Star Wars Roleplay: Chaos

Register a free account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members through your own private inbox!

Private Seek And Ye Shall Find

The further they went into the settlement, the more Revna felt a familiar, albeit very slight, sensation in the energy around her. It was like a distant, looming sensation and to her senses it felt like that of an approaching storm.

The thriving community splayed out before Revna as she and the Sith traversed the streets and passed by the many houses and structures, and she mused that it definitely would have been easy for her to get lost here, and she absentmindedly made a note to purposefully get “lost” at some point, to force her to learn her way around without guidance or help. Not that she minded the prospect of help finding her way around these parts, but to her it just made sense to challenge herself to learn the lay of the land and commit it to memory.

The small woman listened as Darth Strosius explained how the community worked and the various jobs and tasks they performed. She was mildly surprised to hear that they did not use credits as payment; she was used to credits being the only source of payment/income so to hear of other methods was new to her.

The sensation she had felt earlier became a bit more potent when they stepped into the city center itself, though she still couldn’t ascertain where exactly the sensation was coming from. Revna’s eyes danced around to take in all the sights that greeted her, and she noticed many of the shops that were around were closed, and only the more vital or important businesses were open. She made note of these and what wares they were offering, especially the clothes shop. She was in desperate need of new clothes; she had only the clothes on her back currently and she was eager to have something new. Soon, her eyes were drawn to the large structure in the center of the settlement itself-the one she had seen from a distance. Now that she was up close to it, Revna couldn’t help but stare wide eyed at it. It was an imposing, somewhat ominous structure in her view.

Revna followed in step with the Sith as he guided her towards the large doors that would take them inside the Cathedral. She eyed the armored guards warily, noting how they came to attention as the two of them drew nearer. Her guarded gaze slid to the other individuals-these robed and hooded-also observing them with caution. Unconsciously, her body tensed a bit, as if ready to run or fight should she need to. She didn’t exactly have the best memories involving armored guards. Briefly, she fought back a resurgence of some of her darkest memories, shaking her head as if to clear them from her mind, and unbidden came a wave of emotional turmoil and pain, which she struggled with for a moment before shoving them back inside the deepest parts of her soul. Revna found herself moving to be a bit closer to the Sith with her as they stepped past the guards. The robed individuals bowed and opened the doors to admit the two of them inside.

The moment Revna passed the threshold into the Cathedral, she was struck by the sheer presence of dark energy, causing her steps to falter as she sucked in a breath. The sensation of the looming storm she had felt earlier had been coming from here, she realized. Now she was in the heart of it, surrounded by a dark power that seemed to almost gently wrap itself around her like black wings, welcoming her into its embrace. She breathed in for a moment, the cold energy seeping into every pore, filling her lungs, almost pouring itself into her veins. She felt lightheaded and swayed on her feet for a moment before her senses returned to her. The young woman took a moment to gather herself, letting her eyes adjust to the low levels of light that were within. She noted the candles and the strange, glowing carvings that decorated pillars and the floor. This place felt…holy, the whole area consecrated to the same power and energy that resided within her, and within the Sith with her.

The voice of the Sith pulled her from her momentary daze and she tore her eyes away from the scenes around her to give him a nod as she stepped towards him to follow him up a set of stairs, passing by the hooded individual who held an incense brazier that released a scent that she couldn’t really place.

Those…marks on the floor…I’ve never seen anything like those before. Actually…I’ve never even seen a place like this before. This is…” her voice, barely above a whisper, trailed off as she failed to find the right word to express what she was trying to convey in the moment.



Darth Strosius Darth Strosius
 
Breaker of Chains
Codex Judge
"Beautiful." The masked man finished for her, a biased answer yet one that he clearly had full faith in. "The culmination of my years of studying and the cult's years of devotion to the Dark Side." There was a sense of pride in his voice that didn't creep in much as he glanced back at the main hall that they had entered into, his gaze shifting back to Revna as they began ascending the stairs. "It is no Korriban nor Dromund Kaas, nothing like the worlds that have been steeped in Sith history and power for untold centuries, but I'd like to think that it is a pleasing place of worship nonetheless."

Given how specific its construction was to channel the essence and power of the Dark Side as best as one could without a Nexus to focus on, it was certainly a marvel to behold. Even if it did pale in comparison to other such places and worlds in the galaxy. "Here we have sermons, conduct rituals, and where the leaders of the cult gather to decide upon the future. It may be a bit much to take in at first but you'll grow used to it in time." He could imagine how overwhelming it could be at first to someone so unfamiliar with the Force. He himself had been introduced to Korriban and Dromund Kaas early on in his time as a Sith so the cathedral was more akin to a pond than an ocean when it came to the power of the Dark Side.

For now though they wouldn't be spending too much time in the main hall, instead he lead the way up to the second level of the cathedral and opened the door with a simple press of a button. The room beyond the door was fairly simple, well lit and taken up mostly by a holotable made up of dark stone and surrounded by chairs. The presence of the cathedral was oddly a bit more muted here, as if it was farther from the source than the main hall below was. Darth Strosius walked over to one of the chairs at the end of the table and sat down, idly gesturing for Revna to take a seat as well.

He tapped on the control console in front of his chair and a holographic map of the settlement appeared on the table, flickering slightly before it settled into a solid image. The scale of the Dresuoti and its defenses could really be seen here as opposed to the streets themselves, with houses and what appeared to be more industrial buildings and warehouses along the eastern side of the settlement. The western side was dominated by the spaceport as well as what seemed like some barracks buildings and hangars.

The front of the settlement was where the wrecks and more military sites were seen, not to mention the wall that kept the settlement contained of course. The rear of the settlement where the canyon wall was seemed to be the main site of expansion given the construction sites and areas there. "Now, we have a good few open spots and homes littered around. Any particular area that you would prefer to reside in? I can tell you a bit more about certain areas as well."

Revna Revna
 
She continued to follow him up the stairs to the second level, her thoughts sifting through his comments. She could only imagine the sheer strength of the Dark Side on the places he had mentioned-places she had only heard mentioned once or twice from the Sith she had met years prior. She couldn’t recall what the topics of discussion had been-it was not her place to eavesdrop or listen in on conversations that did not pertain to her. She had been beaten to within an inch of her life the one time she had, and she had learned her lesson then.

