Secrets of the Force

[3H-0]

[member=Ar'ekk] [member="Rann Thress"]


Eho extended her right arm out as her left arm grabbed at it, twisted it and adjusting it. The two in front of her could hear her doing it, and it sounded like metal grinding and clicking. "Alright, you two have fun," and she said no more. She turned immediately right into the main room but headed for the bridge. She didn't run there, but she wasn't casually walking, either. She offered no more words to them as she passed them. She also showed only casual expressions, like toying with her arm, so she wasn't trying to hide anything, she just left the boys to their own devices.

 

[Rann Thress]

Rann turned his head to watch her leave and then returned his gaze to his Master's half masked face. The Force, as far as he was aware, told him that Ar'ekk was a friend, someone Rann could trust. But Rann received no such feeling from Eho. He did not know if it was either his inexperience with the Force or the fact that Eho was a droid, but either way it unsettled him.

Again he felt shame at his somewhat irrational fear. With living beings, Rann gave a benefit of the doubt that no one would do him harm without ample cause, but the very nature of Eho made him wary.

"Forgive me master. I'm still adjusting to this new chapter. It's not as simple and black and white as I had imagined in my mind."

Rann felt that that feeling of uncertainty would only grow as his connection to the Force and experience in the galaxy changed.


"So how do you know...her? Where does she come from? I do not mean to be rude or impose, truly I am simply curious. This is the first time I've been around something quite like Eho." Rann asked genuinely. Rann could not lie, the droid made him uneasy. What's more, she seemed to revel in his unease. Eho also seemed to be incredibly open. Not trying at all to be secretive. That, too, made him uneasy. Rann felt that something like Eho would like to be more mysterious in their routine. Certainly wouldn't make apparent all of the defects they had. He stepped into a much bigger world than the one he left on Onderon, and while he didn't want to bloat his own importance, couldn't neglect that, technically, as a Jedi he had a target on him. Much much more than when he was a charlatan back home. So being around someone, or... thing, that supposedly intentionally made him wary left him on edge. Anything Rann could do to lessen the cloud that surrounded Eho's past and 'person' would go far to ease him.

At the end, however, it boiled down to Rann feeling powerless. As of yet, he had received very basic instruction from Masters at the Temple and nothing substantial at that. He retained the use of very basic telekinesis and, to boot, had no lightsaber.

He couldn't help but think that if he just had one or the other, the Force or a good ol' laser sword, Eho being on board would be more acceptable. However, this was his Master's ship. He himself was just as much a guest here as she was. So while it appeared neither of them would be going anywhere, Rann at least wanted some small confirmation from his Master that, indeed, she was a friend.

[member="3H-0"] [member="Ar'ekk"]

 

[Arekk]

Walking alongside Rann with his hand still gripping to his shoulder, Ar'ekk listened to his apprentice's grievances with the utmost attention. Despite being doubtful himself of the female android and sharing a somewhat similar feeling with the young man, he didn't think that Eho was a threat to their existance just yet. She was an interesting droid with a particular personality, yes, but if she was built to be an assassin then she would've done something by now. Reassuring Rann would be the right thing to do for the time being and teach him to control his feelings because when the time comes where he'll have to face difficult tests, everything would have to be kept in check and specially his mind.

"You will find a balance soon, my young learner. It takes time to digest everything at once but you'll see it through. Trust the Force."

Turning his head around and looking aimlessly, Ar'ekk sighed. The encounter wasn't too impressive or worthy of making mention but if that helped Rann's thoughts to calm down he'd say something.

"She sneaked into the cargo hold inside one of the boxes, creeped up behind me but didn't do anything weird. Apparently, Eho just wanted to talk."

The half masked Jedi reassured his apprentice once again that despite facing many hardships and situations that would put you on edge, they'd have to be calm and collected. If you let fear and unease take over you, cloud your mind and blinds your eyes it would only lead you to a path of self destruction. The dark side of the Force was strong with those feelings.

"I can feel your restlessness. She doesn't mean any harm, for now. I do not think she's here to do anything to us. But enough of her..."

He took a brief pause before continuing,

"We should depart Kashyyk at once. Let's prepare the ship for take off and once we're in space, come to my quarters. We'll speak more there."

[member="Rann Thress"]

 

[Rann Thress]

Rann nodded his head and set about doing what he could to help prepare the ship. However, he hadn't spent much time around ships let alone in them, so Rann actually knew very little about how spacecraft worked. Or any craft, for that matter. 'Preparing the ship' for Rann boiled down to organizing the recently acquired supplies. He made sure to try to shadow Ar'ekk and even Eho a little bit to try to learn how to actually prepare a ship. But for the most part, Rann wandered the ship, familiarizing himself with the areas and compartments.

