Private Changes

[Grundark]

The minutes ticked away as the Cragmoloid glanced back and forth occasionally between the corners of his room. In one a massive hammer, made for construction, but the scratches were all from armor and bone. He'd picked it up on some forgotten world and immediately used it to beat a security guard senseless a steal a ship. Against the other corner leaned the handle of a greatsbaber, or lightclub as some called it. He'd.. borrowed it years ago, and simply never used it choosing his hammer every single time. Yet here he sat his gaze drifting between them as he considered his current circumstances.

With a low trumpet he stood up and paced the all too small room back and forth. Immediately his mind went to complain about how the galaxy never built anything big enough, or how the Sith could afford a bigger room. Instead he stopped the blaming to look his own efforts in the mirror for a moment. What had Grundark ever done to change his circumstances in the galaxy at large? Sure he'd stolen, he'd slaved and he'd been a pirate, but even those gain he'd wasted quickly enough on the pleasures of life. The simple things, the true joys in life.

Walking over to his hammer he drummed his fingers on the handle feeling the solid metal there. The wandering life had served him well for decades, but he had to admit he was still in the exact same position he'd been in when he started. Maybe worse since the Black Suns, after all then he'd had something to call his own. He hadn't even seen his own herd in years, just wandered the galaxy looking for violence and easy credits. That and freedom.

Turning his eyes to the other corner he took the slow steps over to pick up the greatsaber hilt. For decades he'd learned knowledge of the force, and yet he never used it. Well other then his utterly unnatural ability to take a blow. Yet now he stayed at Korriban for quite some time learning and helping other students grow. He'd embraced his own abilities in the force and was even growing stronger in them. This would be the end of wandering though if he let it go any longer. He would become something more, and perhaps even something left. Either way it would never be the same again.

Looking up at the ceiling he grumbled as the tuft of his ear struck it again. Back home it didn't happen, on this planet Velok told him about it seems he'd have been luck. These would all just be relying on where he was at, and who built it. Nothing would just simply be his, he wasn't making it happen just drifting through from place to place. Moving back to the bed he sat back down patting the greatsaber hilt in his hand against his tusk. He hadn't even realized he was still carrying it.

Darth Empyrean

 

[Darth Empyrean]

The door to Grundark's personal acolyte chambers would have Maliphant's fit rapping on it in no time. For a moment, as he stepped back, he realized that the door frame itself barely accounted for the size Grundark was - and this was one of the larger door frames the students had. Maliphant couldn't help but frown slightly, realizing that as the accommodations were yet to be completed that he would have to make yet another alteration to the board of contractors.

He made a mental note, Add varying sizes of rooms - notably for larger species like Cragmaloids or Herglics.

And then the door would open, and Maliphant would offer a brief but noticeable smile -

"Acolyte Grundark. May I come in?", the Sith Lord requested.

Grundark

 

[Grundark]

As focused as he'd been the rapping took a moment to comprehend in his thoughts. Standing he shook his head as though to push all his thoughts out before answering the door. He was surprised to find one of the Sith Lords at his door, but then again perhaps he shouldn't be doubt was a sweet nectar to the Sith after all.

Standing to the side he waved him in, "Of course, Lord Maliphant, please come in." Walking over to the corner of the room he pulled a bottle of Alderaanian red he'd taken on his pillaging trip there. Pouring a glass for his guest he handed it over with a nod. "I hadn't expected any visitors today, please forgive the lack of hospitality."

Civility among herd members were important to the Cragmoloids as a people, and it was almost a shame not to have a home ready for herd guests. This wasn't quite a home yet though, so he supposed some poor showing could be forgiven. Giving the Sith a moment to taste his wine and sit in the rooms only chair Grundark offered a small bow of the head. "Tell me, what can I do for you, my Lord?"

Darth Empyrean

 

[Darth Empyrean]

Maliphant glanced to his wine, even bringing it up to his nose to smell - but he set it back down without a sip. It wasn't that he didn't appreciate the offering, nor was it a fear it would be poisoned - he could easily cleanse himself of such using the Force; but the issue at hand was presentation. For the time being, Maliphant had to ensure Grundark knew he was here on an entirely professional basis.

"Answer some questions, I have perhaps.", he offered as the wine found its place on the nightstand near him.

"At the training session, you showed more promise than the other students. More precisely, more skill - and yet you were still among them. In many ways you seemed to act above your place in a classroom; why is that? You seem better placed for teaching than learning."

