All Signs Lead to a Crossroads (Tempus5)
  • Posted On: Aug 10 2003 5:13am
Giving the other a meek nod, he continued on with his walk.

The shuttle that the Zabrak had chosen for the trip ahead was rather spacious, even a little extreme for two who were on a somewhat leisure travel, however the Lord deemed it plausible.

"Does this suit you, Arkan?"

Zeta did not wait for the other's response as he boarded the shuttle, calling back to the other as he walked.

"If not, find another ride to Rhen Var..."
Posts: 54
  • Posted On: Aug 10 2003 8:39am
"Whatever works," Arkan responded. He walked briskly behind Zeta, not faltering his his step and eager to depart.

OOC: Sorry for the short post. I just needed to respond.
  • Posted On: Aug 10 2003 5:20pm
OOC: Quite okay, I did not give you much to go on.

IC: On route to Rhen Var...

Plenty of room with plenty of seating, yet Zeta chose to stand. It was not often that the Sith was caught sitting down. He liked the ability to move about freely, sitting did not allow him such comforts.

"So my fellow Zabrak, we've come this far and I have not yet asked you just what it is you know about the darkside. Care to enlighten me now?"
Posts: 54
  • Posted On: Aug 11 2003 5:11am
Looking quizzically at the Sith Lord, wondering what kind of knowledge this one wanted from Arkan, for innocent curiousities were unusual. Then again, he understood unpredictability, therefore he was compelled to go along. Truthfully.

"What do I know about the darkside? There is no darkside. But if you wish for me to elaborate upon the duality given by Jedi and Sith unable to cope with complex reasoning, I shall admit I know that the darkside is the Force used through the rawness of emotion and clouding the focus but unleashing power tapped into the heart of the Force. A person of raw power is unable to cope with the confines of his reality, thus unable to harness extensive abilities and succumbing to chaos. This power can be reached by any Force-user, except for the fact that the perceptions of each individual differ so much and have become so imbedded into duality, that the essential oneness of the Force is overlooked and thus... Jedi cannot access the darkness as easily, neither can the Sith access the light as easily... confined to duality. This is the perception of that which is life, that which is death, that which is but one second, that which is but eternal."
  • Posted On: Aug 11 2003 9:15am
In asking for a direct answer, one was not always expected to receive a straightforward answer. However, fortunate for Arkan, Zeta was rather open-minded over the idea of letting Arkan express his personal views onto him. It was clear that the two Zabraks’ did not see eye to eye on matters of the force, but that was fine, Zeta's presence was not there to argue, it was there to teach.

"I will not bring myself to counter your own views with my own. However, it is something that I will keep in mind. It is a different perspective from my own. It teaches me how far in depth you have gone and been within the force."

Arkan's words seemed to provide a relapse of sorts for Zeta, but it would not set Zeta's teachings adrift too far.

It was very clear to the Sith just how much impressing of the darkside he would be imposing upon Arkan. Some things were best kept at bay. It was most unfortunate for Zeta and obvious that if Zeta expected to teach the other Zabrak anything, he'd have to extend Arkan's beliefs onto himself before he could even reach the point of extenuating his own beliefs onto Arkan.
Posts: 54
  • Posted On: Aug 11 2003 9:35am
Arkan nodded, giving a bit of a smile in Zeta's acceptance of his view. But inside, despite having this sort of understanding, Arkan did not feel any better sharing his perspective of the Force. Something was boring into him, something that occurred to him had been affecting him all along. In truth to himself, Arkan was always so tense that it had become second-nature to him and for some reason, he was able to focus through his tension. But in reality, he was never relieved, never satisfied. The Force had gifted him with much, but in terms of acceptance, that was rare and a joyful moment. Only a moment, though.

As far as Arkan understood, the enforcing quote that isolated him from just giving out his view without being asked is the very point of "that is your opinion, I don't have to agree with it" sort of thing. Arkan's uncle told him that in his younger years and how he hated how much this would be played again and again later on. Depression felt so much better than being without true emotion like he had always been. Arkan was not the happy-camper everyone thought himself to be. He may have had a good character, but within that, there was a very upset core that took being philosophically shut-out by so many people.

