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Oren Zapan

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It had been a few months since Oren had seen Mila, and he still felt bad about the situation as a whole. Maybe he shouldn't have shared his feelings or his honesty with the Jedi Knight, but he thought she should have known at the time. There were a hundred of different things he could have done differently, but it didn't change the fact that it happened, he hadn't heard from her in a while, and it seemed even her students didn't.

With his own Nara graduating to Knighthood, it left the Jedi Master without an apprentice for the first time in years, and thus it was time to continue the cycle again. During his time away in prison, and his release, he had taken an interest in the progress of the young Fiach's progress in her training. She was inquisitive and bright, and her presence radiated with the light side of the force. Oren felt that she could easily become the grand master of the order one day, if she continued to walk down the path she did--and thus, he would help her in achieving whatever dreams she desired.

He sat outside the temple, his legs crossed as he felt the morning rain against his face and his soaked tunic--a soft restful smile held to the burned Jedi's face, as he thought of nothing in particular at that moment. Though as he felt the signature of the Jedi he met all those years ago, his eyes would open, one brown the other a milky white texture. "You're looking strong, and sharp." He'd say with a nod. "I see you have a lightsaber as well now...your training is going well then, I assume?"

tag: @Corbeau

 

Fiach Dubh

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Fiach was committed…in everything she did. She believed in being the best at whatever she did and also espoused the philosophy that it was time spent (as opposed to natural talent) that determined mastery of any given subject. Whereas she accepted the Force worked in a different manner, and that midichlorian levels dictated Force sensitivity, she also argued the case that every person had the same amount of hours available each day. And that a lack of focus meant you spread yourself too thin. Quite simply, the more you tried to cram in, the less focus you could give to each element. And social time ate into study time as far as Fiach was concerned.

So her days were highly structured. Lessons came first. Then rest, although she was lucky enough to require less than average. Then meals (albeit these were fuel stops and no more and so took up little time). Then exercise, to keep herself physically and mental fit. Whatever time was left was given to study and practice. And both had their own timetable in Fiach’s case.

So, she was a competent pilot but did not see value in spending an inordinate time in the cockpit. She would never be an ace and had no desire to be. Similarly, she understood the basics of healing, but had no intention to become a Healer. So her focus was on Jedi lore, when in the library, and her basic Jedi skills at other times. Foremost was her Soresu training. Which is why she was walking back to the Temple in the rain.

When she was up early (which was essentially every day) and the storm clouds threatened, she would rush outside and wait for the rain. Her cloak neatly folded beside her, she would stand in a clearing and wait for the first drops to fall, her eyes closed and in a deep connection to the Force.

Then, once she sensed the rain, she would activate her saber and assume her defensive stance. Her adversary? The rain itself. She once read that a Sith Lord — perhaps even Darth Bane himself — used this as a training aid. Regardless if the founder of the modern Sith was truly an exponent of the practice or not, Fiach had adopted it. Her goal was to survive the passing of the storm completely dry.

Of course, she was soaking wet right now — and not just because she had walked back during the rain. Yet her abilities were progressing and each time she was able to evaporate more water before it reached her skin. Oddly, the exercise made her sweat, so she was wet regardless, but her advancement encouraged her and she was smiling her ubiquitous smile as she rounded a tree and saw a familiar face.

She bowed out of respect. “Thank you,” she replied and unclipped her saber, offering it to the Jedi Master to inspect. “It is a long story, but I managed to craft this. And I keep myself busy, seeking training wherever I can find it.”

“How are things with you, Master Zapan?"
 

Oren Zapan

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The man would turn to face the teen, his face bore the scars of his meetings with the remnants of the Sith. His milky white right eye peered towards the girl, yet he saw nothing from it. The galaxy was in a constant state of flux, always changing and it seemed new events were coming every day. Oren had been away form the temple, dealing with Rangers and these darksiders for some time. His perspective on the galaxy was quite different than the one he held prior to their previous meeting.

