Enemy mine – the CHAOS cut

[Corvus Raaf]

Those that knew Corvus well were used to her hopping from one topic to another – her brain often operating quicker than her mouth and jumping to the next subject before the current one was concluded.

So she recognised that look on Avreet’s face that turned to a smile and finally a laugh. She smiled in response. There was a certain humour in the situation. And then she listened to him.

“Let one thing be clear,” her voice was firm without being angry. “You would travel on my ship as a guest, not as someone in hiding. If you are truly a former member of the One Sith – and given what you have told me is true – then I have no issues with sharing what happened here with the Grandmaster or any other Jedi that asks. I am not judge or jury and without either proof or reasonable cause, I cannot arrest you in good faith. If you are telling me you need hiding because you intend to return to the One Sith then we should have a different conversation.”

She smiled again. “Just thought I ought to clear that up. But to the matter of communicating with the outside world…”

She walked over to the computer and in a few seconds had opened up a secure channel to the Jedi Order on Ossus. “This is Jedi Knight Corvus Raaf. My ship suffered damage in an ion storm and crash-landed on the planet…Yes, it crash-landed again…I am awaiting repairs and will inform you when I am able to leave. Please ensure someone picks up any lessons at the Academy on my behalf until further notice. Knight Truden is always at a loose end, you can ask her.”

She disconnected the transmission. “At least they won’t come looking for me. How long to effect the repairs do you think?”

[member="Dux Pontus"]

 

[Darth Veles]

Standing silent and hearing out the woman's words added to his confusion concerning the Jedi. Who would have expected a Jedi to treat a Sith Lord like this, to take such an extreme risk of travelling with him, even offering to help him get off the planet not as a prisoner or a corpse, but as a guest. While being a former member of the One Sith was something he could not deny, he still considered himself a Sith. He still followed the Sith Code, still wished to see the Sith prevail over the Jedi in one way or another, still believed the Jedi way to be foolish, still used the Dark Side as the source of his power. That would never change; Avreet was not one to completely change his views, the Mon Cal always wanted to stay true to his beliefs and devoted to his conviction. There was no reason for him to do otherwise; already knowing how the Force worked, or at least so he believed, he would be unable to follow the Jedi beliefs, specifically the ones concerning the Dark Side. Would it not be hypocritical of him to join the Jedi, yet use the Dark Side, just like all those Dark Jedi? Better to stay true to the Sith Code and be an excellent Sith, albeit one without allegiance to the faction uniting the majority of the Sith, than to make a terrible Jedi.

Returning to the One Sith was unthinkable for now. Maybe if a nice purge took place, one to cleanse the One Sith of all Dark Jedi, he would seriously consider coming back. As of right now, with all the Dark Jedi twisting words of the Sith Code to their purpose... no, Avreet could not return. This made him think of his relation to the One Sith. He did not want to fight against the very people he had served with. Completely eradicating the empire that was born from ashes of the previous empire was also an unnecessary, foolish thing to do. Not everything the One Sith have done was bad, Avreet actually liked the order and peace it presented. Killing civilians was a different matter entirely, but he could hardly blame the One Sith as a whole. If specific individuals died - or rather several hundreds of very specific individuals - he would return to the One Sith immediately to help it fight against the Republic.

After Corvus started her communication with the Republic, Avreet made his way behind her and away from the woman. If the computer could not only project, but also record holographic images, he did not want to be spotted by whoever Corvus talked with. Despite not being a leading figure of the One Sith, he could still be identified as one of their Sith Lords due to his participation in many fights against the Republic. For a moment as he stood there in silence with the big eyes of his observing the woman, Avreet considered telling Corvus about the Jedi they have captured shortly after the battle of Coruscant thanks to his efforts. What would be the point though? After being exposed to gruesome torture, the woman had joined the Sith. Another fallen Jedi.

Before he made the decision, [member="Corvus Raaf"]'s question brought him back to the present and to more important matters. Swiftly turning around to look directly at her, he made his guess. "Skilled mechanics can change entire engines of smaller ships in about three hours. Now, I guess mechanics on this planet have plenty of experience with ion storms damaging their ships. Repairing the actual damage suffered in the crash, rebooting the systems, possibly using spare parts here and there... I suppose it will be two or three days, as they have to transport the ship as well."

