Faction In Memoria

[Darth Malum of House Marr]

​

"Thank you," He offered to Elise, as she offered reply to his sneeze, even as the amusement was brimming in those red orbs so much like his own.

He let out another sigh, as masked eyes darted between both of them, "What have I done this time for both my beloved sisters to side against me?" He despaired, even as the smile within his voice was laid so thickly one would have to be deaf to not hear it, of course, the smile did easily fade, even hidden as it was, at least one reason he could come up with for why they were. Though for Malum he had a brother, for his sisters, they only had him, what possible explanation could he offer either for why he was risking his life?

He could lie to them, say it was all a ploy to secure the Inquisition, yet as much as the Lord of Deceit was comfortable lying, to say he was to his sisters... all the while being unsure if they would be able to see through it or not... Suffice it to say, he was glad that even though they were unhappy being in this temple, they had not brought that up, yet.

Still, perhaps they wanted to forget about that looming event as much as he did.

Yet, for now, he had the opportunity to spend time with his sisters, and Bogan knew he had long neglected them already, he would not waste this opportunity to his own mind's anxieties. Even if at this moment, spending time with his sisters meant debating them. His vision followed Sophia as she began to speak, as she moved to the altar herself, he held his tongue at her almost casual... touch, of their ancestor's place of... it was not here that he rested, he supposed.

Her words, he imagined had their intended effect, as his heart soared, even as he scoffed, "You have more faith in me, than I do in myself, sweet sister," Malum countered, even as the ghost of a smile forced itself on his face. She truly did, after all for all that he wanted, for all that he desired, for all as far as he had come. How could he ever reach the heights these old Lords, those current Lords, had? Yet, he was touched even still. His hands motioned through the air, by his palm, a single flame burst forth, shifting quickly from orange, to white, before settling on blue, a dangerous power at the worst of times, a cheap parlour trick now, "They are still with us, Sophia, their actions shaped the present in which we live, their presence remains in the Force that we wield... for the great Darth Marr, his blood still flows in our veins," It was sentimental he would admit, but for the sibling between them so obsessed with histories and philosophies, the one who held the hidden sensitivities, was it at all surprising?

His gaze settled on them both as the flames flickered away, "And pray tell what does a statue need of a lightsabre?" He replied, the mirth audible in his voice, "Trust me, when I say there are far too many in this galaxy that would pay a premium for our blood," There was power in it, which was why though even when they left this place, he had made certain one of his would observe for any foul play.

Still, he had hardly a moment to enjoy the retort, before they united yet again, head turning to both, one after another, to deliver a long, withering, look, even if the effectiveness was greatly reduced by the fact that neither could actually see his eyes, "One day remind me to allow you both to hold the amulet, trust then, that when the dead talk, it is brief," Along with many other things, he turned to specifically Elise, "Swift too," It was something which he had never truly considered, as much as the amulet had guided him to finding those of his blood, the visions it granted confirming it for so many, of his immediate family, only his father had held the amulet to be given the sight himself.

It was no easy thing he knew, and hardly something he wished to put his sisters through... yet... it was too a sight that one did not easily forget.

As both signalled his intentions, he allowed himself a soft chuckle, "Alright, alright, my apologies for clearly keeping you both here for so long, what would you both like to do?" For all that he was about to put them through, he might have agreed to anything.

Sophia of House Marr Elise of House Marr

 

[Svenja Fürstin Von Exocron]

The Academy student spoke up. Their eyes playing over my uniform and noticing the rank I held. Holding one that was of a higher status than that of himself. Even mentioning it after providing a name. The confused apprehension of my speaking to them, was what made it clear they were used to many others pushing them around, giving them no room to move, grow, or just exist. Looking away from the man to the statue that stood before us, I looked up. Finding the face of the man.

Being in what was essentially the middle ranks of the Academy came with some benefits. However, I would still have to fight to reach the upper ranks. I was still beneath those who were there. All ranks were cutthroat. Everyone always against one another. Always seeking to better themselves. It was the way Sith were. Even in my own life, that was what happened with royal families and what they desired. It was normal. Commonplace for such things to transpire. With watchful eyes, and deft ears to keep track of every move. Then the vocal mouths that which spewed forth rumors, lies, manipulations to get the attention they wanted, where and when they wanted.

