[IC] Elena's Holodiary

[Theprettiestorc]

Log 11

This one seems to have an ambient sound of speeders, the sound of boots on metal - walking in the city? "It's been roughly... five days or so, since my last recording. Four of those days were relatively uneventful. I have done enough to shake the last of the excess fat I had. Force Lightning tends to help burn calories, it seems, and I've gotten it to a level where it does not burn my wrists, although my fingertips are still partly numb. I feel as though my Telekinetics, at least, are at a good level, but I feel I need to test them in battle more to finally progress them. Without formal training, I have given up on Tapas for now, and will just bear the cold on the upcoming Operation."

"Today, I finally went back to the Spire at length, to procure new Archive data. While I was there, I received a summons. Sith Soti, now the Envoy of Purity, requested my presence in her personal tower. Later, I found out exactly what that entails: just as I witnessed her judgement on the religious Zabrak, her job is to ensure the Code and the Purist Ideal are upheld. Anyone promoting Aliens over Purebloods, anyone disturbing the peace... she is a judge and investigator, empowered to punish as necessary."

"She asked for my telling of the matter of Apprentices Leivé and Johran, Acolyte Joslae, and the Archives. I regaled her with the whole truth as I know it, as I have no reason to lie. She also talked to Johran, and I feel Leivé will be in for a punishment." A pause, sighing. "... I truly feel terrible. She only wished to protect me, but Johran elevated it to the Lorekeeper and made a mess of things. This was not such a matter that required it. I decided to ask Our Envoy of Purity whether I had leave to ignore requests for information in the future from Apprentices, which she granted. It only causes unnecessary conflict, and lets weakness benefit."

There's a quiet moment. "... whatever punishment is visited upon Apprentice Leivé, I will ensure that Apprentice Johran receives in due time. He is a coward, and a manipulator, flaunting power he does not have and shifting blame as it suits him. He does not 'play the game', he does what he wishes and shirks consequences. That would be fine if he was alone, but he brings down the House with such behavior. We are people of Action: lies do not become us."

There are sounds of an elevator, and then... a tune of Anger, Vengeance. Though their ranks differ, if he comes at her, she will be ready.

[Theprettiestorc]

Log 12

This one starts with grunts of pain, the sounds of a bed. And quiet speech. "Long day. Not good one, but revealing."

"Started with a lesson on Shien. I trained some in the combat form, but it was not much to go on. It arose from Makashi, partially, so perhaps Vax knows more. Probably not a good style for me to specialize in."

"Our Lady of Purity requested my presence. She confirmed happenings, and then made an example of me. Stabbed me bad in the shoulder, and then used Lightning on me and made me pass out. Still hurts, but I will heal. No retreating to privacy this time, however... not again. I will not give anyone the satisfaction. I must be aware to... not start rumors, or falsehoods, against Sith-Blooded or Purebloods in the future." Slightly bitter.

"Thought I saw a man again. Perhaps the Spire is haunted by Spirits, as the doors often seem to open at random. Ah! Also discussed with Apprentice Khatatas about how I See, and started guiding him. Given his powers, perhaps he will see fit to teach me in return. Or... I will merely be a tool. But it is good to be needed, and nice to teach. Perhaps I will do such in the future, at some point."

"Must sleep to recover. Cutting this one short." She sings softly, quietly... something of acceptance, a stark contrast to the previous one. She has abandoned her vengeance, at least, for now.

[Theprettiestorc]

Log 13

The sounds of rain, closer, and rustling brush. Outside? "I'm thinking to do some of these in the morning, when I do training. More awake for such, and less worry about being disruptive. Anyway."

"Received some injuries while training out here yesterday, arms, leg... gave me a limp, and made me late to the lesson on Alchemy, which is truly... mysterious, really. That's all I can say about it. I caught the tail-end of the history portion, and then Apprentice Khatatas made, and allowed, practical demonstrations of his Talismans. A glove that could absorb Shocks and empower a Barrier with the energy, a jawbone of a Twi'lek that let you speak their language as a native, one to help Dampen, a ring that can store a mental image... such a ring would let me show how I See. Our Envoy of Purity expressed concerns, however, that Aliens are not to handle the arts of Pureblood Ancestors, so I was forced to wait with Apprentice Orgkez."

