With you, the Force is - Master Classes (open to all)

[Audren Sykes]

The young boy was having trouble holding the rifle, but did his best to aim it at the target and squeezed the trigger. Unlike the child, Audren was able to see where the bolt went after the shot was taken...and it went high. No wonder, taking the shot had knocked the kid back on his rear end. Odd, since the guns he'd used in the past hadn't had much of a recoil to them at all. Whatever the case, the kid seemed to be thrilled by actually shooting the weapon even if he didn't know exactly where he'd shot.

Then all of the sudden he spotted Audren. His eyes widened like he was shocked to see someone he recognized. Except the Sephi had never seen the boy before today, so the response was completely unwarranted. Either the teacher had missed it or ignored it, as he went on blithely. Though in all honesty he'd probably ignored the reaction, given that Audren hadn't even announced himself.

“Pick one up, you’re next.”

Per instructions, the Padawan turned his gaze back at the table and the myriad firearms piled on it. He could choose a pistol, anything from the size of his palm to half the length of his forearm. Or there were rifles available, up to what looked like a cannon. Audren chose one in the middle, smaller than a rifle but bigger than a standard pistol. Collapsible stock, pistol grip and foregrip, and a powerpack that extended noticeably from the blaster itself. Attach a sling and this thing could slip under a cloak easily, but there was a good chance it would have a large percentage of the power of a rifle. He picked up the weapon, carefully keeping his finger away from the trigger. Not all that heavy either. Learning how to use all of them - the method behind it, not specific to the models - was the goal; this one would be a good start.

[member="Coren Starchaser"] | [member="Théodred Heavenshield"]

 

[Coci Heavenshield]

[member="George O Rourke"] | [member="Spencer Jacobs"]​

​

A slight smirk crossed Coci's face, "The only fire pits here will be those we warm our hands by come the evening when the workshop is concluded". Coci stood back as Spencer worked on George's shoulder and soon had him healed.

"An interesting method of training I will admit, but I would rather not put our Padawans through unnecessary risk. Indeed it would teach them fast, but not sure if it would be a good example for future training of others, the risks would be too great and it would only be a matter of time before it would end in tears", her smile widened some more.

"However your timing is perfect, Spencer. I could do with some help in instruction and differing application and we could do a demonstration of Tutaminis at it best. This skill in the force is very valuable George for defensive purposes as Spencer has rightly pointed out, and it should be a skill learned through the Academy for Padawans".

 

[Connor Harrison]

There she was. Always where he didn’t expect it. He looked around for the presence of [member="Syala Daivik"].

Got to make sure they are strong and willing to be broken out there. Othewise they won’t survive you like did.

Connor didn’t see her amidst the others but knew she was there; sitting on his shoulder as the conscious he needed. Returning to Ren before him, Connor nodded and felt probing eyes trying to peer into what was behind the mind.

”What are you trying to do, Ren? What are you looking for in here?” He tapped his temple.


Connor didn’t break eye contact.

”There’s a wall in there you’ll never scale, and it’s a wall built on the foundations of kissing along the edge of the Dark Side and knowing what it feels like to embrace a power that will slowly eat away at you if you let it.”

He spoke directly to Ren’s mind.

Think you’re strong enough to look into the mind of a Master, do you Ren Colvet? Do you think you’re strong enough to survive what you’ll find?

[member="Ren Colvet"]

 

[George O Rourke]

[member="Coci Heavenshield"] | [member="Spencer Jacobs"]

After responding to Spencer's questions Master Coci jumped in expressing her opinion on Spencer's Padawan training of Tutaminis, which lucky for George was a shared opinion. George nor Master Coci would want to risk any more harm than necessary. Tutaminis by it self seemed dangerous absorbing energy could go wrong quite quickly George imagined if ones focus during it was interrupted it could cause great damage, even death.

As Coci continued it was clear that George had the pick of the lot. Two Master of Tutaminis in front of him ready to display there knowledge of the subject for George to learn. He was quite excited. As the conversation continued and George rolled his shoulder over a couple of times loosening it up after the healing was finished he decided to take a seat on the ground in front of them. Waiting for the lessons to begin.

