Ask At the Crossroads

[Isen Ramm]

Isen smirked, mostly inwardly. He realized what he said made it sound as if he was wanting to get knighthood status. The truth of the matter was that he didn't really care for titles or rank. And, he enjoyed his time with Izel Thral. When he would finally be granted the rank of Knight, it would be bittersweet. He knew that he would have more freedom. He could pursue more individual interests. But, for a Jedi that had not built many relationships within the order, he would also be a bit lost. He wasn't in a hurry to be promoted. He was, however, intrigued about exploring this lightsaber form.

When the Cathar checked to see if Isen was paying attention, he would be able to tell that he was, even if Isen was not looking at him. The Padawan's head would be directed in front of him, his eyes scanning the landscape in front of them. He would nod from time to time. But, as a courtesy, Isen would turn his head to Jedi Rah and nod indicating that he could sense the life and death of the swamp.

And indeed he could. Moreso than the forest, the swamp intermingled life and death. Fear and deceit ruled the swamp. It was natural here though. For the swamp, it was the natural order of things. The deceit of the predator was a necessary component of their survival. The fear in the prey kept them alive. There was a hesitance to move. The Force, if one was not reaching out to it, would feel as if it were stagnant. But as Isen did as he was instructed and knelt at the elevated location as he was instructed. The padawan tried to open his mind and spirit to the Force, and he could feel that the Force was very much alive. It felt as if it echoed the feel of the swamp. It was careful, cunning, and to an extent, hiding in how it moved from one thing to another.

Isen was intrigued by this old friend comment, but he couldn't concern himself with that. His directive was to try and feel the distinctive signatures of the swamp, a more difficult task than in the forest. The algae, which was actually billions of individual organisms worked in unison as a single unit like a sheet of thick green muck over the watery surface. The moss likewise did the same over the rocks and more solid grounds. The grasses and plants under the surface of the waters didn't sway with a current like they would in a creek or with the waters of a lake as the winds blows the surface waters, gently pulling the undercurrent with it.

He was told to feel the decay of the organisms which had moved on to a separate phase of life, giving the last of what they had to give to the other living things. Scavengers would eat what they could and the rest of their lives would sink into the moistness of the this swampy land providing nutrients for the life that lived here. The death and decay was pervasive here. Isen did not sense that it was evil, but that it was the natural process of life and death in the swamp, a reality that all the creatures had become adapted to make the most of.

But there, there it was. Isen felt a ripple in the Force. Signatures began to move more than they had, a fleeing for some, a hiding for others. A recognition by some. A stronger, more powerful Force signature began to rise above the frantic chaos of the others, one that Isen struggled to pinpoint who, or what, and its intention. Isen stayed knelt, and his eyes closed in meditation. His shins and knees buried in the muck of the swamp. Staying in his meditative state, he asked, "Is there your old friend coming?" Isen asked. Isen opened his eyes and looked at Rah. "I'm not sensing friendliness."

@Tulos

 

[Novaron Rah]

Nova could feel the waves of energy surging through the swamp as Isen remained kneeled in the position he had indicated to the young padawan, the power of the Force emanating within the Kiffar, the life of the terrain and even himself. The Cathar closed his eyes and felt the boy’s efforts as well as the response it had received. It brought him back to when he was in the same position as Isen was now, attempting to intertwine himself with the energies of the swamp dwellers. And he felt like this moment was about to display a very similar outcome…

“Is this your old friend coming? I’m not sensing friendliness,”

Nova smirked, his eyes remaining closed as Isen spoke. He felt it too. Of course he did. The creature was old, very old. Likely the oldest of it’s species in this particular region, though that was simply his own theory. Regardless, he had never encountered a creature such as this on his time on Yavin IV and he doubted he ever would.

”Hm, no, neither do I... No, I sense he is hungry,” Nova chuckled as he finally opened his eyes to bear witness to the bubbling waters that were still a good distance away from the Padawan, around the base of one of the larger trees of the area. It’s roots ascended and had created an under water den for the beast and Isen’s actions had awoken him from his slumber. ”Ah, there he is,” Crossing his arms, the Cathar leaned backward slightly as he continued chuckling. ”He tried to eat me once too. Though I’m sure I would not taste as good as a young child such as yourself. I wasn’t as tender as you would be now,”

Finally, the bulbous and black eyes of the giant angler began to emerge from the murky depths as it began to crawl towards the Padawan. This beast was far larger than your average angler, evidence of a very long and successful life of survival. Normally, such a creature thrived off other animals of the swamp, much smaller than itself. This one, however, had likely driven many of it’s kin from what could only be described as his own personal pool by hoarding any and all sources of food for itself.

”Hm, I think he likes your smell, boy,” Nova joked as he uncrossed his arms, extending his hand and feeling the Anngler through the Force. Hunger dominated it’s mind as well as a sense of concern from the new intruder in it’s territory. ”It sees you as a threat to his survival. Best do something about that before he turns you into a snack, I’d think,” Nova watched with what could be described as a nearly sadistic sense of interest, still chuckling to himself.

