Ask Dathomir Entrance to the Conflagration

[Darth Caelestis]

Dathomir, it was a strange world even for the planets within the Sith Domain. Artorigas had heard all number of stories about the planet and its inhabitants since he joined the Sith proper a few months ago. In that time he had only met one person from the planet proper, Darth Andruil, she had also happened to be the only Sith Lord, now Council Member he had the pleasure of actually meeting. Some would say meeting Sith was never a pleasure but the women had only supported and helped him during their raid on the Swokes Swokes village a short while ago.

It was outstanding the gap in both their knowledge and power, that was the one thing that stuck with Artorigas since that night. He had intended to speak to Darth Andruil about it during their time on Makem Te, but by the end of their encounter with the monstrosity of flesh that finished that night he was not brain capacity to hold a conversation let alone try and soak up information form the Sith Lord.

So it had come to this, he was venturing to the potentially hostile home world of the Sisters of Dathomir, he hoped that his message had gotten through that it was him who was visiting her planet, not just a random traveller. Like many Artorigas had heard of what happened to the Jedi who ventured onto the planet without its Queen's blessing. He did not wish to be another notch on her saber.

The 'Wyvern' glided through the lower atmosphere towards what he was told was Andruil's hold, though he was not sure if he had been mislead, most of these rocky outcrops looked similar to his untrained eyes and trying to get anything through The Force was like staring into the Sun. Landing on a small what appeared to be a pad near Andruil's hold Artorigas exited the ship and began walking towards the closest rocky outcrop. He wore some of his finery, though it was mixed with more practical trousers and boots for the planet was rather dusty to say the least. You see there was one thing he was ashamed of from their last meeting, something that if he had known about, it would have corrected himself then and their. He just hoped she would give the chance to fix that mistake.

@Phoenix

 

[Renfry]

Andruil had been busy in recent days. So busy, in fact, that she had initially been forced to place the severed head of the Swokes Swokes in preservation rather than using it. She had begun her studies by looking over his notes and allowed things to progress from there.

It was wise of him to notify her ahead of time. In fact, the AA tower coordinators still tried to shunt toward the Sith zones, but quickly corrected.

Andruil was still quite dubious about meeting with the Acolyte. In fact, had they not already met on their previous mission, she likely would have turned him away. But despite her busy schedule, he had caught her curiosity.

Sheehan appeared at Andruil's door, notifying her of the man's arrival.

Thank you, I'll see him soon, she said, finishing up the page she was reading before pushing up from her desk and walking toward the throne room.

As he made his way toward the temple-palace, he would see the Nightsisters giving him typically dirty looks. They didn't like outsiders and they didn't recognize this one. To their credit, they didn't say a word apart from Sheehan who returned to usher him inside.

Andruil met him a moment later. The first room he was led into was the one in which he was instructed to wait. Massive and open, it had a throne at the far end with huge Nightsister statues on either side and halls branching off the room to lead deeper into the temple. It was one of these halls that Andruil appeared from.

What brings you out to Dathomir? she asked as she approached.

@Braden Drake

 

[Darth Caelestis]

A Nightsister approached him as he walked down the path, she had an air of authority around her that dwarfed the other sister's that began to watch his approach. Perhaps she was one of Andruil's lieutenants or trusted advisors, Artorigas gave her a small bow with his head as he began following her. Ever since his rise into the Sith Artorigas has rarely felt as out of place and as weak as he did now with the vast array of vicious eyes looking down upon him. Luckily for him he had spent a lifetime learning deal with difficult situations and downtrodden looks on Serenno. So he kept his head high his shoulders back and eyes forward as he walked along the path up to the palace.

As was expected he was ushered inside away from the prying eyes of Andruils 'court' as soon as was possible. The lieutenant instructed him to wait within the chamber and that Andruil would be with him shortly. "I don't like this, I told you not to come here." Artorigas smiled he had wondered when Lord Andros would raise his ugly head, he had given it all barrels when he had originally thought about heading to Dathomir to meet Darth Andruil, but had been silent since they exited hyperspace.

The chamber was immense, a large open space lined with intricate statues of the planets apex creatures. The room gave off a light red glow, the sunlight from outside filtering through the red sand and dust from the planets surface. He was caught gazing around the room as Darth Andruil appeared from a side room, Artorigas quickly snapped around to face the Dark Council member and bowed deeply.

"My Queen, I come for two reasons." He replied before straightening his back. "Though I doubt you would consider the first a true and proper reason to travel so far, but for me it is something important." Taking a breath he gave another short bow. "I wish to apologise, for when I met you upon Makem Te I did not know about your Queenship upon this planet and I did not address you correctly." Artorigas knew that at best the women would laugh at him, but for him correct titles, forms of address and adherence was something drummed deep into his soul. "I addressed you as Mi 'lord, which was fitting as your title within the Sith, but not upon your status as a Queen. Though I doubt you see it as an insult or slight I do hope you accept my apologies, Your Majesty."

