Training with Ballen-Ist

[Darth Ophidia]

Saiah sat in one of the larger rooms of Malif Cove. The rough brown stone walls reflected the light of innumerable candles, throwing flickering shadows over the faded painted patterns and scriptures in the language of the Ancient Sith. Wherever Sith went, so did that language re-emerge. Saiah couldn't read it, but some things became somehow clear. This was one of the reasons why she chose this room to meditate in. Saiah sat on her cloak, her legs crossed in a lotus position, and her right hand cupping her left in her lap. She felt the presence of the Force in the room and gathered it around her, drawing it inside her and scouring it for information.

The tall, slender Rattataki opened her black-painted eyelids, and revealed her pale grey eyes. They scanned the room quickly, piercing the darkness and probing the walls for watching eyes. She smiled a wicked smile and put her hands on her knees. She was expecting someone to meet her soon, someone who had offered tuition. It excited her, the prospect of probing into the secrets of another Sith. The dusty tomes and scrolls she found in the ruins of the old temple only told her so much. An injection of live instruction was welcome.

[member="Ballen-Ist"]

 

[Ballen-Ist]

From within the darkness that [member="Saiah"]'s eyes probed, Ballen-Ist would step forth, his entire body covered in a black cloak. Tilting his head back slightly, the young Knight's red lips would curve into a smirk, as his golden eyes peered at the Rattataki before him. Utilizing his pyrokinesis ability, the bright flames that danced upon the candles would suddenly change, turning to a dim violet hue, despite growing somewhat larger. He could only wonder what this girl wanted to learn, and figured showing her a bit of his skill would not hurt at all. The pureblood had already taught pyrokinesis to one other apprentice, so the lesson was fresh in his mind. However, he wouldn't mind teaching other techniques, like lightning or rage. He loved those ones. Pulling his attention to the large room he stood within, Ballen's golden eyes would hover over the many painted patterns and scriptures upon the walls, reading them quickly before turning back to the Acolyte.

Lifting an arm from beneath his cloak, the young man would grip the collar of it with a gloved hand, pulling the clothe from his body and throwing it to the ground. Lowering his arm, he would relax his hand on the hilt of his blade, which was revealed to have been sheathed upon his waist all along. "I can teach you saber combat, or dark side abilities," the Sith began lazily, hardly paying attention to the Rattataki as he ran a hand through his hair, before using it to straighten the collar of his regal looking attire, which appeared to be lightly plated with armor. "The choice is yours." He would conclude, setting his gaze upon her out of the corner of his eyes.

 

[Darth Ophidia]

He raised a nonexistant eyebrow, a motion barely visible in her ashen skintone. "Impressive." As the Sith Knight had his back turned, reading the scriptures of the walls, she stood up in her full height and watched him carefully. Her black lips curled in that wicked grin. "Giving me choice? How sweet of you." She knew she was playing with fire, teasing a knight like so. Yet so was the life of a Sith. Success or death. "You will teach me to harness the force?" Her voice was cold, somehow dry, almost hoarse. She stepped closer to him, her fingers flexing in anticipation. Her eyes flashed with ambition. She had never been so close to one of the Sith kind, they intrigued her. Though their decline was proof against their ultimate superiority. Even so, she would siphon all she could from this source. "What will you teach me? To crush my foes with the power of the force? To run faster than the wind, and to manipulate my surroundings to my will? That would be delightful."

[member="Ballen-Ist"]

 

[Ballen-Ist]

With his sharp sense, the young Knight was able to pick up on most of things [member="Saiah"] did, not surprised as he turned to find the acolyte already standing to her full height. A light laugh would escape the pureblood's lips as he listened to her playful words, his body pivoting on a single foot as he began to advance on the Rattataki. Noting how she was somewhat intrigued with him, Ballen would smirk briefly as he stood close to Saiah, his natural dark aura beginning to leak off of his body, casting an almost overwhelming presence upon the area. Now walking around her in a circle, the Sith would begin to decide what he would teach, wondering what she could and could not handle.

"I can and will teach you many things," Ballen began, speaking calmly and softly, "If you can bear it all." He finished, a smug and slightly arrogant tone to his voice. He too was teasing her, and did it only because he enjoyed doing so. It was a playful test, to evaluate the type of character the young woman was. "Lightning, rage, pyrokinesis, speed, telepathy, Soresu, and Juyo. You must only ask." The Knight finally concluded, wondering what she would choose.

