Star Wars Roleplay: Chaos

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The Mirrors of Redemption [Thyrian]

... are your eyes the look upon thy self.
"A good act does not wash out the bad, nor a bad act the good. Each should have its own reward". ~ A Clash of Kings.
Orbit over Midvinter ..
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[member="Thyrian Ashborn"]


The time had come for the past to meet the present and influence the future. For both to them.

Coci had come back to Midvinter, for many reasons as there is much work to do here. She wanted to see for herself the progress of the construction of the Temple, "The Blessed Peak", to see her father, Thrand but the main reason for the summon to Midvinter, was Thyrian.

Some time had passed since their meeting in the Tower on Voss, so much had happened that day it was still hard to believe the events that had unfolded that day. The emotions heightened for all the family not just the Heavenshields but the bringing of a friend and brother back to the fold within their lives. But there is more to it then this, as much as that would have been enough for anyone, there was still a stone that needed to be over turned. And Coci, would never be able to rest at ease until it is confronted.

Not by choice had see keep this part of her history from Thurion, she will tell him when she is clear of the events and that an understanding is reached between Thyrian and herself, and she can only hope that Thurion will understand the position she faced that day. It was such a long time ago, long before Coci and Thurion even knew of each other but that does not erase it nor the events that took place that day on Togoria.

Does one act erase another? No, not really. Can an act have a reward? Yes. Redemption.

The Sting, her personal ship came out of hyperspace and before her view the beautiful planet of Midvinter filled her heart. If there was any place in this galaxy that would set the heart to good and encapsulate all things pure, this was it. At least in her mind and soul. Coci has no idea if Thyrian had recognised her the day in the Tower, most likely not but he was to soon find out.

The skies are clear of any presences of another ship, would he come to her? Only time will tell, and so she waited for him.
 
Thyrian had barely left Midvinter since setting foot on its soil, feeling a far greater kinship with its people and nature than any other world he'd visited. While his father wished him and his to come live at the Great Hall, he had a yearning to find a place of their own, where he and the beginnings of his family could live a life of their own. They found an abandoned shack on the outskirts of the City of Tháinbroek, far from the hustle and bustle of the more crowded areas. Neither he nor Kära were social butterflies, after all. Mysa was given free reign of where to go and what to do, despite his wanting to look after her as he had with Kära once. That girl belonged here, among actual snowflakes.

However, the sorrow of losing what was to be their first child still hung over him and Kära; they had not given it another try since, mostly for fear of losing another the same way. It was also the reason why they'd neglected to stay in contact with the Heavenshields other than Mysa visiting them on Voss from time to time. They had kept it a secret, even from his father who never even knew of Kära's pregnancy to begin with. He'd convinced himself it wasn't out of selfishness, but rather because he didn't want his father to learn he'd lost another to the dangers of childbirth. Thyrian had come to forgive his father's grief over losing his mother - Thrand's wife - which caused him to leave the two boys in the first place. Causing the old man further pain would never again be his intent, and would rather lie to his face than tell harsh truths.

Admittedly, he was struggling with what to do with himself on Midvinter. He'd entertained thoughts of taking up work as a woodsman, to supply the city and its people with firewood, but had yet to act on it. Having a regular day-to-day job remained an odd concept to him due to his line of work in the past.

[member="Coci Heavenshield"]
 
She sat at the controls of her ship, her arm bent at the elbow propped up her chin as she gazed at Midvinter. A white pearl in the darkness it appeared to her, shinny and shimmering with the light of the sun that was directly behind her ship. The mists off the icy planet swirled in the atmosphere, as it had done since time started on his place, a strange light to the northern most cap, danced blue and green in the what would be the night sky on that part of the planet. An Aurora ... and it is beautiful.

Coci allowed herself this moment to watch it, it is the first time she had witness this on Midvinter since she had never ventured so far north to the caps to be able to. Her mind delighted in it, and she wondered if Thurion had seen it, and that maybe one day they could from the ground, even if he had. She also wondered what the Valkyri call it, they would have name for sure and no doubt an association with a God. She took in a deep breath, and rubbed her temples trying to rid herself of the pressing aching feeling developing on her mind. She maybe here to conclude a chapter of the past, but more so for her husband.

