Babysitting Blues (Laina)

[Laina Silvias]

Laina paused, the word family bothered her. Even now with her daughter born, and safe with the help of Siobhan, Elpsis and others, she felt like part of her family was still missing. And it was, the tribe had always been there in past times for her. Now they were starting to feel like a distant memory. Though, having Aella back did help a good deal.

After a moment of quiet, Laina pulled Elpsis closer against her, holding her tight as she hugged her for a minute before releasing her. Gently she kissed the girl on the top of her head before shifting to sit up, letting Elpsis wander off to get her clothing while she partly took in the view. "All I have is time, darling. So why not? Remind me of what you've been taught previously. I know it wasn't all that much, but there was some training, yes?"

[member="Elpsis Elaris"]

 

[Elpsis Kerrigan]

[member="Laina Silvias"]


Being an empath, Elpsis felt the discomfort emanating from Laina. The girl immediately looked contrite, fearing she'd upset the amazon in some way. Then Laina pulled her closer and she returned the embrace.


"I'm sorry. I didn't...wanna upset you," Elpsis stammered apologetically, but Laina had shifted the topic. "Didn't really learn much with the Jedi. Like, 90% of Youngling training is meditation, learning the Jedi Code and, reciting the Jedi Code! Learned the basics of TK and lightsabre use, but that's it. Never got around to learning how to control my visions because Daddy stepped in and then I got shipped off to grow crops." That rankled with her more than she'd like to admit.


"So everythin' I know is mostly self-taught. Basic TK, some wind manipulation, tutaminis, pyromancy. I can toss fireballs at someone, heat objects, boil someone's blood and cook without an oven." The last part was the most useful.

 

[Laina Silvias]

"You didn't upset me really. Family is just, well, it's a sore spot. I'm exiled from mine. From everything I've ever really known. Sometimes it just hits me that it's gone." Laina sighed as she finally got up and gathered her own clothing and got dressed. "It always takes a moment to remember that it's only gone for now, not for good." She gave a shrug, and brushed it off for the most part. There were other tasks at hand.

"Mmm, so not a lot, alright." Laina said as she twisted her lips, chewing at her lip for a moment. "You've done well to learn what you have already, alone. That's not an easy task, I know."

Now to get to the troublesome parts of things with Elpsis. "Visions and controlling them is a complicated task. Because the future is forever changing. Just simply knowing about the future, can in itself alter it drastically. Also, visions don't always include future events. They can some times depict events of the past as well. Or something that is happening somewhere else in the galaxy at that very moment. There's a certain art to knowing what's past, what's present, and what's future. And truthfully that part takes time. Because what cues me in on that difference will be different than yours."

Laina took a seat in a nearby chair. "I know you're a natural empath as well. That's something I can help you tame, or at least block out some. That's an ability I know can be overwhelming if it's not controlled."

"That's two places we can start. Why don't you tell me about your visions? Have you noticed anything in particular that triggers them? Like touching a person, an object, or catching something just slightly out of your line of sight? Or are do they come more often in dreams? Figuring out what triggers them for you is the best place to start for control. Personal items seemed to do it a lot for me, and dreams. They often involved people I cared for, and who were close to me."

[member="Elpsis Elaris"]

 

[Elpsis Kerrigan]

[member="Laina Silvias"]


Elpsis finaly found her undies and got dressed. Shorts, tank top, nothing fancy. She had nice legs. Laina's lap sounded very tempting right now. It looked so comfortable. Like it was meant for her to curl up on and give the older woman adoring looks. She could not resist this urge.


She frowned a bit at the mention of her empathy. "Yeah, empathy gives me headaches. It's useful, but a queen in a crowd or a fight," she commented, then thought a bit about her visions before replying.


"I often get the visions through dreams. Most of them are a big mess. Others I get through touch. Those are more about immediate, short-term stuff, I think. The rest I seem to get when I'm feeling particularly emotional, thinking of people I care about. That's how I found out Cora was in trouble once. I got the vision about my mother when I was in that cave on Rhen Var and she was close."

