Pushover No More (Apillis)

[Poludnica]

Theme

Arid air shifted and swirled above the ground, pushed around by inexplicable heat. Danica coughed, feeling dust already forcing its way into her throat. She found thi place fascinating, despite the discomfort it brought along with warm currents of wind but because it was a giant tomb, a place where you could find less living beings than marked graves of Dark Lords. An anthropologist in her saw the knowledge buried there, in many still unsealed tombs. But there was something more, something that called out seeking those who could understand it. Dark undercurrents of the Force pulled the girl toward the large, hulking monolith that was a Sith Temple.

A small sigh escaped her – the building was magnificent. It's architecture like nothing she had seen in the Core, ancient and primal structure betrayed how ageless this place was. It made her to feel tiny and insignificant. Danica blinked and covered her eyes from the intrusive sun. She had been living on Korriban for some time now but the woman had never been this close to the Temple itself. Dany avoided it for more than one reason but it was time to stop hiding, they could offer her power that would destroy Cassius and give means to protect herself. Bruises on Danica's body a Jedi knight had given her were healed by now but pride was still writhing wounded and mangled. That day Danica had understood she couldn't count on Nieraan to protect her all the time. Men were flaky beings, one day you had them and another someone else enjoyed their company. Even if hers was one to stay, a constant worry about her well-being would only put strain on their still fledgling relationship.

No, this was something she had to learn.

The guards knew her as a Sith aristocrat and an ally so no one would bother Danica as she made her way toward the Temple in an expensive, azure speeder. The problems could start near the main entrance where the actual members of the Order loitered. There were people Dany could ask of course to take her in but that would require explanations Danica wasn't willing to give just yet, owing favors she didn't want to owe. It was better to be a simple recruit at this point, making a deal with someone there. A private arrangement would suit someone like her much better. The woman still toyed with the idea to ask Nieraan for it but something told her it was a bad idea, maybe later. Maybe. The Firrerreo would most likely be furious about her strolling in the Temple like that but until he didn't know, he didn't take part in the decision process.

Danica pushed this problem away, stapling it with 'later date' label.
The doors of the speeder closed and the woman wearing expensive, form fitting sheath dress stepped out. Her high heels got stuck in a sandy surface and Danica stumbled forward, barely catching balance. Cursing loudly, she kicked off the troubling shoes and barefoot began to walk toward the Temple, a bit of wary of who she would meet. But it was a risk Danica agreed to, it would be in no one's best interest to kill an ally to the Sith after all...Hopefully.

[Apillis]

Perspective can lose its meaning when just staring through one aspect of the lens that one attempts to view their surroundings through. It is easy to get lost out there when trying to see what it all for what it is, see what it all has to offer. But it is upon realizing that the components are all inter-connected some form, and knowing that with every action with one component others shift and respond to the action, most never knowing they are.

There is a rhythm--a beat to every pulse within the Force, it ricochets, bounces and echoes off of every object that winds up within its path ways. Where one applies the gentle push to shift a person to people to a world varies, and difficult to discern outside of those who begun the affect initially begun with. But there are those who watch for chain reactions in the Force, those who like to sit and watch the cascading ripples in the proverbial pond. The Miraluka are people of watchers of such things, one may say their sight is attuned for such phenomena in the Force.

Among the Sith there is a little Miraluka who is certainly a gazer--watching for the ripples that cascade across her path, curious to see where the go--how far they stretch ever outward. The petite Miraluka is a quiet sort, listening and watching through the Force, keeping to herself--observing. But in her ethereal vision caught sight of a small ripple in the Force--a subtle shift, the pathway within the Force for someone had changed.

Ever the precocious girl, the little Miraluka followed the direction where she perceived the subtle shift in the Force to its source. It lead her to a young woman--the colors the Miraluka saw of the young woman in the Force were those of boldness, but she was no Sith--though she was definitely touched by the Force. The petite Miraluka canted her head.

