Self-Improving Methods

[Mother Askani]

A smile cut across her red soaked face. She loved assisting the instructors with their classes of younglings. This was a path she was considering pursuing after she was knighted; if she was knighted. Hopefully her hard work would be noticed by her Master and The council. Her smile was caused by one of the younglings; A Rodian, who had bid her farewell, when the lesson was complete.

After thanking the master for letting her sit in on the class and observe, helping with whatever was needed, she made her way to the Archives. Of course she was going to find something to study, but there was something particularly she was looking to read up on. The Art of Movement, was one technique she had taken a particular interest to since her last visit.

Walking through the massive temple, with her brown robes, covering a black shirt, which was complimented by a long, light brown, skirt, she nodded her head at multiple Jedi and personnel of the sacred temple. Stopped by one of her fellows, who had wondered how her training went, she responded with a bright smile, "My training goes well. I appreciate the concern." She said all before both of them slightly bowing and parting ways,

While she walked she read over her datapad. Using her index finger to maneuver through her personal texts. She read over her training that she wanted completed over the course of the next two days. Hmm it would seem she had four objectives that she felt she need to hone: Participating in The Art of Movement, practicing her telekinetic abilities, performing sequences with the newest form she had learned, and to end out the training sessions with some peaceful meditation.

She was rather excited about the emphasis she was placing on her reflexes and agility. She hadn't felt that they were areas where she was lacking, but she knew she didn't lay enough attention to them. Making her ways to one of the Computers that were in abundance in the archives she was greeted before she sat down by one of the participating librarians. Their salutations was proof of how much time she spent there, the librarian already knew what Sochi was preparing for.

She plug up her datapad, and began to search this new technique she had been wanting to learn much about. After some time of searching, and looking for specifics, she found the information she desired. It was essentially what it sounded like: a higher form of movement developed for use by the Jedi Order to help train their younglings. It was a reflex and agility exercise; students were ordered to traverse a difficult obstacle course within the Temple, while avoiding beams of light cast from the ceilings, walls, and floors.

She had seen multiple padawans, and initiates traverse the obstacle course before, but with Ru not knowing much about what they were doing, she was reluctant to participate. She upload the information and detached her datapad. She bided farewell to her librarian associate, and made her way to the obstacle course that was a particular section of the temple.

After moments and moments of travel she had finally arrived at the obstacle course. Like most of the Temple, the marble floors were smooth, while pillars supported the high ceilings. The chamber's obstacles were set at different intervals, while lights strategically hidden within the walls, ceiling, and floor shot beams of light in a random pattern. Students would need to avoid the light as well as the obstacles, in order to grow proficient in the Art of Movement.

She conversed with the overseer of the course about the specific interval she would have to use. After such discussion, and preparations were made, she stood at the entrance. Looking down the semi lite course. She stood ready, taking slowly deep breaths. She awaited the "Go" of the overseeing Jedi. She didn't become over confident, and underestimate the proponents of the course. Before she knew it was she was giving the order to proceed. And she took her first steps into the course, with the doors closing behind her.

There was a loud hum, that was the signal of the course, itself starting. She quickly moved forwards, because where she was standing originally had become target of beams of light. She was prepared for that, but now she had to center herself, and heighten her senses. This training method had encouraged the use of the force to make it through. Down the initial hallway would be filled with lights, and walls that moved in and out of the walls that surrounded her. With her senses heightened, and her montrals ultrasonic ally picking up the space around her, she ducked and dodged the multiple obstacles that came her way.

The lights were more difficult, than the actually physical walls, and pillars. Suddenly beams filled the room, shooting horizontally from wall to wall. She crouched down, as quick as she could barely dodging them. She rolled forward, as she could stand straight up. After clearly that sections. She was greeted by pillars that covered this sections of the hallways. They were connected to the opposites walls in all types of angles: horizontal, vertical, diagonal. The hardest part would be that she needed to act quickly because there was timed beams of light that filled the room as well.

She used the force to enhance her speed, and she dashed for the pillars, flipping, spinning, dodging, and sliding till she came to a sudden halt. The beams had cut back on, and she had just barely been caught in its rays. When they cut back off she sped up once again, performing the same motions continuously to the point of minor fatigue, now she would have to stop once more so she would get caught in the beams. They were just a couple of inches away from her body. When they cut back off, acouple of steps would clear this obstacle.

