Catalyst

[Aren D'Shade]

"Those that are gifted with this ability have codes they follow. My brother told me that a little. I grew up on Zakuul and ran from the First Order, not wanting to be one of them. Now it seems I am running again. Trying to not be something I don't want to be. That's something I need to figure out huh? What exactly I want to be."

Aren wasn't startled by what Lan-Dai said and was starting to pay closer attention to him.

"Why does fighting have to be something needed? Why not just go with what life throws at you and be?"

She was not trying to argue with him, but just trying to figure out various ways of life and what would work for her. What worked for her friend might be meant for her too. As he spoke on, it sounded like he was already telling her something of a code and a way of life. He said not to be scared or shy away from what she was feeling and to embrace them. It would be a key to her development.

Nodding they soon returned to where her droid friends were waiting along with Skeeter.

"Thank you. Where are we going to sleep?"

[member="Lan-Dai Navras"]

 

[Lan-Dai Navras]

"The code is nothing.............. Your will to act is everything......"

Lan-Dai pasued as they arrived once more to where his fighterhad been stationed.

"Such battles in life are unavoidable, regardless of what path you take. Yes, life will throw what it will at you........ but it is your choices in how to deal with it that determine who you are and who you will become......"

"Once again I will not lie to you, Aren..... Yes those who are indoctrinated tend to be the most skillful, however, their skill is not what is important, but rather what they choose to do with that skill. What path they take, and what path you take is entirely your choice, which no one can make but you.... You have access to an ability, what you choose to do with it is entirely up to you. Just remember that whatever choice you make brings with it a specific consequence, the question is whether or not you can live with it......."

Using a small Force pull, Lan-Dai pulled some dry logs nearby and set them in front of him. Taking out a small spray can he then sprayed the logs with an amber like gel before firing at the coated logs with one of his blasters. This caused the coated wood to instantly light up into a bonfire.

"Inside the fighter there is a bunk, you can use it and I stay out here......"

 

[Aren D'Shade]

Tilting her head slightly to indicate she was listening with interest, Aren chewed slightly on her lower lip in thought.

"Don't you think I'm too old to get indoctrinated into something? How can I just adjust to this new life? It's...bothersome and confusing."

In saying some battles would make her who she would be sounded reasonable. The bad thing was she didn't know what she wanted to be. Having been perfectly happy being a simple slicer and droid collector, her future was undecided.

"This ability is only good for me to use on droids. How can I do more?"

Taking a seat on the ground, she pulled her knees up to her chest again like she had before and wrapped her arms around them. However, she held her hands out to fire started in front of them.

"Oh I couldn't kick you out of your own ship."

[member="Lan-Dai Navras"]

 

[Lan-Dai Navras]

Raising an eyebrow as he listened, Lan-Dai then continued.....

"No one is too old, not anymore....... Such beliefs are long past, it is only preferred a younger age since it is easier to learn that way, but in essence age has no bearing....."

"Confusing? Confusion is a part of life, as are justice, virtue, integrity, love..... even pain..... All facets must be embraced, for they are all how we evolve and become who we are meant to be, whoever that may be...."

"How do you do more? You don't, you simply learn to do what you do in another context and greater capacity...... that's all...."

"For the record, you haven't kicked me out of anywhere, I offered the bunk out of my own volition..... the choice is yours whether or not to take it.... I likewise have no problem sharing out here, since I'm just as certain that there is more than enough space to accomodate the both of us."

 

[Aren D'Shade]

The fire was blazing and took what chill there might have been off the evening air. Looking into the flames as Lan-Dai spoke, she listened to him even if it might not be clear to him. Aren had a habit of chewing on one of her lips when she was nervous or thinking. In this instance, she was thinking on what her friend was saying.

"You mean easier to brainwash into thinking like that. That was why I fled from the First Order. I didn't want to become one of their pawns to be used as they wanted."

He said what was involved as facets of life and they would help her to become who or whatever she was meant to be. Confusion still lingered on her about learning.

"By putting things together like a puzzle, one learns more? Or something like that?"

When he said she hadn't kicked him out of his ship, she gave him a small bit of light laughter and a nod of her head. That ended almost as quickly as it came and she remained seated next to him.

"I think it would be nice to be out in the open. Never been out sleeping without some sort of roof over my head."

[member="Lan-Dai Navras"]

 

[Lan-Dai Navras]

It was more than apparent by now that the First Order and its methods had left too great a scar in Aren's psyche, a scar that only Aren herself could heal with time and specific guidance..... Guidance Lan-Dai began to question if he was the right man to give.

"The First Order is behind you now, they cannot touch or harm you.... I won't let it happen...... and as I have made clear already I don't intend to brainwash you into thinking anything...... such is entirely up to you, as is whatever you learn from me....."

