Knowing Your Place

[Lira Dajenn]

[member="Krius Syonis"]
Nemene stood in the royal courts of Zygerria wearing fine black silk with gold trimmed lace running over the shoulders. There was a goblet of wine in her right hand and her expression spoke of listlessness. All around her were other royals. Kings, Queens, Dukes, Barons, dozens of them. All called themselves nobles, all lived above the peasants of the galaxy.

Some had an extra edge, the Force, others did not.

Nemene was one of those who did of course, and so was this parties host, the Queen of Zygerria. The was a smile on the womans face as she saw Nemene, though the two did not approach one another. The Queen of Zygerria and her were old friends, they had played together since childhood and had grown up with their fathers in close alliance. It had been inevitable that the two of them carried a close relationship into adulthood.

The two women smiled at one another, but did not do anything further.

Politics was a game among the royals, and the two of them could not afford to be seen colluding out in the open, not yet anyway. Nemene instead turned away from her old friend, and regarded a group of nobles who were discussing finance. She walked over to them and began to listen in, a placid smile on her face.

She wished something more exciting would happen.

 

[Connor Harrison]

Krius had been told about the history of Zygerria from his father, Tollo Syonis, excavator and research of galactic history. The one factor that intrigued him was the history of slavery on the planet, abolished numerous times by intervention of the Jedi.

Had the Jedi not had the gall to stick their noses into business outside of their mandate, just what would the slavers have become if guided without restraint. Force users were taken by Jedi, and those not connected to the Force simply shipped away to freedom. Frustrating on both accounts for Krius. Force users should be free to do as they please, and those not in touch with the Force should have been left to die.

Standing below the awesome sight of Zygerria's Royal Palace located in the capital city, he look upwards at the place now housing those in power of a planet housing so much potential to shift balance for those of his own kind.

Of course this wasn't an assault, not yet, he wasn't prepared yet, but he would return for sure to this place. Walking up the furthest part of the mesa he could, Krius felt there was a powerful Force user within the walls, well either an individual or a group. He squinted upwards against the glaring sun to the Palace and reached out to find them.

There. One who felt...isolated, and hungry for power.

He closed his eyes, hoping his own power would be strong enough to reach them.

If you want power, why do you surround yourself with those lower than you.


[member="Nemene Talith"]

 

[Lira Dajenn]

Nemene did not quite hear the voice in her head, her mind was ever an Abyss for assaults of the mind and telepathic communications, but she felt the touch, she felt the grazing against her mind, and immediately a neat line of goosebumps ran up her spine. Someone was here, someone trying to touch her mind. She smirked, perhaps this party would not be so boring after all.

Quickly she searched for the person, scanning the crowd and looking for anyone who may have been trying to speak to her.

None watched her, none looked in her direction. She sighed, then began to walk, leaving the royal halls and walking through the palace. Then there on the edge of her senses she felt something, a tiny blip in the force. She smiled, and with clacking heels moved towards the source of the force. She found her way quickly out of the palace.

There she found a single man, what she assumed to be the source of the touch against her mind.

“Some of us prefer to speak when we want to be heard.” Nemene called out to him as she walked out of the palace, her back stiff and her hair fluttering slightly, the very picture of a Queen.
[member="Krius Syonis"]

 

[Connor Harrison]

Krius watched the unexpected sigh of the rich, spoilt looking girl walking towards him. She did look rather radiant, her black silk and gold lace outfit hugging her comfortably, fronting a very rich and powerful lifestyle. He wasn't impressed by material possessions as he simply stood, hands in pockets of his brown jacket over his neutral clothing. He waited until she was closer to him, and he was taken by her fierce features, not in a bad way, not at all, but her glowing eyes catching the light, her well-defined face and the care obviously put into evoking a strong, powerful feminine look.

"Who says I was speaking to you my dear. You seem to have heard me though, so I think we are on the same wave-length."

His eyes flicked over her, the breeze flittering through her dark hair.

"So what are you in the eyes of those up there. A Queen? Mistress?"


[member="Nemene Talith"]

 

[Lira Dajenn]

“A Goddess, perhaps.” She said it in jest of course, not knowing Krius' inclination towards Force users and their standing, but Nemene did fancy herself above all others. It was what her father had told her, what he had taught her all her life. She was royalty, the daughter of an Empress, and a Queen by birth right, and she carried herself that way at all times.

She let out a chuckle, and gave him a coy smile.

