Sitting About

[Cailst]

"True, clear minds allow reasoned thought. And reasoned thought allows the mind to choose the most advantageous option. The only question is, to who's advantage? Is it not possible for a calm mind to simply choose options that purely benefit them? Could there not be a calm and calculating Sith, waiting for the moment to strike? Likewise, is it not possible for a Jedi to feel so passionate for a friend or lover that they would lay their life down for that person? Would there be something wrong with the Jedi that they allowed their passion to override self preservation?" Znayae asked.

For some reason, the padawan seemed anxious, like he would get the wrong answer. But Znayae would criticize any answer, unless it completely blew his mind. Alas, the padawan didn't know what Znayae's standards were. Hopefully, he'd eventually get it but it could take a while and a lot of anxious moments. Unless he learned telepathy at some point in the training.

 

[JTJP770]

"I.. I.. again.. I do not know Master Ordo." Zeein looked defeated, that last speech was the best he could muster. As a Padawan, he had not yet learned and experienced enough to give a mind blowing answer. He felt as if there was no winning, no way to impress or earn the respect of this Knight.

His hope was beginning to fade. Maybe it was his destiny to be a farmer, maybe he didn't understand the Jedi code and life as much as he thought. Hell, he dosen't even have his own lightsaber yet. Only the standard training saber. He wasn't sure what to do, should he keep trying to impress the Knight? Or give up and accept his fate as a farmer?

 

[Cailst]

"And that is the first step towards learning." Znayae said with a little gleam in his eyes.

"If one cannot admit that they do not know something, how can their mind be open enough to receive or discover the answer? Now that you have taken the first step of admitting ignorance, I can guide you to a self understanding. Of course, I cannot make you understand but I can at least point you in the right direction so that you can understand for yourself. And in some cases, there are no answers, we simply must decide for ourselves what our answers are. Do you have any questions?" Znayae asked.

Ah, perhaps he would catch on, and begin to develop his own understanding. It seemed to be the start of a grand adventure of self discovery for the Zeein.

 

[JTJP770]

Zeein blinked, his eyes lit up with hope as Znayae said he would guide him. "D-does this mean you accept me as your Padawan learner?! I don't have to go to the Agricultural corps?!" He said excited, his dark brown eyes having a child like wonder to them.

The question burning in his mind though, was about Lightsaber creation. But he didn't dare ask it unless prompted. He didn't want to seem anxious and immature by desiring the symbolic weapon of the Jedi. He had debated what color he wanted over and over again in his mind. But couldn't come to a decision, he wanted his hilt to define him. But he must push this thought from his mind until the time came.

 

[Cailst]

"I accepted you as a padawan about 3 days ago. We wouldn't be having this meeting if I hadn't. And no, you won't have to go the the Agricultural corps. If the training goes awry, you'll either be a Sith or be dead, but you won't be forced to become a farmer. Any other questions?" Znayae asked.

He was surprised that the main concern had been that the padawan could have become a farmer. It didn't seem that bad. In all likelihood, if his Grandpa hadn't been so foolish, he could have become a farmer and probably enjoyed it. But things didn't work out so well.

 

[JTJP770]

All in all, being a farmer wouldn't of been so bad. But Zeein Relko spent a good portion of his time reading in the archives of the accomplishments of the great Jedi of old. He wanted to be like them, selfless, brave, powerful. He wanted to make a difference in the galaxy.

"The council didn't inform me of that.. they said a possible Knight arrived to take me as an apprentice. I suppose it was another test. Something I should be used to by now.." He debated whether to ask or not, Ordo did say it was the time for questions. "Do I get to build my Lightsaber now?" He was afraid of the answer he would get, but if he didn't ask then the question would burn him up. "And what made you choose me? I'm just curious.."

 

[Cailst]

"I guess they have a sense of humor," Znayae answered.

"As for the lightsaber, we'll get there. Certainly, it is an important part of being a Jedi, a very useful tool. But it is only a tool and does not make one a Jedi. Any fool can hold and use a lightsaber, only one who is wise and just can be a Jedi," Znayae stated.

"As for me choosing you, it was guided by the force but I do not yet know for what reason," Znayae said. "Now would you like to continue discussing philosophy or would you like a little bit of training with the force? We'll definitely do both but which one would you prefer to do first?"

 

[JTJP770]

"I would enjoy a lesson on the force please Master Ordo. While I like philosophy, it makes my head hurt.." He said with a grin, he seemed excited. The force had always come easier the saber forms for Zeein. He was eager to learn more, and wanted to soak up everything like a sponge.

 

[Cailst]

"Can you hear me now?" Znayae said, but his lips did not move.

His mind sent a message through the force. Hopefully, Zeein would be able to hear the message and reply. However, it would probably be a bit difficult, especially if he wasn't focussing. But eventually, he would hear it, Znayae was going to repeat it as many times as needed till Zeein heard him.

