Prologue: Desert Meditation

[Siobhan Kerrigan]

[member="Tempest"], [member="Charlyra Araano"]


Siobhan always liked it when people greeted her with a bow. She was quite vain, after all. "Nice to meet you, dear," she said warmly, stepping into the room. "Get me a whiskey please, Tempest," she added, giving the Dahomian a smile. Goddess, she already felt like her hair needed washing and expensive shampoo again. She really hated this planet.


She looked over to Charlyra. "So you're interested in joining us. I'm glad. I imagine you have plenty of questions about us, Firemane and so on. So feel free to ask before I bring out the company brochure," she joked. It was probably best not to start the conversation with a wall of text about how awesome Firemane Industries was.


"I run Firemane together with my wife. Tempest is my apprentice, one of my best officers and dearest friends."

 

[Ria Misrani]

Charlyra gestured toward the small set of chairs in the corner of her room. She waited for Siobhan and Tempest to be seated, before taking hers. Lorrsi brought down a tray of beverages, whiskey, milk and an assortment of local favorites. Charlyra stuck with her usual blue milk, she gave Siobhan a smile and looked Tempest over. "I do." She replies simply, her dark hair unfurled out of her hood as she pulled it down, metallic fingers wheeze as the move. Setting on the table, "the first of which is how do your ... Jedi's operate outside of the order?" It certainly confused her, and was a source of some stress for sure.

"Second question." Charlyra's hand wraps around the cup of blue milk. She pulls up closer to the small table, her chair slides across the duracrete. "When you train your, Jedi's do you have a code in which they abide?" Bringing the cup to her lips she takes a small sip and then places it down, taking care to politely dab away the blue mustache that normally appears when one drinks blue milk. Setting the cup down, the brunette shifts her weight in the chair and nods in acknowledgment with the answers that are given.

"Lastly." She sits with her back flush against the chair. "I have a vessel docked here at Mos Eisley, it belonged to my late master - Master Ra'alon." Swallowing hard keeping her emotions in check. "It's quite old, a Defender-class light corvette." A frustrated sigh on what to do with it. "I could sell it, certainly - however, it is the last of his possessions."

[member="Siobhan Kerrigan"] [member="Tempest"]

 

[Tempest]

[member="Charlyra Araano"] [member="Siobhan Kerrigan"]
Tempest decided to let Siobhan answer the question of orders and stuff. Siobhan had once been a Jedi, something Tempest had never been. Rather, she turned her attention to more practical things.

“We have a friend who has one of the Defenders, they’re good ships!” Tempest said, referring to Phylis Alince.
“What would you like done with it? We can take it with us if you’d like and we can work on fixing it up provided it’s not too out of shape. That’d be easy. It’ll also mean it was there for you to use if you needed to.”

 

[Siobhan Kerrigan]

[member="Charlyra Araano"], [member="Tempest"]


Siobhan took a glass and had a sip. This seemed like a long conversation, so she could use a drink! "Some context's important before I answer those questions. There's no one Jedi order anymore. It's fragmented into half a dozen pieces, some of whom differ strongly in how they see the Code. The sect that calls itself 'the Jedi Order' isn't even with the Republic anymore. Firemane is based in the territory protected by the Silver Jedi, who protect the space around the Tingel Arm on the Outer Rim," she began.


"I used to be a Jedi, but left fifteen years ago. Tempest never was. She was a slave I freed many years ago when I took down a warlord. Later I trained her. Firemane has two Jedi employees. One is Coryth Elaris, who's a light sided healer but not tied to any Jedi group, the other is my adoptive daughter Abaigeal E'ron."


It might be noted at this stage that Siobhan's dark side aura was not in any way concealed. So much power was contained inside her. It was like standing in the midst of a storm, sweeping across the land. If one were to read her aura, one would discern greed, pride, hunger for power and an absurd amount of lust. However, there was also compassion, loyalty and love.


"She's with the Silvers. Firemane accepts Forcers from many walks of life, so our code boils down to: don't slaughter innocents, don't consort with Sith or First Order fascists, don't screw over the company and family. We don't have a formal religious code that dictates how people use the Force as long as those principles aren't violated."