“To them, I am simply another way to get what they want.” Her voice was enticing, a snake in the garden. “A way for them to increase what little power they hold.”

Nemene smiled at that thought. Most people in that palace were worms, leeches trying to further their own gains. She knew this full well, that they simply wanted to garner their own strength, but she also knew that she needed them, for now at least. “They are parasites.”

She said the words with a shrug and a smile.
[member="Krius Syonis"]

 

[Connor Harrison]

He didn't flinch at her words but he was impressed by her blunt attitude to her standing above those below her. She was just the sort of person he could see taking the galaxy from those trying to run it into the ground with rules, policies and aincent teachings.

"So why don't you crush them before you and take what you want?"

Krius tried once more to tap into her mind, not trying to control, but just to see what lay inside.

You can take what you want from this galaxy and not hide behind this farce of status...

He held out his hand.

Permit me to introduce myself. Krius Syonis."


[member="Nemene Talith"]

 

[Lira Dajenn]

Again his mind touched nothing but abyss. That wasn't a trick of hers, it wasn't something she could turn off and on. It was something built into her naturally. She could feel the touch of the force, and then she could feel it simply melt away. It was how it always was with her. The only telepath that could touch her mind was Evelynn, and that was only due to their bond.

A frown creased her lips, she didn't like people trying to touch her mind.

“I could.” Nemene said placidly “And I have many times before, but sometimes. You need a few stepping stones to accomplish your goal. That is what they are.”

She would step on a mountain of corpses before she rose to what she could truly be, it was who she was, it was her destiny. When he reached out his hand she extended her own, not in a shake, but holding her palm flatly up to him, clearly expecting a royal greeting.

“A pleasure. I am Nemene Athaem Talith, Queen of Rattatak.” There was many other titles she could grant herself, but she decided against it on this occasion.
[member="Krius Syonis"]

 

[Connor Harrison]

His eye narrowed ever so slightly at the resistance to his mind form. She wasn't Epicanthix, like himself, that was clear. She was obviously more powerful in the Force than he expected, which was wonderful.

"Your mind is strong. Your connection to the Force is rather brilliant my dear."

Offering a small bow of the head to her introduction, he simply looked at her hand for a moment, never having addressed someone expecting more than a handshake, and placed his index and middle finger gently in the palm of her hand.

"There is nothing wrong with stepping on a few stones to get where you need to go I believe."

Krius mimicked a stepping motion across her hand gently.

"Do you have any where we can go to talk? I think we could mutually benefit each other, Queen of Rattatak."


[member="Nemene Talith"]

 

[Lira Dajenn]

Nemene let out a chuckle, apparently he was not well versed in royalty. She allowed her hand to drop away from his and return to her side. She peered around them, assessing exactly where they were. While she did this she thought about the irony of his words.

Nemene had never been strong in the force, she would never be capable of lifting mountains or conjuring great storms, but in other areas she was more expert than most Masters. In improving her body she was near perfection. She could make herself faster, stronger, more durable. The void around her mind was a natural function, one that she did not even consider a power. Then of course there was her healing.

The Queen of Rattatak was considered one of the best healers in the galaxy, perhaps the best Sith healer. She had brought men and women back from brink of death, all while causing them immense pain of course, but what was the breaking of a mind for a perfect body?

The thought made her chuckle, and then she returned her gaze to him.

“The Gardens. They are not watched.” Yes, the gardens would be a perfect place to speak. Slowly she turned on her heel, wandering towards the lush green nearby.
[member="Krius Syonis"]

 

[Connor Harrison]

Krius looked around his surroundings, casting a curious eye towards the Palace coming closer as they walked over towards the gardens. He mapped out the Place before him, hoping one day to return when he was more prepared to see what he could find here.

Following this Nemene Athaem Talith, so called Queen of Rattatak he enjoyed her mystery and apparent lust for power. His awareness of her and his surroundings wasn't dropping however, he had to be careful this wasn't some blind alley he was walking into.

--

The gardens were rather beautiful. Arches, hedges, a water feature and rich greens, blues, yellows and reds speckeld out in front of him. But he wasn't here to admire the greenery. He was here to source what Nemene could give him.

He stood looking out over the city below, thinking.

"What do you want from this galaxy, your Highness."

Plotting.

"I mean, REALLY want."


[member="Nemene Talith"]

 

[Lira Dajenn]

“I want nothing.” Nemene said quite simply as they stepped by another wall of flowers. The Gardens were old, as old as the palace, and since she had been a child she had always enjoyed walking in them. Though the reason was not for the flowers of the beautiful shaped tree's. No, it was the more dangerous section of the garden that she enjoyed. Poisonous vines and lilies lined some of the edged rows, and the scent of their deathly sweetness hung in the air.

