Faction A Test of Wit and Valor [RNR]

[Briana Sal-Soren]

​

MESSAGE INCOMING . . .

"Good morning, Padawans.

If you are receiving this message that means that you have been selected for a particularly special lesson. Today, we will be challenging your endurance, your ability to engage as a team, your ingenuity, and your physical prowess in battle.

For this assignment, you and a select few have each been chosen and split into groups of three, and your objective is to navigate the training course that my fellow Jedi and I have carefully prepared for you.

Along the way, you will face various obstacles. Some will arise naturally from the terrain itself, but others have been added to test you further, including pit traps, spider droids, and other hazards. Your journey will begin in the woods near the front of the Sanctuary and follow a path leading you through a cave system. Eventually, this will culminate by the riverside. There, your team will face a final challenge: a duel against either our Battle Master, Jedi Knight Lossa Aureus , or the leader of the Shirayan Vanguard, Jedi Knight Lorn Reingard .

To succeed, all members of your team must make it through to the end—unless a serious injury or handicap prevents it. However, I trust you will do everything possible to ensure that no one gets left behind. As a precaution, myself and other Jedi Knights will be waiting in the wings and ready to provide any medical attention, should it be necessary.

Remember, this is a test of not only your individual skill but your ability to support and protect one another. Now, gather your teams, center your minds, and let the Force guide you for the trial ahead. I have every faith in you. Good luck."

RULES OF THE GAME:​

Spoiler

Objective
Teams of Padawans will navigate through a series of obstacles in the woods, caves, and along the riverside to locate and capture flags guarded by Jedi Knights Lorn and Lossa.

Team Structure
Teams will consist of 3 Padawans each.
Team 1: Cerys, Lysander, and Zaiya
Team 2: Bea, Joro, Lily

Game Area
The course includes:
Woods: Start and various obstacles.
Cave: Transition point with challenges.
Riverside: Finish line where flags are located.

Obstacles
Trapping Pit: Padawans will roll to see if they fall in. (Roll results will be determined on your first post. Evens you fall in, Odds you are safe.)
Spider Droids: Contact with these droids will result in 'stun' effects (temporary incapacitation, requiring teammates to assist in recovery).
Landmines Zappers: Areas that deliver mild shocks when activated; affected Padawans must be helped out by their teammates.
Rugged terrain: Natural areas that will be difficult to cross or maneuver around.

Flag Retrieval
Lorn and Lossa will guard one flag each.
To win, a team must successfully take a flag from one of the Knights and return it to their own designated endpoint.

Accountability and Conduct
Team Dynamics:
All team members must finish together; if one team member is incapacitated, the team must assist them to the finish.
Purposeful injury to a teammate will result in immediate disqualification.

Inter-Team Interaction:
Attacking other teams is allowed using provided training sabers and bo staffs.
Padawans must use their best judgment to avoid serious harm to opponents.

Medical Assistance:
Medics can provide aid to affected team members.
Serious injuries (determined by instructors) will result in sidelining that Padawan for the remainder of the game.

Gameplay Flow:
Teams roll to determine entry into trapping pits; remaining teams advance.
Navigate through obstacles collaboratively.
Reach the caves to continue towards the river.
Engage with Lorn or Lossa to retrieve the flag.
Team returns with the flag to their base to finish the game.

Winning the Game:
The first team to successfully retrieve their flag and return to the designated endpoint wins.
All members must finish to claim victory.

Additional Notes
Ensure to follow the Spirit of Jedi Training – emphasizing teamwork, respect, and fair play throughout the game.
Enjoy the training exercise and embrace the challenge of becoming stronger Padawans! May the Force be with you! ​

​

 

[Aiden Porte]

Team 2
Lily Decoria Joro Kal'nath

The message sent and received in the early hours and a time and place sent for the three padawan's to gather. Frankly Aiden hadn't worked with Joro or Lily before, but that was an incredibly good thing. It would definitely put their union and teamwork to the test. If they came out of these trials on top, it would prove much about them. Aiden's talks and such with those closest to him and done much good to aid his mind and keep his anxieties at bay. Training with Lorn Reingard as well as his communication with the others.

He wasn't there yet by far, but he was starting the process, of letting go.

Aiden was dressed in his Jedi jumpsuit, the only thing on his belt was a training saber. This was a training exercise with his peers, not a war. He would do what he did best and that was to be open-minded to the thoughts and the critiques of his fellow Jedi.

The woods were before them, he glanced over to Lily and Joro. "Well, my friends. Shall we get started?"


Briana Sal-Soren Lossa Aureus

 

[Cerys Dyn]

Random my left lekku.

How in all the world did Cerys get paired with blondie-squabblepants and his dearly despised colour-shift-crazyface? It had already put her in a decidedly foul mood, but when she arrived and saw that Joro was on the other team her demeanour changed almost immediately. She glanced at Lysander and Zaiya with a smile of newfound appreciation. "Well! Looks like the Force gave me the right team! We are going to do great guys," she said with a swift slap on Lysander's back, and a soft jab at Zaiya's shoulder.

