Threading The Needle With Sinew

[Swamp Witch]

Kneeling inside the ruins of an ancient temple, now many years in ruin, on a unnamed planet I found myself praying to the Dark Side. My mind, always unstable and unpredictable, was reeling from recent events. The Sth, who I never truly harboured love for, was going through radical changes; but it was changes I wasn't quite sure of. Rather than carelessly tossing my proverbial hat into the ring, I had chosen a self-imposed exile, or vacation if a more fitting word fits, to reflect on my destiny. My recent path had somewhat been muddied, and the time to wipe away the filth from directly in front of me was drawing closer and closer.

But I needed a plan of action, a purpose from which to begin haunting the galaxy once more. I never had many allies within the Sith Order, and since my unannounced departure to exile myself, I was quite sure I stood as a lone Sith among the wretched and weak souls of the galaxy.

Snapping my eyes open, the Dark Side had gave me the answers I sought. Rising from my position, I pulled my tattered robes across my frame, called to my hand my hilt, and strolled toward the exit as I reacquainted my weapon to it's resting place on my side. The bright light from the orange sun assaulted my eyes, a painful reminder of how long I spent in these darkened ruins. I needed to get off this backwater planet, and since I had no ship of my own; I needed to "borrow" a mode of transportation. And the Force had pointed me in the direction of a camp site off to my left.

I entered the scavenger's camp, counting six individuals going about their daily routine. When they saw me, I could feel their edginess radiating off them through the Force; and soon that feeling would turn to fear. I withdrew my weapon, turning all twelve eyes to the boned creation I called Slayer of the Innocence that laid dormant in my hand. With a gentle caress of my thumb, I ignited my blade sending the ashen, black blade into existence. How long had it been since I used my weapon? A lifetime it seemed. But I never forgot how to use it.​

 

[Swamp Witch]

The tongue of my blade slowly retracted into it's protective shell, as I held the sole survivor in the grips of a Force Choke; his feet dangling inches above the planet's surface. My eyes, glistened over with pure hatred, looked among the dead feeling that once lost sensation of killing take hold once more; turning my heart into a rapid pulse of dark erotic emotions.

"Do not mistake my sparing you for mercy, prey. I require a pilot and unless you find cause to object...you have been chosen," I said slowly tightening my grip on his trachea. The demonstration was to eliminate any misunderstanding between us. If I meant to kill him, which he understood perfectly, I would have done so without extreme prejudice. I released him and smiled as he crashed to the surface of the planet. Rubbing is neck, and trying his best to not gaze upon his dead comrades, he nodded his acceptance to my proposal.

I was starring out the side viewport of the ship's cockpit when my pilot found the courage to finally speak when we broke through the planet's atmosphere and invaded the coldness of space. "Systems are ready," he said never looking at me. Continuing, he added, "What is our destination?" That was an excellent question! There was much work to be done, and very few precious time to waste. First and foremost, I needed a base of financial stability. Credits make the galaxy run in circles, like a kath hound chasing it's own tail. Currently, I was broke but that was a situation I would rectify soon enough.

"Set a course for Muunilinst," I ordered. If credits were to be acquired, what better place to ascertain credits but through the Banking Clans. The Muuns may be greedy, not to the level of Hutts, but they were weak willed creatures ripe for the picking.​

 

[Swamp Witch]

We arrived at the Jedi-controlled planet of Muunilist, and while here I would need to tread through the shadows methodically. I do not fear the Jedi having murdered countless of their kind, Masters and Padawans alike, during my lifetime; and will murder countless more before my time in the galaxy comes to a climatic ending. However, I was here hunting credits, not Jedi. I came here with one sole purpose only, to find a Banking Clan member and force him into a deal that would, naturally, be in my favour.

Engaging the Jedi here would be counter-productive to my plans at this pointe.

As I stepped out of the ship, I relied on the magical ability known as Mask to cover up the growing signs of Darkside corruption that was now apparent upon my facial features. Being a Vahla, the Dark Side was my born gift and being a legendary historian of my nomadic people; I could talk my way out of being accused as a Sith if I came across a hapless and inquisitive Jedi. The corruption, however, on my face would be almost a dead give away to where my allegiances lied.

I wasn't quite familiar with the Muun society, but I heard through certain circles among the Sith that one particular family, the Dromuns, where known to conduct seedy activity with rather unsavory characters. The question now was how to isolate one of the family members; but which one?

While I continued to formulate my plan in my horrific mind, I strolled casually like a tourist through the metropolis; feigning interest along the way. Through the guidance of the Force, I found myself entering a well established cantina where only the wealthiest of the wealthy could afford a glass of water. The Muun at the podium waiting to cross reference names to reservations looked up at me, and before he could speak, I persuaded him to allow me to pass; and the Force again led me to a table with a single seated individual.

Sitting down at an empty chair, I flashed my best smile at the young Muun.​

 

[Swamp Witch]

"I do not recall offering an invitation to join me," the young, male Muun said. "Duly noted," I replied with a hint of arrogance in my voice. "However....you and I have business to discuss." The Muun released a low, mocking laugh before saying, "I'm sure you and I have no business to attend to. So if you will please excuse yourself from my presence, I have real business to attend to shortly."

Leaning closer toward the man, I stared deep into his eyes speaking with a tone of conviction. "That is where you are gravely mistaken. Your lack of speaking truth to me is slightly disheartening....and I shall forgive you this one time. Next time you lie to me....I won't be so forgiving." The body of the Muun tightened as his lips curled into a snarl. "You are foolish to threaten me, girl. I am Kasu Dromuns, heir to the Dromuns Estate and Assistant Advisor to the Banking Clans Collective. If you..." I had heard enough of his ramblings and quickly silenced him by gently squeezing his neck via the Force. "A small amount of pleasure to meet your acquaintance, Mr. Dromuns. You will know me as only Emily." Giving him my real name might provide me with future set backs if this Muun's lips were loose fitting on his face.

"As I was saying," I continued whilst slowly releasing him from my grip, "We can form a strong partnership."​