Sol waits patiently, attempting to get past his frustrations yesterday...and to try a little experiment. "Ok cave. This isn't me that you're helping, if that's any consideration. This is to see if I can help someone else."

He has scouted around this time, keeping an eye out for any wandering visitors. As much as an unexpected pleasure the droid was the other day, Sol did not want any uninvited guests today.

The grotto remained as peaceful and serene as it was the day prior.

The Mikkian made her way to the place Sol had mentioned slowly, taking in the surroundings. She entered with quiet, but purposeful steps, seizing the opportunity to focus on the sounds, smells and movement in the cave, her tendrils moving slightly as she pulled back the hood on her robe. When she sees the Gank, she nods to him in silence.

"Welcome." The synth of his voicebox has the volume dropped, but it still fills the space. "What do you think?"

She is still taking in the sights, sounds and scents inside as she answers. Her voice is maybe even softer than his, but also echoes in the enclosed space.

"This is a lovely place you've found, Solark. For its harsh weather, Bellionas has some surprisingly pleasant, peaceful natural spots"

Her face is relaxed, an unconscious smile on her lips. "Shall we sit by the central rock? Or maybe under one of the pathways, to enjoy the enclosure within an enclosure?"

"How about the center rock for the first time? I think we will be on the planet for a while, and the first time, I would like to do this together." Sol sits cross-legged on the stone and offers out a hand, trying to reach back into the Force. If taken, he would attempts to feel it and see if there is a reaction from Zim

Settling into the space for meditation he feels no special pull, or grab, but does find an inner sense of peace within this place. One that helps shift his mind away from her physical being and into that space of pure meditative focus. It was a pleasant and welcoming feeling.

Solork Tan wrote: ↑

Wed May 12, 2021 8:43 pm

"How about the center rock for the first time? I think we will be on the planet for a while, and the first time, I would like to do this together." Sol sits cross-legged on the stone and offers out a hand, trying to reach back into the Force. If taken, he would attempts to feel it and see if there is a reaction from Zim

The Mikkian nods, a peaceful smile on her face, and takes a place on the center rock not far from Solork, sitting in a lotus position. She keeps her hands resting on her lap interwoven in a pattern that Solork will notice is reminiscent of the pattern found on her tendril-ring. She closes her eyes and tries to tune in to her other senses - the smells of the fungal and vegetal life found within, the cold, solid rock beneath her, the echoing sounds... including those emitted by Solork close to her.

And... a intense feeling of calmness. She feels her body unconsciously relax, and her face shifts into a calm, quiet, faint smile.

Sol slows his breathing, attempting to match it with Zims, hoping that he can feel the Force inside of her, to confirm his suspicions

Solork Tan wrote: ↑

Thu May 13, 2021 1:45 pm

Sol slows his breathing, attempting to match it with Zims, hoping that he can feel the Force inside of her, to confirm his suspicions

She feels the sound and heat of his breathing slowing down, her tendrils moving in slow waves as if slowly synchronising with the his breathing, and with his own, that slowly matches his as well.

As she expands her senses to take in more of her surroundings, the sense of peace grows more and more around her... and it expands as well. Her senses unconsciously reach out to Sol, as if probing his senses and emotions - and Sol can probably feel a flicker, slowly growing into a silent, warm light coming from her and, from time to time, reflecting images, colours and smells of the water and lifeforms moving around them.

Sol can feel a smile as something seems to brush against his mind.

Yes...that's it[./i]

The warmth is comfortable, and he can relax. He cracks open an eye, trying to see if the Grotto has reacted as all.

Solork Tan wrote: ↑

Thu May 13, 2021 8:55 pm

Sol can feel a smile as something seems to brush against his mind.

Yes...that's it

The warmth is comfortable, and he can relax. He cracks open an eye, trying to see if the Grotto has reacted as all.

Meanwhile, Zim feels light, and lightness, emanating from Sol. Her tendrils have now almost stopped moving... and she thinks she feels a smile coming from Sol.

Her eyes keep closed, however, her breathing slow. She tries to keep embraced by that feeling of peace, expanding her other senses to feel the grotto and its lifeforms.

There is something about Zim's expression, perhaps a searching that convinces him. "You are one with the Force, the Force is with us"

His thoughts go to Leah: his former co-student: empathetic to an amazing degree but the tenacity and forgiveness to still fight to save someone after he threw her off a mountain. Proth, who had buried who he was for close to a decade, and still found his way to do good, to hold on to who he had been despite know the risks.

