Something Wicked That Way Went

[Ria Misrani]

[media]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qsRh83BXvOE[/media]​

​

Qocia

One might wonder just how long it's been since the Zambranos have gathered, and others might wonder has there ever been a gathering so grand? Those questions would be answered this evening as each and every known Zambrano would be sent a mass-invite due to Sarlow's inability to send them privately. And so as he travelled along Panatha's old highways he could only swear to himself the desires of truly mastering the technology of today's age. Alas, as he approached the Holy City he only hoped that his Aunt [member="Saeth Zambrano"] would forgive him for not visiting sooner, what with his fateful event of running away and only returning to the family when he discovered that he had sired his own child. [member="Ara Zambrano"] of whom he is very proud of.

Still, the Wolf-Man rode silently in the carriage beside his mother, Lady Salara who looked as stoic as ever. His sisters and younger brother rode in their own carriage. No doubt to plan and scheme or so he felt the man tugged at his cloak and sigil. While he no longer bore the eye of Solomon, he still wanted to have his own Wolf sigil shine with some manner of pride. He looked out the carriage window and watched the scenery for a moment before returning to stare blankly at his mother.

[member="Darth Carnifex"] | [member="Elani Zambrano"] | [member="Darth Morbian"] | [member="Darth Prazutis"] | Zambrano Family

 

[Lief]

A City of Temples, that was what Qocia was.

Temples to the All-Father. Temples to the Higher Gods. Temples to the Lesser Gods. Temples to the God-King.

Adherents were all the population the City knew; the occasional visitor would appear at the Gates, seeking entrance, and most were turned away without due cause. There was but one Bloodline that could pass through without prior clearance, who would wander up to the Gates on a whim... And yet so few of them had ever bothered to make use of that right.

The recollection of Sebastian's recent visit raised her spirits. He was blessed in the eyes of the Gods, a favourite in the eyes of his Aunt, the Grand Archimandrite, when compared to the rest of their ilk who seemingly believed themselves above the All-Father.

Such a shame.

Once again she found herself within the largest, highest Temple within the City, sat atop a hill; incense was burning, as it usually was when she was at worship, and today the offering bowls were filled with blood-soaked coins. No light really came through the stained glass windows, despite the fact that night had not yet fallen, a storm had spread across the skies, clouds covering the warm sun. Braziers burned throughout, an eerie hue settling over the internal chamber of the Temple.

Statues of the Gods stood like pillars, holding up the ceiling in all their glory yet seeming to bear the weight without struggle. The sight of them was awe-inspiring, even after so long beneath their magnificence, and even with her eyes fixated upon the raised shrine which sat upon a dais, and the smoke which rose from the burning incense she could feel their stony eyes upon her.

[member="Sal Zambrano"]

 

[Darth Morbian]

Heavy footfalls lead the Sith Knight to the gates, those all to familiar Sith-starburst eyes, a prerequisite within their family, scanning his surroundings. He had done some research before heading to this gathering. The damaged memories made recalling most vital information about the family all but impossible. Sethaius only knew what father would tell him.

When the invitation from [member="Sal Zambrano"] first came to Seth's attention, he was prepared to dismiss it off hand, until father gave the command to attend. One does not disobey the God-King.

So, in an unfamiliar region, soon to meet unfamiliar family, Darth Morbian found himself in an unfamiliar mental state. Anxiety? Nervousness? These were traits he only ever associated with performing tasks for father. The bar was high, and justifiably so, to appease the God-King, and as such the young Sith could only leap as high as he could, reaching for the very stars, and pray earnestly that it was sufficient in his father's eyes. But, for these kin whom he'd never met, to feel such an anxiety....

Perhaps this is yet another test? Perhaps I am to conduct myself here accordingly to appease father.... show him my adaptability.... The young Knight nodded to himself, as an adherant approached. "My Lord, this way to the Grand Archimandrite." the adherant bade Seth to follow. The young Sith had no reason not comply. After all, when entering another's home, it is incredibly rude to not present oneself to your host for approval. Otherwise, you're just a trespasser. And Seth is not so rude as to slight family in such a base manner. A second adherant fell in behind him, the two guiding Sethaius through amazing sights to eventually the entrance of a mighty Temple, affixed atop a tall hill.

