Private Befriending The Puppet Master

[Lord Dvasius]

Jutrand

"Kirs, ri ardijka tuti muri. Ji tuti ir antai."
("Master, the information was good. She's in there.")

"Nu zinoti. Nutra an hadzuska!"
("I know. Back to shadow!")

"Char, Hadzuska Ari."
("Yes, Shadow Lord.")​

And with that the shadow was gone. Well not gone, in the shadows. There were many, always were. Everywhere Dvasius went and everywhere else. It was said they were called "Dvasius' Shadows" because they were in every shadow. They were also known as his "Eyes" because not only were they assassins, like him, but they were spies that allowed him to see everything. For a lot of them that was literal. They had a matching cybernetic eye connected to his own that allowed him to see everything they saw. Total 360 view of any environment the Lord found himself occupying and a small army of assassins should he ever be in an ambush. The white-haired Shadow did his usual bored, dismissive sniffle and pushed himself off the alley wall he was leaning on. He pulled out a cigarette and put his finger to it as if it was a lighter then produced a flame from his finger tip to light it. The Sith puffed on it and walked from the alley, turning to his left to approach the property where supposedly Mariah of House Marr resided, but they weren't him and he only truly trusted his own judgement. Likely they were right, but Dvasius sensed something was a little off, not in a dangerous way, but... weird.

He hadn't been told much about Mariah. Certainly not what he would call enough or anywhere near, but he supposed there was fun in learning something new and excitement in the possibility of danger. He'd cheated death before and he doubted anything in there could do the job. "A true Sith never dies", it was once said by a mad Sith... who... died. Dvasius had at least proven very difficult to kill, but he couldn't risk hoping blindly that the Force would be on his side a third time. He needed insurance. A way to truly and permanently cheat death. A way to some form of immortality. The rogue Sith didn't think Mariah could help with that though, all he knew was she was some kind of scientist and something about robots. He honestly might have gotten distracted by... something while Lady Falentra was giving him the briefing on the possible new recruit and not been listening as well as he should have. Suppose it was partially his fault he didn't know as much as he wanted- needed.

Oh well. Too late now. He would never be afraid, even at times when he should have been, yet he survived somehow anyway. Fear is control others have over you, to limit you. Stare them in the eye and never blink, they usually will. As Dvasius was approaching the doors, to enter the residence he thought about flicking away his cigarette, but decided that would be rude and a waste and flicked it out to put over his ear, taking off his hood to do so. It was also a sign of respect. Normally he would just sneak inside, hood up, but that could be perceived as both rude and threatening while he was here to make friends. Jutrand was a busy city world, yet the street was empty. The Shadows made sure of it, redirecting everyone away with fake "construction work ahead" signs. No one would get through that perimeter, except maybe a well trained Sith, but the only ones of those around here would be himself and maybe Mariah. Nott hat his Shadows weren't well trained, but definitely not trained well enough to be a threat to him. As Darth Sidious once said, "Choose someone hungrier and you will be devoured. Choose someone quicker and you won't dodge the blade at your back. Choose someone with more patience and you won't block the blade at your throat."

Lord Dvasius didn't know how well Mariah was trained either, hence his hidden Shadows. He usually never needed them. They were mostly there to serve the purpose of additional eyes. They say knowledge is power and he believed seeing was the only way to know anything for certain. With his own eyes or through someone else's. Here goes. The Sith Lord let out a deep breath before pushing what looked like the doorbell. He stood there with his hands clasped behind his back, waiting, trying to look as polite as possible. Falentra had warned him they couldn't afford to make another enemy, they needed friends, that's why he's here. She knew he wasn't so well adjusted, not so good with people, an antisocial Sith to say the least, one who normally didn't play well with others, but time with Fal had begun to teach him some tact and patience. He didn't need to get chewed out again either. So quietly, politely waiting. He felt like he was becoming her pet, but if this helped their cause so be it, he'd behave.

 

[Mariah of House Marr]

​

Lord Dvasius
Mariah was deep in study in the library of the building, she had so much to do, so much to work on. She needed to be safe, she'd already taken up a body that she kept safely hidden far away. Using her old ship as a means of protection. However that wasn't enough just yet, what she wanted was more lasting forms. She had begun work on a ship, a ship that she could become using her spirit. And could be empowered with the force, protecting it from powers like mechu-deru or telekinesis. At least to the same degree any other force wielder could protect themselves. Figuring out the process was a bit difficult though, she wasn't sure how to give it innate power, and so was looking into if she could imbue it with power, or imbue it with the ability to draw power from elsewhere. If she could do the latter, it would require much attention to maintain, but it would be more dangerous than almost any ship of its size.

She froze as she heard a bell ring, then looked to her droid standing nearby. Arana, a design of hers to replace it's predecessor. Allow her to be somewhere she really wasn't, never endangering herself. Immediately she got up and started to leave, going to a more hidden location for her real body while she began to connect mentally with Arana through the force. Using her power through it, and essentially, becoming it. She didn't doubt she could get help from the actual forces of House Marr if need be. But she wanted to prepare everything herself.

The feminine robot made it's way through, drones and droids were plentiful in this part where Mariah resided. And she kept them all under good observation. Checking out who this new guest was. She didn't recognize him, but she had his image run through a database to see what she could find. In the meantime, she found her spot, and fell into meditation that fully gave her over to the droid.

Mariah, as Arana or White-6, opened the door, "Hello there." she said simply. "I am Arana."

To a degree she was Arana when saying that, but she was Arana in the same way a hologram of Mariah was just a hologram. Maybe less so, since Mariah's presence could be felt coming from the droid body. She however felt it acceptable to introduce herself that way, until a proper name was given or she knew who she was really speaking to while the process ran its work.

Spoiler: equipment

Arana Appearance.
Link to droid body: Arana.

ITEMS:
Initiation (1x lightsaber)
IR-1
Sunfury pistol
Bar-58 blaster pistol

 

[Lord Dvasius]

As he stood at the door, hands behind his back, Dvasius looked around for any cameras. Places like this always had them. He could feel he was being watched and looked around for it. Then he found one looking down on him. As he looked up at it his eyes flashed an unnatural glow that was not of the Force, but a mechanical glow. A light inside. The Sith flashed an attempted friendly smile at it then waved. Normally when he did this it would be threatening, but he wasn't here as an assassin this time. It was unnatural and difficult for him. He was a killer for a job. Had been since he was first left on his own, alone to fend for himself in the slums of Nar Shaddaa. He'd been an assassin since a teenagers. It had been a way to make money to survive, but he didn't need to lie that he grew fast to like it.

