Revelations of a Slave Boy

[Prazutis]

Praz was sitting in his room, reading a tome on Sith History written in the Sith Language. It was the book he most recently took from the academy's library... Emphasis on took. Praz was still a bit of a klepto, and found a thrill in sneaking into the library and taking the book. As opposed to simply asking for the book and maybe receiving it. Praz was getting back into his studies of Ancient Sith; a language he had taken to ever since he arrived on Korriban. The language itself had a sort of allure that Praz had no means of justifying. He simply found the language fascinating. Praz was currently reading about the history of the ancient Rakata and the Sith species, in the time of King Adas.

"Ir mazo zhol meo anas tave rakata sverija..."
(And so it was that the Rakata had reached their...)

"...Prazutis"

Praz was utterly shocked. No, shocked didn't cut it. He was aghast. His name... in a Sith tome?! What could that possibly mean? It was incredible! Prazutis knew nothing about his history or his parents. The ladies at his orphanage had nothing to offer on the subject. According to them, he was left at their doorstep with a name and a wish to be kept safe.

He wasted no time. He had to find out more.

He ran from his room and towards the chambers of the one person in the academy who knew for sure knew anything about the Sith, and had even offered to show him the cultural ways of the Sith: Master Sin'ryk. He ran to his chambers. Even though Praz would usually knock and be as polite as possible when he wanted something from one of the Sith, he simply barged into his room. Sincerely hoping he would be there.

"Master Sin'ryk, I need to talk to you"

 

[Pureblood-Sin]

Yay to he who hath cloven the foolish mortal, for great is the power of the Left-Handed God... The words echoed in Sin'ryk's mind as he looked upon the ancient text known as Arazh Zohuuld; one of the many sacred texts utilised by the Kissai Priests until the coming of the Jen'Jidai. Indeed, though the tribes Sin'ryk hailed from no longer kept the Old Gods, the Red Sith was still fascinated with the ancient tails of old. True to the nature of their people, these legends were bountiful with cruelty, murder and betrayal; aspects that truly characteristic of the Sith species. From what the Arcanist had managed to glean, the Arazh Zohuuld is but one of many sacred texts that were essential to Kissai education in the ancient times; to serve the gods, they had to know of their natures, their deeds and the ceremonies required to appease them. Outsiders would think of the Sith gods as evil, yet Sin'ryk knew that they were manifestations of the racial consciousness of the Sith people; they simply communicated what they were about.

As the Arcanist was about to turn the Grotthu-skin page; he heard someone burst in the stone door to his tomb-abode. He swiftly recognised the essence to be Prazutis...and the sensation of need radiated from him. No sooner had the Acolyte arrived and stated he needed the Master's help, he then gave his response as he put the book down. His tone still maintained that characteristic warmth.

"Whilst I confess to preferring a knock on the door, how can I help you?"

 

[Prazutis]

Upon storming into the room, Praz pretty much immediately regretted what he did. Any other master would probably have him punished in some way, shape or form. Force choked, or even worse... Lectured. But Sin'ryk was different. He held his composure no matter what was thrown at him. Praz respected that.

Though he had only had one interaction with the Sith Master, Praz knew he was someone to go to for help. He was a reasonable man, and a knowledgable one too. He knew what he was talking about, and didn't shy away from sharing it. He had helped Praz study Ancient Sith and offered to immerse him in their cultural ways. Praz, at the time, was too preoccupied with Crusader Raith to take up his offer.

The interaction had imparted with him the Master's knowledge of the Sith, and it was for that reason that Praz seeked his council.

"Sorry for intruding, Sin'ryk... I mean Master Sin'ryk. But I need your help with something." Praz held up the history book to show Sin'ryk what he was reading. He walked over to the Master, flipping through the book to the chapter where he had discovered his name written.

"I'm not sure if you remember my name, Master Sin'ryk, but it's Prazutis. I go by Praz. And... right there, in a Sith Text, in Ancient Sith, there's my name... Written in full... Would you have anything to say about this?"

 

[Pureblood-Sin]

Sin'ryk listened closely as the Acolyte before him spoke; indeed, he remembered the being before him. In fact, he remembered every single being that he had come across, as was his nature as a scholar. With each syllable coming from Prazutis' lips, the many faces he had seen cycled within his mind's eye. However, as soon as the Acolyte mentioned that his name was within an ancient text that was presented before him. Putting down his own book, Sin'ryk stroked his cheek tendrils as he began to speak.

"I never forget a face Prazutis." He began with a smile. "So you say that your very name lies within this very text? An inevitability considering its origins."

The Arcanist then gestured for the Acolyte to take seat, before promptly gesturing to the bowl of fruits between. After this gesture of hospitality was complete, he then proceeded to continue addressing the matter at hand; his gut already told him where the conversation was going.

"Yet the real question about origins is, what do you know of yours? An essential question to be sure."

 

[Prazutis]

Prazutis was wracked with excitement, but also anticipation. He didn't know what to say. He never suspected that when he was brought to the Sith, he'd find any clues regarding his origins. Anyone who may have known anything about who Praz was or where he came from was dead, or missing. And here, in a dusty book, he found a huge clue about himself.

