For A Fistful of Knowledge

[Janick Beauchamp]

Janick knew that spells like Bolts of Hatred, while rather flashy in their own right, were not always overly practical, and she knew that the mental aspect was often overlooked or otherwise downplayed. Memory Rub, Drain Knowledge are typically perceived in the best case, as practical, albeit in a rather situational way. But, perhaps, if there was somebody that could infuse knowledge - and be infused knowledge, too - among the Jedi, perhaps there could be some way to do so using the light, and not the dark. Subject to the Fundamental Inequality of mental data transfer, of course. And yet, she expected light-siders to infuse, or maybe even down the road, download knowledge with informed consent while remaining mindful of the Fundamental Inequality. However, by and large, it was difficult to get Force-users, even dark-siders, to learn mental data transfer even with the assurance of painless transfer provided by the Fundamental Inequality. With that said, she starts by writing out a holomessage and hope she will get lucky with the recipient this time around:

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ATTN: [member="Kei Amadis"]

Personally I feel that maybe there could be an opening to extend - with informed consent of course - mental data transfer to the light side, here meaning both Memory Rub and Drain Knowledge simultaneously, to infuse and download knowledge from people respectively. For far too long I feel that these powers have been toiling in obscurity for a variety of reasons, including but not limited to, the culture of flash prevalent among Force-siders, sometimes to the point of gaudiness.

P.S.: If there is a specific area of knowledge you would either like me to infuse into you or download from me, please let me know to see if it's plausible.

P.P.S.: Please let me know what time and place works for you.

Janick

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[Kei Amadis]

Kei plus one saw the invitation because force knows what end of the galaxy the Old Epicanthix had gone off to this time, only one thing was for sure and that was Taiden wasn’t far from his side. For his part, Taiden never aged, and never looked a day older; just a bit wiser and perhaps a bit more arrogant in the assumptions that he was the only one, who could properly translate several different languages, while deciphering a technical manual and at the same time building the device with his free hand. Fyor Nayus might be proud if he wasn’t a droid in parts somewhere on the floor of the ship, oh well, some memories died harder than others.

Speaking of ships, the Ambiguous statement was still the old stereotype she always was destined to be. Barely holding together, and each new hull patch another beloved memory of one more trip too close to the planet’s surface. It was on one such near miss on Kei’s watch that a message woke him up from the co-pilots chair. Startled by the floorboards giving an all too familiar groan, the holobook fell off his nose and he punched up the controls with his flailing hand. Taiden just gave him a smirking sideways look. Not a full smirk you understand, because Echani didn’t actually smile, they more sculpted their face to look condescendingly in your direction while you worked out what the hell they were talking about or wanting. At least this one did anyway.

“Hmmm?" He blinked, moving his feet off the control panel. "Not sleeping. Collective study time.” Kei cleared his throat. Ah yes, the message.

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To: [member="Janick Beauchamp"]

Reply: We'd be delighted, I have a friend here who believes they know everything, it might be nice to grant him some humility. I’d be a poor subject myself, but I had heard a whisper on the CoreNet that you might be able to help with something, thank you for contacting me. Maybe we can help each other.

We are just coming up on Mon Cala. My friend has a small estate there that he hasn’t visited in some time. I am sure if the cobwebs have not completely overrun the site it would be a prime location. I will enclose the destination, and time, if you have any difficulties you can reach someone on this line at any time.

All the best,
Kei Amadis

Location Enclosed and Encrypted, Cipher to unlock on receipt of thumbprint ID. Further message Encrypted: Logistical Knowledge, Supply chain management and advice sort, specifically in relation to inner rim and outer rim differences, expanding on the borders of SJO space. Packaging and inventory management secondary goals. Credits can be discussed. End of encryption and request.

