Cause And Effect

[Jenno]

(Closed thread for Cain and Squee)

Iniquitous made his way casually through the halls of the finely crafted Sith Temple. He had just left the hall where two initiates had stirred up trouble in an attempt to show off their power. He understood that the majority of the Sith minds could only see to the point of the code and apply it as a solid part of their life. It was saddening that only a few could accept the code and yet see beyond it to the greater problems of the Universe. There were some lessons that he could not teach in simple regulated classes and for most of the Order it was a hard concept to grasp.

He would be hard pushed to teach this state of mind to the two initiates that now followed him but he always found himself fighting an uphill battle. But their potential for becoming useful assets in his plans meant that he was no longer so irritated that he had been pulled away from the experiments in his private labs.

For a moment the Overlord wasn’t certain where he would lead the two initiates. The roof was a favourite of his but usually he used that for official promotion ceremonies and similar business. Perhaps it was time for him to make better use of some of the training rooms within the temple. Some of them were in a position to easily avoid your run-of-the-mill students from stumbling upon you and Iniquitous would not look too kindly upon yet another interruption today.

He knew the two initiates were following, he could see them behind him. But for the moment, beyond their presence he paid them very little heed. Finally they reached the training room he had in mind, Iniquitous didn’t pause for a moment as he walked inside and over across to the side of the room opposite the entrance. It was a circular chamber and quite decent sized, the Dark Overlord could quite easily set up a few sparring match between initiates in an area this size and not have to worry about them getting in the way of each other.

But as well as a location for physical training, it was also a suitable place for meditation which, despite some of the beliefs of the Jedi and some inexperienced Sith, was indeed an aspect of the Sith Order’s teachings. Iniquitous would frequently meditate, and not just to rejuvenate his mind and body, a shorter alternative for sleep, but also to expand his own mind and powers. There was much one could learn about themselves through meditation and knowledge of the self was a very important factor in the life of clashing power that the Sith provided.

As he came to halt, Darth Iniquitous turned to face the initiates, his helmet ‘gazing’ across the expanse of the room with its eyeless frame. His hands came to rest behind his back, the left firmly clasping the right. After waiting a few moments, he spoke to the two of them. “As I stated before, you both have potential within you. I don’t know who taught you before you came to this Order and truthfully I do not care, but I and this Order can make you more powerful than they ever would have been able to. However, before I continue down this topic I need to ask both of you why you joined this Order, what is your purpose for being here.”

He doubted the responses would too drastically shift his opinion, but if there were any issues he had with their commitment and dedication it would best to rectify them now.

[Cain]

Jack chuckled at Tesa's reaction to his helping her up, unconsciously reaching into his jacket for his cigarettes only to clutch at nothing but air. Letting out a disappointed sigh, Jack followed Iniquitous and Tesa to the training room. The innards of the Sith Temple were all made from the same beige colored stone. The hall that Iniquitous had led them down was flanked on either side by large pillars very similar to the one Jack had destroyed earlier. Each pillar was thick, roughly ten meters around and towering up into the black abyss of shadow overhead where Jack could only assume there was a ceiling. As he pressed steadily forward, the sound of each of Jack's footsteps reverberated off the walls of the cavernous hall. The echoes calling back at Jack from the darkness around him combined with the titanic pillars to his sides left one feeling insignificant in the shadow of what the Sith had built. Jack suspected that feeling was very much the architect's intent...

Jack winced slightly as he entered the training room Iniquitous had led he and Tesa to. The cold, dry air inside the temple was doing nothing to improve his headaches, nor was the monotonous, somber architecture all around him. This whole place looks like a headache, Jack thought to himself as he inspected the inside of the training room. It was spacious, but what drew Jack's attention and concern first were the flecks of dried blood that were left liberally in the corners of the walls and floors. A torture chamber or some kind of sparring room perhaps? In either case it was bad news, Jack was in no mood to do any more fighting without a cigarette first.

Then, Iniquitous spoke, "As I stated before, you both have potential within you. I don’t know who taught you before you came to this Order and truthfully I do not care, but I and this Order can make you more powerful than they ever would have been able to. However, before I continue down this topic I need to ask both of you why you joined this Order, what is your purpose for being here."

The answer to that question was easy; perfection. Jack had weaknesses, and he knew it. But the Force, the Force was flawless. This line of logic meant that by shedding his weaknesses, what ever they may be, and by mastering himself he too could become "flawless" through the Force. However, this was Jack's own philosophy, and not one he anticipated this Dark Overlord would share or understand. It didn't matter whether he did or did not. Jack had only just met this Sith and was no where near foolish enough to trust him simply because of his title. Instead Jack's answer expressed a more immediate goal that, while not untruthful, was also withholding a great deal of Jack's intent.

