Private A Witch's Greetings

[Dreidi Xeraic]

Location: Coruscant
Attire: Jedi Attire
Companion: Grisial
Equipment: Lightsaber, Nightsister Energy Bow, Ichor Sword
Tag: Caelan Valoren

Hearing the answer, it seemed simple at a surface level but the determination it brought to Caelan and the pain that was clear inside him, the answer was merely the tip of an iceberg. "I will teach you to combat the darkness, not just through violence. A Jedi is not merely a warrior, they seek peace, justice and try to be beacons of hope. A Jedi cannot be those things if all we do is fight. You must be able to demonstrate understanding of where combating darkness is done with a blade, and when it is done with words." Dreidi stated. She was currently using her words and actions in empathy to help someone calling themselves a Sith.

Acts of kindness were what she felt were the most important elements that a Jedi can do.

As Caelan blasted her feet to knock her prone, Dreidi turned into mist once again. Her voice echoing around the room, "good move. And strong follow through with your next strike." After a moment, her body reformed a few feet back from where she was. Breathing in deeply, she spread the Force within her body and charged her muscles. Working her body faster, harder as she utilised Force Speed. Charging back into the fray, her attacks were sharp, lightning fast and deliberately testing how fast he was able to muster a defence.

 

[Caelan Valoren]

ATTIRE: Link
TAGS: Dreidi Xeraic

"My... Arhiaa told me that she practices what's called Form Zero," he said as she disappeared again.

He spun about sharply, keeping his sword outward with blade in a cutting motion, just to make sure she didn't reappear directly behind him.

"It has to do with serving to find a diplomatic solution to problems first. I do believe that is the best practice, but it won't always work. Some people don't want to negotiate, they just want to cause harm to others."

She reappeared back from where she'd been moments before, offering a level of praise for his attack against her, even though it hadn't worked. But, he remembered, not everyone could do what she was doing. In fact, he would hazard a guess that most people couldn't do what she did, which meant on a lot of people that move would have worked. Not to toot his own horn, but it did make him feel good that he'd figured something out himself, rather than having to have someone tell him how to do it.

Then she was on him in a flurry unlike what he'd seen before. He parried as fast as he could, once more back peddling. No matter what he did, he couldn't keep up with her, she was just too fast. At least, not in his current state.

He pushed for something he did often and jumped backward away from her until his feet hit the wall, and then he propelled himself up and over her, his legs tucking inward to make a smaller target, and swinging his blade at her head. Probably wouldn't work, but it would get him out from within her strikes, at least for the moment.

 

[Dreidi Xeraic]

Location: Coruscant
Attire: Jedi Attire
Companion: Grisial
Equipment: Lightsaber, Nightsister Energy Bow, Ichor Sword
Tag: Caelan Valoren

His attempts to block and dodge her attacks showed that Caelan was on the backfoot and that Dreidi was pressuring him into a desperate move. It was interesting to see how creative he would be when pushed under pressured. "Even when an opponent doesn't want to talk or listen, sometimes not fighting, refusing to harm them is the best approach." Dreidi mentioned, she wanted to make sure that Caelan understood that it wasn't just a technique to use on those who were listening. Sometimes it was needed for those who would benefit from them fighting.

When he backed against the wall, Dreidi wondered if he was unable to defend himself or could not think a way out of the situation. Then he pushed off the wall and tucked into a ball. She found it curious and with a flick of her wrist, she used the Force to slow him down. "Interesting strategy, effective against someone not attuned to the Force. However, you put yourself at risk being in the air with no defences."

Twirling the sword in her hand, watching Caelan, she had not struck him when he was slowed. Just using the chance to take steps back, away and stood firmly. "Wish to continue, or do you have any questions or desires you wish to share?"

 

[Caelan Valoren]

ATTIRE: Link
TAGS: Dreidi Xeraic

She... slowed him down? That was unexpected. Entirely caught him off guard. It made his swing of his blade completely useless as well. So he landed on his feet, but with nothing to show for it. A frown settled over his face and he looked down at his wooden sword and wondered what he should have done different in that situation. Could he have done anything? He had to be offensive, not allowing her to dictate the fight, but even when he tried to do that she dictated the fight.