Then came a question of his own, but not before he leaned against the wall again. "What do you think about assassins? Sith Assassins and Jedi Shadows to be specific. Those who strike from behind. Is it an honorable, valid way of combat in your opinion? To sneak up on someone and eliminate them with no warning?" Being an assassin himself, he was curious to what the Knight had to say.

 

[Corvus Raaf]

Now it was Avreet's turn to change subject without warning! One minute they were talking about ship repairs and the next he was asking her about assassination.

Corvus had plenty of experience of Jedi Shadows but none of their Sith counterparts. She thought about how much she should share about her own involvement when she remembered they'd met when she was wearing her Shadow robes.

"I cannot comment on the Sith side of things," she started honestly, "But as a Jedi Shadow, my role has never called on me to assassinate anyone. Subterfuge and espionage, yes. Infiltration and secrecy of course. And yes, Sith have died at my hands as a result of missions. But we have never been asked, yet, to simply go in and assassinate someone. Could I do it? Sitting her in the comfy hotel room the answer is a simple and not particularly thought through 'yes.' If there was a direct order, I would carry it out for the greater good. But if there was a chance to capture versus kill, I would take it in a heartbeat. But not at a risk to the mission. I am always reminded of the destruction of the Death Stars. So many died on board - yet their deaths prevented the loss of so many billions more."

"Is this similar to the Sith?"

[member="Dux Pontus"]

 

[Darth Veles]

"Oh." To say Avreet was taken back would be an understatement. The sudden and unexpected relevation he stood in the same room as another assassin certainly did not make him feel better. Shivers ran down his spine as his cybernetic eye casually glanced around, switching through all available vision modes to discover if the Corvus he had talked to was more than just an illusion like the one he had done with Kana. It appeared the woman in front of him truly existed in her physical form. He had rarely felt fear, but being outsmarted like this paralysed his body. His mind quickly went through the various possibilities. The rations he had accepted from her could have been poisoned. In fact, she could have delivered a tiny cut into his skin without him even noticing and poisoned him through the small wound. Either way, he was already dead without realizing it until now. The possibility terrified him. Both of his eyes remained fixed at the Knight despite the silence quickly becoming awkward as he tapped into the Force, using what little he knew about Force healing to quickly learn of the state of his body, searching for any injuries, however small. Finding nothing, though that may have been just due to the lack of his skill in this particular field, he finally managed to speak, letting out a nervous laugh at first.

"Hah. Eh. You certainly surprise me, Knight. After what you said, I never would have expected you to be an assassin. ...Congratulations. Heh." Blinking for the first time after she finished talking, he completely ignored her question, if he even registered it. "So if you received an order to kill me for the greater good, you'd do it?" he asked, his mind going several hours back to when he actually considered her an assassin. It was foolish of him to drop his guard down, especially even his old Master had warned him to trust nobody. What was the chance of literally crashing into an assassin of another order? His calm attitude took over as he regained control over his mind and body. He was not dead yet. Even if the woman poisoned him, he'd have a solid chance to take her out. He wasn't a master of several cloaking abilities and illusions for nothing!

[member="Corvus Raaf"]

 

[Corvus Raaf]

Corvus was unfazed. Perhaps Avreet had forgotten their meeting on Zeltros. She wore the robes and mask of a Jedi Shadow and he recognised her Force auara. Even if he had, it was only a matter of time before he remembered.

But she could sense a change in his demeanour. Something had spooked him. You didn’t need to be a Force-user to recognise a nervous laugh.

“Two points.” Her voice was solemn again. If he were a Padawan he would be expecting lecture mode right now. She never got cross with Padawans. Even when she caught two making out in the Library and one was her own charge, she didn’t lose her cool. She simply spoke in the voice she was using now. A disappointed tone “I am not an assassin per se. I am a Jedi Shadow. My main purpose is to destroy Sith artefacts. Amulets, talismans – that sort of thing. Our goal has never been, in my time, to end a life. And so congratulating me is a little…premature.”

“So if an order came through this very instant to kill you, would I carry it out? No. I would first try all other options. But yes, if it was clear the Republic saw you as such a threat that you could not go on walking around unfettered, I would do my duty and arrest you. If that failed…” She left the words hanging for a few moments.

“I am a Jedi. First and foremost. I have a Code that you encouraged me to uphold. Killing in cold blood is worse than simply turning a blind eye but I would be no better than those Jedi that pick and choose which aspects of the Code they follow.”

