Answers that only some may have...

[Xobos Yakieer]

Equipment: Lightsaber, Faceless Armor
Mental State: Silent
Tags: | [member="Aisha"] |
Post: #1

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For a long time, Xobos didn’t see the visions anymore. Ever since being taken off of Roon by her master, the visions had died down. The first few months of her training included multiple nights of being woken up to the sight of her village burning down yet again. The bodies of those that she had spent her childhood with, dead at her feet. It seemed just as real as the night that the event happened. And they were just as real as they had been during her time on Roon.

Yet, as those months rolled along, the visions came less and less frequently, to the point where in the past month, she hadn’t even had the vision again. It seemed as though the more she was able to control her connection to the force, the less the horrifying sight came to mind again. Her nights had come to be almost peaceful. Perhaps her ability to talk with Ambrus and Ora in her meditative sessions had helped as well. Ambrus was the one who seemingly triggered many of the visions on Roon, using them to control her and keep her submissive to their wills. But as she had grown more powerful, more connected to the dark side of the force, the voices had become more like partners. They were more willing to help her, instead of leaving her clutching at the strands of her sanity.

That wasn’t to say there hadn’t been bumps in the road as the visions had died down. She had practically blacked out on Kuat for reasons that were still mysterious to her. On Bothwani, in one of her lowest moments, she had given herself completely to Lagos and his control. And while she didn’t die to her master’s blade, the time after the mission had her grasping at what had happened. She couldn’t remember her actions in the least. The last thing she remembered was almost being choked by the vines, and then waking up, on her knees, in front of the objective with a crystal in her hand.

These bumps in the road were just that though, little bumps. That was until a few days ago, when the visions returned, and returned with an absolutely vengeance. The first night they had returned, Xobos had found herself awoken to being surrounded by the fire and the screams of her people. It was different than the visions before. Those felt vivid, but this..this felt like she was living the event all over again. The fire burned her skin, the blood of the people ran down her cheeks. And the voices…the voices were defining. Louder than Ambrus or Ora had ever been. Louder than even Lagos speaking to her now. It felt so real. She was just as scared, just as powerless as the outpost burned down around her. And just like before, Xobos could remember nothing before, no clues as to what started the fire, what killed her people. All she knew…was that she did it.

Those horrible visions had continued for four straight nights before she found it sufferable no more. During her travels as the apprentice of [member="Adron Malvern"], Xobos had heard of witches. Witches that knew of things of the force that were not natural. Things that even her master might not know about. Ways to stop her dreams, perhaps. But even if they didn’t know how to stop the dreams, quiet the voices in her mind, perhaps they point her in the right direction. Because of this, Xobos found herself riding a shuttle to the famed Mandragora stronghold on Ryloth, praying that they might have the answers she sought after.

Sergeant Hin’s voice broke through her thoughts, calling out from the cockpit of the shuttle to the cargo bay where she sat. “We’re almost there, ma’am. They’re asking for a reason for us being here.” Xobos slowly sat up from her slumped position against the cargo box, slowly making her way to her feet. The voices had been unusually quiet during the journey, and even in her meditative state the apprentice had failed to reach them. Not that she was increasingly in the mood to do so. But at times, she felt lonely without those that rested within the confines of her mind. That loneliness persisted with her as she came into the cockpit. The miraluka sat in the copilots chair, looking to the pilot with a grim smile. “Tell them that the apprentice of Exarch Malvern has come to seek guidance from those that know of the magic of the force, and if they would be so kind as to point us to the appropriate landing pad.”

Hin gave her a nod in return, relaying the message to the controller of the landings at the headquarters. Soon, hopefully, they would be landing, and the answers would be given to the apprentice that sought after them. If not…then that apprentice might be made mad with the visions and voices that consumed her mind.

 

[Aisha]

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Location: The Endless Library, Vureshakkairm Castle, Ryloth
Wearing: XXX
Tag: [member="Xobos Yakieer"]

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There had been a meeting called, and the spirits were restless.

All those that normally resided within the castle had been called away to attend to the Lord Commander of the Confederacy, but sensing that her relatively new status within the 'tribe' likely made her a poor candidate to provide anything to the discourse, she'd volunteered to remain behind.