 

[Laina Silvias]

Laina nodded, "Empathy is always worst in a crowd. Your own emotions get tangled with those around you. And there comes a point where you can't find where you end and they begin. And you're not sure if they are your feelings, or theirs. In this, you can actually lose yourself completely if you are not careful. Empathy is just as much dangerous as it is handy. It has to be controlled, or you risk death - your death, and those around you." She sighed quietly. "I think this is probably the best place to start your journey for control. It's I believe more important than your visions."

"Now the visions, it seems like you have a little bit of everything with it. We'll have to work that through one by one." She smiled sweetly as she held Elpsis in her lap.

"So, let's start with the Empathy. You'll have to clear your mind, which might be a little hard to do in my lap, my dear. Clear you're mind and I'll help you with the building blocks to keeping your feelings in, and others' feelings out."

[member="Elpsis Elaris"]

 

[Elpsis Kerrigan]

[member="Laina Silvias"]


Suffice to say Elpsis was very comfortable in Laina's lap. It was an odd contrast to how she'd been utterly unable or unwilling to learn much of anything from the Jedi teachers back on Coruscant. But then they'd been ignorant, sanctimonious fools who could not think past their five line code of purple poetry. To her, Laina was a wise woman and deserving of respect. Devotion was written across her features. So she nodded. Empathy was a queen and she really needed to control it. She'd been driven almost nuts too many times in a crowd.


"Ok. I'll try, mistress." There was no sarcasm in her words. Nor was she trying to lame innuendo. For a change, she was actually being serious. Reluctantly, she vacated her sweet spot on Laina's lap, sat down on the bed and closed her eyes.


There were a million thoughts running through her mind right now. Well, it was probably less bad than that, but being calm did not come easily to her. By her very nature, Elpsis was rather emotional and extroverted, but she tried to bring some stillness to her mind. Trying to find an image to latch on to, she imagined a wind blowing across the desert and flushing her mind clean. It was not perfect by any stretch of imagination, but a start.

 

[Laina Silvias]

Laina watched as Elpsis departed her lap and headed over to the bed. She herself, had once struggled with Empathy. Though, she had her moments these days where she wondered if she might shut out a little too much of what those around her, especially those she cared about were feeling.

"I know it's no easy task, but it's one you must successfully complete to help save you in the future. Otherwise I have little doubt that someone, somewhere along the line will use it against you." That was something she could not allow to happen, which was why she chose to start with it first.

Laina shifted and tucked her legs beneath her while remaining on the chair. "Start first by focusing on your breath, and my voice. Just those two things. How your breath moves in and out, as steady and even as waves in the ocean. Take note of it's movements within your body, from nose to throat to lungs." This of course was partly to calm the girl and to hyper-focus her on these two things and nothing else. It'd make the next task a little easy when Laina would guide her in a different direction.

"Once your thoughts begin to still, you'll need to find your center. Allow yourself to sink deep within your own mind to a place that feels safe, and comfortable for you. It's a small place but you'll know it. Once you find it, don't let go. This singular point will be a safe harbor for you to anchor yourself in any storm. Take your time." And now Laina grew quiet to allow Elpsis to think for a little bit, to search herself and find what Laina was talking about. "If you cannot find it, I can help guide you to it so you know your way next time." Now, she waited a while longer to see if Elpsis could get this on her own, or if she needed further help from her.

[member="Elpsis Elaris"]

 

[Elpsis Kerrigan]

[member="Laina Silvias"]


Empathy was indeed a queen. It had more often than not been the bane of Elpsis' existence. But now she was determined to get this curse under control and turn it into something she could make use of without getting lost in a flood of foreign emotions.


