Private New Perspectives

[Cassian Vornis]

Lacking a master, or any clear set direction for his progression, Cassian found himself practically hung in a limbo. Tasks and missions would be flung at him, the tasks that no one would willingly take for their own apprentices, or for themselves. He was stuck with the boring stuff. This, however, did afford him a lot of free time, time that he certainly wouldn't get once he found himself a master, and he was determined to use at least some of this time productively.

And so, the libraries of Jutrand found themselves a new regular, he would visit most days when he was given some menial task to do, or paired with an instructor for the day, drilling the most basic of force techniques, techniques that he himself had drilled millions of times when he was younger. Though, he did not come to these libraries seeking tomes, or holocrons that he could use to teach himself techniques, he instead sought out books on older Sith of legends, using these tomes to search for some kind of answer to a question that had bugged him from such a young age.

What makes someone great?

To someone that question would be easy to answer, but Cassias concept of greatness was perfection, which only posed another question, what makes something perfect? Dwelling on that question for too long often annoyed Cassian, but it was something that he was certain he would answer one day, even if he had to read the entire library back to front. Given the amount of free time he currently had, that didn't even seem like an impossible task for him.

On this particular morning, Cassian found himself pacing the isles of the library, occasionally reaching out to grab a tomb, or pausing to consider wandering off to seek out some old holocrons. However, nothing seemed to be jumping out at him on this morning, leaving him restless. So restless that he was almost tempted to actually train with the lightsaber that hung by his hip. It was a tacky old thing that he'd stolen from someone he didn't even know, but in all likeliness he had done them a favour by stealing it, as the kyber crystal was likely damaged in some way, the saber occasionally flickering, or otherwise failing. It was a sad thing to have at his waist, but it felt like a necessity.

After his aimless wandering, Cassian eventually resigned himself to a rest, continuing to wander until he happened across a bench, sitting down on it with a expression that flowed between bored, and dejected.

Lirka Ka ​

 

[Lirka Ka]

It was an odd thing to spend so much time in the lands of the Sith and never truly be apart of them. The thing grated at Lirka’s mind in the long years, but it gave her purpose all the same. The purpose to slither her way along in the cracks of the Empire to feed whatever dark schemes the Once-Sephi was brewing up this time around.

Unfortunately for her, most of her current slithering had taken her to the academies: for better or worse. She was an oddity at these places, a force dead Kainite wandering the halls after giving some empty platitudes about duty to the empire and representing her foul master: Darth Carnifex. Or she merely snuck in, depended on the day. What happened this time around was anyone’s guess.

What was the real oddity is that Lirka ended up in the library of all places: a woman with little to no respect for history that didn’t involve herself in a place made for the reverence of history that didn’t involve her at all. But Lirka was a people-hunter, not a knowledge hunter. There were always plenty of interesting folk to find who busied themselves with the vast and plentiful stories of the Galaxy: and what was Lirka if not a living tale of the Sith?

Eventually, her glowing lenses fell upon the disappointed form of Cassian Vornis and Lirka was reminded why she took these visits: the man had the look of a drifter about him, and Lirka coveted such Sithlings. They were the boundless potential on which Empires were formed, after all. Or at least that was the nice little platitude she liked to tell them.

Cassian would hear Lirka well before he saw her. The power suit of the Sephi thumped against the floor with heavy footfalls and gave off the occasional whirr of machinery. Silence was a difficult thing when you lived your life as a hunk of metal closer to a droid than a person. Soon, her bulk would loom over the Acolyte. Her blank-faced helm conveyed no emotion, but the curiosity was evident in the thick alien accent of whatever laid beneath those many metal plates.

“Struggling are we, Acolyte?”

 

[Cassian Vornis]

Lirka certainly was heard before seen, the thundering steps of her power suit ripping Cassian from his brooding, and looking about in a brief moments panic. He wasn't one to scare easily, but in the moment before he could think through the sounds, it was hard for him to not at least react in some way. However, after the briefest of panics, he told himself that anyone in this library, should be in this library, and so he wasn't in danger.