@Isen

 

[Isen Ramm]

The young Kiffar quickly hopped from his knees to his feet when he saw the beast and his hands immediately went for his lightsabers....but they drew nothing but air. Blasted! They were somewhere in Izel Thral's packs. He set himself in an athletic stance and heard Rah say, ”Hm, I think he likes your smell, boy. It sees you as a threat to his survival. Best do something about that before he turns you into a snack, I’d think."

This Cathar Jedi just set him up! And now he was laughing about it. Isen shot Rah a hard glare, but he couldn't for long because the arachnid was steadily crawling toward Isen. Isen could tell that the monster was feeling Isen out, trying to figure out what to make of him. That was somewhat of a relief. If it was trying to size Isen up, if he perceived the padawan as a threat, that was uncertainty. Uncertainty in the wild equaled fear. While the angler was confident he could win, that uncertainty was tucked away in the recesses of his mind. Isen just had to bring that uncertainty to the front.

Instead of running away from the beast, Isen sprinted toward it. This confused the angler and it paused and stiffened in response. He reached two of his long, tentacle like claws outward to grab the young Jedi, but Isen threw a Force push at the water just in front of the angler causing a massive spray of mucky, algae-covered swamp water at the beast, spraying his many eyes with the gunk. Isen leaped, somersaulted and landed with two feet directly on the back of the angler. The angler let loose a shriek from pain and anger and swirled around, swiping at Isen, barely missing the teenage Kiffar.

For his part, Isen kept running and lept again, this time grabbing a hanging vine from one of the swamp trees and using it swing around to the other side and landing on a tree branch. He looked at Rah and raised his arms. "What's this all about?" he shouted at Rah.

@Tulos

 

[Novaron Rah]

His arms crossed, Nova watched with amusement as the Angler made it’s advances on the Kiffar boy but all sense of levity was soon diminished as Isen opted for a more defensive method of overcoming the situation. While the Cathar had knowingly given the boy little to no direction in how to deal with the advancing threat, he still believed that the objective should have been clear. Instead of following through with what he was brought here to do, Isen panicked.

“What’s this all about?” he shouted from his seemingly safe position in the trees, arms out-stretched to put his confusion on display.

”What are you doing, boy?” Nova called out in response, a rather rude tone overcoming him. Manners never were his strong suit… ”Does your Master always hold your hand in your lessons? Did you not say you were willing to learn?” His arms now hanging at his sides, the Cathar dropped from the ledge into the knee high waters as he slowly advanced towards the Angler and the tree that Isen had claimed as his sanctuary. The sounds of the splashing murk and mud soon caught the attention of the beast, causing it to spin and focus it’s black eyes on the Knight as a clicking noise came from under it’s bulbous form. Now Nova was the intruder… and not for the first time.

As the Angler began to turn and make it’s way towards the advancing Jedi, Nova brought himself to a stop and closed his eyes once again as he called upon the life energies of the Force that surrounded him. Every bit of life in the swamp soon rang out in his mind, tugging at him in a desperate plea to bring the apex predator of the water body to it’s knees. The fear of the lizards and amphibians alike emanated outward as the Angler slowly circled, still focused on the Cathar… Until finally, Nova touched the energy that swirled around the angered beast.

”Now, come down from there!” Nova growled to the Padawan as he inter-twined his own energies with the advancing threat. He could feel it’s increased fear... It’s frustration… It’s hunger… And finally, he was able to shape and mold these emotions and shift them, subsiding the treacherous intent and bringing a sense of calm to the Angler. Opening his eyes, he could see the creature once again only now, it was in a state of serenity as it splashed around in the water, searching for a more appropriate food source. Slowly, Nova approached the creature and once he was in arm’s reach, placed his hand softly on it’s back which was met by a gentle clicking sound. ”Panicking in such instances could cause a far more fatal result… You know this creature can climb, don’t you? He could have easily made his way up to you… and then what? What would you have done?” Nova turned his gaze back to the Kiffar, a very clear sense of agitation in his eyes. ”Well? What would you have done to my dear friend here? I have no doubt if the two of you came at one another with hostile intent, you would likely be the one to come out on top, but what would such a victory be worth?” Sighing, Nova pulled his hand back from the Angler and turned to face Isen fully, awaiting his response.

@Isen

 

[Isen Ramm]

Panicking? Did he say Isen was panicking? Did he not see the icy glare that Isen shot him before he gave thought about how to handle the angler? Isen was not afraid of the angler. He just had no idea what to do.

Isen was just as irritated with the Cathar as the Cathar was with him. This Jedi didn't understand Isen at all. He thought that he got into the tree out of fear for his own well-being. Nobody that knew Isen for any amount of time would accuse Isen of being afraid of combat against anything. Public speaking? He might well run into a tree, but not combat. There are no telling how many near-strokes Isen had given his master for rushing into battle. He liked danger and fighting. Probably too much.

Isen dropped out of the tree and splashed his way to Rah with his steps. "Who do you think I was trying to protect by going up into the tree?" Isen asked. He wouldn't be able to hide his own irritation with his tone or his eyes. And he was more angered by the insinuation that he was a coward. If Rah was the wise Jedi he was acting like, he would be able to feel that Isen was telling the truth...through some sort of righteous anger. To Isen, someone thinking he was scared into a tree was utter nonsense. He pointed to the angler which was more or less acting as if Rah and Isen weren't there. "If I knew how to do that, I would have done...that. But I obviously don't know how to do that."

