Crystals and Candy and Chaos [Invite only]

[Slice Spiralflame]

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

Down the ramp, carrying a torch, he wasn't wearing the helmet. His thoughts drifted, "This is it." he muttered to himself.

He stepped out onto the ground. he sniffed the air, taking any air over the ship air.

"Which way?" he called up to the Twi'lek and the Dark Sider Human.

He was getting his crystal, he would have a lightsaber by the time he returned to the temple..... ah and explaining to the masters of his adventure, he defiantly had missed several history lessons.

He looked around, adsorbing his surroundings. Feeling an echo, a planet's heart beat, for the first time.

 

[Chiasa Kritivaas]

Nobody had to use the 'fresher. Well, she was pretty sure that was what you were supposed to ask youngsters so she'd done her duty. If anyone peed in her cave she was going to be vexed. While the air was good to breathe, it didn't move that much and she didn't want it getting fouled thank you very much.

She herself took a headlamp, sans helmet and flashlight just in case, though she fully intended to show off. She didn't usually, nor did she usually have such an amusing audience, so she might as well enjoy herself while she did.

"Stick to the left and you'll be fine. Mind there are three different sorts of crystals in here, and I'm not counting different colours, so before you grab the first one you see and run, make sure it's the proper sort. We're looking at probably an hours hike, but it's worth it, you'll see."

And with that fairly cryptic remark, the Twi'lek was in the cave. The first section was low in places, but never forced anyone to do more than duck, and the width was always generous enough that at least two people could have made it through. There were several branches, but true to her word, the Twi'lek stayed left.

After about half an hour, the first small crystal might have been spotted. These the Twi'lek ignored, though it was possible they might call out to either of the Padawans. They weren't at the main Cavern yet, but you never knew. As the echoes of their travel changed, and the Twi'leks own spatial awareness told her they were getting closer to the proper cavern, she switched her lights off. Her own form would block much of the light that came from behind her, though glimpses of an almost stadium sized spaces and flashes of light would hint at were they were.

This would be confirmed when suddenly dazzling light flashed into existence, tossing reflections from the many crystal formations of all sizes and colours throughout the room. The source of the light? Fire, floating in the air above their heads. The Twi'lek was very good at fire, though again, it was a skill she was slowly losing. These basketball flames were the largest she could manage now, though as ever her control was absolute.

She stayed silent for a few minutes, letting them take in the view, before turning and in rather staisfied voice with a grin on her face she commented.

"This you would not find on Ilum. Once maybe. Not any more."

[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 followed behind the Twi'lek apprehensively, the light of his flashlight dancing around to fill every alcove, every corner, ever nook. If there's something hiding, I'll see it, he thought. Slowly, his apprehension made way for wonderment as his light lingered even on the small crystals, and Des had to quicken his pace several times to catch up again. The way the crystals reflected the light of the flashlight made them shine and glitter, and Des had never even seen a crystal before. To him, even these were quite something.

As he hurried again to catch up, he almost ran into the Twi'lek, standing in the opening of a larger cavern. Curiously, a minor wave if caution returning to him, Des slowly peered around her, flashlight at the ready. But the light of his torch did nothing, lost in the endlessly reflected light of the fire on the crystals. He didn't even pay attention to where the fire was coming from, bright eyes instead locking on the crystal formations as he mouthed an awed "Whoah."

Hesitantly, slowly, he stepped forward, jaw agape as his head craned this way and that to take it all in. Gradually, he advanced toward the centre of the cavern, from where he could turn and look his eyes out.

 

[Slice Spiralflame]

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

Walking, more walking, and even more walking!
Until a Holt in the line, Slice was behind the other padawan, who was behind the twi'lek.
"Why are-" Then he saw it. Glittering, in all their glory, he switched his torched off.
He couldn't bring any words, all he could say was a gurgling sound at the back of his throat.
He tried looking in every direction at once, nothing could ever take that moment away from him.

 

[Chiasa Kritivaas]

The Twi'lek preened a little, pleased with their reactions. She was quite proud of this site. Since she thought of it as her own it was an extension of herself. By being impressed by it, they were impressed by her. This was as it should be as far as she was concerned.

