Private An Accidental Meeting

[Darth Malum of House Marr]

Malum held a cloak over his face, a hood over his head, as he surveyed the vial before him. Instead of immediately leaving Jutrand after the meeting with Darth Empyrean, he had found himself walking along the darkened city, perhaps he was here to make his way to meet his family at their manse in the outskirts? No, that would have made too much sense, ever still, he feared returning home. Not that home was dangerous, but more that he did not wish to confront them. Trayze's status was still hidden from them, his identity too, his true identity that was. He had wanted to see his parents, had wanted to see his sisters, his brother, but something, mayhaps worry for their safety, mayhaps something else entirely, kept him away from them.

Thus he walked aimlessly through the city sites, he had become part of a dangerous game, a game of would-be kings, two of the three Triumvirs had expressed some interest in him, one his erstwhile ally, the other who wished to make her a foe. He had been oddly surprised that the third had not called to him, the former Emperor, the man he would have likely called His Majesty, if the Sith Empire still lived. Mayhaps it was a blessing that he had not called him, perhaps so.

The warmth of the vialed ashes gave him some comfort, some very little comfort, but comfort nonetheless, he was alone in this dingy bar, and in front of him sat a glass goblet of what he would politely term some shitty vintage. His head was fuzzy, and really that was all that mattered, he did not want to think right now. Think of great philosophy, of some great plans and escape. He was part of the game whether he liked it or not, he had done every action in broad strokes correctly, he could not have denied Darth Ophidia's summons to Fivuine, he could not have denied Darth Empyrean's summons to Jutrand, both would have been cause enough for his death. So let him have this night, of all nights to be away from these political games, these violent confrontations, tomorrow let him awake to be an agent of the Triumvirs.

His tipsy eyes looked around to the other patrons of the establishment, perhaps he could find a much more pleasurable escape too. He had felt uncharacteristic confidence after all, with every glass of the wine that had come to him. Perhaps he could strike up a conversation with one of the women here, at his peripheral vision he could make out some features, raven locks, a pale complexion... and yellow eyes? That was... particular.

Strangely it seemed that his gaze upon her was not entirely unrequited, she was looking at him as well.

How odd.

Malum was tempted to stand and investigate, but he was not entirely sure if he could do the first step of that plan, thus he waited, waiting for his head to stop whirling about. Mayhaps he would get lucky and the woman would approach him. Wouldn't that be a blessing?

Jaidha Yndrel

 

[Jaidha Yndrel]

Of all the watering holes in all the cities in all of Jutrand, this was the only one Jaidha had been able to find that served Cassius tea, and it wasn't even good tea. It was some stale, saw-dust-cut packet of garbage served, almost certainly, with boiled tap water in what could only be described as a small tankard. If it wasn't so comical it might be tragic, but then again that phrase summed up Jaidha's life quite thoroughly at this point.

Her master was dead, buried on some backwater moon in a hand-dug hole, his house was functionally extinct after the destruction of the old Sith strongholds, and Jaidha was wearing most of what she owned. While House Yndrel had never been one of the strongest houses among the old Sith, they were respected and well-heeled nonetheless, training some of the finest warriors and duelists the Order had to offer. Now, the old training halls were likely buried under several tons of ornate rubble, or worse, being used to train some pathetic Ashlan underling which way to hold a lightsaber.

Not that Jaidha had much claim to that legacy to begin with, having been almost literally plucked from a Terminus gutter by Lord Ivo was hardly a claim to legitimacy in the eyes of the aristocracy. But as the last known heirloom of the house was now resting on her left ring finger, and everything else was almost a galaxy away, the point was mute. She was, by deed if not by blood, the last Yndrel, she just wished that counted for more than a few pitiful glances at the local record offices and an indent on her finger. It was both sobering and dizzying to know how high one could climb in the Sith, and how low you could fall without ever realizing how precariously you were perched.

Taking a minute to lift her head from her cup of flavored grass clippings, Jaidha noticed a hooded man starring directly at her from across the bar with her bright, red eyes. His outer cloak blended well into the surrounding grime, but his clean cut black hair and unsullied boots were too hygienic to belong on a common bar fly. She was intrigued, and slightly concerned, so being a woman of action over words she collected her cup and headed directly over to the man, who she quickly realized wasn't entirely sober.

"It's impolite to stare." She began, leaning forward on the table to more closely study the stranger. "But you've piqued my interest so I won't hold it against you, yet."

Darth Malum of House Marr

 

[Darth Malum of House Marr]

"Huh, seems wishes do come through, oh, I said that out loud." And he had said that out loud. His gaze drifted away from the yellow-eyed beauty in front of him, and towards the glass goblet to his side, how much had he drunk? There had been the initial drink when he had entered... and then the two other refills after... then his view had gotten fuzzy, so he had another... how long ago was that? How much had he had after that? His mind could not quite tell...