"I speak who whom I deem appropriate, when I deem it. Ranks in the Academy are to break us down. Its a system to make us go against one another. Yet in the same breath, show that those who are at the lower ranks, can work together to rise above their status. Breaking their chains and becoming something... more."

My vision broke from visage of the man. Turning to the student, Dreadmoor. Noticing that he too brought an offering, but releasing that thought.

"The slave, can be just as powerful as a King. All one needs, is opportunity. Your rank means little to me. Moreover, this is a gathering to respect those who have come before. We should focus on that. Not the trivialities of schooling, training, or otherwise."

Soldane Talon

 

[Darth Moskvin]

​

Gear: Staff of the Damned / Talisman of the Witch / Magical Gems / Bow of Immolation / Hilt
Familiar: Archimedes
Tags: N/A​

The onset of frustration began to settle like cold blood in my gut as the shrine was being molested by a numerous amount of Sith, some holding trinkets and gadgets and urns and other miraculous objects they believed to be a proper offering for a dead Lord. But it wasn't the masses that annoyed me as much as the disorganization of it all. It was the clutter, no clear lines had been drawn, and I felt as I was being forced to witness a mass gelatin of flesh piled together in preparation at a meat processing factory. I looked to Archie, who seemed content with our current predicament, and held back chiding the fiend. His patience in this situation was warranted, there was nothing I could do to hurry up the blob. Standing and waiting didn't take long to wear my patience thin, and I still had not fed since our arrival. The creeping Hunger was on the move, and no better time to sate than now.

My eyes began its predatorial hunt, searching for the right victim to pluck and dine whilst in the mobile position. Normally I would take any unsuspecting victim, draining their flavorable life essence and discarding the corpse at will. But over the countless years I learned to hone my feeding, taking what I needed and through the Force erasing their memory of my existence and the act itself; naturally I only opted for this particular choice when discarding the body was impractical. Such was the case now. However, my options were limited. Though I had no fear of the living or the dead, feeding from a fellow Sith would pose headaches I simply didn't need. And I was alone, no ally outside of Archie, to come to my defense; and outside of me who can actually communicate with him, most of his squawks would be just that to the untrained ear. I needed a citizen, or a drunken soldier, or heartbroken young maiden like her. Fate had selected me a weeping young woman who was walking away from the crowd of people, praise to the Fanged God.

For a couple of blocks I followed the woman, smelling her blood and sorrow like a mixed cocktail, until we were the only two around, minus the fowl. Hungry and frustrated still by the shrine's overpopulation, I snatched the young maiden from behind, sinking my teeth into her neck, my fangs penetrating deeply trough her soft, pinkish flesh. The iron taste of her crimson blood flowed down my waiting gullet, pushing back the Hunger with every drop. Satisfied and filled, I spun the girl around and erased her memory; yet an odd sensation came over me as she looked familiar. Then the realization of recognition fell upon me quickly. I did in fact know this girl, this traitor, this deceiver, this betrayer. She was to be my progeny, my first child. But she had tricked me, me of all killers, and it was her motives that nearly led me to my second, and possibly my final, death. To say I'm not a vengeful person is a sorely misunderstanding of the facts surrounding my nature, and thus with a just enough force I ripped her head from her shoulders, placing it in a dirty bag I found lying on the ground. I took out the small idol from my cloak's inner pocket, the one that I was going to offer to Ajunta himself and tossed it aside. I now was in possession of a better offering for him, a severed head. What dead Sith Lord wouldn't appreciate such an offering from the result of a murder on a night such as this?

 

[Aerik Lechner]

WEARING: xxx
TAG: Irina Jesart | OPEN

Tonight was going to be a full moon. Aerik knew it when he accepted the invitation to attend the memorial festival. His father was going to be there unless one of the pups went through their first change. He had not wanted to say anything, but Aerik knew he would not make it past another moon without transforming. It had been close the last time, too close. It was a risk to say yes, not because there was a chance he could but because he knew he would.

Aerik’s choice to attend had the potential to endanger everyone, especially his fellow students.

