It's Funny What You Find While on the Run (Alexandra Feanor)

[Vaulkhar]

Running.

Always running.

There was never a moment of peace for the young rogue, Vaulkhar. He had only recently left the One Sith, but since then he had never stopped running. There hadn't been a day that had gone by where he had gotten more than four hours of rest. There has been no safety for him, no reassurance that things were going to be okay. Simply running to find somewhere he could settle down and put everything behind him. The One Sith, his father, and the horrid deeds he committed while in service to the Emperor. That was at least his dream.

So when the young man finally managed to put his ship down on Alderaan, a planet controlled by the Galactic Republic, he came to the conclusion this might finally be a place where he can find peace. Alderaan was a large planet, with many cities, millions of people, and quite a bit of farmland as well as wilderness that would make for an excellent place for him to settle down. And that was where he stood now. His ship currently sat hidden within a multitude of trees and bushes. It was not until he finished hiding his ship that he felt it. He was not entirely sure what it was, but it was nearby, and it resonated with the force.

Taking a deep breath, Vaulkhar set off through the woodlands to locate the source of this disturbance.

After some time of travel, Vaulkhar came across what could easily of once been some form of base or meeting area. The entire area was brimming with force signatures of once was, and it nearly overloaded the young man's senses. But what he could above all, was something, or someone most likely, within the area that he had not felt sooner.

This was his deciding moment. Should he stay and look around, or flee. After making his decision, the young man took a deep breath and called out.

"Hello?! Anyone there?! I'm just a wary traveler looking for somewhere to rest!"

[member="Alexandra Feanor"]

 

[Alexandra Feanor]

[member="Vaulkhar"]

Alexandra groaned as the voice resonated in her ears. For a few long moments she laid there on the roof of what used to be the Order's temple before reaching over and grabbing the stun rifle she kept with her. She had been enjoying a day of absolute silence when this pain in the ass appeared and came to yell about in her home. She really needed to get those walls fixed and gate repaired. None the less she reached the edge of the roof and looked far down the three stories at him before sighing and aiming the rifle. "Who ever the hell you are, i am not in the mood for tricks, So how about we just get this out of the way, ok?"

Her eyes scanned over the man for a few seconds, clearly watching him for any movement and more so for a certain type of weapon that she very much so recognized in an instant. It had been a good few months since she last saw anyone as it was, still in complete anger at Vulpesen for kicking her out of his home. She could deal with that but then he restricted her from meeting her kids... she would kick that fox's ass one day once she was done with who ever this pest was that had come to the home she had left.

 

[Vaulkhar]

Vaulkhar looked up at the woman as she began to speak, his brow perked up in mild surprise. The last place he expected her to be was atop the base, or one of the buildings anyway. And of course, he most certainly did not expect her to simply draw some sort of weapon upon him and shout down at him. What if he were simply a forward scout looking for her? An enemy seeking her death? Calling out was either a move of arrogance, pride, or maybe curiosity. It mattered not, he simply sought out shelter, and she'd hopefully give him that.

"I am Vaulkhar. I simply seek shelter. Who are you? There is no need for the weapon."

[member="Alexandra Feanor"]

 

[Alexandra Feanor]

[member="Vaulkhar"]

"Why in the living hell are you out in the middle of no where seaking a place to find shelter... you realize how illogical that sounds right." She seemed to relax her aim though as she heard the words. He didn't seem to register as anything but truthful, then again at the same times she found his presence still unwarranted so it was best to keep caution. "Fine... there are stairs up to here along the side of the temple. Do not disturb the garden up here and i wont kill you. Fair deal?" She raised a brow before shouldering her rifle and turning with a hand stretched out to her side. "Hurry up there random traveler."

 

[Vaulkhar]

Vaulkhar considered answering her question right away, but instead shrugged it off and followed her instructions. He moved towards the ladder, fatigue and exhaustion evident in his movements. He made his way up the stairs, his arms hanging at his side without much movement. At the top he looked around, marking where the garden was before avoiding it entirely. The young man turned his gaze to her, his empty and blind gaze now completely visible to her. He smiled slightly and offered a short bow.

"Many thanks; it's difficult to find somewhere to stay in the wilderness, that is true. But when you've turned away from the One Sith to find a life not slaughtering innocents," Vaulkhar pauses, frowning lightly, "the only safe haven is the wilds."

The young man then brought his arms up, crossing them over his chest, away from his two lightsabers completely.

"My name is Vaulkhar, Vaulkhar Zambrano. And I am wanted by the One Sith for leaving."

[member="Alexandra Feanor"]

OOC NOTE:

Spoiler

I apologize for not posting much yesterday. I work full time and it was my only day off for the week, so I was spending it with my girlfriend. I should be home from work around 5-6 EST.

