Andramudus' Training, Day Two:

[Lady DeVille]

*De'Ville sits in the middle of the large flagstoned courtyard of the training grounds, awaiting the arrival of her apprentice. It is so early in the morning that the sun has yet to chase away the stars, and the flagstones she is sitting on are cold from the night air. The downpour from the night before stopped about six hours ago, and the ground was dry once more.*

[Durran Andramudus]

:: Durran rushed as quick as he could to the training grounds, he had overslept this morning and didn't want to be late for his second day cause it would make him look really bad. He finally made it to the training ground with only a few seconds to spare, he looked around for a second and found his master sitting on a flagstone. As he looked at his mistress he realized how cruel fate truly was, here he was being trained by one of the most beautiful woman he had ever met and what could he do....nothing. He knew in his mind that it was wrong of a student to try and flirt with his teacher, so as long as he was with her as a student he would have to be quiet. He finally realized that with all his thinking he had almost passed her, he quickly turned around and walked up to her and kneeled before her ::

"Mistress I am here for you to command, what shall you have me learn today ?"

[Lady DeVille]

*She silently motioned for her apprentice to sit down across from her. As Andramudus settled himself down on the cold stone, De'Ville slowly opened her eyes. And stifled a yawn. It was early, and she had been up late reading a book she had borrowed from Live Wire.

She sat with her legs folded, arms straight and her hands on the stone floor. Looking at her apprentice she did not smile, but instead kept her face blank as she began to speak.*

Yesterday we had a very fruitful session. You were able to learn two Force powers, the pressure wave and levitation, also known as Force Push and Force Lift. These you will continue to work with on your own time. There is also another exercise I want you to work on when we are not training together.

*From behind her she produced a delicate wine glass. Holding it out in front of her she balanced it on her palm. She met his eyes again, and he could see a little sparkle of something there in her eyes. Whether it was amusement or glee he couldn't tell.

Turning her attention back to the empty glass she spoke almost absentmindedly.* This exercise will teach you control. You have the raw power within you, but it needs fine tuning.

*With that, De'Ville lightly closed her eyes and Andramudus watched curiously. Sudennly there was a -pop- and the glass exploded. He flinched back, but the shards of glass stopped in midair before they hit him. Continuing to hold the pieces of glass, De'Ville brought them back over her palm and to his amazement the wine glass again formed over her hand. It was hopelessly fragmented, yet all the pieces fit back where they had come from. De'Ville opened her eyes and smiled for the first time. There was a dull glow of light over her hand, and when it faded the wine glass was back, all the fragments fused back together.

She flipped it to him, and he caught it carefully.* Don't try it now, but in your room after training. When you have it perfected, let me know.

Now, what are we to do today.... *She got to her feet and he did the same.* The reverse of a push is a pull, so it shouldn't be too hard for you to master. Think about the rock you lifted yesterday and apply the same princibles, except horizontally, not vertically.

*She pulled his right foot out from under him with the Force, and he fell on the ground*

[Durran Andramudus]

:: Durran grinned as he hit the floor, seemed his master had just showed him what she meant by the force pull. Slowly he rose to his feet and dusted himself off as he looked around for some rocks. He spotted a pile of rocks about 30 feet away from them, it was the same distance as he had lifted the rock the other day so it might not be so bad. Slowly he gathered his anger as was a usual occurrence now, he focused all his thought on one rock and slowly it came to him, after some time had passed he had mastered the move after about five times of trying. He looked at the rocks realizing that in battle pulling something this small to him would probably not work, slowly he turned back to his master with a grin upon his face and tried pulling her, seconds later he had pulled his master to him ::

"So what's next ?"

[Lady DeVille]

*De'Ville found herself pulled into the arms of her muscular apprentice, and grinned inspite of herself. He was strong...

She separated herself from him, and gave him a nod.* That was good, you learn quickly.

*Andramudus winced as a small rock from the pile behind him suddenly hit him in the back. De'Ville raised her eyebrow, and pretended not to know what he was wincing about.

