Interests on Ilum

[Elise Ike]

Another chilling gust of wind blew through the small crater that enveloped the entrance to one of the many crystal caves that dotted the ice world. In most cases such wind would entice shivers from anyone not properly covered, for Elise the simple use of Tapas was the only thing needed to starve of the wind. Unfortunately her equipment didn't fare as well the currently discussed Sith Lord using her pyrokensis once more to thaw the devices from their frozen prison. "... I sure hope this trip is worth it, ice planets are always a bother". Still it was either this or trying to talk with some Sith, but for some reason they didn't really get along, constantly trying to get her to join their order or outright trying to kill her, so stupid.

her purpose for being here? studding the formation of light saber crystals within the ice shelf of the remote and lifeless planet, a small amount of information that for centuries had fascinated her. Though many sources detailed such events nothing could beat hands on experience and finding it out for ones self, though it seemed that her timing was not so... good. Surprising it seemed that the world had seasons, winter, and winter winter, temperatures dropping much below the average she had experienced a few months ago. What she wouldn't do for an assistant right about now.

[member="Sky"]

 

[Sky]

Sky frowned at the borrowed blue lightsaber, it was mostly just a practice saber. She had yet to make her own still. Of course, to be fair, she was new to all this. She'd only recently even started learning anything, let alone how to make a lightsaber. But she knew one thing, she needed a crystal, and Illum was the place to go for that.

She gritted her teeth as she landed her Sigma 5 Ruusan class Jedi Interceptor. She wore a thick coat, very much against the concept of getting her fingers frozen off as she exited the ship. And the icy wind still bit at her face, "Oh come on. I couldn't have found a nicer planet to get one of these crystals hm?" she grumbled to herself hiding her face in her gloved hands, giving off slow breaths to try and warm up her face and hands. She was much to distracted by the cold and wind, and her goal to fully notice [member="Elise Ike"] as she quickly hustled forwards from the side looking solely towards the cave entrance, "Get in, search for a crystal, then you're good." she told herself.

Unlike many, especially of her age, she lacked the more focused awareness that many force sensitives had to detect others. And that included the Sith Lord.

 

[Elise Ike]

Ilum was a very quite place, any sound could be noted in the icy valley, so an incoming ship was not exactly hard to hear, or spot. Lest so was the person disembarking from the space craft, quickly earning the attention of Elise, the Sith Lord producing her false light side aura she usually did when around Jedi. Like, this person was a Jedi right? very few people of different force sects came here, though something seemed different about this particular one.

First, she was alone, most Jedi that came to this planet did so in groups, or if not a student was accompanied by a master of some sorts, this women, if her senses were correct, didn't seem any more powerful then your average Padawan. Secondly, their unsure nature, the way they walked and talked seemed to indicate their lack of knowledge about the crystal caves, quite the interesting sight but more so an opportunity, Elise quickly putting her work aside and approaching the women, lowering the hood on her ancient Jedi robes. "Excuse me miss, may I inquire to your presence on Illum? not many come here unless they are looking to attain a saber crystal for themselves and undergo the trials within the caves".

[member="Sky"]

 

[Sky]

"DOH holy crap." Sky said her hood falling off as she jumped when someone spoke, realizing she'd paid absolutely no attention to if there was anyone else here, oh that was a rookie mistake why did she do that. Stupid foolish girl.

She hesitated to answer for a moment, the woman seemed like she must be a Jedi of some kind now that Sky was actually paying attention, "Uh uh, yeah, well...you see. I still haven't made my own light saber yet. All I use is this borrowed practice one with the strength amped up a bit so I can actually use it if I had to." she said holding up the hilt of the weapon, or practice weapon rather. It was technically just a blue lightsaber which normally would have had the power way down so it could be used in practice without killing anyone, but had that aspect of it toned so she could use it in a fight if she had to.

"What uh...what about you?" ​She asked a bit uncertain, she didn't really want to question the reason a Jedi might be here, after all Sky clearly didn't know much about what she was doing. So she didn't want to make it sound like she was judging anyone, but she was curious.

