Ask Nar Shaddaa As Below, So Above

[Renfry]

Renfry was taken aback when the woman asked if her mind would be returned to normal. This process wouldn't be reversed. She would never be the same again. But then she realized she was asking specifically about making her mind amenable to the spirit, and she spoke.

It'll wear off quickly once the spirit has entered, she said. Though there would be plenty of other side effects.

The woman produced a flower in a vial and handed it to Renfry who took it and looked closely at it. A gift? No doubt it held some sort of sentimental value then, and Renfry neither judged nor questioned its origin further.

This should work, she said with a nod. She took a step back from Malicia and in a flash of green a sword appeared in the Nightsister's hand. She began to carve runes and glyphs into the dirt all around them, much as Malicia would have seen her do at Ajan Kloss. She would be able to see that there were two separate circles with a bridge of shared symbols between them. The larger one overlapped with the edge of the water and in the center of the smaller one, she placed the rose.

She set aside the sword and motioned for Malicia to join her at the edge of the small circle. She kneeled and placed her hand on the rim of the circle, reaching out to the Shadow and its web of spirits as she spoke.

Lim ballieh est ovar renaigse, she said and the runes flashed like green fire. She searched for one behind, her mind rifling through those she could find before she selected a spirit she thought would suit their purposes.

In a similar and yet different fashion than at Ajan Kloss, she pulled the spirit across the Veil until it appeared in the circle as a figure of green smoke.

Why have you summoned me? This is not my world any longer, she asked. Though the woman's voice was soothing, it had an edge to it that told that it would not be trifled with: a quiet confidence that denoted once - or perhaps still - holding power and a strong will. @Dread

 

[Darth Malicia]

Malicia nodded when she got her answer, though her mind quickly switched to something else. She was timid at first when Renfry took the rose, her yellow eyes flicked over the object as another person took hold of it. Maybe this was all wrong. Maybe this attachment was a weakness. She tried to shove the thoughts away and listen to the next instruction.

Slowly, she stepped inside the circle. Her yellow eyes searched the green flames, drifting over to Renfry after. The woman was clearly skilled and knowledgeable.

The Darths eyes were soon brought to a spirit. It probably was not the first she saw in that form. She saw many people in the pit, but she wasn't entirely sure if those people were real or illusions. She knew for a fact that this was a spirit. She could sense it. Malicia did not step forward but the pair of Sith were close enough.

"It can be your world again. You can join me and see it through my eyes, though it comes at a price. I need you to help slow down a growth within me. A collective..." she paused when she heard the whispers speak up. Surprisingly, they did not seem angry. Usually they screamed much louder when something disturbed them. The whispers were soft now, almost gentle... almost as if they were speaking to the spirit and trying to lure her closer. "In the end you will join the collective. We will all be one, but there will be some time where you'll, like myself, remain an individual."

@Phoenix

 

[Renfry]

Renfry allowed Malicia to do the talking to the spirit because firstly it would be the two of them "getting along" from here on out and secondly because she was keeping an eye out for anything askew. She knew that spirits could be quite mischievous at the best of times and downright hostile at the worst.

And yet, the spirit seemed to be quite willing. This, too, came as no surprise to Renfry. Many of the spirits hoped to find their way back into this world, even if it was only temporary. It was something Renfry had never truly understood, but alas, such was how it seemed to be.

Very well, the woman said, her gaze focused entirely on Malicia to the point that she would nearly feel pierced by it. The spirit could see straight through her in its own way. Renfry once again hoped that Malicia understood what she was inviting, but then also recalled that Malicia was already struggling with her own autonomy either way.

Then remain here, she told the spirit. She knew that they only had a certain amount of time before the grip between the flower and spirit was weakened.

Come here, lie with your head in the water, she said to Malicia, a hint of urgency in her tone. It was now clear why the woman had put the second circle up against the water.

She spoke again in another language and the water began to glow green like liquid fire. Although Malicia wouldn't notice any immediate difference, the spirit could sense the change. Renfry reached over and touched the bridging runes, allowing the spirit to pass to Malicia.

The Darth would be able to sense it in her mind: a foreign presence that was not unlike the hunger that had grown within her. @Dread

 

[Darth Malicia]

The spirit's eyes pierced her, gazing through her. Malicia's own gaze remained forward, undisturbed. There was nothing she was trying to hide from it.

