The GrandMaster's Office

[Allyson Locke]

The grandmaster was a good man; she knew exactly that he wasn’t going to do horrible things to her because she had come. Belsavis gave her the time to get to know him and if Belsavis had happened before he discussed her options maybe things would have been different. Deciding she should pay her respects, she removed the mask from her face and placed it onto his desk while he closed the blinds. The former wayward padawan folded her hands in her lap after she removed the mask.

“Quite the services you provide, I see that many have decided to take you up on it.”

Reaching out she played with the mask for a minute and tried to put into words how she needed him. A part of her wondered if he would even play into this game with her. Her hand moved back and she looked over at him. She felt warm, he smiled which was a good sign maybe he would be receptive to what she was going to ask him.

“Well, you know that what I’m looking for…you’re part of that journey Darron. I need you to teach me something. I know you’re a master of your emotions, I can feel the way you hold them and how they shift with in you. Please show me how to achieve this.”

 

[Darron Wraith]

The office was incredibly quiet, and with all the blinds closed, also quite dark.

Darron listened to Spencer, and he noted just how much she had changed since their last meeting. Gone was the girl lacking in confidence, no she was replaced by a confident young woman. Her body language spoke volumes about how much she had changed in the time since they had last had a meeting in this room. She was no longer fidgeting, nor where her eyes shifting all over the room. Now she was casually leaned back, and her eyes were focused on him. Much growth had taken place in her since she had left the Order. From a personal standpoint, it seemed to have been what she needed. Though from a power stand point, the GrandMaster wasn't pleased with some of the abilities she had learned. Most notably Force Drain, which she had adeptly used on a twi'lek on Belsavis. Even if he could see the merit of attacking that one Sith, it was a brutal and barbaric use of the Force.

Leaning back in his chair slightly, a small chuckle escaped his lips. "So you came back to see me, to learn emotional control?"

Memories flashed in his mind, of all the times he had failed in that aspect of his training. Yet every failure had been a stepping stone to him becoming the man he was today. So in a way, he could see why she had risked everything to show up to learn this aspect of Force training.

"Well, how about this. I will teach you emotional control if you actually keep on of your emotions uncontrolled. Keep your compassion, keep that love for all life Spencer. I know it's still there despite the company you keep. Can you try that, try and stay the good person I know you are?"

 

[Allyson Locke]

Spencer nodded to his request. A thought passed her mind remembering her father when she first met him. They both had the same soft eyes and caring demeanor, Darron would have made a great father. She shifted in her seat as things were going to get a bit more serious, she had requested training and she needed to ask more of him. She was terrible with a lightsaber; she relied too much on the Force. With her newest goal to follow Ashin’s footsteps she knew she needed to become well-rounded. A generalist by how Ashin had put it a few meetings ago.

“Of course Darron, I’ll never lose that compassion – it’s the only thing keeping me from falling fully to the darkside, it allows me to achieve my balance. You’ll see in due time my intent on walking away from the Order and why I’ll never fully join the Sith.”

Her hand nudged the mask slightly, her eyes falling to it drawing his attention.

“It’s why Ashin gave me this along with the necklace. Without them I would have been killed in the Empire. Give Ashin a bit of credit Darron, the woman does care about me.”

Leaning back into the chair she placed the mask back onto her face. The mask felt like a security blanket with it she knew she was safe from everything and she could proceed about the galaxy avoiding everything troublesome. It helped that it was given to her by Ashin.

“As for the emotional control, I also request some blade training…it’s one of my weaker talents.”

 

[Darron Wraith]

"Another request, you are growing quite bold Spencer. How many laws could the Republic prosecute you on? Yet you still ask for more?" Darron turned his chair a little, letting the swivel move to and fro for a moment as he considered her. "You want me to educate you with the very weapon you could use on those you once served with? What is the guarantee from you that you won't do such a thing? I have no qualms teaching one who is willing to learn, but to teach one who is learning from the Sith Empress is quite the risky endeavor. It could make me and the Order look quite bad in the eyes of the Republic and those who live under her banner."

Taking a few moments to ponder, he spoke of the Empress briefly. "I know Ashin isn't a monster, but absolute power absolutely corrupts. Yes she is the lesser of evils, and she did free me. I just fear for her soul as her power increases in the darkside, it's a perilous road she travels. Her love for you is something I never will question, but her love for power one day will compete for her affections with you. If i'm wrong, so be it, If I'm right you need to be prepared."

