An open invitation

[ezra_of_lothal]

WHO: Ezra, other Jedi Temple residents, visitors, and spectators
WHERE: The Temba Jedi Temple and the area around it/former museum area
WHAT: Lightsaber practice and mingle OTA
WHEN: Several days after Billy’s spell breaks
WARNINGS: TBD (label threads if you can, please!)



Having his connection to the Force fully restored is strangely disorienting and unbalancing for Ezra, and he was never completely cut off from it. He can’t really imagine how his fellow Jedi, who now remember entire lives without sensing the Force, feel. So, for a few days, he does his chores, mediates a little, visits other people, and tries not to hover while the residents of the Temple area regain their inner footing.

Eventually, though, he gets a little restless. Maybe some focused movement with a purpose would help the other Jedi, too.

Network - Text

Lightsaber practice in the open area by the Temple area, early afternoon today. Myself and Master Kenobi at least, still working out details. I guess it’s never actually been said – people are welcome to come watch! It’s polite to stay quiet when there’s actual instruction going on, of course. Also, we’re usually working on lower power, but for safety please stay well back while blades are ignited.



It starts a little slow, warming up with katas, demonstrating and talking through sequences. Ezra’s particularly interested in learning more about Soresu, the defensive form for which Obi-wan had once been well known in the Order. He’s learned the fundamentals from Kanan, but getting to see Master Kenobi go all out in the salles at the Coruscant Temple had been enlightening.

Eventually they get around to the really fun stuff – practice duels. They should really do this on some varied terrain at some point, but for right now, it’s flashing blades, jumps, twirls and flips around the flat ground. Perfect for others to come watch and talk amongst themselves.

Ezra'a soon clearly in a much better mood, beaming as he extinguishes his green blade for a break.

Comments

OTA

[the_child]

Grogu isn't advanced enough to use a lightsaber, yet. Watching the show, however, he really wishes he was. He finds a good place to sit and watch, eyes wide as the duelists fly across the grounds, sabers flashing.

As he watches, he's floating a silver ball above his hands. He's got to work on his endurance, somehow, or he'll never be able to do any of that cool stuff. So, he's practicing.

OTA

[hadthehighground]

Having the memories of a normal guy from earth with an undisciplined mind along with that of a Jedi master was very strange. It had left Obi-Wan unbalanced and confused with his own identity. He knew which one was real, but that didn’t make it any less difficult for him. He had spent days meditating with varying degrees of success. Spending time alone and trying to sort out his thoughts.

Holding his lightsaber again and going through the motions helped and this class was just as much of a time for him to learn as it was his students. Though in his case he was relearning. Even so, Obi-Wan might be caught making comments that didn’t sound much like him, but rather the man he had been in Billy’s world. Some lectures and demonstrations causing him to pause as he had to jog his own memory. But he would eventually move on as if nothing happened.

A couple of robotic balls could be seen floating in the air. Training remotes that he had brought back from Coruscant. Harmless things that fired little bolts that would sting but not injure. Perfect for demonstrating the defensive moves of Soresu and as practice for the Padawans. He would then have Ezra and Cal practice what they learned with each other while he had one on one instruction with Grogu. The little one being given a training saber that was appropriate for his size.

Any spectators were welcome, and he was open for questions between lessons if anyone had any. Also, those that didn’t see Obi-Wan during the recent happenings may notice that he looks very different. On top of the slightly off personality he also has a bare face that is only just barely starting to grow stubble again.

[the_child]

Grogu held the training saber hesitantly, looking up at Master Kenobi. Are you sure about this, Master? Is he really ready for this? He's only barely started his training again, after all.

[ezra_of_lothal]

He'd been glad Master Kenobi had readily agreed to practice.

Seeing his master occasionally verbally stumble or sound more like Ben Bridger was less comforting. He just stayed quiet and tried to look attentive and radiate as much steady calm as he could muster, when Obi-wan paused. Showing distress would only throw the Jedi Master off more, he was sure.

Although, he wondered what Cal and Grogu thought of this shift.

When everything started to wind down, he circled around to come close enough to offer, quietly while studying Obi-wan's expression, "Tea, Master?"

They had agreed that they'd talk about....everything that had happened.

[out_of_order]

Cal doesn't opt to spar immediately, but he feels things are mutual among his fellow Jedi. He's been going through his own routines, so coming here to do so doesn't find him all out of sorts, and the familiar motions are easy enough for his mind to attach to, to keep himself focused.

His focus is far from perfect, and there are those moments when it slips, punctuated by a hiss or a slight yelp in response to a stinging bolt going astray, but he's never deterred, always resetting himself to try again, wrist twisting with an idle twirl of his weapon. He finally finds a good flow, his lightsaber humming with each movement, cracking with each successful deflection.

OTA

[no_applause]

Padme had felt positively humiliated after things got back to normal. Between her powers, and the violence... and other things... she just wanted some time to feel like herself again.

