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Leverage Cassian AU :Jobs
Jun. 3rd, 2022 06:07 pmIt's been a few weeks and Ibani and Ash have settled in nicely. Which might mean it's time for Cassian to take another job.
Leverage Cassian AU
May. 28th, 2022 08:49 pmAfter this. And This.
But most importantly, after THIS.
Even for someone like Cassian, integrating a fourteen year old experienced killer with what are apparently ACTUAL psychic powers into your life takes some doing. Especially when they're from another universe and REALLY don't exist in any system anywhere on Earth.
Ibani is, at last, fluent enough in English and Spanish, to make the transition to Cassian's Universe. She doesn't care about leaving her robes behind, but the warblade is another story. (At least it won't set off any metal detectors, as it's nonferrous. And, it turns out, Ibani's skill at concealing it in her general vicinity is uncanny.)
But most importantly, after THIS.
Even for someone like Cassian, integrating a fourteen year old experienced killer with what are apparently ACTUAL psychic powers into your life takes some doing. Especially when they're from another universe and REALLY don't exist in any system anywhere on Earth.
Ibani is, at last, fluent enough in English and Spanish, to make the transition to Cassian's Universe. She doesn't care about leaving her robes behind, but the warblade is another story. (At least it won't set off any metal detectors, as it's nonferrous. And, it turns out, Ibani's skill at concealing it in her general vicinity is uncanny.)
OOM: Ghosts of Nar Shaddaa
Jun. 18th, 2021 03:52 pm(OOC: Lines in italics are taken from canon. Warning for genocide and adult content.)
Nar Shaddaa is a city moon, no nature here, nothing but duracrete, durasteel, and neon. The area Ibani has chosen to bring Garyn into it is relatively quiet but the noise and the smell of billions of people is only diminished, not absent.
She puts a hand out toward Garyn, in case he's overwhelmed.
Nar Shaddaa is a city moon, no nature here, nothing but duracrete, durasteel, and neon. The area Ibani has chosen to bring Garyn into it is relatively quiet but the noise and the smell of billions of people is only diminished, not absent.
She puts a hand out toward Garyn, in case he's overwhelmed.
OOM: Mope and Angst AU-All Skate
Oct. 23rd, 2020 02:40 pmIbani's room hasn't changed much since the last time Ben was here, although it is a bit bigger. The room is all warm earth tones and the furniture is minimal, with a clear space in the middle of the room for, say, dancing.
It says safety, comfort, love, and home, in the Force.
Ibani moves to a device by her bed, touches it, and a song begins to play. It starts slowly, two melodies weaving in and out of one another, one more gentle, soothing, the other bright and vibrant.
"It's called Fire and Water, from the opera of the same name. It has its roots in a very old story, the oldest piece of writing ever found in the Sith language."
(OOC: Warning for adult content)
It says safety, comfort, love, and home, in the Force.
Ibani moves to a device by her bed, touches it, and a song begins to play. It starts slowly, two melodies weaving in and out of one another, one more gentle, soothing, the other bright and vibrant.
"It's called Fire and Water, from the opera of the same name. It has its roots in a very old story, the oldest piece of writing ever found in the Sith language."
(OOC: Warning for adult content)
AU: Mope and Angst - Belsavis
Oct. 4th, 2020 03:04 pmIbani stopped being surprised by nasty problems crawling out of the metaphorical woodwork years ago, now they mostly just make her tired.
She comes in from her ship, pondering a drink or company to take her mind off of what she's going to Belsavis to investigate. The planet she was last on 20 years ago when she was actively dying.
She'd like to think the Republic wouldn't have been stupid enough to keep the Dread Masters imprisoned instead of killing them, but she knows better than to underestimate people's stupidity.
(OOC: Warning for adult content and brief body horror. Also, lines in italics and the remark about Treachery being the Sith's endless game are all taken from Ibani's canon.)
She comes in from her ship, pondering a drink or company to take her mind off of what she's going to Belsavis to investigate. The planet she was last on 20 years ago when she was actively dying.
She'd like to think the Republic wouldn't have been stupid enough to keep the Dread Masters imprisoned instead of killing them, but she knows better than to underestimate people's stupidity.
