Faction In Memoria

[Nouqai Veil]

Eyes fluttered shut as their lips connected. Her bionic heart seemed to flutter in her chest as his arms wrapped around her waist, pulling her closer. Falentra did not resist as she melted into the warmth of the embrace. They had never been so close before. Falentra deepened the kiss as they shared a breath reminiscent of alcohol.

Was kissing your best friend supposed to feel like this? She hadn't expect that it would evoke so many emotions all at once, especially the deep endearment she had for him that extended far more than a strong friendship. And how through her bond she was able to feel what he did in the moment.

She hadn't wanted it to end so soon when they broke the kiss. His forehead leaned against hers. While she had been so bold seconds ago, there was now a sense of vulnerability she felt. Yet she would not trust anyone more than she did Balun. She stared up at him beguilingly, her hand still against his neck. She was speechless, the thoughts running wild in her head. She had never imagined this. When he let go of her, she withdrew her hand, an appreciative smile forming on her lips.

"I think we should kiss more often." There was a tinge of indigo flushing against her cheeks when she finally spoke, her gaze unable to wander from his lips that she only just kissed.

"You two love birds need to pick your prize and leave. I haven't got all day." The Rodion remarked, interrupting their moment. Falentra took a step back, suddenly feeling very conscious of her public display of affection. "Right. I think we're good. Unless you want your prize?" She asked Balun. Aside from the toy blasters and various plush toys, there wasn't anything particularly of interest.

Balun Dashiell

 

[Kasir Dorran]

Soah Ty’Jyn

The shift in her demeanor was obvious, and the softened speech was not lost on his ears, given he had a mind that was constantly calculating and scheming, often seeking to maintain a firm grip over both the mind and heart alike. But it soon reminded him of an encounter with the Lord Inquisitor on the Bailiff Station after capturing a Jedi on New Cov—one that exposed their differing views, and brought a lesson that he now sought to employ, and better understand himself.

To have one follow willingly, rather than by force and fear.

For a moment, the Felacatian didn't appear as the defiant acolyte he had been slowly growing accustomed to; this was a girl becoming cloaked in doubt. Maybe it was easier to feel vulnerable in a world where strength was highly valued. Unlike before, Kasir now desired a pupil who would embrace their own darkness, rather than one that was controlled by his own.

At first, he offered a simple nod to express his understanding, rather than trying to dissect the very essence of the one sitting before him. It didn’t happen naturally, and did require his complete concentration. In that moment, he was not merely a mentor; he also felt like a confidant. He absorbed each nuance, trying to comprehend her words about the academy.

“The cohort you’re a part of doesn’t define you, Soah” he started, his voice steady. Kasir's own posture shifted once more as he folded his arms across the table while still leaning forward. The topic of philosophies could be a battle in itself, one that even brought conflict to the very Sith he served. “And you don’t have to be a reflection of their beliefs, or weaknesses. To make it simple: just embrace the teachings you find valuable, and reject those you feel will hold you back.”

His head inclined slightly. "What are your interests, then?" His gaze also scanned over the tattoos that danced across her hands. They looked like living art. "Or perhaps I should ask," he continued, his own voice lowering, "what fuels the passion within you, and draws you closer to your own ambitions?"

Before she would have a chance to respond, he decided to reveal one of his own motivations, instantly realizing that discussing his inner thoughts was a task he hated. “When I was an acolyte, more than anything else, I wanted to become a master in the art of lightsaber combat," he confessed, his eyes lifting to meet hers once more. “That pursuit at least gave me a sense of direction back then.”

 

[Credius Nargath]

For a moment, the Lord of Hunger wondered what exactly the young woman meant, his eyes continue to flicker with this deep crimson and fiery golden colors, yet as he looked her straight into the eyes, she'd be able to see the skin on his face decay, his eyes sink into the man's skull, his hair falling off and turning to ash, tears in his skin appearing and the ravages of time revealing their scars upon the man's face, yet the intensity in his eyes did not deminish, almost as if what was hiding within the decrepit and decaying body was an infinite void which was drawing in her mind, her thoughts, her self.

"Hmm," The Abomination, looking like a young man in reality, standing right beside Lily, looked down at her with a strange smile across his face. A devious and sly grin, as his eyes seemed to try and gauge her reaction to the images she was getting. It was a simple trick for someone so well versed in transfering his own thoughts, but it appeared that this child was quite receptive, making it all the easier to show the truth beyond the veil. "I haven't always been like this, but things have happened, things have changed and time has not been kind to this vessel containing what I am."