The next, and final stage of this specific interval would be to leap a great distance to the exit. This wasn't going to be done by normal means. She would need to perform this aided by the force. Already facing fatigue she closed her eyes, and performed a force leap. She glided to the other side, but didn't make it all the way and missed the ledge, but caught on to the edge of it with her hands. She was breathing heavily at this point. After a couple of minutes, she used the force to jump back up, landing on her feet.

Placing her hands on her knees, in a haunched over position, she looked down into what was the pit she had to jump over. It seemed like a long way down, and she shook her head, and stood back up. She sighed and exited the course. As she walked out she looked over at the overseeing Jedi, as they made eye contact she let out a large sigh of relief that she made it through. It was definetly worth the training, but she was tired.

(Ill just mention you so you can keep track) @[member="Marek S'hadar"]

 

[Mother Askani]

She had been extremely grateful that her master had seen her fitted for promotion to Jedi Knight. She had indeed worked extremely hard to get to this point. She however remained humbled, and continued her studies into the path of the Consular. Today was just like any other day for Sochi, she was going to spend it training. Further honing her skills, trying to prepare for her eventual departure from the temple for some time. There had been something she wanted to research and look into before she left.

This day would see her start within the Great Jedi Library; the archives. Today she was reading about the Renown Jedi of old. Specifically in the sections covering the time of the Mandalorian wars all the way to the First Jedi Purge. She had been doing research on something she had came across the other day while she was reading. Something about Force Forms. She hadn't ever heard of it till she came across it briefly while she read about the great Jedi Master Vrook Lamar.

Once she had done some digging she had finally made a breakthrough on the Cyber Expedition she was partaking in. Force forms were meditative battle stances that served as alternatives to the various forms of lightsaber combat. All Jedi were taught to connect with the Force, and most lightsaber styles relied on this connection to at least some degree. Hmm it would seem they weren't actually a myth. It hadn't seemed like they were still in practice though, possibly due to the changing of times.

She continued reading, her left elbow placed on the table and her forearm up and her hand touching the bottom of her chin. Her read soaked skinned slightly flew as the light from the console shone on her. She was greeted by a fellow Jedi she knew from her visits to the Archives. The associate had slightly touched her shoulder and nodded his head with a calm, and serene greeting, to which she returned with a similar gesture. When she looked back at the screen her right hand was then used to scroll down so that she could read more information.

The Force forms enhanced a Jedi's power to feel and control the Force, allowing one to reach beyond what most could in the midst of combat, at the expense of physical ability. They were popular among Jedi Consulars and others who relied more on the Force than on lightsabers, even in battle. This would prove very valuable, not only in battle, but if she were to ever be incapacitated and wake to find her lightsaber had been taken. To have this knowledge would be great because then one wouldn't be able to rely only on their lightsaber.

Sochi quickly uploaded the information she needed. She would be practicing, and would have the first form down before she departed. Though it was her goal to have knowledge of the first two. After acouple of minutes she was notified by the console that her download was now complete. She took her datapad and set out for an area to practice her new forms.

She was eager, and today she would be studying :

Force Channel—embodying the standard meditation techniques learned by all Jedi, it provided a modest boost to one's connection while carrying no real vulnerabilities.

Force Potency—Potency was offensive in its very nature, enhancing a Jedi's ability to strike others with the Force. One could attack foes more powerfully, but doing so quickly left the Jedi feeling drained. It was most compatible with adherers to the dark side of the Force, as Force "attacks" were usually manifestations of hatred or other dark emotions. Even so, a Jedi could use this form to decisively resolve a conflict if speed was the priority.

She figured she would need a training area so she headed down to the Combat Center, only some minutes away from the Archives she walked into the massive complex that was apart of the temple. Of course there were others there, Master with their padawans, Knights who had just wanted to practice, and oh even a small group of younglings who were accompanied, and under the care of their Jedi instructor. Something she hoped she would be able to do one of these days.

Once she was able to occupy herself a room she immediately gotten to practice. She was overly determined to get this down before she left the room on this day. She made it a personal goal to know the basics of both. She was a devoted practitioner of the meditation techniques so she didn't have a difficult time with centering herself and embodying the force itself. The way she saw it was that it was similar to the way she had learned Ataru. She would need to concentrate and allow the force to flow through her.

She stood in the middle of the room, standing up with her eyes closed. She Megan to meditate only slightly, still maintaining a keen awareness of her surroundings. She felt her body getting lighter, and the tingling feeling in the soles of her feet, and hands. She felt fresh. She was literally channeling the force through her body. If she broke her concentration she would lose the ground she had just gained. With worry she did just that, her concentration was broke when she began to over think the situation.