When the Sephi came into Cassian's eye line, he sat upright on the bench, involuntarily muttering "Damn," before falling silent once again. Cassian wasn't short by any means, but given the power suit, he'd have at least a foot on him, and would likely tower over him, especially given that he was seated. As his gaze flicked over the suit, he found himself torn, the armours imperfections bugging him, but equally interested by its function and purpose. He couldn't imagine a Sith being reliant on such a piece of machinery, and yet, presumably, here one was.

It's words bought about a look of confusion with Cassian, eventually offering only a reluctant nod. After the briefest of silence following his nod, Cassian spoke once more. "I'm lost." He began, gesturing around the library. "So many of these tombs speak of these legendary individuals, people who achieved great things in their lives, but no matter how much I read of them, I'm left with my own questions."

The acolyte paused once again, a scowl flashing across his expression, cursing his own openness. It should be no issue whilst on Jutrand, but being so readily open to strangers likely was a bad habit, one that he should address before he is ever given a more important task.

"It's hard to tell what these people would have done when they were sat in my position, without a master, without a clear goal. I'm sure those people likely wouldn't have told you any of this, but," He shrugged. "it's whatever, I guess. What of yourself? You don't exactly look like the library type, no offence. What brings you here?"

Lirka Ka ​

 

[Lirka Ka]

Sometimes, there existed those things in the lands of Sithdom that didn’t truly belong. The void of Lirka Ka’s being was an oddity for an Academy dedicated to the Dark Side of the Force - yet, there existed an undeniable twang of dark power, ever so softly nestled underneath the surface.

His brief surprised warmed Lirka’s cold dead hearts, it was generally the type of reaction she tried to invoke in the new blood. It was good to remind of the strange creatures that served the Empire, and in Lirka’s not-particularly-humble opinion: she was one of the greatest representatives of Carnifex’s vast menagerie.

Clawed gauntlets called behind Lirka’s back as she contemplated the words of Cassian Vornis history was such an “interesting” thing, something that the Order obsessed over so much. A testament to foolishness. But if the boy was lost, Lirka would be the guiding light of enlightenment…

“The issue with tomes, Acolyte, is they preach the words of the dead. The greatest of us are living things of flesh, blood, and power. But it is only reasonable to question, it is through ponderous thought that one can find the path to enlightenment.”

He was wise to curse himself for his openness. To open yourself up to a serpent was asking to be bit. And Lirka was quite the venomous one.

“They would seek power, and seek strength. You are observant to my oddness, and you would be correct. I am an envoy, in a sense of the word, I come bearing the words of a great lord upon my lips…the mightiest of us, living in flesh and blood. You see, Acolyte, I am a Kainite. I walk the halls looking for lost prospects like yourself so that I may share the words of our Eternal-Father, Darth Carnifex, as a guiding light.”

And of course, find whatever would-be-Darths filled the academy so she could sink her claws into them for when the future came and there would be dark lords and ladies favorable to the Once Sephi and her foul ideas.

 

[Cassian Vornis]

The acolyte remained silent as the armoured being began its reply, partially still dwelling on how foolishly he had been open to a stranger, but in part drawn by her words. He took issue with the institution that the greatest of beings were those alive, as the words of dead folks, those who had experienced entire life spans, surely could offer greater wisdom than those who still had life left to live - those who had not yet experienced the entire timeline of a lifespan.

However, he held his tongue for the moment, opting to let her finish, rather than cut off some potentially vital information. This was a decision that was quickly proven to have been correct, the armoured being revealing herself as a member of some group, though none of the terms mentioned rung any bells inside his head. Whilst Carnifex was a Sith of great renown, Cassian had focused on the Sith of the past so far in his studies, and so was ignorant for the time being.

