Tricks and Treats

[Connor Harrison]

Connor lowered his head once more to the friendly Barin Do as the gates were opened up to them. However, rather than follow Taeli, something held him back to Mong; the idea of seeing into the future – HIS future – and any ability that may help him was interesting.

He walked a few steps, before stopping and turning to Taeli.

”I feel… I feel like I need to know what lies ahead. Maybe there is something I can learn that will help me move on?”

He looked back to Mong, eyes knotting slightly at the choice. Then, back to Taeli.

”I’ll catch you up,” he said softly, turning to study the wise one and gauge if he was welcome to join him.

[member="Taeli Raaf"]

 

[Taeli Raaf]

[member="Connor Harrison"]

"Do what you have to do, Connor," Taeli said with a smile. "I'll meet you back at the ship tonight then, I expect we'll both be busy until then."

Giving him a one armed hug, she followed behind Koon through the corridors to a small out of the way room. All the while, she couldn't stop her excitement from bubbling up. She just couldn't help it, she always got excited with new knowledge and this was just an incredible experience to begin with.

"I take it, having known what you wished to learn, what exactly it entails," Koon said, sitting down in a chair once they arrived at what she assumed might be the Kel'Dor's own quarters. "Also, as one Master to another, I feel we can adopt an accelerated course as training rituals and ceremonies would take far too much of your time and ours. However, I still feel the need to explain the technique in more detail. Please, take a seat."

"Thank you," Taeli said, easily slipping into her role of student as she took a chair across from the older Master.

"Now, the hassat-durr technique suffuses your body with a low level of electromagnetic radiation as an interaction between the Force and your own connection to your central nervous system. The energies produced have the habit of attracting lightning bolts so it is best to perfect the techniques before using them out in the field."

"Yes, I'd rather not be fried to a crisp," Taeli quipped, earning a small amused smile from the Kel'Dor.

"I'm sure you are also aware of what the technique allows you to perform, such as scrambling scanners, so I shall skip that explanation," Koon said, removing two object from his robes. Handing them to her, Taeli observed the metal ball and a depression where the ball was clearly supposed to go. An insulated cable was attached to the edge of the plate, ending in an elastic strap with an electrical lead embedded in it.

"This device is a simple training tool to attune the precise level of energy necessary to use the techniques," Koon explained as she slip the strap on with the lead in her palm. "Your first step will be to channel the energy necessary to lift the ball from the plate."

Taeli nodded and with her excitement bubbling more, began her training. She wondered how Connor's lesson was beginning.

 

[Connor Harrison]

Then at once, everything seemed to go a little quieter and Connor felt alone in the room with Mong. Low windows looked out over the surrounding area, but the warmth inside of the natural materials and lights created a relaxing atmosphere. Mong looked up to meet Connors inquisitive look and gestured for him to sit.

Connor nodded, stepping over and sitting down opposite the Baran Do, where Koon had been.

”You have followed that woman all the way here, Master Harrison," the silky voice said behind the brown mask, eyes looking at him, ”and she has stated what she wants and why. You have just followed in the shadow, which I have noticed, and it has left me wondering why you even came here at all.”

He looked at Connor, who swallowed gently.

”So tell me. Why did you come?”

Connor didn’t know what to say, and he felt a cold sweat on his neck.

”I came here…to find out if I have the strength to carry on and be the person I thought I once was.”

Mong tapped his fingers and uncurled his legs slightly.

”Tell me what happened.”

And so Connor sighed, and told Mong everything from Rhen Var, to the Taung, to Corvus and Chastity and everyone and everything else that had brought him here.

[member="Taeli Raaf"]

 

[Taeli Raaf]

[member="Connor Harrison"]

Using the knowledge she had of Force Lightning, Taeli started to do what Koon said, channeling the Force into her arm and suffusing it with energy. Slowly at first, the ball started to wiggle in its place until with a start it shot forward to hover in the air at the end of its tether.

