Something, something, Stealth-Side

[Bolt]

Zaiden stood in the Halls of the Palace of the Gods, his home on Val'hala. He was draped with jet black robes that hung along behind him, and he stared at a painting that showed him with his sister Feena. He missed her so...

But he wiped his eye, and headed for the door of the Palace. As he was to understand, he was to meet a young woman that had come to learn the skill he had only ever taught a few: his Stealth tactics! He would teach it, and hope that the student would show the same discretion!

[member="Ire'Rain Sekairo"]

 

[Ire'Rain Sekairo]

Sometimes having simply one teacher wasn't enough. Other times, even three or four instructors weren't enough for a student to learn everything they had, or wanted, to learn. Such was the case with Ire'Rain Sekairo. The woman had trained under various masters, but had yet to make what she considered 'satisfactory progress'. Vornskr had taught her strength and cruelty, Elani had taught her love and hate, and Circe had started to teach her about stealth and illusions. While those lessons had gotten her through quite a few battles, she felt like there was to much missing from her education. So when the opportunity to train with a legend came her way...

Well, she took it, of course!

Traveling to Val'hala might have seemed like an inconvenience (considering the fact that Ire rarely went anywhere besides Coruscant or Panatha for non-war reasons), it was well worth what was to come. There hadn't been much delay between her acquirement of transportation and her actual arrival on the world. Though she had had to get permission from Kain first, of course. While he didn't interact with her directly much, he was still, in fact, her master. Along with the Emperor of her homeworld. So, for her, his word was law. Luckily he had been fine with her seeking knowledge from others (as long as she didn't plan on using it against him).

She arrived at the house quite exactly on time, wearing simple black robes, a single drawstring bag carrying what little she had brought with her to the home.

[member="Razor Shot"]​

 

[Bolt]

The woman would not know of it, but the moment she disembarked from her ship, Zaiden was there. Following closely by her, but not enough to slip up - he was once the greatest Light oriented Master in recorded history, but with several deaths, and multiple years in such stasis...

Well he had gone slack.

Not enough to lose his reputation, but definitely enough to lose faith in his abilities. He had once faced the greatest of Force Hunters, had hidden from mentalists capable of detecting the weakest of base thoughts, even from those that had splashed him with their Blood thus invoking a Blood Trail. Now though, he was far more cautious and wary.

As it was though, when she arrived at the Palace, he stepped forward to the wall next to the door. Leaning there with arms folded, Zaiden dropped his Force Cloak and smiled at the young one.

"How may I help you?" He asked, feigning a lack of foreknowledge.

[member="Ire'Rain Sekairo"]

 

[Ire'Rain Sekairo]

Though she didn't jump when he appeared, she was, in fact, rather surprised by his presence. Less so in the 'didn't expect that to happen' way and more in the 'wasn't expecting that now' sort of way. Part of her had wondered if he'd try to pull something like this. But, clearly, there hadn't been any 'trying'. Only a fair amount of doing. Ire hadn't sensed him coming, she hadn't seen even the slightest shimmer around him, nor had she heard him make a sound until he spoke. Her initial reaction was a sense of discomfort (for she knew that he could sneak around her whenever he wanted). But after a moment she accepted his skills as a (damn) good thing.

He was to be her teacher, after all.

"Well, there are a few things you could... assist me with. But I am a guest, so, perhaps, I should first offer you something. To be polite, of course," she said, allowing herself a small (and fake) smile. For once there even seemed to be emotion in her voice- though perhaps not as much as the average person would bring into their tone. Feelings were things that she no longer fully understood. So, though she wanted to be a good guest, she had to rely on what she vaguely remembered. Smiling was good, right?... "I'm not sure if you drink, but I brought a bottle of fine wine as a gift. Something from Panatha's better stock."

It had felt like the traditional thing to bring. Still the woman felt uncertain, unsure if what the holonet had told her about etiquette was accurate or not. Was this the best first introduction for her to make? Probably not. But it was all that the Sekairo could think to do. She just hoped that her attempts at manners weren't horrendous enough to warrant her removal from the property.
[member="Razor Shot"]

 

[Bolt]

Zaiden chuckled, a smile creeping along his face, "Trust me. Alcohol is the easiest easiest way to win my affections." He almost added since his sister had passed, and that thought caused the smile to dissolve instantaneously. Practically snarling at this point he threw open the door, and stepped inside, "Follow me. We will find a place to sample your offering. As well as talk more."

Leading her through the grand halls, he gestured about himself, "This palace has stood for over 4 millennia, with the intent to allow the returned Gods a home to be lavish within. But as few are aware, we Gods reincarneted came to know what we were, and reject it. Thus I live here alone, save every so often my son arrives to bother me." He muttered the last part, another small smile creeping across his face before vanishing yet again.