"All the Apprentices present were rather... muted, is the word. Acolyte Serexil and the new, extremely tall Acolyte Zraetal volunteered for a demonstration of Mutation by Neophyte Aregra, the former getting injected with poison and the latter getting hard material grown over her arm. The Dark Side energy coming from Aregra when such occurred was... stifling, smothering, but it makes me curious. If such a procedure was so painful, took such a display and use of energy, it must be extremely difficult to tamper with natural laws and forces. After the Acolyte passed out, the lesson winded down and was concluding, and I was ordered to take her to the medbay." A bit of a groan. "I am quite glad I have trained my Telekinesis."

"In any case. My next task of training has... not been doing well so far. I'm working on Augment. Theoretically, I am supposed to combine three emotions into a Seethe. Positive ones may also be used, as was suggested, so I'm not constantly hurting myself. However... strong, positive feelings are hard to draw up. I'll keep trying, though, so..." She trails off. This is normally where she has a song, but for the first time, there are real words after some slow humming.

"When the light is running low, and the shadows start to grow,
And the places that you know seem like fantasy...

There's a light inside your soul that's still shining in the cold
With the truth, the promise in our hearts...

Don't forget...
I'm with you in the dark..."

Trailing off, there's long moments of just rain, before a groan. And suddenly, wind whipping, before a clatter sounds out.

The recording picks up after a break, with breathless speaking. "Joy, Sadness, Pride, Love." Just those words, before it ends.

[Theprettiestorc]

Log 14

More sounds of rain, plinking hollow. Elena speaks up, after a rustle of cloth. "Been spending more nights outside the Spire, get acclimated to the cold. The mission's coming up soon, and with Tapas a hopeless cause at the moment, I've been working on my Augment. Putting some survival skills to use, as well, out here..."

"I cannot stress what I owe my benefactor for giving me the first steps on this. Faster, stronger... movements more fluid. I've been getting a lot of fitness in with this, I suppose, but going into combat will be a different story. There are breaks here and again - I had a chat about what I feel about Aliens."

Her voice seems firmer. "Aliens are to be subservient to those above them. But if they are more powerful, take power instead of resting on their laurels... what a terrifying, fantastic thing that might be. Pushed down at every turn. I was told that Adversity and Strife truly make a Sith, so does anyone actually realize the Purist Ideal only makes the Aliens stronger under it? That is, if they learn from it, take what Power they can. Otherwise, they are food."

A calming breath. "... attended a social gathering of Powerbases. A Twi'lek tried to coerce me into learning Alchemy. Once she was gone, I disposed of her contact chip. There was a Lord with much skin showing, Imperials yelling for alcohol... someone with the aura of a Darth, and yet rotund. I did not imbibe of alcohol, myself."

A thoughtful sound. "Injuries are doing better - perhaps channeling the Force is helping? In any case, should sleep. More training in the morning." She begins to hum, a soft tune... a lullaby, similar to the worded one.

[Theprettiestorc]

Log 15

There's a pained sound, and again every so often, but Elena is speaking low, determined to get through this. "Had a lesson in Makashi yesterday. I was called out for putting too much energy, and not respecting the form... it seems a bit simple, but I'll probably have to put more effort in to control myself."

"Had an Operation to a really dark moon, hunting for the schematics to Naga Sadow's infamous meditation chamber. Instead, we... found a tomb. A Sith-Spawn, and a wheezing child, also a Sith-Spawn. Apprentice Kaidar kept the former busy while I grabbed the child, and the gold statue it clutched. I softened her, pulled her bloodlust away from us, let her see reason... and then she killed herself, just as her husband did, baby dying in my arms."

"I... felt it though. She had no negativity. She became one with The Force, but... in a positive manner? It was sad, peaceful... after all of that." She sniffs a bit, steeling her voice. "Had a hard fight on the way out, a Sith and four armored men. She was using two blades, and Ataru - between Kaidar and I, we managed with them, but she came after me as he was finishing her subordinates. I took a fall really badly... and defended myself with one of her Lightsabers. Kaidar used Lightning, Serexil swung a hit, causing her to try a retreat and to pull the Lightsaber from my hand. I Pushed it at her - and it caused her to stab herself, finishing."

