Ask Painful Truths

[Ezra Thorne]

“I know you don’t like me swearing, but what the fuck, dad?” Ezra hissed as he stormed through the front doors of their estate on Christophsis. He was fuming. He had pressure from school, he and Dash (@Alhon )hadn’t been on speaking terms and their relationship was probably over, and now his father was forcefully having him called for what? Some stupid pulse he himself didn’t feel?

Ezra felt it. He felt sick. It made him collapse. He saw that familiar visor again, but it meant nothing to him. He considered it a part of his mind, nothing more.

“You didn’t even feel the pulse and you’re just buying into all the paranoia,” He curtly told his father, one of the rare times the part Sephi was angry. He was furious. He was hurting. This timing couldn’t be worse.

@Altaris

 

[Jaikus Thorne]

The moment Ezra arrived on Christophsis, he would realize that something drastic had changed. His shuttle was immediately surrounded by droid security and escorted back to the estate - bypassing the usual spaceport for a private pad just outside the complex. He would notice the immense amounts of security stationed at every square inch of their residence, ensuring that there was not a single angle or route or entrance that wasn’t scrutinized, guarded and secured with Ray-shielding capacity. It was the most drastic implementation of his parents' paranoia and insistence upon protective measures, and it went far beyond any supposed panic surrounding the Pulse.

It took every ounce of Jaikus’ willpower to keep himself on Christophsis until Ezra arrived. Every fiber of his being screamed to find his lightsaber and Wraith armor - to slip back into his old persona and hunt Emryc across the stars, keeping his children locked away until the threat passed. He would go after Emryc. But he would face his son before he vanished without a word.

As Ezra burst into the residence, Jaikus turned to face his son - pausing his pacing across the crystal floors. The Axxilan was visibly distressed - hair out of place and eyes filled with worry. He almost obsessive rolled the ring on his left hand, a trademark sign of the stress that roiled within. It was more fear and stress then Ezra would’ve seen on his Dad’s face in a lifetime.

Jaikus didn’t hesitate to turn and start marching towards Ezra - even as the quarter-Sephi erupted in his face. His emerald eyes were narrowed and jaw was set - though the wetness in his eyes wasn’t far off.

“Shut your mouth,” Jaikus snapped right back at his son, grabbing the boy by the arm and yanking him into a tight hug. As if he’d never get the opportunity again, the Axxilan squeezed him tightly, one hand resting against the back of his head. Ezra would feel the faint way Jaikus’ hand almost shook - one breath exhales before he finally released Ezra.

“Your sister is safely secured and being moved around stations in the Chommel sector.” He said curtly, having given the order at the same time. The distance from Naboo to Christophsis was such that Jaikus kept his daughter moving in space, rather than vulnerable on the ground, until she could be safely moved.

Jaikus stared back at his son - clearly seeing the anger etched into his expression. This time, however, Ezra would see the Axxilan’s own expression resolute - not an ounce of regret or willingness to budge manifesting. “I am sorry it was abrupt”, He said flatly, “But you have no idea what you are talking about.” The Axxilan waved a hand to send the escort that had brought Ezra out of the room.

“You and your sister - our family - are in more danger than you could possibly understand.” Jaikus gazed into those silver eyes, trying to best to keep his composure for what came next. “Because I did feel it. Because I know exactly who it came from.”

@Sreeya

 

[Ezra Thorne]

Ezra’s eyes visibly widened and he actually took a step back when his father snapped back at him. He had never heard dad speak to him like that. The part Sephi was completely silent, entirely too stunned to say anything. He was pulled into a fierce embrace, and he stood there limp and still reeling from the shock and emotions he felt from his father. What was going on?

He stood there and stared at his father in confusion until that last sentence was uttered. Ezra’s eyes widened even more. What? His father had felt it? He had to replay the words again in his mind a few times to ensure he heard correctly. His father was a Force user? This entire time he had been one? This entire time, all those times he had allowed Ezra to feel alone and abnormal his father had known what it was like? His father allowed him to stumble and go to the Jedi when he knew what it meant to be a Force user the whole time? It felt like a thousand kicks to the gut, and he suddenly felt nauseous.

Ezra stepped back from his father, walking over to collapse and sit on a chair nearby. He couldn’t bear to look at his father. His dad. The man he had trusted with his life. The parent he cherished so much. The one he favored and related with. The one that he confided in about everything. All his fears. All his victories. All his losses. Everything.

The one that lied to him his entire life.

Ezra swallowed the lump in his throat, pushing back the emotions that threatened to surface. His fingers curled against his knees, his eyes drilling holes into the ground. His ears were curved in ways that would be entirely flat if he had more Sephi in him.

“Who?” He asked quietly after a long moment, “Who did it come from?”