[member="Elise Ike"]

 

[Elise Ike]

"... am i really that scary", her voice carrying some humor to it at the very over the top reaction from the zeltron women in front of her. Then again she was a vampire, it was very possible for her to be legitimately scary, but now was not the time. For the next few moments Elise stood there, arms folded while listening to the young Jedi talk about their trip to the ice world, nodding periodically, taking in all the information.

"So you are seeking a proper crystal to form your saber, admiral, but I must say a little strange, do you not have your master with you to look over such and event"? Even if she did not need one for safety finding ones crystal was quite the event for any Jedi, to not have her master here didn't sit well. Elise put that aside for the moment, turning around and showing the women her set up, composed of a small shuttle with power cables rigged up to some equipment near the cave entrance.

"I myself am an archaeologist, studying the crystals of the planet, mainly in how they form within the ice sheets, but I've had some problems due to the cold weather, probably going to pack it up and wait for it to become a little warmer". Unfortunately an entire day on the world was equal to one standard week, would be a while before the sun was at it's peak again. "Ah but where are my manners, my name is Elise Dixon, or Dr Dixon, may I know your name"?

[member="Sky"]

 

[Sky]

Sky shook her head emphatically, ​"Sorry sorry you just shocked me I wasn't paying attention, I really should have." she said apologetically in regards to the question of if the woman was really scary.

She scratched the back of her head looking down as the woman mentioned the lack of a master there, "Well uh, I don't...have one, yet. I mean I only just barely recently even joined this Jedi school, and I just...didn't get one? I want one but...I don't really know everything about what I'm doing remotely yet." she said still scratching her head and frowning. Boy this air was cold though.

The woman showed her her set up, which Sky hummed at leaning to one side to get another angle on it as she listened, that was interesting, not something Sky had even the remotest of understandings on, but it was still interesting to her. Eventually the woman introduced herself and the Padawan smiled, "Uh yeah, I'm Sky Vagod, It's a pleasure to meet you Dr Dixon!"

[member="Elise Ike"]

 

[Elise Ike]

Elise gave a small dismissive wave at the youngster, "it is no mind, you had thoughts of your own to concentrate on, it happens to everyone". She wasn't absolved from such issues either, plenty of time she'd be hard at concentration.

She continued to listen as the padawan explained her situation, "you only just joined a Jedi order, you seem to be rushing a little to much if I had something to say". "If you are going to proceed along with this expedition of yours then I may as well give you some advice before entering the cavern.... ah what the heck, you know what I'll walk you through the trials, even if I am a little rusty, been a long time since my own initiations". It also gave her a chance to study the said trials one had to overcome in the force filled ice caves.

"So, Ms Vagod, would you be willing to let me show you through the caves and inform you of what will happen once you under go the test to attain a crystal for your saber"?

[member="Sky"]

 

[Sky]

Thankfully the woman didn't mind her distraction to much. She lowered her head as she was told she might be rushing, she really wanted to catch up to everyone else. She still knew almost nothing about everything and wanted to try and at least be close to where the rest were of her age. She lifted her head as the woman offered to actually give advice, and even walk her through the test.

She smiled gratefully, "Oh please, that would be wonderful!"

The Zeltron girl lifted up an arm as if she'd just had a success and let out a "Woo."​ before returning it down and breathing deeply into her hands trying to warm up her face a bit more. She definitely had not learned Tapas, at least not nearly as well as Elise had. So she still got rather chilled hence the large coat.

[member="Elise Ike"]

 

[Elise Ike]

That was, a little surprising. Either Sky was a very trusting individual or she was in need of help and didn't mind who it came from, again no major worry for her, a promise was a promise and Elise intended to keep it. Though it would appear her new charge was more excited then she was, young peoples these days, quite the excitable bunch. With a short sigh Elise turned back to the cave, beckoning Sky to follow behind as her feet crunched against the snowy floor.

