Private The First Step

[Irina Jesart]

The great palace on Eliad had been abuzz with activity for weeks, servants coming and going as they prepared for the arrival of the new governor. Invites were sent to all the noble houses, a call for the Lords to present themselves and their heirs, a call to bend the knee.

A call that had had her father on edge ever since it arrived. His hand drummed against his knee in the speeder, his dark eyes far away. Irina rested her hand over his. “Enough, father.”

He snapped his gaze to her, eyes widening in surprise, as if he was seeing his for the first time this evening, in a gown of gold and green that matched his own robes. He heaved a sigh, “There will be mockery tonight.”

“There always is.”

“They will scorn me for presenting a girl as my heir.”

Irina's eyes narrowed imperceptibly at this comment. It wasn't like he'd had much choice. Her mother had died before she could provide him with another, and it was difficult to attract a new one with their name as low as it had fallen.

“Let them scorn, the only person we care about tonight is Darth Malum of House Marr . It is him I have been studying and training day and night for, not for these arrogant fools who believe they are better than us.”

He smiled then, the first time he had all evening and gave her hand a squeeze as the speeder rolled to a stop. He disappeared out of his own door, giving her a moment, only a heartbeat for her to take a deep breath. Tonight was the first step of many. The first hurdle in her path to raising her house from the dirt her grandparents had left it to rot in.

Her door opened and she took the hand offered to her, climbing out with every air of grace she had been raised with, her hand slipping into the crook of her fathers arm as they ascended the steps into the palace to await in the side chambers of the great hall. To await for their names to be called.

 

[Darth Malum of House Marr]

"Presenting the Duke Helmerik, and his wife the Duchess-Consort Helmerick," The crier announced yet another title, yet another name, as the young couple were brought forward through the oaken gates, all eyes watching them as they took their practised, careful steps along the brightly coloured flowing carpet, the sun from the outside blearing through stained glass windows, as they took their knees.

Helmerick...

They were an older house, but not amongst the oldest, it contrasted well to the youth of those before him. They had come under hard times, his Tsis'Kaar had told him, it was little wonder that young Duke Helmerick was forced to marry a merchant's daughter to save his fortunes.

Those eyes that surrounded him, carrion smelling a fresh corpse, were not to so easily forgive such weakness, such slight against the noble blood that flowed through their veins.

Perhaps the young Helmerick might need an ally, for after all, as his gaze settled upon the one sitting before him.

Upon the throne which belonged to the newly made king of this world. A crown sat upon raven locks, framing down an aquiline and noble face, lips thinned and neutral, nose high and proud, with red orbs gazing upon those down on their knees, his face was fixed, and he stared hard. He knew, as much as the Helmericks were to be judged for this.

All those around him, his erstwhile subjects, were judging him just as harshly.

Of course, why would they not? His name had rapidly become well known throughout the Empire, and that was as much due to fame, as it was infamy, they knew little, and expected less, the light touch of Darth Xyrah , could very well come to an end, as a new king had been coronated after their departure.

And though the carrion circled Helmerick, it was the perfumed nobles, gentlemen and ladies who circled him. Advisors, allies, dance partners, pillow sharers...

...There had been far too many suggestions made as of late that the people of Eliad could not take another monarch departing with such instability... that though certainly it was a governorship, rather than a true kingship, that the nobles might be willing to support an heir, born of one of them.

Suffice to say, if he had thought the nobles of Alvaria had been ambitious, at least they gazed at him with such awe, that they would not have been so nearly as bold.

Malum offered a wave of his hand, a nod of his head, at the noting of the Helmericks, no doubt they would have something to petition him of, if need be, he would invite them, yet in this hall, with all these watching eyes, he could offer little more than that favour. Yet, seeing the glimmering orbs of those standing.

It seemed it was enough.

There was only one family to which he could overtly show favour, and even then not too much. His cousins in Marrtaniel had perhaps been the only House upon Eliad which had been joyful at his arrival, and truly... he was happy to see some familiar faces. No doubt, once matters here were settled, it would be his distant cousin, Maximillian who he would place as his regent.

