Ask Sun and Sea

[Krinn Nelthar]

On the beach of Lay Pa-Sidian...

Everything was a mess, really. He was a mess. His bruised shoulder still hurt, but at the very least, the medical personnel on Raxus had done well in caring for his burns. The Nautolan had such a bitter taste in his mouth after that encounter with the lightsaber wielding criminal, as if his lack of recent sleep hadn't made him irritable enough. But he knew what he needed, and he'd might as well take what time he could before he was summoned to the forefront of another battle, again. So, naturally, he had made his way to one of the closest tropical worlds in Imperial Space, none other than G'wenee. It was a world that Krinn was quite familiar with, if only because it was one of the few places in the Empire that he'd ever been able to truly relax. The seas tasted different from the vast oceans on Glee Anselm, but it was refreshing enough. Healing, perhaps, in ways he could never truly describe to anyone who was not a Nautolan.

His Interceptor lands safely within the port of Lay Pa-Sidian, and Krinn is quick to abandon it there for the time, because in that moment, he could only really think of one thing. Within the hour, he's reached the bay, the glistening beaches and the sounds of some type of bird. As waves crash against crowded shores, the sound alone is nearly enough to lull him into a state of empty hibernation, the closest he could ever get to death without actually dying, or so he liked to believe. His dark robe falls free, and he steps out of thick boots, letting webbed toes press lightly into the grit before he finally wades out into the glistening water, olive hued body bare except for the black trunks he had changed into upon arrival. The Nautolan is quick to submerge himself within the sea, propelling his athletic frame through salt filled waters until he's finally well past the crashing waves that batter the beach. He can no longer hear the rowdy crowds. There is only the flow of the cool water against his skin, the sensation of floating as he finally comes to a halt, the sound of the sea like a pleasant song within his ears.

Krinn isn't sure how long he's been there, blind to the outside world. The next time he opens his eyes, the lighting has changed. The vibrant morning had become a vivid afternoon, and the rays of sunlight pierce the surface of the sea to gently bathe his battered form. These were rare moments for the Sith, moments in which he could swear that he almost felt at peace. Reality was always quick to break him of that trance, though. That foolish delusion. Krinn swirls through the glistening depths, before paddling strongly back toward the shore. The faces of those on the beach had changed by the time he finally splashes his way out of the sea, muscled skin dripping and the taste of salt upon his damp lips. Of course, as always, the heads of nearby beach-goers are quick to turn and peer at him. Some of their eyes are hungry in ways Krinn had no desire to understand. The lightsaber at his hip seems to be enough of a deterrent for most of them, though.

Blowing out a sigh, the Sith plops down into the sand, enjoying the warmth of the sun that heats viridian skin.

@LouJoVi

 

[Senin Ravelo]

It was a normal day of summer in Lay Pa-Sidian. The temperature was already beyond 28 °C even if it was still early in the morning and the beaches were already mostly crowded. On these days, the inhabitants of the city would come to the waters that remained cold due to ocean currents that came from the planet poles during this time of the year.

Like the rest of the people that lived in Lay Pa-Sidian, Senin had also decided to visit the beach today. While he disliked how crowded it was, the Acolyte still preferred to face it to the high temperatures of the city. At least he could use the Force to scare people to find a space for himself in the sand.

When he arrived at the beach, Senin went to have a run on the sand before entering the water. While he did it, some people would turn to look at him. He was wearing green short swim trunks that highlighted his toned body, while black sunglasses were protecting his eyes. The Acolyte knew that others were looking at him and he liked it. He felt elated in knowing that they were admiring his flawless body. His ego felt satisfied.

While he walked through the beach, Senin saw a male Nautolan coming out from the water and stopped to stare at him. He wasn’t the only one doing it, there were other beach goers staring at the guy, most of them probably appreciating his body.

However, the reason why the Acolyte was staring wasn’t because of the Nautolan’s body. Although, Senin needed to agree that the guy had a really, really nice one. No, he was staring because he had noticed the lightsaber on hip. Unless he was a lost Jedi, the Nautolan was a Sith.

It was strange. Normally the arrival of a Sith was announced to the government and they would send Senin to be their babysitter. All of that because they were too afraid of the Dark siders. However, this time no one told him that a member of the Order was going to visit G’wenee.

