One with Nature

[Lief]

The Jedi agreed to spice things up a little, and she awaited further instruction. Only none came. Instead she felt her body lift into the air by some unseen force, her eyes widening a touch...

And then the whole world was turned on its head. Literally.

For the first time since coming into their company, since coming to this volcanic world, the young Twi'lek laughed. Light, unoffensive, full of mirth...

And then the game continued. So odd, it was, that for her first few attempts the rocks would simply not go where she wanted them to. Not even remotely. And that just had her humour increase. No frustration felt, no anxiety that she was doing it wrong, she simply smiled and tried again, a smile which turned into a bold grin when it came to be Padawan Ra's turn.

Maybe everything would be okay after all.

[member='Dune Rhur'] [member='Ra'a'mah']

 

[Riamah]

Cutting her laughter with a sqeak, Ra is tipped over onto her head and floated by [member="Dune Rhur"]. If she had any rocks floating, they would have fallen again as it was though, Ra had to close her eyes before she could try again.

While in this perspective, the only difference she realized was in her position. The rocks, Dune and the other young Padawan were the same. It made moving the rocks around no different.

Glancing over at Master Dune, "can you lift me a little higher please? I need room above my head to juggle this."

Still smiling outwardly and not at all irritated at being picked up by him, she looks at [member="Alema Ziveri"] and her rocks going all off kilter. Giving the young girl a huge grin that should be comforting, Ra moves to pick her rocks up again.

 

[Dune Rhur]

Days of training came and went with the Bith and his students. They both showed steady improvement and [member="Alema Ziveri"] was growing in her comfort. Getting used to things as it were. He too was gaining familiarity with his charges.

Ra's troubles from the early days seemed to be a thing of the past. Dune was willing to let bygones be bygones. Forgiveness was all too often forgotten in this galaxy. It was just as powerful a weapon as any lightsaber.

Today there was another variable being added. They were still on the same hill but for very brief periods. That was to say they were sprinting up the short incline and back. Many times....

 

[Lief]

How many times she made the venture up the hill in the coming days, Alema could not say. Each day something new to learn, but still the same sights. Things adjusted of course, the magma levels in the pit below rose and fell randomly, rocks were moved, sometimes people were in the distance also learning, and sometimes ships jutted across the sky.

But their path was the same; Up the rocky incline, alongside Master Rhur and Padawan Ra. Alema saw more of these two than any others, they had become a familiar and comforting sight, and she enjoyed learning alongside them.

Today it was different. Today they weren't sat learning, lifting, sensing. Today they were... Running. Up and down and up and down, until her legs burned and her chest heaved. She was no stranger to physical exercise, a Jedi had to be in good condition after all, but it was tiring all the same, especially in the heat of Eol Sha.

[member='Ra'a'mah'] [member='Dune Rhur']

 

[Riamah]

As the time and days past, Ra became a better Force user. At times she lost her patience or grew irritated at her failures, however the eternal patience of [member="Dune Rhur"] grounded her and helped her work through these periods. Now her connection to the Force was as solid as it ever was and her irritation almost a thing of the past. However, there were times it would rear its ugly head.

The innocence of [member="Alema Ziveri"] was a refreshing change after having been forced out of her home. Their relationship became more like that of sisters than only fellow students. When the young girl appeared, she was wearing thin shoes. Ra had given her stronger ones within days. A first little present among many little things she had given or done for her over time. She wasn't trying to buy her friendship, but offering these up as showing she cared for the child.

This was one of the days when her irritation showed. Not having once hid her personal feelings in front of Alema, she was careful though not to be vulgar. Now after up and down for what felt like the 100th time, Ra was getting miffed. She was hot, more than hot. Her already tan skin, darker now from spending so much time outside was now almost the same color as the dirt under their feet.

"Master Dune, I need a drink and to sit down. It's too hot to do this more."

 

[Dune Rhur]

Dune turned to look Ra square in the eyes. He remained silent as he contemplated a moment before nodding.

