Post by Poludnica on Feb 9, 2015 13:08:07 GMT -5
Name: Cassius Liviana
Race: Human (and proud of it)
Age: 48
Birthplace: Coruscant/ Sahc district
Allegiance: Himself.
Status: Businessman/Crime lord/ Ex-mercenary.
Rank: Master
Height/Weight: 6’5’’/238 pounds
Appearance:
He is a handsome human, very tall and athletic who cares for aesthetics; some would say even too much. The man keeps himself in peak condition through training and meditation, but also isn't above using surgery and expensive cosmetics. Vain to the fault, Cassius wouldn't wear anything cheap nor common. His features are sharp, eyes keen but also cold and apathetic, breaking the impression of gentle charm.
There is a hawkish quality to his looks but there is nothing near human about him. Cassius is proud to be, at least according to him, shining example of pure humanity, and believes to be untainted by other species. Rumour that pleases him the most is that his looks makes him one of the Zhell - the Coruscant human ethnic group; in forgotten legends ancestors to the Humanity that inhabits the Galaxy. This breeding is becoming exceedingly rare with so much mingling, which puts him and regal sculpture of his features among the minority. Cunning, clever glimmer in his eyes often betrays his true nature but he makes sure only few knows about the man's hidden self - ambitious and ruthless.
One thing that stands out is a cybernetic glove richly engraved with sophisticated, floral symbols. It covers a nasty lightsaber scar Cassius earned when in late teen years.Age seems to be easy on him, making Cassius look as if he was in the early forties. According to him it's thanks to good genes, but more due to plenty of help from modern medicine one could reckon.
Personality:
Cassius is a refined man who loves classical art and everything that goes with it. He is charming, appearing to be friendly. Always helpful when it comes to business. The CEO makes an impression of someone rather gentle if not effeminate. The way he speaks is soft, very careful and tidy, only strengthening this image.
Another side of him shows at work. Cassius is strict, very demanding as a boss and hates imperfection in any shape or form. But also knows how to inspire those that strive to better themselves, making him a skilled leader who persuades and inspires rather than punishes. Certainly not out of kindness of his non existing heart but pure efficiency. People tend to work better when not forced to, something Cassius grew to appreciate.
But deep down under the mask of an inspiring leader and charming man lies a very ugly truth. An ambitious, cruel and calculating being. Cassius emotions run cold as he is a cold person to whom such thing as empathy and kindness are often alien. He does attach romantically or emotionally sometimes, but it is always something secondary to work, political and professional goals.
Cassius is an end justifies means person as much as he is stubborn. When he sees a goal or believes in a cause, nothing and no one can deter him from it. Everyone is dispensable. Racist and elitist, Cassius is a firm believer in human superiority. He rarely hires aliens in his company on positions that matter. He thinks they may be cheap, physical labor but nothing else. It pains him Republic consists of non human Senators, but despite this resentment, Cassius considers himself a patriot. Livco owns a charity helping army veterans, all humans of course. Cassius dislikes politics in the Core but he abhorred Sith much more. Which makes him very unhappy person with a tight social network of close friends with similar pro human views. Politicians, businessmen, artists, army men. Not many are invited to Livco's CEO inner circle but when they, he will stay a loyal friend as long as it furthers his goals.
Though having questionable morality Cassius never fell to the dark side temptation. He considers himself too controlled, too perfect and too vain. Following the darkness requires lack of restrain he would never let himself to have. For some it may seem like a feat but those who know him well are aware that with such flat, cold emotionality it is hard to feel any passion. But sometimes, on occasions a icy flares of anger appear, Cassius is tempted to flirt with the darkness, to get a glimpse of what power it could give him and this ambition may be his doom.
He has never taken a life of another, using Force or other means unless in self defence. Cassius ordered hits of course, especially to his personal hitman – Broca but he would never do such thing himself. The man engaged in duels away from Republic space, he had to if wanted to train and better himself in the Force but the Livco owner is disgusted by the act of killing.
Ships/Vehicles:
n/a
Equipment:
Crystal blue lightsaber.
Stats:
Strength - Average
Agility - Average
Intelligence - Superior
Charisma - Above average.
Force Stats:
Telekinetic- Expert
Telepathic- Master
Body- Adept
Sense- Adept
Protection- Expert (changed after running it by Rugs on 11.03.16)
Healing:– Unskilled
Destruction– Unskilled
Combat Training:
Unarmed - Novice
Force Training: (Unskilled, Novice, Apprentice, Adept, Expert, Master)
Force Blinding Expert
Electric Judgment Master
Force Illusion Master
Other Training: (Unskilled, Novice, Apprentice, Adept, Expert, Master)
Languages: Basic, (Master) High Galactic (Expert), Huttese (Adept)
Lightsaber Training:
Shii-Cho-Master
Soresu -Master
Ataru-Master
Biography:
"There is no creature on earth half so terrifying as a truly just man." (0-5)
There is something to be said about powerful, old families that built their name upon corpses of innocents. They hide behind mask of money, behind polite smiles and generous donations but all of them, every single one, has something rotten about them. A disfigured heir, a forgotten bastard, a dead child. In every generation similar drama is bound to repeat itself over and over. A vicious circle of misery, death and loss. Liviana bloodline carried similar taint, though very special in its own way. The family that thousand years ago hoarded riches of slain aliens in bloody crusades of Pius Dea. After the cult fell, Liviana forsworn it, pledging alliance to the new Chancellor.
But how could they wipe away so much hatred? So much blood? The mask they put on brought them into 3660 BBY, helped to build a meaningful position but the purity they held so dearly began to weaken them and centuries after centuries less healthy children were born, leading to only one branch left to carry this ancient name. In such times Cassius and Darius Liviana were brought up, the only surviving Liviana progeny. Cassius was older of the two, a long waited heir to the fortune and a cherished firstborn. His father, a retired Coruscant senator, hoped his children to live up to the family legends – the man wouldn't settle for average and this strive for perfection from early age haunted both boys.
His mother would have claimed there was always something wrong with Cassius. Something terrifyingly different in comparison to other children. He almost never cried, not even when broke his arm while climbing a tall dining table or when someone around showed distress. The boy often looked like a doll with his blank, indifferent gaze that hid cunning curiosity but the true nature, what truly scared Francesca Liviana showed when the boy strangled a small, stray kitten that was offered him as a gift. The mother found her son playing with a fluffy creature which head had been turned to impossible degree. Cassius was three at a time and Francesca's attitude toward him would never be the same again.
Ignored or carefully tip toed around by his mother, the boy had no one else but his father who saw nothing wrong in the way Cassius mishandled the animals. He viewed it as a show of dominance and detached coldness: traits that were carried in the bloodline. It had to in a family that had cruelly taken hundreds of alien lives. But there was something else in the boy, something that appeared among Liviana for the first time in generations– Force sensitivity. The pesky Jedi were quickly turned from their doors, they wouldn't lay a hand on the precious heir but Hadrian also didn't want this talent to be wasted.
It took three years to find a proper candidate, a grey Jedi who got himself in troubles with the Cartels and now needed some solace in the Core, away from the Order.Master Bask Vallo welcomed the opportunity for what seemed to be a fair price: train the boy in the ways of the Force, in turn getting his gambling debts paid - but the moment he saw Cassius, something whispered a warning in Basko's soul. There was no darkness in the child, not in such manner but the former Jedi noticed so little emotion coming from Cassius it frightened him. It almost felt as if the boy was an empty husk, only cunning curiosity paired with healthy caution but not much more.
Despite this inner warning, Vallo agreed to the deal, slightly reluctant at first and so Cassius began his life long journey between light and dark, careful not to overstep any of those boundaries.
"The Jedi Outcast" (6-11)
Francesca hated what Hadrian was doing to his son but not because she cared so much for Cassius but believed he shouldn't handle such power. Not him - this boy who never wanted a cuddle, never cried and never felt remorse over his misdoings. Cassius was obedient though, but only to those he wanted. Master Vallo had difficult time at first to tame the boy who always found a way to spoil his day only to later with innocent, sweet coated lies weasel himself out of troubles. Hadrian definitely let his older son for too much toward others; Darius one the other hand became their mother favorite. A gentle, empathetic boy was deemed a weakling in the eyes of the senator and quickly Cassius became almost a single child for Hadrian.
But Bask wouldn't let the boy to behave like a little demon. No, he would force discipline even harsher than younglings in the Order had. He knew how to do it, being for years a teacher for the youngest among the Jedi. Vallo believed the child needed it to help him control those dark urges it sometimes showed, so he wouldn't fall to the dark side. Day after day Vallo worked on him under watchful eye of his father who started to see the problems with his firstborn. When one day the boy stabbed one of his classmates with a pencil Hadrian said 'enough' and agreed to harsh punishments until Cassius learned strict border between right and wrong. This dichotomy would follow the child into adulthood, giving strong moral compass, as twisted as it may have been.
After two years, when Cassius was nearing his ninth birthday, Vallo decided the boy mastered the basics of social rules. Hadrian made sure ever day his son had something practical to do. Only two, three friends were allowed to visit every month, not to distract his son from greater things. After school - Force training. Always, no matter if Cassius had flu, sore back or bad mood he always had to attend the lessons which slowly began to instill in him the imminence of discipline. Some things just had to be done, no matter the personal cost. Day after day, month after month until Cassius build up the motivation to take his father's ambition for his own.
''I want to be powerful.' Cassius admitted after receiving few more bruises in the training and Vallo hesitated, wondering what would young heir do with it. Once more the Master felt this warning stirring in the pit of his stomach but over the years he grew attached to the boy and what seemed to be impossible at first, Cassius seemed to share this bond. Even the boy's father didn't manage to build such relationship with his son which woke up some form of jealous in Hadrian but the aged politician recognized how important the training had been. The boy learned basics of the lightsaber skill and nature of the Force. Vallo couldn't really tell if Cassius was really talented. He could have sworn there were much more sensitive kids in the Order but this one had something many lacked – pure, untainted determination that made up for not amazing sensitivity or fast reflexes.
Bruises, pain were never an obstacle. Cassius would just get up and continue the exercise until he believed it was flawless. This quality frightened Vallo the most because with that came ruthlessness the Master so hard tried to root out from the boy's soul. To show him a power sparing someone and as the boy came closer to padawan years, Vallo decided to convince Hadrian of letting Cassius travel with him for a time. School wasn't a problem, private tutors ensured enough flexibility but the patriarch would never hear of his only son leaving Force knew where doing Force knew what.
It took months of persuading and promises. Cassius couldn't learn more at home because only experience granted true enlightenment. Finally the logic won over the father's fears – the senator wouldn't agree to mediocrity and the boy would spend ever two months traveling with his Master to Mid and Outer Rim.
"My mind is my weapon." (12-18)
The boy reached his twelfth year of life and it was time for him to test his skills but what was important, Cassius should learn about the Galaxy on his own skin rather than from tall tales. He was eager, though never showed it too openly, already growing up to be reserved and a cold man. They went to visit Nar Shaddaa and from the first moments Cassius begin to hate this den of depravity. At the same time strange fascination started to brew under the indifferent surface. So many alien species that didn't know superiority of humans from the Core. Giant, abhorring worms ruled the place and first thing Cassius had learned was to keep his mouth shut about racist attitude he took from family home. It wasn't easy not to behave with inborn superiority and once more push of self-control was imposed on the heir.
At this point Cassius began to specialize in which aspects of the Force he preferred. Having always a keen, sharp mind and compulsive need to gain knowledge his natural choice was Telepathy. For hours they would stroll the streets, prodding the minds of simple passerby's. With fascination the boy listened to the Force trying to discover their thoughts, superficial and honest. It wasn't possible at first of course but slowly Vallo tried to show the boy how the Force wove around other beings consciousness. How false sentient creatures could be? Alien filth was not this much different than humans which only strengthen already radical beliefs – how dared those lower beings emulate superior race? Disorderly harassing and enslaving true masters of this Galaxy. This shouldn't happen...
Vallo didn't share the xenophobic views and often tried to talk Cassius down but sometimes still very young boy couldn't help himself. It was during such outburst of anger a Zabrak Dark Jedi overheard them and decided to step in, if only to gain pleasure from what seemed an easy kill. He attacked without warning but Vallo reacted quickly, pushing the reckless boy away. They engaged, hiss of sabers filled the cantina and patrons left it in a hurry, knowing this never bore good ending for bystanders. Cassius took his training saber and wanted to join, arrogant enough to think he could help his master more than hinder him.
The plan backfired of course and the boy had been thrown back with a wave of dark energy. He broke his wrist, for the rest of his life gaining two very important lessons: never run your mouth and stupidly rush at more powerful foe. Vallo won the duel, killing the Zabrak in front of the boy. Cassius got up, his pain tolerance growing from rapid adrenaline rush, and limped toward the lifeless body, looked at it for a long moment before mustering enough willpower to kick it. His Master wasn't pleased to say the least and slapped him in the most humiliating manner which. Fury awoken in Cassius who despite his injuries tried to attack his Master. Vallo with cold patience slapped the boy away until he passed out from pain once the adrenaline worn off. It was the third lesson this day. Cassius would never again take much pleasure in killing a living being and begin to treat it as necessary act rather than something to strive for.
After this Cassius became much more obedient and controlled but what was even more surprising, he grew more attached to his Master. As if the show of domination broke something more in him than just bones. Cassius learned fast - saw connections between act and consequences clearly enough to know what served his benefit. Vallo giving him borders neither of parents did showed he cared, maybe even more than his family and Cassius fed into it, finally accepting completely and utterly his Master. Something that forged the relationship that would last next four decades.
When his injuries healed, the boy started to learn saber form of his choice - Soresu that came in handy on Nar Shaddaa where blasters were more common than sabers. This form represented everything Cassius strove to achieve - elegance, efficiency and resilience. It was graceful and let him dominate the foe without brutally slaying him which in turn kept the dark side at bay though temptations were always there.
Few times Vallo had to still the boy from finishing off their bounty, often punishing Cassius harshly. In time the heir learned to put his wits first, learned to see a use in a dominated foe more than in dead one. He began to manipulate, using subtle influenced of his mind to coax proper reactions but something else counted more than shattering thoughts of others. It was the mental discipline to hide his powers when back home and why keeping to the grey side of the Force benefited more in the place ruled by the Jedi. Cassius trained for hours to just get a hold of the Force around him. It cost plenty of headaches to master Sense and Telepathy enough to leave his father's mansion and remain under the sensitive radar. Of course the Jedi would know, at least some of them but Vallo made sure his pupil would remain untainted by the dark side.
