Black Orchid Immortal (Menace Training Thread)

[TheIronLotus]

Barely any light dripped through the crevices in the forest canopy. Truthfully, it wasn’t a forest canopy – it was Arcane’s garden. But with the ridiculous amount of forestry and plant life he’d packed into the small space, it might as well have been a rainforest. Dew clung to the underside of leaves and stems, and underfoot there was perfect dirt – not fine like sand or some sort of overstated gravel, but a mulch-like black compound that coated the entire garden floor.

Arcane hummed as he watered a set of black lilies and orchids, planted randomly beside a hydenock tree. He felt the Force flow out of his fingers as if a liquid, dripping into the pitcher and flowing through the water as he emptied it. The plants grew before his eyes – though it was winter, the flowers were ready to blossom, and the trees were abounding with leaves.

With an awkward thump, he let himself fall onto the dirt floor. He settled into a cross-legged stance and leaned forwards, staring at the black orchids. They slowly began to flower, the black petals unfolding in an elegant, silent way. A fine wet mist hung over the black flower. The small bud inside of it stared back at him. He continued to will it to grow, green eyes unblinking and narrowed behind the grey, tattered mask he wore so proudly. The flowers were in full bloom, and suddenly…they were withering, they were shriveling as if burnt by an invisible fire. The stems wilted and what used to be a set of perfect flowers lay at his feet, resembling nothing more than charred, badly cooked meat…the remnants of a dead blossom.

The man sighed and continued to sit there; fiddling idly with the remains of the flower like a child would with a pile of twigs. The presence behind him, just outside of the garden, did not go unnoticed, but he preferred to ignore it for several seconds.

Welcome, neophyte, he thought eventually, using telepathy to communicate with his student - the only type of communication allowed within the enclave's walls. He stayed in the sitting position, almost nonchalant. Well, are you going to just stand there, or are you going to join me in marveling at my work? Oh – and please, do mind the shrubberies.


((Anyone who gets the title reference shall recieve a cookie. ^^))

 

[Zen]

Menace was standing down the hall Brewing potions.He was told to come forth, he did as he he was told before, moving towards the Garden, and sighing, his dark clothing his robe, hood with a mask, underneath that mask he were a face mask. He wore a bag around his shoulder, for alchemy Inger-gents, he stood there staring at him with the potion he just made in his hand before he spoke, through telepathy.

Welcome It's a pleasure to meet you..

He said telepathically, Although he had no idea to whom he was speaking with, due to each one of them in the order wore masks, yet he felt a bit uneasy and nervous.

 

[TheIronLotus]

Arcane smiled behind his mask, but he didn’t turn around just yet. Instead, he moved his head ever so slightly to stare at the lilies. They were still just buds, not yet artificially accelerated to flower; he ran a soft, gloved finger down one of their stems and it slowly started to expand. Petals spilled from the center, and a soft aroma filled his nostrils. Black and beautiful, the darkness incarnate, projected the man, stroking the flower as it fully flowered. And yet, gardening is a woman’s craft. Ehehehe…

He addressed the thought he’d taken from the new apprentice’s mind before, finally standing up to face him. His shoddy gray mask looked bleak and somewhat boring, and his black cloak swirled around his feet briefly. You are curious of my name? Ehehe…I am called Arcane, young one. I am one of the builders, one of the so-called proprietors of this lovely enclave before you today. A founder, if you will.

He took a few steps forward, absolutely silent as he did so. And they tell me that you will be my trainee. Menace, they said. Let us hope that you live up to that name, small one. Truth be told, Arcane himself was a pipsqueak, standing at only 5’3, but it was a lesson in respect – not one in math. Tell me now, Menace, and please give me great detail…why exactly have you come to this enclave? And do not say because you were brought here, no matter how true that may be, as there is a greater purpose at work behind everything here.

 

[Zen]

Menace went into the mind of his Partner using his Mind reading network hopefully Arcane did not block him. He begun to read his mind, as he spoke Menace also spoke.Through telepathy also.

Hmm, it started when I left my family, For a relation time, a vacation if you assume, and to find other members of my family..To you know..None the less, I have found my brother dead, and stabbed with no heart, that was his fate, then I joined here, for nearly 69 years I have been here studying the arts, reading books the knowledge,My body is still young, and the age is early for us, If you get what I mean, I trustfully wish to behold and become one of yous. But you know. Master Arcane stuff happens.

He said through telepathy.

 

[TheIronLotus]

((Just fyi I’m 49, the order’s been active for much less than 69 years hehe. But my character will pretend not to notice.))

Arcane waved a hand nonchalantly at a shrub and it started to grow, to twist itself into an awkward chair. He let himself fall into it and stared up at Menace, eyes narrowed and calculating as he decided how to treat his pupil.