She took a deep breath and set herself back up. Closing her eyes slowly, opening her senses, and overall opening herself to the force. The same things that she felt before were coming back, and with time they grew just a tad bit stronger, firm. She figured there wouldn't be a need to redo all of this and going right back into the stance to then apply the Force Potency.

Luckily when she requested this room, she had requested a training dummy be placed within as well. After she had archived Force Channel, she began her practice of Force Potency. She stood in front of the dummy, some feet away. She allow her body to channel the force again. She felt her mid chlorians becoming charged; or atleast that's what it felt like. She quickly threw her hands out, simultaneously. She launched a powerful surge of energy that didn't feel like much was drained from her till some time after she had performed it. This Form definitely left her drained, and feeling only a slight was of fatigued.

Nevertheless she kept standing straight up and kept launching powerful telekinetic blows at the dummy. With every move she became tired. It was clear that this form in particular was good for attacking people quickly; only if speed was the priority. It would seem that this practice wasn't hard for her, but it was indeed made for someone like her. Since she is a Consular then its easier for her to grasp the concept, and learn quicker than the others. She was definitely tired though, especially from practicing Force Potency. She performed a telekinetic feat that consisted of her lifting the dummy slightly off the ground and then dropping it back down by releasing it of its force grip.

Though her feats had increased rather quickly and drastically she wouldn't be able to keep it up forever. This form was probably the most taxing of all the forms. Nevertheless she kept pushing herself while he felt her physically energy fading slowly. There wouldn't be a way for her to constantly use this form in combat as it would drain her physical energy too quickly.

She started to disable the form and revert back to channeling it. She fell to one of her knees, and began breathing heavily, it felt as if she had been running for miles and miles nonstop. She was confident that she had the basics down. She disabled the channel, and slowly stood up. That was enough training in this area for today.

 

[Mother Askani]

Yet again she found herself with the urge to train her skills. She had recently be introduced to new abilities and they weren't yet honed enough for her. Especially not at a level where she felt ready to attend her trip. She would be out on her own, and she needed to have control over her abilities, and over her emotions. She would be traveling quite some distances, and an encounter with the dark side was inevitable. While acouple of days ago she had been studying a couple of the force forms, today her training regime would consist of Telekinesis training.

She had spent a lot of time in her early career training in lightsaber combat. Though her passion wasn't for physical combat; that was against her personality. It was just that nowadays combat was inevitable, and she needed to be more than prepared for whatever was going to be throw at her. It was precautions she was taking. She found herself in one of the many meditation garden's groves. She felt that reserving a meditation chamber for such practice was silly; they weren't made nor used for such practices.

In the center of the grove she was in meditation. She was concentrating on strengthening her connection to the force. Centering herself, enhancing her focus. There were multiple large boulders stationed around her. She would be using these as training tool. Today would be the training of the mind. She began to suddenly manipulate her lightsaber hilt, and have it start to orbit her as if it was her personal moon. She would continue this for some time while she continued purging the negative from her body, and mind.

After what seemed like hours, she broke her concentration and slowly stood up, catching her hilt in the process. After holstering it, she ran her hands over her robes to possibly dust them off, or even get some of the wrinkles. She then began to scan her area, to figure out where she was willing to start. She then walked over towards one of three boulders that had naturally become apart of the grove. She placed her hand on it, the surface cool to the touch. She then began to take off her boots and set them aside, all before walking back over to the massive boulder.

She felt the connection with the land would prove rather useful, and calming as the cool grass made contact with the soles of her feet. She began to close her eyes to make use of the Force Channel form she had recently learned. With this form active her connection to the force was strengthened, and would have no ill effect on her body while it was still in duration. She would be training this along with her telekinetics. She could feel the tingling feeling running through her body. She obtained a sharper focus.

She took a step back, and rose both of her hands simultaneously, exerting force energy to lift the boulder. Though the weight hadn't been similar to anything she raised before she nevertheless kept her focus. The rock shaking on a foot away from the ground. Her eyes squinted, and it slowly rose acouple of more feet. The boost to her connection was definitely helping her more than she thought. The boulder rose acouple of more feet. She slowly took one hand out of the equation, and it almost dropped to the ground. She of course caught it before it fell completely out of orbit, and rose it back up, but wasn't able to have it reach the height it was originally.

