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 Posted: Tue Jun 09, 2009 8:10 pm
"The object of this lesson is to feel the Force in a clear, distinct way. Previously we have practiced conscious ways of accessing the Force. This method depends on the unconscious-- one's instincts and reactions. The Force is a tool that will sharpen these instincts and reflexes exponetially. But before you can learn to weild it, you must learn to recognize and respond to it. The blindfold that you will be wearing will actually help to depress your natural senses which only serve to slow your reaction time. "
It was the third time Cara had sat in on one of Master Langui's lessons, and she found that each instance provided her with new and invigorating insights into the Force, many that she would have never thought of on her own. And, admittedly, she found some pleasure in watching the younglings stumble, not out of maliciousness or spite, but simply as a reminder that she was one of many beginners and that, just as they would, she would eventually learn. After weeks of insecurity, it was a comforting thing to know.
Master Langui had informed her before the session's start that several of the younglings would soon need masters of their own, and that some of them might, in fact, turn to Cara for further teaching. The thought was daunting to the Sith Knight, who still didn't feel proficient enough to be teaching anyone on her own, but she had no choice but to trust Langui's intuitions, and when the time came, her own.
And so, it was with this mindset that Cara watched each of the youths as they came towards the Master, collecting a practice saber from him and a blindfold from the young Knight herself. Cara watched each youngling as they approached her, holding a steady connection to the Force as she offered each piece of cloth out with an open hand. Upon the momentary touch of skin required to grab the blindfold, Cara felt a rush of pressure, a connection on a metaphysical level, and then nothing. Master Langui said that she had to trust her instincts, and only then would she know--
There.
It was a change in pressure, different and surprising that caught Cara off-guard, causing her to blink away the sudden flare in Force sensitivity she felt. Looking up, she watched a blue Twi'leki female move towards the door, and in that moment, instinct told her that the youngling would be important to watch. She quickly passed out the final blindfolds, then sprinted for the door, following the Twi'leki girl outside.
"Wait," Cara said, trying not to sound as exhilerated as she felt. There was a pause after her first exclamation, as if she'd suddenly forgotten what she was going to say, or perhaps had not thought out her plan that far before its execution. "I'm going to watch you practice," she explained to the Twi'leki, wondering if that sounded a tad bit sketchy. "For instructional purposes. I'm Cara Ydell, one of the Sith Knights." She thought that an introduction would someone make the situation somewhat less questionable. It was hard to tell whether or not it worked.
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Posted: Tue Jun 09, 2009 9:09 pm
Poy'loyi turned to see who the source of the shout was from. Striding towards her was a tall human female. The scar was the most obvious thing she saw; as little as she knew about humans, it was obvious what it was on any being. Then, of course, was the black head-fur. Humans always had different head-fur. The clothes were a mystery, but it seemed like only the younglings and the masters followed the dress code, anyway.
She stopped, waiting for the woman to catch up. When she spoke her intention, Poy'loyi was skeptical a moment, until she realized Cara wasn't an assistant. She was Poy'loyi's superior. She had never been supervised before, why now? Maybe it's because it's that advanced, she thought. Or maybe it's that dangerous? Either way, if she was being graded or something, she should do everything properly.
"Uhh, yes. I am Poy'loyi'nercathi. Did you have somewhere in brain you wish to do this?"
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Posted: Wed Jun 10, 2009 7:53 pm
"Poy'loyi'nercathi? What a mouthful," Cara responded, her scarred eyebrow rising in a curious stare. She supposed that someone could construe her comment as insensitive, but it didn't make it any less true, at least not from her perspective. After all, it was entirely possible that saying 'Caralee Tes Ydell' was a difficulty to say in a different galaxy. The one where everyone had their lips and tongue removed.
...Perhaps not. But it was still a thought.
"We can practice wherever you want, Poy'loyi'ner...what were the last two syllables again?" Admittedly, Cara felt bad for not knowing the name of her new pupil, but she'd rather get it right by asking repeatedly then stumble over it and look both stupid and ignorant.
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Posted: Wed Jun 10, 2009 8:53 pm
"Poy'loyi'nercathi", she said again. While it wasn't certain the woman had misheard or forgotten, at least she was making an effort to say it all. The others who abbreviated it made her skin crawl. To shatter a name is to devoid it of its meaning!
She pondered "This lesson cannot be done in quarters, so, hmm." She supposed they could go outside; that option was new to her. And there was no heat storms on this planet, so... "Perhaps the courtyard? It has the space."
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Posted: Sat Jun 13, 2009 12:37 pm
"Poy'loyi'nercathi. Got it." Except that Cara likely wouldn't know the name five minutes from now, not that it seemed to matter all that much to the youngling.
"The Courtyard sounds perfect. We can go ahead and set up out there," Cara responded, with a nod. It was a short walk to the Courtyard from the Training Room, and as she motioned for the girl to come outside she could see other younglings who had apparently had similar thoughts, either in the midst of their lesson or still fidgeting with a droid. Those who weren't blindfolded looked up curiously at the Sith, most of them quickly going back to their work when she returned the gaze.
