Who Needs This Place Anyway?

[Mariya Pyne]

The blaster felt heavy. Mandy had never held a real weapon in her hands before. She liked the way it felt, the power and confidence it granted her. The ability to control her own fate lay in the strength that blaster gave to her. She didn't feel malevolent, but rather a feeling of security. She was tired of being kicked around the streets of the underground. The slums of the now defiled Coruscant were a pitiful place. Scrounging daily for food, always worried the person standing beside you would rob you of what little you had. She wanted out. And today was the day.

Mandy had stolen this blaster from some poor sod who sat eating his meal, unsuspecting of the teenage girl. She slipped away and headed toward the entrance of this sector's most notorious crime lord. Her plan? Threaten him, scare him with the blaster a bit, and get some money to hitch a ride on the first ship off of this forsaken planet.

She sat, shrouded by the darkness of an alleyway, staring intently at the door guards. She would have to wait until they split up, or were distracted. Mandy knew that the two of them wouldn't be intimidated by a teenager with a blaster, but one of them, by himself, caught off guard, would be a different story. And thus she waited, glancing once in a while as others passed by the alley, hiding the blaster from view. She didn't want to actually harm anyone, but she needed her ticket off this heap, and she wasn't waiting another day.

[member="Darth Venefica"]

 

[Via Dolorosa]

Coruscant, the once and mighty planet that once sat at the head of the table and dished out its scraps to the lesser and meaningless worlds, was no more. The once proud planet, where the Senate once made laws to fatten their pockets, now sat in a haze of darkness and despair, where the strong struggled to survive; and the weak left to fade into extinction. Since the Sith razed the upper level to the ground, the Under City now became the new Coruscant, where crime lords and swoop bike gangs made the laws and enforced them by any means necessary, growing fat with riches on the backs of the weak. The old may have been replaced by the new, but nothing really changed?

Oh how she loathed Coruscant. It wasn't the misery or the smells or even the discomfort of dealing with the citizens she hated. It was their weakness to strive for a better life. Perhaps their life under Sith rule was not how they imagined it, but it was far better than what the previous owners gave them. But if they wished to wallow in whatever life they conjured for themselves, denying themselves the opportunity to move forward, then this miserable wretched place they called home served them well.

Since what passed as the law around here seemed to forget at times it was the Sith that held their leash, they needed to be reminded from time to time who the master was. And that was why Darth Venefica had been dispatched. To remind them. Which to her dissatisfaction, it didn't take long to open their eyes even though two gangs now had a change in leadership. However, as she headed back to the turbolift to take her topside, she felt a tremor in the Force. It was raw and undefined but it was there. And she felt drawn to it...


[member="Mandy Diaz"]

 

[Mariya Pyne]

Now. One of the guards headed inside, likely to relieve himself, or take a break. It made no difference really, it was time to act. Mandy stepped out from the alleyway, and meandered toward the now lone guard. As she approached he held up his hand to stop her advancement. "Move along, kid. This is no place for you, and I'm not in the mood to gun down a grimey little kid today." The girl gnashed her teeth. She hated what this place had become. A vile crater infested with ruthless thugs that cared about nobody and nothing, save their credits, spice trade, and arms dealing. She wanted off world, and this was her ticket. Nothing was going to get in her way today. Not this guard, not the one inside, not the crime boss, nobody.

"Okay." She replied, before quickly drawing the blaster and pressing it against the guard's gut. "And I'm not in the mood to kill a hired thug in the middle of the day, either. So how about you walk away, pretend you saw nothing, and I wont squeeze this trigger?" The girl smiled, pressing the weapon further into his side so he knew she wasn't bluffing. He raised his hands slowly, dropping his own blaster to the ground while side-stepping away from the building before turning and running off. Mandy picked up the second blaster and continued on her mission. That's that. Now to the difficult part.

The adolescent human pressed the door slowly open, scanning the interior of the building before slipping inside. It looked like some type of club, no doubt a front for some illegal activity. She wasn't interested in the specifics though, she just wanted her money and a ride. Keeping herself hidden, ducking between various tables, crates, and walls, she continued searching through the small side-rooms in the building until she heard the voice of Raketh, the owner of this fine establishment. Judging by what she could hear, he was talking to at least two others in his native Rodian language.

