Telarii Secara's Training

[Telarii]

Telarii paced anxiously up and down the main hallway of the Jedi temple, wearing the customary robes of a padawan, her training saber resting clipped onto her belt. She had re-cleaned and polished her training saber during the night - had wanted everything to look perfect and presentable today. The Jedi Knight Owyn Deak had told her that she might be getting a Master today, and by the Force she wanted to make a proper first impression!

As she paced to and fro, the young twi'lek constantly rehearsed her greeting of her master. Normally, it was a simple variation on "Greetings, my name is Telarii Secara, Master (insert name here), it's an honor to meet you!", but occasionally it would become rather outlandishly long. Eventually, she decided to remain rather basic, as to not come off as too excited or too pompous in her greeting.

After getting her greeting down pat, she spent the remainder of her time in daydreams - imagining who, or what, her Master might be. Another twi'lek? Human? Wookie? Maybe even Master Keldroma himself? That last thought was probably a little bit out there. Still, it never hurt to fantasize about things that would never be reality, right?

I wonder where he is... oh, I hope that Owyn wasn't just pulling my leku. That'd just be awful... No, no.. That's not very Jedi-like, I doubt he'd have been cruel enough to do that.

 

[Raif]

A short, pudgy jedi youngling hurried over to Telarii as she paced in the main hall. He was still licking the remnants of breakfast off of his fingers, but it didn't stop him from reaching into a pocket of his robes and handing the Twi'lek girl a small, folded piece of parchment. Then, without a word, he was off...probably in search of another meal.

The paper held just a few handwritten words, in a slightly sloppy yet still readable script:

Training Room #9. NOW

~~~

Standing in Training Room #9, Owyn Deak was wearing a brown Jedi robe over his typical garments; brown pants, white linen shirt, green vest. He was facing away from the entrance, so anyone entering would see only a humanoid shape with its hood up.

As he waited for Telarii to arrive, his gaze took in the Coruscant skyscape, which was brilliantly arrayed in front of him thanks to the floor to cieling windows of the Training Room. With the early morning sky twinkling off of the transparisteel, it almost looked...beautiful.

Tikk, who could sense his thoughts, snorted derisively. There was not nearly enough greenery for the small monkey. As for Ra'ja, the big felinoid was snoozing in a dark, cool corner and couldn't have cared less about the view.

Hopefully, Owyn thought, she will be here soon.

 

[Telarii]

With her pacing, Telarii did not even notice the pudgy young jedi before he was nearly upon her. Taken slightly aback by his...rather full appearance and the wet, sticky fingers he was using to handle a message and thrust into her hands. Resisting the urge to immediately leave and wash her hands, she instead unraveled the piece of paper and looked upon the script... Training room 9? Ew. He sounds mad. Or impatient. I can never tell with written words... she thought to herself. Either way, best not to keep this person waiting.

Turning on her heel, the twi'lek traveled through the corridors of the temple at a deliberate pace, occasionally dodging or sliding out of the way of other jedi that occupied the space. It didn't take her more than a few minutes to reach the specified training room, but before opening the door, she took a few seconds to steel herself for the meeting to come. Her master, at last!

With a calming inhale, she pressed the panel near the portal, which opened with a hissing noise and gazed upon...some humanoid. Really, all she could tell from this position was that it probably walked on two legs and wore Jedi vestments, but other than that, his features were hidden. But, she'd know who this person was soon enough - this man, judging by his sheer size and broadness.

Taking a step within the training chamber, the twi'lek bowed low toward the ground, even if the man before her could not see the gesture of respect. "My name is Telarii Secara, Master, and I've come as you asked," she she said, not quite as eloquently as she had hoped.

 

[Raif]

Owyn wanted to keep this little charade going, he really did. Unfortunately, duty trumped personal enjoyment, and they had a lot they needed to do. Reaching up, he lowered his hood as he quickly turned around, his robes billowing about him as he twirled. A big, cheesy grin was on his face as he greeted his first student.

"Why hello there, long time no see."

