Korriban

[Chaotic Tranquility]

Peace is a lie, there is only passion

 

But what is passion? Why is peace a lie? To understand those questions, one must understand themselves. This was a fundamental lesson that Master Hu'lak had instilled into Mi'lan since she began her enduring tutelage under the Sith Lord. Peace is stagnation, a false Utopia, an attempt to drive nature from existence. For in all of nature, conflict, survival of the fittest, natural selection, were all solemn truths. Because of these simple truths, it was passions that birthed growth and evolution. The passion to experience life. The passion to learn and grow. The passion to survive. And they were found in every life form from flora to fauna to sentients. Passion was the true natural order.

 

Through Passion, I gain Strength

 

And once one understood themselves and the truth of peace and passion, then they could begin to understand the strengths of those very passions. Passions were meant to spur growth in ones self, to inspire, and to guide. And through growth, inspiration, and guidence, one becomes stronger. And strength is a fundamental attribute in life. For without strength, there is no will. And with no will, there is no life. Like the beast that eats the plants, who is then ate by the carnivor, who then dies and becomes the soil for the plant, life must persevere. But strength alone cannot support life. As the weak become strong, others will do the same. And the need for evolution requires the next step.

 

Through Strength, I gain Power

 

Once one has realized the passion of life and the strength it brings, they soon realize that others have as well. Entire civilizations have evolved and fallen under the guise of strength. But those that persevered were those that realized the next step was power. Without it, strength is meaningless, futile, like a rock. A rock is strong, but useless. But chip it away and add a tip to it, and it becomes strong and powerful, a tool to be used in proper hands. It can strip fur from flesh, providing cleaner food as well as clothing and shelter. And even more, it can settle conflicts with deadly accuracy and establish dominance in a domain where the weak would attempt to prey even upon the strong. This is where natural selection guides the strong into the powerful, and let's evolution take its next step.

 

Through Power, I gain Victory

 

The strong and powerful cannot survive on such basic aspects alone, for with strength and power, comes the passionate envy of the weaker. The weak will always aspire to take down the mighty. But thanks to natural evolution, the stronger and powerful are gifted with greater aspects. By combining the gifts given by nature, and honing them, the weaker will remain weak. Conflict is inevitable, and by displaying one's superiority, they will continue to grow and evolve. Like the Alpha of the Tuk'ata hounds, their leadership is chosen through conflict and superiority, the strongest of the strong chosen for leadership and tested regularly. Such is the way of nature. Such is natural selection. Such is evolution. Despite the envious nature of the weak, they still need the strong to guide them into the future. Without the strong and powerful, the weak would perish. When the weak rule, civilizations fall and are lost to time. But when the strong rule, civilizations prosper.

 

Through Victory, my Chains are Broken

 

Once one understands the laws of nature, the process of evolution and natural selection, the truth of the Galaxy is revealed. Life is cruel and unyielding. And for most, the only means of survival is to grasp at any shred of power they can obtain. For the weak, its secrets and numbers, grasping at false senses of security in an attempt to gain it. But for the strong, its honest and natural. But even nature and evolution can only take one so far before it becomes their choice to either remain in complacency, or take the next step and free one's self from the bondages of life, even for those born with silver spoons in their mouths. Some say to free one's self and break the chains that bind them is a metaphor, others believe it makes one Sith'ari and places a destiny to only destroy those around them. But the truth is that strength and power can only sustain them. To truly live, to truly evolve into who they are meant to be, they have to push themselves beyond their potential. And in doing so, they find who they truly are and what they're capable of. That is true freedom.

 

The Force shall free Me

 

The Mantra of the Sith Code and its understanding can be followed and lived by any walk of life, whether they can touch the Force or not. To know and understand it is to know and understand one's self in the purest and most knowledgeable way, unhindered by oppression and stagnation. But for one born with the gift of the Force, it is so much more. To know it is one thing. But to feel it and weild it is another. The Force is symbolic as much as symbiotic with Nature as any living thing. It flows through all things, but only a select few of the living can coexist within it. Such is the nature of the Force. Like the Mantra of the Sith, it too was guided in its growth and evolution by the very nature it exists within. And for we Sith, there is no deeper truth to behold. Strong, Powerful, Dominate, it leads life with a delicate hand and grants us that are sensitive to its truth a humbling taste of its power, letting us grow like blossoming vines capable of shaping its will to our own. And as such, like the Force exists symbiotic with Nature, so do we with the Force. 

 

************************************

 

Mi'lan's cyan gaze opens, her slim form rising from her meditations on Master Hu'lak's humbling words. Before her hung the curved saber of her Lording as Darth Sirena, its blade pulsating with life as it balanced in mid-air before her. Her life as a member of the Hapan Consortium was long behind her, having grown past the need for titles and the weakness they presented and only holding the title of Darth has a testament to her true self now that she had surpassed her meek potential. Her time on Korriban had long craved away such weakness and now the Galaxy stood ready and awaiting her will. A smirk crossed her flawless face as the thought crossed her mind, and her gaze shifted out on chamber toward the Temple across the valley. Today was the day of her departure for Onderon and the Dark King Exodus, a new Lord ready to make his dream a reality. No longer was she an Apprentice. Now she was Sith. Reaching out, her prosthetic hand grasp the hilt and deactivated the blade before clipping it to her hip. It was time.

 

Darth Sirena

Edited January 1, 2020 by Chaotic Tranquility

[Chaotic Tranquility]

The trip back from the chamber was fraught with wind and sand, the coverage of her cloak and leathered armor keeping most it away from her form and out the gyros of her prosthetic limb, her mind drifting toward the path that now laid ahead of her. She was now Sith, an apprentice no longer, and as such, had surpassed even her own potential and set her destiny upon an unforeseen path. Such was the fate of those whom had had evolved beyond their original intent. She had contemplated a few ideas, but none had called upon the tug of her heart. And even as she approached the Temple and made her way indoors, her mind raced across infinite possibilities. What would be her place among her brethren, and what would be her purpose within the Order? She supposed only time would truly tell.

 

"Lady Sirena...." A voice echoed from beside her, a Imperial Trooper making an approach to her right. Removing the cloak from upon her head and shaking the dust from upon its cloth, she pinched her nose in slight frustration. "What is it Lieutenant?" She questioned in return. "An unexpected visitor recently made an arrival in the ports without authorization. I was just on my way to find Master Hu'lak." Sirena smiled, her blue gaze shifting toward the Lieutenant with pride. "Master Hu'lak has joined the Force and now resides within the Tombs, my stature having risen to the rank of Lord." Her gaze and words spoke all that needed to be said, the Trooper nodding with understanding, even if a semblance of fright ran its course up his spine. For some Sith, this was just simply the way. "Milady. The infiltrator is this way."

