The Wallflowers (During the GJO Dance - Tiger Clan)

[Jubei SaDherat Vader]

(Jubei quickly strode outside after his <a href=http://www.swforums.net/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=20764>announcement</a> had been made, and waited for his students to arrive. They were dressed in their finest, and ready for a night of entertainment.

They would be caught completely by suprise.)

[Ki-Adi Kindo]

Ki-Adi approached his Master.

"Good to see you. What is it Master?"

[Jubei SaDherat Vader]

(Jubei looked at Ki-Adi, and his dapper outfit)

You are dressed well, Ki-Adi.

(He smirked)

Remove your jacket and shirt, and turn around.

[Ki-Adi Kindo]

The Count raised a brow. He was extremely confused, but he trusted his Master and would indeed be obedient.

" Yes Master, if you say so."

He removed his jacket and shirt and turned around.

[JaAku Dama]

Ja AKu walks outside, and sees his master standing with a man he vaguely remembered from their training session. He looked over his glasses and smirked, watching the man take off his jacket and shirt and turn his back to their master. Nods a greeting to both of them.

[Jubei SaDherat Vader]

JaAku...

(Jubei extends a fisted hand over another, in sign of greeting, then gestures to Kindo)

...please follow Ki-Adi's lead.

(Jubei walked casually around, stopping briefly to snap a thin stalk of bamboo from where it grew. Pruning its shoots away, Jubei paced about in waiting)

[JaAku Dama]

Nods again, slipping his jacket off and pulling his t over his head. He reluctantly turns his back, shoulders hunching slightly, anxiously waiting whatever was going to happen.

[Loki Ahmrah]

Having decided to have a peek of the formal dance before he was off to bed, Loki was looking through the window, wishing he could be inside but it was past his bedtime already. That was when he bumped into Jubei who had asked him to wait outside for a moment, the Jedi Knight disappeared but then his voice could be heard calling all members of Tiger Clan outside.

"I wonder what is going on!" He thought to himself, walking over to the group Loki adopts the same hand gesture Jubei uses when greeting him. "Tanti," He greeted him and asked, "What is it you require of us?"

[Sejah Haversh]

Sejah had taken extra time to prepare for the dance, even though he knew he would just stand against the wall the whole time. But as he approached the doors, he spotted Jubei and some others from his clan. They had their shirts removed, and Jubei held a bamboo cane in his hand.

It was a scene he knew. Sejah stopped, unwilling to head forward. Not from fear, nor from humiliation, but it was not something he wished to experience again. He had had the lesson before, there was little need to learn it again.

Turning back, the mongoose returned to his room to spend the night alone. Perhaps there might be something good on television.

[Ki-Adi Kindo]

Ki Adi saw Sejah walk off, and he was quite confused and anxious on what was to happen. What was to take place?

[Eldrak Gruuhl]

This was odd indeed. He had been told that they were to meet at noon on the morrow, not this evening. But he had heard the call when he had arrived at the gathering and now he approached and saw Jubei with the stalk of bamboo in his hands, as well as one of the group already leaving.

“I have come as requested.” Said Eldrak, turning his attention from Sejah back to Jubei.

[Jubei SaDherat Vader]

(Jubei watched Sejah withdraw and leave the scene. Though his jawline set, the Jedi Knight made no effort to stop him. Instead, he turned to the arriving Loki and Eldrak)

Loki, Eldrak, remove your shirts, and join Ki-Adi and JaAku.

(Once they had done so, Jubei paced behind them, to where they could not see him.)

Your dance will be cut short...but it is a sacrifice I hope you will understand. It is the first of many great sacrifices that will be asked of you as Jedi. You will endure many unpleasant things, often for the sake of people who would not return the favor to you. But there are no others who will do this task. Along the way, you must be harder than steel, but more supple than silk. A Jedi's way is both gentle and resolute.

(Jubei stopped pacing, behind Eldrak)

You will also know pain.

(He whipped the bamboo cane around in a quick motion, striking Eldrak across his back. The flexible cane drew a thin line of cut skin across the Padawan's back, which began to well up with trace amounts of blood)

It is a universal constant. Rich men, poor men, good men, evil men...all feel and know pain.

(Jubei then struck JaAku's back in the same manner)

But pain is a tool that controls animals, who cannot control their own destinies, or the destinies of others.

(He then struck Kindo across his back as well)

We are not invincible. We also know pain. But we must learn to control this...because on the most basic level, our opposition is pain. Whether physical or emotional, or whether the most basic adversity, it is a force that tempts us to take quick and easy paths, regardless of whether they are right or wrong.

(He then strikes young Loki, sparing none of his swing's intensity)

[Ki-Adi Kindo]

Ki Adi was in pain. He could feel the blood run down his back, and the sting of whelp. Even tough he wanted to unleash a Force blow to Jubei, he knew the lesson being taught, and for that he withdrew his anger. He knew he must learn to harness his aggresion.

