Vasari
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Tell me that I wont feel a thing...
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Post by Vasari on May 7, 2018 15:16:08 GMT -8
Vasari nodded slowly - affirming that she understood her place and the orders as they stood. Whatever would come in the briefing that followed the conquest of Felucian airspace would tell her all she needed to know about the specifics of their assault and the strategies they would use to brief the planetary defenses that she assumed would surround the Central Jedi Homeworld. She curtsied once more - a simple bending bob down of the knee and then she turned to leave Viox to his preparations.
It didn't take her long to make her way through the long cold corridors of the Capital ship that served as the transport to Felucia - and even if she did get lost she felt Luxeria's signature within the force like a beacon - she could find her anywhere. Another twenty minutes or so found her outside her own room - or at least the chamber that was set aside for her brief stay here. She could never feel comfortable for any extended period of time on a ship this size - everything here felt wrong. cold. The Living Force was present but... distant, clinging like an autumn morning frost to the leaves before the waking sun melted it away. As she entered her room she closed her gloved fist around the signet ring that Viox had given her. It was not an odd thing, for Masters to grant their new Apprentices gifts but not unheard of - it was more than likely meant to garner the sort of trusting relationship Viox meant to instill upon her. Make her more malleable for his teachings, regardless she dedicated her mind to figuring out whatever remnant magic the artifact still held and how best to turn it to her own ends.
For now she slipped the signet ring into one of the many folds of her cloak for safekeeping and made sure all of her things had been transported from Luxeria's craft here. She retrieved her Saberstaff and secured it to her her belt under her cloak then turned to find Luxeria's room, knocking on the door of Luxeria's room before opening the door and stepping in without waiting for her to answer.
"Xakire has gone missing... He isn't answering Viox' summons and no one has heard from him..."She spoke with a little bit of a rush, as if the excitement that she had suppressed was bubbling up to the surface - along with a small amount of nervousness for what the future might hold for her - things were changing too fast for her own good."Instead of sending someone after him or even waiting... Viox... replaced him... He... He made me his new Apprentice."
Vasari began to pace back and forth - her twin hearts beating faster and faster as she let the ramifications of what had just happened and what she had just agreed to finally sink in. They had just recently made another jump - this one finally towards Felucian space, but the moment before she left she felt something tugging at her along the Force, something familiar, and it calmed her hearts as it passed through her - if only for a moment. She had only felt that feeling under one set of circumstances before now... but they were in the middle of nowhere... even if she were in the same sector Vasari wasn't aware that she could have felt her. Vasari felt the feeling fading and quickly reached out with all of her power - her eyes going distant as she followed the connection through the living Force chasing it like a fox would a rabbit going to ground and made contact just as the Ships finalized the jump to lightspeed - breaking the connection with sheer distance leaving her with time to pass a single word through the tenuously acquired connection.
<<Ellie...?>>
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Luxeria
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Post by Luxeria on May 7, 2018 16:08:34 GMT -8
Luxeria had quickly found the chambers designated for her and wasted no time in her preparations. Unlike Vasari, who wished to study up on the world they were traveling to and the threats they would face, she preferred to utilize the time in preparing herself. Her focus and mind, storing up and harnessing her power, connecting to the Dark-Side so that she could use any of her abilities with less need for concentrating to manifest them.
And there she sat, cross legged in the middle of the room. She had since pushed all thoughts of Vasari and her curiousity aside for now. She was not in danger or in need of her so I was time to think in herself for the moment. Meditating, she let herself connect to the Force, but it was not all she was doing. Before her was her lightsaber, it crafted beauty shining in the low light. It rested there still and unignited while her six purple orbs, her Pearls of the Goddess as she called them. Floated around her in different and intricate patterns. She had come to believe that the further she could push her focus in doing multiple things at once while remaining centered and capable of reacting quickly, the more effective she would be in any art.
Even when Vasari knocked and entered, the mediation did not stop, going about in their display as she spoke. Not once did she open her eyes as she spoke of what had been discussed, the disappearance of a Akire and her ascension to apprentice. Only when she became slightly distracted at the distant presence did Luxeria finally open her eyes, though she did not cease her exercise. She gazed upon her friend for a few moments before speaking. "Congratulations. You have remained steadfast in your training, even though others may disagree. And in such your skills, abilities, and potential has been acknowledged, and by the Sith’arii himself, no less. I’m sure many at the academy will be quite envious of such news." She gave a smirk, one that Vasari could tell to be two sided. Genuine in being happy for what Vasari had gained as well as the scoffing thought of all those who thought little of the Zabrak, only for her to fine apprenticeship under the Sith’ari.
