04 Network, Video;

[kallig]

[The video clicks on to a... Slightly older looking Altair, in clothes much finer than he wore before. He looks perhaps a bit more tired than ever, though not confused- so it's safe to assume he remembers his time on Agra 10.]

Back again, then. And... [He looks around, unfamiliar surroundings, but his memories are true- another trip off planet thanks to the Agrii then?] In the middle of some sort of event, it seems? A little hotter here than I would have preferred, but beggars can't be choosers.

[At least this time around, he'd been taken from a somewhat calmer situation. He'd been standing contemplating the Eternal Throne, and then he was here. He really can't complain. Given that he couldn't remember Agra 10 during his absence from it, he's sure the GEMINI Captains won't go rogue without him.] How long has it been since I was here?

It feels like forever, but...

[He's going to need to seek out some people regardless, he supposes.]

Comments

[doubled_speed]

Uh... People frozen in ice are dead.

[kallig]

People frozen in carbonite are not. It was merely an example of how it works.

[doubled_speed]

That's just... hard to process. Like, that isn't how I think it should work.

[kallig]

Different worlds, different types of tech, I suppose.

Regardless, I can't say it was fun to hang on Arcann's trophy shelf for five years.

[doubled_speed]

Arcann? Who the fuck was that?

Were you at least still improving parties as a conversation piece?

[kallig]

He was a jackass with an envy problem. Now, he is a valued friend.

[Something something about time changing things.]

And I wish. I was Arcann's very special possession, his personal trophy he had as proof he'd killed his father. [...]

No inappropriate jokes here, please. [If he can think of a few, then Tommy can probably think of a lot.]

[doubled_speed]

Wait... Your son did that to you?!

[kallig]

... Look at my face and tell me if I look old enough to have a son capable of killing me, Tommy. I'm 24, not 44.

[Sigh.] His father was my Empire's former Emperor, who had abandoned us to make another Empire that he felt was more worthy of his attention. The Emperor gave me a choice- to join him, or die.

[Not something he likes thinking about, exactly.] I chose death. The Emperor turned his back on me and his son, expecting Arcann to you know-

[He motions a finger across his throat.] Arcann freed me from my restraints, tossed my lightsaber to me, turned on his father and very promptly got beaten. I then killed the Emperor, only to fall unconscious as the bastard transferred his spirit into me. Then I was dragged off and thrown into a carbonite freezing chamber.

And you know. Trophy. Shelf. A five year long conversation with the Emperor, while Arcann had his little temper-tantrum.

[doubled_speed]

Dude, I have no idea how your species ages.

[He does cringe.]

Sorry about the BS soul shit.

[kallig]

I think we age about the same as humans, actually.

[Maybe. He hasn't exactly looked into it.]

It wasn't fun. But at least the old bastard's dead and gone now. No more interruptions from a crusty old ghost. Thank the Force.

[doubled_speed]

I don't get how a ghost possessed you, but man, I'm glad you're free.

[kallig]

It was how he survived. He was searching for immortality- whatever the cost. He would have consumed every life in the galaxy for his goal.

[Altair isn't exactly okay talking about it too much even now.

Still, at least the old bastard is in fact dead and gone.]

In my case, he jumped from his old host and into me when he was struck down. Had I been any weaker, you'd probably be talking to that old monster instead. But I'm stubborn and don't die easy. My head's not a half-way house for immortal Sith, either.

[doubled_speed]

Immortality isn't really that great I think.

[Because it's hard enough to learn to love. It's got to be harder to learn to live after those you love are gone. Still, he laughs at the idea.]

Stubborn, huh? Knew I liked you, Party-man

[kallig]

Not if you care for other people. But our former Emperor cared for none but himself. He didn't fear being alone in the galaxy, but he did fear death.

[Altair gets that.

But he could never do what Vitiate did. He had been offered immortality too, and he'd turned it down, because the people of the Empire were more important to him than extending his own life.

He laughs a little then, at Tommy saying he knew he liked him.] Oh, is admitting that I'm stubborn all it took for you to admit it then?

[doubled_speed]

Nah, you've got hidden levels of Sass too.

[What, isn't he allowed to appreciate that?]

[kallig]

[That pulls a genuine laugh from him.]

Only hidden? Am I not a Sass-master?

[doubled_speed]

I don’t know, man. I’ve known people with WAY higher sass levels. Better up your game if you wanna master the skill tree.

[And yeah, there’s amusement dancing in his own voice.]

[kallig]

[Altair crosses his arms as he thinks about it.]

Guess I'm going to have to. Sass being such a vital skill to master, and all.

[doubled_speed]

Well, young student, I can definitely teach you some sass.

[kallig]

[And then he laughs.]

Well, I'm certain we'll have the time, so why not.

[doubled_speed]

[Tommy snorts.]

See, the proper sass here woulda be something like 'Oh, so it's the blind leading the blind'

[kallig]

My apologies. I didn't know I could level up by going for the low-hanging fruit.

[His tone is completely deadpan.]

[doubled_speed]

How are you supposed to reach for masterhood if you can't even get the low hanging fruit?

[Equally deadpan.]

[kallig]

I see you have no issues going for it, at least.

[Low hanging fruit. He's short. Ha ha, and all that.]

[doubled_speed]

[Dude, if Altair isn't going to make the joke, someone has to.]

Such is the path to mastery.