The Blind Leading the...Wait, What? (Tallia)

[Valx Raizod]

Valx walked through the great doors of the Jedi Temple. He had only just arrived the day before, anxious to start his Jedi training. He had been in contact with a Knight by the name of @[member="Tallia Farn"] who offered to train him. He had expressed worry due to the fact that his vision was shot. However, he could see the outlines of objects and people through the Force. He wished to hone these powers and use them for the greater good of the galaxy.

Valx was still uneven on his feet, even after 8 years of walking like this. He could sense someone in front of him, but dismissed the thought--he was too excited to start his training...

THUD!!!​

He stumbled around, "I do apologize...miss?"

 

[Tallia Farn]

Just as Tallia turned the corner into the Jedi Temple's large east wing, she was knocked into by a passer by. She let out a little exasperated gasp as her datapad knocked out of her hand and clattered to the ground. She stooped to pick it up while she waved off the apologies of the young man who had run into her. "No harm done" she told him as she brushed dust off the skirt of her white robe. "I wasn't watching where I was going anyhow."

Having collected her datapad, she swept hair out of her eyes and looked at the young man for the first time. The first thing about him that caught her attention were his eyes. They were white, and pupil-less. "He must be the one I was assigned to." She thought to herself. The masters had assigned her her first student, of sorts. The only description she had gotten was that he was blind. She hadn't been given any age or body build. She hadn't expected him to be so old-looking and so.. big. He was nearly a foot taller than her. "Excuse me, are you Valx Raizod?"

 

[Valx Raizod]

"Yes...I am Valx..." He stared blankly, not knowing where she was, "I am looking for a Knight by the name of Tallia Farn. Do you know her?"

Valx was embarrassed for having crashed into this woman. He had heard something fall, which he presumed was whatever she was holding. He had sensed that this woman was strong in the Force. Could this be his new master?

"I am here to start my Jedi training." He lifted up his arms, "What I am wearing is all I own. I did not pack anything, for my parents could only afford this."

His facial features suddenly saddened, remembering the day he lost his sight. It was also the day his family lost everything. His parents slaved to put him and his siblings through school, and still be able to feed them.

 

[Tallia Farn]

Tallia pursed her lips and frowned. "Poor guy." She thought. "He must have had a pretty rough life."

She changed her glum expression into a smile and she bowed. "I'm Tallia, at your service." She said with a grin. "I guess I'm your new trainer, at least for now." She could sense his nervousness as she spoke. "Oh, and don't bother calling me master or anything ok?" Tallia told him. "Just think of us as equals."

 

[Valx Raizod]

Valx nodded, still unsure of where he was looking, "Yes ma'am. Pleasure to have finally met you. What do we do first?"

He was anxious to get started. He could sense the hustle and bustle around him, and his keen hearing told him that somebody was arguing with another about a book, while his sharp sense of smell alluded to someone's lunch. Another thing he could sense, just naturally, was where everyone looked--his cold, unforgiving eyes. He immediately drew his blindfold from his coat pocket, placing it around his head.

 

[Tallia Farn]

It was then that Tallia decided that being called ma'am made her feel like some old woman. "He's just not comfortable yet is all." She told herself. "Just give him time to adjust."

"First things first is to get you a proper training robe and find a practice sword in your size. Then, we eat. I don't know about you, but I'm starving!" She laughed, and then set her voice into a deeper octave, mocking some of the temples Masters. "Your first lesson, my padawan, is to never train on an empty stomach!" Tallia smirked. "Then, we can assess your abilities."

 

[Valx Raizod]

Valx smiled and let out a chuckle, "That sounds great! Just lead me where I need to go!"

Valx's training was finally underway. He'd finally have a good meal, for the first time in a while. Then, he'd start training for real. He could hardly contain his excitement!

"Now that you mention it, I am hungry," Valx half smiled.

Truth be told, he could have skipped his meal and headed straight into his assessments. He was very excited about creating his first lightsaber, and learning new techniques as well as fighting styles. But, alas, his vision impeded such styles as Vaapad, so he had reasoned within himself that he'd use Soresu--the defensive type.

 

[Tallia Farn]

Tallia lead Valx to the Training Hall. A sparing area for anyone looking to practice or blow off some steam. The whirring of activated lightsabers echoed through the vast room. Several padawans looked up from their tasks as Tallia sauntered in. But their eyes quickly moved past her to stare at the tall young man following directly behind her.

Though Valx had little to no vision, he had had no problem keeping up with her in the temples long corridors and passageways. Tallia wondered if his capacity to use the force allowed him to "see" better than his eyes could normally allow him. Of course, she had read about the Miraluka and their ability to see with the force, but she had never heard of a human being able to do such things. "If he was able to do this all by himself, I can't wait to see what a little training can do for him." Tallia thought.