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[Janick Beauchamp]

These cobwebs allowed the proposed meeting location to remain hidden from Sith view on Mon Cala, and Kei was an Epicanthix, which would mean safe infusion speeds would be too slow since the mental blocks put what amounts to a mental damper as an alteree (Memory Rub) or a downloadee (Drain Knowledge). Now it would be nice to get out of the Castle for a time, Janick thought, while reviewing [member="Kei Amadis"]' response to her message. Also, [member="Taiden Keth"] would be in for some surprise: he would probably be attempting to download from her, using the light side and informed consent, inventory and other supply chain management topics, such as demand forecasting (which was critical to inventory management even without taking into account variable demand, volume discounts or production rate, if applicable), and also more information on shipment lead times in the Inner and Outer Rims. With that said, Janick prepared herself for traveling to Mon Cala, bringing the usual baggage, including but not limited her to, her weapons, and bid goodbye to the other two permanent occupants of the Circle's castle.

"I'm on research travel. Until I return, or the death certificate arrives here, the Circle will be entrusted under your care" she told Alyssa and Tamana shortly prior to takeoff.

 

[Taiden Keth]

|

[member="Janick Beauchamp"] On her arrival, she would find a world set apart from time.​

Janick would be met as a guest at the spaceport, with only minimal but respectful introductions, and escorted by a house servant via speeder service to the estate if she wished. First speeder, then private boat to reach the main island. The small floating island estate had a little over a dozen staff on hand, most were dressed in traditional Echani attire, which happened to be entirely in white, with not a spec of dust on them.

Traditions that were lost to time these days, much like this place, a departure from the present times and a look at eras gone by. Each room had a single purpose and each room was beautiful and immaculate, as if cleaning this estate was a lifelong skill people had cultivated, because it was. However, the marble rooms were somewhat spartan in what they contained. If you looked hard enough at the overall picture of the estate, you might recognize that family and Echani traditions were themes here.

Walking in closer under escort, the grounds were fairly big so people were not clustered together, and any greenery minimalist but very well kept. You could see into almost every room from the outside, there were no secrets here. Jancik would be directed into the main entrance hall where she'd find Taiden dressed much the same, in pure white with long hair, offering a half bow with his eyes open. By Taiden's side, Kei would grin solidly and extend a hand.

"Thanks for coming," the Epicanthix said, while Taiden didn't say a word, instead giving a small turn of his body to the door. A servant came over with a tray of refreshments, with at least three or four different choices for Janick. Taiden smiled politely to Janick, and as if every movement of his body said exactly what he needed, turned toward some comfortable but practical chairs. There were exactly three chairs looking toward the inner gardens, which were bigger than the outside, but again minimalist in their design.

"What do I have to do?" Taiden asked in well measured, curious tone.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RbHQ8hP9Rbs​

 

[Janick Beauchamp]

Upon arriving to Dac's spaceport, she was greeted to a private speeder that she silently boarded and rode, knowing intuitively that it must have something to do with her personally. From there, she would find herself in an estate whose traditions were more akin to, well, Echani traditions, with three chairs, four choices of refreshments on a tray. Much as would be the case in a royal court, on Eshan or some other planet. I suppose they took their sweet time to remove the cobwebs to avoid detection by the Sith, probably due to the size of that thing, Janick thought, while traversing the area to get face-to-face with [member="Taiden Keth"]. And try to get a feel for his mental bandwidth so as to ensure that the infusion goes as painlessly as possible. But it was as clear as day to both Kei and Taiden that Janick still had some aura of darkness in the Force, just not overly pronounced. Then she was ready to talk about how she perceived Memory Rub and Drain Knowledge before she asked for permission to infuse knowledge into him, mostly as a matter of courtesy. Yet she would only take the refreshments only after she was done infusing knowledge.

"I'm Janick. My hypothesis is that a light-sider needs informed consent from the target to use Memory Rub or Drain Knowledge. The real experiment starts after I make the infusion. I have to say that it's easy to overlook a use of a power. If you don't object to it, of course, I will infuse into you how to perform memory alterations in others, including but not limited to, infusion. In other words, Memory Rub, as used to teach faster"

 

[Taiden Keth]

His mental capacity and bandwidth to receive information were high, if somewhat overloaded on many different matters and responsibilities in his life, curiosity leading him on ever longer roads of rambling scholarly study. There were also misgivings present, her aura had affected him inwardly more than Kei. Taiden Keth’s force aura was pristinely white, untouched or unblemished. After meditation and long talks with his friends, family, and those he trusted with his time. Taiden had realised he’d been this way to avoid his families past, the House name Keth was like a spectre that he’d locked himself away from in a perfect bubble, or rather an impossibly pristine image he’d been living up to.

