One is the loneliest number

[Prazutis]

Darkness is arbitrary. Everyone saw Darkness in a different way and everyone had a different point of view on darkness itself. That is how Darius survived as long as he did on Korriban. Darkness was a means to an end. Not something that could make loving beings evil and cruel. Darkness was a tool. Like any hammer or vibroblade. A tool to be used by a wielder... Darius was never so wrong. And his naiveté had it's costs.

Now he was alone in the galaxy. No one to turn to. Except for himself.

It had been two days since Lakoma's murder, and one day since Darius' escape from Korriban. The pain in the last few days was worse then any pain he had felt before. Not the temporary pain of his father's abusive training or the cold insults his older brother threw his way. Or even the way his mother would ignore him. No, this was crippling. Spiritually breaking. Darius' only true friend and the only person he felt he loved was murdered before his own eyes, by his own flesh and blood. The one who had taught him of freedom and of peace. She made him feel complete. At peace. Away from the abuse and cruelty he had come to know within the world of the Sith... and now she was gone. Taken away from him by the very source of abuse he had come to know so well.

Darius didn't know what to do. But he did know he needed to escape. He needed an out. He was Sith no longer. In fact, title and familial bonds aside, he was never Sith. His teachers had praised his powers in the past, but he simply never agreed with the Sith Code. How could peace be a lie when the peace that you can feel within is so great? He didn't match the tenacity of his peers nor the bloodlust or ruthlessness or any other qualities that made a Sith. He just... wasn't born that way. Darius was happy to be gone. Away from the family that didn't love him. Away from the order that he had rejected.

But he had been Sith for 17 years... He didn't know where to go or what to do.

During his escape, he was helped by a Sith Crusader who shared his sentiments towards the order. One who had instructed him prior. The only name he would ever give him was V. V had dropped him off on Nar Shadda; a planet in Hutt Space where he could easily run and hide from the Empire. Not that they would come looking for him. All. In all, the sith didn't care about their acolytes. At least, not with the war that was happening. V said that despite the facial tendrils, he could pass for a Zeltron and blend in... Shortly after bringing him to Nar Shadda, V left. Went back to Korriban. To report Darius' "death"

He was alone

 

[Raydo]

Reland Gil had been to several planets in Hutt Space recently to make contacts with several people in the Hutt Cartel. He didn't necessarily enjoy working with the Hutts, but for now it was necessary. That is what had brought him to Nar Shadda. His meeting with a local Hutt had gone as well as could be expected.

He made his way back through the crowded streets. The city stunk to Reland, and it was far too loud for his liking. He walked wearing a black robe with a hood pulled over his head through the crowded streets. He fit in with the crowd well enough. He wasn't too worried about the Sith or Imperial bounty Hunters this far into Hutt Space, but one could never be too careful with the breeds of criminals that thrived in Hutt controlled space, and it wasn't safe for a Jedi to revel himself anywhere when it could be avoided.

As he was walking he brushed against, what first looked to be, a young Zeltron male who was walking the other way, but something didn't seem right about the young man. As they briefly passed, Reland could sense the sensitivity to the Force. This would not have grabbed his attention if it weren't for the fact that Reland could have sworn the man was a full blood Sith. Reland had only ready about the ancient race. There were not too many left in existence, and most of them belonged to the Sith Order. Reland felt the tinge of darkness coming from the man.

Reland immediately hid his presence in the Force and turned and began to follow the man at a distance. He wasn't sure why he felt compelled to follow the man. He stayed far enough back, weaving in and out of crowds, where it would be quite difficult for anyone to spot him following.

 

[Prazutis]

Darius may as well have been a puppy searching for it's mother, because he was totally lost. Whisked away in a sea of uncertainty. This was a whole unknown frontier to him. Sure, he knew that Korriban wasn't the only planet in the galaxy and in fact the galaxy itself was vast. However, this was the first time he had ever been off planet. And alone as well. His father hoarded him, the "promise child" like a prized jewel. No missions until the scion of the family was absolutely ready. He looked up at various buildings. On Korriban, he was used to the Academy. That was it. The amount of development was shocking.