Show time. She pushed the door open, both blasters drawn. Inside were seven Rodians, including the crime lord Raketh. She shouted to the men present, aiming both blasters at Raketh. "Nobody move! First person who draws their weapon will be responsible for Raketh's death. If you think I am bluffing, by all means take that risk, but after I kill him, you'll be next!" The aliens stood, confused, and appalled, that they were in the process of being held up by some human teenage punk. A number of hands looked as if they were a bit twitchy. Perhaps this isn't going to be as easy as I thought.

[member="Darth Venefica"]

 

[Via Dolorosa]

The presence was drawing her closer and closer as if the Dark Side was an invisible flashing neon sign pointing the way to her. She could feel the Dark Side resonating in this enigma , but it was barely a ripple upon the ocean of the Force. Darth Venefica had thought about scraping the investigation but curiosity had gripped her with both hands and refused to let go, leading her to some shoddy looking building. Cocking her to the right, she felt the presence stronger than before and there was something else radiating from this source. Fear, perhaps? Confusion?

Slipping through the doors of the run-down building, she crept through its halls like a wraith haunting the forests, always aware of the presence. But she felt her reward was not alone. Expanding her sense further, she felt several sentients, untouched by the blessings of the Force in the vicinity, anger emitting from each of them. Her curiosity heightened. Spying a set of rickety stairs at the end of the hallway, she moved to them, and climbed to the second level; cautious not to make noise.

Darth Venefica stood on a balcony overlooking the main room of this building, plotting several different scenerios in her head. Below her stood several Rodians and a female human a tad younger than herself, brandishing dual blasters; all unaware of her presence. And it was this female that was the source of bringing the Sith here.

She slithered into the mind of one of the Rodians, whose will was weak beyond anything she ever experienced, and quickly took control of him. "You will do as I command. Your actions and thoughts no longer belong to you. You are mine," Darth Venefica's voice echoing in his mind causing his body to relax, then commanded him to put his hand on his holstered blaster.

The Dagobah Sith's eyes fell onto the human female, watching her next move very closely; and silently unclasped her lightsaber.


[member="Mandy Diaz"]

 

[Mariya Pyne]

What is that strange feeling? I've never felt such a strange sensation before...It's as if...No!

She snapped out of her thoughts as one of the Rodians reached for his blaster. At this point it was him, or her. It appeared that he called her bluff. She couldn't afford him the time to draw that weapon. She had never fired a blaster in her life, and now she'd have to hope for the best to save her own hide. Her shoddy aim still relatively targeting Raketh, she unloaded a series of blasts, quickly changing targets to the others in the room before they had a chance to draw their weapons. One of the shots caused a recoil that sent the weapon upwards, and upon pulling the trigger again, shot out the light dangling above the ceiling.

The girl continued firing into the darkness, unsure of who, or what she was shooting at. It didn't matter. They all had to die, if not, she wouldn't see the light of day again. It was all or nothing now. Through the darkness she could hear commotion, the shuffling of feet, and a few moans. Perhaps she injured a few of them? Maybe killed one? She couldn't be sure.

The presence of being watched crawled up her back and caused her to shiver. Mandy had no idea what this was, or why she felt it. But it was there none the less. The human girl continued firing until the power cells depleted, leaving nothing but the empty clacking of the firing pin without the energy to back up the shot. Her life was now in the hands of fate. She slowly crawled along the floor, trying to feel her way toward where the gang leader had been positioned. In the chaos everyone had shuffled, and she could still hear the moaning of some of the aliens, though which was which was all but impossible for her to know.

[member="Darth Venefica"]

 

[Via Dolorosa]

The female had acted just as Darth Venefica had predicted. Upon seeing the Rodian move his hand over his blaster, she gave into her emotions of fear and opened fired. By her actions, she had caused a chaotic scene, one she was not in control of. The light above the Sith's head went out casting the room in darkness. Darth Venefica stifled a laugh as she could sense the fear in all the players below her. Through the Force, she felt three of the aliens die, whether it was luck or the Force guiding the young girl's aim, she had managed to survive the first initial encounter.

The room fell into a short lived silence that was interrupted by the moans of the wounded. The Force guiding her, the Sith lept from her perch, landing on the floor below her, and positioned herself next to the gang leader who managed to crouch and avoid the blaster fire. Her black eyes adjusting to the blackness of the room saw the female crawling toward the gang leader and herself, and that's when she made her presence known. Strumming the activation stud, the crimson blade lit up the room partially with a red, sizzling light.

