Crystals and Candy and Chaos [Invite only]

[Keira Priest]

"Join the club, Jedi." So [member="Des Kovak"] didn't like her, trust her or want to keep her company. He wouldn't be the first person to both think so and voice his opinions, and he was far from the last. If she had to guess he seemed to expect a retaliation, but Keira wouldn't give him one. There wasn't anything to say, and it wasn't as if she concerned herself with his thoughts. Regardless of what he wanted to say, his words carried little weight with her, and would remain that way. Upon boarding the ship to Ossus she hadn't expected anything less from those encountered on the planet, and they had delivered. Her appearance here hadn't been part of the deal, or so he said. Since when did criminals ever concern themselves with keeping their word down to the letter?

Let them play tough and say whatever they wanted. In the end it changed nothing, nor did it faze either her or [member="Chiasa Kritivaas"]. They didn't seem to realize yet that, given their position in relation to the two Ravens, they had little to no jurisdiction over the entirety of the situation. It was them that had come seeking out the pair, not the other way around. As such, bargaining the deal wasn't exactly open, and whatever protests they may have had were null. For all of the apparent distrust that mired between them, Des and [member="Slice Spiralflame"] seemed intent on coming along, if just to sate their curiosity. After all of their comments directed towards her, they were trusting enough to board a ship they had no prior knowledge of. So much for the noble Jedi act.

At least it seemed they had common sense enough not to trust the criminals half as far as they could throw them, which was refreshing in and of itself. There wasn't any point in denying that, nine times out of ten, they had nothing more than their own self-interest in mind. This really wasn't much different, but she did have a curiosity about just how the Padawans would behave once they were out of familiar territory and thrust into the general lawlessness of the planets in the Outer Rim. It was a typical playing field for her, and one she was well-adapted to. The same she knew could not be said for the Jedi, or at the very least the majority. There was something different about this group. Maybe something worthwhile.

Casting a final glance to the remaining one left she turned and boarded the ship herself, remaining decidedly silent. There wasn't anything to say or do that would change the mind of any individual here, and she wouldn't bother trying. All there was left to do was wait until they reached Enigma Prime, and take things step-by-step from there. They would be on the planet in order to obtain unique stygium crystals for use in lightsabers, but she had a feeling there was another motive working behind the scenes. There always was, she had a feeling, even if she herself wasn't exactly aware of it just yet. Something's coming.

[member="Zylah Dvale"], [member="Kaia Vullen"]

 

[Kaia Vullen]

Kaia jumped down from Des shoulders and slipped around him as he spoke to Slice. She put her hand firmly on his abdomen while radiating, not positivity this time, but firmness. "If you don't come back. I will chase you down and bring you back. I don't care how long it takes, but to me you are a brother, and I will never desert you while there is still hope." She removed her hand, well aware of what happened last time she used a similar word, but not afraid. She then turned her face to Zylah and then Slice. "Sister, sir, I hope you will stay with me." She shot Zylah and Slice each a friendly smile. "But if you feel it is right to trust them then do so. I am little, I cannot stop you. However, I will not betray the Jedi's trust, no matter how great a crystal I could find." She turned her head to look at the two strangers, then started walking away from the ship with sure steps, her pulse beating and her senses on high-alert. "You better make up your minds soon, before you're discovered." There was a certain lacing of threat in that sentence, which was quite uncharacteristic for the ever-cheerful and friendly Kaia. She clasped her hands behind her back and started up the hill from whence she had come. Her cloak flapping behind her. Her mouth twisted in a hurt grimace as she walked away, and her nose sniffled up a little bit of snot before it could peek out from her nostril.

Spoiler

(OOC: I'm so sorry for the complete turn, but I have to jump out. I just went through a breakup and I'm not in a good place. I need some time to set myself straight and get back on track. I hope you understand. Also, I didn't think Kaia would go without trying to keep someone back, so kind of had to put it in there lest it become too out of character.)

