Searching the Force

[Tal]

Talau sat quietly in the gardens of the jedi temple on Coruscant, her eyes closed, and trying as best she could to extend her sences through the force...she knew he had to be out there somewhere....but where?

Where are you?....I know you're out there somewhere....I want to thank you.....

She thought, trying to send her thoughts through the force as she had heard others were able to do.

[Jenno]

(tsk tsk, posting before a character is accepted... ah well... I accepted anyway...)

[Tal]

((I kinda figured you would. lol. not like it was that big of a post anyway...wouldn't have cared if i'd had to delete it.))

She sighed deeply, her head beginning to hurt from the strain of her deep delving.

Oh...this'll never work!

She said with a huff, and massaging her temples near her hairline.

[Tal]

((here))

[Regnier]

((Just as clarification to anyone who's wondering, this is before Regnier left for Manaan))

Inside an open-ceiling training-room near the gardens, lit by the sun itself, the thump of foot-falls, the clank of machinery, and the hum of a training lightsaber were the only sounds to be heard. There were no grunts of exertion, no heavy breathing, and no words from the array of students lining the edge of the large training mat, just the sounds of a very one-sided duel between man and machine. Underneath the light of Coruscant's sun, a training droid swung a green lightsaber in the wide, sweeping blows of Ataru at its seemingly defensless opponent with trained precision and skill, at times coming within a seeming hairs-breadth, but never actually making contact with the massive human across from it. The human, clad only in a pair of simple cloth pants, moved with a deft grace and skill, never more than needed to escape the blows of his opponent, but never too little to be caught as he danced around the green lightsaber, never igniting the blade he held within his right hand.

As he moved, dancing in and out of his opponent's relentless and precise attacks, however, something tickled his consciousness; the thoughts of another, not directed, and not trained, but he picked up on it none the less, perhaps because he was simply close enough, or for another reason, he may never know, but it did distract him from the moment at hand for sparsely a half-second. A half second, however, when using one of the most difficult forms ever made while against a trained opponent was more than enough. The green saber hummed dangerously close as the machine pressed the attack, seemingly ever gaining closer to his unarmed target, until the familiar snap-hiss echoed through the room, followed by a single clash of sabers, and the sound of a saber through metal. A metal head bounced off the training mat, and the droid staggered backwards briefly before activating other sensors throughout its body. It collected its head, deactivated the saber, and made its way to a repair station. Another droid came out to replace it, but the large Jedi held up a hand, not even a single bead of sweat running across his muscle-bound torso. "Enough, for now. That, students, is only one of the many strengths of Trakata: surprise. Your lesson ends for today, I now turn the mat over to another teacher. Remeber: Trakata is indeed much harder than it seems; do not attempt to use it against a real threat until you know you are ready to do so."

And with that, he turned on his heal and abruptly walked off the mat, pulling on his body-suit and cloak, before exiting the room entirely. He had planned on ending the lesson soon enough anyways, and this call, this untrained comunication through the Force, it had gained his interest. As he stepped into the gardens, it didn't take him very long to identify the originator of the thoughts as he read the surface thoughts of the Jedi in the area. A young girl, either still a Littling or a fairly recent Padawan judging from her appearance.

And who is it you wish to find, young one? There are many here that have done much to be thanked for. He said mentally, projecting his thoughts into the young girl's mind, though giving away as little of his mind and presence as possible. Most were wary of him once they felt the seeming shadow of his aura, and he did not wish that to get in the way of a discussion with a young Jedi; nor did he wish to leave the wrong impression upon one he did not recall having met before, though indeed most Littlings old enough to attend lightsaber training sessions from a Jedi neither a Littling group's Master, nor their, if a Padawan, Master had at least witnessed his lightsaber teachings.

[Tal]

Talau looked up and immediately saw the man who had addressed her. He was dark and brooding it seemed, but...she wasn't afraid...simply curious.

I....well I was looking for the man who saved me when I was five....Master.....?

She said, not knowing who he was in the slightest. She had always been shunned, and so had started teaching herself as many of the basics as she could...including saber basics.

((sorry it's so short but i have to go..leave me a post and i'll reply later tonight. I'm goin to a net cafe in a few.))

[Regnier]

"No, not a Master, just a simple Knight. My Padawan..." The towering figure paused beneath his hood, the brief look of something akin to both regret and pain hidden by the shadow his hood cast over his face. The quick flash of anger mixed with grief that he let off through the Force, however, was not so well hidden. He quickly regained his composure, however, both in body and mind. "Well, let us just say that I have not been very fortunate in that aspect, and leave it at that for now."

