On the Job... Training

[WWFF]

“That was… better.” Gabriel’s deep voice seemed to drown out the atmospheric noises of the Alderaanian Castle Lands. He and Rakia, his new apprentice, had been frequenting the fields for nearly two weeks, staying at a way house a retired member of the order had built for just such a cause only a few miles from where they were now. He had spent a good bit of time training in nature as a Padawan and remembered it fondly. The feel of the sun on his back as pushups burned his arms, the smell of crushed grass as he and his master jogged and exercised for hours. However Rakia was tall and long limbed, quite different from him at that age. He had never hit the large growth spurts others had, and so his body developed at its own pace. It seemed to him that Rakia had hit that point in her life where her mind was trying to figure out just how to handle this new length. An acceptable excuse for anyone; though Gabriel was determined to help her to master the length.

A deep sigh emerged from his chest as he looked at the girls some what disappointed face. His keen eyes lightened at the sight of the young girl. Her feline features shining with sweat and smudged by dust and pollen, coupled with fiery wisps of her usually well kempt hair gave visible evidence of the physical nature of Gabriel’s training methods. It was nearly time to finish with saber drills and move to an evening meditation session. He was slowly getting a feel for how far he could push the girl, and how to regiment the daily schedule. The first week in the Castle Lands had been a struggle. Rakia was distant and stubborn at times, though more worrisome than that was her desire for perfection. It was common for her to simply shut down when something was too difficult or the execution wasn’t the way she meant for it to be. At first it had tried Gabriel’s patience; he could feel her potential and see her drive, all she needed was confidence. He’d come to a decision that if she began to get frustrated, he’d simply move to another exercise; though it was a temporary fix to an issue which would later need to be addressed.

She wasn’t used to so much physical excerption, or being in the hot sun, that much was obvious. It seemed only right that Gabriel take her somewhere new, get her out of the temple to see some of the galaxy she’d only read of. Plus he needed a break from the galactic turmoil. The rift between the Blades and the order, and the order and the republic… the more he thought of it, it seemed the order was going solo on this one. He tried to clear his mind of it while with Rakia, devoting himself to nothing but teaching her, which was no easy task. He never dreamed that taking a Padawan would take as much patience as it did. Sure, he knew it wasn’t going to be an easy task, but just how much had been taught to him and was now instinct seemed so difficult to place into words and to teach. Luckily for Gabriel, Rakia was smart, she understood most of his metaphors, and those she didn’t he was confident she would eventually. He’d found that using water in his metaphors seemed to trigger something of a response. It seemed she understood water; which would help him with later saber techniques.

“Shii-Cho is your base. It has to be strong like a rock, but as adaptable as water…” His voice broke a momentary silence between the two. He rubbed the back of his fingers over his rough cheek in thought, looking for the right words, nodding once they came to his mind. “Water has many forms: Hard and sharp as ice, smooth and flowing as liquid, and almost invisible as a vapor. But in all forms it’s base remains the same. This is the same with sabers. You’ll learn other styles of combat… A subject which we’ll breech when the time comes.” He smiled and winked at the still panting girl. “But first you have to master water. Most importantly you need to be willing to let go and let the force move you…”

His saber hissed as he deactivated it, watching the panting child with thoughtful eyes. His hand instinctively clipped the saber hilt to its place on the back of his hip. He smiled at the girl before placing a hand on her tiny shoulder and pulling her to his side, draping his arm over her shoulder as they began walking side by side. She would get it, he was sure of that. All it would take is time, and at the moment, he had plenty of that.

“Today was better than yesterday. Just keep working as you are, I know it’s not easy. Why don’t we finish a bit early today and meditate a while, the sun’s setting soon and I’d like to watch it before we head back to the way house.”

