Private The Best Offense Is A Good Defense

[Shan Pavond]

Location: Endor
Objective: Teach Padawan how to punch. Hard.

Shan let out a short exhale as he took in the surroundings around him. Nature was something that always felt more in tune with him, than technology did. Breathing the air in and out, closing his eyes as he imagined the ocean that was the Force crashing and receding around him. This was going to be one of the first important lessons he was going to teach upon Zaiya Ceti . Healing was important but as Shan learned during the incident with the Dark Empire and the other Padawans, so was knowing how to defend yourself and others. It would have been more helpful if he was teaching Zaiya lightsaber forms, but he wanted to teach her something she could do without that kind of weapon.

"Alright Zaiya. For now, we're just going to meditate. I want you to try and feel attuned with our surroundings. It'll be the best way for us to call upon the Force. I want you to be able to relax as well. Things have been stressful for the both of us. If you need to talk about anything, my door is always open for you. I thought it'd be easier to bring you here. Somewhere neutral, where you won't have to worry."

The Mirialan waved his hand around the pair, indicating the trees around them before he sat himself down on the ground, crossing his legs underneath him and resting his hands against his knees, his palms aimed up towards the clouds. A few containers laid nearby, filled with a variety of different materials. Woods, plastics, metal. All in the shape of a board, with varying thicknesses. Those would be important for the lesson later, but like he said. They were going to focus on attuning better with the Force.

"If you need me to talk, and guide you through the meditation, just ask. What I normally do is try to visualise the Force in my mind. The ebb and flow of it around us, moving in time with my breath. Like I said to you when we first met though, the way people see the Force is always different. Some see it as a meandering spider-web, spreading across the Galaxy. Others might see it as a set of scales, with the Dark side on one end, and the light side on the other. Personally, I see it as a large ocean that spreads across the Galaxy. Every action we take, causing a ripple that spreads across the Force."

Zaiya Ceti

 

[Zaiya Ceti]

There were alot of things in Zaiya's mind. Some of which she wanted to talk to someone about. Others she wasn't quite ready to. So, while the offer from Shan Pavond to talk to him about anything was there, Zaiya wasn't sure if she was ready to really discuss those things yet.

Instead, the Lovalla teen gave a slow nod, contemplating the burnished dark orange color tones sweeping over her skin as she considered his words. Meditating was familiar to her. Braze and Loomi had introduced her to the concept before, and she'd actually been practicing on her own a bit, trying to push her senses out and see who or what she could feel. It was getting easier and better, so much so she could start to feel other people or animals auras, well, what she considered describing as auras as they moved and flowed around her. Some were bright, some were dim. Others... Dark and shadowy, with that nauseating feeling.

So Zaiya plopped herself down in front of Shan, crossing her legs and mirroring his seating stance. She'd worn another comfy training outfit, this one with more earthy tones. Her colorful hair was in a thick braid that ran down the length of her back until it reached her lower waist. All the while, her colorshifting was becoming more vibrant every day, perhaps, in recognition that she was starting to build those social bonds that her kind so desperately needed.

"So, I know you wanted to bring us somewhere neutral, but what is so special about this place?" besides the fact it was so pretty. There were so many tall trees. Everything was sooo green. So much ... life.

Maybe that was it?

 

[Shan Pavond]

"What's special about it? It depends on what meaning you want to give to things. Special places can change for everyone. I always find myself more in tune with Nature. It might be because of how I view the Force. Other people might feel more connected to the Force in a big city, or surrounded by technology. The Force flows through nearly everything. It's best to connect to what feels the most natural to you. I thought something...natural would help you. Something warm, alive. And depending on how well the training goes, I might try to get some of my own training in as well."
First and foremost came Zaiya's training. As much as Shan knew he could become a stronger Jedi, he was more focused on helping others become the best they could be. It was what he did best. Instead of being a dazzling star, or a bright light shining in front of everyone, Shan focused on uplifting others. Supporting them, healing them and trying to be there when they needed it.

"But also, when it comes to natural worlds like these, I find it easier to broaden my senses. I've never been great at sensing things through the Force. Unless it's someone or something I'm familiar with, it's easy for them to pass my attention. With planets like these though, I find it clearer to see. I can see and feel the roots running underneath us. The trees that live through these roots and breathe through their leaves. The fauna that use those leaves to survive and build their homes. It helps to further prove to me that we're all connected in our own way. That the Force, alongside nature work hand in hand. Not against each other."