Likely the person watching him through the other side of the lense would be trying to figure out who it was at their door. They wouldn't find out. There was no identity to find. His smile did turn a bit smug at the idea of them failing to find him in whatever files they may search. Better than the hungry grimace his smile usually was. The Sith's eyes fell back down to the door as he heard and felt someone coming.

Mariah, as Arana or White-6, opened the door, "Hello there." she said simply. "I am Arana."

"Mhmm.", Dvasius said, more mumbled, unconvinced. The woman who opened the door seemed real enough from the looks of her. His eyes flashed that electronic red again, scanning the droid as he seemed to stare it down. Someone without bionic X-ray vision might have been fooled, but he could literally see through the disguise. Even without his unique eyes, he had some natural skill in mechu-deru and sensing auras. This was a droid, as he could see and feel, but also it wasn't. It wasn't just remotely piloted. This thing had what seemed to be its own presence in the Force. A signature, a soul. This was some kind of spiritual projection. The wary assassin put his hand on the droid's shoulder as he passed by the pale thing.

"You know, I wouldn't be here if I didn't already know who you are. Very impressive machine by the way. Very complicated. How are you doing that? You're possessing that thing. Like a puppet. That's incredibly advanced and, I thought, impossible. How do you even get power like that? You afraid? To die. Me too. I didn't come here about that, but you have to teach me how to do that."

The Sith Lord kept wandering past the droid towards a nearby table. He picked up a random nick-nack he found on it, looking it as if he was actually interested in what it was. Dvasius sniffed as a sign of his boredom and quickly put the object down as he turned back to face the droid from across the room. "Mariah. Of House Marr, right? We work for the same people... Worked. So you can come out of wherever you're hiding." He even looked around as if he could find her. "I'm not here to kill you. I'm here as a friend. You know Lady Falentra? She knows you. She sent me. As a friend. You want to know who I am? Will that make you come out? Or we can keep talking like this, since it's still you anyway. However we're doing this." The former Tsis-Kaar sent his real, classified file that was only for contacts within the organization that really needed to know who he was, along to her network. "Lord Dvasius, Tsis-Kaar High Inquisitor, prefers assassin. Once apprentice to the Queen of Shadows, Darth Ophidia."

"See? I heard you may not be completely happy working the way you do, for who you do. I can help you break those chains. Not a gift, however, but a deal. You help me, I help you."



Mariah of House Marr

 

[Mariah of House Marr]

Lord Dvasius

The databases weren't exactly making things any clearer, whoever he was, he either had little to find. Had changed his looks. Or, had had it somehow erased. Not the simplest process. But these were sith she was working with now. They had resources in abundance, and didn't have to follow the rules. His apparent bionic eye hardly dissuaded her from the belief it was a matter of erasure or hiding, not a lack of importance. He began just about the way she expected, there were usually only a few ways sith typically started stuff. Straight up demands, threats, or claims of knowledge. He chose the latter, the most respectable at least, his ability to specify what he could about the droid was worth something certainly.

She raised an eyebrow at him as her eyes followed him, and she shut the door and turned to face him, considering how to respond before he asked the question of death. She was surprised at first, thinking it was another threat then he added so was he. And she furrowed her brow in a bit of confusion. He was right, naturally, extremely so. Whether or not she tried to reveal it, she'd been practically a hermit for most of her stay with House marr. Anyone who really knew her name already likely was aware of that fact, despite her prior years of adventure. So it wasn't an irrational realization. "That's quite a start." she answered, her tone taking on her natural way of speaking a bit more. Even if it wasn't quite her real voice, nor her casual attitude. She'd already begun assuming certain attributes of sith nobility in the way tones sounded.

Mariah ignored his look for trinkets, walking around the table and choosing to sit down in one of the chairs nearby, crossing one leg over another and relaxing her hands together. Not that there was any need for a droid body to be seated. There was an itch of fear as he almost seemed to be looking for her. Yes, her body here could die, and she'd yet live. And she may even put up a real fight for him....maybe. But the idea of dying here didn't seem appealing. Another raise of the brow at the mention of Falentra, "I do know her. Though my son Koto knows her far better. And would wish to know who you are." she answered. "But yes, I'm quite happy as I am. Arana was made for this, after-all. Not quite your preference to greet you?" she asked the last part with a slight smile, then furrowed her brow as she received the information. Another ripple of fear, this time hidden fully though. A lord, and one of the Tsiss-Kar. She knew of them by Malum's relation to them of course. And same for Ophidia. In neither case were they things she wanted to hear about from someone who may not be happy with her. It seemed no matter how immortal she may become, fear would remain. Thankfully, the droid body needn't breath for her to calm herself down. It also solved her twitching tendency quite often.

She had to be careful though, with how he was speaking. Yes, sure, he may be speaking the truth. But she couldn't very well just go with what he was suggesting in the open. Even here, while she may have checked pretty often and thoroughly for something that wasn't hers that could be spying on her, she'd rather not take the risk.

"The House of Marr isn't that bad you know," she began, he wasn't wrong, but she didn't have the confidence here to just blurt out that she was interested. And she didn't know that she had total telepathic skill to simply communicate that to him, "But deals I can make. Though if you're really interested, you may have to be a little more formal about it all you know. I do like a good contract. And as you can imagine I'd rather not make deals under duress, so to speak."

As she said this, she reached out, not so much to his mind, as for a datapad or wrist-holocomm. To discreetly install a message with a location she was fairly confident she could reach without being followed, at last, somewhere that she was sure she'd know if she was being followed to. She followed this up with a gentle nudge mentally towards him to check them quietly. She couldn't figure out how to word that to him. Even if she could communicate with his devices far more easily.

Spoiler: equipment

Arana Appearance.
Link to droid body: Arana.