The GrandMaster rose, and he could see she was deep in thought by the way she was looking at him. His boots barely made a sound against the marble as he made his way to the lightsaber rack before him. "You see all these hilts? Some would consider this a trophy rack, I see it as my way of honoring those who dared to face me in combat. I will help you with the blade eventually so that your hilt doesn't end up on a rack like this one day. The only thing I ask in return is simple this time around, should you ever feel your moral compass become lost, or that you are uncomfortable. Come back to the Jedi, our doors have never closed and I will protect you from the Republic this I can promise you."

With that being said, Darron made his way to the seat next to Spencer. He picked it up and put it right infront of her so he could better look at her in the dark room, without a desk between them.

"I want you to empty yourself of all your emotions, use the empty cup principle. Except don't fill yourself with the Force like ever Jedi is instructed to. I want you to feel that hollow feeling, and I want you to look at the contents you have emptied. Examine the emotions that make you who you are, this is how we can see our flaws very clearly. Do this and tell me what you see Spencer, and I will do the same if you wish it of me."

 

[Allyson Locke]

“I know Darron and I thank you for that. The Order has always been a home for me; it feels calming to be back here even for a moment.”

A smile continued to spread across her face; she didn’t lie about her emotions about the Order. She always knew this place cared for her no matter what. It was now time for them to start.

Spencer winced, she remembered the empty cup principal it was something she failed at unless she was left in a room alone. There had to be no one around for her to even get to the point of emptying out her cup. Darron being in the room would make it quite difficult, she didn’t want to meditate too far and end up feeling how he truly felt about her.

Fear.

Her mind continued to work while she contemplated her options. She couldn’t lie about her feelings or what she saw; he would see right through it and decide to not train her any farther. This was a curve ball she hadn’t expected, though she should have right away. The Jedi wanted to find your flaws and fix them, which was why she was on this pilgrimage. Sighing softly, she nodded understanding what he asked of her. Spencer pressed the necklace between her fingers; a new nervous habit had formed while she was away from the Jedi.

“Master, I need you to control your feelings…keep them as far away from me as possible…and protected. I’ve never been able to do this without some assistance from my Masters.”

Closing her eyes, Spencer took in a deep breath then allowed her mind to spread. The force blanketed around them, usually her meditations pushed her feelings outward, she did her best to keep them inward this time. Her mind pictured a cup, but while she pictured her own cup several others started to pop up. She continued to focus on her own trying to drain it of everything leaving what was inside of her. Like usual, the other cups emptied and started to fill her cup.

“Stop it, Stop it!”

 

[Darron Wraith]

"I deeply apologize Spencer."

Rising to his feet Darron walked to her and patted her shoulder, he had forgotten about her being an empathy. A mistake he shouldn't have made, but in all honesty he hadn't expected her in his office. This was his fault though, and he pressed his compassion for her through his palm and into her. The GrandMaster had long ago learned to completely empty himself, and he broadcast his calm into her to silence the interference she was feeling. His own feelings where far away and removed, while they where necessary in everyday life. For this exercise, and with someone of Spencer's skill-set, they where more impediment than anything. Darron took a knee next to her while gently squeezing her shoulder, much in the way a father would comfort his child. He briefly remembered his own deceased son, Jason, but his own child's memory quickly disappeared into his core where his feelings where hidden.

"Here, try it now, and I promise it will be easier."

As the words left his mouth, Darron blocked off all emotion from him. To anyone he would appear a blank slate, at the same time he pulled his field of responsibility around Spencer. Instead of trying to get a feel for her emotions, he instead blocked her out from the outside world. She was literally wrapped in his power, the GrandMaster was shielding her from the outside world so she could try and feel her own emotions. Please work, he thought to himself. While she no longer was a part of the Order he served, he would never intentionally cause pain.

 

[Allyson Locke]

Mentally the cups started to disappear, her own cup filled to the brim with everyone’s problems started to pour out. It was the first time Spencer was able to see what her cup really looked like. Soon it emptied out and she was left with the pieces of herself that no one, not even herself. The blanket of Darron’s force was a shield; this is what she wanted to learn. She needed to learn to focus on certain emotions so she could use them against the person.