[Rakia Sententa]

Better. That was a word she detested with all her being. Rakia didn't want to be better, not even a little bit, she wanted to be near perfect or she would even settle for much better though it never came. Taking such small steps in learning something was never something she had ever had to do as everything usually came so easy - when it came from datapads anyway. Day after day of repeating the same things she just couldn't get right rubbed at her patience which in turn was already wearing thin when coupled with her exhaustion, frustration and soreness at the end of every single day. It didn't help either that the sun she was used to just seeing through windows now beat down warm and muggy on her, making her even more lathargic so she found it difficult to concentrate. She knew that going through this wasn't going to be easy, she had been warned as such when she and Gabriel had started their journey together just two weeks ago, but the limits to which she was being stretched was something no one could have warned her about. Being away from her usual surroundings, her comfort zone unsettled her and for the first week she had made it exceptionally hard on Gabriel by protecting herself until she had gotten more used to it. She knew she shouldn't have done and if she was honest with herself she had been waiting on the moment Gabriel gave up and took her back to the temple to continue with the future she had started getting ready for before Gabriel had come and shaken everything up. But it never came, no matter how frustrated he got, he kept on trying with her and now she could just about stand to have him there everyday, to having less privacy than before and to extend the tiniest tendrils of trust and friendship to him.

Still, there were many many things about him that annoyed her, things that were being amplified by the uncomfortable situation she was in. How he always seemed to take pleasure in putting her through her least favourite training exercises for example, or how he would never let her just lie in to recover from the previous days activities...or even how, after a full days training, he still looked as fresh and comfortable as he had done when he woke her up in the morning, how he never broke a sweat when sparring with her and how not one of his blonde hairs ever seemed to be out of place. If it wasn't so irrational, she would swear Gabriel did it on purpose. For once, she'd just like to gain the upper hand so she could ruffle up his perfectly set hair or even just rub some dirt down his face.

Panting hard, she deactivated her saber long before Gabriel did his, doubling over a little as one hand rested on her stomach and the other propped the top half of her body up on her knee for fear of falling flat on her face. She couldn't really hear what Gabriel was saying through the pounding in her ears and her hard breathing, though from what she could pick up it was yet another water metaphore this time related to saber techniques. While it was true she did understand things better when he explained them that way, sometimes she wished he wouldn't. The water was a source of comfort to her, and having it related to the hard work she was doing was making it less and less so as she found it harder now to switch off when she was reminded of such lectures everytime she went for a bath or was lucky enough to get to sit by a fountain for a few minutes. Something mixed in there about the force too at the end...the all powerful, mystical thing that could supposedly control her actions and let her feel even the tiniest of beings once harnessed properly. To say she was skeptical was a little bit of an understatement, it just went against everything she understood.

Eventually she stood up straight again very carefully, easing her aching body into the position it so detested right now, as Gabriel headed over. Even just the weight of his hand though threatened to push her back down again, flinching a little as extra weight was then applied across her sore shoulders. If it wasn't for the fact Gabriel was not holding her against his side, Rakia wasn't sure she would have still been standing.

"Why don’t we finish a bit early today and meditate a while, the sun’s setting soon and I’d like to watch it before we head back to the way house.”

That made Rakia give a small but not unheard disbeliving snort of laughter, accompanied with a small shake of her head - although that was not totally in disagreement to his plan. The thought of just sitting down in peace and quiet before having to make the whole trek to the house was inviting enough for her to willingly agree. Still, from the look Gabriel was giving her she knew she would have to explain now.

"Of course I will Master... - and that word still felt so strange coming from her mouth; so many times had she accidentally let Gabriel slip out instead. Still it was still loaded with the respect and admiration she had for Gabriel, even when she was annoyed with him - "But if I fall asleep when I'm supposed to be meditating it is completly not my fault. That blame lies with you."

She didn't look to see his reaction, instead just opening and closing her hands gently, feeling the stretch of rubbed raw skin forming themselves into blisters on her palm. Despite the pain the action brought though, it did feel good to finally be able to stretch her fingers out of the curled grip they had had on the training saber hilt. Closing her eyes a little, she let the cool breeze wash over her ever tanning skin and cooling her down, trusting Gabriel to guide her around the obstacles her tired eyes refused to see anymore. It had been two weeks since she'd last had her attention completly focused on a datapad and the information it contained, she craved the quite solitude of the Jedi Archives, the simplicity of the information she just absorbed. More than that though, she just craved the bed that was waiting for her and the food that her stomach now growled hungrily for.

