Private Dark academia

[Adeline Noctua]

Equipment | In Bio

Location | Yalara Academy

Tag | Mariah of House Marr

From the very moment her lone shuttle entered orbit.. She could feel it, how this place held a tightened grip around you as it tried its best to drag you as deep as it could. Glancing around it was clear that not a single other soul took this trip, it had been Mariah who had been selected some handful of moons ago by the Headmaster. A woman going by the name Adeline... Many knew her by the woman's Darth name, yet strangely.. For as much buzz as there was about this undead planet and its strange owner, her intentions and mind remained a mystery.

As the shuttle started to land, making its slow descent into the unknown below, your mind recalls the simple yet fancy letter that had been sent to you..

"Your curiosity intrigues my own, you have been selected to attended the Yalara academy of illogical logic. A week from now your room will be prepared for you, congratulations on this opportunity.."

- Adeline Noctua

No phone, no directions... Just a simple "See you in a week." was all that was given. Perhaps that was the goal? To stimulate your mind to speculate all manner of things, to let you use your own mind to get here?

Alas, the shuttle lands with a mild thud. Stepping out shows that no one else was docked at this time, Mariah left to explore this place as the doors of the shuttle closed behind her.

The air.. So potent and vile with darkness it assaulted your very senses, this was a place of power indeed.

A group of small bats watched the woman as a massive gate opened by itself for her, the steps leading up to an equally massive and elaborate looking door.

Nothing said she had to walk the path paved out for her so soon... There was another gate to her left that had been left cracked open just enough to permit entry, blackened vines riddled with thorns and white flowers seemed to be all over the fence and part of the gate. Dead trees in the distance as well, a garden perhaps?

The right held a gate as well, yet it seemed to be shut at this time? Oddly, each time you look past the bars you can't seem to see anything, yet you swear you remember seeing something... What was it again? Your thoughts clouded, you remember trying to remember... The spectacle seeming to grant you a memory of an eye. Within a blink the gate was a wall, was there even a gate on the right anyway?

A strange welcome to an equally strange place.



​

 

[Mariah of House Marr]

The world of sith still had her thoroughly uncomfortable. The fact she was working with them at all was so too. But she had to learn, everything was open to her now. Whatever reservations or fears she may or may not have, had to be stored away, until at least she had enough knowledge and experience to handle things herself. To really decide where she stood. For now, she just hoped nobody wanted her specifically dead for some reason. She doubted it would hold any political advantage, and as of yet, she was no ones rival. Worst case, some sith found her unworthy, or felt she disrespected them. Or wanted her necklace.

She was already starting to learn, though most of her use of the force was limited to meditation or was otherwise not very effective. But, she had at least made a lightsaber. That however was a rather easy task, it was technology. And technology was something she was very proficient in, though she knew she'd have to work on more personal equipment than what she was used to. Maybe some way to decrease the weight of her Sarlaac's reach. Right now she wore one of those devices, a set of huge duraplast arms that extended from the harness, two of them being used as she walked to lighten the load at least a little. And just hoping that the droid alongside her, White, and her own abilities would be sufficient. She'd brought more with her, including the Sarlaac's reach. Some luggage, just in case. But she hoped to not use it. She was here to study. And she brought plenty of ways to take notes.

And she was, in truth, still terrified. When a Jedi was vague, it was mostly just vagueness. When the sith were vague, it might be just vague, it could also be because they were going to kill you. She kept her hands empty, even of the saber at her side. Trying desperately to maintain the appearance of preparation. The lack of her own ship being used wasn't helping either. But she had to learn. And it was important she had more than just the tutors of the House of Marr to do so. The issues with the way the sorrounding area effected her mind was not unnoticed, and only further unnerved her. "Describe what you see." she told her droid, White-5, while she waited for an answer she'd start slowly moving towards the open gate, keeping her eyes open, but also activating her gauntlet. It was a tool, not a weapon, and it was equipped with a number of sensory equipment. Among which was a Lifeform_scanner, Radiation Sensor, Bioscanner, Portable scanner, and gps systems. And attempted to use them to test her sorroundings, as White-5 would do the same. He had less intense sensory equipment, audio and photo receptors, though he did also have a Dedicated Energy Receptor.

