Starting Something

[Naala Re]

Naala visibly sighed when the Jedi put his weapon away.
She didn’t want to see a fight, although the Echani usually welcomed confrontations as much as possible. But she wasn’t a bloodthirsty monster, and seeing two force users kill each other wasn’t her idea of a good time.
She turned to face the Sith and gave him a “well?” look.
“The Jedi said he wasn’t here for a fight. Will you please stand down as well.”

Naala leaned on her staff as she waited for the Sith’s response. She was hoping in the possibility of the three of them having a conversation... she had so many questions running through her head that she wanted to ask them both about.

@One For Sorrow @TheMorrigan

 

[Alastair Valkyrion]

Alastair was surprised that the Jedi was so willing to stand down, and after the girl pleaded with him he sheathed his sword. "Are all you Jedi so quick to judge?" he asked in an almost hurt tone. "True it may be that my powers are amplified by hatred and rage, but that fact does not reduce me to some base creature."

Sythe would have laughed at that. A Jedi clearly more powerful than him had just decided not to attack him just for being a Sith and here was Alastair, berating the man. Typical.

"I am Alastair Valkyrion." he declared proudly. "And though I am a Sith, the dark side is merely a tool and a key to knowledge." It was true. The Vahla sorcerer didn't really care about the empire at all if he was honest with himself.

Though letting a Jedi and a wandering Jedi hopeful know that wouldn't serve him. Not just yet.

@TheMorrigan @Axym

 

[Horus Tempest]

-Music-​

"The decisions of your peers cast judgment for me."

An amused eyebrow raised as the girl continued to talk them down. Interesting. She was a bold one. He wanted to ask what in the kriff they where doing here, why they met up, but he could only chalk the freak circumstances up to the will of the Force, and nothing else. It had the strangest way of bringing people together, perhaps people that were meant to meet. It was at that moment that Horus' eyes widened, looking over the Sith before him. He had pallid skin, just as Horus did, and if not for the dark side corruption... he would wager the man had either amber or lavender eyes. As he was a Vahla. It was unmistakable, he could feel the energy pouring off to him, unique in its mystical aura. Not merely Dark Side, for the Vahla had a strong connection to the darkness that spanned millennia. This one, it seemed, had given in to their baser instincts and allowed the Dark Side to flow through them, but Horus had not. In fact, he never would, though he knew how the temptation knawed at him.

"Did I say you were a base creature? No. I didn't."

It was something else. Even though a Jedi fought only in defense, it was quite daring of him to start berating a Jedi over his views of their opposing Order - the very same Order that annihilated the Jedi, nearly purging them from existence. The same Order that tortured, mutilated, brutalized and razed so many helpless worlds defended by the Light, and the warriors who fought for it. Perhaps if the Sith didn't want to be considered monsters, they should stop acting like them. After all, if you stare into the abyss long enough, something definitely stares back. But he wasn't here to argue, and against his better judgment, he would introduce himself. Not his full name, as that would place his family in immediate danger, but his first name would have to suffice. He nodded his head slightly at the introduction, remembering the name in a mental note. 'Alastair Valkyrion'. Indeed, he would be remembered. Chances were just having this conversation would get him in some form of reprimand, so perhaps he wouldn't mention it.

"My name is Horus. It's... interesting to meet you."

@Axym @One For Sorrow

 

[Naala Re]

Naala smiled. "See, we can all get along if we really want to." She listened as they introduced themselves. The brooding dark one that had crashed his ship was named Alastair. An interesting name she thought. Although she didn't have much experience with the other species in the galaxy, so it could very well be that Alastair was a common name among... well whatever he was.

The Jedi introduced himself as Horus. A pleasant name she thought... although she felt like this Jedi was being overly cautious in meeting the Sith. When in fact it was the Jedi that first approached them. No matter she thought, she would talk to anyone that could help her and answer her questions.

"I'm Naala. Echani of the House Re." she stated. She wasn't expecting them to know of her family, but in her words they could tell she was proud of where she had come from. "So now that we've introduced ourselves" she looked at Horus, "I'm curious to know why you are here?"
There's got to be a reason why a Sith, a Jedi and a nobody ended up at the edge of a huge crater, that once was an ancient Jedi temple... to her it sounded like the beginning of a really badly told joke.

