Faction Defense First | The High Republic - The Jedi Order | Training Class

[Aiden Porte]

Tags:Open​

The training grounds at Shiraya's Sanctuary were quiet in the late morning light, touched by the golden spill of Naboo's sun through the tall windows. Jedi Knight Aiden Porte moved calmly across the open floor, each step echoing faintly against the stone. He set aside a small cluster of training sabers near the entrance before turning to the circle of mats laid out for today's lesson.

Though had been part of various trainings before, never had he led one, there was always a kind of anticipation in these first moments, when the room was still empty, yet charged with possibility. He let his eyes linger on the doorway, patient, unhurried, waiting for the familiar shuffle of boots or the hushed murmurs of students arriving.

Aiden extended a hand and drew upon the Force, letting its presence wash over the chamber. It pooled here like a current beneath the stone, steady and calm, ready to be called upon. In his mind's eye, he visualized the barrier he would soon teach them to shape, a translucent veil of will and intent, stronger than steel when focused, yet supple enough to bend like flowing water. A shield not of armor or durasteel, but of trust in the Force itself.

He imagined the younger Padawans testing themselves, holding out palms and watching faint ripples form in the air. He pictured the older students, more confident, straining to extend protection around others, learning the difference between guarding only the self and embracing responsibility for all nearby. It would not be easy. Force barriers required more than raw power; they demanded discipline, patience, and above all, clarity of heart.

Aiden drew in another long breath, eyes half-closed, and whispered to the silence, as though to prepare the room for their arrival.

"Strength is not found in the wall we build to keep danger away. It is in the barrier we shape to shelter others, even as we stand with them in the storm."

His voice settled into the stillness, and he folded his hands together, content to wait. The students would come soon enough, and when they did, the lesson would begin not with words alone, but with the calm foundation he laid here now. The quiet before their steps was not emptiness, it was the promise of what was about to be built together.

 

[Feng Huang]

Feng took a deep breath. She'd been avoiding this. Avoiding training sessions with other Jedi, particularly in group settings. Afraid they'll sense it within her, afraid they'll know just by looking at her. The Dark Side. She had almost given in to it during the attack on the Kattadan Enclave, her Master had pulled her out of it with a few simple words.

"Remember you're village."

An image had flashed into her mind of her village being burned to the ground, the men who had done it laughing as they had done horrible things, drinking precious stores of rice wine the villagers saved for special occasions, looting anything of value. Master Wu standing before them, between them and her. Asking them quietly to surrender. They hadn't. Feng sometimes felt bad about not feeling bad about that.

Master Wu had told her after that he had hoped the words would recall a time of peace in her life, remind her what she was defending. He had been sad to hear that it had reminded her of the worst of times, when her village had been attacked by evil men, burnt to the ground. Feng had glanced away sadly and ashamed.

"It worked. I was reminded not to become those men. I don't ever want to become those men" Feng had declared softly and cried.

Master Wu had just pulled her close in a hug and held her tightly.

Feng had half been expecting some empty promises that she would never, could never become those men. Master Wu however avoided lying even when it might temporarily soothe wounds.

"You need not. I think it's time we go back to the basics of your training."

So they had going painstaking over training Feng had thought she had mastered a thousand times over. Feng hadn't even felt any bitterness over it a certain amount of shame perhaps, but she understood why it was necessary. Strangely her obedience only seemed to worry Master Wu more.

Eventually Master Wu had decided the isolation was harming her, and requested in that way he did that made her squirm, acknowledging it wasn't a request she start resocialising with other Jedi. He suggested even training with them could do some good, perhaps give her perspective.

So here she was, squirming as she entered the room to find Knight Aiden already present and practicing.

"Master Aiden." Feng said formally bowing. Aiden was a friend so the formality felt strained, but Feng had been wondering if her rebellion against Jedi conformity had helped her along to her near fall to the Dark Side. "I look forward to receiving instruction from you."

Aiden Porte

 

[Aileni Ifor Xeraic]

Location: Naboo
Attire: Large brown hoodie, grey shirt
Equipment: Dathomiri Energy Bow, practice saber
Tag: Aiden Porte | Feng Huang

Aileni arrived several minutes late. He had overslept after a late night of staying awake, in part due to the growing pains that he was still getting, but also he was exploring conspiracy pages on the holonet. Specifically on cryptids and other fantastical beasts that may lay hidden in the galaxy. So when he woke, Aileni realised he had missed the first three or four alarms that he had set for himself. Instead, he had to rush into his clothes, skip the shower he might have needed and arrived at the training session a dishevelled mess of a Padawan. Still rubbing the sleep out of his eyes as he wandered in and looked around. Seeing several students in attendance for Aiden's lesson, he noticed an unfamiliar face, someone with purple hair.

