Private Sithing 101

[Alina Tremiru]

​

It'd been a while since Alina last stood in a training room beating on a punching bag. After that resulted in a humiliating sparing match she avoided such places. Now was different, however. She had learned how to use the Force, finally. And in a way that made her style of fighting that much more effective. Even now she could tell how much stronger she was. Each punch tested the bags resilience. But now she wanted to see just how strong she was. A single punch, the strongest she could manage. The bag simply ruptured, the heavy sand within spilling out of it's seams. A soft smile spread across the young woman's face as she stood up straight, glancing over her work.

"Stronger every day." She was speaking to herself. Last she knew the room was empty. It's why she'd come to this room to begin with. No one wanted to walk this far. Her robe was tossed off to the side. The classic Sith robe style was too constricting for how she needed to move. The tanktop and shorts she was in was far better for this sort of movement. Though, with the bag destroyed she didn't have much to hit anymore. Thinking about it, probably not the best idea. But damn did it feel nice to see that kind of power in the moment.

She stepped away from the growing pile of sand to continue her workout. Pushups now, easy way to keep training her body.

 

[Rax Tremira]

It was harder than people thought to be upset all day. Focus everything you had into a single, solitary thought of hatred. Though, it wasn't impossible. Oddly enough, it took leather patience. A focus on something that drove one to the edge of their limits. For him, it was a hatred of his parents. The caste, and the overall system of things. If they knew how he felt, he wondered if he would even be safe here in the place he had so accustomed to. He wondered if the lifestyle that was so second nature to him would still be so easy to maintain.

His parents were weak... Cowards, that left him in the hands of an equally, if not lesser coward. A spice-sniffing, death-stick sucking nobody. It was all trash.

Rax pressed the touch-pad on the exterior door of where Alina Tremiru was currently training. It was his favorite room considering no one ever wanted to walk this far. Though, for him the walk was always quick. He stepped with a quick gait, that was beyond his years. His brown locks seemed to flick with an intensity that matched what burned in the young boys heart. Stepping inside, his eyes flicked up immediately in surprise; resting on the other that was in what he would've liked to consider 'his room'.

That wasn't the case of course, as the other was probably a student as well. Gosh was she tall... And ripped, he noticed this idly, and just looked away; the aggravation on his face wild, and visible. Stepping into the training chambers, he would beeline to the corner, changing his clothes with no regard for the other in the room. Once done with that, he moved to the sliding panel door and checked out a training saber. It could inflict low level burns, but would require someone to purposely hold it on exposed flesh for a prolonged time to do any true damage.

Perhaps also, the fact that he was perpetually without anyone to give him proper training, he was so upset. He knew he wanted to pursue the Pillar of War, but without a proper teacher he felt restrained. A fine metal, with no whetstone. Walking to the other side of the room, he would have to pass Alina Tremiru to set up a training simulation; though observing what she was doing to that punching bag drew his attention. She was powerful...

'Its only because she's older' he thought to himself, stepping clear around the pouring sand, and glaring at her for a moment; if he was bigger, and stronger, he could destroy her easily. Or at least, that was what he convinced himself of. There was no room for doubt on the true path. Stepping over to the panel, he would scroll through the options, seeming to ignore her for the moment.

 

[Alina Tremiru]

​

Her gaze quickly shifted to the door as it opened, practically glaring. No one was supposed to be here. Much to her surprise though, a kid walked through. The glare faded somewhat as she watched Rax Tremira walk across the room. She said nothing, more curious what his plan was for being here. Was he here for her? Or the room that should be empty? Her eyes narrowed a bit as the possibility he was there for her crossed her mind. Thankfully, that wasn't the case.

Thankfully for who was up in the air.

"Hey kid. You come to this room often?"

 

[Rax Tremira]

"You bet..." the boy responded, neglecting to look at her. Though after he had selected a program, he would turn and fold his arms, head canting as he stared towards the other "You could say even say, its my room... So don't think you'll be able to bully me off" he warned immediately. There was probably no reason he had to explain to the other why he was so defensive. Some of the other kids weren't as diplomatic as the pair were currently being. Sometimes there weren't any words at all.

"And I am Rax, not kid... Big lady..." he scoffed at her, assuming she meant disrespect by calling him a kid, he immediately went on the defensive, and tried to press at her buttons as well.

 

[Alina Tremiru]

​

"It certainly aint the room of a kid like you." Alina's frown returned as she listened to Rax Tremira , her yellow eyes narrowing slightly. "I'd learn to speak a bit more respectfully, till you have the power to back it up. There's plenty folk here who'd sooner just beat you into the ground for insulting them." She wasn't one of them though. As much as she wanted to beat her own little brother up, she never would. The young. They were the future of the Sith. They needed to be protected and taught. At least enough so they could survive with their own hands.