"Well that's about six to eight weeks of beginning training bypassed," Koon chuckled as Taeli cut the flow off and the ball returned to the plate. "I see you have some experience in channeling energy into your limbs."

"My sister taught me how to," Taeli explained, smiling a little at the memory of her sister teaching her Force Light. "So what's next?"

"Now that you can lift the ball, you will be learning how to manipulate it in different ways, spinning it in a circle, changing the height, etc." Koon explained. "Perfecting precise control of flow and power of the energy."

"Alrighty," Taeli said, channeling the Force through to her arm again. The ball rose again, and she would begin to try and manipulate as Koon instructed.

 

[Connor Harrison]

The wiser Master chuckled slightly after his comment.

”You’ve come a long way, Connor. I’ll give you that. But you have a long way to go also.”

Resting on his hands, Connor was more comfortable after talking for a long time to Mong about his journey, and also listening to how Mong was here and what was seeking himself through this.

”I’m ready to keep going; I have to, because if I don’t then…well, I don’t know.”

He paused, but Mong knew there was more and so waited.

”This is painful. Do you understand? I don’t know what I’ve got anymore. I want to do so much but I can’t even THINK straight. And then,” he pointed towards were Koon had gone with Taeli, ”she is here and it’s just so…it’s like I’m watching my body move but the mind isn’t there.”

”Connor, what do you want to be able to do by tonight?”

With a sigh, Connor looked up at the high ceiling at formed an arch above their head.

”Convince myself that I’m worth the effort.”

[member="Taeli Raaf"]

 

[Taeli Raaf]

[member="Connor Harrison"]

Taeli was smiling like a twelve year old as she watched the ball circle around at different speeds. It had taken her a little while to get it going, but once she had a feel for it, it became a whole lot easier. She could not imagine how hard this would be as an acolyte being initiated into the Baran Do, but the process might take quite some time.

"Very good, Master Raaf, very good," Koon said, nodding as she slowed and sped up the ball at will now. "Now, I want you to suffuse your entire body with that energy, not just your arm, and see if you can achieve the same result."

Nodding, she did as instructed, and suddenly realized he had been taking it easy on her. Suffusing her entire body meant the power was evenly distributed now, not concentrated, so it was much much harder to get the ball to spin. Lifting it was also harder, but she could still do so. Concentrating, she kept the energy flow constant, getting used to it ... analyzing and committing the feeling of it to memory. She would need to review things later after all.

 

[Connor Harrison]

Mong stood behind Connor with his hands on his head, fingers pushing down into the skull gently. Eyes closed, arms rested.

”When you lose your way, the best thing to do, when all is said and done, is to empty your mind and return to the start. The Meditation of Emptiness needs to be something you can perform for your own sake.”

Connor nodded gently and breathed slowly.

”I want to face what is holding me back, what my demons are. I want to let them go.”

Mong then lifted his hands and stepped back two steps from Connor.

”If you are scared to lose your connection to the Force like you did on Rhen Var, then expel all thoughts and emotions that hold you back and put yourself in the middle of them all where they don’t matter and can’t touch you.”

The Jedi stayed rested on his hands but tried to think about the positives to counter all the negatives.

”Every emotion, Connor. Strip them down. They are an anchor and you need to learn to cast it off when you want to find inner peace.”

There was nothing in his mind he could picture. Instead, he found himself standing in the meadow of Voss looking up at the night sky. The stars absorbed him and there was nothing and no-one around. He was weightless and relaxed.

Mong watched his body gently start to loosen up. He nodded gently.

[member="Taeli Raaf"]

 

[Taeli Raaf]

[member="Connor Harrison"]

Once she had gotten the hang of that, Koon started to put her through her paces in increasingly challenging ways. Spin the ball on its cord one way, while rotating the ball itself the other was her next challenge and it took her a little while to get down as she was no longer allowed to concentrate the energy into just her arm.

And on and on it went, just harder and harder challenges until she just couldn't do it anymore and let the energy go. Breathing deeply, she sat down for a moment to catch her breath and steady herself.