Owyn quickly shrugged out of his robe and tossed it towards a corner, then began to walk towards Telarii.

"So, Telarii, the secret's out; I am to be your Master. Now, aside from enjoying late nights at The Outlander Club, is there anything else you think I need to know about you before we begin? Any previous training, anything of importance?"

Owyn had been given only a brief overview of his padawan, and as such was going to be relying on how open she would be to learn about her. For now, at least, she was just about as much of an unknown quantity to him as he was to her.

 

[Telarii]

Time seemed to slow down slightly as the presumably older Jedi before her raised his hands toward his hood and began to lower it down, anticipation for the big reveal nearly overwhelming her in the last second before the Knight turned around and faced her...and suddenly her world came crashing down around her.

She knew this Knight - it was Owyn, from the Outlander Club the previous night. This was to be her master? She had absolutely no problem with the man personally but... by the Force! She'd made him go looking for her at the club, she'd embarrassed herself countless times and she spoke toward him like an incoherent moisture farmer!

"Ah! You!!" were the words that escaped her mouth during the few moments of shock she displayed, though she immediately regretted them. "I mean... Um, it's good to see you again, Master Owyn," she said, her eyes immediately averting themselves from the human.

So much for proper first impressions.

However, there was still a question to be answered by her. Anything of importance he should know about her? She couldn't think of much, which was a horrible thing to know. Was she really that bland? Of course, she couldn't simply give him an answer of 'no, not really'...Maybe she could just kind of...spin it a little in her favor?

"As for anything you should know, Master, I've spent the last few years studying various subjects of importance to the Jedi, including a rudimentary knowledge of the Jedi Code. I'm also skilled in the arts of diplomacy, some simple Force techniques and have had a small amount of lightsaber training," she said, trying to sound as professional as she possibly could, considering the circumstances.

 

[Raif]

Owyn was smiling from ear to ear as Telarii tried to regain her composure. It wasn't that he was enjoying seeing her squirm; it was the fact that, caught unawares as she was, he was able to really get a glimpse at who she was. No masks, no 'jedi calmness,' just a completely true reaction. Along with that, of course, came a rush of thought and feeling which Owyn's grasp of the Force made it almost impossible to ignore.

"First of all, Telarii, I want to reassure you a bit. Yes, you and I may have gotten off to a bit of an 'unorthodox' start, but you will quickly find I am a bit of an 'unorthodox' Jedi. I mean, you're talking to a man who spends most of his days in conversation with a monkey sitting on his shoulder. Whose name is Tikk, by the way."

At this, Tikk bowed deeply, as if being introduced to a Head of State at an official dinner function.

"And I'm sure you remember Ra'ja from last night."

The slumbering Narglatch lifted his head and glanced sleepily at Telarii, then quickly resumed his prone position as if he was unimpressed.

"Don't mind him, he's a grump. Anyway, I'm glad to hear you've got at least a basic level of training. First off, I'd like to touch on the Code a bit. You don't need to regurgitate it to me or anything, since I've heard it a few times myself."

Owyn grinned as he said this; he wasn't the most serious Jedi in the galaxy, not by a long shot, and he hoped that his laid-back attitude was going to help calm Telarii a bit. As for what he was talking to her about, he recalled the conversation Telarii had been a part of when he first entered the Club last night.

"Instead, I'd like you to tell me how you view The Force, and specifically a Jedi's relationship to it. I hope you don't mind, but I couldn't help overhearing that you were exposed to a couple different views at the Outlander Club last night, and I'd like to hear on which side of the argument you fall."

Owyn continued in his laid-back manner, but this question was actually quite serious. Telarii's answer could help to show whether she had the strength of will to one day be a defender of the Light in this galaxy.

 

[Telarii]

While far from being completely comfortable in this situation, the Jedi's calm and almost cordial form of speaking and displaying himself helped ease the twi'lek's state of mind. Instead of being immensely conscious of her own failings and embarrassment, she allowed herself to relax a bit. She had the rest of the day to screw up, after all. She shouldn't devote herself to a self-fulfilling prophecy so early in the day.