ITEMS:
Initiation (1x lightsaber)
IR-1
Sunfury pistol
Bar-58 blaster pistol

 

[Lord Dvasius]

The assassin Lord turned his head and watched the droid avatar walk around the table and sit down, taking a step forward , he placed his hands on the table to lean over on it. For some reason she incorrectly felt it necessary to mention her son, as if he cared, and implied a previous relationship he had with Falentra. Suddenly he wanted to find and kill both her and her son. The Sith's eyes went cold, taking on an intense seriousness, but their expression took on the heat of burning coals. Only half realizing he'd even done it a double edged, steel blade etched with Sith runes came out of the mechanism on his wrist, cutting its way through the corner edge of the wooden table. Dvasius looked over at his own weapon, almost as surprised at what just happened. He clenched his fist before it retracted back into its sharpening sheathe. Rarely had he ever done that without the blade being coated in blood and the mechanism spitting it back out as it returned inside it. Without saying a word the darkened look he gave the droid said clearly, "I don't care! Don't kark with me, woman. I didn't come here to play games with you and I'm already bored."

The Sith pushed away from the table and continued to give the look in the form of side eye as he moved to face the door. His hand went to his face, fingers curled loosely like a fist, as he thought about how unwise it would be to do what he wanted to. It couldn't be prioritized over what he needed and what he could gain here. He turned his back to the mechanical woman, his fingers shaking, but not in fear. A stress tick. His instinct was he needed to smoke and for a split second he told himself it would be rude and in the next he decided he didn't care. He took a cigarette out of his pocket and put it in his mouth before lighting it with a flame from his fingers. The former Tsis-Kaar rogue took a couple puffs before holding it in his hand at his side. He was almost sure Mariah didn't even know how or why her comment could offend him. "I don't like talking to droids," "... their deaths aren't real...", he thought, "if that's what you mean. It's like talking to a toaster with a mouth." Her smirk nearly went unseen, but he turned his head slightly to listen and see.

"That's neither here nor there. I'm no longer on speaking terms with said house," Dvasius turned and gestured to her with his smoking hand as he turned his side to her then, "present company excluded. I reject it, it rejects me. I no longer take commands and I no longer wear the insignia of the Tsis-Kaar. I've moved on, if that makes it more clear to you." The man took another drag of his cigarette, the ember glowing as bright as his eyes in near the same shade. As he exhaled the smoke her turned, once again, to face the droid.

"But deals I can make."

The Sith chuckled as he brought then brought the cigarette back up to take another drag, looking to the side over his shoulder at nothing. He stared off instead of looking her puppet in the eyes, as he was still too aggravated to do so.

"I do like a good contract."

He reluctantly laughed out his nose, releasing air and smoke. She sounded like he did in his mercenary days, years ago. Now he finally moved to face her again.

"And as you can imagine I'd rather not make deals under duress, so to speak."

Lord Dvasius almost said, "There is no duress... yet.", but he realized she didn't mean him and that such a comment or letting anger win here would be counterproductive to his goals. He'd have came here... and listened to all this for nothing. She meant the Tsis-Kaar. So he was right. Mariah didn't want to remain on their leash, under their eye either. The chemical in smoke had calmed his demeanor and the last of her words had regained his interest. He came back to lean against the table with both hands again as he looked her in the eye curious and mild confusion on his face, waiting for the point.

His face became mildly surprised at the feeling of mental nudge and heard a notification sound. He looked at his wrist again, this time to check his comm and not his anger. It didn't even activate. The message sent to it displayed transferred to his cybernetics and displayed over his vision. Only he could see. The Sith Lord looked forward and down at the table as he read it. Dvasius looked at the droid and chuckled under his breath. The message disappeared from his sight and he disappeared from her's, teleporting his way to the location it specified.



Mariah of House Marr

 

[Mariah of House Marr]

This expedition seemed like a terrible idea, but she went with it regardless. She had her new form go, she had no intention of not only risking her original

self, but also risking connections. This body was a cloned form of the Korun direction, she called herself Tezi Ghrodel. Deciding to hold onto a form seperate enough from her usual self that she could reasonably assume it wouldn't be targeted. While it held her spirit, she had actively made attempts to hide that fact, preparing definitive masking of her presence in the force. Not only to hide it, but to alter it so that even if sensed it wouldn't seem like Mariah. This, she realized, could be an issue today. However, she felt what she had taken on would be sufficient justification. The sarlaac's reach was one of her own inventions, as was the Thranta Spawns and mothership, and the Aquatic enviro shield. Plus, naturally, she was the one to provide this location.

The Thranta mothership would be a good sign, she'd arranged to have some of her tech 'stolen' at one point, not that hard when you already knew all the routes and security. Besides, it wasn't like it never legitimately was a theft. This time it was just unlucky. She'd have to work on giving it a proper crew though. Right now, rather commonplace droids were being used. But it was little more than a mobile base at the moment.

And that was how she'd meet him, waiting beneath the waters of Torrential, while keeping an eye on the predictions in case her location would be at risk. If need be, she could simply move it. That was how it was designed afterall. How Lord Dvasius planned to get down here she didn't know yet. If he had been employed still by the Tsiss-Kar perhaps he could already have gained one of the Spawns himself. Otherwise she figured he'd have to either drop a sub from a ship, or perhaps find a Mon Cala ship. They were afterall once one of the best ship builders. She imagined they still had some very quality products. A ship like the Thranta Mothership though would be better for discussions due to it's size, and of course, the fact she was willing to destroy it all if need be.

Thranta Mothership holding Thranta Spawns, crewed by mostly easy to purchase droids.
Standard red saber
Sunfury Pulse Pistol
Sarlaac's reach (4 arms)
Aquatic Enviro Shield

 

[Lord Dvasius]

As his ship traveled through hyperspace the Sith checked his coordinates in the middle of reading through documents relative to Tsis-Kaar missions he was to undertake soon. According to the navi-computer the trip was almost over and the system he was sent to meet Mariah of House Marr in was approaching fast. The vessel lurched out of hyperspace as the streaks of stars turned back into the darkness between them. Immediately Lord Dvasius was met with the sight of countless asteroids and comets taking up the entirety of his vision, "Son of a schutta. Hell no." He wasn't going to take his nice, new ship through that mess, it was nearly guaranteed not to survive that. Right now it was safe enough outside the soup of rock. He shut off the engine and let it float here as he got up from his seat and walked to the back where the Thranta Spawn ship he was recommended to use was sitting in the dark. The light flicked on and he made his way inside, typed the remainder of the coordinates inside and opened the bay doors before taking off in that direction.