Grundark

 

[Grundark]

Giving the man a moment to get he was surprised at the question ever so slightly. It wasn't the thought process of it, but rather that he'd taken the time to come ask him. "Even after all this time I'm still sometimes throw off by the Sith. I've had six masters, and each thought they were the sole source of all knowledge, and they also thought there was nothing left to learn it seemed. It's a weakness of the system really. The apprentice, or acolyte the titles are all the same really obeys and learns and the master uses this connection to his benefit hoping they haven't taught enough to get themselves killed. For some reason it's always thought that one must be an acolyte if they're coming to a class they aren't an expert in."

Shaking his head he rubbed his trunk for a minute as he considered how difficult it would be to fix that inside of the Sith. Ah well, he'd never claimed to be any good at being a Sith. "I went because I like my hammer, but it's time I learned to use a saber. I helped others because I could, and because they wanted to learn. I will help grow any member of my herd if they seek to grow themselves for it strengthens the whole. If one seeks to teach what I do not know I do not believe myself lesser for learning, I've just grown to be more then I was yesterday. I am no acolyte, but I'm not afraid to admit I still have things to learn."

Darth Empyrean

 

[Darth Empyrean]

Maliphant nodded as Grundark's critique of the more common Sith trait - but Maliphant didn't believe it was an issue of the system, rather an issue in the culture Sith often cultivated. Ego drove these Sith into the myth of supremacy, only to be surprised when they are inevitably thrown low from there they once were. Yellow eyes fell back on Grundark as Maliphant spoke again;

"Don't mistake me, Grundark, I don't think you're less for learning - only surprised you learn and still have no true name for yourself. Rather, I came here to foster that; to encourage you to rise yourself to where you belong."

Grundark

 

[Grundark]

The word silenced Grundark for a moment as he soaked them in. The very problems he had rattling around in his own head came back full force as another brought them to him as well. A true name for himself? For a long moment he stood there in silence as he slowly came to acceptance. He knew why he had no true name for himself.

"Because I have yet to face my great task which will earn my name. I am what I am, Darth Maliphant, and perhaps I could force a claim on one. Where is the honor in that though? It is not our way. When the Emperor deems fit I will be given my name, I will accept it."

So there it was clear as day now, acceptance. He was a vagrant no more it seemed.

Darth Empyrean

 

[Darth Empyrean]

Maliphant hummed softly at Grundark's response, glancing at his wine once more - but still ignoring it.

"The Emperor is going to have a contest of strength to conquer Felucia from a 'Darth Malok'. My contacts in the Dark Council and its meetings has told me as much - perhaps destroying this malcontent when he is outside the safety of the Sith Empire could serve you well, Grundark. If nothing else, it will draw the Emperor's eye upon you - and a home to make your own."

Grundark

 

[Grundark]

So that was it, eh? The Cragmoloid wasn't a creature of guile, or even someone who could even read when it was happening in truth. Therefore he rolled these thoughts in his head as an act of friendship, or at the very least an open hand. A contest of strength. Who else would take up that gauntlet though, for there were many strong Sith within the new Empire who would want a base of their own. Still better to gain the first world and start before the others could.

"Perhaps, it has been many years since I've called a place home. Even when I worked with the Black Suns it wasn't a real home. Tell me though, why offer this information? Why come to me with this aid, and information. I've been out in the galaxy long enough to know the purpose and actions of Sith don't always match. It's odd to me really, why gain power to lie and betray. If you simply think it is my time, then I thank you for the knowledge. However if you wish something from this tell me now, and let there be honesty between us."

Darth Empyrean

 

[Darth Empyrean]

Maliphant considered to himself how direct Grundark was - a rare trait among sith. Others enjoyed their games of dancing around the point of their conversations, trying to make their ideas their conversational partners own; inception becoming the language of the powerful. It reminded him a moment of Srina Talon , in all her political bluntness, he enjoyed that she didn't dance around what she wanted to say.

He wouldn't be that open with Grundark, however, but he would offer him a chance at such -

"Simple. The Worm Emperor is far too strong for any one Sith in our fledging Empire; and it would be near impossible for any single one of us to kill him. Even me. Rather, I want sway - to help guide the next to rise, and I'd like you to join me in my endeavors. A cabal, persay, where I hope to encourage your growth until you prove stronger than the Fist. A planet is simply the beginning, but I have many goals for you, Grundark."

Grundark