Prerequisites

[Crackerjack Bohemian]

It had been a decade since he'd been on a more formal mission like this. Regardless, his faith in himself and those he'd be accompanied with was high and unyielding. This could both be good and bad, and he knew this very well. Still, he sat in a small chamber to meditate lightly while thinking of what they would be doing on the toxic planet of Haruun Kal. He knew about the Second Summertime War and that it was even more brutal than the one before almost a millenia ago. Knowing, also, about the bombing from the Galactic Empire had whipped out many of the Korunnai, this would indicate that they had survived and grew stronger against the flourishing Balawai.

But this was of little concern if the group couldn't handle descending the mountains enough to be any kind of effective in their investigations. This was why he was meeting with a Padawan in particular, a Roy R'yland who used to be a bounty hunter. He wanted to make sure the man was truly past his past and that he'd be effective in the group. He also wished to test his survival skills and wilderness training, since that is where they would be for the next few months. The planet was full of destructive fungi and fast-growing flora. The fauna were large and vicious, but also seemed just as trainable. However, whether they'd behave for these Jedi like they do the Korunnai would be something to be discovered.

The cube was dimly lit. Only Sebastian's silhouette could be seen. The light appeared to come from himself, if one could twist their mind to think in such a way. It could prove how attuned the Jedi was to the Light. It still could have been a trick of the eye, but it would be more fun for the observer to believe one capable of producing light himself. If this was true, it wouldn't, necessarily, be a sign of inner strength or peace. The Old Order was known for their stubbornness and resilience to make crucial decisions if it meant harm to any party involved. Sebastian did not lack either of these traits, but he was also finding some kind of balance between this ideal and the reality the galaxy was in at the present moment.

Peace flowed through the room. One might be compelled to collapse into awe if they were unprepared to experience such an emotion. However, his presence stretched far and any who approached the area from afar would easily become accustomed to the feeling of debilitating serenity. It seemed unlikely that someone as experienced as Sebastian would choose to take time to meditate on the future and prepare oneself so entirely. However, this same experience required this practice to be fully effective during the minior mission. The Unifying Force touched everything at any time, and tapping into this realm of knowledge was difficult and something Sebastian could not accomplish.

 

[Sirocco]

The halls of the temple ship echoed with the boots of the young Jedi who strolled thru them with a sense of drive and determination, every day did he find himself less a fan of the jedi and more an actual jedi. Even now did Roy feel a sense of solidity and purpose after the delicate mission to obtain the plans for a super star destroyer that was once owned by the dreaded Darth Palpatine. Every mission that he undertook was an addition to the masterpiece that was Roy the jedi, like a sculpture slowly being massaged and shaped from dough. Roy felt a very familiar sense of serenity he felt every time he meditated as instructed by master Ashara which probably meant that the master he was assigned to meet was somehow reaching out with the force.

Soon reaching the door to the meditation chamber, Roy felt eager to learn of the ways of the jedi and the jedi teaching him as he noticed no jedi was the same at all. Curling his hand into a fist with the middle finger’s joint sticking out, Roy taped on the door to signal he was to come in very soon before opening the door to the dark room. Being used to this kind of rooms before, Roy’s eyes soon adjusted as to the darkness to the point of being able to see simple shades of objects like the man meditating in the center. Knowing no jedi was similar; Roy could feel something new from this figure sitting before him who gave out a particular aura of the force that he had seen before but to a much greater scale. Roy’s lips curled into a smile as he theorized that force light was what he felt and saw with the force, the first time he experienced it was like seeing a huge quasar of energy. “Greeting sir, my name is Roy R’yland and I humbly bid you greetings” Roy said with a very respectful bow before walking over and sitting before Soleborn while using the force to navigate.

A click sounded on the darkness as Roy’s hands that acted as eyes where now unclipping his utility belt that held his tools and set it to the side for formalities. The crude light saber and heavy blaster on his belt slightly clicked and rubbed against the metal floor as he pushed it aside while waiting for the jedi’s response with patience. Obviously knowing that the man before him was to ask him about his bounty hunting life, Roy mentally nodded to the fact that he did not need that necessity anymore and that he was now a full time jedi but he still enjoyed using the tools of his former trade which have saved him before. Roy grinned inwardly as he remembered the days in his hunting and even before that he used to make-believe that he was a jedi knight and would help all he could from the bad guys. But now that he was now slowly achieving his goal, Roy did not need to pretend and was happy to work his fantasy into a reality.

