Faction Confrontation and Contrition

[Braze]

Tags: Oz Neru Avarice ​

The words slipped beneath thought, burrowing deep beneath exhaustion and beyond the weary ache that pulsed behind his eyes. For one dreadful moment, his body seemed to answer before he did. Braze's hand lifted slightly, his fingers twitching toward the imagined visual of an unseen door waiting somewhere beyond the left-hand passage, as though some quiet, obedient part of him had already accepted the instruction.

He paused before the faintest hint of a smile graced his tired lips… A slow, crooked little smile touched his mouth, faint as a blade drawn halfway from its sheath.

"No," he said softly. "I don't think I have to listen to you… But I will do you the kindness of unlocking it…" He reached out and grasped the doorknob purposefully, twisting it and pulling it open.

"Would you kindly… stop pretending you're the brave one, behave yourself, and come along with me this time?" he asked.

He paused looking back to Oz Neru then... " Grandpa huh? Does that mean we can rely on you to protect us both?"

 

[Oz Neru]

Location: Ruusan - Valley of the Jedi
Tags: Braze | Avarice

---

The pantoran watched closely as they spoke to one another. Sensing a shift between the two of them. A development he didn’t quite understand the full context behind. He straightened his posture and let go of the boy's shoulders. Perhaps some of what he said was starting to come true now.

When Braze finally addressed him with a question Oz let out an amused laugh. “Oh my, you’ve really spun that back around on me haven't you, dear child. That I can do yes, but as good grandchildren I expect you to both do as you’re told.” The blue Sith replied, fully accepting to play the role. He also wanted to make sure that Braze and Avarice won’t interfere with his personal mission here. All three can leave this place feeling fulfilled and accomplished. No need for him to try and ruin a good thing.

​

 

[Avarice]

Tags: Oz Neru


"And what does that entail, old man?" Avarice asked, drawing in a slow breath before letting it out through his nose, as though Oz's good humor had become something sour in the air.

"Do you presume to enlist our assistance in finding that which you have so carelessly misplaced?"

He pulled away from the touch with immediate distaste, shoulders slipping free as if Oz's hand had left filth upon his robes. Avarice took several steps ahead, boots whispering over old dust and damp stone, then turned back to face them both with his arms folded.

"I have little patience for ceaseless games, or being led in circles. You are going to have to be more direct." His lust red eyes settled on Oz, narrow and bright beneath the gloom.

"What did you lose? Or better yet… what did this place take from you?"

Only then did his gaze slide toward Braze, watching for the smallest change in the exhausted Jedi's face.

"And before you answer, choose your words carefully. I am not fond of being handled, herded, or adopted into sentimental little arrangements for your amusement."

 

[Braze]

Tags: Avarice Oz Neru ​

"I thought I told you to behave yourself?" Braze asked softly, moving to stand by Avarice as he reached out and wrapping an arm about Avarice's arm. "But he does have a point... What are you looking for out here?" Braze asked.

 

[Oz Neru]

Location: Ruusan - Valley of the Jedi
Tags: Braze | Avarice

---

Oz took in Avarice’s critical words and nodded along to them. “You wish to know a little more do you? That is fair. I don’t really require much from the two of you. Only that you don’t interfere with me this day. As for what I’ve “misplaced” as you put it. It’s a memory, an old memory that has been tampered with. This place has taken nothing from me, I hold no grudge over it.” He answered to the two snowy pale boys. Still choosing his words carefully and not revealing too much. If there were to be a surprise he didn’t want to spoil their fun with an early revelation.

The pantoran walked past the two boys to continue along deeper into the tomb. Taking the lead to the left side passage, darkened and choked with a canopy of gnarled roots. “This way, and stay close, you don’t want to get yourself caught in the roots.” Oz spoke over his shoulder, his tone suggesting some kind of prior experience. Moving further along the path other memories came forth in his mind. The pair of boys may have even felt it. Stress crawling through Oz’s mind and body as he avoided the grasps of the stationary swirling roots. As though he didn’t trust them to stay still.

