Open You Win, I Lose.

[Alastair Coven]

Dantooine was lovely, Coven thought. 'Burn it!' 'Take it!' The voices chorused disharmoniously.

Coven was curious. He had spent quite a while travelling to these ancient sites of the Jedi. They were hard to find after the last centuries purges, but there were always remnants of the Lightside, guiding aspirants towards an alleged truer path than the one Coven chose to walk. Information that wanted to be found, if you had the time to seek it out. He had hoped to find actual true Jedi, though perhaps due to recent events that was simply wishful thinking.

The Crystal caves were a nice compromise. A truly grandiose display of prismatic colors, diffusing the light from the lamps he had set up around the first antechamber of the caves. The force called to him here, telling him to continue in, as if there was something he needed to find deeper in the caves. It wasn't the sickly feeling that came with the Darkside, instead feeling like cool running water. Refreshing if only in its novelty.

The voices screamed the loudest they ever had here, which was good for his purposes. Coven was kneeling in a meditating position in the middle of the cave, preparing. He let the chains that tethered the voices of spirits long dead to his mind slip away one link only, letting the chorus, just for a moment, scream into the real world. Or perhaps he was doing it himself.

It felt antithetical to radiate his presence into the force but truthfully he didn't know how to get the Jedi's attention. 'Kill!' 'Maim!' The voices would scream and he would of course ignore them. He was of no great power in the force, preferring to stay hidden, but he hoped that his 'tainted' force signature in such a Lightside steeped place would draw some Jedi to him.

OOC: Open to anyone really, but Jedi most of all.

 

[Dalaa Ta]

Dalaa Ta

Dalaa has sensed something peculiar on the planet of Dantooine. There was, in a previous time a temple here. A Jedi Temple. The light side still radiated from the temple, but something, right now was tainting it. Dalaa had landed his X wing on the planet, close to the temple. Leaving his fighter, he walked towards the temple. Stopping as he looked around and seeing the entrance to some caves. The darkness was strongest in there he felt. Whatever was tainting the temple was within there.

The Togrutan entered the cave, his hands held behind his back. His footsteps echoed through the cave as he walked. Dalaa was ready for whatever lay beyond. Presuming that it was a sixth. Maybe he could persuade the site to leave. Or maybe it some kind of remnant of dark force from before. Rounding the corner, he found a man meditating. The Dark side of the force radiated from him.

“Greetings, Sith. I bid you to leave this sacred place. Unless...you wish to change your ways?”.

Dalaa shuffled his feet into a comfortable stance in case he had to act. He stopped holding his hands together and instead brought them to his belt where both of his lightsabers were hooked to. His voice was deep and rhythmic, some had even described it as soothing.

@Shax

​

 

[Alastair Coven]

Watching the Jedi from the moment he stepped onto the planet was child's play for Coven. The alien didn't seem inclined to hide themselves, and this was one of the rare occasions Coven was doing the same. Watching was perhaps not the correct word, instead Coven was aware of him intuitively, with a light impression as to what the Jedi might be doing.

He was a bit disappointed that only one showed up, but didn't discount the possibility of others who can hide themselves better. Truthfully however, he was just happy a Jedi appeared at all. Coven didn't really believe this little stunt would work. Once the alien was close to the caves, Coven began to wind down his siren call, bringing his force presence back to its tiny self. Almost entirely hidden from anyone but those who dared to look.

He remained kneeling, opening his eyes to take in the first Jedi he had ever met. 'Food.' 'A worthy enemy!' 'Cook it alive in front of its apprentice!' The ghosts thundered, making this meeting feel providential. "Good day... Dalaa." Coven said, having looked for the Jedi's name in the force prior to his arrival.

"You may call me Coven." He said with a light smile. His voice was a rich baritone, cultured without being snooty. He wanted to laugh at the prospect of changing his ways, for he had already chosen his path. His thumb tapped against his knee nine times.

*Tap* *Tap* *Tap* *TapTapTap* *Tap *Tap *Tap*

"No I think I'm alright where I am, though I am excited to meet you. Would you like to join me?" Coven said genially, gesturing to a meditation mat in front of him he had laid out in advance.

