Private Weightless

[Finnea Virlee]

Finnea Virlee | Planet: Shiva IV | Capital of Illyriaqüm, black markets'
'Even a white rose has a black shadow'
The Seer


Time was strange. Nearly a year had passed since that fateful day when she accidentally in a moment of peril discovered that she had a connection to the force and it had taken her a couple of more months to dare say it out loud. Her only experience with it until then was destruction and pain. It had scared her to know she too could somehow dip into the same source of devastation. She had later learned, of course, that was not at all how it was. That the force was nor bad or good. It just was.
Plenty of hours had gone by since then, mainly to meditate and explore it with the goal of being in control of it. To recognize it and to not accidentally cause harm. That was perhaps her biggest fear.

Now time had somehow passed faster than expected. Being sent to the wild space in the shiva system wasn't everyday, and to pick up gear? It was her own fault too, of course. The engines used onboard was by her own design had she needed a special part to make it work smoothly. It just wasn't perfect without it. It had been located within the black market in Illyriaqüm, all she had to do was to find it and buy it. Easy.

Except for the part where solid ground was entirely new to the engineer that had spend several years only jumping ships and stations. She hadn't stood on solid ground since she was a child and now the scent and sounds made her uneasy. She hid it well from the small crew that had tagged along to collect the gear in case they would run into difficulties; one could never be too safe in a black market, no matter where that market was.

Weaving through the crowd, the small crew made way pretty fast and stopped only here and there to either ask around for some directions or to check upon a few other items of interest. It was getting darker when Finnea stopped by a local to get some water to fill her bottle only to realize that she had no familiar faces around herself anymore. A pinch of fear poked her guts when the engineer turned around to look for them. Where did they all go? She kept turning a few corners and looked inside some smaller places until that feeling of anxiety started to mockingly pull at her, making her slightly dizzy.

Dressed in several layers of sand-coloured clothing's to glide in with the crowd, she now found herself needing more air and thus pulled down the part of her attire that had covered the bottom part of her face and looked around herself once more.

 

[The Seer]

SHIVA IV - SEEK
Attire - [ X ]

His first ventures into the realm of recruitment to his cause began close to ‘home’. Close enough in proximity to Terminus, Shiva IV was its own special hive of villainy. It lead a long history of intertribal warfare. The sands that shifted at his feet and the sand that whipped at any exposed skin had known the stench of blood. It was bathed in it, even if it could not be detected with the naked eye. The Seer felt and that was enough.

The oracle went without the armor for the rare occasion. He wore neither helm, chest plate, or pauldrons. They were unnecessary, only serving to impede his movements amongst the sands of the Drylands. It wouldn’t do to call too much attention to himself. Those that would come into the flock would find him on their own, guided by divinity. Some might even make themselves known, if they were already skilled to some degree. Though, at best, that was optimistic of him to assume. Those that had grasped some mastery over the Force were rare finds indeed. Diamonds in the rough.

He dulled his presence as he walked through the market and carefully observed, probing at beings that he believed showed some potential for progress.

And then, time stopped. Immediately pressure crept in and built in his own chest, feeling as though he was caught in a vice. His throat clenched and began to slow close, constricting him from within. Scarcely able to breathe, his feet struggled to find purchase in the earth beneath him. It took a significant portion of will to remain upright against the onslaught. These were not his own. He understood that. If not him, then who?

>> Tsosûtaiyi ji. << [Find her.]​

The storm settled and the connection remained, he felt her… whoever and whatever she was, nudging at the back of his consciousness. The Seer took a few deep breaths, held them as long as possible. His task was simple, once he cleared himself of that which did not belong to him. Slowly, he opened himself. In time with his breathing, ebbed and flowed his own energy. Out of him flowed the Dark. With each breath, the presence grew and swelled until he could feel all around him.

Drawing within, his mind searched and his body followed as he dug his way through the crowd. Following her towards the epicenter that she herself created. Simultaneously, he felt embodied and outside of himself all at once. As he drew near, he could pinpoint that individual emotions. Anxiety. Confusion. Fear. Dread. Had he been less experienced with the ways of the Father, he would have easily gotten lost in the emotions she displayed. Or worse, he could have been without direction. Still, he searched and followed until he stood right behind the eye of the storm. He became whole again.

A woman with white hair and light skin, from what he could see. Gingerly, he reached out and placed a firm hand on her shoulder. It was a small gesture, but it was something stable, concrete, real. An anchor out at sea. Soft silver eyes settled on her.