She was sincerely worried how about the near legendary squabbling of her two teammates would affect their chances. As she felt a little more comfortable addressing this matter with one that was Padawan to the same master, Cerys leaned towards Lysander and whispered, "Don't mess this up for me, Lysie...play nice...alright?"

This was the first thing approaching a physical challenge that she had been granted save for a brief excursion with slappy-face and a spar with the not-so-bad Lorn.

As the message from the better Sal-Soren played out, Cerys tried to process all the details. Certain rules felt specifically targeted at her team. Not her per se. But she did flick the other two a quick glance at certain points. It was clear that she was going to have to carry this team.

Cerys stooped during the countdown, refastening her boots. She stood up and patted down the basic brown robe that covered her minimalist attire underneath. Despite the practical pants, sleeveless tee and the nice chunky belt, she still wanted to preserve her modesty, hence the cloak.

As the countdown hit go, Cerys took off in a measured job. There was no need to outrun the other team. They had to outthink and out perform. The desperate sprinting could come at the very end if needed.

The path ahead took them into the nearby woods, and down into a valley, within a rather short distance, the path itself was already becoming pretty vague and Cerys found herself looking for some signs that might guide them in the right direction.

---

Team Notties - Lysander von Ascania Zaiya Ceti
Team Hotties - Lily Decoria Aiden Porte Joro Kal'nath
Instructors - Lossa Aureus Lorn Reingard Briana Sal-Soren

Spoiler: Roll

 

[Joro Kal'nath]

ATTIRE: Jedi Robes
The Hotties: Aiden Porte | Lily Decoria
The Notties: Lysander von Ascania | Cerys Dyn | Zaiya Ceti
The Bosses: Briana Sal-Soren | Lorn Reingard | Lossa Aureus

Well, that wasn't what he'd expected waking up after the Life Day fest.

"This... might not go well," he said to himself before making his way to the front of the temple to meet up with his team.

That whole deal with Cerys had left a mark. Not a physical one, but a mental one. He'd probably pushed too hard that time. No doubt she'd never speak to him again after that and frankly, he deserved that treatment. But that was life. Sometimes you do things with good intentions and they go completely sideways in an instant. He wanted to help her. Wanted to, but apparently didn't know the right way to get to the heart of the problem and it was causing grief. Perhaps it would be best if he stopped.

When he arrived, Aiden was already there. He'd seen him before, when they were at the training grounds, and he was passing out cookies to everyone. Seemed nice enough. Joro had no idea on his skills, though. Which, was probably also true of Aiden for him. He'd never actually worked with anyone in the Padawan group except for Cerys. She was very capable, which meant she was trouble.

"Win together or lose together. Only option here, yeah?" he said to his teammates.

Lily seemed like she could keep up, so when they were told to go, he took off at a run as well. No way he was letting Cerys get that far ahead.

I rolled a 6. Editing makes the roll disappear.

 

[Lily Decoria]

Team: 2 (aka Hotties)
Outfit: Jedi Attire
Equipment: Training saber and bo staff
Tag: Aiden Porte | Joro Kal'nath | Cerys Dyn | Zaiya Ceti | Lysander von Ascania | Briana Sal-Soren | Lossa Aureus | Lorn Reingard

Breathing in deeply, another obstacle course, this one had been set by her Master and she was working in a team of three and not with a partner like she had with Roman Vossari but this was going to be interesting. It was a competition, first to get the flag and take the win. There was itch in Lily's brain being scratched at the idea of winning in a competition. She needed to win this right? It was a feat of athleticism and Lily was known for being a Padawan all about strength, athleticism and fighting. On top of that, the head of the Order was her Master. If she couldn't lead her team to victory it was going to reflect really poorly on all her training and even make Briana look bad as a mentor.

No, she needed to win this. She needed to let out that competitive edge out and if she had to drag her team over the finish line then she was going to do that.

Looking at the pair of guys, she hadn't really interacted with either of them much. Joro was someone she briefly saw before and clearly did not get along with Cerys. Which was a good thing that Cerys was on the other team, gave him motivation to win as well. Something to keep in her mind, spite was a powerful tool to wield carefully. Aiden, she knew even less about. She just hoped that they would be able to keep up with her.

At the starting line, Lily bounced a bit on the spot, focusing on what she needed to do. "Remember, rules don't state that we can't use the Force to overcome things. So we could use the Force to speed up our natural running abilities, and if anyone has a talent for battle meditation, could use that to demoralise the other team as well." Lily whispered to the boys as she tied her hair into a ponytail.

Her steel eyes were fiery with a passion to win. Usually Lily was all about fighting honourably and fairly. However, this was a competition and it was winner takes all. They needed to use every advantage they had. And if that meant using the Force to force the other team to fall far behind then she would use it.

