Lynchpin---Castle and Surrounding Grounds.

[lynchpin_castle]

The servants are unseen and unknown. Residents are welcome to take over the Servant’s rooms or not, but it is not recommended. Likewise, it is unclear where the Master resides. Usually s/he will call a meeting of their champions and meet them within the reception all or Banquet room.

Meals are typically taken together as a group, and if requested--training times for the champions as a group may be arranged. Both of the mundane variety, and also recreations of challenge-zones, such as the Labyrinth and the Mirror Gallery. The castle and its immediate surroundings have been set to mimic Earth with its single moon and 24 hour cycle of time, along with a standard Julian calendar for convenience.

Comments

Meditation practice and dinner announcements

[light_of_willpower]

Interlude
Swimming had been a bad idea--and yet Trunks was considering it again. Once he'd managed to get his mind at least somewhat focused again, and body warmed up, he'd left. Toweling off just enough to get back to his room, and then he was taking a cold shower. Very cold, as he leaned on his forearm against the wall.

What the hell did he do now? He wasn't an idiot, even if he'd grown up in a very difficult time. He knew what crushes were--and he wasn't blind. 18, for all that she scared him witless, he could recognize as beautiful. Was it just that for the first time he was 'safe' enough to actually deal with these?

Stupid hormones. Especially since he didn't know how to deal with any of this. It wasn't like when puberty hit, and he'd been able to channel most of his energy away into training, or occasionally been shy but read and looked at pictures or magazines (that his mom would kill him about if she knew).

He was also worried about if this would affect his being able to WORK with Ahsoka. She was a capable warrior-peacekeeper. Smart, experienced, funny, and he trusted her. Just because she was cute, and lithe, and moved like a stalking cat...

His mouth twisted in a scowl, fist hitting the wall of the shower lightly. Deep breaths, calling on what discipline he had to focus. Food. Get breakfast. Then go explore around the castle grounds. Then lunch. After that, he would meet her for meditation practice.

Deep breaths, and this didn't change anything as Trunks thought over things logically. She wasn't any less who she was, just because he might start liking her more than just as an ally and friend. Nor would he let that get in the way--they couldn't afford it.

Taking some strength from that, he finished up and started to go about his day.

--------------------------------------------------------------------

Trunks was much calmer when they met up at the Observation room on the 3rd floor. Equilibrium regained, and for him--he had 'rested' which meant recovering well. The black shirt was looser and more covering than his usual tops but comfortable, as were the comfy black pants that weren't quite sweatpants. Some kind of light canvas, and they went together well.

Once they entered the room, blue eyes widened a bit. The windows were set up high in the ceiling, going up to a glass dome over it all. The walls were some kind of warm but dark wood, with art in the style of various flora along the walls at tasteful intervals. The lights were soft, and there were low cushions on the floor of various shapes and types. One wall held a plain white-frame bearing a picture of the teleportation-pad.

[neveraknight]

It wasn't all that complex for Ahsoka. After they parted at the pool, she dried off, gathered her things, and went for a very fast hot shower. Dressed in clothing that wasn't hers but seemed more fitting to her style (leggings, skirt, halter top and her belts with her sabers, as well as her arm guards and her boots) but mixed and matched her standard things. She felt comfortable at least.

From there she set to work on some standard training. Some sword work. Some levitation work. Some running. She felt like she was in the temple again training. While in battle fields there was no reason to train. You were already pushing yourself to the limit as it was. In down time you had to try and relax to recover from it all. Here? Well, they were told when there would be a fight or not. And it was suppose to be safe here, so... relax and train.

By the evening she had snacked once on something for food, drank several things of tea through out the day, and a lot of water. And then it was time to meet. She came in just behind him, silent and careful footed, not meaning to surprise him or anything, but just... calm.

As she looked over then place she nodded. "It's nice in here, isn't it." She said, arms crossed over her chest and lifting her head, smiling. "How's your day been?"

[light_of_willpower]

Unlike Ahsoka, he looked unarmed and completely casual. Of course she'd seen before that he was far from harmless without weapons. Silent as she was, he sensed her ki and smiled in turn. "Not as much fun as tearing through droids, but probably better for me otherwise." Teasing her, closing the door behind them and then walking around the perimeter.