He just needed to make sure to settle the jealousies of all those who quite rightfully would claim nepotism.

Alas, that was for another day, as his vision turned towards the door.

As the crier prepared his voice, "Presenting Lord Jesert, and his heir, Lady Jesart."

Whispers broke out, the Jesarts huh...

It had been an unfortunate fate for that family.

Irina Jesart

 

[Irina Jesart]

The mood outside the presentation chamber was oppressive, nobles waiting their turn casting sidewards glances to others, conversation in hushed tones between partners. There was no pretending to be friends here, no delicate words of welcome barbed with thinly veiled insults.

She could feel her father tense beside her, his eyes darting from one to the next, a tremor beggining in the hand that rested at his side. "Vultures." He hissed a little louder than she would have liked. She moved smoothly to place herself in front of him, taking her other hand in hers.

"Come, father, ignore them." She said softly trying to draw his attention to her.

"They think I can't hear them, that I don't know what they say. That i don't know they are waiting for our demise so they can pick at what little is left of our corpses." His eyes had gone wide and taken on a manic glean as Irina's heart rose in her throat.

Not here. Not now.

"I'll cut them all down." He snarled trying to wrench his hand free of hers, to go for the ceremonial sword at his side but Irina held fast.

"Father," she repeated a little sharper, "look at me."

He didn't. "They killed your mother."

The room sucked in an audible breath, every eye on her as she tried to calm him. She knew it was no use, that there was only one way for him to settle. "Forgive me." She whispered, drawing her hand from his she stuck him across the cheek with an open palm, the noise richocheting of the ealls of the small chamber, loud enough for those just on the otherside of the door to hear it.

Her father reeled from her, shock rendered on his features as Irina sturggled to maintain her own expression as one of calm, though he could see in her eyes she was on the very edge of tears. It had had the desired effect, his focus was on her, the episode dissolved before it could truly take root. He stepped forward and embraced her.

"It's alright, I'm alright." He murmured softly. "I'm sorry. I'm here now."

Irina swallowed against the lump that rose in her throat as their names rang out from the criers lips. She took a deep breath and stepped back, taking the arm her father offered her as the doors opened and they stepped into the room, the perfect picture of grace, save for the reddening of his cheek. The room behind them exploded into whispers as the doors closed.

Irina ignored all of it, her head held high as they walked towards their new king, her chesnut gaze fixed on his until they reached the foot of the dais whete they knelt.

Darth Malum of House Marr

 

[Darth Malum of House Marr]

Malum could not help but raise an eyebrow as Lord Jesart and his heiress strode out from the great oaken doors, at least he attempted subtlety, the rise in the voices in the room, the whispers, were after all not simply due to the presence of another of their peers amongst them...

...Though well he supposed in some sense it could be argued to be, but truly, as his vision trailed along the beautifully and intricately designed drapes and apparel of gold and green, red eyes could not help but fall upon a rapidly reddening cheek. Considering the man was altogether put together, resolute even now despite how stinging the handprint no doubt was.

Malum's eyes turned towards, the only one who could have possibly inflicted such a blow.

She would grow into a beauty, that much he could be sure of, her eyes were a chestnut brown, reflected in the skin which she wore with a dignified poise, her hair was darker, as black as his, even if it was longer, reaching down beyond her shoulders to her arms. Her dress was of the same colours as her father's, long and flowing, even at this age, it seemed the expectations of a noble lady were drilled into her.

Still.

What had occurred between them for that slap?

What had happened after for them to walk down a hall of their peers as if nothing had happened at all?

The whispers ceased as they knelt, his hand raised to silence them, as his eyes gave them a once over.

The House of Jesart, once among the greatest houses of Eliad, indeed, perhaps the greatest house of Eliad, among the few and fewer noble houses that could claim nativity to this world before Darth Sidious' exile decree, they had made been an industrious bunch, even living in a desert, the very same which was named after them, it was they who brought the world space flight.

And they were a show of how quickly the sands of fate could turn against you.

A Lord slapped.

A Lady heiress.

That was all that was left of the House of Jesart now.

