Public Move Like Water

[Aaran Tafo]

Location: Peace Space Station
Training Room

"Sarris, you're still too tense." Aaran said, arms crossed behind his back. He watched the Zabrak youngling make a mistep in their kata. His tone was authorative, but not demanding. Paitent instead of stern. Drawing on his own memories of learning the first form. His smaller, more fragile form attempting to hold the wooden stick given to him in a clumsy, weak grip.

But that was long in the past. THankfully, his skills as a swordsman had improved greatly in the time he's spent with his order. Dedicated instruction went a long way to honing his skills. Countiless hours of practice honed him into the skilled swordsman he was today. Inexperienced certainly, but his technical skill was superb. So, as it was with all the various Knights and Masters running around Peace in an attempt to make the dream of Jedi Reunification a reality. It was left to some of the more advanced Padawan learners such as Aaran to pick up the slack when it came to the training of the younglings.

And it was certainly something that Aaran enjoyed. The presence of the children helped lighten the mood of the normally zen station. Giving it a lively energy that helped ground the Jedi. Remind them that ultimately, they fought for a brighter future.

"Remember. The strength of the First Form comes from the fluidity of your movements." With a gesture, one of the practice sticks flew from where it hung on the rack. Called to the Padawan's palm. The showy display of the Force was enough to capture the attention of the younglings. WIth slow deliberate movements he began to move into the first kata of Shi-Cho.

"Be calm, placid. Allow each movement to flow into the next." He said, looking back over his shoulder, satisfied that the stuggling Zabrak was attempting to take the Padawan's instructions to heart. his movements slowly improving and picking up speed. Gaining more confidence as the kata continued onwards.

"Very good. Keep at it. Let the movements flow. Dont try to force them." He urged, glancing to the others students, making sure that they were following in the same movements, ensuring that none were left behind during his instructions.

 

[Ryv]

Ryv strode down one of the station's many halls while humming a gentle tune. Another wing of the station had been cleaned up and cleared for use, but there was still so much that had to be done. Weeks of hard work alone were needed just to prepare the council chambers and that assignment was prioritized. With so few Jedi readily available for these tasks, it left Ryv and many others like him working anywhere from eight to sixteen hours a day. He managed to squeeze a few hours of study in, but most of his time had been spent elsewhere. Today alone he'd been cleaning up the mess hall with two other padawan learners so everyone could eat together comfortably, rather than nestled into corners of halls and rooms.

Had Ryv not heard the sound of the training younglings as he moved past the room, he wouldn't have stopped and peeked his head into the room. It had been a very long time since he trained in such a formal setting as a youngling, well over ten years for that matter. The memories of his time on Coruscant were marred in shadow, though his years spent training underneath the republic before the One Sith occupation were happier times. His longing for such peaceful times led him to set the box down of cooking utensils before he stepped into the room. He offered Aaran Tafo a slight bow, recognizing him as the "master" in charge, before he shakily pulled a training stick into his grasp.

Without saying anything else, Ryv fell in behind the younglings and began performing the kata. It was apparent he'd practiced it many times before, but it was also clear he either lacked the skill of the instructor or hadn't practiced in a long time.

 

[Alana Sunrider]

Aaran Tafo Ryv

Alana wiped some grease from her hands with a rag before tucking it into a jacket pocket as she strode down the corridors. This new station was something else. If it wasn't so isolated and far away, it would work as an excellent base for the Republic Jedi. But, unfortunately, they needed to be closer to their responsibility. Build up that trusting relationship. Let the Core trust them again. Something echoed down a side-corridor and she tilted her head. Rubbing another dab of grease off her face, Alana headed that way.

Youngling and padawan practice. A wry smile flickered across her face as she leaned against the doorway, watching. That hadn't been her favorite thing when she was learning, first from the Je'daii and then from the Jedi proper. But she knew Aaran. For a padawan, he was quite capable with lightsabers. The rest, she didn't know. Not much time was allowed for her to spend time with padawans and younglings. She'd been getting some of the power-couplings up and running, with some jury-rigged rerouting. It was good to get back to working on mechanical things.