@Faust Rex

 

[Drow Venn]

Drow Venn had also landed his Y-Wing near the temple, next to Dalaa's X-Wing, having been plagued by dreams about Dantooine and a mysterious stranger. When he'd heard about Dalaa's bad feelings about Dantooine as well, he'd been happy to follow the Togrutan's X-Wing to this planet to investigate and lend a hand. The Ishi Tib Jedi brought up the rear as Dalaa made his way into the cave.

Never wanting to escalate things into violence unnecessarily but not trusting a Dark Side presence here, Drow said nothing, wanting to give the man a fair chance to leave this place. However, his hand remained on his lightsaber hilt. He might have sworn off soldiering but some instincts remained.

@Faust Rex @Shax

 

[Dalaa Ta]

Dalaa Ta

Dalaa looked towards his ally Drow. Finding comfort in the fact that he wasn’t alone in this encounter. Dalaa approached the mat and knelt on it. Not his usual meditation position. He placed his hands on his thighs and closed his eyes. Sensing the force around him. There was a mixture of light and dark all around him. Fighting and opposing each other.

“Coven, I must confess. You are the first Sith I have met. I must ask...what compels you to be a part of the Sith? Men and women who have killed countless of innocent Jedi younglings, padawans, children. I must also ask, were you on Ajan Kloss? Did you partake in the butchery there? If no, then why didn’t you? Do you agree with what the Sith did at a sacred Jedi temple, what your brethren did to the innocent and young of mine?”.

Dalaa’s breathing was calm, his chest dipped in and out as he meditated. Feeling the darkness within Coven. Everyone could be redeemed. Even this Sith before Dalaa could be redeemed. Had Coven been there at the massacre? Could this man before him be so monstrous to look in the eyes of an innocent, young Jedi and slay them? Hopefully he’d find his answers. Hopefully the Sith before him would tell Dalaa the truth and confess to him. Whatever happened, this encounter would have to end in a fight. No matter what, Dalaa knew he’d have to fight this Sith.

​

 

[Alastair Coven]

Two Jedi! Coven rebuked himself. Was the second merely hidden as Coven usually was, or was he mistakenly taken for being the same presence as Dalaa? Coven couldn't make this mistake again, his whole life had hinged on his knowledge of the situation, of his utilization of painstakingly acquired information. The voices laughed disharmoniously at the naivety of the Togruta, making Coven suppress a smirk.

He glanced warily at the second Jedi as Dalaa spoke, searching for its name as well. Maybe the alien hid himself better, maybe Coven was still distracted with his personal failure, or perhaps the Force itself simply told him no, but he couldn't figure it out. The words simply slipped through his mental grasp like oil.

He wouldn't let it shake him. He gave the second Jedi a polite smile as well. "Won't you join us as well? There is no reason for such caution my friend." He spoke quickly, after Dalaa had finished his questions. After, he turned his attention back to the first Jedi. "Would it surprise you Dalaa, that you are the first Jedi I have met as well? Would it surprise you to hear that I have never killed anyone who did not actively seek my death?" For this Coven didn't have to lie or project false feelings into the force. These were both true facts.

"I was far from Ajan Kloss during the attack, and if we are speaking frankly I think the whole endeavor was a pointless waste of both time and people." Coven carefully avoided answering why he hadn't been there. He would have joined had he been forced, and felt no guilt for his actions. He would have been nothing more than a tool in the hands of The Eternal had that happened, but it never did. He also refused to agree or disagree with the Sith's actions, both because he didn't want to go against his own order at the moment, and because he knew very little true facts about the Jedi. Perhaps they were all deserving of their treatment.

"Truthfully Master Jedi," Coven continued, giving both Jedi meaningful looks. "I remain a member of the Sith because I think it serves me best, but I remain curious. I was forced from a young age to join the order, fed hatred against your own order from the very get go." He let the statement drag a bit, raising his face into a mildly smug look, as if full of pride at his next words. "But I would be foolish to believe everything told to me, especially against those who are considered the enemy. I want to know, Master Jedi, who are you truly?"

@Faust Rex @Fantasy Liver

 

[Drow Venn]

"Coven, my name is Drow Venn. I was once like you, man. I killed. I stole. I hated. Thing about that way of life is that it might keep you paid but it doesn't keep you warm. I was close to death on the battlefield once and I realized that if I ate it right there, not a soul in the galaxy would have cared. So I changed. Anyone can." Drow advised, seeing before him another lost soul like he had once been.