She pointed to her sab Perhaps you think you're making good progress, so that you'll get your own saber soon? You will get one, *as she spoke she was unclipping hers* but first let us spar. Hand to hand, force powers allowed. Don't maim me, or else I'll kill you.

Don't hold back either, just because I'm a girl. You make the first move. *She backed off a little, and used the Force to set her lightsaber out of the way. Her hair was braided and wrapped around her head intricately and she was wearing a blood red jumpsuit. De'Ville waited for her apprentice to move.*

[Durran Andramudus]

:: Before Durran decided to make a move against his master he used the force to make him stronger, as he finished getting all the anger he could he charged at his master in a rage. He tried to swing at her as quickly as he could but she dodged all his attacks, after sometime he landed a swift kick to her side slightly knocking her off-guard. It was just the chance he needed, without a second thought he used all the force in him as he drove his knee into her stomach ::

[Lady DeVille]

*She holds her breath and tightens her abs as Andramudus' knee hits her stomach. De'Ville jumps back and spins, kicking him in the side of the face, knocking him back. As her foot touches the ground again, she crouches and sweeps him with her leg into a pile on the ground.*

[Durran Andramudus]

:: Durran was quick to his feet this time, but his jaw still hurt him a lot since it had still not healed from the day before. Showing no sign of his pain he leapt at his master with a kick she easily counted, but that was not his true attack cause as she blocked his foot he got her in the face with a force enhanced uppercut to her jaw. As she stumbled back he stood in a defensive position ::

[Lady DeVille]

*De'Ville blinked as colors swirled in her vision from the blow to the jaw. She saw Andramudus standing back defensively, and she growled* Do not defend! The weak defend, the strong attack!

*She lifted him with the Force and threw him down to the ground.*

[Durran Andramudus]

:: He got up the ground slowly, he hurt everywhere from the fall. As he got to his feet he used the technique his master had taught him yesterday to heal and regenerate himself. He quickly lunged at Lady De'Ville with new found strength. They traded blows for awhile until Durran quickly roundhouse kicked her on the other side of jaw, he hoped that the otherside of her face still hurt from the uppercut before ::

[Lady DeVille]

*De'Ville threw herself backwards and his foot only grazed her chin. Turning her fall into a backflip, she landed gracefully on her feet.

Andramudus advanced on her, and she twisted slightly away, then put her whole body behind her balled up fist as she backhands im the nose. Blood starts to flow, and she Force jumps over him, somersaulting in midair to land behind him.*

[Durran Andramudus]

:: Durran stood there letting a small grin cross his face as the blood dripped down his nose, he slowly rose his hand to wipe the blood of his nose. He slowly brought his hand to his mouth to taste his own blood, it had been long since he last tasted blood and now he wanted more. He knew in his mind blood was sweet but not as sweet as revenge, and revenge was his reason for being here. Quickly he turned around and charged his Master, his anger had raised because of his pain but he fed off that as well increasing his strength. Lady De'Ville was ready for his attacks as usual but was surprised as he leaped over her and got her with a punch to the gut from behind. As he took the blow he quickly followed it up with kicking the back of her knee and then quickly swept her legs out from under her ::

[Lady DeVille]

*As she was knocked off her feet De'Ville managed to get her hands under her. She did a handspring, jumping back to her feet and swinging her leg in an axe kick that would have sent Andramudus to the stone floor again, had he not ducked her foot. He came up under her leg, pushing with his body to knock her off balance, and slamming her into the ground.

She gasped as the wind was knocked out of her, and used the Force to drawn air back into her lungs. Her apprentice stood, expecting her to still be stunned from the fall, but she leapt up to her feet. Startled at her quickness, Andramudus backed up a little, but not enough. De'Ville jumped at him, hitting him with both feet in the solar plexus.*

[Durran Andramudus]

:: Durran lay on the floor knowing he had lost, the fight had taken everything out of him and now he was also in pain. It wasn't so much the pain that bothered him, but the fact tht he was so weak compared to these people. He wanted the power now but he knew it would all come come to him in time, for now he would let the lovely Lady De'Ville teach him how to use his powers and train him. Slowly he rose to his feet in pain, the anger was quickly leaving him and so was the power. He kneeled before his master knowing she had won and he needed much more training ::

"I am sorry Mistress De'Ville, I have failed you. do with me what you will."

