Lulaire took a sip of her tea while she waited for the arrival of Cole. She wore her oversized sweater and sweatpants, it was still morning and Lula was still not used to the climate of Kasiya. Her fingers were bothering her from the crisp morning air so she set the hot tea down on the table for a moment, pulled the sleeves closer to her hands and picked up the hot tea as she sighed.
It took her a moment to find Hector because he was not who she met one year ago at the underground hanger where Ricmore’s Regal Repository was. Yet, Hector was indeed, Hector, and it took her a moment to figure that out before they discussed their payments.
And now Hector has two IOUs on Lulaire. Along with the discovery that the two of them both knew Cole Farrow. She does not know Hector’s and Cole’s relationship, simply that he had his comm and was the one that set up this meeting.
-# <@476595775187451913> <@1382824894877794314>
Hector Von Ricmore was occupied with his thoughts. Something which seemed to happen quite often as of late. It had been some time since he had seen Cole in person, and he had recently met with Lulaire prior the this gathering.
Kasiya was still largely unfamiliar territory. The cool morning air was alien to him, he spent much of his time in the blistering deserts of Vizsla space or the carefuly controlled climate of Arx. He wore a grey comfortable pair of casual pants and long sleeve shirt, with a heavy cloak pooled over his person. His boots remained motionless on the floor as he awaited the arrival of Cole.
Cole. The subject and reason for this occasion. Lulaire and Hector had discovered some rather upsetting news via his psychometric abilities; Cole had assisted the notorious Sith Chiss Anders in slaying Jedi. Truth be told, it wasn’t the act that bothered Hector. Force Users seemed to keep crawling out of the woods these days, and people claiming to be Jedi came in a wide variety of moralities. It was the person Cole assisted that set Hector on edge.
Anders. The man who murdered a dear friend, Appius Wight.
Everything the man did was calculated. There was no doubt that the death of these Jedi suited his purposes, helping him to grow in power and pursue his goals.
Anders was powerful enough. No matter how he tried Hector had proven unable to overcome the man in the past.
It was INFURIATING.
But now was not the time for such anger. Now was the time for questions. Cole held rather lofty morals for a hired gun. And things were never what they seemed on the surface when it came to the machinations of Anders. So Hector was willing to attend the meeting with Lulaire, to hear what Cole had to say, before he cast judgement.
It hadn’t taken long to adjust the Kasiya for Cole. The weather was nicer than Selen and his home planet, offering cooler mornings that weren’t freezing and wouldnt immediately turn to meltingly hot air. It was new but in one the Human was quickly adapting to. He wore his usual garb, unsure of why Hector had wanted to meet up and prepared for a normal day alone.
He was still armed. Of course Cole was. A hidden pistol and knife were tucked beneath his jacket, only a watchful eye would see the crease of his shirt below.
He stepped into the café.
Strangely, there was no one who truly appeared to be Hector present. Stranger than that, the Jedi farm girl Lulaire was sat behind the man who somewhat represented his friend.
And she was looking at him.
Prickles ran up Cole’s spine. This had been some form of set up. For what, impossible to tell just yet, but his guard went up with practiced ease. Any relaxation drained from his gait, leaving behind the emotionless mask Cole so often occupied.
Within a few minutes, his coffee was ordered, gathered and Cole sat at the table.
Looking closer this was Hector. That didnt really help, somehow.
“So this isnt a catch up.” He stated with a measured tone.
-# <@476595775187451913> <@216702440140046336>
Lulaire gave Cole a friendly smile, despite it all.
“I reckon that be dependin’ on how y'all feel after this meetin’. I have other priorities after this.” Lula shifted her weight as she placed her tea back on the table before reaching over to her shoulder bag and getting out a white cowl and set it in the middle of the table.
“I tried to contact one of the conclaves. When there was no answer, I went to them along with a friend of mine. At Ahch-To. I found this,” she started as she unwrapped the cowl and it was a stim. Now to Cole, it could be any random stim but he would be smart enough to figure out that this stim was found at a conclave.
“I dunno for Hector’s reasonin’ to be here, but I know mine. I wanted to hear from you to why you aided Anderson to take down a conclave? Have they done something to invoke him or you?”
-# <@476595775187451913> <@1382824894877794314>
Hector looked silently at Cole as he awaited the response to Lulaire’s inquiry. He couldn’t get a read on what the mercenary was thinking.
‘Truly a professional.’ Hector mused to himself.
