Private Do All Vampires Live In Castles?

[Alina Tremiru]

It wasn't often Alina found herself dealing with a stereotype. But now? She grimaced as she stared up at the dark estate. An old castle, an actual castle. Who still had castles in this galaxy? She didn't have an answer, but at least it was.. Well, standing. She needed her own hide away. A place to sleep, rest, recuperate. Feed. That last part was probably the most important part of her staying here. The locals had their own legends, rumors. Somewhat.. Superstitious. They overlooked the bite marks on their necks. Well, no they didn't.

But rather than try to hunt whatever it was feeding on them, they learned to live with it. So long as no one died, they'd accept, if bitterly, this fate.

The Sangnir wandered into the estate, glancing through the cobwebs with even more disdain. She was going to have to clean this place up herself, wasn't she? Well, damn. She let out a heavier sigh, closing her eyes. For now, this place would do. So long as no one came to bother her.

Sars Sarad

 

[Sars Sarad]

Estates like this had old bones. Abandoned by former occupants, left derelict and in disrepair in many instances these old buildings often had a history of their own. A Demesne attached to a Manor could often spread for miles around to say nothing of the rooms and corridors that the building itself boasted.

He'd been here for several days. As was often the case the Force had lead him to this world, a low tech planet that was somewhere on the fringe of the galaxy. Exploring the Estate had been slow, he searched several rooms and the cob webbed trappings they contained but he'd never discovered anything of substance. After the first couple of day Sarad wondered why the force had brought him here, sojourns into the surrounding community had revealed little aside from folklore and local legends.

Now he had his answer.

A Presence, strange and unknown to him neared. He could sense it, the force caused his mind to vibrate prompting him to raise his right hand and press it against his temple momentarily. Shortly thereafter he went to investigate.

When he came to the grand entrance of the estate it was to an elevated landing and balcony that looked down at the main floor below, staircases lined either side of the landing. Sarad had moved to the balcony and reached out to set his hands on the railing there while canting his head to look down whereupon he'd level his gaze in the direction of Alina Tremiru ...

"I am Sars Sarad."

...the introduction was straightforward and to the point, Sarad looked at her almost though he sensed she was the one he was looking for...

"What are you? Jedi? Sith?"

...something else? He didn't know but his first impression may have been a Sith, it wasn't unlike them to establish themselves on a world like this and eventually elevate themselves to a position of authority. He'd drum his right hand against the balcony railing slowly....

 

[Alina Tremiru]

There was someone here. The beating heart coming closer pulled her attention. Her gaze shifted, watching as Sars Sarad stepped into view. And.. Immediately introduced himself. Well, that made sense. Was this his castle then? .. No. Her lips thinned at his immediate question. The faintly glowing eyes she had, yellow much like a Sith, wouldn't help her here. Just from looks alone she still screamed Sith.

It wasn't her fault, but she understood the reality of it.

"Sith no longer. Certainly not a Jedi." She paused, debating on whether she should even give her name. Alina sighed a needless breath.

"Alina Tremiru. What brings you here?"

 

[Sars Sarad]

Sith, no longer.

He'd nod, putting that to memory and listen as she introduced herself in turn. Alina Tremiru , he didn't recognize the name outright but the galaxy was large. Gazing at her he'd note the color of her eyes, glowing and faintly yellow. Sith, no longer she'd said.

Drumming the fingers of his right hand on the rail a moment longer he'd turn, leaving the balcony so that he could begin to descend one of the staircases that lead to the main level where Alina was located. As he began his descent he'd have replied...

"You do."

...moving slowly, paying attention to her body language as he went.

A Tako'raas Duster hung loose from his frame, draped across his shoulder and hanging level to his mid shin. Using his right hand he pressed the duster back to reveal the lightsaber he wore over his hip and setting his hand on the hilt of the weapon he unclipped it, raising it carefully. The Lightsaber would activate, a phosphorescent blade coming to life in the process with the hum of energy that pulsed with an unnatural heat. The Barab Ingot used in the saber charging it with a fiery power capable of dealing grievous wounds.

The Lightsaber waved ahead of him creating an almost palapble wave of heat in its wake while Sarad watched behind it.