 

[Alexandra Feanor]

[member="Vaulkhar"]

The name in a half second had the rifle aimed right at his throat again as her eyes widened a bit in fear and worry. "How in the hell sent you, Zambrano..." She was extremely... terrified would be the word if any of his name for some reason. Not only that but angered... no enraged. She felt betrayed and most of all she felt sorrowful. "Ill give you to the count of ten to explain why you are actually here on this planet and in the middle of no where. If i don't like the answer, i am going to pull the trigger and we can see just how well the sith trained you before you supposedly left."

Her hands and body was stiff, probably would be shaking profusely if it wasnt stiff as a board. She waited for him to talk and her hands tightened around the rifle again. She was in this god damned body because of balaya, because that woman just had to throw her the bad set of dice and then get her thrown into the netherworld... Alexandra was going to have a talk with her master about that sooner or later but for right now this one was to be dealt with. She didn't know from which zambrano this one came from, but it didn't matter to her all that greatly.

 

[Vaulkhar]

Vaulkhar turned to completely face her at her sudden response to his name. He wasn't surprised; the Zambrano name brought thoughts of hatred and destruction to the forefront of an educated mind, and he likely should of been more careful at that point. But the past was the past, and the present now brought the possibility of death, which was no good. He slowly raised his hands and widened his fingers to further illustrate his desire to cause no harm, while also opening himself in a way that would appear as if he was defenseless. Yes, his lightsabers dangled at his side. And yes, as a trained warrior who could utilize the force, the action of pulling them upward and activating them at the first sign of danger was not impossible. But it was the thought that count, to him at least.

"Like I said, I am on the run." He paused to let that sink in for a moment. "No one sent me. I was a warrior of the Sith and I did many wrongs, of that I will admit. But nothing in comparison to my father. I turned my back on the Sith because I am not a man that desires to kill and subjugate. I just want to live in peace and practice what I've learned. That is all. For now anyway. Alderaan is in Republic space, which makes it one hundred percent more safe than anything with reach of the One Sith. Neutral planets are dangerous, as are planets that will turn me in for whatever bounty they put on me. The Republic are more than willing to harbor fugitives that mean no harm, and that is all I am."

[member="Alexandra Feanor"]

 

[Alexandra Feanor]

[member="Vaulkhar"]

Alexandra's hands shook alittle as he tried to rationalize his being here so that she did not shoot him in the chest. Problem was she was having trouble trusting a random stranger when it had been her friend whom had caused her death the last time, albeit without meaning to. Her eyes closed for only a split second, but inside her mind the time passed a million seconds for every tenth of one. She would need to take a gamble, she either trusted this man or she shot him now and saw how quick this man would be able to move if at all before the blast ripped into him. She took millions of thoughts in that split second but in the end her body relaxed and the rifle was lowered ago before she looked at the nearby garden that she needed to be in right now. "Please, come with me... leave your sabers here."

Her body hesitated for a moment before placing the rifle down and starting towards the garden. Within it was the reason she needed it, the central tree which acted as a force nexus connected to the lightside thanks to the effort of the long disbanded Order of the Grey. It had been a long time since she had been the Grandmaster of the order, so long that it felt like a previous life rather than her own current one.

 

[Vaulkhar]

To say Vaulkhar was surprised that she didn't shoot him was an understatement. The woman before him seemed both scared and angry when he mentioned his last name. Fear and anger are never a good combination and even difficult for some of the most powerful Jedi to overcome. But she managed to do so, or at least appear to do so. And given her command and lowering of the rifle, he decided it be best to follow her directions. Taking a deep breath, Vaulkhar slowly raised his lightsabers from his sides through the utilization of the force and then lowered them to the floor. Upon finishing this, he turned to follow the strange woman towards the garden.

The garden he had decided not to go anywhere near.

"Thank you. For you know, not shooting me."

[member="Alexandra Feanor"]

 

[Alexandra Feanor]

[member="Vaulkhar"]

"Don't be so thankful, i still have a staff off to the side and my sabers in my sleeves. If you become a threat i will remove you from my home... immediately and without reservation." Her eyes turned in her head, staring at the man and waiting for a few moments before returning them to the tree at the center of the garden which she would soon reach and collapse into the ground with her legs crossed under her. "So, tell me... why did you leave the sith?" Her hands drew to he lap as she had turned to face him now, the feeling of the nexus behind her causing her to be much calmer in appearance than originally.

 

[Vaulkhar]

Vaulkhar shrugged at her response, more than accepting of the terms. His blind-gaze was immediately drawn to that of the tree. To the young man's senses, the force itself seemed to radiate much more profoundly from the tree than anything else nearby. He stared at it in silence momentarily, unable to take his gaze away from it. It radiated the light side. Warmth, compassion, peace. Unlike himself, who wreaked of the dark side. It was a nice change, a change that pushed him closer towards the light he so desperately desired, without even meaning to do so. Ironic.