[member="Keira Ticon"] | [member="Des Kovak"] | [member="Zylah Dvale"] | [member="Chiasa Kritivaas"] | [member="Slice Spiralflame"]

 

[Elijah Black]

[SIZE=10pt]Zylah learned a lot from their responses, and it did not make her more comfortable with the offer she had laid out to Kaia. Her resolve was firm, however, as she grew more convinced that she needed to keep Kaia away from these people. One of them admitted to having been a Jedi, the other denied it. What did that mean? Was she a rogue Sith? Self taught? She doubted the latter could be the case. Zylah didn't recognize their names, and she didn't know anything in detail about the Red Ravens. She might've heard mention of them, but not enough to know about the nature of their business. The Arkanian was able to make a few educated guesses based on their exchange here, however. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=10pt]Zylah wanted to protect Kaia, and in truth, she didn't want any harm to befall the knucklehead either. It became clear she couldn't reach out to Des, he had made up his mind. The other padawan seemed to have made up his mind as well, as he walked up the ramp. While the twi'lek made more and more sense to Des, she had the opposite effect on Zylah. The more she talked with both of them, the more she realized the uncertainty of their situation, how far it strayed from the Code they had sworn to uphold. She knew being a Jedi wasn't about making shortcuts or pursuing short term rewards, a desire springing out of self-interest. Jedi were supposed to be selfless. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=10pt]Jedi were also supposed to uphold law and order, yet these would take them to a planet where the complete opposite was the case, a place where Chiasa had clarified that the Jedi were not welcome. More so than that, the final destination was far from Ossus, in the far reaches of the Galaxy. She suspected that even if the Ravens kept their word, and brought the padawans to the planet, she would not necessarily bring them back. The Force-invoked promise didn't assure her either, a good part of it due to her not knowing fully what it entailed. What she noticed though, was that she had said she'd keep them safe for the duration of the trip. However, as captain of the ship, she had every right to decide exactly where that trip ended. The far reaches of the galaxy was not a great place to be stranded. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=10pt]She didn't hear what Slice had said to Des, but judging from Des' reaction she didn't need to. She was with Des on this one, at least partially. She wasn't so sure about their endgame, but she knew she didn't trust them. This was especially true after Keira had admitted to having fought Jedi on Kashyyk. What had happened, Zylah wondered. Had she killed them? This one definitely was an enemy. Zylah's hand instinctively rested close by her lightsaber when she had revealed that. She didn't reveal its position, or in any way attempt to threaten with the change of posture, it was simply a natural reaction, a subtle sign that the provocation bore fruit. That Slice was unsure whether they could be trusted after that revelation was disturbing. "That you were a Jedi once gives me no faith in your morals. The fact that you betrayed the Jedi once already is the very source of my lack of faith" she returned. What was to stop her from doing so again? What would it take? A mean look? A disrespectful comment? [/SIZE]

[SIZE=10pt]Now it was Kaia's time to state her mind at last. Her appeal to Des was touching. They had formed a bond already, even if it was slightly one-sided. Des would come around eventually, Zylah was convinced of it. Kaia's charm and dedication to befriending him was an irresistible combination. He'd see, if only he came back... Zylah offered no further words, feeling Kaia had said all that could be said. If they wouldn't turn now, nothing Zylah said could change their mind. In truth, it felt like big weight was lifted off her shoulder when Kaia asked her to stay with her, instead of going in her place. It was what she had hoped for, secretly. She was relieved, and offered the Miraluka a smile. "I'll stay with you, sister" her look changed towards Slice and Des. "It's not too late for you to turn back either" she changed her mind in the moment, and spoke, perhaps hoping that the actions of Kaia and now herself would discourage them from going with the dark strangers. "If not... Be safe. Return safe." she added, looking directly at Des now. She wasn't sure about Slice, but she felt the determination of Des. He was going. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=10pt]It was true; there would come a time when Zylah would have to fend for herself, no Masters to keep her safe. However, she had to admit the simple truth that she was not strong enough. She was but a padawan, not a fully fledged Jedi. She wanted to keep the galaxy safe, safe from darkness, presumably like the Jedi on Kashyyk had sought out to do when facing the Red Raven. She wouldn't become that Jedi by mingling with criminal organizations and darksiders, trying to sneak by Jedi regulations to accomplish her personal goals ahead of time. That was not the Jedi way. She had to make a choice. This was Des' scene. He had made the arrangement, and he would have to walk this path without her. Zylah turned around, following in step after Kaia [/SIZE]

[member="Kaia Vullen"] | [member=Des Kovak] | [member=Slice Spiralflame] | [member=Chiasa Kritivaas] | [member=Keira Ticon]

 

[Des Kovak]

[member=Chiasa Kritivaas] | [member=Keira Ticon] | [member=Kaia Vullen] | [member=Zylah Dvale] | [member=Slice Spiralflame]

The posturing from the Twil'k and the Human Dark Jedi he could deal with, and as everything that would be said further would simply be a repetition of what had been said before, he held his tongue to them. He had certainly done his share of posturing as well.

