Private Teaching Resilience (Elpsis)

[Phylis Alince]

Elpsis Kerrigan

Zixasa studied her closely. "You are not violating our rules, expect perhaps being foolishly reckless. However, that is for your officer to decide. And that decision is something which she will deal with now." She gestured to the entrance of the Forges.
"I wish you luck in your quest for spiritual closure, Corporal. For now, I believe your visit to this monument is complete. I thank you all for showing respect to our people and its history. It has not been easy to rebuild our society into one which does not reek of the suffocating darkness. Yet we will prevail. We must do so, or our people will slip back into barbarism and vice. Go in peace. We will meet later once I have summoned my expert advisor."
She would ensure that they were gently, yet firmly, escorted out.

Seeker Saie, the 'snitch', would start to lead them out and towards the training grounds. She would not make eye contact with them, nor would she reply beyond basic answers if communicated with.

xxx

"Determination keeps you alive, I agree. But it is best combined with skills to give you focus. That is how I handle it at least. Though I admit I do not enter the battlefields as often as you, especially the deadly ones. But...perhaps this technique may help you never need to replace a limb again."

The Jedi watched a few more volleys. "Good, Elpsis, good. Standing still a recipe for disaster. The blade becomes an extension of yourself."

She watched a little more, then held up her hand. The remotes paused.
"Excellent, you are getting the hang of it. Do you feel capable of using the defensive aspects of the form against another lightsabre?" she asked.

 

[Elpsis Kerrigan]

Phylis Alince

"Diona...your officer is a star traveller, too? One of you hu-mans?"
"Yes, though not from my world."
"Her name is Elpsis."
"How do you know?"
"I can glimpse your memories. Some of them."
"Of course...I can glimpse some of yours, too."
"It is...confusing. And frightening. Your travel across the heavens in sky-ships of metal, you cause destruction even the Xio could not dream of. How can a planet...die?"
"Our technology progressed, but our souls didn't. The world is dark and full of terrors. There are some embers of light."
"Is it because you are flesh golems?"
"Golems...you mean clones."
"You do not grow in a mother's womb. You are...made. Like the monsters of the Xio. Do...do you have souls?" The fear and shock of Javana was so strong it was palpable. Diona had to shield herself to avoid being flooded by it. Her head hurt.

She stopped dead in her tracks. Her face looked like it might have been carved into stone. "Most of us aren't clones. And those of us who are no abominations. My siblings are clones - and they are good. They breathe, they love, they love just like you. You can see my memories, so you can see we were family. I...served evil. Something I can never stop atoning for. But my existence isn't evil." She rubbed her temple, trying to regain her composure. She was too busy with her internal dialogue to pay Seeker Saie or, for that matter, Xilae and Zhaleh any mind. "Focus on the happy memories. Tell me...about your family."

xxx

"Yes," Elpsis said immediately. It had probably not been meant as a challenge, but she was type to take it as one and not back down regardless.
"Want me to hammer you?" Nyssa asked eagerly. Watching Elpsis get zapped by remotes was dull! "Get you to finally use your incredible new leg."

 

[Phylis Alince]

Elpsis Kerrigan

Diona's sudden stop, completely unaware of those around her, caused the rest of the group to stop.
"Come," Saie said tersely in Xio, beckoning. She could clearly speak and understand Basic, but chose not to.

Javana's presence seemed to settle a little, the anxiety, fear and tension relaxed a little.
"We were close, we had to be. We were sailors, we traded, explored, fought. I met my husband Narven on an expedition to the Pillars of Dawn. He'd been shipwrecked, and in return for giving him a place on our ship he showed us a route through the straits. He was suitably grateful for our help...." Some rather salacious images would flash to Diona's mind before the spirit was able to control the flashback!

"We had 4 children together, eventually became profitable enough to equip several ships. When we parted, Narven and the children took most to trade with Zeheb, also get them to safety as heard of strange lights and people from the sky. I was foolish, I took another ship and headed off to find treasure. And I found it! But the cursed dark ones caught us before I could get back home...and I don't know if they survived."
Images of a mountain briefly appeared before being forcefully closed down by Javana. That was her secret of where the treasure was, her insurance perhaps to offer to Diona.