@Altaris

 

[Jaikus Thorne]

From mere inches away, Jaikus watched everything play out on his son’s face, emotions bubbling towards the surface that were naturally less expressive. The Axxilan knew his family enough to read every subtle and nonverbal cues- and it ripped Jaikus down to his very core. It was a pain that played out across his expression and manifested in faint pulses through the Force - anguish that confounded with everything else he was dealing with in that moment.

For decades, Jaikus had torn away and hid fundamental pieces of himself. Locked it away and constructed the lie that had been spun to both of his children their entire lives. It was the lie that had kept Jaikus up for countless nights - robbing him of sleep and peace of mind. It was the lie that he convinced himself would protect his children from the crimes of their past and the horrifying reality of it all - the necessary one. The one that was for their good, no matter how it hurt.

It was the lie that crippled and left Jaikus feeling like a failure - watching his son struggle with his own insecurities and the need to seek out the Jedi.

He had picked the boy up every time he fell. Pushed him to try again with every failure. Soothed every moment of self-consciousness and always been in the wings as support. And yet he had failed Ezra in the area of his life that the boy needed him most - and the betrayal of that lie was palpable in the air. It was noxious and painful to bear, and it forced the space that had never existed between them. Jaikus felt more alone in that moment than ever before.

Without Emryc - without his children to lean against. Just as he had been all those years ago on Axxila.

And yet, Jaikus stared down at his son all the same - watching the pain and betrayal that played out across his face. He saw the anguish and stress and knew that it came from something deeper - something more - than that most recent revelation. Jaikus knew that whatever pain he felt in that moment, the emotions that raged within his baby boy would never be anything but his priority.

Jaikus took in a deep breath, finding the composure to answer that question. “Darth Raze. Once, the Dark Lord of the Sith.” He said simply and quietly, as if the name itself would do them harm. “I don’t know how or why but he is free. And there is a good chance he will come for our family.” The Axxilan said, resisting the urge to close the distance with Ezra. He wanted nothing more than to embrace his son but knew that the boy would only recoil away from him.

“He is a monster. A demon of our past - mine and your fathers - that we have tried to keep locked away for good. Because that is our past,” The Axxilan took in a breath, but his gaze didn’t waver from his son. “Because that is our past, Ezra. Because I am Force Sensitive - and I was Sith. Long before you and your sister were born.”

“As was your father.” He added after a moment.

“I left decades ago - and I have tried my very best to put it behind me. To protect you and your sister from it - even when I couldn’t help you like I should have.” He forced a swallow. There was a part of Jaikus that knew his son would resent him for it. Be disgusted with him. Be unable to look at him. But the boy needed answers and to know enough to understand the danger that they were in.

Jaikus took in a deep breath. “I know you don’t want to look at me right now, and I know you are angry.” The Axxilan stared down at his son. Even in that moment, that look of warmth - all the love and care in the Galaxy - hadn’t faded. “And you have every right to be.”

“You will never understand how sorry I am, Ezra. And I will answer any question you have,” Jaikus took in a breath. “But I need you to stay here until I know you are both safe. Until I know your father is safe. Because that is what matters most of all.”

Jaikus paused for a moment. “I have agents to ensure those closest to us are being monitors.” Friends, family. “Dash included.” @Alhon

@Sreeya

 

[Ezra Thorne]

Raze. Monster. Sith. His fathers. Both of them.

Ezra couldn’t even process what was being said. He was normally a calm, collected and methodical individual. He tried to be. But this was causing him to fall apart at the seams. Between the collapse of his first serious relationship and now this, the galaxy was crumbling all around him and atop him. He could hardly breathe. This had to be a trick. Was this his father? Was it someone else posing as Jaikus? No. He looked into those eyes. This was dad. Dad was really saying these things.

His entire life had been a lie. What else was he not telling Ezra? Were they truly his parents? Was he truly fashioned from their DNA or was he some orphan picked up somewhere? Despite looking alike, he had never felt so much like an outsider and so distant from his family till now. He wanted to grasp at anything that could allow him to dissociate. But in his heart he knew. Was this why he couldn’t perform healing? Did Zathria (@Phoenix )know and purposely withhold this information? Was this why he was ‘special’ and more powerful in the Force? Because his parents were monsters?

How many people had his fathers killed in cold blood, in the name of the Sith? Ezra’s jaw tightened. Dash was laid up in a hospital for weeks, had come within an inch of death, Ferrin likely had permanent damage to his voice and all of it was because they just happened to show up in the path of a Sith. And his fathers..both of them…apparently had been that.

His jaw tightened when his dad stressed that he needed to stay put. Ezra’s gaze flicked up to meet his, and it would be enough to send a chill down Jaikus’ spine. It was one he had seen from Emryc when the half Sephi was putting up every wall possible. When he was withdrawing deep into himself. When he withdrew from the galaxy so many years ago.

