Rose Petals and Chestnuts!

[Denzein]

Eleanor hadn't come to the Jedi for herself, she had come because Daddy had told her to. He always knew best, and had sent her to the Jedi to become strong like he was. She was to become the pinnacle of excelence in every way, just like he was, and the Jedi were the perfect place to start her journey.

She sat in her bedroom, on the simple single bed that all new padawans were given. The light was off, she preferred the darkness. It was cool, calming, lonely. So much of her life had been so...

That was why she was here. She wanted to be a part of the Jedi, to integrate them into her family. She was going to join with them, to trust them as they would come to trust her. She was to become a valued member of the Order, she could sense it.

Unlike the other new blood, she already had experience of the force. She could use it's more basic applications already, such as telekinesis, or augmentation of the body. Father had taught her those, among others. She was here to learn to become powerful in ways he could not teach her. She was here, for all intents and purposes, to devote herself to the Jedi. A shame she was such a daddy's girl...

 

[Wit]

Atop a small rising just outside the monastery, a lone Jedi sat crossed legged on the grass under the moonlight, his silhouette, with the full moon in the background, struck an austere image. His hands on his lap, back erect and body perfectly still. If not for the breath he drew in every few seconds he could have been mistaken for a statue. A cool breeze was blowing that night, the long grass swaying gentle in its wake. Suddenly the wind changed direction, where it had been blowing in from the Jedi's side it now began blowing in directly towards him. His hood, pulled down low over his head, caught in the breeze and was pulled back from his head revealing his face. Sharp, handsome features complemented by a sense of calmness that seemed to exude from his very being. The bandages wrapped around his eyes added a sense of loss and sadness.

Aden awoke from the trance like state he had fallen into. Unable to sleep, he had come here to mediate and calm himself. He had managed to fall deeper into the Force than he had ever managed and having achieved a sense of harmony with the Force, he felt more calm and at peace with himself than he had in a along time. His thoughts then drifted to the the upcoming day when was to meet his new padawan. He had trained others before, but never a female, and an Anzati at that. This was going to be as much of an learning experience for him as it would be for her. Pushing himself off from the ground he dusted his robes and made his way back to his quarters. As he lay down to sleep he rubbed his eyes, now free of bandages, and wondered what the Force had in store for him and his new padawan.

 

[Denzein]

Morning. Eleanor rolled over in her bed, slamming off the alarm clock and groaning. Back in the slums she had woken up as she pleased unless father told her otherwise, but she had decided that an early start would make a good impression on her new teacher.

She sat up, rubbing sleep dust from her eye. She dressed quickly, pulling on a cream Jedi robe and leaving her room, taking in the sights of the serene environment of the Enclave. It was a peaceful place, she liked it here...

She wondered where her teacher would be. Was he still sleeping? No-one had explained how waking up works in the Jedi, did padawans have to get up before knights? Knights before masters? The whole place felt very... foreign. She passed a few other individuals, not able to tell what rank they held. They nodded respectfully towards her, and she smiled back. How odd. How polite.

She came to a large square open space, assuming it to be a meeting point, of sorts. She looked around, unsure of what she should be doing while waiting for her teacher but unwilling to look useless in what was obviously a place of purpose, learning and - to an extent - industry. She gravitated towards one of the corners, deciding to observe the others. She leant against a wall, trying not to be noticed by the various individuals who had woken at the same ungodly hour as her. Where was her teacher?

 

[Wit]

Aden walked into the mess and picked a cup of coffee from the irritable Ithorian who had been on night duty. With Jedi coming and going from the monastery at almost every hour of the day, there was always someone hungry soul in need of food. As a result the workers in the main mess and cafeteria were required to pick up night duties as well. A few minutes later, smiling slightly at the still grumbling Ithorian, he began walking towards the outer courtyards to get some fresh air. On his way he felt a presence that drew his attention. A young female, leaning against the wall in a corner all by herself. As he looked at her through the Force he identified her as his padawan, having felt her presence before when she had arrived on Tython. Surprised to find her up at such an early hour he made his way towards her. As he approached she looked up at him and he smiled at her. "Eleanor? Eleanor Lushkya Day?" he asked remembering her full name. "I am Aden Vaal. I think they must have told you before you came here, I am to be your master."