XXX

Phylis stepped aside and tossed Nyssa a training blade. "Go slow the first couple of blows, let her test it out. Go with Shien I think as a good start," she ordered.
As Nyssa would engage, Phylis would stand a few paces away, moving with the fight, giving advice to Elpsis.
"Her strength is greater, but do not let her use it. Deflect, move, counter. It will take time and training to master it."
She would watch to see how the younger woman fared.

 

[Elpsis Kerrigan]

Phylis Alince

The flash of salacious images caused Diona's skin to turn a bright shade of crimson that matched Elpsis' hair colour. "I am...uh, glad you two were happy," she responded awkwardly, feeling grateful when the flashback ended. It stirred all manners of strange sensations.

She said nothing further as she listened to the story. So this was how a 'Random' lived. "I am sorry for your loss. We shall find out what happened to your family. I was not on Tygara when the star people came, but from what I was told it only happened a few years ago. Shortly after the...disturbances in the void."

For just a moment, Javana might have caught a glimpse of just how Diona remembered those disturbances. Strife, chaos, regrets. Camaraderie with 'sisters' who shared her face, but were all different in many ways. The Jedi clamped down on it. "There is much strife and horror in the stars, but Tygara is more peaceful now."

Xilae gave the Seeker an annoyed look. "We're out of the memorial. Leave her alone. We don't want to anger the ghost."
"Diona, are you alright?" Zhaleh asked, concerned.

xxx

Nyssa raised an eyebrow. "Shien? Juyo is where it's at. But fine." The training blade ignited with a snap-hiss, producing a blue beam of light. Elpsis' angled hers in a defensive position. Then the Pureblood leapt at her. Elpsis side-stepped and parried. The first few strikes were relatively simple. She parried, she dodged, she side-stepped. Then she fell for a feint when Nyssa thrust the tip of her blade towards her throat before zapping her flesh leg. And Nyssa ended the rhythm and turned into a storm, pushing forward with unceasing energy. Caught off-guard, Elpsis could only yield ground as she was driven back.

Then a powerful slash from Nyssa sent her blade soaring through the air. The weapon hit the ground, deactivating itself. Angered and disarmed, Elpsis had no time to call it back or retreat before struck anew. Out of options, she grabbed the blue blade with her cybernetic fingers. Wincing, she grit her teeth, but held on and pushed back against the Sith. Nyssa grunted in annoyance, realising she could not dislodge. Strain was written on her face. Then Elpsis pushed the blade down. Nyssa punched her, causing the human to stumble. But her blade soared through the air, reactivating in time to dodge the next blow, and the dance began anew.

Precognition helped her see Nyssa's blade coming, but that only helped her so much when the Pureblood was so damn fast, batting her lightsabre back and getting closer to landing a blow on her head. Even with her new cybernetics, the Pureblood was stronger. If only she could just set her on fire and be done with it. In a Force duel, Elpsis always beat her.

But that would defeat the point. So she tried to persevere, sweat matting her hair and dripping down her face. She managed to dodge a strike when Nyssa overextended herself and deliver a brutal kick to the Pureblood's knee with her cybernetic leg before zapping her. Nyssa staggered and stumbled, visibly in pain.

Trying to press her advantage, Elpsis struck. But as she swung her lightsabre, so did Nyssa, spurred on by the pain. Then suddenly, in a moment almost too fast to perceive, Nyssa's blue blade vanished. Too fast for Elpsis to adjust her course, and so her blade hit thin air. Snap-hiss. Nyssa's blade was past her guard, and struck her forehead.

 

[Phylis Alince]

Elpsis Kerrigan

"Thank you. I knew many who vanished into the air. Many returned, including my sister, but she was never the same again."
There was a pause. "They are different from you even though they share your face? How...do you know who is who?" Javana asked, puzzled. It was a fair question coming from some one who knew nothing of clones.
"It is well my home is more peaceful. I just wish it had not come with so much death and destruction."

The Seeker narrowed her eyes but said nothing, waiting impatiently for Diona to be ready to move.

XXX

Phylis watched the battle, wincing slightly as the heavy impacts struck. However, she did slightly applaud when Nyssa's blade trick struck home.
"Very good, though a little more brutal than I expected. One must be prepared for whatever tricks the opponent may have."
She stepped forward to Elpsis and passed a hand over the redhead's brow, passing calming, soothing energy into her through the Force.
"You'll be alright, dear. Just take it easy a moment, the headache will fade. You've done well as a start, no training is perfect instantly. Rather, it takes time and practice to achieve your goals. But if you remember what I have taught you, practice it, it might save your life."

