Unlocking Potential

[The Angry Cheese]

Yavin IV. A rainy, jungle planet, filled with all sorts of wild life. A Mandalorian would love to hunt there, test his mettle against some of the most intense wildlife in the galaxy, and prove his glory by bringing in the head of the jungle's greatest beasts. It also happens to be Mandalorian territory, which is another plus in Tracinya's opinion.

He was also told to expect a sort of Jedi to be coming to the main temple. He plans to meet her there, and see if she knows anything about this strange... well, tingling feeling that he gets whenever he's in danger. Sometimes, he'll also have dreams about what may happen in the future. Until now, he and his vode have dismissed it as sheer deja vu, but now... He has his suspicions of what it may be.

If its the Force, the dalyc jetii will know.

A flash of lightning shoots across the sky, followed by thunder a couple of seconds later. Then, the rain begins to fall. This planet seems to rain almost as much as bloody Kamino sometimes... He groans as the water quickly pours down, soaking his shoulder cape and bouncing off his water with metallic pinning.

[member="Karen Roberts"]

 

[Jsc]

The dropship could be heard of the roar of the thunder. A svelte girl with bright blue engines. She descended into the bowels of the old stone temple and into the deep dry dark within. There the beautiful ship made her berth. Dropping her landing pad and revealing a surprising sight there in. A classic styled motorcycle and a wooden desk sat perfectly still in the small recess of the dropship. With a brown haired woman in crisp white armor sitting calming inside. This was Commander Roberts new office for the week. Right smack in the bay of her svelte little dropship.

Cute. The woman stood up easily and closed the desk drawers. Reaching around and holstering her Disruptor Carbine against her back. Leaving her helmet inside. Taking only an ear com and a deep sigh of relief. Traveling Mandalorian space was always trouble. There planet's were always free hunting zones and they patrolled their airspace with all the fervor of dread pirates. Visitors were almost always harassed by the local Clansmen. If only for play and giggles.

Stepping down the open ramp the soldierly woman smiled at the rain just beyond the massive hanger bay's doors. 100% humidity in full armor. Ah. The jungle awaited them both.

[member="Tracinya be Gra'tua"]

 

[The Angry Cheese]

Seeing the rather gorgeous ship, he smirks to himself. Hopefully, the captain would either be a true man, or an equally gorgeous woman. Without another moment's hesitation, he turns around and lifts off with his jetpack, rocketing to the 'front' of the temple where the entrance to the hangar bay is. The helmet is able to automatically filter out the rainwater that was spraying onto his helmet.

When he reaches the entrance, he flies inside, helmet automatically targeting everything of importance (Dammit, I'm not in combat!) for him automatically, but he ignores all the IDs and whatnot. What he is focused on is the aruetii. A woman in armor, presumably the jetii he was to meet with. And his hopes came true, she is a beauty.

Play it cool, Tracinya. You're basically a representative. Show her what a true Mandalorian is!

Once he arrives a few feet from her, the jetpack shuts off as he almost gracefully lands in front of the desk. His armor glints in the light as he readjusts his cape, getting it to properly cover his shoulder with the Mythosaur skull visible. He looks her over as he approaches, stopping a few steps from her to look over the woman who was maybe an inch or two taller than him.

"Su cuy'gar. Name's Tracinya be Gra'tua, you're contact."

 

[Jsc]

She spread out her hands and showed open palms. Giving a nod of her head in greeting,

"Greeting Clansman. I come in peace. Thank you for the welcome. I am Karen Roberts of Denon. Your guest."

The Jedi woman showed no signs of her traditional upbringing. She was rather a modern soldier in manner and appearance. However, she quickly stood tall and closed her eyes. Drifting off into a place unknown to many mortals. She took in a deep breath and seemed to be pondering some far away thought. Or, was it something very very close.

"I sense your presence now Clansman. You are known to me. From this moment forward the Force is with me. And will guide my steps in all things."

The woman opened her eyes again and relaxed. She was awake now. Something bright and glittering behind her eyes. Anchored to this place and refreshed anew. Though the magicks that guided her remained quiet and unseen. Such is the way of the Force. Mm. Perhaps she was a Jedi after all.

