Come on in, the water's fine

[Setzi Lunelle]

With the skills learned from Coren Starchaser, Setzi flew her Mobquet Medium Transport ship to Glee Anselm, following Darth Pyrrhus's Shadow-Class Reconnaissance Corvette. He didn't have to worry about pulling her into a tractor beam. She was going along willingly. Technically, the rogue padawan had stolen the craft, because it was given to her by AgriCorps. And on some level, she still wanted to do work for the Jedi agricultural organization. But once they found out that she was canoodling with a Sith Knight, she figured that AgriCorps would send someone out to confiscate her vessel.

Therefore, as she was leaving Ziost, and after she programmed the course to Darth Pyrrhus's planet, she went into the guts of the ship's controls and violently pulled out anything that she thought was a transponder that would identify the ship.

Once Setzi had disemboweled the transport, she went back to the bridge and checked the coordinates for Tanek's home. It was difficult to tell if he actually lived underwater or on land, but if his home was in the sea, she had taken some diving lessons with the Levantine Sanctum so she felt confident that she would be able to navigate to his doorstep if needed.

She landed her transport in the hangar, near Tanek's underwater city, making sure the landing claws were secure before she descended down the ramp.

[member="Darth Pyrrhus"]

 

[Darth Pyrrhus]

While no expert pilot, Pyrrhus made the strategic move of surrounding him with those that were. His Nautolan crew was a solid one. Ziost could be chalked up to another successful operation in their experience. Did Primeval win? Did the Silver Jedi Order? Did it really matter? At this point, that meaning faded from his mind, giving way to one much stronger. His mission had changed the moment his path crossed with [member=Setzi Lunelle].

Within the broken walls of the Citadel, he had found her. Finally, she had accepted the offer he had extended on Ruusan, and that had been standing ever since. She had decided to come with him. A part of him didn't believe it. Occasionally, he would reach out with the Force, and use his knowledge of illusions to check for signs that he was under one. It would have been an elaborate one, that had sent him away from the field of battle, and feeling happy about it too. Yet each time, he was assured that this was in fact happening, and each time he reached out through the Force to in search of her signature, he was comforted to find her presence. She was coming home with him, and it was a choice she had made on her own (with a little help from her friendly neighbourhood Sith).

Though he felt like he travelled in victory, the journey felt long. After she had finally agreed to go with him, they were still kept apart, as she needed to bring her own ship in after his. He could barely wait to touch down on Glee Anselm. He had never been so eager to see that watery place he called home as he was now. This could be the start of something dark and beautiful.

At last, their ships would touch down, and make for one of the hangars on the planet's surface. The few patches of habitable land that Glee Anselm held, had previously been divided among the Nautolan and the Anselmi, the latter owning the majority of it. After the war against the Anselmi, led by one Togruta Acolyte by the name of Tanek Santii, they had been crushed. It all belonged to the Nautolans now. The ships would make for a hangar capable to take their size. Then they would need to take a transport from there, to either Pieralos or the Sith Academy. Which would he show he first? He had yet to make the decision. It was a bit tiring, the travel, yet he did not know of a way that'd make it more efficient.

By the time her ship touched down, and the brunette walked down its ramp, Tanek had already landed. He was waiting for her. This time, he had ridden himself of the Vonduun Skerr Kyrric. Living crab armour was no way to dress when greeting a lady. His lady. Instead, he proudly wore the traditional garbs of the Sith. Though he had many of the same, he had chosen one less worn, in hopes it looked slightly more elegant. All his other Vong toys and weaponry were left behind in appropriate places. His lightsaber still dangled from his belt, though that was more a badge of office, than it was a precaution against her. He had a feeling he did not need more weapons to persuade her; though come to think of it, their duels had not entailed a huge amount of swordplay. He had given her a physical scar once, yet it had been healed.

It was hard to maintain that cold and fearsome exterior, of a vicious Sith Knight, when faced with the beauty on the ramp. He smiled at her. Was she the only one who got to see this side of him? Was this the man behind the Sith? Perhaps it would be their secret. One of first, and he hoped, one of many to come.

"Welcome to Glee Anselm, Setzi. Welcome home."

 

[Setzi Lunelle]

Setzi was also exhausted from the journey. Her complexion was slightly sallow and dark circles were evident on the fair skin under her eyes, but at the sight of Darth Pyrrhus, her heart beat faster, and most of the doubts and reservations she had on the way to Glee Anselm disappeared. Ever since she had been apart from the Sith Knight, she had felt as though she were divided in half. Sure, after their encounter, she had tried to distract herself. She returned to her training on Voss and threw herself into her AgriCorps missions, but her thoughts always wandered to him. Often times, replaying their passionate night together but also to finish the conversation that they never had.

Only now, she felt whole again.

