Taataani Meorrrei - Follow

[Dasquian Belargic]

The courtyard of the Academy was just beginning to feel the warmth of the Yavin IV sun. It was almost 5 O'Clock in the morning, and with the birds twittering and people around the Order waking up, it was evident that sunrise has arrived. In the center of the square, the young elven Knight stood, arms folded behind his back as he stared up into the sky. As promised, he was beginning the training of his newest apprentice early on in the morning, to get in as much training as possible during their first session. Now all he had to do was wait for her to arrive.

[Taataani Meorrrei]

Meanwhile...back at the Living Quarters, Taataani lay fast asleep in her bed, having forgotten to set her alarm for such an early wake-up call. She wasn't used to such an early timetable, and her body was very convincing in its need for sleep. Therefore, she continued to snooze contentedly, snuggling a pillow under several blankets.

[Dasquian Belargic]

The Knight rose one hand to look at his chrono. It had been sometime sine Taataani should have gotten here, and still there was no sign of her. He could not sense her presence anywhere near the academy, actually. With a deep sigh he turned and began to head for the living quarters - she had expressed dissaproval at rising so early, perhaps she had forgotten all about it and simply slept as normal.

Dasquian entered the hallways and marched quickly up to her door, rapping his knuckles hard against it.

"Taataani."

[Taataani Meorrrei]

Hearing a distant noise in her sleep, Taa grumbled in mewly gibberish, dragging her comforter over her head in a huff.

....mmm jI'm not rrreadjy forrr ssschool....

[Dasquian Belargic]

A frown knitted into the Jedi's brow.

"You have five seconds to get up before I kick down this door and make you,"

He shouted through the shut door, much to the displeasure of those in the surrounding rooms.

[Taataani Meorrrei]

The shouting rang in Taa's sensitive ears, causing her to bolt up in her bed. She blinked blearily at the door, with red eyes and tussled hair. Who on earth was at her door at this hour.

The doorrr'sss unlocked!

She frowned, thinking. The voice did sound familiar...and didn't she have something to do this morning?

[Dasquian Belargic]

Obviously Dasquian didn't command quite as much respect as he thought. He really had expected to have to actually go into the room and get his Padawan up. Reluctantly, he pushed the door open with a quiet creak.

"...Taataani, it's Dasquian. You're late for your training."

[Taataani Meorrrei]

Her eyes widened with shock. Now, she remembered...

Oh no!!!

She bolted out of bed, scrambling toward the dresser. As she rummaged through the drawers, she paused with a sheepish look...realizing that since she made a habit out of sleeping in the nude, that she now stood, naked as a jaybird, in front of her younger master. As commonplace as the practice might be for a Cizerack, Dasquian seemed to be the type to be put off by such a thing. Laughing with a great deal of nervousness, Taa frantically scrambled for something to cover herself in...

[Dasquian Belargic]

Dasquian glanced quickly down at he floor, chuckling to himself.

"Sleeping in on your first day of training isn't exactly a good way to start, Taataani," he said through a quiet laugh.

[Taataani Meorrrei]

She didn't exactly have anything to say in her defense, except for a pitiful moan. She didn't even have time to match and accessorize. Slipping on the bare necessities, she managed to put on a shirt and shorts that went terribly together. Leaving her hair and everything else undone, Taa grumbled, finally returning to the bedside and retrieving her glasses. With a pathetic look, she shuffled out of her room, following Dasquian.

[Dasquian Belargic]

He shook his head and began to lead her out through the hallways. The silence that fell between the two was an uncomfortable, as Dasquian was fairly dissapointed about her lateless - but also embarassed at having seen Taataani naked. Thankfully they arrived at the courtyard quickly, and Dasquian could begin the formalities.

"Alright Taataani.. before we begin your training I need you to tell me a little about your past, your knowledge of the force and,"

He paused, then added unsurely, "Your combat experience."

[Taataani Meorrrei]

Taa took a moment to ponder her words, her ears fluttering once.

Well, jI wasss borrrn jinto the Meorrrrrrrrreji famjiljy...uh...sssome tjime ago.

She laughed nervously, unwilling to give up her true age.

jI went to ssschool at Daasssssseeerrrrrruu Trrrade Academjy, and have worrrked wjith the Cjizerrrack Tourrrjisssm boarrrd forrr twentjy jyearrrsss. jI have one daughterrr, Sssaarrrrrrrrreeaa, jyou've prrrobabljy met herrr. Now that ssshe'sss all grrrown up, wheneverrr jI'm not worrrkjing, jI ssspend mjy tjime among mjy hobbjiesss.

She moved on to other matters, adjusting her glasses.

Mjy knowledge of the forrrce....well....

She made a confused face

...can't sssajy jI've everrr hearrrd of jit.

Asss forrr mjy combat experrrjience....do jyou mean wjith gunsss?

She frowned.

jI don't ljike gunsss. Thejy arrre dangerrrousss.

[Dasquian Belargic]

One hand rose to rub his cheek, then base of his chin, as he stared at Taataani. Then, running his hand back through his hair, with a glance at the floor, he sighed a bit.

