Resistance (complete)

[Darth Ren Malgus]

Resistance - the refusal to accept or comply with something, the attempt to prevent something by action or request or the ability not to be affected by something, especially adversely.

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Voss was once again alive with the sounds of life around them. The jungle had not given up any more secrets. Yet. This place where Serena waited seemed to hover on the edge of the force tilted one way or another it could easily slip away. She could feel it.

The emotions of the others still kept her up at night. The thoughts of what she had touched upon bothered her more. The Shatter point that she had been given a brief lesson in, she tried to practice it. Each time though it almost sickened her to think that someone out there, perhaps even someone from the group that day would at some point take that skill and use it on a person.

The Serena who had stepped onto Voss for the first time was not the Serena who stood here. It would seem that with each new skill she was introduced to the responsibility of knowing such power was slowly taking part of the girl and leaving a woman still questioning the universe. Serena is a woman who was working hard every day at a single task block out the thoughts and emotions of those around her before they drove her.

Velusia had contributed to the turning point, complicated by the death of her father. She missed him. There was no one left to call her Wren, her mother had never understood the nickname, and her siblings preferred the more juvenile nickname of Boots.

Today was about resistance. She was a Jedi life it seemed was about resistance. Resist the urge to run. Resist the urge to cling. Resist the dark side which seemed ever present in the minds of all padawans. Resist being hurt by Sith. Resist the need to run to HIM.

She waited for the Master who would help her with this skill.

[member="Connor Harrison"]

 

[Connor Harrison]

Rubbing his face, Connor Harrison knew it would be Padawan Serena Bouie who had put the request in to touch upon Resistance. He felt it. From her empathic nature, right here on Voss and all the way to Velusia where he and Coci had managed to pull her back from the Sith, she was now after more.

It was his duty as a Master to help those beneath him who asked for guidance and knowledge. Whether or not they took what he had to tell them was a different story, but he would try as he said he always would.

Back towards the familiar jungle where they last had time together on Voss before her unexpected turn, Connor was pleased to feel calm in the air, and nothing in his head. The grounds were certainly peaceful away from the noise and danger of the galaxy currently spinning on its head at times.

”Padawan, your Master awaits.”

Serena was around somewhere, and Connor would simply wait for her. He smiled softly to himself expecting a shocked reaction that she would find him here instead of another Master.

[member="Serena Bouie"]

 

[Darth Ren Malgus]

Serena could feel him before she could see him all she could think was The force has a sick sense of humor but this did not stop her from looking towards him, and try as she might it did not prevent her from smiling at seeing him once again.

"Hi" she said softly. She had not seen him since Velusia, something they had not discussed. They had not discussed how trouble seems to follow her around not that he ever made her feel admonished or diminished in any sense. If anything he always seemed to find ways to empower her and give her that little shove to keep going. She couldn't help but think her father would have liked him, it was too bad they would never meet now. She swallowed hard. She was raw and open when around him it was the hardest thing and he was going to teach her resistance.

Sithspawn! Around him her emotions just went everywhere. How could he teach her resistance when she was trying to so hard to resist making a fool of herself over him. Reminder to self - need long talk with midichlorians to find out what the feth. She had to admit one thing if she would admit nothing else to herself he was the one she trusted the most on Voss.

She moved toward his position, Master awaits she had to remember in this case he was just that and she needed to be serious and calm. It did not take her long to find him standing there, patiently waiting. His stance told her that for once her emotions weren't running all over him, he even felt blue. Not blue like sad, blue like calm.

"Good to see you, oh Congratulations I heard you were promoted" When I make Master I will come back and teach you everything I know his words that day in the ruins.

She moved to stand before him, and kept the respectable distance required of a learner, though she felt more like hugging him hello.

[member="Connor Harrison"]

 

[Connor Harrison]

Dressed in his usual new black greatcoat and grey tunic and combat trousers, lightsaber at his side, Connor held his arms out and bowed a little.

