Gavin Phoenix
The Dark Jedi Order
"See first with your mind, then with your eyes, and finally with your body"
Posts: 1,144
Affiliation: The Dark Jedi Order
Traffic Light: Green
|
Post by Gavin Phoenix on Aug 6, 2020 2:57:19 GMT -8
The students came strong and hard against Gavin, seeking that moment they could deliver the finishing blow. Each carried a training version of the crafted weapons so to keep them in line with their main style. They certainly kept him on his toes as he kept his skill just beyond theirs, enough to make him unbeatable but close enough to make them push harder, feeling they could cross that threshold. And it worked. With each passing moment, they pushed harder and increase the strength of their attacks as Gavin continued to increase his. This method kept his students seeking to give it all they had.
They had been at it for the past hour as all their sparring sessions tended to be. It was here that they were starting to lose their steam and rightfully so. It was rare for a battle to last more than a few minutes, maybe ten to twenty at best. Training to fight like this for such a long time increased their stamina and helped them to outlast their opponents. And now, they were ready to bring this to an end.
First came the Zabrak, Duvrax. The largest and physically strongest of the group, slipping around to Gavin's left to bring down a heavy two-handed blow against his suggestively weakest side. Turning, Gavin brought both his sabers up to stop the assault, but before the man could deliver his counter, a second Zabrak, Krokaa, sped up to his right and made an attack, forcing Gavin to block with his right. Whereas Duvrax focused on pure strength and aggression, Krokaa was tactical, cool, and balanced in his style. In fact, it was he who led the group, working with others to devise different approaches.
As they held him in place, a female Arkanian Off-shoot moved up at Gavin's front, flipping over him with aid of the Force, slashing at him as she spun in the air, landing behind him. Ducking and spinning, Gavin caused the Zabraks to slid around him as his blades came up to deflect Theranna's. Still, they were seamless in their actions, supported by the Battle Meditation of a third Zabrak, Prakira, their minds connected and melded beyond the typical means of what Battle Meditation entitled. It was because of this she stayed back more often, using her skills in support, saberstaff ready at her side. That ability kept them in sync as the three attacked again, both Zabraks spinning into their next attacks, Duvrax on the opposite side of Theranna as Krokaa's moved with hers to deliver the same amount of force as the larger Zabrak.
It wasn't long before the disengaged, moving back just as a teal male Nautolan, Cinnik, and purple female Twi'lek, Kosrezic, moved in, utilizing their skills in Makashi, the Twi'lek working with twin sabers. They pressed their attack, deflecting and parrying his attacks to gain an upper hand, though not for themselves as before long, they spun under his attacks, using their sabers to pull his out to the sides as a male Echani, Carvish, and male human, Cayne, moved in. Both were strong and focused in their attacks, though not to the degree of Duvrax. They worked to push the offensive their teammates gave them, working to whittle down his defenses until he gave them an opening.
As the two pressed forward, a Falleen male, Xar, and Cerean male, Zul, pushed and attack from behind. It forced Gavin to leap out of the fray to gain some distance and focus his defense which the quartet pushed. Working in pairs of twos, they switched back and forth with each other before suddenly jumping away. Standing before him was a Togruta female, Raara, and human female, Elysta, ready to unleash a Force attack. The Elysta chanted a spell for Sith magic as Raara unleashed a blast of Force Wind, the two attacks almost merging as they fired on Gavin.
It was this last attack that set the final stage up. Rolling away, Gavin stood to see himself surrounded, each holding out their hands before unleashing Force Lightning. Lifting his hands, he summoned a barrier to block the bolts, leaving him safe before he dropped his arms.
"Well done, all of you. You have made me proud with the progress made in the past four years. Its been a long time coming, but it will all have been worth it. In a week's time, you will no longer be my students, but acolytes ready to become apprentices. I've done all I can to prepare you and to help you be noticed enough to be taken. And if not, you have more than enough of a start to be capable without one. I believe in each of you. Continue to do so in yourselves. Dismissed."
