Guiding the Next Generation (Jarka Sharkal)

[Cavalry King]

Jedi Guardian, Jedi Master, Jedi Weapon Master, Jedi High Council Member, all these titles he has bore and what has he left behind? He had one padawan who failed the order shortly after the trials, and the only thing he had done in the realm of passing on his experience was teaching younglings basic combat techniques. Recently he had taken special interest in teaching combat to younglings for he had finally slain his inner demons about padawans. He had absolved himself of his previous mistake and refused to let his shame stand in the way of what he felt was his duty, the duty of all Jedi - to pass on what they know to the next generation.

Recently a strange fellow caught his keen discerning eye for potential. The boy was a small Selkath, but he seemed capable of learning much, especially in the lightsaber arts. He had advanced quickly with Shii-Cho for one so young. Soka respected that ability in him. He knew if he was to pass on his knowledge, he had to have apprentices capable with a lightsaber.

For a short period Soka questioned himself, wandering if he was right or if this padawan would be corrupted by him as his previous one was, but he cut those self-doubting thoughts and knew only that he would do his best. The notion of failing another padawan was silenced and he moved to take on the youngling. He summoned the boy to a meditation room where personal and careful analysis of the boy could be done.

Soka sat in the meditation chamber, the room was devoid of noise except for the babble of the fountain the separated the entrance to the chamber and the outer wall. He was calm and serene engaging the deep introspection as he searched within himself. He was just continuing the master his own body, key to mastering many other things. He had shaved his head perfectly bald once again, trimmed his beard, and wore simple robes. To those who knew him, this personal ritual indicated that he was about to embark on a journey, this journey would be of great importance. Guiding the next generation of Jedi was a serious task, one that he had finally taken upon himself to do once again.

He just sat and waited until his future charge arrived.

(Meh, an old post of mine edited to fit here. Since my last paddy to be disappeared, why rewrite when I can edit?)

[skaral]

Nimm Sayula, dressed in a variation of traditional Jedi attire wore a red, simple travel cloak with the hood back and a traditional tunic. His training blade was strapped to his right side so that the Selkath's left hand, his dominant could easily draw the blade in a cross motion. Nimm had been assigned to a member of the Jedi High Council, one Atu Soka. Soka had been charged with his clan's lightsaber instruction and the young Selkath had slightly sensed that the Jedi Master had paid more attention and focused more on himself. Nimm walked down a long hall to the meditation chambers that he had been told to meet Master Soka in. The man had requested Nimm be his Padawan Learner and the council approved.

The Selkath could hardly hide his excitement and joy, but could barely hold back the biting nervousness he felt. The nerves sought to rip through the youngling's practiced, calm face and expose the fact that he was very excited, almost to the point of insanity. But the newly assigned Padawan knew to keep his tone and his demeanor calm and respectful. As he approached the door, he took a deep breath. He stepped through the doors as they slid open and calmly approached the sitting Jedi Master.

"Hello Master Soka, I am Nimm Sayula," said the Selkath as he bowed, "it is an honor to be assigned to you."

[Cavalry King]

Soka looked up from his meditative position and gave a nod to the young boy and gestured for him to sit down in front of Soka. He examined the demeanor of the youngling as he entered the room. Soka felt the excitement bursting through him, he also felt the nervousness of the young boy. He seemed to be waging a great internal struggle, but kept his outward appearance as calm as he could. That was excellent, but the fear inside of him would have to be addressed. Nothing was final yet, he could turn the boy away still. He was still young, being ten. If Soka felt him not ready, he would have another few years to mature before being chosen by another. If this happened, it wouldn't both Soka. He always went with what was necessary. Now he felt training a padawan was necessary. Perhaps now he would begin, perhaps not.

He looked to the boy and said calmly, "What is it that unnerves you?"

It was a simple question, but the root of nerves is fear. If he could find the boy's fears, he would know how to begin his training. Slight apprehension was expected but his nerves were great. If it is a fear of failure, Soka knew all to well how that could hinder a jedi. If not, then he would still try to figure a way to defeat that fear. Soka felt he had to know a little of the boy before he committed to training him.

[skaral]

"I have looked forward to this moment all of my life, but now that it has come, I am nervous because you hold a very esteemed rank and you are known by all the Jedi as one of the most fierce and skilled combatants among the order, I am nervous because I am just a simple youngling," said Nimm.

