What you See isn't always what you Get

[Laira Darkhold]

Tython. Former homeworld and stronghold of the ancient Jedi Order. In times of peril in days long forgotten they had used this place as a bastion to shore up their strengths, to place their backs, to hide when the war became too much. This place housed their temple, their fortress, their libraries at one point. That point in time was long forgotten. I was here only to train my abilities, not to adopt some belief or cult.

Personally, I did not care for the Sith. They were as dogmatic and idealistic as the Jedi in my opinion, but one could not argue with results. They had broken the Jedi's backs time and time again. I myself could understand the merits of skill beyond that of dogma or ideals. When you wanted to be the best, you learned from the best. If you wanted to be the man, you had to beat the man. They were two things I truly believed. And one of the best Mentalists and Illusionists in existence was [member="Darth Carach"] a simple fact that could not be argued. His recent alliegance to the Techno Union allowed someone such as me to request to learn from him, though he would not be the only one. There were always others of great skill and abilities to be learned from. It took a village as the saying goes.

My ship dropped into the atmosphere. I carried with me a copy of the request from the Obsidian Order, which if he accepted would allow me to train under the Sith Lord.

 

[Jairus Starvald]

Tython.

[SIZE=10.6666666666667px]The location where I had decided to settle down, the location where my fortress had risen up between the mountains and where I could reach at least a little bit of peace - in between the constant campaigns we led against the Republic and their so-called democracy.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.6666666666667px]Today was a [/SIZE][SIZE=10.6666666666667px]special [/SIZE][SIZE=10.6666666666667px]day, at least special in some eyes. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.6666666666667px]The Techno Union and the One Sith had a form of an alliance, they helped each other in their wars to a degree and had agreed in the past to a little [/SIZE][SIZE=10.6666666666667px]exchange[/SIZE][SIZE=10.6666666666667px] program. Which basically came back to enclaves of Sith Academies established within the Union’s territory.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.6666666666667px]But some deserved more than a passing mention at a Sith enclave, and perhaps someone felt that [member="Draco Vereen"] was one of those deserving ones. I wasn’t sure of that yet, truthfully I knew Draco more than he knew of me, but the Force hadn’t been one of those things that I had assigned to him. The fact that he sought training for it now?[/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.6666666666667px]A surprise.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.6666666666667px]And it would be interesting to see what kind of experience he brought with him, and it would be even more interesting considering his ties with the Mandalorians. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.6666666666667px]Hmm.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.6666666666667px]Training one’s enemies was always a sure way to bring problems to your working place. [/SIZE]

 

[Laira Darkhold]

The concept of enemy and ally was often fluid. What wasn't fluid was your own abilities and loyalties. At one point in history the Mandalorians had been the attack dogs of a very powerful Sith Lord. At another they had been strong allies, respected even. And now they were enemies. For now. Again, allegiances among governments was fluid and subject to change, just as each regime changed, so too would those allegiances. But even still, such matters weren't exactly important to me, personally adapt or perish with the times.

Even still, I needed training, and as someone unable to use Telekinesis, which seemed to be the mainstay for Jedi and Sith these days, I had settled on learning the power of illusions. When one wished to learn, they learned from the best available, or they learned poorly. Darth Carach was One Sith. But he was also Techno Union. I didn't care for the dogma of Sith, but I didn't care for dogma of anyone really. All I wanted was training in those abilities, not his dogma or his beliefs. They mattered little, and for most, they changed as time did.

My ship landed on the planet and I descended the ramp. Tython was an interesting place, but scenery changed. The only thing that did not change was that war was inevitable and constant. You just had to be prepared for it everything else. I approached the gates of the fortress and requested entry. I would see how the sith lord took to training others.