Placing his left hand with a firm grip unto the young woman's shoulder, the man leaned in towards her, as his voice; hollow and cold slithered into her ears. "I am a monster, I do not care for the Sith and their petty squabbles, their grand designs and their potential for infinite ego. I only care for knowledge, for the power to transcend this burden I bear. Do you know how it feels? Do you know how it is like, to be trapped in a body that decays at an accelerated rate, that constantly aches and itches, that creaks and gnaws at my mind with an insatiable hunger?"

The grip of his hand would get tighter, yet he would refrain from actually hurting her, simply allowing it to be a way to emphasize his point. "But...I do see your pain as well, your eyes, they tell a tale, your mouth and lips, smacking at every morcel of food and drink passing on plates carried by servants. You have known the pain of being powerless, the pain of poverty... so do tell me, do you know how painful Hunger truly can be?"


Lily Rhodes

 

[Soah Ty’Jyn]

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

It was strange, how in this brief pause, Kasir -- Kasir, of all people -- seemed to pick up on it without saying a word. His nod wasn't patronizing, just... understanding, as if he knew what it felt like to carry the same burden.

His words, though, they struck something deep within her. Her gaze flicked to him, unsure whether she believed it. The Academy had taught her that rank, cohort, and survival were everything. But Kasir didn't speak like the overseers or the instructors who used power to control.

Soah's dark hazel eyes narrowed slightly, instinct still whispering to her to stay on guard. But even as she considered his words, she couldn't help but let the possibility of something else -- something more -- linger in her mind. Could she truly carve her own path? Reject what didn't serve her and pursue only the things that would make her stronger?

The idea was tempting.

Then he asked a question that hung in the air like a challange.

"what fuels the passion within you, and draws you closer to your own ambitions?"

Her tattoos, as if reacting to her thoughts, were inky shadows that swirled slightly over her skin. Soah hesitated, unsure of how much to reveal. She wasn't used to this kind of talk. Ambitions? Passions? No one ever asked what she wanted. They only cared about how well she fought, how quickly she could eliminate a rival. But there was no denying the fire inside her, the hunger that demanded more than just survival.

"I want to be the strongest," Soah admitted, her voice low, raw. "Not just here. Not just in the Academy. Everywhere." She flexed her fingers, watching as the shadowy tattoos rippled like dark water.

"I've spent too long just trying to survive, but I want more than that. I want to be the predator no one sees coming. The one who's always a step ahead."

She glanced up, locking eyes with Kasir. There was no need to hide it anymore, not here, not from someone who seemed to understand.

"Power," she said, her voice firm now. "True power. Not the kind that comes from following the rules or staying in line, but the kind that lets me tear down anyone who thinks they can control me."

Soah took a deep breath, her resolve hardening. "I don't care about the philosophies or the endless lectures on Sith history. I want to master the Force, the way it can give me an edge. Make me stronger. Make me faster. I need to be able to strike first, to predict my enemies before they even realize they're in danger. That's what I want."

Her lips curled into a half-smirk, but there was nothing playful about it. "After all, it's only the best predator in the jungle that survives."

 

[Oleander Webb]

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

Oleander's brow rose as the Sith Lord prattled on. Altruistic indeed, assuming there was truth behind the words. Death was unmoved by such declarations. Even before he took on the mantle, the business of lethality paved no way for charity. Like many of his kind, working towards a brighter future meant little to one such long lived.

What intrigued him, however, was how Darth Malum continued on with his speech. Was there intention behind the lesson in loyalty? Or was this just how the Sith Lord talked?

"Spoken like a politician," he mused, keen senses locking in the other to see if such a statement would garner a rise out of him. He'd heard similar lines before, often from targets who had thought humanizing themselves would somehow change the fate that has been purchased for them. Oleander considered, if only for a moment, if Malum would plead for his life the same way. The proboscises hidden in his cheeks twitched at the thought.

His eyes narrowed a fraction at the 'Lord' preceding his name, uncertain how he felt about the title. He didn't comment on it, however, instead gesturing towards the maze entrance as if to say 'after you'. "You mentioned seeking conversation - was it to give your life story or is this a prelude to a more pressing topic?"

