Joyous Reunion

[Castor Chumeda Volante]

For the longest time, Castor had felt some resentment to his twin sister. His little sister was the reason he was taken away to be trained/tortured into a Sith while she continued to live in a life of luxury on a planet that knew no war or any real hardship.

She would have had birthday parties and dances, balls and holidays to the lakes. Where as he had had early morning exercise, practice duels that ended in broken bones and being pushed into the toxic embrace of the Dark Side. By all rights, he should feel more resentment towards her than he did but he just didn't have it in him to resent her for their different lives and he hadn't done for years now.

Instead of feeling resentment, he was practically giddy with excitement at seeing her again. He had gotten information about her 'escape' thanks to their harpy of a mother but he was just glad that he was here.

Hopefully he was here in time.

Siggy wasn't exactly hard to track when you asked around on the right planet and he had asked around and figured out which hotel was her's incredibly easily. Finding her room was even easier considering all he'd needed to do was pass over a few credits to the receptionist. So there was giddiness at the prospect of seeing her again... but there was also a lot of nerves.

She was incredibly easy to track down.

And she had a bounty on her to be taken back to Hapes alive.

Bounty hunters would not be far behind him so he knocked loudly on his hotel room door, hoping and praying that he wasn't too late, that the bounty hunters hadn't found their way to her first.

@Esther Nyx

 

[Asteria Sigini]

How long had it been? Siggy had utterly lost track; night and day seemingly bled into one -utterly long- duration. Days were slowly turning into weeks, and still, there was no sign of Cas. Ord Cantrell was a safe enough place, but sooner or later, Siggy would have to relocate, possibly off world. Staying static for too long, it invited all sorts of problems, especially for a 'kidnapped heiress'. It was only a matter of time; eventually, the charade would have to end. The dreaded question was, however, how long before enemies grew wise to the ruse? Retribution would be unfathomable. Just thinking about it gave Siggy shivers.

Ord Cantrell has been...enlightening. For the first time in her life, Siggy was free to experience (moderate) independence. She had ventured into the seedy unknown and met an array of characters. All this, she did alone. Without her mother, without her coddling family. What else could she accomplish? What limits could she test?

Yet it was all meaningless with Cas. What was taking so long? Why wasn't he here yet?

Uncomfortable scenarios raced through Siggy's mind. Maybe something had happened to him. Perhaps he had been found afoul? It wasn't improbable. The Sith were brutal, merciless in their doctrine. Not even Siggy's worst nightmare would compare to the horrors wrought by such wickedness; how much had her brother endured? What scars would be bare? Again, the more Siggy thought about it, the more she shuddered.

There was a sound at the door. A visitor? Siggy wasn't expecting any acquaintance...

Could it be?

Scampering to the door, she stopped short. What if it wasn't? Caution set in; it could be anyone, and that was the problem. Had imps finally tracked her down, ready to drag her away? What if it were an acquaintance, Aurelian or Crow? They would know better, surely. If the Mandos had taught Siggy anything, it was caution. Always be prepared, especially for worst case scenarios. Reaching for her blaster, the heiress did exactly that.

Weapon at the ready, Siggy edged towards the door. Torn, she debated with herself; dare she answer and bid welcome? There was an unmistakable pull, one she could barely resist. It were as if something was her to answer. She instincts hadn't lead her (horribly) wrong before...

With a steady breath, Siggy stepped off to the side and granted entry. The door slide open...

​

 

[Castor Chumeda Volante]

The door slid open to reveal her.

There was no mistaking her, even if it had been an age since he had sen her last. There was no mistaking his baby sister when she was right in front of him - even though she had changed from the pretty young girl to a beautiful young woman while they had been apart from each other. Was it something in her eyes?

Maybe.

Maybe it was the Force? He felt it swirling around her, unused, untapped, but present. He didn't doubt that she would greatly benefit from spending some time with Leah to learn some control. Of course he might be able to teach her some tricks now that he thought about it. But this was, he decided after a second or two of just standing there, all rather academic.

