The Breaking Dawn [Sio]

[Coci Heavenshield]

​

A new day, is the start of a new life. As the sun rose, so too did Abaigeal. She had not moved throughout the night, and for once her sleep held no fear of nightmares. She had not dreamed either, at least no dream she could recall. But her body and mind felt renewed and alive. She had awoken different, changed and looking forward to the start of a new dawning.

It is that comfortable warmth, when one does not wish to get out of bed, but she did and quickly changed into her new clothes. The apartment is quiet, Sio probably still asleep and so Abaigeal finds the kitchen and prepares breakfast for them both. Cooking, a talent she learned through necessity, on the run and in exile, and had learned to be inventive with what little she had. But here the kitchen is stocked with all manner of foods and fruits and Abaigeal delights in her preparation.

As soon as the breakfast is prepare she sets the table for two, and drinks a cup of Caf while she wait for her new Master.

[member="Siobhan Kerrigan"]​

 

[Siobhan Kerrigan]

[member="Abaigeal E'ron"]


Tip, tap, tip, tap. As was becoming common these days Siobhan's arrival was heralded by the sound of her cane on the floor, though that obviously diminished a lot once she limped over the soft carpet. Siobhan tended to be a long sleeper who disliked this thing called mornings, so Aba had apparently gotten up earlier than her.


The first thing Siobhan picked up on was the delicious smell of caf that invaded her nostrils. It brought a smile to her face when she finally arrived in the kitchen. "You made breakfast? You didn't have to, dear. But thank you," she said warmly, reaching out to fondly stroke Abaigeal's hair. As the girl might have noticed by now, Siobhan was a rather touchey-feeley person. "Did you sleep well, dear?"

 

[Coci Heavenshield]

[member="Siobhan Kerrigan"]

Her gaze lifted up from looking into the dark caf, only to smile as Sio entered the kitchen. "It was the least I could do".

The show of affection did not surprise Abaigeal, and in truth it is nice to have someone to show her that level of care. "For the first time, in a long time. I slept well", she said softly, as if the realisation had hit her.

"Please sit down, and let me get you a Caf", she stood up and gathered the brewing pot and a mug, pour a healthy amount and presented it to Sio. From the bench where she had the breakfast prepared, Abaigeal placed the plates on the table for Sio to select her desired food. Once all was in place, Abaigeal joined her at the table, and began to eat.

Her want for food had returned, as if she had not eaten in years, but she kept her manners none the less. There is a lightness about her this morning, her heart less burdened with grief and guilt.

 

[Siobhan Kerrigan]

[member="Abaigeal E'ron"]


"Aww, if you keep this up, dear, I may get used to you making me caf," Siobhan spoke in a light, teasing tone because lame jokes were a thing for her. But then she gave Aba a bright a smile. "I'm glad you could sleep well at last, sweetie. Really am." This was spoken more seriously and clearly genuine.


Taking her mug she had a good sip from her caf, then began loading her plate and made herself a first sandwich. Presumably this Galaxy had equivalents for salami, marmalade and cheese. "We'll get started on training after breakfast. Go to the Firemane training grounds. We've got plenty of stuff to cover, but we'll take our time." Clearly she did not just think of it as a crash course. Some day Abaigeal would fight Kaine...but only when she was prepared. Nor would she let 'her' little girl go fight him alone.


"If there's something specific you wish to learn, I'll make sure to work it in. Though for the record, I'm awful at lightsabre combat." To elaborate, Siobhan's knowledge of lightsabre use did not extend beyond 'use the pointy end to stab people' and 'wave it in a cool manner to deflect blaster bolts with space magic'. She took a good bite out of an apple.

 

[Coci Heavenshield]

[member="Siobhan Kerrigan"]


She grinned as she chewed on her breakfast. "Maybe I can teach you sabers", she jests of course, but Abaigeal is not bad with the saber already, although could still do with some more training. "Would you mind if I find someone to train in sabers?", she asked not wanting to do things behind Sio's back.

And yet Abaigeal thought about where she would like to start. There was so much she wanted to learn from the Lady, but she did not know where to begin. "I have the ability to use telekinesis, but I would like to strength that ability. But one of my weaknesses which was exploited by .. Vornskr .. is my lack of blocking someone entering my mind, can you help me with that?".

