Private Rising Connections

[Kimiko Taiyou]

The Galaxy stirred.

Ripples were sent far and wide.

Waves had crashed upon her shores.

And now she sought the source.

~~Mustafar~~

The AIN Nagato approached Mustafar from the system's outer reaches. One arrived the Akarans found a sizeable force in orbit. The darkness radiating from the multitude of vessels and the planet below shook the empress to her core. But she pressed on. She had come to find the source of whispers and thoughts that had been plaguing her mind of late.

The intelligence her circles had gathered, led to the dark planet, and the Ren. They told of a buildup of former First Order assets, but for what had not been discerned. Yet here she was.

The Akaran flagship fell into orbit, 'guarded' by several of their hosts, before launching a single shuttle towards the surface. The sole occupant seeking answers...

Kyrel Ren

 

[Kyrel Ren]

Mustafar still remained a holdout world for the First Imperials, and while it looked like a fiery hellscape to some. A place of power and worship to others. As a place the gravitated all those that wielded the dark side. The Resurgents and support ships in orbit accepted the codes of the flagship that emerged from hyperspace. After allowing the flagship to approach in orbit. A squadron of TIE Fighters were dispatched to the small shuttle, to provide an escort for the small craft. Descended through the smoky atmosphere, and plums of ash from nearby volcanos. What soon emerged in sight was the dark citadel of Fortress Vader, as the TIE Fighters soon departed, the shuttle left to go on a course to dock with one of the hangers of the Fortress.

Inside was two rows of crimson armored Lava Troopers. Standing at attention, the dark armored figure of Kyrel stood at the front of the two formations. Watching as the shuttle slowly landed. Kyrel waited for the door to open, the landing ramp drop. As he had felt this woman before, and for weeks he had been inside her mind. Sensing her, feeling her and now she was brought before him. What awaited him. Even the dark warrior did not know. But look forward to what the outcome could be. Even good or bad, he waited patiently for what would happen next.

Kimiko Taiyou

 

[Kimiko Taiyou]

The ramp dropped, touching the ash coated landing deck, and at the top stood the empress. She eyed the welcoming committee in all its dark splendor. She stood in stark contrast, her whites and blues with golden accents, were the complete opposite of her host. He was familiar to her, yet not all at once, and she sensed what he was and would be. But it was not her first time being drawn to the darker side of the Force.

Kimiko descended, stoically approaching Kyrel and his escorts,. Once before him, she bow politely, keeping her voice neutral,"Lord Kyrel, thank you for hosting my presence once more, and on such short notice this time." she raised herself, her bright blue eyes meeting his,"I do hope you have been well since last we spoke."

She was hoping a little small talk would clear her nerves and allow her to fall into a regular conversation...

Kyrel Ren

 

[Kyrel Ren]

Kyrel returned the Empress bow with a slight one of his own. He spoke to her, sensing her neutral demeanor through the Force. "As well as they can be. You shouldn't be here the Alliance could easily find out about Imperial holdouts such as this one. I was lucky that they have not gained this world yet, or else I would be dealing with conflict on my hands. Yet I am most surprised by your arrival. I hope that I am able to accommodate your every need while you are here." He said as the formation of troopers started to disperse, Kyrel leading the Empress through the old obsidian hallways of Fortress Vader. Steam constantly bubbling up from the catacombs. Leading her slowly down to the main hall. Guiding her to a chair that was next to the massive obsidian throne that he sat upon himself. All around the room was a mix of First Order flags, and that of his own Imperial Remnant, the Crimson Hand which showed an angered fist rising from the circle of thorns.

He spoke once more, after having settled to what he thought was a comfortable atmosphere. "May I ask how have you been? What brings you to my home, and may I ask what you may do within this sanctum?" He decided as small talk made him uneasy. Wanting to get straight to the point, shifting in his seat as he stared into her eyes. It had been sometime since he gazed upon her. Months perhaps since the last time the two met of course, and he still felt her in the force. He was curious why she was here and had best decided that getting straight to the point was preferable.