 

[Ria Misrani]

Addressing Tempest first, "that they are." There's a soft smile on her face, she listens as the woman elaborates. "I would be most grateful if I could bring it along." It would be nice to have a place of solace to return to, even if it was only a small vessel. It was her home, and her heart. Then the other woman begins to speak, and Charlyra turns to hear.

A sigh escapes Charlyra's lips, it is weighted with emotion. Of course the Jedi Order had become fragmented, it was always doomed to such. A life long battle to merely adhere to it was enough for her. She listens to Siobhan and acknowledges with a nod before speaking of her own experience. "While you may have left of your violition." She did not, and that regret still haunts her just as the knowledge of knowing she left Ammee without so much as a goodbye. "I did not." A brief pause as she shifts her weight by crossing her legs. "I ran, I ran as far as I could go."

"I ran because I could sense the darkness within me, just as I sense it in you." She holds up her metallic hands, pulls down on her cloak showing her scars. "You see this is my doing, my own pride and ambition - cowardice." The last word comes out like venom to her own heart. She should have intervened. No matter the words Master Ra and his ghostly apparition might say. The moment of his death plays in her mind over, and over like a holorecording set on loop. Consorting with the Sith? Never. No. "I have no, ideals of consorting with any such orders, however." Vengeance drips from her voice, "I do owe them a great debt."

Her lips curl almost into a growl but maintain their closure. Hands curl, balling into fists the dark side swirls and her eyes flick into a glossy lavender. "One that I will be most glad to repay." Over the course of Charlyra's life she's flirted with the line between the light and the dark. Now, now she seemed poised to do more than flirt. "All my life, my Master worked so that I might be a Jedi Knight of the Order. I owe him as much to become a Knight of a Jedi Order."

"So tell me, about these Silver Jedi."

[member="Siobhan Kerrigan"] [member="Tempest"]

 

[Tempest]

[member="Charlyra Araano"] [member="Siobhan Kerrigan"]

“The Silver Jedi were initially a group which broke off the main Order to pursue more aggressive means of combatting the Sith. They have evolved though into a more inclusive and less stuffy group.”

“What Siobhan’s saying though is that the two of us are independent. We don’t fit into a larger hierarchy. We don’t see the Force as a spiritual path to enlightenment, but nor do we see it as a tool for chaotic conquest. We see it, and use it, as a tool. I know you Jedi get lectured on and on about the Dark Side being the same as evil, but it’s not. It’s just another way to tap into the Force, and it is your choices which decide your morality.”

“Now, if you really want to join the Silver Jedi, we know people there, good people like [member="Coci Heavenshield"], [member="Phylis Alince"] and [member="Coryth Elaris"]. They’re what you’d call ‘proper Jedi’. But I think from what little you know, you don’t really want that, do you? What you want is to be the master of your own destiny. What you want is to have the power to prevent it happening ever again. The choice is ultimately yours, and Sio and I aren’t going to spin mystical nonsense to lure you in. This isn’t about you ‘falling’, this is about you embracing yourself as the more important person than a group. You would be our Padawan to teach, but your training field won’t be tinkly fountains and brown robes; it will be blood and iron. The only true teacher is experience, pain, failure and loss. And at the end of it you will be a far better knight than you would be if you’d kept on the old path.”

Tempest sat back to hear what the girl had to say about her words. She’d gotten a bit more impassioned than she’d intended.

 

[Siobhan Kerrigan]

[member="Charlyra Araano"], [member="Tempest"]


Easy, tiger. Don't overwhelmn the girl. Next time I'm letting you do the speeches, Siobhan broadcast to Tempest. Having a telepathic radio was handy. It was rather gratifying to her that her student had taken her teachings to heart. However, she didn't want to overwhelmn Charlyra too much. She reached out with her hand and patted Tempest on the shoulder.