Sure, there were droids for that, but it made her feel like she was at home again. Not that Ambria had been the nicest place to live, but it gave her a sense of peace to work with machines. She'd begun to sense a connection with them, like the way she felt a connection to living things through the Force. It was intriguing and something she would need to do some more research in. Mechu deru, she had heard once, and it made sense. But that was for later. Right now, the station needed good old fashioned elbow grease and mechanical know-how. Ever try and reboot a fresher cycle in a space station as old as this?

Aaran was correct. Placidity and fluidity were the basic tenets of lightsaber dueling and basic shii-cho. More advanced shii-cho was a different story. It was surprisingly emotionally charged style, especially compared to Makashi or Soresu. That was something they would learn in due time with the much more advanced katas, and especially once they moved beyond their use. The teaching experience was just as crucial for a padawan to learn, so she stayed by the doorway, wiping away at some more splotches of grease she'd found on her face and further up her arms.

 

[Wyatt Morga]

“Thank you… For your work.”, Wyatt offered as he rested a gentle hand on Alana’s shoulder.​

​

Hoping to not suprise her, he’d immediately apologize if she jumped - even slightly. He offered a low laugh as he took the space on the other side of the doorway, and watched the Padawans lead the Younglings into the katas that defined their fundamentals. Shii-Cho, as strange and unpredictable as it was - was an amazing teaching tool for its reliable training nature, and ease to pick up.​

​

“Planning on joining them, Knight Sunrider?”, Wyatt said as he crossed his owns arms. He too was covered in grease, sleeves rolled up to reveal both arms were a mess - along with a few careful marks along his face.​

​

Even still, despite the dirt and grime of his efforts, he smiled to her with warmth - and looked ever more the Jedi that he was supposed to represent.​

​

Alana Sunrider │ Aaran Tafo │ Ryv​

 

[The Master With No Name]

The Mistress had been wandering the halls in awe for sometime. Chirps, the R4-P droid behind her added her own commentary as the strode around. On the advice of Tiland of Svivren and from an invitation from Wyatt Morga , she had made the effort to try and reconnect with the new Jedi Orders that had sprung across the galaxy since the destruction of her original order - the old Jedi Order of the Galactic Republic. But, having been in the darkness so long and by herself, fighting a Sith Virus, she felt out of place. Once more the virus that made her body a host writhed and became agitated when being in an place so drenched in the Lightside. It was a constant source of pain that she tried to suppress and hide. Not just to ease her pain but, to try and hide the Sith virus' presence from the others - such was her curse, to always have the stench of the darkside on her person.

Passing by another open chamber she wacthed a group of padawans being trained in the arts of the saber. Watching along was Wyatt and another (Alana Sunrider). The Mistress hesitated for a second, she stood there not sure if she should intrude or simply watch. Perhaps all those years by herself also ruined her ability to chit chat. Chirps provided poor conversation, mainly because she was the sassiest droid in the galaxy. But, the droid was the one to signal the Mistress' presence by whistling loudly and scooting ahead to appear beside Wyatt.

"Chirps! Damn the Force!" she cursed beneath her breath.

The Mistress hurriedly strode towards Wyatt and the other Jedi. Awkwardly she announced herself to the two.

"Master Morga," she said, "We meet again."

 

[Alana Sunrider]

Alana stiffened slightly as the Jedi master approached and spoke unexpectedly, but not by much. She stepped away from the doorway to give some more space to watch. "Of course, Master Morga. Might as well put in some elbow grease while I'm here."

She turned back to watch the lightsaber practice after he asked if she was joining. Alana merely shrugged. "Perhaps. I was on my way to check on the new wires that came in. Make sure we can tie them into the station's electric grid. What about you? Going to do some more teaching?"

Something shifted in the Force and she turned as another person approached, dressed in armor and hidden. It was odd. She wasn't one that gave off the feeling of malice or threat, but there was a definite feeling of Darkness there. Unusual. Yet at the same time, there was something familiar about it. Something she remembered from Ambria. Something... very old. That's all she could manage to put into words.

 

[Aaran Tafo]

For the most part, the only real acknowledgement that was given to the new arrivals were a few curt nods of greeting. Along with a slight raising of a brow as Ryv decided to join the practice itself. Pausing for a moment to watch the Kiffar go through the slow, sweeping katas along with the younglings. But it only lasted for a moment before shrugging. Everyone needed remedial lessons sometimes. Who was he to judge? Hell, he took quite a few remedial courses in Shi-Cho himself before he felt comfortable passing on his instructions to the younglings today.

