Speak of the Devil

[Nikola Ticon]

"I solemnly swear that I am up to no good."​

Silver Temple​

Voss​

​

Generally, when one met the first Ticon sibling, they found themselves thankful that there wasn't another one to deal with. After all, one headstrong and stubborn Corellian that refused to abide by any agenda but their own morality was bad enough, but two? That would be anyone's nightmare. Unfortunately for those individuals, there was a second Ticon, and he was none other than the younger brother of the one that gave others the most grief. Unlike his sister, however, he hadn't made such a big name for himself in the galaxy just yet. That was something he was still at work on, but he planned on remedying the issue soon. And, like his sibling, he fought to bring down the Sith through any means possible. At least he was on the right side.

It was the aforementioned family that brought him to the planet of Voss in the first place, known capital of the Silver Jedi, now known as the Silver Sanctum after a recent merge with another light-oriented sect that he hadn't bothered to learn the name of. Semantics weren't overly important, and much like his sister he viewed them as entirely useless. What mattered to him, however, was the fact that this Order had been the one to help bring Keira out of the darkness that he had just learned of which ruled her for years, governing every action and nearly tearing her to pieces in the process. It was one of their Masters that had saved her. And he wanted to know who.

Admittedly, the digging had been the more interesting portion of what had begun as a wild bantha chase. What underworld contacts he still maintained even after the destruction of Corellia had proven useless, and he didn't desire to bring any unnecessary attention to himself by looking too deeply into the files he did have access to. In the end he had contacted his elder sibling for both that piece of information and to simply catch up on each other's lives. That brief moment of reconvenence had only bolstered his determination to find this [member="Connor Harrison"]. Not to seek him out for violent intentions, as most would expect from a Ticon. No, his purpose was far more innocent.

Nikola wanted to thank him.

Because he knew full well that without whatever guidance had been offered, his sister wouldn't have survived that battle on Ziost. Instead she would have driven herself past the point of no return, only to be cut down by this or that Jedi and deemed another unfortunate casualty of the darkness that was beginning to permeate the galaxy like a fog. But Connor had reached out to her, sensing a light in her core that he was able to seize and reshape into something more resilient and determined than before. It was that spark he had seen in her eyes, even through a holocommunicator, and it was one he didn't want to die out ever again. Not after listening to the horrors she had described as her life for the previous six years.

It turned out that being a member of the Galactic Alliance gave him easier access to the jungle planet given that relations between the Sanctum and the Alliance were burgeoning on allyship, if they weren't there already. From then on it was a matter of narrowing things down until there was no possibility of mistaken identity. He had conceded to speaking to one of the Rangers in order to arrange a meeting, offering nothing more than his last name as a precursor. His sister had made enough of an impression already, and no doubt primal curiosity would do the job of closing the gap. Then it was just a matter of simple conversation. With a Ticon. What could possibly go wrong?

Spoiler

Surprise.

 

[Connor Harrison]

If she wanted a slanging match, he wasn’t going to bother. If she wanted a fight, then maybe.

Hence, Connor had given the location known to few visitors, but all of the Silvers; the ruin of the Voss-ka Monastery outside of the city, away from the Temple. She had a habit now of bringing others – namely cocky Padawans – to the sanctuary of the Silvers, and he couldn’t advertise his Temple as a free for all and needed to draw the line. Besides, this was a place coated in history and authentic beauty.

He stood in his greatcoat, hands behind his back and one foot resting on a large slab of stone higher than the other as he looked towards the silhouette of the place he called home. Connor was ready to leave for Naboo and his rendezvous with one Corvus Raaf, but as usual she had popped up at the wrong time to halt him in his tracks.

Of course he didn’t have to meet her, but something about the tormented soul that was Keira Ticon attracted him like a moth to a flame. They obviously had a connected few understood, and when all else was looking hopeless, that connection could save them.

So he passed on the message with the Ranger who had contacted him and now was standing and waiting. The morning breeze was calm, and it lapped his coat and his fringe as it flicked out steadily. A few ships passed overhead, the fields before him waved lazily and the sky was a tranquil pruple and blue.

[member="Nikola Ticon"]

 

[Nikola Ticon]

An amused smile turned up the corners of his mouth once the Ranger relayed the message, as the one being spoken to was most certainly not who Connor assumed had arrived. I'm not her. Not that Nikola would bother passing that piece of information on before showing his face. That would have made things too easy, and to do so simply wasn't in his blood. So he had merely nodded his thanks before moving on, having conceded to finding his own way to a location his sister was likely aware of. He hadn't determined yet whether his appearance would be regarded with immediate hostility or a sort of guarded curiosity instead. Either way he didn't entirely mind. That was what made life interesting, after all.