Zaiya Ceti

 

[Zaiya Ceti]

Okay, what Shan Pavond told her made sense. It also made her think about how he described how he healed people, but feeling what felt icky or wrong from them through the Force and trying to remove it from a patient's body.

"Is that why you use the method of sensing what is wrong with someone when healing them? So you can remove it?" If they were in a place of nature like this, where the Force flowed easily and naturally, then they could sense the entire spectrum of the Force right?

​

 

[Shan Pavond]

"Yes. But sometimes you also have to be aware of what is missing from someone who is sick. Not necessarily what is wrong with them, but what is right as well. Say someone has symptoms that lead to a certain illness, say for example a heart condition, but their blood flow seems to be fine. That's something that might need to be further investigated."

Shan took a moment to focus on his breathing, trying to put his thoughts into words. It was harder than he thought. Part of him just wanted Zaiya to instinctively know it, but Shan had to remember that he was somewhat gifted in healing. It was something he had been doing since even before Zaiya's age.

"There's also certain things that should be treated straight on the field, that don't require us to necessarily sense it. Broken bones, cuts, things like that. They don't need to be fully healed, not all the time. They need to be well enough to move, to a safer location. Those injuries are easier to treat in my mind anyway. Instead of searching and scanning for what could be making them ill or sick, I can just focus on the injury. The bone, or the broken skin and use the Force to accelerate the healing."

More breathing. Well. This was a lot more relaxing of a lesson about healing than what he had with Amani. There was no-one shooting at them, they weren't having to worry about some alien killing disease. It was just them, the trees and the wind around them...and probably an Ewok or two watching them curiously from the trees but they weren't something Shan would be worried about.

"But you should always be aware of your own limits when it comes to healing. It's why in your free time, I'd also suggest studying First Aid and ways you can help people physically. You'll be no help to anyone if you run yourself ragged and tired. If anything, you'll be more of a hindrance. If it comes to it, you can use the Force to reduce someone's bleeding, then get to work doing First-Aid. I'll be honest, when I first started I used to try and heal people until I passed out. I thought...it would help people more, but it did the opposite. People had to start worrying about me."

Zaiya Ceti

 

[Zaiya Ceti]

Breathe in. Breathe out.

As Shan Pavond continued to explain, Zaiya did her best to get herself in that meditative state Braze had helped her get into before. For Zaiya, it was more like sinking into a comfy cloud and then noticing the tiny golden threads that connected everyone within. As it directed her to someone, then their aura would start to glow in different colors. It had begun with only glowing and being shadowy, but now subtle bits of color would dart within.

Almost like her Kyler crystal.

Her breathing slowed, and she became more relaxed. The Force would flow and Zaiya welcome it.

Limits. Be aware of limits.

“But how does one know their limits of they haven’t tested to see what they are to begin with?”

​

 

[Shan Pavond]

"Practice. Specifically practising in a safe environment. I'd have suggested using the Halls of Healing...but that's not really an option right now. So I think your best way of practising is with your friends after they've been sparring. If they get hurt that is. There might come points when you're able to push past your limits, but those are rare. Plus they'll normally leave you exhausted for an extended period of time. It's why the past few times, I've let you use the healing crystal of fire. But you won't always have access to it, so it's best not to rely on it."

Now that Shan was fully relaxed, the Mirialan pushed himself up from his position, letting Zaiya carry on with her meditation. He was just going to set up their little "Classroom" in the meanwhile. Setting up some small tables, alongside various boards of different materials. Wooden boards of varying thickness, plastic ones and then alongside a few metal boards but he didn't plan on letting Zaiya try out on those yet. Those were for his own practice.

"Another thing I don't believe we should always rely on are our lightsabers. We won't always have access to them and I like to believe it's best to find alternatives to use them. Which is why I have a question for you Zaiya. What do you know about lightsaber forms? Any names? how many there are?"

Shan turned his attention back towards the Glowy Girl, a small little grin spreading across his face as he leaned up against one of the folded table...before it collapsed under him and the Mirialan fell face first into the mud...Damn the Force. He was trying to be all cool!

Zaiya Ceti

 

[Zaiya Ceti]

​

Practicing in a safe environment. Okay. I can practice healing sparring and healing while hanging out with Aris Noble and Braze , Zaiya thought to herself. Out of everyone she knew, odds were, they were the ones that would need some assistance. Braze in particular. For some reason he always seemed to get hurt one way or another.