[WWFF]

Master. The title still felt odd. Though a simple nod from Gabriel was the only acknowledgement the girl would receive of her statement. It wasn’t difficult for Gabriel to read the truth behind her words; the girl’s emotions ran surface deep, at least her temper did. She was quick witted with a quicker tongue and very little filter between her brain and her mouth. She spoke her mind more often than not, which was an admirable quality, but with a somewhat negative outlook at times. It wasn’t as if she’s loose it all together and shout and storm off as she had that day in the archives, but she was often easily annoyed and upset. He’d run drills all day and preach the force as though it were gospel; though he sometimes got the feeling that it was more the tediousness of the training that seemed to frustrate the girl. It wasn’t like there was a datapad she could simply read of a holovid she could watch that would allow her to magically soak in all of the teachings. She had to get dirty, and sweat, and bleed – just as he had – and still the improvement would be slow. But she was getting better.

Perhaps it was the exhaustion which caused her drag her feet, or the sore muscles, or homesickness, or something else entirely, though whatever it was Gabriel had to slow his pace to walk alongside the girl. He couldn’t help and guilty grimace when he peeked down at the opening and closing palm, red and raw, blisters no doubt forming as they walked. But blisters form calluses, and calluses are hard and protective. He knew full well that she would need them in the days coming. Her sore muscles would turn to hard muscles, and sweat and tears would turn to an iron will and resolve; all things she would need in the coming war.

The council refused to call it a war, but there was nothing left to call it. Was it their fight? That was debatable. Did they understand the risk? Who couldn’t? But if there was one thing Gabriel was sure of, it was that this wasn’t the beginning of this war, it had been fought for thousands of years already, and this was just one more blip in the cycle. War was inevitable. It was sapient nature. As long as life has existed there has been killing and death; for survival and for dominance; for power. The Jedi goal was to keep a balance, to maintain peace and safety, but so long as there are those with the power and drive to throw that balance in their favor there would be war.

A soft, inaudible sigh emerged from his lungs as he looked from the girl back to the fiery sky. The bright orange and vibrant pinks and reds which were already beginning to emerge as the sun mad its path toward the horizon. The day was ending, and though he didn’t show it physically, he was tired. He hadn’t shaved in days, and even his muscles were sore. His eyes smiled through it all though. He felt a bit of pride, knowing that the girl was safe – even if she was exhausted – and that one day their efforts here together would all pay off. Every so often, he’d look into her eyes and behind her frustration and fatigue, he could swear he saw something smiling gratefully back.

As they walked, Gabriel removed his arm from around her shoulders and placed his hand in the middle of her back. “Rakia…” His voice was soft, though resonated from deep within his chest. “You are making good progress. All I ask is that you trust me and my teaching enough to stick through this with me. You’re special, you’re a Jedi.” He paused as his thought filled his mind. “I am not just your mentor, I can be your friend. You can confide anything in me, when you’re ready. Remember that always.” He fell silent as the soft crunch of grass under foot took the place of his voice. He didn’t know whether she’d respond, or what she would respond. But perhaps just hearing it, and knowing would be enough to make up for those blisters.

[Rakia Sententa]

As soon as the weight was taken off her shoulders, it very nearly threw Rakia off balance as she walked alongside him. The combination of closing her eyes, the gentle sway of the walk and the cool heat had given her a sensation close to sleep walking even though she could control every step she took. She just hadn't been expecting the support she was using to suddenly disappear. Shaking her head a little, she tried to refocus - both on Gabriel and trying to keep herself standing upright as they continued on through the lush green fields.