 

The Trooper motioned for Lady Sirena to follow him, the Lady of the Sith falling in behind him as they made their way toward the Ports with haste, her mind curious as to whom the visitor was and why he chose such a dangerous task of making Korriban their latest destination. If they were Alliance or the false Empire, Onderon seemed more sensible. And if they were Jedi, she gleamed at the idea of such a test. She silently prayed that her enemies did not possess such ignorant operatives. But as they arrived and a small detail of Troopers falling in line, she moved to the front and the hangar doors opened with a foreboding hiss.

 

The air went silent as she stood at the forefront, the detail assigned to this investigation spreading outward in a fanning pattern, weapons drawn and aimed toward the visitor @Psychosis. Sirena simply stood there, her blue gaze falling upon the hulking armor that hid the being within with subtle interest. Given the size of his small fighter and the area of Sith space they were located, the suit was likely for atmospheric purposes, as the older design didnt hold hyperdrive capabilities, suggesting the only possiblity he even got here in the first place meant a gutted job. And as she opened herself to the Force, allowing empathy to search his intent, she felt no level of threat coming from him... or at least, at the moment.

 

Sirena held up her arm and closed her fist tightly, signaling the detail to hold, before she made her approach toward this being. Getting close enough to talk, her blue eyes seemingly piercing the veil of the armor's helm, she spoke but a single question. "What brings you to Korriban, traveler?"

[Chaotic Tranquility]

"A wise choice...." Sirena let slip from her lips in return to his his mention of not getting involved with Force Users, her curiosity as to the voluntary emotional rage within him subtly emanating from his thoughts, the Sith Lord encircling him as she inspecting the crimson haired lad. "But the problem is, is that Korriban is closed to outsiders, only open to members of the Sith Order and its Imperial Armada."

 

Stepping back to his forefront, she turned and faced his, her blue eyes gazing deeply into his golden eyes, searching for the feeling of curiosity she had recieved from him. He was definitely sensitive to the Force's touch, that much she could feel. But was he worthy? His rage spoke of the possibility, but it was wild and untamed. And rage alone could not substantiate simple praise. He could be a simple walking time bomb, waiting to explode and destroy everything around him. Yet, she wouldnt completely dismiss the potential within him. He held some control at least.

 

"And you are neither." She spoke, this time in a playful and coy manner, the small detail attached to her curiously wondering what he hold up was. "So standard operations dictate that a small detail attached to a Sith Lord investigate and rid ourselves of such transgressions." At those words, still playfully expressed, gave the Troopers behind her to turn their rifles from stun to semiautomatic and take aim, Sirena signaling them to remain their hold. She approached one last time, a devilish smile gracing her face as she stood upon her tip toes and whispered into his exposed ear. "And you're not dead yet either."

 

With that said, Sirena leveled her feet and spun around as she stepped away, signaling for the detachment to lower their weapons, a rather confused look from each only hidden by the helms they wore as they did. After stepping away a few feet, she spun back around. "So I'll ask you again traveler, what brings you to Korriban? Are you perhaps a prospect, hoping to become an initiate in the ever growing Empire of the Dark King? Or are you here just for refueling?"

 

Her smile never leaving, Sirena simply remained staring at the young lad, her eyes revealing her true intent if read correctly. Would he choose life? Or would he choose death? Either way, she intended to have a little fun with the boy. After all, he did wash up on her shores.

[Chaotic Tranquility]

"Just as I thought..." She smirked, her form turning toward the Troopers stationed behind her. "False Alarm. It's simply another Intiate for Dark King Exodus. Report your findings to your superiors Lieutenant." She spoke, dismissing the detachment and waiting for her and the crimson haired boy to be left alone before she turned back to him, the smirk having left her face and now a stern look met back at his. "You were clever to catch onto my ruse, and even wiser to heed it."

 

Sirena began walking back toward the boy, occasionally bending her ankle and heel as she walked, her hands intertwined behind her back, and giving her a slight limp to her walk purposely. When she stood before him, her gaze peering into his above her, she gave a small chuckle. "Your death would have been useless." Offering her hand, her blue eyes fluttered. "I am Darth Sirena, Lord of the Sith. Who might you be?"

 

Sirena was a Assassin of the Seductive nature, having been taught to use her charm and beauty as a Hapan to her advantage. So much so, that life had became a game of cat and mouse to the young Lord, whether her toys be friendly or foe. But such was the way of the Sith, to take one's true nature and guide them to become it. And even the truest of Assassins did not need to take a life to end one, just as she had did with the boy that stood before her. He was now an Initiate of the Sith Order whether it fit him or not, and now he was her's. She chuckled once more and turned away. "Follow me, little one."

 

Her first stop upon the tour she was bringing him upon was his registration, where he filed the proper paperwork and signed away to his life to the Order properly. And then she would take his through a guided tour from the Ports and into the Temple where his new life would begin, past many Initates and Acolytes just like him, before she brought him to his assigned quarters. Inside, laying upon the bed would a change of clothes, a set of Robes and Boots, a scarf for the windy terrain of Korriban, and a simple datapad. Upon the Datapad would be the basic teachings of the Sith philosophy, as well as a map of the Temple and surrounding areas of which included the Valley of Tombs. He would fill in the rest later, just as Sirena had once did when she still bore the name Mi'lan. 

 

"Go in and change. I'll be outside when you are ready." She spoke softly, almost with an understanding voice as she placed her hand upon the bio scanner and opened the door. "Welcome to your new life."

[Chaotic Tranquility]

When Sirena heard the hiss of Roran's door, she lifted herself from her perch and met his gaze with her own. Not quite what she expected to see beneath the massive armor he wore, his frame still was bigger than her own. She chuckled at his words as if he truly did not understand the full grasp of what he had spoken yet, but curled her finger to and fro at him as she turned and took off in a brisk walk, heading out the nearest Temple exit.

 

The pathway she took just outside the door led to a large mobile hangar where multiple speeders and bikes laid in inactivity, its gaping maw setting up a picturesque view of the Valley below and the pathway that led down into it. Pulling the cloak over her head, she entered the sand blasted atmosphere just outside and continued on, leaving behind the vehicles intentionally and choosing to instead make the trek on foot.