”I told you I’d be back once I make Master. Not sure how I made it there, but I did. Thank you.”

Standing up, he moved into the opening of the jungle where she stood, looking fresh-faced and eager.

”Take a walk?”

Looking around, he started forward slow and casually, hands behind his back.

”How are you faring, Serena? How are you feeling?”

[member="Serena Bouie"]

 

[Darth Ren Malgus]

Oh this was how she got in trouble with him when they walked but she couldn't deny that walking made her feel better made it easier to talk.

"I've been" be honest with Connor she was always honest, "busy. My Dad passed away I had to go to see my family. It was hard, it's still hard I'm having to accept I'm nobody's Wren anymore" She wouldn't cry, she seemed to always cry around him. Was it a secret need to have him closer to her? They were walking slowly Serena looked over at Connor he didn't seem changed for being a Master now.

"I'm still working on some things that we discovered on Velusia, there might be a few clues in there as to what they were doing, and where we might be able to find them next" She exhaled.

"Um Ana Rade and I went off to catalog a botanical garden" she wouldn't tell him about what they found as that story was still unfolding.

"I've been doing some self training with a holocron on psychometry that's been" she laughed, "interesting". She wouldn't mention that she still wasn't sleeping, or what her dreams contained.

Enough about her right now, "You've been gone a lot everything ok?" She took a few more steps, "I missed you" she admitted it and she wasn't sure how he would take it.

[member="Connor Harrison"]

 

[Connor Harrison]

Looking ahead of where was walking, he listened and let her speak, feeling her range of emotions but also feeling they were more controlled than previously experience. However, at the mention of her father he turned to her.

”I am sorry to hear about your father. You don’t need to hear this from me I am sure, but he has completed the cycle of life and lived so well. I know, as he gave us you, and he is now looking down on you in a place beyond the Force. He will be with you, in all you do Serena.”

He smiled solemnly and looked around again, taking in a breath.

”He’d be proud of your dedication to the Order. As I am. You’re taking brave steps forward and it sounds like you’re really making waves out there with others. I’ve not met Ana Rade before. I’ll remember the name.”

Taking a left at a fork in the pathway, the jungle was vast and deep, and they were only on the outskirts of it. The Temple could be still seen looming behind them, but the sounds of the planet echoed around the trees and fauna; peaceful and alive.

Connor was impressed with how busy she had been since Velusia, and glad she was taking an active interest into the discovery there. And paired with how she was working with others in the Order; all good progress.

”And you keep me on my toes Miss Bouie, so I can’t say I’ve missed you in that respect, but I have missed your company when you bring peace, like now. However, I’m good thank you. A few issues I’m dealing with at present and I’ve had a few excursions in the Core, but I’m surviving and I’m here, so I’m doing something right.”

[member="Serena Bouie"]

 

[Darth Ren Malgus]

Serena listened as they walked focusing as always on the timbre of his voice, how he spoke in calm tones. How it managed to soothe her.

"Thank you Connor, I try to keep those things in mind about my father. Even though" she felt that emptiness in her heart that place that held her father dearly to her, "I know these things I feel an emptiness that I know will not be replaced. I have been most fortunate to have parents who loved me."

The words hung for a moment and then were taken away upon the soft breeze that always seemed present in the jungle.

He spoke of his trips giving the same generalizations she had, these conversations with him always he would give her the proverbial pat on the head to say she was a good girl. She was trying to be.

"Is there anything I can help with?" she offered. Please don't look at me like just a padawan, please know that I am capable she thought. If she wasn't a padawan if she was just Serena, would he accept her help more readily?

What would she do if he never did come back? Just the thought of him being one with the force sent tremors through her. Death. It was too new yet it was hard to think of. "I cannot right now think of you being....dead. I'm not over my father's death and to even just a moment think of you being....that way..." she shook her head.