Pausing to collect his thoughts briefly, Lan-Dai scrambled to remember whatever lesson germane to this situation Tiro-Narus had imparted on him.

"Very much like a puzzle, along the way we assemble ourselves as it becomes clearer to see which segments fit with which others, and which ones fit best both with ourselves and those around us....."

He had caught himself off guard with his latest statement, and momentarily wondered how his own master would have reacted to it.

"As for sharing out here, I trust you will find it quite soothing..... I've had my share of fireside nights....."

 

[Aren D'Shade]

Holding her hands out to him if he wanted to take them, Aren looked him directly in the eyes as he spoke. Giving Lan a nod at his words, she squeezed his hands and gave him a nod.

"I trust you Lan-Dai. You're not like them and besides, you're a friend."

Grinning when he agreed that she was on the right path when she mentioned her ideas about things being like a puzzle. An understanding was growing within her, but it would take time to fully manifest.

"It is different to not have something around me. I touch technology and here it is lacking. The constant hum is missing. What you find soothing is not something I am familiar with."

Gazing up at the stars above them, there was so much for her to learn. This adventure was just a beginning.

[member="Lan-Dai Navras"]

 

[Lan-Dai Navras]

Seeing Aren's hands reaching out to take his and then suddenly taking them altogether with a squeeze, Lan-Dai was overwhelmed with conflicting sensations. The words that followed served to comfort the slight uneasiness.

"Thank you, Aren.." That was all Lan-Dai could muster, with an underlying sense of vulnerability to his voice.

Looking down for a split second, Lan-Dai's momentary frailty was turned off when she spoke next as Aren explained that she was uncomfortable due to the lack of technology. Once more, he returned to his state of teacheresque stoicism that he'd been displaying throughout.

"That will not happen quickly, it will take time... What you must realize is that this setting is no different that that of one in which you are surrounded by technology.... Everything you see has a breath of life, some objects more than others...... They can ALL be tuned into and manipulated in some way much like the droids and technology you're accustomed to, the difference being that all they have is existence.... Realize this and what you can learn from me will come to you sooner and with greater understanding...."

Lan-Dai's bout of weakness had now fully dissipated.

 

[Aren D'Shade]

Being far more in touch with electronics, Aren did not see how vulnerable Lan was at the moment and did not use it to any advantage. Not that she would have thought of such a thing, but she gave no reaction to it.

Sitting down on the log, her hand turned the dirt over a few times at her side as she listened to what he said to her.

"I will learn, just not tonight or maybe not even tomorrow. Thank you for everything, Lan-Dai!"

Unless he moved, she would quickly plant a kiss on his cheek and turn away again to look up at the sky. Glancing at him from the corner of her eye, she nodded slightly and dug around in her bag slightly. Taking out an additional nutrition bar, she held it out to him and started to eat her own.

"I think I should try and get some sleep. It's been a busy day for me and I'm actually quite tired."

[member="Lan-Dai Navras"]

 

[Lan-Dai Navras]

His vulnerability brought a bout of discomfort on his part, and it had gone as quickly as it had come. Oblivious to Aren's advance, he turned to speak once more as she voiced her uncertainty as to her period of learning.

"This won't happen overnight............" This was all he would get out as he accidentally turned his face to meet her kiss head on. In a flash, Aren's lips touched his lightly causing Lan-Dai's eyes to widen in an awkward shock.

Drawing back in embarassment, there was nothing he could think of to say or do to lighten the situation, let alone escape it. It was the first time Lan-Dai experienced such a gesture, and it was not how he pictured it, nor was it with whom he pictured.

Taking the ration bar in a clumsy silence, Lan-Dai did nothing with it but hold it in his hands nervously. Once more his foundation was shaken........

All he could do was nod as Aren said she'd like to turn in for the night.

 

[Aren D'Shade]

What was meant to land as a kiss on his cheek ended up planting on his lips and both of them pulled back in shock and surprise. She had been starting to see Lan as a friend and not a romantic partner, but the sudden kiss brought that thought to her mind.

Back on Zakuul, a few guys had tried to kiss her, but Aren had been adamant and told them no. Now it had happened and as sudden as it had been, she liked it. But it also scared her. He was in shock as well and silently took the ration bar from her.

"I'll just go lay down over here."

She laid on the ground in silence just looking up at the stars. Once she was positive her friend was asleep, she did what was natural to her and ran. Like she had the First Order and her fear of the unknown. Someday they might see each other again, but not tomorrow or the next day. When dawn came and he woke up, neither she nor her droid companions were anything to be found nearby.

[member="Lan-Dai Navras"]