[Training] Of Nobility and Sorcery

[Dmitri]

Geist Weiss entered the abandoned temple on Yavin IV, a mile from the main Sith academy on the planet. Of the numerous abandoned temples in the planet, Geist had found this one suitable for training and as a lair for his experiments.

Recently, he had learned news that Avadrie volFyr had joined the Sith. He knew her by association, as the House of volFyr, like the House of Weiss, were noble houses of Empress Teta, houses known for their rivalry against the royal House of Es Cade.

Even more interesting, she had shown interest in Sith Sorcery. As a leading Sith Alchemist in the Sith, he found himself as one of the better suitors to be her teacher. As such, he had agreed to take her under his wing. She had, in her application, mention interest in using a lightwhip. Lightwhips were hard to control at first, so he used his Sith alchemy to forge a regular whip, one that was coated with Pelko bug venom, a poison that could paralyze what it made contact with, mimicking the effects of what it would feel like if a lightsaber, or lightwhip, sliced through a limb.

Geist wondered if he would be recognized. She woud have to have recognized his name, as he continued using the illusion that hid his appearance from others, insteading appearing like a metallic being.

The Sith Alchemist sat down on a fallen pillar, awaiting Avadrie's arrival.

 

[Silvergaze]

She had recognized the name immediately when she had been given the instruction that a senior Sith had decided to train her. Weiss. Another noble house from Empress Teta, one of considerable more repute than her own - considering that she was the last person bearing the name of her family since her sister had gotten married. The last of her line.

She had been told to meet him at the abandoned temple, and after a walk through the jungle, she found what she was looking for. This place had centuries of history and it seemed to choke the air as she approached the front entrance of the ruined temple. She wore attire that matched the climate of the moon, a thin form fitting t shirt with long pants for the sole purpose of protecting her from poisonous vermin. Her lightsaber hilt hung on the loose fitting utility belt she wore around her thin waist.

She was expressionless as she stepped into the temple, her green gaze filtering about the cavernous entry way as her eyes beheld a metallic figure within the temple. She tensed instantly, assuming that some other acolyte had arranged some sort of ambush for her, perhaps Xedan? Her senses spiraled out into her surroundings, intent on using the Force to determine if there was anyone else around.

She didn't feel anything, or anyone else big enough to do her harm or present a threat so instead she strode confidently towards this metallic figure, and while his powers surpassed hers to the point that she perceived the illusion to be mostly real, something guided her to believe that this was indeed Weiss, her potential Master.

Acting on this assumption, she spoke,

"Long live the King." A reference to their shared homeworld. Weiss, if he were truly this metallic being, would catch the reference.

 

[Dmitri]

Avadrie arrived, though she seemed a little spooked by Geist's form. He was amused that it worked so well. He grinned, though it was impossible for Avadrie to tell.

She seemed unsure if he was Geist or not. Was that paranoia he felt from her? So she had already entered rivalry and competition with other Sith. Interesting. Ultimately, she decided to advance and spoke an old reference to Empress Teta.

Geist cackled. "The Kings are of the past. Emperors and Empresses rule there now, ever since Empress Teta assumed the throne thousands of years ago. You served Emperor Caye Es Cade and Empress Cake Es Cade in the past, and now you serve a new emperor, the Dark Lord of the Sith. I am intrigued. How did a noblewoman from a planet of a Jedi nexus enter the services of the Sith? Unless, ah, you met the traitor, didn't you." It wasn't a question, but rather a statement. "She was a failure, did you know? She was once a prestigious alchemist in our ranks, until she failed miserably and got most of her team killed. She was banished and forced to work as a spy. However, she went coward and abandoned the Sith." The latter was a lie, but Geist doubted Avadrie would know that. He wanted to test her tolerance and see if he could anger her. He hated the pure anger driven Sith. There were so many emotions to fuel one's self and anger was one of the less controlable ones. "A traitor of her planet taught by a traitor of the Sith," he mused.

 

[Silvergaze]

It didn't make her angry. Madame Pencron had been a tool to be used, just as the man standing before her now was to be. That was one of the most basic lessons that she had been taught. A Sith did not give in to the will of the Force, or even to the will of their own emotions. The Force was something to be controlled, as too were her emotions. She was of course angered at such talk about Madame Pencron, she had been abandoned by both her parents and her first teacher; all of whom who had had the poor taste to die prematurely.

But it didn't control her. Just as she hadn't cried for her parents since that day when she had been just four years old and they had died, and she hadn't cried for Pencron, she wouldn't give in to the natural anger that arose more at the way he talked to her, than what he talked about.

"The way of the Sith is one of betrayal." She said, her voice low and cool. Soft and fey even, carrying a natural sensual tone to it. She spoke like she was laying in bed, in some languid pose. A smile lingered on her face, but it wasn't because was happy. It was simple science. People found smiles more appealing and it was a subtle, non demanding way to influence others without them even realizing it.

"With what I've tasted of power..." she said slowly, walking in a slow half circle to Weiss's right, her green gaze intent on the man - with his talk of Empress Teta - and his correction of her statement, she knew it to be who she had been told to meet.

"The Jedi hold nothing I desire, and what loyalty do I owe and Emperor that can't even sire a healthy son?" She said, her voice dripping with disdain.

