First Order; First Steps

[Connor Harrison]

Ara was back close to him, and he fed from her Force aura, and felt the drive to succeed and the thrill of combat coursing through her. As she moved in and came for the attack, Connor was ready to move. She feigned right, and then came the blow.

Connor ducked under it, spinning on his heel to rotate under the strike to come up behind and just off to Ara.

Rather than what he wanted - a boot in the base of the spine - he opted for a rabbit punch to the concave of her neck and shoulder, and should that connect he'd simply grab and throw her forward to send her scattering across the room.

It was more manhandling than anything else, but when fighting for your life, you took any chance you got to get close and personal with the enemy. Grace and good behavior got you nowhere when your life was on the line.

[member="Ara Ren"]

 

[Ara Zambrano]

Twisting as the force warned her of the, his blow landed solidly against her shoulder bone instead of the soft flesh between her neck and shoulder. Staggering under the weight of the blow, she found herself flung across the room.

Turning as she fell, she kept her grip on her saber, letting the rest of her body roll with the force of impact. The air in her lungs expelled as she fell, but this time, her head stayed mercifully away from the solid ground.

Letting the momentum of the throw roll her back onto her feet, she spun on the ball of her left foot, her blade leading the move in case he'd advanced as she was incapacitated.

Her left hand shot out again, another wall of energy pushing against her opponent.

[member="Connor Harrison"]

 

[Connor Harrison]

When Ara fell, Connor felt that swell in the Force build up inside him. Like he was winning – he was showing he could still fight at least. The sound of her clattering down was a satisfying one, and he walked forward, right hand flexed on the hilt.

She rolled with the fall, and was spinning back to her feet, and she pushed out with her palm for a repel.

Palm spread, he absorbed part of her blast which stopped him dead in his tracks, head turning away for a second, before snapping back to her and going for another attack – this one pertaining to the mental state.

He looked through her beauty and went directly to the mind, and tried to work on weakening her from the inside out. Gripping the thoughts and images in her mind’s eye, Connor twisted his hand and glared at her, assaulting the mind with distortion and accelerated sensory overload to disorientate her.

He took a step forward, blade up across his body, palm spread like a claw.

[member="Ara Ren"]

 

[Ara Zambrano]

Pushing one foot under her, Ara started to stand only to stumble, one knee slamming into the stone as her already fuzzy vision swirled and twisted. Her saber clattered to the ground, blade dying, as her hands flashed up to her temples in a vain attempt to stop the assault on her senses.

The barrages of images flashed in her mind; the room around her, barely more than shadowy outlines with the loss of one of their major light sources, mixing with images of the last spar, flashes of memory guiding her current actions. For a moment, her mind flashed back to another time, another moment with thoughts and images swirling out of control.

A white-hot knife of fear and anxiety snapped into place, the disciple robbed of all ability to breathe, to move, to think. Her eyes slammed shut and blood burst from the wound that bloomed on her lip as teeth met flesh in an attempt to without a keening scream. For one moment, the girl knelt there, oblivious to the advances of her opponent, of the fact that the spar itself was over, she'd lost, the pain and fear forefront on her mind.

Head snapping up and eyes flashed open, the edges of her irises bled a sickly yellow-red, the power swirling around her leaking its way into her appearance.

The darkness spread through her mind, still swirling with disorienting images and senses, the dark voices that demanded blood and pain. She raised her left hand, fingers curling shut in one quick motion. Fueling the motion with rage and pain and fear, the invisible hand of power reached out and squeezed, attempting to rob her attacker of breath as she had been. She didn't hold back the growl of rage and pain as she shifted her left hand, attempting to throw the man as far as possible. Anything just to make the out-of-control sensation stop.

[member="Connor Harrison"]

 

[Connor Harrison]

Ara went down, and the blade died.

But this wasn’t about stopping when the blade died, and it wasn’t about winning for Connor; it was about unlocking that power inside Ara that excited him. He didn’t increase the sensation or release it, and stopped as she buckled.

When her head snapped up, he lowered his head and eyed her under a stern brow like a wild beast, not showing a friendly smile or inviting a warm embrace. No, this was just starting to get interesting.

She cried out and Connor felt the tug at his throat, that invisible grip, but didn’t retaliate as he was pushed back, near thrown back and he went down a few feet onto his back. The saber fell down, extinguished and rolled to the side.