To Kaia's approach however, he reflexively balled his right hand into a fist. The last time she had presumed to call him 'brother', he'd reacted violently. This time, to his own surprise, he stayed his hand. "I told you before. I am not your Dôshalo," he said. His tone was adament, but far less harsh than it had been in their last encounter.

So the Miraluka was not coming. Fine, Des could deal with that. But then the albino stayed behind as well. Des had hoped for her at least to come along, as he could use the backup of someone he knew, if only vaguely. Still, he would not let himself be thwarted by this minor setback. Cowards, he thought. I will make do with what I have, even if it is only my own strength. His view of Kaia and Zylah had been turning, but now it returned to the more unfavourable side it had been on before. They would have me as Dôshalo, but then stand at the sidelines while I become a Jedi. Those who are too weak even to dare test themselves are not fit to form a Bôsh. Certainly not my Bôsh, anyway.

"Go then, if you must," he grumbled moodily. "I will return with a lightsaber of my own, and I'll rub it in your Force-damned faces." This was as much meant as a joke as it was as a promise, but there was little light hearted about it. Des was not familiar with Joking, and right after he spoke the phrase he wondered why he had. Perhaps he was allowing himself to grow too familiar to these Padawans.

With a final shrug, for his own benefit as well as theirs, he stalked the last few steps into the ship with the intention of finding some sort of seat or crew compartment where he could strap in for the take off.

 

[Chiasa Kritivaas]

"Tch, gently little beast."

Chiasa called back over her shoulder, as she keyed the ramp closed and started the engine, the ship lifting easily into the air. It was a good ship and the Twi'lek a good pilot. Likely the two padawans would find either the mess or the extra seating in the.. well cockpit made it sound small and cramped and bridge made it sound like a star destroyer. It was somewhere in between. There was only one pilots chair, this was true, and no place for a copilot, but there was seating along the walls, presumably so conversations could be had or people could be terrible backseat drivers until they were spaced for being vexing.

"You are right to be disgusted, they miss an opportunity that may not come again, but it could be dangerous and not all are brave. This does not mean they will not be useful in the future, or that they will not become brave."

"Unburned bridges are useful, even if you know how to swim, it is convenient not to have to. Am I being suitably cryptic and Jedi-y? I wanted you both to feel comfortable"

She snickered slightly at that. Leaving Ossus air space took some attention, since she had to maneuver around other ships, and she did it legally and within reasonable speed limits. No point drawing attention now. Bad enough that the two little worriers might be running to their Masters. She wondered idly if they would be pursued immediately. Didn't matter, she'd be in hyperspace soon and didn't intend to drop out for any length of time until she was in Raven air space.

As soon as the familiar blur of hyperspace filled the viewscreen she turned her attention back to the two Padawans who'd been brave enough, or foolish enough to venture forth. A mix of both quite likely.

"So. What precisely have the Jedi been teaching you? Out of curiosity. This is not exactly a short trip, there is time to kill, so indulge me."

[member="Des Kovak"] [member="Slice Spiralflame"]

 

[Des Kovak]

[member=Chiasa Kritivaas] | [member=Keira Ticon] | [member=Slice Spiralflame]

Des didn't entirely succeed at stiffling a laugh when the Twi'lek quipped on Jedi tendencies to be cryptic. "Lady, I am Korun," Des said adamently. "I don't do the bridges thing lightly. You want to be my Dôshalo, you need to earn it." Seeing as this crime lord bared keeping an eye on, Des decided it was best to pick a seat near the helm. It was just as well she seemed like she expected conversation. It was not something Des was good at, as he'd shown, but he supposed he could endulge her and learn something about her in the process.

He watched through the viewport as the ship broke orbit and launched into Hyperspace. To her questions, he considered a moment. "The values of a Jedi," he said finally. "Patience. Compassion. That kinda thing. How to open yourself to the flow of the Force. Powers that they call 'the basic stuff', but I can't seem to wrap my head around," he said wryly.

