A Knack For Mischief(Jayten Alexander)

[Amalia Azalin]

Amalia had always had a great love for children. Every child seemed to have some sort of innocence about them, even if they weren't really even innocent at all.

Jayten had caught Amalia's interest shortly after she had first seen him. He appeared to be no more than five, but that was just an estimation. She often saw him wandering in places that no one would normally not wander off alone to, at least a child wouldn't. She discovered from observing him, that he liked to explore, he seemed, curious. She had kept her observations discreet. He seemed to take somewhat of an interest in the Jedi arts and Amalia thought he showed great potential. She had heard that he longed to train and she had gladly, without hesitation, offered her teachings to him. To her surprise, Jayten accepted her.

And so the bond between Master and Padawan would now begin...

[jayte]

The small boy scampered along the hallway, familiar with this part of the temple from his explorations. Under normal circumstances, he would have been backtracking every few steps to take a closer look at something that caught his eye, anything. But today was different. Today he was to start his training. Jayte had been delighted when Amalia had offered to train him. Becoming a Jedi was the childs dream. He turned down a hallway, peeking around the corner before doing so, and walked into the training grounds. He was a bit worried, he didn't see Amaila, but a closer look around proved him wrong. He smiled and let out the breath he'd been holding. Jayte walked over and gave a bow, his hair falling into his eyes when he did so. "Hello!" he greeted, enthusiastically.

[Amalia Azalin]

Amalia returned the greeting with her own small bow, a small smile creeping onto her lips.

"Good morning, Jayte, I trust you are well and are anxious to begin with your training, but first, I would very much like to know about you, Jayte. Where were you born? What do you like and dislike? Tell me about yuorself."

She clasped her hands in front of her and looked at him thoughtfully.

[jayte]

"Um, well I dunno where I was born but I lived on a really big ship with my mom and we didn't hardly ever land an' it was really boring 'cause I wasn't even allowed to go into the cockpit an' watch. Then my mom brought me here because she was sick an' I wanted to be a Jedi like my dad." he took a breath and then began again," Um...I like to do a lotta things.I like to go explorin'...and I like to play with my toy ship...an' I like to draw pictures too. But I don't like broccoli." he made a face. Clearly broccoli was a horrible thing in his mind. After a moment he spoke again. "I don't like my brother anymore either. He usta be really nice but now he's mean."

[Amalia Azalin]

Amalia laughed good naturedly at Jayte's mention of broccoli.

"No, I don't like broccoli much, either."

Her face grew rather seriously for the moment at the mention of the young boys brother.

"How do you feel about your brother, Jayte? Besides not liking him?"

She did not bring up Jayte's mother, just yet, there would be time for that later. She was more concerned with how he felt about his brother.

[jayte]

"Well, I love him...but I don't like him very much. He used to play with me but now all he does is say scary things" Jayte sighed.

[Amalia Azalin]

Amalia noded her head, her face was rather expressionless.

"I see, no, it's not very nice to scare someone is it? Your brother, what does he do? Like you, you want to be a Jedi, but what about your brother, what does he wish to do?"

[jayte]

Jayte looked up with big eyes. "He wants to be a Sith. But that means that he has to hurt people an' that's not nice!"

[Amalia Azalin]

Amalia frowned slightly.

"No, it isn't, but I can tell just by your words, that you may know the difference between a Jedi and a Sith. So, here is what I want you to tell me, Jayten...In your own words, please tell me what the difference between a Jedi and a Sith is."

She smiled assuringly at him.

"Just so you know, there is no right or wrong answer here, it is more of a matter of opinion and what you believe."

[jayte]

Jayte was quiet for a moment, thinking. "A Jedi uses the Force to help people an' make things better but a Sith uses it to get power an' hurt other people. An' the Sith are angry when they use the Force but a Jedi shouldn't be angry 'cause it's not good."

[Amalia Azalin]

"Very good, an excellent answer. Now I shall tell you a little more about both, so that you can know more, it's always helpful to gain even more knowledge."

