Mind Over Memories

[Darth Metus]

It is the duty of a Master to instruct and to defend.

Upon taking an apprentice, one willingly acknowledges the responsibilities therein. It falls to the Master to ensure that the student is thoroughly trained, provided for, and protected whilst under their tutelage. Regardless if one is Sith or Jedi, this tenet reigns supreme: a Master must take care of his Apprentice.

Dagora-Kel was of this mindset. It drove him to see the burdens and worries of his students alleviated prior to even starting the first lesson. It drove him to place them in a position of security, so that nothing could detract from their training. In recent history, that meant absolving [member="Vesphira So'Kil"] of her debt to her adoptive father: a debt that inspired her to hunt bounties for a living. With this unnecessary burden lifted, Dagora was now free to instruct her, for there would be nothing to distract the woman from her lessons.

Today was set to be the first of many.

Roon was the location of choice for this momentous occasion, within the menacing Obsidian Citadel. While Dagora was rather...loose...when it came to associating with the Techno Union's force order, he did make appearances every now and again. Today, this appearance consisted of escorting his apprentice through the winding corridors of the citadel into one of the numerous training rooms. This space was the definition of state-of-the-art and contained numerous holoprojectors, droids, and teaching aides. However, Dagora did not need any of these. He just needed a room.

Coming to a halt at the center of the space he lowered himself to the floor. Sitting "Indian style", he then motioned for Vesphira to join him. "Life will show you many things, Vesphira." he began. "Joys and sorrows. Happiness and pain. You will see all of them; and some you will choose to treasure. Memories. Secrets locked away in your mind. Today, I will show you how to protect your secrets...by way of using memory as a defense." There was a pause before he added: "Any questions before we begin?"

 

[Vesphira So'Kil]

Silence;

She moved in a calm silence behind her master. A brief glance was given to the surroundings around them, finding nothing of note worthy status, Vesphira would once again return her attention to Dagora only to see him motion for her to follow suit and sit across from him. Lowering herself down into an Indian style sitting position she would then focus her attention on him, eager to see what he would have to teach her. His words piqued her curiosity before she would nod at him, signaling that she was ready to learn what he had to teach.

"Alright, so any memory can work?Or are there specific ones?"


[member="Dagora-Kel"]

 

[Darth Metus]

"Typically speaking, any memory will do. For example, I usually rely on elevator music." he said. "However, as you are just now starting mental defense, you will most likely lean on a memory that you have some form of attachment to. So, I advise thinking of something that isn't too personal, but is a powerful memory nonetheless. I will attempt to enter your mind, I want you to think of that memory and to try your best to shove it in my face. Use it as a wall to block my advance."

With that said, Dagora reached out with his offhand so that he might place two fingers upon her brow. "Prepare yourself and I'll begin once you have your memory squared away." The Dar'manda then set about waiting for his apprentice to mentally prepare herself for what was coming. He did not anticipate a flawless defense on the first try, but with each attempt it would become easier and easier to accomplish.

[member="Vesphira So'Kil"]

 

[Vesphira So'Kil]

What memory was stronger than that of one's child being born?


This particular memory was always on the forefront of her thoughts after stumbling across her daughter and having to drag her kicking and screaming back to the safe place she was placed by her father.

Taking a deep breath, she began picturing that day letting it play out within her mind from the second she realized she was in labor. The pain and fear of having her child in the wilderness was there still only to be followed by the purest form of awe ,love and a fierce, murderous protective nature natural to mothers that swam forth as the labor progressed an d bounded towards the birth and naming of the beautiful , curly haired bundle of joy and maker grey hairs that she soon gifted with the name Deneve. Remembering every detail from her water breaking to the native woman that helped birth Deneve, to her naming her child and returning home to a thrilled adoptive father that was gifted one of the purest gifts. Once ready, she would signal to him that she was ready once the memory was up and on repeat play so to speak.


