Faction Having Fun Isn't Hard When You've Got A Library Card [Malsheem Archive | Sith Order]

[Darth Carnifex]

They were watched the entire way.

Yes, there were the routine guard patrols, the indomitable sentinels of the Dark Lord's will marching in perfect synchronicity. But it was more than that, like an oppressive miasma that settled into their skin -- seeping down to their bones. They were of a select few who had been afforded the rare privilege of perusing the fabled archives of the Dark Lord of the Kainate; Darth Carnifex. Nominally, they had chosen by random allotment, but in reality the Dark Lord had been very meticulous in deciding who would be allowed to walk through His hallowed halls.

The door leading to the archives was gargantuan, every square inch covered in an intricate overlapping mosaic of Sith history, a monument to their great and majestic past writ in gold and obsidian. Beyond lay the archive landing, an expanse of aisle stretching out in every direction filled with thousands upon thousands of holobooks and datacrons spanning every subject conceivable. Decraniated serfs wandered between the rows, taking care to maintain the functionality of the archive by rearranging books and ensuring general maintenance.

Only when one moved beyond did the full scope of the archive become apparent, as it spanned several dozen floors with a large open-air shaft spanning between them all. Mechanical drones crossed the distances that organic decraniated could not, while spectral figures danced at the furthest periphery of their vision. The librarian, a tall, lanky, bottom-heavy woman with large spectacles, meandered from station to station. Ostensibly she was charged to observing the guests and ensuring that they brought no ill to the archive, but in reality she was easily distracted by knowledge and would often lose herself to her studies.

And to those of a particularly keen eye, they could spot a flash of silver hair occasionally passing between the aisles.

The handlers assigned to the guests informed them that their Lord had afforded them general range around the lesser rings of knowledge, but had forbidden them from the inner most circles. Such circles were reserved for those who had gained the Dark Lord's trust, and were off-limits to all others. There were several holo-terminals that the guests could access to search up further information, but they were disconnected from the wider Malsheem holo-network by design. Furthermore, a holo-menagerie was available which showcased a holographic bestiary of the galaxy's most interesting creatures, including ones that could be found within the Dark Lord's personal zoos.

Much freedom was given to them, but so too were harsh restrictions placed upon those areas they were strictly forbidden from trespassing. It would be wise to observe the constraints placed before them, for it was known that the Butcher King was not the most merciful of Sith.

Madrona A’Mia | Elmindra Xitaar ​

 

[Madrona A’Mia]

There were not many occasions which merited nervousness in A'Mia's limited emotional range. Most challenges she faced with a calm, clinical air of confident curiosity. However this was one such occasion where some trepidation was warranted. Elmindra Xitaar had personally secured her passage to peruse Darth Carnifex ’s library and now accompanied her on the journey. She was dressed rather demurely all things considered, looking more botanical than normal but otherwise clad in very simple robes which marked her station as both advanced student and occasional teacher at Kor'ethyr Academy.

"Good of you to arrange for all this," she spoke politely and cast her strange gaze about the rows upon rows of collected information, "-and of course very generous for Lord Carnifex to grant such a boon."

Her voice grew a tad more conspiratorial as she hovered one long fingered hand over one particularly old looking tome and her eyes wandered toward where she could only assumed the "inner circles" and restricted information was locked away from her ravenous mind.

"Are you still willing to aid me with understanding emotional manipulation and the nuances therein?"

​

 

[Eira Dyn]

Location: Darth Carnifex's Library
Attire: Casual
Tag: Darth Carnifex | Madrona A’Mia | Elmindra Xitaar

The opportunity to visit the legendary library of Darth Carnifex was an opportunity that Eira couldn't resist nor would she dare to refuse. A chance to glimpse into records that she could not get anywhere else, a chance at knowledge that could expand her abilities and guide her on the path she was so desperately craving. The power she needed to be the strongest version of herself.

That excitement was glinting in her blood red eyes, as she scanned around the library itself. Being here felt impossible and brilliant. Eira knew that one day she wanted to own a library like this, to have such power on display for those beneath to jealousy crave and desire like she was currently. The sensation of being watched was predictable, but she wasn't necessarily sure who was watching her. Eira was keen on exploring and learning from the many tomes around, she had just assumed any eyes watching her were merely guards.

It was a place where she knew there were more knowledge hidden from her, which Eira could feel the frustrating inside her over. Someday, she just had to make herself noticeable and significant enough that knowledge would be shared someday. That was all she could think as she stared at the restricted sections but politely following the rules dictated to her.

She was not looking to cause a scene in a negative manner.

 

[Kaila Irons]

Darth Anathemous may have hated returning to Malsheem, but gods did she love the library. Her master's Decraniated servants, ghastly a sight as they were, had always been quiet. Even the wandering specters weren't much of an issue ever since she'd alchemized her mask to ward such mental probes as they, and in fact few had seen her without the mask ever since it's creation, especially Kainites.

