Random Encounters

[Zaiden Dean]

"The difference is rather simple really. An ally will come to your aid when you request it, but will possibly deny it. An ally will stand at your side from the start, but potentially might ignore you." Zaiden said, a small turn of expression showed a bit of a sour look, remembering past allies that had not come at his call, "A friend however, will be there at the start, knowing they could choose to not, unless forced to absolutely not be. A friend will come, and run to do so, when called.

"And yes generally a friendship takes time to claim as such, but I choose to announce the starting point early on. If I do not make it known I see you as a friend, you might choose to ignore the possibility. Therefore a potential friendship is forever avoided." He paused, "Think like this. Starting the relationship early, could lead to a friendship lasting a hundred years. Choosing to wait and not announce the potential, a year down the line you have already forgotten me.

"I am an old soul. I have seen much, and know more." His voice was calm, a stoic expression reaching across his features.

When she asked her next question though, his vision went stormy, dark as they could come. If a look could commit suicide for its wearer, Zaiden would be deceased in an instance, "That exhibit features the bones of as many creatures as could be found, from a time when I destroyed life on a planet. No I will not go into which, fore that information could be used by your superiors. I used ancient magics and alchemy to drop a small army of Undead on the planet... After not a single form of life save foliage, is left to breathe.

"My people felt this was an immense show of power, allowing others to see first hand, upon entry, how powerful their God King is." Zaiden continued, "If you seek inquiry, yes I did my best to fix the problem, severing their ties to sorcery through annihilation, and bringing about a small portion of peoples to the planet once more to retake it for the better. Also, yes i can still perform the magics required to redo that event, but no, I do not want to ever again."

 

[Bryn Celli Ddu]

There was only one difference between friend and ally by what Vokun said. That was a large difference. A single word defined friendship and that was choice. Nodding at the meaning sunk in, she stuck by her choice and nodded.

"Well, Vokun, I choose to give this a try."

Since that was the difference and he also decided to announce it and had made his choice, Bryn went along with it. She still did not know how to be a friend though. It would either come to her or her conditioning would prevent it from happening and that was something she never thought of or considered. What if she couldn't form a bond with somebody on a personal level?

"I highly doubt I will last a hundred years."

That was the price one paid for being almost nothing more than cannon fodder in a government. Even if the two of them parted ways, Bryn did not feel she would ever forget him or what he taught her. Not wanting to think about that, she pushed the thought away and focused on the now.

He answered her question and it was accepted with a show of stoic calm and she didn't even blink an eye in surprise. Maybe she was copying his own previous look, but that wasn't the case now. His look was very dark and she wanted to probe that situation a bit more. She could tell it caused him pain and discomfort though and hesitated a few moments.

"Why did you do it?"

As an amoral person, this was asked out of curiosity not because she that it was wrong.

[member="Vokun"]

 

[Zaiden Dean]

"At the time, I was building my own army. I was trying to take over the Lords of the Fringe, a massive faction that had dozens of planets under its power. I figured I would make a better leadership than the way they had in place." Zaiden said, then sighed. It was the truth, and saying it brought back deep memories. He had fought friends, killed innocents... How had he ever gotten over his actions? This man was possibly one of the darkest that had ever lived... Or at least he was at one point. Recent turns did show complete turn in personality since then. But did it erase what he had done...

Maybe some day.

"Anyway, past that, you might see a large Uller beast. That was the first that my company had used to make their breed a larger stock within the companies Zoological respites." Zaiden gestured to the project, "Using the deceased's bones, we can make their ability to withstand kinetic damage into our own alchemical devices."

He walked slowly, listening to the surrounding narrators explaining points in time of the arrival of the "Gods" orriginally so long ago. One was playing the informational approach to the prophecy that said he was the Corporeal God of Shadows. Another was explaining his original steps on the planet. Down a hall nearby was the one that he enjoyed most, it held the history of their economical approaches since the beginning. It was very, very long. Each step told of grand buildings, huge projects, vast companies and their reaches. It was humbling for him. At the very end was the largest, explaining JAC and Merr-Sonn Inc, as well as how they fused into Ahvulan, his company, which was the largest of their history.

"Well, we have several directions we can go. Down that way is the business aisle, over there," He gestured to the northern hall, "Explains our economical approach, and the people that have held rank here. To the west, over there," Another gesture, "Is where they have the nature aisle. Its all up to you."

