Sick Like Me

[Anara Valnor]

Tion Trade Nexus​

8:39 PM​

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Somewhere beneath the rainbow.​

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A Sith without direction can be a dangerous thing indeed or so the ignorant and self righteous would have you believe. In truth not all Sith are foul creatures from the Abyss, some are simply lost souls going through the motions of existing. One such being stood leaning against the back wall of a lively bar, smoldering orbs fixed upon the stage. Apparently the bar held an open mic night one night a week and she just so happened to meander into the establishment on that particular night.

How fortuitous for her.

A smirk sought to pull her lips upward as she reclined against the wall, head canted slightly to the side as she studied the stage's current performer. The man wasn't horrible, far from it, but she wasn't interested in her performance. She was just waiting until it was her turn; she was itching to put on a little show, so much so that her aura thrummed around her in anticipation.

Most were blind to her power, but even the blind could sense that the red haired amber eyed stranger in the back was better left alone.

~ ~ ~​

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Finally the man was done and he exited the stage to a decent amount of applause, but she didn't hear any of it. Even as her name was called across the speakers Anara's ears were deaf, the millions of voices in her mind distracting her.

Curious, she hadn't been gifted with their aggravating mutterings for some time.

Brushing the incessant chatter away she took the stage, her eyes darkening as she waved the mic away. She didn't need it. She never needed a mic.

Unseen power rolled off her as the Song that had guided her all her life drowned out everything else. Out of nowhere music began to play, music that echoed in the minds of all those present. The music was real, but it wasn't coming from the speakers littered about the bar. The music was coming from her.

Grinning she closed her eyes, dark lashes fluttering as her eyes slid open to reveal that her feral orbs were now an inky black.

"Even in these chains, you can't stop me.
Even in these chains, you can't stop me.
Even in these chains, you can't stop me.
Even in these chains, you can't stop me."​

​

She sang, her music and words seeping into the souls of every weak minded individual gathered. She was not necessarily aiming to corrupt them; she didn't care about any of them, but she couldn't help how the Force worked. She was only its tool.

Her song came to an end as abruptly as it had started and silence greeted her. The ghost of her smile tugged at her lips and she simply sighed, stepping off of the stage as the daze she had put the bar patrons into dissipated. Once gone it was like nothing had happened. No one would remember her, not unless she willed it.

Without a care she took a seat at an empty table, her expression suddenly bored as the next act took the stage.

https://soundcloud.com/elvira-molko/in-this-moment-big-bad-wolf​

[member="Togashi Yokuni"]

 

[Garith Darkhold]

Give a man enough time he grows over confidant.
With enough time a woman has a way of finding the truth.

It seemed like any other average evening as Yokuni traversed down the corridor. Another bar in search of whiskey. The Elder Togashi hiding his true self from public scrutiny. These were all common day to day occurrences in his life.

Coming closer to the club he could hear the song spun by [member="Anara Valnor"]. It was easy for him to sense that she held a strong connection to the Force. In his over confidence he did not look at her presence any further. He walked into the establishment and moved towards the bar.

Was it just by chance she sat between him and the bar? It could have been or what is called fate?
Yokuni nodded as he passed the young lady and continued on to the bar. Just taking a seat seemed a bit forced. He did not know her nor had a good reason to sit down with her. He was quite convinced she received enough attention from men. If she desired to talk to him she would come to the bar.

Now if he knew she sensed things differently could he have done anything more differently then what he did? If she listened she would hear his song. The Song of a Dark Kashi who has lived a long time. No he ordered his drink not even realizing at this moment someone knew the truth about him.

 

[Anara Valnor]

Whispers spoken in passing are a funny thing. They worm their way into your brain. They fester there, causing the cogs of your mind to turn until that whisper becomes something more...something darker.​

Honeyed eyes gazed without interested at the currently performing drunk, a frown steadily growing upon her features as the singer continued to miss note after note.

