Stray Cat Rock Part 1 (Aika Kawakami)

[Matsu Ike]

http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:starwarsrp.net/topic/11955-stray-cat-rock-part-1-aika-kawakami/

The Spero, the Hope of the jedi and Republic. Also one of the largest ships ever built or designed, it was here Matsu had come if only for a small time. The steward was a wonderful trainer named Asha, the jedi had etched words of wisdom upon the side 'Wars not make one great.' and as it sailed through space with its escort fleet. The jedi master remained in the chambers near the front of the ship, the quiet being away from the massive engines hums was peaceful. They were still getting crew and people, so it was usually quiet and secluded. Which would help greatly in this task, @Aika Kawakami was a jedi knight but did not seem ready. She was gifted in hearing the voices in the minds of others but she had no control of it. It was a strange notion then that she had been promoted to jedi knight when she had admitted to not knowing much. Someone had thrown her to the deep end of the pool as it were, now it fell to Matsu to teach her how to swim.

So she had called Aika here to the ship and further training as much to teach her as to learn more about her, it wasn't often she met other people. She saw them, then would go back to her research not worrying about them. Her daughters were one of the few exceptions but even they knew she saw little beyond them. So Aika was a welcome friend who as Matsu finished laying out her equipment to the side as well as a jedi outfit similar to hers. A white kimono style robe with her belt being an obi sash, her hair up into a top knot that intricately came out higher on her head still cascading the loose lengths of it to frame her head then go to her back. Usually her hair was longer then her body but today it looked a little more refined, she did after all want to show a good example and what better way then tea while they talked and learned lessons.

 

[Aika Kawakami]

She had to find a better to handle things, especially time. She could count the number of times she'd been on time for anything on one hand, and she wouldn't have to use all her fingers. This time was no exception. Even though she hadn't been told to meet Matsu at any specific time, she still felt like she was late. It had only been a little while since she met her new sensei in the caves on Illum. It was that day that she learned how to block out all the thoughts surrounding her, and learned that she had some ability as a Jedi. Aika was telepathic, and while she hadn't been able to stop herself from hearing the thoughts of other with any consistency, she now knew it was possible. And she now had someone who had the time to teach her how to really become a Knight of the Republic. The vessel she was to meet Matsu on awaited her in the hangar, taking off just after she boarded. She couldn't explain it, but it felt like she'd been given another chance to live up to this great potential she was supposed to have.

Her feet shuffled lightly as she moved through the corridors of the ship. It seemed as if everything had instantly gotten louder once she was aboard. Every thought seemed to be simply flooding into her mind. One after another, there was no break. The distress was obvious upon her face. Oddly enough, there was one voice that seemed to come through louder than the others. It was one that she'd heard before. It was her new sensei. Aika strolled through the halls of the ship until she reached a small room near the front. In she took a deep breath, causing the door to slide open. Her eye glanced into the room slightly as she stepped forward. "Uh, Ike-sensei. It's me, Aika. I'm sorry if I'm late.."

@[member="Matsu Ike"]

 

[Matsu Ike]

@[member="Aika Kawakami"]

Matsu turned her head up as she gave a smile to Aika, she had poured some tea for her arrival and it was steaming while the jedi master stood up and moved around the small table coming to look at the girl as she straightened out her kimono. "It is quite alright Aika, we have all the time in the world. My time is your time and I am not one to have my students stressed. Now come and tell me how you have been?" She could guess the answer the girl seemed to be in need of some tea and relaxation. If anything this session would end up being exactly what she had hoped. Strengthen her mental shields, show her a little combat maybe or at least how to use a saber for defense. She would need to get a training saber yes until she built her own but slowly Matsu placed a hand on her students back for reassurance and comfort. "Come there is tea."

 

[Aika Kawakami]

A warm smile graced her lips as she stepped fully into the room, allowing the doors to slide closed behind her. It was nice to know that someone was willing to spend so much time for another, specifically her. Her smile grew even wider as she left the light touch of a hand on her back. Her eyes moved to the side, glancing at her master before looking about the room. Her eyes caught sight of a white kimono that seemed to have been purposely laid out, though she decided it may better to leave some things be. Sometimes questioning things didn't always end well, after all.

She took a kneeling position at the side of the table as she breathed deeply, inhaling the relaxing scent of the tea. It almost seemed to clear her mind instantly, which was simply incredible in itself. Taking the cup before her into her hands, she glanced back towards Matsu, nodding slightly. "Thank you for the tea, Ike-sensei." With that, she took a few small sips from the cup, simply enjoying the warming sensation that the tea put within her. Aika simply sat there for a few moments, allowing herself to become lost within the warmth of her stomach. Once the feeling dissipated, she remembered she'd been asked about how things had been. "Things have been...odd. Not bad, just odd. One minute everything is fine, the next it seems like all of Coruscant is speaking right into my ears. It's maddening. I actually have been avoiding essentially everyone since we returned from Illum. I'm just worried about what I might hear.."

