[Day 5, EE] Feel the force!

[Xanna Teevou]

After a tiring day of diplomacy, and the daring rescue of her 'little sister', Xanna felt she needed some time to focus on her training. Returning to Oraka's cabin she walked down to the lake and sat down amongst the circle of stones.

The force helped her to understand other beings, how to motivate them. She had not yet mastered the art of moving things with the force. So she sat and practiced reaching out with the force, trying to find the connection between all things. The grass, the rocks, the water, herself. Even if she made little outward progress it felt good to make the attempt.

(OOC: Open if you know you're allowed to be here.)

[Oraka Hin]

The old man observed her progress quietly.

[Xanna Teevou]

As her awareness extended outward she started to feel the connections, even if she could not call them towards her. It was a network of interactions. All things together but distinct, joined but separate. The sensation was initially confusing but then strangely calming. She could feel the presence of the cave, radiating light. Did that rock move? Her own heart beating seemed to be one with the pulse of the world. There was a sudden flash of insight into the nature of the force, but it was gone as quickly as it came. Like the after image from staring at a light.

She felt, as much as she heard, the old man's breathing. Slowly she opened her eyes and looked towards him. "Hello there Master. I brought some stew, if you are hungry?" She smiled, remaining in place, enjoying the feeling of oneness.

[Oraka Hin]

He raised a hand said, "I thank you, we can have some shortly."

"When you allow the Force to flow through you, what do you feel?"

[Xanna Teevou]

She thought about for a while. It was an interesting sensation. "It is like a sense of calm, a little tingling, like being wrapped in a blanket. I felt a sharpening of perception, an intensity, but also stillness."

She looked at the surroundings. "I can feel the light from the cave. But also the rocks, and the grass, and that little insect on your robe. It is faint, but it is there, behind everything."

The sensations felt new, but also as though she had always been aware of them, if only she focused a little more.

[Oraka Hin]

The old man glanced down at the multi colored insect on his leg he looked back at Xanna and said, “Everything you feel has a place in this galaxy, there are so many connections that we take for granted. Things we do not consider when we act in violence and fear, it is why I stress that all life is precious and that taking any life has a toll on the being, even if they refuse to see it.”

“It is never an easy decision to end a life.”

[Xanna Teevou]

"I... I cannot imagine it ever could be Master." Her eyes met his. "In the Clone Wars, I only ever fought droids. And only when they were gunning for us." She reflected on those experiences. The destruction of those battlefields. The sense of loss.

"How do you know... How am I to know when there is no other way?" She reached out a hand and ran her fingers through the grass.

[Oraka Hin]

“That is a question every Jedi must ask themself in the moment. There is a point where words will fail, it is a sad truth. A point where redemption is beyond possible, and there can be no other recourse than to do what must be done for the greater good of the Galaxy. Which admittedly is a nebulous term,” he said grimly.

[Xanna Teevou]

She breathed out. Touching the grass helped to calm her heart. "I see... so I must trust my instincts. Trust in the force."

She thought back to the incident. When they had lost Valus. It did not make sense, but it was. And now he was on a killing spree for the Emperor. Was there anything left to save?

"Then I must be ready to do what must be done, if all else fails." She took her 'glow rod' from her belt and held it in one hand. The grip was reassuring, comfortable. "I have the basics Master, but I am no duelist. Will you train me? I still hope there is another way, but...if the galaxy is at stake." Her eyes met his and there was a hint of sadness which was quickly replaced by determination.

[Oraka Hin]

The old man nodded and walked over a table under a tree and picked up a training saber and said, "It is my duty to make sure you are prepared."

He ignited the training weapon and then took up the classic stance with weapon held high pointed at his target with one arm extended two fingers extended toward Xanna.

"I will defend, watch my foot work."

OOC: Lightsaber versus Nemesis 3, so 2 red and a purple.

[Xanna Teevou]

She nodded and moved in to attack against his defenses. Her form was mostly Shii-cho with a little bit of the basics from other styles. She watched his foot work as she attempted to break through. He made it look deceptively easy to counter her strikes, but she took in the lesson rather well.

"You make it look simple Master, but I think I understand. Everything flows from your foundation."

Day 5. EE. Training with the old man. Lightsaber vs nemesis 3.: 1eP+2eA+2eC+1eD 1 failure, 2 advantage

2 advantage to impress him somewhat?

[Oraka Hin]

His stand ce gave when needed and then hardened putting her on the defensive, at times he would easily disarm and demonstrate the swift ways to end a fight without killing but also if she needed how to end the threat completely. It was an hour of back and forth and although he was incredibly skilled at the end he nodded and said, “You have improved since the Clone Wars.”

[Xanna Teevou]

She felt tired but had learned much. "Thank you, Master. I kept up my training but. Well. It was hard to improve much by fighting my shadow."

She had stayed in fighting shape at least. "I appreciate your time. And your patience."

[Oraka Hin]

"You must have a clever shadow," he said calmly.

[Xanna Teevou]

She smiled. "Well, Master Saarth did teach me a few things before she left. And she could make the shadows move. I wonder where she is now."

[Oraka Hin]

She smiled. "Well, Master Saarth did teach me a few things before she left. And she could make the shadows move. I wonder where she is now."

"She is where the Force needs her to be," he said in a kind voice. "She would be proud of the progress you have made."

[Xanna Teevou]

"I know, she is out there, I can feel it." Her voice softened. "Is there anything else you would like me to work on today? I brought some material for Veras to practice with. That is, if she still wants to learn." She was a teenager after all. A younger...nevermind.

[Oraka Hin]

"I know, she is out there, I can feel it." Her voice softened. "Is there anything else you would like me to work on today? I brought some material for Veras to practice with. That is, if she still wants to learn." She was a teenager after all. A younger...nevermind.

"You are diligent, we have covered so much for now, perhaps we eat. Veras has been quiet, I suspect she is angry at me for not letting her go into town today," he said thoughtfully.

[Xanna Teevou]

"Um, well she is 15-nearly-16 Master... So it could be that, or you know, growing up things. I will get the stew ready." She moved over to her backpack and came back with some cups of stew and spoons.

"I am sure she understands why you did not want her to go. Even if she is upset about it." She blew on her steaming cup.

[Oraka Hin]

"Raising a child has been an interesting experience, I falsely believed that teaching padawan had prepared me for the task," he said as he waited.

"She has taught me otherwise, but she means well and I have never faulted her for that."

[Xanna Teevou]

"Being a parent cannot be an easy thing. Mine were terrible, but I do not blame them." She thought about those memories, clouded though they were. "Veras is a good person. She is simply finding herself and her place in the world. She loves you, even when it does not seem this way." She reached out to touch his arm. "I think you are being a wonderful father to her."

[Oraka Hin]

"I hope so, I worry that I cannot show her all the love she needs, too much attachment is dangerous for any Jedi, even..." he let the words trail off.

"I do the best I can, for her."

[Xanna Teevou]

"That is all anyone can ask for Master." She sighed. "She knows, trust me. Veras knows."

Her eyes were drawn to the lake. She paused to take a mouthful of stew and slowly savoured the taste. "I. I did not tell you before. But I think I should... He came to my kitchen today. Valus."

[Oraka Hin]

The old man replied, "I was wondering if he would seek you out, how did it go?"

[Xanna Teevou]

"I do not think it went the way he was expecting." She pictured his face, the look before he ran. "Valus is still in there. And I want to believe. But I do not know if he can be saved." She watched the waves lap against the shore, remembering the lesson from days past.

"This is why I must be ready. I will do what I can. But he has to accept what he has done, and that redemption is possible. I think he saw it, today. But he was not prepared, so he ran from me."