Mindful of Memory

[Elijah Brockway]

Crack. Crack.

Each heavy step on the old, weathered stone steps leading to the citadel's main tower led to the cracking and crumbling of ice deposits building up on them, hard claws digging down almost into the rocky substance of the stairway itself. Each shattering punctuated the wind-whipped air, almost giving a sense of rhythm to the meterless howling in the air. Cursing the cold, the being walking shrugged his cloak tighter around himself, ascending the steps to the tower.

With a wave of his hand, the ancient doorway - recently rennovated, with the Sith occupation of the planet - groaned its way open, the servos controlling the doors whining as they attempted to fight the way the cold was forcing them to freeze up. As soon as the large man entered, the doors slid shut again. He drew back his hood, now that he was within warmth again, revealing a distinctly reptillian face, with four red-and-yellow eyes scanning the room quickly. "Hmph."

From there he ascended to the audience room within the citadel quickly, passing from the tower to the central keep along a (thankfully enclosed) walkway. His cane tapped the ground all the while, each clack of the ferrule hitting the ground serving as a small reminder that his cane was not entirely what it appeared to be. His eyes looked over the room quickly, taking in every detail, as he started to introduce himself to the being who was in the room with him, though as of yet hadn't turned to face him.

"Kira Elan," he said, the words slipping out in a quiet rumble. "Or Moff Elan, or Darth Solum, yes?" He stood still as she turned to face him, nonchalantly leaning on his cane.

"You requested my appearance. I have given it. Why?"

@Prudence

 

[Prudence]

The soft clicking of keys filled the otherwise hollow room as Kira's slender fingers danced across the keyboard connected to her data-terminal. Her eyes drifted from the screen to the window, where snow fell from the sky, further blanketing frozen world in snow. Kira found a bit of comfort in the world, its cold barrenness resounding with her own inner turmoil at not knowing where she belonged in the galaxy. Having only recently abandoned the Jedi, she'd come to be close friends with Lord Cipher, though she would always call him by Eryn.

As she gazed out the viewport she could feel a presence approaching, one extraordinarily dark, and ancient. No doubt it would be Torker, the ancient Sith she had summoned for council. She began finishing up a final line on her document when she heard the door swish open. He wasted no time introducing himself, and the Sith turned her attention towards him only after he had finished. Rising from her chair she began striding across the ancient stone floor towards him.

"You forgot, Sith Okav, that it's now Grand Moff." The promotions had come quick for Kira, earning both Darth and Grand Moff in one swoop. She hadn't missed the being's clear snub in refusing to bow, and calling her first by her name, and dropping her titles later as an annoying afterthought. Kira shot him a roll of her eyes, and that was all.

"Do follow me." she said, moving away from her desk and through a short hall into a sitting area. This room was furnished with an expansive rug across its floor, view ports lining the walls, and a bank of couches and other comfortable chairs. Kira picked one, a large plush blue chair, and curled into it, her legs sitting under her. Motioning to any of the sitting places she nodded,

"I did indeed, Torker. You have been around within the brotherhood for quite a while, have you not?"

 

[Elijah Brockway]

As Kira spoke with an imperious nature far too quickly adopted by one as young as her, Torker thought on the odd habit that most mamallian species had, raising their eyebrows in mild curiosity and bemusement. If he had an eyebrow to raise, he would have. Instead, she asked him to follow her; unwilling to let the meeting fall immediately to hostilities, he followed along, sedate...for the moment. His cane and claws clacking against the hard floor, he entered the room at the same time she did, his longer stride making him catch up quite quickly.

"I predate the Brotherhood," he replied disinterestedly, finding the least cushioned chair available to sit on. He found such displays of foolish wealth and comfort as Kira were displaying to be inimical to the nature of the Sith, as well as disrespectful to the forebears of the current order; he'd attempt not to play into it. "And I oftentimes find that it is too soft compared to the Sith of old, though that is a different discussion entirely." His eyes glanced back to the moff, his alien gaze meeting hers unflinchingly.