She nodded to Nyssa. "Would you like to try against me? I am by no means confident or arrogant enough to claim I will automatically win, but, hmm, I can demonstrate some finer points of the technique for you, Elpsis. Nyssa, Juyo is you wish. Same rules as before, blade only, this is for educational purposes."
She produced her training blade, formed a defensive stance and activated the blue blade.

 

[Elpsis Kerrigan]

Phylis Alince

"We had tags to identify ourselves with. It was difficult at first. Our makers gave my siblings names that were almost identical. One of my younger sisters is Diana, my elder is Dione. When we were young we made up names that were more...distinct. They were our secret call signs," Diona responded. There was a note of sadness in her tone.

Regret and longing. She tried to think of something else. Laughing children from Liberty, with the same faces, but different clothes, hair styles, jewellry. "My sisters...could not leave with us. But some people who are like me escaped. They have a better, freer life." The Unchained had not accepted her. Perhaps they never would. But that was fine. She would defend them. While waiting for the spirit to respond, Diona had a moment to herself. She felt Zhaleh's tug. "My apologies, we can proceed." She started walking again.

xxx

For her part, Nyssa showed no sign of concern. It was not that she didn't care, but as far as she was concerned to fuss over someone like this when they had not been seriously hurt showed you didn't respect them as a warrior. It meant you thought them weak. Elpsis was not weak. It was why the Pureblood sought out her bed.

"She can take it," was all she had to say on the matter.
"Yes, I can," Elpsis retorted with a groan, rubbing her temples to mitigate the headache.
Nyssa glanced at Phylis. "Should be fun."

The Pureblood assumed a classical Juyo stance. Leaning back, she put her weight forward on her rear foot. The lightsabre was held over her shoulder, angled towards her foe. Juyo was called the most vicious form of lightsabre combat, powered by fury and what some called 'malignant grace'. It could be taught, but not truly harnessed unless one allowed oneself to feel the excitement of battle. Battle exhilarated Nyssa more powerfully than anything else. So she launched herself at the Jedi in a blur of motion, and swung her blade. A simple, fast slash to get the measure of her.

 

[Phylis Alince]

Elpsis Kerrigan

Javana seemed to consider the reply. "I suppose it is no different to twins or triplets. These are rare for us but they do happen, and they manage. I just suppose these clones of you are more similar. But does no one make babies the normal way? Are all humans these clones? Does this mean you can breed a whole army in months without waiting 30 years for the children to mature?"
Qadiri aged slower, and she was likely unaware that humans needed less time. Either way it seemed very useful for her.

"I see terrible wars and destruction, but is there ever peace in your home? What are the people like, not the warriors, but the normal people?"

They proceeded onward. Zhaleh helpfully took Diona's elbow to help direct her if she was lost in discussion with the inner spirit. They would soon arrive at the arena where battle had commenced.

xxx

Phylis frowned slightly at the exchange, but she did not apologise for providing aid. Instead she assumed a guard stance.
Though Soresu could be used by Jedi and Sith alike it tended more to the Jedi simply because it required a patience and calm conviction many Sith did not have. Of course, there were calm and controlled Sith, those who used the Dark Side as a controlled valve rather than a random venting of fury. Those calmer, saner Sith often lasted longer....

Phylis did not move until almost too late. then her blue practice blade moved up as she sidestepped to just turn the blade to the side. She then riposted quickly, aiming to slide under Nyssa's blade and contact her midsection just briefly, hoping the momentum of the Sith's forward movement would bring her into it. And then she would be back and in guard again. If she hit, good, if not, it demonstrated the ability of the form to retaliate.

 

[Elpsis Kerrigan]

"Humans...grow faster. A human child will be a young adult in less than twenty years. But my world is an anomaly. Most human children outside of it grow in a mother's womb. You can grow an army of clones in a short while,

" Diona paused. "People have lives outside of the war. But it is tainted. They're fed a lie, so they live orderly lives because that's best and they're afraid. Everything is monitored, so people live bland, regimented lives, except those precious few times when they can get privacy. It is a bit freer in the countryside. Most people aren't clones, and the government doesn't interfere with them much. But their lives are harsh, they do not own their land or the tools and many starve. My sisters are still there."