And so, with a little preparation, it could be the most peaceful place in all the Kainate. And for that, she loved this place.

In fact, Anathemous had greater security clearance within this library than any of the guests scheduled to come that day. And that is because the young darth was a Seeker, a wandering Kainite scholar tasked with the sacred duty of expanding this very library which she had fallen in love with so dearly. She had spent so long researching in fact that she'd probably filled at least a shelf with her findings by now. From the Tale of Darth Parasideus the many faced, to the lost writings of the Kainate's very own Apollyon The Betrayer , she had been most diligent in her contributions to the archives, spending most of her days in the field or here, vanishing from public view for months at a time.

In some small way, she missed those times.

Turns out that reading about Sith was far more entertaining than actually meeting them, or at least, most sith anyway. The politics, the assassins, the smug attitudes, it was all such a headache sometimes. She hardly had time for the library anymore.

And now several of them were coming here. She didn't know who exactly, but she assumed they'd be important or at least believe themselves as such, spoiled nobles probably. And so Anathemous continued her reading of Apollyon's exploits and commentaries at a distance, nestled into a little corner with her back turned towards the group.

But there was something off.

There was a presence she'd felt before, one that, for such passions it might have inspired once before, also meant trouble would soon be afoot.

Anathemous stood, draping a silken cloak over her shoulders as the masked sorceress began to trail the group from the opposite end of shelved rows, catching little glimpses until sure enough, she spotted her.

Eira Dyn was here.

She froze, unsure whether the acolyte would risk their discovery if she approached, or if desire to speak with her again would possess her feet to move forward regardless of such cautionary thoughts.

Eira Dyn Darth Carnifex Madrona A’Mia Elmindra Xitaar

 

[Micah tol Powl]

"THIS IS AMAZING!"

Like a raging Kivah in a china shop, the young Cathar's voice was larger than he was. Awe-struck, the boy was mesmerized by each successive step. The initial glimpse through the foyer had been impressive. Then, as the layers and levels had become clearer, the boy's jaw had hung lower and lower as his eyes seemed to grow larger and larger.

A number of voices called out, shushing the boy.

Curbing his enthusiasm as best he could, the young cat lowered his voice to a whisper as he repeated, "This is amazing!"

The other members of the group fell away from his conscious mind, as visions of holobooks danced in his eyes. This was it. This was heaven. He had arrived. Just leave him here and point out a nice sunbeam where he could curl up. He'd happily die of old age here, having attempted to read everything.

Before he'd realized it, the cat was flanked on either side by servants. One was one of the library droids, while the other was a decraniated servant. As though predicting the preferences or needs of the visitors, this one had a pitcher of milk on a silver tray.

While the decraniated began to pour a glass for the boy, the droid introduced itself. "Greetings, young one. I am K-12-Alpha. Please inform me if there are any materials you would like to pull from the archives."

The boy seemed not to be listening, instead looking up with a strange expression on his face, as though trying to figure out of the servant in front of him was alive or not, as the decraniated poured the milk and then handed the glass to the boy. "That's not creepy at all," the youth murmured, watching the decraniated turn and depart.

"What do you... wow that's good milk," the boy began, only to trail off as he took a sip of the offered refreshment. He couldn't quite place the taste. Not nerf. Not bantha... "What do you have on the Great Schism?" he asked, looking at the droid.

Not a school project. At least, not per se. He supposed he could fashion it into a history or book report. More of the boy's own curiosity about the interplay and relationship between the Jedi and the Sith.

"We have an entire section devoted to the topic, young master," the droid offered graciously. "Might I recommend starting with Saaj Calician's Chronicles of Darkness? And then you might also consult the Rammahgon for the Jedi perspective on the same..."

The boy blinked as the name that the droid dropped finally registered. "Wait, the Dark Lord has a copy of Saaj Calician's writings?"

"It's an original manuscript, young master," the droid rebutted, rising up in the air a meter as if offended by the boy's suggestion that the archives would hold something as low-brow as a copy. "Recovered from..."

"AWE-SOME!"

He normally didn't have this much trouble with inside voices. But he also was not normally inside a library this impressive.

He shrank down as more shushing was directed his way. "Awe-some!" he repeated in a whisper, before looking back at the droid. "Yes, both of those will be great."

"Of course," the droid responded, before asking the obligatory, "Will there be anything else?"

The young Cathar seemed to mull the question over. Just the Great Schism was going to be heavy reading, especially if he was looking at both the Sith and Jedi texts. That was probably a full load by itself, but of course the boy couldn't help himself.

More books, more better!

But also, what was Darth Carnifex 's check out policy? Did they offer library cards? Frequent visitor punch cards?

"I suppose Naami will be wanting to build a lightsaber soon," the young kit mused aloud, taking a sip of his milk and then swirling it around in the glass. It'd be nice to make something for Naamino Zuukamano after the whole wayfinder ordeal. "Do you have any materials that examine the historical development of the lightsaber and its significance in Sith culture?"

