Journey to Ilum

[Dune Rhur]

[member="Lahi Te'ala"] and he had the snow cleared away in a much shorter time than he always be could have alone. He smiled as his companion hugged him.

"No need to thank me, we did this together."

He followed her more slowly, joining Lahi at the stone. It was a little taller than him, smooth and surprisingly unworn. The Bith brushed a hand over the surface as he pondered. Probably it was preserved by the same sort of Light Side energy that might extended a Jedi's own life.

"Interesting," he said to Lahi "Do you see how little wear there is; there should be much more with this harsh weather. Perhaps the Light Side preserves it."

He sighed after a moment more and said "Alright, we should try to find more stone, don't you think?"

 

[Lahi Te'ala]

Lahi smiled, seeming a little unused to the sheer humility of Dune - Diathim were a wondrous and compassionate creature, but they all had that spark of wonderment and a yearn for learning that often left ones who learned new things feeling superior to others. She'd been like that herself, with her Force sensitive nature - but now, she was among equals, who were happy to be equals with her, and nothing more. Her fingers ran over the beautifully preserved stone, "Force-made, Force-protected. Warm." She confirmed to her partner, as a glove was removed, touching the freezing stone - the warmth a spiritual one, one she could barely understand.

"Allow moment. Remember." She opened her eyes all the way, the glowing white growing stronger as she looked over the entirety, "Make memory of." She finally closed her eyes to a more normal level, and then pointed off to the right of the first stone, "We find more, get crystals! Is good, yes?"

[member="Dune Rhur"]​

 

[Dune Rhur]

[member="Lahi Te'ala"]

Dune nodded.

"It is good."

They resumed their search after a few moments and he began to feel somewhat uneasy. His thoughts went to what they would find in the caves themselves. He tried to tell himself that nothing bad could happen, but it didn't help. Finally, he looked to his partner.

"I'm worried, Lahi, about what's going to happen in the caves. I know the visions can't hurt us, but I can't stop being nervous."

 

[Lahi Te'ala]

[member="Dune Rhur"]​

​

Lahi stopped, looking towards Dune, as she could feel the stillness of the calm waters ripple with something else, giving a smile to her partner as he spoke of his nervousness to her. It was a gentle smile, not one of great pleasure or joy like the others, one full of genuine compassion, showing an understanding that was not often shown by the immature girl, "What comes before us, mystery. What encountered, fearsome perhaps. What known - each other." She raised her hands in the air, motioning around her, "Not alone, partner. Stand together, even when apart." The Diathim closed her eyes, and moved to press her head against the Bith's larger cranium, "Close eyes, feel me. Not stones. Even if split, will know."

Even her voice had changed, the normally quick, high pitched tone, replaced by soothing, gentleness, "We together, find way, even if separate could not. Is not bad worry. Is natural. Is good trust."

 

[Dune Rhur]

[member="Lahi Te'ala"]

Nodding slowly, the Bith took in the sage advice. Though apparently young and seemingly lacking in maturity, Dune felt a great wisdom and empathy in the being of Lahi. The Light truly permeated her, he thought. He felt a sense of admiration for her kindness and gratitude.

"Thank you, friend. You're right that we are never alone."

He smiled to her and they walked on....

 

[Ben Corscifine]

[member="Quinncolson"]

Quinn seemed more perturbed by Ben's change of demeanor than by any fluctuation on the Force. Rightfully so, perhaps, they had found one of the Standing Stones. They probably should be celebrating, but Ben was less than satisfied. He had had his first real moment of trusting the Force in his entire life, and it was over in a moment. Let it pass, said a little voice in Ben's mind.