That woman was definitely crazy to bring both of them here to this field of certain death and she did it to avoid her own death apparently. Guess risking his own ass was acceptable though. Of course it was. They were still Sith after all. Not ones to risk their own necks, but always quick to endanger another's. The engine kicked on and pushed the little ship forward. It was surprisingly maneuverable, good thing too, they were both about to go through a great test of reflexes on the way down. They needed to cross this ocean of flaming rock before they reached the ocean of water below. Luckily the Force helped predict the movement of comets and enhanced his reflexes to do so. It wasn't as nearly hard for him as it would be for some Forceless. That thought was almost spoken too soon as he had to fire off the lasers to break through a comet he didn't catch and couldn't avoid on time. It shattered into flaming pieces. If it could be heard in the vacuum of space that would have been a loud explosion. The rock was not small, but luckily the fighter's laser cannons were strong enough for them.

Two more times that happened where he'd have to use the ship's as his instincts failed among the chaos of flaming stones. At least it didn't fail to act on time to make up for it and strike on time to remove them from his way before they removed him from theirs. Finally he broke through the mess to the planet and cleared into the atmosphere. The planet itself wasn't much better. This time the storm was much more literal. Torrential rains, the planet lived up to its name, and thunder struck onto the waters below. Not to mention the comets still had claim to fall here too. In the darkness and haze of the storm he almost didn't see a massive meteor, that used to be a comet before its flame went out, right in front of him. He hit the thrusters and shoved the stick down to jet his way under it. As a Sith Dvasius felt anger, even at an inanimate object that "tried to kill him".

After he came up from under it he could have just moved on and went for the water to his destination, but running from a rock was no fun and not becoming of a true Sith like him. He pulled the stick back up and went back up along its surface. The way he was going it was right above him outside his cockpit. He hit the brake rotated the ship back so the laser cannons faced the rock and fired a line of automatic green plasma fire along its surface before darting up as he reached the top of the comet. The Sith Lord put the fighter into a backflip and back down towards it. Then he fired the heavy laser cannons and the rock cracked open, shattering the comet to pieces like the ones in space. As it broke in half and more pieces he continued his descent, even speeding up the engines and made his way through the distance of the new canyon he made in the rock all the way through and finally descended down to the waters with a splash. Too bad no one was around to see that.

Soon he should be at the exact coordinates Mariah had given him to her own vessel. The water was dark, but he saw it on radar before he saw the silhouette of the Thranta Mothership with his own eyes. All this effort for an underwater meeting inside a ship that likely wouldn't take anywhere enar as long as the trip or the effort it took to get here. All for an old Sith's paranoia. Even he was paranoid, but this level was extreme, even to Dvasius and almost cowardly. This was too much fear of death. From what he'd seen it wasn't like death was the end for one who knew the secrets of the Force she did. Perhaps it was the pain she feared. Had she died before and known it? Maybe he'd ask, but probably not.

His mini ship docked with its "mother" as he supposed it was designed to. Strange to make two ships that go together, but unique and still practical. The Sith didn't even bother taking more time to crawl out of the ship and walk out, he just Force jumped out of it, about 15 feet into the air and landed on the deck below him. He'd already lost so much time and was running out of patience with it, moving through the ship with insane speed, stopping briefly momentarily, giving an affect that looked like a ghost moving through dark halls. Finally Dvasius entered a room where he felt another presence. Force sensitive, but it didn't feel like Mariah did before. It could have been simply a servant, but she didn't seem like the type not to do things herself, even if it wasn't actually herself. Not an unattractive form either. That thought was rather awkward if it really was her.

"All this effort better produce results. I hope you can offer me something worth fleeing into this deathtrap of a system.", the Lord sounded rather aggravated and maybe ready for a "tantrum" if he didn't hear something good.

 

[Mariah of House Marr]

Lord Dvasius
Sure enough, sensors picked up an incoming ship. That alone naturally wouldn't have meant it was him, but the thranta spawn that came down into the

sea and headed to the mothership pretty much did. She insured the process was as seamless as possible for an underwater docking system. And thus came the meeting.

He certainly started it off a little aggressively, nodded her head, "For one it pretty much guarantees privacy. Besides, it's not that bad. You just have to know what you're doing. Figured if you couldn't do that, you probably also couldn't offer much." she gave an almost sheepish smile, "First step cleared at least. As far as me offering things, I offer when I can receive to. I'm ever studying, but I was raised on knowledge of the force, and now that I can actually use it, I've filled in a lot of the missing areas. I did afterall go from no force powers at all, to what you described as something you thought impossible, and of course, this too." she gestured at her current form.

"I'm no longer constrained by being confined to one body. I've already made some pretty significant strides in immortality. This time I'm Tezi Ghrodel, and this one is the one you'd be working with. By that name or another."

She folded her hands in front of her, the demeanor was clearly a little more prideful of her own work than before, though still pretty reserved, "I know a lot, and what I don't know, I may know how to find. Technology or the force. But what can you offer?"

 

[Lord Dvasius]

"For one it pretty much guarantees privacy. Besides, it's not that bad. You just have to know what you're doing. Figured if you couldn't do that, you probably also couldn't offer much." she gave an almost sheepish smile, "First step cleared at least. As far as me offering things, I offer when I can receive to. I'm ever studying, but I was raised on knowledge of the force, and now that I can actually use it, I've filled in a lot of the missing areas. I did afterall go from no force powers at all, to what you described as something you thought impossible, and of course, this too." she gestured at her current form.

Dvasius laughed through his nose. She wasn't wrong and he respected the way she said it. Most of what was said after was what he didn't to know and didn't quite care, then she got to the important bit. The power, she had and he needed. "Decided to be a real person this time? Doesn't look bad. Alive, not all pale and creepy, like the other one." The Sith scratched the side of his nose and then exhaled from it. He put both hands behind his back clasped together and changed his posture along with his attitude. Time to make deals. Put on your polite face.

"I am curious how you went from Forceless to having power over it, but I'm more curious about how you're using it. It's the goal of every Sith to seek immortality, ever lasting life and infinite power. Or it should be. A Sith lacking ambition is no Sith at all. In that regard I maybe no be an apprentice anymore, but I do need a teacher. I want to learn how to do what you do. Leave your body to live in another. Avoiding the jaws of death. You seem a scientist and I could use that as well to that end, I think, as well as benefit my people and I.

