The Journey of a Thousand Miles Begins with a Single Step...
Posted
#231878
(In Topic #10610)
2 ABY…
“Drake…do I hafta come out?” The little girl asked, calling out from behind the door of the captain's bedroom. Her blue eyes were locked upon her own image reflected in the full length mirror that Drake had bolted against the metal wall.
“Yes, you do. Look…most little girls would love to be wearing that dress.” The voice of the older male on the other side of the door didn't sound so sure of himself. In fact he sounded more impatient, “Just come on out so I can see if it fits or not.”
The child wrinkled her nose unhappily at the pink, lacy garment that was haphazardly strung over her tiny frame. The collar of the dress was almost coking the front of her neck as the fabric pressed itself up against her throat. In contrast, once the collar went to her back it dipped downwards creating a scope like shape that stopped between her shoulder blades making her feel not only odd but bare. The sleeves were twisted up so much that moving her arms was close to impossible. Not to mention the bow in the front was far to puffy, and the skirt thing was just embarrassing because it make her look like a silly little bell. In fact the only way the little girl could even move was if she held her arms straight out like the wings while breathing very slowly.
“Ralana….” Drake called out again this time starting to grow slightly frustrated with the situation.
“Ok, ok I'm coming!” Taking as big of a breath as she could the little girl waddled her way over to the door, her bare little feet patter patting on the mental floor of the ship. Finally reaching the door the little girl looked up at the 'open button' as a hopelessness washed over the child. The button was a good arm's length above her, so there was no way she could reach it with out tearing her new ruffled prison, “You can't laugh!”
“Ralana…”
“Promise me you won't laugh!”
“I won't laugh-”
“Promise!”
The man sighed going to rolled his eyes, “Ok…ok I promise, just co-”
“You have to open the door-”
“What! Why?”
“Just cause!” The girl whined not wanting to explain the certain issue she was having with the recent 'gift' Drake had given her.
“Alright, fine you complicated little girl.” Shaking his head the man pressed a button on the door panel as it whooshed open. And thus, there before his hazel eyes was a little girl with very tangled black and red hair, the cutest big blue eyes, barefoot, and wearing a lovely pink dress that was most certainly on backwards. The smuggler was of course unable to hide a smirk from his lips as he looked down at the child knowing that he wasn't raising a little princess. But, before he could say anything the girl scowled at him.
“You said you wouldn't laugh!”
“I'm not!”
“I can see your face!”
Drake rolled his eyes quickly bending down, “Well I'm sorry but you have this thing on backwards, so I can't help it. Now, here let me fix it.”
Still upset the girl pouted as the man gently went to pull down the zippier on the left side of the dress to loosen the garment.
“Pull your arms out.”
“Ok…” Ralana said still unhappy about the idea of wearing one of these frilly looking things. Pulling her arms out of the tight sleeves the child let out a sigh of relief as at least for a moment she was free of the constricting fabric. Making sure the dress was up to the child's shoulders Drake turned the outfit around so that the front was were it was suppose to be. And before he could ask, Ralana was already slipping her arms back into those wretched sleeves a little surprised that this time it felt a little bit better.
“Lift up your arms.” Drake said as he zipped up the side of the dress again and then straightened it out. Leaning back he looked over the little girl with a light smirk, “You can drop your ar-”
“You're laughing again!” Ralana protested as she dropped her arms in a huff.
Drake blinked, “No! I'm not! I'm-look nevermind…it looks good!” She stared at Drake not looking very convinced. “I'm being honest! You look very pretty.”
The little girl raised a brow looking very confused before walking back into the bedroom to take another look in the mirror trying to determine what this 'pretty' thing was. Studying her own reflection the child bit her bottom lip trying to see what was so wonderful about this dress. It fit better, felt a little better, and well looked better in a sense, but Ralana still thought she looked rather silly. “I look like a balloon…”
“You do not…you look like a very pretty little girl…maybe you should brush your hair though.” Seeing the unhappy reaction in the reflection of the mirror the man sighed, “Or…you can just leave it.”
Running a tiny hand through her hair the little girl turned to face the man, “I don't know if I like looking pretty.”
He laughed, “Well…you're gonna have to get used to it.” Moving past the little girl the man opened up his closet grabbing what appeared to be a shoe box from a top shelf, “I got you something else for your birthday.” Turning back to the now wide eyed girl the man handed her the small box, “Here…”
Taking the box from the man the little girl grinned going to quickly remove the lid. She didn't really know what she hoped it was, but well it was rare she'd get two presents from Drake at the same time. As she flipped through the tissue paper the child blinked looking at what was hiding inside, a doll. “What is it?” The girl asked going to gently pick up the baby sized, plastic fake little girl. Oddly enough she thought the object was meant to look like her, blue eyes, black curly hair, and a frilly pink dress.
“Its a doll…most little girls have one. I just-never th-..I just thought that maybe you needed a friend with you on the ship when we're gone. You know…someone you can play with.”
Ralana admired the doll thing that was in her hand for a moment wondering how in the universe something that literally had no life in it at all was suppose to be her playmate. She thought about making that point, but she could sense that Drake was trying to make her happy so she dropped it. A sweet smile tugged on the child's lips as she went to huge the space pirate's leg, “Thank You Drake! I love the doll!”
The man laughed running his weathered hand though Ralana messy black and red hair, “And the dress?”
There was a moment of silence before, “I'll get used to it…”
Drake laughed, “I've already turned you into a boy.” He looked down at the girl below him just in time to see her tiny little nose wrinkled up in disgust at the idea which only made him chuckle more. Leaning down he gently kissed the top of her head, “Happy Birthday Princess…we'll have more time to celebrate later, but now I have to go. Don't try to wander off the ship again ok?”
A very disappointed sigh escaped her lips, “Ok…”
Drake paused, “Promise me…”
“I promise…”
“Good now go play…”
“Yes, you do. Look…most little girls would love to be wearing that dress.” The voice of the older male on the other side of the door didn't sound so sure of himself. In fact he sounded more impatient, “Just come on out so I can see if it fits or not.”
The child wrinkled her nose unhappily at the pink, lacy garment that was haphazardly strung over her tiny frame. The collar of the dress was almost coking the front of her neck as the fabric pressed itself up against her throat. In contrast, once the collar went to her back it dipped downwards creating a scope like shape that stopped between her shoulder blades making her feel not only odd but bare. The sleeves were twisted up so much that moving her arms was close to impossible. Not to mention the bow in the front was far to puffy, and the skirt thing was just embarrassing because it make her look like a silly little bell. In fact the only way the little girl could even move was if she held her arms straight out like the wings while breathing very slowly.
“Ralana….” Drake called out again this time starting to grow slightly frustrated with the situation.
“Ok, ok I'm coming!” Taking as big of a breath as she could the little girl waddled her way over to the door, her bare little feet patter patting on the mental floor of the ship. Finally reaching the door the little girl looked up at the 'open button' as a hopelessness washed over the child. The button was a good arm's length above her, so there was no way she could reach it with out tearing her new ruffled prison, “You can't laugh!”
“Ralana…”
“Promise me you won't laugh!”
“I won't laugh-”
“Promise!”
The man sighed going to rolled his eyes, “Ok…ok I promise, just co-”
“You have to open the door-”
“What! Why?”
“Just cause!” The girl whined not wanting to explain the certain issue she was having with the recent 'gift' Drake had given her.
“Alright, fine you complicated little girl.” Shaking his head the man pressed a button on the door panel as it whooshed open. And thus, there before his hazel eyes was a little girl with very tangled black and red hair, the cutest big blue eyes, barefoot, and wearing a lovely pink dress that was most certainly on backwards. The smuggler was of course unable to hide a smirk from his lips as he looked down at the child knowing that he wasn't raising a little princess. But, before he could say anything the girl scowled at him.
“You said you wouldn't laugh!”
“I'm not!”
“I can see your face!”
Drake rolled his eyes quickly bending down, “Well I'm sorry but you have this thing on backwards, so I can't help it. Now, here let me fix it.”