Deciding to discover what the Nautolan was doing on his homeworld, Senin walked toward him. He sat in silence next to the guy, staring at the beach. There were some people in the water, but he preferred to look at the horizon. Staring at the vastness of it always gave him some peace

“It’s beautiful, right?” he said, after some minutes of silence. Senin turned to look at the Nautolan, taking off his sunglasses and revealing his blue eyes. “Você tem um corpão!” he winked. The Nautolan probably didn’t understand what he had said in Sil-Cale, so he decided to at least explain what he said. “Sorry, it was a compliment in my homeworld’s language. I’m Acolyte Senin Ravelo. I hope that you are appreciating your stay in G’wenee.”

@Nevermourn

 

[Krinn Nelthar]

His eyes reflect the sun, a shimmer amidst maroon, like rubies polished by gentle hands and left to glisten with life. The sea is an allure, a song that drifts upon salt scented winds to tame a tumultuous and withered mind. The typhoon that raged was not one swirling through reality, but rather the desperate tangle of knotted, aching thoughts within, memories that brought with them vibrant visions of fire and ash. On the inside, the Nautolan was gripped within the cruel fury of a hellish maelstrom. Outwardly, he was a stoic as stone, an expression cold and bitter that only the sea was meant to see.

Well, until some unfortunate fool stumbled down into the pearly granules of rough sand beside him, settling into a seated position next to the last person on the beach Krinn would have ever thought would be bothered. It's a souring moment, one that prompts his cutting gaze to narrow harshly. He's quick to reach out with a probing tendril of the force, because he wanted to know who had the audacity to shatter his solemn peace like frail, brittle glass. He wasn't expecting someone who was also attuned to the force. It really doesn't take long to put two and two together. This was a Sith. And as the silence finally passed, the youth speaks, daring vocals dripping like honey into the hot atmosphere. To the Nautolan, though, the words are more akin to poison.

Head tresses glide across wet shoulders as Krinn turns his broad skull to peer upon the other, just in time to see the sunglasses plucked from human skin, revealing the glacial eyes hidden beneath. Words he did not know tumble from the stranger, and though the wink does not go unnoticed, it is promptly ignored. At the very least, he is given a name, and a rank. An acolyte he had never met before, though that was hardly a rare phenomenon. New Acolytes seemed to appear every week, and really, the Nautolan can't imagine why. Especially after Kashyyyk. It's a grim thought.

"Krinn." The Sith finally responds, and his vocals are dry, a simple extension of polite introduction, given that the Acolyte had offered his own. "G'wenee is pleasant enough." He could look past the surging crime if it meant he could swim the salty waters. It wasn't as if spice traffickers and other local hazards would follow into the cold, shadowy depths of the ocean bottom. And really, what was a bit of common criminals in comparison to his Empress glassing a planet? It wasn't much of a comparison, except in the case of crime, Krinn was expected to intervene and maintain order within Imperial Space. He had always embraced his duty, though. Regardless of personal opinions.

@LouJoVi

 

[Senin Ravelo]

By this point, Senin was already used to other Sith being people of few words. Malou and Lord Raze were both this way. His own Master wasn't very talkative. In another moment, the Acolyte would have felt annoyed by it. However, now he didn’t care about it.

After hearing the Nautolan’s brief answer, Senin nodded and turned back to stare at the sea. Occasionally, some birds would plunge down on the water. This meant that there were fishes there. “I’m happy that you like the planet, Krinn. However, tourists usually come here during Carnival. They love the parties.”

He wasn’t looking at the Nautolan, all his attention was focused on the movement of the sea. However, he could still feel that there is something troubling Krinn. The Acolyte turned to look at the man’s face. “It seems that you are having a bad day.” it was strange to see someone of this species brooding. The Nautolans always seemed to be so happy.

“If you really had a bad day, then you came to the right place. G’wenee is one of the best planets of the Galaxy to have fun.” he had no idea if the other Sith would want that, but he felt bad for leaving Krinn moping here. The government would also be pissed if they discovered that another member of the Order was walking around there alone. “Maybe I could help you with that. Do you want to go eat something? Or perhaps go have some drinks?”

