Private Any Port in a Storm

[Corazona von Ascania]

Miria was grateful that Roman understood where she was coming from, and that he didn't pressure her to take the stone again. Though she found his words just a tad too mystical to believe – an invisible force that lives in everywhere and everywhere, connecting them? – there was an unmistakable glint of curiosity in her eyes as he spoke.

"Oh, so it wasn't like...that thing Lord Nyvlt used to make us sick." Miria's face firmed in thought as she recalled her captivity in the Lord's manor. She was referring to the obelisk that his Sith guest had affixed to the wall, emanating a dark energy that had kept her, and the other prisoners, subdued. During their previous visit to Scilia, the Jedi had cleansed the lingering darkness which remained.

Her attention was rapt, and perhaps with time, she'd become more comfortable with his explanations. She clapped her hands together in excitement, face lit up when Roman agreed to teach her a more physical use of the Force.

Quickly, she straightened and assumed a meditative position once more, her attention drawn towards the stone again. Miria closed her eyes and tried to block out her racing thoughts, opting instead to focus on the guidance of Roman's words. She focused on the esoteric energy that lived within her. Slowly, her awareness extended outward until it brushed against the stone.

Like threads...little strands of light.

Though she could not see the stone in the traditional sense, Miria felt as though she were tracing its outline with her mind. It wasn't quite imagination, but something more visceral.

The stone trembled. Miria's expression shifted into one of deep concentration, brow knit and lips turned downward. The stone's quivering intensified for a few seconds, then it fell still. The girl opened her eyes and gasped, then let out a heavy sigh.

"I can't do it…" she grumbled.

Roman Vossari

 

[Roman Vossari]

Tags: Corazona von Ascania

​

Roman opened his eyes, a gentle smile gracing his lips at Miria's attempt. He could see the frustration etched on her face, but he'd also felt the subtle shift in the Force, the almost imperceptible tremor that had run through the stone. It had been far from a failure.

"It's not something that happens instantly, Miria." he said, his voice calm and reassuring. He knew the feeling, the urge to succeed, to will something to happen. The Force was not about forceful imposition. "Imagine learning to walk. Did you immediately spring up and run? No, you stumbled, you fell, you tried again. This is no different. You felt the Force move the stone, even if only for a moment. That shows your connection is there, it's strong."

He leaned forward, placing his hands flat on his knees, his gaze holding hers. "Don't think of it as 'trying' to lift the stone. Think of it as inviting it to rise. The Force flows through all things, through you and that stone. You need to open yourself to its flow, let it guide you." He paused, considering his next words carefully, "It's like...it's like reaching for a friend. You don't force a friend to come to you, do you? You reach out, and if they are open, they come."

He closed his own eyes again, taking a deep breath, and focusing on that feeling of connection. He reached out with his mind, not trying to move the stone himself, but feeling the Force in and around it, a gentle hum that echoed the stillness around them.

"Try again, Miria. This time, don't try to push the stone with your mind. Just reach out, feel the connection, and gently, so gently, guide it." He kept his eyes closed, allowing Miria the space to focus. He could feel her uncertainty, but also a spark of determination. It was all she needed. He had felt that same spark within himself, when he was first learning. It wasn't a skill you learned from a book, it was something you had to feel, to experience, to trust. He knew she would get there in time.

 

[Corazona von Ascania]

Roman's words filled Miria with a renewed sense of determination. Her father had always said that frustration came to her easily, from chores to learning to ride horseback when she was younger. With guidance and persistence, her tasks had eventually become second nature.

Again, Miria closed her eyes and reached out to the stone. She hung on to Roman's words - her connection was there - as she concentrated.

Miria didn't have the words to describe the feeling, but if she did, she might've called it akin to wrapping your fingers around something that constantly slipped from your grasp. The stone shuddered, then slid forward a few centimeters.

The sound of it scraping and tapping against the table was almost disruptive to her thoughts, but it was also a sign that whatever she was doing was almost working - though, perhaps not quite as well as she'd hoped.

The girl opened her eyes and sighed again. "I nearly had it…" she admitted.

"You did well," came a voice from the far end of the room. Cora had returned, standing at the entrance to one of the halls from the main room.

Startled, Miria blushed. "I wasn't able to make it float, though…"

Hands clasped behind her back, Cora took a step forward. "For your first lesson? I'd be surprised if you could. I've known Jedi who haven't been able to connect to the Force in that way so quickly, who've had far more training than you." Her eyes slid to Roman, then back to Miria. She smiled.

"It's as Roman said. We learn to walk before we run - like everything else in life, connecting with the Force takes practice. Practice works better when you're-" she paused, tilting her head away as she yawned into her hand. "Sorry. It works better when you're rested. I think it's about time we head back to the village. Miria, you go on ahead and we'll follow behind."

Cora looked to the grand oak doors of the castle, then back to Roman and his student.

"Once again, well done. That goes for the both of you."

Roman Vossari

 

[Roman Vossari]

Tags: Corazona von Ascania

​

Roman clapped his hands together, a genuine smile spreading across his face. "That was excellent, Miria!" he exclaimed, his voice filled with pride. "You felt the connection, you moved the stone. That's more than most accomplish on their first try. Don't let that small slide discourage you; it's all part of the process." He gave her a wink, hoping to further bolster her spirits. "Patience and persistence, remember? We'll get there."

As Cora returned, Roman nodded in agreement with her assessment. "Indeed," he said, his gaze shifting from Miria to Cora. He then paused, a slight yawn escaping him as well.

He watched as Miria bid them farewell, a small smile lingering on his face. "Rest well, for tomorrow..."

Turning, Roman walked out of the castle with Cora, the grand oak doors closing behind them with a soft thud. They mounted their horses, the leather creaking beneath their weight. The familiar scent of the forest enveloped them as they began their ride back into the woods, the path leading towards Scilia.

"That felt good..." he said, his gaze fixed ahead as the horses walked the well-worn path. He turned to Cora, a smile on his face. "To help her." He then shifted slightly, a playful glint in his eyes. "But where were you? Aren't you supposed to be the teacher? Keeper of First Knowledge or whatever?" he teased, his tone light-hearted as he urged his horse forward, the sound of hooves rhythmic on the forest floor.

-End Thread-

 

[Corazona von Ascania]

The approval of the Jedi - and Roman's wink - had Miria beaming, then blushing with pride. She gave the pair a quick bow, bending at the waist, before scurrying off to retrieve her horse.

True to their word, the Jedi trailed behind Miria as they rode back to town. If they arrived together, suspicion might be aroused.

"I'm glad," Cora said as they plodded along. "You're a natural teacher. But telekinesis as a first lesson?" She arched a brow in mock- judgement, the tsked when he called out her absence.

"I was observing the structure. Most of the rooms are usable, but a few are partially collapsed or in danger of doing so. Besides," her lips twitched into a playful smile. "You must learn to operate out from under my watchful eye. You are the future of our Order, after all."

Roman Vossari

-Exit-