"The words of dead is worth listening to, for they have entire stories to be told, the living, whilst many are great, cannot truly be learnt from, as they haven't fully written their stories. You could learn from someone 'great', only for them to suffer the greatest humiliation later in life, undoing all that they taught." It was somewhat a of cliche and cynical, but there was enough truth in the argument for it to be worthwhile to articulate.

However, that part of the Sephi's words was not what Cassian truly wished to delve deeper in, and so after only a moments pause, he spoke again.

"The other part of what you said interests me though, a Kainite?" He repeated the word back to her slowly. "What does that mean? And what are those guiding words that you spoke of?"

Lirka Ka​

 

[Lirka Ka]

Lirka was a woman of odd, and at times deranged, opinions. Cassian Vornis was an unfortunate soul, he did not know it yet but he had entered in the maddening realm of Lirka’s philosophies. The machinations of a creature that floated and slipped through the cracks of the Sith yet never truly joined their ranks. An oddity that made her the perfect addition to the menagerie of oddballs and freaks that made up a not inconsiderable portion of the Kainate. Carnifex did enjoy mending the broken things of the Galaxy.

A noise came from her helmet, like a humorless chuckle. Evidently she disagreed with him. But it was a rare thing for Lirka to truly agree with her fellows.

“A story curated by their peers. The existence of the Galaxy is a cyclical one. Rises and falls. Transience. The teacher passes down their knowledge to the student, but is it the duty of the student to mold those teachings into something better. You read the tales of dark lords and ladies, tyrants, beings of great power in the tomes and scriptures - but what can this truly compare to drinking from the font of knowledge directly?”

Underneath her helmet, a wicked grin form as he asked her about the Kainate. Perfect. She was gazing upon truly fresh meat, a mind that had yet to be poisoned by the constant pettiness of Sith politics and the (only partially deserved) revilement her master had earned over his long years.

“Yes. A Kainite. Member of the Kainate - named after our Eternal Father and Iron Tyrant Kaine Zambrano. Darth Carnifex, mightiest of the Sith in our era. He who has sat upon many a Sith throne to witness the rise and fall of Empires, wisdom unparalleled.”

There was a zealous vigor in her words, evidently: she was a bit of a big fan.

“Why, the guiding words of strength. The Strong will do as they do, the weak will suffer what they must. I come baring the path to strength for fledglings like yourself, Acolyte.”

A busy little recruiter, Lirka desired greatly to herald as many Sithlings as she could to being favorable to the machinations her and her fellows got themselves up to.

 

[Cassian Vornis]

Cassian reluctantly nodded along with her initial words, every inch of his being wishing for him to argue and protest, stand by his original stance. However, much to his displeasure, there was truth in her words. Stories were curated by peers, they could be freely exaggerated and twisted, with the only people who could have contested these publishings being long since dead. Something as simple as an unreliable narrator can twist what should be the story of some legend, into the story of a pitiful being. Furthermore, he could almost be certain that it would be greater to learn directly from living legends, yet no such opportunity had fell his way as of yet.

"I suppose," He began with a scowl. "I can admit that you are correct in what you said, it would be better to learn from those living. Though, I do maintain there is value in the words of the dead, though some of those words may be unreliable." As much as it pained him to admit to his faults, there would always be lessons to be learnt from these mistakes, even if the mistake was made whilst discussing something so trivial.

As she delved into describing Kainites, Cassian leant forward, eager to latch onto every word, absorb as much as he could, as opportunities such as this were few and far between, until he managed to establish himself. He nodded his head as she spoke, showing that he was still paying attention, despite his silence.

With her final word, he allowed a moment of silence to hang, repeating back the description within his head. Though, as he did, his brow furrowed.

"How does that differ from a typical Sith's ideology? That idea of strength being a leading force, might makes right, does not differ from any other views I've heard. Is it just your allegiance to this Kaine, or is there more to these beliefs that you and others hold?"

