Star Wars Roleplay: Chaos

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Tension on Tund [Mikhail / Katarine]

Lord Ghoul

Guest
The once beautiful world of Tund had been poisoned, irradiated, and victimized by a calamitous natural disaster which brought down entire civlizations. The millenia took their toll on her soil. Yet destruction and life were ever an intertwining harmony, only seen so upon the broader scale of the universe. The time of desolation was at an end. A new age dawned for the citizens of Tund. Half the world stands green once more, terraformed throughout the great darkness, though slowly. Its beauty would one day be restored. Unless chaos came again to Tund.

It was on this strange, half-brown, half-green world that Mikhail Shorn travelled. The Empire needed an envoy to be sent to Tund. A few sorcerers were no doubt left upon the planet. Hiding. Somewhere. Shorn would find them, eventually. For the time being, he dealt with local authorities. The toongs were... an odd race. Anti-social and well, just really odd looking. Fugly, Mikhail thought darkly.

He exited the council hall in a sour mood. These toongs were extremely hard to deal with. They made him sit through not one, not two, but three full "questionings." More like interrogations in his mind. He was due for another one in half an hour. That was the other thing, they made him sit in the waiting room as if he was in line for a doctor's appointment. Minus the incessant coughing, crying children, and terrifyingly stark decor. In fact, he noticed that there were only two people in the waiting room. Himself and one other person.

Shorn seated himself, crossing his arms. His dark leather jacket creaked. Darkness hovered about him like a cloud. A raincloud. Stormy and discontent. Who knew, maybe he would start throwing lightning and complete the analogy. His pale blue eyes stared harshly at the tiled floor before moving over at the woman. He sensed... oh great. You have got to be kidding me.

Pale eyes met the woman's own.

"And what, exactly, would the Jedi be doing on Tund?"

@[member="Katarine Ryiah"]
 

KitKat

Well-Known Member
Katarine wasn't enjoying her stay on this planet. While she understood the need for such things she was only human so the questioning was a bit over the top. Her patience seem to be under examination but she was courteous and kind as always. In her third trip back to the waiting area she stretched and occupied herself by glancing at the holographic magazines laying around. There wasn't much interesting in them as if they were merely discarded odds that others hasn't wanted.

A man entered the room and Kat glanced up in interest. They locked eyes for a moment before her own submissive gaze returned to her magazine. That is until he spoke. She glanced at him again and suddenly she felt the darkness roll in like storm clouds.

"Trying to make new friends of course. I expect several are interested in this place." Her voice was kind and soft and sounded somehow like musical bells. She smiled at him and let her eyes return to her magazine. The black flight jacket she wore crinkled as she scanned a new page. "I wonder if any of these home gardening tips actually work?" She spoke outloud while her eyes scanned over a sure fire way to stop Naboo crab grass from spreading.
 

Lord Ghoul

Guest
Mikhail snorted. "They won't work on this planet. Well, at least not half of it," he amended. Radiation poisoning was a nasty thing. Nothing grew in that desolate wasteland. Nothing natural, that is.

"Friends? On Tund? Good luck. These toongs seem less friendly than a mealless Akk Dog." Shorn frowned at her words. Several were interested in this place... he had no idea what that meant. And he wasn't about to ask. Her good natured response caught him off guard. Jedi and Sith lost no love between their orders, but Sith were undoubtedly worse. A bunch of egomaniacs power tripping and trampling over anyone to get to the highest position available. Alternately grovelling and exploding in anger like bipolar lapdogs. And so frustratingly... cliche.

Mikhail pondered this. Yes, it was quite possible he hated the Sith more than the Jedi. Actually, he didn't even hate the Jedi aside from their habit for self-righteous rants. He had far more cause to despise the Sith. And hardly anything to hold against the Jedi. That didn't mean he would hesitate to kill. Mikhail had become... extraordinarily apathetic of late. Or irritable. Either or. He suspected Derriphan had something to do with it.

"So, miss Jedi, who are you?" His pale eyes seemed to stare through her.
 

