Just one big junkyard…

[Corvus Raaf]

Ord Mantell was a planet in the Bright Jewel Cluster. It was located near Anobis in the Mid Rim.

The Bright Jewel Cluster would give people the wrong impression of the place and that was for sure. They were heading for a dusty old spaceport and had pierced the thick, outer cometary cloud, which glowed with a pinkish cast when viewed from space, and looking up would say the same pink tinge. OK, it had its tourist spots but it was essentially a seedy place.

Corvus had been here recently and wanted to check that a Hutt she’d helped out hadn’t been bothered again. Why? Because that is essentially what Corvus did.

So they neared the hangar they’d been designated and Corvus turned to her Padawan. “Have you ever been to Ord Mantell before?”

[member="Vilair Revakin"]

 

[Darth Timoris]

Two large moons and thirteen other satellites orbited the planet (to which was added the Jubilee Wheel). Melori cycled through the facts of the planet as she approached it.

Mantellian Savrips and Mantellian flutterplumes both got a mention in the report but she gave them little attention. She was here for one reason only. In the recent Dominion of Iridonia, they’d picked up some intelligence that a group of individuals were masquerading as the One Sith to demand extortion money. Tracking them down was proving harder than expected – it was as if they’d already gone to ground.

So instead Melori picked up on a lead they’d managed to pull from a swoop gang. The Mandos hadn’t parted with it easily, so she suspected it was valid intelligence. It was a name. Of a Hutt and she ran a casino here on Ord Mantell Hopefully she would share what knowledge she had. If not, she would simply be made to.

So she set her ship down in one of the many dusty hangars the space-port offered and checked the address one last time.

 

[Vlad123]

Vilair had awoken from his deep slumber. Perturbed by the sound of rumbling in the ship as they entered the atmosphere, followed by the queasy feeling of descent. They had arrived. Vilair hated to fly and ever since he had undertaken his training as a Jedi, they had been doing a lot of it. It wasn't like this back in his renegade days. Sure the occasional ship hijacking was in order, but that was once in a blue moon.

Departing from his chambers, he made his way towards the deck and approached his master.

Training was nothing unexpected. However, it was the amount of meditation and focus that was needed that really surprised Vilair the most. There were so many other emotions they could use to empower the force, yet the Jedi could only use peaceful emotions. Something Vilair silently disagreed with.

Corvus had proved to be an interesting master, displaying all the traits that he would expect of a Jedi. Sometimes though, it seemed that she had impossible trait standards. Was there even a speck of injustice on her? Was there anything in her conscious that seemed to have her so bound up in the pursuit of justice and the Jedi way. Surely. Something had to have happened to make her like this.

Vilair stood behind her as they approached the hangar. Sensing his presence, she asked if he had ever been here before.

"I have. I was brought here as a slave to be sold to the factory owners." His tone was flat, resembling that of someone who was deep in thought or memory.

As they slowly approached the hangars, another ship caught his eye as it flew over hangars in the distance. It seemed to Infiltrator type of some sort. Paying little attention, he turned his gaze back to their hangar as they finally landed.

[member="Corvus Raaf"]

 

[Corvus Raaf]

Corvus nodded as Vilair spoke. “I’m afraid it’s not the nicest of places, but then our work tends to bring us to those who need our help the most and so planets like this and Nar Shaddaa tend to figure prominently. Slavery, sadly, is still prevalent even on planets where’s it’s outlawed.”

She indicated they should head out. “The reason we’re here is a bunch of thugs kidnapped a Hutt’s baby and demanded all sorts. They pretended they were One Sith, which they weren’t. I helped to get the baby back – it was on Irodinia – but I wanted to make sure the Hutt hasn’t had any more hassle from the gang.”

“She’s a Hutt and runs a casino and hotel, but she still deserves to live a life free from fear her baby will be killed. We respect all life, and try not to judge.”

Corvus flagged down a taxi and jumped in. Once she gave the driver the directions, she spoke to Vilair again. “So tell me, if you were me, how would you approach this? Go to the Hutt directly? Ask around, or did you have another angle?”