"Impressive progress so far, Master Raaf," Koon chuckled at the sight of the tired Jedi Master. "The techniques can be tiring if you use them constantly, but it is necessary to push until your limit is reached."

"No, I understand," Taeli replied, giving a tired little smile. "And I'm guessing because of my progress, you're pushing me harder than other students."

"Perhaps," Koon chuckled again. "Take a few moments to rest and then we shall go again."

Taeli internally groaned, but she didn't truly mind. It was all learning after all.

 

[Connor Harrison]

Looking out to the far door where they had come from, it was quiet around Connor. He held a wooden staff in his hand and breathed gently. Light bled in from outside. A smell of natural woods and fruit wafted past his nose.

Then he span, twisting his body quickly left and bringing down the staff vertically with a satisfying THWACK against the Baran Do striking him.

”Better. You see? Meditation centres your being and balances the Force in your body. Then you allow it to enhance and think with you, not against you. The perfect moment to act is dictated by this balance. Again.”

Connor turned again, but not even seconds passed before he ducked and twisted on his heel to turn again to face Mong, the staff whizzing past where his head would have been, which would have been a horrible slam to the face.

Then, Connor brought his staff up to use Mong’s momentum in a series of hits – not aggressive, but firm moves against each other in a show that both were reading the other, and allowing the Force to enhance their reflexes and accuracy.

Koon then stepped back.

”This is only the warm-up. You don’t trust yourself or have confidence in your ability, Connor. So you’re going to have to trust yourself and trust your ability when you do this again.”

He pulled something out of his pocket, a long length of material.

”Blindfolded.”

Connor internally sighed, but knew it hard to be done. This wasn’t a test of what he could do, it was a test of what he couldn’t.

[member="Taeli Raaf"]

 

[Taeli Raaf]

[member="Connor Harrison"]

On and on it went, Koon pushing Taeli to just to the point of tiredness and then backing off to give her a moment to rest. Each time though, she could feel herself getting the hang of the techniques. She wasn't going to be able to do this all in one day though, she would need to practice on her own time to really get them under her belt.

"Very good, Master Raaf," Koon said, sitting back down as she was breathing rather hard. "I do believe we can call your lesson concluded for today, yes?"

"Oh yes please," Taeli said, slumping into a chair with a tired smile. Sliding the training apparatus off her hand, she continued saying, "It was a rewarding first day though."

"Quite, not many reach your point so soon," Koon replied. "You have a great natural affinity to such techniques I take it?"

"Channeling energy?" Taeli asked. She knew she did have an affinity for it, her favorite technique when she was Sith had been Force Lightning. She had devoted plenty of time to learning almost all of the lightning techniques, only missing a few from her repertoire now. So, yes she supposed it made sense this was just a natural evolution of her main skill from back then.

"Yeah, I suppose I do," she laughed.

 

[Connor Harrison]

The two danced a fierce but almost balletic steps back and forward. Their staffs hit each other as both now were at a level to try and hit the other and defend effectively. It wasn’t training to try and best the other, but one to focus the mind and allow the Force to flow through the body as it should.

It was basic, but it was helping Connor become fluid in movement and quick on reflex. Mong was strong and glided his attacks into one seamless barrage. Connor pushed back, and retreated in equal measure.

Connor ducked to avoid an over-head strike and rolled backwards to counter the staff coming down to land on the floor. He brought his staff around and slammed it down atop of Mong’s, looking up at him, breathing hard.

”Well you’re certainly getting better – not as clumsy or rash. You’re thinking.”

He motioned for Connor to stand, which he did, and held the staff by his side.

”Funny how it seems to help trying to empty your mind of things. You’ve made a start, that’s for sure.”

Connor span the staff and held it behind his back under his arms, swinging gently.

”I hope to continue if the chance arises?”

”In time, Connor,” Mong said waving his hand, ”but I think Master Raaf and Koon have concluded. Shall we wait their return?”

Connor breathed gently and looked in the direction the two had walked off. Part of him was happy to have made a dent in the shell, and there was no anxiety or worry for once . It felt a relief.

