Atia
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Post by Atia on Jul 6, 2014 7:03:15 GMT -8
Nartaga shook his head. What kind of meditation required a knife? He knew of darker practices where self mutiliation was involved. Very dark practices that were banned in the R'Crurak clan.-Nartaga-
"You do not need a knife to meditate, Six. I do not know what you have been taught in the past, but there are better ways to achieve inner piece."Nartaga chuckled uncomfortably when Six mentioned what she mistook as humming.-Nartaga-
"That was not humming. It was chanting. It helps me find myself, and calm my mind. It's the ancient language of the Kumumgah."
She knew no other way, and she wasnt going to argue with someone older and more wise. All she could say was...-Six- "Putato, Putaato."
She meant Tomaato, Tomato.
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Nartaga
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Post by Nartaga on Jul 6, 2014 8:11:49 GMT -8
Nartaga scooted over closer to Six and held out his hands, palms up. He gestured with his head for Six to put her hands on top of his. He was disappointed in whichever Shaman Six had originally learned from, but all he could do was try to teach her a better way.
-Nartaga-
"No, it is not the same thing. Here, take my hands."
After Six takes Nartaga's hands, a feeling of overwhelming calm and serenity would pass into her. Nartaga lifted his head towards the Suns and exhaled a deep breath.
-Nartaga-
"Focus on what you feel now. This is what you need to achieve. Peace of mind and soul. Self mutilation is the dark path to follow for the power Tatooine bestows upon her children. By taking the easier route you open your soul up to evils, too monstrous to describe."
The feeling continued to flow into Six, but ebbed every now and again, slowing from Nartaga. He started his chants again, and as he did, the crystal beneath his robes began pulsating again.
-Nartaga in Kumumgah-
"Fa'm ha'aughh has a'o hoas faoo ra's a' ho raghh a'r hom oaosa'ms, llo shoarr fao rraa'maa'aus as oaacagh hom a has arlo a'r snamaauoar ao'oc."
Translation-For though this one has been lost to the light of her ancestors, we shall be victorious in aiding her in this time of spiritual need.
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Atia
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Post by Atia on Jul 7, 2014 10:27:14 GMT -8
She starred at the hands reached to her for a couple seconds then gave her hand to Nartaga. She had done this before, with her mistress. The Mistress could transcend space, and ... using the power she called the Force, inhabit a body. Not possessing, just riding along. They had done this many a times, so Six would get aquainted to the feeling, and so it would be easyer for her mistress to do so from further away. It took a lot of training and power, and was less effective the further away it was done.
How Nartaga reached out his hand terrifyingly reminded her of the Mistress.
She had gathered enough courage to answer Nartagas hands with hers, and looked up the sky herself. She didnt want to argue about the diferent techniques of meditation they employed, no need to. She was only scarred her uneasyness and... slight fear... wouldnt show.
It didnt. As they touched eachother she felt an unearthly calm wave hit her. She didnt think of the Mistress, nor did she feel uneasy. Only the twin suns, the blue sky and the humming (no... he called it chanting, in Kumumgah).
She started to feel high, as if she had taken sugar. She wasnt really aware of her surroundings, and it did not matter, only the voice was there, that was her world now. Nartagas voice, and the grate sandy wastes that are the mind of a Tusken. Tatooine.
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Nartaga
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Post by Nartaga on Jul 7, 2014 10:48:09 GMT -8
Nartaga continued his chanting, growing slightly louder from the humming chant into a speaking voice. It was still low, but what was said could be made out, though the ancient language could not be understood by anyone who did not know it. Nartaga's gaze came down from the skies back down to Six. A bright blue light glowed from the goggles on his mask, showering Six in the glow. As he continued his chants, the language became less gibberish, and Six was slowly able to understand it.
-Nartaga in Kumumgah-
"Tatooine srlaros auna' iya'au, Six. Ya'au hoarro rla'more potential than you know, and more than any of your masters could ever conceive."
