Ask Here We Go Again

[Thel Xeros]

Ogem

Thel had agreed to oversee the training of another acolyte. Param was growing more powerful, and it would only be a matter of time before she became a champion.

He had chosen a remote planet for the introduction. Ogem was a far-removed place, well away from prying eyes. He felt that he had allowed other Sith to become too close to the operation he was running on Troiken.

He stood on a grassy area in a large cave. An opening up above provided ample light. He was wearing his robes, as he usually preferred to. He had brought Param with him to assist with the training session.

@TheDudeMike @Mythos

 

[Gemini]

As Gemini stepped down from the gangplank and opened his mind's eye upon the landscape, his face grimaced and his stomach churned. He looked down at datapad. "Yep. These are the coordinates." He spoke over a lump at his throat and an oversalivated mouth. "Grrrreeeaaat. His last word he dragged out in a slight overwhelming reluctance.

Gemini really didn't prefer solidarity. Nor did he enjoy greenery. In all honesty, he preferred the life of Nar Shadaa or Taris, a place where his form didn't stand out and he could easily get lost in the crowd. Out here, it felt too open. He felt too vulnerable. He didn't like it. But this was the location that had been given to him and 'x' marked the spot so they said. That mangy Squib better have been right about the meeting. It seemed someone had wanted an introduction.

He reached into his pocket and withdrew the vapor, taking a deep inhalation of the crimson colored spice before slowly exhaling a puff of its pink plum. "At least if this is a set up, I'll go down tripping bog rats." With the first step down, he began the trek toward the lingering cove, and within, the Sith he unknowingly came to meet. All he knew, was listed above, and that their backgrounds came back deep in money. Still, we didn't say he wasn't a careful man. Just carefree.

When he cleared the cave's depths into its enlightened plains, he came across the duo almost casually. " Hey, yo." He chirped up with a wave as he lingered up the knoll. "You the two Varkas said I should meet?" He gave a grin, his other hand tucked beneath his jacket upon the Vibro-Ax beneath.

 

[Param Vour]

Param was lying on her back in the grass, hands behind her head with her silver eyes closed. The warm sunlight from the small opening came down on her in bright streaks as if she were some sort of chosen one. She was wearing her black robes and trousers, if only because Master Thel seemed more disappointed than usual whenever she wore anything comfortable. Vee was curled up next to her in the grass, the little red and silver BD-unit in sleep mode.

She was rather enjoying relaxing in the grass, something that wouldn't last long as a newcomer approached. Vee perked up just as Param could sense the man in the Force. With a groan, Param sat up and got to her feet. Vee hopped up onto her left shoulder and settled in. He gave a couple of quiet beeps that Param answered with a pat on his head.

Of course the newcomer was quite interesting. More-so because of the vibro-axe. Param couldn't fathom wanting to wield something so heavy and... awkward. She'd seen all sorts of weaponry from across the galaxy while helping Master Thel acquire assets and remove assets from others, but never before has she seen something that this. She gave a small wave, putting her hands on her hips afterward. She'd let Master Thel do the talking.

@DMCK @Mythos

 

[Thel Xeros]

He sensed the other as they approached. Eventually, they came into view. Male, average height, fair-skinned and red hair. He remained stony faced as they approached. Presumably this was the acolyte. Who else could it be? He noticed Param hop to her feet, ready to greet them. When she did, she gave them a small wave. She was unconventional in her approach, but she had proven to be a useful apprentice. Competent enough to overlook a few mishaps along the way.

He resisted the desire to raise an eyebrow at the man’s greeting. It didn’t bother him. Tempest may not have looked on it so kindly though.

“I assume so. But just to be sure, what is your name and your reason for being here?”

@TheDudeMike @Mythos

 

[Gemini]

Gemini's eyes squinted as his friendly demeanor continued to the rising girl as was met with her wave, a broader smile lingering but for a moment until the other spoke, his words echoing slightly against the breeze that funneled into the sunlit cavern. Neither had gave any true aggression in their presentation, causing Gemini to lower his guard to a more relaxed undertone, his hand loosening upon the axe beneath his jacket but not off. His gaze shifted to the Elder of the two.

"The names Gemmy, but others call me Gemminy, either one is fine." He spoke in a cheerful tone, bringing his grin full again as his free hand ran its fingers through his air as it shifted against the breeze. "That Squib, Varkas, said some folks were interested in a meet, to gauge me up for a big opportunity. So here I am. You the folks?"

His words were spoken in half truths, as was his way. But, as a wanted man, he could never reveal his true identity even to the closest of companions. Never knew where trouble could find one, so he tended to play out of his typical character.

