Chameleon

[Raziel]

[SIZE=11.5pt] The floorboard made the slightest squeak as the assassin shifted his weight across it. He paused, as still as a statue, waiting to see if his minor misstep would be punished. He stayed like that for close to a minute, a shadow suspended in the air along the dark corridor. He took another tentative step, toe to the ground first, easing onto the heel of the soft souled shoe, and then slowly shifting his weight forwards. Slow, stamina sapping work, but the floor was treacherous. Quite deliberately so, he surmised. The previous creak had probably not been that loud, but in the deathly silence it had sounded like an air horn to the infiltrator.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=11.5pt] Carefully, he continued his slow advance, turning up a spiral staircase and moving through the upper levels. His progress was slow, but he had several hours to work with. The guards and electronic security systems had already been handled, so now it was down to his skill to catch his target unawares.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=11.5pt] He turned left down a corridor towards the chambers of the mansion’s owner. No, that wasn’t right. He paused, looking down the path ahead. The night was dark, but his keen eyes could still pick out the decorations that adorned the walls, and the smooth, polished floor. It shouldn’t have been this way. He was going around…in circles.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=11.5pt] Raziel stood up from his crouched position, allowing his Force presence to unfold around him. There was no point hiding now. He turned on the spot and with an unnecessary wave of his hand dismissed the illusion. The shadows receded to reveal the interior of the mansion fully lit. His target stood not twenty feet behind him, brows furrowed in concentration.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=11.5pt] “Master Holloway, I presume?” Raziel asked.[/SIZE]

 

[Raziel]

[SIZE=11.5pt] “You should have swallowed the illusion lad,” the wizened old Jedi Master called. His voice was deep and loud, but dry and cracked from age. Raziel did not reply, his eyes locked into his target and he started to mentally prepare himself. He kept his stance, but felt his muscles ready to snap into action. The empathy in him had locked onto the master illusionist’s mind, the predator in him sensed the fear. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=11.5pt] “You really won’t go?” Master Holloway asked, his hand rested lightly on a heavy saber hilt on his belt. An expression of surprise flashed across his face briefly, as he saw that a pair of sabers had somehow materialised in the assassin’s hand without him noticing. [/SIZE]
[SIZE=11.5pt] [/SIZE]
[SIZE=11.5pt] “Last chance,” he added grimly, bringing the saber up. [/SIZE]

 

[Raziel]

[SIZE=11.5pt] Holloway didn’t waste any more breath. He stepped forwards and struck out at the assassin. It was meant as a first, testing strike. Instead he stumbled as he stepped forwards. Raziel neatly stepped aside and the famed illusionist found he had over swung and could not slow his momentum. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=11.5pt] The assassin brought his right blade up and across his body as he pivoted on the ball of his right foot. The turquoise blade caught the base of Holloway’s wrist and severed the hand from arm. As his opponent cried out in shock he continued the spin, his bent left arm came back and around and he slammed his elbow into the Holloway’s temple. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=11.5pt] The aging master collapsed to the ground in shock. He had enough wits to try and shuffle away from Raziel, as he clutched the cauterised stump to his chest. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=11.5pt] “Big lies can be hard to swallow,” Raziel said calmly, keeping one saber active. “But sometimes the smaller ones can be more palatable. Small lies like, for example, your brain being told by your ears that gravity and your acceleration were not what was expected. The kind of thing your body reacts to without even bothering your conscious mind. But then…” he continued, waving his left hand at their opulent surroundings. “It doesn’t seem you were ever one for subtlety.”[/SIZE]

 

[Raziel]

[SIZE=11.5pt] “So, Master Holloway, renowned illusionist in some circles. Known for selling your skills to train Force-sensitive noble brats. However, what I want to know, is who hired you to jeopardise the trade agreements between the Ateides conglomerate and the Techno Union?” Raziel asked. He had dragged Holloway back to his chambers by the scruff of his robes for questioning. He could be http://starwarsrp.net/topic/42510-blood-trail/]persuasive[/url] when required, but this man was a master of mental manipulation and would be hard to break. He’d have to constantly keep him off guard. The process could take days.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=11.5pt] “And who sent you, who would be so bold? I have allies you know!” shouted the Master. Raziel suddenly realised that his appearance had subtly changed. His nose was slightly bent out of shape and a small scar ran across the side of his jaw. Holloway was well known for altering his appearance with illusions and often appeared as a member of a different race to entertain his clients. Raziel suspected it was also to protect himself.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=11.5pt] “I am not some pantomime villain,” Raziel replied coldly. “I am not going to enter a lengthy diatribe on my master plan. I am a simple man, with a simple job. The job could be quick and pleasant for you…or it could not.”[/SIZE]