"The Sith, as you've said, use the force, what is known as the Darkside of the force, to gain power. They fuel upon the Darkside of the force, using their anger and hate, manipulating the force to do evil deeds. The Jedi use the force, the Lightside of the force, for good, to seek peace and justice, to do their best to make things right or better for all. Now you know that there are two sides to the force, the light and the Dark, but do you know what the force is, Jayten? If not, just tell me what you think the force is."

[jayte]

Jayte smiled and then nodded. "Kinda. My Dad said that it's what makes all the things in the galaxy connected." he looked puzzled. "But I don't know what all of that means an' he never got to 'splain it to me."

[Amalia Azalin]

"Very good, let me see if I can explain it further to you. The force is what gives a Jedi guidance. The force exists within all living things. It gives us insight, it surrounds us."

She gestured around her.

"The force can be felt all around you, you just must know how to tap into it. Have you ever experienced the force, Jayte?"

[jayte]

OOC: sorry I took so long to reply, I've been having some family probs and just couldn't make myself get on the computer<img src=http://www.ezboard.com/image/emoticons_classic/smile.gif ALT=":)">

IC: Jayte nodded. "My dad put his hands like this," he held his hands palm up, "an' then I put my hands on his and then I felt it!" his eyes were wide, excited.

[Amalia Azalin]

OOC: I'm sorry to hear that, hope everything is alright. It's ok, take as much time as you need.<img src=http://www.ezboard.com/image/emoticons_classic/smile.gif ALT=":)">

IC: She smiled softly.

"Well, I'm gonig to teach you to feel it on your own. Though not inside, outside..."

She gestured out the window.

"How would you like it if we went to go play in the garden?"

[jayte]

OOC: thanxs<img src=http://www.ezboard.com/image/emoticons_classic/smile.gif ALT=":)">

IC: Jayte's eyes widened. "Really?" he asked, his voice filled with surprise.

[Amalia Azalin]

"Yes."

She smiled lightly.

"Do you have anything you might like to bring with you outside?"

She thought it would be nice to tak his training outside, as it was a nice warm, clear day.

"Some toys of yours, if you'd like?"

[jayte]

This was even more surprising to Jayten. He could bring toys?
"I always take my ship with me." he confided, pulling the plastic toy out of his pocket. "My dad gave it to me when I was little and I haven't even losted it yet!" he exclaimed, smiling. He grew serious, studying Amalia curiously. "You aren't like my old teachers. They were about a million years old an' they talked really really slow for a long time an' I had to sit at my desk an' it was really borin'." he smiled, "But you're nice."

[Amalia Azalin]

She smiled thoughtfully.

"Well, not all teachers are alike. Some you may like, some you won't, but they all have something in common, they teach."

She gestured out toward the door.

"C'mon, let's go out into the garden."

A few minutes later...

The two stood quietly in the grass, admiring the flowers that grew all along the garden area. She turned to Jayten, smiling.

"Well, I suppose you're wondering why we came out here instead of staying inside. Well, I shall tell you, one, it's a very nice day out, two, we need lots of room to work, a nice big wide open space."

She pointed to the ship that was still kept tightly in his hand.

"How would you like to make your ship fly, Jayten, for real?"

[jayte]

His eyes opened and he nodded excitedly. "Yea!" he exclaimed. His eyes suddenly grew cautious. "Are we allowed to?" he asked slowly.

[Amalia Azalin]

She smiled lightly, and then tilted her head slightly to look at him thoughtfully.

"Yes, and no..."

She pointed to his toy ship.

"I can tell you take a great liking for your toy, Jayten. I think you would better be able to use the force if it were taught to you by using something that interests you."

"However.."

She looked at him sternly.

"The force is not to be used as a toy, it is not meant to be played with and you should only use the force when you know you have to, to help you when you are in trouble, and then, that is only if, nothing else can help you at the time. You should do your best to use the force to get yourself out of any troubled situation as a last resort. A Jedi does not depend on the force for everything."

