Private CONFESSION: I smuggled a Training Lightsaber out of the Temple on Coruscant

[Aadihr Lidos]

I smuggled a Training Lightsaber out of the Temple on Coruscant
(and I Hope Nothing Bad Happens)

Outfit: Clothes, Earring, Bangle
Weapons: Walking stick / Lightsaber Pike

Aadihr approached the speeder-shop, focusing in on the unsuspecting aura of Brander who seemed to have a free moment. This may be one of the more questionable things Aadihr has done, but a promise was a promise.

The Miraluka walked into the repair shop with the borrowed training lightsabers from the Temple's equipment check-out. It shouldn't be an issue if he returned them before inventory was taken... Though he may have some very peeved archivists searching for him if he misjudged the schedule.

"Hey Brander - Catch!"

Aadihr tossed one of the training saber hilts to the boy - with the safety switch still on.

"Got a moment? Give it a try."

Brander​

 

[Brander]

Aadihr Lidos

Brander looked up from his work, not expecting to see his mentor standing there. His hands froze mid-motion, just in time to catch the cylindrical object tossed his way. He almost fumbled it, but his fingers closed around it at the last second. He glanced from the object to his mentor, then carefully set it down on the cluttered workbench.

He dusted off his hands, stepping away from the pile of rusted components he'd been cleaning. At the small sink tucked in the corner, he gave his hands a quick rinse and dry before returning.

"Hey… I didn't think I'd see you here," he said, eyeing the object again. "This looks like a fine piece of… uh… machinery?"

He picked it up, turning it over slowly in his hands. Then it clicked.

His eyes widened. "Wait… is this—? Is this what I think it is?" he asked, disbelief bleeding into his voice as he stared down at the training saber.

 

[Aadihr Lidos]

Outfit: Clothes, Earring, Bangle
Weapons: Walking stick / Lightsaber Pike

"Hey… I didn't think I'd see you here,"

"I didn't think I'd see me here either" Aadihr said, cracking another corny blind joke as was tradition at this point.

"Wait… is this—? Is this what I think it is?"

"Yes and no - it's a training model, won't do much cutting but can sting quite a bit and deflect smaller blaster bolts. When you get a true lightsaber of your own, you'll have to find the gem and build it yourself - but let's not get too far ahead of ourselves."

Aadihr grinned vicariously at Brander's excitement.

"See the end with the ring and the hole in it? First lesson, that's called the emitter, make sure that's always pointing away from you, especially when you unlatch the safety and flick the switch. Even a training model can take your eye out."

As Brander familiarized himself with the device, Aadihr fished out the second training saber from his bag.

"If you've got time we can start with some fundamentals - or I can come back after your shift?"
Aadihr was sorely unfamiliar with labor customs, he realized. Unless working on speeders was like working on a farm or something, he didn't want to get the boy in trouble.

Brander​

 

[Brander]

Aadihr Lidos

Brander gave a quick, disbelieving laugh at the emitter warning, as though the idea of accidentally blinding himself had only just become real. He tilted the hilt to inspect the ringed end more closely, then held it out at arm's length like he'd seen in the holovids.

"Okay... emitter that way," he muttered, more to himself than Aadihr. He looked up. "You sure this is allowed? Like… Temple-sanctioned 'Jedi crash course in the back of a speeder shop' kind of allowed?"

But even as he said it, he was already shifting his stance, instinct pulling his feet into something that vaguely resembled readiness. He didn't ignite the saber—yet—but the way he held it had changed. A little more confidence and a little more curiosity.

"...I can take a break. Boss is out running errands and I think the vapor scrubber just exploded for the third time this week. So, y'know, nothing urgent."

He paused, then added, a little shyly, "Kind of been hoping to come see you again."

He glanced at the saber.

"Maybe not like this, but... still."

A grin crept across his face, cautious but real.

"Thank you.... Alright, Master Aadihr. What's the first thing I need tolearn?"