 

[Thel Xeros]

They seemed unusually cheerful. They obviously were new. Any training under another Sith would have more than likely ground the cheeriness out of them.

“I assume we are. Show me the weapon you’ve brought with you.”

He remembered when he began training Param. She could barely even hold a lightsaber properly. He hoped this one was starting from a stronger position.

@TheDudeMike @Mythos

 

[Gemini]

There was but a brief moment of silence between the trio after the Elder spoke his response, Gemini gauging the two as his Mind's eye fluttered briefly upon the Force through his natural sight. Normally, he was casual, interacting with others in a nonchalant relaxed mood. But there was a certain aura about these two, a seriousness he rarely seen in others, and yet the Elder seemed the more blunt as the other stood in silence.

"This old thing?" He questioned, a more serious tone coming forth as his eyes narrowed and he brought forth the Vibro-Ax from beneath his robes. Tossing it at the Elder's feet, he smirked in his continuance. "That is but an extension, meaningless."

Gemini truly didn't know these two. But in his mind, they didn't know him neither. He was a survivor, a man of many means. And though he was very young when the fire that claimed his family left him an orphan, the man before them had been birthed from the Sands of Tatooine, a creature of the Dune Sea. Had Scorpio survived, he was the one whom preferred the talking. And Virgo had always been the one of action. Gemini, on the other hand, had always been the one of silence in thought.

His greatest weapon laid between his shoulder and due north. And he used it to best of his abilities.

 

[Param Vour]

Param was in front of Master Thel within the blink of an eye, just a monochromatic blur to the naked eye. The vibro-axe was in her hand, and both her, and Vee were looking at it with a mild interest. It was a strange weapon. A long handle yet a small surface area for the blade. It had reach over a regular vibro-knife, but come within that reach and the wielder would be completely open. Unless of course the man was a lumberjack, but she doubted that.

She turned a pale gaze to Master Thel, turning so that he could see the strange weapon. Giving a small hum of disapproval, Param tossed the axe back on the ground, this time a littler farther away from her Master. She returned to her position at her Master's side. The axe had been heavy, and the man was a fairly large guy, meaning he probably went for strength and power when he fought; just like most Sith she'd ever met.

@DMCK @Mythos

 

[Thel Xeros]

He watched as Gemini revealed a Vibro-ax. How disappointing. It seemed he was destined to be given acolytes who didn’t utilise a lightsaber as their primary choice of weapon. He didn’t react when they chucked the weapon to the ground.

He sensed Param’s intention to seize the Vibro-ax, just before she did it. She was fast, but her movements were perceptible to him. He gave a cursory glance to the weapon before it was tossed to the ground again.

“I want to gauge the level of your abilities. To do that, it will be necessary for you to duel my apprentice,” he explained. “Param is very capable. She will present a difficult challenge. Pick up your weapon.”

@TheDudeMike @Mythos

 

[Gemini]

For a brief moment, Gemini's facade came down as the revelation of his situation came to light and his silvered eyes momentarily shown his shock. These were Sith, right? Just as was his Uncle, just as was his m...? He knew he was outmatched the moment Apprentice escape the Elder's lips. Her movements now made more sense. Not even the blade laying in the grass below could aid him now whether they be Sith or Jedi.

But why would the Sith be interested in him? In his talents? His mind didn't hinder his thoughts as they went a mile a minute at not only the threat, but the prospect that could transpire. It seemed he had already disappointed them, but he felt he was not out of their interest just yet. Yet, how could he prove himself to trained Sith, whatever the job may be. Surely not in combat. Or could he?

"If I am to duel your Apprentice as you ask, may I make a simple request. After all, I am at a disadvantage against the Force." He poised to the two that stood before him. "Weapons are for the weak and defenseless. If you truly wish to gauge my skill, it should be done in unarmed combat". With a bow of the head, he asked. "Will you grant me this request?

Now it laid in their hands, both of his fate, and their desire to truly know him.

@TheDudeMike @DMCK

 

[Thel Xeros]

Thel smirked slightly. If Param noticed, it would probably be one of the few times she had seen him come close to a smile.

“Weapons are for the weak and defenceless, are they? You’re hopelessly naive. When you have to fight, it will more than likely be a matter of life and death. A weapon would be necessary. So, I will not grant your request,” he stated, the tone of his voice harsh. “Param, begin the lesson,” he said, gesturing towards Gemini.

@Mythos @TheDudeMike

 

[Param Vour]

Vee had been through this a time or two. He jumped off Param's shoulder, taking an aggressive stance, as if cheering Param on the sidelines was going to help. Param herself sauntered over to the axe once more. The moment her lightsaber ignited in her right hand, she swung it in a wide arc, slicing the head of the axe from the shaft. Her lightsaber would disengage, saving them all from the red hues that it caused to dance around the cavern. The new acolyte would need his limbs, and her lightsaber didn't have a training feature.

