Private My Cousin's Keeper

[Trayze Tesar]

Objective - To Rise Ever Higher

---

CURRENT MISSION - Face your family, face your fears.
Immediate Goals -
1: Do what you have to to change the Galaxy...

BLUFOR - Darth Malum of House Marr

OPFOR - Enemy Unknown

TARGETING ACTION(S) - Darth Malum of House Marr || OPEN FREQUENCY

---

This was not his home. He knew this, and Trayze once would have prided himself on knowing things. However, these days what Trayze knew for certain was how much he didn't know... About himself, about his place in the Galaxy, about how to view the Force themself.

Yet he knew that he couldn't do things on his own, though the core of his being strained against being related to the Marrs - not because he hated Malum, the two were kindred spirits that defied their upbringings, but just as how the Marr family boasted their legend through ancient ties, Trayze boasted his family's humility. At how without the pomp of politics, from those who were cast aside, to rise so far...

To rise so far, and yet fall headfirst into a block.

Which was why he was here, outside of Malum's Royal Estate on Alvaria. He knew there was a gap between the two, a gap between how the two did things, and viewed the world. He wondered if Malum truly would forgive him for agonizing over the microcosm of the galaxy, the individuals, the small groupings of sentient beings over the Ravenlord's sweeping ambitions - that he would be more keen to excise the faults within himself than within the stars.

One knock, then two, he waited. Trayze Tesar knew that he would have to become Sith, to become greater and lesser - and he knew he wouldn't want to even undertake this path if he didn't trust Malum.

 

[Darth Malum of House Marr]

It had been a calculated decision to invite Trayze to one of the Imperial estates in Gil Lodihr in Alvaria, rather than the Imperial Palace itself. It was not as if Trayze had not seen it, long ago Malum had held a grand council there... for all the little it had come to matter in the end, but for perhaps more pragmatic reasons.

After all, for all his cousin would have doubtless gotten used to the grandure and expense of which the nobility and aristocracy, nay indeed, the royals and imperials surrounded themselves with, with his ventures not only with him, but too across the galaxy.

...Still it did not mean one grew entirely comfortable with the antithesis to their upbringing, and... even he could admit the marriage of modernity and ancientness that was his Palace, as much as it was home, could be stuffy at times. This countryside retreat, that had been established by some emperor long ago might better fit his cousin's ways.

And in addition... well, in an odd sense, his cousin represented what Elsie had represented for him... still represented for him, a time before Fiviune, a simplicity, an... ease.

Perhaps in this retreat, for all that he was to do for Trayze, they might return to that time.

Oh he so wished.

The knock on the door alerted him to the presence of his only guest, the servants that managed the estate had been given leave, for however long this would take, assuming he would not be required elsewhere that were not short trips, they would be sequestered here, and, by the end of it all, the one who had so clearly achieved knighthood, but had not yet gained a master.

Would rise to what Malum knew what he could be.

What he had always been.

The one who above all else, had stood at his side, when the galaxy itself was against them.

He took the first steps to the door, bypassing the kitchen and training yard, the rooftop supported by marble pillars, the library staring at him seductively from far off distance, his mask clipped onto his side, as his Sith Sword was held on his back, raven locks framed a face that he had known well... that the Order knew well, noble, aristocratic, with an aquiline nose, thin lips curved ever subtly upwards, and red eyes flickering with restrained mirth.

...He was excited for this.

The door was pulled open, and he met eyes that were ever so familiar to his own.

"Greetings cousin, welcome to our momentary home."

Trayze Tesar
Mentioned: Elise Ahana-Gwyneira

 

[Trayze Tesar]

Objective - To Rise Ever Higher

---

CURRENT MISSION - Face your family, face your fears.
Immediate Goals -
1: Do what you have to to change the Galaxy...

BLUFOR - Darth Malum of House Marr

OPFOR - There are no enemies here...

TARGETING ACTION(S) - Darth Malum of House Marr || OPEN FREQUENCY

---

"Milord cousin." Came the crisp, formal reply as the two heels snapped together accentuating a practiced head nod. As much as Trayze was more of a commoner than Malum ever could be, he still minded his manners. Especially since, among Sith, one never knew who all were listening in.

"May I enter in?" he requested, before being beckoned deeper into the abode, before adding. "Ah, my droids are bringing in the rest of my luggage..." Indeed, Trayze had prepared for this prior to, and had sequestered time away from work for "familial reasons". As such, he anticipated that this would just be like dorm life at the academy - camaraderie, courage, and copious amounts of cramped muscles by the end of it. Though, how much of the first part would be determined by how the Ravenlord would answer this next question.

"Didn't want to burden the help more than needed. Are you "off the clock", as it were, Milord Marr?"

 

[Darth Malum of House Marr]

Malum immediately narrowed his eyes at the words that fell out of his cousin's lips, alas that was only the beginning of the acts which caused the bead of frustration to sprout within his mind. The slapping together of his, the overly formal nod of his head, Malum would not have been surprised to have received a salute next.

The minor annoyance was that even in being so formal, he had failed to correctly title him, such was a matter of pride that other Sith might not have so easily forgiven.

But in reality, the major frustration was simply the...

Malum launched forward, cutting away the spewing words that caused him so much annoyance, wrapping lithe yet still muscled arms around his cousins neck, and drawing him forward into an embrace.

"...Not only are we alone, but we are blood, you need not speak to me with such formality," What had happened to them after so long apart? He gave his best approximation of a comforting squeeze, as he still held him tight, "Malum and Trayze," He breathed in answer, a sense of urgency, one of desperation, taking hold, "That is all that we are, while here, I promise you."