She used her other hands to attempt lifting another one of the boulders on the other side of her. This one took more time to get just a foot off the ground than with the first one she did. Eventually it rose and her first occupied hand began to shake only slightly. She closed her eyes, and tilted her head down. She took a deep breath, and opened them again only to feel as refreshed as before with her having enough energy to sustain Channel and continue to lift these boulders. The second began to slowly rise off the ground, and her opposite hand stopped shaking. She now held both of these large rocks evenly in the air.

She held them both in the air, her arms stretched out in opposite directions. Her eyes closed. She cleared her mind, and she began to have the boulder float around, mimicking her lightsaber hilt. Her arms had became free, but her mind was still occupied. She then began to manipulate her lightsaber hilt as well. It slowly floated from her belt and up, following the orbit of the large boulders above her. The muscles in face began to move, because she was biting down. She tried her best to stay loose, and not strain herself, because then she would lose focus.

Another boulder slightly off at a distance as also called into the group. This one slightly larger than the other two. It dragged along the ground before truly floating above the ground. It slowly rose off the ground, and followed suit of the others. She then began to sit down in the middle in a meditation position. Her legs crossed, and her arms on her legs. She maintained the Channel ability the entire time, it had become second nature to her at this point. She didn't know at the beginning that she would be able to conserve it for this long.

After hours had passed the large boulders had fell from the sky slowly, shaking the ground around her. Her lightsaber hilt fell in front of her, and she slowly got up and holstered it. She had done enough training for today. It had actually taken her longer than she would have anticipated. She was a step closer to mastery over her abilities. To have control.

 

[Mother Askani]

She found herself preparing to begin the fifth Cadence of the training regime. Today she taking part in an now ancient training exercise developed by Jedi Master Faalo's Cadence. In each of Vo'ren Faalo's cadences, the primary practice is to stand in a circle of candles with the ball bearings and attempt to strike the ball bearings without hitting the candles. As the duelist proceeds through each of the cadences, the number of candles would be incrementally increased until the fifth, where the duelist will have achieved such a state of mastery that the candles are unnecessary, as the duelist will simply know when he has performed the sequence correctly.

There were 5 different levels or Cadences:


First Cadence

The first cadence uses nineteen candles spaced at ten degree intervals in a semi-circle in front of the duelist. The duelist would then strike each ball bearing, attempting to avoid striking the candles below, developing the ability to do so and honing the duelists sensory awareness and body control. This exercise required 190 ball bearings, and It takes approximately one hour to complete.

Second Cadence

The second cadence uses seventy-two candles set a five degree intervals in a full circle around the duelist. Like the first cadence, the goal was to strike each ball bearing without contacting the candles. However, the duelist had to do so without turning to face each candle, further honing the duelist's body control and spacial awareness. 2701 ball bearings were required for the exercise repeats, and the cadence would take approximately two hours to complete.


Third Cadence

The third cadence uses 180 candles set up at two degree intervals in a full circle. The goal of this exercise was to strike every fifth ball bearing without turning, preparing the duelist for irregular attack patterns from all sides, and honing his control of his body and sensory awareness. 16290 ball bearings were required, and the full cadence would take approximately three hours to complete.

Fourth Cadence

The fourth cadence called for 360 candles at one degree intervals. In a departure from the previous regiments, this exercise called for no ball bearings, as the candles were the targets. The objective was to strike each of the candles, but do so in a sequence determined by a complex mathematical formula. Rather than develop a duelist's physical skills, this cadence developed composure and taught quick thinking amid the chaos of battle. This exercise took approximately three hours to complete.

Fifth Cadence

This cadence was not a teaching exercise, the goal was to test one's self. Relying on the Force, the duelist would telekinetically manipulate the lightsaber, performing complex sequences with the blade as a test of the physical, mental and sensory control and precision. This final exercise took approximately three hours to complete.
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Sochi had been practicing for over 12 hours straight non stop. The cadences prior to four hadn't seemed like the most difficult. They were easily done, but it was when she got to fourth did the fatigue of her body, and the sweat that covered her face become visible to her. Before she was made Knight she was always thinking ahead in battle, developed from her many duels with Temple occupants. Also from being out in the field. She was about to begin the Fifth Cadence, her body had become hot from the constant moving about. Her hand became moist from the tightened grip around her lightsaber hilt. Her breathing reflected the working out she had experienced today.

She knew the objective of this level. It was unlike the others. This was going to be a test of her will. Her mental, physical, and sensory control was about to be out to the test. She closed her eyes for a second, making use of the Force Form: Force Channel. She strengthen her connection so her senses became more acute. She could sense the ball bearings that surrounded her. She decided she would keep her eyes closed.

