Private Tech Hexpo

[Vakhari Lutris]

Tag: Acier Moonbound

Within the confines of Sith space, meetings and conferences were a plenty. The ongoing war with the Republic had been going well so far, yet the meetings of minds sought ways to end the conflict at a quicker pace.

A speaker that had been brought here today would be one Vakhari Lutris, garbed in white she stood atop the stage. Many eyes eagerly watching to see what she had to offer, no doubt tickling the girl's ego.

"Ladies and gentlemen, it is my pleasure to stand with you all here today."

Her gloved hands clasp together, a soft smile adorning her face.

"With this ongoing conflict I have already crafted some more 'head on' weaponry. But, what of methods to hardly lift a finger?"

With a click of a pen she brings up a holo-image, a basic showing of the idea.

"We have plenty of interesting bioweaponry, however.. Are we not in agreement that it isn't a very stealthy option as of now?"

Some within the crowd nod their head, others squint their eyes, a few grumble.

"I have been testing the idea of a chemical weapon that breaks down functions of the brain, over time it makes the subject lose memory and more advanced motor functions. Clear as air, no scent we have found."

She moves to the next image.

"Along with this, I have been testing a more concentrated version.. Targeted more at cleaning memory. A useful tool to either wipe the memory of a hostile agent, or remove harmful and or sensitive memories from an individual."

Then onto the next.

"Drawbacks? All it takes is something like a respirator to stop it, this makes it easier for our own troops to not be harmed by it."

The girl raises a finger, seeing no protests she continues.

"Now, if you would be interested in supporting this project or making requests for my other works.. Please direct those to servants of my house."

A quick a simple speech, but the event was full of those. Speakers were meant to rapid fire ideas seeing as how there were many minds attending who wanted their own turn to pitch something, a make or break it moment for many.

Vakhari herself needed a break, finding herself at a table as she waited for the drink she ordered. ​

 

[Acier Moonbound]

Location: Sith Space

Equipment:
Expo Outfit

Ace was all too aware of the galaxy's current climate. The conflict between the Sith Order and High Republic in particular. Thankfully, he operated on his own. Aligned with no one, it allowed him the freedom to go wherever without too much consequences if he kept his head down and avoided bounty hunters.

Him being in Sith space though? Desparation. Stripped of any more clues that could lead him to finding out who he was drew him here. Maybe he'd find something here he wouldn't have in other territories.

Acier didn't fear the Sith - not borne of bravery, but ignorance. On Bonadan, Red told him stories of the Jedi and Sith, both then and now - he didn't see much difference between the two groups. They both carried lightsabers, both used the Force.

The white-haired youth found himself at some tech expo. His talent for slicing allowing him to forge a fake ID and gain access to the event. Ace was careful to avoid engaging in conversation with anyone here, knowing if he were to 'talk shop' he'd be outed instantly. He hoped that maybe he'd find out any information or interesting individuals who could help him. As per usual, he was operating on blind hope instead of an actual plan. Hoping fate, or the Force would throw him some sort of bone.

Aimlessly, he wandered the facility, managing to find his way to the conference hall. Immediately, his eyes landed on her. The way she stood, controlled and poised; her hair, pale like his; how her gloves held that sleek pen like a conductor's baton. He felt… drawn. It wasn't curiosity about her tech, at least not at first. It was her. Someone so precise, so composed, yet clearly wielding power beyond simple engineering. It piqued more than his interest.

He'd tangled with Jedi before. Felt the light-side calm. Felt their discipline, their balance. But her… the rhythm of her presence had a different flavor. Chaotic. Unsettled. Violent, even. Still somehow restrained. Like an untamed predator hidden beneath silk.

Finding himself a table, he sat and he listened. She was presenting a chemical weapon, one that wipes away memory and motor function. It sounded horrific, causing a feeling of dread to stir in his stomach. But yet, his curiosity didn't wane.

