Central Hub -- Cloud Mother Ithor
The majestic expanse of this city can be seen as one steps off the airbus pad into the bustling city. Towers rise above the surface of this floating wonderland. Ithorians stroll about in what seems to be carefree ways. As you stroll deeper into the city you begin to notice that the city extends down into the heart of the platform, as well as up. Several elevators can be seen near by, at almost any location in the city.
Ashton and Moira have journeyed to Ithor in search of the gem the padawan learner wishes to build her lightsaber. What she learned from Ashton on the way here is that the gem can only be located on the surface of the planet Ithor. Therein lies the problem. Although the gems lie loose along the shores of the rivers, obtaining permission to land on the surface of the planet is highly unlikely. If Moira indeed wishes for this gem, she's going to have to convince the Ithorian herd leader of her intention to replace the gem with two gems the pair of Jedi had brought with them. The problem was how to get the gem and lay the other two without landing. Ashton accompanies the padawan learner silently, allowing her to ask questions of him as she wishes, but not volunteering any information.
As the pair of Jedi approach the Herd Leader's garden, they are met by the Herd Leader's assistant. She knows why the pair are here and nods silently to Ashton and Moira, before gesturing them into the garden, where the Herd Leader sits alone with his thoughts. He also knows why they are here, but it is improbable he will introduce the subject.
The girl enters the garden quietly, so as not to disturb the Ithorian gentleman relaxing. Waiting until she and Ashton catch his eye, Moira stands with her hands before her, where he can see them. Her posture is calm, relaxed, and she looks fairly upbeat- though 'upbeat' tends to be the usual demeanor for this young woman. Once she's sure she's been seen, Moira smiles a greeting but refrains from offering up her usual cheery wave. "Good evening, sir." She says. "Thank you for seeing us."
The Herd Leader rises from his seat, his eyes glinting slightly on either side of his 'hammerhead'. "You honor us with your presence, Jedi," he says in his own language. A human interpreter behind Ashton and Moira translates for him. "What brings you to paradise this day?"
Ashton offers a smile to the Herd Leader - a being he has had several dealings with before in the Senate. But he doesn't speak, inferring to the Herd Leader that Moira is the spokesperson for this meeting.
"We come to ask a favor of you, sir." Moira starts, keeping her tone as polite as possible. Some of her cheerful attitude creeps into her voice- after all, it is a beautiful planet, and she's glad to be visiting. But she's here for a purpose, and so her mind is fully focused on that particular goal. She does try to sound a bit more reserved than she usually does, though- not everyone understands 'perkiness,' and Moi's trying very hard not to offend. "We seek a gem found only on the shores of your rivers, a stone called Ojilist. I'm constructing my lightsaber, and to complete it I'll need one- and only one- of these gems. But I assure you, we won't take anything without leaving something in return." At this point, the young woman withdraws a pair of gems from her pocket. "We'd like to exchange these for one of the Ojilist gemstones." Moira explains, fully expecting there to be some problem with this suggesting- namely, how to do the exchange. Or else, a questioning of the value of the gems to be exchanged.
The Herd Leader nods his gigantic head slowly, "A favor? It sounds more like a trade. A favor would indicate you would owe the planet after the exchange." He tilts his head as the human translates. He peers at the gems in Moira's hand. "You understand our ways ... and as long as these gems are living, they will suffice for the exchange." According to Ithorian law, all gems in their uncut condition are considered 'living'. "The Ojilist is in an area unreachable by most transportation, young Jedi. How would obtain the stone and replace it?"
Ashton mildly reaches out to Moira through the Force. "Your manners, padawan. He cannot grant anything to a stranger."
Ack! Yeah, someone was going to have to teach little Moira the way to do these things properly. Moira's got manners, true...but little experience in using them. "By the way, sir. My name is Moira Brennan. I am an Acolyte at the Coruscant Praxeum, though I may soon be approved to train as a Padawan. Jedi Knight Ashton Quince, and is here to oversee my quest." Moira turns and indicates to Ashton with a smile. Then, back to the Ithorian, to answer the question that's been occupying her thoughts for a while. "Well, I've given this some thought- I believe we're not to land on the planet's surface? Well...what if we were able to get near the surface, but not land?" Moira pauses, pondering options for a second. Should she do a demo and levitate the gems, or simply explain? Yeah, explain. A demonstration might come across as 'showing off.' "We have the ability to move things via the Force. If I could lift the gem from the surface of the planet and replace it with these two by the Force, we would not necessarily need to set foot on the planet itself."