Still upset the girl pouted as the man gently went to pull down the zippier on the left side of the dress to loosen the garment.
“Pull your arms out.”
“Ok…” Ralana said still unhappy about the idea of wearing one of these frilly looking things. Pulling her arms out of the tight sleeves the child let out a sigh of relief as at least for a moment she was free of the constricting fabric. Making sure the dress was up to the child's shoulders Drake turned the outfit around so that the front was were it was suppose to be. And before he could ask, Ralana was already slipping her arms back into those wretched sleeves a little surprised that this time it felt a little bit better.
“Lift up your arms.” Drake said as he zipped up the side of the dress again and then straightened it out. Leaning back he looked over the little girl with a light smirk, “You can drop your ar-”
“You're laughing again!” Ralana protested as she dropped her arms in a huff.
Drake blinked, “No! I'm not! I'm-look nevermind…it looks good!” She stared at Drake not looking very convinced. “I'm being honest! You look very pretty.”
The little girl raised a brow looking very confused before walking back into the bedroom to take another look in the mirror trying to determine what this 'pretty' thing was. Studying her own reflection the child bit her bottom lip trying to see what was so wonderful about this dress. It fit better, felt a little better, and well looked better in a sense, but Ralana still thought she looked rather silly. “I look like a balloon…”
“You do not…you look like a very pretty little girl…maybe you should brush your hair though.” Seeing the unhappy reaction in the reflection of the mirror the man sighed, “Or…you can just leave it.”
Running a tiny hand through her hair the little girl turned to face the man, “I don't know if I like looking pretty.”
He laughed, “Well…you're gonna have to get used to it.” Moving past the little girl the man opened up his closet grabbing what appeared to be a shoe box from a top shelf, “I got you something else for your birthday.” Turning back to the now wide eyed girl the man handed her the small box, “Here…”
Taking the box from the man the little girl grinned going to quickly remove the lid. She didn't really know what she hoped it was, but well it was rare she'd get two presents from Drake at the same time. As she flipped through the tissue paper the child blinked looking at what was hiding inside, a doll. “What is it?” The girl asked going to gently pick up the baby sized, plastic fake little girl. Oddly enough she thought the object was meant to look like her, blue eyes, black curly hair, and a frilly pink dress.
“Its a doll…most little girls have one. I just-never th-..I just thought that maybe you needed a friend with you on the ship when we're gone. You know…someone you can play with.”
Ralana admired the doll thing that was in her hand for a moment wondering how in the universe something that literally had no life in it at all was suppose to be her playmate. She thought about making that point, but she could sense that Drake was trying to make her happy so she dropped it. A sweet smile tugged on the child's lips as she went to huge the space pirate's leg, “Thank You Drake! I love the doll!”
The man laughed running his weathered hand though Ralana messy black and red hair, “And the dress?”
There was a moment of silence before, “I'll get used to it…”
Drake laughed, “I've already turned you into a boy.” He looked down at the girl below him just in time to see her tiny little nose wrinkled up in disgust at the idea which only made him chuckle more. Leaning down he gently kissed the top of her head, “Happy Birthday Princess…we'll have more time to celebrate later, but now I have to go. Don't try to wander off the ship again ok?”
A very disappointed sigh escaped her lips, “Ok…”
Drake paused, “Promise me…”
“I promise…”
“Good now go play…”
*****
She sighed looking down at the doll in her lap. “I still don't know what to call you.” The girl stared at the plastic mini Ralana laying across the skirt of her dress. Tilting her head to the side, her thoughts about what to name her new best friend were interrupted when she heard a commotion from out in the hanger. Yes, she was sitting down on the entrance ramp to the ship the closest she could get to exploring with out actually 'leaving' the ship.
Leaning her head down so that she could see what lay beyond the ramp she noted all the typical things one would see in a hangar: cargo, other ships, droids, but now there was a group of children running towards what appeared to be a service entrance. The sight of other children is what caught Ralana's attention as she started to creep down the ramp trying to get a better look. There were a total of four, and one of the children, a green Twi'lek, was ahead of the group. The sight puzzled the little girl as she saw the alien child reaching the service door and attempting to open it, but the door wasn't moving. And, before he could even scream for help the other children, who were all human, surrounded the boy shoving him to the ground. After that, all Ralana could see from her current vantage point were the three children huddled around the Twi'lek, and kicking the poor kid.
Swallowing hard, the girl tore her gaze away from the scene now looking back to her doll that lay in the entryway of the ship. She stood there while her mind weighed the options. Ralana knew that if she left the ship there would be serve consequences, but she couldn't just leave the boy to the mercy of those other children could she? Someone had to do something…maybe she could get help? She was all alone on the ship since Aiden, who was suppose to be watching her, had already snuck off somewhere. A loud yelp of pain made Ralana instantly spin around, and forget her earlier reservations. The girl ran down the ramp leaving her doll and the safety of the ship behind. Something bad was going to happen, and she had to stop it.
Sprinting across the hangar bay the girl reached the group in a manner of seconds. The three children, all boys, were at least three years older than the seven year old. They were all three laughing, and scoffing at the sight of their victim who was now curled up against the door quivering in fear. Ralana's eyes darted from the human boys to the alien in confusion. Watching the green boy she could sense his fear, and his pain. While the human boys were just so angry, and she couldn't figure out why. There was no reason for all these extreme emotions that thickened the air around them. For a moment the girl thought she wasn't going to be able to breathe; after hearing another cry from the boy, well, she just couldn't take it anymore. “Hey…quit it.” The girl's words fell on deaf ears as the boys were just having too much fun to even pay any attention. “Hey! I said quit it!” The girl belted the words as she moved closer to them. Her feet stopped, though, when the three turned to look at her.
“Frak you want?” The boy in the middle spoke first. He was the taller of the two, his hand was clenched tightly into a fist while his dark eyes burrowed down into the little girl clearly daring her answer him. Smirks rested on the faces of the other two boys as they waited to what kind of lesson their leader would teach the frilly little brat.
Ralana stood there for a moment clearly taken aback by the other human children not comprehending their actions or why the one cursed at her. She had never come across people so angry, and so bent on hurting someone before. Taking a breath the girl grasped on to what little courage she had, and spoke again, “Just stop hurting him-”
“Give me one good reason?” The larger of the two boys said instantly stepping towards the girl in the pink dress so that he was mere inches away from her form, towering over her.
Although Ralana found herself slightly intimidated by boy, she stood her ground and let her blue eyes meet his brown. Even though he was much bigger than her, and scarier she was more stubborn than he was. “It's bad.” As soon as the words left her mouth the boy reached up and shoved her causing Ralana to stumble backwards.
“Why don't you go get lost somewhere!” He was toying with her. The other boys chuckled at the sight, while still making sure the alien was staying in his place, curled up on the floor. One of the other boys scoffed at her, “Yeah, mind your own business!” They started to turn back to the alien boy figuring that the girl would just leave them alone now, but that was the last thing on Ralana's mind. Just as the taller boy about to kick the alien again, he felt something grab the back of his shirt, and pull downwards making the fabric in the front of his shirt start to choke him. Then in the next second he was yanked down to the ground.
“I said stop it!” Ralana screamed finally letting go of the boy's shirt and then side stepping as he body slammed backwards into the floor. She had used all of her strength to bring him down thanks to Eve's training. But, then she felt a hand on her arm and with out even thinking she flexed her arm then clench her fist. As that second human boy twisted the girl's body so that she was facing him swinging her arm forward. The momentum of his and her movements brought Ralana's knuckles to his nose the impact making the cartilage crackle, and a geyser of blood flowed out of his nostrils. The sight of what she had just done made Ralana pause for a moment as she watched the boy whose nose she had just broke stumble back in pain, and that was just long enough for the fallen boy to turn over on his side. Reaching out he grabbed the girl's ankle and with one strong pull yanked it back making her fall to the ground. Landing on her stomach, Ralana's chin bounced off the ground causing her to cry out as waves of pain echoed through out her head.