He hadn't even greeted her yet and then there was the other matter.

The matter of the blaster pointed at him.

He looked down at the blaster before looking back up to her face with a small smirk.

"Hello baby sister - did you miss me?"

Hopefully she didn't fire for whatever reason - he wasn't wearing any armour after all.

@Esther Nyx

 

[Asteria Sigini]

Time had stopped; for that crystallising moment, Siggy simply stared, not even remotely able to comprehend what has just occurred. Truthfully, she wasn't quite sure what to expect when she opened the door. She had hoped, beyond all hope, stars would align and grant her this wish; give her the chance to reunite with her long absent brother. Painful memories routinely plagued her; that ghastly day in which they were torn from one another's life. The Empire has mercilessly assaulted her family, had even orchestrated Cas' own unfortunate abduction. And since then, for the past decade, he had becoming nothing but a shadow, a fading memory best left forgotten (or so their mother would say). But never did Siggy falter. Never would she relinquish those fond childhood treasures; the visage of Cas' smile, the impish glee they found in mischief. For ten long years, Siggy had simply existed, not truly able to appreciate the facets of life, not when she couldn't share them with her brother. They were one and the same, kindred spirits split down the middle. Without Cas, life was meaningless, devoid of any actual happiness. Not for lack of trying, but luxury does little to dull true pain. There was no laughter, no joy. Just a lingering emptiness, coupled with near unbearable loneliness.

It was the not knowing that maddened Siggy. The young heiress had no idea, no inclination as to what sort of man Cas had grown into. Rumours had spread across Hapes; terrible, salacious rumours. Some said Cas had become a true Sith, a savage beast, no better than a weapon. How desperately Siggy sought for answers. She had written reverently, hoping to discover something about her captive twin's well being. But no such luck. For whatever reason, Castor never wrote, had never commed a response. Still, Siggy never missed a birthday. She'd send one thing after another, praying for some reaction. Nothing ever came.

Until now...

The eyes. Siggy remembered them well and they were exactly how she pictured them; still the same powdery blue. She'd would recognise them anywhere. Still, Siggy couldn't quite believe her senses; standing there, right infront of her, was Castor. Worn in features but tall in height, there was little mistaking him. This was her brother.

Tears already threatened to fall. "C-Cas?"

There was a tremble in her voice, a quivering clue of uncertainty. As if any minute now, he'd fade away and vanish like some misbegotten spectre. Siggy was almost certain of this heartache. How many times had she dreamt of this reunion, only to then awaken and wallow in disappointment.

Willing to offer up her faith, Siggy reached out (blaster still tentatively drawn). She hesitated, unsure at first.But when her hand came to rest on his shoulder, Siggy nearly sagged with grounded relief. There was no mistaking it. Dropping her guard, Siggy launched herself at Cas, ready to take him to ground if she could. She squealed, encircling him in her arms as she bounced tittered, gibbering on about this and that. There was nothing coherent at first, just a rush of girlish glee.

Soon, however, they turned to sniffling wails. "Ten years!" She snapped, beginning to batter at his shoulder, "Ten years, and not a word! How could you do that to me!? I tried to write, I tried to comm! But nothing! Why?!"

Tiring herself out, Siggy then slumped back into her brother's shoulder, her panting breath ragged and weak. As teary eyed as ever, all she could do was cling to Cas, not utterly unwilling to let go.

"I never gave up trying to find you...You know that, right?"

 

[Castor Chumeda Volante]

She froze and Castor could feel that her mind was a whirlwind of emotions and turmoil and there was, really, nothing he could do about that. She was scared and she was happy; she was apprehensive and extactic. There was nothing he could do to soothe her worries because she was the source of her own worries. He would either help or hinder her worries merely by continuing to exist, continuing to be real, right in front of her eyes after they had been torn apart so many years ago now.

