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WHO: Altair Kallig & You!
WHERE: Risa!
WHAT: Vacation!
WHEN: During the Risa Event
WARNINGS: None! Will update if this changes.

[A - Markets]

He had to visit eventually- searching for supplies that would be useful once they returned to Agra 10, but also searching for some items not related to survival alone. While wandering, he kept his senses reaching far, feeling the peaceful emotions of all around him while he wandered- while also keeping an eye out for anyone familiar, be it only slightly so, or very much so.

The Sith was determined to at least enjoy part of this vacation while they had it.

[B - Gardens]

Chiss were not made to handle heat- even mixed breeds like himself. Altair didn't know what his family had been before his parents, and his grandparents, but he knew they could not all be fully Chiss- logistically, it was impossible. Aloysius had been a pureblood, Altair was sure, given how the Empire had been even more anti-alien back in those days- but then, it had been nearly two-thousand years since Aloysius had died so if there was pure Sith blood in his veins, it was so diluted it might as well not be there.

Still, the Chiss in him was indeed not good with heat- and as such, he found himself down in the glowing gardens, where it was cooler.

He could be found wandering about with a sketchbook and pen- drawing the different plants he saw. Having grown quite fond of the medium of paper and pen.

Every now and then, he'd also find a bug or two, and stop to fawn over it- even picking some up to inspect the creatures more closely. One could think him insane, given that he would speak to any bug he wasn't familiar with in rather the way one would speak to something utterly adorable.

"Why hello there, aren't you a beauty..." and "Oh, look at you... Don't think I've seen one like you before... Care to hold still while I draw you?"

Even on Agra 10, he'd been a bug lover. Here, with the relative safety, he felt okay to let that show just a bit.

[C - Meditation]

Risa, being what it was, was perfect for it.

Anywhere it was nice to sit down- places with pristine nature, a somewhat less traveled path with benches, down on the beach- he could be found in deep meditation, cross-legged, and breathing.

Speaking, too, when he thought himself alone enough- reciting the Sith Code as he always did, when he felt the need to meditate, clear his head, calm himself.

"Peace is a lie, there is only passion...
Through passion, I gain strength...
Through strength, power-
Through power, victory-
Through victory, my chains are broken-
The Force shall free me..."

[D - Wildcard]

(Come up with a scenario of your own! Altair can be found here and there on Risa, just exploring, shopping, relaxing...)

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"I suppose we finally did, yes. Am I shorter than you expected me to be? Taller?"

It was a gentle bit of humor, entirely friendly, to lift the mood a little. He didn't know if Jon had a reason to be feeling as he was- if he shouldn't try to lift the mood, if he should merely respect it. So he would stop, should Jon ask him to. He was, after all, not needlessly cruel and certainly not to friends.

"I can't say I'm entirely used to vacations either. And had it been up to me, I would've gone somewhere a little colder..."

His people were from an ice world, after all. Not that he'd ever been to Csilla.

"Somewhat, yes."

There were things he didn't like. But also things he did. It was complicated, he supposed, as so many things tended to be.

"Would you like to find a place to sit down and have some tea?"

Jon pulls up a single brow at that initial inquiry, but then makes a small, soft noise of faint bemusement "Well, I don't think I'm in any position to judge anyone for their height. Besides, it's generally ill-advised to judge anyone by appearance alone." It's also not how he has been raised to approach people.

"But tea sounds lovely." He admits, not even trying to hide whatever sentimentality the thought brings to his voice. How long has it been since anyone has asked him if he wanted some tea? Months, hasn't it? He used to be annoyed by Martin's excessive fussing around the Archives, hounding down everyone to offer them tea. Now Sasha and Tim are dead. And Martin is drifting closer and closer to the Lonely and...

He swallows those thoughts, resets his train of thought and gestures for Altair to come along.

"There is a decent place this way. Set in a small park where the temperatures are a little lower than here." He offers, not even bothering to wonder how he suddenly knows about this place. But apparently he will be able to purchase some loose tea there as well. Lovely, indeed.

