Private Weightless

[Finnea Virlee]

At his suggestion, the new apprentice had done exactly like he said when she finally made her way back to her new private room. Finnea removed several layers of her dessert attire, only wearing a pair simple thin pants, a loose top with long sleeves and some boots. Her military upbringing and past trauma had done wonders for the engineers psyche as she wouldn't dream of questioning a superior in fear. Not even now as the ladder made contact with the white ground and the chilled air took a firm hold of her, forcing her to embrace herself as they walked down the ramp into the merciless landscape.

The cave gave some shelter from the biting wind, but she was clearly shivering from the cold as she watched her new master remove his hood and his expression was difficult to read as his hair instantly got wipped around like hers already was.

How do you feel?

Was he joking? The girls expression went sour and she refused to answer him. Clearly she wasn't feeling great. She tried to keep herself moving a little to generate some heat. It was hard to consentrate on what he was telling her but basically she was going to try using the force to generate heat and if there was something she'd absolutely love right about now, it was heat. His explaination went on and she grew gradually angrier. Did he expect her to pull that off just like that? Finnea threw a look around herself, like she was looking for an alternative source of heat but she knew she had to at least give this excersise a try.

Still shivering, Finnea closed her eyes and tried to ignore the freezing temperature to no luck. Her eyes opened not long after her first useless try and she scoffed in his direction. "Don't you think some warmer clothes would make this a little easier? Or are you trying to kill me?" she sneared as she started to pace back and forth. "It's impossible to consentrate in this temperature!"

 

[The Seer]

ELOM


He watched, passively, wordlessly. He could feel the woman’s frustration grow and grow until it morphed into anger and smaller inklings of resentment. His only response at her first failed attempt was to raise an onyx eyebrow, looking on and listening to her complaints — her doubts —until she’d finished with what could be equivalent to a child’s tantrum. “It isn’t impossible. You just don’t want to do it.”

He shifted his weight over to the opposite side to keep his blood flowing, constantly creating heat for himself from within to keep his awareness sharp. Though, he could very well survive here without the heat, it was relevant to the lesson so he maintained it for now. Give himself something to focus on. “If you’d like, you could go back to the ship, use the holocommunicator to call your Commander, tell the pilots where they need to go, and be back with your crew and back to engineering in a matter of hours. Give up and you can return to your career.” He exhaled, blowing out thick steam because of his body temperature.

“I told you that I would teach you. I can only do as much as you will allow me. You will be uncomfortable, on many occasions. I didn’t say this would be an easy path, Ms. Virlee.” A gust of wind bellowed and howled outside the cave entrance, sweeping through the cave and beating against the rock that formed it. He had others he could pursue. Others to pour time and effort into to ensure their success. He’d never trained many Scions personally, not on a one on one basis. He had administrative and religious roles to fill constantly that were only hindered by another responsibility such as an Apprentice.

And yet, he’d chosen her.

Zephyr had either lost his mind or made an exceptional choice. Time would tell, as always. “How do you expect to grow if you are always comfortable, hm? Leave, if you wish. Find someone else to teach you.”

His arms came to cross over his chest and his eyes settled on her. “But, if you are sincere… Try again.”

Finnea Virlee ​

 

[Finnea Virlee]

Her already angry expression grew even angrier if that was even possible. He was hitting her where it hurt - her pride. She was not weak and she was not a quitter. He was right in everything he told her, especially about the fact that there were just a few hours parting her from her former crew and ship if she would like to quit. It would have been so easy to contact them too, the freezing temperature was almost convincing her to do so.

But no. She had come with him for a reason and she would stick to her decision, especially now that he expressed doubt in her abilities. Finnea had an ridiculous need to prove herself and by doubting her, he pushed all the right buttons for the engineer to apply her properly for the new task at hand. "Fine!" she hissed as her body kept shaking from the cold wind. "I-I'll try again. a-and ag-gain." Her voice grew from pure agression into that of a slight worry for her own safety. Either she suffered damage from the cold, or she applied herself enough to find and create that source of heat!
Finnea took a few more, very stiff steps as if she needed to find a spot she would be comfortable in but quickly figured out that no matter where she stood, it would be a pain. She sighed and lowered herself down to sit on her knees instead, arms still tightly around her torso and her eyes closed. First thing first; control over the breathing, something she had already learned to do back onboard the main ship and spent many hours doing. No longer was her teeth clampering, she had quickly gained control over her breath. Now she could try and get control over her own shivering body which took her a little longer to do.