[member="Bryn Celli Ddu"]

 

[Bryn Celli Ddu]

It almost seemed as if he regretted the choices he had made back then.

"Did you succeed or fail? Your words indicate you failed."

She asked this in a hushed tone that was meant for the museum, but her attention was divided between him and the display they were talking about. However, he changed the focus and mentioned the large beast after it. This time he made it clear he didn't want to continue talking about the first display.

Not walking behind him, Bryn was at his side. It seemed the main section here was a general outline of this world as a whole. Picking up on his motions, how he carried himself, she picked up what excited him the most here. Her curiosity was perked by him and she wanted to give his offer of friendship a real chance.

"Show me what you know the most about."

Looking up at him, her mismatched eyes met his and the corners of her mouth tipped up just ever so slightly before falling back down to her normal calm facade.

[member="Vokun"]

 

[Zaiden Dean]

Zaiden noticed her looking at him and smiled a little, more than her own, but not a full smile. She amused him, and was almost what he would call adorable. Gesturing to the North, "I am kind of really extremely versed in a long line of those that have held titles. I have to being King." He gestured for her to walk ahead, to lead the way. This was a way to show her that he viewed her as an equal already. As she would pass, considering he would wait forever until she did, he would also have a moment to truly examine her. His eyes would pass over her form, not lewdly, but with more than just a keen obvserving eye.

Finding her pleasing, he next reached his senses out to touch her with his mind. To understand her body as it was truly. He was shocked, enough to drop his jaw a moment, to sense that she had plenty of cybernetics inside of her. It wasn't just her eye. This did not upset him either, for he could easily remember when he himself was literally half cyborg. His fething legs had been cut off at the waist. He had needed replacements. This had led him on a small bender of reshaping the body he was in. Of course that had been rectified later through moving to a new body, but this lady being truly cybernetic had surprised him. He would not lie.

"To answer your previous question, it was both. The planet was infected down to the last organism. But I was killed before I could attempt to utilize the full army." Zaiden admitted, then shrugged, "It was no small feat, the defeat and the act of infection." He was silent a moment until they came upon a stand that was to their right, after entering the hall. Inside the display, which was covered by a force field, was a few men standing side by side, "From the left that is Count Zirosh, Tenteh, Macros, Pug, and Zentus. Each was known as the first of what Val'hala would recognize in the present times as Counts. Back then they did not really have titles to bestow other than Hero and God and the like. But it still was roughly the same as a present day Count.

"They recieved their property and basic nobility, in response toward their actions. They had assisted in the defeat of a warring nation that had sought to kill the then queen. But she had been much more than the enemy had thought, sending these men toward certain doom, sacrificing them on a mission to reactivate a turret cannon. They succeeded, and the tide turned, driving back the enemy. It was also unknown to the queen at the time but that enemy was actually off worlders. So incredibly rare was it, that it simply couldn't have been that."

[member="Bryn Celli Ddu"]

 

[Bryn Celli Ddu]

She turned and nodded when he made his motion for her to take the lead in going into the direction he indicated. He might be king, god and ruler here, but his action dictated he wanted her to go first. Listening to what he said, she felt his attention on her.

That might be due to her training or something else. Somehow Bryn just knew and sensed his observation. What he was thinking, she didn't know or sense from him, but it didn't really matter. She was who and what she was, there was no changing that. There was no distaste though and that was good in her mind.

He did address her hushed question eventually as they walked up to one of the displays in this section. For the moement, she forgot she was supposed to be remembering what she learned to make her report and somehow she changed. Instead of being an agent of the Sith, she was a young woman on her own and sharing a budding friendship with somebody that had been a stranger not long ago.

Turning her attention to the display in front of them, she relaxed and on her face, she showed her curiosity.

"What happened to the queen?"

Looking up at him again, she drank the last of the wine he had given her and kept a hold of the empty glass.

[member="Zaiden Dean"]

 

[Zaiden Dean]

Zaiden smiled, “Nothing for a time at that point, she lived for a decent length.” He gestured to the next display, “This is Verissa, she was our first to hold Council with the Queen.” He added, “The same as the prior Queen.” He then paused, “Anyway, she was of note for saving the Queen at a Ball in her honor. She was said to be close to drinking a glass of wine handed to her by a hidden assasin, but Verissa saw the danger through unknown means, stopping the Queen in her tracks. At the time, abruptly doing as said, could have been lethal. But the Queen handed the drink to her company, with intent to berate the girl, however mid transition a drop fell to the ground.

