When The Student Is Ready, The Master Appears

[Darth Miseria]

Outer Rim Territories - Ryloth​

Sinner's Well​

Unspecified Time​

[member=Adron Malvern]​

​

​

Dianah had been home for a week or so now. The time was supposed to be spent resting and recuperating to prepare for whatever mission the Confederacy or the Jen'ari Empire would have her do. But to put it simply, she was bored. There had been no visitors to the castle for weeks. No family members whatsoever to speak of save for the short visit of her eldest brother. There had been the servants and staff members that kept the place running, but they were only good for so much. Half the time they were too professional and too busy to want to engage in idle chit chat. So, as the saying goes, there was kriff all to do.

There was never enough daylight to wonder around aimlessly doing nothing. It felt like a complete waste of time. Yet here she was, wondering all alone around the vast halls of Sinner's Well. When she first arrived the stone walls were a place of safety and retreat but now they felt more like a prison, though she was free to come and go as she pleased. She was grateful for the chance of a break but the curious side of her itched to be exploring the very edges of the Galaxy again. There was always the option of just leaving but she had a vain hope she might bump into her Father before the week was out.

The sun was glaringly hot today. It seeped in through the windows and heated the whole place up from the inside out. It was the kind of heat you could feel around you all the time. Heavy and full of moisture that stuck clothes to skin. Dianah could feel the warmth of the walls in the tips of her fingers as she trailed against them. Considering the weather and the fact that nobody else was around Dianah was in her original form and wore a thin white dress. It was made of breathable material so the heat didn't bother her too much, but it wasn't even mid-day yet.

The only appealing idea was to take a wonder through the lush gardens buried away in the heart of Sinner's Well. They weren't overly large but they were filled with brightly coloured fauna. It was her favourite spot in this whole dusty, yellow structure. Slowly and carefully, as if trying to drag out the process, Dianah made her way up the short twisting path to the heart of the gardens. There was a heady atmosphere to the place today. The sickly sweet smell of flowers in bloom coupled with the searing heat made Dianah feel slightly dizzy.

In the centre of it all was an ornate fountain. It was here she decided to sit, with nothing to entertain her but the bright rays of sunshine bouncing fragments of light off the water.

 

[Adron Malvern]

Location: Sinner’s Well | Time: Morning | Tags: [member="Dianah Vrorae"]

Peace is a Lie, There is only Passion​

Through Passion, I gain Strength​

Through Strength, I gain Power​

Through Power, I gain Victory​

Through Victory, my chains are broken​

The Force shall free me​

Adron had committed the last few months of his life to understanding the ancient code of the Sith. In quiet hours he would embrace a state of mind focused on learning the truth behind these words. There were Sith who had studied the mysteries of the Dark Side for five lifetimes and still understood little about their own code. The Confederacy’s Minister of War had been no different. He had fallen to the Dark Side long before he embraced the code and teachings of the Sith. He had been drinking from the power of hatred, love, and fear for well longer than he had ever stood by the teachings of the misguided, the Jedi.

Of course, that was not to say the old Masters could not be studied from. It was that very notion that brought him here to Ryloth, to Sinner’s Well. Normally he would not frequent the citadel unless he was meeting with [member="Darth Metus"] himself, or on occasion [member="Srina Talon"]. Today, however he found himself in need of something that was held at abundance here. Knowledge. The raven haired man strode through the structures inner workings, as if he had been the one to design every intricacy that it held. As usual his hair was combed back and neatly trimmed, a soft shine coming from it as the lights flashed over him.

He looked every bit the man of noble blood that he was. From his well kept physique, to his flashy appearance, all the way down to the tailored suit that lightly hugged his body. Today he wore a slate suit with a near crimson accent. Even Adron’s lightsaber, which hung freely from his waist, was a shiny silver with particular designings that spread across it.

The walking stick in his left hand caused a shallow echo to fly through the empty halls, it was almost rhythmically in sync with the tapping from his heels. Adron had decided to cut through the gardens, as he often did when he visited Sinner’s Well. The gardens were an interesting reminder of where he had come from, before The Confederacy. It had been when he was still a High Moff in the Galactic Empire that he first saw those gardens in a moment of bond with Srina.

Passing through the threshold into the gardens, Adron inhaled softly to take in the smell of the fresh fauna that surrounded him. Before the smell of plants and flowers filled his nose, but before that he felt an even shift in the Force, calling his eyes to the center of the gardens. He glanced over the stone fountain, taking notice of the Force signature that laid out of his physical view. He did not dwell on the presence, it was not like it was unusual for someone to be enjoying the gardens.