@[member="Matsu Ike"]

 

[Matsu Ike]

@[member="Aika Kawakami"]

Matsu gave a node and remained standing at the side of the girl, her condition her talent while very controllable would take lessons. "I see then we shall have to start the lessons." Matsu kept her smile on her face while she knelt down and straightened her outfit. THen set her hands in her lap. "Now the first trick will be to raise your mental shields and work to slowly keep out my thoughts. I will not force them upon you these will only be surface thoughts. This is how my master taught me though I will not use her technique or lines of thoughts. It would be highly inappropriate and so embarrassing." She felt the small amount of heat in her cheeks, not that many could tell they never seemed to become more colorful then pale.

She brushed her mind at her student and spoke gently into the force. Aika Kawakami, if you are hearing this focus.... Focus on the sound of my voice and know peace. The force can do many things and this.. This mind speaking is a simple enough process. Now relax... breathe and let the tea soothe you. Then when your mind is quite and your body still speak to me. Not with your words but your mind;

 

[Aika Kawakami]

She nodded with a smile as Matsu knelt next to her. Lessons. Training. Teachings. Aika needed to learn, if for nothing else, then to retain her own sanity. While she was curious about these methods she spoke of, but refused to use, she wasn't going to ask. Something's were better left alone and in the dark. Plus, she certainly didn't feel like regretting asking about it later.

In the middle of her mind simply wandering off, she felt something. It seemed like it was slight nudge, but not a physical one. It felt like something was slowly and carefully pushing into her mind. She coudln't tell what is was, but soon got her confirmation. Aika could hear her master's voice in her head. She did what she was told, as best she could. Closing her eyes, she exhaled a deep breath as she tried to relax her body and mind, an attempt to let go of everything around her. For a few moments, she simply sat there, trying to clear her mind of all other things expect her current training. Still, she wasn't exactly sure how to reach someone through the force. it was all still new to her. With that, Aika did the only thing she could do; she simply thought. She let her thoughts go, hoping they'd reach her master. Ike-sensei? Can...can you hear me? Is this working?...

@[member="Matsu Ike"]

 

[Matsu Ike]

@[member="Aika Kawakami"]

Yes I can hear you Matsu let her voice come out with some humor in it while she remained looking at the girl. She could easily do such a thing but all she poured in was calmness, shared her commitment to her student to help her. The jedi master then spoke more in the best way to share the knowledge. Imagine the line of communication between us as a cord that you can mentally grab onto. Hold it in your mind and feel it. I am on the other end and it is safe. Your abilities are much like mine which will let it be easier to learn. Her hand finally came up and pressed simply two fingers to Aika's temple to focus. Not invade her mind but to let the force flow freely between them. In times bast I would have battered at you mind to strengthen your shields but there are other ways. You have the ability to strengthen your defenses or allow things in. My voice is something your can have there and talk to me. Bonds like this have no concept of distance or time Aika. They are formed and strengthened but for the ones who want it. It will allow you to feel my strength and serenity. I will be able to help you when your scared or overwhelmed.

 

[Aika Kawakami]

She'd done it. She didn't have any how, but she'd done it. Somehow, Aika had spoken through the force to her master. It made Aika a bit excited, but relaxed her as well as heard Matsu respond. To most, this wouldn't be much, but to her it was everything. Just knowing that she could speak through the force made her confidence boost somewhat. It meant there was hope, that actually controlling her abilities weren't just some far-fetched dream. Her mind came back to the present moment as Matsu began to speak again, her fingers resting against Aika's forehead. Just as she was told, she imagined a cord that linked them together. As she grabbed at the cord, her breathing seemed to slow to a relaxed pace. I...I understand...

Everything seemed so...peaceful.

@[member="Matsu Ike"]

 

[Matsu Ike]

@[member="Aika Kawakami"]

Matsu gave a nod while she slowly moved her hand away and kept it close but not touching while Aika spoke to her. Good see it is not so bad, projecting your thoughts, even your emotions can be easy. It is the first step to forming a defense the second is finding the place in your head. Somewhere you can go to be by yourself. It is hard to explain but when I need to be alone it is an endless tundra of snow. Swirling and freeing. Find your place and inwardly make it secure, you'll be able to feel me but this is yours. Your safe place where no one else can find you. Matsu then gently pushed as her mind back flashed to her own experiences and she didn't pay attention to if Aika saw.