After few months of training in Soresu Basko decided his padawan still didn’t learn enough of Shi-Cho. This sudden change angered Cassius who couldn’t accept he was just not good enough. His Master’s disappointment was enough to push himself more. Even at home, when he was suppose to study, the heir trained his saber forms to prove Vallo wrong. This of course had influence on Cassius grades as even the most intelligent child couldn’t keep up with such demanding training. It began to infuriate Hadrian who pushed his son to be perfect in every aspect of life which only caused growing rebellion in a teenage boy. Finally Hadrian forbid trips to the Rim until Cassius would better his schooling achievements, but Vallo found a way to keep the heir’s busy.
When he reached his sixteenth year of life, Cassius already knew bits and pieces of two saber forms but it were his telepathic and telekinetic skills that would in future become his most formidable weapons. The heir trained them anywhere he could - moving objects in the house, trying to mess with his brother’s head. Darius...Darius wasn’t happy about what Cassius had become. The brothers were never close, especially with the older one clearly abusing seemingly not so gifted sibling. Though one person Cassius clearly detest was his mother - a spoiled, capricious woman whose moods went rampant from month to month. He often found himself tricking his mother, playing cruel pranks on her. Causing endless river of tears and pretenses. Hadrian only watched it and laughed.
During this time Vallo brought a gift for the boy he secretly began to consider his son. After all it was him who Cassius bonded with, not the strict father. It was a saber crystal, clear and blue. The boy reached for it with hesitation, something strangely human began to shine in his normally impassive, cold eyes. ‚Promise me, never leave the grey path you have chosen.’ Vallo demanded before letting go of the crystal. Cassius nodded, making a promise he would later never break when faced with dark temptations. ‚Now, build your own saber’ Basko patted his pupil on the back.
It took him almost two years - Cassius had always been meticulous perfectionist and would never let himself to ruin such beautiful crystal. It wasn’t a common, light blue but deeply azure with crystal shine to it. The heir, now reaching adulthood, meditated for hours every other day to sharpen his mind. The saber and the Force training continued with rare trips outside the Core. He did pull up his grades to unsatisfactory average but Cassius began to understand if he was going to be powerful, there would be a price to pay. He self-studied mostly, uncaring about what material there was at school. The boy dived into ancient history, modern economy, art and math. Darius was preparing himself of the Republic officer’s academy, trying this way win over their patriotic father but Hadrian saw only one son in his life. Something that tore apart any hope for bonding between Darius and Cassius.
Right after Cassius finished his lightsaber, Vallo took him to Tatooine where the boy had faced his first foe in a combat. They worked for a Hutt whose warehouses were being attacked almost every night. The guards were found dead, horribly disfigured by imminence heat. When they accepted the job, Cassius - now much more humble - took a name Darek that would serve him for years to come. The boy began to understand that as an elitist heir to the family fortune he wouldn’t be able to learn. Galaxy looked as it did with aliens going rampant, hoarding fortunes. Only molding into their reality could give him enough power to let his ambitious plans come to fruition.
It was a Miraluka Dark Jedi, hired by Jobo’s rival, that was responsible for the attacks. Cassius could sense his darkness, as the alien walked through the doors, surprised to see only two humans, even if both force users. Without needless words Cassius attacked but Vallo stayed a bit behind, haphazardly giving his pupil a time to learn in the heat of battle. The boy wasn’t arrogantly unprepared, like years ago. He knew it was only about standing up for few minutes before his master would step in. One couldn’t learn without risk, something Hadrian would never approve, seeing this.
The lessons in Soresu didn’t go to waste and Cassius efficiently blocked his opponent, avoiding any aggressive moves. Wanted to tire him out, frustratingly dodging and side stepping, nimbly dancing around the foe until he made a mistake and his precious saber had been forced away from the tight grip. Cassius screamed, feeling heat grazing his hand, spilling nasty burn across it. Only barely the boy avoided losing his limb.Only then Vallo stepped in, burning the dark one with power Cassius had never behold before. It was pure fury....No, not fury. It was a just anger, it was pure blue, like a color of cool vengeance.
The boy pulled himself up, pressing wounded arm tightly to his side. With eyes open in awe. 'What was that?' Cassius asked with unusual emotional quality to his voice. His master looked at his hands and the dying dark one, but there was no gloating victory in his expression, only sadness mixed with anger. He turned his gaze toward the boy, so fascinated by this newly found power. 'It was what made me leave the Order.' Vallo just replied and Cassius could sense by now when not to ask for more.'I want to know it.' The boy demanded instead but Bask only returned a stern gaze with no promise of new power. 'Only when you will learn how to tell right from wrong.' The master claimed and refused to talk about for the next year.
Cassius received black, polymer glove to hide terribly burned hand. The scars couldn't be removed with simple surgery as they were caused by the most powerful weapon in the Galaxy. The half cybernetic protection would stay with him for the rest of his life. Seeing the state his son had returned in from the trip, Hadrian forbid Cassius to leave the Core but no more had he any sway over this young man. The boy could now easily trick his parent, coerce into things the old senator didn't want but Cassius never crossed the border that would lead toward the darkness. Vallo had taught him well and what was most important - showed that light could be as frightening and unyielding as darkness.
Something changed about the boy, he became less hostile and more pleasant. Understood the power of good deeds toward fellow humans. His strict moral code began to shape, very firmly telling what was wrong and right. Strong affiliation toward his own species turned him into a patriot who didn't shy from generous gestures and helped humans in need to strengthen their kind. Justice, or how he understood it, led him now paired with dislike toward those who fell. His master started to think Cassius truly took reign over his own dark ambitions.
At this point Vallo showed his pupil basics of powers that would disarm and not kill. Cassius accepted this school and began to prefer dominate his foes rather than murder them. The act itself was wasteful, unless in self-defense. He tried to focus the Force to blind them, though for now those tries looked more like firecrackers than something legit. Small steps - Cassius used to tell himself and with newly found patience managed to graduate high school with average grade. It was a satisfactory score considering how little he paid attention to the official grades, studying what he liked and when he liked between sessions of murderous training.
By now Hadrian had absolutely no say in the family matters, letting his older son and Vallo decide. He gave up without a fight, giving the senator was nearing his ninety birthday. Darius had always been submissive one and just shipped himself to military school, barely contacting his family. Cassius was happy to be rid of the Liviana failure. Even when his mother died in the speeder crash, Darius would refused to attend the funeral ceremony which marked him as a black ship, leaving Cassius as good, responsible and broken son. This role he played well, slowly fitting in the lying society of the Core high and mighty. Deep down, he didn't care about Francesca who never wanted him. Vallo could understand it - the woman had always showed nothing but resentment toward her firstborn. Cassius just paid back with his own attitude. It was just. Darius was secretly scared of his brother, all in the family slowly began to fear the strange boy.
"A friend to all is a friend to none." (19-25)
Adulthood - Cassius couldn't be more happy when his eighteen birthday ticked and passed, leading him into nineteenth year of life. He was still no more than a padawan to his Master but not for society. After Hadrian passed away, another fact Cassius accepted with frightening indifference, the boy finally became a man and lord to the Liviana house. One thing he promised to his father and Cassius, very just man to those who deserved it, had to fulfill the old senator's wish, no matter how difficult. This one seemed like more challenging task than any foe he had meet so far whilst traveling with Vallo. He should finally get married and ensure his family would thrive.
Very unwilling, but true to his words, Cassius began to court a daughter to another prominent family. Foolish but a stunning girl with bloodline as old as his. Vallo watched and cringed at the theatrics. He, unlike most of people around Cassius, knew the young man's preferences, though didn't fully understand them. 'Are you sure of this, Cassius?' He once asked, but the Liviana heir wouldn't hear it. 'I promised it to my father.' Cassius just said, cutting all discussion. So far he maintained few shallow friendships at most which made Basko wonder for how long the young man could keep up this facade and emulate being in love with a woman he disliked.
'She is so noisy and stupid.' He complained to Vallo. The master just sighed and patted Cassius on the back not willing to condemn the boy for keeping up a promise. Such deeds would keep him from the capricious temptations of the dark side. Before the ceremony, the master and his padawan once more went to Nar Shaddaa and this time around worked for much more important Hutts. Darek slowly began to build his position, not really of Force power that still was far from knight level but what maybe counted even more on a moon full of traitors - he always kept true to his word when it came to business as well as never accepted an assassin's jobs. Vallo and Darek were known for their solid deals, always getting the job done: one way or another.
Cassius made up for still fledgling powers with smart tactic and cunning traps. Practicing forces powers and more than anything - telepathy. It was a crucial skill for him now along telekinesis. He would constantly shield himself from prying senses of others at the same time always carefully prodding his surroundings. Cassius of course neglected other aspects of the Force and would never truly learn healing nor destruction. The true test of his skills came with first won duel over a dark jedi that didn't like the fact the pair snatched the job from under his nose. Very young and arrogant Torguta cornered Cassius when Vallo was away for a moment.
The duel erupted between the young force users with Torguta barely reaching his knighthood. By this time Cassius perfected his basic form with few trained moves from Soresu, though the Torguta knew more but unlike Cassius, he was brash and hot-headed. From early age trained to focus, the human didn't engage aggressively, letting Torguta to tire himself with reckless attacks he swiftly dodged. 'Fight you coward!' taunted the alien but the young man remained calm. Finally, seeing the opponents struggle to force tired muscles to another bullhead attack, Cassius lightly sidestepped and tapped in the Force, causing a flash of light to erupt in darkness for a heartbeat catching the Torguta by surprise. Enough for Cassius to cut off his hand that held the lightsaber. The young man fell to the knees, next to his opponent, tired from the exertion and with pounding head. The telepathic link he tried to establish with his foe to read his intentions now faded among violent screams from the wounded dark one.
Cassius knew he pushed over the safe limit, not the first and not the last time the Liviana heir abused his body like this. After a moment Cassius pulled himself up and took the lightsaber - it reeked with the taint and with growing disgust the man threw it into the nearest trash compactor. He left the Torguta there, the scavengers would finish the job. Vallo found his pupil, nodding and admitting he was silently watching and was proud of Cassius decision to let the alien live. Years of hard work on the boy's personality finally bore fruits.
There were non force users to fight as well, but those Cassius tried to dispatch without much power. With subtle manipulation and telepathic trickery. There was no justice in stepping on bugs after all. He protected humans from abuse of aliens, never asking for anything in return, often paid their debts and slowly build a support with whispers of grateful humans. Human crimelords of the Hutt space began to turn their eyes on Darek, a mysterious vigilante that openly placed himself on human side of things.
That was when Cassius met Broca, just as he was going back on Coruscant to get married. They both were twenty one and shared humanocentric sympathies. The young soldier got in troubles on his shore leave. The Liviana heir found him fighting against two burly Twi'leks. Cassius quickly dispatched then, it was enough they saw his lightsaber and for the first time in his life, Cassius was offered a friendly drink. As usually the heir was reserved at first but quickly warmed up to the strange Corellian. After a night of drunk talks the normally aloof, young man found a friend he could admire for his skills and views.
Broca was his best man on the wedding, a fact that shocked many. Cassius Liviana had a friend and from now on the heir began to socialize more, honing his social skills and taking pleasure in some interactions. He gathered around him a group of young Core aristocrats, unhappy with how open Coruscant was to alien filth. Rumor carried there was something off with Liviana, that he had keen sense and knew too much but the heir guarded his secrets well and only Broca, now officer in the Navy was the only one aware.
Elena, Cassius' wife, a model and self-proclaimed fashion designer was unstable and moody creature. Traits the man hated as they brought memories of his selfish mother. But she knew the deal and accepted the rules in change for good, rich filled life. The moments when Cassius forced himself to share bed with her was unpleasant for them both and as soon as his wife got pregnant the marriage fell apart on the basic, intimate level. The man treated Elena in the most demeaning way, especially after his daughter was born. He never forgave her for birthing such weakling, so similar in behavior to her loathed grandmother. Cassius did everything to be away from home, leaving Elena in the empty palace to fend for their daughter. Soon, the unhappy wife developed the habit of drug and alcohol abuse, often discarding the lonely child in hands of servants.
In the meantime Darek began to use his money and powers more on Nar Shaddaa, buying Hutts good graces and worming his way into the crime world of the moon, knowing he would never make such money in the Core on legal business. Vallo still accompanied him and still trained him until Cassius didn't reach his knighthood at twenty three, finally being skilled enough to stand up to many dark side barely made knights that swarmed on the smuggler's moon. They had powers but not so much of cold discipline Cassius imposed on himself. Simple criminal scum became a target for him to build more territory for his influence and engage in games the Hutts and other crimelords played there. In span of few months Cassius had bought few factories, shares of gold mines, invested in security companies and top notch education helped him to outsmart many of the lesser bosses.
One more skill came of use in those times - telepathy. He often spent hours on parties just to graze over criminal minds that dwelt there.Thanks to connections he made in the Hutt Cartel got him invitations to the palaces, among the most depraved and broken. But it paid off and even his strict moral code, a gift from Vallo, came in handy. They trusted him and thanks to his powers, Cassius often expected possible betrayals, keeping his enemies always few steps behind. Still, he avoided playing in the first league because that would bring too much attention the man didn't need.
Less present in his life, but Basko was still there, training him in the Force and art of the saber. Cassius began to learn new style of combat, more aggressive and direct - Ataru. It felt different than Soresu and didn't seem to fit the man's rather mild temper but the man could find appeal in it. His friendship with Broca had showed him sometimes brute strength had its uses. Every day he spent hours on training, studying to finish university and tending to his business in the Hutt space. His family saw him once a week if they were lucky...Or unlucky as he always demanded more perfection. Especially from his daughter that was not almost two years old and grew to be a spoiled brat.
The young heir's wife couldn't bear the insults and frequent abuse. She let herself to succumb more into blissful nirvana of sleeping pills and alcohol. After Cassius heard she frequently made fool out of herself and run her mouth about his trips, he decided enough was enough. After the man made sure Elena wouldn't hear the reason and go on the rehab he asked Broca for a favor. To make his wife an offer to try new kind of drug, mixed with plenty of alcohol. Broca liked to charm ladies and had a gift when it came to it. The lonely woman accepted the attention like a hungry shark and they tasted new pills together in one bed. The soldier made sure the alcohol was generously flowing and the reckless girl didn't count drinks.
