Ask A Forced Perspective

Alyse Ti'Varnus

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Sith Order
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Topher
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Finally the true nature of the Spirit was revealed, as well as it's intent. Whether it was the unforeseen use of the Sith Lord's growing knowledge of the ancient Sith dark practices, or the continued defiance and resistance against the Spirit's actions that she had proven herself to be more than a simple puppet that would serve as a means of entertainment for the ancient spectre.

The tone of the spirit had shifted away from the sickly sweet tone of false promises, instead now the words were carried not with anger, malice but with a level of confidence and indifference. A familiar trait and tone displayed by those of high standing and power. One that she had often used herself, when dealing with those who stood below below her, either within the Sith or within the political structure of Bakuran society.

Whether it was perhaps a mutual understanding that each counterpart were not be trifled with - or even if it was a faint glimmer of respect being displayed. The Spirit had dropped all of it's pretence, to state that it was here to test the Sith Lord. That was as the spirit had now came to stand almost face to face with the Sith Lord, before placing a physical blow to her chest, followed by a surge of Force energy that was accompanied by a brief flash of green light. Even as her body was cast backwards and connected with the stone surface of the tomb chamber, the Sith Lord's mind was silently processing everything that she had witnessed so far.

Perhaps, it was the impact against the ground that things were shaken loose, but there was a faint and extremely brief glimpse to confirm that the suspicions that this was all a trick. But it would take time for her to act on her suspicions, as potent and powerful that the Sith lord may be, it stood for nothing without her calculated purpose. With a grunt, the blonde balled her hands into fists, before pushing herself back onto her feet in continued defiance of the Spirit.

Her brow narrowing as she listened to the voice of the Spirit that was once again resonating within her mind. "The Incantation may have failed" Alyse stated firmly, before taking a deep breath and closing her eyes, pooling all the throbbing pain that resided within her and focusing and concentrating it within her. "I may not know who you are Spirit" she added as her eyes opened once again, revealing the deathly milky state of her eyes. "But you will soon know me"



An audible sigh passed the elder zeltron, as a hand raised to press against the brow of his head, chunky fingers drawing tightly against the flesh of his head. It seemed that his 'daughter' seemed to have the right answer for everything around her, but still could not see the answer that sat right beneath her own nose it seemed. The father's gaze remained fixed on the floor ahead of him, lingering for a tense and awkward moment for the Jedi before his gaze eventually raised to meet the Jedi Master's. "The Guidelines of the Police help the Jedi order? The use of the Force is no different as to how you would a weapon. Being a Jedi is a process" the visage of her father spoke, before raising up to his full height with a groan.

His form towering over the Zeltron Jedi, grew even more intimidating with each step that he took closing the distance between the two. His brown eyes looking hard into his daughters, before a club like hand raised up towards her. "You use too much of this" he spoke, as a large finger extended and was firmly pressed against the Jedi Master's head, even if he was just an apparition, the sensation felt was not false. Before the Jedi could comment or even counter her father the hand moved downwards, before pressing firmly against her chest bone "But you have forgotten to use this"

As the hand retreated, it briefly raised up so that the extended finger would draw the Jedi's chin upwards so she could lock her gaze with that of the vision of her father. "My little Dreamer, you have forgotten who you are" the elder Zeltron spoke, his voice carrying a disheartened tone. "Look inside yourself, you are more than what you have become, you are more than the mask that you choose to wear"

"Wearing a mask conceals who you truly are. Only when the mask is removed the true self is revealed" the father spoke as he backed away, before once again sitting down on his unseen perch with a familiar grunt. "You measure yourself against the ideals and standards of the Jedi Order...." he added as he shifted his posture back into his forward lean, recreating a sight that the Jedi would undoubtedly recall from her upbringing as her father would part his words of wisdom to his young daughter. "But what of your own? You no longer measure yourself against yourself" the father continued, as his gaze rose up to meet his daughter's once again.

"What is the true meaning of courage?"
 

Nykoria Tallis

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Jedi Order
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The blonde's defiance and intimidating gaze didn't produce a flinch from the spirit. What did, however, was another green flash. For a moment, the being that had attacked Alyse earlier, disappeared. However, even with it gone, the presence still remained. The blonde's threat wasn't taken lightly. In fact, it was simply acknowledged with a plain, yet not indifferent "Indeed" rolling through the Sith Lord's mind.