The soft trickle of the fountain drowned out the tapping of his cane, while he made his way past the fountain. Crystal blue eyes peered down at the young woman sitting under the fountain. She had soft nearly caramel shaded skin and deep brown eyes. As Adron set his hands over the peak of his ebony cane he inclined his head to the woman.

“Good Morning.” He greeted, drawing his lips into a thin, almost intrigued, smile.

Adron could feel the woman through The Force and it caused him to nearly arch a brow at her. He refrained, yet pushed into The Force lightly, as if to get a read on the woman before him. Who was she?

 

[Darth Miseria]

The steady trickling rhythm of the water fountain and the blazing summer day lulled Dainah into a daze. Cool water lapped over the hand she had lazily placed on the tiled wall surrounding the feature. The only other sounds seemed to be the chirp of birds and the gentle swaying of heavy leaves. With the heat surrounding her like a warm blanket she felt at peace. In the end some part of her rather hoped nobody would come to shatter her new found sanctuary. After a good half an hour there had been no sign of a single soul so Dianah felt comfortable enough to slip into a hazy sleep.

Tap. Tap. Tap.

Her half-awake mind shifted back to life. Dianah shook her head to clear the groggy feeling of a disturbed sleep. It seemed her mind was playing tricks on her in the heat of the sun because there was no tapping noise now. She shifted uneasily against stone bench she had been using as a temporary bed with every intention of closing her eyes again.

But something made her stop.

In the corner of her eye she caught the glint of something silver that caught the sun and danced elegant rainbows across her outstretched legs. What followed was man who dressed himself in a well tailored slate suit. A man she had never seen before in her life. It didn't help that she was still reeling from the heat induced nap. With his hair slicked back and shining almost as brightly as the saber, Dianah was reminded vaguely of a powerful mobster.

At his greeting her face scrunched up, creasing the bridge of her nose with delicate lines.

'Good morning...'

She forced herself to stand and make a pretence of smoothing over the white silk of her skirts. Dianah couldn't quite place her finger on it, but something about him demanded respect. Too add to that, the only explanation for his presence that she could come up with was that he had business with Metus. It was her Father's house after all. She shuddered to think of what Metus would say if she was rude to one of his guests. It was better to just get on with it. Perhaps he would leave her alone if she entertained him for a while.

Dianah crossed the space between them and held out an elegant hand.

'I don't believe we've met before.' With little distance between them now, she could easily search his face. It held a hint of something completely recognisable to Dianah. Curiosity. It forced her full lips into a knowing smile. It was common ground at least. How could she not be curious about the silver gentlemen that felt so at ease in the place she called home. 'I'd be shocked if we have because it seems like the type of thing I'd remember. My name is Dianah Vi'Dreya.'

[member=Adron Malvern]

 

[Adron Malvern]

Location: Sinner’s Well | Time: Morning | Tags: [member="Dianah Vrorae"] ​

The mysterious woman rose from the bench that sat under the fountain and for a brief moment, Adron’s eyes rested on the seat itself. The place where he had seen Srina in a vision only a few weeks after they had met, after he had stabbed her with his poisoned blade. The thought brought a small smirk of amusement to the Minister’s lips. The woman he had once ardently tried to kill had led him to prosperity and title, this galaxy was hilariously ironic.

Pushing his thoughts far from his Echani ally, Adron instead looked to the woman before him. As her slender hand was outstretched he took it pacingly before inclining his head once again. This time he would give her hand a subtle raise as he held his cane out to the side. The traditional greeting of the Courts of Serenno, of course they were far from his home now. The surname she offered was all too familiar, it was the one used by his Master, Darth Metus.

Releasing her soft hand, Adron spoke with an accent that cursed the southern parts of the galaxy. Refined and correct his words seemed to flow much like fine silk.

“Dianah.” He repeated the name, testing it’s weight before giving his own.

“I am Adron Malvern, I've never met a family member of Darth Metus before. I work with the man often.” He stated, arching a brow a bit while stepping back and turning his eyes back to the gardens surrounding them. He could pull from the girl’s thoughts and emotions, the benefit of Force Empathy. His mental powers had often aided him in political and financial meetings where knowing your opponents thoughts is key.

He could easily see Dianah had some potential in The Force, yet she was still untrained and raw, making her mind an open book for him. Like most people there was confusion and the pale shadow of interest.

He was surprised that she did not know who he was, even from a professional standpoint, yet it did not change much.