:: He knew he would be punished for failing her, he just hoped he would survive the punishment so he would be able to grow stronger ::

[Lady DeVille]

*She stands over her apprentice, breathing heavily from exertion. De'Ville sighs, and wipes a little sweat from her forehead. The sky is lightening, but the sun is half an hour from rising.

She pulls him to his feet, and manages to look him in the eye despite the fact he is six inches taller than she is.* A Sith is never defeated. Nothing controls us but ourselves: the Force is not your ally, and I am not your best friend. The Force is a tool to be used, and you will learn to use it well. I will teach you how. But you must be willing to learn!

*She turned away from him, and paced away. He followed, not knowing what else to do. De'Ville whirled around, and her boots clicked to a halt on the flagstones.*

Andramudus, you have completed only one day of training. Obviously you do not know everything there is to know. There are other days and other lessons to be learned. Today you learn that Sith are not defeated.

*She backhands him, and sweeps his legs out from under him, sending him crashing heavily to the ground again.* Do not defend yourself! Attack me with your pain and your anger!

[Durran Andramudus]

:: Durran looked up at his master with a new outlook, she wanted to teach him even if it killed him. He was going to make sure he didn't fail her, slowly he felt the anger building up inside him as he rose to his feet ignoring the pain for now ::

"There is no defeat, only victory."

:: The apprentice suddenly charged his master with his newfound rage, he had increased the speed of his attacks and his master was having a hard time blocking them now. Within moments the enraged sith gained a small advantage and took advantage of it. He backhanded his master sending her stumbling back but as she went to regain composer she was met with a first to the face. He knew his master would not scream in pain even though that is what he wanted to hear. He slowly walked over to his master and grabbed her by the hair slowly lifting her off her feet to met him eye to eye. A smile crossed his face as he threw his master into the rock like she was nothing to him ::

[Lady DeVille]

*She flew into the pile of rocks, arms out to protect her face. De'Ville used the force to slow her fall, and she landed lightly. Blood was streaming from her nose, but she ignored it and bounded to her feet. His strength and sudden agility had taken her by surprise, but she was ready now.

De'Ville grabbed his fist as he threw another punch, and twisted hard, throwing him to the side and on the ground. Andramudus was quick to rise, the anger bubbling inside of him. She could see that he held control by a thin thread.

He rushed at her, and she held up a hand. He froze in the air, held back by the Force.* Your anger is good! In time you will be able to control the anger, use it to obey your wishes. You will not be a slave to your feelings, rather they will be your servants, doing your bidding. As will your body, as will the Force.

*She made a dismissive gesture with her wrist, and a pressure wave emanated from her, knocking him back to the training grounds wall and pinning him there, feet off the ground. De'Ville wiped at the blood coming from her nose* Now, attack again!

*He wriggled on the wall, wondering how he could attack when he was pinned... She smiled* You are intelligent, figure something out... *She stood at the ready, watching him closely*

[Durran Andramudus]

:: Durran didn't bother trying to fight, he knew his master was strong and with her power he couldn't get out of her grasp unless he used his mind. Slowly he gathered his anger and with the force reached out and levitated one the rocks behind her, without a second thought he threw the rock at her head causing her to lose her concentration for only a moment. That moment was all he needed to make his move, he ran as quick as he could at Lady De'Ville but she recovered quicker than he had expected and slammed him into the wall again. He knew this time that the same trick wouldn't work twice, quickly his mind raced trying to find another trick he could use to prove to his master what he had learned. Suddenly he remembered what he had done before and gathered his anger again, this time his master was ready for his rock trick again but she was caught off guard as he used the force to pull her to him again. He brought her beside him and used all the power he had in him to keep her there ::

[Lady DeVille]

*De'Ville silently cursed as her body slammed into the wall beside her apprentice. She dared not lessen her hold on him, and knew he would not let her go. De'Ville tried to throw herself back off the wall, but it was no use. It was a stalemate...for the time being.