KitKat

Well-Known Member
Katarine sighed. "I am afraid you are right." It was sad really what had been done to this planet. They were doing their best to recover but it would be a while before home gardening really took off here. These magazines were more like wishful thinking to those who poured through them while in this waiting room.

She turned a few more pages and started to read an article about getting rid of unwanted slugs when he spoke again. "They just have their own way. Suspicious hostility is a blanket to hide ones fears and concerns. What we see on the outside isn't all these people can become." Her eyes never left the page though the slug article was very dull. Finally she placed the magazine back on the table.
"Oh I am sorry. My name is Katarine Ryiah."

@[member="Mikhail Shorn"]
 

Lord Ghoul

Guest
Mikhail's answering smile, though toothless, would have made a used speeder salesman jealous, wishing he could affect such charm, though perhaps not with the same dark magnetism. Such an aura seemed to pervade Shorn's presence. To counteract it, he actively tried to push people away. They shouldn't get too close to him. Bad things happened to those who got too close. He was... dangerous. But lately, ever since Alexis' death, Mikhail felt hollow inside. He tried to fill it with alcohol, but it was never enough. Right now, he just felt too apathetic to care. And hey, who said he could never be nice once in a while?

"Nice to meet you, Kat. I'm Mikhail Shorn." He said simply.

The name was known in some circles as one of the two Champions of the Empress, but Mikhail didn't actively expect it to induce any reaction. Perhaps one day it would. Shorn didn't really care at the moment.

"Hmm, yeah, I'd know all about suspicious hostility. Sith." He rolled his eyes. "Gotta love 'em. Though I seriously doubt any of them will be opening up puppy shelters out of the goodness of their hearts anytime soon."

Mikhail's relationship with the Sith was complicated, to say the least. They had basically forced him into their ranks and he resented them for it. No, he hated them for it, actually. Shorn never met a Sith he liked. Of course, he had resigned himself to his fate, believing any goodness in him was an illusion. How could any shred of humanity exist in him after what he'd done? Mikhail didn't seek it, because he believed it wasn't there. And if it was, well, he would just end up failing expectations. Better to be the bad guy, than try to be the hero and constantly disappoint.

@[member="Katarine Ryiah"]
 

KitKat

Well-Known Member
Katarine smiled. "It is a pleasure to meet you Mikhail." She did not know about his champion title. Katarine hadn't been active in the galaxy lately. She was just getting back into the swing of things. Her broken heart had nearly killed her and though she was still suffering and quit certain there would come a time it stopped beating its sad pathetic beats, she knew there was work to be done. She couldn't hide from the galaxy any longer.

Unfortunately she had been hiding though and so knew very little of what she should have known. She didn't recognize the man or know his name but she could feel the aura around him. It made her head spin, a sensation she still hadn't quit figured out.

"You never know perhaps someday we will see the grand opening of the galactic Sith humane society.... though we shouldn't hold our breath just in case." She grinned.

@[member=""][member=""][member=""][member=""][member=""][member=""][member=""][member=""][member=""][member=""][member=""][member=""][member=""][member=""][member=""][member=""][member=""]Mikhail Shorn
 

Lord Ghoul

Guest
Mikhail raised his eyebrows and shrugged noncommittally. "Eh, I don't know. If you like dying of asphyxiation it's a pretty good place to start. Speaking of dying. Why exactly are you, a Jedi, not trying to kill me, a Sith? Isn't it like your sworn crusade to eradicate darkness, or something like that?"

The Sith shifted in his seat. This conversation was downright cordial. Not many Jedi he knew were like that, then again Mikhail had been trying to kill them most of the time, or other times they had been trying to kill him. It was a circle of give and take.

Mikhail glanced toward the door to the interrogation room, then back at Katarine. This was going to be a long wait. Shorn wasn't exactly a patient man either. Few Sith were.

@[member="Katarine Ryiah"]
 

KitKat

Well-Known Member
Katarine raised her eyebrows in disbelief. It was sad to see how others viewed the Jedi in the world sometimes. She couldn't blame them all the time for she had seen the Jedi do some very wicked things. War bred wickedness and no matter what side you were on you couldn't claim complete innocence.

