Training Rooms and Recreation Areas

He had taken his time, his walking stick *thunking* against the ground in a steady rhythm, slowly but surely making his way through the sanctuary. It was different from how he last remembered it, far more complete - though having been left along for long enough that it was beginning to steep into a state of disrepair. This, though, could be remedied with time. Every now and then a padawan would run past, enthusiastic, a brilliant light through the force, and Dante would wince slightly. He had found a center within himself that allowed him to not be overcome by the flurry of eddies and ripples in the force brought on by so much life. Still, though, he would need time to acclimate. Ah, but his senses surged to the north particularly. Following the feeling, Dante wandered down the halls to find a group of padawans peering into a training room. At the inquiry of one student, Dante spoke, his voice still foreign in his own ears.

"Yes indeed young one, a training room. I am pleased the telekinesis equipment was delivered - my skills will not rust during my tenure here. Why, perhaps we could even -"

He was interrupted as the ground shook, subtly and imperceptibly, but noticeable. Across the room, against the far wall where sand leaked out, a snake like form pushed itself out of the wall. About two meters long, with a whip like body of undulating muscle, the creature looked to be all teeth. Emitting a high pitched screech, the creature bent in on itself, pressed its mouth back to the wall, and began to burrow back into the foundation of the building.

"Ah. Sand worms. Burrowing carnivores that eat through sand and rock. They seem to have made their nest in the sanctuary." Tapping his walking stick against the ground, Dante gestured to the open training room before them. "Padawans. The first class of Sanctuary is now in session. Proceed to the training floor please, and watch your step - they like to burrow from underfoot to attack their prey. Please resort to your sabers as a last resort. Those without sabers stay close to me."

"Quite correct. Though 'own' is a relative term. I am Dante Deveaux, Jedi Master. I have meditated in the deserts of this planet for nearly ten years now - and have emerged to teach a new generation. You may call me Master Dante, or Exile, whichever you prefer."

Slowly, the group made it's way to the training room floor - a few more eager ones ran out ahead of them. Warily, Dante kept his senses wide, keeping track of the worms. There seemed to be about five in the vicinity of the training room. All seemed to be about two meters to a meter long. Juveniles. Yes, yes this would be perfect for their first lesson. He saw one approach one of the padawans, "Nessin" he believed she was called. Rather than stop it, though, he allowed it to approach and then breach the surface. He needed an accurate and quick read of their abilities after all. And, should the situation get out of hand, he would be quick to intervene.

The worm breached the surface, and Dante's hand began to come up, force welling up from his being as he prepared to strike. Ah, but one padawan was already calling out a warning, the one from earlier - the Miraluka if he was not mistaken. Another padawan had already stretched out a hand, a force push sending the creature scurrying back underground. Wounded and angered, the creature's wound invigorated and angered the creature's brethren. Beneath the flooring, three circled around like vultures, while two waited in the walls. Odd. Juveniles were not usually this aggressive. Expanding his senses, penetrating into the bedrock below, he sensed a great mass of life - no doubt a queen and her young. Ah, not juveniles, but sentries. Soldier worms. They would no doubt doggedly attack until the intruders were gone. Yes, yes this was a perfect scenario.

Reaching the center of the training floor, Dante sat down on the ground, groaning a little as his knees popped. It's true he wasn't a young man anymore...though the force sustained him, as well as an image of youth which bellied his true age, he nonetheless felt the affects of aging. Developing arthritis particularly was annoying. Sitting down, finally becoming comfortable, Dante raised a hand, and exerted his will - a shimmering field sprang into existence then, a force barrier, which would protect against the relatively weak strikes of the animals. Penetrating into the ground, all would be protected from below as well.

"Gather around, children, gather around. The shield shall protect you. Sit, and calm thyselves. Find great strength in knowing that you, yea chosen, will be first students of this great place of learning. Now, introduce yourselves with your names, age, and species. For it has been a long while since I have been in the greater galaxy."

"Good...good. It is good to meet you all. We may begin now." Dante shifted in his seat, stretching his walking stick forward to tap at the ground in front of him. "I shell tell you a story. From this story, if you are wise you shall divine true knowledge from this story. If not, then perhaps the seeds of wisdom shall be planted in you."