She blinked, her eyelashes brushing the cool stones of the wall. Feeling out cautiously, she barely touched his mind with the Force, gauging how much effort he was putting into keeping her pinned. Andramudus apparently was using almost all of his strength to keep her there. Which meant he didn't have reserves for any nasty tricks. However, she did.

Gathering her anger at being caught against the wall by her apprentice, De'Ville lifted a good sized rock from the pile. Andramudus could see it lifting, but since she was face first against the wall, she directed it depending soley on the Force.

The rock flew straight at Andramudus' head, smashing against the wall just above him. He was showered with fragments of rock, and De'Ville felt his Force hold on her weaken for a moment. She enhanced her speed and threw herself backwards, releasing him as she did so.*

[Durran Andramudus]

:: Durran was quick to attack as he felt Lady De'Ville lose her grip on him, he began gathering his force as he ran at her. Before his master could react he was in front of her, he tried to attack her but she was to quick for him. She dodged his first attack easily but was caught by surprise as he landed a swift kick on her ribs. Durran noticed it had not done too much damage to her, before he could react he was on the defense as his master let lose a barrage of attacks on him ::

[Lady DeVille]

*Andramudus' kick to the ribs hurt, but De'Ville used to Force to dull her pain as she spun to kick him in the knee. He dodged, and grabbed her from behind.

She snarled, and allowing him to lift her off her feet, she threw her body weight forward, overbalancing him. De'Ville threw him over her shoulder and he landed heavily on the hard stone floor.* Remember, use your opponent's strengths against themselves.

*She paused, breathing heavily, as her apprentice got to his feet.* There is another Force talent you should learn. Being able to absorb and disapate engery within your own body is often the difference between life and death. This will often take some of the danger out of blaster bolts and help with electric attacks, depending on your skill. However, we'll talk about that later.

*She used the Force to spin him around, and then kicked him in the small of the back.*

[Durran Andramudus]

:: Durran stumbled at the floor as she kicked him in the back, all this training was starting to hurt him a lot but he knew you couldn't get all this power without some pain. It took him a second to come back to reality, he had come back just in time to dodge a kick coming straight for his face. Durran had learned from his masters last attack on him and decided top use it against her, as he barely dodged the kick he grabbed her leg and using her own momentum threw her into the same wall he had been pressed against just moments ago ::

[Lady DeVille]

*De'Ville smashed into the wall, and fell backwards from it, stumbling to regain her footing. Andramudus was learning, and his reflexes were getting faster...which was good. However, it was bad for her face.

A cut above her eye was dripping blood down, and she wiped at it to keep the blood from getting in her eye. He tried to sweep her feet out from under her, but she jumped over his leg.

De'Ville landed a little crazily, and went blind in her left eye from the blood trickling into it.* Blood and ashes! *She used the force to levitate a thirty pound rock, and tossed it at her apprentice to distract him while she worked on her eye.*

[Durran Andramudus]

:: He watched as his master stumbled around bleeding out of her eye, he saw an opening at that point and went for an attack. It was too late when he noticed the rock coming towards his head at a high speed, he put his hands up in front of his face hoping to block the blow. He tried building up anger as quick as he could, he hoped to push the rock away from him using the force but he knew he wouldn't have the time. Suddenly he saw the rock mear inches from his face, he closed his eyes waiting for the pain to wash over him but all he heard was a thud very close to him. He looked up wondering what that sound had been and noticed the rock lying a few inches away from him on the floor, he was a little shocked as he noticed what seemed to be a small force field in front of him. He didn't know were it came from but he knew that had blocked the rock with that odd shield, it took him a second to realize what he was going to do in the first place. He turned his attention back to his master and noticed her working on her injured eye, he ran at her as quick as he could and took advantage of her temporary blindness and came at her from the left side. Before his master realized what he was going to do he uppercuts her under the chin and sent her back slamming into the wall ::

[Lady DeVille]

*De'Ville slams into the wall, but rebounds quickly. She had gained a few moments to take care of her eye, and her sight was slowly returning.* I see you used a Force shield, very good... You learn quickly and are intelligent as well. An excellent combination.