 

[Chiasa Kritivaas]

"This is fair. As much as connections can be strength, and having the right person to call upon can make all the difference in any situation, connections can also be weaknesses. Which I suppose was why the Jedi so disapproved of them for a time. What you care for can be used against you."

She allowed. She did not tell him which was correct. To connect or not. There was no real answer. As with most things in life, it varied depending on the circumstances.

"Patience is of use I suppose. Sometimes you play the long game. One small action carefully cultivated making others react eventually leading to an outcome. As long as you do not forget that immediate action is sometimes called for. People often seem to pick one or the other, and it almost always results in failure. Patience and long term goals paired with a quick mind and a willingness to act decisively when it's needed."

"Compassion.. eh. But then, I am a criminal so, take that with a grain of salt I suppose."

She had been moved to act out of compassion in her life, and likely would again, but that didn't mean she thought you ought to go around preaching it.

"Ah? Trouble with force powers? Hmm, perhaps you will get more than a crystal out of this then Little Beast. As I said, the trip is long, the auto-pilot is good. I would not be averse to helping you, if you'd like."

[member="Des Kovak"] [member="Slice Spiralflame"]

 

[Des Kovak]

[member=Chiasa Kritivaas] | [member=Keira Ticon] | [member=Slice Spiralflame]

It figured the crime lord would turn the Jedi values into some sort of con game. If any Jedi Master heard this, Des imagined they would either cringe uncomfortably or rage in indignation. It was not something that fitted in their ideals. Her derision of compassion was something Des could understand as well. It was a vulnerability at the best of times. "I didn't say I learned them. Only that the Jedi tried to teach me," he ointed out. Compassion was certainly something Des had a lack of, if only because the ideas of survival of the fittest had been instilled since the day he could walk.

At the crime lord's offer, Des hesitated. "I am uncertain if what I could learn from you would be... helpful," he admonished. "The Masters say I have a 'risk factor' for the Dark side. I don't want to expedite it by learning from a Darksider. It does not appeal to me, that mindset." It was true, he wanted power, but not the kind of all consuming, hostile power the Dark side brought. What good would lording over serfs do him if he did not have a Ghôsh to share his wealth with? What Des saw as power, what he wanted, was closer to recognition.

 

[Chiasa Kritivaas]

The Twi'lek definitely enjoyed this boy. Her eyes danced with amusement as he voiced his concerns.

"I'm no Dark-sider Little Beast. If anything the Sith want me dead far more than your Jedi Masters do."

Not that this necessarily meant much. Historically Sith had loved to kill each other, and one could be dark without ever being a Sith, just as one could be light without ever being a Jedi. She considered this for a moment.

"You said they taught you to open yourself to the Force no? This is the first step of Force Sense, being aware of what is going on in the Force around you, and within other people. So open your eyes and then open them again and look at me. Feel me."

She could help with this. It was easy to ramp her own presence up in the force, to flare her own particular aura, her signature. It was true she'd likely not be mistaken for a Jedi, but neither was she Dark. She was a mottled kaleidoscope. One of the rare creatures who was true neutral.

"There are many paths to walk. Light and Dark are only two of them. I walk my own path. Some of what I tell you or could teach you might run contrary to the path you want to walk, you're a smart lad, surely you can decided what to take from me and what to leave. Words are far more insidious than the force in my experience, and you are dealing well enough with those."

She considered sharing more, and after a moment decided to do so.

"A Sith tried to tie me to the Dark Side once. He was much stronger than I was then, he is likely still stronger, though one day he will not be. He failed. This is why. I know myself. I recognized the other and I rejected it. Know yourself Little Beast, and you will not need to worry about being forced to be anyone else."

[member="Des Kovak"] [member="Slice Spiralflame"]

 

[Des Kovak]

[member=Chiasa Kritivaas] | [member=Keira Ticon] | [member=Slice Spiralflame]

This Force sense the Twi'lek spoke of might be the only Force power Des had some aptitude for. In fact, when he tried to meditate, he often failed for the cacophony of sounds and information that flooded in from all around him. He had never seen the presence of another in the Force, but then he'd never dealt with individuals, instead getting a blur of signatures from all manner of Jedi coming and going filling his entire field of vision. He might as well endulge her and himself, he supposed.