"Tell me. Are you Field Marshal?"

[member="Tracinya be Gra'tua"]

 

[The Angry Cheese]

"Uh... alright then." He looks around the hangar as she... does her mysticism. Its Jedi-stuff, he'll never understand. But when she questions who he is, he shakes his head at her, almost forlorn at the thought.

"I am Clanless, actually. So, no, I don't really have a rank. And I have no clue where a Field Marshall would be..." With a shrug, he looks over his shoulder to the rain. The constant, distant drumming puts him at peace, as it has ever since he was a but a boy. With a soft sigh, he turns back to her, noting the strange sparkle in her eyes as he studies her face.

A rather nice face to look at, at that... F-For a Jedi, of course.

"What's wrong with talking to me?"

 

[Jsc]

She seemed surprised at his reply,

"A Clanless on the homeworld of the Rekali Clan? Oh my. ...Well. Then I suppose we are both guests today of the Old Man then? Hehe. Fancy that."

Roberts had been to this planet many times before. She knew that the Old Man would understand. He enjoyed visitors, after all. It was in his nature to let others browse. Still. Karen had to be political. She had a history after all. Can't be making the Mandos angry at her already. That simply wouldn't do.

She turned to her host and gave another nod,

"Forgive me. You are [member="Tracinya be Gra'tua"] . I am glad to be in your company. I am simply more accustomed to being greeted by your Generals and Lords. Though... This is a nice change."

The brown haired woman gave a wave of her hand. Washing away the comment with ease. She was used to commanding. Used to leading men in war. There was nothing intimidating about the Mandalorians to her. She understood. She knew war like the hunters do.

"Very well then. I demand a tour of the Temple. You shall be my guide and my protector. I will not accept no for an answer. In any language. So. ...Lead on then. My office is no place to twaddle. Let us walk and talk as true hunters do. With stride."

 

[The Angry Cheese]

Oh, yeah. Definitely a good woman, along with a true soldier.

"Well, if you must be so polite about it, then follow me." He proceeds to step around her, walking around the ship towards one of the doors. As he passes it, he gives the craft an approving whistle, nodding all the while as the ancient door opens up, leading to one of the main hallways of the temple.

"Well, I don't know the temple's layout to much, so this is a tour for the both of us, in a way. Also, there's probably a nest of gundarks somewhere in here... More sport for us, eh?" Tracinya looks over his shoulder, giving her armor an appraising look over (And possibly more than her armor. What? He's a pretty young guy who's technically going through puberty, still!) with hidden eyes. Whether she can tell or not... well, she's a Jedi, she can probably tell. Is he ashamed? No, not really.

 

[Jsc]

Roberts cared little for the fancies of a wandering [member="Tracinya be Gra'tua"] . Her mind was deep in the Force. She was running through the walls, the floors, and very stone itself. Taking in every breath of this ancient holy site and memorizing every feature. There was still power here even after all these years. A Force Nexus buried on this world. So many many memories in these walls. It was fascinating.

It was also one of the reasons Karen overlooked Tracinya's sharp senses too. He might have been Force Sensitive but she could hardly tell. It was either so small that it was almost unnoticeable or, it was that this moon was simply too bright in it's own magicks. So they browsed and explored without much talking. The Jedi Master letting her mind wander into the soil and beyond.

"Let's go this way for a moment. I sense the Grand Auditorium to be in this direction."

As they explored it became obvious that somebody still lived here. The Great Hall was swept and polished. There were new rugs and tapestries hung in the larger hallways. There was even signs that somebody had been installing modern circuitry and plumbing along the ceilings. No doubt the Clansmen of this moon had taken an interest in this fine structure and it's sister buildings. But the progress was slow. The signs of change, minimal. It felt more like a Rebel Base then it did a glorious marble Temple. Still... Fascinating.

"Tell me Warrior. What brings a wanderer like you to an old place like this? Have you too come seeking the Old Man for training? I hear he is traveling these days. That must be quiet boring for this little moon. I wonder what keeps you busy?"