She held up her hilt, and it began to float around her telekinetically. After it orbited her twice she ignited it and began to form a very complex of sequences with her blade. In the beginning stages her precision was a little off, possibly due to her starting to over think and cloud her senses. All she needed to do was submit herself to the force entirely. Her hands moved in patterns, and angles while she utilized Telekinesis.

Upon senses the fall of the last candle stand she opened her eyes. Her hilt fell to the ground in front of her. She did a complete 360 looking over her work. Some candle sticks were oddly cut, at weird angles. There was a few ball bearing on the ground, hmm it would seem she hadn't gotten them all. The majority were gone, and she was proud of the results from the first time she participated in this specific training regime, she however, wasn't done just yet.

Her next exercise would see that she fought against a training droid. They would be performing sequences. They were precisely choreographed series of attacks and parries. They were commonly used in practice to develop fast reflexes, though they were equally useful in live combat, where the fluid succession of attacks were far more useful than individualized moves. She was definitely a practitioner of making her moves fluid and flowing right into one another. This would help her make this second nature.

When the droid came in they immediately began. It was utilizing Form I of course, but on a higher level. She would be utilizing Shien. A defensive form that called for counterattacks, and defense right after. It seemed ideal for a situation such as this. The droid attacked her with its same series of attacks, increasing speed to great levels everytime. She held her blade in a reverse grip originally as she began on the defensive. She blocked the attacks as best as she could, to succession of course, but it did prove a challenge. However when it was her turn she immediately began her counter attacks. Sweat running down her face, as she striked and striked. Her attacks were met with blocks, though some of her attacks did land in success due to the weaknesses of Shii-Cho and the level she had the droid on.

They went back and forth for hours, and she was becoming more comfortable with utilizing Shien. She now knew how to apply it in combat now. She felt the ease of maneuvering herself around the battlefield coming to her quicker now. While she ended the session. She still felt as though she could use more practice. She was taking a liking to this form. It was defensive but didn't take away from her striking back as well.

 

[Mother Askani]

Tracing My Roots: Pilgrimage to Shili

After finally receiving conformation on traveling back to her homeworkd of Shili, Sochi readily packed her stuff and boarded her personal ship, granted by the Jedi Council for her service in the Liberation of Ossus. She had only spent minimal time on her homeworkd before she was taken away to grow up within the order. She wasn't mad about that, as she knew she would eventually be able to travel back. Though she would never admit this to anyone, she longed for going back home; to being with her people.

Sochi felt she had so much to learn about herself, her culture, so many things she missed out on. Actually being there would never compare to what she read about. She had someone ices of her culture with her before leaving p, but she knew she needed to go back. Now she was eligible o participate in the Ancient traditional Togrutan Rites of Passage. She would eventually return and become apart of her people once more.

She boarded her Defender Class Corvette, and posted up in the main conference room. Preparing everything for take off. She had pulled up an holo image of Shili, and stood in place staring at it for some time. Reading its description over and over. She acted as if she had never heard of or seen this planet before. She was just excited that's all. She turned to talk to her astromech droid, and C2-N2 factotum droid telling them to prepare for travel.

In Hyperspace:
Sochi was within her living accommodations changing into something that was more primitive in its nature. It was quite revealing, something very unfamiliar to her, seeing as she was one of the most conservative Jedi within the order. She also opted for no longer wearing shoes this entire pilgrimage. She had done this multiple times before but she felt this was the most important of all the events that saw her shoeless.

She was now standing on the bridge, hands behind her back, in meditation. Her C2-N2 factotum droid had notified her of their arrival into Shili space. She slowly opened her eyes, and fixed her posture. She bowed and thanked the droid for its service and she walked slowly to the Central Access Chamber. She felt she was more than prepared to be here, while she holstered her lightsaber hilt. When they arrived in the atmosphere she began to feel subtle jolts in the force. It has been said that the Togruta as a whole possessed a special affinity for the Force, It was believed that this affinity was produced from their heightened spatial awareness imparted by their montrals and their role as hunters. Their sense of spiritual connection with the land also heightened their connection with the environment, thus leading to a greater ability to feel the Force.

The ship landed as close to the small community as they could. It would seem this particular community was strategically placed so that not only were they hidden from sight, but were in approachable by ships. She wouldn't have wanted to land their anyway. It didn't seem right for her to do that. After bidding her small crew farewell, she stepped off the ramp slowly. She emerged into a massive valley canopy forest, with turu scrublands off into the distance. She immediately felt at home; in reality she was in a sense.