It felt like yesterday.

It felt like a lifetime ago.

Maybe even two.

"Yes Siggy... it's me."

He smiled a little bit and held his arms up and open wide before twirling in place slowly so that she could see all of him. So that she could see that he wasn't some two dimensional vision of himself - he was real and he was here. He was finally here to collect his little sister from the hell they had both been living in without the other in their life. He stopped, looking right at her, before placing one of his own hands over her own on his shoulder.

When she hesitated, he smiled encouragingly and nodded ever so slightly.

And then she jumped at him like a rabid ewok! He laughed brightly as he wrapped his arms around her, catching her against him in a tight hug so that he wouldn't be knocked over by her. And then she began to cry and he knew that it was the hysteria of seeing him again in action. Rather than flinch away from her slaps, he hugged and held her to him tighter, not wanting to let go at all. Shaking his head, he held his little sister tightly.

"Ten years and you haven't changed at all! Still beautiful..." he laughed lightly, "Still unruly and passionate as well baby sister!"

He swallowed thickly before pulling back from her so that she could look up into her eyes and he down into her's. This was a moment he had rehearsed before. But he had always used excuses in his mind.

Not this time.

"I could make excuses why I didn't write. The academy never let me. Time never allowed it. But they are truly nothing but excuses." he sighed and shook his head, "The truth was that I was poison at the time Siggy. Nothing but hate and anger and bitterness and for people like us?"

He reached out and poked her gently on the forehead.

"People with the Force?" His tone and expression became grave to match the content of his speech, "It's a cancer. And I refused to risk you even in the midst of it."

@Esther Nyx

 

[Asteria Sigini]

Siggy shot her brother a signature sulk; not even two minutes in and the mood seemed ruined. Still, that didn't stop her from hugging Cas within an inch of his life. She was making up for lost time after all. His poke, however, eventually spurred his release. She pouted, like she used to; secretly though, she couldn't be happier. Deep down, it was still the same Cas, the big brother who teased and tittered without shame. It was a good sign. Maybe the Sith hadn't completely destroyed him. There was still hope.

His words weighed heavily on her though. Unsure how to deal with such sombreness, Siggy quickly sought to banish it. "Things can change for the better, Cas. You've changed, otherwise you wouldn't be here...right?"

Maybe his message was lost on her; how could she possibly comprehend such depths? She knew nothing of that darkness, that plague. Just as Cas intended. But Now Siggy felt like she was missing the pieces. And that was unpleasant; she and Cas had always been so synced, their thoughts and feelings uncannily attuned. Not anymore it seemed...

She could easily remedy that.

Without much delay she took Castor's hand, all but dragging him into the apartment. "Lovely, isn't it? Only the best, of course." Quickly, she gave a tour, much like the young heiress that she was.

The suit itself was impressively lavish; drapery and finery lined every corner. Siggy was utterly content in and amongst it all; yet she noticed quickly how displaced her brother seemed. Was his long absence to blame? Were conditions amongst the Sith that bad? She didn't want to ask. Instead, she sought to enlighten him as to her recent development. Even now, on the cusp of womanhood, Siggy still sought her brother's esteem.

"Cas, so much has happened. I've met new people, and learnt so much." Her recent experienced had been 'colourful' to say the least. During her moderately short stay, Ord Mantell had much to offer Siggy. Freedom as well as connections. Hoping to impress her brother, Siggy was eager to share . "Believe it or not, I'm not some helpless girl anymore. I'm---"

A chime sounded, cutting her off. It was the apartment's announcer; someone wanted entry. Siggy looked towards Cas, her eyes wide and inquisitive. "Were you expecting anyone?"

​

 

[Castor Chumeda Volante]

Hehe - he'd missed her sulking.

