Voices

[Nox Naleven]

The day had been long and slow. Despite being the new star attraction in a long line of freakshows, Nox found that business was beginning to trudge towards the end of the circus season. His employer expected him to attract crowds and make money and had provided him with a tall black tent with a huge red sign that read:

Nox the Netherspeaker

Now, the ink was fading and the tent was starting to smell putrid. During poor weather the thick canvas soaked up rain which had precipitated all the way down through Nar Shadaa's filthy innards until by the time it reached the sea of tents some thirty levels down it was closer to mud than water. Since the storm the number of visitors had more than halved and according to his mother, next year Nox will no longer have the position of prestige he currently holds within the Nul Tannaa Circus. A position he had never wanted.

A chill wind stirred the body of the tent and a glowlamp flickered on a table dressed neatly with a cloth of purple silk. The breeze was refreshing and broke the silence of night. Outside, not a soul could be seen; the circus closed an hour ago, and Nox was ready to call it a night and return home to his mother. The tall canvas flaps settled and the tent closed shut, immediately the air became thick, clammy, and stale once more.

[Darth Decepis]

<font size=5>......ssssleeeeep.....</font>

Something hissed on the foggy horizons of the Netherspeaker's subconciousness. Its form could not be seen, but like the visions he held communion with, it was an apparition of some great intent. A shadow drew itself over Nox's mind. He felt tired. So tired.

[Nox Naleven]

"We're... closed for... business."

Nox stumbled over his chair as tried to reach it, overcome with fatigue, and supported himself against the table. It wobbled. His knees became weak and his eyes grew heavy. He fought to stay on his feet until sleep took him and he fell to the floor, bringing the table with him.

[Darth Decepis]

In the dim light of the tent, two sallow eyes almost seemed to glow beneath the shadow of a great dark cloak, the color of spilled wine. Wan candlelight flickered to reveal a nose, and a partial mouth, the skin a sickly yellowish grey, matching the gnarled and jaundiced hands that emerged from the ample sleeves.

The specter sank gently to his knees at Nox's side, easing the young man onto his back. With a gentle touch that deceived his hideous appearance, the specter laid a hand upon the brow of the Netherspeaker. He spoke, but not with a man's voice. The voice seemed indistinct and unnatural to the spoken ear. To the dreamscape Nox found himself in now, it very well may be the voice of God.

<font color=purple>"Remember this dream, Netherspeaker. It is more than your mind's eye. You see the future. Enjoy this great gift you have been given. Know always who has given it to you.

In time, I will return for a gift of my own"</font>

The air seemed to buzz with the sound of feasting flies. It was the Word of the Sith, powerful beyond mere spoken words. It could be heard without hearing. It could be answered without speaking. It was a window that spanned unlimited distance. The specter would know Nox Naleven.

Nox Naleven would know Darth Decepis and his will.

[Vice]

''This looks like a tired one.''

Vice approached the two individuals. He had just arrived from Black Sun his ship a few minutes away at a hangar. He hadn't had much to do therefore he thought it might be fun to see a show.

[Darth Decepis]

The shadow exited the tent...and was at once a man again.

The hooded man feebly walked into the night air, hood hanging low over his face.

"I am sorry my friend. It appears the show is at an end this evening. A new showing will begin in the morning."

The old man walked away at that, content to return from whence he came.

[Nox Naleven]

"Wake up! Nox, it's time to get up."

Nox stirred, first he rolled onto his side and pulled the bedsheets around him tighter and sighed. He hadn't yet opened his eyes but he could hear the hum of the lights above him. His room had no windows and was lit by painfully artificial lighting like the rest of his humble home. He opened his eyes.

In the doorway stood his mother, with narrowed eyes she watched her son rise, her arms folded and she said, "You were out late last night. Where had you been?"

"I err..." Nox mumbled, rubbing his eyes.

"And you slept like a baby! You're usually out of bed like a shot if you hear so much as a pin drop while you sleep."

"It was a long day." He replied. "What time is it?"

"You have to be in work in an hour. Hurry up!" snapped his mother, she turned sharp and marched off to the kitchen.