Ar'ekk's story of how they met didn't actually reassure Rann. The rest of what he said did, but the fact that she just appeared in the ship was kind of frightening.

However, Rann did trust his new master, and figured he wouln't lead Rann astray.

[member="Arekk"]

 

[Arekk]

After they split ways inside the freighter, the Jedi Knight walked towards the cockpit and sat in the pilot's seat to prepare everything for lift off. Everyone was assigned a specific task, supplies were stocked to last for months to come and their journey would commence soon. Using the navicomputer and transmitting the departure codes to the Kashyyk spaceport, Ar'ekk was granted the permission to leave Kashyyk almost immediately.

"We are leaving now, buckle up."

The intercom broadcasted the man's voice loud enough for everyone to hear.

As such, the Ebon Hawk began to warm up its engines and started its upwards ascension into space. Once aligned with the hyperlink route and the hyperdrive put into use, they would've already made the jump to lightspeed.

[member="Rann Thress"] | [member="3H-0"]

 

[Rann Thress]

Rann only traveled in hyperspace once before, when he traveled to Kashyyyk, so he still wasn't use to it. It being boredom. Rann found himself wandering the ship a lot, exploring his surroundings, but spent even more time in his bunk. He lay in his bed and stare at the ceiling, thinking about just how far he'd already come from home. He'd never expected to leave Onderon, let alone become a Jedi and be on his way out of the midrim. As he thought about his path thus far and where it may be taking him, he pondered his decisions. He wondered if this was his path. However, the feeling of the Force on the ship flowed through him again and once more he was reassured about his decisions. He finally decided to remove himself from his bed and left to go back into the main hold again to see if anyone was out and about.

[member="Arekk"] [member="3H-0"]

 

[Arekk]

As the Ebon Hawk drifted through space and its autopilot was set to take them to their destination, Ar'ekk made his way into his personal quarters where he sat to meditate. Enjoying the quietness in the comfort of his own room he allowed to attune himself with the Force and focus on clearing his mind from any thoughts whatsoever, a technique learned from the many Jedi he had met throughout his life. Breathing in and out, the young Jedi Knight reached a peaceful state of mind that would allow him to perceive his sorroundings with clarity and serenity.

Reaching to the farthest of places, he could see everyone on board through his mind. There was Eho toying around with her body parts as she plucked them out of their sockets and putting something else instead and Rann pacing around the main hold with a clear sensation of unease and intranquility in his head. Something seemed to bother the young Padawan, same sensation that Ar'ekk felt when he began his journey as a Jedi. It was a common feeling that he would learn to control soon enough thanks to the Jedi Knight's teachings.

"Trust the Force, young one."

A voice echoed inside Rann's head that apparently came from someone he knew and that had reached him from the deepest reaches of his subconscious.

[member="Rann Thress"]

 

[Rann Thress]

The voice in his head startled Rann. This wasn't like before, this wasn't an echo of a presence it was a presence.

"I do trust the Force." He said to the voice. He would quickly learn to simply go with the Force moving forward, but he's still in a brand new world he knew very little about.

Rann decided to try to meditate and try to channel the Force. He wanted to open himself up more to the galaxy and be ready when his Master called on him.

[member="Arekk"]

 

[Arekk]

"Come to my quarters, young learner."

The Jedi Knight's voice echoed through the apprentice's mind, making a connection through the Force that would faintly fade away until they met in flesh. Hoping he would reach out and trust his instincts, Rann would find the way to encounter Ar'ekk in his quarters where he had been meditating for an hour or so.

"There is no emotion; there is peace. There is no ignorance; there is knowledge. There is no passion; there is serenity. There is no chaos; there is harmony. There is no death; there is the Force."

He muttered under his breath as he recited the Jedi Code, the one he abided throughout the years of his life. That one code that brought him a peace of mind and gave him purpose. It was time to pass on what he had learned to others, to his now apprentice. For a brighter future.

For a powerful Jedi. For the future of the Galaxy.

[member="Rann Thress"]

 

[Rann Thress]

"I hope I am not interrupting you, Master." He said as he bowed to his master reciting the code, words Rann had heard in passing before but never understood.

"I guess it was you I heard in my head." He said with a smile, he sat down and crossed his legs not too far away from his Master, eager to learn from him and understand the Jedi Code.

[member="Arekk"]

 

[Arekk]

"You must feel the Force around you. Between you, the ship, the land. Like a big crescendo."

Looking at Rann with a stern look that slowly dissipated, Ar'ekk made the two of them recite the Jedi code but only before asking his Padawan an important question. There were no right or wrongs, only wanting to know his view of the Force, the gift within him, and how he compared it to other things of your ordinary life.