The fallen boy tugged on the girl's ankle trying to bring her closer to him making her forget the pain for a moment. She twisted her body attempting to wrestle free from his grip, but he it only made him tighten his hold. Digging his fingers into her flesh the boy yanked even harder bringing Ralana closer to him. Not knowing what else to do the girl panicked and with her free foot kicked the boy right in the face crushing his nose as well. His grip on her loosened as he fell onto his back screaming out in pain as blood streamed down his face. Ralana struggled to get up as something told her to run, but she needed to find the Twi'lek boy first. Turning her head she caught sight of the green alien just as he was getting up to run. The alien boy saw his opportunity to escape the crazy human children, and he took it leaving his saviour to fend for herself.
Before Ralana could stand up the only boy who wasn't hurt, since he had spent the entire time gawking in shock at the sight of a little girl in a pick dress getting the better of his two friends, finally intervened. Running over to the child with one swift movement he kicked the girl right in the stomach making her convulse before toppling over on the ground. Tears were now filling her eyes as the pain from the kick rocked her small body, and instantly she curled up in a ball trying to ease the pain. Gasping for air the girl was about to ask the other boy to stop when she heard a familiar voice call out.
“Hey! What's going on here?”
The sight of a taller man running towards them made the final boy freeze in place before turning to run off as fast as he could. His two friends who were just then starting to recover from their own wounds followed suit not wanting to tangle with a grown up, or much less a ship captain. Holding their noses the boys bolted off in different directions knowing that Drake couldn't go after both of them. Thankfully for the gang of children he really didn't give a frak about them. His concern was the girl who was pulling herself off the ground.
“I told you to stay on the ship!” Drake spat at her as he knelt down to see if she was ok.
Sniffling the girl went to wipe her tears away with the now dirty sleeve of her dress, “I know! But, they were-”
“Ralana! No excuses I told you to stay on the ship! Its not safe! You could have gotten-” He paused trying to control himself. “Look, are you ok?”
The little girl wrinkled her nose at him, “I'm fine!” Well really she hurt everywhere, but she didn't want to admit that right now. “I had to stop them Drake! They were gonna hurt him!”
“Who?”
“Some green boy. They were kicking him and no one was stopping them!”
He sighed looking over Ralana and noticing that her chin was starting to swell, “You need to stay out of fights.”
“But they were hurting him!”
“Ralana! Just-…” He sighed not sure if he could or should scold her for protecting someone. “When something like that happens you go get help, but don't get involved like that you could have gotten really hurt.”
The girl just stared at the man not sure what to say or really understanding why what she did was wrong. “No one else was here, Drake!”
“I don't care! I just don't want you hurt! This isn't how little girls should act!”
“Then maybe I don't want to be a little girl!” Ralana spouted back, not really thinking about her words. She watched Drake sigh in frustration and then hang his head. She knew he was thinking about what to say, and that she made him upset, but she wasn't sorry. “They were being bad, and I asked them to stop. I had to-” She stopped when the man held up a hand telling her to hush.
“We'll talk about it tomorrow…lets just get you cleaned up..”
Leaning her head down so that she could see what lay beyond the ramp she noted all the typical things one would see in a hangar: cargo, other ships, droids, but now there was a group of children running towards what appeared to be a service entrance. The sight of other children is what caught Ralana's attention as she started to creep down the ramp trying to get a better look. There were a total of four, and one of the children, a green Twi'lek, was ahead of the group. The sight puzzled the little girl as she saw the alien child reaching the service door and attempting to open it, but the door wasn't moving. And, before he could even scream for help the other children, who were all human, surrounded the boy shoving him to the ground. After that, all Ralana could see from her current vantage point were the three children huddled around the Twi'lek, and kicking the poor kid.
Swallowing hard, the girl tore her gaze away from the scene now looking back to her doll that lay in the entryway of the ship. She stood there while her mind weighed the options. Ralana knew that if she left the ship there would be serve consequences, but she couldn't just leave the boy to the mercy of those other children could she? Someone had to do something…maybe she could get help? She was all alone on the ship since Aiden, who was suppose to be watching her, had already snuck off somewhere. A loud yelp of pain made Ralana instantly spin around, and forget her earlier reservations. The girl ran down the ramp leaving her doll and the safety of the ship behind. Something bad was going to happen, and she had to stop it.
Sprinting across the hangar bay the girl reached the group in a manner of seconds. The three children, all boys, were at least three years older than the seven year old. They were all three laughing, and scoffing at the sight of their victim who was now curled up against the door quivering in fear. Ralana's eyes darted from the human boys to the alien in confusion. Watching the green boy she could sense his fear, and his pain. While the human boys were just so angry, and she couldn't figure out why. There was no reason for all these extreme emotions that thickened the air around them. For a moment the girl thought she wasn't going to be able to breathe; after hearing another cry from the boy, well, she just couldn't take it anymore. “Hey…quit it.” The girl's words fell on deaf ears as the boys were just having too much fun to even pay any attention. “Hey! I said quit it!” The girl belted the words as she moved closer to them. Her feet stopped, though, when the three turned to look at her.
“Frak you want?” The boy in the middle spoke first. He was the taller of the two, his hand was clenched tightly into a fist while his dark eyes burrowed down into the little girl clearly daring her answer him. Smirks rested on the faces of the other two boys as they waited to what kind of lesson their leader would teach the frilly little brat.
Ralana stood there for a moment clearly taken aback by the other human children not comprehending their actions or why the one cursed at her. She had never come across people so angry, and so bent on hurting someone before. Taking a breath the girl grasped on to what little courage she had, and spoke again, “Just stop hurting him-”
“Give me one good reason?” The larger of the two boys said instantly stepping towards the girl in the pink dress so that he was mere inches away from her form, towering over her.
Although Ralana found herself slightly intimidated by boy, she stood her ground and let her blue eyes meet his brown. Even though he was much bigger than her, and scarier she was more stubborn than he was. “It's bad.” As soon as the words left her mouth the boy reached up and shoved her causing Ralana to stumble backwards.
“Why don't you go get lost somewhere!” He was toying with her. The other boys chuckled at the sight, while still making sure the alien was staying in his place, curled up on the floor. One of the other boys scoffed at her, “Yeah, mind your own business!” They started to turn back to the alien boy figuring that the girl would just leave them alone now, but that was the last thing on Ralana's mind. Just as the taller boy about to kick the alien again, he felt something grab the back of his shirt, and pull downwards making the fabric in the front of his shirt start to choke him. Then in the next second he was yanked down to the ground.
“I said stop it!” Ralana screamed finally letting go of the boy's shirt and then side stepping as he body slammed backwards into the floor. She had used all of her strength to bring him down thanks to Eve's training. But, then she felt a hand on her arm and with out even thinking she flexed her arm then clench her fist. As that second human boy twisted the girl's body so that she was facing him swinging her arm forward. The momentum of his and her movements brought Ralana's knuckles to his nose the impact making the cartilage crackle, and a geyser of blood flowed out of his nostrils. The sight of what she had just done made Ralana pause for a moment as she watched the boy whose nose she had just broke stumble back in pain, and that was just long enough for the fallen boy to turn over on his side. Reaching out he grabbed the girl's ankle and with one strong pull yanked it back making her fall to the ground. Landing on her stomach, Ralana's chin bounced off the ground causing her to cry out as waves of pain echoed through out her head.
The fallen boy tugged on the girl's ankle trying to bring her closer to him making her forget the pain for a moment. She twisted her body attempting to wrestle free from his grip, but he it only made him tighten his hold. Digging his fingers into her flesh the boy yanked even harder bringing Ralana closer to him. Not knowing what else to do the girl panicked and with her free foot kicked the boy right in the face crushing his nose as well. His grip on her loosened as he fell onto his back screaming out in pain as blood streamed down his face. Ralana struggled to get up as something told her to run, but she needed to find the Twi'lek boy first. Turning her head she caught sight of the green alien just as he was getting up to run. The alien boy saw his opportunity to escape the crazy human children, and he took it leaving his saviour to fend for herself.
