As Above, So (Look Out) Below

[Darth Parox]

Atmosphere above Hoth, 0438 local time​

Milo stood in one of the few empty chambers of the Violator, his eyes set on the planet below. It had been only hours since the bombardment below, and the death toll was still being calculated, but he knew it would be in the hundreds at the very least. It was technically his campaign, though the Emperor—and Zeven's—involvement in it meant he would likely be pushed aside by history. He would need to be more ambitious and take charge more strongly next time, assuming Varyn let him operate alone. Milo had known of the fleet's involvement, but he had not known the Emperor himself would be there.

"Sir—"

"Let her in, Commander," he replied, interrupting the man with a wave of his hand. Varo would see the gesture through the footage from the cameras in the room. "And shut off surveillance for this chamber, please." His voice was much more weary than usual; he had returned from Bespin after a hard-fought "victory", and the Crusader had not gotten any rest in the almost 12 hours since he'd stepped off the gas world. He wanted sleep, but there was one more issue left to deal with.

With a sigh, he turned on his heel as the doors slid open, his hands behind his back. He was wearing his helmet, but he lifted it off and set it on a table to his right. "Acolyte Deschain. Welcome to the Violator." His pride and joy, and symbol of his loyalty to the Empire. He supposed she would not know the story, but perhaps she would, in time.

@Chesire

 

[Deschain]

It had occurred to Deschain about the size of the ship, and how extraordinary it looked from the inside. She had never been on a ship before, so it was her first time. While she had made her small detour, she couldn't help but stare at the eyes of the Galaxy. She was like a child on a Christmas morning. There was a lot of enthusiasm in her brown eyes. Unfortunately, there wasn't much time to waste. She was expected to meet someone within the ship, and that these people would lead her to her mysterious date.

Her eyes was fixed on the sliding door, which would abruptly open before her. Inside was a room. It looked like a room befitting for a commander. Before her was someone she would assume to meet with. He had greeted her, like she was their own. With her name, and rank. Deschains eyes wondered off for a second, before she would quickly turn her eyes before her superior. She wasn't sure if she would kneel, or bow. It was safe to say that she would kneel, in order to show that she has a sense of respect.

Deschain began to kneel with her left knee on the cold surface of the ship. Showing her respect. "I'm honored to be here" She says with a quiet, and polite tone.

 

[Darth Parox]

The girl that entered was much shorter than Milo and seemed to be much more well-rested than he was. There was optimism on her face—and wonder—so he supposed her status as an Acolyte was even clearer for those who did not know. Most people would stare in awe at a capital ship on their first visit, but most experienced Sith would grow so used to them they were like a second home. Milo was still settling in, but he couldn't even fathom how he had fared before, without a frigate at his command.

He wasn't judging her though. Milo knew that Deschain had a long history—on his homeworld, no less—and it had been one of the many reasons he had chosen to summon her. The Acolyte's young age—perfect for the beginning of rigorous training—was another. The Crusader sized her up for a moment—then she kneeled. He appreciated the respect, even though it was not necessarily needed; he was a Crusader, not a Sith Lord. Not yet, at least. He would need to have a lengthy conversation with the Emperor soon. He dreaded it in a way; it was an important decision that would change his destiny, and he knew Varyn could prove to be difficult at times.

"You may rise," he replied, not wanting to make Deschain spend too much time kneeling. "Would you like anything to eat or drink?" Milo asked. The frigate was stocked with a wide variety of foodstuffs, which he could conjure with the touch of a button. They would need to eat and drink while standing; there was a table, but no chairs. He was too tired to nail all the details, and it would be harder to look out the window if they were seated. He'd motion for her to walk over then, until she stopped at his side.

"How long have you been an Acolyte for?" he asked, cutting straight to the main subject.