Her smirk then faded as she moved on to address her distraction. "What has caught your attention, Vasari?"
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Vasari
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Post by Vasari on May 7, 2018 17:00:10 GMT -8
Vasari had hardly reacted or acknowledged her friends meditation - such was the state of her thought process. She had electrocuted students at the university for less than interrupting her meditation. The main problem with that was she only had a handful of hours to center herself with the news of the Apprenticeship and let alone prepare herself for the mission of her life - an assault on maybe the most heavily fortified Jedi Base in the universe. And now this had happened... The distraction had completely sidetracked her thought process - and the ability and concentration it had taken to reach across the sector in an attempt to connect with Ellie's mind had caused her her some small amount of fatigue - she had felt a connection but only seconds later the jump to hyperspace had cut her off, leaving her mind half a sector away as she attempted to recall herself.She blinked - only half paying attention to Luxeria's reply - clearly she thought differently and didn't seem to be concerned at all, the question had finally brought her to focus as her eyes fell in Luxeria.
"Ellie... I felt her..."They had spoke briefly of the Jedi during their vacation on Coruscant, but they hadn't seen each other in months - since her brief disappearance after Mustafar, before they had left for Pzob."I felt her... then we jumped and the connection broke."
Vasari's eyes were wide - not because she felt Ellie's mind that was shocking to say the least with as large as the universe really was, and the fact that she had no sign of her since after Mustafar when she had tracked her down - but because of the fact that she had just felt the mind of someone from nearly a half a sector away - at best. The connection between her and the Jedi had been strong but this was staggering for her.
"That was foolish of me... She's a Jedi - even if a confused one... and we're headed to the planet her sister is on. If she felt my presence... she could foresee my actions... I could have just put the entire mission at risk!"
She continued to pace back and forth before the seated Sorceress - the brief presence of Ellie in her mind - which was already set to roil with chaos. This had never happened before her mind was slowly falling apart. She couldn't think straight, she couldn't order her thoughts, had she been more focused perhaps she would have known not to make the connection in the first place, or at least cloak her presence before testing the connection.
"Viox is going to kill me! Shortest apprenticeship of all time!"
Vasari groaned and stopped her pacing slamming her horned head into the wall - the horns scraping against the durasteel causing her to groan louder. She had never been this way before - and now she couldn't lock down why. The chaos of her mental processes - the doubt and the fear - the negative emotion that normally fueled and focused darksider's was having an affect on her that she couldn't quantify... everything was going wrong.
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Viox Savage
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Post by Viox Savage on May 7, 2018 17:38:27 GMT -8
Conquered Star - Bridge. Hyperspace Transition.