She spoke of Ember Rekali. Chief of Clan Rekali, a Force Master, and the leader of this small moon. A legendary warrior who had since retired from the spotlight of the Sith Wars some years ago. In fact, ten years ago he might have been The Mandalore himself. But today? The Old Man was more of an enigma. Even after three visits to this moon Roberts had yet to meet him. Today seemed no different.

"Ah. But I sense you are young and have little knowledge about the Sith Wars that rage all around us. Perhaps in time you will gain the stability a true warrior needs to survive. Hm. Do you agree?"

 

[The Angry Cheese]

As he follows her into this Auditorium place, his thoughts wondered to her question. Why was he here, actually? Of course, he was here, at the temple, to meet up with [member="Karen Roberts"] and possibly train with her. But, why was he on Yavin IV in the first place, rather than out in the galaxy collecting bounties? He shrugs to himself when he looks over to her.

"I dunno. Somethin' just told me to come over here to this moon. Or, it could be a coincidence we're both here at the same time."

At the mentioning of the Sith Wars (And his 'youthful unstability.' Bah!), he quirks his head to the side with a small frown, hidden by his helmet.

"I don't know what the Sith Wars are, but I'd like to think I'm pretty stable meself."

 

[Jsc]

Oh. Now that was interesting. "Something told me." Followed immediately by "coincidence." Oh dear. It does appear we have another Force Sensitive in the room ladies and gentlemen. Add precognition in with coincidence and you have a perfect recipe for destiny. Or... Well. Just really long statistics. Ya know, which ever.

Karen stopped in the middle of the long hallway to look at [member="Tracinya be Gra'tua"] . She didn't believe in coincidence or luck. Jedi Masters don't have that luxury. Her world simply didn't allow it.

"Tell me Tracinya. Have you ever been examined for Force Sensitivity? Officially. I mean."

Any Force Adept could identify another Force Adept. However, people with especially low powers can go under the radar. They might require an actual blood test to confirm Force sensitive cells. This low key attribute often benefited Stealth Jedi such as Sentinels and Watchmen. Though. It often meant you were no Anakin Skywalker either. Which was fine. Almost all remarkably powerful Jedi lead extremely hazardous and traumatizing lives. It was kind of like having a death sentence. Unlimited cosmic power. ...Iddy bitty lifespan.

Anyway. Karen was now fully vested into finding out who this lone wanderer was and why he was here. Until now he was just another Clansman. But after noticing his phrasing? Mmm. There might be something remarkable in this [member="Tracinya be Gra'tua"] after all.

 

[The Angry Cheese]

He comes to a sudden halt after Karen asked her question. Silence reigned as he slowly turns around to look at her, surprise, shock, and disbelief oozing off of his mind as if he were a bright star. He blinks once, then twice. His mouth opens and closes slightly for a moment, before intelligible words finally form on his tongue.

"N-no. Why would I need that? I'm just a normal person." Him, Force-sensitive? Impossible! If that were true, then why hadn't he been able to do any mind tricks or anything yet?

 

[Jsc]

Karen shrugged. [member="Tracinya be Gra'tua"] would be only the fifth Force Sensitive she had discovered in over twenty years between the Orders. That meant she only ever noticed another new Adept maybe... Every four years or so. And she spent a lot of time around Adepts. Believe me. So it could have been a fluke. Only a real blood test would know for sure at this point.

"You may just be another normal person. That doesn't mean the Force hasn't noticed you. The Force is an energy field that surrounds us. Binds us. Holds the universe together. It can be found in every single living creature. Including you. ...However. Simply possessing a connection to the Force is not enough to interact with it. To actually be able to interact with the Force, sense it, and move it? You need a very special and a very rare blood trait. Something we call "Force Sensitivity" in sentient creatures."

She held up two hands to stay him. Yes yes. I know. Exposition is boring. Let's get to the real part. Please and thank you.

"What I mean is. This Temple has noticed you and so have I. Which means that either you are about to change the destiny of this entire moon right now? Or... That you possess the ability to interact with the Force? Either or."

Karen smiled and put her hands on her hips. Ya know. No biggie.

"So? How do you feel about that Warrior? Would it offend your honor to be judged a Beginner Mage?"

