(D2 LA) Gravel to Tempo

[O'vala Aeser]

"How am I supposed to know the weak spot though? Or what if it's actually a feint or something?"

[Jaric Kaedan]

"See how I hold my lightsaber, and the stance of my feet," Jaric patiently pointed them out. While he was a stern man, he was serious about teaching to the best of his abilities.

"By the way I hold my saber, you can determine the range I have with the weapon and my arms. When it comes to my feet, see where I shift my weight. Now I am in the starting stance of Ataru; my weight is on my back foot - this makes it easier for me to lunge forward, but it comes at a cost to balace and ability to retreat."

[O'vala Aeser]

"So wouldn't I want to go in and keep you from retreating then?" O'vala held the stick too and tried her best to mimic the stance.

[Jaric Kaedan]

"You could, but then you have to be certain that your speed will be greater than mine." To emphasize his point, Jaric swiftly stepped forward and the training stick harmlessly whiffed over O'vala's head... even if it was clear he could have struck her.

Relaxing back to give her room, Jaric's tone grew a bit softer. "While many put all their trust in the Force to see them through, I recommend trying to think ahead instead; analyze, sense your opponent's intentions, and you will know victory. When you do your acrobatics, you don't just leap into the air and expect your body to fall into place, yes? You have some idea of what you want to do?"

[O'vala Aeser]

Well, O'vala did actually often hop and hope for the best. She tapped the stick on the ground and awkwardly laughed. "Yeah, I definitely always have a plan, Master Jaric. Sir."

[Jaric Kaedan]

He chuckled dryly. "I have a feeling you're not being fully truthful there, O'vala."

"Maybe try it? To think things through more?"

[O'vala Aeser]

O'vala shifted in her feet. "I guess I could. But when I do, I feel like I focus too much. Like if I focus too much on how to flip, then I might just kick something I'm not supposed to. Or if I'm in a fight, it might be hard for me to remember the other person's moves."

[Jaric Kaedan]

"That's a dangerous thing, to not pay attention to the other person's moves," he chided in a deadpan voice. "That's like going through life without paying attention to or caring about what's around you."

[O'vala Aeser]

"I know, I know. I just find it difficult to take it all in." O'vala rocked back and forth more and more. "I don't even feel like I can sense anything. The Force barely makes sense to me."

[Jaric Kaedan]

"Then we study harder," he said plainly. "You are among the ones chosen to pass their trials now, O'vala, so you have more skill and talent than you let yourself believe sometimes, even if you do try to hide it behind your bravado and acrobatic antics."

[O'vala Aeser]

O'vala looked away and crossed her arms. "I guess." Clearly she wasn't incredibly comfortable with the idea of a pep talk. There were so many teenager things to worry about! Her looks, how her body was growing, and feelings. So many feelings.

[Jaric Kaedan]

"There will be plenty of time for intense study and practice during your trip. For now, focus on finding your inner balance, O'vala, and your true self."

[O'vala Aeser]

"How do you know if your true self is actually your true self and not something that you think is your true self?" O'vala said without skipping a beat. "It's really hard to know, at least I think so."

[Jaric Kaedan]

Jaric was a little bit surprised at such a philosophical question from O'vala. "A good question. I suppose a good starting place is honesty; to yourself first of all - from there, being honest to those around you comes more easily."

"Acknowledge your faults and weaknesses, but don't let them control you," he suggested.

[O'vala Aeser]

"I'm pretty sure I'm being honest to myself though. And everyone in the Temple basically knows that what I'm thinking is really obvious. I don't think I could lie even if I wanted to."

[Jaric Kaedan]

Jaric chuckled dryly. "I think being honest with one's self is a lot more than just that. It also means confronting your doubts, your feelings of guilt, and the sides of yourself you don't like."

"Is there something that weighs heavily on your mind? Something you feel you have done wrong, or been wronged by?"

[O'vala Aeser]

O'vala kept her eyes lowered as she wondered if Jaric knew more than just asking the question. "Um, well, doesn't everybody?" she asked, as a way of dodging it. Well, it was better than trying to lie.

[Jaric Kaedan]

The Master seemed to know he had hit a weak spot.

"I won't pry, O'vala, but while everyone goes through such things, it is also something that you as a Jedi must overcome. Do not become tethered by your emotions, but soar free from them. Then you will find your jumps to be easier, and your landings to be softer."

[O'vala Aeser]

"I guess that's a nice metaphor." O'vala sat back into a resting squat. "How do you just ignore all those feelings though? I feel like it's impossible."

[Jaric Kaedan]

"I do not ignore them," he shrugged. "I confront them, and try to stop it from becoming a festering problem. It's not always easy, but that doesn't mean it's not worth doing."

"Or I let it go."