The Vast Windstorm

[Ares]

Ts'rss'trmn looked at the vast tropical expanse before him- a hot, humid jungle, home to the insectoid Vratix, the creators of bacta. The world was vibrant, lush... Much unlike the Ssither's homeworld. The hulking, snake like being reached up with his muscular right arm, and touched the tiny crystal bottle hanging on his neck with one clawed hand. His precious Sarina.

The serpentine alien looked up from the iridescent being in the bottle that no one else could see. She could always speak to him- the Force Spirit in the bottle. She had guided him across the galaxy, teaching him many things, and had finally directed him to the Shade Order of Force-Sensitives. He knew she was a beautiful Force Spirit, but everone else just said he was crazy. Ts'rss'trmn, still toying with the beautiful crystal vial, gazed with his golden, orb-like eyes at the cave entrance behind him. He was on a miniature cliff with a handrail. And a pathetic one at that. It was one for the physically weak humanoids whose physical power just couldn't compare to the incredibly muscular Ssither race.

Ts'rss'trmn was to have a Master from this Order teach him, apparently. He was going to cover all the things Sarina hadn't taught him yet. His precious Sarina...

 

[D.C.]

Footsteps could be heard. An older Human male, with a small beard and half-long hair, his hair once was dirty blonde, but it was becoming grey, walked through the cave. His eyes were cold blue, but youthful. The man looked old, but young. It was hard to describe, it was one of those things you had to see for yourself to understand it.

He wore a black leather jacket, a blue shirt, grey pants and black boots. He wore two brown leather gloves and concealed in the pockets of his jacket were both his lightsabers. On his left leg he carried a blaster pistol.

This man looked like a mercenary, just an ordinary mercenary. However, he was much more than meets the eye. He was a Shade Master in the Shade Order, by the name of Quentell Xall.

Quentell sensed two Force-presences, and he wondered what that was about. His new apprentice was supposed to be alone. He walked through the cave and turned around a corner and approached the exit. There he saw the Ssither he was supposed to teach the Shaded Path.

"Hello Ts'rss'trmn." His deep yet powerful voice sounded. "I am Quentell Xall, Shade Master of the Shade Order. I am here to teach you."

 

[Ares]

The hulking, snake-like alien turned, his golden eyes large and expressive. Or, they would be if he ever showed emotion. Ts'rss'trmn looked at the gruff, rather aged Shade Master. However, his eyes seemed to defy his age... Strange. But not matter.

The Ssither loomed over most at over six feet with a considerable amount of tail still on the ground. His hood flared. While most would assume it was a threatening gesture, it was in fact a sign of respect- the Ssither equivalent of a bow, actually. The dark green, serpentine alien's hood was actually rather vibrant, a mix of gold, blues, and a flash of scarlet. He spoke with an odd hissing lisp, "Greetings, Quentell Xall. I am... eager to receive training, as she has instructed me to do..." He fingered the beautiful crystal vial hanging around his neck with an odd gentleness. He could see it glowing bright bluish-white, but so far, not even other Force-Sensitives could see the beautiful illumination, much less hear her lovely voice.

 

[D.C.]

Quentell crossed his arms. He looked at his new apprentice and nodded.
"The one you are talking about... I sensed another force-presence next to you, when I was walking through the cave just a few moments ago. Is she, in that vial? Is she a Force Spirit?"

The Shade Master had not really encountered certain spirits before. He had read about them, and he knew of their existence and what they were, however, he had never seen one before. This was most interesting.

 

[Ares]

The Ssither looked back up at his new Master. He cocked his head a little to the right. The dark green reptile replied, "Yes... She is in this bottle. My Sarina. My precious Sarina... She is a spirit of the Force, a beautiful cyclone in the vast windstorm of the Force."

He stroked the multi-faceted crystal bottle gently, and continued, "She found me when I was eight. Since then, she has guided me and mentored me in the Force. All except for you have said that she was just a figment of my imagination. But... now I have proof of her presence. My precious Sarina..."

((OOC/ A little bit of a Gollum thing going on, eh? :P))

 

[D.C.]

OOC: Yeah, I figured XD Awesome!