It wasn't hard for her attention to become sharply and quickly focused though as Gabriel spoke again. One word caught her attention the most - special. She'd never heard that word used in reference to her before. Strange, Bookworm, Isolated, Weird, those were words she heard more often when people spoke about her behind her back, but never special. She couldn't help but look up at Gabriel intently as her chest swelled up a little with pride - maybe having her progress be better wasn't such a bad thing after all if it made Gabriel describe her as that. Secretly, she always felt as if she was far behind the progress her friends had made and it worried her always that he would get as frustrated as she did and abandon the attempt to make her what she was so desperatly working hard to be. To hear that he already thought she was that and more was a shock - a good shock. It didn't make the rest of his little monologue any eaisier to swallow though.

She didn't know if he understood how hard just that one little hidden request was for her. To allow him into her so closely guarded mind and memories, to share with him her feelings and frustrations - it was something she never did, not even with those she was friendly with in the temple. She could see in his eyes sometimes the curiosity he looked her over with, his confusion when she would get upset over the silliest things, his interest in her as a person and what caused her to be who she was. Over the past two weeks it was true, they had gotten closer than when they had first started, but could she really open up even more than that and answer those questions?

Yes

The answer surprised even her, and she couldn't help but look away startled at her own admission in her mind. Maybe it was the heat, maybe it was the fact she was too weary to keep up the defense she did day after day...or maybe it was the fact she liked Gabriel. She actually enjoyed his company, she felt safe under his guidance, she was conquering slowly the challenges that were being set before her with him and in the future she was sure she would be entering battles by his side and trusting him with her life - and somehow she was comfortable with that. Swallowing softly, she looked down to the crunchy green grass beneath the boots of her training outfit, gingerly wiping away the sweat on her forehead and the stray hair from her eyes. That was a bad habit she was trying to get out of as well, when she was nervous, she fidgited. Closing her eyes again, she slowed her pace to a stop and took a deep breath before turning to face Gabriel, opening her emerald green eyes to look straight into his deep blue ones.

"Your different to me, and I don't understand or know why, but your friendship and mentoring mean a lot to me Master... she said in a bit of a rush, already nervous at revealing so much. I want to trust you, something inside me is telling me I can though its the part I usually ignore. But its shouting at me so loud I can't ignore it this time. I can't promise that I'll tell you everything today or even for the next few years...but i'd like to try. What...what do you want to know?"

[WWFF]

The slight curve of a smile tickled at the corners of Gabriel’s mouth. It was good to know Rakia was at least willing to open up to him; though he decided it may be better if he didn’t press any questions at this time. They would have years to build a relationship and get to know each other. He was happy just to have the girl’s trust, or as much as three week of knowing one another would grant. He wondered if his master had felt the same when he was a fresh Padawan.

“No question now, Rakia.” A smile lilted his voice slightly as he nodded to himself and breathed in the cooling air. “For now, let’s just rest our minds.” He sniffed his nose to clear some of the pollen and dust of the day, and make room for the cool fragrant evening air.

He ran a hand through his short brush cut hair still missing his ponytail. It seemed like an eternity ago he’d lost it on Rhen Var, but the reality was– it hadn’t. The memory of it seemed to linger as he and the girl crested the hillock, catching the full intensity of the sun. Gabriel had seen many sunsets, on many worlds, but this one seemed to rival them all. The sun was the biggest he’d ever seen, seemingly spanning the whole mountain lines horizon. A thin golden layer lined those distant mountains as though the sun itself as burst and was pouring a thin layer of golden mercury atop them. Radiating from the bright orange orb were streaks of white light bursting through the pale pink rimmed stratus clouds like hundreds of sharp lancets. And the sky… the sky was painted a vibrant orange at the bottom and gradually morphing and changing to a fiery red, then pink, then an odd mixture of blue and orange, and then a pale green, and finally a steadily darkening blue.