Before Ralana could stand up the only boy who wasn't hurt, since he had spent the entire time gawking in shock at the sight of a little girl in a pick dress getting the better of his two friends, finally intervened. Running over to the child with one swift movement he kicked the girl right in the stomach making her convulse before toppling over on the ground. Tears were now filling her eyes as the pain from the kick rocked her small body, and instantly she curled up in a ball trying to ease the pain. Gasping for air the girl was about to ask the other boy to stop when she heard a familiar voice call out.
“Hey! What's going on here?”
The sight of a taller man running towards them made the final boy freeze in place before turning to run off as fast as he could. His two friends who were just then starting to recover from their own wounds followed suit not wanting to tangle with a grown up, or much less a ship captain. Holding their noses the boys bolted off in different directions knowing that Drake couldn't go after both of them. Thankfully for the gang of children he really didn't give a frak about them. His concern was the girl who was pulling herself off the ground.
“I told you to stay on the ship!” Drake spat at her as he knelt down to see if she was ok.
Sniffling the girl went to wipe her tears away with the now dirty sleeve of her dress, “I know! But, they were-”
“Ralana! No excuses I told you to stay on the ship! Its not safe! You could have gotten-” He paused trying to control himself. “Look, are you ok?”
The little girl wrinkled her nose at him, “I'm fine!” Well really she hurt everywhere, but she didn't want to admit that right now. “I had to stop them Drake! They were gonna hurt him!”
“Who?”
“Some green boy. They were kicking him and no one was stopping them!”
He sighed looking over Ralana and noticing that her chin was starting to swell, “You need to stay out of fights.”
“But they were hurting him!”
“Ralana! Just-…” He sighed not sure if he could or should scold her for protecting someone. “When something like that happens you go get help, but don't get involved like that you could have gotten really hurt.”
The girl just stared at the man not sure what to say or really understanding why what she did was wrong. “No one else was here, Drake!”
“I don't care! I just don't want you hurt! This isn't how little girls should act!”
“Then maybe I don't want to be a little girl!” Ralana spouted back, not really thinking about her words. She watched Drake sigh in frustration and then hang his head. She knew he was thinking about what to say, and that she made him upset, but she wasn't sorry. “They were being bad, and I asked them to stop. I had to-” She stopped when the man held up a hand telling her to hush.
“We'll talk about it tomorrow…lets just get you cleaned up..”
"There's part of me that wants to say so much, but then I think of that person who lost a sister, or the father who lost a daughter…and there simply are no words. Everything I wanted to say seems so trite in the face of everything." - Randomguy on the CO tragedy.
Posted
Practice makes Permanent...
The Forest Moon of Endor7 ABY
A long puff of smoke escaped the elderly women's lips as her leathery fingers gripped the cigarra tenderly. Her dark eye watched the grey strand lift up into the air before she brought back the brown papered roll back to her lips. Deeply inhaling, Eve's gaze moved back to the woods watching the shadows from their fire dance across the trees. Closing her lips the woman took a long, peaceful drag on her drug of choice letting the toxins seep down into her lungs and then float out to the rest of her body. And for a few momentary seconds she basked in the sensation becoming lost in true bliss.
“Eve?”
Her peaceful state would of course be interrupted per the usual by the voice of twelve year old girl gasping for air. Holding the roll of burning paper and leaves in her teeth the old woman opened the corner of her weathered lips letting slow puffs of smoke billow out with her long exhale. She simply ignored the student still wanting to enjoy her cigarra for a little longer.
“…Eve…?”
She didn't didn't bother to look down at her student, but instead put her boot on the twelve year old's back. “You're not done yet.” She leaned back taking another long drag on the cigarra while feeling her leg slowly raise up and then quickly down with the movements of the child in the dirt next to her. Honestly Eve had lost count of how many push up's she was making the girl do, and achieving some number wasn't really the point either. “And no slowing down.” The trainer's voice was flat and unsympathetic to the girl whose body was beginning to quiver. The old woman had been running the girl around all day long giving her little time for breaks. Running, sparing, pull ups, push ups, and well anything Eve could possibility think of to wear Ralana out. Yet, the girl was still going.
“How much longer?” Ralana croaked out the words with her latest lift off sounding trying to the exhaustion in her voice.
Eve just shrugged still keeping her eye locked on the trees. She wouldn't know the answer to that question for a while, and right now thinking was just far too complicated. It'd been a while since she had been camping in the woods with out the noise of a rowdy smuggling crew to interfere with her peace.
“Eve?”
“Hmm?”
“How much-”
“You'll be done when you're done.” There was a moment of hesistation in the girl's movements before she stopped in mid air. The old woman didn't see it, but of could she felt it cause her foot was ceased it's movements. Eve tapped the child's back with her toe, “And, you're not done.”
“How will I know-”
“Look child, you'll know! Now, stop being so lazy.”
A heavy sigh escaped the student's lips as she started her push ups again. She still debated on this 'knowing' idea. Maybe her teacher was meaning the Force, or well maybe…something else…
…Maybe an hour later…
Ralana didn't know how much longer she could go on as she tried to stop her arms from shaking. Sweat dripped down her face making her long black hair become matted to her scalp. Trying to steady herself the girl clenched her fists going to grip the dirt below her hands . It didn't work, and with one final lift off the student's arms finally gave out. Groaning she fell face first in the dirt waiting for Eve's boot to pound against her back. Luckily, the old lady had been paying attention and removed her leg before the fall.
The mentor merely chuckled, “Alright…we're done with that.”
With that? There was more? She wanted to curse, or even protest, but it would get her no where. There was a reason for it right? Eve isn't crazy…er…
Eve stood looking back at Ralana who was still laying down on her belly in the dirt. The old lady's smile lifted from her face as she studied the clearly worn out girl. Her student was stronger, and had more stamina than all the other's she had trained. Ralana excelled in the make shift training program the former ranger had set out for the child, and soon there would be little more the woman would be able to teach her. The force had to be strong in girl there was no other explanation. Studying adolescent a bit longer the old woman went to remove her dark blue jacket, part of her old Antarian uniform. “Get up…” Eve ordered as she tossed the jacket on a fallen log.
Arguing would have been a bad idea at this point, so instead Ralana took a deep breath before pushing herself up off the ground. Now standing the exhausted student faced her mentor going to wipe the sweat of f her brow exchanging it for a thick line of dirt. But before she could even drop her hand the girl felt a warning in the Force. Spinning around she barely dodged the heel of Eve's boot as she lunged at the girl. There was more! Ralana narrowed her eyes quickly raising up her arms in preparation for the teacher's next furry of attacks. With each punch the old woman sent her way the learner used her forearms to block the blows.
Eve considered attacking with her full strength against the girl. Normally assaulting a twelve year old would be much easier than this, but Ralana could easily see her opponents next move before she even struck. Sadly, the girl lacked focus. She could use the Force, but not to its full potential. Perhaps something only another Jedi could teach her, but no matter Eve had to at least try. Deciding to up her game the ranger moved faster, and closer to the girl forcing the student to step back.
Ralana was starting to struggle in order to keep up with Eve's moments. Her body was exhausted, her arms ached in pain, and she was mentally worn. She knew the woman would be able to outlast her for now, but maybe the fight could end quickly? Instead of blocking her teacher's next punch Ralana leaned sharply to the left dodging the attack before going to counter strike. Unfortunately, the girl's move was sloppy and it left an easy opportunity for the woman.