"I can't wait," a familiar voice rang behind Alyse. Dripping with ominous anticipation and accompanied by another flash of green light above the sarcophagus in the middle of the chamber... And quickly followed by a concussive blast of eldritch energy right through the blonde's back. Its strength enough to send Alyse flying across the room again, unless she somehow managed to defend herself.

What she'd see behind her was a perverse image of her own self, immersed in Darkness. But there was a twist. The eyes, normally amber or pale white, radiated with green energy. The currents of the same energy lifted the other Alyse's arms and legs, letting her float above what used to be the entrance to the chamber. A sickly grin covered the woman's pale face with dark veins standing out on the cheeks and under the eyes.

"And neither can I," another familiar voice would draw attention to itself. On the opposite side of the room stood the Zeltron Jedi Master. Dressed just as she was during the trip, this Kori Tallis had a slight difference. Unlike her real counterpart, she had a lightsaber. And an antique one as that. The saber had a crossguard: one main emitter produced a purple blade with a snap-hiss, and the other two soon followed, creating short quillons angled at 45 degrees from the main blade.

Holding the saber in one hand, Kori pointed the blade to the side and towards the ground. Her eyes showed the same wicked anticipation, and eagerness to try her new saber. Tilting her head towards it briefly, the Zeltron grinned as wide as a Nexu: "Like what you see?"



Whatever Kori said, it didn't seem to impress her "father'. Sadness mixed with disappointment, and yet... There was also a promise for the future. Just like the time when Kori had talked to him about her plans to join the Jedi Order. And yet again, her father's words and actions were unexpected. Back then, he had agreed for Nykoria to leave home and go half-way across the Galaxy, to a place nobody knew about. And now, Kori's gaze simply followed the man's finger as he explained what he believed was a flaw in Kori's way of thinking.

She had never thought about it from that angle? Why would she, really? The Jedi Order had been her life for decades. There were Padawans younger than Kori, but who had arrived earlier and were already well on their way towards Knighthood. It made sense that Nykoria had to redouble her efforts. And when she had reached the rank of Knight, the Sith were already out there... Some of them defeated by the likes of Master Grayza. Again, it made sense to try and keep up. The first few big encounters with the Sith demonstrated Kori's uselessness... She was supposed to get better. The Galaxy required that of her... Or so she had thought.

But if she were to look at it from another angle... To measure herself against herself, as her "father" offered. Well, she has definitely come a long way. From a kid to a well-trained young Zeltron at the Academy. One who excelled at sports and studies, but dabbled in the powers she didn't fully realize. From that young Zeltron to a Padawan and later Jedi Knight. With a much better understanding of her abilities, and how to use them for good and not do something she would regret. From that Jedi Knight to a Master who could inspire people to follow—for better or worse. And from there, it was just one step towards "military advisor" on Bakura. Yes, learning to better deal with politicians and lightsaber-wielding opponents would require some more practice. But at least she was still there to get it.

But the true question—or at least how Nykoria saw it—was whether that practice was what she wanted. And that was much tougher to answer. Despite her previous confession, she still hasn't worked out the issues that made her "a poor Jedi". Deep down, she was still a Zeltron: thriving on the emotions of herself and others. In retrospect, "feeling good" or at least "not feeling bad" was still the motivation behind many of Kori's decisions. Fighting the Sith meant not only acknowledgement to her, but sparing the Galaxy some grief. For the same reason, she trained those cadets back on Coruscant to deal wit Force-sensitives—because her own family had been living on Coruscant at the time. Did that make her a poor Jedi, and a Master at that? Quite likely. But did it make her a bad person? After all, Jedi or no Jedi, she was only human Zeltron doing what she could.

Her father's question required an answer. And after a while, Nykoria was ready to give it to him. "Courage..." she started, struggling to pick the right words off the bat. "... It's doing what you think is right. Despite the adversity you might face... Or despite the doubts and fears you might have."

@Topher
 

Alyse Ti'Varnus

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Again another emerald green flash filled the chamber, preceding the sensation moving force of a concussive blast pushing hard against her back. The impact of the concussive force, whilst dampened by the eneries of the Force she was channelling was enough to lift her off her feet, the Sith lord was able to right and control her return to the ground - landing on the other side of the sarcophagus from where the apparition of her alternative form had materialised.

