Azazel rubs her eyes, having spent most of the last, she checks her wristlink and still couldn't believe the hours that had passed. She groans and places a hand over her abdomen, still in disbelief. Indeed, Xen and Kitt had been in the right to forcibly bring her to the clinic for check-ups. The bill of clean health for her and her children was reassuring, but she was still so very... She growls and slams her hand out towards the wall, fire wrapping around and scorching the metal to a dingy black. She blinks and withdraws her hand. Bezol was showing Janii about the facility now, and the Dagda in hopes of familiarizing the cyborg woman with the areas.
Taking a deep breath, she tries to calm herself from her irrational anger, but it was doing little. And she still had to inform the others. The first attempt to contact Andrea on the last ship she had been on was a bust. For the best, she did not know if she could handle a conversation with her now... But she still needed to tell Gra'tua. Still agitated, she starts down the halls, slipping into a bit of stealth anytime she thought she even heard any of her followers, and went straight to the communications room of the Red Sanctuary. She would not be doted upon like some frail thing a minute longer. Not in her base of operations, her home. The Noghri could be understandable, they were a familial society and she was 'a member of the clan' but the others. She sneers at the thought as she closes and locks the door before looking at the console. She flits through the name of her contacts, hesitating at Andrea's before scrolling through to Gra'tua's line. Taking a moment to collect herself as best she could, she hit the button to establish a line and moved to the holoprojector, awaiting impatiently for him to pick up.
Gra'tua was on the bridge, talking with Kashiir when he frowned and looked at his wrist. "Incoming call? On my private line." The chiss just nodded that he would take over. "If Lena seeks contact tell her I am occupied for the moment." He said before leaving the bridge and get to his quarters and accepted the call, standing on the holoprojector so his image would be broadcasted.
A smile touched his face briefly when he saw it was Azazel and he pulled Revan's mask off his face and then frowned when he saw the look on her face, she was upset about something, he could tell that without using any force talents. "What has happened." He glanced down over her body at her stomach and abdomen. "Is something wrong with the child..." He was saying, trailing off.
She hesitates for a moment, biting back a comment before shaking her head, “No, the children are fine...” She clenches her hand, nails digging into the flesh of her palm looking back at Gra'tua, letting that sink in for a moment. “Of course, I think my life was in genuine danger the other day. Drawn to the limits of my capabilities, scrambling to avoid guards and blasts of destructive force energies that could rival Andrea's.” She trembles, remembering it, hatred starting to gleam in her eyes.
Gra'tua blinked, did she just say... children? As in more than one? He was about to inquire about that further when she continued. Avoiding blasts of destructive force energies!? He took a deep breath, thinking but spoke up quickly, "We... you... expecting more than one child... that is... wonderful news Azazel I..." He then growled and clenched his fists. "But what did you mean, avoiding guards and destructive force energies... did another force user tried to harm you? What happened." He asked, trying to sound calm and reasonable but emotion was creeping into his voice, anger and worry laced with his words.
Azazel wraps her arms loosely about herself, pursing her lips as she tries to work through the fog of anger that demanded she lash out at everything around her. “Good news unless I meet a Sith noble who has the an entire facility at his back as support.” She glares at Gra'tua, wondering where he even was, “There's a Sith in the Tapani sector trying to usurp me as the master of the Mecrossa Order. I stumbled upon him by accident at a resort owned by a rather rude woman.” She lightly clenches and unclenches her hands as she seethes, “If I did not have to think about these... children,” she spits out almost venomously, obviously thinking another word, “I would have been able to see both him and the entire facility nothing but burning rubble in my wake.” She finally starts to snap at him, “And where are you?! I needed you here!”
Gra'tua frowned at the tone Azazel was using on him but did not comment, he had been through this before, with Andrea, but he thought it wise not to say that. "I am furthening my goal, our goal, of me becoming Mandalore so that we can use the Mandalorians for our purposes, there is a supposed Mandalorian superweapon hidden somewhere, frankly I think it's unlikely but who knows." He said calmly.
"As I recall you preferred I stayed out of the Tapani Sector, unless you asked me beforehand. You did not." He said quietly before he continued. "Do you still need my help?"
She tenses for a moment, fighting down the urge to snap at him about chasing wild rumors and putting words into her mouth before she closes her eyes. “No, I-I don't. I'll talk to Andrea.” Her expression suddenly relaxes, and she begins to look crestfallen, “I have to tell her anyways that this Sith will know where she and Korriban is. As much her problem if this goes unchecked...”