She decided to focus on the other part of his sentence, "Keep you on your toes do I? Well you make it sound so bad, that you would miss such a thing. Perhaps you should try doing something else with me." She had not yet suggested what, she would leave it to him to say, if he would. Besides it wasn't the excitement anymore that it had once been that devil may care was still there, but it was being tempered by the need for peace.

His answers would tell her what thoughts he could possibly entertain. She was trying very hard not to sense him out. He was after all going to teach her today. But. She looked over at him again, she did enjoy this too.

[member="Connor Harrison"]

 

[Connor Harrison]

As he listened, it seemed to be evident that Serena was…different. She was more confident, more focused on what she wanted and what she felt. And Connor hadn’t yet seen her struggle with knowing what to say or how to say it.

But when she mentioned death, she started to lose focus, and he felt it creep in his head. He stopped and moved in front of her on the makeshift jungle path.

”Woah woah, ok – stop right there. I’m not dying, I have not faced death and nor do I intend to.”

He cocked his head coyly.

”Well, I’ve had a few close calls with Sith Lords, a Krayt Dragon and Tusken Raiders BUT I’m fine, ok? Don’t go thinking negative thoughts. I’m here, ok?”

Reaching out, he put his arm around her shoulders and continued walking as the sun broke through the trees above, spilling down like golden rays around them.

”I am sure I can think of things for us to do, Serena. I will always call on you if I feel you can help me. But, I am here for you now. I know you’ve come here for something, so, tell me what it is and I will help you. That’s what this old Rogue does now; help you. I’m like your un-official guardian.”

He gave her a wry smirk. She radiated a great deal of calm, but also confusion and doubt. Naturally that was probably due to the fact their past had been one of danger and worry.

[member="Serena Bouie"]

 

[Darth Ren Malgus]

He was standing in front of her now looking at her as he immediately set to put to rest any concerns or thoughts that he was dying any time soon. She nodded, "Ok Connor I won't think about that any more" Not unless something horrible went wrong.

He came around and put an arm around her shoulder which made her happy to no end. They seemed to walk a bit easier now. Yes their past was full of Sith, Clones, Voices, Visions, and Dreams. None of them exceptionally pleasant and not one of them something that Serena was ready to repeat.

Even though her curiosity about the mystics of Voss still lingered. She had come to him for something course now was the question should she tease him slightly about what she wanted, or should she just say it.

She nodded, "Yes Connor I've come to you because I do need something." She batted her eyes for a moment an attempt to make him think something else..as she got a small smile on her face, she stopped them from walking. She reached up put her palm to his face pushed up on her toes like she was going to kiss him.......

"I need resistance training" she whispered. Keeping her voice soft as she pulled back from him. Her innocent blue eyes looked up at him, "After getting shot at on Velusia, and knowing that my light saber skills are rudimentary at best. Another defense skill could come in handy"

She had given it quick consideration to kiss him. She then decided that even though many liked women who were sure of themselves, and confident about what they wanted. If there was going to be any kissing on the lips, it would have to be mutual not her basically taking advantage of him.

"Can you help me with that?"

[member="Connor Harrison"]

 

[Connor Harrison]

Connor simply stood and let Serena touch him, move in and…whisper. His eyes moved to her face as she requested training, and he nodded softly. He didn’t know what to expect to be honest, but he wasn’t going to make her feel wrong for letting her emotions come through – it was healthy and honest, and could often ease the pain of struggling to deal with it alone. Something he knew all too well.

He couldn’t help smile and chuckle a little – she knew what she was doing.

”Training? Hm,” he mused as she explained.

Resistance was something he had explored and trained on, more since his encounter with the Sith Lord on Ord Mantel. It may prove useless for him with the enemy already planted in his brain stem, but it would still help against other dark forces.

He brought up his fingers and tapped his chin.

”Well, I’m honoured you wish for my help, and I will certainly do my best.”

Looking around their surroundings, Force Resistance didn’t require the greatest of space unlike combat training. However, somewhere peaceful would be good. He started to move into a small space just away from the outskirts of the trees but not deep inside the jungle, so the rolling hills and grassland could be see between the plantation as well as the Temple.

