Heavy is the Head

[Eva 'Skuld' Stark]

Eva Stark was not the kind of woman that most held appointments for, or had advisors who catered to her whims and spoke to her of private matters. She was also not used to the many responsibility of lives, at least not beyond work and help in the forge. But on Ando Prime, a rare opportunity presented itself. One that the Jarl had not truly anticipated.

The usual bustle filled the repaired halls of Clan Stark, but even after some time Skuld was not adjusted to being seen as a worthy warrior in the Deucalian societal vision. She knew Ando Prime was not an ideal location, but it was mostly neutral territory; and concerning their guest, neutral grounds would work best to both advantages.

She looked forward to what the other woman had come to say; it was not every day one of their Deucalian kin made their way back here from the depths of the Empire. And some claimed there was a striking resemblance; one had to wonder where the family line branched off from, and just what gods thought it would be interesting to watch these two at work.

She had only just met the woman, but galactic reputation spread fast. She awaited her arrival standing tall at the hangar bay, icy winds whipping at long braided black hair and lips turned to a neutral expression.

They would just have to wait and see what would happen next... but saying she was intrigued was putting it mildly. Things were bound to change. She could feel it in the air... and she gave a slight smile at the idea.

@Darasuum

 

[Darth Valravus]

___________________

❅ THEME ❅
​

Ando Prime was not within the Empire. In fact it was not in any specific territory but its own. However there were mandalorian territories and the Galactic Alliance inbetween Zan's normal operating areas and Ando system. So today she had brought her simple, inconspicuous XS-100 light freighter. It touched down in the hangar simply enough. From the cockpit the Deucalian Sith could see her doppelganger waiting patiently.

The boots of Zan padded on the ramp. Along her back was a new cloak fashioned from one of several loth-wolves she had slain on Lothal. It fluttered around the hem with each step. Poking over her back was her newest sith sword. Zan had picked to keep her Laestein onboard the ship she had come on. Under one arm she carried a simple box. The ramp to the vessel closed and locked behind her. The pilot droid had instructions to keep it locked up until her return. She had a few code words with the droid so even a clawdite, or her look alike, could not sneak their way into her private property. It was not that she did not trust Skuld Stark, it was that she did not trust anyone.

The Crusader stopped just a short distance away. At this distance she realized how much taller and broader than she was from her look alike. Part of it was a natural difference based on the chaos of genes and pure coincidence. The other factor was that Zan had undergone a nightsister ceremony that had made her stronger and a little bit bigger too. The Sith stood nearly a full thirteen centimeters taller than Skuld. Now they looked a little bit less like twins and more just like sisters.

"ᛁ ᛒᚱᛟᚢᚷᚺᛏ ᚨ ᚷᛁᚠᛏ ᚠᛟᚱ ᚤᛟᚢ. ᛁ ᚺᛟᛈᛖ ᛁ ᛞᛁᛞ ᚾᛟᛏ ᚴᛖᛖᛈ ᚤᛟᚢ ᚹᚨᛁᛏᛁᚾᚷ." She spoke in Deucalic. It was probably noticeable her accent was slightly different. Her clan, now long gone save for her, had been on Atrer III and had a bit of its own inflection on it. Plus there was the fact that she had been among mostly Basic speakers for the more recent majority of her life. It still felt more natural than speaking Basic though.

@Killa Ree

 

[Eva 'Skuld' Stark]

Lips twitched slightly, as the other woman appeared before her. As before, but different. Unlike the easygoing woman from before, this one seemed on par with any Empire agent she had met. Perhaps more so. There was almost something ceremonial about her approach; indeed, it seemed rather surprising the woman seemed so formal. Icy eyes gleamed with distant speculation; but it was rude manners to keep her guest waiting in the howling maw of the hangar bay; behind them, Stark Hall rose strong and proud in the backdrop, an old testament to tradition that once she admired...

But what they were rebuilding was so much better. Even now, it was being built to reflect the changes that Stark was undergoing from the inside out.

Her voice rumbled out, tilting her head to indicate moving further indoors, though like her lookalike, the cold could be a welcome reprieve.

"ᚹᛖᛚᛚ ᚲᛟᛗᛖ. ᛁ ᚹᚨᛋ ᚾᛟᛏ ᚹᚨᛁᛏᛁᚾᚷ ᛚᛟᚾᚷ; ᚨ ᛏᚱᛁᚠᛚᛁᚾᚷ ᛒᚱᛖᛖᛉᛖ ᛚᛁᚴᛖ ᛏᚺᛁᛋ ᛁᛋ ᚺᚨᚱᛞᛚᚤ ᚨ ᛞᛁᚠᚠᛁᚲᚢᛚᛏ ᚹᛖᚨᛏᚺᛖᚱ ᛏᛟ ᛒᛖᚨᚱ."

It was no secret where Skuld's ambitions laid. Both with Blackwell and within the Deucalians, news had begun to stir. However, Zandrali seemed to be the first to react to this news. Still, bearing gifts? From what she had heard of this Sith Deucalian, this was not a regular occurrence.

"ᚹᚺᚨᛏ ᛒᚱᛁᚾᚷᛋ ᚤᛟᚢ ᛏᛟ ᛟᚢᚱ ᛚᛁᛏᛏᛚᛖ ᚲᛟᚱᚾᛖᚱ ᛟᚠ ᛏᚺᛖ ᚷᚨᛚᚨᛪᚤ?" She commented casually as they would continue on. Icy eyes flicked to the other woman, lips twitching in a small, private smile. It's true, there were striking similarities, but it was the eyes that gave it away. But she wasn't that tall the last time they met; she was almost a different woman.

Her own cloak was that of a Nexu pelt and armorweave, simple enough in the clan colors of blue and silver, atop her armor and Bita, along with Isi strapped to either hip. Even on Ando Prime, no one could ever truly be relaxed or unarmed; even if it wasn't the wilds of Hoth, many clans lived in uneasy truce with one another. Civil war, though subdued, could still break out at any time, and Skuld knew it.

It was not long before the massive double doors slowly creaked open and she strode through, head held high, a low edge of pride in her voice. "ᚹᛖᛚᚲᛟᛗᛖ ᛏᛟ ᚺᛟᚢᛋᛖ ᛋᛏᚨᚱᚴ. ᛈᚨᚱᛞᛟᚾ ᛏᚺᛖ ᛗᛖᛋᛋ... ᛏᚺᛖᚱᛖ ᚹᚨᛋ ᚨ ᛋᛗᚨᛚᛚ ᛏᚱᛟᚢᛒᛚᛖ ᛖᚨᚱᛚᛁᛖᚱ.".

@Darasuum

 

[Darth Valravus]

___________________

With the initial greeting over with Zan nodded at the motion to head indoors. A slight murmur of agreement added as well before moving to walk along side Skuld. As they walked Zan did not look at the fellow Deucalian. One other difference between them was their difference in eyes. Zan's left eye was a light purple color while her right was almost a similar lightness but turquoise. Her casual observations looked over Stark Hall taking note of the progress and the construction being conducted.

A slight smile crept along her lips noticing that the woman did not ask what the gift was though it was obvious it was probably in the box she carried. "ᛁᛋᚾ'ᛏ ᛁᛏ ᛟᛒᚡᛁᛟᚢᛋ? ᛁ ᚲᚨᛗᛖ ᛏᛟ ᛗᛖᛖᛏ ᚹᛁᛏᚺ ᚤᛟᚢ ᛟᚡᛖᚱ ᛏᚺᛖ ᚠᚢᛏᚢᚱᛖ ᛟᚠ ᛟᚢᚱ ᛈᛖᛟᛈᛚᛖ."