He had been distant with him, and for the sake of his heart, Malum needed such distance crossed.

Trayze Tesar

 

[Trayze Tesar]

Objective - To Rise Ever Higher

---

CURRENT MISSION - Face your family, face your fears.
Immediate Goals -
1: Do what you have to to change the Galaxy...

BLUFOR - Darth Malum of House Marr

OPFOR - There are no enemies here...

TARGETING ACTION(S) - Darth Malum of House Marr || OPEN FREQUENCY

---

Well this was unexpected...?

The arms around his shoulders were not unwelcome - on the contrary, they were long hoped for. They would be answered with a wrap in kind, and... well it caused some misty-eyed ness in Trayze's eyes.

So with a clearing of his throat, he allowed himself to stammer. "The... well Bogan dammit, Ah'd been caught flat footed!" he answered truthfully with his trademark self-depreciating humor. "Ah was gonna say," he then put on a posh, but conniving accent - used no doubt for a dashing and mustachio-twirling villain from a Lady Velvet novel. "The wiser answer would be no, Lord Malum! - an' then..." And a familiar lift as Trayze pulled the raven haired lad off of his own feet, spinning him briefly around before setting him down. With the release, he looked bashfully, "Then... ah, Ah'd say somethin' cool like "either ya got scrawnier last Ah seen ya or Ah might jus' have a chance"..." he concluded, with an awkard beat.

"Contrary ta' popular belief, Ah do plan fer these things."

Was it right for Trayze to play as the estranged elder brother, even after all this time? Did Malum... really think themselves as kinsmen - as brothers?
The Kiffar believed so, and he felt hope.

Hope, the most dangerous of emotions.

Realizing the awkward silence between them, the Kiffar concluded. "Y-You should... probably show me ta' where Ah'd be crashin'..."

 

[Darth Malum of House Marr]

He likely should have known what was coming next, it was not as if it was the first time that his older kinsman had done it to him, but unlike the previous times, as uncharacteristic as it was for him, there was no resistance as he was picked up in the bear hug and swirled around. The smile resplendent upon noble face, as red eyes seemed to be alight with a happiness that he had not felt...

...Well since he had met his cousin, all that time ago back on Saijo.

Even as the smile became rather fixed, listening to the... countryside voice that spilled out from his cousin's lips. He thought himself rather capable with languages, after all, he had been able to learn Ur-Kittat, High Sith, and even Mando'a, without the greatest of difficulties, even if he supposed, he had advantages that most others lacked.

Yet, at the same time, attempting to parse the words that Trayze spoke now... was proving strangely difficult. Still, he knew he would try, and try again regardless, the tears at his cousin's eyes... those rubies the very same as his own, warranted that much, at the very least.

"Apologies for catching you so flat-footed cuz," He answered with a warmth in his voice, and a mirth dancing in his eyes, taking a step back to provide him space, "Perhaps the wiser answer would be," He answered with an uncommital nod of his head, "But have we two cousins of House Marr ever been considered wise?" He retorted with a laugh that would have warmed the sun.

There were awkward moments, silences, both sought to fill with the comfort of the other's voice, things were different now, they were older now.

But in many ways they were too exactly the same.

He turned his head, and began walking away, his cloak billowing in his wake as his long raven locks swayed, motioning for Trayze to follow, "Of course, of course, follow me." It was a short walk, but it proved to be an enjoyable one, the silence grew more... comfortable rather than awkward, as he silently pointed to the paintings hung high, splashed with colours, statues of marble white, and the exterior yard of which most of their training would take place, a small library, stocked with all that they would require, a small kitchenette was filled to the brim with food and drink.

Until they finally reached the bedroom.

Two twin beds lay seperated, with three bedside tables to both their left, right, and middle. Two seperate walk in closets provided a change of clothes, while too, there was seperate bathrooms.

"...It might have been presumptous, but I imagined maximising the time spent together would be helpful, but if you would prefer, there is another bedroom that has been prepared." There was a hint of yearning in his voice, back on the Lochris, so long ago, when they had left Sith Space to venture into the depths of the Ashlan Crusade, it was within the confines of small durasteel hull which they had called home, when they had chosen to investigate planets, it had been together they had camped out.

Together, they could accomplish anything, he remembered the thought which had made itself pronounced so clearly those early ideas.

Trayze Tesar

 

[Trayze Tesar]

Objective - To Rise Ever Higher

---

CURRENT MISSION - Face your family, face your fears.
Immediate Goals -
1: Do what you have to to change the Galaxy...

BLUFOR - Darth Malum of House Marr

OPFOR - There are no enemies here...

TARGETING ACTION(S) - Darth Malum of House Marr || OPEN FREQUENCY

---

"Did ya really miss us cramped in th' Saijo dorms that much?" He chuckled, but it wasn't a teasing tone. Bemused. Nostalgic. And very accepting. Already he had stepped further into the bedroom, taking a moment to lazily turn himself around, eyes shut, letting the Force acquaint him with the room that he and Malum would be staying in.

Not out of desperation. Not out of necessity. Out of care.

It's because of that care, that Trayze revealed a singular datary coin - an oddity in an age of digital currency, and looked coyly at Malum.

"Heads or tails?" he asked. "For decidin' who sleeps where - an' I won't hear any polite proper host-talk." he insisted, his eyes betraying that he didn't saw Malum as a superior... but he doesn't see Malum as an equal either. Nobody truly was equivalent to one another, but that didn't make them any less inseperable. "As a brother, I should give you the chance ta' figure out the sleepin' arrangements." he explained. "Or are ya gonna show me the rest of the house, and the activities ya got planned fer us first?"