“From that, a burst of smoke arose. It was an acid that would have killed the Queen surely. But through those actions, she was saved. Hence allowing her a position to assist the Queen.” Zaiden finished, pausing as his assistant from earlier finally arrived. With him were a set of glasses that would make the displays 3D, as well as drinks, and other things to help the slow walk through something like this.

Holding out a set of glasses, he said, “These will make the fun much more.” At that he also reached into the sack that was handed to him, pulling out a bottle of water, gesturing to the woman, “Thirsty...” He paused, then grinned, trying to see if he could get a reaction from her, “-beautiful?”

[member="Bryn Celli Ddu"]

 

[Bryn Celli Ddu]

The history was quite interesting and a question crossed her features for a moment before she gave it voice. Bryn allowed him to finish speaking and it gave her time to form the question in her mind.

"Was it the Force that she used?"

Unknown means could be a few things, but that was the first that came to mind. Something she did like about the story was how a woman was able to advance in life. Going from a nobody to a Council member and assistant to royalty.

The man he had spoken to earlier came and found them carrying a few things. She stepped to the side slightly to allow him the chance to give Vokun what he had requested. Looking down at the glasses he held out, she accepted them.

Shaking her head when he asked if she was thirsty, she felt her face coloring at the compliment.

"No, thank you. I just finished that wine off. What is beauty and how does know it is?"

[member="Zaiden Dean"]

 

[Zaiden Dean]

"You are beautiful." Zaiden laughed, "I wanted to get a rise out of you. Don't worry. You have just been so stoic the whole time." He said, before shrugging, "Anyway, honestly I am not sure. No one is. The woman never admitted how she knew. It could have been she saw the cup being poisened to begin with. Could have been she had some ancient scanner, one that read the cup for its ingredients and she happened to know it was poisened. Hell, it could have been she was in on it from the very begginning, orchestrating it to make it seem as if she did a good deed.

"That last bit has always been a thought of my own. I mean come on, some person just shows up, never explains how she knew, what happened to lead to the events, never showed signs of force or magical talents afterward. Two plus two equals four, and this situation equals an inside job if you ask me." he finished his rant, shrugging again then taking a large gulp of his water. It made no sense, from an outsiders point of view, to drink liquor then water, as the water would counter the liquor. But still, he no longer drank just to get drunk. No, he had grown to enjoy the taste of a fine drink.

Pointing a finger toward the exhibit, suddenly a ball of light formed over the fake council, and from it a beam that struck her face. He, using his photokinesis, had conjured a spotlight that shined in her face like a bad sitcom, "She was guilty from the start." He turned his gaze down to tthe woman, "Any thoughts?"

[member="Bryn Celli Ddu"]

 

[Bryn Celli Ddu]

If the coloring of her cheeks was a rise, then he got one from her. The story and theory he gave was certainly interesting. She couldn't help but agree. Something was a little odd though...

"If she was in on things from the beginning, why did she save the queen's life? Maybe she had a turn of heart at the time of the event and decided to not allow the queen to be murdered. Were the people ever found that made the attempt?"

Even while she was speaking, there was a thought in her mind about what he had said previously. Nobody had ever told her she was beautiful so she wasn't entirely sure how to react.

"Thank you."

As he performed his feat with the Force, she turned back to the display. Since he had said it wasn't a weakness to show emotion, she had a look of wonder in her eye.

"I sometimes wish I could do stuff like that."

Letting out a sigh, she focused her attention back to Zaiden.

"She probably was."

[member="Zaiden Dean"]

 

[Zaiden Dean]

"I can gift you power if you like. It is a hard rite, and you have to have some form of Force sensitivity, whether it even just a micro touch. But its as simple as when one severs another from the Force. I did it once upon a time to empower my friend during combat. It was a complete accident. After study though I am pretty sure I have gotten it down to a science." Zaiden said, "Though being honest, I have never actually performed it in a legitimate attempt." He chuckled at the words.

"I believe it was all part of it, to secure her a position of power. See she could promise the man doing the poison - or woman," He added to not sound sexist, as he truly wasn't, "-that they were working together, doing what was needed for whatever form of plot they had devised. Though at the last moment, her true plan came into existence, via 'saving' her. It could have been some other means if I am to be honest, it is simply my own personal belief that the whole thing was a plot within a plot."

