Open Takodana Sleepin' In

[Lugh Aurvandill]

Amidst the lush greenery of Takodana's meditation garden, Lugh Aurvandill attempted to align his physical prowess with spiritual depth. The environment, a picturesque blend of nature's tranquility and the Force's gentle whisper was meant to nurture deep reflection. Yet, for Lugh, with his striking silver-white hair and perceptive grey eyes, this serene setting was less a catalyst for meditation and more a lullaby inviting slumber.

Surrounded by exotic blossoms exuding a calming fragrance, Lugh attempted to anchor his thoughts in the teachings of the Jedi. However, the rhythmic cadence of the nearby stream, coupled with the soft rustling of leaves, orchestrated a symphony that gently coaxed him toward sleep. The first time his eyelids succumbed to this peaceful lull, Lugh's head dipped forward, awakening him with a start. He straightened up, a faint scar on his cheek creasing slightly as he frowned, mildly annoyed at his body's betrayal.

He muttered to himself, "Concentration, Lugh, not hibernation," before closing his eyes again, trying to focus on the Force's luminous presence. Yet, the environment's soporific embrace proved too potent. Once more, he dozed off, his head lolling gently against the trunk of a nearby tree. Each brief foray into sleep ended with a jolt of awareness, as Lugh struggled between the Jedi discipline instilled in him and the seductive call of restful oblivion.

"Third time's the charm, or maybe the third nap's a trap," he quipped to himself after waking up yet again. Finally, with a mix of frustration and amusement at his predicament, Lugh conceded defeat to the garden's tranquil assault. He stood up, stretching his limbs that had grown stiff from his intermittent naps. "Well, that's it! Can't say I haven't given it an honest try," he said with a wry smile. Deciding to seek a more engaging activity within the Temple's walls, Lugh set off, ready to embrace the new adventures that awaited him in its venerable halls.

OCC: Open to 1 or 2 other(s). Just hoping to meet other characters and get a better feel for Lugh through RP!

 

[Kane Seros]

It had been a few weeks since Kane's loss at Genassa. Since coming to Takodana for rehabilitation, this was one of the few times he wasn't with Liana. She was spending the day getting a check-up from the Jedi doctors and healers. It offered Kane a day by himself. He was thankfu for the solitude, but found himself turning to ask her something only to remember she wasn't there. At least walking on his prosthetic legs was easier now. He was confident enough that he could carry an item and walk at the same time.

Holding a hot cup of caf in his hand, his other stuffed into a pocket of his black joggers. A tan hoodie covered his redeveloping and growing muscles; working out had become an important part of his day, not just to rebuild what he lost being bed ridden but to build new and better. Dark eyes under his shoulder length, black hair were set straight forward, even with Knights and Padawan passing by in the halls. Some of them stopped to stair. They'd get over it. Unlike you.

The voice of self-doubt had never really died down, despite how much better he was at most things. He could recover all he wanted, but he still lost and let civilians die. The voice would never let him forget that. Despite that, Kane always found himself in the training hall at least once a day. He plug his EZPhone into the interface, set his caf down, pulled up the Matukai holocron he had downloaded from the library, and stepped onto the training mat.

The obsidian colored training droid that stepped up as opposition was outfitted to train hand-to-hand combat. The holocron's recorded lesson played through Kane's EZPods. The training droid didn't wait for an invitation, starting with a series of quick, hard punches. Parries, blocks, and strikes weren't what kept Kane from succeeding most of the time. Though he was able to walk relatively normally now, his foot work in combat still needed some training. There were still several minutes of trading Force imbued blows with the training droid before that would start to show.

The training room was open, both doors and windows. Some Padawan and Knights alike would stop and watch for a moment or two before continuing on their walks through the temple halls. They were the same people that would stop and stare, thinking "There goes Kane, the loser of Genassa." A padded fist knocked the self-doubt out of Kane, he answered by grabbing the mechanical arm that had thrown the punch and delivering several powerful strikes along it. The droid would be unharmed, the person on the receiving end eventually would certainly not.

@Aberforth

 

[Hiraya Manawari]

The mission on Kashyyyk with Scorpio and Master Elenath had left a lasting impression on Hiraya, both the good and the bad.