Standing along side Petrovsky, he merely observed the plan of attack so far. Petrovsky was a keen strategist and a very intellectual tactician. And his plan was sound so far. Jumping in to Felucia's orbit, much, much closer than safety protocols allowed for, would give them direct access to the planet below. Viox and the ground teams would be prepped and ready to launch as soon as the ship exited hyperspace. Assault Landers, accompanied by a heavy escort of TIE/sf Fighters, would make for the Jedi Enclave. And with Viox and company occupying the ground forces, Harlan would engage whatever defenses present. This would tie up the enemy on all fronts. And should the help be required, Viox had given Petrovsky the encrypted transmission frequency used to contact Grand Admiral Bennette on board the Legacy of the Void. He preferred to keep this among the Blackguard and not involve the First Order at all. With Petrovsky in his pocket, working both sides, this played into his grand scheme perfectly. Technically, for this operation, the First Order wasn't involved at all. Harlan was operating within the Blackguard for the time being. Knowing Harlan would have his hands full in orbit, Viox had begun planning and plotting how and where his teams would strike. Akrak would take the dormitories, searching for potential children to abduct and indoctrinate into the ways of the Sith. Malvus and Luxeria would move off on their own, as he was certain his Jen'ari had his own business for being here. The two of them could handle themselves. Vasari would be sent to the libraries to collect whatever information she could. Sobrius...well, he wasn't about to order the old man after any particular objective at this point. Anything he thought that could contribute to the advancement of the Blackguard would be acceptable for now. Kage and his troopers would be sent to deal with any local forces present, keeping them away from the main battles. Jayne, the Shadowtrooper Captain, would head for the Archives to collect data on any relics that would be beneficial to the Blackguard. A copied fragment of his A.I was already prepared to accompany Jayne to the objective, to combat security protocols that might be in place. The results of the sacking of Ossus had made it clear that the Jedi did favor their privacy. And as for himself...he was heading straight for the Council Chambers to challenge the Grandmaster. His only desire, the defeat of said grandmaster. Either by death or humiliation. Either one was acceptable, as it would get his point across and drive it home. The Sith were not to be fucked with. And this raid would also provide valuable intel on what would happen to the Jedi, should the Alliance crumble. Always known as the Guardians of peace and upholding the tenants of the light side, the were usually associated with the Republic, or Rebellion or Alliance. And he also hoped to garner where future generations of Jedi were being kept, as the Sith could always use them to bolster their ranks. But for now, the planning was still taking place. The final touches would be put on the plan and then he would summon his allies to the bridge to discuss the final plan. Realistically, the objective stayed the same. Chaos and disorder were the key here. Anything else would be a secondary objective. And either way this played out, it would be a victory of some sort...
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Luxeria
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Post by Luxeria on May 7, 2018 17:49:48 GMT -8
Luxeria could tell the distraction was more than faint lapse of attention. She had let the acknowledgment that’s was given to her pass by, yet only responded to the question of her distracted mind. The wide eyes, the sudden flare of emotions rising up from her whirlwind of thoughts. It wasn’t long before Vasari had resumed pacing, only now in a more panicked manner. She went on and on, Luxeria unable to get a word in an attempt to calm her friend.
As Vasari began to beat her head against the wall, Luxeria knew there to be only a single action left that could bring pause to the Zabrak, allowing her to finally speak and work with her "ENOUGH!!" The way she spoke was a way Vasari had never heard. In fact, none may have ever heard it, including herself. However, Luxeria knew this tone laid within, waiting for the day it would finally break the surface. There was nothing gentle or seductive about it. It was loud, commanding, dominate even. There was even a slightly flare of irritation mixed in, though that aspect was mostly an act. If the first two aspects of her tone didn’t catch Vasari, the last would. The idea of being frustrated by her would silence Vasari for a moment. In the end, it was the shock value she sought in this, leaving her friend with nothing to respond to. "SIT DOWN AND BE QUIET!!!”
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Vasari
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Post by Vasari on May 7, 2018 18:06:22 GMT -8
Vasari's groans fell silent as the sound of Luxeria's voice shook the room. What was probably caused by hyperspace turbulence, felt to Vasari like the ground was quaking beneath her feet. Her head shot to the side as she stared wide eyed at Luxeria... she had seen the girls dominance before, and felt the power in her voice when she spoke but this was different. Her voice had raised in a manner in which she had never heard from her friends lips. Vasari's stillness and shock lasted for several moments - and with it came a relative calm within her mind as her Ocean of thought ceased in motion. The next command came Vasari felt something different from the tone of her voice - something she did not expect at all to come to her in such a moment. The command was simple and Vasari - in the state that she was in could not help but obey. She felt like one of her own victims of the Qazoi Kyantuska but she knew that no such art had been employed against her. She moved over to Luxeria - her feet sluggish - and slowly sank to the floor in a perfect and clear act of submission. Her hands folded over her lap and she even went as far as to bow her head a little - though the posture of her shoulders and back remained perfectly straight - she did not slouch under the commanding tone - simply submit to the presence being shown before her.