She walked straight to the back of the chamber to a small door. She punched in a short code and the door slid open. Inside laid a vast array of lightsaber hilts of different shapes and designs. "These are training sabers." Tallia told Valx. "They aren't as deadly as a traditional lightsaber, but they give you quite a shock if your touched by one. You can choose any one you like."

 

[Valx Raizod]

Valx nodded and closed his eyes, not that it mattered, but he wanted it to be a surprise. He reached out and picked up the first one he touched. It was lighter than he'd expected. He felt around for the blade ignition. Click. The training lightsaber extended and he slowly moved it around in the air around him.

"How old were those padawans back there," Valx asked, "They seemed very young. Am I too old?"

Valx furrowed his brow. Was he too old? Did he belong at the Temple? If nothing more, he just wished to be able to see, if only through the Force. He was unsettled by this. It had been his dream to become a Jedi, but his parents could not afford to send him offplanet to Coruscant. After having saved all his money he had, he chartered transport to Coruscant, to finally chase his dream. He was finally moving up in life and he didn't want to be felt sorry for. No more baby-ing. He may have been blind, but he was not helpless.

 

[Tallia Farn]

Tallia turned to face Valx and nodded. "I will say your older than most when they begin their training. I was just a child when I was moved to the temple on Tython, but sometimes the older someone starts, the greater potential they have." At sixteen years old, Tallia had never experienced what it was like to live outside the Order. Her time on Hapes as a child was barely a shadow of a memory, and her only time outside the various Jedi Temples in the galaxy was spent on missions. She had often wondered what it was like to live in the outside world. She had always been fascinated by people joining the Order at an older age, and had many times felt a little jealous of them.

"Don't worry, you wont have any trouble fitting in here. There have been plenty of new learners around your age coming in lately." She turned to leave. "Now let's go find you a robe."

 

[Valx Raizod]

Valx nodded again, "Thank you ma'am."

He followed her out of the room and wondered about what color his robe would be. After retracting the practice saber, he placed it on his belt and followed close behind. Valx was very excited about his training and getting to know his mentor. She seemed relatable, but then again, they'd only just met, and he didn't know the first thing about her.

"Ma'am, what color will my robes be," Valx asked politely.

He had always regretted taking his sight for granted. He craved colors. It was eternal darkness for him, with only an indescribable sensation of the Force. That was a mystery in itself and he intended on honing it--with the help of his master of course.

 

[Tallia Farn]

"Your first set will be the traditional tan and brown." Tallia responded. "any robes after that are up to you." She gestured towards her white clothing. "There are tailors that work for the Jedi, patching old robes and making new ones. That's where I got this outfit."

A half an hour later, Tallia had successfully gotten a fresh set of robes for Valx and had then led him to the Padawan's dormitory, a wing of the temple filled with living spaces for initiates of the Order. She finally stopped at one of the many doors. "This will be your room. I will give you an hour to rest, then I want you to meet me in the training hall." Tallia said as the door slid open. "This is your first test. Follow your feelings, and you should have no problem finding me. Oh, and be sure to change into your new robes."

@[member="Valx Raizod"]

 

[Valx Raizod]

@[member="Tallia Farn"]

"Wait...I don't need rest. I am ready now," Valx said, then immediately realizing the error of his ways, bowed, "I am deeply sorry ma'am. I will do as you instruct."

Valx didn't want to wait. He wanted to train now. He'd had everything lined up and he just wanted to go on training exercises and flesh out his Force powers. He was ready, why couldn't she see that. He stepped inside his room and shut the door. After slipping on the robes he sat down on his bed and stared up at the ceiling.

"This was a long time coming, Valx," He said to himself, "And what have you to show for it? Nothing. You better get cracking."

He sat up and started meditating...

 

[Tallia Farn]

"He lacks patience." Tallia thought to herself. "So did you when your training started." Her conscience argued. "But he's too old. I don't think he's.."

"He will do fine." She continued to go back and forth in her head as she continued to the training hall. Hopefully he wouldn't have a problem finding her.

Tallia immediately sat cross-legged on the floor when she entered the room. She needed to clear her mind of emotion, and let her thoughts dwell on the positive.

 

[Valx Raizod]

An hour later, Valx exited his room and sought out his master. She had to be around here somewhere. He went to archives but there was no sign of her.

"Hmm...," Valx said to himself as he walked up the stairs to the training hall.

He could now sense her faintly. She was near. The first thing he would do once he found her would to apologize profusely for his lack of respect. Valx opened the door to and saw her form.

"Master...I have returned," Valx said, bowing.