An air of sadness hung over her words. Diona had not turned into an uncritical admirer of the space people. To her mind, they were materialistic. The galaxy Jedi disappointed her. Most seemed to have no faith. There were some things she missed about home. Her siblings, for one. Another was the sense of community. But even that had been tainted by an evil system. "What was...life on the seas, with your family like?"

xxx

Nyssa's spirited stride was derailed when her blade was turned sideways and Phylis' sabre slid beneath it. The Pureblood felt the stinging, wincing slightly. It was like a sting. But she didn't cease her stride. Or suddenly throwing a tantrum, as was common for Sith...or Sith wannabes who called themselves Ren.

Instead she used the opportunity. Her sabre had been turned to the side and was now beneath the Jedi's. But that opened up another angle. And so even as she still felt the stinging zap, she took a swipe at the Jedi's leg.

Phylis Alince

 

[Phylis Alince]

Elpsis Kerrigan

Javana seemed to consider this. "It sounds not unlike a slave army. The Mamluks were common among my people and the Xio. I guess you know this already. Were you and your sister clones like slaves, or could you refuse to enlist?"

"It sounds...terrible. Life without freedom, life without opportunity. We liked to say that as traders we had total freedom...usually to starve, bankrupt or shipwreck. But it was at least partly our choices which would make it so. I suppose it is silly to say, but I would rather be free and poor than comfortable and a slave. Of course, I ended up as a poor slave...so what do I know?"

One wondered what Javana would make of Sith and Jedi. Probably confusion, and annoyance.

"It was changeable like the sea. One time we managed to thread a ship through the seas of the Cape of Storms and delivered a cargo of spices and furs to Golconda. We go so much gold and silver we had to hire more people to carry the chests on board. A year later after a shipwreck, a betrayal from a lieutenant and war between Krolis and Amikaron we were down to eating salt meat and hardtack. But we got better over time, we grew in strength. Life was hard on the ship, especially raising the children. Mostly at sea, no settled home, no one to talk to much but the crew and each other. But they learned skills, we taught them to read, to lookout and to be agile. It's a good life. Was a good life...."

The party had arrived at the arena and would enter to see Elpsis to one side watching as Phylis and Nyssa sparred. An interesting sight.

xxx

Phylis gave a little grunt as the tip of Nyssa's blade glanced the back of her calf.
She smiled. "Well done, Nyssa! I dare say I got the better of that exchange though, since you might be half the lady you were before. Whilst I'd be, hmm, footloose."
It was a terrible pair of puns.

"Still, a good demonstration. Ah...I think we have visitors."

 

[Elpsis Kerrigan]

Phylis Alince

Javana's thoughts gave Diona pause. It might seem strange, but she had not thought of herself as a slave. Not even after the Dominion's lies and manipulations became clear to her. The reason was simple: to her it sounded like trying to excuse her sins. She had had a choice and chosen to sin. For that she had to atone. "I...I never thought of it that way," she admitted. "Our path was chosen by the state. My template was a Jedi, so I would be one; so would my sisters. If I'd been born without the Force, the Dominion would have considered me a disappointment and given me menial work."

She considered the Qadiri's words. "You have more wisdom than you think. It sounds like it was...a good life. Hard, but forged by your choices. I...you sound like you were a good maternal. Mother," she added, realising the Tephriki word would sound odd to to Javana. There was a brief flash of memory. "Your children are beautiful. I...suppose my template is my mother. I...she cared. But for most of my time in the creche, we only met at choreographed events."

The party arrived at the scene, seeing Nyssa and Phylis face off. The Pureblood disapproved of bad puns. "That would've been a gash," Nyssa insisted. Painful and bad, but not necessarily fatal. But a lot worse than she would've liked.

"Uh, ma'am, we visited the Blood Forges and," Zhaleh started lamely.
But Elpsis' attention wasn't on her. "You seem...different." Her eyes narrowed, and she stared at Diona. "What the hell did you do?"
"A Qadiri spirit was trapped in a place of torment. I agreed to host her so she could get closure with her family before moving on," Diona responded.

"You just let a spirit in you because they asked nicely? Are you frakking nuts?"
"I sensed no deception in her and what I've seen since then confirms it. I'm ready to shoulder the consequences of my decision."
"Not like you're going to have a choice," Nyssa interjected. "I suppose we found the perfect way to clear haunted sites. Just send in the Jedi so they get a ride out."