[SIZE=11.5pt] “I won’t tell you a thing.” Holloway replied, turning away and fixing his eyes on a point on the ceiling. Raziel immediately suspected he was attempting to meditate and attempt to cut off his consciousness from the physical trauma to follow. The Spymaster closed the gap between them in a flash, delivering a quick back-hand to the side of his head to break his concentration. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=11.5pt] He locked eyes with the illusionist, touching his mind and trying to draw his back. Holloway fought back, raising barriers between the physical and mental realms. They held like that for period of silence, locked in battle. In a fair fight Holloway could well have been the victory, but Raziel was not one for a fair fight. A splinter knife appeared in his hand and was plunged into Holloway’s thigh. The Rogue Master screamed in pain, and Raziel took the opportunity to tear his mental barriers down. He pulled the splinter knife out sideways, leaving rough shards in the leg. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=11.5pt] “That blade was coated in a potent mix,” Raziel explained. “Some will send your pain receptors into overdrive, doubling their response factor. Others will start necrosis of the flesh. I’ll start to pick at the wound, strip by strip. Time to talk.”[/SIZE]

[SIZE=11.5pt] The Rogue Master starred back, wide-eyed. Raziel could sense his resolve was not yet broken. Pity the desperation of a man who knew his time was up. He was momentarily distracted from his task by a datapad at the table flashing. It made a beep typically used to signal a new message. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=11.5pt] The Spymaster cocked his head to one side. “It occurs to me, that very few know exactly what you look like. Your species, age, anything. Though most agree on human male. I could, perhaps, take your place until I identify all the parties who have been putting you to such good use.”[/SIZE]

[SIZE=11.5pt] “You could never be me,” spat Holloway.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=11.5pt] “I can be whatever anyone expects of me,” Raziel replied curtly. “Now, let’s see who requires your services next.”[/SIZE]

 

[Nimue Stormson]

A datapad had sat near Master Holloway. It had already been read by him but the message itself was still open in plain view for anyone to see. When [member="Raziel"] would read it the first thing he’s see was a sigil of a six-legged horse as part of the message. It was a royal sigil that came from the planet Effekt. More was described in the letter that read as follows.​

​

Master Holloway,

I’m extending this message through serval parties in the hopes that it reaches you. From what I understand you are a ma difficult to reach by the more conventional means, but given the nature of my request to you I felt time was a necessity.

You are said to be a famed master of illusions and the dark arts, something I’m interested in learning myself. I have need for secrecy and a want to caste illusions against my enemies in the hopes of dissuading them. I can assure you I am not the type to want to use these abilities against you or any of your allies, only a means to make myself stronger.

As a token of good faith I trust this piece of silver attached with the message it a decent compensation. Hopefully it will provide more than enough for your travels to my planet. More will be rewarded to you should you chose to accept.

I only ask you keep this matter secret, as my people are not so keen on learning of an Empress who had this “Force” ability as you call it. But a time will come when they will welcome it, something I hope you can help with.

Here is to hoping to see you soon,
Empress Nimue Stormson of the Stormborn Empire of Effekt.

Master Holloway had indeed been given a piece of pure silver that looked as though it was recently mined from the ground and cleaned. He was trying to hide it in his pocket from the man who basically had him dead already.​

 

[Raziel]

“My my, Master Holloway. It seems you’ve made quite a lucrative business of your abilities,” Raziel exclaimed as he read through a variety of letters and documents. “An actual Empress? Very nice!”

The illusionist didn’t respond. Raziel sensed the eddies in the Force and twisted about to deliver a sharp kick to the side of his jaw. “No more games Holloway,” he chided. The assassin went down on his haunches before his target, place a handful of datapads and letters between them, “Come on now, which of these clients paid you to disrupt the trade agreements? I’ll pour through every one of…”

“You won’t find a thing!” Holloway retorted, spitting blood onto the floor.

“And you’re telling the truth too, kind of you to save me the manpower. How gracious. A petty man might have left me waste hundreds of man days going through your files!” Raziel replied sarcastically. He started to hover his hand over the documents, watching the illusionist carefully with all his senses. His hand stopped over the message from Effekt. “The Empress was responsible?” he asked. He turned his head from side to side, regarding Holloway carefully. His hand snapped out and pulled something from his jacket.