"After you have seemed to mastered the part of the force known as levitation, we will use what most of the students themselves use, rocks. I don't want you getting too attached to playing with your ship in such a use, because it is known as playing with the force, but for this exception, it will be used as a learning experience."

[jayte]

Jayte nodded solemnly. He was adept at picking up on emotions and knew that what was said was to be taken seriously.

"I unerstand."

[Amalia Azalin]

"Good, now before we can begin, I must explain to you how levitation is done. As I'm sure you know, the force is involved, as well as your mind..."

"You must clear your mind of all thoughts, of anything and everything. Concentrate and focus on only the force, in particular, what is known as the lightside of the force. You will know when you have found it, because...you will feel peaceful, warm. You must let that feeling carry out into your entire body, feel it in you, goodness."

[jayte]

Jayte nodded and began to concentrate on clearing his mind. It was difficult for him, there were too many interesting things outside. His arm began to itch. Jayte's forehead creased and he looked up, discouraged.

"I'm tryin' but my brain won't listen. It's too busy." he sighed.

[Amalia Azalin]

"Do not be discouraged, Jayte. The force itself is not always easy to tap into, especially when it is your first time..."

She paused, looking at his toy ship.

"Let us try it this way, focuse on your toy ship, picture it in your mind, let your mind reach out to it. Feel only your toy ship. Can you picture it in your mind, seeing it lift. You do not have to try to lift it now, just tell me if you can see it in your mind..."

[jayte]

Jayte closed his eyes and imagined the little ship rising in the air. A small smile crossed his face.

"I can see it!" he whispered happily.

[Amalia Azalin]

"Good, now see if you can see it in your mind again, this time with your eyes open."

[jayte]

He nodded and opened his eyes.Focusing on the toy in front of him, Jayte imagined it rising, concentrated on it. To his surprise and delight the little toy moved a few centimeters into the air. The shocked look on his face was comical and he lost his concentration. But that didn't matter.He was too excited.

"Did you see that! It moved!" he exclaimed, wide-eyed.

[Amalia Azalin]

Amalia's smile beamed with pride.

"Yes, very good! Excellent job, Jayte!"

She continued to smile but walked past him a bit as she did so, to stop by a pile of rocks.

"Ok, I know these rocks here are not like your toy and they may not be as much fun to lift as your toy, but they can be lifted."

She pointed to a rock that was just a little bit larger than Jayte's toy ship.

"This one is just little bit bigger than your ship, but I know you can lift it. I want you to do just as you did to lift your toy ship, only this time, don't imagine your ship, but picture the rock instead, ok?"

OOC: Sorry, have not forgot about you, just been a bit busy.

[jayte]

Jayte was eager to try lifting anything, it didn't bother him that it wasn't his toy. It took a moment for him to calm himself down to the point where he could stand still. Taking a breath, Jayte concentrated on teh rock Amalia had motioned to. He did the same as before and, like before, the rock rose in the air, though not so high. This time Jayte held hid concentration and didn't let it fall. He was going to ask what he should do next but found that it was difficult for him to keep his mind on levitating the rock while talking. Reluctantly he let the rock fall and looked at Amaili.

"This is so wizard! What else can the Force do?" he asked excitedly.


OOC: don't worry about it, it's not a big deal<img src=http://www.ezboard.com/image/emoticons_classic/smile.gif ALT=":)">

[Amalia Azalin]

OOC: You have access to Temple Avalon now, all padawans are supposed to have access. I had been away before and had not been able to ask, so you have access now, sorry for the delay on that.<img src=http://www.ezboard.com/image/emoticons_classic/smile.gif ALT=":)">

IC: "Many things. However, depending upon how far along you are as a Jedi, depends on what you can do with the force. For example, I, being a Jedi Master, have more capabilities with the force, where as you, a padawan, are able to use the force with a less degree of capabilites."

She smiled reassuringly, hoping that this did not discourage him.