"I'm at peace now. Feels a lot better than hating." Drow said solemnly, giving Coven a sympathetic look, while still keeping his hand on his saber hilt. Just in case. This guy was a Sith after all.

@Faust Rex @Shax

 

[Dalaa Ta]

Dalaa Ta
Dalaa nodded and listened to the Sith beside him. Allowing the force to flow through him as he meditated.

“No, it would not surprise me to hear that I am the first Jedi you have met. As for your killings...I can not say”.
Dalaa tried to sen if Coven was hiding any of his views and feelings. Flowing through the force, he tried to gain more knowledge on Coven and what he was really thinking. This was proving difficult. Coven seemed adept at hiding his true self through the force. Dalaa could not sense what Coven would have done if he was at Ajan Kloss, at least not yet.

“I was born on the planet Shili. An orphan, the Jedi adopted me into their order. Taught me how to control the force within me. Not too dissimilar to yourself. Except, I was taught the art of peace and diplomacy. To have inner peace with my emotions, to use the force as an ally. To aid those who are in need. I would never harm an innocent person, my lightsaber is a last resort. Everyone within the order, even if I have not met them yes, are like a sibling to me. My brethren.”.

Dalaa opened his eyes and looked upon Coven’s face, nodding slowly and taking in his features.

“I assume that is different to yourself.”.

Dalaa kept his hands on his thighs and looked towards Drow, another Knight within the order. Another person he viewed as a sibling. There was much truth to his words, hate is not the way to live. Dalaa couldn’t imagine living a life of hate. Dalaa also believed, like Drow, that anyone can change.

“Drow is right you know, anyone can change. Including you if you so wished.”

He looked back upon Coven, watching his body movement and such. Dalaa wanted to make sure he could defend himself quickly if need be. To be able to dodge out of the way of any blows Coven might try. Although he was not worried or anxious for a fight, Dalaa kept calm as he always did. There was no rational action in emotion. There was only rational action in calm.

@Fantasy Liver @Shax

​

 

[Alastair Coven]

Well at least the rumors weren't entirely wrong. The Jedi were rather patronizing. It almost made him want to laugh out loud, the absurdity of that dream. The ghosts did laugh, raucously and at such a volume Coven wasn't sure they couldn't be heard outside his own head. A small stream of anger flowed into his mind at Drow's words. How dare it presume his life? The alien had probably killed more beings than Coven ever had!

As if the voices would ever let him forsake the Sith. 'Bury them alive Alastair, bring this cave down upon them.' A clear voice rumbled, a voice Coven had only heard a few times before.

He didn't of course, Coven was in this cave as well after all. There was a mild, unconscious expression of longing at the idea of leaving the Sith on Coven's face, "Hate is merely one option among many my friends. Any emotion can fuel the Darkside if you make it so." Coven's personal favorite was pride.

He looked at Dalaa, "The Sith are... a competition." He started diplomatically. "One rises to the top, teaches his knowledge to others, and one of those others inevitably surpasses them, taking their place in leadership." It was best to keep his answers on the Sith short, he didn't want to give away too many secrets, after all, he was here to acquire Jedi secrets.

Again, Coven avoided mentioning how he uses his lightsaber. He was trained to kill efficiently, and he was more than willing to do so. He simply chose not too for the moment; there was simply no point in wanton slaughter, and he had no solid target to strike. "I think my friends that ultimately we Sith and Jedi aren't so different. Its merely a question of what you want out of life. I want to leave this galaxy better after I leave it, and the Darkside will give me the surest path to that goal." He intentionally didn't say anymore, hoping to get the Jedi to spill their own thoughts and philosophy without having to give any real answers himself.

Coven was still throughout this meeting, hands on his thighs as he knelt. There was never any overt action that indicated hostility, his lightsaber was even in front of him, almost halfway between him and the mat Dalaa knelt on. Not that it was anything more than a club at the moment, as he had removed the crystal and hidden it.

@Faust Rex @Fantasy Liver

 

[Drow Venn]

"The ends justifying the means has never really justified anyone in history." Drow pointed out to Coven. still not making any moves to restrain or subdue the man yet. Instead, he listened carefully to his words. He didn't know if they were at all genuine but if Coven was like anything Drow was at his lowest point, he needed a listening ear and not a lightsaber.

