The Comforts of Home

[Onrai]

[member="Rys'sya"]

Dreshdae

The Sith settlement of Dreshdae was a quaint place. So close to the Valley of the Dark Lords, and home to many a Sith excavation team, Vanessa had forged many good relationships with the individuals here, ensuring that potential access to the tombs - and their secrets - were hers' to examine. Occasionally as well she would reap the rewards of finds in the tombs, and in some instances even take on new students. But now was the opportunity to perform something... a bit different.

The Academy building - the ancient one, not the one used by the Sith to train students on this world, was in disrepair. Given the number of bodies brought forward from the tombs - corpses both fresh and mummified - to convert into the possessed undead droid-constructs she had been prototyping, it was perhaps beneficial to set up both a laboratory and an archaeological site here in this aged site. A place where exploration teams could... adequately be prepared.

Either that, or she could always just refurbish the academy and turn the tombs into housing.

 

[Rys'sya]

Dreshdae


It had been about a week now that the young Sith Sorceress had taken temporary residence in the settlement, on the ancient Sith homeworld. Delicate fingertips were steepled together as she leaned forward slightly at the table she was seated at. A small, mostly vacant shop, one that could almost be considered a cantina, where the young acolyte had stopped in to acquire some sustenance, and to observe some of the locals.

Her sightless gaze graced the varied auras within the place. All held some measure of taint of the Dark Side, though prolonged exposure to a Dark Side nexus such as this world, it is bound to leave it's mark. A heavily scarred twi'lek brought a plate with a bowl of simple stew and some almost stale bread, along with a sealed canister of water, setting these upon the table before the woman before offering an awkward bow and retreating back behind the bar. The only two other occupants of the cantina did little to really stir the Sorceresses intrigue, one being a simple moisture farmer from outside the town, and the other a grizzled old speeder mechanic from down the road.

Breaking off some of the crust of her bread, she'd dip it into the broth to soften it, before slipping the morsel between her delicate lips. It was not the best meal she'd ever had, not by a long shot. But, it was warm, it was filling, and it would do it's job of sustaining the Miraluka. As she contemplated her next venture out into the tombs, she felt a presence. A potent one. Not quite as ferocious and viscerally intimidating as her former Masters, but one possessing an unnerving depth that even her own keen senses couldn't penetrate.

The thought of this impending encounter sent a thrill of electricity up the young acolytes spine. Concentrating on her meal became nearly impossible, and after only a couple more bites, and the sensation of the approaching Sith Lord, the Miraluka motioned for the barkeep to bring another sealed canister of water, for her soon to be arriving 'guest'.

[member="Vanessa Vantai"]​

 

[Onrai]

It was like a pinprick.

Imagine the sensation of a tiny insect attempting to get the attention of a much larger creature by poking at it with one of its spindly legs. That was what it felt like - when Vanessa felt someone attempting to sense the full capabilities of her power. So rarely had someone of such newness in the arts of the Dark Side actively attempted to seek out her presence.

Perhaps they deserved to be rewarded.

The renovation of the Academy was going to take some time. At the least, the simple bar she'd made up was serving a great many people. As she stepped inside, a quick scan gave her everything she needed to know - it was the lace-wearing Miraluka. Her drink was unfinished, yet she had a spare bottle of water - unopened, nor did she appear to be going anywhere anytime soon. Slowly, Vanessa came to the woman, smiling.

"I must admit, attempting to acquire my interest is something few people actively attempt to do."

[member="Rys'sya"]

 

[Rys'sya]

A smile parted those delicate lips, as her sightless gaze shifted to 'meet' that of the Sith Lord. "I meant no slight, my Lord. It has been a short while since my path has brought me across one of greatness." She offered a bow from her seated position, before gesturing to the seat, and refreshment, across from her. "A meager token of apology, for my impertinence."

If there was one thing Rys'sya lusted for above all, it was knowledge. Personal growth comes from understanding. And after a goodly long time, a potential opportunity to grow had revealed itself. The tempting fruit of knowledge was impossible for the professional student to ignore.

"I am called Rys'sya, my Lord." the young Miraluka introduced herself. She did not dare ask the Sith for her name, knowing such a request was above her station. The women would introduce herself at her own leisure. 'My Lord' is a more than adequate title for the time being.