His hand hovered over a lively fern that was prominent in the gardens, of course his voice was still carried to the woman whom he had turned his back to. “Of course, that doesn't mean I'm surprised.” He stated, a slightly humorous tone taken as he turned back to Dianah.

“What brings you to the gardens, Dianah?” He prodded, his silver soaked voice not hiding the interest he had in the woman. The interest was complicated, yet strategic as it always was. Everyone in the galaxy, even his Master, especially his Master, were stones that could eventually need to be tipped. In the event Darth Metus ever sought to betray Adron, someone like his daughter would be an interesting commodity to be familiar with.
“Exceptional.” He said, breaking off from his own question as he looked to the woman closer, yet this time using the eyes of The Force. “You are his daughter… Your presence in The Force is impressive. Yet, it's still so raw and unrefined.” Adron expressed a silent sound of thought, before tapping his chin. She seemed more than old enough to learn of The Force, why was she yet so weak?

 

[Darth Miseria]

Her name on his tongue sent a shiver down her spine. For some reason there was a heavy power behind it. It felt like such a silly thought that she shook her head marginally in disbelief. Maybe it was the heat? Or the smell of the flowers? She couldn't quite put her finger on what it was, but it was there, clinging to her like the summer sun. What she could ascertain was that there was no single part of her that wasn't burning with intrigue. The whole garb seemed to match him rather fittingly as well. His voice held the irresistible accent of the south that sounded as smooth as honey. It was clear to Dianah that his tongue was just as silver as the rest of him.

'Now that I am surprised to hear. There's a million of us and you've never had the misfortune to run into a single one? What corner of the Galaxy have you been hiding in?'

It did genuinely surprise her that there was someone who hadn't met a Metus spawn yet. So much so that she raised a thin brown eyebrow and coupled it with a rather confused look. But since his back was turned there was little chance of him seeing it. He seemed rather eccentric, which suited Dianah just fine. Eccentricity was often the most interesting characteristic a person could have.

'The sun, the fountain and a little bit of boredom.'

Before she had the chance to explain any further or ask questions of her own he continued in his own wild stream of thought. Dianah couldn't quite tell whether she was supposed to take that as a compliment or not. She blew out a rush of air that puffed up her cheeks and deflated them again in the space of a few seconds. It was no surprise Metus was going slightly mad if everyone he did business with acted like this. She debated on whether or not his statement was rhetorical. Then she decided it didn't matter either way.

'I rather liked you up until the raw and unrefined bit.'

[member=Adron Malvern]

 

[Adron Malvern]

Location: Sinner’s Well | Time: Morning | Tags: @Dianah Vrorae​

A complex gaze fell over Dianah as Adron ascertained her worth, whether it was to The Confederacy or his own agenda was yet to be determined. A shallow scoff erupted from Adron as his hands shifted around on his walking cane. As he moved his palm off the peak of the cane, he revealed a small obsidian wolf which had two dark purple crystals as eyes. When she challenged that Metus had many children, the man could not deny that to be truth. Honestly, he appreciated the man’s will to reproduce yet it was a bit eccentric at this point.

“I work close with your father, however our actual proximity is a bit different. I had heard the Vi’Dreya name came in quantity, but I'm only focused on quality.” He regarded, offering another thin-lipped smiled towards the woman. Perhaps his assessment of her had been a bit disappointing to the woman, yet it was merely the reality not a good nor bad thing. He lifted his cane and set it back on the ground, causing a soft tap to erupt as he tilted his head at the woman. “You still do.” He said, responding to her final comment before shaking his head.

“There is nothing wrong with being raw and unrefined. In fact it's a path that all powerful people must travel down. Just like me.” He said, not attempting to hide the pride that dripped from his words. Adron closed the space between the two of them, his voice dropping down to a near whisper as he spoke. “Power is based on evolution. Before you become more powerful, you have to evolve from what you are.” He explained his theory to the woman, all the while his ethereal hands dipped into the twisting nether of the Force. Like so many pieces of parchment, Adron could read the desires and shallow thoughts of the woman before him. Using The Force he played with those thoughts and feelings that drew her interest to him, strengthening her curiosity.

“My point is you could be far more than what you are, Dianah. If you wanted to be.” He stepped back, offering a brief wave of his hand before glancing over to the path that led him to his original destination.

“But i'm sure your father has told you this.” He said, inclining his head with a noted bit of grace before heading down the path before him. “Well, it was a pleasure Dianah but I have business in the library. So unless you're interested in joining me, have a fine afternoon.” Though he walked towards the gardens threshold, Adron’s focus was on the woman he was seemingly leaving behind. He wondered if his subtle manipulations were enough to pique her interest.