[Rhena Naleven]

In the morning, the kitchen was freezing cold so Rhena had wrapped herself in several layers of clothing including some of her outfit from last night's performance. Sequines jingled as she packed herself into a corner of the miniscule room and began slicing bread. Colourful beading caught the light in such a way that occassionally streaks of gold and red slashed this way and that upon the kitchen interior.

Rhena, like her son, worked for the circus and she was a fire-dancer. An abundance of skimpy and gaudy costumes belonging to her employer filled her wardrobe alongside a few old rags, most of which she was currently wearing.

"Nox, your breakfast is ready." She cried out as she sliced the toast on a plate. She could hear her son rummaging through the pile of clothes on his bedroom floor.

As she carried the plate to the table her hand trembled. Her shallow breath slipped through her lips a silvery wisp. She took a seat and cradled her head in her arms on the table.

[Nox Naleven]

"I hate it when you wear that dren at home." Nox said, stepping into the kitchen. His mother's gaudy dress made him cringe and he dropped himself into a chair and began wolfing his toast down.

[Rhena Naleven]

"Watch your language!" Rhena snapped, sitting upright. Her face, a lifeless pallor, flushed an angry red. She pushed the chair backwards and stood, storming over to a cupboard.

"And it's not like I have much else, Nox. These... things aren't even my own! You know how short we are on money and you're saying things like that to me."

She was holding two large pills in her unsteady hand. One by one, she swallowed them with a mouthful of warer. Her cheeks were moist with tears and silently, she scolded herself for them.

"The show has been cancelled for tonight Not enough tickets sold. I imagine you will have another quiet day today."

[Nox Naleven]

"As usual." Nox scoffed thickly through a mouthful of toast.He wiped his mouth.

"Noone bothers coming to the damn circus this early anyway, not even during peak season. I won't expect to see anyone until in the late afternoon."

He picked up his last slice of toast, took a bite, then stood.

"At least it will give me some time to practice my skills."

[Rhena Naleven]

"Nox..."

Rhena's long fingers gripped at the table and she held on for support. She stared at the floor and shook her head.

"Nox, we've already discussed this in the past. In the circus, you don't have skills, you're a showman just like everybody else. When people come to visit you, you put on the best show you can everytime, and they go away believing you can speak to these-"

She laughed nervously, a hand over her mouth.

"These spirits."

[Nox Naleven]

"That's enough, mother."

Nox said, briskly carrying his plate over to the sink. His jaw clenched tight.

[Rhena Naleven]

"Oh Nox!" Said Rhena with regret. She turned to face him.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to upset you. You should never be ashamed of who you are and what you do. You're a great performer."

[Nox Naleven]

"Mother, that's enough!" Nox barked, his back to her.

[Rhena Naleven]

"But you have to stop lying to me and most of all to yours-"

[Nox Naleven]

There was a loud crash and broken china shards exploded off the wall. Once the last remnants of the plate jingled on the floor, the room was left in silence. Nox stood still, breathing heavily, his chest and back heaving. A ribbon of blood trickled down his cheek where he had been caught by a stray china shard.

He heard his mother approaching him, the shattered plate crunching under her shoes, she didn't speak but he could hear her whimpering. She placed a hand on his shoulder but he shoved it off, turned suddenly and stormed out of the house.

[Rhena Naleven]

"Son!" Rhena whispered once the door had slammed shut. She wiped a tear from her face and dropped to her knees. For a moment, she scooped up the broken plate from the kitchen floor until she could control herself no longer and reeled forward, releasing a mournful wail.

[Darth Decepis]

A knock came at the door, not half an hour after Nox's stormy exit.

[Rhena Naleven]

Rhena sighed, dropped a pile of dirty clothes on her bedroom floor and headed for the door. There were a series of clicks before the door opened and even then it was secured by a chain to prevent anyone barging in. She peeked through the gap.

"Hello?"

[Darth Decepis]

"Spare a crust of bread for a hungry old man?"

The man who stared back at Rhena was a kindly-faced gentleman, with snowy thinning hair and crows nest wrinkles at his eyes. He had a warm demeanor, contrasted by his frail figure that seemed to nearly cave in on itself beneath his loose and humble tunic.