Elpsis glared at her coldly, but Diona's gaze was hard and unwavering. "Are you going to host every spirit now because someone murdered them and they have a family to say goodbye to?"
"No. Millions upon millions die unjustly. I cannot even help a fraction of them. I could help this one."
"Idiot. I should boot you outright...but you'll just end up back in jail then and you'll be useless there. Until this is resolved, you're back to Private. I won't have someone with a voice in their head in a position of authority. You'll be lucky if an enquiry doesn't kick you out" the Lieutenant said sharply.

 

[Phylis Alince]

Elpsis Kerrigan

Phylis deactivated her training blade, gave a hurried nod to Nyssa and limped over to the pair. "We can continue later...hmm."
"My apologies, lieutenant, you willingly let yourself be possessed, corporal? Uhh, private....Diona. Hmmph. That was exceptionally bold...and possibly very foolish. I do have some experience with possessions and such. If I may?"
She quickly hung the training sabre from her belt and took Diona to a seat off to one side. "Ah, Seeker Saie, I trust you're improving after the...hmm...unpleasantness?"
The Seeker coughed, shifted, looked away. "Yes, Lady Jeedi. It is so."
"Good, good. Hmmph, just don't do...that...again. Anyway."

This mystifying exchange over, Phylis knelt down in front of Diona.
"Diona, I need to speak to the spirit. Don't worry, hmm, I'll be here if needed."
There seemed a brief internal struggle, but Diona's eyes went glassy and the same voice but a different tone spoke out.
"I hear you. I am Javana Jai Akamal. This one calls you a Jedi. Are you such as her?"
"Ah, well, hmm, not especially, Jedi is a very broad concept like priestess or warrior. Means different things to different people." As she spoke she ran her hand over the human's brow, closed her eyes to focus.
"I swear I will relinquish my hold on here once I have seen my family."
Phylis' eyes opened, narrowed slightly. "And what if something has happened, hmm? What if they cannot find them? What then? Your time has passed, Javana, for good or ill."
"She promised, Jedi," Javana's words were biting.
"And since it is her wish we will carry it out. Hmmph, but if you refuse to go, I will take steps, do you understand?"
"I understand, threats are unnecessary."
"Hmm, very well, you may bring back Diona again."

Phylis stood and crossed over to Elpsis for a private congress. Perhaps Nyssa would join them if she was interested.
"It is as she says, hmm. They have made a pact. Breaking it, extracting Javana would be...difficult. Dangerous. She's your subordinate, but I think the quickest method to getting this over is to fulfill the dying wish. Then, hmm, the contract is fulfilled and if necessary I know the rites of exorcism...."
She sighed. "Your corporal...private...is very fortunate. Most of the lost and the damned are not so...hmm...lawful."

 

[Elpsis Kerrigan]

Phylis Alince

Irritation was evident on Elpsis' face. "I liked her more when she just wanted to stab things. When did she get all noble and foolish?" she asked rhetorically.
"And she didn't even attend a conclave," Nyssa remarked. "She could've waited until our spar was over. It was just getting good." The Pureblood looked genuinely annoyed about the interruption. "And leave the ghost-handling to the wood elf. Where is she anyway?"

"'The fates call me away. One of my blood deserves my attention more than one who is not,'" Elpsis said, attempting a bad imitation of Shikoba's eccentric manner of speaking. It didn't really work. "Anyway, thank you, Phylis. I guess she'll...go on her quest. And then the ghost comes out, one way or another."

Meanwhile, Diona and the others were standing on the other side of the arena. I shal fulfil this quest, Diona communicated to the spirit mentally. Lieutenant Kerrigan is angered...but fair. Javana might catch a flash of the Jedi's rather complex emotions regarding her boss. "I apologise for giving you cause to worry. I hope my actions didn't inconvenience your stay at the memorial too much."

"I got what I came for...and more than I expected. I hope the spirit is as benign as you think," Xilae remarked.
"I'm not sure I'd have done the same," Zhaleh admitted, "but the dead should not be left in torment. They deserve peace. It leaves a curse when they're not." She glanced at Seeker Saie, frowning over the mystifying exchange. "So what did the Lady Jeedi help you with?"