But, her curiosity was piqued now. Maybe one day she could visit these Sith worlds and bask in their dark radiance.

I can tell that you and the cult have worked hard on this place; I can practically feel the devotion that has been poured into it over time. It is like a thrum in the air and in the structure itself.” Revna replied, a hint of awe in her voice as Darth Strosius opened up a door on the second level and stepped through with her.

The room before her was occupied by a dark stone table surrounded on either side by chairs. The air in here was cool and refreshing, and the sense of power was muted here, almost to background levels. Revna’s gaze followed the Sith as he sat and gestured for her to sit as well. She slid into a seat on the side of the table beside him, leaning forward slightly to fold her hands together on the cold surface before her. She was short enough that even sitting here, her feet didn’t touch the floor but dangled freely. Her eyes looked over the room briefly, taking in its layout and a second door on the other end of the room.

An image flickered before her and her attention snapped to it as a holographic image of the settlement was displayed before her.

Could you tell me about the different areas around the settlement?” she questioned curiously, looking more directly at Darth Strosius, her blue-gray eyes fixed on his masked face. She was feeling a little more confident and emboldened now. She still fought the urge to avert her gaze and be meek, but unless it was demanded of her moving forward, then she would push such urges aside.


Darth Strosius Darth Strosius
 
Breaker of Chains
Codex Judge
Darth Strosius idly inclined his head towards her as Revna spoke of her impression of the cathedral, noting it mentally. The hint of awe brought a small smirk to his masked face and seemed to make him perk up a bit, but otherwise he simply nodded in acknowledgement as he settled into his seat. Given how much time and effort had gone into the planning, construction, and most importantly the sanctification of the cathedral, he couldn't help but feel pride for it. It was a monument to his cult, perhaps the first of many if he had his way.

He pushed such thoughts aside for now though and instead focused on the holographic map, the center where the cathedral was as well as a fair chunk of the more permanent and established homes lighting up on the map as he gestured to them. "Obviously we have the center of the settlement. If you're looking to stay involved with the local events and crowds then this is the place to be, although I must admit that it can sometimes get a bit crowded and that your housing options are fairly limited here. Myself, the priests, and the Prelates also reside here." The price of being so close to the action he supposed.

The map then highlighted the western portion of the settlement that they had just walked through, the spaceport itself included. "This part of the Dresuoti you've seen already. It's the main residential area and offers good access to the hangars and spaceport if you find yourself traveling often. The other Sith in the cult often bunk here," He pointed out a set of buildings close to the hangars and warehouses on the far side of the spaceport. They appeared to be a collection of barracks and huts around a little training yard. ", due to having to go on missions and excursions away from Formos on a semi-regular basis. But of course they, and you, are free to reside elsewhere."

With another press on the console the map shifted the focus to the eastern half where the warehouses and more industrial areas appeared to be. "This is where our production facilities and factories are housed. It can get fairly noisy so unless you find yourself wanting to work in this area, I wouldn't recommend it. It does have the most open lodgings though." Darth Strosius chuckled and shifted the highlight to the rear where more houses and construction sites could be found. "As you can see this is our main area of expansion at the moment. We're digging into the walls of the canyon to open up both underground and cliffside housing. There are a few open homes already finished but with many more on the way, should you decide to move here later once all of the work is done."

Finally the map moved focus to the front where the wrecks and the wall resided, the landscape dotted by smaller buildings that resembled bunkers and other defensive works as well as a simple yet somewhat expansive military complex towards the easter side. "And of course we have the Wall and the main base for our military forces. Unless you wish to become part of our Legion there's not too much space to live here I'm afraid." Between the defenses and the training grounds there simply wasn't much space for civilian areas here. The masked man sat back and finally looked towards Revna once more as the map returned to its normal state without any highlighting or focuses. "So, what do you think?"

Revna Revna
 
Revna carefully considered the options laid out before her, looking at each section of the settlement as they were pointed out to her. A couple options were off the table for her, at least for the moment, but a few interested her. The western portion-which she had seen already-was a strong candidate. It would allow her to be relatively close to the other inhabitants, and it seemed that the other Sith he had mentioned also lived here…which made sense given how close the spaceport was. Her quick mind also noted how advantageous it was to have Sith here; if anyone tried to attack or harass the community, then they would be met by a quick and vicious first line of defense, she mused. She certainly would rise to defend her home and her community if threatened.

The second option she found favor with was a home built into the canyon wall itself. The idea of a home made more naturally really appealed to her, not to mention it seemed to be more defensible, at least in her mind, and she made a mental note to perhaps move here in the future once construction and building was completed or close to it.

The third option she was considering was probably the one she was leaning a little bit more towards. She felt a pull on her spirit to be as close as possible to the Cathedral, though why she felt this she wasn’t entirely certain. Perhaps it was because it was a place saturated by the presence of power that was within her too, and if she wanted to get to know the Dark Side better, more intimately and attune herself to it-then it made sense in her mind to be as close to its influence as could be managed. She had a suspicious feeling that she would be spending a bit of her time within this grand structure anyway.

After a few moments of quiet deliberation, she sat back in her seat and crossed her arms over her chest, tilting her head and narrowing her eyes in a thoughtful, calculated expression.

There are three places that stand out to me. First, the western portion. It would put me amongst others in the community, as well as within close proximity of the other Sith who live here. It would give me the opportunity to get to know them as well, perhaps build bonds. It is close to the entrance of the community and if something, or someone, should dare attack-then I would be able to do my part and defend. However, I don’t know how to fly so unless I’m a tag-along with someone else, I don’t see myself leaving Formos until I’ve learned how to operate a spacecraft as well as acquire my own…which I don’t even know how to go about getting something like that.” She said, a bit embarrassed by this fact.

The second option is the housing in the cliffside itself; having a home that is built more naturally and is rustic really appeals to me. That, and I imagine it could be easily defended, if it only has one entrance and exit. I could fight off any intruders without having to worry about someone sneaking up behind me.

