aturin
Frequent Member
"There is no shame in falling, There is only shame if you refuse to rise once again."
Posts: 180
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Post by aturin on Feb 15, 2011 19:04:51 GMT
Alone and feeling the pull of his background, the teachings he devoured and what he believes in set against the unknown secrets promised to him and power of what he could be virgil whispers to an empty room "so do i"
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Post by <imaginative username here> on Feb 15, 2011 19:21:53 GMT
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A few days later, the Doralingus Doraleous arrives at Yavin IV. The remainder of the journey happened mostly in stony silence - Verran and Virgil's discussion went unnoticed, but an air of tension persisted. Dr. Tsung was likely curious as to why her lessons with Virgil had come to an abrupt end, but would have taken no for an answer, and spent the rest of the trip practicing the mental exercises your masters suggested when you first picked her up.
After having time to rest up, the team was debriefed by Masters Kai Mok and Vert Gannat. Dro Sult had returned to his homeworld to catch up on the duties expected of a Baran Do Sage.
The masters were impressed with the team's handling of the mission - both the primary objective, and their heroics in nipping the bud of Admiral Krennel's Vampire project. The Dark Jedis' artefacts were turned over and, while questions were asked on how the items were recovered and what condition they were found in, whether the jedi had activated the holocron was not asked. The book was handed over to Archivist Siem, who was assigned the task of deciphering it - the party were not told what would be done with the holocron. The jedi were commended again for a job well done, and dismissed.
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Doctor Inri Tsung was given a tour of the academy, and was invited to enroll as an apprentice. She gladly accepted, and has begun elementary training with the younger students. Her progress has been rapid and she has shown an uncanny affinity in force use, particularly the healing arts. She still does not fully consider herself a jedi, shies away from lightsaber training, and continues to refer to herself as "Doctor" instead of apprentice. Nevertheless, she has settled in comfortably.
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Master Gannat meets with his former padawan Verran, a now fully-fledged Jedi Knight, to discuss some more personal elements of the last mission. Whereas many jedi would discuss such things in a meditation room or in the council chambers, Gannat has long believed in the Echani philosophy of communication via combat - that one's body language and behaviour while sparring allows discussion of a greater depth than mere words. He also wishes to gage how his old pupil has improved.
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Virgil's padawan, Brilhann has been making excellent progress in his studies. His training in mental focus along with the meditation crystal he recieved from Virgil has helped temper his impulsive nature, allowing him to master some of the more complicated techniques of force usage a great deal faster than his classmates. Unfortunately, he has been performing less impressively in fields such as history and detachment, preferring the more flashy and flamboyant elements of jedihood. During one meditation session with his master, he vents these feelings.
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Upon arrival at Yavin IV, Krai finds that he has been sent a holodisc from an anonymous source.
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Post by isemmens on Feb 15, 2011 19:23:52 GMT
Totally Jumping in first Sparring with Vert Please
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Post by <imaginative username here> on Feb 15, 2011 19:34:21 GMT
Gannat stands opposite Verran in the middle of their sparring arena. This particular one was favoured by Gannat for "advanced footwork" - the ruined Massassi Wayshrine was little more than a pile of time-worn rocks, more than half reclaimed by the endless jungle. Cracked tiles and creeping vines posed a serious threat to the unfocused - a misstep could lead to a sprained ankle if one was lucky, a broken limb if one was not.
The togorian battlemaster held his right hand clenched at stomach level, his left extended and open - one of the many opening stances of Echani sparring. As soon as his former apprentice adopted his chosen stance, Gannat leapt forward, sweeping a kick at head-height.
In a tone others would use to calmly discuss the weather, Gannat spoke. "I sense something troubles you, young one."
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Post by isemmens on Feb 15, 2011 19:46:24 GMT
The extra effort on Vert's part to pick a more challenging groundcame as a relief to Verran, almost paradoxically. True focus allowed one's true feelings to leave without worring over ones wording or intent. Words spoken in battle were always those the true-est, that which hadn't been allowed to stagnant in ones head.
"The Remnant kept slaves."
Verran ducked under the incoming kick, keeping his feet anchored in place on the traitorous ground. Keeping his own centre of gravity low, he used the Togorian's weight against him as he brought both hands open palmed against the large leg, pushing it upwards in an attempt to break his opponents stance.
"It is a hard thing to accept that both freeing them and leaving them caged lead to innocent people being hurt"
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Post by <imaginative username here> on Feb 15, 2011 19:58:29 GMT
With surprising agility for one so large, Gannat handsprung backward, using the momentum from Verran's push to gain some distance. Without pausing or giving his opponent a chance to recover, he surged forward again, this time launching his knee up at Verran's midriff and an elbow down toward his shoulder, aiming to smash the human's body between his limbs.
"The life of a jedi is full of hardship. We see our actions hurt the innocent, so that more may live. The alternative is to take no action, and have even more injured. You cannot save everyone, young one."
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Post by isemmens on Feb 15, 2011 20:07:05 GMT
The blows came quickly, Verran caught what breath he could as he was knocked back. His feet met the floor joined by his right hand, his stance lowered and given that extra edge of balance as he awaited for the definite follow up Master Gannat's tenacity would surely bring.
"Then my mind is calmed for making the choice that I believe was right. I now see the side of the arguement you presented when we first met."