Tanek looked very handsome in his Sith robes. The dark, flowing garment brought out the vibrant color in his face and on his striped lekku. A small part of her was still afraid of him, especially given his experience with powerful illusions. But perhaps he would teach her this skill and dispel the mystery.

Although the mystery was also what made him so seductive.

Setzi could feel the darkside of the Force was extremely powerful in him. But despite her hesitation, she knew that unlike his other attendants or apprentices, she would not cower or recoil. The fact that she had come to Glee Anselm on her own accord strengthened her resolve to fully reject the Jedi Order. The padawan surely believed that her sister had died on Ziost. She had nothing else to live for now but her new role besides Tanek as a practitioner of the Force.

But what exactly did that make her?

She approached him and reached out for his hands, clasping them in hers and gently pulling them to her breast. Darth Pyrrhus had strong, muscular hands that were used to sparring and holding heavy melee weapons. He also had tender hands - she knew that from experience. And as stoic as the Togruta was, she figured he may be adjusting as she was to the newness and strangeness of this situation. While it certainly wasn’t an arranged marriage, the two of them still needed to get to know each other. There were plenty of gaps in Setzi’s knowledge of Tanek that she longed to fill. First of all her new living arrangements:

“I don’t know much about Glee Anselm. Tell me about the planet and how you came to make this your… our home.”

[member="Darth Pyrrhus"]

 

[Darth Pyrrhus]

Setzi seemed a little tired. Whether it was from the journey itself, or from the emotional strain, residue of her decision on Ziost, he did not know. Whatever its cause, he would make it his project to improve her situation now. Independent as he had been, now, he felt he cared deeply about the opinions of another. Glee Anselm better be on its best karking behaviour. He needed her to like it.

When her hands reached for his, he did not hesitate to extend his own to meet hers. Her soft touch against his skin felt nice. Their fingers interlocked, hands coming together like two separate pieces of the same body, finally becoming whole again. Nothing in his Sith training had prepared him for this. What did the Code say? What was protocol? He didn't know, so he simply acted on instinct, what he wanted to do. And what he wanted to right now was to kiss Setzi. For now, he ignored her question, simply pulling on her hands, dragging her closer to him, and in for a kiss. He drew a deep breath of relief, after his body remembered how to breathe. How he had longed to taste her lips again...

Was it too much, too fast? Should he allow her to adjust, before making such advances? Tanek wasn't in a state where he could evaluate such things. He needed to do it. She had herself to blame, for the way she had called it 'our home'! How could he not have kissed her after that? "Alright. I'll tell you while we travel. I want to show you something" he said, taking her hand, and guided her towards the exit of the hanger.

Outside, a speeder awaited them. They could sit in the back, while the driver raced off. It was even of the fancy, expensive-looking kind, with one of those tinted glass walls that could be slid close, to offer privacy for the passengers, away from the prying eyes of the driver. While they drove, Tanek would talk, and try to answer her question.

"There's a lot to tell, but we've got time... Glee Anselm is the home planet of the Nautolans. It used to be shared between two races, the Nautolans and the Anselmi. The Nautolans under water, and on the edges of land, while Anselmi ruled on land. Before our fleet arrived, we had Sith agents, mostly from the Sith Assassins, spread rumours and agitate the populace. The Pro-Sith Nautolans were incited to rebellion, and the Anselmi were egged on to wage war against the Nautolan. We supported the Anselmi at first, but from the shadows, to make the Natuolan's ruling council look weak and unresponsive. That's when the One Sith moved in, and we turned the tide. The Council was overthrown, a pro-Sith one 'elected' in its place, and Sith led the Nautolans to victory in a war against the Anselmi. Now, the planet belongs to the Nautolans, and the Anselmi have either been extermined or sold into slavery." he paused, letting the information sink in. Did she think them monsters? Was she sleeping with a monster? Did she regret her choice in company? As the vehicle dove deeper under water, it seemed almost too late to turn back.

In his quick summary of the subjugation of Glee Anselm, he left out the part where refugees had been hunted down and either slaughtered or forced into a life of slavery. He also left out the part about Jedi effort to save them. How many had they helped off the planet? How many had been hunted down since then? He didn't know. Tanek had killed quite a few himself, in the aftermath, together with Sena Lassiter. He wondered what had become of the Jedi. Were they similar to the ones he had encountered on Csilla?

Tanek drew the little slider between the driver and the young duo close. The driver would neither see nor hear them. Not that it would be a huge problem if he did. After all, he was on the Sith's payroll. "Since then, I have been making efforts to undermine the new Council of Ten, and their so-called supreme leader. The only time they've truly been successful, is when they have relied on the Sith to either aid or take charge. They all know it, this planet, land and sea, would not belong to them without the involvement of the Sith. We conquered their enemies. We defeated their rebels. The Nautolans turned on their last council, they will turn on this one as well. When that happens, the Sith will step in. I will step in. Truly, Setzi, this ocean pearl will become ours." he placed a hand on her thigh, as he looked into her eyes. Would she call this her home? Would she accept the Sith as her allies? More importantly, would she embrace him?