"Right.. well as a Jedi you will need to engage in combat at one point or another, if diplomacy fails, so you will need to become proficient in a weapon,"

Fishing into his robes with his free hand, he retrieved his saber hilt, covered in tarnish, and held it up.

"This is the typical Jedi weapon, a lightside. I imagine you've seen them about fairly often by now... you'll have to construct you're own one of these as a Jedi."

Clipping the weapon back to his belt, he folded his arms over his chest and glanced about a bit.

"And the Force... it's, well, everything."

He paused, he didn't recall ever having to explain in detail what the Force was to anyone, so would end up having a bit of trouble here no doubt.

"Everything living is connected to the Force and has, if you will, a signature, a unique mark which signifies its presence all over. Both you and I will have our own Force signatures, and their strength will vary depending on our own strength in the Force."

Another short pause, as he collected his thoughts.

"Normally when you begin training as a Jedi, you have to start by trying to become in tune with the Force... you have to be able to sense it. Most people will do this by clearing there thoughts and just trying to let themselves become intune with what's around them."

[Taataani Meorrrei]

She nodded...

Okajy...

She took a deep breath, closing her eyes, and raising her ears, as if she might be able to reach out with them and hear the force.

[Dasquian Belargic]

Dasquian smiled somewhat and paced over to Taataani, setting a hand against her shoulder.

"... The Force is not something tangible, Taataani. Think of it like air... you can't see it, but it's always there. Try focusing on something,"

The Knight glanced about, looking down at the ground beneath his feet where little shoots sprouted through the cracks in the paving stones. He knelt down, and ran the stem between his finger tips loosely before yanking it upwards, uprooting the planet. His eyes darted up towards his apprentice.

"Can't you feel that...? The loss of life?"

[Taataani Meorrrei]

Her face was set in deep concentration. Her nose crinkled a bit and her brow furrowed. When Dasquian pulled the plant, she could hear it all...from the snapping of the shoot, to even the minute sounds of Dasquian's contracting tendons in his fingers. Could she feel it? Was that the force?

...jyesss?

Her eyes snapped open, backing up her answer with a little more confidence.

jYesss, jI felt jit.

[Dasquian Belargic]

He quirked an eyebrow and rose up to his feet.

"Then can you feel my presence? And the movements of the animals and people near here?"

[Taataani Meorrrei]

She nodded, a little more reassuredly. No matter how quietly Dasquian moved, she could hear him...and even if she couldn't, she could surely smell him. That went for anyone.

[Dasquian Belargic]

A concerned look crossed his face as he picked up on fragments of Taataani's thoughts.

"Taataani, do Cizerack have extra sensory abilities? Such as enhanced hearing, and perhaps smell too?"

[Taataani Meorrrei]

Comparrred to jyou? jYesss, jI thjink. Ourrrsss jisss verrrjy good.

[Dasquian Belargic]

A slight cringe.

"... And have you ever known anyone in your society to be force sensitive?"

[Taataani Meorrrei]

She got a little frustrated.

jI don't even know what the forrrce jisss!

[Dasquian Belargic]

Another light sigh.

"Taataani, I'm not sure that Cizerack can manipulate the Force. I have heard others within the temple express such concerns, but I wasn't sure about it .. until now."

He folded his arms over his chest, nodding lightly.

"This does not mean that you cannot be a Jedi, of course. It just means that is will take much more effort... you will have to make sure you have excellent fighting skills, and perhaps in time we can devise someway for you to tap into the Force.."

[Taataani Meorrrei]

jI can fjight!

Her ears lowered

...jI thjink! Let me at them! jI'll ssshow jyou what a Cjizerrrack can do!

[Dasquian Belargic]

He grinned.

"Why don't you show me what you can do, Taa?"

He rose his hands in a tight guard.

"Attack me."

[Taataani Meorrrei]

Taa growled throatily, folding her ears back as her claws extended. Then, she suddenly stopped, her eyes widening and ears lowering.

But wajit! jI'll hurrrt jyou!

She thought about it. Aggressive feelings and instinct often went hand in hand. It took concentration to take control. She had to realize that this was just a game. After a few seconds, her claw tips slid away. She smiled, nodding.

No clawsss! Okajy?

[Dasquian Belargic]

Dasquian nodded.

"Don't attack me with anger, Taataani. Remember, this is simply a pratice, there is no danger here."

[Taataani Meorrrei]

Rrrjight. jI knew that.

She made a somewhat-nervous face, then threw a punch, hesitating at the last minute and landing a quarter-strength, clumsy-looking hook against Dasquian's ear. She made a worried face.

That djidn't hurrrt djid jit???

[Dasquian Belargic]

He leant out to the side, in the opposite direction of the punch, as it connected with his head - lessening the effect. He smiled slightly and shook his head as he rose up to stand again.

"Not at all, Taataani. Don't worry about hurting me, alright? Just have a good shot."

He felt a little uneasy as he set himself up ready to take the hit; this was the most unusual training session as of yet. He was trying not to patronize the cizerack too much, but it felt as though everything he thought of saying was going to baby her.