He closed his eyes and steadied his breathing, resting his palms on his knees. At the edge of consciousness, he saw something that was hard to identify, but it definitely came from something alive, even vibrant with the Force. He had no prior experience to compare it, but she was right: it did not seem particularly Darksided, evil, or menacing. With a sigh, he opened his eyes. "You've made your point," he conceded. He arguments, once again, did make sense. Was she actually complimenting him now? Now there was something he'd not expected, for all these crime lords' talk of Jedi being naïve.

"I'm not sure I do know who I am," Des admitted. "I know who I want to be, but what if that's not who I am?" It was true the Korun would-be Jedi had quite a bit of soul searching to do. "I think that's something I need to figure out on my own. He fixed the Twi'lek with a look of warning. "Without outside influence."

 

[Chiasa Kritivaas]

"Were you intending to lock yourself in a room?"

She inquired flatly with a raised eyebrow.

"We're all being influenced, all the time. But I'll not try and woo you away from the loving embrace of the Jedi. If that is where you fit then you would not fit with me and mine, long-term. If you find you do not fit there, perhaps you will find your way back to me. Either way, it will be or it will not be. I like you Little Beast, but your potential is not enough that I am going to play Sith and seduce you away. Besides, that's terribly cliche. Make your own decisions and choices. Every Padawan who hops sides because someone whispers pretty words into their ears ought to have their ears boxed. Who wants a twit like that to start with? Certainly not I."

"And it is not so bad to not know precisely who you are. There is just as much or more worth in the striving, the becoming as the being."

She added with a shrug. This was all rather more philosophical than she generally bothered with. Likely a result of spending much of her time dealing with criminals. The Why's and the reasons mattered less, there were orders and actions. Things were largely straightforward, at least on the surface.

"As for your force powers, perhaps you are approaching them in a way that is wrong for you. Each ability is different, as is each force user. I do not know if you are taught in classes or one on one. In classes seems a recipe for failure. At least one on one though your Master might not access the Force in a way that works for you they might puzzle out what would work."

This at least could be interesting. A challenge. A puzzle to solve.

"What are you trying to do, and how are you trying to do it?"

[member="Des Kovak"] [member="Slice Spiralflame"]

 

[Des Kovak]

[member=Chiasa Kritivaas] | [member=Keira Ticon] | [member=Slice Spiralflame]

At her words on becoming over being, it was Des turn to raise a brow. "Now you do sound like a Jedi," he pointed out, and couldn't help but grin at her. She did not seem so bad, this Chiasa Kritivaas, once you got her away from the 'ooh look at how Dark I am' Human. This one seemed perfectly content in being whatever it was that made her, and Des could respect that. He considered it a moment, rubbing a hand back over his short haired scalp. "You know what," he said finally. "If the Jedi end up kicking me out, which between you and me might not be unlikely, You're definitely not the last person on my calling list." He realized it would probably come over as silly, since he didn't have a calling list or even anything to make calls with to begin with, but the point was he'd consider it.

When she asked about his approach to the Force, it was another question Des had to think about. "I don't really have an approach. Haven't ever really considered it that way," Des admitted. "I just want to meditate, let the Force flow through me as a first step of sorts, but it seems the Force doesn't really feel like flowing. I get all these signals, like a big jumble of everything going on around me for miles. Like someone put a microphone, camera, radar and heat scanner all around me and pointed all of the feedback right into my head. I can't concentrate."

 

[Keira Priest]

"That's because you don't wait for the Force to come to you. Not all the time, at least." Having remained silent for the majority of the flight, she was content and vaguely interested in what [member="Des Kovak"] had to say. The Jedi had been teaching him, that much was obvious, and Keira wouldn't disagree in that some of it was useful, in its own way. But there were needless lessons taught as well, things said that were only to be taken with a grain of salt. Mere opinions, things that wouldn't ultimately make a difference one way or another. It was up to him to recognize these, and she wouldn't openly attempt to sway his opinion one way or another. Turning Jedi had never been in her interests. Offering common sense was another matter. "You have to learn to take control of your own abilities, at least every once in awhile. Make the Force work for you when you have to. Otherwise you're going to stay stuck in the same place, walking around in circles." Even the Jedi had to fight for things, every once in awhile.

