Open Doors (CIS Knight of Obsidien)

[Kurenai Yumi]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eMUXVo5zq6A&list=PL6akIKaXBeU2Grz-eLgC_o7ddAxfYfGQl&index=1​

Location: Monastery, Isayama Dojo
Time: Around 10am

It was a fairly ambient day on the sparsely populated word of Monastery, a light breeze flowing through the what most would assume be temple grounds, as some type of birds chirped in the distance. Perhaps if one was an Echani or Riben-Jin such would be correct, combat and the art of fighting with more emphasis on style and getting a feel for your opponent's being a central part of their culture. Even so the over all the complex was a training ground, a place for Kurenai to pass her skills onto those who would seek it, well that was what it was meant to be.

One way or another [member="Darth Metus"] had gotten wind of the private project and to her surprise had requested that she hold a training event of sort for the Knights of Obsidian. It was actually a very odd request, well more order then such, but either way Kurenai had not expected the Confederacy to even give much thought about the traditionalist style complex let alone use it for the factions force order. Were they lacking proper facilities back on Geonisis? or had the Viclord actually taken an interest in the rather minimalist Atrisian styled abode, all question she could ask later, for now the Dark Jedi master needed to prepare for her new guests.

For better or for worse there was not really anything to prepare as of yet, the place literately having been finished and finalized but a few days ago. The all the rooms newly furnished, shocked and cleaned, not so much as a stray leaf covering the courtyard. For know Kurenai would wait, sitting idly on the Azushi styled home steads stairs, eye focused on the small entrance way. Herself currently donned in a rather contrasting black and white Kimono with gold trim separating the colors, a sash to hold it around the tall woman's waist and a small parasol to abate the sun light. Yes, as of now the often combat dressed Energy Vampire looked nothing like her usual self. For once in a while Kurenai appeared to be a person one could talk to, "this... is going to be an interesting day, I just hope things go well".

Would the other Knights appreciate the place? would they be board? would they even come? heck would the others even accept her as a Trinita Obsidian? Kurenai's new position among the Confederacy that for the most part had not really been discussed or well known among the ranks. Well from her point of view anyways, it was not like she talked with many people, perhaps today that would change. If not no mind, the doors where always open for other individuals that sough training but had not allegiance to the Confederacy.

OK members a few others

Spoiler

[member="Darth Metus"], @Aedan Miles, [member="Akabane"], [Member="Alden Kyr'Nau"], [member="Aleksander Miles"], [member="Alistair Myre"], [member="Alyva Terrix"], [member="Amaya Cardei"], [member="Anastasia Verd"], [member="Anya Malvern"], [member="Aoker Veru"], [member="Aova Nerys"], [member="Arabella Darkhold"], [member="Aria Lyr"], [member="Arlox"], [member="Averin An'Arach"], [member="Aya Clarke"], [[member="BX-72967"], [member="BX-73300"], [member="BX-75244"], [member="Chalim Vern"], [member="Chek Zun"], [member="Connor Harrison"], [member="Dakita Calfur"], [member="Dalton Kenway"], [member="Darth Atrox"], [member="Darth Illisus"], [member="Darth Inanis"], [member="Darth Malus"], [member="Darth Nius"], [member="Darth Phren"], [member="Darth Rixas"], [member="Darth Seraphic"], [member="Darth Zurvan"], [member="Daxton Bane"], [member="DE-16"], [member="Derek Dib"], [member="Dinah Vekarr"], [member="Duidatos"], [member="DV8-420"], [member="Ella Nova"], [member="Emberly Carrick"], @Er'in Tenel, [member="Faa Vera"], [member="Faustina Beryll"], [member="Fidelis"], [member="Galven Hansol"], [member="Gorm"], [member="Hades Dai"], [member="Iris Issey"], [member="Irys Arist'lar"], [member="Ithiel Verd"], [member="Jasmine Zittoun "], [member="Jaya Tandris"], [member="Jayce Pryde"], [member="Jennifer Blanchard"], [member="Jia Darkhold"], [member="Jorco Czeku"], [member=Kaiya Halcyon"], [member="Kal Jaii"], [member="Kal Kandossii"], [member="Karlie Lynn Destat"], [member="Kas Varad"], [member="Katria Vekarr"], [member="Khia Varad"], [member="Kilia"], [member="Kurayami Bloodborn"], [member="Lady Psyona"], [member="Lanna"],[member="Lewis"], [member="Lola An'Arach"], [member="Lord Metallum"], [member="Luna Terrik"], [member="Lyla Quinn"], [member="Maple Harte"], [member="Marcus Lund"], [member="Marek Starchaser"], [member="Maxerian Gron"], [member="Meira"], [member="Miki Starfallen"], [member="Mira Talus"], [member="Muad Dib"], [member="Mythira"], [member="Nasho Vesh"], [member="Nayru Wyndaru"], [member="Nicholas Covosi"], [member="Nilia Saavilin"], [member="One-Eyed Jack Varren"], [member="Orion Trex"], [member="Paige Blossom"], [member="Pitts Carnegue"], [member="Prime"], [member="R4N-JR"], [member="Rale Elysar"], [member="Rex Taff"], [member="Riggs"], [member="Rima Orwray"], [member="Rosaline Rousseau"], [member="Ryker Wylde"], [member="Samantha Jade"], [member="Shadar-Pox"], [member="Sko'saht"], [member="Srina Talon"], [member="Surnin Strenger"], [member="Taran Holt"], [member="Tevro"], [member="The Fallen"], [member="Titan"], [member="Tmoxin Temi"], [member="Tyrande of Isobe"], [member="Tyris Hayes"], [member="Tytos Ardik"], [member="Zephyr Carrick"], [member="Zesiro"],