First, he felt it was appropriate to show her around Pieralos. This was the capital of the Nautolans, and unless she preferred privacy, this could become more of a public home. At any rate, this was where official business went down, the seat of power for Glee Anselm. After having shown her that, he had another surprise for her. He hadn't mentioned it, but he was eager to hear her thoughts on the Sith Academy of Glee Anselm. Truth be told, he was eager to hear her thoughts on all the things.

[member=Setzi Lunelle]

 

[Setzi Lunelle]

Setzi accepted Darth Pyrrhus’s kiss willingly, her soft, full lips yielding to his. She was grateful for his touch, his urgent mouth clasped upon hers, and her hand strayed to his lekku to stroking the side of it. She could stand there and kiss him for hours if he would have it, but they needed to get to shelter before another of Glee Anselm’s ubiquitous rainstorms.

Accompanying him to the hangar, she noticed the speeder with its tinted windows. This along with Tanek’s formal robes made her realize he had accumulated some measure of wealth. While this wasn’t anything Setzi really cared about - she herself did not have much to her name in the way of credits - at least this was one less thing to worry about.

Of course, she would want to get back to some kind of work eventually.

In the speeder, she listened to Tanek describe the Glee Anselm politics, and after he finished, she only frowned and said: “You know how I feel about slavery.”


But she was a little too tired to get into a debate with him. There was plenty of time for a heated discussion later, which she had no doubt that they would have as their viewpoints were vastly different, especially when it came to philosophies about the weaker creatures in the galaxy. But she hoped they would be able to argue and then makeup afterwards. In fact she hoped the debates themselves would be cordial but the aftermath more fiery.

Setzi glanced up as he slid the window closed, essentially affording them total privacy. After Darth Pyrrhus spoke she said:

“I can understand why the Nautolans would rebel. They are merely a puppet government of the Sith. Tanek, I agree that having this supreme leader in place is… problematic.”

She put her hand atop of his where it was on her knee and looked directly into his striking, purple eyes. The fallen Jedi padawan was a pragmatist at heart. She could accept the Nautolans's fate now, and hopefully this Council would be dealt with in a way that didn’t cause too much blood shed, but she was really worried about one vital thing.

“I don’t want you to be assassinated if they catch wind of this. We need to deal with this swiftly.”

The “we” would tell him all he needed to know. She would help him take care of the leadership problem if needed. In fact, Setzi had an idea on how, but she wanted to see how Tanek responded first.

[member="Darth Pyrrhus"]

 

[Darth Pyrrhus]

Setzi was a good kisser. In those moments, she controlled the pace of his oxygen intake, as well as reducing his mental capacities temporarily. Setzi was a greater kisser. The addition of her hands on his lekku ensured that what had been intended as a briefer 'welcome kiss' became prolonged quite a bit more by his hunger for her. When it came to her, he was insatiable.

The speeder they travelled in indicated wealth, though it was not Tanek's wealth. He'd come from little, and he still owned little. He was far from rich. Yet. As an official ambassador of the Sith on Glee Anselm, the government provided him with certain luxuries. But he was making waves on the ocean world, pulling strings on others. Soon, wealth would be his. Tanek didn't really care about money for money's sake, but as a means to an end, it was a thing quite beneficial to possess. It'd allow him to launch as many projects as he wanted, in the long run benefitting not only himself, but the Sith on a whole.

He saw her frown, and noticed the tone in her comment. She wasn't starting an argument on the topic, merely stating she disagreed in such a way that implied that she wasn't looking for a fight. She knew how he felt, and the arguments he would use. He didn't see a need to remind her, not now. Perhaps it'd be more efficient to show her its uses, let her witness the work of nature up close? "I do" he said, with a knowing smile, as his hands strokes the area around her knee affectionately. He was fine to let it be with that.

"Well yes. But I want them to see themselves as neglected and exploited by their own government, and the Sith as the only salvation. And so, they willingly give away their power and freedom. It's beautiful" like art, in a political form. He was quite proud of the developments on Glee, and how he had influenced the progress.

At her following words, it was hard to do anything but smile. She was concerned for his safety. And then she used that word. 'We'. They were a team now. And if she wasn't completely onboard with his methods, she still supported him. He felt that oxygen intake imbalance strike him again, and thinking became harder to the point where his thoughts were constantly distracted with images of Setzi's beautiful, inviting lips. "I will be fine" he said, his eyes almost looking drowsy, as a hand reached for the back of her head and the other traveled higher up on her leg . "We will be fine." He would let her know everything that was going on on Glee. More than he would an apprentice, she was his partner in crime. They were a team. He needed another kiss. He leaned in to claim it. This time, they had a driver to make sure they moved to the right place. Not needing to worry about moving, or otherwise delaying something else, he felt no need to make this kiss a short one.