IC:

"Sarina is her name, I assume." The Shade Master said. "Well, then, Ts'rss'trmn. The enclave is up ahead. Will you please follow me there, where we will begin the training?"

He never had trained a Ssither before, let alone such an odd one as Ts'rss'trmn. This would be very interesting.

Quentell nodded to his apprentice and then turned around. He walked back into the cave and started to walk over to the enclave.

 

[Ares]

The hulking serpentine alien retracted his vibrant hood, and tasted the air around him. "Of course, Master Xall."

He slithered into the cave, sinking down to the ground so that most of his long tail-like body was on the ground, and only his torso was upright, drastically changing his height from roughly six feet to just under three feet. Ts'rss'trmn slid behind the human Shade Master, and he began mumbling to Sarina.

"Yes, Sarina. He seems very able, and very knowledgable. You really shouldn't-" he stopped for a minute, and if he was a human, he would have paled. He resumed several seconds later, mumbling in return to an unseen speaker, "Yes, Mistress. I apologize, Sarina."

Ts'rss'trmn slithered ahead again, following the Shade Master.

 

[D.C.]

Quentell looked up when he heard Ts'rss'trmn speaking to Sarina. He did not ask to what it was he was saying, and just walked on.

Some time later they stood before the enclave, on the courtyard, and Quentell stopped. He turned around and looked at Ts'rss'trmn.

"Here we are." He said. "Tell me, why is it you want to join the Shade Order and become a Shade Knight?"

 

[Ares]

The Ssither stopped when his mentor told him they were in the enclave. Ts'rss'trmn paused, and listened. He seemed to think for a minute, before responding with obvious sincerity- and his hissing lisp. "I wish to join the Shade Order for several reasons. The first and foremost is Sarina told me to... What she says, I do. The second is that I really wish to learn others' perspectives on the Force. And the last... I wish to be around others like me. I'm tired of being the freak in every way."

 

[D.C.]

"Very well." Quentell said. "Everyone has their own reasons. Now, my next question," He looked at the Ssither and fell silent for a few moments. There was something about this one, he was not like all his other students. He had taught many, but never had someone like Ts'rss'trmn as his apprentice. "We have a certain code we live by. Could you please recite to me that code, and then tell me what you think it means. Your own interpretations. Remember that there is no real right or wrong answer to this one, because everyone's interpretations differ from each other."

 

[Ares]

The Ssither straightened up slightly to recite the Shade Order's code. He had made sure to memorize it before coming here.

"My emotion makes me
My knowledge guides me
My passion drives me
My strength enables me
My harmony balances me
I walk the shaded path"

He looked at Quentell with his protruding golden eyes, and continued, "To me, the first line is regarding the individuality of the Force-Sensitive in general. My emotions make me. They are what I am, and they distinguish me from any other being in the universe.

The next, my knowledge guides me, is referring to what we know of the Force- the Vast Windstorm, with its elegant side-currents and it huge, battling, chaotic maelstroms. That is knowledge, and its updrafts and winds fling me through the galaxy, with a guiding draft..." he paused to touch the crystal bottle when he said the last two words, then resumed speaking.

"Next, it refers to the passions. My passion drives me. This is fundamentally similar to the first line, but it differs in some respects. While my emotions make me an individual, my passions and powerful feelings give me motivation and power, driving me to stride for greatness and grandeur.

Now, following that is my strength. As it says in the Code, my strength enables me. If I were weak, I could not do anything. You need strength to follow up on your motivation, for if you have drive, but no power, what are you? Weak. Power and strong air currents are necessary to drive even the smallest cyclone.

Next, there is talk of harmony. This beautiful harmony is the Eye of the Storm, the balance in the midst of emotional turmoil and power. It is what you make of yourself, the harmony is what you can make. If you can balance the wind and drafts perfectly, you get a mighty windstorm, a hurricane with a gentle, peaceful inside that is necessary for the storms to rage.

I will walk the Shaded Path."

 

[D.C.]

"You speak the words with wisdom. This is, until now, one of the best interpretations I have heard." Quentell said and he nodded to his apprentice.

Then he took one of his lightsabers out of his jacket and showed it to the Ssither. "This is what we call, a lightsaber. Do you carry a lightsaber of your own, or have you ever used a lightsaber before?"

