Sweet Agony {Open}

[Nevermourn]

The black robed Jedi Knight fingered the dully gleaming hilt of his lightsaber, secured to his belt, with something of a nervous twitch, sweat dampening his ragged, uncleaned black fur as he walked with ominous silence through the all to familier halls of the Tython temple, crimson eyes alight with fear. A pain rushed from his whirling thoughts and clouded his mind, and without really noticing the moving of his own limb, the nearly eight foot canine-like humanoid raised a massively, clawed hand to his temple and massaged it gently, but to no avail. The pain only heightened, and the pained Shistavanen had to stop and place an unsturdy hand, which he practically had to pry from his lightsaber, onto the wall and let his knees buckle, staying upright only by the supporting strength in his broad shoulders, helping to hold him aloft as he leaned against the wall.

It's all my fault. Tsume, you've failed. Your a coward. The Shistavanen closed his eyes and gave a choke as he tried to clear his foggy brain. No! It wasn't me. I had to run. Had to leave him. I had no choice. He fought against himself desperately, pushing away from the wall when his mind momentarily settled into silence. He had to remember where he was. He had to remember Ayva. Where was Ayva? He hadn't seen her, no one would answer him when he'd asked, they all simply looked at him with what seemed to be sympathetic smiles. Could she be dead? No, of course not. He couldn't allow himself to become so depressed over it, they probably didn't know themselves.

Slowly, grimly, Tsume began to make his way back down the hall, unknowing of where his own legs were carrying him. No where perhaps. That was all he needed, it was all he deserved. Nothing in nowhere. His head began to throb again and he couldn't seem to grasp the force long enough to calm the raging hurricane, in his mind, an image flashed, a body, cold, bloody. Ayva. He stood over the body, saber glowing red as his eyes, one powerful foot pressing against her stomach as he stood silhouetted against a pale moon, claws freshly stained with the innards of his former master. Never! He screamed to himself as he struggled to remember where he was and who he happened to be.

A demon in hell? No, he was a Jedi, once a sith, but no longer. His name was Tsume and his former master was alive, she had to be. He began checking off all things he was and the dull ache in his head subsided considerably. Then the darkness came again, and he nearly threw up. He had left Tach to die. He had given up the holocron in a desperate attempt to survive. He had run away like a coward. No, he was a coward. How much pain was Tach going through now because of his actions. Another vivid image came to mind, as gory as the last, only this time, the star was Tach. The pain returned, but this time, he found he kind of liked it. It was what he deserved, after all.

Tsume struggled on until he found himself in a chair. Suddenly, his thoughts went silent, and his mind no longer pained him. Looking about, he recognized the room he was in, situated near the side of the temple lobby and inhabited by only one table and two chairs. It was where he had first met her,cautious and suspicious, but willing to help. Ayva, this was where he had first laid sights upon her, where fiery eyes were cooled by the ice in her own. There had to be noise outside of that room, it was so close to the usually bustling lobby, but all he could hear was his short, uneven breath and hastened heartbeat. What was he becoming? What was he all along?

 

[Master Maverick]

Finally it was time to leave once again. There was one that needed her guidance, and Tuwan was not one to deny such a request from one such as she.

Indeed, the Master deserved such a thing, if nothing else.

Walking through the halls of the ancient temple, light from outside filtered in, but it was dim. The cloud cover obscured the light, the only knowledge of daytime being that artificial light wasn't entirely needed. The waves of the Force, as strong as they were in this place, moved through her as though she simply didn't exist. As though she weren't there. Her physical body did not hinder the movement of the Force as it flowed about the planet and within this, a congregation of Jedi unknown and some of the strongest, most connected beings in the galaxy. The strength of this place was intoxicating to those susceptible to such things.

This Jedi, however, was not.

Her hood was lowered, revealing tresses of what seemed as dreadlocks, dark brown, which flowed as tightly knotted hair as she stepped lightly upon the floor, her boots clacking on the marble tiles. The movement of Jedi along in their usual business created a sort of white noise that disallowed most to think clearly. Some enjoyed this, fearing the truth of their own minds. To Tuwan, this was torture.

Too many in one place. How did anyone get anything accomplished in such an environment? She needed to get away. In only a few days, she could not hope to be used to such things; it would take much time before such a thing would occur.

The presence of those around her touched her consciousness, none more prominent than another. All except one. The being that had touched her months prior had left a deep mark on this Jedi in the lobby of the Temple. As well, it was clear, if not through the Force then upon his face, that he was distraught. A fleeting moment of reluctance passed before she moved towards the Shistavanen, slowly and deliberately. Taking a seat without speaking, she sat opposite the young Jedi and simply remained, silent with closed eyes and waiting for her to speak to the sitting Jedi. Several minutes passed of nothing until a quick message only capable of those masters of the Force transpired.

After a few moments, allowing the feeling to pass, she opened her eyes, revealing emerald eyes, matching yet significantly lighter than the heavy cloak held upon her shoulders. For a few moments more she looked upon the young Jedi before finally speaking.

"I have a message for you, Tsume." The fact that she knew his name would be significance enough to gain his attention, given that they had never met before. Indeed, she knew no one currently in this Temple and only few in the galaxy, but they were all Anzati for they were the only ones whom she had met that would live for such a time. The woman, when Tsume would look upon her, seemed to be as a young woman, her skin smooth and dark, her features beautiful and feminine. However, she was far from human.

"You are never alone. She is always with you. Do not look back in anger, nor forward in fear, but around you in awareness and with clarity. Carry on her teachings, her words, her voice and her Light. You are what she lived for. Never forget this.

"If ever you have a question, simply ask and she will always answer." Staring into his eyes, she hoped to convey that which was within her wished to. After a silent pause, she would avert her gaze back to her lap before closing her eyes, ready for the storm of emotion she had warned her of.