"What Tempest is saying is that you have options. If you want to join the Silver Jedi, that's cool. They're good people. You can still work with and for us. We won't give you cliched speeches about how you should 'embrace your hatred' and kick puppies. We won't tell you to wear black, use Force Lightning and carry a red lightsabre. We don't force dogma down people's throats. But we can give you the means to mete out justice. We can teach you so that you never have to be afraid or weak again. It's about embracing your inner potential. Firemane's more than a corporation, it's a family. We take care of our own," she said calmly.


"As a matter of fact, I believe you and I are more similar than you think. See, I left the Jedi shortly after my master perished. Adril. She sacrificed herself to kill an eldritch abomination. Summoned by Sith. We were in love, then she died for me and I...ran away. I lost myself, threw myself into battle after battle, then I met an amazing woman who showed me something better. That woman became my wife. I've spent more than a decade fighting and killing Sith. For a long time I blamed myself for Adril's death. Thought it was my fault, that I should've died in her place. One day, I made my peace with what had happened. I drew strength from her example and did what she would've wanted me to do."

 

[Ria Misrani]

Charlyra slowly pushed herself away from the table. She stepped away for a moment. A haunted look weighed on her features, "then you know the rage that builds within you." She directed her attention toward Siobhan. "While my relationship with my master was never romantic, he was the only father I had ever known." Scoffed at their mentions of robes, crystals and orders. She channeled her emotions doing her best to get a hold of them. "I punished myself here, remaining as far removed from the Jedi Order as I could be."

Regret coursed through her voice like the blood in her veins. This regret met with vengeance, with anger and guilt surged as she looked between Siobhan and Tempest. "I have made my peace with Master Ra, he more than anyone knew full well that I and the Jedi Order were of no match for each other." Pulling on her cloak she redressed herself so that she looked as she did when she first arrived on Tatooine, like a ghostly figure. All white cloaks, with dark blue vestments. All stained with the blood of that battle resewn with darker patches of silver and gray.

If she walked down this path, she knew in her heart that Ammee would never forgive her. To walk such a path would be to turn her back on the order, but in her heart she had hoped that of all people, Ammee, Khrad and the other Wulfsmaw would understand. "When I was young, to be taken into the Jedi Order was considered an honor." Now her attention toward Tempest, "and I was more than eager to make my family proud."

"Me, a young girl from Chandrila from a rural community, gifted in the force, and among the most dexterous at the academy." Oh, what her pride had wrought now. "Believe me, when I say that I am more than ready to take hold of my own destiny, to mete out the justice that has long been overdue." Squaring her shoulders, standing straight the once lavender flick now glowed anew within her. A strong sensation within the force began to ripple out from her. "Long ago, I learned to conceal myself - you see, like you. I once had a lover within the Order." Her eyes now focused on Siobhan. "Her name was Ammee Vynn, a gifted healer and consular." A pang of sadness rang within her. She held a bittersweet smile on her face as she chose her next set of words carefully, as her aura grew. "We would hide behind the waterfalls on Tython, and on the night I left her. I reminded myself of those nights, those days when we were young and life was simpler."

Mhmm, she let her memories, her vanity get away with her, "but you're not here for my stories..."

Charlyra took a breath and in the tradition of the old Jedi.

"I will consider these, Silver Jedi, but for now." She took a knee, sweeping her cloak behind her. Her shoto blades and their curved hilts glistened in the dimmed lighting of the room. "I ask to train under Firemane, to learn your ways and abide by your order, your code." Charlyra lowered head out of respect.

[member="tempest"] [member="Siobhan Kerrigan"]

 

[Tempest]

[member="Charlyra Araano"] [member="Siobhan Kerrigan"]

Tempest coughed slightly. Perhaps she had done a bit more speechifying than she should have. Still, the end result had been good!

She looked to Siobhan to seal the deal, as it were, but she smiled and nodded encouragingly.
“Thank you, Charlyra.”

The story of the lover had made her interested though. The Jedi seemed extremely good at failing to control their romantic affections. It was one reason why she felt the Firemane way was better.