”Of course.” He looked and nodded to Mong. ”Thank you for that.”

[member="Taeli Raaf"]

 

[Taeli Raaf]

[member="Connor Harrison"]

As Taeli and Syl Koon made their way back to the original meeting spot, and where Connor had his lesson of choice, Taeli was busy compartmentalizing everything she had learned today into her head. It was technique a lot of researchers on Lorrd developed, a memory trick where one stored their thoughts and memories for easy access. Her's was, of course, a library, but many others chose different settings.

Opening the door, she smiled tiredly when she saw how relaxed Connor looked ... even if he did look like he had worked up a sweat.

"Had a good time?" she asked, her purple eyes dancing with an amused happiness for him. She knew he had, his body language said so anyways.

"I'm sure everyone's lessons were educational," Koon said, settling into his seat. "Now, it is almost time for our acolytes' evening lecture and as part of the agreement, perhaps you two would like to take the time to lecture our students about something of your choice hmm?"

 

[Connor Harrison]

Connor turned at the entrance of Koon and Taeli and rested on his staff, waving his hand casually knowing he looked a weary state; matted hair on his brow and sweat down his vest – those new clothes didn’t last long with the over garment discarded on the floor.

”Beneficial, I think. Yes. You?”

He smiled at her and turned to Mong with a small nod again of appreciation.

However he had forgotten about his “deal” and was now faced with lecturing others? He couldn’t lecture anyone about anything…or could he? Conner certainly had a few pointers in the life of those wanting to study the Force and to take the journey that it dictated.

”Master Koon, I’ll be happy to give a lecture. It may not be conventional, but if you forgive me, I speak from raw experience. Taeli will be able to provide something far more useful in their training, but I could help with the more…emotional aspect of things.”

Turning to the far door which was opening up to allow others in, he passed a glance by Taeli and gave her a short, confident wink.

[member="Taeli Raaf"]

 

[Taeli Raaf]

[member="Connor Harrison"]

"I suppose the floor is yours, for right now anyways," Taeli replied with a smile at his wink. That was something she had missed, some of that old swagger and confidence. Catching the eye of the Kel'Dor that had been working with him, she gave a small grateful smile and received a small half smile in return as the students filled the room and took seats.

"As you see, we have some guests speakers from the Jedi today," Koon said once the last student had taken their place. "I want your undivided attention on what they will be lecturing about, they have experiences that none of us could even imagine and it will be very educational for all of you I do believe. Master Raaf, Master Harrison, whenever you are ready to begin."

Taeli nodded at Connor he could start and choose the subject of their lecture, she would roll with whatever he wanted to talk about. She had a feeling she knew what it was going to be about though.

 

[Connor Harrison]

Resting on his staff, Connor gently bit his lip as he watched the Acolytes come from all areas of the sanctuary. He had to focus; it had been a long time since he had taught one Padawan, let alone dozens of those unfamiliar with his ways, and that had ended in one big mess.

Swallowing slightly, determined not to let the events of the past determine his future as a confident human and Master, he nodded graciously to Taeli and Masters Koon and Mong. Suddenly, the burning eyes of those wanting to listen and learn were on him.

He wanted to face everything head on now.

”Thank you,” he spoke gently to the trio, ”and thank you all for giving me the chance to make a fool of myself trying to give a lecture.” He faced the students, and wasn’t sure if he heard a few chuckles or if it was the wind in the rafters high above.

”Well, I’m Connor and I’m with the Silver Sanctum Coalition and serve the Order of the Silver Jedi.”

Connor stood forward and rested his wrists on the staff before him.

”I’ve been out of things for a while within the Order. You could see I hit a few bumps along my journey, which I’m sure many of you all will face in yours. I think if anything, while I could easily prattle on about how to perceive the Force and what you should do with it, I think my advice – or lecture – will be how important it is to understand and control your emotions.”

He moved gently back and forward before the Acolytes, making eye contact with many as he swept the sea of eager students and explained, not in all graphic detail, but most, of his troubles with the Taung spirit and the tangles with the Sith and how he had failed to see the bigger picture these events were playing in his emotional state.