It was almost painfully obvious that he didn't wish to talk about that particular aspect of the subject any further, though he did admirably to conceal the fact. Speaking of his apprentice only led to him thinking about her, and that was something he preferred not to deal with. He had enough trouble battling his demons as it was. He shifted his massive form, concealed only partially beneath his cloak, and seated himself on a bench facing across from the younger Jedi. "I am Regnier Vakkor, Jedi Knight, and but a simple lightsaber teacher. I do not recall you, however. What is your name, young one? Perhaps I can be of assistance in your search, though Master Baumm would be a more likely candidate for such an endeavor."

[Tal]

She sighed heavily and shook her head.

No...I don't think so...I don't think Master Baumm likes me. No one does really...though I don't suppose I blame them.

Talau replied, standing and bowing slightly to the knight before sitting down once more. More than anything she wanted to make a good impression with someone in this place, and he seemed oddly akin to her in the fact that he had quite alot of pain that he was hiding...no...he was hiding himself...kind of like she was.

I'm Talau Sulin....Mas.....um....Sir Vakkor.

She replied, offering a small smile to him, and gathering up the courage to look him in the eye. Something she hadn't done to anyone in the temple for a very long time....nearly 8 years now.

Sir Vakkor?....Why.....why do you hide yourself? I wouldn't think a knight would do that....Maybe that's my problem?

She didn't mean to, but unconciously she allowed her thought to slip through her barriers and out into the force where he could hear it.

[Regnier]

"Hnh, I am not particularly very well liked within the Order myself...nor am I greatly trusted by the others." Regnier said in an almost cold tone. Because they fear me, fear what I am, fear what I can become. He didn't add. There was something about this girl...something familiar about her...something he could see...but what? It was a piece of himself. That was something he did not envy, to feel that way so early on, but at least she had the chance of being shaped differently by it at so young an age, with help.

"Sulin, hmm? There is no need for a title, I am no great Jedi, just a troubled one." He said, displaying his rather low view of himself slightly. Some believed he had the presence to be a great Jedi some day, a formidable Master, a Battlemaster, but he had no such beliefs. His next question he asked, not because he himself was searching for one, not yet was he ready for that, if he ever would be, but because he did not wish such a young mind to go without a mentor when already holding the same seeds of anguish he himself had once held. It was the path to the one he was now walking, or worse still, and so he asked, [/color=Maroon]"Well, Jedi Sulin, has a Jedi taken you as a Padawan yet?"[/color]

"Why do I hide myself? Well now...I suppose I've never quite looked at it that way, but I know what you are asking. If you were to ask another about me, one of the things you would likely hear is that there is a darkness in my soul. This is the truth. I am an aggressive man, violent in nature, even, with a shadow over my heart. I hide myself because...well, it is not so others cannot see it, but so I cannot see myself. When I see myself, I see my history, and when I see that...it makes the battle that much harder." He replied in an almost uncertain tone. He wasn't entirely sure he believed his own words; in fact, he was inclined not to. He was simply choosing to not see through the lie. He paused, contemplating the end of her sentence, before again projecting his thoughts into her mind, Perhaps...perhaps it is not such a terrible thing to remain hidden. Deceit is not always wrong, something used for personal gain. Sometimes...it can be used to protect another. A reason I conceal my true emotion is because I do not want another to believe that it is a path they can safely walk. My path will only lead to destruction. He ended, again not certain of his wording, some of which would have been looked upon by many Jedi as bordering dark. Neither did he specify what that destruction would be, whether simply giving up on life, losing his ever-present battle with his demons, for he himself did not know.

[Tal]

For a moment she almost looked as if she were going to cry, but it was immediately hidden once again below the surface. The question he asked was not an easy one for her to hear...she had heard it far to often and had always had to give the same answer. Honestly, it was beginning to become trying on her patience to answer it.

No. I have no master...and if I do not have one by the time I am 15 next year....the academy will expel me.
No one will take me as their padawan. I try to act as I should...as any good padawan should I think...but something always goes wrong. I guess....well I guess that it's because I get frustrated easily...or...or maybe because.....oh i don't know. I'm tired of trying to figure out what's wrong with me.

She replied, thinking about what he had said. Something didn't seem quite...truthful...about it, and she tilted her head to the side slightly, narrowing her eyes at him.

You don't even believe what you said do you?

She replied, before listening to his voice inside her mind. She wanted to reciprocate his kindness.