A third figure. Sol steels his thoughts. Shrouded, a lightsaber in hand. A teacher...one beaten down by this new world, but returned to themselves. A Jedi Knight

You are not alone Zimrzala. Not on this place. Not on this planet. Reach out

Solork Tan wrote: ↑

Fri May 14, 2021 5:53 am

There is something about Zim's expression, perhaps a searching that convinces him. "You are one with the Force, the Force is with us"

His thoughts go to Leah: his former co-student: empathetic to an amazing degree but the tenacity and forgiveness to still fight to save someone after he threw her off a mountain. Proth, who had buried who he was for close to a decade, and still found his way to do good, to hold on to who he had been despite know the risks.

A third figure. Sol steels his thoughts. Shrouded, a lightsaber in hand. A teacher...one beaten down by this new world, but returned to themselves. A Jedi Knight

You are not alone Zimrzala. Not on this place. Not on this planet. Reach out

Her thoughts and senses expanding to take in the surroundings, Sol's words reverberate unusually loud, even startling her a bit, and Sol can possibly feel her breathing and heartbeat accelerating. She takes another deep breath, then another.

The force, she thinks. Sh'sei Sh'tari had said it was how many like them referred to that... Network. The threads linking together living things, emotions, nature. He said it was a powerful concept - and that it could attract attention to them even faster. For that reason - and because he thought it could make things easier to understand - he kept to the different concepts of H'Kig - Jeh, Teh, Peh, Tan. They had spent years speaking about these concepts, their relations to balance... And to that network.

She wondered. Was she been taught the ways of the Force in another way?

I feel the Immanent - Jeh.
I reach for the Transcendent - Teh
I seek the Eternal in things and beings - Peh
I embrace my Conscious Essence - Tan

We are one with the world. The world is with us

She relaxes deeply again, and in this moment that seemed to last for a long time, something seems to click in.

She cannot 'see' his thoughts, not exactly. Her gifts, or at least her training, had not reached that sort of ability. But with their shared practice, she could 'feel' some of what he seemed to be focusing on. Other flickers of light. Admiration. Another light... One that seemed... Battered, maybe? But brighter.

And in that light... A buzz? She wondered what that sound was, tried to focus in on that...

The light got brighter and brighter, danced around, the buzz becoming louder and louder... Until it was almost too loud to bear.

She tried to take a metaphysical step back, and it became clear. A sword of light. Lighter than the ones she had seen... But still.

She noticed then it wasn't Sol's thoughts that had made the buzz louder, the dance of lights faster and more menacing. It was her own mind.

Another sequence of deep breaths. It took longer this time, but her heart and breathing slowed down and she could feel the pleasant scents of the grotto and the inner energy of its lifeforms, delicate threads connecting them all. And the threads connecting them to Sol and herself - his now clearly glimmering with a bright light. She also saw the many threads that connected each one of them to other things and people. Four threads clearly extended out from Sol, shining brighter than the others. One, in particularly, seemed to glow rhythmically with their breathing.

She focused on those threads... And without moving or changing the rhythm of her breathing, she tried to reach out to these threads extending from Sol, as if trying to touch them with her mind, or bend the thread linking her to Sol to tangle it with these threads.

They weren't alone. She knew that she wasn't, in principle. All was connected, after all. But...

She wasn't sure who these threads were or what they were like. She wasn't sure connecting to 'the Force' as such would help her find her right path.

But she knew then and there she would like to at least meet them.

The Gank relaxes, shutting his eye once again. He doesn't need to see the Grotto reacting. At this point, he's convinced.

"You feel like a Node of my old pack." The words come out softly, someone natural and without any of the machine augmentation or adjustment that typically comes from his modified vocabulator. "Not quite perfectly...I can't feel beyond you, but it's like-" He shakes his head. "Words don't do it justice. "It's like you feel part of a network, a constant link of webs that droplets of thought slide around. And, if I'm not mistaken...you can see a bit of what I showed?"

There is a hint of trepidation in his voice. "I am sworn to keep them safe, as I would you. But if you feel that you want to reach out and see more...I would be happy to be the first link in the network for you"

Solork Tan wrote: ↑

Fri May 14, 2021 11:40 pm

The Gank relaxes, shutting his eye once again. He doesn't need to see the Grotto reacting. At this point, he's convinced.