And she wanted to learn how to fly! But that would come later. A nice long gulp of Caf washed down her breakfast and she sat back, happy that Sio was enjoying her food she had prepared for her.

 

[Siobhan Kerrigan]

[member="Abaigeal E'ron"]


Siobhan chuckled slightly. "You have my encouragement to seek out people to help you where I can't. My old apprentice, [member="Tempest"], is good with a sabre. Ataru and Djem So, specifically," she said warmly. On the whole, Siobhan was fairly laid-back about these sort of things. Nor was she a 'you must follow in my footsteps' type of teacher.


The other matter Aba brought up made her turn more serious though. She looked sympathetic and reached out to gently squeeze Aba's hand. "When I was a newly knighted Jedi, I was possessed by an ancient Sith Lord. So...I know how nasty getting your mind violated is. I can teach you the theory of shielding your mind and test your defences a bit. Most of it is about will, concentration and being able to separate truth from illusion. Well, that and lots of practice. But if you're going up against someone like Kaine, you'd be advised to seek out help from a master mentalist cause I'm not that. One of my friends, [member="Coryth Elaris"], is great at that sort of thing. I'll give her call and ask when she's free."


The trend of this writer drafting their friends for training purposes continues! "As for telekinesis, I can teach you all about that," she said with a smile. This one foresees at least one training room being totally wrecked by the time they were done.

 

[Coci Heavenshield]

[member="Siobhan Kerrigan"]

Well she had some names to help with training in other skills and soon would put faces to said names, with Sio's blessing. Abaigeal smiled with gratitude to her master and even more so when she would teach her, her main strength. If for nothing else but to see Lady Sio demonstrate her force given talent of TK. It is an awesome sight to behold, and Abaigeal has not and will never forget the display of power against the thugs.

Abaigeal does not want to rip people asunder, just one. Besides, Abaigeal knew that Sio would never teach her if that had been her purpose.

"Thank you Sio, that would be great", she gave thanks for the future training with others. If they are anything like Sio, she will be in good hands. "When can we get started?", now eager for training.

Abaigeal stood and took her dirty plate to the kitchen and finished off the last remaining dregs in her Caf cup. "When you are ready of course", she amended.

 

[Siobhan Kerrigan]

[member="Abaigeal E'ron"]


"We can start now. I'll just get dressed. I've cleared my schedule for today. Benefit of being in charge and having minions," Siobhan said smugly, grinning. Yep, minions...err, subordinates and coworkers, were a wonderful thing. Likewise the fact that Firemane's Board of Control consisted of three people. Femnazi dictatorship was best dictatorship!


Anyhow, Siobhan finished her breakfast and likewise put her dirty plate away. Any leftovers would be eaten by the servant girls, assuming they could beat Grrbyrr to it. Once this was done she briefly left the room and got dressed, putting on a pair of cargo pants and a tight tank top. It exposed her heavily scarred arms, but she did not seem to care. Then she took Aba's hand, picked up her cane and led the girl out of the suite. It was a bit of a walk over the Firemane premise, but eventually they reached the wide open training grounds.


After having wrecked a training room too many times, Siobhan preferred exercising with the Force outside in the open. It was a bright day, though the breeze of the wind kissed their skin. In terms of layout the area corresponded to your typical military training area. There were targets to practice your marksmanship, mockups of vehicles and the like. A few miles away a squad of Firemane soldiers was practising the use of bolters and the occasional missile launcher, but a little noise never hurt. what the mockups obscured was the fact that a couple battle droids were lying in wait. For now they were deactivated, but could be switched on whenever Siobhan felt like giving Aba an opponent to fight. Like when she was distracted doing other things!


Abaigeal would also notice that several rocks had been laid out on the ground. Some were quite small, the sort you'd expect Padawans to practice basic telekinesis on, others were extremely large and heavy. As in weighing more than a ton. "I lifted six of the seven Muntuur stones once. Smallest weighs a ton, heaviest over five," Siobhan said casually. Yep, totally bragging. She was a rather vain woman, after all.