Isen had never talked like this to someone who ranked higher than him...but then again, nobody had ever accused him of cowardice.

@Tulos

 

[Novaron Rah]

As the Padawan came to him with the fury of a prodded reek, Nova remained still and listened to his short rant but it wasn’t his words that were speaking to the Jedi. No, it was the emotions that poured from the young man before him. He was angered by Nova, this much was clear and not all that surprising. It was a response he typically received in life, being the blunt man that he was. Still, his mercenary past dictated his methods and the Cathar was a firm believer in experience being the greatest teacher.

”You believe I am calling you a coward?” Nova asked, standing firm as the young man stood his own ground. He could feel the thoughts that burned in his mind. He did not need to speak the words for a Jedi to hear them. ”No, boy. You yourself have told me you’ve focused a great deal on martial might, did you not?” As he asked the question, Nova raised an eyebrow to signify his own sense of bewilderment. ”To assume any Jedi to be a coward is foolish. To assume a Jedi who has spent his energy on learning how to do battle is a coward is beyond ridiculous. Panic comes in many forms, not simply fear of one’s well being. You claim to not know how to approach the problem and as such, you panicked. You ran. Not out of cowardice but ignorance,” By now, the angler had begun to move away from them and back towards it’s den. Soon, Nova’s influence over the beast would wane and they would both be standing in it’s territory as threats that needed to be dealt with.

”You did not even try to connect with the creature as he approached as I showed you back at the creek bed with the rodents. You distracted it and put space between you. For someone who claims to have the desire to learn as you expressed when I asked, you reverted to instinct,” Sighing, Nova placed his index finger and thumb to his eyelids. Perhaps he needed to try a different approach. He assumed Isen had the aptitude to simply understand and while he still felt he did, his emotions had gotten the better of him. Of course, Nova knew he was likely not helping the situation with his demeanor.

”Let us try something else, then,” Turning to face the angler once again, Nova extended his hand and called on the connection between them while it still existed. The creature stopped in it’s tracks and turned to face them and Nova could feel the animal’s confusion. ”Call him to you, perhaps. A simple task. Reach out, connect with the beast. Feel it’s energies and in your mind’s eye, intertwine them with your own,” Turning to look at the Padawan, the Cathar gave the Kiffar a stern glare. ”That is, if you are still willing to learn?”

@Isen

 

[Isen Ramm]

The padawan was going to have to just agree to disagree. He didn't feel like he panicked at all. He didn't want to hurt to the animal, and he certainly didn't want to be hurt himself. Maybe he chose wrongly, but panicked wasn't the word for it. Still, Isen just kept silent and listened. He now knew this was not going to be a lesson like he usually got form Izel Thral. She told him what the objective was. She told him, more or less, strategies to combat the issue. She scaffolded the training from easy to hard. And, she wasn't rude if he failed.

Rah had a different teaching philosophy.

The verbal pop-shots Isen against didn't bother him. This sort of hubris was commonplace by the Jedi enclave on Jedha where he grew up. The ignorance comments, his thoughts on things being "ridiculous"... all old hat for Isen. He hadn't heard them in the years he'd been with Izel, but was still immune to those sorts of insults and insinuations.

Isen was still a little tense from getting angry, but he could hide it fairly well. He found emotional responses to be a form of weakness, and he was as perturbed with himself for showing emotion as he was Rah for his teaching methods. Isen wasn't stupid. He saw this opportunity for what it was- a chance to learn how to connect to non-sentient animals, in the wild. It was a lesson that he felt compelled to learn to help his own understanding of the wilderness, the wilderness that called to him on every jungle or grassland or woodland planet. Swampy ones like here as well.

He nodded to Rah when asked if he was willing to continue and took some steps toward the angler and closed his eyes. The padawan was trying to sift through the Force signatures all around him. Most of the animals in the area had fled- either through fear of the angler or because of the loud disturbance in the waters from Isen's short forray with the beast. For that reason, picking out the connection to the angler was not difficult. Outside of the two Jedi, the angler was easily the most potent origin of the Force in the area. Isen didn't realize it, but in an attempt to connect with the angler, his right hand began to slowly rise to chest level and extended outward.

The beast could feel it as well, and he recognized Isen. Isen could sense the emotions in the angler, perhaps because the emotions toward the Kiffar were so strong. There was anger. There was fear. There was great distrust. Isen tried to send his benevolence to the the angler like he had the rodents, but the angler was trying to break the bond that Isen was trying to create. The beast wasn't moving, he was still. He was considering his actions. Should he attack the Kiffar? Should he run for survival? Should he stay and fight for his territory. Isen was amazed that the creature was contemplating these things, and more amazed that he could sense it. What he could not do is make a connection to gain the animal's trust. He wondered if that could ever be repaired after Isen's initial response.

