The Histories of the Sith (Sianna)

Not much could rattle her. She'd seen so much in her life so far, and there were few things she could think of in this galaxy that might give her pause and make her question the Maker. She'd seen her mother go from an already pathetic woman to a simpering, raving lunatic over the course of three years, dependent on medication to slow the progression to madness and dementia.

But, the sight of those writhing bodies, the words of Ezra filling her ears, had done well to shake her.

What sort of 'school' had she agreed to come to? Even if she wasn't a student necessarily, she was still here; oftentimes shutting herself away in her small room and pouring over the small bits of, well, whatever she could get her hands on. Sometimes they were books, sometimes they were a wad of flimsies. She didn't really interact with the other students, though she'd at least made a few inroads with some. It was something, at least. Not a lot, but something.

Of course the few days following her meeting with Ezra had begun to cause her to question why she'd accepted Frygt's invitation.



Now, half-reclined on her bed, Razadi stared down at a datapad that was currently playing an old episode of The Walking Sith. Only half paying attention, the albino made a series of faces as she wondered why the depiction of the Sith in the show seemed so far removed from what she was experiencing. Granted, what she had seen so far was... not a lot. Just an academy full of students and one rather unhinged administrator.

She pulled a sour face then, levering herself up to sit before pushing up off the bed. The 'pad kept playing, but she ignored it now in favor of searching out a pair of pants. It wasn't long before she was successful, and pulling a pair of mottled grey trousers, Razadi gave a sigh as she made a bare effort to look for her boots. Ten seconds passed before she gave up; she preferred bare feet anyway, as the stone walkways felt uniquely satisfying underfoot.

Leaving her room, she began to make her way through the halls, to the cavernous cafeteria that she'd come to actually enjoy. After all, she didn't have to hustle for her food now - it was given to her with no questions asked. It was also so much better than what she usually scrounged on Nar Shaddaa, so there was that.

Plus, they might have a few of those Li'l Vima snack cakes restocked.

Pondering all that she and Ezra had spoken about so far had kept Sianna up and though she had many sleepless nights over the years, this time it was more about making history than finding it. This school had so much more potential, but she also understood the concerns about Imperial Knights and Jedi finding them before they were ready. These students weren't being taught everything about being pure Force users, but were allowed to stick to their own interpretation of the codes offered, which was sickening to the priestess. But, to get what she wanted in the end, she had to play the game.

Sighing, the Echani master of the Force sat in the large dining hall, arms upon the tabletop and holding one of many datapads that she owned. Sorzus Syn was always a comfort in these times and had been Sianna's mentor since she was able to read. Hours spent under a luma lamp in her bedroom reading the works about one of the original Sith had taught her much about true power and perseverance. The alchemist had created amazing hybrids in her lab and was one of the main reasons that the Jedi banished her along with so many others with vision.

Imagining herself sitting with the ancient one, Sianna nearly didn't notice the entrance of one of the students until she noticed the ghostly figure in her peripheral, prompting silver orbs to turn to the female. Straightening, the priestess initially thought she was seeing another of her kind until noticing the solid dark eyes. Arkanian perhaps? "You're up late," Sianna's mature, silky voice echoed in the high ceilinged room. "What's got you up?" Touching on the girl's surface thoughts, she noted the surprise, but also a unique personality there as well.

Perhaps her next apprentice?

Blinking, Razadi turned an owlish look to the woman who'd spoke, feeling as though a gossamer wisp passed over her own thoughts. It was a bit surprising, but the Nar Shaddaan gave no indication that she was taken aback. Rather, she pulled a particularly puzzled expression, brow knitting. This woman was new, that much she could tell; she'd never seen her before, and after plenty of time to wander and poke her way around the academy she'd given herself a fairly decent understanding of those who resided here. No, this woman was new.

"I... "

And then she shook her head, as if trying to shake away the memory of the silky smooth feeling that had passed through her.

"Jittas," came the final answer, though it was more to herself than the woman.

A long exhale.

"Yor new," a rather obvious observation.

"Ain't seen y'around b'fore."