Elena didn't wake up the next morning - cause of death: overdose.
This experience sealed the friendship Broca and Cassius shared. When the soldier was accused of war crimes it was Liviana who paid for favors to drop charges and let Broca go with only dishonourable discharge. After all, it was Cassius who only two years before founded a hospital for veterans on Coruscant. One good deed already paid off...He hired lawyers that argued it was Broca's CO that issued an order to interrogate the prisoners of war. The sharpshooter claimed he had been just fulfilling his duties and obeyed his leader.
Cassius hired Broca as his security chief and often kept around in the Hutt space. Vallo had mixed feelings about it. The soldier seemed violent, cruel and killed with too much ease but Cassius didn't change his ways. He never killed anyone unless it was self-defense, but the master feared now he became a murderer but with a human tool to keep his hands clean.
Vallo never learned the truth behind Elena's death as Cassius grew strong enough to shield himself from other telepaths. His own work began to be noticeable, long days of meditation honed the heir's skills in this aspect. Something he used now even more when it came to business deals. As usually, the man paid little attention to Danica who was now four. Occasionally he would slap the spoiled child to force obedience. As a widower before twenty four Cassius became quickly sought out as a good marriage prospect but the man had no patience for this foolishness anymore thinking he wasted enough time to raise one child. He kept up the promise and fathered an heir, even if so terribly unsatisfactory. No more annoying, whiny brats in his home.
Darek on Nar Shaddaa still fought on the front lines, often taking jobs only to further his skills in the Force. Now Broca joined their ranks, a non-force user but a good friend who admired Cassius as a leader he was growing to be. Vallo didn't voice his concerns, now fully honest with himself, the aged grey Jedi had to admit, he loved Cassius like a son, one that seemed damaged beneath all the power and coldness. If Broca's friendship made him happy, so be it. The young man though had still a long way to go in terms of the Force but once more hubris began to creep on the unsuspecting heir.
Cassius grew too assured of himself, something Vallo frequently warned him about but the man was young, rich and thought to be invincible with his powerful friends gathered around. But not all force users on in the Hutt space were talentless hacks. There were masters among them, those that didn't show off nor focused much attention. One day, when Cassius was closing on a deal with one of the Hutts he was attacked and betrayed. Arloz the Hutt disliked how a human like Cassius gained power by supporting human crimelords and hired someone to outmatch the grey knight.
A Firrerreo master stepped in, revealing himself from the force concealment. Without Vallo, with only Broca looking over the meeting from a distance, Cassius had to face the alien himself. They clashed but from the start the human was disadvantaged, lacking training and experience. The Hutts hirelings emptied the room, leaving the two force users. Arloz didn't want the human dead though as much as wanted to show him his place but wouldn't protest if the Firrerreo finished the job.
Violent hiss of sabers filled the palace, furniture began to fly in vicious telekinetic attacks. Cassius was brave and daring but nowhere as good as his opponent. With a surprise he learned the Firrerreo missed few opening to kill him then realization downed on him. The alien wanted to subdue him and maybe then torture only to kill like some dog. Fury downed on the young heir but this wouldn't make up for lack of experience. The Firrerreo played with him like a predator teased his prey before striking. Demeaning slaps, humiliating pushes and taunts.
It was done, Cassius knew he was going to lose but a moment came when the alien turned his attention away from the human man that was now lying on the ground, beat up like an abused mynock. Broca... A slug thrower sniper bullet whizzed past the Firrerreo who skillfully dodged to the side. With a desperate try to save his friend Cassius called in to the Force in a single mental attack. The alien's neurons discharged in a storm of electricity causing immediate, if very short disorientation. A heart beat at most but it was enough for a well trained spec op's sniper.The Firrerreo's brain smeared across the floor and Cassius as the alien's head exploded. This life lesson had brought the most important conclusion - not only Force users could be deadly. The man took this knowledge to heart, often relying on Broca's good aim and sharp sight to protect him later on.
Still, the duel was lost and Cassius had to swallow this bitter pill. He was nowhere close to become a Master, bah, he was barely a knight. With this humiliating discovery, the man returned to Vallo, asking for more lessons. The aged Jedi looked at the young man's bruises. Took in new resolve that burned in his eyes and nodded in agreement. Even when faced with a defeat Cassius didn't reach to the dark pool of the tainted powers. It sealed his grey path, set on a just course. It was time for him to learn the powers of hard justice but for this to happen Cassius had to sacrifice something. And so he did.
The man resigned from official education after getting the lowest degree possible in the economics major. Now he understood, he couldn't become everything. Couldn't be a paragon of knowledge, a doctor of arts and a powerful knight. Cassius chose to focus his next five years on harsh training and spreading influence in the Hutt Space. His daughter was nearing five, still not enough for him to get interest in her, visiting the girl from time to time, learning if she made any viable progress. He ordered her to be given dance lessons, etiquette and good manners. It pained him Danica had the gift but no temperament to go with it. Cassius decided she would never learn it, never know about her sealed medical records. No, she would get marry well and maybe give him a worthy heir because nothing good could come from teaching such capricious, moody brat the ways of the Force.
Cassius closed all the deals he had on Coruscant and moved to live as Darek on Nar Shaddaa, once a month visiting his family. Darius fell off the radar in his military school though - few times a year sending laconic messages. He got married on Corellia with a nice, local girl. Meaningless crap that had no use for Cassius at all, especially after learning his brother couldn't father a child. Once more Liviana had to face the terrible truth they were a dying bloodline, like many of the ancient families that refused to mingle . But there was still Danica who seemed perfectly healthy, at least physically. After few corrections of course.
"The Sordid Gain." (25-30)
Three human men: Vallo - the grey jedi master, Broca - a fallen soldier and the young heir Cassius came to the smugglers moon with one goal. To solidify Darek's position that considerably dropped after his duel with the golden skinned alien. Cassius began to slowly make his way up the social ladder there. Now investing himself completely in the Force training. With obtained money Broca began to slowly gather a private army that would later serve as Cassius' security on Nar Shaddaa and beyond.
First thing Cassius did in regards to the Hutts, he found one that hated Azrlo the most and offered him help in taking down his opponent. Yolo, young and rather stupid part of the slug's family agreed happily, not sensing any catch. By now the human had learned he had no chance in being on of the powerful Hutts. Not a human, but an impressionable, foolish worm that could be easily manipulated...Why not? At the same time he reached out to the human crimelords of Nar Shaddaa. Petra - the smuggler, Varitas - the spice dealer, Marlo - the 'security' or rather extortion company owner. They flocked around Darek who had influence, Force powers and had helped him in the past. Appealing to their sense of human pride wouldn't do though, money was needed. Everything he made in the Hutt Space was pumped into this alliance to forge strong business partnership between Humans of Nar Shaddaa.
While not busy with this work, Vallo and Cassius prowled the streets, seeking those tainted by the dark side, hoping to cleanse some of the filth off the streets or looked if humans didn't need help. They haunted humans and aliens alike, those who fell and threatened their business. Soon their names carried through the alleys and some vengeful dark ones began to sought the odd pair. But most of them were unstable, disloyal and never could band together for long. Those more powerful simply didn't care most likely aside from those whose private endeavors were disturbed by Darek's business.
Slowly Vallo leaned toward the decision to teach Cassius the questionable power of light. The young man was thrilled by the prospect and carefully listened to Basko teachings. This power came only to those who knew the clear border between dark and light. It reacquired a strict control over anger so it wouldn't swallow the handler, twisting into dark side's rage. It was very hard for Cassius at first whose emotions were never intensive aside from those moments of uncontrollable fury. He had to look for injustice in the world around him, develop further the strict moral code and learn how to recognise this special kind of feeling that appears when people are faced with terrible helplessness when innocent suffered.It took few long months for Cassius to finally learn bits of empathy it needed and tried to use in the never-ending vigilante work.
Those skirmishes with non-force and force users earned Cassius few scars, more than once his Master had to step in but all those experiences furthered his skills. He had learned how to telepathically disarm his opponents with a neural storm and blind them with the light. Soresu became the heir's favorite form but after experience from few years back, he decided not to neglect Ataru. Such vigilante acts were rarely looked upon with favor and Hutts especially saw it as a territorial war. And maybe in a way, they were though the pair watched on whose playground they threaded, sometimes letting go of someone only because they didn't want to stir the ruling worms.
It didn't set well with Cassius who developed strong sense of justice, especially when it came to humans. Aliens...He didn't care what happened to them - they were dirt on his shoe at the best unless they wanted to fight him. There was one case especially that finally let the heir to know the same power his Master manifested. It happened in one of the poor districts, a couple of aliens, followed by a Corellian Force user harassed a human family. Threatening them with slavery, leaning to touch their daughter. But this was not what stirred most of the anger, no. The fact that one of the harassers was a human did though. The Force user, not one the dark side. A grey one.
Burning anger shot up in normally cold, emotionally still Cassius. One of them grabbed a human girl and tossed her away. The poor father lounged after her but a punch to the head rendered him unconscious. Vallo silently nodded at his pupil, feeling the turmoil this image had caused. Cassius, normally unsympathetic individual could relate to the man who protected his daughter from filthy, alien paws. He would do the same, one father to another.
Cassius intervened, alone, without Vallo who only watched from a distance, keeping telepathic link with his student. He could sense the rage building up in the young man. Righteous anger, cold and detached. Anger at the unfairness of the situation, anger at those who had no right to bully this family. Harness it Echoed in the heir's mind. Harness this rage, take it under control, don't let it go. Cassius listened to the instructions that his Master whispered through the Force. He showed him how to woven the threads of this power and then it came to the young man in a form of crystal clarity.
Emerald light erupted from the Liviana heir, surge of electricity seared the other Force user, throwing him thirty feat away, rendering him unconscious. But Cassius didn't stop, he didn't want to stop. Others spread away, running from the green lightning. NO! Hit Cassius like a hammer. The man stumbled forward, the verdant aura fading away. Only then the boy realized how close he came to the dark side. How tempting this kill would have been.
'Master' Cassius breathed, falling to his knees. Tired, with pounding headache.'This power doesn't exist to murder a helpless foe. It is there to harness anger at injustice. Murder here wouldn't be justice here as he didn't fall.' Vallo explained, pulling his pupil upward. Cassius was a knight but still had plenty to learn. Despite winning the duel, the man felt like a failure, punishing himself for letting this vile temptation to taint him. The aged Master recognized this torment. 'There is nothing wrong in being tempted, only to fall for it' Vallo explained and gestured at the family Cassius had saved. The father of the head knelt before his savior but Basko quickly told him to stand. Not letting sweet poison of vanity to awake in Cassius. 'I've done what was necessary' The young heir admitted with typical aloofness and walked away, ignoring any attempts the family made to pay him.
For the next decade Cassius would learn how to recall those wrecking emotions that lead to a discharge of the emerald light. He would train this ability, always remembering not to cross the line, never again to follow dark whispers, instead increasing discipline of his meditation. Making sure his telepathy remained at the finest shape to shield his presence from others but also to recognize subtle manipulation of the lingering darkness. He began to learn how to push his body to the limits as he was never the fastest and strongest of men, but it was a dangerous road as Cassius never stopped himself from abuse what nature had given him: mentally or physically which showed in how little time he spent on learning protection or healing.
The training continued as Cassius' influence grew among the Hutts. Yolo appeared to be a very useful pawn. He listened to the strange, saber wielding human in almost every aspect, letting him lead and only take ripe fruits of luxury. Cassius agreed to this deal, knowing it was the only way but there were Hutts that didn't like this set up. They accused Yolo of selling out to humans who now owned a fair share of Nar Shaddaa pie. The alliance Cassius invested in paid off finally and by the age of 29 he owned various clubs, galleries, shopping centers, mines, factories. He became a second league player among the lords of the Hutt Space thanks to smart investments and ability to plan few steps ahead which came in handy in more than just Force duels. Honed senses and telepathy helped as well, but Cassius rarely called in for his powers in deals. A part of him truly considered it unfair but also to make sure others trusted him not to use them. It took years but those allies that stuck around with their loyalty came to know Liviana as a solid ally who gave them room for their own secrets.
He listened to the warnings woven in the Force though and more than once expected a treason. Sometimes Cassius willfully stepped into a business trap, not to let others see he could avoid them. A reliable ally made mistakes, even so controlled ones. There were those situations that ended with gore and guts spilled everywhere but as his power in the Force grew, Cassius began to rely on Broca's security much more. A paradox one might think but the heir knew that Force rarely won wars as much as single battles. He needed loyal non force users, common soldiers to have his own, small Empire. The man still trained and trained with faltering, steel discipline on rare occasions indulging in sophisticated pleasures.
When Cassius returned to Coruscant he was a prominent Nar Shaddaa businessman, known for his operation in the Hutt space with telepathy developed enough to shield himself everywhere and anywhere he would go which was a constant training in its own right. Cassius reveled the control the Force, especially telepathy and telekinesis gave him but he wasn't a fool to show off his skills in the Core like some wild, slum child. No, he needed something legal, something to make his name on the Humanity's home world.
"Crime Does Pay" (31-36)
Thus, Livco was born. The very day Cassius met Vanya, a young architect and interior decorator. By this time, the Liviana heir could be more relaxed when he deemed it needed and learned to enjoy simpler things than just besting oneself. This small shift in the attitude helped him to relate more, to understand others better which helped him to use telepathy not only to shield himself but also peer into others minds, playing with memories and emotions. He felt more assured now, but also more humble. During his years on Nar Shaddaa Cassius met more experienced Force users who he had defeated but also those younger than him that nearly took his life. One could never lower their guard, no matter how skilled, trained and experienced they were.
It was a shocking experience for Cassius,to find himself able to actually love another being without self-interest. He had good friends but no one like this. Vanya was everything the Coruscanti noble was not - sensitive, fragile and artistic. Like Cassius, he came from the ancient Zhell bloodline though his views were much less radical. The grey knight didn't mind really as without them Vanya still presented sophisticated, regal and elitist upbringing. They started off as friends which slowly morphed into something much more, though kept away from the prying public eye. Vanya became a second parent to Danica, much more forgiving and lenient, recognizing how lonely the girl always was. Cassius allowed it, as he bonded with Vanya to the point his cold exterior began to warm up.It was often Vanya who protected the girl from her father's ire which would cause later on prickly pangs of guilt in Cassius. He would blame this period of leniency for directly leading to the tragedy later on.
