Private How to Grow a Garden

[Alicio Organa]

Psychometry...

Alicio had heard of the concept before, if only in legends. Being able to coerce the history of something from touch alone... It meant that objects held onto memory. Buildings did in fact have history baked into their walls, like Alicio had always felt they did.

Alicio hesitated once Rianna revealed she had the power, half-closing his fist before he could think about it. His face became shadowed by thought, considering the new development.

After a moment, Alicio opened his palm again, letting the crystal sing once more. He offered it freely, putting his full trust in the Jedi before him. The act itself made his chest feel lighter. "I have nothing to hide."

If Rianna took it, not only would she feel the heaviness of the item itself, but the heaviness of every emotion that created it. Not just fear, although that was certainly a strong one, but hopes as well. Responsibilities. Dreams of a better galaxy.

Most of all, she would feel pressure.

- Rianna Organa -

 

[Rianna Organa]

Rianna nodded, "Very well" Rianna never tried to hide or cut herself from the force it was always there just a touch and it would spring to life welcoming her like an old friend. She removed one of her gardening gloves.

Mentally she prepared herself she had no idea what she would see or feel so she expected anything and everything. She reached out placing her hand palm down on top of Alicio , then with her other she turned both their hands over so that the stone would transfer easily from one to the other. Then holding his gaze she closed her hand around it.

At first it was warm, it trilled like a thranta in her mind. It was music a song for...what slowly she felt something creeping over her it started at the base of her neck and crept slowly forward up and over like a hood. Rianna shivered goose bumps formed down her arms.

Then the bits of light began, "fear, which we both know." Rianna remembered to breath. Then flashes of how it came to be as if the materials themselves said here see this watch now her inner eye watched he did not know what he was doing, "it talked before you knew to listen" It showed him the way.

Slowly she let out a breath there was that sensation again a weight now on her neck what are you doing little stone Then it was clearer the stone carried the emotion the sensation from Alicio, "Pressure" The shivers began again what was that? her mind looked to block whatever that was. There was a darkness what....her arm hurt was it the weight of the stone?

She took another breathe the force circled around her palm she could see the rings of light, "Hope." The light would go to hope and shield against any darkness. Another breath and the pressure slipped away.

Whispers of the future. She couldn't help but smile. The impression being that he was proud of what he had done but unsure of it all and what did it mean.

She reached for Alicio Organa hand once again laying her palm to his to transfer the stone back.

She needed a moment to regain her balance.

 

[Alicio Organa]

Alicio tensed a bit as Rianna turned over his hand, taking the crystal from his grip. It was the first time anyone else had held the item aside from him. Weirdly enough, he felt a bit nervous, although he wasn't sure why.

Perhaps it was because of what she might see. Things that even he didn't know about himself. He had shaped the crystal as a reflection of all he was; perhaps there were parts of him that even he didn't know.

Alicio stared intently at Rianna as she read the stone, tasting sharp ocean salt on his tongue as the Force swelled around them. Alicio swore as the more experienced Organa began to see into the gem, he caught flashes of her vision. Tasted what the Force told her.

He felt the fear in the crystal, constricting his lungs, and bringing his attention to the woes of the future. The pressure, behind his eyes, on his shoulders, in the back of his mind. He felt the hope of the future, that he could do this, that his efforts weren't in vain. That he meant something.

Rianna transitioned the stone back to his hand, and he took it, staring at his crystal with a new interest. Blue ring, black core. Hope and fear, constricting his heart for dominance.

Alicio noticed the woman's fatigue, and offered his arm to her, to help keep her balance. "Are you alright? Need to sit down?" He began looking around for a bench, or something for her to drink. Alicio wouldn't forgive himself if Rianna had hurt herself trying to help him.

- Rianna Organa -

 

[Rianna Organa]

"Yes let's stop for a moment" Some skills drew more energy than others and rest was required after psychometry. She took his arm and stepped over to a place which would allow her to sit for a moment. Sighing heavily as she made it to sit she looked up at Alicio.

"I am fine" she laughed, "I'm just older and require rest." Some of the droplets were gone from his aura perhaps there was answers in what she saw that he needed. "You need to visit me more often please. The garden all living all connected helps with my strength for we are all connected by the force through it." there she was acting like a teacher one more time.

"You might like a visit to our home near the Apalas Coast the ocean is nearby. Most of those with name Organa love water it invites memory. Ever notice that if you do something near water you always remember it? I look upon the waters and see sunny days running on the beach, short as it was" Another deep breath. She could feel her strength returning.

"Are you concerned about anything I said? Or does it make sense to you?" Rianna knew if there was more it would come to her but she was not wishing for it.

Alicio Organa

 

[Alicio Organa]

Alicio found a small bench for Rianna to rest upon. He guided her to the seat, and placed himself next to her dotingly. He was a caring soul, despite his outward cold and standoffishness at times.

"Take all the time you need," the nobleman said, wondering at her words about 'the connectedness of the Force'. He decided to hold the question for a moment, instead focusing on what she said next.

