Enhance

Truth be told Zafe didn't mind hiking, it was a nice change of pace compared to the usual dampness of the caves. Meditating was lower on her excitement scale, but patience was key after all. She considered the landscape around them, the snow and healthy trees. Yes she thought, It is quite lovely.

A race however, is much more her speed. Taking in some deep breaths Zafe prepares for the race, trying to reach out to grasp at the force. Her surroundings begin to fade out as she concentrates, hearing nothing but her heartbeat, seeing nothing but the path forward.

It would be easy to reach out and use the dark side, just for a tiny bit. Surely a little taste wouldn't be enough to sully her, and the prize sounds so very tempting. Just as she claims it's power she steps on a twig, the sound of it breaking snaps her back to reality. That was too close...

Zepharo is glad to be out with the Master in the wilderness. It didn't happen often, but when it did, that was when he was most usually able to hear his teacher's words. To understand the Force, or ones relationship with the Force, in the ways that his Master spoke of it. And he was happy to have Zafe along too. He could tell the nautolan, despite being outside of what might be her element, appreciated it.

He had been on this trail many times before, and even sat this peak at least once or twice. There were few he hasn't been to at least once in his twelve years here. The meditative trance came naturally to the devaronian, and his silver-based blood gave him a Resilience to the elements that many other species lacked so that did not trouble him. This was home to him in many ways. He was truly at peace.

It came as some surprise then when Master Selak announced the competition. Zepharo respected the nautolan's physical prowess, but maybe his knowledge of the area, and natural resistance to the elements would be enough?

He nods to Zafe just before they start off, speaking his first words of the venture, "May the Force be with you, sister."

If the Master were to ask Zepharo afterward, and if the devaronian were to be completely honest with him, Zepharo would recount nothing special having happened as he sets out on the race. But he was filled with the Force. That's how it's always worked for Zepharo. The Force was just there as an extension of his body, and sometimes his mind, or his will. Not a mystic third party, not a tool in hand, not something he was aware of beyond the ways in which he was aware of his own body or mind.

Just as his body or mind could, sometimes it failed him. But this was not one of those times.

If anyone could have seen him as he followed the route he'd mapped in his mind, they would see no exertion visible in his face, just a focus on the next few steps and a barely concealed joy. His goal wasn't to beat Zafe, like a fathier that had just been loosed, he didn't know there race now, he was just relishing in being free and following his instinct.

Zafe is quite surprised when Zaphro surpasses her, feeling a bit dumbfounded as he is shaping up to be the winner. But she wouldn't let the prize slip so easily from her, oh no; it may very be another test for all she knew, but letting Zepharo win a race over her? She wouldn't hear the end of it.

She could cut down below, it would give her an edge which she definitely needed. No, anyone could see the tracks in the snow. Mentally preparing herself for the challenging climb she ventures forward. Trudging through the snow makes the journey hard, annoying even, her steps feeling heavier and heavier with each passing minute. Again she hears the call of the dark side, she swears it's taunting her with its very presence. It's not fair. Admittedly Zafe gets a bit frustrated at this prospect, but refuses to accept it, if it means she has to walk through these insufferable mountains so be it.

Zepharo let's the feeling of deja vu wash over him, examining from afar whatever it has to show him. He often loses himself out in the wild, but that felt... different. Having understood Master Selak's intent for the race to take them through the peaks though, again there isn't much thought that goes into his movements. He pushes on through the high country...

As he goes on, he finds his thoughts returning to the feeling he had before of having run this race many times... Was this the Force "speaking" to him, as the Master had described so many times in the past? What was it telling him? That he is destined to lose? That he will lose if he does "speak" back to it? Is it only a possibility? Or is it possible even that his memories have been altered, and he's witnessing a reality concealed from him!? It's too much...

He stumbles, and goes down face first into the snow... He growls, having let himself get distracted he lunges back into his rhythm, and a base anger rises up at himself for becoming distracted and that is the only thing that keeps the Force from leaving him...

And he resolves, for the moment at least, that he determined his own destiny.

Zafe feels the rush of competition overtaking her as she is able to match Zepharo's speed. She would make a friendly joke right about now but this was important, her efforts are entirely on running and trying to feel the force around her. Plus Zepharo looked rather...intense at the moment, it was a bit concerning to witness in fact. Does he feel it too? This sensation?

This inner monologue is interrupted as intrusive thoughts enter her mind again. The desire to win comes back strong, emphasized as her body start to falter from such a lengthy race. However, instead of reaching for this strength in desperation, a serene feeling encompasses her. Small at first, like a drop of hot water, this sensation begins to course through her, and she begins to feel weightless, her steps growing faster, her stride longer.

Zepharo becomes aware of Zafe again for the first time in what seems like a very long time to him. How long had they been running?

It didn't matter now, the end was in sight.

As the unwelcome thoughts begin to cloud his mind, he thrusts them away with all his will. Whether he knew it or not, the Force went with it. Still, he felt good, the race filled him with the presence of life, and still he would determine his own destiny.

But the Force would not play a part in it this time. As he reached the caves, he was at peace. Physically and mentally taxed, but at peace.

Zafe's joy at the prospect of literally being handed a lightsaber is immeasurable, oh how she longed for a real weapon. This of course all comes crashing down as it fails to ignite coupled with Master Selak's words. She is stunned beyond words, as if he just played the dirtiest trick on her.

His congratulations make her feel better, mood shifting back to normal. After all, they both passed right? But that strange feeling from before... "The dark side...Is that what I felt." She practically whispers these words, hesitant to dwell on the subject. "Well, I'm glad I didn't give in then. Does, uh, Zepharo get a hilt as well? I'd feel bad if he was left out." She wraps an arm around him, giving him a friendly jostle before taking her arm back.

Zepharo dips a slight bow of acquiesence to Zafe, "A well ran race, sister. You earned that fine implement, and it would have been wasted on me...", he fends off the jostling with only a half-hearted attempt (of course actually appreciating the contract) and a full grin.

"Don't worry about me, I'm certain my time will come when it is time.", as they return as one to the caves Zepharo's mind can't help but dwell on the strange feelings and thoughts of the race...

From where... or whom? or what?... did they come from?