Amused at the aura that Sianna seemed to command with those of like mind, she offered a barely perceptible smirk. "I just arrived with the dean a few hours ago," she informed. "But, I asked you a question." Her demeanor a bit more stern, the priestess of the Sith'aria wasn't used to such a casual conversation with other Force users. This was definitely going to take some getting used to, she mused.

Turning on the long bench seat, silver orbs narrowed.

Not exactly expecting the shift in tone, 'Zadi let a small bit of surprise show before pursing her lips. She stopped short of mumbling a string of unintelligible curses in the heavily accented undercity slang she usually reserved for annoying questions, but thought the better of it at the last moment.

"Ain't no studen', se. I's jus' here 'cause I done a job fer da headmistress," a pause, then she finished.

"... Well, wherever she up an' gone to I dunno. But I ain't no studen'."

That this woman had come with Ezra only brought back fresh memories that she would've rather forgotten. She focused on the question that had previously been asked, choosing to answer in the hope of dispelling the sight of so many twisting and writhing bodies from her mind's eye. Maybe if she could get her hands on a snack cake she'd be able to banish the still-haunting images.

"I's come down fer summa dem snack cakes. Li'l Vima's. Da choc'late ones. Dey norm'ly stock 'em at de beginnin' of da week."

'Zadi gave a sniff, rolling her shoulders as if shrugging off the critical look she was being subject to.

Though the girl wasn't very eloquent by Sianna's standards, one didn't need to be to be a great Force user. Motioning to the kitchen with a nod of her head, Sianna rose with the datapad in her hand and moved to intercept the mysterious non-student. "I sense the gift within you," the priestess mused aloud as she meandered between empty tables. "This headmistress you mentioned, is she mentioned teaching you yet?" Boots beat off of the tile floor and slowed as she entered the now open door to the interior of the large kitchen, it's stainless surfaces shining as were the doors to the large refrigeration units and freezers.

"Where are you from?"

"Eh, she rambled on 'bout sumfin. Weren't really payin' no mind at da time." The large walk-in pantry was where she was focused, and Razadi made the short trek to the double doors, opening them wide - as if they were some pair of magical doors that would give access to the wondrous treasures hidden behind. And in a way, it was an apt way to look at it. She stood then, in the open doorway. Gave a sniff, then stepped inside.

Her voice rose again as she began the hunt for those delightful snack cakes.

"I jus' did a job, she said I could come here, said I could get trainin' for... whateva it is I do. Ain't got no trainin' yet. Jus' been readin' and watchin'."

At the question of where she was from, Razadi let out a snort.

"Da VRT. Nar Shaddaa, guess'n most call it. Ain't much dere so's I left. Can't much do bisniss if all's around is folks crazza jacked up on da Black Hole and Ryll. And dem was de good ones, se."

"I guess the real question is, do you want to learn how to use the Force or remain one of the masses that had a wondrous gift given to you by the universe, and squander it looking for," she peered into the overly large pantry and noticed the focus of this raid. "Snack cakes?" Shaking her head lightly, Sianna knew this girl still had a lot to prove to her as well as herself.

"Hey now," the rebuttal was quick and passionate, "Dese t'ings is good food. Ain't nothin' like 'em in da VRT. Most y'get dere is junk-like scraps. Iff yor lucky, se."

Palming one of the glorious, crinkle-wrapped confections, Razadi stopped short of waving a finger in the air like some forceful accompaniment of her words. She'd seen old holos of the Emperor when he was still alive, arms in the air during some speech to the masses. Looked like it worked, since all she ever heard was cheering from the people off-camera.

Another few wrapped cakes were liberated from their box on the shelf, and looking back to the other woman, Razadi pulled a strange expression as she processed the quandary presented. It'd be helpful, wouldn't it? Learnin' new tricks. Figurin' out new ways to pull the old grifter game. It was about the only one she knew, and it was what she couldn't help but fall back on.

The lady with the silver eyes was offering to teach her, if she was reading the cues right. Years on the streets had taught her to look for those unspoken signs.

A sniff, and her brow knit as she thought.

"I read lots; been readin' since I got here. Mostly 'bout dis place. Ain't much else to really read."