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Post by <imaginative username here> on Feb 15, 2011 20:18:12 GMT
"Do not dwell on it. Doubt leads to fear - fear that you made the wrong choice. Fear will lead you to act impulsively, or worse - lead you to try to bend reality, to force the natural order of things to serve what you believe should happen. A jedi must be at peace with his surroundings: Fight; but accept defeat when a battle cannot be won. Save those who can be saved; but do not feel guilty when things are out of your control."
Gannat swings his foot up in a high kick - and then cuts it short. Relying on Verran's likely reaction to the feint, he then stabs forward at his students chin with a palm-strike.
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Post by isemmens on Feb 15, 2011 20:28:26 GMT
Verran watched the kick come, opening his mind to the old Jedi knowledge that eyes can always be deceived. Gannat had taught him that, the hard way. His body instinctively pivoted on his right hand, his entire body rolling on a single point. The flow of his mass allowing him to both manoever his face milimetres away from the blow and to bring both feet across to try and whip out the leg upon which Gannat was standing.
"There is no way to change our actions. And we must always be sure of what we do."
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Post by <imaginative username here> on Feb 15, 2011 20:50:59 GMT
Gannat's eyes widened in surprise as Verran's blow connected. The bulky Togorian was sent sprawling, coming to a halt a few feet away.
He picked himself up, wiped a line of blood from his jaw and changed stance - arms wide, fists clenched ready to either swing into a boneshattering blow or a strong guard - the opening stance of the Teras Kasi martial art.
"Impressive. You have learnt that lesson well, it would seem. Your Mrlssi comrade could learn a lot from you."
He waits for Verran's next move.
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Post by isemmens on Feb 15, 2011 21:00:31 GMT
Verran stamped his feet onto the rubble. There was the briefest look of a smile upon Verrans face, it vanished as quickly as it had surfaced as he straightened up and pulled an identical stance.
"I hope that he could. The truth of the matter is that I am concerned for Virgil"
He took the moment to take a deep breath, feeling the wind slowly pick up from behind him.
"His impulsive tendancies to learn, leave him open to other suggestions."
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Post by <imaginative username here> on Feb 15, 2011 21:12:14 GMT
Gannat began to slowly circle his opponent, keeping his guard up and looking for an opening. With a form as powerful as Teras Kasi, fights would often be decided in one blow.
"Virgil Dagwa embodies many traits prized in jedi - a strong connection to the force, an ability to detach himself from emotion - but he is not perfect. That hunger for knowledge, if left unchecked, will lead down a dangerous path - and with his master away, it falls on his closest friends to keep him on the straight and narrow."
"You are nearly a master yourself, Verran. We are near equals in rank, wisdom and ability - and the same is true of your friends and their respective masters. We can no longer guide you - you must rely on each other for strength and support."
In the blink of an eye, Gannat surges forward, his right fist clenched into a simple but devastating uppercut.
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Post by isemmens on Feb 15, 2011 21:26:32 GMT
Verran copied Gannat's circling, know that simply standing still against Teras Kasi present greater opportunities for your opponent. His green eyes locked to his Mentors, waiting for the tell tale signs of a seized moment.
"I understand this, but I feel that Virgil himself may not. He has shown on occasion that under pressure he will stray towards knowledge at the expense of his peers, and their trust."
Verran took a move that may have been counted as madness, but for now he took a chance on the one thing Gannat may not have been expecting. Instead of running away from the blow, he dodged to the side of it and dashed close enough to Gannat to void any room he could have had to swing at him.
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Post by <imaginative username here> on Feb 15, 2011 23:30:35 GMT
In a second, it was over. Verran's move unbalanced the hefty togorian, and his positioning made it impossible to manoeuvre or change course. With a resounding crash, Gannat missed his footing and hit the ground, hard.
For a second, the battlemaster lay on his back, staring up at his apprentice. And then a rare thing happened - he allowed himself a smile.
"Heh - well fought, Master Verran. Well fought indeed."
Slowly, Gannat made his way to his feet.
"It would seem I've taught you everything I can - and you have surpassed me. Your physical abilities now exceed mine, and my lessons are complete - all that remains if for you to follow them in the field."
He walked over to the edge of the sparring arena, and started removing things from his backpack.
"I can point you to a master to help further your martial studies if you wish, but I can now say with confidence that you are ready."
Gannat stood up, holding a large package in his hands. Bowing low, he offered it to Verran.
"Verran, as your master and a member of the Jedi Council, I confer on you the rank of Jedi Master. May you serve the will of the force diligently until the end of your days."
Inside the cloth package lay a suit of pale blue armour - expertly crafted out of pure duranium, perfectly weighted and shaped to fit Verran's form, providing maximum protection without sacrificing mobility.
Gannat smiled again.
"I had noticed what you've been reading in the archives. I took the liberty of crafting this for you - it should shrug off lightsaber attacks as well as any others."
His smile takes on a wistful, almost sad quality.
"A parting gift, if you like."
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Post by isemmens on Feb 16, 2011 0:17:48 GMT
Verran watched Gannat's actions with a surprising level of curiousity, dropping his stance as he listened to his mentors praise and delivering of his new rank within the order.
"I am honoured to recieve this Honour Vert...."
He reached out with both arms to take the surprisingly weighty armour from the Togorian, taking a brief moment to inspect the fine craftsmanship of the Duranium plates before looking back to Gannat to smile.
"...And this is the finest armour one could hope to wear while enacting the will of the order and the will of the force."
He held out his hand to Gannat, the offer of a handshake between two long friends.
"I will wear it with the humility befitting a Master."
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