“I don’t need to do anything a Sith tells me to do,” Ezra asserted as he rose to his feet, venom dripping from his voice. The Force whirled powerfully through him. He was a Knight in everything but name, but his powers surpassed them and were more akin to the ranks of Jedi Masters.

He would never harm his fathers even now, but Jaikus would be thrown back into a sofa behind him. Meanwhile, one of the large windows behind Ezra had a large streak run through it. The teen spun and unleashed a push, sending a thousand shards of glass flying out and raining down below. He didn’t stop there, leaping right out and disappearing from sight. He knew these grounds like the back of his hand and he knew all the ways to sneak out. Not even the droids would be able to find him.

He was alone. He was abandoned. Everyone he loved and trusted turned out to be a liar. He wanted nothing more than to disappear. To stop the hurt. To mourn his life and identity that now lay as shattered as the great window.

@Altaris

 

[Emryc Thorne]

It wasn’t long after that a ship pulled into a private hangar attached to the manor. Emryc stepped down the ramp, already feeling the distress from his husband. While Raze normally filtered things, this felt like a sudden blow to his psyche. Emryc had to pause and collect himself, falling back on his calming routines to keep his bearing. He turned to regard Tiamat who was likely preparing to leave, “Don’t go yet. Come with me,” He said flatly, sensing something was very off.

He strode in and spotted the shattered window right away and he glanced at his husband. The man was in hysterics. Emryc resisted the sudden and unfamiliar urge to rush towards him and embrace him just at the sight of distress. These impulsive behaviors were still throwing him off, and he had to adjust back to the personality he knew.

They would have all felt Raze. Jayna wasn’t impulsive and stupid. And if Jaikus was this emotional, it could only mean one thing. Emryc calmly stared at his husband.

“The boy,” He stated curtly. His head turned towards the window.

@GABA @Altaris

 

[Jaikus Thorne]

[

Jaikus felt every emotion that rippled through the Force - vivid and visceral due to the connection with his own son. It was a wound that pierced down into the center of his chest, shredding through every ounce of strength that the Axxilan possessed. Decades of fear - anxiety that his past would come back to haunt him - was finally vindicated with the reaction from Ezra, even if he couldn’t blame the boy for it. He’d devoted every fiber of his being to his husband and children - and he watched as it all began to fall apart around him.

He recognized the cold distance in Ezra’s eyes - and it was as if he’d been transported back decades in time. Like a mirror, Jaikus had seen the same look from Emryc in his worst moment - and the Axxilan knew precisely what it meant. He knew there was no stopping the quarter-Sephi from withdrawing from it all, and not a single word he could say in response. The bond between them lay in tatters at their feet, and Ezra would see the emotion that bubbled and cracked through his dad.

Even still, his mouth opened - the words catching in his throat in an attempt to vocalize anything at all. But it was the words that came from Ezra that cut through the silence - the final knife that caused the Axxilan to wince as if he’d been punched in the stomach.

He didn’t even attempt to defend against the push that sent him into the sofa, nor would he raise a hand against his own son. Droids would immediately rush to the scene of the broken window and attempt to track the quarter-Sephi as ordered, but they would find little success in the latter goal. Ezra was a Thorne and a better engineer than the rest of his family combined. He knew the insides and outs of their complex and would have no difficulty moving past security if he truly wanted to.

Jaikus knew it. And Jaikus knew he could do nothing to prevent it.

Silence filled the air as Ezra fled from the scene, leaving Jaikus completely alone within the grand hall of their residence. And it was only then that the Axxilan finally allowed himself to break, the tears finally rolling down his cheeks. He couldn’t contain the quiet sobs that immediately escaped from him, all the emotion and pain he experienced rushing to the surface at one. He had always been emotionally charged and expressive, and no more was that on display than in that moment. With a cry, Jaikus tore his hand through the air in front of him - sending a pulse of the Force that ripped across the manor. Crystal ornaments and pillars fissured, sending pieces of artwork and potted plants scattering across the polished floors. He heard the crash and chaos that echoed through the manor, until silence finally fell over the complex again. And there the Axxilan sat.

Minutes passed before the Axxilan reached out for his Nalphone, summoning the device into his hand. Not a single word was spoken, but two messages were sent out - one to both Dash and Leon. The Axxilan knew that there wasn’t a single thing he or his husband could do to bring their son back. Perhaps no one could. But if there was any possibility of it, it lied within the people that Ezra had grown to love and care for as a Jedi. (@Zay @Alhon )


By the time Emryc arrived back at the manor, Jaikus had barely managed to contain the emotions that bubbled to the surface - though clearly palpable still through the Force. He was seated on edge of the sofa, sitting amongst the wreckage and destruction of their family home - head hanging down and eyes fixed onto the ground. It wasn’t until the half-Sephi entered the room that Jaikus glanced up to his husband, staring up at the man with bloodshot eyes. His gaze flicked over to Tiamat, the care for both of them clear behind those vivid emeralds.