 

[Aadihr Lidos]

Outfit: Clothes, Earring, Bangle
Weapons: Walking stick / Lightsaber Pike

"You sure this is allowed? Like… Temple-sanctioned 'Jedi crash course in the back of a speeder shop' kind of allowed?"

"Uh... It's probably fine." Aadihr said unconvincingly.

The timing seemed right, and the... Thing fixing things exploded again which evidently was not an emergency - or was sarcasm, the knight assumed the former and pressed onward.

What's the first thing I need to learn?"

" The very first thing is that, when and you earn a lightsaber of your own, igniting this supremely dangerous weapon should be a last resort - but I've lectured you on mindset and morality plenty before now."

Aadihr gestured for Brander to give it a try, to ignite the training blade and get a feel for its weight, or lack thereof.

"The next first thing is actually a bit of unlearning - the training you've received with your siblings, it covered using vibroswords or improvised clubs, melee weapons of any sort, right? Physical weapons that rely on transferring force with momentum, that have weight. A lightsaber is no heavier than the hilt and crystal within. That, along with the properties of the plasma blade, is the root of how lightsaber forms divert from melee weapons techniques."

Thankfully, these initiate models would only cause a bit of carbon scoring on surfaces and would deactivate if let go of.
"I'm a bit rusty with traditional lightsaber forms to be honest - because of the pike and all" he lit his lightsaber pike briefly to demonstrate, carefully ensuring there was ample space, and deactivating it just as quickly.

Brander​

 

[Brander]

Aadihr Lidos


Brander nodded along, listening intently as his Master spoke, his eyes never leaving the weapon in Aadhir's hands. The moment the pike ignited, casting its glow through the air, Brander's breath caught in his throat. The blade hummed for barely a heartbeat before vanishing again, but that brief flicker had already seared itself into his moldable sponge like memory.

He swallowed, glancing down at the training saber resting in his hands. It felt... heavier than he expected. Not in weight, exactly, but rather in meaning. He shifted his grip, running his fingers along its smooth casing, almost reverently, like he feared gripping it too hard might make it vanish.

His eyes looked around, checking that no one else was watching too closely. Then, with the emitter pointed safely away, he hesitantly thumbed it on.

Snap-hiss.

Light blossomed to life in a radiant and clear colored beam. Brander's mouth fell open in shock and awe.


"Wow..." he breathed, voice soft and small and stunned. "It's so... pretty."


The soft glow lit his features, wide eyes reflecting the blade like twin mirrors of disbelief. He held it out in front of him, taking a few slow, measured swings. Not clumsy, not even cautious— but delicate, like he was afraid a single wrong move might crack the illusion and send it all shattering into nothing.

For someone like him—Brander, who had never thought he'd be allowed to even touch something like this—it felt like holding a star. A piece of a dream made real.

The blade retracted with a soft hiss as he turned it off, cradling the hilt now like something fragile and precious. He looked up at Aadhir with quiet hope woven through his expression.

"...Do I get to keep it?" he asked, not quite daring to believe it, but needing to know. Whether it was a gift or just a fleeting loan—it mattered. He had to ask now, before the dream slipped away.

 

[Aadihr Lidos]

Outfit: Clothes, Earring, Bangle
Weapons: Walking stick / Lightsaber Pike

Something in Brander's Aura melted Aadihr's heart. The glow of childlike wonder and reverence at a training saber brought a nostalgic feeling of his own first days at the temple.

He should have said no - that Aadihr could check out the equipment for lessons and bring it back between lessons. That glow in the force, however, brought Aadihr's mind to fabricate reasons for himself - Brander would be able to practice in his free time, the training saber wouldn't be missed, it couldn't cause too much damage, etc.

The danger was not with simple damage caused. People see a lightsaber, they assume a Jedi. That alone can cause trouble with the wrong crowd, perhaps only worse if other Jedi see the boy with it. He could be accused of theft and then have it taken from them.

Aadihr prepared to let the boy down gently: "... Yes, you can keep it"

Chit.

"But no one can know that you have it - keep it secret, keep it safe. Practice in from public view if you can - at least for now."

