Seeking Knowledge

[Kyyrk]

LOCATION: Vylmira, The Refuge, Somewhere in the Northern Mountains
TIME: Nearing Sunset
WEARING: This
EQUIPMENT: Ciniel
TAG: [member="Eli-Mae Forrest"]​

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[youtube]https://youtu.be/rMOSTOSyNz8[/youtube]
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It was a long day. They all were, at this point. And in truth, Voph hardly remembered where one ended, and another began. It was all the same to him. Perhaps it had something to do with his inability to sleep. As he sat in the Hall of Tranquility, deep beneath the mountain surface that hid his home from the outside world, he meditated. A perfect time to reflect on life. Past and Present. War was coming. It had become a matter of days now. And soon, a matter of hours.

But for now, he was content to sit and wait. Perched among the standing stones, Voph rested with his back against the tree behind him. His legs crossed before him, arms resting in his lap. For all the world, he might very well pass as part of the decor. But it was not to last. He had a visitor. And the steward droid had informed him that her speeder was landing shortly. Voph reached up, and pulled his unruly white hair into a simple ponytail behind his head. Some days he contemplated cutting it off and going back to the bald features he'd held before. But these days he had to look presentable, even without a helmet.

He stood, and walked along the cool stone corridors of The Refuge to the Meeting Hall. Perhaps the most neglected room within the entire abode. Only used for entertaining guests, which Voph seldom did. But this time was different. Someone had contacted him. A girl, younger, and a new face around the Confederacy. Eli-Mae, if he remembered what his staff had told him correctly. He drew a deep breath as he stepped within the Hall. It had been a long day. But he had time for one seeking his council.

His brow furrowed as his hands moved to clasp neatly at the small of his back. His usual mantle covered the blank sockets where eyes might have been, interrupting the long and jagged scar that ran from his chin along his nose to disappear into his hair. A rather fearsome appearance, and yet...the man radiated confidence and calm. Ashen hair aside, Voph appeared to be quite young, no older than his third decade. But the way he stood...The way his brows twitched...he radiated the air of a warrior. A general. A man who'd seen more wars than his guest had years. There was something...Eldrich about the man.

The silence was broken as the steward droid led his guest into the room, and took his leave. Voph did not move, aside from a deeper furrow in his brow as he studied the girl before him. A deep, rich bass rumbled from his chest, his accent crisp and imperial. "Greetings, little one. Welcome to the Refuge." A hand gently moved from behind his back to indicate a seat at the table, palm turned to the sky. "Please, take a seat. Can the droid get you anything?"

 

[Eli-Mae Forrest]

For Eli-Mae these last few weeks had brought about a great deal of change to the young Vahla's life, having finally left the safety of her parents' ship, they were a nomadic people, she was born and raised on that starship, with that she ventured beyond what she had seen before, she was a rather curious yet guarded person. She often played her cards close to her chest for she didn't want to be hurt. However she had recently joined the Confederacy looking for allies as well as hoping to learn to harness her force powers, in her efforts she had heard of a master of the force who was extremely skilled in his use of the force and also the practice of lightsaber dueling. In a moment her decision was made, she would seek out this master knowing he could teach her and hoping he would be so gracious as to do so.

Eli-Mae would first get in contact with The Knights Obsidian and they would direct her to the Refuge, which resided upon the planet Vylmira. The small girl would take her starship to the planet, she knew she couldnt get to where she was going just with her ship, so she landed at the spaceport there on the planet. Upon arrival she looked around, it was a beautiful planet, mostly consisting of jungles but the city she stood in now was grassland. As she left the spaceport she would approach the speeder station, upon being greeted she spoke, her voice being a bit higher than average, as well as having a singsongy element to it, she asked if they could get her to the Refuge. Once they agreed she would climb into the speeder and they set off. The small redhead had fallen in love with the wind blowing through her hair, she had not gotten to feel it very often being as most of her life was spent in the vacuum of space.

As the speeder arrived at the Refuge she would pay the driver thanking him for the ride and she stepped forward, looking around her she was impressed with the mountain in front of her, she was greeted by a droid who showed her in, her footsteps echoed through the halls even though she was extremely light on her feet, she was shown into the room where the Master was.

His presence was intimidating yet calm, Eli-Mae would bow gently to the master, As he offered the seat she would take it and respond to his question "No thank you sir"

[member="Voph"]

 

[Kyyrk]

LOCATION: Vylmira, The Refuge, Somewhere in the Northern Mountains
TIME: Nearing Sunset
WEARING: This
EQUIPMENT: Ciniel
TAG: [member="Eli-Mae Forrest"]​

​

Voph stood unmoving until the girl had taken a seat, then he stepped over to sit across from her. "You can dispense with the formalities, Little One. This is a personal visit, is it not?" Voph lowered himself into the seat. He smiled slightly at the girl, yet his face made it difficult to tell if he took any joy from the gesture. "You are a rarity these days. Much of my time is spent among nobles and leaders. Precious few come seeking a warrior." His head canted to the side slightly. "At least, this is why I hear you have come seeking an audience with me."

