Private A Lesson in Decorum

[Darth Reign]

Location: Reign's personal shuttle in hyperspace on route to Bastion
Tag: Kai'lyn

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The young torgruta had been chomping at the bit (quite literally in some ways) to start his education. However, Darth Reign had been hard pressed getting the mining operations on Taspir up and running. While his daughter's had been continuing their training with their mother Darth Nocturne during Reign's disposition, Kai'lyn had not had the benefit of added tutelage. A failing the Dark Lord intended to rectify today.

Darth Reign had finally received confirmation of a meeting between the Diarchy and the planetary government of Bastion, a key planet located at the end of the trade route known as the Braxant Run. The former imperial fortress world would be a key player in the enactment of their "Grand Plan" including the future capital of the Diarchy's domain, and location of the academy the Dark Lord intended to build.

Their meeting today was with the planetary governor himself, and from what Reign knew of the area, it had seen many iterations of Sith come through it, he would need to convince the governor of The Diarchy's worth in an alliance.

As they sat in the cockpit of Reign's personal shuttle, his praetorian guards settled in the crew area behind them, the Dark Lord turned to his new acolyte and said "The meeting we are attending is of the utmost importance to our goals, it is one that requires delicacy and tact, your purpose in this is to learn the proper decorum that is needed when dealing with planetary leaders. This will be key to your growth, as one needs to know how and when to be the placating ambassador, and when to be the terrifying Sith."

As Reign watched the streaks of hyperspace he pondered the Acolyte in the copilot's seat next to him. The child was powerful, unrefined and near feral, but if his animalistic side could be tamed, there was great potential there. Smiling at the boy he asked "Before we exit hyperspace, do you have any questions? Get them out now as this is the best time. Also, before you land, Nocturne packed you food, including some sweet sand cookies. No doubt we will be treated to a meal either before, during, or after the negotiations, but I know how hard it is to concentrate without a meal"

 

[Kai'lyn]

Darth Reign

"What do the words 'decorum' and 'placating' mean?" he asked casually, tilting his head in mild curiosity. Then his attention shifted abruptly. "Sweets?" His eyes lit up, his whole demeanor perking up as he wondered where they were. If it were up to him, he'd happily devour them all in one go. Though he seemed like he was paying attention, it was hard to tell how much of the conversation he truly understood—or cared to retain. He sat in his seat with a lazy sway, his legs drawn up and feet, still socked but out of his boots, crossed over each other in a manner more suited to sitting on the ground than in a chair.

 

[Darth Reign]

Reign couldn't help but chuckle at the acolyte's questions. He wasn't surprised, walking back he grabbed himself a small sandwich that had been packed. Sitting down, he turned in his seat to look at Kai. "Decorum is behavior more or less. If you have proper decorum, it means you are acting the way you are supposed to for the situation that you are in. Placating means to soothe or calm by either giving ground in a talk, or coming off as non threatening or not hostile, it makes people more likely to work with you."

Reign snacked on his sandwich, making a note to thank his wife again later, his mind drifted to the task at hand. Bastion had been the capital of Sith Empires and Imperial factions for hundreds of years, heavily fortified and in an ideal trade location. The Dark Lord needed this negotiation to run smoothly.

"What we are here to do today is very important for our future, pay close attention as one day, you may be asked to do the same" He smiled at the acolyte, it was a shift having a new apprentice, as he had trained the girls since they were young.

Kai'lyn

 

[Kai'lyn]

Darth Reign


Kai'lyn observed him quietly before following his path, sniffing the air. Soon enough, he found the cookies and devoured them in no time.

"You mean submissive behavior," Kai'lyn remarked matter-of-factly. In animal packs, such behavior was common. He understood the concept well enough.

 

[Darth Reign]

Reign smirked at the simple explanation. It was unrefined but valid for the Acolytes understanding.

“If it were simply bowing down to the other person yes. But you are making them think you are submitting while driving them to the result you want.”

Reign watched the child eat, he was still not used to his voracious appetite, but was glad the snacks were being eaten.

The shuttle dropped out of hyperspace in the Bastion system, and Reign piloted them into orbit and towards the city of Ravelin comming control “Control, this is Lord Reign, I am requesting permission to land, your governor is expecting me transmitting codes now”

Reign put in the access codes the governors attendant had given him.

“Lord Reign, welcome to Ravelin, please proceed to landing pad two, the governor will meet you there”

Reign swerved the shuttle towards the designated landing pad and said the the acolyte “there is a time for domination, and a time for subtlety. We are here for allies not enemies so be mindful”

Kai'lyn

 

[Kai'lyn]

Darth Reign


Kai'lyn watched in awe as the spaceport came into view, not accustomed to seeing it so up close and personal as they landed. He gave a small nod, acknowledging what was said. "I understand," he replied simply.