Param kicked the shaft of the axe up, now just a durasteel stick, and began to saunter toward Gemini. After a couple of steps, she'd become a blur again. Sprinting for her was fast already, focusing on speed and agility throughout her training, especially after reconnecting with her echani roots; aided by the Force, to the untrained, it would be as if she skipped the length of distance entirely. Regardless of which one this acolyte was, Param was in front of him in no time.

He would see her silver eyes, and the deadpan expression on her face. There wasn't a tinge of anger, or pang of hatred. This is what she did, and she had gotten pretty good at it. The beating she played out in her mind was but the first lesson in Sith Economics.

She raised the glorified stick with both hands, like a sword, and made as if she were going to strike downward. That was until immediately dropped, letting gravity do most of the work, down to the balls of her feet and knees. The strike from the raised axe-shaft would come in a horizontal swing from Param's right to left, that would slam into the inside of Gemini's right leg, just above the knee. Armor would not save him, as Param propelled it with the Force. Armor's bane was blunt force trauma.

An immediate follow up would be made, Param swinging the the durasteel alloy stick back to the right in a motion so fluid it could only be echani. This swing would connect with the inside of Gemini's left leg, in much the same manner as his right.

@Mythos @DMCK

 

[Gemini]

His gaze shifted from the Elder toward the one he named as Param with an almost disgusted grimace upon his face as silvered eyes locked with silvered eyes. So this Sith's path was one of dominance and destruction, just as it was before. Only this time, his parents weren't there to protect him. But this had always been his life as far back as he could remember. There was only one Gemini could count upon in the entire Galaxy: Himself. But would he be enough to survive this encounter, let alone walk away? He would give it his best.

Shifting his weight toward his stronger leg, the left, Gemini positioned himself in defense, arms close to the ribs and his focus forward as he prepared to defend his core. But this Sith before him came faster than any normal eye could comprehend, her display of her skills even a hard track for his mind's eye, an impressed impression glaring behind those silvered blind eyes as their faces met for the brief moment as they did. Her impression of him, however, was callous and distasteful.

As fluid as she was in her attack, Gemini knew his only chance was the defensive. The moment her form dropped, Gemini kicked his right hill in the dirt and pushed off with his left, sending his form into a forward spiral with intent to land upon his feet opposite her. But her sudden shift was quicker, and in mid air, there were no directional changes. Pain echoed both in his mind and verbally as he yelled out in pain as the handle's hilt landed a solid enough blow to his left leg that armor bent and the Force induced friction threw his center off and him along with it, sending his form spiraling off center to her side face first in the dirt.

Rolling his implanted form aside to quickly recover, Gemini used what momentum he could grasp to swing both legs above his head and twirl them around in an attempt to regain a solid footing once he shifted his upper form upward, but the pain alone from the deep tissue bruise would put an uncomfortable hindrance upon his center. Even he knew there would be no attempt at offense, and for now, he only attempted to get back to his feet.

 

[Thel Xeros]

Thel watched as Param attacked swiftly. He wasn’t expecting much from this acolyte. Even avoiding Param’s attack would have sufficed. That expectation soon proved to be too ambitious. He knew what would happen when they tried to leap to the opposite side of her. She was too quick. He sighed as Gemini crashed to the ground. His disappointment was clear to see when they struggled to get back to their feet.

This will be more difficult than I thought.

He jumped down from his vantage point and approached the two acolytes. “So, it appears you’ve not had any sort of guidance before. Unless I’m mistaken. Tell me, what do you know of the force?”

Param had at least received some very basic training before she became his apprentice. Even if she had been difficult at times, she was gifted. That made his job slightly more simple.

@Mythos

 

[Gemini]

His leg threatened to buckle as his foot took a bended knee, his gaze shifting toward the approaching Elder. His words rang true, but were confusing and rhetorical. What was the man getting at. His training against Users of the Force meant little to Gemini. Surviving had been his main focus pretty much his entire life. While it was true that he sometimes sold his skills, or proved useful while running with others, Force Users had always been pretty much a death sentence. Through winded breath, he responded.

"What is this?" He questioned the Elder from below, the bewilderment and puzzle on his face behind lifeless eyes apparent. "I've only seen one of your kind before. A Jedi on Nar Shadaa. And I'm lucky I wasn't his target. Is that what this is?"

He scoffed, wailing his arms around, and quickly wincing at the bone deep bruise that still ached with the slightest of weight pressed down upon his knee.

