A Night At A Cantina

Superior Nighthawk · A Night At A Cantina

Vala was sitting at a cantina as the sun was setting. She was bored. There's weren't too many people in the cantina at the moment. A droid came her way but she didn't want anything right now and waved the droid away. Vala's thoughts soon fell on her father, Michael Nighthawk.

((Just for visual clarification, this is Vala's father: ))

Vala remembered him teaching her about the Sith. Up until that day her father told her to kill an innocent child, Vala was a good girl. She had a warm heart and wouldn't even think of harming another living thing. Those easy-going days were gone now. After she had murdered that child, Vala's heart had grown cold. Over the years, she grew more fearless of killing as her father's teachings went on.

Snapping back to reality. Vala shook her head and buried her head in her hands.

High Defender Adenn

"Memories. They can either be a great hindrance, or a great strength. Depending on how you choose to use them." The High Protector said as he walked by. He had noticed her there, but didn't really pay much mind as he sat only a few tables away and ordered a drink. It had been a while sense he had been in a Cantina, but the situation that had happened with the Guard that morning had warranted a drink.

Superior Nighthawk

After hearing Adenn, Vala turned and looked at him.
"I thought for a long time that my father loved me. Then one night he showed me a side of him that forever changed me." She got up and walked over to his table. "He was verbally and physically abusive that night. I learned he was a former Sith though he never said where or who he learned it all from. He beat me until I finally got mad and tried to attack him. It was... not pleasant. He does still live to this day though."

High Prophet Crozeus

"And how do you feel about that?" A voice whispered. Prophet Crozeus had been watching for some time, using his skill in the particular area of the Force to read people. He was dressed unusually in a white tunic, with no cloak. He had said he would watch this one carefully, and that was what he was doing. "Do you regret that your father is alive?"

Superior Nighthawk

Vala stayed silent for a moment as she recalled the anger in her father's eyes.

"Yes. If I was to see him again I'd go straight for his throat. I wouldn't even bother exchanging greetings with him." She paused. "I remember him telling me to never apologize for anything. He said that forgivness was weakness."

High Prophet Crozeus

"He was not wrong... but neither is he right." Crozeus replied. "Sometimes, forgiving someone makes you stronger, bear that in mind."

In his mind he was already delving into the Force, planning and figuring out possible outcomes, the Force washing over him.

"Do you want to find him?" He asked.

Superior Nighthawk

"Find him? That would end up with either me or him dying at the hands of the other. If I was to go back to Malastare and try talking to him, he would consider me weak and I hate to be called weak." She made the word 'hate' stand out. "My only option would be for me to kill him and I'm only an apprentice. What harm could I do to my father? He knows more than I do."

High Mage Serratus

Suddenly there was an explosion of noise as a large Chistori crashed through the wall of the cantina. No sooner had the purple-skinned bounty hunter hit the ground than he was raised again by an unseen hand. As he drifted slowly back out the hole, he let out an unholy scream of terror.

Thirty seconds later, High Mage Serratus walked in the hole. At first everyone was speechless, but then a waitress spoke up.

"You have something on your vizor."

Serratus picked the small piece of purple Chistori flesh from his vizor. After examining it briefly, he tossed it on to a nearby frying pan where it sizzled satisfyingly. Only then did Serratus notice his fellow Sith, Darths Crozeus and Adenn, and the Emperor's apprentice, Vala Nighthawk.

"Have I interrupted something?"

Superior Nighthawk

Upon hearing the explosion Vala ignited both her sabers and at the same time, turned toward the sound. After Serratus spoke Vala put her sabers away. Talking about her father always got her riled up. She was thinking of apologizing for her behavior but held her tongue.

"You made quite an entrance Serratus. What was that about?" She asked.

High Mage Serratus

Serratus brushed a little debris of his shoulder before answering Vala.

"An old acquaintance from my bounty hunting days. We were both hired to do the same job, with double the bounty if we killed the other. I bested him but was honourable enough to spare his life. Apparently, he felt he was denied a warrior's death and when I was getting a drink here in the cantina earlier, he saw my face. When I left, he followed me out and tried to avenge his...lack of death. Needless to say, it wasn't much of a fight. I'd like to say he got a hero's death but..."

