Sword of a Thousand Truths

[Janick Beauchamp]

"If the user was immune to the poison, the poison would still affect what's hit by the blade provided the stuff it hits is not immune to that poison; in that respect, it's much like any other poison"

The yumi. Sukai's brother practiced archery? What is it that he disliked about Dathomirian plasma bows, or about those recurve bows with pulleys, for those favoring physical arrows? she thought, while realizing that those recurve bows with pulleys had more precision at the cost of making the bow harder to draw. Not knowing who [member="Sky'ito Yumi"]'s brother is, she would only think that he was a traditionalist. And now the topic switched back to alchemy lessons, and she had flashbacks of the people who took those lessons on offer: most of the people seemed to use greed or despair to learn Drain Knowledge beforehand and, from there, killed two birds with the Drain Knowledge stone. And also she had a clear idea of the adjustments that would be required for teaching alchemy to people who couldn't use Drain Knowledge, like Sukai. I know that people can use Drain Knowledge on me pretty much over and over and my memories won't fade, and not just my knowledge of alchemy, she thought, with the various people using Drain Knowledge to learn the power being ordered chronologically, and the student in her first post-Dagobah alchemy lesson made it clear just what kind of genius she was.

"But yes, the Circle does run alchemy lessons to interested parties"

 

[Sky'ito Yumi]

"Well that is good to know for future development", she replied, giving slight wonder to what else could be contained via the arts of alchemy, but one step at a time, first get some practice in with chemistry and the crystal stuff [member="Janick Beauchamp"] had mentioned before. This would prove useful to her brother, perhaps in time she would be able to fashion her own alchemy enhanced items, maybe one day teaching it to the Jedi at the Silver Rest upon becoming a master. 'no wait, your thinking to far ahead right now, focus on the present task at had', Sukai said in her mind, taking the newly crafted blade, polishing it's very sharp end, almost with a mirror like gleam to it. Finishing off the final touches the young Jin turned to the Master Crafter. "Well in time I would very much like to return an learn more about this specialized craft... that is if you would have me, I do not want to intrude on your privacy to much". After all, Sukai still had all the time in the galaxy to learn the art, she could wait a few weeks being take up lessons on alchemy.

 

[Janick Beauchamp]

"I'll be happy to oblige, and not just because you're different from the other people that even took those lessons in the first place"

I'd be happy to teach Sukai, even though she will come with a different set of challenges due to her Force-alignment. With the others that are more dark-sided, I usually start with teaching them Drain Knowledge first if they don't already know it. A variety of students is often key for growth as a master, and not just because of where training others fits in one's own mastery of the art, even though it's a different learning that the master makes vs. the student, she thought, while looking at this fine piece of forged, alchemized desh-terenthium that [member="Sky'ito Yumi"] used the Circle's forge for. And start planning the lessons as well as the stuff that can be added or removed depending on which prerequisites are met. Janick would then check into the appointment system, while understanding that there would be no guarantees whatsoever as to when the appointment is going to be happening, especially if the ORC had her unit deployed on a combat sortie (and usually Griet would be deployed along with her when such is the case; then Alyssa is left on Utapau to check on the rest of the Circle's alchemical activities, with the understanding that Alyssa only has the authority to act on the operating expenses, and not the investment portfolio).

 

[Sky'ito Yumi]

"Hontōni? Arigatōgozaimashi'ta, I will make sure to take your future lessons to heart, but what do you mean by different? have others show disrespect towards you and your craft in the past"?

Or was it something more sinister, surely there would be 'others' out there that would use such a skill for the wrong thing, personal gain and other selfish desires. Alas that was the state of the galaxy these day, an 'every-man for themselves' mentality, the strong will survives, weak being crushed nonsense, something that made Sukai irk with a bit of anger, over how careless other where. It was probably the reason why Tanasuki picked assassination as a job before coming a Jedi, using the line of work to 'remove' those types of people from the galaxy, though in turn just helping others.

"Anyways, what do you think of this? does the blade live up to the reputation of your alchemy, is it worthy to carry such power along it's edges, does it bring glory to the Utai Magic circle"?

A little over the top maybe but Sukai wanted to make she the woman's skills and time had not been wasted, and just in general wanting to show of her smith skills to someone who was an expert in the field.

[member="Janick Beauchamp"]

 

[Janick Beauchamp]

"It's not about disrespect about my craft. Different in that the other students were much more deeply into the dark side than you are, and hence able to use Drain Knowledge on me, and everyone that actually had, also learned Drain Knowledge. But they also took lessons for very basic metallurgical stuff, too"

So the challenge of teaching [member="Sky'ito Yumi"] was, in fact, twofold: teaching more advanced lessons which, even with the student knowing Drain Knowledge, even with how her own brain reacts to memory-based Force-powers, was not the same as teaching alchemy on a metallurgical basis, especially for the more practical lesson that will ensue after DK has been used and, on top of that, Sukai would likely not be able to learn Drain Knowledge. Which made the "knowledge" portion different to plan for in her mind. And yet she could sense that Sukai was actually producing a katana that was, in fact, of a pretty good standard, using the forge and other stuff, such as the oil barrel for quenching. Even when accounting for the use of desh-terenthium. It's just that Janick could feel that Sukai wanted a chance to show what she was able to do - perhaps because she at least perceived herself as having some potential and just needed a trial run before she could actually make a decision as to the pursuit of craftsmanship. She knew that often it was a factor for nurturing a talent.

