The Whispers of Shadows

[Raven Ashe]

Raven gazed upon the Marquis for just a second or two after the sudden invitation. It hadn't even occurred to her to ask about staying. A strange thing to suddenly realize in the moment. How else would the man teach her? Assuming he actually would in person as suggested. She liked to think the personal touch or torture of her Master was a better teacher than being sent away. With some semblance of 'control' over her own fate now, being sent away was no longer something she desired. Strange how quickly everything had changed.

"It would be my honor, Marquis," the Pantoran's helmet crossed her chest in hand as she gave a slight bow.

She was far from the most experienced when it came to nobles or business people, but she was not inexperienced. Much as it was downplayed earlier, some manner of etiquette and demeanor had rubbed off after being forced to endure the pleasantries of the rich in order to land a surveying gig -- before becoming an Acolyte of Darkness. Better Credius think his Apprentice not as prepared than he believe her ready beyond her means. If anything, Raven hoped she might be able to impress him at the onset of their new found relationship. Set the tone right at the beginning. There would be endless struggle and toil to maintain his satisfaction no doubt, but when wasn't there?

With that said, the blue woman moved to follow the man from the hanger. There would be time to inspect the ship later and learn what it was capable of. Hopefully a great deal of time as they would no doubt strive to bend the galaxy to their will.

Tag: [member="Credius Nargath"]​

 

[Credius Nargath]

Notwithstanding the fact that his apprentice seemed to have quite a few hidden talents, the Marquis was certainly enamored and quite pleased with the idea that she might actually be able to pull off more delicate missions than simply being a blunt tool. "One of the first lessons my own master taught me was no different than this, my young apprentice," It was most likely strange for someone who knew the truth behind his well polished and preserved mask of humanity, to see such a genuine looking smile upon the imaculately aged face. "She had brought me to a senatorial party on coruscant, telling me to mingle, to look through not the force, but my own eyes. It taught me one important lesson: that though the sight and senses are truly enhanced by the force itself, one can not see into the heart of people without truly having looked at them with their own eyes. A blind man might see through the power of the force, but they will not understand what they see."

Credius, despite eventually having killed her, did respect his own master, even now. She was an exile of the Sith Empire, disagreeing with their policies and their beliefs, strong and cunning, but above all: she was a good teacher. Though she believed in the old adagio of the sith order, knowing that passion and power could indeed set one free, she did not believe in pain and suffering as a way to teach. Pain and suffering had to be present within her student from the start, to properly teach the apprentice to embrace and use those experiences and strengthen their power within the force through the acceptance of ones own passion, one's own pain. "Darth Alepsis was... smart, but like so many Sith...she lacked vision, the reality wothin this galaxy is simple for those with a narrow view on the force. The jedi are wrong to see the force as a guide and the sith are wrong to see it as but a tool to elevate themselves. For it is neither and it is both, my young apprentice," Showing some electrical sparks in his hand, the marquis smiled. "Though it can be used as an overwhelming weapon, it can also be used to shield one from harm. To fully understand, use and dominate the force, you need to be able to see the bigger picture, to unravel the web of lies and deceipt eons of dogmatic thinking and narrow points of view have wrought upon the sith and the jedi. You, my apprentice, you have such a sight, a vision to use and dominate the force and exactly for that reason, you are worthy of being my student. Now, go to the baths, have yourself cleaned up and come to the dining hall for a meal. The servants will prepare anything you desire to have. Afterwards I expect you in the west wing for some simple training...to see what you can do without that lightsaber of yours."

 

[Raven Ashe]

Raven heard the words of the Marquis, though she was not entirely confident she truly understood them. The Force could grant knowledge, but not wisdom? To rely on the Force alone was folly? To understand the enemy you must be capable of becoming the enemy -- and so rely on Forceless sight as they do? The Pantoran resolved to consider the words at length later in private. For now she would accept that the endless howls of the Darkness within to give in and consume the galaxy was antithetical to what her Master sought to impart.