@Nevermourn

 

[Krinn Nelthar]

Parties. Krinn didn't mind them, though he rarely went with the intent to socialize. They provided good opportunities to get in on all of the latest drama, one of the few things Krinn seemed to find some amusement in. His dark eyes reflect the turquoise sea as he casts his gaze out across the frothing salt water. This was as close to his home-world as he'd ever get in the Empire. A refuge to the Nautolan, no doubt. Usually when he was here, he arrived on a shuttle, because Sith taking vacations to the beach were not exactly a common occurrence, and Krinn has no interest in getting called out for slacking.

He's not sure he cares anymore, though.

He blinks at the youth's next words. Were his sour thoughts so blatant? The Acolyte could probably sense his displeasure, Krinn wasn't exactly good at hiding emotion. That was more akin to a Jedi trait. No, the Sith embodied their emotions, and in this moment, Krinn was depressed. Angry. Perhaps... hateful. Not toward Senin in particular so much at everything else in his cluttered life. For a bit longer, the olive skinned man is quiet, merely listening to what was uttered into the humid air. Was he hungry? Not really. Well, he was. He hadn't ate all day, and he needed food. But Krinn still didn't eat. He didn't have an appetite.

"I could drink." The Nautolan finally responds, and really, it's a bit amusing just how much of an understatement that was. Since Kashyyyk, drinking had become one of Krinn's primary activities. He's not sure if the Acolyte is old enough for alcohol, he doesn't know local laws, but in all honesty, Krinn didn't care. He pushes himself to his webbed feet, moving toward the boots that rested in the sand nearby. He'd need to wash the sand from his feet before he even tried putting those on, though. For now, he'd simply hold onto them. Peering at the Acolyte expectantly, the Nautolan speaks once more, "Lead the way." He requests, because Senin obviously knew the city far better than he.

@LouJoVi

 

[Senin Ravelo]

While the Nautolan didn’t give him an answer, Senin turned to look back at the sea. The people there seemed to be so happy and relaxed, without any care for what was happening outside of G'wenee. How many Sith Acolytes couldn't be dying right now in battles of this war. All of them were replaceable individuals, which no one would lament for. So was the life of Sith.

His melancholic musings were interrupted by Krinn's voice. Senin turned back to the Nautolan, a big smile appearing on his lips. "Maneiro! I know a bar near here that we can visit. They have one of the best drinks in the city." after saying that, the Acolyte got up off the sand. "Follow me."

Senin watched the Nautolan walk to retrieve a pair of boots that were probably his. "By the way, this bar allows you to enter with swimsuits." He said, before the other Sith decided to dress up. The Acolyte would not stop him if he wanted to do that, but it would probably delay them.

Then, the Acolyte would guide the Nautolan through the crowded beach toward the bar. Senin was someone very talkative, but had decided to remain in silence during the walk. Krinn didn’t seem to want to talk and he knew better than to force another Sith to something that they didn’t want.

After walking for some time, they arrived in a part of the sand filled with waterproof cushions. There were some beach goers seated there, chatting with each other and drinking. "We arrived. Do you want to choose the place that you want to sit? Or do you prefer to drink in the water?" he pointed to an area where the sand had been removed to form an artificial cove. "They bring drinks there, too."

@Nevermourn

 

[Krinn Nelthar]

A bar was really all he needed in that moment, if only for the distraction that alcohol could bring to his mind. Krinn was never one to allow himself to get blackout drunk, but recent days certainly had him considering it. He brushes sand from his webbed hands as he moves to follow the Acolyte through the gritty sands that tickles his toes.

He didn't really have much of anything to get dressed into, given the Nautolan's habit of wearing as few clothes as he could possibly get away with in public, so he has no concern about going to a bar in tight swim trunks. It didn't seem that they'd be traveling far, though. No, their destination appeared to be within the sands of the shoreline they strolled upon. Keeping quiet, he's satisfied when Senin appears to do the same, and Krinn is content to walk without the distraction of needless conversation, at least until they had reached the water-side tavern. It was certainly a marvel to look at, because it reminded him so strongly of home that he almost felt sick.