"Not to worry though, as you training and knowledge of the force progresses, you will learn more as time goes on."

She nodded her head toward the rock.

"Like right now, you have just learned the basics of levitation, but now I am going to teach you how to move the rock in different directions. We're going to start with Force Push."

"Before we begin, I would like for to take a guess as to what you think Force Push may be, Jayte. If you do not know, that's ok, I just want you to take a guess, who knows, you may even be right with your actual guess."

[jayte]

OOC: oh cool, thanks. I've been studying for a big test the past few days so I havnt been able to reply<img src=http://www.ezboard.com/image/emoticons_classic/smile.gif ALT=":)">

IC:

Jayte's smile grew wider when Amalia told him he would learn more as they continued. When she mentioned force push he giggled. He knew the answer to this one! Or...at least he thought he did.

"Is it where you push things with the Force?" he guessed, hoping it was at least partly right.

[Amalia Azalin]

OOC: Welcome, and that's ok. I've been studying too.<img src=http://www.ezboard.com/image/emoticons_classic/smile.gif ALT=":)">

IC: She smiled warmly and nodded her head lightly.

"Yes, it is."

She pointed to the rock once again.

"Force push works with just about the same process as levitation, just with an extra step or two. Sometimes force push involves levitation, sometimes not, it depends on what you're doing. Now though, you'll need to do levitation as well as Force Push.

"Imagine in your mind, just as you did when you levitated the rock, imagine the rock being moved forward(not toward you but away from you, if that makes sense) while it is levitated into the air. While you do this, I want you to reach out with the force, feel it, connect with it by feeling the rock, it's shape. Feel it with your mind, grasp onto it with the force and then push the rock."

OOC: The reason why I say not toward you, but away from you, is so that you not confuse the moving it forward with that of Force Pull. So basically, I want you to push is away from you. When we work with Force Pull, you'll be pulling it toward you.

[jayte]

OOC: oh, okay...I get it now<img src=http://www.ezboard.com/image/emoticons_classic/smile.gif ALT=":)">

IC:

Jayte nodded, eager to try something new. It took him several moments to actually calm down enough to concentrate. Finally, trying not to fidget, he imagined the rock rising like he had before, and smiled when it put a few inches difference between itself and the ground. He concentrated harder and brought it up to just above his knees. Scrunching his head in concentration, Jayte imagined the rock moving forward. To his dismay, this caused him to lose concentration. As the rock fell back to the ground Jayte frowned. He knew he could do this. Looking up at Amalia he smiled.

"I'll do it again."

This time, Jayte was determined to accomplish the task. HE pursed his lips and repeated the process of levitating the rock. He increased his concentration until nothing else occupied his mind. Slowly, slowly the rock inched it's way forward, dropping a little every once in a while, until Jayte could no longer keep his concentration. He let the rock drop to the ground.

"Was that okay?" he asked.

[Amalia Azalin]

'Yes, quite fine. Doing Force Pull should not be as difficult as it is just the opposite fo what you are doing now. The same steps, same process, only you must see in your mind, that the rock is being pulled, not pushed. Perhaps it may be easier for you because you will be moving the rock toward you, unlike force push, where the rock is moved away from you. Think you're ready to maybe go ahead and try Force Pull?"

[jayte]

"A course I'm ready!" he declared with a smile. This was more exciting than climbing trees, playing tag...even catching bugs! Pushing away the nagging bout of sleepiness, Jayte took a deep breath and cleared his mind. It was getting easier to do this with every try.

This time though, instead of pushing the rock outwards, he pulled it towards him. It moved a little faster this time and didn't drop nearly as far or quickly as it had the time before. Jayte stopped the rock when it got back to him and let it stay there, hovering for a moment before setting it down. He was a little tired and this surprised him. He hadn't even been moving all that much!

"Master....how come people do bad stuff with the Force an' don't get in trouble? My Dad didn't do anything bad with it an' he's deaded. How come?" he asked. It had been a question that Jayte had asked his mother many times, though she had never answered.