 

[Darth Miseria]

His eyes made her shift from foot to foot uncomfortably. Never in her life had she received such a dressing down from a complete stranger. It wasn't as if he were staring at her outward appearance. It was like he was looking into her very soul. The feeling didn't shift, even when he resumed the complicated patterns of conversation. At his comment about quality she mused how clear it already was that he took a fancy to the finer things in life. It didn't surprise her that this included company as well. People from his background often did prefer something that was interesting. When you had the entire Galaxy tucked away in your purse what little interest was there left?

The soft knock of his staff against the stone floor brought her from her reverie.

In a way he was right. There was nothing wrong with being raw and unrefined. It meant you were full of potential. You could be anything you wanted to be. What Dianah wanted most was power. She wanted people to fear her name. She wanted to stand proud beside her Father and siblings and live off the reputation of her own accomplishments.

The gentle breeze of movement caused the skirts of her dress to flair up gently. His sudden closeness made her draw back a little. He was taller than her by a good four inches. Enough so that she had to crane her neck to catch his eye. Her own eyes creased into a scrutinising squint. It was almost as if he had read her mind. Of course. She could feel it now. The unmistakable sensation of a powerful force user standing in her midst. She'd had her suspicions before, but the comfort of being in her true home had caused her to be lazy. It was exactly the reason why she loathed wasting days away.

There was nothing for her to do but listen to his silky words.

If Dianah wasn't mistaken, there was a hidden meaning to this whole charade. Now she knew he was powerful it only confirmed her theory. All force users like to pretend they're mysterious. It came part in parcel with it, no matter your preference for dark or light. It was an unwritten rule. Dianah liked it very much. Mysteries are the best stories. The most interesting ones. The type of story that tempts you to carry on.

Before she knew it the familiar tap of his cane against the stone echoed through the gardens once more. Dianah was left alone for a short while. The events of the past few minutes turned over in her head. There was no doubt to what her decision would be. She rolled her eyes up toward the bright blue sky in disbelief at her insatiable curiosity.

​'Wait!'

Her voice carried far across the hollow halls. He was so very good. He had her. Hook, line and sinker. What's worse is she knew it. She knew she was playing right along with his game. But here she was. Half jogging to catch up with the silver man.

[member=Adron Malvern]

 

[Adron Malvern]

Location: Sinner’s Well | Time: Morning | Tags: [member="Dianah Vi'Dreya"]

The art of manipulation is the first lesson and it was one she would learn first hand. Long before Dianah chased after Adron the raven haired man could sense her desire and curiosity. Her thoughts had become more and more readable, to the point where there was no surprise when he heard her voice echo out, calling after him. He did not pause or even look back, she would fall in tow behind them and it would begin. Adron had seen something in the woman that he had not seen in most others, the potential to truly become more mixed with the desire to see it happen. The soft tapping continued as his cane struck the ground, finally after a few moments his voice called out to Dianah, an almost teasing tone taken up in place of his more regal composure.

"Well. you are the curios one." He said, his tone losing none of the silver that ever coated it and left most people with a warm feel to their ears. He turned his head ever so slightly to show the amused expression on his face. There was no mistaking what had happened nor what was going to happen. Though she had been manipulated by Adron Dianah was no fool and even his own tamperings in The Force had been a play off of her own true emotions.

His sky blue orbs washed over her, threatening to swallow her into an all too inviting sea until finally he spoke words of some worth.

"Your father doesn't teach you the ways of The Force, does he?" Adron challenged, his tone returning to it's normal state as he led Dianah through the twisting halls of Sinner's Well. His gaze took to these halls, seemingly taking in the intricate architecture that was used to craft the home of the Vi'dreyas. It was certainly something to be marveled, yet Adron knew it paled in comparison to the lavish dwellings he had once inhabited.

As if stepping away from the established conversation Adron waved his hand, a soft chuckle flowing from his lips. It was equal parts refined and enforced, masculine and pristine in a mixture only a Count of Serenno could conjure. "Well, no matter. I'm actually here to use The Vicelord's library." He revealed, using his cane to gesture down the hall to the very room they grew closer to. "You could say I'm on an educational retreat from my position in the government. You cannot improve anything if you cannot improve yourself." He quoted, before pausing right at the main entrance to the library.

The man continued to eye Dianah as if searching for something he constantly expected to be there and each time it seemed as if it had not yet shown itself. "Do you know who Marka Ragnos is?" He asked, a sly smile spreading over his face. Adron dug into The Force, causing the doors to the library to slowly open, allowing access. "There is a path to power, you know. Do you want me to show it to you?"