The noble smiled, nodding his head. "I have heard that, although I didn't understand it until I moved to the city." He looked off to the side, imagining the sea. "Not a day goes by I don't stare out over the ocean. Sometimes, if you're lucky, you can see thranta playing over the waters..."

It was one of those small things that felt right. Just thinking about it calmed him further.

"None of it was a surprise," he murmured, shrugging his shoulders. "I feel all that when I look into the crystal." When he looked inwardly as well.

"The weight, especially. Whenever I try to... use the Force, I feel it. In my head, my hands." He lifted his hand, attempting to summon the energy of the Force in his palm, and feeling the pressure of it in his grip. He had to stop after a moment.

"Everything I try to do feels so... heavy. I don't suppose you have advice."

- Rianna Organa -

 

[Rianna Organa]

The elder Organa listened to Alicio as he spoke she was caught slightly off guard when he said it was not a surprise what she had told him. But still she nodded assurances that what he felt was not uncommon. Not uncommon among a force sensitive for certain and all of this still spoke to her and said he was so.

She could see her Uncle in his face what she remembered anyhow the sadness probably came after her Uncle left Alderaan. It took courage to leave a home that you've known all your life to escape to another to keep your family safe. Family was all that mattered in the end of it all.

Then the subject gently turned back to the crystal and how he felt. A heaviness, she was not completely familiar with that sensation but it was possible that perhaps it came from non acceptance.

"Advice. Hmm how about a couple of questions so that I may advise you from knowledge rather than a guess." She did not think he would say no, "Would you be uncomfortable if I asked you do you accept that you are sensitive to the force?" It was amazing what the mind could do all by itself without permission.

Alicio Organa

 

[Alicio Organa]

The question made him pause a moment, trying to figure out if that was indeed it. He searched his feelings. And he came up with...

"No," Alicio said, a quiet confidence in his voice. "I accept it as a part of myself. It was a bit of a shock when I learned of it, of course, but I understand I have it."

He upped the pressure in his palm, studying the weight in his outstretched hand. As he tried to tap into the power of the Force, it seemed to resist him. Or rather, he was resisting it. Battling with it, unknowingly pushing it away. "It's vast, and terrifying... But it is a part of me."

Some part of him was scared of the power at his fingertips.

- Rianna Organa -

 

[Rianna Organa]

The force fluctuated around her she could feel him trying to use it. She reached over and touched his hand, "sometimes we must go in baby steps rather than running." How to show him and assure him all was ok.

"There are so many skills that can be used in connection with the force. While I understand your desire to know the purpose of it, and understand perhaps first a smaller exercise that helps you establish yourself within the force." It can be overwhelming to know that something so fierce is at your fingertips, but one must truly understand it before attempting to use it, least that was her bellief.

"How about we try meditation first, it will help you relax and it will help you to connect. So get comfortable place empty hands on your knees, close your eyes, and start by taking deep breaths. Like before take it as deep as you can then slowly let it out. At the same time allow your mind to rest." Baby steps for certain let him find his connection.

Alicio Organa

 

[Alicio Organa]

Alicio was staring down at his palm, so he was caught a bit off guard as Rianna touched it. He stopped the pressure, and looked up at her, cocking his head to the side as she spoke. "I've never meditated before. But... I'll try."

He got himself situated on the bench, placing his hands meekly in his lap, palms down. He closed his eyes, and exchanged a few breaths with the afternoon air. The young man attempted to empty his mind.

And immediately discovered how useless he was at it.

All of his thoughts and worries flew around his mind, distracting him like a school of flashing minnows. Every time, he chased them away, but they would always return, drawing his attention and distracting him from truly finding peace. Alicio frowned, a bit frustrated.

"I'm trying to rest, but it's... difficult."

- Rianna Organa -

 

[Rianna Organa]

This could be why he was having trouble, "understandable you have so much going on. Try envisioning a cup that is slowly filling and then once it is full you have to tip it over to empty it. The mind can be the same busy busy filling a person with thoughts until it either spills over, which is when we feel pressure the most, or you have to empty it to start over. Then focus on hearing only your heartbeat, drown everything else out. I will try to help."

She smiled softly and nodded for him to try again, this time she lifted her hand without touching him pushing calm and relaxing energy to him. If she could get him calm the next step could be easier.

She recalled thinking the Masters were crazy that she could see something that was invisible, but in time and practice she could see it. It was a brilliant light that wound its way through all things and guided her, and helped her in her journey.

She wished everyone could have such a calm relationship.

Alicio Organa

 

[Alicio Organa]

Alicio nodded, taking Rianna's metaphor in stride. He returned to his mind, noting again the flashing, distracting lights. But instead of trying to ignore them, or actively pursuing them from his thoughts, he began to collect them. First, all of his worries about the Force, as they were most prevalent in his mind. He filled up a cup with them, and slowly let them drain away. Those minnows didn't return.

With the help of Rianna's calming presence, Alicio did the same with his fears about Sanctuary City. His fears about the Alliance. His fears about himself. Each time, he filled his cup, and let it flow away. Each time, his breathing became deeper.

His heartbeat was a constant rhythm in his center.

For the first time in years, Alicio was completely calm. He felt lighter, somehow.