You'll receive what you deserve, as is our Sith way. Like I said before, you help me I help you. As far as what I can offer, I already told you. Freedom. Autonomy, the resources and credits to fund anything you want, a place to work and get away from eyes the of the Tsis-Kaar's that want to be on both of us. I don't care what you want to do do. Do it and I'll fund your experiments, like a karking college grant. I don't give a chit as long as you don't stab me in the back and when I call remember its all a job. Just hold up your end. Show me what I need to learn and help me attain ways to get there. That is our organization's whole goal. Stronger together till we have the power of Gods and can never die. True Sith, alive for eternity.

"I'm no longer constrained by being confined to one body. I've already made some pretty significant strides in immortality. This time I'm Tezi Ghrodel, and this one is the one you'd be working with. By that name or another."

"I guess I'll take that as a yes to joining up"

She folded her hands in front of her, the demeanor was clearly a little more prideful of her own work than before, though still pretty reserved, "I know a lot, and what I don't know, I may know how to find. Technology or the force. But what can you offer?"

Her new arrogance was entertaining and earned another exhale out of the nose "laugh". Suddenly so brave in a new body. "Everything.", was his answer. "And you offer me eternity."



Mariah of House Marr

 

[Mariah of House Marr]

"Not pale is it?" she repeated raising a brow slightly but smiled and nodded her head, "Arana was made for security and combat precautions. And convenience. Much like her predecessor. But then, so was the reason I can do this."

His curiosity on the issue of how she went from forceless to now was reasonable. She had discovered means of that as well, though they did obligate someone to have had sensitivity prior regardless. Achieving it with no force user nor a dark nexus was nigh impossible, the best way she understood it was that her own potential was somehow hidden. And simply awoken by the vision.

But naturally, the focus was immortality. And she'd now shown him yet another example of that. "I can teach it," she affirmed, looking at him thoughtfully, "Actually, I could probably just do it to you myself, most likely makes it easier for you the next time. But that's a trust issue I'm sure. As far as further advances, we shall see. Naturally I'm open to it, but I think it best it's on a case by case basis. Afterall, I'm still benefitting from other sources."

As he finished she gave another nod and smile, "Then we're off to a good start. Two more things, one, as far as any discussion go, public or private, no references to who I really am. Second, how urgently do you want to learn essence transfer?"

Lord Dvasius

 

[Lord Dvasius]

"Not pale is it?"

Dvasius covered his mouth with his hand to hide his short laugh at that remark, then he did a fake Ahem cough to cover it up. "Sorry. Continue."
To again make up for the laugh he definitely didn't do the Sith nodded his head while he listened, still trying not to laugh more or smile.

"I can teach it," she affirmed, looking at him thoughtfully, "Actually, I could probably just do it to you myself, most likely makes it easier for you the next time. But that's a trust issue I'm sure."

Now he really was listening. No longer the time for laughing. Power was being offered. So easily, power it was hard to imagine, right there in her head. He didn't know how to take it so he'd be a student again until he knew the secret to the power of the undying himself. Most Sith spent their life searching and failing to find immortality and he was making a business deal for it. Ironic. "I'm made of trust issues, but from what I understand the ritual requires going as close as possible to the fangs of death. I have to die anyway no matter who does it. What use is fear? You just have to send me and pull me back somewhere else. Someone else."

"As far as further advances, we shall see. Naturally I'm open to it, but I think it best it's on a case by case basis. Afterall, I'm still benefitting from other sources."

The Assassin dropped his head and let out a "Hmph" as a laugh and partially out of his nose. Pragmatism. He wanted to hate her for that, but it was the logic of a Sith and he did respect it.

As he finished she gave another nod and smile, "Then we're off to a good start. Two more things, one, as far as any discussion go, public or private, no references to who I really am. Second, how urgently do you want to learn essence transfer?"

"Fine. Not joining up, but allying regardless. That's good enough for me, but I'll say the same. You never saw me and if you did no you didn't, but if you did I was dead. Understand? And how badly? How badly do you want to survive? Maximum urgency. As soon as possible. Now, today, if possible. Just don't expect me to kneel like an apprentice. You'll be waiting a long time."



Mariah of House Marr

 

[Mariah of House Marr]

At the very least he had some sense of humor, that was always good to know. She gave him a nod and shrug in response to his initial comment about trust, and what she'd be doing, "Something like that." she repeated. "It's a little more complicated, but something like that."

Then he also brought up a response to her own issue of privacy, another nod, "As far as either of us are concerned, if someone was seen, it was little more than a ghost in a house." she agreed, there would afterall be the possibility she was asked about it. An incredibly incredibly small possibility given she doubted Malum was keeping active spies on her. But regardless, just in case.

On the issue of his rush, she hummed in response, "Well, we would probably want a body to transfer you into. Ideally one without someone already inside. But, I suppose we could try something, give you a start. Enough you may be able to do it again on your own if need be once you have an actual alternative to your own body. But I will insist you do not try to rush or move what I'm doing. Only feel it, and let it happen. You want to rush to learn it, then I'll essentially lift your spirit slightly away from your body, but not fully sever the ties, then put it back. " She began, then repeated the next part very seriously, "If you try to rush it, push further, pull back, your body could disintegrate, your soul detach, and there's no guarantee I can hold onto it long enough to find a place for it. If it is lost, where it may go is unclear. But there's a good chance it's nowhere good."

She relaxed a little and leaned to one side, "Naturally as well, if you do want to learn today, I'd need to also have something in return today. Afterall I wouldn't be much of a bussiness-woman to spend my time teaching secrets only to have you run."

Lord Dvasius

 

[Lord Dvasius]

The Sith stood there nodding, "Mhmm. Yeah, something like that." Going with the little bit they seemed to be doing. He knew it really wasn't as simple as he made it sound. He didn't think so anyway. "Funny. Because my name means 'ghost'. Anyway. Sounds like we have an understanding. I didn't see you, you didn't see me and if anyone else thinks so." Dvasius raised his hand and flicked his wrist blade out then back in. "As I've been handling it so far. I protect my people."

"Ideally? Why ideally? Like I care if it belongs to someone else. Though, not like there's anyone's body I really want to get inside... Not like that anyway." That was terrible, but they both probably knew what he said before the joke sounded weird so he just ran with that and made comedy of it. "I was thinking since you seem proficient at finding and or making bodies to possess. Would you be able make me one? I really don't want to get in someone else, all jokes aside."

The Sith began wandering the room, walking, stopping at the window, looking out to the ocean at whatever was out there, his hands clasped behind his back, thinking and trying to look dignified. Intentionally arrogant even. Conversation strategy.