"What are your lessons right now?"

 

[Rax Tremira]

His glare seemed to falter slightly when the other responded with such backbone. She wasn't lying of course, and he was aware. Her warning elicited an immediate shift in disposition, and stature. Rax's arms moved to his sides momentarily, the training saber in hand gripped slightly.

"I know that..." he responded in rhythm with her own snappy response. The panels on the far wall of the room would begin shifting; a single training droid taking precise, and deliberate steps into the center of the room. Initially, it was a bare series of bulbous panels, that vaguely gave the impression of a humanoid model. Rax would look over at the droid, then back to the other. He thought of something smart to say, but for some odd reason didn't let it reach his tongue.

Instead, he just observed the other who watched him with that cold stare, then gasped a sigh. "I'm finished with my studies for the day. I'm sparring... These tin cans tend to be challenging from time to time." he said, eyes idly flicking back over the destroyed punching bag.

 

[Alina Tremiru]

​

The droids did have their use. Rax Tremira was correct about that. How much use they had for her now was debatable. She could beat them on the hardest setting, but it was good practice to shatter the droids with her fists. That's where the use laid for her in the 'tin cans'. Alina stayed quiet for a moment longer before a light laugh escaped her. She found a spot to sit and watch, a soft smile on her face.

"Alright. Show me how far you've come along then. I might have something or another I could show you."

 

[Rax Tremira]

He returned that stare for a moment, then smirked as the other seemed to lighten up. With that, Rax turned to the droid that until that point was still statuesque; "Droid... Run training module three, User Rax" he stated, comfortable with his ability to take on the droid. In turn, the droid would suddenly lower its posture. The dull orange light on its face changing a red, it seemed to become suddenly livid. Servos whirring as it compacted its form slightly and activated a training saber of its own.

The droid would approach him fast, a large foot extended in an attempt to kick Rax directly in the chest. He would try to move right, but become grazed by the purposely haphazard foot of the droid. A sudden sound of fabric slicing audible before he ignited his own saber and continued into the momentum caused from the impact to his right shoulder. Three steps back, and the droid was already on him again, having not left the great range of the training droid. It took one step, slicing down with its own saber, the weight of it of course wasn't full on, but perfectly tuned to match the level of strikes a combatant that could likely overpower him would deliver.

Right before Rax had finished getting into a position he could've put some power in his legs, his own saber would have activated, or rather the training saber that was allowed to them. The blade held in both hands, he raised his blade horizontally with some force of inertia to block the vertical slash from the droid; the result being him again being moved off of his pivot. However, this time he held a little firmer. Growling at the droid and ragging his own saber upwards with a yell. It was enough to create space, spinning with that action, and in that window he would swing a wild swipe with his saber from left to right.

The attack would miss, as the droid stepped deftly, and surprisingly smoothly out of his range. For the moment, it would seem to just observe him with that small red bulb.

"I'm rusty..." the boy would say confidently, not bothering to look at her, but aware she was observing everything happening. Wanting to maintain, and show his strength. And if she would show him a thing or two, that was all the more to him.

 

[Alina Tremiru]

​

The boy put on quite the show. For all Rax Tremira 's arrogance, he was a competent enough fighter. Especially given his age and size. It wasn't hard for Alina to imagine him grown up, stronger. If he could survive how the Sith culled themselves of those deemed too weak before they had a chance to truly learn their strength. Her eyes narrowed at the thought. The woman pushed herself back to her feet as the Droid seemed to end the sequence. Then, in the blink of an eye, she moved.

A simple punch tore the head of the machine from it's body. The red glow faded from the faceplate as it slammed into the nearby wall. Alina slowly pulled back from the punch, shaking her hand. It stung, but it wasn't broken. There was still a lot to learn how to control for that style of fighting she'd chosen. A soft smile formed as she turned her gaze back to the acolyte. "You're too young to be rusty. Now, as I promised, I'll teach you something. It's a dog eat dog world out there, and it'll only get more vicious soon enough. You'll need all the tricks and skills you can get if you want to become a Sith."

 

[Rax Tremira]

He had just turned off the training saber when the other rose to her feet, he suddenly felt something from her; had he not been sensitive to it he would've been simply awestruck, but the pooling of Force energies around her seemed to draw him in, causing him to gasp lightly before she had even moved. And when her mighty fist shattered the droid, he continued staring at the wreckage for a moment before finally locking eyes with the other. His eyes showed envy, and understanding; ambition, and hunger even. A single nod was given, as his own lips curled into a crooked smirk.

If he could just have a bit of her power, he could crush anyone currently attending the academy; at least most of them... For a moment, he wondered how he hadn't heard of this lady yet. In any case, all that mattered was what she had to offer.

