The Dark Academy on Korriban

Layne was off by herself again, like the loner that she was. Busy preparing some food from the rations she brought with her. It wasn't exactly the best way to fill a stomach, but it was better than the paste back at the academy at least. So she sat on a rock in front of a little fire, heating up the contents of the pack.

Layne... It's the first time that the woman is alone, and that the other woman is nearby. They hadn't properly been introduced before, but the former slave had proven herself to be a worthy warrior, and after her actions with Xevine the day before, Niriti wondered what really went inside the mind of Layne. This could be a good opportunity as any other, or maybe even better than any other.

"Layne Hoshin?" She closed in on the other acolyte, although kept a prudencial distance between them both with a expressionless face. "I believe we haven't met yet. My name is Niriti."

She didn't stop the act of preparing her food as the other neared and spoke. Like she didn't think the girl was a threat.

"And?"

"I have heard and seen a lot about you." Replied Niriti with no acknowledgement whatsoever, hard to understand if she was impressed by the woman, or concerned. "You lack the sophistication of a proper lord, you are a warrior, an imposing force." Yet again it was hard to interpret what she meant by her words, if it was good or bad. "Yet I think you follow some type of personal code, so intriguing."

Is she for real?

She stared at the woman for a good while before replying.

"A personal code huh? Don't know what you mean by that. And I've heard nothing about you."

"That is very easy to explain, since I spend some time trying to know about the people in the academy, while you only worry about bashing your head around." No malice in her words, just simple facts with a hint of impressed feelings. "You are very courageous. That I cannot deny you. Many have faltered where you stand. Yet I wonder if your bulldozer ways will keep you safe from backstabbers and political manipulations... You may be strong, but if you don't have influence and allies, you might be strong cleaning dung by imperial order."

"So, this is the part where you offer to be my ally, only to betray me once I leave my guard down, right?"

"First of all, I do not betray my allies." She started with an accusing finger, hurt because of being considered some kind of lower creature. "Second of all, I would not become allies with you. Instead I would prefer to hire your services, as I think that your loyalty can only be bought, the rest you dedicate to yourself alone."

The woman pushed her long hair back. "If I needed to use you I would manipulate you into it, with no need of making you my ally or anything of the sorts. But like I said, you intrigue me, and you are an effective person, although I still wonder if you could be of use to anyone else than yourself."

She just stared at Niriti. With an expression approaching disbelief.

Is she... for real?