 

[Daxton Bane]

On one side of the training facility, Daxton stood in the middle of serene sand garden. It was purported that the sand had been illegally obtained from Tantooine, at great cost and stealth although there was no one willing to confirm or deny the rumor. Wearing only a crisp white martial arts pants, the Sith Lord’s upper torso was covered in old scars and tribal tattoos, a thin sheen of sweat covered his skin as he concentrated using the Force to shift the sands, to and fro in what initially appeared to be random patterns.

Three lightsabers hung from his hip, within easy reach should someone wish to spar or even duel. His eyes were orange orbs that burned with golden light, yet he saw not his surroundings, instead his gaze was focused into the inner spiral of Force, thousands upon thousands of Life strands each intertwined by the Force, a billion lives touching one another but still unaware of their connection, and there he was in the center, the ever patient spider moving pawns back and forth to deeper goal that still yet to be realized.

He stood there for hours, yet it was still possible someone would screw up the courage to disturb his inner musings...

 

[Ahani Najwa-Zambrano]

I have no use for nostalgia, anymore. I bled it away in that damnable gameshow. Coming across this… [member="Kurenai Yumi"]’s Atrisian-style building, I watch the roof tiles long enough to remember that I too lived in Atrisia, once.

A blink ago, in fact. The Atrisian Empire was a galactic player on the stage of the swirling political idiots, and I, newly released from my crystalline coffin, needed a reference point. They’d called their architecture retro, then. A resurgence from the past Empire from which birthed me… or some such lie, or some such truth, or some such mixture of both.

I was born in a tumult. Raised in a scream the moment my father’s bifurcated carcass hit the ground in two separate thuds.

Here we are, with another high and mighty ‘I’ve a title’ standing in another ubiquitous training ground, waiting for the dawdling masses to pepper in with their varying degrees of ruler-measuring and skills to learn. Clad in my Echani light armour bearing the sigils and marks of my people’s refugee enclave on Sabarene, silver hair tied back from my face, I walk up to this Termini.. Teribintha… Trini-whatever.. the swarthy mook-master, look at her deep in the settled eyes.

“Eh.” Nothing more to say. My desertion of Yumi’s personal space is neither cautious nor bold. It carries with it merely the disinterest of one who cannot hold my attention. Pulling my arms across my chest, I pad off toward [member="Daxton Bane"].

Think I saw him once… in a dream or a vision, or a commercial for horn care products. Either way, he’s in motion, even if his body is not. The sand beneath him curls and unfurls, and gyrates with a rhythm that sends shivers down my spine.

Yes, that’s better for it. As I walk toward him, my feet stop touching the ground. I levitate a few inches off it, so as not to disturb his sand. Men get funny about women disturbing their sand.

Or is it when women disturb something else?

Do you know, I quite believe I forgot entirely. My grey eyes stare at his shoulder. I want to poke it with a stick. Do I remember him from somewhere? No. I mustn’t. It’s probably the sand. It’s far more interesting than a building erected on the memories of a faulty foundation.

 

[Daxton Bane]

For a moment the pair stood in silence, Daxton and the floating [member="Ahani Najwa"], sharing the same moment in blissful peace, then the Sith Lord calmly nodded to himself, pleased in his creation and smiled. For if one could view the top one would see a the sigil of Daxton Bane, a skull with lashing tentacles flanked by heavenly wings bound in circular helix filled with strange runes.