The feeling of peace spread with the silence and her mind slowly began to attempt to process of reordering itself. She pieced together all the bits that she had gathered from her connection with Ellie but something was stopping her from putting them together. Something was strange about the way she felt - and it wasn't because of Luxeria. She felt cold... disconnected... weakened. She reached out with the Force to calm her mind attempting to sink into the Mind of Stone and shockingly found that it was difficult - possible but difficult. It took several long moments for her to achieve her own designed state of perfect peace and balance but even then it felt like the Living Force was at a distance from her. She shifted her hands a little closer drawing her robe into her like a cocoon. It was then she felt the ring Viox had given her within the folds of her cloak. The thing had never touched her skin, but even so the dark side energies of the small piece of metal were powerful emanating from her presence - something Luxeria would only have felt from her partner a handful of times... on Mustafar and Pzob. She remained silent waiting for Luxeria to speak, her eyes still slightly downcast - her mind slowly, but more important calmly, attempting to work through what was happening.
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Luxeria
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Post by Luxeria on May 7, 2018 19:25:17 GMT -8
Even with the sudden raise in her voice, never once did the orbs stop, waver, or become more aggressive. They continued to move about as they had when she started. Patiently, she waited as Vasari finally stopped. Her eyes fixed heavily upon her friend’s. It was only when Vasari sat down and dropped her head that Luxeria’s gaze returned to their easy state before she closed them.
Taking a deep breath, she worked on the words to say, something that came swiftly to her mind. What was curious was the way it had come about. on Coruscant, Vasari had begun helping her to develop her mental defenses, taking what she knew to a different level. But she had gained something else out of it, something she had worked on to form over the passed few days on Iridonia. "When the ocean that is your mind becomes a raging storm that you can’t seem to quell, the key is to center yourself. Establish a central point in your mind, a spot that either stands strong against the storm or can ride the waves and go with the flow. When you find it and create, you can always find calm even in he chaos. From there, you can bring the storm back to still seas."
She waited for a few moments for Vasari to try and bring stability to her mind before proceeding. "Now, discuss with me about Ellie. A Jedi, but what level is her skill? Is she more powerful than you? More focused? More capable of sensing others? If you felt it for only a moment, what’s to say she felt the connection any better? For all she knows, you were merely passing each other by, close enough to feel each other. It speaks nothing of what she could gather from it. I seriously doubt she could figure out that you were on your way to Felucia to attack the Jedi." She finally opened her eyes. "Clear your mind. Think. You are one of the most focused people I know. Don’t let news of becoming an apprentice cloud your mind and disrupt your sea. Don’t let all of this overrule who you are. Remember who you are."
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Vasari
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Post by Vasari on May 7, 2018 19:49:52 GMT -8
Vasari's mind slowly continued to reorder itself, but her mind could not ignore the presence of the signet ring and her thoughts kept returning to it. She should have left it in her room, but she never believed that it would have become an issue - or perhaps she was simply looking for a place to put blame. She had never floundered like this before within her own mind. The thoughts came easier as Luxeria talked her through the old lessons she had already knew - but somehow from her lips they did not seem like the dry old teachings that were pounded into her heart and mind at the academy - no, her voice was comforting and peaceful and allowed her to think more clearly - her presence a balm against the oppressive presence of the darkness. Pzob might have had more lingering effects than she had originally foreseen.
"Ellie..."Vasari whispered raising her head slightly, her eyes finally raising to Luxeria's."I fought her on Kessel... she... got the better of me because I had never faced a Mandalorian before, I didn't expect the tactics she used... but no, i do not believe her to be more powerful than me, at least not at the moment. She was faltering when I met her, i could tell her connection to the force had been ignored. I havn't seen her for several months though... she left with Fel and his crew."
Her words seemed blend together as her thoughts came more smoothly, though speaking of Ellie seemed to be painful, and once again a mental image of Jedi walking out on her- garbed in her armor, her helm covering her face - came to mind and lingered on the edge of her conscious thought. It was true she shouldn't have let the news Viox gave her change her mindset, but there was more going on there than she had truly prepared herself for. She should have meditated on all of this before coming to Luxeria - this show of weakness would not be ignored, but Vasari trusted her, more than anyone. She exhaled softly refocusing her mind. Luxeria was right - it was doubtful Ellie felt more from her than her presence - their connection was not as strong mentally as her and Luxeria's, and even then they had yet to test the true limit of distance their link possessed.
"I did not expect this to happen so soon... I was just starting to understand my place in the Blackguard. Just starting to like it here..."