 

[Dmitri]

"Betrayal is brought on by arrogance," said Geist. "The principle of betrayal has corroded over the ages. It was originally intended to demolish weak fools who gained powers, putting the most fit into power. However, the Sith corrupted this philosophy and foolishly believed it to be easy steps to advance in power. If one is leading the Sith into glory and prosperance, there is no reason to betray them. That's why Revan and Malak's empire fell. Revan was the best leader to be found, but Malak got greedy. He removed Revan from his mantle and due to Malak's inability to effectively lead, his empire fell and the Star Forge, a weapon the Sith could have used in the future, was destroyed. Betrayal is useful, when used correctly."

He began walking to his pack, which contained the whip for Avadrie. "You've tasted power? Of course you did. All Sith feel that euphoria. Even Jedi do, though their emotionless pacificism forces them to dam the feelings of euphoria away. Of course the Jedi would have nothing to offer you, as you only seek power. With that mindset, you probably have arrogance, a sin to those who don't know their place. I wonder where your place is. You probably consider everyone a pawn, but know this: not everyone will be so easily be turned into a pawn. You insult Prince Cane Es Cade, and show your ignorance, a sin greater than even arrogance. Politicians made the same mistake too, and they paid for it dearly. Constitution does not equate to power. I advise you to not see everyone as pawns, for sooner or later, someone will discover this and kill you for it."

Geist took out the whip, cracking it on the ground.

"Be thankful that I am not one of those people," said Geist. "However, I warn that you do not consider me your pawn. It's the way of the Sith to not give away all your secrets, and you won't get all of mine. All I teach you is what anyone else could. A pawn is one you chose. I am nothing more than a bishop, moving in directions only done by the king and queen. With your current power, you're nothing but a pawn yourself, of Darth Judicar."

Geist tossed the whip over to Avadrie.

"I suggest you whip yourself into shape," he said at the end, not realizing the pun in his sentence. "If you want to survive here, you need to focus on improving yourself, rather than looking down at others."

 

[Silvergaze]

The more this man spoke, the more she decided that she would speak less and listen more when it came to this being, Weiss. What did he know about the Prince that she didn't? He was a sickly being, and not well respected - and she held a general disdain for all things Empress Teta. Her sister had left her with that. This was also how she would attempt to learn even the things that he didn't tell her, the things he didn't mean to teach her. It was a yearning in the back of her mind, to one day return to her Jedi infested homeworld and take it from the current rulers and remake the world in her own image.

She raised her left hand up and caught the whip as he threw it. So, she would be taught to use the whip. Excellent. The concept of the weapon was one that excited her, for a veritable slew of reasons. She had listened to the history lesson about Darth Revan and Malak, and considered the point he made. She didn't agree with some of his points, but if she kept her mouth shut - she could learn what he would teach and continue on her path. Humility is a difficult skill to learn, but even it she would master to achieve greater power.

She unfurled the whip, holding it by the handle and letting its full length descend as she inspected it carefully to try and ascertain what exactly it was that coated it. Rather than continue in ignorance, she decided to ask,

"What coats this whip, master?"

 

[Dmitri]

Geist could tell from her expression that she didn't gupple all that he said. No matter, if she wished to feel in control, that was her choice. Avadrie examined the whip and asked what it was coated with. He wasn't sure if he should be disappointed or impressed. Most acolytes didn't discover the paralyzing effects of the Pelko bug venom until they felt it's effects. However, the venom was used quite commonly in training, as real lightsabers could have nasty consequences.

Geist decided not to embarass her. Better to fuel her need to feel in control rather than try to tame her. "Pelko bug venom. It's used to mimic the effects of a limb being cut off by a lightsaber, or in this case, lightwhip."

Geist sat back down on the fallen pillar.

"I've been told that you wish to learn how to use a lightwhip," said Geist. "What experience do you have it? More importantly, how do you intend to use it?"

The latter question was more important. Whether choosing what form or even weapon, it was key to learn why the person chose what they did. Was their actual purpose or intent or did they just choose what looked the coolest?

 

[Silvergaze]

"I want a weapon that I can use in a deceptive manner, m'lord." She responded simply. The lightwhip appealed to her for various reasons. It was exotic, it wasn't mainstream, not everyone had fought against one and it had the potential to be a game changer in an otherwise even match, and perhaps even give her an advantage over someone more skilled with a blade than she.

"But other than that, I have no experience with it. My first teacher knew only of the lightsaber, and even then I find that her teachings were basic, as I've learned since I have come to serve the Emperor."

She walked in a slow circle to Weiss's right, her eyes alternating between the whip and her potential master.

"What philosophy should I apply to the whip?" She asked in her soft, fey voice.

 

[Dmitri]

Geist sighed. "So you've chosen a weapon that you have no experience with." He pointed to the whip. "You shall be using that whip for a while. Lightwhips are the hardest to manage and easiest to accidently cut one's self with.

"You ask for philosophy? Strike quickly is the best advice one can give you. Lightwhips are weaker than normal lightsabers. To do any damage, one needs great momentum to do anything significant. Parrying against a normal blade is improbable, regardless of skill. You should also know that lightwhips once in a while short out after taking a large enough beating."