When the start of the race was signalled, Lily raced forward. She didn't want to leave her team behind so she didn't tap into the Force yet, but she was keeping an eye on them so that when they all felt safe, then they would race ahead if given the chance.

Spoiler

 

[Zaiya Ceti]

Outfit: x x x | Equipment: x x x x x x x x x x | Weapons: x x x
Interacting with: Cerys Dyn Lysander von Ascania

Zaiya was a pensive swirl and slurry of kaleidoscopic hues after she learned who her team partners were going to be: Lysander von Ascania and Cerys Dyn.

This had to be the Force's baffling sense of humor at work. Either that, or the universe had decreed this as her Trial of Spirit: surviving Lysander von Ascania without snapping and resorting to stuffing his mouth with soap or hanging him from the nearest tree with his own belt.

It was probably both.

Zaiya adjusted the leather greaves on her forearms, making sure her bracelets and bangles were securely fastened on top. The new setup prevented them from jingling and gave her easy access to the hidden tech woven into each piece. She'd chosen her training outfit carefully -- sleeveless for maximum comfort in the warm Naboo climate, paired with sturdy, tanned boots that reached midcalf. Her bedazzled Jedi belt, adorned with pearls that doubled as Stun and EMP devices, rested snugly on her hips. Her colorful hair was securely tied into a high bun so it wouldn't distract her during the obstacle course.

This test wasn't just about her abilities, though. It was about teamwork, respect, and fair play, all the things Master Iris Arani had been drilling into her lately. That meant no Domxite by her side this time. Her droid companion was with Iris, watching as Zaiya tackled the course alongside her assigned team.

And Lysander.

She exhaled slowly, trying to steady her mind. This wasn't just a trial of her physical skills; it was a challenge to her patience and focus. Iris's teachings echoed in her mind, reminding her to keep her emotions in check, to control her colorshifting, and to think of the bigger picture. She could do this.

In theory, she should have the advantage. As a Lovalla, her natural instincts leaned toward peaceful solutions, respectful dialogue, and harmonious teamwork.

In practice? Lysander von Ascania in their last two interactions had somehow perfected the art of slipping through her defenses, finding the tiny cracks in her proverbial armor, and jabbing just hard enough to make her react. His comments weren't outright malicious, but they were sharp as a vibro knife, crafted to provoke her without tact and in a deliberate attempt to provoke.

She flexed her fingers, resisting the urge to purse her lips as she spotted him ahead along with Cerys. The Force, she reminded herself, was testing her for a reason.

Okay, let it test me.

"Keep it together, Zaiya," she muttered under her breath, squaring her shoulders. She was determined to rise to the challenge, not just of the obstacle course, but of working alongside him without losing her cool.

Because if she could survive this? She could survive anything.

"Well! Looks like the Force gave me the right team! We are going to do great guys,"

The oddly cheerful voice of the Togruta Padawan broke through Zaiya's pensive thoughts. Her skin shifted instinctively, amber tones melting into streaks of dove gray, light blue, and citrine-flecked hues, a kaleidoscope of confused interest tinged with caution. Despite her thought shields firmly in place, Cerys's oddly jovial tone, especially after the awkwardness of their last conversation at the festival, made Zaiya's face flush slightly with embarrassment. It also stirred a flicker of concern, considering how the Togruta had left in a huff as a result of what Joro told her.

"Hello, Cerys," Zaiya replied, her voice tentative but warm, a ghost of a smile hovering at the edges of her lips. She honestly didn't want to end up fighting with anyone again. That had been an utter embarrassment and certainly made the Lovalla feel as if she had been someone else entirely: the rise of annoyance, anger, and simmering resentment.

She hated feeling like that.

As a Jedi, she knew she was supposed to face her emotions, to understand and master them, but the truth was...she'd rather not think about them at all. Unfortunately, the conversations she'd had with Iris afterward had made it clear that wasn't an option.

Her eyes flicked toward the third member of their team. Zaiya took a steadying breath and spoke with an effort at calmness...and yes, even an olive branch of an attempt at friendliness.

"Hello, Lysander."

"Let's all do our best here," she added, finishing the adjustment on her leather greaves. "We don't know what we might face, so it's probably a good idea to stay cautious. Maybe even talk things out before moving forward -- "

A sharp tone rang out, signaling the countdown. Zaiya's voice trailed off as her gaze flicked toward the wooded trail ahead. The time for discussion had run out. It was now or nothing.

The path led them into the woods and dipped quickly into a valley, shadows stretching long over the terrain. Within moments, the trail began to blur into the underbrush, the way forward becoming less obvious with every step.

Zaiya fell in behind Cerys, her senses reaching instinctively into the Force as she moved. Her focus sharpened, stretching outward in search of anything that might lie ahead -- danger, obstacles, or the faintest ripple of intention in the currents of the Force.

This was something she'd been working on ever since Iridonia. Stretching herself like this wasn't second nature yet, but she was getting better. The flickering hues on her skin began to settle into a soft, steady glow of muted, determined cobalt flecked amber.