Aadihr set the staff of his pike aside, igniting the small training saber he brought to teach with, remarking on the thinner plasma beam of the blade compared to a 'true' lightsaber.

The blindfolded Jedi brushed his hand into the beam, quickly pulling back as the buzz and light accompanied the stinging sensation - nothing worse than grabbing a still-too-hot mug of tea by the body of the cup.

"Just checking that these are, in fact, training models. Don't do that with the real thing." He said as he shook the sting from his hand. "Lightsabers used to be a decorative weapon. Unreliable but portable and convenient. The study of Lightsaber forms goes hand-in hand with the history of the weapon, the evolution of warfare from metal weapons to blasters, to the complex devices used in conjunction with the Force that we see in the galaxy these days."

Aadihr mentally prepared an assessment - reading into both Brander's movements and aura to see how quickly he adapted to the weightless blade; which habits were favorable for lightsaber training and which would were incompatible for future forms.

"You may have to unlearn some things. the first lightsaber form, Shii-Cho, provides a foundation of movements to build upon. Find some space and give it a few test swings. When the saber is comfortable in your grip I'll guide you through some drills."

Brander​

 

[Brander]

Aadihr Lidos

Brander perked up even more at hearing that, his curiosity heightened as he moved to reignite the lightsaber briefly. He waved it slowly back and forth, up and down, seemingly experimenting with the unusual sensation. After extinguishing it again, he turned his undivided attention to Aadhir as his instructor began to speak. Despite his urge to toy with his new gift, he practiced a level of restraint, wanting to afford his mentor the respect he deserved.

It was clear that Brander was awestruck, practically beaming with curiosity and positive emotions as he listened to the brief impromptu history lesson, along with the cautionary instructions. "Secret and safe... I can do that!" he murmured, glancing around the shop before looking back at his own hand. He clipped the lightsaber to his belt, wrapping his hand around his wrist thoughtfully as he contemplated his next move.

After a moment's hesitation, he gently unwrapped the wrist cover that concealed the hidden brand. A sensation of uneasiness colored his Force aura as he did this, yet there was an oddly relieved aspect to it. 'What does it matter if I uncover it?' he pondered, reminding himself that Aadhir couldn't see it. He took the hilt of the saber and carefully wrapped it up tight, transforming it from a weapon into a quiet bundle resembling a stick. Then, he removed his headband, making a conscious choice to cover the brand mark with his bandana.

With a sense of purpose, Brander moved to jot down a note on the nearby desk. "I know... come with me," he said, revealing a somewhat hidden area behind retractable bulkheads and camouflaged partitions.

As they stepped beyond the barriers, the atmosphere shifted. Hidden within this section of the workshop was a sanctuary of invention—a place where shadows danced in the warm glow of overhead lights, illuminating the myriad of tools and materials scattered across workbenches.

The Veiled Bay was the kind of space most customers never even realize exists. On the surface, the shop appeared modest, cluttered with repulsorlift engines, fusion coils, and half-gutted speeders. But beneath a false floor panel and just behind a disguised wall, a massive, hangar-like chamber opened up. wide empty and relitively clean. " This should be a good spot for now.... Did your master teach you Shii-cho first?"

 

[Aadihr Lidos]

Outfit: Clothes, Earring, Bangle
Weapons: Walking stick / Lightsaber Pike

Aadihr barely noticed the trepidation when Brander removed one strip of cloth to cover the hilt, replacing it with his bandana. By his reckoning, whatever brief turbulence caused it only concerned him insofar as it affected his student. The quick relieved return of his presence dismissed any concern before it grew.

"Yes. It was among the very first lessons I received when matched with them.

Aadihr spared only a moment while the recollecting his master before returning to the present and the student before him.

The space was hidden well enough and had sufficient space; Aadihr would 'see' someone approaching well before they could hear the clash of training.

Aadihr began with the first form's target zones, demonstrating each before alternating attack and defensive strikes for each zone.