It said a lot about the amount of time they had been apart that he could miss something so stupid and so petty about his little sister but there it was. He was amused but her reactions however. It meant that, deep down, she hadn't really changed at all. Sure, she had grown into her cheekbones and likely had admirers but there was nothing else. She was still the same woman she had always been and that hadn't changed.

And she was still smart.

"That's right." he agreed with a small smile, "I found some people - people who have a way for us to use the Force that doesn't lead us to becoming Sith. It's the best way forward for us both Siggy."

Of course she was right back to dragging him into whatever she was into - quite literally dragging him into her hotel room. He chuckled a little bit but agreed, closing the door behind him and remembering to put the lock on. Following her in, he rolled his eyes slightly as he took in the luxury of their surroundings. It was so very Hapan and so very Siggy and so very not Castor - which meant it was exactly what he had expected.

He didn't tell her that the Jedi life would mean she would have to let go of the material - she would likely literally spit fire at him and slap him. Or maybe that was only something their mother would do?

As she began to rattle on about what she had learned, he paused as something touched the edge of his senses in the Force. It felt both familiar and yet menacing at the same time and he was already on edge. When someone stopped at the door? He knew it was someone they did not want to enter the hotel suite.

"Your insistence of luxury has made you easy to track." he muttered as he took out his lightsaber, "Siggy you need to run - use the fire escape."

@Esther Nyx

 

[Asteria Sigini]

Siggy was relieved to say the least; the Sith and their taint hadn't ruined her brother after all. Not completely at least. Never had she been more thankful. It meant that there was still hope for him. Hope for the both of them. So, when Cas began speaking of the force, Siggy noticeably perked up; attentive and eager, she was keen to learn whatever she could. After nearly a decade, the 'magic' was still a secret pleasure of hers, one she was forced to conceal and neglect. But the spark was alive once more. She could feel it, igniting within her. Had Castor's return had something to do with it? Maybe so. Never had she felt more vibrant. Though she didn't sense it herself, ripples were gently awash around them. It was a pleasant sensation, one Siggy herself couldn't fully appreciate. Not yet, at least.

Questions at the ready, Siggy was poised for bombardment. But she stopped, growing silent and still.

Cold. She felt strangely cold. It was like a familiar chill had washed over her. Eyes strayed ever so cautiously towards the doorway; Somehow, she just knew someone was there. Someone vicious and cruel.

The Hapan did what she always had done. She looked to Cas for protection, eyes as wide as ever. She recognised this sensation; how could she forget it? It was the source of all her troubles, the cancer that ravaged her life. The dark side - not that she could actually name it as such.

She didn't run however. Not because of boldness, or bravery, but because her legs threatened to buckle beneath her. All she could do was keep her gaze fixed on the suit's front door. It would burst into pieces, any moment now. She could sense it, somehow she just could.

"Cas..." the weakness in her voice was evident, as clear as day. She was frightened. And with each passing moment, it only grew or pungent.

Only the sight of Cas' saber seemed to snap her out of it. Staggering back, Siggy finally stumbled her way towards the balcony walkways. But she stopped, unwilling to wander any further.

"What about you? I wont you lose you, Cas. Not again!"

​

​

​

 

[Castor Chumeda Volante]

By the Force... why did it have to be him?

It was, without a doubt, the Sith who had pulled the twins apart and taken Castor away all those years ago. Of all the Sith to be sent to capture Siggy... he supposed that it made sense for the Imperials to send someone who would mentally and emotionally torment Siggy just with his presence alone. The red lightsaber blade of the Sith cut through the lock on the door and Castor took a deep breath, turning to look at Siggy.

"No matter who it is, no matter what you see and no matter what you hear..." he pressed her away with his free hand, "You keep going. Keep going down the fire escape and you get yourself to my shuttle in the spaceport below. It's the one with birthday as the registration number."

It was the registration number for now - his spoofer would change it again whenever he wanted it to and it had only changed to this to give Siggy something familiar to cling onto. He smiled to her.

