Private The Pursuit of Magick

[Dreidi Xeraic]

Outfit: Training leathers, loose thin long sleeved shirt
Equipment: Lightsaber
Tag: Nimue

Dreidi had been rummaging through books and scripts on anything arcane based, with the fall of the CIS, Dreidi had been focused on attempting to learn Magick on her own. The different members of the CIS were still pretty spread out and she didn't have an easy way to contact those that she knew who could train her. Dreidi been looking to see if anyone out there could offer her lessons or guidance on where she could go next in her training. It was difficult for her as well, she was clearly connected to the Force as a Jedi and many judged her for taking that path. It was one that she adamant in sticking to and she would be willing to take any punishment in order to achieve her dreams of being both, a Witch and a Jedi. The oppositions from other Nightsisters only fuelled the determination in Dreidi more and she was adamant in sticking to her chosen path to spite those that would think her choice foolish or impossible. It was her life and her choice to make, and this was the choice that she was intending to make.

It had taken her awhile but going through the records, Dreidi found information that there could be a lead to potential clan on a planet called Illyria. She wasn't sure how strong of a lead it would be since they could have moved after the massacre on Naboo or they could have disbanded over the years but it was a lead and Dreidi was going to take every chance she got. Getting to the world was another interesting dilemma since she couldn't pilot her own ship yet, her pilot training was not the best and Dreidi was not that interested in learning when she was younger but now that things were more nomadic, it seemed more important. Which was highly frustrating. However, after days bargaining and looking around for a decent-ish pilot for a reasonable price, Dreidi was able to make her way to the planet. Landing on Illyria was strange, it was different from the places she was becoming more use to, living on ships and arid worlds, seeing cities and active civilisation. It felt strange and like a life time ago that Naboo had been her home and her life for the most part.

Finding out where this clan was located was even harder, she tried asking around but few people were actually interested in talking to her. Eventually, she found something, some information that led her on her way. Dreidi tore at her bottom lip in nerves, she was so unsure what she was going to find when she met these witches. Would this clan just attack her on site? Find out she was a Jedi then attack her? Banish her and blacklist her from every clan out in the galaxy? The anxiety fed into each scenario and each felt as a real possibility as the next no matter how ridiculous. Eventually, Dreidi found herself at the spot where she was guided to and looked around, holding her breath, she tried to push away all the anxiety and breathed out slowly. "Hello. I was told I could find a clan of Witches here?" Dreidi called out into the darkness.

 

[Nimue]

T A G S | Dreidi Xeraic​

The Oracle had not foretold this.

Time and time again the priestesses of the Silmä had called upon the ancient magiks to provide them answers, and time and time again they had been silent.

Silence had once been coveted amongst the Silmä. Silence meant peace. Peace and freedom to pour their focus into their crafts and to hone their skills in the dark arts of their ancestors. But silence like this, a forced silence, set their teeth on edge. They had never before been without answers, but the answers evaded them now and it cried out as a sore reminder of what they had been in lesser times. Unaware and unprepared for what the future held in store.

In short, the disappearance of Adron Malvern had briefly blinded the Silmä. They could no longer trust their predictions or the predictions of their sisters made in the past. For a short while, the sisterhood had locked themselves away in their temple, with thousands of years of history and power hanging by a single thread.

It was only when Nimue had reminded them that they had once stood alone. Without the chains of monarchy wrapped around their wrists. It was Nimue that reminded them that Illyria had once feared and worshipped them. Though the monarchy of their beloved home remained, the Silmä would change. They would stand not on the backs of kings and queens, but on the rich and indomitable sisterhood they had created over so many centuries. No longer bound to the prophecy, they were free once more, and the silence became what it had been then.

Opportunity.

Their biggest one yet came from something they had known would happen far longer than they knew who it would happen to. The Oracle was never specific, but it was always right.