She was wary, very wary. And her eyes, her feelings in the force, simply could not be trusted. She had to double check every emotion, every sense (however unpleasant), everything. It had to all be doubted. Even in these moments, perhaps there was something to learn.

Adeline Noctua

Spoiler: equipment

ITEMS:
mariahs-necklace (worn)
mariahs-gauntlet (worn)
orestiad-flight-suit
Sarlaac's reach
repulsor-board (stored)
Initiation (lightsaber)
A wide range of tools and equipment for technological repairs and creations in a bag.

WEAPONS:
bar-58-blaster-pistol

DROIDS:
White-5 (Using 1 IR-1, 1 sunfury, 1 bar-58. The Initiation blade)

 

[Adeline Noctua]

Equipment | In Bio

Location | Yalara Academy

Tag | Mariah of House Marr

The scans showed no signs of radiation or foul play, the results showed that there was indeed life around them. Most of this information came from the garden, with small moving pings showed the many little bats that either were watching the newest arrival or resting in the shade.

Interestingly the harder the scanner searched the harder it clogged up with information... There were indeed thousands, if not millions of moving dots both within and deeper in the academy. Scans had a hard time determining if any of it was alive.

Audio scans only could go so far, giving distorted feedback and faint whispers. You couldn't understand a single word as it seemed like many voices started to speak to you, prying open the surface had resulted in something staring right back.

The main gate had fully opened, with the large door up the obsidian stairs starting to open for the newest arrival akin to a welcoming maw.






​

 

[Mariah of House Marr]

Nothing worthwhile, at least so far, that the data could hint at a warning. Aside from that looming concern and lack of information was, itself, threatening to her. She did not like not knowing, and she especially did not like having to put herself somewhere while in that situation. At the very least, the scans seemed to suggest not everything she saw was faked. But perhaps they knew the more especially capable illussions, or were combining it with technopathy.

Well...if the latter was the case, she was probably screwed. Technology was all she had to truly protect herself safely. It was too late to change anything now if that was the case. She took in a deep breath, trying to keep herself from her tendency of twitching. It mostly happened when she was put on a spot of possibly lying, but, this was an intense situation to be in. Despite her fear, she pressed onwards.

Her guard was up, obviously. Constantly. Those long duraplast arms were at least some comfort as she progressed, she preffered the model with six like she used now, or 4. But she'd chosen six due to the nature of the situation. Two being used to keep the weight off her back, and the other four could still be effective for any other tasks. They were a great aid really, even outside of combat. Not delicate, but highly effective for moving large objects or traversing extremely difficult terrain.

She followed the stairs, White was behind her, not in front. She hoped that was the right decision. It was strange that she could actually feel him in the force, or, it. It wasn't like it had any soul, or force connection, to latch onto. But she could sense his existence, likely because she had grown so used to him and the drones and her own ship that perhaps even prior to her awakening to the force properly, there was some kind of imprint in the force her new senses could recognize.

Deciding she wasn't sure if she was supposed to continue or if there was some other test, she chose to speak even as she continued to ascend the steps, "I am Mariah, I was selected for attendance." she spoke loudly, formally, followed by a quick question, "Am I heard?" given the odd nature of the place, she wandered if only introducing herself would give a response even if someone was listening. Perhaps tagging on that final bit, would at least get an answer. If someone would give an answer to anything for the time being.

Adeline Noctua

Spoiler: equipment

ITEMS:
mariahs-necklace (worn)
mariahs-gauntlet (worn)
orestiad-flight-suit
Sarlaac's reach
repulsor-board (stored)
Initiation (lightsaber)
A wide range of tools and equipment for technological repairs and creations in a bag.

WEAPONS:
bar-58-blaster-pistol

DROIDS:
White-5 (Using 1 IR-1, 1 sunfury, 1 bar-58. The Initiation blade)

 

[Adeline Noctua]

Equipment | In Bio

Location | Yalara Academy

Tag | Mariah of House Marr

At first she would get no answer, just the same silence as the path stayed open for her to walk it. But alas, a response would be given, just not in the direction that was expected.

"Yes my dear you are heard, allow me to help you in."

The soft voice came from right behind, upon turning around she would be met with a strange looking woman.. Petite in build with rather odd ears adorning her head, followed by a formal suit and a smug smile.