"Not sure I'll swim each morning like you do." A hint of smirk turned her way, blue-eyes bright. "I'm starting to think Togruta are part aquatic."

[neveraknight]

What? This isn't casual? Honestly, someone has to teach her how to relax or be casual, because this was... casual to her. Lightsabers on her hips? Yes, always. She had them there at the pool as well. You.... don't go anywhere with out them. Just in case. But she felt LESS armored than normal, and that was casual to her.

"Yes, but tearing down Clankers is always a good time, when there isn't something greater at stake." She could agree, giving him a smile as she did. She moved around the room a bit as well, though she had explored here before. "Grassland people, actually. I'm sure there were bodies of water around as well however, but the markings and designs on my body are from generations of evolution, to help assist my race to blend in with the red grasses." She said it with an easy smile, hands behind her back as she walked around, moving towards one of those large pillows on the floor. It was pretty in here. "The aquatic part, though, with how we are built, I like to think is true. At least I've always been comfortable in water."

[light_of_willpower]

Well, that confirmed his idea of her as being like a big stalking cat.

"More comfortable than I am." Trunks moved toward another one of the large pillows. Breathe--things hadn't changed. Not really, just how he was perceiving them. That was....manageable. "But...it was fun. Sometimes."

Admitting that to her. "I think I'll still spend more time in the dojo though." Folding himself down, legs crossed and posture relaxed for now, arms resting on his knees. Once they started, he'd have more discipline.

[neveraknight]

She wont deny that idea, if she knew about it.

She moved to carefully drop down to her own pillow, one where she could face him. Her legs curled under her, cross style and her elbows on her knees as well, hands up to lean her chin on them. She was having no problems with how she was perceiving him. She thought he was good looking, yes, but she thought that on a few people before, and that wasn't abnormal, right?

"And you are more comfortable than I am in the sky. Generally, if I am in the sky, I am in a speeder or I am falling. Though I won't blame you for not coming back. Everyone's got a different routine when they train. I might come join you down in the dojo some morning, or at least in the dueling range on my own."

She wouldn't hold it against him if he didn't come do laps with her or something. It was just training after all. "Anyhow, you said you meditate sometimes?"

[light_of_willpower]

"Tell me about what a speeder is later." He commented with a smile, as he actually did use other means besides flying to get around. Sometimes. It's just flying was the most convenient, if you could do so. "At least if I'm around, I can try and keep you from falling, right?" ...he hadn't actually thought about that before he'd said it.

Okay, no big deal. Deep breath, and focus on the current task. "I do, but it's...not something I'm the most skilled at." Now he sat up straight, hands loosely over his knees, not slouched. Another breath, making sure his shoulders weren't hunched forward. "Generally it's...I try to focus on 'nothing', but that's harder to do than one would think. So usually I just try and run over forms in my head and focus on those, or on my breathing solely."

[neveraknight]

She looked surprised for a moment at the simple idea that he didn't know what a speeder was, then then smiled, nodding. Of course he wouldn't know. "Sure. And yes... you're pretty good to have around if I fall." She said with a soft tease, but knew it was also pretty true.

She watched him sit up, wide shoulders and firm arms (and ignored the fact that she was indeed taking in his form as she watched him sit up right). She settled in a bit more her self. He would see her lift her arms and try to wag them out a moment, her fingers flexing and her shoulders drawing up.

"Well, first, you don't have to sit as if you had have a pole down your spine. There is a very nice balance in your body, that the moment you find it, it's very comfortable. It's a balance you find when your shoulders and back, neck, head and hips are all in line. Straight yes, but not uncomfortable. You don't want to have to think about holding a position when your deep in your head." She started, and peeked over at him again, a smile once more coming to her face, easy, light. "It takes a bit, but once you find it, it's hard to fall out of it. And it's different for everyone. As for what to think on, or focus on, it's also different for everyone, and different reasons for what you are looking for. Clearing ones mind to nothing is very hard, even for Jedi. It's also not always needed. We can try and find something that might work better for you."

[light_of_willpower]

The comment about the pole down his spine actually brought a half-smile. "I'm actually pretty comfortable right now. I knew that much, at least." He wasn't...well okay yes he was a novice compared to her. But he'd done very well for having to train mostly on his own.