"You still haven't answered my question, miss Elan. I would appreciate some frank elucidation as to the reasoning for your calling me here."

 

[Prudence]

Kira raised one eyebrow in a disinterested expression of surprise. She had known the man was old, just not that old, though that fit into exactly why she'd called him here. She internally chuckled at his statement that the sith were too soft. She only wondered what he thought of her, having only recently come from the Jedi though she would save them both the awkwardness of asking. He was quite straight forward, and showed that he had little respect for her new rank. Old men always do love their 'experience' as opposed to any form of rank. Perhaps there is a reason you've been around so long but have yet to reach Darth, Torker? Not too terribly troubled by his lack of respect, however Kira continued,

"Ah, yes. I brought you here for that very reason. As you know, I am new to the brotherhood in comparison to yourself, or even Lord Cipher. I would like you to become my Adviser, while I serve as Grand Moff. You have seen an Empire rise, fall, and rise again. I find that your council would be much appreciated."

 

[Elijah Brockway]

"Perhaps you have more sense in you than your current crop, then," Torker dryly replied, a hint of disdain and humour both in his voice. "Though you would do well to learn to conceal your expressions better, should you engage in politics. The mind is easiest to read when one turns themselves into a vid-screen for it." He stretched his jaw, the muscles within it rippling as it moved, a minor example of what the rest of his body still held.

"But why seek the council of your elders when so many of your age seem to think it unnecessary?" he asked, his gaze piercing. "One 'supreme leader' has already stepped down from the role, and he predated even myself. Nobody looks to him for council, now. The only other I can think of with similar age is a moff much like yourself." He bared his teeth in the predatorial, Annoo-dat variation of a grin.

"Most of those you work with, of this more courtly and civilized generation might find my lessons anachronistic...let alone animalistic." His mouth drew back down over his teeth, his face taking on its usual, mildly disinterested expression again. It would be almost immediately obvious that he was sizing Kira up in a way that he hadn't been moments ago, though for what purpose would be hard to distinguish simply from his body language.

"I do not often take pupils...only with very good reason. Tell me, Kira, what drives you? What do you hope to gain from my council, and what should I expect to gain from you in return?"

 

[Prudence]

"Just because I am surrounded by fools does not make me too a fool."

Kira leaned back into her seat as he continued, listing beings that were similar to him in age, specifically Lord Vi, and A Moff? Perhaps Greir? She would have to investigate this further. Her lips were pressed into a dry expression, the Annoo-dat was quite peculiar, she would give him that.

"I am driven by a desire for order." She said, "I Hope to gain from you your wisdom, having witnessed the rise and fall of the Sith. From myself, you will gain my respect, and any favors, should you find yourself in need to call upon me. Perhaps animalistic is what this galaxy needs, seeing as we are without our Supreme Leader."

 

[Elijah Brockway]

"The fourth such being in recent times to prove unfit to retain the position in some way. And yet you looked at me oddly, partially, I assume, for voicing the fact that this era's Sith - and Jedi as well - are soft." He leaned back further than he was, looking down on the woman, who he towered over by more than two feet. Two and a half, by his guess, for by now he had straightened his spine back to his full height. For a moment, he appeared to be weighing the offer he had received, before with a dismissive gesture he rejected it.

"No, Miss Elan, I'm afraid that won't do. Respect should always be given to your teachers and advisors, if you expect them to give you anything useful in their roles; favours are an intangible and oftentimes worthless commodity to trade in, especially amongst our folk." He rested both hands back on the knob of his cane, leaning in - almost conspiratorily - towards Kira.

"If I am to advise you, to give you any guidance whatsoever, then I expect two things. The first is complete communication - I expect to know all of what is happening, political and otherwise, and will brook no lying that you aren't smart enough to conceal. The second is action. You'll need to be swift and decisive, either in the actions I might possibly counsel you to take or those you choose on your own. If you act with or against my recommendations, it must be whole-heartedly, without any second-guessing. An unsure mind will get you killed very quickly within the Sith." He leaned back again, his somewhat bored face returning.

