Ask Outing, Hunting

[Saragnayan]

She didn't travel a lot, but now that she had plenty of time in her hands and an Acolyte under her wing, Hrist found it prudent to make a nice – albeit short, depending on how her student would fare on her appointed task – trip to Scarif.

The female Sith Marauder possessed a fondness for tropical planets, mostly because of the feeling of warm sunshine on her skin. The cold always reminded her of her time as a Cadre subject, and while her Father's presence grounded her the hatred she held for the other Cadre Masters often let her anger explode unchecked. And, as Father always told her, she couldn't always act like the vicious animal that she was all the time. Could she?

The Mayari soon touched down on a wide clearing on the jungle bordering the nearest beach. Hrist stood up from her perch on the pilot seat, her helmeted gaze settling momentarily on the Acolyte. She wouldn't care for what he might be doing during their travel on the way to the planet, but his good behavior would soon be rewarded... if, and only if, he had been quiet during the flight.

Descending the ship without waiting for Xeno, Hrist took a moment to reach out and extend her mind through the Force to ascertain that she and her Acolyte would be the only sentient beings in the area. Finding only the instincts of the creatures inhabiting the area, Hrist proceeded to remove her gloves and tucked them in the inner pocket of her robes. Lifting her now bare hands to the side of her helmet, the Marauder took it off with an audible hiss.

Her gaze found the sky and she closed her eyes with a soft smile, feeling the pleasant warmth of the sun on her face. Once done enjoying what she could, she clipped her helmet to her belt and turned to look back at her ship. She caught sight of her astromech droid, Lata, rolling down the ramp and complaining in a series of high-pitched beeps about being left behind. Once the astromech reached her side, Hrist placed one hand on top of it's head, patting the metal surface rather unconsciously.

"Xeno, darling," she called out to the Zabrak in honeyed tones, "come out already. Be a dear and enjoy the sun with me, why don't you?"

The Marauder would let him enjoy. For now. He had work ahead of him, after all.

@Scoobert

 

[Darth Draugr]

On the trip Xeno was looking at the stars and and how beautiful they were. He had never been this close to them before. As soon the ship his master was flying had reached the planet Scarif he looked at the beautiful landscape and the tropical plants, the beaches, the water. Wow he thought to himself. The acolyte wouldn’t want to displease his master by opening his mouth. After all he bared witness to her capabilities. Once the ship had landed he exited and set foot on the sands. This was all so new, the Zabrak was interested by this planet, especially the waters.

Then he heard his master Hrist call out to him to come.. enjoy? Yes, he heard that right, and he did as his master wished. He found her quite beautiful and made it his secondary goal to do anything to please her. So if master wants company on the beach, that’s what master gets.

“Yes, master. As you wish.” He began to walk toward her and although surrounded by the beauty of the planet his eyes focused on her. “This planet, what is it? It’s quite charming to say the least.” Xeno enjoyed his time with his master. Things were so different with the Sith. He felt like he mattered. He was allowed to feel the way he wanted to about things and was actually encouraged to do so. This was all he ever wanted.

@Forsythe Crowholde

 

[Saragnayan]

It was amusing how his gaze kept locked on her form – her face – despite the allure of nature around them. A lesser being would have melted with the way the young Zabrak's eyes stuck on them like adhesive, but Hrist?

If they were on a job or a life-threatening situation, Xeno's staring would have been annoying. He was quite fortunate that only the Zabrak himself would be put into danger today for the sake of his learning... and maybe for her cruel entertainment. The Acolyte did declare that he wished to surpass her in terms of skill and power, a pronouncement that she might have met with derisive laughter and mocking but the Marauder was no fool. Given his grit and determination to fulfill his self-appointed task, there was a probability that he could actually do it.

"We are on Scarif," she replied to his question. Her ruby gaze shifted from thr beach and to the jungle a few meters to their left. "From what I have learned, there once was an Imperial security complex located somewhere around here – but of course that was from a time long gone. And I am not here to teach you history; we are here for something else."

The Marauder beckoned for Xeno to follow as she headed to the jungle. Passing the treeline, the sound of wildlife grew louder the deeper they delved into the trees. Twisting vines hung overhead, a colorful bird or two flitting in and out of her gaze. Hrist opened herself up into the Force and was met with the thrum of life surrounding them. A certain hunger arose within her as she immersed herself into the nature and life around them, and it surprised her that it did not demand to kill. Instead, she felt keeping everything she could see to herself, a greed to own and to dominate, and of course to kill and destroy should she find something displeasing.

"Feel the life surrounding you, Xeno. Reach out through the Force," she told the Acolyte as she stopped walking to face him. Crimson met crimson as she met his gaze, the corners of her lips lifting up into a wide smile. "Focus... and tell me what you feel – both in the Force and in your heart." A soft chuckle, and she corrected herself. "Well, hearts, if you may. But you get the gist, darling."

Her instructions almost felt as if she was a Jedi teaching her Padawan a lesson, but she refrained from letting out a mocking laugh. The Acolyte was supposed to be concentrating in complying to her command, but if there was a chance that he could make the connection then she would humor him for poking fun at her – for now. She had already been humoring his words and his never ending gazes directed solely at her. He seemed to be so enamored with her so Hrist would let him, already seeing what uses it could afford her in the immediate future.