Isen opened his eyes and lowered his hand. He was looking at the angler, but talking to Rah. "He's angry, scared...Because I attacked him. I don't know that he'll ever let me into his mind to build a real connection. I think I may have forever broken his trust before I ever had a chance to gain it." He finally turned his eyes to Rah and asked, "Is it too late? Can I mend what I have broken?"

@Tulos

 

[Novaron Rah]

It was clear to Nova that he had struck a chord with the young Padawan. He was never a man to mince words, the meaning of which were often misunderstood, but that was a fact he had long become accustomed too. The life he had lived prior to joining the Jedi Order was one where kindness was rare, as was acceptance when someone did not meet the expectations of their peers. Of course, he also knew that his seclusion from other members of the Order had likely caused him to revert further to these methods and thought processes; a fact that would no doubt bring dismay to his old Master if he were here to see it. Nova sighed and reminded himself to do better… But he was no teacher. Perhaps that needed to change…

As Isen tried to connect with the angler, Nova took a step back and observed. He could feel the Padawan’s effort to connect with the creature and the natural reaction of the predator to resist, strengthened by his newly found fear of the Kiffar.

"Is it too late? Can I mend what I have broken?"

Shaking his head, Nova crossed his arms once again.

”No, boy. It is not yet lost. The beast can feel your emotions just as well as you can feel his. Your frustration with me is feeding his similar thoughts on you. While your earlier actions have created a type of wall between you, tearing down such a barrier is not a difficult task. First, you must allow yourself to let go of your vexation with me,” Approaching the Padawan, Nova placed his heavy hand on his shoulder and gave a gentle pull to suggest he turn to face him. ”Which means I must apologize. I have never been a teacher. This is a first for both of us and I acknowledge that I could have done more in explaining what must be done,” Apologies were something more foreign to the Cathar than even training a Padawan. It wasn’t an easy thing for him to do but he also knew that simply having more experience in the field he was attempting to pass on to Isen was not a good reason for him to be as sharp as he had been. ”I am… sorry, boy,” Nova’s face remained unchanged as he spoke, no discernable expression but he hoped Isen would feel his sincerity. ”The bond between the angler and I will soon diminish and he will attack again. Find a place of tranquility and try once more.,”

@Isen

 

[Isen Ramm]

There was no telling what to expect, but an apology was not on the short list of expectations from Rah. Isen figured his bedside manner probably needed work. The Cathar used his massive hand to pull Isen's shoulder to force the padawan to face him, but Isen didn't provide any resistance. The padawan bowed to Rah and said, "I owe you the apology. You are taking your time to teach me. You are the teacher, and I am the student. I was out of place, and I apologize for any disrespect."

And Isen meant it. Isen loved history and dove into the deep tradition of the Jedi. He wanted his path to be like the Jedi of hundreds or thousands of years ago. A hard lesson learned, however, is that no Jedi's path is anything like another's. As for Rah's apology, Isen didn't need apologies. Afterall, the padawan understood not being socially...literate. While Isen didn't try to be rude, he was often curt. That wasn't by design. It was born out of social anxiety. He prefered to let his action do the talking if that was possible.

Speaking of his actions, the Kiffar had not responded in the best fashion to make this particular exercise a success. Still, Isen was happy to know that all was not lost. The beast would retreat and come back. It would come to stake out its territory once more.

Isen did as he was told. He found a large rock in the swampy muck and sat on top of it, legs crossed and eyes closed. Slowly, all the animals that fled this area of the swamp started to return. The fear and the chaos that splashed in these waters had receded. Isen emptied his emotions, sank into a place of stillness and calm, working to hide his essence from the wild all around him.

The fish, the reptiles, the insects...they all came back. Some of them quickly, some of them much more slowly. But finally, after some time, Isen could feel that imposing presence one more. Isen was not sure how much longer it had been, but when he opened his eyes, the sun had started to set. The Yavin wilderness, particularly the swamps and jungles, held all sorts of dangerous surprises, but Isen would not allow this opportunity pass.

The angler sensed Isen and again was giving him long consideration. There was a memory there, but there was more at stake now. The two had not completely run off all the other animals of the swamp with this meeting, meaning that the angler still had food here. And, this was his territory. His home. The arachnid was more determined than ever to see this invader gone one way or another.

Isen closed his eyes once more and reached out with the Force. He could feel all of these emotions. There was anger, fear, curiosity. All of which caused the angler to start making his way toward the padawan. Isen, for his part, sent a calm, quiet confidence, a fair warning that he knew the angler was there, but that he was not afraid. Though his eyes were closed, Isen could see that this got the angler's attention. It stopped, perhaps contemplating their earlier meeting. With this pause, this hesitation of the beast, Isen used this moment to send new emotions to the great angler- respect and regret. Respect for the animal and respect for his space. And regret, regret for his original response and regret for causing chaos in an environment where the angler was king, and the padawan was just a visitor.

And he hoped the angler would respond positively.

@Tulos

 

[Novaron Rah]

As Isen found his place in the middle of the murky swamp, Nova once again climbed to his position on the small incline and observed as the Padawan once again opened himself to the Force. This time, however, it felt different. The Cathar too closed his eyes and allowed himself to bathe in the energies that swirled the immediate area and as time passed, the amount of creatures that called this water body home had begun to return. No longer did the smaller amphibians, fish and reptiles see the Kiffar as a threat but instead as a welcome guest to their dwelling. The angler, however, still held a great degree of fear and loathing.