"If you are through inching about, I would figure we could get you officially written down."

She offers a pale hand to her newest guest, if they took it or not didn't halt the woman from walking onward. As they entered a room ment for processing new students she continued on to speak.

"I of course know your mind hungers for more, but do tell... What are you seeking? What classes? What skills? Given time I can satisfy that hunger."

Seems the inside of the place was more active, with undead and robed figures walked about, no doubt servants and students.

Gently, Adeline takes one of the large fancy books as she readies to log the newest student.
















​

 

[Mariah of House Marr]

If there was an answer, Mariah half expected it to come from the walls themselves. Yet the fact that it came from immediately behind her made her jump a moment, instinctively for programming reasons, White stepped between the two of them. His plastoid face inexpressive and simple only awaiting further instruction or threat, not even raising his weapon.

Mariah tried to collect herself and face the woman, moving her droid aside. She kept one hand behind her back, squeezing it tight in a fist concentrating on that as a focus on all her anxiety over all this. Sith were terrifying enough without doing stuff like this. It reminded her too firmly of what she knew about sith tombs, reminders of both mortality and immortality at once.

She tried to force a brief polite smile and nod, obviously one not hiding that it was just a greeting. She doubted that in her situation as she was she could hide her true feelings in the situation. Fear, desire for knowledge, and will to do so. The woman before her was odd visually, for a sith in particular, she seemed more like what one might find if searching for a witch living in a distant mansion on a forest planet where the sky above never changed from night. A very specific sense.

The new sith of the order took the hand, unsure of if there was any customs she needed to accommodate her with other than a bow of the head. And would then follow. The fear lingered, but she would not let her mixture of fear and disgust of what she saw cloud her intellect. That needed to remain active and present. And so, she let her curiosity of the oddities before her also go loose.

At the woman's question though, this time Mariah finally had something she could say something about, "In theory, in the long term, everything. But the most pressing at the moment are these, I seek further efficiency in skills like familiars, phantoms, dark energy traps, more precise utilizations of telepathy and alchemy, as well as mechu deru. And those are in order of importance. I know some things about all of them, in theory, I might even be able to learn them on my own....but that may take far longer than I'd like." her voice was shaking, and her fist felt strained from constantly being held tight, but at least she got the words out.

Adeline Noctua

Spoiler: equipment

ITEMS:
mariahs-necklace (worn)
mariahs-gauntlet (worn)
orestiad-flight-suit
Sarlaac's reach
repulsor-board
Initiation (lightsaber)
A wide range of tools and equipment for technological repairs and creations in a bag.

WEAPONS:
bar-58-blaster-pistol

DROIDS:
White-5 (Using 1 IR-1, 1 sunfury, 1 bar-58. The Initiation blade)

 

[Adeline Noctua]

Equipment | In Bio

Location | Yalara Academy

Tag | Mariah of House Marr

"Everything? Dear... The void always hungers for the greediest minds, but at the same time I also welcome them. Call it a little project of mine if you desire, I enjoy seeing what happens."

Only a half truth, she had much more use for the curious or greedy then just watching what happens... Entertaining as it is..

"I will see what I can do when it comes to getting you into a class, for now I would like to get you all moved in. Make sure you are comfortable of course, the room should suit you."

Casually, the strange woman snaps her finger, the two of them now in a nice looking room. Everything you could ask for really, and fancy looking to boot.

"If the furniture sours the mood you may ask me to switch it out, every room is outfitted with the basics like a kitchen or bathroom.. But I also give work stations to practice your alchemy, space to enter a dark meditation.. And so on."

Said furniture seemed to be made of a dark wood, the fabrics around the place shades of a royal dark red wine.

"I trust everything is satisfactory dear?"







​

 

[Mariah of House Marr]

Adeline Noctua

"We all need dreams don't we?" she offered in response. The prospect of the void welcoming her was quite literally the reason why she was here afterall. The void would welcome anyone it could get it's clutches on. She'd already been thrust into danger, she might best prepare herself in the best ways she could manage. And right now, that was by gathering as much knowledge as possible. And with the focus of that, being to ensure her own survival. She had so many ideas on how to make that happen, but she needed to speed up that process by people who actually knew what they were doing.
'Everything' was a long shot. Too long of a shot to ever genuinely hope for. But there was nothing wrong with aiming too high, as long as you didn't break you arm when you threw the pitch.