"When I first came to this world I wondered why the force had lead me here. Now I understand."

...he knew little of her, she claimed she was of the Sith at one time but no longer. Truthfully it made little difference to him.

 

[Alina Tremiru]

Something was off. Alina's eyes narrowed as she watched Sars Sarad approach. The sound of his heartbeat didn't hint at anything wrong, but still, there was something off. Then he drew on her. She watched as the blade burst into existence. A blade who's heat she could actually feel from where she stood. Chit. Her body tensed. Fire bad was the simplest way to describe it's relationship to the Sangnir. To her.

"I take it that means we can't have a nice chat, then."

She forced a grin, taking a step backwards. Glancing around, looking for something, anything. She didn't want to pull out her lightsaber, not if she didn't have to. Surely that'd only make this misunderstanding grow.

Or at least what she hoped was a misunderstanding.

"I'd take my leave, but I don't think you'll let me, will you?"

 

[Sars Sarad]

When she took a step backwards he would advance after making it to the bottom of the staircase he'd have been descending from, his feet shifting to follow her. Despite hearing what she had to say Sarad's expression didn't indicate there was any misunderstanding. Watching her he'd raise the lightsaber slowly...

"Our weapons will speak for us."

...he'd raised his lightsaber, angling it forward until it aimed at Alina Tremiru and the palpable heat of the blade began radiating outwards again, heatwaves distorting the spacial atmosphere closest to the blade. Sarad must have felt the heat too but using a lightsaber of this sort for any length of time imbued the wielder with a tolerance for the ambient energy.

She was looking for something, an improvised weapon probably though Sarad seemed content to encourage her to reach for the lightsaber he felt she must have had...

"Face me. Win or lose and the estate is yours once we finish."

...he had no interest in this estate, the lands around it or any of the people on this world save her at this point. Without ever knowing who Alina was he had come here for her. Not to collect a bounty, to seek vengeance or to collect a debt. He'd come because the force had lead him here, to this world like it had dozens of worlds before so that he could challenge her.

The way he looked at her was indifferent, he didn't hate her or have any feeling towards Alina. He didn't seek to cut her down but he did he would not lament her loss. He was neither Jedi nor Sith, his path was apart from what was considered practical by galactic standards.

 

[Alina Tremiru]

Alina was uncomfortable to say the least. The heat of the saber, it was something she couldn't put from her mind. It radiated heat in a way no lightsaber should. Almost like the barrier around the energy was ruptured. And Sars Sarad could actually handle it? She reached out, snatching up a decorative rod that probably once held a flag. Casually twisting it to rip it from the wall.

It wasn't a weapon to last, but she didn't want to pull out her lightsaber.

"So the Force is telling you to try and kill me, then?" That was the only conclusion she could come to. The Force lead him here but he didn't know who she was. What she was. Did that mean the Force itself wanted her dead? She laughed, under her breath. Of course it did. Why wouldn't it turn on her. She let out a breath. Hardened her gaze. Then threw the pole. It'd do nothing, she was sure of that, but she wasn't trying to attack him. Instead, she turned and ran.

"I'm not going to let it kill me!"

 

[Sars Sarad]

When it came to the heat of the lightsaber he held Sarad was just as susceptible as the next individual. If he was cut by it he could expect a grievous wound which likely cauterized in the process but he'd become more accustomed to the palpable heat that it radiated, likely from wielding the lightsaber. One might say he'd acclimatized himself.

As Alina Tremiru took the decorative rod, ripping it from the wall and into her grasp Sarad started to answer her by saying...

"That's not---"

...he may have been about to tell her that her death wasn't his objective, just something that he would have been largely indifferent to but his words cut short when she threw the pole at him. His reaction came almost as quickly. Looking at her he'd been able to read her body language seeing as how it didn't appear she'd attempted any subtlety with her motions.

When she threw the rod at him Sarad side stepped, snapping the lightsaber he'd angled towards her aside to deflect the metallic projectile in a crackle of energy and a hiss of scorched metal that softened on impact. Sarad's gaze had flickered, his attention shifting briefly then he'd see her running when his focus returned to her. A small frown set itself across his features as his eyes settled on her retreating form.