She took a breath and exhaled as she looked back at the Sith once more. “However, I think the choice that appeals to me most is being as close to the Cathedral as possible, especially right now. Being close to the presence of the Dark Side here I think would help me to become more aware of it, less afraid of it. I have a feeling I’d be lurking around this place a lot, anyway.” she said with a chuckle before her expression turned more serious. “I know you said that room around these parts is limited, though. I’m open to being shoved just about anywhere. I mean…I’m used to living in what most would call a cell; it doesn’t take much to make me happy. Four walls, a place to sleep and bathe, and I’m content. I don’t even care if it has dirt floors, is open to the world, or if my bed is a cot…or even a mat on the floor. It could be a ramshackled hut for all I care. The fact that I’m even being offered a place to stay here is humbling to me. I don’t want to take better lodging away from anyone who may need it more than I do, so I am open to taking anything that you think is suitable within the choices I listed.

She fell quiet and watched the masked man intently, curious to his response to her words. The very idea that she would have a place to call her own was almost unimaginable. She was hopefully excited at the prospect, and also a bit overwhelmed by it all.



Darth Strosius Darth Strosius
 
Breaker of Chains
Codex Judge
Darth Strosius sat back and clasped his hands together in front of him as Revna debated her options. Normally new arrivals were just brought into whatever housing was available until their role and duties were decided, then they would be given the chance to move around if they so desired. But of course Force Sensitives were special cases even when they didn't have the attention of the masked man on their first day. Given how rare and invaluable they were it only made sense for them to have a bit more flexibility in their options and lodgings.

When she began talking about her thought process he nodded, listening to her points and letting her describe her reasons without any real interruption. "A ship and how to control it is something that will be covered in your Sith training, do not fret." Only a handful of freed slaves had any sort of pilot experience so it wasn't uncommon for classes and training to be held for those in need of it. Of course not every single member of the cult could be granted a vessel of their own, but Sith were one of the exceptions given their assignments. It was quite hard to do work for the cult in the Outer Rim without a ship to go to and from Formos in after all.

The practical thinking in regards to a home in the canyon wall was something that he greatly appreciated hearing, a clever survival thinking that would benefit her greatly in the future. When she got to her third choice however, he was somewhat surprised. Darth Strosius did have the occasional Sith that desired to spend more time around the cathedral, usually in the form of more guard duty in order to try and garner more of his attention and gratitude, but to want to live near it was something he hadn't really heard before. Regardless he listened to her remarks about more spartan quarters and allowed his gaze to slowly drift back to the table's display as she fell silent.

He mulled over the options with a thoughtful hum, rolling around her preferences in his mind. Placing her with the Squires and the rest of the Sith was the obvious choice for simplicity sake, just to try and keep them all in one location, but he mused on her desire to stay near the cathedral for a few moments. It was interesting and uncommon, surprising and unique. It would also mean that she'd be by far the closest Sith to him in terms of lodgings as well, given that the Squires by the door rotated their guard times fairly regularly. After a moment he pressed one of the buttons on the console and a small click couldbe heard. "Sister Sonim, would you be so kind as to prepare one of the empty priest quarters for a new resident? Also bring some robes and a couple changes of clothes..."

His masked gaze flicked over to Revna for a moment before looking back at the console. "...sized small." He pulled his finger away from the console and after a short pause another click sounded. :"As you wish High Priest, it shall be ready in but a few minutes.": A voice came over the console before the transmission ended. Darth Strosius then clicked the console once more and the map flickered off as he nodded to Revna. "You will reside here in the cathedral for now." He declared, a simple statement but one that left little room for argument. "Meals are served in the kitchen three times a day, but do feel free to venture out if you wish to eat instead if you wish. There may still be some lunch leftover if you are hungry."

Revna Revna
 
I imagine there is a lot that a new Sith must learn. I have a feeling that it is something one never stops learning…” Revna replied, her mind inevitably wandering to what things a fresh Sith might be taught, what training would look like. She knew that she would find out soon enough, though this did raise a hint of anxious apprehension in her.

She watched his gaze shift back to the table and she tilted her head slightly as he seemed to ponder what she had to say in regards to her choices, a thoughtful hum rumbling from his chest. She refrained from speaking further in the moment, letting him think without her interference or interruption. Her eyes were drawn to his hand as he reached out to the console in front of him and pressed a button before speaking to a 'Sister Sonim', asking her to prepare one of their empty priest quarters and to bring some fresh clothes and robes, and Revna felt her brow dip in a frown.

She…hadn’t been expecting that. Her cheeks colored up with a slight blush and she opened her mouth as if to protest against being provided such things, feeling as though she didn’t deserve any of it, but something warned her to keep her mouth shut and just accept it graciously.

Her gaze returned to that of the Sith as the Sister responded back to him in obedience, and the communication ended there. The holomap clicked off and Revna felt herself sit a little straighter in the chair as Darth Strosius made it clear that she would be staying in the Cathedral itself, at least for the time being. She wanted to argue and say that she was fine being outside, but the authority with which he spoke made her swallow back any argument she may have had. It also evoked a certain response from her, and she bowed her head to accept what was being offered to her. “I…thank you. I wasn’t expecting a room in here. But I certainly am thankful for it. And for the new clothes.” She replied softly.

He informed her of when meals would be had, and as if on cue, her stomach rumbled loudly. She startled and laid a hand over her belly, her eyes widening as her cheeks blushed a deeper red. Now that it was mentioned, she actually couldn’t remember the last time she had had a proper meal besides scraps. She had even gone days between meals while living in the streets of Nar Shaddaa. She was used to little to nothing to eat, so she hadn’t really paid attention to the needs of her own body, until now. And she was very hungry.

Food actually sounds really good right now. I don’t really remember the last time I had something to eat. I think it was a few days ago…” she murmured, her voice dropping a bit in reflective thought before returning her gaze back to the Sith, offering a small and somewhat shy smile. “Thank you…High Priest.” she said, using the title for the first time as she dipped her head in respectful bow to him.



