Ask Serenno Whose Carl Is It Anyway?

[Caelian]

It had been a long quiet ride alone to Serenno, the shifting vocalisation of the shuttle lingered in the background but otherwise leaving Caelian to his own thoughts. The past few months had been both eventful and traumatic, both physically and mentally, its lessons scorned against his person.

The words of Raze echoed in the back of his mind, the doubtful contempt had found some result toward spurring the Echani into taking a more proactive role in his own career, but there still remained a core tenet unchecked. No matter his thoughts or efforts, absent still was a great drive and motivator behind his life.

Though Master Draugr was tasked to fix this, he would fail here, taking little interest in the dishonoured apprentice forced upon him by a superior. The one and only lesson delivered was in fact taken to heart, if that offered any consolation. Caelian had learnt the value of silence, speaking out of turn and without consideration had cost him dearly. The lesson continued to plague him and surely would for some time, although it seemed that he would have to earn his voice back somehow.

Whatever unfinished business he had with the Zabraki would have to wait following his ascension to a Lordship. No sooner had the ink dried on the promotion had he discarded his wayward apprentice off to another Master, making the Echani her problem. Perhaps Tiamat could succeed where Draugr failed, or perhaps it didn't matter. Either way, Caelian would answer the summons to Serenno and await whatever fate had in store for him.

@GABA

 

[Darth Tiamat]

When Tiamat got the orders, she had to read it several times before she finally believed what she was reading, first, Draugr had ascended to council, which delighted her. She had known him for a long time, and it was great to see how much he has grown from the days of being thrown out the window by Raze. Regardless, the next part, raised her eyebrow several times. She had heard about the training incident and the end result of a champion named Caelian, who despite being successful in his duel against Vahl, was ordered to be retrained due to his liability issues.

The woman was not amused by the progress that was made, the guy had lost his tongue, singed his ear, and had not made much progress overall. That could have been for numerous reasons, but it would be interesting given he was now her ward and she would ensure he would be successful or pay the consequences.

She had given him orders to meet her on Serenno where she waited for him in a training room. She wasn't entirely sure how this was going to go, but it would just have to unfold itself as things progressed, hopefully faster with success than it did while under now Darth Draugr.

"Caelian, welcome." she simply stated, when he arrived, "So tell me why you are here."

@Xorism

 

[Caelian]

It would be foolish not to be intimidated by the commanding presence that Tiamat held, a master of her calibre was not one to be trifled with. No doubt she had already read his file and knew of his impediment, though thankfully he still maintained an ability to communicate through the force. He could only hope to improve quickly, and avoid invoking her wrath, as he had done with his previous master.

Making his way to meet her, he bowed his head respectfully, awaiting her to speak first. Her question was not unexpected, and yet all the same difficult to parse. Quietly contemplating for a moment to carefully collect his words, he replied.

"For correction, Master. If I am to be worthy, I cannot be a liability for my comrades."

For an Echani, martial was a way of life, the most natural form of communication. While not entirely a cultural upbringing, Caelian had been raised by his parents to defeat one's enemy, but to only take a life when necessary. His Sith training had been more ruthless, more focused, but old habits were hard to break sometimes.

While Raze had not chastised Caelian for spending time with the Jedi, he did call into question his capability to act against a Jedi in the future, as his failure to choose correctly would cost Sith lives.

@GABA

 

[Darth Tiamat]

Correction

The problem with this situation was, words didn't mean anything. He could say what she wanted to hear, he could create the illusion of what she wanted to see. So what deterred him from completing his battle mission? Was it really a lack of loyalty? Being easily swayed by a jedi siren or was there something deeper, a syndrome or disease within the Empire itself, a lack of vision or respect to those in charge. She had certainly felt similar, purposeless, directionless unless you chose to kill and overwhelm your way to the top, and once you're there...then what? Wait until someone else comes?

"You're Echani, right?" she asked, just confirming what she had read from his file. She stepped back from him, unbuckling her utility belt with her weapon before setting it aside and came back to the training mat where he continued to stand. Her stance went into a defensive position, her left side angled toward him, ready for him.

"Show me then, who you are." she welcomed the fight.