[member="Dagora-Kel"]

 

[Darth Metus]

After a few moments of silent preparation, Vesphira was ready to proceed. She demonstrated this with a simple nod, announcing to Dagora that it was time to invade her mind. As her Master, he would not assault her psyche with the full brunt of his power. Instead, he would simply prod her mind, much akin to giving flesh a gentle poke with the tip of a blade. Drawing a calming breath, the Dar'manda set his restraint and beckoned the Force to fall upon him.

Writhing and wicked, the Darkness responded, contorting according to the whim of its master. The Force coiled about his mind, enabling him to lash out like a cornered viper. Telepathic fangs bared before sinking into the flesh of Vesphira's mind. Yet, instead of breaking, there was resistance. Good. She had done as he instructed. A powerful memory acted as a barricade against Dagora's mental assault. It was not a perfect defense...but it was a start.

And just what was this memory? Curiosity demanded that he find out. As per his instructions, he assumed that it would not be anything too personal...so he delved in and watched. Like a spectator in a grand theatre, the scene played before his eyes. The fear. The pain. The joy. It all washed over him like a mighty tide; with the apex of the moment being a startling revelation. Deneve...was theirs? This woman...it couldn't be.

"You were dead!" he exclaimed, retracting his fingertips from her brow. The presence of the Force lifted, leaving a man drawing heavy breaths in its wake. Dagora...had missed many things about his daughters life. Things that he regretted missing. Her first words, her first steps...but to see her born before his very eyes? This shook him to the core. His lips quivered as he struggled for words. His eyes watered and stung, revealing the turmoil within.

"Y-You were dead..." he managed to croak out, before lowering his head. His hands hid his face and the waters flowed freely. Dagora got to see a glimpse of what he had missed, and that both brought him untold heaps of joy...and sorrow.

[member="Vesphira So'Kil"]

 

[Vesphira So'Kil]

His reaction made the guilt she felt for concealing both that fact that she lived and whom she was surge forth. Smothering said guilt, she took a few minutes to gather the words she needed to say to him. She had not expected this reaction from him. The urge to comfort him came only to be smothered by the logical part of her mind. Pursing her lips, she would advert her eyes away from him, giving him a small semblance of privacy. Sighing softly, she would begin speaking.



"The force.. It works in Mysterious ways. You should know this.."


Eleven soft spoken words would reach his ears before once again being followed by silence as she thought what to say next. Placing her hands in her lap, she would begin speaking, a hint of amusement lacing the tone of her words, "Do you honestly think Deneve would go anywhere willingly? it would have to be one of her parents that got her to do anything..." She after all gets her stubborn pigheadedness from me. "


Once again Silence descended down upon them only to be shattered by a very business-like set of words, "I am sorry for not finding you sooner. But, let's drop the sappy and sentimental crap and get back to my training... please?"Blunt and straight to the point, perhaps a little too harsh?Yes, most definitely. But, she came with him to train, she would do just that before all else, anything else would come second to her training. That's just the kind of person she was. He would have to deal with it. Her and emotions were at odds, it had been that way for the last five years. It would be rare that she let herself feel emotions.

"So what do I need to work on?I doubt that defense was as good as it should be?"

It was eerie how she could basically wreck someone emotionally and still remain all businesslike. Did this bother or worry her?Nope, not in the least, she was who she was. She had come to learn being soft led to being walked over, she wasn't the type of woman to be soft anymore, she was now rough around the edges and too logical and emotionally aloof at times.


[member="Dagora-Kel"]

 

[Darth Metus]

Pull yourself together.

As the minutes rolled by, Dagora silently repeated this mantra to himself. Although no words escaped his lips, the same four words played over and over in his head. Yes, Vesphira was the mother of his child. Yes, seeing the day of Deneve's birth firsthand broke open a dam of emotions that he did not anticipate. However, this was not the place to lose all semblance of composure. What if one of the Obsidians strolled by and saw him like this? What if that Damn Asher saw him at his worst?