His family was much wealthier now, but he didn't use money made in the Hutt space to bring Livco to life. Cassius wanted to be crystal clear, transparent and honest businessman. The man knew the Order would go after him if they sensed as much as a flicker of the dark side so he became even more controlled, more cautious. Careful not to abuse his powers when in the Core and rely only on his cunning intelligence rather than the Force which meant he needed allies.
Cassius renewed his old friendships, connections his father had and began to circle around humanocentric political crowd. They knew Liviana and respected this name which made easier for the man to gain their financial support. His views after all were not much different - he wanted to see the Core clean of aliens, near-human or not though publicly Cassius tried not to sound too radical but it wasn't a secret his company hired mostly humans.
Livco started as one gallery, then a fancy club and as years went by it grew to host important events, own a chain of restaurants, pubs, clubs, galleries that spread through the Core. Cassius never hid his interest in Nar Shaddaa but no one could punish him for conducting business there that always came clean on the paper work. His human allies, like Petra, made sure to sell him ships and smuggle goods to Outer Rim but nothing of this would influence Livco business. Cassius never used money made in the Hutt space to help the legal company so no one could prosecute those deals and made sure his business with Hutts looked crystal clear. After all there wasn't any embargo placed on the Hutt space. Many Republic businessman traded with them.
The Liviana patriarch still trained, ever days spending at least few hours on training and meditation. On Nar Shaddaa he would test those skills as Darek, even though many knew by now who he really was. Accompanied by his chief of security and Master Vallo, the man honed his body, telekinetic, sense and especially telepathy aspects of the Force. Only after unfortunate encounter that nearly cost him his life and added a terrible looking scar on his chest, Cassius decided to focus a bit more on how to raise barriers, at least the basic ones. Duel after duel, sometimes the man found himself provoking others to strike - random alien thugs or dark ones. To best himself more, to break all the physical limitations he might have had.
Officially Cassius was Livco owner but for many years Vanya tended to the business so his friend could focus on training and the Hutt games. He was an artist, which shaped Livco to be a company that catered to bohemian society as well as politicians. The bond between two men grew and soon they stopped shying from what they had really become. For the first time Cassius admitted to honest care for someone and that what he feared would make him weak only let the grey knight to know the wide range of emotions. It opened his sense to others, telepathic ability to link with others feelings. Those simple facts gave him more than hours of meditations. - it was a leap he needed to feel assured about his skills in the Force.
Years to come strengthen his position in the Hutt space, placing Cassius in stable alliance with Yolo, who still agreed to play a wormy pawn, and other Hutts. There were enemies as well, but the Cartels reached uneasy equilibrium finally accepting those couple of humans that helped the overall economy. He wasn't the most important player though, leaving the top for the most powerful Hutts but considering where Cassius had started, it was a satisfactory achievement. One that brought him enough money to invest in more business opportunities, security and travels to Outer Rim in search of new challenges.
In those rare moments he had some time, the grey knight spent them with Vanya and Danica who was now a problematic teenager. With growing distaste Cassius watched who his daughter chose to accompany her. He started to control her, demand attention and obedience. Cassius took her to parties, showing off like a beautiful toy. The man despised the girls unstable moods, trying to force discipline on her with blackmail, sometimes open abuse.
'You are suppose to listen!' He demanded but Danica seemed like her mother and grandmother: selfish, vain and capricious. A prospect on marrying Danica off shaped to be a difficult endeavor, seeing what company she sought out. Not for a first time Cassius had to scare the unfitting suitors away. Buy them off, sometimes blackmail.
No alien would look at his daughter as long as he lived.
Vallo didn't appreciate how his pupil treated his daughter but also recognized that the girl was difficult. Cassius believed he did what other fathers would, wanted Danica to be a proper lady, silent and obedient but she always would prove how useless her whole being was. The failure of Liviana withering genetics had been all too obvious in the young girl who so terribly failed to be perfect. Like Cassius wanted her to be.
And one day he snapped, first time in years showing how much anger could brew under this cold surface. When his daughter tried to sneak in back home after a late meeting with a son of an Echani senator Cassius was waiting. Broca had Danica tailed and counted hours she had spent in the Echani's penthouse. Without a word he grabbed her hair and ignoring helpless pleads, pushed the girl's head under water of their swimming pool. It was Vanya who saved the poor daughter that day, calming infuriated Cassius.
As the anger died down, Cassius discovered how once again he fail to keep the dark temptation at bay. Shocked by his own actions, the man stepped away from the sobbing girl and quickly called his Master, seeking solace and advice in a long meditation. After this, he would never strike his daughter out of anger, but only when he felt it had a purpose in better upbringing and turning Danica into a'good' daughter. This event showed Cassius he still had work to do, still there were skills he needed to sharpen. His telepathic ability now began to serve as self-awareness tool, monitoring carefully own thoughts and behaviors. It was just another step on the way to unachievable perfection.
"Götterdämmerung." (37-45)
Both business flourished, Cassius attended business meeting after business meeting, forged alliances and increases influences in both, the Core and the among the Hutts. As if to keep equilibrium, the man's private life began to fall apart like a house of cards. Vanya's constant pleads to stay with him and drop the foolish duels that would get Cassius killed one day; Danica's acting outs that brought nothing but misery. The more his family bonds deteriorated, the more Cassius pushed himself in his training. Refusing to give up even an hour, turning down one raid his allies concocted on Nar Shaddaa. Always on the front lines, Cassius believed nothing would teach him but experience.
Shallow friendships were retained though and the man invested plenty of time in the politics. To make sure proper men, humans of course, would be chosen to rule. He supported humanocentric views at the same time donating generously to veteran hospitals and medical research that was focused on humanity. Considered a philanthropic by many, Cassius gathered allies around that in turn supported his business plans. A self-adoration circle of human supremacist. Broca remained a loyal friend, as did Vallo and newly hired Devon who admired his boss for steely discipline.
After his forty second birthday the aged Master did something that left Cassius' world shattered. That he had nothing else to teach him and they were finally equals. Their road that lasted for more than three decades was over. It was hard to accept, especially with how the Liviana heir revered his Master as paragon of just power. Vallo couldn't decide if he succeeded in teaching the boy proper difference between right and wrong. Or maybe he pushed too much and his mistakes showed in how Cassius mistreated his child. Regardless, he loved Cassius like a son - a son that was now ready to function alone. The old Master was tired and gnawed at by age; he needed a rest from the constant fights on Nar Shaddaa.
The men kept in touch though and Cassius still would sought Vallo's wise input even if their time together came to an end. It was the first blow, the other came with sudden death. Vanya died on heart attack which left already distraught grey master devastated. First and only love of his life was gone; there was nothing to fill it in. Long weeks Cassius meditated only to find solace in the most dangerous places of Outer Rim. As if he taunted death: 'Come, get me! Try!'.
One time he brushed against the black lady when recklessly stepping onto the dark jedi territory on Ryloth. The Twi'lek didn't like Cassius, sensing the disdain he held for his people. How he felt better than anyone else. The two clashed under the planet's bright moons. The human didn't hold back, employing the aggressive saber form he knew and so recently mastered. Burning anger fed on his soul, pushing him to action. The dark side temptation grew with every slash the azure saber made and soon it was hard to fight this urge. Having lost one he loved, Cassius felt little need for caution which made him sloppy and the Twi'lek got the upper hand and the human found himself without his precious lightsaber.
Only when death was ready to lay its cold breath on him something awoke in Cassius. There were still things to be done, still a mission his family carried for centuries and his death would make centuries come to waste. Letting go of anger and hatred that drilled his soul after Vanya's death, the man called in to the Force, letting blinding light to erupt in stars' licked darkness. The Twi'lek, too assured of his victory was taken by surprise. Cassius called his lightsaber and cut off the alien's arm but didn't kill him. No, the moral backbone Vallo so strictly instilled in his pupil once more kept Cassius safe from the devastating influence of the dark side.
After this Cassius slowly rose from ashes of depression but his emotions now ran much colder than before. There was a strange determination shining in his eyes. Life of a human wouldn't last for centuries so it was time to do something meaningful. Now a Master himself, Cassius went to Nar Shaddaa once more to make sure his position remained strong. He disposed of Yolo, swiftly and without much fuss, leaving all the dirty work to Broca. Slowly, he began to gather all the money and challenge his enemies there to act.
Humans of the moon stood beside him when he made sure their district was safe from alien harassment. His Hutts allies wouldn't protest as the man's investments became vital to their own business. Finally making his ideals true - to helps his species thrive, barely aware his own daughter sabotaged his own plans by keeping despicable company of near-humans. Though before all the carefully laid plans could come to fruition, his body finally claimed 'stop' to harsh training and abuse Cassius had put it through. Undiagnosed aneurysm gave up, bursting under his skull, damaging lower parts of the brainstem. Leaving him comatosed for the next two years.
"Death Is The Road To Awe." (47 - current)
The darkness that enveloped it wasn't solid and unmoving. He felt threads of the Force calling to him, old memories resurfacing and visions of the ancient past - all his ancestors gifted with the Force digging their cold fingers in his flesh. His senses spread as if enveloping entire universe until it all felt like one, giant organism connected with thin threads of the Force.
'Omnipotence...'
First thing Cassius felt upon waking up was pain drilling holes in his skull. Broca, Devon and Vallo stood around the bed, their souls filled with hopeful expectations. Time invested in building alliances brought the most unexpected results and the Liviana patriarch was truly missed by some. With the help of billion credits the experimental nano neural regeneration was implemented. Higher parts of the brain remained intact, so it was a matter of rebuilding the stem and midcortex. The therapy was a success though Cassius' body suffered more than his brain.
Only the closest of his friends knew about this miraculous awakening as Cassius body was very weak which made him vulnerable. Though oddly enough his Force powers didn't falter, on the contrary. The near death experience seemed to unlock something in him, something that let him see more in the Force, though the price of this was his health. The man's body would never again be as fit, his strength was now only average as was speed. He still knew mastery of three saber forms but needed the Force to aid him which put more and more strain on already aged body. Cybernetic implants did help but only so his limbs wouldn't become completely useless.
It took almost two years for him to regain satisfactory control over his body. It was easy to fool his daughter and all those who wrote him off as dead. The private clinic knew its allegiance, it was built for Cassius money after all. He returned to his private, very secured mansion on Nar Shaddaa and tried to gather what was left from his empire. Broca made sure some of it survived but it was but an echo of former glory. In the meantime Veritas was killed by Petra so the fragile alliance Cassius kept together fell apart. Fortunately Devon kept most of the assets from Danica grasp but the things his daughter did when finally free off his control were unspeakable.
To compensate for physical damage the man began to rely on the Force to regain at least a shred of former strength and speed. During those two years Vallo visited his pupil helping him to harness this power, knowing fully well the abuse it would put his body through. Cassius insisted on it though. What for he had skills in saber fight if wouldn't be able to use them? Even with harsh training the effect wasn't all this satisfactory leaving this ability only slightly above average. Once more Cassius had to settle for imperfection.
When the final straw was broken on the camels' back and Danica fled Republic space, stealing third of his Hutt space assets with help from some dark sider riffraff Cassius decided to give her a lesson. His presence is known now and the Core humanocentric allies stirred in expectation so the man wants to finish his long term project that came to a rapid halt with his accident.
Roleplay Sample: .
A plume of fragrant smoke appeared in the air from the expensive, Coruscant cigar. It danced slowly toward a ventilation shaft watched vigilantly by a pair of stark green eyes. Cassius inhaled deeply, enjoying this ridiculously expensive smoke. It had been too long since he truly enjoyed something so simple yet extravagant. Hopefully today it would change. With small, content smile the human turned from a panoramic view of a waterfall and toward the entrance to the VIP lounge of the overpriced club. For a moment he passively listened to the Force only to dull his own presence in it to a small flicker. Appearing as an average bread eater to anyone skilled in reading strings of the Force.
He was alone here, leaving Broca behind on Coruscant. This was something he had to tend personally but it had been intrigue, rather than malice that pushed the Liviana owner to act. Who was this boy that dragged himself around Danica? That lovesick pup that had killed so much of Livco security. Or maybe his motives were different. Money? Some imaginary slight against Liviana family? Cassius believed himself to be paragon of knowledge, a good man who always wanted to get to the bottom of things. Like now.
What do you want, Nieraan Onin? Cassius smiled faintly and crushed the rest of cigar in a crystal ashtray. It let out an angry click as if speaking of frustration that coursed through the man's veins. The Firrerreo was a ghost. Nowhere to find, nowhere to dig out. Like a sneaky roach appearing here and there in the Core and Hutt space. Though the CEO knew already one thing – he was a force user of great patience to spend so much time with Danica.
After using all the means to track down the pest, there was only one thing left. Meet him in person. Not as Cassius Liviana of course, that would be too easy. Too obvious and unsophisticated and he was all about doing things as perfect as humanely possible. Remembering this, the man adjusted his perfectly cut jacket that hid still fit body of a warrior in his primes. Still, last years took a toll on Cassius, showing in dulled reflexes. But mind stayed sharp and disciplined even if body refused to. Certainly an arrogant brat would be in for a surprise, from what Broca was telling he had big mouth and even bigger ego.
There was nothing in life Cassius enjoyed more than putting people in their proper place. Especially those that didn't respect their elders. His gaze swept once more over the room, briefly stopping on a large mirror. With a tired sigh the man put in place an unruly strand of gray that nestled itself in his ebony black hair. Would the alien notice the odd similarity Cassius and Danica shared? Maybe but the boy didn't strike Broca as a thinking type. More like a terribly uneducated, brash child that got dangerous toy to play with. ”Dany, how much more will you humiliate yourself only to ruin my day?” He chuckled under his breath, crushing small flickers of irritation this sentence had caused.
Foolish girl. The man leaned against the gilded wall, flicking on and off old fashion chronometer, counting how much the Firrerreo boy would be late. Such types never kept to such boring thing as time but for Cassius it meant discipline, being perfect, impeccable. How a poorly educated alien boy could possibly understand that? The man would forgive him this slight, he was a generous man after all.