"If anything, Zeta," Arkan began, "I'd be glad to die by your blade. Not now, for there is much to learn before I find my purpose as the Force sees fit, but if the time should arrive that I would die... and if it was by your blade... I would willingly accept that. It is more common than any, that people would deny themselves accepting the views of others, fearing of simple being wrong and feeling humility or that they are accustomed to seeing their own view as the sovereign rule, that their own world would tear down because of what may come of the other being right.

"I am not saying you are wrong. I am just glad you are not shutting me out."
And at finish, Arkan allowed a few moments of silence before he sighed.
  • Posted On: Aug 13 2003 8:50am
"Should that day ever come, you will die honorably by my blade."

A spark of recognition formed across Zeta's face as he looked onto his fellow Zabrak. Zeta's gaze was focused while his mind did just the opposite. After only a few silent minutes of diagnosing what he could of Arkan's words, he finally brought himself to speak again.

"... and I accept your views. I will not teach you in chance that you may accept my views. I will teach you because you want to be taught. It is best not to assume anything, some things you must search and see for yourself."

Turning to look away from Arkan, Zeta's gaze fell to the viewport, he nodded toward the window's direction.

"It will not be long now. Are you prepared?"

The question was left rather unfilled, giving not sense of real bases toward anything in particular.

He continued to look outward toward the fast approaching planet as he waited for Arkan's response.
Posts: 54
  • Posted On: Aug 13 2003 11:49am
Likewise looking out through the viewport, Rhen Var was coming up pretty quickly. The trip seemed rather fast compared to his standard time with Revenant. This ship was definitely geared for speed. And upon the ice world, Arkan would establish the feeling of cold and abandon so prevailent in this second life. Where tundra crags were parallels to his lifeline that narrowly missed the scissors of Fate. But likewise did the jutting forms of ice remind him of pieces on a massive game-board, pawns or fate-changers that would ultimately shape his reality and how he would percieve it.

"I openly conform to unpredictability, change, and the belief that there is no preparation except for the ends which you know is definite," Arkan replied to Zeta's question.

The vessel soon delved into the foggy atmosphere, marring their view with clouds and more clouds until scant bits of clarity welcomed them to an unsurprising landscape. Ice plateaus, icy mountain ranges, ice deserts, and all other manifestations of glacial terrain. If anyone would seek a place of isolation, this would be the place to be. Ulic Qel'Droma was the first to live here in solitude and die here redeemed of the darkness.

"We can start immediately when the exit to the cold is made..."
  • Posted On: Aug 18 2003 4:13am
A rather thin appreciative grin stretched across Zeta's lips, finding the other's reply somewhat satisfactory. He was not looking to approve or disapprove Arkan's response, but for some reason the reply he gave made Zeta appreciate him slightly.

"I see," he said simply to his first reply, the vessel mere seconds away from landing.

"... And exactly how do you wish to start, Arkan?"

The Zabrak grew leery with the idea of giving Arkan direct instruction for some reason; he did not think that Arkan would take too well to it. He preferred the idea of allowing Arkan to implement his own ideas while Zeta brought forth his own ideas in synchronization.
Posts: 54
  • Posted On: Aug 18 2003 11:20pm
"Fast and careful," Arkan continued looking out the window, continuing to feel hollow and empty, but covered with knowledge, perception, and understanding. If he were just plain and pure like the snow, that would be so much easier, but being mortal did not grant him that liberty. He was tainted by the closed view of what existed before him and what can only exist, but it was the Force that reminded him there was always something beyond.

Like an inversion of an energy field he knew so well, Arkan focused into himself and slowed the metabolic processes of his entire body while his mind was steadily aware of all that went on around him. The descent was clean and smooth. This vessel of Zeta would do well in stealth, at least that is how it seemed inside.

When the landing gears began to unlock and set down, Arkan let his metabolism return to normal.

"There should be another blizzard in a number of minutes. The moment I step off, I propose we begin lightsaber combat. I've been meaning to test a new method of combat-style and I do not know its effectiveness. Plus, a few pointers in how I fight would help."