Once Brander displayed knowledge of the target zones, Aadihr would begin a drill. He would call a target area by number before slashing for Brander to defend, then immediately pull back to block so that Brander could retort with another called shot. The goal was to develop a steady tempo while reinforcing the muscle memory associated with each.

With Brander's previous training and the overlap of Shii-Cho, Aadihr anticipated the boy picking up on this quickly, but was careful not to rush him.

"Long, long ago, it was rare for lightsaber wielders to clash - thus few weapons could stand up to the plasma blade. To this day, we still practice the Sun Djem, the disarming strike. It is an ideal outcome to a fight for a Jedi - destroying your opponent weapon without harming them. Nowadays mostly accomplished by cutting the opponent's saber hilt - if it isn't composed of cortosis, beskar, Phrik, or some other resistant material. More on that when we get to the second form."

Aadihr gave the lecture only once a steady tempo has formed and the need to call target zones was passed, slowing his pace accordingly for Brander to block by sight. Eventually, hopefully, by instinct.

"Shii Cho remains relevant as an instinctual foundation for one to fall back upon, particularly when fighting multiple opponents."

Brander​

 

[Brander]

Aadihr Lidos


Brander drank up every word of knowledge Aadhir had given him. He paid very close attention to his teacher's words, hanging on every last one he spoke. He did his best to watch and copy the man's motions with the instructions. He made adjustments where corrected, it seemed he was very good at picking up anything he was shown how to do. He adapted well and picked up through simple repetition.

"It's better to deathlessly defeat a foe than to kill them and take their life, then... right?" he seemed to ask. He wasn't entirely sure of the Jedi Order's tenets. What he understood was some small, warped, fairy tale-esque children's story that painted them as heroes of legend. Aadhir himself rather often loomed larger than life in Brander's eyes, even despite him seeing his kind-hearted teacher's pretty ugly side firsthand, up close and personal. In truth, he didn't fault the man for it and held no ill will… it had just made him realize the heroes of legend and stories were human too. They had feelings, and they bled… well, most of them. He was uncertain what to still make of his introduction to Aris Noble , and he himself had never seen how his hands had stitched themselves together after being injured. Everything was so carefully watched, so none of the 'Mother's precious children' were ever hurt badly enough to draw blood. It was… a formative experience, to say the least.

 

[Aadihr Lidos]

Outfit: Clothes, Earring, Bangle
Weapons: Walking stick / Lightsaber Pike

"It's better to deathlessly defeat a foe than to kill them and take their life, then... right?"

"Exactly so - though it is hardly the easier option. It is an ideal, even though pragmatism occasionally calls for death in preservation of life. The order doesn't ask us to toss aside all self preservation, but to do the best that we can with the options before us."

Aadihr paused for a break, pulling aside a canteen of water.

"Some may take more strict or loose interpretations of the tenets of the Jedi code - ultimately that is something you'll have to find in yourself. I try to remember that they are ideals to strive for. A guide for when the path eludes you."

Aadihr recited the mantra as he was taught.

There is no emotion, there is peace.
There is no ignorance, there is knowledge.
There is no passion, there is serenity.
There is no chaos, there is harmony.
There is no death, there is the Force.

"It is an inherent contradiction. Others have revised the mantra to emphasize balance. Personally, when in times of darkness the guidance of the unattainable idealism helps me to accept the inherent contradiction in the galaxy - and to strive to be a force for the Light, to pull others to balance."

Despite the illogical nature of unnatainable goals It was a somewhat mathematical line of thought for the Miraluka. If reaching a goal is asymptotic, then striving for neutrality and balance from a place of darkness still leaves one just shy of the light. It seemed like a fitting metaphor for the curse of pragmatists and realists accepting necessary evils, the temptations of the dark side incrementally tipping the scales until darkness is the new normal.

Pushing beyond balance to an unrealistic or impractical ideal without losing one's self to fanaticism trying to reach it was key.