 

[Denzein]

"Teacher. You're here to teach me, so you're my teacher, Mr. Vaal...?"

She ended on a high note, indicating the sentence was a question. She wasn't sure about the whole master thing, it all felt very fishy to her. She'd play along if it was necessary, but she hoped Aden would be understanding.

She shucked herself off the wall and stood up straight, taking in the figure who was to guide her to knighthood. His eyes were covered... had he lost them? That would be sad... Eleanor knew it hurt to leak roses from your eyes, but to cry out the eyeballs? She shuddered mentally, it didn't bear thinking about.

She smiled, trying to make a good first impression. Yawning, she looked at his chest, unsure of where to look him to appear sincere now that she knew he had no eyes.

"So when do we begin? My father taught me the basics, I can show you if you like."

 

[Wit]

Aden nodded in agreement, "Yes, I am Aden Vaal. And however you may choose to name my role, teacher , master, mentor, its your wish. Titles mean nothing to me, I am here to teach you, as you are here to learn." Once more Aden felt that something about this girl was different, but he couldn't put his finger on it so for the time being he let the matter drop. As she yawned Aden and continued, "You should have gotten more sleep, a tired mind cannot learn much. Getting up early is good, but make sure to rest yourself fully. Now, why don't you show me how much your father taught you."

 

[Denzein]

She smiled at her teacher, pleased that he understood where she was coming from with the whole master thing... It was just creepy. She giggled at him, reaching out through the force like her Father had shown her. Her aura when she used the force was much lighter than his, her youth making it innocent and serene as an angel.

She walked out into the centre of the courtyard, watching a pair of padawans dueling. She didn't have a lightsaber yet, Daddy had been meaning to show her how to weild one but he hadn't had the time before sending her to the Jedi. She hadn't minded, he was always so busy with his work... She instead looked to the fountain beside her, spewing water from some unknown source. Eleanor smiled, she had found her demonstration.

She touched the water with her mind, running spiritual fingers through the flying water, causing it to part as if real fingers had been placed it its path. She hoped Aden was watching, she wanted him to understand that she wasn't new to force use; she had one of the best teachers in the galaxy for a father.

Calling the force to her in greater amounts now, in a way that suggested control rivalling a Junior knights, she stopped the water from hitting the pool it was plummeting into. Instead she held it, more and more water coming under her influence as it left the pipe, ran out of vertical energy and remained suspended in the air. She was making pearls, pearls of water in the sky... Such a pretty technique, she had delighted when she had first been shown it, Father bending the waves of an ocean to his bidding. It had been the first thing she had asked to learn, and he had obliged without question.

Once she had about 20 pearls under her command she floated them to above the dueling pair of padawans, her mind firmly set on mischief. Once they were in position, poised to drench the unaware duo, she looked back at Aden. She smiled impishly, asking for permission with her eyes. She wondered what he'd make of the display, she was sure the other padawans didn't come to the Jedi as skilled as she was...

 

[Wit]

Aden felt Eleanor's pleasure at his reply not only through her giggle but also through the Force as he felt her reach out and touch his mind. She had a very pure and innocent presence, something Aden rarely saw now due to the ongoing war. As she walked out into the center of the courtyard and began diverting the flow of the water Aden couldn't but just look on in surprise at the ease with which Eleanor used the Force. Her confidence, her calmness in controlling the Force, she was much more skilled than most padawans. Once the spheres of water were over the heads of the padawans he sensed her turn to him with a grin on her face. Realizing that she was asking for permission he smiled back in reply and jerked his head once towards the padawans as if to say Sure, why not.

 

[Denzein]

Eleanor caught herself, why was she looking back at him? He had no eyes... How silly of her to think he'd be able to respond easily to her expression. He jerked his head, but Eleanor could sense that he had found it harder to decipher what she was doing than if she had asked him. Oopsie...

