Laziness is Cancerous

[Marcello Matteo]

Illum

Marcello pulled the snow goggle he'd been wearing down around his neck as he stepped into the relative shelter of the ice cavern. Pulling back the fur-lined hood of his winter overcoat, the Rogue Jedi Master allowed his glacier-blue gaze to roam the darkness of the cavern. Surprise, surprise, Marcello actually hated Illum, but he respected the planet for what it was. He didn't care for the crystal caves or the history of the planet. No...he respected the reality that nature would make cowards of anyone. The treacherous nature of the terrain was enough to destroy those not to fit to the task.

Now...Marcello had no doubt that many would claim to be able to complete amazing physical feats because of some life of being raised as a warrior or affinity with the Force, but Marcello knew better. He knew that the day someone decided they could learn no more...was the day they ultimately failed. Today...[member="Carlo Dellen"]'s training would begin in earnest. Yet if he'd done nothing to better himself in Marcello's absence, he would be behind the power curve.

 

[Carlo Dellen]

Carlo approached the cave to Illum. He enjoyed the cold, and nature. Though it was true he was a bit frightened, there were also times where it seemed so peaceful, and untouched by the industrial galaxy it inhabited. While he had not completely lapsed in Marcello's absence, he had done little training. He had expanded his knowledge of the force, and how to use it. He was now a novice at levitating items, and was slowly getting better at sensing the presence of other force users and enhancing his senses with the force.
"Greetings, Master." He said to [member="Marcello Matteo"] with a bow. "Illum. Am I going to build my lightsaber master? or simply train here?"

 

[Marcello Matteo]

Marcello watched [member="Carlo Dellen"] approach with reserved interest. Icy-blue eyes gazed at the boy as he entered the entrance to the caverns. When the young padawan bowed, Marcello acknowledged him with a subtle nod of the head. Officially, Marcello was no longer a member of the Jedi Order, but his apprentice was. That was not a problem in his eyes...if anything, Carlo would be trained absent any lingering myopic restrictions of his organization. "Welcome to Illum, Padawan Dellen."

Pausing for a moment, Marcello posed his own question for the boy. "Do you know how to use a lightsaber? Do you know what components are required? Do you know the theory behind constructing a lightsaber? Most importantly...do you know, I mean really know, what a lightsaber is?"

 

[Carlo Dellen]

Carlo smiled. Lightsabers were one of his favorite topics, he had spent many hours of his day researching it.
"I am adept at it, I've yet to learn about advanced techniques and styles. In terms of the components, you need a metal cylinder between twenty-four and thirty centimeters in length, a pommel cap at the bottom which sometimes holds a backup power cell, a high-output Diatium power cell, a series of focusing lenses and energizers. The lightsaber crystals, The ideal number of crystals is three. A power insulator is installed on the hilt to protect the wielder from any energy discharge. And a power button of some sort.
And the emmiter matrix. The final two I don't know off the top of my head, but I may know them if my memory was refreshed."
He said. He took off his hood and shook the snow out of his hair.

 

[Marcello Matteo]

Marcello offered [member="Carlo Dellen"] a single nod of approval. If nothing else, he knew the mechanical composition of a lightsaber. That certainly counted for something. "The construction of a lightsaber is a lengthy, involved process. Success often eludes Jedi during their first attempt...unless they are doing so with assistance. I, however, believe this to be a disservice. Lightsaber construction is an almost intimate process. It requires the Jedi to pour every ounce of his or her self into the construction. This leads me to the second question. A lightsaber is a weapon, yes, but it is also much more. It is an extension of its creator and user. If constructed properly, your lightsaber will be a direct reflection of your connection to the Force."

Falling silent, Marcello smirked as he turned and began to retreat deeper into the caverns. "While three crystals may be ideal for construction, you need not focus on this. One is more than sufficient...especially at such an early stage." Lightsaber combat forms and general combat instruction were the responsibility of the various Temples that trained younglings. By the time a youngling was promoted to padawan and apprenticed to a Knight or Master, they were expected to already be...prepared for life in the galaxy. Marcello's role, as he saw it, was to guide Carlo through the last remaining steps of his development. Interestingly enough...it was much more about developing the boy mentally than anything.

Given his status as an exile, Marcello almost felt odd filling this role. However, he could most certainly teach Carlo to be better than he was. If it ever got a point where he could do no more, than he would send the boy back to the Order for assignment to a new master. "These caves contain many crystals...but only one will call to you, draw on your very presence in the Force. As is the case with all things where the Force is concerned, you cannot force this connection to exist. Allow the current of the galaxy's life to flow through you, guiding you to what will become your greatest ally."