“Just a little further…” He said, mostly to himself however. Light glinted through the veil of roots ahead of them. Finally opening up into a large chamber, one that was more naturally formed than some of the others. Thin and spindly stalactites and stalagmites peppered the ceiling and floor of it. Natural light shined in from above, likely formed by an old sinkhole. Around them on the cave walls and floors were shadows, humanoid shaped silhouettes scorched into the cave itself. Oz narrowed his fiery eyes. “I do not remember this place…” He muttered to himself. The shadows had to have been a recent addition to the necropolis. Evidence of some unknown struggle, Perhaps one of the many mysteries left behind from the 400 years of darkness.

Oz stepped closer to the center of the chamber they found themselves in. He felt metaphysical echoes in The Force amplified where he stood. Insightful rays of light shining from overhead. Closing his eyes he internally tried his best to decipher what was needed of him now. He looked back to Braze and Avarice with a friendly smile. “I require something of you two. Avarice, would you please stand right here.” He said pointing to his right. “And right here for you, Braze.” Oz added, pointing to his left, separating the two for the moment.​

 

[Braze]

Oz Neru
Exhausted, yet showing ample signs of a sudden burst of energy now that he had begun to put Avarice in his place, Braze seemed almost tethered by it. Dopamine and adrenaline coursed through the young Echani's veins, leaving him oddly bright with euphoria and a strange, giddy perkiness.

An eerie smile spread across pale lips as Braze stepped to where he had been requested.

"Oh? Sounds almost… ritualistic," Braze mused, his tone far too cheerful for the circumstances that had brought him here. "Now I wonder why you might need this kind of help…"

He obliged without question. Curiosity, it would seem, had easily won out over any surviving scrap of caution or wisdom. In his altered state, Braze was lacking on inhibitions, and shorter still on any instinct for self-preservation.

 

[Avarice]

Oz Neru
Avarice scoffed at Braze before huffing a heavy sigh. He looked to Oz and begrudgingly followed after the pair who led the way, seemingly wary of them both, constantly shifting his attention between the pair.

At the request from Oz, Avarice was much less obliging as he peered over the two indicated places, perhaps looking them over for anything that had been secretly prepared in advance, like a trap or carvings.

Avarice lingered just short of the indicated place, his eyes narrowing as he looked it over once more.

“What happens if we refuse?” he asked, dryly although his attention remained fixed on Oz. “And perhaps even... more importantly… what do I get for cooperating so kindly?” He aske din a snarky tone letting the coy knowing smirk graze his obscured face.

“I am not in the habit of standing where I am told simply because else someone asks nicely.... If this is as important as you make it seem, then surely my assistance has some value.”

 

[Oz Neru]

Location: Ruusan - Valley of the Jedi
Tags: Braze | Avarice

---

When the two boys did as he requested he felt a shift in the energy of the cave. The three of them where they were acting like a kind of focusing lens for the latent power around them. Oz smiled, excited and satisfied.

His posture shifted at their question and Oz looked over to the side they occupied. “A taste of enlightenment, Child…” Oz took in a deep breath and closed his eyes before sitting himself down on the stoney cave floor. He crossed his legs and brought his hands together.

The pantoran began to mutter intensely in a strange dead language, committing and immersing himself in the moment to muster the strength he needed to accomplish what desired here. But he needed more from himself.

Another pair of arms emerged from him from under his robes. Blue translucent limbs moved up where his fingers and wrists formed disjointed and awkward hand signs before Oz’s entire body began to levitate gently upwards. The foreign words he spoke grew louder and above all three of them around the hole in the cave’s ceiling, where the sky’s bright light shined through, jagged tusks began to jut down. The light above grew brighter and more intense before powerful thick tendrils slithered from the hole grasping towards Braze, Avarice and Oz. Grabbing at the unlikely trio before violently pulling them up into the light…
​

---

What came next was hunger and a great slothfulness.​

Above were the shadows of humanoid individuals glaring down at their work. Their heads misshapen, conical with horizontal eye stalks on either side. They were The Gardeners looking after the wretched serpentine creature as it began to finally burrow after such a long journey. This was a memory hidden behind so many layers of Oz’s subconscious. The memory of a sarlacc finally reaching adolescences after thousands of years.