"Just so."

She agreed, nodding once, before making a shooing gesture with one hand.

"Go, find crystals that call to you. If you've the know-how analyze them yourself, if not, call me. Remember, there are three different kinds of crystals here. Just because you fancy it and perhaps it fancies you does not mean it will make your lightsaber go."

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

 

[Des Kovak]

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

Des swallowed away a lump in his throat as he stepped ahead further as Kritivaas' insistence. She'd mentioned the possibility of analyzing the crystals, but it was not something he knew. Hesitation briefly flickered through his mind, making him wonder if he was supposed to know of these things before he selected a crystal? It doesn't matter, he quickly convinced himself. He wanted this, finally something connected with this new life he'd been thrust into that perhaps he would be able to call his own.

As he stepped closer to some of the crystal formations and eyed them hungrily, like some sort of dragon surveying its horde of treasure, Des got a powerful impulse to just take them all. He reached out slowly, hand closing around one of the crystals to pull it out of its resting place. He tugged lightly at the crystal at first, in order to not stand out too much. After all, it would probably not go well for him if Kritivaas saw him trying to make off with a cartload of the things. Then again, how could she not? He started to progressively put more effort into the task as the crystal refused to budge. Finally, he stopped and gave a furtive glance back over his shoulder. Perhaps I'm not meant to have this one, he considered. Then, an even less comfortable thought struck him. Perhaps I'm not meant to have any of them.

He quickly rejected the thought with determination. Dew did not want to go back empty handed. He would not be denied. Turning away from the stubborn crystal, he moved along several more formation, reaching out and trying to remove a crystal from its fitting here and there, each time in vain. Just as his desperation was mounting, Des stopped in his tracks and stared at a strange glint in the light that came from what looked like nothing. He'd been staring at the spot for a short while now without realizing it. He hadn't seen it at first, but now, as he squinted his eyes, a shape could be made out. It was a pure, almost faultless gem, looking like it was cut by professional hands rather than naturally formed. It was nearly invisible to the naked eye, so colorless and perfectly shaped was it. I must have it, Des knew immediately. He wanted it so badly he could taste it. Preparing himself for more disappointment, he reached out... and to his surprise the crystal came loose easily and dropped into the palm of his hand.

Letting out a short, high bark of laughter, Des cradled the precious crystal in the palm of his hand and, wide eyed, poked it it with the finger of his other hand. Mine. This is mine and no one can take it away from me, he told himself. Even if Kritivaas told him it could not be used to power a weapon, which Des instinctively knew she wouldn't, it was still his and his alone. Grinning broadly to himself, he returned to the Twi'lek. Wordlessly, he presented the precious stone in the palm of his hand. If Kritivaas tried to pick it up, he would snatch it back jealously the first time before hesitantly presenting it again and allowing her to take it the second time around.

 

[Chiasa Kritivaas]

There were some emotions that felt strongly enough, particularly in a place like this with force crystals everywhere, were easy to pick up on. The absolute obsession Des was currently feeling was one such. The avarice she'd picked up on but largely ignored as natural. To look upon this and not want would be unnatural. Still, if the boy wanted to be a Jedi she'd probably have to deal with this.

She leaned in as though going to look, and instead gave him a quick smack on one ear. Which was a bit hard to do considering how pleased he looked and all, but one had to nip these things in the bud.

"I can feel that you know."

She informed him, one brow raising slightly.

"It is not a possession, it is a partner. And it can and will reject you if you are not careful. Protect it yes, but protect it as you would a brother, a clan-mate. You resonate well, and this is good. It would make a good lightsaber crystal. Likely no one could use your blade but you. But this also means if you break the connection.. Your blade could fail you when you need it most."

"So, little beast, you who was concerned about whether I intended to turn you to the dark side. Look at the feelings you have for this crystal. Look at what makes you feel as you do. Are you possessive because this is what it wants of you? Is it showing you what you truly are? Will it work only as long as you teeter on the edge of darkness? If this is so, is this what you want? If this is not so, if this is merely your reaction to a strong connection, why? Are you lonely little beast? Are you searching for something that fits you perfectly? This is not bad, but again, remember, a partnership."