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Luxeria
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Post by Luxeria on May 8, 2018 3:55:19 GMT -8
Luxeria watched as her friend slowly began to calm down. It was much slower than normal, more difficult but she was getting there. In the end, she never imagined a need to have to talk Vasari down, but here they were. She would talk her through the storm of thoughts in the Zabrak’s head until even was set back on it’s normal path.
For now, she moved passed the topic of Ellie. Talking about her wasn’t really the point, only to confirm that the connection did nothing to affect the mission, to which Vasari seemingly started to grasp. From there, she moved on to the next topic. "And what exactly has changed? So you are an apprentice now. Does that really change anything? Sure, you’ll have greater access to knowledge and sure, it’ll be a harder experience than the classes at the academy, but what else? Will it really affect your missions? Will it change you or what you seek?"
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Vasari
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Post by Vasari on May 8, 2018 5:59:31 GMT -8
As Luxeria's questioning extended past Ellie Vasari momentarily grew nervous and more closed off - normally she would be able to easily deflect questions such as this - as she had on Coruscant before their first dinner together, but now Vasari had started this, and couldn't back down now - and she didn't want to lie to her friend, quite possibly her only friend. Her eyes softened a little as she attempted to form the words necessary to explain...
"When I was sent to the Academy, there were certain expectations placed upon me. The Nightshade Clan they..."Her tongue seemed to seize in her throat as she almost sounded to chock on her own words. Lowering her eyes again she collected herself and seemed to speak from rote memorization - almost as if the words were being coerced from her lips by some unseen force."I am the last of Clan Nightshade and I will not dishonor my ancestors with failure. I will succeed at the Academy. I will wait, I will learn, and then when the time is right..."
Her body tensed slightly as her mind wrapped itself around the last part of the catechism but her mind refused to release it, refused to speak it aloud. The pool at the center of her mind rippled with a strange pulsing energy and after a few more seconds her mind calmed and she opened her eyes again, her voice more flat than before - as it had been the first time they met.
"Nothing has changed... I have a task, and I do not intend on failing."
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Luxeria
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Post by Luxeria on May 8, 2018 8:13:46 GMT -8
So cleat was Vasari’s nervousness that even those blind to sight could tell it was settling on the Zabrak. In a way, the question seemed to revive the same questions she posed on Coruscant. She hadn’t attempted to pry into her past, only wanted to know what Vasari’s purpose and desires were. And now she wanted to know even less. She wasn’t expecting any kind of explanation. She, herself was asking the questions, guiding Vasari through the fog like a lighthouse. In the end, the only answer she sought was yes or no. But it had turned into something more, drove into Vasari’s core and stirred the past.
After a few attempted stutters at explanning that ultimately fell through, she finally found some semblance of calm, though Luxeria knew it not to be the calm she was aiming for. It was apparent by the flat tone, almost empty compared how it usuall was. Taking a breath, she attempted one final time to calm Vasari completely and take away any doubts and concerns "Relax, Vasari. Your past is not something I need to know. If it is something that you wish to remain hidden that’s fine. If you and when you wish to speak on it, you will. But whatever that past meant, I doubt it only now changed due to this new apprenticeship. While being of the same race might have held some sway, Viox would not have extended this offer if you weren’t worthy. Things might become more challenging as he works to build you up higher, but it hasn’t changed who you are or your place in the Blackguard. If anything, it has been reinforced and defined. Now, what you seek is that much closer." There were other questions on her mind, such as the darkness she felt around Vasari as well as her resistance to utilizing it like other dark siders. It was brought up once before l, but she figured it better to not draw anything out to disrupt Vasari further."
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Vasari
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Post by Vasari on May 8, 2018 9:05:34 GMT -8
Vasari's thought process continued to clear - the calm almost meditative trance the flashback from her past had worked her into caught the very end of what Luxeria had said 'Now, what you seek is that much closer'. She pushed away the concern and the worry that she was not prepared - she had been preparing to exploit this weakness all her life. Everything about her life had been bringing her, preparing her for this one fixed point in time.
"Thank you, Luxeria... I lost sight of that somewhere along the way."She exhaled softly her mind becoming the same calm ocean of thought she had spent those years at the Academy perfecting. The darkness radiating into her body from the signet seemed to decline as her mind calmed. Apparently with less striff and negative emotion to feed the ring - the less effect it had on her conscious mind. The anxiety slowly faded away leaving only a bitter memory in what should have been a much more joyful experience than it had turned out to be.