Lirka Ka ​

 

[Lirka Ka]

It was ironic really, for as much as Lirka’s temper would have flared if Cassian Vornis argued - she probably would have respected him for it some. Stubbornness flowed through her blood, delusional belief in what her fractured mind deemed the truth.

His scowl brought the briefest pang of joy into her cold dead hearts. While Cassian may have been pained by faults, Lirka craved them, hunted them. Faults were part of the long, miserable, and winding path to power. Feeling plenty chuffed that the Acolyte admitted she had a point, his second commitment to history was met with a shrug accompanied by the sound of mechanical servos.

“Perhaps.”

Really, the most amusing part of it all was Lirka really couldn’t have gleamed any viable knowledge from the old tomes even if she wanted to. The void of her being had cemented that fact. Perhaps it was a hatred of history born out of bitterness, perhaps born out of a narcissism, perhaps both. It was hard to tell with the once sephi

His eagerness for knowledge let Lirka’s excitement rise like a growing inferno. Possibilities flashed in front of her mind, like a predator ready to finally get their catch. Lirka desired to herald that new generation, to forge would-be-Darths into a form most favorable…

…but she forgot that sometimes people asked questions. And she was snapped back to the reality of everything - it was never so easy to convince people to follow the path of power. But such was her work, she gave him a nod letting her mechanical form exude as much casualness as she could muster.

“Sith are Sith, this is true. We all follow the same code at the end of the day, through strength I gain power and all that. Allegiance to Kaine is a not inconsiderable part of our being, but that is not a totally fair description: we are not a legion of lickspittles. For we serve the Dyarchy. The Dyad between our lords Darth Carnifex, and Darth Prazitus. They have earned allegiance through a pile of bodies millions tall - beacons of darkness in this Galaxy. Eternal Rule, as we call it: devotion to the Dyarchs and their will. This is not what being a Kainite is about, not truly, to be a Kainite is to embrace potentiality - Carnifex demands platitudes, all you need do is feed the ego of dark lords to reap a bounty incomparable in this Galaxy. A hoard built up across decades…including enough lore to make this library look like a paltry and pitiful thing.”

Lirka was far from the best Kainite. She was no worshipper, not truly. But she assumed most people viewed the Galaxy as she did - in an exchange of service for power. To leech and grow strong off the backs of those who had built empires. Service was nothing but another step on that dark path to power. She added in one last quip - a question.

“But to consider the strong doing as they do. Tell me, Acolyte. Do you weep for the slave? Do you weep for the warrior lost to the crucible of war? Do you weep for those beneath you?”

A test, to reach out and understand as much as she could about this boy.

 

[Cassian Vornis]

When dealing with one with so much clear passion for a subject, Cassian knew he'd have to remain mindful, ensure his questions did not actually diminish or insult their beliefs. This required him to remain more attentive than he had intended to be on this day, carefully listening to each and every word that was said, offering only a nod small nod when necessary.

As she lead into 'Sith are Sith', confusion briefly flashed over the Acolytes expression, almost tempted to interject. However, he held his tongue once again, waiting as she built upon that concept, expanding into where the Kainites held their allegiance. The names continued to elude him, somewhat now regretting his fixation on the Sith of old, but as she continued, Cassians expression continued to shift, changing from neutrality with only hints of interest, to a far more enthralled expression, leaning forward off the back of his bench.

"That does interest me," He admitted. "Is there many of you Kainites? For what you've told me so far does sound like something I would wish to learn more of."

Her questions, likely a judge of his character, were ones that he struggled to answer truthfully, his own, personal views conflicted on the matter.

"I do not weep for the slave itself," He began, traces of his uncertainty evident through his tone. "Though I do weep for the concept of a slave, if one wishes for good workers, they should employ those willing to work, otherwise you cannot ensure a high quality of work. But in short, whilst the act of slaving is present, I do not weep for the slaves themselves."