"Should you accept those terms, then we can continue. If not, you will need to find another advisor. I'm sure Vereshin would welcome the intrusion on his privacy."

 

[Prudence]

The Sith shot him an inquisitive look as he denied her initial offer, though replaced it with one of understanding as the large reptilian Sith spoke again. Pressing her hands together as they rested in her lap she leaned back and nodded,

"That is acceptable, Torker. Those are wise words to live by, and I intend to do just that. We must act swiftly and precisely if we are to rid the Galaxy of the cancer that grows at its very core. To do so I find that your council would be most useful. Please, do allow us to continue."

Kira was impressed by the old man's wisdom, perhaps he isn't just an egotistical lizard.

 

[Elijah Brockway]

Torker drew the outside of his lipless mouth back again, his face dominated by the predatory grin. It was a sight that many Sith had decided they didn't like seeing over the years...and one that many others had found to be their last sight, when Torker had concluded a hunt. He wondered what Kira might come to think of it over the coming time of their working relationship.

"Good," he said after a moment, the reptillian growl vibrating the floor beneath them. "Then consider all of today's meeting to be your first...lesson, of sorts, from me. And allow me to finish it with one final word of advice." He reached out a hand, drawing a single item to himself. This item was a single wineglass - made of the finest crystal, and Torker decided that it would be properly expensive to be a demonstrative piece.

"Hold nothing sacred," he hissed. "Everything around you, be it a weapon, a position you can take, or even another sentient being, is nothing but a stepping stone to further your status, and a tool for you to gain more power. You have to be willing to use them mercilessly, and when their usefulness has ended..." he suddenly crushed the glass in his hand, almost instantly reducing it to powder against his thick scales. "You sacrifice them, and thereby keep yourself strong on your path to greatness. Nothing is indisposable." He turned over his hand, the powdered glass falling slowly to the floor, as the drafts in the room picked up some of it and attempted to carry it away.

"If you can understand that concept and incorporate it into everything you do, then I have no doubt you will be successful in your endeavours."

 

[Prudence]

Kira drew in a deep breath, steadying her mind and centering herself as Torker began to give him more of his odd brand of wisdom. He considered that today was already one of their 'lessons', as if she were a padawan yet again and he were her Jedi Master, though clearly they were not Jedi. When he spoke again, the words cut deep into her. Hold nothing Sacred. Everything around you is but a stepping stone to further your status.Kira's mind began to race, to her friends, though let's be honest. In the Sith Kira had but one friend, Eryn. Shielding her mind immediately she let out a shaky nod,

"I understand. We will be successful."

 

[Elijah Brockway]

Torker gave a sharp nod of appreciation, glad to find another person in the Sith who - while they may still have been coddled and weak - was at least willing to get stronger. "Indeed we shall," he breathed out, the quiet words dissipating into the air almost as soon as they were given life. "You, by getting stronger; myself, by ensuring the Sith don't fall entirely into weak complacency." He stood up, leaning on his cane.

"Now, miss Elan, I would appreciate getting to know your history better, so that I might know why you are the way you are and how that will affect my counsel; as well, I assume you will wish for me to join you here." He gestured with one clawed hand to the rest of the citadel proper. His meaning would be fairly obvious, especially as soon as he made his wishes known: "Perhaps you could show me around this abode, that I might better know my new residence."

 

[Prudence]

"Complacency is not something we will find ourselves fallen to, the weak shall be culled before that occurs."

Kira's eyebrows arched a little as he asked her to show her around the citadel, and tell of her history. Apparently the larger Reptilian man intended to move in. She Certainly had enough space for him.

Rising from her chair she motioned that he follow her, as she moved back towards the door which they had entered through.

"As I'm sure is not a secret I was not born Sith. I was instead born on Hosnian Prime to an..." she swallowed "an abusive family. My father was the only one of my parents that truly cared about me, but he was kept in line by my mother. I was taken from my home at a young age, so my memory of them is still pretty sketchy. I'm not sure if they're still alive. I spent my whole life on Tython, though I have now seen the truth."