@Scoobert

 

[Darth Draugr]

Following his master he listened to her words clearly. Her voice was a pleasure to his ears. Of course he wouldn’t admit it but he followed her instructions. Closing his eyes and reaching out with the force, feeling the presence of her. So powerful.. he almost didn’t want to branch out, but he had felt his need to please her take over and he reached further out. Nothing came into their presence. He could feel the planets energy, and the life mf the plants but the only strong presence of force is within his master.

“Nothing master, nothing but you.” He opened his eyes and looked into hers. He could see her smile again. He melted inside. “And for my heart, I can feel it beating slightly faster.” He hadn’t felt his heart beat this strong. Was he growing stronger? It was it that he felt emotions he didn’t know he had? Who knows, he might have just been anxious to make her happy. Nonetheless he surveyed the area around them and had not seen any signs of danger. “What will this place look like my master?” He had begun thinking about her. He allowed himself be distracted and he knew it.

His foot, just one took a step toward her as asked the question. He awaited the response from his master. Xeno was ready for whatever was down his path. His goals were set and his master’s happiness was up there. The Zabrak would never allow for failure, only victory and fury. At this time there was not a need for fury. So what little victories there are to be found here, he was ready. The acolyte knew he was here for a certain type of mission but he was unaware of what lies ahead. Ready for anything he internally prepared himself.

@Forsythe Crowholde

 

[Saragnayan]

Xeno's initial response was both unexpected and not. Her eyes narrowed as she listened to him speak. Hrist knew that the Acolyte was charmed by her appearance and presence but she would be a very poor Master if the Zabrak got himself killed just because he kept getting distracted by her. She didn't know the extent of how much enamoured Xeno seemed to be towards her and she would not bother knowing, but if he kept up with it while they were undertaking a dangerous mission would only spell trouble for the both of them.

More so for him, if Hrist lost her patience with him and decided to murder him for his mistakes.

But things didn't have to come up to that point. She could see the value and benefit of keeping and teaching Xeno. His strength was promising, and Hrist wouldn't waste that simply because of her violent whims.

As he took a step forward towards her, she mirrored his actions but at a more active pace. With only a few, long strides the Marauder now stood in front of her student, the smile on her face replaced with calculating thoughfulness. One gloved hand would reach out, fingers grasping at Xeno's jaw as she pulled him down to her level. Should he resist her he would find the Force coiling around him and making him bend down to her will. Should he let himself be guided, on the other hand, he would be rewarded with another smile.

"You feel nothing else but me, but only for now," she reminded him, her smile turning into a shark-like grin. "But once we're at the temple on Sullust, or any Sith stronghold, my presence will be drowned by others. By the Sith Lords. When you're thrown in those places of powers, do you think you could still feel my presence there? Where I am no one but a simple pawn amongst many others who are more powerful than me?"

She was raised to serve, but her loyalty remained on her Father alone. And while he had commanded her to do her duties and serve the Sith, she was beginning to hate being looked down upon by others. Anger burned in her eyes but her grip on Xeno's jaw would remain steady, soft. He wasn't like Algus but an entirely different case. Hrist had never fancied herself a teacher but when she discovered the young Zabrak on Dathomir, she felt confident that she could take him under her wing.

And now? He would learn from her. In an odd, twisted sense of duty she would not subject him to the horrors she had experienced on her creation. She would train him as Hrist, and take him with her on missions as Saragnayan.

She let him go, ignoring his following question, and stepping back before turning around. Drawing on the Force around them, Hrist leapt up into the air and found purchase on one of the surrounding trees, the bark of the thick branch she landed onto splintering upon impact. The Marauder looked down at Xeno over her shoulder, her grin widening.

He was taller and probably acclimated to moving around obstacles like the twisting vines and towering trees around them, but Hrist was more experienced when it came to using the Force. She raised a hand and Pulled a thick vine overhead and, with a mirthful laugh, used it as a swing to move to her next landing spot.

Was this what it felt like being a child?

Reinforcing her legs and balancing herself with the Force, Hrist leapt to another tree, creating more and more distance between her and the Acolyte. Like she told herself earlier, she would let him enjoy for now. She had taken the time to research all she could about Scarif, and given Xeno's nature and capabilities she felt that letting him face an interesting creature would be fitting for a lesson. The Marauder jumped down and landed on the ground, using the Force to cushion her fall, and began to run westward. With a loud shout she told the Zabrak,

"Keep up, Xeno! We're taking the long way to warm you up for task!"

Hrist hoped that hunting and taking down a blixus won't be too much for her dear student.

@Scoobert

 

[Darth Draugr]

The marauder paced towards him grasping his jaw and pulling him down to a knee. He didn’t feel the need to resist. The force surrounding him grew in power and his master’s expression quite different. He felt her strength within her grasp. Did Xeno want to die? No of course not. The only thing he wishes to accomplish is please his master and become a Lord of the Sith. Only one thing can be achieved in these moments.