Turning her attention away from the Aurora, Coci opened up the scanners, there is no ship in orbit but the data reveal one had landed on the outskirts of Thainbroek. It is not familiar to her, not registered in the logs but it could only belong to Thyrian. Not too many ships land in Midvinter. At that moment, a message is received. It is from him, informing her to come to the house.

The presence of a force user in the capital, no matter where they are she will find and besides that presence is familiar to her. Coci lands The Sting, in her usual place away from the eyes of curious in a clearing in the forest. Wrapped in her fur she pulls it about her body and strides across the snowy ground, the scent in the air filled with pine and spruce with the touch of winter upon their branches. Although winter has not come 'full bloom', the skies over the capital foretell it is soon.

Coci does not enter the main gates, feet taking her to the western entrance through which she entered walking beside a cart arriving to deliver goods and wares for trade. The markets are but a street away and she can hear the voice enticing people to come and trade loud and strong good stock Valkyri voices. Yet she turned once more, and follows a small dirt street on the outskirts of the city, the force guiding her .. she can sense him. Before long, she stands in front of a door of an old shack and for that moment she regards the place, it brings a small smile. It must run in the blood, she thinks as it would be a place Thurion would like, something he could dirty his hands with renovating.

She knocks on the wooden door and waits ..
[member="Thyrian Ashborn"]
 
When the knock came, Thyrian was sat pondering as he often would when given the time; pondering on his father, his brother, his brother's family, Kära, Mysa... All these people he holds dear that have seemingly sprouted out from the ground around him. Kära was the first, after he'd... killed her predecessor. He'd been alone for so long after committing his foul deed, constantly berating himself and despising his own reflection whenever he'd catch himself in a mirror. She helped him out of his depression, although he was never a cheery guy to begin with. With both having finally allowed themselves to love and be loved by the other, this opened up possibilities the once-Ashborn had never even considered, such as his own legacy, having children and starting a family, like his brother before him.

Putting these thoughts on hold for now as he got up to answer the door, Thyrian opened it to find his brother's wife on the other side. "Coci," he spoke not so much as a greeting, but rather to confirm in his mind that it was her. It had been a while since their initial meeting, after all, and they'd barely exchanged a single word. "Come in." The door opened up further as he backed away to stand by a nearby table. An odd concept for him, to have guests over. Almost as if they were normal people. He wasn't quite sure what to do with his hands and left them dangling by his sides.

"Please, sit," he said to break the silence and gestured to one of the wooden chairs. "Kära is upstairs resting. Mysa is out doing... whatever girls her age does." Once she'd found a seat he would join her by the fireplace; no other light sources were lit and thus were left in darkness. He preferred it that way. "You wanted to see me. Speak." Straight to the point, as always. A trait passed down from father.

[member="Coci Heavenshield"]
 
The door would open to reveal Thyrian. Coci kicked of the snow clinging to the bottom of her boots before entering their home. She did not take the time to look around the room, not that she would see much it appeared, as the only light in the place was the fire in the hearth, which made the room very warm and comfortable against the chill of the outside. She pulled off her fur and placed it on a small stool by the door while listening to him speak. His voice low and controlled almost monotone so different from his brothers. Coci turned to face him standing a little unsettled by the table but she diverted her eyes for a moment as the mention of Mysa caused her to wonder what she was up to and a small curl of the lips formed.

She regarded his face, for a couple of reasons. There is a flicker of recognition in his features on that day, but yet so different and she almost doubted herself as maybe she is seeing the resemblance of the family. But no, it is in his eyes.

Thyrian offered her a seat at the table which she took without a word still. But once settled, she spoke. "Yes", she began and so she would get straight to the point as well. "Many years ago when I was in the Republic, I was sent to Togoria. The Sith Empire was there as well that day and the Republic battled against the Sith to try and stop the atrocity .. and I believe that you and Kara were there too. Am I correct?".
[member="Thyrian Ashborn"]
 
This certainly was not a subject he could ever imagine would be brought up, by Coci of all people. Had she truly been there, all those years ago? He supposed as much, for how else would she know of his and Kära's being present?