Gra'tua let out a growl, "I see. Are you certain, because I am perfectly willing to turn around, head to the Tapani sector, find this sith and rend him limb for limb..." He said anger evident now and then let out a snort. "Then again I think you'd prefer I hand him over to you alive so you can have your way with him."
He looked directly at her face. "If he'd hurt you..." He just let out another growl and shook his head, regaining his composure. "He knows about Korriban though? Strange, how?"
A flicker of doubt passes over her face as she looks away from, Gra'tua, before mumbling out quietly, “The Mecrossa Order knew...” She bites her lip, reluctant to say more.
Gra'tua was silent for a moment. "I see..." He did not feel the need to add more, the way she said that told him enough. "I do not envy your talk with Andrea then... Azazel." He became serious as he said her name. "If you ever need my assistance... I will destroy whatever is in my way, be it planets or fleets, to assist you, remember that. So I ask again, how can I help."
She swallows, tears starting to well up, “It might be best you keep your distance for a little bit, until I talk to her... She might... have... hard feelings...” Azazel wipes her eyes on her sleeves, hiccuping quietly as she tries to fight down the tears. “If you think this might be a good lead, we might need it, keep at it... I don't know what Traiserus has up his sleeves. He's a noble. And powerful... But, I w-was just caught off guard... without... without my disciples.”
He nods slowly, "I have two of my disciples back at Mandalorian space... ask and they will serve you for the time being. I may not be able to stand by you in person." He growls again, "But I will not stand by and do nothing... while I would love to find where this... Traiserus... lives and bomb it back to the stone age... I can offer you the services of my disciples, troops or anything else you need."
She covers her face as the dam breaks and the sobs begin, reluctant to see her cry as she nods and croaks out, “A-alright. I'll... h-have them w-with me.” She takes a whimpering breath, spreading her fingers to look at him, “S-sorry...”
Gra'tua frowned. Looking at her, "Don't be, we are sith, but still human, your hormones are just reacting to the chemistry its going through to..." He cracks a smile again at last. "Keep our... our children healthy and safe. So... two, huh?" He blinked. "At least I assume it is twins... it's not... triplets... or more, is it?" He sounded a bit afraid at the notion of more than two.
She looks horrified at that comment, quickly shaking her head, “N-no! Just two, twins.” She bites her lip, before murmuring, “They were a little uncertain at first, but, they're... a girl, and a... a boy.” She looks at Gra'tua, still sniffling and tears streaking her face. He was a Mando, but how far would he go to assure he raised his son...
He laughed softly and let out a sigh of relief. "Thank the stars... more than two newborns would have been... unsettling." He left it at that and thought. "We already agreed on how to raise our child... I see no chance with the revelation it is now two children. I... however would like to at least instrict the boy in the way of the Mando'Ade... hoping you will do the same for the girl but that is your choice." He nods slowly.
Azazel wipes her face, feeling a little like a mess and nods, “I... Yes... But I insist in having a part to play... Traditions or not...” She bites her lip and looks at Gra'tua, “They... I...” she frowns, at a loss for words and unable to explain herself properly, “Sullivan, she was like my mother... and... If I could be half as wonderful to them as she was to me... I just... want that chance...”
He chuckles, "Do not worry... I think the thoughts you currently have in your head crossed my mind as well when I had to take care of Kyr'am... trust your instincts. I am also there to help you... just don't tell my men..." He rubbed his cheek.
She sniffs and nods with a diminutive smile, “Ah, yes... Admittedly... You do have.... boundless more experience than I with... uhm...” She gestures with her hands, like holding a small bundle, “B-babies... I ah...” She flushes and looks away, “I did not think, see... that... well... They are loud, and demanding and tiny malformed people... so I never learned...” She winces embarrassed, “Help?”
He smiled and moved a hand as if to caress or scoop up er tears on her holographic image. "I will make certain to stay at your side when the time comes for their birth and some time after... it has been almost 20 years after all since I last held a baby."
Azazel flushes and nods softly, “That's... good...” She frowns and raises a hand to the hologram, “I do wish you were here, though... This, does not quite do the trick.” Her mind flickers to a different line of thought... and briefly to Andrea... and for the life of her, she could not draw it away. Guiltily, her hands go out to the railing as she watches Gra'tua carefully, “I'm probably keeping you from your duties, and I'm more than certain a particular Kubaz is tearing at his quills with worry since I slipped out of the medbay without his knowing... You will keep in touch, though... right?”
He smiled. "I will and once this endeavor is finished I think I will head directly to the tapani sector or contact you to meet up with you in person." He stared at her for a moment. "I love you Azazel." He coughed and looked away, "Stay safe, I will contact my people and have my disciples head to you, they will obey your commands."