Her lip trembled just a little bit when Laina mentioned the possibility of someone using this gift against her. "Yeah, I know," she said quietly. Her father had so. Among other things, he had made his daughter watch him put captives and animals through the most horrific torture his sick, evil mind could up with, knowing she would soak up all their pain.


Bad, painful memories began to resurface in her mind, as if she was being dragged into a pit. She took a breath and tried to calm herself. Her powers tended to manifest in unstable ways whenever she was angry or upset. A small flame had already appeared inside the palm of her hand, though she quickly dissipated it. She could do this. She was not that helpless, little girl anymore.


Instead, she tried to focus on Laina's voice, as if it were her guide in the darkness, leading her out into the light. Time seemed to slow for her as her concentration was taken over by the amazon's words and the sound of her own breath. Her heartbeat slowed, becoming less frantic. Now she only needed to find her safe place. She tried to pull her thoughts together and slowly sink into her mind, like water retreated back into the ocean after the high tide.

 

[Laina Silvias]

Laina could entirely sympathize with Elpsis on just how much of a queen Empathy, especially untrained Empathy could truly be. It wasn't a burden she wanted to see anyone have to bear. Especially not the young. It hardy seemed fair to expose kids, teenagers to the kind of broad, complicated and painful emotions that were out there floating about the galaxy.

The trembling of the redhead's lip did not go unnoticed but Laina chose not to comment on that now. She needed Elpsis to focus on the task at hand, and wasn't willing to distract her now with questions. "Breathe, Elpsis." She whispered softly, letting the words drift into the girl's mind. "Take a deep breath and let it out slowly, relax with it."

She watched, knowing Elpsis was having some small issues, but she still waited. "Find a fond memory. A place that made you feel safe in your past. Push away any other thought that approaches, it's time to find that space. If you need me to further guide you, say the word."

Laina didn't want to enter Elpsis' mind uninvited at all. Not even in this manner while training her. "I won't enter your mind, unless you give me permission. So if you need me, I'm here." She said as she rose from her chair and walked slowly over to the bed sitting down by Elpsis. "I'm just going to take your hand now." She spoke, her voice soft and ever and sweet as honey. Laina was doing all she could to help Elpsis focus, on her voice, and work to push other memories aside until she found her safe place. Reaching out slowly, she wrapped her slender tattooed fingers around one of the redhead's hands. She then lightly applied pressure to remind Elpsis that she was right beside her. To remind her that she was safe from harm so long as she was here.

[member="Elpsis Elaris"]

 

[Elpsis Kerrigan]

[member="Laina Silvias"]


Alas, the Jedi had done a lousy job at teaching Elpsis how to control her empathic gift - or curse. Then again, one could argue that the redhead had not given them much of a chance since she'd run off, though given how traumatised she was at the time one could not blame her. Besides, the order was in a sorry state these days.


Hearing Laina's words, she breathed in deeply, then slowly exhaled, trying to relax as the air she was holding left her lungs. The tremble in her lip seemed to subside. She was still climbing a mountain, but her grip was a lot firmer. Laina's honey-sweet voice was like a gentle caress. It felt kind and warm. "I can do it," she said quietly. Feeling the ebony-haired woman's slender, tattoed fingers wrap themselves around her hand, she relaxed into the touch.


With just a few words and gentle touches, the amazon was managing to help the clearly nervous, agitated redhead calm down. So the teenager tried to mentally pull away, seeking out that safe place that made her feel comfortable and at peace. Her mind drifted off elsewhere, when she finally grasped a good memory, holding on to it tightly. The mental place she found herself in was probably not one most people would consider safe.


For she awoke in the woods of Kashyyk. Few would consider a perpetually dark, haunted forest filled with massive trees and populated by savage beasts safe, but Elpsis was not afraid of wild animals. She was sitting on the limb of a giant Wroshyr tree that was probably far older than her. The air was humid and Kinrath spiders were on the prowl nearby, but the creature did not harm her. A tach gland over and looked at her with curious eyes, letting her pet it.

