The Strength of the Dark Side (Mara, Cirith)

[Mara]

(((Sorry for the wait, and for the length… I was having a bit of trouble with Looma’s actions on the end of this, lol… )))



The Twi’lek’s fists clenched as she held them against her chest, and her eyes hardened into dark amethysts as Callidus continued to joke with her. Looma was sure that he knew her comment about not being a lady did not equate that she thought of herself as a man or any kind of male. But he persisted in pushing her buttons, and her ire was rising even further. Not generally a being for telling jokes or pulling pranks, she was definitely not in the mood for it right now. She had been called into this lord’s presence, and she was pretty certain it was not so he could try out his wit against her. Her patience was running dangerously thin with this man, lord or not.

Looma kept her mouth shut, though, believing further remarks would just encourage the other to keep toying with her, playing with her. And she wanted to get to the purpose of this meeting, or else she just might leave, damning any repercussions. Fortunately, or unfortunately, for the yellow Twi’lek, depending on one’s point of view, Callidus did drop his façade and get to the point. His voice changed, becoming hard and what Looma had originally expected from this man. Finally, she would find out the reason she was here and whatever the result of it would be. A little pride flowed into the Force, thinking that she had pushed him over the edge, not considering that he had been directing this entire exchange the whole time.

She wanted to laugh bitterly when he mentioned the consequences of how she had responded so far. The Twi’lek had just been upset with all Callidus’s sidestepping around the real topic and wanted answers, directness. Did this man think she was stupid and unknowingly putting herself into danger? This wasn’t the first time she had been in the presence of a powerful Sith. She knew what the possible consequences could be, and still she had acted as she had. With the last few weeks behind her, Looma really did care very little about her life right now. With her Force presence reading like an open book, someone as powerful as he should have figured that out already. If it weren’t for the small but strong tendrils Caleb still held on her heart, she probably would have been risking much, much more since her return to Korriban, asking for pain, even death.

Callidus kept on with his tirade after a brief pause, but Looma was okay with that. She had no intention of interrupting, was used to other beings lashing words at her. First the Jedi, then Shard, now this Callidus. She’d just let him get it all out, taking it in stride. He switched from the danger of her rash actions and never accomplishing anything—all too familiar words the Jedi had also said to her—and focused on her position as a Sith and his idea of the guiding principles of one. Looma couldn’t help but flash back to the first time she had met Shard, before he had been her master. It was during the construction of the temple, and he had also asked her similar questions. And he had scoffed at her pat answer. Now, she wasn’t so sure her answers would be any different, but at least she had some. Though, she wasn’t quite sure how they were supposed to control her every decision and move. For the time being, at least, her anger ruled her, not her personal tenets.

Without waiting for her to respond, as she thought he would have, would have expected him to do, Callidus turned the conversation on its head. True surprise showed on her face and in the Force as he mentioned the purpose of her being in his chambers. She had thought it had been for the lecture he had just given her, perhaps spurred on by Zarene’s knowledge of her little duel with Var or some other confrontation in the temple. A prelude to discipline. Looma had been ready to defend her actions, explain herself, to whatever purpose it might be for. Even answer his silly questions about why she was a Sith. But he was speaking about something entirely different. Train her? Anything she would have said in response to his tongue-lashing vaporized in her mind.

Suddenly she felt her true age again, young and vulnerable, not the experienced and confident adult mask she almost always wore in public. He was waiting for an answer, but she couldn’t find the words. Looma felt the eyes of Xerron on her as well, expectantly interested in what she might say. Her mind was a whirl of conflicting thoughts, nothing making sense. She was struck speechless, trying to process Callidus’s words, his offer. Why he would want to instruct her, why after all the weakness he had just displayed that she had? Why beat her down and reveal her fautls, only to give her the hope of restarting her training? Why would he, or anyone, bother with her now? It was just… incomprehensible to her at the moment.