Pointing the tip of her killing tool at the face of the leader to prevent him from escaping, the Sith said to the female, "Emotions can be powerful allies...as long as you're the one in control. Chaos, properly handled, can lead to order...as long as you are holding the reigns. Allow both to turn on you and your existence is forfeit." The Rodian leader began to beg for mercy and with a venomous tone in her voice, she ordered the alien to silence.

"You acted on instincts when you saw the Rodian move for his weapon. But those were actions born from fear. Fear is the greatest motivator for any survivalist but you created chaos," she said to the woman who had stopped a few feet from the Rodian and herself. "And with your chaos you created a situation beyond your control." Looking down into the pupils of the Rodain she smiled.

"This coward...is a powerful individual. If given the opportunity he will give the order to have you killed if he is set free. Do you want to die," Darth Venefica asked the girl without taking her eyes off the leader.



[member="Mandy Diaz"]

 

[Mariya Pyne]

Amidst the clamor of the unfolding events, a bright red lightsaber erupted from the surrounding darkness with a blood thirsty snap-hiss to greet the world as it sprang to life. The girl froze in place as the cloaked figure spoke, pointing the dancing blade toward Mandy's intended target. She listened to this one's speech, knowing herself that her fate would be sealed if she did not get off world before he called for the hit on her life.

"I had only hoped to threaten him. To buy my ticket off of this wretched wasteland of a planet. An opportunity for something better than what the slums of this city can offer. I miscalculated his number of guards on post. All I want is a way out of here. If his guard hadn't reached for his blaster it could have simply ended." Mandy stood up, dropping the pair of empty blasters to the floor and addressed the gang leader. "I want your cred chips...All of them." She outstretched her hand for him to place them with her.

She turned back to the one wielding the red lightsaber, "I'm not looking to die today, or in the near future for that matter. If you can get me out of here, I'll do whatever I can to repay you."

[member="Darth Venefica"]

 

[Via Dolorosa]

"Death is an inevitable path no one can stray from," Darth Venefica said while the Rodian fished through the pockets of his exquisite outfit to produce the credits the female had demanded of him. She stood studying the young girl feeling the Force flow through her and yet, to Darth Venefica's surprise, it appeared the young girl was aware of the gift that was bestowed upon her, however she seemed confused about her destiny. An idea began to manifest in her mind. She had been seeking an Apprentice for some time now, but there were none that seemed to be worthy of her teachings. Perhaps this girl was the one.

"You wish for me to be your saviour? To free you from the chains of this life and in turn chain you to a debt to me," the Sith said tapping her right index finger on her pursed lips. "That is quite a remarkable proposal, indeed." Now was the time to see if this girl was worthy or just another failure like all those that came before her.

"I have a better proposal for you. You indeed have the Force and you wish to learn more about this...to embrace a better life for yourself. This I can sense in you," Darth Venefica said. A flicker of understanding appeared in the girl's eyes when she heard the word 'Force' which drew a cold smile on the face of the Sith Knight. "Yes, you know the word. Perhaps from the lips of a Jedi? I am no Jedi but something far more glamorous...and you can be glamorous as well."

Through the windows, a light shown through casting its brightness in the room. Using the Force, the Sith called to her right hand one of the blasters lying on the floor and presented it to the girl. "I will take you away from this tragedy and give you something far better in return. I will teach you the nature of the Force and the Dark Side...and you will become my Apprentice. That is my proposal. But first, a test."

Darth Venefica powered down her weapon and returned it to her side. Pointing to the Rodian she said to the girl, "You must prove yourself. This scum lord will hunt you relentlessly on any planet you go. I do not need you distracted by constantly looking over your shoulder...so you will kill him."


[member="Mandy Diaz"]

 

[Mariya Pyne]

The Rodian backed himself against the wall, pleading and protesting his demise as the Sith Knight and human female exchanged words. "No need to do anything hasty little one. I've given you the credits you need. Buy your way off world and you won't be pursued. My men will not hunt you." Mandy looked over at [member="Darth Venefica"], her words were the golden egg she had been searching for. A way off the planet, and a link to a better life. Both of her objectives were seemingly at hand now.

"Death is not on my agenda for a long, long time. I know of the Jedi. One had been here in the past, he offered to take me with him as well, but that was before Coruscant fell apart. There's nothing left here for me anymore. I wish to leave it behind. All of it."