This was, as ever, part of the training. There was more to a Jedi than waving a saber. A Jedi’s mind was his most useful asset.

[member="Vilair Revakin"]

 

[Vlad123]

He listened to her as she spoke about the kidnapping. Why weren't there any Jedi breaking him out from his chains when he was being sold back and forth? The more she spoke, the more Vilair developed a foul taste in his mouth for the Hutt. She ran a casino and a hotel, which meant she was wealthy. Was it because she was wealthy, or was this really a moral cause the Jedi were interested in. Either way, there better be a good reward for their troubles.

One Sith?

He had heard many stories and read about the Sith. Powerful force wielders and masters at their craft. Why would they be so interested in kidnapping a baby from a hutt, unless the payout was going to be grand? This would mean that the Hutt really was wealthy. His senses tingled. Years ago, they would have probably attempted to orchestrate something like this with his own renegade gang. If only they had known.

As they hopped into the taxi, Vilair answered. "That would depend on the Hutt's location. Usually wealthy casino and hotel owners are not easily approached. The location of the Hutt would no doubt be heavily guarded."

He watched outside the windows as the buildings and emptiness zipped by.

"Wealthy owners always have some sort of security measures. That would depend also on who's guarding the Hutt. The gang, or her own? There's no telling yet if the gang had returned again and maybe are even expecting you. A direct approach, I wouldn't recommend. A neighboring bar would be an ideal place to scope it out. Who knows, the bartender might know something. If news spread about another kidnapping, they'd surely know."

Vilair turned his head and faced his master, "It's worth a shot anyway."

[member="Corvus Raaf"]

 

[Corvus Raaf]

Corvus nodded. There was never a best answer and she was not in the habit of asking questions where someone had to match precisely what was in her head.

“Having met the Hutt twice, she has security and of course, since I helped return her child, it’s entirely possible that she’ll be less well disposed towards me now. She had people but little in the way of real muscle. But given what happened that may well have changed.”

“So, given the merits of your approach, I’ll let you take the lead.”

They’d arrived at the hotel and casino and from the exterior, it looked like it had received a lick of paint since Corvus was here last. Glancing around the square the building occupied one side of, Corvus noticed many shops, restaurants and bars. “Take your pick.”

[member="Vilair Revakin"]

 

[Darth Timoris]

Melori headed out into the hazy sunshine. Everything was tinged pink. She was dressed all in black, but with her sabers out of sight, she didn't automatically shout Sith.

She hailed a cab and gave the address. After a few moments, she changed her mind and asked to be dropped off a block away.

Arriving she scoured the place. She was no Master at hiding her Force Signature but she knew if she didn't use the Force, she'd be less likely to be noticed by any Jedi in the area. Once on foot she scoured the perimeter of the area. She worked a block out in each direction until she knew who were the general hoodlums and who she suspected were the low-life impersonating the One Sith.

When of the latter left the group she followed him and, cornering him in a dark alley extracted a confession to that effect. And his heart. She wiped her hands on his clothes to remove the blood. Her fingers were still stained, so she thrust that hand in the pocket of her robe before venturing back out onto the main street and headed for the back-alley where the gang currently were.

What was it with gangs and alleys?

[member="Vilair Revakin"]

 

[Vlad123]

Vilair stepped out of the taxi as they arrived at the destination. The air was dry and surely less than healthy. The population of people busily walking to their destinations, leaving little room to personal space. There was a hotel and casino surrounded by a cluster of shops and bars, no doubt commodities were sold here as well. The lack of police force and order was evident. Everything here was better left to the private sector.

Corvus left the investigation up to him, and he was surprised that she would let him take point already. He must really be showing signs of promise and expertise. The restaurants were guarded by what seemed to be a security detail, and the hotel and casino themselves seemed like there was no way getting in to cause trouble. However a few establishments down was a run-down bar, with no guards out in front, and a slightly busier crowd. That would be a good place to start.

"There." He nodded in the direction of the bar and began to walk, pulling his hood up and making sure his lightsaber hilt wasn't visible. He needed to pull off the commoner approach if he were to get anywhere in this mission.