Amidst it all, Jaikus felt a pulse of relief - seeing the man he loved unharmed and standing before him. Things had changed. Raze was unleashed and loose unto the Galaxy.. But Emryc had come back unharmed. Slowly but surely, he rose from where he was standing - moving across the room to embrace his husband. “He knows,” Jaikus managed to get out, exhaling a breath. “He knows and I lost him.”

He brought a hand up to Emryc's cheek. "What happened?" The Axxilan asked slowly, glancing down to search for any injury to his husband or Tiamat. A part of him already knew the answer, but he didn't know a bit of the context. "Your both alright.."

@Sreeya @GABA

 

[Darth Tiamat]

Tiamat followed Emryc down the ramp of her ship, holopad at hand, pausing to watch him continue into the manor before she started running checks on her ship, however, she could tell something was off, no words were needed. Her first thoughts jumped to the children and unsettling lump dropped into her stomach as silently hoped nothing has happened to them due to Raze. She followed Emryc inside, there was more activity than usual, but the only presence was Jaikus, who was an utter mess and Tiamat immediately noticed the broken window.

The woman walked over to the window as Jaikus embraced Emryc, hearing what he said, what he told Ezra and now he was gone. She didn't feel surprised, she always wondered how the children would react to such a secret that had been well-guarded for all this time. Even she had to be careful in respect to Jai and Em's requests to keep their children safe. There was no doubt everyone knew of Ezra's force sensitivity and if Ezra was her own, she probably would have picked the same choices Jaikus and Emryc had chosen currently.

What was clear, he had done what she thought was normal for any teen meet with these circumstances. Coincidently, she was the same way, the distance, the space and even silence helped her piece together the parts that had been broken, much how she wanted to do now. "I'm fine." she stated quietly, tucking the holopad under her arm.

@Altaris @Sreeya

 

[Emryc Thorne]

Emryc’s jaw tightened.

“He what?” He repeated, glaring at his husband, “Why can’t you ever keep a level head during a crisis?” He blurted out, surprising himself. In their entire time of knowing one another, Emryc had never spoke to Jaikus like that. He had never raised his voice. He had always been the anchor, always calm opposite of Jaikus’ tidal wave of emotions. However, he was beginning to realize that Raze’s lack of empathy presented a void and a filter in subduing Emryc’s emotions, allowing him space to always be calm and logical. In the absence of that, his emotions for things that mattered to him immediately shot to the surface.

Emryc had often thought about how they would tell the children, and he always envisioned something methodically practiced and prepared. To find that Jaikus haphazardly dropped that bomb when they needed to protect the children was careless and ultimately harmful. The half Sephi slowly exhaled, reeling himself back and making quick little adjustments to calm himself.

“We need to think rationally,” He said firmly, “Chasing after him on impulse will not get us anywhere. I will put Spynet to work. Is the girl safe?”

It was only after verifying that his daughter was all right and putting out an alert to Spynet that Emryc finally answered Jaikus’ question, “A Force anomaly allowed Raze to take control. He used Transference to manifest into another host,” His gaze flicked to Tiamat, displeasure on his face, “It was…necessary in order for me to walk away alive,” He added before looking at Jaikus again, “But Raze walks free with his own body. There are no inhibitions for him now.”

@Altaris @GABA

 

[Zathria]

-Isolated Post: Across the Galaxy-​

Although it was Zathria's responsibility to train Ezra and she took the job seriously, she also didn't spend her time babying him. He was on the verge of being an "adult learner" and that meant he could mostly look after himself.

She had received news that Ezra had been called back by his family, and that brought up a whole slew of questions, but she didn't inherently butt into the situation. It wasn't until she started sensing his distress through the Force that she truly started becoming concerned.

Their bond as Master and Apprentice had grown much stronger over the last several months, and although she didn't know precisely what was happening, there was no question that there was a great deal of distress that seemed to extend beyond even what he had been experiencing because of Dash.

That worried her.

Quashing the desire to be the overbearing older sister, she ahd paced around the empty patient room for quite some time trying to decide what to do. She weighed the pros and cons of each approach before just biting her lip and deciding she needed to take the plunge and do something even if it was small. With Ezra, she knew that small actions often went the furthest.

Couldn't help but notice that you seem even more upset than usual. Let me know if you need anything or I can help, she typed, once again being reminded just how mediocre her comforting skills were but sending it off anyway. If he needed her, she would always be there.

@Sreeya

 

[Renfry]

It wasn't unheard of for Renfry to make the trip to the Thorne estate, but always under false identity and in disguise. Today was no different, and her arrival at the estate was only a few minutes after those of the others.