Whatever awaited them, she'd be ready. Or at least, she hoped she would be.

 

[Iris Arani]

Void

 

[Corazona von Ascania]

"Talk to me about what?"

After receiving permission from Briana Sal-Soren , Cora had joined the exercise to help keep watch over the Padawans participating. It seemed as though she wasn't the only Coruscanti Jedi who'd elected to stay on Naboo for a few more days.

The blonde appeared beside Iris Arani with a polite smile and a curious expression. Her attention turned from the course to Domxite as she tilted her head to the droid in greeting.

 

[Iris Arani]

Void

 

[Lysander von Ascania]

Team Lysander

Seriously?

Lysander arms were crossed across his chest as the announcement poured forth. His eyes rolling to the back of the head was one of many indications from the disbelief he was currently experiencing. "Special lesson? Yeah, ok," he muttered under his breath.

The Padawan couldn’t shake the irony; here he was, paired with the idiot Lovalla– the same girl who had magically turned everyone against him just days ago. He hadn’t forgotten some of their words, either. It was going to take more than meditation to get over some of the comments that reached his ears.

"Yeah, this is totally not suspicious," he mused out loud.

The Padawan wore a lightweight tunic with earthy hues that blended in with their surroundings. The sleeves were rolled up to his forearms. Trousers of the same nature were loose fitting, allowing comfort and the agility needed. His brown boots were a bit out of place; he didn’t have any that looked worn.

The eye rolling escalated. The boy found it absurd they would be thrown together in some kind of trial created to “test” their ability to work as a team. It sounded more like there was a hidden agenda at play here.

He shifted his weight from one foot to the other, only to be disrupted by a slap that was far from enthusiastic. His head turned slightly after the whispered words and shook slightly. Despite their differences, the boy couldn’t deny that he usually enjoyed her sense of..optimism. The togruta definitely had a way of ‘brightening’ just about any situation.

“Look Cerys,” he said sharply, gesturing with a finger pointed directly at the other girl. “I’m not the one you need to worry about here. She has a way of causing trouble wherever she goes.”

He remained silent as Zaiya spoke next; his jaw was already tightening. The Padawan did not flicker his gaze to acknowledge her presence; instead, his eyes were fixated ahead. “Right. Focus on yourself.” Hopefully, the words were like a heavy rock. “Try to get your head out of the clouds for once, and try not to trip on your own feet out there.”

Lysander could already feel the tension; a frown etched on his brow. There was hesitation and he began to feel uncertain. His instincts even told him to retreat from this nonsense. Flicking a glance at the other two who were ready, he would watch as they soon took off. After a lengthy pause, he shook his head. And in a swift motion, he finally sprinted off behind them.

 

[Cerys Dyn]

Cerys stumbled. Thankfully she caught herself with hands reaching for a nearby young tree. It bent down slightly under her weight and whipped back quickly when she let go. "Whoa...look out. There are enough traps here without me making my own..."

She could feel the tension between Zaiya and the blonde. Tension so tense it could be said to be taut. Cerys had to remain mindful and alert to prevent any boil overs that would risk their finishing this mission.

She jumped over a log, an easy looping hop of a jump, but the ground was not where it was supposed to be. Instead, it was approximately three inches lower than expected. Cerys' foot went too far, and slipped from beneath her. She hit the ground on her hands and knees but pushed up and kept on running.

This was not her first time running though a forest. She was experienced, or at least had some experience. That is how one was considered experienced, right?

As she entered a flat open patch of ground where the path was easily found, she turn back to look over her shoulder. "Doing our best is all we can do, Zaiya...but let's do our best to make our best...winnnnnnnnnn..." Cerys' words fell as she did, tripping over her own feet and tumbling across the ground. She bounced back up to her feet immediately. A sheepish grin was offered in apology and she averted her gaze. It wasn't like the entire enclave wasn't watching or anything. Surely, only Zaiya and Lysander saw that. Even if that as bad enough.

"I guess...if we are not careful...we could be our own worst enemies..."

Cerys stepped back without looking.

Something cracked under her weight.

"Uh oh..."

And she dropped. The ground collapsed in with a well placed and disguised covering over a hole. Cerys' eyes grew wide as she dropped straight down...to about waist height. She winced, waiting for a harsher impact that never came. Her heart raced. She had clenched her fists and dug her nails into her hands without knowing.

She looked a right...fool.

I am capable. Honest. She thought. Her hubris was gone now, and she just looked at her teammates with a slowly creeping shame.

A quick glance behind her showed that she had narrowly missed falling into a much deeper hole. Instead, she had landed on ledge that had not been cleared away.

"Well. Luck seems to be going out way!" She said. Bright side damn it.

And then the ledge gave out from under her feet. Cerys hit the bottom of the pit hard, jarring her knee and hitting the back of her head on the wall of the hole when she landed. The one redeeming point was that she still had two of her team mates that could help her out.

