The Cold Truth

[Aris the Witch]

Toola
~ @EmilyHuene ; @Taz ~​

Another training mission. Aris was getting so sick of training missions. When would her master ever take her on a real mission? He tried to once, something about doing a favor for the Hutts, but before they could get anything done they got a message to abort. She could tell her master was just as furious as she was about the situation, so she didn't press him for details. It still bugged her though. She hated feeling left out. Again and again. Didn't he see she was ready to be out there at his side? How much longer was it going to take?

They'd come to a planet she;d not yet been before: Toola. The first thing she noticed right away was that it was COLD! And her master had not informed her of this. She'd only had one "winter" jacket which she kept in her room back on their Corvette and was now lightyears away from her. Vash had of course packed for colder climates, maybe he was punishing her for something? Or maybe he just thought it funny.

They'd spent the final hours of the daylight upon arriving to the frozen tundra scavenging and scouting an old lookout no longer used by the some old empire. Using her training she was able to build up her connection to the Dark through the Force and use it to warm herself as the chilling winds bombarded them from their journey from ship to the doors. She was ever so grateful to finally be inside and spent the next hour shaking under a blanket near a heating vent. The temperature inside was still just as cold, and would take several hours to finally get to a decent climate. Vash had gone to bed earlier than she; he, not having to worry about being cold.

The next morning came and Aris was sluggish to rise. She tip-toed to the bathroom to relieve herself and then groaned loudly as there was still no hot water to speak of. So much for warming herself up that way. She quickly left the bathroom after but a minute and tossed herself back under her blankets. Aris would then reach down under her bed to the case of luggage she'd brought along. Under all the clothes was a paper journal. Vash had scolded her before for drawing and writing in it when there was perfectly suitable technology that could do the same result. But it still felt better to her having something real in her hands.

Like she had for the past several weeks she would start jotting down the memories of her dreams from the night before. At first she noticed several of her dreams all started and ended the same way, leading up to their discovery of Dathomir. Even though they'd come and gone from the red planet, she was still having dreams of the place. Only now she saw herself flying through that great and large canyon. Flying was an incredible feeling, and every morning she reveled in the memory. The dreams all ended with her flying somewhere new, but they all had one resonating fact: she always came to a spring-water cavern with a burning bright-green liquid pouring across the surface of the pond. What it meant was beyond the girl's knowledge. So she did what only she could think of and continue to catalog the memories until the truth came out.

Once she'd written down everything she could remember she hid the journal back into her luggage and set about dressing herself; after yesterday's failure she now struggled getting two sets of shirts and pants on. Dressed and ready for the day she would then leave her room, only her saber with her, and went out to find her master.

​

 

[Vash Windrider]

Another training mission. Aris didn't need more training, she was capable and merciless. He had made sure of that. But he was reluctant to make her more known among those of the Sith. Although she had been tainted by the dark side as he had and she had also found her path with in, the witch was still very innocent in many ways. She had no real understanding of the politics of this war, especially the internal ones within the Empire itself. Still, a training mission was a reason to get away for a few days, and he needed to distance himself from the War.

So here they were on Toola. Just outside of the Korriban and from there only a short shuttle ride from Ziost, where the Tempest watited. Vash would have thought that by now his apprentice would start to pack better and be prepared for such a place as this. But it was not the case. She still packed like a teen waiting for Vash to have all the answers. So she froze. Sooner or later she would learn that the force and thus the dark side provided all. Unlike her he rarely carried more then he ever did for mission or any tasks demanded of him.

The had taken the Harbinger into the world and Vash would hide it withing a large cave to protect it from weather. They would march out the remained daylight till they found this old outpost. It was similar in size to an Imperial or Republic listening post, but maid mostly of old duracrete and other antiquated building material. But it was shelter. The night within was uneventful at best and though the two had shared a moment on Dathomir after the carnage of the witches, Vash had remained distant to Aris thus far this mission.

The following morning the Sith Master had gotten up before her. Dressed in his Sith robes and a black cloak, standing at the edge of the outpost wall. Meditating. The wind was little more then a whispering breeze for now, and Vash could feel his apprentice and some other very distance lifeforms but nothing of danger or ill intent. Aris may of been working out her dreams but Vash was working out his demons. His thoughts were clouded, distant. He tried to focus on the cold embrace of his hate and anger, but it wasn't working.