Opening his eyes, Nova noticed that a great deal of time had passed. Not a surprise, however, as when a Jedi entered such a deep trance the passing of time became trivial. Some of the greatest Master's of the order could spend weeks in their meditation; Nova himself didn't like spending that amount of time on his knees in a temple but he understood the clarity that it gifted an adept of the Force. Such clarity was what Isen needed now and it soon seemed that he had indeed found it. As the angler resurfaced from it's den, Nova anticipated a far more hostile reaction to the Padawan's presence but was pleasantly surprised as he felt the emotions of the beast begin to subside, if only slightly. Instead of fear and anger, all Nova could feel emanating from the animal was confusion.

"You are doing well, Padawan," Nova called out, attempting to keep his tone soft though it was nearly impossible for him to accomplish. Still, his words did not spark a reaction from the angler. "He isn't sure what to think of you now. A vast improvement. The connection between he and I is entirely diminished. The only thing keeping him from attacking you now is your own efforts," The Cathar couldn't help but feel a small tug of pride from passing on this knowledge to the young Isen and continued to watch as he dropped to sit on the incline, a small smile curling his black lips. "Can you feel his fear weaken? Replaced by curiosity and confusion? You have bridged the gap between sentient and non but the connection is still weak. With time and practice you will be able to call upon near any wild creature to your side as an ally. A useful talent indeed," Sitting forward slightly, Nova placed his forearms on his knees. "With this connection you've established, you may yet be able to convince him you are not a threat. This may be difficult considering the earlier events but I would like you to try to call him to you. I have faith you can overcome this barrier more fully now that you've planted the seeds of a bond between the two of you,"

@Isen

 

[Isen Ramm]

Things were going much better than Isen expected. The angler was considering the padawan, and the teenage Kiffar figured it would be a 50/50 proposition if he would be able to make nice with this wild beast at this point. Still, after Isen had given him a nice little stomp earlier, this was a drastic improvement. His efforts even drew a compliment from Rah which is was unexpected.

"With this connection you've established, you may yet be able to convince him you are not a threat. This may be difficult considering the earlier events but I would like you to try to call him to you," Rah said. "I have faith you can overcome this barrier more fully now that you've planted the seeds of a bond between the two of you."

That was the trick, wasn't it? To get a wild beast to approach you, commune with you...but not try to eat you. It was practical, but as Isen had become more attuned to their living essence, the life Force that came from him, it became more...spiritual. He enjoyed their company, feeling what they offered to the world around them, understanding how they fit in the intricate balance of the ecosystem they were a vital part of.

And this is what he tried to convey to the angler. He did not want anything from the angler but a communion, a relationship. He would not ask for him to do anything but allow him to learn. Isen conveyed his strength, his confidence, ability as well. There would be no doubt to the angler that Isen was the apex between them. But that sense of strength and was tempered and balanced with benevolence and compassionate. Respect and reverence for the creature. A measure of regret for their past thrown in.

The angler circled around, keeping his distance, but eyeing Isen carefully. Considering him. Over time his fear of Isen waned, and what would be left was curiosity and the desire to maintain or reclaim his position as the apex predator and creature in the swamps of Yavin. Isen could sense that this was going to be the great barrier to reaching a bond between the angler and himself. With the other creatures, the herbivores and other animals that knew they were not at the top of the food chain, accepting Isen's strength and status came natural to them. But for the angler, accepting Isen as an equal meant he no longer stood as the apex creature in the swamp, a position he did not want to give up. Isen felt this resistance.

"He is resistant to bond," Isen said to Rah as he kept his focus on the angler. "He doesn't see me as a threat to him, but to his position. How do I get over this hurdle?"

It was an important question. Back to the pragmatic, there were many creatures and beasts throughout the galaxy that would be useful allies. Many of them were apex predators that answered to nothing but their own needs and desires. From acklay to zakkeg, if Isen would ever be Force Bond with an apex creature to help in battle or on missions, this wall he would have to scale.

@Tulos

 

[Novaron Rah]

Nova listened to the question as he continued to observe the encounter. He could tell Isen was correct and that the angler was still uncertain of the Kiffar's intentions, why he was trying to do what it was he was attempting. This was likely to be the hardest part of the lesson, no doubt. The Cathar knew that as this skill had come to him naturally, Isen would have a stronger degree of difficulty in fully easing the angler's mind than he would have had at the beginning of his own Jedi path

"Simply put, do not be a threat to his position,' Nova responded with a smirk. He knew it was a useless gesture and was likely to further agitate the Padawan but he could not help himself. Further more, he was also trying to keep himself from retorting that had Isen not attacked the beast upon their first foray that this task would likely have been far simpler. The angler wouldn't have seen him as a threat but as prey. Instead, he now saw him as a challenger to his authority over this swamp.