“Are you alright, my child? You seem to be lost.”

Finnea Virlee ​

 

[Finnea Virlee]

She was internally cursing herself as she was well aware that she was overreacting badly. She knew where the ship was and could just meet up with the crew there is all else failed. Or could she? She didn't even know where she was any longer. And the people walking the streets around here didn't occur to her to be the most friendly either. Finnea looked down at her hands that was holding tightly onto the waterbottle and they were shaking. Gathering herself, she inhaled deeply through her nose like she was taught and collected herself and for a moment she gained some control again.

That was right up until a hand was firmly placed on her shoulder and the young engineer jumped forward only to spin around to see who the hand belonged to. At first glance, it was hard to make out who he was, but she knew didn't know him, that much was for sure so her next action was to start backing away. "I'm ok." she snapped firmly without a trace of her inner chaos spilling, staring directly at him like a warning not to follow her. "I'm not lost" she added and once more she tried to quickly look up and down the street to see if just one familliar face would magically appear.

Alas. She sighed heavily in defeat and her odd coloured eyes closed moments before her hands covered her face while making a decision weather or not she could speak to this man. Something in the back of her mind told her something felt off, but her anxiety convinced her that it was because she was lost and alone at a black market at a planet far away from what she concidered to be her home.

"Yes, I am lost, I need to get back to our ship, it's-" the white haired girl stopped speaking and stood still, studying the man in silence making sure to keep a certain distance.

The Seer

 

[The Seer]

SHIVA IV - SEEK
Attire - [ X ]


He watched as the woman became slightly more frantic than before at his gesture. She jumped and promptly turned to face him with intense, mix-matched eyes. Even as she seemed to scorn him and refuse his help, she shook slightly, suggesting at least some level of anxiety or fear still present within the body. She was likely alone and, somehow, lost her way in more ways than one.

“I apologize. I did not mean to startle you.” Her presence flared in her defensiveness and that was when the dots became connected ever so slightly.

She was raw, uncontrolled power. Potential. He should have known from the moment he sensed the raging torrent of emotion as he stumbled to where he stood now. There was a familiar sensation, that of fear. Not of him, but of herself and the situation she found herself thrust into.

If she had any inkling of knowledge about her abilities, she did not show it. Save, of course, for trying to stabilize her emotions. He watched patiently as she stood and thought, tension seeming to melt away from her body. “I could help, if you’d like.” Glancing around, he watched the scum of this backwater scurry about. Items tucked close to chests, eyes darting about, feet scurrying through small alleyways and corridors.

“I could either help you back to your ship and your crew,” He paused slightly, a vendor shouting out their wares to the passerby. “Or, I could help you to control yourself and the ability within you.” The prophet watched carefully, felt carefully. Hesitation…No, caution seemed poised about her as though it were the make-up of her very being. Still, the prospect of a new adherent was ever tempting.

“I felt you on my way to this section of the market. You have the ability and lack the control over it, over yourself. You do not see because you have not wished to see. You could see more of yourself, of the Force, of the Galaxy. Do more than you could with a crew. Understand everything about yourself on a deeper level. You seem to be tired of running. I would offer you rest and peace of mind, if you were to accept.”

Finnea Virlee​

 

[Finnea Virlee]

A shabby looking man walked a little too close to the engineer, eyeing her up and down, probably very curious to why she was here and if the jewelry pieces in her abnormally long hair was real. Now tucking her hair back into the dull colored attire and pulling her hood back up she shook her head in the direction of the stranger and turned to leave the second time he offered her help.

'I could help you to control yourself and the ability within you.' She only made it a few steps when his words glued her to the ground. It felt like her entire soul was pleading for her to stay and listen to what he would tell her. Turning halfway back around and checked to see if anyone else around them had been listening in on the conversation. She didn't like the idea of anyone else knowing about that... thing...inside her.

Finnea felt torn, feeling more than ever that it was very important to find the crew and her way back to the ship. And she would have left if he didn't manage to nail her completely by mentioning how she seemed to be tired of running. The air in her lungs vanished in a surprised sigh. How did he know?

She now turned her attention fully to the man with surprise written all over her face. "I can't sleep. I think about it constantly. I am so afraid to loose control." she couldn't stop herself from speaking when she came closer so that she wouldn't have to speak so loud.

" How can you help me? I am listening."

The Seer

 

[The Seer]

SHIVA IV - CONVINCE
Attire - [ X ]


A single, insignificant spark was enough to give birth to a roaring flame.

And he saw that ignition within her.