 

[Phylis Alince]

Elpsis Kerrigan

Phylis turned to Nyssa. "My apologies. I suspect the Lieutenant has other matters to deal with, but I am happy to continue if she is, or at a later stage. Hmm, or perhaps you could spar with her too if that is better for you, now you know the basics?"

"Conclave XXXIV just wrapped up. At least I think it was that, they might have snuck in another one since I've been here, hmmph," Phylis commented.

"Either way, Lieutenant, I'm happy to go with Diona to see the family. I know Zandri passably well, and might be able to smooth over any issues. Plus...hmm...I'll be there just in case." A flick of the eyes to Diona. By nature Phylis was not an especially untrusting person - sometimes to her detriment in the case of a certain clone - but she was always concerned about these occult cases. Untangling an unwilling spirit from the psyche of the host could be dangerous.

The Seeker looked shifty. "I had a personal issue she provided assistance with. I did not want to visit our medicus." She coughed slightly and looked away.

 

[Elpsis Kerrigan]

Phylis Alince

"Let's continue now," Nyssa declared eagerly.
"We gotta got things short. I got to chit-chat with the Daughters and have this ghost nonsense to sort out."
"Oh, come on, it was just getting good. Those fools can wait" the Pureblood said...sulkily.
"Tomorrow."
"Fine," Nyssa grumbled, throwing up her hands in annoyance. "But I can at least buy you a drink, Lady Jedi." Maybe the Seeker could join, too.

"Oh, were you sick?" Zhaleh asked innocently. "If this is a rare disease, you really should tell your medicus before anyone else gets sick."
Xilae raised an eyebrow at Saie's confession. "Sounds unpleasant. I hope you're avoiding the source and this affliction hasn't spread."
"Don't tease her," Diona stated. "Do you have any idea where we could begin our search?"

 

[Phylis Alince]

Phylis frowned slightly at the offer. The pureblood was difficult to pin down...unless she was trying to flirt with her still. That was certainly possible. Still, with nothing better to do at that moment...for a while anyway...she nodded.
"Very well, I may be called away by the Queen. Until then however...."

Seeker Saie looked distinctly embarrassed. "Yes, it's been handled," she said with a cough and hustled for the exit.
"Would you like to join us, Seeker?" she asked as the Xio headed out.
"Oh, I do not wish to bother you, I should return to my post."
"As you wish," Phylis said with a smile. Nyssa would have to wait with her attempts with this Seeker at least.

They would be able to find a rather nice bar close by, not far from Phylis' hotel. As they walked Phylis tried to find something to talk about.
"So..." she begun, faltering. "Who taught you Alchemy?" she asked. It was a safe topic which they could discuss.

xxx

Javana paused. "They went to Zeheb to trade, or were planning to. But that was many years ago. I doubt they would have stayed there by choice. I can give you their names and you have seen their appearance. You might be able to find them if you search the merchant ships. Or perhaps they have gone to our old homeland, I can give you directions to there. I am sorry I cannot be more help...much time has passed."
The three soldiers would move to follow Elpsis presumably as she headed towards the Daughters' base.

 

[Elpsis Kerrigan]

Phylis Alince

"Grandmother. Meresankh was the best. She had an impressive collection. I went to the Academy...but you don't learn anything useful there these days. It's all 'go to a random tomb that has already been looted by several generations of acolytes, kill a few beasts and you will surely obtain an artefact of unlimited power everyone before you somehow missed."

There was a strong note of disdain in Nyssa's tone. 'Also only one student can graduate every year, so kill your competitors'. No respect or understanding for proper Pureblood traditions. I blame the humans, honestly. No offence, but you twisted our traditions, stole our name and now sully it because you're acting out juvenile fantasies. You should've stuck with your imbecilic Dark Jedi clubs."

It wouldn't be Nyssa without some casual xenophobia and Pureblood nationalism. "Anyway, how did you end up interested alchemy? Not a subject most Jedi approve of! And even fewer understand at all."

xxx

It all sounded like searching for a needle in a haystack. "I understand. We shall find a way." A Jedi kept her word, especially when it was difficult. Diona followed the rest of the group in silence.

 

[Phylis Alince]

Elpsis Kerrigan
"They still do that?" Phylis asked, shocked. "I was amazed it was still going on in the ancient eras. I was always suspicious when acolytes of destiny recover things hidden in a tomb which has been searched for centuries. Hmmph. Though, many Jedi are little better in that regard. Hmm, when I was growing up on Naboo my master sent me to meditate at a grove where a great Jedi was buried. I didn't sense anything even after hours staring at the tree. I trudged back and told her as much, and she said that was part of the test...first of honesty, and then of patience and disappointment."

