"I just. Jumped harder?"

She nods.

"You did. It obeyed your will. The Force is affected by what you think of it. By what you expect of it. There are limits of power, but graver still are the limits of the mind. If you think of it as passive and reactive, then that's all it'll ever be to you."

She doesn't say that with any hint of condescension or malice. Just a simple statement of fact.

"So I have to make it work for me."

"Yes. I actually think you already do. When you fight, really fight, when you stop thinking and start doing, you absolutely make it work for you. Just not consciously. This would be moving it into something you actively do, and know you're doing, and can start and stop at will instead of just when you're in your element."

"So. How do I learn to do that?"

"Well, the first step is realizing it, so we have that over and done with, nice job," says Callida. "Next is to change your way of thinking so this comes more naturally to you. How do you meditate?"

"With difficulty."

"Noted. Sitting in a quiet room?"

"Yes? Isn't that how it's done?"

"Usually, but it's not how it has to be done. If you can't think while sitting still, then don't sit still. I think you'd do better with something aerobic related. A familiar set of exercises you can flow through, so you're acting upon the world and feel like you are, too. Did you have something like that in the academy or before during training?"

"...The Hundred Strikes? I learned them when I started dueling."

"Show me? I can help guide you to the proper mindset."

"All right."

She stands straight, takes a breath, and starts acting out some basic attacks.

Hm, yes, that will do.

And what is the state of her mind while she does it? More open to the Force than before?

Seems likely. She's more- relaxed. Less worried, less cluttered.

"Good," says Callida, smiling a little. Now to leading her to the right sort of headspace.

"This is the Force as you should know it. You are what you decide to be, and your power is your own. The power of a blade in your hands, of a goal before you, of a victory you know you can achieve. If you are still, it is because you have decided to be. If you are not, it is because you have chosen to be. The time of fear and uncertainty has ended. You are Sith. If you trust nothing else in the galaxy, trust yourself. Trust the skills you've earned through your work and effort, the movements your limbs know by heart, the place you've clawed to with stubbornness and skill and will. Trust in who you are. Let the Force be your blade, warrior, we both know you can win."

Right. Step. She's Sith. Thrust. She has the power. Slash high. A blade in her hands. Arc down. She can use a blade, she's used blades her entire life. Spin left. This is no different, she just has to grasp-

With her next movement, a blast of energy shoots out along the path of her sword to score a hole in the far wall.

"I felt it."

"So did the wall," says Callida, pointing. "Excellent job. I'd say this style of meditation works very well for you."

"So from here it seems like it'll just be regular dedicated practice. Would you like for me to shoo so you can begin right away, or for me stick around to offer occasional pointers where I see ways you could improve? Either way, if you hit a wall in the future, you can come ask me for help, I won't mind."

"Can you stay and watch? For a while."

"Certainly."

And so she does, sitting comfortably in a nearby seat, occasionally offering gentle and patient instruction. It's sort of fun, actually, at least for Callida.

Brin seems to be having fun as well. She gets better at finding and holding onto the Force, making it resonate and pulse in time with her movements.