"Any who, what exactly you are here for, I believe I have an idea. But I still wait to here it on your part." He said, finally turning right as he entered a large kitchen. It was beyond massive, more than enough to feed a small army. Yet he, and his servants, alone called it theirs.

"So let's drink, and talk." He said as he set a glass before them both.

[member="Ire'Rain Sekairo"]

 

[Ire'Rain Sekairo]

So he did like alcohol. That was good to know. Ire had worried that her gift wouldn't be satisfactory- that it would be deemed 'inappropriate'. While she hadn't cared much for the idea of friendship, she understood the need to keep one's teachers happy. Otherwise they could decide to 'pull the plug' on your partnership with them. Or, in cases such as an apprenticeship with Vornskr, the teacher could simply decide to kill you. Whether Zaiden was like Kaine, or like previous teachers of hers, was still up in the air. Knowing he held an affection for good drinks could prove helpful in the long run.

"I'm glad you like to drink. I'm not sure I'd be able to drink a whole bottle by myself," she said, smiling wider still. That smile, understandably, faded when she saw the look on her host's face. Did I do something wrong? She wondered, holding back a frown. Maybe he's just thinking about something bad. She hoped that whatever ailed him would not prevent them from getting down to business. Healing wounds, physical or mental, was not her specialty. If any rift formed between them she'd likely have to go elsewhere. If. Only if. Mentally shrugging off her concerns the Sekairo quietly followed the man.

While they walked, he talked, and she simply listened. There wasn't much for her to say in response. Perhaps a simple 'impressive' or 'this place is beautiful' could have worked. But she wasn't normally one of many words, and that wasn't likely to change, even for something like this. Faking a few well-meaning smiles was one thing, faking a bubbly, lively personality was another. Though she was going to try, of course. Just at 'better' moments. Talking while she followed him, while he went over brief bits of history, did not seem necessary. So she waited until they were in the kitchen to say anything else.

"Yes, going over my reasons for visiting sounds good," she said, using her prosthetic to open the wine bottle as she did. There was a satisfying click as the cap came off. With another smile (this one not as forced as the last) she poured them both a glass. Once that was taken care of she spoke again, voice softer than usual. "I've... heard of you. Most of what I've heard can be called rumors, but I've spoken to a few more reliable sources. Circe, my mother-in-law, and Vornskr, my master, amongst others. Everyone speaks highly of you. They say you are... well, they say you are a God. A master of stealth, unlike any other in the galaxy."

It was true. That was what she had heard about Zaiden.
"I have come to learn under you, to learn from your wisdom."

[member="Razor Shot"]​

 

[Bolt]

Zaiden froze at the mention of Circe, whom he had...mixed relations with. Blatantly stated, she was near as crazy as he, and two crazies didn't always mix the best. But he forced himself to relax. Kaine was a man he had been an ally with multiple times; such as his attempt on Mikhail, the Thronebreaker. He was quite the warrior, one Zaiden wasn't sure he could take out, unless at the absolute peak of his conditions...

Which he may never again reach...

Offering a small smile he reclined back against the wall, "Kaine is your master, eh? Wouldn't mind having another run with that one. Thick headed, abrasive, and powerful as all hell...quite the Master to achieve, especially for one so young." He paused and eyed the other with a new keen concentration. "You must be something else to have found that in him."

Taking a long slow pull from the glass, he swirled the fruity concoction about in his mouth a moment before swallowing, "It is a fine wine; how old, and of what style? Personally I rarely drink much wine, but when I do its usually Corellian, Tera Lushian, or Val'halan. These to I do not simply drink though, I usually mix it with something a bit darker." Holding out a hand, he caught the 1000 credit bottle of Bourbon made on Dantooine that rocketed like a bullet towards him, "I hope I don't offend by doing so.." He arched a brow as he poured an ample amount to the wine.

"On days like this however, whilst taking my tolerance for inebriative items under consideration, I also take it a step further." Next he reached into his shirt pocket and drew forth a small case which he opened, removing from it a small white capsule that he dropped into his glass. Instantly a fizzing foam grew along the surface, before it was blown onto the table with a slight breath; sipping at the liquid he smiled, satisfied for the texture of the drink.

"Now," He began as he swapped one case for another in his pocket, "I am willing to teach. This has always been the case, but you must present yourself accordingly, as no more than 3 have ever received the full brunt of my techniques." Taking a long thick cigarette from his case he put it to his lips, conjured a miniscule ball of pyrokinetic energy before the tip and lit it, "Than again it depends on the extent you wish to learn. I can teach you the basics, enough to get by... or enough to make you a challenge to any man, beast, or warrior in existence." He finally finished then took a drag of the tobacco.

It was then he realized he had not offered, and pushed the case of nicotine filled papers closer to her with a gesture meant as said offer.

[member="Ire'Rain Sekairo"]