Zaiya nodded. The mention of the Healing Crystals of Fire shard that Shan Pavond had let her borrow came to mind. It helped, but practicing without it now would be good for her.

The question about lightsaber forms drew her attention, and she opened her eyes just in time to see Shan tumble against the folded table and fall onto the muddy ground. Zaiya giggled, amusement drizzling over her skin in light blue hues before she stood up to help.

"Are you okay?" She asked, ambling down to him, outstretching a hand to help him get up. "The ground is bumpy I know." she offered him an out, but the mirth dancing in her opal blue eyes stated otherwise.

"Umm... Aris helped me with some basics. Sequences he called it. I think it was Shii-Cho?" Zaiya replied while adding, trying her best to not focus on how that training session had turned out. She was still grappling with it all.

"Oh, well, since I don't have a lightsaber, I made a bunch of tools to help. Like this prototype wrist energy slingshot," excitement at showing it off came into play, lifting up her arm to the thick, pretty cuff on her right wrist. It appeared just to be one of the many bangles and bracelets she wore, but when she activated it, a blue energy slingshot formed over the top of the back of her forearm on the cuff.

"And I create these cool energy pellets for it," another bangle beside it and a push of a button, and a small glowing pink orb formed.

"See!"

 

[Shan Pavond]

"Shii-Cho. interesting. It's the first lightsaber form that most people learn. I never really enjoyed it, even though it's the basics. I preferred learning Soresu. Defensive styles are more my kind of thing. Don't let that influence you though. When it comes to lightsaber styles, you should go with what you feel most comfortable with. Of course...you don't need to rely on using a lightsaber either. I just like to carry one around, because I feel like it helps give people hope."

Shan tapped his lightsaber at his belt for a moment, before taking the lightsaber off and placing it to the side...once he got up from the mud of course. Taking a hold of Zaiya's hand with a grin. He didn't mind embracing himself at the end of the day. It wasn't like it was hurting him or Zaiya. His eyes did check out Zaiya's equipment for a moment, nodding in approval. Shan always liked the idea of having alternatives to lightsabers. He was still trying to figure out his own alternative weapon.

"The reason I asked about Lightsaber Forms however, is because I want to tell you about a Form that is less...an actual form, and more of a thought process. Form Zero. Whilst Jedi are expected to be Guardians of the Galaxy, we're also meant to be diplomats and protectors. You should never expect to head straight into a fight, nor should you go for your lightsaber in every predicament. Violence breeds violence. You have the Force at your disposal, and your mind. Those are some of the strongest weapons you can have with you."

With that, the Mirialan tapped his temple as he spoke about using your brain. He also turned his attention towards the metal board he had put down. Focusing on the Force around him, and bringing it towards his hand. This was the technique he was going to want to teach Zaiya in a moment, but for now, having this conversation was important in his mind. As he focused, Shan took his fist and suddenly thrust it through the metal board, punching a clear hole through it before bringing his hand back, waving it off a few times.

"The Force gives us plenty of non-lethal alternatives as well. I mean, look at that. It's a technique Knight Kai'el taught me, Ko Vuto and Knight Kai'el's padawan. Soft to Solid. I prefer to use it in a defensive manner. Make myself a literal living shield to protect others. Of course, I can't keep it going constantly and it needs focus to use but...it's a neat little trick I think."

Zaiya Ceti

 

[Zaiya Ceti]

​

Shan Pavond had lots of great points; a lot of which worked in line with traditional Lovalla thinking. They were nonviolent by nature and preferred to discuss things in a group setting rather than taking charge by oneself. That wasn't to say they wouldn't protect their mates or loved ones; a Lovalla could double their strength when the need to protect surged through them in a burst of hormones.

However, the Mirialian Knight's technique of hardening his hand from soft to hard was super cool. There was no avoiding the "Whoa" of impressed exclamation, having only ever seen such power in punching things only with Aris Noble , but he was really good at using his natural strength to do that. This time, someone else was using the Force to have that happen.

"So does soft to solid mean that nothing will hurt you if you are concentrating on making your entire body be super solid?" how impermeable was it? Would one still get hurt?

"And does that mean you can't do anything else while you are trying to make sure your body remains solid?" or if she got better at it, could she combine it with other techniques?

 

[Shan Pavond]

"No, things can still hurt you. It's more like...natural body armour. Blaster bolts, lightsabers, those things can still hurt you. There's techniques to deal with those anyway. But if you're going against someone with a sword, you can use it to try and grab the sword midswing without getting yourself cut. I've done that before. It was fun...until I lost focus and it started to dig into my hand."