They made their way to the hall after only a short while. When the doors open she could already feel the difference in comfort at being out of the elements. Zan was a hardy woman but the luxuries in life were not taken for granted. Knowing that she would probably overheat in the comparative warmth of the inside the Crusader shook her furred cloak on her body. Any snow or ice would be shaken loose. It was a habit of hers when venturing from inclimate weather to an indoor location. Her body would have probably begun to overheat as it tried to level out at the sudden change of environment.

"ᛁᛏ ᛁᛋ ᚾᛁᚲᛖ. ᛁ ᛚᛁᚴᛖ ᛁᛏ. ᛁ ᚺᛟᛈᛖ ᛏᛟ ᛋᛖᛖ ᛁᛏ ᚹᚺᛖᚾ ᛁᛏ ᛁᛋ ᚠᛁᚾᛁᛋᚺᛖᛞ." She responded. It did not look that bad despite the Stark's apology. Hearing about trouble though she was curious. "ᚹᚺᚨᛏ ᚴᛁᚾᛞ ᛟᚠ ᛏᚱᛟᚢᛒᛚᛖ, ᛁᚠ ᚤᛟᚢ ᛞᛟ ᚾᛟᛏ ᛗᛁᚾᛞ ᛗᛖ ᚨᛋᚴᛁᚾᚷ?"
@Killa Ree

 

[Eva 'Skuld' Stark]

Futures of their people... it was true, the Sith had many of their number in their ranks, but not many were acknowledged by Deucalian society for their choice in alliance. Especially with the embittered, strained relationship between the Sith and Deucalian societies. Or witches in general... or even Mandalorians. Though the Empire were not hostile relations, they were not the most welcomed. The outlook of Clan Stark was once a traditional one of severe mistrust and dislike of any that held the Sith, or Jedi, name.

But now...

Some of that started to change. Did she trust the lot of them? Kark no, especially with their gifts and powers, it seemed practically like cheating in a galaxy where brother shot brother, and all survived for the sake of their own skins. Even most Deucalians found it difficult to set aside the ax and drink as brothers and sisters.

But Clan Stark planned to change that. And it seemed news of her ambitions had spread far wider than she had anticipated.

"ᚨ ᚷᛁᚠᛏ? ᛁᚾᛏᚱᛁᚷᚢᛁᚾᚷ... ᛁ'ᛗ ᛋᚢᚱᛖ ᛁᛏ ᚹᛁᛚᛚ ᛋᛖᚱᚡᛖ ᚹᛖᛚᛚ." She commented this dryly, somewhat surprised. The last gift she had was by Saxon; it hung on her right hip, still carved with runes and moving as she walked, then paused in the middle of the hall.

"ᛏᚺᛖ ᚢᛋᚢᚨᛚ ᛏᚱᛟᚢᛒᛚᛖ. ᛏᚺᛖᚤ ᚹᚨᚾᛏᛖᛞ ᛗᚤ ᚺᚨᛚᛚ, ᛁ ᚱᛖᛗᛁᚾᛞᛖᛞ ᛏᚺᛖᛗ ᚹᚺᚤ ᛁᛏ ᚹᚨᛋ ᛗᛁᚾᛖ. ᛏᚺᛖᚤ ᛈᚢᛏ ᚺᛟᛚᛖᛋ ᛁᚾ ᛁᛏ, ᛁ ᛞᛁᛞ ᛏᚺᛖ ᛋᚨᛗᛖ ᛏᛟ ᛏᚺᛖᛗ."Her lips twitched, betraying her morbid humor, before her face took on a serious cast, tilting her head to one portion of the hall relatively undisturbed; a thick wampa pelt served as a doorway decoration, and without another word she stepped in to the room. It was spartan in design; a simple chair stood by a fireplace, with a couch beside it, and a simple desk. Though the materials were all alloys of metal and vibroweave, with a heavy-duty datapad rigged out with a few darkened extra screens, the overall feel of the room was as rustic as the exterior. She sat upon the seat, gesturing to the couch. On the end table, there was already a pitcher of honeyed mead set down, and a mug.

"ᚹᚺᚨᛏ ᛞᛁᛞ ᚤᛟᚢ ᚺᚨᚡᛖ ᛁᚾ ᛗᛁᚾᛞ ᚠᛟᚱ ᛟᚢᚱ ᛈᛖᛟᛈᛚᛖ, ᚹᛁᛏᚺ ᚨ ᛚᛟᚹᛚᚤ ᛃᚨᚱᛚ?"

@Darasuum

 

[Darth Valravus]

___________________

Walking through the hall Zan would remain quiet as she listened through the rest of the short trip. When the Jarl said she had taken out those that had 'disagreed' with her the Crusader believed her. Just from observing her in what little experience she had Zan believed the woman was capable of kicking the kark out of anyone that earned such attention.

The inside of the back room was respectable. It did not seem like it was trying to hard to be anything. Zan had been inside suites that were ostentacious or trying to appeal to those that were high class and wealthy. The same could be said for another theme. Too much of anything made a place feel like it was a gimmick rather than a decorative theme and taste.

While she had been offered the seat the tall woman first moved towards the desk and set down the box. Opening it the case revealed a folded fur material. The sheen of the pelt was smooth and clean. Zan had acquired it after slaying and skinning one of the Loth-wolves on her most recent campaign. "ᚤᛟᚢ ᚨᚱᛖ ᛈᚱᛟᛒᚨᛒᛚᚤ ᚾᛟᛏ ᚲᛟᛚᛞ ᚾᛟᚹ ᛒᚢᛏ ᛁ ᚠᛁᚷᚢᚱᛖᛞ ᛁᛏ ᚹᚨᛋ ᚨᛈᛈᚱᛟᛈᚱᛁᚨᛏᛖ ᚲᛟᚾᛋᛁᛞᛖᚱᛁᚾᚷ ᚹᛖ ᛏᛖᚾᛞ ᛏᛟ ᚠᛁᚾᛞ ᛟᚢᚱᛋᛖᛚᚡᛖᛋ ᛁᚾ ᚲᛟᛚᛞ ᛖᚾᚡᛁᚱᛟᚾᛗᛖᚾᛏᛋ ᚠᚨᛁᚱᛚᚤ ᛟᚠᛏᛖᚾ." She would leave the warm fur cloak inside the box for Skuld to inspect at her own discretion.

Turning away she would head towards the couch and take a seat. Taking a deep breath after Skuld's question was posed she reached out to pour herself a cup of the beverage. "ᚤᛟᚢ ᚨᚱᛖ ᚨ ᛚᛟᚹᛚᚤ ᛃᚨᚱᛚ." She glanced up for only a moment to see how she reacted when it was Zan calling her by the humble title she had just callled herself. "...ᛒᚢᛏ ᛁ ᛞᛟᚾ'ᛏ ᛏᚺᛁᚾᚴ ᚤᛟᚢ ᚹᛁᛚᛚ ᛋᛏᚨᚤ ᛏᚺᚨᛏ ᚹᚨᚤ. ᚤᛟᚢ ᚹᚨᚾᛏ ᛗᛟᚱᛖ ᛏᚺᚨᚾ ᛃᚢᛋᛏ ᛏᛟ ᛒᛖ ᛃᚨᚱᛚ ᛟᚠ ᚲᛚᚨᚾ ᛋᛏᚨᚱᚴ. ᛁ ᚹᚨᚾᛏ ᛏᛟ ᛗᚨᚴᛖ ᛏᚺᚨᛏ ᚺᚨᛈᛈᛖᚾ." After saying that she sat back and crossed her legs. One arm placed to rest easily over the back of the couch while the other brought her cup to her lips and took a taste of the sweet libation.