He watched as the group left, his eyes not once turning to look at Vesperia. He was aware of her presence, especially with how obvious she made herself known. Still, he would only acknowledge her if she addressed him. He was fully aware of how most of the other teachers and masters felt about him and thus mostly kept to himself outside of his students.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Aug 19, 2020 10:06:18 GMT -8
Lady Vesperia dominated the main entry point to the classroom and remained uncharacteristically quiet throughout Gavin's encounter with his students. Instead, her calculating, silver-tinted teal eyes glanced back and forth from student to student as they ushered in their attacks upon their 'master.' Vesperia shuddered inwardly that these rising Sith had the gall to look upon him in that sense, but she made a mental note to erase that opinion from whichever one she plucked from the group.
Disappointingly, only a handful caught her attention. Then again, Vesperia knew better than to have high hopes for a young group taught by someone other than the Sith. Still, there were the two Zabraks that created an exciting powerhouse duo as the first wave. Other than those two, the only two that remotely caught Vesperia's attention were the Twi'lek with the twin saber use and a third Zabrak that kept a saberstaff at her side. She cursed those who settled with such overused 'unique' weapons, considering them exotic, but it was at least something to catch her eye. Then again, the female Zabrak stood behind as a support role, something Vesperia sneered at, dismissed, and moved onward.
It wasn't until Gavin finished his adorable, inspirational speech at the very end that Vesperia finally made her move. As his final word hung in the air, allowing his students to wrap up and leave, the woman slowly and deliberately ensured all eyes would find her--and if not, at least make her presence known clearly.
'CLAP' 'CLAP' 'CLAP'
Her patronizing applause echoed as she finally stepped foot out of the entryway, allowing the students to leave without incident. Lady Vesperia scanned each and every student one final time as they began to make their departure before her eyes settled upon their teacher. A wicked smile tugged faintly at the edges of her lips."A rousing speech, Master Phoenix," Lady Vesperia praised, her tone dripping with malicious sarcasm, especially at the mention of his title. However, a twinge of perpetual amusement remained abundant. "A shame, though. Four years, you said? I would have thought that they would have more to show for it. I don't see a scratch on you. A pity." Her eyes narrowed slightly as her insinuation settled, that she desired to see a bit of bloodshed fall upon him and at his students' hands, no less. Then again, they all tried and tried and tried, but none of them seemed to get a single hit on Gavin--even when he forced them to use training sabers."You would think they're old enough and skilled enough to fight with real weapons, too, don't you agree? Or do you not trust them? Or is it... you question your... abilities?" Encircling Gavin with slow and steady steps into his training area, Vesperia kept her eyes carefully trained upon him like a nexu about to pounce upon a bark rat. Her berating words were smoothed out by honeyed tones, no matter how accusatory she was. She had hoped to get her interrogation started while some students remained, though, to undermine whatever 'faith' they had in their teacher. It would probably be futile, but it was an easy enough topic to shrug off. She would still find whatever entertainment she could in tormenting those non-Sith 'masters' while given a chance.
|
|
|
|
Post by Spectres of Midnight on Aug 19, 2020 11:36:38 GMT -8
As Vesperia anticipated, the students turned to acknowledge the Sith when she began to clap. Her presence hadn't gone unnoticed, but as many times before, they viewed her as another master there to observe and made sure to not become distracted by her arrival. Yet, her slow, unamused clap couldn't help but draw their eyes to her. All remained quiet, having no reason to speak up. It was then Gavin dismissed them and they moved to the side where their things rested, including their actual lightsabers.
One by one they left, leaving only a few when Vesperia started speaking. Those that did stop for a moment to look at the Dark Lady regarding her desired words, but gave it merely a glance before departing. It was Duvrax who lingered for a bit longer. He said nothing, though carried his own thoughts.
~Don't take him so lightly. I thought little of him once myself and was shown just how insignificant I truly was. And against any of the masters here, I can only imagine what power he'll truly unleash.~ His thoughts resonated within his mind for a few moments as he raised an eyebrow at the woman, his hand sliding over his true weapon: an aggressive and weathered looking crossguard lightsaber. Taking a breath, he finally turned and departed the training area.
|
|
Gavin Phoenix
The Dark Jedi Order
"See first with your mind, then with your eyes, and finally with your body"
Posts: 1,144
Affiliation: The Dark Jedi Order
Traffic Light: Green
|
Post by Gavin Phoenix on Aug 19, 2020 11:55:27 GMT -8
Gavin's eyes lifted to meet Vesperia's as she began her slow clap. The faintest of smirks rested upon his features as he raised an eyebrow and tilted his head a bit. Shifting only a bit, his eyes watched as his students began gathering their things and headed out of the area before redirecting his attention fully upon the woman.