"I don't know what I could have done differently," he said as he turned to face her. "I was reacting on the fly and just didn't want to let you control the fight. I guess I thought that would catch you off guard, but it clearly didn't."

His frown deepened. Wanting to continue was all well and good, but he knew he was no match and there was only so much losing one could do and learn from it.

"How do I change my way of thinking when backed into a corner so I can take back control?"

 

[Dreidi Xeraic]

Location: Coruscant
Attire: Jedi Attire
Companion: Grisial
Equipment: Lightsaber, Nightsister Energy Bow, Ichor Sword
Tag: Caelan Valoren

There was a defeated look in Caelan's eyes, Dreidi knew that look well since she had often faced impossible odds and fought foes that were so much stronger than herself that nothing she did seemed to work. "Don't think that what you did was wrong or that there was nothing you could have done differently. I am someone who has trained in combat and sparring for two decades." She placed her wooden sword back on the stand, ending the duel.

"Training, only training regularly against many different types of opponents can prepare you. But there is also the knowledge to know when to escape, to flee. Sometimes retreating against an enemy that is seemingly impossible to take on will allow you to survive." Dreidi mentioned, "surviving, even if defeated is better than losing your life." Dreidi mentioned as she offered a comforting aura.

"Also learning the Force and how to counter Force abilities will help you survive as well. Such as using the Force to prevent me from slowing you down is something you could learn to do." Highlighting the point that the Force training could counter people controlling him against his will.

 

[Caelan Valoren]

ATTIRE: Link
TAGS: Dreidi Xeraic

What she said made sense, but at the same time, it didn't. If running away was the only recourse from a fight, wouldn't that have repercussions on others as well? Didn't running away signal cowardice in the face of danger? Had not many triumphed when all hope seemed lost? But, there were times people had fled from one battle to face another and ultimately triumph in the long run, too.

"I understand what you've said," he said as he placed the top of his sword to the ground, but continued to hold it. "But aren't there times where running is not the best option and where, ultimately, fighting even if it means death is necessary?"

When she mentioned it was possible to counter what she had done to him through the Force, he tilted his head in thought.

"Can you teach me that? How do I keep others from attempting to control me? Also, is there a way through the Force that I could prevent you from doing your teleportation magick?"

He didn't want to know because he wanted to use it against her. He wanted to know because he was curious if such was possible. If it was, then perhaps he would find use of it in the field. He couldn't find use of things he didn't know, however, so it was better to ask and be told no, than not ask and there be a method he could learn.

 

[Dreidi Xeraic]

Location: Coruscant
Attire: Jedi Attire
Companion: Grisial
Equipment: Lightsaber, Nightsister Energy Bow, Ichor Sword
Tag: Caelan Valoren

She breathed in deeply, "there is rarely times where self sacrifices actually play a part in changing the tide of a battle." Dreidi's own father had sacrificed his life in a desperate attempt to prevent the Sith from taking Anzat. It had been a move that destroyed her family and it ultimately didn't matter since the Silver Jedi did not hold the planet much longer after his demise from her recollection. "Letting yourself fall in battle to save the lives of others is something a Jedi should do, but you must also keep in mind such a sacrifice is only something you can do once and that living to fight another day might ensure a victory where there could have been a defeat without you there."

Nodding her head, "I will teach you everything I know and help make sure you have every skill and ability to ensure you can handle everything an enemy can throw at you. That you can adapt easily to any surprises thrown your way." Dreidi stated as she placed her hands behind her, "not right now, there is much more that we will need to cover and best that we ensure you find yourself comfortable here." She mentioned, not wanting to overwhelm Caelan in their first meeting with lots of training. "In terms of avoiding my teleportation, that will be trickier. Even the greatest Jedi Masters and Sith Lords can run afoul of a powerful Witch of Dathomir, however, in time and with training your senses will grow with the Force and your instincts in combat will sharpen. Making it harder to surprise you."