"If he sees you as a threat to his position, to his role here in his home, then you must become a part of that home rather than a visitor. An invader. To ease the angler's mind, you must ease your own further. Allow yourself to become a part of the swamp, the planet itself. Let your connection with the Force mesh with your surroundings, weaving yourself with all the life present around us. Become a part of his home, not just a guest. Only then will he fully accept you in his territory,"

His arms still crossed over his chest, Nova wondered if training others ever really would be something he could learn. Still, there was no challenge he had yet to over come and this was not going to be the first.

@Isen

 

[Isen Ramm]

Don't be a threat? How could Isen cease to be what he truly was. He wondered if his confusion was obvious because after a moment, Rah began to explain. What he was asking would be a task indeed. It was not simply masking his Force signature. That he could do for the most part, but this was different. He was asking Isen's Force signature to be hidden, but to meld with the Force from every other creature, plant, and object in the swamp.

Isen used a sliver of his being to keep a connection to the angler, but concentrated mostly in meditation. He was going to slip into nature like he did at the creek. Soon, he was floating again, and he saw the swamp in different frequencies than the human eye had evolved to see. He could see everything below the murky surface, things his human eyes would not be able to see. Every fish, every snake, every living thing that the Force flowing from. And Isen could see that he was glowing brighter than all. He and the angler glowed the brightest in the swamp that day.

Isen focused on dampening his brightness in the Force by sharing it. He shared it with the moss, the fish, the film of algae that skimmed the surface of the waters. And finally, he shared his own glowing Force with the angler. Isen's Force was camouflaged, but the angler could still very much see the padawan, sitting on his knees in the mucky water. And more, Isen sharing his Force with the angler earned trust as the angler began not to see Isen as the entity that he had conflict with earlier, but that Isen was representative of all things in the swamp. His Force shared the stagnation of the swampy water, the slow, deliberation of the snake, the craftiness of the angler himself.

But Isen was not simply sharing his Force with the swamp. He didn't realize it, but his connection to the swamp in his meditative state meant that the swamp was sharing with him. While Isen had meant to dissipate what he had into the swamp, he instead inherited all parts of the swamp. And for the angler, Isen was a manifestation of the entire ecosystem. It was an ecosystem that the angler held dominion over. There was nothing to be afraid of. There was nothing to attack. As many sentients believe in a "mother nature" or some sort of natural deity that controls their natural habitats, so too did the angler feel this way now about Isen.

Isen could sense it, the new demeanor of the angler. There was still confusion, but it was not tainted with fear or anger. This was more of a righteous curiosity, a desire to know and to meet. Still, he held his distance. Isen opened his eyes and could see the angler floating above the water looking at him about 30 meters away. Isen looked to Rah and said, "I think he thinks that I am....the swamp." It sounded weird, but that surely is the feeling that Isen got. "Like a physical, living representation of the whole swamp. I think that's what the angler thinks I am."

But that was not enough. He was to try and get the anger to come to him. The Kiffar held out a hand. Through the Force, Isen encouraged the angler to inspect him, to smell him, to become familiar. The angler arose from slowly started a track toward Isen. Isen held his hand outstretched, calling to the angler through the Force and with his body language. As the angler slowly began to cross the distance between them, Isen looked to Rah and said, "I think it's working. Is it working?"

@Tulos

 

[Novaron Rah]

Proud. It was really the only word Nova could come up with that could describe what he felt as he observed Isen and the angler, no longer at odds with one another but bonded through the Force. As the Cathar watched, Isen's Force signature melting into the energies that radiated from the entire swamp, it became complicated for even him to feel the Padawan through his own mystical capabilities. Instead, all he could sense was the life of Yavin IV and the swamp around them all. Isen was indeed one with his surroundings.

Then the Padawan did as he was tasked; the angler slowly advancing towards the Kiffar with a passive curiosity, untainted by fear or anger. The beast was still hungry and the connection was still young, undeveloped. But for a first true attempt, Isen had down exceptionally well.

"Indeed it is, boy. Indeed it is," A hearty laugh erupted from the Jedi as the angler had finally reached Isen's out stretched hand, feeling his skin with it's own slimy tentacle. The beast no longer saw Isen as an invader but a companion and as it came underneath his arm, the creature let out a long sigh below the surface of the swamp that resulted in a rapid series of bubbles. "I doubt I could have done better myself. Now do you see it? Do you feel it? The bond that has been created not only between you and the angler, but with the moon itself?"

@Isen

 

[Isen Ramm]

In fact, he could feel it. He could feel himself as much a part of the moon as the angler, the algae, the water, and the rock itself. It was as if Isen was a staple, a necessary component on this moon that has always been and always will be, not an alien being that was born in a different system far away in another part of the galaxy and displaced here by circumstance. "Yes, I feel it," Isen said. "It's unlike any bond I've felt before."

That much was true. The bond was not like the one that was between Isen and his master, Izel. That bond was no doubt stronger, more developed. They were bonded together through their relationship and care for one another. The time spent together and their devotion to each other created that bond. This bond felt different. This bond, the bond to the forest moon itself, was built on Isen's full submission of his role in this swamp and the full respect for everything- living or not- within it. He was as much a part of this swamp as the water he was wading in.