Coughing out a breath, Connor rolled onto his side and got straight up and called the hilt to his hand in a second, the metallic hilt slapping his palm and spitting into life. His eyes were darker, his lust for the fight rising.

"Come on,” he hissed to himself.

He gripped his left hand into a fist to return the manipulation of her tender muscles in her throat to constrict.

"Let the darkness flow through you, Ara. Come on!”

His fist tightened and he stared straight into her beautifully corrupt eyes.

[member="Ara Ren"]

 

[Ara Zambrano]

Spoiler

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QLoNbArsQP0[/youtube]

Her mind was her own again. The instant relief from the assault made her pause as Connor fell back. Pushing off the floor, a wicked grin blooming, she wiped the small trickle of blood off of her chin with the back of her hand. As he stood and summoned his fallen blade, Ara did the same, the white blade coming alive with a hiss.

As he regained his footing, she watched, her blade spinning in a lazy 360-degree turn. Pacing forward one slow step at a time, the patient predator emerging.

The disciple had covered half the distance between them when he returned her attack with the same. She paused mid-step as the muscles in her throat constricted, the life-giving flow of oxygen cut off once again.

Coughing as the pressure increased on her windpipe, she reached out and grabbed at the man, reversing the move she'd used a few moments ago to pull him within range of her blade. Black spots bloomed on the edges of her vision as her body used the last of the oxygen in her lungs. She'd either break his concentration or pass out.

[member="Connor Harrison"]

 

[Connor Harrison]

The corner of his mouth twitched up as Ara fought back, and he let go of her muscles in the second she pulled him to the blade.

All he could do was bat his blade left to take hers down with him, which left them both holding their weapons arched to across their bodies. And so with the small fountain of sparks kissing up from the floor where their blades locked on the surface, Connor had one more chance.

He looped his right arm around her waist and span his body around back the other way.

If it worked and her grip wasn’t fixed, the blades would split and she would be lifted slightly and thrown back into the direction of the shallow pool.

Their energy was waning – if she fought, he’d be prime for a take down with the awkward angle of both fighters locked in a close stance.

[member="Ara Ren"]

 

[Ara Zambrano]

There blades met and clashed, sparks flying from the stone floor as they locked. She her mouth quirked up in a grin, mirroring his as the pressure on her throat released and she took a gasping swallow of air.

Momentarily distracted by the blessed flow of oxygen and the burning of deprived lungs, she felt his arm snake around her waist followed by a moment of weightlessness as she was thrown a few feet back.

The moment she realized she was headed straight for the shallow pool, she reached out and pulled him to her once more, before falling with a shock into the cool water. The mind-numbing cold of the water broke her connection to the force, the Disciple breaking the surface and coughing up the lungful of icy water.

Kneeling in the few feet of water, she waited until the water was expelled from her lungs to glare at Connor.

"Cheap move."

She glanced around, finding the hilt of her training saber at the bottom of the pool and retrieving it. After a futile attempt to ignite the blade, she tossed the mass of metal onto the ground in front of her and stood, the water coming up to her waist.

[member="Connor Harrison"]

Spoiler

 

[Connor Harrison]

Ara’s weight carried her the distance needed to send her back into the pool, but Connor too was at the wrong angle to stand against her desperate drag, and he too stumbled forward and crashed down into the icy water with a splash.

He staggered forward and refrained from going under, but kicked up enough water to douse his front and leave him standing there, dripping, water below his waist as the icy temperature snaked up his clothes onto his skin.

Looking at her saber, now allowing himself to get his breathing under control and relax a moment, he glanced at his and tossed it over too and stood, hands on hips and nodded.

"Not cheap. Just necessary, but not exactly what I had in mind when going for a soak either,” he shot back.

Leaving that amused and confident smirk on his face, he nodded to himself and licked away the water from his lips before wiping the droplets from his brow.

"I liked the Ara I saw then. Good job. But,” he frowned and looked to her saber and then back. "a clear win, me thinks.”

Spoiler

[member="Ara Ren"]

 

[Ara Zambrano]

Ara moved to the edge of the pool, placing both palms flat against the edge and lifting herself up and clear of the water. An easy turn placed her in a sitting position on the ledge, feet still dragging in the water. At this point, she was soaking wet, her hair hanging over on shoulder, clothing trailing rivulets of clear liquid across the floor around her.

