A Jedi No Longer

[Sakadi Marathi Sinvala]

Sakadi sat on the edge of her bed. Her head spinning and her limbs hurting. The neon lights of the billboard outside of her apartment streamed through the blinds and made her head pound even harder. How late was it? Where in the name of the Force was she again? And most importantely, what had she done last night? Mustering what strength she had, the former Jedi got up and walked over to the dirty kitchen. Slowly but steadily, she regained her memory.

About two months ago, she had left the Jedi Order in a self-imposed exile. Her reason? She had given up a Jedi Padawan to the Sith. Not because she couldn't have won. Not because she had felt threatened, but because of her ties to the specific Sith she had bargained with. The man she loved, a Sith Lord, had influenced her final decision. She was nothing more than a traitor to her Order now. She deserved no place among the likes of Kyi, Eisa, Vash or even Brent. That was why she had left without leaving behind a single message. She just disappeared, feeling foolish and disgraced.

The few weeks that followed had been taxing. She had traded her Jedi robes for casual clothes, gotten rid of her holocom, utility belt, everything except her weapons, which she now had neatly stored in one of her drawers. Just this week, she had arrived on Eriadu. The planet contained one of the largest spaceports in the outer rim; the perfect place for her to lay low. She didn't plan to live here for a long while, but for now it provided her with a place to stay. A rented apartment, in one of the more criminal neighborhoods of the capital's third level.

The past few days could be summarized with just a few words. Alcohol, gambling and hangovers. She felt absolutely terrible and despite knowing it wouldn't help her in any way, she had resorted to drinking. Drinking a lot. With her nowadays wavering connection to the Living Force, she had managed to cheat her way through several high-stake games of Sabacc, accumulating enough credits to pay the rent, booze and whatnot. But perhaps that was what bothered her the most. Her connection to the Living Force. Ever since she had realized that she had allowed herself to be guided by a Sith, her connection to the Force had been wavering. Building upon the negative emotions and seeds of doubt caused by her betraying Eithni. Even calling upon her connection to the Force to use her telepathic abilities strained her these days. Heck, she could barely lift her glass from a table with the Force, that was how bad things were. And she knew exactly who was to blame for all of this. Herself.

Deciding that she didn't want to stay inside her apartment, Sakadi gathered her clothes, some of her credits and one of her more precious possessions; her indigo-colored lightsaber, which she hid well under her clothes. Despite no longer being a Jedi and having minimal acces to her force abilities, that object still symbolized her life. Her past, memories that she would always have to carry with her, no matter how badly she tried to drink it all away. Leaving her other two lightsabers at home, Sakadi left once again for the entertainment district of Eriadu.

@Algarus

 

[Kalanda Tishire]

Why did she even come to this world? Well, it was a complicated answer. She needed to find something for Amur and Eithni if she was being honest. Both of the women had been hit hard by recent events, and Kalanda still had a shred of decency in her that compelled her to help her friend. All she needed was baking ingredients, was it that hard to find? Apparently it was. Drommand Kaas didn't have it, and certainly Korriban was out of the question.

So, here she was, having to go to Eriadu of all places to get what she needed. Her Sith attire was abandoned for something more regal looking, as she wore a velvet sweater and a pair of black trousers. Her lightsaber was concealed inside her sweater, just in case she needed it. She had been told to check the entertainment district to find some the right stuff, but she was having her own doubts; she wasn't trying to get the pair drunk off their ass, she just wanted to make them some cupcakes. The past few days she had just felt...better, less angry. The cold she had felt within herself at times had started to warm, and she found her own temperament had greatly improved. She wasn't sure why that was. She couldn't quite describe it. She wasn't sick, nor was she feeling anything at work upon her. Things just felt...more clear for her, but she didn't know why. That was besides the point though, for right now she wasn't a Sith, just was just a woman looking to make her friends the best damn cupcakes this galaxy had ever seen.

@Powerfullhorus

 

[Sakadi Marathi Sinvala]

The route she had to take to reach the entertainment district was unpleasant. The smog-filled streets of Eriadu's third level, illuminated by neon billboards and electric lighting, only housed vagrants and freeloaders at this hour. It wasn't late afternoon just yet, but she could tell that most of the day had passed already. But her day had only just begun. She could already tell, however, that this they would be just like all the others during this past week. A day filled with self-loathing, headaches and shame. That and the lacking warm embrace of the Force. Her surroundings told her nearly nothing, as if her senses had gone completely numb. For the first time in perhaps her entire life, the former Knightess felt alone. She had felt abandoned before, but this wasn't simple abandonment. No, it felt as if a part of her had just shut off.

