Second Chance

[ZabrakBustati]

Bustati had been on Korriban for only a few days. Her induction into the Academy unsurprisingly brutal, strenuous, and ever demanding of her efforts, as was the statement made by her bruised limbs, busted lip, and eye which was swollen shut. One might think after such torment, perhaps she would rest along with the others, but how could she sleep when her soul was restless. In the quiet of the night. in a room designated for physical combat training, she found peace of mind, sort of...

It had been quite some time since she thought to perform the combat routines of her people, masters of Martial Arts in their own right. For many a year she did not see the point in partaking in such traditions, after all with only one leg, the other replaced by a peg, she would merely appear foolish. Now, however, now was different. Now she had a mech-leg, with an attached foot, a knee that bent at the joint, and it rotated comfortably at the hip. Now, she had a second chance to reclaim her birth right, as a Zabrak. Though just by watching, one could tell she was a bit rusty.

Her stance was that of a slight crouch and slightly sideways so as to narrow her invisible opponents target, but alas give her full range of his. This she had correct as were the punches to follow, but the steps, the kicks? It was a dance that was off beat, a count that only went to seven when it should have gone to eight. There was a grunt of frustration as she tried one particular routine again, making utterances under her breathe of, "Left-right-jab-duck-!" OOMPH She lost her footing and hit the ground with a fist before rising to the occasion again. Her people were a proud one, and she was no different.

 

[RedneckLoves]

On this night, Rosalin took a rare break from her meditations. Normally sitting in her small dark room, connecting with the powers within and around her, on the planet and in the temple, held her in thrall and she almost never was found anywhere else during these dark hours. In fact the change in routine was irritating for she very much enjoyed meditating and enjoyed always having a schedule. Alas, with the chaotic and military nature of the Sith Brotherhood, a strict and stable routine was very hard to accomplish and at times she was forced to do things differently that she would have liked.

Pacing through quiet halls, Rosalin was awaiting a messenger to inform her that the ship she would be traveling on to her next mission was prepared to launch. The crew was supposed to have left already, more than an hour ago, and reports continually stated that the craft should be ready any minute. Of course now she realized those reports had been to simply placate the mission team and any other higher ranking Sith that may become violently angry at the longer delay time. Hence, she was left waiting around with no real idea when she would be leaving.

Many in her position would be down at the hangar, berating, harassing, or beating the crew that failed to make the ship ready on time. She had no interest in this type of reaction. Brute force could be a powerful manipulator, but it was so simple minded and easy for those who possessed strength of muscle. She was not imbued with such a trait, but certainly that did not make her an easier foe. Her strength lay in the mind and of that she reigned supreme. She pitied the poor fools getting beaten for the delayed craft, but lingered on them not. It was a problem far beneath her intelligence. She only wished she had known it would take this long to be under way, if she had she'd have begun her meditations and been able to sit for a while undisturbed.

As it was, Rosalin happened to hear on this quiet night the sound of someone muttering to themselves and falling to the ground multiple times. Having nothing else occupying her thoughts, she made her way toward the sounds and found a young female zabrak with a mechanical leg practicing combat stances and routines in a training room. Watching for a moment, Rosalin could easily tell that the young woman must not have had a very good replacement leg for some time, awkward as her movements were. After another few moments, she decided she would see what this student might have to offer.

Walking into the small room, Rosalin spoke quietly, "You must learn to concentrate your efforts and move slowly, with deliberation. Rushing leads to falling."

 

[ZabrakBustati]

Bustati froze as a cold whisper seemed to take hold of the dark room, illuminated only by the various moons scattered across the sky. She took in the advice, digesting it like an over cooked piece of skin. Who was this person? What did they know of Zabrak Martial Arts, or even Martial Arts for that matter? Curiosity got the best of her and she dared to look around. Only to spot a woman far superior to her. Instinct caused her to stand at attention, "Can I get you anything?" She asked. Unsure of herself in the woman's presence, but knowing quite well she wasn't supposed to be out and about at this time of night.

Her gaze moved away from her not daring to look at her a second time. Power was to be respected before harnessed. Less death seemed like the most likely scenario for her. Still though the woman's advice echoed in her mind. But should she continue? She continued to stand there a bit stiff, waiting.

 

[Ma'hal Vel]

Most Sith would have far better things to do than wander dusty corridors and harass Acolytes. Most Sith had Important Duties or Missions to be on. Off Benefiting the cause and shedding blood for the greater bad. Ma'hal was... Decidedly not most Sith. He Acted the part, he even looked it. But when push came to shove there was nothing the Vahla loved more than ruffling feathers for no reason other than the reactions people gave him. It was in this interest that he dragged himself out of his reasonably comfortable bunk and away from his Holocrons to have a stroll. See what sort of shenanigans he could find to keep his mind occupied. And Look here... Shenanigans to spare. In the form of a Zabrak with a Metal Leg... And a positively delightful Humanoid Woman. This was sure to be fun.