His pace was casual as he made his way to the prescribed location, being sure to take in every detail of the scenery so he could find his way back just as easily should times call. Unlike the environment that encapsulated the biodome that housed the Temple on Sullust, the fresh air and lush fauna here was entirely natural. Such a thing was new to him, and he was genuinely amazed by the sheer amount of things to take in which comprised his surroundings. In the end he surmised that, should he ever have a reason to return to this planet, much of his time would be spent exploring the true wilds which comprised the majority of it. There was a wealth of things to look out for, if only one was patient enough.

Right now, however, the only thing he had to look out for was the Silver Jedi he was here to meet, and as the silhouette of the man came into sight his posture shifted, squaring itself and becoming a touch more sure of his steps. To approach any individual lacking confidence was most certainly asking for trouble in the long run, or so his childhood on Corellia had led him to believe. His hands remained in his pockets even as the two stood across from each other, and he merely nodded in greeting, studying the other man for a few long moments before he spoke. Much like his sister, he didn't see formality as too large of an issue in the least. It was that which often got him in trouble with his superiors.

"Connor." His name was put forth as a statement of fact rather than an inquiry. He knew who the other was, and there was no point in disguising it. It was his own identity that was still very much ambiguous. "I'm Nikola, Keira's younger brother." This was the moment where others began recognizing the similarities both siblings shared, and oftentimes when things began taking a turn for the worse. His family wasn't exactly the greatest at making good impressions, something he was painfully aware of. Hopefully the relationship between the man and his sister was as close as she had led him to believe. That, at least, would make for a smoother transpiring of events in the long run.

The corners of his mouth tightened for the briefest of seconds before he continued, seeming to take his time in finding the correct words. "I wanted to thank you for saving my sister. Because I know that without you she'd have been dead by now, after Ziost. Nothing said you had to help her, but you did." A moment of silence passed, and he seemed to relax where he stood just slightly, only now seeming to realize how strange this scenario must be to the other. "I just wanted to let you know that someone else was grateful for what you did." The both of them were, no matter what his sibling would say otherwise. Sometimes it was just easier for him to own up to things.

[member="Connor Harrison"]

 

[Connor Harrison]

As Connor saw the individual coming over, a pit opened in his stomach. He was suddenly worried on a number of accounts; was Keira dead and this was the messenger with news? Had she fallen and this was someone seeking help? Was this family?

From the second he addressed Connor with that self-assurance, and holding that confident pose and swagger, it dawned on him a second before he made it crystal clear. Her brother. He inhaled deeply, shoulders rising, and let it out silently through his nose to quell what he initially felt. Was he nothing but bantha dung attracting the flies of the Ticon family? Why him? Why was this name haunting him?

However, as Connor stayed still, the boy spoke with more honesty and less attitude than his sister did and that was a relief. It was draining battling the quick wit and cutting remarks of Kiera, but one he’d never admit defeat to.

Hearing praise was an alien thing for Connor, and when it was laid out, he had no option but to take it.

”Well. I’m glad at least one Ticon seems to appreciate it.”

He stepped off the stone finally and walked slowly forward. He held out his hand.

”You’re welcome. When a Ticon comes to me offering pleasantries in one hand, the other is usually ready to take a swipe. Is this the case with you, Nikola?”

Nikola seemed to, from what Connor drew instantly, be a tormented soul as much as his sister. Tattoos and an exhaustion from growing up too fast on the wrong side of the tracks.

[member="Nikola Ticon"]

 

[Nikola Ticon]

There was a familiarity present with his bloodline that could only be gleaned through ample time spent with this or that member of the family - in Connor's case, Keira. Arguably one of the worst to interact with, but he knew a good portion of her attitude could be chalked up to the trauma experienced beforehand. Still, the man's assessment stood true when it came to most members of the family. More like than not they spoke a kind word while expecting something else in return. Such was the way in a crime family. This time, however, was an exception. While a member of his family was never completely innocent, he made the cut, more or less, for once in his life.

Without hesitation he shook the proffered hand, his grip just as straightforward and honest as the words spoken previously. A half-smile made its way onto his lips at the comment made, and he couldn't help but shake his head. "I can't say that isn't the case for every Ticon and honestly mean it, but no, that's not the case with me." The phrase 'not this time' almost followed after, but he withheld it. After all, he was trying to make a semi-decent impression, even if his last name already spoke volumes by itself. Besides, there was nothing he really wanted from Connor, other than simply giving the man his thanks and perhaps conversing for a time or two. Nothing else was needed.