There was enough space for them to walk around and sit down in, dry grass and fauna all around.

”Come, relax and don’t think about the past, ok? I always say to keep focus on the here and now, not what has been or what will be – it’s just you, me and the Force, alright?”

Taking off his greatcoat and throwing it down by a large tree stump, he sat down on it and laced his fingers.

”Tell me what you believe Resistance to be and what it means, and talk like Serena, not some book-worm Padawan.”

He wasn’t a Rogue Master for nothing; he wanted to strip back the way Padawans addressed Masters and make them feel comfortable, at ease and able to trust him. His methods may not always be the best, but he was proud that they had helped others.

[member="Serena Bouie"]

 

[Darth Ren Malgus]

"Well Connor" she smiled openly to him, "you did promise to teach me everything you knew" She turned away for a moment only to give herself a moment to take a breath. It wasn't Connor she turned from it was that she needed to take moments to build her fortitude on keeping out emotions and thoughts. She however wouldn't mind knowing Connor's thoughts, or feel his emotions. When she turned back she was relaxed once again.

She watched him he was such a cool cucumber not reacting to her bit of attention. That was one reason she liked being around him he allowed her to be herself without a single admonishment.

But they were going to have to be completely serious now for what she asked required concentration. She watched him as he worked to choose the area they would work in. She was surprised that he would let her open herself up out here in the jungle considering her fascination for it. Remembering. No no, they weren't going to think about the past and what had he said or the future. Could he see the future? Serena cleared her mind again.

She took a deep breath only catching glimpse of the movement as he took off the long coat. Ok she could not help herself Connor in the way he dressed gave him that lone horseman look which contributed to his rogue status. She could not help but imagine that women who looked at him found him sexy. She felt a stab of emotion at that thought.

Clearing her mind again. FOCUS Serena.

"BUT I am a bookworm" She said a hint of insult in her voice, but she knew he did not mean anything by it. "Resistance, the way I think about it" She was standing still as she thought what this meant to her, her vision of it. "it is a way to prevent a fatal attack. It should help me deflect" She waited, not so much if she was right but to know if she understood correctly.

[member="Connor Harrison"]

 

[Connor Harrison]

Leaning on his elbows as he sat on the tree stump, he rested his chin in his hands and listened to what Serena tried to explain. She was partially right, but there was something else, not surprising to Connor, that she was dealing with emotionally and she was making it clear that she was fighting it, greater than she had done before and with greater control.

”Hmm.”

He pursed his lips and tapped his fingers on his chin.

”You’re close, it could help propel a fatal attack, but it’s all about a mental stat. It’s about resistance to the power of the Dark Side, Sith Magic or any other form of penetration through to your your mind.”

He leant forward slightly.

”Resistance is a technique that builds on your control of the Force to build a make-shift wall around your mind that others will find it hard, and near impossible, to break. This will help protect your thoughts and your free-will from being taken away, ok?”

Looking at her, he paused for a moment.

”Anything on your mind?”

[member="Serena Bouie"]

 

[Darth Ren Malgus]

Anything on her mind. "I um, was." She exhaled relax she told herself this is Connor he won't eat you alive for speaking your mind. She repeated his explanation of resistance, "I could use something that helps build a wall around me that does that. It could be helpful for keeping out thoughts, and emotions." She looked at him, "won't it?"

What was she going to say to him, oh I was thinking that and here was the kicker, she couldn't lie he would know it. This made her laugh a little oh goodness she thought the positions I find myself in.

"I was thinking" She stayed still, and then crossed her arms as if she was protecting herself. "that the way you dress would give many the impression of your rogue status." ok she got through that part, and she had not deviated from her thoughts on that, "and I was thinking that women would find that very....." she sighed and her shoulders dropped a little and her cheeks burned crimson, "sexy" At that moment she did not know what to do with her hands so she stuck them into her pockets.