But she couldn't hide away forever. So she was outside in a brightly colored dress, her hair pinned in loose braids at the back of her head. The children were under a large sun umbrella, laying on a blanket with some toys on a low arch over them. They burbled happily, swatting at the shiny toys and, seemingly, talking to each other. Padme sat next to them on the blanket, her legs folded under her as she watched the Jedi train. She had tea and a few snacks set out for anyone who might care to join her.

[holtfinder]

It's hard to say if it's the children or the tea and snacks that draw the attention of Moonshade, who meanders over with quiet steps. The wolf that accompanies her seems curious about the twins, sniffing over them with ears perked, while the elf moves to accost Padme.

"Can we join you for a little bit? I've only just arrived and I'm still getting my bearings, but if nothing else I can share commiseration about motherhood." Though Moonshade had only had to deal with one child at a time; Dart was born nearly a century after Crescent. She can hardly imagine the difficulty of twins.

OTA

[foundlingfather]

Din debated whether to go or not for a while. In the end, he's there. He's leaned against of the bordering buildings, or bit of debris or something along the edges. Close enough to watch, but not be right in the thick of people that showed up. One arm hanging loose, the other hand gripping at the elbow, with his ankles crossed. Not completely relaxed, but not completely tensed either. He's silent as he watches, reminded of when Ahsoka had ambushed him, and the displays he saw in the Temple on Coruscant.

Outwardly impossible to tell, unless you can tell someone's feelings. But there's silent pride there too, whenever Grogu is up and practicing. You go kid.

[deal_me_in]

"If this were a dodgeball game would you sit silently or would you be the loud parent that shouts emphatically for your kid to maul the other one?"

Cayde's sidled up by the Mandalorian, never one to stay quiet for long, at least when he doesn't want to, although he's at least proven that he's not a Hunter for nothing. His arms folded, he looks out at the Jedi kids.

It's a completely different energy than with the kids from the City when they're all brought to the field to stretch their legs and play, but it's still interesting. A lot less brutal, too. Of course, said kids here are older and there's only a handful. Not much competition involved either.

OTA

[cannot_flinch]

Lightsabers still fascinate Ikora. Ophiuchus had gotten good scans on them and the ghost was confident if they brought the information back to Banshee he could make something similar but at the moment the closest she would get to trying one herself was watching.

She watched from the edge of the Jedi's training area, her hands folded behind her back.

Part of her was a bit jealous. These Jedi still had all their power it seemed. Meanwhile, so distant from the Traveler, she was limited in what her Light could do. Her competitive streak wanted to fight them and see if a Guardian was better.

Instead, she focused on what she could learn from how they fought. Guardians used swords after all.

[ezra_of_lothal]

Ezra bounded over to Ikora during a break, after getting a drink of water. She'd reminding him of Hera's level-headedness, while they were strategizing in her library in Billy's City, so he's warmly curious.

"Hey Ikora!" He glances over his shoulder at the training area. "So, what do you think?"

ota

[noch]

In another situation, Merrin might have volunteered for a practice fight against Cal or Ezra, magick vs lightsaber. But... well, there are too many spectators for her liking, and she doesn't quite feel comfortable in the Temple yet either. It's the Jedi's space, and she's the furthest thing from a Jedi. She's an outsider, and not a welcome one to many Jedi.

Instead, she sits somewhere well removed from the practice area—and everyone else—legs crossed in the grass, watching the proceedings with sharp focus. These movements are different from the ones she remembers Malicos using—his blows were relentless, punishing. Cal's style too—it's somehow surprising to her that there are more styles of lightsaber fighting than she would've expected.

While she spectates, she absently hovers her talisman over her palm, the moon-shaped stone swathed in misty green ichor.

[on_repeat]

Unlike Merrin, Echo was used to being around other people. Even if it was an informal spectator event, this was probably one of the first times he felt like he wasn't completely alone.

Normally the ARC Trooper would play sentry here, taking the time to observe the others in the area from where he stood. This time around he's more relaxed, helmet off and tucked under an arm as he reacts to some of the moves the jedi have up their metaphorical sleeves. He would have cheered them on, but the mood is different; things are still settling, after all, and everyone needs the break.

This doesn't stop him from looking away from the action, however. A brow arches slightly when he glances over to where Merrin sits alone, forgetting about the mock fights as he watches the motions and the swirling green ichor with mild curiosity.

OTA

[ambitiousblond]

He was about to pass the message on the network before his attention was caught by the words blades and ignited. That was enough for him to decide to find this Temple though it wasn't as if he was pressed for time at the moment. It was part curiously, part wariness but even though he's on his own, he won't learn about the other inhabitants of this place unless he ventures out.

Dark Nation was happy for adventure, the massive black guard hound dutifully at his side when he arrives. At first, it seems to be any kind of almost generic training, he finds a seat, settling down to watch with Dark Nation laying down beside him. But when the lightsabers ignite he sits forward with sudden interest, his expression a combination of shock and awe. He's seen the blades that the elite of Shinra's military carried but these were nothing like anything even Sephiroth would have.

This was something he needed to learn more about.