As his fuzzied eyes, continued to move sluggishly, attempting to make sense of a world that continued to spin and slow, they centred on an object which did make sense, which though its symbol he had to squint at, was one which he knew well. Heraldry and emblems were a topic he was taught much in childhood, there was nothing more than Sith aristocrats hated more than their symbols of power going unrecognised, nothing that would sooner break an alliance between houses than an insult to one's pride.

"Yndrel..." Malum slurred, as his eyes slowly moved back to regard the woman in front of him. What had come of the House of Yndrel? Last he had heard of them, the Lord Yndrel had fled when the Sith Empire was nearing collapse, he would not fault him for that, though in that regard he was likely among a minority. His family had fled to Jutrand after all, it would be hypocritical to blame others who saw the writing on the wall. Still, very evidently somewhere along the way the Lord Yndrel was gone, for here stood the Lady Yndrel... he did not remember the old lord having a daughter... she would have had to be near his age... no?

Shouldn't he have met her before then? His drunk mind wracked for memories of the yellow-eyed, raven-haired beauty, but... nothing came to mind. That was likely due to the number of drinks he had, no?

Yes, that must be the case. There were other explanations too, just as likely, it was not too uncommon for those of the Sith nobility to have their children raised away from them. They lived dangerous lives, as all their kind did, but this time with the added fear of those jealous of wealth and status hanging above them. Perhaps she was one such example, an heir raised away from the core of the Sith Empire, and that is where the old lord Yndrel had gone when he fled. Maybe.

"Isn't it also impolite to take a seat without granting me a name?" His slowed speech answered, cracking a small smile to indicate his jest, "Malum, of House Marr, at my lady's service." His eyes dimly looked to... the tankard? That she occasionally sipped from, whatever it was, it certainly was not alcohol, and the mere sight of it caused some uncomfortable rumbles in his stomach.

They ceased as he looked back into the stranger's eyes. Just who was she?

Jaidha Yndrel

 

[Jaidha Yndrel]

Jaidha had anticipated a few ways for this conversation to go, but that was not one of them. The man seemed both genuinely surprised and geniuenly pleased to see her approach if his little slip of the tongue was anything to go by. She was almost relieved the man seemed to be genuinely drunk and lonely rather than trying to keep tabs on her, at least this meant he wasn't an assassin or an over ambitious Acolyte looking to thin the herd. She was almost preparing to get up when he locked eyes on her ring and muttered out the Yndrel name.

That was the last thing Jaidha expected out of his mouth was the name of a potentially defunct Sith household, so she opted to take a second look at the man now that his head was up. He was...strikingly familiar to her somehow, she'd seen his face before, if not his likeness, but she couldn't place where.

She almost smirked when he managed a comeback to her little opening line, but that quickly morphed into a brief scowl when he mentioned being the scion of House Marr, a descendant of Darth Marr. Meaning that he was likely more politically important to the Sith Order right now than Master Ivo had been on his best day. And that, was...eyebrow raising to say the least.

"Ah yes, forgive the oversight." She replied with a smile and a gentle nod. "Jaidha, of House Yndrel. Or rather, what's left of House Yndrel."

Darth Malum of House Marr

 

[Darth Malum of House Marr]

"So Lord Yndrel is dead, my apologies... you were his daughter?" A probing question, he did not believe the Houses of Marr and Yndrel had been allies in those days of Imperial collapse, but they certainly had not been foes, by the looks the House of Yndrel had not faired well since their flight, unlike his own family who had an easy and pleasant escape to Jutrand. His family would wish to see this... Jaidha, certainly, perhaps out of obligation towards another noble house, perhaps for some political advantage. Yet another reason for him to visit his family, but yet another excuse would inevitably come for him to continue his policy of zero contact.

He was sure at this point that this woman was who she claimed, not many knew of the House of Yndrel, if his house was one of the most well-known, and they had little to no influence on the Sith Empire, then the House of Yndrel was further still. It did not make sense to claim to be part of such a House if one was not truly part of it. He was certain of that... yes?

Mostly sure, then, there were truly some desperate enough to attempt to claim a title that was not theirs. Still, as his wavy eyes looked upon her, that did not seem to be the case here, a lightsaber strapped to her belt, alongside the general stance and posture of one which screamed nobilitas. It was difficult to easily take on such a form, it demanded strict etiquette, and to a strict mindset, good breeding did much for it, but he was not as dogmatic to state it was necessary.

