Private From One Traitor, to Another

[Lina Ovmar]

Lina missed the shadows, missed being unknown, an enigma. Carnifex had forced her into servitude and pulled her into the proverbial light, and into the fray of the Sith Order. Something she had hoped to avoid entirely, but her relationship with Sarlow had progressed further than she could have foreseen.

Now, Lina had to think about her future within the Order, her plans to kill Carnifex would always be at the forefront, but she would need allies to do so. She had already made a connection with Darth Strosius all be it a shaky foundation to start with, she had no doubt she could secure his allegiance in time. And she of course couldn't have one without the other.

Former apprentices of Ophidia, traitors and turncoats.

Strosius had been open in his hatred for Kaine, Malum however seemed to be the more level headed of the two, keeping his reservations, if he had them, entirely silent. Time would tell.

She descended the landing ramp, adorned a simple high neck sleeveless dress with a slit to her thigh to allow ease of movement. Her left arm was snaked with the shifting ink of Kaine's mark. At a glance, one might think she wore his mark with pride, but she detested the thing and everything it represented.

Darth Malum of House Marr

 

[Darth Malum of House Marr]

It had not been the first time he had found himself awaiting by the landing bay at the once Imperial Palace... though he supposed by technicality though he was somewhat remiss to fully accept the title, it was also... the current Imperial Palace, not that he would be allowing his newest guest to learn of that particular detail of his rule upon this world.

But yes, it had not been the first time he had found himself waiting here.

It certainly would not be the last.

Yet this one certainly... well he could not say it was rather peculiar or special, for after all, it had not been the first time he had entertained guests, and as to be expected, it likely would not be the last.

But well...

...It was rather odd, he had invited Lina Ovmar here as mainly a ploy to momentarily snipe at Sarlow Zambrano.

Yet now...

...Well here she was, wearing a dress made to draw attention, a shorter woman, but not to any great degree, with raven locks much like himself, but with emeralds rather than rubies for eyes.

Yet they did shine just as brilliantly.

Above all else though, it was not any traits that she was born with that drew his eye, nor the apparel she wore tailor-made to draw it.

It was what she bore that was not hers.

A mark.

Kaine's mark.

He narrowed his eyes the barest amount, such was truly the strangest matter of today.

This was the first time, that he invited the enemy to his home.

For after all, even with the traded verbal barbs with Lord Vazz .

Even after the actual traded barbs with Gerwald Lechner .

To call either enemy would not entirely be right.

But a representative of Darth Carnifex , to be invited to his house.

Well, it was certainly a new experience, to say the least.

Malum offered a smile, hand resting upon his heart, as he offered a nod of his head.

"Greetings, Lady Djo, to Alvaria, I hope my hospitality will be to the same standard as what you receive upon the Malsheem, I am sure we have much to discuss."

Truly, he doubted they would.

He would entertain her for a few hours, a waste of time, but one he had after all brought on himself.

But regardless, no doubt, nothing of true merit would be drawn today.

Or so he thought.

 

[Lina Ovmar]

Lina had spent her lifetime reading people, watching them from afar and learning to understand the subtlest of movements of muscles in a persons face and the emotions they might indicate. The flicker of his gaze over her form, the slight narrowing of his eyes as they settled on her tattoo told her that her assumptions of Malum's feelings towards the Kainites, if not Carnifex himself, were correct.

She drew herself a little taller, offering a wide smile as he bowed his head to her.

"Oh I certainly hope not, Lord Malum, my...indoctrination... into Carnifex's house was far from pleasant."

Her smile remained pleasant, though there was a flicker of something in those emerald eyes. Anger perhaps? She didn't expand further, returning the bow of his head in kind and stepping up beside them so he could escort her from the landing bay.

"I expect Alvaria and my host will be far more welcoming. I have to say, I'm not familiar with this planet, I'd love to hear more about it."

Darth Malum of House Marr

 

[Darth Malum of House Marr]

Indoctrination.

What a most curious word.

Intriguingly a word that meant in this sense a loyalty uncritical, in a greater sense, one should not be aware that they were being indoctrinated, yet, here she was, parroting the word, fully aware that was what she had undergone.

Interesting.

But then there was, after all, a far more interesting question implicit in her words, was it a loyalty uncritical, was she so uncritically loyal that she knew she had been informed she was indoctrinated and yet did not care? He had met her, as she was hand in hand with a Zambrano... that could be a sign.

Still.

Far from pleasant, she called it.

A flash of something behind those emeralds... anger?