 

[Laina Silvias]

Laina was most patient, still holding Elpsis' hand gently. She knew just how challenging this was, after all it had been hard for her too. But with a little comfort and guidance it could be mastered, of that Laina had no doubt.

"Alright. Just remember I'm here if you need me." She whispered soft as ever. Feeling the girl relax a little certainly helped. It made Laina feel like she was on the right path with the redhead. Once she felt the girl settle, Laina assumed she'd found that safe place within herself.

"Now in that safe place, this is your center and home. It must be guarded and protected." She sighed a little, "To make it secure is a matter of building a sturdy wall. Imagine brick by brick, stone by stone building that wall. Just take it step by step, one single stone at a time to make it as sturdy as possible. It may take you some time, this first go round. But it will get easier. Soon that wall being there, will be as natural as breathing and you'll not even notice it's presence."

[member="Elpsis Elaris"]

 

[Elpsis Kerrigan]

[member="Laina Silvias"]


It had taken a while, but Elpsis had slowly settled down. Laina's gentle voice sounded ethereal to her, as if it came from a far away place, but it was no less soothing. Like the brush of a Kashyyk wind against her cheek. The redhead felt warm, calm and at peace. It was a very unusual feeling.


She took a breath and began to build, trying to follow Laina's instructions. It was by no means easy for the teenager. She tried to envisage a sturdy wall surrounding her home. She could see stones appearing and so she tried to stack them up, one at a time. However, her concentration was far from perfect, and so the first stoned simply tumbled over and fell.


However, Elpsis was determined and persisted, even when the first attempt at a wall came crashing down. Frustration gripped her like a vice, but she sought to focus. Inside her safe place, her pet Tach looked at her with its adorable eyes and licked her hand. A Kinrath spider came over, not to inject the redhead with a poisonous venom, but to lie down next to her, as if it wanted to shield her. Sweat dripped down her face and back, but slowly she began to put the wall together.

 

[Laina Silvias]

"Just relax Elpsis." Laina reminded gently. "It's not an easy task and it will take you a few tries. As long as you gain ground with each attempt that is all you need." The process always took time, patience and practice. She couldn't think of anyone she'd taught that had got it right perfectly the first try.

"Keep building that wall dear, until you feel safe and secure. My emotions will fade from you, and you shouldn't be able to feel them without reaching for them. That is when you'll know you have it." She squeezed the girl's hand once more, "If you need to stop and take a break, that we can do too." After all it took a lot of energy and power to work through it the first few times. "You're doing well dear. Your emotions seem to be growing distant to me, as they should. You're on the right path."

[member="Elpsis Elaris"]

 

[Elpsis Kerrigan]

[member="Laina Silvias"]


Laina's gentle voice was distant and ethereal, but heard nonetheless. It helped give Elpsis the quiet confidence she needed in order to continue without pushing herself too hard. The young redhead was as stubborn as a certain short stack of fire. "I can do it," Elpsis insisted quietly.


Presumably she'd have a headache and be totally worn out by the time this session was over. She took a long breath and kept on building. At those point she was becoming rather tired, but she persisted with building up the wall. Stone upon stone was stacked up. It took focus to build and would probably feel like a foreign presence inside her mind for a good while until she got used to it, but she was coming close to finish. Laina's emotions felt less vivid and more distant to her. She could still feel them, but only faintly.

 

[Laina Silvias]

Laina watched with her mind's eye and waited as Elpsis struggled with building her walls and finding that safe, secure space for her to cling to. The Amazon in no way could find this place for the redhead, no. This sanctuary Elpsis had to find on her own. There was only so much Laina could do anyway to help her get there. "You're almost there." She whispered encouragingly into the girl's mind.