The Echani listened very calmly to Janick speak and took it all in. Her body language told him more than her words, as that’s what his people traditionally had used to communicate on a deeper level. Balanced against his strict lightside ethos, he began weighing what he now knew about himself, with the good he could to heal those who might have lost their own memories, a specific individual came to mind. It was a long deliberation because Taiden didn’t often act quickly or rashly.

“Thank you,” he added for the audible benefit because he’d already nodded very formally and politely, speaking through body language that he was grateful that she was here. If she knew body language, he wasn’t entirely comfortable but he was keen.

“I request you hide showing me the art of draining knowledge as best you are able. I will listen, learn and heal with this for those that need it. My thanks that you have traveled this far, and taken great time away from your work to be here.”

While Kei would have preferred to learn all, as wiping memories might also be merciful at times, Taiden was not built that way. Though Taiden realised that Janick may not be able to avoid inadvertently teaching him both to drain knowledge, while imparting knowledge, perhaps there was a way she could construct. In either eventuality though, she had his blessing. He steadied himself in the chair. The Jedi Knight was not hesitating, instead, Taiden was breathing in measured time and watching her directions very closely, a sharp focus on everything she did with her hands, her facial features, or her posture were his main focuses.

[member="Janick Beauchamp"]​

 

[Janick Beauchamp]

Someone that had a similar mental bandwidth to either [member="Taiden Keth"] or Janick's but was a beginner in Memory Rub would potentially run into the issue of accidentally infusing something they were not meant to. So far she placed her hands a little over Taiden's head, while being mindful of not physically touching his hair or skull, and also concentrating in connecting to his brain in the Force. While the infusion was underway, not only both people would have visions of how the infusion would proceed, but also how to make changes in someone's memories that don't involve infusions, such as repairing memory damages, altering memories and also causing someone to forget. They would get visions of what can cause the use of Memory Rub to be more effective: it worked better when the target's memory was better when one was infusing or repairing memories, but for editing or deleting mental memory files, the reverse was true, and also the risk of causing someone to accidentally forget something increased as one's memory was worsening. In addition, no infusion of Memory Rub would be complete without the Fundamental Inequality and what happens when the Inequality isn't met: information overload, which, in turn, caused pain proportionate to the information overload rate. Finally, they will get a feel for each other's brains while the mental datachannel was open. She feels more thrills from infusion than she ever had the chance to, based on how Taiden was different from the other infusees, but she knew that very datachannel needed to be closed once any discussion of how pain could be caused by using Memory Rub ended, and hence the infusion stopped right there. Hmm... it feels so... good to be infusing knowledge to someone that actually seem to appreciate the process, more than simply the effects. I also know how could one use Memory Rub to repair one's damaged memories, such as when someone suffers from amnesia, but I never had the opportunity to use it for that purpose, Janick thought, upon closing the mental datachannel.

"While the infusion took place, as much as I could feel the memories flowing from my brain to yours, you could also get a feel for my brain" Janick calmly told Taiden

 

[Taiden Keth]

Janick's mental visions were more useful than words would have been to Taiden, the images were studied in great detail, and he would be taking personal time and care to review each memory after they had finished. While she was engaging with him in this way, his mind was equally involved in maintaining their balance. Any power that worked around his inherent disability in using the force in motion, but could heal people, was of keen interest to the healer in him.

For an Echani this came about in seeing how the balance of information sent, affected the focus of the target recipient, the rates and the speeds. Also, the how the information flowed, and what patterns that data made in the force, were of fascination, telling a language of their own inside his and her mind. Moving neural impulses flashed and were received like cars on a highway at supersonic speeds. Taiden felt a small fuzziness as his mind adjusted, nothing major, just as if he had received a large download and he was only now sorting through the finer details.

Closing his eyes. The Echani took a moment, he wasn’t one to rush. Kei took a sip of his drink, and there was a shared silence for probably a few minutes, at least from Taiden’s part. His body language would have shown his peaceful concentration, he was analysing and understanding what had just happened.