She chuckled as he joked, reaching down to pull both pairs of boots off and setting them off to the side. There was no worse feeling than wet leather against skin.

She followed his gaze to the hilt, a frown forming between her eyes. She inclined her head in acknowledgement of his win. Her saber had died long before the spar had ended and they had agreed.

"Yes, a win to you."

She glanced over at the pile of clothing on the far side of the room, debating the merits of expending more energy to summon her cloak to her. She shook her head and decided against it, for now, content to sit and drip water on the stone.

Ara turned, her gaze meeting his, the frown still present but determined instead of angry.

"Teach me. Teach me how to do whatever it is you did back then."

He'd told her before not to discount the skills he could show her and here was a prime example. The ability to twist and alter someone's thoughts was a powerful skill. One she needed to learn how to use. And guard against.

[member="Connor Harrison"]

 

[Connor Harrison]

Following her, Connor dragged his legs through the water, accustomed to the coldness now, and he let her get out first. However rather than getting out, he stood there in front, waving his hands lazily back and forward through the water calmly.

The request to teach her was a silent moment of pride for him, at least in the fact somebody saw something he could do that they wanted to know. He had taught many people in the Jedi, and if he could transfer that once more to the First Order and Ren, he’d feel useful once more.

"What, the invasion of the mind?” Connor nodded once to her, dripping wet. "I can teach you, of course. It’s something I’ve been the recipient of over many years but in turn have learnt to build a slight wall to repel it but also how to get in there and do some damage if need be.”

He curved his hands under the water to create a little wave and looked at her.

"We’ll start when you’re ready, but don’t rush into it.”

[member="Ara Ren"]

 

[Ara Zambrano]

Seeing that he was content to stay in the shallow pool for now, Ara lifted her legs up and crossed them in front of her. She raised an eyebrow as he played with the water, her earlier ire forgotten in amusement.

While he talked, she leaned her torso over the pool, untying her hair from it’s braid. She ran her hands through it, wringing the water form her long locks.

”I want to learn both, how to use it and how to defend against it.”

She met his gaze with a steely one of her own. He could turn her down, but she’d just ask Talon Ren in that case. She didn’t have to voice that if she was the target of a similar attack in the field, she’d be in serious trouble.

When no more water fell from the strands she straightened, leaving her hair to hang loose over her shoulder. She smirked as he encouraged her not to rush into training, seeing a moment to tease him.

”Have I tired you out already? Shame, you’ll have to work on that stamina if you want to keep up.”

[member="Connor Harrison"]

 

[Connor Harrison]

With a little chuckle, Connor wagged his finger at her.

"Oh no no, trust me, I’m not even weary yet.”

Wading across, he pulled himself out of the pool and sat on the side, water slapping down onto the surface where they sat as it dripped off him and he brushed his hair back and wiped his face of the stray droplets.

"I just mean that the mind is a delicate weapon, and also a target. When you’re ready and want to start, then we’ll go somewhere quiet and secluded and…start.”

While he was no veteran of mentalism, he had more than enough experience in how to at least form the foundations of a mental barrier and also to break the mind of a foe. He looked across at her.

"You might want to get out of those wet clothes before you catch your death.”

[member="Ara Ren"]

 

[Ara Zambrano]

She shifted as he pulled himself out of the pool, water streaming down around him. She gave him an incredulous look as she had to move to avoid being soaked again. She was grateful she'd opted to strip down to her underclothing for the spar, rather than the bulky and cumbersome robes. At least she had a dry set waiting.

She raised an eyebrow, coy grin growing at his choice of words. She waved a hand at the room around them, with a low chuckle.

"Is this not...quiet and secluded enough for you?"

The easy teasing covered up the deeper thoughts she was having. Would it be a good idea to let the ex-Jedi teach her in this? Or anyone for that matter. No doubt in the course of their lessons, he'd have to break through her mental defenses and delve into her thoughts and memories deep enough to make the lesson worth-while. Did she want to give him that power?

For each power she learned, there would be sacrifices. She knew that, and she also knew that it was far better for an ally and friend, to be the one rather than an enemy on the battle field. The edge of her mouth quirked up into an amused smile. She shook her head and glanced at the alcove once more, comfort warring with logic. With a soft smile, comfort won out and an easy motion of the hand had her cloak sailing over to where she sat. Wrapping it around herself, she turned back to Connor and tilted her head, lips pursed in laughter.