"But we're not gonna do that today! We'll start with the most basic exercise ever: Lifting things with your mind. Sounds dull at first, till you can crush someone beneath a boulder or hit them in the throat with pebbles propelled at railgun velocity. I know you can lift a rock, but this'll help me gauge how far you are and it's an exercise in patience and control for you. Those two things are essential for any application of the Force," she pointed towards a rock. It was far from the largest or heaviest, but would take a bit of effort. "Sit down, focus, envisage it lifting into the air and make it happen. Then hold it in the air for as long as you can, levitate it." The test lay less in lifting the rock than in maintaining focus over an extended period - and in still staying aware of your surroundings!

 

[Coci Heavenshield]

[member="Siobhan Kerrigan"]

She gave the hand of the woman next to her, a gently squeeze. It is a wonderful day, a nice bright sky to fill the senses with hope and invigorate the soul. As they walked out and through the compound, Abaigeal noticed all the people going about business and training. Some stopping to give Sio a respectful bow or salute. Mostly all women, Abaigeal smiled, as there was not a bad looking one among them. The reason for her good mood, well several reasons really, on the dawn the weight of her situation removed, her heart and soul lightened of a burden that stifled her, did not allow her to develop as a person or progress with her abilities. This was not anyone's fault, not her mothers not even Kaine's and not hers. It was simply life experience and now Abaigeal had the ability to take hold of that experience and turn it around .. to make the decision not to continue that path of self destruction. Not too many people can do that, they continue to blame others, and maybe in the beginning that is fair enough, but as time passes and one grows up, the fault turns and sit with people that makes the choice to remain that way. No longer is it the fault of circumstance, or parents or deeds done to them, but their's if they do recognise it and stop it. Taking responsibility for ones life is hard.

Abaigeal is in a good mood because of this and moreover because of the woman next to her that showed her compassion, caring and love. It is Sio that opened her eyes and made her see the truth. Whether she knew it or not.

Finally, they came to field of rocks. Where training would begin. Sio spoke of her past deeds, there is an air pride in her words and rightly so, she has been around a while and has done many things Abaigeal will never know of, some bad no doubt and some good for Sio is a good soul.

Abaigeal can lift the rocks, but she has never done it with her mind before. Does she believe she can? Yes, but still doubt sits on her mind, simply because she has never tried.

"Ok I will try", she said letting go of Sio's hand to sit down on the ground. Meditation is not something Abaigeal has developed either, but she is focused. Letting out a long breath, she settled her mind and began to breath slowly. Very much the workings of a Padawan learner, who much go through the motions step by step to achieve an end result. In time of course this will become automatic.

In her mind's eye, she could see them, in the field before her and she chose a smaller rock near her. Reaching to it, imagining her hands placed around it, she envisaged it lifting of the ground and holding it before her. But that did not work, the rock stayed in place and was only lifted in her imagination.

 

[Siobhan Kerrigan]

[member="Abaigeal E'ron"]


Siobhan watched her student's first, tentative efforts. Aba had the right instincts and the will, she simply needed to translate that into successful action. Like every Padawan learner she still had to go through the motions, but in time it would become automatic. Siobhan observed for a few moments before deciding to chime and offer some advice.


"Don't think, don't doubt, don't question whether you can do something...do it. You have the power, you have the will. Clear your mind of anything else, see the rock before you and see it lift. Fill yourself with the Force, like a glass is filled with water. Draw upon it and focus it on the rock," she said. Her tone was firm, but remained gentle throughout. Siobhan tried to avoid shouting as much as she could when dealing with children, and in an case all that Aba needed was a push into the right direction.

 

[Coci Heavenshield]

[member="Siobhan Kerrigan"]

She tilted her head upward to look at Sio as she spoke. Pushing a long strand of hair from her face, for no other purpose then to set concentration, at least Abaigeal thought that would help. Well it was distracting.

But Sio is right, Abaigeal has her limits when it comes to self belief, that had been taken from her, but slowly under the guidance of Sio it is returning and moreover since the break of dawn. She decided to focus on that, that image of the rising sun that broke a new light over the planet and entered her room. Abaigeal closed her eyes once more and recalled the soft glowing light that filled her heart and soul with a sense of weightlessness.