 

[Carlo Dellen]

Carlo closed his eyes and felt the force flowing through him, and the rest of the cave. He could feel his master, and every individual crystal in the cave. He searched through the sea of crystals until he found one that felt different, special. He opened his eyes and found himself staring at a blue crystal, straight above his head. He reached out with his hand in an attempt to pull the Crystal to him, it wobbled slightly, but didn't move. He tried it again, and still it didn't move. He tried several times over, but with no result. After nearly half an hour of trying he stopped and kicked a stone a cross the cave floor, holding in his frustration and anger at his lack of control over the force as best as he could. He sat down, and breathed slowly, wondering what [member="Marcello Matteo"] must have been thinking at this point.

 

[Marcello Matteo]

Marcello had surprisingly few thoughts as he patiently sat and meditated while his apprentice set to his task. There was little Marcello could do in the way of direct assistance that would be worthwhile to the young Padawan. It was not [member="Carlo Dellen"]'s exasperated sigh or frustrated movements throughout the cave that drew Marcello from his quiet meditation. Instead...it was the surfacing and stirring of emotions that the Rogue Master was all too familiar with...the old mistresses of anger and frustration.

Abruptly, Marcello's icy-blue eyes shot open. "Sit, my young apprentice. Meditate with me." Not having moved a muscle, Marcello tracked the boy's movements only with his eyes, waiting patiently for his compliance.

 

[Carlo Dellen]

Carlo huffed and sat down next to his master and sat, crossing his legs and closing his eyes.
"I'm sorry master, I should be able to do something this simple by now." He said, breathing slowly. He pushed his emotions deep down, as he was used to doing for most of his life.

 

[Carlo Dellen]

[member="Marcello Matteo"]

 

[Marcello Matteo]

"Your anger and frustration are natural, human emotions. Do not punish yourself for being human, accept it. Accept every aspect of your emotional spectrum. Attempting to isolate areas and pretend to be a supernatural being...able to ignore any part of themselves will only ensure your failure." Closing his eyes once more, the Rogue Master merged with the current of the Force again - allowing his mind to slip from the physical realm.

Patiently, Marcello waited for [member="Carlo Dellen"] to join him on the ethereal plain, to show the true nature of the Force.

 

[Carlo Dellen]

Carlo closed his eyes. There was quite some time of silence, whether it was a minute or an hour Carlo didn't know, but it felt like an eternity. Slowly, something began to appear in his vision, his master. He was certain he hasn't opened his eyes. He looked around, seeing a lush forest around them. He closed his eyes and breathed in the fresh air, and hearing the sound of animals around.
"What are we doing here, master, how did we get here?" Carlo asked [member="Marcello Matteo"].

 

[Marcello Matteo]

Marcello looked upon [member="Carlo Dellen"] with a weary expression. The boy was eager, but his mind seemed to race ahead of his understanding and abilities at nearly every turn. It could be dangerous, or it could be nothing. For sure it was a touch on the exhausting side. Clearly, Marcello Matteo was not built for child-rearing...which distracted his thoughts to [member="Kiskla Grayson"] for but a flutter of a heartbeat.

Refocusing, he answered Carlo's question with a question of his own. Perhaps the boy would grow accustom to this reality from Marcello. The Rogue Master saught to inspire thought, not give directives. Carlo's journey and training was as much in his own hands as it was anyone else. "Did you ever wonder how the cliche of deja vu works, Carlo? How it is possible that two largely unrelated events could connect with the mind of an individual to form the perception of...familiarity?" Allowing a thin smile to touch his lips, Marcello concluded that particular line of questioning. "When you fully discover the answer to that, you will understand the true nature of the Force and how it exists outside of time and space."

Waving a dismissive hand, Marcello continued with the lesson. "You work too hard to man-handle the Force, Padawan Dellen. It is not a tangible object to be wielded like a weapon. It is a life force that connects and sustains all things. As you move, so to does the Force. You must learn to feel its presence, respect its power, and understanding how it weaves the very fabric of the galaxy together. That is how people accomplish massive feats...feats you would see if you ever challenged yourself to join an expedition or defense of a planet with your brothers and sisters." Marcello's last comment was purposefully...condescending. The boy would only truly appreciate and absorb knowledge if he became involved, took advantage of a variety of experiences.

Marcello was but a guide, a counselor, a resource. Save one expedition to the Colonies Region, he'd seen quite little of his apprentice. Now...the boy had the unfortunate reality of being apprenticed to a force user that no longer served the Jedi Order. Being self-sufficient would rapidly become of great importance to Carlo. "Try lifting this with your mind." As if on cue, a large steel box materialized by Marcello's right side.

The trick, of course, was that the box did not exist. It had no actual weight. The only restriction would be whatever Carlo's mind placed on himself. That was true for manipulation of the Force in any state.