When he turned next he allowed his brightest smile, "And you are welcome. There is only truth beneath the words though so I am not quite sure why I am deserving of thanks."

[member="Bryn Celli Ddu"]

 

[Bryn Celli Ddu]

Listening to his offer to gift her the ability to use the Force, she shook her head.

"I feel if I do have it already, then it should grow on its own. I wouldn't want to take it and then not know how to use it. Though it is very tempting."

Her eyes went back to the statues as he spoke and Bryn nodded slightly.

"The things people will do to gain power and position. If it works though...well, it was worth it."

Anything to accomplish goals and dreams. She wished she could use the Force and moments ago he offered her that chance. Having said no, she wondered if it she could still change her mind. It wouldn't cost her anything since he had said gift.

"What is involved in the rite?"

The attitude she had changed when she turned her eyes back to him. Giving him a smile when he replied with his, "you're welcome." He said he spoke only the truth, she almost laughed and shook her head. There was a bit of that laughter in her eyes and for one of the first times in her life, she was actually feeling happy and comfortable.

"What is this magic spell you have put on me?"

[member="Zaiden Dean"]

 

[Zaiden Dean]

“The rite is simple, a transfer of power is a willful thing and not much more. I would need a quiet locale, without others around to accidentally receive as well. Also a small time to concentrate in said silence and lonesome state.” Zaiden nodded tapping his chin, “Then maybe a kiss to finish the transfer.” He chuckled and paused his speech before continuing, “No, but honestly a hand to be held a moment would finish the deal.

“Also I could make sure to allow just enough to kickstart your power. Allow you to progress as natural. It would be just building blocks if you want.” He smiled, “Turn you into a student if you will, nothing more.”

When she asked about a spell, he laughed, rather loudly as well. This got many looks in their way, but it didnt cease the laugh, nor effect him. Instead it almost bolstered his resolve to laugh.

“I put no spell. I just tease. That is all.”

[member="Bryn Celli Ddu"]

 

[Bryn Celli Ddu]

As he explained the rite and what would happen, Bryn lifted one of hands and held it up slightly. Flexing her fingers, opening and closing her hand, she had heard somebody with a lot of cybernetics would have a more difficult time using the Force. It flowed through living things. Much of body was not and had been replaced. Not entirely by her choice, but this wasn't something she even remembered.

"This is your domain. You could ensure you wouldn't be disturbed with out much issue."

Thinking back on her years of training, she was not an exceptional student by any means. Her hand lowered and she looked up at him as he finished speaking.

"I like the teasing."

Though she didn't laugh like he was, she picked up on the humor involved.

"Feels like a spell to me."


[member="Zaiden Dean"]

 

[Zaiden Dean]

Zaiden smiled, “Spells are to some people, what attraction is to another.” He winked. Pausing for a moment he waved at the onlookers who were still curious about their Lords outburst. Then he turned to the girl, “Yes, if I wanted I could easily clear the whole building. Only one commandd. The word would carry to others on its own.

“What I figured though was use of my own bed chambers,” He grinned, “No but honestly, if that is what you desire, I do have a meditation chamber that could fit perfectly for our needs.” At that he turned on his heel, reaching out to lightly but tightly grip her hand and pull her along. He hadnt asked, but he wasnt one to ask anyone.

“My meditation chamber, despite being in the back of the building, which is terrible, the room is perfectly sealed for silence. We will be alone.” Zaiden said, eyes ahead though wondering what she was thinking. He knew that she worried over her implants stopping her flow of power but he knew it would simply act as a conduit, despite not being useful for much of the actual Force Powers he could teach her.


[member="Bryn Celli Ddu"]

 

[Bryn Celli Ddu]

"Oh, I see."

It certainly gave Bryn something to think about. This wasn't like anything she had felt before and she wanted to analyse what was going on. She drew in a breath to speak and then closed her mouth with a quiet snap of her teeth shutting. Giving him a bit of a dirty look before he went on.

When he made it clear he was joking about the bed chambers, she relaxed. The location he did mention would be ideal since it was closed off from everything external. He took her hand and pulled her along with him.