He may have just made a fool out of himself but he would have always held this little seed of doubt within the back of his mind if he had not addressed this with the new Dark Councillor.

@Phoenix

 

[Renfry]

Andruil nodded at his apology. She had never been offended by his use of titles. While titles held value, the respect behind them was more important to her, and in that he had not fallen short.

My rule here is not known by everyone, she said. You weren't disrespectful in our interactions, so no harm was done, she said. Though, she did find it interesting that he saw it as such an important point. Most people would have simply passed it by.

Most people wouldn't have considered it an important point. Why do you? she asked.

And the second reason? Your... passenger? she guessed. It may not have been correct, but it was the most logical explanation. Most people didn't like other people crawling around insider their heads, though as Malicia had shown, not everyone wanted it gone either.

@Braden Drake

 

[Darth Caelestis]

"Respect and honour has always been part of my being, Your Majesty. If I do not respect and honour another's place in the galaxy, why should I expect them to do the same to me?" It was a simple version but it was true none the less. A title, a rank is only as strong as those who acknowledge and respect it. Anyone can call themselves a King, a Emperor a Sith but if they are not recognised by others as such, then it is nothing more than an empty word devoid of all meaning and power.

Artorigas hoped to one day rise above his current station as both an Acolyte and the Low Nobility his family found themselves in and he could only do so if people also recognised and respected him.

He looked at her quizzically for a moment before he remembered that the Darth had indeed noticed Lord Andros within his mind when they were on Makem Te. "For the moment Your Majesty, I am happy where he is. He has knowledge that I still need to extract from him. And well he is rather terrified of you so I have had little trouble keeping him inline since we met." He finished with a smile, Artorigas could feel the ancient Sith Lord squirm inside him.

"The second reason is to humbly request you teach me some of your knowledge and power." He said bowing once again. "I know it is much for me to ask, but if I am ever to reach my goals I need to look to those above to learn and gain experience from, Your Majesty."

@Phoenix

 

[Renfry]

Andruil was once again curious about where such respects had been instilled in him, but perhaps that was a question for later.

She couldn't help but smirk at hearing that the spirit in his mind didn't like her. The one inside Malicia hadn't liked her either and the one in Invictus had been exorcised before she ever found out. Andruil: terror of spirits should have been her title.

What he did ask for was far, far more bold and her face became more stoic as he said it. He was not the first, he likely wouldn't be the last, and as with all the others, the answer wouldn't come now or simply.

She stood in silence for a long moment as she thought about his request.

And what do you offer? she asked. It was a simple question. She had many things, she offered many things, but all came with a price. That price was different for different people, and the currency she accepted was typically in two forms. Still, she waited for him to make a case for himself.

@Braden Drake

 

[Darth Caelestis]

He face changed at the request, that was expected, she had perhaps gotten a dozen requests a day when she was just a Sith Lord, now perhaps a dozen an hour since she rose to the Dark Council. It was a risky question and perhaps riskier answer, she could easily refuse him or more likely punish him for insolence that was of course the Sith way.

"I have little to offer a Queen, but my service and loyalty." He replied, it was a simple answer but that was perhaps all he could give. Others like his original master had been brought with credits and expensive things but he doubted a Queen of Dathomir and Dark Councillor could be brought with such things, even if her morals accepted such. "As I have said, my honour binds me. If it would please you, I would use that honour to bind my loyalty. If you require something of me I would see it done."

@Phoenix

 

[Renfry]

It was good for the Acolyte that loyalty was one of the currencies that the Queen dealt in. Of course, claiming commitment to someone and truly being devoted to them were two different things.

She pulled her hunting knife from her belt and pointed it - handle toward him - at him. Your hair. A small clump, she said, waiting for him to take the knife and cut a clump of hair free to give to her. She would hand it to Sheehan who would take it from the room before replacing the knife. Assuming he would comply.

He seemed bright enough to figure out that the hair was her insurance policy, though she didn't explain how it would work. The voodoo of her people was a very closely guarded secret, and even its existence wasn't something she was going to share.

I'm going to hunt down a particular technique. If you'd like to assist me, perhaps you can learn something as well, she said. She wasn't sure it was what he was looking for, but it was likely the best offer he would get at the moment.

@Braden Drake

 

[Darth Caelestis]

He had expected something more than just his word, hair was a weird one but he also wasn't surprised that she asked something like this of him. Sith were a weird people and Dathomiran Sisters were an extra dash of weird added on top. Artorigas complied using the knife to cut off a small clump of hair from behind his right ear, it would look rather unsightly for a while but Artorigas would just get a new haircut after he got back to Serenno.