"You feel like a Node of my old pack." The words come out softly, someone natural and without any of the machine augmentation or adjustment that typically comes from his modified vocabulator. "Not quite perfectly...I can't feel beyond you, but it's like-" He shakes his head. "Words don't do it justice. "It's like you feel part of a network, a constant link of webs that droplets of thought slide around. And, if I'm not mistaken...you can see a bit of what I showed?"

There is a hint of trepidation in his voice. "I am sworn to keep them safe, as I would you. But if you feel that you want to reach out and see more...I would be happy to be the first link in the network for you"

She hears his words, and for a moment wonders where they are actually coming from, as they sound different from what they had earlier. But she soon understands - not how they come to her, but that it doesn't matter, all that does is that they do.

I can, she answered in her thoughts. Others. A strong link between you. It's as if... you were adopted into a new pack?.

She feels the trepidation in his voice, and her thoughts fall silent, focusing only on their breathing and the sounds of the grotto. She tries to extends peace towards him again - a sense of safety, quiet and ease. When she feels their breathing and heartbeat is slow, steady and synchronised again, her thinking goes back to words.

I would like that, Sol. To reach out and extend our networks..

A slight trepidation in her breathing, quickly calmed by a deep breath.

No balance or peace to be found if one doesn't look within - but also none if one doesn't seek without.
We are one with the world. The world is with us., her thoughts recite.

Maybe words of her former teacher, maybe words she found on her own. But it was clear this was her reaching out - and showing herself and her beliefs, trusting Sol as he had her.

Not quite a pack...but others I trust and rely on. Others who have lost, and who have sought new bonds to make them whole.

For the first time he can remember, everything else vanishes away. A conversation without words, the sounds of the lapping water of the grotto a distant murmur from the present. The Code comes freely to his mind.

There is no emotion, there is peace.
There is no ignorance, there is knowledge.
There is no passion, there is serenity.
There is no chaos, there is harmony.
There is no death, there is the Force.

Of course, it is never quite that simple. The had fought it at first, but lessons had expanded the message. He had countless questions to Cartess about it, and she had insisted that he supply an answer, one he could live by:

Emotions and passion are valuable, and they tie to the world and engage us, preventing us from becoming aloof. However, they can cloud your judgement, making you unwilling to help others over your own desires. Seeking peace and serenity will ripple forth from you, your quest for it bringing it where you travel.

Ignorance is inevitable. We all begin ignorant of everything that matters. However, accepting ignorance, and choosing to wallow in it means that you stop learning and growing, becoming choked out by the world around you. Knowledge is not something accumulated and hoarded. It ties us to the universe, and the quest for knowledge enlightens all around you.

Chaos is change, and change is necessary. However, it is an end of itself, not a means to those changes. Harmony is the End that steers us toward cohabitation, our shared lives enriching all others.

Death comes for us all. It is part of everything we eat, and in return our deaths nourish the world we came from. Weep not for death, as we return back to the Force from which we came, reborn back into life

Solork Tan wrote: ↑

Sat May 15, 2021 7:05 pm

Not quite a pack...but others I trust and rely on. Others who have lost, and who have sought new bonds to make them whole.

For the first time he can remember, everything else vanishes away. A conversation without words, the sounds of the lapping water of the grotto a distant murmur from the present. The Code comes freely to his mind.

There is no emotion, there is peace.
There is no ignorance, there is knowledge.
There is no passion, there is serenity.
There is no chaos, there is harmony.
There is no death, there is the Force.

Of course, it is never quite that simple. The had fought it at first, but lessons had expanded the message. He had countless questions to Cartess about it, and she had insisted that he supply an answer, one he could live by:

Emotions and passion are valuable, and they tie to the world and engage us, preventing us from becoming aloof. However, they can cloud your judgement, making you unwilling to help others over your own desires. Seeking peace and serenity will ripple forth from you, your quest for it bringing it where you travel.

Ignorance is inevitable. We all begin ignorant of everything that matters. However, accepting ignorance, and choosing to wallow in it means that you stop learning and growing, becoming choked out by the world around you. Knowledge is not something accumulated and hoarded. It ties us to the universe, and the quest for knowledge enlightens all around you.

Chaos is change, and change is necessary. However, it is an end of itself, not a means to those changes. Harmony is the End that steers us toward cohabitation, our shared lives enriching all others.

Death comes for us all. It is part of everything we eat, and in return our deaths nourish the world we came from. Weep not for death, as we return back to the Force from which we came, reborn back into life

Strong bonds, her calm voice echoes without a sound, kindly. The warmth of a smile extends form her, both able to feel it although their eyes are closed.