"Perhaps you would like to start with the development of the proto-saber?"

"Pro... proto-saber?" the Cathar echoed, his large eyes blinking again. "This is a thing!?"

More shushing.

The Rho kit turned his head and barred his fangs at whoever was doing the shushing just now. There was learning going on here! Also, proto-saber. WHAT!?

"The lightsaber was the product of a series of advancing innovations, including in the development of power cell tech..."

"Yeah, yeah, yeah," the cat uttered, interrupting the droid. He wanted to read about it. Not be lectured on it. "Pull a book on that as well."

"Is there anything else?"

The young kit swallowed the last of the milk. A question in the back of his mind, but one he was hesitant to ask.

Kark it. When was the next time he was going to have an opportunity like this?

"I don't suppose the Dark Lord has any reference material on the Tsis-Kaar?" the boy asked, side-eyeing the droid.

There was a moment while the droid seemed to be processing what he'd asked. "Information on that topic has been restricted," K-12-Alpha stated finally.

The boy rolled his eyes. Of course it was. "Was worth a shot," he mused aloud. Even that was curious though. Just who the Hutt were those guys, anyway?

"Is there anything else?"

The decraniated servant had returned to take the boy's now empty glass. Almost as a joke, the boy asked, "Not unless the Dark Lord has any comic books..."

"My master has a catalog of many items, including comic books," the droid stated, as the boy watched the decraniated servant turn and leave again.

"That's never going to not be creepy," the boy mused, lazily turning his attention back to the droid. So there were comics? Color him skeptically curious. After all, just what kind of comics would a Sith Lord collect? Probably old people comics...

"Perhaps you would be interested in the Adventures of Sackren Thal-Droma?"

The boy just blinked.

Then a second time.

"WAIT, WHAT!?"

Much shushing. Many shush.

"I heard that Darth Voracitos had the author flayed alive and... and then everyone who ever sold one disintegrated because he thought one of the characters was a bad caricature of him!? It's the most banned comic book in the history of comic books!" The One Sith had banned it in outrage over characters they perceived as mocking them. And then the Republic-Jedi worlds had banned it as subversive.

Suffice to say, the HoloNet rumormill surrounding the comics was legendary in and of itself. But no one had ever seen a copy, though fake covers were known to crop up.

"We have all twenty one published volumes. Plus the storyboards for the unpublished twenty-second and twenty-third volumes," K-12-Alpha stated, unplussed by the boy's enthusiastic fanboying. "Shall I add them to your pull list?"

How was this even a question right now? "'Uhhhhh, YES PLEASE!"

He just could not with the shushing right now.

 

[Myunnah]

Among the uppermost levels of this den of knowledge was fixed a padded bench between the rows of data shelves. Upon that bench sprawled Myunnah, lounging across it as best it could accommodate her long body. One long forelimb stretched down to a large data reader as she read in the cool quiet.

To stop without a farmhouse near
Between the woods and frozen lake

The door opened, the change in the air could be felt as someone entered, the quiet murmur of voices raising her head. A moment later, another. Things quieted and she returned to her reading.

The darkest evening of the year.
He gives his harness bells a shake
To ask if there is some mistake.

A loud cry of amazement announced the next opening, causing her ear to flick in annoyance. A glare towards the open air shaft ringed by the levels of shelves that plunged towards the entrance, and the quieting tones there, settled things. A huff of out-rushing breath was how she returned to her amusement.

The only other sound's the sweep
Of easy wind and downy flake.

It was with a quiet, low rumbling, growl that she greeted the next interruption. Freezing in place, staring hate at the text. Reading was chore enough without prey calling out for attention. She held position, frozen as if one of the corpse kings her kind were known to protect. A for a long moment she could hear the sithling chittering away in more hushed tones and she dared to return to the words laid out before her.

The woods are lovely, dark and deep,
"YES PLEASE!"

Teeth snapped, temper frayed and vision as red as the shine emanating from her eyes. It was but a moment to push herself to her full height, able to lounge no more. To the railing she stalked, back tense and hackles outright. There she lifted her upper body above the safety of the tempered glass and steel rail and craned her head to look down the drop that lead down the floors. "Hey! Hey! This is a Library." Her deep voice, powered by her large lungs, carried down the open space to the intruder on her quiet peace. She glared down at the thing for a long moment, recognizing its spoor as it drifted up to her. Pushing off the railing, she returned to her previous position once she was certain that it would not interrupt again.

Resettling herself, chin into the fuzzy softness of the House scarf, book orientation fixed, deep breaths, think of little woodland creatures and the gush of their warm viscera.

But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.