Before being ushered inside, the first adherant turned to Seth, and intoned in a cautioning manner, "Disrupt the Grand Archimandrite at your own peril. One must not disturb one in mid-worship." To which Sethaius would simply nod in agreement, being fully aware that to disrupt one in their varied forms of meditation, or in this case worship, is crass and low. Demeaning of oneself, and beyond reprehensible against the one interrupted. Entering into the chamber, what confidence Seth carried was laid low at the sight awaiting him inside the doors.

Those grand statues, peered as if through his very soul. Managing to hinge his jaw back shut at the sight of the scale and detail of these massive tributes that held the ceiling aloft, Seth moved towards the woman that could only be the Grand Archimandrite, [member="Saeth Zambrano"], and coming to a halt where he could observe the alter she worshiped to, while maintaining a lower, more subservient post. She was the leader in this current scenario, and as such, proper symbolism needed to be observed. Kneeling respectfully, Seth kept his eyes affixed upon the alter, listening to, and sensing the ritual going on, maintaining his silence.

[member="Darth Carnifex"] | [member="Elani Zambrano"] | [member="Darth Prazutis"] | [member="Ara Zambrano"]​

 

[Darth Carnifex]

​

​

Qocia
Panatha

Oh, how many months had it been?

His last sights of home had been to watch its beautiful landscapes retreat from his gaze as he, with the aid of the First Order, faked his own abdication and relocated his entire existence to distant Bastion. Every moment spent building the Empire had not lessened the aching in his heart for the vast jungles and grasslands of home, and as the Crestfallen gingerly landed in one of Qocia's starports and he disembarked via the boarding ramp he could hardly get enough of the sights and smells.

There was no grand procession to herald his arrival, and he did not carry himself as the illustrious God-King as he and his litter moved through the sprawling metropolis of Qocia. Ara Zambrano was still Queen of Panatha, and the Dark Lord would respect her position and title as a guest of the world she now governed.

Before them loomed the Temple of the All-Father, the tallest and most grandest ziggurat ever constructed in the holy city. Around it were seven other small temples dedicated to the lesser gods and goddesses of the Panathan Faith, and beyond that were a hundred other shrines for the deified Kings and Queens of ages past. His own was in here somewhere, slightly larger and more elaborate than those of the deceased monarchs, but not as grand as those of the actual gods. Though he was considered a demigod and the most blessed of the Gods, he did not possess the gall to think himself higher than they were, nor did he attempt to impose such futile attempts on his former subjects.

The litter stopped at the temple steps, allowing the God-King and his retinue to continue the trek on foot before entering the shrouded incense-filled temple. Flanked by blue-robed attendees they were led to the temple's chamber of worship His sister was deep in meditative prayer, and though it was unwise to break her concentration during this hallowed act, the Dark Lord still advanced and quietly fell to his knees and he joined her in silent reverence to the Gods.

He would wait until she was to ready to speak to him.

[member="Saeth Zambrano"] | [member="Elani Zambrano"] | [member="Darth Morbian"] ​

[member="Sal Zambrano"] | [member="Darth Prazutis"] | [member="Ara Zambrano"]​

 

[Elani Zambrano]

It felt like ages to Elani since she last step foot on her homeworld of Panatha. She reached into the deep recesses of he rmemory to recall the last time she was here. It was when she had returned from her self-exile to her father and he gave her the order to gather information on the First Order and their infrastructure. She gathered what she could from them in her brief time there and swiftly returned to the sanctuary that was the Sith Empire.

For now, it was time to return home.