Wasn't there a saying about drunks and singing. Something about the drunker they were the better they thought they sounded?

Her nose wrinkled softly in distaste and she shifted in her seat, downing half of her drink in one gulp. The familiar burn of the drink distracted her long enough to make eye contact with a handsome man as he passed on his way to the bar.

It only took that single moment for Anara's full attention to be garnered.

The man's Song was unlike any she'd heard before; she felt it in her bones. Molten orbs darkened ever so slightly as she turned her head to follow his path to the bar. Exhaling softly she downed the last of her drink and gracefully slipped from her seat, moving to the bar without another thought given to the rest of the patrons in the bar.

The bar was slowly starting to become crowded and Anara smirked softly. Without any effort she stepped up to the bar, pushing a drunk aside and stealing the seat at the curious man's side.

"Care to hear a story?" she whispered, her voice brushing lightly against his ear even though she never looked toward him.

Her gaze was fixed upon the bartender as she wriggled her empty glass before her.

[member="Togashi Yokuni"]

 

[Garith Darkhold]

[member="Anara Valnor"]

Certainly he would have just settled for his drink. What man would turn down an attractive young woman whispering in his ear. Offering a troy that is. It was entirely innocent right? “What would that story be”, he took another drink from his glass. If it was his story, well he was not expecting to her that.

OOC: Sorry for the wait I had just came back from unexpected LOA.

 

[Anara Valnor]

With her glass refilled she finally turned her predatory eyes upon the man. She smiled softly behind the rim of her glass, eyes twinkling mischievously.

"A tale centuries old of a man...He hides in plain sight, the master of disguise. He is suspected by none, except one."

Anara held one finger up, then dipped it into her drink to swirl it around. She watched the man carefully, her eyes darkening ever so slightly as she pulled her finger from her drink to suck it clean. Twisting in her seat she leaned over and pressed her lips to his ear, a hand lightly upon his shoulder.

"She hears his secrets as easily as the drunks surrounding them hear their own pathetic voices. Darkness follows him, darkness from a time forgotten and unseen..." Her voice was low as she spoke, her lips brushing against his ear with every word. With a pause she pulled away and smiled at him in an innocent fashion, taking another sip of her drink.

[member="Togashi Yokuni"]

(No worries! ^_^ Glad to see you back!)

 

[Garith Darkhold]

Suspected by none, expect one? With the topic of conversation the elder took a casual look around as [member="Anara Valnor"] continued to speak. Everyone else within the room seemed distracted and none the wiser of what the Brad was speaking of.

Even with their blissful ignorance Yokuni imagined ways of quickly silencing the common rabble in the room and the bar staff. The touch upon his shoulder did not invoke a physical reaction. He just continued to listen as her lips brushed up to his ears. At least he knew for sure none else would her this part of the conversation as it was whispered directly into his ear.

“Is that so”, Yokuni spoke with a normal voice as if it was a normal conversation between a man and a woman in a bar. “I find you assets to be most pleasing as well. Care to join me in that corner booth over there”, he motioned over to a empty booth toward the back of the room that would be plenty far from eavesdropping. So far with appearances it just may look to everyone else in the room a pair coupling off to enjoy each others company. To Yokuni it seemed a better option then having to slay a bunch of drunks just because they may here something they should not.

 

[Anara Valnor]

Anara laughed lightly as though she were just another drunk bimbo and nodded. Slipping from her seat she took one of the man's hands and tugged him from his own seat. Still keeping up the ruse that they were working up to leaving together Anara led him to the booth aforementioned. Being that it was the corner booth it was larger than the rest and followed the curve of the wall. It was meant for larger groups of people, but was also perfect for two strangers to get to know one another on a more intimate level.

Releasing his hand the moment they reached the booth Anara promptly slipped into the long seat. She maneuvered herself so she was directly in the middle of the table and with a smirk motioned for the man to join her. She'd clearly struck a chord with him and was dying to see his true reaction.