But that voice was little indeed, and the prevailing voice was both louder and less level-headed. With that voice, Ben chided himself for losing the signal that he had been receiving so clearly. Quinn had begun looking around the area for another stone. Ben watched her intently for a sign that she had found anything. She radiated with Force energy, clearly stronger than he was in connection to the Force. Still, Ben could probably take her in a lightsaber duel, so it was hard to say she was stronger. She's your partner. It isn't a competition, the little voice reminded. This time, Ben heard it. He studied the landscape. It was truly a thing of beauty, but not very conducive to a treasure hunt. Before long he found himself staring at the Standing Stone. The etchings were in perfect condition, and even Ben could feel the Force rippling all around the ancient monument. Ben approached slowly and wiped any remaining snow from the Stone's face. He pressed his hand into the cool divets engraved on the Stone...he could feel the Force's hand in the Stone's creation.

Ben closed his eyes and took a deep breath, trying to focus on the whispers of the Force coming from the Stone.He sensed the other Padawans moving across the snowy landscape. There was Dune and the Diathim. They seemed to have found one of the Stones, for there was something strong beside them, emanating clearly through the Force. Somewhere not far from them, another had revealed a Standing Stone. Ben did not know this Padawan, of he was not strong enough to identify him. Ben reached out and sought the remaining concealed Standing Stones. He was failing. Constantly failing. The moment he would get the faint notion of a Stone in the distance, he would reach for it and lose it. His frustration grew, and his focus shrank. "Why can't you do this?" Ben had meant this to stay in his mind, but the Force was blurring the lines between the physical world and Ben's thoughts. He said it out loud, probably loud enough to be heard by Quinn, who was still nearby. His eyes were still closed, and he struggled to regain his focus.

 

[Eli-Mae Forrest]

"What's wrong Ben?" Quinn says as she moves closer to her partner who seemed rather short with her today. This concerned her very much she had always seemed to have a way of diffusing anger instead of bringing it to a boiling point and down upon herself

[member="Ben Corscifine"]

 

[Catherine Romanov]

[member="Ayden Quell"] | [member="Jacen Voidstalker"] | [member="Karen Roberts"]

Her fellow padawan introduced himself as Ayden Quell. Now that he looked up at her, Quinn noticed that he had the same blue-gay eyes as her. However, her lively and determined orbs were a stark contrast from his sombre ones. He looked a little surprised, like as if he was not expecting anyone to strike up a conversation with him.

He began to get to the meat of the matter, asking her if she had any ideas of where to search for the sacred stones that would provide them with a clue for their entry into the place they sought. His tone was warm, which seemed to produce a hint of warmth as he spoke. Or perhaps she was simply imagining things.

Master Roberts had mentioned that the stones were over human height, which would mean that would be pretty obvious and they wouldn't have to go digging around in the snow or anything unless it was rather high. Quinn was about to suggest something when she sensed a familiar presence in the force. Her master. Master Voidstalker!

She sent her reassurance back over the force to her master, letting him know that she had gotten the message. It was comforting to know that he was nearby, and could help if needed. She wasn't going to run towards him at the first sign of uncertainty though, she was a determined and independent individual that always did her utmost best in whatever tasks she undertook. She would only seek help as a last resort.

The red head then closed her eyes, took a deep breath and exhaled, settling into the force. She felt the whispers of the force, the callings of the planet's energy as well as the rough locations of the other padawans. Searching and wading through the multitude of whispers, she eventually found what she thinks might be the right one. Opening her eyes once more, Quinn looked back towards Ayden, as she motioned in the opposite of where most of the other padawans were with a warm smile. "That way! I feel the pull of the force calling me to it. That might be it."

 

[Lahi Te'ala]

[member="Dune Rhur"]

As Dune seemed to regain his confidence, the Diathim removed her forehead from his large cranium, giving a gentle smile, and continuing to hold his hand as they began to walk again, "Not need thanking, is natural care others, certainly care friends." She had never seen someone in trouble who she didn't want to - and end up - helping, the thought of not comforting someone was as foreign an idea to Lahi as the idea of no longer being able to fly, and having to walk everywhere.

