Training/Sparring Area

*Tom nodded as Raine gave her response, a rather standard one, but nevertheless accurate; he wondered idly where she'd learned this explanation from, but this was not meant to be about her personal life, but about learning the ways of the Force.*
That is the most basic way to describe the Force. Truthfully I don't know that one could ever accurately describe it completely in any language known to the galaxy and beyond, but plenty have certainly tried.
*He chuckled, then continued.*
But yes. The Force is a mysterious, omnipotent, omnipresent, well, force. The places it does not inhabit are very few. Many people have many different views on it, whether it's a guiding force that we listen to, whether we're the guides, but I do believe that both are true. It guides us should we listen to its wisdom, and it allows us use of its limitless energy, which we ourselves guide. It's a symbiotic relationship.
*His expression grew darker, almost in disdain, though clearly not of Raine.*
There are those, however, who would pervert its very purpose and attempt to bend it to their will. A dark side exists, with the promise of quick and easy power, that foolish many have fallen prey to. Its servants spread lies, falsities, attempting to sway many from the righteous path. Their lives spent in torment, and tormenting others, and, once passed, their spirits linger in restless despair. Some have been graciously saved from this fate; the Force is benevolent, and won't abandon those who'll listen to its call.
*The disdain gone, Tom's expression became grave as he looked her in the eye, a small hint of pleading within his own.*
Don't fall prey to the dark side and its servants. But do not hesitate to forgive those who sincerely seek it.
*He then fell silent, allowing her to process his words and perhaps ask more questions. Hopefully ones Tom would know the answers to.*

*Tom nodded, satisfied, at her response, then tilted his head slightly when she mentioned the darkness she'd seen in her life thus far. It was good that she didn't plan on adding to said darkness, but Tom could not help his own curiosity.*
Would it be too much to ask what you have seen?
*Clearly he would not pry should she not yet wish to divulge it, though admittedly Tom felt the potential information to be gleaned would be more than helpful in helping him understand her and how to progress with their training. And perhaps combat her past, if need be...*

*Tom frowned faintly as the first thing Raine mentioned was her witnessing her parents' deaths. So, that mystery was solved... She was also familiar with Hutt gang wars, and witness to sickness and poverty; no doubt in her own case as well. Especially considering this was Nar Shaddaa she was talking about, not a very friendly place to begin with, let alone to be forced to grow up on, orphaned. The things she must have seen, must have dealt with...

But the fact of the matter remained that she had survived, persevered, and now found herself in a Jedi facility willing to learn and no longer have any darkness in her own life. It was not quite that simple, of course, but her mere presence spoke measures of her determination. She would make a great student, and one day Jedi.*
Well, you've made it this far, and you have much further to go, but your being here is proof enough you're determined to go the distance.
*He gave her an encouraging smile before asking a new question.*
What else is there you would like to know?

*Raine also understood that she would not learn the answers today, and "maybe" not tomorrow. He suppressed a smile at that; she at least understood one day wasn't enough to learn all the answers, but still seemed to underestimate just how long that would take. Still, she asked to learn more of the basics, which he would certainly get to, but first, but a wisdom for her.*
Well, truly, we never stop learning all the answers. Life is full of limitless questions, and no mere mortal may ever learn them while in this plane of existence. But that's for another time; in fact, it's not truly a lesson that can be taught, only learned.
*Leaving that for her to digest a moment, he then proceeded with her original request.*
In any case, the basics. The key to understanding the Force—to the best of our limited capacity, that is—is to be able to listen, to feel its presence. And I don't simply mean just being able to use it, no, we must know how to commune with it, to learn what it wishes of us, what we can do for it, and what it can do for us. So what I want you to do is to close your eyes, empty your mind, and...
*As he gave her these steps, he performed them himself, closing his eyes, leveling his head, and opening him up to the flow of the Force. As he felt it envelop him, he spoke the final word of his instruction in nearly a whisper.*
... listen...

*Tom used his own free mind to observe Raine's busy mind, but not to pry, no; he merely observed its level of activity. Which, unsurprisingly, was high, and her attempts in quieting the activity were unsuccessful at first. There was progress, and she was doing her best to empty her mind. As expected, though again he admired her efforts. t last, it seemed she was mostly successful; there was still some murmuring of activity, but it was faint, and it seemed she had attempted to find a focusing target instead. Tom allowed himself a smile; clever.