 

[Carlo Dellen]

Carlo was almost certain he couldn't do it. He couldn't lift a small Crystal, how could he lift a steel box. Still, he closed his eyes and tried. It was several minutes before he stopped, having not accomplished anything. He walked a few feet away, thinking. [member="Marcello Matteo"] was right, he was trying to man handle the force, maybe it needed to be a partnership of sorts. He closed his eyes and reached out through the force, waiting several minutes until he could feel everything, than turned to the box. This time he didn't try to force it up, he almost asked the force to help him levitate the object. Slowly, it began to rise. Carlo opened his eyes and smiled at his progress, than set the box down.

 

[Marcello Matteo]

Marcello did not smile at the boy's success. Instead...his ethereal form gradually faded from view. Inside the cave, Marcello opened his eyelids. His glacier-blue gaze surveyed his surroundings briefly as he came to his feet. Obtaining [member="Carlo Dellen"]'s crystal really had not been the purpose of their visit to Illum. However...the boy would need something to do. "I will be outside. Return when you are ready." Casually, the large Rogue retreated, pulling the hood of his heavy coat back over his head as he repositioned his snow goggles.

 

[Carlo Dellen]

Carlo opened his eyes. He saw his Crystal, still in the ceiling. He outstretched his hand and pulled the Crystal to him slowly. He grabbed it from the air and sat down. He gazed at the blue crystal, it reflected what little light poured into the cave. He smiled at finally having his own lightsaber crystal, and exited the cave, finding his master waiting for him.
"What now, master?" He asked [member="Marcello Matteo"].

 

[Carlo Dellen]

[member="Marcello Matteo"]

 

[Marcello Matteo]

Marcello's eyes regarded [member="Carlo Dellen"] for a handful of moments before he shifted his gaze off into the distance. A blizzard was quickly building in this particular area of the planet. Before Carlo could take the next step and create his own weapon, he had to fully understand who he was. He had to reconcile his inner demons to the best of his ability. This was something Marcello had not even really been able to accomplish until rather recently.

However, the effort was what counted. Carlo needed to understand that being a Jedi would be a continuous, ever-lasting process for him. "Now. You take your own adventure, alone. Keep your crystal close...fuse it with every aspect of your being. If you survive the elements for two nights, contact me." Turning, Marcello began to retreat back towards his vessel. It would behoove him to depart the surface before the blizzard built to full strength and made flying nigh on impossible.

 

[Carlo Dellen]

Carlo nodded. For a moment he thought maybe he should just hide out in the Crystal cave, but knew it would be cheating. He pulled up the hood on his robe and began searching for some shelter. It took him about an hour before he found an overpass. He checked his belt for supplies. He hadn't planned on survival, otherwise he'd be fine, but he had a feeling that he would face more than the elements. He managed to find a small heater from home, he'd kept it because it was the last thing from his sister. He placed it down on the ground and rubbed his hands together, than lay down, flipping up the hood on his tunic, and placed his robe on top of him like a blanket, slowly dozing off.

 

[Carlo Dellen]

Carlo awoke and looked around. He sat up and rubbed his eyes. The blizzard wind blew fiercely, and it sounded to Carlo that he could hear a voice on the wind. In a moment, a long moment, he saw a figure, it looked like a woman.
"Carlo." The voice said. In front if him appeared the image of his sister, Anna, dressed in a white cloud. But that was impossible, she has been dead for six years.
"Anna?" He asked, standing up slowly, the wind blowing his tunic about.
"Yes, brother. I am here." Carlo stood speechless. Behind him, he heard another figure approach.
"Well, well, well, my useless son." Carlo turned to see his father, dressed in mandolorian armor without the helmet, a sword at his side.
"A Jedi now? What have you learned? I suspect nothing. Shall we see?" He asked, drawing his sword and standing in his fighting stance, his sword held in front of him, and his feet slightly parted with the left behind him. The two rushed each other, striking and parrying blows. As Carlo expected, he got cut. It didn't phase him, he knew it would happen sometime. The fight went on for some time before Carlo manages to disarm his father and struck at his neck holding it less then an inch from it. His father smiles and chuckles slightly before pulling a gun and shooting his sister, then deteriorating on the wind, into snow. Carlo ran to his sister, and held her. He couldn't believe he needed to relive his sister's death again. After her eyes shut, she too dissolved into snow. Carlo got up and began collecting more firewood, somber of the events that had transpired. He used cloth from his cloak to bind his wounds, and soon has a successful camp. He remained
there for the remainder of the day. In the morning he hunted for food, and sat under the archway, waiting for the next day to come. When it did he called [member="Marcello Matteo"] up on the comlink, telling him he had survived the night.

 

[Marcello Matteo]

When Marcello received word from [member="Carlo Dellen"], he had little to no real reaction. From the hangar deck of a Republic cruiser that was preparing to transit back towards the interior of Republic space, the Jedi Master gave the young man a dispassionate reply. "I hope you learned something." Marcello did not need to know what that was, but it would be best for the young man in the long run. "I will meet you on Tython." With that, the transmission went dead.

A couple days later, Marcello walked casually towards the Temple on Tython...a location he had not tended to favor in the past.