Matsu recalled several images but the one of her learning how to mentally defend on Tython with Chora came to mind. She had been the student then and while barely a year older Chora had been her teacher. The memory of her wife brought up the rest that had been fresh, that she had shared with Reiko and Orihime. Shown to Asha and Kelly, no she tried to keep it to herself but didn't act fast enough allowing if she had been off... Aika might see it.

"Be careful with it Chora." "Oh come on snowflake just one more time. For me." Matsu looked at the girl in her bed as they both laid there and felt the rocking of the ship. Illum was cold and while she didn't deny coming here was a strange feeling. it had been for a purpose, they were building a saber for Chora.... her own personal sabers but things hadn't gone well. The cave hadn't shown Chora the way until... until the end when after several hours in the ice Matsu had found a crystal. It glowed in synch with their heartbeats and as the Falleen touched her hand. She felt her heart racing which the crystal seemed to emulate.​

​

Then the crystal was in her hands and her hands were placing it is the navel of her girlfriend. All the while her fingers were tracing the diamond like scales around her belly. They matched in a few places she had seen in private. Then she giggled and kissed lightly up her body until she reached her lips and smelled her pheromones. Yes the pheromones were there but they enhanced attractiveness that meant Matsu had already decided she was attractive long before she actually smelled her. Then the covered were over them and Matsu saw starlight dance across her vision.​

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Then it flashed again as Matsu recalled more, the small link she had given to teach Aika letting her remember more. The battle of Cyrilla as she and Chora fought blade strike for blade strike and above the rain hammered. The fleets above blocking out the sky it seemed and as silver blade met red. Matsu thought she was lost. Then they fell, off the citadel and to the ground. The bombs that had been dropped taking effect as the Blue Shadow virus wormed into their bodies. She had arisen with her last ounce of strength and.... And a coldness in her stomach. ​

​

Matsu looked down and saw the red blade before they both went to their knees and Matsu stared at her. "You should have stayed away, you can't save them." Matsu looked and raised her hand as she spoke in a barely audible whisper. "Not them..." She left it open and fell back feeling herself weaker from the virus and now a stab to the gut. Her eyes blinked as the rained pattered down then she heard something she hadn't thought. At the edge of her hearing. "Snowflake? Matsu..." Then silence, her body moved but she couldn't open her eyes and she was being carried. Being taken into a ship and they flew away.​

​

Then she awoke with a shout, her stomach wrapped and the sickness gone. Her eyes scanned and they weren't on Cyrilla they were on Rhen Var. In Dokai's temple and Matsu rose as she heard a sound. The bed across from her shifted under the covers. The thick furred covers and a spill of white hair came out. Matsu rushed over holding her stomach as the sight of Chora with the virus in her was scary. The woman took her hand and spoke with light in her eyes. "My snowflake, your alive." ​

​

Matsu looked at Chora and nodded her head too fast as the sight scared her as she wiped the tears from her eyes. She didn't know what to do and just laid there as she held Chora through the pain. "Matsu.... take care of them. Don't... don't tell them I failed." Matsu nodded her head and then and then she felt it. It was like her arm had been sliced off as in her head she kept trying to reach out but failed. Her hands beat and pushed on Chora's chest before she gave up and saw her tears drop to her face. Matsu stayed like that for the rest of the day until she couldn't cry anymore and rose. She took the body and prepared a pyre wrapping it up and setting it ablaze while she looked at the ship. Her hear felt like an aching wound and she wanted to go to her one last time to follow.​

​

...but she couldn't, she couldn't follow and couldn't stay as the sun began to rise and the last embers went away. Matsu walked into the ship and set the course to return to Tython to return to hers and Chora's children as her heart ached. Then she touched her hands to her face and wept again. That would be the last time she visited Rhen Var and on Tython deep in the woods she made a grave. Hidden from the jedi because you didn't bury the fallen, you didn't honor them. She carved on a stone and set it in the snow capped fields where they had first kissed. ​

​

Matsu felt tears in her eyes, recent things had brought memories and she spoke not with her mind even her concentration was not up to it now. "Sorry about that, the memory of learning myself brought up... Ghosts of the past and a time when I was a very different person." The jedi master wiped at her eyes and bowed her head while offering a small smile. "Now hopefully my small moment of weakness hasn't dampened your spirits too much. We may continue if you wish student Aika."