[Rhena Naleven]

"We don't usually..." Rhena began with uncertainty.

She considered the old begger for a moment through tired eyes. She shook her head and closed the door. There was a sliding sound then the door was opened once more, this time fully.

"Okay, well maybe this once. Come in."

[Darth Decepis]

"A million blessings on this house."

He smiled graciously at her, the wrinkles of his face drawing up like curtains.

"My name is Kurall. May I have the pleasure from my good host?"

[Rhena Naleven]

"Rhena. My name is Rhena."

She shut the door and walked ahead of the old man into the kitchen.

"Please follow me, the kitchen is this way."

[Darth Decepis]

"I hope I am not intruding too much. I know you show people must have much larger tasks than tending to an old fossil as myself. Perhaps I will have the luxury of attending your fine carnival before you depart, if I pinch more than enough cred to take care of my daily bread."

He walked behind her with a gentle, slow, and deliberate gait.

[Rhena Naleven]

"No, you're not intruding." Said Rhena as she rummaged through a cupboard. She pulled out half a loaf of bread and planted it on the table.

"It's just that we're not really used to having visitors and well, most strangers are dangerous here. Take a seat."

She turned back to the cupboards.

"Butter?"

[Darth Decepis]

"Oh no."

Kurall smiled and waved a dismissive hand.

"You're lavishing me enough as it is."

He looked around at the abode. It was humble, warm, and lived-in. It made him smile.

"What manner of performer might you be, Rhena?"

[Rhena Naleven]

"I am... a dancer." Rhena blushed.

"Some might say an exotic dancer." She said with a guilty smile.

"But by trade, I am known as a fire dancer. You ever heard of them before?"

[Darth Decepis]

"I don't believe I have."

Kurall's eyes sparkled with curiosity.

"That sounds like a dangerous feat, to dance with fire."

[Sudoku]

He sat in the small tent, listening to the rain that continued to pelt down. His dark jacket bore the markings of an Imperial, with the exception of of several tears and stains. His dark hair hung limply in front of his dark eyes as he sat in silence, hands folded neatly in his lap.

Kyashi wasn't sure why he'd come - wandering the galaxy had gotten more...restricted as of late, and ships heading towards home were notoriously few and far between. Perhaps it was the will of Force...or his own laziness that made him stay.

He tilted his head as Nox entered, barely raising his eyes to meet the other boys.

[Rhena Naleven]

"It can be dangerous if you don't know what you're doing. I've been doing it for almost a decade now so I haven't been burnt in a few years, except in an accident six months ago. See my arm?"

She pulled back her sleeve to expose a relatively large area of scar tissue on the underside of her arm. She frowned.

"Luckily it's hard to see otherwise I'd be out of a job."

[Nox Naleven]

"Who are you?" Nox said shortly to the stranger.

He threw back the hood of his heavily drenched plum coloured cloak. His pale face riddled with lines of irritation. The corner of his mouth curled into a sneer as he passed the young man and cast his cloak to the ground.

"Do you have a tongue?"

[Sudoku]

"Heh."

He stretched, watching the other boy intently. A slight smile graced his features for a brief second, as he realised WHY he had been drawn here.

"I'm simply here to satisfy my...curiousity about you, Netherspeaker."

[Nox Naleven]

"Is your curiosity satisfied now?"

Nox unceremoniously fell back into his chair and slouched.

"Or would you like me to tell you all about your dead relatives?"

[Sudoku]

"Oh. Do tell. I'd like to know how my parents felt when they were murdered, particularly my father."

He leaned back in his own chair, smirking. "Come on now, I want to hear what the old man has to say about me slicing him open from gut to gullet."

[Nox Naleven]

"Let me see."

Nox planted his hands down flat on the table, closed his eyes and tilted his head back. A strange deep hum came from his throat. After a brief instant, his eyes snap open and he looks straight at Kyashi.

"He says you're a slimey piece of dren who shouldn't waste his time trying to be intimidating."

Nox grinned, then mocked dissappointment.