The fact that you thirst for knowledge means that you are well-suited for this order, at the very least. But a thirst for knowledge means little without the ability to use that knowledge…without the power that you so desperately seek. He stood again, taking out his lightsaber and igniting one blade swiftly. The silver blade cast awkward shadows over the floor and his cloak.

En garde. He assumed the opening stance for Makashi. Lightsaber prowess is an art form, not just a way for melee combatants to shred each other…you will learn that while you are here. Assume your stance, small one, and tell me your chosen form.

 

[Zen]

He nodded and placed the potion in his bag, taking out his lightsaber as the silver blade enlightened, he took the Shi-Cho Stance the form one this was his showing, without any form of thoughts, he formed a wall of his mind, and to see be able to read his master's mind, but if his master choose to read his, he must force his way. He spoke through telepathy.

Form One, Shi-Cho.

Standing in his stance he waited.

 

[TheIronLotus]

Arcane nodded as the pupil threw up a wall to his mind – it was a noble effort, but nothing much for one so practiced in mental scrutiny. So, the typical form for a newcomer to the Force. Good, at least you have some skill…and you have a little experience in protecting your mind as well. Feel free to exhaust yourself with these walls you’re throwing up, he announced via thought. He ripped the wall down with his own telepathic powers, allowing himself uninvited into his apprentice’s mind.

Do you fear me, Menace? I will not stop you if you try to enter my mind, and you cannot stop me if I want to enter yours…so I would recommend you devote your efforts to something more worthwhile. In his hand, he concentrated on creating something with the Force, ripping apart molecules in the air. Slowly, delicately, he created a perfect miniature ball of fire – he could summon fire much quicker, but this was just for show, not battle. Not yet.

He crushed the ball of fire in his hands, and smoke poured from the glove. Well, we should begin then…shouldn’t we? Attack me little one, do not restrain yourself. Please, little one…I want you to try to kill me.

 

[Zen]

How the hell. As he entered his mind he pulled his whole force into his mind to try and prevent the block, not only did this make him drop to the ground and ark in pain, but it was taking him focus to try and not allow him to enter his mind, How in.. It was not time for this games, His lightsaber dropped as he was in pain trying to resist, the force, This time he yelled in pain, and eventually broke the wall.He coughed a little before speaking in a telepathy message.

How the hell did you mange to break my wall. None the else let's resume this.

Shit if I am not the only one that has the talent from birth, and then is some of a pointless fight if he capable of reading my thoughts then this was pointless. But none the less it must be done.He thought slowly. he got up. And took his lightsaber letting out his blade, he could go inside his master's mind but he will mostly likely block him, This was indeed a pointless fight, he charged at him, hoping to strike, if got near enough he would bring his blade out ward and lung in and jumping 360 drudge angle at his throat hoping to hit, If his master used some force, he would try at all his power to evade the attack.

 

[TheIronLotus]

Arcane reveled in the pain emanating from his pupil. Having a wall inside of your mind broken wasn’t just mental, it was tearing apart something you created…it would cause pain, just as he hoped.

This is not as pointless as you believe it to be, thought Arcane, allowing his thoughts to be read freely by Menace. Don’t worry…all will reveal itself in due time. This is merely an evaluation. You are allowed free access to my mind at the moment. I will not stop you. But please, show me what you are capable of…I have already tested you in your Force potential, and you have some. Enough to work with, at least. But your swordsmanship is just as influential…think of it not as a fight, but as a pop quiz.

He projected all of this at a faster rate, so that by the time all the information would be processed by Menace, he would have only just started to attack. To counter the slash, Arcane simply sidestepped to the right and a tad backwards, careful not to step on any of his flowers. As he did so, he brought the silver blade of light in a downward slash at Menace’s blade. If he was surprised, Menace might even be thrown off balance by the defensive strike, but either way, the blade wasn’t even close to reaching its mark.

Most acrobatic, young one, so you have my congratulations there…but I am afraid your strike left too many of your limbs open. As you spun 360 degrees, I could have simply stepped to the other side and slashed at your midriff, and you would be lying in a puddle of your own intestines…not good at all for my garden, no no no, not at all. I wouldn’t even have to worry about blocking your lightsaber, as the upper half of your body would have been thrown off of its trajectory by quite a bit.

He paused, eyes cold and calculating. Well, I believe that I have enough information to work with…unless you wish to prove yourself in combat to me further. I would have no objections. But we can begin the actual training now, if you wish it.

