Business As Usual

[Lilith (8th TL)]

Back on Dromund Kaas, Cait was summoned by Darth Victress. She wasn't entirely sure why. The message was even more vague than the one she sent for their last meeting. Cait didn't mind too much though. She needed to keep up with her contacts for her business to stay safe and growing. If a bantha somehow held power in a government and would listen to her, she'd show up to speak to it.

Though they weren't meeting anywhere fancy today. She was only summoned to Darth Victresses office on Dromund Kaas. This time however Cait decided to wear the Sith Armor she had crafted for her. It would make working in Sith space safer.

Entering the office, the door slid closed behind her and Cait bowed deeply to the Darth. Last time she had a meeting with the woman she was only a crusader, this time she was a Darth. Not that Cait respected the woman any less last time, but this time she held more reach and value to Cait. With that in mind, Cait decided to remain quiet and let the Darth speak first.

@Faded Truth

 

[Darth Victress]

.

The sith lord was attending to some matters, she had just come back from a trip to Korriban where she had decorated her fallen acolytes while also being berated by an overly ambitious Crusader and some outspoken Acolytes. She was prepared to slay them then, though doing so would have cost the Empire lives and luckily a Pantoran managed to defuse the situation. She would snap her attention towards the door as her guest had arrived, only thing better than one ginger in the room was two of them.

Arianna nodded to Cait, welcoming her towards the seat in front of her. "Formalities are not necessarily required in private...did you have a long trip from Nar Shaddaa?"

@Dread

 

[Lilith (8th TL)]

Cait rose back up from her bow, smiling at Darth Victress even though the woman wouldn't be able to see the smile because of her helmet. Though Cait wasn't entirely use to the outfit, she wasn't a complete stranger to it. She'd worn similar gear while she trained on Korriban.

The young syndicate leader took a seat where Victress had pointed out, leaning back somewhat but not too much. She didn't distrust Victress, though she hadn't spent too much time by the woman's side. And either way, she was trained enough to stay on guard from outside threats.

"Not too long," she answered after taking a seat. "I'm use to it now, and I've been looking forward to my visits here. There's a few bars I've been enjoying and I'm thinking about purchasing them." Cait stopped there, letting Victress decide to either keep going with small talk or move into business. The woman had mentioned that she enjoyed small talk before so Cait left that option open, even though she personally preferred getting down to business straight away.

@Faded Truth

 

[Darth Victress]

.

Arianna was considerably more powerful than Cait when it came to intricacies of dark sided abilities and thus as the business woman appeared to be a little ruffled and impatient, the Darth was able to pick up on the subtle signs. A slight smirk came to her face as she would gladly entertain the CEO's non verbal requests of shifting this discussion to a more business like approach. She did wish to learn where Cait purchased her dress as the Saks Drommund Avenue store didn't seem to carry that particular piece. Perhaps that would be asked later?

The darth kept her gaze on the other red head, Arianna's eyes shifting continually between her natural green and the corrupted yellow as she finally spoke after the other woman finished her sentence. "We never really had a chance to dwell deeper into why I wished to meet you in the first place. Have you any idea why I summoned you here?"

@Dread

 

[Lilith (8th TL)]

Cait remained in her seat though she felt herself shift in it somewhat when darkness begin to stir around the Darth. She didn't need to sense it, however, since she could see the shifting of color in the woman's eyes and the smirk on her face. While both signs could've been something bad, Cait decided not to let it disturb her much—not quite yet, anyway.

Shortly after the Darth asked if Cait knew why she had summoned her here; Cait looked away for a second in thought then back before answering, "I assume..." she began with a slight pause before continuing, "That you want to discuss a contract between yourself and The Exchange? What you wish for us to do for you?" It was an easy guess, and really, Cait couldn't think of anything else that the Darth would want from her.

 

[Darth Victress]

.

