The Training of Darius Dracskul

Solus

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He walked slowly down the halls, not diverting his attention to the left or to the right. He walked gravely towards the room designated by his new Bendu Master. This was a serious thing, he might be able to make more of his life here than he ever would as an agrarian worker. He was fairly naive about what to expect, and even much about what the Bendu were; he expected that that was what his teacher - Master - was for.

His face showed no emotion. He had little to smile for, though possibly becoming a Bendu did entice him, but then again, so did other times. He was, at least, thankful that he wasn't experiencing an attack. With his Master waiting for him, it would not make a good impression to lock himself in his quarters... if he could find them. If not, there would be trouble.

But he didn't need to focus on that, reaching his goal was the task at hand- nothing else. That was soon enough accomplished, though, when he reached the room in which he was to be taught. Without moving his head more than a hair in either direction, his eyes glanced around the room in search of his Master.

((Not a spectacular start, but I'm tired))
 

Lillianne Crasse

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OOC: I guess we'll be just doing your training here.

Lillianne, unlike the High Priest, was more of a restless spirit when it came to times such as these. When she had been promoted to a Knight among the Bendu so quickly, she felt a sense of pride and elation. Surely, even he was pleased with her progress; it only seemed to reaffirm her place among the Priests here.

However, the life of a Knight was not too different from an apprentice. Much more was required of her, of that it was true, yet still she trained herself on the precepts of the Bendu and their ways just as the apprentices. Today of all days was special, though. It was today that she was receiving her first pupil. It seemed as if the Ashla had been guiding the young man to her since their first meeting.

Thrilled that she and River would spend more time together, she stood in the back of the room, facing one of the windows, humming softly to herself as the sunlight bathed her small form. She smiled as she heard the door creek as he entered the room and stopped her humming, yet not turning to face him.
 

Solus

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((Might as well))

When he slowly opened the door, his face showed a small flicker of surprise as he blurted, "Lillianne?" River looked at her curiously. She was his trainer? Was the council sure she was powerful enough? He had much to learn and much to ask for along the way. Despite this, it was probably just as well she wasn't incredibly powerful, or a High Priest or a Bac. The waves of power might be too much for him - probably cause more frequent attacks. He didn't need that.

((Gack, sorry it's so short))
 
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Lillianne Crasse

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Lillianne couldn't help it as she dropped her gaze to the floor and stifled a chuckle at his response. She turned around with a huge smile upon her face and nodded to him.

"I wanted to tell you sooner, yet the High Priest suggested I keep a certain aire of mystery on our first meeting as trainer and trainee. Yet, I don't want you calling me master or anything of the sort. It would feel...awkward," she said, gauging whether or not he was relieved or worried about his training now.
 

Solus

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He did not reply, but just looked her up and down. Interesting. Judging from what he knew about her, she seemed to be his polar opposite. This might cause problems, but he would try. He couldn't get help if he couldn't take a little training. Anyway, he was sure his mental state wasn't the most healthy anyways, so her being his antithesis would probably not be such a bad thing.

He leaned against the shut door behind him and crossed his arms as he waited for her to start, face emotionless.
 

Lillianne Crasse

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Lillianne continued to smile at him, noticing that he did not at all seem pleased. However, she couldn't recall a time when he had seemed pleased. Motioning with her hand to the the mat in front of her, she swept her hair off her shoulders, letting it fall on her back and knelt down on the floor, centering herself and her mind, hoping River would do likewise.
 

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He cocked an eyebrow at her motion to sit before pushing himself off the door to walk towards the spot she indicated. He let his arms hand free as he strode over to the mat. Taking a hint, he sat down, cross-legged. After all, he couldn't sit normally, she was in front of him and there was nothing to lean on, and kneeling he found uncomfortable. Sitting the way he was wasn't exactly comfortable either, but it was better than putting your feet to sleep. After all, he wasn't use to a soft, higher-class life. He needed a nice tree to lean on.

He scootched around a bit, trying to get more comfortable but failing before giving up in his awkward position. He looked up at her to see what to do next, only to find her eyes shut. Inwardly, he moaned, putting his hand over his face with a tortured expression. Meditating - the most dangerous thing he could do, especially near someone trained in the Force of Others. It was apparent she didn't know that much about him. He hoped that introductions would be soon in coming - and that something would happen before his mind wandered paths that it shouldn't. He gripped the necklace hidden under his tunic as he waited.
 

Lillianne Crasse

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Sensing his discomfort, she opened one eye and watched him try to get in a more comfortable position. His whole body seemed to be screaming out at her with each passing moment that he sat. Yet, she wasn't aware of his inner conflict. He would have to open up to her in that regard and do something he seemed reluctant to do, trust her.

"You know I've always hated these rooms," she said with finality, opening both eyes and looking into his face.

"There's a beautiful tree not far from these grounds that provides a wonderful shade and has a large trunk to lean against. Would you be opposed to training outside instead of inside like the others? I hate being confined inside walls," she told him, not lying about her preferences, but also hoping to ease some of the tension that seemed to be growing in the room.
 

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He glanced up at her when she first commented, wondering what she was getting at. As she described her idea to him, something in his eyes seemed to brighten a bit. Maybe she knew something about him after all. He was more at home outside. "Yes," He replied, huskily, "I would like that."

With that, he rose and waited for her to lead the way. After all, he was new here.
 
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Lillianne Crasse

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That bit of light in his eyes was the doorway Lillianne had been looking for since the very first time she met him. Figuratively taking a step toward that opening, she stood and made her way quickly toward the door as if she was up to mischief.

Peering out of the doorway, she found the hallway to be empty and immediately slipped out, hoping one of the priests didn't see them and frown upon her methods. Waving Darius out as well, they quickly flew to the nearest doorway leading to freedom.
 