"This seems like a pretty good spot," she said, picking an area out in the open, near the central fountain. Once again, she found herself at a loss for what to do, pondering for a moment. She could offer to show a demonstration, but there was always the risk that she slipped up, thus further tarnishing her reputation amongst the younglings. Sticks and stones can break my bones, but words will never hurt me, she thought, trying to remain positive as she looked around at the youths. Until the words are accompanied by some punk with a saber who thinks they're the baddest thing since Vader. Words + Force-enhanced weapon = pain.
"If you have any questions, feel free to ask," Cara finally added, deciding to go the safe route, just in case. You never know when an underling's going to try and prove itself by killing a higher-up, especially in a group historically known for killing people just for shits and giggles. "Whenever you're ready, you may begin."
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Posted: Sat Jun 13, 2009 3:25 pm
Poy'loyi took a moment to familiarize herself with the droid. She didn't want to start fumbling around with it while her blindfold was already on. It would have been bad for her to accidentally switch it to the hardest setting trying to find the 'on' switch. After making sure it was on level one, Poy'loyi carefully set it on the ground, big red button facing skyward. Holding the sabre with her chin, she carefully donned the blindfold, making sure it wasn't going to squeeze her tchin-tchun mid-practice. Grabbing hold of the sabre once more, she felt out which was the projection end. Gutting herself wouldn't have been smart either.
Only after she switched on the blade and smelt the ozone of the warm air did she do anything with the droid. Using the heel of her boot, she tapped down where she had left the inactive druid, hearing a click. The droid's motors whirred as it moved out from under her foot and whizzed off into the air. It was only going to be a few seconds now until it start firing. Poy'loyi gripped the blade with both hands. I am SO frotzed.
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Posted: Fri Jun 19, 2009 7:57 pm
Cara watched the girl curiously, admittedly having the same confusion upon her first run-in with such a droid and ever-willing to let the girl take her time. At some point, she expected to feel the sudden pressure of the girl tapping into the Force, but as the inspection continued, there was nothing. The Sith waited, hesitant to stop the girl, but once she put the blindfold on and pressed the 'on' button, Cara had no choice but to intervene. In her mind, a cooler version of Cara destroyed the errant droid with one whirring upward swoop of her red-hued saber, but alas, she did not have any desire to pay for more property bills. And so she calmly stepped forward, pressing a button to end the droid's actions before they even started.
"If that thing had started going, you would have had quite a few bacta patches later on," Cara started, pulling the droid under one arm. "You might want to tap into the Force first, get a good connection and all that."
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Posted: Fri Jun 19, 2009 8:16 pm
As Poy'loyi heard the whirrr-click of the droid disengaging, she knew something was up. She released the power toggle and the sabre powered down. As she heard the Sith's voice, it seemed obvious at what was being explained. Any dunce could swing a club. And besides, Poy'loyi wasn't trying to hit it like a moving target. She was learning to block frotz'na blaster bolts!
Poy'loyi built up a little bit of anger, a little emotion. It helped with controlling the force. Keeping the blindfold on, she responded. "As you say, Cara'Ydell. I will not make the mistake again." With that, she grabbed hold of the force and ignited the blade again. This time, it was as if she could see the glow of the blade through the cloth. If she were foolish enough, Poy'loyi could have likely touched the blade's tip; it was as if it were an extension of her arm.
"I am ready."
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Posted: Fri Jun 19, 2009 8:48 pm
Cara felt the girl tap into the Force, and it was an interesting feeling, to say the least. There was a pop, and then a second presence in the area, one more cognent than the dizzy blips of energy from around the courtyard, and even further into the complexes, where she could even vaguely sense Master Langui. But now she was losing focus, and with a nod, she held out the droid, taking a moment to re-orient herself on where the on button was.
"Good. I'm going to start the droid now," she said with an even voice, just so that the girl would have minimal bacta patches later. The droid whirred to life, allowing for Cara to step away, and after a moment of charging, fired the first laser. The Sith Knight watched intently, curious to see how her pupil would react.
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Posted: Fri Jun 19, 2009 9:27 pm
Poy'loyi heard the initial discharge. There was no time for thinking. she reacted. The thing was somewhere behind her, and she spun around. She moved the blade, on what felt like pure adrenaline. Poy'loyi felt heat rush past her hand, and toward her hip and winced as she heard a sizzling sound. Realizing she had her eyes closed redundantly, Poy'loyi felt no pain. Odd. It must have missed.
What was more odd was that one hand was off her blade. The blade was upright, anyway. Suddenly remembering it wasn't the only shot, Poy'loyi righted herself just in time to feel the buildup of the droid's energy - as expected, in the same place. Letting go to the force, Poy'loyi moved only her arm as the blade twisted. She 'saw' the impact on the blade; it was too little to feel.
And again, it was only the one hand holding the blade. This time, though, the blade was being held downward, like a knife. Why was she doing this?
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