And then a cautious look crept over her features, curious overtones laced throughout. There was a hopeful glint in her dark eyes, almost hungry even, as the sudden thought of new information possibly within her grasp was realized.

"You got more books... ?"

Sianna wasn't surprised that the insinuation would be lost on the girl, but she was quickly getting a feel for her. Razadi was a simple minded one who's life bred a survivor and that was a good start. At least she could read, apparently. Ignoring the pilfered cakes now being hidden away, the priestess grinned at the mention of books. Reaching out with her mind, she ensured that they were alone in the dining hall, then focused on Razadi.

"I'm a historian and archaeologist, so yes, I have books. Most are stored on data cube right now, but once you prove yourself to me then I'll be more than happy to pass on the first one. One that inspired me on this path when I was just a little girl." Silver orbs saw the equally pale figure before her while her mind's eye searched the inner being and soon was assured that she had the potential to be worthy. Turning her body to keep the entryway to the kitchen in her peripheral, the Echani priestess sighed lightly. "What have you learned so far about the Force?"

She had to prove herself? Taken aback, 'Zadi found herself able to only stare in a small bit of surprise at the woman with silver eyes. A wrapper crinkled in her hand as her fingers tightened around it, beginning to mush the delicate confectionery within. Frygt hadn't ever mentioned anything about proving herself, just that she would be taught; and now? Well, now Frygt was gone. Up and vanished to who knew where. In her place was Ezra who, frankly, made her worry for the state of his mind. He reminded her of the gaggle of grubby younglings on Nar Shadaa who went around pulling wings off of oilflies and daring each other to eat gutterslugs. On a much more sophisticated level, but the comparison still held a healthy level of truth for her.

But now, there was someone new. Someone as pale as she herself, with silver eyes and most important, books.

Except 'Zadi would have to apparently work to get access to those books. It wasn't upsetting; rather it was simply surprising.

A moment later she gave a smirk.

"Ain't nuthin' fancy, Yor Highness. Used to brask an' lift wallets. Did dagga work for de local bossmans, had t'stay jetti fer dat mess... "

She trailed off then, features pulling into a pinched expression as she realized that her normal, comfortable slang was more or less lost on the ears listening now.

A sigh.

"I's a con. Worked f'meself, but when da credits was tight I worked f'da local bosses. Evert'ing I know I's taught m'self. Pull a wallet outta some shiffa's pocket, give a little shove, make someone look de otha way atta noise. Little t'ings."

It weren't a glowing resume, but when you grow up on Nar Shadaa, ain't nothing glows very bright regardless of what it is.

At the mention of Sianna being monarchy a white brow quirked high over the black painted area around her silver orbs. "I'm Sianna, Master and priestess of the Sith'aria," she finally introduced. "Not a monarch.... yet," she grinned. "This life that I'm promising you here," her gaze shot toward her left, then back. "Is apparently going to have to remain between us while you're studying in this academy, but subtlety is going to be only one of the things that I'll teach you. First, we'll determine how far we can push the gift within you, and once you're past the first phase, robbing scrubs in a busy city street is going to pale in comparison with what you'll be able to accomplish."

There was a lot of work to do with this one, she mused quietly, noting Razadi's reaction to the offer.

For a brief moment she stared, not exactly expecting her jab to be taken so literally, but only a moment passed before she blinked owlishly, listening to what was being laid out in front of her. It sounded interesting, to say the least. To be able to go beyond her normal tricks and do more. But further, the promise of books was noted with a healthy amount of inner interest, and Razadi couldn't help but lick her lips. As much as she enjoyed the Li'l Vima snack cakes, she liked reading about all those old Force cults and crazy stories just as much, if not a little bit more. They were fascinating and made her wonder just how much truth was really there.

Her mouth opened slightly, as she ran a tongue over her back teeth.

"Aight den," she nodded slightly.

"I's int'rested."

She remembered some of the old stories about Sith from her mother; mostly just warnings told when she was young to get her to stay in bed.

Don't leef yor bed or de evil Siff issa get ya an' eat yor eyes outta yor head. Den he gon' pull off yor ears an' make a necklace outta dem.