 

[Aika Kawakami]

Each moment, Aika seemed to become more relaxed. Each moment she felt as if she had less to worry about. She only needed to take things step by step, there was no rush. Once more, she listened in on the instructions she was given. She began to think of somewhere she could be alone, a place to call her own. In truth, she didn't really have anywhere even in her mind that she could call her own. But there was one place that she had enjoyed, even if it seemed odd. That was the steps of the Jedi Temple on Coruscant. Simply being there and just looking out over the busting metropolis seemed to somehow help her gather her thoughts.

With that, she began to imagine herself sitting upon the temple stairs, but something was different. She wasn't watching the never-ending movement that was Coruscant. No, she was seeing something totally different. Whether her master was aware of it or not, Aika was seeing Matsu's visions from her past. As hard as she tried, it was like the images were being fed into her brain. She saw her master go from from Cyrilla to Rhen var, and the tragedy that ensued. Unable to fight it, Aika's eyes began to tear up just slightly as she watched the pain from her master's past.

Just as what seemed like a dream came to an end, Aika opened her own eyes slowly, looking up towards Matsu. Yet, even after reliving all that pain, she smiled. It was at this precise moment that Aika realized how strong her master was, and saw how strong she needed to become. She returned her master's smile, nodding as well before wiping the small tears from her own eyes. "I didn't see any weakness, Ike-sensei. What I saw was someone who overcame to become stronger. I saw someone I need to be more like. So, if your ready to continue, then so am I."

@[member="Matsu Ike"]

 

[Matsu Ike]

@[member="Aika Kawakami"]

Matsu looked at Aika who was also weeping as she gave a nod of her head. Then came a little closer. "There is many kinds of steength Aika, not all of us can move mountains. My strength came from my children, came from my wife and all she taught me. It comes from teaching, yours if you so choose is here, we will find it. Find that part of you that is strong and see where it comes from. Sometimes it can take years and sometimes you already know what it is. As it stands, you have seen something that very few know and even less would understand. I am simply the librarian who teaches exotic force techniques." Then Matsu stood up and spoke pointing to the kimono attire while moving around the table.

"Now change into your new robes, they match mine and will have two steel fans." Matsu moved and exited the room, she would give enough time for Aika to get dressed and straightened up before returning. Normally attire didn't matter but this was her student and she liked them to have matching robes, it made it easier to identify in a crowd. That and she also wanted a moment to compose herself as the memories fresh from being with Reiko were there at the surface. She wouldn't let them overwhelm her but she could let the happier ones come to her mind before she re-entered the room and stood at her full five foot two stature with her hands behind her back and spoke.

"Are you prepared to begin?"

 

[Aika Kawakami]

She stared at her for a moment, allowing the words to soak into her ears. She didn't have the slightest clue where her own strength would come from. There was no dark past or traumatic event in her life. She was simply a normal girl who somehow was gifted with an extraordinary ability. Her head nodded slightly before rose to her feet and glanced over at the kimono that had been laid out. Not since she was a child had she worn something that specifically matched another's attire, and even then it was her mother she was imitating. She paced to where the kimono lay, examining it for few seconds before she began to undress.

It didn't take her too long to change, though unlike her master, she left her hair hanging. She figured it would look better this way, especially considering that she never could tie her hair up properly. Aika picked up the fans, one in each hand, as she looked them over carefully. It wasn't long before she heard her master's voice once more. She took a deep breath before responding, preparing herself for whatever may come next. "Yes, Ike-sensei. I'm ready whenever you are."

@[member="Matsu Ike"]

 

[Matsu Ike]

@[member="Aika Kawakami"]

Matsu looked at Aika and smiled as she walked over to her equipment and held the ultrachrome fans. It was one thing to use a blade but there were other skills one could learn to properly be a jedi. "That is good now open your fan and hold it. There are many skills one can learn as a jedi but the world, the galaxy is all connected. The force is free in the air and we can manipulate it. The air can become a tool to help us and that requires focus... More so it requires respect of the elements." Slowly Matsu moved with that and waved the fan bringing a small gust that with a little flex of power became for a brief moment a whirlwind before going away. "You see Aika the environment is our friend and it has rules. We can ask it to bend the rules, they will still exist just we are finding a way to alter them for a time."

Then Matsu stood with one fan over her face and the other out in her hand sliding it open in her upwards pointed palm and spoke. "Now stand like I do and let the force enter your body, let it fill your muscles and then let it out as you wave the fan slowly. Not too fast but enough to make a consistent gust for that small second."

 

[Aika Kawakami]

Aika stood wide eyed as she felt the quick gust of wind flow about her. This was way over her head. She knew the force was capable of a lot, but manipulating the air itself? It just seemed so far fetched to her. Like something out of a children's bedtime story. Even with her master explaining, it still seemed unrealistic. Then again, everything had seemed that way since she first met Matsu. As if she was in a never ending dream. Nonetheless, she'd have to wake from her slumber if she intended to learn. And she wanted to learn that she could about what was possible for her to do.

