Altair Kallig (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
kallig) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
boxofmisfits2021-10-22 04:14 am
kallig) wrote in boxofmisfits2021-10-22 04:14 am
Plucked From the Clutches of Death
Ever since coming to the future, following the Force's whims had been something Altair had done less and less. He could still sense it, of course. Shutting himself off completely would be unacceptable to him, as it had always been his companion of sorts and while it would probably lead to less shenanigans, he could not close his eyes and cover his ears. He could hear the whispers, feel the threads of it weaving through the galaxy and it was beautiful. When he meditated whispers became a distant song, and threads became beckoning guides that wanted to lead him to far off places.
In the past, he would have let himself get swept along as time allowed, always certain that someone would be there to pick up any momentary slack. In this time, while he had faith in Thrawn's people and Thrawn himself, he couldn't justify taking the time to rush off whenever some new thread weaved itself into the galaxy's tapestry. There were no other Sith who would pick up his slack, and he had promised to assist Thrawn with his goal, after all. Tempting as it was to let himself drift in the river of fate to let it carry him to new and strange places, give him new and strange riches, he wouldn't, and couldn't.
At least that had been the case until a particularly insistent call in the Force had become too much to ignore.
It wasn't dangerous, was what he had said to Thrawn, upon seeking permission to leave for a time. Not dangerous. Not like the fleet, not like the Silencers, and Iokath. It just was. That nebulous concept had been what was most difficult to explain, really. But whether or not Thrawn understood didn't matter, because he had, at least, seen his seriousness and respected it.
Altair wondered what he'd think now.
The Force had led him to an ancient temple- Altair still wasn't certain if it was Sith or Jedi in origin- and that temple had led him to a strange place. Branching paths and moments in time. For a while he had wandered- admittedly he'd sought a way back to his own time. It would have broken his promise, which he hated doing, but still. A part of him would always miss his people.
He hadn't found it though.
But he had found many strange artifacts. Plucked them from moments in time whenever the Force felt like it was urging him to do so. Whether that was some kleptomaniac instinct or actually the Force though, he wasn't sure. Maybe both.
Through one such window into the past, he'd come across someone in a situation that wouldn't end well. Plucking items out of these moments was one thing- would maybe end in a bruised ego or two somewhere far in the past- but people? Still, it was the only glimpse that was truly an open door to be reached through. The Force was quiet, not urging him one way or another, despite its strong presence in the silence between moments and its somewhat subtle insistence that he claim artifacts before. In the end though, when given the opportunity to save someone, he had.
The idea of simply leaving someone to die when all he had to do to save them was reach out his hand pained him. He couldn't do it.
And so, outside of the temple in the dark and quiet night, he sat with the two people he'd rescued by the fire they'd built for light and warmth while they waited for morning to come so they could head for the ship he'd borrowed with the promise that he'd bring it back in one piece, without fear of anything that might be lurking in the blackness of the forest the temple was surrounded by.
It had been day when Altair had entered the temple and found his way into that strange place, and while he felt no more hunger than usual, Altair could somehow tell that this was not the first night that had passed since he first arrived. He assumed it had been a few days, at least.
He wondered how he was going to explain this one though.
A Chiss and a Jedi who- while remaining nearby- was perhaps expectedly standoffish in the presence of a Sith. Out of the two of them, Altair figured he'd have most luck talking to the Chiss, though they'd all exchanged relatively few words even now. Shock, Altair assumed.
Seemed the most likely explanation, and also understandable. Expecting death only to be yanked through the veil of death and time to safety was probably a lot to deal with for people who weren't used to it.
"You don't have to worry, you know. I have allies who will be able to help you. Wherever you may want to go, I'm certain it can be arranged."
In the past, he would have let himself get swept along as time allowed, always certain that someone would be there to pick up any momentary slack. In this time, while he had faith in Thrawn's people and Thrawn himself, he couldn't justify taking the time to rush off whenever some new thread weaved itself into the galaxy's tapestry. There were no other Sith who would pick up his slack, and he had promised to assist Thrawn with his goal, after all. Tempting as it was to let himself drift in the river of fate to let it carry him to new and strange places, give him new and strange riches, he wouldn't, and couldn't.
At least that had been the case until a particularly insistent call in the Force had become too much to ignore.
It wasn't dangerous, was what he had said to Thrawn, upon seeking permission to leave for a time. Not dangerous. Not like the fleet, not like the Silencers, and Iokath. It just was. That nebulous concept had been what was most difficult to explain, really. But whether or not Thrawn understood didn't matter, because he had, at least, seen his seriousness and respected it.
Altair wondered what he'd think now.
The Force had led him to an ancient temple- Altair still wasn't certain if it was Sith or Jedi in origin- and that temple had led him to a strange place. Branching paths and moments in time. For a while he had wandered- admittedly he'd sought a way back to his own time. It would have broken his promise, which he hated doing, but still. A part of him would always miss his people.
He hadn't found it though.
But he had found many strange artifacts. Plucked them from moments in time whenever the Force felt like it was urging him to do so. Whether that was some kleptomaniac instinct or actually the Force though, he wasn't sure. Maybe both.