"Though it may fit with Jedi tenets, this is a truth of life as well. Hold too tightly to something and either you will destroy it, or it will destroy you."

[member="Des Kovak"]

 

[Slice Spiralflame]

[member="Chiasa Kritivaas"] [member="Des Kovak"]

Slice walked slowly, fighting the urge to run like a maniac. Looking around, all of them giving their own glow. His eyes sparkled. Where should I start? His feet walked with out him giving the command. They were just walking towards something, his feet stopped, there was a crystal in front of him.

Reaching out he gave it a pull from it's rocky bed.
Nothing.

Yeah, good going legs. He walked along the walls once more, looking at all the others. A laugh caught his attention. The other padawan had found his crystal Of course.

Slice buried his face in his hands, he had to find one, had to. He reached out with his hand, his eyes closed, he reached out with his senses. Lights flickered in his eyes, blinding for a second before vanishing, a void, until, a single light glowed. That was his crystal. Slice walked over, to the glow, and gave the crystal a tug.

It fell into his hands. Treating it if it would shatter if not treated carefully, he walked to the Twi'lek. "I found mine."

 

[Des Kovak]

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

Kritivaas' cuff around the ears had a somewhat sovering effect on Des, and he stared down at the gleaming stone he cupped in his hand all through her little speech, hanging his head as if in shame. The Human Padawan's announcement, that sounded so different from his, jarred him him from his reverie. "I... I just want something I can call mine. It doesn't have to be big, or a lot, or expensive. I've never had anything. Owned anything," he said. He didn't know why he confided in this woman, but he was pouring out part of his heart now, and the flood gates were open. "I don't feel like the Jedi welcome me. Like they don't feel I'm worthy. The lessons they impart are grudging talks, and over as quickly as possible. I'm supposed to see the other initiates as my peers, but I can only antagonize them. It is the way of my people, and I know no different way. It is difficult to belong with them, but I want to. There's a Galaxy out there I've never seen before, and though I miss my home I don't want to be sent back there. Not yet. I thought... I thought maybe if I could show them this. Show them I am worthy? It's a sign, isn't it? Isn't it?" His last question sounded hopeful, but there was a clear touch of apprehensiveness in there, showing that Des was afraid of getting 'no' as an answer on that one.

 

[Chiasa Kritivaas]

~Good lad, it is a solid crystal and will serve you well, I feel no faults within it, you managed to pick a proper lightsaber crystal on your own as well, no ones come back with stygium, full points to the both of you!~

Say this for telepathy, at least you could carry on two distinct conversations without appearing to cut in or out. Des required her attention, but Slice had also preformed the task admirably and deserved for that to be acknowledged, and so she did, speaking directly into his mind.

"It is not wrong to want something for yourself. I of all people will not tell you that it is. After all, my life is largely dedicated to the accumulation of credits."

Not that she really did anything with them, but he did not need to know this.

"And I understand also what you feel. Little beast, I not only owned no property, I was property for much of my life. Watch me throw myself on the grenade that threatens what's mine. There is a chance I will burn for it, but some things are worth it. The trick I think, is to find those worthwhile things."

"If you put all your love and connection into this crystal, built the perfect saber, fought a Sith, lost and had it taken, then what? This is the problem with physical things, they can be taken from you. There is always someone stronger, or smarter, or who has more allies. This is not meant to discourage you, but it is fact. Love it if you like, be proud of it, but Little beast, you are worthy, and that worth is yours. Intrinsically. It cannot be taken. Some will not see it, perhaps most. But it is still there, and it will make itself known."

"Let those who begrudge you knowledge be a test, a challenge in and of themselves. Learn from not only what they tell you, for that might be limited, but what they say to each other, what they do, learn from silences. Watch. Pay attention to everything. I have learned far more from those who did not mean to teach me than any other source."

"You will find those you fit with, those who accept you and that you can accept also. Perhaps you will be similar, perhaps you will not. Push each other, support each other. Antagonize, goad when it is needed, but be there to catch them when the fall. To use the blade this crystal will power to protect them."

