Private Trial of Spirit ~ Facing Your Own Beast

[Jonyna Si]

Lidom Yilvar, Cathar​

TAG: Rayia Si

Jonyna's last time training with her adoptive daughter was far too long ago. With her tasks as the new Sentinel of Harmony, her training of Aris, her miserly attempts at maintaining a social life, and a two front war keeping her attention, Rayia had been left to her own devices.

Jonyna intended to fix that today.

The trials of a padawan were not unknown to her, but her own had been highly unorthodox, even by the measures of the NJO. Still, to say she hadn't been keeping track of her padawan's progress would be a lie. The Trial of Courage had been made during the Enclave invasion. While that felt like almost forever ago, it had been the first leap in Rayia's training that led them to where they were. The Trial of Skill, had been recent. She had watched Rayia hold her own against Domina Prime, a feat she had struggled with up until recently. The Trial of the Flesh, a constant struggle for Rayia. Rayia's beast form had haunted her for ages.

That was the plan for today.

Finally allow her Padawan, her daughter, the rest she had earned.

Make it so the girl could control her beast, and find peace with it, as she would the Force.

As such, she had led them both into the new temple, into a seemingly pointless, empty stone room.

Lidom Nu'pall.

Jonyna had helped restore this room herself, designed to allow a jedi total isolation from distractions. Only the sound of the unending rain on the roof, and the sound of one's own thoughts.

And of course, the sound of her master.

"I want you to focus, okay Rayia? Focus on nothing by the sound of the rain..."

It was a simply command, but it was a starting point. Focus...

 

[Rayia Si]

Jonyna Si

---

Rayia was similarly excited when she had received Jonyna's invitation to train. It had been a while since the two had been together, and well… Rayia had missed her mother. Following Jonyna through the stone halls of the temple, Rayia nearly vibrated with excitement. Soft, rasping clicks echoed down the smooth stone halls; the result of the short Felacatian bouncing on clawed toes as she followed Jonyna to an effaced stone room.

Amber golden eyes scanned the stonework, searching as to some hint regarding the barren room. The constant patter of rain on the roof and the vibration it created caused Rayia's tail to bristle and sway gently from side to side. It was calming, in a way that little else had been. 'Jonyna must figure I could use a moment to catch my breath? What, with the war on? …Actually, we probably both do.'

Before she closed her eyes to follow Jonyna's instruction to focus, Rayia cast a surreptitious glance towards her master. She studied Jonyna's face and movements for any signs of haggardness and exhaustion. If she found any, Rayia would reach over and squeeze Jonyna’s shoulder, before she let the sound of Jonyna’s voice and the endless rain lull her away.

 

[Jonyna Si]

TAG: Rayia Si

Jonyna seemed to wait what could be an eternity before she spoke next. The sound of the rain lulling both of them into a stillness, a stint of meditative calm.

"...reach within." Was all Jonyna muttered next. "Reach within, and face it. Face yourself, and find a moment to stare in the mirror."

The Force flowed through them, and Rayia could see...herself. Her beastial self, staring her right in the face.