[Taataani Meorrrei]

She cringed a bit, but eventually reassured herself. He was a Jedi, after all. He should be alright...maybe! She closed her blue eyes, sighed once, and opened them again, suddenly springing towards Dasquian, leaping toward him in an open-armed flying tackle.

[Dasquian Belargic]

The Jedi dropped to his knees, and as Taataani pounced on him, grabbed the cizeracks forearms to swing her straight over his body so that she landed with a tumble behind him. Dasquian looked over his shoulder at her before moving up into a crouch.

"Forget that you can hurt me, alright? Just go for it."

[Taataani Meorrrei]

She tumbled in a heap, getting frustrated a bit. As Dasquian told her to "go for it", she growled, balling up and springing forward with a full-force haymaker. It was weird to fight close-handed, but she wouldn't risk swiping him with claws.

[Dasquian Belargic]

He could feel the frustration in Taataani, and it appeared to be making her fighting spirit rise. Smiling, he moved with flighty speed as he drew a hand backwards, echoing the future course of the punch as he grappled it - throwing it over his shoulder so that his Padawan tumbled into him. As she did so, he ducked downwards, causing her weight to be thrown straight over his own.

[Taataani Meorrrei]

Aaaah!

Taa fell over Dasquian's shoulder...and didn't get up this time.

[Dasquian Belargic]

Dasquian squinted and looked down at Taataani.

"Up," he said, motioning for her to stand swiftly as he took up a defensive stance.

[Taataani Meorrrei]

Taa remained motionless on the ground, her body sprawled awkwardly.

[Dasquian Belargic]

Dasquian knelt down and canted his head, looking now with a hint of concern at the Cizerack.

"... Taataani?"

[Taataani Meorrrei]

Her eyes were partially rolled into the back of her head, and her little pink tongue lolled out of her mouth somewhat. But when Dasquian knelt to check on her, she knew her ruse was worth the effort. In a split second's passing, she was upon him with redoubled force and intensity, springing at him so fast that she bowled him over twice, end over end, before straddling atop him. Her eyes were a fierce electric blue as she began to deliver full-strength pummelings down upon Dasquian.

[Dasquian Belargic]

He was completely taken a back, and didn't have a moment to consider what was happening before he found a punch thundering down into his collar bone. His eyes widened as he looked up at the Cizerack, darting one hand up to catch a near-fatal punch that would have crushed his nose.

"E-excellent," he choked out as he rose his knees upwards, driving them hard against her stomach.

[Taataani Meorrrei]

Taa winced, rolling back as she wheezed from the air kicked out of her. She gulped and gasped, rising to her feet slowly. She looked completely different to her normal appearance of a prim little lady. She was tense, coiled, and feral. The look in her eyes was enough to chill blood. Her lips parted, and a low growl shook Dasquian's bones.

[Dasquian Belargic]

The Jedi drove his hands against the floor and pushed his legs up through to follow the drive against Taataani, propelling himself up to his feet in one swift jump. He landed and took up a defensive stance instantly, giving the cizerack a once over glance. She had taken on a very different attitude to the one she had when she had entered the session, and it seemed to be much more suited to combat.

Dasquian rose one hand and motioned for her to come at him again, perhaps a foolish move in this situation but he felt as though she was only getting warmed up and very much wanted to see her fighting potential.

[Taataani Meorrrei]

She came in quick and low, and then sprung over Dasquian in an amazing burst of leg strength, twisting over him in a graceful arc. As she did so, her prehensile tail lassoed him around his neck, as she landed, twisting her hips so that her strong tail wrangled him down, dragging him across the ground as she turned back on him.

[Dasquian Belargic]

He smacked against the ground, letting out a wet throaty cough as the cizerack's tail tightened around his neck. He clamped both hands around the tail then, and yanked it towards himself as he was dragged still over the floor. He drove his heels against the ground as he continued to pull upon Taataani.

[Taataani Meorrrei]

Aaah!

That was just mean! Dasquian pulled on Taa's tail...a sensitive place to be pulled, to say the least. She relented to the pressure, sliding on her side. Dasquian also fell back, the sudden release of tension causing him to fall back. Taa rubbed her backside a bit, then sprung forward, her knees dropping across Dasquian's chest. She grit her teeth, rared back, and like an enraged bantha, headbutted him! She stammered back, a little dazed, but repeated...

[Dasquian Belargic]

The wind was knocked out of him as her knees hit him, then the head butt furthered the daze she'd knocked him into. He blinked and stared upwards, unfocused, as her head cracked down against his once more. Coughing, he squinted as he gathered the Force to himself, attempting to slow the rate at which Taataani's headbutt came down. With a good deal of effort, she came to a halt just before hitting him.

"You're... using anger," he coughed.

[Taataani Meorrrei]

Taa suddenly ceased her assault, blinking

uh...?

With a frown, she removed the warped remains of her glasses from her face.

Ssso, how do jyou fjight and not be angrrrjy?

[Dasquian Belargic]

"You musn't let anger drive you,"

He took in a deep breath, thankful for the pause.

"That is the way of the darkside. You must remain collected, and do what you do with the utmost control over yourself. Rage is not an option."