Slowly, her eyes closed as she reimagined the scene, the quiet wood, the muffling snow as it fell. Pristine.

~~~~~~~~~
Poem is "Stopping by Woods On a Snowy Evening" by Robert Frost
Madrona A’Mia Eira Dyn Kaila Irons Micah tol Powl

 

[Eira Dyn]

Location: Darth Carnifex's Library
Attire: Casual
Tag: Kaila Irons | Darth Carnifex

A shiver of a new pair of eyes on her was sent down her spine. A familiar shiver of someone that caused her to smirk while she had her back to the person. Eira contained her giggle and she realised that she should have predicted that this person would be here. It was another library, and one under the control of her Master. She stretched her limbs in a similar alluring fashion she had the last time that Eira had encountered Kaila. Eira then stifled a little yawn.

"Enjoyed our last meeting that much that you decide to stalk me Lady Kaila?" Eira whispered which was carried by the Force to reach Kaila's ears but no one else's. Her tone teasing and trying to draw Kaila in closer as her fingers glided over the different tombs that were here. Where she was, Eira was clearly seeking more knowledge on what was possible with Force Lightning.

Eira was seeking ways to use it to drain the life of others, ways to inflict lasting damage. She wanted to understand more ways she could use the technique to grow more powerful. Force Lightning was her most powerful ability and learning new ways to use it, that was paramount to her. It would ensure that Eira could devastate any who crossed her path.

Her head tilted slightly back to see if Kaila would be bold enough to actually approach her.

 

[Kaila Irons]

Kaila's initial thought was to hide, perhaps give herself time to think this through. But as Eria began to stretch that very specific way she always did, the young darth couldn't help but linger just a moment longer until-

Oh chit! Kaila spun around, pressing her back to the shelf. She's looking right this way.

"Enjoyed our last meeting that much that you decide to stalk me Lady Kaila?"

She face palmed against her mask, realizing that she'd fallen right into the woman's trap once again. Not only that but she clearly didn't know about the specters stalking the edge of the library, else she might not have chosen to communicate through the force. But it was too late now, they might already have been discovered.

At least she needn't feel pressured into making a decision.

<<It's not quite stalking, it's more...>> she thought about it as she approached, speaking through a strained telepathic link.

<<...no I suppose it is stalking.>>

<<Although,>> Kaila stopped beside the acolyte, arms crossed as she leaned back against the bookshelf.

"You are the one who's showed up in my workplace. Unannounced, I might add"

She shrugged, though she wore a feint smile behind her mask.

Without so much as a gesture, a holobook slipped loose from the top shelf, slowly drifting downward until Kaila reached out to take it in both hands, holding it out for Eira to take. The cover read "Treatise on Electric Judgement", although closer inspection might reveal that this wasn't merely a Jedi text about some light sided nonsense. While it was certainly a biased account, it also included excerpts from Darth Sideous' own explanations of lightning, detailing his theories that lightning could only be cast in hatred that it fed off such emotions, and accounts from Jedi encounters with the reconstituted sith empire detailing the use of red force lightning, along with many more useful explanations and theories that, while meant to warn against the use of such power and how to combat it, could easily be used in the wrong hands to glean dark wisdom from.

Hands like Eira's...

"It's... good to see you again" she said, offering the book.



Eira Dyn

 

[Gawynna]

Location: Malsheem Archive, Malsheem
Equipment: See Bio
Look: Hairstyle, Outfit
Tags: Darth Carnifex | Madrona A’Mia | Eira Dyn | Kaila Irons | Micah tol Powl | Myunnah | OPEN

Gawynna didn’t think she should need to be invited to visit her father’s library. The diminutive young woman knew not to expect a personal touch from Darth Carnifex as there were far too many elder siblings that had been kept at arm’s length before she came along. Still she thought it was absurd that she would need to be invited to share in the knowledge that he had collected over his lifetime. Supposedly there was a random drawing to gain access. Some of the other “guests” might have been random. But Gawynna just knew that she was chosen. She was going to get a glimpse at the greatness that was her father.

Being watched was nothing new. It was not unsettling or intrusive in the least. Gawynna always assumed there were eyes upon her. That was why she always did what she could to look her best. As she reached the entrance to the archives Gawynna paused, looked up at the extent of the height of the doors and gave out a bit of a whistle. She always knew that she was small. That was never something that could begin to be questioned. Even though among her maternal people she would be considered tall. Among those on Malsheem, Gawynna accepted she was not. As she looked up at the doors she felt supremely short. The size almost made Gawynna miss the intricate mosaics. She was moving into the archives before she noted that they seemed to tell a story. One that she would investigate on the way out.

Once inside the archives Gawynna felt smaller yet. The vastness of the area required to hold the entirety of the Dark Lord’s physical knowledge base should not have come as a shock. And if Gawynna paused to think for a moment she would be less awed. But the area could fit thousands of her. The movement of servants and drones was tracked by big blue eyes. She wondered if she asked about a subject if they would bring her a sampling or guide her to a section. When told that there were limits to where she could go Gawynna nearly started to throw a fit. But she looked around at the others invited and took a deep breath to continue on as allowed.

