Empyrean

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The discussion of families and children made Cedric uncomfortable. He understood that such things were never to be his; that his life was owed to the Jedi Order and to service, but a man's desires would always linger. At times they came to him in his moment's of peace, cropping up in his mind with a wave wistfulness. Such thoughts had often been cast aside; Cedric had learned not to entertain them, lest he grant them power. He listened quietly as she spoke, his gaze never wavering even though he paced around the room like a caged animal.

"I think they will. You're likable enough," Cedric snickered as he came to a halt in the room's center. "And...I understand your trepidation. I have similar feelings toward it, though there is the pressure of carrying on the line. I suppose a clone would do well enough with that however," he mused as he settled down in a sitting position.

"Alright," he drew in a deep breath. "It's time for your first lesson. Sit across from me."

The atmosphere of the room seemed to shift. It was as if the force itself understood Cedric's intentions to call upon it, and responded in kind, almost like an eager pet waiting to be played with. It was a feeling Cedric knew all too well - one that had often bought him great comfort in darker times.

"Ready to begin?"

[member="Brynn Lendix"]

 

[Brynn Lendix]

Following Cedric, Brynn mimicked his pose, crossing her own legs and resting the backs of her hands on her knees, palms up. She could feel, in an odd way, that he’d called upon the Force- though she really had no idea, beyond the basics, how she was going to interact with it. Everything that had happened outside had been spurred on by emotions, fear and anger and upset. Whatever happened next would be a lesson, on how to harness it without that- she assumed, anyway. She was sat up stock-straight, a pose she’d used whenever she’d meditated before a mission, wanting to get herself in a headspace where she didn’t have to think or worry about it too much.

She sighed, eyes focused on the man with an almost frightening intensity, ready to learn. She’d do her best, as she always did, and she’d succeed, as she always had. Or, at least, that was what she hoped. Failure wasn’t an option, before, but it wasn’t going to get her killed any more.

There’s a first time for everything, Brynn-girl, her father had always said, ruffling her hair with a fond grin. And sometimes, that first time has to happen so we learn from it. Makes us better, you know?

She’d be better. She had to be better, had to be her best- even if that meant learning from a mistake. She nodded, determined.

“I’m ready.”

[member="Cedric Grayson"]

 

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Opening an individual's mind to the force was often an arduous task, and one best undertaken by a Jedi Master. Cedric could not claim such a title, but this was not his first time doing this sort of thing. Whilst never training any padawans directly under his tutelage, he had come across many force sensitives, and sent them back to the order for training. Others he had taught to suppress their abilities so that they might live more normal lives. Whilst the order absolutely needed new blood, Cedric had never been one to force someone down a path they did not wish to walk.

His mind reached out into the empyrean. He viewed it as something of an island within a vast sea of cosmic energies. The sea moved of its own accord, battering the islands with waves, storms, and various other phenomena that Cedric knew to represent the force's will. It was familiar experience; one he had partaken in since he was a small boy.

"Close your eyes. Find your center. Set aside your fears, your doubts. One can only commune with the force once they have found their own sense of peace. The Jedi regard the force as a companion, something to be protected and understood. The Sith view it as a tool; akin to the way a beastmaster might view his creatures. They bend it to their will, twisting and warping it to the detriment of all others. The Dark Side is the force's most unnatural state, corrupted by the chaos imposed from the wills and emotions of force sensitive mortals. It is that perversion of the natural order of things that the Jedi have fought against for millenia."

Cedric's mind touched Brynn's own. It was a brief mental nudge: a way of exposing her to the force's touch without it being too overwhelming. "Humble yourself. Understand that the force is far older and far larger than anything in this material universe - once you understand its immensity, you must let it in."

[member="Brynn Lendix"]

 

[Brynn Lendix]

Closing her eyes, as she was told, Brynn let herself feel the brush of energy she so often ignored. A companion. That was fitting, perhaps- it had been that. Even when she was alone, or felt she was alone, it had been there. A silent guardian. She sighed, calming her mind so she could focus completely.

She felt a brush against her mind, and immediately felt like she had the universe around her, an infinite number of particles, of lifeforms, of planets and systems and galaxies. The Force was known by many different names to many different people- many just accepting it as fact, regardless of its’ name, while others saw it as a load of nonsense that didn’t deserve a closer look.

She opened her mind, and let it in, feeling it flow through her. Two sides to every coin.

Her father. Her mother. The sky. The sea. Jedi. Sith.

Light. Dark.

She felt no particular pull to any of it. She knew what she wanted to serve- light. She knew that sometimes, to serve light, meant using dark, all of a sudden. Not all ends had justifiable, admirable means. She made a soft noise, not opening her eyes.

“I see everything,” she said, softly. “Around me. In me. It’s like a set of scales, when they’re in balance. I need to be those scales,” she whispered.

==Tag==

 

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A pleasant smile tugged at the corners of Cedric's lips.

He felt her presence within the force just as he would any Jedi. She was an island all her own; a beacon through with the empyrean's influence passed freely. Cedric understood now that the force had awakened itself within Brynn many years ago - she'd only unconsciously ignored it this entire time.

"The force is one with everything. It is what grants us our power, so that we might better defend it in times of chaos." Cedric intoned, his voice calm and quiet. "Connecting to the force is the most basic of abilities, but it is also the most important. When you find yourself overwhelmed, meditating to find your center can often bring salvation. With practice, you can even utilize this skill in the middle of combat."

A calloused hand rose upward toward Brynn. "If you have faith, the force will not fail you. We all have a path to walk, others more tragic than most, but if we persevere our efforts will never be in vain. That is the force. That is the Jedi Order. That is the Republic. Do you understand why I've devoted my life to this cause now? Do you feel its totality?"

Invsible tendrils of energy extended outward to caress the tresses of Brynn's hair. They rose like little puppet strings high into the air. "In time, you will learn to manipulate those energies in such a way as to not disturb their balance."

[member="Brynn Lendix"]