The Clawdite could potentially make use of the Force to glimpse into Cole’s mind, but such a thing was unneeded at the moment. There was certainly risk that he would be caught doing so; he wouldn’t put it past the subject of the meeting to have trained against even subtle mental intrusions. More importantly, it was quite rude. Hector considered Cole a friend and was more than willing to wait for the man to explain himself.
What had Anders gotten him into?
Well. He wasn’t at fault if they found out themselves. It was a dumb mistake, leaving a stim behind but any grenade remnant in the right hands could have the same results. He hadn’t been thinking straight. He hadn’t slept more than two hours at a time for days after that damn mission.
Anderson was a karking idiot as well.
Cole sipped his coffee, buying time. There was some information he could allow them to glean. He felt bad, doing this to the woman who’d saved his life. Lulaire had seen him half dead, paranoid and reactive, she’d seen him existing calmly in a relaxed situation and now she was seeing him in his true state. At work, emotionless and in control.
“I believe their mere existence becoming known to him invoked him. He’s a fool for allowing his rage to lead him, though I didn’t know what issue he had until after we were there. We work in parrelel, he asked me to be there to help. I assume that isn’t all.”
Lulaire covered the stim and placed it back into her bag, there was no need to have such a thing out in the open. She leaned back in her chair as she held her tea with one of her hand. Her smile had disappeared but she wasn’t showing any negative nor positive emotions.
“Anger does make one illogical,” she glanced to their surroundings. Just watching people as a way to gather her thoughts. Lulaire always liked to watch the world around her. Evolving. Growing. Learning.
It was Anderson rage that had lead him to attack the conclave, but why? What was the point of the rage? Was it the same rage that attacked the Iridian’s Conclave thirteen years ago? Does he despite Jedis that much? Lulaire herself had some disagreement with some Jedi’s teaching but none was the same, just like how Siths were not the same.
And yet, she found herself constantly uncomfortable around dark side users. She gave herself a moment to let Hector ask questions as well.
-# <@1382824894877794314> <@476595775187451913>
Anderson, the calm and composed Sith, filled with irrational anger?
Now that was a bizarre and intriguing thought. If this group was truly able to unbalance Anders to such a degree then it may be something they could use against him. To predict his movements if nothing else.
Hector met Cole’s eyes directly.
“Cole. Were there any survivors from this group? Any objects that survived the assault? Or perhaps other beings connected to the group that you think Anders may target?” Hector paused a moment before continuing.
“This could be an opportunity to learn more about Anders. He wields immense political and personal power. Far too much to run around unchecked. What you know could be key to preserving stability in Brotherhood space.”
Stability? Cole considered carefully, meeting Hector’s eye for a moment before utilising the coffee again, breaking the gaze.
“He is kept in check by the Brotherhood.” Was the eventual statement. “You have the answers to the first two questions yourself, presumably. The third, I don’t know.”
There was another long pause, before Cole shook his head. “Any additional information I give you puts me in danger, Hector. Usually I wouldn’t care but it wouldn’t just be me.”
Fear for one’s safety was an understandable motive for keeping silent. A fear that Hector knew well. But he couldn’t agree with everything Cole said.
“Kept in check by the Brotherhood? No. No, the Brotherhood does not act to keep its membership in check outside of truly dire circumstances. Too many enemies, too many war fronts. Clan conflicts are less frequent but they still happen. And Anders has far too much guile to be placed in a position where the Brotherhood feels the need to keep him in check.”
“Don’t put yourself at risk, but give me something to work with here. A scrap of clothing, the place you landed, something. My Psychometry can do the rest.”
It would be a hard sell. He had to appeal to Cole’s morality and his desire to stay safe.
“Cole. You know Anders. When he acts people suffer and die. How long will it be until you or someone you care for is swept up in his madness?”
Cole pointed at Lulaire.
“That stim was on the island we fought at. Your answer is sitting next to you for leads if you simply need to visit the location.” He didn’t visibly react, though… It wasn’t like he hadn’t already experienced Anders’ wrath. Yet… “This isn’t some random rampage, Hector. Looking too closely at this, he will kill you. Both of you.”
Afterall, this wasn’t a hunting predator but a man protecting his child. In the stupidest way possible that would likely upturn itself on him. Just as it already was.
Lulaire said nothing. She continued to watch the people walk by. Or creatures. She took another sip of her tea.
She already knew Anderson was dangerous and out of her league. It’s why she did nothing for the past year when she found out that it was him that killed her twin sister. She knew she wasn’t ready.