No. He had to get a grip.

Wiping his eyes, Dagora leaned back and drew several heavy breaths. He did his best to bury what he felt deep. Very deep. There would come a time to address what he saw and felt...and to confront Vesphira on her supposed death and new identity...but that moment was not now. After reaching some semblance of calm, the Dar'manda leaned forward and spoke. "You're right. The Force does work in mysterious ways." he began.

Steepling his fingers, piercing blue eyes would stare at the woman before them. Where once there was naught save a blunt, cold in his stare there was now...softness. "I should have figured it out then. There's no way some random woman would get our Deneve back to Dathomir. Especially not since she takes after you so much." His lips curved into a slight smile at the thought.

"And there's nothing to apologize for. You had no obligation to seek me out, Deneve is our sole, mutual priority. Your whereabouts...or why you decided to embrace your natural hair color finally...are none of my business. However, I will ask this...why the change of name?"

With that said, Dagora simply offered a nod when Vesphira asked about how well her defense had performed. "You did well. That was a strong memory to use. However, in the future, I would try to select one that doesn't involve someone you are intimately connected to. The wrong opponent might use that connection as a weapon against you...But that's another lesson in of itself. For now, you can continue to use that memory while we proceed." He paused, taking a moment to further compose himself.

"The next step involves utilizing the Force to bolster the strength of that memory. You will essentially be wrapping that thought in energy and using it as a shield to block the advance. And, like any good shield, you will also use it to shove the enemy out. Take a few minutes to meditate. Muster the Force in your mind and prepare yourself."

 

[Vesphira So'Kil]

His question didn't come as surprise to her, so after he asked it she gave a slight shrug of her shoulders before beginning to talk softly."Neve, was left for dead. I didn't die so a new name was given to me by my father…" She spoke in a tone that left no room for further questions, this was not a topic she would discuss with him…Ever.

She gave him a look, that showed that she aknowledged what he said about picking specific memories, in the future she would use a different one, she chose that one to fit this situation at hand, it also showed that she trusted him to allow him to witness the birth of his daughter, something he should be thankful for. She trusted very few..


Closing her eyes, she did exactly as she stated and moved to bolster the strength of the memory she had picked, focusing intently, she would drift into a daze of sorts, making sure every aspect of that particular memory was bolstered by the forcing. Taking a deep breath, she allowed her head to give a slight incline in his direction, signaling that she was ready to move on with the next step of their training.

[member="Dagora-Kel"]

 

[Darth Metus]

And there she was. That was the Neve Dagora remembered. Ages ago, the Dar'manda would often poke and prod his former lover with humorous questions, only to be met with the same tone she gave now. The sheer nostalgia of the moment was enough to make Dagora's lips twitch with the beginnings of a small smile, but instruction came first. Although there was no way in hell he was getting an answer to his question, the Dar'manda was perfectly fine with it. When Vesphira chose not to talk about something, there was usually one hell of a good reason attached.

As such, Dagora set aside the past and put the full of his focus on the session. Yet another composing breath was drawn, accompanied by the momentary closure of his eyes. The Dar'manda once again mustered the presence of the Force, beckoning it to shape according to his will once more. The serpent returned, slithering forth just as Dagora extended his hand. Upon touching her brow, it coiled and hissed...as if hungering for fresh flesh. This technique, personifying the assault of the mind as something...alive...made it easier to accomplish mentalism as a whole. To give form to the formless was a focusing mechanism, and one that Dagora would impart to Vesphira later.

For now, the serpent waited until the Dar'manda received the signal from the woman. It then launched itself forward with gusto, attempting to sink its fangs into the flesh of Vesphira's mind. Yet as it moved, Dagora gave his ex-turned-student a gentle, verbal reminder: "Remember. A good shield blocks and pushes back."

[member="Vesphira So'Kil"]