 

[Aris the Witch]

Finding her master was not hard at all given their current position. Even if it wasn't just the two of them, if hundreds of soldiers and other Knights were with them, she'd still be able to pick him out of a crowd as if he had a giant beacon above his head saying 'her I am.' That was the connection she felt to him. The same link they shared between them. But the link was shaky today. There was a small tremor in her thoughts that weren't normally there, and they were coming from her master.

These small little whisps of emotion were beginning to get more and more common from Vash. Aris did not like it at all. She thought she'd settled it back on Dathomir, back when she thought his past had come to haunt him. Aris challenged her master and well...she received the punishment for it. Her reasoning for attacking him wasn't at all what Vash probably thought it was; she'd only wished to try and clear his mind from whatever plague he'd contracted. Yet here he was again. He might as well be moping his eyes out for that's how it felt to Aris. She could tell something was wrong with him, and she also knew he'd never not be stubborn enough to tell her. Still, she had to try.

Aris came into the room he was sitting at and knelt down on both knees. She cradled her saber in her hands to show she meant no ill will toward him then offered to speak her mind. "I know that something is bothering you, my master. I don't suppose you'll care to tell me what that is?"

 

[Vash Windrider]

The cold wind rose then as she felt Aris approach from behind. His connection to her was a bond within the force. One that was becoming so strong they could feel and connect with one another from a great distance, even on opposite sides of a planet. Aris was rarely apart from him however, in fact the young female rarely traveled or trained with anyone else but Vash, while it was odd for a Knight to be so underfoot as she was it never made any difference to him and in fact he preferred it. Now more so then ever. Falling from the weakness of the Jedi order, and now the recent hunting and subsequent slaughter of one time friend and fellow Sith Master left a strange knot of emotion within him.

Vash made no attempt to hind himself but rather let the crashing waves of emotions and energy within him continue to roar inside of him like a storming sea. The events of Dathomir brought them closer then they had ever been and the events of the slaughter of Serie Fond suddenly limited the number of those he was willing to trust and confide in. Finally the Sith Master would speak as his apprentice humbly offered to take his bender when asking what was bothering him.

"My soul is as cold and bitter as this rock we're standing on. Since turning away from the Jedi, I have never looked back, never questioned the weakness of the Order. Yet I have felt regret or need for forgiveness for taking any life from the enemies of the Empire. Now, now I feel regret for my part in the assassination of one of our own. Yet her betrayal of was one that demanded no less action then returning her to the force."

 

[Aris the Witch]

Vash made no attempt to hind himself but rather let the crashing waves of emotions and energy within him continue to roar inside of him like a storming sea. The events of Dathomir brought them closer then they had ever been and the events of the slaughter of Serie Fond suddenly limited the number of those he was willing to trust and confide in. Finally the Sith Master would speak as his apprentice humbly offered to take his bender when asking what was bothering him.

What was bothering him so? Her question seemed to stir up a rise in his emotions and Aris had to step back to not let it overwhelm her. She flinched when she tried to connect to the feeling like it burned her. What was this feeling? Trying again she steeled herself and reached out to enter into his mind.

"Master, please confide in me"

"My soul is as cold and bitter as this rock we're standing on. Since turning away from the Jedi, I have never looked back, never questioned the weakness of the Order. Yet I have felt regret or need for forgiveness for taking any life from the enemies of the Empire. Now, now I feel regret for my part in the assassination of one of our own. Yet her betrayal of was one that demanded no less action then returning her to the force."

Aris withdrew from his mind and took another step forward. "Master...what is it you're trying to tell me?" She moved forward again, standing behind him now. Raising her hand she contemplated resting it on his shoulder to show him comfort. He'd let her get close before. Though that was on his terms. Was she allowed to take that same leap? She put her hand back down. Better not risk it.

"Do you question the Empire? Is that what this is about? I've never been loyal to anyone but you, so I dont have much say in the matter. I obey you. And you, the Force. If you....have something to say...even if you shouldn't, I'm the only person you can trust with that secret."

 

[Vash Windrider]

The Sith Master thought for a moment about the question. As he suspected Serie may have, as all must he suspected. At least those gifted with a will and control over the force. His mind drifted over how he was discovered to have that will, how he trained to be a Jedi. How the war changed the Jedi over so many years of conflict. He then thought of the Empress, young as she was when she fell. How rather then simply become another exiled fallen Jedi in the void she chose to forge a power not only for herself but for the galaxy. To build an Empire to control galaxy and to end the hypocrisy that was the Jedi order.

