Hoth: Blood and Ice

Briefly Back at the Base... (EE)

As the people filed out of the meeting room Shyyyo stood near the exit and watched as each member passed.

When a shorter Jedi master crossed in front of him he gently placed a hand in front of her.

"Excuse me... Master Hoshin, correct? Do you mind if I have a word with you for a second?"

She was instantly suspicious of any strangers under these present circumstances; even more so strangers who seemed to know her name. He would probably get the sense that she was very much ready to commit violence at a moment's notice, his extended hand only remaining extended because it wasn't a threat. In this regard, Layne Hoshin hadn't fundamentally changed. If anything, she'd only gotten more intimidating about it. This despite her overall much calmer demeanor. Or perhaps it was *because* of it. Angry uncertain teenagers make themselves seem big to seem more threathening, after all, whereas someone with confidence and real skill had no need to.

But, there was *something* familiar about this stranger. She could venture a guess or two as to who they were; but she had a feeling she was going to find out for certain sooner rather than later anyhow.

"Yes?"

He gestured down a hallway where they could speak with relative anonymity.

"It's been a long time Layne... Thought Baras killed you that night." He walked a few steps letting her mind work.

"Believe it or not, it was rather distressing for me when I saw you fall. I convinced you to fight him then... I'm glad to see you made it."

Layne wasn't a genius, but she also wasn't stupid; it didn't take very long to realize who it was once he started talking. Still, she was quiet for a while; contemplating. Her and Sylvain had patched up their rocky relationship back on Nar Shaddaa...

...but that was a long time ago. He had trended toward the Light back then, but even so...after all these years... he was still a Sith. Whatever light had been in him back on the smuggler moon had not been sufficient to make him realize he was clearly on the wrong side. And who knew how much light was still left, now?

"I was sorry to hear about Kristal," she said, "I liked her."

News got out, of course. But Layne also had her own knowledge of things that happened on Ziost. Probably more so than any Sith; even the likes of Sylvain; could suspect.

"But I *chose* to fight him. We all did. Though I admit, I'm disappointed that you remained with the Sith afterwards. Even Zeno made his way over, and he was never anything like you."

Sylvain nodded as they continued at a leisurely pace, trying to space themselves away from others.

"Thank you... I did too." It was a polite understatement.

"She was the best of us. That's probably why she's not here." He said with an appreciative nod.

"We each bear our own burdens Layne. Our own destinies to traverse. Would you rather have a maniac like Zash or Magara-sha in my position... Or someone who realizes that not everything is so easily sacrificed for self-aggrandizement? The people of the Empire need people who will look out for them... I try and offer what I can. Use my talents to uplift and strengthen... Though I fail with regularity."

He then turned his head slightly, "What brings you to Hoth old friend...?"

"So, three billion souls sacrificed on Kovaal was *hard* then, was it? Well, I guess that it's better than what the Emperor was planning, at least."

Oh, she *obviously* knew things she wasn't supposed to. Baras was no doubt supposed to have kept the things that happened under *very tight* wraps. Though she supposed that with his newfound girth, anything wrapped around him would make a tight fit indeed.

"We go to all this trouble to get rid of him and save the Empire and Republic both, and you lot put someone barely better in charge. Face it, Sylvain, the Empire is never going to be what you want it to be. It will always find ways to crush the people under its boots, and it's not going to press down less hard just because you're there pleading for it not to. At some point you have to realize you're just propping them up."

She shrugged, and gave a small smile. "By the way, I absolutely would've preferred Magara-Sha in your position. After all, in the end, she was willing to sacrifice herself to do what's right. And besides, better one of the dead dying again, then someone who could be so much better walking away from it all."

There was an audible chuckle behind the mask after she finished speaking.

"You were always one to speak your mind freely. Forgive me for casting aspersions on your ancestor... I had forgotten you were related. She was a lovely lady... who sacrificed much for the Empire that stands today." He put his hand to his chest.

"I should not have been so callous toward her memory."

He largely played off the rest of her comments. He had not been responsible for Kovaal. He had saved thousands of lives on Ziost without casting aside his own. He was noticeably different from when he had been easily offended as a young man.

"I understand your concerns... And welcome your advice. Unfortunately... I fear these political distinctions may be of lesser concern in the days ahead. And not just because the chilling cold of this world threatens our lives."

"She was a monster," Layne said, "But one who redeemed herself in the end. It seems to be a family trait of sorts."

Layne sighed and shrugged, "but never mind that, I'm not trying to argue politics here, Syl. That's not really the point and you know that's never been my thing anyhow. Sure, I know for a fact the people of the Empire would be better off in the Republic, but what I'm really saying is that *you* would be better off outside the empire."

A brief pause before she added a few words. "I always thought you would've had a much easier time adjusting to becoming a Jedi than I did."

He tilted his head, "I disagree old friend... I think I don't fit either mold all that well. Much too practical for either orthodoxy. And too attached to those whom I care for... Just because some of the worst atrocities in the Empire are not my doing... does not mean I do not do things which I feel to be necessary. Some of these things I regret... Some I do not."