She spoke but it fell on deaf ears, something about not letting it kill her. Sarad slid his left foot back behind him, turning it outwards as he manipulated the flow of the form through his torso and let it spread out across his limbs to augment himself before he sprung forward. Bolstered by the force he'd have carried himself further and faster as he launched at Alina from behind.

The Lightsaber he held flourished, angling itself out to his right while his knee rose and cocked forward in the process of Sarad launching himself at her. He'd attempt to slam into her from behind, driving a flying knee towards the middle of her back to send her reeling and off balance before the natural momentum of the maneuver let him land back on his feet...

"If the force wants you dead you'll never run far enough."

...it seemed strange to him, like he wasn't the first person who'd come looking for her however whereas he didn't know her except through their recent, brief interaction he had the feeling that anyone else who may have found Alina knew her much better.

 

[Alina Tremiru]

She took the kick like a rock wall. Her unnatural body tensed as she stumbled, her run interrupted. But no pain. Just.. Annoyance. Her gaze narrowed as she turned it back to Sars Sarad . It was an odd choice to knee her back. She half expected the saber. It was what she was expecting. Something to kill her. She'd been prepared to deal with that, her attention on the blistering heat rather than the man himself.

"I'm sure there's far enough." Alina muttered bitterly as she turned, crouched low. Almost like a feral beast. Almost. Then she let out a sigh. He was too fast to run from. Her hand reached back, pulling free her lightsaber. Igniting the crimson blade as she stood straight up. Then, she reached out. All at once the flow of the Force ceased around her. The odd connection she had with the Force prevented her from being able to feel it. But in turn, she could sever it.

"See." She spoke in a colder voice than before. Both hands settled on her hilt as she lifted her blade.

 

[Sars Sarad]

Landing after his knee had landed home Sarad was surprised to experience a dull ache in his own limb from the blow. At first glance he might have been able to read the body language of Alina Tremiru however she was farm more solid than expected. He might need to adjust his tactics as they proceeded.

She was crouched low then she reached back and when her arm came back around he'd see the crimson blade as she ignited her lightsaber and stood. This all played out as he'd expected but then it happened. He felt the force stifle in the atmosphere then apparently cease altogether, it stunned Sarad who blinked once but quickly regained his composure as he refocused his mind.

Raising his lightsaber to shoulder height Sarad angled it horizontally so that it ran from his right to left, the blade continuing the unnatural heat generated by the crystal it was imbued with. The Lightsabers position appeared largely defensive however his left hand would dip into the duster he wore, back around behind his back before reappearing with a hilt that fit into the palm of his hand that he activated creating a nine inch molecular blade. Old Sin was a Phase-Knife, using technology similar to a lightsabers but creating something different.

The Phase-Knife hovered level with Sarad's hip in an inverted grip, the lightsaber remained as described. He'd move backwards slowly, cross-stepping and circling towards her dominant side...

"Clever."

...he'd admit, anyone who was an adherent of the force would find it more difficult to fight when the force was denied them...

"Nothing lasts forever though."

..his backwards momentum wasn't a withdrawal it was more to test the radius around her that she'd 'killed' the force, to see if he could discover its limits. Sarad was looking to see what that radius was while testing to see if she'd engage him or not.

 

[Alina Tremiru]

He didn't panic. Chit.

Most people did. Almost everyone she'd fought did. The unsettling sensation of just being alone, cut from the Force, it was how she won more often than not. And he immediately went back. Trying to find the edge of her bubble, then? It wasn't far, but she had no intention of letting him slip away. Not if he was going to hound her so. She rushed forward, her inhuman body fast on it's own. Her blade flicked up, pointed directly for him in a single grip. Fencing almost, by all accounts, but that never was her style.

The thrust of her blade was little more than a feint. Pressure. Her blade flicked around before she brought it down with that inhuman strength. Keep him in the aura. Keep him on the defensive. That was the only thing she could think to do now.

Sars Sarad

 

[Sars Sarad]

She was an oddity. During his life he'd experienced the stillness that a lack of the Force created, primarily during an encounter that involved a Ysalamir. He'd heard of individuals that were considered 'Force Dead' too but this was something else. If she hadn't taken the initiative to attack him he might have asked her about it.

