Private Mother Knows Best

[Arcturus Dinn]

Out of sight was not an easy ask for a room such as this, barren and scarred as it was, but they could make do. He set one up above each doorframe, and contemplated the insanity of it all. Truly it felt rather surreal. He'd never done something quite so daring or risky...​

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Well, outside of stumbling headfirst into the Netherworld, of course.​

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Thesh didn't say a word as they quickly worked to set the room up. With any luck they wouldn't need it, but it would be a safety net to fall back on if things got out of hand. That was comforting enough to be sure. Multiple options... It was almost as though they knew what they were doing.​

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Alina Tremiru Darth Strosius ​

 

[Alina Tremiru]

".. That should do it." The room wasn't completely empty. There were targets of a kind around the room, and those where what she decided to put her bombs. Any little bit would help, especially against a Sith Lord. She'd glance to Darth Strosius after a moment. It was obvious she was worried about him. She needed his help, yes, as he was one of the few she truly trusted. But the danger this had brought it's own kinds of regret. What would happen if he got hurt? Killed? Alina grimaced at both thoughts.

She stepped over to him, reaching to take his hand just for a moment. A quick second of comfort before she let it go again. It really did make her happy he was there with her, even if she was worried.

"Okay. So. I guess get ready."

"Get ready for what, dearie?"

Her blood practically froze in her veins. The Lady Tremiru stepped into the room from the way they came, arms crossed over her chest. She glanced between the trio. Orange burning eyes under the same platinum blonde hair Alina had watched them. Clearly unamused.

"Mind telling me why you're here?"

 

[Darth Strosius]

It took him a good little while to finish setting up the bombs that he had grabbed, trying to get them positioned properly and get his head straight at the same time did confuse things a bit after all. He was nervous. If things didn't go according to plan then they might all die, or perhaps something even worse. He didn't dare imagine what was worth than death, but at the hands of a sorcerer he had no doubt it could be terrible.

Alina Tremiru snapped him out of his thoughts however, him having taken a step back from his work to look it over. Alisteri made sure to give her hand a reassuring squeeze for what little time it was intertwined with his, a small feeling of relief washing over him. And for that moment, he had complete surety and faith that they would succeed.

And then a voice spoke.

His head whipped around to spot the target of their efforts, the Lady Tremiru herself. It was an odd feeling, to see someone share so many features with the one that he cared for yet inspired in him such great dread. What little that he had been told about her did not do her justice. He was silent, the question hanging in the air as his eyes shifted from Alina to Arcturus Dinn with concern. Thank the Force he wore a mask.

After a moment, he straightened his posture and took a small step forward to give a small bow. "Ah, the illustrious Lady Tremiru! I must say that it is a pleasure to make your acquaintance finally, and of course I cannot thank you enough for allowing us to come and visit. The funds shall be forwarded to your account shortly, but we thank you for the opportunity you've provided to so many acolytes of the Sith." The entire he spoke, his voice held surprisingly firm and steady. "I'm sure your daughter has already filled you in on the details yes?"

 

[Arcturus Dinn]

To say that the voice caught him off guard would have been an understatement.​

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Truth be told though, who among the trio was not shocked? It was a kink in their plan, something that hadn't even really accounted for. Which was stupid, he reflected, as the woman lived here. She could have been in any one of the rooms and they would have been none the wiser.​

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Thesh did not say a word. This was for Alina to settle, he knew, why would her mother want some random acolyte to speak when her daughter stood right there? But it was not Alina who spoke first, it was Alisteri. And that surprised him.​

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Still, it was quick thinking on his part.​

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The boy stood still, opting to appear more as a subservient of the duo than their peer. He was still upholding his guise, after all, appearing as though he held no key presence in the Force at all. And with so much darkness lingering around them, what little that did slip through could readily be chalked down to any number of things.​

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Or so he hoped.​

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Alina Tremiru Darth Strosius ​

 

[Alina Tremiru]

Alina said nothing, instead focusing on blocking her mind from her mother so she didn't give up Darth Strosius 's ruse. There was mild surprise though, that he was the one to come out with such a thing. Naturally, the Lady also seemed plenty surprised, but she didn't hide it. The orange gaze shifted towards her daughter, who only nodded. A bemused smile formed on her face as she turned her gaze back towards the masked Sith.

"Truly now. I was not told of any such.. Endeavor. Tell me, what exactly is it you're here to do?"