Indoctrination might have been the wrong word for it.

She certainly seemed far from uncritically loyal.

Yet there was the mark of Kaine upon her flash.

...So similar to a cattle brand.

Could it be?

Perhaps speaking to the daughter of Anaya Fen would not be a waste of time after all.

He could not deny that there had been that barest amount of curiosity in meeting that... well to summarise that infamous woman's exploits in one word would have been difficult, but regardless, the barest amount of curiosity in meeting that woman's daughter.

The smile remained fixed to his face, "Indoctrination? Well, I imagine there will be quite much for us to discuss indeed." Malum took a step forward at her invitation, twisting upon the souls of his feet, as he offered his arm to the beauty, quirking an eyebrow at the unasked question, "Alvaria and I will certainly do our utmost... as for your unfamiliarity, it is of little surprise, this world has perhaps luckily been unexposed to the tumults of galactic history, only now finding itself upon a new precipice... though, I would recommend you not make deal with the nexus, no doubt you have felt its touch, its bargain is... a rather mixed bag, to say the least." He attempted to keep his words lighthearted, even if the contents were serious.

Lina Ovmar

 

[Lina Ovmar]

"Of that I am certain." she replied with a warm smile as he offered her an arm. She took it without hesitation, pleased to see the shift from suspicion to curiosity, of course she had to be careful, not only for her own sake, but for his. Today would be a game of reading between the lines. She would need to see if her suspicions of his dislike of Darth Carnifex were correct, but also offer herself as an ally without triggering the tattoo's response. Or earning his ire when she returned to the Malsheem.

"How fortunate that you have been able to lay claim to such an innocent place. To be able to lead a nation into a new era is quite the exciting challenge for one so young as yourself." She closed her eyes briefly reaching for the nexus as it was mentioned before snapping back to herself. "I'm not in the habit of making deals with powers whose intents cannot be read, so you need not fear for me."

People were far easier to work with than undefined power sources like a nexus. A nexus had the ability to blur the lines of ones psyche, exaggerate negative emotions and Lina preferred to have control over all these things.

"How did you come to govern such a place at your age?"

Darth Malum of House Marr

 

[Darth Malum of House Marr]

Malum chuckled at her words, leading her confidently and effortlessly into the... his Imperial Palace, it had been far from the first time he had played his song and dance, far from the first time he had a beautiful woman on his arm, no doubt it would not be the last time. He could only thank Bogan that Elise Ahana-Gwyneira was not here... not that he sought to hide anything.

But, well, even he could admit this would be a rather strange scene to witness.

And an even more awkward scene to explain.

Even if truly, the straightforward approach would suffice.

It seemed Lady Djo was happily taken.

And for Malum... well, he had been lovingly taken.

"This world is far from innocent, my lady, though it has not faced the horrors of the galaxy, that did not stop it from imposing its own horrors on itself," Malum answered, after all, Dark Side Nexuses did not simply appear on worlds.

That took the killing of billions in an instant.

And the suffering of billions for centuries after that.

Her comment on his youth was enough to raise a brow, it had been a comment he had heard from many, but he was still not quite sure on how to respond to it.

Some however meant it as an insult... for her... he might have guessed it a compliment.

Yet it was a reminder of something else too...

She might not have looked it, but she would have been rather much older than him...

"It is certainly a challenge," He assented, passing by tapestries and stained glass, all the way to the throne room, the imposing structure in all its majesty, "As for how... well... I am glad you know not to trust the Nexus... because I do believe it by its will I was... called here," That was the best approximation of that feeling to simply... abandon war and come here, he nodded forward to the throne, "I believe members of my House may have ruled centuries ago, they died out evidently, but well... a religion of sorts seems to have sprouted around them, surviving the destruction this world faced, and all the willing to seek an uniter, when he presented himself." It was a vague answer admittedly.

But more due to how the events still could make him embarrassed, rather than any true willingness to hide matters from her.

Lina Ovmar

 

[Lina Ovmar]

Lina's eyes drank in the artwork that lined the walls, reading the stories woven into the threads as Malum spoke, filling in the gaps he left in his own story as he guided her towards a grand throne room. Had it been anyone else, she might have assumed he was posturing, showing off the power he had secured for himself, but as Lina unlinked arms with him to admire the art that lined the walls in here, she felt no such arrogance from him.