She took the stance she was told to, opening both fans as she placed one over her face, the other resting in her upwards pointing hand. Aika simply stood there for a few moments before dropping her hands back to her sides. "Uh, Ike-sensei? This may sound like a dumb question, but....how does one let the force flow through them? Or how do they know when it's happening?"

@[member="Matsu Ike"]

 

[Matsu Ike]

@[member="Aika Kawakami"]

Matsu looked at Aika and had a tight lipped smile as she fought a frown... If only because she was learning a lot of things from Aika, she needed to find out what she had been taught. "Alright relax your body, touch your tongue to the top of your mouth and breathe in deeply. Hold it in your lungs and feel the force as it stays there for those brief seconds. You cannot hold it for long, the force is forever flowing but for small moments you can hold it. It will only be deterred from its path through violent means. Now exhale and inhale again and do it again pushing the air in your lungs towards your fingers and toes. The force penetrates us, it binds the galaxy together and you can feel it." Matsu remained very still while she closed a fan touching it to the students stomach. "Now try it Aika."

 

[Aika Kawakami]

Doing as she was told, without question, Aika closed her eyes and relaxed herself and shut her eyes. She could feel something pressing at her stomach as she breathed in deeply, holding it for just a few seconds before letting it go. She did it again, and while it seemed like an odd thing to do, she pushed the air she inhaled towards her appendages. There was no denying, just as she held the breath, something felt different within her. Something that seemed to be swirling within, but disappeared just before she released the breath. As she took the breath in the second time, there was a slight tingling in her hands and feet. It was subtle, but somehow familiar. It felt the same way that her mind felt when she inadvertently heard someone's thoughts. Her eyes opened slowly as she looked to her master. "I think....I think I felt it."

@[member="Matsu Ike"]

 

[Matsu Ike]

@[member="Aika Kawakami"]

Matsu gave a nod of her head at that, now she was getting it. Once she got past the initial reluctance or her own inability it was working wonders. Slowly the jedi master tapped her again and motioned. "Now again stay loose and beep breathes then exhale, repeat the processs until you can feel the force pooling within you Aika. We will keep this exercise up until you are able to, your previous master what was his name? He does not seem to have given you much tutoring or help in learning the basics." The jedi master didn't want to be mean or upsetting but it wasn't often she had to explain to a knight how to o the simple things.

 

[Aika Kawakami]

The mention of her previous master stopped Aika in her tracks. It wasn't her place to speak on matters that frankly didn't concern her. She scratched at at her head for a moments, turning her head to avoid eye contact with Matsu. It was the first time she was doing anything other than what she'd been told to do in a while, and it created a slightly odd feeling from within. "Maybe we should just leave that topic be, Ike-sensei. My previous master had other things that had to take priority to my training. But that doesn't make her a bad person. So, maybe we could just continue with the lesson?"

@[member="Matsu Ike"]

 

[Matsu Ike]

@[member="Aika Kawakami"]

Matsu raised an eyebrow when Aika turned away and wanted to drop the topic. She now had something curious about her... But the question of what it was. She would have to look into it or ask questions but now was not the time. Slowly Matsu went over and looked Aika in the face offering a bow of her head. "Very well Aika, we shall continue the lesson but understand if I do not know what you have been taught. I cannot teach you best, I don't want to repeat a lesson or throw you into the deep end as it were with what we are doing. I do not want to upset you but you do understand why I am curious yes?"

In truth it was also because she wanted Aika to be... Stronger to be more assertive. She seemed to only want to be in the background or seem useless but she could be a strong and powerful jedi. Matsu knew it and now it was just about teaching her student to believe it as well. "Now what have you been taught?"

 

[Aika Kawakami]

A small sigh escaped her lips as she her eyes moved back towards her master's frame. "Well, I did quite a bit of meditating. She always said that would be the most important factor when it came to my abilities. I've moved a few objects here and there, though nothing large. And I was beginning to learn to feel others emotions, but that was where things came to an end. She had to leave suddenly, so I spent many days either wandering the temple halls, in the library, or meditating." Aika spoke with a low tone, as if she was embarrassed by the words leaving her own mouth. Then again, of course she was. Out of every knight the Jedi had, it was certain that she was the weakest. That was made apparent to her when she remained on world even after receiving her position as a knight. No duties increased. No missions brought to her attention. She wasn't even summoned when they met with the other knights. She was simply...there.

@[member="Matsu Ike"]