"The water's fine." He responds, turning his gaze upon the man-formed cove with interest. After their long walk through the heat, he could use another dip in the cool, salt water of the planet's sea. "What's this so called 'best drink in the city'?" Because he'd might as well try it, and hope it didn't leave his stomach churning later.

@LouJoVi

 

[Senin Ravelo]

Senin gestured to Krinn to follow him into the water. He wasn’t surprised that the other Sith had preferred to stay there. With the Nautolans being a species that used to live underwater, the hot weather of G’wenee’s summer is probably uncomfortable for him. The Acolyte didn’t want to be responsible for a dehydrated Champion.

Once they settled in the water, a droid waiter came floating toward them. “Two red berry caipiroskas.” Senin said to the droid, which soon went floating away to pick their drinks. Then, he turned to the Nautolan. “This is a drink made with fruits, sugar and vodka. This place has the best of all Lay Pa-Sidian. If you are in the mood, maybe you will want to taste the 21 flavors that they have.” if the Acolyte did it, his liver would probably stop working after the 18. He wondered if a Nautolan could drink all of them.

While they waited for the droid to return, Senin sat on the water and leaned against the border of the cove. Since it was made by a man, the border was made of stones that could remind someone of a pool. If it wasn’t by the small waves formed by the constant movement of the sea, it could pass perfectly as one.

“So, you didn’t answer my question.” Senin said, turning to look at the other Sith. “Are you having a bad day? I had one some months ago and ended up wanting to get drunk, too.” the execution of Jade had impacted him more than what he wanted to admit. He could still imagine that it was him in her place.

@Nevermourn

 

[Krinn Nelthar]

He trails behind the acolyte, webbed toes pressing into damp sand before he finally slips into the artificial cove, and the sensation of cool fluid rising around bare legs was one that would normally delight him. He felt unusually numb to it now, though. A grim and dreadful realization of just how far his mind had fallen in the recent days. It was as if he had stumbled over some jagged precipice and into an endless abyss. There was only a discomforting shadow to be found in his spirit, now. A knot of emotion that he would likely never be able to untangle.

He's waist deep in the water now, brooding quietly, until he hears Senin speak again. Red Berry Caipiroskas. It sounded sweet, but the mention of vodka has him imagining that it will probably feel more akin to bitter fire as it spills down his throat. Well, he hasn't tried it yet, so he wouldn't judge it too harshly until he knew what it tasted like. As for tasting all twenty-one flavors? As much as an alcohol induced coma might sound, Krinn isn't too keen on the discomfort of his organs failing. He'd have to pass on that one.

The Nautolan gives a shake of his head, and casts his dark eyes across the water, taking in the faces of other patrons. Some were chatting among themselves. Others were trying to make their bold glances subtle. One seemed far too drunk to be chest deep in the water. Regardless, his focus is inevitably drawn back to the Acolyte with a rather ominous statement. What question?

Oh.

A bad day. Krinn wanted to laugh, but there would have been no humor in it. A bad day. A bad week was more accurate. Kashyyyk had... tore at his already frayed mind. And then there had been his failure on Raxus, his injuries which still ached, even after the medical attention he had received. And now, he was starting to question if his loyalty to the empire was worth his very soul. Krinn had always been selfish, greedy and uninterested in dedicating himself solely to the service of others, but the Empire had given him a home, and he had made a life here. He had learned things he never would have learned otherwise. Perhaps his so called loyalty had only ever been selfishness to begin with, and now that he was seeing the atrocities of the Sith firsthand, it would be equally as selfish to abandon it all, wouldn't it?

But Krinn was a Sith, and he knew that while he'd never had an interest in genocides, he was not a good person. He had killed before. He had hurt others for personal gain. He had abandoned those that were no longer useful, that were, in the eyes of the Sith, weak. He could be cruel. Perhaps not on the level of tolerating Kashyyyk, but a Sith in nature all the same. So where would he even go, if he chose to leave the only home he had ever had since Glee Anselm? He had... nowhere. No one.

These were not things that he would share with some Acolyte, though. These were thoughts of treachery. Disloyalty. These were grounds for execution.