Darth Alepsis. A name that should be remembered for its importance to Nargath. As were the ruminations the man imparted regarding the Jedi, the Sith, and the Force. From what was said, Raven now believed the corrupted creature that feigned humanity sought a path that could draw upon the full power of the Force. Yet, she expected his usage still favored the darker talents. Truthfully, she could not imagine her own power without the hatred, rage, and suffering that had been ingrained into her. The endless struggle for survival and the need to crush her enemies. To have been possessed by a demon of the Force and bathed in its bottomless desire to consume the Force itself -- every bit of it. Perhaps that was what gave her Master consideration she could see beyond the beliefs ascribed to their rivals. She had overcome the self-destructiveness of the Darkness. While romantic and certainly a boost to her ego (which had been in tatters until this day), Raven was still not swept off her feet by the thought. Perhaps Nargath was right. She would strive to find out.

"Yes, Master. I will do as you have asked." Raven afforded the Marquis another slight bow at the hips before she strode forth.

Obedient dog, the Darkness hissed.

Raven appreciated the bath if for no other reason than it seemed clear of something trying to kill her, or someone's expectations she had to measure up to. Afterward she strode into the bedroom and looked at the armor laid out upon the bed. The Pantoran's yellow eyes regarded it and the lightsaber for a long moment. It came to her when she'd spoken with the Marquis how...complicated her life had become now. She was known to the Coalition by this armor, she would be known as herself before the Marquis' associates, and among Darth Halycon's "associates"...? Raven would need to contemplate how to manage being three different people now. But in that moment it seemed being the Pantoran would be appropriate even though she wondered if the armor would do better under the man's training regimen.

With the wardrobe thrown open, she was forced to cringe at the sight of most outfits present. Her fingers drew out a drape of a gown that would flow about her legs. Hardly conducive to moving on a battlefield. Several options later, however, she came upon something that should suffice. Appropriate and possessed pants rather than a dress. The Marquis would likely approve of it matching his own noble attire.

A knock on the door signaled it was time. Raven finished tugging the last thigh-high boot on before she strode toward the door. Her gear had been stowed for the time being out of sight -- in case the staff weren't as well familiar with their Master's nature as she.

The meal was humble and well portioned. She asked for no exotic meats or spices, nor long-made meals and multiple courses to stuff her face. A meal of a meat, vegetables, and potato would suffice. Also, a glass of wine. Well there wasn't any reason she couldn't splurge just a bit was there?

At last, she strode down the corridor toward the west wing.

Tag: [member="Credius Nargath"]​

 

[Credius Nargath]

It was within thje west wing of the Nargath Palace complex that the guards would be residing when they were off duty, following their strict regimen which included daily training sessions, studies and many more academic and militaristic occupations to sharpen both their mind and harden their body. It was as such rather impertinent if the man who ruled the house and relied on such dedicated internal security would not be partaking in szuch activities himself, something which did set the Marquis apart from his younger brother Willhuff, who seemed to enjoy the decadence of wealth more than the improvement of one's body and mind.

Though beset upon by near constant aching, streaks of pain shooting like sharp flares throughout his body due to the dark side deconstructing and afflicting his body, the marquis had managed to stave off the more debilitating effects by constantly making sure his body was more than capable enough to at the very least contain his own power without becoming some sort of cripple, decrepit old fool solely relying on the force to sustain one's own life and physical health. As a born and raised eriaduan noble, he had gone through the planet's rigurous trials, had gone through military academy and had passed the trials of adulthood with great distinction.

Thus for those within the palace is was not at all a strange sight to see the man spar in actual physical combat with his guards, either barehanded, with knives or even with an electrostaff. Yet even if one would think this served no purpose towards the teachings of the Sith, they could not be further from the truth, as it was these daily practices which allowed the marquis to truly explore the limits of his astute focus and control upon the force, always striving to reach the maximum effect with the littlest effort and focus, making the use of the force an almost natural habbit like breathing, while avoiding the consumption and therefore the overuse of the force in situations when subtlety and restraint were a necessity.

