Broken Bones & Broken Minds

[Vrak Nashar]

Kruskan
[member="Irid"] | [member="Nisha Skaiyr"]

"Sith are prolific by nature." Vrak said simply as he stepped from the ship, his lips thinning slightly at the heat that immediately pressed into his skin.

Kruskan was a jungle world, a planet that almost always had overcast weather of some sort but somehow still managed to stay incredibly hot. His eyes glanced towards the gray skies, then towards his apprentice trailing behind him. She was timid as ever, though these last few months had seen her improve a surprising amount. Perhaps it had been his absence during his time on Naboo, or perhaps she was simply growing out of being a slave.

Either way Vrak was pleased with her progress.

"My people spread out after the great war." He continued to explain as he stalked forward, barely visible through the thick of the jungle ahead. "Fearful of the Jedi and their...methods."

Once, the Jedi had been fearsome, more than willing to eradicate entire worlds if it meant killing a Single Sith. Now? Now things were different. Vrak had been held by Jedi for Six months. Starved, yes, but never beaten, never cut, never broken.

Pathetic.

"The ruins remain even now." He eyed one of the grand stone pyramids in the distance.

"Each hold a secret." Vrak half turned to Irid. "Some grand, some...disappointing."

Irid already knew the grandness of some ruins, her encounter with the Spirit on Dromund Fel told that story well enough. The Pureblood smiled slightly and then glanced at the structure just ahead of them. "Come."

There was much to see.

 

[Irid]

Another day, another lesson.

Lord Nashar liked to talk, and Irid liked to listen, this had been long since been established. She gleamed more history of the Sith from his dictation than from her own readings, a sign of fortune really, it meant that he had not yet tired of the former-slave and was not about to cut this new venture in life short for her just yet.

It meant progress.

The heat of Kruskan was oppressive. The sun remained hidden beneath a spread of grey cloud but that did not discourage the heat. It was humid, suffocating, like the air was a thick stew that you drank as opposed to breathe.

Irid nodded as he continued. It was strange to imagine the Jedi of the past when one looked at those that existed now. From their perspective, this change was preferable. However, what had changed? Why were the Jedi from the pages of history so vastly different from their current counterparts. It was something she would have to ask....or perhaps research upon her own.

At the mention of ruins Irid looked to the distance, where the large stone structures loomed over the canopy of the jungles. Another test? Upon Dromund Fel she had practically balked at the notion of dealing with restless Sith spirits, there was still a healthy amount of weariness there, but she had indeed collected a certain degree of confidence in the face of the subject matter.

Although given her prior life, Irid couldn't fathom finding disappointment inside great and ancient Sith ruins.

---

[member="Vrak Nashar"] [member="Nisha Skaiyr"]

 

[Nisha Skaiyr]

Nisha knew little of Kruskan, and nothing of its history - all she knew was that the jungle world reminded her of home, and that the Dark Side welled up in spots around the planet, drawing the War-Witch in like a moth to flame.

Besides, it was a place to get away from Carnifex and the rest of the Panathan court, and that was a good enough reason for Nisha to visit.

This excursion, however, was not to be like all her others.

The young Witch's meditation was interrupted. At the edge of her awareness, she felt another presence - the rage of a predator. The pride of a god, or a creature that thought it was one, at least. And it was approaching. Had fear of the Darkness not been stripped from her by constant proximity to Darth Carnifex, such a presence might have given her pause. But as powerful as the presence appeared to be, it was nothing compared to the overwhelming aura of death that centered itself around her Master. Did it give her reason to be cautious? Yes. Was it something worthy of respect? Without doubt.

But Nisha'd not cower in fear at the encroaching shadow, no. Instead, she did quite the opposite.

She stood, took Kahre Narsa in her hand, and awaited her guest's arrival. She had no intention of being violent today. In fact, she was hoping for a pleasant chat.

But one too many scars had long ago brought the Witch to the realization that it was better to prepare for the worst.

--

[member="Irid"]
[member="Vrak Nashar"]

 

[Vrak Nashar]

[member="Nisha Skaiyr"] | [member="Irid"]

Vrak continued to teach his lesson to Irid, either oblivious to the tiny blip of the force ahead of them or uncaring of who or what it was. The Pureblood wandered ever close, directing Irid in front of him to serve as a sort of barrier between himself and the jungle. They wandered for some time more, the jungle growing thinner and thinner a sthey drew closer to the ruins. The Darkside began to slowly press over them, whatever spirits lingered within the long dead Temple still lingering.

"Irid." Vrak finally stopped.

They were just short of the forests exit, hidden from NIsha's view. The Sith let out a small smile, reaching out to grasp his apprentices shoulder. The last time she had wandered into one of these ruins she had come out different, changed. He wondered if she feared them because of that.

"Take out your lightsaber." He told her. "There is someone on the path ahead."

It wasn't obvious, not to him at least, but he could sense the slight turmoil, the tiniest sliver of danger that lurked just beyond the forest. Vrak wasn't sure if it was a person, a creature, or some kind of defense that had been put in place by those who had last visited the Temple. Either way however he had a perfect way of finding out. "Go meet them."

If Irid had any ideas of being anything but a tool, she was of course wrong.

He had offered her freedom on Zygerria, and in a way she had it. At least until she stopped being useful to him.