"I need to get out of my wet clothes?" Her eyes crinkled in laughter as she surveyed his dripping form. "You are the one who soaked up half the pool."

[member="Connor Harrison"]

 

[Connor Harrison]

She had a point, so he dismissed his statement with a wave of the hand as he stood up, shaking his legs and arms a little to get the water off. Noticing the robe trailing over to Ara, he turned back and knelt as it covered her.

"Fair point. But I’ll have to suffer as I have nothing else. You on the other hand, do. So don’t be stubborn.”

With both hands he started to rub the sides of her shoulders, covered by the robe to help dry her and generate some warmth.

"Get yourself refreshed and warm and then we can touch upon what it will entail, and go from there. And stop being such a smart arse, it’s annoying.”

He dug a knuckle into the side of her back gently, enough to make her jolt.

[member="Ara Ren"]

 

[Ara Zambrano]

If she was surprised when he knelt behind her and placed his hand on her shoulders, it didn't show. She closed her eyes, the weight of the robe around her and the light pressure on tired muscles, soothing.

"One would think, at this point, you'd stop expecting miracles."

She raised an eyebrow and chuckled, his comments and ministrations amusing her. She leaned back into the shoulder rub, content to enjoy it for the time being. She was used to being far colder and far more uncomfortable than this, in all honestly, but who was she to turn down a little well-meaning pampering.

His knuckle digging into her side, albeit relatively gently compared to the hits he'd scored on her earlier, made her arch her back away from the jab. She chuckled, tilting her head back to look up at him, that mischievous glint back in her eyes.

"Not possible, darling. Besides, I believe the word you are looking for is adorable. Right letter, wrong word."

Pulling away from him, she stood easily, grabbing her soaking wet boots in one hand and walking across the room to the rest of her things. The stone beneath her bare feet was damp and cool, each step sending a little shock of cold through her.

"I'm sure you could speak with the quartermaster and borrow some dry training robes. The bathing pools may have some available for you as well."

[member="Connor Harrison"]

 

[Connor Harrison]

He grinned, a little glimmer of amusement in his eyes, and stood with her.

"I’ll go see what I can find. You sort yourself out,” he said, boots squelching on the ground, "but make sure you’re dressed when I come back.”

Connor walked out before she could say anything and he chuckled.

So far, so good. The spar had been beneficial, and it felt good to focus on swordplay and not just Force ability. He ignored a few curious looks at the new face soaking wet from the waist down, and instead replayed the Ara that let the darkness shine. That excited him. That was true power, and she had in buried away behind that sugary shell.

As much as the shell was beautiful, he knew what was inside was even more beautiful, and he wanted it.

The training robes were provided without hesitation on the basis this man knew names and was wet through. Black and grey loose robes did the job and they even would dry out his tunic and vest and boots. With thanks, Connor walked back barefoot to the room.

Peeking around, he entered.

"So,” he said, scooping up the two useless hilts, draining the water from each, "where did that come from. The darkness in you. It was powerful.”

[member="Ara Ren"]

 

[Ara Zambrano]

She watched him walk away, an approving smirk present. Yes, bold Connor was definitely a interesting and positive change in her opinion. While he turned right, deeper into the training level in search of extra robes, she turned left and headed the short distance to the Disciple's quarters. Her room was simple, a bed, wardrobe, and desk. The only signs of personal effects was the wardrobe filled with everything from day clothes, to party dresses, robes and armor, and the bed covered in a myriad of colorful blankets and pillows.

She debated heading to the bathing pools for a short soak in the warm water, Connor could wait or come find her if he was truly desperate, but politeness and eagerness to learn won out against luxury.

They weren't sparring and so she opted to forgo the robes, choosing instead black skin tight pants, a matching vest, knee-high boots with a slight heel, and her robe. She left her hair hanging loose, the better to allow the locks to dry. A quick glance in the mirror provided assured that everything was exactly as it should. Her belt and saber added weight and intimidation to the otherwise casual and relaxed outfit.

A quick pit-stop at the mess hall rewarded her with a slice of that same cake they'd been enjoying earlier as well as a mug of tea and glass of milk for the ex-Jedi. She shook her head at the plain beverage but ordered it anyways, knowing they could both use some nourishment after that work-out.

She was the first one of the pair back in the room and she happily took up residence in an alcove, back against the side of the wall, legs propped up in front of her the plate of cake carefully balanced on one knee.