"Don't worry - I won't lose to him." he promised his sister, "I've grown."

The door was blasted open and the Sith stepped through the door with both sabers drawn.

"Well well... if it isn't the traitor brother!" the zabrak cooed as he advanced slowly, "I came here for your pampered little whore of a sister but you? They say you went missing on patrol. They said you died - casualty of the Mandalorians' attack on Onderon they said. I never believed you were worthy of training so I expected it but yet here you are!"

Castor drew his shoto saber in his off hand in total silence.

"No words? No come back?"

With his lightsabers in position, Castor ignited them and the Sith suddenly stopped smiling as the pure white blades buzzed into life. Unlike the blades the Sith wielded, these radiated the Light side of the Force clearly for all those who could feel the Force. Castor spoke again but he did not address the Sith.

"Time for you to leave Siggy."

@Esther Nyx

 

[Asteria Sigini]

Beast. Savage. Cretin. Cur. No word was fit enough, or rather, foul enough for this monster. Horned headed freak. Scum sucking Sith spit. How Siggy wanted to rant and rave at him; to shout and scream out all the frustrations she had endured. But nothing released itself. The porcelain mask wouldn't crack, not yet. Somehow, by some miraculous feat, Siggy nobly held it together, enough that she could register Cas' instructions. Self preservation reigned for the moment. In a fight, the heiress was outmatched; it would be foolish, near suicide, to engage with this foe.

Still, it left a bitter taste in Siggy's mouth. Not even Cas' smile could rid her of it.

Last time she and her brother faced this wretched creature, the two had suffered indiscriminately. What would be the outcome this time? She dread to even think of the such possibilities.

Edging to balcony, as instructed, Siggy stopped short catching sight of her discarded blaster. It laid temptingly close on a tableside. Stupid, stupid. What was the first rule the Mando taught her? Never be out of arm's reach of your weapon. Maybe, just maybe, if she was quick enough, she could reach it before-

Too late. It had entered.

The door exploded then and there, prompting the Siggy to dive for the floor. She covered her face, just has she had been trained and waited for the splinters to settle from flight.

Against her better judgement, she stole a glance at the Sith. Big mistake. He was exactly how she remembered him; skin a grotesque shade of red, all whilst marred with primitive ink. Debauched animal. Utterly vile. And such slander pouring from his mouth! He was doing it again, disrespecting her! Disrespecting Cas! Unacceptable. Not again, need to do something, now! Now!

Launching from her concealment, Siggy dashed for her weapon; she wanted to destroy that ugly face, wanted to banish it from view. "Leave us alone!" She hissed, desperate for this nightmare to fade.

Cas' words for lost on her now. As were rational thoughts. Fear had taken the young heiress. Fear...And anger.

​

 

[Castor Chumeda Volante]

Had he truly ever lived like this Sith now existed? How had he ever lived with so much raw hate and anger flowing so freely through his veins? He didn't know how he had done it. All he knew was that he didn't want to see it, feel it, anymore and that was just another thought that gave him confidence against the creature that now stared him down across their blades. The Sith was positively throbbing with rage at the sight of Castor standing there with his white sabers and Castor knew it.

If this were any other Sith he would consider taunting them about it.

But not this Sith.

For this Sith, Castor knew he had to be all business or else he ran the risk of using his emotions. The Sith seethed.

"So... not only a traitor but a Jedi as well."

Castor didn't say anything in response, not giving the Sith any angle from which to attack him, physically or emotionally. When Siggy dashed for her weapon, the Sith sprung forwards, intent on cutting her down while she was moving. Instead he clashed with Castor, who had thrown himself between his sister and the attacking Sith. Their blades locked and the two of them glared at each other over the arcing blades.

"You're not going to touch my sister."

The Sith grinned an ugly, twisted, grin.

"I'll do a lot more than touch the little whore. Like her mother." He cooed, "How do you think I found her? I plunked the Harpy's feathers until she sang the tune I wanted and then? Then I killed her."