She was not afraid of being alone with him or anybody else. As an assassin, there were times when she needed to get alone with her target. This wasn't the same though. Of course, she wondered about her cybernetics and what they might inhibit her from accomplishing with the Force. However, Bryn was still more flesh and blood than she was machine.

No longer was Zaiden pulling her along, now they were walking together holding hands. A decision had been made and she intended to see this through to the end. No matter how long that took.

[member="Zaiden Dean"]

 

[Zaiden Dean]

Zaiden led her from the museum, into his Estates, trying to ignore the fact that most of the decor could fund a village for a month. He didnt want her believing him vain, or any other disgusting trait. The people constantly did things like buy vases that were ancient, clean them and deliver them. Knowing full well they had sacrificed more money than some planets saw in a year. As long as they believed their god happy, maybe something benefited them down the line. As if Zaiden was a real God.

Though truth be told, he generally did try to return the favors.

Through the massive home he led her, down one hall, through a doorway, left, another hall, down some stairs. Eventually one could get the feel it was a maze. And yet Zaiden never got lost, walking with her at a perfect pace. She at his side, and he her guide. When finally they arrived he oppened the door and allowed her inside before following. Within were just several lush pillows in locations spread amongst the bare lighting. It was a true meditation room. Blindingly white walls, floor, and cieling. Nothing to distract. As soon as the door closed, even all sound vanished to never be heard again... at least till it opened once more.

"Ok, so step one, get naked." He quickly chuckled, waving hands, "No, grab a pillow, sit however comforts you." He sat himself and then waited with his hands outstretched for her to place hers within his. However, his face had already gone slack. He was lost in the Force, sucking as much into himself as he could. He had become a vacuum to that living energy, and in doing so, lost to the world for now.

[member="Bryn Celli Ddu"]

 

[Bryn Celli Ddu]

It was probably a good thing Bryn had the kind of personality or traits that she did. The items around his home impressed her, but did not sway how she felt about him one way or the other. Nor did she ask how he come by them.

His house was a maze to her, but it belonged to him. They walked confidently together and at an equal pace. It actually felt a little liberating and she clung to that feeling.

He opened a door for them and motioned for her to in first. As soon as she had, he closed it and there was total silence. The only thing that could be heard was their breathing.

When he told her the first step was to get naked, she didn't actually question it and started to remove her top. When it was about half way off, he assured her it wasn't needed and she lowered her arms to cover her torso up again. This wouldn't be the first time she sat on the floor and she took a seat in front of him. Their hands connected and she wasn't sure what she needed to do.

Blinking her eyes a few times, she ended up closing them and just listened to her heartbeat and focused on her breathing.

[member="Zaiden Dean"]

 

[Zaiden Dean]

Concentration was key to any major Force power, this was simply the case. Anyway you looked at it. With practice the amount of effort behind anyone skill could be lessened. But it was still required. Hence the amount necessary, combined with literally sending his astral form, well he looked dead. Save slowly the wind around them began to swirl the two. Already his body began to act as conduit. She would likely feel some tingling, whether in her hands, arms or wherever the nearest portion of true flesh resided. Her chest would suddenly begin to feel a pressure inside, as if a small cell was beginning to be filled to an exploding point. Yet it wouldnt cease. Her mind would begin to see clearer, for just an instance.

The wind would begin to die back, and he would finally open his eyes. Taking the first breath he did in several minutes, he would realize that it had actually truly been about a half hour. But he was finished. Either she would feel what was expected, or she might have just blacked out, or nothing. In this situation he never could know. But he knew he felt a minor exhaustion. He looked to her to see her state.

[member="Bryn Celli Ddu"]

 

[Bryn Celli Ddu]

Almost as soon as she closed her eyes, she started to feel a wind moving around them. She was not normally too temperature sensitive, but this was something different. It was brought about by the Force and wasn't anything natural. She shivered slightly, but did not break her physical contact with Zaiden.

All of her skin, blood and organs were natural. So that tingling sensation went from her head to her feet and everywhere in between. When there was a pressure in her chest, she felt some concern something had gone awry. It was not very large, but she felt a change within her and in her mind. Then it was gone.

Blackness did not take her fully, but Bryn certainly saw stars for a few moments. When those cleared, she could hear Zaiden breathing across from and her opened her eyes.

"Are you okay? You look like you've seen a ghost."

She probably didn't look much better herself, but that didn't concern her. A new friend was sitting across from her and she worried about him.

[member="Zaiden Dean"]