It Starts with Curiosity

[Cathbodua]

[member="Makari Valeal"]

She was watching it, the robes were imbued to resist energy attacks which were the main reason she wanted to test them. Something that could handle a glancing blow from a saber blade and with the form fitted bodyglove underneath a full strike. She was movign the whip and flicked her wrist with the hand going to the side to keep the tails going around him. "Just like that, the robes should be protecting when they come into contact with energy from the saber. Only exposed sections will feel it." The other things with the robes was the resistance to the force but there were sadly no darksiders here or artifacts. The natural defenses and ways to combat the influence were something the robes could strengthen as opposed to leaving some padawans to flounder.

 

[Makari Valeal]

[member="Cathbodua"]

The first attack he couldn’t avoid but this time would be different. There was something that stirred inside of him as her hand started to go in motion. He was ready, he told himself. Rather than focus on the tails of her whip, he focused his attention on her hand. Her wrist. The way she swung it was very important. He tried to predict the trajectory of her attack and he moved his body accordingly. He couldn’t move forward or to his left to avoid the curved attack of her whip tails, so he sidestepped to the right, avoiding the brunt of her attack, but the tips of her whip tails still managed to catch his shoulder slightly.

"Just like that, the robes should be protecting when they come into contact with energy from the saber. Only exposed sections will feel it."

She was right. As long as he was struck in a place where his robe covered his skin, the pain he felt was very small and trivial. He reset his fighting stance and prepared for her third attack. He hadn’t been able to dodge her first two attacks, but he thought he was getting really close to meeting her expectations.

These robes were a godsend he thought in the back of his head. Because he didn't have to worry about the pain from messing up and getting struck by her whip, he could focus on going all out.

 

[Cathbodua]

[member="Makari Valeal"]

There we go she thought with some of it as he made use of all the information to himself. Slowly turning some of the things there as she moved with her hand rotating it to bring the tails around and lash at him from different directions before her feet started moving around. More attention on him before she saw some of the researchers turning their eyes towards the tests of the robes protective qualities. "The form fitted undersuit is also highly protective, practice your dodge skills and movement with the work we have been doing." The heavy gravity rooms with some of the beanbags for dodging or jumping around until the jedi knight. She had her regular saber on her hip as the saber tails pulsed with the healing energies from the crystal.

 

[Cathbodua]

[member="Makari Valeal"]

There we go she thought with some of it as he made use of all the information to himself. Slowly turning some of the things there as she moved with her hand rotating it to bring the tails around and lash at him from different directions before her feet started moving around. More attention on him before she saw some of the researchers turning their eyes towards the tests of the robes protective qualities. "The form fitted undersuit is also highly protective, practice your dodge skills and movement with the work we have been doing." The heavy gravity rooms with some of the beanbags for dodging or jumping around until the jedi knight. She had her regular saber on her hip as the saber tails pulsed with the healing energies from the crystal.

 

[Makari Valeal]

[member="Cathbodua"]

Her attack was multipronged. He wasn’t sure in which direction to dodge, but he could only trust his instinct.

He tried to remember his training in the gravity room, but it was hard to concentrate when her attack was so complex.

He started to remember that he had felt like this before, back with the beanbags, but Cathbodua's whiptails were much faster. They were like lightening.

As Cathbodua told him more about the robes he was testing out, Makari continued to try to dodge her attacks. He would dodge a few whiptails, get struck a few times, dodge a few, get struck a few times, he was never able to dodge all of her attacks successfully. After a while of constantly getting hit by her whiptails, he knew why. He wasn’t using the force. Back when he was dodging the beanbags, he had tapped into the force a little and used it to speed up his reflexes. Time seemed to slow whenever he did. He looked at her attacks now, and he realized they were dodgeable if he used the force to increase his speed. Not only had he done it a few times during the previous training sessions in the gravity room, but he also remembered watching other padawans utilize it in their sparring sessions.

Makari grinned a little as Cathbodua’s whips started to come at him from different angles again. He drew upon the force and as the whiptails began their assault, Makari used the force to speed up his reflexes. His feet began a dance, as he ducked and dodged. He was still a bit sluggish. He was still a bit sloppy. But he was making progress and starting to dodge her attacks more and more.