"This is worthy."

"As for a sign, look to your own words Little beast. You tell me what you want, and it is to be a Jedi. To learn. To grow. To adapt. To be worthy. No one will ever knows us better than we know ourselves, so if this is what drives you, if this is what your fire is.. What could be more worthy?"

"If it was easy it would not be worth doing. Now chin up!"

"These are for the two of you and your own advancement, if you want something to give to the temple in tribute.. Hmm. This can be done."

The Twi'lek moved, eyes scanning the crystal formations, and more importantly reaching out to touch them. There, an unassuming cloudy colour. It responded in the force, but not in the same way the others did. Her own orange blade snapped to life, and with a few careful, even cuts, mindful of the growth and grain, two hand sized crystals were freed from the main formation.

"One a-piece do with it as you will and let those who never came along wish they had. The other reason I guard these caves. Stygium! You could cut it down, if you were careful, put it in your sabers, you'd likely get two usable crystals per, an it would help you when you learned all manners of stealth, increasing the effectiveness of your force abilities in that field."

"Or you can use it for what it is most commonly chased after for. Cloaking and stealth devices. Ships, armour, much of the galaxy chases after this. Keep it for yourself, give it to the temple in tribute, save it for when you've need of a bartering chip, the choice is yours lads."

Des Kovak Slice Spiralflame

 

[Des Kovak]

[member="Chiasa Kritivaas"] | [member="Slice Spiralflame"]

The Twil'lek's words, despite Des' caution of her, brought a thin smile to him he could not entirely hide. Perhaps this underworld figure, this person who was identified as an 'enemy' by default, was not so bad. Whatever challenge she meant for him to find in those who would refuse him, Des did not know. He was not the sort of person to be communicative, or observing. His approach to problems was punching them in the face more often than not.

"If someone stronger than I took my lightsaber, I would train, get stronger, or get allies if I needed to, until I was able to get it back." His expression and tone of voice were determined now, after Kritivaas somehow managed to speak courage into him. "And then I would hunt them down. You say some things are worth fighting for. Throwing away your life over. I will not give this up. It is mine now. The Jedi say your lightsaber is supposed to be a part of you. Part of what makes you a Jedi." he turned the crystal around in his hand, observing the light play on its edges. "I can't afford to lose that. I have no identity of my own off Haruun Kal. First I was Ghôsh Torden. Then I was a street rat. Now I am Jedi. It is all I know." He wanted to know more of this Galaxy he'd been thrust into, wanted to be more than Jedi. But for now, the question Who is Des Kovak? could only be answered with that. Maybe there were better options out there. Maybe being a Jedi was not for Des, after all. But despite all his shortcomings, despite his sense of not yet belonging, he wanted it to be.

When Kritivaas ignited her lightsaber, Des took a hasty step back, instinctively expecting an attack at the sight of a weapon. He balled a fist around his crystal protectively. But instead, the crime lord moved to present Des with yet another gift. The second crystal was larger, more clouded and easier to see, but it seemed no less precious to Des. Certainly not with the explanation Kritivaas added to it. Des did not imagine he would be the sort of Jedi that had any use for stealth enhancing items, but he would certainly hold onto it. "I... Thank you," he said. Now he really owed her, he realized, but for some reason the prospect of that troubled him less now than it had before. He'd said before, back on Ossus, that he could be a valuable asset to her later, if he ever got to be Jedi and still owed her for this, and he'd meant it.

 

[Slice Spiralflame]

[member="Des Kovak"] [member="Chiasa Kritivaas"] [member="Keira Ticon"]
((Sorry, thought I had posted already.))

Slice still carried his crystal as if it was fragile.He wouldn't carry it any other way, no matter what he was told.

He shook his head slightly when he received a telepathic message, his brain wasn't used to it. It was completely strange to him.
He remained quiet throughout the Twi`lek's and the Padawan's conversation.

Slice continued to look around the cavern, still amazed by it's power.

He jumped back a good metre when the lightsaber was ignited letting out a Silent yelp of surprise, once he realised there was no danger he continued to look around the cavern.