Elani had recieved the message to return home for a gathering from her kin while she was on a Sith Empire sanctioned mission. She finished up her mission swiftly and turned in her report before making her way to Panatha. She traveled by herself on a Sith starfighter to her homeworld. Once the starfighter had descended into a spaceport, she stepped out of the starship and made her way to the temple where the rest of her family would be. Elani had never been to Qocia herself, preferring to stay within her father's keep instead of co-existing with her people on the outside.

Eventually, she made it to the temple steps and walked up and entered the temple. She could see the others before her, standing like statues as they awaited the rest of the family. Elani removed her hood from her head in respect to the temple and the Gods and walked closer to her family, deciding not to speak until spoken to as the laws of respect dictate.

[member="Darth Carnifex"] | [member="Darth Morbian"] | [member="Saeth Zambrano"] | [member="Sal Zambrano"]

 

[Yaadri Osi-Yyn]

QOCIA || PANATHA​

It was a rare event. One which would only happen so many years, though with such a prestigious event taking place it would be no doubt half of Panatha would know of it by now, let alone the rest of the galaxy.

While this was an opportunity in the eyes of Venthis, he also took careful procedures beforehand to ensure the safety of his family. Various security measures were put into place. If it were up to Venthis he'd evacuate the entire city for the meeting. Though it wasn't, his decision.

Venthis wore an elegant red cloak, with a floral pattern going across it. He stood at the bottom of the stairs to the temple, eyeing each of the guests. His eyes lingering onto each of them, giving each a dip of his head. Though once he had saw all he wanted to see, he turned in a swift motion with his cloak flapping up into the air and slowly faltering back down to his sides as he made his way up the steps with haste. Shortly behind the various members of his family. It was time.

[member="Darth Carnifex"] | [member="Elani Zambrano"] | [member="Darth Morbian"] | [member="Saeth Zambrano"] | [member="Sal Zambrano"]​

 

[Ara Zambrano]

Qocia

Panatha was not her home.

The city of Qocia even more disassociated with the Bastion of Ren that she ached to return to.

The former Ren, current monarch of the Reach, far preferred the jungles and stone columns, the cool air and seeping darkness of the hidden fortress that housed the Knights of Ren from this. A metropolis filled with pyramidal temples, acolytes, and spiritualists, it was a bastion of religion and servitude, to the Gods and the Arch-kings, two things she found mixed feelings in. Despite her desires, the newly minted Master found herself spending more time among the halls of her family holdings, her holdings, than she did her own quarters deep within the mountains of Virgillia. Lessons on everything from history to etiquette, meetings and debriefings, meant to fill her gaps in knowledge as she became the public figurehead of the First Order run Panatha, occupied her time, replacing countless hours of training and sparring. A life she’d left behind with her “retirement” from the secretive group of Force Users within the order itself.

The carriage she travelled in sped through the streets, largely unmarked but wholly unmolested, thanks to the sigil resting just above her heart and the thin coronet of silver above her brow. Shifting her shoulders to resettle the fabric of her cloak, the ebony and burgundy contrasted nicely with the bound curls, light skin, and crimson eyes with the slightest hint of amber peeking through, Ara surveyed the outside of the grand temple they paused in front of. The missive sent from her father had been brief, requesting the presence of the Zambrano family, his immediate relatives, at the home of her Great-Aunt [member="Saeth Zambrano"] , another of the sprawling family tree she had yet to meet, a simple name on a list of documents she’d come to study extensively.

She wouldn’t have given a second thought to attending such a gathering had she not already been instructed to familiarize herself with the regions of Panatha outside that of the capital by [member="Samka Derith"] , Master of Ren, Advisor, and possible friend. As it was, she had her own reasons to visit the ziggurats of Qocia, research for a project that currently sat nestled beneath the folds of fabric covering her torso, the cool metal of an amulet resting between her breasts.

”Unfortunately, this is where I leave you.”

