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Darth Stolas

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So much had changed. It was as if the entire galaxy looked and felt different from before. Spending time away from people was so against how he'd operated for a few years now that it made him incredibly uncomfortable. Despite that, combined with his sheer stubbornness not to sink into mindless drugs and drinking all over again, it granted a sense of clarity along with it. A cracked wooden figurine of Andraste, repaired with a sliver of Sarassian iron, was stored in a lock box along with a datacard filled with thousands of fond memories. Every object of attached affection was locked away.

He'd tried to delete the pictures. Two men before a waterfall, drawn close together in a tender kiss. Another where they each smiled in their own way just after a haircut, skin bare in the light from the chest up. Morgan's memory wouldn't let him forget those moments even if he wiped the data. Simply storing it out of reach felt better than not. He didn't know why but followed his instincts. A lockbox of everything Emryc and Morgan was put together, hidden. Then there was only one thing left to do.

When Morgan arrived at the pick-up point where Aadya was waiting, Voyager wasn't the ship that came to call. A
Starblossom yacht arrived in it's place with the ID Supernaut. The comm code that summoned the young Firrerreon however, was unmistakably Morgan.

Once Aadya was aboard, greeted by Dante's whistling as usual, she'd find her teacher in the common lounge area, guided by the sound of music. There he was, going through the process of packing and lighting coals for a hookah by hand. Rarely did he appear casually before the younger woman but here he wore simple, if expensive, dark storm-gray sweatpants and a tailored long-sleeve shirt in black. His expression was somewhat far away but focused on the task before him, a long-handled spoon packing the hookah's bowl with a mix of herbs while cubical coals heated on a flat burner.


"Make yourself comfortable," he said in that nearly-purring baritone of his, somewhere between suggestion and command. As usual he didn't immediately look at Aadya, but his head did angle slightly like he was listening in her direction. "Keeping up with your forms, yes?"

They had much work ahead of them but that wasn't going to stop Morgan being her teacher.


@Logan
 
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Aadya Rasheer

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Stolas' message had come across Aadya's datapad while she was sitting alone in a small coffee shop, her hands idly lifting a cup to her lips while her main focus was engrossed in a novel. Normally she would have ignored any message she got when she was vibing like this, but a long time ago she'd set a very specific ringtone when she got her master's comm code.

She stuffed her book away in her bag and finished what was left of her latte - dairy free, flat, triple espresso - and tossed it in a trash bin as she made her way out. There were still a few hours before Morgan was due to arrive, so Aadya jetted off back to her apartment to change her clothes and mentally prepare for what it was that her Master may have wanted.

It was rare - especially lately - that he requested her actual presence, let alone was coming to pick her up. Unsure of the nature of their meeting, Aadya dressed mostly casually.

The ship that arrived was not what Aadya had expected and she couldn't help but roll her eyes just a little bit. As if Stolas needed a another ship.

Hey Dante, Aadya said, greeting the familiar droid with a smile as she boarded the ship and followed the familiar sounds of Stolas' music towards the lounge.

What she was met with, though, was much less familiar. Darth Stolas dressed.. almost like any other average person, though Aadya did notice his clothes still sported labels that would have made her own pocket book have a coronary. Fucking hell, even in sweatpants the man was just immaculate.

It's good to see you again. She said simply before taking a seat near the table where Stolas was preparing the hookah. Aadya'd never used one before, but it looked pretty sick.

Even though he wasn't looking at her, Aadya could tell there was something on Stolas' mind, but she wouldn't press into it for now. Of course, master. A lie. But we both know you didn't come pick me up to ask about my forms.

Aadya's candor with her master was never very traditional, and it was part of the reason the young acolyte was so fervently loyal to him. Stolas, above all other things, had always let her be herself. More than that, he encouraged her to be nothing other than that.

So what's up? She asked, her eyes focused on Stolas, though she knew his wouldn't be on her. That particular mannerism reminded her of a predator, though she could never quite put her finger on why. You don't normally need to see me in person, not that I'm complaining.