@Xorism

 

[Caelian]

The tense wait to see how his new master might differ from the last, it didn't take long to hear the stark difference, intelligence, not brute strength held her command. Caelian's ear perked up as she spoke, a small proud smile perched itself across his face as she lay the challenge, to which he nodded in acceptance.

To an Echani combat was more than just a single-minded feat of strength or power, but a multifaceted, layered and complex system of communication. To fight was to not only know one's self, but to share this knowledge and learn from your opponent, one's actions spoke of their emotional state, their mental prowess mattered as much as the physical. To fight Master Tiamat in this way would be an honour, regardless of the outcome, and one he would not soon forget.

The Echani fought as a weapon, without the force and with the majority of their body visible, as how they moved said more than words could ever if one understood. Rapid, efficient strikes were the goal at an opponent's weak points, with fast but well-placed footwork aimed to cause their opponents to misjudge and overextend.

Caelian likewise walked back, removing his robes to reveal his bare, muscular chest and setting aside his assorted weaponry. He studied the way she held her stance before taking up position across the mat from her with his right side forward and hands raised one in front of the other and body slightly forward.

Nodding respectfully, they began to dance. The Echani moved effortlessly forward and began to circle clockwise to her right, timing his advance as she would move to correct her footing.

Keeping his palms open, closing into range and launching a feigning swipe at her left hand as if to grapple it. The motion of his body continued with the swing, but came lower as the real attack presented itself. The Echani drew lower and spun quickly upon his right heel, bringing the extended left leg behind himself to attempt a leg sweep aimed to the ankles to knock her off balance.

To complete his initial attack as the rotation finished, his left arm would extend out and up to strike towards her chest aimed to draw her arms away as his right arm turned fist would follow soon after aimed to squarely strike her kidney, to cause hefty debilitating pain if struck.

His footing was now facing her left foot forward, secured by his right foot firmly planted and his body slightly forward while still maintaining a lower stance. He expected the master to counter him, and he lay in wait to see how, confident in his own ability and waiting to strike back.

@GABA

 

[Darth Tiamat]

Tiamat watched him approach, stepping fluidly to her right and she would follow. Her own foot work nearly perfected by her years of training coupled with her dancer's background, a system of practice, a combination of katas and barre work she did following her meditations. A deadly grace to her opponents and a likely challenge to Caelian has he went for his feint, easily avoided as he went for a swiping kick to her ankles. Tiamat had shifted her stance, turning to follow his clockwise rotation and bringing her ankle out of his strike.

He continued to follow through with his attack, a fluid his strike to her chest that would now bypass her, leaving him to overextend as he attempted to strike her own side. Stuck in his attack, she brought her own left fist around and into his exposed side and she stepped toward him again, this time to grasp his right lower arm in a joint lock. If successful, she would pull his arm back straight as she pressed into his elbow with her left hand, pressuring the joint to lock further in its extended position. An uncomfortable, even painful position, albeit an effective one if she were successful in her own martial prowess.

@Xorism

 

[Caelian]

Caelian's first strike met little success against the nimble master, her martial prowess aside, Tiamat saw it coming from a mile away and gracefully danced into position to take advantage of his positioning. As much as he would have liked to succeed, he could feel that it would be a hearty challenge to come close to equal, let alone best her, try as he might.

As his fist overextended, he felt her own strike into his exposed side with a loud thump. A spike of pain clambered its way up his nervous system, as the first point went to Tiamat. Pulling his right arm forward while pushing against his elbow would lock the joint and cause tremendous pain had he not responded quickly to this attack.

Caelian stepped into Tia's step, allowing him to grapple her shirt before rolling his right arm palm up. This action would stop her from being able to lock his elbow and thereby also permit him to pull her closer. Simultaneously with his controlled pull, his left fist would aim to strike her squarely in the right shoulder with enough force to cause discomfort and potentially weaken its strength.

If that attack landed, he would shove forward while manovering his right foot behind her left, while continuing the grip on her shirt with his right hand and now grabbing her shoulder with his left, attempting to use his weight against hers and knock her flat on her back into a pin that he would fall to his right knee to control.