Which she was really beginning to tire from already. The heavy snow made every extra step cause her legs to feel like lead, and she wanted to just stop walking and go back to flying - but at the same time, she did not wish to give herself an unfair advantage over anyone, especially not her partner. "Not understand how not-fly. So tiring." She laughed to herself, giving a smile to the Bith, "Suppose would used to, were not able to."

They were, luckily, nearing the next of the twelve stones, at least, she could feel it emanating the Light Side energy infront of her, and growing ever stronger which each of the difficult steps. And this was only the beginning of the trip - she was certain that by the end she'd either be collapsed, or flying instead.

But dwelling did not aid in their task, and instead her free hand was raised towards the huge snow pile - this one, the snow did not cover the stone completely, only standing at around shoulder height in snow, compared to the Diathim. Focus, use the Stone as an anchor for the Light Side, feel the emotions of it, and only it. Block the pain out, block the worries out, they do not matter.

 

[Dune Rhur]

[member="Lahi Te'ala"]

"I suppose it must be tiring for you, especially in all of this snow," Dine remarked as they walked.

"I don't mind if flying helps you-" he cut off as he noticed Lahi looking at a partly uncovered standing stone.

"Ah, very good," the Bith said "This stone isn't covered nearly as much. How about you rest a little while I uncover this one?"

He felt concerned his his friend who clearly wasn't used to walking far, even in more pleasant conditions.

 

[Ben Corscifine]

[member="Quinncolson"]

Ben shook his head helplessly, at a loss for words. He had to control his frustration; it was clear he was upsetting his partner. That wasn't fair. He was only angry with himself.

The young Jedi's hand was still on the icy stone, fingering the depressions along its surface. He didn't feel the stone giving him any assistance, though. He felt alone out here for a moment. Although he continued to gaze into the distance, his focus on the Force was all but gone. "It's nothing. I apologize," came his response, riding on the white fog of his quickly condensing breath. It was so cold out here. Ben should have brought something to cover his face; his ears and nose were stinging like mad.

Ben took another deep breath.

Nothing.

"I can't seem to find anything else. My senses are off," he explained to Quinn without turning his gaze. "I'm just a little frustrated with myself; it isn't you." He smiled. "Maybe you'd have more luck?"

 

[Lahi Te'ala]

[member="Dune Rhur"]

"Not-could let do all work!" She protested, opening her eyes, though she kept her hand pointed at the snow, using the tips of her long, slender fingers, rather than the palm of her hand to point at it, "Will fly-next, and rest-air. Want impress-Knight-Master." The Diathim actually lacked a Master of her own, so the idea of impressing a Jedi Master, or even a Knight, was something she did want to do - to excel, and earn the right of a true teacher, rather than the self teaching and learning from other Padawans she had been doing. And if that meant pushing herself, and getting a bit tired, then by all means she was more than happy to do so! There was nothing to be gained in doing the minimum, after all.

"Beside, is faster with two, and quicker done, quicker no more snow-walking, yes?" She couldn't imagine a cave would be filled with much in the way of snow. Ice, maybe, but not snow. "So let us finish quick, rest-later."

 

[Amara No'orabi]

Past
---------
Amara's breath had been sucker-punched out of her the moment she stepped out of the ship. She had been bundled up, perhaps more than anyone else on the trip, and yet the cold still brought tears to her eyes. She shoved her goggles down, hoping to keep the flakes from blinding her, and stuffed her gloved hands into the pocket of her thick, Order issued parka. Her boots crunched on the snow and she felt like she was trudging through sand dunes to get to where Karen had led the rest of their little group. She had been forced to take a few minutes to meditate and calm her mind; the thought of building her own lightsaber was thrilling to the point of making her dizzy, and she had to employ more than one of the tricks her Master had taught her to let her emotions flow through her, acknowledging each one and then letting it slip away into the Force. Peace. Well, peace and cold.

