Family Matters

[Taeli Raaf]

[member="Darth Timoris"]

It had been a long time coming, Taeli thought, her mind wandering a bit. Connor was asleep right now, exhausted from a day of training she assumed as she had given him some stuff to learn. Being out here again ... made her think of her youngest sister. She had told Melori she was leaving to learn from different Force sects, and that was true. She had just started with the Jedi and joined them, knowing in her heart that she needed to help stop the monsters she had once called colleagues.

It had been awhile, but she had sensed Melori's presence again. It had been faint, but something had spiked through the sisterly bond they still shared. That bond was closed off for the most part, but something had slipped through. She wasn't sure what had prompted the emotion, but it had been ... interesting. Had Melori learned that the Sith were not the family she made them out to be?

Possibly, but it was time to put their disagreements behind them and see if they could mend the family, even in a small way. Looking down on the world of Ambria, she could fully appreciate the circle that had brought them here. She had taught her sister on Ambria the value of patience and helped her skills, and now they were going to meet again on the desolate world.

Landing the ship in their old camp, she headed outside and waited. She knew, the Force telling her, that Melori would come here soon enough. Garbed in her Shade robes and with her lightsabers, just in case there was a fight, she waited.

 

[Darth Timoris]

Corellia.

Once upon a time she called it home – but it was just a word. She still had no feelings for the place – but the word…home…meant something to her now.

She’d taken up residence on Coruscant with her older sister – but it was a domicile, never a home. Not in a true sense.

Then there was the space station – home to the Black Rose. For a while she hoped it would be hers too. But politics and falsehoods were spoken and suddenly she was a loner. Previously she’d chosen to be aloof, apart. But to be forced to do so was something else again.

She had an apartment on Coruscant – it was to irritate the One Sith if nothing else – but it was a place to stay.

So she found herself drawn to this planet. Home? No – but a place to collect her thoughts. So she landed at the camp-site where she’d learned so much. Where she’d earned the ship she now piloted.

And she sat in the cockpit, staring out – wondering if any neeks would be brave enough to some and see the ship. There was a ghost of a smile which quickly vanished. She shook her head softly and stood, striding to the landing ramp and exiting the ship.

She needed the fresh air – and the aura of the Dark-side was an added bonus.

And yes…she’d seen the other ship. And yes, she knew who else was here. Destiny? Fate? Bad luck? It mattered little. Two sisters landed. How many would take off?

[member="Taeli Raaf"]

 

[Taeli Raaf]

[member="Darth Timoris"]

So it seemed fate had ideas and a sense of humor as she watched her sister's ship land. She quietly watched it, her mind racing through all the different scenarios that could take place. Knowing her sister the way she did, well ... at least it wasn't at a graveyard or any pre-dug graves had been prepared for either of them.

"Hello Melori," she said quietly once her sister emerged from her ship. "It's been awhile."

All the things she wanted to say had disappeared from her mind temporarily, just taking in the fact her youngest sister was here and now.

 

[Darth Timoris]

Melori was wary. As she stepped forward, she pulled her cloak to one side, revealing her twin sabers. The message was clear.

The last time they were here, they sparred. This time? It would be somewhat less cordial.

They were sisters in blood and once she believed in personality and outlook. Perhaps they were still close and Melori did not want to admit it. But regardless, things needed to be said. Maybe not to a resolution, but they had to be aired.

“A while indeed,” Melori seemed unable to remain still, pacing around, taking in the surroundings.

“I see your trip around the galaxy had a singular destination. Any idea how that worked out for me? Sister to the Grand Master in secret and sister to a traitor in public. Not that I’ve escaped that tag myself.”

There was the ghost of a smile on her lips. A cold smile, full of bitterness and reflected irony.

[member="Taeli Raaf"]

 

[Taeli Raaf]

[member="Darth Timoris"]

"Not a singular destination, been to both the Baran Do and the Theran Listeners now," Taeli said, looking her sister over. "The Jedi were just the first stop and I decided to join them. I see you learned how loyal the One Sith can really be to those that make up their order, but did you expect anything less from an order of Sith?"

She didn't give her sister any sort of look that conveyed disappointment or any other negative emotion that could be taken as condescending. She still loved Melori, and always would. She, however, was not as naive as Corvus as to not expect a fight to come. Her sister had grown quite powerful now, and she was none too pleased with Taeli.