Shortly after, her focus was pulled to the water. When Renfry spoke, Malicia finally understood why they were here. And with that understanding, a minor hesitation gripped her, but it was as fleeting as it's sudden arrival. She moved to the side of the pool, getting on her knees to lie head first in the water.

Her lungs filled before her face plunged into the bitter cold depths. Yet despite the discomfort, underneath the water a sense of belonging gripped her. It felt like she'd entered a different world, one she belonged in.

At first there was only blackness, herself and her hunger. She was hardly conscious of the sudden change of environment.

Wind howled through a shadow of trees, the sky was covered with heavy clouds and a great solitary downpour in the distance betrayed the approaching storm. Through the dark lights drifted through the distance, one drawing her to it. A heavy damp mist parted way for her footsteps. Drawing her closer.

The closer she drew to the light, the tougher it was for her to keep going. The slow rise and lowering of her chest spasmed from a fit of coughs, but Malicia still felt compelled to move towards the dim light.

The light itself was swiftly moving towards her, faster than the Darth could move. And then, Malicia reached out on her last breath, and another hand came to meet her own.

The hand was so cold. Malicia was so cold. She was not sure if it was the coldness, the inability to breath or the suddenness of what was surging through her that made her shake. Unable to fully control herself in the moment, she shot up from the water onto her knees. The Force ripped in a violent wave around her as she screamed at the top of her lungs and gripped her head desperately.

And then, a sense of calmness, of disconnect settled over her and her gaze locked forward.

@Phoenix

 

[Renfry]

Renfry had never actually been subjected to such a ritual herself, but she'd heard stories of similar encounters. They were seldom pleasant, and she knew that Malicia wouldn't likely enjoy the experience, and yet she'd been warned time and again. It was her decision and Renfry was simply the facilitator.

Renfry wondered if the Darth knew that her head had been submerged for minutes already, but the Nightsister could still sense the life in her. The Shadow was no doubt sustaining her body through the experience of being without oxygen.

The spirit evaporated from Renfry's sight, and she knew that it was done. The Darth tore free from the water and Renfry only narrowly managed to avoid being thrown back as energy wrapped around her to absorb the shockwave, still knocking her back across the circle, ruining the lines that had been drawn. Good thing the ritual's done, she thought to herself.

She stood at a short distance, watching Malicia and saying nothing. She had no doubt that it would... an adjustment, and she waited for the Darth to regain her composure, cautious in case something had gone wrong and the interaction turned violent.

Yeah... hopefully not, she thought. @Dread

 

[Darth Malicia]

Malicia remained still for some time. It wouldn't be clear if she got hold of herself or simply stood up, but she rose to her feet and looked around. Her eyes were more distant than usual, even on a planet with so little life. Her eyes passed over Renfry at first, though after a few seconds she turned towards the Nightsister and walked.

The Darth stopped a few inches away, staring quietly for a handful of heartbeats. Her distant look never changed, though she tipped her head slightly. "Thank you," she said plainly, possibly surprisingly considering the amount of time it took for her to talk and her expression. "I will keep my end of the deal. But I wonder something... you understand what I am, right?" Malicia asked. Despite its wording, it was less a question about understanding what she from a technical standpoint, which obviously Renfry did, and more about what she'd do.

"If my attempts to seize power are successful, I will use it for one reason only. Carefully, methodically, but it will all be a means to an end," she added, still staring at the Nightsister.

She was curious if Renfry cared at all about the amount of death and destruction that the Darth could potentially reap, considering what she was and her nature. Perhaps now, as just a Sith Lord, she couldn't do much, but the future held many possibilities. And while Renfry was Sith, everyone had an agenda. Some cared more about building an Empire. Malicia wanted to aid in building that Empire, but not for the sake of an Empire.

@Phoenix

 

[Renfry]

Renfry's hand at her side was like a claw, preparing to defend herself from whatever was coming. The lingering silence, the way Malicia moved, and the way she looked at her all put her in anticipation of being attacked. But that wasn't what happened at all.

