This Old Cantina - Confederacy Space/Tatooine

[Serian Loria]

When the chair beneath him crumbled he caught himself on the table and ended up in a crouch. He flicked his cloak to dislodge some of the splinters and looked at Shorn with disgust. When she rounded on him he held up his hands “Tell me what they are and I’ll be able to tell you if we have them, however I won’t have the authority to just give them away, even if you are the proper owner. It would be easier if they lay in less secure hands and, I won’t violate our laws. As for comparing lightsabers” He couldn’t help an amused twitch of his lips before he sobered “I promise you that my invitation had nothing to do with such boorish behavior. My motivations are and were honest, I only sought to help.”


He then looked at Shorn “As for you. We happen to be trapped in a small confined space by an act of nature, can’t you repress your repellant nature till its over?”


Even for all of that, he didn’t lose his temper, though he would have if there weren’t innocents to consider. He didn’t want to destroy the building just to squish one insect.




[member="Aaralyn Rekali"] [member="Mikhail Shorn"]

 

[Lord Ghoul]

Power rippled outward from Mikhail and the very air seemed to drop a few degrees in temperature. The Dark Side roared in him, an aphotic might that made him heady with its intoxicating aroma. The pale blue of his eyes gave way, suffused by a liquid gold tinged by red. Mikhail worked unseen forces, manipulating currents of air with telekinesis and causing a great disturbance in nature as he unbalanced order.

The howl of the storm increased, heightening to an almost unbearable shriek, and then at once... nothing.

Silence.

The Thronebreaker met the ruby-eyes of [member="Serian Loria"] with a yellow gaze and asked innocently, "What sandstorm?"

[member="Ember Rekali"] [member="Aaralyn Rekali"]

 

[Ashin Varanin]

The sandstorm died with an immense disturbance in the Force, Loria knew half Aaralyn's cause for being here, and Ember Rekali was entirely surrounded by teenagers. With a grunt, the armored man pulled himself upright. He stalked over to the table where [member="Serian Loria"] sat with his daughter.

Feth it.

"Templar sanctum. Chroma Zed." Some claimed that taciturn was Ember's middle name. Good old Vahla name, Taciturn. "That's where the Confederacy keeps the Jedi Order's stolen property. The Sar Agorn holocron and the Healing Crystals of Fire. Velok robbed Tython for them and sold them to Templar sympathizers."

[member="Aaralyn Rekali"] [member="Mikhail Shorn"] [member="Sicarius"]

 

[Feena]

"If you wanted help, all you had to do was say please."

Feena hated Cantinas. She hated Naboo. She hated sand. And she hated the way the heat made her hair frizzy. Honestly. How did people live like this?
"I know where those crystals are. The holocron too."

She smiled a sad little smile as she said it. It was all in the Confederacy, the place she had once called home. Where she had bled, and sacrificed so much. For nothing. Nothing at all. She Looked up from her place alone at another table, a scarf covering her black curls, but she did not look over at the group. She's been asked to show up, and here she was.

 

[Siobhan Kerrigan]

[member="Ember Rekali"], [member="Aaralyn Rekali"]

Somewhere in the cantina of destiny Siobhan Kerrigan was sitting, heavy armour hidden beneath her coat, a bottle of whiskey and a half finished glass on the table. Siobhan did not like sand. It was coarse and got everywhere. Well, there were activities that were fun on the beach at sunset...oh, wait, this thread is supposed to be family-friendly.


She was here because, well, why the hell not? After all, for a simple cantina on an desert planet famous for somewhat annoying escaped slaves this establishment sure attracted a hell of a lot of galactic celebrities, a number of them known for breaking things. So it stood to reason that the call of chance, destiny, the Force or force plot could drag her here as well. She raised the half-finished glass and gulped down what whiskey was left in it.


Her interest piqued at the mention of stolen Jedi toys and the Confederacy. Back in Siobhan's day as a Jedi break-ins in the archives had been common. Well, Siobhan had stolen a holocron once, but she had been possessed then! From what she had heard things had gotten a lot worse, what with auctions of artefacts happening every odd week or so. Velok had started a trend it seemed. As for the Confederacy, suffice to say she did not like them much, if at all.

 

[Ashin Varanin]

[member="Siobhan Kerrigan"] [member="Feena Mason"] [member="Serian Loria"] [member="Aaralyn Rekali"] [member="Mikhail Shorn"]

Ember began to scratch absently at one arm through the armorweave. He was allergic to serendipity, and this seemed too serendipitous for words.