@One For Sorrow @TheMorrigan

 

[Alastair Valkyrion]

"Likewise...Horus." Alastair said in response to the other Vahla. He knew what the man was, as he was sure the man knew that he too was Vahla. "And thank you, Naala of the House Re. For being so quick to defend a Sith. An action of a true Jedi. Going by the old stories." he gave a nod to the girl.

He then turned back to Horus. "So, the Jedi do still persist here? Good. Jedha should have Jedi." He was being sincere, he was oddly glad that there was at least one Jedi here. It seemed right that there was.

@TheMorrigan @Axym

 

[Horus Tempest]

"Good to meet you, Naala. I've come for knowledge, and to deal with a nearby cult. Apparently they've been harassing the populace for some time now."

He agreed with Alastair's sentiment. Her jumping to the defense of a Dark Sider, one she never met, was indeed the action of a Jedi, though she was not. Perhaps then her force sensitivity and natural curiosity would lead her to the Order. It was true that Horus did not agree with many of their actions as of late, mainly the stripping of the Force among one of their Masters. It was true she abandoned her Padawan in a moment of desperation, but desperation can cause beings to do incredible and sometimes cruel things. He would have forgiven the person in question, though hard as it may be, as that was the Jedi way. But that was not how events transpired, and it was far too late to debate the fact. Likewise, Horus looked over to the Sith, Alastair. They recognized what they were, Vahla both, one more akin to the Embers of Vahl and the other rejecting the Dark Side as his ancestors had done centuries ago in their rebellion against the sorceress. It was a tale all Vahla knew, the war for Desare and the pretender Sselemann who posed as a Goddess to control their race through dark Magicks.

"For the safety of the others, I can't really confirm that. But I'm here, so at least that somewhat answers your question, Alastair. If I seem cautious, it is only because of the strict doctrine we have in place about giving away information."

@Axym @One For Sorrow

 

[Naala Re]

Naala was glad to see them all "getting along", and then looked back at the crater. "So it really is all gone huh?" she changed the subject to avoid any other conflicts, and hoped that the three of them could actually discuss the force. She was there to find the Jedi, and she had found one. Now to see if this Jedi would be wiling to part with some knowledge... and possibly the Sith could add to it as well. At this point, it made no difference to her... yet.

"And how did you get your lightsaber?" she asked the Jedi. "I was sent by my elders to find someone who could train me in the force. It seems I've found two people that could fit the bill. Unless you're both busy... then I'll have to go back out there," she jerked a thumb to the sky above them, "and find someone else."
Gazing at the crater she sighed. "And I was hoping someone or something would be left down there... just waiting for me."

@One For Sorrow @TheMorrigan

 

[Alastair Valkyrion]

"Ahhh, cults." Alastair sighed more to himself. They were usually just irritating little things, but every now and then a cult would get big and bold and cause trouble. Even a dark side cult wasn't to be tolerated in his books.

Alastair wondered briefly how this fellow Vahla could break his ties to the dark side, the sorcerer had heard plenty of stories about powerful Vahla Jedi but had grown up being told that to be a Vahla was to be almost bound to the darkness, so that was how he lived. Why bother trying to be something you've been told you can't. Right? He had never really paid much attention to the stories of his people though, his parents were Sith and Imperials before all else and that was what he grew up with. It really was all he knew. Though a newly formed part of him hungered for more, he dare not say it aloud. After all, desiring to climb out of the dark would be treason at best. Plus, why would this Jedi believe him?

"Oh I assure you your caution is understandable." he responded to Horus before listening to Naala.

"Well Naala. I could and would teach you if you desired. At the moment I don't really have anything to do." he chuckled as he gestured to his ruined ship. "I admit I am curious how a Jedi acquires their lightsaber these days as well, though I imagine that too is a closely guarded secret." there was no bitterness in this statement, it was merely an observation. Alastair thought it a good idea not to share with the enemy, even if that enemy truly didn't care. An idea occurred to him however, it was out on a limb, but could be an interesting experience if all parties agreed.

"Perhaps Horus and I can both teach you for a while, we can assist the venerable Jedi in purging this cult. If he is willing to accept it." it was a long shot, but still. Alastair turned to Horus next. "I promise not to try and sway her to the dark side." again, the Jedi had no reason to believe him. But it was worth the offer.