It was the most fantastic sun set he had ever seen. He wasn’t sure whether it was the sunset itself that caused the image to burn into his memory, or whether it was the way the light hit the hair and face of the child standing next to him, illuminating her catlike features and bathing her in a red orange light. Truth be told, when he looked at the girl he felt the same thing he had when meeting his younger brother. The feeling resembled pride, but was something so different; it didn’t swell in his chest like a too full balloon, but rather warmed his heart like a small fire. Aside from Ellick, he’d never felt it before, which is why a word was so hard to find, though he was sure one would come sooner or later.

Gabriel sat on the cooling grass, crossing his legs and leaning back on his elbows. His eyes strayed up to Rakia whose expression was hard to read; he couldn’t tell whether it was amazement, awe, or simply admiration, but he was sure she felt something looking at a sunset unbelievably vibrant. A slight chuckle sounded from his chest and he looked back to the ever changing sky.

“You don’t see things like this in your datapads do yah, Rak?”

[Rakia Sententa]

To hear that Gabriel wasn't going to press any questions on her at this moment brought more relief to her pounding heart than sitting down and resting would have done. Even as the offer had come from her mouth she could feel her mind resisting to it. She was sure that Gabriel wouldn't forget that offer anytime soon though, she'd opened that door of trust just a tad and it would stay open she was sure until she had good reason to slam it shut again. Her mind was still racing as they finally reached the top of the hillock and she was about ready to collapse to the ground and stay there for a good week.....until the breath-taking completly filled her vision.

It made her stop dead in her tracks, the intensity and beauty of the scene before her overwhelming her senses and quietening her mind. She had never seen anything like this before, she had only dreamed, only imagined from descriptions in the datapads Gabriel mentioned what this would look like - nothing had prepaired her for how this would make her feel. Up until now, the sun had only existed for her as the source of her constant discomfort on this planet, the reason she felt so constantly sleepy, why the clothes stuck to her through her training making them rub uncomfortably against her skin - it had been nothing but a menace. Now though, now it was an artist, casting glows over the land that made it look like something out of a dream. Even though she could tell anyone how the sight was created in a heartbeat, exactly how she could ever describe the sight to anyone was lost on her. It was a sight she would never forget though, a sight that completly stopped her always analytical thoughts and bringing a peace to her mind she hadn't felt since before the Jedi had claimed her as one of their own - since she had sat in her mothers arms by the lake of Naboo.

Nothing about the magnificant sight though could stop the fatigue that was fast creeping through her body, eventually making her legs turn to jelly to sink her to the ground beside Gabriel. She didn't even really respond to the question at first, only giving a slight frown and a wrinkle of the nose at the nickname he seemed to have adopted for her. She didn't see the need to shorten her name any more so than its current length as it was, it just felt like he couldn't be bothered to say the full name and stopped halfway through. Even Reeah would have been a better solution to his nickname dilemma if he had ever even had one. She did eventually respond however, just saying quietly...

"No Master."

[WWFF]

Never is a world so close to touching the heavens than when the sun sets. A vivid battle between the spirit and the physical, where in the spirit wins every time, allowing us close enough to smell but never taste, touch but never hold. Those who try conquer it fail, those who don’t never succeed. It’s those who view it, who are content to take it in and accept the inevitability of it. Those are they who feel the beauty as much as the passion to which all life is rooted. Or so Gabriel was once told.

Sunsets were amongst one of his favorite thing in the galaxy to view, each planet had its own version, like artists painting the same scene from various viewpoints. Never would two be the same, and never would one be more amazing then the splendor of the one in front of you that moment. He had his favorites, sure, but even those seemed distant when caught in the melee.

He had come to realize that is was at this time of the day when his mind was clear that the force truly presented itself in all of its splendid forms. He could feel the force swirl in every which direction, moving and preparing the world for yet another transition as day life gave way to that of the night. The grass moved and felt different, the air smelled and tasted cooler and even flowed differently around his body. It was this change which he loved to feel; it was almost as though the entire world were breathing in the same moment as he as it’s grand artwork, and loved the audience which cared to take it in.