"Kaidar will take the credit, I feel, as is appropriate. But I hope I have earned a bit of respect in his eyes. Going to be out for a good bit while I heal up, but... it's better attention than I've received before. I'll have to adhere to it strongly." She's quiet for now... but begins to hum a haunting tune, as if to commit it to memory.

My Son, My Father, My Statue Of Gold...

[Theprettiestorc]

Log 16

A quiet voice. There's a bit of a lackluster quality to it. "Members of the powerbase came back injured yesterday, burns and such. I've been allowed out of the Medbay, and I started training Telepathy. Today, I also started working on Barrier, which is an absolute necessity."

"Learned, in a way, that to train Ataru, I would need Apprentice Vaenra or Lord Kalkoran. Something to look into. In the meantime, powers must improve, and I must heal, meaning not staying stagnant. The medical care for the Ops was... good, better than I'm used to. I've had antibiotics, even, regular bandages."

"Gave the Operation report in person to Apprentice Ashana, and Neophyte Kalkoran requested one as well. The former was just after... a sacrifice." Deep breath. "I am alive another day because another isn't. That is... all I can really say on the matter."

"I... recalled Isbellen, today. I have to tell myself now to not forget later, while my mind is clear... as a servant, I was sometimes thrown into the pit for laughs. I met him fighting there, and... we engaged in passion. When this was discovered, I was chained along with him to fight, constantly, consistently. And the final bout was against each other. He cherished his long hair... I yanked it, and slit his throat in front of the crowd." A more angry voice. "He was... angry, that I was gaining freedom due to our child, that I had two nights before. I was in grieving, and wanted everything to die."

A choked sound. "... she was beautiful. For those precious minutes I held her, she was beautiful, my Keela. They told me she couldn't breathe, that she choked while... while in the womb, and..." Another. And then a broken song, sad, mourning again. And the recording ends.

[Theprettiestorc]

Log 17

"Been spending more time outside the Spire at night. Continuing to train Tapas when I can, but now, I also have Barrier to work on. My Augmentation is getting better, and Telepathy... well, that one is easy to practice." Sounds of rain on brush and trees seem to echo where she is.

"So... pregnant Imperial, had her water break in the Archives. Wouldn't let me help, because I'm an alien... she had a healthy baby girl. Not a whole lot to say, but it was nice to observe." Hrm. "There was... ah, the day before. An assault on a city, which we took, but a pair of Jedi escaped us all with our true target, some plans. I witnessed a full Rage from Sith Tarati, which... also affected Apprentice Khatatas. Are they Bonded? That would be interesting... especially after..."

A cut-off. "Apprentice Kaidar did something that landed him in a tank for a while. I've just been researching, training, and otherwise besides, getting better, finally, after the Operation I was in. Apprentice Vaenra tested my Barrier, but was evidently disappointed. Ah well... I'll improve."

"Not really anything else of note, so..." She quiets down, and then sings a small melody, sonorous, for the rain. Just the mood.

[Theprettiestorc]

Log 18

Once more, in the outside, rainfall rustling on branches and leaves. "I'd like to think I'm getting stronger, but that's wishful thinking. Can't really let myself rest on that. Just have to keep at it."

"I'm doing better at Augmenting, getting separate parts instead of my whole body. Shock is called out quicker, and I'm getting better at fighting with them. Got into two fights, lately - one with Apprentice Orgkez after he tried to practice a technique to delve into my mind, and I... lost my temper. It ended with us on the floor, and him overpowering me. The second was against the bone-armed Acolyte, Zraetael. She's favored by Aregra, I think, for the procedure she underwent, but I noted she's... rather unsure of herself."

"There was a bit of prodding, before she would engage in a fight. I got some bruises, and exhausted myself, but I had her on the floor, as big as she is. Never once did she use a Power, which struck me as odd. But I respect her tenacity, and wonder if she fought in pits as I did. Something to think about."

