Private The Guardian's Lesson

[Lorn Reingard]

Tags: Michael Angellus

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Lorn stood in the center of the temple's training mat, boots planted firmly against the worn surface. Before him, a small group of older Padawans shifted nervously, a handful of throwing knives glinting in their hands. "Again." Lorn commanded, his voice a low rumble.

A knife flicked towards him, aimed with practiced ease. Lorn reached out with the Force, focusing on the ancient words he'd been studying. He envisioned a wall, a shimmering barrier of energy between himself and the incoming threat. And for the first time, it flickered into existence, enough to deflect the blade harmlessly to the mat with a dull thud. A rare, fleeting smirk touched Lorn's lips, a victory, however small, felt good.

Then, another knife, faster this time, slicing straight through the barrier and grazing his shoulder. Lorn winced, stepping back and holding up a hand to signal a pause. The Padawans stilled, their expressions a mix of shock and concern. They knew Lorn wouldn't lash out. Battle-worn as he was, he valued patience above all else. He was determined to master this technique, not for glory, but for the security it could offer those he cared about, to protect against the loss that followed him around.

Lorn understood the burden of loss all too well, and that was why he had invited Michael, a new Padawan grappling with grief. Throwing knives at a target was one way to channel pain, and Lorn silently hoped this detour would offer some relief. He hoped the young Padawan would join them soon.

He glanced down at his datapad, rereading the passages on Force Barrier. The Padawans huddled, their hushed voices punctuated by nervous laughter. He was diverting their Soresu training, a diversion they seemed to welcome, he silently hoped there would be no repercussions. This was a secret, their little rebellion against the monotony of their day to day training, and Lorn hoped they wouldn't betray his trust.

 

[Michael Angellus]

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Journal Entry:
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Alright, time for some trrrraining!

Yeah, I can’t believe I just wrote that either.

I’m just excited. I’ve been here at this Temple, or Enclave, or Sanctuary, whatever this place is for some time now and have been basically alone with my thoughts. I mean, I get it, Master Porte is busy, and real life comes first. I’m not complaining, but I can only go through my X-wing so many times, right?

Right?


Anyway, the “Sword” Mr… or do I call him “Knight” Reingard? That just sounds so weird to me. Not that HE sounds weird to me, just that whole “Knight” thing. Either way, I appreciate it. SO here I am walking these halls trying to find this training mat and…

WHOAH!

Are those girls about to throw knives at Reingard? THEY ARE! THEY’RE GONNA THROW KNIVES AT HIM!

What the?!

 

[Lorn Reingard]

Tags: Michael Angellus

​

Lorn, poised for the next assault of knives, noticed Michael's wide-eyed entrance. He raised a hand, halting the Padawans mid-stance. "Hold." he rumbled, a hint of a greeting forming on his lips for the newcomer.

But a Padawan, too eager, too focused, hadn't seen the signal. A knife zipped past Lorn's ear, the wind of it ruffling his hair. He shot her a knowing look, a silent reprimand, but laced with understanding. He knew her eagerness came from a place of wanting to improve.

"Michael," Lorn said, beckoning him forward. "Join us. We're experimenting with Force Barrier today." He retrieved a set of throwing knives from a nearby rack, handing them to the Padawan. "Throw it as hard as you can. Aim for me."

He watched Michael's initial confusion melt into something closer to... anticipation? Lorn hoped this unorthodox training, this shared risk, would spark something within the young man. A connection, perhaps.

Lorn stepped back to the center of the mat, centering himself. He closed his eyes, visualizing the barrier, a shimmering wall of light, a shield against the sharp edges of the world. He extended his hand, focusing his energy, and nodded to the Padawans. "Ready when you are."

 

[Michael Angellus]

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Journal Entry:
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He wants me to do WHAT?

I can’t throw knives at the guy. I mean another almost killed him! I saw it!

I… You want me to throw these at you? Oh my word. The anxiety is taking over, come on, breathe man, breathe. I’m gonna kill the guy! No, I’m not, breathe! Slower! Clearly they want me to do this, all of them.

I mean, I can back out of it, but… no…

I don’t want someone else walking in so, I’m going to check the halls.