 

[Crackerjack Bohemian]

"No need for such formal speech," he said, his low voice piercing dully through the darkened room. It expressed little emotion, if only because he was concentrating so entirely on other matters. It took a moment for him to return back to the room and open his amber eyes toward this Padawan. His eyes seethed in his skull, but in a soothing manner. Others might say it even warmed them if they felt comfortable enough to say such an unnecessary thing to him. Still, his stoic and wall-like traits made it difficult to fully recognize the 'warming.' Some would even say it was because of nervousness or even anger toward him for whatever reason. Only those close to him would know where this sensation came from. His eyes burned the passion within his heart that he so desperately smothered. Della was the only one to see this.

Roy's mannerisms were full of respect, but Sebastian couldn't help but think this respect was toward Roy himself. He keep respectful to others because he felt obligated to. His past was full of playing a lesser role so he could take advantage of them. Perhaps this was all speculation, but the Force was not something he misunderstood regularly. He didn't misunderstand lately, that is. His current growth in the Force was tremendous as he learned much about how to interpret its visions. They were difficult to see, but clear in meaning. Unfortunately, it got him in trouble at times. Still, the Force was to be heeded and not ignored so quickly. Sebastian's eyes continued to pierce through Roy, as if to find something.

There seemed to be nothing to find, though. The man seemed void of mysteries. In fact, everything was at the surface. Sebastian couldn't read much of it, but he also didn't care to. He didn't seem to have the most eventful pasts, considering his ties to bounty hunting. "Why bounty hunting?" he asked, his words disrupting the silence and concentration either of them had. He was curious to hear his excuse, but after cutting him off by saying "and why become a Jedi after?"

 

[Sirocco]

The formalities where fully honest but Roy’s life was always very informal from the day he was born so there was no doubt that the formalities he tried to express did sound a bit weird. Once allowed to let loose from being formal, Roy’s expression become very mindful as he thought of the short but direct questions. Crossing his arms unwittingly as he felt that the jedi was a little bit intrusive, he thought of the right answers with some contemplation “I was born with nothing, I don’t even know who my parents where. I worked hard to earn a living all my life to live and have for the last 4 years. I have always thought of the jedi as my heroes and idolized them from afar wile basing my life and my self-study of the force in them.”

Roy paused for a second so that the information he gave Solborne was to be carefully processed “I stumbled upon the force for accident and spend many years discovering it by myself as a child. Alas, I did not have the money or the courage to join the order in Coruscant before the bombing of the temple. Finding myself out of options, I used what money I had and my limited ability in the force to become a bounty hunter and work for a living wile upholding what I knew of the jedi” Roy said with a soft smile as his hands now griped his elbows as he talked to the knight. “Building my reputation and gaining experience in the field with the Alliance, I was finally able to achieve my dream to start the path of the jedi and protected all life.”

Roy was more than what he appeared to be and not even the force seemed to grasp the full scope of his very being, or rather did not choose to tell the knight before him the whole story. Roy’s true background was a mystery to all but Roy concentrated in the present rather than the past; the “now” was a gift after all.

 

[Crackerjack Bohemian]

They had a similar start in life, but Sebastian was born into the Jedi more by accident than anything else. It was very much unorthodox, nonetheless. But to be born away from a haven of safety and peace so immediately astounded him, though his face remained as stone in the dull light of the room. He certainly held a gift for survival, but he was from Coruscant, not Tython, like himself. Still, Tython was nothing like Haruun Kal and even Sebastian would need to keep his awareness up as they would trek through the jungles and the mountains of the lethal planet. breathable air was certainly in low supply there. Roy's life was nothing more than accidents and circumstances, it seemed. It was childlike, in a way, something Sebastian had little experience with himself. Hopefully the eagerness of this man did not make him hasty. His initial evaluation of his speech also seemed incorrect. It was more misplaced than anything else, though.

"It's uncommon to 'rise' from the Alliance to the Jedi since they are both very separate entities. The only relation is that they work together. Your abilities must have already been made aware of by the Jedi and they were seeing if they could grow. Certainly they have." His eyes closed, the warmth leaving the room as he did so.

The Phoenix remained warm on the small of his back, though. It shook a bit, even approvingly, if it was capable of that. Still, the hilts of his three lightsabers rested stiffly on the floor. Protection, emotion, and strength in their usual trine. He focused on the room. An air of uncertainty clouded his vision within the Force. This fog was persistent and lasting. This wasn't unusual since one could hardly understand everything of the present even if one was the most wise, much unlike Sebastian. Still, he grasped at everything he could discern from the fog with infantile hands, trying to gain something, anything from the Force so he could further understand its mysteries. This would take some years further and his ability to See and Hear were still undeveloped regardless of his constant practice of the skill.

