Faction A Place Called Home || Haxion Brood

[Kaila Irons]

Kaila leaned against the edge of the pool while listening with much interest.

“Unfortunately, I can’t do any singing for you at the moment, as it would be quite…offensive to our hosts. However, if you are dying to hear it, perhaps I might be able to entertain your…musical tastes at the end of the night,”

"I think I'd like that very much" Her lips parted into a toothy grin, seeming enthusiastic at the prospect of being Tarasynora's private audience for an evening.

But there was more to Kaila's interest than mere entertainment, although the fellow near-human made for excellent company. Tarasynora seemed so out of place at first glance, certainly among the Haxion Brood's rank and file, giving her an air of mystery even among the cloaked gunslingers and silent assassins found in neighboring rooms. She wanted to know more, always more, and she was piecing together a story.

She was an outcast, a wanderer of sorts much like herself and not by choice either. It was an easy conclusion to arrive at, given the seeming regret they expressed at a prior career and perhaps even dreams unrealized. Whether she was running from it or driven from it, who was to say, but it seemed there was one place Tarasynora would fit right in.

At her side.

Outcasts and self imposed exiles were her people now, the kind who could tell those who knew and those who didn't by the smell of misfortune, If only allowed close enough. More cynical folk might take advantage of whatever empathy their claws could gain purchase in, But Kaila simply liked to surround herself with like minded individuals. People who already knew her scent in kind. Not the scent of a lap dog comfortable at it's master's side, but the scent of a stray, someone who knew what it was like to fight for all they had.

And when left to their own devices, strays could form packs just as well as any wolf.

“Though that said…” Tara continued in a higher, more serious tone. “You are correct, that there is more to it than singing.” The siren paused then, using the moment to take a small sip of her drink.

“Have you heard of the Maelibi?”

Kaila perked up at the first taste of an answer on the tip of her tongue, more pieces fitting into a place now. Being a Kainite seeker, she'd been exposed to all manner of legend true and false, the creatures of Iego being one of the more widespread tales, although difficult at times to separate fact from fiction.

But each story of the Maelibi shared one trait in common: Their voice.

"Maeli-? oh. Hah. Ahaha!" Kaila laughed softly. While clearly amused, there was a hint of something darker to her laugh. Perhaps sadistic, or perhaps merely the realization of a cruel irony.

Then she leaned in close, whispering just close enough for Tarasynora to feel her breath.

"Oh songbird... You call yourself useless, yet you could easily rank among the most dangerous people in this room, if only that voice were given direction"

If the Elzeri's talents were even remotely similar to what was being implied, Then this night had just become very interesting indeed.


Tarasynora

 

[Tarasynora]

Location: Observation Deck, Ordo Eris
Attire: Cyan One-Piece Swimsuit
Tag: Kaila Irons

Tara felt the words fall out her mouth at the compliment, her lashes fluttering with equal parts abashment and surprise in response to Kaila’s words. Fortunately, since it seemed like she already knew of the Maelibi and their hypnotic singing abilities, the siren did not need to explain herself any further. Still, Tara worried that her ability might be overrated. Its limitations had already become apparent, especially during her first mission which had involved an unending swarm of droids, rendering her presence as little more than dead weight due to the fact that droids could not be hypnotized.

Or at least, putting said synthetic constructs in a state equivalent to hypnosis required a slicer, of which she was not.

Nevertheless, Tara found the confidence to offer Kaila a tentative smile as she laughed. The Elzeri allowed herself to relax then, a small exhalation of pent-up breath leaving her lips as she placed a manicured hand over her chest. While she had already felt quite comfortable with Kaila, the knowledge that she might be useful to the Sith in a capacity more significant than just being a pretty face came as an immediate relief.

“Do you want to know how I discovered my ability?” Tara asked. “I...got in a fight with another idol trainee.” She continued. “It was over something stupid, but at the time she was jealous of me since I was the first in our class to get a debut contract. We were rivals since she was the second best singer in the class. However, with my contract I was going to be the main vocalist in a new girl group that was going to be biggest debut of the next year. It was looking like I would be the maknae as well—the youngest in the group.” The Elzeri hesitated again, if only to contemplate her next words.