The fall of the Confederacy brought many to their doors, the knowledge of their location passed down through elders to their brood. Covens of various notoriety and numbers came in a steady stream to fill their halls like never before. There was little to unite them save for the bonds of sisterhood that drove them all, but the Silmä were not as unkind as those who came before them. The doors of the temple were left open, and the Silmä welcomed their sisters with warmth and allowed those who needed it time to recover within the sacred walls, but there were few who were allowed to remain.

Those harbouring a desire to become intimate with the knowledge that had fallen with the once great and powerful nation. Those with a passion and desire that the Silmä could not let slip by them. Those who stayed and carved their names into the Ingress, promising their senses to the Oracle, were blessed with the knowledge that they craved. The Silmä had not seen numbers like this for years, and though the disappearance of their previous King had thrown them somewhat into turmoil, a reminder of their strength had set them on the path of growth and progress.

----------​

"You were told?" The guard at the gate spoke behind a gold-plated mask that covered her entire face. "By whom?" The voice asked harshly. The guard at the opposite side of the Ingress piped up. Her voice was slightly sweeter than her companions, but she had to shout to be heard across the distance. "Leave her be, Petra. You know the High Priestess said all who can find us are welcome." The first guard tutted, but it sounded muted behind her heavy disguise. "You're lucky she's on duty today. If I ha-…"

"Petra." Came a third voice, so dominating and ancient that it echoed from walls of the Ingress and filled it completely.

The guard, and her friend across the other side, stood suddenly to attention. With their masks and long raven cloaks shielding whatever made them look human, it could have been possible to mistake them for statues. Though she had been spoken to directly, the one called Petra did not reply. Her gold-plated gaze remained fixed firmly on the jagged mountain tops that surrounded the temple. The voice did not press further. Instead, a woman stepped out from the fog and shadow that filled the depths of the Ingress.

Slender in stature, and far taller than any ordinary woman, her pale skin and hair seemed to drink in the moonlight greedily. The only shades of colour on her person happened to be the black dress that clung to her curving form and the blazing amber fire that filled her eyes. They had locked themselves onto the small figure standing in the doorway. The mist and ominous glow of the Ingress made her seem even smaller, but the figure who had stepped from the shadows regarded her with nothing but curiosity.

Nimue spoke again, only this time her tone was far kinder. Almost maternal. Though it still bore the unmistakable mark of someone who had lived for far too long. "And just who might you be?"​

 

[Dreidi Xeraic]

Outfit: Training leathers, loose thin long sleeved shirt
Equipment: Lightsaber
Tag: Nimue

The place was beyond intimidating, she couldn't imagine it would be a place that people wanted to live. The guards seemed to be forced to be devoid of personality and self-identity. She would hate having to live here, Dreidi expressed herself and enjoyed being defiant to anyone who tried to be authoritative with her. Her gaze casually moved from the guard on her left to the one on her right. She paused when the third being seemingly appeared out of the mist and towered over Dreidi. She wasn't fully grown yet, but even if she was at her full height she knew that this being would be taller. There seemed to be an air of that no matter the height Dreidi was, this being would be taller and looming over her. Dreidi inhaled deeply, her nerves were still on edge, her defiance always burned in the back of her mind but she also knew that there were more people out there that could kill her easily currently. It was frustrating but she had to accept the fact since denying that fact would kill her.

Dreidi attempted to maintain a casual look as the being approached her, there was an air of mysterious around the person as she maintained eye contact. Her eyes were attempting deny any fear or panic that she felt, she wasn't trying to suppress her feelings or put on a brave face, she just refused to give anything away and didn't want to give ammo to attempt to break Dreidi's defences. Dreidi coughed slightly to clear herself before she spoke, "I am Dreidi Xeraic. I have been training to be a Nightsister, though my training was abruptly stopped recently and I found records of this place and thought I could come here and learn some skills." Dreidi was being honest since she was here to seek knowledge and felt that deceiving her intentions would only bring her more trouble in the long run.

Also, she knew that any attempts to lie would be blatant since her lying skills were subpar.

