Reaping Sleep

[Vexillar]

He had almost no time to himself these days. He was missing out on so many research opportunities, it was almost heartbreaking to the Arcanist. What was a man to do without his tomes and holocrons? It was bad enough he basically had two Apprentices, though one was not long for the Sith, and had to find time to maintain other Acolytes' studies, but to keep his own skills sharp? Seemed like such a difficult thing. Surely the Force had a reason for all this, however, yes? It had to. Because this was ridiculous...

But it wasn't all bad, and maybe that's where the Force's plan came into effect.

Raith found himself short on supplies. Normally he'd simply place an order for them and call it a day. But he had students who needed a lesson. So who was he to rob them of the chance, and save money, to learn new skills? That being said, Alicia and Teran were currently with him and Vallo, his very anti-social Tuk'ata, and Eezeo, the signature golden Arachnid that was always by his side, on their way to Yavin IV. What was there? The Crystal Snake. Not all toxins were designed to kill, and anyone who knew the Archanist understood that he wasn't the type to kill without purpose or cause. He manipulated, schemed, worked his way around people and situations.

So a poison that induced sleep was perfect...

Besides, in high doses it was lethal enough. Raith had discovered a cave where Crystal Snakes thrived. The problem was that the cave was dark, and underground. You needed light to see. At least if you were a Non-Senaitive you did. As their ship dropped out of hyperspace, he turned his attention to the students. "The Force is a powerful ally. Respect it, and you'll find your power rise beyond imagination. There is a sect of powers, in the Sense category of the Force, that hightens your sensory input abilities. You can hear things from incredibly far away, understand a foreign language as if it was something you were fluent in. You can feel beyond the physical, that small tingling sensation just before danger strikes? Force Sense telling you to move or be hurt. What we will be learning today is Force Sight. My people, the Miraluka, are the galaxysw best at this ability. Because it's the only way we can see."

The Tuk'ata hugfedt heavily as he fell to the floor, curling up. He kept an eye on everyone in the room. His mistrust was clear, but Raith understood the creature wouldn't attack if it wasn't provoked. Why the creature had followed Raith...well he didn't know

"Force Sight allows us to see through the eyes of the Force. It is, as I say, trading beauty for truth. Starting out it may not seem any different than your nornal sight, but as you develop the power you'll begin to see people differently. You'll see auras that define people's alignment with the Force, you'll be able to tell how deeply someone's connection with the Force runs. And you'll even see the residual Force energies of skeletal remains. Important information if you know how to use it. Starting out, however, you'll find you don't need light to see with the Force, you can tell living from dead, and see through walls. All useful abilities in their own right."

The ship began to enter the planet's atmosphere. "Close your eyes. Focus on the Force. Feel it around you and open yourselves to it. Open your minds, to the galaxy and embrace the universe."

 

[z234]

Teran listened to the Sith speak whilst keeping an eye on the intimidating creature he had following him. He was here with another acolyte on both a mission and a training session, which was a nice environment to learn in as far as Teran could tell. The look in the Tuk'ata's eyes told Teran that it could kill him at any moment it could be bothered to. This unsettled Teran and he kept one hand near his saber, just in case. Teran had been told to close his eyes and open his mind to the force. He could try.

Shutting his eyes and breathing deeply, Teran tried to focus. He began to open up to the force, letting it flow through him and within him. For once in his life, he felt safer than usual. The energy of the force guided him, slowly but surely letting him see. It began. He could see the living around him, see the insides of the ship almost. He was doing it! It was happe- damn.

He opened his eyes, losing concentration but with a small look of triumph in his face. Teran looked at the Arcanist, waiting for what he would say next.

 

[Jason Vaiken]

Alicia has started down the path for a few more months than the Acolyte and worked with an Arcanist prior to this so she's slightly less intimidated now than she was then. After a few moments of reflection she gives what she was instructed an attempt but clearing her mind is a daunting thing for her.

She extends her conscience to the Force and attempts to see with it after a few minutes of blackness she could see a few feet in front of her but in a very blurry fashion.

 

[Vexillar]

Raith sat there in silence as the Acolytes meditated. He looked off to the side lazily for a moment, thinking about someone close to him. He wished that person was here, wished they could discuss things whilst the Acolytes did or died. But wishes were a fools item. They were simply desires one understood to be out of reach. Pitiful.

The movement of his brow signaled he would have rolled his eyes if he had any to roll. But he lacked such things.

When the Acolytes appeared ready for more he continued speaking. By this point the ship was nearing their destination. "If you feel you utilized the ability during such a simple exercise, you'd be partially correct. The Force answers our desires, or at least it is capable of such benevolent actions. But do not take it for granted. Desires are a terrible thing to work off of. No. You must shape your power with purpose, sharpen it to a fine point to be thrust into reality at any point. When wish to see through the eyes of the Force, you must remove your own sight. Release the tether that binds you to broader derails, and allow the Force to fill your sockets with truth." He stood and the Tuk'ata raised his head, looking at the Arcanist with curiosity.