@GABA

 

[Darth Tiamat]

He was able to maneuver his arm to prevent his elbow from locking, stepping toward to her to grab a handful of her clothing for grip, her own hand grasping his wrist as he did so. Though his other hand came in with a fist to her right shoulder, Tiamat didn't seem to flinch as he made contact, years of being on the receiving ends of blows from Emryc made her tougher than she looked at times. While she gripped his wrist, Tiamat turned swiftly into him, her back facing his front as to not give him opportunity for distance or to sweep her literally off her feet and onto her back. His arm would twist awkwardly and he would see red as she snapped her head backwards into his nose.

Hoping to disorientate him with the head blow, she would let out a yell as she hoisted him over her shoulder using both hands grasping his arm to throw him on the mat in front of her. If the landing was successful, the woman would step backwards cautiously, distancing herself from him until he got up.

@Xorism

 

[Caelian]

Caelian watched as his straight forward blow landed squarely upon Tiamat's shoulder as he expected, he would quickly learn that she was indeed much tougher than she looked. Of course, he had not expected to win the fight there, but if he had any chance to overcome the more experienced fighter, he had to take any wins that he could.

What he hadn't anticipated was how quickly she transitioned from being struck into striking herself, the back of her head slammed suddenly into his face. The impact caused some trauma to his nasal, with a light trickle of blood starting to pool down. A tad bit dazed, he was also then not prepared to properly resist her next move, where he found himself being flung over and onto the mat.

Caelian could feel a streak of pain jet down his back from the landing, but otherwise he felt fine enough to continue. Quickly rolling over and pulling himself back up onto his feet, he stood quietly and did not see any indication from her that their fight was at an end, and so he would continue.

Now approaching Tiamat with both his fists raised defensively in front of him, raising his left hand as if readying to strike her own before making his real play. Cementing his weight on a left foot forward, Caelian start to rotate his body right to left just at the edge of her arm length as he powered up the momentum of his right leg swing. As his body completed its rotation, his torso would be slightly leaning away from her as his right leg came backwards towards her own body. The kick would be aimed at her lower abdomen and would be quite painful if successful.

After the strike he would drop his leg to the ground and turn to face her, arms held defensively ready to go.

@GABA

 

[Darth Tiamat]

Tiamat watched silently as Caelian returned to his feet, and she had to give him a point for perseverance, however, she wondered if he knew where his limits laid, where would he eventually stop? The question lingered for a moment in her head as he started to close the distance on her, but she wouldn't remain stationary, moving just out of reach either by kick or fist to force him to keep moving toward herself. Any maneuver he would of performed would swing and hit the air where she once occupied.

Would he grow frustrated, would he try something different? Or was it recklessness, which she suspected since his decision to leave the Onderon battle was impulsive, it may have been a weakness of his. Not necessarily the Jedi woman, but to act until he got his way, his answer.

Eventually he would move to the defense, "You have a bit of haughtiness." she responded watching him raise his arms before him, but Tiamat didn't strike or make any further moves, "How about patience?" she asked him, eyebrow rising, "Is it better to move swiftly or take your time?" she asked him, seeming satisfied with the moment of sparring and moving forward to the next lesson.

@Xorism

 

[Caelian]

The ease at which Tiamat had turned the fight around and slammed the Echani on his back was not lost on him, the fight, if you could call it that, was little more than a mild exercise for the more experienced fighter. Still, any brawl that you could walk, or limp, from was one that you could also learn from. His little kicking attempt was met without luck, striking little more than the air between them as he readied up in front of her.

He noted her stone-cold resolve and lack of movement before breaking the silence and speaking. Lowering his arms slowly to his side, he stopped to ponder her query, watchful still, but taking the question to heart. Aggression could end a fight early and on your terms, but would leave one vulnerable, as he had seen first hand. The more temperate fighter had come out on top, figuratively and literally, and without even breaking a sweat.

Taking your time however would risk ceding initiative to the opponent and force you to fight by their terms, something that he thought wasn't usually desirable.

Caelian waited quietly, having been punished in the past for speaking out of turn when asked a rhetorical question. If she continued, he would do nothing but listen, but if it was clear that she was looking for him to answer, he would.