After they were done there was just the slightest silver in his bright pristine force aura, the slightest imperfection in its white purity, also known as truth or real life, which could only be a good thing. If anything it offered some much-needed humility to how he thought about his role and the use of his abilities or the lightside-darkside dynamic. Perhaps it wouldn’t be long till he went back to old habits, but for now, there was humility within his force use. The older Jedi Master sitting with them grinned as he watched the garden, not being too nosey, but silently pleased at the alterations going on inside his friend’s mind and force aura.

Kei would be the first to speak, as Taiden was in no rush to leave his meditation. In fact, this whole estate seemed to move at half speed, it was very peaceful, with little stress, and fitting for it to be surrounded by endless oceans. “Is there a waiting period before the information is useable?” Kei had the practical questions, as was his way. Refreshments were then placed by their side, and he asked Janick. "Need anything?" Wondering if the procedure had drained her at all, being the first time Kei had seen it. In any instance, what she requested within reason would be brought over, if a bit slower than she might be used to.

[member="Janick Beauchamp"]​

 

[Janick Beauchamp]

"How long you need to wait for your memory to assimilate what has been infused depends not only on how much has been infused, but also how fast your mind is"

What was clear was that Janick's brain worked pretty hard, then again, she was rather used to operating at a high level of mental activity. Also, it was a pretty large mental datapacket, [member="Taiden Keth"] must have realized as much. And, now she seemed to be drifting in thought towards, well, supply chain management. The most basic models I know of typically assume demand is, on average, steady, and the main variables are the lead time, the periodic demand and its standard deviation, but anybody that did demand forecasting would know that the demand is seldom steady, hence the need for safety stock. The reorder point is simply when you have just enough supplies, combined with the safety stock, to last through the time it takes for the new supplies to arrive. Then again, when doing inventory management, one needs to pay close attention to the timeframes in the equations of the model. Typically, if one is using moving-average, weighted or not, to create a demand forecast, you would want to average out the last three months when determining how much to order, as well as the reorder point, Janick thought, while realizing that the whole notion of reorder point amounts to ordering even when there are still supplies on hand, albeit just enough to last until the new ones arrive. If the lead time is very short, as is the main tenet of just-in-time inventory management... then you can afford to hold very little inventory on hand.

"Whenever you're ready, you may start the experiment of using the light side to download knowledge from me"

 

[Taiden Keth]

Taiden had always thought his mind had a higher than average speed, perhaps it did, but he was also used to meandering through knowledge at his own leisurely pace, taking his time and gathering all the crumbs he could. That was certainly going on here.

After Janick had finished answering Kei’s inquiry, Taiden seemed to slowly brush down his clothes to straighten them, as if observing a ritual of preparation, something Sera had shown him to retain focus. He leaned slightly and nodded formally. “Thank you.” Eventually speaking, and clearing his throat. “I am ready to begin now at your convenience.”

Realising her words were enough of a signal to act from her, he followed that up by mimicking her movements with his hands. The sensation Taiden gave through the force was very different when this technique was reversed to her, it was a light blanket folding downwards and so very careful, tender, touching her mind to his as a flower to a butterfly. There was almost no hint of impurity in his use of the force, cultivating purity all his life.

In fact, he was TOO gentle. Too reserved and holding back, cautious as ever of applying a new technique so intricately. This was her brain, he might damage it. There wasn’t inner doubt, there was just excessive caution. So for them both, Janick would need to exercise patience, or perhaps encourage him, whatever she wished.

Cautious time passed, but he was conscious too of not keeping them connected overly long. He received the data from her but it was not complete, as their connection was not fully integrated. Even the slightest discomfort from Janick would be met by further slowing the technique, concerned with her comfort, over balance for the time. With this weaker connection, he learned of safety stock but missed forecasting, for example, he learned of three months being important but not why.

Releasing the connection, there was a long pause afterward where he said nothing, just waited, trying to piece together the information. "I was unsuccessful in the transfer," Taiden said somewhat pained, his body language hadn't altered much but he had shifted in his chair.

