Ask Batuu Expectation

[Severus Creed]

Severus had wondered if the Jedi Order had missed him. Had they even thought of him? No, not from what he could sense. Thelian Lsai's death had taken more of a priority than a missing Padawan. Even in his death, that damn Echani mocked Severus' existence. If only it were him who had been able to stab his saber through the Padawan's heart. Severus would've made it slow and painful, just for Thelian. But, in the end, it didn't matter anymore. The Echani was dead and Severus was still alive. Severus survived an encounter with a Sith Lord- Thelian lost his life to an acolyte. Pathetic.

But, Severus was not on Batuu to gloat of Padawan Lsai's oh so tragic demise, he was here to find his past. The man and woman that Severus thought were his parents had been lying from the start. Severus had learned that his true heritage was that of the Drast dynasty. However, Severus Creed was still and always going to be Severus Creed. Somewhere on this backwater planet, his biological mother was hidden away, and Severus was going to find her.

There were a great many risks in the action he took to gain assistance. The Grandmaster had a lot on her plate, so there probably wasn't much time for an ex-Padawan. Let alone a Sith. Severus had inquired that she join him on Batuu to talk, since his disappearance on Wayland. How long ago was that anyway? A couple years? As far as the Jedi were concerned, Severus wasn't a Sith, but without a doubt the Grandmaster was sure to feel the drastic shift in the Acolyte's presence. He was stronger, too. Able to compete with a Jedi Knight, given the chance.

During his time on Mustafar, Severus had much time to think and contemplate his place in the galaxy. And it wasn't with the Jedi. Even if he left the Sith, he wouldn't join the Jedi again. Alexandria was the closest thing Severus ever had to a mother, but eventually the chick had to leave it's nest. He wanted her help in discovering his past. She had been their his whole life, and Severus wanted her to be there if he found his mother. In the event that Severus found something he didn't want to find, he didn't want to be alone for it. He had been alone for too long.

Garbed in his dark Jedi robes, Severus awaited to see if Alexandria had actually decided to come. He was waiting on the edge of a landing pad, gazing down at the bustling town below him. Somewhere down there, was a key that could unlock the mystery of who Severus Creed really was.

@Valen Pelora

 

[Alexandria Voran]

Alex had never seen Severus after their parting in the gardens. He had left the Order. That was his choice. They did not hunt down Jedi who left willingly. There was never any evidence Severus was taken. She knew, even then, the Darkness that crept at his soul. He was dangerous then. He likely remained dangerous now. Still, Alex had been surprised when the communication came in.

A location without purpose was all the message contained. She took a shuttle herself to travel to Batuu. The galaxy was filled with dangerous men. The Morellian Jedi planned to clean up her mess. Deftly, she piloted the shuttle down to the landing pad. Her mind was tightly closed. Her force signature suppressed. A dark robed figure stood on the landing pad…waiting.

The Grandmaster wore her armor. The pure kyber saber clipped to her waist. She walked quickly to the edge of the loading ramp. Her boots thudding on the durasteel. Her voice cut through the noise. “Severus.” His aura was unmistakable. Darker. Stronger to be sure but undeniably tainted. So…she was right. “Why have you called me here?” Alex’s voice was calm. Strong. She had watched too many of her errors pile beside her. Was this another? There was only one way to find out.

@Charles

 

[Severus Creed]

And there she was. Alexandria Voran, the Grandmaster of the Jedi Order, had answered Severus Creed's call. Relief overwhelmed him as he heard voice and felt her presence. It was always calm yet firm and steadfast. Most Sith found the Light Side to be disgusting, or something, but Severus liked feeling at peace.

But, there was a hint of doubt that Severus could sense. "Do you know how many Sith would kill to be as close to you as I am, right now?" His tone was blank and monotoned as he gazed at the town below instead looking at Alex. "But I could never do that. You are the closest thing to a mother I have left. You'd probably stop me, anyway." A feint smile spread across his lips at that remark.

"But, that is why I have asked you to join me. To find my mother. My past is a mystery...I just want to know who I am." He had doubted that he was really of the Drast dynasty, but regardless, he wanted to know where he came from. Hopefully, Alex would be content with joining him. He wondered if she had anymore questions. A lot had happened since their meeting on Yavin IV.

"Your here for emotional support mainly. In the event that I find something I didn't want to find." Severus said, finally turning to look at the Grandmaster. "Unless...you have any more questions?" He inquired, arching an eyebrow. She was garbed in her armor- did Alex think he was here to fight? Or was she simply paranoid due to the galaxy's current stance with the Jedi and Force users in general?

"How is Clove? I heard about Thelian- is she alright?"