"I will also take you to Dathomir, I am constructing an enclave there for Jedi and Witches. Will help your studies to see differing cultures in the Force and you can see how wild Dathomir can be." Dreidi chuckled, it was not the safest of planets but then there weren't many that were safe from harm. Especially Coruscant. "Anything you are wishing to learn to start with?"

 

[Caelan Valoren]

TAGS: Dreidi Xeraic

What she said was true. It was entirely possible that allowing himself to be killed in one situation could lead to dire consequences in another. But if that was the case, wouldn't that also mean it was never a good idea to sacrifice oneself? Should he never allow himself to be killed to save someone else? What if it was someone he loved? What if it meant Arhiaa would die if he didn't? No, he would never allow that. He would always choose for him to be the one to die rather than her.

"I see," he said, though he was slightly disappointed she wouldn't just dive right into it.

To be fair, she was right. He probably should focus on simpler things at first to get used to what it was like to be a Jedi and to use the Force on the regular. Then she mentioned taking him to her planet and he found that an interesting idea. He hadn't been off of Lazerian much as a kid, and prior to coming to Coruscant he'd never been outside of his home system. There hadn't been much of a reason for it. But now it made sense to him that he explore many worlds and learn as much about them as he could.

"I would like to visit Dathomir. It would be interesting to see how it differs from my home. As for where to start learning, I'm not sure. Perhaps it would make sense to first learn how to use the Force to protect myself?"

 

[Dreidi Xeraic]

Location: Coruscant
Attire: Jedi Attire
Companion: Grisial
Equipment: Lightsaber, Nightsister Energy Bow, Ichor Sword
Tag: Caelan Valoren

Dreidi could see the disappointment that they were diving right into the training and she admired the youthful hunger for training and information, however, Dreidi wanted to take things a little slower to make sure he knew what to do and how to cope with the struggles that could arise while training. Everyone ends up facing a wall in their training, but she understood the want to jump into the deep end and get the ball rolling. Dreidi gestured Grisial over to her, to introduce him to Caelan as well since the Padawan would see plenty of the Vulptex.

"Well, we will work on defensive practices with the Force once we go over the basics. Even if it is merely a reminder, helps me see where you stand with your understanding of the Force." Dreidi gave a smile, "and we can organise a trip to Dathomir and you can even sort out a room to stay in regularly if you wished to as well." Allowing Caelan to decide where he wished to live and call home while training as a Jedi. It had been what was granted to her by her Master and Dreidi wished to do the same for her student.

Petting the head of Grisial, she looked to Caelan, "this is my familiar, Grisial. He is Force bonded to me so he has more sentience and abilities than other Vulptex display. He is friendly and rarely is far from where I am." Dreidi mentioned.

<Hello Caelan.> Grisial telepathically messaged Caelan.

 

[Caelan Valoren]

ATTIRE: Link
TAGS: Dreidi Xeraic

"Then we should start with the basics," he said, looking slightly perplexed.

It seemed a bit odd to ask him where he wanted to start, and then, when he gave the answer, tell him that they needed to start with the basics first. Was she trying to vex him? It was confusing. He thought he understood the basics of the Force from what his mother had taught him, but he could have been wrong. Maybe there was more to it that she hadn't taught him because she didn't want that life for him? He didn't know and he couldn't ask her so there wasn't really a point in dwelling on it.

She introduced her familiar, Grisial, and his eyes went wide when he heard a voice in his head. That was entirely unexpected.

"I didn't realize you could speak!"

He stared at the creature, absolutely mesmerized. The notion of abilities being transferred to a creature through a bond created via the Force was absolutely foreign to him. How that was even possible he didn't know, but perhaps she would teach him at some point.

"I apologize, Grisial. You caught me off guard. It's a pleasure to meet you."