Nobody come in here unless Knight Reingard calls for you! Okay? Okay! There.

I still don’t know about this. Do I have to? Yes. Yes I do. Okay. Ignore the comments. Shut’em out. Just you and the knives. Okay… here we go… WAIT!

Frak… I closed my eyes as I threw’em


Lorn Reingard

 

[Lorn Reingard]

Tags: Michael Angellus

​

Lorn felt a prickle of… well, not exactly fear, but something akin to parental disappointment. The knives struck the barrier, yes, but with the force of a child tossing pebbles into a pond. They slapped against the shimmering shield before clattering to the ground. He'd expected… more. More focus, more intent, more oomph.

Lorn let the barrier dissipate, the shimmering field vanishing as he walked towards Michael. He suppressed a sigh, recognizing the swirling anxiety in the young man's eyes. He deposited more knives into Michael's trembling hands. "Surely you can throw harder than that." he said, his voice a low rumble, encouraging but firm. "Look at your target, the one you are intending on hitting." He needed to instill some confidence, some aggression. "Come on. I can take it." He flashed a wry smile, hoping to ease the tension.

He quickly paced back to the center of the mat, resuming his stance. He had to show, not just tell. "Pay attention to how I do this, you are next." he said, verbalizing his process. He closed his eyes, centering himself, calling upon the Force within. He visualized the barrier, not just as a static wall, but as a responsive, active shield, alive with energy.

"Feel the energy flowing." he murmured, more to himself than to Michael. "Extending outward, a shimmering wall of light, deflecting all that comes against it." He extended his hand, pushing the Force outwards, solidifying the image in his mind. "Focus. Intention. Power." The Force Barrier shimmered into existence, a visible manifestation of his focus.

"Ready." He announced, a knowing smile beginning to form, ready to demonstrate the power that resided within, waiting to be awakened in Michael.

 

[Michael Angellus]

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Journal Entry:
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Great. He’s mad at me.

I had the chance to learn something and I completely wussed out!

I AM SUCH AN IDIOT!

I can’t believe I wasted his time. Everyone’s time! I am such a yakhead!

I’m sorry. I’m a failure. I’ll just end up screwing this up to.

I had such anxiety at this point I was about to run away, all the way to Mom’s house. Then something weird happened.

What are you doing?

Did I hear my Dad’s voice in my head?

I don’t wanna screw up and hurt someone… Did I just say that out loud? I think that I did.

You’re learning to be a Jedi. Aren’t you? Did you expect them to coddle you? You know you don’t respond to that!

I’m afraid! There, I said it. I shouldn’t be a Jedi, Jedi are fearless. I just proved I shouldn’t be here.

You think they aren’t? Your uncle is afraid all the time. Afraid what will happen if he isn’t around. Your cousin is afraid… it happens to everyone. I’ll bet this Knight on his knees waiting for you to throw those knives at him is too on some level. What did I always tell you about fear?

Realize it, accept it, move past it… Yup… I was talking… everyone is looking at me like I’m a Hutt swimsuit model.

Sorry about that. I guess I’m ready. Here goes… wait… what did he mean by “You’re next”?


Lorn Reingard

 

[Lorn Reingard]

Tags: Michael Angellus

​

Lorn watched Michael with a growing sense of understanding. The boy's outburst, muttering about fear and being a Jedi, painted a clearer picture than any clumsy knife throw ever could. He wasn't dealing with a lack of aggression, but a torrent of internal conflict. His initial disappointment morphed into something akin to…compassion.

Lorn firmly placed a hand on Michael's shoulder and guided him to the center of the mat. "It is okay to be afraid, Michael." he said, his voice now softer, laced with reassurance. He planted the Padawan firmly, giving him a stern nod that conveyed trust. "The brave Jedi is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear."

Lorn turned swiftly, positioning his body so Michael couldn't see what he was doing. He subtly shushed the girls who were observing their training. From his pocket, he produced not steel, but sets of wooden knives, harmless in reality, and quickly handed them to the girls, who hid them behind their backs with mischievous grins. He hoped this would drive home the impact of what he was trying to teach.