(OOC: Warning for adult content and brief body horror. Also, lines in italics and the remark about Treachery being the Sith's endless game are all taken from Ibani's canon.)
Au: Kid Ibani-Tatooine Era Obi-Wan Kenobi
Sep. 18th, 2020 06:42 pm(OOC: Content warning for mention of torture, harm done by and to children, suicidal ideation and quite possibly suicide attempt.)
Ibani is a fourteen year old Sith Acolyte and her life of pain is written in her body for those who can read it. The scars of a slave collar on her neck, the letters and numbers carved under one eye like a bantha brand, those were only the beginning. She's been shocked regularly with force lightning for years as well as being subjected to more primitive methods of torture, and all have left their mark. Scars from teeth, claws and blades mark her skin, the echoes of broken bones still visible if you look the right way in the Force.
She should be dead, and she might be shortly, despite her struggles. She doesn't know how she got HERE, wherever this hot desert is, instead of the cold desert of Korriban. The gravity is wrong, the temperature is wrong, and while the Force shouted just before she landed here it is strangely silent now. (She might be insane, in which case she should put herself down before she harms anyone, but she's waiting for more evidence on that one way or the other.) She's dying by inches of heat and thirst and she can't push her body any further, even with all the Force tricks she knows.
She crawls on her belly under an overhang of rock, collapses. She can enter a trance, reduce her need for water, but that means that without help she will simply fail to ever wake, will slip away into the Force in death. It's a long shot, but she's worth more alive than dead even to the most nefarious of persons. (She knows better than to expect mercy or kindness from strangers.)
Ibani sinks into the Force, awaiting aid or death.
Ibani is a fourteen year old Sith Acolyte and her life of pain is written in her body for those who can read it. The scars of a slave collar on her neck, the letters and numbers carved under one eye like a bantha brand, those were only the beginning. She's been shocked regularly with force lightning for years as well as being subjected to more primitive methods of torture, and all have left their mark. Scars from teeth, claws and blades mark her skin, the echoes of broken bones still visible if you look the right way in the Force.
She should be dead, and she might be shortly, despite her struggles. She doesn't know how she got HERE, wherever this hot desert is, instead of the cold desert of Korriban. The gravity is wrong, the temperature is wrong, and while the Force shouted just before she landed here it is strangely silent now. (She might be insane, in which case she should put herself down before she harms anyone, but she's waiting for more evidence on that one way or the other.) She's dying by inches of heat and thirst and she can't push her body any further, even with all the Force tricks she knows.
She crawls on her belly under an overhang of rock, collapses. She can enter a trance, reduce her need for water, but that means that without help she will simply fail to ever wake, will slip away into the Force in death. It's a long shot, but she's worth more alive than dead even to the most nefarious of persons. (She knows better than to expect mercy or kindness from strangers.)
Ibani sinks into the Force, awaiting aid or death.
AU: Alderaan
Sep. 6th, 2020 04:07 pmIbani has not only made plans, she's made PLANS, plans for supplies, transport, the ideal location, ideal weather conditions, and several other factors besides.
Excessive for a picnic? Probably. It could even be excessive planning for a picnic that, energy and mood of all participants permitting, might include seduction. Ibani does not care.
Besides, she might as well USE that enormous patch of wilderness that came with the title of Lady Kallig and that nobody's allowed to build structures on for SOMETHING, right?
She's slipped into Milliways in the hopes of finding Ben.
(OOC: Warning for adult content)
Excessive for a picnic? Probably. It could even be excessive planning for a picnic that, energy and mood of all participants permitting, might include seduction. Ibani does not care.
Besides, she might as well USE that enormous patch of wilderness that came with the title of Lady Kallig and that nobody's allowed to build structures on for SOMETHING, right?
She's slipped into Milliways in the hopes of finding Ben.
(OOC: Warning for adult content)
Sometimes you think you've buried the past and then it comes back to bite you. In this case, the buried part was quite literal, although the 'bite' part hasn't happened yet.
Years ago, Ibani caged the spirit of Darth Zash in a Rakata Mind Prison and buried it in the deepest hole on Hoth that she could find. She's been seeing Hoth lately, in her dreams, and she has a bad feeling about what that might mean.
She's hoping she can convince Ben to come to Hoth with her, just in case. She wants backup for this one.