The Sith were easy, but the Jedi would be far more difficult. Though it was silly to assume a Jedi doesn’t feel anything. Looking up towards Darron, even he had emotions it was just going to take longer to find them.

Though right now she wasn’t focusing on his emotions or someone else’s, she was focusing on her own. Such a foreign feeling, the only other person she felt any feelings for was Ashin. Deciding she’d focus on that to keep her sane she continued on with the request from the Jedi Master. The emotions left in her cup once she emptied out everything that had become her, she peered in.

“Compassion…fear…love…confusion…lust…desire…”

The only other time she had been able to complete this task was when she was younger; the emotions have changed and were far more than before. She remembered when she was younger the only emotion that had been there was…loneness…

 

[Darron Wraith]

Darron didn't even bother to try and peer through the shield he had wrapped the former Jedi in, instead he let her work in peace and most importantly...Privacy. It was something she deserved, even if she wasn't exactly working with him. This whole exercise was most likely illegal, and he should have arrested her on the spot. Yet, in his gut he knew that would be the wrong move to make at this junction. If he played his cards right he could lure her back to the Jedi, not for political reasons. Not even for the knowledge she had on Sith politics or on the Empress. No, this was simply for her well being. The Jedi Master truly believed that if she could get her head on straight and her priorities right, Spencer could be quite the Jedi. So in this office, there were no agenda's at work. There were no angles, Darron was simply assisting Spencer to save her soul.

Or at least attempt to.

After listening to her, he removed his shield from around her.

"Okay Spencer, now try and see what is inside of me. Try and read my emotions if you can."

 

[Allyson Locke]

Spencer felt the rush of everyone's emotions around her. She missed the little bubble she that protected her from the outside world. Taking in a deep breath, Spencer focused on the Grand Master. She never forced herself to peer into someone, usually emotions were in the surface and she could pick them up. Darron was a blank slate. Frowning she decided against attaching her force to his, that was too much.

Closing her eyes she focused on him, on his cup like she did with her own. His was focused as she strained to keep every else away. Slowly she poured his cup, his current feelings seemed different than what she had expected.

"You're sad...frustrated and unsure if this is..."

She knew why he was like this, Spencer looked back at Darron..

"Are you feeling this way because of me?"

 

[Darron Wraith]

A melancholy smile crossed his face.

"No Spencer, I am sad because I feel like I failed you. I feel like I could have done more to keep you in the Order, when honestly I was trying my hardest previously. The Republic wanted your head in their courts, and my compromise for you to spy was the only way to keep you from them. I never wanted this for you, it's a path I flirted with and I don't want you to have to endure the pain."

Through his field of responsibility he could feel others coming, as Spencers appointment had ran longer than expected.

"I am frustrated that I can't help you further, we must continue this later."

Blue eyes looked to the door as it began to open, hoping she was out of sight. A message was sent in the Force as he felt her leave the room.

The feelings of uncertaninty are due to me not knowing your path, and hoping you don't get hurt in your wandering. May the Force be with you Spencer.

OOC: Next?!!!

 

[The Hound]

Tython. The homeworld of the Jedi. He had never thought in a million years that he would be standing on the mysterious planet, let alone waiting for the Grandmaster. With a heavy sigh, he fixed the collar of his jacket, the dull pain in the back of his skull causing him to wince as he walked into the now open door. Turin was old now, and though he had a basic understanding of the Force, he had nearly cut himself off from it for years now. Why he even tried to open himself back up to the power was beyond- Oh wait, "I would have died otherwise...right..." He could barley remember that day. Regardless, weather or not he would be able to receive training to control this thing again, or he might have to kiss his piloting career goodbye. And that was not an Option.

Two knocks on the door frame. "Knock knock. I uh, was looking for the Grandmaster." uncertainty flavored his voice.

 

[Darron Wraith]

"You appeared to have found him."

Darron stood to his full, impressive height of two meters while helping the man into his office. Judging by the looks of him he was with the military, maybe a pilot judging from the patches on his jacket. Age seemed to have crept up on him, and moved rather stiffly into the modest space that Darron worked in. Walking step for step with him, blue eyes glanced over the make sure Spencer had left. A small sign escaped his lips as he pointed for the man to sit in the chair in front of his desk while the Jedi made his way to his side and reclined smoothly in his comfortable, yet modest chair. A few moments of silence passed as the GrandMaster idly completed a few tasks on his datapad while waiting for the man before him to adjust to his surroundings and ask whatever it was that he had come for.

