hadthehighground | Empatheias IC Inbox

[Lumis is not in the best of moods. And even less so upon being disturbed but he will tolerate it. He's sitting with legs folded, eyes closed, and a bit of a cross look on his face. He can sense Anakin approaching. He isn't terribly surprised that he found him so easily. Saying nothing as he sat down beside him. The name was his, and yet felt foreign at the same time. That bothered him, among other things.]

Come to turn me from my ways, Anakin?

[The tone is bitter, angry. Mostly at himself. What was wrong with him? He could have done it. He could have gotten his revenge. And yet he faltered, confused by what he had felt.]

I probably should, shouldn't I?

[ He gives a small, apologetic smile. ]

But I don't think I should. And I don't want to...

[ Anakin looks over the lake instead of at the Sith. ]

As much as the Jedi like to blame the Sith for everything, including simply existing... They're just as flawed. You taught me that.

[ Or more or less just confirmed what Anakin had always thought. ]

I want to know what happened. You... Looked shocked. And the. You ran...

[ Not exactly what he would have expected from a Sith Lord. ]

[There was a bit of a snort but regardless, Lumis opened his eyes to finally look at Anakin.]

I'm not sure what happened.

When I heard the boy scream I saw... a vision. It felt like memories. Memories that are not mine, but felt like they should be.

[He frowned, knowing full well his reaction was not like him.]

Edited 2017-08-23 12:30 (UTC)

[ Anakin frowns as well. ]

Memories you didn't make?

[ Now that's odd... ]

Could it be something you have forgotten?

It's not like that. It contradicts with what I remember.

[Lumis folded his arms and continued to scowl in discontent.]

You remember, don't you? The battle of Naboo. We faced the Sith Lord, Darth Maul, and defeated him. This vision... what I saw was Qui-Gon being slain by him instead.

Naboo?

[ Oh, he remembers. And at Lumis' words, Anakin's frown deepens. ]

But that doesn't make sense. Master Qui-Gon survived!

[ And trained him, after all. He couldn't have done that if he had died back then.

Anakin shakes his head. ]

Sounds like an odd dream to me.

[ Just that Lumis had been awake during it. He's almost inclined to ask if the Sith Lord had been drunk. ]

Yes, I know.

[A bitter tone, a part of him wishing Qui-Gon had died back then. His life would have been entirely different. And yet he had felt pain from that vision as well.]

Normally I would be inclined to agree, but it felt real. I've also heard talk of OtherWorlders being sick. Under the influence of false memories.

[Could it be that it was affecting him as well?]

Well, that certainly sounds like false memories to me.

[ Anakin hasn't heard any of this, but it would make sense. ]

That means you're just sick. There must be a way to cure it.

[ Look, he's eager to make you feel well and your old Sith self again. Because that's what Jedi do, right? ]

[Lumis considered this for a few moments and nodded in agreement.]

I heard about an expedition to find crystals to cure it.

[He hadn't been interested in that, he'd had better things to do, but now he may need to get one of those crystals. Speaking of which...]

And Qui-Gon... he still lives?

[ Anakin nods, but keeps his answer to that question short. ]

He lives, yes.

[ Which he guesses Lumis will not be too happy about. But back to more important matters. ]

We should get you one of those crystals.

[ Yes, that was a we. A we that is accompanied by a hand placed upon Lumis' shoulder, giving it a short squeeze: He means now. ]

[Lumis looked down at the hand on his shoulder and paused, something stirring within him.]

We? ... Why are you so eager to help me?

Do you not care that I just tried to kill your master?

Edited 2017-08-23 17:10 (UTC)

[ And Anakin taps a finger against Lumis' shoulder at that question. ]

Ah... Well... You tried to kill him, but you didn't. He's in good hands now. I'd rather prefer to know you're doing better as well, and then... We could talk?