@Valen Pelora

 

[Alexandria Voran]

Alex remained where she stood, quietly listening as the lost Padawan explained himself. He had found his mother and called her without preamble. He spoke of Sith, a bond, and finding answers. Alex remained silent. What had she expected to find? Severus had announced his desire for Darkness on Yavin. He left the Order shortly thereafter. Now she found him gazing down on a town he thought held answers. Speaking of things he did not completely understand. He must have known she would sense the oil sliding across this soul. The blackness staining her vision. She did not know if Severus had committed the ultimate betrayal, but she knew the Darkside claimed him. That was enough.

“Clove is stronger than most. She grieves, as we all do…but she will go on.” Crix’s student had been tested painfully by the Force. The loss of Thelian, the assault on Dantooine, all of it weighing on the girl. She overcame and stayed the path. A testament to her and Crix. “How did you expect I would react?” A slight downturn of her lips. “You confessed you craved the Darkside and then you abandoned the Jedi.” Alex shook her head slowly. “Now I find you here, bathed in the Darkness…having walked that very path you so desperately wanted.” She shook her head. “You make no effort to conceal it, so I can only assume you wanted me to know...to show me what you have become.” The Morellian Jedi took a step forward.

“The Empress and her ilk would love to stand where you stand. A chance to rid the galaxy of my troubling morals. But did she not send someone in her stead? Do you not serve her, Severus?” Her hands hovered by her waist. “Tell the truth.” Alex’s voice cracked through the air, powered by the Force.

@Charles

 

[Severus Creed]

(OOC Music)

"I don't hide it because I don't care about hiding it as you do." Severus remained calm and quant. His emotions would not get the best of him- not in front of Alex. "You all enjoy hiding...it was one of the reason's why I left." Severus didn't mean to sound bored, but he couldn't help it. Maybe she had every right to paranoid- maybe she didn't, but Severus made sure not to take any chances. He moved his robes aside with his hands revealing that he had no weapon currently stowed on him. If she was expecting a fight, she was poorly mistaken.

"I'm glad Clove is well...There's probably nothing she can't get through." Knowing that brought relief and a sense of calm to the Acolyte. It was the questioning about whether or not Severus served the Empress crushed those feelings. A simple sigh escaped him. "Yes. Yes I do. Technically speaking, anyway." He uttered in total deadpan. The Empire was what Severus had associated himself with, but he didn't feel like his ties to the Empress were significant enough to have total unwavering loyalty for her. Alex was finally showing off a bit of that power she held, but Severus could only arch his brow in skepticism. "Um, I don't think all your morals are troubling, if that means anything to you at all." His tone was more genuine that time. "You say some pretty smart stuff, sometimes." He grinned.

"But, staying on topic, I still do not feel close to the Sith." The grin fell away and his gaze returned to the town below. "Yes, I use the Dark Side. That is my path. Even if I cannot be Sith, I will not be Jedi. That path is no longer suited for me." There was a time when Severus wanted to join the Sith Empire as a spy for the Jedi. Maybe there was still a way to do that for her without getting caught. The Inquisitorious have always been good at rooting out the weeds in the Empire that pretended to be flowers. If that were the case, he would play the gardener instead of the weed so his roots never left the soil.

"I am an Acolyte, currently. It's mainly a probation of sorts to test my loyalties to the Empire. I'm going to prove it by becoming an Inquisitor. They have access to files that you may find very interesting." The Acolyte was more than capable of following through with his plan. Alex had already stated that she felt it emanating from him. Severus was an avid Force user who had mastered much of the Dark Side in such a little amount of time. In fact, becoming an Inquisitor was probably the best choice for him in general.

"Alex, I want to find my mum. That is why I asked you here." Or maybe she had been there right under his nose the whole time. Alexandria, as Severus had explained earlier, was more of a mother than whoever actually gave birth to him. But, unlocking his past was important to Severus. "So...will you help me or not?"

@Valen Pelora

 

[Alexandria Voran]

Ah. The truth. Finally. Alex had sat in the Council Chamber and asked for this mantle. She had asked Tedimor and Lena, to accept what came as Grandmaster. She would set the Order on the proper path. She knew the way. She was a healer, a diplomat, a Jedi who never chose violence. She had forbidden her Padawans from taking lives. She had sat in that room and promised the Order would not descend in a culture of warriors. She had been naive. The Force corrected her error in judgment. Failure after failure piled at her feet. Mistakes made by trying to be too many things at once. A woman divided by what she thought was best.

Alex was no longer confused.

The burning of Kashyyyk. The declaration of the Supreme Chancellor. Korre leaving. Her resolve was hardened. Alex had given so many second, third, and fourth chances. So many like Severus were given every opportunity to succeed. What path had that put her on? A student calling her from home to flaunt a power he did not have. A slap in her face when all she had done was try to help him. A Jedi smiling announcing he was a Sith. Laughing while he did it.

