Kindred of Sorts

[Ignatius]

Outskirts of Sith Temple

Training, and practicing my skills was something I always did in my spare time. Others had friends, or played games. I fought for my desires. It wasn't because I wanted to be powerful or strong. In fact, just the opposite. I wanted to have some kind of control over what I had. My fear.

I knew that it controlled me. I was pushing myself to not become like my father. A man who prized himself over his pet dragon, and his ability to master the elements. I didn't care for it. I wanted to have control over my body, my spirit, and my mind. If training helped, then I was going to do it. If drinking egg yolks every day help, then I would do it. I feared becoming the monster that my father was. Running from his life. Running from his responsibilities.

Even before I reached my training spot, I was getting angry at him. My fists flared up in orange and red flames. Intense and blazing up my arm, I took a step forward, spun with a twist to wined up my arm. Landing with my non-dominate foot, I lashed out and released the flame into a fastball of a throw at a stone pillar.

The flames blasted everywhere. The impact alone cracked the stone, but otherwise left it with some black marks. I was still furious. Doing the same motion again, I threw a second one, and on the followthrough, gathered my hands on my left side, felt the flames deepen in my grasp, and upon release, allowed a stream of flame to cover and cook the pillar. My fingers like the maw of a dragon.

Releasing this. I stood there. Panting from the use of my abilities. Already sweating from the amount of energy I used to expend myself. Walking over to a fallen pillar, I sat down. Running my hands through my hair and gripping it out of anger. Shaking my head as I did so, I reached down to my neck. Grasping a necklace that was the most valuable possession I had. I couldn't let go of it. I never would. Even if it brought my death, I would never let go of my self promise that I had told my mother before I left.

"I won't be like him."

[member="Kaalia Voldaren"],

 

[Kaalia Pavanos]

It was not often that the Valkyrie Elder was found on Bastion. Most of her time spent as Darth Avacyn was on the frozen planet of Mygeeto, but she was not here without reason. Inside the Sith Temple many hopeful Sith acolytes and knights looked to climb the ladder of power and among those were potential Valkyries. Although large expansion of their numbers was not necessarily necessary bringing in new people was far from a bad thing, but only the most promising were considered. Now that her initial scouting had been done she now walked among the outskirts of the temple clad in her armor, signifying she was here in office of the group she co-led, waiting until those who had caught her eye had finished their training so she could present them with the offer to join the Valkyries.

It seemed the woman was not alone, however. Somewhere nearby the Force spiked, an outburst of emotion bleeding into it. It was a presence strong in the Force, which was not entirely surprising given the location she was at. The way the wave of emotion had manifested itself was familiar, and that was something she had not expected. A technique not often seen, yet Avacyn knew it intimately. Fire shaping, a Force power that found its roots in her planet of origin Kro Var, and one that she considered to be her most powerful. Intrigue took over as she started letting the Force guide her towards the source, which fortunately was not far off.

Flashes of flame filled the redhead's vision when she approached. She felt anger and it was strong, something she relished in. Entering the area now showing scorch marks all around she saw a man with mostly black hair sitting on a fallen-down pillar, muttering something she couldn't hear from where she was standing. After coming to a standstill Avacyn calmly looked at him, then began to speak. "Fire shaping. Native to Kro Var, the planet I was born on." Her tone was matter-of-factly, although it quickly shifted into something more natural for a conversation. "Apologies for interrupting, I am sure you understand when I say I was intrigued when I sensed your presence in the Force. Shapers are rare outside of Kro Var, and given I did not grow up there I have not been able to meet many people like me and you."

[member="Ignis Imura"]

 

[Ignatius]

After speaking to myself, I heard words of a woman behind me. As fast as my body could carry me, I twisted around and ignited my fists into a fury of flames. Facing the woman and prepared to fight. It was after the words registered that she was not here to fight me. More so talk about fire shaping. Which was strange. Others called me a Firemancer, or Pyromancer. Not a Shaper. The reason being that they are not as well known. Let alone considered even powerful unless trained. I let my fires go out. However, my hands stayed as fists as she spoke.