“During the fight things got…heated and I told her to kill herself before storming out of the room. I didn’t get a good look at her face after I said it, but I think...her eyes almost seemed to glaze over right as I turned around to leave.” Tara paused again, this time her blue-hued gaze going distant as she briefly shifted her gaze down towards water in front of her. “I remember going to the refresher to touch up my makeup, but I spent a lot of time there just…standing in front of the mirror. Each of the stalls were private and sound-dampened, so it was easy to just spend time in them. I used to do that a lot when things got stressful, which was basically every day.” She explained. “When I finally came out, I heard sirens and there was a lot of commotion. People were shouting and a lot of the other idol trainees were crying. I went back to the practice room, but as soon as I got inside, the girls started pointing at me and screaming...then three security guards rushed and grabbed me. The last thing I saw before they took me away was the girl who I had fought being placed on a stretcher. After that, they locked me in a nearby office.”

“I think two hours later, a nurse wearing a really strange looking stone around her neck came into the office and drew my blood. There were three really big armored guys with her. None of them talked to me, but whatever they were looking for came back negative. That said, I was eventually let go, but that was the last time I was ever allowed inside that building.”

 

[Todblaz Graker]

Tod listened to the Neimoidian's words but chose not to respond, giving a casual shrug that seemed to say, 'Alright.' He didn't fully agree but kept it to himself. He wasn't a businessman, but Tod understood the importance of keeping things quiet. Too much noise, and you end up with attention you don't want. He assumed Mister Dod had already factored that in far better than he ever could.

Turning to Liin, Tod flashed a sly grin. "Shouldn't be too hard to find me, assuming you're willing to pay."

As the conversation shifted back to business, Tod's attention drifted. Glancing at his drink, he noticed it was empty, he must've been sipping absentmindedly. Waving down the bartender for a refill, he rejoined the conversation, mentally pulling himself back to the present.

Tags | Liin Terallo | Grissuk Ung Kusp

 

[Jonah]

Soon, Kyyrin made his appearance. A literal blast from the past and reminder of home. The man looked him up and down, like always. Perhaps he was surprised to see that Jonah had ditched the fancy digs and was sporting something much more mundane? "The Galaxy's a tiny place, it was bound to happen eventually." came the man's quip in return. Then, the Verros gave his compliment, to which Jonah offered a smile.

"What can I say? I'm trying to get like you, Kyyrin." His words were high praise, coming from a Verd.

From thence, Asphodel relieved Jonah's shoulder of his presence in order to sit more comfortably. In fact, a pair of stools were summoned and he propped his feet up. This left Hyacinth free to defend his food - poor thing. Jonah briefly turned his attention to the dynamic duo to pose a question: "Have you both been settling in alright?"

Tag: The Asphodel , The Hyacinth , Kyyrin , Leldra Kaar

 

[Grissuk Ung Kusp]

Todblaz Graker Liin Terallo

​

" I would not advocate for the rapid decline of the Alliance, Miss Terallo. Although it possesses its imperfections and is rooted in idealism, it remains the most stable governance structure in the galaxy, and such stability fosters economic prosperity for us within the Criminal Underworld. In the absence of the Alliance to provide a necessary counterbalance, the galaxy would be subject to the unpredictable desires of Empires and Sith Lords, a scenario that my benefactors are keen to avoid." Gedultey explained his response after taking a prolonged, thoughtful sip of the Corellian wine. He aimed not to dismiss her perspective outright but rather to convey that the existence of the Galactic Alliance within the galaxy contributed a certain level of stability amidst the constant flux of the universe where the whims of tyrants and petty fiefdoms outweighed any concern for the common man.

The Neimoidian's gaze wandered across the room, reflecting a deep contemplation, while his fingers were clasped together in a manner that suggested an attempt to soothe his anxiety. Although he held the position of Underboss within the Haxion Brood, he remained acutely aware of the presence of more formidable individuals who could pose a threat to him and his faction over the same commodities.