And it was also why she never investigated thirteen years ago or had done nothing since until Matielda visited her a year ago and that prompt her to meet Hector for the first time. Yet, discovering the killer, Lulaire had made no move for revenge.
Unlike Master Trellis who went obsessive and tried to find out who did it for all those years. Only to be killed. Was it because Trellis had found out who did it and Anderson wish to silence him? No. Trellis was a fool in his own ways but he would not had risked his padawans in such a horrible way if he reached out to Anderson.
She took in a deep breath and let out a heavy sigh, her shoulders followed. The way Hector talked, she was now worried that Hector may have some kind of fixation on Anderson, just like Trellis. At least Naluti and herself had already messaged the other Jedi conclaves to be on watch and constant check ins.
Indeed, the Sith may be the one that brings her downfall, but he had to be stopped.
Bright orange eyes glanced over to Cole when he pointed at her.
“There’s no survivors from the Ahch-To conclave.” She then looked over to Hector. “They made sure of that. But the- conclaves, as you know, was are pieces of branch from a massive tree. There’s other branches and I’m more worried for them. I am just trying to figure out why Anderson is after them. I was part of the conclave that Anderson had destroyed thirteen years ago, the Iridonia Conclave.” It was weird talking about this to others. Hector and Cole already knew that she has the Force but all those decades of hiding it, she was still cautious.
-# <@476595775187451913> <@1382824894877794314>
Concern flashed, for a brief moment, through Cole’s expression. A break in that mask that was rectified on instinct.
Lulaire saved his life. Anderson would kill her if he learned of her existence.
That, complicated everything to an insane degree. But, he waited to see how Hector responded, using the time to process.
Hector sat in stunned silence. A survivor of a previously destroyed conclave. Yes, that would explain Lulaire’s interest. Such a discovery provided potential opportunity…and plenty of danger.
“With the location of where the stim came from I’m sure I can find out more. I have ways to discover what is hidden, ways beyond even my psychometry. Forgive me if I refuse to say anymore, I fear tipping off Anders if he gleans the information from your mind.”
With that said he reached over, grabbing a jar of sugar. His hand brushed against Cole as he reached across the table. A surge of emotions and images overwhelmed his mind, before a star map crystallized in his mind’s eye. He knew where Cole had gone. Lulaire and he could travel later on, after things had calmed down and a visit became less risky.
“My apologies Cole. I recently had my cybernetics updated and am still getting used to the different range of motion.” Hector lied.
It was the best kind of lie, the one with a large amount of truth sprinkled in. The Clawdite had recently gone through a cybernetic overhaul, but he had long since finished the physical therapy required. While not yet at his best, he wasn’t nearly as clumsy as he pretended to be.
Cole jerked back at the contact, not reacting quickly enough to a friend’s approach to dodge it but even still, the man never particularly liked unexpected touch. Espeically not when the person then proceeded to lie through his teeth at him.
Icy blue eyes bored into Hector’s for a few scant moments before he sighed.
“How much of my life would have been easier if I could have cheated through every damn investigation by just touching people.” The man muttered, before sipping his caf again. He was notably irritated, even in expression, “Do you both have everything you needed?”
An awkward silence settled over the table.
“It does seem like psychometry would make things easier for you doesn’t it?” Hector eventually bit out.
“Quite appealing on a surface level. Easier to find information. Less conflict. No need for barbarity like torture. But then there is what they don’t tell you about. What happens when you take too much? Who we are as individuals is based on our memories; our recollections of interactions with others and the galaxy around us.”
“Tell me Cole. What do you do when you have more memories than years lived? Technology and the Force only go so far…the mind demands I remember. How many times has the Brotherhood gone to war? How many battlefields littered with memories waiting to be stored via a touch? How many desperate, terrified, lives consumed with fear and snuffed out in service of an energy that urges us to butcher one another?”
He took a moment to catch his breath.
“What do you do when you look in a mirror and see a hundred faces staring back at you?”
“Id assume the same thing you do when you look into the mirror and see the faces of every person you’ve tortured and executed standing behind you. When you look down and your mind reminds you how much blood stains your hands.” Cole answered, slowly, each word a considered measure being added, “Turn away. The life I’ve led, the life you lead, we dont get a choice about being haunted by memories, or death. I’m sure neither is better than the other, though I imagine I’d handle it the same.”
Every body counted is another thread unraveled from the mind. Cole had told Zuza as much once, he stood by it still.