The vicious little creature within him stirred anxiously, eager to sniff the unfamiliar air once they disembarked. His movements often mirrored those of a wild animal—quick, instinctive, and fluid.

His eyes dilated as he took in the myriad of new stimuli, but despite the overwhelming sensations, he managed to follow along well enough.

 

[Darth Reign]

Reign spied landing pad two, it was the pad with the waiting crowd. “great the welcoming committee” he said to the apprentice by his side. He had hoped for a more personal affair, but the governor, Maro Korden was the man’s name if he remembered correctly, seemed to want it to be a spectacle.

As the Dark Lord put the ship down, he steeled himself for a meeting with politicians. Reign had always been a man of action, but upon stepping up to the galactic stage, more and more he found himself playing politics.

“Stay close, and be wary of what you say to these people. Think of them as predators, but do them no harm, be cautious but kind. Do as I do and you will be fine” he said to Kai as he stood. Placing his outer robe on, the gold accents and Sith symbols seeming to shimmer as he moved, he made his way down the ramp.

Maro Korden, governor of Bastion, was a stocky man in military dress attire. Fitting for such a fortress world. As they approached Reign bowed low “Governor, it is a pleasure to meet in the flesh. For those to whom I’m unacquainted, I am Lord Reign. This is my apprentice Kai’lyn.”

“Lord Reign, the pleasure is mine, we were happy to hear of your interest in our world.” Korden said, imitating the Dark Lord’s bow. “those gathered with us are my advisors, we together decide what is in the best interests of Bastion… but enough of this for now. Come, we have prepared a feast for you, then we can get to work”

The Governor then walked towards the entrance to the spaceport, Reign, nodding to Kai to follow him, caught up and walked by the governors side.

Kai'lyn

 

[Kai'lyn]

Darth Reign

Kai'lyn yawned, stretching out as a few snaps and pops followed. He tilted his head at the odd gesture, watching the men bow. He didn't understand the strange custom, thinking it peculiar. His gaze swept over everyone present. Kai'lyn decided to stay quiet and avoid drawing attention to himself. That was how one typically avoided predators. He followed along quietly, seemingly captivated by the new sights and sounds. He didn't really understand why this was so important, but perhaps it was expecting too much for him to grasp so soon. He barely had a basic understanding of civilized norms, let alone what dealings with high society should be like.

 

[Darth Reign]

Reign could feel the sense of wonder coming from the apprentice. Perhaps this had been a jump off the deep end for Kai, but, the young Torgruta had held himself well so far, and it was too late to turn back.

As they approached a shuttle to take them to the governors palace, Reign took in the sights. It was apparent that Bastion had served as a fortress world for many iterations of the Empire, massive defenses, turbolaser towers and anti aircraft guns as well as a militarized efficiency and order that appealed to Reign deeply. Ravelin was a wonder of order and discipline, that Reign couldn't help but be awed by.

"Ravelin, and indeed the whole planet, are quite a wonder to behold Governor, I've never seen such efficiency" he said the the man by his side. It was not merely flattery, the Dark Lord could indeed see why the planet had borne the brutality of wars past.

"Thank you, Lord Reign, we here on Bastion take pride in our planet, and will do all it takes to defend it." The other man said, without looking over.

Reign dropped back slightly to walk with Kai at this point. "This place is vastly different to where we met, what do you think?"

Kai'lyn

 

[Kai'lyn]

Darth Reign

Kai'lyn seemed distracted when Reign slowed his pace to walk alongside him. The dark indigo and thistle-hued Togruta tilted his head, his turquoise eyes flickering up to meet Reign's gaze with a curious, sidelong glance. He hesitated before speaking, almost as if he had to pull himself from some distant thought.

"…Strange smells everywhere," he muttered, his attention quickly drifting away again. His gaze shifted back and forth, occasionally snapping to Reign as though drawn to a sudden movement out of his peripheral vision, like a cat catching sight of something small and quick.

There was rawness about Kai'lyn—a youth shaped by neglect, rough around the edges. His lack of polish, both in manner and understanding, revealed a life spent far removed from common humanoid customs. Civilized behavior was foreign to him; he seemed more at home tracking through forests, driven by the thrill of hunting small creatures than in engaging in conversation. Reign had his work cut out for him, guiding someone who was still very much a creature of instinct over intellect.