They were now in the private office of Kira, prepared to exit into an antechamber which would lead further into the citadel,

"And yourself? Where were you born? Do you have any family?"

 

[Elijah Brockway]

"If by family you mean 'blood relations,' then I'm sure I have a few somewhere," Torker replied. "There are many Annoo-dat in the galaxy. My immediate progenitors, however, were killed for disobeying a Lord of the Sith." His words carried little tone to them beyond his usual air of disinterest, though one schooled in reading a reptile's expressions and body language would likely notice that, instead of the possible regret or other emotions one might expect, Torker held nothing but disdain for his parents. "I was told all of this at a later date, of course. And shown records that proved it. My master ultimately had to pay for three slaves that day when he'd intended to only buy one...from one of his primary rivals, no less. I caused him trouble before I could even speak."

He looked around at the office, taking in every detail, while also processing through the various details that Kira had revealed to him. Not only in her words, but in her tone and in her body language, the involuntary as well as the voluntary. "What about your life as a Jedi, then? As well as how you came to be Sith. This is all rather important information."

 

[Prudence]

Torker's tale sent chills down her spine. The old beast was detailing the death of his family, his parents, with such a cold detachment that she wondered how he ever conjured up the Force. What emotions did the man have to offer to the Force for it to give him strength? She led the two of them out of the office and onto a grand stone staircase that lead to the lower level of the Citadel. As she did so she turned her head to face him,

"My time as a Jedi..." turning her head away she began to recall her previous life, "I was taken to the jedi at a young age, abducted from an abusive situation on my home world. I absorbed myself in my studies when I was young, and was eventually taken as a padawan. My master was caring and wise, but not the greatest of Jedi. He was of average quality, and he died in the attack on Tython by the traitor Jedi. I took a padawan in my final months with the Jedi, though she was a spoiled brat, and trenched in the Dark Side. I'm not sure where the girl is now, but she is weak. She will not survive long without the Order or the Brotherhood."

 

[Elijah Brockway]

"If she can't survive on her own, then she has no business in either order," Torker replied coldly. "Certainly not in the Brotherhood." He continued walking, his four eyes taking in every detail of the surrounding rooms, stairs, and hallways as he walked through them on his current trek about the citadel. "As for your former master, it is regrettable that he died in the attack." With no further elucidation as to the statement he continued walking, although shortly after they left the stairs and entered a hall he began to speak again.

"My training was much different," he said, looking closely at a painting hung on the wall. "It makes that of the current Sith in the Brotherhood look coddled, let alone you Jedi...although I suppose the Jedi from nearly two centuries ago made you all look coddled as well."

 

[Prudence]

Kira nodded along as Torker spoke of Leira. His description was accurate. The little brat had been far too pathetic for survival, and soon evolution would claim her. He surprised her, however, when he began to touch on Kira's former master, actually showing sympathy that the man fell in combat.

"Well you can't quite blame me for my former training. It isn't like I had much of a choice. I wasn't even informed about where I was going. Though I've found my way now, I do believe."

They reached the bottom of the staircase and Kira motioned around,

"There's more to the citadel, but most of it is security and mechanical areas. It isn't too much, but it's a nice place to call home."

 

[Elijah Brockway]

"Indeed, you've managed to find yourself on the true path to self-betterment," Torker mused. "Better late than never, I suppose." He placed both hands atop his cane as they stood in place, looking down the hall near them. The citadel was a large and somewhat empty building, even for all that there was still in it. Torker doubted that the decorations he had seen earlier were to be found all through the building. It would be pointless with how little of it was going to be inhabited by those who would share in such tastes.

"Hopefully you'll be able to maintain the defence of your home here...though I suppose, should it prove necessary, I'll have a vested interest in aiding you. Speaking of that, now that I have seen the place, where specifically might I call my temporary abode for whenever I am here to advise you? For all that you mammal species refuse to recognize any similarities between our monstrous selves and yours, we need sleep the same as you."