By the next strong gust, her breath became irregular again and she had to cancel the attempt again, only to get right back into it and faster regaining that control over her body and breath so that she could not dip down within to search for her own field of energy and then reach out to feel the force. This took much longer to do and when she did find and felt impossible, especially since the temperature was starting to make her very uncomfortable. "M-master... " it as barely speech, more like a thought of wanting assistance that happened to be poorly. Her arms unfolded and she put her hands in front of herself, palms facing up as she was recieving something, only slightly shivering. "I-I .. I feel it.." she spoke quietly, scared of loosing her touch with the strange energy again.

The Seer

 

[The Seer]

ELOM


A small glimmer of recognition lit up silver eyes. Pride. Pride in her work, in her own capability. It was hinted at even on Shiva IV in the cantina, sprinkled in the need to find and then keep control over what she thought was uncontrollable. It was noteworthy, for now. Though, she’d have to grow out of it eventually.

Following suite, he lowered himself to sit on the dark stone underneath him. His eyebrows furrowed looking at the position she chose, it looked rather simply and was somewhat unorthodox. But, if it worked, it worked. His only focus was making sure she didn’t freeze to death before she was able to at least learn the technique. It wasn’t entirely nonsensical, getting lower to the ground meant that less cold air would be felt. Still rather cold, just slightly less so now.

Some time passed and the internal struggle could be seen. It could also be felt. If a being with untamed potential was a roaring flame in the Force, Finnea was like a match trying to catch. There were a few flickers before the ignition. Even when she held it, it was a small flame at best. But, any progress was good progress right now. A soft voice spoke and only just caused a small echo. He assumed it was the new Apprentice trying to get his attention.

Shifting only slightly, he spoke, “Good, try to hold it. Get familiar with what it feels like. Don’t be afraid of it, of yourself.” Idly, he mused with the idea of leaving her here once the technique was learned. Have her fend for herself, watch from afar, and then pick her up once she was successful. On a different occasion that might have proven effective. But with one so untrained, it would be a waste of potential if she didn’t make it through the ordeal. "Shadows know there will be plenty of time for that later," came the mumble.

Perhaps some other time.

Finnea Virlee ​

 

[Finnea Virlee]

Don't be afraid of it.

Don't be afraid of yourself.

Perhaps masters of this technique were able to simply dip into the force and stay warm, protecting themselves from the cold with ease, but Finnea had not by will been able to do anything but perhaps making a few small mechanical parts move. This was hard and the cold weather didn't make it one bit easier for the engineer.
Or, was it? If the temperature had been good, she wouldn't have to try her best. She was desperate to find the force, recognize it and then wield it. The idea og giving up and go back 'home' was not an option as her stubborn nature wouldn't allow it. She'd rather torture herself than give up and crawl home.

The next gust had her embracing herself again, a moan of discomfort left Finnea as she started to lean forward, no longer shivering as badly just because her thin body was giving up. Just then, with her forth attempt, she could really feel it, that humming sensation all over her body. She stayed down in that position of agony but held on firmly to that sensation, concentrating deeply to dip into it, getting familiar with it. Too cold to be afraid of it, fumbling slightly within herself, now forcefully seeking out the warmth that was promised her.

It started deep within her chest and slowly grew. Once she was aware of it , Finnea gasped without sound and the sensation of heat disappeared almost completely until she calmed herself enough to let it grow once more, and soon grasping that feeling of how it embraced her upper body, flowing down her arms and legs. It was divine and made the girl loosen her hold of herself. Still cold, but not on the brink of having to plead for him to help her, she sat with a little smile of relief, eyes still closed. She didn't speak, it wasn't necessary, and besides, she really wanted to hold on tight to this accomplishment.

the Seer

 

[The Seer]

ELOM
Unknown Cave System


He was content to wait for a moment, meditating into a light trance to remain connected to his student through the process. He could almost feel the searching, the desperate longing for warmth. When she wanted it bad enough, she would seek it out on her own. It would be something born of necessity. She could stay with the dropping temperatures and slowly freeze until she figured it out. But, eventually, she would get it. There was no other option for her, as headstrong as she was.

And then…

Ever so slightly, the match caught.