Eventually she got a grip back on her body, erasing all the outward amazement she had displayed. Inside, though, Looma was still a confusing mess of emotions. It had been easier with Shard; he had just asked if she was willing to be his student, and she had accepted. She had been apprehensive then, but also excited to have finally gotten a master after all those months since arriving to Korriban. But there was no question here, just a proposal floating in the air. And she wasn’t sure how to respond to it, or even whether to take his offer seriously, considering all he had just berated her for just a few minutes prior. She wished Caleb was there, so she could talk it out with him. But he wasn’t, and she had to make this decision on her own.

However the differences of how Callidus had made his intentions known, there was also sense of déjà vu with his reasons surrounding it. Unconsciously one of her hands went up to grasp the ruby at her neck, while the other she still hugged tightly around herself. Both this man and Shard had spoke of her potential. Her former master had even later on in her training shown her a vision of the future of his own making where she was a powerful Sith. And despite her personal baggage and rash behavior, raw nature, both had still wanted to teach her, fix her, mold her.

Now, though, Looma wasn’t sure now that she wanted a new master. Before, that was all she could think about, having wanted to replace Shard immediately and hopefully fix her depressive, angry state. But now, with all the similarities floating around her mind, she couldn’t help but think that if she agreed to Callidus’s offer, she would just be gaining a second Shard. Despite the obvious differences, she couldn’t help comparing the two. They both seemed to be after the same purpose, cut from the same mold. She just had to decide whether that was what she wanted. After all these long weeks, was she really considering turning this offer down, just so she could wander around the temple alone and in despair and anger?

“I…” she finally stammered out, unable to go on. Looma had felt the need to say something, not keep Callidus waiting too long, but she couldn’t bring herself to say anything concrete. She was still unsure of what she wanted. Cal… I wish you were here… You’re always so much more clear-headed… The raw nature of her rashness, youthfulness had fully taken over. The Twi’lek just hoped that she hadn’t just thrown her life away now, condemning herself to be master-less for the rest of her life. The lord had mentioned his offer being a one-time thing. She’d just have to find out now how long of a time limit he had really installed on it.

[Cavalry King]

((Sorry about the late response, College and College football have distracted me.))

Callidus felt the change within the girl as she heard his true position. Internally he sighed, if only the young students would have more patience they would not be so unprepared like this. Callidus was more cautious, waiting to see the field before he made his move. He felt it the wisest course of action and hopefully would one day persuade his own students to think in this manner.

Callidus stared at her intently, expectantly awaiting a response. Her sudden inability to respond really showed him how vulnerable and surprised she was. He hoped he could use this to his advantage. He greatly desired her to be his student. She had amazing potential and a strong will, both valuable tools to Callidus and the order over all, but presently she was allowing all that potential to waste away in a sea of self-pity and sorrow.

She was indecisive and knew what he had to do to tip the scales. Callidus was not only extremely naturally persuasive but one of, if not, the greatest telepathic force practitioners in the universe. As such most people's mind's were like putty to him, able to be molded and influenced one way or another. Force users were slightly more tricky however, because they might sense that their minds are being toyed with. Callidus had done this precarious dance before though and almost by default began his process. First he put out extremely subtle suggestions and good feelings in the force, not enough on their own to affect anyone significantly, but he also put the force behind his own voice to become even more persuasive. "Looma, you need my training to become greater and achieve your goals. You would be doing a disservice to your former master to quit on your training now. Come, serve me and become great. Only then shall you realize your true potential." He said to her in a sympathetic voice.

[Cirith An'Gol]

As Callidus finally got to the point of Looma's summoning, Xerron smirked. He wasn't suprised at all of Callidus' intentions for the Twi'lek. Callidus had sang almost the exact same tune that he'd played on Xerron only a few short minutes ago. He stretched out with his senses, probing Looma's surface thoughts and feelings.

Not surprisingly there was annoyance there, and a sense of deja vu but, as Callidus' words hit her surprise and vulnerability rolled off of her like a tidal wave. She was touched. So much so that she couldn't speak. He found that amusing somewhat but, he could also understand her feelings somewhat.