"Inside the caves one does not just find 'a' crystal, but their own, a crsytal the gain through completing a task", she elaborated passing through the entrance. "Using the force or tech one can sense the many crystals around us, but they are yet to be shown, in order for you to attain one a trial must be passed, a personal trial, be it a fear you need to overcome or an attribute you may lack, for instance patience", her tone a little joking at the last part, trying to point at Sky's slightly over enthusiastic nature.

"I myself will be unable to see your crystal once the challenge is put forward, but I can make sure you do not cheat, least wind up with a useless shard and get all mopey, does that make sense"? Elise had put it in very simple and casual terms, but even then she could not know if Sky grasped the concept.

[member="Sky"]

 

[Sky]

In spite of their ability to feel emotions, Zeltrons were also known for being gullible, and by far Sky was no exception to this. Regardless of having just met the woman, she had zero recognition at all that this woman might not actually be a friend. She followed along warming her face with her hands as the woman began to explain, a crystal just for her? Unique, all it's own. That sounded nice.

She lowered her head and let out a quiet nervous laugh at the mention of impatience, "Yeah, Sorry about that." she admitted. It was a flaw she did indeed have she knew, among others, She did mention being unable to see the crystal once her challenge began, which made Sky furrow her brow in thought. The rest sort of made sense, she'd heard crystals had a special connection with the force, which was perhaps why they could apparently connect with one.

"But if you can't see it, how will I know if I got it right?" She asked as she breathed again into her hands.

[member="Elise Ike"]

 

[Elise Ike]

Elise one again gave the younger women a dismissive wave, "I was only jesting, it's nice to know you are eager to undertake such a trial with little experience". "Just be prepared to meet roadblocks along the way, many a Jedi Padawans fail simply because they are not determined enough to try again once getting stuck". That or they cheated, leading in their first steps down to the dark side... kind of hypocritical if she though about it more, even if her 'fall to the dark side' happened for different reasons.

The following words form the Sky's mouth left some teaching to do, Elise mentally face palming, seemed this Padawan needed a very from the ground lessons. "Yes, I will not be able to see your crystal, but you will, once the trial has been passed only then does become visible to everyone else, but until then it's only something you can find". "I believe it is to prevent cheating, though I can not be certain, the force works in stranger ways one can't comprehend". It was one of the main reason she always found Sith to fun to laugh at, the poor fools constantly thinking they can bend the force to do their will, they'd have better luck navigating through a black hole.

[member="Sky"]

 

[Sky]

Sky held up a fist as she mentioned failure by lack of determination, "Well no need to worry about that! I'm very determined!" she exclaimed before continuing to listen as the woman explained. She looked into the cave trying to think about what to do from here,"Hm, ok, so...what should I do now?"

The girl was quite ready to enter and start searching, though being in the confines of it for so long might be a little daunting, her eagerness far outweighed any fear or cold that she might have built up in her. She wanted quite a lot to be a Jedi, a guardian, a healer, some wise woman that people could come to for help. And getting a true personal lightsaber was another task that she felt was fully necessary to do that.

Of course the matter of a task might make things a little more complicated, but still, she was plenty eager to keep going.

[member="Elise Ike"]

 

[Elise Ike]

Elise nodded to the women as their voices started to become echoed by the cave walls, "I could guess as much, you being here in the first place shows your dedication, just don't act to overconfident". They stopped a bit into the cave, paths diverging, going down into the cooly lit depths. "All you have to do is walk, keep your wits about you, and await a feeling in the force that alerts you to the crystals presence". There was no real 'way' to carry out such a trial, you just kind of did it.

"Let the force guide your actions, I will follow, but from here on out no more advice will come from me, you must do this on your own", her reply being calm but with a small hint of sternness to it, like a mother bird pushing her young from the nest in order to get them to fly. "I will only interfere if you life is in danger... which is a possibility, but I would not worry about that.... to much".

