Remotes... (Open)

[tacschinu0biscuits]

Time: 12:03 PM.

Place: Jedi temple, Training hall.

Description: The empty training hall, eagerly awaiting its clan of initiates to enter will only receive one. Ashala, a Jedi Initiate now elven and applicable to become a Padawan wishes to train ahead. Asking her Mentor to train early while the others finish eating. He agreed on the exception of him accompanying her. As she trains, other may observe, talk near by or even engage in a conversation with Ashala.

"Dominate foot forward. Legs at shoulder length. Strong grip, keep hand-eye coordination keen." Ashala could hear her mentor giving her reminders as he controlled the Remote, a small orb device which shot harmless lasers. Currently working on blocking she had been following his advice since he first mentioned it. Several or more years ago, when her and the other initiates were taught two things: Blocking a laser projectile, and how to anticipate where its going to come from.

Her shoulders were broad, almost perfectly aligned with her feet as she watched the floating Orb carefully. It had several holes on all its sides; which since it was a sphere was just one. It was dodging side to side, and up and down, turning systematically. Rotating. She each time it moved, she would move her training lightsaber with it. She had both hands on its hilt. The blue glow giving a gloomy light source in front of her as the first shot was fired.

As it centered toward her she twitched the training saber to align in its path. Then it dissolved as it struck not her, but her training saber. "Good block Ashala." Her mentor gave encouragement, but she didn't hear him. Concentrating solely on the Orb as it shot again this time the orb jerked as it shot. She successfully blocked again however, deflecting it at the singular moment and watching as it Dissolved like the last one. And unknown to her, her mentor was moving towards the training equipment. He picked up another orb, activating it. And shot the first one a third time.

Ashala as twice before twitched her Training saber to block the bolt. And almost instantly after this her mentor shot the second one he had previously activated. Concentrating to much on the first, she forgot the most crucial thing if a situation as such would ever arise: Be aware of your surroundings. The sound of the bolt startled her as she tried to move towards were it was coming from, but was shot in her ribcage. It dissolved into her robe and partially in her skin giving a mild burn feeling and red rash like sunburn. She let out a quiet grunt, deactivating her saber. Ending the current session, looking towards her mentor as he shut down the Remotes as well. "What went wrong Ashala?" He asked, but answered himself before she could. "You weren't paying attention to your surroundings. While those were good blocks, truthfully, you would of still been dead. Shot in the side, embarrassing. If you are to take the three tests you must remember: The council watches and grades on every mistake and every success you make. This one was a huge mistake, you could easily fail this portion." Ashala grew embarrassed at the mistake she made, How could she had forgotten? It was a mistake she would have to correct when they started again. "Sorry, master."" She muttered as she turned the training saber back on, this time she had to face two: Too Correct over her last mistake.

[Lemur, The Kool-Aid Guy]

Master Teer Ka stopped off at the training hall, which was not a regular occurrence for the severe Togruta woman. Normally she avoided Younglings, as they all-too-often steered clear of the imposing woman with the massive scar on the side of her face.

There was no denying that Teer Ka wasn't exactly brimming with charm and a friendly demeanor that children loved. Instead she was like the harsh old woman who lived down the street, the one the kids never hoped saw them playing in her yard for fear of the lecture they'd receive.

The last time she'd haunted a training room was when she'd taken her Padawan before the last, who she hadn't seen in quite some time. That was a good memory she had, and she felt like reliving it before she left Coruscant for her home planet.

To her surprise, it was actually occupied by a Youngling and an instructor, even though it was still the lunch hour. Apparently someone was exercising diligence, working very hard to improve skills. That was, in her estimation, admirable. The Youngling who sought out additional practice was more likely to earn a master than a complacent one.

The Togruta woman stepped inside the doorway and watched as a girl of her own race practiced against a training remote, deflecting its stun bolts harmlessly away, until a second one was activated and caught her in the side. It was hardly fair, but one couldn't expect training to be fair. She would learn to feel that through the Force and anticipate it with time.

Then the instructor scolded her.

It wasn't the kind of fatal mistake that would have dissuaded Teer, contrary to what the man said. Deflection could be learned with time and effort, regardless of initial skill. It was simply what could be corrected through proper use of Shien. Yet she wasn't about to contradict him.

"Knight, Youngling." Teer recognized each of the occupants with a nod of her head.

"You have potential young one," The Weapons Master said in her customary formal tone. "I am sure that with practice you can master this."