Darth Strosius Darth Strosius
 
Breaker of Chains
Codex Judge
"Right you are, Acolyte." Even for those in the cult that were a bit more traveled or educated before they joined the ranks of Wonosa, there were a lot of finer details and other such common skills that had to be taught. The teachings of the Sith were simply another layer of education that the cult had to handle for their members, not that anyone minded of course. Not even Darth Strosius himself knew how to pilot a starship, or any sort of craft really, for a good few years after his own liberation.

He noted her surprise and hesitance as he decided on her quarters, for the moment at least, and had to resist the urge to chuckle at the sight. She was very expressive and he found it rather amusing to watch. "You'll need new attire for your training regardless, and you wanted to stay close to the cathedral in order to become accustomed to it." He responded with a shrug, as though the solution was simple and the decision easy. For him it was at least. "The Priests can help you get settled in with the community and you'll be able to talk with the other Sith that guard the doors. You'll get the best parts of everything that you wanted really." The Priests would be ecstatic to have a Sith, or at the very least someone blessed with the Force, aside from himself to speak and interact with on a daily basis.

When her stomach growled he raised an eyebrow and his gaze shifted between her face and her stomach for a moment as he stifled the urge to laugh at her reaction. Evidently the promise of food must have been far more enticing than he thought. "No need to thank me yet young Revna. You're still without a hot meal and a warm bed." The masked man stood from his seat and gestured for Revna to follow as he began making his way back to the stairs that they had entered into the room from. "I'll make sure that you get fed and get settled into your quarters, then I'll let you get some rest. No doubt you've had quite the journey and few moments of comfort to make it bearable."

He had no doubt that the Sister Sonima would be more than willing to help get Revna settled in of course but there was no harm in ensuring that the young Sith didn't get lost or overwhelmed on her first day. It wasn't like he had any meetings or other matters to attend to for the rest of the day either. "I believe that the last batch of lunch should be leaving the kitchens now so there should be plenty for you and few others to share it with."

Revna Revna
 
The petite woman slid off the chair, excited by the prospect of actual food and drink.

And new clothes. And new people to meet and talk to. And a new place that she could have all to herself. The thought of it all brought another smile to her face as she stepped around the table to join up with the Sith waiting for her.

Yes, it was all overwhelming but it was in the best way possible. Her aloof and shy nature was struggling a bit but her sheer determination to change was forcing her out of her comfort zone. Adapt and thrive, she told herself.

Well you still have my gratitude-with or without the warm meal and a bed to sleep in. And I hope I’m not taking you away from anything important…I just realized that I may be interfering with whatever work you have to do around here. Though I do appreciate the company.” she responded as she followed him towards the door.

Stepping out of the meeting room and back into the atmosphere of the Cathedral was another shock to her system, one that she knew would grow on her in due time. She stopped in her stride for a moment and simply stood there with her eyes mostly closed, letting the chill aura and presence of the place caress and move around her. It was like a living thing, almost. It was both unsettling and alluring. A few moments later, she opened her eyes and moved to catch up with Darth Strosius as he descended down the steps. Yes, she definitely wanted to be close to this presence. This was as much a part of her as her own spirit. She was going to do her best to no longer push it away or deny it moving forward.

As they continued onward, Revna found her thoughts drifting to some other questions that seemed to be lurking within her mind. She frowned as she tried to decide which one to ask first, finally settling on one that had been eating away at her.

So…what does this Sith training look like exactly? What can I expect, starting out? Do…I come find you or will you let me know when it’s time? Will it be you or others around here teaching me? Sorry for the questions…I suppose I’d figure it out sooner or later but I like to have an idea of what I’m facing in the future.” She said in her usual, curious voice, glancing up at him from the side of her gaze as they reached the bottom of the stairs.


Darth Strosius Darth Strosius
 
Breaker of Chains
Codex Judge
Darth Strosius chuckled at the thought of being dragged away from important matters and waved off the concern with a gesture of his hand. "Ensuring that new members and arrivals are taken care of and integrated accordingly is one of the most important duties in the Order." The only other method for expansion they had was simply waiting for the families to grow naturally, but that one was far more long term for obvious reasons. Recruiting through liberation was the best way forward and one that had been working marvelously thus far.

He descended the stairs but paused halfway down once he realized that he didn't hear Revna's footsteps behind him, a quick glance back to her being enough to catch her still basking in the aura of the cathedral right before she kept moving down to follow him again. The sight made him smirk as he turned his attention back to the task at hand and finished walking down the stairs. Given how intent she was on growing accustomed to the sensation of the Dark Side, and the Force in general it seemed, he'd have to give her some lessons on meditation to help ensure a smoother and more fulfilling acclimation. It was no different from what he did with the other Sith of the cult, albeit such lessons usually occurred later on in their training.

Combat and other more practical skills simply took precedence when it came to training, usually anyway. "Starting out you'll be under my direct supervision and you'll be alone for the first week or so. The other Sith of the cult are a bit more advanced in their training and are focused more on combat and some advanced Force abilities, so you'll need to be trained up a bit first before you're ready for those lessons." There were a couple of newer Squires that probably weren't too dissimilar to Revna's own experience and capability level but Darth Strosius wanted to personally oversee her introduction to the ways of the Sith.

By the time that she would be amongst the ranks of the Squires, she would hopefully be able to match or even best any one of them. Time would tell if his expectations had exceeded reality or not. "Meditation, some weapon training, general vehicle operation, the basics will be what you will learn. Nothing too strenuous but they will need to be mastered. I have faith that you won't fall behind in your training." As he spoke he led the way towards one of the doors leading off to the side of the main hall, the incense bearing priest now absent from the room, and stepped through as it opened automatically. "The kitchen is just down this hall, then I will direct you to your quarters."

Revna Revna
 
Revna tilted her head, listening to Darth Strosius explain how training would look like for her starting off. Based on his words, she came to the conclusion that her first couple weeks were going to be very busy…but she was used to that. Down time was rare for a slave; sleeping was often the only afforded time of peace and rest given to a slave, and even then one was always “on call”. When she was younger, Revna had hated being busy or being forced to work all the time. She wanted to play and run around and do the things most children wanted to do; as she got older, however, she came to appreciate the fact that all those years spent working as a child had given her a deep work ethic. Besides, staying busy was good for a person; too much downtime allowed apathy and laziness to creep in, and she didn’t have time for any of that.