She blushes and the waterworks begin anew. “I love you too, Gra'tua,” Azazel chokes out, “I w-will see you soon.” She tries to force a smile and raise her head to look at him.
He smiled and looked back at her and let out a wry chuckle. "Now then... time for you to get back to your dedicated, scary self and me worshipping the ground you walk on, yes?" He smirked and let out a amused chuckle. "Ignore this Traiserus, he might be as powerful as Andrea or whatever... you are you... you will ground him into dust and leave nothing of his name and legacy intact, that's what you do because your are Azazel, self-proclaimed Sith'ari, or are you saying that you are not?" He just grinned, finishing saying that.
Azazel huffs, sniffling and trying to stop the flood of tears as she stands proud, wincing at the slight pain in her legs and lower abdomen, “I still am Sith'ari, Gra'tua.” Her lips curl into a twisted smile as she leans forward with a purr even though her cheeks were streaked and her eyes were bloodshot and puffy, “And I left that man battered and scarred for the rest of his life already. I will see him quaking in fear before crushing him like the worm he is, next we meet.”
He smirked, "Good, enjoy crushing taht pitiful worm Azazel... I shall see you soon, hopefully."
She nods and her hand hesitates over the key to terminate the communications before finally pressing it. She sighs as the lights flicker out and she is left alone in the room. Her gaze flickers at the terminal and with a swipe she finds the name once more. Her smile falters back to a deepset frown as she takes a seat, lightly tapping the key but not pressing it. She should tell her immediately. Get the word out. Tell her the terrible news. Yet, Andrea must despise her for her moment of weakness, pushing her away in her hurt. Yet had she not done something similar, albeit less personal now. She rubs her eyes, wiping at a new surge of tears as she steels herself and hits the connection to contact Andrea's flagship.
The hail was on a private channel and put through after a moment and was answered. By a rather tired looking Andrea who looked like she had just stepped out of the shower. "Can't be back on my ship for a hour or I'm getting.... called...." She said trailing off, looking in surprise at Azazel's image.
Her jaw hangs open before she starts to hyperventilate tears streaming freely as she draws her knees up to her chest. There was not even someone in between to take a message. It went directly to Andrea. How could she tell her this after everything. So she simply sobs, words caught behind a lump in her throat.
Andrea looks on in silence. Not sure what was going on right now, she had not even considered it was Azazel calling her, thinking it was one of her own people with some nonesense. "Uhm... Azazel.... what, why?" She looked at her crying and frowned. "Snap out of it!" She said irritated as Azazel showed no sign of stopping. "Last time we talked I thought you did not want to see, least of all talk to me and now you are contacting me personally? What is going on."
“I'm sorry, this is all my fault,” she whimpers out, keeping her face hidden. She tries to catch her breath and even her breathing, to continue. “K-Korriban, is... its...” she fumbles, unable to get it out as she looks up at the site of Andrea, quivering. Why could it not be one of her communications officers. That would have been easier.
She got a frown on her face, concerned. "Korriban... what? Its what?"
“Someone knows where it is... Another Sith... And its my fault... I.. I didn't know about him, Andrea... But I still told the Mecrossa Order... and now...” She shudders and shakes her head, “He might attack... I already ran into him... He has resources... and he's at least as strong as you in the force...” She cringes and buries her face once more, “I've made a mess of everything... I am so sorry...”
Andrea sat stunned in silence, taking this all in... Azazel... had told... had told her precious Mecrossa Order about Korriban... and now some other sith knew about it and might come after her sith tomb world!? She scoffed at the notion this other sith was as strong as her, ludicrious....
She stared long and hard at Azazel, her anger clearly evident. "You... blame me... for keeping secrets... for witholding information about my past to you... and now... you have done something similar? YOU TOLD THEM ABOUT KORRIBAN!?" She all but shouted and growled.
Azazels' hands run up, into her hair, clenching fistfuls of the raven black locks as she rocks in her seat, “Y-yes... You've every right... t-to hate me...” She looses a quiet hiccuping sob, trying to make herself small. “I... There's n-no way to... to c-convince you how... s-sorry I am... is there....”
Andrea looked furiously at the image of Azazel, lightning appeared and crackled around her body as she closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Mentally counting to ten and then exhaled, sitting down, still staring at Azazel's image with anger and accusation. "Start... from the beginning because right now... you are actually making no sense at all."