"No warrior who died in combat should be wept for, no. They should be celebrated if anything, provided they had fought for what they believe in, and had died in a manner deserving of celebration. But never wept for, no."

There was a pause before his final answer. Humility was not something that came naturally to him, he wanted to paint a grand picture of his position, of his strength. But lying would not be in his best interests, he had already opened himself up more than he should of, and lying now could mark for a premature end to a conversation.

"I'm an Acolyte, there are few below me at this moment. Who could be below me, those that lack the force? Even in that case, there are forceless people in positions with far more power than I'll likely have for many years, so I can hardly weep for them. So no, in short, I suppose I cannot weep for those below me, as I am in no position to do so. Perhaps if I establish myself, gain some semblance of power, then maybe my answer would change."

Lirka Ka ​

 

[Lirka Ka]

Cassian Vornis was wise to be cautious with his words when dealing with the Once Sephi. Lirka kept decorum often, but her moods were a wildly unpredictable thing. A bad day could’ve meant she’d be on a short, murderous, fuse. And who would want that in a place of learning?

The confusion that flashed upon the Acolyte’s face Lirka let loose her lax opinion on the true separation of Sith left a twinge of amusement in the metal brute. She was an oddity after all, vouching so heavily for her Sith yet still so far from ever truly ascending into their ranks. But Lirka was a storyteller, the tides of expression upon her subjects face was proof enough of that. It came with being a good liar, she supposed.

“I am glad I have piqued your interest Acolyte. There are many of us. We exist in the shadows, the dark shroud cast upon the Galaxy by the Eternal Father. All you need but do is look, and you will find us. Old relics like myself, and legions of strandcast stretching as far as the eye can see.”

Lirka did enjoy her flowery language. The Kainate was an odd bundle, but it did certainly help that they possessed the ability to simply grow their loyalists when the need arose. Lirka would have much rather done as she was currently doing: growing was easy, but cultivating the unenlightened was even more fruitful.

The Once-Sephi craved struggle, and forcing the tumult of ideology into the Acolyte’s brain fed her craving well. The test of thought that would determine if Lirka decided he was a lead worth pursuing. He answered well enough. Lirka spoke, prodding at his statements. Always looking to understand more about her fellows - it paid to be well informed, after all.

“That is a diminutive view of the institution. For you see, Acolyte, I am the Slavemaster General. I have shackled unfortunate souls across the Galaxy for decades. It is refreshing to hear of a Sith who hasn’t obsessed themselves with “broken chains” and compassion for the whelps that toil for my Master. It is a way to exert willpower over another, a testament to strength. You speak to the quality of work, but that is rarely as relevant as you think. A slave can become a worshipper with ease, such is the might of our dark lord. Far more importantly than material gain, it is the perpetuation of darkness: consider, if you will, of the million souls I have shackled. There is but one of them with the hate, the wrath, the ambition to be the one who holds the lash - the capability to become Sith. There are esoteric aspects to my work, Acolyte.”

Lirka had some…interesting…views on reality, evidently. She was pleased enough with his answer on the many soldiers of the Empire - admittedly Lirka cared very little for the vast majority of them. Just meat to throw into the metaphorical grinder. Yet, it was in his third response that Lirka saw the briefest pang where she could attempt to sink her claws in.

“Bah! Do not be foolish, Acolyte. Perspective. Perspective is everything. You may be but a Sithling, but who is below you? We are in a Galaxy of trillions upon trillions, boy! At even a low estimation, that leaves millions beneath you. You are to be the next generation, perhaps even a Darth one day. Remember, Acolyte, the Strong will do as they do, the Weak will suffer what they must. And I already see those inklings of strength within you, you are not one of the many crybabies that have burdened themselves with moralism. You can not weep for those below you, not because you are in no position to, but because they do not deserve it. None of them do. The path to power is heralded on the bodies of the weak, Acolyte.”

