Private Vulptex on the Run

[Darth Strosius]

Dreshdae, the newly restored and reoccupied capital city of the ancient world Korriban, was certainly a sight to behold. Even with it still under construction and in the process of being brought back to its former, or even greater, glory. Alisteri had gotten a fairly decent look around on the flight to the city and during his time as a "guest" of the planet's "king" Darth Caedes , but to see it from street level was another matter entirely. And one that had necessitated a quick escape from the escort of guards that he had been under the watchful gaze of in order to experience.

He idly wondered how long it would take before proper search parties were sent out after him but he knew well enough that finding a spare ship and leaving the ancient world far behind wasn't an option. The Omen was still hanging far overhead above the city after all, and he had little doubt that any unauthorized launches from the spaceport would be tolerated given that he was on the loose for the moment.

At the same time though he had little intent of just waiting around for the guards to comb the city and find him, so he found himself standing outside of the city's Sith Academy. Much like the rest of Korriban it was very much a work in progress, having been all but totally destroyed by the occupiers of Korriban after the Sith Empire had fallen, but its restoration was clearly a priority. His masked gaze wandered from the grand entrance to the heavy doors keeping it sealed from unwanted access.

Alisteri spared a glance around to ensure that there were no cameras or patrols around before his hand reached out to wrap around the handle of one of the doors. With a mighty yank he tore the locked door from its hinges and dropped it with a hefty thud. "Whoops, they left it unlocked." He noted under his breath with a small smirk as he strode inside the academy.

Madrona A’Mia

 

[Madrona A’Mia]

T H U N K

The sound drew A'Mia away from the anatomical charts she was reviewing on her datapad where she stood beside a wide bay window, soaking up what remained of the afternoon light. Most current recruits were out back running through drills in the ample yard and the Academy was still operating on what would be considered a skeleton crew with half the building still undergoing renovation. Which is why the new medical officer had the reading room, upstairs and adjacent to the foyer, all to herself.

Form somewhat amorphous from photosynthesis, she stashed her datapad away as she heard a second lesser thud and slinked quickly to the edge of the walkway. She was hardly humanoid at the moment, and to a passing glance she might appear like a rather exotic houseplant. A'Mia froze while she peered over the banister to sate her curiosity, phrik blades already grasped by two primary vining appendages.

For his part, Darth Strosius would find the Academy very well prioritized indeed. The foyer was empty, the halls quiet, but it’s stone floors were pristine and the interior was smartly furnished. It all had a rather neo-gothic look about it. As if at once calling upon the planet's proud and ancient history, while also shepherding in a new era of structural beauty whose aesthetic ultimately served the purpose of inspiring all who trained beneath its roof.

 

[Darth Strosius]

Alisteri's masked gaze swept over the entrance hall as he strode inside, idly recalling the handful of times that he had visited the academies of Korriban in the past. This would be the third time that it had a different master to work under, a different Sith ruling and influencing the new generations brought into the Sith here. How odd it was that it had changed hands thrice in his own lifetime. But this ancient world of the Sith was indeed a graveyard of the empires and Sith long past, and as such new tenders and occupants were always needed to upkeep it.

The style of the architecture was something to behold, even complete with furniture and some other decorations. At least the new ruler of Korriban knew how to pay homage to the grandness of such and old and holy world he supposed. Thankfully his trek through the halls had gone seemingly without notice and thus without interruption thus far. Where any students of the academy had gotten off to was another matter that he chose not to investigate for the moment. So long as they left him alone then he could return the favor.

But then something set off his senses, something that his idle probings in the Force had found that was most certainly not just the result of Korriban's own presence. He wasn't alone after all. With a twitch of his fingers his lightsaber was summoned from his belt to one of his hands, his thumb hovering over the switch that would ignite the red blade as he surveyed his surroundings more closely.