 

[Dreidi Xeraic]

Location: Coruscant
Attire: Jedi Attire
Companion: Grisial
Equipment: Lightsaber, Nightsister Energy Bow, Ichor Sword
Tag: Caelan Valoren

"It would merely be a formality, ensure you understand the Force at the necessary level for a Padawan before we truly delve into the training. I understand you have previous training, but I don't know how much your mother covered in that regard and I like to be thorough." Dreidi added, hoping to reassure Caelan that they would be jumping into the defensive training sooner rather than later. This was just to make sure she knew where he stood and that Dreidi could avoid throwing the Padawan into the deep end without being aware of the limitations of his knowledge.

When he reacted to Grisial speaking to him telepathically, Dreidi giggled and nodded her head, "yes. Whether it is through my bond as a Dathomiri Witch or a mixture of the Force and Magick within me that is now within Grisial. He seemed to have developed a level of sentience and abilities beyond his race." Dreidi mentioned, unsure if others could make bonds with animals to the same level that she did with Grisial. Who was now much larger than the normal size for a Vulptex.

<Pleasure to meet you too, Caelan. I look forward to having you around more and playing with you.> Grisial stated as he wagged his tail slowly.

Dreidi looked at Grisial then at Caelan, letting them talk for a moment before she probed Caelan on his understandings of the Force.

 

[Caelan Valoren]

ATTIRE: Link
TAGS: Dreidi Xeraic

That did make sense when she put it that way. Even though he'd demonstrated that he could do some things with the Force, she didn't know how much he truly knew about it. Which, honestly, he didn't really know a lot about it. Only the very basics and the fact that he could use it to do things sometimes on command. Well, more than sometimes, but his control was minimal at best. It wasn't as if his mother had actually been training him.

She said some other stuff about Grisial and how he had come to be able to speak and the like, but honestly Caelan was only slightly paying attention to that. The notion of being spoken to had overwhelmed his brain with many different questions, but mostly it had just brought an insane amount of curiosity to the surface.

"What do you like to play?" he asked, curious about what it was they would play.

He'd never had an animal as a friend before, so this was unique. Grisial was definitely not a pet, but there was still that feeling one associated with pets? Almost like they were a part of the family, but not quite? Hard to describe. He definitely wasn't thinking of the Vulptex in any way related to being demeaning towards him. Not at all. He thought this was pretty cool that he was going to get to hang out with a talking Vulptex. Might be he could learn things from him too. Though he did eventually look back to Dreidi and smile sheepishly.

"Sorry, got a bit too excited. We can get back to my training if it's alright with the both of you."

 

[Dreidi Xeraic]

Location: Coruscant
Attire: Jedi Attire
Companion: Grisial
Equipment: Lightsaber, Nightsister Energy Bow, Ichor Sword
Tag: Caelan Valoren

It made sense that Caelan would be excited and intrigued by a sentient animal. It would allow any child to get answers from a creature usually seen in a pet-like fashion. Dreidi was more than happy to allow Caelan to indulge in this curiosity. He was young and being allowed these moments of child wonder and freedom was something he deserved.

<Fetch is a favourite! I love running around and chasing balls! Dreidi uses the Force and Magick to make them bounce unpredictably and wildly which makes chasing them even more fun!> Grisial spoke telepathically in a very animated fashion, clearly this was a favourite topic of discussion for him. <Hide and seek is also a lot of fun. Lets me use my hunting senses and Dreidi says it is good sneak training for her. She also has me do some playing fighting, less fun but more practical which is good in a different way.>

Dreidi smiled, "don't worry about being curious. It is healthy and we are more than happy to answer questions you have. I might not always have the answer but I will strive to do my best. Also, I am sure Grisial will love to have you as a playmate from time to time if you want to play with him." Dreidi extended the offer and Grisial nodded his head excitedly.

She nodded her head when he wanted to get back to training though. "Take a seat and lets do some meditation work. It is a great way to build understanding with the Force."

 

[Caelan Valoren]

TAGS: Dreidi Xeraic

Caelan laughed a little bit at the animated way that Grisial spoke to him. The first game didn't come as much of a surprise. Most canid species were going to enjoy things that involved retrieving items. It was just something in their nature. The other game, hide and seek, was still not really surprising because it played into the hunting prowess of such creatures. In reality, he probably should have just guessed as to what the favorite games were, because he probably would have been right.