Her gaze shifted from one stranger to the next. Eriadu's capital was heaven to the rich, but hell to the poor. She could clearly see that now, theundeniable gap between the rich and the poor. Moving through the few blocks between her apartment and the entertainment district, Sakadi found her way to the main, covered plaza. It always looked like it was night here, illuminated by many bright lights and filled by partygoers from all throughout the Outer Rim. It reminded her a little of Zeltros, but on a much, much smaller scale. Perhaps she should visit that planet again soon; maybe it would offer her the solace she was looking for.

In the little time she had spent on this planet, the former Jedi had figured out exactly what casinos were worth visiting. As she slentered through the backwater streets though, a sinister-looking individual approached her. She eyed him up and down quickly, concluding that he was hiding something, but had no ill intentions. His question was straight to the point, as the people often were on this planet. "Hey gal, wanna buy some deathsticks?"

While she would've normally tilted her head and frowned, perhaps even politely tell the man to piss off, she actually found herself considering his offer now. Her life was already a mess as it was right now. The Jedi Order, no, the Living Force had been her focal point in life. And she had abandoned it all, because she had allowed herself to be tempted by the Dark side. As those memories crossed her mind, followed by those of her earlier failure of a life, a single thought crossed her mind. Why not?

With a nod, Sakadi reached in her pocket, trading a handful of credits for three tubes filled with the hallucinogen drug. She had never tried deathsticks before, but she knew the risk. An addiction to them could greatly reduce one's lifespan. But did that really matter to her? Her life could possibly last four centuries. Did one century less really matter that much to her? In high hopes that this drug would finally give her the satisfaction and break she so desperately sought, Sakadi continued down the street, her attention fully on the three tubes as she headed for one of the few casino's she actually liked.

@Algarus

 

[Kalanda Tishire]

Kalanda hadn't practiced baking in a long time, but she still knew how to do it. In fact she was pretty sure she hadn't lost her step in the regard. She spent a great deal of time looking around the various bakeries, trying to get an idea for what she should make for her friends, ignoring the annoyance of the smog that occasionally made itself known. She earned a few curious glances from a few strangers, but she thought nothing of it, she wasn't looking to strike up a conversation after all. Entering one shop, she found it to he owned by a Zeltron baker, who was in the process of decorating a cake, though she had her back turned to Kalanda at the moment.

This seemed like a good start, so Kalanda approached the woman. "Hello, yes, I'm looking for some basic baking supplies. Would you happen to know where I can acquire such things?" The baker hummed to herself, making Kalanda think she was being ignored initially, but before the Sith could say another word, the Zeltron woman turned around, her eyes wide as saucers as she looked at Kalanda. "Oh my gosh, I love your outfit!" Kalands pursed her lips, a tad annoyed that her question had been blown off. "Well thank you, but-" "So how can I help you today cutie?" Kalanda's eyebrow perked up now, as she was already starting to dislike this woman. "As I was saying, do you know where I can find some baking supplies in this area?" She asked for the third time, a touch of annoyance in her voice. "Oh, um, well yea of course. Just go up the street. It's at the party store, it's like two blocks down, right past the casino!" Well, at least that was dealt with. "I see, thank you." Kalanda was beginning to leave, when the baker tried to get her attention. "You sure I can't whip something up for you? Maybe I can give you a discount?" Kalanda didn't even grace the woman a response, as she doubled the pace at which she left.

At least she had a destination to go with, as Kalanda quickened her pace. She was trying to find this damn casino, possibly not even looking where she was going, she just wanted to get what she came for and leave. Her mind was more occupied on what sort of designs she should go with for Amur and Eithni, something cute of course, but there was just so much to consider when- She collided with something, or rather someone, but as she began to regain her focus she was stunned to see a rather familiar looking face before her. Kalanda took a step back, thoughts of Tython coming to her mind as she looked at the woman before her. The passerbys on the street seemed to move past the to two woman, seemingly not aware of what was about to go down. "Sakadi..." Kalanda muttered, glaring at the woman, expecting to have to draw her weapon at any moment now. But as Kalanda was glaring at the woman, something did seem...off about her. Where were her robes, and....why did she look so out of it? She looked terrible. The anger slowly degraded into confusion, as Kalanda was thinking maybe she just ran into some random...well whatever Sakadi's damn race happened to be. Clearly this couldn't be the same woman on Tython....could it?

@Powerfullhorus

 

[Sakadi Marathi Sinvala]

The more she looked at the three small tubes in her grasp, the more hopeful she became. Perhaps these sticks could bring her the solace she looked for, in exchange for a few years of her life. Not that it mattered though; she was fully prepared to surrender a few years if it resulted in a few hours of solace and happiness. As of late, she had a hard time suppressing her emotions with just alcohol. She knew that she had to come to terms with her actions and emotions one day, but the longer she could postpone that moment, the better.