"I've distracted you from your preparations... I'll go. We both need to make ready for what is to come."
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Luxeria
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Post by Luxeria on May 8, 2018 10:30:21 GMT -8
Luxeria shook her head with a faint smile. The orbs had never stopped moving about in their intricate patterns, now floating around them both. "You haven’t distracted me at all, Vasari. I’ve been observing your technique on a split mind on both Mustafar and Pzob, and through your help in building my defenses on Coruscant, I’ve been able to start splitting my focus in a similar way. Nowhere near as refined as yours, but more than enough to do what I’ve been doing. Along with it, I’ve come to discover the point of centering oneself. Utilizing them together, this little talk has done nothing to disrupt me. In fact, it only shows how well this form of meditation is coming along."
Closing her eyes again, she began to let herself settle back into the depths of her meditation. "If you wish to go, you can. But if you want, you can prepare yourself here."
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Vasari
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Post by Vasari on May 8, 2018 11:18:32 GMT -8
Vasari's lips curled into a slight smile, happy that Luxeria was progressing in her studies with the Mind of Many technique. It was a difficult process, one that was only made harder by the negative emotions that usually fueled the dark side - or perhaps that was only her drawback, having avoided the the darkness for so many years to achieve her own balanced connection to the Living Force - perhaps Luxeria would not suffer from such drawbacks.
"You've come a long way...I hope you can maintain such discipline under pressure. Meditation is where it starts, but you should not trust your mind to hold up in combat without testing your own limits first."
Once again she spoke from experience, months after split meditation playing mind games with herself developing her own initial version of the Mind of Many technique she had issued a challenge during blade practice with an much older much more talented apprentice. Her technique faulted within the first several moments of the duel and the side of her mind controlling her defenses crumbled before her offensive strike landed. It had been a painful first lesson for her - and she would save Luxeria from such failure if at all possible, or at least warn her of the possibility.
Considering the offer for her to remain she closed her fist around the signet right hidden within her cloak and considered her options. She had gone into battle with Luxeria twice now - and her peculiar aversion to harnessing dark side energy had had yet to hinder the mission to the point of exposing a weakness in their team, but the presence of this artifact posed a threat to her own mind, it interfered with her ability to focus tipping her mind off balance and this was not the time to go into battle with an untested artifact - there was never a time for such foolishness, especially when she knew that Viox would be watching her now more than ever. However she did wish to discuss the planet with Luxeria - which presented an opportunity for her.
"Let me get something from my room, there is something you need to see."
She didn't know why she didn't tell Luxeria about the ring - but it had become a habit to hide her aversion to dark side energy. Each time she had succumb to the use of such energy she had unbalanced herself - and the last time, with Ifrit on Pzob her unbalanced mind had nearly cost her leg, and did not cost one warrior his life as he attempted to protect her. As she stood up and made her way out of the room that death held heavy on her mind. She rushed across the corridor to her room and closed the door, taking the signet ring from her cloak and stashing it deep in her trunk. Closing the lid she cast the same binding spell she had learned years ago - a force lock that kept anyone from opening it who did not know the exact spell that was used to close it. Recovering her book she rushed back to Luxeria's room, letting herself in and returning to her seated position in front of her partner - pulling the book open to a premarked page. This was the book she had taken off Mustafar - it touched largely on mechanical sith alchemaic rituals, but there were other, smaller sections as well that spoke on other topics and other forms of Alchemy - even a section on the psychoactive properties of sentient plant called the Yerdua Poison-Spitter. Vasari turned the book so that Luxeria could see it, narrating the ancient Sith text so she wouldn't have to translate it in her head.
"This planet is half sentient... or so the natives believe. The bulbous glands hold poison and the planet can sense hostile intent and poison anyone within its range. What I find most interesting is the manner in which this poison works. Apparently it is said to induce a strong hyper-suggestive psychedelic state within the victim's mind, making them increasingly susceptible to illusion and manipulation... likely at the expense of the victim's sanity. Testing was inconclusive. I thought if we could find some it would be a good addition to your already impressive medicine cabinet."