“A shiny trinket,” he continued, the coin danced across the back of his fingers in a display of his dexterity. “But no, she is not behind it. Then why...ah...the one who was is from that world, or somewhere nearby...” Raziel watched the change in expression on Holloway’s face as he realised how easily the Spymaster was reading him. “Precious metals for your services and a chance to appear in public and draw out your man.” Raziel said to himself. “Seems ‘win-win’ to me!”

“You’re a disgrace. A powerful manipulator of the Force acting the puppet to a higher…” Holloway started, but a hook to the temple knocked the remaining words away. He gasped for breath. “Touched a nerve did I?” he wheezed.

Raziel slowly uncurled his balled fist, and smoothed his expression back to the visage of calm it had been before. “That was a mistake,” he advised. “I can’t trust a prison to hold you, but I could have given you a quick death. Now we’ll be pulling every little secret out of that brain of yours piece by piece.”

~

Raziel stepped into the walk-in wardrobe of the master illusionist. Already he had a team of analysts bringing up everything he’d need to know about the small world between Fringe and Omega territory. Fashion, politics, sport, he always memorised an encyclopedia of information before conducting an operation on any world. He’d make a public display, enjoy the surroundings and company, make a small fortune and perhaps even draw out the party that had been paying Holloway to disrupt Techno Union business. To be honest, the first three would do. He had someone draw up a suitable reply, requesting a first meeting.

[member="Nimue Stormson"]

 

[Nimue Stormson]

Given what was needed to be known of Effekt, the people themselves were more Nordic in nature. They’d only be exposed to the technologies of the galaxy five-hundred years ago when they were still using swords and the like. In fact there was a section on how they’d only started to advance to the steam engine before the first space visitors came and showed them technology.​

​

Since then the Effektians, while not leaving their planet, have bought and traded for all the latest technology that could be offered. For as it was revealed Effekt was rich indeed in natural metals like silver, gold, and even some of the rarer ones in the galaxy. And apparently they had plenty to spare.​

​

The planet itself was under the rule of the Stormborm Empire, currently lead by the Empress Nimue Stormson herself; the one who requested Master Holloway. She had become Empress through marriage after the late Emperor had taken her for a wife when his last had committed suicide. The Emperor himself was killed by an assassin who’d poisoned the Empress in the process. Only one survived and since then Empress Nimue has been trying to break the boundaries and introduce her people to the rest of the galactic community.​

​

The response to the letter read as follows:​

​

To her majesty,

I’m humbled and honored by your invitation. To know that a master like me will have the privilege to teach a revered monarch as yourself would be more than I could ask. And I appreciate the small payment in gratitude for your seeking my services. I will arrive on your planet as soon as I am possible. I will be honored to see you in person.

The Force be with you,
Master Holloway

[member="Raziel"]

 

[Raziel]

Master Holloway had been known for extravagant displays to show off his wealth and amuse his patrons. Raziel had several garments fashioned just for the trip. They were similar to Jedi robes, but in a variety of colours that matched the typical clothes worn by the deceased master. As a small touch, he had patterns subtly embroidered into the trim that were of effektian origin.

Raziel had almost launched a mouthful of caff across the room when he'd been digging through Holooway's dealings; the man charged a small fortune. Perhaps the Spymaster was in the wrong business. Still, it ensured that as part of his cover, he was able to take a luxury space trip to the world. It made a change from cramped couriers, stealth ships and public liners.


[member="Nimue Stormson"]

 

[Nimue Stormson]

When “Master Holloway” would arrive on Effekt he would have been directed to go to the capital city of Halaban. From there was a platform just outside of the grand royal palace that had a trail leading from it all the way to the front doors of the grand castle. Awaiting him at this platform was a handmaiden and two guards, instructed to escort him to meet with the Empress.​

​

A carriage awaited, being pulled by a six-legged horse creature called a Selpin. The three servants helped the force master into the carriage before riding off. The trip had lead them through the streets of the surrounding city for about a mile where “Holloway” could see the construct of Effekt’s people. They were a Nordic-like race and yet the buildings were a little more modern than expected. It was an odd yet even blend of modern technology of the galaxy mixed in with a very old, almost primitive type of setting.​

​

After a while they were brought into the palace where, after going through the courtyard and confirming this was “Master Holloway”, the servants brought him into the main hall where the Empress was waiting. There was another long carpet that lead from the front doors to the throne where she sat, currently in talk with some of her advisor about political matters. The handmaiden gestured for “Holloway” to follow, the guards following him, before they’d reached the end.​

​

The maiden announced “Master Holloway has arrived, your majesty.”​

​

The Empress, dressed in her more royal attire along with her horned, gold crown, looked down to see him and said “Ah, you’ve arrived.” Breaking away from her other conversation she stood and said “Welcome, Master Holloway. We’re honored to have you here on such short notice. I trust your trip was well?”​

​

[member="Raziel"]​

 

[Raziel]

Raziel strode across the plush carpet, arms extended wide in friendly greeting. He smiled and gave a formal bow in the local tradition*. “It is an honour to be here!” he exclaimed. “Whilst I try to be well travelled, this is a fascinating city, and I must say the palace is splendid. Almost without equal in my travels I would say!” he carried on with a wide smile.