His hands become tools to paint images with, the staff held tight and at times used to create the image of a lightsaber or a heavy fist landing on his body.

”If you fail to understand what emotion is, you will fail in your path as a servant of the Force. I have come close so many times to falling, and I tell you it is like nothing you will ever experience. No amount of scars, bruises or even medals and celebrity will help you understand the power that your emotions have over you when it’s just you sat alone. You may help liberate a planet, rescue a downed ship or simply trained non-stop for a week, but what is the one thing always going to be with you during and after these events? Yes. Your emotions.”

Connor paused for a second.

”You decide if you are strong enough to become something great. You are here before those who will share experiences with you and guide you in a very dangerous but rewarding journey. If there’s one thing I implore in you, it’s to listen to not just the Masters but listen to yourself and those you care about. Don’t destroy something special for the sake of feeling hurt, afraid or confused. Emotions must be controlled to make you a stronger person; strong in heart, strong in confidence and strong in the Force. If you balance your emotions, and understand them, and balance the Force, then you will be someone who can lead many to salvation and redemption.”

Connor turned to Taeli.

”Make the ones you care about proud of you, and never hurt them or betray their faith in you. Then, you’ll discover what the Light truly feels like.”

He waved his hand a little, smiling and turned back to the students.

”Forgive me, I get a little carried away about this area of things. People dismiss emotion and try to ignore it, but I advise you not to. Listen and follow your heart, but think logically – NEVER irrationally. If you do, you will become a danger to yourself and others and walk towards the darkness that will devour and do nothing but destroy you, and you all are stronger than that.”

[member="Taeli Raaf"]

 

[Taeli Raaf]

[member="Connor Harrison"]

"I think you have them enraptured with your words," Taeli said, coming up and placing a light hand on his shoulder. She was proud of him alright, his lecture was an insight to how he was feeling and she could clearly see things were shifting for him. Normally, she wouldn't interrupt his speech as it was something he was good at it, but it was a dual lecture and she wanted to expand on some things he said.

"What Master Harrison says is most definitely true," she said, turning to face the small sea of students and instructors that had filled the room. She knew she was in her element here, it was just a classroom now. "Control is most definitely important when it comes to emotions, especially when it comes to more negative side of things. Positive emotions can be used to stay in the light: love, hope, happiness, and so on. All of those can fuel what the light side of the Force can show you, guide you ... but then we come to the negative, the emotions you must always keep a tight control over so they do not get a chance to break free."

Walking slowly around, she looked every person in the eye as she continued to speak.

"The dark side, not just of the Force but of sentient life, can take many many forms. Greed, lust, jealousy, anger, hatred ... all of them are different but no less dangerous to those of us who use the Force. In your travels, if you choose to do so, you'll encounter many examples of these, some more subtle, some more profound. The darkness is a shifting, multi headed creature that must be confronted ... but sometimes it can be quite clever. An example would be two best friends feuding over a girl."

As she made eye contact with one acolyte, he looked away and she felt a sudden shift in his emotions. The example struck close then.

"Normally, such a thing is natural," she sad, sitting down on the arm of a chair. She could feel every eye on her. "Two friends liking the same girl, or boy in a vice versa situation. One likes the person for their personality, the other for their looks. One is rooted in the light, one is rooted in the dark, but these are innocent so far. As they grow older, the person chooses eventually and the person who was innocently interested in only looks is suddenly jealous of their friend, angry at them for getting the girl. The lust has grown, the jealousy has grown. They start to hate seeing the other two together, their mind starts twisting the idea around that they deserve the object of their desire. At this point, we have multiple diverging paths."

Going up to the center of the floor again, next to Connor, she held up three fingers for her example.

"Number one, the friend eventually grows up and lets go of his negativity. Hard to do, but not impossible as their attentions can be captured by another. Number two, they break off their friendship and grow bitter, anger ruling them into an existence of continuing falls. Or worse, option three. They put on a friendly face and strike when they get a chance to, I'm sure you can imagine what might happen there."