His stride brought him down through the rows of the younglings as they practiced. Occasionally calling out advice to each of them. Correcting their handling of the blade or instructing them where they overextended. When he finally made his way down to Ryv. He watched his fellow Padawan go through the kata with a placid, but unblinking stare.

"Your footwork is good. But you need to get in the habit of holding the blade higher. You let it dip too much." He finally said after a few moments of study. The wooden practice blade moving out to push the the Kiffar's blade upwards. Watching Ryv for a moment to ensure that the instruction stuck before he crossed his arms behind his back.

"Alright everyone. Quiz time." He announced, turning his back on the other Padawan as Aaran began to make his way back to the top of the training hall. "Form one through seven. Most Jedi will have theoretical knowledge of every form. Being able to identify the forms on sight. But most importantly, to know the philosophy as well as the merits behind each form."

Upon reaching the top of the class. He spun on his heel. Pointing the practice blade towards the ground, resting both hands over each other on the hilt. "Who here can tell me about the Second Form. Makashi?" He asked, looking to the younglings, but his gaze did pass by Ryv, hoping the older Padawan would step in if the younger generation were unable to answer.

"Does anyone here know how it came to be? How it evolved from Shi-Cho? The general philosphy behind it as well asstrengths and weaknesses the form has?"

He smiled, a warm encouraging grin as he looked towards the younglings as well as anyone else who may be listening in. Hoping either one of the younglings would gain the confidence to speak. Or that someone more knowledgeable than himself would care to answer his question.

Wyatt Morga Alana Sunrider The Master With No Name

 

[Wyatt Morga]

“Possibly.”, Wyatt offered Alana at her question of training.​

​

Yet, his attention was quickly stolen by the small droid that bounced against his ankle - chirping happily. Wyatt laughed as he kneeled down and spoke to it;​

​

“Hello Chirps.”, he offered the droid with a welcoming expression. His gaze however, quickly turned upwards to the heavily armored Master before him - a friend he saw many years ago; though the memories were yet strong in his mind.​

​

“Hello Kai - I didn’t expect to see you here, but I’m more than happy you came.”, he said with a hearty laugh.​

​

“Kai, this is Alana Sunrider; a Knight of the Jedi Order. Alana this is… Well, Kai. She won’t give me her name, but I assure you she’s friendly - just ignore the smell.”, he offered with a wink.​

​

“So, what brought you here?”, he said as the Jedi glanced back to her.​

​

Alana Sunrider │ The Master With No Name │ Aaran Tafo │ Ryv​

 

[Jend-Ro Quill]

"Does anyone here know how it came to be? How it evolved from Shi-Cho? The general philosphy behind it as well asstrengths and weaknesses the form has?"

He smiled, a warm encouraging grin as he looked towards the younglings as well as anyone else who may be listening in. Hoping either one of the younglings would gain the confidence to speak. Or that someone more knowledgeable than himself would care to answer his question.

Off to the side, when the younglings mumbled, Quill put up his hand. "Makashi is...flicky and stabby."

A youngling giggled.

"It came about," Quill added, "because the Jedi realized that lightsabers are very serious business. You have to swing a sword hard to hurt someone. A lightsaber can hurt or even kill with just a touch. Makashi is about learning to be careful. Good balance, good timing, moving just right, not waving your laser sword around.

"But mostly it's just flicky and stabby."

 

[Auteme]

Auteme had an aversion to violence, but she could certainly appreciate art and grace. That was why she was in the training room that day. The lightsaber, of all weapons of war, was among the most beautiful — a weapon of potential rather than solely violence. One could protect with it, strike with it, and most importantly teach with it. The padawan heading the class clearly knew what he was doing; he was teaching well and keeping the core concepts in mind for the younglings. Physical activity and routine was an excellent way to focus the mind, and their skills with a saber would certainly serve them well in the future.

Still, they were only younglings. When the padawan addressed the class it was clear that none of them were going to answer his question — and Ryv didn’t seem the most experienced with his lightsaber, so he couldn’t be expected to respond either. The masters in the room shouldn’t need to step in, so that left Auteme as the only one who’d studied lightsabers in any capacity.