The perspective of the vision shifted to another, an alien of odd proportions with grey leathery skin and sharp. Harboring a natural malice. They stood alone in a verdant valley on a world that was not theirs. It was peaceful even with the knowledge of the chaos and violence taking place elsewhere in the world. Where the brutish hairy natives were forced into servitude. They are standing before what will become a mighty tree in time. But it was young, green, swishy and supple. They held in their hand a flat holocron of peculiar shape and design akin to an eleven sided disk. With The Force they pressed it against the bark and wood of the young tree. Pushing and plunging it inside of its trunk. Safe and hidden where none shall uncover power except for them and them alone.

Using its power to make themselves a petty monarch. Carving a slice of the galaxy all for themselves. The crime of stealing and wielding such power for treasonous fratricide sealed their fate. With great struggle they were finally subdued and convicted. Stripped of power and helpless as a babe they were plunged into the awaiting maw of a growing entrenched sarlacc. Fusing with the greater being and sharing its secrets with it. Years contracted into moments as the galaxy outgrew the need to remember such a vile prison. Generations came and went in the blink of an eye. More unfortunate souls, man and beast of all types would become prey to the growing maw. Teaching and learning from it in equal measure.

All was good until the most unassuming of food was thrown into it. A little blue man, and his inner fire that refused to be snuffed out…

The vision grew too smudgy and frantic before breaking away entirely and spitting out the three of them. Now back in the cave.​

 

[Avarice]

Tags: Oz Neru
Avarice scoffed at those words, though he would have been lying if he claimed he was not intrigued by all this mysteriousness.

Soon enough, however, their visions swam; the span of a millennium or more flashing before their eyes in scattered moments. It all came jumbled and confusing, yet it seemed real… far too real for his liking. He knew the Force was a fickle Mistress when it came to visions, and yet this felt somewhat... different. A glimpse into the past, perhaps, though the Force could just as easily betray one's senses as reveal them.

An archaic semblance of dangerous knowledge had been sealed away… likely for the better of all.

Now the question remained: was this what Oz had 'forgotten'? Was his voracious appetite for the forbidden born from that absence, or had the hunger existed first, and had been gnawing through the hollows of his mind until it found something tenacious enough to want it back?

Avarice's expression thinned behind the metal veil over his eyes.

"Memory is such a fragile thing," he mused, voice low and silken. "Lose enough of it, and a man may mistake any whisper in the dark for his own desire." He said looking to Oz with pity.

He tilted his head slightly, as though listening for something beneath the vision's residue.

"But this…" His mouth curved with faint distaste. "This....was buried."

 

[Braze]

Oz Neru

Braze watched in terrified awe as the passage of time revealed itself through layered visions, each one flying past in a blur one right after another, playing out like some long-lost compilation of events recorded for someone’s treasured keepsake.

He came out of the vision like as though he were breaching the surface of an ocean far from shore, desperate for air and clawing for purchase where there was none. He was visibly shaken, and sickened; his knees weakening beneath him until they gave way entirely, dropping him into a slump against the cold stone floor below. His pale visage lost that odd, giddy edge; his somber jade-green eyes dimmed of their mirth, going dull and distant as the last remnants of the vision clung to him.

Realization and abject horror washed over him next leaving him in a delirious yet bewildered state as those jade green eyes turned toward Oz, beholding the truth that had been laid bare before him.

A torrid mixture of sorrow and confusion threaded through the young man as he beheld the timeless vessel before him; archaic thoughts, and fractured memories running rampant, centuries of pressure and pain all seemed to fold inward, melding into the cackling cacophony that made up what little Braze could understand of Oz’s mental state.

He was stunned by this sentiment as a semblance of profound yet tumultuous emotions practically poured outwards, radiating from Braze in the forms of pity, sorrow and... compassion?