He said nothing at first, letting the woman weave her words of sarcasm and distaste in the smoothest and sweetest of tones. He had long departed from the care of others' opinions, far longer than he been here. Which was good for the hatred and distrust he faced every day for the past four years. His eyes watched her as she walked around him, his arms crossing over his chest. When she finally stopped, he glanced at Duvrax, his eyes motioning him along before turning to Vesperia.
"Lady Vesperia, it is an honor." He bowed, his arms outstretched as far as they could go as he allowed himself to bend parallel to the ground in the most overdramatic way possible, his tones carrying the same feeling about them. He stayed that way for a few seconds before rising again. "To what do I owe the pleasure of your esteemed presence? Surely you have better things to do than socializing with the rabble, am I right?"
He scoffed a bit. He knew how Vesperia was. Like all the others, she hated him and wished him gone. However, unlike them, she wouldn't waste her time trying to prove anything, nor would she assault him with words in a typical way. It was a game to her, always trying to toy with anyone she could and see what buttons she could push. A tactic that would fail and be met with a similar approach. His head tilted once more as she spoke of his students and their current skills. "Yes, I'm sure you would love to see them bring me down. But as the masters, it would be such a terrible sight for students this young to bring us harm. After all, you wouldn't see such a thing happen in your classes, correct? But make no mistake, they are much stronger than you realize. As for their weapons, I see no reason to waste such potential of injuries and death. None can learn from their mistakes if they can no longer breathe." He then waved his hand. "I know, not very Sith."
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Aug 19, 2020 14:54:30 GMT -8
It was a curious thing: that Zabrak's hesitation. Vesperia had made the slightest of pauses as she caught a strange sensation in the Force from him. Was it... reverence? It dare not be veneration, Lady Vesperia thought with a critical eye, meeting Duvrax's arched eyebrow. It was him, though, one of the ones that had caught her eye. As though an unconscious decision, Vesperia nibbled on her bottom lip as she eyed the boy up and down while he left. A new target, new prey.
With a jolt of her neck, Vesperia eyed over Gavin once more, her head tilted in feigned curiosity of his respect. Her lips twisted into a darkly amused smile as though she more than welcomed the praise and honor he offered, fake or not. She reveled in it.
"Oh, come now, don't be silly," she played, her voice taking more animated leaps in her pitch, although the sultry smoothness remained. "A few limbs could be taken off, at best, if we're doing our proper jobs. And if it happens, hmph." Vesperia dismissed the thought so casually with a wave of her hand. "Why we act like we don't have the technology to fix hard-learned lessons is beyond my comprehension."
She had made an entire circulation around the training area with Gavin standing at the epicenter. Pausing between him and the entryway, Vesperia spread her feet to stand in a powerful stance, although crossing her arms over her chest. She remained focused on Gavin, and although her expression didn't give much away than her usual sick amusement, her tones shifted ever so slightly to the spectrum of 'annoyed.'
"But your thought process is why you've been viewed as such a loyal dog to the Sith'ari, and why we must tolerate you. The 'new Sith ways' and what-have-you. To each their own."
Vesperia glanced over her shoulder, seeking out the Zabrak within the Force, and thoughtfully clicked her tongue on the roof of her mouth. As much as she desired to stalk on after him instead of stay here in the company of this pest, a seasoned predator didn't make their strike hastily. Instead, she turned back to Gavin.
