Private Shadows in the Garden

[Tycho Arak]

The Coruscant gardens were a generally quiet place despite the hustle and bustle of the city around it. Perhaps that was because of its immediate proximity to the Jedi temple, which generally kept the raucous people away. Or, perhaps, the people likely to cause disturbance didn't care for plants. Or it could have just been because the Jedi themselves tended to wander in it and use it as a place for quiet meditation. Either way, Tycho found it to be the perfect place for him to go when he just needed some time to process things. The Jedi even left him alone despite the fact that he exuded the emotions they generally decried.

Today was no exception. He was frustrated. Frustrated and angry because he was struggling to find a lead on the person responsible for poisoning people on Ansion. Every lead he tracked down turned into a dead end and there hadn't yet been another incident to provide further information. That sounded a bit callous when he thought about it, but he knew it was coming, he just didn't know when and where. That's what frustrated him.

He brushed his hand against the bark of a tree and stopped momentarily to rest his hand against it. There weren't a lot of places in the city where one could have an encounter with nature outside of private gardens and places you had to pay to enter. He enjoyed being around nature at least some of the time, and this place gave him that. While Coruscant was the perfect choice for Sentinel headquarters, he did have to admit that the duracrete jungle was not a place he really enjoyed. If work took him elsewhere he would gladly take the opportunity to visit other worlds and get away from the nausea inducing tall buildings.

As he stood there, he felt something off. Someone nearby was feeling more like he did, exuding emotion and with the telltale tinge of something dark and malevolent. He frowned and stepped away from the tree. Following the guidance of the Force, he wove his way through the garden until he came to a small green spot amongst the trees and saw a young, red-haired human girl. She's the source? he questioned in his own mind. Curious, he stepped forward to where she could see him, hands in his pockets, lightsaber on his belt.

"A specter of shadow looms over you, young one," he said, studying her. "Why?"

Anneliese Kaohal

 

[Anneliese Kaohal]

Items: Lightsaber I Outfit X X II Equipment X X X III Theme Song IIII Bloodline Tattoo
Tags: Tycho Arak
Location: Coruscant Gardens​

The gardens were unusually quiet today, Anneliese thought to herself inwardly as she sat in her usual hidden cove within the vast and lush landscaping, her back pressed against a tree, her knees pulled towards her chest as if she was somehow comforting herself. As the wind blew softly, gently grabbing and pulling at the wisps of unruly hair, her eyes glazed over… lost in her own mind.

The events that had taken place on Qiilura were… unsettling to her to say the least. A darkness hung on her very being it felt, the only light chasing it away was when her body and soul tethered to him, to Roman Vossari and his touch, he reminded her she was still here — that she was ok… he was an anchor, a light admist the presence that knocked constantly at her door… and that she was still the same, gentle, loving, kind and devout follower to the light she’d always been… and that would never change. She wasn’t alone — but why did she feel so alone right now?

The sound of the entities voice clawed and seared into her very mind… the dull ache in her lower back where she’d been branded with his mark. Whispers seemed to dance just out of comprehension in her senses… was it all in her mind? No one else around her had perceived anything wrong upon their return… but again, the feeling of needing to run while something nipped at her very heels pursued her.

Her fists tightened as her teeth clenched, anger flashing in her demeanor as both her fists balled up. She wanted to scream, she wanted to yell, she wanted to throw things around in response to the rage that slowly built within her — why was she bound to this fate? Fate was a word, something that one built and made for themselves… but dwelling on the large tapestry before her in her mind that was her family lineage, she could not fathom where or how to go about changing it.

Lost in her own thoughts, her nose twitched at the scent and sound of an incoming presence until, emerging from the tree line stood a male figure, a stranger, someone she’d never once seen before. Speaking, he asked about the shadow that seemed to loom over her but as he asked her demeanor froze, his words verifying the deep concern in her mind… something had changed… something was different. Her emerald eyes stared him straight down, a certain defensiveness shining in them as she spoke. “I’m not sure what you are referring too…. Friend. It’s just not been a very good day.” Her body shifting as she primed herself to stand at moments notice if she had too, the lightsaber clipped to her belt shifting on her waist as she kept direct eye contact with him — a certain deep seated primal edge to them.