The Sith strode over to the ramp and continued. "Not all targets will be things that kill you. No. Sometimes they can be things that get you killed. Such as today's goal. You are to go to the cave I have uploaded onto your datapads. Inside, somewhere, you will find a nest of Crystal Snakes. They will be like shadows in darkness to your physical eyes. Be warned. Their toxin does not kill, but you will fall asleep for a while. So practice once more. Close your eyes, forsake desire for purpose. I don't expect you to hold it long, but understand the path to take. Replace your sight with Sight."

 

[z234]

Teran closed his eyes once more, taking in what his teacher had said. He had that feeling again. The force was moving through him, but he knew he should use the force, or it would use him. Teran began to see again, stronger this time. If he wasn't going to be able to see the things attacking him, he had no chance of fighting them. Once again he saw things in their true light, the people around him being highlighted by the force, presumably as these Crystal Snakes would appear.

The other acolyte with him was obviously more experienced, although that was the case for most of the people he knew. Anyway, one more force power was one more step to becoming a real Sith. It wasn't really about that anyway, Teran would need these powers, regardless if he was an Acolyte or not. For now, he could just focus on being able to see the truth. Most of it, anyway.

 

[Jason Vaiken]

Alicia tries again once more reaching into the Force, fleshing out her vision moving it now up to twenty feet. But to her this is very difficult. Having eyes for your whole life and trying to not use them is a hard thing to do. But she knows she has to... For she has a feeling that there's gonna be a catch.

 

[Vexillar]

The ramp opened up as the ship touched the ground. They were bathed in golden light from the sun, as the Arcanist instructed them to follow. The journey was mostly silent. There wasn't much to say, and why he prepare them for the trials of the cave...why should he? They were Sith, and tasked with learning a skill for this very purpose. To navigate strange terrain, and spot things normally hidden. No. He wouldn't warn them of the cave, inhabitants. They would discover it soon enough.

As they approached the mouth of the cave he stopped and pointed inside. "In there you will find what I request. Crystal Snakes are nearly invisible to the bare eye, and in the darkness of this cave they will be impossible to see without aid. You must use this new power to find them. How you bring them back here...well that's for you to decide, but they must be brought back alive. They are useless to me dead."

He looked down as he heard the soft rustling of grass and caught sight of a snake. He stepped back a bit, giving it room to pass by. "Also consider yourselves warned twice now of their bite. It a single bite will not end your life, but a multitude just might. And it only takes one bite from these beasts to put you to sleep for an hour at the least. At which point you're at the mercy to the other snakes and creatures in that cave. You have been warned, Acolytes."

As if the Force wished to make a point, the snake he avoided bit a small rodent. Almost immediately the rodent went limp as the snake coiled around it and began to consume it.

Lamely pointing to the rodent he arched a brow at the two. "Any questions?"

 

[z234]

Teran followed the Arcanist to the mouth of the cave, being silent the whole way. Looking inside, he could see nothing but darkness. The light of the planet didn't light up the cave any deeper than a few meters in and he would need to use his new found skill to navigate the area, that much he understood. Looking at the Sith leading them, he began to speak. "Is there anything else inside the cave, apart from the snakes? And how many are we required to bring back?" The Acolyte questioned, wanting to know a bit more about what he was getting into.

Reaching down onto his hip, Teran took the hilt of his lightsaber, leaving it disabled but ready, he could have to use it at any moment. Peering into the cave, Teran made an attempt in utilising his new force power, reaching deep inside himself in order to see what was outside. There was life inside the cave, although it went quite deep and it was hard to see much further than a few meters with his new skill in it's current power. He would have to work on that if he ever wanted to become a Crusader. Turning back to the Arcanist, Teran waited for an answer.

 

[Jason Vaiken]

The cave seemed damp which means their could be water in it. This could also lead to other life forms. She uses we ability and limited emotional telepathy to see if she could feel some life or see in front of her. Seeing a good 20 ft in front of her from the cave.

"What's the catch if I may ask. While it's dark our eyes can adjust and help us see... So how will you ensure we use the Force for this task?"

 

[Vexillar]

"How many? Good question. Well as many as you can carry I suppose. I can't do much with a single snake, and making trips back here is a pain. So carry as many as you can. But two will not cut it..."

He then looked at the other Acolyte who inquired about a catch. "That cave goes down. There will be no light for you to rely on. Only the Force. And use of your saber is strictly prohibited, unless you are encountered by a large opposition. I will be able to track your movements from up here so I'll know." He flashed a coy grin.

Eezeo beeped a few times and Raith looked up. "Yes. Eezeo has pointed out they will be waking soon for their hunt. I suggest you get in there now."