Though she wore her amulet no one in the room would have any question about who was really behind the disguise.

She entered the room just as Emryc was finishing speaking; enough time to confirm what she had feared and suspected. The release of Raze was something that she hadn't even thought possible. Raze and Emryc may not have been the same, but they were one. Two halves of a whole, and she wondered both how it was possible for this to happen and what kind of repercussions it would have on both of them.

No one knew Raze better than Emryc, and for all their years of knowing each other, even Renfry didn't know what the Dark Lord would do next. The greatest fear, of course, was that he would move against those in this room and their children: the people that Renfry cared for most in the galaxy.

Whatever you need, if it's in my power, it will be yours, she said, simple and to the point. In another setting, this reunion of those she cared for most might have been touching. This was not another setting.

@GABA @Sreeya @Altaris

 

[Jaikus Thorne]

Jaikus couldn’t help the way he was taken aback - staring back at Emryc with wide eyes. In all the years they’d been together, despite everything they’d been through, the Axxilan had never seen his husband lose his cool before. The words burned the Axxilan down to his core where he was already hurting, jaw clenching and setting together tightly. The half-Sephi would see the way his word hit home, even if Jaikus knew that Emryc wasn’t wrong in hindsight.

“I made a mistake,” He said through gritted teeth, bringing his eyes back to settle upon Emryc. “I didn’t think he would run.” Jaikus expected his son to hate him. To put up walls and distance himself. But he didn’t expect Ezra to storm out of their residence to flee into the stars - contrary to his family almost always behaved in moments of difficulty. The additional stress and crisis with Dash was a mystery to Jaikus even still - and it confounded an already difficult situation.

He exhaled through his nostrils, taking a moment to calm his nerves. Jaikus nodded ever-so-slightly when Emryc mentioned not chasing after Ezra - knowing that the boy would only do his best to get away from his parents. “Jayna has been moved to a secure station. She doesn’t know anything and I don’t think she’ll do anything stupid.”

There was a visible shift in Jaikus’ expression when the situation was further explained. The Axxilan had already guessed that Raze was free somehow - but knowing that he’d found his own corporal host was terrifying to believe. His gaze flicked between Emryc and Tiamat, “That is what matters,” He said quietly, still processing the information. “That you are alive. That you both are.”

“But none of us are safe now,” He exhaled slowly. The Axxilan couldn’t predict what an unchained Raze would possibly do, but his mind immediately went to work to protect those closest to him. To prepare for any retribution the monster might attempt to seek out. All of them were at risk. All of them had something to offer Raze. Emryc and himself were perhaps the entities on the Galaxy that Raze had reason to despise the most, and one of the most complete vaults of Sith artifacts in one place. Tiamat had knowledge of the Hypergates and space like few others on the Galaxy. Renfry’s knowledge of alchemy and Magick - combined with Raze’s connection to the Fanged Spirit on Dathomir - made her a target.

Jaikus glanced over when the latter entered the room - offering her a small nod, relieved to see her alive and well. “Thank you.” Even still, the tension in the room remained thick. “Is Arla safe?” He asked at once. The girl would always be important to him, and Jaikus could only hope that Renfry would take the same precautions as he’d taken with his own children.

Only then did he glance back to Emryc and Tiamat. “What will he do next?” He wasnt even sure they would have answers to that question. But Emryc knew him better than anyone, and Tiamat had seen him in control for the first time in decades. If anyone had even an idea, they would

@Sreeya @Phoenix @GABA

 

[Darth Tiamat]

...the boy...
...the girl...

Tiamat's jaw clenched and her body stiffened, the rest of the conversations seemed to be drowned by the storm of conflict that swirled in her mind and through her body. She didn't even notice Emryc's glance when he turned his gaze to herself, speaking of the process of how he was freed. Her own eyes spoke as she remained silent, bothered, the feelings perhaps even amplified by the tension and worry in the room. It wasn't until she felt Renfry's presence did she feel her shoulders drop and her mind clear.

What will he do next?

That question had a clear answer, "He will destroy everything. He is going to do everything he created to do. Take everything that was held from him and more." her stomach tightened, she didn't want to be here trying to work out a plan while she was still figuring out what she now wanted for herself, let alone the people in this room and the trillions that will feel Raze's wrath in one form or another. She felt nothing to the future plights of others.

"And I say let him, I don't feel this galaxy deserves reprieve." Tia added, her gaze resting on the broken window. Perhaps tomorrow she wouldn't mean it, but it felt good to say it then, the anger, hurt and turmoil close to spilling as she mentally pushed back herself from letting it all go.