Through one such window into the past, he'd come across someone in a situation that wouldn't end well. Plucking items out of these moments was one thing- would maybe end in a bruised ego or two somewhere far in the past- but people? Still, it was the only glimpse that was truly an open door to be reached through. The Force was quiet, not urging him one way or another, despite its strong presence in the silence between moments and its somewhat subtle insistence that he claim artifacts before. In the end though, when given the opportunity to save someone, he had.
The idea of simply leaving someone to die when all he had to do to save them was reach out his hand pained him. He couldn't do it.
And so, outside of the temple in the dark and quiet night, he sat with the two people he'd rescued by the fire they'd built for light and warmth while they waited for morning to come so they could head for the ship he'd borrowed with the promise that he'd bring it back in one piece, without fear of anything that might be lurking in the blackness of the forest the temple was surrounded by.
It had been day when Altair had entered the temple and found his way into that strange place, and while he felt no more hunger than usual, Altair could somehow tell that this was not the first night that had passed since he first arrived. He assumed it had been a few days, at least.
He wondered how he was going to explain this one though.
A Chiss and a Jedi who- while remaining nearby- was perhaps expectedly standoffish in the presence of a Sith. Out of the two of them, Altair figured he'd have most luck talking to the Chiss, though they'd all exchanged relatively few words even now. Shock, Altair assumed.
Seemed the most likely explanation, and also understandable. Expecting death only to be yanked through the veil of death and time to safety was probably a lot to deal with for people who weren't used to it.
"You don't have to worry, you know. I have allies who will be able to help you. Wherever you may want to go, I'm certain it can be arranged."
no subject
"And did he now?" Altair said, raising his head slightly, showing that she'd caught his interest, "Your old master must have been a cruel person then. I'm sorry. Whatever shape our relationship takes, I wish for you to tell me should I ever start to resemble your old master. You can do so bluntly too, should the need for it arise. In fact, it'd be comforting to me if you voice your opinions and your emotions freely."
He knew a thing or two about cruel masters too, which was why he was attentive to that in particular. While he'd taken care to not be so to Ashara and Xalek, he was a different man now than he had been. He felt like he was much colder now than he was in his youth. So should he ever treat Lorana cruelly, he wanted to be called out on it. To place himself above criticism would be to step onto a wrong path.
"No person is perfect, after all. It's important to be open to the opinions of others."
A pause, and then, "Ah. Except maybe Thrawn, actually. I've yet to see any failing in him as of yet."
A little bit of humor- in his voice, but also the way he tilted his head toward Thrass just a bit. Thrawn was, after all, open to input from others. That showed that he was well aware that others could see what he himself might not. It was an admirable quality.
no subject
He smirked at Altair. "Spend enough time with and you might find something." Not that he was about to point out his brother's flaws out loud. Altair clearly admired Thrawn a whole lot, more so than probably any others on this ship.
"I tried to convince myself that he wasn't bad," Lorana said. "Even when the evidence was looking me right in the eye, I didn't want to believe it. And then he tried to kill Thrawn and I knew that he'd fallen to the dark side." Even if Thrawn's forces had attacked them first, what C'baoth had done was still attempted murder. "He believed that the Jedi were superior to everyone, and that it was our right to shape how the galaxy was run. That everyone should automatically defer to us, including the Senate." She paused. "Still, I think he made a good point, when he said that the Jedi needed to adapt and change if they were to survive." Given what had happened, his words seemed much harsher in hindsight.
no subject
Sometimes a bit too much.
"Your master was as much a fool as he was cruel, then."
Just hearing about him, he sounded a lot like the sort of scum Altair had had to dispose of in the past.
"The Jedi are not superior to anyone else, nor are the Sith. Anyone who thinks like that should never lead. A wise leader must always be open to the viewpoints of others, and be willing to admit that they do not know everything. Not that I have any love for the Republic Senate or even the Republic itself or anything. But even a thousand chaotic voices is better than one moron who thinks they have some divine right to lead simply because the Force is a little stronger him."
Altair had been a leader in his own time, of course. Still, he'd never thought himself above his people even though he could have and it would have been accepted. But he'd always thought that it was important to keep an open mind, and to value input from others, regardless of whether they were Force sensitive or not. Sith and Jedi were powerful, but they were not omniscient nor omnipotent, much as they might want to present themselves in such a way.
"To change and adapt is important though, yes. Neither the Sith nor the Jedi can do that any more. You and I can, though. With a little help from friends, I think we can both change for the better."
no subject
"He's not wrong," Lorana said. "A leader should be everything Lord Nox said they should, and while I haven't known Thrawn for very long, I'd say that description suits him."
"That it does," Thrass agreed. He turned to Altair, "There isn't anyone on this ship who would not agree with you."
no subject
"I would not follow him had I not thought him to be an ideal leader. He is wise, willing to listen to the input of others, and yet has a clear voice when decisions are to be made. A balance of both the grace and confidence needed to lead well. Had I thought him lacking, I would not bow my head to him, nor allow him to command me."
Altair had certainly come to admire Thrawn. He respected him. And ever so slowly, they'd become friends too.
"Sith are capricious creatures. We don't let just anybody tell us what to do, you know."
no subject
Looking back at Altair, Thrass just said, "I'm sure my brother considers himself very fortunate that you consider him worthy of following."