Sera Dragovalor
Character
The morning rain had arrived quietly, settling over the Temple grounds in a fine mist that softened the edges of the gardens and left the polished stone walkways glistening beneath an overcast sky. It wasn't the sort of weather that drove people indoors entirely, but it did encourage most to seek the covered paths that wound between the buildings. Jedi and initiates alike moved through the drizzle with destinations in mind, robes drawn a little tighter around themselves as conversations drifted lazily through the cool mountain air. The sanctuary always seemed calmer in the rain, as though the weather itself encouraged everyone to slow down.
Sera had intended to spend the morning meditating.
That intention lasted all of five minutes.
She had found a quiet place in the gardens, settled herself comfortably, closed her eyes, and almost immediately caught herself wondering whether she had remembered to clean her lightsaber after yesterday's training. That thought turned into wondering what they would be serving for lunch, which somehow became remembering she'd promised to write someone back, before eventually realizing she hadn't actually meditated at all. With a resigned sigh and an amused shake of her head, she rose from the stone bench and decided perhaps the Force wasn't going anywhere. She could always try again later.
With no particular destination in mind, she wandered deeper into the sanctuary instead, content simply to enjoy the quiet. Rain tapped softly against broad leaves overhead while distant waterfalls blended into the background like a familiar melody. She had always loved Naboo for moments like these. Even as uncertainty gathered beyond its borders and rumors of conflict spread farther each month, there remained pockets of peace that reminded her why people fought so hard to preserve places like this. She followed one winding path after another until a different rhythm gradually emerged from beneath the rain itself.
Measured footsteps. The soft whisper of fabric. The faint movement of air displaced by practiced motions.
Curiosity steered her toward the sound long before she consciously decided to investigate. The path opened into one of the Temple's outdoor training courtyards, where a lone Jedi moved steadily through a series of lightsaber kata despite the gentle rain. There was nothing theatrical about it. No unnecessary flourishes, no attempts to impress an audience that didn't exist. Every movement flowed naturally into the next with a level of control that suggested countless hours spent repeating the same forms until they became less something remembered and more something simply lived. Sera slowed her approach and leaned lightly against one of the stone columns bordering the courtyard, content to watch without announcing herself. She had always found there was as much to learn from observing someone practice as from practicing herself.
One sequence ended only for another to begin. Then it happened again. And again. She found herself unconsciously following the cadence of each movement, trying to spot what was changing between repetitions. Was he correcting foot placement? Refining balance? Adjusting breathing? The longer she watched, the more she realized she couldn't tell. Everything looked right. Not perfect in the impossible sense, but deeply settled, like someone polishing a mirror that already reflected clearly. A small smile tugged at the corner of her mouth as she folded her arms across her chest.
"Okay," she finally called across the courtyard, her voice carrying easily through the steady rainfall. "I've been standing here long enough that pretending I wasn't watching would probably be insulting." The smile widened just a little as she pushed herself away from the column. "So now I have to ask." Her head tilted with open curiosity rather than challenge. "You've gone through the same sequence... what... six times now? It looked right the first time." She let the question hang comfortably between them before adding, "So what are you still trying to find?"
Prosen Dibs
Sera had intended to spend the morning meditating.
That intention lasted all of five minutes.
She had found a quiet place in the gardens, settled herself comfortably, closed her eyes, and almost immediately caught herself wondering whether she had remembered to clean her lightsaber after yesterday's training. That thought turned into wondering what they would be serving for lunch, which somehow became remembering she'd promised to write someone back, before eventually realizing she hadn't actually meditated at all. With a resigned sigh and an amused shake of her head, she rose from the stone bench and decided perhaps the Force wasn't going anywhere. She could always try again later.
With no particular destination in mind, she wandered deeper into the sanctuary instead, content simply to enjoy the quiet. Rain tapped softly against broad leaves overhead while distant waterfalls blended into the background like a familiar melody. She had always loved Naboo for moments like these. Even as uncertainty gathered beyond its borders and rumors of conflict spread farther each month, there remained pockets of peace that reminded her why people fought so hard to preserve places like this. She followed one winding path after another until a different rhythm gradually emerged from beneath the rain itself.
Measured footsteps. The soft whisper of fabric. The faint movement of air displaced by practiced motions.
Curiosity steered her toward the sound long before she consciously decided to investigate. The path opened into one of the Temple's outdoor training courtyards, where a lone Jedi moved steadily through a series of lightsaber kata despite the gentle rain. There was nothing theatrical about it. No unnecessary flourishes, no attempts to impress an audience that didn't exist. Every movement flowed naturally into the next with a level of control that suggested countless hours spent repeating the same forms until they became less something remembered and more something simply lived. Sera slowed her approach and leaned lightly against one of the stone columns bordering the courtyard, content to watch without announcing herself. She had always found there was as much to learn from observing someone practice as from practicing herself.
One sequence ended only for another to begin. Then it happened again. And again. She found herself unconsciously following the cadence of each movement, trying to spot what was changing between repetitions. Was he correcting foot placement? Refining balance? Adjusting breathing? The longer she watched, the more she realized she couldn't tell. Everything looked right. Not perfect in the impossible sense, but deeply settled, like someone polishing a mirror that already reflected clearly. A small smile tugged at the corner of her mouth as she folded her arms across her chest.
"Okay," she finally called across the courtyard, her voice carrying easily through the steady rainfall. "I've been standing here long enough that pretending I wasn't watching would probably be insulting." The smile widened just a little as she pushed herself away from the column. "So now I have to ask." Her head tilted with open curiosity rather than challenge. "You've gone through the same sequence... what... six times now? It looked right the first time." She let the question hang comfortably between them before adding, "So what are you still trying to find?"
Prosen Dibs