Grief (Ira)

[Ira]

Isafaro. Had potential to be fun. But really, a stick in the mud. People trying to play the sides and doing a terrible job of it. Too many people had already rallied to one side and had been so infected with the thought of morals driving them. Why couldn't there be more selfish people in the world to do things right?

Ira nodded at June's question. It wasn't a lie at all, at least not in Ira's mind. If one learned to find pain, anger, or frustrations enjoyable to experience, learned to use it to their advantage - then it didn't hurt anymore, did it? Then again, it was the thought process of someone who could be an extreme masochist at times despite the potentially sadistic nature she had when taking captives. "The pain doesn't just go away. It stops hurting, it stops being bothersome. It stops holding you back. Pain can still be there, but it hardly lasts. At least for me. I hardly feel it anymore. But because I've learned to use it."

[Ayen]

"The pain doesn't just go away. It stops hurting, it stops being bothersome. It stops holding you back. Pain can still be there, but it hardly lasts. At least for me. I hardly feel it anymore. But because I've learned to use it."

Before June could even fully realize what it was she was asking the words simply slipped out of her lips, “Teach me.” The desire to make the pain stop hurting was drowning out everything else. Preventing her from asking questions that she normally would have asked if she was feeling anything else. “Please teach me.”

[Ira]

Oh, how amusing. Someone here wanted to learn from her. How interesting. But that was her job, was it not? To spread the word of the Sith itself so the destruction of structured society focused around ideals of morals and ethics - unnatural behavior - could begin.

A thin smile spread across her lips and if one stared into those eyes of Ira's, they would more than likely see the gears of thought moving quickly, a look which Jedi and Sith alike had come to fear, for terrible thoughts formed in that mind.

"Oh, but I don't know if you're ready to commit to this path. And teaching you only to have you back out isn't something I would like to waste my time on. My knowledge, skills, and teachings were once widely sought - To waste my time with an apprentice who may not be committed to these teachings. To show me your commitment, your willingness and readiness to walk this path - I ask for only one task to be done - and this task too shall be considered the start of these teachings." And of course Ira paused for dramatic effect, Dark Lady of the Sith had to do things with style! Such was always the case.

"The source of your pains now. Find it and return the favor, make them feel the pain and frustration as you have. Take what you feel and force it upon them. Do this, and do it successful without hesitation, without regrets, and I shall take you under my wing.

Understand?"

[Ayen]

"Oh, but I don't know if you're ready to commit to this path. And teaching you only to have you back out isn't something I would like to waste my time on. My knowledge, skills, and teachings were once widely sought - To waste my time with an apprentice who may not be committed to these teachings. To show me your commitment, your willingness and readiness to walk this path - I ask for only one task to be done - and this task too shall be considered the start of these teachings."

“What is it? What do I need to do to prove I'm committed?”

"The source of your pains now. Find it and return the favor, make them feel the pain and frustration as you have. Take what you feel and force it upon them. Do this, and do it successful without hesitation, without regrets, and I shall take you under my wing."

The source of her pain. That was Utena. Ira wanted her to hurt Utena as she had hurt her. June pondered this for a moment, wondering if she could bring herself to do such a thing even in her anger. Even then, what could she do to repay the favor? To hurt her so much that she shared the same pain and frustration in her heart as she did? June couldn't believe she was even considering it, but she was. She was...

"Understand?"

“Yes. I understand. After the task is complete where can I find you?”

[Ira]

Ira shook her head as she slowly took a step backwards, retreating slowly into the shadows of the trees of the park. "Do not concern yourself with finding me, dear apprentice. When the deed is done, trust that I shall know. Trust that I shall find you when the time is right." The gleam of a hidden smile could be seen in her bright eyes as she continued to pull back into the shadows.

"If you begin to have doubts, simply remember both failure and a change of heart are not options. Kill your doubts with the anger which has taken hold of you. Good luck. And do try to have fun."

[Ayen]

"Do not concern yourself with finding me, dear apprentice. When the deed is done, trust that I shall know. Trust that I shall find you when the time is right."

June watched Ira be enveloped in the darkness as she stepped back into it, as if her body was embracing it while she spoke. Symbolic in a lot of ways but unbeknownst to June as she too was embracing the darkness. Allowing it to wrap around and pull her in by its promises of a better life. Watching Ira depart as she was already thinking of terrible things she could do when she met up with Utena again. Assuming the Netherrealm hasn't already killed her. No. June knew that wasn't true. She could sense it. Though she couldn't explain why she could sense that Utena was still alive, and that was all she needed to know.

"If you begin to have doubts, simply remember both failure and a change of heart are not options. Kill your doubts with the anger which has taken hold of you. Good luck. And do try to have fun."

“Yes. My master.”