I watched with glee while your kings and queens

[dun_moch]

WHO: Count Dooku and Alice Munro
WHERE: Abandoned 'Heave n' Leave' gym in Maurtia Falls
WHEN: Backdated to the beginning of the month, at night
WHAT: Powers training with no evil subtext at all
WARNINGS: Should be none

[The inside of the hollow concrete shell that was once a gym is dark, cool, and quiet. The floor is bare except for a single chair, and assorted objects for Alice to practice moving and destroying. Count Dooku's booming voice sounds from somewhere within the shadows.]

Now, close your eyes and concentrate. Just as I taught you last time. Focus on the anger within you. Think of nothing and no one else except that feeling- the strength of your rage.

[It is maybe the third or fourth lesson in telekinesis Dooku has given Alice since that fateful day during the 'history invasion.' She is coming along nicely, very nicely indeed. Her ability is not the Force or the Dark Side, but it operates under similar enough principles for the Count's wisdom to apply. Her telekinesis requires passion to be powerful... And that is something the Sith knows a great deal about.]

Comments

[moon_in_her_hair]

[It didn't take much to find that anger in her, it was easy to summon with a single memory, a single reminder of how helpless she had been. Behind the waterfall when Magua's men had come for she and Cora or the sight of her father attacked during the massacre.

A single flash of that image and the metal cylinder lifted into the air. Her eyes hardened, channeling a rage that she didn't know she was capable of. The cylinder trembled in the air, a moment of complete silence before it suddenly was crushed into itself, becoming a twisted mass of metal.

It flew back in the air and collided against the wall. With the force released, Alice quickly grabbed a handkerchief and pressed it to her nose, able to predict the common response her body gave to the power. It never seemed to abate, but the pain was less than before.]

I want to try something larger.

[dun_moch]

[Dooku's eyes widen a moment as the cylinder collapses, then slams into the wall. Her power is proceeding even faster than he had dared hope for.]

As you wish. Clearly you are ready for it.

[He lifts a hand, casually. A nearby tarp falls away from the object it has been concealing, revealing a heavy metal table, thickly-built and large enough to seat eight. The Count had his bodyguard scavenge it from a junkyard in preparation for tonight- he would never willingly stoop to handling such chores himself, of course.]

Let us see what you can do with this.

[moon_in_her_hair]

[Oh but that table would give her a terrible headache that evening. Simply looking at it was enough to raise that pressure in her mind. She waited for her nosebleed to pass before she circles around it.]

Is it the same weight as a car?

[The modern words finally felt natural.]

Do you think someday I could...try this power on a person?

[dun_moch]

[Dooku watches Alice carefully, particularly her nose and any signs of strain in her face. How far is she willing to push herself to meet the challenge? What is she prepared to endure for power?]

Not quite the same weight, but it is more solid, and in some ways more durable.

[When she asks her question, he takes a step toward her, visibly intrigued.]

Perhaps. I know many strong people who would be interested in practicing combat against you. Or were you thinking of a more... captive subject?

[moon_in_her_hair]

[It was a regular occurrence when she used her abilities, but the pain wasn't as great as it was before she began training. After a few minutes, the nosebleed stops.]

Should I crush it or simply throw it?

[Her face didn't change as she considered it. The rage she tapped into turned her heart to steel. Mercy never protected anyone. It only lead to death.]

For what I want to practice, I don't know if we'd find someone who would agree.

[dun_moch]

Crush it. As you did the cylinder.

[Moving is easier than pure destruction. And the Count is interested in testing her limits.]

I am sure I could locate a suitable candidate. What is it that you have in mind?