Fanciful drek, but it did the job back then. But still, there was an old caution that made her eyes narrow. It didn't help, seeing Ezra's little 'collection', either.

"Y'ain't gotta... " her voice grew low as she peered a little bit closer at Sianna, worried suspicion in her gaze.

"... y'ain't gotta necklace made outta ears, do ya... ?"

Laughing, Sianna for the first time in a long time was amused at the insinuation as she also heard the surface thoughts of the memory flash in Razadi's mind. "No," she shook her head, long snowy hair flailing about gently. "Only things I collect are artifacts and knowledge which has helped me gain power to overcome my enemies and perfect myself." Chuckling, the Echani master turned toward the entrance to the kitchen and moved to leave.

"You've got so much to learn."

So much to learn. It wasn't a puzzling statement, but rather one that induced a fresh wave of curiosity in what exactly it was that Sianna could teach her. Oh, she'd heard the old stories and remembered how they told of great powers that those who used the Force had, but it all seemed so distant. Something that she'd never given much thought to. Now? Now it seemed the galaxy had decided to give her some sort of chance at having a go. There was no real ambition within her, other than to survive and make sure that her stomach was full; but all of that was owed to her life growing up. Life in the VRT.

The mention of 'enemies' gave her pause though. She'd never had enemies herself; marks yes, but enemies? Never.

That Sianna had enemies was enough to make her brow knit.

"You have enemies?"

Glancing at the pale girl askance, Sianna wondered what Ezra and the other instructors were really teaching these people. "We all do," she nodded. "Imperial Knights and Jedi are looking for a reason to shut this place down," she informed, unsure if they had been denied that tidbit also. "Once they find out that anyone's taking an interest in Sith teachings they'll bring a fleet, which was what Ezra and I were talking about earlier." Silver orbs darkened slightly as she turned her attention back to the main entrance to the dining hall as they progressed toward it.

"We're not going to let them." Her determination palpable, the Sith Master had every intention on learning more about the barons that ruled the council on this planet as well as their loyalties and weaknesses. Ezra mentioned already having them in his pocket, but without being around them constantly, she was sure that one of them may one day betray that promise of a quick death if they didn't stay in line. Exiting the dining hall, she tuned down her emotions knowing any of the more experienced and trained students may pick up on the dark side roiling within the Echani and that also couldn't happen. Not yet.

"Oh."

The thought hadn't ever occurred to her, though now laid out, she supposed that it made sense. She'd only ever heard of the Imperial Knights, aware of them on the periphery. So too did she know of the Jedi. Though, her knowledge of them was a small bit more. After all, one didn't grow up without stories of the great Jedi Knights of the Republic.

"Well, I's know only a little 'bout dem two folks. Dey seem kinda busy wit' demselfs."

Looking sideways, Razadi watched Sianna as she walked, wondering exactly what this woman had planned. Why she'd shown up here, now. Her mouth opened then, as she decided to simply ask.

"What made ya decide ta come here, den."

Nodding at her first comment, Sianna definitely agreed with that thought. "Moreso with Jedi than the other group, from what I've seen so far. Knights aren't Jedi, they more grey Jedi which means they're fighters rather than the type to sit and talk it out," she informed, the thought sticking in her throat, her disdain palpable as they exited the dining hall and moved through the main adjoining hallway. Evening air wafted in through the nearby crossing corridor which led outside, it's coolness chilling her skin as they moved.

Glancing to Razadi, she thought that answer should seem obvious. "If you want students, where else would I go," she replied with a smirk.

"Eh, I's can see da appeal of talkin' it out. Less mess, seh?"

It was a product of her life, and a result of havin' to always duck outta the way of the heavy hitters. Razadi didn't much care for conflict, and her outlook now reflected that.

"Ain't sayin' dat ever'ting is solves by words, jus' dat havin' ta bust a few lips might be more effort dan needed."

Sianna's last wordS, punctuated by the smirk, gave pause though as her mind went to the 'why's' of bein' here. It made sense. Why go somewhere where there wasn't anyone to teach?

She latched on to a notion of levity in that moment.

"Seems ya dun came to da right place, seh? Ain't gotta lack o'students here," she chuckled.