"Why not make the galaxy a better place and sleep at night?" Drow asked, though truthfully his own sleep was still troubled due to past actions. "We always have room for more"

@Shax @Faust Rex

 

[Dalaa Ta]

Dalaa Ta

Dalaa observed the sith before him. Seeing in his face a sense that he wished to leave the sith. Dalaa thought that perhaps, Coven was having doubts of being part of the Sith. Empathising with what coven was saying as he spoke.

“You don’t have to be part of the Sith for any of these things Coven. I can see on your face that you may want to leave the Sith. Living a life where you have to always look behind your back isn’t a way to live. The paranoia you feel, I could not possibly imagine.”

Dalaa shook his head in somewhat sadness. The man who kneeled before him was not evil. He was just lost, very lost indeed. Very troubled and lost, but not evil. A product of those he is around. If he surrounded himself in better people he could redeem himself without a doubt.

“If you want to do good in the world Coven, then perhaps aligning yourself with murderers like the Sith is not the way to go. I’m not saying you have to abandon the dark side. But abandon the Sith. For the Sith aren’t the dark side and you could do much more good as a free agent of the force.”

Dalaa closed his eyes and again and took a deep breathe, feeling the force around him and what it held. Darkness at this moment. With specks of light, presumably from him and Drow. Opening his eyes he looked upon Coven and then at his lightsaber which was before him. Thinking about Coven’s words and how the Sith and Jedi aren’t so different.

“Perhaps not to you. But to me there is. I don’t live in fear of being killed at any given moment by my fellow Jedi. And the Jedi have been able to do much good in the Galaxy with their light side alignment. As a Jedi, I am close to the other Jedi. Can you say the same about your fellow Sith? From what you’ve told me, I don’t believe you can. Perhaps, you would do much better in the Galaxy unaligned.”

Dalaa awaited the Sith’s response to his words. Hopefully he would say more in this somewhat discussion on Sith and Jedi philosophy. There was a lot different between the two. Dalaa had, had a relatively happy childhood learning about the force and such. Could Coven say the same he wondered. Breathing calmly he watched the Sith. This was an interesting encounter.

@Fantasy Liver @Shax

​

 

[Alastair Coven]

It was encouraging in some ways that the Jedi were so willing to give him a chance. Encouraging for Coven at the very least, whatever the outcome of this conversation he really didn't think it would end up too well for them. Though perhaps a bit more token resistance to their good natured attempts at religious conversion was in order.

Mustering his tremendous acting skills, Coven slowly took on a look of tense pondering as Dalaa and Drow played off one another. When Drow gave his blatant offer Coven let his eyes widen just enough to be noticeable, but not enough to be outrageous and betray the act; And as Dalaa described the possible life he could have had - Coven very carefully used the word 'possible' in his thoughts, unwilling to acknowledge just how accurate the Alien was. - He let his bottom lip tighten against the top, though it was mildly hidden behind his well groomed mustache, the tightly controlled quiver of his chin and the barest hint of shame which he intentionally leak through into the force were hopefully undeniable signs of repentance.

"I-I don't know..." Coven started, careful not to lay the act on too thick. He knew he looked older than he was, which made it harder to play a younger, more emotional role if people thought you were too old. "The Sith are competition, m-most would gladly stab you in the back for the favor of our masters, its hard but... rewarding? It makes us, stronger?" He made it a point to make these statements seem like questions, like he was asking for affirmation on long held beliefs.

Suddenly becomingly very tense, with his back going ramrod straight and his fists clenching against his thighs, Coven let a bit of anger slip through into the force, hoping to give the false impression that he was a novice, or perhaps just unskilled. "No! You Jedi are trying to trick me! They always said Jedi weren't to be trusted!" In the privacy of his own mind, Coven applauded his acting skills. He let his eyes dart around frantically, but he still made no moves of aggression, hopefully one of these good natured fools would try and talk him down so he could complete the act.

@Faust Rex @Fantasy Liver

 

[Dalaa Ta]

Dalaa Ta

Dalaa watched the sith before him, taking in the expressions that the man was giving. Feeling the emotions he was feeling and sensing them through the force. But something didn’t seem right. Dalaa observed the man, his emotions. Listening intently to what he was saying, watching the man let his lips quiver. Dalaa may not be the most experienced Jedi on the job but he certainly wasn’t naive. His strong connection with the force allowed him to sense that Coven was hiding some of his power. The little spurts of anger the man let through into the force, didn’t suggest an inexperienced man. Dalaa closed his eyes and nodded, moving his hands to his lightsabers.