The Herd Leader's 'mouth' splits apart slightly. Is that a smile? He bobs his head to Moira, recognizing her as the spokesperson. "We are well aware of the extent of the Force, young one," comes the translation. "And I am Nuafu Gelsi, Herd Leader of our people." He tilts his head again, looking at Moira only. "But you misunderstand our ways, young one. The gem is in a place that you cannot see it to use the Force to bring it to you. The craft will not get you close enough. However, I know that some can actually levitate themselves... This is the only way I know that you can handpick your Ojilist and plant its replacements in the river bed... without walking on the surface."
Ashton senses that even the translator seems surprised by the conditions the Herd Leader is setting upon the padawan. He smiles but doesn't make any movements or expressions that would call attention to himself.
Levitate herself? Good grief- that's not going to be easy...but Moira keeps that smile. "It's nice to meet you, Herd Leader." She ponders for a moment, as she's never really tried to float herself around, not like that. 'But if I can move other things, why not myself?' Moira thinks. 'It's just another form of the same thing. I'll just have to really concentrate.' And besides, how else is she going to get the gem? "You're right, I was not aware of that specific obstacle. But if I can move other objects, I ought to be able to move myself." Moira states, forcing a feeling of certainty through herself. Doubt, and of course she'd fail. So she'll just have to believe in herself, focus, and do it.
Nuafu nods again, "Then it is agreeable." He raises his arm and a single Ithorian enters the garden. Well armed and armored. Obviously one of the Herd Leader's higher security people. "The General will escort you in the repulsorcraft." The General nods, stepping back from the grouping to allow the two humans to pass before him to leave the garden. "However," Nuafu says through the translator, "should you fail, and desecrate the planet... you will face the consequences. Agreed?"
Ashton nods to the Herd leader, speaking up for the first time. "I will see to it that she does not fail, Herd Leader Gelsi. Your paradise is safe today." Ashton nods to Moira. It is time to wrap this up and go with the General.
"I will not desecrate your planet, Herd Leader," Moira says with as much certainty as she can. As she turns to follow Ashton and the General, the girl gets an afterthought, and once again turns to face the Herd Leader. "And thank you for your assistance, Herd Leader Gelsi." Finally, the girl turns and heads off in the direction the armored Ithorian is indicating. As she walks, she reaches out to the Force to find the calm and certainty she'll need as she continues.
The Jedi and the General lift off in the repulsorcraft and after an hour of travel, arrive near a river heavily overgrown with trees and fauna. The General slows the craft and retracts the top to allow the sweet fragrance of the planet's life to wash over the occupants of the repulsorcraft.
Ashton smiles as the life force of the planet's vegetation and wildlife permeates the Force in him. It was definitely like a breath of fresh air. He turns to Moira, eyes twinkling. "Remember, Moira. Size doesn't matter. Size and weight are measurements that we recognize, but the Force does not. All things are equal to the Force. Clear your mind. I can help you if needed and it will not mean failure, but I don't think I will have to help you."
The young woman nods to Ashton, doing as he's suggested. "Alright. Hey, if Moira can hold an ignited lightsaber, she can do this. 'My, this really is a nice planet,' comes the side thought as the top canopy opens, but it's pushed away as Moira focuses on what she must do. To begin with, it's all concentration and clearing of the mind. Now's not the time to think of either confidence or doubt- both are useless and will distract from the important thing- staying in the air and off of the planet. Next comes thinking of herself, feeling herself through the Force. Until she can truly feel her own presence, Moira tries nothing. Finally, the last step- trying to lift herself. Nothing happens at first- feet stay firmly planted on the repulsorcraft Then, ever so slightly, a lifting. Perhaps this really will work, after all. Though Moi's no longer thinking of 'working' or 'not working.' It's all about the task, now.
Ashton watches as Moira takes her first step towards a deeper understanding of the Force. Reaching out through the Force, he connects with Moira as she concentrates on concentrating. "It's effortless, Moira. All around you is the living Force. Let it envelope you and permeate through you. You do not make the Force do anything. It flows through you." The touch is subtle, almost subconscious.
Moira doesn't nod, but her acknowledgement is there. She tries to let go of trying, but then realizes it's just the same old trap- redundant and impossible. At this, all she can do is half smile, though her mind remains on its task. 'Relax, Moi, or you'll never succeed.' Moira thinks, and finally lets go of all that trying. Thud. Back on the deck on the repulsorcraft. But Moi's not discouraged- after all, there's an easier way to do this, and maybe starting over is the way to go. So, she does as Ashton suggested- and there it is. The Force, all over the place. And suddenly she doesn't have to try and feel herself- because, surprise, there she is, loud and clear. And again, she attempts to levitate herself. Her eyes slide closed, and she feels for herself. Then, the spot where she wishes to be, about a foot off the ground. A trail run, if you will. It's only when her eyes open that she realizes her feet are no longer firmly on the ground, but dangling beneath her body.