"Did that little Squib give me up?" He concluded with a disheartened tone. "Are you here to haul me in? That murder wasn't even my fault. Shouldn't have tried to show off in front his lady friend if he couldn't back it up."

 

[Thel Xeros]

Thel listened to the man ramble on. He didn’t have a clue what he was talking about. Thel was patient, but he had his limits. This meeting wasn’t what he thought it would be. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. I was asked to come here and meet an acolyte within our organisation, so that I could start overseeing their proper training. It seems I was misinformed. I have instead been greeted by someone who seemingly has no force sensitivity and no idea why they are here. Were you not given any indication regarding what this meeting would be about?”

@Mythos

 

[Param Vour]

Param circled Gemini, like a panther watching its prey. The severed shaft in her hand bobbed and spun, keeping it ready to strike at any moment. Despite the menacing appearance, it wasn't to be menacing at all. Master Thel demanded obedience to orders, and she learned very early that immediate obedience was always the answer he sought. If the command to continue beating the large man came, she wouldn't hesitate for a moment.

Silence was her duty now. This was the acolyte that was supposed to replace her in Master Thel's tutelage? At least he would learn. He would feel pain until he understood his place in the galaxy, and learned how to use the Force and a lightsaber; just as she had. At least under Master Thel the man would have a chance to become more reserved, and cautious as a Sith. Param felt a spike in disgust, fighting back a sneer, as she remembered all the Sith she had met that were just rampaging idiots.

At least this boy had a chance to be something better.

@Mythos @DMCK

 

[Gemini]

The man's were still confusing to Gemini, but there was an internal light beginning to be shed upon them as both began to tell their side of the tale. His gaze shifted briefly to the encircling Apprentice before shifting back toward who was obviously the Master. So they were as confused as he was as to the nature of their meeting, two tales told in unison to will this moment into their fates. Something Gemini had never been keen to, but did recognize as potential within the realm of possibilities.

"Varkas said you two were here to judge my skill for a job." He spoke, his tone more stern and yet carrying an accepting undertone in the ruse of deception. "I'm beginning to think that wasn't the case. It seems someone wants me inducted into your order."

The only questions that remained were who and why. As far as he knew, no one knew his true reality. Of his heritage, a ruse he kept hidden by the blessing that he had been born with eyes despite their blindness. Whomever set this farce up knew Gemini almost as much as he knew himself, and to Gemini, such a someone was terrifying in thought. It was at this moment that Gemini dropped the act of his persona and revealed the man beneath the invisible mask.

"I had a feeling this day would come." He spoke with a subtle sigh as he pushed through the pain and rose to his feet, his hands dusting off his armored clothing as he came to full height. "But I am curious to whom sent the two of you. Varkas is a snake, money his only reservation. There's no way he is the mastermind. Not to mention he doesn't know of my sensitivity." Shaking his form loose, he continued. "And given that I'm not in cuffs, means you're no Jedi. So are you Sith?"

 

[Thel Xeros]

Thel listened as the man spoke. He could see Param prowling; waiting to attack if necessary.

He didn’t know who this Varkas was, that they spoke of. There had obviously been some sort of miscommunication in the arrangement of the meeting.

“Yes, we are Sith,” he admitted to the man. Not something he often divulged. He felt no apprehension in admitting it to this man. If he thought they were some sort of a threat to the secrecy of his Sith identity, they wouldn’t leave the planet alive. “I do not know who this Varkas is, that you speak of. I was told to meet you here by a fellow member of the order.” The man had indicated he was force sensitive, not that he showed any sign of it. They also said that they felt this day would come. Perhaps this meeting would prove to not be a waste of time.

“Tell me, would becoming a Sith be of any interest to you?”


@TheDudeMike @Mythos

 

[Gemini]

And there was the confirmation of what Gemini suspected. Someone was pulling dangerous strings, both of the duo before him and those of his own. As the Elder spoke of the one within his Order that sent him, his eyes grew curious and coarse, an inquisitive appearance crossing his face. Who in the man's Order would know of him? Varkas was likely a paid participant as the man's lack of knowing him made apparent.

"I can't say that it doesn't." Gemini replied to his question, his words truthful. "They say my father was a Jedi and my mother a Sith, but my memories of that time are as unknown to me as I am to you."

But Gemini had never really believed the old man who raised him, the likelihood that true love could ever overcome such differences likely the machinations of a madman. Even if it were, it mattered little. His life had been what it was. There was no changing that. Only providing a better and more lucrative future. And here it was presenting its self. It'd be nice to live a life of prosperity and truth.

And maybe find out why these two were sent to him.

If that's your offer..." Gemini spoke, a grin crossing his left cheek. "Then I accept."