That eerie sense of recognition just at the moment when his words caused something to click within her mind. He looked around that the patrons just as she did, glaring daggers at a few that seemed tempted to make off with any valuable the pair had on them. He raised an eyebrow and let a soft grin show as she stepped toward him, lowering her voice almost to a whisper. He gently clasped her shoulder as reassurance when he began speaking in the same tone.

“That is the issue, then. You fear it. It wrestles control from you, waking or dreaming. I could help by teaching you to control it instead of it controlling you… I could teach you to use it and when to use it. I could teach you to cloak its presence from others like you and me so that they cannot sense you if you do not wish them to.” He paused briefly and glanced about again, shooing a thief that was about to grab something off a nearby stall.

“You would never need to worry about it unleashing itself without you wanting it to ever again. It would talk time, but it's possible.” The man gestured down the way he’d come from. “Perhaps we should go to the cantina to talk. There are too many… unsavories on these streets. They’d sooner gang up on us than help. The cantina is only a block over. We could talk in more detail there if you’d like.”

“And you could get something to calm your nerves, my treat.”

Finnea Virlee​

 

[Finnea Virlee]

The hand upon her shoulder felt large and she shot it a hateful glare as the girl absolutely hated to be touched in any way or form. It always triggered a place in her mind where she felt unsafe and now, like any other times, she quickly manoeuvred herself out of his grip. But unlike other times, she stayed close because he spoke words her soul had longed to hear.
She had been offered help to understand the force and techniques to help control it before but it had felt unsatisfactory. At some level she knew she should stick to it and leave this man immediately.
But something in his confidence was contagious to the young engineer who latched onto the idea of being able to hide it from others like him.

No.

The idea of using it was starting to grow on her. The thought had strifed past her a few times already. Why should she only spend her life dutifully running diagnostics and stick to repairs? Stay scared and invisible? She was smart, she knew she could master it if she put her mind to it, and it could be used for her own protection, she would feel stronger and safer if she could only control it.
Finnea had forgot all about the people scurrying past them in the street, she was only focused on the man and his offer. The fear she had felt had started to turn into anger, making her chest sting. Anger, because now it seemed like her true potential had been kept from her.

One last time, she looked around herself even if she already knew where she was headed. There was still no familiar faces to be seen, and so she nodded her agreement with the stranger and walked past him in the direction he gestured, ready to hear more. Still with that voice in the back of her mind that didn't like this at all, but today there was another voice inside her that was tired of not ever being heard.
Finnea let him guide the way to the cantina, all the while keeping a small distance and nearly hiding herself in all the scarfes as not to be seen. Only when they entered the cantina did she lower the hood and scarfs again, eyeing the strange place. "Just something strong, i don't care what it is." She felt he was about to ask, and maybe she just wanted to show him that she wasn't completely without control. She gave a serious glare in return, no smiles, and walked off to find somewhere for them to sit in private. "You never told me your name."

 

[The Seer]

SHIVA IV - CONVINCE
Attire - [ X ]


Subtly, it was there.

Threads of apprehension in her body language. Traces of careful consideration, even after she moved away from his hand once again. Once was a reaction, twice was the beginnings of a patten. He decided to wait patiently. It was in his best interest to secure the future.

And it seems that began with this woman.

Gently, at first, he felt the rise of a heat-like sensation between the pair. Apprehension melted down in those flames as they grew steadily, boiling down to fuel the inferno of anger. Good, something to pull from. He was curious where exactly that anger and fear came from now that she didn’t seem to be concerned about being separated from her crew. He’d have to discover that along and along,

The Seer turned and walked back down the street towards the cantina, trusting that the woman in the scarves would follow on her own accord. Even as he spoke with her, he thought of the future. Not premonitions, but his own personal plans.

Getting the Scions out of the depths of the world, literally. Allowing them the space and agency to operate outside of the shadows that the forebearers had to adjust to. An opportunity to raise the Sith — the true Sith — back into existence. Andar and the other Purebloods that accepted him into the fold and, ultimately, transferred power onto his shoulders. It was a proud legacy that he was determined would not die out as the rest of the Galaxy thought it had.

A legacy that would, hopefully, begin with the woman he was ordering a drink for. “One Polanis Red and one Tihaar.” Silver eyes scanned the room until he found the woman seated at a table at the back of the cantina. He set the glasses down, placing the Tihaar in front of her, then took his own seat.