 

[Darth Miseria]

The click of her heeled sandals slipped into a perfect harmony with the tapping of his cane. In the echoing halls they sounded like two clawed animals giving chase to each other on a tiled floor. She caught up with him just as his shiny leather shoe began to disappear around the corner. Dianah had to maintain a quick walk to keep up with him as he strode confidently through the stone corridors.

Another quick quip escaped Adron's silver tongue. It made her tut aloud and unabashed.

'Is it any wonder when you cloud yourself in such mystery?'

Without the heavy scent of flowers clouding her judgement, Dianah could finally make some sense of the situation. In his own thinly veiled way, he was offering her something that would prove itself worthy of her attention. If it was indeed his intention to teach there would be no doubt about her intentions to learn. He mentioned her Father and she idly wondered why he made such wild assumptions.

'He has actually. I'm not entirely unrefined. I do know a few things.'

Normally walking through Sinner's Well was a completely natural feeling. Yet something about his presence shook up the very foundations of the stone castle. With him here it felt exciting. Exhilarating even. She had been to the library a million and one times, it was nothing new. But his words took 'the norm' and weaved it into something completely different.

Adron used his cane to gesture toward their destination. Dianah wondered if he really needed it to walk or if it was just for decoration.

'I do know who Marka Ragnos is, yes. Do you?'

Dianah wasn't really sure what his point was. Any Sith worth their salt knew who Marka Ragnos was. The great wooden doors to the library creaked open on rusty hinges. She made a mental note to tell the staff that they were in need of oiling. Without hesitation, one foot after the other, she walked through the threshold of the library ahead of him. The soft sway of her hips projected an air of bold certainty. Dianah craned her head back toward him with a knowing grin that spread from ear to ear.

'I think you already know my answer.'

[member=Adron Malvern]

 

[Adron Malvern]

“Mystery is a tool you will learn to use proficiently.” His silken words fell from his lips as he spoke them.

Her response to his inquiry caused the man to arch an intrigued brow. “Do you now?” He asked, his tone more akin to amusement than any shallow curiosity he could muster. The doors were opened both metaphorically and physically. She held her fire earnestly and it only caused Adron to become even more hopeful at her potential. As Dianah led the way into the library, Adron’s hands became clasped over his cane as he peered into the woman, searching for any hesitation or inhibitions. There were none.

“Very well. Then I will take you as my apprentice.”

It was fast and violent, The Force shifted around aggressively, threatening to shatter the very foundation of the building they stood in. Adron’s hand was cast forward, his open palm aimed at Dianah. In that moment a wave of The Dark side of The Force seized her, lifting her off of her feet. The telekinetic grip would send the woman flying towards the center of the room, as Adron’s voice called out, his tone slightly more serious. “Before you can learn anything, you have to learn how to learn.” Dianah would float on the center of the library as Adron walked towards her, his cane echoing through the chamber.

He finally approached the center of the room and his cane would impact the ground once again, this time the doors to the library would shut deliberately from his command. The loud slam echoed throughout the room, yet it was ultimately phased out by Adron’s own voice. “The Dark Side of the Force can give you access to more power than you could ever imagine, you have seen it countless times.”

“Now you'll see it again.” From all over the library, books would quake before falling from their shelves. Possessed by Adron’s will through The Force, they would fly and surround Dianah. Twenty tomes hovered around the woman as she remained suspended in the air.

“Everything is a part of The Force, even information. Learn to see and live in the realm of The Force and you will have access to this information. To do this your focus has to be maintained and you have to be able to ignore distractions. Twenty books fly around you, each one tells the story of a different Sith Lord, find the one about Marka Ragnos.” Adron clasped his hands together, watching the woman carefully as both her and the books surrounding her continued to dance around one another.

[member="Dianah Vi'Dreya"]

 

[Darth Miseria]

His declaration caught her completely off guard. Some part of her suspected that under the enigma of his silver words there was an offer of tutelage, but it still came as a surprise to hear it being said aloud. Before she had the chance to respond the low rumble of a dark power at work filled her ears. The great force was almost tangible and provided a tempting glimpse of her own potential. It surrounded her and swept her from her feet like wind in an aggressive storm.

The silk of her dress snapped at her thighs as her frame shifted mid-air. She wasn't exactly afraid of heights but the weightless feeling made her stomach churn. Soon enough she was in the center of the room. His voice bellowed out, completely different from the smooth silk she had grown used too. The tone was one she had heard many times before, it was serious and demanded respect and attention.