Clad completely in black robes and a heavy black veil, nothing of the girls slim, petite frame could really be seen. Her posture was common, but her presence... the Miraluka held a dark, still presence. Her presence was like that of pitch black room with no sound, no movement--only stillness and complete silence in the darkness. Yet, the Miraluka was not threatening... in any form, more just a neutrality that composed her regard for the young woman before her.

"I am Vaaz... Who are you?", she simply questioned with a soft, quiet voice.

[Poludnica]

The heat slowly becoming unbearable and Danica lifted her gaze to see only searing, hot sun. No birds, no speeders, nothing. The sky above the Temple was empty, only amplifying the overbearing loneliness she felt when facing such ancient creation. Silent hum of the Force made her fingers oddly numb and Dany closed them, inhaling sharply. Maybe it was a bad idea after all...Maybe some people weren't shaped to wield the dark side. But one thing Danica always had difficulty to accept was a failure so the girl stubbornly walked through rocky terrain, already feeling cuts on her bare feet but the Temple couldn't be far.

Her steady came to an abrupt halt when something disturbingly black appeared in the corner of the girl's eye. Danica stopped and whirled around on one foot with a dancer's grace, quickly catching balance on one of the rocks she had just stepped on. The raven haired woman by no means was a trained warrior but being a dancer had its perks when it came to feeling ones body and movement of it.

”Huh...” Danica breathed. For a moment she believed the silhouette was some heat induced phantasmagoria. Dany put a back of her hand to the warm forehead, wondering if heat stroke was abound but then the black shaped spoke in surprisingly feminine voice. The raven haired woman blinked surprised, looking over the small creature before her. Was she one of the Sith? Danica could feel some form of discomfort and fear but no threat coming from the other female. Apparently her name was Vaaz.

What an odd way to start conversation – like a small child. The young CEO looked around to see if someone else could be found near but no, it was only this strange girl. ”Danica.” She replied after a moment, not really sure what else to say in this peculiar situation. Her verdrous gaze returned to rest on the odd looking Sith.

”Are you from the Temple?” Dany finally asked, gathering her courage. She was surrounded by powerful beings, by people who choked life out of their enemies and she stood there like an idiot – helpless, overdressed and close to passing out. Then again...You didn't win if refused to gamble. This simple truth was something her father could be right about and the young woman adjusted her stance to look more confident, strong. What she missed in training, Danica decided to make up with fiery temperament.

[Apillis]

Ever the observer, Magdalena watched the colors in the Force that made up the young woman before her shift. Magdalena stood silent for a moment, despite her lacking eyes under that veil--she was staring. It was a gaze through the Force, looking upon the young woman before her beyond the material and crude matter what the ordinary saw with their physical eyes.

Magdalena canted her again, though this time more out of perplexity than curiosity. She did not recognize this young woman's colors and shades within the Force, they were different from the others that come to Korriban. The young woman clearly touched by the Force, but only as strong as the beginning initiates. But Magdalena did not recall those shades in the Force--not of this young woman, "You aren't from here... You're brighter than most here.", she uttered in an observant quiet tone.

The petite Miraluka walked toward the young woman, her steps were simple and girlish, less like the proud and--for some--graceful strides of her female Sith peers, but rather more casual and plebeian. She looked Danica up and down, much like an art critic would examine a lovely sculpture, it was an analytical and scrutinizing examination of the aura the young woman naturally exuded through the Force like all living things do.

"Why are you here?", Magdalena inquired out of curiosity, "To learn...?", she turned her gaze to the Sith Temple surroundings, then back to Danica, "If you wish to keep the light you still have, it's best you leave now before you catch the gaze of... other... occupants of this world.", tucking her hands into her loose sleeves up to her elbows as she shifted her weight to her right leg for a more relaxed posture, she continued to say, "But if you wish to learn to turn daylight into night... then you may stay, and learn... there are those who will teach."