Having newly arrived here on the Jedi Temple of Takodana, the Tiefling found himself listlessly wandering around, gaze sometimes torn between emptiness and wonder. The dead scientists in that abandoned lab still found their way in his nightmares, more so the Sith spawn that killed them. Fear, anger, hopelessness – emotions that filled his chest whenever he woke up, wide-eyed and heaving. Master Elenath's praise, Scorpio's easy camaraderie, and the gratitude he felt that they all managed to walk out alive and unscathed from that ordeal. Hiraya was glad that he had been helpful during that time, even if he did mess up by getting baited by the Irzêona when it used one of the dead scientists as a trap...

Tail swishing languidly behind him, Hiraya meandered the halls with no purpose. As he turned a corner, he hadn't realized that he had been following a white-haired Padawan (@Aberforth) without meaning to, Hiraya's mind wandering as he held his Bunbun Droid, Itty Bitty, in his arms.

It was the sounds coming from the open trianing room that further broke the haze that clouded Hiraya's mind, crimson gaze alighting upon a Knight (@TheDudeMike) duking it out with a training droid. The Tiefling's footsteps halted, horned head tilting as he watched the Knight's movements. There was something about the older Jedi's strikes that made Hiraya's brows knot with worry.

Was he angry or something?

 

[Lugh Aurvandill]

As Lugh Aurvandill strolled through the corridors of the Takodana Jedi Temple, his silver-white hair shimmering under the soft glow of the corridor lights, he couldn’t help but feel a sense of exhilaration. The temple, with its fusion of history and modernity, always stirred in him a curious blend of reverence and adventure. His grey eyes, reflective of his keen perception and youthful optimism, scanned the surroundings, always eager to uncover new experiences or acquaintances.

Passing by the training room, Lugh's attention was captured by the intense sparring session unfolding within. A Jedi Knight, whom he recognized as Kane from whispers around the temple, was engaged in a vigorous duel with a training droid. Kane's movements, though precise and powerful, carried an undercurrent of frustration, as if each strike was an outlet for some deeper, unspoken turmoil.

“Channeling some serious fire there,” Lugh commented to himself, a playful smirk tugging at the corners of his mouth.

His gaze then drifted to another figure, a Tiefling with a distinctive tail and horns, standing near the entrance of the training room. The newcomer, who seemed entranced by the sparring session, radiated a mix of concern and curiosity. Lugh hadn't seen him before and deduced he must be new to the temple.

Approaching the Tiefling, Lugh flashed a charming grin. “Quite the spectacle, isn’t it? Kane over there could give a raging Bantha a run for its credits,” he quipped, his voice laced with humor.

Without waiting for a response, Lugh’s eyes flickered back to Kane’s sparring session. “You know, watching him makes me realize my own training could use a bit more... spice. Maybe I should challenge one of those droids to a dance-off,” he mused aloud, his tone light and teasing.

Lugh, always one to seek connections, turned back to the Tiefling. “I’m Lugh, by the way. And you are?” His question hung in the air, an invitation for conversation, his demeanor embodying the balance between a Jedi’s discipline and a young man’s playful spirit.

@TheDudeMike @marshland

 

[Kane Seros]

The voice of the silver haired Padawan was like a distance murmur to Kane. He could sense both of their presences, but paid them no attention. The droid made a wide swing, and Kane ducked, delivering a blow to its elbow from underneath. He followed it up with a jab into the padded face of the droid. It staggered backward a step, electronically groaning as its processor loaded a more advanced lesson. In the time it took Kane to reset, the droid was bouncing back with a kick.

This was where Kane struggled the most. Even with using the Force, eventually the droid would be faster than him; he would trip up over himself and fall. That was the curse of new prosthetic legs, even if he was gradually getting better with them every day. Kane blocked the kick with both forearms in the shape of a shield in front of him. A punch came next, aimed at Kane's lowered nape, and Kane managed to duck under it and weave around to the right of the droid. Three punches to the side of the chassis was all Kane had time to do before the droid whipped around with a backhand. Kane blocked the backhand, but wasn't ready for the kick that followed it from the same side. He lifted his knee in an attempt to block, misjudged the time and spacing, and found himself having his legs kicked out from under him.