[member=Setzi Lunelle]

 

[Setzi Lunelle]

Tanek's soft, long kiss made it very difficult for Setzi to argue with him, so she just enjoyed the closeness of his lips and body in the back of the speeder. As she sunk into his arms, she entangled her legs with his. The brunette padawan wasn't sure what his actual property on Glee Anselm was like, but Darth Pyrrhus was making it easy for her to feel as though this was her home now. She felt immense loyalty to the Togruta who had possessed her body first and now her mind. Whether she would be loyal to the Sith was more of an open question. She knew his allegiance to the OS was strong and wouldn't ask him to change, but whether she would be able to fully give herself to the darkside?

Only time would tell.

As much as she didn't want to part from his mouth, Setzi finally pulled away to ask him another question.

"What is your household like? Do you have servants who work for you like our driver? Are they all Nautolan inhabitants?" she asked. Like Tanek, Setzi grew up in a world without attendants. She had to work on her parent's farm at a young age without much respite.The concept of hired help was very foreign to her, but not completely unwelcome.

However, Setzi obviously had no idea that Darth Pyrrhus was training a Balosar/Chiss hybrid who also happened to be a slave-apprentice under contract from Kuryr the Blood Gorger, a dangerous pirate from the Tingel Arm.

And in a way the question was her way of asking him if he owned any slaves.

[member="Darth Pyrrhus"]

 

[Darth Pyrrhus]

The pair sunk into each other, with Setzi in his arms, and her legs entangled with his. He was glad to see that they were no longer hiding. They had a long story, and it was filled with conflict and rising tensions. On Selvaris, they had cracked, but for a moment - though what a glorious moment it was. Now, they were no longer pulling at each other, from opposite ends of a rope. They were together.

When Setzi pulled away, Tanek continued elsewhere. He was too distracted to stop. Even as she spoke, he planted a few kisses on her cheek, slowly trailing their way to her exposed neck. Though as was the nature of questions, they usually demanded answers. So Tanek pulled away slightly, though his hot breath could still be felt on the wet marks he'd left on her. "Not much. I'm still kind of settling in." he leaned back further, to be able to look her in her eyes. "I have plans to build a base, underwater, completely in private. Though it's supposed to be secret, no one will know. No one but us." He trusted no one with the information, but he trusted her. He involved her in his schemes, as had promised himself he would.

"Until then, housing has been provided by the government. There's another location, where I've been spending an increasing amount of time... I'll show you soon" he smiled at the thought. Yes, he had not yet installed an Overseer for the Academy of Glee. Would he? Possibly. He would still exert his control, yet, there was such a thing as too much. At some point one had to delegate. The Overseer could become his vassal. "I like privacy. At least until I've gotten a level of security installed, that I feel safe leaving things of value behind."

"There are apprentices." he continued. "I oversee the training of a few. Perhaps you'll meet them one day. Perhaps you'll test their worth" he gave a faint smile, as his fingers traced a path on her leg, ontop of his. It was a little hint, saying that he thought highly of her. On Ziost, she had been worried she might be drained of power, become as a slave to him. This was not his intent. Oh kark, speaking of slaves... "I have one slave." he said it straight out. There was no point in hesitating or trying to wrap it in. It was what it was. "She's my apprentice. Half-Chiss, half-Balosar. Technically, she's owned by a slaver and a pirate by the name of Kuryr. She has potential. I'm training her." whether he intended to send her back or buy her, he hadn't decided. Perhaps he'd give her a chance to break free of her chance? If he waved that carrot in the right way, it could be a powerful motivator. He didn't say any of that, however, lest it be seen as him making excuses for holding slaves. He didn't feel bad. He planned to possess many more. Soon™

[member=Setzi Lunelle]

 

[Setzi Lunelle]

Darth Pyrrhus’s penetrating gaze had a hypnotic quality. Setzi could literally look into those purple orbs and get lost, minutes passing by before she snapped back to reality to playback parts of what he said. Paying attention was difficult when his red-skinned hands and grey lips kept up their pursuit of the most sensitive areas of her body – her cheeks, neck and knee. When he finally pulled away, she instinctively touched her collarbone where those sharp incisors had softly bitten, marks she no longer needed to hide - unlike their encounter on Selvaris where, for a few days afterwards with her AgriCorp crew, she had to wear strategically placed scarves to disguise his love bites.

Frankly, the idea of an underwater base sounded exciting to Setzi. She had taken diving classes with the Levantines and with the right apparatus did not feel daunted by the idea of a home under the sea. She nodded at him, lazily listening to his plans until the mention of his slave, Bellatrix.