Though it could not be seen, the smile beneath Nartaga's mask could be felt. For moment everything was calm, and peaceful. But then the feeling that had been flowing between Six and Nartaga changed. The blue turned flashed to blood red, and Nartaga jerked his hands away. He covered his goggles with his hands, hiding the light as he began chanting again. The light faded slowly. After a few moments he stopped chanting and spoke in Basic.
-Nartaga-
"I am sorry."
In those final moments, the shared meditation had changed, soured, to hatred. Not only hatred, but intense pain, and despair. Screams numbering in the thousands had echoed between the two, only heard by Six and Nartaga.
-Nartaga-
"Forgive me, I did not mean to let my guard down."
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Atia
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Post by Atia on Jul 7, 2014 11:09:57 GMT -8
It is sad that facial expressions are non existent in the society of Tusken. The unbearable silence would have been better if Nartaga could see Sixs face. He could rule out anger, or frustration, for one.
The young tusken was at a peak of trance when it happened. Her head was wobbling back and forth like a pendulum, and she had forgotten about the world. It really was like a good clean drug.
She got pulled out of that near astral transcendence, the feeling of flowing above the dunes by the harsh scream of hatred, sorrow and hopelessness. As if millions of voices cried out in terror and then suddenly were silenced. She didnt see the change of colour on the crystal, when she came to it was all over.
Six slowly lowered her gaze to Nartaga from the sky and just starred, wondering where the quick apology came from, then she realised. The calm and tranquillity came from Nartaga, and so did the hate, sorrow and anger. He was holding back darkness, the same as her.
She burst out laughing, or the tusken honking equivalent of it. The Irony hit too hard and too sudden.
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Nartaga
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Post by Nartaga on Jul 7, 2014 11:18:07 GMT -8
Nartaga had expected anything other than laughing. Screaming, cursing, fear, hatred. He had experienced it all already within his own clan. They feared what he was, but they knew he was the best leader, and the best hope for the clan. He looked up and stared, dumbfound, at Six. He did not find anything funny about what had just happened. If he had maintained the connection, there was a large possibility she would have died, consumed by the rage of the Kumumgah. It consumed everything it touched. She had been lucky.
-Nartaga-
"I do not understand...what is funny?"
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Atia
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Post by Atia on Jul 7, 2014 11:24:23 GMT -8
She didnt know that, all she knew is what she explained.
-Six-
"Its you.... and me. I sit here, scarred to unleash my minds daemons on you and you are the same way!"
She gave away some more snorting, now containing herself better.
-Six-
"I am sorry, I should not laugh at my elder, and I am not. It is just... like durasteel."
She meant Iron.
-Six-
"Durasteely."
Irony.
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Post by Nartaga on Jul 7, 2014 17:46:21 GMT -8
Nartaga's head lowered, partly out of shame, the other part in agreement. Everyone had their own demons. The only problem was that the ones he faced were not his own, but of the thousands of souls trapped in the crystal around his neck, as well as the one he had absorbed into his own soul. The effects of multiple crystals in proximity strengthened not only their power, but the strain on the being's mind. He had learned this too late, but he had had little choice at the time.
He looked up and decided to try and hide his depression about this from Six, chuckling in agreement with her. His voice sounded sincere. Even though he hated lying to anyone, he was sometimes forced to for their own good. The less she knew about the true nature of his powers and the crystals, the better.
-Nartaga-
"It is called irony. We can always switch to our native tongue if you would find it more suitable, since we are not really discussing anything secret. I am merely a Shaman passing my knowledge to a Learner."
Nartaga cleared his throat and started speaking of meditation again.
-Nartaga-
"But you did feel it, yes? The feeling of peace. Once you learn to clear your mind and let Tatooine's power flow through you, you can achieve it on your own. It strengthens the mind, and the soul. Plus sitting in one place for hours at a time is good training for patience and self control."
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Atia
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Post by Atia on Jul 8, 2014 16:13:45 GMT -8
She was still in a good mood.