[member="Togashi Yokuni"]

 

[Garith Darkhold]

The Sullustan bar keep knew well enough to miss most conversations at the bar but knew well signs of when he would be needed. He feel for the ruse of the Atristain male and the woman with bright red hair hooking up. That he actually looked in their direction if he were needed. The male, Yokuni slipped a large amount of credits on the bar with a wink, as [member="Anara Valnor"] giggled and nodded. Quick upon his feet he had managed to get a bottle of whiskey Yokuni just had ordered.

Being led over, Yokuni brought the bottle with them. The booth was just as he had expected. It was more then suitable for what they needed. Watching Anara make her way into the booth it gave Yokuni to gather his senses. Keeping the ruse he feel into the role it looked more like he was ogling Anara. It was something to be expecting if anyone was watching. “It seems we do not have glasses”, he returned the smile and climbed into the booth. “It appears we will just have to partake straight from the bottle”, another ruse to distract whomever maybe watching. Had Yokuni plan that as well? “My name is Yokuni”, now sitting close by her he had begun to open the bottle and took another glace around the bar to who maybe watching. It had appeared no one was watching. “And you are my dear”, he took a drink then handed her the bottle.

 

[Anara Valnor]

She took the bottle with a soft smile, her eyes sweeping the bar the same as Yokuni's. Shifting a bit she leaned against him, furthering the appearance that they were a newly formed couple. She took a drink from the bottle, a pleasant sigh escaping her as the drink burned its way down her throat. Offering the bottle back Anara turned her head slightly to gaze up at Yokuni, her smile far from innocent.

"Anara..."

Still waiting for him to drop the pleasant pretense he was presenting for the rest of the bar Anara studied him closely, his Song echoing softly within her mind. "What did you think of my tale, Yokuni? Was it to your liking?" She smirked softly, her gaze challenging.

[member="Togashi Yokuni"]

 

[Garith Darkhold]

[member="Anara Valnor"]

For the moment the pleasant pretense was optimal Yokuni thought it would give him time to decided the best course of action. “Anara my dear what do I think”, Yokuni took the bottle and took another drink. Afterwards he handed the bottle to her. “I think such a tale should be delicately told as you never know who might be listening. There might be sound reasons why he remains hidden. Then again maybe he just believes he has sounds reasons. Do I like his story? No I do not. His tale is filled with pain and hate. He is a victim of his own rage it is unsure whom he is more a danger too...himself or everyone around him. Pray tell what is your story?”

 

[Anara Valnor]

"Hmmm..."

She took another sip of the bottle, then simply held it. If he wanted it he could take it, but otherwise she was simply going to hold onto it for the moment.

"We all have demons, Yokuni. It is how we choose to deal with them that defines us and the path we walk."

She leaned her head back upon his shoulder to gaze up at him for a moment before shrugging, a bark of laughter escaping her.

"I'm not certain...I suspect there is a great deal of pain in my past. There is certainly a river of blood trailing behind me...I wiped my memory a short time ago so I'm a mystery even to myself," she laughed again and took another sip from the bottle before handing it back to him. Once more she fixed her gaze upon him, studying him. He'd truly captured her curiosity.

[member="Togashi Yokuni"]

 

[Garith Darkhold]

[member="Anara Valnor"]

Choice, we all choose how to deal with our issues. He had over nine hundred years of choices. Not entirely as he thought about it. Listening to her story he had thought about that issue. Bottle in hand again he took another drink. A drink, no sip. A steady friend that kept his temperament low and more tolerable for others to be around. “From a curtain perspective being able to forget might be a blessing”, he had handed the bottle to her, “Do you know if the wipe was by choice?”

 

[Anara Valnor]

"Yes," she murmured as she took another drink from the bottle. "I left myself a little message for after the procedure.......It would seem the demons I carry with me were to much for whoever I was before to handle....The guilt was killing me," she rolled her eyes at the memory of the video she'd found when she'd woken up. The woman she had been had looked terrible and it was clear to anyone with half a brain that she was losing her grip upon reality.

