Private The First Step

[Irina Jesart]

Irina slowed the spin to a stop as his words drifted down to her, her eyebrows jumping in surprise. Strike him down? Truth be told she had expected that at some point he would want to test her ability in a fight, but she never for a moment imagined that he would make such a request before the court.

And she most definitely was not dressed for such a thing.

Behind her, her father stiffened as Irina slowly lowered the throne. “This is a trap” he muttered, paranoia creeping into his voice. She needed him to keep it together, to not interfere, this was her chance at success and she would not have him ruin it.

The cacophony of noise from the watching crowd fell away into the background, as Irina drew on the dark side, tapping into the quiet anger that bubbled beneath the surface feeling it flood her body, heightening her senses as the room seemed to slow.

“No father,” she replied calmly as the throne touched down, her gaze fixed on the King, “This is the way of the Sith.”

She shoved the throne backwards, uncaring of who was behind it, with every intent on putting it, and Malum through the back wall.

Darth Malum of House Marr

 

[Darth Malum of House Marr]

His command had caught her by surprise, which in itself was unsurprising, to be ordered to strike down the man that you only hours ago pledged your allegiance to, with the added factor that you were ordered to do so by that very same man, could not be called unstrange. Yet, what was surprising was gazing into those chestnut orbs that no doubt would in far future days be catching the eyes of many a gentleman... and/or gentlewoman as well, as per her taste, it seemed the acolyte had not been fully caught off-guard.

How intriguing.

The Lord, the Father, was hardly of similar state, muttering quietly to himself, and his child, a word that might have vaguely been 'trap' reaching his ears. No doubt those surrounding them might think a similar thought.

So, what would you do, young Lady Jesart?

Her words were enough to gain a smirk upon his lips, as the confidence, and the boldness, were all easily appreciated. The Force swelled in the air, once so easily drifting to his will, another who was to their sensitivity was a beacon which it could not ignore. He could taste the anger in the air, her fuel, her sacrifice. He could smell the darkness.

He narrowed his eyes, as one moment he stood at rest, and the next he was accelerating through the air. He let out a breath, as the throne stopped all momentum, staying still in the air, as if held by some invisible platform, he vaguely gazed behind him, shocked faces. All too well aware of what might have occurred if he had not intervened.

They would not soon forget... though, if she had made those fearful, or made new enemies, was hard to tell.

Simple claps filled the air, as he floated back to his rightful position, claps soon taken up by scattered few across the hall, before peer pressure soon had the whole hall clapping, most feigned, yet, there was still the smallest budding respect born here, it would be well remembered as the day's festivities ended, and they fluttered out of the hall.

"...Clearly, you know the way of the Sith well, my lady," Malum spoke his lips turning flat, a hush falling around them, as the clapping trickled to nothingness, "...You came seeking my sponsorship." He continued, a silence dawning that could be broken by a rogue breath, a silence which nerves and sweats could be born.

"You have it." A genuine smile graced his features.

Irina Jesart

 

[Irina Jesart]

Irina had not expected it to succeed, though it didn't stop a brief pout of disappointment when he stopped his momentum with ease. The faces of those behind him brought a little bit of pleasure to her. Serves them right for all the cruelty that this court had made her family endure.

Her eyes drifted back to Malum as he returned the throne to its resting point, the room slowly erupting into applause that brought heat to her cheeks. She wanted to look round at them and see who was genuine and who was simply playing pretend to pull the wool over the new King’s eyes on just how cruel they could be.

Instead, she maintained her focus on Malum as he began to speak, feeling her father draw close behind her, a hand coming to settle on her shoulder, thumb gently caressing her back. She could feel the pride emanating from him as her sponsorship was declared. Irina beamed, fighting the urge to shout with joy and hug either Malum or her father.

She managed a composed curtsey in reply. “Thank you, your majesty. I will not let you down, this I can promise you.”

Darth Malum of House Marr

 

[Darth Malum of House Marr]

He was one who watched, silent and lurking, the one whose vision granted him the sight far beyond what was normally. Such was not like a magic trick, it was one that many amongst the better classes held the capability to undertake, when one became proficient enough in lying to the world, it was almost natural that one would gain the ability to tell when the world was lying to you.

Alas, it was hardly that difficult when it came to the young woman before him, though not much older than a child. Though she had certainly been taught much in the noble arts, focus assuredly had to be split between that and those of the so-called Dark arts. Her face revealed far too much, and revealing anything that one did not want revealed, was the way to receive a shikkar in the back.

Yet, he could forgive that, she was young, her family had clearly received much castigation in the past, something his own House was not unfamiliar with, all the while... she had triumphed, she held the opportunity to raise her family... as Malum too had once. He could forgive it all and more, she was not his apprentice, only a sponsor... and still, there was still time to prepare her for all which would come.

After all, he would not allow one sponsored by House Marr to flounder.

"...That... is yet to be seen, Lady Jesart, I shall be watching you with rapt attention, be there little doubt of that," A subtle threat to all those gathered here as well, the House of Jesart had his curiosity, nought was to occur to her.

He turned his head, glancing around to all, "It would seem the performance is done, feast my friends, and all who else wishes to petition me, do not fear being unable to beat this performance, I shall listen with attentive ears and an understanding mind," He turned his back to the Jesarts assembled, nodding his head, a pleasant dismissal if there ever could be one.

Irina Jesart

 

[Irina Jesart]

Irina's father bowed before offering his arm to Irina, who slipped her hand inside it without hesitation, she was buzzing with barely contained excitement, bouncing on the balls of her feet as her father led her away.

"Calm yourself, little one." He murmured though he was fighting to contain his own wide smile as he guided them tonthe side of the room as other following in their footsteps began to approach the throne.

"I did it." She replied quietly.

"I know little one, I have never been prouder." There was a touch of sadness there, to know that he would be losing her for at least four years, but he buried it beneath, not wanting to spoil her moment.

Darth Malum of House Marr