Stepping back into his own stance, Lorn met Michael's gaze. "Be brave. Trust me." he said, his voice carrying the weight of his own years of training and trials. He reached out in the Force, not with the rigid intention of creating a defensive wall, but with a gentle, encompassing wave, forming a barrier around the Padawan. He hadn't expected to practice this kind of shielding, but he was glad for the opportunity.

Before Michael could respond or even fully grasp what was happening, the girls, emboldened by Lorn's silent instruction and the playful nature of the task, stepped forward. They threw the wooden knives, not with the tentative hesitation Michael had displayed, but with the full force of their youthful energy, pelting the shimmering barrier surrounding the Padawan.

 

[Michael Angellus]

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Journal Entry:
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Well, that was embarrassing.

Everyone is looking at me like I have four heads and a hunch.I must have said something really stupid. I wish I could just disappear right now. Hopefully, they'll forget about it by tomorrow. I feel like such a yakhead. The man saw me… everyone saw me, those girls. I was talking to myself in front of girls. Oh my word I just ruined any chance of having any kind of social life. They all no doubt look at me like I’m the kid who eats glue and rides the short speeder.

That was mean, I wish I could erase that.

I mean, even Knight Reingard turned his back to me. He’s probably telling them to be nice to me, which will make them meaner, I can tell by the grins on their faces! I just want to disappear and wait for Master Porte to come back from his mission.

"Be brave. Trust me."

Oh, what fresh Mustafar is this? The mean girls are going to have at it. THEY TRIED TO THROW THINGS AT ME!

Wait? They tried to? They tried to! He was showing me something.

Is my jaw dropping again?! I’m totally geeking out!

That.was.COOHOOL! Oh my word! That was great! I get it! Is that what you want everyone to learn? That was awesome… wait? Is that what you mean by me being “next”?

Uh oh…

Lorn Reingard

 

[Lorn Reingard]

Michael Angellus

​

Lorn chuckled, a low rumble in his chest at Michael's visible astonishment. The boy's jaw did, indeed, appear to be dropping again. "Indeed, Michael." he said, amusement dancing in his eyes. "Perhaps a more… engaging approach is what you required."

As the girls eagerly gathered their wooden knives, anticipating another barrage, Lorn stepped forward, gently halting them with a raised hand. He turned back to Michael, the humor fading, replaced by a firm resolve. "This time, you are on your own, Padawan."

He guided Michael back to the center of the training mat. "Remember how I had explained it." Lorn instructed, his voice calm and steady. "The Force is within you, a natural extension of your own will. Focus on that feeling, that need to protect yourself."

"Picture the barrier in your mind, a shimmering shield, strong and unyielding. Feel its presence around you, an invisible wall between you and the coming… barrage." Lorn added with a smirk. "Reach out with your feelings, Michael. Let the Force flow."

Lorn stepped back, giving Michael space, but remained close, a silent sentinel ready to offer guidance. "Believe in yourself, Michael. Trust the Force. You can do this."

 

[Michael Angellus]

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Journal Entry:
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That was the wildest experience I have EVER FRAKKING EXPERIENCED!

What? I can swear in this journal right?

Right?

Oh well.

I was all abuzz about it until he said the bad words…

"This time, you are on your own, Padawan."

Okay, how do I do this…

Remember how I had explained it.

Uh oh. I was too excited to really listen.

I have to remember what he said. Oh no, they were going to kill me with knives! Wait. No they weren’t. They were wooden. I’m golden even if I screw this up, which we know I probably will. The problem is that is not an attitude to have though. I don’t want to be some ridiculous screw up. My father wasn’t, my grandfather wasn’t, my great grandfather, and so on. I can do this.

Alright… he just told you to trust yourself and in the Force, everyone is always saying how to “Let the Force flow through you.” I’ll do that. Empty my head… heh… not that hard… and close my eyes and imagine a wall… a wall of light maybe? Ew bad pun!

Alright… let’s do this before I lose my nerve.

Wait, did he say “barrage”?

Yeah, I stopped a couple of them, but one of them was only slowed down… it sort of “arced” and hit me in a place that I don’t want to talk about right now. Let’s just say my voice is still a pitch higher as I make this journal entry.

BUT I GOT MOST OF’EM! Almost…

Lorn Reingard