For the best (Solen's training)

[The Gloaming]

((Yes, we seem to have found a niche :) ))

Solen was slightly relieved, his strength was sapped, the day was growing old. After placing his lightsaber on his belt, he reached behind him with the Force and brought his canteen up to his lips. The water was refreshing, Solen had been drinking water increasingly, keeping himself healthy for his upcoming knight-hood.

"Well, I couldn't decide between repulse, and protection bubble. On the one hand, repulse would match my offensive technique, but without protection bubble, I'd be lacking in the defensive department. Is there a way to utilize them both at once?"

 

[Garuga]

Haven sat down on one of the boulders in the clearing. The air was nice and cool, the perfect temperature to take a break in. She sighed and relaxed against the boulder, taking a deep breathe. She stretched her arms, and looked towards Solen.

"The only viable method I can think of is to wait for an opponent to utilise Force Repulse, and then to counter it with your own Protection bubble to seal the enemy within to their doom." Haven said apologetically. She considered it for a moment, and smiled. "I would personally recommend learning the applications of a Protection Bubble before attempting to learn force repulse. The protection bubble is very versatile, and it has saved my life more than once."

She hopped off the boulder and landed on the grass, her back towards Solen. Haven turned around, beaming and held her hands outstreched. "So what is it going to be?" She asked.

 

[The Gloaming]

Solen breathed the air deeply, getting a great taste for the area. "I think I would like to learn protection bubble...I have plenty of time to learn more in the following years." Solen spoke with a smile as he shifted his feet. The prospect of devoting the rest of his life to learning the Force suddenly awoke in his mind, and made his blood rush out of excitement. "I know we're supposed to control our emotions, but...you gotta love this, the planet, the temple, the Force that brought it to be...Sorry, don't mean to get all sentimental, what's the first thing I need to know about this ability?"

 

[Garuga]

Haven chuckled. "It's fine. I was also very enthusiastic about training of all sorts when I was a padawan." She pulled her hair back slightly before continuing, revealing her pointed ears. "The protection bubble is an immensely powerful ability, and the first thing you need to know is that learning it will take the utter most concentration."

She took Solen's hand and sat both of them down on the grass. "From now on, close yourself to anything other than my words. Closing your eyes might help also." Haven said, closing her own eyes. "This is just getting a better feel of the force for now, when you are ready we'll do a more practical exercise. For now, picture yourself in a personal sanctuary. Gather the force around both the mind and the body. Outside of the sanctuary might be a war raging on, but you don't care about that. Now, picture yourself in that sanctuary in the force".

Right now it was just getting used to the feeling. After this meditative period Haven would then take Solen to a more suitable location to learn the technique.

 

[The Gloaming]

An image of a great dome of pure Force energy struck Solen's mind. It was blue, swirling with light, impenetrable. Within the dome, Solen felt nothing of the outside world, only his thoughts, and the Force. Solen saw himself lift off the ground, the dome was more like a bubble now, one that had simply been buried halfway underground. It was connected to Solen through the Force, though there was no visible proof of this. He continued to meditate on this, making the feeling, and the bubble in his mind, grow.

Solen opened his eyes, and looked at Master Haven calmly. "I think I understand, maybe..." Though there was doubt in his voice, he was confident to give it a try.

 

[Garuga]

"Don't be worried, nothing bad will harm to you!" Haven said reassuringly, detecting the doubt within Solen. "Maybe just a bit wet...." She muttered, not loud enough for Solen to hear.

Once Solen had felt like he was ready, Haven stood up and lead him to another location. This time the walk was longer, and it took them a while to reach the place she had in mind. Eventually, she lead him to a waterfall by a river. It was stunningly beautiful.

Haven turned around and smiled at Solen. It was time to reveal what she had in mind. "To give you a better indication of what I want you to do, I'll do it first, but watch very carefully unless you want to catch a cold." After making sure that Solen understood her, Haven took off her shoes, and stepped onto the natural trail of near-submerged boulders leading to the waterfall. She danced lightly across the rocks until she reached the base of the waterfall, where she held her arm out, using the force to prevent herself from becoming drenched. She sat down on the largest boulder directly below the waterfall, and closed her eyes while maintaining a small smile.