@Killa Ree

 

[Eva 'Skuld' Stark]

As the woman eyed the room, Skuld observed her. She was different from the first time they met... the eyes were the same, however, but there was a distinct difference in the air that permeated her. Whereas the other seemed more likely to cut loose and go wild, the Zandrali before her now seemed more likely to guard the knife before anything was truly let loose.

She seemed like a varlwulf in the bars of a cage. Not to be any more underestimated than when wild and free in the Andobian snows... and no less fierce. She could appreciate the sentiment. For a moment, eyes flicked to the pelt, then back to the woman, amused curiosity glinting in icy eyes as she took the seat beside the fire, leaning back against the seat.

A faint smirk twitched on her lips as the woman assented her title, but no other expression seemed to light in the woman's features. It was like hearing an old joke. And straight to business, no less. Appreciated, certainly... the woman wasn't going to kark about and waste time giving empty promises.

"ᛁᛏ ᛁᛋ ᛏᚱᚢᛖ ᛏᚺᚨᛏ ᛁ ᚨᛗ. ᛒᚢᛏ ᚹᚺᚨᛏ ᚨᚱᛖ ᚤᛟᚢ ᚹᛁᛚᛚᛁᚾᚷ ᛏᛟ ᛞᛟ ᛏᛟ ᚲᚺᚨᚾᚷᛖ ᛏᚺᚨᛏ? ᚨᚾᛞ ᚹᚺᚨᛏ ᛞᛁᛞ ᚤᛟᚢ ᚺᚨᚡᛖ ᛁᚾ ᛗᛁᚾᛞ?" She did not seem to openly react to this; fingers laced together, a sigh slipping between her teeth.

"ᛞᛖᚢᚲᚨᛚᛁᚨᚾᛋ ᚺᚨᚡᛖ ᚾᛖᚡᛖᚱ ᛒᛖᛖᚾ ᛏᚱᚢᛚᚤ ᚢᚾᛁᛏᛖᛞ ᛋᛁᚾᚲᛖ ᛏᚺᛖ ᚴᛚᚨᛖᚾᚨᚱ ᚨᚷᛖ; ᛒᛖᚲᛟᛗᛁᚾᚷ ᚨ ᛋᛁᚾᚷᚢᛚᚨᚱ ᚠᛟᚱᚲᛖ ᚹᛟᚢᛚᛞ ᛒᛖ ᛋᛟᛗᛖᛏᚺᛁᚾᚷ ᛏᚺᚨᛏ ᛖᚡᛖᚾ ᛗᛟᛋᛏ ᚹᚨᚱᛚᛟᚱᛞᛋ ᚠᛁᚾᛞ... ᛞᛁᚠᚠᛁᚲᚢᛚᛏ, ᚨᛗᛟᚾᚷᛋᛏ ᛏᚺᛖᛁᚱ ᚲᛚᚨᚾᛋ." Perhaps the woman knew exactly what she was talking about; she knew Zandrali knew some of their customs, but this meeting hinged on what, exactly, she had in mind. And though it was pleasant, officially meeting and being on home turf, her own ideas and ambitions were not about to be laid out on the table simply because someone showed interest in their people. Many peoples wanted her kind to become nothing more than a fairy tale in the stars, including a number of her own.

She was willing to change that... but it also depended on what cards were laid on the table. Alliances had to last generations, after all... and she wasn't going to accept the offerings of just anyone. What could this woman bring to the table that no one else in the galaxy could?

@Darasuum

 

[Darth Valravus]

___________________

The questions that skuld responded with were expected. They were inevitable in fact. Zan wanted her to ask those questions because she knew that the Jarl was the type to not just say 'yes' but was skeptical and wanted to work out the angles. That was why the Crusader liked her.

"ᚹᚺᛖᚾ ᛁ ᛋᛖᛖ ᛋᛟᛗᛖᛏᚺᛁᚾᚷ ᛁ ᚹᚨᚾᛏ, ᛁ ᛏᚨᚴᛖ ᛁᛏ. ᛁᚠ ᛏᚺᛖᚱᛖ ᛁᛋ ᛋᛟᛗᛖᛏᚺᛁᚾᚷ ᛟᚢᛏ ᛏᚺᛖᚱᛖ ᛏᚺᚨᛏ ᛁ ᚾᛖᛖᛞ ᛏᛟ ᚹᛟᚱᚴ ᚠᛟᚱ ᛁ ᛈᚢᛏ ᛁᚾ ᛏᚺᛖ ᛏᛁᛗᛖ ᚢᚾᛏᛁᛚ ᛁ ᚷᛖᛏ ᚹᚺᚨᛏ ᛁ ᚹᚨᚾᛏ." She wanted to explain to Skuld that in the end the Crusader got what she wanted as if she were an inevitable force.

"ᛁ ᚹᚨᚾᛏ ᛏᚺᛖ ᛋᛁᛏᚺ ᛖᛗᛈᛁᚱᛖ ᚨᚾᛞ ᛏᚺᛖ ᛞᛖᚢᚲᚨᛚᛁᚨᚾᛋ ᛏᛟ ᚺᚨᚡᛖ ᚨ ᛋᚤᛗᛒᛁᛟᛏᛁᚲ ᚱᛖᛚᚨᛏᛁᛟᚾᛋᚺᛁᛈ. ᛁ ᚹᚨᚾᛏ ᛟᚢᚱ ᛈᛖᛟᛈᛚᛖ, ᚨᚾᛞ ᛁ ᛗᛖᚨᚾ ᛟᚢᚱ ᛈᛖᛟᛈᛚᛖ, ᛏᚺᛖ ᛞᛖᚢᚲᚨᛚᛁᚨᚾᛋ, ᛏᛟ ᛏᚺᚱᛁᚡᛖ ᛁᚾ ᛏᚺᛖ ᚷᚨᛚᚨᛪᚤ." Taking a breath and following it up with a sip of her beverage she focused a moment and used the force to stifle any ill affects that the beverage had. It did taste rather nice though. "ᚤᛟᚢ ᚺᚨᚡᛖ ᛏᚺᛖ ᛗᛟᛋᛏ ᛈᚱᛟᛗᛁᛋᛖ ᛟᚢᛏ ᛟᚠ ᚨᚾᚤ ᛞᛖᚢᚲᚨᛚᛁᚨᚾ ᛁ'ᚡᛖ ᛗᛖᛏ ᚨᚾᛞ ᛁ ᛏᚺᛁᚾᚴ ᚤᛟᚢ ᚲᚨᚾ ᛒᚱᛁᚾᚷ ᛟᚢᚱ ᛈᛖᛟᛈᛚᛖ ᛏᛟᚷᛖᛏᚺᛖᚱ ᚨᚾᛞ ᚢᚾᛁᛏᛖ ᛏᚺᛖᛗ. ᛁ ᚹᚨᚾᛏ ᛏᛟ ᚺᛖᛚᛈ ᛏᚺᚨᛏ ᚨᛚᛟᚾᚷ ᛒᛖᚲᚨᚢᛋᛖ ᛏᚺᚨᛏ ᛃᚢᛋᛏ ᛋᛖᛖᛗᛋ ᛚᛁᚴᛖ ᛏᚺᛖ ᛒᛖᛋᛏ ᚠᚢᛏᚢᚱᛖ ᚠᛟᚱ ᚨᛚᛚ ᛞᛖᚢᚲᚨᛚᛁᚨᚾᛋ ᚨᚾᛞ ᛁᛏ ᚹᛁᛚᛚ ᚲᛖᚱᛏᚨᛁᚾᛚᚤ ᚺᛖᛚᛈ ᛏᚺᛖ ᛋᛁᛏᚺ ᛖᛗᛈᛁᚱᛖ. ᛁᚾ ᛋᚺᛟᚱᛏ, ᚤᛖᛋ, ᛁ ᚨᛗ ᚹᛁᛚᛚᛁᚾᚷ ᛏᛟ ᚲᚺᚨᚾᚷᛖ ᛏᚺᚨᛏ. ᛁᚾ ᚠᚨᚲᛏ ᛁ'ᛗ ᚡᛖᚱᚤ ᛗᛟᛏᛁᚡᚨᛏᛖᛞ ᛏᛟ ᛗᚨᚴᛖ ᛁᛏ ᚨ ᚱᛖᚨᛚᛁᛏᚤ."