Setzi sat up straigher and her brows furrowed as he spoke, expressing her displeasure. “Tanek, we should free her,” she stated plainly. “I don’t care... that you keep her as an acolyte.” Although the hesitation in Setzi’s voice would betray her feelings. Was this hybrid alien also a lover to him? She felt the acute sting of jealousy, like jab of a needle. This was an unwelcome piece of news but flying off the handle right now would do no good. Plus, she was still tired from the journey and thought it would be best if they discussed it when she wasn’t so weary. Besides, the girl was probably mousy, half-starved and meek. Or at least this is what Setzi told herself. If anything she was determined not to argue with Darth Pyrrhus – not until she got some rest.

“Let me meet her, and we’ll see what to do with your slave.”

Unless the girl wanted to stay on as a servant and not go back to the pirates, but still, this alien acolyte deserved the choice.

[member="Darth Pyrrhus"]

 

[Darth Pyrrhus]

Tanek was enjoying himself. It was a strange thing, sitting in a speeder, chatting with a woman he cared for, telling her of the things he had been up to, and the things he planned. He wasn't one to share plans. It was bad for business. If word got out, and they failed because of it, one only had oneself to blame. Yet, with Setzi, all concerns were lost. That being said, he was taking a huge risk. Should he ever find his trust misplaced, becoming the fool played by the pretty girl, his anger would be great indeed. His mercy? Not so great.

There was a subtle change in atmosphere. It wasn't unexpected, considering where the conversation was going. Setzi was not too keen on slavery, he knew. When she suggested they free Bellatrix, he took a deep breath. While she may not want an argument now, he did not shy away from it. The Togruta was one with many strong opinions, and had a tendency to believe they were right. He knew how to justify them. However, he did notice her tone, and had a feeling she wasn't looking for a discussion. Instead of an argument, he offered her a smile. The things he would do to keep her happy.

"We won't. But I have no interest in keeping her as a slave. One who calls him- or herself 'slave' will never be Sith. I want to see her chains broken, but she must free herself. It's part of the training." Instead of arguing the concept of slavery, he accepted their views as different. He did feel, however, like he had to explain his position when it came to Bellatrix. She probably wouldn't appreciate being ignored. Bella was his apprentice, and he hoped she would respect his methods of training. Tanek noticed her hints of hesitation, but tied this to the slavery bit. He was unaware of any signs of jealousy, or Setzi pondering whether she should consider Bellatrix competition or not.

'Let me meet her, and we'll see what to do with your slave.' Already, Setzi seemed to ease in and take charge. She wouldn't simply sail along with his calls, but would demand her voice be heard. It made him smile. He enjoyed the friction. Setzi was not a guest, it was their home together. The fire in her only served to draw him closer to her heat. "I can summon her whenever you like. Today, if you want. Tomorrow, if you'd prefer to rest."

[member=Setzi Lunelle]

 

[Setzi Lunelle]

Like thorny prickles on her skin, Setzi could feel the shift in atmosphere as well when the slave was discussed. Darth Pyrrhus became much more firm in tone and words. But this was an endearing quality in the Togruta Knight, and she felt a surge of attraction to him. In another man this trait may have been overbearing or domineering, but his directness fit with the Tanek she had known. In her limited experience, Togrutas seemed to be a proud, warrior-class species. But she also realized, he had awoken in her some feminine powers of persuasion that she didn’t know she had.

“I’ll see how I feel when we get there,” she said. “But I’ll probably want to rest.” With her fingertips, she lightly stroked his knuckles and then his upper arm, letting him know that resting with him was on her mind as well.

Besides there was so much newness right now. Setzi wasn’t sure she wanted to face this apprentice just yet. She was adjusting to her new surroundings, but having to adjust to her paramour having a slave-turned-Sith Acolyte? Well she imagined it would fell like diving head first into the ice-cold water which surrounded them on Glee Anselm.

Her head titled up to gaze upon his strikingly marked face. “Will you train me too?” she asked. This thought filled her with both anticipation and a fair bit of apprehension. She wasn’t sure if Darth Pyrrhus the Master would be as forgiving as he was as her companion.

[member="Darth Pyrrhus"]

 

[Darth Pyrrhus]

Tanek's directness was part of his nature. Though at the same time, it was part of a decision he had made. He was letting her see his true self, without the defences up, without the paranoia. He was willing to trust her, and not consider her a potential threat. Moreover, he was not making any efforts to manipulate her. He had in the past, but this was different. No more tricks, no more games. Just Tanek. Another word for the approach he chose to take when dealing with Setzi was honesty.

"Then rest." he offered her an understanding smile, his hand again stroking up the length from her knee to her hip. "We will deal with it later." That slave business put on hold, the mood got comfortably cosy again. Both seemed to be feeling a tired, but there was something oddly comfortable about getting tired in her presence. Her fingers stroking his arm was soothing. His guard was down. She could kill him right now. It was liberating.