She turned her head and gave the Sith a wide-eyed stare when he mentioned that the other Sith being trained were further along in their combat training and abilities than she was, and she would need to be brought to their level.

Wait…combat training? As in…I’ll get to learn how to fight too?? Actually fight? Weapon training?! What kind of weapons? I have a blaster I stole from my owner…do you train with weapons like those?” she asked in both an excited and apprehensive voice, though her blue gaze lit up with some inner fire at the prospect. He had mentioned meditation too…she didn’t know what that was, but she knew she would find out. Vehicle operation sounded practical, if not a little daunting at first.

His comments about having faith in her ability to keep up with training sobered her almost immediately. A small stab of self-doubt needled its way through her mind; what if she didn’t have what it takes? What if she’s taken on more than what she’s capable of? Combat training? Weapon training? She’s barely larger than a child…how could manage to do such things? She was going to fail, and let Darth Strosius down. A sudden constriction of fear squeezed her heart; she didn’t want to be a disappointment, a failure.

Then don’t be a failure, defy your self-imposed limitations- whispered a voice through her mind. She took a breath and exhaled before looking ahead of her once more. “I…certainly will give my best efforts at whatever I’m directed to do.” Revna replied to the masked man beside her.

She noticed the hooded individual from earlier, the one with the incense burner, was now gone. A door before them opened upon their arrival and admitted them beyond. The scent of food wafted down the hall they were in, and her stomach growled loudly again, forcing another blush to color Revna’s cream-colored cheeks.


Darth Strosius Darth Strosius
 
Breaker of Chains
Codex Judge
The slew of questions about combat training made the masked man chuckle as he nodded in response. "Blasters are one portion of it yes. The galaxy and the Sith are tumultuous by nature, so being experienced in the ways of war and combat is a necessity. Especially given the assignments that our Sith undertake." He chose to kept that vague for now, mostly due to the fact that he could only guess what Revna's first mission after she had been sufficiently trained would be. "Training in melee weapons as well as more specific Sith methods and tactics will take up the majority of your early training though, and after that it will be more elaborate skills and even some training in positions of authority."

Darth Strosius didn't comment on her less than enthusiastic remark about doing her best, only nodding as he led the way forward. The growl of her stomach did bring a smirk to his hidden features however. "Patience young one, we'll get you full." The short walk down the hall revealed rows of doors, most likely the priest quarters that he had mentioned before, but he didn't stop until the reached the one at the far end. He pushed it open with a tap on the console next to it and the pair were greeted by the site of a small yet fully functional and stocked kitchen and cafeteria-like setup.

The kitchen sat on one side, fully furnished with all sorts of cabinets and every cooking implement and device one would expect. There were a few different stations and areas clearly set aside for specific tasks as well, but the main source of interest was the long counter where one would acquire their tray or plate and utensils before going down the length of the table and getting the food that sat upon it. The rest of the room was occupied by tables and chairs but only a handful of people were inside and eating, with one or two tending to the kitchen. They all bore attire resembling the incense carrier from earlier, albeit some of their robes were a bit modified as if to denote some sort of rank.

A few eyes turned to the door as it opened and one of the priests tending to the food perked up, offering a bow. "High Priest! How kind of you to join us! My apologies that the area is a bit messy, we were just finishing up lunch." The hooded Twi'lek glanced at Revna and offered her a small smile alongside a nod in greeting. "Not to worry Brother Lanit, I'm not here for an inspection." Darth Strosius waved off the remark, most of the other priests soon returning to their meals or chats aside from Lanit who stood at attention behind the counter as the masked man turned to the Acolyte and gestured to the assembled food. "Go on and have whatever you like. The rest will just become leftovers for later so don't hesitate."

Revna Revna
 
Revna mentally cataloged the answers to her plethora of questions she threw at the masked man, thinking on them briefly. All of it sounded daunting and, well, exciting. Even with her momentary struggle with her own lack of self-confidence and fears, she found herself excited for the future. Instead of letting her self-doubt plague her, she combated it with a determined mindset to embrace the new her and give her best at everything required of her. The nagging whisper of doubt faded away as she pondered on everything.

Learning how to fight, truly fight, appealed to the small woman on many levels. She had always been an aggressive individual. Even as a child; she had a fighting will to her and she could remember almost every time her mother had to pull her out of a situation she had gotten herself into. She didn’t tolerate being mocked, or bullied, or otherwise belittled-or having the same done to her mother. Those were the times she had felt her rage strongest, when she felt like the world would burn around her from the sheer intensity of it. Instead of helping her daughter learn how to fight, however, Revna’s mother had made sure those volatile tendencies were pushed deep down inside and never touched. It made sense; slaves were not to fight at all. To do so was to court punishment or death. Submission was the path of the slave; even if whatever one dealt with brought out anger or indignation, the slave was expected to deal with it and just do their duty without complaint. Revna had been taught, with much pain and through a lot of tears, that to fight back was not acceptable.

And the one time she did lash out, her mother paid the ultimate price for it.

But now…everything had changed. A small, dark smile touched Revna’s lips as she wrapped her head around the truth that she would be receiving the training she had always needed, and then some. What she was meant to be was now going to be realized…she just had to have the will, the courage, to take it and make it her own. Truly, the Force had a will for her, and it had enabled her and brought her to this point so she could finally realize her purpose. This line of thought made her lift her chin a touch as she and Darth Strosius walked down the hall towards a door on the other end.

I look forward to learning everything I can. The knowledge of learning how to fight properly and use weapons and other things is a little daunting for me, but I think that is because I am a small woman and I haven’t been truly tested on what I can or can’t do, or what I’m capable of. But I know that will be remedied. I think my biggest hurdle right now is myself and my own mind.” Revna said in a softer voice as she took a glance at the man beside her.

The Sith tapped on a console by the door, which slid open to reveal a room that was the kitchen and eating area of the Cathedral. The smell of food was as enticing as ever, and for the moment the small woman’s thoughts turned from the discussion of training and what she had to look forward to, to the immediate promise of food and drink.