He nodded to her, "You on the other hand... Are practical, but generally try your best to 'do what is right'. Not nearly as calculating and amoral as myself. The trauma you sustained as a child has molded you into a defender of the weak. A hero... and one who has earned great renown across the galaxy for more than the drivel of literature which worships you in a rather... icky way."

He nodded, "There were these seeds in you long ago... Even on Korriban and that nasty business with Zash's apprentices. You have nurtured these seeds and become someone worthy of trust..."

He then stopped in place and turned to her, "Which is why I turn to you now... I am in need of a hero."

"Yeah well," she shrugged uncomfortably at the mixture of praise and... Jerri references.

"You could've been like Zeno then, instead. Besides, it's not like I really fit the Jedi mold either. I don't do things the way they tend to, I kept many secrets, attachments, and just been generally stubborn about doing things my way and nobody else's. But... that's probably more common among the Jedi than you think anyhow. We're not all naive idealists holding ourselves to impossible standards. Hell, I even found a way to work with *Zash* of all people, though I'd still like to find her and finish the last fight we had. Which *also* isn't a very Jedi thing to want."

She shrugged. "Anyway, you're just trying to distract yourself away from the point. But fine... what do you need?"

Sylvain smiled behind the mask. It was still very much Layne who he looked at... Things had changed, and they hadn't.

"I have had troubling dreams of late... Ones that brought me here. And compel me to go searching in the wastes." He began.

"I saw our ships fall from the sky... Prepared the best possible force to prevent it... And yet here we are. I have learned that ignoring the Force leads only to greater calamity. And so I need to go..."

He looked down the hallway briefly as if motioning towards leaving. "Doing so alone, however, is utter foolishness. And among those that I would invite... I either value them too highly, or cannot trust them further than I can throw a rock."

He gestured to her, "You, however, I can both trust... And excuse me if you will... Do not value the same as some others."

He tilted his head, "Perhaps not the best pitch... But something tells me that there is a reason you are here too... at this time and in this place... And I feel inclined to ask. Even if that answer is, no."

"Ah... poodoo..." She gave a deep sigh on hearing him describe what sounded eerily familiar.

"...I guess there was an old man in your vision too, then?"

He chuckled and nodded, "An old man with a red and black cane. Bearing a resemblance to a force-entity I came across on Korriban."

He straightened his head, "Wasn't my favorite experience... But I don't choose the dreams."

"Spindral," she said, "Don't know if I'd exactly call him a force entity, but he's something alright. I met him right after my first time landing on Korriban. Got lost in the desert then too, just like I got lost here in the frozen wastes. He was actually... quite helpful. I didn't run into him here though. Not yet, anyway."

Sylvain nodded and the masked voice replied. "Quite..."

He then asked, "I have some preparations to make before we leave. Bring what you need... and meet me at the entrance?"

"Wait, are we going on foot? I got a speeder, but it wasn't built for this kind of weather."

Sure, it *could* be a trap. Sylvain always *was* at the talky stuff, after all. It *could* all have been a ruse, she supposed. But no, that *probably* wasn't the case.

"I'm guessing you managed to land fine, right? Do you know what you're getting into, going out there?"

"No, not fully." He said with a tone that suggested it didn't truly bother him.

"But I'll have you to protect me."

"I'm not cuddling with you for warmth, Syl. I doubt you'd have any trouble with those creatures I ran into out there, not if you've been around this long, but I can't protect you from the freezing temperatures. I'm not even sure I can protect myself from them, to be honest."

She shrugged. "Of course, I was going to risk it sooner or later myself, so it's not like I'm not still up for it. Just saying, know what you're getting into. And do we even know what direction to pick?"

"Wear a coat." He replied.

"I wish I knew more..." He shrugged. "But I trust in the Force."

She gave a final sigh.

"That sounds like something I'd say. Fine, I'll go get my stuff. What's left of it, anyway."

Sylvain nodded and....


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Wipe to out in the wastes with the cold and the wind and the frozenness all around in the early evening...

It might've been useful to have some of her equipment repaired before heading out, but alas. Trusting in the Force is what they were going to do anyway, so who cared about things like navigation tools? Even so, she'd brought along some stuff she figured might be useful. Aside from her weapons, she brought a distress beacon; just in case; climbing gear, food rations, fire paste, and a folded up plasteel tent to fit in her backpack; room enough for more people than the two of them. If things went truly bad out there, well, they'd be able to survive the night at least.

"Alright, mister trust the force, admit it! You're lost!"

OOC: Survival roll at Hard with two setback due to weather.

“The quick and easy way leads to the Dark Side Layne…” He replied with an invisible smirk as he tried to plot a course through the snow and wind…


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D1 Spirit Trip Survival Assist Layne -2 Setback: 3eA+1eB+3eD 1 success, 1 threat

They find some shelter from the storm, though Shyyyo slips and falls down an incline into a ice filled cave with crystalline like growths.

OOC: take 1 strain for the Sith.