@Phoenix @Sreeya @Altaris

 

[Emryc Thorne]

Emryc wasn’t surprised to see Renfry appear. He was silent as everyone brought up different ideas and strategies. He tilted his head to look at Tiamat, unsurprised by her terribly pessimistic attitude. He knew then that she had seen a lot. He said nothing on the entire ride back to the planet, but her attitude being more cantankerous than usual suggested Raze revealed far more truth than he would have liked.

“Do not go to him,” Emryc stated flatly as he looked at her, "He will never give you what you seek," As for answering Jaikus’ question, the half Sephi said nothing. He reached into his pocket, brought out a cigarra, and stepped out into a balcony and away from the others. He drew from the cig and exhaled a cloud of smoke, gazing at the endless valleys of crystal. Emryc despised being caught up in emotional drama. He was a methodical man by nature, and this was the first time he felt inadequate. The Force was not at his command as readily as it was in the past. Raze was the only being he feared, and now it was unleashed. His son… as aloof as Emryc was, he did care for the boy. The fact that the source of his absence stemmed from learning the truth about his parents made him wonder if it was a fissure that could ever be mended.

For now, Emryc let the others discuss among themselves, removing himself from the conversation. He quietly smoked on the balcony, analyzing, calculating, processing the ways he knew how.

@Phoenix @Altaris @GABA

 

[Renfry]

Renfry listened to everyone giving their takes on what had happened, and she couldn't help but feel it was... strange. It seemed like it had been so long since they were all in a room together, and never to try to hunt down Darth Raze.

She is on Dathomir in the palace, she said. She hadn't fully explained to Arla what had happened - because how could she, really, when she wasn't even sure - and she could only hope that her daughter remained on world for the time being.

She heard Tiamat say to let him destroy the galaxy, and Renfry tended to agree. The list of things that Renfry cared for anymore was a short list, and if Raze didn't touch those, then what did she care? But did she really think he wouldn't do that? He had come for Dathomir once long ago. What was to say he wouldn't do so again? Or any of those in this room: the people she cared about.

In the entire galaxy, she knew there were few who were a true threat to her anymore, but she knew that Raze was one of those. He was dangerous beyond words.

Until he comes for you... she said, motioning to Tia ...or you two. Or Jayna or Ezra or Arla, she said. The thought caused her gut to churn within her. It was something she couldn't let happen. What if he had already gotten to Ezra? For all she knew, it was too late.

He will only become more powerful. We need to deal with him before it's not possible to, she said. It was the thing no one wanted to say, and it occurred to her that the bulk of that might fall to her. If she could even survive.

 

[Jaikus Thorne]

Jaikus briefly closed his eyes, offering Renfry a small nod when it was mentioned that Arla was safe on Dathomir. There was a part of the Axxilan that didn’t necessarily believe the planet to be entirely safe from Raze, did he trust his niece’s curious nature wouldn’t draw her to seek out the Pulse by her own volition. Even still, he didn’t voice those concerns aloud - instead opting to trust in Renfry’s judgement. After what had just occurred with Ezra.. He wasn’t nearly as quick to offer his own input on managing children.

Instead, his gaze quietly drifted over to Tiamat - lingering on the woman after her pessimistic remark, and the responses of both Tiamat and Emryc.

He couldn’t help but wonder if, aside from Emryc, he was the only one that truly understood the animal that Raze was. The Axxilan had seen the moment when Emryc had completely lost control - a brief moment when the monster was completely in control - and nearly lost his life for it. The Axxilan didn’t know what had driven Tiamat to the brink - he didn’t know what she’d seen or what Raze had done - but none of it boded well. “Our family,” Jaikus repeated quietly, meeting her gaze. “Will always be a target, so long as he walks free.” Whatever her feelings towards Emryc in that moment - whatever her anger towards the Galaxy, Tiamat was part of their little family.

Jaikus watched as Emryc excused himself from the room, making for the balcony with a cigarra. It was a habit that the half-Sephi only fell into when he was especially stressed or pleased - and Jaikus didn’t need to guess which his husband was feeling at that precise moment. It forced an exhale through the Axxilan’s nostrils, a concerted effort made to rein in the emotions that roiled within him. The moment for hysterics and outbursts had passed. They needed to prepare for the worst and the Axxilan knew it.

“Finding him won’t be the difficult part,” He said after a tick, glancing back to Renfry. Unlike Emryc, the monster made no attempt to mask his presence in the Force. It was a cancer that spread across the Galaxy and reminded everyone of his power - and it would only take following it back to the source. But then what? Even in his infant state, the idea of anyone directly facing Raze bordered on suicide.

“You once helped to force the Entity from this plane,” He said after a moment, turning his attention to Renfry. “And perhaps that is what Raze is most akin to.” It wasn’t a human person or sentient being - equipped with emotions and weaknesses - they were dealing with. He was an entity. An abomination within the Force. A supernatural thing that surpasses all of them. Banishment, containment.. Perhaps those were the better alternatives.