“You’re quite a threatening man Coven, maybe you should calm down before we Jedi feel even more threatened”

Dalaa’s knuckles whitened around the hilts of his lightsabers, expecting to be attacked any moment. Dalaa let the force flow through both of his lightsabers, strengthening them slightly. Opening his eyes he observed Coven some more, ready to defend himself if need be. Dalaa had knew from the get go that this encounter would not end well, he knew that he and Drow would have to fight this Sith.

@Shax @Fantasy Liver

​

 

[Drow Venn]

"I don't want to hurt you, friend. Either stand down or leave." Drow pleaded, drawing his lightsaber and igniting it, preparing for a fight but utterly dreading it. This man was yet another lost soul, another possible outcome that Drow himself could have been had his life went slightly different. He felt compassion for the man and hoped he'd pick the right choice but he was totally prepared to defend his fellow Jedi if that wasn't the case.

@Shax @Faust Rex

 

[Alastair Coven]

Coven glared mightily at the two Jedi, frantically looking around for several moments. The best acts were always tinged with true emotion, so he let himself feel fear at the possibility of his death at the hands of these two Jedi. He let it permeate his being for a few moments, helping him sell the emotions on his face. He didn't want to die, and ultimately this was an increadibly risky gamble he was taking.

He didn't move from his kneeling position when Drown ignited his saber, but in an unconscious expression of real fear, he felt lightning crackle over his arms. Which by the way, hurt tremendously. It stopped just as quickly as it began, but it was attention grabbing nonetheless.

He stared for a long moment at his Lightsaber, as if wishing to reach out and take it to begin the duel, he glanced once to Drow's ignited saber, and once to Dalaa's two sabers as of yet still at his sides. Finally, just as it seemed like he would fight, he slumped, letting everything drain out of his body. His eyes showed a long held world weariness, looking into the two Jedi's eyes just for a moment before turning to the floor with his head bent.

With a defeated scoff, Coven spoke. "Right. I think... I think that you two should do what you think is best, but, if you are willing to give me a chance... I surrender to you, master Jedi." He bowed his head, presenting his neck for an easy strike if they chose to take it, hoping privately that this gamble would pay off.

@Fantasy Liver @Faust Rex

 

[Drow Venn]

Surprised at how well this was going, Drow still kept his saber ignited and nodded sympathetically towards Coven. he was still wary of taking this man in to their temple. He trusted the man's intentions but wanted to make sure before leading him to Yavin. Maybe another moon somewhere where they could teach him more about the light? Maybe get a Councilor to figure out what to do with this.

"Right well if you really want to surrender, why don't you just give us that lightsaber of yours just to be safe and we can take you somewhere and teach you more about the light." Drow offered.

@Faust Rex @Shax

 

[Dalaa Ta]

Dalaa Ta

Dalaa observed the Sith before him, weary of his true intentions. Dalaa was a peaceful man and would never attack first. Gripping his lightsabers tightly as he anticipated an attack and as electricity coursed through Coven's arm. Dalaa looked over at Drow as the Sith before them seemingly calmed down before looking back upon Coven, noticing that he was gazing at the lightsabers. Dalaa closed his eyes and nodded, letting his grip go on his lightsabers, accepting the possibility that he might go for his lightsabers.

"If you truly are surrendering yourself to us then...we can start by introducing some of our beliefs. Forgive me if you will but, I am...weary of you Sith. Given the recent attacks against us by your people. Here shall be fine. This place contains enough connection to the light side of the force. I also couldn't help but notice you...gaze upon my lightsabers. You can try to grab one if you wish Coven, but at least give it back to me when you're done with it."

He jokingly said, well half jokingly anyway. Dalaa stood up and brushed his clothing off before offering Coven a hand with a smile. The Togrutan male was kind and caring, he saw the good within everyone and believed everybody could be redeemed.

"Tell me, what do you know of the Jedi's philosophy already?"

Dalaa believed it would be rude of him to assume what he knew and didn't know. So, he felt it much more appropriate and polite to ask him. Dalaa was also intrigued by what he already knew, what he may have been told by the Sith about the Jedi.

@Fantasy Liver @Shax

​