Thyrian let out a brief sigh before speaking. "Aye, I was there. We both were, in another life." Literally. "Togoria - the beginning of the end of the Sith Empire. Our objective was to enslave the people, yet Kära, she... She wanted to rescue them. Those who boarded her shuttles were taken elsewhere, I do not know where. Even then she did her best to save those she could." His head turned towards the flames of the fireplace, so familiar and soothing to him.

"My body was failing me. This... thing that the Sith had turned me into, it wasn't to last. Togoria was to be my last mission. I had made my peace and embraced death when it came." He leaned forward, resting his elbows against his knees, still gazing straight into the flames. "I remember mustering what strength I had left to run to her aid just in time to shield her from two sniper rounds. One of them was a Jedi, who faced me in combat. I knew I was not going to win; it was solely to grant Kära the time to evacuate. As my consciousness faded and my body returned to ashes, I was... happy." The smallest of smiles graced his lips, until he once more faced Coci.

"If you were there, I do not recall your face. Apologies if my answer is unsatisfactory."

[member="Coci Heavenshield"]
 
She looked at him skeptically, it was hard to believe that Kara was there to save the people of Togoria, in fact what Coci had witnessed was the opposite. She remembered the order to separate the men, women and children, and watched them herded onto the ships to enter into servitude. What did actually happen to those people? She doubt anything good came of it, considering Kara's 'nature' at the time. She maybe changed now, but then she was a sith as they come. And he, her protector and by association equally as 'guilty'.

"Your answer is enough, yet I would like to know what did happen to those people taken from their families, separated as such". It was good to feel the warmth from the hearth fire, as there was a distinctive chill in the air. For a moment, she sat in pause just watching the flames dance upon the wood.

"I was there, I was the sniper". She said in a low tone, not taking her gaze from the fire. "I was with the Republic working in the Intelligence Department, it was my job. All I saw that day was two Sith removing the galactic rights of those people by subjugation and who knows what had befallen them later". She turned to look at him now. "Body failing you or not, I helped it see to your end".

"I will not profess to know the workings of your rebirth, quite frankly I don't care. But I am sure you can see why I have come to you to speak on this? I do this for several reasons. Firstly, Thurion. I love him more then life and I have to tell him of this, I do not keep secrets from my husband not now not ever. Secondly, there needs to be some form of contrition from you for past crimes committed under the banner of Sith. I am sure you can understand the position this place him in as Grand Master of a Jedi Order? Brother or not. And thirdly, Mysa. I sense in you a sense of regret, for a lot of things and if you wish to truly be apart of our family, which I believe you do, you need to denounce the dark side". Coci was not asking for Thyrian to embrace the light side of the force, those steps are not easy to take and even if he wished it, he was not ready.

"If you truly want this, I can help. I have an answer .. but what I need now is your will to do so".
[member="Thyrian Ashborn"]
 
While she spoke, Thyrian for once took the opportunity to study her face as he listened intently to her words. His brother had found a strong woman, that much was clear; a fierce protector of her family, not unlike himself. For this alone she had his sympathy and respect. When she finished, he stood up and stepped toward the flames in silence. Once close enough to reach out and touch them, the fire did not hurt him but rather wrapped around his hand like a warm blanket. Turning back to Coci where she was sat, Thyrian revealed his hand set aflame. Slowly he clenched it into a fist, and as the flames died out in his hand suddenly the remainder of the room lit up - all its candles and lanterns flickering to life.

"To be put on trial by my own brother..." he finally spoke. "When Thurion was born, I resented him for killing my mother. This tiny being of flesh and innocence - harmless and defenseless - had suddenly changed everything. Father left without a word, and I was forced to take care of the little creature. I was five at the time." He sat back down opposite of her, hands clasped together upon the table. "In my childish resentment I often debated whether I shouldn't just leave him and be done with it, but I couldn't bring myself to do it. He was so small and innocent, and in time I grew to love him as a brother. He became my sole focus from then on, until..."

He paused, knowing he would not have to explain further. That part was still fuzzy to him, regardless. "I love my brother, Coci. I love my family. The darkness in me was placed there by powers out of my control. If I were to find a way to expel it, I would not hesitate."