[member="Vanessa Vantai"]​

 

[Onrai]

"Slight?" She raised an eyebrow in curiosity. "I'd hardly call it a slight. Rarely do acolytes such as yourself even consider trying to approach a Sith Lord like myself. I appreciate your initiative in taking such an opportunity." Sitting down next to the Miraluka, Vanessa took the offered bottle of water and opened it up, drinking it. "There are few intelligent enough to... consider the possibility that someone like me could actually be nice." She responded. "A pleasure to meet you, Rys'sya. The name is Vanessa Vantai. Sith lady extraordinaire." She soon finished the water.

"Come with me." She said. "I would like to... reward​ you for your interest."

[member="Rys'sya"]

 

[Rys'sya]

That thrill of excitement ran like electricity once again up the Miraluka's spine, at the way the word was spoken. A reward... with a mixed sensation of exhilaration and terror, the young acolyte rose to her feet to follow the Sith Lord. She smoothed the folds of her dress reflexively, before grasping her bottle of water with delicate fingers.

Being physically blind, the young woman held little stock in physical aesthetics, and carried far more concern for form and feel. Though, in the current environment, her usual dresses of silks and satins would not do. Her attire currently was a garment made of layers of leather-like materials, arrayed in such a manner to allow for adequate breathing, but limiting intrusion of dirt and debris carried on the winds of the hostile world on which they walked. The high neck protected the woman's slender neck from scorching in the fierce sun, preserving her flawless porcelain skin, as well as shielding her bosom from the dirt and debris the winds picked up.

While in its design, the dress was impressive in its functionality, but not so much in aesthetics, it did little to downplay the natural beauty, and the ample curvature, the diminutive woman possessed. Standing a number inches shorter than the Sith Lord she accompanied, the acolyte appears almost doll-like,. But, she was, to date, still blissfully unaware of the powers she possessed, with just her appearance alone.

After making certain her bottle was sealed, the Miraluka left some credit chits on the table, before turning to follow the Sith Lord. "By your leave, my Lord." Rys'sya knew her place, and knew it well. She did not dare to call Vanessa by her given name. That was an honor not earned yet, in the mind of this acolyte.

[member="Vanessa Vantai"]​

 

[Onrai]

Vanessa smiled as she led the Miraluka out of the cantina, traveling towards the pathway that led to a nearby Shyrack cave. It was rumored that within this cave were the ruins of an as yet undiscovered tomb - or at the least, one lost for millennia. "You don't have to call me 'my Lord,' Rys. Honestly, it's a bit too formal for me." She considered how best to approach the situation. "Just call me Vanessa."

Entering the cave, a crunch came under her foot. Bones? Bones... Some desiccated as well. A nice source of material for the Sithspawn experiments she wished to pursue.

"So, since we've just met - tell me about yourself."

[member="Rys'sya"]

 

[Rys'sya]

As the more aged bones turned to dust at the Sith Lords feet, Rys'sya followed obediently. Then came the request to discard propriety. The young acolyte visibly faltered at that. "I-I.... I shall try my Lor-.... Vanessa...." a visible flush of pink flashed across her cheeks as she uttered her Superior's common name. It felt illicit. Taboo, even. She felt she was surely breaking some unwritten law somewhere.

And truthfully, it felt kind of good. Liberating even. That little toe across the line.

Then came the query about herself. "Me? My Lor-... Vanessa," she caught herself, barely, "my past is fairly typical of an acolyte. Orphaned, brought to learn at the academy as a youth, and excelled in most courses of study." She started her tale plainly. "My saber skill is one of my most lacking..." she admitted. "But, I tended to make up for that in abundance with my will over others." the Miraluka continued, alluding to her prowess in Mentalism. It is true, she was a prodigy, in regards to matters of the mind. "Perhaps it was that in particular that led to my opportunities to study under both Lord Tirdarius and Darth Pyrrhus."

An amused smirk cut across the acolytes delicate lips. "In fact, Lord Pyrrhus actually abandoned me on an underdeveloped world for training. I ended up subjugating a tribe of savages, convincing them I was their goddess of death manifest in the flesh to lead them in a holy crusade to unify the local tribes under one banner." A soft chuckle, almost musical in tone, "It was quite a feat to accomplish.... stretched me to my limits, and almost saw me dead a number of times.... but I survived."

Almost a hint of pride on that flawless face. "All life has a purpose to serve to the galaxy. Mine has yet to be met, so I knew I had to survive." she stated plainly. This was her truth, her philosophy.