He might have waved them off with little more thought, an idle curiosity, a relic of a bygone age, far from being able to assist him in his plans... and indeed it was the oldest of houses that were like to be against him, and he had little desire to offer his aid for those in such a fallen position. Even, if he could feel for the young woman before him, so confident, so bold even still.

He could not help but be reminded of Caecia...

At least this heiress had little chance of her inheritance being stolen, as it was it seemed the Lord Jesart for whatever reason, whether the love for his previous spouse, or seemingly a lack of means, did not seek to remarry.

That would be all there was.

Until he felt the shift in the air.

It wafting over the wind.

He narrowed his eyes... how had he missed it?

"Your name, my lady?" The sovereign spoke from the throne, eyes landing upon him in surprise. Their new monarch had yet to speak in these presentations so far.

Irina Jesart

 

[Irina Jesart]

The chrous of whispers had long been the song in which her and her father moved to. They fell like rain water on glass rolling away from both of them. Tomorrow, her father would suffer, tomorrow the paranoia would be at its worst. It always at its worst agyer events like these, events the rarely attended unless they had to.

He had been like it ever since her mother had died, convinced that the illness taht had taken her had been constructed by the other nobles, desperate to see their old house crumble.

But they hadn't.

She felt Darth Malum of House Marr 's gaze linger on her, before he spoke. Beside her she felt her fathers head snap upwards from its bowed poise to stare in surprise at the new King of Eliad, a gentle squeeze from the hand that still rested in the crook of his elbow seemed to relax him a little, though he was as surprised as the rest.

They had hoped for this, she had been working towards this in the shadows, careful to keep her training a secret, to keep the rumour mill turning elsewhere. Slowly she lifted her gaze to the King.

"Irina of House Jesart," she replied with a soft bow of her head "if it please your majesty."

 

[Darth Malum of House Marr]

He offered a smile, he should not have, even as the whispers surrounding them grew louder in pitch, but alas, there was a strange enjoyment he felt in the depths of his bones. At least in this world, he was Your Majesty, rather than Your Imperial Majesty, even if a regnal title at times still felt entirely bewildering to him.

An imperial title was certainly worse, and far more dangerous for his person.

Still, the smile had been granted now, and there was little way to take it back. He would not shed tears for it regardless, it was not as if the smile was not entirely unwarranted, after all, it took a certain boldness to gaze into the eyes of a Sith Lord, let alone one that had ascended as far as he had.

...Though he supposed, his relative youth, would imply that he had not ascended very far at all.

"It does..." Malum offered slowly, red meeting brown, a consideration passing between them, "Keeping your force sensitivity secret must not have been easy... you have my attention, petition me and you might have my interest as well,"

He offered a nod, and waved them away.

It was the most favour he had offered any house, even as it was very little, at least in the public eye.

Alas, as the whispers continued to abound, it was enough indication that it might have still been too much.

Irina Jesart

 

[Irina Jesart]

Irina could nor help the smile as the whispers erupted around them. The smallest of triumps, but it was enough to lift her spirits, and even that of her fathers, who had recovered from his initial surprise, the conrners of his mouth twitching with the smile he did hi best to hide as he kept his head bowed.

Hearing the Dark Councillors voice in her head she lowered her gaze, excitement tingling up her spine. "Thank you, your majesty."

They rose, her father first, his hand extending down to her to help her rise and they swept away wuth the same airnof grace they had entered the room in, joining the fray of people to watch the remainder of the familes be called forward. Eyes kept flicking their way, not-so-subtle sidewards glances, all of which they paid no interest in.

There were only a handful of familes after them, but none garnered the same reaction as they. Irina could feel the frustration rolling off of some of them as the presentation ended and the large banquet hall was opened. Great tables laden with aperitifs and servants sweeping between the crowd offering trays of drinks or nibbles as a small band began to play in a corner.

Now was the chance for families to speak, to his majesty if they dared, and also to trade gossip. The Jesart name was very much on their lips, from the slap she had given her father before their entrance, to the kings acknowledgement of her.