A fluttering sound, similar to a flock of birds taking flight, filled her ears. The source was soon revealed to be books possessed by the very force he spoke of moments ago. Each one whizzed around her in a dizzying circle, encasing her in a vortex of blurred colors.

Dianah scanned each one as best she could, given the circumstances. Some she recognized immediately, their covers were as familiar to her as the walls that surrounded them. Bane, Sidious, Vader... but in all her years there Dianah had never come across a book about Marka Ragnos. Mostly because there were too many books in here for one person to read, even if you had a whole life time to do it. The other reason being that she already knew all the stories about Ragnos, what was the point in learning something you already knew?

But she would play his game.

Dianah drew her eyes away from the books to look up at the ceiling. After a few moments of intense concentration she manged to convince herself that she wasn't really floating twenty feet in the air with only a Sith Lord preventing her from falling. Once that was over and done with the logical side of her brain clicked into action as she went through everything he had said. The question seemed obvious on the outside but she knew him well enough to know there was a hidden meaning. It wasn't enough to just "look" for the book.

'Learn to see and live in the realm of The Force.'

A light went on in her mind and, almost instinctively, she reached out with a dark power of her own. Her efforts were fruitless, the only thing she could feel was the intense force ebbing from the silver man. Either way, she didn't have the first clue as to what she was actually looking for.

'Before you can learn anything, you have to learn how to learn.'

Dianah sighed a heavy sigh that was lost in the chaos of the tomes twirling around her. She drew her eyes away from the ceiling and returned her gaze to the books. There was more to this little show than met the eye, she was sure of that, but she hadn't the first clue what it was. Determination was a family trait, as was the stubbornness that came with it, but Dianah was smart enough to know when she had been bested. She needed his help to understand, to learn, to grow. Dianah set her jaw and called down to him.

'How?'

[member=Adron Malvern]

 

[Adron Malvern]

​This exercise was raw and meant to test Dianah in more than one way. In fact it served more as a test for her than a lesson from him. His hands curled around the head of his cane as he forced the maelstrom to continue, sucking any semblance of comfort or ability to focus from Dianah. Still, she was not allowing the distractions to rule her actions and that alone spoke to her discipline.

​Acceptable.

​Adron mused, arching a brow as the woman's voice called out to him over the flapping of the books and the stray pieces of paper that had been caught in his act of telekinesis. She asked a question she was likely to ask hundreds more times before her time with him would end.

​How?

​Rather than respond to her he offered her a soft smirk, a confident yet amused grin that showed he was enjoying her trial as much as she had a distaste for it. "Shut off your primary senses. Abandon all thoughts but one. You do not need to see, hear, or smell what you are searching for you need to find it in a way you have never done before. So do not use things that you would normally use. Clear your mind! Remember who Marka Ragnos is, remember what he did. His signature is imprinted on that book, you need only search it out." Adron took a moment to look to the woman before his grin seemed to grow just slightly wider. He raised his cane inches off of the floor and in one swift motion, slammed it back onto the surface. The action was meant to distract the woman, or pull her from her thoughts, yet their was another prupose as well. No sooner than his hands rested against the cane, seven more books flew from their place on the wall and began to join the spiral that surrounded Dianah. Still the true book of Marka Ragnos was not among them, it laid on the shelf where it had always been.

​There was interest in Adron's eyes, and as he allowed the Dark Side to shroud itself around Dianah he wondered if she would be able to harness it to aid her.
[member="Dianah Vi'Dreya"]

 

[Darth Miseria]

Dianah couldn't help but roll her eyes at yet another complex answer from the silver tongued man. Wasting the days away in Sinner's Well had caused her mind to gather dust, it wasn't prepared to pick apart answers, especially from this height. However one thing was clear to her now, this was beyond a simple lesson, it was a test. There was no clear indication of what he was testing, or what he hoped to gain from it all, but that didn't matter too much. Dianah viewed it as a chance to prove her abilities beyond the family name or the shadow of her Father. She just wished he'd picked something she actually knew how to do.

Nevertheless she set her mind to the task at hand. Mid-way through the complicated steps required to shut down all her senses the crack of his cane against the marbled floor sounded out, even over the din of the flapping tomes. The spiral of swirling books grew in number and surrounded her in a whirlwind of aged leather. The scene was successful in its attempt to distract her, though only for a brief moment. Dianah didn't even bother to inspect the new additions closely as Adron had stated loud and clear there would be no point in using ordinary methods to search for the book in question.