"Again," The marquis yelled, as three men lay down on a large blue padded carpet, holding a large duraluminum electrostaff in his hands with crackling purple electricity. Unlike before, he was no longer wearing his typical rather extravagant outfit, only wearing a light gray form-fitting pair of trousers and black, knee-high leather boots. His chest bare, glistening with sweat and scars from both his youth and his daliances as a sith telling the untold tale of his past, the Marquis held the staff down towards one of the men with a rather calm, yet extremely cold look in his eyes. "Don't hold back because I am your employer, do not old back on my account or that of any other. In situations where combat is a necessity, holding back would only get you killed. It is an arrogance and a perogative only reserved for those whos overwhelming power might diminish the sense of combat and the pleasures one could find within such a situation. You, are not such a person, thus you do not have the right nor the perogative to hold back but even an ounce of your strength and skill."

[member="Raven Ashe"]

 

[Raven Ashe]

Raven strode toward the sparring ring where the Marquis had assumed authority. As a Sith Lord it was only to be expected the man got his hands dirty. What sort of Master of the Dark Side would Nargath be if he entertained himself behind a desk? Not one worth her time. Despite willing to assume a position as a Pantoran in business matters, she had fallen too far to be content smiling at people she barely knew and trusted even less. The monster within had made certain the desire to rip the soul of her enemies and devour it before their fading eyes had been planted.

A soft clearing of the throat preceded the arrival of the crimson-jacketed woman. "Marquis Nargath, I believe we had an appointment?" A smirk came over the dark blue lips of his new... business partner? Friend? Whatever he liked to tell others so long as it was not concubine. The bright yellows of her gaze stood out the brighter by the blue of her skin.

Slowly she buckled the jacket and began to remove it. If it was physical combat he desired, or even a test of her power, it wouldn't do to be over dressed in the presence of the Marquis and Master would it? Beneath the jacket was an all-black outfit that covered every inch of her body like a glove except the very top of her chest, neck, and head. "I'm not interrupting, am i?"

Strange how easy it was to smile and feign playfulness as some noble might. Had her psyche already broken so far that adopting another facet was so easy? Or had seeing the haughty, hungry gaze of what she might become seared itself into her very soul in that metal chamber? Another matter she'd spend the evening contemplating. Here, in the training room, was not the place to be distracted by such things. Things were as they were, and Raven would adapt.

Tag: [member="Credius Nargath"]​

 

[Credius Nargath]

"We had indeed," The Marquis' attention shifted towards his new, young apprentice and had to halt his gaze upon her appearance for a moment. Grinning slightly, as the tip of his tongue run across his lips, Credius realized that this young woman seemed slightly more eager than he'd have anticipated, though he did decide that it was probably better to have a student who was greedily awaiting more power and knowledge than one who would just follow orders like a drone or a puppet.

"Leave," The Marquis' words were short and full of authority when commanding the members of the security force to take their leave and depart to their stations or quarters, insistent on having this entire training to be more private and unencumbered by the presence of lesser men. When the place had eventually been deserted by the other men and women, leaving only the two of them, the marquis closed the doors behind [member="Raven Ashe"] with a flick of his wrist and motioned her to get onto the mat with him. "Many Sith Lords forego the strength of self in exchange for strength within the force, a pitful decision, for one should strive to have both. The stronger the body, the more capable it is in withstanding the dark side of the force."

Dropping the electrostaff aside, Credius reached out with his hand, stretching out his arm towards his apprentice and motioning her to come at him. "Passion breeds conflict, conflict grows our power...power is all we need to set ourselves free." A perverted, somewhat simplified look upon the old Sith Code, but one the Marquis thought and honestly believed to be the most correct ideology to follow as a sith.

 

[Raven Ashe]

I will not save you if he seeks to kill you, the Living Darkness snarled. The shadows swept about the room covering every surface along the perimeter. It would watch them. Study them. Anticipate devouring them both for its trouble... and anyone that tried to interfere. Not that it cared if someone barged in, but such was its ire and endless hunger any excuse would be enough.

Raven stepped onto the mat as Credius instructed. She listened and found no flaw in the man's argument. "The Dark Side destroys the one that uses it?" she asked. It wouldn't be the first time the topic came up, but it would probably be one of the few times it was open to a prolonged conversation. "Is that from drawing too heavily on it, or is it inevitable no matter how much it is used?" Then this is what explained the Marquis' other appearance? And the monster was unaffected because it had no physical form?

