The Resurgence

[Onrai]

[member="Darth Zilti"]

"Hmm..." His brow scrunched tight, pondering what to make the woman before him. "Perhaps a salad would be best. Do you have any particular preference dressing-wise?" Though he did have a good variety of dressings, along with the knowledge of how to make some when needed, he was a bit uncertain as to whether or not he would have the proper condiment to douse the greens with.

"I do have a wide variety of choices..."

 

[Darth Zilti]

Salads worked for Maja. She nodded vigorously. “No, that would be ideal. I rather like a simple vinaigrette dressing given the choice. I think it reflects me – I know what I like and I like what I know. And simple always works well. Do you need a hand?”

[member="Vitor Imperieuse"]

 

[Onrai]

"Any help you could offer would be great." He smiled, grasping a mixing bowl in preparation for the cocktail of greens and vegetables to be converted into a splendid salad. Grasping the dressing, he cautiously poured it over the veggies before turning his head to face the Sith. "Is this enough, or would you like more?"

After all, he was unsure of her tastes.

[member="Darth Zilti"]

 

[Darth Zilti]

Maja indicated a little more and then held a hand up to say enough.

"Do you have any cheese? I particularly like the one made from the milk of the Grassers of Haruun Kal. But any will do." She picked at the salad with her fingers as she talked. She spent so much time alone that table etiquette was beyond her now.

She then looked for and found a couple of plates and cutlery and started to help herself to the salad. Then she waited expectantly for the cheese.

[member="Vitor Imperieuse"]

 

[Onrai]

"I may have a sliver or two left over of some fine cheese." He smiled, checking within the vessel's refrigeration unit. "Hmm... It seems I have some left. You can have it all." He placed it on a simple wooden plate next to the ceramic salad bowl, both of which now contained a nice snack of a meal for Maja. Hopefully, she would find it to her standards.

"Is there anything I can get you to drink?"

[member="Darth Zilti"]

 

[Darth Zilti]

Maja sniffed at the cheese. It smelled ripe - just how she liked it. "Water, water is good," she said and pulled a small piece of the cheese off and tasted it. "Mmmm...." she said, "That's wonderful."

She continued to pick at the food with her hands and only finally grabbed a fork to help her pick up the smaller morsels. "Are you sure you're not having any of this," she asked as she started to devour the cheese. "I don't suppose you have any grapes?"

[member="Vitor Imperieuse"]

 

[Onrai]

He smiled, grabbing a carved wooden mug and filling it with water, stirring the clear liquid with a spoon before gently passing the mug off to her. "I'm certain, Maja. Not hungry right now." He sat down across from her, giving a smile as he watched her begin to enjoy the little snack he had prepared for her. "I might have some grapes... Check the refrigerator to your left."

Perhaps there would be some of the fresh fruit she so craved.

[member="Darth Zilti"]

 

[Darth Zilti]

Maja looked in the refrigerator and smiled. There were all manner of morsels in there, including some fruits, which she grabbed and added to her salad with abandon. Some were perched on the cheese too as she ate - and she plonked some grapes on a small plate and handed them to her host.

Having picked at a great many things, she sipped at her water and declared herself full. "I'm not sure eating before a fight was the best idea," she said, smiling, "But maybe they'll just hand over the artefact, yes?"

[member="Vitor Imperieuse"]

 

[Onrai]

"If we're lucky..." He smiled. "I'm not a big fan of wantonly killing people when things can solved from a calmer perspective - the greater good is the best way to do things, after all." He snagged a grape from the plate she had passed him, popping it into his mouth and soon swallowing it. "Mmm... Not bad at all." A sip of the water continued his simple meal.

"So, what more can you tell me about yourself, Maja?"

[member="Darth Zilti"]

 

[Darth Zilti]

Maja eyed the man. She wasn't suspicious but by the same token was a little guarded. She'd shared a little of her background but now he wanted to know more. Perhaps he was just looking to fill the time with idle chatter? Finally, Maja decided it could do no harm to share.

"I was raised as an orphan and worked freighters for enough credits to pay for my board and keep. I guess I stumbled into petty crime and then tried to rip off this woman that turned out to be a Jedi. Anyway, she told me I could use the Force and then I connected with my sister. Must have been that latent ability got sparked by me accessing the Force."

"Anyways, I...um...er...was a little awkward and decided to become a Sith by myself instead of allowing my sister to help me. I kind of when around the galaxy. Witches here, Sith there, Dark Jedi. Finally I met a Sith Lord and he showed me the ropes. Then I joined the One Sith and learned all about Sith Magic. That's kind of my story. Oh, except my sister got married. And had babies." She smiled.

"So an average tale really. Anyway, what can you tell me about these people we're going to meet?"

[member="Vitor Imperieuse"]

 

[Onrai]

[member="Darth Zilti"]

"They're a primitive lot, admittedly. Quite fearful of me as well - my sons and daughters are viewed by the locals as monsters of invented folklore... Sometimes they themselves believe such, though I'm loath to claim such a thing from any child of mine." He sighed. "What about you? I know Sith don't normally settle down and have a family, but your sister apparently did... at least, if I'm understanding your story correctly."

If he only knew who said sister had been.