 

[Adean Castor]

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

"Perhaps," she mused, committing to this role of new nobility that had seemingly been assigned to her. "Alternatively, with inexperience draws a fresh perspective. Better that, I think, than to be blinded by tradition." Those very traditions were no small part of how she slipped by unnoticed in life. There were no expectations for those whose presence in the force and the waking world was seldom more than a dim light. While she was often overwhelmed by the pressures of false pretenses, she was growing to enjoy the maneuverability it afforded her. She decided, rather conveniently, not to dwell on the fact that she wouldn't have dared even thinking as such even a month ago.

The hands on her waist and on her own hand were as much a cage as they were stabilizing. Her pulse would've been skyrocketing if not the character of sorts she now clung to with metaphorical white knuckles. This noble acolyte she now played, nameless for the time being, forced a short chuckle. "There could be half of us and it'd still be enough to fade into irrelevance." If she said it with enough conviction, it'd be true, right?

The pit in her stomach grew as the song came to an end and yet the Darth's curiosity was not abated. "Is that an invitation or an order, my Lord?" She asked, doing her best to sound casual, like she wasn't desperately hoping for the former and expecting the latter. Still, a small part of her was tempted by the invitation, if only to try and gather information, or perhaps more importantly, influence, of her own. There wasn't much for her at the academy, not with her current ranking. As much as she wanted to slide under the radar, any other additional resources would be a boon.

 

[Kasir Dorran]

Soah Ty’Jyn

This time the pale figure paid no mind to the narrowed gaze, instead choosing to watch the movements of her animated looking tattoos. It was like an unknown language to him, but from what he gathered so far, they seemed to reflect her emotions. Such markings were rare among those as young as Soah, and did add a touch of mystery to her nature.

Listening to her easily reminded him of the loneliness that came with the path he had chosen. But empathy was a feeling buried long ago under many layers of both ambition and ruthlessness. Their way was not meant to comfort; it was meant to challenge, so true potential could be reached. Yet, despite this, he wouldn’t destroy the current moment, allowing himself to enjoy a rare glimpse of connection. Having an opportunity to better understand the Felacatian, would also aid in his training of her.

“Philosophies are much more than just words. You still need to understand the legacies of other Sith that have already walked our path.” The faintest of smiles curled at the corner of his lips, for Kasir recognized the determination in her gaze. Yet, as quickly as it appeared, it then vanished. "If you want to be the strongest everywhere, to surpass all foes, you must learn to control the chaos within,” he said, gesturing towards his temple with the index finger. “It’s a never ending pursuit filled with suffering and sacrifice. But if you fully embrace this ambition, and let it consume you, anything is possible." He would allow the weight of his words to settle between them. "You seek to outpace these..enemies, but I can show you how to understand the very force that drives them. And from there, how to strike them down.”

Forever a student and enthusiast of hand-to-hand combat, Kasir recalled the underground fights he often witnessed when traveling through Hutt Space-- particularly on Nar Shaddaa. There was a clear difference between the fighters who entered the ring alone, and those who had an ally in their corner. It was as if the presence of someone who believed in their craft gave them power equal to that found in an ancient Holocron.

"The strongest not only survive, but dominate." His voice lowered again. “But first, you must continue to demonstrate your worthiness." In truth, what she sought was akin to his role as an assassin-- stalking, tracking, waiting in the shadows to strike and snatch another soul. Survival.

His piercing brown orbs, briefly glinting like embers, returned to the acolyte. “Even I still have certain aspirations,” he admitted. A brief moment of silence stretched between them. “One being I want to be known as the greatest lightsaber duelist of our era.” Reminding himself every morning of such before training had become a ritual, but saying it out loud did make him feel oddly vulnerable, despite his reputation. More than a confession, it was a modest attempt to build a connection typical between a mentor and pupil. While it wasn’t expected to be built overnight, it could possibly serve a small step towards something as simple as trust and respect.

Kasir would then steer the conversation. “Where are you from?" The question was laced with curiosity. “Before the academy. I am intrigued to know how you arrived here, if you are willing to share it with me.”

 

[Balun Dashiell]

"Yeah, I won't argue with that," Balun muttered under his breath, his voice steady and cool, a smirk curling on his lips as he glanced toward Nouqai. She had just taken a step back when their Rodian host, with all the tact of a hammer, interrupted the moment, making it clear he wanted them gone.

"Keep your prize, old man," Balun shot back, his tone firm but casual. "I've already got what I came for." He turned to Nouqai, a hint of satisfaction in his eyes, and together they walked away from the game stall, leaving the Rodian behind.