Madrona A’Mia

 

[Madrona A’Mia]

A'Mia watched the intruder move, instantly certain that he would be a ferocious combatant. The lines of fire which spidered his form were complex and too intricate for her to suss out from so far away. Curiosity and duty moved her to engage. As the man strode down one of the long corridors, the Neti's form coalesced fully into her most humanoid appearance and she nimbly used the banister railing to lift herself in an acrobatic tumble to the lower level. She landed in the center of the foyer to bloc the ruined front door some twenty odd feet from where he now stood.

All weapons were hidden for the time being amongst her long mane of vines. She was barefoot, dressed in black fitted uniform pants and a cropped black undershirt which left her navel bare. Though odd, she might appear unassuming and non-threatening with palms out to her side as if to say "what's all this?"

Recognition dawned as the man fully registered her presence. His sleek mask gave the impression of high sweeping cheekbones, a cold metal gaze. Suddenly she was electric with intrigue about the face beneath even as she called out in a familiar tone.

"You're the zealot I’ve heard so much about."

Darth Strosius​

 

[Darth Strosius]

The masked man's head tilted back as he heard someone land behind him, a very soft and subtle landing he might add. He turned to regard the figure now blocking the front door, keeping his lightsaber slightly hidden at the side facing away from the woman. Her attire didn't resemble what he would usually associate with that of a Sith Acolyte but he could definitely sense her within the Force. Perhaps this renewed Korriban academy had a different dress code than the ones of the past did then.

His head cocked to the side as she adopted her unassuming and seemingly unbothered stance as if his forced entry into the building was a minor inconvenience. How curious. Her remark noticeably made the tension in his shoulders slacken as a silent sigh left his lips. Alisteri turned to face her fully, his arms crossed behind his back with his lightsaber clutched firmly in his hand.

"I see that I'm more infamous than I initially thought." He responded simply, in a neutral and almost formal tone. He glanced the odd Acolyte up and down for a moment before he continued. "Yes, I am Darth Strosius of the Sith. Although you seem to hold an unfair advantage in that regard, as I'm afraid that I'm not as familiar with yourself."

Madrona A’Mia

 

[Madrona A’Mia]

He stood at a height equal to hers currently and her large blue-green eyes did nothing to conceal the way she studied him, seemed to almost look through him. His energy was rigid and she could see that it was both a point of great power within him but also a weak point. There were ways that it made him brittle, liable to snap.

Interesting, she mused.

The tall casually dressed woman straightened up with decorum so she could bow, placing one fist into the palm of the other as she inclined her head while never lowering that piercing gaze.

"Well met Darth Strosius of the Sith. I am A'Mia, medical officer of the Korriban military."

She straightened up again, her form very subtly shifting as she did, adding a few more inches to her already impressive height. The average person might write it off as a trick of the light but Darth Strosius was no average man. She turned her head slightly to give the broken door a glance over her shoulder then looked at him sidelong with a wry smile.

"Do you have a particular prejudice against wood that I ought to be aware of?"

 

[Darth Strosius]

Alisteri didn't care much for the way that the woman stared at him, or rather through him as though she could see into his very being with her eyes alone, but he made no moves to end her gaze. Appearing still and silent like a statue on display as if he was completely unbothered by her piercing stare. He had half a mind to throw something at her just to get her eyes to look at something other than himself for a moment or two.

An eyebrow raised behind his mask at the bow, his head tilting down slightly to track her gaze with his own masked one. Whether it was sarcastic or not was difficult to discern. Either way he simply responded with a nod as she stood up straight once more. His gaze narrowed slightly as she did so and cast a glance back at the door behind her. Had she grown a bit taller or was it just his imagination?

He could have sworn that they were roughly equal height when he was first looking her over...

"Only when it gets in my way." The Knight shrugged nonchalantly and idly rolled his shoulders afterwards as if he was making himself comfortable. Or making himself ready to strike. "I do hope that I didn't disturb your daily affairs A'Mia, I simply found the door a bit resistant to my attempt to enter this academy. It proved...unworthy of standing between me and this treasured institution."