 

[Zen]

His master was not only smart, well educated capable of reading thoughts, but was just a god damn genius.But his time flew short, as his attacked failed, the other blade coming up to meet his, Menace reacted on it's own account bringing his hand over the ground while keeping the deference attack from his master at bay, he flipped over with one hand mid in a invention 45 hand spring turn, and landed on the ground.He and he decathlete his lightsaber and placed on his belt, before sending a telepathy message..

We must begin training please.

He said, as he looked at the flowers, Herbs so much of them.

 

[TheIronLotus]

Menace was athletic indeed…even if he didn’t wind up following Arcane’s own path, he likely had a decent future in the order in melee combat. As long as he obeyed his master and devoted himself to learning, to understanding, he would do well.

Very well, decided Arcane, deactivating his lightsaber and letting it fall to his hilt – a subtle nudge with the Force allowed it to clip itself on quite easily. He started to pace, occasionally turning on his heel in an exaggerated motion. There are three paths in this order that you may take, little one. The first is the one I would recommend – the path of the Swordmaster. This, of course, is the path that most melee combatants would choose, as it focuses on the perfecting of swordsmanship and lightsaber combat. The second is my own path, that is, the path of the Wizard. The Wizard focuses on using the Force in combat, to hamper and destroy his opponent – much more of a subtle route. Lastly is the way of the Praetorian…a careful balance between the two. It is your choice which path you wish to take.

There was one other path that could be taken, but Arcane would not speak of it unless Menace asked. The last path was the most dangerous and difficult…but it had its own rewarding aspects as well. He waited for Menace to answer.

 

[Zen]

He cast his master a Seriously look under his mask and spoke. Through telepathy.

Is there a Path for Forbidden arts? If not Wizard it is.

He said slowly, Swordsmanship was not his thing even though he did have eight hundred years more to live, he rather study a forbidden arts, If there was any if not then the Wizard one. He has chosen carefully, before he choose he wanted to hear if there was a forbidden art, if not Then His path layed at the hands of a Mage.

 

[TheIronLotus]

Arcane did like that his student had at least picked up on the hesitation, and he would therefore tell Menace what the last path was, even if it wasn’t exactly what he expected it to be. He waited in silence for a moment before he spoke.

A path for the forbidden arts…that is a curious question indeed. Technically, much of what we do here is VERY much forbidden, at least according to the Jedi. The Dark side was frowned upon while I and my brothers resided in the Temple, and I doubt that much has changed. He snorted under the hood and cocked his head slightly. I believe that you are speaking of something else though…perhaps to do with potions, and the more subtle branch. I’m afraid that we offer no such thing here, although you are free to look further into it yourself, if you wish to.

No, what I refused to mention was something else…the path of the Black Hand. The path of the assassin. Arcane paused, letting the information sink in. If you were to take this path, you would disappear. You would not be an assassin. But, on the other hand, you would be. His words were cryptic, up to Menace to decipher. Those are the three paths. The fourth is…nonexistent, in a sense. What is your choice, little one?

 

[Zen]

Three paths and the other did not exist, hmm.. Tough one, options so many of them yet so little time he had a long break and spoke in the telepathy.

The path of the Wizard like you, And that Black Hand why is it none existence? Is it secret? None the less let's begin my Wizard path training, I assure we have a lot to work on? Master Arcane? And a lot for me to learn.

He leaned accusing the wall and looked at the flowers, so wonderful they also be put to use, for alchemy.And besides isn't it all the better to be trained as a Wizard, like his master seeing as he knows of that art more, and that might open more doors for me, although I still do not understand why he would think the path of swordsmanship would be well suited for me, But oh well I picked my path he thought slowly.

He waited for the time to past and for his master to speak, for them to begin.

 

[TheIronLotus]

Arcane ignored the question about the path of the Black Hand – if his pupil wouldn’t follow that path, the less he knew, the better. Instead, he followed Menace’s gaze, though it was behind a mask, to a single large flower.

Ah…I see that you have taken interest in the Regalian Iris, he whispered inside of the student’s head. Quite a peculiar flower, that iris. It has few purposes, it has few uses outside of its rather majestic looks. And it behaves most wonderfully at the touch, at the feeling of warmth…or cold…any physical stroke.

The strange man bent down, staring at the flower. He almost forgot that Menace was even there. Slowly, deliberately, he reached out with his index finger and touched it to the petal. In silent response, the flower began to unfurl, its petals splayed out like a bloodied white body on the floor. Arcane had bred this flower himself, carefully cultivating it to retain an unusual coloring, predominantly white but with streaks of red.

And yet, despite not being affected by things like the wind or changes in climate, it is able to be opened with the Force…

As he said that, he waved his hand, concentrating and causing the flower to move in reverse, sealing itself. He turned back to Menace, studying him carefully.