As they moved side by side, a new sense of intimacy seemed to settle between them. Balun cast a sidelong glance at her, his thoughts swirling. "I guess this makes us more than just friends now," he ventured, his voice softer but laden with meaning. He studied her reaction carefully, wondering if she felt the same shift in the air, the subtle yet undeniable change that had taken root. "I mean, given what you said... I'm not jumping ahead of myself, am I?"

There was a flicker of vulnerability in his question, an unspoken hope that they were on the same page. For so long, Balun had danced around the edge of his feelings, unsure, hesitant. Even when he talked about it with Makai, doubt had gnawed at him, leading him to believe nothing could come of it. But now, after the kiss they shared, and with the alcohol loosening his guard, the truth was clear. He wasn't interested in playing it safe anymore. He was all in.

Nouqai Veil

 

[Nouqai Veil]

She could feel his eyes on her as they walked. But Falentra stopped then in their tracks when he spoke again, broaching the topic once again as they had at the bar. It was almost inevitable for it to come up again after their shared kiss. What she felt during the moment would have been undeniable, if it weren't for the alcohol in her system. Yet would she ever had been so bold if she wasn't in the first place?

"I enjoyed that Balun, but look, I am drunk. Really drunk. So are you." She didn't want to get his hopes up and then hurt him once she was sober if realise she didn't like him that way. And what if he didn't actually feel that way once the alcohol was out of his system, she didn't want her feelings hurt either. "Lets just enjoy the night and not think too much about it." She told him, brushing his advances off.

"You know what I think would be fun? The house of mirrors." Falentra would lead them to the brightly coloured attraction.

Balun Dashiell

 

[Balun Dashiell]

"Someone once told me that alcohol reveals our true feelings, makes it impossible to hide them," Balun said with a smirk, his voice teasing as he casually shrugged his shoulders. "But fair enough! You're probably right." He flashed a grin and added, "Still got the whole night ahead of us." Even as Nouqai paused, seeming to give something more thought, Balun waved her on, encouraging her to keep going.

"A house of mirrors, huh?" he repeated, his brows lifting with genuine curiosity. He had heard about them, of course, but never actually been inside one. The thought intrigued him. Endless reflections that tricked the eye, confusing doorways for walls, everything made from reflective transparisteel or some sleek glass alloy. "Okay then, why not," he chuckled softly, falling into step beside her as they headed toward the peculiar building.

Being on Jutrand, deep in Sith Space, it surprised him that they hadn't run into any of the Sith Academy students or their formidable Masters. Not that he minded—on the contrary, it seemed like a lucky break. The alcohol had lightened his mood, given him an extra bounce in his step, and he was thoroughly enjoying the night with Nouqai.

"You know, I'm kind of surprised we haven't bumped into any of your friends," Balun remarked as they approached the house of mirrors, his voice easy but laced with a hint of curiosity. The evening felt charmed, and the absence of familiar faces made it all the better.

Nouqai Veil

 

[Tamsin Graves]

Tags: Kaila Irons
Theme: Dance Macabre

---

Tamsin watched as Kaila got fed up with the spirit and turned away from it in disdain. Tamsin took a second after being called to join her master looking between the spirit and Kaila. "You really don't remember do you?" The spirit said letting out a small chuckle at the thought as it slowly dissipated out of sight. Leaving Tasmin staring at nothing for a second, left to her thoughts.

She looked down at her hands, then wondering who she was more so than usual. Maybe they would find out, the star map had been drawn with a destination to go. She final turned and moved towards Kaila to follow. "Food would be good." She hadn't noticed until now, but she felt a little exhausted. She didn't realize it but to summon the spirit, her own will had been drawn upon by the second spirit inside her.

"Witches are they like Jedi and sith, do they surrender to the will or fight it?" Tamsin had a lot of lingering questions, but she refrained from asking them at this time. "Yet after we eat, we can definitely go to this dance. I do want to see as much as we can before we have to go."

 

[Soah Ty’Jyn]

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

​

Soah paused mid-bite, her sharp ears picking up every word Kasir said about embracing the chaos, about turning it into her weapon. The idea of not just controlling the wild power that surged inside her but mastering it -- bending it to her will - set her mind racing. Her tattoos rippled slightly, as if they too responded to the thought, shadows dancing across her skin in quiet anticipation.