"It is not that we must eliminate emotions, ignorance, passion, and chaos; instead it is a reminder to cultivate peace, knowledge, serenity, and harmony. Balance on a galactic scale cannot be achieved without tipping the scales to back to the light. Even if it seems a lost cause. Even if it's ridiculed as reckless idealism. Especially when we ourselves begin to believe it's impossible, that is when it is most important to remember the mantra."

Aadihr drank of the canteen and set it aside for Brander.

"The point of this rambling is - We don't have to disarm exclusively, we don't have to be the foolish idealists."

He paused a moment, searching for the right words.

"We don't have to save everyone. But we have chosen to try. Even if the odds are overwhelming stacked against us, we have chosen to be a symbol to guide those around us as the code guides us."

Aadihr finally let himself simply breathe. Recalling it was a reminder for himself even as it repeated it, and it sparked a different fire in him - in his heart, a flame of renewed motivation.

"Coincidentally. The second lightsaber form is a duelist's form made specifically to fight other lightsaber-wielders. The primary goal of Makashi is to avoid being disarmed yourself and carries many similarities to lightweight sword forms, smaller, precise, focused cuts and stabs akin to fencing techniques."

Brander​

 

[Brander]

Aadihr Lidos

There was a lot to take in. Brander drew a deep breath, letting it settle in his lungs as he tried to sort through everything Aadhir had said, turning it over in his mind, trying to make sense of it. Then, with a soft exhale, he let it go.

"I think I understand," he murmured, once the Miralukan reached the heart of his explanation.


He eased down onto the shop floor in an unceremonious flop. Another breat followed by a heavy sigh. Thoughts stirred behind his eyes...

"So… what do you actually have to do to pass?" he asked, voice quiet, uncertain. "The Initiate test. Is it… do I have to memorize the Code or something?"

He looked up.

"They only ever tested my blood for... whatever it is. The count." A small pause. "Said there wasn't enough...They never tested anything else."

 

[Aadihr Lidos]

Outfit: Clothes, Earring, Bangle
Weapons: Walking stick / Lightsaber Pike

"So… what do you actually have to do to pass?" he asked, voice quiet, uncertain. "The Initiate test. Is it… do I have to memorize the Code or something?"

Aadihr sighed - preparing himself for potentially demoralizing the kid.

" Yes - a demonstration of knowledge of the Jedi Code is among the initiate tests. The other pillars of the test are an observation of meditation — which I hope you have continued practicing after our first lesson, by the way — and dueling technique such as with the forms we're beginning to practice here."

Aadihr let out the breath he was holding. "And a test of fluidity in Force wielding." Aadihr wasn't sure how to overcome that third hurdle yet. If Brander's blood was tested for Midichlorian count already and denied, the test might be impossible. Or perhaps midichlorians were an imperfect measurement the force within all living things. Aadihr had little knowledge in the finer details of such things.

Aadihr intended to keep his oath however. He would continue to teach Brander, even if it meant he would never succeed in the trials.

Then again - with the self healing, perhaps there was false negative in the test, or some other factor at play.

"The meditative practice should help us deal with that third test. Regardless of your blood, we will still try to get your senses honed. The Force may yet come to you, somehow. Until then, there is plenty to learn in preparation."

Brander​

 

[Brander]

Aadihr Lidos

Brander blinked slowly and offered an almost subdued nod.

"…So, I'm already disqualified, technically," he said after a pause, his voice low and stripped down to bare earnest honesty. "But we're going to act like I'm not.... And.... Keep pretending until it's real."

He didn't mean it ungratefully; If anything, there was hope. Or at least the small sparking shape of it. nestled among the darkness of doubt.

But the next question landed heavier, and he tilted his head before adding quietly.
"What kind of… Force wielding?"

Like it was a foreign concept. Like he was asking how someone might breathe underwater. His tone wasn't doubtful, exactly. Just… uncertain he even could do such a thing.

Then, as if remembering something worth being proud of, he perked up slightly. He nodded quickly with enthusiasm.
"Yeah, I do meditations every night before I go to bed," he offered, a little more brightly.