A long moment. "Given recent events, two people now going through the Rite of Sacrifice in their own way, intentional or not... I wonder if that could happen to me. I see events not my own, I've been seeing people, ghosts... dreaming of the pits more and more. I've been studying Bonds, and I have to ask... what if my mother isn't gone as I'd assumed? She was taller than other slaves, always seemed so strong... am I fated to meet her again? Am I fated to plunge a blade into her chest, whispering apologies as if it will help the deed?" Deep breath, and silence, for a while.

"... is this what I must do, for power?" Quiet sounds of rain, and some half-hearted humming, before the recording finishes.

[Theprettiestorc]

Log 19

"... it's been a while since I've done this, my nights usually have me exhausted in the field or a bed. In any case, there are some events in the past week."

"There was a lesson on Telekinetics - I learned more about it, and was partnered with Orgkez. I... was less than pleased, especially after our last encounter, but I managed a small victory. Still, no resting on my laurels."

"I'm committing research into venomous creatures, and observing some of the ones around as I commit to Augmentation and Barrier training. The former, I'm still working, with my Barriers getting faster. There was also a good use of Shock, when I went on an Operation with Tarati, Rendvir, Maerina, and now Neophyte Valeus. Rendvir and I guarded a back exit, and I helped give him just a moment to finish his opponent - he gave thanks to me, and went to meet the others as they torched the place."

"I did pick up a dagger, something fancy, which I presented to the Lorekeeper, and expressed my desire to become her Apprentice when the time comes. The reception was cold, but I take it to mean I have to go far above and beyond to prove myself. I'm on the radar now."

"Whatever happens, it's a fight... and with new Acolytes, I have to quietly stand out. Not attract ire, but only recognition." Her song is clearer on this one, a calm tune... but powerful, as if a bit of an anthem, strength.

[Theprettiestorc]

Log 20

These are starting to get shorter, more curt and official, less speculation. "Went on an Operation yesterday... cold, cold place, going in secret. I finally put Tapas into more practical use, though I have far to go before I can keep it up under stress. It was two of the Imperials, and Apprentices Rendvir and Vax. We had to trek far, before going over ice, and working our way through an old mine. On the other side, we came into a cave system - and immediately found Phond Crystals, from the runoff of equipment, it seems. Also present were... Pontite Crystals, from what I was told and researched. Very powerful things, used by Jedi as they have a calming aura, and are some of the rarest."

"I very nearly missed the powerful Jedi among it, concealed as he was. Luckily, he was talking to someone over... comms, likely, pacing, and didn't spot us. There was an argument about fighting him, but we had completed our mission, and that would have likely cost time. We could have been caught by the Banking Clans, or eliminated if they were a Knight or above... either way, we wound up successful, I believe in great part due to the diligence of both Rendvir and the Imperials. The former surprised me, as he's usually been more warlike, from what I've Seen and heard, but... discretion is the better part of valor, as they say. The professionalism of the latter, and the commitment, is also something I can admire. I mean... even if I have to strip every time I enter or leave the Spire. I'm still unsure why only the one seems to ask it of me."

"Irregardless, I am still working out how to impress the Lorekeeper. I suppose I must simply do what I do, gain respect and notoriety for being useful and composed. I've decided to take more care into my appearance, brushing out my hair instead of letting it be pushed back or frizzed however it may fall. I must look the part of someone together, and play it as well."

"I've done as much self-training with Barrier and Augmentation as I can - the only way to improve further, I feel, is more combat-testing. There is a larger Acolyte pool, now, and mastering many of my core powers to a battle-level before they can catch up will aid me in standing above them. As always, my Sight is both an asset, and an eventual curse, but I must prove I am more than a single trick. That is the way of Tools, such as Vax or Orgkez."

"I refuse to be chained again, labelled just a thing, just something that follows orders mindlessly. I will be a Sith - Tools will always be Tools." A long pause, as if she's considering... but it's almost tradition. A small tune, that builds.

"Do you hear the people sing?
Singing the songs of angry men?
It is the music of the people
Who will not be slaves again!

When the beating of your heart
Echoes the beating of the drums
There is a life about to start
When tomorrow comes!"

The last word is drawn out, with impact... where she learned a song of revolution, or why she has so much heart in it, is unknown. But it's a revolution of a single woman.