Darth Malum of House Marr

 

[Darth Malum of House Marr]

It was difficult to eat when all the hall's eyes were upon him, even as the identifiable yet completely incompressible sound of a hundred voices filled the room. He would give it some more time, and allow his subjects to distract themselves even more in the metaphorical biting and stabbing which excited them.

For Sith rule on this world, and simple common decency had mostly divested them the right to literally do so. Still, that meant sitting upon the central throne, red eyes gazing over familiar voices, linked to familiar, if, distant names, he was rather bored.

He might have even taken a petition now, certainly, it would mean that all their eyes would be on him, but it would at least cure his boredom for the moment, allow him to flex his mind, as he pondered what decision to make. Alas, no one wished to make the first move, especially if the first move was to be rejected, surrounded by predators, the last thing one wanted was to send blood into the water.

Though of course, there was a specific reason he wished for one petition in particular to make themselves present. He had been taken aback when Lady Irina Jesart had not been surprised at the voice of her newly made king in the back of her mind, but too, that she held a proficiency enough in the Force to respond in kind.

Most intriguing, with a potential that was being reared well... he might have even been tempted to take her on... he still was, still, there was the issue of the fact that he simply had little time for an apprentice.

...In the traditional sense.

There had been musings on Jutrand for quite some time for the new school year... perhaps...

Still, it would be as he had told her, she had his attention, but if she would have his interest was another matter entirely.

Irina Jesart

 

[Irina Jesart]

"It's too soon, Irina." Her father murmured to her softly, his eyes surveying the room, his words coming from the corner of his mouth to avoid drawing attention to their quiet conversation.

"How is it?" She said her eyes flicking towards the King was was very clearly bored. And who could blame him, Irina had spent her lifetime bored at occasions like this. "Half this room are already talking about us, father, what difference does it make if we are bold now?"

He heaved a sigh in response and plucked a goblet of wine from a passing tray, and tooka gulp before studying his daughter with the scrutiny only a father could. His daughter...who looked so much like her mother, especially with that passionate fire burning in her eyes. Who was he to stand in her way?

He sighed, and nodded finally giving in, offering her his arm. Irina's whole face lit up with excitement as she took it, placing a kiss on her fathers cheek beforenhe ledmthem through the hall, exchanging polite pleasantries with the few that addressed them until they reached the foot of the throne.

Irina let go of his arm and curtseyed as he bowed deeply. "Your Majesty, may I be the first to tell tou what an honour it is to have a member of the esteemed Dark Council ruling over our noble houses."

Darth Malum of House Marr

 

[Darth Malum of House Marr]

He raised his eyes to attention, as the first of them approached, a blink and you would miss it smile gracing his lips, as subtle as it was non-existent, as he realised who exactly had been bold enough to make the first move. It was unsurprising, a lack of means bred desperation and desperation boldness.

And the House of Jesart was certainly desperate.

Yet, of course, there was the fact that clearly the Lord Jesart, certainly did not wish to be here, no, no, this was boldness not born of desperation, or at least not entirely so. It was boldness of another kind entirely.

Boldness born of the bold.

It was little surprise that one that intrigued him so, the Lady Jesart was the one to lead her father here, it seemed she wished to make good on what he had told her.

He offered a nod as she curtsied, another as her father bowed, an idle thought how she mastered such etiquette, while no doubt being educated in all which befit a noble lady, and of course, training in the arts that he doubted any others assembled in this room could appreciate. That was a bond between them, a secret only noble scions blessed... or otherwise cursed with Force-sensitivity could ever know.

It granted her enough rope, for him to listen.

"The honour is all mine, my lord... I hope to rule as ably as your previous monarch," Oh delectable Saryn... still now he found the evidence of his battledroids, most of it was gone, but there might indeed be too much for it all to be gone.

Something to speak to about with him he supposed.

Irina Jesart
Mentioned: Darth Xyrah

 

[Irina Jesart]

Irina's eagerness was barely contained behind a polite mask, her eyes glittered as they flicked from her father, to Lord Malum and back again. She could feel eyes on the back of her head, boring through her skull in the hopes that they might glean some understanding as to why the Jesart's, normally so content to stay out of the limelight, would be so openly bold.