To Zan it would be a level of manipulating people's desires like she would move pieces on a board game. Some she would need to move around, others to sacrifice, some captured while others were eliminated. There were people and parts of the Sith Empire she despised and wanted to change. But being on the inside and gaining power within gave her the opportunity to alter things that an outsider could not. At the same time, if she had not been in the Empire she would be trying to unite the Clans under her own name but she knew as a Sith that was not going to happen. The next best thing was backing someone she felt would make a good leader in her stead. Perhaps in another life she would have become the queen of Deucalians. But it looked like Skuld was more likely to do so than Zan was.

"ᛏᚺᛖᚱᛖ ᚨᚱᛖ ᛏᚺᛟᛋᛖ ᛁᚾ ᛒᛟᛏᚺ ᛟᚢᚱ ᚹᛟᚱᛚᛞᛋ ᛏᚺᚨᛏ ᚹᛟᚢᛚᛞ ᛈᚱᛖᚠᛖᚱ ᛏᛟ ᛋᛖᛖ ᛏᚺᛖ ᛞᛖᚢᚲᚨᛚᛁᚨᚾᛋ ᚨᚾᛞ ᛏᚺᛖ ᛋᛁᛏᚺ ᛖᛗᛈᛁᚱᛖ ᚱᛖᛗᚨᛁᚾ ᛋᛖᛈᚨᚱᚨᛏᛖ. ᛏᚺᚨᛏ ᛁᛋ ᚹᚺᚨᛏ ᚹᛖ ᚺᚨᚡᛖ ᛏᛟ ᛟᚡᛖᚱᚲᛟᛗᛖ. ᛁ ᛈᛚᚨᚾ ᛏᛟ ᚱᛖᛗᛟᚡᛖ ᚨᚾᚤᛟᚾᛖ ᛟᚱ ᚨᚾᚤᛏᚺᛁᚾᚷ ᛏᚺᚨᛏ ᚴᛖᛖᛈᛋ ᛁᛏ ᚠᚱᛟᛗ ᚺᚨᛈᛈᛖᚾᛁᚾᚷ. ᛁ ᚹᛁᛚᛚ ᛗᚨᚴᛖ ᛏᚺᛖ ᛋᛁᛏᚺ ᛖᛗᛈᛁᚱᛖ ᛞᛖᛋᛁᚱᛖ ᛏᚺᛖ ᛞᛖᚢᚲᚨᛚᛁᚨᚾᛋ ᚱᛖᛏᚢᚱᚾᛁᚾᚷ ᛏᛟ ᛏᚺᛖ ᚠᛟᛚᛞ ᚹᛁᛏᚺᛁᚾ ᛏᚺᛖ ᛖᛗᛈᛁᚱᛖ, ᛏᛟ ᛋᛖᛖ ᛏᚺᛖ ᛒᛖᚾᛖᚠᛁᛏᛋ ᛟᚢᛏᚹᛖᛁᚷᚺ ᚨᚾᚤ ᚲᛟᚾᛋ ᛏᚺᛖᚤ ᚺᚨᚡᛖ ᚲᛟᚾᛃᚢᚱᛖᛞ ᛟᚡᛖᚱ ᛏᚺᛖ ᚨᚷᛖᛋ. ᛏᚺᛖ ᛋᚨᛗᛖ ᚹᛁᛚᛚ ᚺᚨᛈᛈᛖᚾ, ᚹᛁᛏᚺ ᚤᛟᚢᚱ ᚨᛋᛋᛁᛋᛏᚨᚾᚲᛖ, ᚹᛁᛏᚺᛁᚾ ᛏᚺᛖ ᚲᛚᚨᚾᛋ. ᚺᛟᚹᛖᚡᛖᚱ ᛁ ᛏᚺᛁᚾᚴ ᛏᚺᛖ ᚠᛁᚱᛋᛏ ᛏᚺᛁᚾᚷ ᛏᛟ ᛞᛟ ᚹᛟᚢᛚᛞ ᛒᛖ ᛏᛟ ᚢᚾᛁᛏᛖ ᛏᚺᛖ ᚲᛚᚨᚾᛋ ᚨᚾᛞ ᛟᚾᛚᚤ ᛏᚺᛖᚾ ᚹᛟᚱᚱᚤ ᚨᛒᛟᚢᛏ ᚺᚨᚡᛁᚾᚷ ᛏᚺᛖ ᛞᛖᚢᚲᚨᛚᛁᚨᚾᛋ ᚨᚾᛞ ᛏᚺᛖ ᛖᛗᛈᛁᚱᛖ ᛗᛟᚡᛖ ᛏᛟᚹᚨᚱᛞᛋ ᚲᛟᛟᛈᛖᚱᚨᛏᛁᛟᚾ." That was about as in detailed as she could get until Skuld agreed and wanted to move forward on any of this. Zan could easily start drawing up plans and moves for and against the Deucalians that were supporters and naysayers respectively.
@Killa Ree

 

[Eva 'Skuld' Stark]

At least the woman was up-front about her wants and desires. It was all well and good to wish for something greater for your people... however, there were several things that stood in the way. Firstly, that most Deucalians did not trust anything involving the Sith Empire. And though she would love nothing more than to fight her way through to the top and getting all the clans to willingly join as allies to the Empire, it was the witches that most did not trust.

Not since losing their home planet to a bunch of them. And to most, one witch was as good as another, no matter how well-intended they came across as.

Of course she wanted the Deucalians to regain their place in the stars... but she had also witnessed just how few people even willfully desired the Deucalians to have any place within the galaxy. Did the woman intend to browbeat every single naysayer until they all said yes?

Her lips quirked slightly in amusement at the thought. Ja... she would, probably, if they were at all alike. But she had had some time to dwell over this, plenty of time actually for any sort of action to move pieces to her advantage. But she had to think beyond the tomorrow, to the next millennium. The thoughts of personal and clan glory had to cease; this was for her people, to rebuild and at least survive. This age would not be the true end... but a new beginning.

One where Deucalians could remember their history with pride, rather than shame.

"ᚨᚾᛞ ᚤᛟᚢᚱ ᛖᛗᛈᚱᛖᛋᛋ? ᛁᛋ ᛋᚺᛖ ᚨᛋ ᛖᚾᛏᚺᚢᛋᛁᚨᛋᛏᛁᚲ ᚨᛋ ᚤᛟᚢ ᚨᚱᛖ ᚹᛁᛏᚺ ᛟᚢᚱ ᛈᛖᛟᛈᛚᛖ ᚺᛖᛚᛈᛁᚾᚷ ᛏᚺᛖ ᛖᛗᛈᛁᚱᛖ?" She stated this calmly, but... she had to nod in respect to the woman's passion for their kind. It was true, many of them, if they were not scattered to the four corners of the galaxy, joined in the Empire and formed ranks within. But to ally with the Empire... though it promised much, she knew that the answer was not as simple as Zandrali made it seem. Allies were everything.