[member="Janick Beauchamp"]​

 

[Janick Beauchamp]

"Hmm... it seems that using the light to download knowledge from people is bounded by more than what the Fundamental Inequality would predict on its own, the level of trust between the user and the source being a bottleneck: a deeper level of trust would presumably allow higher download speeds and better-quality transfers, and the same would likely hold true of Memory Rub, too. In both directions, one also needs a good feel for the other party's brain for best results"

While she could understand [member="Taiden Keth"] being very cautious, given the experimental nature of what was being done, she never seemed to incur any of the potential side effects of being used Drain Knowledge on. Then again, she was subjected to it so many times by now that she would not suffer from any discomfort when people download knowledge from her using the Force. Now I understand why it was thought impossible for light-siders: even if one was just as invasive as in a mind trick, and no more, it was difficult to achieve the level of trust necessary to replicate the same level of painless effectiveness with the light. A perfect memory is certainly a boon in this context, but I can also feel that his cautiousness may have resulted in a somewhat corrupted download, whose level of data corruption became clear after any discussion of demand forecasting began. There are three main methods in use in supply chain management: moving average, where one takes the average of the last three periods as your current forecast, exponential smoothing, when you want to "smooth out" anomalies in the demand, and then seasonal-factor forecasting, for when there are seasonal trends in the demand, Janick thought, while being patient with Taiden. By now Taiden must have realized Janick's brain was not simply well-developed... it was also sending some subconscious signal that she was capable of handling people that downloaded at speed.

 

[Taiden Keth]

“It might also be due to my misgivings,” Taiden offered, adding, “trust would certainly help. Trust in myself and that I won’t damage any connection or the other party involved.” He added for effect afterward, “you in this instance.” Often unsure whether people could fill in the details, or he needed to for their benefit. The Echani again first communicated with his body, words given as an afterthought to offer emphasis for her. As he felt her subconscious signals affecting him, his posture changed somewhat, sitting fully straight and making clear eye contact. Not knowing exactly why, but he had an understanding inside himself it was safe to proceed as a result.

There was, of course, a suitable pause before he acted as always.

The result was next time, a more stable and broad connection formed between their minds. More of him became visible to her. Gliding on a planet, graceful steps to avoid landing on anything. Care when walking in forests so not to break twigs. Listening to so many conversations, while silently working away in the background to himself. Not stepping into the limelight and really seeking training out, too busy reading or keeping to himself. There was a bookish, musty familiarity to it all perhaps, a feeling or sentiment of an old professor sitting in his chair smoking a pipe, while the fire roared and the outside world went about its business.

For Taiden’s part. Now he learned things of true import, in this critical new connection. The scholar learned practical skills, which was a rarity for Taiden. That was twice in one day she’d given him new insight. Moving averages or balance to his mind, forecasting of events, and what was used to prepare ahead of time. These were things he could visualize in his mind clearly. There was a great deal of keenness to this connection, whatever she’d felt before would be increased, he was thoroughly drawn to methodically analyze the information she offered.

Time was taken to digest these new images, memories, and information. Refreshments were still there, and a servant on hand to take any orders she might have while the three of them waited. Kei seemed used to it, he seemed to enjoy being here, especially as the years wore on. Amadis saw the appeal of being separated from the politics, the bickering and the chaos closer to home, he always had done. Like many Jedi before him, as he aged, he drew apart.


Taiden smiled eventually, sitting in a more familiar way, and bowing in his chair with his eyes closed. Pulling up again, he had a long set of questions. “Do you feel longer forecasts are a help or a hindrance?” There was more, he wanted insight too, as this was such a big topic to ask her to cover.

“Is there anything at all universally that helps dictate demand for the core. I certainly realise that question is huge and multifaceted. So rather than situational answers, I am seeking a simple answer, if one effecting factor exists which influences the entirety of the core, and then differs on rim respectively? Do you think it would be capacity, travel time, and availability more than anything which highlighted the difference between the rim and the core?“ He'd love to say some measure of order, or rather crime rate, but a central safety in this universe did not exist.

With that done, and a very keen curious student facing her. Taiden added, “my thanks, this was successful, you have given me a great gift and I insist you tell me what you would like in return.” The offer was given in a polite tone, but there was sincerity behind it in the force. She could ask a favor of him, and he would do his best to grant it.