*Winner Best Post IC 2013
Race: Human (and proud of it)
Age: 48
Birthplace: Coruscant/ Sahc district
Allegiance: Himself.
Status: Businessman/Crime lord/ Ex-mercenary.
Rank: Master
Height/Weight: 6’5’’/238 pounds
Appearance:
He is a handsome human, very tall and athletic who cares for aesthetics; some would say even too much. The man keeps himself in peak condition through training and meditation, but also isn't above using surgery and expensive cosmetics. Vain to the fault, Cassius wouldn't wear anything cheap nor common. His features are sharp, eyes keen but also cold and apathetic, breaking the impression of gentle charm.
There is a hawkish quality to his looks but there is nothing near human about him. Cassius is proud to be, at least according to him, shining example of pure humanity, and believes to be untainted by other species. Rumour that pleases him the most is that his looks makes him one of the Zhell - the Coruscant human ethnic group; in forgotten legends ancestors to the Humanity that inhabits the Galaxy. This breeding is becoming exceedingly rare with so much mingling, which puts him and regal sculpture of his features among the minority. Cunning, clever glimmer in his eyes often betrays his true nature but he makes sure only few knows about the man's hidden self - ambitious and ruthless.
One thing that stands out is a cybernetic glove richly engraved with sophisticated, floral symbols. It covers a nasty lightsaber scar Cassius earned when in late teen years.Age seems to be easy on him, making Cassius look as if he was in the early forties. According to him it's thanks to good genes, but more due to plenty of help from modern medicine one could reckon.
Personality:
Cassius is a refined man who loves classical art and everything that goes with it. He is charming, appearing to be friendly. Always helpful when it comes to business. The CEO makes an impression of someone rather gentle if not effeminate. The way he speaks is soft, very careful and tidy, only strengthening this image.
Another side of him shows at work. Cassius is strict, very demanding as a boss and hates imperfection in any shape or form. But also knows how to inspire those that strive to better themselves, making him a skilled leader who persuades and inspires rather than punishes. Certainly not out of kindness of his non existing heart but pure efficiency. People tend to work better when not forced to, something Cassius grew to appreciate.
But deep down under the mask of an inspiring leader and charming man lies a very ugly truth. An ambitious, cruel and calculating being. Cassius emotions run cold as he is a cold person to whom such thing as empathy and kindness are often alien. He does attach romantically or emotionally sometimes, but it is always something secondary to work, political and professional goals.
Cassius is an end justifies means person as much as he is stubborn. When he sees a goal or believes in a cause, nothing and no one can deter him from it. Everyone is dispensable. Racist and elitist, Cassius is a firm believer in human superiority. He rarely hires aliens in his company on positions that matter. He thinks they may be cheap, physical labor but nothing else. It pains him Republic consists of non human Senators, but despite this resentment, Cassius considers himself a patriot. Livco owns a charity helping army veterans, all humans of course. Cassius dislikes politics in the Core but he abhorred Sith much more. Which makes him very unhappy person with a tight social network of close friends with similar pro human views. Politicians, businessmen, artists, army men. Not many are invited to Livco's CEO inner circle but when they, he will stay a loyal friend as long as it furthers his goals.
Though having questionable morality Cassius never fell to the dark side temptation. He considers himself too controlled, too perfect and too vain. Following the darkness requires lack of restrain he would never let himself to have. For some it may seem like a feat but those who know him well are aware that with such flat, cold emotionality it is hard to feel any passion. But sometimes, on occasions a icy flares of anger appear, Cassius is tempted to flirt with the darkness, to get a glimpse of what power it could give him and this ambition may be his doom.
He has never taken a life of another, using Force or other means unless in self defence. Cassius ordered hits of course, especially to his personal hitman – Broca but he would never do such thing himself. The man engaged in duels away from Republic space, he had to if wanted to train and better himself in the Force but the Livco owner is disgusted by the act of killing.
Ships/Vehicles:
n/a
Equipment:
Crystal blue lightsaber.
Stats:
Strength - Average
Agility - Average
Intelligence - Superior
Charisma - Above average.
Force Stats:
Telekinetic- Expert
Telepathic- Master
Body- Adept
Sense- Adept
Protection- Expert (changed after running it by Rugs on 11.03.16)
Healing:– Unskilled
Destruction– Unskilled
Combat Training:
Unarmed - Novice
Force Training: (Unskilled, Novice, Apprentice, Adept, Expert, Master)
Force Blinding Expert
Electric Judgment Master
Force Illusion Master
Other Training: (Unskilled, Novice, Apprentice, Adept, Expert, Master)
Languages: Basic, (Master) High Galactic (Expert), Huttese (Adept)
Lightsaber Training:
Shii-Cho-Master
Soresu -Master
Ataru-Master
Biography:
"There is no creature on earth half so terrifying as a truly just man." (0-5)
There is something to be said about powerful, old families that built their name upon corpses of innocents. They hide behind mask of money, behind polite smiles and generous donations but all of them, every single one, has something rotten about them. A disfigured heir, a forgotten bastard, a dead child. In every generation similar drama is bound to repeat itself over and over. A vicious circle of misery, death and loss. Liviana bloodline carried similar taint, though very special in its own way. The family that thousand years ago hoarded riches of slain aliens in bloody crusades of Pius Dea. After the cult fell, Liviana forsworn it, pledging alliance to the new Chancellor.
But how could they wipe away so much hatred? So much blood? The mask they put on brought them into 3660 BBY, helped to build a meaningful position but the purity they held so dearly began to weaken them and centuries after centuries less healthy children were born, leading to only one branch left to carry this ancient name. In such times Cassius and Darius Liviana were brought up, the only surviving Liviana progeny. Cassius was older of the two, a long waited heir to the fortune and a cherished firstborn. His father, a retired Coruscant senator, hoped his children to live up to the family legends – the man wouldn't settle for average and this strive for perfection from early age haunted both boys.
His mother would have claimed there was always something wrong with Cassius. Something terrifyingly different in comparison to other children. He almost never cried, not even when broke his arm while climbing a tall dining table or when someone around showed distress. The boy often looked like a doll with his blank, indifferent gaze that hid cunning curiosity but the true nature, what truly scared Francesca Liviana showed when the boy strangled a small, stray kitten that was offered him as a gift. The mother found her son playing with a fluffy creature which head had been turned to impossible degree. Cassius was three at a time and Francesca's attitude toward him would never be the same again.
Ignored or carefully tip toed around by his mother, the boy had no one else but his father who saw nothing wrong in the way Cassius mishandled the animals. He viewed it as a show of dominance and detached coldness: traits that were carried in the bloodline. It had to in a family that had cruelly taken hundreds of alien lives. But there was something else in the boy, something that appeared among Liviana for the first time in generations– Force sensitivity. The pesky Jedi were quickly turned from their doors, they wouldn't lay a hand on the precious heir but Hadrian also didn't want this talent to be wasted.
It took three years to find a proper candidate, a grey Jedi who got himself in troubles with the Cartels and now needed some solace in the Core, away from the Order.Master Bask Vallo welcomed the opportunity for what seemed to be a fair price: train the boy in the ways of the Force, in turn getting his gambling debts paid - but the moment he saw Cassius, something whispered a warning in Basko's soul. There was no darkness in the child, not in such manner but the former Jedi noticed so little emotion coming from Cassius it frightened him. It almost felt as if the boy was an empty husk, only cunning curiosity paired with healthy caution but not much more.
Despite this inner warning, Vallo agreed to the deal, slightly reluctant at first and so Cassius began his life long journey between light and dark, careful not to overstep any of those boundaries.
"The Jedi Outcast" (6-11)
Francesca hated what Hadrian was doing to his son but not because she cared so much for Cassius but believed he shouldn't handle such power. Not him - this boy who never wanted a cuddle, never cried and never felt remorse over his misdoings. Cassius was obedient though, but only to those he wanted. Master Vallo had difficult time at first to tame the boy who always found a way to spoil his day only to later with innocent, sweet coated lies weasel himself out of troubles. Hadrian definitely let his older son for too much toward others; Darius one the other hand became their mother favorite. A gentle, empathetic boy was deemed a weakling in the eyes of the senator and quickly Cassius became almost a single child for Hadrian.
But Bask wouldn't let the boy to behave like a little demon. No, he would force discipline even harsher than younglings in the Order had. He knew how to do it, being for years a teacher for the youngest among the Jedi. Vallo believed the child needed it to help him control those dark urges it sometimes showed, so he wouldn't fall to the dark side. Day after day Vallo worked on him under watchful eye of his father who started to see the problems with his firstborn. When one day the boy stabbed one of his classmates with a pencil Hadrian said 'enough' and agreed to harsh punishments until Cassius learned strict border between right and wrong. This dichotomy would follow the child into adulthood, giving strong moral compass, as twisted as it may have been.
After two years, when Cassius was nearing his ninth birthday, Vallo decided the boy mastered the basics of social rules. Hadrian made sure ever day his son had something practical to do. Only two, three friends were allowed to visit every month, not to distract his son from greater things. After school - Force training. Always, no matter if Cassius had flu, sore back or bad mood he always had to attend the lessons which slowly began to instill in him the imminence of discipline. Some things just had to be done, no matter the personal cost. Day after day, month after month until Cassius build up the motivation to take his father's ambition for his own.
''I want to be powerful.' Cassius admitted after receiving few more bruises in the training and Vallo hesitated, wondering what would young heir do with it. Once more the Master felt this warning stirring in the pit of his stomach but over the years he grew attached to the boy and what seemed to be impossible at first, Cassius seemed to share this bond. Even the boy's father didn't manage to build such relationship with his son which woke up some form of jealous in Hadrian but the aged politician recognized how important the training had been. The boy learned basics of the lightsaber skill and nature of the Force. Vallo couldn't really tell if Cassius was really talented. He could have sworn there were much more sensitive kids in the Order but this one had something many lacked – pure, untainted determination that made up for not amazing sensitivity or fast reflexes.
Bruises, pain were never an obstacle. Cassius would just get up and continue the exercise until he believed it was flawless. This quality frightened Vallo the most because with that came ruthlessness the Master so hard tried to root out from the boy's soul. To show him a power sparing someone and as the boy came closer to padawan years, Vallo decided to convince Hadrian of letting Cassius travel with him for a time. School wasn't a problem, private tutors ensured enough flexibility but the patriarch would never hear of his only son leaving Force knew where doing Force knew what.
It took months of persuading and promises. Cassius couldn't learn more at home because only experience granted true enlightenment. Finally the logic won over the father's fears – the senator wouldn't agree to mediocrity and the boy would spend ever two months traveling with his Master to Mid and Outer Rim.
"My mind is my weapon." (12-18)
The boy reached his twelfth year of life and it was time for him to test his skills but what was important, Cassius should learn about the Galaxy on his own skin rather than from tall tales. He was eager, though never showed it too openly, already growing up to be reserved and a cold man. They went to visit Nar Shaddaa and from the first moments Cassius begin to hate this den of depravity. At the same time strange fascination started to brew under the indifferent surface. So many alien species that didn't know superiority of humans from the Core. Giant, abhorring worms ruled the place and first thing Cassius had learned was to keep his mouth shut about racist attitude he took from family home. It wasn't easy not to behave with inborn superiority and once more push of self-control was imposed on the heir.
At this point Cassius began to specialize in which aspects of the Force he preferred. Having always a keen, sharp mind and compulsive need to gain knowledge his natural choice was Telepathy. For hours they would stroll the streets, prodding the minds of simple passerby's. With fascination the boy listened to the Force trying to discover their thoughts, superficial and honest. It wasn't possible at first of course but slowly Vallo tried to show the boy how the Force wove around other beings consciousness. How false sentient creatures could be? Alien filth was not this much different than humans which only strengthen already radical beliefs – how dared those lower beings emulate superior race? Disorderly harassing and enslaving true masters of this Galaxy. This shouldn't happen...
Vallo didn't share the xenophobic views and often tried to talk Cassius down but sometimes still very young boy couldn't help himself. It was during such outburst of anger a Zabrak Dark Jedi overheard them and decided to step in, if only to gain pleasure from what seemed an easy kill. He attacked without warning but Vallo reacted quickly, pushing the reckless boy away. They engaged, hiss of sabers filled the cantina and patrons left it in a hurry, knowing this never bore good ending for bystanders. Cassius took his training saber and wanted to join, arrogant enough to think he could help his master more than hinder him.
The plan backfired of course and the boy had been thrown back with a wave of dark energy. He broke his wrist, for the rest of his life gaining two very important lessons: never run your mouth and stupidly rush at more powerful foe. Vallo won the duel, killing the Zabrak in front of the boy. Cassius got up, his pain tolerance growing from rapid adrenaline rush, and limped toward the lifeless body, looked at it for a long moment before mustering enough willpower to kick it. His Master wasn't pleased to say the least and slapped him in the most humiliating manner which. Fury awoken in Cassius who despite his injuries tried to attack his Master. Vallo with cold patience slapped the boy away until he passed out from pain once the adrenaline worn off. It was the third lesson this day. Cassius would never again take much pleasure in killing a living being and begin to treat it as necessary act rather than something to strive for.
After this Cassius became much more obedient and controlled but what was even more surprising, he grew more attached to his Master. As if the show of domination broke something more in him than just bones. Cassius learned fast - saw connections between act and consequences clearly enough to know what served his benefit. Vallo giving him borders neither of parents did showed he cared, maybe even more than his family and Cassius fed into it, finally accepting completely and utterly his Master. Something that forged the relationship that would last next four decades.
When his injuries healed, the boy started to learn saber form of his choice - Soresu that came in handy on Nar Shaddaa where blasters were more common than sabers. This form represented everything Cassius strove to achieve - elegance, efficiency and resilience. It was graceful and let him dominate the foe without brutally slaying him which in turn kept the dark side at bay though temptations were always there.
Few times Vallo had to still the boy from finishing off their bounty, often punishing Cassius harshly. In time the heir learned to put his wits first, learned to see a use in a dominated foe more than in dead one. He began to manipulate, using subtle influenced of his mind to coax proper reactions but something else counted more than shattering thoughts of others. It was the mental discipline to hide his powers when back home and why keeping to the grey side of the Force benefited more in the place ruled by the Jedi. Cassius trained for hours to just get a hold of the Force around him. It cost plenty of headaches to master Sense and Telepathy enough to leave his father's mansion and remain under the sensitive radar. Of course the Jedi would know, at least some of them but Vallo made sure his pupil would remain untainted by the dark side.