"Once there were two warriors. One was a young mighty warrior, brave and strong, with great armor like a bastion fortress, and a terrible blade of immense power. Left and right this warrior struck down his foes without mercy. The other warrior was old, weak, and frail, and, though he owned a sword and wore it at his side, he had never drawn it. One day, the king of the land called the two warriors forth, proclaiming that the strongest among them would inherit his kingdom - but they had to clear a challenge worthy of a king in order to do so. This task was to clear out a hive of carnivorous insects from a cave to the north, which even then threatened local farmers. The strong warrior proclaimed that he would go forth, and clear out the nest - and leave he did. For seven days he was absent, and in the interim the weak warrior stayed in the library. When the strong warrior returned, he was bloodied and bruised, his sword broken, and his armor dented. When asked by the king if he was successful, the strong warrior proclaimed that the task was impossible - for seven days and seven nights he had waged war on the insects, killing wave after wave of the creatures. And, though his strength was massive, and by rights he was the strongest in the land, he found that there was no end to the beasts. He could not defeat them - and proclaimed the task impossible."

Dante paused then, surveying the group before continuing.

"So the weak warrior came, hobbling along on a withered walking stick. He said, in a quiet voice, that he would go and try next. The king begged him not to go, that, surely he would be killed. The strong warrior meanwhile laughed, saying that the weak warrior would be dead in minutes: that if the shake in the old warriors hands was any evidence, that he would drop dead before even reaching the nest. But, leave the old warrior did. Before the end of the day, though, the old warrior returned, triumphantly declaring that the nest had been cleared - without even drawing his sword. Incredulously, the king and strong warrior asked him how he did this, and, with a smile on his face, the old warrior replied that he had left a trail of food leading into the forest, where a bounty of fruit - poisonous to humans but edible by the insects - was in great supply. The hive simply picked itself up and moved."

Dante grew quiet then, closing his eyes, sensing the creatures below them.

"So, younglings, know this - the greater warrior is never the one who is the strongest, be that best in blade work, or most powerful in the force. No. The strongest warrior is the one who never even has to draw his blade in the first place. Through knowledge, understanding, compassion, empathy - through all these things, we can know any adversary, any thing in the universe. And, through that knowledge, turn even a deadly situation to one of peace."

Standing, Dante tapped his staff against the ground once more.

"Now...does anyone have a guess as to how apply what we just learned to our current situation? Hmm?"

"A...reasonable idea." Said Dante, rubbing his head. It had been a while since he had taught anyone. Puh, it had been over a decade since he had even had a conversation with anyone, let alone taught someone. Perhaps assuming that others would see things from his point of view was a little foolish in hindsight; his story and metaphor had been, perhaps, an incorrect teaching method. But, this was his station in life. And was this not the essence of teaching? He would teach these young sentients, and they would teach him in return. They both had much to learn. Changing tactics, Dante stretched out a hand, creating a small hole in the floor of the shield. Immediately a worm sprang forth, but Dante caught it in a telekinetic hold. Angrily, it writhed in the air, biting the air in a futile attempt to get free.

"All of these are good ideas. But the core of the lesson is more about understanding ones enemy, his way of thinking, and drawing solutions that are in line with our own ideals from that line of thinking. In this way, we can subtly influence those around us. So, everyone, gather around the worm. Close your eyes...and listen. Feel the Sand worm's thoughts and instincts...understand its motivating forces. Think like the sand worm."

Dante closed his eyes, reaching out to the worm.

"It is true we could simply send the worms away. But, we could also influence the worms thinking - telling it that we and sanctuary itself is part of its hive." Connecting with the worm's mind, Dante did just that - implanting in the animal that suggestion, and then releasing it, so that it could burrow back into the ground. "See? Now, I will bring the other worms up from the surface, and you shall try. We call this power beast manipulation - the ability to connect and commune with animals. For, if one cannot even connect with an animal, how shall you connect with a sentient being, even in the name of peace?"

And so, Dante brought for another worm, this one quite angry, holding it aloft for one of the gathered padawans to commune with.

"Yes and no. A better term would be to persuade them to change their mind about killing and harming. Indeed, the power of force persuasion is legendary among the Jedi, and a common core power. You will be expected to master force persuasion before being eligible to be Knights. This, beast communication, is a good precursor for this more advanced power - as a beasts mind is far less complex than a sentient beings. This, however, is another lesson for another day." Said Dante to Shaffa, making sure the worm was well under control. As one of the padawans - Leo if he remembered correctly - flicked his mind into the worm's and away again, he raised en eyebrow. The one called Nessin asked why Leo had given up, and Dante's mouth quirked in a small smile. "Rather he didn't give up, but that he had already accomplished his task, Padawan."

Dante's free hand came up to stroke his beard, sending the golden bead to sway gentle. Eventually, Dante spoke. "A test then, young Leo. As a Miraluka, you have no doubt sensed the great nest below us. A far greater challenge would be influencing the mind of the queen directly. Be wary, though. She is far more cunning and firm in her resolve than these simple drones. Some xenobiologists even classify Sand Burrower Queens as Semi-sentient."