"Yes, I think you have earned the right to sit," he looked over to [member="Alema Ziveri"] "Let's all gather 'round."

Today was going to be special for his students. They would remember today for more than sweat and sore legs. He was willing to bet on that as he sat on the hill. Much less winded and having barely broken a sweat.

Then again he had the advantage of being a Jedi since four years old. Thirty-eight years of his life devoted to all of this. Many trials along the way and he could say that he'd change nothing. It was the will of the Force.

He seated himself facing the rock pile and neatly adjusted his robes.

 

[Lief]

[apologies for the late reply, I've been preparing to travel irl]

Padawan Ra seemed to say what Alema had been thinking but would never have had the nerve to ask. That they pause in their actions. It seemed as though the older girl was struggling just as much in the heat as she was. The young Twi'lek did not stop, not even when she was listening to what Ra had to say, trying to keep her own breathless huffs to a minimum. She did not want to disappoint, after all.

Thankfully Master Rhur seemed to agree, and he beckoned them both to sit atop the hill oncemore, as they had become quite prone to doing, and naturally she complied. Though she did not sit right away, shaking off her aching legs. Sitting straight after exercise could tighten the muscles, she didn't enjoy the thought of being stiff and sore all day.

"Thank you, Master" she breathed, and once her heart rate and breathing had returned to normal she lowered herself to the rocky ground. Never had the stagnant air of Eol Sha been so appreciated by her lungs.

[member='Dune Rhur'] [member='Ra'a'mah']

 

[Riamah]

Thankfully Dune listened to Ra and when he agreed to a halt in the running. She stopped, almost on a dime and stood panting with her hands on her knees and bending over slightly. Once her breathing regulated, she walked over to the flat spot on the hill her rear end had made over the months and sat down. Taking her canteen out of her bag, she took a blissful drink of the warm water inside it.

How could [member="Dune Rhur"] do this so easily? Not giving voice to her question, she looked at [member="Alema Ziveri"] and saw she too had been having the same difficulties Ra had been having. Well, at least they were in same situation there. Giving the young girl a friendly smile, she held her canteen out, offering her a drink.

"Thank you, Master Dune."

She sat back on her hands and laid her head back slightly to try and give the hot air more skin to cool off.

 

[Dune Rhur]

"Now let's continue with our training," the Master told his students with enthusiasm. That grin was back. The one they'd come to know very well in the coming months. Dune wasn't going to let them off that easily.

He'd actually planned to do this. Dune wanted Alema and Ra tired physically to prove a point. Conditioning was of course part of the training regime of any Jedi. The idea was to let them think this was more of that when it wasn't.

Well...not really.

He pointed his long finger towards the now familiar rock pile. To a rock as big as any of them or bigger. No doubt they thought they couldn't do it even fresh. Today they were going to learn they could.

The Bith focused his mind like the meditation they practiced each day. He extended his other hand as if he were grasping it from below. The Force surged in him and around him as the chunk of rock floated up. Beneath it dust and pebbles showered and he held it there a moment.

A full meter-and-a-half it stayed. Enough to cast a shadow in the morning sun beneath it. This jagged rock seemed immense and it levitating would almost seem impossible. Except it was very possible.

So possible that Ra and Alema were going to replicate the feat. Dune set the rock down gently but it gave a dull boom in spite of it's careful handling. The Master turned to look at his students. He pointed a finger at it again and smiled again.

"Today, [member="Alema Ziveri"] and @Ra'a'mah Numare, you will lift this. Together you can."

 

[Lief]

Alema glanced to Master Rhur for a moment, almost as though looking to make sure it was okay, before taking up the offered canister of water. She was not greedy with it, drinking just enough to re-hydrate her sore throat, before wiping the top and passing it back. "Thank you" she said, with a small smile of her own. Then her attention returned to the Master.

He pointed toward a specific rock that was just behind them, within the pile they usually sat near to, and when she turned her head she realized that it wasn't the usual pebbles and stones. No... It was the boulder which was more than twice her size. Was he being serious? She couldn't lift that...