Raising her arm Eve parried Ralana's punch letting the girls fist slide off the old woman's forearm. Exploiting the student's momentum she grabbed the extended arm of the girl, and twisted it behind her back locking the attacker's arm behind her back. Not giving the twelve year old a chance to react Eve wrapped her other arm around the child's neck, and leaned back. Ralana struggled against the teachers hold, but her capturers grip was too strong. Besides every time the girl tried to break out of the hold Eve only leaned tightened the lock. After a few seconds the teacher release her grip, and Ralana went stumbling forward. “Again…” Eve grabbed the butt of her cigarra going to toss it to the ground before moving into another defensive stance. She waited for her now exhausted student to attack…
…After maybe an hour or two of dueling…
Ralana rested her head against the back of the log not caring about the fact she was laying in the dirt, and well was completely filthy. She still didn't know how long they had been training, but it felt days with out rest. The girl was beyond exhausted, and even felt a bit defeated. The old woman was perfectly fine, and had thoroughly kicked the student's butt.
“Here.” Eve was standing above the girl offering her a small canteen.
Gingerly Ralana reached up taking the canteen from the older woman, “Thanks…” Quickly her shaking fingers went unscrew the metal top eager to moisten her now dry throat. Not even bothering to check the contents of the container the girl leaned her head back dumping the water into her mouth. Her thoughts were still focused on the earlier parts of the day, critiquing her performance, and making a mental list of what skills she still lacked.
“Drink too fast and you'll choke.” Eve muttered going to sit down next to the girl. She pulled out a fresh cigarra listening to her student gulp down the liquid as if she hadn't had water in days. Placing the second brown, paper roll in her mouth the old woman went to pull a lighter out of her jacket pocket maybe now she could smoke in peace.
“Eve…?”
Or not… The old woman almost sighed as she flicked the lighter a few times, “Yeah?”
“Did I do good?”
A smirk crept across the old woman's wrinkled face, “Why? Are you doubting yourself?”
“No! Well…” Ralana looked down at the canteen in her hand thinking for a long moment. “I just want to know-”
“You did your best?”
The girl blinked, “Yes…”
“Then you know that you did good. This isn't a competition Ralana.”
“I know but-”
“No, you just know.” Eve paused flicking the lighter once more so that there was a steady flame. Bringing the tin lighter to the end of the paper roll the old woman inhaled lighting the end of the cigarra. “You don't need me to give you a trophy or even a pat on the back every time you've done well. You'll know…even if no one else appreciates it…you'll know. Remember that.”
"There's part of me that wants to say so much, but then I think of that person who lost a sister, or the father who lost a daughter…and there simply are no words. Everything I wanted to say seems so trite in the face of everything." - Randomguy on the CO tragedy.
Posted
Floating Rocks and Boys Who Talk...
Jedi Temple11 ABY
The light was blinding, and the air was thick with heat, or so it seemed. Ralana trudged forward with her head hung low as her former teacher's words flew right past her ears. It was hard enough not to choke on the oxygen in the room let alone listen. Really the girl was simply trying to control her emotions like a soon to be Jedi should. But, she could take no more of Eve's mutterings and just stopped in her tracks,
“Do you really have to go?”
Eve turned looking back at the teenager with a raised brow as she pulled the cigarra out of her lips, “Ralana…”
“You can stay, I'm sure the temple could us-”
“Ralana stop.”
“Bu-”
“Ralana…” Eve turned all the way around to face the girl before slowly making her way forward towards the girl. “I have to leave.”
The padawan learner shifted her weight still unable to look the old woman in the eye. Ralana searched for words wanting to speak, but instead there was awkward silence. She was being selfish, and if she was honest the girl was also a little scared. Ralana's thoughts were soon broken when she felt Eve's arms wrap gently around her frame.
“You'll be fine. I'll be fine. Drake and Aiden will be fine.”
“I know…” Ralana muttered softly going to return the old woman's hug. “I-”
“Do you really have to go?”
Eve turned looking back at the teenager with a raised brow as she pulled the cigarra out of her lips, “Ralana…”
“You can stay, I'm sure the temple could us-”
“Ralana stop.”
“Bu-”
“Ralana…” Eve turned all the way around to face the girl before slowly making her way forward towards the girl. “I have to leave.”
The padawan learner shifted her weight still unable to look the old woman in the eye. Ralana searched for words wanting to speak, but instead there was awkward silence. She was being selfish, and if she was honest the girl was also a little scared. Ralana's thoughts were soon broken when she felt Eve's arms wrap gently around her frame.
“You'll be fine. I'll be fine. Drake and Aiden will be fine.”
“I know…” Ralana muttered softly going to return the old woman's hug. “I-”
Instantly the memory was chased away by the sound of the blaring alarm clock. Now out of her dream world the girl's eyes flew open staring at the nosey clock as it continued its persistant beeping. Letting out a heavy sigh Ralana flung her arm forward turning the alarm off before going to sit up. She wouldn't have very long for her morning routine before class. Yawning, the girl stood up walking over to her closet going to start on her daily pull ups…
*****************************************************************
The Grand Audience Chamber echoed with the voices of chattering temple students. Though this was one of the classes meant for older students Ralana found herself one of the oldest there, even at the tender age of sixteen. Most of her classmates where around twelve to fourteen years old, and a few were perhaps older than sixteen. It seemed like anyone and everyone wanted to be a Jedi, but then again she wasn't used to large groups of people yet. Spending the majority of your life on a ship in space with maybe 5 or 6 other people didn't introduce you to crowds much. In fact she had been at the temple for a good six months and wasn't close to anyone there. The half human was getting a reputation of being a loner, but she honestly didn't mind. Perhaps it left an air of mystery around her? She wished. Ignoring the other students for the most part the girl moved to her usual spot, off to the side on the right, and in the middle. The front was left for students who were either younger, or of shorter stature than the rest. As she started her stretches the female idly listened to the two older girls behind her gossip about some other student. An older man in his 20s, Correllian, and a New Republic pilot which made things much more scandalous. Typically gossiping was frowned upon in the order, and few Jedi would openly participate in such actions, but the two were known for it. This was another reason why Ralana had chosen her spot and stayed with it, it was a way to know the going ons within the temple with out having to socialize herself.
A sudden hush came over the students in the room when another familiar Force presence entered the room. The blonde haired, blue eyed Jedi Master walked down the the center of the hall smiling and nodding to students as he passed. Even though his understanding of the Force was greater than most could even hope to achieve he was still very down to earth. Ralana had never seen, or heard of an incident where she had heard different. He was everything each one of them wanted to be, and there was a clear sense of awe that washed over each one of them as they watched their leader.
The sound of footsteps near the girl brought Ralana's attention away from her master as someone stood next to her? The girl blinked looking to her left to see none other than that dark haired pilot! The half human girl couldn't help the look of alarm that was on her face, nor could the two girls behind her though for different reasons. Frankly the girl liked having her own personal space, and was used to everyone else staying in their spots. Besides what reason would he have for standing next to her? They didn't know each other and-
“You ok?”
Ralana blinked realizing that she had been staring at the man in shock the entire time, and he could clearly sense her feelings. Closing her mouth she turned away nodding her head. She was just being silly wasn't she?
“You sure?”
“Yes.”
“Cause…I can leave.”
“I'm fine!” Her words were quick and her tone was quiet, but clearly the girl's behind them had heard her. Ralana expressed an inner sigh, but thankfully Master Skywalker had taken center stage.
He bowed before the students and thus they bowed in returned as was the common Jedi greeting. When Skywalker rose he took a final gaze over everyone there making sure there was no one missing. A soft smile appeared on his lips, “Good morning everyone …you may be seated.” Silently, the students followed his command knowing that by seated he meant in a meditative position. Today they would be working on Force Telekinesis, a simple force technique but extremely useful none the less. Ralana watched as two older students started to hand out brown sacks to the students sitting their rows. The sacks themselves contained different sized saucers, or rocks that could easily stack on top of the other. The class was meant for different skill levels, a beginner would simply attempt to move one of the objects with the force while more advanced students would levitate more than one. Later on a student would create stacks developing control and focus of their powers. For some levitating in a classroom with other students was far more difficult than alone because of simple distractions. Luckily for Ralana she was a loner and so others being distracting wasn't normally an issue, but today was different.
Straightening her back she sensed the older man lean in closer to her whispering, “I'm Corran…”
Is he crazy? Why is he talking during class?
