Private Thicker Than Water

[Veradun Sharr]

The youth pondered on Kasir’s words for a moment. He couldn’t really deny that the action he had committed hadn’t been instinctive; it had all happened so fast, and when he realized what he had done it was already too late for the man whom he had killed. Not that it really bothered him.

“I suppose you are right. My Father told me the same thing - that I would learn which battles were important and which ones were not worth my time.”

Veradun appeared contemplative, upon hearing that Kasir was willing to shield him should consequences indeed arise from their actions. The gesture was…thoughtful, but unnecessary. He’d never been one to hide or push away consequences for his own actions, as he’d been raised to own up to his own mistakes - if and when he made them.

“I appreciate the gesture Kasir but I am capable of handling any punishments that come my way for any actions I take. Knowing our High Priest, he would reprimand us both anyway, if he felt it was necessary. Which I don’t think he would, not for this.” the boy replied, a small smile turning at the corner of his lips.

Indeed, the dead man was one less issue to deal with. And maybe those still dealing with the aftermath of the killing would learn not to irritate a Sith on a mission.

Veradun waited to see if Kasir would involve himself with the resistant and greedy fruit vendor; the Nagai was keen to pick up on the fact that he could use the elder Sith and his skills to his advantage, and he was quick to use such skills in this situation. He heard Kasir mutter under his breath as the taller Sith stepped forward, and the boy couldn’t help but smirk slightly as mirth danced in his icy blue eyes.

Truthfully, he quite enjoyed seeing Kasir work. He was learning a bit from the man, simply by watching him. And indeed, his smile widened a bit more when he sensed the Force shift, and heard the trembling words tumble from the Gotal’s lips.

He could almost taste the vendor’s fear - and his pale gaze followed the alien’s body as it slumped unconscious. “Hmm.” Veradun rumbled in his chest as he turned his attention back to Kasir, who had snatched one of the vendor’s fruits for himself, and the boy caught the second fruit that was tossed his way. “I suppose we do have a direction now. Good work.” he murmured before biting into the flesh of the fruit, savoring its sweetness.

“You know…I’m having fun. Certainly beats the mundane and frankly boring atmosphere of the Academy. Let’s see what other kinds of adventures we can conjure for ourselves.” Veradun said with a mischievous smirk dancing over his gaunt face as he stepped back onto the main road that would take them further into the heart of the city.

Kasir Dorran​

 

[Kasir Dorran]

Veradun Sharr

The Sith listened intently as Veradun spoke, a smirk playing along his lips once more, divided between the boy’s words and the taste of a free meal he obtained. Leaning back against the stand with what appeared to be a relaxed demeanor, he continued to savor each bite, the juices trickling down his fingers. Even with the unconscious Grotal to his back, he felt grounded in the present. Between his companion’s voice and the quiet satisfaction of the fruit, it created some sort of peculiar harmony, as though it momentarily balanced all the nonsense they experienced since arriving on Faldos.

As he finished the last bite of the shuura and caught the word 'adventure', a rare flicker of amusement crossed his face—perhaps even hinting at camaraderie, something he had only experienced a few times in nearly three decades of life.

As the younger Sith stepped back to the main road, he pushed himself off the stand, exuding an air of nonchalance. With a casual stretch of his arms, he released any tension, and soon heard a grunt escaping the recovering alien creature. Ignoring the patrolling security that seemed to be at every corner of the Lord Inquisitor's city, Kasir casually joined Veradun's side, as if their recent transgressions carried no weight.

Surprisingly, the boy's words resonated with Kasir, for in the endless chaos that stretched across the galaxy, even the Darkseeker found himself enjoying something different, a stark contrast from the destruction that defined his very existence. They were two strangers venturing beyond the boundaries of their usual realm.

A brief silence stretched between them as they walked, his jaw clenching, hesitating even, as he fought against the whispers of his darker side. The words that began to claw their way up from his throat felt foreign. “It does feel odd to say.. But I’m enjoying myself too,” he began, his voice smooth, and still laced with a hint of danger. He tried to find clarity in it. “I suppose the unpredictable nature of this bizarre city and the potential for chaos.. it does make my heart sing with glee.”