[holtfinder]

Dark Nation isn't the only canine here, and the grey-furred wolf that accompanies Moonshade seems curious about the guard hound, approaching to sniff at her curiously. He's as nervous as the small woman accompanying him in the unfamiliar setting, though she's polite enough not to attempt to sniff Rufus. But she does stand nearby, waiting to see how Steadypaw and Dark Nation behave around one another, not bothering to tell her wolf to keep his distance.

OTA

[holtfinder]

A newcomer to the city, Moonshade isn't entirely certain she's actually welcome here. But she'd rather come and be told she's not supposed to be here than not come and fail to learn anything about the environment. A short woman--less than four feet tall, she's dressed in dyed leather (a dress with a hood currently tucked back, leggings and boots), and accompanied by a grey wolf.

Her attention seems to drift from the actual demonstration to the crowd watching, with particular attention being paid to clothing. As her boldness waxes, she might even approach characters who seem like they might be willing to turn their attention from the glowing, humming swords with questions about the fabric their clothing is made of, or how it's dyed.

[ezra_of_lothal]

Ezra doesn't always wear the very traditional cream tunics and tabards and leggings - he's just as likely to be spotted in the bright colors he grew up wearing, although he's taken to throwing a grey-brown robe on as a top layer. But today, as a reminder to himself, and solidarity to the other Jedi, he's going with the traditional garb to which he came late.

During a break, he wanders over, drawn as much by the wolf as the woman accompanying him.

"Hello," he greets. "I'm Ezra. I haven't seen you around before. Did you get here recently?"

Close Open Close Open

[out_of_order]

For Ezra
Cal flashes a grin at Ezra, giving his lightsaber a spin. "Take it easy on me, okay?" He's somewhat serious on that request, but he figures they're all trying to get their heads back into things. A month's a long time to have gone on without training, although Cal's been off of doing such for longer, so at least he knows some things just stick with you, and your body knows what to do once it's put through the motions.

At least this is for a friendly spar and not of actual necessity to flee for his life.


OTA
He takes his breaks from training drones or sparring, but when he's done resting he can be found off to the side going through some lightsaber forms. He seems to purposely find a more empty space for other reasons, which if one happens by, they'd see exactly why as he ignites first one blade, and then a second sprouts from the base of the hilt so that the weapon resembles more of a staff.

The color of the main blue blade seems to brighten when the pale yellow one is ignited, and to note, anyone with some kind of powered device may find a slight power surge, or in the case of metal, find it suddenly glowing just a bit.

[ezra_of_lothal]

"We're all getting back into the swing-" Swing timed to go with saying that. "Of things," Ezra says, grinning back.

And he's fine with not going all out. He'd got a competitive streak he'd like to let out to play at some point, but now's not the time. He's even been co-student and co-teacher all in one, before, helping Sabine learn enough to wield the Darksaber.

For now, it's mostly circling and switching off which of them is practicing the flowing blocks, parries, and counterstrikes of Soresu that Master Kenobi had gone over and which of them is being more aggressive.

Ezra and the family picture album - OTA

[ezra_of_lothal]

While the Jedi are cooling down from practice, Ezra gathers up his robe from where he's tossed it aside and pulls out a projector from a pocket.

"So I found this, this morning. Just...lying on the ground. Did anyone else get something randomly, uh, nice dropped on them? Because this is all pictures of my family and friends, that I had back home." After a beat he clarifies, "Actually, really back home, not the City that we were in."

And with that he pulls up a picture.

[no_applause]

The twins are blessedly napping, so Padme steps closer to see what Ezra has found. "I haven't... but..." She looks at him before venturing, "Ezra... is that your family?"

[on_repeat]

Watching the jedi train was free entertainment for a clone, so there was no way Echo was missing out on watching them go at it from the sidelines.

"Found, you say?" the ARC Trooper asks once Ezra takes a break, pushing away from the wall he's leaning against to look at what the young padawan has in hand. As the picture is pulled up, Echo quietly slips his helmet off for a better view, brow furrowing slightly as he studies the image.

The corner of his mouth quirks. "Is that you?"

[hadthehighground]

“Boga just randomly appeared one day,” Obi-Wan offers. “As did the mandalorian’s Blurgg. I have a feeling the Agrii are behind such gifts for whatever reason.”

He then leans in and visibly falters. The Jedi’s brows furrowing a bit as he sees the picture of Ezra with his family. It was a bit odd as he had a mental picture of his and Ezra’s parents in Billy’s world, and that was not it. It was a strange feeling.

Text

[tempredmental]

Can anyone use a lightsaber

[ezra_of_lothal]

Technically - probably? I've helped train a non force sensitive to wield one before. But she was already really well trained with other kinds of blades, and there's no one I trust more to have my back.

Traditionally, it goes, a Jedi goes through a trial of the spirit to get the crystal that's the focus for the blade. Crystal and Jedi are attuned to each other, and other people trying to use it might not go well.

We do have training sabers, but I won't speak for Master Kenobi on whether he'd let non-Jedi practice with them.

[text]

[the_tailor]

Lightsaber... That's the really cool glowy sword a bunch of you guys use yeah?

[text]

[ezra_of_lothal]

That's right.

I built a new one for myself when we were on Coruscant. They all feel a little different.