His mechanical hand would reach out, taking the saber to inspect the various portions of the saber. "It resonates with your energy," he would hand the blade back towards the girl as he felt the rain beating against the two of them, 'But, like you it beats with a constant stream of energy, always on the move you are." He'd pull himself up from his sitting position as he motioned for the student to follow him.

"You're always training, and I commend you for it, but do you ever take time to simply rest, and discover who you truly are as a person?" He'd ask in a curious tone as they slowly walked from the well kept grass of the gardens and towards the wild unpredictable nature of the trails that lead into the heart of the jungle.

tag: @Corbeau

 

Fiach Dubh

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Of course the man she met before was a Knight and now he was a Master. Many changes were visible and others less so. Fiach lacked social skills and the empathy derived from clues given by vocal tone or facial mannerisms. But the Force was more than an adequate compensator. She sensed emotions and states of mind. Although she could not always understand them, she at least was able to acknowledge them and act in a way that her logical mind determined.

She stood patiently as the Master Jedi examined her saber. She did not seek admiration or even affirmation, rather she simply sought feedback - good or bad - that might help her better understand her lightsaber's construction and any modifications that might prove useful.

She smiled at his response. It was true that the only time she was still was when she slept. She would regularly eat and move and even the act of studying seemed to be tiring to watch given the number of datacrons, holobooks and records she would access simultaneously, looking to join disparate accounts to see if there was a link.

He stood and she followed him - away from the Temple and towards the jungle. His question caught her a little off-guard. "I meditate," she offered as a response, "and I look to resolve issues when I run. But these tend to be outward looking exercises - I focus on a problem to be solved or something I am finding difficult..."

She left the sentence hanging, unsure if her answer was what was expected - or if she'd even answered the question.
 

Oren Zapan

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A soft sigh escaped the Jedi Master's lips as they sloshed through the mud of the trails that cut through the heart of the Jungle. It seemed to rain less, as the canopies above shielded them from the rain, as well as any chance for light. Throughout the forest the sound of a few birds and beasts could be heard in the distance, though they were mellow, as if everyone on the planet was enjoying this quiet rainy morning.

He knew how hard Fiach had been working, but she needed a break, and that's what they would have today. "Let me ask you, who would you be if you didn't have the force?" He'd ask in a soft voice, "Do you know who you truly are? Have you taken the time to see the world through a lens that is not the force or the Jedi?"

His hands would fold behind his back as they walked, "If you strip away from the force from a Jedi you'd find that they would be lost and broken, no different than a child. Training in the force is necessary, just like any skill..But, you must do your best to not rely or depend on the force to define who you are."

tag: @Corbeau

 

Fiach Dubh

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It was a fascinating question - and Fiach loved questions...and associated answers of course. She considered the Jedi Master's query for a few long moments before responding.

Pulling her hood off her head as the steady rain was now abating due to the canopy cover, she spoke. "I was a mechanic. An engineer. A fixer-upper. I worked in my parent's shop and repaired things that needed repairing. Is that what you mean? If I weren't here now, that's where I would be and what I would be doing."

@TWD26
 

Oren Zapan

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Oren would stop along the path as he listened to her explain her life, she was mechanic, at her age? Now that's quite impressive, I can't do much of anything technical..and I can't get that stupid Datapad to turn on that Nara gave me..maybe she can show me. A soft smile formed on his face as he thought about it, "Those are valuable skills, but not exactly what I was looking for."

He would pause for a few moments, considering the words he wanted to use, "That's work, no different than being a Jedi..what are the things you like to do? Do you have any hobbies, dislikes, besides training.." His voice would trail off, "You don't want to end up like me, I'm clueless in the world of normal people..I mean a month ago I saw my first holo-film ever..do you really want to end up in the same starship?"

tag: @Corbeau

 

Fiach Dubh

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Fiach listened. She was an excellent listener, although she would admit that what she heard was not always what was said. Or certainly what was meant. It was the advantage and disadvantage of being literal. Facts she was always on safe ground with. But inference? Significantly less so.