Never had she considered herself any sort of teacher fit to guide any individual, and this was no different. But sometimes even she had her moments. "You're feeling everyone and everything around you. There's no concentration, no focus." She paused, her amber gaze remaining steadily on him as she spoke. "I'm not criticizing you, merely stating what appears to be true from what you've said. You need to have a drive, some goal you wish to obtain so that you're able to at least partially shut out that external stimuli and achieve all that you wish to be able to do. Then you might find some of this easier to do." The chances of his actually taking her advice into consideration were slim to none, and she didn't expect him to actively attempt to even acknowledge it. But, like anything, it was worth at least an attempt.

An ever so slight smile turned up the corners of her mouth the slightest amount. "I'll admit, I'm far from being any paragon of light. I'm not expecting you to listen to what I have to say. But, as a Jedi, I expect you to at least consider all that's being said here. Sometimes even people like me can hold a civil conversation." What she hadn't mentioned yet to any of them was her sensing the presence of her Gen'Dai mentor nearby. Perhaps it was just a coincidence, but she knew that with Kezeroth such things truly were few and far between. Either he would show his face once they reached their destination or he wouldn't, but she had a feeling either outcome would shock their Padawan guests of honor. After all, they had to at least pretend to be civil. Even criminals had standards.

[member="Chiasa Kritivaas"]

 

[Chiasa Kritivaas]

"She's not wrong."

Of the two of them [member="Keira Ticon"] was probably more experienced and qualified to teach the ways of the Force, but the Twi'lek suspected that [member="Des Kovak"] would be more than a little wary of taking her advice.

"Later, when you're stronger and have better control, you'll be able to draw strength from all of the Force, all the things you pick up on and feel. For now, you need to draw back. Use what is yours, the force within you, yourself."

She paused, considering how to continue.

"As far as I can tell, the way folks manage this differs, not only by alignment, but by species, belief system, culture.. It does come down to belief though. If you can believe you can do it, you can. Or will be able to. It's easier to say than do though. You go through your life knowing that gravity is something that will always operate in a certain way. You know it. Maybe not the scientific mumbo jumbo. But you know it. Then someone comes along and tells you if you believe hard enough you can float things around."

"Some people feel they have the right to command, they take control. Some Jedi feel they are only conduits, and it is the force acting, not them. Me? I'm a narcissist. I have this ability, I've seen other people use it, I know it can be done, so I do it."

"Telekinesis took me a while. I sat there telling things to rise. No surprise, inanimate objects don't listen very well. Lots of people imagine physically lifting things, as if they were there doing it. I guess that's most common. I know I have only two hands and they are right here attached to me though. I knew that I could move things, so I did. Once that fell into place, once I believed, once I knew, it was easy."

 

[Des Kovak]

[member=Chiasa Kritivaas] | [member=Keira Ticon] | [member=Slice Spiralflame]

"Perhaps you're not wrong," Des admitted hesitantly. "But that don't make you right either." It was something of a logical falicy in the face of it, Des knew, but these crime lords would understand well enough what he meant. There were degrees of wrong or right, he had learned even before he'd joined the Jedi. It was one the things he was most skeptical about, those Jedi and their Great Answer to Life, the Universe and Everything.

"So I need to focus, then," Des considered, going on the Human's words. "But there is nothing to focus on. By nature, the Force is all over the place, right? How do you concentrate on something that is everywhere? Everything? That's like asking someone to count the strands of grass." It was not that Des thought it could not be done. But perhaps it could not be done by him. He was impetuous at the best of times, and that was something he needed to work on first, he had been told again and again. Force, the very reason he was the one who was here and not the Miraluka or the albino whose race he did not know was because of that impetuousness.

"Scientific mumbo jumbo," Des repeated the words with a huff of derision. "For advocating such mystical things, some people are very keen make it all so clinical with those midichlidians or whatever. Midi... something. All I know is how I handle things, and I don't need no science," he said anything. The impetuous Korun, a product of his updringing, was someone who acted on instinct. More often than not, there was no time for a rational approach. So then why was it so hard for him, if that was how you were supposed to do it?

"All these ways of approaching the Force, your way, or the Jedi way, the Sith way, frackin' Grand Master Poobah's way for all I care. That don't tell me what is my way," he said irritably. "And that's not for anyone else to tell me, is it." For all the unity the Jedi preached, Des believed most firmly in himself. He knew he would need help from them, and he would gladly take it, but he also needed to freedom to fill things in in his own way. Perhaps that was what he was doing here.

