The Strangest of People

[Sian Jerikao]

[SIZE=11pt]Training always progressed as it did, swing the saber, bash an opponent, maybe bemuse the great philosophical meanings of the universe and the total and infallible truth of the Dark Side of the force.[/SIZE]​

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[SIZE=11pt]All except the latter were grossly dull to Sian, so many years spent training the physical aspects of life had left them rather dull for the still rather young Anzat. He adored philosophy more and more now though, so fresh and exhilarating rather than simply looking at the many different interpretations of the hunger and that ever joyous soup that had so characterized his kind.[/SIZE]​

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[SIZE=11pt]This was no philosophy class, it had been brunt fighting labor that he was all too familiar with now. After rather savagely facing off with another acolyte he had departed from the group, scattering off away from the crowd after growing so incredibly sick of them. Such a waste of time, swinging some training blades around was worthless...he wanted a lightsaber...maybe in time he would collect one.[/SIZE]​

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[SIZE=11pt]Sian was a grossly aware individual though, and something did indeed catch his strange eyes: a chiss, who was very much not Sith.[/SIZE]​

 

[Tirtus Vex]

Tritus watched the man carefully from a distance. He seemed to be a young human male, but looks could be deceiving, especially in these times. One thing was clear though, this man was angry, as if it were all he knew. Perhaps he was a Sith, or perhaps he was just having a bad day, but there was little time for debating with himself. For now he would follow the man, see where that took them, and maybe he could find out some more about this man.

[member="Sian Jerikao"]

 

[Sian Jerikao]

Sian was far from angry, simply bored and tired of the training: Sian’s anger was a rare thing to invoke, and when it was it was a savage, predatory, and bloody thing. His facade fell when he was angry.

For a time, he acted as though if he hadn’t seen the man. Funny how people think they can so easily get the drop, sneak there way around without a hint of notice. Brutes most of them, lacking the fine cutting edge someone like Sian had gotten drilled into him to make him so apt at such maneuvers.

But he ended his little game rather quickly:

“It is unwise to sulk after a member of the Empire, they say.”

He didn’t even look at the man, not yet. He needed to see if there were hostile intentions.

[member="Tirtus Vex"]

 

[Tirtus Vex]

Tritus was slightly taken aback by the man's calm exterior. Not what he'd expect, but perhaps he was using it to gain an advantage. Only time would tell. He quickened his step, walking only slightly behind the man now. And he had indeed revealed something to him, he was imperial.

"They also say that the galaxy welcomes all, but you and I both know that it's a flimsy story people tell themselves. I'm not here to kill you, should you believe that is why I'm following you."

Truth was, Tritus lacked the skill to kill the man, even if he'd wanted to. He was a pilot and a captain of ships, so his ability to fight and kill on the ground were extremely limited. Hopefully his target couldn't sense that.

[member="Sian Jerikao"]

 

[Sian Jerikao]

How amusing, he seemed like fun enough.

"I do not think I have heard that anywhere except in dull political advertisements."

The man turned, he seemed...interesting...Chiss were a rare sight. Sian himself could easily be attributed the same thing, he seemed, unnatural. Human but enough tiny bits to make him off from the baseline, there was nothing to say that his little facade as the generic rabble of the Galaxy was totally flawless.

"But where are my manners? Sian Jeriako."

And now he was back to the usual facade, his hand extended to shake hands. The Chiss did that, right? For once Sian didn't actually know much about this potential prey-item.

[member="Tirtus Vex"]

 

[Tirtus Vex]

Tritus took his hand and shook firmly, as was customary in many parts of the galaxy. At least he hadn't killed him yet, though that option was never off the table for some people. He could tell that Sian was slightly offput by the Chiss standing beside him, and it would be a lie to say that that didn't happen often.

"Vexrium'tritus'hzebi, though most call me Tritus Vex. A pleasure to make your acquaintance." He spoke in a formal tone, his posturing changing to one of a naval officer, straight back and shoulders. He felt like he was standing in front of a superior officer, but maybe that was what Sian had planned. He was not ashamed by his ability to follow orders, but that didn't mean he would lie down and allow anyone to tell him what to do.

[member="Sian Jerikao"]

 

[Sian Jerikao]

That line between simply offput and grossly interested had been blurred, but he kept his hunger in check this time around. Going and devouring the Chiss did seem like an ample little treat, never had gotten to taste the Luck of one of those: far too many humans in the diet.

“A pleasure indeed.”

He was threading about as calculated as he could be, he needed to probe at him some and figure out his intentions.