Kane hissed as his back slapped against the training mat. The droid took two steps back, entering rest mode until it would be reactivated by Kane or someone else. The Knight lay a moment, staring up at the ceiling, recounting the spar, reflecting on what he did right and what he did wrong. And now at least two Padawan know you can be taken out by a simple trip. Kane buried the voice down with the ache in his back and legs as he got back to his feet. How many times had he crumbled because of these damn legs in front of Liana? Thankfully he no longer needed her help to get back up, though he took it every time she offered any way.

Walking over to the emitter, Kane pulled his EZPhone from it. He grabbed his caf and turned to the two Jedi that had stayed to watch. One seemed... concerned. The other, the silver-haired one, was far more outgoing. "Enjoy the spectacle?" Kane asked, annoyance slicing through his tone. He took a sip of the caf, slowly approaching the two. "Droid's all yours if you'd like that spice right now." Kane motioned toward the droid.

@Aberforth @marshland

 

[Hiraya Manawari]

A soft, contemplative hum was Hiraya's only response to his fellow Padawan's quip, crimson gaze flickering briefly over the white-haired teenager before returning to the Knight. The Tiefling, however, returned the Echani's grin with one of his own. The comment about training made his pointed ears twitch subtly, tail swishing languidly behind him as he adjusted his hold on Itty Bitty.

"He moves all cool-" Hiraya commented, but as soon as the adjective slipped past his mouth the Knight was brought down by the training droid, legs kicked out from under him. Instead of stopping, however, the Tiefling continued because his comment was not intended to flatter. Concern still laced his voice as he finished with a, "-but I kinda feel like he's... angry?"

Looking back at Lugh, Hiraya offered the former with a smile, warm and friendly. Despite the dark colors that adorned the Tiefling's casual clothing, his smile and demeanor belie the gloomy fashion he currently sported. "I'm Hiraya. Nice to meet ya, Lugh!"

The Tiefling jolted a little where he stood when the Knight's annoyed voice cut through the air. Shoulders hunched, Hiraya turned to gaze at the human, wide-eyed and a bit startled at the possibility of having drawn the ire of the Knight. Although surprised by the tone of voice and the spike of irritation in the Force, Hiraya did not shy away and instead used the opportunity to ask when the older Jedi approached,

"Are you okay, Master?"

Though the question might earn him even more annoyance, the intent behind it was nothing short of genuine. It was asked not for the sake of asking, but with the intention to gauge the Knight's current state. It was clear that Hiraya did not have the full picture as to what had transpired on Genassa, much less Kane's involvement there. Hiraya was just... well, he was just genuinely concerned.

@Aberforth @TheDudeMike

 

[Lugh Aurvandill]

Lugh watched with keen interest as the scene before him unfolded. Kane's movements were a dance of strength and precision, yet tinged with an unmistakable undercurrent of frustration. As the Knight's prosthetic legs betrayed him, sending him tumbling to the mat, Lugh's empathy stirred within him, yet he maintained his characteristic lighthearted demeanor.

Hiraya's concerned inquiry to Kane drew a small, understanding smile from Lugh. The Tiefling's warmth and genuine concern were evident, and Lugh admired that. It was a rare quality, he mused, to care so openly for a fellow Jedi's well-being, especially one so recently acquainted.

Kane's annoyed remark, however, sliced through the air, its edge sharp enough to cut the tension. Lugh's silver hair shimmered as he turned his head, his grey eyes reflecting a playful glint. "A spectacle, indeed," he replied, his voice smooth and untroubled. "Though I must say, watching someone grapple with a droid is far more entertaining when you're not the one being thrown around."

He stepped forward, placing himself between Kane and Hiraya, a mediator by nature. "You handle that droid with remarkable skill, considering the... 'legwork' involved," Lugh said to Kane, his words carefully chosen to acknowledge the Knight's challenge without diminishing his effort. "I must admit, it's quite inspiring."