A smirk would find its way into the corners of Aadya's mouth as she continued to watch her master.


@Mr. Teatime
 

Darth Stolas

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Morgan finished arranging the wet herb mix in the bowl and placed it down. Delicately he plucked up a pair of metal tongs to flip over the coals for even heating. "Teacher," Morgan corrected in mildly stern tones, though with a glint of amusement behind otherwise distracted golden eyes. "We'll see." They both also knew her forms would be tested when they met in person. Plus, he appreciated her general attitude. It was part of why he'd accepted her as his student in the first place.

He returned to the task at hand, affixing the hookah bowl to it's top, then the coals to a high-sided metal plate over the bowl.
"I'm going on a journey of sorts. Looking for some things." Morgan sat down on the other free seat and lifted the mouthpiece, lightly inhaling to get the shisha cook started. "You're coming along." Generally they focused on some sort of training, then Aadya was sent off, repeat. Long-term personal time was uncommon. That it would almost certainly be dangerous didn't need to be said out loud.

"Best to train you in person, don't you think?" Another inhale before Morgan fully relaxed into his side's couch, right calf folding casually over his left thigh. Finally his eyes turned to look at Aadya, glancing over her attire. "I like the look, but you'll need to bring more than that. Can pick things up before we go." As much as he appreciated her fashion sense, one outfit wasn't going to cut it

Morgan paused a long moment.
"Unless you plan on wearing that the entire time?" The slightest grin found his face as he exhaled a cloud of smoke and offered the hookah hose over to the younger Firrerreo, whose brown eyes hadn't left him while he busied with the hookah. He still seemed occupied by some thought or other, but now the immediate task was done Aadya actually had his attention. At least until something else might draw it away.

"It's good to see you too, Aadya."


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Aadya Rasheer

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Aadya took the hookah hose when Morgan offered it to her, placing it between her lips and inhaling a little more deeply than she'd intended. Luckily the hit came through quite smooth, maybe even cold, so she didn't have a coughing fit and embarrass herself.

The young acolyte let the smoke slowly billow from her nose as she exhaled, her eyes meeting her master's when the man finally turned his aureate gaze onto her. It was unsettling and comforting at the same time - like staring into the glinting eyes of a stalking monster you know will probably kill you, but you welcome the embrace like an old friend just the same - the faintest hint of a smile creasing her lips.

What kind of journey? She asked, finally. The answer didn't really matter much, just the details, though she doubted Morgan would just hand them over - not really his style. Plus, the choice on whether or not to go did not belong to her, though there would have been no way she would have turned it down even if it did.

Don't worry about clothes, She said with a chuckle, handing the hookah hose back to Morgan. I gave Dante a protocol a long time ago to always make sure to bring my emergency bag in whatever ship you guys were in. It's already sitting in one of the spare quarters, I am sure.

Aadya's typical smirk returned, one of her eyebrows raising coyly. Plus, we're almost the same size. I could have just borrowed some of your clothes if things really got desperate.

Aadya paused just for a moment to savor this, one of the few times she'd had Morgan's true attention for longer than a scant few seconds. The Darth's mind always seemed to be wandering, looking ahead, though still planted in the present. But even she could tell that there was something different, that behind the shimmering eyes of her master something tugged at him. A burden, heavy, something that needed released.

There is something on your mind. What is it? And don't cat and mouse me to try to avoid talking about it, I always know when you are doing that.

Still, Aadya's eyes never left Morgan's. She never feared the monster behind them who might try to kill her, not even once. She only ever sought the the embrace.


@Mr. Teatime
 
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Darth Stolas

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Dark brows rose slightly. Aadya smoked sometimes but this was a whole different beast to contend with. Aside the fairly typical mint flavoured shisha there were other mild herbs mixed in to aid relaxation. In short, it was strong, and he hadn't expected her to start taking long pulls.