“My name is Zephyr. Though, if you choose to learn under my wing, I suppose the title would be 'Master'. What’s your name and what brought you to Shiva? And,” He paused briefly to consider his word choice. “What would you like to get out of this, if you do really want to learn control?”

Finnea Virlee ​

 

[Finnea Virlee]

The Seer

This was such a bad idea. If her commander found out she had not only got separated and lost in the black market but that she also sidestepped her entire mission here to talk with this stranger about the the force, he would be livid, to say the least. The commander was the first person she had told about her force sensitivity and had been met with understanding and simple lessons on how to be able to control it. But no real talk about what doors she could open, what possibilities laid in her future. She might be wrong, but it felt all the lessons was only to make her stable and not stronger. Not safer.

And now she sat here, studying the man at the bar as he ordered drinks for them to bring to the table.
Finnea removed her hood and pulled her sleeves back a bit, now staring at the glass of tihaar that he had placed down in front of her. She couldn't shake that gut feeling that told her she should have left this man and tried harder to find her way back. Now she was seated and the drink was in front of her. At the very least she should have the drink and listen to what he could offer, she secretly told herself that she would leave right after this.

Out of old habits, the engineer sat up with a straight back as he took a seat and watched closely as the man spoke. She was pleased to learn his name at the very least, it revealed something about him more than the fact that he too was force sensitive. Finnea didn't reveal any reactions as he kept speaking, even when he aired the posibility of having a master in him. It got her mind spinning faster now that the idea of learning more was planted. It would require for her to leave the warship she was currently stationed at.

Slowly she came alive again, now turning her attention to the glass of tihaar she had subconciously placed her hand at while thinking. Lifting the glass she bought herself more time to decide if she should tell the truth or make up a lie and leave. The girl had a sip only to make a face of disgust. Right, she wasn't used to alcoholic beverages and this one was strong, as she had requested. Shaking her head she took another sip to show him that she wouldn't be wasting the drink.

"Petty officer Virlee, sir." She made another face. "Ensign, actually. Finnea Virlee." she corrected herself. "I am head of diagnostics and an engineer onboard a warship. I was sent here with a small crew to collect a rare piece of mechanical device to be used for the main reactor onboard." she inhaled and swirled the contains of her glass while studying his expressions closely.

"I..."

His last question was the main source of her indecisive mind. At one side, she just wanted to make sure that she had control enough to never accidentally have an outburst while being stressed or angry. But at the other side she was so tired of hiding her fear and terror. If she could use the force to protect herself, to feel stronger and safer, she hoped she would find inner peace at the same time.

"I don't know what I want. But I have this intense feeling deep inside-" she put her closed hand against her abdomen with a worried look. "-that threaten to burst." she paused, staring at the table to consider her next words. Would they make her seem rotten?

"i feel like I've been denied access to my true nature. Like I'm being held back from seeking out this ...thing." Finnea met his eyes for a moment. "And this thing keeps growing and I am so afraid." she paused slightly. "I want to learn so that I can feel safe."

 

[The Seer]

SHIVA IV
Attire - [ X ]


Part of him struggled school his expression as the lady across the table seemed to not like her drink. Her face briefly twisted before she took another sip. “I suppose you don’t want another drink then? Is that one too strong? If so, I can order something different. It wouldn’t be a big deal, really.”

At that, he took a sip of his own wine and set the glass back down as she began speaking about herself and her work with her crew. His interest piqued when the mention of engineering and running diagnostics came up. It seemed that she would be a useful asset in more ways than one. The Order of Saithon worked heavily with technology and machines, of course. But, the Scions did not dip their toes into that pool. The closest they came was with alchemic processes and that was more Force than technological understanding.

But, she could be the start of that change. Only time itself would tell.

“Ensign?” The word came out carefully colored as a question. “Are you affiliated with an official Naval service?”

Another sip went down as he listened to her answer and then listened to the answer to the real question he’d posed. The question intended to give him insight on her motivations and, ultimately, desires.

Desire is an odd thing, the Seer had found in his many years. Oftentimes, it was the precursor to the passion the Sith swore by. Desire is the seed itself, rooted in a lack of something or someone. A longing for something that isn’t yet in one’s possession, something that the person with desire believes another person has.

What she lacked, what she seemed to desire was being.

Permanence. The knowledge that she was not disposable. Perhaps due to the fact that she could not control the Force or she did not yet realize that the Force was the object that gave her being in the sense that it provided its own stability. All sensible beings keep things in control.Always watching and setting boundaries and walls around the self. Without control, things fall into chaos, into madness. And so, they conclude that somewhere in madness must lie sanity because there must still be an element of control, order, or safety. He didn’t know quite yet, but if he was successful, he would find out.