“Apologies my master. I do not mean to ignore the Lords. I wish to impress them, and join in their ranks one day. With your training I know I have a probability. As for your question, I do. Might it not be as powerful as the Lords, it is unique and significant to me. I could not mistake your presence for any others.” Xeno looked to his master as she released his jaw from her clutches. Before he could speak again she turned away and leaped. Seeing her abilities and strengths with the force always mesmerizing.

It looked as if his master was enjoying leaping and swinging around. The Zabrak had felt a warmth inside him grow as he heard her laugh. ‘Maybe in another life..’ he had thought to himself. He stood to his feet as she landed. But then she ran and yelled to the Zabrak to keep up. Xeno’s legs began running towards her direction, following. Thinking to himself ‘I do wonder where we are headed.’ He realized this wasn’t just a visit. Maybe a test. Unsure of what is to come Xeno began to start focusing on how his master moved. Studying the techniques she uses to move around that require minimal force assistance.

When his master leapt to higher grounds the Zabrak would put force behind every stride he took to keep pace from below. As he looked in the distance he had seen a large body of water. He looked down as the ground beneath him began to become sand again. “Master what is the plan exactly?” Xeno was quite curious of what is to come of this trip. Might it be slaying beasts, people, or maybe a ceremony. The Zabrak was quite confused on where she planned to go or what she planned to do. He realized he was caught in a trance he put himself in that was nothing but lust and admiration. Now he’s beginning to become curious as ever.

@Forsythe Crowholde

 

[Saragnayan]

He kept up quite easily and it sent another smile forming on Hrist's lips. His response to her question earlier was flattering, but it wouldn't get him anywhere – not on her books. She didn't need a student to butter her up with words to gain her favor. Hrist – Saragnayan – demanded a show of strength, loyalty, and an unrivaled determination to defend her in battle should the need arise. Xeno would have to learn one of these days, but she let the matter pass for now.

If she was being honest with herself she did feel flattered. The Marauder still couldn't fully comprehend why the Acolyte seemed to hold her in high regard, but she could see it's benefits in the long run so she reminded herself to let him feel what he felt. He wanted to be useful, and so she would offer to teach him how. It was one of the reasons why she took him in the first place.

Hrist's pace slowed as the ground beneath her shifted into sand. Now walking towards their destination, the lagoon was soon reflected in her ruby gaze. The place looked quiet, save for the cries of native birds and the rustling of leaves from the jungle now behind them. It would have been a peaceful spot, even, if it weren't for the blixus occupying the lagoon.

She had already determined this before they landed, having instructed Lata to scan the area for the nearest blixus she could use for this task. Everything was already prearranged, and Xeno was the only one who was out of the loop. Hrist didn't want to prepare him, instead she was beginning to teach him how to expect the unexpected and anticipate what his future opponents would have in store for him. She would see if he learned from her subtle cues soon enough.

The Marauder reached out through the Force, letting her mind scope out the lagoon in search for the blixus. Hrist didn't need to search long as her mind touched the creature's as it slumbered in the depths. Bending the blixus' mind to her will, she mentally commanded it to slowly rise to the surface, only showing itself once she tossed her helmet to the water.

Augmenting her arm's strength with the Force, Hrist unclipped her helmet from her belt and threw it powerfully towards the lagoon. The piece of beskar sailed into the air before landing yards away from where she stood and just in time for the blixus to surface, opening it's maw to receive the helmet tossed it's way before diving back into the water again with a mighty splash.

"Ah, it seems I have misplaced my helmet," she said in a falsely worried voice, turning to face Xeno. Smirking, a gloved hand gestured where the creature disappeared, Hrist commanding the creature to remain hidden but not to the lagoon's very depths. It wouldn't do her good if her dear student ended up drowning.

The real fun – or would it be? – would start now.

"My dear Xeno, would you be so kind as to find my helmet for me? And maybe," here, she leaned up towards him, whispering in his ear, "you can hunt for a blixus while you're at it."

Hrist pulled away with a wicked grin, hands clasped behind her as she stepped back rather daintily, already adopting the behavior of a shy, young lady. The Marauder kept the blixus under her influence and would only let it go once Xeno made his move. Before that, however, she would send a spike of fury into the creature's mind and would allow it to face the Acolyte with its rage. Of course Hrist would be vigilant about her student's welfare.

If facing the blixus would prove too much, then she would simply step in and take it down for him. But losing meant failure, and Hrist would not accept that quite easily.

@Scoobert

 

[Darth Draugr]

Walking to the body of water he witnessed his master use the force but on what? The water wasn’t moving. Then a beast had lifted out of the water and simultaneously caught the helmet that his master through into the water.