Currently, his cell was primarily composed of merchants and traders who had not aligned themselves with the larger corporate entities, leaving him with limited access to significant firepower.

He observed that Todblaz Graker had temporarily disengaged from the discussion, only to reappear later with a glass filled with a particular substance. The Neimoidian recognized the man's considerable experience, which warranted a degree of trust; however, his criminal background rendered him equally suspect. Nonetheless, the Neimoidian had a task prepared for him, with compensation already secured in a holding account.

"Mr. Graker, I have a task for you that will be compensated at twice your standard rate. I require an individual to conduct a reconnaissance operation within the Core Territory of the Dark Empire, specifically on Kampe. The objective is to assess the extent of fortifications in place and to gather intelligence on the types of armaments that may be deployed to deter any potential hostile takeover."

​

 

[The Hyacinth]

He ignored that individual that made his way down the bar to come to be with their small, but growing little group. Introductions could wait until he was done eating, social graces be damned.

There were enough interruptions already.

Though, he did half-listen to the exchange between this Kyyrin and his Master. Acquaintances, at least. Certainly friendly. That gave the newcomer a bit of merit but he was still, largely, an unknown factor. Not that that couldn’t change, but it could wait while he finished his wings and soup.

As he took the last spoonful of soup into his mouth, he cringed ever so slightly at his brother’s use of the vocal emulator to mimic his own. And the man’s obvious awkwardness and confusion at his brother’s idea of a gift.

Kyyrin and Charon sitting in a tree.

Once his bowl was emptied and the bones of the bird were clean, then he turned to look at their guest. “We did, yes. As my brother put it, you can always return it. Though, it is a gesture of goodwill.” He pushed the tray that held the wing basket and soap bowl away from him a bit, gestured to the bartender, handed them a tip when they came to collect, and took a swig of his own drink. “I’m Ahkyls, the really mischievous one is Charon. Forgive him, he has an odd way of showing his interest in people.”

His eyes tracked back to Jonah’s face, head tilting slightly as if processing the depths of a rather simple question. “I have. It’s… odd… being in an organization. Probably just because it’s been a while. But, it hasn’t been unpleasant, if that’s what you mean.”

Jonah | The Asphodel | Kyyrin | Leldra Kaar​

 

[Liin Terallo]

Location: Observation Deck

With a dip of her head and a small smile, Liin fully noted and agreed to Tod's request for payment for his services. In her own line of work; nothing was for free. So she hardly expected Tod to work for free either. "But of course. I wouldn't expect to pay anything less than what you believe to be fair."

Her attention was returned to the Nemoidian while he partly rebuffed her statement with some added thoughts of his own. It was her belief that he had misunderstood what she had meant by what she had said. "On the contrary, I was not advocating for their demise, but merely saying that as history has shown; it is bound to happen. And as always another government forms to fill the void that they had left behind. The Covie have found that remaining neutral is the best strategy that have worked for us."

"If you will excuse me, gentlemen, I need to powder my nose." Now it was Liin's turn to bow out of the conversation for a little while as the Nemoidian and Tod spoke about a job opportunity. It wasn't her business to pry in their own, afterall. She had Tod's name and would surely be able to contact him when she had wanted to.

Slipping out of her stool, Liin left the bar, weaving in and out of the other patrons with the fluidic grace of one that had walked through a crowd many times before. And she had. To the refresher she headed towards, or at the very least where she thought it might be. Only to find herself a little distracted by one of the pools. Standing at the very edge of it, Liin contemplated slipping off one of her shoes in order to dip a toe into it. The water looked warm at the very least, but looks can be deceiving.

Tag: Todblaz Graker Grissuk Ung Kusp

 

[Kaila Irons]

Kaila's smile began to fade as the story progressed. By the end of it in fact, she seemed genuinely concerned. But equally, she understood.

She sat up in the water beside Tarasynora, placing a hand on her shoulder and gently squeezing as her eyes wandered idly over the bubbling water. It was quiet for a time, perhaps even uncomfortably so, but it gave time to collect one's thoughts.