In her mind the sun loomed large across the sky, slowly rising up above the horizon and climbed the sky. In the foreground is the rock and Abaigeal projected the sun to it, watching it life as it climbed the skies. Upward the rock moved, slowly and deliberately to match the journey of the sun and Abaigeal opened her eyes. Before them, the rock moving into the air until it was three meters above the ground and continuing.

She imagined her hands reaching out, cupped and placed under the rock to hold in place. It worked, for a little longer than Abaigeal even thought possible.

 

[Siobhan Kerrigan]

[member="Abaigeal E'ron"]


"See, you can do it. Keep at it," Siobhan said in an encouraging tone. Well, she thought it was encouraging at any rate! "The size of the rock does not matter - nor does its weight. Telekinesis operates on the principle: I will it and it comes to pass. Now don't just try to hold the rock above your head in the air, but move it. Envisage the wind sweeping it through the air if it helps. Feel the brush of the wind kiss your skin. Don't rush things, take your time. All it takes is a push at the right moment."


The reason why so long Siobhan had specialised in telekinesis was not difficult to guess: It was intuitive and simple. As a matter of fact, she had received no specialised training in it since her master, Adril, had been a pyromancer. It was the ultimate learning by doing power. Of course, you could do far more with it than just lift and chuck things. Like fly and explode someone's internal organs. But for now she would stick with the simple things. For now she would see how Aba was doing, then possibly sic some trainin remotes on her while she was distracted!

 

[Coci Heavenshield]

[member="Siobhan Kerrigan"]

Remaining in full concentration, Abaigeal heard the words of Sio as if from a distance, but they are clear to her. Still with the image of her hands holding the rock, she moved the image placing her hands from under it to the front and imagining a gentle push with her palms. She could see the rock shift in her mind's eye, only a little and so she did it again. Her imagined hands pushing against the stone and it moved. Her eyes watched as the actual rock shifted in the air before her.

It looked like it was hovering and moving away from her slowly, but it moved. She decided to push herself, to see if she could move it more with force. Resting her hands against it, the image in her mind saw the rock propel for a meter and focusing on the force, allowing it to fill her mind Abaigeal pushed with the power of will.

The rock moved forward more faster and stopped, just as she willed it too. Only one meter. Abaigeal smiled. The feeling of achievement great in her and she felt a sense of pride.

 

[Siobhan Kerrigan]

[member="Abaigeal E'ron"]


"Good girl," Siobhan spoke warmly. "That's my good girl." Through her admittedly weak empathy, feelings of pride would probably bleed over from Siobhan to Aba. Then again, space magic would not be needed to bring the point across and show that the Countess was proud of her.


"This may seem like a small step, but it's an important one. You can accomplish great things with the Force...if you believe in yourself. That's half the battle," she spoke, tilting her head slightly. "Of course, you should always pay attention to your environment."


This was the only warning Aba would get from Siobhan before in the blink of an eye three training remotes came shooting through the air, all attacking her from opposite directions. Both would fire stun blasts and move with great speed and fire rapidly. After all, the intent was not to hurt Aba, but give her something to practice against. Hence why the discharge was still kept relatively light. What would Aba do in response? Well, that was up to her.

 

[Coci Heavenshield]

[member="Siobhan Kerrigan"]

The moment of praise and reprieve was brief to say the least. A good lesson learned, not only to watch the environment, but to never drop ones guard, it would be something to be mindful of in the future when training with Sio, Abaigeal quickly surmised.

Abaigeal quickly jumped to the side as the first shot from the remote rang out, but within seconds her lightsaber hit the palm of her hand and ignited. Her natural instinct to do this, and her natural ability to deflect the bolts as they showered around her. However, she also knew this was not what the lesson of the day is, but her saber gave her a chance to re-set her mind, re-focus and adapt quickly to the remotes.

Her force senses picking up on a pattern from them, she studied it before her mind settled on one of the rocks. Her hand left her saber, ready to extent and lift it, but she stopped. No believe you can do this.