Little did [member="Tracinya be Gra'tua"] know that Karen possessed the ability to sever connections as well. Should he specifically request it? She could crush his budding talents immediately. Ahem. *side effects vary*

 

[The Angry Cheese]

His destiny, what? Bounded to the temple? His life is run by him, not an all-seeing Force. All this was a bit confusing for him, but she may be able to help his confusion. And a connection to the Force could explain his weird dreams, and how he somehow knows when something is gonna happen before it does. But, his destiny is his own, she's wrong about his life being a pre-determined path.

"No, it doesn't conflict with my personal honor. There are Force-users among the Mando'ade, anyways. So yes, I'll accept this test-thing." He then looks her in the eye, pointing a single finger at her in a sort of reminding manner.

"But, my life is my own. If I happen to be Force-sensitive, I won't be joining any Jedi or Sith order. And my life is my own, not any pre-laid path."

 

[Jsc]

So be it. The Jedi woman bladed her eyes and stood up tall and straight. He had made his decision.

"You will receive nothing more from me Warrior. I, like you, have a path I walk myself. Build. Myself. Invitations I give. Myself. ...And there is no place in that path for such a prideful youth such as yourself. Only you can build your future. And so it must be your quest to find the answers. Not mine."

She paused to remember the Temple. Her surroundings and her politics. What came next would matter most.

"So go. Go to your Field Marshals and your Force Adepts. Seek out another Clansman who shares your values, your iron, and your tongue. Seek the secrets of your blood on familiar ground. Not in the hands of a stranger."

She held out both palms as if to visualize. She was "foreign" to him. In many many more ways than one.

"If you do so, I can promise that your world will change. Oh yes. Good. Bad. Who can say? I hold no shackles on your future. Your fate is not yet written. But... Remember remember. Oh yes. Remember just one thing [member="Tracinya be Gra'tua"] . The Force will always be mindful of you. Even should you choose in ignorance. To ignore her forever."

 

[The Angry Cheese]

It does not take any thought on his part. He nods to her as he, too, straightens up.

"I don't mean to sound ungrateful, just so you know. I mean... I don't know much about this Force, so... If I do end up being an adept, would you be able to teach me?" Tracinya asks her, with a near-apologetic tone in his voice. His thoughts would say otherwise, as well as his body language:

You are my elder in these things. Forgive me.

 

[Jsc]

She raised an eyebrow and seemed surprised by his apology. As if she had said something so far removed from his expectations.

"Teach you? Ha. What could I possibly teach a Mandalorian?"

Karen paused to let that sink it. Whatever it was he was expecting? She almost certainly didn't have it.

"I think you misunderstand my position young warrior. I am the commanding officer of a private military corporation in the galactic colonies and have actively preformed combat operations against the Sith Lords for the past twenty years. I am no Mandalorian Field Marshal. I would never even begin to claim to have an understanding of your culture, your spirits, or creeds. What you require is something I cannot give. And probably never would. This is who we are."

She stopped again to be empathetic. He clearly felt the need to understand his talents better. Even if that meant asking the first person to come along who knew anything about them.

"Look. [member="Tracinya be Gra'tua"] . This is what I can give. The Holonet possess all the necessary information you might need to learn about your talents and abilities. Academically. In our modern age there are very few secrets of the Jedi and Sith that are not fully available to the public eye. If you want to just learn? You can do that easily enough. Reading never hurt anybody. But if you want to start training to become a fully vested Force Adept? Well... That will require far more time and effort than I can give you."

She shrugged. It was what it was. She had already trained two other Apprentices and was actively working with a third already. Roberts simply didn't have time to take a 20 year old Mando and craft him into Obi-won Kenobi. That was madness. Not to mention it would take years.

"Truly. Rejoin your Clansmen and seek out a cultural understanding first. There are many of your kind who can guide you. Even you have said so. Perhaps they can give you all that you seek. ...Me? I am already forged in another fashion. Iron wielded to bone. We are incompatible."

Roberts took another look around the hallway. Ensuring they were still alone. Wondering if the Old Man had more surprises left in store for her today too.

 

[The Angry Cheese]

By now, he had nothing more to say. He understood his goals, and knew what he would do. For now, though, he shall continue following her through this temple.