And Castor?

Didn't care one tiny bit about the death of his mother. It must have unnerved the Sith for it gave Castor a chance to attack, pushing the Sith back by their locked blades enough to raise his foot and kick out with a Force push attack, slamming it into the man's midsection to send him flying back to a nearby wall.

"Siggy get yourself out of here Right Now!" he roared loudly, not having the time to be patient with her any longer, "You are a distraction at best and a hindrance at worst - leave! Now!"

@Esther Nyx

 

[Asteria Sigini]

Siggy saw the flash of sabers; she even anticipated the searing cut fated to follow. Luckily, however she was spared the scorch of its touch. Yet again, her brother had moved to aid her, just as he had done a decade before. Masterfully, Cas had intercepted the fiend's assault; now the pair were parred against one another, neither giving up an inch. It was a stark sight to behold, the contrast of colours with their brilliant brightness. Siggy might have stayed there and marvelled for longer, had the threat of danger not been so prominent. So, she scrambled for her blaster, righting herself quickly to secure some distance. Aim was fixed on the Sith, Siggy tentative stepped back, bit by bit; she dare not fire, not whilst Cas was still at risk.

Rational thought fled however when the Sith's putrid words sank in. Dead? Mother was...dead? It couldn't be true.

"No..."

Mother was safe on Hapes, back on the estate. She had to be. Sith were deceitful by nature; all aliens dealt in falsehoods. Mother used to say it herself. "You're- You're lying!"

Yet one look at that smirking mug and Siggy knew. He wasn't lying. Rhea II, matriarch and mother, was dead.

An inhuman shriek pierced the air itself; deafening sharpness followed, just as Siggy fell to the floor in a fit of wails. The pain was insensible; it was like a knife had plunge straight into her heart, and with every passing moment, it twisted itself further her flesh. Furniture rattled and shook, splintering under forces unseen; nearly every crystal and glass cracked, rendered into nothing more than shattered, jagged shards. No matter how much Siggy screamed and cried, the agony wouldn't stop. A haze was starting to form, one which threatened to block out everything around.

Everything except the Sith.

This was all his fault. He was the source; the malignant tumour that plagued her life. It wasn't fair. Why should he lived, whilst greatness like mother perished?
"You..." the voice of almost unrecognisable. There was a viciousness to it; more like a hiss than anything else. Eyes that were once beautiful to behold were now frighteningly hollow. And they were fixed on their prey. "You'll pay...I'll make you suffer!"

Rising from the heap she once was, Siggy moved forward in stalking steps. The stone marble cracked beneath her, as did the surrounding structures. It groaned in protest, its integrity shaken by Siggy's growing anguish. "Nothing..." she promised, "They'll never find anything left of you..."

​

 

[Castor Chumeda Volante]

Of course, Siggy did not leave.

Not when their mother's death was included in the Sith's ceaseless taunting. The Zabrak liked to run his mouth it would seem and he was trying to find some emotional weak spots to exploit. But the truth was that Castor wasn't weak there. He didn't care about their mother or the rest of their family.

But Siggy did.

And react she did.

Siggy was a mealstrom of anger, emotion and the Force. While this might be impressive to someone who had not trained in the Force, both Castor and the Sith knew that this, while imposing, was nothing. It was wild and it was unfocused and the Sith was ready and waiting to abuse it.

"And you'll meet your mother soon."

The Sith took control of the Force that surrounded Siggy with barely any thought. He was stronger than her with the Force and more knowledgeable and he used the Force to begin choking her. Unfortunately for him, he had to release her when Castor charged in with his sabers again.

Again and again the two warriors clashed, their blades sparking and arcing as they connected.

The Sith managed to get the upper hand for a second, hitting Castor with a brief blast of Force lightning that had Castor flinch in pain and resume the fight entirely on the defensive.

@Esther Nyx