"Passion," the Pantoran echoed. She recalled having passion for learning of the Force. Back when Animus invited her to become his apprentice. Before the unrelenting voice of the monster wore her down emotionally. To have such power. To be someone with the ability to wield it. To not only study history, but to be one of those guardians or terrors that shaped the galaxy. Yes, she'd once been truly passionate toward the art, and perhaps... perhaps she could be again.

A second or two after he invited her forth, the blue skinned woman in the black outfit darted forward. She did not seek to bull rush him, but merely to close the distance enough to strike. Her hips would rotate with the right-hand punch toward the Marquis' chest, unless the man left himself so open a grapple and throw appeared workable instead. She'd start with a simple move at first to gauge the man's response and combat choices; and to find out if she needed to be more cautious with her own decisions going forward.

Tag: [member="Credius Nargath"]​

 

[Credius Nargath]

"The dark side is an unrelenting, unbound source of power," The marquis calmly remarked when his apprentice shot towards him. He bend slightly through his knees to strengthen his foundation, using a flowing motion with his right arm to slap aside and redirect the incoming punch, after which he's permorm a simple palmstrike with his left hand aimed for the woman's chest. The intention was to make her stagger, to show her how much could be done with but the most minimal of movements, completely disregarding the way how the jedi perceived and used their martial artswith their many flurries, twirls and jumps. "Just like any form of power, when the source of the power is too great for the container, it will spill out and reveal its damaging properties. 't Was so with all who came before and all who will follow, but my studies have given me more insight."

With out lifing his feet, the Marquis slid himself in an eschewed position, making a quarter turn to the left, launching his right first forward towards Raven's gut, still keeping up his use of small movements, fluid changes within his stance allowed for more directed applications of physical strength. "There are those who'd use clones, fabricated shells to contain their power, but can't stop the corruption of the dark side upon their physical self. They forego the first rule among sith, to embrace the dark side in all its aspects, even the degeneration of one's body. I on the other hand believe that it is essential to accept that one property, but to increase one's physical strength to use the force to greater effect and with less consequences to the container which thusly wields such power."

[member="Raven Ashe"]

 

[Raven Ashe]

Raven grunted and stumbled back a step from the Marquis' strike. Certainly had a way of getting a woman's attention by reversing her momentum, and even shoving a bit of air from her lungs. She forced herself to quickly recover before the man took advantage of his display. Her golden gaze fastened to the man before her as he continued his explanation. What was said was strange only in that such a thing were possible, though the way he described it made sense. A container could only hold so much, and forced to take more showed signs of stress and then eventually compromise. But the Force was not something forced. Although...

Alright, admittedly she'd give him credit for style and how small movements seemed to work for him, but Raven wasn't his living punching bag. The Pantoran stepped forward and to her right to try and avoid the strike while her left forearm rotated upward. It snapped out toward Credius' right arm to make sure it didn't just follow her movements. Meanwhile her right would make a trench run straight up the middle of the man's torso for his chin.

Of course, the man probably held the training advantage when it came to hand-to-hand combat. Possibly even greater experience. Raven's "training" consisted of busting skulls on a number of worlds on the streets. At least she wasn't leading with 'hit em in the crotch.' Doubtful the man would be impressed if she told him how considerate she was being. Something about his more elegant and noble demeanor suggested he'd ignore the remark and carry on. Like hitting someone between the legs was somehow 'beneath' a true fighter. You did what was needed to survive. Probably would miss the point of their little exchange though -- it was about becoming stronger, not winning.

Would still be karking nice to win though.

Tag: [member="Credius Nargath"]​

 

[Credius Nargath]

It was refreshing to see this woman return the favor with a display of both flexibility and a desire to learn. Though Raven's movements made it abundantly clear that she had not been properly thought in the ways of either the standard military martials arts or any other for that matter, appearently throwing herself against Credius with a fury of a brawler and not with the restraint and deliverance of a trained soldier. It was due to this brawler-like quality of her actions, that even the Marquis had problems trying to fend off her direct assault completely.

With his own stance being invaded and blocked off, the limber Pantoran managed to score a direct hit, with her knee slamming against his chin and propelling his entire upper body backwards. Yet he did not fall, on the contrary, the marquis remained standing still, back bend backwards for a slight moment, his right arm reaching out for his chin as his eyes opened swiftly. "Veritably you do got some strength in your limber physique," A chuckle escaped his lips as he lurched forward again. Tilting his neck from left to right, a sickening crackle and pop could be heard, as he yet again took his stance and made a motion at her to come at him again. "We're not done yet, just a bit more practice to work up a sweat before we can start doing some more force oriented lessons, my dear."