[member="Janick Beauchamp"]​

 

[Janick Beauchamp]

"I would say it's a hindrance since the shifts in the economic conditions occur fast enough for the accuracy of longer-ranged forecasts to be impacted. As for the main differences between the Core and the rims seem to mostly boil down to capacity and availability, more so than even travel times, although travel times impact availability"

Now that [member="Taiden Keth"] actually built enough trust to get a good download from her, she knew that questions would pop up at some point, and it was, in fact, healthy because the user takes its learning one step further. She knew other potential users (or recipients in the case of Memory Rub) of that power were driven by laziness instead, especially if they could get clear downloads or infusions. She was also happy to see that, in the end, the one thing she came here for was successful, but she knew it would be more difficult for him to get the same quality of download from someone with a more "average" memory even at that level of trust, since there are risks of retrieval failures or even accidental destruction of storage, the latter being more severe than the former. Nevertheless, Janick knew that giving him such an opportunity would typically mean there would be at least a little compensation associated with it. She wasn't all for cash, but maybe a discount for the distribution of that book on Memory Rub/Drain Knowledge (the Utai Magic Circle earned 10% of the revenues associated with that book) would be helpful.

"Maybe using your services to distribute the book on Memory Run/Drain Knowledge, at a discount even"

 

[Taiden Keth]

Listening intently, Janick would find Taiden hung on every word as she spoke. There was a smile at the end of it and another polite bow of his head as she rounded off the lesson. The Kethborn thought her request over, “who would be the recipient?” Taiden would appreciate repaying the kindness here if the book went to the appropriate parties, not in the hands of younglings before they were ready for example. “Might I have a look at a copy?” That would settle it one way or the other. Though he had trust for Janick’s manual instruction, he wanted to be sure at her ability with the written word before committing to putting the material out there.

One thing he did have beyond Kei's reach, was connections to nobility on Thyrsus or Eshan for example, and he’d moved in scholarly circles all over the galaxy at this point in his life, meeting plenty of people that could distribute the book as a matter of course. “I know of many who might be interested in the material for research purposes, and you could extend your audience if we could amend a lightsider’s guide to the material,” he concluded.

“Perhaps a symposium is in order, on the rarer abilities in the galaxy,” Taiden offered. He’d never heard of a force-symposium, but doubtless force-knows now the idea had surfaced one would appear even if they didn’t decide on it themselves, such was the way of the force, he smiled slightly.

[member="Janick Beauchamp"]​

 

[Janick Beauchamp]

"Hehe: here is the hardcopy version" she answered, while handing the hardcopy version to [member="Taiden Keth"].

A symposium? I knew a Jedi or two that would present something there, like Griet, who, behind her public identity as an accountant, is in fact holding the same status with respect to Neural Storm as I am with Memory Rub/Drain Knowledge, Janick thought, upon hearing about the proposal that came with it was of interest to her. She would expect dark-siders in attendance present stuff like Odojinya, Waves of Darkness, and other exotic/dangerous-sounding powers if one such thing did, in fact, happen. Which caused her to perk up because of that possibility, and the NFUs that attend would likely be security specialists or, barring that, go there for entertainment, since the bread-and-butter of such a thing is, in fact, the powers themselves. Or so she would be led to think. But she knew that most people that actually saw the Force in use saw it used for what is considered common powers: telekinesis, mind trick, Force-lightning, Art of Movement, telepathy. For some of them it may as well be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see more exotic powers in use especially since those people are usually not going to fight them, or fight with them.

"I would expect a symposium of this nature to carry its share of risks, especially if some attendees intend to present highly dangerous Force-powers. However, there would probably be a much more limited audience without that stuff, since they tend to be the most spectacular. Such an audience will want to record every Force-power in use at a symposium on holocamera, and not just for research purpose. For example, I know that, if a Hutt hosted one such symposium, the entertainment aspect will take over the more scholarly aspect. Not that it's necessarily worrisome, just something to think about"

 

[Kei Amadis]

Kei would pipe up here because Kei had sat through a couple of these gatherings in times gone by. His memory clouded on this issue, from his chats with Matsu one thing was sure. “Also got to watch out for people taking center stage, like they own the discussion.” When it came to the force. Everybody was ready to tell everyone else how they had to be. He took a sip of the Corellian whiskey on the tray and then poured the rest back into the bottle, like that bottle was a precious piece of history, experienced one drop at a time.