​

 

[Tycho Arak]

Fight or flight. Her body was tensing for it. The fear she exuded would have drawn any darksider to her with nefarious intentions: to manipulate and mold her into a useful tool. It made him cautious, because he knew all too well how a Jedi feeling such emotions could quickly become something else entirely: a dangerous enemy. But she wasn't dangerous, not to him, even if she did lash out. What she was, was a scared teen dealing with emotional turmoil outside of the norm, something so virulent that it tainted every fiber of her being and it was impossible for him not to notice even if no one else had. He was drawn to it.

Pulling his hands from his pockets, he held them upward to show they were empty. He meant her no harm, even if she was concerned.

"I'm referring to what you would call the darkside touch upon you," he said, leaning his back against the nearest tree. "There's no need to feign ignorance, I can tell you know of what I speak."

She was clearly not a bad person. He could tell from looking at her, studying her body language, not to mention the conflict within. This was not someone that was willing to succumb to whatever darkness had befallen her. She wasn't someone he needed to deal with in a law enforcement capacity, but someone he needed to speak to as one who knew the Force. She needed help, even if she didn't want it, and he was willing to offer it. Not to mention the idea of having more people succumb to the darkness and go off the rails just wasn't pleasant to think about.

He made sure to keep his posture non-threatening, but he certainly wasn't leaving.

"Why don't we start simple and exchange names? Mine is Tycho Arak."

Anneliese Kaohal

 

[Anneliese Kaohal]

Items: Lightsaber I Outfit X X II Equipment X X X III Theme Song IIII Bloodline Tattoo
Tags: Tycho Arak
Location: Coruscant Gardens
​

As his hands slowly came out of his pockets, her body tensed momentarily… her whole demeanor on edge… but aiming to show sincerity through his voice and body language, he spoke. His comment about her feigned ignorance sent a twinge of irration up her spine — of course she knew what he spoke of, it just wasn’t something she’d use to start a conversation with someone she’d just met.

As he introduced himself, internally her mind repeated his name, and immediately her voice broke the brief silence, her soft voice now relaxing. “I’m Anneliese Kaohal, Jedi Padawan.”

Still refusing to brake eye contact with him — she began to bite at the hook he’d thrown with the bait on it, her mind questioning as to how he could know she’d been touched by the dark side… he had to be force sensitive in some fashion, this she was sure of. “ You’ll have to forgive the… confrontational demeanor I gave just now, it’s complicated — and it wasn’t feigned ignorance, just not something I wanted to verbally acknowledge aloud. ” The pain was palpable in her voice — in her eyes, the turmoil lingering as she relaxed her posture slumping back into the ground, her knees coming back towards her chest, hugging herself once more. “I just wasn’t expecting someone to outright say they could sense it, I’d hoped —“ She paused as she looked off towards the distance, the wind once again catching her hair, her voice lowering to a whisper. “I don’t know what I thought to hope for…” The forlorn tone heavy in her voice.

​

 

[Tycho Arak]

He nodded his head to her when she introduced herself.

"A pleasure to meet you, Anneliese," he said, also not taking his eyes from her.

Tension was palpable, even as she relaxed. She hadn't yet comprehended why he was able to feel that there was something wrong with her that others hadn't noticed. That was alright. She was only a Padawan, a beginner in the learning of the ways of the Force, and her instincts were probably being honed still. On top of that, she was full of emotion that was clouding her mind, keeping her from reaching out to him to see if she could glean any information about him through the Force.

What was worse, she was sad. He couldn't abide by that. Sad. Hurt. No, these were things a young woman such as herself should never have to feel. It brought back memories of himself as a child, abandoned by his parents to a life of servitude as a soldier. He waited a moment after she spoke before he responded himself.

"You hoped you were mistaken, that malevolence hadn't touched you. Then you hoped that if that wasn't true, that nobody would notice."

It was perfectly understandable.

"Can you tell me what happened to you? What, or who, did this to you? I can help, but I need to understand it before I can do so. Advice from a place of ignorance is worse than no advice at all."

Anneliese Kaohal

 

[Anneliese Kaohal]

Items: Lightsaber I Outfit X X II Equipment X X X III Theme Song IIII Bloodline Tattoo
Tags: Tycho Arak
Location: Coruscant Gardens
​

She simply nodded her head eyes cast in the distance as she acknowledged what he said, not being able to put it any better than he had.

However, listenImg as he spoke, where she’d been ready to fight, he’d given understanding — diffusing her. In his voice there was understanding instead of judgement, and in it, knowledge of something she’d never delved in stood before her — maybe, his path had been placed before her for some reason.. as if Ashla herself had ordained this man to be here, in this moment. “I told you… it’s complicated… but I’ll do my best to explain it. It’s a long story, it might be better if you sat down for it.” Her hand motioning to a small stump not far from her.