"A swift river is a mighty but unwieldy obstacle for a moment, but given enough time can carve canyons of granite. Is the answer to incorporate both? With neither necessarily being better than the other?"

He personally preferred to get stuck in and brawl, aggression taking precedence to patience, but perhaps the scars and injuries he had taken were trying to tell him the same thing. If he wanted to be a successful warrior and Sith in his own right, he had to be willing to learn and adapt in order to survive.

It was one thing to think on it, it was entirely another to know how to put it into practice.

@GABA

 

[Darth Tiamat]

It wasn't a terrible answer, perhaps something that has been brought up with him in the past and therefore he had a reasonable answer. However, for Tiamat, did that mean he had a streak of impulsiveness? There was certainly at times a need to think quickly and make decisions so she questioned what left him to make such a brash decision on the battlefield, to surrender and just leave with the Jedi. To be brash as he was, it didn't make sense to her entirely. Tiamat didn't return back to her question and instead moved on, no responding to his own answer right away.

"So tell me about this Jedi." she started, "I'm certain she is being hailed as a hero while you have to suffer the consequences." the redheaded woman scoffed at the thought, "Having to fight for your life because she what? Lead you to believe you are one and the same, Jedi and Sith? Stripped you to your most vulnerable thoughts and report them back to her superiors? To tell them about a Sith who is so easily bendable that their army of light is stronger because of it." the woman stepped closer to Cael, slowly closing the space between them but made no moves to initiate another offense.

"What did she do or say that made you so weak?" she asked, the chill of the dark side ebbed and flowed through the room under the woman's power.

@Xorism

 

[Caelian]

He stood there watching and waiting as Tiamat contemplated. While she started to speak, his face contorted slightly, holding his tongue and tensing his body, waiting for a blow that didn't yet come. Her questions lingered in the air like a poisoned chalice, uncertainty gripped him as he couldn't be sure how to respond.

"She fought with a crimson blade on Onderon and fought well. After being surrounded and stunned, I awoke to her mending my injuries so soon after the battle. Neither trusted the other, but we spoke. She was tainted by a dark cloud that loomed over her that she tried to hide, which interested me and let us spend more time together. Soon I discovered she was more than just that."

He'd explained to the dark lord without much success, he didn't expect Tiamat to understand what he did any more than he himself. A question mark lingered upon his actions that even he couldn't properly explain, despite trying to make sense of it. As funny as it sounded, the punishment he had received since Korriban had opened his eyes somewhat. The small taste of victory had replaced the bitter feeling of defeat from Onderon, but since then he had been put through tribulations.

Caelian sensed the intensity increase as Tiamat moved close by, uttering another question. He clenched his fists and struggled with himself to remain still as she tested him.

His emotions were stressed, but there would be no use arguing with the master. At first, his interest in her apparent touch of the dark side was enough to draw him in, but that didn't explain the rest of it. He'd spent time enough with her to see her in another light, both at night and in the morning. "She isn't like that, she wouldn't..."

The thought that she'd been playing him hadn't actually occurred to Caelian. The way Tiamat laid it all out seemed to make logical sense, but she also didn't know her like he did. He was becoming lost in his own thoughts and somewhat unsure what to think.

@GABA

 

[Darth Tiamat]

"She isn't like that? Really?"

Tiamat tilted her head slightly in mild curiosity, "She fought well didn't she? She is a warrior no doubt, and as warriors, it is not always overcoming conflict with weapons." she said, taking a step back, slowly circling Caelian.

He was certainly a fool and now he seemed even more of a liability than she had expected. She understood what it meant to be bested in a fight for the Echani and hoped it wasn't the main issue as it comes between him and this jedi; but to allow it to completely dictate his path, to lead him to trust in those who have their own intentions for victory, he was in trouble if it were so. He was clearly someone who was never brought up to believe that no good deed went unpunished. "At the end of the day what happens? What happens when you two meet again?" she asked him, "She now knows your weak spots, things about you that you would have never shared with your sith brethren. And what do you think she will do with that?" Tiamat continued, pausing in her step to catch his gaze.