“Oh I see what this is..” Xeno didn’t like the task he found out he had to do. Yet, he would still do it for the sake of his master. Looking at her smug look he knew she had intended to lead him to the beast the whole time. She backed away as he replied “Yes my master. I shall conquer the beast, then retrieve your helm.” He looked back at her for a moment before turning toward the water. A lightsaber hanging at either side of his body on the utility belt he had been wearing. Drawing them both and igniting each at the same time, Xeno walked forward and made it hips deep into the water before the beast wrapped a tentacle around his leg pulling him into the deeper portions of the waters. The beast was angry, and luckily for Xeno so was he. He swung one saber at the tentacle of the monster cutting it clean off. The screams of the beast were loud even under water. This brought a slight smile to Xeno’s face. He was studying the looks of the beast to identify any weak spots and then he had seen it. The helmet of his master was wrapped by one of the tentacles left.

This blixus moved swiftly under the water. Xeno swam back to the surface to catch a breath of air before diving back down. Blindsided by the beast he was struck by a tentacle to the torso. Xeno had lost some breath but not enough to make him go back to the surface. He was looking around to find the creature and tried to use the force to control the mind of the creature but, he felt something. He felt his.. master? This couldn’t be. Oh but it is. His master is controlling the beast already.

Xeno’s anger grew. So much that his eyes had started glowing with yellow and red very boldly. He was staring into the beast and felt himself using the force to move himself forward under water at the beast with his sabers pointed forward. Forcefully striking the beast into its body. But the blixus wasn’t dead yet. It grabbed Xeno with a tentacle and flung him towards the surface so forcefully that he flew into the air quite some distance. “Son of a-“ Xeno was cut off by the water which he had splashed back into. This beast is strong. The Zabrak had awaited for the beast to attack him for a change. Waiting in a defensive position.

@Forsythe Crowholde

 

[Saragnayan]

She enjoyed the Acolyte's dislike of the task he found himself in. She would be an ineffective teacher – in the setting they found themselves, to be fair – if she would always give him an assignment that was to his liking. Xeno was supposed to learn that not everything would come to his favor, not even his Master's (often sadistic) whims.

Hands clasped behind her, the grin on her face turned into a smirk as Xeno gazed at her for a moment before beginning to do as he was told. She watched as the Acolyte and the beast engaged, the Zabrak matching the blixus' anger. A tentacle wrapped around Xeno and he was soon out of sight, dragged into the depths. She couldn't see how he was faring against the beast but she felt a flash of pain from the blixus through her control. He was retaliating from the creature's initial assault – good.

Gazing down at the sand below her, Hrist began to take off her gloves and tucked them inside her robe's pocket. Finding the clasps to her cuirass was easy enough and soon it was off, followed by her robe and leaving her with one of the usual attires she had chosen to dress herself as the Marauder called Saragnayan. Hrist lowered herself to the ground, sitting with her legs stretched out before her and ankles crossed.

Closing her eyes as she maintained her control over the blixus, a quiet chuckle slipped past her lips when he felt Xeno's presence in the Force as he tried his own hand in controlling the beast. Her own mind brushed against his and he would hear her phantom laughter, an amusement fed by his growing anger.

I'm sorry, darling, she would converse with him, her voice purposefully faint as she brushed against his mind, but did you think I would make this easy for you?

The strike intended for his opponent struck true, but it wasn't enough to kill the beast. As Xeno was flung rather forcefully out of the water Hrist continued to speak to him, intent on feeding his anger and expecting that he would use it to finish off the blixus.

Is the beast too strong for you? she taunted him, her voice sweet and full of mock concern. Will you give up, knowing that failure is something I will not accept from you today?

Sending another rush of anger into the blixus, the creature would let out a mighty roar before lashing out at Xeno with two of it's tentacles, intent on crushing the Acolyte in their grip. A third tentacle would come from above, leaving him with no other escape but to dive even further into the depths.

@Scoobert

 

[Darth Draugr]

The acolyte had been studying the fight style of the beast, but now it’s changed. It’s fighting different because it’s mind is not it’s own. He’s fighting his master. This was definitely unexpected but now he knew he had to fight harder, faster even. If he wanted the beast dead he would have to start by taking it apart. Piece by piece.

Staring into the face of the beast, or maybe his master at this point. Hearing the words of his master through force kits angered him at this point. The voice that usually soothes his ears now causes him to grew more and more angry.

The beats tentacles surrounded him everywhere except down. Of course she wanted him to go down to the deeper parts away from the surface. Xeno swam downward and as the tentacles followed he ignited his red blades and cut off two more tentacles that had reached for him. The water restricted his movements, causing him to be much slower than on land. The outcome was the last tentacle swinging and hitting him across the head. Such a powerful strike would’ve knocked a normal man out, maybe even kill him. Xeno was no normal man. The strike did however hurt Xeno a lot. The acolyte recovered in time to force push his way to the surface for another breath.

“Curse this beasts strength” he let out as he was above water. And he looked over to see his master with a different look. And she was in fact controlling the beast. That was when he felt the beast wrap it final tentacle around his body. “Motherfu-“ and then Xeno was back under water.

@Forsythe Crowholde

 

[Saragnayan]

Peals of laughter, cold but comforting like the embrace of the morning mist, would ring much clearer and louder in Xeno's head as his anger mounted at the realization that he was now fighting Hrist – albeit in the form of controlling the blixus. The Marauder's amusement grew as she savoured the rage the young Zabrak felt. It was strong and palpable, comparable to that spicy but savoury dish her Father had made for her one rainy evening in his estate on Naboo.