Staring at the death sticks, the former Jedi stumbled upon just one problem. How was she going to ingest these? Mixed with her drinks? Otherwise she had to inject them straight in her veins. Only problem was, she lacked a syringe. Clutching on to the three glass tubes, Sakadi looked up, about to scan the street for the nearest bar.

Just as she looked up, however, the Sephi collided with another absent minded woman. Startled by the sudden collision, she lost her grasp on her new, most valuable possessions.

The three tubes shattered as they hit the ground, robbing the Sephi of what little hope and satisfaction she had. No... no no no... without a single regard for the person she had bumped into, Sakadi's hands moved over the ground to save what remained of the death sticks. It was a futile attempt, but she was hell bent on saving what she could. The man she had bought those sticks from was already gone and she knew no reliable dealers on this planet. She was so caught-up in saving her lethal drug, that she failed to recognize the voice, or her own name for that matter. Only after she was forced to give up, did the angered Sephi turn to face the culprit.

When her cold stare fell upon Kalanda, the Sephi's eyes widened. How!? WHY WAS SHE HERE!? Reacting completely on instinct, Sakadi tried to jump up and back off as fast as she could, only to trip over her own feet and fall once again. Could she honestly do nothing properly as of late?

Turning to face Kalanda again, Sakadi tried to reach out and summon the Force, but it was to no avail. She barely sensed the dark aura of the woman in front of her; did she honestly think she could keep up with the Acolyte? Not even her lightsaber would help her one bit. Keeping up her cold stare, the former Jedi waited for the Acolyte to attack her. Hopefully she would end this in one blow..

@Algarus

 

[Kalanda Tishire]

Whatever Sakadi had been holding had shattered on the ground, as Kalanda witnessed the woman clawing at whatever it was she held onto, before she recognized Kalanda's features. There was a look of recognition, a reaction that practically screamed to Kalanda that this was the jedi knight that had wronged her on Tython. Several thoughts crossed Kalanda's mind, as the expression of surprise and shock turned into one of malevolence and satisfaction.

These feelings were short lived though, as Sakadi fell backwards, seemingly trying to have fled only to fall over herself. Instead of that smug arrogant look that had taunted her on Tython, Kalanda was looking at eyes so lifeless they were practically begging to be put to rest. Any sort of satisfaction she might have held vanished with that, seeing her foe so beaten and whipped...no to attack her now wouldn't garner her anything. Kalanda stared back into that lifeless glazed over expression, restraining herself from throwing herself onto the woman and paying her back for all that she had wrought upon her. But she couldn't bring herself to do it. Kalanda's nose twitched in disgust, her hands clenched tightly as she looked down at the once formidable knight. As much as Kalanda wanted to take advantage of this, it...wasn't right, it wouldn't sit right with her. Not when she was this vulnerable. Kalanda closed her eyes, venting out all the frustration she had built up in the last several seconds, as instead of wrapping her hands around Sakadi's throat, she grabbed the sides of her hips and stared down to the Sephi.

"Sakadi, what game are you trying to play at now?" Kalanda demanded, wanting an explanation for what this sorry mess she was looking at was about. This woman had tormented her, belittled her every step of the way, and now here she was acting like some poor street orphan. What the hell was she doing? She was ruining a perfectly good opportunity to get revenge, and that made Kalanda livid.

@Powerfullhorus

 

[Sakadi Marathi Sinvala]

She fully expected to be hit by torrents of crackling lighting, frying what little remained of the woman. Either that, or a quick lightsaber strike. But to Sakadi, Kalanda didn't seem like the type to go for a swift kill. No, she would likely take an arm or a leg first. The former Knightess wouldn't try to prevent any of this, for she knew she deserved it.

But instead of drawing a weapon, instead of launching a tortuous attack, she didn't act. No attack followed after the Sephi's surrender. The Acolyte didn't even go for a degrading or humiliating comment, despite this being her prime opportunity to do so. Sakadi didn't even see a hint of delight in Kalanda's eyes. Why not? Why couldn't she just laugh over her misery and kill her? The former Jedi deserved it after all. She had attacked the Acolyte both physically and mentally; if anyone had the right to take her life, it was this woman. And the fact that she refrained from doing so, made her feel humiliated. Desperate even, for deep down she knew that this would be the easiest way out of this mess she had turned her life into.

Her question made the lavender skinned woman feel even worse. She couldn't even look the Acolyte straight in the eyes, as the woman towered over her, demanding an answer. Sakadi clenched her fists, pieces of glass digging into her hand as they scraped over the remains of the glass tubes. She had yet to start drinking today, so with a lot of effort, she managed to reach out. Her prowess with telepathy had greatly diminished as well, but at least she was still able to use it to hold short discussions..

"What are you waiting for.. I don't care how you do it, just end it already.. " she stated bitterly, completely ignoring the question of the Acolyte before her. The outcome would be the same either way, she didn't expect to be walking away from this. Because in the end, Kalanda still was a Sith. Selfish beings, who didn't concern themselves with the motives or opinions of others.