 

[Ren Colvet]

There some words in this galaxy that can never truly describe how we feel, and right now, Ren was feeling a feeling that went beyond horror, a sense of dread that nearly made him pale, he felt like collapsing right then and there.

But instead, he let out a small little squeak:

"I-I-I was just wondering why you-you were so..."

He stopped talking. There was no point. The eye contact between him and Connor was killing him to a point where he couldn't stop looking. So there he stood, trembling, like an idiot, in front of an esteemed Jedi Master.

Wait.

Ren remembered what Connor had said earlier, about being a sponge. He couldn't prove him right. So, after shaking out his chills and straightening out his voice, he replied with a real answer.

"I was just wondering where your hostile words were coming from, I'm sorry if it bothered you."

Oh yeah, you're sounding more like a Jedi Ren Colvet. He high-fived himself mentally and let a small smile reach his lips.

 

[Théodred Heavenshield]

[member="Audren Sykes"] | [member="Coren Starchaser"]​

​

He got to do it again? Théo scrambled to his feet quickly and took up the rifle once more. This time taking his time and watched the man with the long white hair prepare for his turn.

Théo mirrored him, in his preparations, placing his hand exactly where he did, kept his finger off the trigger. His eyes flicking between the weapon he held to the man's, making sure all was the same. Whether that would work equally, was yet to be determined. He moved back to give room so he could take his shot.

 

[Coren Starchaser]

People needed to understand there were more than one choice of weapon for the young and upwardly mobile Force user. And there were more than just healing and absorbing and mind tricks to use against the forces of darkness. Right now? Coren was all for teaching these Padawans how to use a firearm, and then? Once they got handled with that, he’d introduce a few tactics that he knew would just make Thurion and Coci’s skin crawl. But he did tell them, they were going to be fighting the dark side.

And this was the way to do it. Come at them with everything they could.

This was the weapon to use, who cared if it was civilized it was effective and you could drop a lot of soldiers before they became an issue if you were in the right place. Arming a resistance cell? Teaching them to be ready in a minute? And start firing on people wearing red coats? Sure, maybe two of the three were right, but with the leader of the Republic being a Selectivist, he figured it was probably only a matter of time.

And Coren Starchaser was just being Jean Lafitte.

Pirate King of the Swamp.

He watched the two padawans taking shots. “Just remember, you want to will your shot, take your breaths, and just watch your targets. You will ruin someone’s day some time with one of these. But I want you to get comfortable with this first. Then we’ll be moving to something a bit more… inclusive.”

Which meant he was going to drain the ever loving fluff out of these two. And they were going to have to react. Not think. React.

[member="Théodred Heavenshield"]
[member="Audren Sykes"]

 

[Thurion Heavenshield]

A chuckle left his lips as the younglings huddled around [member="Sor-Jan Xantha"]. He had never really been given an opportunity to befriend any of his fellow padawans back in the day due to his somewhat brief time spent amongst the Jedi before joining his master in leaving the Order. He was happy for those who were given the chance. "All of us are special, Sor-Jan," Thurion spoke while getting up on his feet. "We all look different, have different personalities and experiences. Combining all these are what makes us all unique."

Another made her presence known to the group, with Thurion returning her bow. "That may be so, but I've heard much about you, Knight Daivik. Master Harrison is very proud of you." With all that's happened to poor Connor, watching [member="Syala Daivik"] earn her knighthood had been a constant light in his life. "You are welcome to join us. Both of you." He gestured to her and Sor-Jan before snatching the attention of the younglings once more and assuming his seat at the foot of the tree, inviting the others to join him in the soft grass.

"Now then, I want you all to make the cones on the ground levitate. Just one per person will do. Remember: 'Do, or do not. There is no try'." While the younglings went to work, Thurion turned to Sor-Jan and Syala. "I presume you already know the basics of Telekinesis?"

 

[Sor-Jan Xantha]

The boy bowed his respects in deference to the Grand Master's comments.