"I'm definitely calmer than last night." Truthful there, not least of which because he could sense her right there and knew she was safe. Given that had been part of his nightmare... "Besides, you seem to pick up more than I do with your Force. I'll let you be the judge."

Closing his eyes, head bowed slightly and she could see he was right. He was relaxed, but focused, with the shift in posture he'd taken. His facial expression blank, neither scowling nor smiling but focused just like his body. Nor was he hiding his ki from her, that presence steady and strong. Wellspring of energy ready to be accessed and flowing through and within him easily.

[neveraknight]

"Never said you weren't comfortable now, just... remembering my own training. I know some people who feel they have to be rigid and disciplined, but the discipline comes from finding relaxation and learning to keep that."

She let her body settle in on it's own and let out a slow breath, peeking at him still. "I try not to pry and pick up things of others. Not like I did last night, and I apologize for that again. I couldn't relax, myself, and ended up meditating. Let my mind shut off and wander on it's own. That was... I mean, I shouldn't have been so intent on making sure you were all right. After all, you have taken care of yourself for so long." She admitted carefully, feeling bad still for barging in on him but also slightly fine with it, since he seemed okay that she woke him.

She refused to rethink on that hug he had woke up and gave her. There was something protective of it that she had grown to like from Anakin as well. She let out a long breath and then added, as if to wave most that off. "But... let's see if we can find a way to help you relax after training. Is there a type of place you have ever been to that you find calming? Something not connected to anything really. Even made up is fine. A forest or a field, or mountain or ocean?"

[light_of_willpower]

"It's not usually that bad." Keeping his eyes closed, breathing steady. "I mean, I get nightmares. Sometimes I get restless. Usually though, I don't have that much trouble."

Mostly because he's usually exhausted. Privately Trunks was also very very proud of himself. He didn't blush--this time--as her words hit him. She'd been thinking about him? Worried he was alright? --no no no, focus on that *later*.

"You're going to laugh." He could think of one place he found calming...it always had been. "It's not exactly a natural structure."

[neveraknight]

"If I'm being truthful, I am about the same. I get nightmares, but not like I used to, and when I do, they can be bad, but... generally I'm just a bit restless, or overly tired. Even if you don't have much trouble, sometimes you get a better nights rest if you know how to wind down."

She had been thinking about him, yes. And she was trying not to think about him NOW. Which was hard to do as she was talking to him, but still. Trying not to think about how he looked on the battle field, blond and well built and taking out droids. Or at the pool today, or-- damn, focus.

She lifted her head, peeking over at him. "I wont laugh. Promise."

[light_of_willpower]

"So, we've had to change a few times, and make modifications...but I'm pretty comfortable in my mom's lab. Or at least, whatever she's using as a lab right then."

The faint hum of computers and servers whirring, and the clack of a keyboard had been a familiar sound in his younger years. As was the sound of machinery being put together, screwdrivers and hammering, the slight schik of metal against metal or plastic.

In his mind's eye, it was easy for him to picture--albeit from a younger perspective. Through a playpen's grating, his mother hunched over a computer and her fingers flying over the keys. Once he'd learned to escape the playpen, the familiar clatter of keys also gave way to the faint sheen of artificial light from a computer screen, even if he hadn't ever understood the images.

"I think mom found it soothing, in her own way. To be productive, working on stuff." And it wasn't as if she'd had help with him when he was that young.

[neveraknight]

Her eyes were closed, but he he had looked, he's see that she had a very soft smile grow over her lips as he said that. Somewhere he and his mom were. His moms lab. The way he talked about it made her feel warm on her own.

"There's nothing to laugh about with that. That is perfect, so long as you are at ease there. Mine changes, from time to time. Sometimes it's the tree at the temple, with the Masters milling about. Sometimes it's a grass field I have never been too, seated on a rock over looking an impossibly high water fall and a planet I don't know. Sometimes it's simply a room on a ship I might have been in ages ago. If your moms lab brings you peace, then it's a very good place to start."

She let out another calming breath, and she noticed he already was doing the same. It was nice, not having to teach everything to someone. Not like some of the Younglings who couldn't settle down.