That was why she considered them so artful… yet still did not carry one of her own.

The teenager raised her hand. The action likely drew eyes — until now she’d been quiet, simply observing and taking a few notes in the paper notebook sitting in her lap. Assuming the teacher selected her, she spoke, keeping a reserved and thoughtful tone. “Form II, Makashi, was the first of many revisions of lightsaber fighting styles. While Shii-Cho is a wild, over-swinging, unrestrained form, Makashi is very reserved and is meant to be a dueling form, for fighting an opponent armed with a lightsaber. Its development fits well with the time it was created. The original Je’daii’s enemies were mostly the dangerous wildlife of Tython, so they developed an equally savage style of fighting to survive, which I assume evolved into Shii-Cho. Makashi came at a time when the wilds of the galaxy had been in many ways tamed, so the only thing left to fight was each other.”

She laughed lightly at Master Quill's comment. "Yes, it's much more refined, and thus in a way more effective -- fighting in a constrained manner might be disadvantageous with a normal weapon, but with a lightsaber it's perfectly viable, and extremely effective." The padawan wondered if Quill fought often, if ever.

That was… kind of rambly, but at least one person here would be used to it. With her insight given, she retreated back into her note-taking.

Aaran Tafo Ryv Jend-Ro Quill

 

[Ryv]

"Oh, am I doing it wrong? Alright boss," Ryv would stop moving for a moment after his stance was fixed to allow his body to absorb the slight change. Once he felt more comfortable he began moving through the kata once again. Shii-Cho was always his least favorite part of practicing as a youngling. His father stressed the importance of the style throughout all of his formal training up until the end. Ryv was eventually permitted to practice other styles, but it had been years since his last formal training session and that didn't help. Fortunately, the more he fell into himself and the memories of his father the easier it became. The kiffar would even begin to emit a soft aura of tranquility around himself as a smile settled on his face. His body began to flow in a way one would expect an experienced padawan of many years to move.

Aaran's questioning eventually shook Ryv out of his revere and he slowly stopped. He maintained his grip on the practice blade as it fell to his side. There was careful consideration of whether or not he should answer the question. A hint of anxiety crept upon him as he considered the options before him. While he could move to answer the question for the younglings, he could potentially overstep and take away from their learning. On the other hand, he could show them what an experienced student looked like to perhaps inspire them to keep working. What was the correct answer? What would best help the class? His throat felt dry as he struggled to find an answer. If it weren't for Auteme and the mostly silent master's interjection, Ryv might've started hyperventilating.

Instead, Ryv turned to offer Auteme a wide grin and thumbs up. He couldn't help but admire how assuredly she stepped up to the plate to answer the question. No second-guessing, no worrying.

"Man, she's so cool," he turned away and lifted the training weapon and fell into another kata as his eyes closed. This one was entirely different. There looked to be a basis in Ataru, but there were foreign movements. Other parts of his body followed through with each sweep of the blade and step he took. Ryv appeared far more confident as he continued, falling into his own little world.

Auteme | Aaran Tafo | Jend-Ro Quill​

 

[Shira Varanin]

The hoverchair felt humiliating, but as an old sergeant used to say, 'sounds like a you problem.' So Shira did her best to ignore the fact that she couldn't walk or do much of anything just now. Instead she tried to focus on watching the saber class. She'd far rather have been participating or teaching, but the healers and cyberneticists who'd brought her back from the brink were having none of it. In theory she should've been counting her blessings that she was alive at all. Today the new cybernetics itched far too much for that.

 

[Aaran Tafo]

Jend-Ro Quill Shira Varanin Ryv The Master With No Name Wyatt Morga Auteme

He simply smiled as a few giggles erupted amongst the class at Quill's initially laconic description of the elegant and refined style of Form II. His amused grin only grew as he watched many of those giggles turn to looks of confusion and disinterest at Auteme's more elaborate explaination. Many a Youngling's eyes began to glaze over at the long-winded breakdown from the younger scholar.

Knowledgable she may be. His exposition did little to capture the attention of the younglings compared to her master. It still was enough that some of the students who managed to pay attention to the lecture actually learned some extra tidbits about Lightsaber theory.