A protective bubble with a slight blue sheen surrounded her, the water flowing the seamless edges of the bubble. No drop of water entered. After a while, Haven jumped away from the boulder, the bubble dissipating instantly. She jumped across to where Solen was standing and spoke. "Try this now, and don't worry if you get drenched" She laughed.

 

[The Gloaming]

Solen walked near the waterfall, and closed his eyes. Once again, he saw the bubble around him, and after stepping onto the rock, Solen felt dry. Solen decided to open his eyes, but the moment he did, water began pouring over him. Stepping away quickly, Solen reevaluated the technique. "I've never been great with this kind of stuff..."

Solen tried again, closing his eyes, and sitting under the waterfall. After a few moments, he opened his eyes slowly, concentrating all of his ability on the bubble. Solen was still dry, and the blue sphere of energy surrounded him. He saw his master through the bubble, watching his success with joy. Stepping away from the rock and dispersing the bubble, Solen felt more and more courageous. "How about we amp it up a bit?"

 

[Garuga]

Haven sat on the grass banks by the river. She saw Solen's face, getting more confident and full of joy. She felt good for him, but a small thought crept into her head. Oh I shouldn't... Haven thought to herself, a smile forming. "Ah yes, we should certainly amp it up!" She smiled, barely controlling her laughter.

She raised her right hand swiftly, pulling the unsuspecting padawan face first into the pool of water with a force pull. Haven exploded with laughter, and rolled around on the grassy banks rolling uncontrollably. Her ribs hurt from so much laughter, but she wiped a tear away from the corner of her eye and apologized. "I'm so sorry, but I couldn't resist!"

 

[The Gloaming]

Solen stood up slowly, and gave a few sarcastic claps. "I suppose I should have seen that coming." Leaping into the air and flipping several times, Solen was nearly dry by the time his feet touched the ground. "Well what now?" Trying to strike a serious tone, he had to fight hard to keep the smirk from creeping onto his face. "Damn!" Solen looked away, Haven's expression was a constant reminder of his embarrassment. With the smile finally cleared, composure regained, he piped up. "I guess I have a lot of practice to do huh?"

 

[Garuga]

Haven coughed and tried to regain her 'Jedi knight' composure. "Well yes, before my little bullying incident, you were doing very well. In fact, surprisingly well." She said, congratulating Solen. "And yes, the proficiency of that skill with increase with time and practice, though it is best at times not to force things".

Haven walked up to Solen, and tried to remove some of the water. "You are progressing very well and I am very glad that you have been assigned to me". Haven said, smiling. "But it will nearly be dark soon, so we should head back to the monastery for some dinner. After dinner, we can do some more training if you wish so."

She patted him on the arm, and returned to the grass bank and bent down to retrieve her belongings.

((You can walk us back :p))

 

[The Gloaming]

((Sorry it's short))

"Well, there are no good students, only good teachers." As cliche as it sounded, Solen was being entirely sincere. "Well, I would like to train, but only if you prefer." Solen began to walk towards the temple, looking around at the trees and grass.

 

[Garuga]

((It's fine :p))

Haven shook her head and chuckled. "Now if I had your manners when I was padawan my story would have probably been a lot different". Haven walked alongside Solen as they headed back towards the Monastery.

Truly, whether night or day, Tython is wonderful. She thought, a barely noticeable sad smile forming. "Ah that's right, theres something I haven't done yet!" She exclaimed, breaking herself out of the moment. Haven clapped her hands together and turned towards Solen. "While we are walking back, tell me about what the Code of the Jedi Order means to you." She said.

Haven continued walking, but at a strolling speed so that Solen could think properly.

 

[The Gloaming]

"Emotion, yet peace: It isn't wrong to feel emotions, in fact it is important, but to let them guide your actions would be brash, we should find guidance in nothing but the will of the Force, not our flawed emotions.
Ignorance, yet knowledge: No one in this physical galaxy has ever, nor will they ever, obtain all the knowledge of existence. We must strive to learn what will better us, and accept this truth.
Passion, yet serenity: Letting our emotions guide our thoughts and actions can lead to shortcomings. Keeping serene in times of strife or exceeding joy will allow us to perceive all events as designed by the Force.
Chaos, yet harmony: As the Force will always be, thus will war and peace. Everyone experiences failure, and it is not the failure, but our reaction to it that dictates the true outcome.
Death, yet the force: Death is inevitable, and must be accepted as a part of life, a change in our form of existence, not loss. When we part from the universe, our true life begins in the realm of the Force."