Straightening back up, the boy then bowed to acknowledge the presence of the young woman. Knight Daivik, if he overheard the name correctly. A former pupil of Master Harrison's perhaps? The Grand Master's comment seemed to suggest as much.

"Yes, Master," the boy remarked in answer to the question of whether he knew the basics of telekinesis. "But, I feel as though there is always something new or different to be learned. No matter how often one has done it."

The most recent was on Ossus, when a former Sith Lord had given instruction in a technique to harness the Force to create a shield, which could deflect an attack. Sor-Jan had often used telekinesis to push or pull an object, even using random objects as makeshift shields at times. But using the premise of telekinesis to create a barrier? That hadn't been something he'd even thought of.

Of course, as a Consular, he didn't exactly go looking for ways to use the Force in battle.

[member="Thurion Heavenshield"] | [member="Syala Daivik"]​

 

[Allyson Locke]

Spencer nodded showing her acceptance of the Padawan’s answers. Then Master Coci remarked on her question about the fire pits. A frown spread across her face as she realized that the training under a Jedi was quite different than the training under a Lord of the Darkside. With that, Spencer decided that she was going to have to learn something new today. Pushing herself from the edge of the table, Spencer removed the leather jacket and placed it on the table. She proceeded to roll up the long sleeves of her white shirt up to her elbow. “Demonstration? I’m assuming then no one saw me deal with the stray blaster shot that the Padawan deflected.” There was a defeated tone in her voice, but it quickly disappeared as she dusted off her bottom from any debris that was on the table.

“What do you have in mind for the demonstration? I do have one request though, make sure you hit me somewhere where my skin is showing. Trying to absorb through clothing is draining, I didn’t think I was going to do any training today or I would have worn my armor.” A grin broke across her face as she placed her hands on her hips and headed towards where George was standing previously. “Throw what you want at me and we’ll have some fun Master Coci”

[member="George O Rourke"] [member="Coci Heavenshield"]

 

[George O Rourke]

[member="Spencer Jacobs"] | [member="Coci Heavenshield"]

The show was about to begin, well not show. But more instructional training preview... Either way George was excited to see the two Masters of Tutaminis showing their power and their knowledge hoping that one day George would have both of these qualities and be able to teach future generations of the Silver Sanctum Jedi. How will she start? Blaster, something else? George had missed her previous demonstration, he was slightly preoccupied by the bolts flying towards himself to worry about where they were going for the time being. But no matter which method Master Coci used George was ready to learn and excited to see how it went.

 

[Audren Sykes]

Satisfied with the gun he'd chosen, Audren took a moment to find the latch that allowed him to extend the stock. He braced that against his shoulder and oriented the barrel downrange before even allowing his thumb to find the safety release. There were two settings available: safe and life. A simple flick of his thumb took the weapon off safe as he aimed down the metal sights. A shift of his feet - the left moving forward slightly while the right planted itself - braced him for the anticipated recoil.

Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed the kid mirroring his preparations. Did he honestly seem like he knew so much? Some holodramas, some basic practice sessions on Cholganna, and pistol use. Downrange, he could see five rings on his target. If they were similar to the ones he'd seen before the highest points would be the smallest, most interior ring and would decrease the further out the shot went. Centering his sights on the middle of the target, he placed his finger on the trigger and gave it a quick squeeze. Without lowering the rifle, he raised his head from the sights to see how he'd done.

A one. Bottom of the target, barely even there.

Maybe he'd been bracing for the recoil too much, it certainly hadn't been as much as anticipated. Re-centering the sights, he again stroked the trigger, and again and again and again. With five shots total, he scored a one, four, one, three, and four. Not bad in his opinion, though he was still disappointed. The Padawan held himself to high standards, and these weren't cutting it. Maybe the human had advice. Almost as quickly as the thought had crossed his mind, the advice was spoken.

“Just remember, you want to will your shot, take your breaths, and just watch your targets. You will ruin someone’s day some time with one of these. But I want you to get comfortable with this first. Then we’ll be moving to something a bit more… inclusive.”