So she listened diligently and paused before responding a second time. Her mouth opened and closed a few times, like a burra fish out of water. “Hobbies?” she echoed. “Hobbies?” she repeated. “Actually…no. I used to work and salvage items to use and practice on a flight-sim I rescued. Now, I spend time learning to be a better Jedi. It’s what I enjoy — at least for now. I’ve never seen a holo-film or listened to music, there is always something more useful to do. Is that...wrong?”
 

Oren Zapan

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The Jedi master would give a slight frown, as he crossed his arms. He had been the same way as the girl, his mechanical hand would move to rest against her arm, as he thought about her question. There was nothing wrong with training, but it still limited your experiences in life, and one day she would need to be able to relate to her own students. He had struggled with this for a long time, and it only took him a few different struggles and falls to realize where he had failed.

"There is nothing wrong with it, but we are still mortal flesh...you need to experience life, to feel the joys at least once." He had thought about training the girl today, but it was clear she already had a clear grasp on concepts. Instead, he would help to ease her into a much more healthy stance on being a Jedi. "How about you and I see a holo-film, would you like that?"

tag: @Corbeau

 

Fiach Dubh

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Fiach might be way beyond inadequate at social clues, but even she could spot a frown when she saw one. It was brief…but it was there all the same.

Her nose wrinkled at the mention of joy. To Fiach, joy was studying in the library, or performing training sessions with a Jedi Master, or sparring with just about anyone. True joy was learning something new, or better still, finding a connection between two facts that had never been noticed before. So, she was about to say she had experienced joy often enough to say she was satisfied, when she understood what the Jedi Master was saying. Or at least, what she suspected he was saying.

“I can’t say I would like to see a holo-film, but nor can I say I would not. I mean…” she paused and her nose wrinkled again, “can they be educational? That is, can I learn things from them?” She smiled, honestly and openly. She was hoping to meet the Jedi Master at least half way on this one.

@TWD26
 

Oren Zapan

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Oren stopped along the trail as he let out a bit of an awkward laugh, he hadn't been an expert on holo-films by any means, so the question caught him off guard. "Well..." His words would trail off as he tried to think of something to say to the girl, the only one he had ever seen was an old zombie film that the Sector Ranger had shown him, to him it seemed almost life like, but it was a lot of fun to just lose himself for a few hours.

"I have no idea, I've only see one of them you see..." He'd gently press a hand against her back as he began to guide the woman back to the temple. "You can learn things maybe, but it's more about bonding with others, and building closeness...losing yourself to some form of enjoyment." He'd sigh, realizing that he was probably not explaining himself well. "If I'm going to train you, I want the two of us to grow close, to experience each others emotions and to form a connection that expands simple training...as Jedi we are expected to protect life, but how can we do that if we have never experienced moments our self?"

tag: @Corbeau

 

Fiach Dubh

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Aware they were heading back to the temple, Fiach allowed herself to be guided by the Jedi Master. His lack of expertise on holofilms seemed slightly at odds with his suggestion they watch one — at least to Fiach it was. She rarely (if ever) recommended something unless she believed in its value. But she was a Padawan and he was a Master after all — and teachings were often inscrutable if not unfathomable at times — so she was prepared to be led metaphorically too.

But of course, his explanation encouraged new questions, and Fiach was never one to avoid asking. In many ways, it was a trait her teachers at the temple encouraged.

“If I’m watching a holofilm, and you’re sitting beside me, also watching the holofilm, we’re focused on it…” she left a brief pause in case the Master wanted to contradict her train of thought, and then pressed on. “So if I’m focused on it, and enjoying myself, where is the bonding coming from? Surely a sparring session would be better for that? Or have I missed the point?” She was quite ready to accept she had.