Her disappointment with herself bore physically manifested fruits. The orbs of water that she was levitating had the warmth sucked from them as if through a straw, nature's energy trying to compensate for the girl's momentary lapse in happiness. They didn't freeze, but they were ice-cold when she finally released them, drawing screams of surprised outrage from the pair. She didn't realise she'd made the orbs cold.

The pair looked around, searching for the cause of their icy predicament, and their eyes came to rest on the pretty sixteen year old girl behind the fountain, flanked by her master. They balked and walked away, not wishing to end up sparring the Jedi Knight behind her. Their complaints could be heard even as they left the courtyard.

She looked back at Aden, not sure what to expect. Would he ask her to demonstrate more? There were so many things she could do with the force, they would be there all day if he wanted to see everything. She didn't speak, waiting for him to sayu something respectfully.

 

[Wit]

Aden sensed how Eleanor's emotions changed and how that change affected the water she was manipulating. As the sparring padawans were bathed in icy cold water Aden was lost in thought. Eleanor had displayed remarkable control over the Force but her emotions were still all over the place. As the padawans walked away Aden turned to face Eleanor, "Good, your control over the Force is remarkable. But just control over the Force or brandishing a lightsaber does not make one a Jedi. Being a Jedi is a way of life, its a journey down a path of personal discovery. But that does not mean one should only seek knowledge and wisdom to achieve such an state of self enlightenment, as Jedi it is also our duty to help preserve peace and protect life where we can. Before you can help others you must understand them, and before you can understand others you must understand yourself and the path you follow." He pointed to the spot where the padawans had been sparring and continued, "See how the water responded to a change in your emotions, that was your emotions getting the better of you. Emotions often cause confusion in the mind, as evident from how the water turned cold. If you learn to control your emotions you can achieve a peaceful and meditative state of mind." Aden paused for a seond before quoting part of the Jedi code, "Emotion, yet peace, that is the way of the Jedi. Do you know the Jedi Code?"

 

[Denzein]

She listened avidly, absorbing everything he said like the proverbial sponge. She knew what she had to do at this very moment, she had to choose her path... She had three choices as far as she could make out, but she knew she only really had one. Father had seen to that, in his wisdom. She chose, like she had done countless times before. Her aura lightened again, just as Aden finished his speech with the question every padawan dreaded. Well... Most padawans.

"I wouldn't have come before learning the code and its meanings and interpretations by heart, Aden. Uhh...

Emotion, yet peace... um..
Ignorance, yet knowledge,
Passion, yet serenity,
Chaos, yet harmony... then..
Death, yet the force.

It's a way of life, like you said. You can interpret the code in so many ways that it can dictate for every aspect of life, if you let it, right?"

 

[Wit]

Pleased with her reply Aden nodded, "Yes, you can indeed interpret it in a number of ways. Consider the third line, Chaos, yet Harmony. As I see it, it tells us that there aren't any occurrences in the world happen by coincidence. Everything is the will of the Force, and no matter how harmonic things might seem there is always an underlying sense of harmony to be found if you look at it the right way. Ultimately everything, no matter how great or insignificant an event it may be, is the will of the Force. Even when there is chaos, there is harmony."

Taking in a deep breath he placed his hand in the path of the water flowing out of the fountain and addressed her question, "Depending on the way you interpret it the Jedi Code teaches a Jedi how to live in harmony with the Force. It can provide you with guidance in almost every turn you take, along whichever path you follow. The code is also a set of guidelines for a Jedi on how to live their life and help them avoid the pull of the Dark Side. Fear, anger, hate, aggression, they lead to the Dark Side of the Force. The code helps a Jedi follow a path where those emotions can be avoided."

Aden gathered his thoughts before continuing, "Your understanding of the Code will increase with time, with experience. The fact that you know what the Code states and seem to have some understanding of it is a good thing. But for now lets change direction, shall we? We can discuss the Code and even the Tenants further a little later in your training. Tell me, do you have a lightsaber of your own?"