Only using her eyes, and not moving her head, the girl only took a few sideways glances at the other student before offering him a small smile followed by a curt nod. Perhaps if she politely ignored him he would take the hint that they really should be paying attention to what Master Skywalker was saying, even though it was the same instructions he always gave. But, he was still watching her? Slowly Ralana's blue eyes rolled over to the side looking at him staring at her. Now the student was coming close to a panic and there was no way she could focus. They found themselves at an awkward impasse for one of them had to say something, and apparently it had to be her, “That's nice…”
Corran blinked, “What is?”
“Your name.”
“Oh…well thank you-”
“You're welcome.” There, the conversation was finished and they could pay attention to class now. Or so Ralana thought because not even a second later he was whispering again.
“It's usually polite to-”
She sighed, “Ralana.”
Corran blinked at her constant curtness towards him, and for the simple fact that during the entire conversation she had not turned her head to even look at him. Really he should just tell her why he was bugging her, but the girl was interesting entertainment. So instead he leaned forward, “I was thinking we should be partners.”
This time Ralana looked over at him with a raised brow, “What?”
“Sparring Partners…”
Ralana raised a brow watching him very closely, “You're lying…”
Corran pursed his lips before going to hang his head. Letting out a sigh he nodded, “You're right. Master Luke thought it.”
The sixteen year old blinked exactly twice knowing that this time the fighter jock was telling the truth. Great. “I see.” She looked back to her blonde haired Master who was also glancing in their very direction.
The man crossed his arms, “Something you'd like to share with the class? Corran? Ralana?”
The girl's face turned instantly bright red when the Jedi Master called them out. It was her worst fear come true, and really she had no idea what to say even though her mouth started to open. “No I'm-”
“Only how excited we are for our lesson.” Corran stated with a very charming grin plastered on his face.
Master Skywalker just shook his head, “I see. Let's turn that excitement into focus shall we?”
“Yes Master.” Ralana and Corran said both in unison before bowing in respect to the Jedi teacher before them.
And Master Skywalker wanted him to be her sparring partner? This had to be a lesson in patience, or some other Jedi personality trait. Or, perhaps it was a complement? He was older after all, so maybe he was skilled? No matter Corran reminded Ralana more of her brother rather than the ideal of a Jedi student. And now you're being judgmental, you should at least give him a chance. Taking a deep breath she turned her attention to one of the students who was now handing her two brown sacks full of rocks. Reaching up she took both bags before handing one to her classmate.
Instead of pouring out the bag like many of the students there, or placing the rocks in front of her Ralana gently placed the sack to the side of her. She liked the practical applications of the force, and wanted to be able to rely on it completely if the time called for it. What if she was unable to open the bag with her hands? A soft smile came to her lips as the Jedi student found her thought clever even though if she would just look around a few of the older students were doing the same. But, right now the girl was ignoring everyone else except for her Master who was instructing the class to prepare for meditation.
Closing her eyes, Ralana put her present life in abeyance and focused solely on the Force. Feeling the weight of current worries lift from her mind the girl reached out with the Force searching for the bag to her left. An image slowly appeared on the blank canvas of her mind, the area in front of her including the bag of stones. The variously sized and shaped stone radiated with their force energy shining through the translucent fabric walls of the sack. Slowly inhaling a deep gust of air the student moved her attention to the opening of the bag seeing that it was closed by a single string wrapped around the outside several times. Concentrating, Ralana mentally gripped the corded fabric before slowly pulling at it with the force. Quickly the string began to unravel itself, and the lip to the bag fell loose. Letting go of the string the girl focused on the different rocks that were in the bag, feeling out the shape and size of each one. She would be working on stacking her objects and she wanted a good base. Choosing the largest of all the rocks in the bag the girl took a mental hold on the object, but this time she let herself connect to the Force energy inside of it. The wide, oval rock vibrated with force energy in her mind as she slowly lifted it from the bottom of the sack. It was slow moving as the rocks on top of the larger slowly slipped off the larger giving her a pathway to follow in the air.
Spinning the stone in the air the girl now had to split her mind, half keeping the larger stone floating in the air in front of her and the other half reaching for a new one. Steadying the larger stone part of Ralana's mind reached back to the bag searching for the stone that was slightly smaller than the first. The bag shifted as the force floated between the rocks moving past the smaller stones before the Jedi gripped the larger. A soft smile appeared on the girl's lips as she lifted the next rock out of the bag and into the air. So far she was doing well, she moved the smaller above the larger before gently stacking it on top of the base rock. Carefully the girl moved the stones down so that they now floated a mere foot above the ground. She had still had trouble controlling more objects, and if she failed at least the rocks wouldn't hit her in the head like last time.
As time passed the Jedi student had successfully stacked four stones in a floating, lopsided pyramid, and was going to attempt a fifth rock. It was then her Master's voice echoed in her head, “Alright, everyone please put your stones away…and good work.”
Her blue eyes flew open and the stones scattered to the floor. Frak!
She still needed to work on that. Leaning over to pick up the fallen rocks the girl had completely forgotten about the pilot seated next to her until he handed her a stone. “Might wanna be a little more gentle next time, slick.” He smirked obviously giving the sixteen year old a hard time though the statement caught her clearly off guard.
“Um…yeah still working on that.” Coughing Ralana took the stone from his hand going to put it back in the bag with the others. “Thanks.”
“No problem.” Corran stated going to stand up while tying up his own brown bag, “So, I'll see you back here at three then.”
The girl blinked, “Three? What-?”
“Great! See you then!” The pilot grinned before turning away from his classmate who was just staring at him in utter disbelief.
That's it? He just left? He didn't give her a choice! Ralana let out a heavy sigh grabbing the last rock on the ground before feeling a double set of eyes on her. Turning around she clearly caught the two gossip queens behind her giggling and staring. Great…
"There's part of me that wants to say so much, but then I think of that person who lost a sister, or the father who lost a daughter…and there simply are no words. Everything I wanted to say seems so trite in the face of everything." - Randomguy on the CO tragedy.
Posted
First Dance...with laser swords...
Jedi Temple11 ABY
The sounds of the low humming blades echoed in the vast hall of the grand audience chamber as the two students circled one another. Their eyes focused on the other whilst ignoring the few others that observed, including Master Skywalker. This fight was more than just simple sparring, training, or even a practised application; they were learning about the other, and dare say it themselves. A first dance so to speak.
Corran was clearly the aggressive one; he had made every attack, and though at first he was holding back his strength, the reins were being let loose. The girl was able to easily block and parry every move the older man made. It honestly surprised him that a sixteen year old could match his attacks. From just looking at her the girl didn't seem all that intimidating, but now the fighter jock realized he needed to stay on his toes.
Ralana held back her anticipation to gauge her opponents style in order to guess his movements. Lowering the blue blade of her training saber the girl side stepped sensing through the Force that Corran was going to rush her. And, in fact he did. His own green saber raised in the air as he went to strike at her left shoulder with all his strength. Instantly Ralana raised her weapon, blocking his attack before going to counter strike. Of course flyboy followed her movements stopping her attempted burn on his arm. He then pushed the blade up off his own causing the girl to stumble a few steps backwards. Frak… The curse travelled through Ralana's mind as she quickly gained control of her footing, but before she could even look up Corran was rushing her again. Seeing his chance the man started a fierce attack with a furry of rapid blows. The girl this time had a little bit of trouble blocking each and every blow. Not only where they quick, but they were stronger with each attack. Narrowing her blue eyes Ralana reached out with the force focusing on his movements, and catching on to his momentum. Her parry's because faster,and instead of her struggling against the pilot she was moving with him. The fight no longer seemed a battle, but instead a dance…
Their sabers sizzled with every strike causing the few students in the room who were already watching to move closer to the two. In fact two of the students there were the gossiping girls from class earlier that morning who had stopped their 'meditation' to watch, and whisper to each other. But, Master Skywalker's interest in the fight even out did the gossip queens of the temple which was saying something. He, for now, stood with his arms folded and across his chest while studing the movements of his two students. The teacher accessing the learners. He had his reasons for putting the two together. Ralana needed to build her confidence as well as build her social skills. Corran on the other hand was the typical fighter jock, he needed focus, calm, and even perhaps some humility. The each could teach the other a thing or two, but if they would take the lessons to heart that would be another matter.