He should have stayed back. Aerik needed to tell his father to meet him outside of the city, somewhere private as they had for the last couple of months. Instead, the pup drug himself to the event, drawn by the promise of a night away from the academy which was not only sanctioned, but encouraged. The carnival promised to be something where the students could have fun. When was the last time he had been free to simply enjoy himself?

His mind went to the woods on Stewjon. There was a cottage deep in the woods just behind the Lechner home. Gerwald had rebuilt it after it had been burned. It was a story which Aerik knew he did not know all of. It seemed their father had his secrets, those which he wanted to keep hidden away for now. Aerik could understand, but he also wanted to know. Palm-Imer had visited them that day. He and his siblings had just finished a hunt and roasted it over the fire. It had been autumn, or near. The smell of the changing leaves still lingered in his memory.

The air was different on Jutrand. It smelled urban, nothing of nature seemed to be around them at all. The academy had been worse, especially in the fifth cohort’s accommodations. It smelled like sewage most days. Aerik could smell the sugar in the air before he smelled anything else. He could not remember the last time he had smelled so much sweet wafting about. It was coming from the carnival, but also from inside the ballroom.

Aerik recognized his parents right away, and then settled on his friend. They had agreed to meet, but as the sun set and the light of the moon began to take over, Aerik was in pain. He stumbled his way to the carnival slowly. Most looking would not discern what was happening, they may think he had been injured in a sparring session and was willing himself though the event. The look in his eyes had dimmed. They were still bright, but muted in some way.

In truth he had not really been paying attention to where he was going. His nose was leading him to where they were supposed to be meeting. By the time he realized where she was exactly, it was too late. The pup had run into her. He did not know if he knocked her down in the process, but he knew he was on the ground. It would be difficult to get him up as he immediately clutched his chest and groaned in pain.

Did she remember what he had said about the next full moon?

His eyes opened wide as he gasped for a breath. A loud pop and crack echoed around them, the sound bouncing off the stone walls of the nearby palace. It was too late to leave. Aerik should not have come, but there was no going back now.

He was about to change, or die trying.

 

[Matteo Guo-Yian]

Lunaria Talon

"Well, I am several years older than you after all." He said with a haughty sniff that was immediately ruined as his eyes lit up at the way the apple came out all caramelized. Clearly he wasn't too old to enjoy the sight of candy being made right in front of him. Even if in a way it was kinda fake. What kind of candy was basically a fruit (healthy) covered in sweets (unhealthy)?

It must have been some sort of trick.

"I don't know if anyone has ever said that to me before…Not that…Not that they would even know I needed to hear it…", her admission was coupled with sweet, precise babbling. Her tone was thoughtful and eventually a small smile started to tug at the kiss of her mouth. "It's kind of…nice."

"Then they should have!" Squeezing her hand as they joined the queue to make the point. "That's on them, not you. I have seen you train almost 'til the bone showed on your hands. Nobody can ever tell me you aren't enough, Art."

Finally letting go of her hand though as they got closer and closer to the caramelized sweetness.

It did look kinda sticky and messy. He had never had one before but he didn't wanna show that. So Matteo was doing his best to watch how other people were eating them covertly. Nobody seemed to be having a good time of doing it without getting their mouth all messy. Maybe that was part of the appeal?

Matteo wasn't sure.

As he looked at his half of the apple, trying to see from which side to tackle it, Artemis was moving her way towards the subject. The painful one that seemed to bring her down so much.

An eye over the apple as she managed it.

"Hey. Look. She is your mom. I don't know her, obviously, but I know my own mom. She would never show it because she believes it is weakness and a way to get hurt... but she loves me. Even if she never told me that in so many words." Matteo nodded there, almost to reassure himself. "Did your mother make sure you can fight? Survive? Make sure you can live and stay alive? Then she loves you."

A soft shrug there.

"I think that's the best us Sith can do... make sure the people we love stay alive... to survive. Don't you think so?"