 

[Darth Ophidia]

She felt the power of his presence, but refused to let it affect her. She kept her upright position, and followed him with her eyes. "I will bear whatever I must. There are only two options for Sith" She smiled again, her clean, white teeth gleaming in the light of the candles. "Death or victory." She could tell she was being tested, she could see it in his eyes and taste it on his words. She stood still, allowing him to survey her. She was tall, quite fit and had a hunger for knowledge in her eyes. She held her head high on a slender neck, but her posture witnessed a knowledge and certain revel in cruelty. "Why don't we begin with telepathy?" It was a handy ability, and opened the path for other mind-affecting abilities that were all quite desirable. "I've always wondered how it looks inside the mind of... another." What was she about to say? His head, or the head of an inferior? It was another teasing jab.

[member="Ballen-Ist"]

 

[Ballen-Ist]

It had been quite awhile since the young Knight had been around such dark, twisted individuals. It would be a lie to say that he wasn't enjoying it, as he smirked and nodded along with each of [member="Saiah"]'s words. After assessing her physically and mentally, Ballen would stand in front of the Rattataki calmly, a hand extended towards her slender neck. Instead of it forming a hostile grip, the pureblood would simply run a gloved finger along the young woman's pale skin teasingly, the smirk on his face ever-present. A sheet of telekinesis would then be expelled from the Knight's upper limb, gently wrapping around the acolyte and hopefully forcing her into a sitting position. "You'll wish you never had, my dear," the pureblood spoke playfully, his own physique lowering into a seated position.

Crossing his legs, Ballen-Ist would fall silent momentarily, as he began to think back to and recall the training he had undergone when he was younger. Telepathy had been one of the techniques he had first learned, yet he found himself hardly using it to his surprise. It was rather useful, after all. "Close your eyes, and clear your mind," the Knight began to speak, doing the same as he instructed the acolyte, "Through the force, you can convey messages to another, or even read their own thoughts forcefully," Ballen explained, as he opened his mind in order to be ready to receive whatever Saiah threw at him. "Use the force, and project something upon me. Be it your voice, or an image, it does not matter." The pureblood concluded, wondering if she was skilled enough to do so.

 

[Darth Ophidia]

Saiah's upper lip curled in a little twitch of disgust at his teasing touch. She allowed the telekinesis to seat her, it was part of training. She smiled at his words, or perhaps it was a sneer. It was hard to tell with Saiah sometimes. "We will see what my wishes amount to when they are due." She cupped her hands in her lap again, and closed her eyes. She drew the force to her, inhaling it like an incense that burned away the clutter of her mind. It filled her body and she wrested it to her will, shaping it into her voice. It reverberated into the line that had brought her here and she projected it at the Sith Knight before her "Peace is a lie" She didn't utter them with her words, but projected them with her mind, her entire being. Then she listened for an answer.

[member="Ballen-Ist"]

 

[Ballen-Ist]

Utilizing his own knowledge of telepathy, the Knight would allow [member="Saiah"]'s words to flow into his head, his mind doing little to resist her invasion. "There is only passion," the pureblood would reply aloud, his legs slowly moving as he stood to his feet. That was one ability down, many others to go. He wondered if this girl already knew some abilities of her own, or if she was brand new to the force. If the latter was the case, it would be a drag teaching her the basics. Of course, there was something to look forward to, that being the pain he would inflict upon her. Standing still and calmly, the Sith would wait for her next request, attempting to guess at what she wanted to learn.

"What else do you want to learn?" He questioned.

 

[Darth Ophidia]

Upon confirmation of her success, her lip curled in a small smile. Saiah had some grasp of the Force, but not extensive or particularly aware. She had used it by instinct most of the time, drawing on her own raw talent, rather than carefully constructed understanding. She did need some basic training, but she knew the force inside her and she knew the code. Saiah opened her eyes again and looked at him. "Show me Rage" Her voice was determined, her spirit only encouraged by opposition. She was ready for the pain, the struggle, and the power of the dark side of the Force.