As Gawynna entered she knew that her father would be monitoring her every move and thought, just like all the other “guests”. The young Asa'nyx would never hide anything from her father. Mostly because she knew he would just tear it out of her if he really wanted it. She aimed to make him happy. And this trip was only about curiosity. Gawynna did her best to guess at what wonders of information she could get from the library. Dance, hairstyles, and cosmetology didn’t strike her as interests that the Eternal Father would hold dear. But this place held more information than her father’s interests. And those were just hobbies for Gawynna. If she used this opportunity for such a thing he would surely be disappointed. Perhaps she could look into ritual body paint though…that had practical uses beyond vanity. And seemed super interesting.

A few of the other guests caught Gawynna’s interest as she approached one of the holo-catalogs. She was still trying to decide what she would ask for, but allowed her focus to drift to the others present. The plant woman was interesting, but seemed to be in conversation with a Master. The Cathar boy and the Sith Hound brought a smirk to Gawynna’s lips. She would love to find a seat and watch that interaction. But bet her father would consider such entertainment a misuse of his gift of access. Then there were the two young women inching closer to each other. One was quite shut off, Gawynna couldn’t get a read on her at all. The other was excited. Hard to tell what brought that on.

A bit distracted by that interaction, Gawynna nearly walked into the catalog terminal. She gracefully corrected her last step and came to a stop before typing her query about Sith ritual body paint, along longthe process to imbue an item with the Force.

 

[Eira Dyn]

Location: Darth Carnifex's Library
Attire: Casual
Tag: Kaila Irons

Eira cocked an eyebrow as she looked over to Kaila, the stuttering of defending the accusation of stalking was cute. She was merely jabbing teasingly towards the Sith Knight, but it seems that she had hit a chord of truth. Eira shrugged her shoulders casually, not that concerned with being here, it was an open invitation, she assumed that Kaila knew that. Did the Knight assume that she would not accept the chance to study in one of the most desirable libraries?

"Well, is it unannounced with there was an open invitation for all Sith to come?" Eira countered in a casual tone, "I figured you would have assumed that I would be here, seeking knowledge. You aren't the only one who enjoys studying." Eira smirked back to the other woman.

Taking the holobook, she looked over a couple pages, reading the information at a glance. It seemed that Kaila was offering assistance in finding the knowledge that Eira was after. "Thank you. Very kind of you to help." She gave Kaila a small smile, a reward for helping the acolyte in her studies. Eira moved back a little and organised a desk for reading now that she had a starting point. With her back turned to Kaila, "well, I am a delight to admire, so makes sense you are glad to see me again."

Eira then winked to Kaila with a smirk, "though my time here will be short. I doubt I would be allowed to linger longer than the availability of this library that was so graciously offered by your Master." Whether that was a hint that she wished to spend more time with Kaila or merely more time in the library was something no one could get Eira to confess to.

 

[Kaila Irons]

"well, I am a delight to admire, so makes sense you are glad to see me again."

Kaila chuckled softly at the witty remark, suspecting it was meant to elicit some reaction from her.

"As I recall, you had more chances to admire than I, when last we spoke."

One could almost hear the smug grin forming behind the mask as she approached, circling around the opposite side of the desk both so that she could no longer be ignored but also, despite her claim, so that she could indeed do some admiring of her own.

"It was delightful, though. Even If I didn't get to see you as much as I would have liked."

Noting that the specters seemed more inclined to watch over the other sections of the library, Kaila decided, against her better judgement, to remove the mask, carefully setting the heavy cortosis armor upon an unoccupied corner of the desk. Her silken hair spilt out, and the typical fire in her golden eyes took on an almost uncharacteristic softness as they flicked up at Eira.

She had become more open with Eira than any Kainite, allowed her to see a part of herself that was carefully hidden for her own safety. And so Kaila supposed she could afford her a little more honesty in times like these.

"I hope you'll forgive my initial wariness? Whatever invitation you received was not so open nor random as you may think. Nothing my master does is without purpose, and I dread to think of anything happening to you while you're here... Honestly I was worried the specters would hear our thoughts but I don't see them yet"

The young darth sat down opposite from Eira, rubbing the back of her gloved hand anxiously.

"I just hope he didn't bring you here for anything more than to show off his power, rather than tempt you into anything. What is it you're hoping to find, anyway? Something to do with your lightning, I take it?"



Eira Dyn

 

[Eira Dyn]

Location: Darth Carnifex's Library
Attire: Casual
Tag: Kaila Irons

Eira raised an eyebrow, the only suggestion that she doubted that Kaila had admired her any less than Eira had. Especially since Kaila was quite happy to confess she wanted to see Eira more than they had. Eira gave a teasing smirk, "well, between your fears of the discovery of what occurred between us and my very busy schedule as an acolyte in the academy. Getting free time is not the easiest." There was some truth there, but also, Eira wanted to keep Kaila wanting since she believed it would be more beneficial to her.