Even as Malicia thanked her, she was tense and wary. The words that came next didn't make Renfry feel any better, either. Was she stating that she'd use the position to begin consuming and destroying everything she could without end? She wondered if the two women would end up finding themselves in direct conflict eventually. Perhaps, but that was a question for a different day. Probably a different year.

Then maybe it's in everyone's best interest that I help you maintain control as long as possible, she said. It wasn't clear if this was the reason Renfry had done this at all, and she wasn't going out of her way to explain. She gave a nonchalant shrug, but in truth Renfry felt far from nonchalant about it.

Was that always your goal when you joined the Sith? she asked. She wondered if that was the goal from the start or if it had simply come to the surface as the "infection" grew. @Dread

 

[Darth Malicia]

The small Darth tipped her head when Renfry replied. It wasn't exactly what she expected, though it wasn't an unpleasant answer either. The flame of Malicia's will still burned within her. While not brightly, it was emboldened by the fusion of two souls. A fusion that may have not been intended exactly, but it was the result. "Very well. I accept your aid," Malicia replied.

The next question prompted a quick, "No" from her, though her eyes drifted to the side in thought after. There was still nothing but distance in her eyes. They were still cold as ice, even as she spoke, "I was raised to reap death. That is all I was valued for" she said, pausing to pull down a sleeve to her elbow, revealing scarred flesh from a burn. "They branded me. I was nothing to them. Funny now, all these years later, I understand them."

Malicia lowered her arms. "But I never hungered until I was Sith. There was no grand plan after I killed my masters. Only panic to secure my freedom." She eye'd Renfry for a second. "Why do you ask?"

@Phoenix

 

[Renfry]

Renfry thought about her answer. If it wasn't always her goal, then that was telling. It told Renfry how the disease progressed and it told her that perhaps there was another goal that could have been teased out to keep the hunger at bay.

Or perhaps not. The desire to survive was a strong urge - something that had driven her on many occasions - but she doubted it would be an adequate driver for the Darth. She doubted it would satisfy the desire to conquer.

Because knowledge is one of the greatest tools for dealing with this, she said.

So what is your motivation? she asked. Only to satiate the hunger? she asked. She supposed that could have been, but she somewhat doubted it. @Dread

 

[Darth Malicia]

Renfry's answer was not exactly direct. It didn't matter too much to Malicia at this point however. As long as Renfry walked her through any ritual or spell, then she'd likely submit. Maybe later on not so much, though the hope was to fight for as long as possible.

She listened quietly to the next question. "Perhaps my motivation was, at first, as I referenced. To simply secure my freedom, but it quickly became more than that. Deep down I knew that I..." Malicia trailed off, lowering her gaze to the ground. A small bit of that coldness evaporated as a simmer of anger came to the surface, forced out against her will. And then the heat burned suddenly, fiercely from cold to hot in a split second. Her voice lowered with a hiss, "That I never wanted to bow again"

A few moments lingered as she reigned herself back from the edge that came so suddenly "Neither did I want my brothers or sisters to. But the only way to guarantee that is to rule. And I will either rule or I will die trying," Malicia said, confidence in her voice. It was not confidence in her power however but in there being two outcomes for her. "There's no between for me."

Malicia's gaze rose again when something came to her mind. No between, like her attachment to her rose. The small Darth turned, walking to the broken circle and going to her knees. Her slender, pale hands wrapped around the rose. She brought it to her chest and cradled it.

@Phoenix

 

[Renfry]

Renfry nodded in understanding, noting the shift in the other woman. The anger, determination, and layers of history that worked together to form the woman in front of her. She wasn't put off by the feeling at all, and found it somewhat familiar in its own way. There was a great deal of that motivation that Renfry could understand, though she didn't use the exact same terminology.

I understand, she said simply. She may have had her hesitations about some of the woman's plans, but that didn't mean she disagreed with it all.

She watched the Darth retrieve the rose from the circle and hold it close. She wanted to ask about it and inquire its meaning, but she decided not to, holding her curiosity in check this time.

Do you feel different? she finally asked instead. Despite the ritual being done and the other questions asked, she hadn't actually inquired about the effects of the ritual: good or bad. @Dread

 

[Darth Malicia]

It was nice to be understood by someone outside the Cadre. It wasn't something she ever thought to seek out and she was somewhat surprised.