 

"The Valley below is known as The Valley of Tombs or The Valley of the Sith Lords." Sirena spoke over the whirling winds in explaination, the petite Darth raising her hands in excitement and stretching to feel the rush of the sand enveloping her form. "It seems a good a place of any to begin." She chuckled after that and continued the rest of the trek in utter silence, the occasional twirl and chuckle when the wind picked up in a manic appreciation.

 

When they arrived in the Valley below, Sirena slowed her pace to a slow walked. "So tell me Roran, what do you know about the Force? Do you know only what you've heard, or have you heard deeper meanings behind the subject? Do you believe it to be life? Or do you believe it be like us, an entity, symbiotic with another?" For most, her words would seem of madness, but like all madness, there was always a method behind it.

[Chaotic Tranquility]

"Typical, but interesting... Sirena spoke as she came to a halt near a set of pillars that leaned half buried in the sand, the young Sith Lord hoping upon one and walking up toward it's tip, her arms stretched out against the winding winds and it lashed out against their forms. "Typical in that many propose guesses despite not knowing, but interesting that you responded so closely to my own when my Master, Hu'lak, asked me that very same question. Of course, my answer was the life force of those who came before us.

 

She chuckled as she sat upon the flattened top of the leaning pillar, leaving one leg upon it to steady her balance while letting the other one dangle, her vision gazing off in the distance. "As for the Tombs, explore them at your own peril. They could still possess some treasure left to behold, but you will face many dangers that range from Tuk'ata to Terentateks. Too much to waste such a life over for a small percentage of reward, wouldn't you agree?"

 

Her gaze shifted back to him, her voice echoing across the sands as the howling of the storm began to die down and the dust began to settle, allowing them to remove their protective apparel. Reaching up, she removes the cloak, the small breeze blowing her hair upon its gentle current. "But the reality of the Force is that it is whatever you make of it. For some, it is simply a weapon. Others, it is a philosophy or even religion. And for the rest, it is a mystical energy they know they can never comprehend."

 

"I fall into the last category, the only truth I have discovered about it is that it is symbiotic with nature, two halves to a whole. As we are sensitive to feeling and wielding the Force, so is the Force sensitive to the flow of life, death, and existence." Her blue gaze turned stone cold as she looked at him despite her smirk still adorning her face, the tone of her voice growing stern and serious. "Is it sentient? I can not say. But it is guided by nature just as we feel we are guided by it, and vice versa."

 

Sirena jumped from her post and landed gently, walking up to Roran in a slithering motion before she stood at his chest, her small frame gazing up at him. "Peace is a lie, there is only Passion. Tell me what these words bring to mind when I speak them."

[Chaotic Tranquility]

"Good." Sirena spoke, stooping down to sit upon the sands and revealing her prosthetic arm that she kept hidden beneath her cloak as she reached for the ground beneath them and positioned herself cross legged upon the dirt. "Then you have a general grasp upon life. Now sit with me and let's see if you can sense it too."

 

Sirena offered him the ground before her, bringing her hands together in her lap, her artificial hand cupping the one of flesh and bone as she closed her eyes and took a long inhale of the air through her nose and exhaled very slowly from her lips. For Sirena this was but a simple task, her daily meditations consisting of this very beginning.  "Some believe Sith to grasp at only two passions, selfishness and anger. But no one is so simple minded. We are complex beings, and though our passions may differ, there are as many within us as their is in everyone. The difference between us and those of the Jedi Order is a single line, we live through ours rather than fight to suppress them."

 

She grinned as she felt the pressure of the sand before her shift. "To feel the Force is like any other sense. But like many beings throughout the Galaxy, those of us that aren't born without its sense, can tend to use our primary ones over it and using it without training can be as destructive to our own selves as those around us, just as any tool can be without proper instruction and yield."

 

"I want you to focus yourself inward, look inside yourself and envision your life. Find your deepest passions, and know them. But instead of knowing them with your thoughts, try and focus the gift the Force has granted you in order to find them. You may find them to remain the same as you thought, or you may find yourself finding hidden passions that you had never known before. It doesn't matter. Only that you learn them and understand them through the Force's knowledge and not your own." Sirena inhales and exhales again. "Let everything outside you melt away, including me, and know only yourself."

[Chaotic Tranquility]

"Good." She spoke as she heard him come out of his trance, his delving deeper than she predicted. He had stood on the precipice of the Force and the gasping for air was a reaction from taking the plunge. Only those with raw talent feared not to tread where others dared not to. She grinned as he spoke his passions, her eyes still closed and focusing on what he was feeling as he delved. He was close to the truth, but he had not truly seen it quite yet. "Hope and empathy, you say? Are you sure?"

 

Sirena sat in silence for the moments that passed, letting his mind wonder on what she had meant before she spoke again. "And what would you do if someone dared to tread upon the hopes of another? To crush their dreams without empathy nor remorse? Delve back within yourself, focus on the thoughts of how you would react if you saw another doing such evil. Yet this time, follow that focus and let your passions guide you. And when you have the answer, grasp at it with all your intent. And when your grasp at it, let this be your target."

 

Sirena reached into her pocket with little movement, her eyes still closed and her mind focused, her breathing still deep and slow just as the words that escaped her mouth were. From her pocket she pulled out but a simple stone, a stone that had meant to be a marker to place upon Hu'lak's grave, but it turned out to be against his wished. With a simple toss, it landed between them with a subtle thud, partially burying its self into the sand upon landing.

 

"Remember the feeling that you felt when you delved into yourself and began to know the true you that laid within." She said, her smirk only widening. "And then from there, delve into the aspect of witnessing someone's hopes being crushed without empathy. Focus upon that with your mind and let its energy flow through you and that of your gaze upon the target. Truly understand your passion and let it be your guide upon the journey of understanding. Your passions are but stepping stones, and to know them is to know where they lead you. "

[Chaotic Tranquility]

She chuckled, her eyes still closed as she felt her pupil's frustration, his desire to understand himself not without warrant. As to truly understand one's self was to truly know one's own heart. With a soft tone she spoke. "What you feel is wrath. It is a passion born of both anger and hatred, yet at the same, not. To feel another's pain and know it, is to feel empathy for that person. And by feeling that empathy is to feel their rage, and from that rage, you feel their wrath as much as your own. Such is to recognize what separates you from the stagnant Jedi."