"Lost a fight." Krinn stated vaguely, because at the very least, the other Sith was being polite. "Ended up in medical for a few days. I'm still sore." Of course, he didn't mention that he had left the hospital against the advice of the personnel within, so his soreness was his own fault, really. The Nautolan had always been stubborn.

@LouJoVi

 

[Senin Ravelo]

Senin patiently waited for Krinn to react somehow to him making the question again. The other Sith could remain in silence or even become aggressive. If the latter happened, the Acolyte would not push it further. He didn't want to start a fight in the middle of the beach. He wasn’t that curious about it to risk getting a bruise.

When the Nautolan finally talked, Senin was a bit disappointed. Krinn barely said anything, only a few words. While it was a perfect explanation for his question, the Acolyte had expected something more. The young man loved good gossip, he would have appreciated it if the other Sith said something more juicy.

"Well, losing a fight is always hard." Senin said, remembering what happened during the invasion of Dantooine. "During my first invasion, I lost a fight against a damned Jedi. He broke my nose! It was necessary seven surgeries to make it return to its perfect state!" he said, gesturing to his face. This day still made him furious, but at least the Jedi that did it to him was dead. Apparently he was killed by another Acolyte.

While the Acolyte talked, the droid returned with their drinks. It was carrying a plate with two glasses filled with a red liquid. Inside it there was ice and some pieces of fruit. When it was close to then, Senin picked his glass and sipped some of it. This drink was delicious! He loved coming to this place.

After sipping some more, the Acolyte turned to the Champion. "But it's our life as Sith. We will end having bad days like that." he said, before laughing humorlessly. "The thing is trying to not get killed due to that." it was also a bad day that costed Jade's life, even if what she did was stupid. Then, he decided to change subjects of the conversation. He didn't want to feel depressed today. "Are you liking the drink?"

@Nevermourn

 

[Krinn Nelthar]

He wanted to scoff at the Acolyte, because what did he care about a broken nose? Senin certainly seemed a lot more eager to share his history than Krinn was. The Nautolan was known for being paranoid and antisocial, and it seemed his drinking companion for the day was quite dissimilar. Well, good for him, really. The Champion doesn't respond, because he's entirely awkward in social situations and, in truth, didn't know how to. He wasn't so open about himself, and he hardly cared for the apparent hardships of some random Acolyte he had never met before today.

The droid arrives with their drinks, and Krinn plucks the glass away with a clawed hand before bringing it to his lips. It's certainly sweet. He's never been one with much of a sweet tooth, but it's tolerable enough. Far from bad, in any case. Senin continues to chatter, and the Nautolan listens, but responds with little more than a grunt. He's entirely difficult to get along with, and he knows it. The Sith doesn't really care, though. At the very least, when he's questioned about the drink directly, he'll provide a simple answer, if only to be polite.

"Yes, it's alright." He offers his reply before taking another sip. He wonders, for a moment, where Senin had been during the glassing of Kashyyyk. Had he witnessed it for himself? He seemed so willing to look past so called bad days as a normal part of being Sith. Krinn hadn't realized he had been signing up for a genocide, though. And... it was entirely stupid of him, because stories of the Empire went back well into the galaxy's history. But desperate people did desperate things, didn't they? And he had been desperate.

And now? He was trapped.

The Nautolan sighs, blinking large eyes as he takes another drink.

"I'm difficult to talk to." Krinn admits dryly. If only to be a little nice.

@LouJoVi

 

[Senin Ravelo]

”I said that you would like.” Senin said, before sipping some more of his own drink. “This was invented here in G’weneen and became pretty famous with tourists. We have so many fruits here that some people started to think that they could be used to make different types of beverages.” he paused, while pointing to his glass. “While lemon is the most famous, red fruits is my favorite flavor.”

The Acolyte nearly laughed when he heard Krinn say that he was someone difficult to talk with. It was something obvious like the sky of his homeworld was blue. However, the Nautolan wasn’t the worst case that he ever saw. When you were with the Sith, there was always someone difficult to talk to.

“Nah.” Senin said, gesturing dismissively at the Nautolan. “I met some Sith that were also difficult to talk with. Did you ever try to talk with Darth Raze?” the G’weneen still reminded of that time when he worked as a babysitter for the Sith Lord. While he learned some good things, the situation was very unnerving.