Looking back now to him, she took a deep breath, centering herself and began to speak. Telling of her trip to her homeworld, Qiilura, she described the events that set it all into motion. The surge of dark energy when she’d sensed upon touching a relic of her native world… of the past she saw, the attack that had taken place — of the enigmatic entity known to her bloodline only as the Nameless… a dark and powerful being of sheer darkness, hate and malice. She told him of the void she’d faced him in — how he violated her mind… of his beckoning… his desire to use her as his vessel, the last of her bloodline. She told him of the prophecy that she’d learned regarding her — the foretelling of her birth, of the fate weaved and intertwined with this being… she told of the whispers in the dark she now heard calling, of the mark that now branded her back — of the utter loathing that had replaced the child like curiosity to just know where she came from… now wishing she could take it all back.

As she finished her story, the pain freshened once again — conflicting emotions once again rising to the surface. She wanted to be angry, she wanted to cry — she wanted to change what was, but didn’t know where to begin. Sitting there in silence, her eyes fell back upon him and locked with his, gauging his reaction to what she’d just shared.

​

 

[Tycho Arak]

She motioned to a stump, and he walked over to sit. As she said, if it was a long story, he definitely did want to sit. Not that he couldn't stand for a really long time and be comfortable doing so, but he had a feeling it would help her if he was sitting rather than standing considering she was about to tell him some very personal items. Probably made him seem like more of a friend.

As she spoke, he found his hand lifting to his chin and his eyes drifting into thought. This was something. A bloodline curse created by a malevolent entity of such power that it could forcibly enter her mind, even alter her body. There were surely powers that would allow this, but what she described vaguely resembled a Force eating entity. Was this such a creature that had achieved sapience? It wouldn't be the first time that had happened. Some Rancors had achieved that status, same with Acklays. Why couldn't a Force eater do so? Did it want her body because then it could traverse anywhere without question, eat without ever being known?

He didn't like the thought of that, but even if it wasn't that Nameless, it was still a creature of such extreme volatility that he was certain if nothing was done, this girl before him would die.

"I studied in the past with a group that focused on learning the history of what you call the darkside of the Force. During that study, I recall mention of beings called the Nameless. They ate the Force, devouring everything that made people like you and I who we are. Their victims often turned to stone."

He was gauging her reactions to see if anything he described rang a bell.

"Regardless, what you describe will lead to your death if you continue only as you have until now."

The Jedi could fight darkness. They had abilities that were very powerful when used appropriately, but he had the distinct feeling that even their purification abilities, abilities that almost literally burned the Force out of someone, would be of no use in this situation. The only way to defeat it was to find a way to be resistant to its abilities, and he didn't think the Jedi could teach her that, because they couldn't prepare her mind to accept the full breadth of the Force.

"You need knowledge beyond what the Jedi will teach you. Knowledge they would say was forbidden because they do not understand that it isn't knowledge that is evil, only intentions. I can help you, but I need to know that you're willing to learn, and that you won't use what I teach you for ill."

Anneliese Kaohal

 

[Anneliese Kaohal]

Items: Lightsaber I Outfit X X II Equipment X X X III Theme Song IIII Bloodline Tattoo
Tags: Tycho Arak
Location: Coruscant Gardens
​

As Tycho spoke, her blood chilled and her stomach churned... almost as if somehow coming face to face again with this being. The question she'd been internally been asking herself -- racking her brain searching for answers, it was almost comical at how the answer had been dropped right in her lap... and she hadn't had to do a single thing other than talk to a stranger. When he spoke on the victims, her hands came wrapped against herself as she began. It had wanted her body -- wanted her as a vessel -- it wanted it to succumb to her... could this really be this monstrosity he spoke on?

As he continued and spoke about the knowledge she would need, and how a Jedi would not posses it -- for the knowledge itself they deemed to be forbidden, evil -- her walls instinctively came up, her emerald eyes flashing his direction as she focused on him, a pit forming in her stomach -- feeling like a child about to do something wrong behind the parents back -- when in reality, she knew dire situations required direct action and she needed to know what it would take to resist the call of this Nameless being. His intentions were clear -- and there appeared to be no deceit in his voice as he spoke.

Nodding her head, silent, her face still silent shocked and taken back, knowing full well now this man knew intimate facets of the force, she spoke. "I'm willing to learn -- and I would never think to do ill harm towards another... I... just..." Her heart sank just slightly as she finished her sentence. "Are you able to channel the dark side of the force?... h-how?" Her statement filled with questions. "I was taught to believe to tap into that power was to corrupt oneself slowly and to succumb to the darkness that taints all..."

