The Dark Academy on Korriban

Sylvain arrived at the door to the office of the newly annointed Darth Baras at the instructed hour. Before approaching the secretary he took in a deep breath, trying to prepare himself for what may be one of the most difficult challenges in his life.

After mustering the strength, he approached and made himself known.

“Enter acolyte,” Darth Baras commands.

On his desk is a light breakfast and a second plate of breakfast, fruits and bread. A far cry from the paste in the mess hall; this was quality food.

Sylvain bowed and entered with proper grace.

"Good morning Darth Baras. Thank you again for your support in all of this." He walked close to the desk, but waited to be asked to sit.

“Please sit, I hope you do not mind but I have taken the liberty to provide breakfast,” he says calmly as he eats politely.

"That is very kind of you Darth Baras. The Mess Hall is particularly unappealing in the morning." Sylvain said with a smile. He sat down at the desk and picked up the utensils but did not start eating immediately.

"Did you have the message that you want me to deliver prepared for me to look over?" He asked.

He slides over a datapad that reads very eloquently speaking of his father virtues and the loss of a great man and the vengeance of the Empire and the power of the Sith and a call for unity to get united behind the Ministry of War and redouble the efforts to defeat the hated Republic.

Sylvain leans back in his chair and reads the message over carefully putting his hand up to his chin.

"Very inspiring... perhaps even more so than your words last night. You truly do have a way with words Darth Baras." Sylvain replies.

"There is only one noticeable omission..." He says before pausing.

“Perhaps I gave you the impression I am an actor, but I do not enjoy dramatic pauses,” he says calmly.

He chuckled, "Of course. Right to the point then."

He pulled out a datapad that belonged to Baras' assistant Nadeen and pushed it across the table. On it was a copy of some of the more damning bits of testimony he had received from his informant the night before in addition to all of Nadeen's files that perhaps presumably had been accessed.

"You seem to have left out the part where you were the one who orchestrated this attack and have been setting the military up for failure against the Republic."

“That seems unlikely,” he says with a nod.

“Though if Nadeen is involved with such acts then he should be dealt with accordingly. Why are you bringing this to my attention?”

He smiled, "Because while that is Nadeen's datapad, there is also information in there you may want to check. It would seem that my father was a fairly resourceful man... well aware of who were and weren't his enemies. It would be a shame for Darth Marr to have access to information that would help him turn the tide of support against his potential rivals."

“So you would push the Empire to war, for what, to sully your father’s legacy? That seems a poor way to go about this. What do you seek to achieve,” he says as he ate his food.

Sylvain smiled, "My goal is the opposite. Your actions are pushing us towards civil war. One that will end in your favor, but still a civil war. My father's legacy was of building a stronger and more unified Empire. This pointless division and back-stabbing serves no purpose other than your own vain ambition."

He then sat up straight in his chair, "Make me your apprentice. My support of your claim will weaken any opposition to the point that they could not contest your new control. You would have your victory, and I will have mine."

"And what if I have my eye on another, would you be willing to work with my current apprentices," he says calmly.

"No." He replied flatly. "And any unfortunate happening would be sure to see the information fall into your enemies' hands."

“See that is a problem, I do not allow my lessers to dictate how I do my business. I would gladly make you my favored apprentice, but binding my hands in that way seems excessive. How would I be able to act to aid those closest to you if the purge must be widened.”

He put a small piece of fruit in his mouth and chews quietly. He adds, “Have you tried the guron fruit? A bit savory for most with a hint of sweetness, subtle, easily missed.”

"I haven't tried it yet, no. Perhaps once our business is completed." Sylvain replied.

"I don't mind if you have other underlings running around doing your bidding, as an influential Darth that is your prerogative. But my position is above any other lackey or dog like that Layne you've taken a liking to. If I were being more unreasonable you could claim I am dictating terms, but I have only asked for that which will cement my feet on a path that will preserve the Empire... a goal I believe that you too share somewhere inside of you."

“I will acknowledge you as my apprentice, Layne will simply be an attack dog. A role she is best suited for, we forget we ever had this conversation.”

“This moment ever comes across your lips in the future; you die, Kristal dies, and your mother dies.”

He buttered some bread and adds, “I do not make threats, Master Torsin. I do not make idle gestures.”

Sylvain smiled charmingly and stuck his fork into one of the fruits. After savoring the taste he replied,

"These guron are as delicious as you stated."

He then smiled and began eating his breakfast.

Darth Baras continues eating, the matter was settled for now.

Pulling up the prepared message again, Sylvain glanced over the specifics.

"Do you know what may make this even more convincing... if I were to record the message in my family's uniform with a lightsaber at my side. It would make for a powerful symbol of the new combination of Sith and noble authority."

“You have a crystal now, it should be easy, my apprentice,” Baras says already seeing where this is going.

He nodded, "It is the other parts that I lack. And with the limited amount of time available I don't have the means of acquiring them before I have to give this message."

Darth Baras sighs, “It would not do to have you appear as my public apprentice without a proper implement of war. Fine.”

He presents Sylvain with a lightsaber and says, “This should suffice.”

OOC: Basic Lightsaber with purple Ilum quality crystal.

"Thank you, my Master." He said with a humble bow as he took the hilt in his hand.

"I will record the message post-haste and send it to you for your approval. I live to serve your will, my Master."

Sylvain stood, waiting to be excused.