Risen with the Sun

[Resolute\\.ZEN]

Silence. Not the sound of his deep, slow breathing. Not the rustling of critters in the underbrush. Not even the faint sound of the breeze through the branches, or the leaves chitting and chatting amongst themselves as if privy to some great secret unbeknownst to the echani, who sat cross-legged upon the ground wearing nothing but the close-knit black pants of his training gi. Silence was what filled his mind, for he was aware of all the wonderful noises and the natural music that they made, but attended to none of it, not so much as thinking a word as he allowed the serenity of the moment to bring himself into waking balance. It was early morning, and the sun was just rising in front of him, bathing his white hair and fair skin in swaths of crimson and pink. He opened his eyes when he felt the heat upon his face.

The act of sun-gazing - watching as the star rose above the horizon of the planet, and before it receded back behind - was very healthy for the pineal gland, and as a ritual part of his meditation Ze'kyre used the natural energy of the sun to revitalize his sense of intuition and clarity of thought. The young warrior did not sleep much, finding his rest in polyphasic meditation instead. It was for this reason that he did not wake the padawan that accompanied him. The young amaran he had decided to take as his padawan was named Firion. It had taken him a long time to decide whether to take on a padawan, but something about Firion resonated within Ze'kyre. Like his young white-furred companion, Ze'kyre too knew how it felt to be an outcast. They had travelled a whole continent away from the Jedi, desperate for some solitude as the Arbra temple picked up more and more inhabitants. What discussion the two had shared on the ride over had been minimal, for Ze'kyre had just risen Firion from sleep, and they had travelled well into the night. Ze'kyre was excited to discover who his knew padawan really was.

And so he sat there in meditation, keeping his mind clear and his ears open for several patient hours should he need to. But soon enough no doubt, Firion would emerge from under the canvas of their makeshift lean-to and see the rather intense musculature of Ze'kyre's straight back, and the sun still climbing in the sky.

"Good morning, pup," he said warmly before reaching his hands outwards in a stretch, referring to Firion with the nick-name he had coined the night before. The way he rose from his seated position, putting all of his weight just under his right small-toe, and rising fluidly. He turned around and stretched out his hips and back. Standing there in his bare feet, he realized that his growing hair was quite messy, and so tied it back into a tight tail, with but a few shorter strands hanging out over his brow. Then he smiled, his eyes nearly closed in cheer. "Sorry about waking you up last night, but I thought we should get out here sooner than later. And luckily so, It looks like a beautiful day we have ahead of us." He walked forward and extended his hand to the young amaran in order to give a proper introduction.

"I am Ze'kyre Bladedancer, what do you go by, young Firion?" Ze'kyre's indigo eye was warm and interested, providing an outlet for his expression of care. Yet his dichromatic gaze was more than a little unsettling, and his silver eye was piercing with scrutiny.

 

[Dóiteán]

Firion had been waken up from a deep sleep by the Echani knight while at the temple. They had traveled to another continent to get away from the temple. Firion had fallen back to sleep when they had arrived at the location that Ze'kyre was heading to. The young Amaran slept more soundly there than in the temple.

Firion woke up and, exiting the lean-to, stretched. He looked at the knight when he said good morning. The padawan looked around at the clearing, breathing in the fresh air. Firion took Ze'kyre's hand and shook. " Firion", he told the Echani.

Firion stared curiously at the knight's eyes. They intrigued the young padawan. Firion wondered why they were out here, not that that bothered him. He then looked up at the branches, Firion loved climbing trees. Back on Naboo, he always climbed the trees near his home. He occasionally went into the swamps and would climb the trees there.

 

[Resolute\\.ZEN]

"Firion it is, then," The echani replied with his cheery grin. He watched the young amaran's eyes shift to the trees. This particular part of the forest was old, and the trees grew several stories into the air. Their roots were large and gnarled, but still there was a considerable space - about 5 meters in radius - where they had firm, even footing. Ze'kyre had visited this place more than once since coming to the Temple here, finding it nice to have place of solitude that only he knew of. Out here in Arbra's wilder expanses there were even a few areas of considerably dark Force energy, from which some of the planet's most dangerous beasts could emerge, but Ze'kyre was confident he could keep the young Padawan safe.

It seemed that the young one did not like to speak much, a trait that had followed Ze'kyre through much of his Padawanhood, bso he decided he would make an attempt to open up the young pup. "You like the trees?" He asked, taking a look for himself at their heights, obscured by brushes of exotic leaves. "Where are you from? Do they grow this tall there?"