[tacschinu0biscuits]

Ashala Deflected a single bolt coming towards her, then heard a voice. "Knight, youngling" she deactivated her training lightsaber and turned around to the doorway, her mentor turned to face the Jedi as well. "You have potential young one," Ashala felt flattered. She was a Full-Fledged Jedi, although she had pondered why she was in the Initiates training room. "I am sure that with practice you can master this." Ashala couldn't help but to crack a small smile at the compliment "Uhm... Thank you," Ashala glanced at her scar, not being able to resist. But soon retracted from her sight as it might cause offense to the Jedi.

Her mentor spoke next, seemingly as though he knew her. "Evening, Weapons Master. Is it?" he shifted his stance over to the left slightly "Never seen you pass here before...... Hrmm... Its none of my business." Her mentor stopped talking. Turning to Ashala then back to the Jedi. Weapons master? Ashala thought standing idly before speaking again possibly asking which her mentor wanted to say lowering her small smile back into a plain expression. "Can i- We help you, weapons Master?" Ashala spoke, whispering weapons as a Extension to her supposed title while saying Master clear as day.

Ashala enjoyed speaking to the Togruta Jedi even if it was a few words and a question. She hadn't spoken to her own kind yet. As there is no other Togruta initiates in her Youngling Clan. While truth be told she had seen others, she never muttered words to them. Ashala held the training lightsaber against the side of her leg, arms flat along her sides as she stood and spoke. The two Remotes still activated, her mentor not seeing reason to shut them off yet.

Ashala took another glance at her scar, wondering its origin. But then reminding herself that it is rude. then focused on the scars on her neck for a second before snapping her sight towards the 'Weapons' Master black eyes. Now wondering both scars causes.

[Lemur, The Kool-Aid Guy]

The instructor didn't seem to know Teer very well beyond the fact she was a Weapons Master in the Order, and a certain glance seemed to silence his questions.

The little girl however was different, her gaze constantly darting back to Teer's scar, which captured the interest of both young and old quite often. She did, however, very politely ask what exactly the older Jedi wanted in a very subtle manner.

Teer's method of response was a little different for her, part of her new approach to life. Previously she might have remained all-business, but now she was pursuing a more friendly existence, putting more of herself out there.

The Togruta woman bent over to get on eye level with the girl, then she traced the scars on her neck with three fingers.

"A Kath hound on Dantooine when I was young."

Teer then tapped the scar on her cheek as she answered in her husky tone, probably only making herself more intimidating from the experiences she was listing.

"A Dark Jedi's lightsaber when I was a Padawan."

Master Ka straightened up again and spoke to the instructor, her tone curt and formal once more, answering the substantive question to the one who would be most concerned.

"I was just visiting familiar places in the Temple before I leave for Shili this afternoon. My duties as a Watchman begin then."

As if the brown leather jerkin and the homespun pants weren't proof enough that she was living among Togruta, the verbal confirmation would remove all doubts.

[tacschinu0biscuits]

Ashala Watched and listened carefully as the Jedi pointed out the scars and their origins. Ashala stood struck with a annoying peak of curiousness, she was quite interested in the fact that she had fought with a Dark Jedi, or at least, that is what she was led to believe. And calmly resorted to ask another question. "Are Dark Jedi's as skilled as Jedi? More or less? And is it true the Dark side is quite err.." Ashala pondered the word for a few seconds "Seductive? We were told about the Dark side in class. And how it can take over even the most strong willed of Jedi. And of course, how to avoid falling down the path." Ashala couldn't help to ask the questions of the Dark side and the Dark Jedi. What they tell you in class isn't exactly true. Or accurate anymore, she desired to hear it from one that had a little too close encounter.

Her mentor glanced at her. "Ashala, we only speak of the Dark Side for teaching purposes. It is not generally welcomed to speak of it openly in the temple." Ashala turned to her mentor and gave a disappointed expression. "Oh... Sorry master, i was just.. Curious." Her mentor nodded leaning against the wall then deactivating the Remotes. "Being curious is fine Ashala, as long as you don't take too far. As being to curious or interested in the Dark Side can often lead down its path either by accident or under its seduction, I'm not scolding you for being curious. Just reminding you. Besides, i am sure the Weapons Master would dislike reciting the day she was face to face with a Dark Jedi." He finished turning to the Weapons Master.