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Luxeria
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Post by Luxeria on May 8, 2018 13:40:23 GMT -8
As Vasari left to gather that which she felt Luxeria needed to see, the woman couldn't help but smirk. Luxeria had already been capable of diverting her attention on different things, though only two at most and up to the degree she was displaying it now. Before it had only been developed when utilizing her Telekinesis as she had worked to enhance it above all else. She had worked to manipulate multiple items of varying sizes with each being manipulated in a different manner. So perhaps her focus was split farther. Vasari would be the only one who could define the difference. But that was where it stopped up until recently. She had slowly started touching new areas outside of meditation and Telekinesis, looking to be capable of using her mind as Vasari did. All she could do was keep working at it. But she knew herself enough to known it wasn't something to use in combat yet. Still, it gave her another edge for something further down the line.
When her friend returned, she immediately noticed the book from Mustafar and wondered why she'd have that. What would be in that book that she needed to see. It wasn't long before she came to realize what Vasari had in mind. At the mention of medicine cabinet, she slowly lifted a finger to her own lips, a slight smile on them. She didn't wish for that knowledge to be spoken aloud. On Coruscant, she had found a smuggler and black market dealer who was able to get a hold of a select few poisons. It was but one of many steps she was secretly planning to use against Malvus when she felt capable of facing him. She ended up telling Vasari about her purchase, the selection, and their purpose and she would be the only one who knew. She couldn't afford to tip off her master to prepare him down the road.
Looking over the book, she gave a nod. "It might be worth a look, if we have time. But if we can keep it quiet, it would be best, unless we use the claim of bringing it back for the Blackguard so they can utilize it. Might also further your impression with Viox."
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Vasari
Blackguard Imperium
Tell me that I wont feel a thing...
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Post by Vasari on May 8, 2018 14:25:05 GMT -8
"Yes, that could be the first problem... "
Vasari continued flipping the page on the text between them - the next picture on the page that followed was that of a Felucian Acklay - clearly the text was composed well enough to group like items to specific planets, but reading the text gave no indication or exposition on the poison-spitter. The brief explanation of the plant-half-alive was all there was.
"Nothing... the book is bone dry on further information. I don't know how rare it is, where it grows, what it needs, how it feeds nothing. All i know is the effects of the toxin."
She closed the book with a somewhat frustrated shove and tilted her head to the side to stretch her neck - stress always caused her muscles to tighten up and she had been neglecting her morning regime of workouts since leaving Iridonia the first time. Slipping out of her cloak she tossed the garment aside and spread her legs in either direction - a movement allowed by the splits in her skirt. She gracefully sprawled herself out on the floor in front of her partner and began stretching - feeling the tenseness in her muscles as they protested the forgotten range of motion.
Luxeria was right however - concerning the acquiring of this poison. There was nothing that could be done with it if they attained it publicly. Which is why Vasari had not brought it up in the conference room with the others. Vasari had no intention of gifting this poison to the Blackguard. If they had need of such things they could employ their own means of acquiring them - to her, Luxeria's need was greater. Vasari could find other ways to impress her new master - a sentiment she telepathically shared with her partner, along with its reasoning, as she continued to stretch out her sleepy muscles.
"My only thought is to get the information from the Base Archives when I raid their library. The Jedi will simply believe it was one of the many things I took, and the blackguard need never know i inquired."
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Luxeria
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Post by Luxeria on May 8, 2018 15:28:01 GMT -8
Luxeria looked the book over as did Vasari, though she had little in the way of frustration like her friend did. Sure, it would definitely be a nice addition to the poisons she had, especially when working infiltration missions or interrogations, but if it was something they couldn’t get ahold of due to a lack information, it wasn’t a big deal. Yet, Vasari seemed a bit to upset by it. Perhaps it was less of not havin the knowledge to get this for her and more on the lack of information. After all, if it was lacking there, what else would be missing? She hoped nothing of important value.
Keeping about her exercises, she watched as Vasari began stretching. It would be a good idea before long to do so herself. The time spent in this position would certainly stiffen a few muscles. Her gaze did harden at the mention of the Blackguard remaining out of the loop on it. That was a dangerous slope, she felt. In the end, if Viox has no care for it’s use, then it was not a concern. But she didn’t want to risk her friend’s apprenticeship over something so trivial. "If you wish to find the knowledge in the archives, go ahead. Just be careful doing so. I don’t want anyone in the Blackguard finding out and reporting you. Viox may not care, but I don’t want your apprenticeship ruined over it. If anything, we can make a stealth trip back another time to gain it." Her voice was a quiet whisper, making sure her words couldn’t be heard behind the walls.