Voph fell still for a moment, then inclined his head to the girl. "You may call me Voph. I suppose the Knights referred you to me because of my service with them. A cooperation we still share, and one I might pursue more fully after my time here has concluded. Assuming I live that long." Voph folded his hands in front of him, fingers clasping together. "So tell me, little one. What is it you seek among the cobwebs and ashes of an old soul such as I?"

 

[Eli-Mae Forrest]

Eli's hands would automatically find her lap, it had become second nature to her in her time living with her parents. She would listen to all the man had to say before speaking, "It is indeed a personal call." Eli-Mae looked at the mans face, it was hard to tell if his smile was genuine or not. As he spoke on her believed intentions for being here she would simply nod as to tell him that was her intentions. All in all he was a hard man to read but she figured this would become easier with time.

She was rather quiet, she had always been this way preferring to listen and think things over before speaking. "To put it simply I have come hoping to find in you a master someone who I can learn the ways of the force from" She said softly looking over the older man's face, she tried to read him once more which was proving impossible

[member="Voph"]

 

[Kyyrk]

LOCATION: Vylmira, The Refuge, Somewhere in the Northern Mountains
TIME: Nearing Sunset
WEARING: This
EQUIPMENT: Ciniel
TAG: [member="Eli-Mae Forrest"]​

​

Voph arched a brow. Of course, he already knew why the girl was coming to speak with him. After all, she was here on recommendation from the Knights. He always adored the forwardness of children. He supposed that she was old enough to not be a child any more, but that didn't change his opinion of such individuals. Not that they weren't capable. But they had much to learn. Much to experience. "An impressive request." Voph let the silence linger a moment longer. "I trust you understand the gravity of such a gesture?"

Voph leaned back in his chair. "Training is one thing. A...Mentor, is another." He paused, as if unwilling to finish his thought, before changing the wording to Mentor. His time in the Sith had instilled a sour taste in his mouth at the ideas of Masters. He'd been bound to one once before. And he'd enjoyed killing him. "But I suppose my curiosity has got the better of me. What would you seek to gain from such a gesture? And...more importantly, why?"

 

[Eli-Mae Forrest]

Eli-Mae concentrated. she had indeed been sent here by the knights obsidian, but she wouldn't have come had she not believed he could help her. She slowly spoke her voice steady not wavering "I seek to learn the ways of the force, as well as learn to control my own abilities." She studied the masters face, he sure didn't give much away from his expressions. None-the-less she trusted him, she could tell he was able to help her it all depended on if he would.

Once more the girl would listen and think it through. What did she want to gain from this, why was she hear, she thought she knew the answer and when she thought about it the reason became clear. She looked into what would be the man's eyes and spoke clearly as ever "I hope to gain the knowledge of the force, as well as the ability to apply that knowledge. Also I wish to learn to wield a lightsaber and defend the confederacy"

[member="Voph"]

 

[Kyyrk]

LOCATION: Vylmira, The Refuge, Somewhere in the Northern Mountains
TIME: Nearing Sunset
WEARING: This
EQUIPMENT: Ciniel
TAG: [member="Eli-Mae Forrest"]​

​

Voph was quiet for a moment as he considered the girl's answer. Simple. Perhaps too simple. Voph reached up to stroke his chin thoughtfully. She was still just barely a child. His understanding of such matters had been born over decades of conflict. He finally spoke, allowing his hand to fall back to his lap. "What you ask is no simple thing. Not a tool to be utilized when you seek its aid. You would assume a new life. To defend the Confederacy is no small task. To defend her people...even more so." Voph paused for a moment, as if searching for the words he wished to use.

"I have dedicated my life to the defense of others. Atonement for the sins of my past. To accept this gift that has been given to us...Such a gesture elevates you above the others." Voph's brow furrowed as he talked, a thoughtful look that reflected the philosophical nature of the words he spoke. "And yet...You are more beholden to them. The Jedi and Sith have argued for millennia over the use of the Force as a guide, or as a weapon. It is but a gift. A curse, to some. A calling to a higher state of being. You posses within yourself the very power that has shaken this galaxy to its core. And the choice of how to use this power is yours, and yours alone. I can show you the path. But it is not one to tread lightly."