[ About hopefully sorting out whatever problems Lumis has with Qui-Gon. Find a solution that doesn't kill anyone, preferably. ]

[Lumis lifted a brow at him curiously. Talk? He wasn't sure what Anakin intended to accomplish but, he would go along with it for now.]

All right.

[And with that he rose to his feet. Time to go find a crystal.]

[ Anakin responds with a small smile and rises as well. ]

Great! Now... Any idea where to find these crystals?

[ Because Anakin has none. This is the first time he's hearing of this. ]

[The enthusiasm was just... strange. Nobody had ever cared this much about his well being in... a very long time.]

I think they may be handing them out in town.

[So he starts walking in that direction. Taking them back into where they would run across people going door to door handing out the crystals. Insisting that they both take one and sleep with it under their pillow for the next few days.]

[ While Anakin doesn't consider himself sick, he agrees with mild amusement, but mostly he's glad that there is a way to fix Lumis' memories.

That's one problem taken care of, at least.

Idly playing with the crystal he's been given, Anakin decides to tackle the next problem. ]

Now... Do you think there's a way that you can maybe not try and kill my old master again? Or preferably try and kill no one? It's not like it's something you have to do, even as a Sith.

[With crystal in hand, Lumis was now starting to walk back to the farm house. If he was going to sleep with this thing under a pillow, that was the place to do it. Anakin's words though drew a hard expression and a bit of a glare.]

You don't understand, Anakin. He abandoned me. For you.

[His words biting and just sort of accusing.]

It's because of him that I joined the Sith. I've been waiting for my chance at revenge for years.

[ Anakin walks along, for the sake of upholding the conversation. The air around the young Jedi growing somewhat more serious, but his tone remains calm and friendly. ]

You must hate me then.

[ An observation. Made without a hint of an accusation. ]

For stealing your Master... Does that mean you plan to kill me as well?

[ And here he glances over to the Sith, looking curious at best. ]

[The Sith chuckled lightly to himself. He was so simplistic and naive.]

I used to, actually. Though I hated him more. When I was young I had tried so hard to please him, to accept me as his Padawan. But as is his way, he does whatever suits him. I had thought he had cared, I never expected to be dropped so easily.

[Yes this was getting into his personal feelings, but he saw no reason to hold them back. The lothcat was out of the bag already.]

No, I won't kill you for he did. In fact, I had intended to steal you from him.

[ And this gets a raised brow from Anakin. ]

Steal me from him?

[ That sure is a peculiar wording. He almost sounds amused, but mostly curious. ]

Is that why you sought me out in the first place?

[ To make him part of a revenge plot. Huh... ]

[Lumis waved a hand dismissively at Anakin's obvious amusement.]

I wasn't planning to actually kill him. I would have done so before now. Instead to take everything away from him. To hurt him like he had hurt me.

What better way than to take away his Chosen One, hm? And then there is the boy...

[Jealousy laced his words like poison.]

The one who calls him "dad".

Edited 2017-08-23 19:59 (UTC)

[ The Jedi's light tone turns into a scowl. ]

Leave him out of this.

[ Yes, that's a warning. ]

Revenge can't be the only thing on your mind, Lumis. You already hurt him badly. Neither him nor the boy will be feeling at ease for a long time from now on.

[With that the Sith stopped and looked at him. Tilting his head up slightly in defiance.]

He doesn't deserve to have anyone to care for, Anakin. Not after the pain he caused me.

[He had nothing against Ezra, but it was obvious Qui-Gon cared for him more than he ever did his first apprentice.]

I will have my revenge, Anakin, and I will do what I must. That is... unless you're offering an alternative.

[ Anakin stops just as well, keeping his eyes on the Sith. ]

There are always alternatives, Lumis. We can find something more fulfilling for you to turn your focus on.

[ A~nd there's that we again. Here's one Jedi offering to help you, Lumis. ]

[And then there was a slowly raised brow and an amused smirk on his face.]

Such as?

[Judging from the look on his face though he could think of a few things himself.]

Edited 2017-08-24 02:20 (UTC)

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