 

She signed a deep exhale, focusing herself solidly, letting her own mind flow upon the thoughts of his own. "It is not inherently dark to feel empathy for another, because of our natural nature, it is hardwired into us from before birth. What separates us is that we act upon it. We revel in it. We become it. We see what is done and we act accordingly, choosing to follow our nature rather than to fight it. Because as I've said, to fight our nature is to fight ourselves."

 

She chuckled one again. "Let the Jedi fight their nature and decide what is right or wrong. That is their nature, to decisively argue against their own. But as Sith, we know the true path of simply acting. Defend the weak. Seek revenge of the harmed. Let the morals that bind you melt away and do as you wish. Such is the freedom given to us."

 

"The world views us as criminals, heretics even, mainly because we choose not to follow the moral high ground." Her blue gaze finally opens, staring straight at Roran. "But that's okay. We dont care how the Galaxy views us, only how we view ourselves. And honestly, I'd rather be viewed a criminal than a pacifist who sits idly by. That is the truth of any Sith."

 

As the wind began to slowly pick up around them, Sirena covered her form, pulling the cloak to protect against the swirling shards of dust. "The side of the Force known as the Dark Side is simply known as that because we stick to no morals, rather choosing to free ourselves to simply be ourselves. And in that, we find our true nature. Which is the lesson for today. Find yourself, understand yourself and your nature, and free yourself of stagnation. Act upon your passions and let them grow with you, and in the end, discover yourself."

[Chaotic Tranquility]

"Good. You've gotten a taste of the potential that lays within you." Sirena spoke, nodding her head in approval. Reaching out, she grabbed his injured hand and rubbing a small salve she had gathered from her pouch, its touch cool and soothing. As she withdrew her hand, she winked at Roran. "It will only prevent it from blistering, but the pain will remain. Remember it and cherish it, for pain is the reminder that you're alive."

 

Sirena stood up, dusting herself off as she instructed her student to remain as he was, encircling him as she moved about. "Now that you have felt the touch of the Force, it will only get easier, and it's pain will only intensify. Some belief it to be a gift, others, a curse. But the reality is that it is both." She let her words sink in while she gathered her own thoughts. "I say that because the Force doesn't just flow through us each individually. It flows through all, even the rock you set aflame, just I have said."

 

"Like ourselves, the Force has a will of it's own. Not sentient perhaps, but it still possesses it's own divination. It is intertwined with Nature, guiding it as much as Nature guides it, symbioticly. This is why murder, revenge, empathy, kindness, and even co-existence can be found constant in the natural order for any form of life." She stopped briefly in front of him. "And in the same sense, we share the same symbiotic relationship with the Force through our own natural order. And through training, we can guide all three in whatever way we see fit. Such is the power we are given, but not without a price."

 

Sirena started walking again, but this time, stopped behind him and upon leaning down, wrapped her arms around the young Apprentice, her lips close to his ear. "We can feel pain, death, wrath, envy... all emotions and passion of those that surround us and even in the Force and Nature as well. But unlike the Jedi, we accept this price wholeheartedly. Our forms will grow twisted and grotesque as our powers grow and amplify, the cause and effect of accepting such truths."

 

Rising up with a soft grunt, Sirena chuckled and moved back to his forefront, her subtle teasing coming to an end. "Now that you have touched a few drops of the Force's touch and understand the truth of its nature, your next task is to let it guide you. Forget about your own passions and reach outward. Feel the passions of the life that surrounds us, even my own, and reach out as far as you can. For it's not only your own passions that can empower you, but so can the passions that surround you.

 

Sirena let her guard down, allowing Roran to invade her mind if he so wished. But all he would find was her lust for acceptance and her rage against rejection. Those two were the passions that defined her very core. But the reasons why would elude him if he did see inside her.

[Chaotic Tranquility]

Sirena chuckled at a remark he made, but kept her reply silent until his lesson concluded. "Its not say that using the Darkside mutilates your form where the lightside preserves it, but rather.... She goes quiet for a moment, her mind wandering around the best way to express it before she finishes it. "Think of your form like a flower. If you leave it be, it will stay the same. Much like the Jedi are taught to view the Force. But if you pluck it for another, no matter the care that is given, it will eventually wilt away. That is the life of passion."

 

Sure, you could follow the light, live the same life day by day, never knowing life through your passions. She chuckled half heartily, almost scoffing at the idea. "But to live through your passions, no matter the cost, is worth living. A Jedi can live his entire life and never know their self. But Sith live each day knowing themselves to the fullest."

 

She stepped to the side a few feet, her voice echoing around them, carried upon the whispering winds. "And now that you've seen the Force, you understand the lesson: Through Passion, I gain Strength" Sirena closes her eyes, inhaling slowly as she places the palms of her hands outward, and as she exhales, the ground around them begins to tremble and shake. Sweat beads down her brow and her faces scrunches with fierce focus as she bites her lower lip between her teeth. 

 

At first, the sand seems to only to be rolling toward them, each individual grain following the other. But as her face scrunches more in her intense focus, the ground seems to rise and the hidden figure of a sunken pillar begins to form as she unearths its marbled form completely as it balances before them. Opening her eyes, she grins as she gazes at Roran, holding it in place with her prosthetic hand as she reaches toward the sky with her fleshed hand, sparks of static forming just as an intense bolt of lightning ripped from the sky and split the marbled pillar in two, one half slamming into the sand.

 

Turning toward her Apprentice, maintaining her hold upon the half that remained before her, she spoke, the strain apparent in her voice. "And here's your next lesson. Focus yourself through your passion and understand the Force that flows through you. Use that to your advantage and attempt to lift the other half of the pillar just as you have seen me do." She winked as she placed her free hand back to relieve the strain forced by her holding it in place using one hand. "Do this, and I'll give you a cookie."

[Chaotic Tranquility]

"Well..." Her faced pouted as she gazed at him, releasing the pillar from the grasp she had upon it and letting fall back into the crevasse from which it had be pulled from. "Guess it means no cookie for you." Reaching into her pocket, she pulled out a small cookie and threw it into her mouth as she approached him. Shaking her head, she spoke with a jest. "If it were easy, there'd be hundreds of Sith Masters running about here on Korriban rather than the many Acolytes, Apprentices, few Sith Lords and only a couple of Masters stationed here."