Being honest with himself Artorigas was unsure if he would get anything of real substance upon the first day of his request so the fact she was willing straight away to allow him to assist and learn with any technique was a win. "All knowledge can be useful in the right hands." He replied looking the Queen of Dathomir in the eye. "And I would be honoured to assist you, Your Majesty."

@Phoenix

 

[Renfry]

It's settled, then, she said with a nod. She frowned and sunk into thought. She had something of a lead on how to find this particular technique, but it would still take some effort.

I have interests in hunting down teachings on technomancy, she said bluntly. If they were going to do this together, she saw no reason in hiding the intent from him. She had many secrets, but this wasn't going to be one of them.

It's uncommon, but not unheard of. I found a training master working out of Korriban who knows the technique, she said.

Are you ready? she asked, not wanting to delay further.

@Braden Drake

 

[Darth Caelestis]

Technomancy, he had heard of the technique after his recent acquirement of a droid security force the ability to actually control said machines through The Force had peaked his interest. The fact that Darth Andruil was offering him the chance to learn a technique that he was truly interested in was a blessing indeed.

"I am ready, Your Majesty. If you wish my ship is only a short distance away. It is built for luxury and has a selection of fine food and wines that you are more than welcome to sample whilst we travel." He replied to the Sith Counciler, Artorigas was proud of the hospitality that his ship could cater to. Some of the best wine in Sith space sat in its cooler and Cydric was a pretty good cook considering he had no formal training in the matter. No matter if she agreed to travel with him or if she wished to travel alone he would contact Cyrdric through the comm on his belt. "Begin preparations for departure, we are heading to Korriban."

@Phoenix

 

[Renfry]

Andruil considered for a moment whether she would travel with him. She couldn't really trust him as she couldn't really trust anyone, but she eventually decided that it would do.

Thank you, I'll take you up on that, she said. I'll meet you at your ship in a moment, she said, disappearing down one of the side halls and back into the temple.

She went to her room and grabbed the bag that she kept packed for occasions just like these, throwing a few extra rations of her own food in as well. She threw the bag over her shoulder and informed Sheehan and Síle of the plan as well before heading to his ship.

Assuming he had opened it, she would head inside and take in the surroundings, seeing what type of ship he had and how much space there would be. Each person decorated their ship differently, and she wondered what - if anything - he had done with his.

@Braden Drake

 

[Darth Caelestis]

He bowed as she accepted and went to gather her things, Artorigas meanwhile headed back to his ship as quickly as he could without showing he was trying to get their fast. Bonding up the loading ramp he took a quick stock of how the 'Wyvern' luckily both himself and Cydric were partial neat freaks so it wasn't to bad and the later had done some tidying up whilst he had been waiting for Artorigas to return.

The co-pilot/servant came in from the cockpit and gave Artorigas a weird look as he opened the wine fridge. "Darth Andruil is travelling with us." He said as he checked the stock, turning to look at his servant he scrunched up his brow. "Tuck your shirt in please." Artorigas continued before closing the wine fridge and moving about the rest of the large cabin. To one side just outside his private quarters sat an armour stand, his newly crafted Armour of Wessex sat upon it unused, it was made for grand occasions and battles not for humble requests so he had kept it here.

The rest of the decorum of the living space was lavish but not over the top. As you headed up the ramp to the left was a small seating area a pair of L-shaped sofa's pointing to a viewscreen. To the right was the small kitchen area, were the aforementioned wine fridge sat. To the rear near the engines were the guest quarters and to the front were Artorigas' and Cyrdric's own private rooms. All looked in order, it wasn't spotless showing at least the space was lived in, but otherwise it was clean and well looked after. With a deep sigh he ushered Cydric back to the cockpit as he poured himself a large glass of white wine.

@Phoenix

 

[Renfry]

Andruil made her way out of the temple and stopped dead as she looked up at the transport. It was always a GX-1. Ship was a GX-1 as well, and it brought back a swell of emotions that she forced aside as a deep breath. This wasn't actually Ship, and that meant there was no need for such a... visceral reaction.

She headed up the ramp and into the main area. She knew the layout of such ships well, and knew where it was likely she would find her guest quarters. Setting her pack down just inside one of the rooms, she headed toward the cockpit. She took in the surrounding as she went, stopping to glance at the armor for a moment. She knew many people fought in armor, but she could never quite figure it out. It was so... bulky. Even the flight suit she'd worn at Byblos been almost too large.

The rest of the interior was nice. Not quite elaborate, but certainly comfortable. She didn't pause for long as she continued on to where she would doubtless find both the acolyte and his... oh, someone else was here. She had somehow assumed he would simply have a droid copilot, but she supposed that didn't always hold true.

I'm ready when you are, she said simply as she took a seat in one of the rear seats in the cockpit.