When their glasses were half empty, the Acolyte turned to talk with Krinn another time. “Do you want another one?” the Acolyte sipped some more. “Or perhaps you would prefer to have some other fun? Lay Pa-Sidian is full of nightclubs and other places where someone can have a good party.”

@Nevermourn

 

[Krinn Nelthar]

Krinn's mind seems to drift in and out of focus as the Acolyte talks, because he really doesn't care about their famous fruits or drinks, or any of that, really. Then again, in recent days, there wasn't much of anything that he cared about. His eyes do flash back to Senin at the mention of Darth Raze, though. Krinn had never met him, had never spoken to him, and isn't entirely sure what to make of the dark lord. It was probably for the best, though. The Nautolan doubted that Darth Raze would tolerate his recent spiral into a weak minded depression, over something the Empire had done, no less.

He realizes he hasn't bothered to reply again, though that time it was more-so due to his own racing thoughts about the Dark Lord of the Sith. Krinn brings the alcohol back up to his lips, letting the bitter sweetness of it wash across his tongue. The suggestion of fun makes him blink large eyes at the Acolyte. Fun. What a foreign word.

"I'm not one for parties." The Nautolan answers with distant vocals. He had gone to a few in his past, though most were formal celebrations. There had been one that was rather... lewd in nature. But Krinn only remembered it vaguely. He had gotten far too drunk during that event. Either way, the Sith cared little for social events, now more than ever. "Were you here during Kashyyyk?" Getting drunk and partying? Krinn leaves that last part out, because he's not interested in starting a slap fight with some Acolyte.

@LouJoVi

 

[Senin Ravelo]

Serious? I didn’t even notice. Senin thought, after Krinn said that he wasn’t one for parties. The Nautolan seemed to be someone that would fare very well in a funeral, being all brood and taciturne. The Acolyte was starting to think that he and Raze could go well with each other, with the two staying in silence. Conversations between the two would be non-existent.

Then, the Nautolan asked him where he was during Kashyyyk. The Acolyte thought that it came from nowhere and tried to think why the planet was important. He soon remembered the Sith attack on it and how some Jedi had killed Wookiees. He had laughed when he saw the stupidity that these Light siders did. Perhaps they should be Sith.

“I was here, in G’wenee. I didn’t participate in the attack.” he said, before sipping some more of his drink. “See, I'm a student in a college here and I was studying for an important exam.” rather than going to help in an attack, he had preferred to stay and study. Since it wasn’t an invasion, Senin considered that his presence wasn’t necessary.

“And you? Did you participate in the attack?” Senin was curious as to the reason why Krinn asked him about Kashyyyk. The Acolyte wondered if the Nautolan’s bad day could be related with it.

@Nevermourn

 

[Krinn Nelthar]

Studying for an exam. Krinn thought he might burst into laughter, but he doesn't. He wasn't even sure if that was a good excuse or not, if the Empress would just simply say, 'ah yes, your college tests are more important than our attack on an enemy planet', and perhaps that was what managed to amuse the Nautolan so much, because maybe he should have thought up something like that, true or not. But... Krinn hadn't exactly been expecting to take part in a full on genocide, either.

"I was there." The Nautolan finally responds. And he remembered it all with perfect clarity. The fire, and the ash. The plasma bolts igniting the atmosphere with vibrant destruction. The jolt of his interceptor as it slammed into that Arrowhead, nearly killing him on impact.

@LouJoVi

 

[Senin Ravelo]

Senin turned to stare at Krinn when he heard the Nautolan say that he participated in the attack at Kashyyyk. The Acolyte wondered how he should react to this. The truth was that he really didn’t care for what the other Sith did here. Things like that were normal for the Sith to do. From what he had heard, the attack was a warning of the Empress to the planets that wanted to collaborate with the Jedi.

"I heard that nearly half of the planet burned with the bombardment. Large patches of forest were destroyed with it. I think that your participation here was successful. Others will think twice before giving aid to the Jedi." Senin said, before sipping more of his drink. By now, his glass is nearly empty.

