The Dark Academy on Korriban

"And in your case that fury is of political or of a more personal kind? The reason to want it crumble and fall might be quite diverse."

She closed the cloak over her front, neatly concealing the tape-wear beneath. The other conversation took a turn toward fashion and she didn't yet want to draw attention as a case-in-point of something.

"Their continued existence is an affront to the Empire. I would see their worlds come under proper governance or be turned to wastelands if they refuse such. There is no room in this galaxy for the weakness and hypocrisy they represent. Rulers should rule, the strong should be empowered and the weak bent to their will. There's is a wasteful and pitiful excuse for a government," he says with a shake of his head. "They are wasting the potential of their people and fail to understand the true way of the universe."

She nodded, keeping her political ideas for herself for the time being.

"And the Hutts? How do they fit in this agenda?"

"They will fall in line or suffer the same fate if I have any say in the matter. Right now they enjoy their neutrality... perhaps they're even building defenses... but none will stop the Sith from ruling the galaxy and setting things to the proper order." His tone is very matter-of-fact.

"And what of yourself? What is your intent should you be fortunate enough to survive the training? What is it you expect to accomplish should you become sith?"

Sylvain smiled as well, "I'm sure she'd appreciate any help you could give. She's never been one to settle. Though trying to emulate you will most likely always end in disappointment."

He then tilted his head slightly, "Rumor has it that you are in search of a new apprentice. Are you looking for someone that will help you in your vision of a changed Empire? Or is there some other quality you are looking for in an apprentice?"

Lord Zash was amused with his reply, the young man had much to learn but at least it was entertaining. When talk turned to an apprentice she replied warmly, “I would need an apprentice that I can entrust important tasks to, are you interested in pursuing that? There is no great glory in plundering the dark places of the galaxy, but there is knowledge and power.”

“Is that something that intrigues you, aspirant?”

"Empowerment first. When I become a true Sith, I will have already won for this will be a moment I could do whatever the Dark Side compels me to."

She mused, her lekku vibrating.

"Vengeance sounds good as an early priority. There are some pigs in the Senate and some slugs in the Outer Rim I would like to gut."

He smirked coolly and replied, "An aspirant that would turn down an offer at knowledge and power? They'd have to be foolish."

His smirk turned into a more comfortable smile, "What that power and knowledge leads to though, that is the question remains in my mind. I do not tend to be one that pursues knowledge to hoard it and secretly possess it. Knowledge that is very much Power, in that it enables one to shape the world around them, and lift up the Empire to a heightened realization of its strength? I am very interested in that pursuit."

He bowed slightly, "But I am sure there are many who desire such things. The next question becomes, who would suit your purposes the best? I am no bookworm by nature, nor have I grown up surrounded by Sith Lore and practice. My talents lay more in the ability to shape the thoughts and impressions of others. If you have need for someone who could manipulate conditions and people in a way that leads to your success, then I could perhaps be of use to you Lord Zash."

He then smiled again, "I hear you sometimes have dealings with the Republic or hostile forces on your journeys. If I were to wager a guess, I'd say that in those types of situations perhaps I could be of some help."

"Oh? Killing senators is dangerous work. That's a goal that takes time collecting intel on movements. You would assassinate them yourself or simply see them dead for whatever their slights were?" He is apparently curious for this answer because he turned to look at her face rather than staring at the void.

“You make a good case for your skills, we can hope that your performance in the days to come matches the bravado you have displayed here, aspirant,” she said kindly.

“In my line of work I go where the secrets are, if that means undercover on a Republic world then so be it, having one well versed in smoothing over any disagreements discreetly would be of value to me. You should remember that aspirant, unlike lesser orders the Sith do not value charity.”

“One must have value, and one must maintain that value. Things that have no value are of no use to anyone and are disposed of,” she said turning her eyes to the void.

Sylvain nodded firmly, "A sentiment which matches my own Lord Zash."

"I would satisfy myself by being at least the cause of their demise. Just knowing them dead feels lacklustre."

As he looked at her she looked back. Her golden eyes shone as she pursed her lips before letting them adopt a wry grin.

"Intel and movements, you say? I think you're right on that account."

He nods at her answer. "I prefer to be the one to end my enemy's life directly, but putting the wheels in motion can be just as satisfying. It would be woefully unfulfilling for a rival to accidentally fall down a flight of stairs. Beneficial, certainly. Fulfilling? Not at all."

"Intelligence is the same with any military target though. I'm no strategist, but I understand that if I don't know where to strike I can't effectively kill," he replies. His piercing blue eyes are a significant contrast from his deep red skin when hers meet his. He's not overly handsome, but he is not ugly and he maintains himself well.

“What tore you away from your training, aspirant, or were you simply training off world?” she asked in a curious tone.

"There was an important social obligation my father informed me I needed to attend to in Kaas City. As you know, upon reaching adulthood many noble families have a kind of ceremony which publicly announces their oldest child as the prime successor to the family line. My father's position means that many important people would be looking for an invitation to such an event, and as such I could not avoid it. I've only been away for a few weeks, but now am prepared to move on with the last stage of my studies here... as an acolyte at least."

"But there are at least several ways to approach the challenge. You can chase, you can wait where they usually come, or you can make them come where you want them to."

She consecutively unbent three of her fingers, pushing them straight with the tip of her lekku.

"Yes. But it all feeds back into needing to know about the target. Whatever the plan is, it needs to be informed. But I'm more of an executor than a planner at the moment. It's a skill set that needs to be expanded. But one that will require me to lean on others for now. Likely others that require someone capable of dispensing violence." He doesn't make any facial expressions but his body seems to bristle in enjoyment at the thought of bringing the violence.

"I may or may not have the knack for the kind of intel work you stipulate."

She said quietly, offering him an underspecified bait.

She had been to more than her fair share of such parties and gatherings, it was interesting to see who did and did not show up to such things. Of course such an event should have been on her calendar even if she was out of touch. Looks like she would need a new personal assistant, she reminded herself to have the walking corpse disposed of once she arrived on Korriban.

“I recall your family taking on a sith from a prestigious lineage, but her name escapes me,” she said tapping her chin delicately.

"Then we may or may not have reason to work together in the future. Allies can be as dangerous as enemies in the academy. But I see no reason we can't keep our eyes open for opportunities and hold each other in mind when such opportunities arise," he says, clearly not afraid of working with an alien.

He nodded, "Her name is Shaisha Vreysk. A child of one who serves in the confidences of the Emperor. She too is traveling to Korriban for her tests."

He bowed slightly, "She's and adventurous and capable individual. I would be more than happy to introduce you to her at some point as well if you so desired."

"That is as fine a conclusion as we can get right now, Lord Deathwright, yes?"

She tilted her head and then shifted it slightly toward the other pair by the window.

"Do you know any of them?"

"It is, until we see the trials that lie before us."

He looks to the others who are in conversation.

"I recognize neither. But he looks deferential to her even though he carries himself like a noble. She may be a lord or a more important noble."

Lord Zash did not need her powers to feel the eyes on her, though it helped immensely. She could reach out and feel their sensitivity to the Force and easily assess they were aspirants as well. One definitely had sith blood and the other was a nonhuman.

She turned to Sylvain and said, “See that you do, aspirant. Now since you seem so eager to serve, I wish to get a better sense of the two aspirants watching us. See to it.”

Sylvain bowed politely and replied, "Of course my Lord."

Turning from Zash to the other two aspirants, Sylvain adopted a welcoming posture of confidence and drew near to where they were standing.

"Good evening. Have you come to see Korriban as we approach as well?"