With a deep breath he closed his eyes and dismissed the projection from his mind, revealing that they were actually standing on a rustic wooden dojo training hall. The sand that seemed so real, felt so real, was actually on a totally different planet all together, as the Zen Garden was actually a Force Projection of Daxton, a demonstration of his power within the Force, no easy task for even those of great knowledge.

A pair of droids approached, one carrying the upper portion of his robe, which assisted him to don it while the other patiently waited on the side with a small pot of fragrant tea and several serving bowls.

“Hello there. I hope wasn’t much of a distraction. My name is Daxton Bane, might I have the pleasure of your acquaintance?”

 

[Kurenai Yumi]

Kuernai had wondered where the sand [member="Daxton Bane"] sat in came from, she surely had not ordered it, did the Sith Lord bring it himself? who knew, but one thing was certain she would have the Zabrak take it out at the end of the day. Though the presiding master was very much interested in the reasoning for bringing the sand along, had Bane gotten a Dojo confused with a temple or shrine? if so perhaps she could extent the complex a little to the nearby hill and make one there, besides if the Force Order was to use this place more often more facilities would be necessary to increase the amount accomidation and just over all area to avoid crowding.

Looking to the side she failed to notice a new face entering the courtyard, a small "Eh" being the only thing to take Kurenais attention away from the Red skinned Sith, glaceing to the Ehcani that now stood in front of her. Proud, disinterested, typical of Echani she had met, automatically thinking they where better then other, but something was different. It was not the same 'look I am better then you' gaze that past Echani had, not it was a legitimate sense of seeing something that one had seen to many times, an expression that Kurenai herself had used in the past. "Is she, no... maybe? it is worth a try at least".

It was a least a try, the hard part was asking that difficult question, but if Kurenai could sense it then perhaps she could as well. Getting up from the kneeling position the Energy Vampire slowly wandered over to the 'temporary' sand garden at the two finishing conversing, clearing her throat a little to gain the newcomers attention. "Salutation and welcome to my humble abode, I am glad you took time out of your busy scheduled to come here, but do not force yourself to stay if you find it boring, attendance is not mandatory". Hopefully that was respectful enough, as of late everything Kurenai said seemed to piss people off, thinking she was just some abrasive 25 year old hothead.

[member="Ahani Najwa"]

 

[Daxton Bane]

Where there was once was sand zen garden was now gone, Daxton having dismissed the projection through the Force, a variation of the power reported to have been used by the legendary Jedi Master Skywalker. But instead of projection himself to place, he had done the opposite and projected, although temporarily, a location into this place.

The only lingering evidence of the sand actually being there was residual wave of heat in the air and very faint smell of ozone. Turning to his host, he bowed politely to [member="Kurenai Yumi"] as gesture of respect and said, “Thank you for your hospitality, I was about to have some tea. Would you care for some?”

 

[Ahani Najwa-Zambrano]

Swirling sand maneuvering in waves and rivulets steals my attention so thoroughly I’m alone here but for one red-skinned Zabrak. Lips spread up in a smile, childlike in its’ discovery of the sigil and winged runic creation. Peace. Sweet and bought by might, a true peace unlike the Jedi and their false detachment from recognizable things. Hovering above the churning sands is hovering over a gift as warm and comforting as a warm bed and hot meal.

“Oh.” A whimpering call for the sand comes out of my throat unbidden. The sand was beautiful, it was wicked and calm. I search for it, reaching down until his voice coats the air like honey on the comb.

Distraction. Name. Bane. Might. Pleasure. Acquaintance… words and words from [member="Daxton Bane"]. The jetties and angles of his svelte markings accost my eyes as they chase up his body to his horned brow.

The scent of green leaves and flowers catches me, cajoling me from the loss of the undulating sand. Distraction bane, whose name might acquaint with pleasure… no, the bane of pleasure’s distraction, with a mighty name. No.

Padding to the droid with the tea, I take the pot and a bowl, pouring some and handing the pot back to the droid, or if I’m honest, dropping it after I poured myself a bowl. “Bowl of tea, is that like cup of soup?”

“Ah… aha-n…” [member="Kurenai Yumi"] enters our personal space, assaults it with her presence, her… words. Words, words, words, these people talk endlessly with words. Hasn’t the universe experienced enough words?

“Schedule.” A croak to my voice levels the air around my body, bathing it in sound.