Her milky white eyes narrowed as she regarded the mirror manifestation, lip curling into a slight snarl. Even if this was just yet another form of this spirits trickery, the twisted visage of herself was not wholly a welcome sight. After their last crossing in Ahch-to her mirror self, would know better than to cross the Sith Lord having been so recently reminded of its place. What also convoluted matters was the returning appearance of the Zeltron Jedi master, whom unlike the mirror version of herself was not twisted beyond her normal appearance - but carried a lightsaber of a configuration that she had not seen before, yet alone wielded by her.

Between the now armed Jedi Master, and the twisted form of herself. It was now clear that the spirit controlling this charade would no doubt be throwing more threats into the chamber, signalling that the Sith Lord would soon have to make good on her threat and declaration. Before the manifestations could advance any closer, a swirling torrent of fire erupted into existence. Forming a defensive perimeter around the Sith lord, before with a sweep of her hand - the torrent of fire rose up from the ground, uncoiling like a snake and projecting up towards the source of the green flashes.

Clenching her fist the torrent of fire closed in around the mysterious source and origin of the flashing light. As her fist tightened, the raging fire changed in hue to a bright blue flame. The exact intense flame that had reduced the cult and temple of Locura to Ash, and destroyed the attacking Sith spirits on Moroband. The Sith lord would continue to keep the swirling malestrom of intense fire focused on the origin of the green flashes of energy, and with each passing moment pour more of her own focused and seeping rage into the dark side she was channelling. The fire would continue to engulf and intensify around the source, threatening to consume and destroy it, until either her suspicion was confirmed that she was attacking the source of this spirits power or the manifestations would present themselves to be the pressing threat.



A slight smile tugged at the edge of the fathers lips, as Kori offered her answer and understanding of what courage meant. It was expected that she could offer the altruistic definition, doing what was right despite the insurmountable odds that were stacked against you. Rocking his head backwards a little, the elder Zeltron looked up to meet his daughters gaze. "Courage is also having the ability to look within yourself. Critically. And, to have the willingness to face the faults you will find" He offered, with a slight groan as he adjusted his posture.

His gaze moved away from the Jedi and seemingly off into the distance, as something unseen or even unknown by the Jedi appeared to be coming to a head. With a deep sigh the visage of the father hung his head low, his brow furrowed in thought for a duration. Before eventually raising up to look upon the Jedi master.

"Just remember, that when the day comes" He spoke initially before chewing over his words. "You will not have to answer or justify yourself or your actions to The Jedi. They are just but an ideal. The only person you have to convince, and live with, is yourself" The visage spoke, before with one last sigh his head sunk downwards towards the floor. His posture lingering for a few moments before his body seemed to dissipate as if he were just formed of dust in the wind.


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Nykoria Tallis

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Jedi Order
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Jedi Master

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Catbert
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"Not only doing what's right, but also seeing what's wrong with myself... And learning to deal with it," the Zeltron summarized the lesson that her "father" seemed to want to imprint. It seemed wise, and not against what the Jedi Code... no, what Kori herself now believed in. "Thank you," she whispered to the figure dissipating into dust. For a moment, Nykoria was alone in the dark. But then a rapid flash of green light followed, and the darkness itself was ground into dust and blown away into nothingness, letting the light shine through.

When the dust vanished, Nykoria found herself in the same chamber that she and Alyse had entered what seemed like an eternity before. The only difference was the dwindling green light: emitted by a crystal that was a part of a golden amulet of some sort, hanging over the sarcophagus. Right before the Zeltron's eyes, the amulet was closing, as if shielding the crystal from an incoming torrent of fire. Oh yeah, speaking of that...

Governor Alyse Ti'Varnus of Bakura was standing by the side of the chamber. Seemingly worse for wear, surrounded by a circle of flame, guiding it towards the golden amulet. As the amulet closed and the flames hit it, scorching the gold-coated metal and leaving black burn marks on it. The Dark Side presence that the Sith may have sensed now was at its minimum; still there, but too weak and elusive to manifest. Needless to say, the other Alyse and Nykoria were nowhere to be seen as soon as the real Zeltron just appeared in the other part of the chamber.

Raising her eyebrow at the unexpected sight, the Zeltron seemed to be able to put two and two together. "Such a shame. I was actually starting to like it in there," she commented nonchalantly, referring with a grain of sarcasm to the "dream world" where she had remained. At least back there, she didn't feel the need to shield herself from the surrounding Darkness that Alyse was pouring into the hanging trinket.