Perhaps he should just stick with Control abilities and ignore Force Sense. But his interest in the skill was almost insatiable. It was the first time he'd felt closer to the Force when he first starting learning the ability. From what he could tell, someone of such stature and poise should have kept far away from away from bounty hunting. Perhaps it was hunting criminals, but it was still not a tasteful occupation. Deceit, spying, and disguise were required for such a job and falling into crime when chasing it was far too easy. But this boy was clearly within the Light in spite of this. In fact, this past must have strengthened his sense of honor and justice. Nevertheless, being so green in the Force itself would change even the most rigid of hearts which Sebastian knew quite well.

"Why did you not come to the Jedi right away. Even if you don't have the talent for the Force, you can still work with and for the Jedi. However, I can see how that wouldn't interest you," he interjected himself, ending the conversation that needn't have been had. "What are your skills and interests?" he asked coldly. This was something he'd yet to learn as the Force slowly churned around them.

 

[Sirocco]

Roy smiled slightly at the lack of understanding of what he said, seemed that the knight before him never heard of a figurative circumstance. The rushed words coming out of the Jedi before him seemed to lack the proper after thought and had a sense of rigid social understanding. The social understanding of the Jedi before him seemed almost drone like which could mean that figurative and indirect talks would only confuse the man but this might also be a test. Taking this insight into consideration, Roy took a deep breath as he thought to balance both as best as possible “what I spoke of was in a figurative sense, the war made it hard for me to join the Jedi so I worked for the Alliance. I also had friends to help before I could say good bye to them.”

Roy’s eye brows raised as he felt the slight sting of the ignorance that the words seemed to hold, Roy was far more powerful and interested in the force then the man gave him credit “with all due respect, there is where you are wrong sir. I hold the force and the teachings of the Jedi closer to heart than any other teaching in my past carrier and master Ashara can vouch for the intensity of both my power and determination in the force, however unrefined it is at the moment” Roy said with a slight bow to show how sincere his respect for him was despite his defense.

Roy has chivied things that even masters have reported to fail in doing the first time as Roy was both a talented learner and an open mind to teaching. The feeling he got from the man before him was so rigid and dronish compared to the true light he felt from Master Ab’Das in that mysteries planet months ago. Even though it felt like that in the force, Roy trusted and hoped this to be a test as he felt that someone who immediately judged him for his past would not feel right as a master. It was always the harmony between the skill of the master and the harmony with the student that produced the best results. Still Roy had great hopes for whoever was willing to take up the mantle of master for him so that he could learn from a greater mind than his.

 

[Crackerjack Bohemian]

Each of his Apprentices provided a valid challenge to him. Zalrork proved difficult in only time. He was a short-term student and he learned little from him and vice versa. Vaiya's emotions were strong and unruly, but also harmful to herself, not to mention others. She acted well before her mind could make a logical decision. Graan often defeated himself before he could even attempt a task. And then there was Della who's emotions, like Vaiya's, were strong and uncensored, but left her frozen instead. It took years to bring her from this paralysis or flight and teach her her strengths to encounter a conflict with confidence. Roy would test his skills in communication, something Sebastian lacked quite a bit.

"I understand your use of the expression. I was merely challenging your connection with the Alliance and the Order. The Alliance does not grant access to the Order, and vice versa, unless inherent skill is present. And I find it odd that the war would make it difficult to join the Jedi. I must be missing something. But it is good that you decided to choose closure over your dream. Others is what the Jedi focus on, as you know."

His voice was stable and emotionless, much like before. It seemed Roy believed him unable to understand expressions others commonly used. But since he was around others enough, he was able to understand them. However, his time away from civilization allowed for him to dissect the expressions and evaluate their validity in the circumstance at the moment. If they didn't fit, he'd make sure the other knew. He'd have to try harder to make himself understood by Roy as he understood the boy well enough on his own.

"I was not wrong for I didn't say you weren't talented in the Force. I speculated that you could join the Jedi even if you didn't. It was a comment connected to the former in that you weren't required to join the Alliance before the New Jedi Order. I need no vouchers to know that you are quite talented, young Jedi. However, I can see that your temperament might be something to keep an eye on." His voice faded away, as if into the Force. The last phrase was not connected to the rest of what he said, but it would understand in such a way and seem largely baseless. Still, passion breeds aggression and this is what Sebastian saw quite clearly in the Jedi. Vaapad would not be a good Form for Roy to learn.

But that wouldn't be relevant at this time. His questions remained unanswered. This was understandable since it seemed he offended the boy, so he asked again. "What is it you wish to learn?" The question was broad and, thus, could not be answered very easily. Sebastian would analyze how Roy would answer to further understand how to treat the boy in the future during this mission.