@Algarus

 

[Kalanda Tishire]

Kalanda's mouth was agape, as she heard those words enter her mind. This couldn't be the same woman she had fought recently, no this couldn't be Sakadi....and yet it was. As fun as it would be to kick her while she was down, what was the point? This was pitiful. This was almost insulting in how pathetic she was acting at current. "Get up." Kalanda's look of confusion morphed into an angry glare. "You are embarrassing yourself." She wasn't going to kill her, no, not like this. This pathetic woman before her was not Sakadi, she didn't know what the hell it was supposed to be, but it was not the knight that she wanted to have revenge on. Kalanda would stare at the woman a tad longer, her patience growing shorter. Kalanda might have been Sith, but that didn't mean she was a very good one. If Sakadi hadn't gotten to her feet by now, Kalanda would reach down and pull the woman up by force, like a mother would with a misbehaving child. "Get. Up." She stated again, the emphasis placed on her words telling Sakadi to knock her crap off.

"I did not come all this way to watch you wallow in your pity parade, or whatever the hell this is." Kalanda waved her hand about, as if dressing down the woman before her. "I would love to just end your existence right here and now, but not like this. No." She shook her head, gripping her hands into tight fists, wanting to badly to just throw herself on the woman. "You are coming with me. Because I am not going to tolerate whatever the hell this is. No. This is unacceptable." Kalanda would grab the woman by the arm, perhaps even digging her nails in a touch, as she would drag the woman behind her by force. "I refuse to allow my rival to wallow in this mess like some sort of swine, do you hear me Sakadi?" Kalanda began to muttered angerly, trying to find the peace of mind that would allow her clairvoyance to this baking store. She'd let Sakadi be her test subject for this. Yes, that would give her plenty of time to snap this woman out of this funk she was in. "You have no clue how disappointed I am in you right now. This is not how I wanted our next meeting to go, AT ALL."

@Powerfullhorus

 

[Sakadi Marathi Sinvala]

At this point, the former Jedi wondered if the Acolyte in front of her could truly be considered a Sith. She stayed silent, simply staring down the woman, who now got angry at her. And what for? It made no sense. Here she was, one of the Sith's enemies, tormented and alone, but Kalanda took no delight in it?

Because she refused to get up, Kalanda approached the Sephi and pulled her up with a hard tug at her hair. The former Jedi could tell that she was having none of it, but that would not stop the Sith. Sakadi's mood grew more bitter once Kalanda referred to her mess of a life as a "pity parade". Who on Alderaan did she think she was? Had the Sephi been at full strength, she would've definitely wiped the floor with the woman right now. But she wasn't. She was far from the woman she had been. All she wanted right now, was for Kalanda to end it. "Why won't you do it? End it. How can you possibly call yourself a Sith if you lack the will to kill your adversaries?" perhaps a little provocation would do the trick..

Not getting what she wished for, Sakadi stood by as Kalanda dug her nails into the Sephi's arm and pulled the helpless lavender skinned woman through the street. Because she had nothing better to do now that her death sticks had been spilled, Sakadi quietly followed closely behind the Acolyte. Why was this woman, one of her former enemies, scolding her like a misbehaving child?

With the utmost effort, Sakadi reached out with the Force and tried to get through to the Acolyte. "Where are you taking me..." she asked, a hint of defeat present in her mental voice. For now, she'd do whatever the Sith had to say. She wasn't in a position to bargain. Not yet, atleast.

@Algarus

 

[Kalanda Tishire]

Sakadi's attempt to provoke her would fall flat, as Kalanda turned out the weak insult aimed at her. "This is just pitiful Sakadi, what have you been doing to yourself. The wit, the confidence, you just let all of it go to waste. Not to worry, I will remedy this. And then next time I can best you fair and square." Kalanda muttered angerly, still not understanding what had driven the woman to being in this state, it just didn't make any sense. Kalanda would continue to pull the woman in tow behind her, her eyes more focused on finding this baking shop than listening to Sakadi's childish whining. "I am taking you to get baking supplies, and afterwards you are going to be my test subject for my cupcakes. You have no say in this, because from this moment forward you are my hostage until I say otherwise." Kalanda was still bitterly muttering to herself, not even giving Sakadi the satisfaction of glaring into her soul. To onlookers, the pair would look like a troubled coupling, but the truth couldn't be more different. Eventually Kalanda would find the shop, and march in with Sakadi to her rear, a cold dreadful feeling would sweep into the store as Kalanda had no time for anyone getting in her way. "Sakadi, I swear to the force, if you try anything in here to get away, there will be consequences." Kalanda sternly stated as she snatched up a basket from the front of the store and marched past a now traumatized cashier.