[Poludnica]

For a moment Danica believed the time had stopped, only rapid heartbeat told the girl otherwise. She shook her head - this place did strange things to the cognition and Dany had to fight not to lose herself in the dark call that pulled at the strings of the Force inside of the young woman's soul. She blinked, gathering her thoughts once more, trying to find something solid to cling in this searing wasteland. Finally her gaze rested on the dark figure once more and now the small silhouette didn't seem so surreal but made of a solid, black substance.

”I have never been to the Temple.” Danica ventured boldly, surprised by the woman's timid tone. Hushed and quiet words didn't fit to an image of a Sith – arrogant and loud. She had been living on Korriban for some time now and inhabitants of the Order weren't a rare sight – often obnoxious being, drunk with power Force gave them. The creature standing before her didn't flaunt those abilities.

The human woman didn't move away when the dark figure walked closer. Her step was surprisingly...normal, lacked the silent arrogance most Sith women showed which immediately dispersed the aura of mystery around the cloaked female. Danica relaxed exhaling slowly, feeling hot air moving through her lungs , leaving arid aftertaste. Green eyes flickered to the Temple and Dany opened mouth to speak but closed it immediately, noticing the other girl's head moving pointedly as if assessing her. Dark frown marred Danica's features.

”I want to learn...I...” The dark haired woman fell silent, slightly blushing at the words hanging between them. Danica thought back to all the dark ones she had met and how well they resonated with whatever was going on in her shattered mind. ”There is no light in me anymore.” The girl answered. Deep down the young woman believed she wasn't a good person, couldn't have been and the dark figure's words angered her in a way. Danica's eyes traveled to the Temple once more ”They already have their gaze on me I am afraid.” She smiled lightly. No, there was no escape from the taint.

”Who will teach me? Take me to them.” Dany asked, looking at the petite girl askance – her gaze moving to notice any opening in the pitch black robes. ”I think it's too hot for wearing black.” She added with a small quip, despite her intentions to hold back any unpleasant arrogance. But she was tired, dehydrated and way too sweaty for her tastes to be polite and small gnaws of irritation broke through seemingly indifferent attitude.

[Apillis]

The young Miraluka never held the arrogance like many Sith who believe they have the answers. All Magdalena truly knew was she lacked answers to everything that is considered the most important for clarity and understanding. She still had so much to learn herself, and this is where the divide lay between herself and many of her peers. So many of her Sith peers tell themselves they already know the key to power, and will rise to greatness, yet concede to piggy-backing off of another--to someone who clearly is more powerful than they to attain the great power they already delude themselves into believing they already wield. But if they already wield it, then why are they on bended knee before a blatant superior? Magdalena never saw the benefit of this self-delusion; only seeing the benefit in the self-awareness of the reality and honesty of concession to her superior's power and knowledge being greater than her own, and that because she still so young, she has so much more to yet learn and experience.

But the young woman before her, Magdalena gained a bit more respect for when she said she wished to learn without the posturing--there seemed to be a tinge of reluctant humility to her, but it was there. Magdalena paused stepped closely to the young woman, so there were only inches between them as she pulled back her veil revealing her youthful, girlish visage--but where her eyes would be had she any was covered by a simple wide strip of clothe serving as a blindfold. She turned her head upward to look up at Danica as if the young Miraluka had eyes to look straight into the young woman's as she remarked, "My kind may not have eyes, but we see people for what they are--we see them better than they see themselves. You have a light--it maybe a little dimmer than some touched by the Force that have yet to awaken fully to it... But it's there."