"But it is good to hear that you wish to see more of me." Eira winked to Kaila.

Hearing the concerns from Kaila, Eira nodded her head as she started to look over the holobook, ensuring any onlookers would just see them as a mentor and student studying. "Well, my invitation was not addressed specifically to me, and you can see plenty of others were sent a similar invitation. So, probably less about this being about drawing me here, but to demonstrate to the Sith where a large, very exclusive portion of knowledge is stored." Eira stated, "if I was a betting woman, I would argue this is about ensuring the next generation of Sith know who best to appeal towards and see who desires knowledge the most."

Although, that would simply be what she would plan to do with a move like this. What the former emperor had in mind, she could not predict.

Looking up to Kaila, Eira had a spark of ambition glint in her eye, "well, I will take every and any opportunity to ensure I reach where I want to get to. You know that." Eira affirmed, Kaila had called out her ambition before. Eira was not going to fear potential opportunities for advantages just because someone was noticing her. If anything, she wanted to be noticed. It meant she was a threat and she was determined to become a threat. "I am reading up on ways to use my Force Lightning more effectively. Potentially drain the life force of an individual, increase the power behind it, use stronger verses of Lightning to ensure that I am the deadliest user I can be with the power I am most powerful with."

Eira wanted to be a sorcerer unmatched and the deadliest version she could be. She wanted to stoke the fear in people when they saw her wielding lightning, be in awe of her destructive capabilities. Seen as a goddess of the storm even.

 

[Kaila Irons]

It annoyed her that Eira was so carefree where she herself was so cautious. But then perhaps the acolyte had been correct in her statement in the academy, that Kaila tended to overthink things. In fact it sometimes paralyzed her where others whom she deemed simpler had not been doomed to inaction. But was Eira's approach any better?

It would be a shame if in the acolyte's quest to be seen as a threat, she were killed for it. Kaila certainly didn't like the idea losing her only friend, or whatever they had since become, to their own nature.

But she didn't see Eira changing anytime soon, certainly not with words alone, and so she said nothing of it.

"My master taught me a few things of lightning," she decided to pursue the current topic rather than change it to suit her desire.

"That it is most powerful when drawn from a place of hate, of which he's given me plenty to work with... Though he also taught me to combine it with other things, such as electrifying a bubble of protection to give it an offensive edge."

"...I could show you sometime, if you wanted"

There were ways to learn of the dark lord's ways without risking his gaze, and so perhaps this was the route she should pursue to keep dear Eira safe? She wasn't the cunning manipulator that the acolyte was, but she was far from incapable of steering situations to her favor. Although perhaps such an arrangement would benefit Eira more so than herself, at least in a material sort of way.

"Though I do wonder, what is fueling yours exactly? I''ve been given ample hate to draw from but I get the feeling you've fewer enemies than myself. Or is there some academy drama I'm not privy to?" she smiled mischievously, a little curious what Eira's life was like outside of their own dealings, which had only recently blossomed into something more intimate.



Eira Dyn

 

[Elmindra Xitaar]

Malsheem | The Archives of Darth Carnifex
Madrona A’Mia

Elmindra Xitaar, Admiral and Fleet Leader of the Kainite Order, First Lord to the King of Korriban, moved with careful deliberation through the halls of Darth Carnifex’s archive, her crimson gaze taking in the elaborate mosaics and the vast expanse of knowledge that surrounded her. Between the burgeoning Kor'ethyr Academy and the war efforts of the greater Sith Order, Korriban's affairs had become increasingly demanding, yet the call to explore the fabled archive of the Kainite Order had been too alluring to ignore.

She glanced at A’Mia Madrona, who was pacing slightly ahead, fingers tracing the edges of the holobooks and datacrons as though absorbing their very essence. Elmindra had brought A'Mia along on this outing to the Malsheem with a dual purpose: an intellectual exchange and a closer study of the Neti herself. Though A’Mia had been integral to Korriban's recent victories, especially her involvement in the Academy and the invasion of Odacer-Faustin, Elmindra had yet to fully understand the depths of her associate’s motives and talents. A’Mia’s possession of the Murakami Orchid—a legendary biological artifact capable of controlling undead through the Force—piqued Elmindra’s curiosity further. The potential of the Orchid and how it affected A'Mia’s being was an enigma she intended to unravel.

A’Mia’s soft-spoken gratitude pulled Elmindra from her thoughts, her gaze sharpening as her companion mentioned emotional manipulation. Elmindra suppressed a faint smile, recognizing the ambition in the Neti’s eyes.

“A boon indeed…” she grumbled under her breath with a dry edge to her voice, her gaze flicking to the spectral figures haunting the periphery of her vision. “Perhaps even more so a test.”

The allure of forbidden knowledge similarly stirred something within Elmindra. The Suta-class Battlecruiser schematics and the secrets of Force sorcery embedded into warships were high on her agenda, but even more critical was information regarding Force nexuses. With Korriban’s rising importance, she and her King required every advantage in the many battlefronts. This archive, with its layered secrets and rare texts, might yield precisely what they needed. However, the way the Dark Lord dangled the access to restricted areas reminded Elmindra of bait in a trap.