"Now, do me a favor and keep an eye out for flour. I need to get some icing and chocolate chips, but also need to find something else to get, maybe coconut...." Kalanda would begin plotting out her baking plans, as her hand maintained a iron clasp on Sakadi's wrist, as she would drag the woman through the store. Several shoppers cowered in fear, as Kalanda's aura encapsulated them if they dare stumble across her path. Sakadi was now being drug around on a shopping trip with probably her least favorite person in the galaxy; though in her defense, Kalanda wasn't too fond of her either.

@Powerfullhorus

 

[Sakadi Marathi Sinvala]

Sakadi blinked once. Blinked twice. She had no idea how to respond to any of this. She was going to be a test subject for... cupcakes? As a hostage? The last part made sense, but cupcakes? She didn't understand, why would Kalanda, of all possible women out there, give her cupcakes? Her! The reasoning of the Acolyte seemed to be that she wanted to beat the Sephi fair and square. Well, that was nonsense.

Nevertheless, Sakadi obeyed Kalanda's orders. She had no choice, but that didn't mean she would follow quietly. "I won't resist. Although you have to explain why you're still a Sith, considering you are about to make cupcakes for your enemy.." Sakadi's voice would echo, as she kept an eye out for flour. "I mean, you've probably murdered and tortured many who were less deserving than I. And yet, you refuse to kill me. What would your master say about all this?" It would be her second and final attempt to provoke the Acolyte.

After a long silence from the Sephi, she would reach out again. "There's your flour. Top shelf." she would convey as nonchalantly as possible, while she pointed at the flour. She didn't really care of what the other people in the store thought of the two women. She just wanted Kalanda to either hurt her or let her go. She wasn't in the mood for cupcakes, or the company of the Sith apprentice.

@Algarus

 

[Kalanda Tishire]

Kalanda had her reasons for this, reasons she didn't think Sakadi was privy to. She needed to test her baking skills, and who else to test them on then someone who hated you? Just meant she would have to try even harder to bake to the best of her ability. "Yes, I am aware of what I am doing. That's why you will make for an excellent test subject. If I make it good and you acknowledge it, that means I've perfected the batch. You'll be very, very helpful." Kalanda continued, moving up the aisle as she grabbed some chocolate chips and some coconut, yes that would go swimmingly, oh and powdered sugar! She was still in a bad mood about Sakadi, but she had forgotten just how much she missed doing this. She was honestly surprised that Sakadi wasn't putting up more of a fight, she had expected the woman to do everything in her power to break free or cause mayhem, but perhaps she was more confused than anything about why Kalanda was here.

What did make Kalanda stop in her tracks, was Sakadi bringing up her past crimes, and what Mid would think. Kalanda dropped her head, her hand gripping the basket would start to tremble. She didn't forget about what she had done, how many innocents she had allowed to die in her pursuit of power, and how little she had to show for it. It wasn't something she liked being reminded of, in fact she was here to actively forget about it. Her grip on Sakadi tightened, as her body was trembling now. "I know I've made mistakes, and I'm not happy about how my career has gone, but there is nothing I can do about that now. And for future reference, I don't care what Mid thinks right now. He can go burn for all I care." The cold aura from the Sith was starting to leak outwards. It was pretty evident that Sakadi struck a nerve there. "Maybe when you are strong enough, you can be the one that kills me. You'd like that, wouldn't you?" Kalanda asked, not turning back at all to face Sakadi, only to take in a deep breath and exhale, going back into step as if nothing had happened. "Oh, right, thank you." She commented, her tone now emotionless as she reached up and put the flour into the basket, before moving on.

She could still see the flames from Ziost burning in her minds eye, the look of the newly orphaned girl that looked upon her with hate, the screams of the Cathar woman as she warped her flesh like wood. She kept it under the surface, knowing that if she gave into it, she wouldn't be able to stop. Not in public, not here. No, she'd keep it together until it was time to leave the planet. Just like she always did. Just like she always would. The weakness could not be seen, it could not be acknowledged. This was her life now, no matter how much she hated it, this was what her life would entail. If Sakadi hadn't tried to break away by now, Kalanda would move to check out the goods she had purchased, wanting to focus on something more positive, as she could feel herself dying inside from her past sins.

@Powerfullhorus

 

[Sakadi Marathi Sinvala]

Sakadi slightly tilted her head, as she attempted to look straight through the Acolyte. Her provocation had gotten her to stop and tighten her grip around the former Jedi's arm. Her response was surprising, and that was an understatement. I know I've made my mistakes, was the first thing she heard the Acolyte utter. Did she regret her actions as a Sith? For a moment, Sakadi moved beyond herself. Her own emotions, feelings and problems faded away for a second. She had a moment of clarity, confidence and faith. Faith in the Force, and faith in Kalanda.