 

[Ares]

The Ssither nodded in thanks when the human complimented his words. The dark green, serpentine alien drew back a bit in surprise upon seeing the lightsaber. Ts'rss'trmn then leaned in much closer to stare at the hilt and absorb all the details.

"I do not carry a lightsaber, nor have I ever held one. My weapons abilities as I know them lie in the Force and my sword. But I would like to learn how to use one..."

 

[D.C.]

Quentell nodded when his apprentice told him about his combat skills. He put the lightsaber back in the pocket and then said: "Please, Ts'rss'trmn, follow me up to the training room and we will start with the first few lessons." He gestured for the Ssither to follow him and he turned around to show the way.

Quentell had been gone from the enclave for almost 5 years. When he entered the hallways for the second time since 5 years, he was amazed again. The interior was as beautiful as it always has been, it was like a true palace.

The Shade Master walked over to the elevator and pressed a button on the panel next to the doors. The doors slided open and he stepped into the elevator. He gestured for Ts'rss'trmn to come in as well and a few moments later the elevator brought them up to the second floor, where his training room was.

He stepped out of the elevator and walked over to the door of his training room, and stopped before entering it. "When we're inside, I will tell you a few things about myself that you must know. Then, I would like you to tell more about yourself, please." He hit the button on the panel and the door slided open. It was the first time in 5 years he walked into the room again. He looked around and smiled when he saw that everything was still the same.

He walked over to his seat and sat down. "Please, Ts'rss'trmn, have a seat." He said and he pointed over to another seat. He sat back and waited until Ts'rss'trmn would sit down.

 

[Ares]

Ts'rss'trmn slithered after his master, dutifully following him to the elevator, and back out again on a different level. A hallway, and the human Shade Master paused before entering, and spoke to the serpentine alien. The Ssither replied, "Of course," and followed the human into... a training room. The old man seemed sentimental- all that Ts'rss'trmn felt right now was dust.

Quentell walked over to a chair, and offered his apprentice a seat. Natural. Chairs built for humanoids... very awkward for a Ssither. "I hope you don't mind if I choose a more comfortable resting spot..." He slithered over to the far side of the room, picked up a dusty ottoman with his muscular arms, and moved the chair he had been offered away to replace it with the cushioned stool. The serpentine alien coiled around the piece of furniture, resting part of his body on top in an upright position. Much more comfortable.

 

[D.C.]

"That is fine." Quentell said. "Now, I am about to tell you something that will explain a few things."

He looked over to his apprentice and then said: "5 years ago I was sent on a mission to Nal Hutta, where I worked undercover as a mercenary looking for work. I ended up working for a Hutt, but then I blew my cover. He imprisoned me and tried to make me tell him who sent me and where I came from. He thought I was a Jedi. I never told him anything and I had to suffer from a lot of tortures, the scar on my face reminds me of that. Finally I managed to escape and only recently I returned here at the enclave together with Shade Master Dagger, who is a former apprentice of mine, and a new Shade Padawan. What I am trying to tell you is that I have been gone for over 5 years. So please keep that in mind."

Then the Shade Master continued: "There is also something else that I must tell you. This enclave is a save haven. However, there are still bounty hunters after me, so when we go out on a mission together we might encounter some of the most dangerous bounty hunters in the galaxy. Just so you know. Don't worry about it though, I will protect you at all costs. Just do as I say and you'll be fine."

Quentell wanted his student to know this, because it was important information about him.

"Please tell me a bit more of yourself, now." He said. "About your past and things like that."

 

[Ares]

The Ssither nodded at various times when his Shade Master spoke, and he continued to listen dutifully. It was courteous of him to mention the dangers on any missions they would go on, and said that he would... protect him. Nice enough, but it's not like the hulking repltile couldn't handle street trash trying to kill him. That had been his life for a while- killing those who stole or murdered.

"Thank you for informing me of the nature of your past and the dangers we may face, Master..."

