A Time to Think (Gherron Vael)

[Nimue Stormson]

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The library always served as a decent place to both learn and relax. Empress Nimue of Effekt often frequented the large room in order to read up on histories or re-read old stories told throughout the ages. Sometimes it was for one reason or another, trying to uncover and unseen secrets of connections of the past that could answer age old questions. Other times it was purely a way to pass the time when her days weren’t filled with political burdens and the like that came with being the ruler of an entire planet.​

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A nice seat at one of the large tables in the room with her servants standing by if she needed anything while a plate of food had been set and ready for her. Bread and tea and small bite-size portions of meat. However there was room set for another it seemed.​

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Empress Nimue had called for the arrival of a Jedi she’d briefly met before. [member="Gherron Vael"] who was trained by another Jedi master she’d met at the ball held nearly three weeks ago. The party had been a means of introducing the galaxy to the planet of Effekt, which the Empress ruled, and so many an interesting guest had arrived while deals were made, friends established, and future negations discussed.​

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Originally Empress Nimue had tried to gain attention of Vael’s master, but he’d proven to be hard to reach. Instead she sought out that of the young knight, hoping that he could teach her a few things in the ways of the Jedi’s use of the force. She’d been calling on several teachers to educate her in combat, the force, and even forms of magic. Given what she’d already known herself, and what she’d learned, she knew having an overall idea of the force would help hone her abilities into something greater.​

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As she waited while reading her book Empress Nimue pondered if the pieces of pure silver were enough to convince Sir Vael to meet with her today. If he’d not been she’d have been happy enough to send more, though her message had made it clear that was but a sample payment of what was in store if he agreed to teach her.​

 

[Gherron Dragovalor]

Gherron walked into Empress Stormson's palace for the second time in three weeks, which was really a record for him. Really, he didn't consider himself one to hang around the high-rise crowd, especially nobility. From all he'd heard, nobles and politicians could be some of the most cutthroat people in the galaxy, and put on a smile while doing it. The reason he'd answered the summons, had nothing to do with credits, or silver, or any kind of money. In fact, he'd return the silver as soon as he got the chance. 'Actually... Better keep it', he thought to himself. He didn't want to risk insulting the woman. He at least knew that much about royalty. However, as a Jedi, Gherron often didn't take money as a reward. For him, the best reward he could get was knowledge, and scenery. Yes, he enjoyed watching nature most. If he could perhaps get a tour of the empress' homeworld as payment, he'd be happy.

[member="Nimue Stormson"]

 

[Nimue Stormson]

Once [member="Gherron Vael"] had arrived into the palace he was approached by a guard, who ordered for his name and business. Once it was made clear he’d been invited, the silver an indication of that, he was allowed to enter where a servant girl awaited him.​

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With a bow the redheaded teenager said “Right this way, Master Jedi. The Empress is awaiting you.”​

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She led him through the palace for a few minutes as they made their way to the library. They’d traveled through a good portion of the palace itself, passing through hallways filled with art and history all over the walls. Tapestries that depicted great battles and moments in Effekt’s history, suits of armored worn by some of the greater warriors and kings of old, and paintings of former lords and the like. All of it as like a museum, which happened to act as a home and capital as well.​

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Arriving to the entrance of the library, two large wooden doors with one currently open, the servant girl brought the Jedi inside where she lead him to the back. As they walked the large collection of written works and data stored history were piled all about the two-story library. Some of the scholars and servants were already about inside, looking at books or dusting shelves or making sure everything was in place.​

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Upon arriving at the table where Empress Nimue sat the servant girl announced “Jedi Knight Master Vael is heard, your majesty.”​

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The Empress looked up, a finger-sandwich halfway in her mouth, before she smirked and gestured him forward while her words were a little muffled. She showed him where to sit across from her while saying “Welcome, Master Vael. Welcome. I was starting to worry you’d have been too preoccupied to meet with me on such short notice. I trust your trip went well?”​

 

[Gherron Dragovalor]

Gherron bowed his head for a second before speaking, something he was used to, with honoring the elder Jedi masters. "Very well, thank you. Your message said you're seeking training?" Right to the point. He wasn't too keen on teaching someone who wasn't Jedi, but he did know some texhiques that would be somewhat harmless. If the empress really wanted force training, he would try to give her some. In fact, now that he actually peered into the force, he could actually detect a hint of force sensitivity in her. No wonder...

[member="Nimue Stormson"]

 

[Nimue Stormson]

When he mentioned training the Empress had given him a small gesture to indicate not to speak anymore. It was subtle but enough to get it through to him while keeping it from the eyes of the servants.​

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“Yes, training.” She said, returning to a more open composure. “My sword work does need improvement indeed. Glad you bring it up.” After that she turned to the servants and said “Would you leave us for now, that will be all. Thank you.”​

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Every one of the servants bowed before making their way out. Nimue gestured for [member="Gherron Vael"] to remain quite until everyone left. She kept quite as well and watched all the other servants in the library eventually scuttle out and close the door behind them. Once they were alone the Empress let out a long sigh before looking back to him.​

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“Apologize, Master Vael. I meant to say in my note that the matter of Force training needs to be kept a secret around others. My people aren’t aware of my abilities just yet. Part of why I called you hear. You see I’m trying to master the abilities before me, and I feel the aspects of every possible art could help benefit my cause. I want to prove to my people the force is nothing to truly be feared.”​

 

[Gherron Dragovalor]

Gherron nodded, understanding. "I know little about the force, but I can show you how to better understand it." He'd settled on what he could teach her then. The simple art of meditation. Through it, the force thrived. One could find peace, see light-years across the galaxy, even predict the future, with enough practice. Of course, mastery took time, and even then, not all the secrets would be unveiled. He would simply offer her the doorway to the force.