@Chesire

 

[Deschain]

@Milo Vemec Drast


Deschain didn't come to this place to have a snack, and tea time. She was here for an important matter, and he would be aware of such. Or at least, she had thought so. Deschain stood back on her too feet, as requested. She didn't feel the need to eat, as she wasn't hungry. Though a quick bite wouldn't hurt, but she'll wait for a better time. The man before her appeared to be taller than she was. It was to be expected, as she is only a girl after all. Though most women can tower over guys like him. Though she would find it unlikely.

The man had asked how long Deschain was an acolyte. "I haven't been one for too long. You could say that I'm fresh out of the oven." She said with a shrug of uncertainty.

 

[Darth Parox]

She strolled over, and Milo could feel the apprehensiveness in the room. He would have liked to dispell it, but he was not the best when it came to instilling many positive emotions in people; he excelled at intimidation and the like, but there was barely anything he could do to make someone feel more comfortable. He considered trying to appear less threatening, but decided against it—it as in his very image as a rising Sith. He would not lay down his weapons so an Acolyte felt safe. She would eventually need to adapt to the Galaxy, and would find that most people did not care how she felt.

"Have you found a Master yet?" Once again, straight to the point. It was a blunt question, and Milo supposed he could have beat around the bush for a few more minutes, but he saw no reason to. The man had not slept in approximately 52 hours. Every minute was one he could spend in bed, and he would much rather lay down sooner than later. Milo peered outside, at the ruins of the rebel base on Hoth. The orbital bombardment had left a sizable pile of rubble amidst the white landscape, which was very visible from his location. He could not help but wonder if there were any Jedi left alive down there, struggling to make it out of Hoth before Imperial troops swooped down for their 10th patrol today. Unlikely.

@Chesire

 

[Deschain]

@Milo Vemec Drast

He didn't sound like he had much sleep. She would think that he had been staying up ever since his last mission. This could be why they're all the way out here in this part of the galaxy. It wouldn't be good for him to develop some sleep deprivation. If he did, then he won't be doing well in his job, and begin to descend down to an unhealthy state of mind. "You don't seem to be in high performance, it's like you haven't slept in a decade" Deschain addressed the man's lack of sleep, with a tad bit of an exaggerated statement, before going to answer his question.

She was also wondering why he is asking these things. About her rank, and whether or not she has a master. Without a hint of enthusiasm, or excitement. She had nothing, but one thing. The thing she was thinking about is if he would be her master, but that's unlikely. She isn't the brightest sith of the bunch, and lack any sort of wicked, and evil intention. Maybe she wanted revenge on the ones who killed her mother, or maybe she just wants something else. She wasn't sure.

"No, I don't have one. May I ask why you're asking these questions?"

 

[Darth Parox]

He was a bit surprised she commented on his appearance, and it flashed across his face for the briefest instant. Milo shrugged simply. "When you have a campaign to run, sleep has to wait." What if something crucial happened and he wasn't awake to give orders? He could not have the campaign fail simply because he was resting. He'd have plenty of time to sleep after Hoth—until the next campaign, at least.

Milo was a Crusader, but the ripples he sent through the Force—and the hot, oppressive presence of the dark side around him—was similar to that of a Sith Lord. He was inarguably powerful, rank or no. It only seemed fair that he take in an apprentice to mold and prepare in his image, and Deschain seemed to be a right fit. Her "innocence" and seeming ignorance of basic customs—remarking things about higher-ups that many would not appreciate hearing—showed that she was a blank slate, which was the best thing a Master could see in an apprentice.

"Because I don't have an apprentice. While still a Crusader, I would much rather get training started now," he replied, surprisingly matter-of-factly. He would be more eloquent if he'd had his sleep, but right now he just wanted to get the meeting over with. Deschain would find he was much more well-collected when properly awake. "You're from Serenno, so we have that much in common. You've trained in assassination, so you are likely more cunning than the average barbarians waving lightsabers that populate our ranks. The latter is clearly more important, but I admire the former as well." As much as he can admire someone for simply being born somewhere.

"That said—would you like to be my apprentice?" It was a blunt question, but he did not yet know her well enough to figure out whether he would get a blunt response.