 

[Soldane Talon]

Tag | Svenja Fürstin Von Exocron​

​

How egalitarian of her.​

​

Soldane was oddly surprised at her words, they seemed relatively genuine. The problem was that he had heard people act more geninune, and there was no clear line to believe her. Not yet, at least. Instead, Soldane would keep her an arm's length away, so that if her words turned out to be more poison than honey, he could still leave quickly.​

​

"Interesting how you say that.", he mused as he turned towards the statue of his Father-not-to-be-claimed.​

​

"This one, Darth Maliphant, was born a slave. In fact, in most records of that time, he was even known as 'The Slave'. It was from that position of less than nothing, to rising to a powerful Sith Lord before his death. An offering to him is supposed to bring luck in rising above your station.", or the idle hope they'd be able to speak to one another.​

​

"Is that your intention? Make an offering and hit the First Cohort next week?", he said with a glance over to her.​

 

[Fiolette Yvarro]

​

"Melori." Fio recognized the bust almost immediately, "not exactly a one for one, a little garish but I suppose that this is what passes for art in the realm of the Sith, mhmm?" Never one to mince words, she appeared in a more apparition form to her wife, "for the record, the girls are asleep, so my time here is limited. Though you can brief me in person, imzadi." There was a small pause as she knelt down beside the brunette, "something troubles you? Ails you perhaps? Tell me." It was taking a lot to project across such a distance most especially with the maternal duties that waited her.

Still, Fiolette could feel through the bonds that something needed spoken. "You know you can't hide much from me, imzadi. Are we to raze another pathetic Sith Lord's fortress? Shall I send forth the fleets and legions to bring civilizations to ruin in your name?" A tease, perhaps, but she knew better and knew how tender Taeli was when it came to her family, her siblings especially, "I cannot offer you my actual shoulder, but I am here if you wish to grieve for Melori." The once Lord Admiral gestured toward the bust, the redhead was never particularly good with these sort of emotions but she had been working to be more present for her wife in these delicate times. Delicate, for the moment at the very least.

Silence befell them for the briefest of moments, and then it went on longer. The apparition merely turned to Taeli, and gave her a reassuring smile. "There a tale you wish to share of her? Perhaps something I can share with our newest additions?" She offered, although these sort of stories were typically reserved for their home, their sanctuary, an unmarked world far from the dangerous pursuits that haunted them both.

Taeli Raaf ​

 

[Kaila Irons]

Kaila smiled at Tamsin's curiosity. It reminded the sith of her younger self, a being who was comparatively naïve and so awed by the very concepts she was now sharing with a student of her own.

"Excellent questions. Let us start first with the shrine," she approached the one Tamsin had pointed out with a glint of recognition in her eye.

"This is- oh...? That is not Marka Ragnos, but that is his staff..."

She paused, observing the statue more carefully. It was then that she noticed the staff was broken, and dusted off the plaque with a gloved hand.

"Ah! This is Tavion Axmis, I should have known. She was the led a cult after the fall of the first galactic empire"

While it seemed unusual to enshrine a Dark Jedi cultist, she had to admit that the disciples came closer than most cults to to achieving greatness.

"These people worshipped Marka Ragnos, a great sith king who once ruled over the original sith empire, although the cult began thousands of years after his death. They hoped to resurrect him by empowering his staff, but were stopped by the Jedi after much conflict"

"Ragnos has actually appeared many times from beyond the grave" she added with a look of quiet wonder.

"There are a few ways in which Sith have become immortal, Tamsin. Our most powerful often do so as spirits, far more powerful and far more dangerous than the ones I have bound. Ragnos may be the most powerful of all, a figure who was respected by the sith both in life and in death. This woman here, Axmis, was a Dark Jedi who became his apprentice, even in his ghostly state. Rumor has it that she willingly let his spirit possess her in battle"

Kaila shuddered at her own words.

"Why someone would ever willingly let their master control their body, I do not know. But I suppose she must have had a very different relationship with her master than I do with mine"

"Though I am curious," She turned to Tamsin

"Does this shrine interest you for any reason in particular? I could check my collection for any books on the cult if you wish"


Tamsin Graves

 

[Tamsin Graves]

Tags: Kaila Irons
Theme: Dance Macabre

---

Tamsin could feel the elation coming off Kaila and in the tone of her voice after she asked about the shrine. They then made their way over to the shrine, Kaila pointing out the staff thinking at first it was someone called Marka Ragnos. Tamsin noticed the staff as Kaila pointing it out and noting it was broken. She took it all in as she listened to Kaila speak on Marka Ragnos and this Tavion Axmis who served as leader of his cult.