[member="Tirtus Vex"]

 

[Tirtus Vex]

This man was curious indeed, especially his etiquette. He seemed almost noble in his stance and language, then with a certain predatory twist, as if he were creating a facade. He wouldn't be the first person in galactic history to do that, many individuals and species throughout time had taken on personas to hide their true intent.

"You interest me Jerikao, you seem old beyond your years, but that shows experience. Experience with factions perhaps?" Tritus had heard rumours of a growing dark side presence, one that could potentially rival the Sith of old, and he always had enjoyed being on the winning side of wars.

[member="Sian Jerikao"]

 

[Sian Jerikao]

Attentiveness was always something Sian found grossly amusing, prey was always more interesting when they weren't totally oblivious and helpless: it handed an edge that made the feast and eventual kill all the more sweeter. But alas, the Chiss was no prey item this time: Sian had been pushing back the hunger currently, for however long that would be. He simply smiled at his question, he would play his facade.

"As do you, Vexrium'tritus'hzebi. But alas, my experience with the great factions fighting against the simple fact of Imperial supremacy is little: I know a mere handful of Underworld rats but little else. And some trade families, but they are quite inconsequential, are they not?"

Seemingly, he had dodged around the idea of his age. He didn't want to answer it, he would much more enjoy to leave the Chiss guessing, attempts at kindness and politeness didn't supersede little games.

[member="Tirtus Vex"]

 

[Tirtus Vex]

"I'm sure many a merchant would disagree with you on that front, as well as the leaders of those aforementioned 'great factions'." That much would be true, the force knew that credits made the galaxy spin. But there was more than that in the universe, and usually those who saw that went far, maybe further than those obsessed with wealth.

"You speak of Imperial supremacy as if it is the only way forward, but unless I'm mistaken, many a faction has held the imperial mantel and fallen. Is there a particular group you speak of?"

[member="Sian Jerikao"]

 

[Sian Jerikao]

“The families of Abregadeo Rae, to be more accurate. Not quite as unfounded of a statement as it may seem.”

Sian tossed little bits of his past now, but little less. Never a clear path, all that was out there was the Underworld and Trade Families on Abregadeo Rae, a winding path was so many different options to make it happen: so few of them anywhere near what actually happened. It was his game.

“The Empire under Emperor Carnifex”

He seemed, blunt about it: raising simply into question how much he actually believed in “Imperial Supremacy”, such a confusing man.

[member="Tirtus Vex"]

 

[Tirtus Vex]

"This new empire, I imagine, requires men with the strength to do what must be done. You certainly seem like one such man, but your emperor will need more if he wishes to succeed." That was a simple fact, numbers were a huge factor in any war, and if the empire wanted to conquer, they would need everyone they could muster, and maybe a few more if things went south.

"Do you serve this Emperor Carnifex? If so, I wish to accompany you."

[member="Sian Jerikao"]

 

[Sian Jerikao]

"I must say, you impress me. Have you not heard of or seen the Empire? Their presence has grown quite large, in fact, I believe they recently laid siege to the world of Commenor."

Sian wasn't unaware of the Empire before they had come to recruit him, quite the contrary. But he had feigned an ignorance for the amusement of it all, a shifty little snake the Anzat could be. One did not live for 76 years and not learn to be supremely well informed on the major happenings of the Galaxy.

"Alas, that will not be possible: those I have come with will be more than abrasive to your coming with us. But, go to Bastion, you will find them there."

Sian delivered everything with a calm air, a small smile pierced his face too. It was a complete and utter lie, no expression could be trusted.

[member="Tirtus Vex"]

 

[Tirtus Vex]

"We Chiss prefer to stay out of your affairs, and I have been... busy the past few years." This was not the time or place to discuss his history, and he didn't exactly trust the man yet. they had only been acquainted an hour or so before. Something about him was enticing though, perhaps it was his mannerism.

"Maybe I will go, see this Empire for myself, and if I do go there, I shall be in contact." Tritus offered his hand out, to depart as they had met.

[member="Sian Jerikao"]

 

[Sian Jerikao]

“As you say.”

He did not push the issue for he simply didn’t care, it was more amusing than it was anything else. There were many folk in the Galaxy who simply didn’t care about the wider happenings, Sian just happened to not be one of them.

“Indeed. You may find me at the Sith Academy, if you feel particularly bold.”

With a smile that hid a venom, he took his hand and gave it hard shake before leaving off the way he came, not much of a look given back. He’d have to go with those bumbling Acolytes back to Bastion now.

[member="Tirtus Vex"]