"I originally joined for the specific purpose of learning who my father was and gaining the power I would need to protect myself." Vaulkhar would then raise his hand and stare down at it. He'd shake his head after a few seconds, releasing a sigh. "This power, a power controlled through hatred and fury, is a power that I was promised in my youth, but one I do not want anymore. With it comes the promise of wealth, but one must be willing to murder and subjugate the weak to go about gaining said wealth and power."

Vaulkhar began to move towards the tree, but after several paces he simply stopped and dropped to his knees. From there he lowered his head.

"I just want to rid myself of this horrid power and follow the path of the Jedi. And that is why I am here. I could feel this tree, it drew me to it, and you just so happened to be here."

[member="Alexandra Feanor"]

 

[Alexandra Feanor]

[member="Vaulkhar"]

"Ironically, the path that you found yourself on is not one of a Jedi but something far different... though i do get the annoying pestering of those whom for some reason hear the word Grey and immediately have to add on a 'Jedi' to it. Pain in my ass every time ive had to correct that in the distant past." She ran a hand through her hair, the age on her features being no more than that of a young adult, likely no more than eighteen from the looks of it and for a few moments her hand rested there before removing itself. "Hmm... Did you know i founded a force order eight or nine years ago, in recent times its been dismantled but it was once a small and proud group of force users that called this... compound home." She smiled at the man as her feet pushed off the ground.

"It was two years after i left the service of Balaya Zambrano, Darth Praelior as you may or may not know her. I was once a student of hers, a promising one... her greatest failure. I wonder if she still cares about me in any form. I tried to assassinate your father under her allowance once, looking to propel my master higher with his death and yet i failed and he remained alive. Unlike you though, i faked my death to get away from the sith, a jedi stabbed me an inch from the heart, maybe closer after i asked him to." She paused and looked at the one across from her. "Why am i telling you this is my question?"

 

[Vaulkhar]

Vaulkhar listened to her speak with his head lowered before taking a deep breath and raising it. He wasn't necessarily bowing his head to her, but more so to the tree and what it stood for. A better life. One without the horrors the One Sith presented. But before him, this woman he was slowly beginning to learn more about, was just like him. Somewhat. Whereas he wanted to leave to find a better life, she left the One Sith out of necessity. Since then she claimed to of founded an entire order based around this area. This tree. The tree that drew him here.

What did it all mean?

Her words also made little sense to the blind man. Before him stood a woman who neared him in age, yet claims to of started an order centuries prior to his birth. She also attempted to assassinate his father, which was likely the worst mistake anyone could make. Ever. But that also was quite awhile ago, if what she was saying was true. This raised so many questions, but he saw no reason to ask them. If what she was saying was true, that was good enough. Though her question caught him off guard, somewhat.

"Why?" Vaulkhar perked a brow. "I really don't know." He stood as well, beginning to move towards the tree. As he'd approach it, he'd press his hand against it gently. "It may be a possibility that the Force guided me to this place." He'd then turn his attention to Alexandra. "To you. So I have to ask you, what is this path of the gray?"

[member="Alexandra Feanor"]

 

[Alexandra Feanor]

[member="Vaulkhar"]

She smiled wide and raised her hands before tapping on the side of her head. "The reason is because im a deranged woman trapped in a body that was not originally mine and forced on me to be in this. That is why im telling you it... come now, why do you people always expect some spiritual journey to it." Her hands drew over the fabric of her clothing in order to smooth it out while she turned her eyes down. His last question was curious though as she stopped mid stroke of the fabric. "Say again? What is the path of the grey?"

He made sure that the question would knock her off balance, that was true. "Ok then my dear visitor. The path of the grey is moderation and control, over your emotions, intentions, and actions. Its a hard concept for even the Jedi in terms of emotional control. They believe that simply keeping your emotions out of the situation is enough... it is not for the grey."

 

[Vaulkhar]

"So in a way, it allows for even greater control of the Force than the Path of the Jedi?"

Vaulkhar turned to face her entirely and crossed his arms over his chest. It was very clear the warrior before him dripped with the darkside of the force. It seemed to seep from his very being, revealing his reliance on emotion and what it is that makes the Dark Side of the Force powerful. Somewhat anyway. He takes a deep breath and nods.

"Could you," he'd pause, looking her in the eye. "Take on a student? And if possible, could you convert one such as myself to the lifestyle?"