"You two fight together?" he asked, looking between them. "That must be quite effective. Always nice to know someone has your back."

When she mentioned playmates he smiled.

"I would be delighted to spend time playing with Grisial when I can."

That was an invitation he definitely wouldn't say no to. One of the things that always helped people feel good was spending time with animals. Even he knew that. There would undoubtedly be times he would need that kind of time to help him get over things. He'd always been told the life of a Jedi wasn't an easy one.

She told him to take a seat, so he sat down, crossing his legs in front of him and resting his hands on his knees. He'd seen his mother do this a lot when she was taking time to herself. He closed his eyes and allowed his mind to drift, clearing out the thoughts, which was hard because he certainly wanted to keep thinking about the fun he could have with Grisial. He did manage, though. At least for the moment.

 

[Dreidi Xeraic]

Location: Coruscant
Attire: Jedi Attire
Companion: Grisial
Equipment: Lightsaber, Nightsister Energy Bow, Ichor Sword
Tag: Caelan Valoren

Dreidi shook her head, "I haven't taken Grisial into combat currently. He is still learning and there is too much danger in actual fights that I could not bare to risk his life in. So, we train so that he can reach a point where I think it is safer for him and us fighting together is not a liability but a strength." She then nods to Caelan, "same goes for you. I aim to train you to the point where you are not a liability due to your lack of knowledge, where you can hold your own. Then we will be able to go on more dangerous missions and adventures together."

She did not mean liability in a degrading manner but speaking purely in a practical sense. There was a lot of dangerous Sith and other types of warriors out there, if Dreidi got distracted or forced to protect Caelan, she could end up getting herself hurt or even killed. A fate that she was not quite ready for yet.

"There will be plenty of time to do so and he has seemingly boundless energy so having someone else help wear him out is always appreciated." Dreidi admitted with a chuckle.

When Caelan slid into his meditative pose, Dreidi nodded her head, "tell me, what do you feel? What can you sense with the Force?" Dreidi asked, curious to see how well Caelan could focus on the spiritual aspects of Jedi training in comparison to his combat abilities. Dreidi herself was always more balanced, with equal skills in both. Given that Caelan admitted he was more the Jedi Guardian type, she wanted to see how limited his abilities were currently.

 

[Caelan Valoren]

TAGS: Dreidi Xeraic

That made sense. Had to learn how to fight before you could fight, and combat was a dangerous thing, he was sure. He wouldn't want anything to happen to Grisial. The idea of him getting hurt was actually mildly upsetting, so he was glad that his master was a wise woman. Wiser than he was, since he was shortly going to do something very stupid, though he didn't know it yet.

"It does make sense for me to understand more of the Force and how to fight before going on dangerous missions," he said, nodding his head. "I don't want to be a liability, after all."

Within his meditative state, he allowed his feelings to drift away, and felt outward into the Force. While he wasn't a true empath, he did have an innate ability to sense others feelings, though his range was limited to immediate surroundings. He could feel her, and he could feel Grisial, but even though he knew there were others in training rooms nearby, he could not feel them. Nothing blocked his ability to do so, it was just that he couldn't feel out that far.

"I feel... concern, but also curiosity from you. And from Grisial I feel that he would rather be playing fetch."

If he wasn't focused, he probably would have laughed, but he was deeply focused on the task at hand.

"I do not feel anyone or anything else. Just a sense of safety."

 

[Dreidi Xeraic]

Location: Coruscant
Attire: Jedi Attire
Companion: Grisial
Equipment: Lightsaber, Nightsister Energy Bow, Ichor Sword
Tag: Caelan Valoren

Grisial moved back to his place out of the way as Dreidi moved forward with their lesson. Dreidi listened to what he said, able to sense the base level feelings with herself and Grisial. It was a good starting point and certainly more than other initiate Padawans could do. Nodding her head. Dreidi decided to test his abilities and see if he could locate her while deceiving her presence.