Nimm sat quietly in front of his new master. He crossed his legs and stroked his left cephalic lobe with his left hand. The positioning of his training lightsaber and the gesture denoted the possibly dominance of his left hand. The Selkath let out a small sigh as he attempted to calm his nerves. The attempt only calmed them for a little while, as the young Jedi began to relax they dissipated a little further, but they were still nagging at the Selkath's calm demeanor.

[Cavalry King]

Soka rubbed his chin, it would be difficult to train him if he fears me, he thought to himself. While his position demanded respect, and his demeanor was that of "The guy you don't mess with", he had never thought of himself as someone to fear. Soka smiled slightly, trying to ease the situation and calm the boy. He replied. "From the youngest of the younglings, to the oldest masters, we are all Jedi. You shouldn't be nervous around any of us merely due to rank. Have respect for Jedi, all Jedi, not fear or feelings of inferiority." Soka did his best to send soothing feelings through the force to try to calm him more. He would have to feel comfortable around Soka if they were to progress as student and teacher.

The boy was modest, that was good. An ego is a terrible thing to battle and near impossible to defeat. Now he would move on to his next question and truly begin the conversation with the youngling. "What do the Jedi Stand for?" he asked simply. It was a simple enough question but his answer would give great insight into what he believed and how much Soka would have to teach him.

[skaral]

"The Jedi are protectors of the Galaxy and the Republic. They stand for peace, justice, and the good of all, a Jedi is selfless and not materialistic, a Jedi stands for the lightside of the Force." said Nimm.

The feelings the Jedi Master had sent through the Force comforted the young Selkath. As the boy began to become more comfortable and his nerves began to disappear, he began to open his mind in the quiet room, letting the Force clear his mind. He had done this many times in his class, it was a simple meditation trick to clear one of distractions or feelings.

[Cavalry King]

Master Soka nodded, it was a good answer and definitely correct. That was good. It was the standard view taught to the younglings. The exact nature of the Jedi was heavily debated amongst the masters of the order. Soka tended to stay away from those discussions unless he deemed them vital. It seemed that the role of the Jedi would soon be put to the test. But now was not the time for those thoughts. He focused on the task at hand, his potential padawan.

"How will you seek to serve the order?" Now he would question the boy's view of himself and how he thought of service. This also would serve Soka as how he should train the boy. If he saw himself as a Guardian of the order, Soka would have the pupil he desired, if not then he would still train the boy, but he would not have achieved his goal of carrying on the Weaponmaster tradition.

[skaral]

"I want to be a guardian of peace, I hope to use knowledge of lightsaber skills more than the Force to serve as a protector of the Republic and the Galaxy." stated Nimm.

It was the truth. While the Force was a large mystery with much potential to accomplish great things with, Nimm had always been interested in the combat techniques and etiquette of the Jedi Order. He was not yet anyone entirely special with the Force or a lightsaber, but he hoped to become a formidable duelist as his master is. Nimm hoped to possibly become the next Weaponmaster after his master, if that would be the path the Force would guide him to in the future, if not he understood.

The Selkath stroked his cephalic lobes. It was a common habit of his race to do so as the Humanoids stroke their facial hair in conversation, the Selkath stroked and pet their cephalic lobes. His blue skin looked almost slimy in the narrow rays of sunlight that were permitted by the room's drawn blinds. Nimm was very concentrated and centered now, the room was quiet except for the breathing of them both and the conversation they were having.

[Cavalry King]

Soka nodded his head. So he wished to be a guardian. If he desired it, Soka would train him as such, but it would all depend on his skill. If down the line he just didn't seem ready, Soka would guide him toward a sentinel path. It would all just have to wait for the future to make all things clear. Perhaps he would have the padawan he was looking for all along. Perhaps this is the one that would carry on the Weaponmaster tradition. thought for a moment then responded with a question. This question was vital to Soka's entire life, his path in the force. Long ago he had seen the answer and lived it through. Now he would see if the young padawan had truly considered his choice.

"The guardian's life is not easy and is filled with danger. But I ask you this, why do some devote their lives to the lightsaber and its mastery instead of pondering upon the force? Why do others concentrate totally on mastery of battle techniques and skills." When Soka would respond, he would set the boy on the path to being a true weaponmaster. He had to understand why they existed and why they made that choice. It would seem on the surface that being devoted to battle techniques would not be very meritorious of a Jedi who are supposed to promote peace and order. Though if one thought on it as Soka had, they would realize their error.