But he was more than that to the angler, and the angler more than that to the padawan. For they were living, breathing entities that purposefully bonded together through this mystical energy that connects all things. The angler looked at Isen as not only a fixture of this swamp on Yavin, but a living representation of the swamp itself. And for Isen, his bond to the angler, he saw it for more than just a predator in the murky recesses of the Yavin swamp. Though the angler was not sentient, he could feel the angler's understanding of his role as the apex predator here. As such, though the angler hunted and ate the creatures of the swamp, doing so protected the delicate balance that allowed all these creatures to thrive.

Isen allowed the angler's tentacles to inspect him. Isen felt a mixture of curiosity and awe from the beast. While Isen tried to reflect an equal status to the angler, the angler gave deference to the Jedi as the more powerful of the two. He could feel that Isen could be the apex should he desire, but that Isen was deferring the peak of power to this ancient predator, the watcher of the swamps. Isen felt that he could ask the angler to act, and the creature would do so. Isen did not feel like it would be appropriate to ask such a creature to do pet tricks or perform menial tasks to prove the point. While the angler was slimy and lumpy, the creature was still majestic in how it patrolled the swamp and protected the ecosystem here. In a very real sense, he was king.

The angler satisfied his curiosity and began to slip back below the surface of the waters. His long, grayish-brown tentacles slowly pulled away from the Jedi padawan until the only remnants of the apex predator were bubbles floating to the top of the water. Soon, even they disappeared. Isen looked at Rah and shook his head in disbelief. "I've never felt anything so...pure in my life." It was an emotional moment for Isen, a padawan well-known for his stoic nature and lack of emotional response. But this, this was a feeling that overwhelmed him. A pure moment of the light side of the Force, a moment of full immersion into this living moon, into the Living Force. His eyes watered, though he did manage to hold back tears, as he looked at Rah. "Thank you, Master Rah. I'm very appreciative for what you have taught me."

@Tulos

 

[Novaron Rah]

After all his years, Nova had never felt the degree of accomplishment that he felt here and now. Passing on knowledge, much as his own Master had told him repeatedly in the past, had proven to be far more rewarding than he had ever anticipated. And yet it also showed the Jedi that he had much to learn yet himself and that was a lesson that the young Isen had unintentionally taught him in return. And it was a challenge he fully intended to meet head on.

”It was my pleasure to instruct you, boy,’ Nova responded, bowing his head slightly in both a sign of mutual respect as well as to bring him closer to eye level with the Kiffar, though he still towered over him. ”Your Master is fortunate to have one such as yourself at her side. I sense that you will make a fine Jedi Knight in the not so distant future. Perhaps, if the Force wills it, we may yet meet again. On the battlefield, most likely, given the current state of the galaxy. I would consider it a gift to see you in action against our enemies,” Raising his head, Nova gave the Padawan a sharp grin, his razor like teeth showing beneath his curled black lips. ”And perhaps you will be able to show me this lightsaber form you spoke so fondly of by then,” Nova then motioned that they should begin their long walk back towards the old Massassi temple. The sun had begun it’s descent in the sky, a soft red glow beginning to emanate along the horizon in a dueling contrast of the bright blue that was rapidly beginning to weaken.

As the pair walked, Nova turned to face Isen once more. ”Continue to practice what you have learned here today and you will never be alone. The angler was just the beginning. In time, you can learn to tame a ravenous Rancor as it yearns to make you it’s next meal. Or you can bring a herd of stampeding Bantha to a halt with as little as a mere wave of your hand. Of course, every world has a different ‘feel’ within the Force. And this ability does have it’s disadvantages. On planets strong with the dark side, Jedi such as ourselves can and will struggle with bringing about a bond with both the world and it’s creatures. It isn’t impossible, but it is something that even I am unable to do as of yet,”

@Isen

 

[Isen Ramm]

With a renewed vigor for his study within the Force, Isen began the long walk back towards the temple with Rah. Isen was still part of the moon, his very essence, the Force within him, perfectly entangled with the life here. The plants, the animals, the the fungi...Isen was connected to them all and they to him. He could feel the predators around him, but they paid him no mind. It was as if he was camouflaged by the spirit of the moon. He was part of the moon, not a thing to be hunted or preyed upon.

The sun was setting and the dark was taking over. Isen listened to Rah as he spoke. He was glad to hear the compliments coming from Rah. They had a bit of a rough patch after Isen had stomped on the angler, but Isen could tell that these types of conversations were not typical for the Cathar. And, the best compliment one could give Isen was that he would feel comfortable fighting alongside him. From a Jedi who appeared to have a very martial outlook toward his service as a Jedi, such a comment meant even more. Isen grinned as he mentioned the lightsaber form that Isen would try to learn once he was knighted.

"Perhaps," Isen said in regards to that comment. "And perhaps it won't be necessary, though I believe you are right. The galaxy is a tinderbox waiting to explode. The fight is coming whether the Jedi want to believe it or not."

After a ways, Rah would continue and provide a warning of the Dark Side locations. How it is a struggle to build a bond with those worlds and the creatures within them. Based on Isen's experience, he gave in fully to the Force to create this bond with the ancient predator of the swamp, Isen worried about the implications of doing that in a place where the Dark Side is so strong.