"The success there will probably save you from being punished, or worse." the G’weneen wondered if the reason of Krinn's mood was because he feared receiving punishment for getting hurt during this attack. Senin doubted that it would happen, the Nautolan would already be imprisoned if it was the case, like what happened with Jade. He probably proved to be useful enough to continue living some more.

"As I said early, I was in the invasion of Dantooine. I was knocked out before the battle ended, but I heard that during it some civilians were killed. I think that one was even used as a shield against the Jedi." The Acolyte said, perhaps telling his experience would give him some comfort. "I was spared from punishment, even if I wasn’t that much helpful. I think that you will survive."

@Nevermourn

 

[Krinn Nelthar]

Dark eyes turn upon the Acolyte, unblinking and cold, a solemn ignition of dull emotion, of a firelit flicker of something akin to agitation, and oh, how it must be, an Acolyte once more, with glistening aspirations. Sat upon your greedy thoughts, Sith upon pedestals that sing of unchallenged power, and a darkness that swirls from the mind, not as a corruption, but as a boon, a gift. So easy it was to devour these things, these thoughts and words so sweetly implanted.

A greedy, wretched thing, snagged in this trap, a product of sin. His thoughts churn with that darkness, and it lingers not in the form of rage or hatred, but as pain. Fuel for the fire, nonetheless. A passion of his melancholy. But thoughts are bitter as the boy continues to speak, words like shards of ice that prickle in the form of wintry thorns, clasped in wiry tangles around his beating hearts, because he could still see it, still reflect the hungry fire within his crimson eyes. Dreadful, entirely so. Sour and cruel and wicked. Butchers, a word heard plenty before, but now Krinn was among them, standing in the bloodied ranks.

He is unseeing and distant, quiet and rigid, muscles burning with a tenseness as visions of plasma fire sing macabre tunes amidst churning thoughts. He is drowning, drowning on air, drowning on memories.

What would his mother say?

Such a strange and intrusive thought. It jolts him out of the glassy remnants of history. He might have smiled, then. But Krinn's features are stoic, lips a straight line, gaze as hard as glacial stone, cutting and sharp. Emotions could be a dangerous thing, this he knew. The Sith were meant to be masters of utilizing them, not burying them away, not like Jedi. He could use these feelings to become stronger. But... he won't. Not now. No, he still needed more time.

More time. More time.

Whispered thoughts like whirlpools twisting through his head.

Fists clench and claws coil roughly into palms. Pinpricks of blood hidden beneath sharpened nails. Nautolans were empathic by nature, but a curse it was, to be overwhelmed not by the feelings of others, but by his own.

And, he was drowning again, wasn't he? Disjointed thoughts and flickering memories. The boy. That Acolyte. What was he saying now? Dantooine. Another flooding sensation of bitterness. Krinn frowns.

"Using citizens as shields." His vocals drip with a sour disgust, but he recalls, quite swiftly, that this was a Sith Acolyte he was talking to, one that spoke of his tales as if with a fondness. "We should work to improve our relationships with Imperial citizens, future or current alike." It was a numbly spoken excuse, a mask placed so firmly across his face, because his words made sense, and they fixed his poorly spoken mistake, because to criticize the Sith so openly, Krinn would not dare to do. Always the coward, but that was nothing new. A thief, and a liar, and a manipulator, but his tongue was not a knife, and his skills as a fighter were average, at best. To fear those who were greater, those who were capable of frightening potency, it was a natural sensation for the man who had grown up a swift footed burglar. Always in the shadows.

Never in the light.

"Perhaps... another swim." The Nautolan considers, casts his vision past the artificial cove and toward the endless sea. An easy escape.

@LouJoVi

 

[Senin Ravelo]

After he finished talking, Senin noticed Krinn’s reaction. The Nautolan had turned abruptly and was now staring as if a third eye had appeared out of nowhere on his forehead. The Acolyte merely stared at him, raising an eyebrow. He had no idea what could be passing through the other Sith’s mind at this moment.

Then, Krinn started to talk. Or at least say some phrases, because so far their conversation has been this way. The Nautolan wasn’t someone that said much. The Acolyte noticed how the other Sith seemed to be mad with what he had said. It was as if he thought that using people as shields was something terrible. It was exactly what a Sith would do.