Entering the bar, the stench of alcohol and broken dreams filled the atmosphere. He scanned the area and approached the barman, ordering two ice blasters. He sat in silence for a few moments sipping his drink, as he waited for the barman to pass by to pour him another drink.

The bar was busy with conversation, and an above indoor voice was needed to really understand anybody.

As the bartender poured him another drink, Vilair spoke in a forced heavy accent.

"Busy day today, yes?"

[member="Corvus Raaf"]

 

[Corvus Raaf]

Corvus took a back seat to Vilair’s progress. She let him lead the way, make the decisions and move them forward. She would simply be his wing-man. Her focus was drawn to their immediate surroundings – which was, on reflection, a bad decision. Had she opened her senses up, she would no doubt have sensed her younger sister – but she hadn’t, so she didn’t!

She watched him appraise the area, and he no doubt saw what she saw. His decision to pull off the commoner approach was going to be hard with her dressed in Jedi robes, so she held back – entering the bar a short while after him and pulled her cloak tight around her body, to minimise the visual clues.

She sat at the first booth and accepted the offer of a drink as an attentive waitress scooted over. “Pure water,” she said.

“Last of the big spenders,” the waitress muttered under her breath. “Another wannabe Jedi no doubt.”

She listened as Vilair spoke, checking to see who, if anyone was paying him and undue attention.

[member="Vilair Revakin"]

 

[Darth Timoris]

She found the alley straight away – four of them were playing some dice game and money was changing hands.

The smell of cheap liquor and death-sticks filled the air. She appraised the men as they clearly hadn’t spotted her. Her cloak naturally hid her saber and in the darkness of the space between the two buildings she was just a shadowy figure – nothing to indicate she was a Sith.

Four men. Two human, one white and one black. One green Twi’lek and one Zeltron. Pheromones…she’d have to be wary of those.

Finally one of them noticed her – the Twi’lek. A sneer formed across his lips. “Hey, pretty lady, you gotta pay a fine for entering our turf.”

“I have no credits,” she lied, her voice calm and even.

“Now who said anything about money?” he responded, the sneer now a fully formed leer, his friends chuckling at his joke - mutual back-slapping ensued. Except she didn’t believe he was teasing. Boys and their loins eh?

 

[Vlad123]

The barman clearly uninterested offered a grunt in return, leaving Vilair little to go on. That wasn't uncommon, but it showed that it hadn't been busy enough to bother this man to the point where he'd complain. However, this also showed what kind of man he was. Silence would be met when the price was free. Reaching into his pocket jumbling for change, Vilair pulled out a few credits and slid them toward the barman.

"I need information."

He perked his and gave him full attention at the sound of credits being slid across the table. The barman eyed him up suspiciously, as if insulted by the notion that he could be bought. He approached Vilair cautiously and slowly, with a certain glare in his eye and Vilair felt for his saber in case things got hairy. The man leaned over and put his hand over the credits.

"What do you need to know?"

Smirking, Vilair nodded his head. Every man had his price.

"I need information regarding a certain Hutt. I heard some commotion going on about her. Some rumors circulating the town. She in trouble?

The best way to continue, as as if he already knew something. That way the barman wouldn't feel like he was spilling some sort of important secrets. It's not a secret if the other person knows already right?

"That filthy rich Hutt? If that's who you're talking about, the only thing people talk about here is her darn kid. Ruining the peace and quiet of the city and constantly being a pain in the neck to everyone around here. I heard some Jedi a while back helped her save the kid. I say, she should've left the kid alone. Maybe we could get some sleep 'round 'ere."

Vilair nodded. He sure got his money's worth. The man could've been lying, but Vilair didn't care enough for the Hutt to really investigate it further. The answer he recieved seemed sound and honest.

He got up, and headed toward the exit spotting Corvus as he walked. She was gorgeous. If Vilair was a stranger in this place, he would've certainly bought her a drink. He gave her slight nod as he left the building and waited for her to come. The mission was going to be finished early, so it seemed.

[member='Corvus Raaf']

 

[Corvus Raaf]

Corvus allowed her Padawan to leave first. She met up outside and heard everything she needed to know.

