The Dark Academy on Korriban

He smiles then, "I didn't say how long it -remained- a Republic planet from the point where I walked freely on it..."

"Ah, I see," she nods. "With your father, I'm guessing?"

He nods, "Indeed. Though he didn't like me wandering off, due to the dangers of an active warzone. But the urge to explore and find my own destiny was too great."

He shrugs then, "One planet in particular really had nothing of interest. A small forest planet in the Mirgoshir system, named Agamar. No interesting predators, no particularly valuable resources, but the Sith desired it and so we went."

Remembering something from his past, a grin comes to his lips, "One day while out exploring, I came across a Republic patrol. Not being able to frontally engage a group of trained soldiers as no more than a young teen, I began to follow them; rather easy, even for one not particularly adept at stealth, in a thick forest. Eventually, they made camp. Once they went to sleep, I snuck past the lone sentry they had posted and used the Force to steal away their power packs and grenades, leaving them utterly disarmed." He grins some more, "I also got myself a helmet."

"I then set out into the darkness again to find a friendly unit, and upon finding one informed them of the location of the patrol."

He shrugs again, "Those who did not immediately surrender were easily slaughtered, and those who did surrender were interrogated. Provided some pretty useful information about the positions of other Republic units in the forests."

She listens attentively to his story. It was not a planet she had heard of, but who could remember all the planets the Empire rightfully conquered.

"Impressive. Sounds like you were quite the adventurer when given the chance. Your father was rather proud of you for that little scheme, no?"

He laughs then, "He yelled at me for an hour."

With a grin, he continues, "So, yes."

"Sounds about right. He must have high expectations of you now that you are here."

She smirks. "Darth Vengean seemed to have an eye on you and Jo'ren at the party, but according to Jo'ren, Vengean may have already made his choice."

"Oh? And who does Jo'ren seem to think he prefers?"

"From what he said, it seems he was the choice."

Shaisha shrugs. "Could have been his usual bravado to impress, who knows. Thought you might want to know."

He shrugs unconcernedly, "Darth Vengean wasn't really my first choice anyway. I've spent far too much time in the Outer Rim already. Darth Xavin seemed more one whose ideals aligned most closely with my own."

He considers a bit, "Or perhaps Darth Thanaton."

"I admit, I'm a little surprised. Though you're also the first one I've heard wanting Xavin or Thanaton... Everyone seems to want Marr, Baras or Zash."

Not that she minded these pleasant surprises.

He nods, "Indeed. It seems they are all quite...popular. And that they have paths that might bring their apprentices much glory simply by following in their wake."

"However, someone must uphold the traditions of the Sith, and remind us all from where we came. My lineage traces back to even before the Sith Empire was formed, so perhaps it's simply a natural desire for me to seek to retain the strength of that lineage."

He smiles, "It may not be as glorious as claiming territory for the Empire, but in certain ways it is far, -far- more important, lest the Sith Empire be allowed to wallow in weakness as all are embraced with open arms; like the Jedi do."

"A good point," she agrees. "While I believe in keeping... valuable tools for the Empire, I agree that our heritage must be preserved."

"The Jedi have hunted our kind, who knows how much was lost in those times."

"Much, I would suspect. And thus we should strive to see that no more is lost."

"Well," she glances at their find, "this might help in that regard."

"I must say, these chats with you are... enlightening. You keep surprising me, in a positive way. Apart from my family when I was a child, I haven't spent that much time with our kind. Nobles in Kaas City tend to be humans..."

He smiles amusedly at her, "Through presenting one face to the crowd, one tends to be presumed wrongly. If the viewer believes me nothing more than a rich, spoiled upstart, then that is what they will expect. By knowing the truth of the matter, I hold the advantage."

"It's simply too easy and simple to get by in life by threatening, killing or raging your way through it. Wisdom and thought grant far more strength, particularly if you can also combine it with lethality. It leaves you far more options and tactics to utilize in your climb to power."

He glimpses at her eyes, "I get the feeling you believe similarly, Ms. Vreysk. Thus, while you may not have spent much time with our kind, it seems you take well to the same traits of our kind; that of strong resolve, patience and willpower to achieve the ends we desire."

"I guess being raised in a military family has had that effect on me, though yes, some of it comes naturally. I've seen too many who think passion is a strength, but allow it to become their chains instead because they lack the discipline to properly harness its advantages."

"And please," she smiles sweetly, "no need to be so formal when we're alone like this."