The Dark Academy on Korriban

He chuckled again, "I'm sure she probably was. She tends to be a bit more arrogant than I am."

"Oh I see. It wasn't really you. Right? How convenient."

She made sure to lace her voice with obvious skepticism.

He smiled in a reserved fashion, "There are many spirits that stalk the wastes on Korriban. Sometimes they stick to individuals whether they like them or not. Often they promise power, but in fact just create problems. Having them attach themselves to you isn't a sin, but letting them destroy you is."

He took a drink of his water, "I seem to have had a setback this morning. One I plan to avoid having again."

"Letting yourself get taken over like that in the first place is for the weak. If there hadn't been people there to help you, you would be in deep fucking shit right now. You're incredibly lucky, and it isn't something you should be smiling about."

Idiot.

"You got saved. Now the people that did that, own you."

He chuckled, "Sure. You could think of it that way."

He was obviously dismissing this upstart's opinion, but being far more courteous about it than she deserved.

"You really think there's another way to look at it? I know I haven't been here long, but I don't think any of these sith lords would look at it any different than I do. Maybe some would let you keep your illusions, but only so they can use it against you. If they think it worth their time. And here you are, being a smarmy bastard about it to the one person being straight with you."

She leaned back in her seat.

"But what do I know. Right? I don't have the proper heritage to have a valid opinion, I guess."

If only they knew.

Nunki leans back, finishing her sandwich and washing it down with what was left of her water glass. She was content to let the two bite at eachother's throats, no need to get involved.

"It's not a matter of heritage Layne. You're to narrowly focused on fighting straw-men that aren't being set against you. I don't care about your lineage one way or the other." He said.

"Battles are won and lost in a war. Things happen that test you, and as long as you have the strength to stand back up and fight again, the war isn't over. When this thing kills me, sure you'll be right. But until then, I will continue to grow stronger until my bonds are broken. That is the Sith way, that is the essence of the code."

He took a drink of his water and smiled reservedly, "If I buy you a drink will you throw it up against the wall again?"

She glared at him for a moment.

Because while she didn't like the *way* he said it; he did have a point. Not one that overruled the point *she'd* made; but enough to earn him a reprieve.

"No. But I'm not drinking."

Funny place to be then.

He smiled, "Some other time then. In payment for your advice."

He then gestured to Nunki, "Do you know Aspirant Malyna?"

"We met on the ship, I think?" She looked toward the girl.

She nods, "Yes, I believe I saw you a couple of times. Didn't really talk much though."

Sylvain smiled, "I'm glad you're beginning to come out of your shell a bit Layne. You've been quite impressive so far."

Jerk. What fucking shell?

"I've only just *started* being impressive.*

"We have much to look forward to then." He said with a smile.

"You seem like you'll do just fine here, Layne." She says, smiling. "You're probably the last person I'd expect to fuck something up horribly."

She orders another glass of water.

Maybe not the last...

Sylvain smiled, "So Aspirant Malya, what are your interests?"

Well, I enjoy long walks on Korriban's beautiful beaches...


"Interests? Well, I find the more intricate parts of the force fascinating. The fact that force ghosts even exist is quite interesting, the fact that they can harm the living even more so. More casually though, I do like cooking. Yourself?" She finishes her sentence with a drink of her newly filled glass of water.

He chuckled, "I'll have to let you borrow her if you think she's so interesting."

Then answered, "I like finding the best solutions for problems... and going out on adventures to find problems if they don't come to me." He said with a smile, "That is to say, I like a good challenge."

Maybe he'll find one that's too big for him, that'd be fun to watch

She listened idly to their conversation.

"A finding a challenge for yourself is always a good thing. Though, you just said you'd let me 'borrow her'... Who exactly is, 'Her?'" She asks, her attention now solely on Sylvain.

"The 'Queen' that seems to be bothering me, that Layne and I were speaking of."

"The one he's pretending to be possessed by so we don't think he's weird," she said, deadpan.

It takes her a moment to realize what they're talking about.

"I... you have one...?" She says, confusedly. "Can you elaborate?"

Sylvain shrugged, "Sure."

Then taking a sip, "I was out in the wastes and came across a powerful sith spirit. She found something interesting about me I suppose and has taken up residence for the moment. Most of the time I have her in check, but she has a strong will and makes it a contest from time to time."