The First Step

[Corran Watts]

The Royal Academy of Bastion
The Great Hall

This place was not what he was expecting.

He was not exactly sure what he WAS expecting but it definitely was not a large, clean, and well maintained area. Quite possibly the biggest and nicest place he had visited since his youth on Coruscant. He tried his hardest not to stick out like a sore thumb but his bright white clothing probably did not help him to blend in. That and the giant wolf, his pet Tythos, that lumbered at his side. White was the color he wore on Kabaira as it helped him blend in to the snowy mountains. He was able to camouflage himself this way and hunt. But now, as the sun bared down on him, and the sweat began to trickle down his neck he felt quite foolish.

His father had always spoken of the Sith as if they were brutes who did not know how to maintain a single flower let alone an entire academy. The old man was always ranting about something, but for the first time, he was able to see that Ben Watts knew much less than he let on. The first story he had been able to see with his own eyes and it turned out to be a lie. Anger began to swell up inside of him and instinctively he pushed it away. What good was it going to do now? He could not seek his revenge on his father now, he would not be hiding on Bastion of all places, and deep down he was glad of that. He knew he was no match for him, or really, anyone. His training was basic. He knew how to lift things with the force, he could feel things others couldn't, and he could swing around the force imbued sword that hung from his hip without hurting himself. Outside of that, this is why he was here, to embrace the powers that had been given to him.

Walking quickly, he made sure to take in everything around him, he knew in the back of his mind if they found out who he truly was they may not accept him. Or even worse, they may kill him, just because of his last name. He had mulled it over in his head over and over again. Was it worth telling them that he was the son of a former Jedi Grandmaster? Would they try and gain some sort of knowledge out of him? Was there even any knowledge worth gaining? Ben was an old hermit to Corran, a washed up old man who spoke in riddles, what could they possibly gain from that knowledge? Besides, he barely knew the man, he was only in his life for a few years before he vanished. He told him essentially nothing, and from the state of things, it seemed like he had been lying about all of those things as well.

Tythos growled at a droid as it passed by and Corran gently put his hand on the back of the beasts head to calm him down. It worked and he began to sniff around. Using the force he made sure to calm Tythos, there was no need for him to become aggressive with anyone around, it would only make his time here harder. "My name is Corran," He said as he approached what appeared to be some sort of enrollment area. "I wish to enroll in the Academy."

[member="Kaalia Pavanos"]

 

[Kaalia Pavanos]

Darth Avacyn had become a rare sight on the acedemy grounds, though there had been a time in which that was a different story. The Sith Empire of today had only just risen from the ashes of its predecessor when she received the title of Darth and became the equal of her then-master [member='Krest']. When the empire was forged anew he became the head of the academy and when by Avacyn's hand he was returned to the Force, the woman decided that she was to take up that mantle until his shoes were filled. The academy had become synonymous to her former master in her mind.

Being here filled her with mixed feelings. As much as she once respected Krest, respect that would be lost after his return from the dead and defection from the Sith, it had always been held begrudgingly. Avacyn hated him, despite bringing her into the Sith and through that allowing her to stand at the foundation of the empire she helped raise. Despite all he had taught her. He knew not just Darth Avacyn, he knew Kaalia. Kaalia he knew too well and with that, her wife as well. There was nothing left to learn from the zabrak and so he was no more than a liability.

In his own private chambers, in this very academy, Avacyn killed Krest.

Though many years had passed since then, those feelings and memories were just as vivid as they had always been. What had changed, however, was the amount of attention Avacyn drew as she walked past the various students and teachers roaming the Processional Way. No longer just another Lady of the Sith, she now was known as the Triumvir of Strength and that made her a well-known figure across the empire. Her presence being noted by many seemed to bother her little.

Avacyn walked into the Great Hall, though instead of keeping up her pace on her way to the room where her guest lecture would take place, she noticed somebody who looked very much out of place. Judging from his clothes alone it was clear he wasn't 'from here'. Walking by him, she overheard him.

"I may be mistaken, Corran," the redhead said as she came to a halt next to him, "but you do not strike me as a Sith-imperial citizen." He did strike her as intriguing, however. She turned towards the woman Corran had approached. "Do register his personal information, please. I shall personally make sure everything will be in order." If he showed promise, there was little reason to reject him after all. No matter his origins.

​

[member="Corran Watts"]​

 

[Corran Watts]

As he stood there, something washed over him, a feeling. He was still not used to it but Ben had taught him how to somewhat feel with the force. He was not able to pinpoint exactly how to do it, however, when a strong presence was near he felt it. This one felt very strong, even stronger than his fathers, and he tried his hardest not to stare. Her power was almost overwhelming to him, it seemed to lash out, but that was probably due to his inability to control his powers. He hoped, more than anything, she would not notice him but very quickly her voice rang out and he had to turn and face her.

Besides the power flowing out of her she was also someone who carried herself with an air of power. Unlike Corran, who walked as if he did not belong, she definitely belonged where she was. Red hair and serious eyes met his gaze as she commented on where he belonged. "That's because I am not," He tried his hardest to sound like he knew what he was talking about. Years of isolation made it difficult for him to socialize, however, his recent bout of traveling had made things a wee bit easier on him. "I am.... well I don't belong to anyone, really." It was true, he had nowhere to really call home. He was from Coruscant but he also spent years on Kabaira, which one was his home? He did not feel that either of them were, to be honest.

Despite her imposing presence, he did not feel fear, more fascination. She was the first Sith he had ever met, at least he thought she was, he could not tell for sure without asking but just from her general presence he gathered she was.

"What is your full name?"

He turned his head and now the moment of truth. He felt like he had to tell the truth, especially with her there, but maybe the name was common enough she would not register. "My name is....." He paused, and he hated himself for it, now it was obvious but he spoke quickly. "Corran Watts, from Coruscant. There won't be much on me, just a kid from nowhere." He hoped it worked.

[member="Kaalia Pavanos"]

 

[Kaalia Pavanos]

Looking Corran over, Darth Avacyn simply couldn't help but be curious about the man. Nothing about him gave her any solid pointers towards his origin, though he had somehow managed to get himself into Sith Empire space. There surely was more to him then met the eye and the woman's intrigue dictated that she delved deeper to find the answers. Clothes unfit for Bastion's climate and a wolf by his side would at least tell her he had likely lived on a planet where one was to prepare for cold weather, though that little in the way of tangible information.

Luckily, Corran then decided to share a little more about himself. Whether what he said was true or not couldn't be determined in the moment, but his alleged last name sounded oddly familiar. "Watts, I could swear I have heard that name before..." Her voice trailed off as her eyes pierced through Corran's, as though she was looking into his soul. Avacyn's expression then lightened up again before continuing. "It must be my imagination. In any case, I suppose an introduction is in order. My name is Darth Avacyn." She wasn't one to boast with titles, even if often times the people she interacted with were already aware of them.

"I will let this lady here handle the rest of the registration," Avacyn then said as she took a step backwards. The name Watts still hadn't left her thoughts, though she was unable to place it in the moment. Until he was done she would remain a passive spectator, making sure not to interrupt any further.

[member="Corran Watts"]​