"I already have a place of my own in the Galactic Alliance. It's a good place for the misfits of the Jedi to fit in." Almost casually he flashed the hilt of his saber from where it was concealed within the pocket of his jacket. "It wouldn't be right of me to ask you for anything." There again with making a good impression, when in reality he typically didn't devote any time to bothering with what other's thought of him. Much like his sister he preferred to let his actions speak first, but unlike her his own were oftentimes less impulsive and far more thought out, having a clearer method behind them that accomplished a goal beneficial for all. That small amount of tact was the biggest dividing line between the two.

Without much bothering to disguise his intent he carefully studied other man carefully both through the physical realm and the ethereal, his head cocking slightly to one side. Even with his underdeveloped Force senses he was able to detect something different lingering beneath the surface, a sway between light and dark that wasn't fully explainable with words alone. He might have been a Jedi, but it was more than telling that he was far from the traditional black and white sort. This was someone that tread the grey blur that separated both halves of the Force with a practiced ease, and it was that which struck a chord within him. Because Connor was like his sister.

[member="Connor Harrison"]

 

[Connor Harrison]

Usually many over looked a decent handshake, but the young Ticon returned the gesture with a firm grip which spoke volumes.

”Your sister may be a tough nut, but she’s a good kid and I’ve always got time for her. If she needs it, just tell her I’m here for her.”

He cocked his head to look at the saber again on the youth and nodded.

”You’re with the Alliance then? I see. I’ve not come across them yet myself but it sounds like they’re taking the shine away from the Silvers as a place for the misfits to find their calling. I’m out of touch!”

He wrapped the greatcoat back around his body and linked his hands behind him and sighed contently.

”Anything I can do you for then? Surely you didn’t come out to Silver space to thank me and that’s it. I know your blood. You’re a Ticon. There must be something more.”

[member="Nikola Ticon"]

 

[Nikola Ticon]

"You could come to Sullust sometime. We're close to being allies with the Sanctum anyway, from what I've heard. It's what my Master said, at least." It was a far cry from Voss, at the very least. In comparison to the jungle planet Sullust was dry and rocky, much of its surface being crisscrossed with rivers of lava cutting their fiery paths. What the Galactic Alliance called home was a biodome constructed on the planet's surface, complete with artificial weather cycles and most everything else needed to help one adjust to an otherwise cruel and unforgiving environment that encompassed the planet. It made for an interesting stay, and quite some stories to tell afterwards. All told, he didn't mind. It was better than being left to wander the galaxy.

Simply hearing that his sister was a good person was enough to ease what concerns he did have about her, if just momentarily. From what she had told him her life had been far from easy for the past six years and then some, laden with its own unique challenges, including the consequences that trauma was all too generous in dealing out. But it seemed as if she had managed to find a friend within the Silver Jedi, and that meant more than most would guess. Nikola may have been the younger sibling, but he was still protective enough.

Azure eyes took the man in for all he was without aid of his ethereal talents, A childhood spent on Corellia had left him more than adept at reading others, and oftentimes you were able to glean more from the physical realm than whatever the Force itself could tell you. Connor was at ease in his own skin, at least in the moment, and confident in where he stood both within the Order and in his life as a whole. That wasn't a bad quality to have, even if it was feigned in certain individuals. It would be a stretch to say that it was always a good thing, but he couldn't see things turning too detrimental with this one. Not if he was reading the man correctly, at any rate.

A crooked smile turned up one side of his mouth, and he chuckled quietly. The other man couldn't be faulted entirely for that assumption, as it wasn't completely wrong. That wasn't to say, however, that he was entirely right either. A fine line separated the two, but he wasn't about to split hairs. "Not just a Ticon. Corellian, too." Not that such a factor necessarily made everything better. If anything it only exacerbated the detriments brought on by his bloodline, or perhaps was their causation to begin with. That was anyone's guess. "And you know what they say about telling a Corellian the odds. That'll only make things worse for you." His smile only widened.

His brow furrowed slightly, a slight frown replacing the smile in short order. Absently he looked over their surroundings, not quite sure how to put forth the question that he did want an answer for. "Could you..." He looked across to Connor, "Could you tell me more about my sister?"

[member="Connor Harrison"]

 

[Connor Harrison]

Blowing out his cheeks and giving one of those slightly awkward laughs, Connor Harrison just took a moment to think on the youngsters question. Tell HIM about HIS sister? There was so much Connor knew, but so much he didn’t know that he thought he knew about her.

She was a riddle to him, and when he had pulled back one layer there was another impenetrable one with spikes emerging to sting him if he tried to get deeper.

”You want me to tell you about your own sister? Relationship not strong for a sibling then?”

He batted his coat to the side and sat on the large yellow slab of stone, indicating for Nikola to do the same on one of the others.

”Keira Ticon. Hm.”

Connor tapped his thumbs together as he leant forward on his knees, working out what to say.