"Oh, still not satisfied?"

[Sudoku]

The chair beneath Nox skittered out from under him, sending the grinning boy to the floor. The chair stopped, in front of Kyashi, who wore a grin of his own.

"I'm not trying to be intimidating. I have the skills to back up anything I say." A heavy feeling fell over Nox, like someone was sitting on his chest, holding him down. Kyashi shook his head.

"I'm not here to have a tift with you, so kill the teenage angst. it's unbecoming."

[Nox Naleven]

Nox began to panic, arms thrashing out at the ground beneath him. He gasped for air, the pressure on his chest was almost suffocating. through shallow breaths, he spoke:

"What is it you want?"

[Sudoku]

The pressure released, leaving Nox gasping for breath on the ground.

"I wasn't sure why I was brought here. I thought maybe the Force was playing some sort of joke on me, leading me to this hell hole. And then, I found you. I think we have a lot in common, more than you realise."

[Nox Naleven]

"What are you talking about?"

Nox spluttered on all fours, his chest protesting painfully. Unsteadily, he climbed to his feet and faced his attacker.

"I know nothing of the Force and am nothing like you," he spat his words out.

[Sudoku]

"Oh really? And I suppose you cut yourself shaving, then." He gestured to the small cut on the boys face. "You're angry, but you haven't found a way to channel it. Or maybe you have, but you don't realise it yet."

He shrugged. "Or...maybe you aren't that special at all. I mean, look at where we are, and what you do. You could just be sham."

[Nox Naleven]

"There is nothing wrong with what I do." Nox retorted, some colour pouring into his face at last. His jaw clenched and he glanced around as if to find some reassurance.

"I have worked hard to get this far, I have come a long way and am no sham. It's all real."

[Sudoku]

"Sure, it is."

His grin softened into a smile, as he leaned on his elbows, his eyes meeting Noxs'.
"But honestly, do you really want just this, when you could have so much more for yourself?"

[Nox Naleven]

"Don't you try and-" Nox cut himself off, his narrowed eyes opened.

The stranger's words had stung him more than he had realised. He clasped his hands awkwardly, thumbs fumbling against each other as he calmed himself. He wanted to sit down but was afraid to get to relaxed in front of the boy with unusual powers. He sighed.

"Yeah, I've always wanted more than... this! I didn't even want this frelling sideshow life but you have to play with the cards fate deals you. And this is the hand I got."

His jaw clenched. He thought of his mother back home in her ugly clothing.

[Sudoku]

"It doesn't have to be this way. You have a gift, something special. You can change your life, if you choose to do so. Unless, there's something here to hold you back. Something that's keeping you from reaching your full potential."

He kept his smile up - no sense in turning back now. "All you have to do is get rid of it, and you can be free."

[Nox Naleven]

"No." Nox said.

He hesitated and fumbled for the words, his fists closing tight.

"These is nothing holding back but when one day I make it big, I'll be bringing my mother along with me," he said firmly.

There was a chill air in the tent. He started to rub his hands vigorously.

"I care about my mother and will look after her."

[Sudoku]

"I used to feel the same way. But my mothers' best intentions caused me nothing but grief. I'm much better off now then when I was a shy boy hiding behind her..." He shrugged, and laughed slightly. "I mean, sure, she kept my gift a secret, but at least she didn't turn me into a meal ticket like your mother did."

He leaned back in his chair, reaching down to rub a smudge from his boot. "They don't call it a freak show for nothing, Netherspeaker. You probably frighten her more than you realise, and this was the perfect way for her to deal with you and make a few chits for herself."

[Nox Naleven]

"This was not her choice." Nox spat his words angrily at the boy.

"We didn't have a choice. We're slaves, you idiot! Everyone down here is either a slave or a slave-trader! Now, what are you?"

[Sudoku]

"I guess I'm neither."

He continued to clean the mud from the toe of his boot, sighing and shaking his head. He stood, standing directly in front of Nox.

"I make my own choices, I do my own thing. I go with the flow. I'm not some coward who won't break free and take what I want. If you don't want to be here for the rest of your life, do something about it. But don't think that staying here and being exploited is the way to do it."