Once she'd finished with her presentation, his gaze followed her to her table. After a few moments, he managed to convince himself to approach her. He approached the table with measured steps, seating himself with poise. His expression was neutral, but the Force told him more: this woman was precise, powerful… and unhinged.

Ace then flashed her a fake smile, he'd need to be at his best if he wanted to convince her he belonged here. That he hadn't snuck in. The risks were high, but he wondered if she, or her experiments, could help him.

His voice was quiet and smooth, with no trace of uncertainty "Nice presentation." his eyes were steady on hers "Memory erasing compound... does it work in reverse too?"

Vakhari Lutris​

 

[Vakhari Lutris]

Tag: Acier Moonbound

She would blink a few times as the stranger gave a smile, clearly not paying much attention as something else had been on her mind. This one was not someone she had seen before, not quite garbed like a Sith. She of course had her suspicions about him, but she truly did not care.

"Reverse? I suppose beyond simple holistic approaches to improve memory the only real way to regain a buried memory would be- Hmm.. Or do you mean injecting false memories into a mind? Oh now that sounds very interesting, I could have sworn that I read something about the Kainate having that. Planting fake memories that is, unsure about the improvement or recovery of memory."

The brain was such an interesting squishy thing, she had done many things with them before. Perhaps she could create some sort of positive over a negative for once, more interested in expanding her reputation over helping others in truth.

"It could indeed- Wait, did you need something?"

Catching herself before she spewed out theories for hours on end, she asks a more normal question for once. Only taking her attention off her guest as her drink had arrived, a coffee that was more Espresso shots than anything really. ​

 

[Acier Moonbound]

Location: Sith Space

Equipment:
Expo Outfit

Acier sat back slightly as she spoke, letting her excitement unravel in front of him. He didn't interrupt, taken aback by her enthusiasm. Either she didn't get to talk to people about her ideas often, or, the novelty of talking about them never wore off. He just faintly smiled and nodded along.​

​

The way she spoke about memory... it didn't unsettle him. Not the content, but the ease of how she spoke about it. Like she was casually talking about spice blends, not rewriting minds.​

​

She seemed to have caught herself, as if she'd finally realized he was there. Acier offered her a dry but amused chuckle when she asked him if he wanted something. Still calm, still unassuming, Ace scratched the corner of his lip with his finger.​

​

"Not sure yet. Maybe." his gaze averted, not from shyness but from contemplation. Then his eyes found her crimson ones again "You just seemed like someone who knew a thing or two about the mind."​

​

His thoughts flashed to his parents - whoever they were. Who he was, what he was. How he was no closer to getting any answers. Ace wondered, or hoped, that maybe someone smart like Vakhari could aid him. Ace remembered when Aadihr Lidos touched him that one time, he had seen something.​

​

"Does the name Vayun mean anything to you?"

Vayun. That name tugged at something in his mind and in his heart. But, he had no idea why.​

​

"I've got a few blanks I wouldn't mind filling in. Preferably with the truth."​

​

He didn't elaborate, if she was half as sharp as he expected, she'd know exactly what he meant.​

​

Vakhari Lutris ​

 

[Vakhari Lutris]

Tag: Acier Moonbound

It wasn't really a shock to the girl that he was asking for answers to something, others much like him did it all the time. This one however seemed different, no one had ever asked such a thing before. That is, if he really did mean letting her dig around inside that head of his.

"Blanks? Now, are you talking about just some simple answers to things? Or are you suffering from some sort of decay of the brain and need me to give it a look? You wouldn't be the first I have done brain surgery on, always a fun one."

She gleefully takes a sip of her drink, letting the flavour sink in before continuing on.

"Or maybe damage done to the brain either through accident or trauma? Oh my that brings up a whole new question... A cloned brain, fresh, is it the same person?"

A new fixation added to the list for sure, yet she needed to pay attention... Why was that so hard?

"But i'm getting too far ahead.. Ahem.. What is it you require?"