"I'm sorry for the way I left," Taeli said, her purple eyes showing she was sincere. "It was the only way I could think of that might not result in immediate retribution to you for my actions."

 

[Darth Timoris]

Melori pulled a face. Then she shrugged.

“You’re splitting hairs. You joined the Jedi. For all I know you planned it all along. Well you can forget trying to convert me. I’m a Sith. A true Sith.”

She glanced at the ground, “Not that the statement means a great deal. There seems to be one type of Jedi – at least in truth – but many forms of Sith. I listened to your teachings. I did the research and find the teachings of Bane to reflect my beliefs. Not the kill your Master bit – although it can be arranged in your case.”

“The One Sith? Kill anything that moves on a whim. I’m not going to say that some Sith haven’t followed that principle – but the truly powerful Sith? The successful ones? Not an approach they’d endorse.”

“I kill if it serves a purpose. Maybe it’s not so far removed from how the Jedi see things? You’ll be the expert now, surely?”

Her voiced remained cold, aloof. Her references to her sister were given an icy stare too. “An Order of Sith doesn’t have to be the way they are. But I am one, hardly an Order. And the Black Rose? They value all life. Not for me,” she shook her head. “I thought that, after you abandoned me, I’d find a home there. I did, but like my other sisters it wasn’t to my taste.”

“So both sides see me as a traitor, a turncoat. I am loyal to the Dark-Lord and he no doubt sees the truth. So, for now, I bide my time. Amassing wealth to use if the need arises. Not for opulence or base needs – but for furthering the true Sith cause.”

“And hold your apologies. It just makes you sound weak.” She sneered. “Save your breath, for soon it may be your last.”

[member="Taeli Raaf"]

 

[Taeli Raaf]

[member="Darth Timoris"]

"Ah yes, I see your arrogance is still present," Taeli said, her eyes turning hard for just a moment. "So traitor to both, loyal to no one but yourself ... yes I'm sure you'll make it far that way and gaining wealth with no real idea how to amass it. I apologized because it was needed to be said, because regardless of how everything stands ... you're still family. I can say I'm glad you took some of my teachings to heart at least."

Taeli's eyes didn't soften as she looked at her youngest sister. She had come here to talk to and most likely fight Melori, iconic location and all apparently. She knew, with Melori, that actions always spoke louder than words and if it came down to a fight, Taeli wouldn't hold back anything.

 

[Darth Timoris]

Different times, different circumstances. Same planet and same approach. She was about to be lectured. Of course that was her recollection at least.

“It’s a fine line between arrogance and confidence. And you don’t know how fine until you walk it.” Her eyes were flashing yellow now. “I am no traitor. Being branded something does not make it so. Call a coward a hero and they’re still yellow.”

“And being family is something I can sadly do nothing about. So thanks for reminding me. It adds to the fuel of my anger. A beautiful emotion. One you taught me to tap into. Don’t you miss it? I know I would?”

As she talked she continued to move, like a big cat, unable to stand still, pacing in front of her prey, awaiting the moment to pounce.

[member="Taeli Raaf"]

 

[Taeli Raaf]

[member="Darth Timoris"]

"Miss anger?" Taeli said, tilting her head. "No, but then I was never consumed by anger. Used it? Sure, but it never held sway over me or my actions. Thinking things through was too important to me, and we don't even want to discuss the excess of our former colleagues."

She could tell Melori was working her way into a tizzy if she was resorting to that poor excuse of a persuasion technique. Honestly, she should have given her sister better pointers about dun moch when she was training her. Oh well, maybe it was for the best in all situations then. She would avoid giving the lecture further though, it would just tick off her sister further.

"You know, all that pacing is just going to tire you out," Taeli pointed out, smiling slightly.

 

[Darth Timoris]

“I can’t imagine a world any more where my emotions are repressed. Where I can’t simply be myself. But it takes all sorts I suppose.”

“Listen…given what’s happened lately, I can’t say I blame you exactly. Despite my moods, I know what you did for me.” She held a hand up quickly. “No, do not rush over and hug me. We’re not friends and not sisters other than by some technicality.”

“I’m on my own now…well, maybe I’ve found someone, but I’ve been burned too many times to even risk being hurt again, so I’m keeping a sense of independence.”