Present
-----------
She wasn't a loner, not exactly, but when the others had sprung into action, grabbing each other up to form pairs, Amara had lingered at the back of the group. The wind howled, ripping through her parka and letting the cold seep into her bones, but she nodded determinedly. Use the Force Knight Roberts had said, and so she would. Amara let herself slip away a bit, listening to the crunches, howls, and sighs of the icy planet, so different from Tatooine or even Lothal, and let the Force whisper around her. Suddenly the iciness of the planet was less intimidating and her eyes snapped open. Several stones had already been found but she started moving quickly towards the fringes of the group. She felt a hundred different feelings radiating off of the other Padawans, anger, frustration, cold, confusion, elation, curiosity, but she ignored them in favor of reaching into the snow with the Force. The stones were difficult to find, giant masses of snow and ice disguising them, and she gritted her teeth as she stumbled around for what felt like hours trying to find a stone. Perhaps her choice to go it alone was the wrong one, but there was nothing she could do about it now other than learn from her mistake.

Letting go completely, Amara just stood there, swaying slightly in the wind until she glanced at one of the mounds. It seemed shapelier than the others, not torn into existence randomly by the wind, and she trotted over to it. Laying her hands on the snow, she could feel the stone beneath it, but it would certainly take a lot of power to break it free from the ice encasing it.

"Hey," she called out, hoping some of her fellow Padawans would hear her, "I found one! Can someone help me dig it out? There's a lot of ice!'

----
ooc: late to the party as always, but [member="Karen Roberts"] I'm here!

 

[Dune Rhur]

[member="Lahi Te'ala"]

Dune studied her a moment before nodding.

"Alright then, let's clear the snow."

This unusual Padawan impressed him with her fortitude. Her attitude was that of a Master already, even if she didn't know it. A Master didn't allow things to stop them, things like size, strength or fatigue. They collected themselves and kept going.

As with before, they extended their hands and began to push the powdery snow away, little by little....

 

[Eli-Mae Forrest]

"Yeas I have something let's go" Quinn for the second time today grabs his hand and starts running through the ice and snow until she runs straight over a cliff

[member="Ben Corscifine"]

 

[Ayden Quell]

[member=Quinn Byrne]

Off in the proximate distance beyond heaps of wind-drifted snow and through the obfuscating fury of snowfall, Ayden Quell could barely discern the others, some of whom were unearthing their precious sacred stones. His eyes slowly sauntered to Quinn's face, delicate and effeminate in its distinct features, as he awaited her response. She appeared temporarily preoccupied, though the reason wasn't evident.

After a moment her eyelids fell softly, withholding her blue eyes - like a docile hibernation. He took a deep breath and did the same. As his breathing became regulated his mind was free to wander, and then to fully acquiesce into the Force. A sensation overtook him, a tingling in the mind - a feeling akin to a small child taking his hand and leading him away. Lids opened and blue-gray eyes found the familiar face ahead of him, a pleasant smile on her lips as she spoke; he nodded and smiled, having felt it, too.

Most of the padawans here were moved by excitement or frustration - depending on who you ask. Ayden had been here before and he knew the song and dance. He wasn't worried about finding the scared stepping stones, didn't have that same drive. Plus he was confident in the shared feeling they felt; they would find what they were looking for. So he had to find another way to entertain himself as they made a moderate descent across the ice plains and away from the others, in search of their treasure. His gait was calm and relaxed, though the wintry temperature was locking his muscles up and making his stature more rigid.

"I haven't seen you 'round Lothal before. You from another order?" He politely inquired. And then they were only steps away, or so the nudging in Ayden's head told him, though all he could see was snow. Lots and lots of snow.

 

[Lahi Te'ala]

[member="Dune Rhur"]

Lahi had so much respect for her partner, who did not complain at all, whose only flaw was nervousness - where she faltered physically, he pushed on, he maintained focus so much easier than her. She lacked that, which every other padawan seemed to possess, their strength of body. But this wasn't a task to test how strong their body was, it was a test of the Force. And there was no competition between them, there was a trust, a camaraderie, a bond between them all, of the Force.