She watched from the corner of her eye as her entered the room, dumping the water out of the training blades they'd managed to ruin. She snickered, knowing that she'd likely get an earful when she returned them, but also knowing that ruined training sabers were par for the course.

She took a bite of the cake, again pleasantly surprised by the baker's skill in crafting it and mulled over her answer to the question. She wanted to be flippant, to automatically respond with snark and bite, but opted for an honest, if somewhat lack-luster response instead.

"When someone decides to mess with your mind, you do what needs to be done in order to protect yourself."

She chose not to mention the fear and panic his attack had induced to result in the strength she'd found, knowing that he'd have sensed it and choosing not to state the obvious. She grinned to herself, realizing that it was a very Talon Ren like tactic, to avoid saying what didn't need to be spoken. Maybe he was rubbing off on her more than she'd suspected.

[member="Connor Harrison"]

 

[Connor Harrison]

Tossing the hilts across the room to clatter on the floor, Connor stepped up and joined Ara in the alcove, helping himself to a piece of the cake.

And then one more to accompany the first.

"Mhm,” he said, licking his finger, "makes sense.”

He couldn't help look past the plate at her figure. Looking away with a small smile, he knew that SHE knew just what she was doing.

"Ok,” he turned to her a little and kept his face straight. "You may know this, but I'm telling you anyway if you want me to help you. Basically, the Jedi - or even Sith - will use the Force to get inside your head as I did. What we need to do first it help you build a wall. An impenetrable wall in your mind that will gradually stop them from doing just that. Instead of them seeping into your mind to pull you apart,” he then clapped his hand suddenly, "they get nowhere fast.”

Reaching up, he placed two fingers on her temple, brushing away a damp strand of hair.

"The two aspects to bring somebody down with the mind is either to pull their fears and doubts to the forefront and weaken them. The second is to manipulate their senses - make them see things, hear things, feel things. Things that aren't real but could push you to the edge of madness, even suicide.” He looked into her eyes. "The wall you build will be a way of telling them that you accept your fears and your worries and your limits, but you are confident in your standing and your power. You must use the Force as a shield. You must FEEL their attack, but repel it and be in control. Don't panic and feel like you're drowning. If you do, they'll break through.”

Lifting her hand, palm out, he placed his on hers.

"I work to break your mind and weaken you,” he pushed her palm, forcing her arm back, "and what do you do?” He guided her hand to push him right back. "You feel my attack, but you repel it. With confidence, assertion and, most of all, belief in yourself.”

He kept his hand on hers.

"Does that make sense for now?”

[member="Ara Ren"]

 

[Ara Zambrano]

Ara playfully swatted at his hand as he stole two pieces of cake, popping another piece into her mouth and pointing the utensil in her grip in his direction threateningly. When he didn't ask her to elaborate on the darkness she'd tapped into, she was happy to let the subject drop. She eyed him over her knees and the plate balanced on them, noting his looks with a satisfied smile.

She pushed the glass of milk towards him as they talked, setting the now empty plate off to the side and sipping her tea. The warmth and sugar washed away the little bit of lingering cold from their unexpected swim.

She glared at him when he clapped his hands together, the unexpected noise in the otherwise silent chamber nearly causing her to drop the mug. When he reached up and touched her temple, she set the glass aside, listening intently. All of the shrewd glances, coy looks, and humor had fled, replaced with intensity and focus.

If confidence was key, she had that in spades. She nodded once as he talked, meeting his gaze, unwilling to interrupt the flow of information. Another habit she'd picked up during her time with Talon.

When he demonstrated with their hands, she did as was requested and pushed back. When they reached a balance, both hands once again center, neither having the advantage over the other, she nodded again in understanding.

"Completely."

She glanced back up from their hands to his eyes, her gaze still steely with determination.

"How do we start?"

Opening herself up to, no, asking for, an attack against her mental defenses sounded akin to willingly ascending to the highest point of the Bastion, but she knew it was the only way to learn. This was not a lesson they could talk through and hope it worked. This wasn't Force Sight that could be prodded and guided into being. This was a lesson she'd have to learn the hard way.

She just hoped Connor was able to deal with the repercussions. She made no promises as to her control once they started, but wouldn't dishonor him by asking if he was sure. He'd accepted the task to teach her and he had enough experience to judge for himself.

[member="Connor Harrison"]