He placed a hand on Noxs' shoulder, staring hard into his eyes. "You have such potential, and you're going to let it all go to waste. Such a shame."

[Nox Naleven]

Nox stood frozen, his eyes drifted from the boy's hand on his shoulder then to his face. He felt powerless and trapped, the boy was dangerous and strong: he could snap him in half with his powers. His heart thumped against his chest, his hands were clammy and his throat was dry but he had become oblivious to the rapidly falling temperature.

"I am not a coward. I am not afraid," he lied.

His eyes fell to the floor and he breathed extra slow, misty whisps of air seeping through his lips. Thoughts of his mother, and his little bedroom, and his work, and his future and his visions scrolled through his head. He looked up.

"If I had the power you had, then I could be free. Can you teach me?"

[Sudoku]

"Hmph. Perhaps. It all depends."

His hands moved from Noxs' shoulder, finger-tips trailing underneath his chin, tilting his head up so he was looking into Kyashis' eyes. His face was serious, for the most part, but a half-grin played on his lips.

"I could teach you somethings, but I don't know if I could trust you. You'd have to prove it to me; that this is what you want, and that you'll follow through with it. I'd hate to waste my time simply because you've got a pretty face."

[Nox Naleven]

"What-" Nox's voice cracked.

He swallowed hard and shifted on his feet. His cheeks were burning and his stomach felt strange. After clearing his throat, he met the boy's gaze once more.

"What do I have to do?"

[Sudoku]

The grin faded. His fingers moved up to Noxs' cheek, and stopped. He leaned closer, his lips barely brushing against the red-faced boys.

"You know what you have to do."

[Nox Naleven]

First came a look of curiosity. It was quickly replaced with evident confusion and discomfort. Nox frowned and leaned his head back. He stared hard at the older boy and breathed hard through his nose.

"What are you-" he began, his voice was weak, then disgusted, pulled himself away from the stranger.

"Are you trying to tell me-" he yelled, his voice trembling.

His eyes were red and glistened with angry tears. He glared at the boy, mixed feelings of fury and fear clashing with each other.

"You're a frelling monster!" He roared.

"What's wrong with you? You sick little dren! I will not do it! I will not hurt her! You can go to hell!"

[Sudoku]

He shrugged, as if the events leading up to Noxs' outburst had never happened. His hands slipped into his jacket pockets as he turned to leave the tent.

"Fine, if you won't do it, I will. You can stay here, have a good cry and think about it. You know I'm right, sick or not, and that it has to be done."

He paused. The temperature had dropped - even more so since Nox was had slipped into a rage. He cast a glance over his shoulder; the shadows behind the boy danced, moving of their own accord.

"Hmmph. Well, I'll be damned..."

[Nox Naleven]

Nox stood rigid, his hands were shaking and his teeth were grinding. He stared at Kyashi, wishing looks could kill. His heavy breath was a chilly white vapour in the air now.

"Get out!" he said quietly, his voice hoarse and threatening.

A small orb of light traced along the tent canvas, it floated gracefully amidst the web of moving shadows, then closed in on Nox. It circled in the air above him. Then another orb appeared, flickering, winking in the dark. Then another. And another. All light orbs were attracted to the furious youngster and hovered around him, shifting directions of their own accord.

"I hate you!" Nox spat venomously, oblivious to the strange phenomena.

[Sudoku]

"Good. Keep hating me - the more you hate, the more powerful you'll become. You're so busy being a "good" son, you don't even notice what's happening. What you're making happen, Netherspeaker."

He half-turned, still looking over his shoulder at Nox. His breath came out in large whisps of white."You don't even realise what you're doing, do you? Look up."

[Nox Naleven]

Uncertain, Nox kept his gaze fixed upon Kyashi. His eyes narrowed and he sneered.

"Another one of your tricks? Are going to try to crush me again with your-"

He cut himself off suddenly. Something had caught his attention. It was a floating ball of light. He looked up and stared, his mouth agape.

"What is this? This is your doing!"