[member="Coci Heavenshield"]
 
It is all about family. Those lines of blood that bind us all together, the bonds we share between those we love, and the undeniable continuation of all this placed within our children combine us together as one. As Thyrian turned back to her, his hand ablaze with the hearth fire she watched it licking his skin yet not melting it or even causing him physical pain .. but rather, an element that is part of him and she doubt would ever be removed. Strangely ... it shouldn't. At least not in the form designed for destruction. Already, Coci can sense a warmth to him, dwelling within his heart as cold as the surface may appear. How could he not? He comes from a long line warriors that serve to protect those they love and the land on which their blood has been spilled. Thyrian is just as much tied to Midvinter as his brother and his nephew.

As the room erupted into illumination, light flicked across the walls dancing within the shadows, Coci sat and listened to his story. Part of which she knew, from what Thurion had told her, but the natural reaction that a young boy would have, having a great burden to shoulder after the death of his mother was understandable, but also very sad.

Once more he sat himself across from her at the table. Now she met him eye to eye, "This is why I have come", she began, "You know as well as I do, Thurion would never put you on trial. And if the situation was reversed, you would not either". Her black eyes fell down to his hands placed before her. "I am here to take that burden away from you both, to bear it for you both .. and I do this for our family".

She reached out to him, placing her hands atop his. She could feel the warmth from the fire only recently surrounded his hand, it did not hurt her. "You have already taken the first step by accepting this", she said removing her hands from his and a gentle smile graced her lips. "You will come under my 'authority' and remain on Midvinter for a determined time as sentence .. ", she considered her words carefully. "In this time, I will come to you and work with you to expel the darkness. As part of this time I want you to help me with something in return. Thurion and I have began construction on a Jedi Temple here on Midvinter. High in the mountains on a Top we have named "The Blessed Peak". I want you to build it".

Her eyes met his once more, and would not break.
[member="Thyrian Ashborn"]
 
Thyrian listened carefully to her words as his gaze dropped to her hand resting upon his. His first instinct was to shy away from her touch, not fully comfortable with having another woman show appreciation for him. He'd spent so much time with only Kära for female company that he was unsure whether such gestures from another were considered harmless. However, as he fought the urge to shy away he began to warm up to the display of affection shown by his brother's wife. His sister-in-law. As she offered him a gentle smile, Thyrian returned an even smaller one, barely noticable.

When Coci spoke of his sentence, he quietly offered a soft nod in response, thinking it a fair one; he had no intention of leaving Midvinter or his father's side. While much yet remained unsaid by the two, Thyrian felt he'd finally found a home - for himself and his family. "I will help you, Coci. It is the least I can do."

He once more turned to the flames of the hearth, staring into them. He remained quiet for a long time, until finally the words just uttered themselves. "Father is... unwell." His gaze lowered before meeting hers across the table. "He would never admit it, but I know it to be true."

[member="Coci Heavenshield"]
 
She had not really known what to expect coming here to see Thyrian, and considering the discussion things had gone quite well. There was a visible sense of relief taking from Coci, her shoulders felt a little lighter but there was still much to be done. The Temple would get built with or without Thyrian but the removing the darkness would take time and effort from both of them, that would be the real challenge for them both. One simply cannot wash away the pain and suffering the years had given him or that of the people on which this had occurred but there is always hope, there is always redemption. The events of the past are written on souls that will never forget, but one can only hope, they will forgive.

Coci simply nodded as Thyrian accepted the terms of his 'confinement', and stood up to move toward the heart. "Thank you", she finally said, an appreciation not only for this but for her husband as well. She found a small kettle full of water and placed it over the flames in the hearth to boil, a slight grin on her face. "I am guessing .. you don't drink hot drinks .. but if you do I shall make you one".

As she prepared the brew, a cold chill ran through her body, Thyrian had said nothing but one thing. Coci turned to look at him, Thrand is not well? "I have not seen father in some time, I was hoping to after this visit concluded with you", the look of concern evident. "What is wrong with him?". Yes, Thrand is aging but the tone in Thyrian voice told her there was something more to this.