"So what is the Lady Yndrel doing at a dingy bar this twilight night, I'm sure it's not just for the company," Malum said with a sly smile that most certainly in his state seemed lopsided, raising his glass and taking a drink, he couldn't hide his disgust at it, it was truly a terrible vintage. Still, it got the job done, "And I am certainlyyyyy sureeee, it's not for the drinksssssss." His slurring was getting worse, how embarrassing.

He moved down from resting upon hers to look at the table, the flush on his cheeks only a greater sign of how wasted he was becoming. Mayhaps he should get some water from the barkeep, though, he was not exactly confident about the quality or standard of the water from this establishment. He had heard stories of backwaters like these that the alcohol was much safer for human consumption. Did he want to take the risk...

Jaidha Yndrel

 

[Jaidha Yndrel]

"Apprentice, actually, but in lieu of biological children I was his daughter, yes." Sith took their bloodlines very seriously, but Master Ivo was more an idealogical purist than a biological one. He much preferred to seek out talent in the wider galaxy than get cross-bred with another noble woman like an old Bantha bull. It did nothing for the house politically, but there were other Yndrels with other heirs to take the family name, an old man and his up-jumped urchin hardly threatened anyone. Except now that urchin was the last one standing...

Speaking of having trouble standing, it appeared that dear Malum was one more cup away from hitting the floor, whether that was with his face or his lunch was anyone's guess, but either way it would have been unseemly for an heir of House Marr. As he shot her a lopsided question and a slurred joke, she reached up to inch his bottle and glass away from him, out of pity if for no other reason.

"I'm here because the Yndrel family tea pantry went up with the estate and this, for some reason, is the only place I can find on Jutrand that serves the strain I like." She replied honestly, hoping her reason might satisfy his curiosity. "Although I believe water might be better at this time. Safe water, not from here."

Darth Malum of House Marr

 

[Darth Malum of House Marr]

"Apprenticeeee," Malum tested the word on his clammy tongue as if he had never heard it before, the slurring would likely not cease at this point, but he was also approaching the point where his care for common etiquette was failing him. Had that not been the goal after all? Drink himself into a stupor to forget the stresses that life seemingly continued to throw at him? "Welllll, that explainssss why I never met youuuu." He was wobbly now, but still in charge of some of his motor functions, as he threw another lopsided grin at her in thanks, for removing the offending drink from him, unfortunately, though he had heard it before, getting more drunk to fight off the effects of drinking, likely was not going to work for him.

Indeed he was so drunk that he was feeling rather apathetic that the woman was not a real Yndrel, perhaps if he was sober he would have reacted to such news with outrage, but instead, he accepted it for what it was, an apprentice being the closest thing to a daughter that Lord Yndrel had, and with the end of his line drawing near, with the rest of his family dying off to a crumbling empire, allowing the name to live on with someone he deemed worthy, with whatever advantages it would bring.

It was only unfortunate that it did not bring many. But perhaps that was fine, whatever relationship the Lord Yndrel had with his apprentice, what training and skills he imparted to her, would likely serve her much more than his name, and at the end of the day, he hoped that she was thankful for both.

Seemed that emotionality did have some use alongside rationality, who knew... and who knew that for Malum to access it, he would need to get this drunk? Well, his liver would likely appreciate it if he never did this again.

Malum nodded as he accepted her explanation for why she was here, truly a pity that such a horrid bar was the only locale that served her favoured drink, perhaps he should take her back to the Marr manse, he was sure they would have the tea, his sisters all loved that tea water after all.

He gave a grin at the recommendation of water, the only thing that stopped him from laughing heartily was the fear that it would cause him to fall over. Was she a mind reader? Being able to discern both his desire for water and fear of drinking water from here? Of course, there was every possibility that she was a mind reader, she was a Sith after all, and his mental defenses were far from garrisoned at current.

"Wellll where would youuu recommennnd to get waaaater?" His slurred speech betrayed him again, as he looked deeply into those sun-like yellow eyes. An uncharacteristic courage took over him, he had looked around the bar initially for accompaniment before his attention had been taken by the black-haired woman. Maybe, that path still remained?

"Where, would you be, staying tonight? I cannot say, I have prepared accommodations for myself, unfortunately." It took a supreme effort, and multiple long pauses to make certain his words were correct, and not slurred, but he think he outfitted himself well enough, that his meaning would be clear.

Well, he would be forced to see, wouldn't he?

Jaidha Yndrel

 

[Jaidha Yndrel]

It was a strange situation to be sure, an educational connection to an old Sith Lord short on heirs and running out of time, but Jaidha owed everything to Master Ivo. If not for him, she would have died somewhere in a gutter on Terminus, another in an uncountable pile of forgotten urchins that crawled across the surface of that backwater. She never would have discovered her potential without their fateful encounter, and for that she would be eternally grateful, but gratitude and the memory of a warm, weathered hand on your shoulder meant nothing to the Sith Order. Hence, why she was living out of the local Temple dormitories like the other lower-class knights without masters or noteworthy families to give them lodging.