A soft expression and sigh met her words as she looked at the only other person she would consider fondly, one [member="Caehl Ren"] . Settled across from her, the stoic Knight sat draped in shadow, armour and mask affixed as it was outside those few private moments he chose to grace her with his flesh and bone visage. Her constant companion and unofficial bodyguard, the Knight had refused to allow her to make this journey on her own, something she was beginning to both resent and find wry humor in. One corner of her lips quirked up in a smirk as the door was opened, the girl moving to exit with a deep sigh.

”I do not believe my family would appreciate a Knight of Ren in their midst in this holy place. Should I have need of your services, I will call.”

The thought merely made her want to have him accompany her even more just to watch the chaos his presence would cause. As much as she desired to watch the chaos that would ensue, the stern echo of lessons hard drilled into her by the minister of security and Samka kept the urges exactly that. She nodded once as she exited the vehicle, her trust that Brennan would follow her directive without argument well-founded as he stayed, the members of the Omega obeying any silent orders he might have issued in response, simple half-bows of respect as she passed their only acknowledgment.

A deep sigh as she mounted the steps of the temple, following the adherents that scrambled to lead her to the inner chambers where her family awaited.

[member="Darth Carnifex"] | [member="Sal Zambrano"] | [member="Darth Morbian"] | [member="Elani Zambrano"] | [member="Venthis Zambrano"]​

 

[Ria Misrani]

We Are the Wicked Ones​

​

Sarlow Kaine Zambrano, one of the many sons of the Black-Iron Tyrant.

A man who as he stepped out from the carriage and onto the floors of the city, felt the whisper of death in his ear. His long cloak swept behind him as his boots thudded against the ground, his shadow danced along the ground and not far behind him. His mother, Lady Salara who had murdered and maimed to get to where she was. A woman who lusted for power about as much as she lusted after her husband [member="Darth Carnifex"]. In front of the Prince stood the towering pyramid temples, and a shit-eating grin came across the prodigal son, "so this is the sacred temple, well, it has been a mighty long time."

"You will mind yourself, Sarlow," his mother warned.

"Of course, now what kind of dog do you take me for?" His glibness did him a disservice, not that he cared but the look on his mother's face was well worth the price of admission. Sarlow swept his hands across his hips, his cloak pushed back to reveal the twin belts of ammunition, holsters holding his revolvers and a beautiful knife glinted in the Panathan sun. "How long do you think m'dear aunt Saeth is gonna stand in there?"

Salara narrowed her gaze and resisted the urge to make her son heel.

Sarlow was as rebellious as ever, a crack of his father some might say. He started to move crossing the grounds and headed into the temple, and behind him the carriages bearing his siblings. It seemed they had taken after their brother, Mavri dressed in an elegant western Gothic gown, her sister Ephie much the same. Rex? That ol' boy dressed in the long cloak and hat just as well, he followed up after his mother. A sight to behold when they all walked in side by side, and it seemed they had arrived late. "Always loved to make an entrance," he said to himself but cast a glance down the line catching his sibling's reactions.

"My, my, my look at what the Annswi dragged in," Sarlow took off his rugged hat and placed it against his chest, "such a beautiful temple to the All-Father." He surveyed the others in the room and gave his daughter, [member="Ara Zambrano"] a wink. There were a few faces he recognized and others he wished he didn't recognize.

[member="Saeth Zambrano"] | [member="Darth Prazutis"] | [member="Venthis Zambrano"] | [member="Elani Zambrano"] | [member="Darth Morbian"] |

 

[Darth Prazutis]

​Qocia, Panatha
​Alongside [member="Darth Carnifex"]

​The Dark Lord did not travel light.

​​All trips for the absolute leader of the Sith Empire, his nephew were extremely complicated affairs even those in which he had to remain subtle. It required hundreds of security and manpower, not to mention thousands of hours in planning. House Zambrano had not gathered in one place in such a magnitude in quite a long time and there were plenty of concerns to address. Most members in the upper echelons of the line of succession were wanted in dozens if not hundreds of star systems for countless war crimes, even with all of the power the house possessed they still had many enemies.