 

Placing her hand roughly mid way up his back and straddling her form against his backside. "With each person, it is different. Some take it to it like breathing, others it comes in time. But I'll demonstrate it the best I can." Placing slight pressure against his back with her artificial hand, Sirena spoke. "Close your eyes. Imagine the feel of my hand as the current of the Force you saw earlier that flows into you." Reaching up with her other hand, she traced his arm softly with her fingertips until her fingers rested upon his, speaking as she did. "Next, imagine that current flowing from you, down your arm, and out of the palm of your hand." Staying beside him, she waited to see if he reacted accordingly.

 

"Try not to focus too much on the task at hand, but rather upon the current that flows through you," She spoke softly and calmly into his ear. "Let your passions and desire guide it, assert your will and control upon it, and lift it."

[Chaotic Tranquility]

"Now you're getting it." She spoke with a smile as she stepped away, briefly ducking as the object nearly took her head off her shoulders, causing chill bumps to rise all over her skin. "The Force flows through us just as it does the pillar before you, the sand beneath you, and the air in which you breath.

 

"Come. Sit." Sirena spoke as she sat cross legged upon the sands as night began to fall upon Korriban. Closing her eyes and opening her mind, small chunks of stone, broken roots, all began to encircle her and she prepared a fire pit before her. Once the stones encircled the dead and dry roots, she focused herself deeper into the Force and a small crackle of lightning flew from her hand, sparking the roots and starting a fire. Reaching into her satchel, she pulled enough food from it for both of them, including a bag of cookies.

 

"You know the reasons why peace is a lie, the very passions for life existing for a reason. And I've taught that through your passions, you gain strength." She spoke, rubbing her hands briefly as the cold Korriban air began to subtly blow, causing her to retrieve her cloak. "But without power, strength through passion alone cannot sustain you. This is the basic Sith Philosophy, and I will teach you only a portion at a time so that you truly grasp their meanings."

 

Sirena sat in silence after saying that, mainly to finish her meal, but also to allow him to reflect upon her words and what he has learnt during his own meal. But as she swallowed her last bite, she smiled and wiped the leftover from upon her lips. "Tomorrow we will depart Korriban for Onderon. So if you wish, you can adorn your armor once again" She laid back against the sand as she curled up in her cloak and looked up at the stars above them. "Or, if you've grown accustomed to the Robes, you can wear them. Either way is fine. But now that you've learn the three basic tenets, all of which you can read from the Datapad, you're true training will begin."

 

She waited a few moments incase Roran held any reserved questions. If he did not, she would soon be asleep and tomorrow would bring him a new era.

[Chaotic Tranquility]

When Sirena awoke the next day, her eyes gazing upward toward the crimson skies of Korriban, she wasn't too shocked to see her Apprentice gone. Her mind flowed back toward her own Apprenticeship, the excitement, the mysteries left to uncover, etc. Rising from the sand, she reached out her hand and covered the fire from the night before, leaving any trail of them having been there buried beneath its surface. Gathering her things, she quickly made for the Academy.

 

After arriving, she too took the moments to pack her essentials, hop into the refresher, and apply a fresh coat of make up as well as change her own robes. As she gazed into the mirror before her, twirling about, she giggled. "Perfection as always Mi'lan." She spoke, winking at herself in the mirror, before she turned to exit, her things in tow. As she knocked on Roran's door, she heard him answer, but she played little heed, and let herself in.

 

"Did you rest well last night Roran?" She poised as she laid her things aside and sat down upon his bunk, placing her hands upon her criss-crossed legs with a joyful bounce in her mood. "Do you know much about Onderon? I've never been there myself, but I hear the Dark King is rather handsome.... Well, maybe not as handsome as you, but in his own way."

 

Sirena tended to babble like this alot, a ditzy side very evident in her personality. But there was also a very temperamental side buried deep within her as well. Very few people saw it, which is why she stood out from her colleagues, but it was there all the same, and dangerous. After asking her question, her gaze turned to Roran, her attention to whether he was clothed or not making little matter at this moment.

[Chaotic Tranquility]

"Makes sense." She teased in response to his answer. In truth, very few studied planets outside any they had ever physically been to, Sirena included. She pulled herself from his bed and stood at its end, the silk and leathered robes she adorned making little sound and were more revealing than anything. After all, seduction was her main weapon and as an Assassin, it was a deadly one.

 

"As for our purpose, I havent really decided fully yet. The Jungles around Iziz are dangerous, but you're training isn't advanced enough for them yet. In truth, my own isn't up to par to take you there alone. Masters are the only ones who tread there alone." Her gaze while she spoke this watched Roran gather himself, her eyes portraying a sense of kinship that Roran would rarely see amongst their kind. "But there are untapped secrets around that could be incorporated into future endeavors. Tell me. What path do you wish to follow? Judging by your attachment to armor, you seem to follow the path of the warrior, but your affinity for Pyromancy are calls to the Krath. These things will tell me where we go once we reach Onderon."

 

With that said, Sirena exited his chambers and headed toward the spaceport. There were reasons she left her talk lingering in her departure, leaving him to question himself as much as his future. When he was ready, she would be at the ship awaiting his answer. She could not choose his future, but she could guide him correctly. After all, the next part of his training is what will define him and guide the drive behind what she held in store.

[Chaotic Tranquility]

And so her pupil had chose...

 

Insignificant, meaningless, fear. His passion fizzled like a kindling flame as the last ember found its self drown within the breath that gave it life. Roran never showed, and so Sirena took back to her ways of living in solace, binding her time until one of worthiness presented themselves. And because of this, months had go by.

 

Visiting the market place one day, Sirena caught glimpse of an old friend, three persons in tow. Curious, she followed, wondering where the old coot was going and what he was up to. It wasn't all that long ago that she herself had walked the very same path under his tutelage until her Master was found and she wondered if they too were new prospects, and if perhaps, through Helios, she would find her own student.

 

From the shadows, she watched inquisitively, patient in seeing things unfold. The Masked One held potential, if only held back by his ego. The metallic one was inquisitive and new, like a bright eyed child questioning everything. That in its self was a heavy fault, too trusting and naive. And the female, brash and bold, like the fire that light her personality, likely to burn out before her potential was even realized. From the shadows her blue gaze fell upon the Master, and she too saw his own realizations before he departed and the young ones went about their own conclusions.

 

In silence she would watch things unfold in the shadows, waiting to see how they would truly grasp this lesson. If she knew one thing, Helios had a flare for throwing students from the fire pan and into the fire, and she was quite curious as to how these three would react to their own curiosity.