"And that is what the core of Makashi is about." He said, nodding to Quill and Auteme in turn. "As Master Quill said. It was born from the ancient Jedi realising that laser swords are very dangerous weapons. And they developed a style to deal with people who misused those weapons." His eyes drifted to the entrance of the training room. Glancing at Shira, finally out of bed and mobile. If with some assistance. Givin gthe heroic Knight a nod, he turned back to the class.

"Control." He said, flicking his practice sword upwards as he began to showcase some thrusts, swipes and parrying motions of the dueling form. "Control over yourself. Control over your opponent and control over the conflict. A true master of the Second Form will showcase all of those aspects.."

It was then a hollow chime echoed through the room. The Padawan techer looking up at where the bell had come from. "Seems that's all the time we've got for today." He said, clapping his hands together. A quick look at both Auteme and Ryv indicating that he wished for them to stay for a moment to talk. "If any of you are interested in studying the Second Form. I'll be running classes this time next week!" He called after the younglings as they eagerly scrambled out of the room. Eager to go about their day.

Once the last of the students had filed out of the room. Aaran finally turned to the older participants of the class. "Thanks for showing up." He said, nodding at Ryv and Auteme. "Them seeing some of the older Padawans still performing the basics and taking classes like this does wonders for their esteem. Teaches them that they dont need to get it right the first time. That no matter how old you get, you'll always be learning"

Reaching down to root through his bag. Aaran fished out several plastic spheres. Holding three of them between his fingers by the nozzles. He offered them to the three who participated in class. "Sprite?" He offered.

 

[Jend-Ro Quill]

Quill accepted the can gingerly and popped the tab. The beverage was overpoweringly sweet and lacked flavor, but he guzzled it anyway to be polite. A small burp escaped him. "I used to drink AetherSprite when I was your age," he said, pondering long years.

"So - Aaran, right? - is this what it's always like to train younglings? I was never in classes like this - I started my training around Auteme's age, one Padawan to one Master. Younglings are...all new to me. This was nice."

 

[Shira Varanin]

The younglings left the big training room and left it silent, apart from tabs popping on cans of carbonated drinks. Shira had been leaning against the wall; now, with effort, she stood up straight and activated a training lightstaff. She'd lost her own when she boarded Mythos' battlecruiser at Atrisia. Building a new one was one her list, but so was being able to properly handle a weapon again. New cybernetics altered the tension and balance of her neck, jaw, shoulders, and arms. Stances and postures felt different. Once she fully healed she'd be stronger than she'd been before effectively dying in an entechment rack. For now she just felt weak and awkward, and the unfamiliar weapon didn't help. The plain lightstaff had a pair of low-energy, barely-corporeal training blades. She tried something a little more complex than a basic spin and one of those training blades toasted her calf, a weak smack of a blow. It was hard not to feel like she'd stepped back in time by ten years or more.

 

[Ryv]

Ryv moved to take one as Jend-Ro Quill stepped up and claimed another. He paused and glanced at Auteme in his peripheral. He couldn't lie, that sprite can was looking real crisp, but he wasn't about to be the guy who snagged the last one without at least offering. He took it before turning back to Auteme and extended the can out to her.

"I'm not really thirsty, but sprite is pretty fire. You should try it," it might have been rude to assume she hadn't tried it before, but it was a safe enough bet. Auteme seemed a bit sheltered from what he could tell which meant she likely hadn't been as far out in the outer rim as Batuu. Most Jedi seemed uncomfortable when it came to planets outside of the core worlds. "So, Aaran," he turned his head to look back at his fellow padawan after Master Quill spoke. "There is seriously no reason to thank me. It was a sick class that helped me get back into the swing of things. Thank you."

The kiffar reached out to pat the larger boy on the back.

"What brings you to Peace, my guy?"

Aaran Tafo​

 

[Alana Sunrider]

Wyatt Morga The Master With No Name

Alana shrugged, "Get involved. Show them how it's done. Get a real Jedi master involved." She bit back a laugh at the thought. "Never been real good with Younglings. Or teaching for that matter. But this is certainly an interesting enough way to teach. I was never taught this way. Planning on it doing it more regularly here at Peace?"