[JaAku Dama]

Lets out a long ragged sigh. He could feel the sting of the bamboo on his back, but it wasn't much. He had had worse done to him and he resisted the urge to attack his master. He just stood there, staring forward. Waiting.

[Jubei SaDherat Vader]

(Jubei removed a white cloth from his robe, gently rubbing the spilled blood from Ki-Adi's back. With his other hand, he dropped the cane, its purpose now realized. He then placed his hand over Kindo's wound, sliding it down. An unnatural heat could be felt radiating from his palm, as Jubei caused the local bleeding to cease. However, the pain would remain. Not as sharp as the initial moment, but a dull and constant companion. His voice remained soft.)

Ki-Adi, I can feel your anger. You are suprised at my action, and now you want to return this punishment upon me.

(He smiled)

You show restraint in the heat of the moment. It is a good start, and a first victory.

[Ki-Adi Kindo]

" Master, with all due respect, I must return return to the Formal. I promised AmazonBabe I would be her escort the night, and I can't go back on my word. A Jedi only speaks truth."

[Loki Ahmrah]

Shivering in the chilly night air, Loki stood waiting in fear of what was to come and would come on swift wings leaving little time to prepare. The best he could do would be to cleanch his teeth, close his eyes and try to become immersed in the Force like he had done in the past, this helps him to distance himself from the pain. However tonight this was not the case, his concentration was overcome by fear and Jubei's words held his attention. That was when the blow came.

"Argh! Ow, damn!" The boy cried out, reeling back in agony, the bamboo seemed to slice through his skin and was the sharpest pain he'd ever felt. He didn't know how the others held out against this pain but no sense of pride would stop him from reacting this way.

After the innitial strike the pain lingered but it didn't get worse so Loki knew he would have to tolerate it and thus fell back in line. His eyes closed and he exhaled heavily but due to his experiences as a padawan learner he didn't feal any amount of contempt for the Jedi Knight, it would be pointless and he was unfocused enough as it is. What was even more frustrating was that he understood the lesson immediatly, the sting of the bamboo cane brought that message home rather quickly. Quietly he bounced on his feet in some vain attempt to rid himself of the stinging.

[Eldrak Gruuhl]

Eldrak had removed his robe, and the others noticed immediately that he wore nothing else underneath it. He showed no signs of shame or hesitation as he knelt as instructed. He said nothing at all, asked no questions. It seemed Jubie had something specific in mind.

Then came the strike with the bamboo. Still Eldrak made no sound, but his eyes did grow larger briefly in surprise. The pain was immense, but he delt with much more than physical pain for over a year’s time, wandering the forests alone, having vividly horrifying nightmares and not even knowing who he was.

The blood that oozed from his back was dark as night and as it dripped to the ground smoke rose from the spot it landed. The acidity of a Kashirians blood made it a natural weapon. It was something that made Eldrak ashamed, for his beliefs were pacifist and he wished no harm upon anything, including the microscopic creatures that the small drops that struck the floor may have eradicated.

But even before another drop of blood struck the ground, the flow stopped and the cut seemed to quickly vanish. The pain was there and his natural regeneration did nothing to aid that, but instead caused even more pain as it knitted his cells back together.

He looked to the side and felt extreme apathy for the small boy Loki, to have to endure something such as this. Eldrak understood that pain made one stronger, but there had to be a better way to teach this lesson than this, but he would not question Jubei. Master Anbira had requested he do this and the green Jedi respected and admired Anbira unequivocally.

Eldrak's concern for Loki was visible in his expression.

[JaAku Dama]

Looks over at the child, frowning. He raised a finger to his lips and winked. He spoke into Lokis' mind.
Shhh...Don't think about the pain. Go somewhere else....

[Jubei SaDherat Vader]

(Jubei nodded to Kindo)

Your word is your honor. Return to the dance. You will still feel pain, but it is whether you allow it to live your life that sets you apart from a quitter.

(He looked to Eldrak's wound, which was quicker to heal, without his aid)

I sense that you have given your word on an obligation as well?

[Sejah Haversh]

Sejah had missed the announcement that Jubei had given about the dance, and he did not know fully of the event's importance. Sejah was never much for social events, especially around girls.

Opening the door to his room, the Nehantite pulled off his outer shirt and flopped down on his bed. He knew he would be yelled at, but the excercise would have done him little good. Thirteen years under a few fencing and fighting masters and pain is not that out of the ordinary.

Picking up the remote, Sejah switched on the holovid TV and channel surfed. He would have liked to attend the party anyhow.

[Eldrak Gruuhl]

"I have"

Came his reply, no sign of pain or despite in his voice whatsoever. He remianed unclothed and on his knees as he had been instructed.