Serratus looked out the hole again.

"...without getting too graphic, let's say he died more like a fruit smoothie."

Serratus turned to the chef who was no longer cooking but staring at the sizzling Chistori flesh with a horrified expression. Serratus rolled his eyes.

"Man up."

He reached into the frying pan, slid back his vizor and popped the purple meat into his mouth.

"A bit overdone."

The vizor snapped back down.

Superior Nighthawk

"Right." Vala said before turning back to Crozeus and Adenn. "I'm still not quite sure about going to Malastare. How exactly could an apprentice like me take down a former Sith Lord like my father?"

High Prophet Crozeus

"Still doing bounties, High Mage? Surely you don't have the time?" Crozeus grinned before returning his attention to Vala. Of course, he had known that Serratus was coming, having detected his Force signature, and he had known he was in combat with another. He didn't even react when they came in.

"Vala, you are incredibly strong in the Force, and I'm not just saying that. If he is as powerful as you seem to make out, we would have eliminated him long ago." He frowned, thinking hard. "Perhaps, if you see it fit, I could accompany you. It's been a while since I've had an adventure."

High Inquisitor Gra'tua

The Nautolan High Inquisitor had been sitting at the bar for some time, he had been reading over periodicals and enjoying a few ales. As the three that were conversing behind him became four, with a rather gruesome entrance on Serratus's part, he turned and offered his two cents. "How about this youngling." He said in his reptilian accent, "You build yourself here and face him later. Stop complaining about being to weak, you only make yourself seem so as well." After that he turned back and continued studying the pages in front of him.

High Defender Adenn

"Ah, the High Mage. Your entrance, shows lack of discipline. Nothing of this sort would ever happen in the Guard. Not twice anyways." The High Protector said as he continued to sit there, his vision catching a familiar image. "Ah, High Inquisitor Gra'tua, we haven't seen you in a long while." After his greeting his gaze shifted yet again to Vala. "What the High Inquisitor says is true. You are learning from the best, be a sponge and soak it all in. One can only be blessed to be under the apprenticeship of the Emperor."

Superior Nighthawk

Vala nodded at Adenn to show she understood.
The Royal Guard is supposed to protect people. Not kill them. She thought to herself.

Vala didn't actually mind killing enemies but she wasn't about to take it to the point where her desire to kill would over come her. She had control over that. The only way she would kill is if she was ordered to.

Vala suddenly felt a presence in the force.
"Emperor's back." She said.

High Mage Serratus

Serratus rolled his eyes at Adenn. He found the one-way vizor to be very helpful at times.

Perhaps that is because the Mages aren't glorified doormen. he thought to himself, shielding his mind carefully. He wasn't particularly afraid of Adenn but it wouldn't do well for there to be conflict between himself and the High Protector. Vala's statment made Serratus frown.

"The Emperor, young Nighthawk. Show his exalted position the proper respect."

Superior Nighthawk

Vala merely smirked. "I know. I was just surprised by his presence. I ment no disrespect toward him."

High Prophet Crozeus

"He is a wonderful leader, and you are truly lucky to have him train you. Look who his last apprentice ended up as? The Grand Mage."

Crozeus finished his drink and sat back, enjoying the conversation. It seemed all the Orders were congregated, save for a Military official - their only presence was a group of off-duty troops at a table.

Superior Nighthawk

Vala's eyebrows raised. "Aequitas? Wow."

High Mage Serratus

Serratus smirked too.

"Aye. And Lord Aequitas's apprentices would go on to be the Guard's Director of Covert Ops and the High Mage. It is almost a domino effect."

High Inquisitor Gra'tua

Gra'tua had folded his papers and placed them in his cloak before turning to the small group once more. "Aye, there are more beings than Aequitas that were trained by the Emporer, not all of them make it so high of course. I myself have only made it to High Inquisitor." He said calmly as he studied the group with shifting eyes. He took everything in now. The movement of bodies, the tone of voices. Everything could be a clue, but what would these clues lead to? Probably nothing, but the mind of the Inquisitor never stopped ticking.