Lirka’s career as a motivational speaker was a fairly recent one, and one that was laced with dark intent and murderous advice.

 

[Cassian Vornis]

Given the other participants in the conversations armour, the Sephi was much harder for Cassian to read, than he was to her. If his words annoyed or intrigued her remained a mystery to the Acolyte, and so he never quite seemed to settle as they conversed, mindful of every word he uttered, and thorough in ensuring he understood what was said back to him.

The Kainites being a larger faction was a surprise to hear, given his lack of exposure to them, and his brows briefly furrowed at this revelation. His lack of exposure was more telling to his inexperience as a Sith, rather than anything else, and so after a moments pause, he nodded at her words.

"I imagine I will seek your group out then at some point, no harm can come from trying to understand who you are, or what it is you follow, beyond that Diarchy stuff."

Once again, Cassian was silent at they exchanged their opinions. Her being a slave master only gave more reason for him to be weary, not that he felt he was in any danger per say, it just seemed unwise for him to be tactless about one's livelihood. "It is common for Sith to be against slaves then, I take it? Pity the slaves themselves?"

"I do disagree in part with what you say, about moulding slaves into worshippers. I'd rather have those who could worship me, do so by their own will. Do so because I've proven myself otherwise, not because I have captured them, and twisted their mind into worshipping me." He then shrugged. "Having said that, however, I hadn't considered that other perspective. Slaves could make for great Sith, their minds already conditioned to the emotions required to draw upon the dark side."

It was in the final point where division in their views became increasingly obvious, as she attempted to sway his opinion. Perhaps, objectively, there was truth to her words, there would be potentially millions beneath him in position. Those unable to fight, those who could not use the force, those who resigned themselves to a simple life. But by accepting that, he'd be accepting some level of pride in his current position, and that was not something he was willing to do.

"I cannot accept the first part of your words, for that would invite complacency. I'm not content to admit there is only one million beneath me, for that means nothing, I will view things that way once I'm in a position I can take pride in. However, you are right. They do not deserve to be wept for, they are in such low positions for they are complacent, content with little. I can perhaps pity this mentality, but you are correct, those who do not attempt to rise, and build themselves up do not deserve to be wept for."

Lirka Ka ​

 

[Lirka Ka]

The armor served its purpose. Lirka disliked being read, it put her on the backfoot. Let those poor unfortunate souls she tormented be forced to guess her moods by tone alone. Lirka viewed all exchanges in the Empire like a duel, today with Cassian Vornis it was a duel of words: and Lirka didn’t like fighting fair.

With his brow furrowed Lirka drank from the Acolyte’s nativity with glee: she had come to prize such beings, Sith that were unburdened by the biases of the past. A useful foundation for the next generation of the Order - a generation she hopped to mold as best she could.

She responded to his nod with a casual call, an invitation. It was a rare change for someone to be tactful about her profession, and to some minor ex

“Make the pilgrimage to Dromund Kaas, Acolyte. You will find many of my fellows there, and the deep fonts of knowledge that have been assembled in the long years.”

But, she included a correction as well. A brief one.

“Dyarchy. I can understand your confusions. You see, our twin lords share a Dyad between the force. Two that have become one, hence the name. An impressive display, wouldn’t you agree?”

Always more information to slowly but surely trickle in. It was a rare thing for someone to show tact about Lirka’s profession, and to some minor extent the Once Sephi did appreciate it. She responded to the acolyte’s question with a shrug.

“Many are for. Many are against. Many will partake in forms similar to it, yet lacking the name. Broken chains, and all that. Officially, it is outlawed, but me and my lot play by a different rulebook.”

It was quite the hot button issue. Lirka had gained more than her fair share of enemies partaking in her profession, not that she minded it one bit. In response to his disagreement, Lirka rather jokingly clicked a claw where her chin must’ve been on her helmet. Ruminating on his words.