“Eat when ‘m hungry. Sleep when ‘m tired. Fight when ‘m piqued… schedule… schedule.” Silver eyes flicker down to my feet. The urge to divine a grand tale for the location of my missing shoe dies off as I kick off its’ twin and let it fall as it may.

Metus might get mad I lost another pair, but he neither owns me nor does more than give a fixed point to the vault of stars. I hug the bowl of tea, wait. Did I finish my name? They can’t tell my name unless I say it, they don’t have the skill.

They cannot see the stutters of my muscles, which reveal my tangled mind, nor the old fashioned method I use to walk and grab tea. They see not the timelessness of my stances, or the identity revealed by all who grow in the Echani way. I am out of my time, and of too much of it, a being of the Living Force, of instinct and a cobbled sanity. A duellist at ill peace with myself.

“Ah.. Ahani! I’m here! Here… The Bane of Distraxton brought tea. Have tea… tea is appropriate for… things and… Distraction Bane, m-my name is Ahani. M-mat-tron of House Najwa a-and K-keth. Bring back the sand. That one didn’t see it. Not close enough… I show up to things. Places and people and events and time-places. Schedules… there’s no such thing.”

These words are not working. They’re clunky and useless, and I hate them as I speak them. Picking up both legs, I suspend in midair, wrapping one arm around my knees, while my eyes remain at eye-level with the others. I thrust out the empty cup of tea I hold.

More. I want more.

“You’re familiar but I don’t know why. Have I tried to bifurcate you lately, Distraxton Bane?”

 

[Daxton Bane]

With a smile that gives no hint of discomfort or confusion, Daxton pours [member="Ahani Najwa"] another cup before indicating to [member="Kurenai Yumi"] if she would like some as well. The tea is warm, and soothing with hint of flavor of winterberries and roses. No anyone who would notice, while he seemed to at ease, each motion in serving the tea was precise and efficient, no wasted movement or unnessary gesture.

“I am not certain if I overstepped my boundaries as a guest when I did, my dear Ahani. Very few actually appreciate the purity of sand, I find it soothes me and helps quell the restless voices of the past.” Pausing to take a sip of tea, he ponders her last question. “Not that I recall at the moment, but we could spar if you are interested.”

 

[Kurenai Yumi]

Force projection? that was not a skill she had seen practiced before, but if anyone was to pull it off not doubt the Zabrak Sith lord would be able to pull it off, after all he had the strength to rip walls apart with a flick of the wrist, why not distort time and space to make yourself in a sand bed. 'Okay really have to add an extension to this place, I can see this becoming a regular occurrence', though she was still a little surprised that [member="Daxton Bane"] was into this type of training. Guess the old saying was true, can't judge a book by it's cover... dammit not she was thinking about her age again. She gave a small shake of the head turning attention back to the Zabrak, "wait did you bring your own tea or are you using mine"? probably one of the few things she was good at, tea making, it was an odd skill she developed while in the mercenary work, but people seemed to like her brews.

Turning back she focused on the new woman as they took the Atrisian style tea drinking bowl, one that was more used for ceremonies than casual use, but no harm done, unless they broke it. Her response to the posed question was odd, but once again it carried the sense of 'I am used to this' a person who had been subjected to the same thing over and over again, just making Kurenai more suspicious of the woman's age. More that hat her stance, poise, everything was that of a mature woman, much older then the person looked, everything about her being old fashion, even the accent, 'she has to be, there is no doubt about it, or at the very least another time traveler'.

Before Kurenai could voice anymore question to woman continued on in a rather stuttering fashion, that of someone who seemed cold, it was very odd, but also intriguing. "Well I can understand that about time, lose track of it and it flies past faster that one can keep track of, though you know only fading into memory". Perhaps she would understand that, perhaps not but it was true either way, many people she knew and called friends just being memories, not history records for people to read, just her recollection of the past. Turning back to Daxton she accepted the tea, offering a small bow to the man, taking in the aroma, peaceful and alluring, nothing like herself in the heat of battle, but here in their quite place it was perfect.

"If you wish to spar you may do it in the courtyard or Dojo, the only rule is nothing to cause mass destruction, I know you are capable of that Daxton", last thing she needed was the newly made complex to become a ruin. "If you would permit me would I be able to watch your sparing session? there is still so much I need to learn about fighting and the force".