The Acolyte's anger was delicious.

A flash of pain rippled through the Force, but Hrist did not feel an ounce of concern. This was expected – she meant to have her student experience pain so that he might learn from it. Xeno could either use it as fuel to his anger or a reminder to be more careful and tamp down whatever amount of recklessness he had in his system. It had been one of her Father's methods when she was but a fledgling, and a wistful smile tugged the corners of Hrist's lips at the thought that she was now using it to teach someone else. A sense of nostalgia filled the Marauder but only for a moment, the feeling kept inward and guarded so it would not bleed out into the Force and through her growing connection with Xeno. There were things that were meant only for herself, only for her to feel, and only time would tell if there would come a day where she could share it with her student.

For now, she continued to feed the blixus' anger so it could square off with her apprentice. Through the creature's eyes she watched as Xeno was forced to delve deeper into the water. The beast roared in pain as two more of it's tentacles were cut off by the Zabrak's saber.

Do you want my help, dear? Are you giving up? she asked her student, intent on riling him up further. Another round of laughter from the Marauder, tapering off into manic giggling as Xeno was, once again, pulled beneath the depths by the blixus. Perhaps she should go easy on him?

But no. His opponents somewhere in the future, distant or near, would not go easy on him. They would be cruel, and she needed to prepare him for that. If she eased her control on the beast now – and subsequently stop his lesson now – she could possibly push her student in a false sense of complacency. If the master went easy on her student, he would think that any opposition he would face in the future would be the same. He would make the mistake of underestimating them, and that was unacceptable. Unforgivable. Xeno would feel anger and pain now, but all for his benefit. Her student had a goal to fulfill, and wasn't it her duty as his teacher to be his stepping stone to reach that aspiration?

Language, Xeno, dear, she teased him lightly, her words punctuated with a dainty laugh. Would you kiss your Master with that mouth? Tch. And don't forget my helmet, darling.

As if to accentuate the reminder, the blixus' maw opened wide and directed the tentacle holding the Mandalorian helmet to its mouth. Free from gripping the beskar, the aforementioned tentacle would shoot forward to wrap around Xeno with enough force that could break his bones if the attack connected.

@Scoobert

 

[Darth Draugr]

Feeling the tentacle around his body begin squeezing Xeno grew more angry. He felt hatred for this under water beast. The Zabrak noticed the other tentacle holding the helmet swinging to hit Xeno, and unfortunately for the Zabrak he couldn’t escape quick enough to dodge the attack. He was struck within his body. Cracking was felt in his ribs. Breath left his lungs and rose to the surface.

The acolyte needed to recover but he knew the beast would not allow it, and he knew that his master most definitely wouldn’t go easy. As much as she tormented him mentally he did his best to drown her voice out.

Wincing in pain the acolyte swung one of his lightsabers up cutting the tentacle holding him, clean off from the blixus. He used the force to rip the helmet from the grip of the beast and into his own hand. He took a look at it and decided he would obey his master still. He tuned to where his master would be and shot it out of the water as a projectile with the force towards his master.

He swam to the surface to get a gasp of air but his breath was cut short as the beasts tentacle holding the helm pulled him back down and towards the mouth. Xeno placed a hand on each side of it’s mouth. Pushing away from the beats mouth. He didn’t want to become lunch. And then within his haters for the best he felt himself grew hot and then that feeling moved to his hands. As he looked at the best he witnessed lightning moving from his hands into the beasts body. The grip on Xeno was released which gave him the open opportunity to ignite his lightsabers and plunge them into the mouth of the beast and he ripped through the body of the beast both directions. He seen the beast in two parts. A feeling of relief flowed through the acolyte. Both tasks were now complete.

He used the force to push himself to the surface. He took a few deep breaths and swam to the land. He crawled on his knees and one arm as his other was holding his side from his ribs breaking. “The beast is dead master, your helmet is returned.” Then Xeno lifted himself to be sitting upon his knees “I am the victor.” He looked into the eyes of his master. The anger he felt towards her suddenly depleted. The eyes of his master were a treasure to behold.

@Forsythe Crowholde

 

[Saragnayan]

Pain crept through the Force again, and this time Hrist became more alert and conscious of her student's well-being. Maybe she had gone too far as to actually injure the Acolyte? No, not yet – as long as he still drew breath nothing she did could really be considered going too far. If Xeno had broken a bone or two it would always be mended. But if he died?

Well, he should have fought harder, shouldn't he?

A smirk danced across red lips as she felt Xeno shut her out, drowning her voice as he directed his focus more on the blixus than her words. The creature lost yet another tentacle to the Acolyte's lightsabers, and Hrist felt the Zabrak draw on the Force around him to throw something not at the blixus but out of the water and towards her, the object hurtling towards her with astounding speed and force. Caught by surprise, Hrist lost control over the blixus as her eyes snapped open, one hand lifting up to halt the helmet midair and halfway from crashing into her own skull. Suspended in the air, the Marauder summoned the helmet to her waiting hand with the use of the Force and fully relinquished her control of the blixus.