[member="Ballen-Ist"]

 

[Ballen-Ist]

An audible groan would escape the the young man's lips, as he listened to the request of @Saiah. Sure, he did not mind teaching these techniques, it was simply his desire to practice saber combat that annoyed him. Even so, a thin smirk would etch itself upon the Knight's lips as he.realized something. "Very well. Focus on all that you despise, anything that has brought you anger, pain, and fear," the Sith began, remembering the first time he had used the ability. "Once you have tapped into the dark side, you can focus it into your body. Be warned, it will attack and attempt to take over your mind. You exchange control over yourself in return for bolstered speed and strength." With a knowing grin, the lifeblood would rest his hand upon his blades handle, figuring it would have to be drawn.

Now waiting patiently, Ballen would look on as the acolyte concentrated, wondering if she was skilled enough to learn the controlled rage technique.

 

[Darth Ophidia]

She was insulted at his groan, after all he had offered her the lesson, suggested the power. She looked at him sceptically before closing her eyes and exhaling drawing on the Force again. She reached back into her mind and called forth memories, emotions, she even played on the insult he had offered her with his groan. She could feel her passion building like smoke from a bonfire. Once she could feel her smouldering passion begin to blaze into a fire, she attempted to channel it into her body. At first it hurt, it burned like an actual fire in her veins and she could feel herself slipping.

Could she really control this ability? Yes, she would take charge of it, or she would die trying. She drew deep breaths, trying to keep it together. However, the fire was starting to take over. She put her hands on her head, nails digging into her skin. She couldn't take it. She would take it! Take it or die. She stood up, taking a few steps hither and thither before whirling around and smashing her left fist into the wall. She stood silently for a moment, then turned to the knight with hatred in her eyes.

[member="Ballen-Ist"]

 

[Ballen-Ist]

Having seen the results of force rage before, Ballen knew exactly what to expect. Remaining still and calm even as [member="Saiah"]'s fist slammed into the wall, the young Knight would let a soft yawn escape his lips, as he turned to pick up his dark cloak. Throwing it around his shoulders, the Sith would casually pivot on his foot, noticing the Rattataki's glare as he fixed his gaze on her. Was she going to attack now? Perhaps she had gained control over the power, which wouldn't be a first. Either way, Ballen remained quite nonchalant, his foot tapping against the stone he stood upon as he waited.

 

[Darth Ophidia]

Saiah straightened up, the rage ravaged at the fringes of her mind and she was still wrestling with it. His nonchalant face, the condescending impatience of his tapping foot, it all fed her rage. She sneered at him and balled her fists. She took a few easy steps towards him, her eyes blurring with the bestial rage that was taking charge of her conscience. Bloodthirst washed over her like the tides outside of Malif Cove as she stepped in a semi-circle around Ballen-Ist. Her eyes watched him, venomous, clouded, primal. It was clear she was not in control, she was simply readying for the pounce.

Suddenly she ran at the knight, there was no yell, and no warning but a twisted grimace. She sprinted at him and leapt, putting the entirety of her power behind a flying knee. It was a move she had internalized so much and the rage had given her power and speed beyond her normal capabilities. She came in like a blade slicing a path through the air with considerable force.

[member="Ballen-Ist"]

 

[Ballen-Ist]

Still in a calm and straight posture, the pureblood would keep his eyes on [member="Saiah"], a strange dullness to the glare he fed the young woman. It was almost as if he were bored, just waiting for something to happen. Surprised by the sudden charge, Ballen would smirk widely, his eyes lighting up as he began moving his arms slowly. One of his hands would delve beneath the large cloth he wore, while the other actually gripped the cloaks edge in a tight grasp. Swiping that very arm through the air horizontally, the Knight would use his cape to obscure the acolytes vision, before taking it one step further. The candles that had been giving off a faint below would suddenly die, casting darkness over the area as the Rattataki's kick came forth. It would be met with a force barrier, one that would completely negate the power and momentum she had built.

"Know my power," the Sith would broadcast telepathically, his voice booming loudly from every direction. Even so, his approach couldn't be any more straight forward as he pushed off the ground, infusing his movements with force speed briefly as he drew his sword. The metallic length would gleam in the darkness, bolts of electricity dancing upon it's surface wildly. With a single swing, Ballen hoped to tap the Rattataki lightly upon her torso with his blade, that had stored up a decent amount of lightning thanks to it's holder. The brief connection, if successful, would release a shock wave of powerful electricity that aimed to render the woman unconscious. He didn't want her in such an enraged state, for it only did so much before damaging one's physique and psyche. If she had experienced the lightning, she would indeed know Ballen's power, for she would be able to take the first steps in learning the technique herself. If all went according to plan, the Sith would simply sit down and meditate until Saiah came to.