Lina herself was a lover of history, absorbing knowledge wherever she went, the smile on her face genuine as she studied each piece before turning to admire the throne. "You were their saviour...a chosen one of sorts." she chuckled shaking her head. "The naivety of secluded nations like this never cease to amaze me." she shot a glance his way. "No offence meant. If your family ruled here in centuries passed then you are its true heir, its more the... romanticising of such a simple thing that I find questionable."

She turned to study him for a beat before continuing. "How has it been, adjusting to new responsibility since the death of your Mistress?"

Darth Malum of House Marr

 

[Darth Malum of House Marr]

It was an odd confession to admit that he instantly missed the warmth of another at his side, as her arm unlinked from his, yet he was able to free himself from such feeling rather quickly, gazing on silently, if with approval, as she looked to the various tapestries almost lovingly placed upon the walls. Of course that had not been the only art worth gaze, the stained glass and paintings revealed their own stories.

He had spent days looking at each when he had first... inherited, this place.

Much of it was in ruins and in disrepair, faded and broken.

It had cost no small fortune to restore the palace, which was an ever still evolving process.

But, it had been a price increased, as his historical sensibilities demanded a restoration of each broken tapestry, every cracked pane, and every faded artwork.

He had been left far less wealthy.

But...

Gazing up at those which decorated his home, who told the story of him, far before he had been born.

...It was a vice which could not possibly be terrible.

He scratched the back of his head at her words, "Please, you give me far too much credit, I was simply one who had come at the right time, if anything this was an inheritance for my father, and considering the small army of cousins I have, any of them could have been called here." Yet, they had not, even as he affixed a bashful smile upon his face.

It had been him.

Him right after his great defeat to Kai- Darth Carnifex .

Why that was, was still a mystery to him.

"But yes, their... traditions and culture are still odd to me, even as I find myself at home with them, even as I... well, they are my people after all, for all their oddities, it remains my responsibility to serve... the first servant of the state." A preconception of ruling, that he believed more ought to consider.

He quirked an eyebrow at the last question when he had been far more tempted to narrow his eyes.

"All of this has been a rather sudden adjustment... but I have adjusted, traitors have been rooted out, and I, along with the Tsis'Kaar remain as ever, loyal to His Imperial Majesty." He was laying it on rather thick.

But considering his position, there could be no doubt.

And if a Kainite would take away to others, that the Lord of Deceit was a loyalist of the Emperor, he would not mind.

Lina Ovmar

 

[Lina Ovmar]

Lina very almost rolled her eyes at his response, clearly meant to dissuade her from thinking he was anything but loyal to the one she had heard named Worm Emperor by some, a dead god by others. she had yet to meet him, to get a true measure of the man or self proclaimed god that ruled the Order. Nor was she in any rush to place herself on his radar, not so long as Kaine held her leash tight.

"Its quite the challenge, bending the loyalties of those who served your forbearers." she began "I was perhaps a few years younger than yourself when I inherited my mothers network. She and I had very different mindsets though, so it was less about weeding out traitors and more about a full reformation. She liked the company of the dregs of the galaxy, bottom feeders whose cruelty almost matched her own. She ruled with fear instead of compassion." She fell into quiet contemplation for a moment, before catching herself and gracing Malum with an apologetic smile.

"It took a number of years to truly turn it into my own." She tilted her head. "I do not doubt your loyalty, Malum. Though you should perhaps doubt mine."

Darth Malum of House Marr

 

[Darth Malum of House Marr]

His ears were certainly active in learning this story, it was not every day one learned the aftermath of Darth Apoleia's infamous fall, from exactly the one who had to pick up the pieces. It was far from the same story that had played out with the Tsis'Kaar, but it may have been perhaps the most similar story.

"Do you rule by compassion then, my lady?" Malum asked, truly curious, but at the same time, believing it utterly naive.

And considering by some measure, Malum might have been one of the most naive Sith Lords in the Order, that was to say something.

"It is an intriguing comparison, but not exactly the same is it, you may have needed to reform your network, but I imagine by your blood alone many were loyal... for I... it was about convincing those loyal to the woman that I had killed, to serve me," Malum offered a ghost of a smile, the Sith Sword on his back pronounced and visible, "I suppose between dealing with traitors, and those within the Order that saw my success as a fluke... I have done well enough for myself."

He quirked an eyebrow at the latest admission.

A trap?

Perhaps, and he did not discount the possibility.

But without exploration, all it was was a strange admission.

"And why would you say that?"