"Tell me you wouldn't hesitate to cut through her as she reminds you of the peace she has brought you in your brief moments together." Tiamat called her belt to her palm, fixing it back around her waist.

"Tell me she wouldn't use it against you to get you to stop, to join her on the right side of war." An eyebrow quirked, "To placate you in combat, bring another to her side, one less Sith warrior to fight, another victory for the righteous light. Because that would be best, for her."

@Xorism

 

[Caelian]

It wasn't the first time that Caelian had been questioned over his relationship with this Jedi, but it seemed to go deeper and more particular than he had previously experienced. A certain element of introspection that he had been avoiding since events set things into motion but were unavoidable now.

Standing still without moving, listening as Tiamat spoke and circled around him. He waited quietly as she continued to hammer the point across, slowly making her way back around to his front, eyes locking.

She wouldn't, he continued to hold firm internally. But that wasn't entirely true - she had questioned him in the past and probed why he had accepted orders in the first place to invade Onderon. It had been a tough conversation and one he had successfully defended, but it did also point toward what Tiamat was saying.

As much as he wanted to believe that the Jedi wouldn't ever ask him to do something he couldn't, he knew that if she ever did, it would require him to choose what was more important. That choice would not only define him but mold the rest of his life and sever the other path permanently.

The possibility that he was wrong, that he had somehow missed an ulterior motive was stinging. He didn't want to believe that the Jedi had it out for him, to butter him up and whisper all that he needed to hear in order to weaken his resolve and consider breaking his vows. Part of him wanted to adamantly insist that it wasn't possible, but although Tiamat didn't know this particular Jedi, she spoke with such fiery confidence and conviction that he couldn't help but start to doubt himself if but a little.

"I would like to say that she wouldn't, but .." his voice trailed off momentarily. "Even if she did, I would refuse." He had already abandoned one, a long time ago and he wasn't looking to do that again. He didn't want to contemplate having to cut her down, but deep in his heart, he knew that Tiamat wasn't pointing it out for no reason. If the Jedi forced his hand and refused to back down, he'd fight. But would he have it in him to take her life intentionally?

@GABA

 

[Darth Tiamat]

...I would refuse...

"Perhaps today, right now, yes." the woman shrugged her shoulders, "However, tomorrow, a week, years from now? That answer may change." she continued. His decisions held no conviction, he was possibly easily swayed by something that may had not even been the jedi herself. Many theories ran through her mind as she tried to piece together the best explanation.

"You're too impressionable and I don't blame you entirely for that." Her gaze narrowed for a moment longer and then her face relaxed, "You will surrender your lightsaber to me, and then accompany me to Korriban." Tiamat stated sternly, palm extended as she waited for him to surrender his weapon. Once he did, she would escort him and herself to her ship.

@Xorism

 

[Caelian]

A short sharp slice through his thoughts gave him pause as he considered what she had just said. If someone had told him a few months back that he'd have grown fond of a Jedi, then coming under the ire of every senior Sith he came across since. Standing quietly as Tiamat spoke he didn't even know how to answer her truthful statement. Was he someone who easily molded with those he was around?

Caelian internally winced as she asked for his lightsaber. They had set them aside for their little bout but this would be different. While she was much more powerful a warrior, and better trained, without a blade at his side he was entirely vulnerable. That being said it wasn't a request and refusing would be deadly. Therefore with a nod, the Echani summoned the lightsaber hilt from his things across the floor with the force and surrendered it.

A trip to Korriban was both emotional and spiritual for the Echani. Certain death awaited him in Korriban, of this he was sure. Only Master Tiamat knew whether that would be in a physical form or incorporeal, but follow, he would.

@GABA

 

[Darth Tiamat]

He didn't argue or dispute the request, grasping his lightsaber, she would silently lead him to her ship and they would make their journey back to Korriban. Tiamat left him to his thoughts, not bothering to entertain the Echani sith as she prepared orders upon their landing. His lesson was far from over and the next steps would ensure the Empire continues to remove the weak and incompetent and allow for strength and growth. Though she doubted Caelian would be the last of this type of case, she would certainly make it unheard of by those within the sith, and those who try, they will know the consequences.