​The council in charge of planning the trip consisted of the Lord Commander Zaddion Bruul who would attend personally to lead the contingent of over a hundred Crownguard who would handle security inside the direct building that the gathering would be taking place as well as any areas that the Dark Lord may spend time in. Highlord Osbasid and his representative Major Tiamat who commanded a force of Blackblade Guard that had been smuggled into the world a week before the event and were held in reserve nearby. If a situation escalated to more than the Crownguard could handle the Blackblade Guard would be on site in minutes to provide heavy support.

​Grand Hierophant Xithyl brought his religious zealots to the council with a Dark Consul personally appointed to manage the great force of cultists that infiltrated any and all staff held at the event. Cooks, servants, valets, as well as the occasional guest. All event staff were personally screened and handpicked by Xithyl's people and Darth Prazutis. Any and all food he might eat if any's cooking process would be personally supervised by the Dark Lords personal cook and it would be brought out to the Dark Lord by one of the Crownguard all of whom were loyal and immune to mental attacks as epicanthix.

Additionally the oracle Tammuz Ra was mysteriously in attendance and within eyeshot of the Dark Lord at all times. The visions of the future Tammuz Ra often received and his unique skillset would be great assets here. Above all every being who would be in the same building as Kaine Zambrano was on a roster, extensively background checked by intelligence even his own family. Everyone had to be personally approved to attend and absolutely no one ​was allowed to carry weapons except those working with security, and a small list of individuals personally approved by the Dark Lord himself of which he and his Shadow Hand were the first two on that list.

​The entire day had been scheduled right down to the route they would take to the location including three separate backup locations and the route was always changed at the last minute for security reasons. All rooms the Dark Lord intended to spend time in, how much time was gauged to be spent and his route to leave Panatha was extensively planned. Naturally there was a "reserve" time slot to allow for Kaine time for any unscheduled stops the Dark Lord might make during his time here. A full taskforce of ships was a short hyperspace jump away including the Blade of Fate should something go wrong. Every security employee was smuggled in with fake identities so as to minimize attention drawn to the affair.

​When the Crestfallen landed in one of Qocia's starports the Shadow Hand Darth Prazutis descended the docking ramp alongside the Dark Lord with Lord Commander Zaddion Bruul three paces behind them along with the Crownguard escort surrounding them, and the other individuals in their retinue. Darth Prazutis was outfitted with a comlink fashioned into a complex earpiece. This unique device was equipped with several channels one to the trips security council, one for each group providing security and their officers, and one for the ruling cabinet of the Sith Empire. They did have an Empire to govern after all. "All roads lead back home." ​Prazutis said to Kaine as the temple of Nereus came into sight, the whispers of Lord Commander Bruul heard behind them to his men over the comlink.

The group went inside the large structure but only a token few followed the Dark Lord into the personal chambers of the Grand Archimandrite. They did have religious rites to follow and the army of security had intruded on those enough already, here they could be respectful. It was just Kaine and Prazutis who entered the chambers of their relative, dropping to their knees in reverence to the gods of Panatha.

​Everything was going well so far, but it would be a long day.

[member="Saeth Zambrano"] | [member="Elani Zambrano"] | [member="Darth Morbian"]

[member="Sal Zambrano"] | [member="Venthis Zambrano"] | [member="Ara Zambrano"]​

 

[Lief]

The Grand Archimandrite was not within any backdoor chambers; the God-King, the Allfather's most beloved, was redirected to the Temple Proper, and therein he would find his sister knelt in reverence to their Gods. She kept her head bowed, as the disgustingly scented incense continued to float through the large chamber, mixed with the smell of the blood soaked offerings set just before her, it wasn't for the feint of heart. Thankfully Kaine was not some weak-stomached Adherent.

If she felt him there at her side, she did not show it, she did not stir. Her eyes were open, not that any would be able to see, the pupils having disappeared entirely until her eyes were purely white. Her lips moved soundlessly, and for what felt like an eternity only silence remained between them. No, it was not her Brother who drew her attentions from worship, but the significantly smaller presence which settled at her right, bowed yet filled with uncertainty and awe.