She quivers and takes a deep breath, “A-after, you and I... Talked last... Xen... Xen met me with some information... Someone named Jehemath the Fifth wanted him... Me... to kill a woman accused of stealing from the Order... He told Xen his aunt, Braghda, my contact, had died in a skiing accident... But, you see... They found Zarra and she was obviously being hunted... Rei'Ki let her free and brought me her tools... I read what I could from them, but it was mostly nonsense... I decided to start investigating, and I went to see Gustav here to see if he had anything I could use... I learned the truth there, that Zarra is his niece and was being framed by Jehemath... That they tried to.. to assassinate Braghda, at a mountain resort?...”
She shakes her head, “He showed me what was left of Braghda, but I needed more information than simply running in there blind... Go figure that when I thought I had it... I went to a resort where I was to find a Lord Traiserus, a friend of Jehemath's. I was going to pump him for information to see how deep this whole... Mess... ran... And... And he attacked me... Throwing lightning, force destruction,” she swallows, “I thought I caught him with my fire, but he still got out and he had just so much power... He... He's obviously making a bid against me for the Order... and is already deeply set in it, having followers in its midst...” She closes her eyes, “I started to connect two and two... This man was planning to hunt me, he knew much about myself and Braghda, my own involvement... And I just... put two and two together, that all this has been happening since I told... Braghda, the Order about Korriban...” She clenches her teeth, looking up and wiping her eyes. “I miss you...”
She closed her eyes again, thinking, a sith knew about korriban and from the sound of it he would not be persuaded to join their little alliance. "Does he know about me... does he know korriban is populated." She asked tersely.
Azazel frowns as Andrea fails to respond and she starts to feel a little cold, “Ah, yes... If he has all the information I gave Braghda, he should know there is someone there... I did not want what I believed to be followers being shot down. They would have contacted you, but... ah... yes...” She makes a small noncommittal gesture of her hand.
She was silent again for a moment. "I... see..." She sighed and put her head in her hands, shaking it off. "I am furious... I... I don't know, I would probably hurl a force storm your way if we were talking in person but..." She sighed and leaned back in her chair, looking at the ceiling, avoiding looking at Azazel directly. "I would be... lying if I did not say I... missed you too..." She snorts. "Even considered after my latest adventure to find your current whereabout... engage your ship in battle, board it, fighting my way before you and beg your forgivness..." She snorts again, "But this way might be better..."
She looked back at Azazel, "We clearly need to talk... I am heading to Korriban and will be there for the time being, head there when you are able."
Azazel gives a wry smile, “Sorry, that chevalier daring-do wouldn't have worked... And I'm not sure if I can travel yet... I ran afoul of a Lucrehulk on my way here, and it did a number on my ship. The Dagda is docked til she can get the repairs done, and to that point,” she gestures around herself, “I'm stuck in the Red Sanctuary until Ibeth sees The Aberrancy back.” She watches Andrea, hand skirting out and brushing at the lights of the hologram. “I... I have to wait for Gra'tua's disciples to arrive as well... He is worried...” She frowns, “Sorry, I should not have brought that up.” She looks away, “I'll make it there as soon as I can, but... Be safe... I... I...” She rubs her cheek awkwardly, “I couldn't say it before... I was... lost, and hurting... I didn't know how to react, but...” She swallows, looking at Andrea, “I ah... I... I do l--” She bites her lip, looking away. Of course, she could say it back to Gra'tua so easily, but here... Andrea could still be upset with her... likely was... and how could she say such a thing after everything.
Andrea was tight-lipped and nodded slowly. "We can sit down and talk about this... or have a showdown were we try to kill each other after this whole mess has been resolved. From the sound of things though I can expect a attack on Korriban, my academy and I will not allow that. As for Gra'tua." She snorts and made a gesture that deemed him unimportant.
"The two of you can clearly be happy together." She said, perhaps a bit snidely but she was still hurt on how things had gone the last time they talked.
Azazel looses a soft cry, “Do not be so cruel, Andrea!” She leans forward as if to kiss the cheek of the Sith before remembering once more it was the hologram. She frowns and murmurs, “I have always loved you, you silly woman... and I would never raise a hand against you...” She tries to raise her gaze to meet Andrea's. “Or do you want me out of your life so dearly...”
She shuddered and finally a crack in her angry mask appeared and she sighed. "No." She said weakly and then took a deep breath and said it more strongly. "No... I... have been thinking about you a lot recently... and I... miss you." She growled again, either still angry or perhaps angry with herself. "Lets... lets talk... in person... soon... and figure this out."