Al though he'd been stunned silent and sent reeling in the wake of the revelation trembling hands pressed against the cold hard stone and he pushed his tiered form to his feet before moving towards Oz in a shambling mess indelicate, ungraceful motion as his exhausted frame gave in to it's poor excuse of motor function to obey will of it's master. He fell forwards, small arms wrapping weakly around the strange blue man in a... hug?

"I'm sorry..." came the softest faintest little mewled word murmured from the smaller muffled in to the man's robes.

 

[Oz Neru]

Location: Ruusan - Valley of the Jedi
Tags: Braze | Avarice

---

Once the vision came to an end Oz began to catch his breath, having felt literally suffocated by the memories. He picked himself back up onto his feet, and wiped away a sheen of sweat from his brow. Satisfied to have now reclaimed such a crucial part of himself as well as the knowledge that what he was seeking was likely still hidden safely away.

He shot Avarice a look over their comment. The two of them weren’t supposed to eavesdrop on his memories. His fiery eyes narrowed at the Apprentice. The two of them now knew too much and he would need to ensure that they didn’t leave this cave and thwart his destiny.

Perhaps it was buried, but not destroyed. It was meant to be uncovered once again in time.

“Your critical understanding is… noted.” Oz replied to Avarice before one of his hands began to slip into robe, grabbing the hilt of a hidden weapon concealed under the flows of silk.

But he senses the down pour of emotion that came from Braze behind him. The imbalance caused Oz to turn his attention to the pale Jedi as they approached. Shambling forwards Oz mistook it as a exhausted yet desperate attempt at offense. Braze may have understood now what Oz was and the threat he posed to all of creation.

The pantoran’s body clenched, ready to unveil his weapon and strike the runt of the boy down where he stood. But he hesitated for only half a second, over the clear lack of hostility. Just long enough to be embraced.

Defensiveness gave way to shock from the sudden act of being hugged. “What…What are you apologizing for boy?” Oz questioned, caught off guard now as his hand let go of the hidden weapon. ​

 

[Braze]

Tags: Oz Neru

​

"You've suffered so much... for so long... I can't even imagine the pain of all those years alone. " Braze murmured sluggishly into the man's side before pressing his face in to the soft cloth and nuzzling in like a small animal.

 

[Avarice]

Tags: Oz Neru
Avarice was more keenly aware of the murderous intent Oz gave off just before Braze embraced the archaic monster. His crimson gaze shifted, slowly toward the subtle movement beneath the old man's robes.

"You might want to choose your next actions carefully… old man." His voice remained soft, almost uncharacteristically courteous.

"Whatever you are… or whatever you were… he has chosen to see something in you worth mourning. Besides… a blade is such a small answer for someone who has survived this long. Certainly, you are far too old and far too wise to mistake fear for control..." He tilted his head, pale eyes fixed upon Oz with careful attention.

"And we are but your precious grandchildren, are we not? Surely we two could not possibly be cause for fear... So, before you do something irreversible," he murmured, "consider what killing us purchases you... Silence? No... certainly not. Suspicion and grief, quickly followed by questions. What became of the poor Jedi boy who suddenly vanished? " Avarice let the words settle before adding...

"All we saw were pieces of your precious puzzle. Certainly not enough to condemn you. Which means you still possess the rarest thing a guilty man can claim."

 

[Oz Neru]

Location: Ruusan - Valley of the Jedi
Tags: Braze | Avarice

---

This kind of empathy wasn’t quite what Oz had expected from the young jedi. He’d thought they’d view him with revulsion and regret. Regret for freeing him from that cell devoid of any connection to the wider universe and leaving him unsupervised in the heart of syndicate space.

Instead they got a taste for the hurt and horror he’d experienced. Oz instead wanted to placate the young echani, if only to make them cease their embrace. “It is okay child, it is in the past. Memories are just tools for us in the present.” A rather stoic rebuttal for a Sith such as him.

He listened to what Avarice had to say as well. Taking in their meaning and finding that he had to agree with it. “You’re correct, even a Jedi this small can create a very large shadow once their absence was felt.” Oz doubted that he would be the first person suspected of prematurely returning Braze to The Force. Others would likely take the blame for it. Causing such chaos was a tempting idea but restraint was more appropriate here. "A guilty man? Hmm..."