Words spewed from the Sith’s mouth slid past her. They were meaningless. Drivel. Alex was tired. She had had enough. Her heart steadied. Her mind calm. Her soul free from thought. The saber hilt snapped into her hand bursting with white light as it ignited. In that same moment, the Force came alive in the Grandmaster. Severus was dwarfed by the blaze of Alexandria Voran. The Force wrapped around his chest in an instant to throw him hard onto his face. “You are a disappointment. A failure.” The air cracked with her voice. “But I will not hang this on my soul. I cannot save those who do not wish to be saved. Those who pretend to a higher power they do not possess.” Alex took a step forward. “You’re Sith. Fine. Be treated like one.” She was finished with the likes of Severus Creed. People who blamed you for who they were. People who never accept responsibilities for their own lives. She had given Severus a second chance. He would not have a third.

@Charles

 

[Severus Creed]

Severus wasn't fast enough to react- and what he have been able to do anyway? This was the Grandmaster of the Jed Order. Being thrown to the ground hurt, in fact he was pretty sure he broke something, but his whole body ached so it was hard to tell where it was. But what hurt more, were the words that followed the attack. His heart ached, and guilt, rage, and sorrow overcame the man. A failure...Where had he heard before? Was it Veles? No...he had congratulated Severus. A disappointment...That one hurt more. Severus looked up to Alex and to hear that was...well, heartbreaking in the least. But what was he supposed to expect? He chose to leave the Order.

That was it. He made the decision. Not Alex. Not Veles. Severus Creed chose to leave the Order to learn more about the Dark Side and he did it well. So, the ex-Padawan got up on his mechanical knees and wiped the blood that had just begun streaming from his broken nose. As he gazed into the Grandmaster's eyes with his lifeless expression, he tried to speak, but choked up when he opened his mouth. So, instead, he touched her mind, attempting to speak telepathically.

I joined the Sith...because I thought I could do what I told I wanted to do in the garden. The Jedi Order was never fit for me, so I thought I could assist in ways that suited me. In the end, it was my choice, Alex. Not yours. His voice would echo in her mind calmly yet stern. I never asked to be saved. I never asked what you thought of me. All I asked...is that... His gaze dropped from the Grandmaster's eyes to the floor.

...I could be assisted in finding my past. Slowly, and steadily, Severus got back to his feet, finally getting the courage to speak aloud. "I never blamed you for anything. You saved me from a deadly crime syndicate. You gave me a home, structure, love- I threw that away. So stop acting like I came here to gloat. I do not take pride in doing that to you, but I am proud in what I've accomplished since I left." He couldn't help but clench his fists. She was just like Thelian- throwing her weight around like a damn child throwing a tantrum. But, Severus reminded himself of how she was probably feeling right now.

So, the tension in his hands released, albeit with frustration. "You want to treat me like a Sith? Go ahead. That's your choice. I will not hate you. I cannot hate you." Severus said calmly, eyeing the white lightsaber. There was a day when he had feared she would take his life- but the concept of death no longer frightened Severus. Maybe it was because of the desensitization that came with taking the lives of others. Severus wasn't sure. All he really wanted right now was a family.

@Valen Pelora

 

[Alexandria Voran]

Severus hit the ground hard. Blood seeped down his face. Alex felt nothing. Emotions were not a sin…Jedi were encouraged to feel…but in this moment they would be only a dangerous distraction. No satisfaction, no anger, no doubt…just peace. She would reflect on her choices when the time was right. She had taken life. That line was already crossed. If she was to do so again, it would not be an accident...but she would never take a life in anger. She was suffering but she was in control. Despite what Severus may have thought, a hundred odd years of life and her connection to light was not so easily eroded. Pain did not make one a servant of Darkness. Using that pain to hurt others was the path of the Darkside.

Severus’ mind flicked against Alex. Her barriers were solid, so she heard his voice as a gnat outside her walls. She could have brushed it away but instead she listened. He still did not understand. She was not some god to be worshipped. Serving the Light could not be done in Darkness. It was not about her…it was about the Jedi and very fate of the galaxy. One could never stay true while falling deeper into the Darkside. Severus continued to fail to understand the lesson. He managed to stand, and Alex did not move. Why could he not understand why she would reject his call for aid? He betrayed everything she stood for. He betrayed everything he claimed to learn from her. He was blinded by self-involvement. He was proud of what he’d done since leaving. Proud.