Vakhari takes another joyful sip, listening in as to what Acier had to say... Hopefully it was interesting.​

 

[Acier Moonbound]

Location: Sith Space

Equipment:
Expo Outfit

Ace didn't react. He'd had years and years of practice, being able to stay still when it seemed the ground beneath him shifted. However, internally, the more he engaged with her - the more uncomfortable he felt. The offhand mention of brain decay and the upbeat offer to "dig around" in his skull was deeply unsettling.

When she finally paused, asking what he required, Ace leaned forward slightly - interlacing his fingers together on the table. His demeanor was casual, but still reserved.

His voice was low, but measured "Not trauma. Or decay." he paused, realizing how stupid and absurd his question was about to sound "Can you... is it possible for you to restore infantile memories?"

He let the words hang in the air between them, watching her with that same unreadable gaze. Ace thought back to the Jedi he'd crossed paths with in recent months. They weren't prolonged encounters, but he'd learned enough - especially from the holocron. He appreciated the Jedi but they were all mostly cryptic, warm, like philosophers with their heads in the stars. They listened, nodded, told him to "be patient." That the Force would guide him. Trust it. Flow with it. As if that alone would stitch a name back into his memory. As if "waiting" wasn't just another word for "hoping the pain dulls."

He blinked once, slow, clearing the thought away.

"You talk like someone who's not afraid to push the boundaries." A faint smile tugged at the edge of his lips "Figured maybe you could offer something more tangible than meditation or guesswork."

Then, he leaned back - more relaxed now. Acier eyed her with quiet calculation for a moment. He smirked at her again, almost challenging her.

"Unless, your whole M.O. is only tearing things apart."

Vakhari Lutris ​

 

[Vakhari Lutris]

Tag: Acier Moonbound
​

"Unless, your whole M.O. is only tearing things apart."

It would be within that moment that her smile and chipper expression would change on a dime, eye twitches, nose wrinkles. The girl tries her best to scrape the smile back up for presentation, yet it fails.

"I beg pardon?"

Soon she returns to a softer face like before, chuckling a little.

"The nature of science involves both taking apart as much as it does creation... But on to your question, I could indeed spend a while peering in search of such early memories. However, I would suggest a much quicker and easier approach to get what you want."

Vakhari relaxes herself, getting lost in ideas once again.. Back into a comfort zone.

"I could use sorcery to wander inside of your mind, yet you would need to trust me. It will get your answers faster, and you won't need to be connected to any machines."



​

 

[Acier Moonbound]

Location: Sith Space

Equipment:
Expo Outfit

Ace had caught it. It was subtle, but when you were experienced at reading people, the shift in Vakhari's demeanor was hard to miss. One moment, she was poised, smiling like a presenter on a holonet broadcast. Then there was a chink in the armor. A twitch. Wrinkled nose. Barely a second, but long enough for Ace to clock it. He didn't press it, just watched quietly.​

​

"Right." he declared calmly "Didn't mean any offense. Just... calling it how I see it." he shrugged.​

​

Then, the mask came back. She reverted back to that familiar smile, following it up with a light chuckle. Maybe it was to feign pleasantries, or she was genuinley interested in what they were discussing. It was quick, she was already slipping back into her element - talking science and solutions.​

​

Vakhari then offered a new solution: sorcery. Ace blinked, he didn't move or speak right away. His face remained neutral but the prospect made him tense. He was new to the Force and the way it worked, sorcery was something he'd never heard of - was it linked to the Force? Or something else entirely? Trust was hard to come by on a good day. And he was smart enough to know that letting someone like her inside his head was like handing a scalpel to a hungry Nexu and asking it to do delicate work.​

​

"You seem... confident." Ace's eyes glanced away briefly, contemplative "You say I'd need to trust you for it to work. Can I?"​

​

There was no challenge in his tone this time. But genuine curiosity, Ace wanted to hear how she would justify it - how she would answer. However, then another question appeared in his mind. Arguably the most important one.​

​

"And what happens if I don't?"​

​

Vakhari Lutris ​

 

[Vakhari Lutris]

Tag: Acier Moonbound

"Confidence is key, how is someone supposed to trust you if you can't be confident in what you do?"