With a bit more effort Oz would gently push Braze from his. Through the force he would telekinetically levitate the tired boy and place them next to their deadringer once more. Now once more making it easier to keep an eye on both at the same time. “As you said, grandparents are supposed to look after the young. I’ll see to it that you leave this valley well, in return for your lack of interference later.” Oz reminded the pair of pale boys.​

 

[Braze]

Tags: Oz Neru

​

Braze was exhausted and delirious; this much was true. Whether or not he was privy to the sentiment that Oz wanted to stab him was much harder to discern. He was weak, and therefore easily pried off the man. It seemed that whatever had brought him to this place, whatever had driven him past the point of exhaustion, had all but left him on wobbly feet.

He looked up at the blue-skinned man through bleary eyes before a confused, questioning look passed over his features, his gaze shifting toward Avarice.

He looked as though he wanted to ask something, but remained silent upon seeing the minute expression of disgust Avarice returned in his direction.

"I'm so… tired…" he just about mewled, feeling the last of that strange, euphoric energy drain from him.

 

[Avarice]

Tags: Oz Neru
Avarice wasn't so easily placated... He was silent as Braze spoke before turning that dark red gaze upon the man with wary look. " . . . Influence. " He stated simply as if finishing the thought for Oz who didn't seem to see what Avarice was denoting.

"I've no interest in your trinkets of old. " He stated simply in reply to the deal Oz was looking to broker.

"To what ends do you think such will benefit you old man?"

 

[Braze]

Tags: Oz Neru

​

Braze raised a small hand and stifled a mighty yawn before staggering back a few steps on wobbly legs.

"I think I can… get some sleep now…" he murmured, and started back from whence he came.

His meandering gait led him in a wavering pattern rather than a straight walk, as he clung desperately to consciousness. The unending, immense need to come here had faded from his body now, and he was on the verge of passing out… he would rather do so in the comfort of his own ship than in a dusty old tomb.

 

[Oz Neru]

Location: Ruusan - Valley of the Jedi
Tags: Braze | Avarice

---

"I've no interest in your trinkets of old. "

“Fine by me, little apprentice…” Oz replied to their dismissal. It just means they’ll be more fun for himself when this is all over with. The blue man looked between the two identical looking pale boys before watching as Braze began to wonder off back the way they came.

Following closely behind them he placed a hand firmly on the echani’s shoulder. “You’ve done enough now, child. I’ll take care of the rest…” Without waiting for a response Oz would influence Braze with The Force. Applying only the most mild of stress to their body to throw them into unconsciousness. Given their exhausted state it was as if he merely turned an off switch on a droid.

Deft arms moved to catch the boy just as they began to fall before hoisting them up like a frail damsel in his arms. Cradled closely to his own robed body. “You’re free to do as you please—” Oz spoke to Avarice, turning to see the other before finding only nothing.

Burning eyes narrowed and shifted around the cave. Finding no trace or presence of them. Now only sharing the space with Braze and the many shadows that lined the floors and walls.

“...Sneaky.” Oz whispered to himself before turning back to exit this forsaken chamber.
​

. . . ​

As he left the valley the spirits that crowded it were far less vocal now. Perhaps they had already said the wall that they needed. Maybe they were afraid, or stunned with contempt and disgust for the pantoran. Regardless he welcomed their silence as he freed himself and Braze from the oppressive gulch.

Using some of the boy's body possessions he was able to locate the vessel they used to arrive here. With the frail echani still in his arms he boarded the rather large black ship. Finding within it what he presumed to be the little knight’s chambers he laid them down in their bed. Tucking them into the sheets and blankets snuggly.

Oz stood over them for a moment. Watching. Braze’s body was desperate for rest beyond what he could see now. A satisfied smirk kept to his face before he leaned down and gently kissed Braze’s forehead. Implanting the blueprint of a dream for them. A dream of adventure and self discovery. About discovering old ruins with a troublesome rival with the aid of a mischievous guide. All to discover treasure and riches beyond comprehension. Hoping that that was all the boy would manage to recall. ​