After finishing the preparations for the tea, Coci placed the tray with wooden cups and water in the center of the table, he would take of it if he wished.
[member="Thyrian Ashborn"]
 
Thyrian said nothing to answer her first question, but let her get to work on getting the water boiled all the same. As for her next question, his brows furrowed as he tried to come up with an answer. "I am unsure. I went to see him earlier today in the great hall, but he was nowhere to be seen. When he would not appear after an hour of waiting, I went looking for him in his chambers. I peeked through the door to see him sat on the bed in silence, eyes closed. I thought he might have been praying - I am not yet well-versed in Valkyri customs. It just made he feel uneasy, for some reason."

"But when I finally knocked on the door and he became aware of my presence, he beckoned me to enter as if all was well. I asked him what he was doing, and he said... He said he was only conversing with my mother." It was that last part that puzzled him the most. "My mother is dead, and he knows it," he said, looking to Coci. "Why waste time speaking to those who cannot hear your words?" It was a concept he thought strange, alternatively very foreign.

Allowing Coci time to respond, Thyrian stepped towards the cauldron and dipped a finger into the boiling water. "It's ready."

[member="Coci Heavenshield"]
 
She sat in silence as Thyrian spoke of the events of the morning with his father. Thinking that something ailed him the first thing on her mind which would have been understandable considering Thrand is aging and his body would weaken to such things, there was a visible relief on Coci's face. "Thank you", she said as the water was ready and went to gather the kettle holding it with a piece of cloth she found. There was slight amusement on her face, having just watch Thyrian put his finger in the scolding water but as she looked to him she realised he would be puzzled by her slight smile.

"Yes .. he knows she is dead", she said pouring the boiling water into the cups. "And yet I do not find this strange, that he would speak to her". Her demeanor soften even more as she recalled many things associated with love after death. "Your mother was Jedi, was she not? It would not be out of place for her to be able to 'send' a message to him. Besides .. people find it comforting to speak to those that have past aloud alone, it gives them peace to be able to do so even if they can't speak back".

Coci took a small spoon and scooped some wild honey into each of the cups to sweeten the brew and stirred. "Love can cross 'borders' into the beyond, whether it is love of someone special or that of a daughter or son .. it knows no bounds", she looked at him as she offered the cup of fresh brew.

"I have met your mother. Several years ago now, Thurion and myself were part of the many that had disappeared into the Netherworld. I was pregnant at the time, heavily so, and Thurion and I had lost the ability to use the force. Yet he was there with me and we made it back. But, Nina was alone at home and as soon as it was possible, Thurion and I went to find her, to make sure she was safe. She was .. very much so. When we arrived, there was a presence there, taking care of her .. it was your mother".

"That was the first time Thurion had ever seen her and she spoke to us .. To Thurion". Coci sat down near the fire and sip her brew. "So you see? don't worry .. it is a comfort to Thrand".

Having said all that, Coci now wondered if there was more to Thrand speaking to his wife, it seemed like .. preparation.
[member="Thyrian Ashborn"]
 
Taking the cup from her hand, Thyrian watched her sit down by the fire and contemplated whether to join her. After a moment of silence he eventually sat down, crossing his legs with drink in hand. Looking down into the hot liquid, he was greeted with his own image in the form of a pair of eyes alight with fire. He always hated his reflection. Thus, Thyrian casually downed the entire drink in one go to make it disappear. The scalding water didn't phase him, and the prospect of slowly sipping away at the same drink had never been of interest to him.

"Mother didn't talk about herself much," he finally spoke, empty cup in hand. "Father was the one with the stories, always tucking me in with stories of great battles in a land of ice and snow. I never expected them to be real." Even as a child, Thyrian kept mostly to himself and never wished to bother his parents with questions. He's always been quite the introvert, even before his brother's birth and the dissolve of their family. "I caught her once as she was tending to her lightsaber. I had no idea what it was, but I could tell it was important to her."

When Coci then spoke of the event known as the Netherworld, his mind went back to aboard the Judgement when reports came flooding in regarding people disappearing. At the time, Thyrian was still in mourning at the loss of Kära at his own hands and cared little about these things. As the only Force Sensitive on board, none of his crew went missing. When hearing about his mother's ghost, however, he was at a loss for words. "She... she appeared to you? You and my brother?" Eyes turned to the fireplace yet again, watching the flames dance beneath the cauldron.

"Why wouldn't she visit me?" he whispered.