​

 

[Tycho Arak]

A fight of emotions took place quickly within her at the revelation that he knew how to use the Force in a way that the Jedi would not, generally, be comfortable with. It wasn't unexpected and most of those he'd met who learned what he could do had misgivings about it. They often disagreed with the way he handled situations. He was used to it. In the end, though his methods were decried by them, his results were true and he didn't hurt people that hadn't earned that hurt.

She asked about whether he could channel the dark side and he didn't respond immediately. Especially when she said what she'd been taught about it and what it did to people. Responding to this required he be open and honest with her, but that he not level accusation towards her teachers.

"You've been taught that because the majority of people who utilize what you call the dark side of the Force are evil," he said, shifting his hands to his knees with palms upward. "Even were they not able to utilize the Force they would be evil. It is not the Force that makes them so, it's their intentions. The Force simply exists. What we do with it, regardless of the ability, sets apart good from evil, not the ability themselves."

With rare exceptions but he didn't want to overly confuse her by getting into the philosophical debate of abilities that served no purpose other than to kill or torture. He tended to avoid those unless a situation was extremely dire or the perpetrator of the crime he was investigating was just that terrible of a person. Even then he didn't enjoy doing it. He didn't find joy in killing people, even if they were disgusting, vile monsters. He didn't understand how people could find joy in that.

"There is no light or dark in the Force itself, only in people."

He beckoned her over with one hand.

"Come. Let me see your hands. I wish to show you something."

Anneliese Kaohal

 

[Anneliese Kaohal]

Items: Lightsaber I Outfit X X II Equipment X X X III Theme Song IIII Bloodline Tattoo
Tags: Tycho Arak
Location: Coruscant Gardens
​

As he spoke to her about the things she’d been taught over her course of life, she couldn’t help feel a twinge of fear once again… slowly realizing the depth of her indoctrination. Her whole life, she’d never once dared to question the divide between what was black and white — never questioning if there was a grey area, never daring to adventure out her preconceived notions and discovering what she feared to be right and wrong, good and bad.

“True — it is our intentions that create the action that follows. This lightsaber itself isn’t inherently evil or good, it merely follows suite to what I do with it.” She understood his words completely, and now as she spoke, her defensive manner had completely relaxed and her eyes entirely engaged into the conversation.

As he finished talking, and asked her to see her hands, she looked towards him — a shyness coming upon her demeanor, almost like that of a child. Hesitating just slightly but eventually shifting from her spot — she walked gracefully over to him — each stride intentional… the wind once again grabbing and whipping the curls of her hair that seemed to light ablaze with the kiss of the sunlight. Kneeling down slowly and extending her hands out — affording trust with this simple gesture to him, her eyes filled with genuine curiosity. Her hands were small, nimble — yet tanned like her arms, the callouses in her hands being a silent testament to how hard she’d trained over the years.

​

 

[Tycho Arak]

The fact that she understood was good. It meant she was open to what he could teach her and that she wasn't so indoctrinated into the ways of the Jedi that she was unable to question things. Her natural curiosity would serve her well. That was something that could not be taught no matter how one tried.

"I'm going to show you some things about myself so that you understand who I am."

When she put her hands in his, he gently enveloped them and allowed the Force to flow through him and into her. This was a much less invasive measure than what could be employed, as connecting in this manner required trust between them. He could have simply placed his hand upon her head and forced his way into her mind if he wished, as he did sometimes to interrogate people when the situation warranted. This was not such a situation and he wanted her to remain trusting of him. This was all about helping her after all.

The first thing she would see was a small baby boy with ashen skin, white hair, and golden eyes in the arms of a woman who looked similar. This was him only a few short days after he was born. Kage had a unique ability to remember things even that early in life. She could note that the way his parents looked at him was with pleasure, but not love. This didn't change as he grew, and the next thing she would see was him at three years old being handed off to what appeared to be a soldier, because it was one. At three years old he was given over to become a soldier, abandoned completely by his parents.

Years of training would flash before her eyes, failed relationships with fellow students, until she witnessed the events that truly made him who he was. The raid to rescue the missing. Their death at the hands of the Belugans who were told they were coming by other Kage. The rampage his fellow squadmates went on, decimating an entire village, his disgust with what had happened and the betrayal he felt towards knowing this was caused by fellow Kage selling them out to perpetuate violence.