“Short of that.. Keeping tabs on what he is doing. Sabotaging his operation and influence wherever it crops up within the Galaxy.” Facing Raze directly was a problem all on its own. But eventually the monster would need resources beyond his own power. Underlings to carry out his agenda and money to finance his endeavors. Those were easier to target - and allowed the Axxilan to fall back on his basic instincts as an ISB operative.

@Sreeya @GABA @Phoenix

 

[Darth Tiamat]

Her own gaze starred daggers into Emryc as he warned her not to go to him. It was obvious at this point he would know what she now knew. All this time she had questioned if there was something wrong with herself, when she had reached out and all she was met with a wall, when she grew frustrated with his redirection and it was a 'her' problem, how much her lack of tranquility was because he, Emryc, was severing that bond?

How much of her suffering was shared with Raze? How much had she felt of his own?

She could barely hear the conversations taking place, the mention of family, and us, and our only irritated the woman further. Right now, she didn't feel family as she questioned how further she could have gone in her own power; all the times she sought for his guidance, his calm, did he just use it to make Raze stronger? Perhaps it was a question that she would never have the answer to, she only knew what she had now because Raze showed her, and she doubted Emryc would ever spend time to justify his decisions. She knew that much about him at least.

"Those are all so dumb, banishment, containment, he would assume to die before he would ever allow that to happen again. So when he does come be prepared to kill him, obey, or die." Tiamat scoffed, tossing her holopad down to throw her arms in the air with her disbelief, annoyance, and frustration, "But why would care about any of us? He's probably kriffing tired of looking at you and the kids, Jaikus, and Renfry, he probably thinks you're useless; me, I'm an insect, and Em out there, he doesn't need kriffing him anymore, he served his purpose." Tiamat gave an exaggerated shrug.

"Best to let him be and if he comes, it would probably be me first, because now I know, I am the weakest link here. And then -then good riddance, then I can at least die in good conscious that I don't have to deal with this bantha shit or any other surprises to ruin my existence any longer." The holopad snapped back to her palm, "Let the kriffin' jedi deal with him."

@Sreeya @Phoenix @Altaris

 

[Jaikus Thorne]

Jaikus slowly turned his attention back to Tiamat, listening as the redhead went off in her tirade. Despite the woman’s pessimistic attitude since arriving at the manor, the Axxilan had bit his tongue - up until the moment she pointedly lashed out at him and the suggestions they made. He blinked a few times, not quite believing what he was hearing at first from the woman.

Only a moment ticked by before his jaw tightened into place - emerald eyes narrowing into thin daggers. He hadn’t the slightest clue what Tiamat had seen in Emryc’s mind, or perhaps what Raze attempted to manipulate her with. He had none of the context to the irritation that roiled off of her.

Instead, as far as Jaikus could tell, it was nothing but Tiamat throwing her arms up in exasperation because the circumstances had become difficult. A suggestion to do nothing when his family - all of them in that room, and the children between them. A suggestion that she would rather do nothing, versus fighting for it. At the end of the day, Renfry was right, and it was a thought that terrified him to his very core.

“Are you quite finished?” The Axxilan cut across the room flatly, keeping his eyes narrowed on Tiamat. Whatever her problem was, he had little patience for it - least of all after the entire incident with Ezra and being on the receiving end of Emryc losing his cool. His fingers flexed towards a fist, knuckles squeezing together. “Or was there more to the self-deprecating tirade about being the ‘weakest link’?”

“Whatever happened - wherever the fuck you both went - doesn’t matter anymore. Whatever you saw, doesn’t matter anymore. Whatever Raze said that is still in your head, doesn’t fucking matter.” He said coldly.

“Right now, I don’t care. Because he is out there and that is the only problem we should be concerned about. Because my only concern is the people in this room - including you.”

“Because I cannot imagine that you honestly believe he won’t come for the people in this room.” He hissed. “That he won’t show up on Dathomir where his Magick is strongest. Or come to take whatever technological secrets from you he wants. Or come for me or Emryc after two fucking decades of imprisonment.” He glared. “Or come after my son,” He pointed a finger at Renfry. “Or your daughter, as his next host or apprentice. Or does it simply not matter?”

“If you wish to believe that - by all means, Tiamat. But I refuse to bury my head in the sand, and pray that Raze will simply pass us over based on lack of interest.”

“Because he won’t. And I won’t jeopardize what is mine based on hopes that the Jedi of all fucking people will deal with it for you.”

@Sreeya @Phoenix @GABA

 

[Darth Tiamat]

Tiamat rolled her eyes when Jaikus told her it didn't matter, she knew her apathy would strike a nerve, and with all she was trying to process, none of his worries mattered. As selfish as it seemed, she felt herself being pulled back into her thoughts, unable to escape the lingering questions, a wound she thought was shut tight now burst open, it bled, everything felt so raw.