"It is, indeed."

If anyone knew to not judge by appearances, it was him. After all, Sith were inherently deceptive creatures, something he'd learned very early on, and part of that lesson had broken him in a way that nothing else had, before or after. His mood took a slight dip, a deep and bone-chilling fear and intense anger, though it was momentary, as Jon accepted his invitation to sit down for some tea.

This, after all, was not about him. And he was much more curious about Jon's feelings than he was interested in stewing in his own by now quite ancient feelings about Zash.

He followed along when Jon gestured for him to do so, offering a small, and very much friendly smile, "How considerate of you. Thank you."

It's a short walk from the market over to the park, but it's quickly getting clear that this corner is less frequented than the gathering of shops, bars and restaurants where their paths have crossed. Which isn't something Jon minds at all, even though it does allow him to pick up on the temporary spike of fear next to him. Nothing too precise, but as he glances over it's hard to miss.

And then it's gone. Curious.

"Don't mention it. I'm used to spending most of my day in a basement. And while I don't mind the temperatures here terribly, I'm also used to colder surroundings myself." He even still dresses the way for the most part. Even though by now it's more habit than paying much mind to the weather outside.

They reach the little tea shop and it's easy enough to get a table as well. Even here it obviously requires a certain type of costumer for this type of store, resulting in a pleasant, tasteful atmosphere. just the right place for a nice cup of tea.

"In a basement?" Altair asked, tilting his head, "Is... That where you work, perhaps?"

Plenty of jobs were done in basements, after all, and it was the first thing he could think to ask. Archives, and the like, were kept in basements- or at least, in darker, chillier places. After all, there was something similar, beneath the Sith Sanctum on Dromund Kaas- and for a moment, Altair found himself missing Kaas City a little. All the knowledge hoarded there, hidden away.

It was something he missed about being on the Dark Council- the ability to throw himself into his research, to wander the archives, to sit translating ancient texts and forget about the world until the need to sleep caught up with him.

"... Climate aside, this is a nice place. Quiet, in a way."

Maybe that was just because there were less Force-users around. Less feedback on his psychic radio than his own home and time.

The tea shop was a pleasant place as well, "... Too bad there's nothing like this on Agra 10. My friend Eli runs a kitchen, but..."

Nothing like this. They had what they needed, he supposed. But little in the way of comforts.

Jon gives a small shrug "Actually, yes. The archives are in the basement of the institute I work for. It's pretty common, actually. It's not exactly open to the public and we mostly deal with old case files anyway. At least it's quiet." When they aren't being attacked by flesh-devouring worms or various monstrosities, that is.

Naturally he is inclined to agree with this shop being preferably to some other places he has visited on this planet. And yet his visits to some of the nightclubs weren't exactly driven by an interest in... Having fun.

"I'm certain if you wanted to you could easily set up a place like this in Temba." Jon says with an expression that could almost be considered playful "I doubt you would even have to worry about having to pay rent."

And for a short moment, the seemingly perpetual gloom Jon has been dwelling in lightens up somewhat. No, this isn't a man that jokes often.

"I see. I often spent my time in the archives at home, beneath the Sith Sanctum. It was part of my job. Though it's been a very long time since I was a member of the Dark Council."

He very much missed it. He missed being on the Council itself. He had become Emperor, the leader of the Eternal Alliance, ally to the Sith Empire. The Silencers and the Imperial Reclamation Service had been given to him by Empress Acina as a show of good faith. But had it been up to him, he would have sat on the Council and argued with his peers about what was the right course.

He would have done his work in the dusty archives, he would have investigated ancient tombs, scoured the galaxy for its hidden knowledge, alongside the Reclamation Service.

Of course, what he wanted and what the galaxy had needed were very different things.

When Jon made a joke then, he blinked, then blinked again, before laughing, entirely amused. Jon didn't seem the type to joke around, so Altair appreciated the fact that he had all the more. He was confident that he'd made the right choice in choosing to try and befriend him, as well.