 

[Siobhan Kerrigan]

[member="Charlyra Araano"], [member="Tempest"]


Thusly, Charlyra Araano was inducted into the Knights of Kerrigan, the martial arm of the Firemane Matriarchy. Alright, nobody really used those terms. Unless Siobhan was feeling pompous and felt like awing outsiders!


"I'd like to hear your stories. Whenever you have time and are ready to share. No pressure," Siobhan said, having decided to channel her matriarch persona. She'd noticed the girl's cybernetics and made a mental note to tell her that Firemane could fix them up for her. When Charlyra bent a knee, Siobhan arose from her seat and limped towards her, before coming to a halt.


"As Force Mistress of Firemane, I accept your pledge to us," she spoke, tone firm. An aura of power and command swirled around her. "In turn, I vow to train you, educate you and take care of you. You shall be part of Firemane, with all the benefits and duties this entails. Loyalty shall be repaid in kind, valour rewarded with spoils and honour."
Then a kindly smile wreathed her lips and she gently raised Charlyra's chin. "Welcome to the family, dear."

 

[Ria Misrani]

"Thank you, Master." Charlyra replies looking up into Siobhan's eyes.

Slowly she rises to her feet. Wrapping her cloak around her to cover the scarring on her throat, she uses the force to bring the once torn pieces up along her sleeves. Although they no longer meet at the seams, Charlyra is quite alright with allowing just a fringe of metal peek out along her shoulders. Now she was ready to leave the binary furnace of a planet behind, to close a dark period of her life. She led both Tempest and Siobhan out of the room, back up to the main floor of the Winking Womp Rat. "Be well Lorrsi, and to your brother as well."

"Take it you're finally getting off this rock?"

Charlyra nods, and Lorrsi hands her a basket of freshly baked goods - and a thermo of milk for the trip.

"You're too kind."

The duros bows to both Tempest and Siobhan. He turns to Charlyra, "may the winds guide you, Charlyra." The brunette gave a bow of respect to the man and his brother, before turning to join her new master. As she took her steps away from the counter holding in her hands bread and milk she wondered if Lorrsi knew that was going to happen. Turning to get a look at him one last time, she noticed he was gone. Focusing back on the doors she finally made her steps outside of the Winking Womp Rat.

Addressing Tempest and Master Kerrigan. "Your ship or mine?"

[member="Siobhan Kerrigan"], [member="Tempest"]

 

[Tempest]

[member="Siobhan Kerrigan"] [member="Charlyra Araano"]

“Come on board ours. We’ll get some of our mechanics to look over yours and take it with us. I’ll get Freya to look at it,” she told Siobhan.

As they headed into the heat Tempest turned to Charlyra. “You know, I’m glad we came here if it means we found you. I will be training you, for the most part, with Siobhan supervising. You can call me Tempest if you want, or Mistress if you want to be formal. I like it when people call me that.”

Nothing would stop them now!

 

[Siobhan Kerrigan]

[member="Charlyra Araano"], [member="Tempest"]


"Siobhan is fine for me in private, dear. Otherwise it's Mistress or Lady Kerrigan," Siobhan said, smiling indulgently at her new charge. New order meant new titles! "Tempest has made me very proud and I knighted her many years ago. I will be overseeing and providing overall instruction for you. We'll also have private training sessions. Thre three of us will go on missions together," she added as they made their way through the streets of Mos Eisley. She could not wait to escape the binary furnace that was Tatooine.


She pulled the bandana tight around her sweat-covered brow. "Firemane has some good surgeons and cybernetics specialists. We can fix up your arms if you want," she said gently. "Our doctors have rebuilt me many times over." This was no exaggeration, the Firemane hospital had a wing named after her! This was one part of her personality cult that the vain Lady didn't appreciate! "Shuttle's at the port. We've got a frigate in orbit."


On the outskirts of the town, a Firemane transport ship awaited them. Naturally the vessel was not flying Firemane colours, but it was guarded by a couple rather tough looking guards who carried themselves as soldiers. Presumably that's what kept ruffians from trying to steal the ship.