The fight was between Xeno and the beast now as Hrist's attention shifted to the beskar in her hands. She set in on top of her cuirass, letting the sun dry the helmet while she waited for her student to finish his task. Knowing that her dear student would be injured, Hrist pinged Lata and sent a command for the droid to bring her a medkit. The Marauder didn't have to wait for long for the Acolyte as she felt one life blip out of existence through the Force.

The Zabrak resurfaced soon after, and Hrist simply watched him swim towards the shore with renewed amusement. She quietly beckoned for him to come closer after his proclamation. Should he follow her command, the Marauder would place one hand on Xeno's back, the other to the center of his chest, before guiding him to lay his head on her lap. He'd finished both tasks he had been given – Xeno deserved a treat now, didn't he?

"Well done, my darling," she praised the Acolyte with a smile warmer than the ones she usually gave him during the first few days where they were still getting used to each other's presence. One bar hand found Xeno's forehead, thumb brushing softly on his skin. "Well done, indeed."

While she waited for her droid, Hrist looked back at the lagoon with a curious tilt of her head. Long, russet hair cascaded down her shoulders, some strands swaying softly with the breeze.

"Tell me how you feel." Ruby eyes found the Zabrak's face once again. "What does success feel like to you? What need do you have for it at this very moment?"

She did not mean to be philosophical at the moment, no. She was just honestly curious – was he pleased? Satisfied? Happy? Hrist was made to be subservient, she did not know what it felt like being served instead. Maybe taking a student in could teach her a thing or two about looking after someone, about having to decide what was right and wrong for another being. Perhaps she could then understand what it felt to be connected to someone, other than the sole purpose of serving them.

@Scoobert

 

[Darth Draugr]

As the acolyte crawled closer to his master he coughed out sea water and then soon after a small amount of blood. Xeno stared at his blood for a moment before be greeted by his master. He stood up slowly and took only a couple steps before falling to his knees again. Then he felt the touch of his master upon him. Drawing him to lay on her lap as she sat. The Zabraks head laying on her thigh.

“How I feel?” Xeno was really annoyed by the question. “I feel like I just got my ribs broken.. oh wait I did!” The acolyte looked away. But now he could feel her rub his head. This was soothing. A feeling of compassion for the first time since he had left home. “Success?” He asked. “Well it’s painful. But relieving somehow, like I have just lost the weight of the pressure on my chest.” He looked back to her to answer her final question. “And what need most is probably medical help.” The Zabrak looked into her eyes and saw a twinkle of sorts. “I hopefully don’t have to fight one of those again. It was powerful but, clearly not powerful enough...” He smiled to his master who was smiling back. “It’ll take more than that to get rid of me master.”

@Forsythe Crowholde

 

[Saragnayan]

Instead of frowning in disapproval of her student’s response, the corners of Hrist’s lips tugged upwards in another smile at his straightforward response to her first question. She didn’t ask him how he felt literally, rather, she posed the question as something deeper than what he felt physically. The Marauder reminded himself that Xeno wasn’t Algus – and that the Acolyte hadn’t possessed the penchant to answer like her former charge.

His response about success brought her satisfaction. It was why she had him face the blixus in the first place. Just because he had power didn’t mean that he would achieve victory without effort. Life, after all, did not work that way – even for those who were blessed to wield the power of the Force. Hrist’s hand slid down to Xeno’s cheek, ruby eyes gazing at him with a seriousness the Acolyte hadn’t seen from her up until now.

“Remember that feeling, my dear,” she reminded him. “And always bear in mind that there are victories that aren’t so easily achieved. Remember how you struggled, how you fought for success today – and to never underestimate any opponent you will have to face from now on. Should you die in battle in the distant future, make it so that your adversary will remember how strong you are – how fearsome, how powerful, you are. Should you die in battle, make it so that your enemy will feel despair even after long you have passed.”

He could’ve perished today, all things considered. But for the first time in a long while Hrist had faith on the survival of another being. The Marauder didn’t know if what she felt right now would either be a downfall or a strength in the future, and she kept the thought aside for further scrutiny later. Before, all Hrist needed and believed in was her Father – maybe it was time to consider adding a few individuals in the list?

Her ears picked up Lata’s distant beeping, and Hrist looked over her shoulder in search for her wayward droid. "I know you would, love. I hope you did not think that I had sent you to fight a blixus without preparing myself to treat you for injuries."

Hrist’s tone was light and teasing as her gaze found Xeno’s once more. Lata rolled forward, letting out constant seemingly disgruntled beeps as the droid dropped a medkit by Xeno’s feet. The Marauder’s free hand reached out to pat the astromech’s spherical head affectionately.

It’ll take more than that to get rid of me.

Amused laughter slipped unbidden past Hrist’s lips at Xeno’s words, nose crinkling as her thumb brushed against his forehead. She tapped him on the shoulder once, gesturing for him to sit up so she could start applying first aid on his minor injuries. His broken ribs would have to wait for a bit.