After the Force had touched him so suddenly, he'd forgotten how hard he was gripping onto that lightsaber; an already nicked hand had received another light incision, causing just the slightest amount of bleeding.

"I choose to devour..." he responded, clearly captivated by what the other had just done. He didn't even know her name, though it didn't seem to matter; all that mattered was whatever lesson she chose to bless him with.

With that, he would stand attentive, arms at his sides awaiting instruction.

 

[Alina Tremiru]

​

"That'll be quite the task, I assure you. But, I can at least give you something to help with that." Alina certainly wouldn't admit it, but having Rax Tremira gaze upon her with such envy filled her with immeasurable joy. For the first time in her life, she was the one people wanted to be. Well, just one person at the moment. Her smile grew none the less as she motioned to the still standing, now headless, droid. "You're full of hate, yes? I can see it in your eyes. Focus on it. Focus it on the droid. Let it flow through you, unrestrained, then let it loose."

She didn't bother to explain what the result would be. It could be anything. A raw blast of the Force. Lightning. All he had to do was harness the Force and see where it lead.

 

[Rax Tremira]

Rax pondered on those words, eyes wavering to the ground for a while. Was he not strong enough to be a Sith? It was impossible, he had done too much. Gone through so much in such a short span of time, to be standing here still; outliving the rest. Many of them only think they have what it took, and when the time came he showed them; hope got no one far, only action. With that, he would look at her again; nodding in his perceived understanding.

He crossed the room again, changing hands with the purposely uncomfortable training saber only to queue up another droid. He wasn't sure how much they had to expend, but he would atone for whatever they felt was overstepping. The second drone was a identical twin of the first, this one already bore the scars of Sith Training, but was still ticking.

Hate, she said. That was it. He already knew that, but why did it feel so different this time. Instructors instruct, but teachers teach; and what she had blessed his with was the latter. "Training Module Three, user Rax..." he said, training saber activated this time before that loafing drone could swing its customary cheap shot. This time, a horizontal falling slash.

Rax ducked the blade, slanting his own body in accordance with where the droids blade wasn't.

The droids predictive programming accounted, continuing the assault by flourishing towards him again, this time vertically; a sudden life came into the droid, pressing into the attack with purpose, even from an outside perspective it was easy to get the idea the training droid was out to skewer him, which was somewhat possible due to the setting of the blades themselves.

Rax had forgotten she was in the room for a moment, a twisted inspiration having set upon him. Why shouldn't he furious. His parents were somebody to the Sith once. Yet when they died he was cast to the bottom. Nothing. That glaring of the lightsaber prompted the young man to raise his own in defense, keeping a loose form that blow from the droid's lightsaber gave him enough momentum to correct himself; spinning away from the impact, and flurring his blade once in his right hand .

His left extended however, digits curled fiercely at the droid that was moments away from its next strike. To no avail, the droid followed through with its own movements and was on him again, this time, the training saber would nick his chest; causing a brief bellow of pain from him. He quickly regained his composure, blocking the next strike solidly, then letting the third ricochet him back into momentum.

This time, as he slowed he would extend a palm again, grimacing at the droid ahead of him. This time however, the droid would quiver, and tumble; seeming to be affected by what Rax was attempting, though he wasn't certain what he was doing himself. After being slowed momentarily, the droid would menace towards him again, continuing with its strange and aggressive programming.

 

[Alina Tremiru]

​

Once more Alina fell silent, content with watching Rax Tremira once more duel one of the machines. She hadn't meant actually fighting one of the droids to test out his ability. It was an unknown, certainly not the thing to be testing out in combat. But there was something to say about learning how to use it in a battle. He was getting beaten up, that much was obvious. But she made no move to assist him. It was his time to learn, not hers.

Her brow furrowed when she saw it. Just for a moment. Stasis. Slow. She recognized the ability because it was one she wished she could do. One of the powers she tried so desperately to learn for herself. "That feeling there. Focus on it. Enforce your will on that soulless machine. Stop it from moving. That's the power you have. Freeze it."

 

[Rax Tremira]

He was almost in a flow state of being when her voice permeated the veil, eyes flickering wildly to her, then snapping back on the droid as it swung another violent attack, this time intent on removing his head, he ducked the blade easily, attempting to step back to hear what she had to say, though the last words he heard from her was something about the power he had. The droid had shot out a back kick, hitting his chest dead center, and sending his form careening through the air a few feet, once he hit the ground, he would scrape across the ground haphazardly, saber falling out of his hand as for a brief moment, he was unconscious.

Those culling techniques Alina spoke of were hard wired into almost everything they did; including what made this droid execute a training module that was much higher than it was supposed to be. The droid's footsteps bore down, a steady mechanical hum filling in the gaps between the ringing in his ears. There was no way he was going to let this be the legacy of their meeting. How disgusting was he if she had to save him from this trash? He got up, onto a knee and forced his head high, this time he forego a hand. All he had to do was listen, she had given him the keys already hadn't she?