"As for living up to the Circle's standard, I can say it does"

 

[Sky'ito Yumi]

"So I am guessing most of your customers are Sith, darksiders or those that practice magic of some sorts, I can understand that, but are there not similar force powers that I can use to learn such skills"? "If memory serves me correctly memory rub allows someone to learn skills and is a grey/dark side power, do you perhaps know that force power? if not I am more then prepared to do thing the old fashion way".

Not like she was going to get old anytime soon, would also be more respectful to the art perhaps form a unique personal method of alchemy, but she knew that [member="Janick Beauchamp"] probably had better things to do then spent several months teach Sukai the basics. Such would have to wait until the finishing touches on the sword where done, now with construction out of the way it was time for a test run, Sukai standing up, giving the master craftswoman a small bow at her comment about the newly forged Katana

"That is high praise coming from you Beauchamp-sama, would you by any chance have an item I could test the blade on, very eager to see how it's blade fairs, will be the first time seeing an alchemist weapon in action, I could not even imagine how easily it could slice through armor"

 

[Janick Beauchamp]

"It would be on me to use Memory Rub on you in that case. Drain Knowledge is for when you want to steal knowledge from someone else, Memory Rub can be used for three different purposes: infuse knowledge into somebody, alter existing knowledge in somebody other than the practitioner, or erase knowledge altogether"

Yes, Drain Knowledge and Memory Rub are related, yes, my past customers were mostly darksiders. Yes, Memory rub is often considered to be less hazardous, and it's easier to use for more benevolent purposes. Much like someone would want to alter faulty knowledge into someone. So it was a favorite of more intellectual Dark Jedi. But I do realize that how effective Memory Rub is depends on the quality of the person's memory and what you want to use it for. For example, it would be easier to use Memory Rub to cause somebody to forget if that person doesn't have a good memory, while the reverse is true if you talk about infusing knowledge, she thought, while her thoughts were absorbed in what she knew about Memory Rub, especially since [member="Sky'ito Yumi"] realized the sheer magnitude of the auxiliary knowledge required to practice the other branches of alchemy. And yet, she kept a few captured swamptrooper armor suits from the GE on Dagobah in reserve to test items such as alchemized swords, beskar or not. She could always patch up one of those suits of plasteel armor using pyrokinesis if she needed to.

"The katana will also be able to reflect directed-energy bolts thanks to alchemy. You may attempt using the sword on that suit of stormtrooper armor - most stormies and other mooks will wear armor of that strength. It's better than nothing, I suppose"

 

[Sky'ito Yumi]

"Ah, I think I got them mixed up, but never the least that would work no? but would that still be a viable option to learn alchemy or would you prefer to do it the old fashion was with data pad, lectures and practical tests"?

Though such a skill may have been hard, though not have the best knowledge on memory rub Sukai knew it was harder to alter someones mind if that had strong will power and good memory. Being a vampire mean that the Jin's mind was quite strong, enhances abilities making her remember much more stuff then a regular human in line with their very long life span, so even for [member="Janick Beauchamp"] such a task may prove a little difficult. 'In the long run it may just be best to learn it over time, that was I can master it and teach it to others, perhaps mother would want to learn a thing or two'.

Lifting the blade she walked over to where Janick had motioned, swamp trooper armor being propped up in a target like fashion, where she had acquire them remained a mystery, unless it was connected to the battle of Dagoba, her brother had served there when the First Order attacked. Raising the new blade Sukai took an offensive stand, gripping the handle tightly before swinging it down in a wide powerful arc, the impact of the sword on the plastiod armor almost, not even registering. Following through on the swing, placing the blade to the side Sukai's blue eyes gazed back, looking at what once was a fully intact set of armor.

"That, was a very clean cut, sure there was not actual body in the way to provide resistance but still, this blade is deadly, I like it".

 

[Janick Beauchamp]

"It might be better to go the old-fashioned way with you. Oh and since you may be wondering where I got those swamp-trooper suits of armor from, it's because I fought the Empire on Dagobah"

And now not only Sukai knows about the adjustments I may need to make to the lesson plan, and the rationale behind those adjustments, she also knows about my involvement on Dagobah; I fought the Empire there, even though my involvement on Dagobah was mostly orbital. Those suits of swamp-trooper armor were collected from an AT-AT wreck, destroyed after the Pellaeon retreated, she thought, while also being reminded that she was, in fact, used Drain Knowledge on over and over for alchemy and still able to do it just fine - and at the same time Memory Rub is ineffective on her. As [member="Sky'ito Yumi"] did, in fact, manage to penetrate the armor with the alchemized katana, cutting the suit clean, now Janick knew that Sukai was a legitimate craftswoman and that she will be satisfied with that item for years, not needing to sharpen it as someone would with a normal durasteel sword. And it's very much like the sword one Joon possesses, except that the katana may not be able to ground Force-lightning. If Sukai is comfortable with increasing her Force-signature, that is.