 

[Cathbodua]

[member="Makari Valeal"]

He was doing it while she flicked her wrist again with the tails going before she focused the force to remain at the ready for it. Battlemind as a skill for dealing and dueling with some of the really intense moments. She retained the sharper focus guiding her whip tails with the force to really give some surprise to it while they were lashing out towards him and shifting direction. Te perception making it feel like everything was going slow but she knew it was just them focusing hard on it wit the force so they could really attune to the force. "Well done." She smirked letting him get the ideas as the lashes went shifting position to change so he would be really dodging against her whip tails.

 

[Makari Valeal]

[member="Cathbodua"]

Just when he thought he was making progress, his master threw him a curveball.

He had already gotten used to Cathbodua’s attack patterns, and the way her whiptails curved and swiped, but his master had switched it up on him. Rather than a normal attack, she had used the force to alter the direction of the whiptails at the last moment.

Crack!

All nine of the whiptails struck him cleanly, knocking him back a bit, causing him to grimace with a bit of pain.

She had got him this time. He knew had to concentrate and do better, although he really should have expected this sort of attack to happen in the first place.

“You caught me off guard this time, but I won’t let it happen again,” Makari smiled. One of her whiptails had struck him in an area where the robe didn’t reach, but Makari ignored the stinging pain, and he prepared for her next assault.

He didn’t want to admit it, but this was starting to get a little fun. It shouldn’t be fun because he didn’t like to fight normally, but he was starting to feel a change within him. He was starting to feel a thrill from their training, he thought. The small bursts of excitement he was starting to get from Cathbodua throwing him an obstacle, and him working hard to overcome it.

As the whiptails came in his direction again, and she used the force to shift the whiptails to impossible positions, Makari pushed himself even harder. It was a drain to use the force, he knew, but without the force, he wouldn’t be able to overcome this attack. At least not yet with his normal speed, but he could work on that later.

He channeled the force into his body and as the whiptails got closer, he felt the force in his arms and his legs, making him move faster, making him dodge quicker. He wouldn’t be able to rely on the force for long, but for now, he was keeping up.

“I can do this,” he kept telling himself.

No matter what Cathbodua threw at him, Makari kept telling himself "I can do this."

 

[Cathbodua]

[member="Makari Valeal"]

She watched him and he seemed to be getting some sort of excitement at the training session which was important. They could do a number of things before she lashed one last time switching it up again and letting the full length of the cords giving her one of the longest reaches with a lightwhip many couldn't have reached. She let it go and lash out with the force wrapping and almost making it more like a net that could pass through the air leaving uneven sections that were open with the containment fields able to alternate a little so the plasma spread in increments. "Careful now." She was watching him along with the researchers before going over with more lashes preparing with the force.

 

[Makari Valeal]

[member="Cathbodua"]

Cathbodua certainly knew how to push him to his limits. With just a simple exercise, he could already feel the fatigue in his mind and the strain on his body. She was a tough teacher but he felt like the instructions she gave were never ones that he couldn’t carry out. No matter how advanced or hi-speed her attacks were, there had to be something she saw inside of him, that would allow him to dodge her attacks. It was just up to him to find that power and utilize it.

Her next attack was another one that tested him. Instead of her normal attacks, or the ones where she used the force to alter the direction of the whiptails, her whip had seemed to extend in length this time. Her attack range had increased and there was only one thing that Makari could really do. Keep dodging. Keep relying on the force to speed up his reflexes. It was a bit difficult when she was using the force as well, but Makari had found a way to survive, although he still felt the sting of her whips, whenever he mistimed his dodges or made a mistake.

She told him to be careful, but being careful wouldn’t be good enough yet.

He just had to get good.

 

[Cathbodua]

[member="Makari Valeal"]

His speed was impressive and getting better but she was expecting that given how he was moving under heavy gravity. between him and Ryn as far as padawans went they were very fast. Jericho might be one of the few who could really beat her or them in terms of speed but that was because.... the jedi master was only slightly insane possibly. She waited for the lattice work of her whiptails to finish their movements before speaking again and retracting them. "Very impressive for a test, it will not be like that in the field however and my whip is not like many of the blades or lightwhips. Generally they are one very long instead of nine tails that can thrash around." She said it clipping the lightwhip on her hip walking to look at him with the robes on. "THey have held up good, the undersuit of the robes will work very effectively as will the covering." She gave a nod of agreement that it was going well for a test.