She began following the coordinates to the Togrutan community she hailed from. Walking past an abundance of trees, and scrubs she saw multiple small critters running amongst the valley floor. She started to feel the connection of the land increasing with every step. She felt light, fresh, comfortable. And she was only acouple of meters away from the stone homes that made up this hidden village. When she came close enough, that all she needed to do was take three more steps and she would be at its entrance, she saw Togrutas slowly gathering around to lay their eyes on a newcomer.

Sochi stopped in her tracks after two more steps, she had gotten what the humans call butterflies. She took a deep breath, when she saw that a young one had seperated herself from the crowd and slowly made her way to the center, meeting up with Sochi. The small child reached out her hand to touch the Jedi Knight, and Sochi came down to one knee, and reached out and touched the girls hands as well. Their hands interlocked and they smiled at one another. The others gathered around, as whispers and small conversations filled the center of the village. Sochi looked up and around herself quickly, then a Togrutan male who seemed to be the chief, their leader had forged a path towards Sochi by just his presence. He was an Elder and he carried his walking stick as he slowly yet surely made his way towards her. Sochi stood up and looked at the Elder. They locked eyes for a moment and he saw something in her that made him react in a state of joy it seemed. Because he hugged her.

The elder called out, "Nisi!" And the others who were old enough to understand became filled with emotions as well. It would seem Sochi was recognized. After spending quite some time within the home of the Cheiftan she was given further information on her background. Sochi had indeed been called Nisi as an child, she was told that she was missed since her departure from the clan. The unity was strong here. She had found out about the upcoming Rites of Passage that she wished to participate in so that she could once more prove her strength to her clan and become one with them again. She was told she would under go them in five days.
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Togrutan Village:
Since recieving the news of her upcoming trials Sochi had been stationed in the village. She had been practicing with the warriors, learning the ways of working in groups much better than she has before. This would help her get around her independence when she needed to. She lived a much more primitive life compared to her usual Jedi one during this time. Her brother and sisters would run through the valleys at high speeds, ban together to fight bands of beast. Everything on this planet seemed to work together in groups. That was something she observed.

They hunted and killed Thimiars together. Sochi had proved herself able to contribute her own shares for the sake of the group. She was a natural warriors, and it all came from this place; this culture. Sochi had learned the importance of Nature; Natures way. That those who could not keep up should be left to fend for themselves, because that is nature's way. This gravely conflicted with her Jedi beliefs but she learned it in order to get closer to her clan mates. Little did she know that she had become more flexible, or agaikity had improved over the course of two days of hunting, and training with her clan mates.

Everyday she spent in the Village, she learned something about herself. This was a different type of knowledge she had never experienced before. It was more compelling to her, now that it truly enveloped her.

 

[Mother Askani]

Two more days had passed, Sochi had went through her childhood all over again. At least a small portion of it. Stories filled most of her time in the village, elders would attract the attentions of up their people and share stories of past warriors. She heard of the great warriors of old, who were some of the best hunters around. Able to track and kill an Akul beast in a shorter time than any able warrior around now. There were also stories of those who had potential to be good, but due to their individualistic nature, it caused more harm. That was something Ru had in common, though she knew when to be independent and when to work within groups.

She had even met, and obtained a friend in a young Togrutan male by the name of Ty. He was a upcoming hunter, who would be tending the rites along with Sochi. He knew more about the surrounding land than she did and she was assigned to him. He would be teaching her on a personal level today. Showing her the canopy, teaching her how to steal up behind prey. Showing her how to become a better hunter. Their first lesson would see them atop the giant trees that filled the surround valley around them.

They were a long way from the ground below, but with the branches and big flowers that filled the empty space on the way down it didn't seem as scary. It had just rained here, and the surrounding land had been damp. Before she knew it Ty had jumped off the ledge and she quickly reacted in shock. When she finally found her way to the edge of the branch she saw that the young male used the land around him (the giant flowers, and branches) to break his fall, and eventually had a generous landing on the canopy floor. Then he looked up and motioned for her to come, himself looking the size of an ant.

Sochi took a deep breath and ran off the ledge, falling in the mid air. Her stomach dropped extremely fast, and she would have to admit she sort of regretted what she just did. Trusting herself in the force, she did exactly what Ty did. She gripped the branch, and fell down on to a massive flower petal of sorts, and bounced towards another, before gripping another branch and jumping from a tree trunk towards another and landing in an haunched position near Ty. He nodded in approval, and motioned for her to follow.

