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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Ankh-Morpork Guard" data-source="post: 3246829" data-attributes="member: 10079">Chapter 425: AloneA pair of nondescript and interestingly shaped objects hung a meter above the metal-plated floor of the Academy’s training room. It had been a long two hours of going through the most basics of the Force, with Tobias’ previous training obviously being tested. But up until this point, it had been a purely mental exercise. It was hard for Toby to gauge if he was doing well, as Master Solusar was simply helping him along and telling him what to do in a rather reserved voice.    “Clear your mind,” the Jedi Master’s voice cut through the silence again, and it had the opposite effect on Tobias than the words were meant to. Tobias’ eyes opened completely, and for a half second, darted to his side where the Master was standing. That tiny lapse in concentration was enough, and as Toby’s mind caught up to the problem and he turned back to look to the objects, they had already both come crashing to the floor.    Tobias stared down at them and sighed heavily, then said towards the floor, “You did that on purpose.”    “Not to throw off your concentration,” the Jedi corrected, “You were not holding them steady enough. You were about to lose them.”    Just staring at the small objects, Tobias wasn’t sure what to say. After a moment, he looked back up towards Master Solusar, who held the same stoic look that had been on his face since they’d started. Seeing that he had Tobias’ attention, the Jedi Master went on, “You have done well, Tobias.  The training you have had up to this point has been very effective...”    Sensing that wasn’t the end of the statement, Tobias jumped in when he noticed the pause, “...but?”    A smile crept onto Master Solusar’s face at Tobias’ comment, and it was obvious he was glad to see that he was paying attention, “But you lack control. While you are obviously skilled, throughout every one of these tests you have not truly focused.”    Tobias was at a loss as to how to respond. He stared up at the tall human with a look that was something more common on someone being told that their beloved pet had just died. Seeing this, Master Solusar motioned for Tobias to stand and added, “You will learn control.”    The sound of a door sliding open behind him made Tobias spin around as he got to his feet. The Jedi Knight, Venda, had stepped in and nodded politely to the two of them. Toby had forgotten she had been watching and monitoring things the entire time. Master Solusar motioned towards the door she had come from, “Jedi Venda will show you to your quarters. Get some rest and tomorrow you will begin the formal training.”    At first, Tobias just nodded and started towards the door. But a thought crept into his mind and he stopped, turned, and bowed to the Jedi Master. Master Solusar returned the bow and then, without a word, Tobias turned and followed Venda out into the corridor.    They walked silently to the turbolift and Toby made sure to note the level where they were going...two above where they were now. He had learned to take note of buildings as much as possible from Marix, who emphasized to him the need to know his surroundings in case anything went wrong. Truthfully, it was mainly meant in the case of an assassination attempt, as it was always a constant worry, but Tobias, like Marix, applied the teaching to anytime he was in a new area...no matter how safe it was supposed to be.    When they reached the small door to the room that was supposed to be his quarters, Tobias couldn’t help but worry at what would be inside. He’d only ever really known three rooms that he considered his through his life...in the Palace, in his grandfather’s house on Alraxia, and on Loki. So, he felt a nervous pause when Venda hit the switch to open it, and then a pang of relief when it was revealed to be a small, simple room with a single bed, desk, and another door that, Venda mentioned, housed the fresher.    After she explained the basics that sounded rather scripted to Tobias’ currently human ears, the blonde-haired woman stopped in front of the door, turned, and spoke in a tone that made Toby wonder if she wasn’t actually just attempting small talk, “How are you doing?”    “Huh?”    Admittedly, Tobias was not the greatest when it came to conversation, even if he was intelligent enough to pick up most of the little things.    “Its barely been a day,” she tried again, “And this is a very big transition for anyone.”    “Oh,” Tobias’ mind caught up finally, “Um...yeah. I’m alright. Thank you.”    She smiled and nodded, “Good luck, Toby.”    This time, he wasn’t so far behind and managed to catch a thought that strayed through the Force, “Are you leaving?”    Again, Venda nodded, “I am needed on Coruscant.”    “But you’re the only person I know here...”    “That will change,” she stepped forward to rest a hand on his shoulder, “And, you must admit, it is a stretch to say you know me. We are not much more than familiar faces. Despite that, though, if you need anything, I shouldn’t be too hard to get in contact with. Just ask Master Solusar and he can help you. Alright?”    Tobias just nodded, suddenly feeling abandoned. He had never actually gone anywhere truly on his own before, and hadn’t even thought about the fact that he might be alone at the Academy. Sure, this Jedi woman was only a familiar face, but that was something, at least. When it came right down to it, Tobias had no more exposure to the outside galaxy than Marix had when she had first left Alraxia years before...    And before he knew it, Venda had left and he was alone in what was supposed to be his room. Slowly, Tobias sunk down onto the bed that felt far too hard and stared at the room. It was...blank. Whoever had been here before him left no marks at all, physically or in the Force. With a new sense of care for the object, Tobias removed the lightsaber from his belt and rested it on the desk that was next to the bed, looking at the metal cylinder and starting to wonder if all those stories he’d been told over the years about the Jedi were just that...stories.    Maybe this really wasn’t going to be easy. Maybe this wasn’t going to be fun.    Tobias closed his eyes.    Maybe this was going to be hard...like he’d always been told but never listened to because of the glamour attached to the Jedi. And now, finally, Tobias began to understand what he’d been told...and he started to worry that he’d made the wrong choice despite the fact that he knew it was far too late to turn back.</blockquote>

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