The Dark Academy on Korriban

Shaisha recognized his presence in the Force before she saw him. Few others she had met in her life could rival the sheer power of hos aura.

For a moment, she dared hope even... But no, she was not the reason he was here.

The vision from Spindral's cave resurfaced in her mind. He will betray...

Conversation returned to the room, but she found it hard to look away.

"Then I will be sure to visit it frequently." He gave her a smooth smile and took another drink. It was very fine wine as far as he could tell.

"I suppose the other thing I would welcome is your thoughts on which Lord's apprenticeship I should pursue. We have all heard the rumours, but being a mere Aspirant at this point I have not had the opportunity to find out if they are true, or who would suit my needs." He gave her a more serious look. "You have met them. Who would you recommend?"

"Halt, this party is for..."

"Move."

"Uh... y-yes. Of-of course."

Well, that was easy. That was the one perk of being thrown into this academy of mad and evil force users; all you had to do was appear confident and glare at people, and most of them did precisely what you told them to do. Maybe they thought she'd carry out a repeat of the other day's cantina excitement. Or maybe they didn't even know about that and just thought she was a sith lord. Wouldn't have been the first time this week. Or maybe... no, she had to stop thinking about the maybe's and just go with what had actually happened. No need to stress over it. But what if...

So, there she was, strolling into the party like she belonged there. Only, she obviously didn't; given that (former) slaves didn't have the money to spend on fancy clothes. But hey, if it didn't bother *Layne*, the rest of them had no right to complain.

D2, partycrashing. Willpower/Coercion, Intimidating, Blade powah!: 2eA+1eP+2eD+2eS 4 successes, 3 threat


Be cool yo!: 2eA+1eP+2eD 2 failures, 3 advantage

Khalim makes his way through the room with a glass of some fine wine or another, the particular vintage not really mattering to him, conversing with various guests about a wide range of topics. Being well accustomed to this sort of environment, the party seems to be no strange occurrence to him. Even the arrival of the Emperor's Wrath, while impressive that he is present, doesn't really faze him.

That is, until they let the slave into the party. When Layne is allowed in through the doors, one of Khalim's eyebrows lifts inquisitively, before he sighs and takes a deeper drink of his wine.

"Best finish this before she shatters it...", he mutters to himself.

“I would recommend-” she furrowed her brow and then was livid. For a moment she wanted to cut down this student but that would imply the Academy could not handle issues of security. Baras would punish her for such and not handling things in a matter that gained the most advantage.

She hated the old man but in this case she was right as her gaze sharpened on Layne. She had already forgotten what she was talking about.

Well that was unexpected.

He followed the Overseer's gaze and saw it fall upon a rather nondescript human. Jo'ren didn't recognise her, not would be have spared her a moment's thought if not for the reaction.

Seeing Rona's attention leave him completely he raised his glass and his empty hand. "How about I get us both a refill?"

Which was just the cue for Layne to approach. Because sharp angry gazes were like an invitation, weren't they? And besides, she was here to prove a point. Two actually. One, that she was bold. Which she'd already proven; but it never hurt to reinforce the fact. And two, that she could be more than the dog people were dismissing her as being. What better way to do that then talk to the overseer without either punching her again, or getting sliced in two? Hell, consider it an olive branch... if there was such a thing to be given or taken by sith.

"Overseer Thaine," she started; doing her best to make sure her voice wouldn't be interpreted as mocking in tone.

"I wanted to give my appreciation for the lesson you gave me the other day. It helped me during the... lightsaber... exam."

One might indeed interpret it as an olive branch, yes? Thank the overseer in front of all these fancy people that she helped her excel at the lightsaber trial. After all, Layne had done exceptionally well in that part, hadn't she? It wasn't as if anyone here beside the two of them knew what had really happened between the two, right?

Of course, the whole thing made her feel sick to her stomach. This was... politics. This was... niceties. This was... a fucking sham.

Let's see where this goes anyway

The Overseer had that twinkle of rage but swallowed it hard and said, “Aspirant, I am pleased you could arrive at my request. In fact I was just thinking that you should meet one of our esteemed guests.”

She gestured politely to a large sith in black armor speaking with other high up Sith, “The Wrath of the Emperor would respect a bold approach from someone who has shown so much skill with the lightsaber.”

It's a trap

"I see. Will you be introducing us then?"

What the hell is a wrath of the emperor anyway? Sounds like a drink.

“Either you are strong enough to speak to him on your own, or you are not,” she said.

“Or is that fear in your eyes?”

Darth Vengean sent one of his apprentices a young but powerful looking man in a crimson robe over to Khalim and then Jo’ren. The man said that his lord wished to speak with them.

Jo'ren saw that the Overseer had found a new plaything and was just refillng his glass when the apprentice approached. He simply nodded. "Very good my Lord."

Without any further ado he made his way towards Darth Vengean as requested, following the apprentice, or his gesture.