Ashton smiles, watching serenely as Moira resets and tries again. She felt the change. He could tell that she had finally realized just what the Force was to her and how it flowed around her. Quietly, he watches as she finds herself above the repulsorcraft. Now all she needed to do was drop 50 feet and through the foliage another 50 feet to reach the riverbed.
At this point in time, Moira's not really thinking about things in terms of how hard it'll be. Thank goodness, because that'd be all she needs to fall. Luckily, Ashton's little shove in the right direction has helped Moira to tap into the fact that hey, she's a part of the Force, and not just attached to it. It's one thing to be told, 'Moi, you're patched in,' and another to actually feel it. So when she feels the ground some 100 feet beneath her, it's over the side with the young woman. She goes slowly, but steadily- no hesitation or pausing. As Moi approaches the riverbed, it becomes time to reach out and try to feel a gem- so that she can direct her descent towards her eventual goal. But as the Herd Leader said, they can't really be felt, to be pulled. So maybe Moi will just have to get down there, and then see one.
The riverbed is littered with gems and stones of all sizes and shapes. There are a few Ojilists in view, but the one that Moira will find will call to her in a way. Not through the Force, but she'll just know. One area of the riverbed is devoid of any stones or gems, and the green water runs crystal clear there, but it still seems to be missing something... beautiful.
Hmm. So she can't touch anything...but surely water and sand can be parted, so that the gems can be taken more easily. For now, the section of clear river is the spot that catches her attention. Either the gem she's searching for will be there, or else this is the spot where she should leave her offering for the planet- the two other gems. Reaching out to that section of stream, Moira seeks to sift through the riverbed beneath, to see what might be lurking in the depths. Not with her hands, of course, but via the Force. If there's an Ojilist there, then so be it. If not, her replacement gems will find a nice home in this splendid stretch of river.
Ashton watches from above as Moira descends. This was probably the best place in the galaxy for her to learn how enveloping the Force truly was. There couldn't be a place in all known space as pure and undefiled as this place. While he keeps his attention on her, a part of him opens itself fully to the life force around him and he can feel his own connection to the Force clarifying. His focus and thoughts become crystal clear as the Force clears the Knight's mind and spirit.
As the sands that have been stirred up settle, Moira notices the barren stretch is just that- barren of gems. So this must be the place to put the pair she's brought with her. She now focuses on these as well, lifting them and sending them into the water with a 'plop-sploosh.' Maybe as a testament to what she's learned about trying to control things, she doesn't guide the gems on their way down through the water, instead letting them find their own place on the river bottom. And now, it's time to survey the banks for a promising Ojilist. There are several to choose from, but which is it to be? A small one, more diluted-yellow than clear, rests to the right of Moira, about 10 yards off. But it just doesn't look right. And there's a large one, the yellow discoloration taking on sort of a mottled appearance in the gem's depths. 'Nope, not that one. What a huge lightsaber it would take to hold that," Moira thinks. Aha! Speaking of lonely, there's one off about 25 feet to the left. The only Ojilist gem within some distance, on the small side of medium. Just like Moira. It's mostly the discolored yellow as well, but not in the overpowering way the first gem was. Moira reaches out to it, trying to pull it from the sand. That way, she won't have to try and grab it without touching the planet. Once the gem is secured, it's back to the repulsorcraft she goes, gem securely in pocket.
Ashton allows another smile to cross his face as he feels Moira settle back into place on the repulsorcraft. He almost reaches out to freshen her with the Force, thinking she might be tired from the effort, but he stops himself. If anything, she has to feel invigorated by this experience. She was well on her way now... Ashton looks over to the General with a nod. "Satisfactory, General?" to which he receives a solemn nod and a trace of a smile - of that is indeed what the mouth movement is mimicking. The top remains open as the General starts the repulsorcraft's engines and initiates their journey back to Cloud Mother. Ashton turns back to Moira, eyes falling to the gem. "Nice choice," he says, with a small quirk to his smile.
Moira holds out the discolored yellow gem for observation. "Thanks. It just looked right." Yeah, that's vague. But then, it'll probably make sense to Ashton. "It's about the right size. And it was all by its lonesome out there." As for invigorated- well, yes. And a little shocked- the feeling of connection that she was directed into hasn't faded. Which is probably a good thing, but Moi's not quite used to it yet. So after smiling in response to Ashton's appraisal of the gem, she falls silent to think about what's been happening.
Ashton takes a seat in the back of the repulsorcraft now. They did have a long journey back to Cloud Mother. "You know how I told you to focus your meditations on the lightsaber you carry, right? Well, no more. From now on, while you prepare the rest of your weapon... use this gem as the focal point of your meditation. This gem will not just be imbued with the Force through you, but you can learn to connect to it, just as if it were an extension of you." He lifts an eyebrow slightly, looking up at Moira who is still standing. "When you get back, we'll go over what you need to spend your time doing to begin construction of your lightsaber. No more classes. No more training in the courtyard..." He still has yet to tell her the rest of the good news though.