 

[z234]

Putting his lightsaber back on his hip, Teran stepped towards the cave. He reached out with the force, detecting a few steep drops in the cave. It didn't go straight downwards, but was rather a succession of drops of a few metres. This would be harder than he had expected, but not too impossible. There was definitely something other than snakes down the, although he couldn't be sure what. The only way to find out was to go and look, although Teran knew they were weren't here to look around, they were here to train and apparently hunt snakes.

Hauling his rucksack over his shoulders, Teran went to move his cloak around. Only then did he remember he didn't actually have it on, but checking it hadn't off his shoulders had become something of a habit recently. The acolyte looked to his fellow trainee, asking a question. "So... Are we ready to go?" He didn't actually know whether they were cooperating or competing, but he would find out soon enough.

 

[Jason Vaiken]

Yes, let's, best to work together to get this done. That way we can compensate and help each other out if we fail.

She keeps her sabertstaff at her hip and gives him a little grin. Her question was answered but something still seems off... But whatever if he had something more to add he would have. Time to accept it and go.

After you!

Her voice had an enthusiastic tone behind it but she was kind of hoping for the best. This is something she needs to learn now and quickly.

 

[z234]

(Sorry, didn't realise we were doing 1 on 1 for now!)
The cave was dark. And damp. That was all Teran could make out from the entrance without using the force. Stepping into the cave in front of the slightly shorter woman, Teran took a deep breath. Shutting his eyes and relaxing his mind, Teran reached out with the force. Slowly but surely, the cave was illuminated in front of him. The wide opening crept around to the right as Teran paced forwards, the threshold of his view constantly advancing. His feet squelched in the occasional puddle, but other than that and the occasional passing of some kind of wildlife silence had descended onto the darkness. But up ahead, things drastically changed.

Staring down into the cave, Teran could see quite a steep drop of about 5 metres. That would have been fine. But after a short platform, this continued down into the cave. With only about one metre of space between Teran and the ceiling, he and the other acolyte would have to make their way down into the more open area below. Maybe there they would find the reptile that they were looking for. Teran wondered what the Arcanist actually did with all of this. He knew of the existance of Sith alchemy and even magic, but had never really delved too deeply. Although, that was not something that the young Acolyte was interested in too deeply. His strength lay in his agility and saber work, something that he was sure he would be able to focus on for at least his training. The lightsaber was an extension of his will and even though he had only acquired it mere days ago the connection was there already. But the force was as strong of an ally as his weapon was. Teran would need to remember that.

 

[Jason Vaiken]

Alicia followed the other acolyte into the cave. Keeping a careful eye out or the beasts using her new fangled ability. A trickle of apprehension keeps her at the ready. The other acolyte will perceive it as a coiled spring if he was observant and she is also using her empathic ability to sense emotions. The cave is moist and her boots squelch as she continues to walk forward.

She is this acolytes opposite probably in a technical sense. He seems more like a warrior while she is an aspiring sorcerer. These regents will be important for whatever experiment this Arcanust needs. Perhaps I can get a few extra for her master Sin'Ryk...

Still want to lead otherwise I can take the lead.

 

[z234]

Slowly making his way down the slopes, Teran noticed that the other acolyte looked ready for whatever lay ahead, in a similar mood to his. He had no idea how far down this cave went, but he doubted their scavenger hunt for these reptiles would be an easy one. Seeing with nothing but the force was a strange concept to the young man, but one that he was getting used to ever so slowly. After a short while his companion asked whether she should take the lead. Teran didn't particularly have a preference, so he turned his head towards her slightly, speaking into the darkness of the cave.

"If you wish to take the lead, then be my guest. I have no idea how far down we'll need to go, but it looks like the floor is flattening out up ahead." Teran answered to the acolyte. Indeed, up ahead the floor became flatter once again and the cave widened out a little, feeling damper and colder than before. They were nearing their prize slowly, but every step they progressed some more.

 

[Jason Vaiken]

//OOC: First let me apologise, I got bombarded by work and other personal things. If you want to get an encounter out Vex, can we do that?

Maintaining her Force Sight while supplementing it with her other senses mostly smell and hearing she continues to slowly move forward, cautiously... She Caius getting a feeling in her gut, a foreboding.

It's damper... Colder, we must maintain vigilance- lest any surprises jump out to get us. So let's keep our eyes peeled, so to speak.

Perhaps she's being over cautious... But Sith don't make anything easy.

 

[z234]

(don't worry about the delay, I haven't been doing a lot in the site recently but hopefully I can pick it back up again.)

Still maintaining his new found skill, Teran carried on down the cave, the smell of moss and the oozing plant life that grew down here filling his nose. This crystal snake would have to reveal itself soon, Teran wasn't sure how long he could keep this up. The Cave continued at a slight downwards slope, the walls glowing dimly.

Teran's ally spoke into the darkness, commenting that they should still be on alert. With a nod, Teran realised that he didn't particularly fancy disturbing anything else down here. He had been with the sith for a short time and he wasn't prepared to end his career now.