"What do you know about the Force, Rann?"

Closing his eyes and allowing the Force flow through him, he attuned himself once again with his sorroundings. Every living thing, from the wildlife outside, the Shadowlands, inside the Ebon Hawk. Everywhere there was life. And the Force.

[member="Rann Thress"]

 

[Rann Thress]

"Not as much as I thought, half as much as you'd like."
Rann said, sheepishly. Truthfully, he knew very little about the living Force. By now, he knew what it was, but not why it was. He knew that it was everywhere, but not how. Rann was still very much a novice in regards to the Force.

"I am, however, incredibly eager to learn all I can. I'm looking forward to learning under you."

Rann tried his best to be as humble as he could. He tried to discard the overconfident, all important facade he put on back on Onderon and truly become a Jedi but it was hard. He did not like the thought of being someone's subordinate, even though the relationship with Arekk was one of a Master and an apprentice, not officer and soldier. The new distinction was sudden to him. He was a Jedi Padawan in name, if not in practice yet.

He felt that utmost honesty was the least he could do for his Master, so Rann hoped coming clean with his ignorance would win him some points from Arekk.\

[member="Arekk"]

 

[Aren D'Shade]

Having been picked up from Zakuul just earlier that day, Aren was still getting settled in when Rann joined. In fact, she didn't even know anybody new had gotten on this ship. Wrapped up in getting her bunk arranged and figuring out where she was going to keep her stuff, jamming to her music, it was lost on her.

In a lull of her music though, she heard conversation going on in one of the other rooms and went to explore just what was going on and being talked about. Taking her head set off her ears, it hung around her neck though. The music silent for once and her porg on her shoulder, she poked her head around the corner to see who Ar'ekk had brought on board.

A young man that appeared to be about her age and admitting he needed to learn something. He had dark hair, but she couldn't see much beyond that. They hadn't noticed her yet and so she used the opportunity to make herself be known. If she didn't, her pet would anyway. Before she took more than a step in, he let out a squawk anyway and that alone told them somebody was there.

"Stupid bird."

Not sounding at all angry, Aren walked into the room and looked between the two men with some curiosity. Ar'ekk already knew her name, but this other guy didn't so she held her hand out to him after taking a seat with them...whether they wanted her to or not.

"Aren D'Shade, slicery at your service if you need something got into."

Just earlier she had gotten into this ship, but was caught before she get steal it. Ar'ekk hadn't been mad and actually offered her spot with his ship and crew. Just wanting off Zakuul, she had accepted the offer.

[member="Rann Thress"] [member="Arekk"]

 

[Arekk]

"That's the spirit, my young apprentice. Be eager to learn. Because what's the point of knowing everything?"

Ar'ekk had taken the more philosophic approach about the Force and everything that sorrounded the Jedi and its order. He had learned from both sides of the coin, the Silvers and the Jedi Order. Different views of the code, of life, of doing things. Once fought the threat of the Sith that sometimes they would forget the real meaning of being a Jedi while the others took the more peaceful route, the one of ordinary and ancient peacekeepers. Rann would learn the best of the two, Ar'ekk having been on both ways of the coin too. War and peace.

"Sometimes you'll face a situation with no good options, where tokenistic acts of morality may have unforeseen consequences. It's an interesting case where the restriction of one's choice paradoxically opens up an exploratory space for you."

Leaving his meditative stance to straighten his legs, the half masked man patted Rann's shoulder blade and sent an upward nod towards the door where Aren stood. Her Porg had been squawking ever since they've met, its sound resonated throughout the entire ship loud enough for anyone to hear. Echoes.

A smile developed upon his face when he saw her standing on the edge of the door, something about her just felt familiar. It continued to be like this.

I need to find out but not now. It's not the time.

[member="Aren D'Shade"] | [member="Rann Thress"]

 

[Rann Thress]

Rann, incredibly confused, took the strange girl's hand when offered and shook it, continuing to look at her with the same amount of confusion.

"Uhhhhhhhhhhh. Hello. I'm Rann. Padawan Learner extraordinaire."
He said back to her with a smile.

He was slightly concerned with the fact this woman seemed to appear on the ship. He hadn't exactly explored the entire ship before so he chalked it up to her hiding or otherwise being busy. Ar'ekk seemed to know who this person was, so Rann wasn't too bothered by her. He was however, completely and utterly confused.

"So where did you come from? And what the hell is that?"
He gestured towards the creature on Aren's shoulder. It looked incredibly cute but incredibly annoying at the same time.

@Arekk [member="Aren D'Shade"]

 

[Aren D'Shade]

The girl already knew Ar'ekk so paid him only a little attention and listened to Rann as he introduced himself with a hand handshake.