 

[Dóiteán]

Firion continued staring at the large trees until Ze'kyre began asking him some questions. Firion then looked back at the knight. "I love trees. I came from a farm on Naboo, where my foster father is. The trees never grew this tall, though there were some tall ones in the swamps.", he responded. The padawan was shy, he always had been. He then went back to staring at the large trees.

His breathing was slow as he took deep breathes. The forest smelled fresh and earthy, something Firion preferred over the strong smell from the temple. There were too many people in the temple for Firion's liking, which was why he liked running through the branches at the swamp near the temple. The area they were in was very calm and peaceful, something Firion enjoyed.

 

[Resolute\\.ZEN]

"Ah, Naboo," he responded quietly. "I've heard that it is a beautiful planet." It seemed that the young Padawan had been estranged from his biological family, a feeling Ze'kyre could relate with all too well. But the time for words was over. Ze'kyre had been raised to know that you could learn more about another through a moment of combat than hours of discussion could ever tell, and he sought to learn who Firion truly was behind that shell of shy behaviour. Reaching his left hand forward, he pointed his fingers towards the lean-to. A canteen floated out from within, and hovered in front of the Padawan. "A full canteen of water, every time you wake up. Understood? It is good for your metabolism. We are only as strong as we are healthy. I've dug out a pit-latrine just a few yards that way where you can make waste."

Ze'kyre suspected young Firion was likely quite acrobatic. Not only did he figure for his affinity with trees, but he knew Amarans to have rather superb balance and agility due to their tails and digitigrade nature. One look at the young pup and Ze'kyre could see the strength in his legs. The more vulpine nature of his genetic make-up would put him faster and more agile than any human his age. It was a rather exciting prospect for the echani. He had never taught someone so young and with such distinctly non-human traits. Perhaps this young Amaran could master the Nexu Claw to a greater extent than any echani ever could hope. Despite his anticipation, he would give the padawan plenty of time to drink the water, and then to use their make-shift bathroom should he need to, as Ze'kyre so often did when he first woke and drank so much water. But soon it would be down to business for the two Jedi.

The echani took a straight stance with his right foot forward, and placed his left arm behind him. The right rose in front of his body, his hand placed palm up with his fingers pointed towards the padawan. "Now, I want you to attack me. Don't be afraid of your claws, come with everything that you have. Show me who you are." Of course, Ze'kyre did not want to come out of their session all scratched up and bloody, but even if he suspected the pup could touch him, their was an abundance of healing herbs, and it would be more than worth it just to see the child in action.

 

[Dóiteán]

Firion grabbed the canteen and began drinking the water. The young Amaran finished up the water and headed off to the latrine. He finished and walked back. Firion was told to attack him, to show who he was. The Amaran planted his feet and charged forward. He rolled right quickly then aimed a kick at the Echani knight's left leg.

 

[Resolute\\.ZEN]

Ze'kyre watched as the pup took a stance, then saw that his suspicions were correct. Firion did move with an impressive speed. Ze'kyre bent slightly at the knees when the young one was but another few steps away, and then the boy performed an agile roll counter-clockwise of Ze'kyre, placing him towards Ze'kyre's left foot, and Ze'kyre naturally placed his weight on his right foot, leaning over his right hip just slightly as his dichromatic gaze followed the young amaran. The foot shot outwards in a sweep,ill-performed however, as to be suspected from a child.

With his weight already atop his right foot, he lifted his left, folding it up to his abdomen with a display of flexibility that typically accompanied a twist of his hips before his leg would shoot outwards towards the face of an adversary. However, Ze'kyre did not wish to cause the padawan harm, and instead his toe shot out towards the hip of the young pup while he was still finishing his sweep. It was not to be a hard tap of any sort, the Knight just wished to see how the Padawan would handle being forced off of his balance. Would he fall and crash against the floor? Would he smoothly roll out of it? Would he somehow evade Ze'kyre's foot in the first place?

 

[Dóiteán]

Firion watched as his kick missed. Next thing he knew, a kick came at his hip. The kick touched him and knocked him off balance. The Amaran used the momentum to roll out. He was able to roll to his feet and get into another stance. Firion was enjoying this. He charged towards the knight again, rolled right again but jumped left and aimed a kick at Ze'kyre's midriff.

 

[Resolute\\.ZEN]

Ze'kyre's kicking foot landed behind him, so that his right foot was facing the pups new position. Another split second and the Padawan had found his balance. It pleased the monk to see that Firion's agility was consistent. When the pup rolled again, Ze'kyre made sure to keep his balance in check by keeping his knees bent.