The Empire struggled enough as it was. Most assumed that she did not listen to the happenings around her. The mysterious attack to Korriban. A truce with the Mandalorians to form the United Protectorate to save their skins, rather than fight the war to its' bloody conclusions. That the Galactic Alliance was still alive, despite the fact that they had taken several of their planets and attempted numerous times to eradicate them once and for all.. and yet they were still there. The fact that they had lost leaders within a decade, and though they merged with the Imperial Republica, struggled to keep some within the Empire loyal to their cause as the Sith.

Witches left and right. Some of them willing to help... some of them willing to let her people die.

"ᛁ ᚨᛗ ᚹᛁᛚᛚᛁᚾᚷ ᚠᛟᚱ ᚲᛟᛟᛈᛖᚱᚨᛏᛁᛟᚾ. ᚺᛟᚹᛖᚡᛖᚱ, ᛏᛟ ᚱᛖᛏᚢᚱᚾ ᛏᛟ ᛏᚺᛖ ᚠᛟᛚᛞ ᛟᚠ ᛏᚺᛖ ᛖᛗᛈᛁᚱᛖ ᚹᛁᛚᛚ ᚾᛟᛏ ᚺᚨᛈᛈᛖᚾ, ᛖᚡᛖᚾ ᚹᛁᛏᚺ ᛏᚺᛖ ᚷᚱᛖᚨᛏᛖᛋᛏ ᛟᚠ ᛁᚾᛏᛖᚾᛏᛁᛟᚾᛋ. ᛟᚢᚱ ᛈᛖᛟᛈᛚᛖ ᛏᚨᚴᛖ ᛏᚺᛖᛁᚱ ᛈᚱᛁᛞᛖ ᚹᛁᛏᚺ ᛒᛖᛁᚾᚷ ᚨᛈᚨᚱᛏ ᚠᚱᛟᛗ ᛏᚺᛖ ᛖᛗᛈᛁᚱᛖ ᚨᛋ ᚨ ᛋᛖᚱᛁᛟᚢᛋ ᚲᚨᚢᛋᛖ. ᚨᚾ ᚨᛚᛚᛁᚨᚾᚲᛖ, ᚺᛟᚹᛖᚡᛖᚱ, ᚨᚾ ᚨᚷᚱᛖᛖᛗᛖᚾᛏ ᛏᛟ ᛟᚾᛖ ᚨᚾᛟᛏᚺᛖᚱ ᛈᚱᛟᛗᛁᛋᛖᛋ ᚠᚨᚱ ᛗᛟᚱᛖ ᛏᚺᚨᚾ ᚲᛁᛏᛁᛉᛖᚾᚱᚤ ᚨᚾᛞ ᛋᛏᛖᚨᛞᚤ ᛃᛟᛒᛋ. ᛒᚢᛏ... ᚹᚺᚨᛏ ᛗᚨᚴᛖᛋ ᛏᚺᛖ ᛖᛗᛈᛁᚱᛖ ᛒᛖᛏᛏᛖᚱ ᛏᚺᚨᚾ ᚨᚾᚤ ᛟᛏᚺᛖᚱ ᚲᚺᛟᛁᚲᛖ? ᛁ ᚹᛁᛚᛚ ᚾᛟᛏ ᛒᛖ ᚨ ᛏᚤᚱᚨᚾᛏ ᛏᚺᚨᛏ ᛋᛚᚨᚢᚷᚺᛏᛖᚱᛋ ᛋᛁᛗᛈᛚᚤ ᛒᛖᚲᚨᚢᛋᛖ ᛏᚺᛖᚤ ᛞᛁᛋᚨᚷᚱᛖᛖ. ᛏᚺᛖᚱᛖ ᛗᚢᛋᛏ ᛒᛖ ᚨ ᚱᛖᚨᛋᛟᚾ ᛒᛖᚠᛟᚱᛖ ᛏᚺᛖᚱᛖ ᛁᛋ ᚨᚲᛏᛁᛟᚾ."

Zan would know she fully intended to put the needs of her people first... even before anything actually began. The old woman, leaping to action and going ahead consequences bedamned was no longer. There were other lives, other futures at stake, and she was unwilling to gamble on anything less than a good fit. Too long had her people allied with others and been tossed aside. It was time to forge something new, and forget the stupid pride that had cost them in the first place.

@Darasuum

 

[Darth Valravus]

___________________

There it was, the question about the other leadership. Not just Zan peers but the new empress, Aadya Drast. "ᛁ ᚲᚨᚾ'ᛏ ᛏᛖᚲᚺᚾᛁᚲᚨᛚᛚᚤ ᛋᛈᛖᚨᚴ ᚠᛟᚱ ᚺᛖᚱ. ᛒᚢᛏ ᛁ ᚲᚨᚾ ᛏᛖᛚᛚ ᚤᛟᚢ ᛏᚺᚨᛏ ᛋᚺᛖ ᛁᛋ ᚾᛟᛏ ᛏᚺᛖ ᛏᚤᛈᛖ ᛏᛟ ᚲᚨᚱᛖ ᛗᚢᚲᚺ ᚹᚨᚤ ᛟᚱ ᛏᚺᛖ ᛟᛏᚺᛖᚱ. ᛏᚺᛖ ᛖᛗᛈᚱᛖᛋᛋ ᛁᛋ ᛁᚾᛞᛁᚠᚠᛖᚱᛖᚾᛏ ᛏᛟᚹᚨᚱᛞᛋ ᛟᚢᚱ ᛈᛖᛟᛈᛚᛖ."

Skuld continued and it was not exactly what Zan wanted to hear. Then again it was also not the worst case scinario. Times changed and some part of the confident Sith felt there would be another chance in the future to bring Deucalians into the fold of the Empire more fully than just an alliance and separate.

"ᛏᚺᛖ ᛖᛗᛈᛁᚱᛖ ᛁᛋ ᚾᛟᛏ ᛒᛖᛏᛏᛖᚱ, ᚾᛟᛏ ᚤᛖᛏ. ᛒᚢᛏ ᛏᛟ ᛗᚨᚴᛖ ᛁᛏ ᛒᛖᛏᛏᛖᚱ ᛋᛟᛗᛖ ᛟᚠ ᛏᚺᛖ ᛖᚠᚠᛟᚱᛏ ᛏᛟ ᛞᛟ ᛏᚺᚨᛏ ᛗᛁᚷᚺᛏ ᚱᛖᛩᚢᛁᚱᛖ ᛋᛟᛗᛖ ᛁᚾᛏᛖᚱᚨᚲᛏᛁᛟᚾ ᛒᛖᛏᚹᛖᛖᚾ ᛏᚺᛖ ᚲᛚᚨᚾᛋ ᚨᚾᛞ ᛏᚺᛖ ᛖᛗᛈᛁᚱᛖ." She was almost done with her first cup of drink by now.

"ᛁ ᛋᛖᛖ ᚠᛟᚱ ᚾᛟᚹ ᚤᛟᚢ'ᚱᛖ ᛟᚾᛚᚤ ᚲᛟᛗᚠᛟᚱᛏᚨᛒᛚᛖ ᚹᛁᛏᚺ ᚨᚾ ᚨᛚᛚᛁᚨᚾᚲᛖ ᛟᚠ ᛋᛟᚱᛏᛋ. ᛁ ᚲᚨᚾ'ᛏ ᚱᛖᚨᛚᛚᚤ ᚨᛋᚴ ᛗᚢᚲᚺ ᛗᛟᚱᛖ ᛏᚺᚨᚾ ᛏᚺᚨᛏ ᛏᚺᛟᚢᚷᚺ. ᛁ ᚨᛗ ᚲᛟᚾᚠᛁᛞᛖᚾᛏ ᛏᚺᛟᚢᚷᚺ ᛏᚺᚨᛏ ᚹᚺᛖᚾ ᛁ ᚨᛗ ᛋᚢᚲᚲᛖᛋᛋᚠᚢᛚ ᚤᛟᚢ'ᛚᛚ ᛒᛖ ᛏᚺᛖᚱᛖ ᚱᛖᚨᛞᚤ ᛏᛟ ᛒᚨᚲᚴ ᛗᛖ ᚨᚾᛞ ᛈᛖᚱᚺᚨᛈᛋ ᚷᛁᚡᛖ ᛋᛟᛗᛖ ᚺᛖᛚᛈ ᛁᚠ ᚾᛖᚲᛖᛋᛋᚨᚱᚤ" The woman was well aware that technically she had not really given Skuld much of any reason to put her faith in the Crusader or the Empire. But Zan believed, in fact she would describe it as 'knowing' that she would come to power and acquire her vision. It was just a matter of time and whether Clan Stark would be a part of it during its rise or after she had already made a better Empire and in turn galaxy.

