Ripple in the Force

[Shi'Do Mont]

"Yes, of course. I have it here." Shi'do pulled his own training saber from his belt. Not powerful enough to cut through anything, just enough to give a shock at the point of contact. Some said pain was the most effective teacher.

"I suppose you may have the first move master." His simple training saber lacked the personal effects of Shi'do, but it was standard issue to all padawans. He ignited it and the blue blade slid out with a hum. He pointed it downward ready to deflect an incoming blow. Shi'do had never trained with anyone other than droids and padawans before, he hoped he wouldn't make a fool of himself.

 

[Erinyes Draclau]

@[member="Shi'Do Mont"]

A faint encouraging smile graced the Shi'ido's lips. A press of a small activation switch and a viridian blade erupted from her hilt. While it was a real lightsaber, the energy output is easily adjusted to allow for training purposes. A small adjustment resulted in five clicks to the right, giving the blade the same power output as that of a training saber. While it will still sting as any other training saber, it would not cause any permanent damage to her padawn.

So she began. "For now I do." she said with a faint smile, then took a step forward. Her first attack was rather straight forward; a backhand diagonal slash that would go from his right shoulder to left hip if he did not block it.

 

[Shi'Do Mont]

@[member="Erinyes Draclau"]

Shi'do flicked the blade upward sharply and sent the attack back to where it came from. If it had not been backhanded, her wrist would have been stretched and slightly bruised. Shi'do needed to be quick as his deflection didn't give him much room. He swung his saber horizontally low to hit her legs, bringing his body into a crouch to avoid any simple counter strikes.

 

[Erinyes Draclau]

@[member="Shi'Do Mont"]

Light feet drew her back to avoid his swipe, her expression passive as she studied his parries and attacks. Pressing forward, she sent an upward horizontal strike intended for his left up towards his right shoulder, taking another step to get into his personal space. She wanted to see how he would react to a sudden upfront invasion. Would he parry or go on the offensive?

 

[Shi'Do Mont]

@[member="Erinyes Draclau"]

Shi'do flicked his saber upward to parry her attack again, but her blade clipped his chin. She was almost too close to parry. The immediate fear of mutilation was replaced with pain from the strike. Of course she lowered the power setting, she wasn't trying to kill him. Shi'do took a step back and jutted his hand toward her to call on the force. All he could hope to do would be to knock her off balance, but even a Jedi Knight could hold their stance. He was really only grabbing at straws. He pulled his hand back and stepped up to her quickly with a swift stab at her chest.

 

[Erinyes Draclau]

@[member="Shi'Do Mont"]

That was when Erinyes's smile grew. While she sensed his fear, he had tried to keep his focus, calling onto the Force, holding his ground to attack.

The tip of his blade gave a small jolt as it hit. She took a step back. "Well done." she said, shining him that smile. "Thou did not panic." she said, "There was fear, but all have that. It is a manner of being able to control it; reign it. Focus..."

She blinked a bit, then gave him a nod. "All will feel fear; there is no wall nor vaccine against it. Even the best saberists feel it; and have overcome it. The measure of a Jedi in combat tis not to be fearless... but to control it. Well done Shi'do."

 

[Shi'Do Mont]

@[member="Erinyes Draclau"]

Shi'do blinked for a moment. What happened? He reached his hand up to his chin where the lightsaber had hit him. There was no tears or gashes. Only a light lingering sting. This was the first time he had been hit in awhile. He was terrified of these sabers, so he trained himself never to be touched by one, but she did, and he wasn't dead. "Master, while I respect your knowledge, Jedi are supposed to be fearless. How else can they face the evil Sith?"

A Jedi who held onto fear, was a dead one. It was like a manifestation of the dark side. Evil and destructive. It would certainly lead to his death if it was not gone.

 

[Erinyes Draclau]

@[member="Shi'Do Mont"]

"Fear is a normal emotion, Shi'do. Peace is the ideal we strive to meet; but we are not perfect. It is the ability to overcome thy fear that makes one have that peace. " She took a slight step to the left. Deactivating her saber.

"Fear is only as deep as the mind allows." She cast him a soft look, "Fear doesn't go away. The warrior and the artist live by the same code of necessity, which dictates that the battle must be fought anew every day."

"Each of us must confront our own fears, must come face to face with them. How we handle our fears will determine where we go with the rest of our lives. To experience adventure or to be limited by the fear of it. That is how the Jedi face the Sith. For while the Sith have used their fear to lead to anger, from anger to hate, from hate to suffering... it is the Force User who has learned to overcome their fears that gives the strength to stand at peace."

 

[Shi'Do Mont]

@[member="Erinyes Draclau"]

Shi'do stared at the ground for a moment, soaking in the information being fed to him. He still wasn't sure if he believed all of it, he'd have to meditate on it all tonight. "I think I understand master. Fear is not something to be seen as a hinderance, but a learning tool? It seems strange, but I suppose that's right."

He thumbed the controls on his training saber and ran his hand over his chin again.

 

[Erinyes Draclau]

@[member="Shi'Do Mont"]

"To an extent. All have fear; all must learn to overcome it and not let it dominate." She gave a slight pause, then posed a question. "Why dost thou tell me what thy believes makes a good Jedi."

 

[Shi'Do Mont]

@[member="Erinyes Draclau"]

Shi'do thought hard. He thought he'd be the one with questions. "Well, uh, they have to be strong, and skilled with a lightsaber. They also need to feel the force. And incredibly brave, I've read about the knights of old in the archives, and they seemed fearless, almost invincible."

He stopped for a moment, and his cheeks reddened again. "I must sound terribly childish right now. I apologize master, I don't speak much with others, so my words come out wrong."

 

[Erinyes Draclau]

@[member="Shi'Do Mont"]

There came the soft smile again; a nod.

"There is virtue in strength and ability with a saber." she said, noticing the faint rush of heat to his cheeks. "Thy words are not childish, Shi'ido, thy hast no reason to apologize."

"There art many lessons we can learn from the Knights of Old in the archives. Master Yoda, for example... History tells of their trials and the path taken to be thought as fearless an invincible."

"Thy thoughts on what makes a Jedi are part of the equation... but not all. " Another warm smile, "Compassion is another trait. As is self discipline."