Private Rough Beginnings

[Aileni Ifor Xeraic]

Location: Shirayan Temple - Naboo
Outfit: Rough, tattered brown cloak, simple robes
Equipment: Dathomiri Energy Bow, practice saber
Tag: Seris Travin-Avaron

Aileni ducked, weaved around punches and parried a couple more. His guard was high and Aileni was adjusting for his growing height as well as understanding his strength and speed. Everything seemed to be getting stronger. His skills seemed to be getting sharper. But it wasn't just training, it wasn't things clicking into place like with his Jedi training, it was his body developing in ways that he hadn't expected. His limbs were longer, muscles were denser and he could feel the power. It was the reason that he was training with droids over people right now. The droid could also provide feedback on the improvements that he was making in a more clear and well defined manner.

His punches flew fast as Aileni spotted the opening in the movement of the droid. His strike hit hard enough that the droid stumbled backwards a little. Aileni then pressed the attack harder. Voice devolved to growls and grunts, his eyes turning dark and feral as he continued to launch into his attacks. Punching with everything he had as he heard the howls of a beast within him. Pleased with how much Aileni was embracing in the moment. The droid was doing the best it could to avoid the attacks, to avoid the dangerous blows but the armour coating was denting and crumbling to his fists.

"Pause, the training session has been completed." The droid stated.

Aileni launched a punch, then seeing that the droid was not responding to the fight any more, he growled and howled in frustration. "Why did you stop?! I need to fight more!" Aileni punched another time into the droid, punching the plating even further. His blood boiling at this point.

"You have a meeting with a potential new Master in a few minutes, you need to leave and attend that meeting." The droid replied.

The young Padawan panted hard, staring, glaring at the droid. He huffed in frustration before heading to his water bottle. "Report the difference to last time."

"Your skills have increased drastically. Your raw strength is bending durasteel. Speed has increased and your ability to dodge is sharper." The droid reported, "however, aggression has significantly increased. Something to be cautious of Padawan Aileni, you tread a fine line with the Dark Side."

Aileni bit his tongue on that. He knew what the droid was saying was true but that didn't mean it wasn't a bitter pill to swallow. Drinking the water heavily, he used his cloak to wipe the sweat from his body. "I best get going." Aileni grabbed his belongings and left the dojo. The Padawan put his cloak on and walked through the hallways, his mind lingering on the report. His body was definitely getting stronger, better. But he was getting angrier, he was pushing towards the darkness that laid inside him. Even knowing this, Aileni wasn't sure how to stop walking that path.

Arriving at the meeting point, Aileni looked around, not even sure who he would be looking for.

 

[Seris Travin-Avaron]

A soft, measured voice broke the silence before Aileni ever saw her.

"Padawan Aileni."

Seris stepped from the alcove beside the training hall doors, posture composed, hands loosely folded at her waist. She had not been standing there long—she never intruded on private struggle—but she had arrived early enough to sense the turbulence still rolling off him in heated waves. Even from a few paces away, his anger crackled faintly in the air, sharp at the edges, unfocused at the center.

Her green eyes swept over him, not judging, simply seeing.

"You came directly from training." It was not a question. His shoulders were tight, his breath shallow, and his force aura unsettled. "Your body is still in the fight."

She gave him a moment to breathe, to realize she was giving him space, not crowding him.

When she did approach, it was with the same calm she brought into collapsing tunnels and panicked crowds. A presence meant to steady rather than confront. "I am Seris Avaron," she said gently. "You requested a meeting with a potential Master. I am here to determine if our paths align."

Her gaze lowered briefly to his still-clenched fists before lifting back to his eyes. "You are stronger than you were even a week ago. Faster. More precise." A quiet beat. "And more troubled."

No accusation. Only truth offered like an outstretched hand.

She moved to stand beside him rather than in front of him, positioning herself as an ally rather than an obstacle. "The droids can measure your physical limits," Seris continued softly, "but they cannot teach you how to carry what is growing inside you. That requires guidance. Control. Understanding."

Her breathing stayed steady—an anchor for him, a reminder that not all storms needed to be met with force.

"Walk with me, Aileni." Her tone remained level—inviting, not commanding. "Tell me what you felt in that last exchange…not what you did, but what you felt." Her voice was a gentle scaffold, something sturdy for him to lean against while the heat inside him found its shape.

Aileni Ifor Xeraic