I'll Make a Man Out of You

[Delsin Shaw]

Varik Ice's Quarters
Late-night

Setting the iron down, I turned it off and set it away in its proper spot. I had finished my chores, and had finished ironing out the princess's clothes. She had me iron them and keep then clean and everything else just about once a week. Having done it now, ahead of the time that she wanted me to complete them, I knew very little in the way of writing, but the simple words such as "went" an "Bar" were easy enough to write onto some parchment and left on the entry table to the quarters. Letting her know that I was somewhere else than here.

However, I was not headed to the bar. I had a plan, or at least a stupid one.

I was going to Varik Ice, the current Master level force user of the Sovereignty. I hated the fact that I was kept out of everything with Roella. She wouldn't teach me how to use a sword. Likely by order of her mother, or because she feared that I already knew how to use knives and bows. No need to teach me more. I didn't. I wanted to fend for myself, and not rely upon her to fight my battles. The men in the wide galaxy were given an equal share of what they fought for. Riches, fame, Glory.

I fought for Freedom.

However, I wasn't so good at it. I just wanted to learn.... everything. Varik seemed like the one person, as a leader of an entire faction, as a master of the force, and as a man who knew his way around the galaxy, was a suitable person to meet. At the very least, he would point me into the right direction. I snuck past the guards into the quarters that would lead towards all of the major officials of the faction. Slowly making my way to his own room, I opened the door and slinked in. Thinking that at this late at night, and no one else here, that he would be with the others. So I would snoop around for a bit before asking about it.

Learn before I was even given a lesson as it were.

[member="Varik Ice"],

 

[Varik Ice]

Varik Ice​

Equipment: Lightsaber ​

Location: Senatory Hall, Sovereign Suite​

​

​

Varik never understood why this building had to be so large, at least in this section of it. Did they truly need this many quarters? Most of the Senators had their own places to live, and he only stayed here as a matter of duty - he had to be ready to respond to any external crisis they had, from rogue militias to more Draxites floating around in nearby systems, terroririzing people who'd done nothing wrong and were only interested in living.

The Sovereign approached his room, only briefly noticing the door was open as he reached it. Which meant someone was waiting for him, potentially. Whether for good reasons or not. He stopped at the door, slowly pushing it entirely open. He looked inwards, his eyes darting about as he walked in. Well, this was curious. There was definitely someone nearby. He didn't make an effort to tell their location through the force; he doubted this was an assassin.

He stepped deeper inside, making sure he made some noise to alert whoever it was that he was there. He casually rapped his knuckles on the wall as he walked past it, just in case they really couldn't hear his footsteps. "Who is it?" Varik spoke flatly, without much irritation or curiosity behind it - he was still considering whether or not anyone was definitely still in here.

[member="Jayce Amoren"]

 

[Delsin Shaw]

Looking around, I saw various items through out the room that I had no real idea of what they were. Electrical devises that were off, but even then, writing was everywhere. I couldn't make it out with my lack of an education, but I did with what I could. Walking slowly over towareds the closet, I opened it up. Revealing inside were a long cloak and various parts of an armorset were. Lifting up the helmet, the horns upon it were refined and while I expected it to be fairly heavy, it was much lighter than some of the armors that the Knights of House Arwyn used. This perplexed me on what kind of metal it used, or why the armor was so light, yet could be assumed to protect the head.

However, I heard footsteps coming closer. Gently placing the helmet back down into about the same place it once was, I closed the door and turned around. Walking out towards the window when I heard a knock in the main room of the quarters. Damn it. They knew someone was here, and it would look really bad if they thought a spy had been here. Taking the consequences for my actions, I walked out into the main room when being called upon by someone.

Upon seeing it was Varik, I bowed my head. Already coming forth with what I had done.

"My apologies for being in your quarters without you present. I was looking for you and when you were not here I...."

Trailing off, I couldn't really come up with an excuse for my actions. So instead, I just shook my head.

"Nevermind. Sorry once again for intruding."

[member="Varik Ice"],

 

[Varik Ice]

Varik Ice​

Equipment: Lightsaber ​

Location: Senatory Hall, Sovereign Suite​

​

​

Varik had to stare at the man for a moment before it clicked who he was. That was it, now he remembered. One of the Talvanians...or Talravians. He would have to make a note to learn how it was properly pronounced. Regardless, he recognized him now. He had tried to remember the ones he had seen, and this one stuck out considering almost all of them were women, so far as he'd seen. Though the name escaped him, he had done research. Some form of society were men were considered lesser. There were an awful lot of places like that, he noticed. Where one group was conveniently inferior.