She nodded and tried to force a smile of appreciation as she said she'd work on the classes, but first get her settled in. This time the suddenness from which they changed rooms only elicted the slightest twitch from Mariah's whole body. White didn't move. He didn't have enough high grade personality to care that they were breaking the rules of existence. As long as Mariah didn't order otherwise. Calling him a he was almost a stretch even for proponents of the idea of referring to droids by any kind of gender or sex based on their design or programming.

Still, she forced herself to give the room a proper look. The colors were a lot darker than her usual tastes, but it didn't necessarily bother her. She knew better than to think something evil couldn't come from white or silver any less than from black. "Um, right, thanks...Darth" she began, unsure exactly how she wanted to be addressed, and also hesitating on her next question, "I don't suppose there's a high end tech lab for private construction. I don't know what kind of equipment an alchemy lab has that would work for the sort of thing I'm planning."

Mariah was never that good at being any kind of sabatuer, and she wasn't one of those now. But there was a reason why, the uncertainty and fear wasn't something she could completely hide. She had the resolve not to give into it, barely. But in part it was the fear itself that provided that drive. Fear didn't freeze her, that at least she could accomplish.

Spoiler: equipment

ITEMS:
mariahs-necklace (worn)
mariahs-gauntlet (worn)
orestiad-flight-suit
Sarlaac's reach
repulsor-board
Initiation (lightsaber)
A wide range of tools and equipment for technological repairs and creations in a bag.

WEAPONS:
bar-58-blaster-pistol

DROIDS:
White-5 (Using 1 IR-1, 1 sunfury, 1 bar-58. The Initiation blade)

 

[Adeline Noctua]

Equipment | In Bio

Location | Yalara Academy

Tag | Mariah of House Marr

Her newest teacher would listen, gazing at the newest addition with a blank stare up until they finished speaking, giving her a slight smile.

"Dreams need us too, without realization they can become.... Something twisted."

Next she looks over to the open spaces of the room, actually letting out a mild chuckle.

"Tinkering you say? That is of no issue to me, give it a few days and I can get some things shipped in."

Adeline didn't need to know the details, with her past she could easily figure out what was needed.

"The lab will be used for when we study the basics of alchemy, first I figure we start with the utmost basics. Once we get you settled in and the classes sorted I will supply you with the materials, for now there is no need to think on it."

With the snap of a finger again they were right back in the lobby, breaking existence or just an illusion?

"Your room is on the west wing of the academy, room 101."

Finally she decides to share a name.

"You may call me Lady Keres, or simply Adeline if you so prefer."

Adeline reaches out, offering the key to the room.

"Any more questions? Concerns?"





​

 

[Mariah of House Marr]

Her comment on dreams certainly didn't help Mariah's uneasiness of the place. Not that she really thought she could derive much truth from it. She supposed, it didn't matter. She'd do whatever she planned to do likely regardless of what was meant by that. But then, maybe it was just a phrase given the chuckle afterwards. Who knew. She nervously nearly chuckled herself.

'Tinkering' was an underrepresentation of the kind of work she was doing she felt, but Mariah at least gave an appreciative nod, "Thank you, I appreciate it."

The promise to supply her with materials was appreciated, though naturally Mariah was cautious of a lot of this. Starting with the utmost basics would probably be a bit irritating at first, she knew a great many things, but there were of course holes. But in order to properly fill those holes out, she likely would end up having to go over a lot of things she knew already.

This next sudden transformation or transition, whatever was going on, Mariah at least didn't jump as much from, even if it was not much less startling. "Thank you Lady Keres," she said giving a respectful nod and taking the key before being asked if she herself had any questions, and concerns. "Plenty. But the main one for now is, what's actually expected of me?"

It seemed a fair question, things had been rather vague so far. And she didn't like being kept in the dark. Well, so to speak.

Adeline Noctua

Spoiler: equipment

ITEMS:
mariahs-necklace (worn)
mariahs-gauntlet (worn)
orestiad-flight-suit
Sarlaac's reach
repulsor-board
Initiation (lightsaber)
A wide range of tools and equipment for technological repairs and creations in a bag.