“Finnea… if I may call you that?” A slight pause as his eyes found hers and his gaze remained unwavering as he continued. “I believe you.”

“I believe that you have been denied something that is necessary for your own growth. Whether that is out of fear from the people you’re surrounded by or simply a lack of resources to aid in your learning, you have still been denied and locked off from the ways of the Force.” He took another sip of the Polanis Red and glanced around them briefly. “You don’t have to be afraid of it and control is possible. Learning to temper it, control it, and then to direct it will be the aim of your training. That is, if you do wish to learn.”

“It will take you away from your crew for some time, certainly. But, sacrifices must be made when one is passionate about the path they wish to pursue. That is the nature of life. If it interests you, we would leave on my ship after you say your farewells.”

“We could begin immediately.”

Finnea Virlee ​

 

[Finnea Virlee]

Finnea coughed slightly again and pressed one of her fists to her chest, shaking her head to tell him that another drink was unnecessary. "It's alright, I'm just not used to alcohol is all." she said in an apathetic tone. Not used to it but she felt that she needed it just to calm down a little and the warm feeling that spread from within already made her sure hat it would work.
"And yes, I am with the Ascendancy navy." the engineer shrugged lightly.

"Sure" she agreed when he asked her if he would be allowed to call her by her name and waited patiently while he spoke to her, taking small sips from the glass of Tihaar. She wouldn't say that he was convincing her into anything, he was simply telling her things she deeply wanted to hear. Things that she happened to know was true but never dared to change. Mostly because she didn't know how to change it around and because she was wary of the force. Telling her that she didn't have to be afraid of it and that control was possible was reassuring to hear. Still, leaving the Jericho to come along with this man to learn would be seen as highly suspicious and her commander would ask a lot of questions. Unless...

Unless she simply called it a personal recreation. It had been suggested often but she had declined it every single time. Why not take him up on his own words for once and be gone for a while. Sure, it wasn't professional to just up and leave without official papers but she was also known as being quite blunt at times. Finnea looked around the cantina after the man did, and very slowly nodded. "I am passionate, especially about self-growth. And I need to know more." she let that last sentence just hang there because it wasn't necessary to explain, it covered all her thoughts. Now downing the rest of the Tihaar, almost immediately getting a warmer complexion. "How about... you help me find the crew so that I could go back to deliver the message to the commander myself? At least through holonet. And I'll come back and find you?" now spinning her empty glass for a moment.

"Master."

The Seer

 

[The Seer]

SHIVA IV
Attire - [ X ]


The Ascendency.

That name didn’t ring any bells. He assumed that was his own fault, the goings-on of the Galaxy were inconsequential to him and his own so he never paid too much attention. At least, not unless there were highlights and big players involved. The proclaimed Maw was a different story and a different enemy altogether but, perhaps, all in due time. They had to walk before they could think of running.

He tipped his glass back again while he listened to her speak, drinking down the rest of the wine. And when she proposed her solution, he simply nodded. “I think that’s a good arrangement. I hope you don’t mind if I remain just outside of your ship.”

The benefit outweighed the risk. Even if she decided to turn coat and leave off with her crew, there were others on his horizon that he could seek out. Plenty of potential out there, it was only a matter of scouting for it. “Do you remember which entrance you came into the market with your crew? It might be clearer now that you’ve had some time to calm down.”

The glass clanked gently against the table as he set it down for the final time. “Would you happen to have a holocomm on you? Calling may be faster than trying to find them. Or perhaps you could also reach your Commander that way, if you’d prefer speed.”

Finnea Virlee​

 

[Finnea Virlee]

Finnea emptied her glass and let her hands wander to find the hood of her attire to pull up over her head again as she subtly readied herself to leave for now, only stopped by his wish to remain outside of the ship when she found it. Everything he said made sense and the otherwise intelligent engineer felt like some sort of lost and silly girl. Finnea now nodded subtly to herself at his words. "Actually, I do have a holocomm, but it's be seriously suspicious if I called him up to tell him I'm not coming back just yet by the comm." She leaned back with some confidence. "I much prefer to follow protocol, even if it does take a bit longer, time is not an issue, not to me." She spoke with confidence now. "And we entered through the east gate." she now quickly added as if to cut him off from answering her previous decision to follow the rules.