Madrona A’Mia

 

[Madrona A’Mia]

Her smile grew in contrast to the stoney demeanor he put forth, though the expression never seemed to reach her eyes. Where moments ago she had been lost in the review of anatomical differences between species, quizzing herself for fieldwork, now she was faced with an entirely more interesting matter. Darth Strosius was guarded, even a tad aggressive about his presence in the academy being confronted.

"I would be remiss if I didn't take this opportunity to meet one of your station, and to show you the splendor of this fine institution," she said brightly, calculating eyes still boring into him.

A'Mia suddenly strode toward Darth Strosius with all the grace of a dancer intent on engaging a dance partner. She was testing his boundaries and if he grew more aggressive like she suspected he might, she would halt to reassess. Her caution was not out of fear for herself but rational in nature. She knew well that she was like a crow harrying an eagle, the move would reveal more about his purpose here and she felt confident in her ability to avoid his talons.

"Allow me to be your guide, Sir," she offered congenially as she moved to close the distance.

 

[Darth Strosius]

The masked man scoffed at the remark and resisted the urge to roll his eyes. "I wasn't aware I had a station of any kind." Especially not in Kainite territory. Given all that he had done both actively and passively to disrupt the area since its reclamation he was surprised that the Dark Lord of the Kainate hadn't ordered his head on a platter the moment he entered into their space. That's certainly what he would have done had the situation been reversed anyway.

A'Mia's sudden advance towards him did cause Alisteri to tense up a bit and press his thumb against the activation switch of his lightsaber, but the blade never ignited. While he would prefer a good bit of distance between himself and an unknown variable it wasn't as if she was armed from what he could tell. Not in any way that proved too much of a threat to him at the very least.

Besides, if he did have to take a stab at her it would be far easier to do if she was within arms reach. "By all means," He gestured to the halls around them and took a step back as she neared as if to allow her chance to move past him. "Lead the way."

Madrona A’Mia

 

[Madrona A’Mia]

A'Mia continued to stride forward, truly closing the distance when the man gave no outward sign that things would devolve into violence. Yet.

"Perhaps not yet but your reputation proceeds you. I would guess that the powers which be might prefer to work with you rather than be forced to snuff you out," she mused cheerfully, smile fading into a mask of contemplation.

The towering woman made to take his arm in the formal gesture of dance but saw the way he subtly shirked her contact. She brushed by instead, keeping an eye on him sidelong as she did and tipped her head toward the stone stairs which led back up to the sun room from whence she'd come.

"Fetching my uniform, then your tour begins."

A'Mia was quick about it, leading him up the stairs with spritely steps, swinging her jacket across her shoulders after pulling her hair out of the way, then turning to take him deeper into the building from the second level. They passed a huge unfinished statue of some Sith Lord of old whose masked face and flowing vestments emerged partway from the surrounding stone that the academy was carved into.

"One of our two common rooms," she gestured as they neared.
"So what brings you to our humble academy?"

Like the rest of what Darth Strosius had seen, the place was lavish but not gaudy. It was clear that no expense had been sparred on the furnishings nor on the masterwork architecture which gave the impression that this stately building was merely an extension of the natural environment of Korriban.

Art by Darth Caedes

 

[Darth Strosius]

Rather than offer the younger Sith some witty response or wise remark to her surprisingly insightful observation, perhaps Caedes had been flaunting his name about as though he were some prized bauble, he instead spared a small and very cynical laugh. Really it was more of a prolonged scoff mixed with a sarcastic chuckle. It also served as the perfect guise to lean away as A'Mia moved to take his arm. He wasn't someone in need of escorting after all, and certainly not by strange Acolytes that seemed to get taller every time that he glanced away from them.

Alisteri didn't hesitate to trail after her as the ascended the stairs, his gaze flickering between observing his surroundings and keeping a close eye on his apparent 'tour guide.' The statue held his attention for a few moments as they strode by it. He idly wondered if it was made in the image of a Sith that he had read about or heard of before but none in particular came to mind when viewing the unfinished carving.

Masks and robes were a staple of the Sith of course, a tradition that he very much kept alive with his own attire. They all payed homage to the ancients that came before in their own ways he supposed.