It allowed her to dedicate time to her research, which also served her purpose. The Mandragora had recently been forged anew with the addition of several new members that were well outside of their normal fare. Jedi... Lightsiders... Researchers and scientists who had been asked to merge with what amounted to the cast-offs of the Dathomiri remnant. Witches and Jedi were learning to find a peace in a place that had be forged by and for magick users. It had several unique issues that resulted.

Those issues were why Aisha sat in a luxuriously plush arm chair tucked into a corner between two massive bookshelves, using the natural light that filtered through a paned window that rose nearly three stories. She'd been there for hours, her small mug of tea long since done steaming and instead sitting forgotten. The tome she rested in her lap delved deep into alchemical practices that she knew several of the Jedi she'd been introduced to were practicing. Perhaps she could find a language in these books that would better allow her to communicate with their newest additions...

The gentle chime from the datapad that sat on the side table next to her forgotten mug roused the witch from her studies. The screen flickered to life and displayed an alert - it appeared it was a good idea that she'd stayed behind. Carefully closing the text and setting it aside, the raven-haired woman reached to pluck the screen from the table and flicked through to discover what had set it off. Seeing that they were being haled, she lifted herself from the chair and began to make her way from the library. Pressing a button along the edge of the pad she spoke softly, "Please ask that our guests make use of the Hangar, and I'll meet them there."

It was unlikely that she'd beat the ship to the landing pads, since they were located outside of the walls of the castle proper, but Aisha made to hurry regardless. She left the datapad inside the doors as she stepped out into the blazing light the star above them provided, feeling the instant heat that bathed her pale skin. So different from her home... She wondered at times why it was that the Sisters had chosen this world to set up their home...

Spotting the transport atop one of the formally empty pads, Aisha made her way forward. She offered a tired but welcoming smile as she spread her hands, motioning to the castle behind her and taking in the sight of the Miralukan who had seen fit to visit.

"Welcome to Vureshakkairn Castle."

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[Xobos Yakieer]

Equipment: Lightsaber, Faceless Armor (helmetless)
Mental State: Silent
Tags: |[member="Aisha"] |
Post: #2

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The journey down to the planet was relatively uneventful. The general shaking of pushing through the atmosphere was there, but otherwise it felt quite calm. Unlike what she assumed her mind might be once the witches started poking around in there. All she could hope for was a relatively peaceful solution. To be just told she was insane like everyone thought she was. Nothing more. But the way that these voices had seemingly affected her powers at times had prompted to get answers. And she wouldn’t be leaving this planet without them.

By the time they landed in the hanger, Xobos had already made her way to the back of the shuttle and removed her helmet. Although she didn’t typically approve of showing her face to those not inside her inner circle, being a guest in this place would dictate at least giving her hosts that curtesy. They at least deserved that. Having placed the helmet to the side, the ramp was lowered, and the mirlauka proceeded forward, ready to learn of her fate.

It was a welcome surprise to see the woman near the edge of the ramp. Everything she had heard of these witches was that they were extremely secluded. And that they could be quite..odd. Whomever was welcoming her seemed nice enough to buck that trend, enough so that she bowed her head slightly in respect. “I appreciate the welcome..and for you to allow me to be in this sacred place of yours. It is an honor.”

As her head raised slowly, Xobos fought to keep the slightly nervous look on her face. It was like having to go the medcenter for a problem you had been ignoring for forever, and were now having to own up to it to a doctor of sorts. “Can..we find somewhere to talk? I have an issue..I believe your people can help with.” Even with an unwavering voice, the nervousness of the apprentice was betrayed through her mannerisms as she stood in front of the witch, awaiting an answer from her.

 

[Aisha]

The same soft, kind smile remained firmly in place as the young Miralukan descended from her ship, and Aisha got a good look at the girl for the first time. Noting the saber strapped to the young apprentice's hip, and the slightly milky film that seemed to float above Xobo's vision, manicured brows rose curiously. They didn't tend to get many Force users on Dathomir, or at least they hadn't in her time there. When the Clans had held the planet there had been little Force user presence to speak of - but now that the Sith Empire was holding court?... She was certain there would be more now - but none quite so polite as this child.