"I came to Korriban to learn more about the dark side, and new methods with which to utilize it. My previous master opened up doors to power that even she could not fully understand, and for that she was destroyed. I do not intend to be crushed under the weight of the dark side as she was. I have glimpsed it's potential. I want more."

[Squee]

((Except the chamber is circular. =P))

At least he’d chuckled. Good. That meant he hadn’t grasped the full meaning behind her words, and that brought a smirk to Tesa’s face. I love it. They never did quite understand that she meant what she said. Those who thought they understood did not get past the first reaction to the insult to recognize its greater meaning. There was a reason that Tesa killed the foolish and the stupid – she believed in cleansing the stupidity. Yet some she left alive, and a couple she’d remained spectator, waiting as they brought their own destruction. She wanted to chuckle at those memories now, but she held her giggle with a smirk plastered to her face for several moments. Absolutely love it.

Tesa’s eyes watched the Overlord. Was it just her or was he somewhat… indecisive? It was the way his feet stepped that made her curious. It was funny, really, how people never looked up unless the subject was human. Always the eyes. Always the face. Iniquitous didn’t have a face, so looking upward didn’t benefit Tesa’s study in the least. Also, the way he walked may provide a useful gait to adopt in the future. However, he seemed to decide upon where he was leading her and Jack, and the gait grew more confident.

He led them to a circular room. Tesa frowned, the sneakier side of her growing immediately displeased. There were no corners, which could possibly provide hiding spots or as a means of trapping someone. Circles meant that light reached everywhere and the opponent could slide away. Not that Tesa needed to camouflage or shove someone into their rightful place, but a square room would have certainly put her more at ease.

Then Iniquitous posed a question, and again she was displeased. Why was she here? She looked to Jack as he gave his reason, which was typical and expected of the initiates. Unoriginal. Wait… that’s all they were really here for. Power. Control. Universal domination. Well, she didn’t give a crap.

Jack finished, and Tesa stood in silence for several seconds – wondering if she should give a faulty answer, to go with the flow and speak the usually spoken words, or if she should be truthful. She decided to say truth. It was probably useless to lie to Iniquitous anyway. “I’m almost uncertain. I’m not really here to acquire power and assert myself as the better or best, to spit upon those who aren’t ‘at my level’, to challenge those ‘at my level’, to gain worthiness, or to plot my ascension into overthrowing you. I think my primary reason is to have… sort of a place I can claim home. Some place where I can sleep a little deeper. Somewhere that the people breathe the same wind, and where they might… possibly… understand? no… Accept my religion. Of course, learning to control and hone my abilities is a nice side benefit. I plan to be in control, rather than be an addict.” Tesa resisted the urge to shift a lingering gaze on Jack. But it isn’t your first addiction, Jack, and it shan’t be the last. “And I’ll be shaped for whatever future beholds me.”

[Jenno]

Iniquitous listened to them as they both expressed their purpose and reason to him. Jack, the troublemaker, gave a response that Iniquitous heard often, from many of the Sith within the Order. It was somewhat disheartening to hear, but there would be time to bring some light to his world. Tesa’s response was quite different, not many would claim their reason for being part of the Sith Order as a means to find a home. Of course, it was part of the reason Iniquitous had established the Sith in a particular fashion. There was something he sought within his Order that previous Sith had not, depth of character.

Power was a gracious and wicked thing; Iniquitous had experienced both sides of the coin in his brief existence. It was difficult to find the balance that was necessary to truly acquire power. There was certainly room for improvement in those who stood before him and it seemed as though they would in fact have the ability to take great steps in their lifetimes. However, they still needed a guiding hand.

“Well initiates, those were certainly two different responses. Initiate Makura, whilst the desire for power is one many can attest to, that should not be your only goal. If that is all you hope to seek then you shall be caught in a circle of lust and rage until you are enveloped by your own desires. Power and control are important, but they should only be secondary motivations. Initiate Yarum has an aim before her that will drive her further than the quest for power alone, a desire to find a home and a community to live within, to share thoughts and beliefs with, will help her go far. But even then there is more to envision in your futures. Many spend their lives finding a goal and cause that will truly inspire them and shake the very depths of their souls. If you can find that then you will become more powerful than any Jedi Knight.”

He lifted his arms up slightly, gesturing around him. “In the heart of this temple I have a created a place where we can all search for this goal and at the same time hone and learn the abilities which will help us achieve them. A number of the Order have found solace, understanding and a similarly heated passion in the goal I have established for myself and the Sith, but even if it is not your ultimate goal to reshape this galaxy, the tests and challenges this conquest will bring about serve as a means to stretch your abilities as a Sith.”

