Cityscape Meditations [Open]

[jedimacguyver.livejournal.com]

Breathe, inhale, count again.

It had taken Obi-Wan hours to find a place flat and open enough to do this in. He'd originally wanted a clearing or courtyard, but in the end the only thing that had turned up was a flat rooftop near what he'd dubbed the "North" end of the strange city in this insane place.

Step, turn back, begin again. Third form, faster now; breathe, inhale, and lift—

Comforting basics, he'd run this form a thousand times or more. He'd mastered it. There were no fancy moves, nor clever flourishes in this calm ballet. The Lightsaber hilt was warm and comforting in his hand; familiar design, familiar grip, the hum a constant stream of nostalgia near his ear as Obi-Wan whirled it again into the third stance, then the fourth.

Start again, faster, faster, the blade became and arc of light, blinding quick in time with hurried, open-mouthed breaths, less meditation than workout, now. One arm extended in a lunge— that was a touch of form two, unneeded. Calmer, slower, hold and block, it was like shadowboxing as the Jedi ran through the exercise, imagining with eyes closed a barrage of enemies and blaster-fire against a lone man and a beam of trapped power. The mock-fight cusped and faded, and in the wake left peace. This was the will of the Force glowing bright within him, re-centered and ready to face whatever this experience threw at him. If he wasn't meant to be here, then he wouldn't. Whatever else may be happening, he must be able to do some good in this place. That was his duty, as a Jedi Master, as a tool and expression of the Force within him.

And he opened his eyes, look up and smiled as the hissing crackle of a deactivating Lightsaber punctuated his meditational exercise, "Well, hello. Come for a lesson, have we?"

Comments

[ignitethestars.livejournal.com]

Anakin had just about enough. He didn't like this place, he didn't like being taken out of his element and he certainly didn't like being away from her. He had to figure out a way home and it took all of his will power to keep himself from just shifting to a panicked state. In fact he had searched out his master just to get his mind off of things.

He couldn't stop thinking about that Luke guy. The one with the same last name as him. Something was so familiar about him but he couldn't place it. And it was driving him nuts. His irritation was probably going to be picked up by Obi-Wan and even though he looked calm on the surface, he was anything but.

Stepping out to where Obi-Wan was, he almost stormed right up to him, though he was a little taken back by how he was just causally practicing like that.

"Master!" He called out as he approached. "We need to figure a way out of here. Something is wrong. Can't you feel it? I just... we... we need to leave."

He wondered if Obi-Wan had met Luke and if he had suspicions as well. But in any case, he tried not to think about that either... but his aggravation began to show as he started pacing. He looked almost like a caged animal as he stepped back and forth in front of Obi-Wan.

"The people here -- I don't like it. I don't like any of it."

[jedimacguyver.livejournal.com]

“Calm yourself, Anakin,” Obi-Wan cautioned, gently holding a hand up for peace, “What could be wrong? We’ve only been kidnapped, dropped somewhere the Force only knows how far from home and duty, and set to task we can’t even begin to ask questions of. Believe me, I understand that.”

And here it came, one of those so-condescending little Obi-Wan pauses, the kind that might as well have been a signpost proclaiming an unspoken ‘but.’ Smiling, of course, if ruefully, the placating gesture fell by the wayside, “But, that’s not why you’re so flustered is it? It’s Master Luke, am I right?”

[ignitethestars.livejournal.com]

Of course Obi-Wan always knew what was going on, it never failed. But Anakin felt himself calm down a little bit at being around his former master. Just a little though. He finally stopped his pacing and stood in front of Obi-Wan.

Sighing a bit in defeat, he brought up his arms and folded them across his chest.

"How did you know? I just don't understand who this guy thinks he is. I don't trust him. This has to be some sort of trap. I know it is. He was sent here to confuse us or something. But I won't fall for it! I will see past any lies laid before us." He threw up his arms and circled around Obi-Wan before stopping again.

"I knew the separatists were getting brave, but I didn't expect this."

[jedimacguyver.livejournal.com]

“Do you really think this is the Separatist’s doing?” said master replied evenly, all reason and calming influence, “If they had the ability to disable you and I so thoroughly, why not go after a better target? The Chancellor or a member of the Jedi Counsel, for example? Think, Anakin, I taught you better than that; it just doesn't make sense.”

A sigh, running one hand fitfully over his beard. Of course it would come to this. Luke and Anakin seemed almost predestined for conflict...hopefully his former padawan would manage to keep his temper in check. Anakin never had been the best at restraint.