She then turned away walking for the Sith Temple idly gesturing with her right hand for the young woman to follow, "Choosing to come here... to learn. It's choosing to learn how to let what remains of that light die, Miss Danica. Everyone has it with them... and this place--", she gestured with an idle hand to the temple, "it is a center of learning to study on how one may eclipse it... With time the darkness one may imbue themselves with can snuff it out permanently.", as she lead the young woman to the grand wide stone steps of the temple. But the young Miraluka then paused turning back to Danica and uttering with a warning tone, "Once the first steps are taken there is no turning back, Miss Danica. The first thing to know before seeking to become Sith--walking the dark path--all things end in death. There are no exceptions. It is an absolute. Many who come here, even some among my peers fail to truly realize it, but--studying here is studying to accomplish an equivalent exchange: sacrificing what little remains of the light within you--your last taste of salvation for power. Which will it be, Miss Danica? Salvation or power?"

Magdalena then begun walking up the steps leading to the temple, "If there is no hope for salvation, then follow--and I will take you to someone who can show you how to smother it in exchange for power. But there will be no turning back beyond this point... All things end in death with the Sith, Miss Danica.",she stated as a final cautionary warning, however odd it maybe for a Sith to give someone one last chance to save what little remains of the light within them--a chance for hope, peace, and redemption. But then off-handedly with a stoic tone, difficult to tell if she were stating it half-jokingly or she was being serious when she uttered while still casually walking up the steps of the temple, "And to answer your question about my clothes in this weather... It's not so bad once you get used to copious amounts of sweat."

[Poludnica]

The first, instinctive reaction for Danica to the closeness of the dark figure was a rapid thought 'get away'. Her body stiffened slightly, muscles coiled as if preparing to flee but the dark haired woman waited through this primeval reaction and firmly stayed in place. The black veiled silhouette exposed her features – surprisingly delicate and girlish. Dany frowned slightly seeing how young the Miraluka before her was. Barely an adult although the petite frame could be misguiding. The Coruscanti woman exhaled slowly, chiding herself silently for the silly fears. The young, alien girl couldn't pose much threat, not as enormous as other Sith she had met.

Slightly more relaxed, Danica's eyes drifted around Miraluka's girl soft features, deciding the young creature could be called attractive if not for small veins spreading under the blindfold and general childlike appearance. Was this what the dark side did to one? Gave this pallid, sickly hue to features? The detached frown on the young woman's features deepened at the thought.

Again about this light. ”Whatever light there is, it never helped me.” She snapped, hoping to end the topic. Danica knew a person like her hadn't been shaped to follow a path of light. She was too selfish, too egoistical and in truth too damaged, though this fact was carefully hidden in any kind of broken compensation Dany forced on the outside.

The woman folded arms on her chest in a haughty manner, listening to the metaphysical speech. Danica didn't scoff at it nor failed to understand, as an artisan by trade she knew this form of metaphorical language better than most, though often recognized as well how the most turned it into a pompous spew. Though not Vaaz, she seemed to glide over well rounded phrases like a skilled sculptor over his new creation. There was no doub the young Miraluka had been educated somewhere, unlike her less cerebral, street raised brothers in arms. ”Darkness has been my home for a while now. I know it...Intimately.” The human explained without any insistence. Death didn't scare her anymore, not as it used. She had taken a life of another. In self defense always but a fact , revolting at first, granted her a sense of control and safety nothing else did.

A small, light smirk ghosted on Dany's lips at Vaaz's warning. She was a disgraced noble willing to kill her own parent. A woman who loved a coldhearted murderer and smuggled art stolen from Sith occupied world. Who had helped in assassinating three people for purely selfish gain. ”There is no absolution for me.” Danica admitted with a flat, indifferent voice. The woman's unseeing gaze idly trailed off toward the Temple once more. Yes, it was her place to be, a dark beckon where creatures like her. Broken, fallen and sick with anger.

”For a Sith, you surely try hard to discourage me.” Danica chuckled mirthlessly, biting down on the less than nasty comment about how disgusting such clothing had to be with all the sweat. ”Now, it's getting uncomfortably hot outside, can you take me to the Master you spoke of.” The girl's tone of voice became increasingly sharp and chilling. She didn't come her efor lectures, this decision was made over time, weighing all the dangers and gains.