He wasn't about to correct her, though, where was the fun in that? Fine features formed a wry expression when Aadya asked after what they were actually doing on this quest of theirs.
"I train too, you know," he answered, fully aware that was less than helpful. He paused for effect just to watch her reaction, then, "The exploration kind. Follow some interesting rumours, among other things."

It was least kind of an answer. In truth Morgan hadn't fully planned things out, just vague ideas. Slender finger took back the hose and drew a deep drag, eyes leaving Aadya again to watch hookah water bubble in the bowl below the neck. Cool, fragrant smoke billowed lazily from his lips, briefly concealing his face in the haze. When it cleared he was abruptly looking at his student again after her comment on wearing Morgan's clothes herself.

"Really reaching there, Aadya." A smirk returned, always fond of playing harmless little games back and forth. "Afraid you wouldn't look good in my pants." Another shorter pull before he offered the hose back across. On the top level of the Supernaut droid pilots were getting the ship ready for takeoff, engines smoothly thrumming to life. The sound was barely audible after the sound dampers took effect. Aadya's things had actually been delivered already and set in the starboard guest quarters.

The next question, however, brought Morgan full pause. He frowned and leaned back into the couch. It was something irritatingly relevant to the journey itself and his own mood. She knew him well enough to recognize when he was avoiding something with double speak, not that it was always subtle in the first place. Still, it was also a greatly personal question Aadya more often shied away from. Morgan never properly answered those in any detail.

Goldens stared at her for several seconds, a subtle silver shading slipping slickly quick across his skin before fading away again, pupils slitting sharply.
"I've lost my home," was all he said at first as his eyes returned to normal. He didn't sound angry with Aadya however, especially since he grumbled, "Thanks for asking," afterwards.

The ship began to lift off.


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An annoyed huff of air escaped Aadya's nose in response to Morgan's answer to her first question, though her face swiftly morphed from an annoyed grimace to the faintest hint of an endearing smirk.

The answer was just so typical Morgan that Aadya couldn't even be mad. She'd asked it knowing full well the kind of answer that would most likely come, but it was part of her master's charm. Or so was Aadya's opinion, anyway.

Purposefully cryptic or are we simply chasing ghosts? She asked, raising an eyebrow.

Before she could bother him more with questions that likely didn't have answers, Aadya watched as Morgan took another drag from the hookah. The smoke was thick and made her blink her eyes slightly as it obscured his face. His next comment took her just a little off guard, but the harmless little smirk that accompanied it almost pulled color into Aadya's cheeks.

Only one way to find out. She whispered, knowing that Morgan's Firrerreon ears would still be able to hear it, but maintaining the illusion that if asked to repeat herself, she could feign like she'd said nothing at all. She casually waved away the hookah hose as it was offered back to her.

It was when her master's demeanor changed that Aadya actually did wish she'd said nothing. She matched Morgan's gaze, unblinking, and could feel the emotions that shimmered across his skin. It was more than simple anger, of that she was certain. Despair, maybe, for something that could never be repaired in all the places it was broken. Despite being gone as quickly as it had come, the ripple would stay with her for awhile, she thought.

Aadya blinked a couple of times before turning her own eyes away from Morgan, looking down for just a moment as if to apologize for perhaps asking in the way that she did. He had answered her, though, and with actual truth. The young acolyte would carry that for a long time.

The devastation of Firrerre was something Aadya had heard about, though it did not impact her in the way it impacted her master. She had no ties to that place or the people who lived there, but she understood what it meant to think you had lost everything. She understood it very well.

I think - She started, mouth just a little bit dry, returning her gaze to Morgan's. I think that home is something you carry with you, Morgan. It is not somewhere you go. Aadya paused for a moment, her eyes widening just enough to be noticeable upon the realization she'd referred to him with his real name, something she'd never done before. Maybe he wouldn't notice, or care, or kill her, or something. Hopefully.

Whether home is a place or a person or whatever, it doesn't really matter. No one can take that from you. Aadya continued, hoping to move past the potential mistake she had just made. A small sigh escaped her lips, before she nodded towards him in regards to the last thing he had said. Thanks for answering.