With a small exhale of breath the colour returned to her eyes, and one blink proved enough to return her to the land of the living. One hand lifted from her side, to settle upon the shoulder of her son, the only child she would ever bear, while her head turned to glance upon the most blessed of all Epicanthix. Though her expression was neutral, when she finally spoke there was an intensity to her voice, even in its whispered state.

"Has their faith in our Gods fallen so far, that they believe themselves unsafe in this most Holy of Cities?" Her eyes hardened slightly, boring into the man though her disgust was not truly directed at him, but at those who lingered within the entry of the Temple, not even bothering to show proper respect to their Creator,those who had brought outsiders into this City, a City that usually remained closed off from the eyes of the unworthy.

... Most of them had shown disrespect. There was one she sensed, however, with head bowed. "Sethaius..." she spoke, voice just loud enough to be carried to him, as she rose up from her knelt position to stand in the splendor of light which cascaded down from the ceiling, stained red and orange and yellow from glorious glass images which had been held aloft. "Come, Child, I would look upon you..."

Her gaze had never left Kaine, however, and in the moments which followed her voice once again turned low enough that only he could hear her.

"Look at how they cower, I wonder if any of them have even made this pilgrimage before, if they devote so much as a single thought to the Pantheon. They disrespect our rites, they bear arms within our walls. Tell me, Your Grace, why are they here? It is obvious they hold some motive or another..." Saeth did not care which of the brood had been transplanted onto the Throne, there was only one man the Gods had chosen to lead their people, and that man was at her side, not some girl who brought the scourge of the Ren with her.

Again she was reminded of Sebastian, the scorned Zambrano who was dismissed due to appearance alone. He was loved most dearly by his Aunt, he had come of his own volition, he had been pious and respectful, he had shown restraint. These others... They had borne the name of their most noblest blood in ignorance, they were blinded by privilege, they did not respect their roots.

[member="Darth Morbian"] [member="Darth Carnifex"] [member="Elani Zambrano"] [member="Venthis Zambrano"] [member="Ara Zambrano"] [member="Sal Zambrano"] [member="Darth Prazutis"]

 

[Darth Morbian]

There it was. That thrill of electricity, sending a tremble shuddering through his knelt form, as not just his Father, but his uncle, the two who shaped him into the diligent tool he served the God-King as. The memories of the pain, the exertion, the torture, and particularly the rare, small token slivers of pride they felt but kept concealed whenever he'd triumph over a particularly arduous task. Those memories flooded his mind in a quick rush, before being suppressed. This was not a time to languish over past successes. Now was a time to prove oneself of worth.

Untrained, comparatively, in the religious aspects of his family, Sethaius was eager to learn. Knowledge was growth. Growth was value. Value kept you close to father. Value was important. And Seth desired to be valuable.

Even through his quiet observance of the silent worship, Sethaius learned much. His approach of quiet, subservient respect, had been the correct course. He was surprised, and quietly pleased, to be acknowledged by the Grand Archimandrite.

She bade him forth, and to her he came. He knew his place as lower in the hierarchy, both religious and familial, and took a knee again when before his aunt. But still, silent he remained. She had spoken a command of him, but not a request requiring verbal response, so as yet it was not his place to speak.

Perhaps I shall attempt to ask for proper education later.... perhaps she'll indulge my desire to learn.... perhaps.... he thought to himself, eyes cast low out of respect, until she ordered them lifted, or angled his face herself.

[member="Saeth Zambrano"] | [member="Darth Prazutis"] | [member="Sal Zambrano"] | [member="Ara Zambrano"] | [member="Venthis Zambrano"] | [member="Elani Zambrano"] | [member="Darth Carnifex"]​

 

[Darth Carnifex]

He snorted, "Better to be overcautious than careless, sister. Our enemies won't put much stock into the sanctity of this city as we do, though this is excessive."

Oh well, there was nothing to be done about it now.