Master...forgive me, I don't know how else to call you I suppose...but is that good for you? To keep it hidden inside? I think if it were me, I would become very angery at the world for making me hide myself all the time.

All at once her datapad beeped and she blushed slightly, excusing herself to look at the data on the screen. She sighed slightly and shrugged typing in a responce and looked down at the ground as she put it away once more.

Forgive me...It seems that I will be going to Subterrel in a few days time. I guess they need healers there for some reason....I just wish I hadn't taught myself most of what I know of saber batt...le.....wait a moment....um....

She paused for a moment and blushed again, looking down at the ground, then up to his eyes once more.

You...you wouldn't mind helping me?....With...with the saber training that is....

[Regnier]

The towering Jedi let out a long sigh and shook his head slowly. "You sound like...like someone I once taught. But, she was more...aggressive, like myself, and vain. I think I did a better job righting her than I have myself, but that is hard to know for sure in the time she was allowed." He paused briefly, and stared off into the distance blankly. He narrowed his eyes and let out something akin to a small snarl. "Have you considered that there is nothing wrong with you? That perhaps it is the other Jedi themselves that are not right for you? The Force has its own will, afterall."

Regnier snorted at her words, shaking his head, and letting out a low, gutteral grunt. "Observant one, aren't we? In truth, no, I suppose not. I suppose I haven't fully convinced myself of what I say. There is a truth you will one day learn: Jedi, all Jedi, they, we, lie, to others, and sometimes to ourselves. Sometimes it is for the good of another, sometimes out of selfishness, or blindness."

Again, the Jedi sighed, and looked down at the ground between his boots. That...is not a simple question to answer. Indeed it is likely not a good thing to do, but I do it all the same; I do it for others around me, though it may cost me a great deal some day. But I do not feel anger towards the world, not the galaxy, nor the Jedi, because I know that it is not their fault I live in the shadows. It is my own, and my own alone; any anger I feel, I fear, is simply towards myself.

"That is nothing to ask forgiveness for; a Jedi goes where a Jedi is bade to go." He paused again as she looked into his eyes, returning the look only with a stare that held little more than emptiness; cold, calculating, observant eyes. A thin smile crossed his lips momentarily. "Indeed I would not; I am a lightsaber teacher, after all. I can teach to a moderate level in any of the seven forms, but I have my specialties. I am free of tasks for nearly the entire day, so whenever you are ready for instruction..."

[Tal]

She listened carefully to his words and nodded thoughtfully. Some of these thoughts had crossed her mind...about the jedi, about the force having it's own will, about lies....it was good that she wasn't completely alone in her thinking this way, but when he offered his help she lept up excitedly.

I'm ready now! I love to learn, and it's so difficult to teach myself sometimes....

[Tal]

((tag regnier))

[Regnier]

Again, a thin smile crossed the Knight's lips at her reaction. Was I ever that way? No...not quite...but Sister was. He mused to himself as he slowly stood to his towering height. He nodded contemplatively and began walking towards the nearest sparring room in long, slow strides that made it seem that he was going slower than he truly was. He raised a hand and motioned the young Jedi to follow. "Come then, we shall begin at once." He said in his usual slow, somewhat quiet tone as he strode towards the open-air training area. He'd have to remember not to leave any serious bruises this time; other instructors tended to frown upon when that happened.

[Tal]

She immediately followed him, even before he beconed her to follow. She stayed right on his heels the entire time he was walking, though she nearly had to trot to keep up with the taller man. Talau didn't mind though, she was just happy that someone...anyone....here was willing to help her for once, and she wasn't about to let that person out of arms reach.

Alright...

As the two reached the sparring room, she stepped onto the mat and waited attentively, like a dog who had been starved for attention, and was finally getting what it needed most.

Where do we start?

[Regnier]

"Hmph, I remember when I was as enthusiastic about learning the ways of combat..." The Jedi said as he stepped onto the mat, shedding his cloak as he did, and revealing just how massive he truly was. He stretched his arms and shoulders briefly and assumed an apethetic stance.

"Well, unlike many Jedi who would first try and learn who you are through questions, and then try and match you to a Form, I am far more of a...direct man, and will simply let you decide for yourself, and then see if that Form is correct for you. Before we continue, however, are you familiar with any of the Seven Forms other than the first?"

[Tal]

She nodded slightly and smiled.

I know some of form 2, form 4, and one other...but I can't remember just which one at the moment....

She said, trying hard to remember which one it had been, though she couldn't.

