest on Kumasi. "You must be the healer dude. Here," she stepped up and handed him a datachip, "I was asked to give this to you. I'm Zoya, I'm supposed to talk to you or whatever."

From the tone of her voice it was very obvious that being here hadn't been her choice, and as she looked around at the gathering, the expression on her face didn't show any of the upbeat optimism seen on the faces of padawans her age. "Oh great, food!!" Not waiting for anyone to acknowledge her in any way, she made a beeline for the food, and built a nice plate for herself, turning around and speaking through a mouthful of something.

"This is free, right?"

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[Arctus Friers]

Arctus didn't give any indication that he noticed the younger Padawan – Miyamoto – scooting further away despite the respectful distance the former smuggler kept between them. The action did not offend him in the slightest, instead respecting the young man's preference. His gaze remained focused on the Knight before them, an appreciative smile lighting the Corellian's features as Knight Okun chose to address the pair of Padawans by name and at the same time telling them to do the same with him.

Speaking without their respective titles separating them would make sharing why he came here easy. Or so Arctus hoped.

The former smuggler focused on his breathing as they were told. Deep breaths, in and out, four seconds each. Sounds easy enough. And since the Padawan saw himself as being more of a listener since he joined the Jedi Order, the instructions laid out before them were simple enough. Eyes trained on the Knight, Arctus slowly opened himself through the Force until he saw what he sought.

Miyamoto was a steady but reserved crimson, whereas Knight Okun was a tranquil forest green. Though the more the Morellian spoke, slivers of grey contrasted against the forest green, speaking of the Knight's pain caused by grief of losing a close friend. The grey would darken, a sign of anger as he spoke of the anger he carried and heeded. As the Knight's story came to an end the grey disappeared, leaving behind the serene forest green that was his signature through the Force – how Arctus saw and registered his presence through It.

He nodded quietly at the reminder that they were not alone, that the Order and Kumasi himself being there for anyone who needed them. Another smile appeared on Arctus's face, remembering what Clove told him on Life Day and the significance of her gift to him. The Knight's words reflected hers, and Arctus felt grateful for Kumasi's words.

Miyamoto's answer was simple and not exactly direct to the point. Perhaps his fellow Padawan was either shy or taciturn. Arctus himself was about to reply when a newcomer made their presence known. It was a female Mirialan who made a beeline for Kumasi, then the food. The former smuggler felt himself closing up, trying to shove down his discomfort. He didn't know who she was, nor had he seen her around the Temple before, but there was something about the woman that made him feel slightly on edge. Ignoring his instincts, Arctus opted to focus on the question at hand.

"Someone to freely talk to," was his honest reply. "I... don't wish to burden my friends of my anger and grief. They're young, but they've experienced hell already." Ruzaan, on Felucia and other invasions he found himself in. Clove, on Dantooine and the recent Sith attack on Yavin IV. "I'm here because I want–"

The Padawan paused, swallowing once. His hands clenching into fists, nails digging into his palms.

"I want to overcome my anger like you did."

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[Kumasi Okun]

Kumasi waited for everyone's response, quietly reading Zoya's datafile with a raised eyebrow as he appraised her. First was Miyamoto, who expressed displeasure at even being there. Therapy was only as good as one's own interest and commitment to the process, but the Padawan was here and it was the first session. All of that counted. Next, Zoya appeared. She seemed vaguely familiar, and he realized why shortly after he starting reading the letter. She was the captured Sith acolyte, then. Last came Arctus, ostensibly the most mature of the group by a wide margin. That, in turn, was reflected in his attitude towards the class. He had an open mind.

So, they had a mystery Jedi, a captured Sith, and the oldest Padawan in the order. At least the first day would be interesting, right?

"It seems we're all here for different reasons. Against our will, or by our own hand."

"First, welcome Zoya. Would you like to tell the group who you are?" He offered her the opportunity to introduce herself as a Sith prisoner. If she did not, he would; his students deserved the truth from the beginning. Perhaps they would be able to work through some sort of conflict here, if she was open to the opportunity. "You are all welcome to snacks. They're free."

"Miyamoto, Yvain is one of our wisest masters. Did he explain why he thought it was good for you? Do you want to be here, yourself?"

He turned next to Arctus. "Companionship. It is a great gift, having someone to talk to. Having a community of trust." He pointed to himself, and to the group around him. "Trust starts with the self. When we accept ourselves as we are, we can begin to face our demons head on."

"Before we go any further, I want to make something clear to this group. All that we talk about throughout this session, with each other, is confidential. What we say here, remains here." It would be difficult for the group to trust each other, or show any kind of vulnerability, otherwise. This included the Sith, but her file indicated she was mild enough that rehabilitation was recommended.

"I'd like to start with an exercise." He withdrew a small, floating hourglass, flipping it over as he began to speak. "We're going to share our gratitude. I'd like each of you to think of or write down things that you're grateful for. People, experiences, things, places, skills, anything you want. Be as honest as you can." He pointed to the sand dipping from the hourglass. "When that's done, we present it to the group."

"Have fun." Kumasi then fell silent, as he gave himself a moment to fully read Zoya's file. An interesting day.