 

[JTJP770]

Zeein nods, "I.. I can hear you. But.. I don't think I can reply mentally." He said quietly, not wanting to break Znayae's concentration. He felt a small ripple in the force, like it was trying to reach out to him. Encouraging him to try and respond, he let his instincts carry the feeling. But he wasn't attuned or concentrated enough to give a reply, all he could muster would be a small ping. Maybe Znayae could feel it, or maybe not.

 

[Cailst]

"Concentrate, let the force flow through you," Znayae kept on saying. Again, his lips did not move.

Hopefully, Zeein would be able to get used to it. If it could be mastered, the rest of training could be done through telepathy. That could seriously benefit Zeein as he'd constantly be connected through the force. It would constantly be on his mind as a useful tool. Another benefit is that they could maintain secrecy more often if they didn't have to audibly chat.

 

[JTJP770]

Relko did as he was asked, letting the force flow through him. Acting as a torrent between Znayae and himself the force bond planting it's seeds. "I-is it working?" He asked mentally, the voice was faint but none the less there. He would ask this a few times, in case the first didn't go through.

 

[Cailst]

"You're signal is a bit weak, if the force flowing through you is like a desiccated stream, then let it become a babbling brook, that should help. Remember, the force must flow," Znayae said telepathically.

At least he finally got it, it'd definitely take a lot of practice but the first step had been completed. Now, the door was open to introducing new force techniques, skills to add that would allow him to accomplish more. And eventually, he'd tie it back into the philosophy of being a Jedi, the most important part.

 

[JTJP770]

Zeein followed his Master's instructions, picturing a wall of rocks which behind it lay water. In his vision, the rocks began to clear. Opening a small path for water to flow, the signal coming from the Padawan would grow stronger. Not a drastic amount, but his words were audible. "It's.. it's hard to keep this going.." Judging by his face, the boy was having a somewhat hard time keeping the signal strong and going. He would improve in time, but it's a wonder he grasped this the first time.

 

[Cailst]

"It can be hard, but when the situation demands it, you need to be able to do it without any effort behind it," Znayae thought to Zeein. "That's why you need to practice now till it's as easy to do as ordinary talking."

By doing it, Zeein would surely get better at it and eventually get to the point where they could chat back and forth reliably. Also, Zeein might also master it with other people which would form the basis of either persuasion, understanding, or utterly creeping non-force users out. All had important applications in addition to the secrecy that could be kept merely using it between the two of them.

 

[JTJP770]

Zeein nodded with his eyes closed, keeping the steady stream going as best he could. After a few minutes a bead of sweat would trickle from his forehead. The Padawan was really pushing himself for this, he didn't want to disappoint Znayae. "This.. this seems to be getting a bit easier.." He said obviously still straining himself.

 

[Cailst]

"Good good, now, can you recite the Jedi Code to me as far as you can remember it through the force?" Znayae asked.

Now, he not only had to communicate but also had to remember, a bit of a challenge for Zeein but a good challenge. It would help him remember the code, despite it being a bit by rote. Still, the added challenge would help him keep it more dear to him than if it were merely recited aloud. And that would help when they went back into discussing all the whys of the code, the most important parts.

 

[JTJP770]

"There is no emotion, there is peace. There is no ignorance, there is knowledge. There is no passion, there is serenity. There is no chaos, there is harmony. There is no death, there is the Force." This was recited mentally back to Zanyae. Zeein had said the code to himself time and time again. It was something he knew by heart, and something he would always remember.

After saying the code, his stream was broken. That much talking had pushed him beyond his limit for now, he was still learning. And the more he practiced the longer he would be able to communicate mentally with his Master. He took a deep breath, trying to regain his composure and breathing. It took a toll on him, but this was only the beginning of his journey.

 

[Cailst]

"Good work so far, you can take a break for a few moments," Znayae said through the force.

Znayae then grabbed one of the cups from a neighboring table with the force. Pulling it towards him, it filled with water in the still pouring rain. Moving it around a bit, he put it right in front of Zeein.

"Take and drink, feel the water flow through you. Feel it barrel into your mouth, past your throat and guzzling into your esophagus. And when it reaches your stomach, feel it penetrate the wall into the bloodstream. Then feel the water in the blood flow from your head to toe. And then when you have felt it all, describe it to me through the force," Znayae said again through the force.

 

[JTJP770]

((GAH! Sorry I've been gone. :3 computer got messed up.))
Zeein took the glass and tipped it to his lips, the liquid rushed down his throat. And while he was drinking he concentrated on it like Znayae asked. He could feel the living force of the water when it hit his blood stream. Mentally, he responded. "I could feel the rush of the liquid as it coursed through me, and I even felt the force in it when it hit my blood stream. It was weird, yet incredible. I know everything is connected by the living force, but.. this is on a whole different level. Even the simplest things contain traces of it."