The Sith stepped just inside the room just in time to catch the exchange and leaned against the door frame, a seemingly calm smile on his face. He made no effort to hide anything about himself. He just seemed like a pretty average run of the mill Sith. Even his Lightsaber was plain, a silver tube hanging from his belt. Ma'hal tucked his hands into his long, flowing robes and sighed.

"Falling usually means getting stabbed. Or Losing a Leg... Not good for your health, as I'm sure you can imagine."

 

[ZabrakBustati]

Bustati jumped again as another voice lurked from the shadows. A second Sith, great. She felt his words were making a cheap shot at her missing leg, and that indeed made her bristle, but she was also smart enough to pick her battles. She gave a bow to both Sith, and then tried to focus back on her martial arts routine. She first focused on her breathe, closing her eyes taking a moment to meditate, center herself, and then focus that inner rage.

The force began to guide her in slow precise movement, still the same movement of her people, but this was different. Her movements were sharper and more precise despite the aura that thickened around her form, restraining movement but at the same time aiding it as it pushed a pulled at her to go here, strike there. Her eyes opened and she looked back to the two Sith, a bit mesmerized by her own actions. Indeed she hadn't fallen once, and from the look of surprise on her face, this was a rather delightful notion.

 

[RedneckLoves]

Rosalin's lip curled with both annoyance and hunger at the pathetic way the young zabrak acolyte reacted to her presence. This one was weak. Scared and trembling. Maybe this wasn't worth her time after all. Weaklings were rarely worth the trouble of interacting with, having virtually no use whatsoever beyond simple slave work.

"Can I get you anything?"

When the zabrak woman asked if Rosalin needed anything, trembling and shaking with every word, she couldn't contain a laugh. Wheezy and slight, it was not a merry laugh. Few beings in the galaxy every heard Rosalin Jareme's laughter and those who did never forgot it. It was cold and humorless, quite unnerving in an action usually reserved for merriment and happiness.

Before she could make a humiliating and scathing remark, another Sith entered the room. "Falling usually means getting stabbed. Or Losing a Leg... Not good for your health, as I'm sure you can imagine."

Rosalin looked upon the newcomer with irritation and superiority in her gaze. He at least was actually a Sith, not a lowly acolyte. Still there was nothing remarkable about him whatsoever. The generic and pitiful attempt at poking fun at the zabrak only furthered this impression. However, Rosalin knew that sometimes useful books hid behind unremarkable covers, and therefore did not entirely dismiss him out of hand.

Turning away and feigning to ignore him, Rosalin turned her attention back to the young zabrak acolyte. She was moving through the motions of her training routine again and this time was doing much better. She moved with precision and determination that Rosalin wouldn't have expected from the type of weakling she expected from her earlier actions. Perhaps this was one not to be pushed from the mind either. The zabrak turned and grinned radiantly in the direction of the two older Sith, and Rosalin glared at her for it. This acolyte must be fairly new to Korriban. It didn't take long in the Sith training program to realize that showing any kind of weakness was akin to the signing of your own death warrant. Grinning at her success, the zabrak woman was effectively conveying to all watching that she hadn't expected to succeed and was surprised when she did. That was a weakness.

In a harsh and unforgiving tone of voice, Rosalin berated the young acolyte. "Not having confidence in yourself is also a way to ensure your doom, young Acolyte. Showing this weakness will undoubtedly bring others more powerful to your door for a bit of sport or to end your life. You should know this without being told."

 

[Ma'hal Vel]

Ma'hal stepped further into the room then, well aware that he was being ignored by the other Sith. That was fine though, his focus was on the self satisfied acolyte. Now There was something that could be of use to him. He made a dismissive gesture and smirked, His voice lifting again in that Imperial Lilt of his. Every word Biting and filled with some ridiculous glee. It's like the guy enjoyed playing with fire.

"As much as I hate agreeing with the proverbial stick in the sand." Ma'hal glanced sidelong at Rosalin and shook his head in mock sorrow, "She does have a point. Being that green, while understandable, isnt exactly forgivable. Better than terrible is still bad... Now either grow some confidence, or Fake it. Otherwise this planet will chew you up and spit you out. Which, as she so eloquently put it, You should know without being told. "

The Vahla tucked his hands into his robes then, scowling at the Zabrak. "Your Name."