The girl took the blaster from the hands of the Sith, and pointed it toward the Rodian crime lord only a few meters away. She may have poor aim, but at this distance, missing was next to impossible, even for a child. Without hesitation, at the urge of the Sith, she exhaled, watching the fear in the eyes of the Rodian grow exponentially, before pulling the trigger. His lifeless body dropped back on the floor, and Mandy approached him, rummaging through what other valuables he had on hand that she could potentially sell off in the future.

Turning back to the Sith Knight, she extended her hand, "I'm Mandy. Mandy Diaz."

 

[Via Dolorosa]

She never understood the whole handshake gesture. She guessed growing up on a distant planet and etching out a life in the swamps of Dagobah never prepared her for interactions with others, aliens or humans or any combination of the two. She was not a recluse, anymore, but she never believed in such gesticulations in regards to handshaking. But as she became more aware of how the galaxy worked, one needed to adapt to their surroundings. Or risk being left behind.

Clasping her right hand to the girl's hand, she replied, "I am called Darth Venefica. But from this time forward you will refer to me as Master...and you will be my Apprentice." So it turned out that her little trip to Coruscant had proven profitable. She had set those in charge in the Under City on the proper path and found herself an Apprentice. Still, she wanted to distance herself from this world as soon as possible. No doubt this Rodain's under bosses would begin to search for their meal ticket, and though she craved confrontation in all forms; her focus was now on training this girl but before that could transpire, the girl needed to embrace the Dark Side completely. And Coruscant would not do.

"Before your training can begin...you need to fully embrace the Dark Side. Open your mind to the possibilities and open yourself up into believing these two mantras," she said releasing the girl's hand. "The first...survival. Everything you achieve and everything you desire to achieve rest on that. Not all battles are meant to be one and revenge is a powerful motivator. Only a fool looks into the face of death and does not react. The second...individualism. You are not a machine programmed to think like others. Be inquisitive...be open minded...and above all else, crave to rise above others. We will discuss that more later."

Motioning for the girl to follow her, she added one last thing, "The road ahead will be paved with pain and set backs but do not focus on your failures or pleasing me. Instead, focus on your growth and what you will become. Now and forever. Now, let us leave this world to its misery. The time has come for you to take the Great Fall."


[member="Mandy Diaz"]

 

[Mariya Pyne]

Master? Apprentice? Well that's something new.

As the girl followed her apparent master, she listened closely to the words [member="Darth Venefica"] was reciting, though, to her, it seemed like these two mantras as she called them were more or less common sense. "Not to sound disrespectful master, but, shouldn't survival and individualism be something everyone should cherish and strive for?" She shrugged, continuing on, "But, what, exactly is the Dark Side? I've heard things between the light and dark, Sith and Jedi, but they honestly sound like they are the same, are they not?"

She was unsure of what exactly she had just stepped into, and if she were any better off than she would be sitting on Coruscant, but she felt like it was her best choice right now, especially now that she had murdered one of the most notorious crime lords in that sector. "I will do what I can to better myself under your guidance. But, if I may, where exactly are we going? And what is the Great Fall?"

 

[Via Dolorosa]

"Your inquisitive mind at work. No, not everyone strives to be an individual. There are those that fear that setting themselves apart from the norm, they are in fact lesser creatures to be mocked and scoffed. They are misguided. By allowing yourself to think, to act, to live as another weakens oneself. They believe as a collective they can achieve so much more, though there is some truth to that, they are also sacrificing what defines them in return for acceptance and safety." With a slight nudge in the Force, the doors open before the pair and together they step into the crowded marketplace of the Under City. "Would you allow yourself to be told what to think...what is right and what is wrong? Would you lower yourself to believe what is truth simply because your elders and your elder's elders say it is so? Or would you seek out the truth for yourself? Or are you content on being equal based on their half truths and lies?"

Darth Venefica walked in silence allowing her words to be absorbed. She knew this girl did not see herself on equal ground of others. No, she wanted to be herself but until she realized that, she would remain flawed. "One would assume that everyone in the galaxy, strong and weak alike, would embrace such a basic concept of survival. But that is not the case. Ego and ignorance are the key elements that separate the living and the dead. Courage and overconfidence are the key elements that separate the living from the dead."

They arrived to the turbolift and after a quick scan by the Imperial soldier, they entered. The machine hummed and slightly rumbled as it moved to the top. "Stories of heroes and legends are grossly exaggerated. The first time someone spoke of a Rancor or Sarlacc did so because they survived the encounter by fleeing. They evaluated the situation and common sense and the passion to survive dictated this was a battle they could not win. There is no shame in fleeing from a battle....there is only shame when you die because you allow those traits I mentioned to override your sense of survival."