(OOC: Content warnings: violence, torture, sexual threat, adult content)
Years ago, Ibani caged the spirit of Darth Zash in a Rakata Mind Prison and buried it in the deepest hole on Hoth that she could find. She's been seeing Hoth lately, in her dreams, and she has a bad feeling about what that might mean.
She's hoping she can convince Ben to come to Hoth with her, just in case. She wants backup for this one.
(OOC: Content warnings: violence, torture, sexual threat, adult content)
AU: Bar Crawl
Aug. 8th, 2020 08:53 amAfter the events at the Foundry, Ibani felt that both she and Ben desperately needed some R+R. There was much research and questioning of her various contacts, smugglers, pirates, spies, and other such folk for good places to drink and eat on Nar Shaddaa.
She has a list! Although her first plan is to ask Ben where HIS favorite places on Nar Shaddaa were and see if any of them exist in her when, because you never know.
In the interests of blending in, Ibani has gone for the smuggler/pirate look in brown and bright emerald synthleather with a vibroblade strapped on one hip. (She has her lightsabers too, of course, but those are more hidden.)
She has a list! Although her first plan is to ask Ben where HIS favorite places on Nar Shaddaa were and see if any of them exist in her when, because you never know.
In the interests of blending in, Ibani has gone for the smuggler/pirate look in brown and bright emerald synthleather with a vibroblade strapped on one hip. (She has her lightsabers too, of course, but those are more hidden.)
Ibani is at a corner booth in Milliways, examining a tactical map of the Kurost sector of the Mid-Rim, specifically the Nanth'ri system.
She's half in, half out of armor, a look worn by many commanders in many worlds and many times. A look that suggests that the Commander was either interrupted en route to sleep or has given up on it entirely.
She has a small stack of holopads set out on the table, listing various groups and their locations, most of them are crossed out. The two on top are for a Major Bessiker and the Sith Hiran Bessiker, his son.
She'd hoped she would never need to enter the Foundry again, but events have conspired against her.
Her stomach sinks as she recalls what she's fairly sure will be Major Bessiker's last message to her or to anyone, that a group of fanatical Jedi had taken the Foundry. She's checked again and again, and there is no one she can send, no one she can spare.
If she can't find an answer here, she'll be going alone into what the data tells her MUST be a trap.
(OOC: dialogue in italics is taken from/adapted from Ibani's canon.)
She's half in, half out of armor, a look worn by many commanders in many worlds and many times. A look that suggests that the Commander was either interrupted en route to sleep or has given up on it entirely.
She has a small stack of holopads set out on the table, listing various groups and their locations, most of them are crossed out. The two on top are for a Major Bessiker and the Sith Hiran Bessiker, his son.
She'd hoped she would never need to enter the Foundry again, but events have conspired against her.
Her stomach sinks as she recalls what she's fairly sure will be Major Bessiker's last message to her or to anyone, that a group of fanatical Jedi had taken the Foundry. She's checked again and again, and there is no one she can send, no one she can spare.
If she can't find an answer here, she'll be going alone into what the data tells her MUST be a trap.
(OOC: dialogue in italics is taken from/adapted from Ibani's canon.)
Ibani is taking a much needed break at Milliways after a particularly stressful Dark Council meeting.
Herding Sith is, in fact, much more difficult than herding Loth-cats.
She could really use a vacation, but what she has is Milliways!
Herding Sith is, in fact, much more difficult than herding Loth-cats.
She could really use a vacation, but what she has is Milliways!
Ibani and the Jed:
So, there are quite a few Jedi who would have had reason to write down/record stuff about Ibani/Darth Imperious and think fairly favorably of her. (Possibly of the 'oh woe, if only we had gotten to her first she would have been a great Jedi' varieety which would make Ibani roll her eyes, but still.) Whether any of it is still around, how accurate it is, and who has access to it would all be up in the air.
Grand-Master Satele Shan (The Yoda equivalent in Ibani's time period): An ally of Ibani's in dealing with threats against both the Republic and the Empire, also involved in the whole stop the Sith Emperor from devouring all life in the Universe thing. Definitely know her by title, might have figured out that Darth Imperious is Ibani Kallig since she's a pretty savvy lady.