A small small genuine smile passes over her lips as she sniffs. “I'll be there as soon as I can break away from matters here and have a suitable ship.” She chuckles, “Want me to leave Hakkri behind while I'm at it?”
She tried to remain serious but let out a chuckle. "Heh... probably best..." She frowned. "How did Gra'tua actually take it... learning about us... behind his back... do I have to worry about him trying to kill me?"
Azazel flushes and looks away, “He... was a little jealous, and felt betrayed... but... he seemed... accepting. Still... loyal...” She closes her eyes, “Perhaps a bit wounded we carried on behind his back and he learned it from Hakkri, not I.” She clears her throat, “He, ah, was happy to hear about my being with child, well... children so I found out today... And never even demanded I end things...”
Andrea blinked. "I... huh." She looks utterly surprised. "I can say... I honestly did not expect that... also don't know if I am dissapointed by that or not..." She groaned and held her head. "Too much to take in at the moment. Wait... did you say children... plural?" She blinked and looked at Azazel... and then couldn't help but let out a laugh. "You poor woman, and I thought having one parasite was bad."
Azazel cringes and nods, “You... are telling me.” She looses a nervous laugh, “I still haven't figured out what I am always hungry for... and am sick when I wake up, and throughout the day... And the night...” She frowns and looks at Andrea, “I suppose I do have two pampering nurse maids between Kitt and Xen, so it could be worse.”
Smirking she nodded, "I suppose so... heh." She looked at Azazel with longing. "I hope... we can get together soon."
“Promise you won't hurl lightning at me?” she tries to pout.
She laughed, "Promise to not set me or my bedchambers on fire, again?"
Azazel stops as if to consider it, “So long as it does not get too hot in there, very well.” She rubs her cheek in embarrassment.
She grinned, "Very well... see you soon, hopefully." She said, feeling genuinely happy for once and winked as she terminated the call and let out a sigh. "Well.. this will be interesting..." She muttered and then frowned, she know had to make plans to counter a possible invasion of Korriban. "Fun times ahead..."
Azazel smiles and lays back in her chair, delighted with the sudden turn of events. She raises her wristlink to see if there were any updates on the ship repairs. A knock comes from the door before it creaks open. A demure Kitt looks on, clearing her throat. Azazel frowns looking at the door she had locked.
“Sorry, Xen gave me the master key, so to speak.” She holds up a card with a magnetic strip. “He said you ah, disappeared from the clinic and you had us worried you'd go on to hunt Traiserus on your own.”
Azazel waves her hand, “No, no. I am not suicidal. I am still recovering.”
Kitt looks at the terminal and the name at the top of the list, confirming what she had thought she heard.“Ah, I see. I will tell him you are alright and still here.”
Azazel hesitates for a moment before looking at Kitt, “Do you think you could get me some frozen hot cocoa, sea salt and some hot peppers?”
Kitt frowns, looking at Azazel, “Uhm, what?”
Azazel looks aside, “Sorry, it just sounds really good...”
Kitt nods slowly, “Right, I'll see what I can do. Why don't you go back to your room, though. We'll put on a holovid.”
Azazel wrinkles her nose, still sitting in her chair. “I don't know if I can rest so easily. I have much to deal with. Where are Lydavis and Tannus?”
Kitt sighs, taking a moment to stretch her arms, “On their way. They say they have news. Big stuff.”
The Sith nods and leans back, “I think I will go to the holocron vault and meditate for a time. Perhaps I will turn up something interesting. Or revisit holocrons from Sullivan.”
The Echani woman hesitates, “Sullivan?”
Azazel blinks, “My M-- My mistress, before I was a sith in my own right.” She relaxes back, closing her eyes, a sudden heavy weight on her chest.
“Oh...” She furrows her brow, crossing her arms, “Was she ah, like other sith masters?”
Azazel peers at Kitt before a small smile spreads, “No, no she was not. She was... A good woman. Probably closer to being a Jedi than most of us. Perhaps she was one for a time. I do not know, I never asked, I was just so focused on trying to better myself.” She leans forward, clasping her hands together, “Yes, I will definitely be going to the holocron vault.” With that, she stands and begins to leave the room, brushing past Kitt.
“Wait, when did you last sleep?”
Azazel furrows her brow, “Oh, I am not sure, some time ago, I suppose. I will rest in time, fret not. You are all so...” she wrinkles her nose once more, “I do not need nurse maids, Kitt.”
Kitt blushes and nods, drawing her hands back. “Xen has information for you, when you are ready, by the way.”
Azazel nods and continues on her path, too distracted in her own musing.