[member="Darth Carach"]

 

[Jairus Starvald]

[SIZE=10.6666666666667px]Draco was expected and as such the welcome wasn’t all that special, the gates opened and he would gain entrance rather quickly with only a few Royal Guards - cladded in their usual red attire - escorting him towards my study. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.6666666666667px]Some people would have rushed it, went in and started immediately at the training room. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.6666666666667px]But I wanted to get a good look at what I was dealing with, what kind of things the Mandalorian wanted to learn from me and what it would cost [/SIZE][SIZE=10.6666666666667px]me[/SIZE][SIZE=10.6666666666667px] to teach him in my arts. I wasn’t expecting a lot of trouble, because Draco’s writer was pretty right on the mark in this situation.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.6666666666667px]Enemies and allies? They were fluid things, one time ally could turn into an enemy and the other way around, what really mattered was the current allegiances you held. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.6666666666667px]And both of us supported the Techno Union in one way or another, that would be sufficient for now and perhaps for the future. [/SIZE]
[SIZE=10.6666666666667px]Besides, what I teach him? It only means that I [/SIZE][SIZE=10.6666666666667px]know[/SIZE][SIZE=10.6666666666667px] what the man himself knows and that couldn’t be used against me, not if I was smart about it and careful in my approach. [/SIZE]

 

[Laira Darkhold]

I was brought to a study, which seemed appropriate giving that we would be studying. He would be studying me, I would be learning what he taught me. He had my focus. There was very little distraction for me right now. In this place, with a powerful Mentalist in my presence, absolute focus was required. I didn't know him, he didn't really know me. We only knew what dossiers told us, what we had been told. A first real meeting would be eye opening for both of us, and in the end, there were things locked away that he didn't need to know.

"Lord Carach." I said with a nod. A full bow was too much. I respected him and his abilities. I was not his slave or servant. "Thank you for agreeing to see me." Masters and Sith Lords often had an over inflated sense of their own presence, however he was massive, towering over me, and his presence in the Force was like a fire of red and yellow, pulsing with the Dark Side of the Force. It was fair to say he may deserve such an ego. I stood, before him in his study, fully armored and ready for what he may have in store for me. I held no contempt, no ill will, no hatred for him. It was simple, I needed to learn what he was willing to teach me. And for that I had no reason to harm him.

[member="Darth Carach"] (These are called Tags. So people know you responded)

 

[Jairus Starvald]

[member="Draco Vereen"]

[SIZE=10.6666666666667px]I wasn’t expecting a bow or a nod even, for some reason I had been expecting a lot of disrespect mixed with casual disregard. Perhaps it was just that most people in this Galaxy weren’t exactly known for their good manners and coming upon one who did have a sense of propriety? Surprising to say the least, but in a pleasing fashion.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.6666666666667px]“Mister Vereen.” I would reply with my own nod, amber eyes briefly brushed past his figure and the armor that was attached to it. He seemed to be coming to [/SIZE][SIZE=10.6666666666667px]war[/SIZE][SIZE=10.6666666666667px] already, but that wasn’t what being trained in my art was about.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.6666666666667px]The Force flows, too much armor? It only distracts.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.6666666666667px]“We should keep good allies close.”[/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.6666666666667px]Which could mean a variety of things, but this time there wasn’t any double-meaning to it. The One Sith had supported the Techno Union, his own acts on Zenith Prime had made it possible for the nation to return back to a sense of power.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.6666666666667px]And a strong ally in the South was only a boon.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.6666666666667px]“You wish for me to teach you, if I understand correctly.”[/SIZE]

 

[Laira Darkhold]

"I agree. It is always best to know who you can count on." While it rang true I had learned over several years there were very few people that could be counted on. I didn't expect to gain that sort of ally here either. But sometimes what you least expected was what happens.

He then spoke about why I was here, what I was after. That was fairly simple. Knowledge. "Yes, that is correct. I was told you were one of the best pratictioners of Illusions and Mind Tricks available. I have always believed that to learn properly you must learn from the best instructors and resources you have at your disposal. The Obsidian Order sent me here when I asked for training in this field." Truth. I knew there were others. Dagora-Kel came to mind in regards to this field, as did the Fallanassi in general, and I am sure there were Masters in this field, yet it spoke to reason that because I had been sent here. The others would be around, I could get to them in due time, if at all.