@Braden Drake

 

[Darth Caelestis]

Artorigas kept half an eye on the Darth as she boarded the ship, he was not concerned about if she was personally up to something but he was trying to study her more. To see if there was any knowledge he could gather on the women which would one day be valuable to him. But her actions were simple, she took a short time to look at his armour but that was expected, it would have been more strange if she hadn't, it was rather loud.

As she took a space in the rear of the cockpit, Cydric jumped up from his own seat and gave her a deep bow. "My Queen, welcome aboard." He awaited her acknowledgement before going back to his seat, dialling the ship for take off. As the landing ramp began to raise Artorigas turned to the women. "Would you like a drink, hyperspace can be rather boring." He signalled the now half empty glass of wine in his hand. "I am sure we have at least something on here which would suit your taste?"

@Phoenix

 

[Renfry]

Andruil looked at the man who greeted her and gave a simple nod.

Thank you, she said simply. She was a remarkably simple woman in many ways. Little of what she did appeared to be all that incredible. What had gotten her to where she was was the dedication she had to her work, her history, and her upbringing. Commitment to something beyond her.

Sure, she said as he offered her a glass of something to drink. The ship began to take off and crack through the atmosphere and into the stars of space. It was the worst possible time to be getting up and moving around, but she seemed undisturbed by it.

She reached out a single hand to steady herself as the ship shuddered and lurched into hyperspace, maintaining her balance through the acceleration.

How is this? she asked, pointing to one of the bottles that looked to be moderate rather than too incredibly expensive. She had no interest in being rude or wasteful of his things, after all.

@Braden Drake

 

[Darth Caelestis]

Artorigas followed Darth Andruil from the cockpit back into the main living quarters shortly after take off. The alcohol both seemed to take the edge off his nerves but seemed to steady his feet as he walked through the shudder. The Dark Counciler had made her way to the small selection of bottles near the kitchenette pointing out a rather dark Firennian Red.

"A good choice." He made his way over to the wine she chose removing it from rack and using a manual corckscrew to uncork the bottle. The Force would have perhaps been quicker and more efficient but something about the physical interaction of the corckscrew brought Artorigas back to more innocent times of his life. Long before the power of The Force and the machinations of the Sith ruled his life.

He gave it a few moments to breath before pouring a small amount into the glass for the Darth to taste. "Try a little and let me know if you would like something else." The specific bottle had a fresh red and black fruit flavour, it was one of his mothers preferred vintages coming all the way from Naboo.

@Phoenix

 

[Renfry]

She watched as he opened the bottle, handling it as if he were an experienced connoisseur of wines. She was acquainted with wines, but mostly those of her people. By the standards of the rest of the galaxy it was what most would consider quite low in quality, but it suited her fine.

She took a sip and nodded.

It is good, thank you, she said, taking a drink.

Tell me more about yourself, she said, taking a seat. She had asked him a few fleeting questions here and there over time, but there was a great deal about him that she still didn't know. Above all, perhaps, his motivation. He was... unusual by Sith standards. The color of his lightsaber among other things had not escaped her notice. There was more to him than he let on, and she had yet to decide precisely what that meant for their association.

@Braden Drake

 

[Darth Caelestis]

He wondered if the Darth would offer some small talk or keep quiet whilst they travelled to the ancient Tomb World of the Sith. "I was born and raised upon Serenno My Queen. My family are of nobility there but only a small house, our history around two hundred years at the most, unlike many of our peers." He began taking a sip of the wine in between breaks. "I came late into my powers with The Force, already on the track of a life of basic luxury kept in the corner for my father encase my elder brother hit the bucket." There was some distaste audible in his voice when it came to his family.

"I Sith Marauder found me, playing with my new powers, he offered to teach me in exchange for money and gifts. My family had much and my father would give me what I asked as long as I wasn't in the way. And that is how I learned what I have of the Sith and The Force. Though I would add that it is little if any comparable to most of my peers, it was four years ago and here I know stand. A lowly Acolyte just trying to figure out my way." He finished it was a boring story, well at least for him considering he lived it. He kept some things from the Darth, mainly what he had been doing since he left the confines of Serenno behind and began exploring more of the Sith proper.

@Phoenix

 

[Renfry]

She listened with a hint of interest. His story was different than many people she had heard, and one thing stuck in her mind as she listened to the first part.

That must have been quite the transition to come to the Sith, she said. The life of a Sith Acolyte wasn't one of basic luxury many times.

Does your family know what you're doing? she asked. She wondered how long it would be before he decided to usurp his family and move his family up in the nobility. It was the kind of move he would do once he'd truly embraced the Sith.

And what do you make of the Sith, then? she asked bluntly. Why four years as an Acolyte? Perhaps it was a rude or overly blunt question, but she didn't care. It was better than fake small talk no one cared about. It was a question of substance.

@Braden Drake