"As for Luke, he's clearly very strong in the Force, and with the two of you sharing a name it's not hard to guess that you'd eventually come into conflict," Obi-Wan tried for a conciliatory approach, though as usual it came off a little more like a lecture than advice, "What in the world has he told you, to get you so riled up? You're acting like an untrained youngling."

[restoresbalance.livejournal.com]

Like a moth to a light, Luke had been drawn to the controlled burn of the Force. He could recognize it anywhere, the pure light that lit Obi-Wan Kenobi; and, still wanting to learn from his old mentor even after all these years, he had come. But he hung back once he had arrived, watching the fluidity of the Master's movements, the precision of his form, the way the Force flowed through him like water around a rock. It really was a joy to watch.

This was the level Luke had aspired to, this kind of attunement to the living Force.

The other man's voice jolted Luke out of his thoughts on the whole matter, and he looked over. "No," he said quietly. "I was just watching your practice. Though if you wouldn't mind giving me a few tips, I wouldn't object." He smiled.

(the best part is how he constantly downplays his own mastery)

[jedimacguyver.livejournal.com]

"Lightsaber technique has always been something of a specialty of mine, and it's always a pleasure to share what I've learned," Obi-Wan smiled, a little gratuitously; ah, now this was his favorite topic, "I generally follow Form Three, a very classic defensive mode. It isn't the most popular, but we can't all charge headlong into duels like— well. He prefers the direct approach, and if that isn't the understatement of the century, then I don't know what is."

After a moment of thought, he stepped back a few paces and motioned for Luke to come more onto the roof proper, "What do you find is most effective for you?"

and he calls Luke master a;dlfskfds

[restoresbalance.livejournal.com]

Luke hopped lightly onto the roof, a flutter of excitement in his chest. After years, he was training again with Obi-Wan Kenobi, hero of the Clone Wars, friend of his father. It felt like he'd come full circle, and even better, when they were returned home, he could teach his students the things he learned here.

"I didn't have formal training in any of the forms that you'd be familiar with," Luke said. His lightsaber training had been picked up from various places--what little he had from an older Obi-Wan and then from his journal, from Yoda, from holocrons scattered from the Core to the Outer Rim. "I guess you could call it a mix of forms three, four, and five, with more than a bit of improvisation thrown in." He smiled ruefully. "When I was first learning the ways of the Force, there were very few Jedi left."

[jedimacguyver.livejournal.com]

That little tidbit furrowed his brow and brought Obi-Wan sorrowful and open-mouthed to the brink of asking...but no, he shook his head. That was not his place, not his path to take, except in time. He knew what he must do.

"What do you say we have a practice bout," he tried, shedding the mood as a bird molts it's feathers, "Just to see what we can do, hm?"

[nothawkingbird.livejournal.com]

Kate was secretly patrolling with her own sword, plus her bow and arrow, but the sounds of the lightsaber drew her attention. She couldn't help pausing at the sight. She knew of the movies in a general pop culture osmosis. But the movies couldn't possibly convey this kind of training and skilled. The years of practice and discpline, so like some martial artists back home.

She felt compelled to bow before speaking, her own stance suggesting familiarity with various martial arts techniques, "I was just stopping by, but that was amazing. Do they... do they call those katas where you come from? I'm Kate Bishop by the way, I take it you're one of the new arrivals?"

[jedimacguyver.livejournal.com]

"They're generally referred to as 'forms,' but I have heard them described as such," Obi-wan replied genially, returning the bow with an easy, comfortable formality, "Obi-Wan Kenobi, pleased to meet you— yes actually, I've only just arrived a few days ago."

[nothawkingbird.livejournal.com]

"Pleased to meet you too. Take it you've been brought up to speed? Stacy's not the best for info, but we've pieced some in the meantime."

Kate added, "I've studied some schools myself. Not as much on the sword end. That's been more fencing and western forms of swordfighting."

[jedimacguyver.livejournal.com]

"Master Luke Skywalker filled me in, more or less," he assured her with a nod. Less was the more accurate of the options, but it seemed that that was more a product of a lack of information more than any malicious intent, "I'll be completely honest with you; I've never actually seen a bladed sword in action, outside of history-holocrons. They've been outdated on civilized planets for millennia, except as symbols."

[psi-flames.livejournal.com]

Jono wasn't really a sci-fi fan. He'd seen the movies, of course. Everybody had seen the movies. But actually seeing a lightsaber in action? That was something else.

Cor. The exclamation was soft, barely projected. Jono blinked, shaking himself when he realized he was being spoken to. Umm. Nah, sorry, mate. Was jus' sorta passin' by an' saw you practicin'.