The common room looked surprisingly natural and even somewhat comfortable despite its fairly lavish furnishings and clear evidence of carving and building to create it. Was it meant as a symbolic display of Sith taming the nature of Korriban itself perhaps? "I was in the area and decided to see how the reconstruction and reestablishment effort was coming along." It wasn't technically a lie.

The last time he had seen an academy on Korriban it was a bombed and ruined husk of a building, a far cry from what he saw now. "Korriban is both a historical symbol of the Sith and a very vital world in the more practical sense, a dichotomy that requires such a subtle yet integral balance to maintain, wouldn't you agree?"

Madrona A’Mia

 

[Madrona A’Mia]

The odd acolyte turned to gaze down at him in consideration, hands folded before her, looking far more formal now. She noted his contemplation at the statue, studying him more closely while she had the opportunity without the thrilling tension of imminent violence.

As was true with most powerful individuals, his energetic makeup was a complex weave. The upright strength of his zealotry seemed to fuel him, gave him dogmatic strength that could not be wrested from him. However, she sensed that this too was where that brittleness lie. Her guess was that he had a short fuse but she was left to wonder what might light it.

A’Mia remained at the entryway to the common room for a little while to allow him a chance to take it all in but also so she could consider his pointed question. She nodded slowly, her eyes roaming toward the expansive window which provided a stunning view of a vast rock formation in the distance.

"Yes, I think I understand your meaning. In a balanced ecosystem or within a health body for instance there are micro, mezzo, and macro level functions. Operating on their independent levels of power but interplaying with the other levels as well. Subtle yet integral."

This pupil-less blue-green pearls returned to gaze at him again as she pointed a long red brown finger toward the center of his chest.

"But Korriban is just one small, albeit marvelous planet in a huge galaxy. Where do you fit in to all of that? I find myself curious if you intend to have a hand shaping things here or if your focus is broader than that."

For all that A'Mia had alluded to Darth Strosius being her superior within the hierarchy in some way, she certainly wasn't speaking to him as such. Though perhaps a little meandering and philosophical in nature, her pondering had brought her back to a very blunt question about who exactly he thought he was in the grand scheme of Korriban and among the Sith.

 

[Darth Strosius]

Despite his better judgement he chose to stomach the piercing gaze of A'Mia as he regarded and studied his surroundings. Alisteri had his reservations about the young Sith but at the very least she hadn't turned hostile nor seemingly summoned any sort of guards or reinforcements to try and apprehend him. Whatever game she was playing was one that he could go along with for now.

Until one of their patience ran too thin to play nice anyway. "Take a picture, it'll last longer." He remarked as his gaze shifted back to the taller woman. Her own reply to his proposed question was refined and went a fair bit deeper in the technical aspect than he had intended, not that he was complaining about that of course, but her pointing finger was far less appreciated. Were such gestures not considered to still be rude these days? Between that and the staring he highly doubted that his 'tour guide' cared regardless.

"I'm afraid you're asking the wrong question if you're looking to sate your curiosity on such matters." With his hands crossed behind his back once more, and his lightsaber tucked away in his cloak for later use, he stepped past A'Mia to slowly stride into the common area. HIs gaze dancing between furniture and decorations as though the other Sith wasn't there at all. "It's not what I intend to do, nor what my focus is, that matters in that regard. Rather," He paused and glanced back at her. ", what I can do and what I shall do are far more important questions to be asking."

A seemingly meaningless correction and assertation but Alisteri didn't allow much time for his words to be considered before he continued. "I know not where I 'fit in to all that' as you say, but I do know my own capabilities and limitations that affect my actions and decisions." Again his attention shifted as he stepped between two seats to get a better look at one of the hanging banners.

"In regards to Korriban in particular? There is no future here that I can see as of this moment in time. I have no interest in the affairs of Kainites and Kings, I helped to reclaim this holy world and for now that is all that I can accomplish in regards to it." His head cocked to the side as he turned his gaze back to A'Mia, this time for far longer and more purposeful than a simple glance. "So where do you 'fit in' Medical Officer A'Mia? Where is your place on Korriban? In the galaxy? And how do you determine it?"