Aadya could feel the ship shudder and lurch just slightly as it began to take off. Never more unsure of herself or where she might stand with her master, Aadya gave Morgan a small smile as if to say she was sorry, though she knew better to apologize out loud.

You gonna tell me where we're headed, at least? She asked, turning her head towards one of the windows to watch the ship slip into hyperspeed.


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Darth Stolas

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A hand casually waved through the air, Morgan's expression visibly amused by Aadya's grimace. From the very start the two Firrerreo had this casual back and forth that, somehow, led to the young woman asking the Sith Lord to be her teacher. It was an easy thing that happened without forethought or planning, familiar and comfortable in a galaxy that seemed turned on its head.

"Why not both?" he "answered", at first. "Chasing ghosts... Apt term. To see what we can see." Morgan gave no indication whatsoever he'd heard his student's quiet comment, instead going back to watching the hookah water bubble for a few moments. They both knew he'd heard it, it just wasn't addressed in the moment.

He was quiet after his admission, focusing on smoking and his own thoughts. Goldens didn't entirely look away from his student and still caught the many small motions that gave Aadya an almost apologetic air. It was a sensitive question with an answer to match, although Morgan didn't go into any detail whatsoever. Nor, really, was he speaking only of Firrerre.

But it'd been where he grew up and trained, learning of his people and culture. It was far from a wholly happy childhood given what his family was, but even so. While not his ideal, it'd been home. To his surprise- he didn't know why he was surprised, really, given Aadya habit of talking back- the younger Sith actually had something to say on the subject.

Morgan stared as she spoke, eyebrows lifting when Aadya used his real name. He remembered most everything and knew for a fact she'd always avoided doing that, further evidenced by widened eyes. All the same, the rest got more immediate attention. She spoke with the weight of experiencing a loss herself, the Sith Lord could tell. What she said was vaguely personal.

A silent twinge went through Morgan's chest when she mentioned a person. It all echoed what that particular person had asked last they met, in a way, food for thought. He'd rarely felt entirely at home anywhere in a long time. Eventually he looked away from Aadya, a stormy mood clouding his expression. Morgan realized his surprise came from Aadya speaking with him of a deeper subject, even asking after what bothered him.


"Teacher," he corrected again, even less stern than the last time. After a moment the ghost of wry grins past returned in the middle of another drag off the hose. "Maybe. I wouldn't know." She was right again, about apologizing. It'd only annoy him if Aadya spoke up and took it back.

He tapped a finger thoughtfully against the hookah's glass mouthpiece. Without preamble his unoccupied hand gestured toward a box beneath the table, coils of the Force pulling it out and up to sit next to him on the couch. A Force lock atop clitter-clacked to unlocking, the lid hinging open to reveal a black and red pyramid that appeared crafted of obsidian and crimson stone.


"We're going to Weik, in wild space, to look for some very old magic. This holocron guides the way." Just as unceremoniously it shut and locked again. After the ship entered hyperspace he took one last drag, offered the hose to Aadya, and stood lazily from the couch.

"Not answering more questions until we check your forms," he informed her, walking toward the door. "Come on." A hand briefly patted the top of Aadya's head on the way by, soft steps carrying him to the stairs. The ship's garden had been replaced with a training and meditation area.


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Aadya Rasheer

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The beating heart of nervousness faded within Aadya quickly when Morgan hadn't scolded her, or worse, for her mistake just a few moments prior. The young acolyte mirrored her master's grin - just a wisp of an expression, but clear in intent for those that paid attention - as she listened, though he kept his response short. Purposefully so, if she were to guess.

Sometimes Aadya wondered if that were the consequence of becoming a Sith Lord, to erect unscalable walls around the things you thought made you most vulnerable. There was safety there, sure, but it was a prison all the same. Though, maybe a prison where you got to choose the interior wouldn't be so bad. And maybe, should the walls ever actually come down, what she would find there isn't something that wanted to be found.