“And I’m also not saying I’m happy with what happened. Had you remained? Maybe I wouldn’t be her, alone. But I am and I’m grown up enough to accept it.” She was still pacing, but slower now, her steps softer.

“So…you’re a Jedi Master, yes?”

[member="Taeli Raaf"]

 

[Taeli Raaf]

[member="Darth Timoris"]

"Who ever said I was repressing things, but then it always took a lot to anger me," Taeli replied. As Melori gave her little speech, Taeli wasn't about to run over and hug her anyways. There certain things you did in these situations, and that was not really something appropriate for the time. It did hurt that Melori considered them only sisters on a 'technicality' which was ironic as Taeli was pretty sure it wasn't a technicality.

"I'm a student of the Force," Taeli said, shrugging at the question. "Right now I wear the title of Jedi Master, but it's just that ... a title. I have always considered myself a student who doesn't always proscribe to the orthodox doctrine. Why do you think I taught you Bane's philosophy instead of the one the One Sith should technically preach of Darth Krayt?"

 

[Darth Timoris]

There was a look of weariness on Melori’s face.

Which was promptly followed by her sitting abruptly on the ground, cross-legged.

“I don’t want to fight. Not you at least. Not now at least.”

“I spend a lot of time blaming people,” she said as she looked into the far distance. “Way too much. And I protest a lot too.”

“In truth I want to be here for a reason. To further the Sith cause. Not the One Sith cause – I understand that now. I am a Banite. Maybe that was your doing? Maybe not. And I don’t plan to kill all Sith. For one there are too many and for another, I don’t have a thought bomb.”

“But I believe in his teachings. His, and Zannah’s. All the way through to Maul and even Vader. We kill because it is necessary. Never on a whim. Nor do we coddle humanity. The weak do not deserve it. At best they deserve to be led.”

“But I am bereft of ideas. My hatred for the Jedi has abated somewhat. I still want to end them, but there must be more to life than simply killing Jedi. Their deaths leave me empty – although a lucrative business.”

She looked over at Taeli. “You know there’s a Sith Lord that pays for dead ones? Except once they’re dead, you can’t tell if they were Jedi or not. So I ship him my kills and supplement the numbers with anyone who looks like a Jedi.” She chuckled. “How do people like that get to be Sith Lords?”

[member="Taeli Raaf"]

 

[Taeli Raaf]

[member="Darth Timoris"]

"Because they impress the right people at the right time and they get the title," Taeli said, sitting down as well in a more meditative stance. "Some Sith are absolute fools, like that one. Some are clever beyond reason, but horrible sadistic to the point where they are just monsters who prey on anyone and everything. But then there are some who are clever and not sadistic ... and they're the ones the galaxy always has to look out for.

Looking around at the old camp, she shrugged and said, "I can't tell you what to do with your life, Mel, I never could. I'm your oldest sister, not our mother ... but I can offer you some advice. If you want to find purpose in life again, a plan is always useful for that."

Gesturing down at herself, she continued saying, "My purpose in life is to gain new knowledge, why do you think I'm out here flying around the galaxy and not on Ossus or some other Jedi world? I've already visited the Theran Listeners of Nam Chorios and the Baran Do Sages of Dorin. I learned new things, observed new outlooks on life and the Force. Now I'm not saying that should be your purpose, it's not exactly who you are, but you have to pursue what you are passionate about."

 

[Darth Timoris]

She listened to Taeli. Part of her wanted it to be like the old days. The young Acolyte, desperate for knowledge. The wise master that just happened to be her sister. Not that Melori ever blurred the two.

But that was then and this was now.

And she realised she never had a plan. Knowledge was her goal. Then? There was never a then. So she sat here. Virtually alone in the galaxy and nothing to show for her life, nor a plan for what to do with it.

She kidded herself that amassing a fortune for the Sith cause was a plan. It was not. With nothing to do with the money, she was wasting her time.

She sighed loudly. “Easier said than done.” She lay down on the ground now and stared up at the sky.

“I need me a purpose.” Oddly the first thought she had was children, but she immediately pushed it aside.