She seemed nervous and there was a stiffness to her. Aileni wondered what had happened to cause it, though she would sense in Aileni that he was a lot closer to touching the Dark Side than she would be. His emotions and primal instincts were encased in a darkness that Aileni was barely holding under control as he looked over to Aiden and gave a bow to the Jedi Knight.

"Apologies for being late, I overslept after a night of studying." Not entire truth but also not incorrect either. Aileni had selected the words perfectly to avoid lying or being called a liar. He had been studying, it was just not what he should have been studying and he shouldn't have been up so late studying either. But though were technicalities that Aileni didn't worry over.

Placing the Dathomiri energy bow to one side, he was never seen without his bow since it was too important to him. It was the weapon that Aileni was the most skilled in and it felt bonded to him in a way that was beyond the Force or normal connection to a weapon. Today was going to be a lesson on Force Barrier from what Aileni had heard, so it was a lesson in which his bow would not be needed. So he kept it close but not on him for that reason. Moving into position, Aileni stood tall and stifled a yawn as he attempted to give as much of his full concentration as he could to the class.

 

[Reina Daival]

Tag: Aiden Porte Aileni Ifor Xeraic Feng Huang

The class wasn't anything new to Reina. Force Barrier had been something that Reina had made great use of if she was being honest. Of course, that didn't stop her from wanting a physical barrier in the form of a shield but that was neither here nor there as she strolled into the room, late herself before raising a hand in some form of greeting before she plopped herself wordlessly down on the ground, flicking her legs up into the air before letting them slam back down onto the ground.

There wasn't a reason why she was late. Or at least not an excuse. It wasn't like she fell asleep, or lost track of time. She had just walked here. Taking things at her own pace instead of running herself ragged. Her eyes darted over towards the two other Padawans in the room before looking over towards Aiden, letting out a small sigh.

"Yeah. Sorry for bein' late. Don't got an excuse."

And with that, she just laid down on the ground, staring up at the ceiling as Reina was waiting for the class to start. Drumming her fingers along her waist in thought as she turned her eyes over towards her hip for a moment at where the sword she wielded was. Not her lightsaber. She still hadn't taken it back from Colette. It still wasn't something Reina thought she deserved as of yet. No. She hadn't proven that she had the strength. But the fact that Reina was even in this class was a sign that she was healing. Immersing herself amongst other people of her own accord, instead of being surprised with a gathering.

Spoiler: OOC Notes

: Means written/typed communication : < Means Sign Language communication >

 

[Aiden Porte]

Feng Huang Aileni Ifor Xeraic Reina Daival
​

Aiden had already sensed her long before she entered not her steps, but the turbulence beneath them. The tremor of someone carrying weight, trying not to let it show. He remained seated where he was, centered in quiet meditation at the heart of the training chamber, but when Feng's presence reached the doorway, he opened his eyes.

"Feng." he greeted, his voice warm but even, "I'm glad you came."

The formal bow that followed made his expression soften further. There was respect in it and perhaps uncertainty, too. He took a few steps forward from where he was, and inclined his head in turn, returning the gesture but never overpowering it.

"There's no need for titles here." Aiden said gently. "Not today." He gestured around them, where faint shafts of sunlight filtered through tall windows, glinting off the faint shimmer of the Force he'd drawn into the space. "You're among friends. The lesson is only beginning."

Aiden turned slightly as Aileni entered, his calm gaze shifting toward the young Dathomiri. He felt the faint ripple of fatigue beneath Aileni's practiced composure a trace of exhaustion wrapped in discipline. The words, polite and measured, carried just enough truth to satisfy the letter of honesty if not its full spirit.

"Aileni, I'm glad you made it." Aiden replied gently, a note of understanding threading his tone. "Remember not to overwork yourself my friend." There was no censure, only quiet acknowledgment, the kind that came from experience.

It was then another showed.

Aiden glanced toward the voice, his calm expression untouched by the lateness or the blunt admission. There was no judgment in his gaze only quiet acknowledgment as Reina stretched out across the floor, her silhouette framed by the gentle morning light filtering in through the tall windows.

"You're here." he said simply, voice steady, the weight of the words more than they seemed. "That's more enough."

"We will go ahead and start, I will catch others up as they show."

He took a step closer, the hum of the Force between them calm, like a river slowed by stones. "Today, we'll work with barriers not just those of the Force, but the kind we hold within. The training will touch both." He didn't explain further yet, part of the learning was in discovery.