Doubt set in, and she bit her lip with uncertainty. He lifted it so effortlessly to demonstrate, but he had years on them. Alema glanced to Padawan Ra, curious as to whether she was a little more confident than the Twi'lek was feeling.

"Are... You sure we can lift that, Master?"

[member='Ra'a'mah'] [member='Dune Rhur']

 

[Riamah]

Ra took the canteen back and replaced it in her bag. When she brought her attention back to Dune, he was lifting easily a boulder that was the size of herself and Alema. Knowing their master could do it, that meant either she or Alema could as well.

After listening to Dune, Ra nodded and looked at the girl. She motioned with her hand at the rock. She had the feeling all the running wasn't just for the exercise, he had done this on purpose. She might young to the Force, but her years of living helped with practical knowledge. She did not appreciate being treated like a child, but kept this to herself.

"If he can, we can. We're worn out, sweaty, tired and hot, all physical conditions, but mentally and through the Force unaffected."

Closing her eyes and reaching out, she attempted to lift the rock. She felt the resistance of it and it would require more effort to move...nevermind actually lifting it. Letting go of the Force for the moment and looks at Alema.

"We have to work together on this one, my friend. See what you think you would best be suited for, lifting or holding it steady. I'm confident I could do either equally."

Her voice though calm, clearly showed she was still worn out.

[member="Alema Ziveri"] [member="Dune Rhur"]

 

[Dune Rhur]

The Bith expected some hesitation. On both of his apprentice's parts and yet Ra'a'mah was very calm and collected. He had to restrain a smile at this. It was very Jedi-like of the young woman.

It always filled him with pride to see this. Despite her temper Ra'a'mah had great potential as a Jedi. He just had to teach her to control her ego and her anger. But days like to day were tremendously encouraging.

"Ra is right, Alema," Dune told the little Twi'lek gently "You're tired, but that doesn't matter. You still have the Force. You still have each other. Work together and you will succeed."

His smile beamed encouragement to the youngling. He knew she could. She just had to know it too.

[member="Alema Ziveri"]

 

[Lief]

With a very slight nod, following the encouragement of both Padawan Ra and Master Rhur, Alema inhaled a small breath and focused. Her attention turned to the boulder which Ra had just attempted to lift herself, and she chewed on her bottom lip in thought. Lift, or steady?

"Lift" she said. She had never really had a problem with moving things telekinetically, it was keeping the items in one place that was the problem. "If that's okay with you, Padawan Ra."

While a slight amount of doubt still lingered, no doubt intensified by the fatigue which had set over mind and body, Alema lifted one hand as a point of focus for herself and wrapped the Force around the chunk of rock. Carefully it began to rise, just a few inches at first though even then it was a shaky ascent, before it rose taller than Alema was sitting.

Strain appeared on her expression, her eyes narrowed moreso than usual, but she kept her breathing regulated and her hand extended. She had no doubt, however, that with Ra's help they could indeed carry out this task. Tired, or not.

[member='Dune Rhur'] [member='Ra'a'mah']

 

[Riamah]

Ra simply nodded when Alema answered that she would be better suited for lifting. On a second thought, she decided to voice her reply with a smile as well.

"Certainly, on your move, Padawan Alema"

When she both sensed and saw the boulder begin to rise in its shaky ascent, she reached out with the Force to steady it. The wobbling stopped and they held the boulder there until Alema might let it drop or raise it higher. At this stage in her own training, even though she knew the size didn't matter, she sometimes could not fully comprehend how much force was needed. It was all a part of learning and that was why she was here.

As she held the stone steady, she took a chance to glance at Dune to give me a small half smile.

[member="Alema Ziveri"] [member="Dune Rhur"]

 

[Dune Rhur]

Dune smiled approvingly as he stepped back. From here it was [member="Alema Ziveri"] and Ra's show as far as what happened. He folded his hands in opposite sleeves and sat. All the while he said nothing.

He was curious to see how this would play out. How they'd coordinate and act out their plan. It was all very fascinating to see all of this interplay. It also made him very proud that they could come together.

It boded well.