@TheMorrigan @Axym

 

[Horus Tempest]

"I did not 'get'. I made this lightsaber, and I'll probably be making another one relatively soon."

He tapped the crystal hanging around his neck, which beforehand was likely covered by his dark hair, and it began to gently glint green in the half-light. The sun was beginning to wane in the sky, something Horus noticed without alarm. He looked over the girl then to Alastair, who seemed to be gazing his direction as well. The pair of Vahla were similar in some ways, but different in many others. During the war against Vahl, theirs was one of the families to openly revolt, and in doing so swore not to use the Dark Side. It was one of the pieces of information passed down from father to son, and not shared openly. It was no surprise the other Vahla did not realize that he was following in the footsteps of some of the most legendary Vahla in existence. The ones who betrayed the darkness and embraced the Light, they were looked up to as the pinnacle of what Vahla could accomplish. In Horus' mind, their example was among the greatest of lessons, and because of it the Dark Side had no control over him. From a young age, he'd been taught to beware aggression and rage in conjunction with mystical practices. That had followed him much of his life, and his training under the Jedi only solidified it further.

"I would be happy to share some knowledge with anyone who wants to learn and put what they learned to good use. Besides, I'll need an apprentice one day, this will be good practice."

He listened for a moment and then paused. His head cocked up as if in thought. The lightsabers and their creation were one of the closest guarded secrets, even during the last great Jedi-Sith. It was very true, he couldn't just share that information. But teaching was something he'd wondered about in the past. It would not be long before he took his Knight Trials, and even now perhaps he was enduring them. Horus saw an exceptional potential inside the woman, and though she seemed older than he was, his wisdom outmatched his age. To think of it, Horus could not wait to become a Knight. As soon as he did, he would be able to greater contribute to his growing Order. He then thought about what the Sith said next, about joint training and perhaps aide with the cult. The others would be there, unfortunately, inviting the Sith along would result in a quick death most likely. But there where outlier groups along the mountain range that the group could tackle. Where best to challenge their skills and teach life lessons?

"Alright. Maybe you can both help me. Attacking the main group is a job for my allies, but there is another camp around the mountainside. If you're up for it, the three of us could make quick work of them, and teach some valuable lessons on the fly."

@Axym @One For Sorrow

 

[Naala Re]

Naala couldn’t be happier. Here she had a Jedi and a Sith, both willing to teach her what they knew of the force. She also was hoping that at the end of all this, she would have the knowledge on how to build her very own lightsaber.
She smiled at Horus as he invited them along to help take care of a small encampment of cultists. She was Echani, and they would never be ones to back down from a fight, nor turn their backs on someone who was asking for help.
She felt in this, she would be making the elders proud, and hopefully honing her skills at the same time.
“I will go with you.” she said. “I am a trained warrior of the Echani after all, and I will do my best to help...” Naala readjusted the pack on her back, and readied herself for the walk ahead of them.
“So when do we start?”

@One For Sorrow @TheMorrigan

 

[Alastair Valkyrion]

Alastair smiled, a rare genuine smile. He had not expected Horus to go for working with a Sith, even if it was a smaller job than the main cult.

Naala seemed pleased with the plan, and Alastair decided -with a quick wink to Horus- that the first lesson would be right now.

"We start with you catching this." he said as he used the force to gently flick a rock at her, not hard or fast enough that she wouldn't be able to move out of the way, just a test to see if she would reflexively use the force.

@TheMorrigan @Axym

 

[Naala Re]

Naala had been trained, from a young age, to be ready at all times. In fact, she had been at the top of her class on many different levels, so a rock coming at her, was no big thing. Unless she was being tested in her usage of the force.
Rather than using the force to redirect the rock, she slightly moved her left foot backwards and brought up her staff, using the bottom end like a club and knocking the rock away from her like she was swatting a fly.

The move was based on instincts, on years of training. The force would be a whole new way of life that she still needed to learn...

@One For Sorrow @TheMorrigan

 

[Horus Tempest]

"Mmh. I don't think that was the intended result. But a good block nonetheless."