 

[Makari Valeal]

[member="Cathbodua"]

Makari was panting by the time Cathbodua withdrew her whiptails. He wanted to collapse on the ground and close his eyes, but Cathbodua’s gaze kept him on his toes. It was a possibility that this was a trick to get him to lower his guard. As she approached him, he was cautious for a sneak attack, but as she spoke, he relaxed a little. It seemed they were done for now.

She told him that he had done well for a test, but she was quick to make sure it didn't go to his ego. She told him there was a difference between training and real combat, and Makari knew there was truth to her words.

“I understand,” he told her.

She moved close to him and examined his robe while she holstered her whip. "They have held up good, the undersuit of the robes will work very effectively as will the covering."

Makari was happy that things had gone accordingly. He returned her nod, “I agree. I’ve never worn anything like it. It makes me feel ridiculously safe. Comfortable too.” His eyes traveled to the researchers and a question formed in his head. He tugged at the collar of his robe. “This is for the Silver Jedi right? Is it okay that I wear this?” Makari’s eyes traveled around the lab. “And is it okay if I’m here right now? I’m not a part of the Silver Sanctum you know? Would I get in trouble if someone from your faction found out I was here?”

 

[Cathbodua]

[member="Makari Valeal"]

"it is for jedi, all of the who serve the lightside of the force.... and it will only function for them." She said it with a grin on her face under the mask while bringing up some of the work they had records. information as well as the display. "The labs here, Manaan and on Rhen Var will be able to make the stronger and more durable as needed for every jedi who needs them." THe silver sanctum might have them in their space with the labs but it went to anyone who needed it. She walked a little when the shields came down sitting a little while they brought up one or two more crates of equipment and materials. "We have been working to make many things for all of the jedi not just the silver jedi."

 

[Makari Valeal]

[member="Cathbodua"]

Makari nodded at her words, “That makes sense. It would be pointless to cater to just one Jedi faction, when the Jedi as a whole, could use all the help they can get.” He thought of the Sith and their ever evolving technology and equipment. It was good that the Jedi didn’t want to get left behind in the arm’s race. “And you say that only lightsiders can use it?” Makari nodded again approvingly. “This will definitely see some use on the battlefield.” He followed behind her as the ray shield went down, and she stopped in front of some crates of equipment and materials. He didn’t know what she had planned next, but maybe she wanted to show him some of the other things that the laboratory were working on? Either that or there was more testing to be done.

He waited on her curiously.

 

[Cathbodua]

[member="Makari Valeal"]

Thinking about what they could do next as she thought it over. They could continue working here on some of the things as she motioned for him to come with her towards the larger sections of the lab. Everything they had going on here was being unloaded before she stopped. Withdrawing some of the equipment showing it. "Braziers for heat and glowlights you can use near forever. The power cells are designed off of lightsaber technology." She had that and there was news of some new technology being crafted on Rhen Var, the massive citadel designed and built into the mountain housing the research lab. "How do you feel up for a trip, the robes will easily keep you warm."

 

[Makari Valeal]

[member="Cathbodua"]

Cathbodua motioned for him to follow her and they started to move to a larger section of the lab where there was a hub of activity. Some of the researchers were unboxing equipment and inspecting it, when Cathbodua pulled out a pair braziers and glowlights. Makari was familiar with using both, but he allowed his master to explain their use without interrupting.

When she mentioned a “trip”, Makari raised his eyebrow a little out of surprise. A trip? Well he was always up for those but something told him this trip wouldn’t be like the trips he normally enjoyed.

He chuckled a little, “Sounds like a plan. Let’s do it.”

Whether it was a trip he would enjoy or a trip he would regret later, he was eager to leave the temple for a while. He was never used to staying in one place for too long, and he’d been at the temple for months now. A change of scenery was definitely in order.

 

[Cathbodua]

[member="Makari Valeal"]

Well that was good and she was setting it up as the display showed what equipment they had to work with. More was even back at the main labs on Rhen Var where the robes really blended in and worked on things. Getting the ship to take them was easy enough she just had to make sure. "Ensure you have everything packed and meet me at the hangers. We'll take a transport to Rhen Var where your training can continue with some of the other essential skills a jedi needs to be taught." She would tay here for the moment making sure they each had a proper pack of equipment for training and survival purposes with food and medical equipment.