[member="Vanessa Vantai"]​

 

[Onrai]

[member="Rys'sya"]

"You're getting the hang of it." She smiled, listening with patience as Rys told her tale - a tale of a standard acolyte who ended up specializm in the study of mentalism. Of control. Of dominating others." Vanessa could only wonder what power this woman could potentially wield... perhaps in her service. She listened to the story of how Darth Pyrrhus had abandoned her on an underdeveloped world. "I'm a bit disappointed I didn't come across you on such a world. It would have been an... interesting experience destroying that tribe and coming into conflict with you." She thought for a moment.

"Yet you survived that ordeal and escaped the world. I'm impressed. You ask what your purpose is, yet honestly, it's already before you. Serve the Sith. Spread the darkness. Snuff out the light. For us there is no greater duty."

 

[Rys'sya]

The acolyte mulled that prospect over momentarily, before continuing. "Yes, perhaps...." she softly chewed on her bottom lip for a moment, "But I believe there is more to it than simply that...."

She waxed philosophical, speaking from lessons taught by her former Masters. "Life, is inherently chaotic... the Jedi seek to control, to confine that natural chaos.... I believe that is not the way for there to be any semblance of order in this universe..." she'd say, sightless gaze piercing through the darkness and the very walks of the cavern they were in, observing various predatory creatures hunting and feasting on prey animals. "The Sith.... we are the ones upon the mantle of leadership should be worn by. We embrace the elements of chaos. Not just anger... wrath.... hatred.... but even the gentler passions, such as love and sadness. We fear not these natural occurrences, and as such understand them in ways the misguided Jedi never will."

Her sightless gaze slowly moved to Vanessa, suddenly nervous, as she knew not the Sith Lord's view on such things, and worried that punishment might be soon to follow her sudden outburst. "At least, that is my belief.... that we are all selected, if you will, by the Force to usher in lasting peace in the universe. Just.... not all are destined to see such peace in their lifetimes.... I just yearn to find and complete my piece of this grand puzzle..."

She offered a bow in apology. "I beg your forgiveness for my impertinence...." she was not that well versed in socializing, but knew to apologize when stepping out of turn.

[member="Vanessa Vantai"]​

 

[Onrai]

"I believe the universe is indeed naturally chaotic. That said, the Jedi choose to reject the chaos instead of accepting it - for only through accepting it can one impose even the slightest fragment of order upon the galaxy. Palpatine's acceptance of the Dark Side in order to impose the order of the original Galactic Empire is a perfect example of such at work. I agree that we are the ones to lead the galaxy for the reason that we understand what the Jedi do not - acceptance of the nature of the universe. After all, Jedi aren't the sort to bend each other over a basin and... Well, you get the picture."

She thought for a moment. "You have your beliefs. I have mine. As for your piece in the puzzle... there are a few options that I see." She considered the situation. "Seriously, no need to beg for forgiveness. I'm not going to hurt you simply for having thoughts that deviate from the norm. Well, unless you're into that sort of thing." She had no clue what this woman was even into. "Let's keep going."

They passed the bones of a Terentatek. "Well, we're on the right track. Where there are terentateks, there usually are Sith remains."

[member="Rys'sya"]

 

[Rys'sya]

The faint arching of a fine brow, and the slightest tilting of the head were the responses given to the reference of being bent over a basin. For being Sith, the young acolyte was shockingly naive. The innuendo went by completely without interception. As the Sith Lord turned, making her off-hand remark about 'If that's what you're in to', the Miraluka's face only scrunched further in her almost adorable confusion.

A slight shrug, and the moment passed, the duo's trek deeper into the cavern continued. Even though the skeleton was long dead, the taint of the Dark Side still yet remained almost visible to her sight. She followed obediently behind the Sith Lord, contemplating what she could have in mind, as far as her own potential role, her piece to the puzzle, as it were.

"M-..." those delicate lips faltered momentarily, catching herself this time on the very first syllable. "I mean, Vanessa.... what do you hope to find within this potential tomb?" The young acolyte kept her words and tone neutral, her nature and training aiding in keeping her eagerness masked. The opportunity for new knowledge.... the Miraluka craved it almost as much as she craved mastery over her giftings.

[member="Vanessa Vantai"]​

 

[Onrai]

"Well, that depends." She said. "Perhaps artifacts. Perhaps a new place to set up a laboratory dedicated to artificing new abominations." Vanessa proceeded further onwards. "There's certainly something in here. Not sure what. Or where." Ignoring the confusion of the acolyte, they would continue to go deeper into the tomb. Vanessa pondered how best to further approach the woman in a variety of things before giving in and proceeding onwards.