"So. To Chroma Zed, then?"

 

[Writer]

Aaralyn looked back at Ember.

"Wait...what? Hold up..." She turned to face him and gestured. "What are you doing here, Dad..?"

There was too much going on, alot to be sorted out and no doubt they would be able to sort it all out on the way to Chroma Zed but first. "Wait, what about him? What says he doesn't go and warn them we're coming and we get a welcoming committee?"

[member="Siobhan Kerrigan"]
[member="Feena Mason"]
[member="Mikhail Shorn"]
[member="Ember Rekali"]
[member="Serian Loria"]

 

[Ashin Varanin]

[member="Aaralyn Rekali"]

"Kid, do we ever need to work on your situational awareness." He indicated Mikhail with a flick of his chin. "He ain't that pretty. As for Loria here? I'm sure he'll tell everyone. But the decision of whether to keep the Jedi from reclaiming their property is above his paygrade."

 

[Writer]

[member="Ember Rekali"]

"........I never said that he was." She motioned back to [member="Mikhail Shorn"]. "He'd like to flatter himself to believe that I did." Her attention then shifted to [member="Serian Loria"]. "So be it...I guess we leave him, so you taking the lead on this now?" Finally, her attention shifted back to Ember. "Pops..." She said with a smirk.

 

[Lord Ghoul]

A smug smile brushed aside [member="Aaralyn Rekali"]'s words. "Mhm."

Eyes still yellow with the Dark Side's taint flicked around the room suddenly filled with a very alarming number of VIPs. The Thronebreaker maintained his mask of calm casualness and twinkled his fingers at [member="Siobhan Kerrigan"] and [member="Feena Mason"]. Fellow celebrities, in their own right. He wondered who had more airtime of the three of them.

With the stoppage of the sandstorm and the sudden growing tension in the room, Mikhail noticed a quick, steady trickle from the cantina as those with a sense for things left. Maybe they started recognizing faces from the news, or maybe they just smelled danger.

He pointed flippantly at [member="Serian Loria"] and sighed. "So I guess we won't need to interrogate him, then," he looked at [member="Ember Rekali"], "Daddy-o."

 

[Serian Loria]

Serian’s eyes glittered dangerously at Mikhail “I promise you Shorn, the likes of you cannot do enough to break someone like me to gain information. You might think you wish to test me, but I promise you, you’ll regret it.”


He looked at Ember and snorted “Technically I should, but I don’t care enough about them to wish to fight for it, I’m not a curate and lack the skills to feel like bothering. I won’t have to say anything, you’ll fail as...since your absence things have changed. I promise you, they are not where you think they are and no...I certainly won’t tell you where. More fun watching your efforts.”


Unlike Shorn he didn’t bother with trying to puff himself up for his own vanity, he would not stop them nor would he help them. “Woman, go through the proper channels, you might find the current administration more willing to negotiate. It might take time, but its the more diplomatic route, if it fails...you might find me more sympathetic. I can mention it to those who have the authority, it might ease the process along, but being a thief won’t win you any support, even if you feel the act justified. Sometimes thinking earns more reward than blustering through things and making a mess. I thought Jedi were more mindful of the consequences to others, instead you act like the Sith except spitting shiny venom instead of bloody froth.”







[member="Mikhail Shorn"] [member="Aaralyn Rekali"] [member="Ember Rekali"]

 

[Ashin Varanin]

[member="Serian Loria"]

"Yeah, you're an idiot." Ember stood with a shrug. "And these decisions are so far above your pay grade it ain't even funny, boy. Go feth yourself and the high horse you rode in on. I'm outta here."

He adjourned.

 

[Serian Loria]

He didn’t make a comment or bat an eye at the mans parting comments. He’d been telling the truth, there was new management, there were changes, things were being moved around and he was in a position to know. Yes, it wasn’t in the highest echelon of the Confederacy, but who did he think catalogued those items and made sure they were safe? He was one of six Loremasters, he was one such of those who would know where every important artifact was. However his goal was to seed doubt, to change what he saw was a disastrous course of action. He then started to leave himself “I’m done, he was right about one thing, I’m not paid enough, but then I didn’t take the job as Loremaster for riches and glory. I preserve knowledge, guard and care for it, up to you whether or not you consider that I might just know what I am talking about. I honestly don’t give a damn, its your choice.”