Another beat passed, and Darron decided to break the ice.

"So, I am Darron Wraith, leader of the Jedi. My official title is GrandMaster, and I lead the Council, as well as serve as a Master of this Order. I know why I am here...why are you? What is it that you seek....?" He let the question hang so the man could introduce himself.

@[member="Turin Val Kur"]

 

[The Hound]

The man was impressive, there was no doubt. He could feel some sort of power that seemed to...cascade off of him like some sort of Force waterfall. He doubted that was in order to intimidate him, and he guessed that wasn't even the tip of the iceberg. Taking his seat he clasped his hands together, resting his elbows on his thighs and watched the master Jedi, his ice blue eyes following him around the room. He knew that he had many things to do here, especially with Omni's onslaught going nearly unchecked in many parts of the galaxy. He wondered if the deaths weighed as heavily on the Grandmaster as they felt they did on himself. For a few moments more he twiddled his thumbs uneasily until the Grandmaster spoke again. His question caught him off guard, though he should have expected such a question from a Jedi.

"I am Lieutenant Turin Val Kur of the Republic Navy." he started, unsure of what to say next. "I, uh...I came to ask for something." he said finally. He then went on to explain how he was raised in the Imperial Remnant and trained as an Imperial Knight. How he failed to finish his training and how he was removed from the program entirely due to his brashness. Of his relocation to the Republic as a pilot and the time where he decided it would be best to be cut off from the Force, which finally brought him to the reason why he was here. "During Omni's initial attack on Coruscant...I-" he stopped himself. "No that isn't right. The Force opened itself up to me again in my time of need. Honestly, if I hadn't been able to tap into that power again I would be dead. However...I can't...What is the word, control it?" A pause. "When I opened back up, I could feel the deaths of those all around me, it put me out of commision for a few weeks...Even now I still feel too much from all around, like an overload and I came here to ask for help." There. He said it, help. He never was good at asking for help, but he needed to fly, he needed to be out in the field again and if he couldn't solve this problem, he most likely would never fly again. "Look, I'm not looking for a full on Jedi training session, I just need help sorting all of this." he said as he motioned his arms to show his distress about...everything. "I just want to fly again."

 

[Darron Wraith]

Darron sat and listened to the man's story, and he couldn't help but feel for him. Here was someone who had gone through much, had most of it taken away, only to forge a new path. Immediate respect had been formed for the individual sitting across from him, and he could see a kindred spirit before him. The Jedi had always allowed himself to be open to the Force, except in instances when it had been taken away. He never would have even dared to have attempted to close himself off, how else could he even do his job? It would be akin to forever wearing ear plugs or blinding yourself, he didn't know how to live without the Force. Maybe there is something to be said for the man who can honestly close himself off from that, and manage to forge a life for himself. The Jedi Master didn't even want to fathom how difficult piloting must have been for him after cutting himself away from the Force, probably much more so difficult now that he had reopened himself to the Force.

Adjusting himself in his seat, he finally spoke.

"Well, first you must understand that the Force never blocked itself from you, nor did it open itself up to you. That was simply your eyes opening once more, you must think of your senses as the same as you perceive the Force. I can walk around with my eyes closed if I choose to, and I'll bump into things and make mistakes. If someone decides to chase me though, reflexively I will open my eyes and run away from them. The same thing happened to you on Coruscant. You must not have felt the need to push your senses until then, and being afraid is understandable. Though I must ask you Lieutenant, you are a great pilot right? Are you sure you fully closed your senses to the Force? Because that's almost impossible."

Reaching out with the Force, he could feel Turin's troubled Aura. There was definitely a tortured soul before him. "I'm not sure you ever quit using the Force, I just think you stopped trying. It's akin to breathing, you can't simply stop and continue to live. Although to your request for control. I can certainly help you there, I'm quite certain the Imperial Knights never would dare to show you this exercise. They merely use their brainwashing tactics to get discipline, as well as offering a limited curriculum."

A wave of his hand dimmed the lights, and Darron made sure Turin could still see him.

"I need you to focus on your senses, I often call what you perceive in the Force as your field of responsibility. To a Jedi, this is the field that their senses encompass, and all life within that sphere is theirs to protect. In this sphere you can perceive all things, and feel all things. In the unifying Force, you can feel mass death, and other large events. I can't teach you to close yourself off, you just need to reach around in your mind and find your own feelings. Separate them from the ones you are perceiving from others, once you have done that. Clear your mind, and allow the Force to flow into you. Do this and we will continue."