"What is a padawan?

Giving him a friendly smile in return, she took a seat nearby. Not close enough to be considered invading personal space, but in this room...it was still pretty close. Pointing at the porg who hopped off her shoulder and moved over to look up at Rann she shrugged slightly.

"That is a porg and his name is Skeeter. I'm from Zakuul. You?"

Nodding her head with a ​backward tip to show she was curious to an answer.

[member="Rann Thress"] [member="Arekk"]

 

[Arekk]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gJfORv7qQ0s​

The young Jedi Knight beckoned Aren forward, inviting her to sit down with the two of them as they meditated. Porg included, Ar'ekk could sense something awaken inside the young slicer girl. Something that could be considered a gift that was yet to be discovered, her Force signature. It was strong and it felt oddly like it had a deeper connection with him. A call from beyond the reaches of what you can comprehend but it was too early to tell her. Time. They needed time.

"A Padawan is a Jedi Apprentice, Aren. Rann here is my learner and I'm his teacher."

Patting Rann's armblade for a brief moment, he explained Aren's presence aboard the Ebon Hawk.

"This is Aren, a slicer I found in Zakuul trying to break into the freighter. Can you believe that? She almost made it to the cockpit if it wasn't for me."

He said, letting out a faint cackle.

[member="Aren D'Shade"] | [member="Rann Thress"]

 

[Rann Thress]

Rann was confused even further by the explanation that Aren was a would-be ship thief. Back home or, he imagined, any populated system in the galaxy thieves or would be thieves would be punished not given a job. Rann just assumed it was Ar'ekk's jedi nature.

"I'm from Onderon, a place with many many beasts. Your porg is unlike anything I've ever seen. That's saying something."

Rann likewise felt something about Aren. When he spoke to her and looked at her it was as if he was speaking to Arekk. They felt oddly similar. They looked nothing alike and did not look or smell the same. It was nothing physical about them that triggered his sensation about her. Rann, however, did not know what it was he was feeling. He lacked the knowledge of the Force to properly articulate what it was he was feeling through the Force and, for the moment, let the feeling subside.

"I can't really judge you for your line of work. I used to be a 'magician,'" he held up his hands and shows the air quotes around magician, "before I came to Kashyyyk and met Ar'ekk. I uh. I tricked people out of their money using my very basic force abilities."
He should feel bad, but Rann felt nostalgia for the good ol' days. He remembered the tricks he pulled and people he swindled fondly. His justification was he was more of a nuisance than a criminal. He wasn't forcing people to pay to see him use the Force to bewilder them.

Rann realized he was smiling foolishly to himself and shook himself out of it,
"I'm sorry. It's a pleasure to meet you Aren."

[member="Arekk"] [member="Aren D'Shade"]

 

[Aren D'Shade]

The girl got a little bit of an odd look on her face when Ar'ekk answered. She knew of the sith, jedi, Ren and others that could use the Force. They were for the most part just something that was, she hadn't met any personally before today and now there were two of them.

"Well, I can't use it, but I have other skills. Those I learned on my own through trial and error. But that's what happens when you start out. Make mistakes and correct from there. Which Ar'ekk, this ship could use some upgrades in that panel. Can make them so somebody like me can't slice into it."

He had just accepted her company, even though she had sliced her way onto his ship. Of course, he had caught her before she actually boarded and told this Rann guy a lie about her almost making it to the cockpit, but she didn't correct him. It was actually the first time she had attempted slicing a ship and was rather pleased she had done it.

"Not like Zakuul I bet. He's rather considered exotic I think. I mean he's the only one I've owned. What kind of animals have you seen?"

Skeeter came back to her and indicated his desire to return to her shoulder. Picking up and placing back up there, Aren listened to what Rann said himself.

"Using mind tricks and such I imagine. Nice to meet you too. What about you, Ar'ekk? Since we're sharing our origins here."

[member="Rann Thress"] [member="Arekk"]

 

[Arekk]

"Coruscant. Nothing of a fairy tale or paradise, if you want to call it."

He hated to answer that question. "Where are you from?" It only brought him pain and bad memories. Everything had to revolve about that, it felt almost nauseating. The young man had enough of that scum ridden place and that'd be the last time he'd speak about it. It sounds hard when you think about it but when you're a man in his position, you gotta make sacrifices.

Ar'ekk certainly exaggerated Aren's slicing skills in an attempt to praise her work which seemed of an amateur. Her suggestion was well taken however and he appreciated that additional overlook that many people doesn't see at first.

"Sure. We'll go through the ship and see what can be done."

[member="Aren D'Shade"] | [member="Rann Thress"]