*She holds her hand out, stopping him from attacking again.* That's enough of a spar for one day. I am pleased at your progress.

I have mentioned using to Force to allow you to survive when falling from a great height. It is a simple matter of levitating yourself. Feel the Dark side energy in yourself, and around you. It is the same as it is in the rock, or in me. You have proved adept at tossing me about. *She grinned sudennly* Now, try it for yourself.

*Andramudus found himself shooting straight up in the air, at least thirty feet. Looking between his dangling legs he could see his mistress, and then he was falling...*

[Durran Andramudus]

:: Thoughts raced through his head as he fell to the ground, he knew this was literally a crash course in learning that he had to pass. Quickly he gathered his anger and tried levitating himself to the floor, but it jut wouldn't work for him. He raced down faster and faster still having no luck, suddenly after about a dozen tries he finally began to steady himself and slow down a mear foot and a half from the ground. He let out a small sigh as he stopped in midair and let himself drop down the rest of the way, he looked at his master as he raised himself of the floor ::

"Mistress, you have taught me much today, I cannot wait till you teach me even more."

[Lady DeVille]

*She nods in satisfaction, and takes a seat on the ground again. Motioning for her apprentice to sit as well, she cracks her neck and gently feels the cut above her eye. The blood had clotted, but she felt like she had been wrung through a mill.

She pointed to the rock pile.* For the last exercise of today I want you to choose a rock, and then, using the force to accelerate its particles, heat it. In fact, why don't you heat it up and then make it break apart. Freezing it would help as well...

*She sits comfortably on the flagstones, and watches Andramudus.*

[Durran Andramudus]

:: Durran let out a sigh of relief as he noticed his task at hand, at least this task wouldn't involve a near death experience as the last one almost had. He slowly sat down on ground and began regaining his energy, he would need all the strength he had for this new trick but it would take a few minutes to energize himself after all he had just done. After a few minutes he got up and chose a rock among the group, slowly he lifted the rock in the air and stared at it. Slowly he cleared his mind of all his thoughts, leaving only an image of that stone in his head. He imagined the rock and all the particles that must be inside it, slowly he began imaging the particles going faster and faster heating the rock up as it went. He slowly open his eyes and stared at the rock still in midair but now it had a red glow to it and had steam coming from it, he turned to his master and as she nodded in approval he knew it as time for the next task. Slowly he imagined the rock again in his mind with the same particles as before, but this time he imagined the particles slowing down to a halt causing the rock to get colder and colder. He continued doing this until he heard a large smashing sound from were the rock had been. He looked to the fragments on the ground and knew he had succeeded on his second task as well ::

[Lady DeVille]

Very good --well done! *She nodded, and then produced the wine glass again.

De'Ville got to her feet.* I think we've done enough training together for today. The sun is well over head. So why don't you get to the med bay and get some attention, and then work at that trick I showed you at the beginning of today.

It takes control and will help you fine tune your Force abilities. The Dark side uses our anger and fear, but does not always have to be big and terrible in its result. *She spun the glass in midair as she floated it over to Andramudus.* You may train here or in your room at the Palace. As for me, I'm going to see about getting my forehead fixed.

[Durran Andramudus]

:: Durran nodded to his master as he slowly grabbed the wine glass, he had decided he would go to the med bay and see just how much todays training had injured him. The training was a little rough but he knew that without pain and effort he wouldn't be a good warrior. He walked back to the med bay stopping momentarily to get a good look at his master, she truly was a beauty and it hurt him to have to hurt her but then again he came here to hurt people not show kindness. Without much more interruptions he made his way to the med bay, as he walked in he continued looking at the wine glass wondering how his master had done it. When he was finished getting treated he planned on going to back to his room and practicing with the glass, he would work all night if needed, after all who needs sleep ::

[Lady DeVille]

*Once Andramudus was out of sight, De'Ville left the training area to go to her room.*