"Maybe I'll have to look into it," He agreed, "Once I've got the hospital under control. For now, I think we all need a healer more than we need a cranky old Sith running a tea shop."

Though tending to the hospital hadn't been his first choice.

The laughter is... Somewhat unexpected. But not an unpleasant effect. At least it's not any sort of laughter being directed at him ill-willed. So he permits a gentle smile to remain on his own face when he thanks the waitress for setting their ordered tea on the table between them.

Though Altair's words have caught the Archivist's interest "A healer, you say? I mean... I haven't managed to take a look at Temba's hospital yet. And unfortunately I'm no trained doctor, but... I agree. That would indeed be useful to have"

Looking down at the tea, he wonders if he could just... Learn.

"You have taken charge of the hospital, then?"

Altair thanked the waitress as well, as it was the polite thing to do, before returning his attention to Jon and their conversation, his expression turning thoughtful

"It is in complete disarray, much like the rest of the place. But I've started to work on getting it functional, yes. I thought it necessary... With the storm, and then the thought of danger in the future..."

It's not what he would have chosen for himself, had he seen any other way around it. But they've already had the conversation about when the last time Altair did something entirely selfish was. Still, since going to work at the hospital, he's saved a life and that made it all worth it. One life, and maybe more down the line. It was necessary work.

And Altair far preferred saving lives to taking them.

"There is a data point you can touch that will help you make sense of the equipment and such, too. I can show you where, once we return to Temba. It... Would be nice, actually, to have some company there."

"A data point." Jon repeats the term thoughtfully, glancing back up at Altair "Like the one by the fountain? There are more of those?" He hasn't been aware of that yet. But in his defense he has only had a very few days to actually explore the city.

"I... Yes. I think that might be helpful. And I would very much prefer to be of some use rather than just... Being present." And he supposes that he just might end up knowing certain things anyway. He makes a slightly bemused face, even though a certain grimness also lingers across it "At least I can claim to already have some basic knowledge on human anatomy." Flesh, bones, skin...

But something else comes to mind.

"How long have you been on Agra 10 yet? And... Have you ever spoken to the Agrii?" There even is some slight underlying compulsion in these questions. Not quite intended, but Jon is curious to know.

"There are, yes. There are a few different ones, each giving different information. Though it would appear that you can only hold the knowledge of one at a time. Should you have one, then touch another, what the previous one taught you will be taken away. It's strange, to say the least."

Not something he liked. But they didn't even really know how the data points worked in the first place. Information merely downloading into their brains, like how Altair imagined droids did. Still, they had their uses, and if it allowed him to be useful, then it was a mystery that could wait to be solved- at least for now.

"That it helpful. Of course, not everyone is human... I admittedly don't know a lot about how Chiss bodies work, either..."

Maybe similar to how humans worked? He probably had the same internal organs as humans, he imagined. Another mystery that could wait to be solved.

Jon's next questions were- well and fine, he supposed. But there was something behind them, something that was- unnecessary. He tilted his head slightly, not upset or even offended, as it seemed... Unintentional, he supposed. At least there was nothing sinister about it, so far as he could feel. It was interesting though, that power- familiar but not at the same time.

"I would answer your questions regardless, you know."

That's all he really had to say about it.

"I'd been on Agra 10... Well, its days are slightly different than the planet I used to live on, but I'd say about six months. Maybe closing in on seven?"

A long time. Seemed like it would be longer. Not that he minded so much- not any more, at any rate.

"And not spoken directly to, no. But there is a box, back on Temba, where we can request supplies. They don't always understand our requests, but they've spoken over speakers there before- we also saw one over video, before the storm started."

Jon listens to Altair's explanation about the data points, unable to quite hide his own disappointment in the part about not being able to collect the information stored on any of them. Though part of him wonders if he can download one, make records of what he has learned and keep those at hand even after touching another point.