She placed her hand back on her saber, focusing on the rock and the remotes, Abaigeal used the force to lift it, willing it through the air with her mind and it did. She watched as the rock ascended, slowly at first but as soon as it was in position, Abaigeal threw it toward the remote. But not fast enough, the remote sensing it adjusted and moved out of range. Her saber moved to deflect once more, even sent one of the bolts back to the remotes and took one out.

Now set with determination, Abaigeal selected another rock and this time would not over think it, she simple did it. The rock climbed in the air and a clear mind and concentrate hurled the rock to the remote. It stuck and took it out.

 

[Siobhan Kerrigan]

[member="Abaigeal E'ron"]


Siobhan's lips curved into a thin smile. Pride resonated through her aura. She noted the proficiency with which Aba defended herself with her blade and made a mental note to perhaps give [member="Phylis Alince"] a call and ask her whether she could give the girl some extra pointers in Soresu. "Good work, dear. Keep an eye on your surroundings. Someone may toss a grenade at you, lightning, try to mind rape you or shoot you from the distance with a sniper rifle. Every Forcer has some basic precog, but don't just rely on that, but all on your senses."


Contrary to the belief propagated by certain holovids such as Matrix, precog did not alert you about everything. In many ways it was more like an early warning system. In the heat of battle, when bolts were flying everywhere and there were explosions all around you, it could actually be more of a hindrance than an asset. See, just because you were alerted about everything did not mean your mind could process it!


"No doubt. Assess the threat, act, if need be adapt to it, kill it. And if a Sith tries to talk you to death by going all dun moch...ignore it and shoot him. Talking is not a free action. Jedi spend too much time yammering. Words cannot hurt, a sabre to the head does! You're young, use your agility where needed," While she spoke another droid came into view.


This was an actual battle droid, the sort of expendable, mass produced automaton that could be cheaply churned out of a factory, given some basic combat programming and a blaster rifle, then sent out into battle. Obviously it carried a blaster rifle, though it was set to stun. "Throw a rock at it and bring it down," Siobhan ordered. She did not say it directly, but it went without saying that Aba would probably have to lift a bigger rock. Because this required more concentration, Siobhan had given her charge a slightly longer headsup before the droid started unloading a hail of bolts towards Aba's centre of mass and legs. The rifle was quite rapid-firing, meaning that the bolts would be more difficult to all block with a sabre. They were also more high-powered than the remotes'.

 

[Coci Heavenshield]

[member="Siobhan Kerrigan"]

Abaigeal looked at Sio as if stunned by what she had achieved. Her confidence growing with each passing second, especially with the encouraging words for her mentor and friend. Doubt is always there in the back of her mind, put there by the events of the torture but Sio was eroding that and filling Abaigeal with a sense of self once more. Thanks to her, Abaigeal began to believe.

"No doubt.. ", she began but would never finish the sentence. Learning with Sio was good, very good and very testing and she had the feeling this was only the beginning and more will come and test her to the hilt.

Sio voiced firmed, sending an order with authority yet with a nature of caring. Don't think, she thought. And that was time enough for the droid to begin firing at her. Poodoo!

Abaigeal's saber flashed around her body, becoming a blur as she fought to fend off the bolts. The time had come for her to multi task, but time was running out because Abaigeal will grow tired and fast if this is to continue. She used her saber form to set her focus, Abaigeal did not know this but it was a method her mother used all the time. A personal form that her mother would meditate with and focus on whatever needed her attention. This time for Abaigeal it is the droid.

A larger rock lifted in the air, Abaigeal began to pant with the exercise of the saber, but set her mind on the rock. Narrowing her view to the droid through the force, the rock smashed into it sending it flying for meters.

Abaigeal lowered her saber, still ignited and it singed the ground. With laboured breath she stood .. with a smile.

 

[Siobhan Kerrigan]

[member="Abaigeal E'ron"]


A gentle hand touched Abaigeal's shoulder and gave it an affectionate squeeze. Then Siobhan planted a maternal kiss on the girl's forehead, smiling at her. "Well done. Your mum would be proud of you, dear. I know I am," she said feelingly. Reaching out with the Force she picked up a bottle of water and levitated it into her grip before passing it to Aba. Presumably the girl could use a drink like right about now!