WEAPONS:
bar-58-blaster-pistol

DROIDS:
White-5 (Using 1 IR-1, 1 sunfury, 1 bar-58. The Initiation blade)

 

[Adeline Noctua]

Equipment | In Bio

Location | Yalara Academy

Tag | Mariah of House Marr

"Expected? Well dear with all that curiosity and technical knowhow I expect results, I also expect you to not be too destructive. By all means if some other student is too incompetent to sense danger then feel free to test your work, but out of respect I will say the same applies to your fellow students. The golden rule is to listen to my words and follow orders, as the Headmaster what I say goes."

Thinking about her past made her smile a bit.

"I find your droids to be interesting, long ago I made an AI that is still used in the underworld today. Repaired ships, made guns.. Ah but that golden one was the best, carried by a Mandalorian I know. Shoots right through Beskar, my best work yet."

If the macabre woman was telling the truth, then she must have a deeper past when it came to engineering.

"Ah I forgot to clarify, students are not allowed to just kill one another in the halls.. If I catch you... Tsk, just be smart about it. Consider it to be another lesson to learn, trickery and slyness are key to a longer life."

She would know all about trickery...

"Any more questions my dear?"





​

 

[Mariah of House Marr]

Results, and not too destructive. Those were both feasible, Mariah already was working on plans. She had multiple ship designs in mind, though those were less for here. Her droid design was the current priority, but that required some more training. Training she expected to get here. That said, it also meant that, should someone not expect her, she could 'test' it. The fact such a situation was extended to other students hardly comforted her, and that was hardly invisible. In other words, she'd have so many cameras installed in so many different locations, that a gnat wasn't going to go by without being caught on video.

The fact the woman before her had her own history with droids intrigued Mariah. Of course in Mariahs' case, so far, much of her tech was a sort of drone system. Admittedly a very advanced drone system combining biology knowledge such as brain activity with limbs or full interface with a droids functions, but still. This woman apparently made a weapon that went through beskar, that made Mariah's brows shoot up. She rarely designed weapons, mechanical, programming functions, shields, and engines were all things she put a lot of effort into. But she knew full well how hard it was to make something that could go right through beskar. "That's quite an achievement? Can I ask what the production level was? Could you have applied it in a sufficient level to guard or assault a facility? Did you utilize irregular methods or go with something merely often forgotten like sonic tech. If you care to share." she asked, genuinely curious on what she had done. Assuming any of that was true, even the claim about her being allowed to test her stuff on other students could be a lie Mariah realized. But it didn't hurt to ask. Hopefully.

And the confirmation about the students being a problem again. She provided a forced quick smile, "I don't suppose livestreaming to you various camera angles is permitted to ensure my own safety, or that any attempts are caught, is banned?" she was fully aware, though the technique seemed less common these days, that some force users could do something called a force flash, which was supposed to make devices seem like they had a glitch.
She was also aware, however, that she was very very good at getting all the tech made that could be thoroughly well hidden, kept at a considerable distance, and allow her to record almost anything she wanted. Meaning any sith that wanted to screw that up would have to figure out how to do an almost emp bomb version of the skill, which she doubted anyone would reasonably know.

Adeline Noctua

 

[Adeline Noctua]

Equipment | In Bio

Location | Yalara Academy

Tag | Mariah of House Marr

"That is fully up to you, if you did indeed set up security... And someone was foolish enough to get caught, well they would be punished accordingly. This also applies to you of course, all is fair game after all. I am sure that you will find most to be caught up in study to bother with petty rivalries anyway."

For the first time, the headmistress gives a faint but genuine smile.

"Not sonic no no, a gun bright as gold.. So far my proudest work that I did many years ago. It was actually to replace the last one an acquaintance of mine had lost while we were in the sands of tatooine. I only made one, the one golden gun. It would be too innecftive to try and arm a whole facility or army with them, since only I know how to make it.. And I intend to keep it that way."

On the subject, she did wonder what Tae'l Vizsla was up to, and how had that gun performed over all these years?

"Now, I am sure you have better things to do then listen to my little stories. Feel free to go make yourself comfortable within your new home, and let me know if you need anything dear."

Adeline gives Mariah a gentle pat on the shoulder before leaving, a strange welcome to an equally strange place.







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