Madrona A’Mia

 

[Madrona A’Mia]

Her contemplative expression broke into a smile at his comment, she was apparently delighted by his verve, but again the expression never did seem to reach her eyes. A'Mia moved her attention around the room with his instead, looking at what he seemed to be focusing on as he spoke. Padding footsteps took her to stand across from one of the low tables from him so when he turned to address her again she looked back sidelong.

"So despite your efforts here in reclamation, the prospect of working alongside or for a faction you have disagreements with is too distasteful a prospect?" She was guessing, still probing for answers.

"I am but one leaf on a grand tree for now but I feel certain I am right where I need to be," her voice softened in consideration and she now seemed to be keeping her gaze from him, having noted his discomfort.
"I have purpose and responsibility here, this is a role I fill to pursue greater opportunities. Namely, I seek a master. My force capabilities are strong but untrained."

A'Mia spoke with confidence. Not only was she clearly very sure of herself but she sounded certain that her chosen path would lead her where she wanted to be.

Darth Strosius​

 

[Darth Strosius]

"I work alongside Sith. Not the underlings of a tyrant calling himself one." He replied simply. idly noting A'Mia's new position after she had moved. Again it wasn't something that would offer her too much of an advantage if they were to come to blows. Perhaps he had spent too much time mentally preparing for a duel after all given her lack of apparent preparedness in return.

"A grand tree hm?" Not the worst metaphor that Alisteri had ever heard but definitely the strangest when coming from a Sith. "With any luck you can find yourself a competent master then, otherwise your capabilities will prove useless without proper training." Raw strength and power were nothing without refinement and appropriate channeling after all. It was a lesson that many Sith had to learn at one point or another in their lives, that wielding one's power and abilities in a cohesive and ordered manner far outclassed pure unfiltered strength even when one was underpowered in return.

That was how he had stayed alive this long despite his run ins with opponents that were far more powerful than himself of course, he knew exactly what he was capable of and how best to make use of himself in order to survive.

"Korriban has enlightened and empowered many souls across its history, and it has served as the resting place for many more. Do take care and ensure that you are part of the former over the latter." Finally Alisteri moved again to run his gloved hand across the top of one of the seats that helped to fill out the common room as he passed by it, seemingly in a simple stride around the room.

Madrona A’Mia

 

[Madrona A’Mia]

Other details Darth Strosius might note as he drifted about the room included a very old fashioned looking masterwork globe detailing Korriban's general topography, a holochess table, as well as many beautiful rock and metal motifs. Though the room, as with much of the academy, had ample natural light there were sleek metal light fixtures throughout. It was an interesting aesthetic and again one which pointed towards no expense being spared. Though the quarters were lavish, there was something still very military about them, including a metal armament stand tucked discreetly in one corner.

She watched him trace a hand along the couch, a sudden thrill of suspicion running through her, but noticed nothing amiss in his doing so. Her determination to get answers from him was dogged though her tone remained light and friendly.

"Oh I will not meet my end any time soon," her confidence made the statement a fact.
"I'm as tenacious as a weed. Perhaps before we next meet I will have grown into an entire branch on that great tree."

A'Mia's propensity for metaphors and similes seemed boundless.

"Then you consider your own master a fair one? Not a 'tyrant' as you say?"

 

[Darth Strosius]

The overall aesthetic of the room was not lost on Alisteri as his gaze wandered from the grand globe to the various light fixtures illuminating the room. It was one that he was familiar with, the grandiose display held aloft by practical and rigid structure. A blend of tradition and modern convenience really. At least the architects of the academy knew how to keep up the lofty reputation of Korriban in their work he supposed.

'Tenacious as a weed' seemed to be a far more accurate statement than he could appreciate with his limited knowledge of A'Mia if he had to guess. "Perhaps you will. Perhaps you won't." The masked man had seen his fair share of promising Sith cut down before their time, and even more stagnant Sith live long past their expiration dates.