For a year now, possibly more, he'd been busying himself while he waited for someone to realize his potential and skills, and take him under their wing. Now, finally, his patience had been rewarded. Callidus beckoned to her to join him. Told her that in doing so she would become great and come to realize her own potential.

We won't become so great as to become a lethal threat to you though, that we can expect. Only a fool would teach a student to surpass the master in a society where strength is paramount to survival. They say that this new Sith organization is changed, that there are new rules but, the undercurrents are the same from what I know of the previous organization that this one spawned from[/color] Xerron thought as he awaited Looma's response. Momentarily his thoughts drifted back to his home on Kashyyyk, in the dark shadowlands where only killers thrived in abundance. He thought about how he'd met Zaaltarr and the teachings his Uncle Xerxes had taught him, and a small grin crept onto his lips. He pushed the memory away and refocused on the present. Looma was still silent, her vulnerability still flowing from her.

He smirked a little as he crossed his arms a thought in his mind on how he might help things move along. He had better things to do than sit around all day and chat "I do believe the lady has been struck speechless. How amusing"

[Mara]

(((No worries... this isn't a final rejection... just having her play hard to get...
Your move, Callidus. ;p)))



Looma stood there, silent, all sorts of thoughts and emotions battling within her for the right to be heard. Though it was nice to hear from an older, more experienced Sith that she had potential, it was not a new realization for her. Shard had mentioned it. Even the Jedi had, though in a different circumstance, citing that she was wasting her potential and would never rise to it. She wanted so much to receive more training, but at the same time, she wasn’t sure she could ever receive it from anyone but her former master. But the alternative—declining, remaining master-less—didn’t feel any better. All Callidus was offering her coupled with her past baggage and her current mindset was just so… overwhelming. And the Twi’lek hadn’t the slightest clue or hint from the Force as to which path she should take.

Callidus was still and quiet as well, seemingly unsure how to respond to her lack of a response to his offer. The gaze through that mask was hard and steely, yet Looma couldn’t look away. It was like a punishment to her. If she couldn’t speak her mind, she would force herself to stare into those eyes of the former Deceptus, current Callidus. She gripped the ruby pendant tighter, her other arm embracing her torso more snuggly, the only outside evidence of the tension between the two, of the Twi’lek’s nervousness and conflicted mind. Looma watched the man, waiting, hoping he would say something to relieve the pressure in the air. Even if he hurt her for being non-responsive, it would be better than just standing there in a deadlock.

Then, strangely, she began feeling better about herself and the situation. It wasn’t anything duracrete she could put a finger on, but there it was in her mind, tickling her. The thought of becoming Callidus’s apprentice was untangling itself from all the others in her mind and slowly coming closer to the surface. Any cons Looma had come up with or may have come up with were dissolving; all she could see were the pros of having a master again. It was a little strange that suddenly at this moment she would feel convicted of this, close to a decision, even, but even that thought didn’t last very long. The Force was all around, embedded in this notion, this thought, and Looma knew better than to distrust the Force.

Until Callidus began speaking to her, his words laced with the same goodwill in the Force as had entered her mind. And Looma realized she had been tricked, the lord using the Force to get inside her head. Immediately she shut herself down in the Force, her earlier openness disappearing once and for all. No more would she leave herself so vulnerable. So used in the past weeks at keeping her emotions at the surface for all to feel and subsequently avoid, it took her a few extra seconds to wall down and block her mind from any outside prodding. Of course, someone as powerful as Callidus would be quite able to get around her barriers, but hopefully he would get the hint and retract his tentacles.

Her mouth opened to voice her opinion of what the lord was doing to her and of his words, but instead another voice broke through the silence: a male voice. Looma’s head snapped around to find the other Sith, Xerron. So focused she had been on the lord’s words to her and how to answer them, she had forgotten that he had even been in the room with her and Callidus, Purple daggers shot from her eyes and into the other man’s mask. No longer was she in the mood to be toyed with. No matter the reason why Callidus had wanted this Xerron to witness their interaction, he didn’t have a right to interrupt them, as far as she was concerned. Her earlier feelings of vulnerability and youth were disappearing; her coldness and adult confidence were returning.