”Well I can tell you what I know, or really what I understand, because I don’t know how well I really KNOW her, does that make sense? Our relationship is a complicated one at best and I’ve known her for…ohh a good 7, 8 years I think but only spent about a cumulative time of a day or two with her in total.”

He continued to play with his hands as he looked down at them – helping him remember.

”She’s always been conflicted. Trapped, almost. Like me I guess with outlooks on life that don’t adhere to the normal, whatever that is. I tried to help her the first time I met her but I don’t think we really clicked, but we remembered each other’s faces and names for sure. And since then wherever the galaxy takes us, we always find a way back to each other at the right time. If one of us is having some mental block or a clash of morals, the other seems to be there to help.”

Connor smiled gently at the friendly pain she’d brought to him over their duels, but also the tears he’d seen her shed at her weakest point.

”I believe she spent time with the Sith, but was never totally sold on their ideas and codes. That was what led us to clash on Ziost, when Primeval forces and Sith took the planet from us. We exchanged words and blows and I managed to break the shell of your sister to make her see she didn’t have to hide who she was and take a path leading to fatal consequences, but rather make a choice to really accept who she was and not feel ashamed.” He chewed his inner cheek for a second as he made sense of it. ”From then, we seemed to understand how the other operated, and gradually she let me in to help her, and I managed to do what I could to shake that stubborn, narrow minded attitude from her.”

He looked to Nikola.

”Your sister is dangerous to herself, Nikola. She never listens to anyone, and she thinks everyone is out to get her or talk down to her. I’ve done it many times, talk to her and try to get her to open up, but she raises her barrier and uses insults and sarcasm as a weapon. I’m worried that one day she’s going to think that attitude of hers makes her invincible, when it doesn’t. It makes her ugly – and one day she’s going to face someone who will teach her the error of her ways.”

He shook his head in frustration.

”I don’t want to change her, not at all, because I understand her and know her ability, but I need her to see sense and make some real choices in the direction she wants to take. She can’t flit around thinking she can do what she wants when she wants and talk her way out of it with that attitude. Sorry if this comes across blunt, but you asked, and I’m not afraid to tell you, because she won’t.”

[member="Nikola Ticon"]

 

[Nikola Ticon]

"I've known her my entire life, but you already have one up on me. It's hard to keep in touch when you might as well be on opposite sides of the galaxy for all the talking that gets done." Those words were almost certainly deadpanned, though without the twinge of sarcasm that would have accompanied them had they come from the other Ticon. That was perhaps the only line that separated him from his sibling, along with his ability to be genuine more times than he wasn't. Otherwise the two were strikingly similar in personality, possessing the same spitfire attitude that refused to back down without a very good reason to the contrary. As was exemplified in his coming here in the first place.

The moment Connor began speaking about his sister his attention was focused, all other thought fading from his mind as he compared this description with the woman he had spoken to mere weeks ago. There weren't many lines of similarity that were crossed, but then, he didn't expect them to abound, given that the two had only recently convened again. Time was needed for that familiarity and trust to build itself up once again, and he was willing to do whatever was necessary to make it so. However harsh Connor's words were, he took every one of them to heart, knowing full well that this man had a better awareness of who his sister was than he did in the current moment. It was best to listen to him.

"I know." His voice was a few decibels quieter than it had been previously. "I could see it in her eyes when we last spoke. And I don't want her to keep getting hurt, because she doesn't really deserve any of it. After all the chit she told me she went through, I don't want her to keep fighting. I want her to give up that way of life so she can finally be safe." But he knew better than most that one person's wants and those of another rarely added up. "It's not something I can take from her, though. I think maybe she needs to figure things out for herself, however long that might take. She needs to decide when and where this life isn't going to work for her anymore. Nobody else can make that call."

The rough texture of the stone he sat on helped to keep him grounded as he considered his own thoughts and the explanation that had been granted him. There really wasn't much to say, but he found himself awash in an ocean of words regardless. "I don't want to change her either, but I want her to be careful." A crooked smile at that. "Not that I can say much. As a Corellian that word isn't exactly in my vocabulary, and the same goes for her." However much he wished it wasn't so, his reckless streak had come from somewhere, and that just so happened to be his older sister and the entire line of Ticons before her. They hadn't gained notoriety as a crime family in the Corellian Underworld for nothing, after all.

As he pondered he chewed at the inside of his cheek, brow creasing just slightly. "Sometimes not choosing is just as much a choice as anything else. Because sometimes you can't choose without hurting yourself or others, and I think she's like that. She doesn't want to join either side because of her past, so she found her place somewhere in the middle. And I don't think anyone's going to be able to change her or talk her out of it. Not you, not me, and not anyone else she meets in her life. It's just the way it is, and with her, I think that's the way it's always going to be."

[member="Connor Harrison"]