Renfry's next question made Malicia think again. The small Darth kept her rose pressed against her chest with one hand, freeing another to grab a dried leave. She crushed it, still remaining quiet, and allowed the parts to fall to the ground. "Everything feels.... different," she answered after the pause.

Standing, she looked around again, this time much slower. She soaked up the scene before answering, "This whole place feels different, even though nothing in the area has changed." Malicia paused, looking at Renfry again with a raised eyebrow. "Right?" she asked. "I understand you brought me here, but I cannot recall which way I came. I remember walking here, but I also remember waking up here."

She was aware her answers were pretty vague, so she wasn't sure if Renfry could get anything from them. Malicia was simply unsure of how to word things currently.

The Darth tucked away the rose in her robe after and thought for a second, turning to Renfry shortly after. "But what of yourself? You just preformed two rituals. Do you need rest?" she asked, eyeing Renfry suspiciously for signs of fatigue. The last thing she needed was to lose the Nightsister, at this point.

@Phoenix

 

[Renfry]

Renfry listened to what she said, though not all of it made sense. She was trying to put into words something that there likely weren't words for. And yet, Renfry was interested nonetheless.

No, nothing has changed, she said. She wondered how much control Malicia retained despite it all and whether or not the spirit had any actual control of her own. She supposed Malicia would be finding out for herself in the coming days.

The conversation turned to Renfry, and she nodded.

I'm fine, but wouldn't mind sitting for a few minutes, she said, deciding to do just that. She moved over to a boulder at the edge of the water and sat, watching the water churn and listening to the sounds it made.

The rituals weren't easy, but they also weren't the most exhausting ones she could have done either.

Where are you off to after this? she asked after another moment.

 

[Darth Malicia]

If nothing had changed, then she really wasn't sure what this sensation she was feeling—this sense of disconnect—was. She supposed she'd figure it out with time. She heard no extra whisper in her head yet either, which was concerning. Was it was possible that the spirit was still adjusting or...?

Malicia simply nodded then watched Renfry find a seat on a rock.

Where was she off to? The Darth brought her hand to her chin and looked up at the sky. She mulled over a few thoughts before answering. "Back to Sullust to arrange some things, and then to old Sith space. Something is drawing me there. Its not a pull from a long distance. There's no beacon or anything similar, just a sense that I need to go there," she explained.

"What about yourself?" Malicia asked after. Oddly enough, she was genuinely curious about where the Nightsister planned to go. She didn't even care where her Cadre-brother was 99.9% of the time, as long as he wasn't getting in her way.

@Phoenix

 

[Renfry]

Renfry listened as Malicia told her about Sith space. Renfry had been there once before, but it wasn't somewhere that she had spent a great deal of time. Perhaps it was simply a Sith thing that drew her back there or perhaps it was the Shadow that was leading her. Or maybe it was nothing at all. Renfry wasn't pretending to know.

I might stick around here for a while, she said. She was beginning to make this place her home in its own way and had built quite the relationship with the locals. It was only strengthening day by day.

Then, I'm not sure. Wherever I'm needed, she said with a shrug. She was a very free spirit, and often found herself simply going wherever the proverbial tides took her. She knew she didn't care much for Sullust, but perhaps it was worth it to consider heading back out to Sith space once again. That reminded her of something.

There were Sith who used to use magic weren't there? she asked. She'd heard fleeting mentions of magic and alchemy from the Sith she'd met, but nothing that gave any indication of how it worked. Perhaps she'd head to old Sith space to investigate. @Dread

 

[Darth Malicia]

She nodded when Renfry replied with her plan. "Do you have a fondness for this world?" Malicia asked in reply, since this planet was Renfry's choice. The Nightsister also seemed to know the area well.

Part of the Darth wondered what it would be like not to constantly cram your schedule as full as possible, but pushed that thought aside after a brief moment.

Malicia's eyes lowered back to Renfry when she asked her own question. "There have been a rare few. Some of them being the most powerful Sith in history," she answered, adding after, "But I cannot tell you much about any of them, which is something I should probably attempt to change." Truthfully, the only reason she knew about Darth Karvos and his alchemy was due to Darth Raze. She didn't have a lot of knowledge on Sith history because of her upbringing, but she was starting to learn. This effort had been doubled ever since she started to feel a pull towards old Sith space.