 

[The Hound]

He thought about Darron's words for a moment. It made sense that he had not completely cut himself off, though if this were the case he felt slightly dissapointed. He had always prided himself in his skills as a pilot and if he was being aided by his connection to the Force this entire time, well...It hurt his pride just a little bit. "The Knights...were, yeah a little different." he said with a chuckle, though he wouldn't go so far as to call military and deffense training brainwashing.

When the lights dimmed his eyes looked around in an attempt to adjust to the lowered light. Great, meditation... He thought to himself. Even when he was in the Imperial Knights he wasn't much for meditating, he was much more a man of action. However, this was for the better, and hey, if it got him back into the cockpit of a GN-Throne again why the Hell not? Closing his eyes he began to calm himself and allowed himself to focus on just himself. It was hard at first as he could feel the life all around him, not as specific beings or entities or whatever but just one giant blob of energy, thoughts, and feelings. Slowly, in his mind, a figure was pulling itself out of the Force however, Tython kept trying to pull it back with all its emotions and feelings. Eventually Turin prevailed, separating himself from this universal entity and he could see, with more clarity what he was really a part of.

 

[Allyson Locke]

Spencer got up and left, but she left Darron a little friend.......the exhaust of the strain of the focus.

Enjoy Grand Master

 

[Darron Wraith]

Darron could feel Turin's accomplishment. Through the Force, the man's efforts were being broadcast, and he was very proud of him.

"Good, now that you have separated yourself. Imagine a wall being built up, don't encase yourself in it. The perception of all life is a valuable tool to have, but it can cloud your thoughts. Make the most mundane tasks difficult, and make difficult tasks impossible." He was clearly referring to piloting a ship, and he hoped that the former Imperial Knight could see the Jedi meant well. The ideologies between the two groups were clearly different, and he didn't want for this pilot to lump the Jedi in with them. It was a common misconception that happened quite a bit with jaded Force-users, and a stereotype the GrandMaster was hoping to buck...eventually.

"You know...the Jedi Order could use a pilot, especially one with experience. We could also use a man like you within our ranks."

As the words left his mouth, he got a taste of something rather foul in the air. Possibly remnants of @[member="Spencer Jacobs"] being in his office.

 

[The Hound]

What was with all the imagining? He didn't understand how Jedi could be so calm about this kind of thing. He really didn't understand how HE was being so calm about this. Honestly, if he hadn't trained under the Imperial Knights he would probably think this man slightly off his rocker. But, this 'everything is the Force' talk was going to get him flying and so he did it. He made that wall, and he made it good. Already he could feel a difference. It felt great! Better than when he was so far away from it. When the Grandmaster mentioned the Jedi Order he thought about it for a moment, but after a little while he shook his head. "That Jedi life isn't for me Grandmaster Wraith." he said, though he was uncertain. Maybe during another time, another life he might have joined the Jedi. "My place is with the republic, in the skies."

 

[Darron Wraith]

"Well then, I shouldn't keep you from them. Should you ever change your mind, you can always come back. The Jedi will never have their doors closed for anyone, and should you need more aid. Don't hesitate to come."

With that, the GrandMaster saw Turin Val Kur exit the office. Within moments someone else was knocking at the door.

"Who is it?"

 

[Jsc]

Why, it was a Jedi Peacock. Well... More specifically. It was a tall woman with blue hair and a wonderfully exotic outfit. She beamed a smile and slid the door closed behind her,

"Good afternoon Grandmaster. Karen Roberts at your service. I wondered if I might have a moment of your time."

She snickered at how popular he was quickly becoming. Goodness. And, business-like as always, she continued straight away.

"Tython. Mmm. Has a wonderful ring to it, doesn't it. Hehe. Needless to say? I love this place. I've been a member of the Jedi Service Corps since before this Order even started. Back when it was only a hand full of us Jedi volunteers pioneering the Republic on Coruscant. Oh my. I'm getting old aren't I? Haha."

She blushed and continued with a smile,

"Anyway. I wondered what plans you might have for the planet? As a construction specialist, I enjoy knowing as much as I can about our home and it's plans for the future."