And so, she listened to the Jedi knight speak of his unorthodox ways and introduce his monkey and the large feline beast once more. Though the twi'lek didn't mind the presence of Tikk, she still felt Ra'ja's presence unnerve her. Maybe she just didn't have a thing for large carnivores?

Of course, his words quickly drifted from his animal companions to the matter of training - specifically, the Jedi Code. The padawan stood a little straighter at the mention of it, not from anxiety, but from the proud knowledge that she'd stayed up an extra hour the previous night memorizing the Code just in case this situation arose... Though, once more her hopes shattered against the stone floor of the temple as he continued with his question.

He wasn't wanting a regurgitation of the Jedi Code, but her own personal view on the Force. Or at least, who, at the Bar, she agreed with more. Her heart sank slightly in her chest. It was far harder to speak of one's own beliefs, especially if they're considered wrong as such an answer could end her career as a Jedi here and now.

"The Force is the energy field that surrounds and binds all living things, but one that has two sides that are constantly vying for dominance over one another... One side is kind and benevolent, while the other is envious, malicious and devious. We call these the Light and Dark sides of the Force," she began.

"For Jedi, we are followers of the Light and seek to stop agents of the Dark Side of the Force wherever they may be, because such agents bring only pain and misery wherever they go. While Dark Jedi believe they can command the Force to do as they wish, Jedi instead work with the Force like a symbiont might, never commanding over it," she said, concluding her thoughts on it. She hoped she didn't blunder anything.

 

[Raif]

Owyn clapped his hands quietly to show he approved of her answer.

"Very good, Telarii, very good indeed. That last part, especially, is something which you will have to think a great deal upon throughout your life, and as your power as a Jedi grows. It may seem easier, or quicker, to simply take from the Force what you will, but such an action can lead to to a devastating effect."

He paused for a moment, his jovial demeanor temporarily shunted aside as he searched her eyes to make sure she was really listening to what he was saying.

"The worst part is the effect will not be instantaneous. It is not like flicking on a holopanel; no, siezing the Force in such a selfish manner will seem innocent enough, until it becomes the rule instead of the exception. And by that point, the Dark Side will have you in its grasp."

Owyn realized how intensely he was staring at the twi'lek girl and relaxed his gaze a bit.

"So, I caution you, when tapping into the Force, always ask its permission; treat it as a warm friend and ally, not like a slave to your desires."

 

[Telarii]

The twi'lek smiled slightly as her master applauded her answer, putting her mind at ease once again. Apparently that had been the answer, or at least part of the answer, he had hoped from her. However, despite the warm compliment and the applaud he had given her, his eyes came to sternly rest upon her as he relayed a warning to her.

While the intensity of his gaze made her uneasy, it had the desired effect. She listened - as well as any being can listen to each other. What he said, she already knew... But it was a lesson she felt deserved to be repeated as many times as necessary...and then some. She had a feeling that many Dark Jedi fell because they failed to heed such simple advice.

Once his words had finished, the twi'lek bowed her head once again, words softly pouring from her lips. "Of course, Master Owyn. I would never even dream of using the Force in such a demanding way. We are partners with it, not it's masters."

Nothing deserved to be a slave, not even an energy field. Though she had a sneaking suspicion that the Dark Jedi that brag of their command over the Force are only granted their powers because the Dark Side allows it, though she decided not to give such thoughts words. Such a discussion would serve no purpose other than to slow things down.

 

[Raif]

This time it was Tikk, still seated at his typical shoulder-perch, who applauded the young Twi'lek. Owyn rolled his eyes at his companion's antics, but smiled all the same.

"Partners, exactly. That is a great way of looking at it. Now, before we get into some of the training exercises I have planned, this is your chance to ask me anything you wish."

The Knight spread his arms wide, with Tikk mimicking his actions.

"Anything you want to know about me, any questions you have about training, anything at all; now is your chance to speak."