 

[Nimue]

T A G S | Dreidi Xeraic​

Nimue did not need the powers of magik, nor of the force, to sense that this child was nervous. In truth, Nimue could not recall the last time a child had been present in the temple. Or indeed if they ever had. Unlike most covens, the Silma began their training not from birth, but from the moment of clarity, and the Oracle did not see fit to bless all with such enlightenment. Still, the fact that this child had placed her trust in the bond of sisterhood and made her way across the galaxy in search of them was impressive enough for Nimue not to immediately turn her away.

Bending at her waist, Nimue brought her flame orange gaze eye-level with Dreidi's. Though she had spoken a full minute ago, she said nothing as they drank in every inch of her face. The Oracle was deafeningly silent, which was neither good nor bad.

"Dreidi Xeraic." She finally spoke, though nothing save for her painted black lips moved. "We are not usually in the business of sharing our knowledge with outsiders. But…" Her head titled then, like a curious animal watching its prey scuttle about on the forest floor. "The fall of the Confederacy has changed many, many things save for one. The Silma and the Nightsisters have shared a connection that not even the fall of a great nation can shatter. If you say you are one of them, then our doors are open to you. I will teach what I can, and what the Oracle will allow, but do not expect to find all you seek here." Her body finally brought itself back up to its full height, which meant Nimue had to look down to speak to her.

"Come." Turning on the sharp of her heel, Nimue retreated into the shadowy depths of the Ingress. She did not need to turn her head to know that Dreidi was following close behind. The long corridor into the heart of the temple was strange indeed. Though its inky darkness looked as though they would swallow you whole, they were merely a curtain. The moment you plunged into them your eyes were greeted by thousands upon thousands of runes carved into the ebony stone. They illuminated every step with a soft purple glow that made shadows look like demons, dancing and twisting across the walls.

"The Silma are many things. We do not rely solely on the force or magik to guide us. Yes, they are powerful tools, and even more powerful weapons. But they are ambiguous, and sometimes unreliable, and before you can control them you must learn to provide them with the respect they both demand and deserve. They are a heavy burden and to wield them correctly comes at great cost." Nimue spoke, still without turning her head. "Do you truly understand the weight of your gifts, Dreidi Xeraic? Are you prepared for the futures that lay in store for you if you have the will to master them?"

At this point, she did glance back, but only long enough to hear her answer.​

 

[Dreidi Xeraic]

Outfit: Training leathers, loose thin long sleeved shirt
Equipment: Lightsaber
Tag: Nimue

Dreidi wasn't sure that she was holding her breath but eventually she let out a deep sigh of relief and inhaled deeply. She unsure of how she would be received by the people here, Dreidi was facing a lot of backlash to her background and decision to continue the Jedi training. It was a relief to hear that no matter what the Force says about her, being a Nightsister and using Magick was enough to gain at least enough respect to be welcomed into the building. Dreidi wasn't sure how much she would be allowed to learn from members here but she was eager to explore and learn, stumbling forward in her excitement when she was allowed to move in closer, she rubbed the back of her neck feeling her cheeks blush.

"What is the Oracle? Is that the title used to refer to the leader of this coven?" Dreidi was still learning terms and this group were very difference in appearance and attitude to the Nightsisters that she had met previously. Listening to the woman talking about the Silma, the idea of using the Force and Magick. It was the way of life that Dreidi was attempting to achieve, she was keen to learn more from these people if they combined the Force and Magick, it would hopefully allow her to progress and gain an edge over her peers since she has felt far behind them for several years now since she was doing double to work compared to others. "How do you master the use of the Force and Magick at the same time? Surely dividing the attention between the two different ways would make it harder."

When asked about the weight of her gift, Dreidi seriously thought about it and looked over to the vast room, "My gift is something that I feel is both a curse as much as it is a gift, there is so much pressure to achieve and do well, achieve the renown that both my parents and Master has achieved." Dreidi admitted, she had known for a long time that she felt that she fell far short of the skills and natural talent that was expected of her. "I am prepared and I have the will." There was a strength in her voice, she was nervous but she was feeling sure of herself.