Yadira Ban: Padawan to Satele Shan. Ibani was sent after a target on a ship the Padawan was guarding and beat her up and stole her lightsaber. Although she DID leave her alive, which is rather odd for a Sith.
Quorian Dorjis: A Jedi Knight that Ibani helped on Korriban. He was imprisoned, had his brain stuffed with fake info. Ibani was SUPPOSED to help him escape to spread said falso info, but she told him the truth and risked her life doing so. Definitely knows 'Ibani' might know that Ibani became Darth Imperious.
The Jedi Knight: No set name because it is a player character option. The Jedi Knight's storyline deals heavily with the Sith Emperor, so it would make a LOT of sense for them to have worked together frequently. I can't remember if the Jedi Knight winds up with a seat on the Jedi Council or not.
The Jedi Consular: Also no set name because player character option. Their storyline involves the Emperor only indirectly, but they could still have worked with Ibani. Definitely has a seat on the Jedi Council if I'm remembering correctly.
Palpatine stuff:
Given that he's a Sith history nerd and he ripped off the aesthetics of the Sith Empire era lock stock and barrel, I would be kind of weird if he DIDN'T know a lot about Darth Imperious. Especially since Darth Imperious would have had the whole 'can't die' rumors and killed the Sith Emperor, who achieved what Palpatine is kind of aiming for?
Not sure if it is established in Star Wars canon proper now, but I think the EU used to handwave Palpatine getting away with not being caught for years and years by saying he pulled some kind of Force thing on the entire galaxy that was tied to something powerful underneath the Jedi Temple, if I'm recalling right? Ibani's former master, Darth Zash, used something that VERY much resembled Palpatine's trick, so there's some justification there for Ibani being able to spot/unravel that if needed for plot. The difficulty could be anywhere, even up to 'Ibani dies but it doesn't stick because she still has her Ancestor's ghost bound.'
So, there are quite a few Jedi who would have had reason to write down/record stuff about Ibani/Darth Imperious and think fairly favorably of her. (Possibly of the 'oh woe, if only we had gotten to her first she would have been a great Jedi' varieety which would make Ibani roll her eyes, but still.) Whether any of it is still around, how accurate it is, and who has access to it would all be up in the air.
Grand-Master Satele Shan (The Yoda equivalent in Ibani's time period): An ally of Ibani's in dealing with threats against both the Republic and the Empire, also involved in the whole stop the Sith Emperor from devouring all life in the Universe thing. Definitely know her by title, might have figured out that Darth Imperious is Ibani Kallig since she's a pretty savvy lady.
Yadira Ban: Padawan to Satele Shan. Ibani was sent after a target on a ship the Padawan was guarding and beat her up and stole her lightsaber. Although she DID leave her alive, which is rather odd for a Sith.
Quorian Dorjis: A Jedi Knight that Ibani helped on Korriban. He was imprisoned, had his brain stuffed with fake info. Ibani was SUPPOSED to help him escape to spread said falso info, but she told him the truth and risked her life doing so. Definitely knows 'Ibani' might know that Ibani became Darth Imperious.
The Jedi Knight: No set name because it is a player character option. The Jedi Knight's storyline deals heavily with the Sith Emperor, so it would make a LOT of sense for them to have worked together frequently. I can't remember if the Jedi Knight winds up with a seat on the Jedi Council or not.
The Jedi Consular: Also no set name because player character option. Their storyline involves the Emperor only indirectly, but they could still have worked with Ibani. Definitely has a seat on the Jedi Council if I'm remembering correctly.
Palpatine stuff:
Given that he's a Sith history nerd and he ripped off the aesthetics of the Sith Empire era lock stock and barrel, I would be kind of weird if he DIDN'T know a lot about Darth Imperious. Especially since Darth Imperious would have had the whole 'can't die' rumors and killed the Sith Emperor, who achieved what Palpatine is kind of aiming for?
Not sure if it is established in Star Wars canon proper now, but I think the EU used to handwave Palpatine getting away with not being caught for years and years by saying he pulled some kind of Force thing on the entire galaxy that was tied to something powerful underneath the Jedi Temple, if I'm recalling right? Ibani's former master, Darth Zash, used something that VERY much resembled Palpatine's trick, so there's some justification there for Ibani being able to spot/unravel that if needed for plot. The difficulty could be anywhere, even up to 'Ibani dies but it doesn't stick because she still has her Ancestor's ghost bound.'