He looked at her, content and affectionately, when she asked him if he'd train her too. "If you want, I will. I will do what you want me to" the sentence had sounded a little better in his head, and when it came out, he felt like he sounded a little more vulnerable than he had intended. It wasn't so much that he'd obey her command, as it was he wanted her to not want for anything. She was allowed to get in a position no one else had access to. Her privileges were kept on an abuse and suffer basis. His interest and intentions were exposed to her, though suppose if he had sought to hide that, he had been doing a mighty poor job.

By now, the sight of the city Pieralos should soon come before them. He had thought to show her the city, though perhaps, that was better done in the next day.

[member="Setzi Lunelle"]

 

[Setzi Lunelle]

Putting her mind immediately at ease, Tanek was gentle and kind as he responded to her question on training. She felt that his behavior was genuine. There were no more illusions or manipulations. Setzi was gazing upon the real Togruta she had remembered so fondly. The one she shared the night of passion with on Selvaris. The one who gripped her slender, gloved hand on Ziost and reassuringly walked with her, away from the frenzy of war and onto his safe and protected Corvette.

"Ataru or Soresu," she said. "I'm a defensive fighter, but I'll consider your suggestions." This was said distractedly, and almost as an after thought, as she was still a little distracted by her new surroundings.

But how he was as Darth Pyrrhus the trainer? She still wasn’t sure how different his Sith persona was, or if it was even a persona at all. Setzi hoped that the two sides to him were not at odds. She hoped they worked together fluidly and not incongruently. This thought would haunt her until she would be able to observe him in action. But right now? To an outside observer they could have been two beings – human and alien - canoodling on their way to a honeymoon suite.

She also wasn’t sure she could handle a cruel and demanding Master if she were to be his apprentice. But firm, difficult and at times unrelenting? Yes, she would learn in that type of environment. The brunette girl wasn’t lazy, but she knew if he were too gentle with her, she would become weak, prone to the grief that she tried to push away for her sister, Chastity. But Setzi didn’t want to bring up her fallen sibling for fear that she would lose it completely and ruin the calm moment. For both of them. Tanek is adjusting too, she thought, despite his confident, canine smile.

Instead, she looked out the window at Pieralos looming ahead.

“What’s your favorite part of the capital city, Tanek?” she asked, him lazily lacing her fingers through his and wrapping her arm around his waist.

Right now, he would be her salve. All of her grief and loneliness would be instantly taken away by the touch of his warm skin next to hers.

[member="Darth Pyrrhus"]

 

[Darth Pyrrhus]

[member="Setzi Lunelle"]

The options brought a smile and a light chuckle to his lips. Night and day. The mix of Ataru and Soresu made him think of her as a defensive fighter, though when made upset, unleashing hell and bouncing around like a possessed Jawa. It was cute and terrifying at the same time. "I am too. I've been trained in both. But Ataru is really not my strength... Soresu is more my thing. I can teach you that." He had received lessons in that from both Darth Vornskr and Maja Vern, who now styled herself Darth Zilti. "Personally, I have a love for Makashi. I never got to show you that. But I can teach you the basics of that too, and you can see if you like it." he said, casually referring to their previous fights like they had been some lovers' quarrel or a friendly spar. Back then, he had mostly relied on his Djem So. The other two times, they had done much else than fighting.

How would it be to teach Setzi? Could he even bring himself to do it? His own Sith upbringing had been a long, hard road, through pain and suffering. He had risen stronger for it, and it was a similar process he had put Bella through. However, he wasn't sure if he could cause the same kind of pain for Setzi. Partly, the point was to familiarize the apprentice with pain, and teach him or her how to use it. Moreover, it was also to create a strong hatred for the Master, to fuel their passion and urge them on to reach beyond their own limits, to one day release themselves from that cruel grip. But Tanek didn't want Setzi's hate, quite the contrary. Yet he knew, if she was to become Sith, he could not go easy on her. He would just have to make sure to make it up to her after.

His musings on how he'd train her got interrupted when she asked him about the capital city. It was a good question. What was his favourite part? "I like the view. I've never seen an underwater city before this one. The view struck me first. Artistic and tranquil, the mystery of the ocean compels me." art and nature, such things of beauty spoke to the hunter who had grown up in the wild, and not some thick-packed city planet. "I was thinking of constructing a few facilities. Casinos, cantinas, clubs. Locations that appeal to the public. It could become a steady income for us, without the requirement for us to do anything but oversee it." he chatted away, letting him in on his schemes. He hadn't given it much thought, and honestly, he wasn't entirely sure how he ought to go about such a thing. Perhaps this was something she had more experience with?