Maybe he can try that.

He raises his cup and takes a sip before giving a small nod at Altair mentioning Chiss bodies. He can practically feel the knowledge attempting to press into the back of his head, trying to force its way through that metaphorical door.

And in a way he's tempted to let it through.

But that's when Altair calls him out on his accidentally attempted compulsion and Jon nearly chokes on his tea, sputtering and hastily putting the cup back down to keep himself from dropping it. Clenching his jaw shut, Jon can't help but succumb to that unpleasant panic that settles over him in a wave of dread as his eyes fix themselves on the table.

He isn't sure if he properly registers the whole response he is given.

"Altair... I- I'm sorry. I didn't mean to do... That."

There's guilt in his voice. Along with shame. And that he is referring to the Chiss by his first name? Now that's an accident.

Quite the reaction. Unintentional indeed.

Altair wondered, briefly, if he should merely have let it slide- not called attention to it. He hadn't meant to upset his new friend, after all, and he didn't need the Force to tell him that Jon felt guilty, ashamed. His reaction, his voice.

He could have come to the same conclusion if he was blind, even.

"It's alright," The Sith said, not a shred of anger present in his voice or his behavior, "Sith and Jedi- and I imagine other Force-sensitives, too- are able to do something similar. To get information, or suggest that someone should do something or other."

It was a power he'd resorted to using a few times, himself. Not entirely too often, but not never either.

"No need to feel guilty. I can tell you didn't mean to. And I can tell you feel guilty, too, no trying to brush that off. It's a little sad that that's what it took for you to refer to me by my first name, though."

Edited 2020-03-26 19:02 (UTC)

Altair's words may be reassuring and they do allow Jon to relax enough to risk looking up again and meeting the Chiss's eyes, but that feeling of dread in his guts stubbornly remains. And yet a sliver of curiosity still manages to slip through.

"I... I can't fully control it. All I have gotten better at is willingly using it. Or hurting people with it. Keeping myself from unwillingly doing it... That's harder." Not being a monster is becoming more and more difficult, it appears.

"I'm sorry." He repeats once more "But... Thanks. For not being mad." Or feeling attacked.

And he falls silent for a few moments, returning to observe his cup of tea while breathing some of that anxiety away. But then he has to ask, this time more careful.

"You can- It's possible to compel people with the Force?"

He listened to Jon's explanation, wondering if it somehow was a new power for him. Different world than his, after all- Altair had been born the way he was. Maybe that wasn't the case for people in the world Jon was from. Questions for another time, at any rate, despite the fact that Altair was a naturally curious fellow.

He knew to curb his own curiosity until the time was right.

"I could tell it was unintentional. Another Sith may have seen it as an attack, but..."

Altair shook his head. He'd been attacked before. That felt different.

"When it's an attack, I can feel it. There are certain emotions that come along with it... A certain rush, I suppose. Your emotions just now weren't like that. If I were to guess, I'd say you were more curious than anything else."

That's how it seemed to him, really.

"And yes. I don't know if we would use that word, exactly, but we can certainly suggest a course of action. To help a friend, I once suggested that someone should forget that they'd seen him... And so long as a mind is weak enough..."

It was difficult to use a mind trick on a strong mind, but the weak-minded were easily swayed.

"It's not something I do entirely too often. But I imagine Jedi use the ability to avoid confrontations. Sith may do it to ensure a good outcome for themselves... Still, it is indeed an ability that we have."

Jon gives a small nod in response to Altair's words "It was merely meant as a regular question, that I can assure you."

And it's true. If Jon means to do harm or tries to forcefully extract information from another person... It's very different. For the most part it's very painful, especially if the victim resists.

He presses his lips into a tight line and glances down at his tea.

"When I first learned of this... That I can do this- I found it very useful. I could get people to tell me what I needed to know, and all I had to do was ask. There were even cases when people deliberately requested I ask to make it easier for them to tell me what happened. It's... Been nice." And in a way it still is. Just the more he learned about his powers, the more of the underlying dreadfulness came to light, the less comfortable he grew to use them on innocent people.