“Is this making sense?” She wasn’t sure how much he was listening to her and how much he was thinking to himself.

[member="Dux Pontus"]

 

[Darth Veles]

Avreet did not understand. Or did he? From all he had learned, Jedi Shadows very much mirrored Sith Assassins. Two sides of the same coin. Add the unfortunate truth he was justly proud of his stealth abilities and it became quite easy to see the brown haired woman not as an average Jedi, but as a competition. Not an enemy, yet, although his brain told him the exact opposite. Sith and Jedi would never get along, this particular meeting could therefore be considered a small miracle of the Force. Or was this just a result of simple civility between two members of feuding orders. His gaze shifted towards the floor before immediately returning to the Jedi opposite of him.

"That is an interesting concept," the Mon Cal said, not answering her question yet again, too lost in his thought to register everything. "In case you do not know it yet, though I suppose my abilities gave it away, I am an actual assassin. Unlike some of your Jedi Shadow ilk, I won't hide behind more appealing terms, such as bringing light to the darkness. Rooting out the Dark Side." The last words were spoken with obvious sarcasm he made no attempt to hide. "I am not proud of nor ashamed of it. It is what I am. What I have been trained to do. I personally deliver messages from the Sith to anyone they order me, and that message is death."

Stopping, be raised his hand and waved it as if dismissing what he just said. "Actually, no. Forgive me, Knight. I used to be a messenger of the Sith. After the disaster on Zeltros, I follow the Sith Code, my heart, my personal mantra and my instincts," the Mon Cal raised his finger, "And as surprising as it may be, I haven't killed anyone after leaving the One Sith. There was no need to. No orders. No messages to deliver." Shrugging, the Sith Lord tapped his chin.

"It took me by surprise you are exactly the same. You receive orders and you do as you're told. Just as Sith Assassins. And before you remind me you are not an assassin, let me tell you this. Not yet. It is a matter of time before your superiors figure out ancient trinkets are not the problem. It's people."

"That is what amazes me. How easy it would be to turn a peacekeeper into an assassin. Listen to yourself. You speak of greater good and following orders, but isn't that what everyone justifies their actions with? As shameful as it is, I have to admit that is what I did. Except for the greater good. I never needed to justify my actions, to myself or anyone else."

The light next to Corvus' right started to shift and twist into a shape, gaining colors until the illusion gained the appearance of the Jedi Grandmaster. "It would be easy to give you fake orders...," he muttered, half lost in his thought. "Is it easier that way, Corvus? If you let someone else to make the choice for you? I know it is not your place to judge, but... I was just like you. We truly are not that different."

[member="Corvus Raaf"]

 

[Corvus Raaf]

"No," Corvus said, a little more forcefully than she meant. "I think it would be convenient to say we are cut from the same cloth - Sith and Jedi. My order would be to capture, to detain - not to kill. If the Grandmaster contacted me now and asked me to simply kill you, I would not believe it was her. And that's not the same as saying I would disobey her. I know what it means to be a Jedi. Assassination is not part of that life."

"I am not pretending some Jedi do not think that way. I am sure they do. But they are not Jedi in my eyes. And if, just if, the Grandmaster genuinely gave me such an order...she would no longer be the Grandmaster in my eyes. She is the one who disbanded the Jedi Council. We have no hierarchy. We have good Jedi and we have bad Jedi. She is a good Jedi and a figurehead and makes wise decisions. And - in truth, makes relatively few of them that I recall. She counsels and discusses and we agree on a course of action."

"So no, I do not see us as similar in that regard."

[member="Dux Pontus"]

 

[Darth Veles]

"Though you said you'd carry out a direct order to assassinate someone," Avreet pointed out, "Even if it is not a part of being a Jedi, you'd do it. You hope your superiors will never actually give you the order, but you will do as they ask... for the greater good." The Grandmaster vanished into thin air, leaving no trace, and instead of Avreet, Corvus faced yet another person; herself. It was not hard for the master of several of these techniques to copy the woman's appearance. The need to maintain the illusion required a large amount of energy feeding it, therefore the Mon Calamari left out the finer details on the Knight's clothes and hair. He also made no attempt to replicate the woman's Force signature, as he deemed it too much for the real Jedi in the room.