His arms lowered and he cupped his hands behind his back. “I’m sure you’re both questioning why you are here with me. Whether you believe in me, my power or my goal has nothing to do with it; you are here because I feel as though you are both worthy of my belief and support. You fought well against one another, but you still have a great deal to learn about the Force and about yourselves. It has been almost half a year now since I had an apprentice, my time establishing this Order and teaching has enveloped a large portion of my time. However, I believe that both of you could both make extraordinary improvements as my apprentices. I shall not force you into anything, you may accept or refuse this offer, the decision is yours. Just know that I shall push you to your limits and then beyond that. Darth Renata and Darth Veratos serve as examples of what can be achieved under my direct tutelage. Choose as you will.”

Iniquitous waited silently for Jack Makura and Tesa Yarum to make their decision. Would they become his new apprentices and step up for the challenges that awaited them? There was never any certainty, but Iniquitous felt confident.

[Cain]

Jack listened quietly to Iniquitous' reaction to his bid for power, he stood with his shoulders slumped and his head tilting slightly off to the side, as if any will to hold himself upright had faded with exhaustion. Iniquitous chastised Jack's blind want of power, and for this at least Jack could respect the Dark Overlord. Power was but a means to an end, not the end itself. Emotion, when wielded properly, could be a powerful tool, though the Sith in the past had been notorious for allowing that tool to "wield them" instead, or so Jack's old master had once put it. The Dark Overlord's words reassured Jack that Iniquitous' order was different. This was good.

With his thoughts falling back onto his old master, Jack wavered slightly as the pain in his head intensified, washing over him in waves at the peaks of which Jack found he could hardly focus on his surroundings. Lynn was still ever present in his subconscious, even more so now that his thoughts focused on her. Suddenly all Jack could concentrate on was how badly he wanted a cigarette.

"You slovenly wretch!" The voice inside Jack's head huffed, "Have you still learned nothing of power? Those cigarettes are a vice which have brought you low. You are a weak and disgusting creature. You should save this Sith the trouble and drive that blade of yours through your temples. The relief would be quicker than any cigarette, for certain..."

Jack visibly winced in response to the voices and the pain that accompanied them. Jack had given up arguing with his former Master very shortly after he had first started hearing her. Shouting at the voices in his head was a madness Jack simply would not tolerate in himself, though after a while the taunts of his victim became a bit much to take. Then Jack discovered his cigarettes. For some reason smoking had eased his headaches and silenced his old master, if only for short periods of time.

"Why don't you tell him the truth? Tell him why you're here, Jack. Tell him of the weakness that crawls inside your skull, throw yourself at this Sith's mercy like the pathetic bastard you are!" Jack scowled. He did not like being called that name. Any allusions to the circumstances of his birth and his treacherous, spineless father was almost certain to raise Jack's ire, and worst of all Lynn knew it.

Despite her abrasive intrusion into his thoughts, Jack did his best to maintain his composure. For almost three years now he'd been dealing with distractions such as these, and he'd become quite adept at maintaining his calm under duress... not that Lynn's offer to put his blade through his temples didn't seem inviting at times, but, such was life for Jack Makura.

“I’m sure you’re both questioning why you are here with me. Whether you believe in me, my power or my goal has nothing to do with it; you are here because I feel as though you are both worthy of my belief and support. You fought well against one another, but you still have a great deal to learn about the Force and about yourselves. It has been almost half a year now since I had an apprentice, my time establishing this Order and teaching has enveloped a large portion of my time. However, I believe that both of you could both make extraordinary improvements as my apprentices. I shall not force you into anything, you may accept or refuse this offer, the decision is yours. Just know that I shall push you to your limits and then beyond that. Darth Renata and Darth Veratos serve as examples of what can be achieved under my direct tutelage. Choose as you will.”

Jack let out an inaudible sigh as Iniquitous made his offer to he and Tesa. Composing himself, Jack considered the offer carefully. As the Dark Overlord of the Sith, Iniquitous had undeniable ability and skill, though more enticing to Jack, he also held a vast wealth of knowledge concerning the Force. The idea of others holding knowledge that Jack did not preyed on his pride, it would be no stretch to say that Jack was greatly covetous of this wealth which Iniquitous held, and any means by which Jack might seize it for himself would be desirable. In having Iniquitous offer to teach him what he knew freely, Jack had already won half the battle. However, there were many variables still in play, most glaring being that Jack would have to share his role with Tesa Yarum whom Jack had little doubt would love nothing more than to kill him at her earliest convenience.