“There is power in both. There is no shame in making a slave into a worshipper if they are unworthy souls, by the proxy of a broken will you prove yourself worthy of it. Now, to gain the worship of the strong - like my Lord. Well that is the true metric of proving oneself.”

When she spoke again, it felt as if there was a smile underneath that emotionless helmet.

“Well then, Acolyte, I am glad to have gifted you a new perspective on the nature of my work.”

She had expected division, Lirka may have been attempting to be “uplifting”. But she was no motivational speaker at the end of the day. Yet, his desire for growth, being in content with his current lot in the Order, she respected that. It was the path of power they all walked, and Lirka would never discourage that.

“You are wise, Acolyte. Unburdened by the idiotic pride I have seen so often among your lot. I look forward to seeing what you become, Acolyte, perhaps we will walk the path of power together one day. I would not even extend those whelps pity, they are meat to be used. Yet, Acolyte, perhaps you will find growth among my people? The shadow of dark lords is a wonderful place to draw the strength of the Dark.”

 

[Cassian Vornis]

Dromund Kaas. He repeated the word in his head, as she spoke it, eager to ensure that he wouldn't forget the name. Whilst he wasn't a fan of his current position, having no master afforded him a certain freedom that he wouldn't likely get again for many years once he found a master, and so, provided he wasn't given any menial jobs, he committed himself mentally to making that journey. He'd just have to find himself a ship, or tag along with others making the journey, but that should be feasible.

"Ah, Dyarchy." He nodded to the correction, though the words still sounded incredibly similar to him. Though, he couldn't dwell on such frivolous things such as word pronunciation, instead leaning forward slightly as she spoke of a Dyad. "That is impressive," He admitted. "How did this Dyad come to be? As I know it, those are supposed to be very rare. Very powerful too, I guess that makes it more explainable as to how he gathered a following?"

Broken chains having a more literal meaning did make more sense than the interpretation Cassian had drawn, and so he once more offered a nod to her explanation. "Your lot meaning the Kainites, I assume? Rather bold to openly act against laws, though I suppose many actions of Sith oppose laws."

"It wasn't the perspective I came here intending to get, but I suppose far more relevant than what I otherwise would have read, and for that I thank you."

He would be lying if he said that being called wise did not stroke his ego at least somewhat, but he wouldn't let him get ahead of himself, though the corners of his lips curled upwards slightly.

"I imagine I would, yes. I'm sure when I make that journey, I'll learn more of your people, I'm not opposed to aligning myself with some faction, provided I think it would benefit me. I would just have to be thorough in understanding you all first."

"Ah, I forgot." He rose from his seat on the bench, extending his hand out to her. "Cassian Vornis, I forgot to introduce myself."

Lirka Ka ​

 

[Lirka Ka]

To Lirka, the very nature of the galaxy was built upon being discontent with your current status - it was simply apart of the transience that primordial darkness bid for the worthy. Perhaps that is why Lirka had found such "good" company among the constant tumult of the Sith, and found herself more and more drawn to the meager Acolytes that built up the order.

Whatever awkwardness there was he pried into the nature of the Dark Dyad, Lirka hid. It was, ever so slightly, embarrassing to be a preacher of these force-related endeavors and be unfortunately void to the true depth of their creation. Letting out a mechanical noise that might have been the clearing of her throat Lirka spoke

"Unfortunately. At the time of the Dark Dyad's creation I was...indisposed. A long, long pilgrimage to a distant world that separated me from my Lord for a prolonged period of time."

The best lies, were half truths. Lirka had been absent for the Dyads creation, she hadn't even been a Kainite at the time - but why did Cassian Vornis need to know all those grizzly little details about Lirka's rather fickle allegiances?

"To openly circumvent law speaks to power, wouldn't you say? But you are not inherently wrong, so many of the Order are their own versions of little criminals. Such is the nature of self-interest."