When Tiamat landed the ship, she directed Caelian to follow her, leading him down the many halls and corridors of the Korriban temple. She opened a set of wide double doors, leading them to an open hall of stone floors, bare walls, small square windows lined the walls just before it met the ceiling. They were not alone though, and in the center stood a familiar figure for Caelian. With a simple gesture using the Force the doors closed loudly, the slam echoing throughout the room.

Tiamat's steps slowed as they approached the echani's former master, who stood silently, his eyes sharing Tiamat's gaze before resting on Caelian.

"Caelian, tell me who this man is." she said.

@Xorism

 

[Caelian]

Returning to Korriban once more was a somber walk in silence. He couldn't initially place why she had chosen here of all places, to drag them across the northern part of the Empire wouldn't be done just for fun. A familiar style graced the halls and corridors as they traced the path that he had seen many times before in the past.

It was healthy to fear a Sith Master, he had found, especially one intent on giving lessons. Tiamat was no exception although he would try not to show it. There was tension hanging in the air as she led him into a larger room. The person before him was a face that he had not seen in some time. Caelian's eyes widened and mouth agape as he took in the surprise.

"Romulus Naxxremis, my former master." he almost didn't hear Tiamat speak, answering and ensuring they both heard once he had been able to overcome the shock. The pair had shared a complicated history together through his formative teenage years at the academy. The man had nurtured Caelian's natural inclination toward fighting but had largely avoided venturing too deep into the dark arts of the force.

Truth be told, the Echani had never really heard much of Romulus' background, as the man hardly spoke of it. Caelian wondered where to begin in answering Tiamat, not knowing what she herself already knew of the man or his actions. In the past he would have been proud to declare that the man before them had taught him everything he knew, but now? Caelian was conflicted. He had been so sure that he understood his place in the galaxy before finding everything unraveling and the once wise words he heard sat in contrast to those who came after.

Romulus betrayed a bitter-sweet smile in only the way a father figure would in seeing their wayward son return home. Caelian spoke to Tiamat alone this time.

"This is the man who taught me that there was more to life than wanton evil and destruction. That victory did not require taking a life but the measure of honor was how you achieved it." There were many things that he had learned over the years that Caelian suspected Tiamat would either disagree with or outright despise. "He himself bore the marks of many battles, but I think the memories of what he did haunt him. How did you find him?"

The last time that they had spoken, Romulus had attempted to convince Caelian to leave the empire behind and disappear into the vast galaxy. As impressionable as he was, he had almost agreed and instead asked for time to consider it. The bond that he had formed with his master was strong but so too was his commitment to his new life in the order. The weighty decision caused him many nights of restlessness before deciding to confront the man with his answer only to find him vanished.

In the years that passed Caelian had heard nothing of the man, perhaps naively, hoping that he had found peace in a reassignment somewhere rather than staring the truth in the face. Was the man he had held in such high esteem all these years a coward and an oath breaker? Had he abandoned the empire and the impressionable apprentice to his own devices? Caelian stood quietly in contemplation as his past began to unravel before his very eyes.

@GABA

 

[Darth Tiamat]

The woman stood silently as Caelian processed who he saw in the room with them. His shock at least told her his master's absence was legitimate, and he was not aware of the ISB's agents finding him and returning him to Korriban for "interviewing". He turned to her, speaking of the most important lesson he had taught him and Tiamat gave him a concerned look. She didn't answer right away, letting his question hang on how he was found, Caelian would know in a moment.

"You're right, he's right," she pointed to Romulus, "Rampage destruction, giving the public a perception of evil is not the way to build an Empire. There is a level of respect that comes with it that is not obtained through fear." she explained, "Fear, no doubt a powerful tool, after a while leads to resentment and that can break an Empire."

The woman walked up to Romulus, standing just behind him, "This man though chose to betray the Sith, the Empire, by leaving it, abandoning his post like you had done, leaving in the midst of battle. But he came back to us recently, you know why?" she explained, not necessarily waiting for a reply "Supposedly to convince you, Caelin, to leave with him. He heard what has happened: Onderon, the Jedi, your tongue, your ear.... maybe some guilt perhaps he was feeling." she frowned.

"What should we do with him?"

@Xorism