"My dear Xeno, if I was trying to get rid of you I wouldn’t have bothered taking you here to face a creature you could defeat," the female Sith told him with a light giggle. Then, in jest, she added, "Killing you in your sleep or maybe poisoning your food would’ve been much easier since you seem to trust me already."

Of course she wouldn’t do those things to him, or more. Unless Xeno gave her a reason to kill him, then Hrist would be more than amused to do so.

@Scoobert

 

[Darth Draugr]

Strength was little at the moment for the acolyte. He did his best to sit up but the pain in his torso was too great to properly sit up. He crawled to a rock nearby and leaned against it. Sharp pains shot through his body.

“I will say, this is probably the most pain I’ve come across. But not as bad as I had thought it would be.” Xeno wasn’t wincing in pain anymore, he wouldn’t allow himself to. Weakness isn’t a sign the Sith shown, and he didn’t plan to let anyone see him as weak. Not even his master.

Xeno sat in silence for a moment as his master would tend to the minor injuries. He thought about her words. Poison. In his sleep. She really was dangerous. He knew she wouldn’t kill him that way. At least anytime soon. The acolyte may have trusted her but it wasn’t so much a weakness. As he shows trust and value in his master, he has been taking this time with her to study her strengths. Could she know? Sure. But expecting it? Probably not.

“Master..” Xeno looked at her with a look of assurance. “I’ll be fine for now. Let us find this place you spoke of. With the Lords, and other Sith. I want to grow. More powerful. And in knowledge... they can offer that. With as much as they do and don’t show. There is much to learn.”

He turned to his side, and used his arms to push his body of the ground. He placed a foot underneath him and stood slowly. Then he looked at her as one arm involuntarily grabbed his side. “The force is with us.” He turned to begin walking back the way they came, with a limp.

@Forsythe Crowholde

 

[Saragnayan]

His words made her smile, thoroughly satisfied with her decision to take him under her wing. He didn't prattle like those beneath them, those who were trapped in the illusion that they themselves were powerful until someone with real strength crushed them devastatingly. Xeno's acknowledgment of his current standing, his desire to grow in terms of power, strength, and knowledge. That he acknowledged that he still had a lot to learn.

The Zabrak got up on his feet after she had tended to his minor injuries. That acknowledgement and assurance...

A predatory smile adorned Hrist's beautiful face as she rose to her feet as well, one hand stretched out to summon the Mandalorian helmet to her waiting hand. She knew she would reap what she sowed when she found the Zabrak, that she would either bear whatever the result of her training him as either a blessing or a curse. Would she kill him one day, or would she end up getting killed by him?

She would have served her purpose either way, but for Xeno's sake she would rather envision him rising through the ranks while she stayed in the shadows where she belonged. Hrist sought power like everyone else, but not the greatness that came along with it. She knew her place in the galaxy, and it was never on the top of the food chain. Her Father raised her to have that kind of thinking, because where did those on top end up going at the end of the day? Was it for her to stand a the top of the entire creation just to be dragged down, screaming and clawing desperately, into the depths of despair and suffering?

Without ambition. That was what her former Cadre Masters called her before her Father stepped in and took over her training and upbringing. Father had taken her away with him before she could tell those unsightly bastards that they were wrong. She was not without ambition. Ambition lay there, dormant, in this peculiar thing Father called a heart. And until she found hers, her ambition would remain ambiguous.

Ruby eyes watched as Xeno walked away. His arrival to her life, and that of her former charge Algus... Perhaps these encounters could point her to where this heart, this ambition was?

With a sharp whistle to Lata, the astromech dutifully followed after her. Mandalorian helmet in one hand and the medkit in another, Hrist easily caught up to Xeno, and the Acolyte would feel the Force wrapping around him not to hurt but to support his body as he walked. Past the jungle and back to the clearing where she docked her ship, up to the lowered ramp and onto her own bed. She helped him lay down on the mattress for a well-earned rest. The predatory grin the female Sith wore earlier still adorned her face as she stood over her student, ruby eyes ringed by hints of gold as she looked at him.

"The Force is always with us... until it isn't. Rest for now, my dear Xeno, and let your injuries heal."

Her grin widened and turned dark.

"You'll need to be in your best shape for your next lesson, after all."

Spoiler: THEME

@Scoobert

 

[Darth Draugr]

The acolyte had felt a stabilization in the force around his body. There was the pain of the injury itself but he was able to walk well enough to keep pace with his master. He felt the feeling of proudness within his master, and he couldn’t help but let a slight curve at the corner of his lips emerge.

They had made it to the ship and she lead him to her bed, Xeno would have made a comment about the bed if he were with other company but in this moment, considering his pain and the thought process of his master, he’d simply lay down. Sprawling on the mattress he looked into his masters ruby eyes, and felt a warmth within himself. A feeling he hadn’t felt before. It was new, he didn’t know how to take it in but he knew it was simply there for the woman before him.

The warming words of his master soothed him for only a moment. He witnessed her kind beautiful smile become slightly more intense and, well.. some would call it pure evil. Although his feelings for her hadn’t disappeared after the comment made about his next lesson, he looked away for a moment and remembered he would continue to go through more training events such as this one. And then his yellow eyes looked back to his master.