 

[Irid]

He stopped, his hand upon her shoulder also giving cause for the young woman to also halt. Brows furrowed as she looked to her Master, a small indication of confusion that was writ large across her face. Why had they stopped?

Head turned back to the edge of the foliage, brown eyes narrowing as she was told to equip her lightsaber. The former-slave could not see anybody, but presumed that Lord Nashar held a much greater sense than she naturally did. Practice made perfect, however.

The girl reached out, beyond the brush trying to feel out the presence of a someone, or perhaps even a something. It took active focus, as opposed to just a natural impression, but there it was...a feel, a scent, an aura. Beyond that the signature was difficult to read. Another area in which she would have to train further.

“Yes, Master,” Irid nodded, lightsaber hilt grasped within her left hand as the Acolyte ventured forth, a certain degree of apprehension held within her steps. The girl was not one for the rash or the impetuous. She was a creature of skittish caution, that was a trait that had long since been branded into her psyche.

She emerged, alone, not the most intimidating figure that one might have been presented with in the face of certain hostilities.

Another woman. Irid simply stood there, eyes studying that which stood between them and the ruins. She was taller, heavier, wilder. The woman held a degree of savagery that stood in direct contrast to Irid's cautious gait and nervous aura.

“Who are you?”

---

[member="Nisha Skaiyr"] | [member="Vrak Nashar"]

 

[Nisha Skaiyr]

It wasn't often that Nisha's attunement to the Force failed her. She did not miss things. She did not overlook small details, at least not in regards to sensory input. But this frail creature that entered the Witch's sanctuary was not what she expected at all. Looks could be deceiving, she knew that, but this girl was not the source of the Darkness tha-

Ah. There it was. A bird, timid and frightened, newly hatched. The sound of metal clashing against rock. Toil, hopelessness, despair. In the girl's form, Nisha saw a physique all too familiar. Starved and emaciated, but her muscles, the way they shifted beneath her skin when she moved, they told of strength, of endurance and hardiness.

The girl was a former slave, or something of the sort, and Nisha could use that to gain an upper hand in this encounter - without, hopefully, having to resort to violence. Her posture straightened, her body language shifted to something confident, dominant, and she spoke. "You lack manners, child." Nisha let out a low, throaty chuckle, and twirled the blade in her hand idly - a display of skill and confidence, meant to unnerve the intruder. And if that didn't work, well, at least it looked impressive. "A guest introduces themselves first, correct?" The Witch's tone was haughty, imperious - it was an affectation, and unnatural for her, but she'd listened to nobles jabber at Panatha enough to mimic their manner of speaking well enough. As she spoke, she paced towards the girl, her steps silent and her body language predatory, almost animal, in stark contrast to her speech.

---

[member="Irid"]
[member="Vrak Nashar"]

 

[Vrak Nashar]

[member="Irid"] | [member="Nisha Skaiyr"]

Vrak moved in silence, taking a wide berth around the path that Irid had taken to move forward. As he rushed through the jungle he could just barely make out Irid's mousy tone, the small muted voice that carried to his ears followed by a most distinct tone of haughty response. He frowned for half a moment as he moved, slwoly slinking through the forest and concealing himself withint he force.

Sera had shown him this process.

He had never been skilled at sneaking, he never would be, but whomever had stood upon that path had what they were looking for. Irid would serve as a distraction, one that would last long enough to get where he wanted to go. The Pureblood moved beyond the voices of the two girls, heading deeper into the jungle and rounding upon the ruins. When he looked back he could still see the great stone structure, the broken pyramid accompanied by a dozen other Temples and buildings.

A frown settled on his lips as he moved, Saber-staff falling into his hand.

He didn't activate the blade, not yet anyway, instead he broke from the Jungle.

Vrak freed himself of the overgrowth well away from Irid and Nisha, coming out far to the right and behind them. He peered at the ruins for a moment, lips thinning as he assessed the broken stone and toppled columns. His head shook in disappointment, another fallen piece of this people. The Pureblood took a breath and then quickly moved into the ruins, his pace slowly, his feet barely making a sound as he looped back towards the two girls.

 

[Irid]

It was an all too foreign situation, as most situations tended to be when one was placed in Irid's shoes.

The idea of this confrontation was somewhat odd. How was she supposed to act? Lord Nashar's instructions were vague, meet them. Evidently it was for Apprentice herself to decide in what fashion they should meet, but as always the girl was unsure. Especially given that there would likely be judgement in whatever course she took.

How was she supposed to behave? This other woman, she was bigger, clearly stronger and held a confidence that almost seemed to stand in direct contrast with Irid's fearful and timid nature. Not that it bothered the former-slave, her fear was a tool to be used and it was far more honed than any other emotion she held.

Copper eyes observed the blade brandished, face mired by curiosity and that ever-present apprehension. Was this someone who held the intent to kill her? Or simply mock her. Manners. She knew compliance, that much was ingrained but manners? Was there a certain etiquette for these situations? A rule in the Galaxy of which she was unaware? Hard to say. As was said before, it was all so strange and foreign.

Irid in response didn't move, hand still holding the hilt of her lightsaber, which still remained clipped to her belt.

“I am Irid,” the girl spoke softly, her voice so quiet that it might have been difficult for the other woman to actually hear her.

“Why are you here?”

---

[member="Nisha Skaiyr"] | [member="Vrak Nashar"]