Ibani has a mounting headache. Stupid Sith scholars of the past and their need to be damnably clever.
Oh, the LITERAL translation is clear enough, the word is blood, but given the time and cultural context, that has AT LEAST 12 different possible meanings.
"If you weren't already several centuries dead, I'd smack you for being insufferably vague," she mutters at the book as she closes it.
"I need a drink."
Oh, the LITERAL translation is clear enough, the word is blood, but given the time and cultural context, that has AT LEAST 12 different possible meanings.
"If you weren't already several centuries dead, I'd smack you for being insufferably vague," she mutters at the book as she closes it.
"I need a drink."
"Manaan is neutral in the war, and very adamant about it," Ibani explains as they exit. "They're the only ones who know how to make kolto, the predecessor of bacta, and so it's in their best interest to sell to both sides."
"This is the only settlement on the surface, and the only place where visitors are allowed. The tourist industry isn't much, but there is some."
After a certain amount of nagging, I mean encouragement, from her Milliways friends, Ibani has actually added clothes to her wardrobe that aren't some combination of black, gray, or red. It's a green one-piece swimsuit, but that counts as clothing, right?
She offers Obi-wan, or Ben, depending on their location and his preference, an aquata breather. Despite the difference in time, it doesn't look or function that much differently than what he's likely used to other than being a metallic grey in color.
"This is the only settlement on the surface, and the only place where visitors are allowed. The tourist industry isn't much, but there is some."
After a certain amount of nagging, I mean encouragement, from her Milliways friends, Ibani has actually added clothes to her wardrobe that aren't some combination of black, gray, or red. It's a green one-piece swimsuit, but that counts as clothing, right?
She offers Obi-wan, or Ben, depending on their location and his preference, an aquata breather. Despite the difference in time, it doesn't look or function that much differently than what he's likely used to other than being a metallic grey in color.
How do you destroy an enemy that can't die? That had been the question ever since Ibani discovered the terrible truth, that the Sith Emperor intended to devour all life in the galaxy in the belief that it would make him a god. It ended where it began, on Nathema, the first world that the Emperor devoured, and Ibani, now Darth and Dark Lord, has triumphed at last.
The Door opens revealing a world that looks to be made of ash. For those of a Force sensitive nature though, the reveal is much worse. Nathema is a hole, a suppurating WOUND in the Force. A thing that should not be, an abomination that tends to make even those immersed in the Dark Side all their lives want to jibber and claw their own eyes out.
She enters quickly and shuts the door behind her, armored form relaxing as the feeling of Nathema fades.
She takes off the helmet, looking older, in her early thirties.
The Door opens revealing a world that looks to be made of ash. For those of a Force sensitive nature though, the reveal is much worse. Nathema is a hole, a suppurating WOUND in the Force. A thing that should not be, an abomination that tends to make even those immersed in the Dark Side all their lives want to jibber and claw their own eyes out.
She enters quickly and shuts the door behind her, armored form relaxing as the feeling of Nathema fades.
She takes off the helmet, looking older, in her early thirties.
The door from Milliways opens onto Ibani's quarters at the Imperial Citadel on Dromund Cass. "I think Kaal is the one most likely to give you trouble." Ibani explains, sharing the mental image of her apprentice with Garyn. "He's the more aggressive and impulsive of the two. Corrin is more cautious, more hesitant, than her brother."
OOM: Second confrontation with Zash
Mar. 8th, 2020 11:28 amIbani's first confrontation with Darth Zash nearly cost her EVERYTHING.
She has given Garyn as much information about Sith Sorcerers and Darth Zash in particular as she can. He's already in a far better position than most fighters in her world, being familiar with magic and fighting those who wield it. She recommended whatever measures he can take against lighting and magic, as well as whatever else he feels might be useful in a difficult fight.
She's even given him suggestions on fighting her, or at least her body, although she's been deliberately vague about who those particular tactics might apply to. It is technically possible that Zash could have had training as an assassin, after all!
