The Dark Academy on Korriban

Sylvain arrived at the cantina that evening pleased with himself, even if he was disappointed both of his friends would be going to the 'special dinner' with his father and the Sith lords.

He smiled warmly at the bartender as he found a seat near the entrance. He mulled over the events of the day as he began to unwind a bit for the evening.

(OOC: Expecting, but Public)

Zeno entered the cantina and looked around. When he noticed Sylvain he decided to stop by and say hello.

"Congratulations on your performance today. Fine job," the half-human offered with a nod.

Sylvain nodded appreciatively and returned the comment, "You as well. You do your family a great deal of honor by your deeds. Would you like to join me?"

"If you don't mind," Zeno says, moving to take a seat. "I'm still kicking myself over failing the Astrogation portion of my knowledge test. Mother would likely slap me upside my head for that. Just something I'll need to work on in the future."

He smiled, "Fortunately, I made it past that one myself. All my training in the lightsaber over the past few months seemed to not helped as much as I would have liked it to." He said with a self-deprecating smile.

"Gives us both something to shoot for I guess." He reclined a bit in his soft chair. "How are you finding Korriban thus far? Surprising way to enter the system no doubt?"

"It's a brutal and heartless place that wants to kill us all. What's not to love?" Zeno gets the attention of a passing servant so he can order a drink. "If you ever want to spar, I'm up for it. You can never get enough practice when it comes to learning how to kill Republicans."

He chuckled at Zeno's first comment, then nodded gratefully at the offer, "That'd be quite helpful indeed."

He too ordered a drink from servant, "I don't know what I could do in return, however. You seem to be quite capable by yourself."

"Nothing really needed. It benefits me as much as you. Sparring with a partner is the best way to improve. While you would be focused on perfecting the basics and moving up, I'd be able to focus on advanced defensive moves to improve my own skills. It's really a win-win."

The service seemed decent here as the drinks came out relatively quickly. Or maybe it was because Sylvain was likely the most well regarded of the aspirants in the bar currently, seeing as all the important people were at a party right now. Either way... drinks. Zeno sipped at his slowly, apparently not one for getting drunk as quickly as possible.

"Although what I really need to focus more on is gaining greater understanding of Sith lore. Basics are basics, drilled into us since birth, but I need to expand my horizons into more esoteric knowledge."

Sylvain nodded, "I've been putting a bit more effort into that myself."

He took a sip of his drink, matching Zeno's pace. "Lord Zash, who we met on the ship might be an excellent resource for that."

"Yes. She is who I've been working with," he says. "Her knowledge and experience will likely be a great boon in my attempts to improve. I am fortunate to have found something that is of particular interest to her, and as such she has graciously allowed me to participate in her research efforts. I imagine it will be enlightening."

Sylvain's eyebrow piqued a bit at the comment, "Something of interest? Must be something of special importance if you'e drawn Lord Zash's attention."

"Something she's been searching for. I found a lead on it and in return for bringing it to her I'll be along for the hunt," he says. "So getting lost yesterday didn't turn out too terribly. Not that I'm overly happy with that result."

"Adversity often offers boons to those strong enough to confront it." He said with an accepting smile.

"I'm reminded of a time when my foster sister carried my friend and I out into the more... seedy... portions of Kaas City. There were plenty of good stories from that night."

"Those are the best nights. Graduation celebration after Deathwright training was an interesting night for our class. Three people died, though none of the trainees," he says with a chuckle. "Good times."

Sylvain chuckled at that comment, "We'll have to invite you out to our night of revelry after this graduation ceremony then. You sound like you know how to have fun."

"At the very least, I know how to get someone's back when they pick a fight," he says with a grin. "Just gotta earn that kind of camaraderie. I'd trust any Deathwright at my back or on my wing, and they'd do the same. The training here is a bit less oriented towards moving as a unit, but it's in this brutal place that a person can also prove their loyalty for life by sticking with someone. But there's also the temptation to take advantage to make yourself stand out as well. It's definitely a difficult academy to train at."

Sylvain smiled and nodded, "Don't tell anyone, but I prefer that type of camaraderie over some of the senseless in-fighting that takes place in these halls. Probably all those years growing up in a military family rubbing off; hopefully it won't end up biting me in the ass."

He took another sip from his glass, "Find anyone worthy of building that type of camaraderie with yourself yet?"

"I've been taking it easy on that front. In here, I don't want to extend my hand and get it bitten off. Of all the people I met I think Gerald Hin would likely easily fall in line with that way of thinking, but he also needs to grow more assertive enough to actually act if you needed his help. I've extended an opportunity to him for us to work together on some stuff. I've started working on easing Baesal Zyn into some cooperative activity, though I get the sense she is slow to trust," he says with a shrug. "But what about yourself? As you say, those with military training tend to understand the bonds of camaraderie better. Are you building any such relationships?"

He smiled, "I've got a couple of friends that have been with me since childhood. One of military stock, and one of Sith stock... who was raised in my home."

He took another sip, "Beyond that, I've been reaching out a bit. There certainly are quite a few interesting students this year. Much more diversity than I remember the past couple of years. It's a slow grind to get to know those who could be valuable... who also won't immediately stab you in the back the moment they think it serves their interest. I always prefer the long-sighted goal-oriented people over those who want immediate gratification."

"I've got nothing against instant gratification... it's always pleasant. But if it brings unnecessary enemies it's just instant headache. I want to surv... no, thrive in this place and then move on to serve the empire as capably as I can. What happens from day to day here? That's not going to make or break me, propel me or keep me from becoming a Darth one day," he says with a nod. "I won't be one tomorrow, so it's better to practice perseverance rather than violent ambition."

He smiled, "You and I are of alike mind on that issue then. That's nice to hear."

Sylvain stretches his neck out a bit by moving his head around in a circle. "I'll try and keep the headaches to a minimum for the stay here. Though I must admit you catching Lord Zash's attention makes me a little jealous."

"You know how to get her attention? Find something that was lost on this planet of value. Knowledge, relics... that sort of thing. I'm planning on making trips out into the wastes to see what other challenges I can find pretty regularly. Maybe we can do so together from time to time."

"I'd be willing to do that." He said with a warm smile, "My friends have a bit of a wild streak in them as well. Perhaps all of us can hunt some truly big game if we find the right opportunity."

"Heard rumors of the biggest game out in the wastes. Some impressively dangerous creature," he says, with a devious smile. "I can't lie... I'd love the opportunity to kill something that the soldiers won't go after in a unit."

Sylvain chuckled, "If the rewards match the effort needed to destroy such a beast, I'd be interested. It's probably just that the soldiers realize killing whatever it is, is just not an efficient use of their time."

He chuckled, "My room is too small to have to worry about where to stick the giant Sith Hound head."