Accepting Sin'ryk's offer to sit down, Praz nodded, then took a seat. Usually he wasn't this respectful to anyone besides Viole. Although Sin'ryk was deserving of it. He was a classy Sith.

"I don't really know anything about my origins, Master Sin'ryk. I'm an orphan, but I'm sure you hear that a lot with the Acolytes". Praz chuckled at his own little joke, but then quickly returned to the matter at hand. "I don't know anything... This is the closest thing I know about my origins... Let me ask you somethin; do you know what "Prazutis" means? You're fluent in Ancient Sith."

 

[Pureblood-Sin]

Sin'ryk chuckled warmly as the young Acolyte finished speaking. "That is an understatement young one, the Sith language is my native tongue after all. As to the matter of your name..."

Sin'ryk began to stroke his tendrils again, unsure of how to put the word into Basic; the word Prazutis bore within it several meanings, many of which could be considered abstract in their origins. In the context of the Rakata, it could only mean one thing.

"Prazutis could mean many things...it holds many meanings that Basic could never express. Given the context here, the word refers to the "Journey's End". Tell me, have you any marks upon yourself that most Humans wouldn't have?"

 

[Prazutis]

Journey's End... Even that could have many different interpretations. It seemed in reference to the Rakata, it meant their destruction. Or at least their failure to overtake the Sith People. That's something he respected about the Sith. Their resilience. However... Journey's End. Very curious.

While lost in though, he nearly disregarded Sin'ryk's last question. "Any marks? That Human's wouldn't have? Well... There is one thing..."

Praz proceeded to take off his shirt, revealing his bare chest. Noticeably, he was hiding his back to Sin'ryk. Upon his chest, across his upper body, everything seemed a bit more pronounced. Ridges of bone graced his chest. It never impeded Praz at all, but it did look a bit out of place. Odd.

"My chest has always been like this. I always thought it was a deformity. So did the Ladies who ran my Orphanage. Didn't really mind though. Makes me look stronger." Praz chuckled.

"Why? Does this mean anything?"

 

[Pureblood-Sin]

Sin'ryk stooped to show that he was looking at the birthmark; upon closer inspection, it was clear that it was far too ordered to be a mutation. The bony-growths were too symmetrical and identical to the marks on his own chest...except his were much more prominent. The Red Sith then gave his conclusion.

"All right, it seems I am gaining a better picture of what I'm seeing here. Alas it needs further clarification."

Stroking his tendrils, Sin'ryk moved on.

"Have you any other traits that most typical Humans wouldn't possess? Such as inhuman skin tones...I can only see you through the Force and not the compositions reality has placed onto you. Also, do you feel an innate bond with the Dark Side? These question are pivotal to the answer at hand."

 

[Prazutis]

Praz felt suddenly bombarded with questions he did not know the answers to. Typically he liked to prepare himself for a confrontation like this so he knew what he was talking about going in. However, in the present instant, he was totally unprepared. He was too excited.

But what could this mean? The answer at hand? Was he... Praz had read that the Ancient Sith species would mate with humans through means of Sith Magic. But that was impossible! ...or was it? Perhaps what he caused "birth defects" or injuries were not such. Maybe they were...

"Well, if I'm bein' totally honest... My skin has always been a bit more pink then most people. I just assumed that it was massive sunburn. Even though it didn't hurt, i thought that I just got used to it on Tatooine. As for the 'bond with the Dark Side'... I'm not sure. I taught myself basic force abilities a few years back. However, I wouldn't call it some... innate bond? Thats what you said, right?"

 

[Pureblood-Sin]

The Red Sith then stroked his tendril, listening keenly as the Acolyte answered his question. Thus far, it seemed he had many of the traits that correspond with an abundance of the ancient bloodlines.

"Your resistance to the light of a sun is to be expected of those who've retained enough Sith blood for it to show in their appearance. Just look at Korriban and you can see the type of world our forebears evolved to live on. The Sith are a people of the Force, it is only natural that our descendants inherit such abilities."

After that was said, Sin'ryk then reached towards his belt and pulled a small knife free from it. "With your permission, I would like to taste your blood; given that it seems you've retained enough of the traits of the Sith people for it to be abundant in your blood. If it seemed you were of a lower blood quantum, I'd have to take to performing a ritual to pick up the Sith blood within." The Arcanist then gestured towards Prazutis' hand.

 

[Prazutis]

Everything was happening so quickly. Praz was... Sith? His pinker skin was always a matter of concern, and his bony "growths" were concerning as well. But the fact that it could mean he was of an entire different species... or half-species... hydrid? It was all so confusing for him. He couldn't help but look at his skin. His hands, his arms, as much as he could possibly see. His curiosity was peaked, and he was listening to Sin'ryk's words perfectly.