The one problem with a sunset was simple… the sun -- set. It seemed just at the climax that the night had already won over and the day began to scurry to the cover of the mountains. The last fighting colors of pink and lavender lashed out at the ensuing navy and indigo, fighting to the bitter end. A final run of light shot across the mountains; crowning them with gold before fading completely into the night.

And so it was over, the eastern horizon glowed slightly lighter than the rest of the night as the moon began to crest. As the force began to slow and return to a normal pace. Gabriel sighed. Rakia was next to him, and while the sunset seemed to only last a few minutes, it had taken longer than it felt, and the fatigued child form lay breathing lightly in the soft moist grass. Soft feline features relaxed in a delicate slumber. He couldn’t bring himself to wake her and force her to walk back to the homestead.

His large form stood and walked to the sleeping child, he crouched sitting back on his heels and balancing on the balls of his feet. His hand seemed to dwarf her shoulder as it came to rest on it, applying light pressure and a slight shake. Slowly the girl came around apologizing for falling asleep; clearly the remnant of a dream. He instructed her to climb onto his back and hold onto his neck as she slept. She did as she was told, had some trouble standing at first, however once she gained control of her muscles found it easy to drape her form over his back. As he stood he placed his hand on her leg to gain control and ensure she didn’t slid right off, simply wrapped his arms behind his back and under the tops of her thighs, grabbing her wrist and locking himself into the position.

It wasn’t long after he started walking that the girl was back out and completely relaxed in the pseudo-seated position, arms lightly wrapped over his shoulders and around his neck. She was heavier that he originally anticipated, a fact he attributed to heavy bones.

‘Only a couple miles…’

She awoke a couple times on the walk back, but only to pull herself up higher and then settle back into sleep. It took about forty minutes to get back to the homestead and Gabriel’s arms and shoulders had only been burning for the past thirty five. He’d defiantly remember to minimize the occurrence of this. He put her into her beds, helped her to take her boots off and allowed her deal with her own belt before throwing a light blanket over girl.

He smiled as he heard small snores sounding behind him as he exited the little room and made his way to the kitchen. The homestead had it’s on power generator, so the small food processor worked perfectly. He dug some small strips of nerf meat from a cooling unit and placed the on the open heated plate used for cooking. A few spices were kept stored in a small cabinet just to the right of the processor. A few minutes later the meat was between soft slices of bread and eaten a few after that.

Gabriel retreated to his own sleeping quarters after a quick glass of crisp clean water. He removed his boots, his belt and tunic climbing into his small cot; he was out before his head hit the pillow.

---

---

Gabriel’s eyes opened slowly as the sun broke through a small elevated window. For some reason, the owner of the homestead felt it was a good idea to put the cot where the sun hit the sleeper in the face at the right time in the morning. He squinted groggily as he sat up, rubbing sleep out of the corners of his eyes with his fingers, and the remnants of a dream from the back of his head with is palm.

He didn’t hear Rakia up, and doubted she was. The one thing the homestead lacked was a shower of any kind; though made up for it with a trough out in front of the house with running water pumped from a nearby stream. He made his way out of his quarters, taking stock of the rooms he passed through on his way outside. Everything was as he left it the night before.

Once out side by the trough he took a deep breath and plunged his head into the icy water. Coming he breathed his discomfort at the cold water, but felt more awake just the same. Just before he fully fell asleep the night before he had decided to purchase a couple swoop bikes in the city and spend the day teaching Rakia how to use one. Once he shook the cold water off and slowly made his way into he found his way to her doorway.

A light yet loud enough knock sounded from his knuckle. “Rakia?” He spoke through the door. “You up?” He stood awaiting he response. He’d learned years ago on a mission with his master, he should never enter a woman’s room without getting the go ahead before hand; even if the woman was a child. He cleared his throat and blew a drop of water from his top lip waiting for the girl.

