Listen to the sound of silence

[Kiineq Tiran]

It is quite early.
Outside, the sun has just begun to rise above the Coruscant skyline.

Inside it is still quiet.
In the Room of a Thousand Fountains, Kiineq is sitting cross-legged on a soft spot beside one of the fountains.

The water trickles quietly.
The tall man looks relaxed and peaceful. His breathing is slow and even and his eyes are closed.

[Shep Azoras]

The sound of the water is joined by the sound of the soft footsteps of someone not trying to hide their presence.

Shep walks slowly down a path in the Room of a Thousand Fountains towards the place where his Master is sitting. He is quiet and relaxed, though really not that fond of being out of bed this early in the morning.

[Kiineq Tiran]

Kiineq senses Shep approaching, but keeps his eyes closed.
There is no outwards indication that he has noticed the Padawan.

[Shep Azoras]

Kiineq might not show that he has noticed the Padawan, but Shep is not in doubt that his Master has noticed that he is not longer alone.
Shep sits down next to his Master. Cross-legged, with his hands resting on his knees, he relaxes into his spot and waits for his Master to acknowledge him.

[Kiineq Tiran]

Kiineq doesn't move for a long while.
He just keeps sitting there, looking completely serene.

Finally he speaks -softly and quietly.
"You are up early".
Kiineq's eyes are still closed and he hasn't moved.

[Shep Azoras]

Shep shoots a look sideways at his Master. "No, idea.." He mumbles. "Just felt like it was the right thing to do." He says.

"Have you had breakfast yet, Master?" Shep asks.

[Kiineq Tiran]

The tall man slowly opens his eyes.
He turns his head slightly to look at his apprentice.

[Shep Azoras]

Shep raises an eyebrow at his Master. "Well? Have you?" He asks, stubbornly.

[Kiineq Tiran]

Kiineq keeps looking at Shep.
"No, I have not" he finally replies, before closing his eyes again.

[Shep Azoras]

"You do know that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, right?" Shep says, with a small grin.

[Kiineq Tiran]

"I do" Kiineq replies without opening his eyes.
"But it is not yet time"

[Shep Azoras]

"Not time? Breakfast time is shortly after you have risen from bed, which means it's actually past time." Shep grins, saying the words even though he knows full well that his Master is not going to rise from his spot until he is ready.

[Kiineq Tiran]

Kiineq doesn't repy.
He has been in this position for a couple of hours already.

[Shep Azoras]

Shep resigns himself to his fait. He could of course just have chosen to stay away instead of joining his Master, or at least have gotten breakfast before joining him.

Now he looks out at the water in front of him and let his thoughts wander.

[Kiineq Tiran]

Focusing on his breathing, Kiineq slips back into meditation.
He opens his mind to the Force, feeling everything around him - the air, the ground, the fountains and the boy sitting next to him.

[Shep Azoras]

Shep sits still, relaxing. But after a few minutes his stomach starts growling loudly. He clearly was not kidding when he claimed to be hungry.

[Kiineq Tiran]

Kiineq hides a smile as Shep's stomach growls.
It is after all not that uncommon an occurrence with this particular Padawan.

Without opening his eyes, he speaks very softly, barely audible.
"Let it go. Let the Force flow, taking with it all needs and concerns".

Through the Force, he feels for the boy's response.

[Shep Azoras]

Shep sighs internally, but then he knows his Master well enough to have at least partly anticipated his masters reaction.
Taking a deep breath, he relaxes and tries to not think about his growling stomach.

[Kiineq Tiran]

Kiineq is pleased with the boy's actions.

"Good" he continues, in the same, very low voice. "Let go. Feel the Force around you. Here. Between you, me, the tree, the rock. Everywhere."

His breathing is slow, deep and even.

[Shep Azoras]

Shep slows his breathing down to match his Master's and focuses on what he is being told to do.

[Kiineq Tiran]

"Now, reach out further" Kiineq carefully keeps his voice quiet.
"Feel the trickle of the water, the rustle of the leafs, the shifting of the air"

Around them, everything is still quiet. It is getting lighter, as the sun slowly rises higher and higher.

[Shep Azoras]

Shep continues to listen attentively, right until his stomach grumbles again and breaks his concentration.

"Oops." He mumbles. His voice low enough to be almost inaudible.

[Kiineq Tiran]

Kiineq doesn't move a muscle.
He doesn't even acknowledge whether he has heard Shep or not. He probably has, though....

"Focus on your breathing again" he simply says, his own breathing still calm and even.

[Shep Azoras]

Shep refocusses his focus on his breathing, feeling the air moving in and out of his lungs. Letting the rhythm calm him.

Though it only works a moment before his stomach grumbles again.

[Kiineq Tiran]

"Tune it out" Kiineq says, finally acknowledging the sound. His voice hasn't changed though.
He still keeps it low and barely audible.

"Close your mind to all but the Force."

[Shep Azoras]

Shep sighs inwardly, not sure if he can tune out his stomach. He tries, focusing back on his breathing and his Master's voice.