The engineer now stood back up and nodded toward the exit again, signaling that she was ready to leave right away. With some guidance this time, she was able to started recognizing some of the streets and eventually the gate they entered through. The ship itself wasn't very large but it didn't have to be. It wasn't one of the warships but just a simple explorer. Quick and effective. Finnea stopped outside once more and turned to face the man that was going to become her master, hoping that she wouldn't come to regret this unusual decision of hers. "This shouldn't take too long." she assured him, trying to read the climate of this side of the planet but she was quite bad at predicting weather. "Give me about an hour and I should be all ready." she tried only to spin around and head inside where she sent out the signal to the rest of the crew of her whereabouts that was soon confirmed. After this, she called up the commander back on the main ship to have a brief conversation.

Luckily, even if she could read his curious expression and slight worry for the news she served, he didn't ask her too deeply why. It was just so very sudden, but whenever she'd need a ship to come and get her, he'd have it sent straight away which was nice to know. The conversation lasted for some time because she had some work to discuss and a few files to write and send in. Once the crew was back, Finnea packed up a few of her belongings and headed back outside to meet the Seer again. She came up at his side as the ship now lifted in the background, quickly taking off and officially leaving her alone with the stranger. "Don't make me regret this." she warmed him, an determined glare was shot up at him while an odd sensation within her kept her feeling both full of energy and worried at the same time.

The Seer

 

[The Seer]

SHIVA IV
Attire - [ X ]


Zephyr nodded curtly and remained seated for their encounter. “I can certainly appreciate that you would like to follow protocol. Perhaps the best thing to do in this situation.” He stood as she motioned towards the door. His hand effortlessly scooped up their glass and dropped them off at the bar for them to be collected and cleaned. He despised leaving unnecessary messes.

He followed after her, giving small directions here and there as he was familiar with the area. He leaned against a nearby building and watched her board the ship, making a noise of affirmation at the amount of time she needed. In the meantime, he thought. What she needed first was to let go of her fear of the Force. That must come before understanding could be attempted. Small degrees of control of both the Force and herself might prove useful. He had a place and an exercise in mind. It was basic and rudimentary, but it was certainly a start.

His eyes settled on her figure once more as she descended the ramp and came to his side, all while her ship lifted off and flew into the distance. “That can only be determined by you. I will teach and guide, you must meet me halfway by putting in the work.”

He turned and began walking back through the marketscape, making turns, ignoring vendors, and glaring at scoundrels and pickpockets. Eventually, stationed on a plateau, they reached his personal vessel. He couldn’t afford for some vagabond to steal off with his transport. “Please,” he made a gesture towards the ramp, motioning for her to board with him following behind. Aboard the ship, he showed her to a decent sized, spartan room. “Decorate it as you’d like over time. I’d like to begin immediately, you’ll have time to rest on the flight. We’re heading to Elom, the trip will only take a few hours in realspace.”

Finnea Virlee​

 

[Finnea Virlee]

As Zephyr turned around to start walking, Finnea took a moment to carefully look back up into the sky where her ship had vanished in the distance, perhaps to just have some sort of closure and mentally making sure that the decision was final. Once she felt ready, she corrected her backpack and followed him back through the marketplace deep in thought. Somehow, she didn't find the narrow streets and the people in them as pressing and scary as before, perhaps his intimidating stares was enough to let her walk in peace behind him.

The engineer hadn't said much on their way over to his vessel, she had more than enough on her plate trying to emotionally keep herself in balance. Stepping out of her comfort zone was threatening to throw her off balance and she was afraid that it would manifest in some uncontrolled display of the force. Perhaps it was pure fear, or perhaps it was some underlying anger that was the root of her unstable nature. In any case, she was also still very much invested in the idea that he was the right man to help her learn to truly control it and that he wouldn't hold her back, only letting bits and pieces of information drip on her.

She boarded his ship at his gesture, keen and interested eyes scanned the equipment she could see and the layout as they made their way through the ship. The room he showed her was more than enough for her as she was far from picky and she let her backpack fall to the floor with a thud, indicating that she gladly accepted it. Not that she had any choice. "Thank you." she started, now hanging in the doorway to her room. "I'd like to argue my need of rest as I'd like to get to know this ship, but I get the feeling I will actually be needing all the rest I can get if we're starting right away. " she spoke knowingly. "You know where you'll find me." Finnea then shrugged, not bothering with the door as she retreated to slump down at the bed. There would be more than enough time to explore his ship later as well as there would be plenty of time to talk and get to know this mysterious stranger as well. Little by little.

The Seer

 

[The Seer]

EN ROUTE TO ELOM
Attire - [ X ]


“Of course.”