They arrived at the top and quickly moved to her shuttle to take them off-world. Once inside, Darth Venefica continued, "Jedi...Sith...two halves of a whole. The Jedi embrace the Light Side of the Force. They teach peace and swear to uphold it, despite all the conflicts tat have risen because of this. They teach that emotions such as anger, hate, pain, and fear are to be shunned. They view the Force should be used only for the protection of the galaxy while sacrificing their needs for the well being of others. In other words, through their teachings and beliefs they would have their members banish what it means to be alive; and instead embrace a meaningless life."

The shuttle climbed toward the sky, leaving Coruscant behind. "The Sith embrace the Dark Side, teaching that peace is a lie. Without conflict...without strife...without war...there can be no peace, only complacency. How would one know peace if they never experienced conflict? The Sith, unlike the Jedi, encourage the use of all emotions. It is emotions that grant you passion and it is your passion that makes you crave to be more...to have more than what the galaxy can offer." Darth Venefica motions for her Apprentice to sit and when the girl does, she adds, "Give a rich man a million credits and he will spend it wisely. Give a million credits to a poor man and they will spend it with reckless abandon. The difference, the rich man is satisfied with what he has, never allowing himself to know more than the sum of his life; never concerned that there could be much more than this. The poor man now sees a better future for himself, never allowing himself to resort back to begging or robbing. His future is always changing, his options always open. And he will fight to protect his new life; never living in the shadows of others again."

Darth Venefica sits down occupying the chair across from the girl. "As to our destination...that is my secret. As for the Great Fall...it is time to see if you are truly worthy to be called a daughter of the Dark Side."



[member="Mandy Diaz"]

 

[Mariya Pyne]

"Anyone who does not strive to be an individual is short changing themselves. Collectively, as individuals we can achieve much, each bringing their own strength to the table, however to all be the same, to believe the same things, to do the same things, that is insanity." Mandy glanced over towards her elder, "I will never be told nor forced to do something against my will, neither will I be told what to believe. That is why I wished to leave Coruscant in the first place. The low life thugs and tyrants run the streets, every day is a struggle to simply be, and I want more than that. I want to make something of myself. I want to achieve something great, to be something great, not just to be."

She paused, thinking momentarily about her choice of words, "I believe, master, that I am courageous. One would have to be to barge into a crime lord's establishment in an attempt to rob him, no? Perhaps my plan was flawed, but I wasn't going to let myself live in this dump any more than I had to. I was either getting off of this scrap heap, or I was dying by my own choice. I am certainly ignorant to things related to the Force, but I am confident that I will quell that ignorance soon enough, with your help of course."

As the pair exited the turbolift, she looked to the imperial soldier and smiled, unsure of what else was proper, before quickly following behind [member="Darth Venefica"]. "I will keep what you've said in mind, though I am far from an egocentric person. I value my own life more so than dying for the wrong reasons." She listened to the Sith Knight speak of the Jedi, and while she agreed partially, she also disagreed slightly. "But, master, what if one strives for peace by upholding the laws, can harness and control their emotions so that they are not blinded by them, while maintaining one's own singularity, protecting both those they care for and the world around them? Wouldn't that be something worthy of standing for?"

The concept of the Sith and Jedi was very confusing to her. She wasn't entirely sure if either were inherently good or evil, or if they just viewed the same beliefs in a different light. As the shuttle took flight and began raising through the atmosphere, Mandy looked out at the world before her. Demolished and barren as it was, she still thought it looked marvelous. Having never been on any kind of ship before this was another new experience she wished to bear witness to. She looked out the window as her master continued speaking about the beliefs of the Sith. She was mildly confused. "I understand the comparison of the rich and poor man, as I myself am clearly on the comparative side of the poor, but, creating war seems rather unnecessary to accomplish goals. Universal peace is an unfathomable subject. There will always be war, and I would stand where I was needed, but I think creating war for the spirit of it is unjustified, no?"

She pondered on Venefica's last words regarding the destination and the fall, nodding her head in acknowledgement. "I am ready, master."