She'd see his time spent with the anthropologists, learning about what she referred to as the dark side of the Force. See his growth in the Force and his time spent learning from a Jedi who had left the order but still believed in their code. She'd see him on Ansion, see the horrible thing he'd discovered, see him kill the man who had slaughtered an entire family, see him working with Katarine to solve the trouble there. She'd see him travel to Coruscant, start the Sentinels, work with Valery to take down a Dark Empire spy ring, how he felt about Ran Serys, and even his frustration with being unable to solve the Ansion incident. All of it was open to her to see how he'd come to be who he was.

"You asked how I'd learned to utilize the part of the Force you'd been forbidden from learning and the answer is that I studied. I studied with the understanding that the Force simply is and has no sides. I understood that what people call evil is a mischaracterization meant to control. I don't fault the Jedi for teaching you as they have. Truly they want what's best for you. But I know you need more than that if you're going to survive."

He grasped her hands more firmly and brought them up to place them together, his hands clasping hers.

"I'm going to teach you what I know because I don't want you to perish. I want you to live a long, beautiful life, free of the pain and fear that plagues you now. But I need you to understand it will not be easy and you will experience things that will scare you further than you've already been, though no harm shall come to you. And we should move from here for this because I do not think the Jedi around will understand me teaching you."

Anneliese Kaohal

 

[Anneliese Kaohal]

Items: Lightsaber I Outfit X X II Equipment X X X III Theme Song IIII Bloodline Tattoo
Tags: Tycho Arak
Location: Coruscant Gardens
​

A tears streamed down her eyes at the life she saw flash before her eyes — the emotions ranging from all across the spectrum and the experiences she’d felt, as if she’d lived them herself. Death hung in her mind, a ball forming in her throat as she swallowed hard, she’d been acquainted already with it… and her heart grieved. Seeing the people flash before her eyes, other Jedi until… she saw Valery through his eyes, fear once again creeping into her mind. What would Val say once she told her of what happened on Qiilura? She hadn’t necessarily hidden it from her, but she had been hiding from her… and know, fixing to delve into things forbidden by the very code… she was about to let this man she’d just met teach her.

Her emerald eyes staring now straight at his as the tears began to subside — surprise written on her demeanor. “You know Valery? She’s — she’s my master, I - I can’t believe you’ve met her.”

But, as he grasped her hands and clasped them together, his voice sincere, almost protectively like that of a parent, her head slowly nodded keeping eye contact. His words were sincere and she felt no hidden agenda underneath them other than wanting to ensure her safety… and based off the entire conversation he already had an idea of what specifically she faced. Knelt down before him, pushing past the mind killer that hung just before her, she remember back on Qiilura… when fear had passed, only she remained. She would walk down this road that now sat before her, she would learn what he had to offer… and she would be stronger for it. “I - I understand. Please — if what you have to teach helps me to resist and put an end to this… nightmare, I will work diligently to learn what you have to teach.”

​

 

[Tycho Arak]

"I do, yes," he said, taking into account that this was her pupil. "She offered to help me personally face the threat I'm hunting but I turned her down because it would put her and her family in danger."

She indicated a willingness to learn, especially now. He felt she understood him and even though she knew he had killed before, she knew that the reason behind the killing had been in pursuit of justice, and not driven by darkness. She understood his past as a child soldier, that he had no family just as she had none. They were, in a sense, now on equal footing, and he could give her instruction without her being afraid of him, which was a necessity if she was going to survive.

Standing, he retained hold of one of her hands, albeit gently, and indicated for her to walk with him before he started towards the way he'd come.

"Come with me, my daughter."

He would walk for a time in silence, letting her have a few moments to think, but also because there were many jedi milling about and he didn't really feel like dealing with misunderstandings. Also, the notion of having a student was new to him. It had never been his intention to train anyone in the ways of the Force and now he was offering to do so.

"Valery is a great Jedi and I'm sure she teaches you well. Her teaching should not be forgotten. I don't want you to think that I'm going to teach you to ignore what she has said. What I'm going to teach you will open you to the full ways of the Force, which I know you'll use to do good, and I'll help you ensure that the power never overcomes you. The abilities that the Sith and Dark Jedi use should not be themselves feared. If you understand them, you can fight them. If you know how to use them, you will be more effective at understanding them.

"I'll teach you how to fight darkness with darkness, but you must remember that darkness is not evil, it's just half of an equation. There can be no light without dark and vice versa. We'll go back to my company headquarters and can sequester ourselves in one of the training rooms there. It'll be safe and quiet."