@Phoenix

 

[Renfry]

Renfry nodded at Malicia's question.

I do, she said, pondering how to explain it or what she wanted to reveal. She supposed there was little harm in saying a bit. In truth, she'd said very little about herself.

I appreciate the wilds, she said. This world has enough connection to the rest of the galaxy, but it's still very much alive with its own ebb and flow that's independent of the rest of the galaxy, she said. She loved the jungles and living amongst the wildlife. She enjoyed spending time among the Jungle Felucians and their tribes. It was almost like being home.

She listened to Malicia's explanation of alchemy and its history. It wasn't much information to go on, but it was confirmation at least that the rumors were true.

Maybe I'll make my way out to old Sith space and try to pick up those trails, then, she said with a shrug. That was something that captivated her, and something worth pursuing for her. @Dread

 

[Darth Malicia]

Something stirred in Malicia's mind with a suddenness that caused her to move in almost a jerk. Whatever it was made her place a hand on her chest and choke back a grunt because it sent a short wave of pain. That mixed with the odd feeling of being disconnected made her think that something might be wrong, but there was no way for to know for sure.

Forcing herself to return her focus to Renfry, Malicia thought on something before answering, "I see. I'm afraid I do not appreciate the same things." She paused and tried to stand straight again, though her hand lingered on her chest. "But I'll remember you like this planet."

Her heart felt like it pounded twice as harder, and then more pain. Malicia grunted again, tightening her grip on her chest and leaning forward. The feeling of being disconnected from her own body spiked, and then she finally heard another whisper...but this time it was much clearer and she finally understood what was happening. "The spirit..." Malicia breathed through the pain, finally trying to fight back now that she understood what was happening. "It's trying to..."

She's a liability, the voice in her head boomed.

Without further warning, the Darth's eyes became complete voids and her hand flew up aimed directly at Renfry. The Force started to stir around the Darth's hand, then suddenly stopped as Malicia regained momentary control and her eyes shifted briefly again. "Renfry.... leave," she grunted between a stiff jaw.

@Phoenix

 

[Renfry]

Renfry understood other people's hesitations about the jungle. She knew that had she not grown up here, she likely would have hated it as well. The humidity, wetness, and the reality that almost everything here wanted to kill you made it unappealing for many.

She was about to say something to that end when there was a spike of pain and fear that shot through the Shadow. The Nightsister may not have been sure what precisely caused it, but she could take guesses. What she didn't know was the source: the spirit or the hunger.

Malicia's hand shot out and hit Renfry directly in the face, the coppery taste of blood filling her mouth as her lip split with the impact and nearly knocked her from her feet. She hadn't been expecting such an abrupt move and mentally kicked herself for dropping her guard.

Renfry cursed loudly in her native tongue and all but shoved Malicia toward the water while the Darth still had some measure of control.

Get in the water, she demanded with urgency. What she was going to do was... not preferable, but this was what Renfry qualified as a "desperate time" and she'd deal with the consequences later. If the other woman didn't comply, Renfry wouldn't be caught off guard again. @Dread

 

[Darth Malicia]

Instead of running, the Nightsister came marching back and sent the Darth back with a shove. Malicia didn't fight against it, she couldn't really. She stumbled into the very edge of the water, water kicking back from the force of it.

"NO!" Malicia screamed, though she didn't have enough control to complete her sentence. Because Renfry hadn't left, all Malicia could think to do to help was go to her knees. She'd at least force the spirit to stand before attempting to attack again. She could feel the wetness of the mud and edge of the lake on her knees as she knelled and began to clutch her head.

"I think..." she breathed. She wasn't sure if this was enough water to do whatever Renfry planned to do but she tried to complete her sentence with some semblance of coherence. "I can.. win against... her."

In truth, Malicia had no clue if she could win or not. The spirit had a head start on trying to take over, while the Darth sat cluelessly talking. She probably would've been afraid of not being talked through the steps of whatever Renfry planned, but her mind was too busy fighting to be able to process that. All she could do for the moment was stay on her knees and clutch her head.

@Phoenix