She was actually taller than Alina, stepping closer and closer to the masked acolyte with that same, almost kind but certainly dangerous smile. Her hands stayed clasped behind her back. The robe she wore was as extravagant as the home. She only seemed to pay attention to her daughter and the masked one. Arcturus Dinn not having a signature in the Force put him below her worth for attention.

 

[Darth Strosius]

Of all the talents that Alisteri had cultivated over his life thus far, playing the part of a doting and subservient lesser was the one that he had mastered. Being a slave for so long had that affect after all. Doing his best to keep his thoughts clear of his intent, as well as trying not to shirk back away from the Lady as she approached him, he continued. "O-Oh! You weren't told? My apologies then, Lady Tremiru." He made sure to throw in a bow of his head for extra effort.

Well that, and to take his eyes off of her without looking suspicious.

"Me and my associate here," He gestured to Arcturus Dinn was but didn't dare take his gaze off of her ominous smile, "are from the Sith academy you see. We are going to film a little...documentary set in your lovely estate." His hands were kept busy making gestures, mostly in an attempt to stop them from shaking. "The acolytes need a little...shall we say, motivation to keep themselves training you know. As such the higher-ups in the academy thought that it would be a wonderful idea to have them see how powerbases and prestigious Sith such as yourself operate!"

A small, very nervous chuckle left him. "Just reading about it or hearing a lecture on what to expect as a proper Sith gets old after a while, not that I have that problem. So, your daughter reached out to us and said that you would love to show off your accomplishments and inspire the next generation of Sith."

Alina Tremiru

 

[Alina Tremiru]

"That so." It was all the Lady Tremiru said as she stepped forward towards Darth Strosius . Her burning gaze and stern expression betrayed no hint on whether or not she believed what was being said or not. Her eyes narrowed once she was in front of the acolyte, however. The only indication that she didn't believe them before a crushing weight formed around the masked acolytes throat to lift him from the ground. "If my daughter actually cared about this family, I might of been inclined to believe you. But we all know she's no Tremiru."

For a moment fear had gripped Alina's heart. But it swiftly turned to rage as the Lady's gaze shifted to her. The young Sith didn't hesitate anymore. She leapt forward, her saber burning to life. The speed seemed to surprise her mother, but the Sith Lord calmly raised a hand.

Without warning Alina was thrown into the nearby wall, pinned against it. "Oh no, my daughter. I'll kill these friends of yours first. Then I'll deal with you. Be patient." Alina was seething at this point, struggling against the invisible force keeping her restrained. Lady Tremiru's gaze shifted towards Arcturus Dinn , narrowing in annoyance. "Starting with the one who doesn't even have an affinity with the Force. Only Sith are allowed down here."

 

[Arcturus Dinn]

It had all crumbled down around them.​

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Alisteri's plan had backfired, too, the woman did not believe him for the simple reason that Alina was not welcomed. That was something Thesh knew, something they'd spoken about before, but in the moment it was hard to recall all of those facts. Even if the other acolyte was aware of it, nobody could blame him for forgetting as much.​

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Death was next on the agenda. Their death. His first, it would seem. But his ruse had played out perfectly, she believed him nothing more than an ordinary citizen of the Galaxy, and while that made his fate the first to be dealt with it also gave him an unexpected ace up his sleeve. She rounded on him, but her focus was now split between two in the Force - holding both Alisteri and Alina in place - and that left her open.​

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Without a word the boy loosed his Sith dagger from its sheath and thrust it her way through the Force. In that moment the illusion he'd placed over himself shattered, the two acts were incompatible with one another, but it didn't matter. She'd likely have to drop at least one of the other two in order to deflect the blade, or take the direct hit.​

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As soon as the blade was free from his hold, he began to call upon the Force, to channel it through his being... But to what end was not readily known. All that the boy knew was that he wasn't about to die at the hands of some madwoman.​

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Alina Tremiru Darth Strosius ​

 

[Darth Strosius]

For a very brief moment, there was a small part of Alisteri that thought his lie may have worked. Lady Tremiru was right there, all he had to do was slowly reach down and grasp his lightsaber. End it right then and there, or at least try to. His hand had barely left to move down to his side by the time he realized that she hadn't been deceived though.

And that realization was...breathtaking.

The next thing that he knew he was being choked by seemingly nothing and his feet were no longer touching the ground. Well chit. His hands immediately flew up to his neck, as if they could offer some sort of relief from the crushing grasp on his throat. His legs kicked uselessly, his fingers still trying to claw at the invisible force around his neck. He was getting nowhere fast, and he could feel the air leaving his lungs by the second.

