The Dark Academy on Korriban

Moyr took the first opportunity available to get to the mess hall and grab some real food. Roast shautal, oh my. Moyr wasn't sure if the shautal was really not a different animal, but it was a chunk of real meat. She worked her fork and knife with deadly efficiency, preparing perfect slices to roll into a tube. And to that, black ale.

The tall bluish alien entered the mess hall. It has been a long, long day. He needs some nourishment. There were some 'real' food around here, not the nutrient paste that he has been eating at the Academy. Specially meat, that was something that could work.

After grabbing some food, Rumun noticed that the lethan female twi'lek was also around eating. He approached to her table.

'' May I?'' He asked with a smile.

There are some markings on his neck.

Hearing the familiar Duros, Moyr looked up with a smile. It faded more than a bit when she saw the marking.

"Sure, join me, Rum. It's good to see you."

She paused to look to the seat opposite to her.

"It seems a few days off for recuperation are timely for both of us."

'' Ha! Yeah, so it seems...'' He replies while he sat. '' It's good to have some leisure time, occasionally.''

'' May I ask you something?'' The duros looks at Moyr, intently.

"Is it something that requires a drink first?"

She looked at her ale, then back at him, lacing her fingers around the glass.

'' Oh, where are my manners?, please excuse me...''

He stands up and goes to the bar to get some ale for himself. Rumun did not fancy too much alcoholic beverages, but he thought that this was a good time to get some. He returns with a glass.

'' I guess now we are good? First things first...'' He smiled as he raised the glass so as to clink.

''Cheers...''

Clinking she did.

"Cheers, Rum. Ours are the stars."

She smirked, then drank some.

"So, what's your question?"

Rumun drank some.

'' Now, that we are on the same page...'' He slightly smiled ''... I was wondering, your name is not Moyr, right? I have read a bit of twi'lek culture, and your people have two names, or rather they have two different ways of reading their name, that's correct?''

"My parents named me Moyra'haya. A Twi'lek that is severed from the community on Ryloth is practically expected to break the name in two. The Broken Name usually is the last among the siblings to inherit Kalikori."

Moyr explained calmly, considering it neither too revealing nor too traumatic.

Rumun listened intently. Ryloth and the twi'leks have an interesting culture and history. A bit tragic, with all the ryll and slavery behind it, but fascinating nonetheless.

'' Hmm I see, so depending on how close you are to your species' homeworld, is your naming tradition'' He drank some ale.

Rumun was a bit confused in the last part.

'' Forgive me but, what's a kalikori? I have read about it but I do not quite understand the concept'' He asked politely, he was very interested.


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[OOC - Rolls]

D8 - What's a Kalikori?, Just for Fluff, Hard for obscure information?: 2eA+1eP+3eD 0 successes

"It's an item, a collective artwork. Can be a carving. It's entrusted to someone in each generation of the family. Subsequent holders add something artful before they pass it down the line. it works as a revered symbol of familial unity."

She struggled a bit to be neutral about it. In the end, she shrugged and let her real thoughts out.

"A powerful tool for social conservatism perpetuating slave culture that objectifies girls as commodity in sex trade."

'' Hmmm now I understand. The Kalikori serves, in theory, as a symbol of 'familial unity' but only on the 'surface'. In reality, it is a symbol of oppresion and corruption as, like you said, only those with unbroken names can inherit it. And those with unbroken names are those few that don't get sold abroad to the Hutt cartels, Weequay pirates, etc .'' He analized the situation of Ryloth and of the Twi'leks.

'' Thanks for explaining me this, Moyr.'' He was being honest. The duros likes learning new stuff but this topic was a bit controversial so he did not insist* about it.

'' You answered my question. I suppose it's your turn now, if you have something you want to ask me...'' He smiled.

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[OOC]

* Damn, I can't conjugate that verb with that expression. I have edited that line like 10 times

"You've changed quite a bit since we spoke last, Rum. But is there anything that still holds you back?"

She moved her finger in rounds along the rim of her ale glass looking up into his red eyes.

Rumun crossed his arms in a thoughtful way.

'' Hmm, I don't know for sure.'' He shrugs

''Since our last conversation, I have re-evaluated my way of looking my life, or rather how I walk the path towards my objectives. Before that change If I had suffered a setback or encounter a wall that blocked my way I would have probably sat down and done nothing. I would had waited for the wall to crumble without noticing that I was the one that was crumbling instead.''

'' But now I see thing in a different way. Or at least I try to view my alternatives in a more proactive way. But still, it's a difficult process to adapt myself to this new way of life. I still have some old mental barriers that block my mind. Invisible chains that paralize my body and mind.'' The duros raspy voice echoes around.

'' But time will tell. I have already started something. Only destiny will tell if this was the right choice...or not'' He smiles at that last part.

'' Anyway, for now I am enjoying this 'new Rumun', if you can call it like that. We will see where this new path leads me'' He finished.

"You've got your twinblade, Rum. So that box on your path to act inspired by Exar Kun is checked."

She clinked their glasses, nodding in recognition.

"Have you done anything about the Zash problem?"

Rumun nods and raised the glass after Moyr's Exar Kun comment.

'' Yeah. I made this whole situation even more complicated.''

a pause to drink some ale.

He leaned over the table so as to get closer to Moyr and he whispers. '' I have contacted Darth Skotia. Guess I'm screwed...'' He smiled as he returned to his seat.

"I'd say that was an excellent move for the long term, even if your windpipe feels otherwise at this point. Better a bit of leverage than none at all."

Moyr asserted, looking at him.

"Trust your instincts more, Rum. How did it conclude?"

'' Yeah, well. I'm still alive, that's a good long term point'' Rumun tries to keep his voice down. Who knows who can be listening.

'' We talk about our 'charming lady' past apprentices, about he rumours that surround her. And then he force choked me into submission... but I'm alive. And I'm now closer to her favorite student '' He touches his neck for a moment.

'' You are right, Moyr. Right now I need to trust my instincts.. Patience is the key to unlocking this mess''