Cassius couldn’t be defeated with just Nieraan, Avanni, Aerith and Jessoin at her side. Slowly, she began to follow the dainty Miraluka, feeling nauseous from the heat. Danica stopped for a moment and considered the alien girl next to her. Especially the pale , sickly complexion and dark veins spreading from empty eye sockets. ”Will the dark side make me ugly?” Dany asked suddenly.

[Apillis]

"Vanity", Magdalena uttered with a flat monotone in response to Danica's question, and then explained, "Equivalent exchange, Miss Danica. Sacrificing salvation is never pretty. My former master once told me, 'The mark of the dark side reflects what you are inside on the outside.', I wouldn't really know what it looks like physically, personally. All I see is the currents of the Force and the outlines of all that it passes through and touches. I see it as a multitude of colors... some are simply darker and some are lighter--each to their own variances and extremes. Each possessing their own unique qualities. What can be considered 'ugly' from one line of sight can be quite beautiful in another."

"Everyone--everything has its own unique hue", Magdalena remarked as she lead the young woman into the temple, "I've watched many hopefuls come here... never to see their colors in the Force again. It's why I gave those warnings earlier, I don't dissuade, I warn--there's a difference... When a warning is given the individual is given a final choice. Once that last choice is made, they are left with nothing to blame--not life, not circumstance, not the Sith--just themselves for that choice--a choice that can never be taken back... And each of those hopefuls who shades can't be seen in the Force anymore... they often tried take that choice back before their colors had faded from view--forever."

Inside the temple the air was decidedly cooler, the grand stone walls insulating the cool air within its halls--much like a tomb in a way. Magdalena fell quiet for the most part as she lead Danica into the temple, weaving through its corridors and large halls, passing through commons and courtyard. Initiates were quick to clear out of Magdalena's way, knowing full well getting in the way of a Sith Knight is almost as unwise getting in the way of a Sith Lord.

Eventually Magdalena the young woman to a chamber room, empty for the most part. It was large--though very quiet and isolated within the temple. One of the areas where the masters of the temple can meditate in peace away from the nuances of the students attempting to garner favor for power. Within the chamber room, was one individual, a woman who stood a good foot taller than Magdalena, the woman possessed a firm and athletic, lean feminine form contrasted to Magdalena's own slim, petite figure, "My Lady, Vesperia", Magdalena spoke with a soft, respectful tone as she bowed her head to the Sith Lord before her, "Apologies... But, I saw shift in the Force... it lead me to this hopeful here with me. Following the Force's ebb, for one reason or another--it felt best to lead her to you."

And there in lies the mystery of the Miraluka people, so often trusting what they see in the Force, so many learn not to question what it shows them or what they see in it. Like Magdalena, who saw a shift within the Force, and merely followed it out of idle curiosity. Not questioning its purpose or why it happened, she simply acted upon it. Why it lead Danica to Vesperia, Magdalena did not know--nor did she feel it was her place to question why. She was simply following something that she has learned to trust wholly as her sight and the conduit in which to understand her surroundings.

[Dire Wolf]

Darkness shielded the woman's muscular form like a heavy cloak, and obscured her features from view. Those icy blue eyes were gently shut as she sat on her dark throne, though she didn't consider herself superior to those in the inner sanctum. Some, including Hervor, believed that path to true power was pathed with passion and fury. Vesperia disagreed. Her younger years were fraught with anger, passion, and intemperance though she had found them to be about as freeing as iron shackles. The true key to power, and by extension freedom, was ironically quiet contemplation.

Lady Vesperia found her center while in meditation, and it was in this state that her little apprentice and the intemperate prospect would find her. Light pierced the veil of darkness that had fallen over the room when the door slid open, and for a moment two dark forms were wreathed in light but their futures bathed in darkness. A feeling told the woman that her apprentice was the shorter of the two, and Danica Liviana was the taller. Her suspicion was confirmed when the shorter woman spoke.