 

[Eli-Mae Forrest]

The small girl had thought of the drastically different route in life this training would take her. She had pondered going down this road ever since she had found out she was born into a family strong in the force. She thought that she was ready to undertake this new life. Once more she studied the master's face, he was a hard man to read, but she could tell from his face that his life had not been an easy road. However she did not bat an eye, she had always known or at least assumed that the life she chose to seek out would not be an easy or short road. "I completely understand, I am prepared to leave all of my old life behind me in order to achieve my goal, to defend the confederacy and its people. I am prepared to do whatever is needed. If you would be so gracious as to teach my your ways..." The small girl's bright eyes would maintain their focus on his face never losing concentration as she spoke the words slowly and deliberately.

[member="Voph"]

 

[Kyyrk]

LOCATION: Vylmira, The Refuge, Somewhere in the Northern Mountains
TIME: Nearing Sunset
WEARING: This
EQUIPMENT: Ciniel
TAG: [member="Eli-Mae Forrest"]​

​

"Beware the depths of which you seek to tread, young one." Voph's brow furrowed once more, and he leaned forward in his chair. "For there are dark secrets even I dare not find." A sly grin began to creep across his face. "But if this is the life you seek, then so be it." Voph stood, and walked around the table towards the girl, concentrating on her as he looked her over. Assessing her appearance and physical being. Plotting. Planning. "If you've no lightsaber of your own, I will need to forge a new blade for your use. I have no blades to loan you."

Voph paused, his face twisted into the guise of deep thought. "Suitable clothing will take time as well. Perhaps a lesson or two in order to better understand your...inclinations. Armor, robes, that sort of thing." Voph paused, resting his chin in his hand. "Someone of your build is probably better suited to a more flexible approach. Redirection and evasion, moreso than absorption. Have you thought upon the matter at all?"

 

[Eli-Mae Forrest]

Eli-Mae's face would change several times in the matter of but a few seconds as Voph started to tell her that she should not tread lightly her face would change to a frown, as she was sure that he was about to turn her down. As he told her if she was sure that this was the path she wanted to travel then he would train her her face instantly brightened up this was the best thing that she could have hoped for. As the older man started around the table looking at her she would maintain her calm, she had been taught that it was always best to try to have a pokerface though she was not very good at it

As the man offered to make her a saber to use, as well as try to figure out what type of clothing she would need, it felt nice to have someone take that kind of thought and time on her. As the discussion turned to fighting styles she would think back to the time when her father decided it would be best if she knew how to defend herself in hand to hand combat as well as with a blaster, most of what she learned was to use her opponents momentum against them. so when deflection and evasion it clicked in her mind, that is most of what her father had taught her. "I agree"

[member="Voph"]

 

[Kyyrk]

LOCATION: Vylmira, The Refuge, Somewhere in the Northern Mountains
TIME: Nearing Sunset
WEARING: This
EQUIPMENT: Ciniel
TAG: [member="Eli-Mae Forrest"]​

​

Voph nodded. "Then so be it. The preparations shall be made. There is but one more formality. If you would..." Voph gestured for her to stand before him. He waited till she had risen from her seat, then placed a hand on her shoulder. "You are welcomed to the fold. Once a being without nation, now granted family and purpose by the citizens of this sacred land." As Voph spoke, it sounded more as if he were reciting a ritual or prayer, moreso than speaking directly to Eli-Mae. And he did not speak on behalf of the Confederacy. Not directly, anyways. "Those who come to us seeking strength and solace shall be granted them. You, who have come seeking not only refuge, but to become a refuge, stand fast in your faith, and your duty, that the galaxy might be elevated by your command."

Voph paused for a moment, then stepped back, his blindfold focused on the young girl's face. "If you seek to learn under my hand, then you shall become my apprentice. To become such is to join the children of Vylmira. Once a lost and wayward people, brought to this land by the actions of my fathers, now a haven for any who seek protection from the terrors that haunt their old life. While such a position would certainly elevate you, be mindful that you would represent a nation. You are both my voice, and my hand. A ship shall be provided to you for whatever occasion that your own vessel may prove ill suited for. But the choice to use it is yours. In time, perhaps you will become formidable enough to write a legend of your own..."

 

[Eli-Mae Forrest]

[SIZE=10.5pt]Eli grinned as she took his gesture to mean stand before him. She stood to her feet. As the man placed his hand on her shoulder she felt great pride in herself for she knew what he might say. Even as such she focused intently on his blindfold, as she was raised to have manors and this was the same as looking someone in the eye as they spoke to her. As he continued speaking she hung upon every word he spoke, absorbing them into very being.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.5pt]As soon as he finished speaking she would speak clearly “I am ready master”[/SIZE]

[member="Voph"]