High Prophet Crozeus

Crozeus frowned, he had not known this. "High Inquisitor, you were trained by the Emperor? I didn't know."

High Mage Serratus

Serratus frowned also.

"Nor I."

High Inquisitor Gra'tua

The Nautolan nodded slowly, his head-tails falling slightly forward. "Yes, I was trained first by our Emperor. Then Darth Lithium and last Lord Marix. I have had many Masters, all of which I have gained valuable knowledge. However, I believe I have learned more from our Emperor than any of them." Gra'tua's eyes shifted two the mask of Serratus and to the face of Crozeus. As the Inquisitor's eyes looked to Serratus he pondered for only a moment before speaking. "Why would you frown Crozues? And as for Serratus, I can only assume from your tone that you have done the same. Why?" He asked Inquisitively as he picked up another ale from the bar and took a small swig.

High Prophet Crozeus

"It just came as a surprise to me, that's all." Crozeus replied honestly. "I assumed that the Supreme Commander had been your only Master. You were lucky to have three great Sith teaching you. It is a shame Darth Lithium is no longer with us."

High Mage Serratus

Serratus motioned towards Crozeus.

"My reasons are the very same."

High Inquisitor Gra'tua

Gra'tua had shaken his head before looking back to the prophet. "Aye, they are all great. However, if I am able to see Darth Lithium again, I believe I will attempt to end his life. I believe he will do the same to me." Gra'tua took another drink of the ale and placed it back on the bar. "When I left his tutalidge, he called me something that I can not recall, but I am sure it was under the same thing as a Traitor. I can not be certain, but as a student, I must surpass my Master and end his life. That is only fair right?"

High Prophet Crozeus

Crozeus nodded solemnly. "True, but that is more of the Rule of Two. I surpassed my Master, but I consider him a close friend and ally."

High Inquisitor Gra'tua

Gra'tua nodded, one of his head-tails fell forward and he began to speak. "Yes, I understand. However, he has threatened my life and insulted me. I looked down upon that, as I am always respectful." He said calmly as he stood and turned to leave. "Remember, do not hold Sith to close, after all, we are bred on betrayal." As he finished he turned and left the Cantina, though through the door.

Superior Nighthawk

Vala was enjoying listening to the conversation. She suddenly got to thinking.
I wonder what would happen if my father was to suddenly show up? Vala thought about this. It probably wouldn't go well. Vala figured she'd end up with bruises and cuts, but what about the Sith around her watching? She wondered this.

High Defender Adenn

"I have always found the respectful ways of the High Inquisitor rather refreshing. Which is more then I can say for the High Mage." Adenn had no problem voicing his disapproval of others, he rather relished their reactions. "And we are not glorified door men, and next time you think so, I would much like to settle this in the dojo, or have a chat with the Grand Mage. Or rather I can arrange a meeting with Shadow Protector Tarna, and see if he agrees with your opinion." Adenn said, Serratus's attempt at shielding his thoughts, though valiant, did not hold up to Adenn's honed ability.

"And Vala, if you wish to learn more of the Guard, feel free to contact me. But for now, I must return to 'Guarding the doors of the Empire'." Adenn said in a sarcastic tone.

Superior Nighthawk

Vala nodded at Adenn.

"Well it's been a most interesting conversation boys but I need to get back to the Emperor... but first I think I'll order a Liquid Galaxies. I hear their really good." Vala walked up to the counter and bought a bottle of Liquid Galaxies then left the building to find the Emperor.

High Mage Serratus

Serratus rolled his eyes once more.

"I too shall take my leave. I have work to do on Tatooine. Crozeus, I trust you are still visiting?"

High Prophet Crozeus

"Well, if you all are going, I suppose I better return to my duties." Crozeus stood and stretched, taking the time to shake the hands of the other Sith. Serratus asked him a question and he replied "Of course", before walking out, heading for the Chapter. Work never ended.