Her thoughts were I know I do.

[member="Connor Harrison"]

 

[Connor Harrison]

Tapping his fingers gently, listening to the Padawan, Connor took everything in she said – and everything she didn’t. He smiled, and nervously looked down to his feet with a chuckle at her final statement. Bringing up his head, he frowned slightly and looked over his clothing. His greatcoat slung on the grass, he wore black combat trousers, boots and a charcoal grey thermal jumper that would help maintain body warmth. Under that, a simple black training vest that covered his scarred torso.

”Well, I wouldn’t know. I’ve never thought it particularly fetching. I’ve never really worn colours. Even traditional robing, that is beyond me. It stems from my past, I never felt…worthy, to wear the Jedi robing and so opted for these darker, muted black and grey.”

He puffed out his chest, joking around with her and smiled.

”I’ll be sure to find someone one day who finds a dark and mysteriously dressed Jedi rogue interesting.”

He smiled and looked away, thinking.

”Still, it serves a purpose and I guess you could say it just tells all that I’m not clear cut. By my own admission, I’m not easy to lump in with any crowd, except my allegiance to the Force.”

It was quiet, and he didn’t want her to feel uncomfortable or think he was mocking her. He looked back and clapped his hands.

”Sorry, Padawan. Anyway – Resistance. You’re close, again, but it’s not really used to cut of emotion and thoughts. It’s purple to help prevent the enemy using the Force to get inside your head; fear, persuasion, manipulation.”

He looked at her, and crept into her mind with the Force.

And now you wonder if I can read your thoughts, don’t you. Resistance is to prevent the enemy from getting inside here; the most delicate part of your body.

[member="Serena Bouie"]

 

[Darth Ren Malgus]

She shook her head and put her forehead into the palm of her head, "Connor you are such a ham at times" She watched him "You don't have to go too far for that" She looked over at him wondering if he had picked that up or it he would ignore it whenever it came to her saying something personal about him. He was so confusing at times, one moment he would hug her and then the next he pretended she hadn't said anything.

Perhaps this was his way of being nice and trying to push her away. Just as these thoughts entered her mind he called her Padawan, relegating her to the status of learner. She was not his friend now but his student. She nodded to him acknowledging the change.

He may not have been mocking her but in a way he had put her in her place. She swallowed hard and took a deep breath managing a smile.

Yes Master I will remember.

Then she heard him in her head her gaze looked over at him I could use something like that, but you should be careful in here there may be things you don't want to hear or know. She shifted as she stood still.

So how does it work to keep them out?

[member="Connor Harrison"]​

 

[Connor Harrison]

Feigning pretend shock at her statement, he tapped his chest.

”A ham? Me? Never.”

He stood up.

”Not used to taking compliments, that’s all. It’s a little alien to me. But thank you, but remember, I’m just Connor, you don’t have to call me Master. Unless you feel more comfortable. I told you I give the Jedi a bad name, but it’s not just my dress sense that labels me a rogue I guess.”

With a warm smile, he started to walk back and forward slowly along the clearing, letting his hand brush upon low handing branches or bushes that he passed, embracing the Force flowing from the nature and peace around them.

” The best way to start this, I believe, is to use meditation for enhancing emotional control over yourself and for better connection to the Force. That way you will be able to find a strong inner core to build a barrier around your mind. This will in turn help you, for a time, block out everything around as you let the Force flow through you in meditation.”

He turned and pointed with both fingers.

”But, then will come a time you need to learn to find that peace and inner meditation when you’re in the heat of battle or conflict, because you can’t ask the Sith bearing down on you to wait 5 minutes while you take your time to build the wall. It will need to be quick, precise and free from anything preventing you doing that.”

Connor paused for a second.

Maybe I know everything in here already…?

”Want to try meditate with me?”

[member="Serena Bouie"]

 

[Darth Ren Malgus]

She could only grin at him being so inflated, but it was good to see him relax too often he was so serious around her. But then again they often only had serious things to say.

