Ask Nar Shaddaa As Below, So Above

[Renfry]

Something had shifted in Renfry's eyes. She was no longer concerned with learning or cooperation, she'd shifted into a far more primal survival mode without even realizing it. Every one of her moves was concerned purely with survival at any cost.

She barely even heard Malicia's comments about winning out against the spirit. She knelt at the edge of the pool, taking full advantage of the remainder of the circles she'd drawn earlier.

Entel galare, liv tebeth candah, she said, her voice now echoing all around them both through the Force. The water once again began to glow green as she spoke and without hesitation she grabbed the Darth and shoved her fully under the water. Hopefully she'd taken a breath...

If she didn't manage to overcome Renfry, she would be able to feel a burning sensation in her mind as Renfry did... something to it. It was akin to a purging, though the Nightsister intentionally held back from carving a path through the entire Darth's mind. It was like a fever: it would burn out portions of the spirit's power... but it also had a side effect of burning out more desirable things as well if one wasn't careful. Hopefully that wouldn't happen.

She would release her grip after a few moments, hoping no permanent damage had been done but also hoping it had weakened the spirit enough for Malicia to gain control.

 

[Darth Malicia]

Malicia screamed, loudly, nearly destroying her lungs. The world spun around her, even as she was pushed under the water. Her screams continued, making things worse until she couldn't breath. But as her focus switched, the pain got even worse.

Everything felt scattered. She couldn't see anything, but she could feel everything. The icy cold of the water and the excruciating pain. Yet, she grasped the small amount of willpower she had left. The remaining sliver to continue to fight.

When Renfry released her, Malicia shot out of the water. She tried to breath in, instead she choked and coughed, growling after. "Did you not hear me!?" she spat, clearly referring to her "NO", though she realized something at the same time. "I... have control again," she mumbled, bringing up her hands and moving her fingers, as if to test them. Renfry's magic worked.

Her gaze remained on her hands for some time before returning to Renfry. For a moment her yellow eyes caught the blood on Renfry's face and then she recalled the Nightsisters quick reaction to everything. It dawned on her that she couldn't hold the woman's reaction against her. She was defending herself.

The thought left Malicia with mixed feelings.

Trying to pull herself together, Malicia dragged herself out of the water. Fighting against her lingering pain, she was able to muster enough to raise to a foot and a knee by the lake. "In the future, I'll expect to be educated about any ritual or spell before you use it on me," she said with another growl. It was hard to control her anger over the Nightsister going against her wishes. "But I... appreciate your abilities."

The Darth's breath still weighed heavy. It caused her chest to raise and lower slower than usual until she continued, "And I will repay you."

@Phoenix

 

[Renfry]

Renfry took a step back, eyes like fire as she watched Malicia reemerge from the water. She could hear the other woman complaining, but she didn't care. The fact that the woman had the audacity to yell at Renfry after what had just happened only made her angry.

I heard you, she said icily. She simply didn't care. She wasn't going to risk her own head off the hope that Malicia could actually maintain control. The moment she'd been attacked, her instincts had kicked in.

As Malicia said that she expected to be always told about rituals in the future, Renfry didn't relent.

If you put hands on me, then I'll do what I have to, she said, wiping up the blood that was running down her lip and licking up the rest.

If she thought she was getting an apology, she was sorely mistaken. She could feel the anger inside the other woman, and it was matched by her own. She watched carefully for any signs the other woman was going to lash out again, but it didn't seem to come.

Renfry stepped away from the side of the water and moved over to take a seat once again. She wondered if the woman would notice any lapses in her memory or anything missing. The ritual had been performed haphazardly and in a rush under less than ideal circumstances.

She thought about Malicia's future with the spirit and how she would handle things if she lost control again. Renfry wasn't going to follow her around everywhere but she also wasn't willing to give up the secrets of her rituals.

I'd recommend staying away from others until you can get consistent control, she said after a moment. Hopefully with time and meditation she could prevent another relapse like that one. @Dread

 

[Darth Malicia]

Malicia didn't snap back. It was hard not to understand the woman's actions. Thinking on it, Renfry probably had multiple opportunities to try to kill her, and instead choose not to. It said something about the woman's abilities and intentions, even if she'd went against the Darth's wishes.

That's why Malicia choose to listen. With a long, deep sigh, she nodded at Renfry's recommendation. "I will meditate," the Darth answered, eyes still staring into the distance. She may need to meditate every day in order to maintain control. Perhaps, if she found a way to increase her power, she could gain a firmer grip? A thought to carry around.

After a few more seconds she pushed herself to her feet, She still had a pounding headache, couldn't remember how she got here, and now she wasn't even sure where her ship was. But, she choose not to add the news of her memory lapse onto her already bad physical state that she couldn't hide.

Looking back at Renfry, "If you do find yourself in Sith space, consider checking if I'm there," Malicia said. She was certain that the pair of Sith could continue to benefit from one another.

After the Darth started walking, and she'd continue to do so unless stopped. She went in the direction she, at least, remembered entering this area in. As she did she grabbed her comm (that somehow still worked) and thumbed the transmission button. Grunting "Find my comm, and me" quietly into it.

@Phoenix

 

[Renfry]

Renfry was aware of a change within Malicia, but she'd violated the woman's mind enough today. Rather than press on with questions or prodding, she finally relented.

She nodded as Malicia said that she would meditate, agreeing that was wise. It was one thing for Sith to be dangerous - they basically all were - but a Sith who couldn't control themselves or their power was a danger to everyone. Renfry knew that she was placing herself in a certain amount of danger just by being here, by helping, and by what she knew.

I will, she said with a sober nod as Malicia said to find her. Renfry still had plans of her own. To become a master of the arcane, one needed more than a single discipline, and if there were Sith Lords with knowledge of alchemy, magic, and the arcane... well, then she would need it.

As Malicia left, Renfry took a deep breath and buried her face in her hands. She felt exhausted and wanted to simply sit there and listen to the jungle. Grand plans could wait.