Finally, she stated that she could feel someone, asking if it was normal. Without opening his eyes, he raised an eyebrow, choosing not to answer her question just yet.*
Who is it?

*Tom waited as she changed her focus, attempting to divine the presence she could sense in her mind. Smiling as he lowered his eyebrow, Tom gave the mental equivalent of a nod to her, accompanied by the mental suggestion that, yes, this was normal, and that she should not be alarmed neither by this fact, or his current method of communication.*
We can sense all living beings connected to the Force, young one. It is, perhaps, one of the most basic skills.

*That was a very smart question, but the answer itself was what made Tom nearly adopt a grave expression. Still, he only nodded before giving his answer.*
There are a small handful of species that can resist the Force. The ysalamiri, reptiles that are known for their ability to repel the Force from a natural bubble they project. The Yuuzhan Vong, an entire sentient species that were severed from the Force. A trained Force-user himself can mask his presence in the Force as well with enough training and concentration.

*The Yuuzhan Vong... That's what Raine asked about next. The galaxy could not soon forget the Yuuzhan Vong and what they wrought, but Tom supposed she wouldn't know due to both her young age and upbringing. Allowing his brows to knit, he began to explain.*
A humanoid race from beyond our galaxy. They are grotesque creatures, though perhaps were not always. They once had a symbiosis with their living homeworld of Yuuzhan'tar, where they learned to craft completely organic technology; where sentients in our galaxy use machinery to carry out various tasks, all of theirs is completely living. But a fierce war broke out between them and droid societies, at which some point their homeworld was destroyed; due to their strong symbiosis with the planet, they lost their connection to the Force with the death of their world. As a result, they became incredibly xenophobic and especially hateful of machine technology, and the pain caused by their severed connection led them to believe that pain was the only way they could hope to reattain their connection.
*He frowned, his expression a combination of sympathy and disdain.*
Their culture is now built on sacrifice, mutilation, all in worship of their false gods. They discovered our galaxy and overran it near successfully; countless planets were taken, changed, or even completely destroyed, and trillions of lives were killed in their great conquest, for we were not prepared to face such a strange enemy. They even overran Coruscant and attempted to convert it into an imitation of their home world. But eventually, they were thankfully defeated, and reunited with Yuuzhan'tar in a way; a seed of the world survived, becoming the living planet Zonama Sekot. The galaxy overall recovered, but still bears many scars of that heinous event.
*He looked to the side, thinking of Morgan as he recalled the rot discovered and being contained deep within the jungle.*
... Felucia itself, even.
*He returned his gaze to Raine, expression mostly neutral.*
The Yuuzhan Vong have ceased their designs on galactic conquest, but there is still enmity. Earned enmity, to be fair; many sentients are understandably untrusting of them after their crimes. As for the Yuuzhan Vong themselves, it's hard to say. Most stick to seclusion, and remain dedicated to their gods, but whether they're friendly, or at least tolerant, of other species and sects now remains to be seen...

*That was a lot of information to take in, so her moment of silence was to be expected; Tom would certainly be stunned as well to learn about such an event. She seemed even a little disturbed about it, but also tired... Still, she couldn't resist but to ask a very fair question: How was Felucia hurt? He frowned for a moment, eyes shut, then sighed, opening them before replying.*
A "stain," if you will, was recently discovered deep in the jungle, not far from the Rancor Graveyard. Some kind of corrupting bioweapon. I know very little, other than it's gone unnoticed for years, but fortunately its spread has been slow. Researchers are already studying it to find ways to contain or eliminate it. I wouldn't worry about it too much.
*Easy for him to say, he supposed, especially when Raine would already be aware that they had terraformed Coruscant on a planetary scale. Well, perhaps; his wording could have been taken either way. Regardless, she seemed to need rest, and the last thing he needed to do was overwhelm her with training or knowledge in her tired state, especially as a new student. He stood, gesturing for her to do the same.*
But that's enough for now, you should get some rest. Do you already have a room?