As she got more serious and talked about the ritual process his eyes widened and his skin went pale. Now he was afraid. "Why do you make it sound so horrible? So essentially you tug-of-war with my... ghost and I don't do chit or I die - or could die. Uh. Got it, I guess. Go ahead. I'm probably gonna die soon on my own anyway the way I live, so if this goes wrong no real loss. Probably." Dvasius told Mariah of House Marr and himself, mostly himself, so he could lie to himself and not feel afraid. Was it working? Probably not, only kinda. He wasn't terrified, and he wasn't backing out. You always have to sacrifice in order to gain power. Everything comes with a price or in this case a risk that was very extreme.

"Is it really so simple I can learn it just like that? Well, anyway, I guess here goes. I'm ready. Do not kill me!" Suddenly she changed the subject, and so easily. Dvasius straightened his back and let out a disgruntled sigh then turned his head and rolled his eyes. "Business-woman? I thought you were a Sith. Kark sake! We already said I'd give you what you need slash want. A Lab, money, a safehouse to get away from unwanted and prying eyes, all of it, etc. You still haven't even told me specifically what you want and I've been straightforward with you. So just name it or pick. 'Course it wouldn't be that simple. Don't do the cliche Sith teacher talking in riddles and circles, please. What is it you want me to give you as 'payment'? You'll get it. Today. Okay?"

 

[Mariah of House Marr]

An agreeing nod on the issue of their secrecy. Then she raised a brow and smirked slightly at his word choice on the next issue, "Unless you want to risk them kicking you out or tagging along, yes, I'd say ideally we find one that's empty. Or make it so at least." she explained. His suggestion she make one though intrigued her, naturally, she'd done that already with her current form of Tezi. But to make one for someone else, that could be a little more of a challenge. "I could. I have more detailed answer than that, but yes."

She wouldn't deny him his dramatic wandering, she'd practically done the same thing already by bringing them both down beneath the ocean just to use a secondary body. As far as she was concerned, this flair for dramatics was as much enjoyable as it was practical.

"You want to be immortal and you're surprised the method involves toying with eternity?" she asked, she completely understood his reaction though. Afterall, it was why she got around the issue already herself. But he needn't know every detail of that. Not yet at least. "And maybe not learn it completely, but enough that you at least have a chance to preform it on your own in an emergency. I'd advise more proper practice and learning though, I can do some of that here too. But if I do what I spoke of, it should drastically speed up the process of your understanding and skill in it."

Tezi sighed at his next outrage though, "We're bargaining in immortality, we're all doing business, every sith does every time they make themselves stronger. I'm just more use to the terms of..." her eyes actually lit up in some amusement as she realized what she was saying, "Mortals. We seek monopolies and private ownership just as any good business being does. Our goals are just larger. More real."

Then there was the issue of what she wanted, "Since we're talking bodies, let's just do that. I'll need samples to create what you're looking for I imagine. We can clarify the details later but most of the equipment will be needed. Afterall I've only really made ones for myself which meant I didn't need as much specialized equipment. I'll give you a list and we can get the samples we need once we actually know what you're after specifically. That, and, unbonded kyber crystals. At least...." she furrowed her brow in thought, "Roughly enough to arm a dozen sabers I think would do. Only in mass, I don't actually need them to be the appropriate size. Bigger or smaller is irrelevant as long as they aren't essentially shattered or truly broken. If a tiny enough saber or a giant saber could use it, they're still worthwhile."

Lord Dvasius

 

[Lord Dvasius]

Then she raised a brow and smirked slightly at his word choice on the next issue, "Unless you want to risk them kicking you out or tagging along, yes, I'd say ideally we find one that's empty. Or make it so at least." she explained. His suggestion she make one though intrigued her, naturally, she'd done that already with her current form of Tezi. But to make one for someone else, that could be a little more of a challenge. "I could. I have more detailed answer than that, but yes."

"I saw that.", he did, through her reflection off the window, "You thought that was funny." The assassin was also smirking, but at the window, still looking out it. He thought maybe there'd be something interesting to see out the window underwater. Just dark, swirling water. No longer staring out into the water, he now watched out of the corner of his eye, nodding as she spoke. That made sense. Don't want to become a literal lost soul. And vague again. Something he already knew and more being cryptic. Why did people do that? It makes them seem untrustworthy. He guessed she wanted to seem like the smarter, more experienced oft he two. she was, of course... in some respects.

"Not surprised. Do I look surprised?" The Sith turned his head so she could see the fiery orbs that were his eyes. All that was in them was calm, focus, determination, and an anger that never left a Sith like him. "I honestly expected worse, but..." obviously still doesn't sound fun. He left that sentence unfinished. Even if they both knew the thought scared him, he wasn't going to say it. Not wise to expose one's fears and weaknesses to other Sith or anyone else really.

Sith were their own worst enemy and greatest threat, as his memory and scars would attest for him. Albeit strange, she was a Sith sorceress/scientist/business woman. She didn't seem like the treacherous type so long as they had a deal, but one doesn't plan a murder out loud. Unless they're stupid, of course and neither of them was that.

"See that just sounds like learning it. The crash course or immortality 101. If the mind is fast enough it can catch enough to put the rest together. Isn't that how Sith education usually works anyway?" A question they both knew the answer to. Both minds were definitely fast enough and more. Dvasius was not as simple as he pretended to be. It could be described as too he was lazy to show it or knowing most are too dumb to understand it anyway. Most of them were far more simple than he pretended to be.

The only card he put on the table was irritability, but that was normal for the ideal type of Sith. Angry, always, the commanding respect only true Sith deserved and they better be always ready to back it up. Always there was challenge and challengers. Someone wanting you dead. A lack of fear in you can bring out fear in them. So's the philosophy anyway.

And now she spoke her version of that philosophy, of "immortals". Again he was nodding at the window, waiting. There it was. The topic of actual interest and the only one of relevance to him in this moment. Finally Dvasius turned around, away from the window, and faced her. Now that the topic was worthy of his attention she would have it.

"Well good thing this isn't the first time I've thought about this and already how the list of what I want slash need prepared." He activated a device on his wrist, lighting up with red light and did a flicking motion over holographic the screen with two fingers as if flicking a card at Mariah of House Marr . It would go to any devices she had in the room that could pick it up. "There you go... Crystals?" he couldn't imagine what those were for, but that's a question that could be answered later. Not too important. "Whatever. Alright, fine."