 

[Sirocco]

Roy thought hard on this question that the knight asked him ‘what he wanted to learn?’, Roy ran the question across his mind several times in quick meditation of its true meaning. Once he had finally achieved what he thought was the right answer as he spoke “I wish for someone wise to coach me thru my path of knight hood, to teach me the ways of the force as books can do so much. I wish to hone and improve my skill in the aggression form and the force abilities that I learn from my master and the knowledge of the archives” Roy said as he clasped his hands together once he felt more comfortable. Roy’s wish to employ his skill was well rounded between defensive and offensive force powers that complemented his solid Ataru form.

Roy’s preference in combat with the light saber was to achieve sokan wile circulating pass the enemy’s defense once outwitted for a quick finish which his large reserve of stamina allowed. This is why he chose to focus on Ataru after achieving a solid proficiency in Shii-cho wile slowly building his strategy with long study. Roy knew that he could never achieve mastery if he could not have someone look after and vouch for his progressing skill. Knight Solborne seemed to be the perfect candidate for the role of teacher and coach as he truly could not pensive if he was a guardian or a counselor with the possibility of having concentrated in both disciplines. Roy thought that well diverse individuals like the knight before him would help him achieve the skill he coveted in time.

Roy’s heart pounded with pressure and uncertainty that the reason he was called here was to become the student of the knight before him. Roy was too awed and overwhelmed by the great many powerful jedi around him to think and speak as clearly as he had then he felt at equal grounds with someone. Surely the rank of knight would fix this immediately but for now, Roy felt like an insignificant ant among giants which perfectly explained his slight sudden aggression in trying to fix the broken connection.

 

[Crackerjack Bohemian]

A short exhale wisped out of his mouth. It was an inaudible sigh of relief that the initial misunderstanding was quickly remedied. There was something about civil conflict that he didn't like very much. He had no trouble defending against someone who wished harm to him or those he wished to protect, but when someone disagreed with him or misunderstood his intentions or meanings, little could be done to fix the problem. He wasn't good a fixing disputes, only negating them. He was not skilled in mediation or discussion, as was the reason for his cold and deep voice and tone that permeated into any conversation, be it about butterflies or suffering.

Another exhaled cut out of his lips. "I don't want you to tell me what you think you want me to hear. I want to hear what you truly think," he started. This would be one of his many lessons to come in the future. Hopefully Fyston wouldn't pose too much a threat to his tutelage of others. "Trying to fit a mold is difficult enough. As a Jedi, you're expected to follow the Code:

"Jedi are the guardians of peace in the galaxy.
Jedi use their powers to defend and to protect.
Jedi respect all life, in any form.
Jedi serve others rather than ruling over them, for the good of the galaxy.
Jedi seek to improve themselves through knowledge and training."

He paused a moment, hoping the Code would shed some light on the prospect. "You did well in reciting the last line as lengthily as you could. Still, that does not tell me what it is you wish to learn as a Jedi against the Sith and its Imperium." His eyes remained shut, trying to see the Force around him. The foggy nature of it within the room described Roy's current position within it. He was ignorant, but eager to learn. This was all that was required of him as a Jedi and would be something he needed to keep with him forever. Being just a boy, he had a long way to go before being able to prove himself to become the dream he's always had. Still, that dream was going to be an illusion of what he currently believed. How he treats this inevitability when the time comes will be the true test. This age of the Jedi and Sith was very difficult in that finding oneself often left one in darkness, or Darkness.

"Roy, what is it you wish to become? What is it you wish to accomplish and achieve? I am a guide toward these ends. However, you must understand that these ends will only be met upon your death." Grim, but true. When the Force was done with an individual, they no longer existed. When they accomplished the necessary tasks, their bodily presence was no longer required.

 

[Sirocco]

Roy took a deep and long breath to center him for this talk as it sounded like it was just going in circles, Roy’s patience was not broken but he needed to be more centralized in the force. Roy soon crossed his legs accordingly and closed his eyes as he continued to take deep and harmonizing breaths as he started to enter into meditation. Getting to the knight was going to prove more difficult that he could imagine, even his truest and most meditated responses seemed to be foolhardy to the man before him. This called of the advice of the force so that he could better answer this man as correct as he could, it was now up to the knight to listen or just keep assuming. “You are wrong about your assumptions that I speck to win your favor or “say what you want to hear”. The jedi masters and knights are guides for their padawan and my words hold true to that and not your preference” Roy said as serious and rigid as the man before him. Trying to get to him seemed to be near impossible compared to other teachers as he just needed someone to tell him what he needs to improve or if he is doing things good. He was no teacher’s pet and he would not try to say what others wanted to hear if they were not truly from his heart and mind.