"Mostly, this thought is simple. When I want to relax, I don't want to try and clear my mind to nothing. That takes too much attention and focus and I know it's master-able, but it's not always easy. That can be stressful. What you're looking to do is find a place where you are the most at ease. Somewhere comfortable. Think of the perfect temperature of the room or place. Fine the perfect breeze of wind, or stillness. The right sounds. Your mind will supply almost everything you need to make it comfortable if you allow it. In setting up your space, you should already be letting go thoughts of the day. Allowing yourself to relax and slip into this world you have built. Nothing can upset you here. Nothing can hurt you. The only things you allow in this room are good things."

Her voice was just a whisper, very soft and faint on the air. "When you have a place you can be relaxed in, that's where you decide on what you want to do with your day. Do you want to catalog it? Go over everything and commit it all to memory, or let some things go, adrift on the wind or tossed into a trash bin. It's your space to do as you want, and nothing can come in to bother you if you don't want it to."

[light_of_willpower]

Trunks was quiet as he listened, noticing that her voice was soothing beyond just what she was saying. "I...haven't had a place I've felt relaxed in in a very long time." His own whispered words, faint and with echoes of pain and frustration. Only sensed because her montrals were so acute and she was so attuned.

In the present, at that moment, he was focusing on the memories. On that place; remembering the smell of disinfectant and grease, of slightly cold, recirculated air. The feel of his mother, from her scent to the warm presence of her own ki to her small mutterings under her breath of frustration. The coolness of tile under his fingers, and the hint of rounded wall, hum of flourescent lighting.

It was a place he had not been in a very long time, nor cared to spend much time that he didn't have to, once he had been old enough to help in other ways. Not when there was so much more he could've been doing, and wasn't allowed to do. That he sometimes did anyways, and then knew his mother worried about losing him too.

But none of that touched him right then, just the feeling of peace and safety that he hadn't had felt for a very long time. Maybe it was because he was out of his own universe, doing something just as important. Maybe it was because Ahsoka was there, and had helped guide him.

Didn't matter right then, as he was quiet and calm and focused, eyes closed and relaxed yet not.

[neveraknight]

She kept her voice soft, soothing and calm as she let her own mind drift a bit. She was still about to speak though this though. "That is always something that is hard to obtain. I have the Force or had my Masters around, so I knew I would be safe to Meditate even in the worst situations. I had to make up my own safe place in my mind to try and think or relax."

She let out another slow breath, feeling, reaching out with the Force. She had feelers in the room, telling her they were safe. Telling her he was relaxing a bit, or at least managing to get into a better state here. "Remember... I have your back here, as you have my own. Everything outside is safe. Everything inside is safe."

She felt the calm coming off him and couldn't help the smile. For her, she was not using her normal relaxing places, but using this place, in a way. Wandering around in her head. Revisiting places that morning, to decide what she wanted to keep or leave. Remembering different things through out the day.

The pool in her mind, she floated over, looking around and feeling his presence there. It was warmest there for her because it was where she spent the most time with him today. As her mind wandered there she spoke softly. "Where ever you are, you feel calmer." She noted, for just that moment. For her, the Force just gave her a wave of calm around them. The house was safe, the area secure, and the two of them were in a place that they would not be disturbed. She didn't pry into his space and didn't try to push for information. Just a reminder that she was there if he needed him, and she knew he was there for her as well.

It was the warm feeling that got her attention though. Catching sight from memory in her mind of him floating over the pool. Cocky little bastard. She smiled about it though, and it was only then that the warmth she was feeling was the scattered thoughts that ran through the back of her mind that morning. The glance up and at him as he floated there. Taking in the entirety of his swimsuit, in every curve and every line of his body.

Had she honestly noticed all that before?! The heat was from her own blush as she realized she was staring and keeping the image of his form hovering above like that in her mind. Memory stored. For a moment herself in her mind wavered and she dropped into the pool, falling under water. A wave of cold to wash away the heat, only to allow herself to drop from the bottom of the pool and into the sky, holding onto his back again. Her mind supplying the fact that his arms were damn well built, and she was snuggled up to him close the day before. Right now he was flying in that swim suit and--

In reality, her orange skin was flushed darker in color and her eyes closed tighter. That was NOT her calm meditative self! Her brain cleared instantly as she plopped herself back down in her normal field and waterfall area. So far she had stopped talking and just drifted in meditation, wondering WHY she had noticed all that and filed it all away?