[member="Coci Heavenshield"]
 
She watched him, looking into the tea and a sense of self loathing came to her from him. A heavy emotion of grief and detachment that she did not fully understand, his life had been one forged in hell, in more ways then one and so she grieved for him for this. How life can rip apart a family, choses made, rightly or wrongly burn into the soul and dictate the events to follow. Coci realised the opposite could have happened, and she did not want to think of it.

She heard the whisper. "I cannot answer for your mother, but I can tell you what I think". She said after taking a sip of tea. "Before the Netherworld, I traveled to Ossus, to find anything I could about your mother in the database there. There was a file on her, before she left the Jedi Order to be with your father and the last known location was Pelagon".

"I can't explain why I had to go, it was like I had received a message from her. Not in words or directly but a feeling and so I went and found your home there. There was a family.. a man and two boys", she smiled at the irony of this. "The father a Jedi that had left the Order, to raise his family but he knew I would come and that I was to take something. He gave me a locket, Sarah's locket. It has her essence around it, if you touch it. I took it and gave it to Thurion, in turn he gifted it to Nina and to this day she wears it".

Coci let out a long sigh, this would never explain why his mother had not come to him. "Nina was wear it when we disappeared, I can only think that the locket pulled your mother to her in a time of desperate need".

She turned to him with a look that would hopefully prove some sort of compassion, "There is Thurion as well .. he had never known her. Could her appearance had been a gift from his mother, that she could not give to him from birth? You knew her, he did not .. maybe she wanted to look upon the son she never had the chance to?".

"There is always hope, Thyrian".
[member="Thyrian Ashborn"]
 
Coci's explanation made some sense, but still he couldn't comprehend why she did not appear to both of them. Was she angry with him, for turning to the dark side? It had never been his choice to do so, although his doubts had not surfaced until recent years. Since the old Kära died the way of the Sith had lost all allure to him, and yet he could not change what he was, what he had been turned into.

"Hope?" he repeated the word she'd used, his tone of voice changing to that of a child learning it for the first time.

"Too many times I've lost hope to put much stock in it," he then said, shaking his head ever so slightly. Searching for something to focus on, Thyrian soon found the ring upon her finger. Very gently he reached out to her hand to take it in his in order to examine it further.

"I am happy for you. Both of you." The smallest of smiles graced his lips before vanishing. "True love is hard to come by..."

[member="Coci Heavenshield"]
 
It did not surprise her, his answer. A life such as his would not warrant hope, but yet he is here and has vowed to pull back from the darkness. Whether he recognises it or not, he clings to hope otherwise he would simply give in and let the darkness consume him. And how it would. There is much good in Thyrian, he just can not see it or is ignoring it.

"Why did you come to find Thurion? if hope did not exist for you, why did you come? Did you not hope to find him alive and well? that there would be a rejoice in your meeting .. and there was .. there still is". She looked down at his hand holding hers and he gently played with the ring on her finger.

"I love your brother more than life and even when death come to me, I will wait for him in the beyond", she reached up with a cupped hand and placed it against his cheek.

"You have not given up on hope, even though you think it has given up on you. That is never true. You have family once more, more probably then you realised and there is a long road ahead of us, but now you and Kara are here with Mysa .. you are family. And family always gives hope".
[member="Thyrian Ashborn"]
 
Thyrian let out a heavy sigh. "It was not my decision to come look for him. I wanted to spare him the pain of seeing me again after so many years, but Kära insisted that we at least give it a try. In the end, I did it for her." His eyes never left her wedding ring, looking so pristine upon her finger. His own finger was adorned with the ring Kära had forged and given to him on the eve of their declaration of love for each other. He had never once removed it.

"But when I looked into those blue eyes I'd grown up with, my love for him was rekindled. I was reminded of how I had been unable to discard him once, and attempting to do so a second time proved futile. He is my brother, and I will protect him no matter what. His family, too." Both hands now enveloped Coci's, his fiery gaze rising to meet hers. "I've never had a sister," he then said as a small smile appeared on his lips.

The two would converse for a while longer, until the hour was late and it was time for Coci to return home. After seeing her off, Thyrian would crawl into bed beside his beloved Snowflake, careful not to wake her up.

[member="Coci Heavenshield"]
The End
 

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