And then the pup leapt up towards him, and sent another kick his way, this time towards his abdomen. Without a moments hesitation he stepped forward and reached out with his hands. One hand was sent to intercept the kick, another sent to grab an arm. The corded muscles of his upper body clenched as he stepped backwards and twisted his body, swiftly tossing the amaran child back into the middle of the clearing.

He had flipped the pup about randomly, and swiftly turned to see how the child would handle being tossed through the air. Of course, he would catch him with the Force before allowing him to fall on his head or do any other serious damage. But still he wondered if the child would land on his own.

 

[Dóiteán]

The Echani knight had blocked his kick and grabbed his arm and thrown him. Firion went flying through the air. Firion curled his legs to his body and let the momentum carry him forward. At the last second, he stuck out his hand and used the momentum to flip himself into the air. Completing the flip, he landed on his feet. His right leg was behind him. Firion then charged forward again, aiming a kick at Ze'kyre's leg. He then changed direction and aimed it towards Ze'kyre's side.

 

[Resolute\\.ZEN]

"Well done," Ze'kyre remarked with a slight smile as the young Amaran charged him once again. Not only was the pup nimble, but he was persistent, and full of energy. Ze'kyre could even see how much fun Firion was having, despite the conviction he displayed. Perhaps the monk would let this continue a little while longer, just to see what else the pup had to show him.

When Firion's foot rose off of the ground, Ze'kyre rose his right knee in order to check it. It did not take much more of a raise in order to block the kick as it readjusted for the side of his abdomen. He redirected the kick outward with his shin in order to throw Firion slightly over his balance, then the echani's foot shot forward and around the Amaran's base ankle in a swift attempt to sweep the other foot out from under the pup

 

[Dóiteán]

Firion was enjoying himself. The kick had been deflected again. Ze'kyre had also attempted to sweep Firion's leg out from under him. Firion jumped back quickly and charged forward again. The young Amaran jumped to the left and swept his leg out at the knight's hip. This is fun, Firion thought. He wondered what else they might do.

 

[Resolute\\.ZEN]

The warmth in Ze'kyre's indigo eye faded in a heartbeat. The pup must have been growing tired, for his movements were becoming sloppier. The monk thought he saw the signs of distraction too, as the padawan concerned himself with what else might happen, instead of remaining in the moment as Ze'kyre intended to teach him. The hop over Ze'kyre's foot was effective for staying on his feet momentarily, but the pup had forgotten his form, and before he could find his balance again, it would be an easy thing for Ze'kyre to extend his foot back out forwards, this time to the pup's center of gravity, before even putting it on the ground after his sweep.

The following attack from Firion would be met with a wave of Ze'kyre's hand. "That is enough," he said, his tone considerably less friendly than it had been before. "Sit with me, Firion."

When the pup had joined him on the ground, Ze'kyre locked eyes with him. "You're quite the fierce little warrior," he said, allowing some of his warmth to sneak back into his demeanour. "But you need to start paying more attention to detail. To be a warrior is to be an artist, and like any artist you need to learn to express yourself, not just draw the lines or go through the movements. Your actions are quite fluid when you keep your mind clear, you just need to bring them to life with the proper technique, and a little more creativity."

Ze'kyre's basilisk-like stare was unrelenting as he begun his constructive criticisms. How the pup reacted to his words would say a lot to the older monk.

 

[Dóiteán]

Firion sat down at his master's request. His had drooped a bit hearing Ze'kyre. "I'll do better next time master", Firion responded. The young Amaran had gotten a bit tired and it had seemed that the Echani knight had noticed that. Firion was not entirely ashamed, but slightly disappointed. While only being 8, he knew he was a decent fighter. The padawan then looked up into the Echani's eyes. His ears occasionally twitched from the sound of a bird or other animal.

 

[Resolute\\.ZEN]

Watching closely, Ze'kyre was pleased with Firion's display of humility. Despite his shyness, the older Jedi could see a confidence burning within him when he looked back up into Ze'kyre's eyes. His face warmed once again with a smile. "Please, master is not a title I covet, nor truly hold amongst the Jedi. If it please you, Firion, you may refer to me as Mentor.

"Now, Firion, I want you to close your eyes." He had noticed the ears twitching, and decided that the meditative lesson they would approach with an immersive focus on awareness. "In your head I want you to count down from one hundred. Do not rush, take your time and give each number a full, deep breath of attention and adoration. Keep your back straight, and do not move, not to scratch an itch, not if you need to sneeze; not at all unless to straighten your back." Throughout the course of the next hour or so, Firion's back, hips and legs would grow sore from sitting in lotus position for so long. Ze'kyre hoped that the lesson would give Firion a sense of intimacy with the phrase 'mind over matter'.