---

Team Notties - Lysander von Ascania Zaiya Ceti
Team Hotties - Lily Decoria Aiden Porte Joro Kal'nath
Instructors - Lossa Aureus Briana Sal-Soren Lorn Reingard​

 

[Zaiya Ceti]

Team Let's all Fall into a Pit!
Outfit: x x x | Equipment: x x x x x x x x x x | Weapons: x x x
Interacting with: Cerys Dyn Lysander von Ascania

“Look Cerys,” he said sharply, gesturing with a finger pointed directly at the other girl. “I’m not the one you need to worry about here. She has a way of causing trouble wherever she goe

Zaiya's skin flushed with swirling lavender flecked corals edged with a flare of silvery glowing threads, the colors rippling across her arms as she tried to keep her focus on the forest ahead. The air was crisp with the scent of damp leaves and pine, and the soft crunch of their boots on the dirt path should have been grounding. But Lysander's sharp voice had sliced through her concentration, each word needling like a thorn under her skin.

Right. Focus on yourself.” Hopefully, the words were like a heavy rock. “Try to get your head out of the clouds for once, and try not to trip on your own feet out there.”

Zaiya clenched her jaw, her colors flaring a defensive streak of lavender tinted with violet along her cheeks before she forced them to dim. She couldn't let him get under her skin -- again. Not now. She tightened her fingers into fists, her mind racing to suppress the memories of past two confrontations with him. His disdain for her felt like a shadow hanging over every step, and the Lovalla Padawan hated how easily it threw her off balance.

Zaiya exhaled sharply through her nose.

Just breathe, she reminded herself, ignoring the knot twisting in her chest. She cast a quick glance at Cerys, whose optimistic grin made Zaiya's own lips twitch into something resembling a smile as she tripped but tumbled back onto her feet. While most would consider the Togruta Padawan rough around the edges, Zaiya could tell that she meant well. That was evident back at the Marketplace with how Cerys did try to inform Zaiya that she should leave the tent. It was due to Zaiya's own obliviousness that she hadn't realized the why, and by the end of it all, the other Padawan, Joro, had upset Cerys and she had left. Not that Zaiya could have done much -- that chaos that happened afterward had completely distracted and exhausted the Lovalla. Either way, it was clear that Cerys was trying to make the best of it, which was what Zaiya also needed right now.

Right.

The forest was alive with unseen dangers and this was a trial. Zaiya was supposed to be paying attention to those, not Lysander's pointed barbs. She reached out through the Force, trying to sense the terrain ahead again. Her focus wavered, her mind clouded by frustration as Lysander's broody and entitled presence seemed to grate on her nerves. She barely registered Cerys's chipper comment until --

"Uh oh..."

The snap of cracking wood sent a jolt through Zaiya's senses. Her head whipped around just in time to see Cerys disappear into the ground with a startled yelp.

"Cerys!" Zaiya's voice rang out, panic spiking through her as her bioluminescence flared into bright silvery flecked yellows like lightning across her skin. She darted to the edge of the pit, her heart pounding in her chest. Relief washed over her when she saw Cerys perched on a narrow ledge, her sheepish grin barely discernable under the light.

"Well. Luck seems to be going out way!"

Zaiya's lips twitched, almost smiling despite the situation.

"That's one way to look at it," she said, extending a hand toward Cerys, trying to see if she could help her. Hopefully Lysander would help too. But before Zaiya could grab hold, the ledge beneath Cerys crumbled, sending her teammate tumbling to the bottom of the pit with a loud thud.

"Cerys!" she cried out in alarm again, eyes wide as the Lovalla Padawan went scrambling forward in instinct to try and see if she could help, but the only thing that did was cause the already loose ground to also shift under her. A loud startled cry and a flash of silver was all that was seen and heard as the Lovalla went tumbling headfirst into the pit as well.

Straight towards Cerys and seemingly about to crash right on top of her.

 

[Lysander von Ascania]

Cerys Dyn Zaiya Ceti ​

Lysander was trailing behind Cerys and Zaiya; the tension in the air was tangible as everyone weaved through the forest. The weight of uncertainty around a certain someone was becoming more and more familiar; there was no camaraderie felt by the Padawan; instead, there was only a heavy burden on his shoulders. The urge to accelerate called to him, to push his limits and tap into the depths of prior training. The blonde summoned the full extent of his Force Speed, which caused energy to ripple through all limbs.

His heart began to race as both boots struck against the ground. Thrill rushed through him; this was his best ability in action, and it felt as though he were moving quicker than a native Kaadu. The teen shifted gears with impeccable focus, closing the gap between them. However, with such speed came another challenge– his ability to slow down wasn't quite up to par just yet. Lysander tried calculating the required distance, but his mind seemed behind on pace compared to his body.

Everything became a blur, and adrenaline was pounding in his heart. Natural competitiveness was starting to reignite. And just as he began gaining more on both teammates, a sudden change in trajectory sent him completely off balance. He could see Cerys quickly vanish as the ground gave away, and Zaiya was seemingly right behind. Lysander found his focus shattered, realizing it was too late to alter his direction, even though he fought against it.