[Rakia Sententa]

Of course, as exhausting as the past couple of weeks had been, it was only natural that Gabriel wouldn't expect Rakia to be up earlier than him. Then again, Rakia couldn't exactly be counted on to do the expected - she was anything but predictable. Falling asleep in the field, all worries about her training and how incapable she was feeling erased from her mind under the peaceful sunset, had allowed her to relax and get a good night's rest far better than the nights she had tossed and turned trying to fall asleep in the little cot in her room. She hadn't even remembered getting back to the small homestead and into bed, she just knew she was there when she woke up before the sun had risen, although the deep black of the night sky was slowly fading into a lighter blue, the stars being swallowed as the waves of the coming morning crashed over them. She dressed as quietly as possible, hearing Gabriel's deep breathing signalling he was peacefully asleep from his room slightly, she had ventured outside to the small trough and splashed her face with the cold water....when she heard something calling to her.

It wasn't a voice, it wasn't a person....she didn't know exactly what it was other than to decribe it as a feeling, a pull towards some place away from the homestead. Biting her lip, she glanced back towards the temporary building they were calling home for now, unsure of exactly where she was allowed to go on her own or if she was even allowed to be away from her Master. Hesitantly, she took one step towards the homestead, but it only increased the invisible pull something seemed to be having on her mind. In fact, she didn't even realise she had changed direction and was now walking away from the homestead and towards an unknown location that could hold any number of dangers. However, she wasn't afraid of the possible dangers, she could almost sense that the spot she was heading towards was a good place, something to help her, something she needed. Soon enough she was stumbling her way determindly through a small forest of Hydenock trees, feeling the destination she was heading for was nearing, marvelling at the beauty that surrounded her. The trees were anything but the perfect ones she had read about, each one bending in the middle in different directions, their limbs arching up and out in wild directions, the red leaves melding together to create a covering canopy that seperated her from the world outside them, and yet there was nothing sinister about her surroundings, nothing ugly. The trees were graceful in the slight sway the wind encouraged in them, their silhouettes creating the illusion of long limbed dancers telling their silent story for only her, guiding her forwards.

It wasn't until she finally squeezed her way past a couple of the trees that she stopped walking, gazing around the empty clearing as the sunlight finally poured through the leaves of the canopy, casting a pinkish glow and ending the dancing silhouettes, letting her see the true dancers behind them. Instinctivly, she wandered round the small circle, tracing the outlines of the bending trees gently, noting every imperfection that made it so perfect. She could feel the warmth of the sun soothing away the ache in her muscles, comforting her, feel the circle of trees protecting her from the outside world and giving her her own little space where she could just be. For the first time in a long while, a genuine carefree smile broke out acrtoss the 12 year old's face as she turned on the spot, leaning down and taking off her boots to feel the spongy, silky ground caress her abused, blistered feet. Slowly, she just let the world around her guide her actions, starting to copy the tree's positions, then finding ways to move from one position to the other without stopping, her heart thudding rhythmitically as she gentle danced in the middle of the circle. Smiling, she took off the pendant from round her neck and opened it, placing it protectivly inside her boot so its hologram light would not disturb the beautiful light the sun had washed over the space, but so the music could fill the air and allow her to dance with the swaying trees. She freed her hair from its usually tight braid down her back, letting the wind shake out the red waves over her shoulders and release her from her last restraint. She wasn't training, she wasn't thinking, she wasn't worrying....for one of the first times in her life, she was just being a child and letting her instincts (or the force she now supposed) take over her actions. So many times, she had read in the archives how, although Coruscant was the heart of the Republic, Alderaan was its soul that defined it and only now did she understand how that felt. The planet was speaking to her, it understood what had so far defined her life and was working with her to change it. It understood what was in her soul, bringing it to life before her eyes and guiding her to bring that to the surface of her own being. She was happy, content, free from worry and frustration but most of all, she was enjoying herself. So much so that she didn't notice the sun creeping ever higher, didn't think about who she had left behind at the homestead, but continued to just dance and move and play in her own private little space, baring her soul hidden away in the very heart of the forest.