You are more than a mere teacher, She said quietly, watching as Morgan sat in reserved contemplation for a moment, the stormy clouds that had been in his eyes a few minutes ago having faded almost as quickly they had come. I think you do know, but that's alright. Sometimes a beautiful lie is easier than a painful truth. Something to remember, though - pain shared is not pain doubled, teacher. It is pain halved.

Aadya watched with enraptured eyes as Morgan produced the box and revealed the holocron. She had never before witnessed something so.. alluring, so tempting, something that beckoned you to reveal its contents by merely existing. But just like that it was gone again, locked back inside of its box, hidden away.

It wasn't until now that Aadya realized how tightly she had balled her fists to keep herself from reaching out to touch the holocron. So tightly, in fact, the slightest bit of blood had dripped from the marks she'd left in the palm of her hand with her finger nails.

Before she could start a new line of inquiry about Weik, Morgan was already moving on and had told her no more questions. It's almost like he knew if he didn't, they'd never get anything done. Annoyance flashed across her eyes for a moment, though it quickly faded to something... else when Morgan brushed past her, his hand gently patting the top of her head.

A rush of warmth flooded Aadya's chest and snaked its way up to her cheeks and despite wanting to do anything other than this, a smile split her lips that she couldn't quite shake for far too long. She sat there on the couch and listened to the sound of Morgan steps echoing lightly on the stairs, making sure he was out of view before standing to follow.

When she finally reached the training area, Aadya's face had returned to normal and the strange butterflies that had been filling her stomach were gone. She looked at Morgan with narrow eyes, the kind of look people gave to someone who annoyed you far too much to deserve how much you loved them.

She approached a rack of training swords and tossed one to Morgan before grabbing one of her own. Moving to a position across from Morgan, Aadya's posture slid effortlessly into her most utilized form, what the old Jedi would have called Niman.

You barely answer my questions as it is, teacher. Aadya said, a little bit of ice in her otherwise playful tone. Maybe you'll be more inclined when you see how far I have come.


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Darth Stolas

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Using his real name hadn't bothered the Firrerreo much beyond being a small breach in traditional protocol. Bothered him less than it probably should, actually, if he thought about it. While he'd chosen the name Stolas for himself, Morgan had been chosen long before then. Even so, he'd never been one to completely open himself up to others. That he wasn't angry should be enough.

Goldens looked at Aadya for a moment, the younger Firrerreo having gone back to Morgan's preferred title. Dark brows furrowed and the wry grin widened, mysterious other things hidden behind that look.
"Yes. But it's not for you." Her reaction to the holocron was noted as well as the self control she exhibited. Morgan had just been showing her the object as a reason, nothing more for the moment. A scent of copper and iron mixed with hookah smoke from nails that bit into Aadya's skin, although he paid it little attention.

There was a curious pause as Morgan moved through the doorway, head tilting the very slightest bit back toward Aadya, before he made his way upstairs. His left brow rose in response to his student's expression. Left hand deftly caught the training sword, twirling it lazily with the ease that comes with rote use and practice. Morgan's right foot slid slowly back, right hand's fingers curling around the training weapon's pommel in a basic two-handed guard, tip up 45 degrees toward Aadya.

While Morgan preferred his own style he simplified it when teaching forms to his student. Qo Jen was not something he passed on lightly, even by accident. An easy grin found his face, a mischievous glint behind golden eyes, teasing and challenging above flashing razor fangs.


"Possibly. We'll have to find out, no?"

Utterly calm, he took a single half step forward, front foot followed by back. His style, even simplified, was sudden and explosive, a storm that hid striking thunderbolts. The next step his sword's tip dipped down as if to thrust toward her stomach, then flicked up and forward in a whipping blow instead toward her lead arm.