Kimiko Taiyou

 

[Kimiko Taiyou]

His concerns were warranted, and she would agree that even a visit such as this would be put a target on both of their backs. She would put the worry at ease,"I am not here on behalf of the Alliance or any other sovereign other than my own." She followed the dark knight into the imposing fortress,"I do thank you for your offer of hospitality for such an unexpected visit." He offered the seat beside his. The motion intrigued and excited the empress as she inspected the chair. Was it built for an advisor or an equal to rule the galaxy? In all she had read of the Empire of old, neither of those sounded like it fir with the black-clad enforcer that was Vader.

She did seat herself eventually, turning slightly to face him,"I have been, busy to say the least. There are big changes coming and they require quite a bit of preparation." The second more targeted questions caused her to smile slightly,"With everything that has been transpiring in the Galaxy lately, something, I feel, has drawn me here. Since my last visit, it has inspired me to do more research on the more darker arts." The empress shifted, taking a more forward position towards him,"It stemmed from within your halls, Lord Kyrel, but something drew me back here, and I would like to find out what."

Kyrel Ren

 

[Kyrel Ren]

Kyrel felt at ease with the Empress. although the two had limited dealings in the past, and only in regards to fortifying his stronghold of Mustafar. Yet for months he reached into her mind, feeling her curiosity for the dark side. How it called to her, how it spoke to her. Even so it had called strongly within the black citadel of Fortress Vader. He gave her his own small smile sensing her questions and why she was brought here. Even if the Alliance came to his Fortress he would not risk her exposure. As much as he was prepared to deal with them for when the time came. He wanted to keep the Empress close for she may have her uses to him, and her Force signature felt familiar... As if an old friend.

"Please you do not need to thank me. You have been drawn here Empress... I know you have, I sense your curiosity into the darker aspects of the Force. To tell you the truth my dear... I'v called out to you... I've reached into your mind and I sensed a trait that you are drawn to these things. I've called you back here because I have my own curiosity about you... Perhaps we can help each other in that regard." He said his tone filled with friendliness, and a dark warmth. Showing that he himself showed no harm to her. He had no intentions of such things in hopes of appealing to her.

Kimiko Taiyou

 

[Kimiko Taiyou]

His forwardness caused her to blush, along with how his essence felt currently. Her guard was completely down, and she even began smiling coyly. It was true, her curiosity had caused her to spend many days and nights in meditation, even with her priestesses, to hopefully answer the lingering questions. Those answers had brought her back to this place, to him, and her emotions were a roller coaster at the thought of the prospects.

"So bold of you, to do such things, Lord Kyrel. But now, I find myself with more questions than answers. Some about you, some about your order and this place, but most burning, is the faccets of how your connection to the Force allows such power, such, such..." her normally bright blue eyes turned a deep violet as she spoke and looked upon him. This place was feeding her, and it was exhilarating,"Power." she managed but a whisper.

Kyrel Ren

 

[Kyrel Ren]

He was delighted by such a response. It was such irony that someone that was a member of the Alliance. Someone with whom he knew that his world would fall against. He was curious as the prior dealings were business transactions. Normally he would not indulge her. He would not do such things, yet he was always known to have some odd curiosity and desire for that of women. He couldn't help but give a confidant smirk, where she was, was the heart of the dark side. Something that had called to her, cried out to her more darker nature. When she whispered the word power to him. He decided to speak once more, leaning closer to her.

"Is that what you desire my dear, Power... The Dark Side are paths to power you cannot imagine. I have witnessed such power many times before. I have the knowledge to such power. You see what you don't understand is the Ren are an embodiment of power shared under a vision. As you saw that vision led to our destruction, our way spread across our former territories... My vision will see the galaxy not brought under order but that of chaos. What my point means now, I desire you perhaps... I will give you what you seek, and you'll give me everything in return." He said staring intently into her eyes, allowing some of the dark side to be channeled through him. Drawing upon the nexus.

Kimiko Taiyou