Even though at the same time that very thought feels very much right. He wants to pull innocent people into all those horrors he could impose on them. And he loathes himself for these desires.

"And I think I can make people do more than just... Tell me things. It's more difficult. And I'm still trying to get a grasp of my... Well. Compulsion, I suppose. I hear it being called that. I'm trying to avoid outright questions as much as possible."

"It's new, then. This power of yours."

Altair's own use of the Force had been instinctual once. Still, using it deliberately had been so easy for him, once he got the proper training. But even then, there had been parts of his own power he'd been unaware of. Things still seemed more complicated for Jon though and Altair was fairly certain that he wasn't getting the whole picture.

Not that he was going to pry. Jon would tell him, in his own time, should it be something he wished to speak about. If not, Altair would simply have to ask over time, once they became better friends- as he was quite determined to befriend him.

No need to overwhelm him, he figured. He seemed overwhelmed enough already.

"I imagine you'll be able to take your time here, getting familiar with them, should you desire to do so. Given that I know and can resist having answers pulled out of me though, you're free to ask me as many questions as you want. If I don't want to answer, I simply won't."

"Almost two years." Jon clarifies. Though he has never received any actual training. Elias preferred for him to figure it out himself, at best making sure he read the right statements in hopes The Archivist picks up on the hints.

He didn't always. And Elias may either have considered the resulting trouble entertaining or frustrating to watch. Probably both. Probably still does. Whatever Elias' endgame for this is supposed to be, Jon has no idea. But he is certain that Elias kept watching him during those past months as well, imprisoned or not. And he will have been delighted by ever slip Jon made that took him further away from his humanity.

Altair's words bring a small smile to the man's face "Learning some control may be a decent goal, you are right." He then looks up again, lifting a brow.

"So. Altair it is, right?" First names. Not his default, but he can do that. For some people "I suppose in that case you can call me Jon."

Edited 2020-03-29 16:50 (UTC)

"Quite new indeed. I was born with my powers, though I didn't receive proper training until I was in my late teens."

Which admittedly wasn't too long ago at all, given that he was still quite young. Still, within the Sith Order you either adapted or died- and Altair had gotten pretty good at adapting to the insanity his life had become. He was nothing if not a survivor.

"Given Agra 10's lack of just about anything at all, having goals is important. Stagnation there might not be death, exactly. But it is not a pleasant way to exist."

He should know, his tone that of a man speaking from experience. He'd pushed himself so hard during his time there. No goal beyond existing for the sake of his friends. Of course, that part might not ever change. He said nothing of the sort, of course, instead smiling when Jon used his name again.

"That is correct. I should have said this sooner, but it is indeed nice to meet you properly, Jon."

Not across their communicators, but in person. He wasn't sure if he'd gotten a good read on him, exactly, but definitely a better one than before.

"I imagine we'll get along well."

Altair certainly hoped so- especially if Jon did join him in working at the hospital. And he believed he'd already made his point clear that they'd get through this by making friends. Working together.

Hearing Altair speak about Agra 10 gets a slow nod from Jon and he frowns slightly. Hearing that others have been there for months... He isn't sure if he can do that.

"I am admittedly a little worried about going back." He stated, a single finger now tapping lightly against his cup of tea "How does everyone manage to survive in a place as devoid as Temba...?" It's a reluctant question. One he isn't sure he wants to ask. But unless he gets send back he will have to figure that out for himself as well.

Eventually.

"By which I mean, I not so much worry about going back to further research the place. Or help with the hospital, but aside from that, the very basic survival..." He trails off for a moment, then makes an apologetic face. "I don't think I really know how to go about that."

"There is food in relative abundance- the greenhouse is tended to by many, and there are some animals out at the farm. There are also the ships as an additional resource, and you can ask the Agrii for supplies... Of course, it doesn't change the fact that there are no comforts, but..."