Azazel's brow knit together as the holocron chamber continues to mutter to her. Whispers of promised power meet her, unnerving her at times in their hollow whispers. She was too distracted to pinpoint them and ask questions of the old siths in this room, though. She whimpers and reaches out, her hand brushing across a familiar holocron. The original of her collection, one she had always been too frightened to access before.
A soft light flickers before a pale green light flickers on within the chamber before a woman appears, standing over Azazel. The age was, indeterminate. Azazel looks up at the image, her heart swelling as she looks at the image of Sullivan. She was both wizened and young in appearance it seemed as of this moment. A faint memory of mint scent comes to mind and she smiles, looking up at her old master. “Sullivan... It has... been too long.”
Sullivan appears distracted, looking over Azazel, a moment of surprise echoes over the ethereal woman's face before disappointment is called to her face, “A mother... but, you have fallen, little bird.”
Azazel flushes and rubs over her arms, “I have not... I... I follow your teachings.”
Sullivan shakes her head, going onto her knees and staring at Azazel's face, “I can feel it in you, the dark side. You have forgotten my teachings... Or distorted them... Do you not remember?”
Azazel's face twists, “I do what I must to make the Galaxy better, Sullivan... I take a less passive roll than you, that is all.”
Sullivan's face appears hurt as she shakes her head, pale hair tinted gold cascading, “I always feared this... You were a wild youth... But, you are still of mine... I just wish you did not...”
Azazel furrows her brow, “Sullivan, I am not a terrible person... I lost my way, surely, but... I have found it again, I have taken counsel of those who will consider what I do not, I accept I need not kill, I try to hold myself in such a way as to cause less harm. I do not wish to be the filth I wish to purge.”
Sullivan gives her a pitying look, “And in doing so, you become which you despise, Azazel. I was not... How I was learned later in life, I too lost my footing, but I had more hope for you... Little bird, do find yourself again.”
The Sith cringes and shakes her head, “I have found myself, master... I know myself better than ever and what I must do... But it is trying... I have erred of late... More than once... I have haphazardly thrown those who follow me into danger... I have... Lost... To a Sith and a battleship.”
Sullivan appears to take this in and gives a soft tut tut, “Defeat is not so bad, if victory means you lose much. Win or lose should not matter, as long as you are true to yourself, little bird.” Sullivan appears to reach out, as if to caress Azazel's cheek. “Child, trust me, I have lived life far longer, walking a balance between. I have seen much that you have yet... So listen to an old woman for once in your life.”
Azazel tries to nuzzle the hand offered to her, “I always have trusted you, Sullivan, which is why I am here... I... Am scared, and unsure. There is a threat to the ones I love... A threat to myself and the children I carry... Yet, I am unsure if I can handle it in my state...”
Sullivan appears to hesitate, face clouding over before she looks at Azazel, pained, “If the threat is so great, then you must act... But I tell you again, victory at what cost... Can it not wait?”
Azazel shakes her head, tears beginning to flow, “I fear he will hunt me down, and harm those close to me. If I do not act, then there could be much dear to me gone...”
The image of her master nods slowly before reaching out, as if to place a hand upon Azazel's swollen belly. “Your young should be at the foremost of your mind. As you were with mine, little bird. Do not risk them. You will regret it more than anything. I would know.”
Azazel frowns and looks up at her master, “What do you mean?”
Sullivan hesitates, “I remember, an old entry of mine, in my younger days. When I was reckless and wild... I still wish to forget this time...”
The Sith perks up, raising up and looking at Sullivan, “Can you explain?”
Sullivan places a hand over her own front, in thought. “I was younger, a mother to be. I lost my child in an accident. Just my luck, I did not know the skill I later saved you with. It wounded me, terribly. I was never to bear child again. It was... a hard experience, I thought I would never be well again, never forget what foolhardiness brought me to that...” She hesitates, lights shifting before she turns about, pacing, “But, it was a hard lesson I fear I had to learn. I found myself again in my loss... Learned to walk the path of light once more... And it led me to you.” A warm smile spreads over her face, older features becoming more apparent. “And I do not regret, child, that I found you.”
Azazel looks aside, uncertain what it would have been like to have competition in her youth. “How can you not? You say I have fallen. Surely you must see that as a failing in your own part?”
Sullivan's face clouds with pain, “It... Is. Perhaps if I had taught you otherwise, focused more on the old teaching then seeing you safe... If I had been more strict, even. But I was a poor Jedi, young one. I still hated them for their old ways. I would have forged my own path any day, then have such strict rules upon myself or another. Their teachings were... flawed. But my own must have been too. Azazel, I taught you so you could defend yourself and do good. What have you done with that?”