Once inside the room, Revna’s gaze swept over everything, noting where everything was placed and what it was. Her eyes located the table with the food and utensils and plates, then drifted over to the tables where a few people sat enjoying their meals and conversations. She had been in such communal environments as a slave growing up, but the atmosphere here was wholly different. She stiffened slightly when she noticed others look in her general direction, having been alerted to the sound of the door opening, her shy nature rising to the surface once more. She noticed their various styled robes, and silently wondered what the differences meant.

One of the individuals, a hooded Twi’lek male referred to by Brother Lanit, rose to his feet to greet Darth Strosius and Revna stood beside the Sith in silence, folding her hands in front of her and briefly averting her gaze out of habit. She returned Brother Lanit’s smile with a shy one of her own, before turning her eyes to the Sith beside her, waiting for the permission to go eat. With a gesture, the masked man directed her to the food and she wasted no time in grabbing a plate and eating utensils before looking over the offered food, deciding to take small portions of everything available to her. She knew better than to eat large portions after not eating for so long; she didn’t want to be crippled with a bad belly ache later on.

Food and drink in hand, Revna found a table that was empty and sat down, making sure her back was facing a wall and everything in the room was visible to her, including the door. She glanced around herself once more, her senses taking in everything as she let her nerves settle down to background levels, before she began to eat the most delicious food she’d had in a long time.


Darth Strosius Darth Strosius
 
Breaker of Chains
Codex Judge
The Twi'lek didn't speak up again until after Revna had gotten her meal, his gaze shifting between her and the masked man with a mixture of curiosity and confusion. "I don't believe I recognize her High Priest, is she a new Sister?" Darth Strosius shook his head as his arms crossed behind his back and his attention turned from the Acolyte to Brother Lanit. "Not quite. Young Revna there is a new arrival, and one blessed with the Force much like myself." Lanit's eyes widening slightly in surprise did not go unnoticed by the masked man. "I decided that personally overseeing her introduction to the cult would be appropriate, so she'll be staying in the Cathedral for now. Sister Sonima is preparing a room for her now."

Lanit nodded and glanced back at Revna once more before offering the Sith Lord a smile. "Well I'll make sure that the other Priests lend her a helping hand in getting acquainted then!" Usually the High Priest himself, and occasionally the Squires on guard if they were feeling chatty, was the only Sith that the Priests spoke with on any regular basis. Having another one around was an exciting prospect, and Darth Strosius was well aware of that. "See that you do, just don't overwhelm the poor girl with too much attention all at once."

Given how skittish the Acolyte could be at times he didn't need her getting upset just because his cultists were a little overzealous in their welcoming. Lanit understood the concern, or at least seemed willing to follow the command, due to the quick bow of his head. "Of course my lord. I will ensure that her comfort isn't jeopardized by our fellow Priests." There was a pause and then a glint in the Twi'lek's eye as he smirked. "We wouldn't want our dear Exarch to have to take on another riled up blessed one now would we sir?"

Darth Strosius smothered a chuckle as he nodded and gestured for the Priest to resume his work, moving to go join Revna at her table. "Indeed we would not!" Maximilian was more than enough of a handful in that regard. Thankfully Revna seemed far more tame than he did, thus far at least. Perhaps there would be some fire within her once she became more comfortable with her surroundings and more capable with her power. There was only one way to find out.

The masked man sat down across from the Acolyte and folded his hands together on the table in front of him. "Now, by the time you get done eating your quarters should be ready. Given the long journey I believe that rest is in order so you're free to spend the remainder of the day as you wish. Tomorrow after lunch your training shall begin, I'll have a Priest come find you if I'm unable to do so myself." Normally he preferred morning training but he wasn't sure exactly how exhausted Revna could be so it was best to play it safe and hold off until later in the day once she had some proper meals and rest out of the way. He still had a meeting to attend tomorrow as well, so better to just wait until they were both available.

Revna Revna
 
After taking her seat and digging into her food, Revna slipped into the old habit of listening to and feeling others through her magic, the Force, around her. She expanded her senses a little, and instantly felt the little “pings” of the life essence in those around her. Vague whispers danced across her mind and while she was tempted to listen in on the thoughts of those in the cafeteria, including those of the Sith-she quickly tossed that notion away. She didn’t want to ruin everything that had happened for her thus far because she got snoopy and couldn’t keep herself out of people’s heads. She didn’t know if they would be able to feel such a thing, her “intrusion”, and she wanted to gain these people’s trust and felt that listening in on their private thoughts would be a violation on her part. She also noticed the dark pulse of power-like a heartbeat-from Darth Strosius, and she marveled at it for a few moments. She wondered if her own power would feel like that someday, or perhaps even greater. The sheer presence of power, of the magic…this Force…saturated everything here. In all her years she had never felt anything like this before, and she knew in her heart that this was just the beginning. She pulled back those senses to return to a normal state of being and went back to eating her food.

She silently took a sip of her drink as she listened in on the brief conversation between Darth Strosius and Brother Lanit with her sharp sense of hearing. She felt her lips tilt upward in a small smirk when the Twi’lek was told not to let her be overwhelmed by everyone all at once, and she was very appreciative of that. She did want to get to know everyone, but she preferred such things to be done gradually, and on her terms. She ate a bit more of her food and glanced around to the other individuals seated in the cafeteria with her; so these must be the Priests of the cult, at least some of them, she concluded based on the statement made by Brother Lanit.

She tilted her head a bit as she heard another term she didn’t recognize: ‘exarch’, and was rather intrigued by the statement made about a riled up ‘blessed one’. The Sith seemed to hold back some amusement at the statement as he made his way to her table and sat down. Revna sat a little straighter in her seat and set her utensil down and gave him her full attention as he folded his hands in front him. She listened quietly as he told her what to expect for the rest of the day and she swallowed back a nervously excited lump in her throat when she learned that she would begin her training the following afternoon. His voice, though calm and collected, held the underlying edge of authority that she knew better than to argue against. She was free to carry on about her day once she had been shown to her quarters, but it was made pretty clear that she was expected to rest. She wasn’t about to complain about being directed or encouraged to rest either; she wasn’t actively showing it but she was exhausted-mentally, physically, emotionally and spiritually. And now that she was in a relatively safe place and being sheltered, clothed, and fed…that exhaustion was beginning to creep up on her again.