He had yet to figure out which category he himself belonged to as of yet.

"I consider my master wise and fair, more dedicated to the Sith than most other lords that I've met in my time." His skillful maneuvering of the question was not an accident nor was it unintentional, even if the reason for it was hard to determine. "I have found that the higher one rises within the ranks of our order, the less loyal to it they become. A more prideful and selfish bunch than a room full of Sith Lords you will never find."

Madrona A’Mia

 

[Madrona A’Mia]

What Darth Strosius didn't know was that A'Mia's confidence was born of her birthright as a Neti. The strange, incredibly long lived and always force sensitive species was hardy, very difficult to kill outright. Though she was far from invincible she was certain that her general survival instincts and martial prowess were enough to keep her alive even if living did not always equate to winning.

Another thrill ran through her at his words. Finally they were getting somewhere.

"And does that vex you? Their lack of loyalty?"

She tried to keep her voice conversational but intense curiosity lay just beneath the surface.

 

[Darth Strosius]

The question made the masked man scoff and gesture towards A'Mia in a dismissive manner, as though she had said something that he found insulting in some way. "It should vex us all! They continue to sacrifice the good of the Sith as a whole in favor of increasing their own power and prestige. As though such things matter in a weakened order of Sith." Alisteri sighed and shook his head.

"Do they not teach you of our history? Of how our 'lords' abandoned the Sith Empire and allowed it to be surrounded on all sides by foes that tore it down." His voice filled with venom and wrath, his presence in the Force suddenly seeming far more apparent and aggressive than the reserved and subtle one he had before. "Korriban, Dromund Kaas, Ziost, Thule, so many worlds burned because the powers that be fled with their chosen few and hid amongst the stars."

He wandered to the globe and reached up as if to run a hand down it, a hand that quickly turned into a fist. "Cowards, traitors, liars, and tyrants the lot of them!" The masked man hissed under his breath, taking a moment to recompose himself before he looked back at A'Mia. "The only reason we have the ancient worlds back in our grasp at all is because the Kainate was sent away after their little spat with Empyrean. Reclaimed as a means of exile and compromise rather than to genuinely restore it to Sith rule once more. An insult to such great worlds and the Sith that once lived upon them."

Madrona A’Mia

 

[Madrona A’Mia]

A'Mia cocked her head at an angle as his scoff met her ears, then her whole body turned to face him as the wave of his emotion came crashing down to ripple through the force. As his venom and wrath loomed before her very eyes, her energy responded like a black hole drawing it to her. As if the gravitational pull of her curiosity had a devouring nature. Would that she could emote like him, like normal people did, she mused. It was not the first time nor would it be the last she was wracked with that deep seated longing to feel such intense and varied emotions for herself.

She listened to his impassioned tirade in full, soaking it in with an intensity of focus befitting a student hanging on the words of a teacher. When he finished speaking, she even waited to see if he would continue, hoping perhaps there would be more. Finally she spoke, stepping forward just a bit to close the distance but not to crowd him.

"They do teach of our history here. In fact, I myself am somewhat of a relic of history. I was there on Kashyyyk under the One Sith, fighting to defend the planet from reclamation by Jedi forces." An event some 55 years or so passed.

"And I have since read what happened there after my living entombment on the planet. An imprisonment I woke from to find the structure of old completely tattered and replaced by new, disparate parts. Having seen just a small piece of Sith history unfold before my eyes, I cannot help but wonder…"

She gestured out to the world at large, as if to indicate the very galaxy itself.

"You speak as if you have a cure for this ailment of greed, of weakness and self centered-ness. You are passionate in your resolve. So I ask Darth Strosius, how would you unite the Sith to make us whole? Those interlocking levels I mentioned earlier, how do you piece together such disparate parts to create a strong and functional overarching system that will not cannibalize itself with infighting?" Infighting you perhaps contribute to with your vehement distaste of certain factions within the Sith, she thought but did not add.

Darth Strosius​