"Once I've raised the funds, I'll establish a company. We'll construct ships for the One Sith." another endeavour that ought to be quite profitable. "I don't really care about credits, or being 'rich'. Though money is a resource, like any other. It can be exploited and invested to benefit us and the Sith cause in several ways." he felt like adding, to let her know he was approaching this from a purely practical point of view, and not from the perspective of a merchant. If she had other ideas, or supportive ideas for the mentioned projects, she'd be more than welcome to add in, or launch her own projects.

"This is our playground. We can mould it as we wish." in case she didn't like Glee Anselm, she'd have the resources to shape it in her purpose. Though he had always expected to assume absolute power on the planet, now, it sounded like he was opening for a joint rulership. Strangely enough, the concept didn't bother him.

 

[Setzi Lunelle]

“I can learn either Soreusu or Makashi," agreed Setzi. “I am only adept at Form I.”

The brunette acolyte also also knew how limiting the basic lightsaber form was. Darth Pyrrhus had showed her that firsthand during their initial encounter on Ruusan. They had circled around each other like wildcats, their blades clashing and colliding. He had used another unusual power on her as she recalled:

“Maybe you can also show me Dun Moch.”

She specifically remembered Jedi Master Taeli Raaf’s telepathic whisper to her during that day to try and warn her of his impending mental attack. But how impossible it was to resist at the time! If he tried it again now, would she be able to fend him off?

Pieralos, the underwater city was an amazing spectacle. Setzi had only been in deep water once on a dive, but to live one’s entire life under the blue, dark sea? That was difficult to imagine. But like Tanek, the brunette acolyte had also grown up in a rural area. She was not used to cityscapes, layers of buildings, duracrete and glass, ground and air congestion. He was right. The view was majestic!

After he explained all that he envisioned for the planet, she smiled up at him and put a finger to his lips, gently teasing. “There is time for all of this planning later, and I will be by your side as your council.” She withdrew her finger and placed her lips to his mouth instead, leaning up for another kiss.

“If you wish that, of course,” she added, gently brushing her fingertips lightly against his one of lekku.

She pointed down to Pieralos. "Is that where we're going now?" she asked, punctuating her question with a dulcet laugh. Even though Setzi had a renewed burst of energy from the speeder ride, she was definitely ready to tour her new home.

[member="Darth Pyrrhus"]

 

[Darth Pyrrhus]

[SIZE=11.6666669845581px][member="Setzi Lunelle"][/SIZE]

"You will learn" he said, reassuringly. "Why not both? We have time" Certainly enough to expand her knowledge beyond Form I. Perhaps he ought to introduce her to the basics until she found which style she favoured. Any knowledge he possessed, was hers to claim. This was not one apprentice he feared, which perhaps might be his downfall, but he had no qualms about showing her everything he knew, and more.

"We can work on Dun Moch too." he agreed, nodding. "That one becomes natural as you grow accustomed to using it. It's all about picking your opponent apart, and engage them on the battlefield of their subconscious, as much on the surface. Sow doubt, and they will question themselves, and subsequently fail themselves" he spoke freely, with no real established structure, on how he viewed Dun Moch. "It's about dominating the enemy, and showing them exactly that. Through the Force, or just words." while it wasn't exactly a lesson in Dun Moch, he was giving her his impression of its basic principles. He'd be more than happy to give her a more in-depth lesson. She'd already experienced his Dun Moch before.

For once, his eyes were not taking in the majestic view as they approached the Nautolan capital. There was something greater drawing his gaze to it. Like a planet locked in orbit, Tanek could not take his eyes off his sun. Her finger to his lips immediately stopped his talking. It was probably for the better, she had a way of scrambling his brain to the point where making coherent sentences became a challenge. She kissed him again. Combine that with a gentle finger over his lekku, and he forgot all about what they had been talking about before. Plan later. Check.

"Yes" he said. Even though he intentionally kept himself brief, even that one word betrayed his increased breathing. To have her by his side as his council were terms he was very much willing to accept. "Yes" he said again, confirming this time their destination was indeed Pieralos. Though he was hardly paying attention at this point, as he was leaning over heavily to her side of the backseat. Now it was his turn to return the favour of planting kisses and distracting touches. The speeder would carry them to the doorstep of their new home. Meanwhile, they had time.

 

[Setzi Lunelle]

Darth Pyrrhus accepted Setzi’s kiss and pounced on her as though she were a Thimiar in the turu-grass of Shili, depositing kisses liberally on her mouth and neck as his hands wandered over her form. She willingly pressed back into him, accepting his firm grip, his red hands seeking solace on her tender skin. They would indulge each other in what they had been denied while they were apart, as the speeder entered the water and took a membrane tube down to Pieralos. Setzi was a bit too distracted to enjoy the splendid view of the underwater city when they grew closer to it. But she much preferred the red and white striped view she was currently gazing at.

Spoiler

Soon their transport slowed, and Setzi realized they were at Tanek’s home. It was a round structure like much of the architecture on Pieralos and on the modest side. But she recalled that he had said it was provided by the government. Once they entered, however, the brunette acolyte was stunned by the beauty and modernity of the small house as well as its breathtaking views from its ceiling-to-floor windows. She couldn’t help but take a quick tour as the Nautolan driver retrieved her bags.