 

[Darth Ophidia]

Kark your power. Halted, insulted, she let loose a fierce Force Bellow, stirring the very stone foundations of the room. However, her bellow was cut short as the blade touched her skin. She was thrown back by the force of the lightning, hitting the wall and slumping together unconscious on the dusty floor. Blood emerged from a small cut in the back of her head where it had clashed with the wall.

Saiah came to some time later, groaning as she pushed herself up on her feet. She rubbed her head, and surveyed the room. She was unsure what happened. Her head hurt; her left wrist was agony, Sprained perhaps. Her eyes found the meditating Ballen-Ist, and she raised herself up in full height again. "I thought you left." Her words were cold as ever, and something of a smile flashed across her lips, but dissipated into a neutral face of quiet observation.

[member="Ballen-Ist"]

 

[Ballen-Ist]

The youth's eyes would slowly open, as he was roused from his slumber. Ballen's meditation had been rather deep, even so he did not seemed annoyed as he looked upon @Saiah. "Our training isn't over yet," the red skinned Sith spoke, as he slowly got off the ground and onto his feet. Confident in her abilities, the young Knight would begin to approach the Rattataki, an arm lifted as he begun to channel his force energy, specifically the dark side.

Bright violet bolts of lightning would jump between the Sith's fingers, his hand held out to demonstrate for the young woman. "Now you've experienced force lightning, you can generate it yourself," nodding along with his own words, the Knight would take a step back, wondering how she would go about doing so. Figuring he might as well give a tip, the young man spoke once more, "channel your hatred, anger, pain and then expel it."

 

[Darth Ophidia]

Saiah tilted her head as the violet sparks danced between the knight's fingers. Her eyes narrowed suspiciously and she raised her own hand, looking at her palm and long, slender fingers. She glanced up at Ballen-Ist then back at her right hand with an intense focus. She inhaled, again drawing on the power of the Dark Side of the Force. She balled her left hand and forced the pain into her palm, along with her anger, her hate. Her flesh felt as though it swelled and tingled. She inhaled again and tried to expel all of her emotions through that right hand. A single pale blue lightning split the dark, and Saiah jumped a little. She grinned and focused once more, trying to create sparks between her fingers, but found it to be rather difficult. It was an advanced technique after all.

[member="Ballen-Ist"]

 

[Ballen-Ist]

The young Knight's head would nod in satisfaction, watching as the blue sparks began to cast a dim light across the dark temple room. The candles that had previous illuminated the area would once more ignite, as Ballen slowly turned to take a few steps away from @Saiah. She was getting there, though it would take a bit more practice until she learned how to hurl the lightning at specific targets. "I suggest we practice lightsaber combat. I can teach you Juyo and Soresu. Offense and Defense." The pureblood would offer, wondering if there was anything else the Rattataki wanted to learn.

 

[Darth Ophidia]

As Ballen turned, Saiah walked closer to one of the larger candles. She watched him while letting her fingers flit through the flames. "Juyo and Soresu, offense and defence" Her fingers trailed back and forth through the fire as she spoke, the corners of her mouth curling into a smile. She had never used a lightsabre, but she had read about the construction and forms, and inspected the ready sabres stored in Malif Cove. Her weapon of choice had so far been her vibroblade, with which she was rather proficient. However, the red bladed lightsabre was the trademark of the Sith. In her reading she had been most intrigued by Makashi, the Contention Form. "I suppose I will allow you to instruct me in sabre combat."

[member="Ballen-Ist"]

 

[Ballen-Ist]

Drawing his force blade once more, the young pureblood would smirk as he held the blade by his side, electricity crackling around it's length. "We'll start with Juyo. Harness the dark side, and use it to fuel your aggression. Your attacks must be quick and ferocious, but above all unorthodox." Ballen would explain, figuring he had an alright handle on the specific form. Either way it did not matter, for he would be employing Soresu when [member="Saiah"] decided to attack. Gripping his sword's handle with both hands the young man would lift it, allowing it's tip to point forward as he drew his arm backwards. "Begin whenever." He spoke, awaiting her strikes.