[member="Raven Ashe"]​

 

[Raven Ashe]

Raven stepped back and watched as the man recovered from the strike. Apparently he wasn't as affected by physical abuse like a regular person. Perhaps he'd used the Force to ground him from the assault. The Pantoran had thought of doing the same, but needed more exposure in that area. It had to be possible. While offense was certainly more enjoyable, sometimes you needed to hold off the enemy long enough for a satisfying strike.

Her countenance was dark and focused on the man as he recovered. The Marquis was as dangerous in hand-to-hand combat as he was in the Force; though she might be slightly closer in ability in the former. Only a matter of time until the gap was closer on the latter. It was not enough to merely possess the ability to harness the Force as it once was. Raven wanted more. She needed more. Perhaps the monster had dug its claws into her, or maybe it was seeing a haughty, power-hungry creature she could become in the mirror, or perhaps it was simply being thrown into the cold, bottomless depths of the Dark Side and becoming instantly addicted to it. Whatever the reason, she would surpass her Master. Wasn't that what every teacher wanted?

"As you command." A smile spread over her dark lips before Raven shot forward once more. This time she leaped into the air; her right leg would happily knock an arm aside, and after a mid-air turn her left would snap out at the man's head. That was her intention anyway. Credius had not indicated she should hold back in the slightest, and so even punch and kick was delivered was delivered in full.

Tag: [member="Credius Nargath"]​

 

[Credius Nargath]

Tilting his head a bit to the side, the marquis showed a rather sinister grin, with a sudden and swift glimmer of an amber hue washing over his silvery white eyes for a mere instance. As he gave his apprentice the go-ahead to come at him again, Credius already bent through his knees, spreading his legs apart, his right knee forward towards Darth Invicta, his left behind him, not even looking at her as he stretched out his arms and clenched his fists, letting out a long sigh, exhaling as deeply as he could.

While his apprentice lept into the air, the marquis raised his fists, instantly using his low stance to shift his bodyweight, sliding his right foot over the ground all the while with his back arching backwards. She had still managed to knock away his defensive arm, but hitting his head would be a lot harder with him shifting his balance backwards to narrowly avoid the incoming foot. "Not bad," The man let out a soft chuckle before shifting his weight again, letting his left foot slide over the ground to maneuvre around his apprentice, aiming to use the knuckes of his midllefingers in a fast and hard one-two jab towards the woman's lower back. "You have speed and agility on your side, the advantage...but also the folly of youth. Focus your aggression, hone your strengths and erase the weaknesses in your form."

Sliding his feet together and raising himself to his full height, the Marquis suddenly reached for a pocketwatch from his trousers and as he looked upon said watch, he cleared his throat. "I want you to practice not only your lightsaber forms, but also your physical reflexes and hand to hand combat. You will need it if you wish to become whole," Though he made prepeartions to leave the room, as soon as one of his feet hit the edge of the practicemat, he turned around and stretched out his arm, letting out a barrage of black lightning right upon the mat in front of the Pantoran, ripping apart the fabric and searing the metal underneath. "If I sense you losing your grip on that beast again...I will not be so lenient. Come now, I expect you to be ready for your assignment before I take off."

[member="Raven Ashe"]

 

[Raven Ashe]

Raven landed on the mat with a stumble and her upper body bent forward. Her eyes were pinched with the impact of the man's strike as she forced herself to pivot in case he followed up. "Focus my aggression?" With it evident the man wasn't going to move toward her, Raven's right hand reached back to rub where he'd struck her. A soft cough followed the mild ache and more so the wounded pride. Obviously his technique was more refined. Likely more experienced as she'd expected too.

A pinch brow and the blue woman regarded the Marquis as he spoke. "I will. Something tells me they're skills I'll use more regularly." It was that or have the man knock the kark out of her as he grew increasingly dissatisfied with her progress. She might not be a Sith Lord, but she wasn't thick. Despite her acceptance, however, a frown soon followed as the man seemed to be preparing to leave the room after regarding his watch. Appeared they hadn't just been warming up after all.