"I do not question the Empire, I have faith in what the Empire stands for and what it hopes to one day achieve," finally speaking. "I question the choices I have made on it's behalf however. I allowed the blood lust of others to transfer to myself. Because of that, what should have been the formal execution of a traitor, turned into something more akin to a swoop gang robbing and killing a rival gang member. Out numbered, and brutally overkill." The disgust of it, though poorly stated was felt through the force. He was more angry with himself. Something about this death, this killing, shook Vash from his foundation. It bled back to his beginnings as a young Jedi which only caused more fishers to crack within him. Vash was now a man apart. What Aris would feel was not the weakness or fear she once felt on Dathomir. But rather of a burning anger with lacking purpose.

The mire of this ordeal and his inability to move past it only served to anger him more. It felt to much like the aimless wondering days and clouded emotions of his time before joining Andrasda's Empire, The Empire. He refused to allow the mire to pull him down again. He was a Sith, he was a Master of the dark side. Not a cowering Exile, or weak willed Jedi. Once more, before him stood a loyal student and partner. One saved by his own hand. No, he needed to break free of this, focus on her. Though that he could find his direction, through her he might forge his own empire.

Turning to meet that gaze of Aris, "Thank you apprentice, you're loyalty and devotion are invaluable to me beyond any measure. A loyalty I paid with the blood of witches and one I will continue to invest in I assure you." Aris would hear his words in her mind now and feel a sudden calm in his aura, one which returned a chill to her spine. The chill that was the presents of the Master she knew well rather then that of the biting cold of the wind here on the planet.

 

[Aris the Witch]

"I do not question the Empire, I have faith in what the Empire stands for and what it hopes to one day achieve,"

Her master took a long time coming up with that answer. But it was one she hoped he would say to her. She didn't want to think that he might consider betraying his own kind. Sure that was the Sith way to do things, but she knew in doing so they'd both be putting themselves in unnecessary danger.

"I question the choices I have made on it's behalf however. I allowed the blood lust of others to transfer to myself. Because of that, what should have been the formal execution of a traitor, turned into something more akin to a swoop gang robbing and killing a rival gang member. Out numbered, and brutally overkill."

What was he speaking about? Executing a traitor? It must have been one of his secret missions he'd come from. Something without her. This only made her feel more alienated on the subject. With him 'beating around the bush' of sorts on the topic she really couldn't get into any details of what had happened. This frustrated her. Wasn't he supposed to share things? Wasn't that how this apprenticeship worked? Why did he not trust her...?

"Thank you apprentice, you're loyalty and devotion are invaluable to me beyond any measure. A loyalty I paid with the blood of witches and one I will continue to invest in I assure you."

Where was this coming from now? A moment ago she began to feel a rage building inside him. What had changed? Something she'd said clearly...but had she really gotten into his mind? Or was he blocking something out and now telling her what she wanted to hear? Either way, it didn't make her feel any better about what was going on.

Choosing her words carefully, "There's still something you're not telling me. Why do you hide the truth from me? I thought you of all people would trust in me. What's really going on? Who is this person you're speaking of? You refuse to let me see in your mind. So tell me. What happened to you?"

 

[Vash Windrider]

Vash gave a kind of scoffing snort, amused at that thought. But he understood then, she was right. There was no one else in the galaxy that he could trust more or did trust more for that matter, then her. Aris was a block of clay, molded and fired by his hand. Through countless trial and test he had forged and bond with her that none might break. Aris was his before she even knew what it meant to be Sith. Her loyalty to him was without question and so now it was time to repay that trust and loyalty.

The Sith Master turned to his apprentice, his loyal servant. And opened his mind as he gazed his cold dark brown eyes into her those of her vibrant icy blue. The wall now down, a flood of thoughts and emotions would flood her own. The cold hard exterior that she knew of him was only armor. Vash was a rush of emotion to her now and after a moment of allowing her mind to bath in his own he would focus her. Letting his voice speak only in her mind in their connection.

"I am one of the Black Hand, the assassins and executioners of the Sith. I was personally selected by the Lord Eternal to join our ranks not long after I met you and have been serving him and the Council ever since. Our numbers are few but some of the most powerful in the Empire and most of what we do on it's behalf is in secret. No one but you can know my secret, and if it spills from you lips I will end your life myself before a fellow member had the opportunity.