She knew that the woman before her was a Sith, but she lacked the qualities of a true Sith, assuming she indeed felt pity for her victims. The exclamation that followed confirmed the Sephi's suspicions. Maybe she would indeed be strong enough to kill her one day. But why would she want to fight fair? Risk death and failure for what? A decreased chance to win? It reminded the Sephi of something. No, someone. Herself.

In this very moment, Kalanda was her salvation. She possessed the strength to kill or torment her, to truly punish her for her cruel deeds. And despite her strange behavior, she was also a Sith. It would not be a disgrace to die by her hands. It was the mindset of someone who felt broken, alone and in pain. Something she believed Kalanda would be able to understand, even if she wouldn't directly admit it. In fact, in her moment of clarity, the Sephi could almost sense it.

Her clarity disappeared as swiftly as it had come though, as her thoughts brought her back to her own failure. She felt the touch of the Living Force slip away again and cursed out loud in response. Not that anyone would ever hear her though, for even while her mouth moved, no sound followed.

Still calmly walking behind her 'captor', Sakadi followed Kalanda who went on to check out the goods.

"Where are you going to take all this? It's a long way back to Sith space." the Sephi would ask, wondering what Kalanda's plans were.

@Algarus

 

[Kalanda Tishire]

To Kalanda's great surprise, Sakadi hadn't tried to fight her yet. Checkout went rather smoothly, once the cashier got over his crippling fear of the Sith and soon they were on their way. It made Kalanda wonder if the jedi was playing at something, if she was truly wanting to get away she could have by now. Unless she really did just submit to being Kalanda's prisoner, which....just made all of this much easier. Exiting the store, her supplies now in hand, Kalanda now came to the next part of the challenge. She needed somewhere to bake at. The ship wasn't going to work, clearly not, that only left Sakadi's house.

For the first time since they had entered the store, Kalanda would turn back to Sakadi, a displeased look on her face as the Sephi asked her question. "Unfortunately, I need to bake these somewhere, but I'm guessing you aren't going to want me at your house." She spoke with a bit of discontent. It was unlikely that Sakadi would allow her entry into her home, in fact she was expecting the jedi to laugh into her mind; damn telepathy. If it got that drastic, Kalanda was prepared to mind trick Sakadi into tell her where her home was, these cupcakes needed to be made, and nothing was going to stop her from doing it. At the same time, she didn't want to violate her rival's mind, especially when she was so feeble right now. By the force, why did Sakadi have to pick now to just give up on her life? It was infuriating. "I'm going to ask nicely, because I am not so generous as to drag you back to Korriban kicking and screaming, that would keep us from settling our debts." Sakadi would get the impression, if she hadn't already, that their feud mattered quite a bit to the Sith. "Can I come over to your home, and bake you cupcakes?" Kalanda asked in a strained tone, trying to sound as polite as possible, even though it was probably taking years off her life. If Sakadi refused, Kalanda would escalate this, dropping her hold on the woman's hand and conjuring up much of her might in the force, Kalanda would attempt to mind trick the knight. "You will take me to your house, and let me bake for you." Hopefully it wouldn't come to that, as any chance of the two being civil would have been thrown out the window by then.

@Powerfullhorus

 

[Sakadi Marathi Sinvala]

The displeased look on Kalanda's face made Sakadi feel like something was coming that neither of them was going to like. Sakadi shook her head as Kalanda responded to her question. No, she wasn't going to give Kalanda acces to her house. She had many reasons, such as not wanting the Sith to know the location where she resided. That, and she felt quite insecure about the state of her apartment. It was messy, the kitchen was dirty and Kalanda was the last person who needed to see that humiliating side of her.

The former Jedi clenched her teeth as Kalanda began her next sentence with "I'm going to ask nicely". The answer of the Sephi would remain irremovable, no matter how nicely the Sith would ask.

As the question came, Sakadi simply shook her head again while keeping eye contact with her captor. She hadn't resisted until now, but that was about to change really soon. At least, that's what the former Jedi had in mind before Kalanda forced her way into the Sephi's mind. She lacked the time and strength of will to throw up an effective defense; no one had ever done so much as tried to mentally assault her. A sudden flare of anger could be seen, followed by hesitation.

You will take me to your house, and let me bake for you.

The words echoed through her mind, as the Sephi's scowl slowly faded, leaving her with a blank expression. She stood in front of Kalanda, motionless for a good minute, as she tried to resist as best she could. But it was too late. Kalanda was already inside. She felt her control over her own mind and thoughts slip away, which infuriated what remained of her. Until even that faded away under the control of the Acolyte.

Just when it seemed like Kalanda had failed in her attempt to hypnotize the Sephi, she nodded and turned, ready to guide the Sith to her apartment.