Hector made his choice and now he has to learn that action has consequences and Lulaire had no intention to interfere. This made her think further of how to stop Anderson. She has no intention of killing him unless she must but even approaching the Chiss could have shifted the paths to a worse place. Or better.
Psychometry was a gift - or curse depends who you talk to - that Lulaire never had. Matielda was the one with the Farsight and she hated it. How many nights did Lulaire crawl into Matielda’s bed to comfort her when Matielda was having bad ‘dreams’? Being young as she was, she could only do so much until they were sent off to the conclave after negotiating with the Iridonian Jedi’s. The girls were return home now and then and then once trained up the best of their ability, they were to make decision what to do next. Her family gave the twins choices and fought for it because the Jedis did not like that idea at first.
Lulaire was trained up fast and she had no gifts that required for her to stay so she was able to go home while Matielda had to stay.
Small choices like that has big impact.
She doesn’t make any eye contact as she took another sip, listening.
And I wonder, with them being haunted for different and similar reasons, how tainted will they let their heart be before they can finally heal? If ever.
Not that she was the one to talk. She was only reminded why she never wanted a family. Or get close to anyone. Her home was empty and she intended to keep it that way. Her heart twisted as she looked solemn for a moment when she remember she made a possible newfound friend at the bar and now…
Maybe she should not be at the cookout. Her thumbs brushed the sides of her cup.
She could interject but she decided to let them talk it out. They needed it.
A soft chime distracted Lulaire as she leaned back and took the datapad out of her pocket. It got caught at her pocket but she managed to pull it out to only be bumped by a waitress that was trying to walk by their table and she lost her grip on the datapad.
She cringed as it landed facedown. On the floor.
Again.
She leaned over and picked it up to see her screen was severely cracked. At least she has more at home and had learn how to transfer data like a pro thanks to Zig.
Speaking of… she had a message from Zig. Carefully, she placed the fragile datapad on the table and was gentle to not have any glass shards on her fingertips. While it was hard to see the images, she recognized them right away.
Butterflies fluttered in her stomach as she felt her cheeks grow warm. This caused her brows to furrowed in confusion. She had seen images before, but none had elicted such an emotion from her.
This is too dangerous. She quickly pushed the off button and wrapped the broken datapad with the handkerchief and put it back into her oversized sweater pocket.
Hector watched the show of clumsiness with some amusement. A bit of levity was something that the group could use right now. They had the information they needed from Cole. And the reptillian humanoid hoped he had not burned that bridge by using psychometry on the human without his consent.
“My apologies for the unsanctioned use of psychometry Cole. It was necessary but still quite rude.”
He stood and tossed a couple of credits on the table to pay for the beverages.
“I’m afraid that I have to run, there is an urgent matter with a shipment I’ve purchased that I need to attend to. It was a pleasure seeing you both once again.”
Lula gave Hector a friendly smile with a nod.
“Take care.” Once Hector was gone, Lula remained seated and sipped her tea. She had a few more hours to kill. She had a feeling that Hector may contact her soon to go with him to the island.
Or since he used psychometry on Cole, perhaps not.
-# <@1382824894877794314> <@476595775187451913>
Cole nodded to Hector.
“Maybe under better circumstances next time.”
Then, it was just him and Lulaire. Cole sipped on his coffee. There was no way he could share the knowledge he had. The pieces hed clicked together, not without risking so much. Yet, hed have died in that damn jungle without Lulaire sticking through his paranoia fuelled freak out.
“Be careful.” Cole started, bluntly as he ever was but meeting her gaze. “And consider how much you need those answers. Theres few who can speak reason to him, and fewer than that who’d survive it if he decides he didnt like it.”
He looked down at the coffee, the glass almost empty. It failed to energize him and his mask remained firmly in place, his heart held a step back away from his tongue. “I won’t help him again, if he asks me to target another conclave. That much I’ll do for you.”
Lulaire suspected that Cole knew the answer or at least, had an idea of it. And she understood why he hasn’t told them. Everything happens for a reason.
At first when he warned her to be cautious, she wasn’t sure if he meant with Anderson or Hector. While her and Hector share a similar goal, she wasn’t comfortable around with the man. He was playing with the unnatural and unknowns and it doesn’t sit right with her.
Then he continued. Ah. Anderson. Lulaire was honestly okay not having answers. After all, she didn’t seek out to find out who was Matie’s and Iriodian Conclave’s killer until it was time for her to find out for twelve years.