"Anyway, I didn't come here to 'socialize with the rabble,'" she repeated, dipping her tone to mock his voice. Although Vesperia did her best to hide her great amusement, a sly half-grinned twitched at her lips. "If I heard correctly, your students are up for the picking. Does that mean that you'll finally be abandoning us for your Jedi friends, too? When's the date? I'll be sure to arrange a farewell party." Vesperia sighed a sarcastic laugh to match her temper. "Don't worry, we won't miss you."
|
|
Gavin Phoenix
The Dark Jedi Order
"See first with your mind, then with your eyes, and finally with your body"
Posts: 1,144
Affiliation: The Dark Jedi Order
Traffic Light: Green
|
Post by Gavin Phoenix on Aug 19, 2020 15:31:01 GMT -8
It didn't go outside of Gavin's notice, Vesperia's sudden attention that fell upon Duvrax. It made him curious as to what the woman thought of him. His power and heritage made him a prime candidate for many of the masters who were looking for a new apprentice. He suspected that he'd be snatched up quickly. He could only hope that of all of them, Duvrax kept with him all the knowledge that Gavin had bestowed. If he did, he would definitely possess power beyond any Sith here. Time would only tell.
When she spoke of the technology to replace missing limbs, he merely gave a shrug. "Perhaps, yet why lose what you don;t have to? The inflicting pain of the training sabers more than simulate the effects of a severed arm. They may not risk losing anything, the experience is no less real. So long as you have masters who ensure there is no other difference between training and reality." He then laughed a bit. "But I suppose by that logic we should forgo the organic and enhance ourselves with cybernetics, am I right? Seemed to be a big hit in the old days of the Sith. Just be careful around lightning. I hear it can be a shocking experience." In the end, it was a pathetic pun, one that didn;t even amuse Gavin, yet he would continue playing at her level.
It was when she spoke of the Sith'ari's choice to bring him on board that Gavin's smirk widened a bit. To hear those annoyed tones begin to slip through was a sweet sensation. Secretly, he rather enjoyed frustrating the other Sith who despised him. For as long as he didn't try to stir up trouble, there was nothing there to legitimize striking him down. Doing so may have very well angered the Sith'ari and brought about their own demise. And if it didn't, they'd gain a fight more than they bargained for. "Oh, I'm sorry. Did I step on the toes of you strong Sith? I didn't mean to show how inferior you all were at bringing up the next generation. My students have certainly shown what failures have been created. Not even a year or two in and already beating students years more experienced? Gaining the attention of the Sith'ari to represent the Blackguard in the Great Hunt over the older students who have sought to prove themselves?" He then shrugged as his face shifted to one of looking down on her. "Better watch out. They may just replace you soon as the superior Sith." His smirk grew a bit wider as he laugh. "Don't let it burn you up, though. You have just become...obsolete."
It was then the truth of her presence became revealed. She was seeking to gain an apprentice of her own and it seemed that Duvrax might have been in her sights. That would certainly prove to be an interesting mix. Could she handle him? He knew that Duvrax still held that same attitude within him that was displayed that day when he spoke out against being trained. Who would keep who on their toes? And how long before she realized just how capable he truly was?
For the moment, he turned to the attention of his departure. "Oh, don't cry, Vessie. No need to hide your feelings. I'm sure you all will just be broken up when I leave. But don't worry. I'll make it easy on you all. I'll be gone long before you realize. That way, you can get back your decadent ways." He then tilted his head as he circled around to his previous thought. "So little Lady Vesperia is finally ready to break away from teaching the little ones and step into the big leagues with an apprentice. Good luck. Got your eyes on Duvrax, I take it. Hopefully you can handle him. Would hate for him to roll right over you and leave you behind."
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Sept 2, 2020 10:39:55 GMT -8
Vesperia allowed Gavin the chance to ramble all he wanted. However, it grew more and more evident with every sentence of how bored she was growing. A faint tapping noise gave away the steady beat of her toe against the floor. It could be assumed to be a subconscious move, but in actuality, a purposeful one to move him along. She didn't have all day to spend here. However, the goal wasn't to feed his overinflated ego that could rival even the Sith'ari's. Thank the Force that the Sith would be rid of him soon enough.
Gavin's terrible pun sent a violent shudder up Vesperia's spine, fueled by such annoyance that she longed to meet it with a shocking consequence of a similar nature. In a surprising amount of control unusual for the Lady, though, she rang a bolstered, unamused laugh to his awful wordplay. Her smile didn't diminish, either, as Gavin chose to go on about his students' achievements. However, the dullness in her eyes revealed the boredom and feigned pity she truly felt underneath that smile.