"Mr. Shorn fighting just to fight has never gotten anybody anywhere. Me attacking you because of your religion would be just as stupid as me attacking you because of your eye color. War breeds fools but it can only fool us if we let it."

She had no intention of hurting him or fighting with him. He seemed like a troubled person and certainly he had a dark intoxicating aura but Katarine sensed some good in him. It was there buried under mounds of hate and anger but it was there none the less. If other Jedi had given up on the Sith then that was a shame. Katarine certainly hadn't.

@[member=""][member=""][member=""][member=""][member=""][member=""][member=""][member=""][member=""][member=""][member=""][member=""][member=""][member=""][member=""][member=""][member=""]Mikhail Shorn
 

Lord Ghoul

Guest
"It's Mikhail," said Shorn, perhaps more curtly than he intended. The name Mr. Shorn bred images of his father. A harsh man. A cruel man. And ultimately, the reason for Alexis' death. Mikhail's mind recoiled as if struck. Her death still left a festering wound on his soul. One he chose to ignore. He often repressed his inner turmoil. He didn't want to deal with it. Now, or ever.

His apathetic tone broken by his sudden clipped response, Mikhail decided to change things up lest she begin to pry into why he insisted dropping the Mr. He was quite well acquainted with fools and war, being one of the fools himself.

He smirked slightly, pushing away his dark thoughts. "Why? Is the color of my eyes so different?"

The answer was yes.

Pale, piercing eyes with an icy blue-grey cast seemed to stare right through Katarine's own. Mikhail was told his mother had had eyes of the same startling blue. He wouldn't know. Death was cruel that way.

@[member="Katarine Ryiah"]
 

KitKat

Well-Known Member
Katarine knew a thing or two about cruel parents. Her family was as wicked and dark as it got. She didn't ask about why he didn't use his last name. Instead she just bowed her head slightly and said softly, "I'm sorry, Mikhail then."

His question made her smile and shake her head. "No they are lovely." They were a very lovely shade of blue. Katarine hadn't seen a shade quit like it. Her own deep green eyes traveled towards the door to the waiting room for a moment. It was a long wait but at least this new stranger helped pass the time.
@[member=""][member=""][member=""][member=""][member=""][member=""][member=""][member=""][member=""][member=""][member=""][member=""][member=""][member=""][member=""][member=""][member=""]Mikhail Shorn
 

Lord Ghoul

Guest
Shorn opened his mouth, about to speak, when the doors flew open and a Toong waddled out. It wore a ridiculous array of frills and carried itself with a pompous air of self-importance. Finally. Mikhail was beginning to get seriously irritated with the little creatures at least this would all be over soo-

"You are required to wait another twelve hours before the final examination can be made!" The Toong declared before promptly barging back inside.

Mikhail fumed. "Just wait one damn-" The doors swung shut. Shorn collapsed back in his chair. Nothing to do now. Except more waiting.

His eyes fell on Katarine again. She wasn't bad looking. Nice green eyes. And not a bad- No. Nobody gets close. Yet, Mikhail felt so hollow. Abandonment, more or less. Mikhail Shorn truly had no friends. The Sith despised each other, so Mikhail despised right back. They were on the same side, but that didn't mean anyone played nice. The Mandos wanted to shoot him. The Dathomir Witches wanted his body for... reasons. The Jedi looked down their self-righteous noses at him. Except for this one. Her friendliness made Mikhail wary, but curiosity killed the Sith, as it were.

"So, frienemy, I don't know about you, but I'm not waiting another twelve hours here," Shorn said. "I rented a suite nearby, consider yourself invited. Or you can wait here." He shrugged, winked, stood, and made to leave.

@[member="Katarine Ryiah"]
 

KitKat

Well-Known Member
When they were told about the substantial wait Katarine sighed but did not react so violently as Mikhail had. The little creature waddled back inside as if he hadn't even heard Mikhail. She sighed again. These aliens were rude.