After that, he went to find his ship because he’d done all he felt prudent. He hadn’t gone out of his way to upset her, he’d been polite and even helpful. She’d spurned that help and spat venom at him for no good reason. As far as he was concerned she’d get what she paid for and it was no skin off his back if she died for it. He had tried, maybe it was misguided, maybe it was all for nought, but at least he’d done something. His impressions of her weren’t all that flattering, but he’d keep his word, if she decided to come askance of his help in a more polite and apologetic manner.


Eight hundred and ten years had made some major changes, he was wondering when he’d start seeing good ones.



[member="Ember Rekali"] [member="Aaralyn Rekali"]

 

[Lord Ghoul]

"How about no."

Aphotic energy surged from Mikhail as he sent a blast of telekinesis at [member="Serian Loria"] just as the man strode toward the Cantina's exit. The Loremaster could claim whatever mastery he wanted, but Shorn held uncontested sway to the title of telekinesis. Only one other in the galaxy truly rivaled him and she stood in this very Cantina. If the blast worked as intended, Serian would be unexpectedly knocked onto his face.

Shorn didn't wait around to find out. He promptly wrapped his will around the man, like the fingers of a giant, and sought to smash him into the side of the cantina wall with enough kinetic energy to pop bones like soda cans.

[member="Serian Loria"] [member="Siobhan Kerrigan"] [member="Ember Rekali"]

 

[Serian Loria]

While he couldn’t keep from moving he could use his own talents to rebound away, he came to a halt in front of the wall, instead of smashing into it. However, it was effort, blackest rage infused him and he lashed out with it. Like the jaws of a massive beast, Shorn would feel as if his mind was suddenly being clamped upon. Said beast worried and scratched, the full weight of the ruby eyed Master’s will crushing down on him. There was but one desire, to rend, tear, break and make the man scream with agony.


For all that he appeared mild mannered, willing to talk and avoid conflict, inside him was a Beast. All that careful control held back this Dark aspect, a nature that held no remorse and enjoyed very much the pain and torture of those that made themselves his enemy. He didn’t mess around, he put the full weight of his will right where his strengths lie, upon his mind. The pressure had another purpose, while he was too preoccupied with that, there was a more subtle power snaking into any flaws seeking to manipulate and sink in its claws.


Hate. Black, ugly, devouring hate, the kind of thing someone had to have been suckling at from the teat ran through his veins like fire. Shorn had gotten his wish, he’d finally tempted him into a fight and the cold fear rushing from him in waves sent people of lesser fortitude fleeing, their fear feeding the Darkness inside him. The woman would see quite clearly what he was now, his aura no longer hidden, the unfurled wings of Rage. With no one around at that point to harm, he would not hold anything back, even if it meant obliterating buildings. You wanted a fight, so be is Shorn.


He had warned him and now he was perfectly willing to rip his mind asunder.





[member="Mikhail Shorn"]

 

[Lord Ghoul]

The Loremaster's assault shrieked over Mikhail, tearing and clawing at his mind. A scream left Mikhail's lips, a cry of anguish as he felt his being coming apart beneath Serian's hatred. But Loria's assault bore no precision. It was the wild tearing of a rabid animal. He did not seek to use any of the known force techniques to assault the mind, such as summoning up Shorn's fears, attempting to dominate his mind, or a score of other powers. Instead, he opted to throw himself at Shorn in an attempt to only destroy, but destroying minds takes time. The human spirit is complicated and unpredictable, much more so when other factors are thrown in. Such as not being all human.

Mikhail had had his mind torn apart once before, by Ovmar. For his pains, he'd disemboweled the Fringe High Councillor. Shorn was not one to simply sit there while another assaulted his only true refuge in the galaxy. Due to the mental assault, focusing on a complicated task - such as ballistakinesis - would prove impossible. Fortunately, Mikhail specialized in simplicity.

The grates on the furnace of his heart tore free, unleashing the inferno of hate. Mikhail was very good at making things and people he didn't like disappear. Right now, he didn't like Serian. Right now, he wanted him gone. Pure, unadulterated power seared through his body and out through an upraised palm in the most basic of abilities. Force Push. Only, ordinary pushes didn't carry enough energy to shatter bones like porcelain and obliterate solid walls.