More inclusive? What could that entail? Didn't matter, he'd just been given advice that could improve his aim. 'Willing his shot' was more than he understood, but taking breaths actually made sense. The body moved when taking breaths, and would do so after holding breath for too long. His first shot was taken while holding his breath in: a three. Not his best, but definitely not the worst. The next was taken after an exhale: four. Another four, another four, and a three. He'd held off from breathing too long, and the accuracy suffered. Another flick of his thumb put the weapon back on safe, and he lowered it so the barrel was pointed at the ground. He could get used to this style of weapon.

[member="Coren Starchaser"] | [member="Théodred Heavenshield"]

 

[Coci Heavenshield]

[member="George O Rourke"] | [member="Spencer Jacobs"]​

​

"I think we could start by you absorbing a couple of bolts from a blaster, and with you permission .. a live round or two?", She nodded her understanding of aiming for skin, Coci aware of the required strength needed to achieve the skill through clothing.

"George, watch and sense what Spencer does. You have to form a protective 'shield' close to your skin in order to absorb it. Otherwise you will loose your hand or worse".

Coci moved to the position and stood atop the platform. To remove any risk of hitting Spencer, Coci will aim to the side of her, and if by some miracle Spencer misses the catch it will pass her without harm. She took the blaster and removed the setting of stun. Spencer will only have to decline, if she does not wish live rounds to pepper her.

"While you watch, use the force, bring it to your hand and form a shield. I will not fire a live round at you". George should prepare for his turn after this. At the end of the lesson, between Coci and Spencer will be a display of Tutaminis at its fullest. But first, to train the padawan.

 

[George O Rourke]

[member="Coci Heavenshield"] | [member="Spencer Jacobs"]

It was already shaping up to be an interesting training. The dangers that went along with training tutaminis was quite extensive. One wrong move could end up with a large blaster hole in your hand or any other part of your body or the possibility of loosing limbs.

George listen to Master Coci, he would need to put the techniques into practice when it was his turn after this round. "Yes Master. I got it." He said quite confidently as he allowed the thoughts of how Tutaminis works enter his mind. He would need to focus the force into a small barrier around his hand. It would be something different for George, but he was excited. He was asked to practice during Spencer's round learning and preparing for his own turn.

 

[Théodred Heavenshield]

[member="Coren Starchaser"] | [member="Audren Sykes"]​

​

An OOooo come from Théo after the white haired man had completed his rounds. He had hit the target and that was all that mattered to Théo! He stepped forward eagerly now and did the same as the man did once more. He had paid very close attention to all the words of Cool Trousers and focused more this time.

Will the shot, will the shot .. I'm willin the shot! how do I will the shot?

Force focused, Théo looked down the barrel, finger on the trigger gently, feet firmer and apart and he aimed. The shot rang out as the bolt fizzed toward the target, "Owww- W", his shoulder felt the kick back but he remained in position for the second. The bolt however, missed and flew into the near by garden area.

The second bolt, fizzed once more, this time hitting the target as Théo had lowered the barrel a little. It caught the edge of target not even in the scoring zone, but that did not bother Théo. He had hit it! and yelled his excitement. In his excitement, he turned toward the man that would be known as Coren, the rifle still firm in his grip and pointed at his stomach.

"How was that?". he beamed a smile.

 

[Baalagor]

Returning [member="Sor-Jan Xantha"]'s bow, Syala merely waved away [member="Thurion Heavenshield"]'s comments with a smile. "He certainly likes to say a lot. Rest assured, regardless of what he's told you, he has played just as much a part in everything as I have, if not more of one. It is his training that allowed me to come this far, after all." Of course, it wouldn't be Connor if he didn't speak of her accomplishments as if they were his own, and it didn't surprise her in the least that he spoke of them to the Grandmaster of the Order as well.

And [member="Connor Harrison"] wasted no time in responding to her through their link. "Yes, but I made it this far because of your gentle hand as well. Don't rush them. Different individuals have different capabilities. You know that." It wasn't that she was lecturing him, merely offering her own point of view for him to consider or disregard as he chose. If she knew him at all he would bear it in mind as the day continued. Either way things would find themselves remedied. She had the utmost confidence in him.