 

[Telarii]

Telarii giggled quietly at the sight of the little monkey creature applauding her, despite it's apparently annoying the Jedi with it's antics. Smiling at the monkey, she bowed slightly at it as one might after finishing a performance on stage. However, hearing her master's voice ended the silliness rather quickly.

The two were about to begin training exercises, and the Jedi was giving her free reign over questions. Before he asked, the girl probably would have had a plethora of questions to ask, but for the life of her, she almost couldn't remember a single one she had wanted to ask. However, seeing her master and his monkey with spread arms made her want to think of something, at least.

With a tap on her chin, she finally decided on one. She couldn't remember if he had mentioned it yet or not. "Have you ever had a padawan before, Master Owyn?" she asked, folding her arms in front of her. While Owyn didn't hold the rank of Master, that merely meant he hadn't completed a padawan's training. Previous padawans could have met...unfortunate fates.

 

[Raif]

"That's a very good question. No, actually, you will be my first apprentice."

Owyn looked at her for a moment, trying to gauge whether his lack of a previous student would bother her, but chose not to worry about it.

"I was Knighted just before the end of the Hutt War, and have spent the last four years or so 'out and about,' following the guidance of the Force and learning as much as possible to further my own understanding."

His look grew slightly worried for a moment, and he thought about ending his little speech there, but decided against it. He wanted to build a relationship of complete honesty with his new padawan, and now was as good a time as any to set that foundation.

"Recently, though...there seems to be a resurgence of the darkness. Grandmaster Keldroma and I spoke upon my return to the temple, and it was her recommendation I take on a student. Now, more than ever I feel, it is important to strengthen the ranks of the Jedi."

Owyn blinked for a moment, realizing he had been rambling a bit - not a common occurrence for him, that was certain.

"Anything else you would like to know? Anything specific you hope to learn today, or on any of our days to come?"

 

[Telarii]

Telarii was somewhat shocked by Owyn's lack of a previous apprentice. He looked young, yes... Or at least, young as humans went, but the idea of her being his first apprentice was... Well, not really worrisome. In reality, the twi'lek felt somewhat honored at being this Knight's first apprentice, and it strengthened her resolve even more to be a success story.

She couldn't even imagine the kind of shame or pain Owyn would feel if his first padawan fell to the Dark Side, or was killed before becoming Knighted. The twi'lek wasn't even certain that she, when and if the day were to come, she could deal with something like that. However, such thoughts were depressing and she forced them from her mind.

"I won't fail you, Master Owyn," she said, smiling slightly despite her master's serious expression and tone. Even if dark forces gathered once more, she was certain that the Jedi and the Republic would be able to face whatever was to come.

However, that serious business reminded her of the day at hand and the training that was to be done. Again he asked is she had any question, and this time she had one that was directly involved with training. "While I do not have any questions about today's training, Master Owyn, I have been wanting for a long time to learn how to heal people through the Force, or perhaps to influence the mind. While I know that, as a Jedi, I will likely need to fight and defend myself, I also feel I should know techniques that help avoid of offset such violence."

 

[Raif]

Owyn scratched the scruff on his chin as he thought about what Telarii had just said. Healing...interesting.

"Well, healing is not exactly my area of expertise, but maybe...I just may know someone who can help show you the ropes. As for 'mind tricks,' we will get to those in due time, I promise."

He grinned again, then motioned for her to follow him as he turned and walked towards the floor-to-ceiling windows which made up the outer wall of the training room. At the bottom was a sliding-door, which Owyn opened to reveal a small open-air balcony overlooking the grand views of Coruscant.

"Now, first and foremost in your training will be your ability to both actively and passively tap into the Force to Sense your surroundings. For example, had you been extending your senses with the Force when you first entered this room this morning my presence would have been no surprise, for you would have felt me a long way out. My aim is that one day, and soon, your ability to Sense will grow as natural to you as the breathe which fills your lungs."

Owyn walked over to the handrail, and for a moment just looked out at the never-ending metropolitan skyline before him. Yes, it was beautiful...in its own way.