Not that it mattered, Jaidha knew hunger could be a very powerful motivator, the hunger for power and recognition even more so. Hopefully this particularly low point would only be a springboard for her to reach knew heights of power and prestige. Unfortunately, that sort of return to glory required things like resources, access, and an actual plan. And she precisely none of those going for her at this point.

But when she looked into the red, slightly bloodshot eyes of Malum, an idea began to take hold in her mind. Maybe a connection in the aristocracy would help her get back on her feet...

"I'd recommend not getting water from here, at the very least." Jaidha had to suppress a small laugh as Malum struggled to get a coherent sentence out, the man truly was deep in his cups. Her laugh died out very quickly when he mentioned her living accommodations, however.

Between the insultingly obvious implications of that request, her inglorious circumstances, and that fact that he was almost certainly lying about having nowhere to go, Jaidha was barely maintaining her coy smile. She needed allies but she had no interest in getting into bed with him that way. Still, maybe there was another way for her to spin this situation.

"I'm staying at the Temple for the time being, they haven't finished constructing my four-story estate yet." She teased, reaching over to take one of his cold, slightly unsteady hands in her own. "But I'd hate to leave you out here in the cold in a state like this, I could give you a place to stay for the evening."

Darth Malum of House Marr

 

[Darth Malum of House Marr]

Wait... had his clumsy attempt really... he felt the warmth in his palms, as his eyes slowly drifted over to inspect the image of her hand draped upon his.

It had worked... a sense of nausea came over him, as he gulped, his mouth shutting tightly, as he resisted the urge for his supper's content to spew forth. His stomach grumbled, not out of hunger mind you, indeed, if he drank anything more, ate something more, it would certainly only make the somersaulting butterflies in his gut increase their intensity and quantity.

The effects of alcohol and the effects of guilt warred over him.

"No... no..." Malum got out, every word seeming to be a contest of wills, withdrawing his hand from her's embrace, "M'sorry, that, was... wrong of me... I see the implications, m'sorry." Emotionality fought with formality, the desire to say words competing with the method of how to say them.

He blinked rapidly, an attempt to make a sense of his blurred vision, and too, her speech which he could not quite... he understood it yes, but what it meant to him was delayed, as if her words were empty when in reality they held meaning.

Then it slammed into him, and the ache in his mind worsened as he attempted to piece together what context he had sorely missed, sorely missed, but in actuality, was within his mind all along.

Such was the call of substance that would make you truly sense existence in disparate manners.

Yet, he certainly would not do this, too soon again.

His hand reached down for his pocket, blinking down at it his fingers as they shuffled about random knickknacks and whatnot, there truly was not much in there, he traveled light for a reason, keeping much of what he owned either on the Lochris, or if it was not portable, in his home at Saijo or the family manse here on Jutrand. Still, what he did keep on his person, was a sizeable amount of credits.

One never knew when it would be needed, and he was... well, normally, more than able to defend himself from any mugger or some desperate fool.

Honestly, if they just asked him for his charity, he would have been more than willing to give alms.

Darkness and then light filled his sight rapidly, over and over, as he realised he had been rambling... silently rambling... rambling to himself, mentally, but rambling nonetheless.

He fingered out a hefty sum of credit ingots, and placed it upon the table, pushing it towards Jaihda clumsily, before retracting his hands, a simple of it being an offering, he had a credit stick and would admit it was far more useful and convenient, but he could not exactly give such a tool out.

"I am... not certain if this establishment has rooms... and regardless would hope you not stay here..." His words were heavy, the effort needed to say them seemingly still a challenge, as his eyes glanced carefully around the mix of a tavern, inn, and bar they were sitting at, "I am not certain of your situation... but I know that a noble lady, adopted or not, should not need to consider her abode to be the temple... if you would allow me, I could inform my family of your presence... I am... sure they would be willing to take you in, for as long as you need," He was not actually sure of the fact, but he was inebriated enough to think that he could win an argument with his parents if it came to it, moreover, it was not like they would ever like a situation of the family perhaps being disunited... disunity was not a concept allowed in the Marr family.

It had caused so many other great houses to fall.

"If that, is not to your liking, however... then take the credits, as part of my apology... I do not know what came over me... I shall find the water and my own accommodations... thank you for your company and time..." Malum grunted out with difficulty, offering a small smile as he stood up, before falling back on his seat, his legs were shaking, that was not good...

Jaidha Yndrel