Lina Ovmar

 

[Lina Ovmar]

"I believe that both have their merit. Ruling with fear alone leaves you open to attack from within, one should never underestimate the strength and will of an underdog whose had a heavy boot resting on their chest for a beat too long." A smile tugged at the comer of her lip. "On the other hand, compassion leaves you open to attack from without. Often kindness is seen as a weakness, yet offering a kind hand, can forge the strongest of bonds."

She laughed at the suggestion that her blood bore any relevance to making those loyal to her. "Trust me, that I am Anaya Fen's daughter bore no weight. It was never a secret that I wanted her dead, in fact my only grief at her death was that it had not been my hand to take her out of this galaxy. Our circumstances are more similar than you might think."

The quirked eyebrow made her smile wide, though she merely shrugged in response. "Because it is the truth. I have existed outside of any Sith nation since Kaine's first run as emperor. The only reason I am even a part of this one is because of him. I stayed off his radar for a very long time, but our dear lord Carnifex has a long memory, and does not forgive betrayal easily."

Darth Malum of House Marr

 

[Darth Malum of House Marr]

It was almost a rule of the universe that between two binary choices, the actual solution was somewhere in the middle. He supposed, it was the struggle of the students of philosophers to attempt to sort where exactly within the middle the truth lay, in that the philosophers had it easy, all they had to do was forge a path, and then have another forge the opposite, their conclusions so extreme, radical, and oppositional to each other, it took others to forge an unhappy middle road.

Fear or compassion?

Why not both?

He could not exactly complain, such was his own ruling philosophy after all.

"...Indeed, I would say our circumstances are not much removed from each other as I had initially thought," Yet did similarity mean trust?

Such was far from confirmed.

And considering their circumstances, likely never would be confirmed, even if all somehow, magically, went well.

And considering his own luck.

Considering how much the Force so hated him.

It was never a question of if something would go wrong.

He gazed away from the throne, troubling memories... intimate memories...

Painful memories.

"Kain- Darth Carnifex is certainly not one to cross, I had not realised you had betrayed him... is that mayhaps why you were by the arms of his eldest son? Sarlow Zambrano, a most... well, it was hard to say much, considering the man was the heir to perhaps the greatest terror the galaxy had ever seen, he had a delightfully narrow resume.

The ignoble heir, to an ignoble legacy.

Perhaps fear of such an heir, had been what drawn Kaine towards the path of immortality.

He imagined not.

But well, of the two wolves he knew in his life, Gerwald Lechner had been the only one to make an impression.

 

[Lina Ovmar]

Lina blinked, the question about Sarlow catching her off guard, so much so, that a little pink flushed her cheeks. She dropped her gaze, clearing her throat and regaining her composure. "Actually, no." there was something sheepish in the smile she gave him. "Sarlow was an unexpected development, and one that I've no doubt his father is not particularly keen on." she gave a small tilt of her head as a realisation dawned upon her. "Not that that is a bad thing."

"It is, however, why I bear his mark. And also why the woman I love is held under lock and key by him." The tattoo on her arm shifted, tightening ever so slightly in warning. "Come," she said, needing to change the subject before she got both of them into trouble. "There must be more to Alvaria than your throne room."

Darth Malum of House Marr

 

[Darth Malum of House Marr]

The woman was in love.

With a Zambrano.

With perhaps one of the worst Zambranos, if she intended to gain his trust.

That blush, that sheepish smile.

It was enough to know.

Still what was altogether more intriguing was the sudden shift in persona, as if she revealed too much, and something forced to correct her... but almost overcorrect her. How intriguing...

...Was she somehow connected to Kain- Darth Carnifex ... well obviously she was, but connected in a way far beyond the theoretical bounds of loyalty or disloyalty? Potentially, which made caution the word of the day almost immediately.

Malum brought a smile upon his face, as genial as it was a forgery, bringing emotion to his eyes, that had much rather narrow in suspicion. He had placed his head on the platter for the guillotine, almost taken in by her words, almost lulled into trust.

But she had overplayed her hand now.

"I see, well congratulations on the confirmation of your relationship status," He spoke with a small chuckle, "My... condolences though for this partner of yours..." He was not exactly sure what to say on that matter, it was somewhat confusing enough to blatantly admit feelings for two people.

After all, when he had a similar occurrence, it had resulted in far more angst.

He offered an arm as she suggested with rather urgency that they move on, "There certainly is, though..." He chortled, deciding better rather than to make that certain joke... it had been perhaps charming when he was unattached... now though, certainly not, "...Do you enjoy libraries, or would you prefer the great outdoors?"