The words of the Jedi Code echoing from Solark seem to be met with curiosity, but also some strangeness. If she did hear it recited as such before, it must have been long ago. The next words that emanate from the Gank, however, are met with a flow of understanding and acknowledgement... even if not outright acceptance.

Can there be true peace if one doesn't know and respect one's emotions?, her unspeaking voice asks.
Can one find serenity without knowing oneself? Can one know oneself without experiencing passion?
Can one understand knowledge without going through ignorance? And... does knowledge not open our eyes to how much more we ignore?
If nothing is ever unchanging, can there be harmony without acknowledging chaos?
And... as you said, friend, if Death is Imminent, how can our Conscious Essence find Transcendence and Eternity without acknowledging part of the great circle?

A feeling of peace and kindness extends from her again, followed by a sense of... 'questioning'.

Peace within emotions
Knowledge of our ignorance
Serenity acknowledging passion
Harmony among chaos
Life and Death without Fear.

That sense of questioning extends towards Sol again, more strongly now, as if asking for his feelings.

[quote="Zimrzala Skalirz" post_id=5

Strong bonds, her calm voice echoes without a sound, kindly. The warmth of a smile extends form her, both able to feel it although their eyes are closed.

The words of the Jedi Code echoing from Solark seem to be met with curiosity, but also some strangeness. If she did hear it recited as such before, it must have been long ago. The next words that emanate from the Gank, however, are met with a flow of understanding and acknowledgement... even if not outright acceptance.

Can there be true peace if one doesn't know and respect one's emotions?, her unspeaking voice asks.
Can one find serenity without knowing oneself? Can one know oneself without experiencing passion?
Can one understand knowledge without going through ignorance? And... does knowledge not open our eyes to how much more we ignore?
If nothing is ever unchanging, can there be harmony without acknowledging chaos?
And... as you said, friend, if Death is Imminent, how can our Conscious Essence find Transcendence and Eternity without acknowledging part of the great circle?

A feeling of peace and kindness extends from her again, followed by a sense of... 'questioning'.

Peace within emotions
Knowledge of our ignorance
Serenity acknowledging passion
Harmony among chaos
Life and Death without Fear.

That sense of questioning extends towards Sol again, more strongly now, as if asking for his feelings.
[/quote]

Questions seemed to bubble forth, and Sol meets with with a bit of resignation.

I don't know.

It is simple enough a statement, and a truthful one.

The code is a guide. Part of my training is the warning against absolutes, and to then rigidly hold to such a binary state then seems wrong somehow.

The thought seems to be almost a confession.

What I think the words meant were for a warning. Nearly every virtue can turn to a vice if you think about maximizing that singular quality over all other. Bravery turns to Recklessness. Discipline turns to Obstinance. Curiosity to Obsession. Justice to Callousness and vengeance. The hope, I believe was to focus your mindfulness on your actions effects on others, to prevent you from losing your way. But hey, I'm a lone Gank in the universe trying to parse out meaning of teachings long considered dead.

Solork Tan wrote: ↑

Mon May 17, 2021 2:52 pm

Questions seemed to bubble forth, and Sol meets with with a bit of resignation.

I don't know.

It is simple enough a statement, and a truthful one.

The code is a guide. Part of my training is the warning against absolutes, and to then rigidly hold to such a binary state then seems wrong somehow.

The thought seems to be almost a confession.

What I think the words meant were for a warning. Nearly every virtue can turn to a vice if you think about maximizing that singular quality over all other. Bravery turns to Recklessness. Discipline turns to Obstinance. Curiosity to Obsession. Justice to Callousness and vengeance. The hope, I believe was to focus your mindfulness on your actions effects on others, to prevent you from losing your way. But hey, I'm a lone Gank in the universe trying to parse out meaning of teachings long considered dead.

The connection between them keeps that lingering feeling of doubt and questioning... but, after sometime, peace and acceptance seems to extend further from Zim at the last ideas the Gank shares.

I guess... the knowledge of not knowing is important knowledge?, her voice shared in his mind with a kind tone. But then... mindfulness instead of holding to absolutes sounds wise.

A kind, friendly feeling extends from her. Perhaps you know more than you know, Solork. A feeling of peace grows deeper as she feels the thread extending from her to the Gank thickening slightly, on her side of it at least.

Peace in balance. Humbleness in Conscience. I feel we may have much to learn together, friend..