He’d almost turned completely around when she gave a rebuttal. Rest would do her well, he’d imagine, after such an upheaval. But, he also understood her curiosity. The need to understand where she was, what the ship was like, where everything was located, and who he was. “If you’d like to explore and have a look around, you’re more than welcome to. Feel free to ask me any questions you have. We’ll be working on using the Force on yourself first, get a gauge of how to use it to help yourself…” he paused and his expression softened for the first time in their entire meeting.

“I thought you’d like to process things everything that just happened.” He waited a few minutes to answer any lingering questions or last comments before turning to head to the flight deck. “Up to you, my room is to the right of the main lounge if you need me. Third door on the right.” The walk was short but relaxing enough. The journey would give him a bit of time to center himself. The Seer gave the pilot their destination and retired to his room, shedding the multiple layers meant to protect him from the wind and sands of desert worlds.

Clad in a simple dark brown robe underneath it all, he sighed and sat down in the center of a circular red rug. Short, rough threads designed not for comfort but for awareness. His legs folded under him and his breathing slowed, contracting and expanding his presence within the Force to match his breath. Gently, slowly, he allowed himself to drift slightly. A small detachment from the body while remaining just at the edge of the conscious mind in the case that Finnae found her way to his room. The flight was smooth enough. The pilot had flight codes for the local sector and the shuttle had weapons in case it became necessary to shoot their way out of a tough situation. For now, he was content to relax and recenter. He stood on the edge of a crucial precipice and things needed to unfold properly if he was to succeed.

Finnea Virlee​

 

[Finnea Virlee]

"Yes, of course, maybe I will do so after a quick rest. Thank you"

Finnea replied quickly as Zephyr let her know that she was free to explore the ship and that any question she might have would be welcomed. As of right now, there was many questions lined up, mostly for herself to answer. The engineer had never been spontaneous about anything, especially not big decisions like this! Her best guess was that she had indeed felt stuck in life for a very long time and as ready to embrace a side of herself she had pretended that didn't exist behind the trained and predictable exterior she displayed at all times. Stepping out of line, leaving the ship to come along with the stranger to let him teach her how to be in control of the force and wield it was exciting, somehow. Yes, new gadgets and technology was always making her excited too, but this was different.

For a minute there, she could tell his expression softened which made the engineer a tad more relaxed as her shoulders fell a bit. Looking down the corridoor in the direction he gestured she nodded along, understanding quickly where she could find him later. "Yes, got it." Finnea nodded again and let him know by her body language that she wouldn't ask any questions right now and let him leave.

She retreated into her given room to have a seat, her thoughts wandering. She tried to lay down to rest, perhaps a quick nap would do wonders but it was impossible for her to find peace. Finnea decided that she would take him up on his words and went to walk around the ship instead, wandering aimlessly and mentally taking a few notes of what she saw, taking her time. She found a spot where it felt natural to lean against the wall and stare out into open space, not really aware of her own thought's but confident that there was something big just around the corner. She could tell that something inside her was ready to be released. It felt overwhelming, and the engineer leaned back against the wall of the ship, her hands now pressed against the metal, fingers spread. Finnea exhaled as the pressing feeling took over and a wave of energy shot out in both directions. The lights flickered briefly and the ship cringed for a moment.

Her eyes shot open but she slipped to the floor. Both exhausted and lighter at the same time. What the frick.

 

[The Seer]

EN ROUTE TO ELOM


In… and out.

In, hold, out, hold. That became the familiar pattern of his breathing as he sat and meditated, as his entire body gradually relaxed itself and released tensions in places he didn’t even recognize as being tense. Nevertheless, he allowed it to happen without passing judgement on the change. Without realizing it, his body began to sway gently and it felt as though he began to hum from the inside out. Only briefly, only a shadow of what could be.

For now, he couldn’t allow himself to drift off outside of his body. As tempting as it was. Instead, Zephyr pulled and slowly pooled the Darkness within him, causing the air in his room to begin to drop degree by degree. Bit by bit, as the temperature dropped inside the domicile, he slowed his breathing. Drew in deeper breaths, felt the freezing air dry his throat and fill his lungs.

Then, the lights flickered and the ship let out a groan. And he sighed.

Letting the energy die down, he took a few grounding breaths before he stood and checked in with the flight deck. Absolutely nothing on their end. Though, they were only an hour away from their destination. The man stood puzzled for a moment before it dawned on him properly. He had invited an untrained Force Sensitive onto his ship. Tapping on the metal floor, his feet carried him to Finnea’s room and it was found empty. A heavier sigh was pushed out through his nose as he set off to search the ship, calling her name as he went. There weren’t many places she could be on a vessel this size, but then again, you never knew.