He waited for the human to finish speaking again, and then he, in turn, began to speak. "My life? It began on a lakeside town on Corellia... Truly beautiful. Nothing really happened until I was eight. One day in that year, two important things happened. I went to play on the lakeshore while my parents prepared to leave. Just minutes after I left the house, the door collapsed and the building burned. It burned brightly. I was terrified, so I ran, because I knew they were both dead. On the lake... I found her. She found me. She saved me from the insanity I would have suffered from... For years, the others all thought I was insane, though. But I coped.

At age 13, Sarina told me how to leave, and I did so. I went to Nar Shaddaa, and spent years there. I killed my first people there. Because they tried to steal my Sarina... I will always remember how good it felt to sink my fangs into their flesh... But I digress. After I lived on that urban hell-hole, Sarina directed me to Eriadu, where I lived for some time. However, the inhabitants are rather xenophobic and humanocentric. I learned telekenisis there, and by then I could channel the Force into my body to enhance my abilities, and my species's natural telepathy was enhanced by the Force. I spent three years on that polluted planet of elitists, then Sarina made me uproot and wander on a stolen starship. I wandered this sector of the galaxy for another three years, and then Sarina ordered me here. I, of course, followed her wishes, and joined this Order. And so far, I am much appreciative to have been allowed in... During the course of this time, of course, Sarina helped train me in various abilities and taught me of the galaxy, its organizations, and its politics."

The Ssither unconsicously stroked his crystal bottle, and examined the bright light and elegant harmony that only he could seem to hear or see well...

 

[D.C.]

"Most interesting. Thank you for telling me this. Histories are the explanation of why you are what you are and how you have become what you are. It helps me understand my students better."

Then he laughed.

"So you have killed people? You might not need as much protection as any other students need then." He smiled and nodded to his apprentice. "Well, let's get started then, we've got a long, dangerous, but wonderful way to go. Welcome, in the life of a Shade."

He stood up and walked over to the center of the room. "Let's get into some action, shall we? How about a little sparring match to warm up a bit. You may use that sword of yours, I'll get myself a sword as well."

Quentell walked over to a table and put both his lightsabers on it, and then he put his blaster on it. He took off his jacket and put it on the table as well, and then walked over to the chest in the corner of the room, to the right of the door. He opened up the chest and took out a sword. He twirled it in his hand a few times and then walked back into the center of the room.

"Show me your skills, Ts'rss'trmn. Don't hold back, try to hit me if you can. Don't worry about wounding or hurting me. However, I will not harm you. Are you ready for it, or are there any questions you want to ask me first?"

The Shade Master awaited Ts'rss'trmn's answer patiently.

 

[Ares]

The Ssither nodded, "Yes, I have killed before. Those who threaten Sarina... are not to simply walk away. I've killed thieves, average scum, and, after one thief's relative put a bounty on me, I killed a Trandoshan bounty hunter. He was... foul-tasting."

When Quentell spoke of sparring, Ts'rss'trmn displayed his hood once in respect, then retracted it. He unwound from the ottoman he had been coiled around, and slid at an almost unlikely speed to one side of the center of the room. He waited for his human Master to walk over with his sword to unsheath the wicked-looking scimitar at his waist.

The Ssither replied to his master, "I have no questions, Master Aroll."

He coiled up on the floor, lowering himself so that he barely above the ground, but still toting his scimitar. "I have only one thing to say, Master.." he hissed in his serpentine lisp. "I have recieved training in Ssither scimitar fighting. I know my weapon well."

And with that, he uncoiled, springing foward with blinding speed, swirling his scimitar with uncanny speed and a ferocity he only unleashed in combat. Midway through the spinning, twirling leap, he wrapped his tail around one of the ceiling's beams, swirling upward after he made a pass at his master, and spinning back downward towards his master's front, his scimitar a shimmering reflection of the light in the room.

 

[D.C.]

"Then show me what you've got!" Quentell said.

When the Ssither striked him he did not move out of the way, nor did he step back. Instead he stepped forward and used the Force to give himself more strength, and he slashed with his own sword against the mighty scimitar of the Ssither. The blades collided and Quentell looked his apprentice straight in the eye.

Then he pulled back his own sword and made a stabbing move towards the Ssither. It was a powerful move, and (maybe not for a Ssither of great strength) hard too block, but Quentell would make sure he did not stab his student. He would not harm him at all.