The same self interest that had been Lirka a criminal for a very, very, long time. She met the slight smirk of his face with the slowest of nods, feeling mighty pleased with the work she had done here today - it wasn't all that often that her words actually found much succor.

"I am glad to have offered you some little enlightenment, Acolyte. I believe rather strongly in the power of being well informed, and I believe it is important for the youth to be well informed about the nature of the Eternal Father's power. Perhaps, in due time, you will fly our flag. We all follow our "leaders" to benefit ourselves, after all: and Carnifex offers us power unimaginable."

As he rose to introduce himself, Lirka made the quick mental note of his name. His extended hand hung there for a moment as she pondered if she'd take it, though manners got the better of her this time around. Carefully did she shake it, it seemed almost a struggle to hold back the suit to not just crush it or tear his arm off as she shook it.

"Slavemaster General Lirka Ka, Lash of the Kainate."

She was rather fond of titles.

 

[Cassian Vornis]

It was a shame he couldn't be told of the Dyads origin, however it only added to the ever growing list of reasons why he should make that journey. Her apparent indisposed intrigued Cassian, but he figured that was not something he should try and inquire about after only a single meeting with this person. Should he make the journey, and meet them again, then perhaps that was something he could ask about.

Her stance that an open disregard of rules spoke to power was a view point he momentarily pondered on, however, after a brief pause he shook his head. "I imagine this will make more sense in my head, but I don't entirely disagree that openly circumventing rules and laws is entirely a display of power. At a first glance, sure, but continued law breaking leads to lawlessness, which in my opinion, is a state where power is much harder to impose. I would argue that imposing, and establishing your own laws is a better display of power, rather than circumventing existing ones."

He offered a small nod, agreeing that a lot of power stems from being knowledgeable. This belief having been a big part of why he had dedicated so much time to his readings, in the absence of any kind of master. "Perhaps I will," He began. "Though as I say, that would take much more learning. I assume there are other sects of Sith that I haven't encountered, and I would like to meet, or at least know of, them all before I dedicate myself to anything. There is always the chance that something else aligns with me more."

Cassian frowned during the brief moment of hesitation she demonstrated before eventually shaking his hand. "Well met then, Lirka. Lash?" He mused aloud. "Quite the apt title for a slavemaster."

Lirka Ka ​

 

[Lirka Ka]

This time, Lirka responded to his disagreement with a laugh. Cassian Vornis evidently viewed the Galaxy through lenses that were far less anarchic than Lirka's. And she might as well have told him as such, it was not an unsurprising thing when considering that Lirka had spent so many of her days living in the underworld as a crook.

"yet, in lawlessness. It is the rule of the strong that takes hold, might makes right. And the strongest among us shall forge the new laws, and those weaker than them shall follow them. It is a crude thing, but it is simply a natural way of living. The power of imposing laws. and them, are two sides of the same coin. Linked powers, fundamentally conjoined."

What a pretty way to say that Lirka simply didn't like following the rules all too much.

It was an amusing thing, the different forms knowledge took. Cassian read, Lirka wandered the Empire yammering away about propaganda while gleaming whatever information she could from her targets. Field experience. If one wanted to spin it in such a way. His minor hesitations were met with a shrug, Lirka didn't quite demand total felty, thankfully.

"Well, perhaps some of the yokels will humor your beliefs. But you would do well to remember, Acolyte Cassian, who sought you out, and who would rather let you languish in obscurity."

Lirka did not look particularly fondly on the other sects of Sith. Not inconsiderably because she had wronged them in one way or another, in these hard times friends were few for Sephi narcissists that gladly fed their own greedy desires instead of the good of the Empire at large.

"Yes, it's a funny title isn't it? Don't let them tell you that Carnifex doesn't have a sense of humor."

Of course, Lash had ultimately been something of a self-given title for Lirka. A remark from the butcher king that Lirka had shouted to the stars and forced into being something of an actuality, or they simply humored their monstrous Sephi murderer. Either worked.