Ze'kyre closed his own eyes, and began to lengthen his breaths, quickly altering the width of his brainwaves into a more meditative state as he allowed time Firion to do the same. Of course, it did not take a long count-down for Ze'kyre, he had shown a keen mastery over his thoughts by the time he was Firion's age, but everyone had to start somewhere, and for Firion that would be one-hundred. No doubt he would get distracted throughout the course of his count, with thoughts of past days or those yet to come, but Ze'kyre intended to teach the pup to take such moments as a sign that his mind is not focused enough and re-start at the last remembered number. No one can act in the past or the future, everything exists in the now.

The Jedi Knight could sense the chatter-filled mind of the Padawan before him, and intended to remain open to the brainwaves of the pup. He knew that as Firion grew more focused, his mind would enter a state of now-ness unachieved by the typical galactic citizen. When the mind is serene, thought becomes action. When it is in a state of upheaval, thoughts are corrupted by the inevitability of doubt. The art of quieting ones own mind was, as far as Ze'kyre was concerned, the truest display of power one could ever hope to perform. Power over others is useless. Only when one has power over their self do they discover their strength.

 

[Dóiteán]

Firion did as the Echani knight requested. Closing his eyes and straightening his back, the young Amaran started to slowly count count down. One hundred *deep breathe* ninety-nine *deep breathe* ninety-eight, Firion continued with slow deep breathes. At about eighty-five, Firion started thinking of Naboo and his father. He then remembered what he was shipyard to be doing and started from eighty-five again.

The young padawan kept slowly counting as the knight requested. Occasionally thoughts about what the future might hold, the other padawans he met, and observations about the planet would pop into his head. He'd push those thoughts out and start back where he left off.

 

[Resolute\\.ZEN]

Twenty minutes passed, the two sitting there in silence as they both delved deeper into their own minds. The process of reaching zero usually leaves one with a far quieter mind than they start out with, and without opening his eyes, the Sense of the Great Dragon told him that Firion had done as well as Ze'kyre could have expected from the young Amaran. He displayed a keen level of focus that the echani was pleased with. The next step was coming, but only after the valuable time spent within one's own silent mind. Instead of using his voice and breaking a level of immersion, he reached forward with his thoughts. The telepathy would be easy with both of their minds in such a state.

Focus, came the thought, with a touch of the white monk's disciplined force signature. What do yo hear out here, in the wilderness? It was a rhetorical question, the Knight wanted the young Jedi to learn not only to delve into his mind and make it silent, but to use that silence to expand his consciousness and awareness.

 

[Dóiteán]

Firion say silently, his thoughts as silent as he was. The only sound permeating the air was that of nature. He sat there for about twenty minutes until the Echani spoke using telepathy. The young Amaran kept his mind silent and attempted to expand his consciousness and awareness. Firion tried but couldn't quite get the results that he hoped to achieve. He had briefly expanded his awareness, being able to briefly touch the knight's. He was only able to do that for about a minute.

 

[Resolute\\.ZEN]

Ze'kyre noticed his Padawan's mild success, but also saw when it fell through. What the young Padawan needed to understand was that tapping into the Force is like pulling cotton apart. The harder you try, the more it will resist. Do not rely on the Force right away, young one. Start with your ears, listen for the singing of nature, the tuning of the universe. Therein lies the song of the Great Dragon, do not try and create the music yourself. As if to give an example, he enveloped Firon's consciousness with his own awareness. Ze'kyre's ears could not hear quite as distinctly as the Amaran's canine ear structure, but his mind was open to the presence of more sound, the birds, the rustling leaves, the underbrush. Ze'kyre focused on none of it at all, instead allowing it to reach him become a natural part of his own presence.

The Force will not just give you what you reach for, Firion. It rewards patience, discipline, and persistence. You will spend a lot of time striving to develop the skills of the Force, but they will come to you when you discover the truth of your individual virtues. This is something the Sith will never wield against us. They may have numbers but they can never match our conviction. To the Sith and the Bogan, the Force is a tool to be bent to your will. As Jedi we must learn to understand that we owe everything to the universe. That understanding comes with the realization that we can never have power over the Force, we can only conquer ourselves.

Do not reach for my consciousness, accept it as part of nature and as a harmony to your own being.

 

[Dóiteán]

Firion then did what the knight said. He listened to the sounds of nature. He listened to the breeze blowing through the branches, the chirping of baby birds, the song of the adult birds, and the voice of the wind. He listened to them all and heard all, instead of focusing on just one sound. The Amaran was relaxed as he listened. His consciousness started expanding, touching the knight's mind while still encompassing the surrounding area. He took slow, deep breathes while he listened.