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[Miyamoto Koji]

His own short answer had just finished echoing around the clearing when the racket that was Zoya appeared from the path. A droid had seemingly ‘accompanied’ her to the location, and her rather hostile yet familiar presence to Miyamoto allowed him to piece two and two together and realise that this was the rumoured Sith prisoner. Her attendance at this ‘training’ changed much for Miyamoto, she was probably the closest person to him on this planet without her even knowing. His gaze rested on the Miralukan for a moment before he turned to Arctus.

Once Zoya took her seat and began piling a plate full of food Arctus gave his own answer to Okun’s question. He sounded like someone who had been through a lot, there was pain in his voice as he spoke, pain that Miyamoto understood. Closing his eyes, he could see flashes of his childhood, memories that would scar him for the rest of his life. Faces that he hated with every ounce of his soul, people he would murder without hesit…

His fist tightened as he caught himself, these were not the emotions of a Jedi. By The Force he hated when Yvain said that to him, but he had to take those words to heart if he was ever going to throw off the shackles of his past. Miyamoto was deep within his thoughts so had missed Okun’s first question and instead moved on to the task they had been set.

He had nothing to write down on, so he had to try and think of something. Not of something he was grateful for, there were a hundred things he could think of, but something he was willing to actually share with the group. That was the tougher side of this task for the young Padawan. Finally once the time was up, he gave his answers.

“My life I guess. And being free.” He left it at that, once again short, sharp and to the point.

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[Arctus Friers]

Arctus simply inclined his head in acknowledgement of the Knight's words, though the smile on his face served as an assurance that he appreciated the older Jedi's words. He hated keeping his friends in the dark about his condition and the negative feelings that became a constant since the recent attack on Yavin IV, and self-acceptance was something he continued to work with. It was difficult because there was no way he would accept the Darkness that seemed so persistent to break him down and the Light he held on to.

He couldn't even trust himself to keep himself in control should his anger, his hatred, became too overwhelming. The Dark Side promised power, freedom, but Arctus stood by his decision not to heed it's call, no matter how tempting. It was why he sought a Jedi in the first place, and why he eventually joined the Order. Even if he had to leave behind the old life he once led, to sacrifice his plans for the future. Because what future would he face if he descended further in the dark?

The former smuggler glanced at the Mirialan – Zoya – and offered her a rather respectful nod despite the discomfort he felt. Arctus had no idea where the feeling came from nor why he felt it the moment she joined the group session. Maybe he was just being paranoid? But why? Perhaps her self introduction would clear matters, and prove that his anxiety was unfounded.

Prepared for the session as he was, the oldest Padawan in the group reached into the pocket of his robes and produced a few sheets of paper and pencils, which he laid down on the blanket instead of passing around. The others were free to take from the small pile, and Arctus took a sheet of paper and pencil himself.

Sharing events, people, or things to be grateful for was a straightforward enough task for the former smuggler. Gratitude was an emotion Arctus was intimately familiar with, and it didn't take him much to think about what or who to write. Neat, flowing script soon made a list on the paper, the handwriting a sharp contrast to the rough and calloused hand that wrote them. He looked up from his writing to glance at Miyamoto as the young man gave a simple and succinct answer.

Being 'free'? He wondered what that meant, but respected his fellow Padawan's lack of explanation. Arctus shifted slightly on his seat, lowering his paper on his lap and giving out his answer without looking at the list.

"I'm thankful for my Ma and my brothers for accepting me despite my flaws and the bad choices I made in the past," he began. Instead of rebuking him for being a smuggler and lying about it, they forgave him and apologized for their inability to stand up to him whenever Da lashed out at him when he was still a kid. It felt good to expose his frustrations, his fears, to the people who loved him and understood.

"Coven, for telling me that I'm Force-sensitive and for offering to help me look for a Jedi." The Sith was someone he, oddly enough, came to see as a friend despite their conversation in Corellia. It had been years since that fateful day, and Arctus wondered where the man was now.

"Reiel, for saving my life on Tatooine many years ago even if she wasn't obligated to do so. For making me see through her actions that I deserve a second chance at life." Meeting once again with his Mandalorian savior only reaffirmed Arctus's assumption that she was indeed a kind person by nature in spite of her war-centered culture. "And for being a source of inspiration for me to quit my addiction."

The former smuggler fixed his gaze on a point beyond Kumasi, hazel eyes honing in on an idly floating cloud. He then cleared his throat and continued.

"My Master, Indyana Sati, for finding me on Onderon. For accepting who I am, and offering me sanctuary in the Order. For giving me hope and a chance to change for the better. I wouldn't be here if it weren't for her." He seldom saw the Pantoran now these past few days, and missed the woman he called his sister more terribly than before.

His hands lightly shook, his grip on the paper tightening as he opted to skip the next group of people on the list. Talking about the Younglings still choked him up, made his thoughts blank and crushed his heart. Tearing his gaze off the cloud, he gazed down at the paper and tried to keep his hands still.

"Ruzaan, for looking up to me even if I'm not worthy. Clove, for seeing me as family. Their kindness and understanding, and their support for an old man who kept a lot of secrets from them despite professing how much I care about them as if they're my siblings."

@Fine Dining Set @Braden @Wit