Her attention turned back entirely to her surroundings just as soon as the question was posed, and she nodded. "Yes, Master. But as what was said previously, there is always more to be learned, no matter how skilled one believes themselves to be." There would be cause to worry if each believed themselves knowing of all once a certain rank was obtained. There was more knowledge in the galaxy than even the Consulars, those partly responsible for keeping notice of such things, knew what to do with. Such was the life of a Jedi.

 

[Coren Starchaser]

Now, in some part of the writer’s mind, Coren was leaning against a tree and eating an apple, just watching the two students fire downrange. But that wasn’t quite what he was doing. He was paying attention, a fair bit too. Students with weapons on his range? Not likely they’d be unsupervised. He was paying attention to the both. The Space Elf was adjusting fast. Good, he was learning, which meant Coren was teaching. “Nice work, Sykes.” A smile was followed with a nod.

Then Coci’s little pride and joy came turning around and instinct took over. Coren grabbed the rifle’s barrel and pulled it from Mini-Viking’s hands. “Good, aside from watching where the weapon’s going. That comes in time. Keep them down range when they’re out.” Still, no betrayal of tone as Coren spoke, just facts.

“But the thing is, in the real world, y’all won’t be firing against targets. What we need to focus on is taking down a foe before the become a problem, see?” He looked at the rifle, stepping to the side and firing a few rounds off, hitting most of the targets nearly spot on. He wasn’t the best with a rifle, but he was better than most. His weapon of choice.

“When someone’s coming face to face with you, and you’re at the lightsaber side, the mission’s already become combat And its time to fix that. How are you going to respond to someone coming down, hurling lightning at you, trying to close range?” He looked to both of the students for answers.

[member="Théodred Heavenshield"]
[member="Audren Sykes"]

 

[Allyson Locke]

Spencer looked at Coci who adjusted the blaster. Nodding, she understood the question for live rounds. To be fair, her training when she was first learning was done with live rounds, she had to pick it up quick or learn to dodge even quicker. Waving her hand she spoke quickly, “Live rounds are fine, the stronger the better more energy to absorb.” Memories were brought to the surface of her mind as she remembered the Whiphid who taught her so much. Velok first had her stick her hand in a pile of burning wood, learn to take in the heat and use it to protect her hand. From there, he revealed a blaster to teach her to move and focus on the technique allowing all points of her body to be used for Tutaminis. Most learned to use their hands since it was easier to block and catch things. Spencer learned to use every fiber of her being.

“Learn to deflect, trust the Force. Imagine carefully a force barrier, draw in the barrier folding it upon itself as it comes towards your palm. The force barrier should weave against your skin touching and protecting it. Once you’ve mastered that and you can deflect energy – you’ll learn to absorb and to transfer it to another skill.” Spencer held her hand up and wiggled her fingers slightly. Taking in a deep breath she focused her energy on her palms, it seemed the way Coci was aiming, she would have to reach for them. The force webbed against her palms protecting them. Every ounce of her mind focused on the skill, in most cases especially battle she was able to focus on defense when she needed it, a split second was all she needed to muster up the defensive skill. Something like this mastered at a young age, it came like second nature.

The bolts were fired after she had given Coci the okay for the live rounds. The bolts headed away from her and in quick succession she reached and the bolt of energy disappeared. In most cases especially in newer students of the skill, the force would manifest uncontrolled. Instead, Spencer stored the energy as she continued to catch the bolts from the blaster. Deciding to show what else she was a master of, the mental pressure in the area would slowly start to get heavier and tighter as Spencer continued to absorb the blaster shots. With each shot, the pressure grew tighter on the minds around her. She remained in control as she funneled the blaster bolts to fuel the mental strain on both Coci and George. The feeling would be nothing more than a headache that continued to get worse and worse. Spencer paid no mind to it and continued to play catch the blaster bolt.