His heart was pounding in his ears. He had no idea what was happening to Alina Tremiru and Arcturus Dinn was behind him so he couldn't see him either. All that he could see was the woman that could kill him.

Suffice to say, this was not the way he wanted to go out.

One hand shot down to his hip and gripped his saber, pulling it from his belt and igniting it right as he noticed what looked to be a dagger flying through the air out of the corner of his eye.

 

[Alina Tremiru]

Her eyes widened. Then narrowed. Arcturus Dinn had been hiding himself? A surprise attack. Both Alina and Darth Strosius would be released from the grips around them as the Lady Tremiru raised her hands to knit together a field of shimmering purple. The Lord had no clue what exactly the sneakier one was planning to do, so she put her all in defense just in case.

A good thing too. As Alina was released she immediately hit a button on her wrist. The explosive in the doorway just above her mother detonated into a cloud of smoke and debris. The Sith Lady's barrier had been shattered by the blast. She wasn't physically damaged, but the blast had given the Lord quite the disheveled appearance. And anger.

Jͅi͏̘n̖͚͈ͅ'̨ ͕̮͕̮̯̮́t͓̥̭s͓̩̘̫̝ụ̂̕r͙̦j͖̰͚͚i͝ ̼̯̞̤́ ​

The Force bent and twisted to her will. She raised a hand, making a focus point for the energy. Asides from the overwhelming darkness, there was no visible effect. And yet she still brought her hand up and swung it like she was throwing something. In reality, she was. Spear of Midnight Black, an invisible spear of pure dark side energy was sent forth towards Arcturus, intending to impale him into the nearby wall.

 

[Arcturus Dinn]

As had been planned, his ruse had forced the woman to the backfoot, onto the defensive, and as such her companions were both released from their unseen binds. The air around the woman began to shimmer a sickly purple hue, before an explosion rocked the room. No doubt it was enough to have some of the others come running, but in the moment it was hard to even think about that. They had to act fast.​

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His dagger returned to his hand as though it had never actually left, materializing there once more without much fanfare. Alisteri's lightsaber had been ignited, and along a similar vein he pulled his free from where it had been hiding within the folds of his robes and deftly loosed the blade with a glowering red snap-hiss.​

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The Force was heavy around them as darkness pried itself from the denizens of the room, centered mostly on the woman though Thesh still had it flowing freely through his body in anticipation. He loosed that grip as the woman threw her hand forward, and something unseen hurtled toward him. Instinctively he threw the blade of his saber into its path, allowed that built up power to surge down the length of his blade. Whatever struck it had him thrown back toward the wall, even as it dissipated against his lightsaber.​

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He sank to the ground, momentarily stunned and prone. His lightsaber remained aloft, body rigid as he waited out the dazed sensation. With any luck his companions were taking full advantage of the moments given to them.​

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Alina Tremiru Darth Strosius ​

 

[Darth Strosius]

Alisteri felt relief flood him as the force clasped around his neck suddenly left, hitting the ground on his back but quickly scrambling back to his feet as he saw Alina Tremiru detonate the bomb above doorway. His gaze narrowed as he noticed the Lady still standing, a part of him idly hoping that the explosive would've at least knocked her down.

Well chit, of course it wasn't that easy.

Right as he was about to try and pounce to get in a shot at her though, suddenly she was encircled in darkness. Not just visible darkness either, she was gathering the Force for some purpose. He wasn't keen on finding out whatever it was that she was doing with it.

Thankfully, the weapon that she had formed from it wasn't meant for him.

His eyes widened at the sight of the dark spear, the mere aura that it gave off disturbed him. Such a thing, formed from the Dark Side, was oddly beautiful even as it was hurled with deadly intent. He wasn't eager to wait around while it flew through the air at Arcturus Dinn though. The masked acolyte shook off his nerves and sprung forward, the lightsaber raised high and ready to sever either her arm or her head.

 

[Alina Tremiru]

Alina knew the spell, how could she not? The words uttered were words she'd heard countless times from her mother, sister, brother. All her family, really, knew how to use the spell. The simplest yet still quite potent spell any Sorcerer should learn. All her life she'd wanted to be able to use it herself. To be one of them. Not any more.

Another shimmering barrier formed around the Lady Tremiru as both Darth Strosius and Alina rushed in. A defense that usually would of been far above what the acolytes would be able to deal with. The Sorceress turned her attention to the next spell, knowing in the back of her mind she'd be able to get it cast before her daughter or the others could break through it.