"The greater good," she muttered. "You do a good deed and only time tells you if it was the right decision." She wrinkled her nose. "Tell you what...I'm going to pay mummy Hutt a visit. Explain to her what her little one is up to. Why don't you check out the local vicinity, see if that gang have finally gone away. It looks like they've left the Hutt alone, but who's to say where they might have turned their attention to."

She smiled and raised her hood. It said Jedi on business. Which she was. And she set off for the casino and hotel, smiling to a rather surprised blue Twi'lek as she entered the building. "On my own today," she said and punched the button for the life. "Don't worry, I'll see myself up."

[member="Vilair Revakin"]

 

[Vlad123]

Vilair nodded as his master departed for matters that were obviously beyond his level. Or so it seemed, whatever it was she didn't want him tagging along? What if she was meeting a secret lover here? He entertained the idea while quietly chuckling to himself. No way. Not Corvus. She could resist any move anybody made on her, that much was certain.

Turning on his heel, he put his hood up and continued down the filthy streets of nostalgia. The noise was deafening with crowd murmurs as rush hour approached. A great time to blend in, however he needed not to. Vilair was here just to reminisce on his times as a slave. He wasn't interested in what was new, or what was for sale. Only to relive the moments and forever remember from where he had come from. A slave, bound to serve his masters. Somewhere in the back of his mind a voice hinted with laughter, "Not much has changed, eh?"

He shook his head and continued onward before coming to a halt at an dark and damp alleyway. He had been mugged here before, before his assailants realized he was just a lowly slave with nothing of value. They settled for blood and bruises instead. Where they still there? Or had another gang taken over? His curiosity got the best of him, as Vilair stepped into the darkness and headed down the narrow alley.

The atmosphere itself seemed to change the deeper he went. His heart began to beat faster as he heard an exchange of conversation in the distance. Could this be the gang? His footsteps quieter as he pulled his hood over his face further, masking it with only hollow darkness. He approached the unfolding scene and pressed his back against the wall at the corner. He peered around it to get a better look, and narrowed his eyes.

There, only a short distance away was a gathering of gang members with different insignia's than what he had remembered. He rememebered all those that wronged him, to extract revenge. The Jedi preached forgiveness and temperament. That could wait. He was still not a knight, not bound by the rules exactly yet. He wouldn't be held to a high standard just yet, giving him room for mistakes. Willingly as they may be.

The gang seemed to be speaking to a younger woman, around his age. They spoke something about their turf and that she needed to pay to get by. Typical thieves. However, their next move proved more than disturbing. The look in their eyes suggested a malice intent. They approached her closer and closer. Vilair had no issue with this hang, but would he be a vigilante and stop this? Or turn his cheek and walk away.

Vilair turned the corner and began walking slowly toward the gang who had their backs turned to him. He walked menacingly up behind the first two and stood behind them for a few moments. They were unarmed. The Jedi had a code about unarmed foes, and that they were never to kill one. But who was watching?

Immediately, Vilair drew his lightsaber and sliced through the one and the second with another swing. Their bodies stood frozen for a few moments before slumping to the ground. The other two closing in on the girl, spun around in surprise at the sound of a lightsaber.

"WHAT!? WHO ARE YOU?" They demandingly shouted all while drawing their blasters.

They were met with silence as Vilair stared them down through his hood, shrouded in mystery. He could sense some sort of negative energy from this ally. Some dark force. He resonated with it. He could feel the thirst for blood pumping through his veins.

"ANSWER ME, OR I'LL-"

His empty threats were cut off as Vilair force pushed the one with all the questions, and quickly sidestepped the blaster of the other as he thrust his saber into his side. The man looked at him with pain as the dwindling life left his eyes. It was beautiful. Vilair turned his attention to the coughing Twi'lek on the ground who was regaining consciousness, already on his knees. Something was different. Some sort of feeling in this alley gave him a certain high, a newfound power.

He raised his lightsaber to his neck as the gang leader struggled to regain his voice. The blue tint of his saber lighting up the desperate breath's of a soon to be dead man.

"You can't kill me. You're a Jedi, and I am unarmed."