In his daze, he ran directly into a man dressed in a black cloak. He caused the man to stagger just a little bit; his size and his muscles did that to someone unprepared. "Please forgive me, I didn't-" He looked upon the man, and became a bit panicked at first. The black cloak looked all to familiar to that of a Sith, and he was still totally on edge from his escape. Darius was afriad, and he didn't like to admit it. "Just... I didn't mean to hit you." Without another word, Darius kept walking. He really needed to get better with people.

He started to think about what he'd do, now that he was free from the Sith. What could he do? He had no credits to his name. having never had a use for them. He didn't have any ideas about what he could do for a job. He knew how to use the Force to a degree and had training with a ligthsaber. Was that an asset here? He didn't know. He had taken only things he thought he would need; a set of basic clothes, nothing related to the sith, and the lightsaber he used for training, dismantled in his pocket and prepped for easy reassembling. So he didn't really have anything to sell.

While lost in thought, Darius bumped into a very rough looking human. He was tall, tattooed, and had a few burns along his arms. His right eye, and in fact the right half of his face, was all cybernetic. This guy had been through some serious trouble. "Watch where you're goin, you kriffin idiot" the Ruffian spat at Darius. He felt he could easily take this guy, kill him even. But no... He didn't want to kill anybody, not unless it was absolutely necessary. "Sorry" Darius said briefly, hoping to continue moving. Then more men showed up. Kriff, must have been part of some gang. "This blasterbrain givin' you trouble boss?" One of the thugs said. "Yeah, he is... And you should make sure you pay for your misdeeds. How's about you give us your credits and you walk away with that pretty face of yours, Zeltron.

Well, at least he could pass for Zeltron.

Darius backed away from the gang, into a nearby alley. The group was following close behind.

 

[Raydo]

Reland followed the man through the streets of Nar Shadda. He could feel the tinges of fear coming from the man. It was likely anyone could see if they looked closely enough. He seemed tense and the way he moved sugewsted he was running from something or someone. This in of itself was not odd, there were plenty of people that had need to hide from one person or another on Nar Shadda.

The man bumped into a beast of a human. The Pure-Blood Sith backed into an allyway as thugs surrounded the larger human. Reland debated on whether he should intervene or not, but after the briefest of hesitations he decided he would step in.

He stepped into the alleyway behind the group of men. "I believe he said he was sorry. Perhaps it would be best if we all went on our own ways." He pulled back his robe to reveal his silver lighsaber hilt. It was a gamble revealing it, but if it prevented violence breaking out it was worth it.

He shot a glance to the red skin huminoid standing on the opposite side of the group, and then he glared at the thugs.

 

[Prazutis]

Darius backed up, and eventually hit the end of the alley. He looked at what he was to face; two thugs and the bossman he had bumped into previously. He looked for a way out... and found nothing. He didn't have any credits to spare, even if he was willing to give them up. He could take these guys easily. But did he want to? Not only dod he not want to kill anybody, but igniting his lightsaber in the middle of a crowded planet would set off alarms. Somehow the Imperium would find out, and he brought back to Korriban, and probably executed by his father for betrayal of the Sith. Or even his bloodthirsty brother.

"I believe he said he was sorry. Perhaps it would be best if we all went on our own ways."

Darius looked out upon hearing these words. He looked out of the alley and saw the man he had bumped into before. He looked down as he casually revealed... a lightsaber. Oh kriff! By the Force he could easily be a Sith. Or... Something else? Most sith he knew would just attack, or make an aggressive advance. This one was aiming for peaceful means.

Regardless, Darius was still afraid. What if he was a Sith?

"Kriff man, I didn't sign up to fight some psycho with one of those laser swords" said one of the thugs
"You don't get kriffing paid to complain. And the boss knows people who would pay big for one of them psychos"

While they were distracted, Darius used his limited knowledge of the force technique telekinesis to throw the boss into a wall of the nearby alley. Then he made a break for it, running past the two other thugs and past the man in the robe. He was too scared at the moment to thank him.

 

[Raydo]

The red skinned man he had been following as the thugs closed on Reland.

"You ave nothing to fear from me" he said telepathically to the man as he ran passed.