Phylis took a drink, staring with unusual moodiness at the bar top. "I think that there's a reason both Jedi and Sith institute these harsh, often foolish, methods; find the best and discard the rest. But both the Jedi and Sith methods seem to create more problems than they solve. Though I am a little concerned with their applications I do find the more martial attitude of the Order of Fire and similar groups to be more, hmm, effective."

"I know only of the Sith Pureblood culture mainly through the lens of historical bias. Few accessible records survive from before the dark Jedi came to Korriban and Dromund Kaas and it's inevitable that there is a spin put on it. Still, the Sith Empires have always been as large architects in their own demise as any Jedi or Republic figure. Naturally I was taught that was just the way of the Dark Side...but I'm not so sure now."

"As for alchemy? I was fascinated in it from an early age. The ability to put the Force into an item was so exciting, I looked for Jedi methods and came up empty. The Force is a dualism phenomena so if something exists for the Dark it must be possible for the Light. And that's where I started. I started small, with little copper and iron trinckets, learning forging as I went, making mistakes but eventually I made a bronze knife. I scaled up, moving to larger weapons, to robes, crystals, amulets. Hmm, I chose the name Alkahest as it has a similar meanings in some languages. I have a long way to go, but I'm happy to learn and teach what I can."

She frowned. "Hmmph, I'm sorry, I've rambled on a bit," she said, a little embarrassed.

xxx

Elpsis was directed to an old manse built into the walls of the great cavern. Once it had housed a great family and from here slaves and minions had scurried to and fro. Dark and unspeakable deeds had doubtless been plotted from behind the pretty facade and the cellars likely had seen many grim deeds.

Now though it was different. Many Xio, almost all women, moved in and out. Children, adult and old alike. Some were receiving soup from a pot out the front, others were seeking medical treatment, and still others were just chatting.
As Elpsis and her posse arrived some heads would turn as they stood out. The looks were curious though, not hostile.

 

[Elpsis Kerrigan]

Phylis Alince

"The Order of Fire does some things right. Better than the cosplaying losers or the Burlap Brigade. But they're fooling themselves. Sooner or later, someone with vision - or the delusions thereof - will get fed up with being locked out of power by a couple mundane bureaucrats and grasp the crown. Or try to play queenmaker. Elpsis could do it but she doesn't have the bite," Nyssa remarked.

She snorted. "You say it yourself, you barely have any records from the time before the Jen'jidai," she deliberately used the Sithese phrase for Dark Jedi. "How many biographies have been written about King Adas? Or mention that he was the Sith'ari, the one who broke the chains of Rakata? Instead of every single Dark Lord of the week claiming to some kind of messiah. Absurd, as if being a Sith is about mindlessly worshipping some insecure fool. And even so, the empire the Jen'jidai built lasted for almost two thousand years because they'd at least had the sense to assimilate properly."

The Jedi getting embarrassed about her rambling a lot caused her to laugh wryly. "You're cute when you ramble. I'm into metallurgical alchemy, mostly. Blades, armour, but also cybernetics. Elpsis has my my best work inside her. She better not break it. You should check out Andraxes' Advanced Tome of Alchemy. Has incredible insights. I assume you can read ancient Sith," she said offhandedly.

xxx

Elpsis and her companions were treated to a sight that really could take place in any decently maintained soup kitchen in the galaxy. Elpsis frowned when she took in the scenery through the Force.
"That's not what I expected. It's so...normal," Zhaleh commented thoughtfully.
"Every group that wants to attain power through more than just terror needs to win people over. The Dominion offered shelter and food to sentients struck by calamity...often by calamities it had inflicted. It made easier to manipulate," Diona said cynically, frowning.

The Qadiri seemed to consider this. "I see some guards and people handing out pamphlets, but these people don't seem afraid. Not many males though."
"The Daughters are conservatives," Xilae said.
"They think you vulnerable, emotional males must stay at home and cannot leave without chaperone?" the Qadiri asked.
"No, they think us able to do most jobs...as long as we don't get too loud. Or expect jobs that matter."