And with her partner's help, the Force could move the hills of snow, "One, two, three..." She exhaled, and the snow moved a little, "One, two, three." She inhaled, and the snow moved again. The rhythm was followed with a swishing of her fingers, pulling way the snow as she took her stable breaths, just little bits of it - not enough to do it all on her own, not in a good amount of time, but also not alone to do it.

 

[Ben Corscifine]

[member="Quinncolson"]

This planet spoke only in whispers: The gentle crunch of ice beneath their feet. The frigid whistle of wind as it passed their ears The inconspicuous shuffle of snow giving way below two young Jedi. This was a moment of crisis--a test of the Force, even, if you believe that everything happens for a reason--but there were no wails of emergency alarms, no warning, no mercy.

Quinn lost her footing in front of Ben. For a second, Ilum had taken Quinn's body, carrying her towards a chasm whose depth was obscured by wind, mist and falling snow. For a split second, Ben remained on his feet. The ice cackled as it cracked, "Think fast."

Think fast.

The momentum was too great for Ben to stop the fall from happening. The planet's will would be done in this moment, that much was sure. Maybe Ben should just let Quinn go. She was strong in the Force; Ilum would take care of her. Maybe--

No.

Ben dug his heels into the snow, and reached with his free hand, grabbing Quinn around the waist. Ben was strong. He could stop Quinn's fall. He knew this. The young Jedi pulled with all of his might, spinning Quinn away from the cliff's mouth and out of danger.

He knew what came next. If lightsaber combat had taught him anything, it was that inertia always had to go somewhere. Ben was flung forward, looking back to be sure Quinn had made it to solid ground.

The snow-shuffle grew louder, unremitting. The planet accepted this substitution. As Ben descended and disappeared into the icy mist, Ilum seemed to breathe sharply, May the Force be with you.

 

[Eli-Mae Forrest]

Quinn didn't know how she could be so stupid as to run into a cliff and she now had lost her partner because she had ran in blind. She didn't know what to do besides go try to find Ben and she couldn't fathom how deep the cave was but she had to do something so she set to work using her lightsaber to cut thin strips of wood from the trees around and then weaved them into a long rope. She tied one end around a tree nearby and then the other she clipped to her belt using her lightsaber clip and then she backed up to the edge of the cliff and thought I hope this works or we're both dead. She then leaned backwards until she was perpendicular to the cliff face. She sighed in relief that the rope was holding. She started the long repel down.

[member="Ben Corscifine"]

 

[Catherine Romanov]

[member="Ayden Quell"]

As Quinn returned from her temporary sojourn with the force, she noticed that her companion had done the same. His dull blue-gray eyes seem to hide within a glimpse of enlightenment and she gathered that he had saw and felt the same thing she had. He must have seen it too. Now that they both had indications on where the sacred stone they sought might be, the pair could proceed on with their mission. The pair moved on, trudging through the snow, which had began to increase in depth, the higher they got. She was about to make a move when he spoke once more, querying her on where she might be from. It was only then that she realised that she had forgotten to introduce herself, despite him having already done so.

She was embarrassed at having failed to provide such a necessity, that she corrected it at once. "Oh, I'm so sorry. Where are my manners?! I'm Quinn, or Padawan Byrne. You can call me Quinn. I'm not from Lothal. I'm from the New Jedi Order within the Galactic Alliance, based in Sullust. It's nice to meet you Ayden, by the way."

Now the introductions were in order, they could continue to make their ascend to where the vision and whispers had guided them to. Several steps later, they were there. Before them stood a human-sized mound that was entirely covered in snow. Quinn was sure that this was the place. She moved forward and started to dig into the vertical-shaped mound of snow with her gloves. It was freezing in here. She wondered if Ayden felt the same.