[member="Sky"]

 

[Sky]

Sky nodded again as she mentioned not being over confident. She knew she wasn't the best, or even close. She was perhaps, average, at almost everything. Though she did have some more natural tendencies due to her nature, they were far from the extreme abilities others had. Then they ran into a diverging course. Being told to just let the force guide her, and mentioning only interfering if her life was in danger which made Sky grimace that that was even remotely on the table at the moment. But she still nodded her head with a "Thank you."

She stared at the diverging paths, trying to breath in and out, trying to feel more then just the feelings of those nearby. But the force itself, reaching out, she wasn't sure, but she found herself walking through the left most path. She could feel a pull, feel a tug, but it didn't feel like it was changing at all. It was frustrating, regardless of the fact she knew these things took time.

[member="Elise Ike"]

 

[Elise Ike]

Elise was unsure if her words were right, it had been a few thousand years since she had actually trained a Jedi, more over the very unorthodox nature of this meeting just made her mind doubt a little more. Even so she was quite determined to see Sky go about her dealings, who knew perhaps she would keep her along, do something new for once. It would probably help her cover identity in the long run if her name became tied to a future Jedi master, even if such a reputation could only be used for 40 years, after that she'd have to fake her death or something.

Quietly Elise stood behind, watching, feeling noting any change that would come from the zeltron in front, herself knowing it took a while for the force to take hand and lean a student down it's path. "Keep calm and focused, don't waver, the feeling will come in time, also you don't have to stay in the one spot, walk explore slowly, it will help". She had found out most crystal recoveries came from deeper then their current location, the duo would need to venture a little.

[member="Sky"]

 

[Sky]

(ooc: Somewhat back now, sorry for the delay)

Sky listened to the words, but tried not to move. "Calm and focused, calm and focused." she repeated to herself breathing in and out, she shut her eyes, humming to herself, "Listen to the heartbeat of the mountain side, listen to the way it sings. Listen, and feel it, and grow much even more near it." It was quiet but she was most definitely singing to herself and began to sort of softly dance as she let herself drift, dancing was something she was familiar with, unlike the more common techniques. So humming along she let herself move almost according to the song, but letting herself be a little more influenced by the force. So that she ended up taking the leftmost pathway and continued to hum as she quietly danced with her eyes shut, though the song she was using wasn't entirely very long, and while it would take her some way down the path she'd suddenly stop as she realized she'd gotten to absorbed in the song and stopped paying any attention in the force.

Assuming Elise had followed her she'd scratch her head in thought, "Phewy still not here huh." she said to herself brushing her fingers against the wall as if she could scrub it away to find the crystal there, "Got a little bit distracted there, forgot I was looking for a crystal..." ​she admitted.

[member="Elise Ike"]

 

[Elise Ike]

Elise decided to keep silent for now, just watching and waiting, a small smile creeping up her mouth as Sky started her walk into the wave, their foot steps echoing through the endless caverns. Though it was more then just their footsteps echoing, the light hum of music filled the cold air, Elise raising an eyebrow at Sky. Odd was putting it lightly, she had never seen or heard of someone humming during their crystal perch. She had to wonder if master back at this Jedi group avoided trying to teach her, would explain quite a lot in all honesty.

It got to the point were she was certain the girl no longer knew which direction she was traveling in, would have been quite frustrating if not for the fact a mere day was but a minute in her eyes. Fortunate her new pupil realized their mistake, even if it was still with that very carefree attitude, "Indeed you need, maybe the Jedi should make a rule against catchy music along with attachments", she joked, ruffling up Sky's hair a little.

"Try again, but please keep a level head, you don't want to be stuck in here when the mouth of the caves freezes over at night... which on Ilum lasts a week due to it's slow spinning".

[member="Sky"]

 

[Sky]

Sky chuckled nervously at the mention of banning dancing as the woman ruffled her hair, "I sure hope not, it's the one thing I'm good at." she muttered running her hands through her hair to straighten it a little bit while listening as the woman said to keep a level head, then mentioning how long the night would last if she took too long. Sky grimaced, "...oh...no don't want that." She said shaking her head emphatically definitely throwing the hair around when she did.