I mainly know 2 however...and I'm not that good at 4 yet...

[Regnier]

"I see...Contention Form and Aggression Form...Makashi and Ataru. Two very different styles, the one utilizing elegance, power, and precision, the other acrobatics, speed, brute force, and aggression. I am no famed master in either, but, I can teach you enough in both. Since you have said you are more skilled in Makashi, then that is what we will focus on, for now." The Knight said as he took a few paces backwards. He ignited his lightsaber, the grey blade casting an oddly darker glow around the room than most blades, not bothering to decrease the energy output, knowing that his skill woud prevent any damage from being dealt, and entered the opening stance of Form II: a single-handed low guard, with the blade held at his side, the blade pointed down, and the feet shoulder width apart. "In Makashi, you are not a swordsman, you are a fencer. Leverage, position, advantage, these things are your allies more than ever. Parries, thrusts, and small, precise cuts, these are your attacks, not the blocks and slashes used in other forms. Fluid motion and anticipation, these your defense. Timing, accuracy, and skill, rather than strength, precision with both the blade and yourself, these you must all know."

He offered a formal Makashi salute, bringing the blade vertically up directly before his face, then swinging down and making a rapid X in the air. He resumed an attack stance, holding the saber above his head with both hands, blade pointed upwards, moving with a fluid grace. Without warning, he attacked the air before him with small, precise cuts, moving in a single line, forward and back, shifting his feet to keep in perfect balance as he fenced with nothingness, attacking and retreating. "A Makashi user is elegant, precise, calm, and confident to the point of arrogance even. Form II users are supremely confident in their chances for victory, often looking so relaxed when they fight that they may even appear to be dancing. Elegance, gallantry, enchantment, finesse, artfulness, and economy are the core of Makashi. To succeed in it, you must learn all of these things."

With that, he stopped cold and reentered the opening stance. "But it has its flaw. Makashi cannot contend well with brute force, it is too elegant. Never attempt to defeat one knowleadgable in Form V with Makashi, unless you know for certain that your skill is far enough beyond theirs to bring victory." He took another step back and entered Form III, holding his saber-hand near his shoulder, pointing the blade at his opponent, and his other hand held straight out. He beckoned the young Jedi with his free hand. "Now, show me what you know of The Way of The Ysalamiri. Show me your precision, your elegance, your speed. Do not hold back, do not stop until you wish to, or unless I say enough. I know what I am capable of, and though you may think at some point that your blade may connect with my body, continue on unless I have said stop; I often cut things very close. You can thank my knowleadge of Trakata for that. Now, enough talk. Come."

[Tal]

She listened intently to everything that he said and took it all in....yes, these things, all of them, were why she had decided to try and learn this form in the first place. She stood tall and saluted him, before standing at the ready. She didn't like to attack first, but she didn't really have any choice. Studying him for a moment with keen eyes, she moved in swiftly and struck smoothly at his side before retreating again.

[Regnier]

With one simple movement, the grey saber turned on its axis and left the blade pointing downwards, intercepting the attack squarely. Regnier started forward, but before his foot even left the ground, he stopped and reentered the Soresu stance. It struck him almost immediately that he'd had to mentally restrain himself from counter-attacking, but he shrugged it off, that could wait. "Hmm...you have the potential to be fast enough for Makashi, I can feel that, see that in your movements...your attack is swift, though it can always be swifter, but you need to work on pressing the attack when you've that much of an opening. Your footwork is acceptable for now, though your precision and elegance could use some fair practice. Let your movements glide gracefully, make your attacks an art. Now try defense."

With that, he returned to a Makashi stance. He waited a half-second, then advanced forward, neither quickly nor slowly, blade to his side, his movements somewhere between elegant dancer and hunting cat. With barely a warning, the only warning being his entering an attack stance with the blade abov his head, he brought the blade down and lanced it forward like a spear at his opponent's midsection, but stopped half-way in anticipation of a batting block, brought the blade around over his head and drew it at her shoulder in a quick cut, always making sure that if his attacks weren't intercepted that they would never connect with flesh. He took a pair of graceful, though bounding, steps backwards, and lowered the blade to his side, this time not entering Soresu, but remaining in the fencer's stance. Again, he beckoned. "Again. Do not hold back, press yor attack. One blow will fell no trained opponents. Let the Force giude your hand, keep your footing and you posture. Do not fear harming me, nor retribution. Concentrate only one your attack and my defense, on your feet and mine. Know when to drop an attack and prepare for a counter."