As a member of the Hand I have taken the lives of countless enemies of the Empire, but never that of someone I once considered a friend. Serie Fond was that to me, a friend from by early days as a Knight. We worked a couple of mission together for the Dark Lord but was she rose through the ranks I continued to work in the shadows. Until the day she attempted to make a move on a member of the Council. From then on she was to be marked by The Eternal and our Wraith, his second in command.

Only days ago, that mark was fulfilled. I baited Serie into a trap and she was executed at the tomb of the dark lords. I have seen many die but none as horrific and petty as the death given to Master Fond. It was later understood that she may of been considering turning herself over to the Jedi but is little more then rumors."

He waited a long moment for her to soak it all in, and it was a lot to process. His mind would open memories of numerous missions on a number of worlds and endless death at his hands and saber. Aris would also see the killing blows that would take the life of Serie Fond.

"Now you know, now you see as I do. There will be much more death to come, some by my hand and soon by yours as well. Very soon in fact. But this was a difficult one for me, the hardest in fact. Thank you apprentice, for sharing in it's burden."

@EmilyHuene

 

[Aris the Witch]

For several moments she watched his eyes. She eyed every facial feature he made and the way he distinctly looked over her while judging her intent. She didn't know what he was thinking which bothered her. But her will was strong and she did not back down. Aris stared her master down to show she meant what she said. And then, like a gust of wind had suddenly stirred up between them she was hit with every wayward thought he had. She physically took a step back and shielded herself and her eyes with her arms. It was a defensive tick but she really didn't fear what he was doing. It only lasted a moment before her hands returned to her sides. Her head titled back, her eyes fluttered shut, her chest rose and fell deeply in breath.

"I am one of the Black Hand, the assassins and executioners of the Sith....but is little more then rumors."

In her mind she saw everything. Felt everything. She'd become Vash in his own body and spirit. She watched the kills. She relived their deaths and how each swing of his blade ended their lives. Every strand of emotion he would share she drank it in. Vash held nothing back and she would take it all. Then she watched the friend he claimed to know and possibly care for. He felt her betrayal, and possibly some of his own guilt as he in turn betrayed her. It weighed so heavy on his heart. Everything made sense now, and tears poured down Aris' cheeks. Such sorrow.

"Now you know, now you see as I do. There will be much more death to come, some by my hand and soon by yours as well. Very soon in fact. But this was a difficult one for me, the hardest in fact. Thank you apprentice, for sharing in it's burden."

Aris retreated from his mind but kept the connection strong and alive between them. She didn't know what to say, but she had to show him how she felt. Aris lowered her head for the first time not really looking into his eyes. In fact she seemed determined to avoid his. Her hands remained firmly at her sides. He might even notice how close they were to her saber. She moved closer to him. Slowly. Silently. Then stopped. She rested her forehead against his chest.

Moving along the mental link she began to share with him something she hadn't been able to say. Vash would see the fire from the campsite on Dathomir where Aris was given a gift from the witch sisters. He'd see her turn her blade onto them and the two of them slaughtering their kind. Vash would feel a rush of joy and pleasure not in the fact of ending their lives, but the fact that his own body or person was there with her fighting along side her. It gave her a sense of acceptance that up until then Vash had never given her.

She continued to share her memory of what happened next. Why she then attacked him. It was crucial he saw the meaning behind her sudden outburst. It wasn't to attack him. There was no anger. She needed Vash then and now to see that he was losing himself to doubt and uncertainty. She was trying to save him. Aris shared that overwhelming feeling with him as she was then tortured by his hand, though she did not share the actual pain. She took his wrath and everything that came after that. Every feeling, every sensation, every thought.

Finally once she could offer him nothing more she retreated from his mind and looked up at her master. The tears were gone, now replaced by the memory of that night. Vash had to see she didn't care about what he'd done in the past. He had to see she cared for him. Dare her to even say, she had grown feelings for him. She'd never betray him. She'd never let the trust he put in her be broken or damaged. She was his. He'd made sure of it.

Her hand reached up to touch his cheek and she spoke to him, "I know."

 

[Vash Windrider]

Vash reached out and held Aris' hand, taking it into his and pulling it away from his face. Not with aggression or disappointment. But something far deeper. Perhaps even love. It was a feeling he was afraid to put a name to, much in the same way as Aris. The tension of that unwillingness to speak the word was enough to be as powerful as the force itself. Or so it felt like to the Sith Master. He held and squeezed her hand for a moment longer, allowing whatever this was to wash over him and wash away the guilt that weighed on him.

"Thank you" He said simply though their connection. "Come, we should return. I can sense a shift in the dark side."


/End Thread.