 

[ZabrakBustati]

Bustati smile wilted rather quickly as the two Sith seemed to have nothing but scathing remarks towards her slight success. There was an audible sigh as she turned away from both of them so as to conceal the eye roll if not look of irritation. Life was hard before, why would it be any different now? Still as a slave among others in far off worlds there was room for error, though it was marginal. Here there seemed no such room, and that added stress within the training. Training in an art that not too long ago was rather foreign to her. Indeed she was handicapped in more way than one. She would make it though, if anything she was determined.

When she managed to recompose herself she turned around a renewed vigor forced onto her expression, if not stout determination. "I understand." She stated firmly yet clearly. She then looked to the male Sith, who scowled at her, and gave a straightforward if not simple response, "Bustati." Her hands moved behind her back as she looked between the two with a rather quizzical expression. "Two completely different individuals, consumed by the black..." She verbally observed, "Interesting..." She looked at him, "And yours?" The same question seemed to remain for the female Sith. "What's your stories?"

 

[RedneckLoves]

Rosalin oddly felt the urge to laugh yet again, something she rarely did. The impulse alone caused her to pause in her verbal response. This young acolyte did indeed have a fire within her. It may be small, it may be hidden deep, but it was there and it was lit. Faced with two higher ranking Sith, both with the ability to crush her where she stood, still the zabrak defied them. By asking such personal questions, it was obvious to Rosalin that she was trying to throw them both off by seeing how they reacted.

"Bustati." Rosalin stated simply and without expression.

Ignoring Bustati's own questions, the Sith slowly advanced on the young acolyte. Rosalin eyed her up and down, taking notice of that which had not cared to notice before. She circled the zabrak with the patient intensity of a predator circling its dinner. Bustati's leg had been severed from her long ago, but it was only recently that she attained a suitable mechanical replacement. There were sores and splinters near the stump that showed the shoddy limb she had previously possessed. The young woman had not lived peacefully nor easily. Her hands were calloused from hard work and her skin was marred by various scars attesting to the difficult life she had lived.

All of this was unsurprising to the Sith Sorcerer, as many who showed up on this dark planet were marked by difficult pasts. What Rosalin was interested in was whether or not this Acolyte would use her past as fuel or as an excuse.

"Tell me, Bustati," Rosalin's soft voice drew out the name with an almost sarcastic air, "where is it your aspirations lie?"

 

[Sterling Malory Archer]

The male smirked widely and tucked his hands firmly into the vest he wore under his robes. As much as he hated to admit it, the Zabrak had guts. Enough to hold her own against two sith without shirking away outright. And that was more than could be said about most of the pups who came through the halls of his home. Still, he couldnt outright respond to her questioning without acknowledging her as an equal. And he couldnt afford that luxury with another Sith so close by. To do so would invite all kinds of ruin. No, instead he Simply shook his head and watched Rosalin do her little pacing routine. Letting her and the Zabrak speak before speaking up with his answer.

"Stories...? Stories are for dusty old soldiers and Starship Captains. We are sith. Fill in the blanks there. Tell me. What do you think our stories are? I'd be very curious..."

Truth be told, he mostly just wanted to see if she would risk upsetting them... And if she did, how far she would go. It was all a wonderful game to Ma'hal. The kind you played for keeps.

 

[ZabrakBustati]

She remained as she stood hands behind her back, not by her side, not crossed over her chest. She smirked that hint of ambition twinkling in her amber hues, "To be someone, someone worth knowing, worth remembering." Such a question seemed to open her up a bit more, loosen that tongue for talking as she realized this was more a show of wits than strength, and smartly so on all their parts. She then looked over to the male Sith, "Dusty old soldiers survive wars for a reason and Starship captains were once maggots in the trenches. Stories matter." She gave a shrug, "Regardless, I know which days are the golden ones, do you?"

Her arms moved upwards, hands staying locked behind her back as she gave herself the luxury to stretch as well as a pause for silence before answering the next question to follow. Her hands then began animating her speech in a very quiet manner, accenting, but not trying to overcrowd her voice, "I think your stories are quite a bit like mine. Life didn't amount to much growing up, at least not to your expectations. Each of you believed you had a voice worth being heard, acknowledged, followed, respected...no matter how subtle or quiet. You came to the academy striving for freedom through power, which we all know can be obtained through knowledge...And to some degree I suppose you have that, more so than me, but still let's face facts. You want to know me, so you can have another pawn at your disposal. And I...well I want to know you so this little pawn can get a promotion..." There was a hint of a smile at the corner of her lips but it wilted. She gave a shrug as her thumbs dipped into the waist band of her Academy issued trousers. Letting the ball of power reside in their court. Let them play with it. Let them toy with it. Let them taunt her with it. One day she would be ready to reach for it, but for now observation as always was key.