Well there really was nothing to do but wait. Katarine hadn't planned on spending the entire night here. She was running over a list of places to see if rooms were available in her mind, and considering where the most trustworthy place to find food was when Mikhail surprised her with an invitation. Did he just call her a frienemy? She chuckled.

"That is very kind of you thank you. Lets order food and rent a holo and gossip. Is that what the kids are doing these days?"

@[member=""][member=""][member=""][member=""][member=""][member=""][member=""][member=""][member=""][member=""][member=""][member=""][member=""][member=""][member=""][member=""][member=""]Mikhail Shorn
 

Lord Ghoul

Guest
Shorn snorted. "That or getting high on glitterstim and giggledust."

Mikhail had harshly cynical view of the galaxy. It was perhaps justified, considering his past.

One of the last kids he had talked to had been a young Sith Apprentice who decided to go berserk on a Sith strike team. Mikhail had crushed his throat and then impaled him through the chest. Poor Prince Alshor of Centares. Another victim of Sith lunacy.

They took a shuttle back to Mikhail's apartment, which wasn't far away. Technically within walking distance. Mikhail called a catering service and ordered food on the way. Hey, Sith got hungry too. Arriving at the apartment, Mikhail tapped in the keycode and the door slid open with a hiss.

"After you," Mikhail said with a whiteless smile.

The apartment was rather lavish. Crimson walls with a soft grey carpet and matching furniture. Quite chic. Not exactly Mikhail's style, he preferred a darker decor with more wood and less lighting. But he could settle for less. Shorn walked over to the counter and unstoppered a bottle of his favorite Tapani Bourbon. After dealing with Toongs all day he really needed a glass. Or five.

"Drink?" He asked.

@[member="Katarine Ryiah"]
 

KitKat

Well-Known Member
She stepped inside and was impressed by the decor. No wonder people went Sith. It was obvious the budget was a lot higher than that of the Jedi. Kat had been expecting to stay in some cheap place where the wallpaper peeled and the bugs kept you company at night. A Jedi's life was sacrifice after all.

While he busied himself in the kitchen Katarine was eying the artwork on the wall. It wasn't particularly her tastes either but she was impressed. Whoever the designer was obviously enjoyed the job. She turned when he spoke to her and frowned slightly as she remembered the night at the Masquerade Ball when James had first offered her alcohol. After just one drink she'd tried to rip his clothes off in a most unladylike like fashion. The memory made her flinch, and she quickly turned away hopping he didn't see that. It was painful to think about James.

"Water please. This is a really great place."
@[member=""][member=""][member=""][member=""][member=""][member=""][member=""][member=""][member=""][member=""][member=""][member=""][member=""][member=""][member=""][member=""][member=""]Mikhail Shorn
 

Lord Ghoul

Guest
Mikhail didn't have to see it to feel it. He pursed his lips as he poured her a glass of water. So either she didn't like alcohol for reasons hidden in her past, or she thought Shorn was trying to pull something. Which he wasn't. He handed the glass to her. Their fingers touched for the briefest of instants. A soft touch of dark and light. The powers seemed to recoil from each other; oil and water.

"Yep. The things you can afford on the Empress' paycheck."

He didn't mention it came along with a life of constant paranoia and backstabbing treachery.

The Sith took a sip of his whiskey. Smooth and fiery. It settled in his stomach to burn pleasantly. Shorn flopped onto the sofa, lounging carelessly. Disheveled raven hair hung about his head and he stared up at her beneath arching, black brows.

A smile played across his lips, charming enough to dispel fears. Except for fear of that dark charisma which hung about him like a cloak. "So, KitKat, who is the real @[member="Katarine Ryiah"]?"
 

KitKat

Well-Known Member
"Thank you." She smiled as he handed her the glass of water, but when their fingertips touched she felt a wave of dizziness. She winced and rubbed her temple with her free hand. It passed just as quickly as it came and when she blinked a few times she seen him lounging on his sofa. She helped herself to a seat, still rubbing her temple.