Thus, when Sin'ryk pulled out a knife, Praz noticed it, and immediately jumped back. He reached for his saber... which wasn't there. Then for his blaster... which also wasn't there. In his haste to visit Sin'ryk he didn't bring any weapons... but it seemed that his panic was for nothing. It wasn't in attack. It was for... Praz didn't really know

"You want to... taste... my blood? You want to taste... my blood... Uh huh..." Praz chuckled "You know what, I've done weirder. Go ahead." Praz offered out his left hand, palm facing up. "This'll hurt, won't it?"

 

[Pureblood-Sin]

Sin'ryk chuckled a little at the Acolyte's reaction; it was very clear that he wasn't expecting the Red Sith to draw a blade. It would seem that in his haste to meet with the Arcanist. Prazutis had forgotten his weapons; this would serve as a passive lesson for the boy. Still, Sin'ryk's chuckle was purely for mirth, his malice reserved only for those who truly deserve it. As he offered up his hand, the Acolyte had quipped that he had done stranger things...and the question of whether or not such a thing would hurt.

"I would be lying if I said it would not hurt; alas, there would be but a brief flicker of pain as the blade sinks into your palm to retrieve enough blood for the test."

Taking the boy's hand gently with his own flesh hand, the Red Sith held the knife aloft. With a swift gesture, the blade swooped down onto the flesh beneath, biting into it deep enough to extract the necessary vitae. No sooner had it made its mark, Sin'ryk arced the knife in front of his own face. Seeing otherworldly light emanating through the Force from the blood, he projected his tongue forth and proceeded to lick the blood off the blade. The substance was still hot, a by-product of the fact that it was freshly let from the vein; and that was when the taste came to him. A sickly sweet sensation manifested on his taste buds, which then proceeded to morph into a light spicy flavouring. Given the boys comparative newness to the Sith and origins, his Dark Side immersion was nowhere near where it began to effect the individual's anatomy. Given that the Hutts do not have access to Sithspawn, Sin'ryk could safely assume one answer, eliciting a slow rising grin upon his lips.

"The old blood does flow within your veins; only those with it carry the Dark Side in their blood from birth, as is apparent in your blood's taste. Had you come to me with this question whilst you were a Crusader, I would have had to use more esoteric means to determine your roots."

 

[Prazutis]

Prazutis winced a bit as the blade sliced his palm, through the pain subsided just as quickly as it came on. He quickly pulled his arm back, pulling his arms to the sides of his body. He tried to gain any insight on what Sin'ryk was... doing. His eyes were closed. Could he have been savouring it? Or was it part of the test? What exactly happened during this? From Praz's experience, blood tasted salty and odd. Nothing to savour, and certainly nothing you'd want to keep in your mouth for very long.

What followed the "test", shocked Praz greatly.

"So, its true... I'm Sith? Like you Sith. Not just Sith Sith. But I'm not like you, I don't have those tendrils dangling on my face, or a knowledge of sith culture. At least not an extensive one." Praz took a deep breath. He sometimes acted like this when he was overwhelmed. "Master Sin'ryk, what does this mean. What can it mean? Also... what does esoteric mean? And why would it be different if I were a Crusader?"

 

[Pureblood-Sin]

So many questions, thought Sin'ryk with amusement; but in his eyes, such a trait was a good thing. It meant the boy was willing to learn all that was laid before him. Before he spoke, the Red Sith took Prazutis' wounded hand; drawing upon the Force, thin ethereal strands of purple smoke manifested from the Arcanist, slithering towards the Acolyte's hand. Eventually, they made contact with wound, and thus began to knit it together until only a thin line remained of where it had once been. Content his deed had been done, the Red Sith moved on to more pressing matters.

"Not quite like me I'm afraid," he said with a sigh, "but you have the blood of Korriban within your veins. Do not let this inflate your pride though; whilst you coming here is a destiny that has been given to you, your blood means nothing in this day and age. You must work to ascend through the Sith Order my dear boy; do not be blinded by your heritage."

He then moved on to the other questions.

"As for your other two questions, they both share the same answer at present. By esoteric, I mean would have needed to perform a more elaborate ritual to locate your inborn Dark Side essence; for a Crusader, they would have acquired a more...residual amount of essence that would have affected the taste of your blood; one would need to know what they are looking for in that regard."

 

[Prazutis]

"Look I understand the 'I must ascend through my own merit' ossik, but this is huge! I've never had a clue about who my parents are and who they might have been, and now I get this! This is incredible! This is amazing! This is... what the kriff are you doing?"

Once again, Praz was astounded at the power that Sin'ryk displayed. In his own ravings, he was totally oblivious to the fact that Sin'ryk was taking his hand to heal until right as it happened. Praz needed to watch that. Over excitement. It was something that could get you killed. But if you live as a slave most of your life with nothing to show for it, you tend to get excited about quite a lot.

"Thank you, Master Sin'ryk. Much obliged... I don't know what to do with this information... Should I honour my blood? Or... i don't kriffing know, is that something Sith do? Maybe... Well, I'll have to up my reading into Sith Culture, thats for sure. Learn your... our history. Besides that... is there anything I should do? Could do?"