 

[RedneckLoves]

Rosalin was pleased at the astuteness of this young acolyte. She had guessed at the two Sith's pasts, and while Rosalin knew nothing of the man next to her, much of it was similar to her own past. The young woman also knew exactly what she was after with this conversation and wasn't afraid to admit her own plans. Perhaps she was brash to so openly explain her own ideas, but Rosalin saw the fire in her eyes as she spoke. This one may indeed be worth keeping an eye on.

Calmly, Rosalin spoke again, prodding the woman to see the truth of her words. "You speak of worth. That you wish to be someone worth knowing and remembering. Have you been so unworthy in the past? Do you put so much stock in what others think of you, rather than your own abilities to take what you want from them? If this is the truth than you are indeed weak and unworthy of my time."

Haughtily, Rosalin turned and went as if to stalk out of the room. She hoped the zabrak would say something to turn her back around, but that would be up to the young acolyte. Having Rosalin as a friend would be beneficial to the acolyte, but Rosalin certainly wouldn't waste her time with the zabrak if she didn't stand up for herself.

 

[Ma'hal Vel]

There was a long silence from the Vahla as he seemed to be measuring the Zabrak in front of him. Silvery eyes focused and a cruel smile playing across his lips. She had gone and done it. She'd played for broke and managed to come out of it alright. He would be proud if he werent so busy wondering where to go from here. Truth be told, the game was quickly losing its flavor for him... And Shaking things up again would just be droll.

"I'll give you this much. You surprise me. I didn't think you had that much Nerve when I wandered in here... So here's a treat. You were mostly correct with the past. Mostly. Although I dont much care for the following or respecting. And unless You can read ancient Sith Runes in long dead dialects... You would be useless as a pawn to me. You Can't, Can you?"

He glanced over at the Female Sith questioningly. Apparently it was just as much directed at her as it was towards the Acolyte, even though she was leaving the room. He was officially settling into a rhythm. Simply moving along through the paces and killing time. These two were certainly one heck of a distraction.

 

[ZabrakBustati]

Bustati spoke in a crisp clear tone as the female Sith seemed keen to wave her off and depart. She wasn't going to let her slip away so easily, "I think our definitions of worth differ if this is the questions you have in regards to me. Perhaps that's my fault though, as it most certainly depends on how one measures worth doesn't it? Allow a moment to explain... If by money then I'm but a beggar. However, if by influence, hmm, well as I'm sure you know, Influence resides in one's ability to control the ebb and flow of the events around you. Oh I've had moments where I've rolled in those riches. Alas though that was then, not now... I'm at a new world, a fresh start, a new ladder to climb, a new game to be played." She smiled and moved a loose strand of hair behind her ear, releasing a quiet and ever pleased sigh, fingertips trailing over the tips of her horns. Then she continued, "Neither of you seem to be the sort who desires an acolyte whose actions are without thought and whose words make you question the intelligence of a rock, and I believe we can all attest to the current pickings. You want influence and power, you need a slave that can do more than swing a light saber. You need someone who understands body language, subtlety through word, and indirect manipulation through more subdued means. Believe me when I say a symbiotic relationship can be made....Oh and one other thing, never mistake well placed groveling and 'oh-oh p-p-please' for a lack of confidence." She smirked, "So many Sith here are dying to have their egos stroked, bit of a high price if you ask me, but it would be a shame not to oblige." Shame was sometimes forfeited for the sake of ambition.

She took a breathe, centered herself and went back to practicing the meditative state that revolved around the Katas of her people's Martial Arts. She paused though as the male Sith spoke, "Give it time, I'm sure I can add it to the six other languages I know." The conversation seemed to calm her if not delight her mind in the thrills of a verbal spar. Indeed as she went back to a punch here, kick there, step, turn, and duck her movements were slow, more focused, and therefore had less mistakes. It was obvious that despite being from a war like people, her capabilities were heavily centered in the intellect's sphere rather than the physical, but this she could use to her advantage in regards to the physical, strengthening her weaknesses.

 

[RedneckLoves]

Rosalin paused just outside the door as the young Zabrak woman spoke out against her. She smiled widely to herself, pleased with the Acolyte's reasoning. This one did indeed have a fire burning within her, but she only allowed it to show when she felt it necessary. Something else kept Rosalin from leaving the sparring room. Without even trying to feel the power within the woman, she found that she could still sense it there. It could be that this Zabrak had powerful connections with the Force. If that was so, she could certainly do worse for a loyal subject.