This time, Ibani returns to Milliways in her armor and wearing a grim smile. "Andronikos was successful in finding the artifact I was after, and I've reached Taris."
Her smile turns pleased. "It's an item called a mind prison. Ancient beyond belief, but designed to trap someone's consciousness in an empty white void for eternity, unable to die."
(OOC: Lines in italics are taken from or adapted from Ibani's canon.)
She has given Garyn as much information about Sith Sorcerers and Darth Zash in particular as she can. He's already in a far better position than most fighters in her world, being familiar with magic and fighting those who wield it. She recommended whatever measures he can take against lighting and magic, as well as whatever else he feels might be useful in a difficult fight.
She's even given him suggestions on fighting her, or at least her body, although she's been deliberately vague about who those particular tactics might apply to. It is technically possible that Zash could have had training as an assassin, after all!
This time, Ibani returns to Milliways in her armor and wearing a grim smile. "Andronikos was successful in finding the artifact I was after, and I've reached Taris."
Her smile turns pleased. "It's an item called a mind prison. Ancient beyond belief, but designed to trap someone's consciousness in an empty white void for eternity, unable to die."
(OOC: Lines in italics are taken from or adapted from Ibani's canon.)
OOM: The Ritual of Force Walking
Mar. 7th, 2020 07:11 pmThe temple is just as dark and foreboding as it was when they were here last time.
"Can't imagine why this place isn't more of a tourist attraction," Ibani remarks acidly.
"At least with only two of us I can use force cloak to get past most of the trouble."
Andronikos is investigating another lead on getting rid of Zash off planet, and Khem Val is off the table for this mission for obvious reasons.
(OOC: Lines in italics are taken from/adapted from Ibani's canon.)
"Can't imagine why this place isn't more of a tourist attraction," Ibani remarks acidly.
"At least with only two of us I can use force cloak to get past most of the trouble."
Andronikos is investigating another lead on getting rid of Zash off planet, and Khem Val is off the table for this mission for obvious reasons.
(OOC: Lines in italics are taken from/adapted from Ibani's canon.)
OOM: Confrontation with Zash
Feb. 7th, 2020 09:10 pm(OOC: Words in italics are taken from/adapted from canon. Trigger warning for brief suicidal ideation.)
Ibani approaches the chamber where her ghostly ancestor was laid to rest for the second time in her life, Khem Val at her side. She has the lightsaber Zash gave her visible on her belt and the two lightsabers inherited from her ancestor hidden.
The chamber looks vastly different from the last time Ibani saw it, the various relics she's retrieved set up in scattered locations around the room along with strange glowing structures.
Darth Zash is turned with her back to Ibani as she enters. "Such marvelous power flows from you now. Clear. Strong. You have truly come into your own." Zash pauses a moment, paces, still facing away from Ibani. "I've arranged for you to receive the title of Lord of the Sith. I hope you realize what an honor and responsibility it is."
If Ibani had not already been suspicious of Zash's motives that would done it all by itself. To make her a Lord this soon, ridiculous! And why won't Zash face her, kark it!
"Darth Zash, I am honored, but surprised! To be a Lord already..."
Still facing away, Zash answers "There is still the ritual to undergo. And I'll warn you --the ritual may prove a trying experience. But once it's done, you will be truly great, truly powerful."
"Forgive me, Darth Zash, but, why ME, why not take this power for yourself?" Treachery, treachery, treachery! screams Ibani's life experience thus far.
Zash turns around, and her appearance is utterly changed, the flesh sunken in, aged, her hair white, she looks only a few steps removed from a corpse! Zash's expression is bitter " I'm sorry to have concealed my true appearance from you for so long, but it was such a pleasant vanity to share in your youth."
"I, I don't understand," Ibani replies, shocked. "What's happened to you?"
"Various Force rituals have helped me maintain my appearance and some of my vitality but life fades. I am dying, Apprentice. My will, my intellect, my spirit, are as lively as ever, but this body is dying."
A horrible suspicion begins to dawn in Ibani's mind. "Then, what do you intend to....do, about that?"
"What I have been doing from the beginning, Apprentice. Training you, priming you from the very start. We will accomplish so much once I am in command of that wonderful vessel of yours. Just hold still."