After few months of training in Soresu Basko decided his padawan still didn’t learn enough of Shi-Cho. This sudden change angered Cassius who couldn’t accept he was just not good enough. His Master’s disappointment was enough to push himself more. Even at home, when he was suppose to study, the heir trained his saber forms to prove Vallo wrong. This of course had influence on Cassius grades as even the most intelligent child couldn’t keep up with such demanding training. It began to infuriate Hadrian who pushed his son to be perfect in every aspect of life which only caused growing rebellion in a teenage boy. Finally Hadrian forbid trips to the Rim until Cassius would better his schooling achievements, but Vallo found a way to keep the heir’s busy.
When he reached his sixteenth year of life, Cassius already knew bits and pieces of two saber forms but it were his telepathic and telekinetic skills that would in future become his most formidable weapons. The heir trained them anywhere he could - moving objects in the house, trying to mess with his brother’s head. Darius...Darius wasn’t happy about what Cassius had become. The brothers were never close, especially with the older one clearly abusing seemingly not so gifted sibling. Though one person Cassius clearly detest was his mother - a spoiled, capricious woman whose moods went rampant from month to month. He often found himself tricking his mother, playing cruel pranks on her. Causing endless river of tears and pretenses. Hadrian only watched it and laughed.
During this time Vallo brought a gift for the boy he secretly began to consider his son. After all it was him who Cassius bonded with, not the strict father. It was a saber crystal, clear and blue. The boy reached for it with hesitation, something strangely human began to shine in his normally impassive, cold eyes. ‚Promise me, never leave the grey path you have chosen.’ Vallo demanded before letting go of the crystal. Cassius nodded, making a promise he would later never break when faced with dark temptations. ‚Now, build your own saber’ Basko patted his pupil on the back.
It took him almost two years - Cassius had always been meticulous perfectionist and would never let himself to ruin such beautiful crystal. It wasn’t a common, light blue but deeply azure with crystal shine to it. The heir, now reaching adulthood, meditated for hours every other day to sharpen his mind. The saber and the Force training continued with rare trips outside the Core. He did pull up his grades to unsatisfactory average but Cassius began to understand if he was going to be powerful, there would be a price to pay. He self-studied mostly, uncaring about what material there was at school. The boy dived into ancient history, modern economy, art and math. Darius was preparing himself of the Republic officer’s academy, trying this way win over their patriotic father but Hadrian saw only one son in his life. Something that tore apart any hope for bonding between Darius and Cassius.
Right after Cassius finished his lightsaber, Vallo took him to Tatooine where the boy had faced his first foe in a combat. They worked for a Hutt whose warehouses were being attacked almost every night. The guards were found dead, horribly disfigured by imminence heat. When they accepted the job, Cassius - now much more humble - took a name Darek that would serve him for years to come. The boy began to understand that as an elitist heir to the family fortune he wouldn’t be able to learn. Galaxy looked as it did with aliens going rampant, hoarding fortunes. Only molding into their reality could give him enough power to let his ambitious plans come to fruition.
It was a Miraluka Dark Jedi, hired by Jobo’s rival, that was responsible for the attacks. Cassius could sense his darkness, as the alien walked through the doors, surprised to see only two humans, even if both force users. Without needless words Cassius attacked but Vallo stayed a bit behind, haphazardly giving his pupil a time to learn in the heat of battle. The boy wasn’t arrogantly unprepared, like years ago. He knew it was only about standing up for few minutes before his master would step in. One couldn’t learn without risk, something Hadrian would never approve, seeing this.
The lessons in Soresu didn’t go to waste and Cassius efficiently blocked his opponent, avoiding any aggressive moves. Wanted to tire him out, frustratingly dodging and side stepping, nimbly dancing around the foe until he made a mistake and his precious saber had been forced away from the tight grip. Cassius screamed, feeling heat grazing his hand, spilling nasty burn across it. Only barely the boy avoided losing his limb.Only then Vallo stepped in, burning the dark one with power Cassius had never behold before. It was pure fury....No, not fury. It was a just anger, it was pure blue, like a color of cool vengeance.
The boy pulled himself up, pressing wounded arm tightly to his side. With eyes open in awe. 'What was that?' Cassius asked with unusual emotional quality to his voice. His master looked at his hands and the dying dark one, but there was no gloating victory in his expression, only sadness mixed with anger. He turned his gaze toward the boy, so fascinated by this newly found power. 'It was what made me leave the Order.' Vallo just replied and Cassius could sense by now when not to ask for more.'I want to know it.' The boy demanded instead but Bask only returned a stern gaze with no promise of new power. 'Only when you will learn how to tell right from wrong.' The master claimed and refused to talk about for the next year.
Cassius received black, polymer glove to hide terribly burned hand. The scars couldn't be removed with simple surgery as they were caused by the most powerful weapon in the Galaxy. The half cybernetic protection would stay with him for the rest of his life. Seeing the state his son had returned in from the trip, Hadrian forbid Cassius to leave the Core but no more had he any sway over this young man. The boy could now easily trick his parent, coerce into things the old senator didn't want but Cassius never crossed the border that would lead toward the darkness. Vallo had taught him well and what was most important - showed that light could be as frightening and unyielding as darkness.
Something changed about the boy, he became less hostile and more pleasant. Understood the power of good deeds toward fellow humans. His strict moral code began to shape, very firmly telling what was wrong and right. Strong affiliation toward his own species turned him into a patriot who didn't shy from generous gestures and helped humans in need to strengthen their kind. Justice, or how he understood it, led him now paired with dislike toward those who fell. His master started to think Cassius truly took reign over his own dark ambitions.
At this point Vallo showed his pupil basics of powers that would disarm and not kill. Cassius accepted this school and began to prefer dominate his foes rather than murder them. The act itself was wasteful, unless in self-defense. He tried to focus the Force to blind them, though for now those tries looked more like firecrackers than something legit. Small steps - Cassius used to tell himself and with newly found patience managed to graduate high school with average grade. It was a satisfactory score considering how little he paid attention to the official grades, studying what he liked and when he liked between sessions of murderous training.
By now Hadrian had absolutely no say in the family matters, letting his older son and Vallo decide. He gave up without a fight, giving the senator was nearing his ninety birthday. Darius had always been submissive one and just shipped himself to military school, barely contacting his family. Cassius was happy to be rid of the Liviana failure. Even when his mother died in the speeder crash, Darius would refused to attend the funeral ceremony which marked him as a black ship, leaving Cassius as good, responsible and broken son. This role he played well, slowly fitting in the lying society of the Core high and mighty. Deep down, he didn't care about Francesca who never wanted him. Vallo could understand it - the woman had always showed nothing but resentment toward her firstborn. Cassius just paid back with his own attitude. It was just. Darius was secretly scared of his brother, all in the family slowly began to fear the strange boy.
"A friend to all is a friend to none." (19-25)
Adulthood - Cassius couldn't be more happy when his eighteen birthday ticked and passed, leading him into nineteenth year of life. He was still no more than a padawan to his Master but not for society. After Hadrian passed away, another fact Cassius accepted with frightening indifference, the boy finally became a man and lord to the Liviana house. One thing he promised to his father and Cassius, very just man to those who deserved it, had to fulfill the old senator's wish, no matter how difficult. This one seemed like more challenging task than any foe he had meet so far whilst traveling with Vallo. He should finally get married and ensure his family would thrive.
Very unwilling, but true to his words, Cassius began to court a daughter to another prominent family. Foolish but a stunning girl with bloodline as old as his. Vallo watched and cringed at the theatrics. He, unlike most of people around Cassius, knew the young man's preferences, though didn't fully understand them. 'Are you sure of this, Cassius?' He once asked, but the Liviana heir wouldn't hear it. 'I promised it to my father.' Cassius just said, cutting all discussion. So far he maintained few shallow friendships at most which made Basko wonder for how long the young man could keep up this facade and emulate being in love with a woman he disliked.
'She is so noisy and stupid.' He complained to Vallo. The master just sighed and patted Cassius on the back not willing to condemn the boy for keeping up a promise. Such deeds would keep him from the capricious temptations of the dark side. Before the ceremony, the master and his padawan once more went to Nar Shaddaa and this time around worked for much more important Hutts. Darek slowly began to build his position, not really of Force power that still was far from knight level but what maybe counted even more on a moon full of traitors - he always kept true to his word when it came to business as well as never accepted an assassin's jobs. Vallo and Darek were known for their solid deals, always getting the job done: one way or another.
Cassius made up for still fledgling powers with smart tactic and cunning traps. Practicing forces powers and more than anything - telepathy. It was a crucial skill for him now along telekinesis. He would constantly shield himself from prying senses of others at the same time always carefully prodding his surroundings. Cassius of course neglected other aspects of the Force and would never truly learn healing nor destruction. The true test of his skills came with first won duel over a dark jedi that didn't like the fact the pair snatched the job from under his nose. Very young and arrogant Torguta cornered Cassius when Vallo was away for a moment.
The duel erupted between the young force users with Torguta barely reaching his knighthood. By this time Cassius perfected his basic form with few trained moves from Soresu, though the Torguta knew more but unlike Cassius, he was brash and hot-headed. From early age trained to focus, the human didn't engage aggressively, letting Torguta to tire himself with reckless attacks he swiftly dodged. 'Fight you coward!' taunted the alien but the young man remained calm. Finally, seeing the opponents struggle to force tired muscles to another bullhead attack, Cassius lightly sidestepped and tapped in the Force, causing a flash of light to erupt in darkness for a heartbeat catching the Torguta by surprise. Enough for Cassius to cut off his hand that held the lightsaber. The young man fell to the knees, next to his opponent, tired from the exertion and with pounding head. The telepathic link he tried to establish with his foe to read his intentions now faded among violent screams from the wounded dark one.
Cassius knew he pushed over the safe limit, not the first and not the last time the Liviana heir abused his body like this. After a moment Cassius pulled himself up and took the lightsaber - it reeked with the taint and with growing disgust the man threw it into the nearest trash compactor. He left the Torguta there, the scavengers would finish the job. Vallo found his pupil, nodding and admitting he was silently watching and was proud of Cassius decision to let the alien live. Years of hard work on the boy's personality finally bore fruits.
There were non force users to fight as well, but those Cassius tried to dispatch without much power. With subtle manipulation and telepathic trickery. There was no justice in stepping on bugs after all. He protected humans from abuse of aliens, never asking for anything in return, often paid their debts and slowly build a support with whispers of grateful humans. Human crimelords of the Hutt space began to turn their eyes on Darek, a mysterious vigilante that openly placed himself on human side of things.
That was when Cassius met Broca, just as he was going back on Coruscant to get married. They both were twenty one and shared humanocentric sympathies. The young soldier got in troubles on his shore leave. The Liviana heir found him fighting against two burly Twi'leks. Cassius quickly dispatched then, it was enough they saw his lightsaber and for the first time in his life, Cassius was offered a friendly drink. As usually the heir was reserved at first but quickly warmed up to the strange Corellian. After a night of drunk talks the normally aloof, young man found a friend he could admire for his skills and views.
Broca was his best man on the wedding, a fact that shocked many. Cassius Liviana had a friend and from now on the heir began to socialize more, honing his social skills and taking pleasure in some interactions. He gathered around him a group of young Core aristocrats, unhappy with how open Coruscant was to alien filth. Rumor carried there was something off with Liviana, that he had keen sense and knew too much but the heir guarded his secrets well and only Broca, now officer in the Navy was the only one aware.
Elena, Cassius' wife, a model and self-proclaimed fashion designer was unstable and moody creature. Traits the man hated as they brought memories of his selfish mother. But she knew the deal and accepted the rules in change for good, rich filled life. The moments when Cassius forced himself to share bed with her was unpleasant for them both and as soon as his wife got pregnant the marriage fell apart on the basic, intimate level. The man treated Elena in the most demeaning way, especially after his daughter was born. He never forgave her for birthing such weakling, so similar in behavior to her loathed grandmother. Cassius did everything to be away from home, leaving Elena in the empty palace to fend for their daughter. Soon, the unhappy wife developed the habit of drug and alcohol abuse, often discarding the lonely child in hands of servants.
In the meantime Darek began to use his money and powers more on Nar Shaddaa, buying Hutts good graces and worming his way into the crime world of the moon, knowing he would never make such money in the Core on legal business. Vallo still accompanied him and still trained him until Cassius didn't reach his knighthood at twenty three, finally being skilled enough to stand up to many dark side barely made knights that swarmed on the smuggler's moon. They had powers but not so much of cold discipline Cassius imposed on himself. Simple criminal scum became a target for him to build more territory for his influence and engage in games the Hutts and other crimelords played there. In span of few months Cassius had bought few factories, shares of gold mines, invested in security companies and top notch education helped him to outsmart many of the lesser bosses.
One more skill came of use in those times - telepathy. He often spent hours on parties just to graze over criminal minds that dwelt there.Thanks to connections he made in the Hutt Cartel got him invitations to the palaces, among the most depraved and broken. But it paid off and even his strict moral code, a gift from Vallo, came in handy. They trusted him and thanks to his powers, Cassius often expected possible betrayals, keeping his enemies always few steps behind. Still, he avoided playing in the first league because that would bring too much attention the man didn't need.
Less present in his life, but Basko was still there, training him in the Force and art of the saber. Cassius began to learn new style of combat, more aggressive and direct - Ataru. It felt different than Soresu and didn't seem to fit the man's rather mild temper but the man could find appeal in it. His friendship with Broca had showed him sometimes brute strength had its uses. Every day he spent hours on training, studying to finish university and tending to his business in the Hutt space. His family saw him once a week if they were lucky...Or unlucky as he always demanded more perfection. Especially from his daughter that was not almost two years old and grew to be a spoiled brat.
The young heir's wife couldn't bear the insults and frequent abuse. She let herself to succumb more into blissful nirvana of sleeping pills and alcohol. After Cassius heard she frequently made fool out of herself and run her mouth about his trips, he decided enough was enough. After the man made sure Elena wouldn't hear the reason and go on the rehab he asked Broca for a favor. To make his wife an offer to try new kind of drug, mixed with plenty of alcohol. Broca liked to charm ladies and had a gift when it came to it. The lonely woman accepted the attention like a hungry shark and they tasted new pills together in one bed. The soldier made sure the alcohol was generously flowing and the reckless girl didn't count drinks.
