ME4 - Dreading the Truth

[Ilar'Shala]

After all that had transpired today, Ilar was full of conflict and needed answers. He headed to the Cathedral to find them as he so often had been, while here on Ziost.

[Dapper Dog]

"You are beginning to see," Hofu said as he entered.

[Ilar'Shala]

Ilar nodded. "Both more than I expected and on some level more than I wanted." The Twi'lek admitted.

"I have felt the Words redonating in the Dark. I felt something else today as well, I felt fear. But it passed me swifter than I thought possible and was subsumed by hate."

[Darth Hofu]

“Concern for one close to you is natural, that is a natural fear,” he said in response.

“At least he was merciful.”

[Ilar'Shala]

"As a former slave, I have seen and endured such merciful treatment before." Ilar rants as he tries and fails to calm himself.

"It only quells the masses through fear, and eventually even that threat loses its motivation. One only fears when they have something to lose."

[Darth Hofu]

“So now you have nothing to lose?” he said gesturing.

“Or do you have everything to lose?”

[Ilar'Shala]

Ilar nodded sagely, seeing where Hofu was going with this, or so he thought. "More than I had a week ago." He admits.

"It seems even after breaking one's chains, the struggle to remain free is constant." A small sigh escapes his lips.

"I hope you found the Mastery of Knowledge trial less taxing than my Lord did?"

[Darth Hofu]

“I saw no need to prove my loyalty, it may have hurt my standing but I have my principles such as they are. Chains are edless… Suith believe we shatter our chains but chains are constant, we shed them and then gather new ones. You will always have a chain, true freedom is an ideal… it is like when someone says they will one day be a better person. Such a goal is an ideal, you strive for it each day,” he replied.

“Only a fool believes they have shed all of their chains, even the Emperor is bound.”

[Ilar'Shala]

"One cannot be part of this Empire without chains of some fashion or another." Ilar expands upon the thoughts that Hofu was vocalizing.

"Is it only the chains we let others burden us with that weigh us down? Is the man who can choose his own chains any freer than one who is encumbered by chains of others' designs?"

[Jaheem Abasi]

Another would join them at the cathedral today. His mood was hidden behind a carefully arranged mask, his emotions in check. Jaheem had meant to come to the cathedral to both speak with his competitor but also to learn more about it. Jaheem dealt in fear and dread was a kind of fear a slower more maddening kind but a kind none the less.

He entered the cathedral but did not appear to be in any rush he examined the building and those inside for a moment before making a move anywhere.

[Darth Hofu]

"One cannot be part of this Empire without chains of some fashion or another." Ilar expands upon the thoughts that Hofu was vocalizing.

"Is it only the chains we let others burden us with that weigh us down? Is the man who can choose his own chains any freer than one who is encumbered by chains of others' designs?"

Hofu noticed the gust but replied to his Disciple giving him his attention, “To choose your chains can be just as dangerous as though forced upon you, often those can be the chains that bind us tighter. If you are forced into a role but also have great affection for another which will rule the heart and mind when such things clash? “

“We saw today the results of such a conflict and which chain was stronger.”

[Ilar'Shala]

Ilar noticed the arrival of Jaheem as well, and nodded in his direction before speaking to Hofu.

"I have much to think about." He stated simply. "I think I might take a few minute to meditate upon the matter."

Taking a seat on one of the benches he lowered his head in thought, freeing up Hofu to address the new arrival if he so chose.

[Darth Hofu]

Another would join them at the cathedral today. His mood was hidden behind a carefully arranged mask, his emotions in check. Jaheem had meant to come to the cathedral to both speak with his competitor but also to learn more about it. Jaheem dealt in fear and dread was a kind of fear a slower more maddening kind but a kind none the less.

He entered the cathedral but did not appear to be in any rush he examined the building and those inside for a moment before making a move anywhere.

“Lord Abasi, welcome to my meager kingdom,” he said with a wave of his hand.