You must grow to think of the Force as not a simple ability, nor a weapon to be used against your enemy…you must think of it as an extension of your body. The Force is just another limb that you must learn to use. Now, small one, tell me of your abilities with the Force, so I may judge where to begin your training.

 

[Zen]

Menace looked at him and gave him a look such thing was wonderful, he looked slowly at him before studying his master's body, and then as he spoke, he implanted the image to his head, before speaking. In telepathy of course.

Telepathy and Force Sense, Is all I am capable of doing.

He said telepathic.

 

[TheIronLotus]

Arcane digested that for a moment, thinking to himself, but keeping a steadfast mental wall up while he did so. Eventually, he grinned to himself under the mask, a plan taking form inside of his mind.

Indeed, little one…well then, it seems you are missing a basic Force power, though your abilities with telepathy are capable of compensating for it. This power that I speak of is telekinesis – the ability to move objects with your mind.

As he projected the thoughts, he simultaneously used the Force to lift a sack of small, smooth stones from behind a tree to his hand. I think that we shall start with rocks…small ones, have no fear, they will barely even leave bruises. At least, they won’t leave much for bruises at first.

The plan Arcane had been formulating suddenly surged into action; he’d been slowly using the Force to twist the roots and branches of two trees in his so-called “garden,” and now, the wildlife leapt into action at an unnatural speed. It wasn’t meant to hurt his apprentice, oh no – it was simply meant to restrain him. The roots, thick and heavy, surged to wrap around Menace’s feet, while the branches, many still thick with leaves, shot towards his wrists. If all the plants managed to secure him, they would tauten, leaving Menace with his body exposed as if he were to be drawn and quartered – except that he wouldn’t be.

Don’t be afraid. And please, do not move. A small rock floated out of Arcane’s bag and positioned itself about ten feet in front of Menace’s right shoulder. The idea behind this is simple, and has been practiced in most Force-based institutions. Pain is an excellent motivational technique. I will send this rock at you, repeatedly. You will find some way to stop it with your mind. Each time you fail, I will send it at you faster. Eventually, it will get to be so fast that it would draw blood and even punch through your shoulder, if you fail to stop it…but, if that should happen, you would only deserve it. Arcane licked his lips, launching the rock at a somewhat slow speed, one that would barely sting.

Begin.

 

[Zen]

Menace nearly jumped when he was tuned up and placed into place, He reached out and try to go into his master mind, but there stood a wall, he would regret breaking into it, so it was not point. Instead he had listened to what his Master said in telepathy, and Menace begun to think.Not only is he smart, wise, knowledgeable, and A Genius, his also bloody dangerous if he is capable of manipulation of the enshrinement and it's roots. He taught as the rock flung at him, he had lots of experience with his mind, so this technique should be easy to him, focusing around him, he stopped the rock at mid point, trying to stop it from hitting as he stopped it, he tossed it aside and spoke in telepathy.

This roots, if I struggle it will harden and make me more hurt if I am not mistake?

He said In a telepathic message.

 

[TheIronLotus]

Arcane giggled as his pupil easily stopped the rock – clearly, his abilities were at least slightly more developed than Menace had at first let on. He took several quick footsteps towards the student, eyes narrowed behind the mask.

Good, good! Excellent! True, it was but a small task to perform, but one must acknowledge success…just as one will acknowledge failure. He put emphasis on this thought, hoping that his student would remember. Right now, he probably appeared rather lenient and almost nice…something that would have to be rectified.

Struggle? Harden? Not my intentions, no. But if you’d like, I’d be more than happy to give you a taste of pain. Arcane danced backwards, thinking – and then it came to him. What better way to teach a student than imminent pain…the rocks were simple, true, but they were still an interesting way of teaching. After this next test, he had something far more interesting to teach Menace.

Pull, he projected simply, and without any other warning, the pouch full of stones Arcane held emptied itself, and rocks flew towards various parts of Menace’s body. They were perfectly spaced, and Arcane knew that without full training in telekinesis, it would be difficult for Menace to block all of them. And besides, if he blocked them with a wall, Arcane would simply make it more difficult…no, Arcane wanted Menace to stop each rock individually in its tracks.

 

[Zen]

Menace looked at his Master and made a grin under his face as the rocks flew at his body, he closed his eyes under his mask and begun to connection the force usable the engines around him he would spread an aura flied around his body, creating a block with better emanation of the force, this would help him better the telekinesis abate. He opened his eye and spoke in telepathy speaking.

NOW!

As he shouted this though his master’s mind, the rocks begun to near and he begun to stop each and everyone of of them due to his connection, this did work well, but caused him to place a whole lot of drain upon his body. Sweet pouring down his face before he smiled and chuckled.

This is enlightening master, can we do something more advance.

He asked trying to sound more eager.