"From what I have seen," the fake Corvus said, "When Jedi start to use the term 'greater good', it is usually a sign they have failed to access the situation correctly and they are one step closer to the Dark Side. Don't get me wrong; I am not saying you have done anything bad, nor do I imply you are not a good Jedi. I am just questioning some of your reasoning. If you receive an order that obviously goes against the Jedi beliefs, such as assassinating someone, you will realize it is not the Jedi way, but carry out the order nonetheless because it is not your place to judge. Which is understandable, as when individual Jedi listen to no-one but themselves, they usually fall to the Dark Side. Just look at the Silver Jedi."

Frowning, the projection shook her/his/its head. "I am glad to be a Sith. I can judge others, act on my own, yet the judgement is tempered by my mantra. I have willingly placed restraint upon myself to not get consumed by power. Perhaps it is the best way there is? I know when to hold my blade, I know when to strike. Truth to be told... I think I will teach my way to others. The One Sith... somebody has to stop it. It is drunk with power... and it will fall. And when that happens... we will have to hunt for their artifacts and destroy those that preach the wrong path, the one of destruction and suffering. If only I had the power to replace every faulty teaching with one containing my Master's wisdom!" Corvus/Avreet sighed wishfully, kneeling on the floor.

"Those Sith you have slain," his eyes swiveled towards the Knight, "Were they more like more like me or the ones from the One Sith?"

[member="Corvus Raaf"]

 

[Corvus Raaf]

Corvus shook her head. "I am at fault. I have not explained myself thoroughly, but I understand where you are coming from. Jedi serve. That is what we do. And we trust in the Force to guide us as to who to serve. For as long as the Republic operate for the greater good and the Force does not warn us, we will continue to do so. If anything, it is the Dark Jedi that think as you do. They decide that they are no longer willing to serve. That they should start to make those decisions. That 'their' Republic will be a perfect one."

"This is precisely what Knight Skywalker said to Master Kenobi. And I am with Ob-Wan on this score."

"Am I saying I am right and they are wrong? No. I am saying they are entitled to their belief system - but why call themselves Jedi when they are clearly not? I cannot and will not judge them. But I will point out their lies and contradictions. They must tread their own path and I shall mine. Always my heart is true to the Force."

His question about the Sith she had killed made her think for a few moments. "Their death was to either avoid them killing others or because in arresting them, I was unable to carry out that duty without taking their life. I see both kinds as failure but I am at peace that I did all that I could. But each time I ask myself, what more could I have done? In terms of their philosophy, Dark Jedi, One Sith, traditional Sith, I cannot say. Any more, I suspect, than you could say that Jedi you have killed were true to the Code or not. Am I right?"

[member="Dux Pontus"]

 

[Darth Veles]

"Were they true to the Code or not?" Avreet repeated the question as if asking himself, his eyes narrowing. "That is hard to say. In my line of duty, I have killed many Jedi without attempting to converse with them. Such was the mission, they were my targets I have been tasked to eliminate for various reasons. As such, there was no point in getting to know them or their views. I gave them no chance to fight back, no chance to defend themselves. Their death was instant. Even if they surrendered, I would have sent them to the Void. I am not a Jedi. I protect innocents and my allies with no regard of the lives of my enemies."

The projection disappeared as Avreet stood up his kneeling position. "Then there were Jedi who wished to kill or arrest me. My attempts at initiating conversation failed miserably. Whether the Jedi were true to the Code or not did not matter. They attacked me or my friends, they died by my hand." The Mon Cal paused for a while, smiling wryly. "It might surprise you, but despite of how many Sith act like, I rarely kill anyone when not on a mission. The only ones to be sent to the Void by my hand are trained Force users. They feel invincible with the power of the Force in their hands and want to become great heroes by removing my evil from the galaxy. Other than that, soldiers and ruffians who occasionally attack me on the streets do not pose much of a threat; my training is more than sufficient to take them out in non-lethal fashion. If I encountered them on a mission and my task was not to kill them, then I would have most likely spared them. Those who surrender and are not my targets are usually spared. I say usually; those who kill innocents will never receive any mercy from me."

"Sith and Jedi alike, it matters not what Code they follow. It makes no difference for me if they're monsters of the Jedi Code or the Sith Code. Murder is murder, no matter how they try to justify it. Be it to satiate their own bloodlust or for the greater good."

[member="Corvus Raaf"]

 

[Corvus Raaf]

Corvus sensed this conversation could escalate if they were not careful and regardless of how civilised they were, their differences were too great to ever be properly bridged. But would she still be alive without him? Most probably not.