The boy’s eyes widened in shock.

With a sudden impact, he bounced off Zaiya and then collapsed onto the ground like a rag doll. The air had been knocked from his lungs, and pain radiated from his body as he was now sprawled out.

Everything around him was spinning in circles as his head throbbed. For a second he just lay there, staring up, as his thoughts were a big mess. Frustration was already rising within. It was easy to piece together what had unfolded. Part of him was led to believe it was the Lovalla's clumsiness that led to this moment for them.

“Perfect teamwork, huh? That was a really great display of skill,” he finally spat. The words were laced with venom.

While trying to pull himself up, ache blossomed in his muscles. He’d only managed to get to his knees before a wave of nausea washed over from the subtle movement. There was another pause as his eyes closed for a moment. “Why do I always end up in the worst situations lately?”

Finally, he stood tall and stumbled towards a nearby wall; fingertips explored the surface. The idea of just climbing his way out called to him, so he might be able to escape this predicament. [/div]

 

[Cerys Dyn]

If the fall had not been bad enough, then Zaire's fall definitely was. Cerys had just started to get back up, quicker than she should have, when Zaiya landed atop her. "Aaaaooof," Cerys practically spit in the Lovalla's face with the impact.

Her head had hit the wall again, and something sharp felt like it had broken the skin just below her left shoulder blade. It didn't feel too bad though. And then came Lysander...

This time the spray of spittle missed Zaiya's face, as Cerys happened to be looking to her left. Cerys gasped, feeling not just short of breath but actively struggling to breath following the impact.

"Get...get off me..."

Embarrassment and shock fuelled the adrenaline as she shoved Zaiya off her. Her chest hurt. But it was the warm feeling spreading in the back of her cloak that brought a wide eyed fear to her eyes. Her right arm slipped from out of the cloak, but she struggled with the left side.

"Get this off me....get this off me," she said, panicking.

All thoughts of modesty were gone as she turned her back to reveal a small piece of jagged metal imbedded in her back just below her shoulder, and a slowly spreading blotch of red staining the back of her white sleeveless tee. She shot Lysander a glare that could only be interpreted as shut-your-damn-pie-hole-there-are-more-important-things-going-on-here.

"Is it bad?"

---

Team Notties - Lysander von Ascania Zaiya Ceti
Team Hotties - Lily Decoria Joro Kal'nath Aiden Porte
Instructors - Briana Sal-Soren Lossa Aureus Lorn Reingard​

 

[Lorn Reingard]

Tags: Cerys Dyn | Lysander von Ascania | Zaiya Ceti

​

Lorn's boots crunched on the loose gravel at the edge of the training pit. He'd been looping back, making sure the teams were progressing, and he paused, a sly grin tugging at his lips. There, below, Cerys, Lysander, and Zaiya. Or rather, a disheveled heap of them. From his vantage point, he could see the chaos that had unfolded. Cerys was clearly not having a good time, and the red stain on her shoulder all the way up here was concerning. He planted his flag firmly in the ground beside him, its colorful pennant flapping gently in the breeze.

He leaned forward, peering into the pit, his amusement growing. "Doing great so far!" he teased, his voice carrying down to the beleaguered Padawans. This team was certainly… spirited. He was genuinely interested to see how their dynamic would play out.

His gaze snagged on Cerys, a flicker of genuine concern crossed his face. He pulled out his datapad and quickly sent a message to the medical team, requesting they stand by. It wouldn't do to let a minor injury derail everything. They were Padawans, and they needed to learn to push through, to work through adversity. He wasn't going to pull her out of the test, not yet anyway. She might be injured but she would still be able to finish. This test was meant to be difficult and there was no doubt that in the actual galaxy they wouldn't get the option to be sidelined.

He glanced off into the distance, a knowing smile playing on his lips. "Better hurry." he called down, his voice still laced with good-natured teasing, "I think the other team is already far ahead."

He picked up his flag, the fabric snapping in the air, and turned to go. "See you all soon. Or perhaps not..." he called out, his voice fading as he strode away, leaving the three Padawans to their own devices, and their own struggles.

 

[Zaiya Ceti]

Outfit: x x x | Equipment: x x x x x x x x x x | Weapons: x x x
Interacting with: Cerys Dyn Lysander von Ascania

Zaiya's chest heaved as she struggled to suck air back into her lungs, still winded from the fall -- and Lysander's decidedly heavy landing atop her moments later. A blinding flash of stars danced across her vision, her head throbbing from its collision with something hard, maybe even Lysander's hard obnoxious head. She barely had time to roll over onto her side, gasping for breath in the most undignified way, before alarm slammed into her like a tidal wave.

Cerys.

Zaiya's gaze snapped to the Togruta, and the high pitched panicked alarm in fear from Cerys made the Lovalla's stomach lurch. Her skin paled to a metallic pewter silver, streaked with vivid yellow flashes that darted across her spots and stripes like warning lights.