Others were arriving now, despite the fact that this was supposed to be a quiet private affair. His molten gaze fell upon Sarlow, a scowl forming as he deduced just exactly where the blame fell for this whole mishap. "They know not of our ways, sister, and they were erroneously invited to this summit through the failings of the mutt."

"Perhaps you should educate them?"

[member="Saeth Zambrano"] | [member="Elani Zambrano"] | [member="Darth Morbian"]​

[member="Sal Zambrano"] | [member="Darth Prazutis"] | [member="Ara Zambrano"]​

 

[Elani Zambrano]

Elani stood silently, watching as her elders spoke among each other. Her eyes slowly traced the interior of the temple with her head still bowed in respect for the Gods, despite not believing in them. She still wanted to show respect for other's religion. Especially the family's.

[member="Darth Carnifex"] | [member="Darth Morbian"] | [member="Saeth Zambrano"] | [member="Sal Zambrano"] | [member="Ara Zambrano"] | [member="Darth Prazutis"]​

 

[Ria Misrani]

Salara waited with her children, she led the four of them in a private prayer.

Sarlow simply stayed quiet and minded himself.

The five of them had not gone any further into the Temple, nor had they brought guards in the manner that [member="Darth Prazutis"] had. Although Sarlow did bring his own weapons, but he did not question his aunt's dedication to the safety and sanctity of the Temple. No, he did not question it at all, rather he was prepared to defend his daughter at all costs even to the point of shedding blood on such holy grounds. The wolf-man had since moved his jacket to conceal his weapons, his voice was quiet. He stood quietly, bringing up the rear of his family, his mother and three siblings to be exact.

The incense floated into the rear of the temple, closer to where he had been which was by the door in case a hasty exit would be needed. His nostrils flared as he took in the scent, if he was bothered by it he didn't say or show it. The prodigal son knew better than to make noise while his mother was in prayer. He had noted the scent of the others, [member="Darth Morbian"] and [member="Elani Zambrano"] to be exact. Siblings.

His eyes trailed and he counted the obscene amount of guards that his dearest 'uncle,' brought into the temple itself. And if his aunt wanted to know why he was armed, this was the reason. It wasn't a secret that there were some in the family who did not enjoy the thought of his child upon the throne. Let alone that his father was chased out of their homeland, first. True, [member="Ara Zambrano"] did not ascend the throne per the natural tones of their line. But there she was nonetheless as Queen. As he took a step forward his ears caught the word mutt, and a smile broke over his lips once more.

"Easy there, this mutt isn't so good with technology, and besides since when was the last time everyone got together in such a wonderful place?" His voice pushed forward through the otherwise quiet setting.

Salara turned and looked at her son, her eyes seemed to whip with anger. Sarlow's insolence knew no bounds, even as a grown man. His brother, Alvarex approached him and shared with the older Zambrano a look. It cut Sarlow to the bone to see it. "Alright, alright, I'll behave."

He stepped away from his mother and siblings leaving them to prayer and meditation.

[member="Saeth Zambrano"] | [member="Venthis Zambrano"] | [member="Darth Carnifex"]​

 

[Yaadri Osi-Yyn]

QOCIA || PANATHA​

Following the group he made his way into the grand structure, glancing up to the exquisite detail work he took a moment to appreciate it. He made his way through, following the small groups until he entered the large structure himself. Simmering to the back, and watching on from a distance. He chose not to speak up, he did not want to interrupt. He held respect for the temple itself. One of the few things he did.

Whispers and low tones filled the room along with the incense which floated around the chamber. He kept his breathing low, listening keenly to what unfolded. Though he took clear note of each of the individuals in the room, squinting at each of them for a moment. Until his eyes fell upon his father, eyeing him for some time then turning away to the next.

His arms behind his back, along with his hands interlocked. He held an upright posture. Venthis attempted to make a good first impression, as some of the family had never met Venthis before. He was... late to find his true bloodline, though now it was time to make up for all of which he had lost.