He paced to one side of the room, hands clasped behind his back, letting them have a moment to breathe and settle. "A barrier," he said, voice low and measured, "Can be formed in many ways. Some create it out of fear. Others out of strength, or purpose. The truest barriers, though… those drawn from the Force itself, are built on balance. They protect without consuming."

Turning, he looked towards them. "We'll start with something simple." he continued. "No rush. No pressure." His tone softened further, the Naboo lilt of his voice carrying reassurance. "I'll show you how to listen to the current that gathers when danger nears, and to the quiet strength that answers it."

He lifted one hand, palm outward. A faint pulse shimmered in the air translucent, barely visible, like a breath caught in light. "This is a barrier of intent. Not against an enemy. Not yet. It's a promise. A declaration that harm will not pass this line."

Lowering his hand. "In time, you'll feel it too not just around you, but through you. A shield is only as strong as the heart that shapes it."

He offered a small smile, patient and encouraging. "When you're ready. The Force doesn't demand perfection only presence."

 

[Aileni Ifor Xeraic]

Location: Naboo
Attire: Large brown hoodie, grey shirt
Equipment: Dathomiri Energy Bow, practice saber
Tag: Aiden Porte | Feng Huang | Reina Daival

Aileni listened to Aiden with intrigue as he had heard of Force barriers before. He wasn't sure where he had heard of them before. Similar to when it had come to Force Light, it felt like it was something he had read in a book or seen in a holocron but also... Just something innately that he knew of. Like it was a piece of information and a power that laid dormant in the back of his mind until it was clicked into place by Aiden triggering it with this mention now. Aileni was constantly puzzled by this occurring with his training and understanding of the Force, the Jedi and the galaxy in general. Things just tended to lock into place after it was mention as if he had always knew of it.

"So... Just picturing a barrier that surrounds you?" Aileni asked, wondering if there was something that he needed to focus on mentally in order to produce the desired results or if there was just a non-specific trigger to create the ability. Aileni was being cautious even though he suspected that he might be able to create the barrier without too much concern, it was also good to ask the questions in case the others attending the class were in need of clarification.

Raising a hand, Aileni thought on the power and felt the tingle of the Force throughout his body. It was something ancient, but familiar, a comforting embrace. For a first time attempt at making a Force Barrier, Aileni didn't seem to struggle or find that it was a tricky power to call upon. "Hmmm..." Another supposedly new power that Aileni was learning and already he felt using it easier than a total novice should. He didn't know what to think about it and he was sure there was going to be a point when this had to stop happening.

Unless he was truly a prodigy child?

 

[Reina Daival]

Tag: Aiden Porte Aileni Ifor Xeraic Feng Huang

Force Barriers weren't anything new to Reina. She had plenty of experience with it by now. It had came in handy every so often, but she still liked to rely on a physical barrier as well. Either way, she sat herself up to take a look at the class, to see how they were going to progress with the ability. Reina was in no rush to get to working on the barrier. Being the first to show off wasn't exactly her style. It never had been.

"The barrier doesn't always need to surround you. And you can protect more than just yourself with it."

She might as well throw out what wisdom she knew. After all, Reina wasn't much the teaching sort herself. At least that was what she had always believed in herself. Her gaze made its way over towards Aileni's energy bow for a moment, a small smirk coming to her face at the thought she had. It was the perfect example of why she'd be terrible as a teacher. Her idea of a lesson would have involved shooting at people with the bow or some form of blaster. Give them some real pressure to perfect their barrier. Best way to learn was in the field.

Either way, the redhead flickered her hand forward to summon her barrier, bundling up the Force in front of her to act as a dam to hold back whatever was thrown her way. Shoring up as much of the Force that was needed to perform the ability, a small smirk still on her face. AS much as she found it easy to use the Force in this way, it hadn't always been that way. In the past, the Force had been something she used on instinct. It was invigorating to see how far she had advanced in her Force usage.

Spoiler: OOC Notes

: Means written/typed communication : < Means Sign Language communication >

 

[Feng Huang]

Tag: Aiden Porte Aileni Ifor Xeraic Reina Daival

Feng took a deep breath as she listened to Aiden explain the nature of Force barriers.

Balance. Right.

Balance had never been Feng's strong suit even before her near slip into the dark side. Passion, Fun, Peak emotions those were easier. She had thought she'd had a hold of them that she would never slip into the dark side but she had come close… so close… she could still feel the rush, the euphoria, the wrath that felt so righteous.

Focus Feng! She scolded herself fiercely.

Balance.

Feng closed her eyes, steadied her breath, breathing deeply in for three seconds then out for three seconds as she felt her pulse slow.