Reland didn't want to use his lightsaber out in the open. So he took a quick step into the ally way and waved his right hand "You don't want trouble and your going to go about your way."

The men looked confused and then the leader spoke up "Hey listen, we don't want any trouble. Come on boys." He motioned to them as they moved passed Reland into the street beyond, grumbling about the money they wouldn't get now.

Reland looked around but the man was nowhere to be found. He could still feel that mans presence but it was growing weaker like he was moving away.

"I am not going to chase you, but you have nothing to fear. If you wish to talk I will be in the Cantina across from the street." He sent telepathically. To be honest, he never really practiced that skill. If the man heard him he could choose to come or not, or maybe he didn't hear Reland at all. Either way he was safe for the time being.

Reland walked into the small cantina across the street. He sat down at a table and ordered a drink when the Zeltron waitress came to the table.

 

[Prazutis]

While running, he almost didn't feel... no, hear, the subtle prod from the robed man. He heard the man's voice in his mind, and nearly panicked. Usually, his father would deliver his orders or his directions or even just simple conversation via this covert method. Telepathy. Secrecy, he said, was the best weapon. Therefore, Telepathy was a good way to communicate. His after was the only person he would communicate like this with, and Darius nearly freaked out at the concept of his father having found him.

But no... the robed man had said this. And... he meant no harm?

Darius came to a halt. He had been running for about thirty seconds, when the second message came through;
"I am not going to chase you, but you have nothing to fear. If you wish to talk I will be in the Cantina across from the street."

He came to a stop, trying to ignore the confused looks around him. What was he supposed to do? He could keep going, but... go where? He had no where. No one. This man... This stranger with a saber... He was his only lead. Maybe he was a new hope. And... it's not like he had much else.

He retraced his steps, and made it back to the alley. It didn't take long for him to find the cantina in question. It was his first time ever near a cantina. The music was... louder then he had thought it would be. However, he enjoyed it. The freedom. The expression. It was... nice. He gave a quick nod to the bouncer, who let him in no problem. He looked old enough, he guessed. Then again, he didn't know what the appropriate age was for cantinas. Was it 17? 18? 22? Well, that was beyond his concern right now.
He quickly spotted the robed man, having a drink of his own. He took a deep breath, then sat down across from him.

"Thank you, for saving me from those thugs." He started. He wanted to open very diplomatically. "I didn't have any credits so that could have got ugly. Thank you... But why did you step in? What motive do you have?"

A human waitress came over to the two, to check on the robed man. "Looks like your second has arrived, sugar". She gave a warm smile to Darius. Darius was mostly just astounded. How did he know he would come? "What are you having, honey?"
"Nothing for me. I don't have any credits to pay" He gave a courteous smile to the waitress.

 

[Raydo]

Reland didn't have to waited long for the man to arrive. He walked in timidly, ready to bolt at the first sign of danger. He walked over to Reland's table slowly eyeing the man. As he sat down the waitress come over.

The Jedi Master smiled at the waitress

"I will cover his drink." he said warmly as he turned back to the red skinned humanoid. As the waitress smiled and walked off "It's not everyday your life gets threatened...or at least I hope not" he laughed "and its no problem." he said as took a sip from his drink.

"It just seemed like the right thing to, and honestly I can't stand the thugs on this planet."

The waitress came back and brought them both drinks. Reland thanked her and she walked off again.

"My name is Reland Gil. Pleased to meet you."

 

[Prazutis]

"Reland Gil? Thats a nice name... My name is Darius. Pleased to meet you as well".

Darius said with an inclined head. As he had been taught for most of his life. Usually towards superiors or those worthy of respect, though it had become more of a reflex then anything. Feeling a bit more secure with his surroundings, he relaxed a bit more into his chair.

"You'd be surprised how often I'm in danger like that..." Darius still didn't really know what to make of this man. This total stranger had saved his life. Because it was the right thing to do? No, he must have wanted something. Everyone did. Everyone wanted something. Did he sense Darius' force sensitivity? Or was it for some other reason entirely? Darius took a sip from the drink the waitress had brought. Blue milk. Tasted quite nice.

"Thank you for the drink, but forgive me for asking... what is it you truly want? I don't know anyone who would stick their neck out 'because it's right'"