Azazel frowns, thinking over these past events, “I have saved a woman I loved from death's door... And given a young woman sight she had never before had... I have... seen a Morgukai warrior have purpose once more when he lost himself to gambling... Proven myself and learned of traditions and ways of life not my own... I have saved my own apprentices each, time and time again...” Her face twists in memory, “But I have caused so much pain... Another apprentice of mine... I lost myself to rage towards him, hurt him so badly when I did not wish it... And his lover, I could not help him. I led them all into the den of a Sith of old, and... And he died, trying to face what he was not ready for.”
Horror flashes over Sullican's face, “You went into a Sith's den?... A TOMB?!”
Azazel cringes and nods her head, hanging it in shame, “I have... I have ventured into many, to find their old secrets.” She swallows and looks away, “At first, my thirst for knowledge was to mimic yourself, to... Learn the secrets you saved me with. Then, to rectify this Galaxy. Slavers, murderers, thieves... They... disgusted me... And now, I just... I need to be stronger.”
Sullivan's lights flicker discordantly before settling into the expression of a troubled old woman, “Why must you be stronger? Are you not strong enough? I taught you well..”
Azazel glowers, fire flickering over her form and forcing Sullivan to appear even more upset, “NO! I am not. I could not protect them, Sullivan! I let them die, I could do nothing! What am I but a joke if I cannot keep them all safe?! I allowed harm to come to people that I see as my family. And if I am not stronger, how can I protect my kids once they are born? How can I even assure I do not have troubles now and lose them?... What if their father dies, or the woman I love?! All because I was weak and could not do more...”
Sullivan's frown is knit deeply at her brow as she seems to consider her words, “Azazel, strength is not the only way to assure those about you do not meet destruction. You cannot rule everything through force. You were such a smart girl when you were young, always able to get what you wanted from the crew with words alone. What happened to that girl? Sometimes, the path to what you need do, can come with less resistance. But even then, you cannot always protect everyone. I learned this too. Now these people you love... Trust them to defend themselves. I am sure you would not allow yourself so close to someone who was not enduring and sure in their own ways.” She sighs and rocks on her feet, “I am both proud and saddened by these turns of events... But how long has it been... This is the first time you have contacted me, yet you look much older than what I remember.”
Azazel looks uncertain, “Some many years, Sullivan. I had.. contacted you, hoping you might tell me more so I am ready for what lays ahead. So far, you have done little to ease my fears.”
Sullivan furrows her brow, “You will overcome your own fears, as you always have. Only you have the power to conquer them. But, if you are worried of Siths and being a parent... Look to your friends and loved ones. Someone will have the answers if you do not. If not, you have always been a studious girl. You will find your answer.” She reaches out and taps an intangible finger to Azazel's heart and brow, “But listen to your heart, and mind, for the right path. I would see you turn away from this path... before it is too late.” With that, the holocron image flickers away, leaving Azazel to herself.
The Sith stands there, certain now her master had not been a Sith... but now more uncertain than before. With a sigh, she leaves the chamber and begins to walk the halls of the Red Sanctuary. Some of what Sullivan had to say made sense, but other bits were like listening to nonsensical ravings. She was Sith, and that she was most certain of. Yet, she had always forged her own path. So what if it meant destruction of others to achieve her goals, it led her to who she had become, and Sullivan could not truly be disappointed in that. The holocron must have been incomplete, or damaged. She hoped.
Azazel enters into the officer's lounge of the Red Sanctuary and looks about before moving to sit at a table. Kitt quickly gets up and moves to prepare something at a food station as Azazel leans forward and murmurs to Xen, “You had information for me, Master Grian?”
Xen blinks, the lights ending their flickering over his eyes as he looks at Azazel. He had been checking over files and going over new data, “Ah, yes. The Bounty Hunters took another hit. Much worse after their last losses. They are out for a month. Zarra must not have gotten the memo that we are on her side.” He draws out his computer and displays a screen. “Spies found out some information on Traiserus. He's still here in Tapani space. However, no trace of where. Oh, but, his signature was found on some documents sending out a couple cruisers, three actually, and their crew to an unspecified location somewhere in galactic north-east.”
Azazel grimaces and nods, “Forward that information to Gra'tua, Lena, Jacoiba and Andrea. They need to know of the risk in that area. I am unsure how much he knows, but I would not put anything past him at this point.” She furrows her brow and points at the next file, “This?”