With each step, they drew closer towards the heart of the city, and his head slowly turned to regard his companion. “When I think back on it, the academy tried to instill within me flawed views, shackling any potential to grow beyond its walls. I’m certain they still cling to..outdated doctrines.” He returned his focus back ahead, taking in all of the new sights around them. “From what I’ve gathered, our destinies are quite different. I wasn’t sponsored and chose to find Formos after the academy. But even now, many years later, I stand by that decision.”

Having journeyed across countless planets and systems, Kasir found that barracks often shared similar traits. Scanning the distant building, he was sure it was the one they were meant to be searching for. “You will soon enter the deeper waters with your training,” he said calmly. “What say you to the idea? Are you eager for the apprenticeship, or do you have any doubts attempting to hold you back?”

Nearing a choice at the end of the long road, he turned right before the large structure. "It looks like we’re getting close.”

 

[Veradun Sharr]

“I think I rather like the chaotic nature of the city. Certainly beats the atmosphere of the Academy. I don’t mind the strict structure too much, but it is nice to just get out and explore a bit and let loose.” Veradun paused for a heartbeat, before speaking the rest of his thoughts aloud. “That and doing this gives me a chance to find my parents and my little siblings. I just want to know they made it safely. I know they can take care of themselves but…they took me in when Revna brought me to Formos. I feel like I at least owe them this. If something has happened to them, I want to do what I can to help them out. Like they did for me.”

Together the two traveled further and deeper into the city; the further away from the markets they went, the more the city began to appear more industrialized, the living conditions appearing more rough. The young teen paid attention to his surroundings a little bit more as he listened to Kasir who shared a bit more about his time in the Academy with him.

“I am not sure if the Academy always did sponsorships or not. Not all hopefuls who showed up to the trials I went through had a sponsor. Some, like myself, had more than one. And they preached Eternalist doctrine; I’m sure they tried shoving that down your throat too. Was good to at least learn what the majority of the Sith Order believes - even if it does differ from what the High Priest has taught us.”

Veradun’s blue gaze landed on a couple of hooded individuals by a street corner, who seemed wrapped up in their own conversation, but still he felt a prickle on the back of his neck upon seeing them. In this strange and unknown city, everything and everyone was a possible threat to him and so he was guarded and prepared should he need to fight. The two strangers stared at him and Kasir as they passed by, before turning and walking away. Veradun watched the two hooded strangers disappear, before turning his attention back to Kasir and the path before them.

Eventually, they came upon a building that was in much the same shape as many others around them, but appeared to be a sort of housing structure or barracks. As they did so, Kasir asked his young Nagai companion if the boy was ready for the journey that was an apprenticeship, or if he had any doubts holding him back about it. Veradun appeared thoughtful for a few moments, before speaking:

“Having a singular Master to teach me would leave gaps in my education that I would need to fill myself. That is an advantage the Academy has right now. However…I like the idea of a more personal one on one education. At the Academy, you don’t get that personalized education. You’re just one among many, nothing special to anyone - and if you are, then you have a giant target painted on your back. You don’t get to know your master, learn their strengths and weaknesses. I suppose…that is what I am most excited for, and nervous for. Obviously, this Stranger isn’t the High Priest; so my doubts kind of lay in what he might teach me that would contradict what I’ve been taught thus far. And if I should hold true to my values or…bend to my Master’s will.”

The pale boy fell silent as they came to a corner, and followed Kasir as the older Sith made a right turn before the large building. The prospect of being closer to their destination brought a thrill to the boy’s heart that he wasn’t expecting. He felt excitement to see his family again, but he tried to temper it with caution. Until he laid eyes upon them, then he really couldn’t say if they were safe and sound or not.

He just didn’t know what he was going to do if they were not here on Faldos with the others.

“Looks like we are. At least, I hope so anyway.”

Kasir Dorran​