A Chance Meeting [Dar Moraal]

[Vaulkhar]

A small Imperial shuttle descended from the skies, lowering itself towards a landing pad near a small village upon the planet Contruum. Aboard the shuttle, a young man cloaked in dark brown robes sat near the back, avoiding contact with most individuals. It was clear he wanted no contact, as nobody near him bothered to speak with him, and anyone who did were sent away with a simple wave of his hand. As the shuttle eventually landed and the passengers began to depart, so too did the robed man, choosing to exit at the appropriate time. Stepping out of the shuttle, the man lowered his hood and peered around, not bothered by the sunny day in the slightest, as others shielded their eyes.

The man was pale and his gaze was empty. Upon close inspection, it was clear he was blind. His long black hair was held up in a tight ponytail. The dark robe could mean anything, to be honest. A traveler, a passerby, or a force user. The only thing that gave away his abilities as a force user was the signature that surrounded him, which could be felt by any knowledgeable in the means of picking up such a signature. His travelings here were not foolish. Though he was a rogue who turned away from the One Sith, he still appeared to be a Sith and Contruum was upon the borders of Imperial space.

Since the invasion and subjugation of Contruum, Imperial soldiers had been stationed upon the planet to bring it under One Sith control completely. Uprisings were quickly squashed underneath the iron grip that is the Imperials, and any who were foolish enough to speak out publicly against the One Sith control of the planet disappeared. With such insurrections appearing here and there, it was not unthinkable to see a Sith traveling about the planet; even if the Sith was no longer that of a Sith.

The robed man strode silently through the small town, seeking out what any traveler would seek. A bar. The town had a bar of course. Much like the town, it was small, but it was relatively busy. As the stranger went in, he made his way towards a small, two person table closer to the back, away from the band playing. It was not that he was trying to even be alone, he just didn't want to listen to the band play too loudly. He signaled over a server, ordering a glass of tea, before getting comfortable. Reaching into his pack, he took out a small datapad and began to read it's contents in total silence.

[member="Dar Moraal"]

 

[Dar Moraal]

Dar was sitting cross legged in the darkest and most quiet area of his transport. He heard meditation was a common practice amongst force users. He had never done it himself but he thought he'd give it whirl. Then he heard the alert on his console that told him he arrived. He begrudgingly got up and looked at the screen. He didn't know what drove him to come here but it was persistent. He donned his dark armor, and red helmet. He found his own breathing too disturbing. Walking briskly to his intercepter, he prepared himself for what he might face down there. He activated the cloaking mechanism and barreled toward the surface, landing in a small clearing near the settlement. He walked through out his ship and into town. Everyone seemed to give him a wide berth. He walked to what looked like the local cantina. As he walked through the entrance he was aware that the volume of the cantina went down and he could feel the eyes of the other patrons on him.


[member="Vaulkhar"]

 

[Vaulkhar]

Vaulkhar remained silent throughout his reading, refusing to interact with others within the bar. But the sudden appearance of a force signature nearby, that was making it's way towards the bar never boded well for someone who had turned their back on the One Sith. Especially when that force signature was dripping with the dark side. As th door to the bar was opened and the man stepped in, Valkhar's empty gazed moved towards his form to look him over. The stranger was large, he was cloaked in a dark robe and possibly even wearing armor. The force surrounding him was not necessarily powerful in nature, which showed the blind man the man who had entered was likely still new to utilizing the force.

Taking a deep breath, Vaulkhar stood and began to weave in and out of the crowd. Rather than try and capture the man's attention, as he was attempting to avoid any interaction with the One Sith, he simply moved to exit the tavern. As he strode towards the exit, he shook his head lightly. It had been sometime since he'd been able to sit down for a cup of tea, considering he had been fleeing from Coruscant since his departure of the One Sith. He was so close to escaping One Sith space; so close to reaching freedom, and he now could possibly be stopped and questioned by the Sith who had entered.