She would rest-then the real work would begin. So soon, she mentally remarked. It wasn’t a bad thing at all; truthfully she didn’t know when she would start and had hoped it would be sooner rather than later, but it was still mildly surprising to her.

Revna dipped her head in a bow when he finished speaking, saying in a soft voice her compliance to his words: “Yes, Darth Strosius.” After a few seconds, she tilted her head at him with one of her curious frowns. “What is an ‘exarch’? And…aren’t you going to eat too?” She said the last bit when she noticed that he hadn’t gotten anything to eat for himself. She realized that maybe he wasn’t hungry at the moment, but the words were out of her mouth already and so she let them hang there to be answered.



Darth Strosius Darth Strosius
 
Breaker of Chains
Codex Judge
The questions made him cock his head to the side ever so slightly, seemingly in some expression of surprise given how he responded. "Ah, overheard that did you? Very perceptive." The masked man noted with a chuckle before he shook his head. "No I shall wait to dine after I depart from your company, I'm afraid I'm on a...special diet. Normal food does work but I require some additional supplements that are far from standard." The vague answer and a dismissive wave of his hand were all that he would say on the matter for now it seemed.

"As for the Exarch, it is a title. Exarch Salneva Limont is the leader of this settlement, and really most of the Order's civil affairs, in my stead while I'm away or otherwise occupied. She has a knack for diplomatic solutions that I do not." Were it not for her then there would be far fewer peaceful integrations of the local settlements into the cult. Darth Strosius always preferred more direct, and confrontational, solutions himself.

"I'm sure that she would be delighted to meet you, perhaps later on this week." More than anything she'd probably be extremely interested in why he had taken such a personal interest in the new arrival, but he could weather such excited questions. He only hoped that the Exarch didn't overwhelm Revna with her ecstatic introduction. "Just don't mind if she's a bit...eccentric." Again he chose not to elaborate and instead cleared his throat as he decided to move on to a different topic.

"I'll have to arrange for some proper attire similar to what the other Sith wear to be brought to your quarters as well. We don't keep any here in the Cathedral, just robes and other more casual clothing for the Priests and new arrivals such as yourself." There was no rush to do so but when it came time for combat training more protective and practical clothing like that worn by the Squires would be needed. Perhaps he could get one of the Squires could grab an extra set or two before they went on their way to the Cathedral for guard duty.

Then again he supposed that a proper tour of the Squires' training grounds and even a formal introduction to them was in order as well. Darth Strosius paused and idly drummed his fingers on the table as he thought, letting Revna eat in silence for a few moments. Such an introduction would be a bit soon given her lacking experience, but at the same time a more direct demonstration of what was expected of her could go a long in way in ensuring that she reached her full potential sooner. "Tell me young Revna, how soon would you like to meet the other Sith of the cult? Aside from the ones outside the doors earlier today?"

Revna Revna
 
She smiled a little bashfully at his remark on her perceptiveness, and though his comments about his diet did pique and further her curiosity, she understood that it was not a topic for discussion at the moment so she respectfully left it alone. It was a rather personal matter anyway, she told herself. She didn't need to be that nosy!

Revna did perk up when he mentioned that the ‘exarch’ was actually a title for…another lady! And one in a position of authority, it seemed. Her eyes and pale face brightened in curiosity once more as she listened to the Sith briefly explain the Exarch's functions within the settlement and the cult.

I look forward to meeting and getting to know her!” Perhaps she and this Exarch Salneva could get along well enough to start building up enough of a friendship that Revna could have another woman to confide in. It had been years since she had had a strong female presence in her life. Darth Strosius didn’t elaborate further on his Exarch, and moved on to another topic, one about her having more proper attire than just robes or common clothes.

I…can see that everyone seems to have their own style of clothing; kind of like a uniform. Even some of the robes being worn are different.” Revna mentioned, glancing at the others still in the room with them. She was curious as to what this new, ‘proper’ attire was and what it would look like, but surmised that it probably had something to do with her new direction in life. Her gaze flickered to his drumming fingers on the table as the Sith seemed to ponder something.

Revna finished off the last scraps of her meal and downed the last of her drink, her stomach no longer growling angrily at her. It hadn’t been a lot of food, but it was enough to satisfy her gnawing hunger. It was a relief to know that she wouldn’t have to go a day or two between meals here. And, even better, she wouldn’t have to beg anyone for food either. Or for anything again, for that matter. Oh how she had hated being forced to beg. It made her seethe, the mere thought of it.

She returned her focus back to the masked man as he spoke once more, asking her when she would like to meet the other Sith of the cult. Her eyes lit up again with barely contained excitement; meet the other Sith that were here?? Of course she wanted to meet others that were like her!

How soon? Can…I meet them now?she questioned, not hiding her eagerness at the prospect of meeting them. The exhaustion she had been feeling creeping up on her disappeared into the background once more; it could wait to claim her, she mused.


Darth Strosius Darth Strosius
 
Breaker of Chains
Codex Judge
Darth Strosius had little doubt that the meeting between Revna and Salneva would either be the most enjoyable interaction he had ever witnessed or the most terrible, given that the chance of the Exarch having someone to support her in her arguments would be very real. That wasn't even accounting how Salneva's ward would react to the presence of another Sith, although his lackluster interest in the Squires did set a precedent in that regard at least. Regardless it would be interesting to see unfold for certain.

He raised an eyebrow at the mention of clothing and his gaze idly shifted to the priests before he understood what she meant. He often forgot that many facets and peculiarities of the cult could be esoteric without context, especially for those that were unfamiliar with Sith history and stylings. The robes of the priests, and his own as well of course, were based upon and sometimes even outright recreations of apparel from the Sith and Dark Side worshippers of old. Albeit with minor alterations and updates to make them more modern and to denote ranks and whatnot.