-Six-
"Sitting in one place for hours at a time is HORRIBLE for patience and self controll."
She giggled. A giggle that sounded more like someone trying to breathe with a synus infection. Would disgust most people, but not the tusken.
She continued in Basic. If she started to forget it, she might get in trouble at home. She had enough Tusken practice while selling her items.
-Six-
"Yes, I did feel it. I... time was irrelevant, there was no space, only the words... and... it wasnt just humming any more. I understood it!"
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Post by Nartaga on Jul 8, 2014 18:39:29 GMT -8
Nartaga shook his head in disagreement.
-Nartaga-
"When you are able to achieve the peace that you felt, entire days will pass in the blink of the eye. But to achieve that peace you have to know yourself. One cannot achieve inner peace if they do not truly know who they are. Some have more trouble than others. It took me some time to know myself as well, but it was worth the hours of inner thought."
Nartaga gestured between Six's head and his own, nodding when she spoke of understanding the ancient language of the Kumumgah.
-Nartaga-
"We were linked, in a way. The language of our ancestors is dead, but there are a few of us who know it. It is a lot different from our current tongue. When I linked our minds to let you feel what I did, you understood what I was saying."
Nartaga moved slightly more apart from Six and readjusted himself to start meditating by himself again.
-Nartaga-
"Now comes the hard part. While you meditate, focus on your heart beating. Let the beating overcome all your thoughts. Just when you feel you are on the brink, think of your life. If you do it correctly, you will learn more about yourself than you knew. Like watching your life as you live it. Let your memories be your guide."
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Atia
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Post by Atia on Jul 10, 2014 15:23:52 GMT -8
Six sat there an hour before she simply stood up and ran away.
This peaceful and nice meditation was new to her but the feeling of calm from nartaga was still fresh in her memmory. Still took her about 45 minutes to get close to that feeling. The humming was there, but she didnt really understand it. Still, she was at peace, alone with her mind with Nartagas words echoing. Let her memories guide.
Sixs earliest strong memory is of the first time she got a full covering robe. She was so proud, no more would the sun hurt any part of her skin. It meant she had a chance at life, and she had survived what had killed two brothers and a sister thus far. Child mortality. Lacking medicine in this harsh climate, the Sakkatt clan had a lot of those.
Then, when she became a shaman learner, that was the second most proudest day in her life. She was the jewel of her family, of the Sakkatt clan. She dreamt of saving the lives of her clansmen and clans-women with wisdom and the gifts of Tatooine.
The first most proudest moment in her life was when she took up a tossed Gaffi stick from beside the body of a clansmen and turned on the evils spirits that attacked their camp. She didnt last long, but she did fight when others ran. She did save lives.
The first room.
She was there for....... she didnt know. No suns to count the days, no light at all. Just the green eyes, shining as they tormented her. Green eyes in the dark, breaking her will and resistance. That time was a mosh, an un-ending hell, and the stongest impression of that was the day it ended. The time she was moved to the second room, away from the cold, the moist, the smell of her own bowels.
It was the day her senses were taken. No sight, no hearing, her mouth gagged, her body bound, they even took her breath, deciding when she could breathe or not. Her rags taken, all but the mask. That shame was unbearable for the Tusken, but at that point, shame was the least of her suffering.
She had to earn the control of her body back, one step a time. Sight, hearing, taste, breathing. By this time she had survived bone breaking, burns, electrocution, flaying, cannibalism (her own flesh), force feeding, several desieses wrought upon her. She knew now that she was strong, stronger then she ever had believed, and she had faith in this sentiment, a sentiment drilled into her.
Six learned Basic on a conversational level in just one month. Finally, she got her voice back. She was so proud, so so proud.
None of these memories, the horrible nightmares and moments of triumpf, none of them were strong enough to make her cry, cringe or break her meditation. The Voice of Nartaga was there to guide her through it. None but one.
The day her mask was taken off.