[Chaotic Tranquility]

Sirena simply watched, her blue eyes gazing with slight disappointment as each struggled with their own grasp for power. They were true fledglings in every sense of the word, individual, and selfish. They held no part in the Spider's Empire, at least, yet. The Cathar was agile and nimble, but so was most of his species. The mech was powerful, but raw and untapped. And the female was useless and seemed more bark than bite. Perhaps Master Helios was wrong in their potential and they weren't worth teaching. But who was she to judge?

 

As the machine down his first and stood to engage the second, as the Cathar cleaved his own into pieces, and as the girl sat entranced in the center, Sirena stepped from the shadows, a mixture hue of white mist with blackened plume filling the room with her entrance, Sirena's voice boomed with enchantment.

 

"Stil mijn Lammeren en luister naar mijn woorden, want de Sirene begint te zingen." Sirena's voice echoed as her form disappeared into the thickened mist and plume. "Laat mijn kusten uw ondergang spellen." And when she emerged, she stood behind the great beast, her blade buried in it's back and protruding it's chest, its crimson hue enlightening the befallen beast as it crumpled back into the plume from which it had came. Four had came, and three had fallen. Now only the beast that Solus faced remained.

 

Sirena's face crinkled in her displeasure, bringing her prosthetic arm up to her face as she placed its metallic thumb and forefinger across the arch of her nose as she deactivated her blade. With her remaining arm, she snapped her fingers with a hiss and twirled her arm through the air, gathering up the kinetic energy around them, and slamming her dominant foot forward, released its energy toward the disconnected beast as the sound of thunder pierced the room's walls with blinding sonic speeds. As she turned toward the exit, she gleefully listened to the beasts agony just as Solus would surely end it for her.

[Chaotic Tranquility]

Just as quick as the mist had rolled in, did it roll out, its white haze separating from the blackened plume. And like the mist, the four bodies disappaited back into the plume from which they had came, the crimson letters disappearing and the blackened plume returning to its pyramidal prison within the girl's pocket, leaving the darkened chamber empty and silent. Slowly the shadows before them moved and parted, revealing the blue eyes of Lady Sirena as she stepped into view with a cackle and bravado applause for the trio.

 

"My, my, my....The Crystalline did as expected." She spoke with a coyful pride as she eyed Solus before turning to Roshan and Aliss. "Haven't you heard the saying about curiosity, my dear Kitten?"

 

Sirena was of short stature, but was seductively beautiful, even for those of the same sex. Her raven hair flowed in the breeze apart from the proportioned locks that sat tightly to the sides of her head and the makeup adorning her face fluttered in the light as she stepped forward clearly, her walk almost floating across the stoned floor. Her hand reached down and grabbed her laced gown as she dipped her head in an elegant bow before her gaze rose to face all three.

 

"Forgive my manners. I am Lady Sirena." She spoke adequately, her tone soft and playful. "As for as the Holocron, the test was to resist, not touch it. But Master Helios was never one for all the details and preferred his students to play with fire." 

 

Sirena briefly glanced down at her prosthetic arm before glancing back up to the trio. With a grin, she finished. "And don't worry. I'm not part of it, that is, unless you want to get burnt." Chuckling, she was curious to see how they would react.

[Chaotic Tranquility]

Sirena chuckled coyfully at Solus, so innocent and refreshing, like a small mouse. Her gaze then turned toward the child's 'father', her hand snaking into the small satchel and producing a small baked disc with what appeared to be small chunks of darkened sugar based creme. With a sarcastic chuckled, she took a bite, wiping her lips after with her small pinky finger before she spoke. "But they're so delicious."

 

"But you're right." She spoke, tossing the rest of the treat into her mouth before continuing. "I do have alterior motives for being here. And no, Darth Helios doesn't know I followed the four of you here, at least not in the sense that he asked."

 

Sirena took a seat opposite them, her blue gaze piercing even amidst the darkness, as she recalled her catching eye of them earlier in the streets and her following them and watching them from the shadows. While some of it may have been embellished, most of it was truth. She had a flair of being dramatic in the most awkwardest ways, but it was mainly for show, a means that even the deadliest Assassins hadn't yet to figure out. While most thought her skill was wasted on her loss of intelligence, they failed to see the truth in her game, and often became victims to it. A smile crept upon her face.

 

"I was curious about the three of you." Sirena spoke, the air around them growing cold. "I wanted to know the potential that each of you held and if you would be worthy Apprentices to poach."

[Chaotic Tranquility]

A portion of his words caused to brow to furrow, the egotistical Cathar setting her nerves aflame. Which wasn't a smart move on his part, had Sirena's mind drifted to the thought of wrinkle lines. But instead she sat in silence and heard his words, letting him have his say without even a simple sneer. And as he finished, she simply sighed.

 

"For all the Knowledge you've gather, Kitten..." Sirena's voice was casual as she stayed sitting, watching his movements with little care. "You're still quiet Ignorant."

 

"Droids aren't Force Sensitive naturally." Sirena continued. "So when I felt the Force flowing around it, it drew my curiosity, which led to my following the three of you, investigating. It wasn't hard to notice that its soul feels like that of a Jedi's Lightsaber Crystal, and give that a few sentient crystalline species exist within common knowledge, especially the Iron Knights of old where a race known as Shards were placed within Droids, including their Force Sensitives."

 

Sirena let her words sit for a moment as she eyed Solus, the creature wanting to speak for himself, but unable to against the Cathar he called father. She shook her head and turned back to Roshan. "One was even told of having been defeated by the infamous General Grevious during the Clone Wars."

 

"But enough of the History Lessons" Sirena spoke after a sigh, climbing to her feet. "I have not lied. I came to see your mettle against Darth Helios's task and to see your potential, to understand your passions, your sins. And if you want to know how I know him, you can ask him yourselves, and then ask him why one of my arms is a prosthetic."

 

After all, she came to bare the gifts of training, not to have an intellectual debate.

[Chaotic Tranquility]

Sirena smiled at Roshan, his sin obvious and evident. Pride was a mediocre Sin, a passion to be the best of the best, but very few ever made it reality. So what would it be for the Cathar? Would it empower him? Or would it be his downfall like numerous other's before him? Sirena had not yet seen his fate, but she suspected the latter. A momentarily thought did cross her mind of a villain giving away his plans for world domination just before the Heros came in and saved the day. But perhaps his chatter could be backed up with more than words. "The Cathar thinks me pretty? Perhaps I should rub his belly later?"

