The Dark Academy on Korriban

A cloaked figure, hard to distinguish from the surroundings, kept vigil near the tent of Sylvain Torsin. The figure was making no moves, just watched.

Just then Sylvain was walking back from a short trip into the woods in preparation for bed. As he approached his tent he noticed something strange in the shadows around his tent and squinted his eyes to see if his instinct was right.

"So you've spotted me."

She stated simply without making a move.

He smiled, "How could I miss the subtle shining of my evening star?"

He then walked over closer to her and asked with a weak smile, "What are you doing watching my tent?"

"Make a guess."

She said quietly. Her voice hinted on reproof.

"What would I be doing here if I had witnessed my man deeply troubled, absent-minded throughout the day who had not told me a thing about his travails nor had kissed me once."

She did not leave her post.

He chuckled. A weak and tired chuckle, but one that was audible nonetheless, "Checking up on me I assume... and possibly want to rectify some of those things."

He walked up and took her hand, "Wanna go for a walk?"

"More like protecting you. Apparently you are not at your best. If you carelessly let yourself be killed around here, I'd use ancient Sith magic to raise you from the dead and kill you myself for abandoning me."

She smiled coy-wryly.

"A walk sounds nice."

He smiled, "Not sufficient with me being a failure in life just once huh?"

He chuckled and started walking.

"So what makes you think I had a bad day? I talked those Massassi into an alliance.. and got to watch them draw all over you."

"This is a gross exaggeration and you know it."

She scoffed, but then turned more ironical in her gaze.

"The little things, Syl. If you think I cannot take a glimpse beyond the mask you wear, think again."

He smiled, "So I am an open book now huh?"

He then squeezed her hand, "It has been a long day. Losing friends and allies... getting attacked randomly in the forest by Imperial troops... Eventful but long."

"I want to hear it all, Syl. You jest or make light of it, but these are no laughing matters."

Her fingers gripped his hand tighter.

He chuckled, "Where to start... I called my mother in the morning. Informed her of my dealings as of late."

He shook his head, "She wants me to break all my ties with my friends. Devote myself to Baras..."

"Would your friends do it if their own powerful parents requested it in relation to you?"

"They would have refused in the past... not so sure now." He shrugged, "Either way I don't plan on doing it... it's not who I am."

"So what are you going to do, Syl?"

He shrugged, "Adapt. They both seem to want their distance right now. So I'll give them it... and keep my eye on them to make sure nothing hits them while I'm not at their side."

A contemplative pause.

"Why were you attacked? Politics?"

"Apprentice rivalry stuff. Most likely it was Rona Thaine and or Layne Hoshin. Both seem to be gunning for me from all indications. Rona's a traitor and I threatened to reveal her to Baras unless she backed off. She agreed, but it's likely she was just waiting for a time that would be beneficial. The men that were sent were sent by one of Baras' higher ups... So Rona would make the most sense." He replied.

"Layne again. I'd have a few words about her too."

Moyr scoffed.

"How did you overcome them?"

He smiled, "I can be just as convincing with my Basic words as I was with my gesture-speak to the Massassi."

"Of course you can, my glib-tongued boy."

Moyr chuckled sweetly, tossing her hood off. The lekku underneath adjusted with a sensual wave.

"That Layne may try other things by another of her 'friends', one Anya Veers. They are bonded in some way from what I have observed, but not as much as Layne would like. That Veers is a curious thing."

Sylvain nodded, "I'd be careful around Veers... she's not what she seems."

"I know that much. I know the thing within is old, and powerful. Old enough to recollect pre-Imperial times on Korriban. And I know she's grown weary of Veers' body, especially after the wounds it sustained during crash landing today. Do you know something I don't?"

Moyr tilted her head in question.

He nodded, "She's the spirit of an ancient Sith Queen. She was inside of me for a short time if you remember... I was able to extract her with a ritual and she took on the form of Veers instead. Said she wanted to be a woman... She's treacherous and powerful."

"All good news then."

Moyr said with a vicious grin after a moment of thought.