She'd never been in a classroom before, at all. She learned to read and write from her adoptive parents. Even her Jedi skills were taught by her Master, Jedi Master Luha Lokar. Ran into her on her travels, and got taken in under her wing. Taught her all her knowledge. Knighted her with her dying breath with shrapnel in her heart. She'd been off on her own since then until finding her way towards Peace and the rest of the Jedi Order.

It had all been one on one in different starports and ships. Little villages. Hostel rooms. Wasn't sure how well it would have worked in a classroom setting. She had been... difficult to teach. Probably wouldn't have been accepted by any of the Jedi orders.

 

[Wyatt Morga]

“In time, yes. Many of the Jedi have had children -”, he said with a motion to the younglings.​

​

“- and without homes, I only see it fit to offer them lessons on Peace. Education is the cornerstone of the Jedi, afterall.”, he offered with a reassuring smile.​

​

Though there was a dark connotation he didn’t care to mention - at least not in present company. Most had come to Peace as refugees, understanding that in the Sith Empire, the Force Sensitives would be taken, indoctrinated, and churned into killers by the Sith War Machine. Here they had a chance to become something different - even if that choice would eventually be anything but Jedi.​

​

Was it truly a choice, if they didn’t have another option?​

​

Wyatt sighed at the thought, but kept his composure. A dark thought for a different time, he imagined.​

​

Alana Sunrider │ The Master With No Name​

 

[Auteme]

Yeah, maybe her nerd stuff was a bit too much for the younglings. Still, she felt a small flush of pride with the other padawan's acknowledgement. She was pretty smart, wasn't she? Makashi was a simple enough topic, though... perhaps she should be testing her knowledge on Vapaad or other custom styles.

Auteme stayed silent as the class wrapped up, scratching down a few final notes from what the teacher said. After that she closed up her notes and began to pack up to leave, but her little end of the room soon became the spot of a congregation of the older people in the room. Well, sort of older. There was still the recovering cyborg and Master Morga's group. Ryv and Master Quill she knew, but she still hadn't caught the other padawan's name.

"It's okay," she said, raising a hand to refuse the kiffar's offer. She wasn't that thirsty.

The teenager turned to the armored padawan, nodding enthusiastically. "It's an important lesson to learn! I mean, I don't think I'll ever stop learning things for as long as I live." She paused, then looked at Ryv and gave a playful grin. "Then again, maybe they just learned that some of us aren't great at lightsaber things and need a little refresher."

It seemed the others were asking questions, so for now Auteme didn't add more pressure to the teacher, and simply continued to pack up her things.

Ryv Jend-Ro Quill Aaran Tafo

 

[Aaran Tafo]

Jend-Ro Quill Ryv Auteme

Aaran let out a soft chuckle at the aged Jedi master reminiscing on the beverages Jend-Ro used to drink when he was Aaran's age. Somehow, he could not quite picture it. The sheer image of an old sage had been burned so deeply into the Padawan's mind. That the idea of Master Quill having ever been yougn simply did not compute. As if the Jedi Master simply sprang out of the aether, already grey and wizened. At the questioning of how it was to train younglings. His grin grew a little bit softer. "They are loud, talk over each other, impossible to hold still and never stop asking questions." He shook his head ruefully, looking towards Quill. "It's refreshing. They're pretty amazing in how quick they pick things up. They're so eager to help each other as well. Pretty inspiring."

His grin faded as Ryv patted him on the back. The unexpected physical contact casuing him to flinch ever so slightly. Draw into himself and taking a slight movement away from the Kiffar. Shaking his head, trying to dispel the instinctive reaction of discomfort to the unasked for contact. He turned his full attention to Ryv, trying to distract himself by answering the question. "It felt right." He said, his answer simple and direct. Shrugging his shoulder.

"Dont get me wrong. The Silver Jedi do good work. A lot of people are able to sleep peacefully unmolested because they're out there fighting." He frowned slightly. "But that's just it. I feel like they're focusing a bit too much on fighting bad things instead of trying to protect good things." His brow wrinkled. "Or something like that. I dunno really. Either way, More Jedi we have working with each other, the better. So why not help out?"

His gaze drifted to the three Jedi gathered around him. "What about y'all. Why'd you come?"