[member="Darth Carach"]

 

[Jairus Starvald]

[member="Draco Vereen"]

[SIZE=10.6666666666667px]It was important to get your education from as many sources as possible.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.6666666666667px]This had been a belief that first sprung from Ovmar and Carach still believed it to this day, learning from as many people as possible widened your views, it gave you perspective on the world that otherwise would keep you hampered. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.6666666666667px]A situation always has multiple sides to it, it’s the trick to learn to view that same situation from every side and remain neutral.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.6666666666667px]“Very pleasing words.” the Sith Lord accepted the words with a nod. Was he one of the best Mentalists of this Galaxy? A questionable statement to make, but was he one of the best that was currently active and [/SIZE][SIZE=10.6666666666667px]interacting [/SIZE][SIZE=10.6666666666667px]with this Galaxy? A more likely assumption. “I will teach you what I know then, but tell me.”[/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.6666666666667px]“What kind of experience do you have already?”[/SIZE]

 

[Laira Darkhold]

"Some, but not much. I have used Mind-Tricks and several minor variations of that ability. I wouldn't consider myself an expert on the skill, but I have some practice in the field." I told the Sith Lord. It was true. On Apatros I had used the ability to drive a man mad with visions of terror and unspeakable nightmare, but that had been in a fit of absolute rage that I was no longer truly capable of. At least not like that. I could still become very, very angry, but not like that. Not blacking out and forgetting what I had done in my rage. I did not loose complete control anymore. Perhaps that weakened me, but I had found that I was more resilient since then, more capable of restraint. More accepting even.

"There is a reason I have come seeking training after all. I have some talent with it. I need assistance with refining that talent into skill, being able to control it and effectively wield it in combat. I need a Master." I let the last word hang in the air. It was what I needed when pertaining to this particular skill, this particular type of training. I didn't need or want to learn about the Sith or the Dark Side. I wanted to learn as much as I could about Illusions, Light Bending, Mentalism, Mind-Tricks. But there were two other, rarer abilities I wanted knowledge of. I wanted to learn to Subjugate others to my will and draw memories and knowledge from their minds. Whether he could teach me that or not I would find out, even if I intended those abilities to be something I mastered and used all the time, I still wanted to know.

[member="Darth Carach"]

 

[Jairus Starvald]

[member="Draco Vereen"]

[SIZE=10.6666666666667px]Subjugating and extracting information from one’s mind was inherently from the Darkside, or so any Jedi worth their money would tell you right away. But Carach was not a huge fan of that endless discussion of the Lightside and the Darkside, he didn’t really… [/SIZE][SIZE=10.6666666666667px]care[/SIZE][SIZE=10.6666666666667px] about it all that much, in his eyes there were a few good people, bad people and most of all? [/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.6666666666667px]Those who were a little bit of both.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.6666666666667px]Did he kill people? Sure, but that was war for ya. Carach didn’t go out of his way to execute and bring pain towards those around him, he had never seen the [/SIZE][SIZE=10.6666666666667px]point[/SIZE][SIZE=10.6666666666667px] in it. It seemed so trivial and nonsense. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.6666666666667px]Which is not to say that he would judge his brethren and sisters for their vices. If Vornskr wanted to spend his time torturing his prisoners deep in the cells underneath his fortress?[/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.6666666666667px]Who was Carach to tell him otherwise? [/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.6666666666667px]“I can help with that, yes.” the Sith Lord would reply with a nod, before slowly rising from his seat and walking around the table. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.6666666666667px]“Come.”[/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.6666666666667px]After it had been underlined that Draco truly was searching for knowledge and wasn’t here to waste his time, Carach simply brushed past him and started walking towards the training rooms. It would be there that they would do the actual training.[/SIZE]

 

[Laira Darkhold]

I nodded and followed the Sith Lord, towering over me as he did, we were both fairly physically fit. In this case, when concerned with the Force he was the master. I had spent most of my life training for physical combat and while he was a tall stick of a man, I was a beast. Even without cybernetics I out weighed him significantly in sheer mass. I had spent most of my life focusing on this aspect of war, on overpowering, out maneuvering, and out fighting my opposition. But the Force, the use of Mentalism, that was beyond my true understanding. I had spoken earlier that I had a talent for it. Perhaps a genetic thing, but he had skill in it. And in my experience as a soldier, Skill always trumped Talent. A lot of people skated by on talent, using it against people with little to know experience, but in real combat, against a real enemy, skill was what mattered most.

That was why I was here, to learn skill, control, arguably eventually to master the art of Mentalism, perhaps any other skills he had to teach. We would see about what all he would teach me. It would not be the first time I was exposed to the Sith Style of teaching. Normally studying for me involved being attacked with the ability and having to study it while attempting to counter it at the same time. It was a brutal way of instructing, but it had held excellent results in the past, especially for me. "Where shall we begin?" I asked as we entered the training room.

[member="Darth Carach"]