But, the mention of the knights and Jedi still weighed heavily.

"But on dem Knights... I dunno. Dey seem too fanatical to da Empress."

"Think the empress was excited about having soldiers with Force abilities, so why not? They apparently do her will, so that's a great pet to have when you control such a large area of a galaxy like she does." She still didn't know enough about them yet and made it a point to find out more when she could. However, that meant she had to get into a new lab and get to work first before striking out again.

"Ever'ting I's heard o' dem ain't da best."

Then again, she couldn't help that one, singular fact.

"Dey get da job done, I gotta give 'em dat."

As the two walked, Razadi felt herself falling into a bit of thought. She was curious of this new woman, Sianna. Coming from... wherever it was she came from. While it was more than obvious she was well-versed in her chosen life path. And interesting though it was, there was a small bit of caution that the Nar Shaddan exercised. She spoke openly yes, but there were other things that she kept closer to her core, unspoken.

"So den... da Sith... you t'ink dey'll be able to hold deir own on dese Knights? Could you?"

Sianna grinned, "With the right training and mindset, a Sith can defeat anyone. There are a host of abilities that are out there, beyond all that I know, just waiting for us to discover. Things buried by the Jedi or forgotten in some tomb or lost archive. Be amazed at all that's been lost to time in this galaxy."

Razadi listened as they walked, deciding that yes, she likes this woman's approach much better than Ezra's. The winding hallways seemed less angry and looming as the Nar Shaddaan cast her eyes about in thought. One hand undid the wrapper of a snack cake, and she took a first bite.

"So de Sith," she spoke around a mouthful of frosted cake, then opted to finish chewing and swallowing before going on.

"... dey do more dan just sit inna castle."

It was refreshing to know, and she gave a nod to herself the more she let her mind roll over the possibilities now being laid out in front of her.

"Da old temples on odder planets, 'ow many you been to, eh?"

Her excitement about this subject palpable, Sianna continued walking from the dining hall and toward her own private chambers given to her by Ezra. Though she had a feeling that his approval of her dogma may not be all that favorable thus far, the Echani priestess had every intention on playing by the rules. At least when everyone else was around. Razadi's query was one that was definitely understandable, she had the girl's attention now.

"Three so far. One on Tython that I left not that long ago in fact and met another that's interested in learning the purer ways of the Force. That temple was in ruins, but still had one or two things to give up that made it worth the trip. I still have many more trips to make and if you continue along this path, I'll take you with me."

It was an enticing thought, to go out and explore those places beyond the walls of the academy here. She'd not really left Tanaab for the simple reason that she had no particular interest in anywhere else. Returning to Nar Shaddaa was out of the question; she'd never go back there. Dead ends abounded there, and the simple act of surviving the Vertical City overtook anything else. No, she had no desires for that life again. Likewise Coruscant was out of the question also. With the Empire picking apart those with the Force, Razadi knew it would only be a matter of time until they found her and sent her off to wherever they locked away adepts. For now, she was safe.

Safe from her own wanderlust however, was another story. This Sianna was a curiosity, offering a satisfaction to those urges with a dangling slice of jinsa cake. It was tempting, and she couldn't help but test those waters.

"I's gotta t'ink 'bout it."

A stalling tactic that was easy enough to see through. Then again, 'Zadi didn't much care over that fact.

"When you reckon you leavin' out for da nex' trip."

Think about what, Sianna mused to herself, though the look on her pale face except for the black lipstick and circles around her eyes. No one who had been this curious about having knowledge and power ever turned her down and she was beginning to wonder how dedicated this one was about her life's goals. Doubt was a trait of the weak and that would have to be trained out of her if she were to continue on with the Echani Sith Master.

"Not sure yet, still have to learn the lay of the land here first."

The hallways otherwise empty because of the hour, Sianna had the chance to explore more of the history of this secluded fortress. Though the remaining touch of the crimelord that once called this place home were evident, Ezra and the others had done a fair job of turning these rooms and corridors into galleries of the Force's history. Still needed a few things in her opinion, but perhaps in time.

'Lay of the land'.