“Not that I want to be awkward, just understand better. And I would very much like to be trained by you. And will do whatever you recommend. It’s just that, in return, I have a habit of asking questions, which hopefully will help the connection. For I read that the Master-Padawan relationship is a two-way process, with learning happening both ways.”

@TWD26
 

Oren Zapan

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The Jedi Master didn't mind the series of questions being proposed to him, they were valid and they helped him develop his own philosophy on life, even if he did find them to be sometimes difficult to answer. To him, being a Jedi was about sharing in the experience of life that the Force provided. Sure, he would defend and continue to grow his connections, but he was a person, a mindful one at that.

There were many ways one bonded, the girl was right there. But, his experience with Nashyr had opened his eyes to what it means to grow close. One could be in a room with another and say nothing, and still feel the sense of warm love radiating from the other's body. "Don't ever be sorry for asking questions, I want you to feel close and open to me. I have certain ideas about the nature of a Jedi and the ideas of people after my dealings with two Sith in particular, that may seem strange, but they come from my own life and the things I've seen."

The two of them would slowly walk up the stairs that lead towards the entrance of the temple, "As for your question, it's the experience..you're correct that the two of us would grow close by sparring, but why do you think that is? Is it because of the engagement in an action? Watching a film or looking at the stars with another is a shared experience, one that the two of you were both present for. Words do not need to be said in the moment, but you will remember them, and this..this is what bonds two lives together through the force..does that make sense?"

tag: @Corbeau

 

Fiach Dubh

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Fiach listened and nodded, her ubiquitous smile never leaving her lips. It was reassuring to be told she could continue to ask questions. In truth, she would find it difficult not to. Difficult but not impossible.

In terms of being open, that was something she readily embraced. She kept no secrets and hid nothing from anyone unless there was a valid reason — like the nature of a birthday gift. Being close was apparently different and although Fiach understood this theoretically, she did not fully understand it. She was helpful and friendly with everyone — but had never really felt close to anyone. Her parents were the nearest she suspected, as she cared a lot about them but their relationship was about respect and kindness rather than love, which Fiach definitely did not yet understand.

The mention of Sith piqued her interest. She knew so much about them from her reading in the library — or rather what was written about them. Her knowledge extended to the fact that victors typically wrote historical accounts, and they could well be biased in their recounting. But she held back with questions on the subject…for now.

Instead, as she climbed the stairs, she reflected on the Master’s words. Finally, she spoke. “It is the shared experience that is key, isn’t it? We would both remember the situation, albeit from our own perspective, and have something shared, a commonality linked by that event. Even if one of us loved the holofilm and the other was ambivalent, we could talk not just about what we saw, but about that day, what we did before and after we saw it. A particular scene or character or actor. Something that we would share that would be unique to us. Others might see the holofilm, but not at the precise time and location we did.”

“Like this chat? About being wet and you mentioning the Sith, that I just know I will mention again later. Am I getting warmer?”


@TWD26
 

Oren Zapan

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A warm smile would form across the Jedi Master's face as they entered the halls of the temple. Fiach was a bright girl, that was evident from all the accounts from other Jedi and his own experiences with her. The Jedi Master suspected that she very well may have be the most intelligent Jedi within their ranks, for her age of course. Logical people were often not attuned with their emotions, for logic and emotions rarely saw eye to eye, and emotions were hardly ever logical.

"You're correct, I couldn't have said it better myself. It's about the memories, these memories highlight the chapters of your life, and provide you with the strength and reason for why we as Jedi sacrifice so much, are you following me?" This would be their first day together, and while he wanted it to be relaxing, he knew they would share a lifetime of memories--today was just the first step.

tag: @Corbeau

 

Fiach Dubh

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Back inside the Temple, Fiach always felt at home in a way she never felt when back on Klatooine. If pressed, she could not truly explain it, but wondered if it was the proximity of so many sensitive to the Force, or maybe the fact that here she could be awake every hour of the day and never tire of opportunities to learn. Regardless, there was something about these corridors that simply felt right to her.