Listen to the current.

Feng's thoughts echoed Aiden's as he explained. Feng reached out with her senses, felt Aiden's barrier of intent. She felt the balance within herself, reached out with her hand and summoned a barrier. It was stronger than she intended, and purple. Like her true nature that which balanced light and dark was coming out even now.

The barrier wavered.

Focus Feng! Balance!

Feng resettled her breath and tried pushing even more of the force into the barrier. It strengthened further, then began to almost pulse in time with her heartbeat. Feng grew frustrated, she tried to hold it in place. The barrier seemed to strain against her hold. Feng knew the longer she held it the more it would strain so if she released the hold it might explode.

Feng thought about struggling even further holding the barrier in place but knew that was against the lesson being imparted.

Feng sighed and withdrew the force barrier back within herself. She picked the wrong lesson to come back to. How was she supposed to achieve balance when she was so full of inner turmoil?

"My apologies Master. Balance is a difficult concept for me to attain at the present moment." Feng shrugged and looked away. Knowing Aiden would assure her it was ok. Knowing how futile it actually was.

 

[Aiden Porte]

Aileni Ifor Xeraic Feng Huang Reina Daival
​

"You're not wrong to feel it come easily." he murmured, his gaze thoughtful. "Sometimes, the Force remembers for us. Some lessons don't have to be taught only recalled. Not to mention, you come from a powerful family my young friend." His tone carried a quiet knowing, the faintest suggestion of recognition that Aileni's affinity might not be new at all, just rediscovered.

Aiden's smile deepened faintly at Reina's interjection not amusement, but appreciation. The insight was sound, even if her method, he suspected, would lean toward something far less controlled.

"Exactly." he said, turning his head toward her. "The barrier's purpose isn't to isolate. It's to extend. To reach beyond yourself to those beside you, to what you choose to protect."

Aiden shook his head as he looked over to Feng with a small smile. "Don't do that."

"Don't apologize for imperfection." he said gently. "It's the most honest place to begin again."

He let that settle for a breath, then inclined his head slightly. "Try once more, when you're ready. But this time, don't build the barrier. Invite it. Let it come as naturally as breath."

"After this, we can take a small break. I'm sure you three enjoy cookies right?" If they didn't, that would be a first.

 

[Feng Huang]

Reina Daival Aiden Porte Aileni Ifor Xeraic

Feng sighed, took a breath and centred her power once again. Invite it in. She was tempted to become petulant, to mutter and groan, that wasn't how her powers work, but the thought of being petulant wearied her. She was tired of fighting uphill against people who were only trying to help her. She was tired of the constant battle, the doubt, the uncertainty. So she breathed deep and opened herself up.

She felt the force, instead of grabbing it, commanding it to her will, she sent an invitation, a thread. The thread was gentle, almost wispy, a conduit for the force to travel through and into her. She asked it as politely as she knew how to help her create the Force Barrier, she reached out her hand, and created the Force Barrier. It was strong, it was firm. This time as it pulsed it pulsed with breathe, with life, with her heartbeat.

Feng smiled a tear coming to her eye, she held it for as long as she willed. She felt relief wash through her. She had done it. On her own, without confliction. It felt an achievement. Master Wu would be proud.

Feng laughed at the offer of cookies, realised she was hungry, and gently withdrew the Force Barrier.

"What kind of cookiees?" Feng asked with a mischievous grin.

 

[Aiden Porte]

Reina Daival Ensy Aileni Ifor Xeraic Feng Huang ​

Aiden's shoulders eased as he watched the shift occur not in the Force, but in her. The difference was subtle but unmistakable: the sharp edges that had once bristled with strain softened into rhythm, and the barrier that rose around her didn't defend it breathed. For a moment, he said nothing. Just let the quiet stretch, reverent in its way, as the purple light of Feng's barrier shimmered like twilight through morning sun. It pulsed once more with her heartbeat before fading not breaking, but releasing itself in perfect accord with her breath.

When she laughed, it was music. It wasn't loud or defiant, but honest and that was rarer than mastery.

He gave a small, approving nod. "That," he said, voice low but full of quiet warmth, "is balance."

"Now, for the cookies."

He reached for the containers, placing them on the table to the side., the soft aroma of baked sweetness spilling into the air. "We've got meiloorun spice." he began, moving one container to the side. "For those who like a bit of warmth. And these—" he tapped another tray lined with golden, crumbly rounds "Are jogan fruit and honey. The favorite among the younglings, though I suspect that's because they're the sweetest."

He pushed the third tray to the side. "And for those who've already endured enough sweetness for one morning, chocolate. Imported, of course. Naboo blend."