Anneliese Kaohal

 

[Anneliese Kaohal]

Items: Lightsaber I Outfit X X II Equipment X X X III Theme Song IIII Bloodline Tattoo
Tags: Tycho Arak
Location: Coruscant
Objective: Down the Rabbit Hole
​

Thinking as he heard him explain how he knew Val, something within her tried to reason past what she was about to set out to do… the violation of the natural law she’d been specifically warned about not doing. Maybe she thought, since Val offered to help him, he wasn’t a bad or evil person, but rather someone good. Furthermore, the respect he seemed to hold her Master in once again resonated with her rationalization. Once again, she did her best to gauge past the surface, feeling his intentions… nothing she felt off, felt wrong… so could it really be that bad what he was about to teach her, the help he’d so readily offered?… or so she told herself.

As he held his hand out to help her up, and she stood, the twinge of fear — fear from years of conditioning, countless lessons taught on channeling the dark side swelling up within her… but again, the fear was pushed down and smothered by the conflict from all that had happened, the situation she was dealing with far beyond her years of experience — and standing here, he had answer, a way — she owed it to herself to explore what he was willing to impart onto her, the potential answer to her questions.

Nodding her head, she stared at him, her eyes intent. “I’ll come like I said … but, if at any time I want to leave, I’m free too?” Her emerald gaze not once breaking with his for one moment, the internal conflict clear in them. She knew in her mind there was several things she did not know, several means of fighting she still needed to learn, but as she began to follow with him, she’d hoped in her heart that she wasn’t making a grave error.

​

 

[Tycho Arak]

"I would never hold you against your will, Anneliese," he said, glancing over to her as they walked. "You're free to come and go as you wish."

The very idea of that was unsettling. He wasn't a kidnapper. He didn't even take criminals back to their headquarters. They were all taken to the local security forces and all evidence turned over. No, he had no intention of keeping her against her will. He had a twinge within him of affection towards this girl. The kind of affection he thought would come from a parent, but he hadn't ever experienced that kind of affection from anyone before, so he couldn't be sure that was the case. But she had no family and he had no family. So could they be family?

They left the gardens and he called for a transport. The Jedi building wasn't located near Sentinel HQ so they had to take a transport through the city to CoCo Town. There they'd be let out at a newer building with a distinctive logo on it. He stepped out and helped her out before leading her up to the building and inside of it.

"This is my company," he said as they moved through the building. "I founded it with the intention of protecting people and solving crimes that law enforcement either can't or won't solve."

He paused at the break room and grabbed two bottles of purified water before leading her to an empty training room. There was always at least one of them available for use. And fortunately, the floor was cleared out so he walked towards the center of the room and sat down before offering her one of the waters and motioning for her to join him.

"Can you tell me what Valery and the other Jedi have told you the Force was?"

Anneliese Kaohal

 

[Anneliese Kaohal]

Items: Lightsaber I Outfit X X II Equipment X X X III Theme Song IIII Bloodline Tattoo
Tags: Tycho Arak
Location: Sentinal HQ near CoCo Headquarters
Objective: Down the Rabbit Hole
​

Anneliese was quiet on the way over in the transport, her head turned slightly while she peered out her window. A pit of anxiety had formed in her stomach as her mind raced as they moved through the city. She couldn't help but think about what Valery might say. Her Master had always been a beacon of wisdom and strength, guiding her through the darkest times -- always setting an example... but as she'd also found out, she was under the immense weight of the shadow she cast -- she was woefully aware of this.

Would she approve of this new alliance -- this new friendship? Would she understand the turmoil Anneliese was feeling?... but these thoughts only made Anneliese want to crawl into a dark hole and hide. On top of the inner conflict with wondering what Val would think, her thoughts dwelt on what others might say -- or not say... thoughts about what was really considered to be good and evil -- and the ultimate thought of why she seemed so concerned and scared about what others said, as if somehow they dictated her life and made decisions for her. In the end, she had to be the one who walked her path... and knowing he had something to offer that would better help her understand and fight the darkness, she had to go, she just had too.

As they came out of the transport, being helped out, she listened to Tycho explain what the headquarters were for -- so it was true she thought, he was to some point and capacity a type of private enforcement officer, like a detective -- however, bound to no jurisdiction. Looking all around the building as they went in and through it -- thanking him for the bottle of water offered to her -- she thought it was impressive that he dedicated so much to others. She knew of the injustices that plagued the world at large... and truth be told, there were not enough Jedi, or Lawmen to go around to help everything.