“Saying I want something implies that I lack it, and I cannot think of anything I lack.” Her voice was coy again, mysterious. “I have power. I have wealth. I stand above the rest of the galaxy. I want for nothing, but I strive for everything.”

The distinction was important to her, though most may have seen it as having none at all.

“And you Mister Syonis? What brings you to Zygerria, what do you want?” She smiled as they passed a row of flowers, they were purple with a red inside, pollen seemed to shake loose from them. The flowers were called Nightwillows, not deadly, but they had a paralytic effect on most creatures, including humans.
[member="Krius Syonis"]

 

[Connor Harrison]

A sweet smell drifted around his nose, and he wasn't sure if it was the purple flowers by him or Nemene's own scent.

Your Highness, don't fool me. No-one wants for nothing in this galaxy. I could tell from the moment I saw you that you are power hungry and you are bored here in your silk dresses and sipping your wine."

He turned his head to her.

"I came here to see how much the Jedi influenced a once rich slave world, and how they used their corruption for their own gain. They are nothing more than slave traders themselves."

Krius then turned to her.

"I want to find those with the potential to become Gods...and Goddesses... amongst those born without our birth right."

Looking down, he plucked a small yellow and purple flower from beside him growing in a large bush.

"I want to see those in power who dictate to us that we are a minority in the galaxy, that we are a threat or we should be following this or that, or doing this, serving them."

His mouth turned into a small snarl and he pulled the pretty head from the stem of the flower in his hands.

"I want to remind those out there who try and surpress our power that WE are the ones who are almighty in this galaxy, and we will take back what they try to restrain."

Fist clenched, the petals fell between his fingers to the floor before her.

"That is what I want."


[member="Nemene Talith"]

 

[Lira Dajenn]

The Queen let out a chuckle, and they called her power hungry.

There was something pleasing about his words, something that she understood very well. He sought to bring those like them forward, bring them into the galactic spotlight and show their power for all to see, their superiority. She could agree in part. Force users were after all more powerful. They were stronger, faster, usually more intelligent and wise than the common rabble. That was what she had been taught since birth, that she was special.

Had she been normal, well her father would not have allowed her existence in the first place. Moridin had not been kind to those who he saw as beneath him.

“I see.” She said with a smile.

With a sad pitying look she gazed at the crushed flower now on the floor. That could have been used against someone, to poison them for an advantage. Pity really.

Her gaze folded back to him. “You want to alter the balance of power. Tip the scales in our favor. Put those like us in their proper place. To spark a revolution.”

Again, she could agree in part, but Nemene did not care for anyone else. She didn't care about oppressed force users and down trodden sensitivities. No, Nemene cared only for herself. That being said, his goals were in line with hers, at least partially. A man with no restrictions, a man willing to do what he needed to, that could be a powerful tool.

“I can help you.” She said suddenly, orange eyes piercing through the dark night. “I can walk down this path with you.”

The Queen smiled, that coy smile. Yes she could walk down the path, but that didn't mean she wouldn't take a fork down the way.
[member="Krius Syonis"]

 

[Connor Harrison]

He wiped the erosion of pollen from his hands as he composed himself.

"I don't see myself as a leader, not yet anyway. And I don't care to rally those weak enough to be left behind. If they are, then I will simply rid of them, it means nothing to me."

Krius looked at her as he walked around he slowly, enjoying his time to shine.

"What I want is to make that first ripple, and watch it spread. And then do it again, and watch that one spread across all in its wake."

His eyes moved over her, seeing her listen, which pleased him.

"Whether you find yourself with me or not down this path, that is your choice, but I wont hold you back, however I am not anyone's tool. I am my own. I will work with you, alongside you, but not for you."

He leaned in closer to her and whispered softly.

"We can show those parasites out there who REALLY holds the power in the galaxy."


[member="Nemene Talith"]

 

[Lira Dajenn]

Nemene stared at him for a few moments, biting back harsh words. Everyone was a tool to be used by her, everyone. They just didn't realize it.

“No not a tool. A partner.” She lied with a completely straight face. She would use his goals to her own agenda, though likely he would come out on top anyway. She saw no needs to go against him at all. His ownwishes lined up with hers perfectly, and she foresaw that the two of them would work well together, not she just had to push him in the right direction.