"So, you have no master now, do you?"

[member="Rys'sya"]

 

[Rys'sya]

These prospects intrigued the young Sith. The Sith Lord all but stated that her goal was knowledge. The acolytes mind was like a sponge, hungrily seeking and devouring whatever she could to increase her understanding, which in turn increased her potential power, which more importantly increased her value. An emphatic nod in agreement, unseen by the Sith Lord ahead of her, was given. "All potential rewards are of significant value. I dearly hope our search bears fruit."

Then came the subject of a Master. The acolytes gaze lowered slightly. Her two previous Masters were both incredible Sith Lords of no small measure. Both [member=Darth Pyrrhus] and [member=Tirdarius], intense men who brought out different aspects of her true potential to bear.... the acolyte had no current Master since losing contact with the Voice of the Dark Lord of the old One Sith Empire. She studied instead under whomever provided opportunities to learn, seeking no individual Master, instead seeking the Force as her only true Master of late.

"No, I have no Master but the Force itself." she answered, continuing to reach through the Force as they searched, though now extending a subtle tendril of her mental energies towards the Sith Lord. Non-invasive, and likely undetected, merely seeking any unguarded surface thoughts and feelings the more experienced Sith might not be keeping locked away. The search likely yielded nothing, but the young mentalist was not one to simply not look.

"What of yourself, do you have any disciples?"

[member="Vanessa Vantai"]​

 

[Onrai]

"One can only hope." She said to the Miraluka as the two would further penetrate the cavern system. She laughed at the statement. "The Force is not a being that trains people. It is an energy field that is to be exploited through one's strength and power. To be wielded according to one's will. The Force is not sentient, hence why we are able to do with it what we do." The tickle of mental prodding, even to the outside of her mind, was something she detected.

And overwhelmed.

The response, a force of mentalism, would attempt to overcome whatever defenses that Rys'sya had. Vanessa merely smiled as she slowly turned to Rys. "Smooth move. Trying to poke at my mind. But not a good one." She pressed the attack a bit more. "I'm not going to kill you for that... but I do intend to subjugate you, my dear."

[member="Rys'sya"]

 

[Rys'sya]

As an entity who was utterly blind to the physical world, her kind had to adapt to alternative senses to perceive the worlds around them. For an action on the scale of, say, observing the window of a neighbor's house to see if their curtains were opened or closed, the young acolyte was to be punished.

No, the acolyte was to be attacked, for little more than existing as she only knows how. Seeing suddenly that this Sith Lord sought to pull the acolyte to where she could do naught to escape, the acolyte was truly endangered.

At least, that is the prevailing thought the Sith Lord would have caught as the young Miraluka use the only powers she had any mastery over, and quite a bit of it at that. Had this been a battle of martial prowess, the acolyte would be outstripped by miles. But in the realm of the mind, she was singularly strong.

The older Sith Lord found bastions on the front lines of war that paled in comparison to the defensive might this blind woman erected moments after the first strike was given. Any time Vanessa thought she'd broken through a given barrier, she was rewarded with pointless idioms, or inane poems, before finding yet a new barrier to attempt to deconstruct.

Being unable to see unspoken languages, such as facial queues, Rys'sya had to rely almost exclusively on whatever blanket surface emotions and thoughts people carried at the forefront of their minds in conversations.

To be punished for such a critical portion of who she was.... she had to get away, and fast. The next mental bastion was a trap. The vivid visions of tribal warfare, the gore, the horrors of one tribe of scaled humanoids slaughtering their opposed tribe down to the last child, the sounds of the wailing of the womenfolk as they watched their young slaughtered along with their men, flowed freely from Rys'sya to Vanessa. The sudden rush of information would hopefully leave the Sith Lord reeling long enough for the terrified acolyte to turn and start fleeing.

She did not wait to see if the ploy worked. In am elapse of about thirty to forty seconds from Vanessa's first strike, Rys'sya was running as fast as she could towards the entrance of the cave, mortal terror very real in her heart.