[member="George O Rourke"] [member="Coci Heavenshield"]

 

[Coryth Elaris]

Coryth chuckled a little nodded, understanding all to well. Illusions were subtle creations. Not many bothered with them when it was far easier to just smash your opponent to pieces or blast a hole through them. "I completely get that." She said quietly. The redhead then gave a nod to Kurogan.

Just as Coryth had started to settle into the Force herself, her lovely girlfriend appeared. A bright smile spread across her lips, happy to see the Eldorai. "Of course. Would you expect less of me?" She asked. Though the question was more rhetorical than anything else. Not that it would keep Kaida from answering anyway.

Reaching to the ground Coryth picked up a single stone, and laid it in her hand. For a moment she only looked it over, taking in it's details. Extending her other hand, palm up and empty she now started to explain, "What I want you to do is simple. Reaching into the force, draw upon that power. If you sink deep enough, eventually you'll see even the very light that shines upon us like a sheet of fabric, yours to master. If you find this difficult, I can help guide you further by entering your mind and showing you the way. If you trust me that far. If you are having difficulty at this point, please let me know." She said quietly.

Though for those who weren't she'd move on, "For those who already can, we will start with a simple illusion first. It gets tricky here, now. In your own hand, shift your energy and focus down into your hand, still keeping sight of that fabric of light. Thread by thread you must start to pull at it, take control over it. At first all you may notice is a small flash of light above your palm. That is fine. That is progress." Coryth demonstrated, a small little flash of light sparkled over her empty hand and faded away. "It takes practice to control it, and more to gain the subtlety to do all of this unnoticed without a spark of light noticeable. But I have no doubt you'll be able to in time."

The redhead took a breath and then continued, "Now, for what I want to create. This stone in my other hand, I want to make in the empty one. Focus on what you wish to create, this case a rock. Hold that image tightly in your mind. Will is key, you want to create it. If you will it, it can be real as you want it to be. Your will and desire controls all of this. Keeping tight to that image, pulling at those very same threads of light, you have to start to shape and bend them as you desire. Much like an artist paints a canvas you create what you desire."

At that point the redhead closed her own eyes, focusing on creating her own stone. Strand by strand she pulled upon the light, going incredibly slowly herself to form the rock. Starting from the bottom up, intentionally slowing her work down to allow them to see the light manipulated until at last a small ordinary stone lay in her hand. "If you can manage this, any of it really you have the start of what can make you completely invisible and the ability to bend and control light as you please. Which includes making yourself invisible to droids, to Vong, to almost anything. It is not easy, do not be discouraged. Just keep trying."

[member="Kaida Taldir"] | [member="Kurogan"] | [member="Vassara Raxis"]

 

[Audren Sykes]

“Nice work, Sykes.”

The Sephi responded with a bow of his head and a grin, much the same response he'd given to Master Roberts for her compliments on New Prosperity. He didn't question how the man knew him, it seemed to be a common theme among members of the Coalition - Coci had also demonstrated that she knew who the Sephi was without the two of them having ever met.

"But the thing is, in the real world, y’all won’t be firing against targets. What we need to focus on is taking down a foe before the become a problem, see? When someone’s coming face to face with you, and you’re at the lightsaber side, the mission’s already become combat And its time to fix that. How are you going to respond to someone coming down, hurling lightning at you, trying to close range?"

Another demonstration from the teacher after he took the rifle from the kid and hit the targets he aimed at, all of them a four- or five-point hit. Kill shots. It was an effective example, but one that was turned on its head when he put it into terms of live combat. Until recently he hadn't been around people who could throw lightning around, but it struck him how likely he was to face something like that now. Unfortunately, lightning was a fickle weapon. It had a tendency to arc towards conductors, but if it was being actively controlled that wouldn't so much be the case. Optimally, he'd want to get a shield up or put something between him and the lightning. Alternatively, and more in line with the current lesson, he could shoot the sucker before he got close enough for the lightning to hit. Or try, at least.

"Get some sort of barrier between myself and the lightning, probably. Though I suspect you want us to say 'shoot him before he gets close enough to hit you'."

[member="Coren Starchaser"] | [member="Théodred Heavenshield"]