"No need to apologize. I'm here now." Varik walked past Shaun, his hands behind his back as he peered into the sideroom that Irons had just come from. Things didn't seem too disturbed, if he was in there. Perhaps he was just looking for him. Ice didn't turn around to face him as he spoke again. "Why were you looking for me?" He turned to stare at him now, the eyes still piercing and cold.

He had been working on the people skills angle of his work - he'd been told it could use some brushing up, and he could't disagree. He wasn't friendly at the best of times, at worst unintentionally intimidating to many. His height, expressions and penchant for staring didn't exactly help matters, either. But he'd do his best, at least here.

[member="Jayce Amoren"]

 

[Delsin Shaw]

The man had easily stated that he was now here. Even saying there was no need for my apology. However, I was intruding, and the man seemed a little, displeased. However, I had heard that the man was not keen on interactions with others, and from the words of some of the solders, had a resting queen face. However, I had no clue if that was true or not. Or he was just a man who had been through a hell of a lot more than anyone expected of him. Still, the man walked past me and towards the other room. Making sure that nothing was missing just at first glance. However, the words of the question formed hard upon his lips. Asking of me what I wanted from him.

Straight to the point. No reason to lie to him.

"I grew up where men were treated as lesser beings. Yet the galaxy does not feel the same as a whole. So I wish to learn more. If there is someone you can refer me to, or if I can learn from you, I would be willing to do anything to get into a better position."

Looking over to him, I was sincere in my voice. My decision was made, and deviating from it would do me no good. Thus, I had to continue down this path. Even if Roella found out about me training to become stronger, I needed to. if I wanted to live, and do my duty to my future queen, then I will. Even if I hated said heir to the throne. She was one I much preferred over than someone else of her family.

[member="Varik Ice"],

 

[Varik Ice]

Varik Ice​

Equipment: Lightsaber ​

Location: Senatory Hall, Sovereign Suite​

​

​

Varik had figured it would be something like that. He doubted Roella or any of the Arwyns would have sent him here - they most likely didn't trust him, and they certainly didn't seem very fond of him. He mulled over in his head what Irons had mentioned about his origins, where he came from. There seemed to be many societies where your race, gender, force-sensitivity, any of that was what determined whether you were the group that was conveniently superior or inferior; funnily enough, it was always the superior who seemed to make that discovery.

"Alright." The Sovereign continued to stare at Shaun, a flat look on his face before he walked into the side room once again, opening up the cupboard where he kept his armour. "It's your actions that make you who you are. Not where you were born, or as what." He reached in, pulling the helmet out as he held it in both of his hands. The gaze of what he had been meant to be stared back at him, and he ran his thumb over the 'face' of the helmet. Perhaps with the Sovereignty, and providing help to people like this, he could make it right.

"I have questions, though." He carefully put the helmet back where it belonged, closing the cupboard once more and walked back over to where Irons stood. "Have you had any force training? What combat training have you had?....Did you ask the Arwyns for permission for this?" The last question intrigued him more than anything. Varik was more curious about his attitude, how he got things done and if he had sufficient initiative - this was just a microcosm of that idea, but it interested him regardless.

[member="Shaun Irons"]

 

[Delsin Shaw]

The man went into the room I had just been in earlier. Even walking over to pick up the same helmet that I had done to as well. Yet, during that, he confirmed with an "alright" of my requests. Even stating that a man is not where he comes from, but what actions he takes. That one quote seemed to fit me perfectly. My actions, here in this galaxy, would be the defining factor of what makes me who I am. While my upbringing is a factor, it is not the main point. From here on, I would do what I could to become something more.

Then the questions started to fly at me. Force training? Combat experience, and did I ask permission from Roella. To answer him, I just shook my head.

"I hardly know of this force you speak of. Just that it is a force that can make people be powerful. I know I have it because of the Queen threatening that there would be a witch hunt if I stepped out of line. Training is limited to self taught and just experiences that I have had in small fights. No. I didn't ask Roella. If I asked, she would forbid me from it. In which I need to honor that. If she doesn't know, then it won't hurt her. In fact, it may help me in keeping her alive, and thus if she were to find out later, she couldn't really say no."

I felt bad about having to do that. My voice was not happy, and the face was quite in a sour tone. I did not like going behind the backs of my allies. Even if I did hate their guts. I hated lying to someone. Thus I spoke true to Ice. No need to lie to him about the approval. If he denied me to train simply because Roella said no, then I will just have to find some other way on my own. Like I had done before.