“Your first little ripple.” Nemene said as she whirled around and moved away from him, her hair lashing against his face as she stepped into soft soil. “What shall it be?”

A good question. There were so many good ways to start, so many ways to jump into the water.
[member="Krius Syonis"]

 

[Connor Harrison]

He inhaled her mystifying darkness as she circled him. Obviously she was a master of deception and manipulation, this was evident, but it suited him fine.

"Partner. That suits me. I have what you need, and you have what I want."

Did he trust her? Of course not. Not yet. It had been too easy and what was to say she wouldn't kill him at the first sign of trouble?

Well he had to trust her a little. He would play fair as long as she did...for now.

"I am not ready to make a mark on the galaxy. Not quite yet. I need to find something first."

He stepped beside her and looked into her eyes.

"But can you take me into your Palace, to see those who feed from your position? I want to see the parasites we will crush here before moving outwards. Not so much a ripple but a shockwave."

[member="Nemene Talith"]

 

[Lira Dajenn]

Nemene let out a chuckle.

“It's hardly my palace, mine is half a galaxy away.” Aahh the Palace of Rattatak, a place that this man would never get to visit. Hardly anyone got to visit it in fact, it was the domain of the two Sister Queens of Rattatak, the only ones who had seen it were slaves and close friends of the two women, and the former list was very very short. “It belongs to the Queen of Zygerria. A woman who is very much like you and I.”

Very much.

Her good friend the Queen was of much like mind, but a bit more extremist. She saw pretty much everyone as beneath her, Non-force users, other nobles, and of course peasants. They were all trash to her. She didn't much care for other Force Users either for that matter, but if something would grow her power base...well then she would be more than happy to cooperate.

“If you would like me to introduce you...” Nemene trailed off.

 

[Connor Harrison]

Tapping his chin gently with his finger, he raised an eyebrow at the girl.

"My apologies. Well I very much would like to visit YOUR palace one day."

He started back towards the entrance of the gardens, turning to wait for her, her pace leisurely and unresolved.

"If it is no trouble, I would appreciate an introduction. I feel the relationships I can forge early on will help shape my future."

He nodded his head to her.

"Sorry...OUR future."

Our future indeed. He had a growing feeling this dark lady would be a wonderful ally and connection to have. He didn't know for how long, but there was no reason to doubt her intentions.

"My thanks to you, Queen of Rattatak. I shan't take up anymore of your valuable time after this. You've been more than helpful."


[member="Nemene Talith"]

 

[Lira Dajenn]

Nemene inclined her head in as much of a bow as he was ever going to get from her.

“I'll gladly introduce you, I think you two will get along quite well.” Oh that was certainly true. Alviarin was domination personified, especially when it came to the force. She smiled at Krius, and then turned on her heel. She left the gardens quickly and found her way back to the palace gates, making sure that the man was closely behind her. When they passed the gardens she simply stared at them.

Both men looked at the man following her, then simply nodded, they knew her well enough not to try and stop her.

They made their way through the palace quickly, and in a matter of moments Nemene found herself back in the ball room. There was no dancing this time, only men and women speaking with one another. At the end of the room Nemene spotted Alviarin sitting on her throne. She caught the womans eyes, and she nodded towards Krius.

The Zygerrian Queen looked at Nemene perplexed, but nodded and called the two over.

Nemene smiled, and then pulled Krius behind her. As they got closer a sense of power could be felt, the darkside radiating off the Queen of Zygerria in droves.
[member="Krius Syonis"]

 

[Connor Harrison]

Krius was pleased to be making progress amongst a select group of people, even more those with royal connections. He simply let Nemene lead the way, past the guards, past the elegance and into a hall full of sickening beings not in touch with the Force. He resisted from simply emitting a blast of telekinesis against them to disrupt their jovial drinks and dance. How prehistoric.

As soon as Nemene took him through the others, Krius didn't fail to see the one at the head of the rroom, this Queen of Zygerria. He felt her radiating power and it was already tainted with danger and perception of ever single being before her. She certainly looked harmless enough, but that was just the wonderful ruse of those natural with the Force; to look ordinary, but in reality more powerful than they could possibly imagine.

Standing before the Queen and next to Nemene, Krius never felt more empowered amongst others like him, but he didn't show it. This was, after all, simply an introduction.

He inclined his head gently to honour her status.

"Your Highness, Queen of Zygerria. My name is Krius Syonis and it is a great honour to be in your presence."


[member="Nemene Talith"]