"It will be hard and you may stumble a bit on the way, but you're going the right direction," she added, voice gentle and encouraging before she was all business again. "Telekinesis is commonly stereotyped as 'push', 'throw' and 'choke'. There's a certain truth to that, but it's a simplification. With enough skill you can explode someone's internal organs, drop a building, fly or block entire volleys of projectiles and blaster bolts. There's also some...rather pleasurable things you can use it for in bed," she chuckled slightly at that, but did not elaborate further.


"You know how to summon a Force barrier? Force Protection, telekinetic shield, tutaminis...all different ways to achieve the same end. Broadly spoken, a telekinetic shield prevents attacks from hitting you in the first place, tutaminis allows you to absorb the heat from energy attacks and such. On very high levels you can use the energy to fuel yourself and even block a lightsabre...but that's very high level. Anyhow, start with a basic shield. That's a good basis. Everyone has a different way of imagining a barrier. Some think of a bubble, others a solid wall or a cocoon. You'll find what works for you. Key thing is: Don't drain yourself, don't pour in too much energy at the start, don't be static. Unlike me, you still have the gift of youth and the mobility that comes with it. When you go into combat, you'd be advised to wear armour. There may come a time when you don't have the Force at your disposal."


She turned her head slightly and limped a couple metres away from Aba, still in her field of view, but far enough. The reason for this would become apparent soon when suddenly three battle droids appeared on the spot. They looked heavier armoured and sturdier compared to the one Aba had just dispatched.


"Watch," was all Siobhan said before the droids levelled their blasters on the Countess. In the split-second before they let loose with a salvoe of blasterfire, the young E'ron would feel ripples resonate through the Force as Siobhan pulled at the tangled web of power.


Briefly a shimmering barrier of energy sprang to life as she drew upon her power to shield herself. The first salvoe of bolts peppered the barrier and it flickered, showing signs of strain, but Siobhan, concentration evident on her face, poured more energy into it. However, she did so in a controlled, calm manner, even as she twitched slightly when she felt a burning sensation. Bolts were deflected by the shield as if there were balls being caught by a tennis bat. Strain was clear on Siobhan, but she seemed to be drawing out the process so that Aba could observe better. Then her eyes seemed to glow as she unleashed an omnidirectional telekinetic push that sent the droids flying.

 

[Phylis Alince]

[member="Abaigeal E'ron"] [member="Siobhan Kerrigan"]

By great coincidence Phylis was practicing her swordplay at that moment on the other side of the galaxy. In between blocking and dodging blaster bolts she felt a disturbance in the Force like….

OW!

She’d let her guard down and the sting-bolt had zapped her on the leg. Hopping frantically, she hit the shutoff switch. With a huff she sank down in a chair.

It was quite disturbing, but she knew that somewhere, somehow, Siobhan Kerrigan had just mentioned her name. Hopefully not in a bad way. Or, she thought cynically, not to one of her cronies as an example of her latest conquest attempts!

“Hmmph!” she declared to the universe in general, and went to get an ice pack.

 

[Coci Heavenshield]

[member="Siobhan Kerrigan"]

"No, I don't", she answered the question. So much Abaigeal did not know and so much to learn. Listening to all that Sio had to say with great interest, Abaigeal only shook her head at Sio's vast experience and skill.

She stood back as she felt the force pull into Sio. The ripples through the force almost overwhelming and felt like she was sucking the force out of her. She was not of course but the pulled seemed so powerful.

Her hand gripped tight about her saber hilt, a natural reaction when the droids began to fire on her, but it was unnecessary as Sio had everything under control not only that the bolts simply fizzed off her shield. She watched learning all she could in this moment, before Sio's eyes began to glow.

The force screaming at her to step back and she did. Just in time before the droid flew off and smashed against whatever had stopped their flight. She had stopped breathing .. only now did she realise that she had been holding her breath. A gasped flew from her and she turned to Sio.

"That .. was amazing!", she slowly walked back to Sio, not out of fear or anything but more disbelief.