Lina Ovmar

 

[Lina Ovmar]

Too quick. She had been too quick to change the topic, she berated herself internally. His walls would be up, but there was still time to bring them down. There was still time to make this work. "Thank you." she replied rather sombrely. It was after all a mixed bag of emotion. On the one hand, she couldn't help the joy that she felt when thinking of or being in Sarlow's presence, on the other, Leilah worked in service of Kaine on the Malsheem, and while no harm had come to her and she was well cared for, it had been Lina's misstep that had imprisoned both of them. Guilt racked her, but she did not have the time to dwell on it now.

Lina mirrored Malum's well practiced smile, taking the offered arm. "Well as a lover of knowledge in all forms, I have to say I'm more partial to a library but I have appreciation for both. I will let my host decide our destination." she gave his arma gentle squeeze. Perhaps a little over familiar but she had walls to break through, and she would take every advantage she had to do so.

Darth Malum of House Marr

 

[Darth Malum of House Marr]

It was an odd move, to attempt to seduce him, after already admitting one's predilections already laid with two others... though perhaps that was part of the plan? To unveil oneself as rather more libertine, to make one lower the curtain gate? Perhaps if he had been younger...

...She was rather attractive.

No, no, no.

Once more he was thankful that Elise Ahana-Gwyneira was not presently in attendance, once again, he would stress in his mind, not because anything was wrong, but because explaining why he had an attractive woman in his arms, would be rather awkward.

Still, whatever his rogue thoughts, he was not one to be seduced, so what exactly was this game, this familiarity, this intimacy?

He considerably brightened at her words, though whether that was truthful or not was anyone's guess.

"Ah a lady out of my own heart," Malum answered, the internal winds parting his raven locks as they marched onward, "If you intend to stay the entire day, I see no reason we cannot do both, if you wish," Truly, they had not discussed such a thing.

And as it stood, he was not entirely sure if he wished to enjoy her presence for any more time.

Oh certainly, she was not an unpleasant conversationalist.

Simply one he did not trust.

Coming to the great oaken doors, he gave a nod to the two members of his Guard stationed, without great fanfare, the great gates swung open, unveiling great looming bookshelves.

Filled to the brim with literature on various topics.

"Welcome to paradise..." His voice boomed, echoing along the deserted makeshift hallways, red eyes turning to consider green, "Now, no doubt inferior to what is aboard the Malsheem... however, I consider this rather more homey." He japed.

Lina Ovmar

 

[Lina Ovmar]

Lina was please to see him brighten at her words, the momentary discomfort of her blunder seemingly slipping behind them, though she was not fool enough to truly believe this was the case. Malum was assessing her as much as she was him. They could play the game of smiles and polite conversation all day, they were sith, it was a necessity to be able to play the game. Would they be able to peer past the barriers one another had raised and perhaps form an alliance? That remained to be seen.

"I wouldn't want to out stay my welcome, Lord Malum, though if you are keen to keep my company for the day I'd be happy to oblige."

Lina appreciated the great oak doors as they passed them, and the distinct lack of fanfare, she'd never been a fan of making a fuss for the sake of it, Malum's home was regal and rich with art but without the over dramatic flare that sith often leaned towards as a display of their power. Was that perhaps because Malum lacked the confidence in the power he held? Or did he simply believe that what he had achieved at such a young age would speak for itself? A quiet hubris, perhaps.

She took in a deep breath as they entered the library, the smell of old books and parchment heavy on the air, it was one of her favourite smells. there was a stillness to the library as well, one that commanded you speak quietly. she let out a small chuckle at his words, tearing her gaze from the many volumes that surrounded her, to meet his. "The Malsheem's collection is only impressive because its owner has been collecting for over a hundred years. Besides, the size of the collection matters little in comparison to its content. Tell me, do you have a favourite section?"

Darth Malum of House Marr

 

[Darth Malum of House Marr]

He parsed his lips at her answer, in the moments that had passed he had still not yet reached a satisfying conclusion to the query of whether he would rather have her here or not.

Unfortunately, that meant he would likely need to default to the cowardly of all options.

To wait and see.

Still, though she had passed the buck back to him, it would be rather easy to pass it back.

"You are welcome here if you wish it, I can imagine the Malsheem despite its status as a worldcraft can be rather... stuffy, I would know, though having not lived there, I have been... both as a guest and as foe." If she saw a dark shadow across his eyes, no doubt it was a trick of the light, "I am free the entire day to play host... but if you must return, I am sure there is some work to be done either here or across the Empire." He might have had in his hand a rather efficient if gutted bureaucracy, inherited from the Tsis'Kaar, yet, that hardly meant there was time for him to relax.