Releasing the newly pacified worm so that it could burrow into the ground, Dante fetched a new one. "Alright, next up everyone. Let the force flow through you. Feel the eddies and ripples...and through those ripples, the intent of the worm. Steady those ripples...ease that current into calmer form."

"Sith, and other force users, are often immune to force aided mental manipulation. In these cases, one must make appeals to their light, if any remains, in an effort and hope to sway their heart and mind. Many Sith and Dark adepts have been swayed back to the light by these means. Just as many have refused, and pressed the confrontation. As a result, peace may sometimes only be achieved by combat. Whether or not you simply incapacitate, or kill, that darkness, is a judgement call made by evaluating the individual, and ascertaining whether or not any light, any hope of redemption, remains within them." Dante eyed Shafa then, with a stern eye. "But these are lessons for Knights. While your motivation and inquisitiveness are impressive, I've yet to see you attempt to sway the worms. Be mindful Padawan, that your curiosity and desire to learn does not take you out of the present - for a Padawan you still are."

Dante watched the exchange between Leo and Nessin, and kept an mental eye on the queen and her drones far below. He sensed his presence grapple and battle with the worm, and, inwardly, Dante raised an eyebrow. The Padawan had immense potential, and his master, Kadea, had been wise to keep him secluded from the rest of the group. For Dante could sense fear in the boy, fear of his own power - and though he was able to sublimate that fear, it took great effort on Leo's part. Beyond this, Dante could see that Leo struggled greatly with control. Rather than surreptitiously insert a suggestion into the queen's mind, Leo opted to do direct battle with the queen in a struggle to directly influence her mind.

This was a little too close to direct manipulation, for Dante's taste. Granted, this was hardly a sign of darkness, but it was a clear indicator that Leo had several large points to master before he would become a knight. The queen below, grappling with Leo, brought Dante out of his musings. The suggestion forcefully implanted, the queen was aware the thought was not her own, and rebelled against the original intent. Rather than perceive the intruders as allies, she simply recalled the drones back to her nest, with the perception that tower and its occupants were a mighty nest that was best left alone.

Dante, allowing the shield to dissipate, clapped his hands together to gain everyones attention. "Very good Padawans and learners. As you can see, nothing is impossible if you trust in the force. With the training room secure, you can consider your first lesson over. You have all done very well, and you may be excused. If you see any worms within Sanctuary, please alert a Knight or a Master - please proceed now back to your masters and caretakers. Leomax, stay a moment please. I would speak with you on your performance."

Dante watched as the children filed out, a few giving looks to Leo as they went. After they had left, Dante waved a hand, exerting his will on the door panel, and the door closed with a hiss. Having stayed seated while the children left, Dante closed his eyes, easing himself back into meditation. He was pleased that things had gone so well, and, though they had started with a bump, that things got smoother as the lesson progressed. Everyone, it seemed, simply needed a little practice. Centering himself, calming his emotions, Dante eventually opened his eyes, taking in Leo. Smiling reassuringly, Dante gestured to the children that just left. "You did very well, Leomax. Given a task far more advanced than your peers, you gave a solid attempt - and while you were not completely successful, you were far more successful than if anyone else your age had tried. Indeed, with practice you would very likely master the ability. So, do not lose hope."

Closing his eyes, the walking stick, held in his hands, levitated slightly into the air. Slowly, it turned over and over, the telekinetic equivalent to twiddling ones thumbs or doodling. "I sense fear in you, though. Fear of your power. Fear of your lack of control. There is great force potential in you, and you, and your master, are right to be cautious." Dante trailed off, opening his eyes, and allowing the staff to settle back into his hands. "This being said, you remind me a lot of myself when I was young. I as well struggled with control and finesse - and, trained as I was in my youth in the ways of the Zeison Sha, the telekinetic masters of Yanibar, control and finesse were indeed demanded even more so than a Jedi. To say that I doubted myself, and struggled, is an understatement." Dante smiled fondly in remembrance, shaking his a little at that time, long long ago. "Towards that end, I would like to extend an offer to your master, which I shall put in your hands to relay. I think the Zeison Sha techniques of learning telekinesis would be highly beneficial to you in particular. Relay to your master that I am willing to train you in such, if your master concurs in this supplementary education."

Dante paused for a second, before adding, cautiously, another affirmation of Leomax's ability

"Also, do not despair in your struggle with training. Many, many masters had the same start as you do Leomax. For, even the greats, the Yoda's and Obi-wans, were all but learners, struggling with their own sets of hurdles and doors. Go, now, and report to your master."