"The Vaderites reduce women to their wombs, the Xio treated men poorly. I don't quite understand why gender should matter," Diona threw in, wondering what Javana thought of this.
"Well, I cannot see how a male could be a cleric," Zhaleh replied.
Xilae scoffed. "I don't want to sit in a temple. As long as these priestesses don't have power. I just want a vote that matters and the right to shoot my country's enemies."
"I don't see why a male could not be a warrior or chieftain. My people have had both, and we have fared well."

"Alright, let's go see who's in charge here," Elpsis grunted. "Excuse me," she cleared her throat, addressing a Xio woman passing by. Realising she had spoken Basic, she switched to Xio. "Me Elpsis Kerrigan, Daughters meet." A sigh. "Okay, my Xio's crap. I'm here to meet the Daughters."

 

[Phylis Alince]

Elpsis Kerrigan

Phylis frowned. "You know, not everyone wants to seize power through violence and establish a dictatorship," she said a bit primly. "I don't think Elpsis has the desire for that - she could have asked for and gotten a much higher rank if she wanted. I suppose she likes fighting on the front lines. Hmm...."

Not wanting to interrupt Nyssa's rant, Phylis patiently waited until it was done. "Hmmph, well as a matter of fact I can read ancient Sith, though my spoken is a nightmare. I lack the mouth and throat to get the glottal stops right." She flexed her jaw. "I speak of ways of Sith not supreme," she said in very bad Sith. She coughed slightly.
"My reading is better though I have my droid to do look-ups for some of the words and meanings. It's quite a niche study these days. Although I did actually read a biography of King Adas some years back. Ah, hmm, 'Life of a Giant King' was the translation I had which seems to not be entirely correct. By Ambraxia of Kaas, Second Sith Empire. Seemed to spend a lot more time glorifying the Emperor Vitiate than actually describing the realities of pre-integration Korriban, but I digress."

"So yes, hmm, I'll take a look at the work you suggest. Have you read my book on Alkahest? Not sure if you'll find it interesting but it might give you perspective from my side."
Had Phylis finally found someone to discuss arcane trivialities with?

xxx

The woman originally had given Elpsis a blank look. She clearly didn't speak basic. However, the name caused her to pause, then she peered closer. Her eyes opened wide and she turned and called something in Xio.
"The child of the Karishzar is here! The Heir of the Destroyer has come!"
There was a pause, and then a hundred jumbled conversations as people came forward curiously to look at the pale outsider.
Probably to Elpsis' embarrassment some of the people, including the original woman, bowed or knelt before her.
"Please, Daughter, bless us!" one said in rather broken Basic.
Others seemed less worshipful, though none seemed hostile. One who looked like they were a little more in charge came forward, saluted.
"Please, lady, come inside. Please meet your sisters of spirit," they said in patchy but understandable Basic.

They'd drawn quite a crowd of people, only a few were prostrating themselves, a few more awed, the rest curious looking.

 

[Elpsis Kerrigan]

Phylis Alince

Nyssa snorted. "Ah, yes, Vitiate. The world eater who turned his back on his people and devoured them so that he could run off to rule a world of lazy degenerates incapable of existing without him holding their hand because he had a fragile ego. All that body-hopping must have rot the brain," her voice dripped with contempt.

"'Life of a Giant Among Kings' is a more accurate translation, but it's crap either way. Ambraxia was a sycophantic hack. Most of his 'sources' are bogus. He can't spell the name of Adas' mother properly. Shoshan's work is far superior. But then he's one of my ancestors. 'King of Kings. The Sith'ari Rediscovered.' He actually gives you context...and did his own archival research." Nyssa considered the Jedi's offer, then grinned, showing a row of white, sharp teeth. "You know what, I'll have a look at it."

xxx

Fortunately, only a few Xio prostrated themselves and asked for blessings. It was enough to leave Elpsis rather embarrassed and annoyed though. "This is wrong. Xilae," she looked at her minion. He was a Xio, so he could make himself useful. "Tell them to...get up or something."

Xilae was tempted to make a comment, but the stern look on his superior's face told him otherwise. He cleared his throat, speaking in Xio. "The child of the Karishzar is humbled by your devotion. She asks you to rise. You are all Xio and you kneel before no one. Only reactionaries and tyrants make a free Xio kneel. She is here as your sister, not your mistress." This would not at all lead to more fangirling.