His gasps for air seemed to mask a smile, which unnerved Vilair. This fool thought Vilair would follow the code. Of course, it was the right thing to do. Yet, the dark energy in the alley seemed to pounding within his head. It must be from these thugs. It had to be. He could sense it. Yet whatever it was, filled him with anger.

The Twi'lek's lips curved into a smile, thinking that Vilair would let him go.

"I knew it. You couldn't-"

The sound of his saber slicing through his neck, cut him short as his body slowly crippled to the ground.

It was over, yet for some reason. The dark energy was still there. How was this possible...The girl.....The girl! Vilairs head turned to her and looked her in the eye. She wasn't even dazed, nor showed any signs of fear. Was she part of the dark side? There was no way.

This young woman with a pretty face, was supposed to be the damsel in distress. Vilair needed to know what was that energy he was feeding off of? He sheathed his lightsaber, and took a step towards her as he pointed toward the source.

"You?"

[member='Corvus Raaf']

 

[Darth Timoris]

What to do with them, eh? She wanted information but perhaps one or two should be taught a lesson to ensure the other’s played ball? Or maybe she’d just rip the information she needed from their minds? No need to waste time with questions and lies. She’d simply take what she wanted and leave them to die.

It sounded like a fun plan.

And then she sensed another joining them. A Jedi! She pulled her aura to her. She was not accomplished enough to hide it altogether but she could reduce it so it would only be detected if he went looking.

So she batted her baby blues and looked as innocent as she could.

He moved stealthily and took two down without even speaking. She’d met his sort before, called themselves Jedi but did their own thing. She was ambivalent to them. They didn’t want to join the winning side but then couldn’t care less about being a Jedi. In truth she simply didn’t understand them.

He felled one and killed another. She sensed…oh yes, she sensed he was enjoying this. This was no goody-goody Jedi or even a rogue. In her opinion, he was ripe for turning. Because he was having fun.

She bit her lip, such was her own excitement at the show. She was drinking in the fear and pain and it tasted delicious. As he looked her in the eyes, she pulled the Force to her. The baby blues turned yellow and her irises ringed crimson.

“What were you expecting?” she cooed. “Nice show.” She stepped even closer and glanced at his saber. “Please don’t tell me you’re some rebel, rogue, outcast Force-user. Please, please, please tell me you’re a Jedi. With a Master that quite simply doesn’t understand you.”

She walked around him, and trailed her hand around his shoulder and neck. Once she’d walked full circle she nodded approvingly. “So, naughty boy, what’s your name?”

[member="Vilair Revakin"]

 

[Vlad123]

Vilair watched her carefully as her eyes turned back to a more menacing look. This was no innocent girl, no far from it. He had learned about the Sith. Relying solely on emotion and the dark side. So much so, that it altered their physical appearance as they were warped in change. Yet, he always pictured them as something more benevolent and not as something so....pretty.

His breathing slowed as she spoke, with a darker voice than before. He was wary, cautious and ready to strike at any moment should he need too. These kind were selfish, not prone to thinking of others and this one especially had something about her that raised a few red flags. But how could something so sickening, be so attractive? How could the sickly sweet nectar of emotions that he fed off of, and this was the source.

Just the presence of the dark side made him lose all restraint and mental training that he had been trained in as a Jedi. How much more was he to lose himself if he were to actually accept it? The thought was disturbing, yet not something he pushed out of his mind quickly.

He stood still as she walked in circles around him, her touch causing his muscles to tense as her fingers trailed against his broad shoulders. Her fingers against his skin, for the first time in his life did he come into contact with something driven by the dark side of the force. It was sweet and pleasant, but bitter. He had to put up some sort of resistance, he needed to remember his training! Vilair began to focus on the serene and emotionless side of the force. Drawing his mental resistance from peace and stability to counter the lure from the dark side.

"It doesn't matter what I am."

His eyes met hers as they were locked in a hopeless battle of the forces, when she asked him his name.

"Vilair."

He spoke with a firm deep tone, maintaining focus on his training. If he could just keep her at bay and out of his mind, he could make it. What if this was all a test?