[jedimacguyver.livejournal.com]

Too well, Obi-Wan knew that expression. Ah, to be young, naive and easily impressed. The smile widened warmly, "I suppose I am a bit conspicuous up here. I'm Obi-Wan Kenobi, pleased to meet you."

[psi-flames.livejournal.com]

A bit, yeah. Jono might have taken exception to being called young and naive. Even if he was impressed.

He pulled himself up to his full height. Which wasn't that tall, but he was used to it. Jono Starsmore. Then he blinked again as the name sank in. Uh. Pleasure an' all. Sir.

[jedimacguyver.livejournal.com]

"Well, Jono Starsmore, what brings you to this part of the world?" Obi-Wan returned with no little amusement. Such formality wasn't really necessary, was it? Maybe he could cajole him out of it, with a little effort.

[bonnypiperlad]

Jamie is out exploring the city, and the unfamiliar noise and bits of light coming from the rooftop draw his attention. He tries to watch from his vantage in the street, but it's just not working well at all. So, after a bit of scouting, he's making his way up a fire escape, taking extra precautions so he is as quiet as possible. The plan is to see if he can get a better view without being observed...

[jedimacguyver.livejournal.com]

Ah, no luck. As all things exist in and contribute to the Force, so too do they perturb it's flow. Sensing Jamie's proximity, Obi-Wan cocks an eyebrow and call out, "I know you're hiding there. Why don't you come out, say hello?"

[bonnypiperlad]

Oh well. So much for the plan. Jamie emerges from the top of the fire escape, looking fairly sheepish. "Aye, well. I didn't want to interrupt. I just wanted to see what the noises were."

The young Scot hesitates for a moment, then scuffs one foot on the roof, adding, "Sorry." It seems vaguely appropriate, given he /was/ pretty much spying.

[ladyofthesands.livejournal.com]

"Is this a weapon I may use?" Arha murmured, her blue-within-blue eyes almost sparkling at the chance to test her fighting skills. She had paused to watch this man who felt filled with the same oddness of Luke's Force. She paused before stepping further into the chamber. "Or is it only for Jed-Eye?"

Her smile was easy, but hinted at the peculiarity of her Mothers-Within. Arha moved soundlessly, her gait more of a glide as she drew close. And then she knew who he must be.

"You are Obi-Wan Kenobi Jed-Eye, truth?" she asked. "Luke Skywalker Jed-Eye," Luke's name came out quickly, accented exotically, like she had flicked through his own name, "he has said you are much younger than when he met you the first time. What would you teach me today? I would learn it well."

[jedimacguyver.livejournal.com]

"Ah, Yes. I'm Master Kenobi," Obi-Wan stammered, momentarily flummoxed by this girl's odd demeanor. Quickly, he recovered, offering a comrade's smile as he saw the way she moved, the way the Force flowed around and through her and came out the other side, changed. This one was no child, but every bit a master in her own way, "I'm afraid this isn't intended for anyone else. It's very easy to hurt yourself, if you don't know it well enough."

Much younger? Ah, again that easily forgotten bit, that Luke was from his future. It was so strange that he had difficulty remembering it. Easier to trust in what you could see and sense than to feel the future was set in stone and that there was someone there you could speak with and yet never have met.

"Well, what would you like to learn?" He asked, "I'm afraid I've never had a student before who was not also a Jedi in training."

[ladyofthesands.livejournal.com]

"I have touched your Force," Arha said, tilting her chin slightly. "Though it was in a complex fashion. It is such a clean zzt! ping! feeling." She studied him for a long moment, her gaze intense and searching. "This sword of light you dance with, the heft is in the handle, with no weight to the blade, thus, you must know how to feel the blade itself. You must always aware of where it is lest you lop an appendage off, yes?"

She hmmed softly.

"Show me this sword dance of yours, Master Kenobi Jed-Eye. I should be pleased to learn something new, even if I may not dance with your light-sword. Perhaps I shall teach you of my own dance." She paused. "I am Arha Masaari, Reverend Mother, of the Bene Gesserit. But still, such is a mouthful. I am simply Arha."

[theregularguy.livejournal.com]

Okay. This? This is way more awesome, even than his space-sword. It's a sword made of what looks like fire. This is quite possibly the best thing Sokka has ever seen, even if he had to get hijacked onto a creepy living space thing to see it.

"That's awesome!"

[jedimacguyver.livejournal.com]

"Ah...Thank you," came the reply, a little bemused as Obi-Wan looked down on that radically excited face. Goodness, there certainly were a lot of interesting people aboard, "And you are...?"

[theregularguy.livejournal.com]

"Oh, I'm Sokka. I'm a swordsman, myself." He looks rather pleased at that revelation.

"But I've never seen a sword like the one you have..."