Setting down the empty cup she uncrossed her legs and stood up from her seat at the couch. Walking around the desk she sat on the inside edge just an arms reach away from the Jarl. Both her hands rested on the corners of the desk while her eyes stared into Skuld's cold blue eyes. "ᛞᛟᛖᛋ ᛏᚺᚨᛏ ᛋᛟᚢᚾᛞ... ᚱᛖᚨᛋᛟᚾᚨᛒᛚᛖ" A hint of flirtation in her voice as she asked the question.
@Killa Ree

 

[Eva 'Skuld' Stark]

She appreciated Zandrali's honesty and candidness. Most others would try to lie, or sugarcoat exactly what it was that was being thought of, planned. And though having her as Ulfrgrim would be advantageous... there were promises and ideas that could only be made if one offered a helping hand to another. She had assisted Empire agents before, but as she was she was of little help.

"ᚤᛟᚢ ᛋᚲᚱᚨᛏᚲᚺ ᛗᚤ ᛒᚨᚲᚴ, ᛁ ᛋᚲᚱᚨᛏᚲᚺ ᚤᛟᚢᚱᛋ, ᛁ ᛒᛖᛚᛁᛖᚡᛖ ᛏᚺᛖᚤ ᚲᚨᛚᛚ ᛁᛏ ᛁᚾ ᚷᚨᛚᚨᚲᛏᛁᚲ ᛋᛈᚨᚲᛖ...," she mused, eyes glinting with a mild edge of humor. If one helped the other, it would be advantageous to the Deucalians, while minimalist for the Empire, either gain or loss. Though it seemed she was keen to help her people... even while declaring themselves independent. Hm.

"ᛋᛟᚢᚾᛞᛋ ᛃᚢᛋᛏ ᚨᛋ ᚱᛖᚨᛋᛟᚾᚨᛒᛚᛖ ᚨᛋ ᚹᛖ ᚲᚨᚾ ᛗᚨᚾᚨᚷᛖ," she grinned, now openly amused at the woman's change in body language. She too rose, staring the woman head on with black head tilted to the side slightly in bemusement. "ᚾᛟᚹ... ᛏᛖᛚᛚ ᛗᛖ ᚹᚺᚨᛏ ᚤᛟᚢ ᚹᚨᚾᛏ ᛁᚾ ᚱᛖᛏᚢᚱᚾ ᚠᛟᚱ ᚨᛚᛚ ᛏᚺᛁᛋ... ᚷᚱᚨᚲᛁᛟᚢᛋ ᚺᛖᛚᛈ ᚤᛟᚢ ᛟᚠᚠᛖᚱ."

@Darasuum

 

[Darth Valravus]

___________________

The confident smile continued along her lips. It was nice to see that Skuld was able to indulge in some play. Zan was often told she was too serious but that was because she knew when it was time for business and when times were open for fun. After a mission when all was said and done she was one foot up on the table buying mugs of ale for her crew and singing chants at the top of her lungs. In this instance she had her eyes set on Skuld.

The Jarl stood there in front of her while the Crusader was leaning on the desk. She pushed herself a little bit further onto the desk. It was not addorened with many trinkets so she did not disturb any items despite her size. "ᛁ ᛏᚺᛁᚾᚴ ᚨᚾ ᚨᛚᛚᛁᚨᚾᚲᛖ ᛁᚾ ᛁᛏᛋᛖᛚᚠ ᛁᛋ ᛏᚺᛖ ᛖᛪᚲᚺᚨᚾᚷᛖ. ᛁᛏ'ᛋ ᚾᛟᛏ ᛗᚢᚲᚺ ᛟᚠ ᚨᚾ ᚨᛚᛚᛁᚨᚾᚲᛖ ᛁᚠ ᛁᛏ'ᛋ ᛟᚾᛖ ᛋᛁᛞᛖᛞ."

Taking a deep breath she reached over to Skuld's empty cup. She had yet to consume any of the mead. "ᚢᚾᛚᛖᛋᛋ ᚤᛟᚢ ᚹᚨᚾᛏ ᛏᛟ ᚷᛁᚡᛖ ᛗᛖ ᛋᛟᛗᛖᛏᚺᛁᚾᚷ. ᚨ ᚷᛁᚠᛏ ᛗᚨᚤᛒᛖ." She took a short wiff of the sweet honey flavored beverage before letting it hover a few centimeters from her hand in the space between them. It was all a tease towards Skuld to see if she would pick up the vibes of attraction that Zan was putting out. While she waited, the Crusader ever so slightly licked her bottom lip.
@Killa Ree

 

[Eva 'Skuld' Stark]

She smirked at the other woman, index finger and thumb cupping her chin thoughtfully. It was nice to see such confidence in the bigger woman, especially considering what laid in store. Though it was charming she seemed... interested. Though perhaps the pelt meant much more than what was presented.

"ᚨ ᚷᛁᚠᛏ ᚠᛟᚱ ᚤᛟᚢ? ᚺᛗᛗ... ᚨ ᛋᚺᛁᛈ ᛞᛖᛋᛁᚷᚾᛖᛞ ᛁᚾ ᚤᛟᚢᚱ ᚺᛟᚾᛟᚱ, ᛈᛖᚱᚺᚨᛈᛋ," she murmured, brows perked slightly. The woman certainly seemed keen... but she wouldn't play along. Her wrist felt light, but the bangle that hung from it was unmistakeable as she reached for the hovering cup. However, she did not take a sip, but held it before her face, lips quirked still.

"ᛁ ᚲᚨᚾᚾᛟᛏ ᛞᚱᛁᚾᚴ... ᛏᚺᛟᚢᚷᚺ ᛏᛟ ᛟᚠᚠᛖᚱ ᛗᛖ ᛗᚤ ᛟᚹᚾ ᛒᚱᛖᚹ ᛁᛋ ᚨᛈᛈᚱᛖᚲᛁᚨᛏᛖᛞ. ᛋᛟ ᛏᛖᛚᛚ ᛗᛖ... ᚺᛟᚹ ᛞᛟᛖᛋ ᚨ ᛚᛟᚹᛚᚤ ᛃᚨᚱᛚ ᚺᛖᛚᛈ ᚨ ᚲᚱᚢᛋᚨᛞᛖᚱ ᛟᚠ ᚤᛟᚢᚱ ᚲᚨᛚᛁᛒᛖᚱ?"

@Darasuum

 

[Darth Valravus]

___________________

Oh she was playing hard to get. Perhaps Skuld was doing all this in some form of humorous power play. Zan felt like she was being pretty obvious what it was that she wanted. "ᚨ ᛋᚺᛁᛈ ᚹᛟᚢᛚᛞ ᛒᛖ ᚾᛁᚲᛖ ᛏᚺᛟᚢᚷᚺ ᛁ ᚨᛚᚱᛖᚨᛞᚤ ᚺᚨᚡᛖ ᛟᚾᛖ..." She had several. The Crusader had access to capital ships even if she wanted. But they were just things.