Walking through the canopy which seemed to take on the characteristics of a rainforest when wet, the traveled on foot. They stopped at a large petal that had a small puddle of clear water on top of it. They both drank from it, and after she had her share she wiped her mouth of a droplet that missed its destination. Sochi hadn't ever felt this in touch with the land. This was the point of this lesson. For her to strengthen her connection with the surrounding land; to commune with it.

While they walked, the native turu-grass tickled the soles of her feet. She felt vibrations from the land, signaling the movement of smaller creatures running across the canopy floor. This would've been something she would have never gotten back at the temple. This was a different type of learning experience that only she would understand. Not to say that if an Jedi didn't attend a pilgrimage here they would experience what she had, but this was on more of a personal level for her.

When they made their way back to the village they had only arrived and greeted the other to tell them of their short journey, before the village was attacked by a group of Akul. The massive beast came with such ferocity and strength. The paths they left were such of wreckage. She watched on as the others began to band together in circles surrounding the beast. She joined one of them. Thought it seemed dangerous in theory, it actually worked. Their exotic pigmentations caused confusion in the dim witted, orange furred beast. It caused them to also develop a Rae out of their confusion. The one within her circles attacked one of the hunters. Running straight at him, though he managed to maneuver himself out of further harm, they would have to chase the beast down as it got further into the village. Sochi aided by the force sped up her movements and jumped in front of the beast, sending a surge of force energy strong enough to push it back while another circle was formed. The gathering clan members had spears, and ropes in their possessions. This would see to it that the beast was apprehended and slowly killed.

After their attack was over, and the village defended, they all gathered to help rebuild whatever was broken, and to celebrate with the furs and pelts of their recent kills. This was something the entire village took part in, and Sochi's personal participation was praised as she stopped the beast from going further and further into the village and wrecking more havoc, when the Cheiftan approached her, he deemed her more than ready to participate in the rites of passage.

The Next Day:

It was the morning of her formal day. Today was when she would participate in the traditional Togrutan Rites of Passage. This specific ceremony took place early in the day. She gathered in the center of the familiar community with the other warriors that were participating as well. They were given a particular markings and were given the option of choosing any weapons they would be able to take. She of course chose her lightsaber. She stood still while they received instruction on what their objectives were. Each of them would have to track and kill an Akul beast; as a group that is. A task not so easy.

They sat out quickly, with haste into the rainforest valley. Single images of them at high speeds cut through the native turu grasses. They stopped to tend to the areas where it seems the tracks of the fauna was fresh. Sochinran her hands along a footprint, and stood back up looking around. She reached out with the force, letting that guide her. When she noticed a sudden flock of birds flying quickly taking flight from a area a distance away, she nodded to the others as they took off at high speeds once more. They all would stop every now and then in the grass to search for anything related to their prey.

When they came close enough, they could hear the roars, and calls of the beast. It seemed as though it finally came to a stop. They came to a crawl position. They slowly moved across the canopy floor on their knees and forearms. When they were spread out enough one of her clan mates called for the advancement for them to finally strike, and they did. The others threw their ropes and spears only to find heavy resistance with this particular Akul. One if their brothers had been killed in the process, and Sochi leaped up igniting her lightsaber cutting off the exit the wild beast was about to take.

When the beast charged at her, she threw her hand up to stop its advance with the force, halting its attack. When she pushed it back acouple of feet away, she used the force to argument her agaility and leaped up and landed on its back. She plunged her lightsaber into its back and went down with the beast as it hit the ground wounded. She jumped off and quickly pushed her blade through its stomach to kill it fast so it would no longer suffer. She was praised by her clan mates and the beast was tied up and transported back to the village.

Sochi received praise for her performance, not only had she completed the rites of passage,but she had individually taken down an Akul. That was was seen as an honorable trait amongst the Togruta, and she took special pride in its teeth. She made an headress from its teeth, and pearls and stones native to the planet. After partaking in the capping ceremony, she received another Togruti sash customly crafted for her by her people. Ru couldn't have been any proud of any accomplishment she achieved.

She returned to her ship after saying farewell to her people, and returned to the Jedi order. Her return home had proven quite useful in her training. Now she had a better connection with the land, and would be able to commune with nature more closely than impost other Jedi of her era. This would officially mark the completion of her first pilgrimage.