Goodness, Ashton's sitting. Moira blinks a few times, then takes a seat as well. Another nod is the only indication that she's heard what Ashton had to say. She looks back down at the gem, and then back up at the Knight. "Alright," she says. "I'm to start meditating with this gem as my focus, and speak to you about construction and where I go from here." It's not really a question, but more of a verbal repetition to make sure the information really sinks into her head. Wait, no more training in the Courtyard? But what...well, he'd explain. Moira smiles to herself as she cuts off that train of thought before it begins. She'd have answers to that if she'd just wait for Ashton to explain, as he said he would.
The landscape seems to crawl by as Ashton leans forward, his smile fading only slightly as it appears he's going into 'serious mode'. Still, that friendly outlook is still there beneath the surface. "Moira, I spoke to the Council the other day... about an incident unrelated to you or the other padawan. The Council inquired about you... and they've asked me to become your teacher. I'm to take you as my padawan learner and train you from this day forward." He doesn't move for several moments. He hadn't really thought of taking on a padawan, but the Council had introduced the idea. And he trusted their judgment. Normally, a Knight had to petition to take on a padawan, so this is obviously a good sign. He looks at Moira, awaiting her reaction.
Wow. That was unexpected...but definitely good news. After all, Moira tends to go to Ashton for advice already. She'd probably tread on fewer toes if she asked her own master for advice, and not a different Knight. Plus, Ashton had a way of explaining things so they made sense... Not that the girl says any of this. Instead, she just smiles that cheerful Moira smile. When she speaks, though, she sounds serious enough. "Well, I think that's wonderful. But more importantly, if the Council thinks it's a good idea, I'm sure it's probably right." And it's just a splendid coincidence that Moira's own personal opinion coincides with the way things were going to be, the way the Council sees as being best.
Ashton nods a bit, as he knew that she'd respond favorably. Some padawan did not, but that wasn't a problem Ashton was going to have to face. Leaning back into his seat, he points to the gem. "One thing I am adamant about though is the construction of your lightsaber - especially since it will be the next key step in your growth in the Force." He offers a compassionate smile. "I know that you and Tai Jinn are close, but the steps you must take in this construction are something he cannot be a part of. Once this process has begun, only you can touch or deal with any of the components of your lightsaber. And I don't mind if you spend some time with the other padawan - that's expected. But now you have only one teacher... Can you live with that?"
Only Moira can touch her own lightsaber during its construction. Well, that'd be okay with her. As would learning solely from Ashton. The young woman nods her acceptance. "That'll be fine. I'll just keep all the parts in my room and ask Tai to allow me privacy in there while I'm working on the lightsaber." Hmm...and as Ashton's now her master, she ought to enlighten him a little about she and Tai. "Tai and I -are- close. But we've discussed training...well, namely his, though I'm sure it's reciprocal. And there's the understanding that, yes, sometimes we'll be unable to see each other because of things we need to be doing. I don't think there will be problems if I have to sequester myself somewhere and work." At this point, the blonde girl grins. "And he'll have no problems from me if he has to do the same. I suppose this isn't important now. But I just wanted you to know we've talked about it." Oh, and that last question, the part about one teacher. "As for having one instructor. Well, I usually come to you with anything I don't think I can deal with, anyways. I suppose now it'll just be official."
Ashton nods, "The rest of the Knights and Masters already know of you becoming my padawan - well those around the Praxeum anyway. So the teachers there won't be a problem. But on the same note, if you're in the library or helping with a training class of younger padawan, of course I expect you to use the resources at hand. It's your personal training - your connection to the Force - that is my responsibility. Other teachers will respect that line and tell you when they believe it would be better for you to ask me." He grins a bit wider now as the repulsorcraft slows as it begins docking procedures. "Anyway ... once we get back to Coruscant, take some time to yourself... doesn't have to be in meditation or training ... take some personal time. We'll begin the work on your lightsaber in a few days." He rises from his seat after the General touches down in the landing bay. "Ready?" and he jumps over the side, dropping lightly to the tarmac.
Moira doesn't nod, though she accepts what she's told and files it away, content for it all to be the way it's been explained to her. "Certainly am," Moira says, and grabs onto the side of the lift. She hops over as well, landing with a soft little 'thump' as her feet hit the floor. The gem is finally pocketed, placed in the one nearest her skin. Once on the ground, Moira takes a good look around. After all, they'll soon have to leave the lovely planet and return to the equally interesting, if familiar, Coruscant. Then, looking cheerful, she heads off for the transport that will take them home.
END OF LOG