The concept of fighting did not worry him. If push came to shove, taking on the man would not be difficult. It was more a matter of the idea of being spotted that was an issue. If he was indeed on the planet searching for the turncoat, if the One Sith had even realized he had betrayed him, it would not bode well if he managed to get a transmission off to any nearby Sith. It would also be even more difficult if he managed to do so. Involving the Imperial soldiers upon the planet would make it impossible, as his ship, stashed safe on a nearby villages landing pad, would likely be impounded and he'd be trapped. And if he was trapped, those stronger in the ways of the force would come to take him in. And that would most certainly end in death.

Stepping through the exit of the bar, Vaulkhar began to make his way back towards the shuttle. He could await the arrival of another and then take that to the neighboring town. Though it may seem suspicious to some, most travelers would likely not question a man who stopped for a drink, to then continue his journey. Or at least he could only hope so.

[member="Dar Moraal"]

 

[Dar Moraal]

Walking into the bar he noticed the large force presence in the room. His gaze turned towards it and it was then he saw what appeared to be a blind sith but his behavior was... Unorthodox. It was as if he didn't want to be noticed. Sorry to disappoint but Dar walked steadily towards the man his large bulk shoving some people aside. Of course he didn't want to harm this individual he knew this person was far too experienced for him. The mans behavior however warranted investigation. Not wanted to send the wrong signal he put his hands out of his cloak and to his side to show he was unarmed. As he walked however a man stuck a leg out in a drunken attempt to trip him. Noticing this Dar stomped on the mans leg horribly crushin it and he carried on. This of course made the drunk scream but this was of no concern to him.
[member="Vaulkhar"]

 

[Vaulkhar]

The sound of what could only be a shin snapping into two, followed by the pained grunts and screams that followed caused the young man's ears to perk up. He turned his attention behind him, to the moving form of Dar following him and frowned. Such unwarranted aggression, purely to follow him. Couple that with the people still staggering from the path through the crowd the young Sith was taking, Vaulkhar realized he may be in danger. Or at least in the sense that his cover could easily be blown. With a minor shrug he continued towards the door, moving directly towards the Sith who was moving to intercept him.

Not saying anything, Vaulkhar motioned for him to just follow him outside. If anything were to happen, it be outside, away from any innocents within. And away from any nearby troops or bounty hunters who may be looking out for the young rogue. After exiting the tavern and walking a hundred or so paces away from it, he turned back towards the follower, brow perked.

"Can I help you, stranger?"

[member="Dar Moraal"]

 

[Dar Moraal]

"No, but I'd like to inquire as to your unorthodox behavior." Pondering for a second he replied in his deep metallic voice again. "If you have lost favor with the One Sith it is of no consequence to me. One word of advice on that matter. Hide somewhere a egotistical maniac would consider "beneath" them." He grabbed his saber and let it drop out of his hand to the ground and he motioned politely for this stranger to do so as well. If he were to possibly endanger himself then it'd only be polite if this stranger were to as well. Equal footing and all.
[member="Vaulkhar"]

 

[Vaulkhar]

"It is not uncommon for someone to avoid the Sith."

Vaulkhar stated these wards with a flat tone, clearly lacking any emotion aside from annoyance. Watching Dar lower his lightsaber to the ground, Vaulkhar perked a brow. It was clear to him the man before him expected him to do the same, but that would be foolish.

"If my position with the One Sith is as you say, what makes you think I'd drop my lightsaber to the floor on a planet controlled by the One Sith? Whether you are a serving member of their forces or not, I do not see myself lowering my only defense purely because you did so." Vaulkhar crossed his arms over his chest, tilting his head to the side and looking the man over. He was garbed in a dark robe and a red mask covered his face. The power that emanated from him, though small in nature, was clearly that of the dark side, and the way the man dressed and acted reflected that greatly. The man's entire demeanor brought a dry smile to Vaulkhar's face, one that ended with a soft chuckle.

"What do you want, stranger? Aside from your question which you've already deduced the truth from."