"They were measuring your M-count" She began after a time.

"Midichlorian count. Microscopic organisms in our bodies, it's what connects us to the living force. The higher your count, the easier it is to feel the force. They did the same with me, when I..."

"I haven't really... told anyone this... but uhm," She swallowed, deciding to tell a story, to show that she empathized with the Elzeri.

"I hurt somebody too. Actually I burnt a man alive... The earliest manifestation of my powers was through pyromancy. A very powerful dark lord caught wind of the incident, and then I was dragged away to become Sith"

Kaila let go, realizing this might not be comforting in the way she intended. Despite what some may think, Kaila never considered herself good with people.

And she knew she was probably going to make it worse with her next line of questioning.

"Forgive me if this is an... uncomfortable question, but... Did you want her to get hurt? Before you answer-" She turned, carefully studying Tarasynora's reaction, but also trying to minimize the damage.

"I ask only because... I want to know what you're capable of, what kind of person you are, so that I know what kind of job to offer you. I think that, like myself, you are someone whose life has been forever changed by something beyond her control. And I would hate for you to think surrendering what little control- what little choice you have- is necessary for your survival"

"My people are what you might call... Ronin" Her lips curled into a melancholic smile.

"Masterless, Bound only in brotherhood, masters of our own destiny. And with us, you'll always have a choice"


Tarasynora

 

[Tarasynora]

Location: Observation Deck, Ordo Eris
Attire: Cyan One-Piece Swimsuit
Tag: Kaila Irons

Tara felt the tension leave her body when Kaila placed a hand on her shoulder, a gentle squeeze accompanying the intimate gesture as silence fell between the two. In turn, the Elzeri allowed herself to move closer to the woman until their shoulders touched. Although the Sith’s much taller form dwarfed her own, the sense of security that she provided only made it easier for Tara to relax. And yet, as her electric blue gaze met the Sith’s searing golden irises, Tara felt her breath go heavy, at which point the siren ran a few fingers through her own hair—an action that briefly steadied her pounding heart.

Kaila spoke up a few moments later and Tara listened in turn, her electric blue eyes slowly widening when the Sith spoke of burning a man to death. The hand on her shoulder took a different character then, at which point Tara became hyper-aware of its heat on her bare skin.

A heat that could kill just as easily as it could comfort.

Kaila let go then, seemingly aware of the effects that her words might have. Still, Tara didn’t pull away, nor did she appear in any way repulsed. The Elzeri offered a gentle nod then, the glint in her doe-like eyes one of compassion and bonding. However, when the woman spoke next with her question, Tara’s brows lowered as she pursed her lips together in a cautious expression.

“At the time I didn’t know what I could do to people with my voice but…” Tara paused, slowly closing her eyes, before opening them again. “I hated her. And I still do. So I guess I...really did want to hurt her.” The Elzeri stopped again, before taking a deep breath, as if to restrain herself. “Unfortunately, she survived. She overdosed on some pills that were inside her bag. And after she recovered, they gave her my contract.” The siren finished, her features visibly twitching as the words left her lips.

"My people are what you might call... Ronin" Her lips curled into a melancholic smile.

"Masterless, Bound only in brotherhood, masters of our own destiny. And with us, you'll always have a choice"

“Then I will choose the Ronin.” Tara answered, after a moment of consideration, which was yet bereft of hesitation. “But...maybe before we make that official...I’d like to choose something else first. Even if only for...” The Elzeri’s words trailed from her lips, hanging in the air between the two as her eyes once more found their way towards Kaila’s golden-hued gaze. She leaned forward at that point, close enough to make out individual lashes above and below the Sith’s eyes as her nose drew out the scent of her perfume.

Should she reciprocate, Kaila might soon find herself able to do the same, and possibly more thereafter.

 

[Kaila Irons]

Unfortunately, she survived.

So she is capable of malice after all. How intriguing, Kaila thought, head tilting to one side.