Xen scrunches his face and nods, “Ah, yes. A Jawa on the Wheel perhaps has a hypermatter reactor for sale. Information courtesy of our smuggler friends.”
Azazel nods as Kitt settles back down and sets a full mug before Azazel. The Sith arches a brow and looks at it. “What you wanted earlier. Its frozen hot cocoa, turned more into ah... Some sorta shaved ice thing? With sea salt and chunked frozen peppers, whatever you want, Lady.”
The Sith's eyes light onto the mug with ravenously and she grabs the spoon, shoveling it into her mouth with happy mewls of delight, enjoying the crunching of the ice and cool heat. Kitt and Xen both make disgusted faces, looking away politely. “Mnf, right, anything else?”
Xen makes a gag and shakes his head, “Not that I'm aware. Any plans on your end?”
Azazel blinks, pausing with spoon in her mouth and shrugs, “Wait for reinforcements. Kill Traiserus. Go to the Wheel. Meet Andrea... Or, wait, you go to the Wheel. Can meet Andrea sooner.”
Xen furrows his brow, “What?...”
Azazel makes a groan around her frozen treat and shakes her head, “Andrea and I are good. For now. I hope. She wants to meet me. Gra'tua is sending people to us too, by the way.”
Xen flashes Kitt a very unpleased look and Kitt makes a little grimace and shrugs, mouthing to the Kubaz 'What did you want me to do?' The operative grumbles under his breath and draws his computer, setting about sending out the information to the other sith so they could prepare for a possible assault. He was not pleased about the revelation about Andrea. Kitt ruffles her hair and looks back to Azazel, “Do you ah, want to go watch those holovids again? Ditzy would be nice. Its nice being able to watch the animation, instead of just listening. Kind of makes it funnier.”
Azazel blinks and nods, “Let me get in my pajamas, though. Hakkri said he picked up something nice last time he was out shopping.”
Kitt suddenly snorts in her attempt to stifle a laugh, “You do not want to wear them.”
“What? Why? Hakkri has such good tastes.”
“He was being an ass at the time. Trust me. You'll see if you open the box.”
Azazel furrows her brow, “Just tell me.” She shovels another spoonful in her mouth, making a pleased face as she just lets it all melt on her tongue.
Kitt sighs and rubs her face, “Unless you like big baggy pajams that resemble a certain Loony Cathar... You will not like them.”
Azazel scrunches her nose, “As long as they are comfortable, I don't care. My old bed clothes aren't fitting right.”
“How are you fitting in the robes, anyways?”
Azazel pouts, licking the spoon, “They're just a bunch of wrapped cloth. Big normally, they have growing room.”
Kitt blinks, “Has to be better than these suits, comfortable?”
“Would I be wearing them otherwise?”
Kitt nods, “Okay, point one for Jedi and Sith fashion sense, I guess.”
Azazel beams, “You haven't seen Andrea sporting a robe. You would like that, I think.”
Kitt flushes, “W-what do you even mean?”
Azazel grins and drops her spoon in the empty mug, “Bezol said something about toast... Toast and jam? Or butter? I don't know, but she said something about you being into the fairer sex.”
Kitt covers her face, eyes wide as her gaze shifts over to the pilot who was boisterously playing a drinking games with Hakkri. “Did she say, ah, anything else?”
Azazel furrows her brow, “Maybe, but who knows what that woman is ever saying. She confuses me.”
Kitt is still crimson as she nods, “Yeah, she doesn't make a lick of sense... Thankfully.”
Azazel smiles and can't help but raise the mug and start licking off the last of the cocoa residue.
“Azazel...” Xen murmurs, staring at her.
The Sith pauses, lowering the mug, a small ring of chocolate about her face, “Uh, what?”
“No. Just... Stop. Kitt will fetch you another,” with that, he draws out a wet-nap and pauses it to the Sith, disappointment on his face.
“Its just my officers, though!” she whines, looking at the last of the contents as Kitt giggles and gets up to go back to the food recepticle. “WAIT! Tapani slices too! With pineapple and pepperoni!”
Xen grimaces and buries his face in his head, quills quivering on his head. “Feeling less sick, at least?...”
“Not really.” She runs her fingers on the inside of her mug after cleaning her face and sucks the last of the cocoa off her finger with a grin, “But I am just really hungry. I talked to Sullivan, by the way. Sort of.”
“The old crone? Whatever for?”
“Advice. She gave me stuff to think on. I think I will be having my disciples... And others... handling the matters. Janii definitely will have a chance to prove herself with this affair. And I hope she will stick around afterwards... Do you think she is good with children?”