The mention of Kro Var, my home, my sanctuary that has been violated by the Galactic Alliance, I felt proud of my heritage, yet also ashamed that we were taken over so easily. Still, I looked over the woman as she had discovered me here. My use of the force was not hidden. Looks like I might need to work on that a little more. Either way, I bowed my head slightly.

"Most tend to stay at home. However, since the GA have taken over, there are voices of some wanting to leave. My family is one to not stay in one place for very long. Both my father and Uncle traveled the galaxy as Shapers."

It was true. Both of them moved around. However, I didn't feel like sharing my sir name yet. I wanted to see who this woman was. Even if she stated she was from Kro Var, it's hard to tell just by looking at her. The same could be said for me. Courscant? Bastion? Sure they would believe that. Kro Var? Not in a million years.

"I am still studying the advanced forms of Shaping. I have a holocron that can help me to learn more, but its based off of older styles. Ones that I don't find privy to my fighting style. So I work as I go."

Walking over to the woman, I offered a hand to her for a shake. She seemed okay for now, but she was showing kindness when otherwise any other sith wouldn't. It intrigued me. So I would return the respect in kind.

"Ignis."

[member="Kaalia Voldaren"],

 

[Kaalia Pavanos]

Avacyn remained oddly stationary while the man turned around and showed his flames. Only if he truly went on the offensive, which she was certain would end badly for him, she would react in kind. The fire quickly dissipated however, and despite the fact his fists were still there she paid them no mind. The bow of the head was returned, remaining silent so he could speak. With intrigue the woman listened as he spoke of Kro Var, his words making it clear he had lived there for at least some amount of time. How long that time was was less obvious however, as he explained the fact his family was one for travel. Perhaps it was a Kro Varian thing, given her own tendency to visit many different worlds. "I visited Kro Var for the first time since I was taken not too long ago. I was too young, so I had no memories of the planet. Still, it was easy to see the Galactic Alliance isn't doing any good, and that's ignoring the difficult task of making sure they didn't know I was a member of the Sith Empire." The sooner they were gone, the better, she thought.

It seemed he was eager to learn more about Shaping, yet his options were limited, a thought that circulated in her mind for a moment. She taught apprentices, yet they were not as interested in learning about Shaping as she had been. There was no blame to give, they didn't share the heritage, but it had left her dissatisfied. The thought was something she decided was for later, whenever later was. "I had to teach myself, from the basics to mastery. After discovering where I came from those I felt almost obligated to do so." Quietly she mused the idea of offering to help him, not as a Sith but as a Kro Varian.

The redhead nodded as she shook the man's hand, introducing himself as Ignis. "It is a pleasure to meet you, Ignis. I am Darth Avacyn." He was different. Something in his presence in the Force told her he was not fully Sith, but that mattered little to her. That was his own business. "I am curious to see your skill in Shaping first-hand, I would be grateful. A spar or another way, whatever you wish."

[member="Ignis Imura"]

 

[Ignatius]

The lady agreed with me on the Galactic Alliance and their dominion over Kro Var and it's people. She had only visited a few times, and she was a shaper, but not really a native. So she was taken away at a very young age, just as she said. Likely trained on her own due to being on her own with those powers. I could almost understand that. Likely how my uncle Morna felt when he was the first of our family to leave the world we knew as home.

She then wanted to see how good I was at Shaping. I was kind of skeptic of this. Sure, I was fine with talking to someone about shaping and my use of it, but actually fighting them means that they know my exact weaknesses and strengths. This was not something that I would easily give up. Learning from this firsthand previously when I first joined the Sith Empire in my little bout with Juliet. I pursed my lips as I released her hand from the shake.

"Me facing you, a Lady of the Sith? Not sure how well that will go down for me. Got to stay alive and all."

It was truth. One should never trust others completely in situations like this. Sure she may have been from Kro Var, but she walked up on me, was a Lady of the Sith, and would clearly out class me in a fight.

"I wouldn't mind a spar, just rather not die or get something I can't heal from."

[member="Kaalia Pavanos"],

 

[Kaalia Pavanos]

Ignis' remark amused the Sith Lady, causing a smirk to appear on her face. His concerns weren't entirely unfounded; there were many Sith out there who would go all-out with no regard for who they were facing, but Avacyn was far from a conventional Sith. He spoke in shades of winning and losing, but the woman very much knew that spars with those superior to you were a good way of learning. She had been defeated by Krest many times until she had finally defeated him, but that moment was admittedly beyond sweet. "What would I have to gain from gravely injuring or killing you? That would be pointless."