They had food, clean drinking water, shelter. All things that were necessary for survival. Anything else, they would have to work on, but it wasn't as though the planet was completely devoid of resources- and with the exception of a few, everyone was determined to help each other out as well. The unity was nice, despite everything.

"There is much to be done. But I can promise you that I, at least, refuse to let anyone die. No matter the cost, I will work hard for the sake of everyone's survival. That includes yours."

Altair didn't want to sense any more death. So he would continue to work hard. He might run himself ragged, but after going home and after being here, it would take longer for him to run himself into the ground. Before his trip home he'd been very nearly broken, but now he felt like he had the energy to work harder than before.

"... I would suggest enjoying every hot shower you can take while we're here though. Because that is one thing you won't be able to do once we go back."

A greenhouse and some animals at a farm. That must be a part of the city he hasn't been to yet. At least there seems to be some regular food around as well. How much good that will do for him... He will have to find out. Though checking out on those animals is something Jon will remind himself to do. Maybe he can find traces of The Slaughter.

The upcoming lack of hot showers... Now that's not something to look forward to. Of course it won't kill him, but next to some decent tea that's one of the few comforts Jon actually enjoys.

But it's Altair declaring that he would do anything for the sake of everyone's survival, including him that causes Jon to stop. They have only just... Met. Haven't they? The Chiss hardly knows him. And there are things about himself he would rather not have to disclose to anyone if possible. Of course, keeping secrets has worked so well in the past for him, but as long as he doesn't hurt anyone... It should be fine?

He puts on a tight smile "I... Thank you, Altair. But please, don't push yourself too hard. Not for me, at least. I don't mind just learning where everything is and what I have to do. I think I already said that I'd rather not be useless. Or a burden..."

"It's hardly pushing myself. Call it... Concern, I suppose. We need to work together if we want to stand a chance. And honestly..."

He trailed off for a moment, staring down at his own cup of tea, very nearly untouched.

"I don't think I could take sensing any death. I'm tired of it, at any rate."

Not as tired as he once had been. He'd recovered a little since watching Vitiate consume an entire planet. But it had been a long war at home, and millions had died. On some level, he couldn't help but blame himself for all those deaths. Or at least for not being able to prevent them all. He said nothing of the sort, of course.

"I also am an Emperor. Perhaps that part of myself is difficult to leave at home. A leader has no value if he cannot work for the sake of the people, after all."

"Please don't do that." Jon says, now frowning "You're not responsible for the rest of us. Not our actions and neither our well-being and health. Concern is well and fine, but you also need to make sure your own needs are not being neglected."

Of course he is one to talk. Jon has a remarkable history of getting scolded for not taking care of himself, but that doesn't matter right there and then.

Though something else has caught his attention as well.

"What do you mean by... Sensing death?"

"I'm not, no. Not responsible- but I've made friends. And those who are not yet friends are allies. But you needn't worry, Jon. I do take care of myself too. I sleep, and eat, and devote time to meditation and my hobbies."

Not nearly as much as he should. But he'd been a hard worker for some time now. Climbing to the top of the Empire, responding to threats to his people. Becoming Alliance Commander, then Emperor. He wasn't entirely sure he knew how to be anything else.

He would try, but concern for others was a constant companion.

Best to focus on something else- like Jon's question, "The Force connects and runs through every living thing. People like myself can sense this energy. For example, I could close my eyes and wander a crowd and know how to navigate through by feeling the presence of the people around me."

Not too long ago, he had done just that. He'd lived for months, and before that years, near constantly hiding behind a veil. using the Force as his guide rather than his eyesight. It was why his ability to sense others was one of his stronger abilities.

"As such, I can also feel death. If I reach far enough, I'm certain I could find it here, too. Imagine then, somewhere like Agra 10, where we are the only sentient creatures..."

He didn't think he could take feeling one of them die. Especially not the people he'd made friends with.

"It feels cold, when someone dies. At least it does to me."