Revna's eager question caught him off-guard at first but after a moment and a slight tilt of his head he slowly nodded. "I...suppose that you could. I had merely assumed that you wished to get some rest first." If she desired to go ahead and have some introductions though, he had no intent of stopping her. It would save them the trouble of having to do so later anyway. He stood and gestured for her to follow him again as he began heading back towards the door. "Just leave your plate and the rest at the end of the table on the way out, they'll be cleaned."

Darth Strosius gave the priests a nod, one that they returned with smiles and even small bows, as he opened the door with a wave and stepped through. "A fair bit of our Sith are scattered around at the moment. Missions and the like." He explained once they were out in the hallway once more. "The Squires represent the vast majority of our Sith and will often be sent on assignments to further the goals of the cult abroad. Whether that be aiding in recruiting efforts or scouting potential enemies." Or putting down said enemies as well, but that went left unsaid.

"We do have some that should still be training currently though. I'm sure they won't mind us observing one of their sessions." Perhaps Revna would also get some idea of what she'd be expected to learn within the coming weeks. A little extra preparation never hurt. The main hall was still empty as they emerged into it again, with the masked man leading the way back to the main doors. He raised a hand, the palm open and facing upwards, and bid the doors to open with a simple curling of his fingers. Sure enough the plaza before the Cathedral was no longer barren, with a few groups dotted around that were clearly perusing the kiosks and little market that occupied the fringes around the main building. "Ah, and that would be the lunch rush."

Revna Revna
 
I can rest later. Besides, I wouldn’t mind getting some of the introductions out of the way, that way I can focus on other tasks later on and not be so distracted. After we are finished though, I should probably get settled into my room and get ready for tomorrow.” Revna replied to the masked man. Rising up when he did, she carried her plate to the end of the table where he directed before following him out the door and back into the hall.

How many of these Squires are there currently?” she asked him after he mentioned that the majority of them were gone on missions at the moment, glancing at him as they walked down the hall and past the doors on either side of them. She was curious to see what training around here would look like, as she knew it would give her a good idea of what she would be doing as well before too long.

The main hall of the Cathedral was still empty, and Revna found her gaze pulled towards the magnificent interior of the structure. Maybe after she had gotten herself cleaned up and into her fresh clothes, she could come explore the rest of the dark structure. She really wanted to get a better look at the glowing runes she had seen earlier, along with everything else she had seen. You should probably just rest and actually get some sleep; you’re going to need all the energy you can get; you don’t know what this training is going to look like for you. It could be the toughest thing you’ve had to do in your entire life. You would be wise to prepare yourself for it in body and mind. You can always explore the place later… her conscience cautioned in her head. The small voice of her spirit had a point, she silently mused as she watched the Sith lift a hand towards the doors of the Cathedral, watching with a small smile of awe as that simple gesture opened the doors for them. That was something she hadn’t actually done before with her own abilities-open and close doors. Doing such a thing would have brought her abilities to the attention of her owners, which she had taught not to do. She probably could if she spent some time in practice with it; she made a mental note to perhaps find some personal time to practice this herself…now that she actually could use her Force abilities freely and without fear.

The realization of this truth finally dawned on her. “I…I can actually use my abilities now.” She said aloud, partially to herself. “And I don’t have to be afraid to do so! Well…maybe not all of them.” She amended with a chuckle. Revna didn’t think choking others with her invisible grip would be a good idea, or making them relive their worst nightmares and memories. Not unless someone here forces me to, she mused darkly in her own head. As the doors opened, she squinted slightly with the intrusion of bright light coming in from the outside world. She blinked back a sting of tears as her eyes adjusted, before she was able to see the various groups of individuals around the town center in front of her. Lunch rush indeed, she mused.

So I can see. Well, if anything this is forcing me to get over my shyness at being around people I don’t know.” She said to the Sith beside her with a small smirk. “I don’t imagine being shy is a good quality for a Sith to have…is it? No one would take me seriously…” she mused as she stepped beyond the threshold of the Cathedral.


Darth Strosius Darth Strosius
 
Breaker of Chains
Codex Judge
Darth Strosius clicked his tongue and idly thought on the question regarding the Squires for a moment. Not that long ago there had only been a handful of them, back when the cult was just made up of stragglers from the Sith Empire. Such simpler times. "About two dozen Squires, although there is currently seven or eight in training with yourself included. As well as some other Sith that are a bit more...advanced than the Squires." Having proper Sith at all had once seemed like such a distant fantasy, but not anymore. Especially not since inheriting a good few of them from his master.

He glanced back at Revna as she mentioned being able to use her power, a revelation that must have only just fully sunken in. It wasn't surprising given that she must have spent most of her life actively ignoring or suppressing them. She'd have the chance to flex her abilities and see just how blessed she was soon enough. "Fear is a motivator and a tool to you now young Acolyte. It is your limitation no longer." That was one of the first lessons taught to the new arrivals to the cult. That fear did not bind them anymore, that it was cast aside with their chains.

The masked man chuckled at her determination to face the crowds despite her apprehension, idly nodding to the saluting guards as they closed the doors behind the pair. "Shyness isn't one that we encourage I'm afraid." In fact the community had a habit of actively working to remove such notions from their neighbors. "However if you can master your emotions and maintain a calm visage, or don a mask," He gestured towards himself as he strode away from the Cathedral, sharing none of her hesitance. ", then you become more akin to a mysterious silent type rather than a shy one." The slight shift of one of the Squires by the door, a twitch of their head accompanied by a glance to the side, in response to his comment did not escape his vision despite being on the periphery.

Like one might expect, the High Priest did draw a few greetings and little shows of acknowledgement as he slipped into the plaza's crowd. Each of which he returned in kind via nods, waves, and little warm remarks. Thankfully the attention meant that he was given a small berth as he made his way back towards the spaceport of the settlement, providing Revna a narrow corridor to easily follow him through. Clearly Darth Strosius must have done this sort of crowd weaving quite often given how quickly he managed to reach the other side of the plaza where the streets between the homes and other buildings where there was far fewer people and far more breathing room.

Revna Revna
 

Users who are viewing this thread

Top Bottom