Corran pushed harder trying to back his partner into a corner, but unfortunately for him Ralana could see his current strategy. Turning on the heel of her right foot the sixteen year old spun away from the ever nearing wall altering the course of their duel. Corran's green blade was now barely out of reach of the shorter, and smaller framed opponent. A small almost unnoticeable smile crept upon the females lips as she flicked then rotated her wrists, twirling the blade in the air, and then pointing it at her adversary. Sliding her left foot back Ralana once again moved into a defensive position though it was quite obvious she was actually daring the pilot to attack. The move was slightly out of character for the teenager, but as Master Skywalker noticed that once the girl started to find her balance her confidences grew. Hopefully it would not turn into arrogance.
A crooked and somewhat sly smirk crossed Corran's lips as he watched the girl. He never was one to easily back down from a challenge thus he charged yet once more. Spinning his grandfathers weapon above his head the man brought the laser blade down above Ralana's shoulder. She twisted her blade, angling the tip upwards so it would offset the strike, but still when the weapons collided the girl felt tremors go down her arms. He was strong, both physically and in the force. Flyboy pushed the green blade of his saber down harder trying to get Ralana to submit. She faltered only slightly seeing his blade slowing start to bring hers down with it. No, she wouldn't let it end like this. Biting her bottom lip the girl reached out with the force looking for an escape route. And then the thought came to her: He may be stronger, but she was faster…
As soon as those words flashed through her mind Ralana acted upon it. Shifting the majority of her body weight to her back foot the girl dropped the saber. Corran saw her move, but caught it a bit too late having been more focused on getting the girl to submit. He stumbled forward as the weight that was bracing him up in the air was now gone, but regained his footing with in a seconds time. But, at the same time Ralana brought her front foot back side stepping away from his blade as best she could though green laser did manage to singe the fabric of her shirt. Thankfully with the training mode activated on both of the light sabers the would just be simple burns on the skin.
Twirling the saber in his hand Corran took a deep breath looking over Ralana with a light smile. “Good move…”
She readied her blade, “Thanks.”
Luke meanwhile stayed silent deciding that for now he wouldn't comment on the fight. It would soon have to be over and though the girls trick got her out of a fix it was a bit sloppy. If his blade had been turned on it could have potentially sliced her open. At the same time now Ralana was starting to think more on her feet. His mind tore away from his own commentary seeing Corran move towards the girl once more. They would also have to work on Ralana's ability to attack herself.
Corran was headed straight for the other as he had done all the other times. Ralana raised her blade ready to block his head on attack as she was fully expecting, but then the man turned on his heel spinning around to her far left catching her off guard. Trying to regroup she turned to the side barely blocking his attack in time. Before she could even think to counter attack he spun around again behind her going to strike on her right side. Still a bit belated Ralana followed his movements catching the blade in time to block but she didn't have enough time to prepare for how strong his attack would be. Her knees started to buckle as Corran brought the saber down harder upon the girl. Once more they would be in a lock and Ralana doubted she could try the same trick twice. So this time she decided to push back. Stiffening her legs she pushed upwards on her blade now making this more a battle of will than skill.
“Alright, I'm afraid we're out of time now.”
“What?” Ralana blinked several times not really wanting to end the fight there at all. There was no winner! She looked up at Corran who seemed to have the same puzzled reaction that she did.
“Well, we can't be here all day, and I recall…I believe its Ralana's turn in the kitchen tonight.”
Oh now that's just perfect.Ralana hated cooking. She was terrible at it, and frankly everyone else hated her cooking too. She looked up at Corran wondering for a moment if he would back down or not.
The man smirked, “On three?”
Ralana couldn't help the fact she smirked back, “Ok, fine. One…two…” She paused waiting for him to continue the count.
“Three…”
And with that both disengaged their weapons, before turning to Master Skywalker. The students bowed low as he did so in return. As they rose Luke spoke, “Same time again tomorrow…this time I'll be instructing the two of you, and pointing out what strengths and flaws I see.”
“Yes, Master…” The students said once more in unison.
“Wonderful. I'll see the two of you at dinner, and oh…Ralana.”
She looked over at Luke having a good idea what he was going to say, “Yes Master?”
Master Skywalker took pause knowing that he should choose his words carefully when it came to the girl's cooking. He glanced around the room seeing the other students there had now walked away from the group of three going back to doing their own things. He looked back at the girl, “Let us know if you need any help.” He remembered clearly what happened last time…
Ralana coughed, “Um-”
“Oh, I can help with that.”
She blinked looking over at the flyboy unable to help the sound of surprise that echoed in her voice, “You?"
“Yes me…what?”
Ok, so maybe she came off sounding a bit rude. “Uhhh, Nothing.” Corran raised a brow looking down at her letting the girl know that she had to make a quick retort.“Only that I'd love your help.”
“Oh perfect! I'm looking forward to seeing what you two come up with.” With a light smile Master Skywalker turned to leave quite relieved that Corran offered to help Ralana out.
"There's part of me that wants to say so much, but then I think of that person who lost a sister, or the father who lost a daughter…and there simply are no words. Everything I wanted to say seems so trite in the face of everything." - Randomguy on the CO tragedy.
Posted
A pause in a Jedi's Trials...
Jedi Temple16 ABY
In the dark sky, amongst the many sparkling stars above was Yavin IV’s mother planet, and then of course all of the sister moons that were dotted through out space. The solar family did a fairly decent job of illuminating the jungle world of the moon below. With little modern technology, and few civilized inhabitants there was little unnatural light surrounding the Temple which suited the Jedi Padawan perfectly fine. She found the break from the modern world peaceful, and it was the perfect place to find her center.
The tiny flames atop each candle flicked lightly as the warm, night breeze brushed through them bringing the smell of burning wax up to Ralana’s nose. She had placed the candles out on the balcony mostly for the mood. Four large candles, one in front, one behind, to the left, and to her right, and the Jedi student in the center. She sat there clothed in long tank top, and loose shorts. Even though it was night, the moon’s climate was still in the tropic. Not to mention after the long day the young woman just wanted to relax, and so cross legged in her casual clothing Ralana had gotten lost in deep meditation. She was seeking out the will of the Force, and examining the path it had taken her so far…
The memories started to flood her mind, rolling backwards as if she was watching a holo movie set on rewind. Her mind opened up to earlier that day, back in the jungle with Master Skywalker. The twenty-year-old was standing atop a cliff looking down at the jungle floor below as her teacher explained to her the test. Today was the beginning of her trials, it was her final steps on becoming a Jedi Knight of the new order. Anticipation flooded her senses as Luke’s words floated into her brain. His voice was distorted and slowly turning ethereal as if he were floating away like a ghost. Unlike the real moment, Ralana was not able to focus or even understand them. No, this memory, or this visitation to this memory was more about the feeling of being there. The rush of energy in her body, the force flowing through her, and the world around. It called out to the young Jedi beckoning her to jump, to leap off the cliff and onward leaving her mortal fear behind. Lifting her head the woman’s blue eyes tore away from the ground below and to the jungle vines hanging so many feet in front of her. As Ralana felt herself begin to walk backwards, the jungle world started to become slightly distorted. Everything slowed down, and the only thing the woman could hear was the sound of her own breath. Then she stopped and the world stopped with her, it waited for her to run. To jump…
Ralana let herself bask for a moment in that feeling, in that sense of calm before the rush of the storm. She enjoyed such sensations, it was one of things that made her feel closer to the force. None of what she was about to do could she do on her own, but the Force was her ally. If she had the Force on her side then what was there to be frightened of? What was fear? She leapt forward running towards the edge of the cliff, cutting through the hot air like a knife as she reached out with her mind calling out on the Force and it gave her the speed she needed. Then she leapt off the edge, feeling for a moment that she was flying – no soaring; soaring towards the vines that were so far in front of her. Stretching out a hand she called to one, the Force brought it forward to her hand. As the woman had grip on the vine the memory suddenly vanished, and replaced by a rapid flood of other memories, snap shots of her life…
Her life here at the temple zoomed by the images of her training and learning with the other students there. Master Skywalker himself taking her aside and teaching her the arts and ways of the Force. Corran, her classmate, opponent, partner, instructor, and even friend flashed through her mind. The other students he had introduced her to that would soon become her friends, and soon her extended family, her brothers and sisters in the Force. Then continuing backwards, she was brought to her first days at the temple, with Eve her first teacher and surrogate mother. The gruff, old woman that had been the first to see the Force in the young girl, and though she had no Force sensitivity of her own she already had an idea of the destiny of the child. To be a Jedi…
Rushing back to the old Antarian Ranger, her words, her wisdom, her training, her wit, her insanity, and even her old stories Ralana found herself feeling a bit forlorn even in her meditative state. She had wanted Eve to see her become a Jedi, like those the gray haired woman had known before, but no one knew where the old Ranger was these days. Eve had been one of the few she had looked up to, and that she had wanted to impress. She flashed back to all the times they trained on various planets how in each session the girl pushed herself harder and harder trying to over come each insane obstacle the woman placed in front of her. And even the scent of the burning Cigarra that she smoked, that scent filled her senses as she remembered the time she had taken one of the old lady’s ‘sticks of death’. How Ralana as a young teenager had tried to smoke one. The strange taste in her mouth, and the burning sensation as the toxins seeped into her lungs. Then of course Eve catching the girl and ripping away the brown-papered roll followed by a lecture on how Jedi didn’t smoke. That smoking would make the girl weaker and not stronger, a statement that Ralana had always found odd since Eve was the strongest person she had ever known.