"I am certain that you will do that and so much more, your Majesty." her father said with a small smile, "If there is anything that House Jesart can do to assist you in the acclimatisation to your new seat and the planet itself, we'd be happy to lend what resources we have."

Irina rolled slightly onto the balls of her feet, a touch impatient with the dull exchanging of pleasantries. Her father shot her sidelong glance and she blew a sigh out of her nose, dropping her gaze.

"We may not have the resources we once did, but our knowledge will far surpass that of the younger houses." He continued, but Irina couldn;t bare it any longer.

"We heard that there's a new academy on Jutrand and that the recruitment for prospective students would start soon. Is that true?"

Her father sighed but was smiling despite his disappointment. "The impatience of youth." he said with a shrug.

Darth Malum of House Marr

 

[Darth Malum of House Marr]

If eyes could burn holes, certainly the Jesarts would be burning and dead several times over. If whispers held a quality that did not make them quiet, no doubt Malum would be hearing the most intriguing of conversations surrounding him if still, twinged with the colour green.

It seemed a genuine enough offer from the Lord Jesart, though of course that was tempered with the fact that all genuine offers were hardly selfless, there was always gain, and want in all offered, and indeed, though it might not be specifically asked for, revealing what was unsaid, was oftentimes, as much the point in this than anything else.

Though, Lord Jesart was a special enough case.

Despite his lack of resources, interestingly enough what he most wanted was indeed to be used, for his help to be accepted.

To be in the confidence of the powers that be, to restore his power, influence, and wealth through connection with His Grace, that was exactly what he wanted.

And certainly, he was not opposed to the idea on principle, there was something to be said about surrounding oneself with the strong, it was ideal, yet the strong often so wished to be stronger... all the while, the weak, well they wished to be strong too, but only, for the present moment, stronger than the strong. The Jesarts were old, they were proud, they were misliked... yet, in some quarters, they were respected.

Tempting partisans to bring to the fold.

Still, even as his attention was for now found upon the Lord Jesart, out from the corner of his sight, when not focused upon the surrounding environs, it was impossible not to notice the credible effort of the Lady Jesart in restraining her excitement... patience, young one, "No doubt, Lord Jesart... certainly I would be far from opposed to considering and discussing it," He hid the smile, as the whispers grew in intensity.

A bone, barely a morsel, and they were clucking like hens, this was power, to even say and offer this little, and they were chopping at his heels, no doubt, even this, would go in small part to aid Jesart's position.

Yet, there was always the unexpected, as Malum's eyes snapped to the exclamation, narrowing his eyes, before relaxing.

Ah... he had not considered that.

Even as Lord Jesart offered a weak explanation, now Malum's smile was visible, "...Yes, that is true, it is hardly new, its prestige is rather peerless, though it has been always more first among equals, rather than truly first... this year seems to indicate differently however," After all, he had attended the Palace of Silver Rain, along with most of his generation of acolytes... though so few of them were left now.

Perhaps that indicated a certain failing.

Malum knew what she wanted, still...

"And what of it?" The smile remained on his face, even as his eyes glimmered in mirth.

Irina Jesart

 

[Irina Jesart]

Irina's eyes flicked to her father almost expectantly and he chuckled. "Oh no, daughter of mine, you lacked patience. Now you have started, you must finish." There was a breif flicker of a pout, a moment of a little girl who had her father wrapped around her finger trying to use that bond to her advantage. But Jacob Jesart simply smiled at her.

So be it.

She turned her gaze back to Malum, to thier new sovereign and straightened to stand a little taller. "I have been training, with the hopes that when the applications open, I may join those that step forward to become a part of the next generation of sith. However, finding reputable tutors that are willing to work with a house such has ours has been...challenging."

She paused, organising her racing thoughts, acutely aware that the whole room seemed to have shifted just a little closer. Training? Sith? The whispers were like wildfire around the room. It brought Irina a mix of pleasure that they had successfully kept her sensitivity a secret, yet also dread for she knew just how vicious these courts could be.