Oxygen poured in and allowed for growth. Though, he couldn’t feel what she did, he felt the difference in her stance. Relief echoed from that small change. Gently, he reached out, his following words echoing in her mid. <<Hold it for as long as you can. Fuel it with your own energy.>> She picked up quickly when the correct motivation was provided.

He nodded in the odd mixture of cold and heat that he felt with his own body. <<If it helps, imagine a flame. With every inhale, it grows. Every exhale, it dims. Find the rhythm that works best with you.>> Regardless of what a sailor wanted to do, they always used the wind. Whether they sail with or against the wind, they always used it to their advantage. It was never ignored, never discarded as trivial or inconsequential. If the wind wasn't cooperated with to some degree, the ship wouldn't get anywhere. Or, worse, it was blown off course and must be redirected.

Finnea Virlee​

 

[Finnea Virlee]

Hearing his voice inside her own mind was a new experience as well, but it wasn't alarming enough for the halfling to open her eyes and let go of that little spark of warmth she had going. It was just different and all he did was offer advice to her of how to proceed. Finneas shoulders lowered a little more and she took his words to heart when she imagined a flame in front of herself, feeling how the heat spread over her chest and arms, soon spreading to the rest of her body. It still wasn't like she would start a sweat anytime soon, but enough to not shiver so badly.

Only when she didn't fear that she would loose the contact anymore did she dare to consentrate about fueling it with more of her energy, at least she tried and it worked. She could now relax and her skin slowly turned from blue to having a hue of red to it once more, but she could tell right away that this exercise demanded alot of energy and consentration. Depending on how long he wanted to stay out here, she feared she'd be drained of energy once they were to head back.

Finnea took long and controlled inhales, followed by controlled exhales, her body clearly leaning into the rythmn of the force that provided her with the source of warmth that saved her from her enviroments. Her eyes kept close, afraid that if she opened them, the connection would be broken at this point. One day, perhaps she could master it well enough to excersise this while even walking and talking. But not now, and thankfully she was a patient student. "I've got it under control.. thank you." she spoke calmly, hands firmly to her tighs as she still sat on her knees on the ground. Despite imagining a flame, the sensation of heat acted very different. More like a warm wind than a flame, surrounding her and heating every part, not just her front like a fireplace would have done. "

The Seer

 

[The Seer]

ELOM


He nodded and waited. Breathed.

She had it under control. She had control over herself for the moment, and that was enough. It was a start. A large start for only a day. He let himself have a small smile. He hadn’t been wrong in seeing the potential in the young woman, it just took time and patience to bring it out of her in the correct way. <<Of course.>> came his reply. It was a delicate line to walk between control and malignant control of the Force. It also depended on the person. That was something he couldn’t see within Finnea, he’d only figure that out with time. And, even then, she could change twenty different times in their time together.

The only thing to do was wait. He sat and thought for a while longer. The future was riddled with mystery, far too many pathways and outcomes to consider all at once. The Scions had much work to do in many areas, but for now they were growing. Slowly but surely. Finnea was proof of that, as were the ones that would undoubtedly follow after her.

He reached out and bridged the space between them, sending out heat from himself to surround his student. “When you’re ready, we can head back to the ship. Get some of your energy back to make the walk. There will be plenty more time to practice on Icarus.” His eyes opened to watch what she did next from where he sat against the freezing stone. With any hope, they’d get a reprieve back on Icarus. If not there, at least on the journey to the planet.

Finnea Virlee​

 

[Finnea Virlee]

From fumbling around and failing, near giving up this seemingly simple task he gave her to sit calmly feeling confident in her ability to control the force for now, warming up and just getting used to the sense of the force. She didn't have to open her eyes to know that the added heat that suddenly surrounded her was coming from Zephyr and that was her clue that she could relax. Opening her eyes she looked ahead into the windy landscape outside the cave. She tried holding onto the control she had even if she now had opened her eyes, no longer as deeply concentrated but it slowly slipped from her, most likely due to him having shared the heath with her. Turning her head she looked over at him where he sat against the stones giving him a short not as she got back up on her feet, not bothering to dust herself down.

"I'll practise, of course. I won't ever dare be an embarrassment to you." she slightly bowed her head. She somehow felt that the exercise had provided her with a key - now that she had felt and experienced that she could hold onto the force, control it and use it, there would be easier to master the task at hand and learn more. She stood there, staring at him in silence for a short while before giving him a slight nod of appreciation for his time and teachings before turning around to start heading back to the ship already knowing she'd need a lot of rest after this.