Rounding a corner, the Vampirika came to a stop as he saw the young woman laying on the floor. He blinked a few times. “Was that you? Are you alright? Um, what happened?” He extended his hand to her and helped her over to a chair and sat down opposite of her, looking her up and down.

Finnea Virlee ​

 

[Finnea Virlee]

Now laying on the cold floors, the engineer was far from unconscious, just drained of her energy for the time being. For a moment she believed that the burst of energy went unnoticed maybe it was just her own vivid imagination running wild. But as her name was called in the distance it dawned on her that it had indeed been noticed. Why would he come searching for her like that if not? Finnea opened her eyes again and tried her best to at least get herself into a sitting position so that she wouldn't appear so weak and helpless which was something she couldn't stand. But as his footsteps drew closer, she was nowhere near her goal and had to accept his outreached hand to get back up on her feet and over to a chair where she slumped down.

"Yes." she answered him shortly, shifting her position slightly. "I don't know, it happens from time to time." the engineer carefully looked over to the man as she shrugged apologetically moments before she shook her head carefully. "It's been happening more and more frequently over the last months. I can almost count it down to every other day." Now propping herself up as the energy slowly returned, she stroked some of her white hair from her face. "It's why it was so easy to agree to learn how to control it. I need help." she now spoke very quietly, staring at the floor underneath herself.

"I can feel it build up until I have to release it. The first few times it was just painful bursts that drained me. And now it's shaking all electric circuits and makes heavy objects move. I'm terrified of being around other people when this happens. What if I hurt them?" she sighed and leaned forward with her head in her hands. "It seems you found me at the right time, sir."

The Seer

 

[The Seer]

EN ROUTE TO ELOM

Zephyr sat silent for a few long moments after Finnea was done explaining the situation. It wasn’t uncommon for those with exceptional sensitivity to lash out, especially if they were untrained in how to shape and control what they felt around them. But, for this to happen every other day… he was mildly sympathetic to her plight. Though, in time and with proper training, it wouldn’t be an issue. Eventually. That was only the first of many goals.

Sagely, he nodded. “Well, we land on Elom in 30 minutes and there we can get started safely with your training. I’d suggest taking off some of the layers, you won’t need them where we’re going.” A deep breath followed and he leaned back into the sofa cushion. As always, much to do and much more to prepare for. “Rest while you can and try to calm down. Take deep breaths, use rapid eye movement, think of a good memory. It won’t be long now.”

◄►◄►◄►◄►​

ELOM
Frozen Wastes

The ramp touched the ground disappearing slightly in snow and butting up against dark stone. A breath of refreshing, though freezing, air. The ramp closed back into its original positioning after Finnae stepped off. Once again, he made the familiar gesture to follow him though he only took the pair about 30 feet from the shuttle. He positioned them just inside the mouth of a surface level cave, mainly for his own comfort. A hand brushed over his head and he removed the hood and took off his gloves, breathing a sigh of relief. In viewing distance but not close enough that it would damage their way offworld if things didn’t go according to plan. Caution was a virtue, at times.

“How do you feel?” his voice oddly bright and a small smile on his face, glimpses of it flickering through black hair in the wind. “Your first lesson is in a technique called Tapas. Simply, you direct the Force and generate heat using the energy you’re directing. You’re cold and you make yourself warm. But, first,” his smile dissipated some in favor of concentration. Zephyr closed his eyes for show, a spectacle to indicate to his student that he was digging deep within himself to pull off the next feat. Slowly, he amplified his presence within the Force, disregarding the Darkness portion of it for now.

When he felt it was recognizable enough, he opened his eyes and held it at that specific point. “First, you’ll have to be able to sense the energy of yourself and then the energy around you. The technique is pointless if you cannot grasp the energy in the first place.” He paused once more to consider his words. “That feeling you get when the currents pop up or you feel the urge to move something, that is part of the Force. But somewhere behind all of it, is you and your personal signature within the Force. All things and beings have such a signature, but for now you must find your own.”

“Turn inward, focus, gently reach out to the Force, find where you are beyond the unpredictability… and then sit with that new energy. Feel it, embrace it. It should feel almost like a humming all over your body when you find it. It might take a few tries and that’s perfectly alright. I'll be right here the whole time.”

Finnea Virlee ​