Another

[Marcello Matteo]

Onderon

Marcello sat quietly at the base of a massive tree encased in several million of its brethren within the jungles of Onderon. The Jedi Master had traveled here on a mission years ago and met a rather peculiar individual. The woman had not been able to speak with her mouth, and the proximity of her mind and emotions pressing against his own consciousness had been...uncomfortable at first.

However, Marcello had come to learn a small amount about these jungles and their native inhabitants. As it stood, Marcello was far from being any form of a beastmaster. Further more, he did not spend so much time amongst the beasts to truly...understand them. Instead, the large Jedi treated both them and their home with the respect deserving of a powerful creature. They served to return the favor with casual indifference. An indifference that meant he got to keep his life.

Marcello had been informed that a young Jedi he recalled from a mission several years prior had asked for an audience. While the Guardian knew precisely what the motivation was for said meeting, he fully intended to play the part of aloof. For now, the Jedi meditated silently in the humid jungle as he waited for [member="Caleb Brolen"] to arrive.

 

[Caleb Brolen]

Caleb's shuttle landed minutes ago and in a few short moments he was on his way to his new master on a speeder bike. He had done the whole new padawan meets master thing before so this should be no different. What he knew about his master was very little other than his personality, he is serious when he needs to be and loose canon when he wants. I think that this will work out.

This was his first time to Onderon though he read all about it in some history holos. He wore a set of goggles on his speeder so he could see where he was going through the lush vegetation. A few minutes later I parked my speeder at the coordinates he sent me and to say I was amazed would be a understatement. The tree was huge with roots that could probably go on for miles.

I walked for a moment until I stood in front of my new master and said "[member="Marcello Matteo"], it's been awhile"

 

[Marcello Matteo]

Marcello's eyelids did not lift skyward to reveal his brilliant blue orbs. None of his limbs even so much as flinched at the approach of [member="Caleb Brolen"] and his subsequent casual greeting. To be sure Marcello was neither irritated nor put-off by the Padawan's actions. In this war-stricken galaxy they were all but compilations of fluids and organs attempting to survive in whatever method they deemed necessary.

"Padawan Brolen." Fact: Marcello rarely utilized the first name of individuals that had yet to fully earn his trust or respect. Perhaps once upon a time, it was enough for someone to be a Jedi and instantly be trustworthy or respectable. A long time ago...in a galaxy far, far away...

"I was informed you wished to speak with me. These are turbulent times. Give voice to your request so that we can both tend to more pressing concerns."

 

[Caleb Brolen]

I bowed and proceeded with "I am to be your new padawan". I couldn't tell if he was just testing me and already new or did he just not know. The man could sure hide his emotion which in this galaxy can be a great ally or a horrible enemy. I concentrated on him and felt the force around me to read his aura. It was a technique that my previous master Maria Natalija had taught me when I first became her padawan a couple of years ago. His aura was the normal blue and grey aura that most Jedi or light-siders had about them. With him though something felt different but I couldn't put my finger on it.

I dispelled the force from my body and my vision returned to normal. I waited for Master Matteo next words.

[member="Marcello Matteo"]

 

[Marcello Matteo]

Slowly, Marcello opened his eyes, fixing [member="Caleb Brolen"] with an ice-blue gaze. "Oh? I was not aware that I had agreed to take you on as a Padawan Learner, formally." A thin smile gradually etched it's way into Marcello's features as he motioned to the ground.

"You have been amongst us for some time now. I understand that Maria was your previous instructor." The Jedi Master's comments and thoughts on the woman ended there because he simply did not know her well. "Obviously she did not dismiss you for cause else we wouldn't be having this conversation. Tell me. What do you perceive to be your greatest weakness and your greatest fear?"

 

[Caleb Brolen]

[member="Marcello Matteo"]

I studied the question for a moment. I had never thought of my weaknesses or challenges. I choose not to because that will lead to under confidence and mistakes which I try to avoid. I decided to choose the opposite of the latter and replied with "I guess if I had to choose one I would go with overconfidence but then again is that really a weakness master". I posed the question because this time I really didn't know the answer. When I usually ask questions I already know the answer, I just want a different opinion on it. This time was different.