 

[Darth Reign]

Reign could feel his apprentice’s distraction, as much as it was written on his face. Again, he felt for the boy. The neglect apparent in his mannerisms and his skittish nature, he needed guidance, badly.

“This place, and this situation, must be strange for you. I remember my first steps out into the galaxy at large. Just know, I’m here”

He put a hand on the Apprentice’s shoulder, knowing it would be foreign to him, but nonetheless, he wanted to provide assurance that they would get through it together.

“We will be going to a feast before negotiations begin. Just please remember to use the forks” he said with a small laugh.

He caught back up with the governor as they were about ready to enter the shuttle.

Kai'lyn

 

[Kai'lyn]

Darth Reign

Kai'lyn drew closer to Reign, a spark of excitement at the memory of his last feast with Darth Solipsis . His steps quickened, already eager at the mention of another gathering. There was a lot of sith at the feast... maybe that's what sith... did? "Will there be lots of... Sith?" he asked, a hint of thrill in his voice, imagining a crowd filled with dark figures.

 

[Darth Reign]

Reign laughed as he sat in the shuttles seat. “no, no Sith at this feast other than us my young friend.” Reign would have to explain why they were here again some time to the young torgruta.

As the speaker took off towards the governor’s palace, Reign admired the fortified city. His academy would do well here, and Bastions location at the end of the Braxant run trade route would help them greatly.

Turning back to his apprentice he said “no, today we deal with something far more terrifying than Sith… politicians.”

Kai'lyn

 

[Kai'lyn]

Darth Reign

"How are they more terrifying?" Kai'lyn asked. He barely grasped the basics of normal, everyday life—he probably didn't understand what exactly a politician was.

"Aren't you a politician?" he asked, then paused, as if some sobering thought caught wandering throughout his mind.

 

[Darth Reign]

​

Location: Bastion
Tags: Kai'lyn

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The Dark Lord chuckled again. The youth did have a lot to learn.

He spoke softly in a whisper as to not offend the governor
“They are more terrifying because you KNOW a Sith wants to do you harm. With a politician you can never tell what their true goal is”

He paused for a moment thinking over Kai’s next question. He supposed as a head of state he needed to be a politician of sorts, but he truly did not love it all that much.

“When I have to be, yes. As one of the Leaders of our movement, I need to be able to meet with other leaders and discuss how best to move us forward, someday, maybe you can do that too”

He settled into the seat, watching as the governor’s palace approached.

 

[Kai'lyn]

Darth Reign

Kai'lyn frowned at that. "And so... the same is true for you, yes?" he asked, his voice laced with a hesitant edge. The thought lingered, threading through his mind as he tried to make sense of Reign's intentions.

What did Reign want to do to him that was harmful? Kai'lyn's wariness deepened; after all, Reign was Sith, wasn't he? That alone should mean he was a self-proclaimed bad person—someone he should know would want to do him harm.

 

[Darth Reign]

​

Location: Bastion
Tags: Kai'lyn

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The Dark Lord blinked slowly at the boy. What was this child thinking, the Diarch had been nothing but kind to him, oh well he thought. A further explanation was needed.

Speaking slowly he said “Yes, to others. But not to you, you are family. Family is honored above all else in the Diarchy. I would not harm you any more than I would my own children”

The shuttle landed on the pad and the Diarch stood, following the governor to the dining hall.

 

[Kai'lyn]

TAGS: Darth Reign

​

Kai'lyn tilted his head, a glimmer of bioluminescence shimmering over his horns and lekku. It was faint and fleeting, but it was there—a subtle glow Reign might have never seen before. His eyes dilated as he considered the man's words, and after a few long moments of silence, another gentle pulse of light washed over his features. Perhaps he wasn't your average Togruta.

Looking back at the man, he asked, "Is that a promise?"

 

[Darth Reign]

​

Location: Bastion | Ravelin City
Tags: Kai'lyn

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The Diarch through a look over his shoulder, a wide grin on his face.

“That’s a promise, my young friend”

He caught up to the governor just in time to walk in to the grand hall of his palace.
Dark stone architecture throughout with vaulted ceilings, reminding the Diarch of a cathedral.

They passed by many hallways on the way to a grand banquet room, large table set in the center with mounds of food.

“Come my lord, let us eat, my advisors will be joining shortly. But for now, let us talk as friends”
the governor said, his demeanor jovial, yet disciplined.

“I would be honored, my friend.” Reign said, taking a seat nearest the governor. Looking to his apprentice he added “Kai, take a seat, enjoy the meal.”