Ibani recoils in revulsion, drawing the red bladed lightsaber that Zash gave her upon taking her as an apprentice. Zash intends to steal her flesh, her identity, her life!
Zash reaches out with one hand and pulls the red bladed lightsaber, loyal to its maker, from her hand. But Ibani had anticipated this. The two purple Kyber sabers roar defiance as they rise up to meet Darth Zash's blades. They clash again and again, neither ever quite managing to get a hit in.
"You can't stop this ritual from happening!" Zash shouts, pushing Ibani back and knocking her over with the Force.
Something happens then, taking Ibani's awareness of the outside world away. She's overwhelmed with a psychic smell of rot and decay that makes her want to gag, and the metaphysical pain of Zash's power trying to tear her soul from her body. She lashes back with her rage, her fear, but it is not enough.
Well then. She reaches deep within, tears open every emotional wound, every scant memory of happiness, makes them real and NOW, feeds the fire of her will with them until she blazes like a star. She burns her very life away, feels her heart skipping beats as she pours out all of her strength against Zash's assault.
She gives EVERYTHING, spares nothing, and she is still not strong enough, can feel Zash getting closer and closer to taking over her body.
'I will destroy this body before I let you have it!' she thinks to herself, but as she goes to turn that power upon herself, to turn her flesh to charred offal, the pressure is suddenly gone!
The first thing she sees is Khem Val, Khem Val who stands between her and Zash, who must have somehow interrupted the attack. Zash's body lies on the floor lifeless.
She feels...she feels nothing. She's hollow, numb. Her heart full of fire is nothing but ash and embers. She can barely sense the Force at all, and that ought to provoke terror but she has no capacity left to feel.
Then, Khem Val speaks. But over the top of his voice is HER voice, Darth Zash's voice! "Apprentice! What have you done to me? Why couldn't you hold still for a few moments longer? Why couldn't you call your monster off?"
Darth Zash has wound up possessing Khem Val instead! She should be horrified, appalled, but there is still nothing but empty numbness.
Darth Zash continues to rant. "Five years of preparation, finding the right person, training them, researching the artifacts, gathering them -- wasted!"
"Are you expecting me to apologize?" Ibani rasps out. "Give me Khem back."
" No, apprentice. It looks like you're stuck with me now. But I wonder how powerful your friend Khem was." Zash attempts to raise Khem's arm to attack....and visibly fails. "That bond, that damn bond! How can your will be stronger than my own? I am the master, not you."
"This is what we call a classic reversal of fortune," Ibani replies.
Then, Khem shakes himself and it is only HIS voice that Ibani hears! "What new kink has insinuated itself into the twisted coils of my unfortunate existence?"
"It seems that when you interrupted the ritual, Darth Zash ended up in your body instead of mine, but she doesn't have complete control."
And then she hears the shouts and footsteps of Imperial soldiers. Darth Thanaton must have suspected Zash was up to something, been waiting to send them in to investigate.
"Time to tell the misleading truth, and hope."
Ibani approaches the chamber where her ghostly ancestor was laid to rest for the second time in her life, Khem Val at her side. She has the lightsaber Zash gave her visible on her belt and the two lightsabers inherited from her ancestor hidden.
The chamber looks vastly different from the last time Ibani saw it, the various relics she's retrieved set up in scattered locations around the room along with strange glowing structures.
Darth Zash is turned with her back to Ibani as she enters. "Such marvelous power flows from you now. Clear. Strong. You have truly come into your own." Zash pauses a moment, paces, still facing away from Ibani. "I've arranged for you to receive the title of Lord of the Sith. I hope you realize what an honor and responsibility it is."
If Ibani had not already been suspicious of Zash's motives that would done it all by itself. To make her a Lord this soon, ridiculous! And why won't Zash face her, kark it!
"Darth Zash, I am honored, but surprised! To be a Lord already..."
Still facing away, Zash answers "There is still the ritual to undergo. And I'll warn you --the ritual may prove a trying experience. But once it's done, you will be truly great, truly powerful."
"Forgive me, Darth Zash, but, why ME, why not take this power for yourself?" Treachery, treachery, treachery! screams Ibani's life experience thus far.