The feeling in the room had gone somber, she could feel it.

"But, that is why the dark is hard to catch sometimes," she said. "It can lurk in the shadows of the soul, of the heart, of the mind. It can be out in the open, destructive. It can be so many forms ... but that is why we who stand in the light must stay in the fight. Every time we fight the darkness, we show the galaxy there is another way to live, another side to emulate."

 

[Connor Harrison]

Smiling inwardly, he nodded to Taeli and stepped back to let her speak. Holding his stance of a farmer looking over his crop, resting on that damned staff, he followed the Master with the students and found he loved hearing her talk and found her notion fascinating.

The little bubble in his stomach formed with her example and he swallowed gently. This was Braith, Corvus and Connor. Two polar opposites wanting the same thing. One had claimed the prize. The other had turned bitter. They weren’t friends of course, but Corvus was, and he had pretty much lost that.

Oddly, right now, he wanted nothing more than to say sorry for hurting her. Braith? She could wait, but he didn’t want do what he intentionally did – gain her trust to take her life with a blade in the back. That would have collapsed his entire being in more ways than one; the step over the abyss he could never come back from.

Taeli was on him again, speaking and holding the room in her hand. With her words, he couldn’t help add a little more, like some double-act.

”Be the beacon of the light that others will follow. Make your Masters proud. Make your family proud. Make your friends proud. Make yourself proud. Continue to push yourself in all areas of studying to always learn and discover new things, but also remember to keep your humanity. Don’t become a robot.”

He glanced sideways and smiled for no reason.

”And the best thing about leading the Light? You are guaranteed to get some really neat scars now and then which always go down well impressing people.”

Connor stuck out his tongue a little between his teeth and chuckled, lowering his head and holding out his hand to the Baran Do Masters.

”Listen to your Masters for they truly are knowledgeable and wise. You will learn a lot from them, but never stop asking questions. Just because one day you will become Masters yourselves, the quest for knowledge and truth will never end.”

[member="Taeli Raaf"]

 

[Taeli Raaf]

[member="Connor Harrison"]

"Honestly, I think you like adding scars to yourself," she said, not skipping a beat with the double act and a chuckle rose from the students. Turning to face the students again, she added one last thing to the lecture.

"Always look for the knowledge life has to offer, the questions never stop ... they just change and a new one pops up every time you answer another. It's the nature of learning, and even as Masters, we never stop learning. Like you, Master Harrison and I came to learn from your masters, just as you learn from us now. If you have any questions or want something expounded upon, you can of course ask us at anytime and I'll even leave my contact information if you ever want to ask a question after we leave."

 

[Connor Harrison]

Connor nodded at her words.

”Same for me to - if you need anything, I will leave my details and a direct patch to my com. Although usually where this one goes,” he pointed to the violet-eyed Master, ”I won't be far behind saving her from all sorts of dangers. May the Force be with you all.”

He smiled and lowered his head in a small bow, whispering to Taeli.

”Went rather well don't you think?”

[member="Taeli Raaf"]

 

[Taeli Raaf]

[member="Connor Harrison"]

"It's the other way around, I assure you," she laughed as the students started to disperse and Connor whispered in her ear. She smiled internally as he seemed to have found something he was unconsciously good at.

"Indeed, someone reminded me of someone I met before back home, didn't expect to see that again," she whispered back. "It was nice to see that confidence again."

Watching the students leave in pairs and groups, the one she had made eye contact with and made uncomfortable was still looking at her. Smiling at him, she watched him blanch a little bit before scurrying out of the room. Hopefully, he would take their words to heart. The masters of the Baran Do let them know that they were turning in for the night themselves, so Taeli looped her arm around Connor's and started to lead him out of the temple and back to her ship.

"Tomorrow, our lessons continue, I just hope it won't be too much longer for us to get what we came for," Taeli said as they walked down the swiftly emptying streets. "We have so many other places to go after all."