 

[Darth Zilti]

Maja listened to the stories. Just because they were primitive, didn't mean they didn't pose a threat - but it was good to know these things. And she mused that if they though his children were monsters, they might have a challenge with her if she really got going.

"In truth I don't know what's normal for Sith. I mean my sister married and had children - by different fathers I guess - but I'm a free spirit. I guess I'm too selfish to ever settle down. Plus I can't imagine how hard it must be to lose the one you love."

[member="Vitor Imperieuse"]

 

[Onrai]

[member="Darth Zilti"]

"From what I recollect, Sith could have family." He shrugged. "Being a free spirit doesn't mean you have to be alone without anyone to love, Maja. It just means you need someone who can keep up with your eclectic travels across the stars. As for losing the one you love..." He trailed off, pondering over the somber loss of his wives. "It's an inevitability, I'm afraid. Only in death does duty end, so far as marriage goes.Then again, perhaps you're simply looking for someone who enjoys the thrill of traveling the galaxy as much as you do. Someone who has a place you can squeeze into, in a manner of speaking."

He leaned back, getting himself a glass of water before taking a long sip. She seemed quite... quite eager to be out and about.

 

[Darth Zilti]

"In my experience the Sith abhor love as much as the Jedi do - and oddly for similar reasons. The Jedi think they're weak if they succumb to emotions. They think they'll make bad decisions if love is involved. Not specifically love, any emotion."

"And the Sith think love can be a weakness. A tie. A commitment to another that stops you being ruthless."

She shrugged. "I'm just selfish." And she glanced about, clearly eager to be out and about. "So, how long before we get there?"

[member="Vitor Imperieuse"]

 

[Onrai]

[member="Darth Zilti"]

"I've experienced both sides of the spectrum... My first love, in fact, was a Sith sorceress. Both the Jedi and the Sith have mainstream views that are completely untrue with regards to how love actually works. A Jedi's decisions are only good and bad based off his own processes - love has nothing to do with such. As for Sith viewing it as weakness... it was always a strength to her."

He smiled. "You're not selfish. You just need someone who can work hand in hand with you." Checking the system, he gave a nod that could be seen from behind. "A minute or two at the most. Want to get geared up?"

 

[Darth Zilti]

Maja listened intently. She'd never actually loved anyone like that. She loved her sister and had some feelings for her nieces and nephew - but did not know them well enough to claim real love.

And she'd had casual acquaintances of course. Very...physical acquaintances, but nothing that approached love. She felt it was an unnecessary distraction and drain on her time and energy. But one day she might meet the right man? She doubted it and had to stop herself from visibly shaking her head.

Maja looked down. She had her saber, what else did she need. "Actually I'm ready now," she said. "And I tend to use this mostly." She tapped the side of her head.

[member="Vitor Imperieuse"]

 

[Onrai]

The ship landed properly at the outskirts of the village, Vitor's weapon in hand as he prepared to step out of the ship. "Remember... These are an admittedly superstitious lot. The last thing they need is to think more monsters are coming to the world. Still, even the base display of aggressive Force usage should scare them." He paused, smiling. "If this goes wrong, Maja... Just know that I think you've a very beautiful woman."

Stepping down the ramp, he peered through the shallow covering of trees at the village. "Alright, let's go."

[member="Darth Zilti"]

 

[Darth Zilti]

Maja smiled and...quite possibly blushed. She was not used to compliments about her looks. She always felt like the less pretty one when comparing herself to Silara - and despite some male interest, spent most of her time alone and therefore devoid of any attention.

So she pulled her cloak close around her - to hide her saber. Her tattoo might scare them, so she pulled the Force to her and applied a little glamour - Sith Magic style. It was something Zannah used often. It made her nondescript. People would see her as ordinary and tomorrow they'd struggle to remember what she looked like. The fact she was a woman was about all.

And she pulled the hood over her read hair and followed Vitor down the ramp. "Good," she said, "I was born ready."

[member="Vitor Imperieuse"]

 

[Onrai]

A smile crossed the lips of the former Jedi as he slowly stepped down from the ramp. None were there to greet him, though a couple natives were visible to the man, looking at him with an angered look. He grimaced, frowning even as he continued on with the story. It didn't take long for one of the locals to notice him - their leader seemed frustrated, coming towards him. "What is the meaning of..."

"I know you have it."

"Have what?"

"Give it back to me, and we'll leave peacefully."

"You and another one of your demon-brides?"

Now was the chance for Maja to interject.

[member="Darth Zilti"]

 

[Darth Zilti]

It was conflicting information for sure. She could not afford to come across as a monster but she wasn't going to stand here and be called a demon bride either.

She lowered her eyes. Her irises morphing yellow in front of them was unlikely to improve their demeanour. As she did, she pulled the Force to her and focused it on the men in front of her. Simple and believable always worked best.

So she simply planted the notion that Vitor was in fact simply misunderstood. They they privately supported him and were embarrassed their clan had stolen from him.

It was a gentle nudge, nothing more - no facts were rearranged, just their emotions. The men suddenly found the ground in front of them very interesting. "Listen...sorry. If we're seen helping you, we'd get into trouble. But what you're seeking is in there." They pointed to an impressive looking tent - very ornate and with two guards standing in front of it.

[member="Vitor Imperieuse"]