"ᛒᚢᛏ ᛁ ᚹᚨᛋ ᛏᚺᛁᚾᚴᛁᚾᚷ ᛋᛟᛗᛖᛏᚺᛁᚾᚷ ᛏᚺᚨᛏ ᛁᛋ ᚾᛟᛏ ᛋᛟ ᛗᚢᚲᚺ ᚨᚾ ᛟᛒᛃᛖᚲᛏ ᚷᛁᚠᛏᛖᛞ, ᛒᚢᛏ ᚱᚨᛏᚺᛖᚱ ᚨᚾ ᛖᛪᛈᛖᚱᛁᛖᚾᚲᛖ" Skuld had not gotten any closer. That was fine. Zan was used to going after what she wanted rather than waiting for it to come to her. Standing up she left contact with the desk and took a step towards the Jarl. She was more closer than a person normally stood, her body almost touching Skuld's cup hand.

"ᛁ ᚲᛟᚢᛚᛞ ᚢᛋᛖ ᛋᛟᛗᛖ ᛋᛏᚱᛖᛋᛋ ᚱᛖᛚᛁᛖᚠ. ᛏᚺᚨᛏ ᚹᛟᚢᛚᛞ ᚺᛖᛚᛈ ᛁ ᛏᚺᛁᚾᚴ. ᚺᛟᚹ ᚨᛒᛟᚢᛏ ᚤᛟᚢ? ᛞᛟ ᚤᛟᚢ ᛏᚺᛁᚾᚴ ᚤᛟᚢ ᛗᛁᚷᚺᛏ ᚾᛖᛖᛞ ᛏᛟ..." Lifting a hand towards the side of Skuld's face she brushed aside a single strand of hair that had gotten out of place. "...ᚷᛖᛏ ᛟᚠᚠ?" She even went so far as to biting her own lower lip.
@Killa Ree

 

[Eva 'Skuld' Stark]

Skuld was not as dense as others thought, but even so, she was somewhat surprised the other woman showed such keen interest. Even as so far as to brush a stray strand from her face, a gesture not many even dared... icy eyes glittered with a veiled emotion, as she slowly put the mug down. Leaned forward slightly until they were close enough to feel warmth, until she could look straight into those oddly-colored eyes. "ᛁ ᚲᚨᚾᚾᛟᛏ ᛞᛖᚾᚤ ᚱᛖᛚᛁᛖᚡᛁᚾᚷ ᛋᛏᚱᛖᛋᛋ ᚹᛁᛏᚺ ᛋᚢᚲᚺ ᚹᛟᚾᛞᛖᚱᚠᚢᛚ ᚲᛟᛗᛈᚨᚾᚤ ᚹᛟᚢᛚᛞ ᛞᛟ ᛗᛖ ᛁᛗᛗᛖᚨᛋᚢᚱᚨᛒᛚᛖ ᚨᛗᛟᚢᚾᛏᛋ ᛟᚠ ᚷᛟᛟᛞ...," came the husky whisper, catching the woman's hand with her own.

"ᛒᚢᛏ...

She slowly lowered her hand away from her face, the grin remaining curled on one corner of her lips.

"ᛗᚤ ᚺᚢᛋᛒᚨᚾᛞ ᛞᛟᛖᛋ ᚾᛟᛏ ᛋᚺᚨᚱᛖ. ᚨᚾᛞ ᚾᛟᚱ ᛞᛟ ᛁ. ᛒᚢᛏ ᛁᛏ'ᛋ ᚨᚾ ᚺᛟᚾᛟᚱ ᛏᛟ ᛒᛖ ᚡᛁᛖᚹᛖᛞ ᚨᛋ ᛋᛟ... ᚱᛖᛚᚨᛪᛁᚾᚷ." She released the woman's hand, then exhaled slowly, standing tall. "ᛁ ᚨᛗ ᛋᚢᚱᛖ ᛋᛖᚡᛖᚱᚨᛚ ᚠᛁᚾᛞ ᚤᛟᚢ ᚨᚾ ᛖᛪᛏᚱᛖᛗᛖᛚᚤ ᚨᛏᛏᚱᚨᚲᛏᛁᚡᛖ ᚲᚨᛏᚲᚺ, ᛉᚨᚾᛞᚱᚨᛚᛁ, ᛒᚢᛏ ᛁ'ᛗ ᚾᛟᛏ ᛟᚾᛖ ᛏᛟ ᛗᛁᛪ ᛒᚢᛋᛁᚾᛖᛋᛋ ᚹᛁᛏᚺ ᛈᛚᛖᚨᛋᚢᚱᛖ... ᛟᚱ ᛋᚨᛗᛈᛚᛖ ᛈᛚᛖᚨᛋᚢᚱᛖ ᛖᛚᛋᛖᚹᚺᛖᚱᛖ." She stepped away from the desk, head tilted slightly to survey the woman head to foot. Her lips quirked, and then her eyes focused squarely on the woman's own face once more, arms crossing beneath her bust. "ᛋᚢᚱᛖᛚᚤ ᛋᛟᛗᛖᛏᚺᛁᚾᚷ ᛖᛚᛋᛖ ᛏᚺᚨᛏ ᛁ ᛗᚨᚤ ᛟᚠᚠᛖᚱ ᚲᚨᚾ ᛒᛖ ᚨ ᛋᚢᛁᛏᚨᛒᛚᛖ ᛖᛪᛈᛖᚱᛁᛖᚾᚲᛖ ᛏᛟ ᛋᚢᚲᚺ ᚷᛁᚠᛏᛋ ᚤᛟᚢ ᛒᚱᛁᚾᚷ."

She was truly flattered. But that flattery was another beast altogether, and if that was what the Sith Deucalian had in mind for an alliance between their peoples... it was disappointing to say the least.

@Darasuum

 

[Darth Valravus]

___________________

The world had plenty of ego filled men in them and not enough powerful women in them as far as Zan's perception observed. Skuld was one such woman who she found interesting and with a lot of potential. So when she set her eyes on the Jarl it was not just because she had a trivial attraction to her. It was because of her prowess and capability that she noticed the Deucalian. Of course that was actually what made her attracted to her but the Sith could take a hint.

Sighing reluctantly she nodded. "ᚨ ᚷᛁᚠᛏ ᛏᚺᚨᛏ ᛁᛋ ᚱᛖᛩᚢᛁᚱᛖᛞ ᛁᛋ ᚾᛟᛏ ᚱᛖᚨᛚᛚᚤ ᚨ ᚷᛁᚠᛏ. ᛁᛏ'ᛋ ᛒᚱᛁᛒᛖᚱᚤ..." Then looking off the side she thought about the concept of gifts. "...ᛟᚱ ᛗᚨᚤᛒᛖ ᛁᛏ'ᛋ ᚺᛟᛗᚨᚷᛖ ᛟᚱ ᛋᛟᛗᛖᛏᚺᛁᚾᚷ." After the contemplation came and went she quickly refocused on her doppleganger and shrugged the idea off. "ᛁ ᛞᛟᚾ'ᛏ ᚷᛁᚡᛖ ᚷᛁᚠᛏᛋ ᛖᛪᛈᛖᚲᛏᛁᚾᚷ ᚨᚾᚤᛏᚺᛁᚾᚷ ᛁᚾ ᚱᛖᛏᚢᚱᚾ. ᛒᚢᛏ ᛁᚠ ᚤᛟᚢ ᚹᚨᚾᛏ ᛏᛟ ᚷᛁᚡᛖ ᛗᛖ ᛋᛟᛗᛖᛏᚺᛁᚾᚷ ᛏᚺᛖᚾ ᚤᛟᚢ ᚺᚨᚡᛖ ᛗᚤ ᛏᚺᚨᚾᚴᛋ"