For her she had noticed his calm and his relaxing, but also the heat waving off him. Or was that her own heat? Hell, now she wasn't sure at all. For him, he might notice that she went from calm to warm or maybe flustered, how ever it might work for him. He'd notice that she stopped talking at least, for a bit.

[light_of_willpower]

"I know." Replied in a whisper, affirming her trust. His trust. She had his back, and he would have hers. They were safe for now, and he could relax. Unlike the Force however, it was less reaching 'outward' for him.

Instead Trunks let himself go over the last day or so, the battle. Watching as she dropped into a braced stance with that first hit as they were on the mountain. A deep breath, and he focused again. Sectioning it off--he would focus on the memories coldly and clinically first. Strategy, focusing on the IGs that had represented such a threat to her. The sharpening of his focus as he'd seen one strike at her as he reoriented from the stray ion bomb.

Watching as she struck back, fluid and graceful and like some blade-dancer-demon of myth. All flame and purpose with her skin and coloring of her montrals and lekku. Deadly and controlled and beautiful.

Saving that, analyzing, moving on and playing the rest over. Studying the droids in his mind, the different types, and the way they'd finally won. THAT was the victory condition he'd realized. Destroy the tanks, and no more reinforcements had come. Which meant it was likely that their coming challenge might hold similar.

Even if the enemy meant to overpower them, there would be a way to win without fighting to exhaustion. To find the 'tanks' and take them out. If he couldn't, he knew Ahsoka could--and he smiled.

It was comforting, her presence--thoughts drifting over the pool and their teasing. Her grace, the sleek way she moved in the water, how it beaded along her skin and she seemed weightless as she floated. Slender curves--she was all slender curves and arcs! But most of those thoughts he'd already accepted, battled, dealt with earlier.

Opening his eyes slightly, reaching out and studying her ki. Power and presence so different from his as he felt her. Warm and alive and bright--stronger than someone who wasn't trained at all because she was a warrior. Focused on being a peacekeeper yes, but still a warrior.

Still calm himself, blue-eyes half-opened and he bit his lip. She looked... Her skin was darker, but that only highlighted the contrasts between the patterns she bore. Her eyes didn't look like one relaxed though.

Another breath in, and out, and he spoke in a whisper. "You alright over there?" How long had they been at this already?

[neveraknight]

For a bit, actually. A good amount of time. She had already cataloged what she needed to remember the day before. With the battles. So now was just for today. There was nothing to throw away and a few things she committed to memory. A few things that she was realizing she had completely glossed over earlier. And because of that she had gone back to earlier conversations. Other meetings. Thinking over things and...

'I think I can handle your sword.' Her face burned at that point, to the point that there was even a bit of a redness in the white of her skin and her lekku of all places. Oh gosh, had she said that?

He'd said something.

She missed it for a moment, her mind settling again, trying to ignore a few things now. This was like with Lux all over again. She needed to remind herself that attachments were forbidden.

For a Jedi.

And where did THAT thought come fro--"Hmm?" She again realized he spoke, and she brought her eyes open, blinking, and looking across at him. "Oh, yes. I'm fine." She said and gave him a faint smile, blue eyes searching his face. Damn, what the hell. She can't help walk him through these things if she goes and gets lost and falls out of her own meditation. She let out a huge sigh, letting her arms and back drop a bit. "Are you doing okay?"

[light_of_willpower]

Blue-eyes of his own searched hers, expression serious. "Better." He responded, still quiet and slightly above a whisper. "Thank you." Then there was a faint frown, concern mostly. "You looked-" Hot, in both meanings. "-uncomfortable."

A deep breath of his own, and he let himself relax fully. Ducking his head, mostly to hide what he felt was the hint of blush. Leaning forward with his torso, stretching his arms out in front of him.

"Maybe I just needed a partner."

