The Dark Academy on Korriban

"Nope. We just had a talk," he said. "Tried to clear some things up."

Moyr approached with a charming smile.

"Good evening, gentlemen. Long time no see, Lord Deathwright. Did you enjoy the banquet?"

He nods with a smile of his own. "Not a banquet," he replies. "Official session, discussing the future of the empire."

"Care to fill me in on details of Sith statesmanship over a drink?"

She sat between both men, leaning against the counter with her front, legs crossed.

"Some of it, sure. Some of it was meant for the chamber only though," he replies with a smirk.

"For example, Darth Thanaton attempted to have Lord Zash exiled. Darth Jadus cast the vote that prevented it though," he says, figuring she'd be interested in that and the council as a whole considered that to be low on the totem pole of importance.

"How fortunate. I guess your master and you owe Darth Jadus now? I wonder about the vote breakdown. Who sided with Darth Tanathon? Only conservatives?"

"It did seem to be along lines of political ideals, with the more moderates choosing based on personal interest and beliefs," he said with a nod. "I was page to Darth Ravage. I like him. Before the vote even happened he suggested that Thanaton shouldn't waste the council's time with such pettiness, and that he should just take action himself. I agreed whole heartedly with that sentiment. Let strength speak, rather than play games."

"Sounds like a proper Darth for you indeed. And other fellow aspirants? Who paged whom?"

"Not sure about Sylvain, he was at the earlier session I believe," he says with a shrug. "Vowrawn had Shaisha serving, Thanaton had Khalim and Marr had Serasai. Not that any of that really means anything. The real purpose was to give some of the students the chance to observe. We didn't get to provide any inputs. Just chat with them during recesses. And not everyone chatted with who they paged for. I didn't keep track of it all because I was busy talking with Ravage."

"I see. Certainly it was better than nothing, to test the waters for more ambitious a shot at apprenticeship. I think you could aim higher than Zash, with your pedigree. Like Syl, who's got a real Darth. But surely you know better than me."

She smiled.

"And your part of the session, Syl?"

"Fairly uneventful actually. Nothing near as interesting as the second half apparently." He said sipping his water.

"Neither of you has told me who Jo'ren Rath sticks with. Is there a reason for this omission?"

She looked at Syl meaningfully, then at his water, then at the counter before her.

"I could swear I have been invited for drinks."

He smiled, "Waited for you to arrive to start the party."

He motioned to the bartender for drinks.

"Jo'ren and I were with Vengean."

Zeno nods. "Indeed." He took a sip from his drink.

She smiled to her thoughts, waiting for the glass to appear before her.

"What do we drink tonight?"

Sylvain smiled and chuckled, "To finding decent associates that haven't killed each other yet?"

"Yet? What do you mean by that, Syl?"

Moyr looked at him first, then at Zeno, credibly acting slightly befuddled and startled.

He chuckled, "There are friendships that last quite a bit shorter... and our's seems to be the type that doesn't end right away."

Then smiling, "And I'm pleased about that."

At that, Zeno gives a somewhat sad smile. He really didn't hide his emotions well, embracing them fully because that is what a sith does.

He took another drink.

"It's a sad fate, to fight and drink alone."

Moyr caught Zeno's emotion as his silence attracted her attention.

"So you're my designated executioner now, Lord Deathwright? And this is my last drink?"

"No. I'll not do that. I'd have her cut me down first," he says staring at his drink. "But I want to make things square between us all. Just gave Baesal the credits she needs to build whatever she's working on, and offered a hand to help if needed. And I believe I still owe you a favor. Got anyone you have a problem with?"

"Besides your demonic mistress? I am everyone's friend, Zeno."

Moyr sighed, laying her hand on his arm and looking into his eyes with her golden ones.

"There's no reimbursement I can name right now for forsaking you as my comrade. You can take it from me right away if this is how you feel, but I will not sell it."

"I have made my choice, one that is likely ill advised and promises as much chance of betrayal as potential for power. We are not jedi however. Our connections mean something to us. And my connection to you makes it easier for her to monitor you even if I am unwilling. I would not willingly place that danger on you and have that burden hanging over my head," he says. "And as I said, if she gave me the order to kill you... she'd have to do it herself after stepping over my corpse," he offers a sad smile to her and it's easy to see a bit of moisture forming. "Leaving a comrade behind goes against everything I was taught since the day I was born a Deathwright."

"Then let's leave things as they are, Zeno, even if that is an uncomfortable flux. Each of us will have to keep our guard so as not to spill too much and court jeopardy but it does not preclude fairness and camaraderie."

She squeezed his arm, smiling gently to him at his display of emotion.

"You've been an inspiration to me, Lord Deathwright. Do you know I spent the last weeks on learning pilotage? If it comes to a dogfight with the enemy on Yavin, I want to fly in your wing. Loyalty for loyalty."

"I'd be proud to," he says with a nod. "While we're all still aspirants the rules apply, and I would see you succeed. After that, distance may be better for both of our causes as much as I don't like to admit it. I've been glad to work with you this far though."