So she looked for common ground rather than perpetuate the philosophical debate. "Then we are agreed. To take a life is against certainly my Code and even the extenuating circumstances make it clear that, for me, it is a step towards the Dark-side."

Looking to change the subject, she walked over and picked up a room-service menu. Scanning it she asked, "Are you hungry? My Jedi rations are both meagre and tasteless."

[member="Dux Pontus"]

 

[Darth Veles]

After discussing that particular subject, Avreet did not feel like eating. He would have eagerly accepted just a few minutes ago, as those rations truly were tasteless and did little in terms of satisfying one's hunger. Then again, the rations also presented a good diet, giving the body only what it needed and nothing more. That's not to say Avreet had never tasted anything else; when visiting his beloved teacher in her mansion, the two often dined proper food. Grima spared no expense to make those priceless moments with her former apprentice as enjoyable as possible. If Avreet actually remebered it, he would have shed a tear for the memory of a more peaceful time when the Sith ruled much of the galaxy and he did not have to worry about the fate of his family and friends.

But the memory had not resurfaced on the amphibian's mind. "I am afraid I have lost my appetite," he explained, "Not because of anything you've said, of course. It's just the topic in general that is... distasteful." Still, he glanced over her shoulder, his cybernetic eye swiftly reading through everything on the menu she held in her hands. While he did not feel like eating, he could use a drink. Another choice was presented in front of him; Avreet drank alcohol rarely, only when he had no choice, such as when he celebrated with his Grima. The Mon Cal preferred wated, and yet... this seemed to be quite a special occasion. To actually talk with a Jedi for so long without either side attacking the other?

"What is your opinion on alcohol?" the Sith Lord asked carefully, walking away from the woman and sitting on the desk holding the computer, "It is entirely possible I am the last Sith you talk to and you are the last Jedi I do not have to fight. Given the death rate on battlefields, we will probably never meet again." Avreet explained further, smile finally finding its way to his face.

"I normally do not drink, but if you'd like to have a glass and talking about something... happier..., such as happy stories written by life itself, I wouldn't protest."

[member="Corvus Raaf"]

 

[Corvus Raaf]

Corvus eyes lit up at the mention of alcohol. She drank rarely but she had a distinct favourite. "Have you ever tried Cornelian Whiskey? It has a distinct woody, spicy flavour. It kind of tastes of the smell of Caamasi."

She hoped his lack of appetite was honestly nothing to do with her. But if they were going to drink her favourite tipple, they'd have to try ryshcate too.

[member="Dux Pontus"]

 

[Darth Veles]

Avreet had experienced many things in his life, some pleasant and others not, but Corellian whiskey was not one of them. Having never tasted anything other than various kinds of wine, always drinking a wine glass at most, he had absolutely no idea of how whiskey tasted like. Sweet? Sour? Only one way to find out. Normally, he would have been extremely worried about getting drunk and revealing some secrets of the One Sith, but that hardly mattered now. The Jedi Knight seemed to come to life when talking about it, Avreet's ear canal cound hear strange passion in her words, similar to that when people talk about something they like. "Corellian whiskey it is!" chuckled the amphibious Sith, walking over to the computer and glancing over the various icons before selecting the one that resembled the menu. On the holographic projection that appeared instead of the normal menu, his webbed claws worked on finding this particular item, and upon seeing it, he ordered a bottle with no hesitation. It would be on the Republic's expense, anyway.

"Done!"

At the same time, Avreet vanishes in justa few seconds, replaced by a blonde woman all too familiar to [member="Corvus Raaf"] with only the signature in the Force clearly revealing the trick. This illusion goes to find appropriate glasses for the whiskey, searching for them in the desk, just as the slave carrying the ordered bottle rides up the elevator and approaches the door leading to the room with Corvus and 'Kana' inside. Invisible webbed hands open another drawer and reach inside - pulling out the desired glasses!

 

[Corvus Raaf]

As she expected, the 'slave' she'd asked to stand guard at the door was now clearly at odds with the one that had been ordered to deliver the room service.

So she opened the door and took the tray. She offered a simple, "Thank you" to the waiter and a, "Good job" to the man standing guard.