"If I were to acquire a sponsorship, between now and the entrance exams, then it might open doors that have otherwise been closed to us."

Darth Malum of House Marr

 

[Darth Malum of House Marr]

It was an amusing sight, the lightheartedness of a father teasing his daughter, who had put herself in an awkward position... he could never imagine that his father would ever do such a thing, as much of a soft side that the man held for his daughters. Even as the Jesarts no doubt held to themselves in unique stressful circumstances... there was an outward emotiveness...

...Which he doubted he could have found amongst his own family, even behind closed doors.

Well, that was not entirely true he supposed, Elise and Sophia had never been shy about being subversive in their own ways.

And he never doubted that Caecia and Julia cared... in their own ways.

He blinked away the thoughts, as the murmurs began again in earnest, as Lady Jesart began her speech, straightening her back, as young, and small as she looked, there was a regality to her confidence.

And her proposal.

Bold.

Bold indeed.

He raised his hand, and in a single moment, all the room's voices were silent, "...Certainly a challenge, one which you have seemingly persevered and adapted to well enough," Yet, not honing her true potential, he and his sisters had a small army of tutors to not only teach the academic subjects, but to the Sith arts.

The man he was now, was due in no small part to their efforts.

"....Intriguing, and so, what would you have me do, my lady?" Malum continued, a hint of tease in his tone, clear enough to both of them, clear enough to the entire room what was occuring, yet still, a game of his very own was played.

Irina Jesart

 

[Irina Jesart]

Irina felt her heart hammering in her chest as she realised that her impatience may have been a mistake. Her mouth went dry as whispers became murmurs and she found herself inching a little closer to her father. It was his turn now to be strong, to encourage her to turn a blind eye to the noise. He placed a gentle hand on her shoulder and gave it a squeeze as the King's hand rose to silence the room.

Was that worse? It definitely felt worse. At least before she could have pretended they were talking among themselves about something else entirely, now she knew they were listening. But she had started, and as her father pointed out, she had to see it through now.

She recognised the little mirth in Lord Malum's eyes and heard the teasing in his tone. Was he mocking her? Despite her doubts, despite the fear that he might reject her proposal in front of all of these people... Irina swallowed, straightened herself and spoke with confidence that she absolutely did not feel.

"Sponsor me, your majesty." The room erupted again and Irina ignored them. "I'd be happy to go through any test you might want to present me with to prove that I am worthy of such an honour."

Darth Malum of House Marr

 

[Darth Malum of House Marr]

She was adorable. Malum had decided, ravenlike eyes continued to watch her, perceiving, considering, as smiling flames were reflected in the orbs, gazing at her subtle retreat... no... withdrawal, back to her father's side. It was a credit enough that spoke well of his character, that even in breaking decorum he did it with much grace.

It spoke even more well of his character that he would break decorum at all to help his daughter. There were far too many who would allow their children to flounder, to consider them disappointments, to watch them as flailed about beginning for help, but coldly, without words, inform them to drown or swim.

It seemed this family were quick, to raise their station in his eyes.

Even more so, as the young Lady Jesart rallied, regaining her composure, straightening her form.

And... his respect for her only grew, raising as the blood raised up his lungs, as the question was cleanly asked, without stutter, stammer, or lisp. He sent a glare around as the whispers erupted, the silence becalming the room once more, as red eyes considered her once more.

"...You are certainly bold, Lady Jesart, certainly bold indeed," His fingers held a steady rhythm as they tapped the arm of the throne, "A test... hmmm? Alright." He considered exactly what he wished to learn, what exactly she would prove to him, the first, she had already proved, but it would be necessary for all others.

"Tell me, what you have learned... but, you must tell me silently." The whispers grew at such a request, this time, Malum did not interrupt, rubies piercing a shade that from this distance was near obsidian.

Irina Jesart

 

[Irina Jesart]

To her credit, despite the trepidation creeping up her spine, Irina held his gaze. It was probably frowned upon, she was probably meant to look away but she was beginning to believe that her boldness and confidence was something that amused him and if he was amused, then his mood was light and he was more likely to grant her request.