“Would it be feasible to know this next lesson? Or is it one of those type of lessons my master?”

Xeno was curious as to what she would have planned, but at the same time he hadn’t known if he actually wanted to know or if speaking to her was just a thing he liked doing. Something about her voice was soothing. An interesting woman to say the least as well.

He hadn’t noticed his hand rested beside hers as it hung over the edge of the mattress. When looked to it he didn’t dare touch her without a reason. Although most people would say that his feelings were reason enough, he hadn’t known for sure what he felt, nor if it was a reason enough for Sith such as herself.

@Forsythe Crowholde

 

[Saragnayan]

Xeno watched her as she spoke. Hrist watched him in return, her mind picking up these strange feelings from her student that she couldn't put names or labels on. All she knew was that his feelings seemed rather... soft. Warm. Without the intention to harm her or manipulate her. He would need all the training he could get to match her abilities with the Force, still. In his current state it would feel like crushing a bug beneath her boot, something she had no intention of doing at the moment. All of the Marauder's actions were dictated by how others spoke and behaved – the markings of the good girl her Father raised her to be.

And should Xeno begin to think about undermining her without her consent, Hrist would be happy to dispose of him. But presently he wasn't, just lying on her bed and feeling these soft, nameless emotions as he gazed up at her.

Curiouser and curiouser. The Zabrak was turning out to be even more interesting than she initially thought.

Hrist caught how Xeno's gaze flickered to her hand close to his, and since he succeeded on the tasks she gave him today, the female Sith decided that there would be no harm in humoring her precious student's unspoken wish. She sat down on the edge of the bed, gloved hand pressing against his and twining their fingers together. Her free hand found Xeno's face, fingertips brushing lightly against his forehead soothingly.

"I know you have already learned this from your people, but the next lesson would be for you to track and search for someone who doesn't wish to be seen nor captured," she supplied, smiling down at him. "Of course you're going to have to give that person a headstart, say, a full day, for her to find a proper place to hide. And she'll be moving around a lot, to evade you. To hide from you, and cover her tracks. A game of cat and mouse. Sounds fun, doesn't it?"

Maybe it would be fun, maybe it wouldn't. She'd only find out once they started.

"But for now," she continued, leaning down to brush her lips against his forehead and pulled away with a smile. "You need to rest and heal. I wouldn't want my precious student to be heading off to his next lesson injured now, would I?"

Giggling lightly the Marauder rose to her feet, not giving Xeno a chance to speak or ask more questions as she sailed across the room and through the door, leaving it open just in case the Acolyte needed something.

Maybe they should stay here in the planet for two more days? Lay low and relax a bit before diving in to the next lesson? Hrist entertained the thought but shook it off as soon as it came. They could do that on the next planet she had in mind, a day or two before starting his next lesson. Of course she'd lied about it being a search and capture type of thing. He needed to discern when he was being lied to and to anticipate what was coming for him. Or was it really a lie? It would be up to him. If he would think that it was a lie, she would stick with the search and capture lesson. If he would believe what she'd told him, she would devise a whole new lesson in exchange for the first one. The Marauder hummed a soft tune, smiling as she prepared food for her and the Acolyte.

Hrist wasn't being cruel – far from it, to be honest. She just wanted for him to learn, that's all.

@Scoobert

 

[Darth Draugr]

Her touch, her smile. Could these feelings be what Xeno thought? It couldn’t be possible. He had given that part of him up when he left to join the Sith. Maybe he lied to himself. Perhaps his mind played tricks. No. Unfortunately he knew what his weakness is now. It was her.

Though she would kill him at the first sign of danger, he couldn’t bring himself to want to kill her. He hadn’t known why. All the studies show that the master kills apprentice, or apprentice kills the master. There hasn’t been a declaration of both parties surviving as the advancement in rank happens. Maybe this was a different time.

Xeno could feel puzzling feelings in his master. Much as his. Though hers were mostly, if not, fully confusion. What had she been through? Has she never known how to feel about others when they show feelings to her? Could she be annoyed by him? The Zabrak laid as he listened the words of his master. The lesson being cat and mouse? Why was there emphasis on the she and her? A lesson he would learn soon enough.

She was quite a manipulative woman. Maybe a lie? Then again maybe the truth? Xeno would find out soon enough. He couldn’t be sure with the confusion filling the ship. For now he’ll assume the former and prepare for the latter. Can’t be too certain with her teachings.

The he felt it. Was that a kiss upon his forehead? Couldn’t be, she hadn’t shown this kind of gesture before. Maybe it was just a reward. He hadn’t felt her feel what he felt, it couldn’t be out of that wretched word.. lo- he can’t bring himself to think it.

Then she left. He felt her touch fade as she walked away. Now he couldn’t help but think of her. Was this a way to manipulate him? Bring him to a weakened state and then kill him? He wasn’t sure. This feeling hasn’t happened. Much more than lust. Of course Xeno just needed to let it play out. If she truly started to feel the same for him, he would know. In due time. In due time.

@Forsythe Crowholde