That wasn't a fun experience, thinking back on it. It was meant to be a hand to hand sparring session...and his partner had pulled a sword out on him. At least he had lived to tell the tale. And hey! He had both his hands. Anyway, he needed to stay focused on the lesson.

"You can still do stuff, but it'll be hard to keep focus at first. It's easier for me to keep the technique going since I've practiced and I've been working on trying to incorporate other Force techniques with it. It's a work in progress though. Knight Kai'el taught me the technique by having his Shard shoot tennis balls at me, but erh...I don't have anyone who could do that. That's why I've got these planks for you to practice with instead. I also have some ice in case one of us hurts ourselves."

He jabbed his thumb back towards the interceptor that he had used to land them on the planet. There was a nice chilled box of ice, ready and waiting for someone to inevitably mess up...and if no-one messed up? They both can get ice cold drinks as a reward.

Zaiya Ceti

 

[Zaiya Ceti]

Zaiya's eyes lit up with a confirming nod at Shan Pavond , her skin taking on a vibrant hue of orange and teal as if a spark of excitement had ignited within her. The air around her seemed to ripple with bright citrine tones, a visual manifestation of her curiosity.

"So... I have never applied the Force on myself like this before. I want to meditate or stretch out my senses and heal, yes, but not affect myself directly. How would I do that with the Force and know if it worked?"

There was a pause, then a grin.

"Well, besides hurting my fist on the plank."

​

 

[Shan Pavond]

Ah. This was a question that Shan wasn't...entirely looking forward to, as the Mirialan gave an awkward chuckle, tugging at the collar of his robes as he tried to wrap his head around the answer he was going to give. It wasn't something you really felt in his mind Or well you did, but it was more of a reaction than a conscious realisation that you were using the power.

"That's the hard part with the Force Zaiya. A lot of the time, you don't realise you're doing it...until you've done it. A lot of the time, if you think you're going to fail at doing the Technique, you will fail. You have to believe that you're going to do it. Because when it comes down to it, you're either going to do the technique, or you aren't. There is no in-between. But I believe in you Zaiya. You don't need to try, because you will do it."

He gave a small smile at that, alongside giving his Padawan a thumbs up. He was doing his best to try and give her as much faith as he could. Giving Zaiya a short nod before sitting down on his knees. Brushing himself off of dirt and dust, Shan just watched carefully, being ready to support her if she needed.

"It's all about focusing the Force into the limb you're trying to solidify. When you get more experienced with it, you'll find it easier to affect different parts of your body at once. But for now, I'd just focus on something small, like your hand."

Zaiya Ceti

 

[Zaiya Ceti]

​

Which meant this was going to hurt, Zaiya thought to herself with a sigh. Not that she was thinking pessimistically; it is just the natural order of things. One didn't start knowing how to do everything. Just like training in defensive martial arts, it required consistent, and often painful, practice.

"Okay." Zaiya replied, taking a deep breath. Shan Pavond sat to the side to watch how the Lovalla teen did, while Zaiya herself went to the planks. There she stood in front of the first one. With an exhale, she attempted to do what the Mirialan Knight had instructed. Focus on the Force along her fist. She brought her right hand up, curling her fingers around and making sure her thumb wasn't going to get hurt.

Now it was all about meditating. So she closed her eyes and began to focus. Maybe if she imagined that the threads were wrapping around her fist and hardening, would that work? Deciding to try that, she exhale and then after a second, opened her eyes and punched the plank.

Only to yelp out an "Owwwww!" as she, very clearly, didn't do so well the first time.

 

[Shan Pavond]

Some people might have laughed at Zaiya's little outburst of pain. Shan was not one of them as he was hopping straight up to his feet to check on Zaiya, crouching down next to her and holding his hand out so that he could check over her's. He was sure she hadn't hit it hard enough, but he wanted to make sure none of her bones were broken at the very least. That would be a great learning experience with his padawan, causing her to break her hand.

"Alright. You did good. I know it doesn't look like it, or feel like it, but it's better you experience the pain of slipping up now, than in the field. One thing I want you to learn Zaiya, which is more important than anything else I might teach you, is that it's okay to fail sometimes. What's important is that you get back up again. You can take a break for now, if you need, I can go and get you some ice. But I believe you can do this. If not today, another day."

Support. That was the main thing in Shan's plan as he prepared to head off towards the ship to get some of the ice. When he'd get back, he'd give another demonstration. Maybe he'd try to talk her through it as well. Just because they saw the Force differently, didn't mean having some advice wouldn't hurt.