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Vasari
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Post by Vasari on May 8, 2018 16:34:54 GMT -8
Vasari was currently bent at the waist her head resting easily against one knee her upper body perfectly aligned with her thigh to do so - she had reached all the way down to her feet and clasped her fingers around her heal lacing them together and pulling back slightly. Her friends thoughts had struck the heart of the issue perfectly. The book she had attained had been wonderful at teaching her all about alchemy and its many uses - however this entire book seemed only to be filled with notes taken from another book that held the vital information these notes needed to be anything but useless trivia. This frustration was only a mild showing of others that she had had while reading the book over the last several months. There were some things that were complete - she knew had to focus her energy into certain objects so that it would imbue them with special utility, and she even knew there were spells you could cast that would cause the decay rate of that energy to creep to such a slow pace that the object would hold the would be 'enchantment' for practically forever... and THAT part had been missing as well. The Ring she had been given by Viox was clearly one such relic from the past - hopefully with enough study she would be able to find out how it was done, and more importantly how she could replicate it.
Her friends words brought her out of her thoughts and she raised herself slightly bending down to the other side - her head tilted to look up at Luxeria as she whispered to her. Vasari simply shrugged. She had been sneaking around libraries gaining information not meant for her for nearly two decades. Even if the other troopers who had been assigned to raid the archives found anything about what she had been after it wouldn't mean anything. Vasari had proven herself to be nothing more than a loyal servant of the Blackguard - and her actions would continue to prove that regardless of other intent. Luxeria's own rise to power was such an intent - as was the Sith way, one however, usually did not have much help doing so - but such things were not unheard of in the Universe.
"I've already been ordered to strike the Library and the Archives... it isn't like i'll be going out of my way. Besides... this little beauty isn't the only thing I'm after so... i might not even get to it."
She raised herself again and gave Luxeria a playful smirk. With the signet ring away from her person she was becoming more and more herself again. Her mind had reordered itself and was now split easily among several tasks. But her playfulness hid the true reason for wanting to do this... Luxeria had shown her so much on Coruscant, the experience was like nothing anyone had ever done for her before. Even if her friend had had other reasons to go, or would have went without her anyways the thought was there, and it was more than anything Vasari had been given in her entire life. A blush came to her cheeks and before it could be noticed Vasari shifted her legs further apart and leaned forward her torso lowering against the floor until her horned head rested against the cold surface beneath her - her spine in perfect alignment, and her knees perfectly straight.
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Post by Harlan Petrovsky [Retired] on May 8, 2018 16:45:24 GMT -8
Looking up from his task, Petrovsky nodded to the Sith'ari.
"My lord. If you wish to speak with your disciples, now would be the time. We will be arriving shortly."
And with that, Harlan also set forth his plans, ensuring his pilots were ready to fly the moment they dropped out of hyperspace. The timing on dropping the Blackguard forces off was crucial. It needed to be done in perfect unison. A task he was certain could be performed properly. The trip back up to the Star, however, would be slightly more complicated as the battle progressed. But he was confident that the Sith could pull it off.
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Viox Savage
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Post by Viox Savage on May 8, 2018 16:51:34 GMT -8
Nodding as Harlan spoke, he called out to Rampant, the ship's A.I.
"Rampant, summon them to the bridge. It's time to make final preparations."
The disembodied, synthetic voice replied back.
"Of course my liege. Contacting them now."
In the quarters assigned to the members of the Blackguard, Rampant's voice would ring out over the intercom.
All members of the Blackguard, please report to the bridge immediately.
Back on the bridge, Viox brought up the image of the Jedi base, ensuring he was prepared to issue the final orders once everyone arrive. Their main objective was clear, but the few secondary objectives were crucial as well. Information was power and the Jedi Enclave on Felucia would contain enormous sums of it. The Library on Ossus had contained enough information, relayed to him via his brother Vladimir, that he was satisfied with the results. Here would be no different. He would obtain the information he sought.
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