She retorts, after all.. Would you trust a doctor who held no confidence?

"The answers are simple of course, if you are not willing to trust me and not just a mistrust of the methods.. Well then I cannot help you and you will just have to find another person to find those buried memories of yours. If you do wish for me to help, then I could walk in your mind by using the sorcery I mentioned."

Vakhari then raises her hand, raising a finger for each upcoming point.

"Fast. Simple. Easier."

Checking her drink, she sighs at its emptiness.

"But if that isn't comfortable then you will just have to make an appointment and come see me on Terminus, you would be a patient at my laboratory and I would have to hook you up to machines. Using those to peep around at what all is there, takes longer of course."

As a server droid came by, she passes on her cup while waiting for him to answer.​

 

[Acier Moonbound]

Location: Sith Space

Equipment:
Expo Outfit

Ace's copper eyes tracked her fingers, rising one by one: Fast. Simple. Easier. She said it like a salesman, like a miracle cure in a back alley.

His expression didn't change, but something in his gaze sharpened. He let her finish, let her sip her drink and speak of machines and appointments and Terminus. She made it sound almost casual, being hooked up, examined, prodded through processors like he was another specimen in a jar.

When she paused, he finally spoke.

"Confidence is key, sure." he said mildly, "But so is caution." He didn't say it like a rebuke but, more like a reminder. "Especially when someone offers to take a walk through your mind like it's a garden tour."

He glanced down for a moment, thumb brushing his index finger. Then back up. No one wanted to be turned into a vegetable if something went wrong with either option.

"I'm not saying no." his voice stayed calm, even. "I'm saying I don't hand over the keys to a stranger lightly."

A second passed. He studied her face; open, searching. But not unguarded. Weighing his options internally, sorcery seemed quicker and maybe easier too. With him being Force-sensitive too, if things went wrong or if she tried anything she shouldn't, maybe he'd be able to defend himself in some way.

Then a sigh of resignation left his lips "Alright. We'll do the first one. The idea of being hooked up to machines gives me the creeps."

Ace was hoping he made the right choice here. If desperation wasn't about to make him do something completely and irreversibly stupid.

Vakhari Lutris

 

[Vakhari Lutris]

Tag: Acier Moonbound

"Bah, no need to fear having some stuff connected to you. It just straps on, doesn't go inside your precious flesh. Could even go to sleep if you wanted, which does remind me that seeing outlines of dreams is a whole experience."

She almost loses track again thinking about a subject of interest, steadily getting better at catching herself... At least for today.

"Now, try to relax. I will go ahead and see what all I can find concerning your childhood, then we go from there."

Vakhari raises a gloved hand, her potent force spindling out as Acir could feel her creeping in. The girl's eyes were closed, face expressionless. With him giving her an invitation in, she would link to him through the force.

Asserting herself inside his mind, her eyes bear witness from current thoughts and recent memories, to the far gone past.

Watching as the trail was getting warmer, sounds of children playing... Little footprints, toys.

Further and further, unlocking buried memories she hears it. Distinct sounds of a jungle, the ritualistic chanting of women. Through his eyes she sees vague tints of red flowing.. A dress? Robes?

"Vayun" they call out, the gentle warmth of a mother comforts the skin of the child. Held closely, and yet? Only faint, limited. Memories were there, but they had been hidden and packed away.​

 

[Acier Moonbound]

Location: Sith Space

Equipment:
Expo Outfit

Acier nodded along respectfully, but not totally convinced on Vakhari's attempts to reassure him. He noticed she was about to ramble again, Ace was beginning to find it endearing in some way... it was like it humanized her.

