Red

[Cedric Grayson]

"The Dark Side. Sorry, sometimes I can get a bit theatrical about it," The Jedi Knight couldn't help but snicker. He wasted no time in following after Ra, his thoughts already traveling the caverns beneath the castle. It had been years since he'd set foot in this place, yet he recalled every details of the interior. Yes, many things had been changed since the castle had come into Ra's hands, but its heart remained the same. The place had always been flooded with the bogan - things had only grown more intense lately.

"Your home is a nexus of the dark side Ra. You may be used to it, but I walk in the light. It calls out to me, urges one to act on more base emotions. It encourages violence," he mused as they continued down the halls. Despite his words, the knight's smile did not falter, nor did his friendly tone.

"I've seen other friends experiment with dark forces before. It's never gone well, no matter how all together they think they are," he paused in his words, "That being said, I'm not here to preach at you. My mission really is important, and I do thank you for letting me stay for the evening. It's been some time since I've had a moment to sit down."

Something shifted within the empyrean as they drew farther from the library. The knight's brow furrowed. "It's stronger here; we're closer to the caverns. Have you grown used to it?"

@Ra'a'mah

 

[Riamah]

Darius explained what he meant and Ra nodded. With the history that surrounded the castle, it didn't fully surprise her. She had grown used to it though and it didn't penetrate her like it did him. In saying he walked in the light, he felt the call of the dark here and while maintaining a friendly tone, he was totally serious in his words. The trust that had been established those years ago was still there within her even if she didn't know it.

Taking his words at the simple meaning, she glanced at him slightly. She was fully aware of base emotions and knew what giving into them could do. It wasn't something she did though and maintained an almost stranglehold on her own. Could the same be said for him?

"Ah, I don't experiment with dark forces, Darius. The Sith Code to me is more of a religion than anything else. A code that speaks of self empowerment. To do what is needed to accomplish my goals. There is nothing in that code that dictates a need to mean or evil."

He said he wasn't here to preach to her and she nodded again. There was truth in those words and he wanted what was in the caverns. As they walked, he mentioned they were closer to the caverns and that the call was stronger here. Asking if she had grown used to it, Ra just shrugged.

"I suppose I have. Lived here for a while now."

[member="Darius Sedaire"]

 

[Cedric Grayson]

"I suppose so," was all Darius offered in reply to her explanation about the Sith Code. He could debate with the woman for hours if he so wished, but he knew neither of the two would budge on the topic. He knew the path she would walk if she continued dealing with the Sith's sorcerous teachings, but the knight had learned long ago that he could not intervene when others were set in their ways. You couldn't save people that did not want to be saved, even if they didn't recognize what they had was a disease.

Still, he found the cold reality that he may very well have to draw his weapon at Ra one day unsettling. She had been a friend at one point, and still very well could be, but he understood that there was no compromise here. Even if she could not tempt him to embrace the void, she may very well do so to others. Perhaps she could retain her sanity, as a scant handful of Sith had done over the many centuries, but her followers would not. All it took was one bad pupil to start the cycle of violence once again.

We are still dealing with the empire though. This castle could be useful.

Unpleasant thoughts drifted through the knight's mind. He could very well strike her down if need be in order to end the spread of corruption, but then the rest of the Sith still remained, not to mention his own deep revulsion for that option. He could simply take his quarry and leave, let Ra go down whichever path she wished. Or he could influence her; use her to combat the Sith just as Mephirium had. He had little doubt in his mind that he could do it, use the woman as a weapon against her morally bankrupt brethren, but that was not the Jedi way.

"It's not you, but the effect it has on others," he finally added. "I don't need to sleep. I should go to the caverns now - time is more important than I've really let on." A lie, but his intentions had shifted. Ra would make for an asset indeed, but one that he could not control; one that he did not want to.

The knight offered her an apologetic smile, "It shouldn't take me long. I'll be out of your hair shortly."

@Ra'a'mah

 

[Riamah]

Both were pretty set in their ways, however, Darious wasn't aware of just how much Ra had been recently questioning herself and her beliefs. She wasn't going to mention it to him and was not yet ready to fully go against how she grew up. A few nudge though and the personal belief she had may change and she would no longer be fully sith. It might be possible, but unlikely for him to pick up on her personal doubt since she kept her thoughts and emotions held closer to herself than the code she was questioning.

He may have had thoughts there would be the need to fight her, but that never crossed her mind. Ra was not a violent person unless it was needed. That was something her master had told and taught her. Even while following that sith code. It wasn't until near the end of his life that he had changed and started to come into power on their planet. When that happened, he didn't hesitate to kill and may have caused a few massacres in those days. Not wanting to follow in his steps though, Ra had no desire now to do that sort of harm or violence.

When he spoke, Ra shook her head and rolled her eyes slightly before speaking. Stopping outside one of the rooms, she opened the door for him.

"You're lying, Darius. Go on. Get some sleep and I'll wake you up in a few hours. I promise no harm will come to you while you sleep."

[member="Darius Sedaire"]