With the appearance of the lightning and Credius' words, Raven's golden eyes took a hard edge with his not so veiled threat. The Force was drawn about her instinctively, ready to respond to danger. Don't lose control, he said. Did he have a Force Monster lurking in the shadows of his mind constantly pushing her to devour her enemies? Did he actually lose sleep with that incessant voice of a creature that had no actual regard for the 'host' it had chosen? It was easy to say, it was another thing to live. Even so, she could not disagree... If anything what Credius had managed to do put her at open war with the fiend, and it could end in an instant if she were not careful.

She turned and strode away from the lightning as it seemed their match was over and there was business at hand. "I do not tarry, Master." Credius wouldn't need to worry about finding her captivated by a butterfly as it rested upon a flower in the garden. If he gave her an assignment and a timetable to follow, it'd get done. "Where shall I present myself as you depart?"

Tag: [member="Credius Nargath"]​

 

[Credius Nargath]

"I have some dealings with the Corporate Protectorate," The Marquis' lips seemed to thin when mentioning that faction. Though it had begun with some promise and though he still had ample opportunities within said faction, Credius was apragmatist and he felt it to be the moment of cashing in his stakes and to salvage whatever he could. New factions had risen and new opportunities had arisen within the rubble of the galaxy's history, all fighting to claim a part within the galaxy's future. "I will be attending a speech of the Premier of the Osseriton pact as well...some issues with Mandalor also ask for at the very least my attention. There will most likely be ample opportunity for you to expand both your experience with combat and with business."

When reaching the door, the man took a step aside and slid open a panel, behind which he got himself a clean, pressed shirt, a cravat, his oh-so prominent family jewel, a gillet and his vest. When he was done pulling on his clothes to look properly, the man grabbed a pair of gloves and gave a nodtowards his apprentice to follow him. "Though my public façade does demand a certain presence and transparancy from me...you are outside of this system and if you make sure never to mix up my mask with my reality, you will have a fruitful career and a bright future ahead. For now, I merely wish for you to continue working with the Outer Rim Coalition, Observe their actions, their companies...when you think you've found some persuadable individuals or you think people are on your trail, do not hesitate to call on me."

For a moment, Credius suddenly showed a slight grin upon his face, seemingly wondering about something. "Perhaps you could create a small team for yourself, a band of rogues, smuglers...the likes. It might come in handy to have such contacts for future...endeavours."

[member="Raven Ashe"]

 

[Raven Ashe]

Raven slowly followed the Marquis. Her hand reached out into the air to conjure her own jacket from where it had been cast. As the Pantoran slipped her arms into the supple material, she could feel the monster return from lurking along the perimeter of the room. A coat of a different kind.

Credius made mention of not confusing the two he himself wore. It brought forth a mirthless smile from the blue woman. It was amusing in an infuriating manner how easily the Lords tended only to their own concerns. Don't let his secret out? She certainly wouldn't intentionally, but it had just been this day where the future was not one of certain, all-consuming darkness. One where insanity took her and who knew what might fall from her lips then. Perhaps the course had altered. Perhaps all was well. Raven wondered if he'd notice any better than most if things deteriorated.

You'll always have me.

She could feel the Force Fiend's metaphysical drool on her shoulder. Yes, if she went mad the beast might hope she'd fail to notice it devouring her from the inside.

"As you say, Master. I will continue among them and others to explore what resources we can use to our own advantage." After all, it was possible. Now more than ever with the risk of the Monster devouring people at random seemingly out of the way. Perhaps getting closer -- being more useful -- to certain elements of the Coalition were possible now. Opportunities that had seemed merely a dream could be realized. A life could be lived once more without fear of spontaneously combusting and taking a planet with her.

"I will be available, should you have need of my services." After all, it would be nice to learn more about the Dark Side from someone experience with it. Fun as it was to force it into submission on her own, Raven would like to understand the true depth of the power all but thrust upon her. It was a hunger that had gnawed on her mind since her awakening, and now because of what the Marquis had done it was all the more ravenous.

Tag: [member="Credius Nargath"]​