The souls within her writhed in memory, but otherwise they made no reply. Whoever she had been before waking up that day was dead, never to return, and Anara was fine with that.

[member="Togashi Yokuni"]

 

[Garith Darkhold]

[member="Anara Valnor"]

Interesting, he had silently mused over the conversation. “I think I’ve been to stubborn to do anything that extreme. Though despite that difference I do see quite a few similarities between each other. Are you with any of the Orders”, he took the bottle and took a good steady drink. Allowing her to answer if she is with any of the dark orders like the One Sith.

 

[Anara Valnor]

She shook her head, content to recline against him for the time being as she watched the other patrons lazily. "No...I can't abide their endless squabbling over scraps...I prefer being free to do as I wish instead of bound by some ridiculous creed or belief in brotherhood...."

Smiling to herself, Anara laughed softly, one of her hands lazily drifting down his leg to his knee and back up again. "I was told a short time ago that I was a Queen...Some Sith Empress, though, I obviously don't remember such a thing..." She laughed lazily and traced a patter upon the fabric of his pants, her head slowly tipping back to rest against his shoulder as she gazed up at him. "So I must have been at one time...but not any longer."

"And you?"

[member="Togashi Yokuni"]

 

[Garith Darkhold]

[member="Anara Valnor"]

Taking a hearty drink he listened as she explained she did not partake within an order. Yokuni had his own reasons. One thing he did miss was the battles. He was a warrior though and it was in his very nature.

“And me”, he sat the bottle down on the table. “Nine hundred and eighty two years of a very complected history would be very hard to tell within a short sit down in a bar. I supposed the easiest place to start would be the Gulag Virus. I was off world from Atrisia when it all happened. I was in command of the Imperial Fourth Fleet. The Fourth Fleet was fielded by the Togashi Clan. When the Emperor closed its borders to protect Atrisia from the plague the fourth Fleet was cut off until a couple of years ago.”

“Between that time I had lived under many different names and lives. One thing I do is keep the Togashi Clan alive on the planet of Shogun. During that time my people where welcome just as if they were Mandalorians. Since it was a way of life and there was very similar traditions between the two people it made it very easy for the Clan to survive. Over the years I have survived with many different title among the Sith and Mandlaorians. I have witnessed many battles. Now though with returning the Toghasi Clan back to Artisia I have been tied down with politics. Politics that keep me from my true love. I have lived so long fighting I do not know much else. It almost feels like I’m slowly dying without it.”

 

[Anara Valnor]

She smiled lightly and nodded, her gaze drifting about the bar as she listened to his story. "You hide what you are well...Were it not for how I perceive the Force I would have never suspected, just like them." She made a sweeping motion toward the other patrons, glancing up at Yokuni lazily.

"There is always a battle to fight...Perhaps it is time you leave all that behind and return to your love, as you put it. Tis a shame one so old would die at the hands of the political systems of our grand galaxy..." She scoffed lightly, watching him from the corner of her eye.

[member="Togashi Yokuni"]

 

[Garith Darkhold]

[member="Anara Valnor"]

“Maybe so”, he looked up glancing around noticing just how clueless the rest of the patrons in the bar of the conversation between Yokuni and Anara. “My choices then would be support a side that would deny my very nature or support the side that displaces children and their children from their home. I did say I life a complicated life, did I not? I do have four children who are adults now. One of them is married to a Mandalorian and has three children”, being able to actually talk did seem therapeutic. I am not with their mother and she too lives a complicated life as well. I suppose I just need to accept that my children need to truthful to themselves as well I should be true to my nature. It is strange, there was a time before I lived among the Mandalorians it would not bother me my children are displaced and in danger. Is it actual sediment or is it a subconscious feeling of being slighted and wishing to do harm to those who have slighted me? Maybe I’m just old and do to much internal reflection”, he laughed at himself and picked up the bottle for another drink.