"Cerys!" she breathed, scrambling on all fours toward her. The distant sound of Lysander's irritated muttering barely registered. Zaiya's lips pressed into a tight line, but she refused to snap back at him; there wasn't time for that.

"Okay, it's okay," Zaiya said quickly, her voice trembling before she forced it into a calm, steady cadence. "Take it slow...try not to move much. You don't want to make it worse."

Her hands hovered just above Cerys's cloak as the other girl writhed in panic, trying to shed the garment. Zaiya's nostrils flared as she inhaled deeply, summoning the memory of Shan and Iris's calm instructions on treating injuries. When the cloak finally came free, Zaiya's breath hitched. The jagged piece of metal embedded below Cerys's shoulder gleamed ominously in the dappled light filtering through the pit.

"You've got a piece of metal in your back," Zaiya murmured, her voice tightening. She swallowed hard, willing her glowing yellow streaks to dim as she focused. "I'm going to check how deep it went, okay? If it's safe, I'll try to remove it. Do you know Curato Salva?"

Zaiya's attention was suddenly drawn by another voice, one from overhead. Lorn Reingard . Barely brief recognition fluttered in Zaiya's expression, with more confusion, really. The barest flash of irritation stained her skin briefly with lavender at his better hurry quip before he departed.

This was a test -- a trial. Focus on what had to be done now. Returning her attention back to Cerys, she gave a firm nod to the Padawan.

"If you can use it, now's the time," Zaiya said softly, her fingers poised just above the metal.

Zaiya gently placed her hands near the wound, summoning the Force. It rippled in the air around her, staining her vision with the shimmering hues of life, injuries, and pain that radiated from Cerys.

"This might hurt, but I've got you."

 

[Bea Laseen]

Team 2
Interacting: Joro Kal'nath + Lily Decoria

Bea arrived on time, which was unfortunately a little later than she intended. She got sidetracked trying to get her robes nice and clean. There was a single, stubborn crease in her tunic she hadn't been able to get rid of and the cheap ass wrinkle release spray she bought from a Theed discount store wasn't doing its job. Ugh, whatever, it was the only defeat she'd allow today. She still hadn't met any of her fellow Shariyan Padawans yet and she wanted to make the best first impression possible. This wasn't the best start, in her opinion.

She begrudgingly accepted that it was probably fine and they wouldn't notice. Besides, it wasn't always about how you started but how you finished. And she was gonna end this tasting victory, hearing praise in her ears, all while triumphantly raising the flag above her head. She just hoped her partners wouldn't slow her down.

"Win together or lose together. Only option here, yeah?"

"Remember, rules don't state that we can't use the Force to overcome things. So we could use the Force to speed up our natural running abilities, and if anyone has a talent for battle meditation, could use that to demoralise the other team as well."

"Good points, both of you," she said, without really meaning it. They kinda just stated the obvious. She did her best to dismiss it and chalk it up to their nerves or whatever. If they continued to do that, though, it was gonna get annoying real quick. With a habitual motion, Bea touched each of her earrings, the familiar gesture helping to ground her in the moment.

"I'm Bea, by the way. Short for Beatrice… or Beautiful. I'll let you call me the latter if we win today," she teased with a grin and wink.

Yeah, that was her introduction now and she was gonna keep saying it no matter how tired people got of hearing it.

When the race was signaled, Bea raced off with the others, ready to turn this lesson into a one woman show.

Spoiler

forgot roll cus dumb but I got a 3

 

[Lysander von Ascania]

Cerys Dyn Zaiya Ceti Lorn Reingard

​

Lysander's fingers continued to skim the wall, searching for a spot to get a solid hold. Just as a plan began to form, a familiar voice cut through his thoughts like a blade. He glanced up as Lorn came into view. Conflicting emotions flowed through Lysander as he locked eyes with the Jedi for an instant. The man's presence only brought forth the heavy weight of responsibility for this test, rather than a single ounce of reassurance.

Even so, a few heartbeats later, he realized a smile had unknowingly crept into the corner of his mouth. He typically connected better with those who were older, and part of him believed Lorn wouldn't be any different under other circumstances.

Finally, he pivoted toward Cerys and Zaiya. His focus sharpened; this was not a moment for mindless chatter, which was about the most he would expect from the glowing one. The Padawan would make sure his voice carried authority. “Listen," he began, his tone sharp while also a carrying note of concern, "if she's not able to heal herself, then it will need to be cauterized to prevent infection.”

Empathy stirred within as while looking over the wound; the teen could almost feel the pain himself. But he refused to allow any visible signs of compassion to be displayed. Instead, despite their situation, he only exuded a calm demeanor; his brow furrowed in concentration.

By now he was standing in front of Cerys. With a simple movement, he gestured toward his curved lightsaber hilt. “Don’t worry, you fool,” he said smoothly. “I’m not pointing it at anyone this time, just in case there's any confusion.”