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Our bond runs deeper than your reservations, Aadya said as if she were stating an irrefutable fact. It was possible it was entirely one sided, but at this point, Aadya was done being timid in her feelings or her opinion. You are strong, but you are alone, carrying the weight for your burden. You will break eventually. She paused for a moment, matching her gaze to Morgan's. Whatever it is that you won't tell me - and it is fine if you don't - don't let it drown you. Everything ends, teacher. That's what gives it value.

The opening move was simple, straightforward, like an hors d'oeuvre leading into heavy meal. Aadya had seen it before, used both against her in training, and to kill others in the real world. Morgan's fighting style was different than hers, much different, but he had transferred its principles to Aadya - and she had become a better swordsman because of it.

Aadya knew the feint and she did not fall for it. When Morgan's saber dipped to thrust, she kept her guard and didn't take the bait, instead moving her saber to catch when her master's suddenly whipped towards her arm. The training swords clashed expectedly, though Aadya never liked them as much as real lightsabers. She wanted to smell the burnt ozone.

With her offhand, fitting with her own style, Aadya reached out with the force to draw Morgan closer to her, but just a bit. With swift movement and a leg stronger and heavier than stone, Aadya would try to drive her shin directly into the side of Morgan's knee, the one on the opposite side of his sword hand.

Aadya's focus was entirely in the present but part of her mind still wandered. She thought she knew that Morgan had a good heart, and sometimes that was enough to see you safe through dark clouds and loss. But mostly, it's not, and she wondered if he knew that too. Life was so many fragile things, after all.

And people break so easily.


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Morgan's brows furrowed at what else Aadya had to say but didn't directly comment on it. There was a flash of irritation that wasn't voiced, although the other Firrerreo wouldn't have context for precisely what wording triggered it. There was much she didn't know about her teacher, a man who often kept things unhelpfully to himself. Sometimes purposeful, sometimes not, sometimes just there to invite questions.

"If the weight is heavy," he said, even and terse. "One grows stronger." Just as his own teacher would have said. It was clear he was done with his line of discussion for the moment. However, that he didn't snap at Aadya was still telling. Maybe he understood Aadya's feelings, maybe he had no idea. Neither was obvious. This was how Morgan taught, in his own way, poking and prodding. Sometimes roundabout, sometimes direct.

It was just like dancing.

Aadya knew the feint. It was basic, simple, straight forward. He wasn't testing her knowledge, but reaction. Unfocused users of Niman thought too much and sometimes reacted poorly to swift changes of direction. He didn't fault his student for her own choice of style but corrected what he saw as flaws that would get her killed.

Like letting her thoughts wander. Surely Morgan had a good heart in his own strange way. Still, his was a heart had fanged teeth of its own. Knowing their kind recovered quickly, he was rarely gentle in practice. To do otherwise would be disrespectful to the art and, his teaching, and Aadya herself.

His strike snapped against Aadya's guard and then flattened partly, keeping it in place with his superior leverage. Morgan allowed her influence on his person- this was training, after all- but kept his balance by taking a half-step forward with his left foot. The left came up quickly as Aadya's hips cocked into a kick, leaning into a shin on shin block. That same leg came down to the ground, Morgan's right now the lead leg with two weapons bound together and pushing abruptly toward Aadya.

They were much closer now, the scents of citrus and mixed herbs that characterized Aadya's teacher fresh and clear. Abruptly his right leg moved back against, blade twisting down and right to hook her blocking blade and fling her guard away to her right. A sudden stop of the movement would, if successful, leave her very open to a proper thrust.

The ghost of a smirk was on Morgan's face. Not many knew he actually enjoyed fighting, with the noble and dignified way he spoke and generally carried himself. But Aadya would know, whatever else he was going through, even if this was a teaching experience, he was having fun.


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She would never tell him - though a small part of her thought he always knew - that it was these moments Aadya cherished with Morgan the most. There was a pureness in it even through the lessons, moving in tandem, close enough to catch know the scent of one another. Morgan who carried a hint of citrus and herbs she could never quite pinpoint, and Aadya's - something that was only ever a wisp on the air, smelling almost subliminally of summer peaches and sharp wine. The dance was freedom.