 

[Garuga]

Haven maintained her stride, though she nodded slightly. "This is what it truly means to be a Jedi, not the lightsabers, not the strict rules, but this code which guides us". Haven looked down at her clothing, a fine black dress that few Jedi would choose to wear. "Besides, I've always found the robes to be a bit daft, though you shouldn't tell that to anyone else!" Haven hushed, jokingly.

Haven looked up, the Monastery was a short distance away now. They passed the clearing their morning training had been in, and walked into the grounds of the Jedi monastery. Haven walked straight to the dining hall, after all, she was starving. After she walked around, getting a bit of whatever they were serving tonight, she found an empty table and plopped down onto the chair. She gestured to Solen to sit in front of her when he was done collecting his meal.

 

[The Gloaming]

Solen didn't take much, he was beginning fasting, a family custom on Bpfassh. A few bread rolls, a little meat, and some lettuce were rested on the plate in his right hand, a glass of water in the left. Solen crossed the room and sat across from Haven.

"I've really learned a lot today, thank you." Solen looked down at his plate, and began to slowly assemble his simple meal. Looking down at his lightsaber, he realized that mastering this aspect of the Jedi would be a long endeavor. The dining hall was nearly empty by now, most were returning to there previous engagements, and the room went quiet. What light was left hardly made a difference. Solen looked back to Haven, and gave a light smile.

 

[Garuga]

Haven finished her food, it was getting fairly late. "So Solen, have you thought about what path you are going to take?" Haven asked, slightly tired. "Though it's not compulsory, have you thought about whether to follow the ways of a Guardian, the sentinel, or a consular?"

She held her cybernetic arm onto the table, using it to support her chin. She had to admit it was quite interesting training a Padawan. After all, watching their apparent joy and delight at achieving something is a big change from the constant travelling. She smiled to herself. We'll take on a mission soon, I'll get to see how he reacts in real life situations... Haven thought to herself.

 

[The Gloaming]

"Well, I've done a lot of studying on the three, and I have had dreams of being a great guardian. I suppose that sounds a little arrogant, all I mean is that I believe it's my destiny. I favor actions over words." Solen chuckled a little, and thought about his decision. There was no way he would have considered the other choices, they didn't call to him the way Guardian of the Jedi did. "How did you choose your path when you were a padawan?"

 

[Garuga]

Haven smiled a bit awkwardly. "Well... I was generally regarded as being a bit of a stuck up little snot in my time as a Padawan. I was overly competitive, especially when it came to Lightsaber sparring." Haven laughed, slightly embarrased. "I had always enjoyed combat, and it only seemed natural that I followed the path of a Guardian. I suppose it's similar for everyone in a way..."

"But now I don't know. I don't personally see myself taking a particular pathway..." Haven said, shaking her head. "It's fine to have aspirations, even Jedi need motivation to achieve what they want to do."

Haven clapped her hands together. "Anyway, that's good progress for a day. Tomorrow morning, meet me in the sparring halls at seven. I promise I won't be late!" She said as she walked back to her quarters after they had exchanged goodnights.

 

[The Gloaming]

Upon waking, Solen hopped out of bed, and hastily made his way to the sparring hall. It was a few minutes after seven when he arrived, Haven was already there, waiting for him. "Good morning!" Solen was full of energy, he had meditated for hours last night, which always helped him sleep. Looking around, a few padawans and knights graced the room, practicing techniques and engaging in friendly skirmishes. Releasing the electric blade, Solen looked at Haven. "I take it we'll be sparring?"

 

[Garuga]

((Until Rev approves the mission that I requested. Looks like a fun one!))

"Good morning, and yes, I need to make sure that your saber skills are proficient before our mission." Haven curtly replied. "Like yesterday, come at me in full force, but always keep a mind on what I am doing, do not lose yourself completely in the offense".

Haven used the force to move her double-saber into her left hand. She pressed both activation buttons, and the two ice-blue blades appeared. She spun it around her body, flourishing it and kept it spinning for momentum. She smiled, and dealt a force push towards Solen before speaking. "Let us begin."