All That Glitters (Greed's recruitment.)

[Wit]

Sitting in the huge study, Greed, known to the greater world as Baroness Ailyn Ryad, leaned against the ornate that once was her husband's. No it was hers, it was all hers. Leaning back she took in what she had finally accomplished. The deaths of her entire family had given her wealth and power, but most importantly it had given her the one thing she had always wanted, the freedom to pursue her own dreams and ambitions without interference. She had planned this for a long time, postponing it so that this event coincided with another achievement, her ascension to Ceasar. Looking back on how she came to be here she realized she owed alot to the Order. Without them she would bot be here. Inadvertently her mind drifted back to that fateful day when her life completely changed.

Sixteen years ago, Celebratus Archives on the planet Obroa-skai.

Ailyn Ryad, a young girl of sixteen years walked through the maze of bookshelves storing one of the largest collection of books in the Galaxy. Though almost all this information was available in electronic format, Ailyn preferred reading from books. The weight of the books, the feel and smell of the paper made the information the books imparted much more real for her. Finally she found the volume she had been looking for but it was just out of her reach. Not wanting to go till the end of the current row to get a ladder, she looked around and reaching out with the Force slowly and clumsily brought the hefty book down to her. As she let go of her frail grasp on the Force she had a distinct feeling that she was being watched. Looking around she noticed a robed figure standing at the end of the row of shelves, staring at her.

 

[Dread]

In his black robes, Wraith's hood was pulled back over his shoulders and shoulder blades. Platinum blond hair carelessly draped over his Grey lifeless looking orbs. Scuff of a shaven face only amplified his faces masculine traits, such as his jaw. Scruff that held more color then his skin, which carried little to no pigment. It was white, as if he was simply a ghost. Letting the child see him for only a minute, Wraith would soon vanish. Ghostly skin slowly being consumed with a cloak, a clear water like substance washed over his body from feet to head. It would seem as if he faded out of existence. The reminisce of his power still there for the child to sense, even if they where not trained - something was left there.

The book she held would soon levitate above her hands, floating upwards, still within her grasps to grab if she wished it. A greater power wouldn't allow her to take it from it's location, though. Only if she would follow his instructions. If the force was envisioned, it would be like fog shaped arms out reach out and caress the child's temple, then reach inwards in order to place thoughts there. What you feel is the force, it in strong within you, yet untrained. These words may hold little value yet on your mind child. I want you to, however, try your hardest to rip this book from mid - air, without the use of your hands. His voice would be as a echo, stressed, far away but at the same time he was merely close to her.

Wraith would test her current greatest attempt at using the force under stress. That is, if she didn't run away screaming from the scene of his ghostly figure then the words that followed. He was looking for recruits, young, moldable, with potential to serve the needs of his order; both in wealth, power over the force and influence. Wraith's process was not a simple one, though, not for this child. She would feel the full pull - his ability to corrupt a beings very soul.

 

[Wit]

Ailyn was shocked at the sudden appearance of the voice within her head, mesmerized as she was by the brief vision of the man's face. She had initially thought him to be one of the weirder scholars who frequented the archives. But now she was sure that was not the case, if the voice reverberating in her head wasn't enough she had a feeling in her gut that this man was something much more. If the aura of power that seemed to be emanating from him wasn't enough, the words he spoke sparked her full attention. He spoke of the Force, something she still did not understand completely, incomplete as her knowledge was. But that sparked her interest in the man once more. She was thirsty for more knowledge and from what little she had read about it the Force might held the key to a whole new spectrum of knowledge she was blind to. This man seemed to know of the Force and if so then she might have a chance to learn more of it, something her parents would not let her do. So overcome was she with the chance to learn something new, so lost in her lust for the possibilities opening up in her mind that she did not even think of being scared of this ghost of a man standing in front of her. Her greed had overcome every other emotion within her and was the thing that was driving her forth. Making up her mind she decided to do what he said, reaching forth she gave the book a tug but it did not bulge. But her own thirst drove her forward now, she had to do this and so with all her will she tried to touch the Force once more and for one instance the Force opened up to her in one explosive tsunami of power. The book, still floating in the air was pulled with such force that it ripped into two, one half still floating perfectly still in the sir, the other quivering in front of Ailyn's face. As she realized what had happened the Force slipped out from within her grasp and the torn half of the book went crashing to the floor. Suddenly tired a sudden thrill, tinged with fear, ran through her and she slipped to the floor. Looking up she spoke, "Who... Who are you?"

 

[Dread]

Mmm... Waiting for a moment before answering, he took in what he had just seen. She did have a strong future, and so Wraith would lay down a path for that future with proper introductions. You may call me Wraith. The second time, his voice would echo less - drawing closer. I will offer you a path, and in return you must think through what I say - do not ignore me or you will loose that path. You will forever been lost in your ignorance!

Reaching out again with his power, this time he would wrap it around her. In order to bring her to her feet, so that she stood up properly. It was a sign, of caring yet he still stayed hidden from her sight. Hidden until the time was right to show her the rest of the way. Wraith was not always so kind, and would fight when he needed too - would not limit his anger when he was pushed. He was balanced in all aspects of his life.

 

[Wit]

Wraith. Ailyn rolled the word through her mind. Wraith was offering her something she could not refuse, the choice was not one she had to think much on. Her desire to learn along with her fear of missing out on a chance to gain what she wanted was too much for her. As she was pulled up to her feet she looked up at Wraith and said, "Teach me. Please, show me the path."

 

[Dread]

"Do not fear your darker desires...feed off them...but do not let them control you! Use your anger to guide you, and your greed to free you. Close your eye youngling. Let me open them for you!" Images would begin to fill the young ones mind, Wraith assumed so as she was not trained to block his greater power. The shelves around her would wobble, then the books would fly to the air, ripping into shreds. The shelves soon molded themselves into shadow beasts, resembling part humans, and part demons. They had giant bat wings, glowing red eyes, claws and hoofed feet. Four of them in all. Below her the floor began to grow grass at a rapid speed, and the buildings walls aged until they looked like they where about to crumble. Only then did Wraiths figure partly appear again. He would appear as a shadow figure of himself.

Without walking the shadow figure of Wraith floated towards the girl till he was right in front of her, holding out his hand. Black shadow fingers came to her chest height, it was balled into a fist but as he unwrapped his fingers a training sword appeared in it. "Take it"

 

[Wit]

Ailyn closed her eyes as she was told and while Wraith spoke images began flashing in front of her eyes. Shelves wobbling, books flying everywhere and then getting torn to shreds, the transformation of the shelves into unearthly creatures, and then a shadowy image of Wraith appeared to her and offered her something and as she looked on a sword appeared in his hand. Hearing his invitation to take it she put her hand out and grasped the blade with slightly shaking fingers. As her fingers closed around the hilt she felt something shift in her, like she had not grasped a sword but finally taken hold of her own destiny. She opened her eyes and faced Wraith, ready to learn, ready to follow.