Taking the tray inside, she deposited it on a nearby table and glanced at the bottle. It was a special batch from a particular barrel - typically the best the distillery had to offer. She quickly broke the golden wax seal on the bottle before unscrewing the cap. The familiar smell was heavenly. Walking across to Avreet, she poured a healthy measure into each glass. "No ice, no mixers. A whiskey like this needs to be savoured for what it is."

Again she smelled the whiskey, allowing the aroma to excite her palate. Raising her glass to Avreet she said simply, "May the Force be with you." Then she took a small sip. Even with a bottle to hand, you didn't down this stuff in one.

[member="Dux Pontus"]

 

[Darth Veles]

Once Corvus took the bottle slave who had delievered it to them and the door closed, it was safe for Avreet to break his concentration that maintained the play of lights creating the projection of Kana being in the room. Hopefully he would not have to do it again today; the ability was quite taxing and the constant switching between his real form, invisibility and creating another illusion did no good to his Force reserves. Not even the Sith Lord's vast stamina could supply the demand of the power he had mastered if he continued to carelessly bend and twist the light to his will. The warm smile on his face remained even as the illusion dissipated and his amber eyes watched Corvus opening the bottle containing that famous liquid, its rich golden color immediately catching his attention.

Offering both glasses to the woman, Avreet let her fill them with the whiskey. He had no experience with this kind of alcohol, therefore he did not know how much one should pour in the glasses and if it should be mixed with something else or not. The sweet aroma of the whiskey reached his nose, the enhanced sense of smell immediately distinguishing from everything else. Taking one of the glasses into his webbed hand, raising the glass closer to his nose, he had to admit this was a new experience for him. It smelled unlike anything else, it looked unlike anything else as the cybernetic orb carefully examined the color. It somewhat reminded him of his former Master's eyes, affected by the Dark Side corruption...

"May the Force be with you!" nodded the Mon Cal, raising his glass as well, dipping his tongue into the whiskey. Just a tiny sip to taste it, roll it over his tongue. "Hmm." At first he did not know whether to like it or not, as he almost instinctively disliked the taste of alcohol. Overcoming that and focusing on the woody, spicy flavour, he found himself enjoying it quite a bit. It was unusual, uncommon, but not unpleasant.

"It is good," he finally commented after gulping the sip, "Would you like to start with humorous or happy stories from life, or should I?" He did have something in mind, something that served as a running joke between him and his former Master. It was extremely inappropriate to talk about such things with a woman, yet it always elicited a laugh from the Mon Cal and his beloved Togruta.

[member="Corvus Raaf"]

 

[Corvus Raaf]

Corvus was floored. Ask her about astrophysics and she'd work it through. Test her on ancient Jedi Lore and she'd answer without a second thought. But happy memories?

Denied a childhood, she'd only known the Order. She marked her life by career milestones. Being accepted as a Youngling, being chosen as a Padawan, being Knighted. She struggled for a few seconds before one thought surfaced above all others.

"This is going to sound really odd. In fact it may not translate well. But for me, my happiest memory, by far and a way? It was two simple words. My Padawan. I had an awkward experience when I first arrived on Ossus. I had agreed for someone to be my Master. I was not ready for this relationship. But I needed a Master. And there was one Jedi who I absolutely wanted to choose me. But I dare not ask her. She was perfect. But she found me contemplating my predicament and gave me sage advice. I remember laughing as she likened herself to Yoda - the physical mis-match was humorous." Corvus smiled even at the memory. "And then she offered to be my Master. When she called me - 'My Padawan' my heart sung." And Corvus cried tears of joy. Then and there, in front of Avreet. She could contain her emotions no longer.

[member="Dux Pontus"]

 

[Darth Veles]

Naturally, Avreet could not possibly appreciate that moment of Corvus' life. He did not know her Master, he had little idea of how things like that actually worked in the Jedi Order. It brought him back to his meeting with his former Master. The first time he had met the Togruta... he actually hated her. Which was exactly what she wanted. As such, Avreet decided to share the story with the Jedi Knight, if for nothing else than to show the Sith did not always make sense. A small sip, yet braver than the previous one, and the Mon Cal started talking.

"My former Master... the lady I love so desperately... the first time we have met was in the Sith Academy on Korriban, back in the Sith Empire. I knew nothing about her. Nothing at all. I was an Acolyte, she was a Knight. My first reaction to seeing her was kneeling in front of her to show my respect," Avreet could not help but chuckle as he still remembered the moment so well, "In that moment, she hit me with Force lightning, stating that a true Sith should never kneel or bow to anyone but the Emperor. Then she put me to several tests, such as fighting to death against other Acolyte or assassinating a Jedi Knight. In the first months of my training, I hated her so much! She was unforgiving, demanded perfection." Another sip he held in his mouth for a few moments.