[member="Nimue Stormson"]

 

[Nimue Stormson]

“A little is more than enough for me.” She retorted with a smile. “It’s far more than I know and I’m sure you’ll make it easier to understand with enough practice. I had hoped to speak with your master, but since he’s proved hard to reach I thought I should offer you the chance.”​

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After that she listened to him explain what would be learned by his teachings. A better understanding of the force through mediation. At first she seemed a little less enthused by it however as he went on to explain what she would learn from it, especially the part about visions, she was more intrigued.​

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Nodding when he finished she said “A far ability to learn indeed. And what do you want in return, may I ask? A fair payment I would think, or does your Jedi ways ask for something else?”​

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[member="Gherron Vael"]​

 

[Gherron Dragovalor]

Ah, the payment. Choosing his words carefully, Gherron tried to put it the best way he could. "Majesty, I appreciate the... handsome reward you gave so that I could come here, but it isn't the reason I came. I have a certain love for wildlife and exploration in general. If you could show me your planet, so I could learn more about it, I would be extremely grateful."

[member="Nimue Stormson"]

 

[Nimue Stormson]

A simple but interesting reward. The Empress had given him an odd look at first but, upon understanding, she nodded when he asked to explore her world. “You shall have that honor, Master Vael.” She began, picking up a cup of tea and sipping it. “You teach me meditations and the like, and you’ll have free range of my planet for your exploration. I’ll have some of my best hunters and explorers take you into the very heart of my country where you can learn of its wildlife and history. It will be my honor to have you see it all for yourself.”​

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[member="Gherron Vael"]​

 

[Gherron Dragovalor]

Gherron smiled and bowed his head respectfully. "Thank you, empress. Now, shall we begin?" He was ecstatic that he would be able to explore the depths of a strange new planet. But first, to business.

[member="Nimue Stormson"]

 

[Nimue Stormson]

Swallowing down the last of her tea she said “Of course, of course.” After that she stood and, taking her scepter in hand, awaited him to rise as well. Once he was up she asked “Should we move somewhere else, or is this area suitable for your needs?”​

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[member="Gherron Vael"]​

 

[Gherron Dragovalor]

Gherron had to suppress a laugh then. "Anywhere is fine, though I believe meditation comes best when you're sitting down. At least to start." To demonstrate, he sat cross-legged, his hands resting on his knees. "This is the customary way to practice meditation among most."

[member="Nimue Stormson"]

 

[Nimue Stormson]

Seeing him sit after saying anywhere was fine Empress Nimue gave him a confident look before he sat cross-legged on the ground. Given what she wore she knew she needed to lessen herself a little. She put her scepter to the side where it leaned against the table before detaching her furred cape from the rest of her dress. Now free to move easier she sat in the same position as [member="Gherron Vael"] while giving an eager look; like a child ready to learn a lesson in school.​

 

[Gherron Dragovalor]

Gherron remembered how his padawan had described the force, and decided to play off of that. It was a simple idea, but most great things come from simple ideas. "Alright. Now, we know you're force sensitive. Close your eyes. Try to reach deep inside yourself. Look for the pool of energy. Feel it. Draw from it."

[member="Nimue Stormson"]

 

[Nimue Stormson]

Nodding Nimue began to close her eyes while trying to reach deep inside of her and find the “pool” of force energy within her. She began to breath, thinking it would help, before finding what she thought would be a means of helping. She tried imagining a pool inside of her, one of liquid light. It was serene and yet so inviting that Nimue sighed in real life, almost too calm with herself. She wasn’t even sure if it was working.​

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[member="Gherron Vael"]​

 

[Gherron Dragovalor]

Gherron started to feel the other's connection to the force, and nodded approvingly. "Good. Now, tell me what you see." He had started meditating as well, and images of the surrounding planet came to his head; forests, mainly. He sighed contentedly and found a clearing, where he imagined himself to be at that moment.

[member="Nimue Stormson"]

 

[Nimue Stormson]

Another deep breath escaped her lips before Empress Nimue could hear [member="Gherron Vael"]’s voice echoing in her head. When he asked it took her a moment before saying “I’m….near a river. It’s….it’s so peaceful here. Nothing but forests and flowers….I think I’ve been here before.”​

 

[Gherron Dragovalor]

Gherron nodded, taking in what the empress said. "Continue. What else?"

(OOC: Sorry for the horribly short post >.<)

 

[Nimue Stormson]

Given that he asked for more the Empress took in another breath before saying "It's daytime. And....and I'm not alone either. I see..." She stopped herself when she could see the figure nearby. Someone who'd brought a tear of joy down her cheek, both in meditation and in real life. It was her husband, the late Emperor Victor. She remembered why this river was so familiar, it had been a place where he would take her often to talk. "It's......so lovley..." she only commented, not wanting to tell all of what she was seeing.​

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[member="Gherron Vael"]​

 

[Gherron Dragovalor]

Gherron could feel both the joy and sorrow coming from the empress, and nodded understandingly. He was personally aware how visions through the force could affect others. He wouldn't try to peer any deeper, but instead would stay there for guidance, should she need it.

[member="Nimue Stormson"]