"I would like you to close your eyes, and project your senses outward. I want you to try to take in as much of what is around you as possible. Start off by simply being aware of yourself, then spread that awareness out to this balcony, and then the Temple, and then all the area surrounding you now. Good luck."

Owyn closed his own eyes as he said this, both to better sense how she would be doing in this exercise and to quiet his presence as much as possible; he did not want to be a distraction.

 

[Telarii]

Someone else to teach her the healing art? Perhaps not what she had really expected, but not totally surprising either. Jedi, after all, had different specialties just as everyone else did. No single jedi could teach everything to a padawan. The twi'lek silently wondered whom this other person would be. However, the mind trick ability she inquired about sounded like it would be fine at a later date. She could live with that.

Following her Master's lead, she moved toward the incredibly large windows and looked out, taking in the sight of the planet spanning city. Truly a spectacle to behold, at least on the upper levels. She imagined that Coruscant was less magnificent the further down one traveled.

He wants me to 'sense' the world around me with the Force? Well...maybe that won't be so hard. I mean, if it eventually comes naturally... she thought to herself as her Master relayed the instructions. Her eyes slowly closed as she concentrated on doing as her Master asked of her - despite there not really being true instructions. Being aware of oneself? How?

And how would she project her senses outward? What steps did she need to follow to reach that end goal? Maybe... If she simply asked the Force for assistance in the matter? She reached out slowly to the force, almost hesitantly considering the conversation she'd just finished, asking the Force to assist her with the senses she tried to develop.

Slowly, the Force stirred within, filling her with a gentle warmth. With a bit of encouragement, the twi'lek asked it to relay information to her that she could not see herself. For a few moments, nothing seemed to happen, but then the twi'lek became more aware of herself, her position within the room and even the large training chamber itself became known to her, despite her closed eyes.

Elated with this turn of events, she silently willed the force to relay more to her, of her surroundings and the inhabitants of the room. Slowly, things began to take shape around her - the inanimate objects first, such as the training equipment within the room. But these things were faint and hard to focus on, next however, was someone standing next to her. Master Owyn, she knew, sensing a familiarity with him (coupled with the knowledge that he simply hadn't left that spot since she'd closed her eyes).

Atop his shoulder, she could sense Tikk, who felt far more...energetic than Owyn did. As she expanded her senses around her, she eventually found Ra'ja. The presence of the large predator, his fierce (if lazy) nature startled the twi'lek and interrupted her concentration, forcing her senses to retreat back into her self.

Her eyes darted open and she gasped quietly, having not expected such senses to feel anything like they did. However, her expression quickly changed to a more apologetic one. "Sorry, Master. I...wasn't concentrating hard enough, I think."

 

[Raif]

"Don't worry, there is nothing at all to apologize for. You actually did quite well for your first time. This new sense which we are working. To develop in you can can be surprising in its strangeness; it is completely unlike anything else you have likely experienced."

Owyn rested a gentle, reassuring hand on his padawan's shoulder, in the process trying to refresh her with as much positive energy through the Force that he could muster without it shocking the girl. He knew these mental exercises could often be more grueling than the physical ones, so he would do what he could to support her.

"Now, try again. Start again with yourself; feel your chest rising and falling as you breathe, feel your blood pulsing through your veins with every heartbeat. Then, expand your senses outword; the feel of the air on your face is often a good place to start. Feel it in the Force, then feel what else it is touching, and then what is touching that, and so on until your awareness has expanded...well, as far as you can. For today, at least."

Owyn gave her a cheeky wink, which Tikk tried and failed to emulate.

"We'll worry about sensing other star systems next week."

 

[Telarii]

Telarii, despite her failure, was comforted by her new master's kind words. She should have known better than to think she'd be chastised for not getting it right the first time. Owyn wasn't kidding, however, when he said that this was unlike anything she had experienced; the sensation was incredibly alien to her. It was sight beyond sight, really...but it was more than that. It was to know what was there, rather than just observe it with your eyes... a concept she had difficulty articulating, even to herself.