Avacyn unclipped the lightsabers from her belt and walked over to a rock, laying them down on it. "I will limit myself to only Fire shaping." She wouldn't underestimate him, but this was about learning, not beating someone senseless. As she walked over to stand opposite Ignis she started tying up her hair, making sure it wouldn't get in the way of the flames that would no doubt be surrounding the two. "How was it like, growing up on Kro Var?" she said as she worked her locks of red hair, curiosity an almost unsatiable thirst when it came to the planet's history.

"I'm ready when you are." Avacyn took a combat stance, waiting for Ignis to move first. "Show me what you know."

[member="Ignis Imura"]

 

[Ignatius]

She was not the a-typical Sith. Even stating that it would bring her no further forward if I were to perish by her hands. I shrugged lightly as she uncliped her lightsabers. Looking at them, I was reminded of my headstrong blood when I first joined the Sith. A fight that was not meant to be to the death, but seemed would have ended that way if not for some intervention. Breathing in deeply, I exhaled slowly with a little ease as she then tied her hair up.

I took my own hand and ran it back away from my face. Not quite long enough to be in a bun, but would look like a little girl who barely had any hair if I did so. She rolled up and brought her hands up. Mentioning that she was ready whenever. Wanting me to give it my all. Smiling, if she was only going to use shaping, then I could do the same. No point in fighting hand to hand. I was already fairly adept at it to begin with. Bringing my own hands up, they were not clenched. open and ready to act upon any action, I was given control of the fight when to start, and when not to.

A twist of my hands to my left side, Flames formed between them and launched a simple stream of flames. Using my shaping the best I could, I moved the flames into a swirl at her. Returning to her question that had been asked before me, I voiced it as I did such actions against her.

"Fair. Most of my life was spent being taught how to control these flames. As well as self defense. I was just a kid when my father left though. After I reached seventeen, I left home."

[member="Kaalia Pavanos"],

 

[Kaalia Pavanos]

Avacyn paid careful attention to Ignis' movements, her eyes shifting quickly as she saw the flames come towards her. Corrupting red and amber yellow bled into her irises as she connected to the Force, and in the moment she had two options. Raise a barrier to protect herself, or grant herself the speed to sidestep it. The latter seemed to have been chosen at first, but it was no movement enhanced by the Force. Her figure deftly moved to the side as the heat of the fire brushed across her face, stimulating her senses and putting them on edge. There was something alluring about the heat eminated by a flame, much like a beast baring its fangs warning one of the danger they were facing. It awakened the fighter in her, even if she looked to avoid causing any major injuries. Minor burns and scratches were simply part of the game, but anything beyond that was unnecessary. They were supposed to be allies, after all.

"So you're a traveller, much like the rest of your family?" The words were paired with a step forward, followed by a motion of her left arm to bring it up. Drawing upon the Force around her Avacyn fed her inner flame before commanding it to manifest itself into reality. A mote of fire appeared in her hand before blasting it forwards in a stream of orange, quickly making its way towards Ignis. "My early years were nothing but travel. I cannot say they were good years, but I never lost the habit of exploring new planets whenever I have the chance." The first blast was quickly followed up by a lesser one, although it was far from difficult to deal with both. "I had to slim down on my trips though after I entered new commitments." Other Sith were told nothing more than that. What was meant by it however was the fact the redhead had gotten married, causing her to spend more time with Ishana and less on travel. She did not mind this in the slightest, if she could she would not ever have been away from her.

[member="Ignis Imura"]

 

[Ignatius]

The flames danced around both of us. My stream of fire was side stepped them. The flames drew close to her, and accented her form. With the conjuring of her own flames, she spoke to me. Asking first a rhetorical question of my movement in the galaxy, and then explained how she had once been nomadic such as myself, but was now... not tied down, but chose to not move as much. A commitment to someone or something. If it were a person, the value of love, or family was a very strong connection and base to stand with. I knew that all too well with my own family. Or she was an Acolyte of the Sith Empire. One who followed it's teachings almost religiously.