Hoping the glare she shot Xerron would be enough, she turned her focus back to Callidus. Looma let go of herself and the ruby, letting her arms fall to her sides, the hands forming bright yellow fists. She was sick of feeling like just a cute little novelty. Where everyone around her was making decisions for her, like she wasn’t capable of choosing on her own. Callidus had even resorted to flowery words backed up by a probe through her mind. She would not be this man’s pawn, putty in his hands. However, she was not disillusioned enough to think that she could get on in any decent further without a master. But what she truly needed was a master who treated her as a Sith and respected her because of that, not some bored Sith lord who pitied her and decided to take her on as some kind of charity case.

She turned her back on what she believed to be condescending words from Callidus and stepped towards the door. If he wouldn’t respect her, treat her as an adult, an equal, she would reciprocate. As much as she knew she needed a master, could not continue as she was, alone in the Temple, letting her gifts go to waste, she would not accept Callidus’s offer as it currently stood. It just didn’t feel right. Looma tossed a response out over her back, keeping a tight hold on the Force so that her mind would not be an easy entrance any longer. She could have said a whole host of things, could have criticized him for his actions against her, but in the end, she went with what felt right. The words just slipped off her tongue. “If you wanted a puppet as a student, there are plenty of Sith here to pick from, but I’m not one of them. Consider your offer as it stands declined.”

[Cavalry King]

Callidus looked over to Xerron and back to Looma. He too was intrigued by her silence. He was mulling over his mind a series of plans, actions, and outcomes for the direction of these talks. She showed strength and then weakness, he had attempted to exploit her weakness for his own gain. However if she could be easily manipulated then it would show that she was not as good as he hoped she was. If she had yielded under his pressure she would have shown herself to be a puppet in his hands. Was this desirable? He did not want incompetent robots under his command, but he did not want too strong spirited subordinates who felt they could control him.

He calculated his next actions carefully. Finally he felt confidence swelling up within her. She regained her composure, resumed her mental defenses, and made a shrewd move in determining the future of their relationship. Callidus smiled devilishly under his mask. He had chosen her well. He knew what he had seen within her. She was perfect. She drew her strength from adversity and redoubled her efforts. She did not collapse as he feared she might. "Excellent, she is better than I hoped for. Shrewd, but I am better. You WILL serve me..." He thought to himself with a grin.

Callidus would not simply bend to her and apologize and say she would not be his puppet, that he would respect her. He had to show her he respected her but establish that she would still be under his will. He felt she was bluffing, she really did want to be trained by him but wanted him to understand that she wouldn't be a puppet. He completely withdrew his projections in the force, giving her total free will. Callidus relaxed chuckled and said casually, "You are right. I have no need for puppets. However a puppet would not have passed my final test. You did not allow me to manipulate you. A Sith of weaker mind would have folded under my will. You are totally of your own free will. I will make no effort to otherwise influence you."

Callidus chuckled again almost evilly. He had so many cards yet to be pulled. He said, "You have declined my offer as it currently stood rather wisely but I was being kind to you. You know you require training to advance in your abilities. So I leave you with this offer, I am impressed it has come to this." Callidus paused and allowed himself to almost admire the extent of his own cunning and the depths of his willingness. "Submit yourself to my will here and now... or expect to never find another master within this order... I hear you have been getting into trouble recently. It would be a shame if such reports were made official and perhaps exaggerated a little."

Callidus was showing her a great deal of respect in his own way. To those he deemed weak and who would be simply puppets to his will would be controlled through the force and through persuasion. Those however who were strong, Callidus manipulated through circumstance. He would force her hand because she would have no other options. The offer now stood as serve Callidus and become powerful or be blacklisted within the Sith and potentially ruined. Callidus stood proudly. He did what he had to to get what he wanted. He wanted Looma.