Zaiya Ceti

 

[Zaiya Ceti]

Zaiya gave another wince and a grimace. Sure enough, her knuckles were red. She gave her hand a shake and licked her middle knuckle. " Yeah... I get that failures are good.... still hurts, though," She replied, her skin dyed flashing white before being swept over by the brown in pain. It wasn't too bad. Well, it now allowed her to practice healing herself then.

With a deep breath, Zaiya focused on her wounded knuckles, holding her other hand over it. She felt the Force rise with more familiarity with this, warmth permeating her skin. While it wouldn't heal it immediately, it did dull the pain, and some of the redness wore off.

Opening her eyes, she glanced at her hand. It wasn't too bad anymore. Looking up at Shan Pavond , the Lovalla teen shook her head, "No, I want to try again. Can't just stop if it hurts once."

With that decision made and a swirl of determination flashing over her patterns in tones of dark orange with a brief blue glow, Zaiya called upon the Force again to her fist. Imagining that it would turn rock hard and be able to break the plank.

 

[Shan Pavond]

"The best lessons are the one that cause pain sometimes. You won't forget the experience as easily. We learn from mistakes Zaiya. You've got this. Remember. It's not the Force hardening around your hand. It's the Force inside your hand hardening. Like your own skin."

Shan nodded, giving as much advice as he htought was needed. Zaiya was determined to do this, so he wasn't going to stop her from trying her best. Part of him didn't really understand the colours that were going on. Emotions were a hard thing for him to read, even when it was literally a bright colour in front of his face but she seemed confident. It was time for him to just stay quiet and watch her, folding his arms along his front. If this went wrong, he wanted to try and see where Zaiya could fix it, and if it went right? Well, Shan wanted to be the first person to celebrate it, even before Zaiya.

He was also strangely prideful in how she managed to heal her hand, even if it didn't fix the damage straight away, it was better than nothing. And hey...using yourself as a guinea pig wasn't technically that much of a bad idea.

 

[Zaiya Ceti]

​

"Well, at least I get to practice my healing on myself," Zaiya agreed, shaking off her fist as it didn't work as well again the second time around. However, this time it didn't hurt as much. Perhaps it worked a bit better? Getting a grasp on how much to control the Force and her own body was a work in progress. The pep talk was helping. It was good to know that it was okay to make mistakes. It was just another way to learn.

"So when did you learn you were able to use the Force, Shan?" Zaiya asked, curious. Once again, the girl did some practice in healing over her red knuckles, taking away a bit of the sting.

"Or did you always know you were different?"

Shan Pavond

 

[Shan Pavond]

"Well...Saying I knew I was always different makes it sound like I have a bit of an ego...But I guess I always kind of different. It's hard not to get involved with some kind of gang back on Nar Shaddaa. But I managed. Sure, I technically got "involved" when they'd beat me up for helpin' someone and treating them...but it's in my nature to help. Anyone."

Shan literally meant it when he said he'd help anyone if they needed it. The Galaxy was filled with pain and he wanted to try and do his hardest to deal with that pain. Help treat it, one person at a time. It was his best way to make an impact in his eyes. He always struggled to fight people, or cause pain and Shan knew that was the best way to deal with a problem in the world. his way was a lot harder and potentially might not even work at the end of the day.

"I was just...always empathetic. To pain though. Not any other emotions. I just...I struggle to understand people a lot of the time. There's a part of me that wishes people could just get along but I know that's not actually possible. War is something that will always happen. We have to do our best to help the people in pain when they happen though."

Zaiya Ceti

 

[Zaiya Ceti]

It seemed Shan Pavond had a pretty rough childhood compared to hers. It made Zaiya pause and study him, wondering if he’d want a hug or not. Would that be appropriate?

Musing only led to more questions. “So were you healing with the Force already or using first aid?”

Another flex if fingers and Zaiya decided that in this instance, she’d wait and continue the training and hug him later. She was still learning their role as Master and Padawan and what that meant. How she should act. What was expected and what was frowned upon.

Zaiya mused on what Shan told her. “Why only pain and not other emotions? What and how do you struggle with them?”

While she waited, she wrapped the Force around her fist again. Take three.

“Owwww…” nope. Another shake of the hand and Zaiya gave a glower, her marking dying briefly a bright white followed by a brown tone.

“How does Aris do this all the time without getting hurt?!”

​