Rejuvenated both by her master's reassuring words and the Force he imbued her with, the twi'lek closed her eyes and listened to her Master's words, allowing them to guide her through the first steps of the process. She felt herself, the inflation and deflation of her lungs, the pitter-pat of her heart. Listening inwardly had a calming effect on the padawan...

However, she was not content to stay here, like this. Instead, she once more let the Force guide her outward and into the room, her new perceptions feeling the energy around both the animate and inanimate objects. Each creature in the room was connected; not only through social ties like between Master and Padawan, however - but through the Force.

For herself, she felt connected to Owyn through the force. A weak connection she felt, though one that she knew would be strengthened as the two spent more time together. Delving deeper into this perception, she felt the connections that Owyn had himself, to the small monkey Tikk and to the beastial Ra'ja in the corner.

Upon feeling the Narglatch this time, however, Telarii was prepared for it's alien nature and did not turn away from it, but rather accepted the vision of the animal's location and continued to expand outward. Her perceptions covered the doorway and slipped out a couple of feet into the hallway just as another padawan passed by, sensing his location, but just as suddenly vanishing as he left the radius of her senses.

Outside, she sensed other things, the moisture in the air, the small insects and birds that flew nearby. The twi'lek tried to expand herself farther, but as she did so, she felt...strained. Her perception of those around her faded more she tried to expand further. For now, she knew she had reached her limits... But with more training...

Her eyes opened, her senses retreated back into her. She silently thanked the Force for the ability to sense even the little bit she had experienced. "I'm... Not sure I'll be ready for Star Systems by next week, Master Owyn," she said after a few moments, smiling slightly at the human standing next to her.

 

[Raif]

Owyn smiled broadly back at Telarii when she returned his little joke.

"Telarii, that was great! You will find, with practice, that sensing the world around you through the Force like that will eventually become so natural you won't even have to think about it. And, as I'm sure you've already assumed, your limits will be pushed further and further out as your grow stronger. I want you to try that exercise every day, at least once a day, and I think you'll see huge improvements in just a matter of weeks."

Owyn squeezed her shoulder gently, the way a coach would to a player after a big game, then walked back into the training chamber and towards one of the walls. There was a small crate sitting on the floor, which he picked up and held at his side. Owyn then turned and looked back at the red Twi'lek.

"Now, on to our second activity for the day. Tell me what your experience has been with telekinesis."

 

[Telarii]

The twi'lek practically beamed with pride as the Jedi Knight complimented her on a job well done. She had to admit that she was a little proud of her own accomplishment as well. After all, she used the Force to see things she physically couldn't! How amazing is that! With a grin wider than a Rancor's maw, Telarii nodded her head eagerly. "Of course, Master Owyn. I'll use it every day!" she promised, bowing to accentuate her point.

Still bristling with pride, she followed Owyn's gesture toward the one of the walls in room. She had already guessed what this part was going to be, but she didn't mention anything just yet, though her Master's words confirmed it only moments later. Telekinesis - this time, she had a small amount of experience with it.

"I do know a bit about it, Master. It's the art of moving objects or creatures with the Force," she said, demonstrating by motioning toward the crate with her right hand, the crate shaking slightly at first, then sliding about six inches toward them. She'd learned these abilities early in her life at the temple, but wasn't exceptionally good at them.

 

[Raif]

"Ah, good, so you have a bit of training already. Well, I guess we can skip the baby steps and get into the 'Intermediate' activities."

Owyn opened the crate and pulled out two objects; a cloth strap, and a fist-sized hard rubber ball. He motioned for Telarii to put her hands out in front of her, and began speaking as he tied her wrists together with the strap.

"We're going to play a little game of 'Tag.' I'm tying your hands together to make sure you don't use your hands, even just out of instinct. So, I'm going to try to tag you with this ball. You are going to try and keep from being 'Tagged,' by whatever means at your disposal. Obviously, you can try to spend the entirety of the game simply dodging, but I encourage you to try and use the Force in whatever way you see fit; push the ball away from you, grab it out of the air...anything you can think of."

Owyn took a few steps backwards, with the rubber ball floating above his right hand.

"Ready?"