[Amalia Azalin]

Amalia could tell the young child was getting tired, which was not at all surprising. He'd done quite a lot today already.

Amalia tilted her head to the side slightly, a bit startled by Jayte's question. There were many answers she could give him, the only problem was, giving him an answer he would understand.

"Well, I'm sure you remember when we discussed a little bit about the Jedi and the Sith..."

She paused, finding it difficult to come up with the words.

"Jedi as you know, their goal and place within the galaxy is to bring peace and justice to all those that seek it or need it. The Sith, it is just the opposite for the Sith. The Sith long to destroy the peace and justice within the galaxy, aiming for destruction instead.

Being that I do not know much of your family, nor of your background yet, I can only assume that your father was a force user. A good force user?

I'm sure your father tried to bring peace and justice within the galaxy, but sometimes even those that long to do right within the galaxy, can't always triumph over evil. Sometimes, evil wins, and the life of a good force user is lost."

[jayte]

Jayte nodded as she spoke.

"My Dad was a Jedi. He was hardly ever home on the ship but when he was he would play games with me. That was lots of fun. But that was when I was little."

He smiled happily at the memory. Shifting from foot to foot, Jayte began to take sudden interest in his hands.

"But what if...what if it was somebody's fault? What happens to that person?"

[Amalia Azalin]

Amalia, not that this was a first for her, was stumped. She had no idea what to tell him, she she gave Jayte the best answer she could.

"That...would depend on the situation, I suppose, Jayte. It depends on who the person is as well. You must understand, that not every situation is alike, not every consequence is the same, nor is every action that is taken, the same."

Amalia frowned.

"I'm sorry, Jayte, I wish I could better answer your question. The best I can tell you though, from a Jedi's point of view would be that...If a Jedi finds one to be wrong, or at fault, they try and do their best to resolve whatever matter arises, by peaceful means."

[jayte]

"What if the person didn't stop what happened because they were scared? Does that mean that they should die too?" he asked, his eyes getting big. Jayte was trying to be stealthy although it was hard for him not to admit that he was the person in question.

[Amalia Azalin]

She looked at him reassuringly.

"No, not at all. We all get scared at some point in our life, Jayte. If we're too frightened to help or stop something from continuing to take place because we're too frightened, it's ok.

"A person can always go and get someone elseto help if they think they're too frightened to do anything."

Her eyebrows suddenly as she stopped speaking for a moment.

"What makes you ask though?"

[jayte]

"'Cause it's my fault that my dad died."

Jayte whispered, looking down. When he looked up his eyes were filled with tears and his bottom lip was trembling.

"It was an accident. We were on a planet an' I don't know what it's called but it was raining an' there were all sorts of loud noises an' I got scared. My mom was workin' an' my dad was sick so I ran into his room and hid under the bed. An' then Greg came in...he was really wet an' his eyes were scary. I was afraid so I didn't move or make any noise 'cause I thought he would find me. Then he took my dads lightsaber even though we weren't suppos'ta and then...then...then he killed my dad! If I had made a noise maybe my dad would've waked up an' stopped Greg an' then maybe we coulda helped him!! I didn't mean to be scared! I'm soooooory!!"

Jayte was sobbing now, the cries wracking his tiny frame. He truly believed that it was his fault his father was dead.

[Amalia Azalin]

Amalia slowly walked over to the boy, resting a gentle hand on his trembling shoulders.

"There there, Jayte, don't cry. You must know that what happened then was not your fault. How could you have known it would happen, Jayte??"

She paused, hoping that the little boy's tears would subside.

"You can't be sure that if you had done things differently that the outcome of the evidents would be any different because of it. There are a reason as to why things happen, Jayte. You must do the best you can and learn to deal with any situation as best you can, no matter how good or bad that situation is."

Amalia smiled softly, longing to bring hope to the boy.

"I think you did what any little boy your age would do, Jayte, not just little boys, but little girls too. Why if I had been in that type of situation as a little girl, I think I too would have done just as you did."