Solus

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As he watched her make her way towards the door, he gave her an incredulous glance. What was she doing? He was pretty sure it wasn't illegal to go outside, and if it was, he wouldn't put up with it anyway. He got himself up and followed Lillianne, who sneaked towards the nearest door the the outside. It was a bright, sunny day, slightly cool with a brisk breeze as it usually was in the mountains. It felt good to breathe the free air again.
 

Lillianne Crasse

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Lillianne seemed to come more alive outside the Temple as she made her way to the tree she had told him about. It was, by far, the largest tree in the area it's boughs spread wide as it climbed into the air several hundred feet. Judging by it's size it appeared to have been on the mountain top for a long long time. Unlike the other trees in the area, this tree seemed to hum with a particular tune, almost as if it were thriving upon the amount of the Force flowing in and around the Temple.

Lillianne turned to the tree and leaned her head against it, feeling the Force flowing through its branches and the life teeming in its boughs.

"Is this better suited to you, River?" she asked her pupil, loving his name more and more.
 

Solus

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When he saw her leave the indoors and come into the light of the green world, it was almost like watching a flower gently blossom. Her face lit up and more color seemed to softly brush her cheeks. The happiness evident on her face and the excitement that shone in her eyes at seeing the planet's beauty made her seem childlike - innocent. It was something he had not seen in a long time.

She did not have to direct him long after they left, the large tree could be seen for miles, and this close up it was impossible to miss. Following her, he walked up to it and put his hand to it. Yes, this was much better. I'll bet it makes for a great climbing tree, an innocent part of his thoughts chimed. He glanced over at Lilliane, who almost seemed to be embracing the tree with a contented, loving look on her face. He looked at her curiously, yet bemused, the most emotion his visage had shown in a long time.

Such a lovely, innocent girl, not aware of the things he knew - of the things he'd done. The thought of having to tell her almost caused him fear - what if she should turn him away? What if she caused him to be excommunicated for what he had done, so that he would never find retribution, and healing for him and his sister? No, he did not want to harm that childlike quality, that inner beauty that complimented her physical sweetness, to be hurt in any way.

"Yes," He replied simply to her in a quiet voice.
 
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Lillianne Crasse

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His response seemed to shadow the emotions he was feeling inside. Turning to him and resting her back against the tree, she studied him for a long moment, crossing her arms across her chest. He was unlike anyone she'd ever met before. It seemed as if a part of him wanted to reach out and embrace life, yet something was holding him back. She needed to find out just what that was and free him. Perhaps that was what the Ashla was trying to tell her about him all along. Yet, deep down she knew there was something else about him, something that she should be wary of. No matter how hard she tried to shake that feeling it was there.

"What is it River? What is it that causes you to hold back? I can feel it inside of you, gnawing at you. You want to be free, don't you? I can feel it like an aching inside of you, like a bird longing to burst from it's shell. What is it you're so afraid of?" she asked, not wanting to hold back here where it was only the two of them. "What is it that has you so wary of me?"
 

Solus

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Something about him stiffened when she turned to look at him, something about him was afraid of her... now that he thought about what he really was, what he was capable of... what he often craved to do. Was it fear of her finding out... or was he just afraid of himself? No, he didn't fear himself... he hated himself. He was only afraid of what he might become.

Something... something about her made him want to open up, but her words only hurt him more. Yes... he wanted to be free. But he never could be free. It was like holding a glass of water just out of a dying man's reach. Cruel.

He did not answer for a long time as his soul writhed within him. "Me," He at last burst, "I am evil."
 
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Lillianne Crasse

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Seeing him stiffen made Lillianne want to reach out and embrace him, yet she knew to do so would only push him further away. It was time for baby steps. He had to step out on his own, break free from that which he let imprison him and taste freedom for himself. She could not force it upon him, yet she knew if this terror inside of him was not contained, not confronted, he could never meet his full potential. He would not be safe from himself until his darkest fears were faced.

"Explain what you mean for what I see before me is not someone who is evil, but someone full of compassion," she told him, wanting to boost his confidence and shatter the insecurity inside of him.
 

Solus

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"You can't mean that," He replied slowly. How could she see compassion in him? Anything good had been consumed, and he knew it. The only thing he had left that held any form of light was his dedication to his sister, wearying though it was. He gently brushed his finger against teh necklace that hung around his throat, hidden beneath his tunic.

"I am an Anzat, little more than a long-lived Human here but out there our race is something more," He finally said, "...I am a... a murderer."
 
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Lillianne Crasse

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"Perhaps in the past, but not recently," she said evenly, pushing away from the tree and taking a couple of steps closer to him, staring deeply into his eyes.

"Were you evil and a murderer, you would have killed countless Bendu during your stay here. There have been numerous times when you could have killed for the sheer joy of killing, but you haven't. It is because of that and something that perhaps you can't see that I call you compassionate."
 

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"Maybe not recently... but I crave to every day. Sometimes every hour," He revealed in a low voice, "Out there... beyond Kal'Shabbol, I know... I know my kind is.. addicted... to killing things... for... for their life. Life force. I tasted it once. I killed something. I'm hooked. I can't stop myself... very long. I have to lock myself up." He said, revealing that piece of him to her.

She had to know. If he was to be around her, she would need to know. He didn't want to hurt her. "I can't get close to anyone."
 
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Lillianne Crasse

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Raising her eyebrows at his comment, seeing his distress, she didn't shrink away from him, but instead walked closer.

"Then, we must do what we can to break that addiction and prove to yourself that you can overcome it. We all have a hardship to bear, it's how you carry it that determines the person and not the hardship yourself. Yet, before I can help you, you must trust me. Can you do that?"
 
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