Ashala had another question that popped into mind when she said she was going to Shili as a watchman. At the word of her home planet her eyes grew wider. "Have you... Been to Shili before? If you have, whats it like?" Ashala spoke with seemingly more curiosity than before. Her mentor cleared his throat looking at the Weapons master, "Ashala was born in a Refugee Camp. Her mother i believe was eye candy at a bar, or at least from what i know. Shes quite interested in her species culture. When she passes as a padawan, Which can be at any moment now. She hopes she will be able to visit her home-world one way or another." Her mentor looked down at her, "Apologizes, if she is barraging you with questions." The Mentor said without looking back at the Weapons Master.

"Oh, from my lips: Sorry. I just got a little carried away." Ashala shifted her stance much like her mentor had before, showing a strand of Uneasiness. "But uh... weapons Master. I am sure you need a schedule to keep, going to Shili and such." Ashala nodded, sighing. "If you are to leave now, then. Thank you again for the encouragement." Ashala spoke as though she believed now was the end of the conversation, but still stood facing the Jedi.

[Lemur, The Kool-Aid Guy]

Teer had noticed something about children. It was a never-ending sea of questions, in this case ranging from the Dark Side to Shili. While she would gladly have discussed both, the instructor shut down the first topic and didn't seem to notice the look Teer was giving him. It wasn't quite a glare, but it was something similar.

She sighed and gave up on that, though she strongly protested the idea of making Younglings unprepared to deal with the temptations of the Dark Side. They had to be prepared, and not all masters were well-equipped to discuss the topic. Sadly though, he was in charge of her. It was his call to make, and she couldn't undermine his authority here.

What he did say about her background was informative, yet sad. Teer could still remember some of her first days on Shili, though only bits and pieces it was still a connection to her birthplace and her heritage. She'd only ever rediscovered that with time, and she'd never lost her Togruti accent, possibly due to so many refresher visits to Shili. But to her it sounded like the girl needed some encouragement.

Master Ka looked at her and tried her best to describe Shili.

"Our home planet is covered in forests and scrub, with turu grass on the countryside. It is red on one side and white on the other. Seeing the wind rush through it is unique. And our people live in the forests, safe from prying eyes. When you find a master, you can both come and visit me on Shili. How is your Togruti?"

Teer lapsed into a melodious and lilting language, speaking much slower than she normally would, unsure of the girl's capabilities. The Jedi never taught Togruta Younglings enough of their heritage, and there was a chance the girl didn't speak any of her own tongue at all.

[tacschinu0biscuits]

Ashala closed her eyes for a moment as she explained their home planet picturing it behind her eyes before opening them muttering "Shili seems like a nice place..." She smiled and watched as the Jedi also gave her mentor a Look. Unsure if it was a glare or not, before hearing the Togruta Jedi speaking in Togruti.

Not a word made sense to Ashala, she had be born and raised on a refugee camp, there was no sense in her speaking her language. And even if her mother had planned out some-what of a lesson she was taken from her home before she could of. (If she was, that is) As she spoke slowly in the language Ashala lifted a imaginary eyebrow, confused.

After confusion came some embarrassment "I... Don't know my peoples... Language." She looked at the ground wishing she did, before looking back up at the Jedi. "Like my mentor said, i was born in a refugee camp. If my mother had any plans to teach me... Er.. Togruti, i was taken before then. Here." She shrugged with uneasiness pretending as though it was nothing to her. But it was something, she also wondered what her mother must have gone through after they took her. If she was sad crying all day and night, or proud of her only daughter. Either way, it was highly unlikely the two would meet again.

She turned to her mentor "Yes?" He spoke forward as if he knew she was going to speak this time. "Master, is it possible that i could learn my peoples heritage? I had the idea at mind, i only speak of it now." Her mentor looked as through he wanted to smile and frown at the same time. "When you're a padawan, right now you must focus on Jedi training." He gave her both encouragement and disappointment. Much like his Smile and Frown, she turned back at the Jedi in the doorway. "Sorry, if i couldn't talk to you in.. Togruti. If i can be as so bold to ask, ahrm... Whats your name weapons Master?" Like the two times before the whispered weapons and spoke Master. She was certain the Jedi knew her name after her mentor blurred it Two times, but as a formality she wanted other peoples names when they learned hers.

[Lemur, The Kool-Aid Guy]

So she didn't know Togruti? Unfortunate, but hardly a surprise. The Jedi Order taught so little about heritage, and so little about blending in to the galaxy. The Jedi were set apart, but they were not a cloistered order by any means.

Interaction was the soul of the Jedi. How could everyone interact without knowing precisely who and what they were?