 

[Marcello Matteo]

Marcello's response to [member="Caleb Brolen"]'s query was flat and immediate. "Yes. Overconfidence is tantamount to arrogance, and it most certainly will get you killed. Maybe not today or tomorrow, but it will happen.". Pausing for a moment, Marcello studied the Padawan. "Confidence, on the other hand, can be useful. There is a delicate balance in knowing your limits and stretching them just enough to improve without creating a bigger problem."

Folding his large arms across his chest, Marcello leaned back against the tree and seemingly stared straight through Caleb. "Give me an example of your...overconfidence."

 

[Caleb Brolen]

I sighed and looked at the ground then began with "At the battle of kashyyyk I was overconfident, I though I could take on a Sith Lord by myself". I had a brief flashback to that day and how horrible it went for the republic. I then looked back at Master Matteo and continued with "He would have killed me if it weren't for another padawan and some soldiers". I didn't realize it first but I was reminiscing the second worse day in my life and whats worse is that the lost battle wasn't what I was sad about. I then said "That..was the last time I saw my previous master". I clinched my fist tightly.

[member="Marcello Matteo"]

 

[Marcello Matteo]

Marcello arched a curious brow as [member="Caleb Brolen"] concluded his statements. "Doing what is necessary even when the odds are stacked against you is often a requirement. I don't know that particular situation was a clear indication of overconfidence, per say."

Adjusting his position such that his feet were flat on the ground, Marcello lazily rested his forearms on his knees. "Anyways...keep the knowledge of your perceived weakness in mind as we progress through this journey. So. What have you learned?". Raising a single hand for s moment, Marcell stopped Caleb before he could begin.

"I do not mean what fancy Force manipulations have you learned...more what actual knowledge have you acquired about the Force and how it effects the very fabric of the galaxy and everything in it?"

 

[Caleb Brolen]

[member="Marcello Matteo"]

I started off with "I know that the force give all jedi their power. Its a field of pure energy that surrounds all living things and in turn connects us all together". That's the basics of what we were taught when we were younglings. I held out my lightsaber and ignited it. Then I continued with " It helps power our tools and weapons as well but the most important is..". I deactivated my saber and put it back on my belt so I wouldn't accidentally kill something with it. Then I finished my sentence with "..that it makes who we are". The last one was kinda cheesy but it was the truth.

 

[Marcello Matteo]

Marcello terse reply came swiftly. "No. Your actions define you, not an energy field." Pausing for a moment, Marcello came to his feet and motioned for [member="Caleb Brolen"] to follow him. "The Force does bind all things in the galaxy, yes, but it is more than that. It is the collective existences of the galaxy, its heartbeat if you will. It grants no one being any greater power than another. There are simply those more aware of its existence....those that have been trained to respect the great many things it can be used to accomplish. Understand that as a Jedi, you are forever the Force's student. In return...it can and will be your greatest ally. Abuse the fragile nature of the Force, however, and it will consume your soul, effectively destroying who and what you are."

As the two Jedi happened upon a clearing, Marcello stopped and motioned to a series of boulders. "I'm sure this task will be somewhat rudimentary for you. So...I want you to lift all five of those boulders one at a time, slowly. If you feel yourself struggling, no problem, just stick to what you can manage. As you complete this exercise, do not focus on the boulders...instead focus on how the Force shifts and reacts to what you do. Until you have a firm understanding of the balance between your will and the Force's response, you will never reach your full potential."

 

[Caleb Brolen]

[member="Marcello Matteo"]

I nodded then walked a few meters into a patch of soft grass. I then proceeded to sit down and in a way, make myself comfortable for this next test. I took a deep breath and closed my eyes then felt the force gathered around me. At first I wanted to concentrate on the boulders as I would any object I was moving, but Master Matteo wanted my to focus on the force instead.

I concentrated on myself to do that and in turn I didn't feel the force inside me. I felt the force around me and how it "came to life". It was hard to explain but it was like a fish..that I could control...and the world around me was the water. It moved one way and I moved another but we moved together in harmony. I then (still focusing on the force) had the "fish" over to the boulder. The energy so it would take a lot of effort to move one rather five but I could do it.