Throwing her voice to come from another direction, the opposite side of the room. She wanted to see which senses he would rely on more. Whether he would trust the senses in the Force or his immediate senses that one had as a being. "Good to know you can sense us in this room. Point to where you sense me." Dreidi stated in her thrown voice, curious to see how he would handle this deceptive tactic from her.

She shifted down and sat before Caelan.

 

[Caelan Valoren]

TAGS: Dreidi Xeraic

That was odd. He could have sworn he knew right where she was based on how he'd perceived her, but her voice came to him from somewhere else entirely. Though he continued to feel from where she was, which told him that she was right in front of him at that point. The voice had been a trick? She was testing to see if he was relying on his senses or the Force! Of course. He knew people could throw their voice, or alter appearances. According to his mother, some people could make copies of themselves in appearance to trick the eyes, even.

He lifted a hand and pointed right at where she was.

"You're right in front of me and Grisial went back to where he was before," he said, lowering his hand after pointing between the two. "Your voice came from somewhere else, but I never stopped feeling where you were. Unless you manipulated where I would feel you from? I guess I don't know if that's possible."

Even if he hadn't heard of it, it could still be possible. Right?

 

[Dreidi Xeraic]

Location: Coruscant
Attire: Jedi Attire
Companion: Grisial
Equipment: Lightsaber, Nightsister Energy Bow, Ichor Sword
Tag: Caelan Valoren

"Impressive, very good Caelan." Dreidi praised the Padawan, her voice now coming form where she actually was. She was glad to see that he was not one to solely rely on his physical senses.

When he mentioned manipulating where he could sense her. Dreidi grinned, "I can give a demonstration of what someone could do, all things are possible with the Force but I know a couple tactics." She mentioned to illuminate what one could do when attuned to the Force.

Using the Force, she minimised her perceived presence in the Force, making sure that he could not sense her with the Force as she hid it from sight. "It is possible to create a Force Illusion of yourself, one so real that it is indistinguishable through the Force. It is easier to simply hide your presence, make yourself invisible with the Force." Dreidi mentioned, "then you can use some other tricks to misdirect your opponents. However, it takes time and a lot of training to get yourself as hidden as I am currently."

She was not perfect with the technique and any Master or skilled tracker in the Force was likely to still sense her to some degree, but she was growing in her strengths each day. "With the Force you can alter yourself or the environment to fool the senses of your enemy and make them see things that are not real but they cannot tell it is not the case. However, that is also tricky and requires some understanding of your enemy."

"Tell me, why do you think your abilities are limited to sensing only what is in this room?" Dreidi asked, curious to see his thoughts on his limitations.

 

[Caelan Valoren]

TAGS: Dreidi Xeraic

He smiled when she praised him. It was nice to be told that he was doing something well. Moreover, it was a reflection on his mother's minimal teaching of him that he was capable of taking that knowledge and translating it when requested to do so. She'd been a talented Jedi in her time, and he was glad that she had taught him enough not to embarrass himself in front of his master. Or Grisial, for that matter. He might not be the wisest about galactic affairs just yet, but he at least could do this.

And then she all but disappeared. It didn't feel the same as when she'd disappeared while they were sparring. She wasn't gone, she was just... not there. It was like she'd been erased from all existence, but he could hear her voice, and physically feel her presence nearby despite the lack of a presence in the Force.

"That's an odd feeling to suddenly not feel you at all, like you don't exist," he said.

She explained that it was possible to alter the environment just as much as himself, and he found that interesting, but he wasn't sure that was something that was applicable to him. He didn't feel particularly called to that. Skills associated with leadership, with protecting others, those resonated with him the most, and when she asked about his limitations, that was his first thought as well, that it wasn't his central focus. But was that all it was? Could he learn?

"I'm not sure of the exact reason. I know some people don't have as much of a grasp on the Force as others do so it could be that. It could be a lack of training. It could just be that it isn't something I am meant to be skilled in."