"Do what you wish to do then, Jaikus." she hissed, "For me, I don't know what to care for anymore or who." she snapped at him, her fingers curling into a fist, "And I am not done with my tirade, you know why? Because I am angry, angry because all these years it turns out I can't get over a heartache, pretty pitiful? Don't you think?" she started to pace, "What's even more pitiful, I can't even love decent people even when they showed interest, Crix- Draugr-, Altair, or allow myself to feel their love because it wasn't.. the same. It wasn't his love." Tiamat paused, feeling herself stiffen.

"It wasn't the same love I had from Raze and I loved Raze..." Tia's voice trembled, her eyes fell to the floor, "I didn't think it would hurt anymore, I saw so much when I freed them, I... I don't...I just don't care anymore, Jai, I can't care anymore. Monsters don't love, I don't love, just suffer and-" she gestured to him, Renfry and Emryc on patio, "Suffer those around me, look what I do, what I have done to the galaxy again." she said recalling the Eternal.

Tia paused, feeling the tears swell in her eyes, waiting for them to settle, "It makes sense, the only way to have love for a monster is to be one myself because I don't think I stopped loving him."

@Altaris @Sreeya @Phoenix

 

[Jaikus Thorne]

Once more, Jaikus could feel the anger begin to boil up within him - hearing the first part of Tiamat’s retort. It was a slap in the face to everything he’d said, and the pressing concerns he harbored for everyone in that room. Reaching the end of his patience, the Axxilan felt the familiar urge to throw something across the room and vent his anger in the explosive way that Emryc had seen on multiple occasions. It wasn’t until Tiamat continued that Jaikus allowed himself to pause - considering every word.

He listened as she mentioned her heartache, watching as she paced. For all the sympathy he might’ve felt, he couldn’t fathom why any of it was relevant to that moment. Why now? Why was this surfacing now? When she mentioned Raze, Jaikus stared back at her blankly.

His lips almost twitch upwards with disbelief. Did she truly not understand Raze at all - to believe he was capable of any emotion, least of all love? No… That wasn’t it. She’d seen something. Been told something along those lines and said as much. She’d allowed the monster to worm his way into her mind and his manipulation lingered, even in that critical moment. It was enough to visibly make Jaikus tense. It all began to make sense - and it didn’t need the rest of the context. He didn’t need to know what Raze had shown her specifically or what she now claimed to know.

What she said was enough.

“Listen to me closely,” He began slowly, his voice uncharacteristically severe.

“There is not a single place in the Galaxy where Raze is more in command than his own mind. Whatever you saw during the split - he allowed you to see it. Whatever you saw, he wanted you to see it - and he wanted you to see it for a purpose.” Rather than matching her pacing, the Axxilan stood perfectly still - emerald gaze boring into the redhead intensely. “What do you think that purpose was, Tiamat? What reason do you believe Raze had to allow you to see anything within that space?” He allowed the words to hang in the air. He wanted Tiamat to think about it - he wanted her to be given an opportunity to doubt what she had seen.

“It is a lie, Tia. You had no love from Raze - because he isn’t capable of it. Not for you or anyone else in this Galaxy. Not ever.” Jaikus said firmly. “He is a monster devoid of such emotions. He wishes only for obedience. Only for control. Only for subservience.” The Axxilan tilted his head to the side. “And your heart gives him that. He will manipulate and show you exactly what he needs to show you - in order to keep you chained to him. You know this. You know how he operates. You know better.”

The Axxilan took in a deep breath. In the back of his own mind, there was a seedling of doubt - that perhaps he was wrong. But it didn’t matter in the end. He needed Tiamat on their side and stalwart against Raze - and it meant undoing any manipulation he had attempted to seed into her mind. Even if it was a lie. Even if it was manipulation in turn.

“Raze, is a monster. The Eternal, is a monster - and they are the worst kind because they will guide you to believe they aren’t.” The Axxilan took a single step towards her. “But you are not a monster, Tiamat. And you will never stop suffering - you will never stop loving him - so long as you don’t find contentment within yourself.” All the loneliness and inadequacy was a weapon for Raze and those like him.

“If you are the weakest link, it is because you inflict that self-fulfilling prophecy upon yourself. It is because you choose to give him that power over you, even when you know that Raze will never give you what you want.” He took in a breath. “Choose not to.”

“Do you want to know who you should care for?” He approached her slowly. “Care for those who are consistent in your life. Who have fought and put themselves on the line for you. Who will continue to do so, no matter the mistakes that are made. This family. Your family. You may choose not to care, Tiamat, but I do.”

@Sreeya @GABA @Phoenix