"Do you run the risk of being seduce by the Dark Side when you try?" If he simply let himself go into the Dark Side of the Force in one of these locations like he did the Yavin moon, there were potential dangers to the self-training, training that he was more determined than ever to continue.

@Tulos

 

[Novaron Rah]

Isen’s question sparked consideration from the more experienced Jedi. While he himself had been to few worlds with strong ties of darkness, he had visited some locations in the past that had strongholds of both Sith and dark side cults alike though were masked by the presence of generations of Jedi occupancy. Yavin IV likely was one such place as it’s ancient civilizations that constructed the massive stone temples across the moon’s surface were believed to have been brought here as slaves by Sith of a time long gone but with the Jedi operating from the same locations in current days, the already weakening aura of darkness was shrouded by the light.

”A fair question, Padawan. While I cannot say with absolute certainty, I can only speak from personal experience and my answer would be yes. The pull of darkness is an ever-present threat for a Jedi, of course. Being on a world twisted by that same darkness only amplifies the threat but to tie oneself with such a world? It’s own altered energies would seep into your own, tainting you with the sinister stains that it also holds,” Pausing, Nova thought back to his time on Coruscant, walking through the old Jedi Temple that had once been a hallmark of the Jedi Order. Still a Padawan at the time, his own ability to tie himself with the Force energies of a world were only beginning to manifest themselves but even then he could feel the pull of darkness, imprinted from the old Sith Emperor that had occupied the temple’s halls after the Great Jedi Purge.

”It does not mean that it will inevitably lead to a Jedi’s fall, of course, but it is something one must consider greatly before following through with the action. Once upon a time, many years ago, I tried to connect with the world of Coruscant and even though it’s been many generations since the Jedi were nearly wiped away from the galaxy, the world still holds a great deal of pain and suffering from that fateful night at the hands of the Sith. Kneeling in the old council chambers, I was overcome with such strong emotions of fear, anger… and sadness. Had it not been for my Master’s intervention, I’m unsure of what would have transpired. Though Coruscant itself is not an inherently dark world, even being in a single location of darkness can impact your bond with a planet. Be mindful with when and where you practice this ability,”

@Isen

 

[Isen Ramm]

Isen listened carefully. He found that as he connected to this world, even in the darkness, he felt his body knew every foothold, every sturdy step, every slick piece of moss. He walked confidently in the darkness. He was still one with the moon. What Rah was saying certainly made sense. Isen looked up and said, "I'm not so sure about Coruscant, though. The central hub of politics for all those thousands of years may well have made Coruscant inherently evil." He offered a sly smile at the joke.

The gas giant Yavin allowed for some light at night on it's fourth moon, and as they approached the Jedi temple, the top half could be seen above the trees. Isen gave it long consideration. Though the Jedi currently made it their home, it was more accurately a symbol of the Jedi past, the ways of a religion and way of life that it barely resembled today. The current state of the Jedi was altogether different. The traditions, the rules...many of things that adequately prepared the Jedi for their battles with the Sith, they were gone. If the other padawans spent their free time further enhancing their knowledge of the Force or training for the day when they would encounter the Sith, he didn't know it. He certainly didn't see it in action.

Days like today made Isen wonder if he was born too late, if he was meant for an earlier time when a Jedi's entire life was focused on being a Jedi. A Jedi's life is sacrifice. Today, Isen felt like that only meant that their death would come for a noble cause. What it once meant was not that the death was a sacrifice, but their life. Every second of their life was dedicated to protecting what was good.

That was all Isen had any interest in. And with his connection to the moon and the angler tonight after being taught by Rah, he wish he could explain to the other padawans what they were missing, that the sacrifice had a fulfillment that could only be understand through its practice.

The two stopped at the edge of the forest. The rest of the way was cleared and kept trim as a yard. Isen looked at the temple in its entirety and nodded. He spoke, saying, "Thank you again, Master Rah. I hope we meet again, and if the Force wills it to be on the battlefield against the Sith or other dark forces, I will be honored to do battle by your side." And that was true. They had not gone into great detail about the Cathar's history, but the way he carried himself, his confidence, his demeanor, Isen felt like he had experienced battle in some shape, form, or fashion in his past. "I will continue practicing in the wilds what you taught me today."

@Tulos

 

[Novaron Rah]

Bowing to the young Padawan one last time, Nova raised himself up and reached his hand outward to grab the boy's shoulder. Their time together was short but he saw much of himself in the young Kiffar. Much of what he could have been had he been found by his old Master years prior. And he did not dislike what he saw. Isen was eager and willing to learn, that much had been made clear tonight. And perhaps their encounter had shifted the path the boy would follow in life.

"I sincerely hope you do, boy," Nova stated boldly, his tone harsh though partnered with a confident grin. "You are certainly a talented individual and you took to your lessons tonight well. With practice, you may even rival me in taming the beasts of the galaxy. Maybe. Doubtful, but nothing is impossible," Releasing Isen's shoulder, Nova then took a step back and motioned for him to continue on to the temple.

"Go on, Padawan. And may the Force be with you. With us all for what is to come,"

@Isen