The assassin used the same wrist device to put in an order for those. Jedi padawans would have a hard time finding lightsaber crystals, but Dvasius was a Sith and one with a criminal past, technically he was a criminal/fugitive right now. He knew where to get them and without toil. Credits were also sent to his would be cloner across from him with another flick over his wrist along with the receipt for the crystals and what he already guessed he should order for their little project. There was likely enough credits there to purchase whatever else she would need for the job.

"There. If you need anything else just order it yourself with that, but we can't really pick up any of it here. I imagine this thing does more than sit in water." He gestured casually at the ship they were in, flicking his wrist. "I imagine as Sith as well you understand I'd prefer not to wait more than I can avoid. So... I think we can go pick up my ship. It should be able to dock with one, right? And then we can get out of this chit system and get started, hm."

 

[Mariah of House Marr]

"Fortunately a sense of humor isn't something I had to give up." she answered smiling again and providing a nod. However his reaction to her question

about immortality returned her to a more observant gaze. Not a frown, though not far from it. Then she shrugged, "It easily could have been worse. Imagine if I told you to learn it the Darth Sion way? Sure, all records suggest he was basically unkillable. But doing so by being in constant agony and rage, to such a degree you give up on your own immortality, while other sith are able to exist beyond their bodies, seems such a lesser form of it."

Another shrug on the matter of sith education, "If it's enough for you to learn, then mission accomplished. Crash Course is an accurate term here actually, but crash courses are going to be inferior to a more proper study. Many sith abilities do work best that way, you probably understand that better than me, but these are in the area of sorcery and ritual, and they tend to be a little more in depth as opposed to intuitive."

He was on the ball though when it came to the resources, and her smile returned. Excellent coordination on that part, immediately though, she'd set to work on going through transfers and rechecks to insure all was as it should be, and would be safe within her own hands soon enough.

"I understand your sense of urgency very well." she agreed, remembering just how fastly she dedicated herself to gaining immortality once the option of such a quest was available to her. She set to work having the ship rise again, to join with his above the waters, "If the first jump is far enough, it may be viable to put our work on your soul to practice en route. Rather than having to wait before we pick up resources. Though naturally it would reduce response times for threats, but then, that would be true anywhere."

Lord Dvasius

 

[Lord Dvasius]

The Sith nodded and gave an approving, "Hmph.", like a laugh of sorts, at Mariah of House Marr saying she never had to lose her sense humor. He agreed with that sentiment. Too many Sith were just boring fancy pants sticks in the mud with sticks up their ass. Nowhere did it say in teachings a Sith had to be lame and prissy. Most Sith thought he was abrasive and probably childish, but it was more of an act or coping mechanism than anything real. He had to maintain his sanity somehow.

"If you did tell me to do it the Sion way I would just... Not. Technically he was already dead and died multiple times, he just willed himself to keep going. That body was a corpse ten times over at least. Even Nihilus was just a ghost in robes. Both were less immortal, more undead. Though we could debate if there's really a difference all day, I suppose. Too much time needed and not enough current interest for that however." Besides he had enough agony and rage already as is. Some Sith would go years without sleeping for fear of betrayal and death, but he'd rather sleep, even if it usually required being blackout drunk and the company of probably the only one he cared about.

"I understand your sense of urgency very well."

Dvasius felt it was quite weird how easily she was going to give away the teaching of these techniques. It was definitely too easy. Was what he'd given all she really wanted? Nothing else? A Sith giving away immortality, the greatest and most coveted technique of any Sith who knows it, for a bit of money and a lab? It just seemed she felt a commonality and wanted to teach just because he wanted to learn something she also had great interest. Like a typical scientist. Which she was, he supposed, to be fair.

He didn't think any more questioning on the matter would get him anywhere, but around in circles. In these situations it was better to be quiet and watch, listen. If there was any ulterior motive it'd reveal itself eventually. She'd have to show signs and make a move eventually if that was the case and he'd do all he could to see it coming. He had his own "eyes" to watch with, usually without the other party knowing. She could know at some point anyway, but it would serve to delay attempts at least.

But hopefully that wouldn't be unnecessary, though that wouldn't suspend his caution. No way she was dumb enough not to know any of that was coming, but more the suspicion. What did she want she wasn't getting elsewhere? What was his assistance, donations worth even? Guess time will tell. If there would be treachery it'd be a game time would tell who won. "Expect the unexpected" was a great and popular mantra in his line of work that had always kept him alive and in one piece.

Lost in thought he didn't realize the ship was getting moving until he felt it lurch and knock him out of his thought process. The assassin moved closer to the window again, but only halfway as close as he'd gotten before, still half the room away, watching as the water fled in its wake until they breached it's surface and rose into orbit out of the atmosphere. He was surprised how well it navigated through the hailstorm of comets circling the system, enraptured in watching out the window.

Soon they reached his own, smaller ship and quickly got it docked. Quickly the Sith spymaster, through the holonet connection his eye implants provided him, searched and found a suitable world in neutral space to take delivery of the inventory they needed. There was a space station, as there always seemed to be, orbiting the frozen planet that would do just fine though he didn't plan they'd actually leave the ship to check it out.

"If the first jump is far enough, it may be viable to put our work on your soul to practice en route. Rather than having to wait before we pick up resources. Though naturally it would reduce response times for threats, but then, that would be true anywhere."

Again flicking over his wrist-holo the Sith put up a holo-map of said planet, while at the same time feeding the coordinates into the navi-computer. "This should be a good spot to receive what we need. You think?" The ship, of course, wouldn't leave until she'd command it, but it was ready, "Well we're all ready. Call that the first step... or two. Hm? So step three. Let's do this then. I guess I'm ready as anyone can be before having their soul every so gently removed and placed back. All I gotta do is stand still, not do anything and... feel I guess, right? Alright... Don't kill me please, but if you do make it quick 'cause... yeah, just make it quick"

He didn't feel the need or the want to threaten or offend in saying that if she tried to kill him and failed or was too slow she better be ready to fight for her own life and every other one she had as they were systematically searched out and hunted down. No, he shouldn't say that. Every Sith knew that was the scenario anyway. Even Jedi would do that in defense of their own lives.



Mariah of House Marr

 

[Mariah of House Marr]

She nodded in response, "It has it's advantages clearly, even the strongest power in essence transfer won't guarantee your survival either, but the very fact he willingly gave it up proves it's not adequate for those with interests beyond just another hundred years." Mariah agreed. If it wasn't so costly, she'd have considered it herself. But on top of the immense cost it would bring, it lacked the versatility and longevity of the alternatives. It also did not prevent capture by other means.