"Just a little further, a little more and you'll have it. Keep your breathing slow, and steady. You're making great progress." It was more progress than Laina had made when she first started to learn and deal with her own abilities. Of course, she'd been stubborn, unwillingly and a bit wild at the time. She also had a bad habit back then of running from the things that challenged and or frightened her. It took a long time for her to master her craft, and her emotions as well as pushing away the urge to run at every difficulty.

"Don't rush it. You've all the time in the galaxy to grasp this. Take it slow. It makes it easier the first few times." There was something to be said for slow and steady. It usually got the task done and well. Speed would come in time and with practice. Getting right, and doing it well were far more important in this moment. With a deep breath in, Laina squeezed Elpsis' hand tighter and with a slow breath out, she started to will some of her own energies of the force to Elpsis to help her have the strength to keep going.

[member="Elpsis Elaris"]

 

[Elpsis Kerrigan]

[member="Laina Silvias"]


Are you talking about sex or building walls, Elpsis wondered to herself when Laina instructed her to, as she put it, take it slow. Still, she persisted. The young redhead had found her safe place, which just happened to be the Shadowlands of Kashyyyk.


Maintaining it and building a wall that could last was another question though. However, though the girl lacked experience, she had drive. This little exercise would probably also teach her a bit of patience. By now she was sweating profusely, but she stacked metaphysical stone upon metaphysical stone. Though her instincts rebelled against it, she tried to take things slower.


Laina's voice was distant and ethereal, like the brush of wind against her skin, but it was a welcome guide. The beautiful amazon felt more like a master to the young redhead than any of the Jedi teachers who'd tried to drill their absurd dogmas into the girl's head. Perhaps therein lay the difference. Laina taught her to be strong and responsible, but did not force her code down her throat.


By now the redhead could feel herself tiring. She could not be sure how long they'd been going at this, but it must have been for quite some time. Her breathing was more laboured and sweat covered her features, but the energies from Laina gave her the boost she needed. The wall that was slowly completed was not perfect. A powerful mentalist would probably be able to knock it over, but it was a start. Elpsis fought to stay conscious but could feel herself being pulled into the dreamlands.

 

[Laina Silvias]

Laina could feel her student weakening, even with her own energies thrown into this it wasn't going to last forever. Even she was getting tired and had no clue as to how long they'd been working. It had been long enough she felt.

Feeling the girl slipping away, Laina just simply opened her eyes and reached out to catch Elpsis. Rising slowly with the redhead she would carry her over to the bed to rest for some time. She rose to find a towel while she waited for the girl to wake once more to wipe the sweat from the redhead's brow, and then her own before she finally sat down on the bed herself and leaned back against the headboard to rest herself. For she had to take care of others first, that was just her own nature. And it was also what the tribe used to practice before she got so tangled up in the politics of it all after making her mistakes.

[member="Elpsis Elaris"]

 

[Laina Silvias]

(Double post)

 

[Elpsis Kerrigan]

[member="Laina Silvias"]


Elpsis was so special that she got to enjoy kind Laina's loving attention twice! Regardless, at this point the young Firemane was frankly wiped out and fell into a deep slumber. By the time Laina laid down to rest, she was already deep in the dreamlands.


The girl dreamt of forests, amazons and wild animals. Things were unusually peaceful for her during her slumber. It was a bit open for interpretation how long she slept, especially since they were too deep in the basement to see the sun or the lack of it, but eventually she stirred. Still feeling rather groggy, she wiped the sleep from her eyes and stretched slightly. "Laina?" she asked sleepily. Finding the older amazon, she cuddled up against her and planted a kiss on her mentor's cheek.

 

[Laina Silvias]

Laina only stirred when Elpsis had curled against her and gently kissed her cheek. For she had been quite worn with the day's activities. Between training with Siobhan and then training the young redhead, even she had nearly completely exhausted herself. Her eyes fluttered open and soon focused on Elpsis. "Yes, yes ... I'm here Elpsis. I never left you." She said sweetly, though a bit tiredly. "How do you feel?"

[member="Elpsis Elaris"]