[neveraknight]

She shifted, sitting back on her hands on the pillow behind her, trying to be very relaxed. "I ah... just something my memory supplied at a strange moment is all. Something I said to someone, a while back." She shook her head, reaching a hand up to rub at her cheek, then smile. "It was good though. Nothing bad. It's just not where I thought I would let my mind go when I slipped into that state."

She leaned forward again though, looking over at him. "And if you need help, or a partner for meditation again. Just ask. I hope that technique helps you though. Sometimes it's just easier to go some place in your head then it is to have nothing in your head at all. Sometimes it's very good to have no place there but only the facts, to cut distractions. There are a lot of ways to do it."

And they had been at it a while. Food might be a good thing soon. "Even if you just try a bit before bed, it could help too. If you ever feel restless that is."

[light_of_willpower]

"I'll do that." A wider smile, looking up at her from where he still stretched his arms out. The asking for a partner thing. Coming out of the stretch, then rolling up to his feet. He wasn't as graceful as she was, but it was fluid and practiced and athletic. Reaching up to rub at his neck and shoulders some, before holding out a hand for her.

"Usually when I'm restless, I read. Or I find somewhere I can do something active, but not mentally taxing." Had to be dinner time soon, and he was ready for it even if it hadn't been as strenuous a day as the day before.

[neveraknight]

She reached up and took the hand that was offered to her, curling her arm as she pulled herself up with it, standing before him and letting go. She was trying to ease her mind back to normal thoughts. She couldn't believe some things she remembered saying now.

"Reading is good, depending on what you like to read." She said, both arms going over her head and stretching out her arms and back, cracking it a bit and starting to roll her shoulders some. That felt good. "My master would do the same, if we had access to books. Generally, I find the screen to be too bright and keeps me awake."

[light_of_willpower]

Even as Ahsoka was curling her arm to pull herself up, Trunks was curling his and pulling her up as well. Not just bracing her, but helping as well and with no judgement. Letting her hand go just as easily; part of him enjoyed the contact--but again, his thoughts on the matter had been somewhat dealt with earlier.

That he was now seeing Ahsoka in a new light, did not change who she was or that she was a capable champion and partner. He would not act as if it did. Had no clue how to act otherwise honestly.

"No screens in this place, just the good old-fashioned kind of books." He'd had the advantage of growing up with a mother who was a genius, head of a cutting-edge technology company, and was an inventor herself. Yet Ahsoka's tech she used everyday still outclassed what Trunks was used to in some ways. Books read on a screen, as a hand-held computer, and that being more normal than the paper and binding form he knew. Amazing.

"I read whatever takes my interest. You might like these kinds of books though. You can adjust the light." Waiting for her as she stretched. He could sympathize, as that had sounded like a good one with the crack.

[neveraknight]

She was almost like a cat in his she moved, yes, as he had noted to himself before. She had that down pretty well, and took in a long held breath a moment, as if to help herself wake up properly from the meditation, though she was also trying not to focus on her earlier thoughts. That was stupid of her, and she can't allow herself to get more attached than she already was.

"I saw the library here. The real books and such." She said, grinning over at him now, waiting for him or moving with him. One or the other. "We have paper books at the Temple, but they are rare and valuable. Most data is on a data bank somewhere. Much easier to protect and to share. Still, I like the feel of a bound book. I wasn't sure if these here were... okay to take and read, or if we had to check with someone first." She said, a bit of a dumb embarrassed feel now after saying that. Generally she's always had to deal with requesting a book, and it wasn't to leave the temple.

[light_of_willpower]

Heading out, leaving the door open to show the room wasn't in use, they headed out together. "See, whereas I'd worry about the data banks, even though I grew up around computers and what for us was high technology. Power goes out, one wrong button press, an EMP or a magnet, and poof! All that data gone." His expression was animated, using his hands to gesture as well as he explained.

"I'm pretty sure these are for us, and even if they're not--I'm not far from the library." Part of why he'd wanted that room, when it'd been clear they could settle wherever. A private bathroom as well as easy access to the library? Suite 6 was perfect as far as he was concerned.

As they walked though, he moved enough to bump his shoulder against hers companionably, especially with her last statement and that hint of sheepishness. "Worse comes to worse, leave a book in my room and blame it on me if you get in trouble." Wasn't like he didn't have books on his floor already.