She tilted her head, her brows knitting together in thought. It was a lot to take in. Kasir wasn't like the others -- his ambition was clear, sharp as the blade he wielded. He wanted to be the greatest lightsaber duelist of his time, and she couldn't deny the evidence. She had gone at him with everything she had, but he disarmed her with calculated precision, not brute strength. He had skills she could learn from, and that realization gnawed at her.

But then, Kasir's questions turned more personal, and Soah found herself caught off guard. Her frown deepened slightly as she chewed another bite of her burger, thinking over her response. He was pushing into territory she wasn't used to talking about, territory she usually kept hidden, buried beneath layers of survival instincts.

Finally, she swallowed and answered, her voice low but steady.

"Felcat," she said, her gaze shifting slightly as if remembering something distant, something raw. "There's a refugee camp there in the jungle."

She didn't elaborate, not yet. She wasn't sure how much to reveal. The jungle was where she had learned to survive, where her instincts had been honed amidst the ruins left from the Pre-gulag plague. It was where she'd first felt the pull of darkness, the edge it gave her over anyone foolish enough to cross her path. But Felcat also held memories she wasn't ready to dissect.

Soah took another bite, her eyes flicking back to Kasir, watching for his reaction, gauging how much she could trust him. She was intrigued, yes, but not foolish. Whatever offer he was making, there had to be more to it. There always was.

For now, though, she would listen.

"You?" she asked him, wondering as well.

 

[Kasir Dorran]

Soah Ty’Jyn

Kasir took a bite of his half eaten burger, more so out of distraction than actual hunger, as a brief silence fell between them. For him, conversing was a rare act, an exception for someone who hardly ever gave anyone his time. But it did also serve as a shield to block out the oddities lurking in every corner of this carnival, as if he could pretend that none of it existed. The games, the music, the clowns in outfit and Academy uniform alike, everything.

The black ink that adorned Soah's skin seemed to react to the most minor changes in their conversation, and it felt like he was now trying to detect some sort of pattern with them. While drawn to their movements once more, his intentions were always respectful, driven only by curiosity.

The furrow of her brow brought forth the thought that perhaps he shouldn't have inquired, but the vulnerability from revealing one of his own ambitions had driven him to ask regardless. The answer given was brief, disappointing even, but Kasir knew better than to press further. Felcat was nothing more than a name in his mind. He knew practically nothing about the planet.

“I was actually once like you,” he began, recalling parts of his past. Of all things, this answer would be easy to deliver. Any fragments of who he had been before carried little weight to him now. He only harnessed his darkest memories to fuel rage when necessary, to use as a weapon. Like a hammer upon the anvil, the Dresuoti had forged him into an instrument of destruction, leaving no room for weakness or any such sentiments.

“I was found on the streets of Dromund Kaas, abandoned and alone, until the Inquisition found me.” He also remembered the cold nights, gnawing hunger, and danger of rival gangs.

Kasir’s expression darkened for an instant. “To them, I was just a broken child, but to the others back home, I was a force to be reckoned with. Others quickly learned not to underestimate me.” A tug at the corner of his mouth threatened to reveal a smirk.

As he then continued, his voice was steady, unaffected by the traumas and fears of his past. “The academy did become my home for a time, but it also felt like a cage. I never knew the comfort of companionship; in the same way I never knew the warmth of family.”

Grabbing the drink he ordered earlier, and eyeing its blue liquid, he finally dared a sip. The flavor was unfamiliar, and the appeal that others found in it eluded him. Before the possibility of entertaining the bizarre games at this place, he chose to ask one last question. But this time, rather than prying at something personal, it was aimed to show his support. "Tell me, what weaknesses do your rivals possess that we may exploit to your advantage?"

 

[Gerwald Lechner]

​

WEARING: xxx
WEAPONS: Ferrum Solus | Blodmåne | Strømafbryder
TAG: Naedira Darcrath | Irina Jesart

The night came with a chill. It was not a cool breeze or the temperature which made the evening air mildly frigid, but rather an unsettling warning that something was terribly wrong. While others were enjoying the carnival, paying respects to those long dead, or romancing their paramour on the dance floor, Gerwald was suddenly overcome with a sense of dread.

His head turned in the direction of a voice that was unfamiliar to him. It belonged to one of the students from the academy, based on the age and who it was she was carrying with her. She was dragging his son, and the Dark Councilor suddenly understood why he had been nervous. Blue eyes darted up to the sky, a full moon. It was early, or the cycle count had been wrong. Aerik was supposed to have another night free. They had planned on meeting the following night to walk through his first change.

The Wolf barely acknowledged the girl as he took his son off of her shoulders.