[skaral]

"Those who devote themselves to the mastery of the lightsaber devote themselves to the tool of defense, the lightsaber is a Jedi's life. It may be the last line of defense, but in truth, the lightsaber is the Jedi's life line. Those who devote themselves to the Force do so, so that they may devote themselves to the power around them and inside them. Both are used as a tool of defense and never one of offense," explained Nimm.

This was a conclusion that Nimm had realized in his studies. Both paths are a way of defense, even though the way of the Guardian did not totally seem that way, in truth it was. He also knew that the paths were devised for both personal preference and also personal skill. Those who were not quite adept in the Force obviously would choose to be a Guardian likewise with the Consular, those who were not adept in combat would devote to the Force. But Nimm also knew that both could come of personal preference and not just natural skill sets.

[Cavalry King]

Soka nodded, it was a reasonable answer and it had truth in it, but it didn't apply in its entirety to Soka's outlook and justification for his path. It was not just about the fighting and defense when it came to the lightsaber, no its lessons were much greater than that. Much of his personality today is based on his experience with his training, the lessons he learned from his studies with the blade. From combat much could be learned of oneself and others, how they strike, how they move, how they respond. It was a dance much deeper than what it appeared to be on the outside. Sometimes when two great duelists meet, it is not about their fighting, it is about their minds.

"One of the most dangerous experiences for a Jedi, or anyone, is combat, live combat. During that time, one's mind could succumb to any number of things, fear, hate, pain, confusion. Though to survive one must learn to remove these emotions and fight with a clear and level head. While fighting, a battle may change its course in an instant, and if you do not accept the current reality and conform to it, you will die. During a battle one must always be considering the opponents next move, watching them and analyzing them. These are all skills that are essential to being a Jedi, not just in battle but in all things. There are many broader lessons to be learned from the experience of battle and the necessary training before. The devotion and meditation to truly master yourself in both mind and body are some of the greatest lessons to be learned from the path you are choosing to take. Others have had more conventional ways to learn these skills, I and my kind have this way. Both are valid, although this way prepares you to effectively be a Guardian of the Order and the Republic."

Soka could have continued on for a great deal of time, talking about the greater lessons to be learned from the intense training, the techniques, and the lifestyle of the weaponmaster but he would stop and let the boy absorb what he had just heard. With time, all things would become clear to him.

[skaral]

Nimm nodded. He truly thought about the explanation his master had given him. He let it soak in and he began thinking about the sentences. They made perfect sense, he realized that all lessons could be learned through study of the blade, not just to use it.

"I understand, master," said Nimm.

The Selkath calmly understood that the conversation was the first test, not just a simple conversation, it was a test of the young Jedi's point of view and knowledge of the Jedi and their teachings. Nimm awaited the next test to be offered. He shifted his position a little for comfort and looked into Atu Soka's eyes.

[Cavalry King]

Soka nodded, it was good that the boy understood what had been said, or at least, he believed he understood. Soka almost continued with a bit of greater wisdom when it came to teachings, but he withheld the knowledge for fear that the young boy would misinterpret it and become defiant. He had learned from his past mistake that wisdom had to be taught in stages when the padawan was ready and mature enough for the knowledge. He would perhaps impart this wisdom onto the boy later but now he would wait. The meeting had gone well and Soka had his new padawan. He now shifted his thoughts to the future. How would he train the boy? He nodded to himself having found the answer quickly.

"Excellent. Then I believe it is settled. Say goodbye to the temple. I believe I shall take you elsewhere to begin your training. To compensate for your height, I believe I shall teach you Ataru. This would allow you offensive capabilities and make your height to your advantage. When I return from my investigation on Duro, you shall begin as my Padawan." he said, mainly thinking out loud.

There was so much to teach, but where to begin. Usually padawans would venture with their masters, but the mission on Duro was far too dangerous to bring a fresh padawan to. It would have been irresponsible of him.

[skaral]

"Alright master," said Nimm.

The young Selkath's mind was ablaze with thoughts, hopes and dreams for his future adventures. He understood that his master probably had a large undertaking on Duro. The young Selkath with those last words bowed and turned to the door. He left calmly, but once outside the door. He jumped, almost shaky with excitement. He hurried off to his quarters. He took a turbolift down the spire where the meditation rooms were situated and hurriedly went down a few hallways to where the dormitories for the trainees were.

Nimm gathered up his few possessions, a change of robes, his utility pouches and other necessities. He would get a few days probably to say his goodbyes, he wanted mostly to meditate on the things he was taught in that room with Atu Soka.