She nodded vigorously at the Jedi Master’s words — her Master now. Fiach knew facts and saw no benefit in being told she recounted one correctly. But using inference? That was a whole different ball-game and she appreciated being told when she’d understood something.

“I understand the words, but something puzzles me,” she said honestly and openly. “Memories bind us…connect us. But decisions born of attachments are not encouraged. And I can see how the two can operate independently. But surely memories that reinforce any connections would make me less likely to sacrifice, wouldn’t they? Am I not better to learn to let go of these things that might cloud my judgement?”

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Oren Zapan

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Oren would listen to the girl's words as they walked along the halls and to his own personal office. "Attachments are not looked down upon in our new code," he would say with a gentle smile, "It was the hubris of the Jedi of old to believe that we as organics would never be able to completely separate ourselves from attachments, to do so would mean you were one with the force."

She was correct in her assessment that it was a risk, but it was about properly learning to deal with your emotions and attachments, by understanding that your relationship could not be one out of one sided jealousy, and that it was no more a priority than anyone else. There were some that he knew would not be able to handle such a thing, but in such a case they would still fall because it was impossible to deny bonds. "All relationships, whether they are that of a lover or a platonic one are based on friendship..When we consider the word friend, we find the word 'end' within them, just like our lives are destined to enter one with the force, our relationships are all destined to end one day. Do not fear this, do not dread it, but accept it as a nature of our galaxy. You must properly train yourself to be willing to let go, as that is the sign of true love. To stand for others and protect them, as you would protect your own love or family, and when the time comes you must be willing to accept whatever happens."

Oren would flip open the door to his office where a small couch sat along with a holo projector that Nara had installed. Here they would watch an old comedy film that Oren had never heard of, but the wallflower of a Jedi would find most of the jokes to be rather funny--laughing loudly without care on whether Fiach found it to be annoying. How little did the Jedi Master know, that these words earlier would come very true for him, and the love of his life would be taken in their heroic defense of Coruscant.

tag: @Corbeau

 

Fiach Dubh

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Fiach nodded at her Master’s words. It was true that attachments were not forbidden, but in her mind at least, they complicated matters somewhat. And if she had the choice, she preferred to deal in a world of facts, of clear right and wrong, black and white. She realised this was an area of development for her and accepted it would always be her default setting — and was therefore something she had to guard against. In fact, she was beginning to believe she should positively embrace more grey and ambivalence. But she was still a Padawan and there was time enough for growth over the coming months and years.

“I not only accept the end of things as a natural order, I expect it. I cannot say I look forward to it, but I appreciate that all things most one day come to an end. Even Grand Master Yoda could not last forever. And so, just as I am prepared for and accepting that one day I will die, I have the same attitude to others. Love, however, is a concept I struggle with. In fact, emotions are. I can feel strong emotions surface at times, albeit they do so somewhat muted. You must be aware the other Padawans refer to me as a cold-fish. It is not a conscious effort, I simply don’t feel emotions as strongly as others.” She shrugged. “Perhaps that will change in time, I cannot say.”

By now they had reached Oren’s office and she took a seat on the coach and they settled down to watch the film. It was billed as a comedy. Fiach found some things humorous — slapstick and exaggerated humour she found easiest to understand — but found subtle comedy harder to perceive.

And then they were reflecting on Fiach’s first holofilm. “I enjoyed it,” she said. She never tagged on phases like ‘truly’ or ‘honestly’ because she never lied and saw no sense in qualifying statements like that. “We should watch another one soon. I think I shall choose next time. And I will choose a musical.” It was not that she had an affinity for them, but she believed in widening her experiences and she could develop an interest in holo-films and music in one sitting.

As she left the office, she turned and faced the Jedi Master. “And I’ll bring some Frag Snack Chips too.”

/End Thread

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