Again she breathed in, trying to pay attention, "Ok ok, not to fast, not to slow." she told herself, holding her hands out, in some way it felt like it helped, like she could feel it guiding her along, but, still, it felt like it wasn't changing as she walked, but she pressed on, whether or not it felt like it, she was getting closer. As frustrating as it was for her to pay attention, and keep going without feeling like she was accomplishing anything.

She persisted until they entered a much more open area, deeper inside, with a higher roof. Sky frowned, every time she went near a path it was like she somehow got further away from the crystal, "Shoot." ​she said with a pout sitting down and trying to think, "Is there not like...an easier way to find these then wondering around in a cave after some vague sensation of calling?"

[member="Elise Ike"]

 

[Elise Ike]

"A Zeltros good at dancing, excuse me if I find that a stereotype, but as long as you are happy with it. and we can always improve your other skills". A small smile crept up her face, getting a little wider as the apparent weight of their situation sunk into the girl. What she had said wasn't false, only thing was that the ice wall could easily be broken, buuuut, she didn't need to know that. Elise having to suppress a small chuckle as the two continued on.

Her footsteps closely followed in rhythm with Sky's own movements, the two walking for some time, coming to an open area with in the case system, light from outside cascading down into the natural room. She came to a stop, keeping an eye on Sky as she pouted in frustration, once again having to repress a small chuckle.

"No, there is no easier way, perhaps this is your trial one to test if you area really determines to attain your crystal, and make you more patient, though give a quick look around, perhaps you have already found your crystal, but are not calm of head enough to properly see it".

[member="Sky"]

 

[Sky]

Sky held out her arms in a sort of wide shrug with a smile at the comment on the stereotype, "Yeah but at least it wasn't vulgar right?" she joked for a moment.

When the topic came again to the present, and Elise mentioned her test, explaining looking around Sky breathed in a sigh, "Ok." she said a little bit bothered, though not particularly rude about it, just the idea of how long it took. Even if it really hadn't been an awfully long time compared to normal. She started walking about the area, looking at the walls, carefully, going by. Trying quite hard to avoid getting frustrated.

She managed to go all the way around almost before groaning again and continuing on, finally stopping and sitting down, this time to think, look around she'd said. The girl breathed in and looked down to see a shine, she breathed in and shot to her feet instantly, "Oh oh! Shoot! Hey!" She said hopping and glancing at Elise excitedly before shaking her head, though no less excited "Oh snap right you can't see it right."

She rushed over to it, that was...quite down there wasn't it, no wait, she waved a hand over it and looked up, "Poodoo it's on the ceiling." ​Laying on her back and looking up at it she groaned sliding her fingers across the frozen floor and staring at it. She was looking straight at it and couldn't get to it. It was indeed imbedded up there but it sure shone like a full moon in the night. Placing her hands together she repeated, "Calm calm, ok, patience, right, patience."

Her face pulled together in thought as she tried to figure out how to get it down from there, she wasn't the most powerful telekinetic. Actually, she barely was one at all. She reached out a hand, still lying on her back, and tried to pull. Nudge. It moved, but barely, she breathed in again, Nudge. again, barely, but it moved. She was so close, don't rush it, just keep going. Patience, that's what she was told, patience. She had to repeat the process, getting frustrated, stopping, calming down, and doing it again.

Finally it was peeking through the ice roof and her face lit up, but she had to calm herself, focus, pull, once more, twice more, and then the crystal dropped down from the ceiling landing in her hands, the girl practically overflowed with joy and excitement leaping to her feet, "Dr Dixon Dr Dixon! I got it! Oh it's so nice," she held it cupped in her hands as it seemed to take on a yellow color, shimmering in the light, rubbing a thumb over one side and looking back up curiously, "What do I do now?" she asked still beaming at the achievement, she was much to focused on the crystal to feel impatient just yet.

[member="Elise Ike"]