Her dark cell was suddenly lit by the opened door, and as many times before, a twilek stood there. One she had never before seen, but felt many times. Felt that sweet and sour closeness in what she was thought was "The winds of Tatooine". The Force. It was the first time she had seen this twilek with her eyes. At once, intense fear and panic took her body from her, and she backed into the corner, but to no use. Her body didnt answer. She was lifted into the air by unseen hands and levitated to the Twilek. She gently unwrapped the mask, and removed it. The tips of her left hand slowly ran across the skin of the Tusken face... and that sweet sweet voice made the girl proud, proud and triumphant.
"""But.... but you are beautiful!"""
It was shame that made the shaman learner run. Shame that she felt so strongly for someone who made her life miserable. Someone that incited loyality through cruelty. That damned yellow twilek.
It all came together, and she ran away into the dunes. She felt like a child again, felling valuable water from her eyes. She thanked Tatooine for the mask hiding her wastefulness as she escaped the enclave. Didnt stop for nought.
She came back in the night, to her hut. Tried to sneak in so nobody would see.
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Post by Nartaga on Jul 10, 2014 17:46:54 GMT -8
Nartaga had been focusing on his chanting when he heard something run away. He stopped his chant and looked over to see Six gone, running away. He could sense something amiss within her mind, but she was already too far for him to read her thoughts. He stood up slowly and made his way to his hut. He knew she would not be back for some time, and in that time he would prepare some tea.
Hours later, when Six sneaks back into her hut.
As soon as Six opened the door to her hut, Nartaga was sitting on the floor on a cushion he brought from his own home. On the floor lay a small scrap metal tray with a kettle and to small cups. In the kettle was still steaming H'kak bean tea, known for both its relaxing and detoxifying properties. He gestured for Six to take a cup and sit. He spoke calmly, but firmly.
-Nartaga-
"Why did you run?"
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Atia
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Post by Atia on Jul 11, 2014 16:57:41 GMT -8
In the hours away, sitting in what would be shade of a dune on most planets, Six could think. She decided that her ran-off was...
-Six-
"For Uli-Ah reasons."
... She had realised that not facing her memories for so long was foolish. Yes, at the Crucible they say "look to the future, not the past" but the past is what makes you who you are. So what was she? A shaman learner of the Sakkat clan, or an agent of the Banshee clan? She had memories of both, and the choice came closer and closer.
She could feel it, and she really really wanted to...
...Do it like...
... Tomorrow.
It was a hard choice. Her past and heritage, or her future in a promise made by a person who unleashed hell and enlightenment?
-Six-
"I ran from my memories to my future. Thank you... I havent faced my past yet. It was needed."
She sat down to drink the tea.
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Post by Nartaga on Jul 12, 2014 11:52:01 GMT -8
Nartaga stirred in several sugar cubes into hot H'kak bean tea. As he was human the sugar would not have the same effect it would have on a natural born Tusken. He took a sip of the sweetened tea and set the cup back down.
-Nartaga-
"It is a natural response. When I first visited my memories, I saw my family. My human family...."
Nartaga picked up the cup and swirled it around, the tea forming a miniature whirlpool. He stared down into the cup, watching the tea swirl.
-Nartaga-
"Without our past we are nothing, but you do not have to let it define your future. The important thing is you do not forget it."
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Atia
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Post by Atia on Jul 18, 2014 17:15:41 GMT -8
-Six-
"It is unlikely."
She sipped tea.
-Six-
"So, whats the next step? Future? Present?
... Dinner?"
SHe had spent enough time for herself out in the dunes to get her joking side back. None the less, she was ready for more learning and self perfecting and all that jazz. Or so she felt. Sure, she could have asked what hapened with Nartagas parents, but the old man did not tell it, and that would just be nosing. Plus, she might have to tell her story, and she really just didnt want to. It was hers, and just a few other peoples. She intended to keep that list short.
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Post by Nartaga on Jul 18, 2014 20:05:17 GMT -8
Nartaga shook his head as he stopped swirling the tea around, taking a sip before speaking.