@Algarus

 

[Kalanda Tishire]

To Kalanda's surprise, her trick worked. Just as she thought, Sakadi denied Kalanda access to her home; which the Sith couldn't blame her for, frankly Kalanda would do the same thing in her same position. Initially, Kalanda thought her attempt had failed, as she would have awaited the jedi to fight her back, only to receive nothing in kind. Kalanda was actually saddened as her power took effect, having excepted a strong willed woman like Sakadi would have had enough strength of will to resist. Clearly Kalanda was wrong in the aspect, as the woman struggled initially but finally caved. That glazed over look in her eyes said everything, and Kalanda took no joy it in at all. Instead of a sly grin, Kalanda worn a depressing frown. How the mighty have fallen indeed.

Sakadi would turn, as if on command like a droid, as she would march towards where Kalanda could only assume was the woman's home. Falling in behind, Kalanda followed her rival, curious where a woman like Sakadi would reside. To her surprise, Sakadi was living in the sketchy side of town, as Kalanda soon found that this side of the the world was not safe at all. "Well color me surprised. And here I was thinking you had an ouch on class in you." Kalanda muttered, though given the state of the jedi, she wasn't sure if Sakadi could hear her or not. Reaching the establishment that Sakadi called her home, she would await the woman to open the door, and make herself right at home; assuming the mind trick hadn't worn off. If allowed into the small confines, Kalanda would take a gander of the room and shake her head. "My goodness, Sakadi, you haven't been taking care of yourself have you?" Kalanda noted, understanding that there was something very, very wrong with her enemy. Kalanda would make room on the counter as she would set the bag of goods down, before moving back to the apartment door and shutting it. Kalanda would now put herself on alert, as any moment Sakadi could snap out of that mind-trick, and it wasn't going to go well for the Sith; this could get really dangerous really fast. As weak as Sakadi was at this moment, Kalanda knew that deep down, this woman was strong, if not stronger than she was. In some strange way, she respected the jedi as much as she hated her, so seeing her in such a pitiful case wasn't doing Kalanda' ego any good.

@Powerfullhorus

 

[Sakadi Marathi Sinvala]

The whole road back to her house, her body felt like it had gone numb. It was like a dream to the former Jedi, who unconsciously opened the door that gave access to her apartment. Once inside, the Sephi kept on standing where Kalanda had left her; in the middle of the room, mindlessly staring at the large window. Once the Acolyte returned to close the door behind the Sephi, as she was freed from the grip on her mind.

The sense of numbness faded away, followed by the slow realization of what had happened. And where she was right now. Someone had invaded her mind and forced her into submission. Sakadi's heart started to pound heavily in her chest. Had Kalanda probed her mind any further than she needed to? Didshe touch the memories of the former Jedi? A feeling of shock, insecurity and fear entered the Sephi, as she now quickly scanned the room around her. The doubt and fear she felt swiftly transformed in rage. Someone had entered her mind unwarranted.

Once her gaze fell upon Kalanda, something snapped within the otherwise composed woman. She was the culprit. The woman who had possibly seen her deepest desires and most cherished memories. She had no idea how much time had passed, or what Kalanda could've had possibly done to her. All she knew, was that the woman had transgressed her personal boundaries.

In a fit of rage, Sakadi's presence suddenly increased in strength. But not just that. It grew darker. Far darker than it had ever been. Allowing her anger to fuel her, Sakadi called heavily upon the Dark side as she suddenly made a pinching gesture with her hand. Immediately after her gesture, Kalanda would feel a heavy pressure being exercised on her windpipe. The former Jedi felt no remorse, as she choked the Sith with an emotionless expression.

Raising her other hand, Sakadi unleashed a mental assault upon Kalanda with the intention to cause as much pain as possible. The mental assault came paired with a single message. "You. You entered my mind..." the former Jedi conveyed with a calm tone. She cared not if Kalanda would survive. The woman had crossed her most sacred line, she would pay for it one way or another.

@Algarus

 

[Kalanda Tishire]

Kalanda had little time to react, as she was in the process of tidying up the space before feeling a large shift in the force. It was cold, dark, and worst of all potent. She had just turned her head when she felt something seize her, crushing her throat and squeezing the breath out of her. She found Sakadi standing before her, arm extended, eyes glaring into her. Kalanda had felt this before, once with Victress, but Sakadi was aiming to kill her now. Kalanda kicked herself for being so foolish, knowing she was going to die now for letting her guard down. It only confirmed to her why Mid had left, why she was always pushed away from those she longed for; because she was weak. The worst pain then struck, as if someone had taken a welding torch to her brain, a shrill and hardly audible scream being forced from her, as memories she had thought buried were pulled back up and drilled into her skull.