Vilair lowered his gaze down to her lips, and he could feel himself slipping instantly. Her intoxicating presence and touch were hard enough to resist, not to mention her appearance. If evil ever looked so good, here it was. He reached up and brushed his fingers against her wrist, as to stop her from continuously running her fingers against him. But he did not push them away or lift them off of him.

"And I'm sure they would be grateful to me, if they knew just what I had saved them from."

His gaze rose back up to her eyes, as he maintained his ever-slipping composure. The way he disposed of the gang, was certainly not in a Jedi manner. However, it was better than what would have happened to them. And in no way were they worthy of saving, so in saving them, Vilair was doing them a kindness.

"May I have the pleasure of knowing yours?"
He quipped.

[member='Corvus Raaf']

 

[Darth Timoris]

"It doesn't matter what I am."

“Really?” she purred. “Who are you trying to convince, me or yourself?” She faced him and smiled. Her eyes returned to their baby blue hue.

"Vilair."

“Vilair…Vilair…Vilair.” She repeated his name, putting a different inflection on it each time. “I approve, it suits you.”

She let him speak and when he left a gap she filled it – but slowly, eking out every word, every syllable. She was testing his resolve. And she saw where he looked and casually bit her bottom lip with her top incisors. Just a playful nip, not enough to draw blood. And then he touched her wrist and she breathed heavily. Boys liked that.

She looked at the ground. “I like your definition of saved. It was a very permanent rescue from where I’m standing.”

And he wanted to know her name. Now she could tease him, but for the moment he’d only just taken the bait and she could not risk trying to reel him in too quickly. “I am Darth Timoris. It is a word in the ancient language of the Sith. It means the owner of fear – for fear is my ally. But only my enemies need to fear me. The weak, the innocent, the corrupt. You don’t strike me as any of those three. You don’t seem afraid of me…” And she moved her hand that he was touching until she linked her fingers with his. “I am, at the end of the day just a woman like any other. The same needs, the same insecurities.”

Her eyes flashed yellow, “Except I can rip a man’s heart out with my bare hands if it pleases me.” Still her voice remained calm and soothing. With her other hand she traced on his chest where his heart was. “Life is all about choices isn’t it Jedi?”

[member="Vilair Revakin"]

 

[Vlad123]

If there ever was a time to test his resistance, it was now and it was much more difficult than he had ever suspected it would be. He was expecting fights, blood and battles of strength that would test him, but no. It was much more...different. Her words were like thorns, prickling inside of him and sticking. However, these weren't thorns that he wanted out and rather wanted more. What a strange force this dark one was. Her introduction was intriguing and much more colorful than his was, that was for certain.

"Well it is...a pleasure to make your acquaintance."

Vilair was wary of the ways the Sith would twist and turn words and ideas to their own benefit. Her words were of appraisal for him, but he knew that she had a motive. However, he was also reckless and he liked the idea of entertaining himself with this Sith. If it weren't for her attractiveness, they would have come to blows by now, which gave her the upper hand. She was obviously, more powerful and not somebody he was ready to tangle with. Even if he wanted out, there was really nothing he could do here, except listen. But the more he listened, the more she swayed him.

"...you don't seem afraid of me."

As her fingers linked with his, he tightened his grip on her firmly and spoke. "Fear is a path that leads to the dark side."

Her eyes flashed yellow, and Vilair was impressed with her way with words and the tendency for blood that she had. Just a few minutes ago she seemed so innocent.

Vilair could feel her other hand against his chest as she spoke, "Except I can rip a mans heart out with my bare hands".
How romantic, he thought as he hilted his saber while still on a cautious alert and placed his hand over hers that was against his chest, firmly pressing it so she could feel the beats of his heart. It was as if he was daring her to prove to him if she could actually do it. He was playing a dangerous game and maybe getting a little too close to the fire, but she had him hooked.

"Just like me and you both have made the choice of not trying to kill each other...yet."

His gaze rose back up to hers, and with a sly smile he asked, "What else can you do with those hands?"