"If our young surpass us, then we have achieved our goals," Vesperia corrected cooly with smooth, honeyed tones. "History must not be your strong suit. A surprise, since this is the most accessible information, and I'd expect a master to know it well. So let me give you a little history lesson before you leave." Her expression said it all: she looked at Gavin like she would one of her students, as though he was young, naive, and inexperienced. "There was once a time where our apprentices were trained to strike down their masters as a final testament to their strength. Although the barbaric nature of it has finally been put to rest, the goals for their training remain. How else will we achieve true domination if we don't force our young to become stronger than their predecessors? Of course, I don't expect a pitiful excuse for a master like yourself to understand." With a faint shrug of her shoulders, Vesperia added with a mocking pout, "especially one who clings so tightly to the student's achievements from the past."
With it all said and done, though, Vesperia was wasting her time with this one. Gavin called her 'Vessie,' a true testament to how far he was reaching to get under her skin. Instead, though, the woman scoffed a laugh, her eyes shimmering for a moment as though to silently berate him, asking if that was the best he could do. She gave him credit, though, for at least using her name in some fashion. Past her initial greeting to taunt him and his unearned title, she wouldn't even give him that. However, Gavin did have a point underneath it all. She was here to save one of his students and retrain them from their misfortune of the past several years. Vesperia had already humored him long enough, and judging by his encouraging words, the Sith woman had his blessing. It wasn't that she needed it, but she would savor the shift in Gavin's behavior when he saw what he allowed her to create -- Duvrax as the Sith he was meant to be. All in due time.
With a click of her tongue on the roof of her mouth and a wink in Gavin's general direction, Vesperia shifted, cocking her hip. She whipped her long, dark locks behind her and sashayed out of the training room. No more words. No farewell. Gavin could call out to her sweetly all he wanted, and her nature and actions would remain unwavering. Vesperia had all the information she came here for, and she was finished with 'associating with the rabble.' Now, she needed to find Duvrax.
|
|
Gavin Phoenix
The Dark Jedi Order
"See first with your mind, then with your eyes, and finally with your body"
Posts: 1,144
Affiliation: The Dark Jedi Order
Traffic Light: Green
|
Post by Gavin Phoenix on Sept 2, 2020 11:02:37 GMT -8
It wasn't hard to see Vesperia's boredom in listening to Gavin. In truth, he didn't expect anything less from her or anyone else within the temple. Gavin most certainly wasn't a Sith nor trained his students in such a way. As such, no conversation or interaction was something any of them cared for. But whereas he was capable of remaining his calm collected self in front of the others, Vesperia was another matter entirely. His nature usually infuriated the other masters and forced them to leave due to being unable to stand him. But with Vesperia and her typical nature, he had to change things up to even work at her level. Unfortunately, his ability to operate there wasn't the best, resulting in terrible puns or riled up.
Unable to retain the approach he was holding onto any longer, he let himself slip back into his typically calm demeanor. When she spoke, he simply stood there, arms cross, a slightly raised eyebrow, and the faintest of smirks. He found it amusing each time the masters here tried to assert their dominance over him either through strength or by knowledge. And he allowed the entertainment of such thoughts. After all, he wasn't here to draw eyes upon him but bring to life new strength in the next generation. That meant keeping himself restrained and "lesser" in so many ways. He would never let slip the power and knowledge he truly possessed.
He gave only a small shrug when she finished, the last of their interaction as Vesperia turned away and departed. Gavin, himself, said nothing, allowing her to leave. Once she was out of sight, though, his smirk grew. "Careful, Vesperia. You may find yourself becoming surpassed much sooner than you think." The woman felt she would craft Duvrax into the Sith he was meant to be, but Gavin knew that when all was said and done, the Zabrak would become more than they thought he could. The man knew that his student would walk the path of the Sith, one of power, dominance, and destruction. But he also knew that when he achieved that power, it would be the Sith who felt it was their training that got them there and not the foundations Gavin had laid ahead of them. In the end, it mattered little what the Sith thought. He was confident the lesson his students gained were properly absorbed and would help lead them into a new generation of Sith.
A few minutes of pondering went by before Gavin finally moved from his spot, gathering his things and making his way out of the training area.
|
|