The reclusive spymaster had once detested appearing so openly before a large crowd of people. Even after all these years a shiver ran up his spine, and a part of his mind begged him to run away and find a dark corner of the Galaxy to retreat to. But he had learned over many years, he was not exposed like this. The deception was a mask, and he was all but invisible before them.

Whilst Raziel dabbled in the field of illusions, his real talent lied in empathy and more specifically his naturally developed tendency to mimic. Already he was reaching out to those minds close by, sensing their expectations for “Master Holloway” and would alter his behaviour accordingly.

In reality, he doubted he would find Master Holloway’s previous employer on this visit, even with such a public display. Still, he would get to stay in an opulent palace and be handsomely rewarded for teaching some specific uses of the Force: something he had done for many years.


*Assume whatever the Effekt tradition is here!

Apologies for delay, busy weekend.

[member="Nimue Stormson"]

 

[Nimue Stormson]

Given his response Empress Nimue was a little surprised the Master was so grand in his entrance. Usually her guests would only give short but calmly enough comments of the city or their travels, but “Holloway” was far more open and friendly than she expected. It did bring a little smile to the corner of her lips, however, to know a master of illusion was so open.​

​

“Well I’m certainly glad to hear that.” She said, leaning forward from her seat. After that she’d tapped her scepter on the floor, the sound echoing, before she said “Leave us. All of you. Master Holloway and I have to discuss important private matters.”​

​

With that all the servants and underlings and the like had made their way out of the main hall. They hurried out while guards stood at the door, waiting until everyone was gone. Once they were the guards even walked out only to close the doors behind them and take position on the other side, making sure no one would disrupt the Empress and her guest.​

​

Standing from her throne to walk down to him Empress NImue said “Apologies for that. But part of having secret sessions like these is to make sure they remain secret to everyone. Surely you understand, being a master of the shadows. As they say.”​

​

[member="Raziel"]​

​

(No worries. )​

 

[Raziel]

[member="Nimue Stormson"]

“Of course I understand,” Raziel replied, nodding. “Though I might add, my name is well known, even if my face is not, in some circles. It would be wise to ensure that your staff know that if anyone asks after me, to say nothing. Oh and please let me know if you hear of such an occurrence, some are not such fans of my work. If you need, I can simply ensure that your men forget my name was even mentioned.

“So!” he continued, clasping his hands together before him. “You have my time, the questions are: what do you want me to do with it and how much time do you have to commit to training?”

 

[Nimue Stormson]

Given how secretive his tone was Nimue leaned in and listened as “Holloway” explained how he understood need for secrecy enough to wipe people’s minds if need be. She looked at him, half shocked, before he explained how well he could do it. If this was the sort of power he held it would be just as great in her hands. Plenty of oppertunities for her to use this mind-manipulation in order to sway people's minds or wipe something crucial from them. ​

​

When he gave his sudden exclaim she jumped a little, smiling, before answering his question of time with “As much as you can spare for the day. I’ve made sure that all other affairs are kept at bay until I’ve at least learned one of your skills for the day. And, if the rumors of you are true, then we can continue for a great deal more throughout your stay.” ​

​

[member="Raziel"]​

 

[Raziel]

[member="Nimue Stormson"]

“Ah, a day is but one stone to build the road you will be journeying across. But then, with a small amount of guidance, much can be learnt on one’s own,” Raziel replied, falling into a routine which he felt suited the perceived persona of the illusionist.

“So, in your studies so far, what have you achieved? Can you practise telepathy, or read emotions?”