As they came to a standstill in the training room and the question was asked, Anneliese crossed her arms behind her slightly, jerking her head to the side and blowing strands of hair out from her eyes as she spoke. "I've always been taught that there are two sides to the force. The light, and the dark -- or, as I know them Ashla and Bogan." She cleared her throat as she continued. "I have always been taught the force is a source of light and guidance, a beacon that is there to be used to protect and heal. It is the essence that brings balance to the universe, it is living, in us and through us." Pausing, her eyes dulling with a sadness she continued. "Since my encounter, with this... entity -- its brought this shadow over me -- I feel the weight of his mark. Its made it hard to see and feel the light. My thoughts feel clouded, and the certainty I once had in the Force's benevolence is now tinged with doubt and fear. I'm angry... and I know I shouldn't be."

​

 

[Tycho Arak]

"The Force doesn't have sides, it simply exists," he said, opening his own bottle of water. "Ashla and Bogan were concepts created by early students of the Force as a means of control. There's very little information about it out there anymore, but the people the Jedi came from attempted to eradicate the people who discovered abilities that were grouped under the name Bogan because they were afraid of what those abilities could mean. In so doing, the Jedi eventually eradicated, or nearly so, an entire species.

"This doesn't mean the Jedi you know today are evil, don't get me wrong, but you need to understand where these beliefs came from and how they've been used for injustice just as much as they have for justice. The Force IS balance. It doesn't need sides because it is everything already. Don't consider the concept of dark and light when it comes to the Force, just think of it as the whole. There is no dark and light, just abilities for you to use."

He took a drink from his bottle and then put the cap back onto it. It did, in some ways, feel like he was doing something that would cause her harm by teaching her the truth. Surely Valery would be mad at him once she put his name together with who he was. Undoubtedly she'd pay him a visit and give him an earful, or worse. He didn't mind the idea of a visit, seeing her again would be nice, but he knew it wasn't going to be a friendly one no matter what. Regardless, he was resolved to help Anneliese, to protect her, by any means necessary.

"Anger is a natural emotion. To deny that you have emotions is to deny yourself. Many Jedi become Sith or Dark Jedi because they've spent their whole lives bottling up their emotions until they no longer can. It's okay to feel, Anneliese. What makes all the difference is in whether you allow those emotions to control you or not.

"I've seen people do horrible things to one another, things that have made me angrier than you could possibly believe. That anger, coupled with the powers I have, could lead me to rip those people apart with nothing but the Force." His voice rose in pitch as he reached this point, but when he continued, it softened. "But I don't, because that wouldn't be right. Morality is the guide we have inside of us. So long as you remember that, no matter what emotion you feel, you'll always do what's right."

One hand rose, fingers pointed upwards, and blue electricity began to arc between his fingers. It danced upward and spread across the ceiling of the entire room, but never grew close to her.

"This ability merely creates a cascade of electrical energy. It's no different from the lightning produced by a storm. You've been taught, however, that it is dark, evil. It's just energy. It's doing no harm because I'm not directing it to. Do you understand?"

Anneliese Kaohal

 

[Anneliese Kaohal]

Items: Lightsaber I Outfit X X II Equipment X X X III Theme Song IIII Bloodline Tattoo
Tags: Tycho Arak
Location: Training Room II Sentinel Headquarters
Objective: Down the Rabbit Hole
​

Anneliese stood and listened, not necessarily disagreeing with what he said. Were there certain aspects of things taught — said to make people toe the lines, yes. Were there things in place to keep control and order, again yes. As he continued to speak on certain techniques, she held her hand up, clearing her throat as she spoke up softly. “I don’t mean to interrupt you, but I’m afraid this is where we differ in our philosophy. While I agree certain techniques can be such, just a technique — I still feel despite that, some of these techniques are hard to detach from the emotions necessary to use them — in my view, and no matter what you say, this is how I feel, some lines I refuse to cross.”

She was bold when she spoke this… much like Valery was when she spoke on things, her arms once again crossing behind her back… the pupil had not fallen far from the tree. Annie came here to learn from what he had to offer, she came because his desire to help had been genuine despite only having met her mere hours ago… and in the grand tapestry of the universe, the force worked and wove events and people in her path to be there for her… to grow her, support her and make her stronger. She knew Ashla had a distinct purpose for him in that design.

