The Dark Academy on Korriban

"Not saying it wasn't enjoyable," she smirked confidently. It wasn't often Shaisha felt she had the upper hand with Sylvain.

"You know I would. And I could also embarrass you to no end too. Imagine, many years from now on, we're members on the Dark Council... and we'll press eachother on issues based on most embarrasing childhood events."

He snorted a chuckle, "We'd be kicked off the council in a second. And Kris would look on shaking her head in disapproval."

He smiled, "For now let's keep the embarrassing details to ourselves. We're both aware of the mutually assured destruction that would follow such a slip." He winked and pinched her shoulder teasingly.

"Hm, yes, probably for the best that the swimming pool scandal doesn't leave the House of Torsin." She poked his side.

"Thanks for brightening my mood this evening. I hope I've done the same for you?"

"Of course you have Shai. There's not a day that goes by that you don't inject a bit of vitality into my life." He smiled again brightly at his friend.

"See you tomorrow morning?"

She patted him on the shoulder. "In the morning... and take care of Kris, ok?"

He nodded and smiled.

If she'll let me after what happened...

Shai gave Syl a peck on the cheek, before walking back to camp.

Remember what father said; he was not above being replaced.

/exit

As Shai walked away Sylvain pulled out his holopad and typed a quick message to Kris.

The response would come moments later.

The next response came much later, in an entirely different form.

A long while had passed, but eventually there was the sound of a pair of boots making their way toward Sylvain. Slipping down with the dirt being pushed away under her heel as she found a decent spot. Speaking no words, not yet, just a cool silence. Almost making the wind seem a touch cooler.

Looking to the sky as she sat there. It truly was darkest just before the dawn.

Sylvain scooted over to sit next to her and matched her view of the sky.

"It's a weird feeling... knowing they're not there anymore."

He put his hand on Kristal's shoulder closest to him.

"I'm glad you came out..." He said simply.

Knees up, arms folder over each of them Kristal sat in a rather tight frame. One that was easy enough to get near.

"Two great men. Dead in just as many days..."

Looking over the shoulder, over Sylvains hand she looked to him and for a moment her lips seemed to struggle with the idea of a light smile.

"It's better than staring at that finished tent."

He smiled, "I'd hope so. Many women out there would be quite jealous of you I'd think. Date night under the stars with a handsome man."

He chuckled, "I'm just glad I seemed like a better partner than an inanimate object."

Then wrapping that same arm around her waist he pulled her right next to him, their sides touching softly.

"I'm sorry Kris... but I'm here for you. If there's anyone in the galaxy that says they know what you're feeling better than me... I'll punch them for lying." He said with a smile.

"Handsome man, heir to a noble family..." Kristal said, not quite able to match his mirth exactly. Which was really the only indication perhaps other than the news they all heard. Aside from that she was rather well put together, considering.

Then he pulled her in, she let him of course. Giving him that little masculine thing.

She didn't even mention her thoughts, not only was her father dead but now the whole Empire currently thought he was a traitor. Some of that even trickled down to her. Nothing to worry about now.

"Sylvain Torsin, using physical violence to correct thoughts. That isn't your style," she teased.

He smiled, "It is when someone is trying to mess with my Kris!" He said with a smile that suggested he was teasing a bit but the sentiment was true.

He moved his hand up to her far shoulder and held her close. "Nobody messes with my Kris."

"Are you going to walk up and punch the Emperors Wrath then?" she said, returning the tease with one in kind. Half tease, half true in sentiment. Kristal's light smile was evidence enough of the understanding of the sentiment. It was also likely a surprise it even manifested.

"In good time my dear. All in good time." He said with a smile.

"I was talking with Shai earlier and wanted to let you know I think your father was set up... There's little doubt in my mind." He said with a bit more seriousness, "And that I've managed to maneuver myself into becoming Baras' new apprentice... I did what I did today to preserve our father's legacies of building a stronger, more united Empire."

He looked into the face that had just smiled so brightly, so briefly, "I'm taking steps to make sure all the progress they achieved is not wasted by these short-sighted fools who cannot see what great men truly look like."

There seemed no surprise at the revelation of himself and Baras, as if this was not the first time she heard of it. There was a touch of relief, but only a touch that Sylvain did not believe her father was a Traitor. Still... too little too late.

"Is that what you were intending on doing last night? What you weren't able to tell us?"

He nodded, "What Shai didn't want me to tell you then... I wanted to."

Then added, "And in my interactions Baras... it seemed he was planning on your father being out of the picture. It's quite possible he set your father up as an acceptable loss to appear as if his coup wasn't as successful as intended."

He looked resolved, "I could have given the information to Marr, but that would have enacted civil war and death on a scale unprecedented in our history... and for what purpose? To exact your and my revenge on Baras? I felt that the Empire and its strength was more important than my desire to avenge my father. Why destroy what my father had spent his life to build? Rather I will bide my time until I can defeat Baras, and restore sanity and proper rule to the Imperial Army. His schemes are a plague against the Empire, but The Empire is strong enough to endure them for now. One day we will drive this sickness from the Empire, and we will have justice dealt to those who perpetrated such traitorous acts."

"Save the speech for the troops," she teased at first. Bumping his shoulder lightly with hers. It was almost as private as her room, and there was a temptation to just lean her head down because it was late and she was tired, but she didn't.

"You have goals Sylvain, and if there is anyone in the Empire who can accomplish them I am sure it is you. For now... I aim to focus on what is in front of me. Once I survive the enemies that surround me I can aim to seeing those I do not yet understand."

"Regardless of whom they are, their days are numbered," Kristal spoke with a cold confidence on that note.

He smiled and bumped her back, "You always seemed to like the motivational speeches as a kid. Sick of hearing them from me?"

He looked into her eyes with a playful look, one that he was overjoyed to see in her despite the circumstances.

Looking back for the moment Kristal turned her gaze toward the sky as she spoke. "I might be," she teased, but she wasn't.

He smiled, "I'll have to change things up to keep you on your toes then."

He looked up to the sky, "I'd hate you to get bored with me."

He then looked over at her taking in her profile with watchful eyes as she stared up at the sky. Their faces were quite close and as any young man with an infatuation with a girl, he wanted to see what she looked like from such a close distance. Strange how these simple things made young men so happy and sick at the same moment.

"You've just apprenticed yourself to the man you and I believe orchestrated the murder of your father," she said flatly, but her lips turned up into a little smirk at that. Making her tease evident.

"I couldn't bore of you if I tried."

Somewhere, out there, her mother might be alive and alone. However, she could have likely even died defending against the Wrath. It was strange. Sitting here on this rock and she had no idea if her mother was alive or dead.