Alastair's smile had been noted, a genuine one no less. How odd, for a Sith to seem so willing to work with a Jedi, especially considering what might happen to either of them should their higher-ups discover what transpired here today. But Horus was not so concerned, he could easily explain himself to the others, as it was he was following the Jedi code to a T. It didn't make any sense to attack anyone unarmed anyhow. He watched, calmly, as the Echani woman responded that she would go, only for their fellow resident Sith to begin a lesson on the spot. He hurled a small rock, one that was easily blocked by the woman, but he knew that was not what the lesson entailed. He would extrapolate in a moment, calmly reaching his own hand and grasping a nearby stone with the Force, lifting it from the ground until it hovered nearby. The use of the Force was minimal, where once he had struggled to hold such a thing up it came as naturally as tying his boots now. He moved it to his front, letting it sit in the air for a moment and he wiped some dust off of his robes, clasping his hands together beneath the folds. He looked over the woman for a moment, then instructed.

"Close. I want you to reach out with the Force and hold this rock up for as long or as little as you can."

It was a difficult lesson for a beginner, but necessary if that was where they were going with this training. There was no point in holding back information about the Force or attempting to ease her into it. This would be a test to see just how strong she was in the mystic arts, and from there he was certain he could continue teaching with the aide of his taciturn ally. His first lessons were no different, and a lack of knowledge was no excuse. Every force user would be expected to do similar, and wasting time with trivial nonsense wasn't his style. She wanted to learn, and he would teach her how he knew best. Alastair had been on the right train of thought, but throwing rocks was perhaps a bit of a push, a stretch. If it had gone wrong, they could have had an unconscious girl on their hands, though he doubted either of them with their advanced knowledge would have allowed that.

"Focus. Feel the force around you. And use it, work alongside it, allow it to flow through you."

@Axym @One For Sorrow

 

[Naala Re]

Naala finally realized why Alastair would send a rock at her. It was a test. She should have known better.
She was trained to always be ready, and that a test of her skills could come at any time. But it was the force they were testing, not just her physical skills.

So as Horus began to explain just what he wanted her to do, she was more than willing to give it a try. It wasn't unlike the tests the elders gave her when they evaluated her ability to use the force. But it was a timed exercise, meaning they had her hold up an object for a certain amount of time, not an indefinite one where her resolve and stamina would be tested.

She reached out with the force and picked the rock out of the air and brought it to her. It hovered over the ground about chest height as she stared at it. It was going quite well she thought, until she looked up from the rock to see what the other two thought of her skill. The rock fell to the ground as she quickly went to catch it.
A bit embarrassed for letting her concentration lapse, she brought it back up to chest height and held it there.

About ten minutes went by and her forehead began to show perspiration. Her forehead furrowed in trying to keep her concentration going, and then at about the twelve minute mark, she let out a huge gasp of air she had been holding onto and the rock fell to the ground.
Putting her hands on her knees to catch her breath she shook her head. "That was harder than I thought it was going to be." she looked at Horus. "I'm sorry I couldn't keep it up much longer or I felt like I was going to pass out."

@One For Sorrow @TheMorrigan

 

[Alastair Valkyrion]

Alastair chuckled as Naala blocked the rock, with impressive reflexes. He half expected Horus to be a little grumpy with him for such a teaching technique, but figured the Jedi would know that he trusted him to catch the rock if Naala had missed.

Trusting a Jedi. Odd, but somehow right.

He listened to Horus' instructions, nodding along in agreement before watching their impromptu student attempt the test.

He was impressed, there was no denying that. A novice with little to no formal training shouldn't have been able to do it as long as she had. "An excellent first attempt." he said, again with nothing but the truth in his voice. "You're lucky though. When I was learning the test was with a larger and sharper rock. And I was to hold it over myself." he chuckled.

@TheMorrigan @Axym

 

[Naala Re]

"How Naala looked at Alastair. "Seriously?" Sounds like whoever trained you, didn't have your best interests in mind." She wasn't trying to put down Alastair's master, but she just couldn't figure out why, or how, pain would be a great teacher. She had heard of the Sith and their brutality, maybe that's how they came to be as they are.
It kind of opened her eyes to a bit of how the Sith treated each other, and those around them.

In studying Alastair, she felt a bit of pity for him. Maybe she could help him see a different way... maybe.
"Did you ever have any good times growing up, or while being trained?" It wasn't all bad and painful... she hoped.

She then looked at Horus. "How were you trained? Are the Jedi like that?" She wasn't trying to cause division between the Sith and the Jedi, but she really wanted to know what the differences were.

@One For Sorrow @TheMorrigan