 

Next her eyes turn to Aliss, the daughter, having watched her attentively. Her Sin seemed to be Greed. It was typically well rounded amongst the new Apprentices, a passion for grabbing as much power as they could before the others could. It was a stable sin, and one that could sustain one almost indefinitely. Her smile left her face. An average student at best, but at least willing to learn and not so much at inflation of the ego. "Holocrons are mere tools for recording teachings and philosophy. What I can teach you is the power to open them without setting their security feature off and you not end up dead."

 

And finally, Sirena looked at Solus, a heartily chuckle erupting from her voice as she extended her hand into his. The Shard's Sin was still undetermined, his innocence still present. But she did rather enjoy his personality. To corrupt such innocence would be invigorating. "Yes." She replied to Solus, her gaze shifting between all three. "I can impart my knowledge to all three of you, but only you can do what you will with it. It's up to each one of you how powerful of Apprentices you become."

 

But which one would truly be powerful? That was the question that truly sat upon her mind.

[Chaotic Tranquility]

Sirena nodded her head to the Cathar, and then to Aliss and Solus. It wasn't her first time in this chamber, and as she stood and neared the rear wall, she laid a resounding hit with her prosthetic fist upon a singular stone, the stone sliding back and revealing a secondary entrance. Or exit in this case.

 

"It isnt used much, so the gears tend to stick a bit." Sirena spoke, shaking the dust from her fist. "As for your training, rest tonight. Tomorrow will be long and exhausting. Meet me in the Valley of the Sith Lords."

 

As Sirena finished, she turned and exited, Helios' presence sending chills down her exposed spine and rose the hair on her skin. She chuckled and continued up the stairs and back into the light of day. The old coot was always watching and spying, but he was powerful and dangerous nonetheless. Not someone she would consciously cross unless there was no other option.

 

Once back at the Academy, she registered the three with the Imperial Registar before settling in for the night. Tomorrow brought great promise, and possible disappointment. But for now, she would settle herself in for the night and rise early for the mild trek to the Valley of the Sith Lords, a common beginning for so many Apprentices.

[Chaotic Tranquility]

Sirena looked out over the Valley amidst the rising Sun as dawn began, her blue gaze shimmering as the first rays trickled its glare. Below her was the greatest monument that Korriban had ever produced, rows of Tombs forged from the cliffsides that made the Valley of the Sith Lords, thousands rolling across its form. Yes, today brought her great promise. But with promise, also came disappointments. Adepts roamed throughout the Tombs for her, collecting items she needed for the first of many tests should the Apprentices come. And yet, Sirena smiled as she began the trek downward, many things to do.

 

In the center of the Valley, a culmination of the vortex that was the Darkside energy here, Sirena had fashioned a makeshift hut of both mortar, stone, and straw. Her last apprentice had been such a failing that she was determined to separate herself from any weakness that would come her way so she could solely focus upon the strong. So in the center of this hut, one that would disappear with time, she sat near a small fire, mixing a mixture of paste, blood, and water, delving in the Darkness she commanded.

 

So when the Apprentices arrived, they would find her outside the hut, deep in meditation, the Forces swirling around her ancient and dark. She would invite them into the Hut, the dirt drawn into an unholy trinity representing the seal of the three paths with the fire at its center and the paste boiling over it, and ask them to sit. And as they each sat in turn, she would reveal their first test.

 

"Tell me..." She questioned inquisitively, her voice sly and coy, like the whispering of a serpent's seductive tongue. "What is your greatest passion, your greatest sin?"

[Chaotic Tranquility]

Sirena sat there as she listened to each of their replies with a smirk. It was as she suspected. The Shard had yet to present his sin consciously. Lady Aliss came across partially with Wrath and Gluttony, anger and hunger present in both her words and actions. But as Roshan spoke, his was harder to read, to articulate at first glance. But she had one in mind, though she dared not speak its name aloud until she was sure. That sin was Pride. With a chuckle, she replied to Roshan's question. "My greatest sin? That would be Lust. It is what focuses my power, my drive."

 

"But to the task at hand." She spoke in an almost cheerful manner as she clapped her hands and rubbed them vigorously together before scooting forward to stir the pauldron of goop. "Its time to face yourselves."

 

"Within this Pauldron is a mixture of Krath Moss, a plant that grows from the blood of slayed Tuk'ata as it drips through the stones within the Tombs and simple water." She explained as she finished stirring and hit the side of the pauldron to settle its contents. "By its self, its a harmless but potent hallucinogenic, opening one's self up to the darkness within."

 

Her smirk became a devilish grin.

 

"But with two other ingredients, it becomes Sith Poison." She spoke, opening her hand and offering each to reach in. "You're to mark yourselves and lay down, you especially Solus as you have to mark the Shard within your true form. And don't worry about the paralysis. I placed Shrill Shrooms in for safety reasons."

 

Her gaze shot to Roshan before shifting to the others.

 

"Only I will see what you will. This is the price of my training."

[Chaotic Tranquility]

"He has a soul, does he not?" She poised to Roshan with a grin, his arrogance quite amusing to her. Whilst he may have inhabited the form of a droid, he still possessed life, a sentient soul that wasn't manufactured. "It will work."

 

Her gaze shot to Solus, taking in the Shard's fear and embarrassment as he did as she asked, her eyes locked upon Solus' inner workings between both he and his machina. It was truly a sight to behold, especially given most of what she knew was read. With a smile, she reassured him. "Do not worry Solus. The only size that matters is the size of the heart." And she guessed him to possess more heart than any of those in the makeshift shelter.

 

She watched as each marked themselves in unison, Sirena crossing her legs and opening herself to the Force and to the currents that flowed through each of them, binding its will to her own. Only Roshan's words broke her concentration briefly, causing a singular eye to peer in his direction. "It brings different things to different beings. Some it causes visions, others fits of rage. But at its Core is the Darkside, corrupting and malicious. It will find what darkness resides in your soul, and begin to fester and feed it. Whether you see visions or simply feel it take hold depends on you."

 

Closing her eyes, she refocused herself. She was curious as to what darkness truly resides in each of them and what would empower them.

[Chaotic Tranquility]

As each of the three became encumbered, Sirena smiled, feeling the darkside around them flow more viciously. Her gaze feel upon Solus, his innocence lost upon the dark tides that festered in his soul, feeling the melancholy ache to turn him. It was already a rare opportunity simply to be able to train such a species as a Shard, but to be the one that led to their corruption and fall, grasping such innocence away, it was almost tantalizing to the senses.