Elena didn't wake up the next morning - cause of death: overdose.
This experience sealed the friendship Broca and Cassius shared. When the soldier was accused of war crimes it was Liviana who paid for favors to drop charges and let Broca go with only dishonourable discharge. After all, it was Cassius who only two years before founded a hospital for veterans on Coruscant. One good deed already paid off...He hired lawyers that argued it was Broca's CO that issued an order to interrogate the prisoners of war. The sharpshooter claimed he had been just fulfilling his duties and obeyed his leader.
Cassius hired Broca as his security chief and often kept around in the Hutt space. Vallo had mixed feelings about it. The soldier seemed violent, cruel and killed with too much ease but Cassius didn't change his ways. He never killed anyone unless it was self-defense, but the master feared now he became a murderer but with a human tool to keep his hands clean.
Vallo never learned the truth behind Elena's death as Cassius grew strong enough to shield himself from other telepaths. His own work began to be noticeable, long days of meditation honed the heir's skills in this aspect. Something he used now even more when it came to business deals. As usually, the man paid little attention to Danica who was now four. Occasionally he would slap the spoiled child to force obedience. As a widower before twenty four Cassius became quickly sought out as a good marriage prospect but the man had no patience for this foolishness anymore thinking he wasted enough time to raise one child. He kept up the promise and fathered an heir, even if so terribly unsatisfactory. No more annoying, whiny brats in his home.
Darek on Nar Shaddaa still fought on the front lines, often taking jobs only to further his skills in the Force. Now Broca joined their ranks, a non-force user but a good friend who admired Cassius as a leader he was growing to be. Vallo didn't voice his concerns, now fully honest with himself, the aged grey Jedi had to admit, he loved Cassius like a son, one that seemed damaged beneath all the power and coldness. If Broca's friendship made him happy, so be it. The young man though had still a long way to go in terms of the Force but once more hubris began to creep on the unsuspecting heir.
Cassius grew too assured of himself, something Vallo frequently warned him about but the man was young, rich and thought to be invincible with his powerful friends gathered around. But not all force users on in the Hutt space were talentless hacks. There were masters among them, those that didn't show off nor focused much attention. One day, when Cassius was closing on a deal with one of the Hutts he was attacked and betrayed. Arloz the Hutt disliked how a human like Cassius gained power by supporting human crimelords and hired someone to outmatch the grey knight.
A Firrerreo master stepped in, revealing himself from the force concealment. Without Vallo, with only Broca looking over the meeting from a distance, Cassius had to face the alien himself. They clashed but from the start the human was disadvantaged, lacking training and experience. The Hutts hirelings emptied the room, leaving the two force users. Arloz didn't want the human dead though as much as wanted to show him his place but wouldn't protest if the Firrerreo finished the job.
Violent hiss of sabers filled the palace, furniture began to fly in vicious telekinetic attacks. Cassius was brave and daring but nowhere as good as his opponent. With a surprise he learned the Firrerreo missed few opening to kill him then realization downed on him. The alien wanted to subdue him and maybe then torture only to kill like some dog. Fury downed on the young heir but this wouldn't make up for lack of experience. The Firrerreo played with him like a predator teased his prey before striking. Demeaning slaps, humiliating pushes and taunts.
It was done, Cassius knew he was going to lose but a moment came when the alien turned his attention away from the human man that was now lying on the ground, beat up like an abused mynock. Broca... A slug thrower sniper bullet whizzed past the Firrerreo who skillfully dodged to the side. With a desperate try to save his friend Cassius called in to the Force in a single mental attack. The alien's neurons discharged in a storm of electricity causing immediate, if very short disorientation. A heart beat at most but it was enough for a well trained spec op's sniper.The Firrerreo's brain smeared across the floor and Cassius as the alien's head exploded. This life lesson had brought the most important conclusion - not only Force users could be deadly. The man took this knowledge to heart, often relying on Broca's good aim and sharp sight to protect him later on.
Still, the duel was lost and Cassius had to swallow this bitter pill. He was nowhere close to become a Master, bah, he was barely a knight. With this humiliating discovery, the man returned to Vallo, asking for more lessons. The aged Jedi looked at the young man's bruises. Took in new resolve that burned in his eyes and nodded in agreement. Even when faced with a defeat Cassius didn't reach to the dark pool of the tainted powers. It sealed his grey path, set on a just course. It was time for him to learn the powers of hard justice but for this to happen Cassius had to sacrifice something. And so he did.
The man resigned from official education after getting the lowest degree possible in the economics major. Now he understood, he couldn't become everything. Couldn't be a paragon of knowledge, a doctor of arts and a powerful knight. Cassius chose to focus his next five years on harsh training and spreading influence in the Hutt Space. His daughter was nearing five, still not enough for him to get interest in her, visiting the girl from time to time, learning if she made any viable progress. He ordered her to be given dance lessons, etiquette and good manners. It pained him Danica had the gift but no temperament to go with it. Cassius decided she would never learn it, never know about her sealed medical records. No, she would get marry well and maybe give him a worthy heir because nothing good could come from teaching such capricious, moody brat the ways of the Force.
Cassius closed all the deals he had on Coruscant and moved to live as Darek on Nar Shaddaa, once a month visiting his family. Darius fell off the radar in his military school though - few times a year sending laconic messages. He got married on Corellia with a nice, local girl. Meaningless crap that had no use for Cassius at all, especially after learning his brother couldn't father a child. Once more Liviana had to face the terrible truth they were a dying bloodline, like many of the ancient families that refused to mingle . But there was still Danica who seemed perfectly healthy, at least physically. After few corrections of course.
"The Sordid Gain." (25-30)
Three human men: Vallo - the grey jedi master, Broca - a fallen soldier and the young heir Cassius came to the smugglers moon with one goal. To solidify Darek's position that considerably dropped after his duel with the golden skinned alien. Cassius began to slowly make his way up the social ladder there. Now investing himself completely in the Force training. With obtained money Broca began to slowly gather a private army that would later serve as Cassius' security on Nar Shaddaa and beyond.
First thing Cassius did in regards to the Hutts, he found one that hated Azrlo the most and offered him help in taking down his opponent. Yolo, young and rather stupid part of the slug's family agreed happily, not sensing any catch. By now the human had learned he had no chance in being on of the powerful Hutts. Not a human, but an impressionable, foolish worm that could be easily manipulated...Why not? At the same time he reached out to the human crimelords of Nar Shaddaa. Petra - the smuggler, Varitas - the spice dealer, Marlo - the 'security' or rather extortion company owner. They flocked around Darek who had influence, Force powers and had helped him in the past. Appealing to their sense of human pride wouldn't do though, money was needed. Everything he made in the Hutt Space was pumped into this alliance to forge strong business partnership between Humans of Nar Shaddaa.
While not busy with this work, Vallo and Cassius prowled the streets, seeking those tainted by the dark side, hoping to cleanse some of the filth off the streets or looked if humans didn't need help. They haunted humans and aliens alike, those who fell and threatened their business. Soon their names carried through the alleys and some vengeful dark ones began to sought the odd pair. But most of them were unstable, disloyal and never could band together for long. Those more powerful simply didn't care most likely aside from those whose private endeavors were disturbed by Darek's business.
Slowly Vallo leaned toward the decision to teach Cassius the questionable power of light. The young man was thrilled by the prospect and carefully listened to Basko teachings. This power came only to those who knew the clear border between dark and light. It reacquired a strict control over anger so it wouldn't swallow the handler, twisting into dark side's rage. It was very hard for Cassius at first whose emotions were never intensive aside from those moments of uncontrollable fury. He had to look for injustice in the world around him, develop further the strict moral code and learn how to recognise this special kind of feeling that appears when people are faced with terrible helplessness when innocent suffered.It took few long months for Cassius to finally learn bits of empathy it needed and tried to use in the never-ending vigilante work.
Those skirmishes with non-force and force users earned Cassius few scars, more than once his Master had to step in but all those experiences furthered his skills. He had learned how to telepathically disarm his opponents with a neural storm and blind them with the light. Soresu became the heir's favorite form but after experience from few years back, he decided not to neglect Ataru. Such vigilante acts were rarely looked upon with favor and Hutts especially saw it as a territorial war. And maybe in a way, they were though the pair watched on whose playground they threaded, sometimes letting go of someone only because they didn't want to stir the ruling worms.
It didn't set well with Cassius who developed strong sense of justice, especially when it came to humans. Aliens...He didn't care what happened to them - they were dirt on his shoe at the best unless they wanted to fight him. There was one case especially that finally let the heir to know the same power his Master manifested. It happened in one of the poor districts, a couple of aliens, followed by a Corellian Force user harassed a human family. Threatening them with slavery, leaning to touch their daughter. But this was not what stirred most of the anger, no. The fact that one of the harassers was a human did though. The Force user, not one the dark side. A grey one.
Burning anger shot up in normally cold, emotionally still Cassius. One of them grabbed a human girl and tossed her away. The poor father lounged after her but a punch to the head rendered him unconscious. Vallo silently nodded at his pupil, feeling the turmoil this image had caused. Cassius, normally unsympathetic individual could relate to the man who protected his daughter from filthy, alien paws. He would do the same, one father to another.
Cassius intervened, alone, without Vallo who only watched from a distance, keeping telepathic link with his student. He could sense the rage building up in the young man. Righteous anger, cold and detached. Anger at the unfairness of the situation, anger at those who had no right to bully this family. Harness it Echoed in the heir's mind. Harness this rage, take it under control, don't let it go. Cassius listened to the instructions that his Master whispered through the Force. He showed him how to woven the threads of this power and then it came to the young man in a form of crystal clarity.
Emerald light erupted from the Liviana heir, surge of electricity seared the other Force user, throwing him thirty feat away, rendering him unconscious. But Cassius didn't stop, he didn't want to stop. Others spread away, running from the green lightning. NO! Hit Cassius like a hammer. The man stumbled forward, the verdant aura fading away. Only then the boy realized how close he came to the dark side. How tempting this kill would have been.
'Master' Cassius breathed, falling to his knees. Tired, with pounding headache.'This power doesn't exist to murder a helpless foe. It is there to harness anger at injustice. Murder here wouldn't be justice here as he didn't fall.' Vallo explained, pulling his pupil upward. Cassius was a knight but still had plenty to learn. Despite winning the duel, the man felt like a failure, punishing himself for letting this vile temptation to taint him. The aged Master recognized this torment. 'There is nothing wrong in being tempted, only to fall for it' Vallo explained and gestured at the family Cassius had saved. The father of the head knelt before his savior but Basko quickly told him to stand. Not letting sweet poison of vanity to awake in Cassius. 'I've done what was necessary' The young heir admitted with typical aloofness and walked away, ignoring any attempts the family made to pay him.
For the next decade Cassius would learn how to recall those wrecking emotions that lead to a discharge of the emerald light. He would train this ability, always remembering not to cross the line, never again to follow dark whispers, instead increasing discipline of his meditation. Making sure his telepathy remained at the finest shape to shield his presence from others but also to recognize subtle manipulation of the lingering darkness. He began to learn how to push his body to the limits as he was never the fastest and strongest of men, but it was a dangerous road as Cassius never stopped himself from abuse what nature had given him: mentally or physically which showed in how little time he spent on learning protection or healing.
The training continued as Cassius' influence grew among the Hutts. Yolo appeared to be a very useful pawn. He listened to the strange, saber wielding human in almost every aspect, letting him lead and only take ripe fruits of luxury. Cassius agreed to this deal, knowing it was the only way but there were Hutts that didn't like this set up. They accused Yolo of selling out to humans who now owned a fair share of Nar Shaddaa pie. The alliance Cassius invested in paid off finally and by the age of 29 he owned various clubs, galleries, shopping centers, mines, factories. He became a second league player among the lords of the Hutt Space thanks to smart investments and ability to plan few steps ahead which came in handy in more than just Force duels. Honed senses and telepathy helped as well, but Cassius rarely called in for his powers in deals. A part of him truly considered it unfair but also to make sure others trusted him not to use them. It took years but those allies that stuck around with their loyalty came to know Liviana as a solid ally who gave them room for their own secrets.
He listened to the warnings woven in the Force though and more than once expected a treason. Sometimes Cassius willfully stepped into a business trap, not to let others see he could avoid them. A reliable ally made mistakes, even so controlled ones. There were those situations that ended with gore and guts spilled everywhere but as his power in the Force grew, Cassius began to rely on Broca's security much more. A paradox one might think but the heir knew that Force rarely won wars as much as single battles. He needed loyal non force users, common soldiers to have his own, small Empire. The man still trained and trained with faltering, steel discipline on rare occasions indulging in sophisticated pleasures.
When Cassius returned to Coruscant he was a prominent Nar Shaddaa businessman, known for his operation in the Hutt space with telepathy developed enough to shield himself everywhere and anywhere he would go which was a constant training in its own right. Cassius reveled the control the Force, especially telepathy and telekinesis gave him but he wasn't a fool to show off his skills in the Core like some wild, slum child. No, he needed something legal, something to make his name on the Humanity's home world.
"Crime Does Pay" (31-36)
Thus, Livco was born. The very day Cassius met Vanya, a young architect and interior decorator. By this time, the Liviana heir could be more relaxed when he deemed it needed and learned to enjoy simpler things than just besting oneself. This small shift in the attitude helped him to relate more, to understand others better which helped him to use telepathy not only to shield himself but also peer into others minds, playing with memories and emotions. He felt more assured now, but also more humble. During his years on Nar Shaddaa Cassius met more experienced Force users who he had defeated but also those younger than him that nearly took his life. One could never lower their guard, no matter how skilled, trained and experienced they were.
It was a shocking experience for Cassius,to find himself able to actually love another being without self-interest. He had good friends but no one like this. Vanya was everything the Coruscanti noble was not - sensitive, fragile and artistic. Like Cassius, he came from the ancient Zhell bloodline though his views were much less radical. The grey knight didn't mind really as without them Vanya still presented sophisticated, regal and elitist upbringing. They started off as friends which slowly morphed into something much more, though kept away from the prying public eye. Vanya became a second parent to Danica, much more forgiving and lenient, recognizing how lonely the girl always was. Cassius allowed it, as he bonded with Vanya to the point his cold exterior began to warm up.It was often Vanya who protected the girl from her father's ire which would cause later on prickly pangs of guilt in Cassius. He would blame this period of leniency for directly leading to the tragedy later on.