In her own eyes, there wasn't much else to see. Or at least, she thought as much before Ezra had shown her his little museum of torture and experimentation. It had put her off, but not so much to push her completely away. There was still more to learn, and this Sianna woman seemed much more interested in knowledge. It made the Nar Shaddaan hopeful.

"Dere's a lotta places 'round here to see, dough I t'ink you's more served to da books. I been mostly doin' dat m'self. Lotsa stuff ta read an' learn. Ain't ever went to a class, but da students tell me t'ings and let me look at deir books."

There was a bit of thought then, as she let the memories return of those younger years and early times on Nar Shaddaa.

"Weren't able ta get dat stuff in da VRT. Had ta focus on findin' the next bitta food and a few creds."

Hope rose again as Razadi mentioned the library and regained Sianna's full attention as silver orbs turned to her equally pale companion. "My father used to read to my brother's and I about the history of the Echani. I focused more on our Sith roots, serving Palpatine and the Empire. From there, once I got away from home, I researched more about the Sith's origins and then journeyed to a few of the worlds that had actual sites to explore. No one stuck to a chair's ever going to truly learn anything about the galaxy."

Turning her gaze out of a large, bullet shaped window, aglow with moonlight, she continued. "Knowledge is great, but wisdom is better. If you don't apply what you've learned it's all for nothing." Sianna glanced to the hopeful. "What books have you read so far?"

She had to think on that one.

"Mostly stuff 'bout... Plagueis, I t'ink 'is name was? Some 'bout another bloke too. Bane?"

A lot of her studies had had to do with this strange Rule of Two that the Sith enjoyed. It hadn't ever really settled well with her own notions.

"I dunno 'bout dis Rule o' Two t'ing dough. Seems silly t'me."

"Bane enacted that because it's easier to keep track of one potential enemy instead of an army of them," Sianna relayed, though she knew that all those with the potential to be Force users would only make their own guild or group instead if the Sith hadn't gotten back to their roots. An army of Force using knights, brandishing lightsabers was a foe to be reckoned with. "In his mind, anyway. But, I think if you educate all your students in the right way then you shouldn't have to worry about it. He was selfish." Though Sianna also understood that sentiment as well, keeping some of the deeper things to herself instead of passing it along when her own students were ready.

Silver orbs glanced to Razadi, "What were your thoughts on his theory?"

The notion of educating students made sense. It was one that Razadi could agree with. Growing up on Nar Shaddaa, everyone had to work together to survive, and that meant passing what you knew to the next person.

"I t'ink it's stupid ta only haff two. If you wanna survive, you gotta haff more'n dat. It's like how it was back home. Y'had ta share da stuff ya knew, else you was dead."

Grinning at the reply, Sianna knew that was the only way for the Sith to regain their past strength, before Bane and the Rule of Two. She had seen their empire fade and most of their ranks die off or go into hiding and the thought was sickening. Ezra had a good thing begun here, but he was shortsighted. Fear of the Imperial Knights and Jedi for now was useful as a cornered beast will eventually strike out. All she needed was time to train up a few worthy ones and she would be ready to begin the crusade.

Nodding as they walked, moonlight peeking through various halls open to the central garden, she eventually made her way back to the dorm rooms. "Tomorrow evening, we'll begin."

Razadi found herself nodding in agreement, catching herself in the act and slowing to a stop as she watched the other woman continue on. One snack cake still in hand, she suddenly found her appetite had gone, replaced instead by the first growing embers of true curiosity. Now she was getting somewhere. Now she was more than some piece of hanging trash.

One last question burned through her though; something that she wanted to ask now, rather than wait for the next day.

"How long you been at dis... ? Doin', " a hand went out to encompass all around them.

"... doin' yer studyin' an' readin' and collectin'... ?"

Approaching the door to Razadi's room, Sianna slowed and turned, silver orbs on the uniquely, pale figure. "All my life," she stated without hesitation. "I grew up reading about my people and the Sith. My father's always been a great lover of history, but that's where he failed. He never left our home on Aargau to find those places for himself. I have. I've learned more firsthand than some of those tomes and holodiscs could ever teach me. Knowledge is great, wisdom is better."