Kalanda initially tried to stop her, a force push, throwing something, anything she could think of. She clutched at her throat, But then a thought soon crossed her mind, 'why bother?'. She understood Sakadi's fury, why the woman was so angry, and frankly Kalanda couldn't blame her. This was what she deserved for the life she had lead. In a way, this is what she wanted. Kalanda stopped her struggling, her arms dropping to her side despite the crushing pressure she was feeling on her windpipe, the crushing agony seering into her mind. She would have cried out in pain if she still had air to breath, but now she merely hung there waiting for the jedi to end it. There was no fear in her eyes, as pain laced tears were brought to the surface and trailed down her cheek. She looked to Sakadi, her vision starting to faded as she could only watch the woman and wait for it to end. If anyone was going to kill her, she would be okay if it was the jedi. A small bit of relief began to creep in, with a bit of guilt spilling out, for having to leave her friends to wonder what became of her.

@Powerfullhorus

 

[Sakadi Marathi Sinvala]

It was so easy. So satisfying. The scream that filled the room as she forced pain upon her victim was satisfying. The woman who she considered her rival was at her complete mercy, so close to death. And there was nothing she could do about it. She struggled, yes, but that would hardly stop the Sephi's attempt to give her a slow and not so merciful death. Because she deserved it. Deserved to suffer for her crimes.

The amount of control she had excited the Sephi for a brief moment, as she intensified her mental assault. The whispers of the Dark side asked her, no, begged her to make the woman scream louder. Inflict more pain upon her. But the Acolyte had given up. She stopped struggling. Without fear, waiting for the lavender skinned woman to end it. But that was not what bothered Sakadi. The tears did. As did the woman's signature in the Force. This battle was over. She had surrendered. There was nothing she had to gain in torturing the woman any further. She had nothing to gain by killing her either. No, this was indeed over.

Rather shocked because of her sudden display of power, Sakadi took a step back, simultaneously releasing her grip on the Dark side and Kalanda. She quickly halted her mental assault as she felt the power ebbed away again, leaving nothing but the diminished Force sensitive she was moments prior. With wide eyes, she watched the Acolyte. Did she really.. attack her?

Not wanting to enter Kalanda's mind again, Sakadi kept her distance as she allowed the woman to recover. Just like the time with Eithni, she really wanted to run. Avoid all this. Forget all what had happened here, what damage she had inflicted. But she knew the Dark side would follow her everywhere she went. There was no hiding from that darker part of her. Plus, Kalanda sat in front of the door.

Sakadi held her breath, waiting in fear as to how Kalanda would react to what the Sephi had just done to her.

@Algarus

 

[Kalanda Tishire]

Kalanda had been prepared to meet her end, she was prepared to potentially cross over like the rest of her family had before her. She had expected death to come quickly, but given this was Sakadi, well...the woman was taking her time. Then it stopped, the near bone crushing force around her neck released, the searing pain burning through her skull dulled. Kalanda fell to her knees, too weak to catch herself as she gasped for air, trying to make sense of what had just happened.

As Sakadi would release her hold on the woman, several dark memories from her victim would be transferred to her. She would find herself standing in the shoes of a younger Kalanda standing before a wave of smoke, the landscape of Coruscant turned black with smoke, the screams of it's citizens roaring like an oncoming flood. The black cloud would sweep towards the girl, towards Sakadi, as a tide of people rushed towards her, slamming into the girl, knocking her down and nearly trampling her in the process. Another, she was in a orphanage it seemed, it's rooms dirty and old, the paint chipped and walls in a state of disrepair. Once again, Sakadi would be was covered in bruises, a caretaker raised his hand to strike her, only for his body to stop and be slammed through the drywall. She continued to do this, lashing out, angry tears pouring from a pair of black eyes, as she repeated the action until the man stopped moving. Then, they were gone as soon as they had come, as the sith and jedi were now staring down at one another, both too spent to do anything at the moment.

Slowly getting to her feet, Kalanda still had tears flowing from her eyes, she wasn't angry, no she was in tears from disappointment. She was at the verge of what she had wanted, only to have it pulled away. Kalanda only stared at the jedi, nostril's flaring in disgust. There was a dark bruise around her neck, which she rubbed tenderly, her other hand touched the front of her forehead as the pain trickled out from her skull. "Why." Kalanda muttered, moving towards Sakadi slowly, more shambling than walking it seemed, as she would stand above the jedi, her face twitching at having been toyed like that. "Why didn't you finish it Sakadi." She repeated, as she sunk down beside the woman, they were within arm's length of each other. Looking the woman in the eyes, Kalanda could see the same fear that she had been driven by so long ago. She wouldn't harm the woman, any satisfaction she might have gotten from that was gone, in it's place was a dripping pool of disgust. "Are you that far gone Sakadi? You don't even want to kill me?" Kalanda asked, her head dropping down, her tone dripping with disappointment. They were pretty terrible at their occupations. A jedi and a sith, both too fragile and unwilling to kill one another.

@Powerfullhorus