"No need to apologize, Vaaz. The Force wills what it wills, though I find myself wondering why it would will her to me," her voice was aloof as her icy gaze turned to the prospect. "We hold no fancy parties here, nor do we exchange pleasantries. 'Tis a brutal existence that we lead here, and one that will only lead in death. If you look for salvation or protection, you should search elsewhere." Adara rose to her feet and carefully walked towards the two figures as they stood in the darkness. Her silken blue robe brushed against the cold stone floor as she stopped to regard the woman, and the lights winked on at a dimmed setting.

"So, Miss Liviana, why are you here? In my home? You think you know darkness, pain, and hatred. In reality," a half chuckle fell from the woman's lips, "you know nothing of these things. Go home, and let your betters shield you as they always have."

[Poludnica]

For a moment Danica decided if to be offended by the assumption she was vain. Deep down she knew it to be true but there was no shame in striving to achieve perfection. Even in looks. Though a blind creature like Miraluka probably couldn't appreciate it. With a silent shrug Dany followed the young girl, slightly dozing off during the long speech about hues and shades in the Force. Normally, it would be something catching Danica's attention, the undesirable heat shortened her attention span remarkably.

It was only in the shady inside of the Temple the dark haired woman sobered up slightly. The sudden change in temperature caused a small shudder crawling through the sunburn skin. She looked around, verdurous eyes widened in awe at the tomblike structure. So this was the Sith Order reborn....Dwelling in the ancient Temple raised by a a long dead species. It was beautiful in a way, giving the regular shape of walls and perfectly structured hallways. The place was scary in its cold perfection, it made the Coruscanti woman to feel very, very small.

No one haunted the alleys at this hour. Thankfully. The last person she wanted to meet her was Nieraan who still remained oblivious to her plans. The Firrerreo certainly wouldn't approve of his lover invading what he considered home. After a moment others appeared and Danica tensed slightly but none of the Initiates looked even vaguely familiar. They quickly cleared the way and without sparing more than two glances vanished in the mids of their duties.

When they reached a large chamber Dany finally exhaled and stopped in front of a dark throne on which an oddly familiar figure sat. Wait...Danica narrowed her eyes as the clever mind feverishly worked to place this Epicanthix face among at least dozen met in the past few months.

Vesperia...Of course.

The dark haired woman shook her head in resignation. So much for staying anonymous. Yes, it was certainly Lady Vesperia though this time around without illfitting white dress. Danica crossed her arms in a haughty manner and looked at the wickedly tall female. ”You would be surprised how much pain and hatred I know.” Dany said chillingly. She could vividly remember every time Cassius ordered to beat her, to starve and once nearly drowned in a swimming pool when a near-human boy dared to look at his precious daughter. Danica could recall every painful slap and insult, every day of mind numbing suffering when her own father closed the five year old girl on the balcony to stay there for entirety of the night. Her only transgression at that time had been stealing couple of sweets.

The young Coruscanti woman inhaled deeply, trying to force her body and mind to calm down. Why this place brought so much anger and terrible memories? ”I know more than I have ever wished.” Danica drawled, her fingernails dug deep in pale skin of her forearms.

[Apillis]

Magdalena remained silent and seemingly as cold as stone, motionless. From what she could tell, the two knew each other. How or the details of their relationship and encounter she obviously had no clue. But she saw it as another testament to the odd workings of the Force bringing those touched by it together. All she saw was a shift in the Force and followed it, and it caused her to lead a young woman who had encountered a powerful Sith Lord to encounter her once more.

But by their conversation, they did not seem to be on good terms with one another. Nor did Vesperia seem to think that Danica understood pain as Sith do. Perhaps there was something to it. Magdalena did not know either of their backgrounds really to make such a judgment, but herself--oh yes, Magdalena knew and felt pain quite well. But with a humble tone she uttered to Vesperia interjecting into the conversation, "Forgive me, my Lady, but if I may. Perhaps the reason why the Force has brought her to you... is so that she may learn pain as you do."