"I wield two long knives, and can fight enough for the average person. However, Roella is much better than myself in bladed combat. Simply because she was trained since birth. I have never had the chance to train myself in the force, and the few times that I have used it, I haven't been able to replicate it. I acted of instinct. Not because I forced my body to act that way."

Reaching behind me, I pulled one of the aforementioned long knives from the small of my back. They were just long enough that I could easily conceal them in my clothing. I did know about the poisons upon the grips so I gave the man a forewarning.

"Get some gloves when you touch these. The grips have a itching poison invested into the grips. I wouldn't want your hands and other parts of your body to swell up and gain rashes."

[member="Varik Ice"]

 

[Varik Ice]

Varik Ice​

Equipment: Lightsaber ​

Location: Senatory Hall, Sovereign Suite​

​

​

Varik seemed to mull over what he was saying. It was interesting take on it, but not an uncommon one. He couldn't pretend the force didn't make someone powerful - from what he'd seen, someone who could use the force was just overall better in every way than they would have been without it. That didn't mean another couldn't still be better, however - that was why one couldn't use the force as a crutch. Varik sat down in one of the seats next to him, motioning to Shaun for him to take a seat facing towards him.

"It does make you powerful. There's more to it than that, though. And if Roella doesn't need to know, we won't tell her. We'll keep it quiet." Varik leaned back in the seat, staring towards Shaun as he considered how this training would work, and tried to read Irons through the force. Did he have talents in any particular area? Perhaps he could figure out a way to use his style with knives...but he would require him to learn lightsaber combat regardless, even if just for experience's sake.

"You'd be learning alongside my other apprentice, Ahdaka. She's a woman. That won't be an issue at all, will it?" He didn't have any real concerns right now, but it was something he was curious about - did he had built up tension against women in general, or simply against those he felt oppressed by? He supposed they would find out, regardless of his answer.

[member="Shaun Irons"]

 

[Delsin Shaw]

Varik was a thoughtful person it seemed. Some rumors that I heard from other members were that he was quite cold and rash towards them. To me, this man seemed wiser beyond his years, and didn't have the time of day for professional liars. This is what made me understand him more when he was willing to sit down with me. Indicated so to sit with him. As I did so, he mulled over the thoughts and procured an answer for me. While the force does make one more powerful, I always knew there would be downsides. As such with royalty or gaining power. There are always the chances for downsides. No matter how much power you gain. Even if it is through this force.

The secret would be kept between us. That made some tension upon my chest leave me. While it did show the man understood the situation, it also showed he would keep his word. Which I hope was true when in more hard pressed situations. However, I did not dwell upon it at the moment. Even as I sat there, there was a moment of silence before speaking again. The mention of learning beside his apprentice. The reason he mentioned the apprentice was a woman did make sense but I made no outward change to it.

"Male or female, I do not care. Actions are what make a person. As long as she doesn't throw me to the wolves, I will be fine."

Each and every person deserved at least one chance to prove they were a good person. If they failed to do so, then were they bad. They had to be given the chance to fight back and protect their honor, their right to be who they are. That is what I am doing now in fact. However, a little differently than some.

"If you would like, I can tell you of what has taken place, and we can move from there. I am sure you want to know where my possible abilities lay. However, considering I have no aptitude for any abilities now, any thing that you would consider core strengths and needs will be better for now. It may take some time to find my home within the force."

I didn't even have my first training lesson yet, and I was surprised with how... formal and knowledgeable I sounded. It was a strange feeling. This was likely one of the many turning points in my life. I just hoped that it led down a good path.

[member="Varik Ice"],

 

[Varik Ice]

Varik Ice​

Equipment: Lightsaber ​

Location: Senatory Hall, Sovereign Suite​

​

​

Varik nodded along with what Irons said, seeming to understand his outlook on it. It was confusing at first; you didn't know where to start, where your talents lay, what anything meant. Varik had originally thought he would've had some barebones training at the least, but they were starting from scratch. Perhaps that made things easier, then. He wouldn't have to deal with preconceived ideas or notions from other teachers, he supposed.

"It will, but we'll find it. Everyone has talents in different places. The force isn't any different with that. You and Ahdaka will begin training within the next few days, and we'll test the both of you. She has no sword training either, but...a lightsaber's quite different." Varik considered his teaching materials, as well. He had a few training sabers around, so those would do quite well. Did he have any places for meditation?...Hm.

He considered somewhere quiet, but that would make it easier on them. He wanted it to be a challenge from the start, to make them better people and force users overall. The mountains of Eadu, with its rain, thunder and lightning would do just fine. "The two of you will meet at the Palace construction grounds in a few days. We'll begin your training then."

[member="Shaun Irons"]