[member="Alexandra Feanor"]

 

[Alexandra Feanor]

[member="Vaulkhar"]

She laughed, loud and bright as her face cleared of any worry in that moment. Her hands came up to keep the hair out of her faith as she laughed and shook her head. "Dear god no, all uses of the force has their limits and such as with that of the darkside that limit can seem... unclear. Let me explain. A Jedi focuses on the more benevolent arts of the force while the Sith focus on the more martial aspects of it, it simply comes to pass that these arts come with their own set of... rules. Such is the same with being one whom follows neither. A man could gain greater control of the force no matter what path they chose, they simply need to remind themselves that they never are truly the master of what ever it is they choose to follow. Even those of the past like Palpatine, Yoda, Skywalker. All of them masters of the force, yet all of them never reaching its limits no matter what path they took...." She paused and smiled as her laughing and words ceased. "As for a student... i could and have in the past. Are you asking for me to teach you?"

 

[Vaulkhar]

"I suppose I am, yes."

Vaulkhar turned away from her and strode a few paces, hands behind his back and grasped together. He'd then turn once more to face her, his head cocked to the side slightly, tilted in obvious curiosity. This woman was a mystery to him, in nearly every way. Though she had already shared much with him, it left more questions than originally, which was always difficult to deal with. Especially for him, who was naturally a very curious person. And even though he had questions regarding her, he also had questions regarding this path of gray she followed. But it was likely something he'd learn firsthand, rather than through words.

"I'm not entirely seeking much. Mainly the mastery of Makashi and Soresu. I believe they are the more elegant forms of lightsaber combat, and are rather beautiful and energy conserving. As for the force." He'd pause, stroking his chin. "I'm not entirely sure what to learn. I've lived the life of a warrior, everything I can do, has been taught to me for the sake of battle."

[member="Alexandra Feanor"]

 

[Alexandra Feanor]

[member="Vaulkhar"]

Alexandra smiled as the man before her reacted in the same way to the questions he now was presented with that she would when she was presented with knowledge. Curiosity. She loved the feeling of it and could not but enjoy watching one struggle with their own curiosity to this degree that it made her gleeful. "Ok, ill teach you but only if you can do one thing for me... land a blow with your saber on me." Her grin grew as she gave the man a simple look, no joking. She wanted him to land a hit on her before she would teach him anything and that was what she waited for. What would he do?

 

[Vaulkhar]

Vaulkhar considered the challenge momentarily. Considering a blow from a saber could be a simple cut to quite literally removing her arm, the idea was definitely a dangerous one. Coupled with her honest confidence, she likely did not expect him to come close enough to harm her. Which in truth, didn't bother the man in the slightest. He had gone toe to toe with some of the dangerous warriors the One Sith had to offer in the past and had come out on top from time to time, simply due to being underestimated. Did he expect to actually succeed in this challenge? Not entirely, but did he have confidence that it was something that could be done? If he could cut Ferus into three pieces, he could likely do this.

"Allow me to get my lightsaber."

He'd lower himself into a bow before turning upon his heel and striding towards where he left them outside the garden. Raising his hand upon approach, Vaulkhar would focus upon his saber before lifting it from the ground and pulling it towards him via the utilization of the force. Turning back, his blind-gaze fell on that of the woman. What an odd day this had turned out to be. Slipping from his worn, traveling robe, it would fall away to reveal a simple cloth tunic, loose and flowing. His gloved left hand ended just at the wrist, revealing the mech-arm that was attached to his elbow. Seeing it sent a twinge of annoyance through his face.

"Lost it in a rather bad fall."

After speaking, he'd begin to move forward, igniting his lightsaber upon activating the blade. The vermilion saber would grow to it's full-length before the young man would begin to gently swing it back and forth, loosening his muscles.

[member="Alexandra Feanor"]

 

[Alexandra Feanor]

[member="Vaulkhar"]

She didn't so much as move an inch as he turned his back and went to grab his saber, her only action being to place both her hands in her lap and smile at him. Her hands didn't need to move to do as she wanted though, the force funneling its way towards her silently. She pulled it not only from around her but mostly from her own body as she drained herself of the life force for which her body moved on and pushed it out with her emotions amplifying the effects and strengths of it. Love was the chief most emotion there as it caused her entire body to spasm quickly under the strain of dragging out that emotion into a physical force to be used. It was hard, painful a bit but not too much. Her hand weaved that love infront of her as she finally moved the appendage and only when he spoke did the smile grow larger. "Fall you say? Lets hope you don't lose the other."

Her hand reached out slowly and aimed at him before flicking her wrist and sending the concentrated wall of energy right for his chest. Almost in unison her body moved, the robes falling away to reveal a fiber armor and her sabers coming from her sleeves and into her hands as she smiled wider. If he could get out of the way of the force push, great, if he couldn't... well she was going to have to jump off the roof after him.