 

[Denzein]

She frowned - the one thing she was not ahead of the other padawans with was that she did not have a blade of her own. Her Father had trained her hard in the short time that he had known her with his own blades though. He had so many, when she asked where they were from he just said "others". She could fight with light sabers, and fight well for someone her age, but she didn't yet own one. Father had said something about a rite of passage...

"No, I don't. I've been taught the basics though, Ataru... I think..."

 

[Wit]

[OOC: Sorry for the late reply.]
"Hmm, thats alright. We can make do with training saber's for now. So, Ataru, it does seem well suited to you. Ataru makes extensive use of acrobatic maneuvers and its practitioners make use of the Force to aid in their acrobatics. Your aptitude with the Force will make those aspects easier for you to master. If Ataru is indeed the Form you want to learn then be warned, it is an aggressive combat form, more so than some of the other forms. In order to master Ataru, you must be able to control your anger, because if you don't, your combat becomes aggressive and may lead you to the Dark side. So tread carefully, like everything, it has its weaknesses and disadvantages. But first I'd like to see how well you can handle the blade." He pulled out a small remote from within his robes and activated it. As the small droid floated into the air he tossed his own lightsaber to Eleanor. "This remote will fire low energy plasma blasts at you while you use the lightsaber to deflect as many of them as you can. The blasts won't injure you, but they will sting alot, so try to avoid getting hit. Shout go when you are ready and it will begin its sequence."

 

[Denzein]

She caught the weapon deftly, examining it. She liked it, although not as much as Father's paired works of art. he had spent so long making those, gathering the materials and such... They were so pretty.

Aden's was a lightsaber, pure and simple. In Eeanor's eyes it was nothing special, but then it took a lot to impress her. It took Nothing to impress her. She found the igniter and flicked it on, noting the sapphire blade with indifference. She moved into the Shii-Cho ready stance, remembering what Father had told her about blaster fire, that Ataru's largest weakness was the gun. He no longer used his blade to defend against it, such was his power in the force. Eleanor, on the other hand, would have to rely upon the sword. For now, at least.

"Ready."

The device must have been voice activated, because the moment the word left her parted lips the first shot came. She reacted on impulse, swaying to one side and letting he shot pass by he shoulder. The drone fired again, not letting her prepare. Aden's blade came up, flasher in front of her nose and deflecting the shot with seemingly easy grace.

She returned to the ready stance, the drone circling her slowly, like a wolf stalking its prey. She couldn't help but feel that the simulation was somewhat unrealistic, she was sure that an actual blaster wielding enemy would give her no time to return to ready position. It was only a test, she concluded, a way of measuring her cuurent skill. She resolved to pass.

The next shot came from nowhere, aimed at her sword arm. She flicked her wrist, bringing the blade parralel with her arm, just an inch or so from her flesh. She knew full well that the saber would likely sever her arm should she slip, but she was confident. The plasma bolt deflected, and she twirled the blade back around from reverse grip. She eyed the device, waiting for the next attack... Focussed was the word that best described her appearance now.

The drone stepped up its assault, zipping in to the left and firing before darting to her other side and shooting twice more. She dodged for the second time in the "fight", swinging her body out of the path of the shot from the left. Aden's blade blocked the first from the right, but her skill finally failed her, blade fumbling in her fingers. The last shot sent stinging failure blossoming up the blade arm. The device stopped, sensing it had won.

She looked at Aden, expecting feedback of some sort. She wasn't embarrassed, she didn't hate herself for failing, Father had beaten that out of her for good...

 

[Wit]

"Not bad, not bad at all. Your reflexes are good, though with more training and practice your skills can improve to much more. Remember, let the Force guide your movements. From what I have seen till now I have to agree that whoever taught you did a good job. Someday I'd like to hear about your former teacher, he obviously knew what he was doing." Holding out his hand he summoned the remote back into his palm and deactivating the little automaton, put it back into its resting place in his robes. "I think I have a good idea how to go about your training. If you are to master Ataru you will need to focus on your stamina and agility. You have good control over the Force so that will help in mastering Ataru as well. I think a role of a Sentinel would suit you, skilled in combat and Force powers alike. Do you agree?"