I doubted that with her previous actions.

Speaking of which, The flames she now controlled and reciprocated back to me. One bolt of flame was hurled my way with a speed that I could match, but knew she could easily supersede. Instead of dodging it or sidestepping it as she had, I had always been trained to use my environment around me to my advantage, and to learn how to redirect the very heat that was stored within. An open palm facing the oncoming bolt, and with a twist of my wrist and hand to close, the bolt was redirected into the ground with a splash and extending of flame much like a molotov cocktail. Spreading upon the ground.

The second bolt also came for me. However, I used the forward momentum to my advantage. As the bolt passed the flames upon the ground, I gathered all of them up into one bolt. The lesser bolt was now greater compared previously, and was slung around my frame like a ship using the gravitational pull of a planet to sling shot itself into a new direction. Only now, Aimed for the Sith's chest.

"We moved out of necessity, not of curiosity."

I did note that the woman was seeming to test me. To see what I could do. This was just a spar, and things were only now staring to heat up. If she wanted to push, I'd allow it, and accept it with open arms. I always loved a challenge.

"Now, we do it as we are accustomed, and I seek to gain knowledge, and control."

[member="Kaalia Pavanos"],

 

[Kaalia Pavanos]

It was refreshing to see someone other than Avacyn herself controlling flame, the sight putting the slightest of smiles on her face. The familiarity of it was a rare thing, and it was the main reason for her to be here in the first place. It was a rush of some sort, one she thoroughly savored.

After Ignis finished the rebound of her attack and sent it back the Sith Lady's way, she did not sidestep the attack either. Standing still, she waited until the bolt was close enough before raising her left hand in an upward waving motion. Right before her hand would be scorched the fire mimicked the motion of the redhead's hand, shooting upwards before dissipating in the air. She had seen enough of the attacks from range, and decided it was time to make things a bit more up close and personal. It didn't mean she hadn't been impressed, but there was much more than just that.

Almost immediately after her counter Avacyn dashed forward in a blur, her hands ablaze as she approached Ignis. Making use of her skill in martial arts, which she often practiced with [member='Aria Vale'], she went for a flurry of three quick strikes towards his stomach before pulling back out with a small jump. They were not meant to be hard-hitting, but they were most definitely fast. The danger was in the fire, not in the impact of the fists themselves.

"I see," the woman commented after landing on the ground. "I was raised by a nomadic Jedi, myself. I don't think it's very necessary to say I left him behind when I got older, but during those years I had no real home to speak of." Although she didn't share it to many people, she loathed that time. The Light she had been forced into strangled her. She had no freedom, instead she felt like a slave to the people around her, burdened with the duty to give everything she had to them, and she most definitely did not have happiness. The Light had let her down, but her days as a Jedi were long behind her. "Wherever my feet stood was my home, he always used to say."

[member="Ignis Imura"]

 

[Ignatius]

The flames skewed my vision for a moment. They closed the distance between myself and Kaalia. Watching as they were thrown into the air, I barely caught the brief movement in my sight. Taking a step back as she almost seemed to teleport in front of me. She moved with a speed that I could never hoped to reach. However, while she had a fast running speed, I had a much faster reaction time. Fighting almost my entire life with hand to hand combat trained me for it. Considering I could almost match a swordsman in combat, I had to be good.

The first punch moved faster than I had thought, and slammed into me. The heat spreading against my skin and turning my shirt black as it singed everything remotely close to it. I took the pain with a grunt from the punch, and made a rotation with my arms in front of me. Swiping away the last two blows sent at me. Continuing the followthrough of the circular motion that my left hand created, it widened out as a balance while my right foot came around to swipe at the air she had once stood in. Landing the foot back on the ground, She spoke. My right side turned to her, and arms up ready,

I closed the distance between the two of us. A small jump between us could be followed up with a quick step forward. However, The hop I used to push myself just above her head level, and coming down with a right flaming fist. Problem was, it was a telegraphed move. One that could be easily avoided. As soon as my foot touched the ground again, I pushed forward once more, Attempting to send my shoulder into her chest. Acting like a literal battering ram.

"As is family for some. Bound by the connections you make, and not by blood."

[member="Kaalia Pavanos"],