 

[Nimue Stormson]

Odd as his words seemed to her, Nimue had a decent enough understanding of them. It was to be expected from a man of mystery like Master Holloway after all. Still if he was going to talk like that all the time she might find it really old really fast.​

​

Rethinking what she had learned so far from other teachers, the Empress began to answer with “Well one of my first lessons was meditation. Through it I was able to catch small glimpses into the future. Or perhaps…possible futures. It’s hard to say really. In any case I’ve also studied in the art of magic where I’ve learned to pull out the fears of others in their minds as a weapon. I have also been taught in ways of combat. In terms of telepathy or emotions….no. The most I can do in terms of that is sense people’s presences, knowing when they’re close. However these skills you speak of do sound…interesting.”​

​

[member="Raziel"]​

 

[Raziel]

Raziel took a moment, considering what the next steps would be. He had frequently given students a good grounding in the basics of the Force, but had rarely spent much time developing a student's specialist abilities. Of course, he'd thought long and hard on his methods beforehand; he always did his research before any task.

He nodded slowly as he spoke: "So, what I think we'll start with is something called a shared experience. You'll need to start off with finding a strong connection to the Force with another mind. Then you need to work on your visualisation, you need to form the illusion in your own mind, to convince yourself that it's real. Then you imprint the same on another mind.

"Obviously, it's a starting point. If you, for example, wished to force the illusion of being eaten alive by rats you wouldn't work to experience it yourself! We'll move onto that later. Is there anyone you have a strong bond with we could use as a willing test subject? Hah!"

It was much the same as the manner in which Corran Horn first discovered his abilities and convinced the first students of the Jedi Praxuem that he had lifted an enormous rock. His own belief had made the illusion tangible.

[member="Nimue Stormson"]

 

[Nimue Stormson]

As “Holloway” discussed the first lesson of shared experience she was both intrigued and confused at the same time. The power itself did sound like it had merit. Being able to project a pervious memory in her into someone else, good or bad, which would be ingenious. Though the fact it had to be someone she could connect strongly with via the Force seemed a bit of an odd drawback. Especially given that, as she thought on it…​

​

“I cannot say that there has been anyone like that in my life for a long time.” Nimue said, sounding a little saddened by the fact. “However,” she perked up “does the mind need to be human per say? I do think a connection with my prized steed would be enough, yes?”​

​

[member="Raziel"]​

 

[Raziel]

"No, it'll need to be a human, the way other species experience the world is quite different to our way," he replied. "Worth trying at some point mind, amazing how other species perceive colours in such a different manner to ourselves. Anyway, I digress. This is simply a method to start you down the path of creating illusions. You can do it with any willing subject, or myself I suppose. However, I do suggest we find somewhere comfortable to sit. This can be quite draining and time consuming at first."

[member="Nimue Stormson"]

 

[Nimue Stormson]

Given those were the options laid before her Nimue waved it off and said “Then perhaps you’ll be better off to test with, Master Holloway. Think of it as a means of getting to know the student better.”​

​

She smirked at this before he’d mentioned finding a place to sit. The Empress glanced back at her throne for a moment before realizing how that would only accommodate her and not him. Thinking for a moment she looked before seeing chairs here-and-there in the grand hall; leftovers from when the ball had taken place some time ago. She pointed them out to him so that he could take whichever he wanted before walking back to her throne and awaiting him to follow. Given the room near and around the throne there was plenty of space for him to sit next to her and it instead of being down at the base of the small steps that made it up.​

​

Once they were ready she put her scepter to the side before asking “What do I need to do, Master Holloway? How do I get these images out of me and into you?”​

​

[member="Raziel"]​

 

[Raziel]

For a moment, Raziel started to visibly blanche. He had fallen too much into the routine, hadn’t thought the possibility of directly connecting to another mind directly. He regained his composure in a fraction of a second and smiled warmly. Internally he was compartmentalising his memories into silos, building barriers to stop stray thoughts from escaping. He already had plenty of lies prepared in case the ruse was discovered, but there were far darker things in his mind. Memories and emotions from hundreds he had killed over the years. All the worst emotions, thoughts and images spread through his mind like strands he struggled to unpick from his own. It was why he buried himself in his work and sought new goals, or risks. The thought of trying to untangle that mess, to try and decide who he was and he wanted - that was terrifying.

“So, first step will be to establish a mental link. Then try simple telepathy, sending a small message. Then we work on visualisation and combine with the experience of telepathy,” Raziel explained. “Always be wary of your work with the mind. I knew several people who lost themselves in the study. Someone I used to know well only kept herself together with the Force. When she stepped into a Ysalmiri bubble, she nearly lost herself to the psychosis.”

Raziel found a comfortable position on the chair and closed his eyes. “Stretch out with the Force, try and find a connection. I’ll guide you.”




[member="Nimue Stormson"] forgot tag!