When she rushed him he was mid backpedal and it would quickly become clear that in all likelihood she was faster than him, probably stronger than him too if the impact of his knee against her body previously was any indication. Still Sarad could read her body language, an advantage he intended to use and that came to him relatively easily. He was as ready for her as he could be given the circumstances.

As his left foot came back Sarad transitioned his weight onto it, setting himself into a right sided lead. When Alina Tremiru made her feint he'd lean right having some experience against an opponent whose style mirrored classical fencing, Ruslan Zorlu but but the most minute of details didn't escape him so Sarad didn't commit his lightsaber to a defense to early. Raising his lightsaber from its horizontal position at height with his shoulders and angling it to forty-five degrees Sarad would catch her blade as she brought it down in a powerful stroke.

He'd angled the blade of his 'saber so that the pressure from what he now recognized as her clearly inhuman strength didn't overcome him completely but his arm still shook and the reverberation rang throughout his limb. Crackling energy between their blades would become evident yet Sarad wore a strangely confident expression.

Taking a step forward into Alina he redistributed his weight onto his right foot while concurrent with that bringing his left side forward towards her. It was a shift that would bring them into an almost intimate distance while Sarad attempted to maintain contact with Alina's lightsaber and manipulate it wide, off to his right. In that same instant Old Sin, the Phase-Knife hovering near the outside of his left hip would snap across and slice low, first for the inside of her left thigh before it came back in a stabbing motion that took full advantage of the inverted grip it was held in trying to rip across the inside of her right thigh in turn.

If she had never encountered a Phase-Knife before Alina could soon learn how sharp they were. It wasn't uncommon for them to be considered to be a hundred times sharper that a vibroblade due their molecular edge.

 

[Alina Tremiru]

Her eyes narrowed as her blade was kept against Sars Sarad own. Only for a moment, pushed to the side, but long enough for the Phase-Knife to cut through the air. Her thigh. Pain shot through her mind as she hissed, but before the second strike could catch her other leg she leapt back. And with it, her seeming bubble, leaving the Force to return to her foe. The cut was deep, likely deadly if it was anyone else.

But as she stood up and changed the grip on her saber, the wound was already knitting itself back together. She didn't charge forward again, didn't try to keep on him. Instead she watched, her blade in both hands, horizontal to the ground and pointed right for his chest.

"Cheap."

 

[Sars Sarad]

There was a look of some satisfaction on his features as she leapt backwards. He may have tried to follow her but it was likely she still had an edge over him with regards to speed. He'd meant to stall her movements by attacking her legs, her withdrawal and the return of the Force however momentary was an added incentive.

As she rose, taking her lightsaber in both hands this time Sarad let his own weapons reset. A smirk touched his features then...

"We both have our tricks. Don't we."

...she had her 'bubble' and he had a particular fighting style. Not quite Jar'Kai despite his ability to dual wield but something in between.

He took a moment, letting the force flow through him so that he could numb the ache in his arm from blocking her blow then he came at her. The Lightsaber in his right hand beginning to move diagonal across his body and past his hip before arcing up over his shoulder and repeating the motion past the opposite hip and shoulder in what became a continuous motion, a figure-eight pattern. It'd make it more difficult to tell where the next blow came from.

Of course coming at Alina Tremiru meant he had to enter her bubble again and he'd feel the force receding again.

When he came closer to her Sarad timed the upswing of his lightsaber to make contact with Alina's wanting to deflect it to her right however fleeting it may have been. The contact was meant to be brief, short lived as he attempted to slide his lightsaber from hers in a hiss accompanied by crackle of energy as he continued the sweeping motion of the figure-eight pattern. A flashy display but also a distraction.

As his right foot planted he pressed off his back left, springing ahead in an attempt to offset himself to the left of Alina and leap past her. Another swipe of the Phase-Knife came as Sarad went, attempting to cut across Alina's left side above the hip...

 

[Alina Tremiru]

Alina didn't move from where she was. Her attempt to surprise him failed, but that didn't mean she was out classed. Without the Force, Sars Sarad was just a man. and she was something far stronger. Faster. He came in close, rushing her, trying to distract her. Her eyes followed, briefly, before she snapped her saber down. In an instant she went to pin his saber, knock it away. Didn't matter to her what happened exactly so long as the heated plasma of that blade stayed away. His Phase-Knife hurt, but she could heal from those cuts.