[Sudoku]

"It's not. Trust me, my skills lie elsewhere. This is all your handiwork."

He turned and faced Nox once more, hands still in his pockets. "My offer still stands - you can learn how to control your anger and use it to your advantage. Imagine, if this is what you can achieve without training, what you'll be able to do once you learn to control it."

[Nox Naleven]

For some time, Nox stood staring, awed by the spectacle and wondering if this really was his doing. He knew what he was looking at: they were the preliminary signs of supernatural apparitions. In short, ghosts. But he had never witnessed such a concentrated series of supernatural phenomena before, it was very uncommon in the trade.

After a long silence, he sighed silently and looked at the boy.

"I need some time to think this through."

[Sudoku]

He shook his head. "Time isn't something I have, Nox. The less time I spend here, the better. For both of us."

He sighed heavily, running a hand through the dark hair that hung down over his eyes.

"If you need time, then I suppose I'll have to be patient, won't I? I just hope you make the right decision."

[Darth Decepis]

Originally posted by Rhena Naleven
"It can be dangerous if you don't know what you're doing. I've been doing it for almost a decade now so I haven't been burnt in a few years, except in an accident six months ago. See my arm?"

She pulled back her sleeve to expose a relatively large area of scar tissue on the underside of her arm. She frowned.

"Luckily it's hard to see otherwise I'd be out of a job."

"And I would be out of good company."

He nodded, a polite smile showing.

"You seem like a family woman, Rhena. If I may ask, do you have a family?"

[Nox Naleven]

Nox nodded at the boy, his face was paler than usual and it glistened with beads of sweat on his brow. The thoughts in his head scared him. He swallowed hard.

"How- how will I contact you again? What is your name?"

[Rhena Naleven]

"I have... a son."

She replied heavily, gazing down at her callous hands. She looked up at the old man and gave him a weak smile.

"We're not exactly what you would call a family, really. Not anymore, under the circumstances. We just help each other get by."

[Sudoku]

"Eh? Er..."

He wrinkled his nose. Contact him...? He was constantly moving, and didn't know where he'd be from day to the next. He moved over to Nox, wiping the sweat from the boys' brow, and smiled.

"The name is Kyashi, but, I don't have any way for you to contact me. I tend to lay low when I'm travelling. I guess I'll have to find you when you're ready."

[Nox Naleven]

The tension in Nox seemed to wither with Kyashi's touch and he closed his eyes. It felt good to be on recieving end of such affection. He smiled briefly and opened his eyes again. His smile was replaced with a serious front.

"Well, Kyashi, I'll be ready for you."

[Sudoku]

His voice softened as his hand moved from Noxs' forehead. "Good. I'll be waiting."

He grinned, stepping back. "Come on now, don't look so serious."

[Nox Naleven]

"This is serious."

He moved to his fallen chair, righted it and took a seat. His hands clasped on the table in front of him and he stared at them.

"Now, please leave."

[Sudoku]

"Alright."

He turned, pulling open the flap of the tent, and left without another word.

[Darth Decepis]

"And are you getting by?"

Kurall broke a bit of bread off from the mass, chewing a mouthful of it carefully.

[Rhena Naleven]

"Financially? Barely." She answered shortly, fidgeting with a bread knife.

"As a family? Hardly."

Flustered, she released the knife and it clanged on the table top.

"What about you? Did you have any children? Any family at all?"

[Darth Decepis]

"I did, once."

There was a tone to Kurall's voice that held no fondness.

"But once an old man's money is used up, they have no use for him."

The corners of his mouth turned downwards bitterly.

"It is hard to understand how ones who once claimed to love you can treat you with such disregard and disdain when you are no longer a crutch for them to lean on."

[Rhena Naleven]

"Oh, I am sorry."

Rhena stood abruptly and took the knife in hand once again, returning to the loaf of bread. She began moving swiftly back and forth from cupboard to drawer, pulling out cups, plates and various foodstuffs.

"So, if you don't mind me asking, is that how you- how you ended up..."

[Darth Decepis]

"Not all at once, and not instantly to be sure. I'm sure my children would tell a different story out of their own shame for their deeds."