@Chesire

 

[Deschain]

She wasn't going to pester him about sleeping habits, because it's not what she does. She's also not a mother either. Not like she can qualify to play the mother role anyway. It had sounded like he wanted to start things early, because of his current rank, before he would think about raising to a higher status. Maybe her motivation for becoming better, can be greater than his as she sharpens her skills a bit more. At least enough so that even the emperor can feel a bit impressed, that she could achive heights that others wouldn't even scratch the surface.

She would undoubtedly accept the offer of wanting a master, so that she can be better, and smarter on the battlefield. For now, she still has a lot to learn. Deschain was a bit surprised that he had know this much about her, and this was the first time meeting each other. It only became a slight relief that he doesn't know the rest that's hidden amongst the icing of the cake. She didn't want too much of her information out to the public. Everyone has secrets, and it wasn't her time to reveal hers yet.

"I spend most of my time trying to sharpen my senses, so I can catch targets better. Like a tiger to a boar." Deschain said.

" -- Sure I don't mind you teaching me, but I'm not the brightest of the bunch" Deschain warned him that it would be a difficult task to do.

@vamp

 

[Darth Parox]

He nodded as she chipped in about her training habits. A tiger to a boar was a rather strange comparison—wouldn't a predator vs prey be a more fitting comparison?—but Milo grew to like it more and more as he gave it thought. A tiger and a boar were both predators in their own way, and the one that prevailed was likely the apex. He wasn't sure whether Deschain had actually considered and worded it like that on purpose, but he cracked the ghost of a smile nonetheless. Perhaps his sleep-deprived brain was merely making things up and going off on tangents.

"Very well," he added as she agreed to join him. "You will find that I'm patient enough, so long as I see effort. I don't suppose we'll have many problems." Milo was one of the more open-minded Sith, and it was for the better. The Emperor himself seemed to stand out for his philosophy, which did not blindly follow tradition. The Rule of Strong was good, but sometimes it was not the solution.

"I will be in contact with you next week to schedule our first training assignment, once all this—" he motioned around at the ships zooming by outside their window, "—has wrapped up." Milo did have something specific in mind that he wanted to begin the training with, so he hoped Deschain would remain close enough to the Hoth system—they would be meeting right on the surface of the planet when the time came, not that he told her that now.

@Chesire

 

[Deschain]

It would be best for her if she had knew his name. Considering that the two will end up playing the student, and mentor role for as long as they could. It was a thrill to feel that she can get proper training from someone who is more experienced than she is. It was worth to try, and get the hang of force things, and learning how to use a lightsaber properly. She was eager to get training right away, but her father taught her that patience comes first. She had to be patient with the sith, but she would assume that she would be doing some life lessons, like he was going to play as a guru or something. But he isn't that old, so she doubts that he is the wisest of the bunch. But, Deschain expects some surprises here, and there.

¨Would it be too much to ask, for your name? You know mines, which is.....Strange¨ She had always wondered how he had acquired her name. Sure the two were born on the same planet, but it´s not like they have a close relation with each other. Right? ¨ -- It only seems right to know your name, just out of respect for one another¨

@vamp

 

[Darth Parox]

It came as a surprise that she didn't know his name, truth be told. He'd "signed" the transmission in which he summoned her, and may have even picked up his name from one of the many sailors on the ship. Nevertheless, he cleared things up quickly enough. "Milo Vemec-Drast," came the reply, tinged with pride not because he was noble-born, but because his name meant something now—and it was all of his own merit. He was the one who had brought honor to it, not his lineage. Those within the Old Empire used to harbor dislike toward him because of it—and its connections to the monarchy on Coruscant—but he had been quick to squash any sentiment that he was a pampered noble with no idea how to fight. Now he got the respect he deserved—and not any more than that.

"The names of most Sith are available in the records," he added, brows furrowed. "One with the right clearance—or means—can easily discover them, especially when it comes to Acolytes." He looked at her expectantly. "Anything else?" he asked.

@Chesire