It was like there was a glow around Kaila as she spoke of the history of Marka Ragnos, she had a deep knowledge of the past. Tamsin who wanted to learn everything, was thinking to herself in that moment she couldn't have made a better choice. She ate up every word Kaila was sharing on the history of it, she didn't even notice that Kaila had totally forgotten to inform her on the Darth titles and how they worked. She was too enthralled in history lesson Kaila was giving.

The history lesson even informed her more about the status of how immortals worked. Most lived on through their spirit not physically. The same spirits that Kaila bound to herself, but she did mention a power level between the more ancient ones and more powerful ones when they were living versus the ones she had bound. Tamsin gleaned that the more powerful he spirit the harder it was to bind. Also, that you could call on the spirits or at least Tavion Axmis could to possess her.

It made Tamsin wonder for a moment if maybe she could make some sort of deal with the other spirit or whatever it was inside of her. Yet Tamsin broke out of the thought when Kaila mentioned her master. She had mentioned them before, and it always seemed with trepidation and Kaila had not been willing to talk about it. Again, she was pulled from her thoughts by Kaila's question.

"That broken staff, in the vision with the ruins there was a marking on one of ruins stone walls with a symbol very similar to that staff. Ever since we walked in here this shrine has drawn my attention almost like it was calling to me." She looked at the shrine and this feeling washed over her to put her right hand out over the shrine. She didn't do it but something inside her wanted her to. "It's calling to me even now. Wanting me to out stretch my right hand over the shrine for some reason. I know I shouldn't, I want to though just to see what it wants. Maybe I should learn more though as you suggest, study this cult and Ragnos's teaching. Well you might have to read it to me, but your amazing at describing the past and history."

 

[Soah Ty’Jyn]

Objective: Carnival Row
Location: Carnival Row
Interacting with: Kasir Dorran

Soah would never admit it, but the scents swirling through the air made her stomach growl, her nose twitching involuntarily. The rich aroma of food -- so different from the scraps she scavenged in the Fifth covert -- was overwhelming. Kasir wasn't wrong. In the covert, survival wasn't just about fighting your way through training; it was about finding enough food to stay strong. Hunting pests, devouring whatever creatures others ignored, had been her method of survival. Luxury, let alone something like prepared food, was foreign to her.

She glanced around the carnival, her eyes narrowing. The idea of choice -- of walking up and simply buying food -- felt bizarre. Not to mention, she didn't have many credits to begin with. Whatever she had, she'd stolen or traded for. Bantha burgers? She'd never even heard of Banthas, let alone burgers. Her curiosity was piqued, but she fought to hide it.

"Bantha burgers?" she repeated, as if testing the words. She didn't want to seem too interested, but the hunger gnawing at her made it hard to focus on anything else.

Then, Kasir mentioned the games, and her attention shifted. Games? What kind of games? Soah had never been to a place like this before, and the thought of competing stirred something inside her -- apprehension mixed with excitement. Could there really be opportunities here to show off her skills? Both the Force and her physical abilities had been sharpened for survival, not for fun. Yet, the idea that she might dominate whatever challenges came her way sent a spark of anticipation through her.

She pulled her hood lower over her face, the inky black tattoos rippling subtly across her skin, a reflection of the energy bubbling under her surface. This carnival might be new territory, but if there was a chance to prove herself, to win, Soah wasn't about to back down.

"Fine," she muttered, the words barely audible. "But we better eat first."

 

[Credius Nargath]

"I reckon...that is true," Letting out a dry sounding chuckle, that which had to go through for a man tilted his head ever so slightly, his gaze from behind his shades gliding across the whole of the space around them, looking at the people, observing them and their quirks, their behaviors, and evidently also trying to discern their natures, in a sense acting on what the young woman had mentioned only moments prior. As he could hear her move, his attention wandered back towards her, notivcing how she reached out with her hand, a peculiar gesture he didn't expect coming from someone who exuded a sort of gloominess that seldomly allowed any sort of social interaction.