[member="Taeli Raaf"]

 

[Taeli Raaf]

[member="Darth Timoris"]

"I suppose you could always fall back to the old Banite Sith stand by: slip into the shadows, infiltrate your enemies, strike when the time is just right that would be most crippling, and then take over yourself," Taeli said, a joking edge to her words. The odds of doing that right now were rather low, and it was a plan that had taken centuries for the last Banite Sith to accomplish.

"If finding a purpose was easy, everyone would have one," Taeli continued, looking up at the sky now. "Some find purpose through loyalty or a faction, some find it in the little things they discover about the galaxy. Others in crafting something beautiful or through charity. It all depends on what you enjoy and what calls out to you."

 

[Darth Timoris]

Melori listened to her sister’s words. And she lay silent for a short while, thinking.

It was not out of rudeness. In fact it was the ease with which she was in her sister’s company that allowed her to be quiet.

Finally she spoke.

“My ideals are unbendable. I follow the Banite doctrine. Except the ‘there shall be only two’ bit. That no longer makes sense since there are so many Sith. But if an opportunity arises…”

“Anyway, develop strong Sith and waste no time on weak ones. That’s a sound philosophy.”

“I could run a Sith Academy? Maybe?”

She sighed again. “I’m sure a plan will come to me. A cause, a purpose…whatever.”

“So sister, what is yours?”

[member="Taeli Raaf"]

 

[Taeli Raaf]

[member="Darth Timoris"]

"My purpose in life?" Taeli said, mulling the question for a moment. "I've always viewed my purpose in life as being the acquisition and discovery of knowledge or artifacts and then passing what I know along to others who want to learn about it. I suppose it's the Lorrdian in me from childhood, but knowledge has always had a hold on me."

"Take this spot for instance," she continued saying, "we know this was the site of where Darth Bane and Darth Zannah encamped during Zannah's apprenticeship to Bane. Ten years they stayed here, until a chain of events started on Serreno that led them to hide away elsewhere. But that's not the only story of this spot, Jedi Master Arca Jeth sealed the dark side energies of the planet into the lake here, and the effort and the energies almost killed him for it. That might explain why he was too weak to stop the Krath at an enclave of Jedi a few years later."

Drawing images in the dirt in front of her, she smiled a little bit.

"There I go again, giving a history lesson, but you see my point. I can't help but tell the old tales, to collect and preserve them, learn all new things. It gives me a thrill to be perfectly honest."

 

[Darth Timoris]

Melori was still clearly in a reflective mood.

"The thing is...history in and of itself? It leaves me cold. If it's relevant, if it helps me or the Sith cause, then I'll study it. I know a lot about how the Rule of Two kept hidden and how they played such wonderful political games to get what they wanted. But sites and facts?" She wrinkled her nose - clearly a family trait.

"Maybe I just take each day as it comes for now. Grow stronger. Extend my influence. Wait until I'm ready to act, or I'm forced to. Along the way, maybe a reason for being will emerge?"

She shrugged again. "Who knows?"

[member="Taeli Raaf"]

 

[Taeli Raaf]

[member="Darth Timoris"]

"Only you can, Mel," Taeli replied, marking the stars that formed the cluster where Lorrd would be. It would be dangerous to go back right now, with the world being occupied by the Primeval. While she was uncomfortable with the fact the Melori was so focused on furthering the Sith cause, she was still her sister and she still loved her and ... kark it, she wanted to help her, even if only in small ways.

"I know you won't accept it now, but if you ever need some sort of small help ... I might be willing to do so," Taeli said softly. "You're family, and I owe you that much that I support you in what you do, even if it runs counter to other things. Family comes first after all, but I won't be tied into anything that will damage the Jedi or friends."

 

[Darth Timoris]

Melori remained quiet. She thought over what her sister said. Yes, deep down she thought of her as her sister. It was inescapable. Corvus she could keep at arm’s length but Taeli was different. She’d been her Master and her sister. And she had already done so much for her.

“Sure,” she said, her voice low and thoughtful. “It’s up to me right? Which is how it should be. And given I most certainly can’t promise I won’t be anti-Jedi in my approach, I’d like to ensure that I don’t call on your help. I am me and you are you. We can’t agree but that is acceptable. If you ever change your mind about the Jedi, you know how to find me. Otherwise? Best we tread our own paths. Less chance I’d have to kill you that way.”

And then she stood and opened her arms. “Right now? A hug works.”

[member="Taeli Raaf"]