Jack smirked with satisfaction, he enjoyed the complexity of the trails which would await him, "Very well," Jack responded to Iniquitous, rolling his head slowly from shoulder to shoulder and stretching his neck, "I accept. However, if you don't mind, I think I'll grab a smoke from my ship before we begin. If my fellow apprentice is going to be making herself at home, I might as well do the same."

[Squee]

Such a cold satisfaction crept through Tesa. The Overlord was putting her harsh prophecy into a lecture of words. She forbade satisfaction’s chilly tracks against her lips, but she studied Jack through the corner of her eyes, but the satisfaction braked when there was no reaction on Jack’s face to continue to feed it. By the time the Overlord finished his warning against power Tesa no longer harbored satisfaction or felt the tickling brushes of amusement. Nothing on Jack’s face but bored exhaustion. Or so she was observing. Did he really grow this tired, this fast? It was something about Jack to monitor and study. If it proved true, maybe it would be beneficial some day.

Wait… Was the Overlord talking about sharing beliefs?

Tesa’s lips vanished as she rolled them in and bite gently to suppress a laugh. Share her beliefs? Her thoughts? She ducked her chin down and turned away a degree, ducking as she would from a person who might see. Sharing stuff, pft. What she learned was her own! If others wanted to know what she knew, they could find it just as she had by using their blasted brains! Knuckle down and do some research and do some experimenting. All they did was lolly-gag on their backsides and talk loud and cheat. They had enough time on their hands.

Or did he simply mean a place where they shared the same faith? If so, that was more acceptable. And it actually related back to her previous answer and that would make more sense. It not, he was confusing her motivation. Sharing with stupid people… the very thought made her want to gag.

How could the Overlord tolerate them in his temple?

Oh, by asking them to become his apprentice!

No, was Tesa’s immediate thought. She firstly had no wish to learn beside this fool of a man standing beside her. Secondly, she currently had nothing to confine her to the temple. She came and went as she pleased and she rather enjoyed that freedom. It meant more time to work on her experiment. She did not want to lose that luxury, and she would be sacrificing a portion of that time to learn under Iniquitous. Thirdly, Tesa had worked herself into a position of unnoticed. Unfortunately after today, her notoriety among the other Sith would blaze like a fire for a little while. By accepting Iniquitous as a master that notoriety was likely never to quiet. Damned man.

A frown stuck to her lips, Tesa turned around and managed two steps toward the door when she heard Jack pledge himself under Iniquitous. She stopped, unable to bring herself further while such annoyance bubbled beneath her flesh. She knew the power seeking Jack would pledge. She’d known it the moment it was offered. It was a temptation too high to resist for the man. Tesa was scowling now, wondering if she could bring herself to leave Iniquitous with such a fool as his new apprentice.

Tesa turned right, walked, spun about, and walked, the pace hurried and her mind three speeds faster.

This was Iniquitous, she reminded herself, the Overlord. The Overlord others wanted the attention of and strived to look the part of worthy. They preened their feathers, trying to make them beautiful and had gained no thought from him for it. Somehow, without displaying the color of her feathers, she’d earned Iniquitous’ interest. He saw something to invest his time into after a lousy fight in which she’d lost.

In which she had lost.

Tesa felt chilled. Goosebumps strained her skin. How long would he wait for her reply, she wondered. What was the depth of his patience?

She glanced at the door, feeling the tug of the life of now, consistent only by her decisions, of comfortable living. She’d been so long without a master. Tesa knew she was no higher than an apprentice when it came to measuring her skill and power. Previous masters had died before their time with her was finished, and not by her hand. She had only murdered those who could not have known she was a danger, for their heads were filled with a mush incapable of determining safety and danger. Never anyone of real skill. It wasn’t her goal to kill someone of true power and skill (It was foolish. Why kill those who contribute to the universe?) but it was the point that she never had because she was not adequately skilled herself.

Tesa studied her hands. She wanted to be more. It would bother her if she remained no more powerful than an apprentice all her life. Life was likely to smite her if she did. Then swallow her as supper. Her talents in the Force would be a waste. On a different note, her experiments would begin to require more of her. Could Iniquitous bring her what she needed? … Maybe. There was only one way to find out.

Tesa breathed in deeply, her fingers curling, as she looked up at Iniquitous this time. “I…” She paused, exhaled, and took a smaller breath. This had always been difficult. “I pledge myself under your tutelage, Overlord Iniquitous. May I be as promising a pupil as long as you are a promised master.” Tesa ducked her head as she swept her arms out by her sides. She had to grit her teeth.

Too damn long since she’d had a master…