The rippling wave surged forward and the exit to the cantina disappeared in a cacophonous explosion, bits of rubble blasting out and away, with Serian at the epicenter. If all worked as intended, Serian - focusing intensely on mentally assaulting Shorn - would catch the nasty end of the galaxy's biggest telekinetic punch, get every bone in his body shattered, and go flying up, up and away into low orbit.

[member="Serian Loria"] [member="Aaralyn Rekali"] [member="Siobhan Kerrigan"] [member="Ember Rekali"]

 

[Siobhan Kerrigan]

[member="Serian Loria"], [member="Mikhail Shorn"], [member="Ember Rekali"], [member="Aaralyn Rekali"]

"Have fun," Siobhan commented as Shorn sought to telekinetically pummel and crush the Templar who in turn tried out mentalism. Siobhan had never possessed the patience for mentalism. She preferred to use her mind to tear things and other people apart. There was a certain thrill in tearing down buildings with your mind and lifting super-empowered beings into the air and repeatedly slamming them into the ground with tremendous force. Ironically enough the Thronebreaker happened to be the only one the Chaos Goddess acknowledged as a rival when it came to telekinesis.

She did not feel much incentive to step in either way though. What with one contestant being a Sith and the other a Templar whom she also did not like. Besides, it seemed like a one-on-one thing anyway! For a brief moment she wondered whether she should place bets. The exit of the cantina was ripped apart by an overpowering explosion. Siobhan could always appreciate ridiculously brutal applications of telekinesis. The barkeeper had presumably already fled, along with all the patrons. While mayhem reigned across the bar she calmly finished her glass of whiskey, then put it down.

Regardless aphotic energy rippled through her and then part of the ceiling crumpled to pieces as invisible telekinetic fingers wrapped themselves around it like that of a giant. A hole made in the ceiling and through the power of the Force she propelled herself into the air, flying out of the bar.

 

[Writer]

Aaralyn rolls her eyes.

"You boys enjoy your little...fight..."

If she had more time, she'd join in but she didn't.

"Hey dad, wait up..." She rushed out of the Cantina, ignoring the two of them literally destroying each other and the Cantina behind her.

[member="Siobhan Kerrigan"]
[member="Mikhail Shorn"]
[member="Serian Loria"]

 

[Serian Loria]

The Power and pressure increased, his instincts crying danger. Pain, like being a bug crushed under heel, but the desire to live broke the last of his control over the Beast. The air ignited, flames exploding around Shorn. He had two primary talents, one was mentalism, the other his affinity for pyrokinesis. The assault on his mind continued, the snaking fingers reaching into the furrows dug and images of every act that Mikhail regretted started to be dragged out. He dug for the things that made him hate himself, the things that scarred his soul first, things to maximize his misery that would allow him to make him burn.


His beast might have seemed like it was without focus, but the pain only made him clear headed. Oh he was in agony, he coiled what power he could in desperation pushing against that pressure. The pain giving him a boost just as he was taught. Never give up, never surrender, use everything to his advantage, fight to live if only to see what was left of one’s enemy. That desperation, that pain, gave him clarity and he used it. Over eight hundred and ten years ago his own master drilled into him to make sure that even when his body was on the verge of breaking that he’d use that to his advantage.


To succeed.


Would that be enough? He hadn’t wanted this fight, the man had forced it and dimly he was aware that the so-called Jedi was failing in her duty. It gave rise to more hatred, even if he hadn’t expected to make of her an ally, she was still supposed to protect the innocent! What of the people around them? Had they gotten far enough? He would remember. His lit ruby gaze held no iris now, swallowed in the crimson fury in this desperate battle to survive. He grunted when he felt a couple ribs pop, the pain hardly noticeable under the strain of it all. The flames turned white, licking at everything in front of him and around the Darksider who started all of this.


He had not left his past to dust just to die here, to die in a fight that was utterly foolish. His pride would not allow it, even if he had to climb from a heap of ashy wreckage of buildings and bones.






[member="Mikhail Shorn"]

 

[Ashin Varanin]

[member="Serian Loria"] [member="Aaralyn Rekali"] [member="Siobhan Kerrigan"] [member="Mikhail Shorn"]

Aaralyn found Ember maybe a hundred metres from the Cantina, watching phlegmatically as Sio flew up through the roof. That left Shorn and Loria alone in the establishment they were tearing apart.

"Now that right there is a mess," he said, examining the Verpine shattergun that served him as a gauntlet wrist blaster. "Wish I'd brought popcorn."