Not only that, but she could feel her hate. Were Tarasynora tainted by the force just as she was, Kaila might have even offered to teach her how to use this in the Elzeri's favor. However, the siren did not need some mystical power to benefit from what the sith had to offer, nor did Kaila believe they needed to be attuned, to be compatible with herself.

In fact the two seemed... highly compatible.

They had taken to one another quite quickly in fact, what began as mutual curiosities expressed over drinks rapidly spiraling into something much more potent. A solid foundation built to last. She was quite enjoying this actually, where sith not created to live such fast lives after all?

“Then I will choose the Ronin.” Tara answered, after a moment of consideration, which was yet bereft of hesitation. “But...maybe before we make that official...I’d like to choose something else first. Even if only for...”

"Something else," Tarasynora said, Kaila wondering if it were a play on the reoccurring "Other things" in their conversation throughout the evening. They were quickly becoming the sith's favorite words, for they had so many meanings, so many mysteries to be solved and infinite possibilities to explore. Blue eyes stared up at her with a newfound boldness, and she now understood that the Elzeri was prepared to live equally fast, equally chaotic, as she was.

They drew close, newly unwavering even as the sith's gaze shone in the dark room like the twilight of an eclipse staring down into the sea. They slowly narrowed as she leaned forward in kind, soft black lips pursed into an impish smile, eyes shutting gently. She did not merely reciprocate, but greedily pressed her lips into theirs for a time, fighting the urge to press her own weight into the smaller woman. Instead she settled for a soft hand with which to gently caress their rosy cheek. She supposed she should exercise, some patience in such company after all.

She would, some moments later, pull herself away slowly. Albeit somewhat reluctantly.

"Mmm. I... do not trust myself, not around you" Hers was a low and breathy chuckle, almost inaudible over the bubbly jets of this pool.

Kaila lingered close enough to whisper still, her gaze only diverting long enough to give Liin Terallo a sidelong glance as they began examining the various pools and baths, then back to Tarasynora as she panted softly.

"Alas, this pool may have a visitor... I hope you know the... restraint it takes, for my kind not to give into our passions"

She allowed their touch to linger just a little longer, tracing Tarasynora's cheek with the back of her hand as she pulled away to sit beside her, eyes beginning to wander over the small crowd she knew may have seen. Let them, for all she cared. The Elzeri had eagerly chosen, and Kaila was unafraid to demonstrate her claim as many times as she needed.

"Mm. I think this is the beginning of a very... fulfilling partnership" She gave the newest ronin a satisfied grin, then waved casually to the other woman, trying to keep up appearances as if nothing had ever happened.


Tarasynora Liin Terallo

 

[Liin Terallo]

Location: Observation Deck

It was the movement that caught her eye, movement that came from the very edge of her vision. She saw the two ladies seperate, much like two schoolaged young people would when caught sneaking a kiss by a teacher.

{So this is one of those kinds of parties, is it? I shall be sure not to intrude.} In one way she was glad for the interruption. For it reminded her that she wasn't alone in this space and that her earlier thought of dipping her toe in the water wasn't a good one.

A wave was passed her way by one of the ladies. Liin hadn't waved to anyone since she was a child, for she was taught that it was but a childish gesture. She would face utter embarrassment if she was to be caught waving to anyone that wasn't younger than their teen years. So in return Liin gave a small nod of her head, which was far more appropriate for one of her standing.

Then to the gazebo she gravitated towards. It was where Jonah had given Liin her orientation, and as far as she could tell there was no one there for her to interrupt. She opened up her feathered fan and let it do it's work to give her a welcoming breeze. As she had been told previously; she was quite a different addition to this organization. But not an unwelcomed one. Still it didn't offer a solace from feeling like she was the odd one out. Liin was a businesswoman, a leader in bioengineering, a Director for an entire planet. And yet it was whenever she was outside of New Cov that she felt small and almost meek. There were so many Force wizards out there. It was enough to make one feel highly outnumbered and almost outclassed. Yet she was comforted by the notion that there were plenty of people that felt the same way during any political function. And it was there that she shone.

Some day she will shine here too.

Tag: Kaila Irons Tarasynora