“Avoid the philosophy and you might do alright.” Kei stood himself and nodded. He had to be elsewhere, “need to check on something. Taiden. Miss.” With that Amadis exited. You could tell he was less comfortable with or knowledgeable about where the discussion was going. “Watch you don’t blow something up,” Amadis said, as he exited to go for a walk out the front door.

Taiden accepted the book with clear thanks as he bowed. As she spoke further he was all ears, his natural caution playing against his desire to understand the force, and forming a mixed response. A response which as before was given after a suitable pause for consideration. “Hmm, you are both correct there is a danger. If it is more philosophical it would certainly be more combative, and if it is more practical there would be risks as you suggest, in either lower attendance or something worse happening.” His keen nature had perhaps got the better of his usual caution.

The Echani scholar looked out at the inner garden. “Do you care for a walk?” It was a simple garden, minimalist, and there were herbs scattered about, with a few small stone paths alongside the grass. Whether she did walk with him or not, he asked, “I should like to hear more about who taught you these techniques, if you would tell it.” He carried her book with him at this point, ready to study later or perhaps read if they found a spot of shade.

[member="Janick Beauchamp"]​

 

[Janick Beauchamp]

"I chose witchcraft because I didn't want to get embroiled in constant philosophical disputes"

Hutts typically wanted nothing to do with the philosophy portion, that much she knew. Sure she knew that Jedi-vs-Sith was a thing, and often drove philosophical disputes between FUs, much like [member="Kei Amadis"] warned her about. Thank the Force for the insularity of witchcraft, Janick thought, before she went to the to dig deeper in her memories as it pertained to Memory Rub and Drain Knowledge. Now that [member="Taiden Keth"] brought her to the garden, it was, in fact, pretty diminutive, but her own yard garden on the Fourth Moon of Utapau was only somewhat larger. But she seemed surprised to get asked the other four Ws of the circumstances surrounding her learning of Memory Rub/Drain Knowledge. She was rarely asked about how she learned the basic stuff at the onset, and never about how she discovered the Fundamental Inequality. But since the host was genuinely curious about the circumstances behind her learning Memory Rub/Drain Knowledge, she was ready to answer the various questions raised by his learning process and that often prospective MR/DK users often neglect.

"I knew often people asked questions mostly of a functional nature, if they did ask me anything about this. You want to understand me better as a person: I learned these two items from a holocron that was on Yutan at the time, before it got stolen in a Sith attack"

 

[Taiden Keth]

“My ancestry has been colorful”, Taiden confided in Janick, not something he often liked to advertise. “Today was a blessing that you came. I have struggled when confronted with older knowledge, or things which might lead me down paths I would rather not explore.” Today may have seemed easy from their lesson, but it had not been all that easy for him.

Finding a spot in the shade, the Kethborn gently sat on a three seater, small silver bench, sitting on top of a simple flat stone, “please join me,” he indicated a seat next to him. Everything was still kept immaculately, function over form in all of it. It was not a luxurious bench to sit in, but probably comfortable enough.

“Philosophical debates concern me also.” Confiding twice in one short spell of time. “It leads so often to further unnecessary fractures and strife as opposed to understanding.” He’d never got involved in things larger than he was, so speaking of these things was not natural. Perhaps a product of his ancestors incessant meddling in galactic affairs, as much as it was his quieter, reserved nature. Taiden smiled slightly that she felt the same, about just getting on with the business of learning and leaving others to argue why.

“I feel understanding each other, and ourselves is the only way we’ll ever live free of chaos, fear and worse,” he believed anyway. “Would you tell me about yourself, where you were born, your family, anything you wish. What else led you toward this discipline or technique, mere curiosity, or something deeper?” His posture clearly turned toward her, leaves were falling down behind them, a scenic serene place and designed to be exactly that for contemplation. Just out of the corner of their eyes lay a small meditation patch, off to their side, and designed to catch the morning sun.