 

[Keira Priest]

"There's everything to focus on." Those five words were her only retort for a moment as she decided just how to put what she did each day without thinking into words that would, hopefully, make at least some amount of sense. "But that doesn't mean you should focus on everything. I assume that when you're trying to access the Force you're attempting to push or pull something, or otherwise accomplish a task. So concentrate on that, let your will to do that one thing fill your mind until you can see it becoming a reality. Eventually it'll get easier, and you won't have to put so much work into it. Everyone has to start somewhere. Then you can figure out what works best for you." Maybe there was more of a teaching side to her than she'd imagined before, but that didn't mean much of anything. This was just one Jedi among the thousands in the galaxy, after all.

Without much thought on her part she pulled her lightsaber from her waist, levitating it above her palm for a few seconds before it fell into her loose grasp. "Start simple. Do what I just did." It seemed that [member="Des Kovak"] was at least analyzing what she'd said earlier. Maybe he wouldn't apply it, maybe he would, but for the moment that was enough. It had been apparent before that out of the two of them he trusted [member="Chiasa Kritivaas"] much more, but he seemed to be more relaxed around Keira, with the Twi'lek nearby. Something she would have had a comment on, in any other scenario. "And try not to get frustrated, or at least not right away. Look at that, a darksider telling you not to use your anger." A wry smile at that. Rarely did she ever, contrary to common belief. It only made one unfocused on the task at hand. And that was the last thing one needed, in a life-or-death situation.

"Don't try to read too much into it. That's just going to make it all harder, because you'll be focused on why and how the Force works rather than actually accomplishing something with it. It's nice to know sometimes, but that's about it." Never putting much stock into that side of things herself, she was a woman of action, oftentimes not considering the consequences until it was far too late to go back on what had been done. A bad habit perhaps, but she wasn't of a mind to fix anything. "Sometimes you just have to act, and not think about it. That could be half of your problem." What she wouldn't mention was that it likely was the majority of it. It was something she had struggled with in the beginning as well, with her manipulation of the ether now coming as easily as breathing. It had taken practice, just as his own skill would, but there was no doubt he would succeed.

"And you're right, no one can tell you how you're going to do things. You'll have to figure that on your own. But for now, just try."

 

[Des Kovak]

[member=Chiasa Kritivaas] | [member=Keira Ticon] | [member=Slice Spiralflame]

Des hesitated for a moment, eyeing the proferred lightsaber suspiciously. Should he really be taking lessons from this Darksider? He had booked some slight success in this with his Master, Shmi Labooda, and it would do him well to remember her words over those of this Keira Ticon, he had no doubt. Still, he considered, it always paid to practice, and he hadn't had a chance to since the short lesson.

Sitting back more comfortably, he rested his hands on his knees, palms up. It was not possible to sit down crosslegged in the ship, so this would have to do. Steadying his breathing, Des tapped into his memories like his Master had shown him, to the memmory of the hunting feasts and Ankoxx rides back on Haruun Kal. It was his positive emotions, she'd told him, that would give him the footing he needed to accomplish great things. For several long moments, nothing happened. The lightsaber trembled slightly, rocking from side to side for a second, but then it fell limp and did not budge. Des exhaled a breath he hadn't realized he was holding. As he'd feared, he could still use his Master's guidance for this.

Faced with this minor failure, Des lapsed into a silence, his gaze seemingly turned inward as he crossed his arms. All this time, he hadn't said a word, and in the end, he was still just a temperamental teenager.

Spoiler

OOC: Sorry, but I don't think I'll have Des learn this from Keira or Chiasa. This is because I've gotten myself a Master while this thread was running, and I'm trying to untangle the web of chronology in threads that are running simultaneously. Des has already sort of learned the beginnings of this from his Master now, so I think it would be a little silly if that was done twice now.

 

[Slice Spiralflame]

((OOC: Sorry for taking forever, life decided now was a good time to be a pain.))

Slice, leaning against the wall of the interior, listened again. He didn't act, he felt like listening was the best course of action. He absorbed the conversation, letting the knowledge sick in, and when I say sick in it was more just sitting there for a little then walking out the other ear. He un-clipped a small, empty pouch from his belt, he rested it in his palm and closed his eyes.

Slice imagined an energy; A golden light, beating through his veins, he thought of the glowing light to shift from his beating heart, through his veins to his open palm. From there to the small leatheris pouch in his hand.