“I will take him from here.”

The implication was that her work was finished, but Gerwald also did not make it clear. Time was of the essence, and they needed to get away from the crowd. He sighed, knowing he may need her help, and certainly would need his mate to ensure they were not followed by anyone. Their evening had been cut short, something the beast knew he would have to make up for later. It was not often he had Naedira at his side. They were better together, and unstoppable on the battlefield when they stood with each other.

A smallish forest seemed to be gated off behind the palace. It was more than the manicured shrubaries of a garden maze other palaces boasted. This was a dark wood, designed for something more than landscaping and curb appeal. It was not as ideal as the larger and more dense forests of Stewjon, but it was better than the open courtyard which was teeming with life.

“Breathe through it.”

It was the same thing he had told Naedira that first night they discovered what anchoring her to Gerwald had truly meant. Now the Wolf was facing another consequence of that decision. He recognized the pain Aerik was going through, but unlike Naedira, Gerwald knew his children would be able to change. Whatever was about to manifest itself in that form was like what Naedira would have been. Maybe it was just a wolf, they were Lupo, but Gerwald continually heard the words of his mistress in the back of his mind. They had no way of knowing what the true impact of the decision would be. His love, or selfishness, had created something neither of them could have anticipated.

Gerwald set his son onto the grass when they came to a clearing. The thick trees shielded them from the view of the others. Hopefully it would mute the sounds of bones popping and snapping. Aerik would be screaming in pain soon. The first few times he chose to change would not be comfortable or pain free. The pup would learn, as their kind always did, how to manage and shift within seconds. That would take practice.

For now, the Dark Councilor would be forced to watch and guide. There was nothing more he could do.

 

[Irina Jesart]

Irina felt the weight of Aerik lifted from her shoulders, her breath catching in her throat as for a beat she stood rooted to the spot watching him carry Aerik away, all sounds of the carnival seemed for a moment to be diminished and distant Aeriks words from their first meeting in the maze ringing in her ears.

If I'm gone longer than a day, it means I didn't survive the change…

"To hell with that." she said a loud to herself, the panic that had risen in her chest evaporating as she started after Gerwald at a run to catch up. There was no way she was going to let Aerik die, even if she knew full well that she had little power or ability to prevent it, standing back and waiting to know was not something she was going to do.

She sealed the gate to the dark woods shut behind them, praying that no one would be fool enough to follow, before following silently behind the Executioner and his son. Her fingers dug into the bark of the tree as Gerwald set him in the centre of a clearing, both of them bathed in moonlight.

Irina hovered at the edge, unsure if she should step forward. She swallowed, unable to take her eyes off Aerik.

"He'll survive this." The whisper wasn't a question, she wasn't even sure if she was talking to herself or to Gerwald.

Gerwald Lechner Aerik Lechner

 

[Lily Rhodes]

Lily froze, and icy terror rose up her spine. She had no idea her guard had even been so low that he was able to slip into her mind to reveal the truth of himself. She wanted to step back, to retreat and run as far as she could in the ther direction, but she remained rooted to the spot both horrified and transfixed, her mouth had fallen open, her knuckles white as she held tighter to the glass in her hand like it might offer her some comfort.

As his hand settled on her shoulder, his grip firm, she wanted to reach out for her cousin, to shout for help. And she knew that Darth Malum of House Marr would come…but then she would ever be the creature that needed rescuing. The little girl that needed protecting… she closed her mouth, her jaw setting as she swallowed against the fear. She was done being that little girl.

She hated it, she hated the way he seemed to pick her apart, the way his grip tightened on her shoulder but she was not going to shrink away. She hadn't shrunk away from Darth Strosius and Lily certainly wasn;t going to shrink away from this…monster.

"It's like your insides are tearing at themselves." she answered quietly "Like your body might consume itself if you don't find something to consume in its place. I think by the looks of you, you might be past that point though."

One of the many bonuses she had found with spending time on Alvaria was her freedom of access to the palace library, to the knowledge within it. Lily was by no means educated, but she had every intention of becoming so. She knew that the hunger he was talking about was beyond the simple needs of sustenance, he was talking about draining souls.

"Take your hand off me please," she sounded far more calm and confident than she felt "Or I will remove it." She felt the weight of the lightsaber Malum had given her hidden in the folds of her skirt.