 

[Makari Valeal]

[member="Cathbodua"]

“Sure thing,” Makari replied to her words. She said the trip would be about training, but Makari thought he could sneak off and do a few other things while they were there. When he got to his room he started to pack like he was going on an expedition. He took out his rucksack and packed it to the brim with essentials and a few other things to keep him entertained.

On his way to the hanger, he had several short conversations with other padawans along the way. Some who were new like him and others who had been here for a while already. Makari still wasn’t sure where he fit in with the Jedi. It wasn’t like he cared for their values or particularly wanted to use the force for any great calling. He was just learning to learn at this point. It was more about satisfying his curiosity than anything else he could think of.

As he neared the hangar, there was a small commotion going on between a few of the older knights. There was a discussion on the news of a potential campaign to take Coruscant, and as Makari heard that, he wondered if the cogs of change were finally turning in the Jedi’s favor.

An attack on Coruscant? The possibility that it could even be discussed was already a step in the right direction.

Makari set down his rucksack when he arrived in the hangar. He sat on the floor and leaned back against his rucksack while he waited for Cathbodua to arrive and their journey to begin.

 

[Cathbodua]

[member="Makari Valeal"]

She was moving and works on some of the things when she arrived at the ship was easy enough. All of her stuff pretty much fit in her equipment pack and she could carry that with her everywhere. Everything else aside from a second set of robes and a standard bodysuit was easily concealed while the pilots motioned her padawan on towards the cabin. Cathbodua standing there with the hood of her body armor down and the special lights of the ship so she could take off her mask if need be. The pale skin and short black hair standing out in the shadows as she was working on medical reports. "Everything handled?" She said it like a statement more then a question going forward with the flight plan for the droid when they were heading off. "Rhen Var is not a place many jedi go to aside from some of the researchers. A chance to work alone and on some projects is a rare things."

 

[Makari Valeal]

[member="Cathbodua"]

Makari was starting to get better in the force. Even before she arrived, he could sense her somewhere in the hallways, getting closer and closer. He had a juvenile understanding of this aspect of the force, but he had been honing it in his free time. Sometimes he would sit in the cafeteria and try to sense the emotions of the people around him. Their happiness, their sadness, the hidden motives they hid in their heart.

Whenever he was around Cathbodua, he could never sense anything like he could with the others. She was a mystery to him, and he thought he wanted to unlock a piece of her mind when they were on Rhen Var. She had told him bits and pieces of her past, but Makari wanted to know more about the person who was responsible for his life, and from a certain perspective, his future as well.

As she entered the hangar, he gave her a nod, “Everything handled.” He pushed himself up off the ground and mounted his rucksack on his back, following Cathbodua into the transport ship.

When they had a chance to sit, she said “Rhen Var is not a place many jedi go to aside from some of the researchers. A chance to work alone and on some projects is a rare things."

There was a certain expression on his face when she said that Rhen Var wasn’t a place that many Jedi had frequented. It made him think that this journey would be like his expedition on Mygetto where his life was routinely threatened.

But he wasn’t afraid. No, there was an eerie calm. He clenched his hand and unclenched it. He could feel the strength and confidence in him, and it was growing on a daily basis. He looked at Cathbodua and grinned, “I think I’ll enjoy this trip. I feel like when we return to Voss, I’ll be a different person. I’ll have a different strength.”

He didn’t want to be a different person, and he didn’t particularly care for the pursuit of strength, but something had put him on this path. And it was something that was starting to shake the lathery and apathy out of him.

One day, he thought. One day, he might become a Jedi both in name and spirit, but for now, he was just training to understand his potential.

 

[Cathbodua]

[member="Makari Valeal"]

She watched him and that energy could work, she wasn't opposed to learning new things and Rhen Var given how much work they had going into it served that purpose. The citadel was a big thing that could be worked on by the jedi with patways connecting to the other locations on the planet. She knew that the jedi were working to construct some fortress on the world. It might not be a masive city planet but it could work as a remote loction to handle and funnel an army if they came after them. She was standing there while going over some of the scans and information. More equipment in the crates with them as well as some news of recent goings on. She remained there having her datapad while one of the medical droids were there for her, taking her back towards the bay as she laid down under the low lights and she was getting a cream rubbed into her skin along with the laser scraping at the membrane on her eyes.