The young Sith Knight then turned to Danica going on to say, "Pain by itself is little more than suffrage. That is nothing. It is physical--even on an emotional level it is... superficial. Animals. Dogs... Even they experience such things. It is not darkness--not truly. You are touched by the Force, but to claim to understand darkness just by having been touched by it is no different than claiming to understand an entire world by staring through a keyhole. To truly understand darkness...", Magdalena voice then held a gravitas to it--a cold, icy chill like floating within an empty void of space far from any glimmer of starlight, "...you have to revel in it. Immerse yourself in it. When the moment you feel its power tug at you, you let it draw you in to channel its unending strength--give in to that moment. This is metaphysical. The material... the emotional, they are nothing more than conduits and lightning rods in which to channel and draw upon it. Experiencing the darkness through pain--emotion... is... the shallowest means in understanding it. Emotion is just a state of mind. Even fear is merely just concepts conjured in your head. The dark side is energy--a tangible source of power. Just as trying to understand electricity cannot be truly understood by examining silver or copper wire. The dark side of the Force cannot be simply understood or even truly experienced by hate and pain alone.", Magdalena then tucked her hands into the baggy sleeves of her black robes, "Time and endurance will see how far you're willing to take such lessons. I gave several warnings, but you refused each one. There's no turning back now."

(Edit: fix'd typo.)

[Dire Wolf]

A light smirk formed on Vesperia's lips at Danica's response, and while at first she believed it to be a rich girl's ignorance a little inkling suggested otherwise. Perhaps Danica knew more of hardship than Vesperia originally assumed? Though it was obvious that the woman had toyed with forces far beyond her comprehension, even if she had known what it was like to be less than pampered with credits. A hidden power churned just below the surface of the woman's flesh, one who's fury caused a tumbling in the woman's gut. All that it required was refinement and freedom could be Danica's. Vesperia nodded slowly, and while Danica wouldn't enjoy the next few minutes they would make her stronger in every sense of the term.

Vaaz spoke not long afterwards, at first to the Dark Lady, but then to the vain woman before them. Even with all this, the Dark Lady knew that Danica couldn't possibly comprehend what she was doing. She ignorantly traded her soul, and her life, for the ability to stand on her own. The choice had been made for Vesperia, who had never known or cared to know the light. Thusfar she had managed to skirt the line of darkness and normalcy, but she sensed herself drawing closer to the abyss that was the Dark Side the closer she grew to Hervor. While the Sith Lady knew that this choice wouldn't end well for either of the women her feelings for the Pale Sith were too powerful to simply walk from.

"Indeed. You've chosen your path, it seems, Danica. 'Tis a long path, one that's full of death and shadow. Darkness is the default setting of all creatures, and to give into it is to let its own nature consume you. You will not enjoy the coming days, or years, but you will be more powerful because of it. With power comes Freedom, and I sense that your true goal is to attain just that. You can truly be free from your father with time." A knowing smile creased the woman's lips as the lights winked on at a dim setting, and grew steadily brighter. There was only one way for Danica to realize what was required for her to attain her goals, and in this method of forced realization Vesperia would in turn know just how much Danica knew of combat.

Those icy blue eyes washed over the woman, and observed the girl's bloody feet as well as her sweaty flesh. Exhaustion and dehydration had set in, though even at her best she couldn't hope to contend with Vaaz at her weakest. Let alone Vesperia. Combat was as much a part of every Sith's life as the Force, and each one would have to know both in order to grow powerful. In order to be Free. "Show us what you know of fighting, Danica. Take a stance."