"Well than, Lily," Reaching out with his own hand, though perhaps a bit more controlled and restrained than one would expect, the abomination would shake Lily's hand. However, the moment she'd feel his hand in hers, she'd be able to feel just how unnaturally cold and firm it was, almost as if she was grasping a corpse's hand. "You may call me Credius, nothing more...nothing less. "

For a moment, a shiver would run across the abomination's back, his eyes starting to flare up again for a moment, but as soon as they did, Credius' hand would be drawn back, air running through his throat as he let out a cough, raising his glass to his mouth and taking a swig from the remaining liquor within it. "Hmm..."

For a moment, Credius' eyes turned towards Lily, before turning in a long gaze towards a part in the crowd again, his eyes clearly peering straight at that same, desperate looking man from earlier. "I guess in some cases, there's those who are utterly oblivious to their own nature and place in things, even when both are so crystal clear for all to see...heheh."

Lily Rhodes

 

[Oleander Webb]

WEARING: x

WIELDING: x | x

TAG: Darth Malum of House Marr

REFERENCED: Gerwald Lechner

The hints of a shrug tugged at his shoulders. Such cons were no strangers to such events, it was simply the nature of the beast. "How nearly altruistic. Bold, even, in the capital of the Sith." A ghost of a chuckle could be heard as he echoed the earlier sentiment.

The masked individual's name gave him pause. He'd heard the name before, of course. It was only fitting that while under Gerwald Lechner 's employment and tutelage, he'd keep informed of any of the Wolf's rivals, coworkers, and the like. "A Dark Councillor among the common rabble. Interesting."

It was his turn to pause when introductions were turned to him. His lips pursed for a fraction of a second in consideration - was this a time for half-truths? A time for titles? "Oleander Webb, similarly at your service." His steps were silent as the two drew closer to the maze.

 

[Adean Castor]

TAG: Darth Malum of House Marr
WEARING: x | x

A brief thought crossed her mind as some individuals were announced upon entry - What was the point of a masquerade if people knew who you were anyway? Nevertheless, Adean found some comfort in it. The announcements told her who to avoid. Even with the masks to hide identities away, maintaining a low profile was ideal.

The Force seemed to immediately spit in the face of her plans as emerald eyes met the red that had answered her question. Adean could feel a pit of dread form in her stomach though she did well not to show it. Masks beyond the facial variety had become almost a subject of expertise.

Her lips curved into an amicable smile, the twinge of heat gathering in the tips of her ears at the honorific. "I would be honored, my lord," she responded with all due politeness. There was a slight tremor to her hand as it met his palm, a slight manifestation compared to the cascade of nerves that bubbled below the surface. "I must warn you, though, I am not well trained in the art of dance."

 

[Balun Dashiell]

Present Company: Nouqai Veil
Wearing: White Collar Suit, Lightsaber

"Well, you could always meet them," Balun said with a smirk, his mind already playing out the scenario. The thought of bringing Nouqai home to meet his father and brother was both amusing and nerve-wracking. He could almost hear Makai's teasing before it even happened. Balun knew he'd have to warn her in advance; there was no way to avoid the inevitable banter.

"Just don't be surprised if my brother, Makai, makes some crack about me bringing a girl home," he added with a soft laugh, shaking his head at the thought. The teasing between the two brothers never got too serious, but Makai had a way of always getting in the first dig, especially when it came to relationships.

"Makai and I like to mess with each other, but it's all in fun," Balun explained, glancing at Nouqai to make sure she knew it wasn't anything she needed to worry about. Lately, Makai had been relentless, particularly when it came to Balun's old Jedi robes. Makai never missed an opportunity to joke about how they made him look like a walking burlap sack—no sense of style, and even worse luck with women. Balun had learned to laugh it off, but keeping up with his brother's quick wit wasn't always easy.

Yet, despite the constant ribbing, Balun wouldn't trade it for anything. After spending so much of his life thinking he had no family, having a brother like Makai meant everything to him, even if it came with a fair share of teasing.

As the conversation shifted, Balun smiled softly and looked over at Nouqai. He took a sip from his drink before speaking. "Y'know, this is going to sound weird coming from a former Jedi and all, but I'm really glad you chose to return to the Sith. When we found each other after, well, everything—after you had a whole funeral and all that—once we got over the shock, it really seemed like you'd found a place where you could be happy."