[member="Janick Beauchamp"]​

 

[Janick Beauchamp]

"One of the main life-changing events in my life was the atrocity called Directive Twelve, which led to devastation on Coruscant. Before D12 happened, I was a chemical engineering student, but D12 forced me to drop out, since the institution was closed. Also, my parents were pretty unremarkable, so I won't spent much time on the topic, other than they believed education was the family's ticket out of the slums. You have to understand that the One Sith's Force-sensitivity detection grid of the era could somehow let some people slip past, especially since their resources were finite. Upper classes were typically prioritized for Sith training back then"

Yes, it was true that the Force-sensitivity detection grid was tighter than ever, but as far as she knew Jedi, she knew that detecting Force-sensitivity later in life was an issue. However, as much as she would have liked to tell [member="Taiden Keth"] more about why she even picked witchcraft in the first place, other than it being a third option for those Force-users that wanted some shelter from the philosophical disputes, she had to admit internally that it was the main reason. She couldn't be blamed: she saw first-hand the more extreme side of what can arise from Force-users' disputes. And yet, she knew it was often making other people uncomfortable when they are learning stuff that make them enact significant changes to their methods. Or that's what she could sense was happening in Taiden. And she knew similar feelings of discomfort were common in anyone else undergoing deep learning from anything other than a blank slate. Plus she was rather used to knowing that, to outsiders it may have looked easier than it actually was for the active participants.

"I'm grateful that witchcraft allow people to join at any age, so it made easier for a witch coven to absorb outside knowledge whenever it was available. I was disgusted by the fallout from Directive Twelve, which I knew ultimately was the result of philosophical disputes. I'm also grateful for the chemical knowledge I have: it made my alchemical life much easier, when I still did alchemy. Speaking of which, I did craft alchemical electronics, the most infamous of which allowed Force-users to both upload and download from their memories to the HoloNet"

 

[Taiden Keth]

Taiden listened to all and said nothing for a while. Listening hard. He had heard of the one Sith tragedies across the galaxy, assisting in a small part where he thought he was able. A word here, or a gesture there at the right time. Their influence had never fully encompassed him, but they had harmed or killed those he had served or assisted in times gone by, much as the Sith Empire did to this day.

“Even with the gaps in their grid. You suffered a great deal of hardship, then additionally having to avoid and hide yourself. Yet you sit here renewed with clear purpose and direction, a teacher for me to learn from,” he eventually answered her. A compliment or reassurance in an Echani way, given with a measure of respect. Wondering if it might help, she did not seem to need such reassurance, but he had been told often that people benefited from it.

This place was far from the ravages of any monarch, faction, even separated from much of Dac as it was, laying in its own small world. “ I lose the days here, and the year's truth be told. I sometimes forget what others experience in the wider galaxy, and it is to my loss, life moves so very quickly.” The breeze picked up gently, rustling some leaves that would soon be tidied up, she might almost see Taiden plotting their course to remember their path for later. There were always small tasks to seen to closer to home.

“Do you feel that without philosophical differences, that most force created conflict would cease, or just the more grandiose and terrifying events?” Obviously, there were other catalysts, much more mundane than views of the force. The answer might be simple, but he was gauging her for the next question before putting it to her, “do the witches not discord at times philosophically on their course of action, or is the need for uniformity completely superfluous to their way of life?” Here he was especially interested, given how he too felt about such disputes, but aware that his interested curiosity might provoke painful memories, and so was watching for a sign that she was in any way uncomfortable in her body language. Never once had Taiden sat down and talked to a force witch, nor had he ever envisioned himself getting a moment of their time so freely like this.

As was custom for this time of day, a servant brought a jug of twice distilled water over, and Taiden offered her a glass. Sampling exactly one-third of his own water, in measured amount and time. “Alchemical Electronics, please, tell me more.” If she read any body language at all from him, he was leaning inward toward her ever so slightly, like his posture was clearly drawn to learn more. A small herbalist in his own way, she may see a patch or two dedicated to that function here.

[member="Janick Beauchamp"]​