Will. Hate. He had enough of that, he just had to clear all of the rest out. All of the confusion, and doubt. Strip all of it away, and utilize what was left behind. If Alina was doing something, he didn't notice. Just before that droid made a motion to eviscerate the boy, he would screech in the machines direction, the droids lightsaber blade is what showed the initial distortion, the sudden hyper pressurization of the area in front of him causing miniature explosions to combust from the droid immediately. In an instant, it seemed as though an immeasurable pressure was placed on not just the droid, but everything in the area; a low rumble permeating the room, complete with a spectral warble from the very walls.

The droid attempted to follow through with the strike, but ultimately fell back, nothing but badly damaged scrap. He exhaled rapidly after, staring what seemed to be past the downed droid. Through the Force, it was easy to see that he was feeling a mixture of fear, and shock.

 

[Alina Tremiru]

​

Alina could not sense through the Force, but it was obvious what he was doing once it started. Rax Tremira screeched, and the Force answered. Force Scream. It was a rare power, and horrifying with it's application. It could reduce a room to rubble with enough strength. Around the woman the Force deadened, protecting her from the show of power as the droid was brought down. Crushed. The blonde woman stepped over to the boy, reaching down to offer a hand.

"See? You've tapped into it now. You know the call. C'mon. I'm hungry. We should go eat."

 

[Rax Tremira]

He stayed in that position for a bit, looking at Alina, and her hand. A very personal part of him wanted to smack that hand away, and display strength; though instead his bare hand would meet hers with a light sound of flesh on flesh. Using her as an anchor, he pulled himself to his feet, observing the still sparking and popping droid in front of him. "Lets... I'm starving" He admitted, feeling a dull ache in his stomach, he couldn't tell if it was just a lack of food, the droid commando kicking him in the chest, or a mixture of both. In any case, there was no way he was turning down a bite to eat at this point.

 

[Alina Tremiru]

​

Alina didn't help to pull Rax Tremira from where he was sitting. He probably didn't want the help to begin with, so she wanted to avoid anything that might make it seem more like she was giving more help to him. Once he was up her hand retreated back to her side and she turned, gathering up her own gear. Pulling the sleeveless robe like top over herself. She didn't like it, but it did mark her as a Sith here in the academy. With that on and her pack slung over her shoulder she'd head right for the door, not bothering to check if Rax had gathered up his own stuff until the door was opend.

"What do you like to eat?"

 

[Rax Tremira]

Like to eat? He wasn't really sure to be honest. His favorite foods had to be anything fish, and stewed meats; especially red meats. As she turned to head out, he would take one last gander at h-.. the training room. It was totaled to a point that he was almost shocked at how much damage there was. He suddenly put a pep in his step, returning the training saber and swallowing his pain so that he could keep pace with the other. Once walking in stride with her in the hallway, something dawned on him...

"I don't know your name..." he asked plainly. It wasn't that he was ignoring, or for that matter didn't have an answer to her question, but he had a tendency to think before he spoke... Most times.

 

[Alina Tremiru]

​

The lack of an answer was an answer in on itself. Rax Tremira either wasn't much of a foodie or just didn't know good food. Well, given how angry he was he probably didn't have the money for good food. That was at least something Alina could change. She lead them towards the lunch room, heading over immediately to the place where they'd actually have to pay for food instead of the crap they'd be given for free in the usual line. All manner of food was offered, all of it pricy.

"Pick what you like. I'll pay."

 

[Rax Tremira]

Did she not hear him? His eyes narrowed up at the other. Didn't need to know her name anyway. Out of habit, he got in line to get his food in the usual place. He didn't have any credits, so always ate the regular ilk at the cafeteria. Though, as she made motion for the premium foods line, he stepped smoothly out of his own line and followed her.

He had eaten on this line only twice before, and already had a roadmap for what he wanted. He got a tray, then placed a bowl on it, in addition to a plate. Moving over to the first station, he would ladle out two scoops of Nerf stew. After she mentioned paying for it, he had temporarily forgotten the other was standing there. Reaching a bit back, he grabbed two Vagnerian canapé's; resting them by the hot stew; oh and a roll of bread for the stew. Appetizer, and desert were already done; now for dinner.

He glanced back at the other briefly, forgetting why he was upset with her. Her name, he had to figure it out... Though for now, he could care less about a name. He got a covering of rice on the plate, adorning it with a few Yobshrimp, and drizzling some of the buttery sauce along the outside of the plate. It should be noted for all his pretenses of rage, he ate very neatly; though varied. Once done, he would balance the tray over to a table, and sit down. Hesitating before digging in, to observe what the other would do.