It had taken much from his mind to even accept that this meeting could be considered productive.

He offered a small smile at the end of her words, oh certainly he knew his Imperial library did not yet rival the Malsheem's, and likely never would.

Still, he was proud of the institution.

And it held an advantage over the Malsheem's that to his biased mind, made it far superior.

It was his library.

As for her question...

...There was no safe way to answer.

He was not exactly about to admit that he was partial to the poems and romances, was he?

"I came under possession of various alchemic treatises after the... events on Fiviune, they are sometimes a rather dull read, but an interesting one, apart from that, sorcery has always been a subject I was always partial to." The perfect answer.

Not a lie in sight.

"Do you have any interests which my library might indulge? I would not be opposed to you borrowing some text of interest." He would mind very much actually, but politeness won out at the end.

Lina Ovmar

 

[Lina Ovmar]

Lina broke away from him again as he spoke, her fingers trailing the spines of the numerous books present, smiling to herself at the game of politeness they were playing, he would not send her away and she would not over impose herself, perhaps a little more time of dancing around each other and they might find a thread of common ground to settle the others nerves, as it were.

"I wouldn't consider myself a guest on the Malsheem, more an indentured servant with some freedom. It most certainly would not be the residence I would choose for myself but still, I cannot deny my time there has reaped some benefits. After all, how does the phrase go? Keep your friends close, but your enemies closer?"

A bold statement to make, she was toeing the line, edging dangerously close to words that would cause her pain, but it was a risk she was willing to take, if only to see his reaction.

She turned from the shelf and offered him a smile. "Let us just see where the day takes us shall we?" No commitment, to promised to leave but also no promise to stay. Lina was more than capable of reading a room and know when she was no longer welcome and she'd no doubt Malum was able to dismiss her, should he choose, without insulting her.

She listened carefully to his answer, a twinkling in her eyes at just how close he was playing his cards to his chest. "Sorcery is a passion of mine, but personally I like to indulge in topics outside of the often narrowminded view of the sith. There are a variety of cultures out the that use the force in many different ways. I like to collect information on them."

Darth Malum of House Marr

 

[Darth Malum of House Marr]

And there it was again, the missing warmth of her presence, his mind drifted away from it quickly, but he supposed despite everything, his weaknesses remained, despite all discipline and effort to keep them at bay. He offered a hollow smile as she went forth, fingers trailing along the spines of various books.

He could certainly respect one who would show the old tomes of literature of various subjects, the holders of knowledge, the respect that they deserved.

Still, as she looked away from him to the shelves, her words were enough for him to narrow his eyes, she was both remarkably guarded, yet remarkably open. Not a guest but an indentured servant, not the residence she would choose for herself, keep your friends close, but your enemies closer?

For all that she had avoided outright proclaiming disloyalty.

Here she was, essentially confessing it.

And...

...He had no idea if any word out of her mouth was truthful.

He brought his face back to neutrality.

"A most intriguing scenario," He needed to push the point, needed to push her, after all, he had already confirmed that her mask was far from perfect, yet, to use deceit like this, was still within her capability.

And he knew exactly how to do it.

As she turned to him with a smile, and words, there he stood, barely inches separating them, as he breathed down huskily, red eyes brimming with an emotion unidentifiable, smirk full and bare upon his face, meeting her emeralds, "I on the other hand... certainly far more enjoy keeping my friends, very close.~" He just needed a sign, a source of a lie, and then it would all be over, as he leaned in closer, "Tell me... how can I be of assistance... because I would certainly like to see where the day takes us.~"

He wished he could claim this was all rational and strategic, it mostly was, he held no feelings for this woman.

And considering her tastes had wandered to the Zambrano heir, he trusted that as much as a viper.

But it was hard to deny that despite her age... indeed, perhaps because of them, she was very attractive. Another silent apology to Elise Ahana-Gwyneira was in order... and certainly more than that, as even with his justifications, guilt whirled.

Still, he held his ground, as his arm pressed against the shelves, an artificial barrier separating them, and his warm breath cascaded across her skin.

Before he pulled back, a smile genial upon his face, watching for her reaction, as if he had done nothing at all, as her last answer filled his ears, "Indeed? Well, I plan to embark on an expedition to visit and learn from all those groups, perhaps... we shall need to meet again, for I to share what I find." He may not trust her, but if her words were true, they did need an excuse to meet again.

And if she was a spy?

Well.

Keep your enemies close.

Lina Ovmar