[member="Ara Zambrano"] | [member="Darth Carnifex"] | [member="Darth Prazutis"] | [member="Darth Morbian"] | [member="Sal Zambrano"] | [member="Saeth Zambrano"] | [member="Elani Zambrano"]​

 

[Lief]

"It should not take a miscommunication to bring our tribe together" she retorted, dismissing the discussion on armaments entirely. There was, indeed, nothing to be done for it now, and so long as blood was not shed she would have no qualms. True theirs was a Pantheon of blood, of war, and grievances, but they held to some decorum of tradition and sanctity all the same.

She would not have it said that her own kin' were the first to spill blood here.

Turning her gaze down toward Seth, after a few moments of dismissing his presence entirely, she dropped one hand toward his chin and tilted it up until he was forced to look upon her. There was a curiosity held within her eyes as she regarded him, before releasing him entirely.

"It seems this one was taught something of propriety, at the very least," she remarked, patting him on the cheek before looking back to the God-King. "Perhaps you are correct, Your Grace, and a little education is indeed necessary." There were some among them as old as he, though, who should have known better than to merely linger out of sight. Had their predecessors truly done such a poor job at teaching the rites of their religion? Shame.

Truly a shame.

When one among them, the one who had earned her brother's scorn, spoke up, her gaze snapped in his direction, before she turned on the dais to face them all entirely. Her hand remained lazily against Seth's cheek, and she felt young Ebiah step to her side with his head hung in piety. He, at least, she knew had been taught.

"There are faces here that I have never looked upon, much less seen within this most sacred of Cities."

Her voice, though not particularly loud, managed to carry across the Temple entirely. The downcast light fell upon herself and her Brother, illuminating them where they stood.

"Your blood is the most sacred, our lineage is the only one capable of entering Qocia without prior clearance... And yet none of you visit. Why is this? Do you believe yourselves beyond the Gods?" She shook her head ever so slightly to this, before turning her gaze to her Brother. He and Sebastian had been the only ones to visit of their own volition. What did that say about their most blessed bloodline?

[member="Venthis Zambrano"] [member="Sal Zambrano"] [member="Elani Zambrano"] [member="Darth Carnifex"] [member="Darth Morbian"] [member="Darth Prazutis"]

 

[Ria Misrani]

Sal would be the first to speak.

"For a long time, I've not considered myself worthy of the name, or the gift that it bears." He admitted, and on his part this much was true. Sarlow had long since run away from his family, he felt shame and dishonor from his curse. Sarlow's eyes fell upon his relative, where the light was downcast on her and his father the King, rather the once King of the Reach. He had felt Saeth's scorn and he'd feel it, even if he were not in the temple with her. "I have only recently returned to our family and that reason was my daughter."

Sarlow gestured toward [member="Ara Zambrano"], "she who is now the Arch-Queen, was only recently revealed to me." As it was, Sarlow seemed to have inherited his father's habits.

"This does not excuse my absence from prayer or meditation, but rather just as it happened."

The mutt had spent most of his days out in the Terminus Systems, or somewhere in the Outer Rim. Laying quiet, keeping to himself and doing his best to keep the monster within him caged. When Ara approached him on that fateful night, he knew then it was time to come home. "I'm not proud of any my actions, and it's not easy to be here but I wanted to seek you out on my own accord." There was a moment of pause as he stepped forward. His patrician features could be seen, the stolen looks of House Kesare could also be noted as his soft blue eyes glinted with the downed light of the temple. "I wanted to make amends, find my way back to somehow bring honor to this family." Instead of being the one to bring about the curse that now taints his entire line.

His mother and siblings remained silent, they had no reason to utter a word. There was no reason for their not being here, Salara respected Saeth's position but respect was as far as it went. Salara had devoted herself to Kaine, and felt that - that of itself was enough.

[member="Saeth Zambrano"] | [member="Venthis Zambrano"] | [member="Darth Morbian"] | [member="Darth Carnifex"] | [member="Darth Prazutis"] | [member="Elani Zambrano"]