He paused, recalling their reunion. Balun couldn't remember exactly where it had been, but his memory was telling him it had been on Eriadu. It was after her master had declared her dead to the New Jedi Order, a lie that Balun had believed for years, until fate brought them together again after he'd left the Order.

"I was always happy to give you advice and chit, but I could never show you what would make you happy. I figured you'd come back eventually, and the Sith just seemed like the right fit. But it was something you had to figure out for yourself," he said, a genuine smile on his face. His posture was relaxed, his body language easy as they sat side by side at the bar.

"You didn't need to thank me. I knew something was wrong, but I had no idea what that pendant was actually doing to you. It makes so much more sense now why you couldn't see the Lightsworn for what they really were," Balun added, his voice low with understanding, the weight of the past lifting between them.

 

[Kaila Irons]

"What?" she quickly turned to Tamsin, then back to the shrine.

"Bloody hell... to think I've been talking this entire time when I should have been listening"

This was an important moment for Tamsin, as anything they could learn of these visions and the spirit which clung to her could prove vital knowledge in their attempt to bind it. But of course, such visions must also be approached with caution.

"It might be the spirit calling you to reach out more so than the shrine itself. Possession can be subtle at first, a careful blending of one's thoughts and desires with that of the invading will's. It is a tactic often employed by weaker spirits"

"And yet," she began gazing up into those empty eyes of stone.

"Your passenger has narrowed down our search considerably. I will begin sifting though my books on the cult and Marka Ragnos, and let you know if I find mention of their temples outside Korriban. Though I see now it may serve us both if you were also taught to read. A sith must be able to expand their knowledge, as knowledge and power of the dark side often coincide."

Kaila crossed her arms in thought for a moment, eyes drifting back down towards her curious apprentice.

"In the spirit of knowledge, perhaps you should touch the shrine but this once. But be wary of indulging the spirit a second time. Once is enough to expose you to the feeling, more might build habit, a foundation for this possession to grow"



Tamsin Graves

 

[Darth Malum of House Marr]

A chuckle emerged easily out of the mask at the repetition of his earlier words, "Sometimes altruism and boldness must go hand in hand for us to fulfil our greater aims," Malum offered with his voice tinged with a hidden smile, "Hardly what might be expected of a Sith, but..." He gave his companion a moment to confer and confirm the identity offered, "...As is expected, I am hardly what might be expected of most Sith."

They continued on the beaten path, the maze's shadow looming over them with the weight of a tsunami threatening to drown them, as they would face whatever lay within.

"I was merely a Sith Lord amongst the so-called common rabble once," The voice barely much more than a whisper, with the berth between them, a voice that might have been strained to be heard, "Before that a knight, before that an apprentice, before that... a noble scion who never had many opportunities to associate much with the so-called lower classes," The smile was back in his words, as the mask shook with the evidence of a small chuckle.

"...Whatever I am, whatever they are..." Taking the lead, he turned around to face the Anzat, "They are my people."

Malum gave a moment as the Wolf's pawn considered a lie, smirking beneath the mask as the notion was disregarded. Offering a nod of his head, he turned back towards the entrance, walking through, "A pleasure to meet you then, Lord Webb, might we have a most effective acquaintance."

Oleander Webb
Mentioned: Gerwald Lechner

 

[Irina Jesart]

Irina wasn't sure how long she'd sat on the bench for with her face hidden , breathing deep and forcing the roiling pain inside her chest to settle, to return to the neat little box she'd packed it into in order to survive the animosity of the Academy. She wanted tonight to be fun, to be a chance for her and Aerik to be themselves without the worry of prying eyes.

She shook herself off, rising from the bench and heading back into the main concourse to where they were supposed to meet, focusing on finding her friend, on the games they could play. Their first night of freedom…well, beyond the time they met in the maze.

A smile tugged at the corners of her mouth at the memory of that night, her gaze sweeping the crowd to find him. Someone slammed into her, knocking her over, a snarl of anger crossing her features as she rolled to berate them, only to find herself looking at Aerik.

Aerik with muted eyes. Aerik who was clutching at his chest in pain. Irina froze her mind racing, the loud crack and pop of bones jolted her out of her shock and her gaze lifted to the sky where the moon had risen, bright and full.