Aadya let Morgan push into her, surprised but not entirely by the block he'd managed to her kick. She moved her own body even closer, her left leg snaking around his enough to slide her foot forward so that it was behind his. With his leverage, Aadya knew that Morgan's twisting blade would open her guard. If this fight were real, a death blow would have likely followed.

She would push off from Morgan and reset, like they always did. Angry at herself for letting her mind wander, annoyed with Morgan that he so easily made her look foolish. Their dance would continue for awhile just like that. Often times Aadya being able to keep pace and match her master, but other times still making mistakes. It was frustrating and sometimes embarrassing, but such was the price of bettering yourself.

This continued for a long time until Aadya had broken a worthwhile sweat. Dried tracks of blood ran down her body in various places, the wounds only surface level and long since healed by her natural abilities as a Firrerreo.

Some people might have seen using live weapons in training as an unnecessary danger, but Aadya saw it as potential for true growth. When it came down to a real fight with her life on the line, she would remember the sharp pain of a blade slicing through her skin or the throb of taking a knee to her ribs. It's hard to forget pain and you learn so little from peace.

As she was starting to take her place across from Morgan for another go, Aadya noticed the streaking lines of hyperspace suddenly cease as she stared out of one of the viewports.

I think we've arrived, She said idly, still holding her sword but letting some of the tension release from her muscles. I need to shower before we go anywhere, though. She let the statement linger for maybe just couple seconds too long, the smallest part of her thinking that if she did, maybe Morgan would offer to join.

Assuming Morgan didn't protest her leaving, Aadya would return her sword to its place and head toward her personal quarters. She would shower longer than she needed to, leaning against one of the walls as the breathtakingly hot water ran down her back. Her thoughts lingered on the conversation she and Morgan had before the training session.

Eventually those thoughts washed away from her mind, taken with the water and down the drain. Aadya toweled off and changed into her usual armor, though she opted away from wearing the the mask she usually adorned. Making her way down the open exit ramp - assuming Morgan had already done so given the length of her shower - Aadya let out a sigh as she looked around for her master.


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It was often difficult to tell about which things Morgan could summon up patience for, as unpredictable as the rest of him. More often lately his fiery temper had flared to the surface, long fuse cut short. Here and now, however, it stayed in place. Training weapons left bruises and surface lacerations but Morgan didn't hold back too much. Sometimes his voice snapped sharply to correct or offer advice, other times it warmed to give praise or encouragement.

Morgan never was one to stick to only positive or negative reinforcement. When it came to training he was uncharacteristically precise and straightforward. Aadya could take it and learn from every failure, a key part of Stolas' Sith philosophy he'd espoused over and over.

Then the ship dropped from lightspeed and Morgan quietly lowered his weapon's tip before dropping guard entirely. He let the quiet linger on its own for a moment before saying,
"As do I." Training also meant taking hits to show what worked, although he had less blood on his than his student. "Off you go."

After returning things to their proper place he went to his quarters to clean himself up, scratches and bruises already fading. Somehow, even as thorough as Morgan was with preening himself, he'd managed to be ready before Aadya.

Dressed in a finely made but practical tunic typical these days for a Morgan who was working, the man himself was waiting a short distance from the lowered ramp and looking out over the landscape. A pair of speeder bikes sat idle nearby. His head tilted slightly as Aadya departed the ship, slender fingers wrapped around one another. A prior expression of melancholy nostalgia vanished, replaced with a small grin.


"What I'm looking for is here," he expressed with confidence. His senses and sight often picked up the tiniest differences in how the Force flowed and this search was no exception. "We just need to find it." Naturally, he didn't intend to walk the entire way if he didn't have to. Morgan stepped to the bike, hesitated a half-second, and then flung his legs over into the pilot's seat.

Golden eyes looked expectantly toward the younger Firrerreo.
"We'll start with the largest settlement."


@Logan
 
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