 

[Mother Askani]

Pilgrimage to Felucia

Jedi knight Sochi Ru found herself stationed on Felucia for just a couple of days now. She stood there looking over a cliff at the vast translucent colors that filled the land off into the distance.the environment glittered like multicolored glass. She was clad in a more primitive, open outfit. A cream backless top with a deep V-front (that shows her both bare back and shoulders) and brown straps around her midriff that seem to accentuate her chest and bellybutton. She has a light brown loincloth and homemade bikini bottom. She also sports a bit of gray cloth wrapped around her feet (that shows both her bare toes and heels) and most of it around both leg calves (that shows her right knee) and left forearm (with a couple silver spikes on it). Brown straps she's tied around her lekku and montrals that are now long enough that they almost reach the ground behind her.

She was then graced with the presence of an sentient being; one that resembled the colors of the planets flora. A tall, bipedal, sentient species, who were generally considered strange, mysterious, and unusual to outside observers. The head of this sentient consisted of a thick mass of long, flexible tendrils with illuminated tips. The mouth and eyes, which glowed bright red in some individuals, appeared as black holes within that mass; Jungle Felucians. Sochi had been hear bored by a band of Felucians. It took her quite some time to find them.

When she first arrived she struggled to survive in this harsh environment. The ecosystem of the planet had taken on such a dark appearance. The planet residing in imperial space, and along with the last events to occur here had affected the entire appearance of the planet. She was seeking out the Felucians, hoping to be taken in, and trained in their ways; to further her connection to the land itself, and what planet better than Felucia; a planet that had strong ties to the living force. She found herself underestimating the defenses of the planets flora and fauna.

Once she finally came into contact with the Jungle Felucians, she noticed their features just a twisted, and dark as their land. They had been deeply affected by the dark presence that surrounded the planet. They knew not what they were doing, so they attacked. Ru defended herself until a shaman, who could sense her force signature halted all fighting. They would be affected by the light side that was radiating from Sochi herself. This would be the small band of Jungle Felucians who would take Sochi in. Now being stationed her for a couple of days the features of her new guardians had become brighter, and normal slowly but surely. Having used the force to understand their language she had been asked by the Shaman to help connected all the branched off tribes to reform as one and uphold their own traditions again.

Sochi wouldn't be able to find every corrupted native by herself, but she was willing to train the natives on how to resist the darkside once more in exchange for them training her in their ways and traditions. More days would pass while Sochi was attending her pilgrimage. She began to study under the warrior caste. She spent much time training, and hunting with them. They taught her the basics of their second nature technique Force Sphere. Though never haven't used the ability before she was quite adept with it. They ran the jungle together, crawling the bulbous plants and coming into contact with Felucian snails. They hunted a might Acklay all together, and it was all by surprised. The way they manipulated their environment and overwhelmed the beast.

Sochi spent time sparring with the warriors, experiencing first hand the durability of their jawbone weapons. They were imbuing their weapons with the force. Her next sessions would allow her to train with under the Felucian Shaman, who she had taught how to resist the darkside and conscript his people once more. The shaman taught her the same techniques, helped her understand how they are used, and how to use them effectively. Being a quick study, Ru excelled in those lessons, and had gained much knowledge over the course of a week.

Sochi took to meditating in the jungle near the village. She wanted to just connect on a personal level with the planet and its shifting balance of the force. She cleared her mind, and reverted back to her Togrutan ways, connecting with the land. It was spiritual for her. Took on another outlook of the force. Having been training for a while she decided to take place in some activities around the village. Nothing physical but really committing herself to their traditions and ways, Sochi received the bright markings of a shaman along her body. It allowed her to belong to a caste.

Sometime later she took up more training under the shamans. They were known for their powerful abilities to heal. Knowing many various healing techniques, she decided this would be good training, coming from a teacher such as a shaman. Ru already knew how to use the force to mend wounds, but this would surely be knowledge she could add to that, increasing her skills. She accompanied her mentors to their beast mounts; Rancors.

She needed to learn how to commune with the fauna. She knew how to with flora. The jungle Felucians were very keen on teaching her how to tame beast mounts. She had to witness it first hand. Felucians taming and domesticating these massive beast, and painting them with all kinda of translucent colors. She would have to try eventually. She placed her hand on a domesticated Rancor. She strengthend her connection to the force and reached out to its mind. They connected, although she met some resistance due her being unfamiliar. Eventually it gave in and they began to mesh. She mounted the beast, and followed along with the others. They trailed the forest in a heard. The sounds of the Rancors roaring, and walking filled the jungle. Following the trail, and eventually making their way back, Sochi took her time. She would be spending many more days here on Felucia.