“Proud…” The word was ash in her mouth. “You will never understand.” She took another step forward. “You’re not special Severus.” Maybe now he would see. “I treated you the same as I have treated every young Jedi who came to us.” The truth could set you free. “The same I treat every Jedi now. They are my family but I am not your mother. There is no great bond between us. You do not walk some special path. You are ordinary.” Alex spun the saber in her hand. “You are like thousands before you. A Jedi who chose the easier path. A Jedi who fell. A Jedi who thought they were special.” The Force billowed out from her. “You are ordinary.” She wrapped the Force around his body again. The full power of the Grandmaster rushing forth. “I won’t kill an unarmed man. If you won’t fight me…I’ll imprison you like all the others.” Her voice was calm and even as she spoke. He was a Sith…just like countless before him.

@Severus Creed @Charles

 

[Severus Creed]

You're not special, Severus. Those words kept ringing through the back of the Acolyte's mind like a reverse echo, getting louder and louder until it was all he could hear. It was the truth. Which was why it stung. Severus Creed was one in a thousands of trillions of beings in the galaxy. He was a small particle of the cosmos and...nothing more? For that moment, Severus felt so small. So very small...

Now he understood Alexandria Voran. More specifically, what he had done to her. There was this fantasy Severus had that comforted him when he was younger, but in the end, it was just a fantasy and nothing more. The Grandmaster was not his family. Not anymore. Not since Severus left it to give into something darker instead of having the strength to resist it. The wrong dong in asking for Alex to come here became much clearer. So, he did not resist when she wrapped the Force around him again, flinching slightly just in case she was about to slam him into the ground again.

"I'm sorry, Alex." Severus said. Genuinely this time. There wasn't much else to say. Everyone had turned their backs on Alexandria Voran- including Severus -and they entire galaxy seemed to want her to disappear. Severus knew what that was like. To an extent, at least. But this must have been an entirely different scale than stares and common bullies. Severus was not kicked out of the Order. He left. The Jedi were being kicked out of their own homes.

"If...if you would...I still want to find my mum." Severus looked into the eyes of the Grandmaster this time. "You can throw me in a cell to rot away in, but...please help me find where I came from." The darkness he had once exuberated had died down to a little speck of shadow. Severus knew what he was asking for this time. There was a note in his pocket that he pulled out slowly. On it was an address. "If not...then I understand." He dipped his head towards the Grandmaster respectfully, awaiting his fate.

"I did join the Sith...and it was foolish of me. If it means anything to you, I should've stayed loyal to you. Loyal to the Jedi." It probably meant nothing coming from a Sith. "I want to prove it to you. That you can still trust me. But...that will have to be a conversation for later, if you would give me the chance, that is."

@Valen Pelora

 

[Alexandria Voran]

Alex was finished with this conversation. Severus had shown his true path..the path he had chosen. His convictions did not change. He was merely faced with an unexpected expectation. He begged for a mercy which Alex no longer felt. Some could be saved but she had learned to believe people when they showed you who they were. She believed Severus. “You’re not sorry.” Alex prepared to work the Force again. “You’re sorry you got caught…you’re sorry this did not go the way you wanted…but you aren’t sorry…and you’re wasting my time.” Her mind lashed out. Slamming into whatever mental barriers Severus could erect. The pressure of her thoughts hammered him from all sides, driving him into unconsciousness. There would be little hope for him to resist.

If the assault worked, she would flick on her com. The connection would slip easily to the Justiciars. “I’m on Batuu.” Confirmation crackled from the other end. “I’ve located Severus Creed. He has fallen…please prepare accordingly.” The Justiciars would begin their preparations. They would meet her on Batuu to prepare Severus for transport. He already knew the secrets of Yavin so he would be taken there and held. The usual measures would be put in place until she could decide what to do with him.

A piece of her wished he had fought back. She could have rid the galaxy of him then and there…but defenseless…that was not the way. She was angry. She was exhausted. Despite it all, she was still unwaveringly a Jedi. Severus would not have a chance to atone. She was finished with second chances. He would live and reflect on the path laid out before him.

@Charles

 

[Severus Creed]

Spoiler: OOC Note

That was some really good writing and I'm not sure how to follow up with that lol.

Severus had no time to react before being sent unconscious by the Grandmaster. He did not feel betrayed, however, because he knew whatever punishment Alex had in store for him. What was happening with the Jedi? Sure, Alex chose not to kill Severus, but even after he tried reasoning with her, explaining that he had joined to be a spy, she was still angry with him. He did it for her because he knew he could do. That was what he was proud about. Not succumbing to the Dark Side, but remaining Loyal to Alexandria Voran. Severus was already loyal, and no matter what happened next, he would remain that way.

Sith...

Or not.

[/End Thread]

@Valen Pelora