Nothing happened, what did you expect to happen? Slice merely opened his eyes, smiled and clipped his pouch back on his belt.

[member="Des Kovak"] | [member="Keira Ticon"] | [member="Chiasa Kritivaas"]

 

[Chiasa Kritivaas]

"Doesn't much matter of you don't get it now. Isn't surprising really. You don't know where you're going nor who you're in a ship with, and you might be getting yourself in trouble. Not the best circumstances for concentration."

She commented with a shrug.

"What matters is that you know there is more than one way. As long as you have the sense to look about and see if there's another route instead of standing there and beating your head against a wall because your Master's tell you it should be a door, you'll be fine."

"Besides, this is boring stuff.. I'm going to teach you a fun surprise, for either your Masters or if the next ship you hop on turns out to be not so friendly. Not yet though. I've got an idea to make it easier on you, since you could likely do it now, but I'd probably be accused of edging you into darkness. Crystals first!."

That said she left them to largely entertain themselves as she turned her attention to piloting. There wasn't really a set hyperlane from the Jedi Temple to Enigma Prime, but the Ravens had found safe hops, and Chiasa herself was getting better at reaching out and feeling where they were. She'd largely forced this by going to known safe jumps and extending her senses until her head pounded and she eventually learned to feel the difference between safe and not safe. Well used routes were still easier to pick up, but she was getting better. Enough that she dared a few short nearly blind jumps.

Even with this it took hours to reach Enigma Prime, but reach it they did, bursting out of hyperspace above a planet that looked largely untouched, covered in mountains and forest.

"Welcome to Enigma Prime."

She commented, voice slightly smug. How many Twi'lek could look down at a planet and go 'Yep, that's mine, my word is law there'. While most of the planets under Raven influence were just that, only influenced, the wild planets were held and in the case of Enigma Prime, held jealously.

She toggled on the comm unit, swtiching to the channel the mining camps used.

"Afternoon lads, no cause for alarm, just me."

And of course her ships data was sent streaming down at the same time. They were good watchdogs the miners. Keeping an eye out for anyone who might think of trying to move in on the planet they were making such a good living off of. She left them be and they were her eyes and ears. She manoeuvred her ship over to the landing area Henbeddestr had created the first time they'd been there, not that it was much. Just a flattened area where he'd set the ship down on top of everything. There were at the base of one of the mountain ridges, and though it would be hard to spot there was a small cave opening, the entrance of which was low enough that the taller of them might need to duck when they got there.

Rising she turned to face her borrowed Padawans.

"Right-o. There's headlamps and flashlights right there, I suggest grabbing one of each. This isn't a tourist destination, it's a cave. We're looking at about a half hour hike before we hit the crystal cavern I've used before so.. I don't know, use the 'fresher, grab some water, whatever."

It may or may not have come up, but Chiasa was not in fact very good with children. She liked them all right, she was just not used to dealing with them. She would be the relative who fed the kids an ungodly amount of sugar and then sent them back to their parents when they got obnoxious or fussy.

[member="Slice Spiralflame"] [member="Des Kovak"] [member="Keira Ticon"] [member="Kezeroth the Malevolent"]

 

[Des Kovak]

[member=Chiasa Kritivaas] | [member=Keira Ticon] | [member=Slice Spiralflame]

Des stood at the bottom of the boarding ramp of the ship, staring into the cave mouth. Now that he was here, all of this didn't seem like such a great idea anymore. Kritivaas' comments on getting himself in trouble and edging in darkness had been stirring in the back of his mind the entire way here. Now, the cave loomed over him like a dark maw. There is something in there, he felt. Something... Something... Darkside.

It made no sense to him to take a shower before spelunking, to his mind it was something you did afterward, if indeed there would be an afterward for him. But he gratefully took the offered water and the lights. He was prideful about his identity, but not in such a way he wouldn't put a silly hardhat on his head.

Properly equipped, Des hesitantly stepped forward towards the cave. Come on, Kovak. You can do this. You are Ghôsh Torden. It didn't matter that he had been banished from Ghôsh Torden to live most of his youth on Haruun Kal in the mean streets of Pelek Baw, he still had his clan pride, and despite his apprehensions, he would see through. What was it they said about courage? It's not about having no fear. It's about facing fear and going forward anyway. "Alright," he said, swallowing to clear the clog in his throat. "Let's do this."