Mere seconds passed before Vesperia launched an open handed slap at Danica's face. Every ounce of her physical might into the strike, but she left her mastery of the Force from it. Such a strike would brake her face. Learning was her goal. Danica needed to learn just what she got herself into, and the girl was far too fragile to treat like an adult. Pain wasn't something that Vesperia enjoyed enacting from the girl who's mind mirrored her own, but it would need to be experienced to attain power. Some people believed that things like knowledge or wealth was power. In reality the only thing that gave one power was, ironically, power. Be it physical or ethereal. Seeing as it would be years before ethereal power could be hers, physical might would be called for.

"Death does not wait for you to be ready," the otherwise stoic woman stalked towards the lesser being with the terrifying grace of a predatory feline. An aura of darkness wreathed the muscular woman's frame as she strode towards her. All of the hatred and pain within her psyche was unleashed, and was surely enough to unsettle even the likes of Vaaz. Vesperia only unleashed her inner darkness in times of combat, or when it was called for. Those times she believed it necessary seemed to grow increasingly frequent as of late, thanks to Hervor's influence. The clack of her boots against the stone floor echoed from the walls menacingly as she approached the woman. Though that menacing aura vanished as quickly as it came.

"Are you still so sure of your choice, Danica," she observed the girl's reaction namely to gauge it. Adara prided herself in not being like her 'peers,' and would react accordingly. Physical frailty was a weakness, but that could be overcome in time. Be it through conditioning or the great equalizer known as the Force.

[Poludnica]

The talk about pain wasn't really encouraging but Danica refused to show any fear. Cassius' upbringing methods left plenty of room to teach her physical suffering. But it wasn't something she would easily accept. Only savages found the endurance of pain as the measure of worth – brutes and dimwits. It was the cunning mind that mattered in the end. ”I don't want to learn about pain, I had that enough.” The dark haired woman protested rising her hand. ”I am here to learn how to stop others from causing it.” She added with a visible scoff that turned into dark frown when Vesperia mentioned her father. How did she know? Were the rumors so obvious about this that all the Sith knew by now? Or was this some telepathic trick? Did Nieraan tell someone about it? She shook her head, indicating the dark lady was wrong. ”My father is only beginning.” Though some of those words broke through and nestled in her conscientiousness, whispering dark entices.

Her vivid, green eyes moved to find Vaaz gaze. ”I want to understand it, but on my terms.” Danica told her, refusing to let go of control she had. Being in control was something the young woman required to feel safe, secured. Without it, her unstable emotions would roam free, causing havoc in her already messed up life. That was when Vesperia gave her this cold, chilling gaze to which Danica smirked lightly. ”I don't know...” She started when powerful slap landed on her cheek.

The Coruscanti girl yelped, more scared than in pain though it was already blossoming. Tears swelled in her eyes from the sheer strength of that blow and few droplets of blood trickled from fragile nose. The girl fell on the ground, losing balance immediately, taking several moments to find herself in space and time before pulling herself back. ”You crazy b*tch!” Danica spat, already regretting asking one of the Sith she knew much better about this favor. The pain was immediately pushed away by the blind fury, even if crimson flush, foreboding a large bruise already crept on her cheek.

As the large woman stalked closer, Danica look up to her – furious like never before. ”Did it have a point other than humiliating me? Do you really need so petty actions to feel yourself important? “ The dark haired woman spat, unable to stand up to Vesperia physically but it didn't stop her from a lashing, verbal assault. She was fairly sure this wasn't to make a point, the cheap, pompous line about death not waiting was a horrible excuse to just show dominance – unwarranted and ungraceful. ”Oh I am sure about the dark side, just not that you are the best choice to teach me.” She hissed, still angry like a stingy wasp. Her hand delicately touched the place where nasty bruise already formed. After giving Vaaz a nasty glare, Danica was ready to turn on her heel and leave. Maybe Nieraan was the only way after all...At least he wouldn't humiliate her like that, something she had enough after years spent at Cassius' side. For once would want someone to treat her like a person instead of a thing you could push around.