"Pretty much what you see is what you get. I'm just a Jedi doing Jedi things in a galaxy far far away. Quit boring really."

@[member=""][member=""][member=""][member=""][member=""][member=""][member=""][member=""][member=""][member=""][member=""][member=""][member=""][member=""][member=""][member=""][member=""]Mikhail Shorn
 

Lord Ghoul

Guest
" Boring, uh huh, sure." Mikhail fixed her green gaze with disbelieving eyes of icy blue. "So, are we just going to pretend like I don't sense the darkness in you or what?"

It was palpable. Not darkness, precisely, that might be a stretch, but definitely pain and possibly fear. He had asked if she wanted adrink. Her Force aura had responded with a wince of pain. Mikhail wasn't skilled with telepathy, but it didn't take an empath to feel the pain, however slight. Especially since she was the only other person in the room. And strong in the Force. Quite strong. So was it fear he felt?

Fear leads to anger, anger leads to hate, and hate leads to- you know the drill.
 

KitKat

Well-Known Member
Katarine actually laughed at his comment as if he'd done nothing more than put one of her pieces in lock during a table top game. He was clever and she admired that. "Thats very good Mikhail. I imagine what you sense is loss, sadness, and loneliness. Perhaps anger though I think that is in check at the moment." She pursed her lips as if she were thinking hard on that. She seemed to decide that statement was true because she didn't correct it.

It was possible he sensed the cenuries of genetic manipulation and a family curse that kept the Ryiah dark, but she'd worked very hard to escape that particular fate and doubted it radiated that well. She would never fully outrun it but she couldn't imagine a complete stranger could sense it. Then again...

Her eyes trailed over him for a moment and clouded over as her thoughts consumed her. He was a very dark man and they always had a way of seeing things in Katarine she'd rather they didn't. Anything was possible she supposed. She brought herself back to the present with a smile and a shrug. "The loss of a loved one hardly makes me interesting. Unfortunately it's all too common in this galaxy."
 

Lord Ghoul

Guest
Mikhail's mouth twitched upward slightly. It was no smile. Loved ones. Yes, he knew their loss. All too well. The deaths of Seth and Alexis troubled him, though Seth's was a far older wound. How could he go and die, leaving him alone? It absolutely crushed Mikhail. How could his brother, caring and warm hearted, be dead? He did not deserve it. Did the galaxy have no sense of fairness? All were thoughts that had played through Mikhail's mind once before. No longer. He knew the galaxy's true nature now. Cruel Fate.

So she had lost someone too? But then she was right. They all had. Lost someone, that is.

The sofa and chair were positioned in such a way that they formed an L. Mikhail had been lounging at the end of the sofa nearest the chair, but now he leaned forward toward Katarine.

"How very Jedi of you." He frowned at her, his eyes narrowing. "Pretending like your emotions don't exist and bottling them up, no wonder so many Jedi go Dark - capital D - with all the..." He mimed explosions. For Mikhail, the difference between the Lightside and Dark was one of expression. At least, in practice. Jedi liked to hide away their emotion, pretend it didn't exist. Shorn never understood that. "Doesn't that ever get old?"
 

KitKat

Well-Known Member
He was certainly talking to the wrong Jedi about hiding emotions. Katarine wore her heart on her sleeve, a trait the Council had reprimanded her for several times. Then again she was currently trying to suppress an overwhelming desire to throw herself in a hole and cry for all eternity so who was to say she wasn't doing EXACTLY what Jedi did? Wasn't that the way of things? People all thought they were unique and special but it just simply wasn't the case. Katarine was one of billions, even trillions of people. Unremarkable and ordinary. At least in her eyes.

"Everything gets old every now and then. Some of us just can't handle the freedom of doing whatever we want. We fear consequences so we keep ourselves in line. In reality Jedi probably fear more than Sith ever will. Ironic huh?"

@[member=""][member=""][member=""][member=""][member=""][member=""][member=""][member=""][member=""][member=""][member=""][member=""][member=""][member=""][member=""][member=""][member=""]Mikhail Shorn
 

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