There was that confusion again. Connor. "You called me padawan I assumed you wanted to be called Master. I'm only mirroring you." She rubbed her face her emotions bubbled and then smoothed out. She watched him she could feel him his presence the force that bound them all bound her to him. Just as any Jedi would be bound.

"Rogue Master Harrison, do we need to send someone with you when you leave Voss?" She was teasing him that his rogue status could land him in trouble.

She was listening this was important, she needed what he talked about. She was sure that her emotions could be problematic for others.

if you know what's in here than some things I do require no explanation But did he know her emotions as well as her thoughts. It seemed he did and it seemed he still truly understood but there was something growing and sooner or later it would have to be dealt with.

"I truly need to learn this skill." She hesitated a moment "yes I will meditate with you learning to centre and balance without having to spend all my time maintaining would be a relief." She exhaled hard as if a burden were being lifted.

Her gaze on Connor "I'm ready when you are"

[member="Connor Harrison"]

 

[Connor Harrison]

Your thoughts are your own, Serena. It is not my place to probe your mind. I never would.

He smiled, enjoying the flitter of communication via the Force and then with words, almost like they were having two conversations to out-wit the other. Following her words, he shrugged; she had a point.

”You’re right, Serena. Sorry. I just try to respect your title – Padawan, a learner, a student? Yes – but that still is a proud title to have, so I just automatically use it to remind you that you have the potential to continue learning the ways of the Force to become something mighty. I’m not used to being a Master to anyone. I’m just Connor – helping you learn. To be honest, I’ve never had a real Padawan to call my own, hence why I don’t feel I am anyone’s Master.”

Connor looked at Serena, but sort of drifted away party.

”You could say I don’t know why I was bestowed the Master rank, or if I truly deserve it, does that make sense?”

Shaking his head and licking his bottom lip, he felt his stomach drop and tried to pull himself back from the edge again, losing himself in a pit of self-criticism and loathing.

”Probably not – anyway, come – meditation, right? Take a seat.”

Connor hopped a few steps and sat down, rolling back a little and getting comfy, resting his elbows on his thighs.

”I’m sure you know, but meditation is a way for us to find ourselves once more. There are various types of mediation but one that will specifically help you – Meditation of Emptiness. Do you know about that? Don’t worry if not – I will help you find it.”

[member="Serena Bouie"]

 

[Darth Ren Malgus]

She heard his comments about earning the rank of master. "I know why you feel that way it is because of what happen" darkness it was a word that Jedi tried to avoid. But truth was he had beaten it back he had come back to them and in her opinion he would be a great teacher because of that.

"I will always remember that it was you that put me well helped me to come back to this." She was content for the moment. Meditation.

and by the way I don't mind your presence here I trust you Connor no matter what I know you would never hurt me or betray my thoughts or emotions with her knowing the dark secret he had to know how much she still trusted him.

Serena sat down cross legged opposite Connor her hands resting on her knees. "What is emptiness?"

[member="Connor Harrison"]

 

[Connor Harrison]

"Thank you, Serena. And don't forget - you still owe me a greatcoat."

With a small wink, he moved his hands back behind his hops slightly and closed his eyes, breathing deeply.

"The form of meditation, Emptiness, requires you to clear your mind of everything around you and let nothing but the Force flow through you - let it breathe for you, feel for you, see for you. In this state, you will be undetectable through the Force and in turn able to prevent Force powers being used on you."

Quietly standing up after taking his time to explain the meditation to Serena, he walked gently around her, hands behind his back.

"Emptiness will also help your ability to control the Force greater, because you will be connected to nothing BUT the Force. If you manage this style of meditation, you will understand what it means to switch yourself off to the outside world. It will also enable you to control your emotions; when to listen to them, and when not to. Then we can focus on building your wall. But don't rush it. If you need time, we will make time."

The planet breathed around them, each breath seemingly shared between the two Jedi inhabiting the planet right now.

[member="Serena Bouie"]