Yet as Alina's blade was swung, the barrier was severed. Cut apart. Confusion filled the Sorceress's mind and features as the spell was quickly cast aside in favor of snatching her daughter by the throat to slam her into the nearby wall. "What did you do?"

Arcturus Dinn

 

[Arcturus Dinn]

A second more, and then the boy rose up from the ground with his back against the scorched wall and observed the shattering of the shield.​

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Mother, it would seem, had severely underestimated daughter. Apparently unaware of the unique way in which Alina touched the Force, or more severed it at its core. Thesh flexed his hand, feeling the ring which lay there and had since receiving it not too long after his venture into the Netherworld, and readjusted his grip of his crimson saber.​

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His free hand once more took up that dagger, while the woman held her daughter by the throat he aimed it at her back and tossed it from his grasp toward her. Propelled on by the Force as he was often want to do. One day maybe he'd invest time in making more of the tricky little buggers, a series which could be loosed and returned rather swiftly. For now though he had just the one on consistent recall. Hopefully Darth Strosius would also seize the moment, and together they might leave an opening for Alina Tremiru to land a blow. ​

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It seemed only fitting that she be the one to down her mother, after all it was her legacy.​

 

[Darth Strosius]

It had now been twice that Alisteri had seen his blade impact something with little to no effect. Already he decided that he hated the sight. The feth is this anyway? He could hardly even see whatever his weapon was bouncing off of, a growl leaving him as stubbornly continued to try and slice through the barrier. Suddenly however, his blade went through. Unfortunately, by the time he realized that the barrier was down, Alina Tremiru had already been slammed against a wall.

He could only guess how she had gotten past her mother's barrier, but that would have to wait for later.

Out of the corner of his eye he noticed Arcturus Dinn back up and evidently ready to go again, a small smirk growing on his face at the sight of the dagger sailing through the air. She can't block what she doesn't know is coming. Hopefully. He didn't waste any time in allowing the dagger to hit first, figuring that if he went for a strike as well then one of them would make it through.

To that end, as he rushed forward to slash at Lady Tremiru, he decided to go for the legs.

 

[Alina Tremiru]

Anger and surprise was a bad mix for anyone. A Sith could use anger as power, but when they found themselves caught as off guard as the Lady Tremiru was, well. Her anger was completely focused on Alina. She tightened her grip through the force, actually turning her back on Darth Strosius and Arcturus Dinn as she seethed with her anger.

Not that she was completely blind. The hum of a saber as Alisteri rushed over brought her out of her anger enough to point a hand at the masked individual. She unleashed a torrent of lightning to stop and kill him outright. Or, was going to. There was a moment of surprise in the woman's face as she stared down the charging acolyte.

Two things happened in quick succession. The first, the dagger. It hit her right in the back. Whatever focus she had on her abilities was done. Her eyes widened as the fear of mortality actually took hold in her heart. Then in a blink of an eye, Alina was on her. She knew the lightning. What it would do to Ali. Rage clouded her mind.

She tore out her mothers throat. A single, strong bite of her new fangs easily cut through the Lady Tremiru's flesh. In that moment, it hit her. Alina stared down as her mother fell, hands desperately trying to stem the loss of blood. She couldn't look away. Not until her mother fell completely with the light gone behind her eyes.

Even then she just stood there, coated in her mother's blood.

 

[Arcturus Dinn]

It was over almost as quickly as it had begun.​

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In the moment it sure didn't feel that way. Seconds dragged on into what felt like mini-eternities as the trio moved against their superior enemy, trying over and over to land blows that seemed to simply rebound or strike nothing. Not this time though.​

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Whatever the woman was going to do to Darth Strosius was stopped in its tracks. Blades struck, as did fangs. The woman fell, and all Alina Tremiru did was stand and stare. As though the full severity of what she had done had finally seized her. As though the realization that she had committed matricide struck her will full force.​

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There was a lot of blood, it spewed forth from that wound and coated not just the girl but the wall she'd been thrust upon. That ruddy ichor left a certain tang on the air, which had his nose twitching uncomfortable. He took a step toward her, raising a hand as his blade forced itself free from the woman's back and into his hand.​

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"Alina..." he said, hoping to bring her slowly out of her dazed state, "We must act swiftly, friend... Secure your hold before they can realize what happened." If she didn't respond, he'd say her name again. Still calm, but firmer. Stronger.​

 

[Darth Strosius]

As lightning crackled within the fingertips of Lady Tremiru and aimed towards him, Alisteri could only think one thing. Oh chit. Immediately he attempted to stop in reaction, but thankfully the lightning never came. A good thing too, as he knew no way to block Force Lightning. Before he knew what had happened, Alina Tremiru was standing over her dead mother.