Getting up and away from the desk she circled around the furnishings in a slow walk. "ᚤᛟᚢᚱ ᚺᚢᛋᛒᚨᚾᛞ ᚨᚾᛞ ᚤᛟᚢ. ᚤᛟᚢ ᚺᚨᚡᛖ ᚨ ᚾᛁᚲᛖ ᛈᛚᚨᚲᛖ ᚺᛖᚱᛖ. ᛁ ᚹᛟᚢᛚᛞ ᛚᛁᚴᛖ ᛏᛟ ᛈᛟᛋᛋᛁᛒᛚᚤ ᚱᛖᛏᚢᚱᚾ. ᛁ'ᛚᛚ ᛚᛖᚨᚡᛖ ᚤᛟᚢ ᚹᛁᛏᚺ ᛗᚤ ᚲᛟᚾᛏᚨᚲᛏ ᛁᚾᚠᛟᚱᛗᚨᛏᛁᛟᚾ ᛁᚠ ᚤᛟᚢ ᚺᚨᚡᛖ ᚨᚾ ᚲᛟᚾᚲᛖᚱᚾᛋ, ᛩᚢᛖᛋᛏᛁᛟᚾᛋ, ᛁᚾᛁᛏᛁᚨᛏᛁᚡᛖᛋ ᛟᚱ ᚠᚨᚡᛟᚱᛋ ᚤᛟᚢ ᛗᛁᚷᚺᛏ ᚹᚨᚾᛏ ᛏᛟ ᚨᛋᚴ. ᛁ ᛗᛁᚷᚺᛏ ᚺᚨᚡᛖ ᛋᛟᛗᛖ ᛟᛈᛈᛟᚱᛏᚢᚾᛁᛏᛁᛖᛋ ᚠᛟᚱ ᚤᛟᚢᚱ ᚲᛚᚨᚾ ᛁᚾ ᛏᚺᛖ ᚠᚢᛏᚢᚱᛖ ᛁᚠ ᚤᛟᚢ ᛞᛟᚾ'ᛏ ᛗᛁᚾᛞ." With the rejection clear the tall woman returned to business. Being shot down from attempted advances was nothing to be ashamed of in her books unless one made a particular fool of themselves and acted like a total douche. So far Zan had kept her decency in tact as far as she knew.
@Killa Ree

 

[Eva 'Skuld' Stark]

She smiled at the woman, dark head inclined as she allowed the woman to make her space. She could not deny, if she were not so attached, and so prone to being a one-person show... she would have taken Zandrali and ran with such an idea before she would even have time to agree. But an alliance was feasible, desirable even, especially with the Sith Empire. Several of her people were there. Their people. They had assets, certainly... she inclined her head, eyes distant with a thought.

"ᛏᚺᚨᚾᚴ ᚤᛟᚢ. ᛁᛏ ᛁᛋ ᚾᛟᛏ ᛗᚤ ᛈᚱᛁᛗᚨᚱᚤ ᚺᛟᛗᛖ... ᛒᚢᛏ ᛁᛏ ᚹᛟᚱᚴᛋ. ᛁ ᚹᛁᛚᛚ ᚺᚨᛈᛈᛁᛚᚤ ᚨᚷᚱᛖᛖ ᛏᛟ ᚨᚾ ᚨᛚᛚᛁᚨᚾᚲᛖ ᚹᛁᛏᚺ ᛏᚺᛖ ᛋᛁᛏᚺ ᛖᛗᛈᛁᚱᛖ, ᚨᚾᛞ ᛁᚾ ᚱᛖᛏᚢᚱᚾ..", she paused, and tilted her head. "ᚤᛟᚢ ᚹᛁᛚᛚ ᚺᚨᚡᛖ ᛏᚺᛖ ᛋᚢᛈᛈᛟᚱᛏ ᛟᚠ ᚲᛚᚨᚾ ᛋᛏᚨᚱᚴ, ᛋᚺᛟᚢᛚᛞ ᚤᛟᚢ ᚾᛖᛖᛞ ᛁᛏ. ᚨᚾᛞ ᛁᚠ ᛗᚤ ᚨᛗᛒᛁᛏᛁᛟᚾᛋ ᚲᛟᛗᛖ ᛏᛟ ᚠᚱᚢᛁᛏᛁᛟᚾ, ᛁ ᚨᚾᛏᛁᚲᛁᛈᚨᛏᛖ ᛗᚨᚾᚤ ᛋᚢᚲᚲᛖᛋᛋᚠᚢᛚ ᚲᚨᛗᛈᚨᛁᚷᚾᛋ ᚹᛁᛏᚺ ᛋᚢᚲᚺ ᚨ ᚠᛁᚾᛖ ᚱᛖᛈᚱᛖᛋᛖᚾᛏᚨᛏᛁᚡᛖ ᛟᚠ ᛏᚺᛖ ᛖᛗᛈᛁᚱᛖ.."

Though inwardly, she was pleased. She proved honorable... there were others that would prove less than noble in their advances. And though Eva could hold her own.. she admitted, to such an amiable meeting, it would have been a shame to spill the other Deuc's blood. Yes, there were similarities between them, but the differences were just as numerous.

She offered her hand towards her, waiting. In the background, the fire crackled and popped, and further out, the howl of the winds shrilled like a woman keening.

@Darasuum

​

 

[Darth Valravus]

___________________

The woman understood Zan. She got how the Deucalian representative should act. The more the Crusader looked at the Jarl of Clan Stark the more genuinely confident and supporting of this alliance as well as in part believing in Zan so much. Despite having recently met Skuld she would have been unashamed to raise a glass in any bar on behalf of Skuld's honor. It was an almost proud sensation like she was grateful that this woman was going to be responsible for the a significant portion of the Deucalians' future as a people.

To appropriately end the meeting Zan walked over to Skuld and brought her hand up towards her own. This was how alliances were made. This was how she imagined the famed heroes of legend greeting one another and departing on good terms. Zan was nothing if not genuine.

"ᛏᚺᚨᚾᚴ ᚤᛟᚢ ᚠᛟᚱ ᚺᚨᚡᛁᚾᚷ ᛗᛖ, ᛃᚨᚱᛚ. ᛁᛏ ᚺᚨᛋ ᛒᛖᛖᚾ ᚨ ᛈᛚᛖᚨᛋᚢᚱᛖ. ᛁ ᛚᛟᛟᚴ ᚠᛟᚱᚹᚨᚱᛞ ᛏᛟ ᛋᛖᛖᛁᚾᚷ ᚤᛟᚢ ᚨᚷᚨᛁᚾ. ᛁ ᛏᚺᛁᚾᚴ ᛁᛏ ᛁᛋ ᚨᚾ ᚨᛈᛈᚱᛟᛈᚱᛁᚨᛏᛖ ᛏᛁᛗᛖ ᚠᛟᚱ ᛗᛖ ᛏᛟ ᛚᛖᚨᚡᛖ." Rolling her shoulders her cloak settled a little from how it had been disturbed in the varying changes of posture thus far. Any further greeting Zan would make but that was the end of the meeting. It had been short, more or less tot he point, and in the Crusader's honest opinion enjoyable. The rest of her week would pale in comparison but that was the price of having a quality life experience. Not everything could be a song sung by the bards in the drinking halls. There had to be the equally trivial and humbling days in between such events. The Sith looked forward to the next one.

❅ END THREAD ❅​