Hiding her smile now from the others, Rosalin turned around but didn't speak. She simply watched the exchange between her and the male Sith, then as the Zabrak woman continued on with her routines as if no one else was there. She certainly seemed to be growing in confidence and accuracy as she continued with the movements. That showed another useful and somewhat rare attribute. Rosalin had given her advice and instead of hotheadedly ignoring it, Bustati had heeded it. She heard the words, felt them, and used them to her advantage. This was yet another reason to watch her closely. Rosalin had a feeling she would be seeing a lot of this Acolyte.

For now, she had nothing to add or to say to either of them. She simply folded her hands together beneath her robes and watched.

 

[Ma'hal Vel]

Ma'hal laughed dryly, stepping more fully into the room even as his contemporary moved to towards the Exit. He kept the other sith in the back of his mind, however his focus was on the Acolyte. Silvered eyes narrowed in focus. He began to walk in a slow circle around the Acolyte, hand resting at his hip and fingers lazily drumming on the hilt of his Lightsaber. He would never in his life admit that he was enjoying this. But hey, so sue the guy. There was something about the prospect of an unknown that excited him. And this female was an unknown.

"Six is Childs Play without proof. If you wish to impress me, Prove your worth to me. That is, after all, the name of the game. I don't need a weapon to point at my enemies, I already have one of those. Prove that You'd be useful in deeper pursuits."

The question was... How would she respond. And that would make all the difference to the sith currently circling her like a hungry tukata.

 

[ZabrakBustati]

"Impress you? Perhaps a better use of words would be stroke your ego, play your game, or one might even say entertain you..." She said as he circled around her with a predatory glimmer in his silvery eyes. It seemed not to bother her, instead what reflected back at him was a sense of exhaustion mingled with boredom. "But to do any of that, with any degree of success be it marginal, I would have to know what it is that you truly want, hmm? And don't say power we've already had that conversation."

 

[RedneckLoves]

Rosalin was reminded that this young Zabrak certainly knew her own mind when it came to the mind games Sith so often played amongst themselves. However, right now she saw nothing worth commenting on. She was intrigued enough to stay in the room and observe, but was slightly loosing interest in the conversation itself. She was mostly intent on the Acolyte herself. The Zabrak might be manipulated into being a loyal individual to Rosalin. If she could secure the Acolyte in that position, she would be most valuable indeed.

Deciding not to allow the other Sith to derail her plans, though he hardly seemed to be gaining any headway with the young Acolyte, Rosalin spoke up, interrupting their insignificant conversation.

"Tell me, Bustati, of your connection with the Force. Do you understand it? Do you wield it confidently?"

Thinking to offer her services as trainer or master in this field, Rosalin was interested in the Zabrak's reply. How she answered would weigh heavily on whether or not Rosalin was able to get the woman on her side.

 

[Demonturky]

It was with a steadily increasing clamor of footsteps on stone that announced K'varns arrival. His slow and steady path to the training room easily heard by any of the adjoining rooms with a door laying ajar. Slow steps taken as his attention was focused on the task of balancing the strap of his equipment bag on one shoulder while wrapping both of his hands in white training tape. Masking the sight of his bruised knuckles and wrists as he took a sharp turn and entered the nearby room.

His response was delayed when he saw the three individuals gathered about. A wrist up at his lips as he bit off the end of a bothersome piece of tape. Blue eyes flitting to each person before he pulled the fabric from his lips and spoke to one in particular. A slow and respectful nod of the head accompanying his words. "Ma'hal Sir. I don't think I received my invitation to this party." Words containing a hint of mischievousness while sparing a glance to the other denizens, his gaze lingering for hardly a moment longer on the Zabrak.

 

[Ma'hal Vel]

The Sith Suddenly stopped his circling and posturing with a grin on his face. As if by some divine providence his own pupil had been delivered to him. Well, if Divine providence was his pupil's usual training schedule. But no need for that now, he was genuinely pleased by the mans appearance.

Ma'hal clapped his hands together and gestured towards K'Varn with two fingers, his smile growing ever wider and more crooked. "Well, I'll give you this my student. Your timing is absolutely Impeccable. If I hadn't checked before I left my room, I'd think you planted a tracer on me." This statement was followed by a long pause as he seemed to eye his student suspiciously. It mas mostly playful. Mostly. He turned his attention back to the Zabrak and some of his smile faded.

"Acolyte. Meet your Contemporary. I would say Better, but that has yet to be proved. K'Varn... You should get acquainted with your peers. It doesn't do avoiding connections. Connections are a valuable commodity."

The truth was he had no desire to poach another prospective tool when he had a big gun in his own corner. Although he couldnt help but to turn his attention towards the female sith. Gauging her reaction to the new information.