Yet he could not help but throw an even sharper glance forward at Zaiya. The disapproval was palpable; to him, such basic knowledge was a skill that everyone should possess. In his mind, the Lovalla was just a follower— someone who lacked literally every single skill required for leadership. There was no doubt she was lost down here, having strayed so far from her little droid companion.

She needed to be reminded of her role in this galaxy.

With a firm nod, he quickly continued. “After you’re done there, I'll be the one to do it.” A sigh was forced through his lips. “You'll only make matters worse, as you always do.”

 

[Joro Kal'nath]

ATTIRE: Jedi Robes
The Hotties: Bea Laseen | Lily Decoria
The Notties: Lysander von Ascania | Cerys Dyn | Zaiya Ceti
The Bosses: Briana Sal-Soren | Lorn Reingard | Lossa Aureus

Winning was important. But it wasn't everything, even to him. Beating Cerys would certainly make him feel good, but honestly, it wasn't going to mean all that much to him in the long run. It didn't fix her issues. It didn't fix anything with him. Frankly, he just wanted to go out and find some Sith to cut down and call it a day, but this whole running a race thing would at least let him blow off some steam, even if it meant that he lost and Cerys lorded it over him.

The other girl, Bea, he didn't know, but he found her assertion that if they won they could call her Beautiful was kind of vain. Still, he didn't care. He did not find her beautiful, and his focus wasn't on that as he ran the course, keeping time with Cerys as they made their way towards that first obstacle in their path, whatever it happened to be.

Unfortunately, it happened to be pits, and he didn't notice until it was too late as he stumbled right into one. Before he could fall and hit the bottom, though, he reached out for the sides, trying to grab something to hold onto, and his fingers clasped around a root that was protruding from the side of the pit. The force of stopping himself from the fall nearly jerked his arm out of socket and he grunted in pain. He didn't really have anything to put his feet on, as the sides of the pit were too loose and crumbled away from his boots.

"Lily and Bea!" he called, amplifying his voice with the Force. "Little help?"

 

[Briana Sal-Soren]

Outfit: XoXo | Equipment: Lightsaber, Echo Stone | Tag: Lossa Aureus , Lorn Reingard , Lysander von Ascania , Zaiya Ceti , Cerys Dyn, Lily Decoria , Joro Kal'nath, Bea Laseen ​

Briana leaned casually against a tree at the edge of the wooded training course, arms crossed as she observed the drones' live feed on her datapad. The screen displayed multiple angles of the teams navigating the course, their varying levels of competence and cohesion on full display. Her lips twitched subtly at the edges, watching as the first team practically stumbled over itself and straight into one of Lossa's pits. "Nothing teaches a lesson quite like falling flat on your face," she murmured to herself, shifting her weight as she tucked a stray strand of chestnut hair behind her ear.

While textbooks and the Jedi Code had their place, those tools could never replicate the grit that came from being forced to problem-solve under pressure, the unpredictability of a living challenge, or the sting of failure when you underestimated your opponent or yourself. She'd deliberately paired the teams to push them into situations where they'd have to confront these challenges, force them to have to rely on one another and look past their differences. If they could overcome these hurdles early on, they'd emerge not only stronger for it, but better prepared for whatever challenges the Galaxy would throw at them — for some, those would come sooner rather than later.

Feeling her commlink buzz, Briana glanced down at the alert Lorn had sent about Cerys's injury, flagging it for attention. Her eyes narrowed slightly at the datapad, noting the red smear on Cerys's shoulder. Injuries were inevitable in such exercises, but Briana's jaw tightened slightly. That particular gash would indeed need monitoring.

<Acknowledged. Minor injury on Team One.> She sent out the response to Lorn first, before forwarding another to the rest of the medical team. <Cerys Dyn has a puncture wound on her shoulder. No immediate intervention unless it escalates—let's see how they handle it first.> This was a trial, after all. Adversity was part of the lesson.

Turning her attention back to the datapad, Briana toggled over to the other team, seemingly being led by her very own student, Lily Decoria, who'd taken it upon herself to take the charge and motivate the others. She'd never seen her this side of her Padawan before, and while she was glad to see her stepping out of her comfort zone, leading a group was certainly going to be new territory for her. Striving for personal excellence was one thing; managing the unpredictable dynamics of a team and bringing out their best—particularly one tested by stress—was something else entirely. Still, she was proud of Lily for taking on the challenge and watched with some enthusiasm when it seemed like they might initially fair slightly better than the other team. Initially being the key word. Soon enough, however, the team had lost one of their own members to one of Lossa's cleverly hidden pits.

Her lips pulled into a slight frown. How the three of them would handle this setback was anyone's guess, but even if they failed, failure could be a better teacher than any success. Of course, there was value in both success and failure, and even if Briana's own competitive side wanted Lily and her team to succeed, she knew from personal experience that growth often demanded discomfort, and discomfort bred perseverance.

And perseverance, well, that was the quality that separated those who simply dreamed, from those who achieved.

​