Strangely for someone with such firm adherence to the rules, Teer was likely in the minority on the issue of heritage. Most Jedi seemed to want to renounce it, to live as if they didn't have a single connection to any other world. To her that was delusional as if they pretended the Dark Side would disappear by not discussing it.

If the girl had been her responsibility, she would have been learning Togruti already.

"My name is Master Teer Ka," The severe-looking woman said softly, dipping her head slightly in a nod.

Teer looked at Ashala very carefully before leaning in and whispering to her. What she had to say was private advice, from Togruta to Togruta.

"Ashala, there are books to learn Togruti in the archives. There is also a Togruta assistant named Raana Deraya, and she would love to help you learn it."

It was a little sad and a little endearing that Teer knew so many Togruta Jedi by name. It was in her nature though, and now her job description. To be a Watchman was to build a bridge between a people and the Jedi, and the bond between the Togruta and the Order was already old and powerful, so much so that 'Ashla' had become a common Togruta name.

Whether or not the instructor approved, Teer was going to recommend the girl learn something of her birthright.

Teer patted her on the shoulder and straightened, looking to the instructor.

"I've delayed your training too long. May the Force be with you both."

[tacschinu0biscuits]

Ashala grinned at the whisper that she could learn Togruti, and nodded as a silent thank you. Her mentor, activating the Remotes behind her. As he said "And may it be with you." Then looking down at Ashala as she waves "Goodbye, and thank you." Ashala looked around the room for a bit. Then extending her goodbye "And may the force be with you."

Ashala had the thought in mind now. The archives, it was nice for Teer Ka to tell her about it, it gave her a sense of encouragement and eagerness. She knew that there would be no time as a Initiate, but as a Padawan maybe... She flicked her training saber on and turned around. Returning to her training expecting The Jedi to leave.

Her mentor assumed as such, after she had said the Jedi's formal goodbye "May the force be with you". Before long, he had begun moving the two Remotes. Ashala following them carefully with her training saber, trying her best to focus on both.

Assuming the Jedi had left (Or just began lurking) Either way, they continued their training: Her mentor moved one of the remotes over to her side, learning over from her mistakes she watched it move before going back to the first one. Anticipating where it stopped, then. A shot fired, straight at her from the front: She deflected it easily, then the second one shot. Coming at her back, she moved to her left letting the Laser skim through the access flaps of her robe harmlessly. Due to her movement both Remotes were now in front of her. Both shot at the same time, hovering next to each other. The lasers were closely knitted side by side. She blocked them both, arms jerking backwards slightly in reaction to both lasers hitting the Training Saber at once. Perhaps her mentor intended this to happen.

He shot one of the remotes at her again, it was a low shot. Going for the calf of her leg. She reacted quickly deflecting the laser, the next shot high at her shoulder. She jerked her saber quickly almost getting hit by it, she looked toward her mentor who was moving towards the various training equipment again, But had to revert her eyes to one of the Remotes shooting again. She deflected it, she took glances at her Mentor as he picked up a canister. Setting down one of the Remotes, well, remotes. While shooting twice systematically with the single one. The shots were both in the Chest Area proving not to be difficult, she looked back at her mentor who was now aiming to throw it. His throw was strong.

As it whizzed towards her, her first reaction was to duck. The throw was perhaps to strong, not dropping enough at this point allowing it to fly overhead. Then quickly, her Mentor shot the remotes laser again. Not having enough time to react she was shot again. "You did very well Ashala. You were wary of your surroundings and ducked when i threw the canister, But why did i shoot the laser? You may think it is unfair, but the Enemy is never fair in a fight Ashala. Especially towards Jedi, possibly out of fear. But sith, hrrmmm.. Sith are never fair. First they try to seduce you, get you angry. Manipulate you, then if that fails. They rely on cheap trickery, and Surprise attacks. I suppose is what you can refer it as. Its a good lesson to be learned." Her mentor looked towards the doorway to see as though the Jedi had left or stayed.

[Lemur, The Kool-Aid Guy]

Teer loitered for a few more seconds in the doorway before vanishing away completely, walking down the hallway for a quick stop to pick up her Corellian Banshee Bird before leaving the Temple.

When it was all said and done, all of her possessions were sent ahead, and now all that remained was for her and Ashla to depart together.

With the bird safely secured in a container, Teer stepped into the Jedi shuttle allotted for her transport, strapping herself into a seat, unable to watch the Jedi Temple receding in the background.

And that was the end of her residence on Coruscant.

Next stop, Shili.