-Nartaga-
"If you want to continue learning, you have to learn each skill until I feel you have grasped it well enough. To let you continue on before I believe you are ready would be a dishonorable for myself and you, especially if something were to happen to you.... Do not take this the wrong way, but you are no longer an Uli-Ah. It is easier to teach a youngling...But I think you will do well."
Nartaga set the empty cup down and poured himself another cup, dropping another few cubes of sugar into the tea. Nartaga held his hand over the cup and after a few moments it began to bubble and steam. He took another sip.
-Nartaga-
"You managed to enter a meditative state for what...one hour? Meditation can be used for more than simply visiting your past, or feeling at ease. It can hone your mind. You can clear your mind for battle, or sharpen your senses for one task when it is needed. It is also good for thought. Thought on decisions you have to make, that can decide the fate of thousands of people that look to you for guidance and leadership.
Nartaga set his half full cup back down and put his hands on his knees.
-Nartaga-
"Do you have any questions?"
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Atia
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Post by Atia on Jul 19, 2014 9:23:56 GMT -8
Six nodded.
-Six-
"What do you wish in return?"
Knowledge is the most precious resource in the galaxy. Six knew it, her Mistress knew it, and she was pretty sure a people like the Tusken, who own very little, are surely aware of this fact. Six had also lenghtly explained what kind of people the Banshee clan are. She did not see the need to re-inform the elder Tusken of this fact. All she wanted to know was what this new trade would entail.
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Post by Nartaga on Jul 19, 2014 11:23:04 GMT -8
Nartaga tilted his head in confusion. He had never said he had wanted anything in return. He shook his head.
-Nartaga-
"Nothing. As a Shaman is it my duty to pass on my knowledge to worthy learners."
Nartaga paused for a moment before continuing.
-Nartaga-
"Although obedience to one's teacher is a good thing to have as a student."
Nartaga began to stand up, leaving the tray with the tea where it was.
-Nartaga-
"I suggest you get some sleep. Expect to get up early in the morning. Tatooine's energy is always easier to tap into at dawn."
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Atia
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Post by Atia on Jul 19, 2014 11:53:30 GMT -8
she nearly tagged at the slaves collar and said "Obedience is not a problem" but bit down on her tounge and closed her fists. This wasnt a joking matter. She only nodded, and started picking up the tea tray to wash it up.
-Six-
"I will be awake at dawn."
She was sure. She was so exited she will barely sleep. She, a girl from the sakkat clan, kidnapped and enslaved, will now become the student of a great shaman and councilor of the most prominent Tusken clan, the future of the Tusken people.
And...
She touched the slaves collar.
Was this the promised knowledge she was promised? Did the mistress know the future to this extent? Was this more a gift from the Mistress, then of Tatoonie?
She had a lot to contemplate on this, and nartaga was right. She would need sleep too.
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Post by Nartaga on Jul 19, 2014 13:04:57 GMT -8
Nartaga bowed good night to Six and left her hut, going back to his own home. He unlocked the door and walked in, lighting up candles in the central room and sitting on a blanket on the floor. He crossed his legs and began planning Six's training in his mind. His first true student. He had taught other Tuskens and even a few Outsiders before, but never taken on one to teach them fully about Tusken Shamanism and the powers of Tatooine.
This was definitely going to be an interesting experience, both for himself and Six. He wondered how much of what he taught her she would take to heart, and use for the betterment of those around her. She was from a different clan, one of Outsiders. There was no true telling what they would make her do once she had learned enough. She could be used as a weapon.
Nartaga shook his head. The future was unknown to him. He would teach Six.
Hours later, as the Suns began to creep up over the Dunes, Nartaga was already up, having skipped sleeping. His mind needed to be clear of any visions of the past for teaching. He had gathered several sticks of incense for the lesson today, which would again be focused on meditation.
Nartaga had acquired a Shaman's tent for Six and himself, and began setting up the incense, sitting down around the small fire pit inside the tent as he waited for Six.
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