Quite steps and the rustle of long strands of fabric heralded the witch's movements as she stepped in closer, listening as the apprentice made her greetings and gently reaching out to lay a hand against the girl's shoulder. Aisha's hand was warm, even through the armor that the blind child wore, and it was hard to mistake the thrum of energy that the raven haired witch radiated - the girl may call it Force, but the Spirits still wailed around this place as the others had been called away.

"I'm not sure how sacred this place is, but I am pleased that you've come to visit us..." With a sweeping motion of her arm, the Dathomiri witch motioned to the castle and began to turn, aiming to lead the girl towards it. As she lead the way, those willowy fingers left Xobo's shoulder and instead folded back inside the layers of fabric that hung around Aisha's form. Wisps of black hair gently swayed with her movements, spilling across her shoulders and back as she made her way back towards the castle grounds.

"Though this planet is unbearably hot at times, it does allow for many sunny little nooks inside the castle. If it would please you, we can find a study somewhere to retire to and you can tell me what's bothering you." As they stepped back within the walls of the castle proper, Aisha scooped up the datapad she'd left near the doors and lead the young woman down a lengthy corridor. Several small rooms lined the hall, each finely appointed for entertaining, though it seemed that her hostess had a particular one in mind.

At the very end of the hall there was a room that sat in one of the rounded towers of the castle, and there sat two large, plush chairs with a small, low table sat between them. The room had windows all around the perimeter, and the glow of Ryloth's sun gave the room a warm and welcoming feel. Aisha seated herself in one of the chairs and motioned for [member="Xobos Yakieer"] to do the same, before flicking her fingers over the datapad a few times and then setting it on the table.

"I'm Aisha, by the way. Formerly of Dathomir, but now a Sister of the Mandragora proper." The soft whirring of a droid could be heard as from the hall a unit entered, dropped a tray of refreshments in the form of some tea and several small pastries, and then speedily exited. "So please, young master, what can the witches do for you?"

 

[Xobos Yakieer]

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Equipment: Lightsaber, Faceless Armor (helmetless)
Mental State: Quieting
Tags: | Aisha |
Post: #3

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There was something about this woman. It wasn’t noticeable at first. At least not as Xobos was descending down the ramp and seeing her for the first time. But as the pair stood together, the unmistakable feeling of great power could be felt rippling through the force around the woman. It didn’t become clear, at least not until her hand was placed upon the Miraluka’s shoulder, how powerful the woman truly was. Any reservations or worries that might’ve been floating around in her head before coming here, being attended to by someone that barely understood the force, were dashed away the moment that the witch’s power become clear.

“This is someone to be wary around, little master..” The deeper of the voices spoke, “they are known for their lies and trickery. Whatever information you might hope to gain here must be…tempered.” It was obvious enough that the voices didn’t like this place. For what reason, Xobos couldn’t fathom. She had always justified their rambling as if they were the manifestations of her innermost thoughts. Lately, however, and as she had grown more connected with the force and with her inner self, they almost seemed to take a mind of their own. She needed answers, whether she was truly just insane, or if there was possibly something more going on inside the depraved place that was her inner thoughts.

As they trekked through the castle it became apparent that it was not..normal. Each door they passed through seemed to lead into the exact same hallway, as if this whole place was one long road. It started to give her a bit of a headache by the time they finally made it to the little study that the woman had spoken of. She found herself sitting a little harder in the chair than she might’ve liked, again, thinking of curtesy’s as a guest, but the beginning’s of a headache didn’t help anything. Gloved fingers pressed against her temples, looking up slightly to shoot an apologetic smile to the witch. “Apologies. I wasn’t prepared for your castle to be such an…interesting walk.”

The headache had started to subside by the time a little droid made it’s way inside, bringing with it a nice tray of refreshments. Nothing fancy, but it was nice to be treated in such a way in a very foreign place. Aisha’s question would linger in the air for a few moments while the young miraluka wrung her hands together in thought. “I..” She started, stumbling through her thoughts. This wasn’t a small issue, and Xobos wanted nothing more than to communicate it effect. She just didn’t know if she could. “There is something wrong with me..mentally.” Eyes, covered in that decorative fabric, looked up sligthtly to meet the witch’s. No person had ever heard the information she was about to share. Her master probably knew, but he had never said a word about it to her. Even Cali did not know.

“I hear voices in my mind. Multiple. With distinct..personalities.”

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