Zash turns around, and her appearance is utterly changed, the flesh sunken in, aged, her hair white, she looks only a few steps removed from a corpse! Zash's expression is bitter " I'm sorry to have concealed my true appearance from you for so long, but it was such a pleasant vanity to share in your youth."
"I, I don't understand," Ibani replies, shocked. "What's happened to you?"
"Various Force rituals have helped me maintain my appearance and some of my vitality but life fades. I am dying, Apprentice. My will, my intellect, my spirit, are as lively as ever, but this body is dying."
A horrible suspicion begins to dawn in Ibani's mind. "Then, what do you intend to....do, about that?"
"What I have been doing from the beginning, Apprentice. Training you, priming you from the very start. We will accomplish so much once I am in command of that wonderful vessel of yours. Just hold still."
Ibani recoils in revulsion, drawing the red bladed lightsaber that Zash gave her upon taking her as an apprentice. Zash intends to steal her flesh, her identity, her life!
Zash reaches out with one hand and pulls the red bladed lightsaber, loyal to its maker, from her hand. But Ibani had anticipated this. The two purple Kyber sabers roar defiance as they rise up to meet Darth Zash's blades. They clash again and again, neither ever quite managing to get a hit in.
"You can't stop this ritual from happening!" Zash shouts, pushing Ibani back and knocking her over with the Force.
Something happens then, taking Ibani's awareness of the outside world away. She's overwhelmed with a psychic smell of rot and decay that makes her want to gag, and the metaphysical pain of Zash's power trying to tear her soul from her body. She lashes back with her rage, her fear, but it is not enough.
Well then. She reaches deep within, tears open every emotional wound, every scant memory of happiness, makes them real and NOW, feeds the fire of her will with them until she blazes like a star. She burns her very life away, feels her heart skipping beats as she pours out all of her strength against Zash's assault.
She gives EVERYTHING, spares nothing, and she is still not strong enough, can feel Zash getting closer and closer to taking over her body.
'I will destroy this body before I let you have it!' she thinks to herself, but as she goes to turn that power upon herself, to turn her flesh to charred offal, the pressure is suddenly gone!
The first thing she sees is Khem Val, Khem Val who stands between her and Zash, who must have somehow interrupted the attack. Zash's body lies on the floor lifeless.
She feels...she feels nothing. She's hollow, numb. Her heart full of fire is nothing but ash and embers. She can barely sense the Force at all, and that ought to provoke terror but she has no capacity left to feel.
Then, Khem Val speaks. But over the top of his voice is HER voice, Darth Zash's voice! "Apprentice! What have you done to me? Why couldn't you hold still for a few moments longer? Why couldn't you call your monster off?"
Darth Zash has wound up possessing Khem Val instead! She should be horrified, appalled, but there is still nothing but empty numbness.
Darth Zash continues to rant. "Five years of preparation, finding the right person, training them, researching the artifacts, gathering them -- wasted!"
"Are you expecting me to apologize?" Ibani rasps out. "Give me Khem back."
" No, apprentice. It looks like you're stuck with me now. But I wonder how powerful your friend Khem was." Zash attempts to raise Khem's arm to attack....and visibly fails. "That bond, that damn bond! How can your will be stronger than my own? I am the master, not you."
"This is what we call a classic reversal of fortune," Ibani replies.
Then, Khem shakes himself and it is only HIS voice that Ibani hears! "What new kink has insinuated itself into the twisted coils of my unfortunate existence?"
"It seems that when you interrupted the ritual, Darth Zash ended up in your body instead of mine, but she doesn't have complete control."
And then she hears the shouts and footsteps of Imperial soldiers. Darth Thanaton must have suspected Zash was up to something, been waiting to send them in to investigate.
"Time to tell the misleading truth, and hope."
IM/OOM :Kyber
Nov. 11th, 2017 07:01 pmWhen Ibani comes into Milliways this time, she's carrying a case about as long and as wide as her forearm. There's a strange aura around it, a dampening, a muffling of the Force. One lock is open, the other....Ibani wants Baze and Chirrut to be there for that.
If it's what she thinks it is, if there really ARE kyber crystals in the case, then the two Guardians ought to be there.
If it's what she thinks it is, if there really ARE kyber crystals in the case, then the two Guardians ought to be there.