Mariah looked over his suggestion of direction, considering it for awhile. "Yes this will probably do. Tourist destination so travelled often enough that pirates would be taking a huge risk if they tried to gravity well it. But not worth much to a military so little chance of a surprise inspection or invasion." she agreed seeting course.

She then shook her head emphatically on him 'standing still' "No, no, lay still. I'm inclined to believe when I do this there may be at least a moment where you don't actually have control of your own body. And it would be a waste of time to have you concuss yourself in the process." she insisted, then nodded to a chair, "Or sit. Whatever works."

There would no doubt be a table available somewhere, as the chairs, or the floor if he felt like it. Either way, Mariah would wait until he was ready. And so long as all was well once they were en route, she would began. Whispering words to herself as she read both hands out towards his direction, making motions almost like sculpting. She reached for his spirit. It would only work the way she was doing it if he wasn't trying to stop her, a ridiculous experience probably for a sith, since most often, they needed either control, or reckless power, and this was neither. If so, she would feel out the edges of his spirit, lining each of them up in her mind, and wrapping them in weaving connections of her own power, feeling the anchors of his mind to his body, and ever so gently tugging them lose. Not enough to rip them, but enough that he would began to feel nothing at all. Nothing with the senses of the body at least, as it passed beneath him, as she held him ever so slightly aloft from his body.

That experience alone was likely a disorienting one. Were he merely another force user, perhaps enough to cause a panic. But even sith sometimes set themselves solely on the force, and that meant there could never be total nothingness so long as they were still within a physical reality. And he was, merely disconnected.

Lord Dvasius

 

[Lord Dvasius]

"Yep, nothing there. No thieving pirates, too close to the Sith to be bold enough even if there were, the Sith don't want anything here either, the GA and their Jedi aren't far, but again nothing here worth incurring Sith wrath. In other words a completely safe and solitary place. It might as well be ours, but again, nothing here a Sith wants. Real boring. So pick up will be quick and easy when we get there. Simple. So go then."

"Oh. Yeah, that makes sense." the assassin agreed before looking around for a table. It seemed weird there would be a random table somewhere, but a science loving Sith Lady probably had one for performing experiments or for some complicated and probably fragile knick-knacks. "No, I don't fall asleep in chairs unless... Never mind." The idea of lying down on some cold table was arguably worse and made it harder to defend one's self, but not for Dvasius. He had some experience in that. He was hard to surprise, since he always expected anything, especially treachery and other assassins. Though he didn't know if he could defend himself in a disembodied state or even how.

As he'd gotten to the table, he heard her "concussion" joke and let out a snort laugh, "Yeah, that would suck, wouldn't it?" He hopped up and even before he laid down he could feel how uncomfortable the table was, but he'd be able to put up with it. Possible back and neck pain wasn't really competition for any other problem he had going on. Being a wanted traitor in the territory of the people who wanted him and in the same room as a close relative of one of his enemies. And he was about to put his life and his soul in her hands. This was incredibly stupid, but danger is what makes things fun. Kark it. He shuffled and turned himself away from the table's edge and laid himself down on the hard table.

"Alright. You're ready? I'm not, but let's do this.", he laughed nervously at himself, trying to laugh the nerves away, but it wasn't working. Mariah of House Marr whispering to herself was kind of unnerving and the hand movements was pretty weird, but they were to the real unnerving and weird part yet. Oh, there it was. The Sith could feel his aura being touched, then reached through for the spirit underneath and beyond it, its source. It definitely didn't feel normal or right. Quite unnatural. Dvasius winced and tensed up a bit, flinching reflexively, but then he remembered what she said and straightened out, both mentally and physically, with his body.

He knew it would be weird and very likely uncomfortable. He had to remind himself this was what's supposed to happen and that she probably wasn't gonna kill him. As she had said what he had to gain here was great, he also reminded himself. Immortality in his hands. It wasn't as bad as he thought. It felt like someone grabbing him by the shoulders to pull him closer for a hug or something, but not with his physical body, or like a net wrappings around him, but somehow less concerning. Both at the same time. It was odd, but not bad. then he felt nothing. Like he was dead or his senses were. His nerves were back in his body, both the literal ones and the metaphorical ones.

The Sith looked down at himself and thought, "So that's what I'd look if I was like dead. Hm.", "But I'm not though. I wonder if she can hear me. Mariiiah?", he actually said out loud this time... or... whatever you call it when you talk without your mouth. His name really was literal now, he really was a dvasia "ghost". Suppose he'd always been, but just one in a body.

The Sith Lord could feel the Force a lot better this way, it was more clear. It felt like he was a part of it, part of the flow. It was almost like something the Jedi would talk about. That whole "Luminous beings, are we", "We're all one with the Force, made of the Force" crap. Not that they we're wrong, but it was all very hippy dippy and small minded, even though the Jedi talk about being philosophers. Only of things that aren't "scary". They'd call this scary and unnatural. It was, but that wouldn't stop a real philosopher. If you love knowledge then you want it all, no matter how you get it, even like this. And who wanted to be friends with the Force anyway? What they call its friends he call its slaves. The Force was an animal to be broken or it breaks you. Only one's will matters and what it's limitations are. Eventually Dvasius' would have none. A true Sith that never dies and one day a true god too.

"Man, floating above my body is weird."

 

[Mariah of House Marr]

Always good to have a sense of humor. Weird that this one would. But then, who was she to judge. He did seem less hidden away about his true motives and feelings though. So perhaps it was not all that odd.

The process was under way. Mariah took incredible care, then, she heard his voice. This was a little unexpected. While she considered it reasonable he'd be able to communicate without interrupting the process, she wasn't necessarily expecting proper sentences.

She spoke, though attempted to return the sense more through the force, her overall focus kept on his spirit and it's connections to his body. Not moving her eyes to try and lock onto him, if that were even possible. "I hear you." her voice held a tone of an older woman amused by the antics of someone far younger, "I'm going to return you to your body soon."

In time, she'd work all the connections back into place, very carefully. Slowly. Taking every precaution, but requiring that he still let her do so. There was only so much she could do, it was a tender process, and her power was only so strong. As was her focus, she was split between bodies, but was still one mind. That came with some limitations.