As he went deeper into meditation wile partially still in their own “realm” the force started to swirl around him and thru him with such proficiency in the mediation that he could almost be talking to the force. In half a state of trance, Roy’s head lifted and very slowly swayed to one side as if floating in water from such calm that he had almost become proficient in sense his tutelage with master Ashara. “All life dies eventually, this is true. It is but torture for the mindful ones to become immortal, which is why I follow transcendence and trust in the force. I have upheld the code of the jedi even before joining the order. I also know a form of immortality that is more pure then of flesh and bone as I have learned about it as all others have”

Roy suddenly started to levitate almost instinctively, unable to not do so as he could hear the words of master Ashara in his head every time he entered meditation. Roy’s words were soon becoming softer and softer as he went deeper and deeper into meditation to clear the mind of all unsettlement and doubt, it was now the up to the knight to meditate in the meaning of his words and question as his master counterpart had or to rigidly answer. “It is difficult to know you have progressed if one is not there to show their opinion, I quest to find that someone. As for my goals as a jedi knight, I wish to stand as a paragon of the light, to fight evil and redeem the willing. To protect the weak and respect all life in all forms” Roy said before taking another smooth and calming breath that made him feel like sleeping outside in the Tython temple as the light shines from the horizon while he soon levitated back down.

 

[Crackerjack Bohemian]

Sebastian was known to speak clearly and concisely. Clearly this was not working with this particular individual, however. As rigid as Sebastian was, this Roy proved even moreso, if only in the mind. Unfortunately, this same rigidity made the boy fragile. Sebastian had his work cut out for him. Fragility was not something the Jedi could survive long with, as proved with the Old Order during the Clone Wars. Their confusion and strict policies allowed the Dark Lord to cloud their minds. It was clear that this boy's personal philosophy sought to think of others rather than himself. While this was something to strive for, there were times and places for this to occur.

Perhaps the problem lied in that he was so entranced with the Jedi of the New Order from such a young age that he was so cautious in his words. The Tarasin on Cularin were eager to learn what they wanted to learn, and this was merely what he was trying to get from Roy. Was he supposed to just know what to work on with his Apprentices and not ask for their input? But that made the relationship one-way, which Sebastian didn't care for. If there was something someone wanted to learn, then he'd teach it to them if it was under good intentions. The more he tried to personalize this relationship, the more he seemed to offend Roy. Perhaps he wanted to be treated as a philosopher rather than a person. But the ridiculous thought quickly left his mind.

"I never said anything about you gaining my favor, which you have certainly failed to do." His frustration was seeping through, but only mildly. It was an odd sensation, to feel. But it was something that came in handy when dealing with other creatures who could feel them. Still, Roy couldn't be so centered and use such language toward someone else, regardless of rank. "Still, I am not wrong. You are not answering my question. I feel you believe that there is a right and wrong answer to my questions. I'm merely asking of your preference with Lore, the Blade, the Force, or Diplomacy, as are the paths a Jedi can take. Reciting to me the Code is tiresome and accomplishes nothing for you at this time. There is a time and place for everything." He fell back into his emotionless state with the last sentence as he became exhausted expressing himself. Using such harsh language against another was also something he care little for, but he hoped Roy would come to understand what it was he was trying to get from the Padawan.

His brows had even furrowed as he spoke yet his eyes remained hidden by their lids. If they had been opened, they would have burned with emotion, something he didn't wish Roy to experience. Only a few could handle his passion for his work and those he cared for. Hopefully Della and Rhonun were getting along well enough. Their relationship quickly left his mind for he knew how much negativity was brought from it. Many other relationships were joyous and concentual and helpful, but this particular one, one so in-tuned with the Force, created so much turmoil among those around her. No, he couldn't linger on these ideas. They were not of the present and not relevant to the near future. They were not even relevant to the distant future for the past was as much an indicator of the future as it was a piece of toast.

This slight display of negative emotion would show Sebastian if such tactics were valid with this individual. Perhaps it would not be, and he'd be neutral and contained for the remainder of their time together. Or, perhaps, he should test himself and a find a way to express himself in a constructive manner, regardless of the positive or negative emotion within him. It could only help improve his Vaapad. The only trouble was communication, it seemed, though. So becoming so frustrated over a conversation seemed trivial. But, then again, he did repeat himself three times, now. He was also accused of items he did not commit. The wound for this particular insult was too new to be healed so quickly. As quickly as he could heal his body, his emotions would always remain damaged.