 

[Ria Misrani]

There's a feeling, you get when you walk back through the streets of the poor town you exiled yourself too. There's a feeling, when you're able to hold your head high, shoulders back, and walk like the powerful woman you know that you are. Charlyra had that feeling and held her own swagger. The vendor who had once rented out her speeder called to her, she merely stopped to pay him for his work and told him to keep the change. No one can ever truly know, well, Siobhan perhaps knew - what it was like to exile yourself and just how lonely you could feel from that.

As they approached the transport vessel, she turned to look at her new master, Tempest. "Thank you, you don't know how much it means to me that I can take it with me." Even the most badass of ladies, needed their own place of solitude. She looked down at her cybernetics, a small smirk appeared on her lips. "An upgrade would be quite useful, even under the most dutiful of care - Tatooine's sands finds a way to wear you down."

"Perhaps your specialist can indulge my vocal cords." She unwraps the cloak for a moment to show the thinning skin against the cybernetics underneath her throat. "Force lightning." Charlyra explains, "as you said, one day I shall entertain you with the story." Not that it had been entertaining for Charlyra, but - a rather steep learning curve. "To be fair, I took out his leg." She still owed him another leg, of course. Sighing with relief she looked back on Tatooine. She had been running from an empty threat, running from the past, and herself. So the feeling you get, when you're finally ready to shake yourself out of your own stench, rut and to climb back out of the depths or your own darkness?

Invincible.

When after years of beating down on yourself, you finally are able to say.

I am ready to be free, to be invulnerable.

"Tempest." She addresses once they board the transport vessel, "you may call me Charlyra, or Lyra whichever you prefer - the same for you Maste- Mistress Kerrigan." Charlyra corrects herself.

[member="Siobhan Kerrigan"], [member="Tempest"]

 

[Tempest]

[member="Siobhan Kerrigan"] [member="Charlyra Araano"]

“Taking his leg was good – next time you can take his head,” Tempest said with a nod. Perfectly reasonable behaviour.

Tempest raised an eyebrow at Siobhan’s mention of private training sessions. But then she realised her meaning. A warning for new players; innuendo warped the brain…but was still enjoyable!

As they boarded the ship she showed Lyra to her seat and sat beside her. “I’m glad you’re here, Lyra. Together we will be great.”

And so the ship lifted off, heading to space…and the future.

 

[Siobhan Kerrigan]

[member="Charlyra Araano"], [member="Tempest"]


Siobhan looked approvingly and sympathetic. "Good girl. He'll lose the other leg and his head next time. We'll fix up your vocal cords, too. Sounds like you and I have some similar stories to share." It seemed Charlyra had undergone similar maiming experiences as Siobhan. The fingers on Siobhan's new hand twitched slightly.


As for Tempest, she would feel a telepathic brush against her mind. Firemane's gathering so many Forcers lately. Since I lead the pack, maybe I should get a new title. How does Grand Mistress of the Order of the Flame sound? Apparently her already bloated ego could still grow bigger.


"Welcome to the family, Charlyra. Your new life begins now. We'll be going to a planet called Tygara on the far rim. We can fill you in about it on the way. The family is based there." And so the three boarded the shuttle and it soon lifted off, leaving the binary furnace behind it. Soon it had vanished from Mos Eisley and taken off into space. Firemane's command ship, the Ardarvia, waited in orbit.

 

[Ria Misrani]

AFTER MEETING WITH MISTRESS KERRIGAN AND HER KNIGHT TEMPEST OF THE TYGARAN ALLIANCE,​

CHARLYRA ARAANO LEAVES HER DESERT EXILE ON TATTOOINE. THE FORMER JEDI PADAWAN HAS JOINED TYGARA'S​

FIREMANE. IN THE HOPES OF ONE DAY HAVING HER REVENGE AGAINST LORD SAPRUS AND HER APPRENTICE TABIUM. ​

NOW ON HER WAY TO THE FAR RIM, THE NEWEST MEMBER OF FIREMANE HOPES TO MAKE ​

GOOD IMPRESSIONS WITH BOTH HER NEW MASTER AND HER FAMILY... ​

​

- END PART ONE -​