[member="Vanessa Vantai"]​

 

[Onrai]

A swarm of Dark Side tendrils wouid begin to manifest around the entrance of the cave, intending on blocking the young acolyte's progression. Pure manifestations of Vanessa's own power, some would be dodged, swiftly avoided before a tentacular formation found itself around Rys'sya's ankle, tugging her to the ground. More would wrap around the woman, keeping her in place and giving the slowing Vanessa an opportunity to catch up and view her... no.

She wasn't prey.

"I... believe we've had some sort of misunderstanding." Vanessa stated. "If that memory you attempted to use against me was in fact true, I salute you - few acolytes are capable of wielding that level of control over a group of primitives. Normally they end up doing something stupid and are cannibalized." Unfortunately, more true than not. "Why did you attempt to poke at my mind?" She asked. "I'm not going to hurt you." The tension of the tendrils was firm enough to maintain a secure grasp on the acolyte, but not tight enough to crush her.

"Trust me." She said, giving the woman an opportunity to sense her surface-level emotions - she was sincere in her desire to have dialogue, after all.

[member="Rys'sya"]

 

[Rys'sya]

Physical exertion was not a strength of Rys'sya's. That, coupled with the mortal terror she felt, the acolyte was quickly panting, before giving a shriek of horror as Darkness attempted to physically grapple her. She skirted one, two, even three such attempts, before finally getting snared. A impassioned cry of terror and anguish cut from her throat. She had endured so much, survived so much. How could it end just like this!? Gasping sobs wracked her body as the tendrils rooted her. Hyperventilating, she felt the Sith Lord approaching.

Suddenly, she could feel the Sith Lord attempting to convey a sincerity in her spoken desire to speak with Rys'sya. The acolyte was trembling, face downcast in submission. "I... am.... blind...." she stated flatly, between strangled sobs. "I can't see your face. I don't have non-verbal queues that other sighted individuals have to go off of." she continued, her trembling increasing visibly. "I always scan for surface thoughts and emotions. I can't survive without it!" she wailed, the fear she felt moments before still very real and welling up within her. She knew from years of training (and abuse) at the hands of the Masters of the Academy, that Sith rarely turned down the opportunity for 'discipline'. She also knew Masters were well versed at showing one thing, but really feeling another.

After a long, low, steadying breath, the acolyte lifted her sightless gaze to stare straight ahead. "I cannot escape.... so I am ready...." she stated, a feeble attempt at strength in her resignation of her impending doom, though all the false courage in the cosmos couldn't hide the tremble of her lips.

[member="Vanessa Vantai"]​

 

[Onrai]

She sighed. Arms would gently wrap around the woman as the tendrils slowly dissipated into the darkness. “There, there. It’s okay.” She gave Rys a cuddle. “I’m sorry. I should have been more considerate. I suppose the paranoia is something I need to lighten up on.” Shefrowned. How close she had come to losing this potential morsel.

“Perhaps I have to say it again, but you’re not going to die. Nor am I going to torture you. There was a misunderstanding - that’s all.” She patted the Miraluka on the head. “Is this cuddle something you find enjoyment in?”

@Rys’sya

 

[Rys'sya]

The Sith Lord stepped forward, physically reaching out towards the acolyte. On the surface, the Lord conveyed peaceful intent, but Rys'sya knew this couldn't be the case. As the first strike came in.... gentle arms wrapped about her. At the first contact, there was a very obvious flinch, but as she was restrained, she couldn't resist as she was slowly enveloped in the older woman's arms. The tendrils slowly slipped away, leaving the acolyte restrained only be the gentle hold of the Sith Lord.

Nothing about this added up. Everything was wrong. Nothing was right. Why wasn't there pain? Why was Vanessa not torturing Rys'sya, striking her, hurting her? No, nothing about this was right.... but why did it feel like it could be? A 'cuddle'? That is what Vanessa called it? Were it not for all the adrenaline coursing through her veins, the very real threat that the Sith Lord represented, and the fact that Rys'sya still couldn't convince herself that the peaceful intentions Vanessa was displaying were the truth..... the young Miraluka would be tempted to consider that yes, this 'cuddle' could be something she enjoyed.

Sadly, there was just too much tension in the way at the moment.

Her panted gasps eased slightly, though her heart still raced. She was unsure what was to happen next. When was the next step of the Sith Lord's game to begin? Rys'sya did not know, but she tried to comply the best she could, head leaning in slightly to rest against the slightly taller woman's shoulder. Silently, she accepted the woman's embrace, unsure of what else to do in such a circumstance.

[member="Vanessa Vantai"]​