Dianah let her eyes flutter to a close, which she coupled with a deep breath that relaxed her muscles. Ignoring the noise of the fluttering pages was easy to do, considering she'd grown up in a house filled to the brim with children selective hearing had been a necessity. The next step was to clear her mind completely, which was a difficult process, but Dianah found the best way to do it was to focus on the darkness behind her own eyes. In a way the weightless sensation was actually a helping hand. Eventually, when she concentrated hard enough, all the clutter simply slipped away, leaving her alone in the vast expanse of her own head.

What did she know about the Sith called Marka Ragnos? It was easy to ask herself the question without the distraction of the storm just inches away from her face. The first thing brought to mind were stories she was told as a child, the most horrifying of these bedtime tales were often the ones relating to Marka Ragnos. He was terrible and malevolent but nonetheless commanded respect in a way no other great Sith could even hope to emulate. People simply had no choice but to kneel under his gaze. His strength and martial prowess in no way diminished his brilliant mind; he was a tinkerer in all things weird and wonderful, spinning the very essence of the force into material creations.

Something sinister was invading the sanctuary of her private study. At first it was just a minor irritation that made her brow furrow, but soon it grew to a power so undeniable it froze the breath in her lungs. In the black void a shape shifted into view. A spectral hand reached out and uncurled five decrepit fingers, her entire body was smothered in an icy sensation that made her shiver violently. Something sharp pierced the peripheral vision of her mind's eye. The three pronged symbol cast in a soft azure hue stood stark against the never ending blackness.

Unknown to Dianah, who was locked away in her own head, the swirling storm of books had turned violent. An aggressive wind that had no place being in the soundly structured library whipped the heavy pages into a frenzy, threatening to throw them into her floating frame. A dark power beyond anything she would ever see again screamed out from every corner of the room, calling her with a magnetic pull so powerful she felt it would snatch her from the air.

The howling wind that tore through the library stopped suddenly and without warning. A deafening silence held the room in a state of suspense, though it was cut short moments later by the sound of twenty-seven heavy tomes tumbling to the stone floor. The sound they made shattered the tense atmosphere and allowed Dianah to heave out a sigh of relief. Being twenty feet from the ground it was strange to say that she had a wide smile on her face, but it was true. She thought herself very clever for figuring out his little deception and you could hear it in the tone of her voice when she spoke.

'Third row along, second shelf down, sixth from the right.'

[member=Adron Malvern]

 

[Adron Malvern]

The Dark Side of The Force filled the room with a thick pressure that Adron was all too familiar with. His hands clenched tightly around his cane as Dianah's own commune with The Force deepened. The telekinetic winds that flowed about the room had increased, becoming far more rapid and uncontrolled. It took Adron a moment before he realized it was not his own will that was amplifying this event. Almost immediately he took on an amused grin. "She is powerful with The Dark Side...." He trailed off, his eyes glancing over to the book of Marka Ragnos that sat on the shelf. He was not sure of how powerful Dianah was, though it was easily arguable that she held the full potential of an empowered Sith Lord, much like her father. The thought caused an audible chuckle to erupt from his lips.

"We'll see." No later than he had spoke, the howling winds of The Force came to an abrupt and complete stop. Adron's eyes twitched at the action, not expecting the telekinetic force to be halted by any command other than his own. His eyes narrowed, setting on the woman with a contempt filled glare. One by one the large recordings of legendary Sith Lords fell to the ground, each tome creating a louder slam than the last. The glare on Adron's face quickly faded as he noticed the smile that Dianah carried. She spoke and her words were confident and sure, not lacking the uncertainty they had only had a few moments ago when she stood suspended in the library.

A brow rose in challenge to Dianah's statement. "Let's see."

Adron's hand rose towards the book, The Force brought it from it's place on the shelf and sent it flying towards the expectant Sith's hand. Holding the cover of the book out towards Dianah, the cover of the book held several statements in the ancient dialect of the Sith. Easily the most identifiable words were, 'Marka Ragnos, Dark Lord of The Sith.'

"Impressive." He gestured to the book, before eyeing the woman closely. "Very impressive." Setting the book on a nearby table, Adron turned back from the woman with an amused smirk coming to his face. Two of the chairs at the desk slid back, just as Adron sat down, his hand extended for Dianah to come and join him. "The Sith," He began, tapping the book of Marka Ragnos softly. "have habitually ruled the galaxy through one of two ways. Force or influence." Adron set his cane against the desk, continuing as the woman would join him. "Many of the Galaxy's most important events have been influenced by a Dark Lord of the Sith. More importantly, influenced by an extension of his will."