The memories of Eve also mixed in with those of Drake and Aiden, the core of her extended family. Aiden who might as well been her actual brother who had always gotten himself and even her sometimes into trouble. All the times he pulled her hair, teased her, called her names, and told her to get lost were balanced with those times he had protected her, comforted her, and even helped her. Though now they were on opposite sides, her trying to what was right for the galaxy and him out for himself, there would always be that brother and sister bond between them. And then there was of course Drake, her father, the man who saved her, protected her, and loved her like his own child. He wasn’t a man suited to be a parent, but he was a good man. Her mind drifted through all the times he had tried to make her life seem normal, her doll, the dress, him trying to tell her bedtime stories suited for her age, telling her to stay away from boys, and even him trying to teach her how to be more ladylike. He had been almost the opposite of Eve, never wanting Ralana to go into a life of danger, but instead just wanting the girl to be safe. He had been many times over protective of the girl rarely letting her off the ship until his Aunt intervened. Ralana never knew how the old woman got Drake to agree to the fact she was destined to be a Jedi. Even now he offered to take the Jedi student away from the temple so she could have a more stable life, and of course every time she declined even though she missed him dearly.
And still backwards her mind went back to when her mind became clouded, and to the few memories of her mother. Distorted images of the woman’s face, and a voice that called her name were all that Ralana had. She wasn’t sure if the woman’s face was even from her own mind or from a holo picture Drake had shown her. And the voice, that voice that sometimes called the woman in her dreams waking her in the middle of the night. The haunting sounds of regret, and of pain ached in the woman’s voice as it called Ralana’s name. It brought forth images of her homeworld, Firrerre, what she had seen on the holonet…followed by memories that weren’t her own. Images from her dreams, of the people there slowly dying from the plague that destroyed their home, their screams, and then…pain…
Now her meditation seemed to take a dark turn, all the warmth and happiness that had filed her mind from the previous memories being replaced with the darker ones. This time the holo movie was being played forward starting with the destruction and loss of her homeworld. The planet that she never really knew, but would always miss then moving on to the day she had left Drake, and Aiden to leave for the temple. The day she had to walk away from those who had protected her, and the day she started to grow up. Then to the last day she saw Eve, that overwhelming sense of dread. The feeling that Ralana may never see her first teacher ever again, and trying to swallow the woman’s hollow words that everything would be alright. Then all those lonely nights of missing them, and wondering where they were.
Then the betrayal, finding out Aiden was in prison on Coruscant, and that same year that Corran had turned to the Sith. The ache in her heart that some of those she held so close to her could travel down such dark paths. Then of course there was the attack on the Jedi temple, her friends that had died there, her failure to save them, and even her wounds…
But, all of the pain from the moments in her past life didn’t hold a candle to what she saw next. Her heart still ached remembering the hurt that she had been slowly releasing over the years, the emotional wounds that were now healing started to seep open in the next few moments as her memories now completely floated away being replaced by visions of the future.
Ralana was really only used to visions of the immediate future, of sensing what was going to happen in the next few minutes, or even sensing someone’s next move. But, nothing prepared her for this. Pain racked her body, and her soul. Those she had seen, those she cared about were suddenly thrown into a world of pain and suffering. At first all she could see was darkness, but instead she could only hear their screams. She had to stop it! She had to save them! But, it was all happening too fast. Battles, so many battles zoomed through her mind, both in space and on various planets. So much Death, so many of her comrades coming to their end. And funerals, the image of so many different ceremonies was so over whelming…and the faces…she knew them, but at the same time she didn’t. Future friends. The code said there was no Death, there was only the Force, but even so the pain that this was brought was just too great.
Then something from the outside world, reality tugged at Ralana breaking up the images of her vision.
“Ralana…” The calm voice of her Jedi Master called out to her causing the vision to come to an abrupt end.
The Jedi student’s eyes flew open awaking to the present state of calm the world was in. The candles were still flicking in the warm breeze, it was still nighttime on Yavin IV, and the jungle was still at peace. The same couldn’t be said for Ralana. Luke was knelt down in front of the twenty year old looking very concerned as he reached out a hand to the girls shoulder using the Force to calm her, “Are you alright?”
She nodded, “Yes, master. I…” Ralana paused noticing a tear run down her cheek. Composing herself she continued, “I had a vision…at first they were my memories, but then…it was the future…there was so much pain.” Her voice trailed as her mind went over the various events that had happened during her meditation.
“The future is always in motion Ralana…” Luke paused. “Things may change…you must be mindful of that.”
The woman nodded again, “I-I understand…” She took a quick breath before looking up at Luke. She suddenly sensed new Force presence’s in the Temple, but they weren’t Jedi or Sith. “You came to ask something of me?”
Luke gave her a weak smile, “Your perception through the Force is strong Ralana…” Gently he took her hand helping his student to her feet. “Yes, some Jensaarai have asked for the Jedi’s help. I’d like for you to come with me to meet them.”
Ralana blinked, “Jensaarai?” Honestly she didn’t know very much about the group. She had remembered Eve toying with the idea of seeking them out for her training, but then dismissed it. For some reason the older woman had not trusted the group as most did. But, even still the girl shouldn’t judge, “If you wish me to accompany you then I will Master.” She bowed low to him, “It won’t take me long to get ready.”
“Good. I’ll walk you to your room so we can talk about your vision.”
“It’s really not necessary Master.”
“I think it is.” Master Skywalker stated matter-a-factly as he knelt down to blow out the candles. “Your mind needs to be clear for this meeting. It’s better to release it now, than later.”
Ralana bent over to pick up the candles while thinking over what he just said, “I suppose you’re right.”
“You suppose?”
Ralana smirked, “Yes, suppose…you could be wrong once in a while you know.”
Luke laughed going to enter the temple, “Well…I suppose…”
Story Continued in "An Odd Partnership…"
"There's part of me that wants to say so much, but then I think of that person who lost a sister, or the father who lost a daughter…and there simply are no words. Everything I wanted to say seems so trite in the face of everything." - Randomguy on the CO tragedy.
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