"It seems you need some encouragement of your own, apprentice," Occlus says, sidling up behind Lily and sliding her arms around her waist.

!!! (She stiffens, but doesn't make any sounds except a sharp intake of breath.) (Her heart skips a tiny beat, too.)

"Now," she whispers into Lily's ear. "Focus."

Ah -

It takes a long moment for her to do anything - she's currently extremely in her body, in a way that seems to be messing with reaching for that other way-of-being -

"Do not flee your emotions. Live them, breathe them in, use them to fuel your power."

She wants to impress her teacher, impress the pretty and smart and self-possessed older woman currently whispering in her ear -

(This usually goes very poorly for her alts. (But it goes worse for their teachers, in the end.))

She takes soft breaths, makes a needy sound - wraps herself in her body and emotions, slips her true power underneath -

Sheer chance nudges the pile she's been playing with into collapse.

"Very good," Occlus praises her, reaching up to tuck a strand of Lily's hair out of Lily's face and behind her ear. "Very good."

Okay she sees now why Brin likes this so much.

Pat pat.

"Now. Again."

Shiver!

And her Force signature twists mostly pretty similarly to Brin's - to what would be expected from a talented but still new apprentice - and she re-stacks the boulders.

"You learn quickly, apprentice."

"You teach well, my Lord."

"Indeed." She gives Lily a little squeeze, then steps back. "Now use this foundation to build upon."

Grin.

She wants to push herself, now - see how many small things she can move at once (this is harder to keep secret), see if she can prod at Brin without getting noticed (also harder), gets somewhat distracted trying to mind-talk Brin...

Brin is more than willing to work with her.

Partway through, Occlus is called back to the ship to take a holocall.

Are Lily and Brin permitted to follow and lurk?

They should keep practicing. She'll return soon.

Alright.

Soon enough, Occlus returns.

"We will have to wrap this up. Thanaton has made his challenge."

Nod. "What is your plan?"

"To meet him. He has named Corellia as the battlefield. My military forces are already redeploying."

"Where were you thinking of putting me?"

...She's vaguely tempted to offer to eat him. It'd be an interesting test of her abilities, at least.

"The Empire is currently invading Corellia. There will be significant latitude for collateral damage."

Hum. "I want to test myself."