"I know what it is you're trying to do," she said. "Just wanted you to know that before I go over."

And then she did. Yes, the overseer was probably hoping Layne would tell the scary man in the black armor to fuck off, so that he'd cut her down right then and there. He looked like the sort of person who could do that with ease, after all. But then, rewards didn't come to those who didn't take risks.

And so she edged closer to the Wrath, waiting for a lull in the conversation he was having with those important sithamajigs.

Fortunately, that gave her time to think of what to say. Unfortunately, thinking was hard.

"So... Wrath of the Emperor eh? What's that about?"

Khalim bows his head to the apprentice as well, "As he wishes, my Lord."

He also makes his way to Darth Vengean, stopping an appropriate distance away and waiting to be acknowledged and beckoned at the Darth's leisure.

Darth Vengean was an old man but powerfully built and stood a head taller than most, much of his upper body was cybernetic and his right leg was also replaced. He bore heavy scars on the face and he was bald with a smattering of snow white hair. He spoke, “You both have performed well, I have my eye on both of you. Continue to dominate those lesser than you. I expect-”

He stopped as someone spoke to the Wrath of the Emperor and once again the room was deathly silent.

The Wrath of the Emperor did not at first turn, it was only the silence and the fact that this aspirant dared to speak to him that he turned and focused his piercing yellow eyes on the woman. The room was deathly quiet as all eyes focused on Layne.

Lord Scourge then spoke, his voice was eloquent, but sharp and forceful with an amused tone, “I am the Emperor’s Wrath, any which seek to defy him be they Dark Council or a lowly aspirant are subject to his displeasure. I am that displeasure.”

“Layne Hoshin,” he made sure to say the whole name and continued, “You performed well today. The Emperor’s eye is upon you. Most fear to have my attention, you are either foolish or entirely too brave.”

“Stand at my side, Layne. Witness greatness far beyond your station,” he said and turned back to Marr and the high ranking Sith. Space was made for the aspirant to join whatever discussion was taking place, the Wrath had spoken.

Darth Acomo was bordering between rage and intrigue, it could have gone worse. Much worse. His girl was trouble… maybe it was worth it to put her down… but if the Wrath approved of her idiocy she could be useful.

She would have to consider the possibilities and see which benefited her more.

When that silence fell over the room, she'd half expected to end up dead the next second. Then this man, this obviously important man, spoke. He knew her by name.

Oh, Overseer Thaine is going to be so *pissed*

"Of course," she said as he invited her to stand beside him. "...I'd be honored."

That last word just popped into her head; after the conversation she had earlier in the day. Honor. Get called a coward, punch 'em and prove 'em wrong. Honor. Get praised and invited for something, accept. Honor. Or something like it.

Of course, she had no idea what the hell they were talking about; or whether she should actually speak on the subject; but you didn't turn down an invite like that, now did you? Even Layne knew that.

Vengean narrowed his eyes and then returned to the aspirants, “You are the best of this Academy and the future of the Sith, and as you can see it is imperative that you rise. We have enough mongrel filth in our ranks.”

Because of his size and physique Jo'ren did not feel any discomfort at the size of the man speaking to him and his colleague Khalim. They had both represented their bloodlines well today, which was gratifying despite his own annoyance at failing to gain a perfect score. He took note of the Dark Council member, wondering who had inflicted the wounds.

He was a little annoyed that the man had been cut-off in mid-flow, it seemed to be a constant this evening, and when he looked to the source it was the same cause as before. Who the fuck are you Layne Hoshin? He watched the reactions of the crowd rather than the girl. It was far more telling...



"Your praise is gratifying, my Lord. I look forward to rising, and taking my place in the ranks of the Sith." Of course, that is just another beginning...

“Continue as you have and you will serve at the highest levels. I have need of capable Sith, the Emperor has need of capable Sith, we will win this war on the backs of our best,” he said confidently.

Vengean looked them over and added, “Know that the Dark Council has taken an interest in you. Do not disappoint us.”

OOC: Layne will gain 1 point of Reputation for her boldness.

Khalim bows his head, "I shall not disappoint, my Lord." The certainty in his voice is that of one who absolutely refuses to be outdone by anyone lesser, particularly an ingratiate slave.

“No one ever does until they do,” Vengean said directly.

“You are dismissed.”

Shaisha saw how that lowlife took her place beside the Emperor's Wrath... and she felt her blood boiling.

This party was officially the worst party in all of her life. And she was alone. Kristal was by Marr's side, a place she had rightfully earned, and her interests, Khalim and Jo'ren, had seemed otherwise occupied, as she last saw them called over to one of the Dark Council members.

Why was I stupid enough to think it would be any different this time.

No... she refused to be the one to cause a scene. She wouldn't stoop to the low levels of these scum who desecrated the history and heritage of the Sith, and against her usual nature, Shaisha suppressed her emotions.

Stepping away from Darth Acomo, she helped herself with something to drink.