Turning to Hiraya, Lugh gestured towards the droid with a flourish. "As for the 'spice' in my training, I was thinking more along the lines of a dance-off with our metallic friend here. But watching Master Kane's session, I'm inclined to believe a more... traditional approach might be in order."

His gaze drifted back to Kane, a respectful nod accompanying his words. "Your resilience is commendable. The Force flows uniquely through each of us, and clearly, it's chosen a challenging path for you. But as we know, the brightest stars are often forged in the fiercest fires."

Lugh's tone was light yet sincere, a balance he had mastered over his years at the Temple. He hoped to ease the tension, to transform the room's energy from one of scrutiny and self-doubt to mutual respect and camaraderie. After all, the Jedi Order thrived on unity and understanding, and Lugh, with his charming wit and empathetic heart, was always ready to foster such bonds.

@TheDudeMike @marshland

 

[Kane Seros]

Master? The word gave Kane pause. Ha! They're mocking you! Kane shoved the voice to the back of his mind where it belonged. Padawan; they called everyone master. Not that Kane ever got used to it. He'd spent little time in temples, even through out his training. He let out his frustration and anger in a sigh. They weren't mocking- they were respecting. Even when Kane himself didn't think he deserved it.

"I've had worse," he said. While his prosthetic legs were flesh covered and looked like the legs he had lost, it was pretty clear by his stiff movements that they weren't the set he was born with. A testament to the horrors outside the walls of Jedi Temples. He was a walking scar, given to the Order by the Sith- though he was determined to make sure the Order ended up stronger because of it.

Kane's piercing gaze didn't falter as the white haired Padawan stepped between the tiefling and him. His dark eyes followed him. Remove the charm and the relaxed disposition, and the echani reminded Kane a lot of himself prior to meeting the abominations face to face. A rancor sized creature with a knack for Force Screaming and throwing structural I-Beams like javelins would change even the stoutest of hearts.

"Not bright enough," Kane said, taking a sip of his caf. "The best training is always outside the walls of a temple." Within the walls, one could practice technique, philosophy from books and holocrons, and a myriad of other things. Outside of the walls one could find the way the galaxy really was. It was dirty, dark, and merciless. Technique and form often went to the way side for the sake of survival.

"The droid is nice. Don't have to hold back against it, and you can disable the safety settings so it won't hold back on you," Kane explained, his eyes shifting from the echani to the tiefling and back. "It gets you ready for how it'll be out there."

@Aberforth @marshland

 

[Lugh Aurvandill]

Lugh's expression remained composed, a subtle blend of empathy and curiosity playing across his features as Kane shared his perspective. He noted the Knight's stiff movements and the concealed pain behind his piercing gaze, sensing the deep scars that were not just physical.

"I can only imagine," Lugh replied, his tone laced with genuine respect. "The galaxy does indeed present trials no temple can prepare us for. It's a crucible out there, one that forges us in ways we can scarcely predict."

His gaze lingered on Kane for a moment, understanding the Knight's stance on training within the temple's confines. Lugh himself had always been keenly aware of the chasm between the serenity of temple life and the chaos of the galaxy at large. "There's wisdom in your words," he continued, acknowledging Kane's experience. "The sanctuary of these walls offers knowledge, but it's the galaxy that tests our resolve."

Turning the conversation towards something more practical, Lugh's eyes sparkled with a blend of adventure and eagerness. "Speaking of training outside the temple, do you have any suggestions for an impromptu training expedition? Something that might bridge the gap between temple theory and galactic reality?"

His question hung in the air, a bridge between the wisdom of experience and the enthusiasm of youth. Lugh's curiosity was not just for himself but also for Hiraya and any other young Jedi eager to learn. The Echani Padawan was always seeking to expand his horizons, to understand the Force and its myriad expressions in the vast galaxy.

Lugh's stance was relaxed yet attentive, his hands clasped loosely in front of him. He understood the value of learning from those who had faced the harshness of the galaxy, and Kane's experiences, he knew, could offer invaluable insights. This was a chance to learn, to prepare, and perhaps to understand a little more of the enigmatic and turbulent galaxy they were all destined to serve.

@TheDudeMike @marshland