"But as the time progressed, we grew very close. I have learned to understand her methods and appreciate them. She wanted to make me strong. A true Sith, not those pathetic weaklings who plague the One Sith today. Once I finally became a Knight, the firm, unforgiving, yet fair woman became a kind, caring being that always helped, always listened to my concerns. I even dared to tell her about my plan to assassinate several Sith who ruled the Empire at the time. It was to prevent their insanity from destroying everything. Well, I was obviously not successful... but the fall of the Sith Empire only strengthened the bond between us. Now she means everything to me...," his lips curved into an amused smile, "And I really want to buy her a very nice garment!" Avreet sat into a chair next to the desk, his soft laughter preventing him from tasting more of the whiskey for a while.

[member="Corvus Raaf"]

 

[Corvus Raaf]

Corvus allowed the tears to dry on her cheeks. She had no desire to wipe them away.

She listened to Avreet's story. It was touching and poignant yet at the same time alien to her. There were some reference points but the way the Sith trained their apprentices? She shook her head slightly.

"Isn't it strange how hatred and love so often go hand in hand?" It was no elaborate speech, no clever words - just a phrase that came from her heart. She took a gulp of the whiskey despite her own counsel and refilled her glass, preparing to do the same for Avreet if he needed it.

[member="Dux Pontus"]

 

[Darth Veles]

Avreet nodded at the truth of Corvus' words. Love and hate, one opposite of the other, yet they both had the tendency to shift to the other side of the spectrum. Just as his hate for Grima blossomed into love once he realized the woman always wanted the best of him, his love for the Sith turned into hate as a result of the actions of the Dark Jedi. While he allowed his love to run unchecked, the Mon Cal knew the danger of being consumed by hate, therefore he guarded the feeling closely, not letting it affect him. When letting go of it completely, he actually felt pity for the Sith, he wanted to cry for the Order he used to love so much and maybe still loved, knowing things would never be the same. The fateful decision had changed much and he found himself with no direction, no purpose for some time. Should he start his own Sith Order and continue the fight against the Republic, or should he do something entirely different? He still did not have a clear idea of what to do with himself. Except for getting that garment for his lady...

Finally, he took a solid gulp of the whiskey, resisting the urge to cough, and gathered enough courage to tell Corvus another story. Maybe it was because of the alcohol, but he felt... more open? "I don't think I should be telling you this," he started, holding back his laughter as he remembered that particular story written by life itself, yet so strange and ridiculous he actually found it funny. "It is not appropriate to speak about such things in front of a woman," pausing, he took another sip and let Corvus fill up the glass, thanking her with a nod, "But since this is a perfect time to share such stories, let me tell you anothing thing that happened in the Sith Empire. There was a Sith Knight and she,..." Avreet chuckled, unable to hold it. Luckily, he had no whiskey in his mouth. As soon as he managed to get himself under control, he put up the Mon Calamari emotionless expression, though it was obviously forced.

"Many Sith have their view and interpretations concerning the Sith Code. But this particular Knight,..." Another wave of laughter threatened to escape from him, his body shook as he hold it back, "She had the most paculiar interpretation anyone's ever heard. She believed she had discovered the true meaning of the Sith, true source of their power, true meaning of the Code! It was not passion, nor control or power, not even violence. The one and the only thing that made and defined a true Sith according to her was...," Avreet made a dramatic pause, smile breaking his emotionless expression.

"Sex."

He had to set the glass on the desk as the laughter that erupted from him threatened to spill it and it would be a shame if that happened to such a fine drink. The utter ridiculousness and the fact the Sith Knight actually believed what she preached made him laugh even harder. Just like the first time he heard the nonsense, he found it impossible to hold back the sudden laugh. "And so, hah, so she claimed any Sith who meditates through the ordinary means is not a true Sith. Ah," he shook his large head, taking the glass and taking a sip. "And do you know what I did? I decided to prove her wrong by imposing celibacy upon myself. Eh, that lasted until the fall of the Empire, but since I haven't heard of her since that... I guess that proves me right!"

Another laugh.

[member="Corvus Raaf"]