Objective 4: Introspection (One Shot)
Malum stroked the developing stubble at his chin, as he thoughtfully considered the Orders relayed to him. His eyes were drooping, as much as they were red, and though that was normal enough, it was the colour of his eyes after all, yet they were not normally rimmed with red, normally not fighting off tears that were born of exhaustion, and the fight to stay awake, compared to those born of sadness.
He had not slept for days, campaign after campaign he had pressed forward. There was meant to have been a pause to their advance during Darth Xyrah's yacht party, yet they all knew how that had gone, still, even after that, there was to be some calm, some easement in their constant advance after their Lifeday celebrations, yet everyone knew how that had gone too.
It seemed that the newly coronated Emperor's Lifeday gift to him was a new war.
Not one to continue their inevitable push to the core, towards the rim both east and west. But instead, a new Sith schism, a civil war between the Sith Order of the Tsis'Kaar and Eternalists against the Kainite Order. One which had already driven friendships and allegiance haywire.
And one which he had participated in thus far without complaint nor rest.
He blinked with one eye, and then the other followed. His eyes probably were not meant to be burning and stinging so. The overly sterilised smell of the hanger was not helping much, though he doubted the smell of grass, dirt and other fauna and flora would do him any good either. He grits his teeth, his brow drooped, gritting his teeth, as his ears flickered out to consider every movement, every sound of a footstep, every clash of metal with annoyance.
"Shall we be making our way down onto the planet, Scion Marr?" Custos' rather plain, yet still gruff voice spoke out, scars running across his face, one even blotting out his sky blue eyes, that led up to blonde golden hair, and just like always a sense of clarity piercing through all his triggered senses. Custos had that ability, part of the reason that Malum kept him around... well that much was not exactly true, Custos had been in Malum's life for as long as he could remember, his sworn shield, his protector, and thus now, the man that led the Household Guard, or at the very least the contingent that Malum's father had dispatched to serve him when it had become clear that he alone would not be enough to make an impact upon the Sith Order, when many among them ruled about with forces, even armies of their own.
"This is not our fight, and thank Bogan for that," Malum responded, as his eyes drooped yet again, finding his entire body drooping before catching himself, and standing up straight and stiff.
"And why is that, cousin dearest?" A fellow black-haired and red-eyed figure came around to his left shoulder, hand on Malum's shoulder, an effort of comfort, but perhaps an effort to provide stability. Malum's eyes lazily turned to consider the twin figure, and could only give a weak tired smile to the ever-eager, and ever-inviting smile of one Venerandus Marr, a distant cousin, and one who served as his aide-de-camp. They could perhaps have been twins if one ignored that Venerandus was far shorter and far lither, and of course ignored that their hair was as different as night and day, Malum's black, while Venerandus' was dyed to flaming red, apparently a show of his devotion to the great Darth Marr, yet Malum knew it was because the man was perhaps more obsessed with the colour than even he was.
"Because my Mistress has no desire to get into bed with the Sepruchal, and if I start accepting their missions, it will send the wrong message," Malum said softly, making a valid enough excuse, yet knowing in his heart of hearts that this was only so he could finally sleep, he would be of no use to anyone like this, those were his thoughts as his eyes turned back to lazily consider Custos', "Inform the Guard to stand down, they have the run of the ship for the night."
"It shall be done, Scion." Custos send simply, yet the gruffness in his voice would remain ever still, Malum had joked years ago that even when the man was gentle, that his gruffness would scare off a bear. He gave a deep bow, before marching off to fulfill his orders.
"Well glad to see Custos as amiable as ever," Malum said, bringing his fist up to suppress a yawn, as his eyes blinked coyly at Venerandus.
"You know by now that hard exterior is not who the man he is, he lost his purpose when you ran off to Korriban, thought he had failed in his duty, it was a good thing your father is such a fair man... or he would not be with us," Malum's face darkened at the thought, the inkling of guilt making his way to heart, it had only been almost two years ago since he had run, yet he could so easily call him himself such a child for his stupidity, "And then you came back, I think that was the day that silent and gruff exterior broke, and then you got yourself exiled to Saijo... the man lost his purpose again. I think he is glad to be serving the boy he had been protecting your entire life." Venerandus spoke, owlishly and as insightfully as ever.
"And who exactly are you calling a boy exactly?" Malum responded, a confident smirk playing on his features.
"Why... you of course," Venerandus whispered huskily, as he leaned down to his ear, and before Malum could blink, Venerandus's grip on his shoulders became... far softer.
Malum's voice hitched, his lips sealed, as the shock was broken through with raucous laughter.
"You are just too easy," Venerandus said, between chortles, as he looked down upon him with a caring gaze.
This was an element of their relationship that he had never quite managed to be used to, neither of them had really. They were close, very close, perhaps closer than they had any right to be. Nothing had happened between them... and really, nothing should happen with them. Yet... electricity coursed between them many a time, a reminder that something could happen. However, it had not, and instead, they had buried whatever was there into work, or at least, he had, Venerandus had made teasing him part of their relationship... Malum never found himself complaining, well, apart from the very moment it occurred.
"Har, har, very funny," Malum said, his smile morphing to a faux deadpan look, Malum stood up, balancing his footing on the floor, with his body adjusting to the new position, "Looks like you're going to escort and guard my chambers tonight then, Mr. Jokester."
"Do I get to join you?" Venerandus shot back, coyly. Keeping his hand on his shoulder, steadying him as best as he could.
"Only if you're lucky," A slight flush was at his cheeks, the electricity was back... yet Malum knew this was only fun, some fun teasing, that was all it was, Venerandus was someone truly special to him, yet... he did not make the heart soar.
Like someone else he knew.
"Well then, does not seem like a punishment at all," Venerandus said, resting his free hand at the back of his head, as both heirs of Marr walked off for the night.