She caught herself again, returning to the subject at hand. Vakhari told him to relax but, that was easier said than done - trusting a complete stranger to root through his mind, his memories. It took a lot.

But nonetheless, he obliged, as the answers were more important than the risks. Ace exhaled deeply, shoulders relaxing and closing his eyes - bracing for what was to come.

Then he felt her, her presence sliding in like cold fingers trailing along the back of his neck. Not invasive, not painful… but unmistakable. And then the world changed.

Sounds. Colors. Echoes. He wasn't in the hall anymore. He was somewhere else, somewhere older. Crimson robes. Drums. A name, one he'd heard before, whispered like a secret. Warmth. The sensation of being held. Of being known, but it was gone in a blink.

When the link finally broke, Ace opened his eyes, still seated, body still, face still. But something in his posture had shifted. A faint tightness in his jaw. The way his fingers curled slightly against the table's edge. He didn't look at her right away.

He didn't speak at first, but when he did, his voice was quieter than before. Not shaken, but... centered.

"Vayun..." he said it like he was trying it on. Vayun... was him? "How much of that did you see?"

Still calm. Still guarded. But there was something sharp beneath the surface now. Like something inside him had just taken its first breath.

Vakhari Lutris [/COLOR]
​

 

[Vakhari Lutris]

Tag: Acier Moonbound

The girl had seen enough, interestingly never even attempting to prod at unrelated memories unlike many others would do here. In the eyes of Acier, it perhaps looked like a sign of trust, proof that despite her appearances the mysterious doctor had no intent to cause harm.

The truth however is that it simply didn't interest her to dig around, taking an estimate that aside from what she was asked to find... Nothing else would be interesting enough to justify the trouble.

"That I did, tribal women grabbed in crimson appearal, dancing, chanting incantations perhaps?"

The most vivid part to Vakhari was definitely the jungle humidity... Just living in the memory for a brief time had caused an uneasy pit to knot within her guts, her flesh was easily agitated by the sun and the blasted heat.

"It was clearly some sort of jungle, that much I know for certain. As to where? Shockingly there could be a few different locations, cults hiding out in a jungle and or other spaces is a lot more common than you would imagine."

She raises a gloved finger, satisfied grin accompanying the gesture.

"However, my best guess going off of the tongues spoken would have to be either dathomir itself.. Or, the witches in general. Perhaps poke around in a library around here in Sith space, chances are they might have something on the matter."

Her own knowledge on the witches was limited at best, perhaps one day she can remedy that issue. ​

 

[Acier Moonbound]

Location: Sith Space

Equipment:
Expo Outfit

Ace said nothing for a long moment. He just sat there, listening to her describe the memory like it was a specimen under glass. Tribal women, crimson robes, chanting, "could be anywhere," she said.​

​

Anywhere. But then: Dathomir. His eyes drifted slightly, not unfocused, but somewhere else. The name stirred something that didn't feel like recognition… but pressure. Like a locked door shifting on its hinges. When he finally spoke, his voice was even. Almost too calm.​

​

"Dathomir." He rolled the name in his mouth like it was something sour. A moment passed. Then, a glance her way. "You said 'witches.' They're real?"​

​

The way he asked it, it wasn't scoffing. It wasn't disbelief. Just quiet tension beneath the surface. Like the Force itself had gone a little still in him. He leaned back in his seat, arms folded again—not closed off, but re-sealing himself.​

​

"I'll check the archives." he stood up from his seat, but stopped half-way and cast a glance at Vakhari. He offered her a thankful nod "Thanks."​

​

And though the word came easy, there was a weight behind it. He was already thinking ahead. Reading into what she saw, what she didn't say, what he felt when that voice, her voice, had called him Vayun.​

​

He didn't know if it was truth or just a ghost of one. But it was something. And something was more than he'd had when he walked in.​

​

​

-END-​

​

Vakhari Lutris​

​