Credius Nargath

 

[Credius Nargath]

"Well, you are a smart one," The Abomination let out a hollow chuckle, when hearing Lilly's response to his question. She was right though, the hunger which had been overwhelming him had long since become too much to bear, a hunger which would turn any other lesser man into nothing but a ravenous beast, but in his case it had been perhaps even worse. For the whole time his soul had been stuck in the Nether, tethered through the Redoubt rift, his body had been kept in stasis, weakening slowly as his soul strengthened and grew beyond the limits of any normal Sith or Jedi.

However, upon remerging within his body, so too did it fell under this newly gained strength of his soul, the intensity of his power ravaging his body, the depth of his connection within the force tearing his body apart cell by cell, molecule by molecule. To stave off this pain, this endless sense of dying at an accelerated hate, Credius needed to feed on both the souls, the connection to the force and the very life of others. While he delighted once in the power he had gained from mutating into a being beyond the very scope of his human self, as time had progressed...he cursed that same mutation and sought not to remove it from himself, but overcome it. After all, he was still influenced by his desire for power, his desire to finally wield everything he should be capable of wielding.

Utilizing his Children was not enough...they were not enough, the Mobius Tyrants were too crude and did not have the correct balance to utilize his power fully, thus his eyes had turned to his final project: the Draelvasier Hraelga Nacht was his last project before going into stasis and she was the key to his design, the last piece of a puzzle long in the making. He would not just follow the example of the other sith, he would not just create a clone...no...he would create a whole new body, a whole new being to hold the power of a god. To hold HIS power.

"You have a strong mind, and a surprisingly strong will," The man chuckled once more as he removed his hand from the young woman's shoulder at her request. Not out of fear, but out of interest. Even in this state, where his body has been juiced up, but the temporary nature of his vessel was limiting his useage of power, he had no doubt he could snap her like a twig, burn her body and incinerate her down to the very last quark within her body....but he didn't, he didn't desire to do so. Simply because he had figured it out, he had figured her out...she was a telepath, maybe a bit rough and unpolished, but promisingly powerful whether she knew it or not. "I am intrigued by you...Lily, you hardly flinched at the reality before you, you seem to be more used to dealing with monsters than any other I've seen so far. You have the spirit and the fierce nature within you to threaten me...most likely while knowing that you would not last even a mere moment. But you still have the gall to do so, I must commend that."

Taking a step back and combing his hand through his hair, which looked like it had already started to turn gray compared to the blond he had been sporting only minutes prior. A crack was visible in his skin, running from underneath his shades on the left eyesocket, revealing something black and glossy wriggling underneath. "So...who has dominion over you? The Inquisition...maybe the Kainites, perhaps..."

The man's glowing eyes behind the shades turned towards the group of people enjoying themselves around them. "It doesn't really matter. You interest me, your strength, your spirit and your guts, your desires... I would be able to offer you so much more..."

Lily Rhodes

 

[Soldane Talon]

"A man is a man is a man.", he echoed.​

​

"Even still, were I given the choice of being treated poorly as a slave, or poorly as a noble - I certainly wouldn't end up with chains and whips. A noble can cry about their struggle, and how they deserve absolution as the rest, but at the end of the day... They're still the oppressor, feeding off the hoi polloi, forever leeching off society only to claim their equality, their philosophical supremacy, their true understanding of the sociological conditions of this thing we call life.", he said with a ramble that grew more accusatory and specific.​

​

But then he simply shrugged. He didn't actually care about nobilities habits, but it fit Rivan's character, so Soldane had to abide by it. Rivan was an orphan, but Soldane was raised in the isolation of wealth unimaginable. He was not spoiled, he was raised rather spartan, but it would be a lie to say Darth Carnifex had not spoiled the boy once or twice. He was no different than the ones he had just admonished, only to mask the hypocrisy of his upbringing.​

​

"Still, it doesn't seem like you're lying. Does that mean you see me as a threat?"​

​

Svenja Fürstin Von Exocron​

 

[Iskendyr Yvarro]

[Passing Through]​

Iskendyr loathed being here alone, wishing for the company of his cousins—Kai, Aleya, or that brute Vikar. Instead, he was off by himself, sent seemingly to ensure that the old woman known as Taeli made it home alright. What a noble task, he thought sarcastically. He had reassured his grandmother Fiolette that the Sith could manage on her own, but here he was, meant to interact with the public like some misguided child. Interacting? I'd rather drill myself on the shooting range.