However, Anderson needed to be stopped.
“I can live without answers, but I cannot abide while he’s going around and killing members of the conclave. And thank you.” The corner of her lip did a half-hearted smile, relieved to know that Cole won’t help the Sith again to mass murder another conclave.
Cole nodded, a half given motion that hesitated in the midst. Was this guilt? He didnt really care for their lives, yet it had hurt her. It was conflicting, poking at the back of his neck.
“I may be able to discourage it as well. Ill try, at least.”
The damn fool was bringing the very thing he intended to avoid to his own doorstep. Draca would almost certainly find out, especially with this occurring behind the curtains.
Cole finished his drink, considering for a short moment before beginning to stand up.
“Well, you be a smart man but I will say this. If it’s too dangerous to try reason with a Sith, you don’t need to.” Lulaire wanted to be sure to point that out. There was a reason why he was being cautious and she could not blame him.
And she didn’t want him to do something out of the way for her either.
Once he was out of sight, Lulaire sighed softly and stared at her datapad for a moment while taking sips of her tea. When it was empty, she gathered up the cups and placed them in the proper bin, thanked the staff, and headed out. Time to go home, get a new datapad from Grymiir, and start her chores at the farm.
“Mr. Ricmore, I hope this message reaches you well. My name is Evelyn Wyvern. I work for the Envoy Corps and found your name under the system in regards to connection with alchemy and magick. I wish for us to schedule a meeting because I have some questions.
Thank you for your time, Evelyn Wyvern.”
Evelyn looked at the message with amusement. The staff still haven’t added her marriage last name yet. She sent the message as she reached over and signed out of the main database. She figured with Hector having worked under Anders before, there was a high chance that the two get along or even tolerate each other.
However, she was reminded about how Anders treated Cole and the rumors around Anders new work place. With a soft sigh, she rolled her shoulders back, not realizing she was tensing them and glanced around the empty room. There had been no progress on finding her someone to learn about magick. Her development with the Force abilities have been good but her magick abilities was lacking.
She can hope that Hector wasn’t another dead end or can at least, point her in the right direction.
-# <@476595775187451913>
How very curious.
Hector Von Ricmore sat aboard his ship, the Guiding Flame. He had received quite a strange request via a message he read at his terminal. Force Alchemy seemed to pertain to almost anything these days, so he was not surprised to see himself listed as being knowledgeable by the Envoy Corps. But Magick? That implied Nightsister knowledge and rituals. Something which Hector truthfully knew little about. It would be far wiser to speak with Zykl or that woman in Naga Sadow…what was her name again? Aisha maybe?
He was getting sidetracked. The reason for the message was something that he could learn when conversing with this Evelyn. There was no need to be rude and keep her waiting any longer.
“A pleasure to make your acquaintance. I received your message with no difficulty.
Might I call you Evelyn? Regardless, I will be available to meet in a fortnight, galactic standard time. Any time before then I will be busy with a variety of repairs and trade deals.
On the subject of Magick. I am far from the most knowledgeable on the subject in the Brotherhood. However I do maintain a small library aboard my vessel that I am willing to grant you access to as long as I am nearby. While many of the holobooks I keep are copies, there are a few originals that I am loath to allow access to without supervision due to their fragile nature. I would also be willing to make use of my credentials to acquire some books from the Brotherhood Academy on loan if they are required.
I look forward to your response and hope to answer any questions that you may have. An inquisitive mind is an interesting mind, keep nurturing your willingness to learn.
Sincerely,
Hector Von Ricmore.”
The reptilian Force user sent the reply and allowed a small smile to cross his face. He was reminded of the lightsaber skills convention from several months ago, an enjoyable experience. He looked forward to the opportunity to teach once again. Perhaps he had found his calling.
Evelyn was glad that Mr. Ricmore was one of the people that actually responded back to messages.
How many commessages had she sent out and there was no response?
And her husband was guilty of it too. Granted, he’s always in the middle of something.
Though there was a line that she had to do a double take on. ‘Nuturing her willingness to learn.’
At this point, even she herself, doesn’t know if it’s spite or the fact that she was the only one that didn’t have the Force.
Her jaw tightened.
And her old teacher, Darth Dol, certainly had opinions of her as a student. He had constantly pointed out that she was a terrible student.
She quickly responded the email:
“Thank you for your time, Mr. Ricmore. I will meet you in two weeks.”
After that, she closed her comm and went back to her duties at her job.