As he continued to speak, and again, he gave her words and comfort she knew was true in her heart — but like a pouting child, she chose to hide and bottle it up, to sit in her mud puddle … instead of speaking on the things that burdened her, gleaning experience from those with more wisdom and using it to lift her burdens. “I know — and I believe that. There are… emotions I feel deeply, but they do not drive me to be any less devoted to my principles than I am — I fact those emotions drive me to be better, and make me who I am. It’s just hard. I want to be stronger than I am, I want to live up to the expectations required of me…” Expectations required of her — more like expectations she’d put on herself. Valery Noble had never asked her to be anything more than herself, it had been her own clouded judgement that caused her to run, hide and act like a child when she got into trouble above her head… because she felt she should be able to handle things, when in reality, she was still just a youngling and some things required life’s greatest strength — which was simply asking for help.

Her eyes lit ablaze with fascination as the electrical tendrils of energy danced around and up from his fingers. In the archives, she’d read about the energy discharges that dark sided users had been able to conjure — and on the opposite spectrum she’d heard about a similar feat some Jedi Masters had been able to do as well…. A bolt of light that sent swift judgement to their enemies. Speaking up, she gasped slightly. “It’s beautiful, how are you doing that?” Holding her hand up she stared at her finger tips and then back to his.

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[Tycho Arak]

"Yes, there are some abilities that were developed by people with the absolute intention to do harm," he agreed with her before letting the lightning dissipate. "Those are abilities that are unnecessary to use and I won't teach you unless you request them. I only know because knowing helps me defend myself against them."

He knew of a great many abilities that served no purpose except to kill. Those abilities were ones he avoided, though he knew how to use them do to his teachings. Knowledge of them could be life and death, though, if facing someone that intended to use them against you. He was as much a knowledge seeker as he was someone who spent his time helping people. Knowledge was power, as they say, and he accepted that reality because of the many times his knowledge had saved him.

Stepping closer to her, he reached a hand up and gently tapped her forehead.

"Strength is in the mind. The body is just a vessel. I'll help you strengthen your mind but not just yet. Not until you're more comfortable. It will be hard, but that will be the last step to preparing you because you will have to fight this thing in ways you may not want to. Light won't be enough to stop one who can feed on it."

He stepped around her and to the side, motioning for her to lift her arm. To emphasize, he did the same, pointing his fingers at the wall across from them.

"As for lighting, your body is full of electrical energy. It runs through your brain, through your heart, through your whole body. What I did was utilize the Force to channel that energy outwards, to discharge it. Reach inside of yourself and feel the electricity that flows through your body, channel it to your hand, and let it flow from your fingers into that wall. It won't hurt you, and the wall will survive."

Anneliese Kaohal

 

[Anneliese Kaohal]

Items: Lightsaber I Outfit X X II Equipment X X X III Theme Song IIII Bloodline Tattoo
Tags: Tycho Arak
Location: Sentinel Headquarters II Coruscant
Objective: Down the Rabbit Hole
​

Anneliese nodded her head in appreciation; he wasn't pressing her beliefs but not only that -- respected them. It seemed to be a relationship of mutual respect, which only made her smile internally. Her belief in life was that the more people she gained as friends, as family it only helped to strengthen her and her resolve to protect those things and people she held dear.

When the mind commands itself, it would be met with resistance, always. When the mind command the body? Unyielding strength of spirit -- true power came from the mind. She could do all things through the force. Looking at Tycho, she acknowledged the fight she knew she would have to face, but then spoke softly. "I will face the monster on my terms -- and I will beat it on my terms, however that looks." Did she know how specifically? No -- but the line was there, and she would walk it... and she would do it with her own flair -- taking things she learned and hold to her Way of the Jedi.

Holding her hand out towards the wall, as he spoke about the electrical impulses that came from her brain, and down into her arms, her legs, her entire body -- Anneliese closed her eyes and began to inhale softly... focusing on her breath. Her inhales and exhales filled her mind, the sound ringing in her ears as she felt a soft tug from the core of her body. The tugging sensation moved from her core and followed down her right arm until... a small crackle, a small tendril of light came from her finger tip... only to fizz out. Opening her eyes, a slightly dissatisfied look adorning her face, she shrugged slightly. This ability, from what she'd read in the Archives was something she could achieve... but never once imagined she'd get the chance to be taught this ability, this raw energy, this electric judgement.

Speaking up, she looked at him. "Yeah I know -- repetition, repetition. Practice will make perfect... trust me -- I'm no stranger to hard effort."

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