She paused for a moment to analyze the Neti woman before she answered.

“I am…” she began, a lofty tilt to her chin as she continued onward.

“To understand how best to manipulate someone, you must first understand what motivates them,” she lectured. “If you understand their motivation, what they desire most, you can control them.”

She gestured vaguely to their surroundings with an elegant flick of her fingers. “Our Lord Carnifex, for example, understands that those who seek out his archives crave the knowledge he hoards within. They desire to find whatever it is they seek, perhaps more. And through that desire, he controls what we find and how we find it.”​

 

[Eira Dyn]

Location: Darth Carnifex's Library
Attire: Casual
Tag: Kaila Irons

Eira listened intently to what Kaila was stating, she was intrigued about what Kaila was discussing when it came to Force Lightning, she had been practising her skills. The use of hatred had been something that Eira prided herself on but she was finding a limit. It wasn't as strong in power as she wanted to be, as she needed it to be. Eira knew the risks of being noticed and if she was not able to defend herself or be the strongest version of herself then she would only be noticed as a disappointment. A quickly faded blimp on the history of the Sith. A path she feared over anything else.

She smirked when Kaila offered to show her some things that Carnifex taught her, it was exactly what Eira wanted. She was eager to learn the ways of Carnifex and this was a stepping stone in the right direction. Eira leaned forward a little, "wanting to teach me so I avoid meeting Carnifex?" Eira narrowed her eyes before a smirk played on her lips, she enjoyed toying with Kaila. "Fine, I will allow it." Acting as if she was selecting this and not the desperate one to learn.

When asked about where her hatred came from, Eira fell silent, her eyes darkened as she thought about where her hatred came from. It was self-hatred that corrupted her Lightsaber crystal. It was hatred of her opponent during the sparring trial for the academy that turned the colour of her Lightning to a blue-purple colour it was currently. She knew though that the core of her hatred was her family, they were everything she was not and she hated them for trying to hold Eira back. "I have my own enemies." Eira stated quietly, swiftly recovering as her red eyes looked up to Kaila.

"My hatred is strong. But not enough. I need more power." Eira confessed.

 

[Kaila Irons]

"Can't have him stealing our precious time together, now can I?" she said with a coy smile.

"But yes, I suppose I should know better than to pull a fast one on you."

But her smile began to fade as Eira went silent, red eyes losing a little bit of their fire, though they burnt like fresh ice against bare skin instead. She could glean some insight from this, as Kaila had always been inquisitive and her experience as a seeker had only amplified those talents. Eira was thinking of someone she hated, but there was something else there. Regret, perhaps? Whatever it was, it seemed like something she'd seen in the mirror when she was herself a fresh acolyte.

"I have my own enemies." Eira stated quietly, swiftly recovering as her red eyes looked up to Kaila.

"My hatred is strong. But not enough. I need more power." Eira confessed.

She lifted her hand for but a moment, considering if she should reach out to Eira, comfort her through whatever this was. Instead her hand closed into a hesitant fist, having realized that she would no doubt turn down the offer out of pride.

"Eira... you can talk to me, I'll not belittle or sell you out for favor like one of your academy rivals..."

Kaila glanced away, ill prepared to inevitably be left in the dark by one she cared for.

"Anyway," so instead she opted to change topics herself.

"While lightning is most powerful when drawn from your own hate, the dark side in general doesn't have to be. I've come across legends which suggest that one can draw from the hate of others too, especially hated directed towards the user. There was a Jedi once who was somehow able to adapt Juyo to this purpose, reflecting a sith's own hate back at them."

"I fought off a Wanosa assassin after the Kaggath, and his hatred for Kainites, and myself by extension, seemed to fuel my own powers as much as his."

"I'm not saying you should go around making as many enemies as you can," she clarified, worried that Eira might put herself in more danger than it was worth.

"But perhaps, if the enemies you already have could be made to hate you further, it could serve until you've found your drive."



Eira Dyn

 

[Eira Dyn]

Location: Darth Carnifex's Library
Attire: Casual
Tag: Kaila Irons

She shook her head, "there is nothing to discuss. The past is what it is. No talking will change that." While Eira believed that, she also refused to appear weak and vulnerable. It didn't matter if Kaila might not share her personal issues, Eira couldn't trust her, not fully and certainly not as an acolyte still. No, she needed to keep her problems in check and deal with it herself. For now, the priority was getting stronger and destroying those who would dare to stand in her way to rule.

Eira nodded her head, "I have read the same. A Mace Windu, Jedi who invented Vaapad, something I learned and focused on since I refused to be overpowered by a Jedi using that kind of technique." She was clearly a keen reader and studier but her skills in practical fighting was not something that Eira was particularly skilled in.