[member="Dar Moraal"]

 

[Dar Moraal]

"Simple I am inferior to you. Lowering your lightsaber will do nothing to increase my chances of defeating you, and what I want? Information. Knowledge." Dar didn't mention the fact he had a second saber but... what he doesn't know won't hurt him. Necessarily. "I would like to ease your suspicions by saying that I do not care for the business of the one sith. They are a organization doomed to fall as all other sith have. To me they are simply a means to an end." Dar picked his saber back from the ground and holstered it.
[member="Vaulkhar"]

 

[Vaulkhar]

"While you may be inferior to me in skill, there is only so much one can do. If you have reinforcements or a partner, it's simple to see I would lose. I cannot defeat an army, no man can."

Vaulkhar watched him as he lifted his lightsaber and holstered it, remaining silent. This was not the first time he'd been approached for the sake of knowledge, nor was it the first time someone had used the line of 'a means to an end' on him, in regards to the One Sith. As powerful as the One Sith is, most use it as a tool, even that of the Dark Council. Unlike past Sith, there is not infighting, for the most part anyway. The One Sith is kept in line by the Dark Council, who work together and face their foes; together.

"Depending on what 'knowledge' it is you so desire, I may oblige. Detail what it is you want from me upon the shuttle." Vaulkhar turned away and strode towards the shuttle that had only just recently landing, boarding it in total silence. Moving towards the back, as he did the first time, he once more sat alone and began to contemplate the situation he currently found himself in.

[member="Dar Moraal"]

 

[Dar Moraal]

Dar followed him into the shuttle silently and sat across from him. "I would like to enhance my understanding of the force, and begin to work on light saber forms if you'd be willing to give me such knowledge" Before he could reply Dar walked off to a darker and more quiet corner of the vessel to meditate.

 

[Vaulkhar]

Vaulkhar watched him walk off in silence, not bothering to stop him. He instead turned his eyes downward towards his pack hanging at his side. He reached in and brought out a small datapad, one which he activated and began to read. He was almost entirely absorbed in what he was 'seeing' in the datapad. But then again, he's blind, so he's seeing nothing. Eventually he returned the pad back to his pack and turned his attention forwards, focusing on what was going on around him. And for the most part, nothing was happening. There were some passengers who were interacting with one another, and some who kept to themselves. For the most part though, the shuttle had descended into a state of peace.

The shuttle itself was flying through the sky at a rather quick pace, passing over the land below, leaving very little time to fully absorb the landscape. Soon the shuttle passed over what was clearly a battlefield, one that reeked of death and the force. To any force user who had even the most basic of training, they'd recognize the wasteland below as the major battlefield fought in during the invasion of Contruum.

A scowl formed across Vaulkhar's face.

[member="Dar Moraal"]

 

[Dar Moraal]

Dar felt it. He didn't know what to think about the battlefield below him. Another worthless victory for the one sith. He knew they were doomed to fall. The sith always had. Its a historical pattern. This is one of many battles that will take place all rushing toward the same conclusion. The fall of the One Sith. Realizing this he joined them to get the knowledge they had while he good. Meditating, he took his thoughts and emotions and dissected them and resembled them. It was a practice that helped him uncloud his mind. Sometimes it worked.
[member="Vaulkhar"]

 

[Vaulkhar]

The shuttle soon began to slow and descended from the skies towards another town, this one larger than the last. Considering the roads that led up towards the town, along with the mass amount of people moving towards it, it slowly became clear to those who did not know much on this region, that it was a trade town. Vendors, farmers, and anyone with something to trade or sell came to this unnamed town. It was largely left alone by the One Sith after the invasion of Contruum, as it didn't offer much in terms of soldiers or materials. It was simply a place those who lived on the planet gathered together to make a few credits or find work.

A rough but short lived rocking motion hit the shuttle as it landed. When it came to a full stop, the door opened once more and the ramp lowered towards the ground. The people within began to funnel out, followed by Vaulkhar. He did not bother to look back and see if Dar was following him. He simply moved in the direction of the hangar where his ship was located. There was a large landing area located on the south side of town, only a short distance away from where the shuttle had landed. That was the direction the young man was going. As per usual, he avoided most forms of contact, ignoring anyone who attempted to sell him anything, waving away anyone who got into his way. But he refused to touch or harm anyone, of that it was clear.

[member="Dar Moraal"]

 

[Dar Moraal]

(I'm done for tonight I'll be able to write tomorrow)
[member="Vaulkhar"]