His family was much wealthier now, but he didn't use money made in the Hutt space to bring Livco to life. Cassius wanted to be crystal clear, transparent and honest businessman. The man knew the Order would go after him if they sensed as much as a flicker of the dark side so he became even more controlled, more cautious. Careful not to abuse his powers when in the Core and rely only on his cunning intelligence rather than the Force which meant he needed allies.
Cassius renewed his old friendships, connections his father had and began to circle around humanocentric political crowd. They knew Liviana and respected this name which made easier for the man to gain their financial support. His views after all were not much different - he wanted to see the Core clean of aliens, near-human or not though publicly Cassius tried not to sound too radical but it wasn't a secret his company hired mostly humans.
Livco started as one gallery, then a fancy club and as years went by it grew to host important events, own a chain of restaurants, pubs, clubs, galleries that spread through the Core. Cassius never hid his interest in Nar Shaddaa but no one could punish him for conducting business there that always came clean on the paper work. His human allies, like Petra, made sure to sell him ships and smuggle goods to Outer Rim but nothing of this would influence Livco business. Cassius never used money made in the Hutt space to help the legal company so no one could prosecute those deals and made sure his business with Hutts looked crystal clear. After all there wasn't any embargo placed on the Hutt space. Many Republic businessman traded with them.
The Liviana patriarch still trained, ever days spending at least few hours on training and meditation. On Nar Shaddaa he would test those skills as Darek, even though many knew by now who he really was. Accompanied by his chief of security and Master Vallo, the man honed his body, telekinetic, sense and especially telepathy aspects of the Force. Only after unfortunate encounter that nearly cost him his life and added a terrible looking scar on his chest, Cassius decided to focus a bit more on how to raise barriers, at least the basic ones. Duel after duel, sometimes the man found himself provoking others to strike - random alien thugs or dark ones. To best himself more, to break all the physical limitations he might have had.
Officially Cassius was Livco owner but for many years Vanya tended to the business so his friend could focus on training and the Hutt games. He was an artist, which shaped Livco to be a company that catered to bohemian society as well as politicians. The bond between two men grew and soon they stopped shying from what they had really become. For the first time Cassius admitted to honest care for someone and that what he feared would make him weak only let the grey knight to know the wide range of emotions. It opened his sense to others, telepathic ability to link with others feelings. Those simple facts gave him more than hours of meditations. - it was a leap he needed to feel assured about his skills in the Force.
Years to come strengthen his position in the Hutt space, placing Cassius in stable alliance with Yolo, who still agreed to play a wormy pawn, and other Hutts. There were enemies as well, but the Cartels reached uneasy equilibrium finally accepting those couple of humans that helped the overall economy. He wasn't the most important player though, leaving the top for the most powerful Hutts but considering where Cassius had started, it was a satisfactory achievement. One that brought him enough money to invest in more business opportunities, security and travels to Outer Rim in search of new challenges.
In those rare moments he had some time, the grey knight spent them with Vanya and Danica who was now a problematic teenager. With growing distaste Cassius watched who his daughter chose to accompany her. He started to control her, demand attention and obedience. Cassius took her to parties, showing off like a beautiful toy. The man despised the girls unstable moods, trying to force discipline on her with blackmail, sometimes open abuse.
'You are suppose to listen!' He demanded but Danica seemed like her mother and grandmother: selfish, vain and capricious. A prospect on marrying Danica off shaped to be a difficult endeavor, seeing what company she sought out. Not for a first time Cassius had to scare the unfitting suitors away. Buy them off, sometimes blackmail.
No alien would look at his daughter as long as he lived.
Vallo didn't appreciate how his pupil treated his daughter but also recognized that the girl was difficult. Cassius believed he did what other fathers would, wanted Danica to be a proper lady, silent and obedient but she always would prove how useless her whole being was. The failure of Liviana withering genetics had been all too obvious in the young girl who so terribly failed to be perfect. Like Cassius wanted her to be.
And one day he snapped, first time in years showing how much anger could brew under this cold surface. When his daughter tried to sneak in back home after a late meeting with a son of an Echani senator Cassius was waiting. Broca had Danica tailed and counted hours she had spent in the Echani's penthouse. Without a word he grabbed her hair and ignoring helpless pleads, pushed the girl's head under water of their swimming pool. It was Vanya who saved the poor daughter that day, calming infuriated Cassius.
As the anger died down, Cassius discovered how once again he fail to keep the dark temptation at bay. Shocked by his own actions, the man stepped away from the sobbing girl and quickly called his Master, seeking solace and advice in a long meditation. After this, he would never strike his daughter out of anger, but only when he felt it had a purpose in better upbringing and turning Danica into a'good' daughter. This event showed Cassius he still had work to do, still there were skills he needed to sharpen. His telepathic ability now began to serve as self-awareness tool, monitoring carefully own thoughts and behaviors. It was just another step on the way to unachievable perfection.
"Götterdämmerung." (37-45)
Both business flourished, Cassius attended business meeting after business meeting, forged alliances and increases influences in both, the Core and the among the Hutts. As if to keep equilibrium, the man's private life began to fall apart like a house of cards. Vanya's constant pleads to stay with him and drop the foolish duels that would get Cassius killed one day; Danica's acting outs that brought nothing but misery. The more his family bonds deteriorated, the more Cassius pushed himself in his training. Refusing to give up even an hour, turning down one raid his allies concocted on Nar Shaddaa. Always on the front lines, Cassius believed nothing would teach him but experience.
Shallow friendships were retained though and the man invested plenty of time in the politics. To make sure proper men, humans of course, would be chosen to rule. He supported humanocentric views at the same time donating generously to veteran hospitals and medical research that was focused on humanity. Considered a philanthropic by many, Cassius gathered allies around that in turn supported his business plans. A self-adoration circle of human supremacist. Broca remained a loyal friend, as did Vallo and newly hired Devon who admired his boss for steely discipline.
After his forty second birthday the aged Master did something that left Cassius' world shattered. That he had nothing else to teach him and they were finally equals. Their road that lasted for more than three decades was over. It was hard to accept, especially with how the Liviana heir revered his Master as paragon of just power. Vallo couldn't decide if he succeeded in teaching the boy proper difference between right and wrong. Or maybe he pushed too much and his mistakes showed in how Cassius mistreated his child. Regardless, he loved Cassius like a son - a son that was now ready to function alone. The old Master was tired and gnawed at by age; he needed a rest from the constant fights on Nar Shaddaa.
The men kept in touch though and Cassius still would sought Vallo's wise input even if their time together came to an end. It was the first blow, the other came with sudden death. Vanya died on heart attack which left already distraught grey master devastated. First and only love of his life was gone; there was nothing to fill it in. Long weeks Cassius meditated only to find solace in the most dangerous places of Outer Rim. As if he taunted death: 'Come, get me! Try!'.
One time he brushed against the black lady when recklessly stepping onto the dark jedi territory on Ryloth. The Twi'lek didn't like Cassius, sensing the disdain he held for his people. How he felt better than anyone else. The two clashed under the planet's bright moons. The human didn't hold back, employing the aggressive saber form he knew and so recently mastered. Burning anger fed on his soul, pushing him to action. The dark side temptation grew with every slash the azure saber made and soon it was hard to fight this urge. Having lost one he loved, Cassius felt little need for caution which made him sloppy and the Twi'lek got the upper hand and the human found himself without his precious lightsaber.
Only when death was ready to lay its cold breath on him something awoke in Cassius. There were still things to be done, still a mission his family carried for centuries and his death would make centuries come to waste. Letting go of anger and hatred that drilled his soul after Vanya's death, the man called in to the Force, letting blinding light to erupt in stars' licked darkness. The Twi'lek, too assured of his victory was taken by surprise. Cassius called his lightsaber and cut off the alien's arm but didn't kill him. No, the moral backbone Vallo so strictly instilled in his pupil once more kept Cassius safe from the devastating influence of the dark side.
After this Cassius slowly rose from ashes of depression but his emotions now ran much colder than before. There was a strange determination shining in his eyes. Life of a human wouldn't last for centuries so it was time to do something meaningful. Now a Master himself, Cassius went to Nar Shaddaa once more to make sure his position remained strong. He disposed of Yolo, swiftly and without much fuss, leaving all the dirty work to Broca. Slowly, he began to gather all the money and challenge his enemies there to act.
Humans of the moon stood beside him when he made sure their district was safe from alien harassment. His Hutts allies wouldn't protest as the man's investments became vital to their own business. Finally making his ideals true - to helps his species thrive, barely aware his own daughter sabotaged his own plans by keeping despicable company of near-humans. Though before all the carefully laid plans could come to fruition, his body finally claimed 'stop' to harsh training and abuse Cassius had put it through. Undiagnosed aneurysm gave up, bursting under his skull, damaging lower parts of the brainstem. Leaving him comatosed for the next two years.
"Death Is The Road To Awe." (47 - current)
The darkness that enveloped it wasn't solid and unmoving. He felt threads of the Force calling to him, old memories resurfacing and visions of the ancient past - all his ancestors gifted with the Force digging their cold fingers in his flesh. His senses spread as if enveloping entire universe until it all felt like one, giant organism connected with thin threads of the Force.
'Omnipotence...'
First thing Cassius felt upon waking up was pain drilling holes in his skull. Broca, Devon and Vallo stood around the bed, their souls filled with hopeful expectations. Time invested in building alliances brought the most unexpected results and the Liviana patriarch was truly missed by some. With the help of billion credits the experimental nano neural regeneration was implemented. Higher parts of the brain remained intact, so it was a matter of rebuilding the stem and midcortex. The therapy was a success though Cassius' body suffered more than his brain.
Only the closest of his friends knew about this miraculous awakening as Cassius body was very weak which made him vulnerable. Though oddly enough his Force powers didn't falter, on the contrary. The near death experience seemed to unlock something in him, something that let him see more in the Force, though the price of this was his health. The man's body would never again be as fit, his strength was now only average as was speed. He still knew mastery of three saber forms but needed the Force to aid him which put more and more strain on already aged body. Cybernetic implants did help but only so his limbs wouldn't become completely useless.
It took almost two years for him to regain satisfactory control over his body. It was easy to fool his daughter and all those who wrote him off as dead. The private clinic knew its allegiance, it was built for Cassius money after all. He returned to his private, very secured mansion on Nar Shaddaa and tried to gather what was left from his empire. Broca made sure some of it survived but it was but an echo of former glory. In the meantime Veritas was killed by Petra so the fragile alliance Cassius kept together fell apart. Fortunately Devon kept most of the assets from Danica grasp but the things his daughter did when finally free off his control were unspeakable.
To compensate for physical damage the man began to rely on the Force to regain at least a shred of former strength and speed. During those two years Vallo visited his pupil helping him to harness this power, knowing fully well the abuse it would put his body through. Cassius insisted on it though. What for he had skills in saber fight if wouldn't be able to use them? Even with harsh training the effect wasn't all this satisfactory leaving this ability only slightly above average. Once more Cassius had to settle for imperfection.
When the final straw was broken on the camels' back and Danica fled Republic space, stealing third of his Hutt space assets with help from some dark sider riffraff Cassius decided to give her a lesson. His presence is known now and the Core humanocentric allies stirred in expectation so the man wants to finish his long term project that came to a rapid halt with his accident.
"I am Cassius Liviana and I will return the Core to Humans."
Roleplay Sample: .
A plume of fragrant smoke appeared in the air from the expensive, Coruscant cigar. It danced slowly toward a ventilation shaft watched vigilantly by a pair of stark green eyes. Cassius inhaled deeply, enjoying this ridiculously expensive smoke. It had been too long since he truly enjoyed something so simple yet extravagant. Hopefully today it would change. With small, content smile the human turned from a panoramic view of a waterfall and toward the entrance to the VIP lounge of the overpriced club. For a moment he passively listened to the Force only to dull his own presence in it to a small flicker. Appearing as an average bread eater to anyone skilled in reading strings of the Force.
He was alone here, leaving Broca behind on Coruscant. This was something he had to tend personally but it had been intrigue, rather than malice that pushed the Liviana owner to act. Who was this boy that dragged himself around Danica? That lovesick pup that had killed so much of Livco security. Or maybe his motives were different. Money? Some imaginary slight against Liviana family? Cassius believed himself to be paragon of knowledge, a good man who always wanted to get to the bottom of things. Like now.
What do you want, Nieraan Onin? Cassius smiled faintly and crushed the rest of cigar in a crystal ashtray. It let out an angry click as if speaking of frustration that coursed through the man's veins. The Firrerreo was a ghost. Nowhere to find, nowhere to dig out. Like a sneaky roach appearing here and there in the Core and Hutt space. Though the CEO knew already one thing – he was a force user of great patience to spend so much time with Danica.
After using all the means to track down the pest, there was only one thing left. Meet him in person. Not as Cassius Liviana of course, that would be too easy. Too obvious and unsophisticated and he was all about doing things as perfect as humanely possible. Remembering this, the man adjusted his perfectly cut jacket that hid still fit body of a warrior in his primes. Still, last years took a toll on Cassius, showing in dulled reflexes. But mind stayed sharp and disciplined even if body refused to. Certainly an arrogant brat would be in for a surprise, from what Broca was telling he had big mouth and even bigger ego.
There was nothing in life Cassius enjoyed more than putting people in their proper place. Especially those that didn't respect their elders. His gaze swept once more over the room, briefly stopping on a large mirror. With a tired sigh the man put in place an unruly strand of gray that nestled itself in his ebony black hair. Would the alien notice the odd similarity Cassius and Danica shared? Maybe but the boy didn't strike Broca as a thinking type. More like a terribly uneducated, brash child that got dangerous toy to play with. ”Dany, how much more will you humiliate yourself only to ruin my day?” He chuckled under his breath, crushing small flickers of irritation this sentence had caused.
Foolish girl. The man leaned against the gilded wall, flicking on and off old fashion chronometer, counting how much the Firrerreo boy would be late. Such types never kept to such boring thing as time but for Cassius it meant discipline, being perfect, impeccable. How a poorly educated alien boy could possibly understand that? The man would forgive him this slight, he was a generous man after all.
*Winner Best Post IC 2013