The heated weapon was another story.

As he sprang past to try and get behind her though she'd already turned. Watched him, even, her eyes narrowed in focus. As the blade came she brought her hand around, leaving her saber in the other. A quick, darting punch for his wrist to try and stop his strike before she twisted further at the hip and brought her leg around with all her inhuman might to try and kick him away.

 

[Sars Sarad]

His lightsaber went wide, the sweeping motion he'd been engaged in allowing him to disengage it from being pinned but doing nothing to keep Alina from knocking it away. As he was drawing it in a figure-eight pattern Sarad would sweep it back to his right in concordance with the continuous motion that he'd begun. The fiery blade leaving a residual trail of heatwaves causing distortion in the atmosphere in its wake.

As for the rest, Sarad couldn't do a thing about her blow to his wrist. It ached after Alina had made contact. Not broken but it would swell, the pain would be evident until it started to numb if he couldn't use the force to sooth or even heal himself.

He'd seen how she'd turned though.

Mid-Spring his right foot would have come down first as he'd pressed himself forward off his left and using the momentum of his forwards momentum Sarad pivoted outwards on his right foot. Momentum would let him be a fulcrum on which to swing his body around, sweeping his leftside forward in a wide arc that would let him turn around to face Alina Tremiru again. It may have been the angle of it but Alina's leg would clip Sarad rather than landing cleanly both unbalancing him and helping to swing him around further.

The Lightsaber, swept back to Sarad's right would could around in a florish as he pivoted too. Its fiery blade snapping out for the outside of Alina's extended leg as she clipped his own attempting to make contact with her limb in what was effectively a counterattack style maneuver. Regardless Sarad still skidded backwards.

Unbalanced by even being clipped by her Sarad would have gone backwards until he regained his balance. This time his right foot would have gone back, the outside of his hip likely bruised from where she'd clipped him as he took the lead with his left side. The Phase-Knife came up, at height with his shoulders and his elbow cocked outwards as he positioned the blade, in inverted grip ahead of him defensively. The Lightsaber was swept backwards again, trailing behind the outside of his leg and running parallel with it.

 

[Alina Tremiru]

Her leg retreated as quick as it was swung. Raw strength, power, she had control of ever motion of her body. Committing to a strike didn't leave her at the mercy of over extending like a normal human. But that didn't mean she was fast enough. Spared the loss of her leg, even leaning back sent a wave of pain from her calf. The burn carved through clothing, armor. Skin. She'd learned a lot on how to stop her body from being cut by a Lightsaber.

But that damned heat. That damned knife. Her eyes narrowed as she held her ground, pivoting to keep her injured leg behind. Keep up the guise of strength.

"You're injured. Why don't you take this moment to retreat."

 

[Sars Sarad]

He maintained his stance. While Sarad's lightsaber hadn't made solid contact with her leg he noticed that there had been some contact, a glancing blow at the very least and that the wound made from the fiery blade of his weapon didn't seem to heal as quickly as the one he'd delivered with his Phase-Knife. Interesting.

She didn't retreat, she held her ground. When she spoke it felt like she was maintaining an air of strength. Sarad's wrist still ached, the outside of his hip too but he noticed how she'd positioned her injured leg defensively prompting him to remark...

"Apparently we both are."

...he moved backwards as he answered her, he'd already been forced out of her 'bubble' once so seeking out the fringe of her range again he'd look for his connection to the force to reestablish itself. Once he felt that familiar sensation Sarad could channel the force through himself again. It didn't make sense to enhance himself or augment his abilities in any way, when he engaged Alina Tremiru all that would be for naught but he could use his abilities to soothe himself, numb the pain and heal minor injuries. Against a normal opponent the blow to his wrist would have been relatively minor but she was so much stronger than normal.

"Your leg isn't healing."

He was testing her, poking at her a bit. From where he was standing it appeared as though Alina's leg was still wounded. Now Sarad wondered if she could still move as fast on it. Slowing her down was one thing he could use to his advantage.

"If you're so sure I'm worse off than you then you should take this moment to attack."