 

[Denzein]

"Sounds like him, a Sentinel... Yes, that's what I'll become. I'll blend both body and mind to achieve perfection, there's no point in doing otherwise."

She tossed Aden's saber back at him, wondering what he would start with now he knew her capabilities. She hoped he wouldn't underestimate her now, and if he did she'd make sure he knew. She wasn't about to let herself be patronised by a lesser species, one that wasn't Anzati. Of course, Father wasn't Anzati but he was special. He had earned his right to sentience in her eyes, earned it through sheer awe inspiring power.

She smiled at Aden, she was sure he would be able to meet Father someday... Although in what context only the force knew. She wasn't about to tell him the truth, he'd have to find out for himself.

"Father taught me, after he found me. I was in the gutter, and he took me in. He trained with the Jedi too, you know."

 

[Wit]

Aden deftly reached out with a hand and caught the lightsaber out of the air, clipping it onto his utility belt in a single fluid motion. Sounds like him...him? Aden was getting more and more curious about her previous master. She was proving to be very skilled for padawan, and that only increased his curiosity. The words she then uttered only increased his curiosity, Her father? No, he took her in. Trained with the Jedi. Who was this guy? But he could sense that she wasn't willing to tell him more.

Deciding against questioning her further he pushed the topic aside, "Good, thats settled then. I think we have done enough for our first day, but I have a good idea of what we should do next. I think I can have someone with a much greater knowledge than me of Ataru help you with your lightsaber training. She is an Ataru master, so she will be able to give you alot of insight into the subtleties of Ataru, much more than I can. Also seeing as you already have a good level of control over the Force we will start learning some specific techniques, if you have any particular technique in mind then we can start with that or we could decide on that together. In the mean time I have a little exercise for you that you can try out in your spare time. Sitting cross-legged, with your back straight, close your eyes, and slow your breathing, feel every breathe, feel its rhythm. This is a simple breathing exercise, it will help you remain calm, and to relax. Once you have quietened your mind you will find it easier to feel the Force, to be able to hear what it has to tell you. Meditation like this will make you more aware of the Force and make it even easier for you to reach out to it. Well, I think thats all for today, I shall meet you tomorrow in the main training chamber and we shall start with your lightsaber training before moving on."

 

[Denzein]

Eleanor smiled and turned back in the direction of her room. She paused a moment, looking back at the blind knight that had today begun the job of teaching her the ways of the force. He was nice, she was pleased she got him as opposed to some mean old master with a rod up their arse.

"Thanks Aden, for taking me on I mean. I know you could have picked anyone else... It means a lot to me. I know I'm hardly a, uh, normal student."

She walked off, out of the square. She knew about the meditation technique he'd described, Father knew its importance. He hardly slept anymore, using it instead to circumvent his dreams. He hated them so so much...

 

[Wit]

Aden felt Eleanor turn around at the door and then heard her speak. Hearing what she had to say made him smile with genuine warmth, "Thinking nothing of it." As she turned and left Aden himself began walking back towards the inner temple complex. He liked his new student, she was skilled, more so than most padawans, but she still had not shown too much pride. She showed alot of potential and if she managed to keep her feet on the ground then he could see her becoming a great Jedi. As her mentor it was his duty to guide her and help her achieve her potential, and he would try his best to do that. The rest was up to her and the Force.

Content with how the day had gone so far, he took a meandering path to his quarters. Once there he sent off a message to a friend, the same he had mentioned to Eleanor, asking her to help out with Eleanor's lightsaber training the next day. Syal was a different kind of Jedi as compared to him, more direct and confrontational. He was sure Eleanor would benefit from her tutelage, but would she get along with her? That was something only the next day would tell.