- Rianna Organa -

 

[Rianna Organa]

She could feel him slowly letting go she admired how well he took direction keeping at it he had a strong resolve. She watched the flutters in his aura as slowly the dark spots grew smaller and smaller, a glance at his face told her he was relaxed.

"Good very good. The force connects all living things" She would forgo the speech about seeing the past, present and future for she had concerns that it would only cause him to worry about it. If he could see it he'd be constantly trying to change it till he got the desired outcome. There was more to life than chasing the mists.

Rianna slowly matched her breathing to Alicio's if there were to be any sounds it would come from someone else.

"Thru the force we can feel the vibrations of others near us the soft movement of a single body that shifts and disturbs the air around, shift in the sound of the voice, the sense of heat radiating from a particular direction, without opening your eyes can you tell where I stand" Rianna took two steps silently masking any sound, she had moved from being seated to standing in front of him. Her movements would have created small ripples in the force creating a sensation on Alicio's senses of movement.

Not a particularly easy task but one that a first year could easily perform. If she accomplished anything today it would be that Alicio had learned a form that would help him relax, it would be something he could use whenever anxiety touched him.

Alicio Organa

 

[Alicio Organa]

Alicio hadn't felt so good in months.

Ever since he had begun helping Faith with Sanctuary City, he had constantly been in motion. Always with something to do, somewhere to be. He hadn't taken a single moment to himself, it had been a constant march towards his goals, or away from his fears. Even in his brief 'breaks', he never truly rested.

He wasn't used to the feeling of being at peace.

When Rianna offered her challenge, Alicio only nodded. He waited for her to move, and reached out with his feelings...

It was as if he had accidentally opened his eyes, everything was so clear to him. He almost apologized for it, before realizing that, no, his eyes were still closed. He had been practicing how to see without seeing while stressed and heavy, so doing it without that weight felt effortless.

He pointed forward, directly to Rianna's center-mass, and smiled, taking to the exercise like a fish to water.

- Rianna Organa -

 

[Rianna Organa]

She couldn't help but smile at his success, "Excellent, yes I'm here in front of you" She reached out to tap his hand to show he was right and to indicate he could lower it.

"When your mind is at peace and calm you will experience the force, until a time when this calm becomes so much a part of you that even when your eyes are open you will be calm and feel the force with you. Alicio you should practice meditating and using this technique to help you relieve your stress and see the world with new eyes. Balance is important." Sitting there she could really see where her Uncle features touched his face it was bittersweet to see her Uncle's face once more upon his son. She wished he was here. Family is so important.

She took another breath, "Isn't gardening fun?" Among all the life that shared oxygen with them, and this gift of the force how could gardening not be fun.

Control this was all about controlling himself and his emotions to not let them rule his mind to find balance.

"Now with your eyes closed do you see anything or feel anything?"

Alicio Organa

 

[Alicio Organa]

Did he feel anything?

On a different day, it would have been an odd question for Alicio. But today, in this moment, he was feeling things. All around him, within him. But how could he explain it?

"Um..." The pause wasn't out of lack of things to say, he had too many, but because he wasn't sure how to say them. "I feel... the warmness of the sun. On my skin, but also on the ground. In the plants. I feel their... existence, I guess. The presence that they take up, how they bloom."

"I feel the people here. The gardeners. Their breath. Their joy, of tending to something, helping it grow. Helping it flourish."

It wasn't all good, as Alicio discovered. "I feel anxiety. My own. About... so many things." His brow began to crease. The little distracting thoughts in his mind began to crowd in once more, things that he couldn't, wouldn't share.

He lost hold of his momentary peace, retreating from him as his mind was once again filled with thoughts of work and responsibility. "I'm sorry, I lost it. But that felt incredible. I've never experienced anything like it before."

- Rianna Organa -

 

[Rianna Organa]

At first it was going very well his mind was opening up to the possibilities that could be his but then the fear came back. Who said it would be easy? no one ever anywhere.

"That's ok, first you were very successful at meditating and calming your mind. You can do that again you know the path, the technique you only need to practice it. As for the other part you felt it your step into a larger world seeing it all around you without using your eyes, just using your senses, as you learn to calm your mind and focus you'll hold onto the moment longer. So well done Alicio" She smiled broadly.

"Now...I need to get my hands dirty...do you wish to come, or have you had enough for today?" She did not know how much time had passed it never crossed her mind to keep up with it, when it was time to do something else like eat or drink she did so.

Alicio Organa

 

[Alicio Organa]

Alicio knew that peace was still possible within him. He felt it, as clearly as he'd felt anything. If he took the time, he could do it again, observe the world, he knew it.

That door had been opened to him, and he would certainly go through it again.

"Thank you for your help, Rianna," Alicio said, releasing an appreciative smile. "I'll certainly practice what I learned today."

The Force still felt heavy, but now he knew how to lighten the load.

At her final question, Alicio pretended to be offended as he removed his gloves, putting them in a back pocket. "What kind of ungrateful cousin would I be if I didn't help you after you helped me?"

He rolled up his sleeves. "Let's get to work."

- Rianna Organa -