Telepathy was not hard, but it didn't come quite so easily as she wished. She could reply, but being the one to establish the connection was a little harder. It would come with time and practice. She nodded and closed her eyes, reaching out for him in the force, trying to replicate the connection he had used in the throne room.

"Telepathy is not my strong point, but I am getting better."

Irina opened her eyes to see if there was any indication it had not worked before carrying on.

"The tutors I have had, have told me I have a natural affinity for telekinesis, teaching me to do not only lift things but to manipulate them. I've also been learning to enhance my senses, to be able to hear and see over greater distances."

Darth Malum of House Marr

 

[Darth Malum of House Marr]

He was impressed despite an audience of a hundred different pairs of eyes upon her, she was stalwart, she was firm in holding his gaze, despite the fact that doing so of one so much older than her, her superior in both rank, position, and power, was hardly an easy feat. He remembered those early days, the first time he met the Emperor before he had been the Emperor.

The urge to gaze away from such an imposing visage had been overwhelming. It would be a long road ahead before Malum ever reached that kind of presence...

...Though, he was hardly sure if he wished to gain a presence that was at all comparable to that of the Corpse King.

He blinked away the thought, as through his mental barriers, the first trickle of a foreign thought was made manifest, his smile ever widening, ever encouraging as she opened her eyes, a question in her gaze, of if she had succeeded.

"You have passed the first test."

Though the list of abilities she professed hardly impressed him, she was much further behind than he had been at her age, and the Imperial Academy of Jutrand was hardly a safe place for one unprepared.

Malum clapped his hands, all the faces of the nobility swerving to him, surprise painted upon their features, slackened jaws, and widened eyes, she had passed? They questioned? They had not seen anything, how could she have possibly...

The questions went on, whispered, yet Malum cared little.

"Telekinesis then? Hmm?" Malum considered, "This throne of which I sit," His fingers tapped along the armrests, "How confident are you that you could not only lift it with me atop, but also spin it around?" His voice had already quietened much of the crowd, his request had silenced it.

What... an odd request.

Irina Jesart
Mentioned: Darth Empyrean

 

[Irina Jesart]

His disregard for the whispers in the room only encouraged Irina as she felt her confidence grow. She could do this, she could convince him that she was worthy of his support. The genuine applause and encouraging smile was for their benefit not hers, to let them know that she was succeeding. Her father squeezed her shoulder and took a small step back as Malum levied her next challenge.

Irina was not only confident that she could, but she knew that this was something well within her realm of capabilities. Her answer was a wry grin. She did not need to close her eyes to find focus for this one, raising her hand as she tapped into the force feeling the chair and the Lord Malum upon it it lifted, slowly, but without any tremors one might find in other acolytes seeking to lift something.

She rose the throne high till he was situated just below the line of chandeliers that decorated the ceiling and slowly began to turn him.

Darth Malum of House Marr

 

[Darth Malum of House Marr]

"I always did enjoy heights," Malum offered with a smirk, as he gazed down upon his subjects from his newfound height, even as the crux of his focus was upon the acolyte, the fact even in just his mind he referred to her as such was likely a good sign for the young Lady Jesart, not that she would know it.

It was slightly dizzying, yet, to her credit, even as she did not much struggle with raising the weight of a throne, even with the excess weight of a Sith Lord, and also turning it about its axis, she also did so without him feeling as if he would lose his lunch. These heights had yet another benefit, gazing about all those assembled, even if he had to school his features, he could not help but enjoy the expressions.

Though most kept their hands annoyingly close to their chest, as he would expect, for the uncommon few of them with slackened jaws, with wide eyes, with bewilderment and shock running their brows. Well, it was indeed their reactions that he found himself living for. Raising his sight up, he allowed an easy breath to leave him.

The chandelier was genuinely beautiful so close.

As he spun back to face her, he had in his mind the last test, yet, from what she had told him... he was unsure if she held the means, yet, to survive the Academy, she would need something of this nature.

"Return the throne to its rightful place..." He began, as the wry grin crept upon his features, "...And then attempt to strike me down."

The cacophony of whispers and gasps returned.

Irina Jesart