 

[Via Dolorosa]

Darth Venefica listened as her Apprentice spoke, nodding her occasionally when she brought up certain valid pointes. War wasn't something the Knight herself sought but conflict was in her heart. And when the call to arms is sounded, she would not think twice before accepting. She didn't need a war, just conflict in her life. She knew many in the Order sought to create war when ever possible, but Darth Venefica kept her opinions to herself on such trivial matters.

"Peace...there is never peace. That is why peace is a lie. There is always some group dissatisfied with some other group which leads to war. The Sith or the Jedi can hold the galaxy in their palms, protecting the weak, protecting their loved ones, protecting the laws and yet...there will always be the disenfranchised. That is why the Jedi and the Republic continuously fail. They think everyone is happy with their current situation."

The Knight leaned back into her chair, closing her eyes. There was nor would there ever be a bond between her and space flight. She felt vulnerable in ships, leaving her life in the hands of others never settled well with her. "There is a name for those that allow themselves to be blinded by emotions, denying to control or embrace them. Jedi. A Sith's vision is never hampered by blindness because we do embrace and encourage all emotions; thus we are taught to control them. As for worthy causes, any cause you wish to undertake should be worthy, if not, then you are squandering away your life."

The ship rumbled slightly then she felt it as it made the jump to lightspeed. "Some believe that war is the only way they can maintain their lives. They believe that by killing and killing is the only way to demonstrate their power. Fools they are! I kill out of necessity...for survival...and only if there is no other solution to the problem." Darth Venefica's eyes slowly opened as the wave of uneasiness washed its self away from her. "I believe in the manipulation of others to gain advantage. I pose this question to you. What is the greater victory...killing your opponent absolutely...or turning them from their beliefs to embrace yours?"

A cold smile crept onto the face of the Sith Knight. "We shall see if you are ready."


[member="Mandy Diaz"]

 

[Mariya Pyne]

Mandy nodded through most of Venefica's speech, agreeing with what the Sith Knight was speaking about with regard to controlling one's own emotions and undertaking a worthy cause. As the ship made the jump to light speed, the girl was seemingly pleased to hear about her master's ideology on killing others. Just as she did on Coruscant, she wasn't interested in killing the Rodian if she had no need of it. But sometimes things just don't go as planned and a change of tactics is required.

Thinking for some time on the question that the Knight posed to her, she finally expelled her answer, with a bit of confidence that she was correct, if this was even a test. "I suppose that it depends on the situation in some scenarios. Generally speaking if you can avoid killing an enemy by making them into an ally that is a far greater cause than to exterminate them. But, if they cannot be trusted, or they are simply too dangerous, like Raketh back on Coruscant, killing them may on occasion be the only course of action one can take."

[member="Darth Venefica"]

 

[Via Dolorosa]

Clapping her hands as she leaned forward, she let out a small laugh before saying, "Well said my Apprentice. Every scenario is different and every scenario has many paths to take. In war, there is no time to exchange simple words and thus, you are forced to kill...or be killed. In times of...hmmm...diplomacy, killing the leader may be the quickest route but then that leads back to uncontrolled chaos. Instead, the proper course of action would to turn them to your cause...and in turn they will bring their people full circle."

The pilot's voice interrupted the conversation when he announced they had come out of lightspeed and were now heading down to Mindabaal. It was time for the girl to meet the Dark Side and what better place than the world of secrets. Few Sith dare to tread on the planet's surface cause it was rumoured to be tainted with a different Dark Side design. But only true believers of the Dark Side came here. And it was here the young girl will face the real horrors of her life.

The shuttle slowed as it made the descent and shook when it touched the surface. The Sith rose to her feet, gestured the girl to follow, and exited the shuttle. "The time has come to see if the Dark Side will accept you."



[member="Mandy Diaz"]

 

[Mariya Pyne]

[member="Darth Venefica"]

Today may have been the first approving praise the teenager had received in quite some time. Longer in fact, than she could remember. It was a fantastic feeling, no matter how small an achievement it was. She had done right by someone at least, and that was enough to lift her spirits. As the pilot announced their destination she thought about where they were headed briefly, though she had never been off of Coruscant, and had scarcely heard the name of this planet before, so it was just another dot on the map to her. She had no idea what to expect, but she eagerly stood from her seat upon touch down.

As she headed for the exit with Venefica, she nodded, unsure exactly of what the Dark Side really entailed, or how one would be accepted by it, but she went with it all the same. "If not, perhaps we'll need to force it to accept me." The pun was not lost on her, but she gave only a small smirk at the cleverness of her low key joke.