"Shit." She scrambled forward. If he was changing here, then not only was he in danger, but so was everyone around them. She slid her arm around him and tried to haul him to his feet. She could get him off the main path, then maybe go for help?

"Get up, Aerik." she demanded. "You can't change here. Get up!"

Aerik Lechner

 

[Darth Malum of House Marr]

"Really? I would not have expected that from one who looks as regal as you," He replied, though a face hidden entirely beneath the replica mask, his words somehow still were able to give voice to the raised eyebrow, to the smile at his lips. If the masked Sith Lord cared for the slight tremors that reached his hands, as he gently took her palms into his, he did not deign to comment upon them.

He led her out gently onto the floor, as one song concluded, and the next was about to begin, one hand at her palms, as the other found itself on her waist, as he indicated she should place one of hers on his shoulder. A narrow breath drawn out from his masked lips, as the opening ballad began to play, "Then, I hope you will not mind receiving instruction from a Sith Lord on such things," He teased, slowly pressing his leg forward, signalling for hers to withdraw, and the dance began in earnest.

"After all," A steady rhythm built into the air, as he slowly pressed through the same motions, a slight circuitous pattern forming beneath their feet, "Not every acolyte draws the attention of Darth Carnifex." The whimsy was gone, as they approached their first turn.

Adean Castor
Mentioned: Darth Carnifex

 

[Lily Rhodes]

Lily had never made a habit of touching corpses, granted she had not been above picking them clean when the need was there, but that was a long time ago. Credius' hand was icy…almost rigid. It sent the shiver of warning down her spine again but she didn't withdraw. Even if he was dangerous, she was hardly a threat to him and if for some unknown reason things did turn nasty…

Her mind drifted across the dance floor, unconsciously seeking her cousin. He was here somewhere, dancing and flirting with whatever pretty thing he could find to distract him from the mess his love life had ultimately collapsed into.

She managed a small but polite smile, not missing that eerie glow from behind his glasses. Curiosity screamed at her to know more, to understand who and what this man was as he withdrew his hand. Lily resisted the urge to probe him with her mind. Watching him as he watched the room, his next words struck a delicate chord in her, though she was careful to hide it.

"Maybe they are not oblivious to it. Maybe they are so acutely aware of it that they do everything they can to avoid that nature. To be anything but the thing they are afraid to be. Because to accept their true nature means becoming something they promised themselves they would never be."

Okay, so she didn't hide it that well.

Credius Nargath Darth Malum of House Marr

 

[Svenja Fürstin Von Exocron]

A more detailed explanation of the statue in which I had left the figure upon was given by Dreadmoor. How he had once been called a Slave and then rose to become one of the most powerful Sith in recent years. Claiming a crown and becoming so much more. It did seem apt at the words I had just spoken to the other student. Yet, the question posed before me, of wanting to reach First Cohort surprised me a little. A small smile formed while I looked over to him.

"Growing up in a royal family, having eyes and ears around me all the time, is not the greatest feeling to have. However, it comes with the territory. Would I want to be in the Highest ranking? Absolutely. However, I bide my time. This is the beginning of my journey as a Sith Acolyte. Rushing to the top will only be a waste of time and resources. I'll get there when it would be the advantage to do so."

Looking back over to the statue of the good fortune in growing within the Sith, I opted to just continue speaking my mind.

"Everyone deals with problems on their own. The lowest of slaves is treated poorly openly. A noble is treated poorly in secret and in different ways. Overcoming those who act against you, is what allows those within the Sith to break their chains. Doing so without them knowing, directly, or even taking the power outright through the act of killing them. It matters very little in how. So long as you do. Growing up in a noble house on Exocron, means I would be better prepared than someone who does not understand the political game. But that doesn't mean I'm the best at it."

"I know a servant, a slave, a commoner could easily kill me and take the power I hold by the tip of a sword. Just as all other noble families did eons ago. Its like the old story of a Usurper King at his coronation. Heavy that the crown is, a slave whispers in his ear, that one day he will also be usurped just as he did to the previous king. So it is not lost on me that someone from the Fifth Cohort, could just as easily as remove me, as someone from the First."

My frame turned to him completely this time, Instead of some sideways glance.

"Long winded answer to say, I respect everyone who tries because I know I am mortal just as everyone else is."

Soldane Talon