 

[Marcello Matteo]

Marcello watched [member="Caleb Brolen"] idly. He could sense the Padwan's efforts through the Force, and the blonde-haired Jedi was happy to see that his instructions had been taken...to heart. Was it necessarily the most effective method of manipulating the Force? No, not at all...not the infancy of understanding. However, if Caleb could master the ability to simply push all but the Force from his mind, he would find applications of the Force gradually came easier to him. In general, Marcello found that young Jedi had...a difficult time accepting the slower, arduous path to a higher level of success. There was usefulness in being eager, but he could easily be just as destructive.

Those were the students that Marcello had a tendency to watch with greater care or recommend assignment to the Jedi Service Corps outright.

Until Caleb had completed the task, Marcello would remain silent.

 

[Caleb Brolen]

[member="Marcello Matteo"]

I stopped playing around for the moment to focus on the rocks more indefinitely. At first I thought that this would be difficult to achieve but all I had to do was trust in the force. That's when it hit me, I didn't have to concentrate on the rock or the force around the rock. All I had to do was just concentrate on the force and let it guide me. The idea was a little unconventional but I knew that it would work. I released my tense posture and began to feel the force around me. It was in everything and everybody even the rocks but I was just concentrated on the force.

I couldn't tell at first but it was actually working better than I thought it would though maybe I should have more faith in myself.

 

[Marcello Matteo]

Marcello allowed [member="Caleb Brolen"] to complete his exercise for roughly another fifteen to twenty minutes. The goal was, obviously, not to exhaust the Padawan so early in his training. "Good." It was the only signal that Caleb could relax for a moment. "With time, manipulating the Force will come as naturally as breathing. However, you must always respect it for what it is...the one true power in the galaxy. It will respond to whatever you allow yourself to portray...every emotion and thought. In this lies the danger of losing control. Let the Force work through you, but be wary of what it picks up from you as a result."

The concept was a bit...convoluted, but it was almost impossible to explain. The young man would simply have to experience it. "Your initial training as a Guardian will not be heavily focused on the Force anyways. You'll find most of your time spent in close, wielding weapons to turn the tide of battle. Leave the mystical voodoo to those that choose to devote themselves a bit more...keenly to the task. As you advance, you can choose to expand your prowess in certain force abilities." Marcello certainly had...though that'd been born mostly out of necessity. The vast majority of his training had occurred during the years when no real discernable order existed. They were soldiers for the Rebellion primarily.

"With that said, follow me." Turning abruptly, Marcello took off into the forest at what could probably be described as a slightly-faster-than-moderate pace.

 

[Caleb Brolen]

[member="Marcello Matteo"]

I nodded at the statement my master said then I continued off into the woods in a light jog. The forest here were unlike anything I have every seen. They were lush and if I were to stand on top of one I could see the area for miles. It was said to be a nothing like this hundreds of years ago during the clone wars it looked nothing like this not to mention what the darkness did to the place. I was still behind master Matteo but the curiosity made me wonder so I asked "Where are we going". I expected to get no answer or if I did get one it would be really cryptic but I wasn't afraid to ask.

 

[Marcello Matteo]

[member="Caleb Brolen"]'s expectation of no answer was the correct one. However, in roughly twenty minutes, Marcello slowed to a light jog and finally a casual walk. They were still in the jungles of Onderon, but the canopy was beginning to thin...indicating a potential arrival near some sort of clearing. "There is more than just prowess in the Force. You must have strength of mind and body without the Force to be a truly effective Jedi."

Allowing himself a brief, heavy exhale, Marcello turned his gaze in Caleb's direction. "I know you do not need me to dictate these things to you. It isn't my responsibility to babysit, I'm here to guide you along your path to discovering yourself as a member of the Jedi Order. If you have a question, ask. If you have a comment, make it. I will endeavor to ensure misconceptions and outright lies are not permitted to fester in your mind. For the rest of this week - focus on advancing your ability to feel and influence the Force. For tomorrow morning, be packed for our departure off-world. Questions, comments, or concerns?"

 

[Caleb Brolen]

As we slowed to a halt I paced as I heard what he had to say. As masters go he was different than most and also like most Jedi these days he is hiding something. I can feel it but as long as it doesn't conflict with my training I will not delve in the matter. I listened to what [member="Marcello Matteo"] had to say about letting me in a way be free with my training. He then asked me if I had any questions or concerns. I cleared my throat and said "Just two..where are we and where are we going". I didn't want to sound like a mimic but he never answered my question though like before I expected know answer.