"Problem arises in that the Jedi aren't meant to feel hatred. They are meant to be balanced and avoiding the emotions connected to the Dark Side." Eira pointed out, "while Padawans and some fools will feel hatred that I could use, the smarter Knights and Masters would never dare to have those emotions that I could use to counter them." She was understanding they had other enemies but right now, Eira saw the Jedi as their biggest threat. The Galactic Alliance used the Jedi to attack them on Echnos. It signalled that the Alliance were likely ready to be striking against them soon again.

Shaking her head, "I need my drive. I need to figure out how to fight with hatred at its strongest, dangers are everywhere and limiting myself to what the enemy feels isn't enough to survive." It was clear that Eira was desperate to get stronger to survive. There was a paranoia to her desperate.

 

[Kaila Irons]

There was a silence which fell over the library as Eira shut her out and then explained the flaws of her suggestion. Both instances came with revelations and heartache. Kaila had hoped that their more intimate moments together might become something more than merely physical, but it was starting to seem that she was wrong. Kaila understood of course, even if begrudgingly, for she was not so innocent herself. She'd spent quite some time drifting from the arms of one lover to the next, sometimes but briefly out of a desire to keep them out of harm's way, or because they themselves could not be trusted with more.

She was a paranoid person herself, but Eira, for a time at least, made her feel like she didn't have to be.

But then again, she supposed that was not a very sith way of thinking, was it? Of course she didn't trust Kaila, Who would? What was she thinking, she who had slain more of her own kind than Jedi? Perhaps that is why she had suggested to Eira that she use the enemy's own hate against them, because without realizing it, the only people she had every considered her enemy, were sith.

The thought mortified her, and she averted her eyes, lips twisting into a bitter expression.

"Iron within..." she sighed

"...iron without."​

​

​

She closed her eyes, silently mouthing the rest of the mantra she knew by heart, meditating on her next move in a way.

But then they opened as a thought came to her.


"...there... is a power," she began, turning towards Eira.

"Thought to be a lost art, from the time of the Reconstituted Sith Empire. Something not even Carnifex could teach you."

"But it comes at... great risk."​

Eira Dyn

 

[Eira Dyn]

Location: Darth Carnifex's Library
Attire: Casual
Tag: Kaila Irons

Eira sighed since she could tell that Kaila was disappointed that she hadn't opened up to the Sith Knight. That the other woman was hoping for more than something merely physical based. Eira breathed out slowly, if she wanted to keep Kaila around for her own gain, then she needed to keep the other woman satisfied and happy to some degree. Eira calculated the fact that currently Kaila was more beneficial to her as a partner than she was a hindrance. If the scales ever tipped in another direction, Eira knew what she would do again.

"I am just not ready to share my past, especially not here. You warned me to be cautious, I just wish to follow your advice." Eira stated, it was not the truth, but there was enough there to be believable and offer Kaila a bone to demonstrate that Eira was not rejecting the other woman completely.

When Kaila mentioned that there was a power, an ability that not even the Sith Lord Carnifex knew of, Eira raised an eyebrow in surprise. She was shocked that such an ability would exist and it raised her expectations and the benefits of keeping Kaila around in her mental scales. This was exactly what she wanted and it leaned perfectly into why she was willing to offer tidbits of herself to keep Kaila leashed to her.

"Tell me more." A desire glinting in Eira's eyes as she hungered for the power.

 

[Kaila Irons]

Eira's words made her realize her emotions had gotten the better of her, a more common occurrence with her than most Darth, who often seemed comparatively emotionless. Dull, even. But of course, Anathemous was the empire's "youngest", as Srina called her. She knew it was likely a reference more to her recent and sudden rise, she was the newest Darth for the time being, but that did not mean she wasn't surprisingly young for one of her station.

And in these confines of youth, a little reckless.

It was rare, something she worked tirelessly to iron out like a good little sith even if it left her bitter, but it was still there, lurking beneath the skin.

Which is exactly why she shouldn't be helping Eira, let alone take an interest in her, she who Kaila knew so little about. In fact, Eira knew more than she did in this relationship, even if that weren't much. That should have seemed dangerous to Kaila, who had learned the hard way not to trust her fellow acolytes when she herself first trained. Acolytes who she had since replaced, forced either by their hand or her master's to lay them at his feet like a loth cat bringing home a rodent.

And yet here she was, despite her better judgement, telling Eira of a power she hid even from Him.


"It is called..." she glanced over her shoulder, then leaned closer, hunched over the desk.

"Force walking." she whispered of the ancient ritual as if it were a legend since come true. Because in some ways, it really was.

"It is thought to be a lost art, perfected by the enigmatic Darth Nox, of the second Sith Empire and then lost to history."

"But I have since learned it."

"It is a method of binding dark side spirits, of binding powerful sith beyond the grave." She glanced away as an old memory sprang up like weeds in what should have been a perfectly good garden.

"It is how I cured myself of possession. But it nearly killed me... One needs a will stronger than the spirit, else it could possess —or more likely destroy the body. But if you succeed, the power of that spirit becomes yours, and your body their prison."



Eira Dyn