"I am going to create something. Something that will be for the benefit of The Confederacy and the rest of the galaxy. To do this I will need someone powerful, competent, and ambitious to work by my side. Before any of this can be done, I must regain what I lost. You, as my apprentice, will gain much along the way as well. Power, wealth, title, and more...substantial rewards."

[member="Dianah Vi'Dreya"]

 

[Darth Miseria]

The look on his face at the abrupt ending to his impressive force move did not go unnoticed. Was he upset because she brought it to a halt or upset because she figured out his trick? Dianah wasn't even sure if it was her that stopped the violent winds. Either way it was a rather satisfying expression to look at, particularly on his face. In return she let a content look spread over her face.

Dianah came floating down to the floor moments after the declaration had left her lips. She couldn't deny, it was somewhat of a relief to feel the chill of the marble slabs seeping through her sandals once again. When she had managed to navigate her way through the pile of aged leather and faded pages her body came to a stop in front of Adron, just in time for tome on Marka Ragnos to land neatly in his hand. It may have been just a book to anyone else, but to Dianah it was a victory. She couldn't help but beam with gratification, rewarding herself with a soft cheer. His utterance that her display was impressive only built on the pride that was already at boiling point.

'Thank you!'

Her slim frame lowered onto the chair with ease. Once again she found herself entranced by his silver tongue. Even when the words he spoke weren't intricately fabricated or shrouded in mystery they seemed to captive her. Dianah brought her attention to the dusty cover. She pursed her lips and blew a soft stream of air over the top. The gentle breeze caused the tiny particles to dance up into the air and twirl wildly in the rays of sun that streamed through the window. On the cover, embossed in a blood red, was the symbol that stood out so clearly in her mind only minutes ago.

'Do you think it's possible to rule both through force and through influence?'

A rumbling scrape of leather against wood sounded out as she dragged the tome closer. The ancient bindings creaked as the thick parchment pages fell open to reveal the contents within and, for a moment, her gaze lay solely on the black ink that decorated them. A confident smile crept over her expression as he continued on. Apart from the obvious curiosity at what he wanted to achieve there was an excitement building up in her. Powerful, competent and ambitious were words she'd use to describe herself, she only hoped she'd done enough to prove it to him as well. When he finished speaking she drew herself away from the book and set her stare on his ocean blue eyes.

'I think we can both agree that I'm just the person you're looking for. Tell me more.'

[member=Adron Malvern]

 

[Adron Malvern]

Is it possible to rule through Force and Influence?

The question was one Adron had expected as he was trying to lead the woman towards such an end. He tapped the head of the cane that sat beside him and nodded slowly at the woman.

“It is the only way to truly rule in a way where you will have the loyalty of your people along with steadfast obedience.” He explained, before clearing his throat and nodding at the woman once more. As Dianah’s interest grew so did Adron’s hopes for the woman. As a Sith she would grow to break the limits of her powers by following her hopes and curiosity until it leads you past your own inhibitions, not unlike Adron.

“What is the center of the galaxy? What do all beings need and crave, even those empowered by The Force?” A moment of silence would pass before Adron’s hand fell into his pocket. He pulled out a small credit chit and tossed it on the table before him. “This.” He said, gesturing to the thousand credit piece.

“While this is meaningless when you understand it's true worth, it is very helpful when attempting to manipulate others. They truly believe there is power within these pieces of metal. They are not wrong, but the power lies in its influence, not it's value.” Adron recovered the credit chit and it would disappear back into his pocket. “We are going to get more of this, much more.” A rather confident smile came over Adron’s expression as he stood up from his seat. Taking his walking cane into his hand he would lean on the small staff for a moment as he peered at the woman closely. “In two days a shuttle will arrive here. It will be on the south landing pad and will be prepared to receive you just before morning light. If you want more riches than you can imagine, you'll get on it.” He divulged with a challenging tone.

Turning from Dianah he would smile softly as he realized the truth of the woman behind him. She would become a powerful Sith. Pausing he would glance back to the woman. “A Sith in its essence is a being of insatiable appetite. It is in our nature to strive for new heights and powers until our death. When your powers are refined and you too are a Master of the Dark Side you may turn your powers on me. Remember, do nothing that will not benefit you. Do not strike at me unless I am no longer of use to you, because you will only get one chance.” He said, offering a closed lip smile before turning away to leave. “Have a good evening, Lady Vi’Dreya.”

[member="Dianah Vi'Dreya"]