Senin felt amused with the Nautolan’s reaction, to the point of wanting to laugh. However, he decided that it wasn’t the moment for doing it, at least not in the middle of the beach. “Why are you surprised with it? We are the Sith, no one is indispensable.” he said, looking serious at the other. He wondered if Krinn had ever gone to a Sith Academy.

“Civilians are useful to us, both as income from taxes and to increase the number of our military. We care for their well being until it is good for us. If using them as a shield would save our life, then we would do it without even blinking.” he said, before getting up from where he was. The Acolyte signed to the droid, he was going to pay for their drinks and go out of here. Suddenly his mood for the day had disappeared.

While he waited for the droid to arrive, the young man turned to the Nautolan. “You need to remember that no one is indispensable for the Sith. Even you and me. If for their survival an entire planet is to be sacrificed, it would be made.” this was the truth that he had learned recently and that haunted him. “To think that the Order care altruistically for the wellbeing of its member and the citizens of the Empire is be an idiot. It'll only care until we have any value and usefulness for them.”

@Nevermourn

 

[Krinn Nelthar]

Down, he spirals, in the void, as words drip like serpent's venom into an addled, darkened mind. Krinn's gaze is glacial, a cold crimson ice as cutting as narrowed blades. He doesn't like what he's being made to hear. Doesn't agree that planets should be sacrificed to the Empire's maw. Doesn't believe that civilians were little more than useful assets. Was this what the Empire truly thought? Had he been so naïve to think they actually cared?

No, that was a foolish and self induced ignorance, a denial that had built walls around Krinn's own mind, to shield him of this reality, because deep down, he had always believed that this was where he belonged. But a thief was not always a killer. Greed was not a sin intended to cause death. He had thrown himself to the Sith because he had lost everything, his home, and his family. Desperation had driven him to seek a new life, one that offered stability. Security within accumulated power. But he had instead tossed himself out of the pan and into the fire, and now, he burned. Burned with the sins of his past, and his present.

There were few options. Accept that the Acolyte spoke the truth, a bitter and resentful sensation, and let that angry flame engulf him, transform him into something hateful. Or tear himself free of self-induced delusions of what he deserved, and where he belonged, and seek his own path among the stars, where his name would not be etched within the crumbling walls of brutalized civilizations.

No, he would not think about this now. He had never been very good at facing the burden of such stress. He ran from these things. Today would be no different.

"If our value as Sith is based on what we destroy, then I would prefer to remain worthless." Krinn speaks softly, quiet words of solemn acceptance, and reluctant disagreement. Rarely did he speak up on such things, but perhaps it was Senin's rank as a mere Acolyte that inspired some amount of bravery within the Nautolan. He blinks, turns away, draws in a heaving breath. "I wonder what you are willing to do to insure your worth to the Empire." It is a bitter and probing lash of his tongue, a warning of the future. Senin could participate in genocides and planet-wide destruction if he so desired, if he believed that was what gave his life value to the Empire.

But Krinn would not.

He turns toward the sea, all too eager to escape beneath the surging waves.

@LouJoVi

 

[Senin Ravelo]

Once again Senin watched Krinn’s reaction to his words. He could feel his conflicted feelings. The G’weneen was surprised that the Nautolan was acting this way with what was said. All Sith knew that altruism was something that was incompatible for them. The citizens of the Empire were useful tools that could be discarded when they caused problems.

When the droid arrived near them, Senin paid it for the caipiroskas that they consumed. While he did it, the Nautolan made a brief discourse about his value for the Empire. The red-haired man wanted to roll his eyes. The young man didn’t know how this guy could have become a Champion. He acted worse than an idealistic Acolyte.

“Well, I’m seeking to help to increase the power of the Empire.” he said, automatically. This was basically what any other Acolyte would say if they were asked how they wanted to help the Empire. The truth was that Senin only wanted to do what would help him stay alive. He didn’t care for the future of the Empire, only his life mattered.

“Come, I know a part of the beach where you can stay without being disturbed.” he said, before walking out of the pool. With the payment made, the waiter droid had already moved away. “While we walk there, you will find some tents selling food. You can buy something there if you are hungry.”

@Nevermourn