[Cirith An'Gol]

Xerron chuckled as Looma threw him a daggered look. He leaned back against the wall, his body posture easy and relaxed, and crossed his arms. The black robed Assassin could feel her clamp down on her emotions and raise mental blocks. He smiled at that too. Smart girl he thought as she turned towards the door and threw a rejection over her shoulder as she started walking towards it. Xerron's eyebrows went up, not expecting that.

A few short seconds later his attention was drawn back to Callidus as he began to speak again. The Sith Lord complimented her on her reaction, basically saying that he didn't need mindless robots. Then, things took a surprising turn the Sith Lord black-mailed her. Callidus said that if she didn't accept his offer, she'd find no Masters to train her ever again. That he'd give support to the rumors and even exaggerate them a little. Again Xerron's eyebrows rose, suddenly interested in what was going to happen next.

[Mara]

(((I’m sorry, C.K. but I’m having Looma decline Callidus’s offer. I sent you a PM, but the short of it is that I just can’t wait any longer to continue this story arc for Looma and have started looking for other potential masters (or just potential threads). Perhaps we can RP together at a later point under different circumstances. Again, I’m sorry.)))


After her open and biting rejection of Callidus’s offer, Looma had continued on towards the door of the Sith lord’s chambers. Though she knew, deep down, that it had probably been a bad move—she would need a new master, eventually—she still had an overwhelming feeling of relief as a result of her actions. A renewed sense of independence, that she was living her life as she wanted to live it, not how any other would force her to. If there was any choosing to do, she would do it, not the other way around. For the first time in a great while she actually felt at peace with herself and the Force, however fleeting it might be, though there was still an underlying depression and anger.

Looma’s quiet reflective epiphany was interrupted by the Sith who had called her to be his apprentice. Of course, the Twi’lek shouldn’t have been surprised; he appeared to very much want to be her master. He wouldn’t simply just let her go. Quickly debating on whether to continue on her way, she decided to stop, folding her arms against her chest as she did so. She didn’t turn around to look him straight in that taunting mask but stood still and listened, giving him the benefit of a doubt. There could be no harm in simply hearing what he had to say to her. He might still convince her that she belonged with him, but by all accounts, it would probably just serve to delay the inevitable.

He was trying to put her at ease, agreeing with her that he indeed did not need or want a puppet-like student. And that somehow she had passed some secret test of his by her saying so. Looma forced herself to keep a hold on her emotions. It would serve her no good to let her rage creep up again. She gripped her upper arms more tightly, pretending to be glad that he had dropped his manipulations of her, letting her have complete control over herself again. That he was doing some grand favor for her by lifting his finger off of her. As the seconds wore on, she was finding it harder to remain in the room and be subjected to this, but she held her ground for the time being.

Then Callidus dropped his friendly façade and gave her his final offer. She had to somewhat respect him for that; he wasn’t willing to tally any longer in the face of her declination. He would have her now or not at all. But his words still felt flat to her. Looma knew she should have felt outraged at his blackmail, but she actually felt rather calm, under the circumstances. Even if all her secrets and baggage were revealed to the public at large, in addition to her recent altercations at the temple, it wouldn’t matter to her. Her life had been slowly falling apart anyway; it wasn’t something that could be stopped or hidden.

She slowly turned around then, focusing her violet eyes on that hideous mask. As much as she needed a teacher to continue on her path as a Sith, she also wouldn’t want one who could be influenced by rumors spread by Sith lords. That would be a very poor Sith, indeed, one not worthy to be her teacher. Looma lowered her arms to her sides, and her voice was steady as she spoke, laced with sarcasm. “I appreciate your offer, nice as it is, but I still have to decline, my lord.” In a swirl of her robes, she spun around and made it the rest of the way to the door. Before she left, though, she paused for one last remark. “I’ll take my chances.” Looma left the rest unsaid, that whatever he did could never match the pain she already felt, but it was there in her mind as she swept through the door and finally into the temple proper.

[to x…]