The carnival exploded around him in a symphony of noise, laughter, and chaos. He gritted his teeth, each sound grating on his nerves. The cacophony rose like an insufferable tide, drowning out his thoughts of great battles and the tactical brilliance of his ancestors. Ancients only knew where this place is, he scoffed internally, wishing instead to delve into his holobooks and recount the glory of the Great Galactic War.

He recalled how the First Order carved a path through the Galactic Alliance, a spectacle far more impressive than this grotesque display. How my ancestors gutted such a corrupted nation, he mused bitterly. And now here I am, surrounded by people shouting, screaming, and having fun—disgusting.

"Enti pythi! Oi anathema!" he muttered. The words slipped out under his breath, meant for the clowns that danced obnoxiously nearby, their laughter echoing in a way that sent shivers of irritation down his spine.

A vendor caught his eye, hawking sweets and trinkets. "Tis kouras" he sniped, shaking his head in disdain. "What is that supposed to be? A sweet treat for the simple-minded?"

As he pushed through the throngs, the smell of fried food clawed at his senses. " Ena kroun!" he spat, the grease-laden aroma twisting his stomach. "If this is the best you can offer, perhaps you should reconsider your vocation!" The teenager knew his insults would fall on deaf-ears, perhaps all for the better. He was only here to make sure the raven-haired woman managed to get back to his great grandmother.

He tried to ignore the raucous laughter around him, but it was like a storm crashing against his walls. Nearby, a group of young adults cheered at a performer, their joy grating against his composure. "Oh, ti thea!" he sneered. "Do you think yourselves entertained by such base tricks?"

With every step, he felt his patience thinning, his desire for quiet growing stronger. I don't belong here, he thought fiercely. This isn't joy; it's an insult to my lineage.

"Psathra! You buffoons!" he muttered, "You play like children in a muddied field!" Each insult was a balm for his frustration, though he knew they would never reach the ears of those engaged in their merriment. At last, he reached the edge of the carnival, relief washing over him. "Tei," he breathed, realizing he was almost at his destination. Finally, he thought, the graveyard is sounding better by the minute. Of course that meant he now actually had to see the Sith herself, it was only then he had wished his Ancestors had blasted the Sith into Chaos itself, trapping them where they all belong, in Hell.

Heading to

Taeli Raaf | Open for interaction in the Carnival section. ​

 

[Soah Ty’Jyn]

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

​

Soah listened as Kasir shared pieces of his past, and as he continued to reveal more, his words stirred something in her, though she wasn't one to admit it easily. The way he spoke of his hardships caught her attention. It was like he had mastered the art of turning pain into power, a skill she craved.

He spoke of being found on the streets of Dromund Kaas, abandoned and alone, just as she had been left to fend for herself on Felcat. The mention of hunger and the danger of rival gangs made Soah's ears twitch slightly in recognition. It was a jungle of its own kind, much like the one she knew. But where she had learned to be the best predator, he had become something else.

As he talked about the academy being both a home and a cage, Soah's own frustrations bubbled beneath the surface. She felt the same way. The academy offered power, but at a cost, and it never truly felt like a place she belonged. Just like Kasir, she had never known the warmth of family or companionship, and she wasn't sure she wanted to.

When he asked about her rivals, it snapped her back to the present, musing on the question. It was strategic in nature and she could understand where he was going with it -- he was offering her an advantage, not just prying for information. So Soah mulled it over, her eyes narrowing in thought.

In the Fifth Cohort, weakness was everywhere, and the lack of resources was the biggest flaw. Those who couldn't scavenge or steal enough food would grow weak, physically and mentally; Soah had no problem with that. She had learned to eat what others wouldn't, even if it meant hunting pests or creatures most would recoil from. And it gave her leverage, bartering food for other necessities. It was a simple system of survival.

But more than that, Soah had learned to move unnoticed, to slip through the shadows, and take what she needed from the higher cohorts. In the dead of night, when others were distracted by their petty fights, Soah pressed the advantage to sneak into quarters and steal whatever she could find. Supplies, food, anything useful. It was a risk, but one she was willing to take.

"Their weakness?" Soah finally spoke, her voice low, thoughtful. "Most of them don't know how to survive without the academy's structure. They rely on it, on the rules. I don't. I take what I need, when I need it. And the ones who don't eat don't last."

She took another bite of her food, her eyes flicking up to Kasir. "I don't play by their rules. I play by mine."

Kasir had said it was best to be a student who could embrace the darkness, not be controlled by it. Maybe, just maybe, she was starting to understand what that really meant.