 

[Sky'ito Yumi]

Sukia gave a small bow to [member="Janick Beauchamp"] at her decision,"as you wish, I will do what you think is best, and yes I gathered that would be the most likely place where one would attain a suit of swamp trooper armor". "My brother actually fought during the second attack on the planet by the First Order, I should ask him if he retrived anything of value, then again that was a defeat for Galactic Alliance so I don't thing there was time to scavenge parts".

All in all this was a very productive day she now had a new blade for which to fight with, proved her skills as a black smith, as well as upholding the Riben Jin tradition or forging ones own weapon, she could not wait to show father. Taking the handle she sheathed the blade into a scared that had been brought with herself, clipping the blade to her magnetic belt for now, she could give it a little more sharpening and care later on.

"Again thanks for all you have done for me today, perhaps in the future we may have more dealings, but now would we need to talk about cost? After all you have a business to run, and I do not think you would give me this for free, how much compensation do you require"?In the past this may have been a problem but since finding out about her heritage and being related to a certain 5,500 year old vampire with as much wealth as the Atrisan royal family, buying something had never been easier for Sukai. It almost felt like cheating, but Sukai was not one to look a gift horse in the mouth.

 

[Janick Beauchamp]

"Probably 5,500 credits or so"

A base lesson in alchemy, the time in the forge and its finished result was well worth the money. Pricing never seemed to be an issue as far as the Magic Circle was concerned, nor was financing: if Griet said was accurate, there was no bad debt expense, nor the prerequisite allowances for doubtful accounts, or AFDAs as Alyssa called them, as Griet handed her the accounts receivable aging report. Very straightforward since most of the Circle's sales were paid for in cash and both Griet and Janick found that the hardest part of performing the accounting part of the closing process was the quarterly reconciliation, which was the final step prior to making the quarterly closure of the Circle's books. In fact, that's a prerequisite for even getting the quarterly reconciliation done. [member="Sky'ito Yumi"] would never suspect what memories the topic of billing triggered in her: my own mental liabilities growing at the expense of my mental equity. Maybe the growth in my mental liabilities has been contained to an extent, and stabilized even. Yet I have no reason to think my mental assets have shrunk in value, she thought, before handing the bill to Sukai.

 

[Sky'ito Yumi]

"5,500, that sounds quite reasonable, just give me a second I should have the right amount on had.".

It was around the same price as some battle droids, teaching time and use of equipment probably also accounted for the cost, though Sukai did wonder what it would have cost if [member="Janick Beauchamp"] herself provided the metal for the forging process. Maybe double? perhaps more, but that was for another time, right now she neeeded to pay the woman, and boy did Sukai have quite the loaded purse. Ture her family was well of before but know knowing her relation to a certain... lets just say noble business woman back on Atrisia the Yumi family had much more credits on hand then every before, it almost felt like cheating sometimes. Reaching into her pockets the Grey Jedi produced a 6000 credits, have still some left inside the pocket, having brought a bit more cash then necessary it had seemed.

"I am assuming you have change? if not just say that the extra 500 was a tip".

 

[Janick Beauchamp]

"Or rather, a deposit for the next alchemy lesson"

Which becomes a liability as a form of unearned revenue, she thought, realizing that often the first lesson was included among the price of the item used to carry out said lesson. And Griet will probably realize the new journal entry posted for that transaction as the quarterly reconciliation gets underway upstairs: Dr. Cash 6000, Cr. Sales revenue 5500, Cr. Unearned revenue 500. So Griet will be making adjusting entries to the Circle's ledger pertaining to utilities and property taxes because there are no notes payable nor notes receivable. And then the reconciliation will be complete, while making a mental note for [member="Sky'ito Yumi"]'s next visit, so the 500-credit deposit will probably be held in escrow until she returns. That is, unless the business is in financial straits dire enough to require dipping into the deposits, but, in her mind, it would probably be more of a period where business is slow, since she has enough experience of that business to realize that questionable payers are very rare in alchemy. Just that Janick would have but a few parting words for the energy vampire.

"See you next time"

 

[Sky'ito Yumi]

"Ah yes their next lesson, that is rather convenient, will have to make sure I do not die before then hehehe". Not that it would be easy, but Sukai was certainly racking up the scar count as of late, one of those may eventually claim her life, at the very least she would make sure to survive until the alchemy lesson. Taking stance once more she gave the master crafter a parting bow, "once again thank you for this time, I hope to see you again some other time". Turning back around Sukai mad her way back to the ye old interceptor, placing the sword in a safe location before taking the reigns, the engine powering up once more before shooting off into space, 'I should have a duel with brother once I get back, though I am afraind my blade willl break his own'.