@Topher
 

Alyse Ti'Varnus

Character
Sith Order
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Champion

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Topher
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The illusion shattered, with little more than another emerald flash. The visages of her darker and more volatile self and the armed Jedi master had disappeared, leaving only just the true form of the Jedi master, and a small aged and antique gold locket that was was being seared by the torrent of fire that the Sith lord was manipulating. Her brow furrowing as she processed all that her eyes and senses were taking in, with a sigh the blonde lowered her hand, and unclenched her fist as she dissipated her connection to the manipulated energies of the Force.

With a series of deep breaths, the Sith lord steadied herself by propping an arm out to the nearest wall surface. Taking a moment to recompose and recenter herself, following the exertion of her will against that if the Spirit that resided within the chamber. Her hand moving up to the corner of her mouth, before whisping the heel of her hand against the faint sensation of a viscous liquid on the underside of her lip. Her brow furrowed as her narrowing eyes regarded the sight of blood, seemingly somewhere along the lines, being thrown about by the illusions conclusive attacks she must of hit something. Her eyes widened in sudden realisation. Well more precisely the bitter sting from within her mouth, so focused and intense was her concentration, that the Sith lord had managed to bite her lip hard enough to draw blood.

Her eyes, as they slowly phased back to their natural state, turned to meet Kori's as the Jedi master quipped about her preference for remaining within her section of the illusion. A questioning glance ran over the Jedi who by comparrission looked to be unscathed from the ordeal. Arching an eyebrow up inquisitively, the Sith lord simply sighed and shook her head. "I can see, looks like you were on the lighter end of the spirits interest" Alyse responded, offering a light grin. Her words although with a bit if jest, Alyse could see just from the tired state in the Jedis eyes, she looked as if she had been emotionally wrung out.

But perhaps whilst the Jedi looked emotionally exhausted, Kori's trail perhaps would have been no different to Alyses - had the Sith simply chose to comply with the Spirits wishes, rather than to simply resist and refuse to submit to the spectres games. With that thought in mind, the Darth's attention moved to the pendant that lay upon the sarcophagus beside the ancient barbed sword.

Her eyes narrowing as she lifted the amulet up by its chain, hand Holding it suspended Infront of her as she both visually studied the artifact and probes it with the Force. Sensing that the same presence that the Spirit has presented itself with had retreated into the confines of the amulet, weakened through its attempts to resist the Sith lords manipulated fire. "But for now, I suspect we should be free from any further tricks of the mind" Alyse spoke as she coiled the chain around her hand, before moving to tuck the artifact within her pocket - in time and perhaps in private she will further question the essence contained within, so to unlock it's secrets.

"Though first things first, we should catalogue these artifacts and stow then into the ship and then document this chamber"
 

Nykoria Tallis

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Jedi Order
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Jedi Master

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Catbert
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The blonde's fiery onslaught ceased the moment when the mysterious locket stopped being a threat. It seemed that the Sith herself had exerted herself, leaning against the wall for support. A ruby trickle down the side of her mouth was proof that she had been through something in the meantime as well. And yet, she still found an opportunity to jest.

"The lighter end, huh?" the Zeltron smirked in turn, finding a pun where her companion might not have expected one. "The spirit's interest" explained what was going on, and made perfect sense. "I guess the Light pays off at times. Maybe he focused on you, because he sensed a kindred spirit." The pun was so corny that even Nykoria had to put her best effort not to cringe visibly.

And yet, Alyse still had the last laugh. "Cataloguing the artifacts", "documenting the chamber", and "stowing them into a ship" sounded like hours of work just waiting for the duo. No doubt the blonde scholar would love the opportunity to scribble something about it on her prized old parchments that Kori had once noticed.

The Zeltron had met her share of scholars and archaeologists, some of them Jedi. But seeing a Sith do that... Although, if any Sith was suited for that, it'd be Alyse Ti'Varnus. Nykoria herself had never been one for archaeology and lore; there were other Jedi, such as Indy Sati or Izel Thral, who would've been much better at that job. So, she could totally envision meditating and levitating stuff out of boredom while Alyse would be busy with her research.

Yet for some reason, one that Nykoria herself hadn't fully realized, a question escaped her mouth before she had even thought it through: "Care to show me how it's done?"

// End thread
 
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