 

[Daxton Bane]

Daxton nodded to [member="Kurenai Yumi"], before replying to her question. “Actually these are from my personal supply. But if you enjoy it I can make arrangements for some to delivered to you.” Some would consider that to be a generous offer, but the Sith Lord was a class onhis own. As head of Red Ravens, he controlled fleet of commercial and quasimilitary vessels that plied the trade routes from the Outer Rim to the Inner Core, so it would be easy for him to divert a heavy freighter to make one such delivery if he wanted to.

“You cut me to the quick, my dear. While it is true that I am capable of immense levels of violence, I would hate to cause destruction of that level here. After all there is a time and place for everything, even for a Harbringer like myself. Still if Ahani doesn’t object, I would be honored to have you observe but perhaps you would be interested in a friendly match yourself?”

 

[Ahani Najwa-Zambrano]

These people talk in riddles and overbearing words.

“I want to see you move, don’t break my stuff… ugh. Wh-hat’s the point of sparring with my hands tied behind my back? Do this, don’t do this, spar that, don’t maim it… you know what’s wrong with you people?” I step into the ring and flop onto my back on the ground, kicking one foot atop the other.

“Rules. You, long haired. You’ve been looking at me like a kid dying to ask a question. Ask it or turn around… you… Distraxton… if I win will you bring back the sand?” I don’t bother looking up. A fissure takes place, three Ahani’s entering the training area.

“Confederacy… don’t let me do anything… eh. You’d better be good for it, Distraxton.” The three images speak in tandem. I roll over on my belly and pick at the grass.

[member="Daxton Bane"]

 

[Daxton Bane]

A smile crosses Daxton’s lips as his challenge was accepted and a wager made. “Agreed. You win, I bring back the sand. I win you promise to sing me a song from your youth.” He counter proposed to [member="Ahani Najwa"], as the droid took the cups and backed away to a safe distance, preferably somewhere with thick stone walls or perhaps a military hardened facility.

Bowing politely to the women, Daxton stepped into the training area, his breaths calm and measured, actions careful and deliberate. Taking position, he adapts what appears to be a defensive stance, legs parted and braced for a possible explosion of motion, arms circled in slow arcs as Daxton tapped into the Force to increase his speed and strength, muscles rippling and gleaming with sweat, the movement growing faster and faster with each blink of an eye, until it was all a blur of motion. Unseen by the naked eye, tentacles of Force, thick pulsing appendages of the Dark Side energy emerged from his back, eight tenebrous coils of power bobbed and weaved in the air like venomous reptiles seeking soft flesh to sink their fangs into.

While invisible to the naked eye, each tentacle as a powerful telepathic extention that Daxton could manipulate like extra appendages. Individually they contained the strength and power of the Dark Lord, in combination, it allowed him the capability to stop a star fighter in mid air and reduce it to scrap in a heartbeat.

Daxton made a gesture to his opponent as if to signal he was ready for the duel to start, a wicked grin creeping across his lips unconsciously as he waited for his foe to make the first move.

 

[Kurenai Yumi]

She gave a small sigh at both [member="Daxton Bane"] and [member="Ahani Najwa"] response, this was a place or learning, not a simple brawl pit, she was surpised by Daxtons comment, but a little annoyed by Ahani's comment on fighting. "Just try not do blow up the entire place, I may be rich but I would rather not be calling the construction crew back one a month to rebuild the entire complex, you are an Echani no? You of all people should understand there is more to fighting then just cuaisn damage, a Dojo is just as much a school as it is an area to test one's strength".

"As for the question you pose, I am interested in you... how do I put it, age, you carry yourself in a manner that is very mature, more so you style of speech and disinterested look makes me feel you are far beyond your looking age". Perhaps she was wrong, perhaps she was not, but one thing was for certain this Ahani woman definitely had a deal of experience up their sleeves. On another note what was the deal with the sad? Perhaps she should make a Zen garden of some sorts, perhaps extend the Dojo to a small shrine or some sorts to appease those looking for spiritual guidance.

As the two went to face off Kurenai sat back down near the steps, calling a small cup of tea into hand as she watch and observed how the two would fight, yes Daxton was strong, but as an Echani Ahani probably would have the upper hand, only time would tell though.

 

[Daxton Bane]

Daxton’s face was utterly calm as he waited for his opponent to make the first move. He wasn’t too concerned should they do much damage, after all his personal reserves would be more than enough to pay for any damage done. Time enough for details later, his focus was this fight which should entertaining to say the least.

His pose was defensive, inviting for her to make the first strike as he wanted to probe her strength, speed and reach. His tentacles flicked in anticipation, both moving fluidly through the air but solid enough to block whatever she threw his way.