Dining room

Spoiler

Bedroom 1

Spoiler

Bedroom 2

Spoiler

Setzi wondered where the slave-acolyte was kept and noticed there were two bedrooms. Perhaps the half-Chiss dancer occupied the second bedroom? But otherwise, she saw no sign of the slave who had caused her so much concern earlier. In fact, if Tanek allowed this girl to sleep in one of these luxurious bedrooms, at least, he afforded her that kindness, and it made her feel slightly guilty for being so jealous.

“Are you hungry?” Setzi asked the Togruta Knight. In her excitement over finally being home, she didn't have much of an appetite. But it had likely been twenty-four hours since they had come back from Ziost. Hunger would be catching up with both of them soon.

[member="Darth Pyrrhus"]

 

[Darth Pyrrhus]

The two of them lost themselves into the backseat of the speeder. She was bringing back memories from Selvaris, and awakening a similar hunger within him. The trip back to his home in Pieralos had never been quite so enjoyable as this. He would let Setzi enjoy the view another time. Chances were she would be seeing a lot of it in the future.

Once they entered into his not-so-humble abode, Tanek watched Setzi's eyes with a little smirk, pleased to see her reaction. The girl seemed to approve. He'd follow in a few steps behind her, allowing her curiosity to drive her to explore her new home. She was a fascinating sight, even from this angle. The way the lighting hit her brown hair and fair skin meshed beautifully with the deep blue background of the sea. Setzi looked like she belonged.

Bellatrix was not seen by the new lady of the house. This residence represented a luxury she had not yet earned. Her living quarters were the much harsher and limited Acolyte lodgings at the Sith Academy on the planet. Though she was sometimes summoned and tended to duties befitting slaves, Tanek had made sure that the tutors of the academy filled her days with hard, arduous training whenever he was absent. There was no rest for the wicked, and the girl was indeed very wicked. Through hardships endured she would emerge a Sith.

When she asked him if he was hungry, he looked at her with eyes that told exactly what he hungered for. The thought of food had escaped his mind. As tended to be the case with these things, he had felt no hunger until it had been brought up. "Yes." he said finally. "Shall I have something prepared for you?" he didn't have any servants, he didn't trust them in his absence. But surely he, or even the two of them, could have something arranged if that was her wish. He was no culinary expert, but luckily technology could aid him at that. Thinking about it now, he wondered if they ought to get a droid for these things. Or perhaps more slaves... He'd just need to warm her up to the idea a little first.

[member="Setzi Lunelle"]

 

[Setzi Lunelle]

Setzi caught the longing gaze in her new Master's eyes, and she gave him a sly smile. Turning her head to look at the kitchen momentarily, she realized the thought of eating didn't sound quite as tempting as what he had in mind. "I suppose we can wait a few more minutes," she said, approaching him. Her hands reached towards him, the desire in her body language unmistakable. She draped herself around Tanek like a velvet cloak. Setzi then stood on tip toes and leaned into his ear, whispering: "Let's go into the bedroom."

Taking his hand and leading him deeper into their tidy, dome-shaped house, she chose the larger bedroom and perched on the bed, which was much softer than she imagined it to be. Out of the clear glass wall-to-wall window, small colored fish darted by, tucking in and out of exotic coral and plants. The view of both Pieralos and of her Togruta lover was just enough to take all of Setzi's troubles and tuck them into the deepest corner of her psyche. And if they emerged, she would try to bury them savagely through physical contact.

Her heat beat with anticipation. Tanek had been her first real partner after all, and even when she had considered him her enemy prior to Ziost, she still recalled their night on Selvaris fondly. To be able to recreate that, but without the guilt over of her actions, was going to be extremely satisfying.

[member="Darth Pyrrhus"]

 

[Darth Pyrrhus]

Her sly smile had his breathing increase, even before she had said a single word. The way she moved towards him had him forget anything about food and hunger. Kitchen... Did they even have a kitchen? He couldn't remember. It wasn't important. When she whispered into his ear, she had him won. Eager arms grasped around her. She already knew he would not object to her proposition.

"Lead the way"

His robes and tunics paved a path behind him as he followed the brunette beauty. The memory of the clash of skin on Selvaris was burning hot in his mind. Though he had lured her onto his ship, she had conquered him then. This time they both knew what they went to. Finally he had brought home the girl who had occupied his mind in one capacity or other ever since then. For her company, he would offer her entire worlds.

Next came another series of impatient kisses, while hands worked to liberate them both from textile restrictions. Pushing his chosen down against the comfortable bedsheets, they created yet another memory. She was his now. Welcome to your new home.

[member="Setzi Lunelle"]