A sense of relief washed over him instantly, feeling his heart pounding in his chest as the silence sat over the three of them for a few moments. She did it. They had survived, even better they had won. Alina's mother was dead. It was a bit of a hollow win in his mind.

He said nothing, switching off his lightsaber as he approached her and slowly reached out to try and take her hand. The Acolyte couldn't imagine killing his own mother, but he knew that her mother was...well not the most loving. Even still, a mother was still a mother. He didn't know what to say, and he certainyl didn't know what to do.

Thankfully, Arcturus Dinn was there.

"Yes...yes he's right. We need to move quickly." A small glance was spared to the body, but he didn't pause for too long. He had little doubt that their fight had gone on unnoticed by everyone, even if he could hope that it had. "You'll have plenty of time to mourn later, as much as I hate to say it."

 

[Alina Tremiru]

Alina lifted her head as a sort of response to Arcturus Dinn . An acknowledgement that he was talking, but her gaze never left the dead body. "You're right." Her voice was small, soft. Her eyes finally lifted away as Darth Strosius took her hand in his own. Right. She gave him a nod, then one to Thesh. They'd done what they came to do. Now she needed to make sure they didn't get killed for it.

There was a small squeeze to Ali's hand before she crouched down at her mother's still warm body. The force rapidly died around them as she pushed her will outwards. Then down. She forced this into her mother's corpse, cutting it off from the Force. Completely. it was only because the Lady Tremiru was dead that she could do this, but she completely removed any trace of the Force from the body. Leaving behind only a void. An empty, hollow spot in the natural flow.

"That should free the guard. .. Stay down here." She glanced to them both before heading up alone. If things went wrong, she could take the blame herself and spare them any manner of cruel fate the family may have in store.

It'd be a couple hours before Alina returned back downstairs. Flanked by two of the house guard. Her already pale skin seemed paler than before. Alisteri would see it, easily. The change in the guard. Sangnir. The pair carefully lifted the dead body up to take it away. ".. Everything is set. You're free to leave, if you'd like. Or peruse the library."

 

[Arcturus Dinn]

As much as he wanted to look away and give the woman the privacy to do what had to be done, the empiricist in Thesh could not help but observe the strange act she presented as she severed what remained of her mother's connection to the Force, cutting her off from whatever may have lingered in death. It was a fascinating display in truth, one he didn't rightly understand. One he knew he couldn't replicate in truth. All the more curious it made him. All the more intrigued.​

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He didn't say anything as she turned to leave, instructing them to remain where they were. It didn't sit well with him, to let her go up there alone into the unknown. All of this was relative, for he felt certain none had ever taken such a brutal route to ascending up the legacy chain within this particular family, at least in this particular way. How would they react? What would be done if they did not accept it?​

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It wasn't his place to argue with her though. Instead he took to pacing the room in the minutes following. Long, long, drawn out minutes. Then with a defeated sigh of helplessness he set his back to the wall and slid down to a seated position, knees up and forearms resting atop them. It took a little time longer before he settled his eyes upon Darth Strosius and seemed to assess the man in full for the first time. As though he hadn't actually looked at him before now.​

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Did he catch his name before? He couldn't remember. Everything had happened so quickly he wasn't sure he'd said any more than he had to. A blur in the truest sense.​

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"I'm Thesh, by the way... I really don't remember if we exchanged names at all. Apologies if this is old news."​

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Usually he'd have a book or two to pass the time with, but he hadn't thought to bring one. They were back on the ship, with the little golem he'd breathed life into. The room was mostly empty too, not much to do or see or observe. As time ticked on he felt certain he'd memorized the placement of everything therein. ​

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When the sound of footsteps echoed into the room he rose up with a groan, his limbs aching from the odd way in which he'd been sat. His hand reached for the blade he seemed to favour as he waited for whoever approached to do precisely that. Thankfully he didn't aimlessly loose it, because it was Alina Tremiru who stood there, two guards in tow.​

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"Good," he said, with a sigh of relief, "Then is it to be Lady Tremiru from hereon in?"​