 

Reaching her hand forward, she dipped three fingers into the sludge and pulled them forth, marking her forehead in a symbol known only to her people and using the third to smear through it. With that, she returned to her lotus position and let the currents of the darkside flow through her at will, letting her become swept away in its torrent just as the others began their own journeys, one she had taken many times herself.

 

Sometimes, her journey was through visions of her past. Others, it was dating glare into the future. And then at times, it was simply a passing moment where her powers ran rampant with little to any control. But nevertheless, she always enjoyed delving into the pure abyss of the darkside if only to simply see her truest self, to test her limits, and find her weaknesses and strengths. For Roshan, Aliss, and Solus, this was but an introduction. For her, this was Mastery.

 

And this time, she was simply along for the ride. Sweat beaded down her skin as her body tempt rose into a feverish degree, her breathing shallow and raspy as she delved deeply into the darkside, riding its unbridled currents. Images of dark entities flashed about her psyche like trapped spirits of ages past. And then bitter cold swept her breath, like frost erupting from upon her lips as her paralyzed form fell back upon the skins strewn about. If the others looked upon her, her skin would be a shade of blue similar to that of her eyes, now glazed over in an onyx coating, reminiscent of a devilish appearence.

 

Such was the devotion of the Hapian Princess.

[Chaotic Tranquility]

They say that the dark abyss is nothingness, void and black, sucking away everything surrounding it like a black hole in space. In a sense, Sirena knew this to be true, the darkness consuming and corrupting absolutely. And if one was to gaze upon it while looking for something, they would inevitably find nothing looking back. But for Sirena, she knew the truth of gazing into it while looking for nothing and eventually finding something. Such was the way of the world.

 

As the currents of the darkside pulled her soul along, sweeping her across countless worlds and through countless lives, she could feel its pull upon her toward something. Much like training to use it, it had a way of using you. And this she enjoyed very much, her lust for power and knowledge driving her. To the others outside, her form would appear to convulse and arch, as if possessed by demonic entities or souls of the darkside. But for her, it was the ride of a lifetime, stuck between life an death, flowing upon the course of the River Styx.

 

And like every voyage down such currents, a price must be paid. She could feel her body age, time slowly being siphoned away from her life even as her soul soared. In the outside world, it wouldn't be as noticeable, minutes turning to hours of her life even as the blue tone faded away. But the knowledge and understanding gained was worth it. And there was her answer, her gaze falling upon her homeworld.

 

For far too long had the Hapan Cluster sat in tranquility, unbridled by the outside influences of the war raging around it. She could feel the unrest aching to be achieved, the civility aching to be broken. And at this she smiled. It was time for her to return home, to bring chaos to its order. She had longed prayed for this day. And with these three Apprentices, perhaps it would be poetically beautiful. Only time would truly tell.

 

Sirena gasped as she opened her eyes, her head arched toward the roof of the makeshift hut as her smile crept widely before falling upon these three before her. Wiping the sweat from her brow along with the concoction, she sat completely up, deep exhaustive breaths echoing her excitement as the blood rushed through her chilled form in order to warm her back up. She said not a word, but watched the others as they too began to wake.

 

It was time to progress.

[Chaotic Tranquility]

As Sirena gazed about, her crystal blue eyes falling upon the three Apprentices, she reveled in what she felt. The Darkside was strong within the hut, its essence permeating from each of those before her. Even the Shard reeked of it, and she found solace in that very fact. Crossing her legs once again, she smirked as she met each of their gazes in turn.

 

"Good." She began, her voice soft with heavy panting, its echo hindered by the leather and skins that adorned the walls. There was pleasure in her eyes and her heart throbbed with ecstasy. "Each of you touched the darkness within and found its call." Her gaze shifted to Roshan. "Some more than others."

 

She sighed, out stretching her arm as the flap blew open to the cool outside air, each of their forms finding relief to the breeze flowing in against their sweating forms, save for Solus. But now was the time to find the truth of each. So she poised her question.

 

"In the depths of the darkness, did you find your sin? Your hunger? Your purpose? Did you hear the call and heed its answer? Did your past define your future? Tell me what your experiences were and how it guided you to its inevitable conclusion."

[Chaotic Tranquility]

Sirena smirk at the Shard's overexcitment, its freshly dipped toes into the darkness it could possess providing a insatiable hunger within. It was good to see. He possessed a trait the other two did not. Perhaps not in strength, but in the Force, the Darkness, strength wasn't everything. His corruptable innocence made his prospective much more tantalizing. She chuckled at his last comment, Roshan stepping back into the picture as guidence.

 

"Roshan is right. Its merely one of the many tools to explore one's darkness, but not how one accesses it entirely. That is the key to your tutelage under my, and each other's wings." Sirena responded after Roshan finished, shortly before Aliss' outburst. "But by touching it like you have, it will help you better understand yourself."

 

As Roshan turned to her and spoke, Aliss' began to speak, causing Sirena's words to Roshan become lost upon her breath, a quizzical look stirring upon the Dsrk Lady's face. Roshan mentioned Dark King Exodus just before, but was Aliss talking about their King, or was her wild gaze shifting to Sirena aimed at another. 

 

"Who is he, child?" Sirena spoke to Aliss, her quizzical expression quickly turning stern and gravely despite her own curiosity. "Who is a danger to your family?"

[Chaotic Tranquility]

Sirena heard Aliss' words, taking note of Solus' as well. But rather than speak, she studied the girl deeply. The fear was there, just as her fellow Apprentice pointed out. But there was something else, something that instilled such reaction, primordial and deep. Yet, what was it? Sirena brought her hand up to her chin, remaining silent as minutes passed.

 

First the holocron, now her reaction of this. Solus was born of innocence, of Envy. Roshan was born of ego, of Pride. But this girl, she was something else. Quick to act, to jump to conclusions without thought, brash. Yet, she displayed no true sin. Curious, but delightful. She smirked behind her hand.

 

"I understand, child." Sirena spoke, out stretching her arm and offering up caring eyes. "But he is a Master of the Order, and a respected one. He will not go easily into death, even with our combined power. His flame is too eternal."

 

As Sirena spoke, she calculated, watching the girl's reactions and responses. She wanted to push the girl ever so slightly to see what darkness drove her heart.