"It's a lot harder to have any control, though. Like, caring not to knock over anything you didn't mean to knock over."

"Right."

"You should practise this more, figure out how to do it on purpose and without having to resort to your katas, but very good for your first try."

Nod nod.

"Do you wanna keep practising?"

"Yeah."

So they can continue doing those breathing and sensing exercises, and he can give her pointers about how to control the Force more finely.

And after a while, a roving Occlus appears.

"Apprentices. I trust your time together has been fruitful?"

"It has, my Lord."

"What is your assessment?"

"She is gifted. We have not yet gotten to fine control but—" And he describes the session in general terms.

"A good beginning. I suggest you continue with the moving meditation for now, if you find it easier to clear your mind that way."

"Yes, my lord."

"I definitely do. My Jedi Master didn't like it but conceded some people worked better with it after I failed to do the other kind for... a while."

"You had trouble with it?"

"Kinda, yeah. Mostly my Master was a jerk."

"Do you find that reassuring?"

"...A bit."

He nods. "I bet you'll get it much faster than I did."

"Thanks."

"Oh, by the way, Lord Occlus, I'm curious about something."

"Yes?"

"Why did you say yes to me asking for an apprenticeship? And why did you take Brin? Isn't it pretty common for Sith and their apprentices to eventually—you know, try to kill each other?"

"I said yes because you asked. You have potential and were seeking direction. I didn't want to see that wasted. I took an apprentice from the Academy because doing so legitimized me in the eyes of other Sith, legitimacy I will need when I kill Thanaton. Only very foolish Sith keep their apprentices bound so tightly that they must kill their master to advance. I have no intention of doing so with either of you."

"Is that why they do it? Kill their masters? That sounds like a very easily avoidable mistake."