[member='Corvus Raaf']

 

[Darth Timoris]

“We’ll have to wait and see who has the most pleasure later, no?” She was enjoying this. Like a cat with a mouse, she was letting him have some room before pinning his tail down and dragging him back for more fun. Except unlike the mouse that knew it was in trouble, she suspected the Jedi was actually enjoying it.

"...you don't seem afraid of me."

She pouted in an exaggerated fashion. “Would you like me to be? Do you enjoy weak women? Jedi women?”

"Fear is a path that leads to the Dark-side."

“And it is so beautiful. You never feel more alive than when you’re facing your greatest fear.” Her voice suggested she believed this passionately. “When your life is on the line, you can feed from the Force like nothing else.” She licked her lips. “Trust me. Or not.” She turned to face away from him, but allowed their fingers to remain entwined. “Because if you don’t, there’s only one option available. You’ll have to try it for yourself.”

She listened to his words and then turned slowly to face him once more. “I have decided not to kill you. Don’t forget that. You, with your Jedi ways are no match for me, for the Dark-side. I could eat you alive.”

And then she abruptly disengaged. “But then, perhaps I’m giving the wrong impression. These hands are not for weak little Jedi boys. They’re for strong Sith men. Tell me, which would you rather be?”

[member="Vilair Revakin"]

 

[Vlad123]

“Would you like me to be? Do you enjoy weak women? Jedi women?”

Vilair shook his head, and gave her a curt reply. "If you think Jedi women are weak. You should see my master."
It was true. Corvus was powerful, wise and balanced and a true Jedi, which to a degree, pained Vilair because of his feelings.

“But then, perhaps I’m giving the wrong impression. These hands are not for weak little Jedi boys. They’re for strong Sith men. Tell me, which would you rather be?"

That was it. He could no longer silently resist with sly words and cunning replies. He had to act. He pushed back mentally with the force, although it seemed fleeting, and even more so not fitting. Vilair needed to get out of here, and he'd prefer not to fight. He wasn't ready. Especially not against someone of her caliber. He could either run, or fight. Or he could do both, but only if it came down to it.

"You are right in what you have stated earlier. I may have a master who doesn't understand me and maybe even underestimates me. You speak of strength in the Sith, and weakness in Jedi. However, I follow power. And from what I have seen and understood, the Jedi's wield power just as much as the Sith do, if not more."

With every words and syllable, his grip tightened on her hand in response to his growing resistance. He could feel the force in his hand almost 'colliding' in a friction-like stalemate against hers.

"You will not seduce me into the dark side. Of that I can assure you."

[member='Corvus Raaf']

 

[Darth Timoris]

Melori chuckled. “You flatter yourself…and clearly do not understand the power, or the seductive aspects of the Dark-side.”

“I shall not seduce you. You will do that all by yourself. You won’t even be aware of it, but it will happen. After today you will listen to your Master’s words differently. However powerful you may have thought they were, you will re-appraise them. Find them…wanting.”

She knew enough of the Jedi ways to understand the nurturing nature of their development. Quite unlike the Sith — who found out quickly if you could swim, by throwing you in the deep-end. But a Padawan, especially a mature one, might not understand the why…only the what.

“You will see how they hold you back. Lack any trust in you. Tell you you’re not ready.”

“Soon enough you will understand how only the Dark-side offers you a path to your full potential. And you will seek me out. Or another Sith Lord. And you will ask to be trained in our ways. Or maybe even beg?” She was teasing him now, and enjoying it.

“You’re not ready yet. Too small a fish to catch. When you’ve grown I might consider eating you. For now?” She placed a mental hand around his. The one that was squeezing hers. And using the Force she squeezed it tightly. Some of that pain transferred to her own hand. The pain was….delightful. She bit her own lip at the pleasure of the intense pressure and drew a drop of blood that she greedily licked at with a dart of her tongue.

“For now? Accept you are out of your league.” She released the grip on his hand. “Consider yourself free…but know, deep down, the hook is still there.” She tugged at the side of her mouth with her index finger. “I’ll let the line out, and soon you’ll greedily follow it back to me. Back to the One Sith. It is…your destiny.”

[member="Vilair Revakin"]