The dark lord chuckled, a little amused at the response Cait displayed on her expressions when she saw the shifting of her eye colors. The sorceress had a difficult time concealing her dark abilities, affinity to the force strong with her since the beginning and reflected in her physical appearance as she bent it to her will. The redhead spoke up, and the Darth would answer. "Yes, I have been watching your progress from afar. Seems things are progressing well, how do you feel about what you have accomplished?"

She shifted in her seat slightly, using the hologram projector on her desk to show an image of the Sector Ranger Cait had recently placed on for bounty. "I heard an attack was made, as well as the loss of life of one of my Crusaders.." Her tone changed a bit, the lord obviously a bit irritated that Sabrina was killed while trying to protect Cait's investments.

@Dread

 

[Lilith (8th TL)]

She listened quietly to the Darth's first question, thinking for a brief moment before answering, "I'm happy with my progress so far. Though things have been moving so fast that it's sometimes difficult for me to keep up, so I've recently promoted some men to help me oversee it's growth." And The Exchange was growing fast; so fast it felt like it was getting a lot of attention and some if it not good attention. Despite the faction being minuscule in comparison to the Empire, the mando's and even the rebel faction, it had somehow drawn a lot of interest. Of course, most of the interest was good interest, such as the Darth's.

But soon the Darth pointed out the bad interest, bringing up the bounty Cait placed. Cait frowned. The Darth wouldn't see the frown but she would be able to sense Cait's anger, and her desire to cut off every limb of that man's body and feed the rest of it slowly to a rancor. The Dark Side began to gather and swirl around her, and she breathed in sharply.

Though she caught herself and tried to reign it in. She was no longer required to practice the Dark Side, though she didn't seem able to escape it no matter how hard she tried. Clenching her fists against her lap, she answered, "Yes, it was some ill begotten raid orchestrated by a nobody. Some fool who didn't bother to do any research on who he was making enemies with," Cait said nearly with a hiss. "Your crusader happened to arrive during the raid. She tried to help and a mando war lord walked in and decided to simply kill her for no real fathomable reason."

 

[Darth Victress]

.

The dark lord was obviously upset that she lost Sabrina over something like this, and to add more salt to injury was that her Crusader was executed by a filthy Mandolorian. She sighed, knowing these rebellious scum were growing to be bigger pains than she first anticipated; "Yes, I was informed of the circumstances.." She said curtly, before standing to her full height and moving towards the windows. "I'm glad you are pleased with the progress, I am sure most others will share in your sentiments. As for this warlord, I will deal with the Mandolorians in due time when the opportunity arises, however for now, I suggest that you consider staying clear of them. An execution of my trained and capable Crusader who has greater martial skills than you, should make you rethink that perhaps your safety would be better served on Sith space."

She said, before turning back towards the woman; the Darth's eyes now shifted to yellow as darkness focused around her, "As for other matters, perhaps we should continue your training...after all, I understand that our former Emperor had similar inclinations?"

@Dread

 

[Lilith (8th TL)]

Obviously the Darth wasn't happy over the crusaders death; it made sense that she wasn't. Though the woman did not work under Cait or provide her any benefit so the young businesswoman's feelings over the crusader was less strong, but not any less annoyed.

Victresses suggestion to stay in Sith space rang true with Cait. She knew that the mando's would use any excuse they could find to kill her. She wasn't a clan member and in their eyes she was just a petty criminal that provided no benefit to them. The Empire however, seemed more interested in her and there was nothing that they could find out that would drive them to kill her. Indeed, the Sith, Sith space, ironically was one of the safest places in the galaxy for Cait. As safe as one could get in a crime, war ridden galaxy.

She didn't answer the Darth's suggestion to stay in Sith space however. If the Darth pressed the subject Cait would answer, but otherwise she'd keep her thoughts to herself. She wasn't entirely sure if she could stay within Sith space all the time when it came her business.

Cait stood shortly after Victress did, pausing for a handful of heartbeats when the woman suggested training her. Cait stumbled her words for a second, "You- oh." It was probably not the best thing to do in front of a Dath, but Cait thought she was free from committing to the Dark Side now that the Emperor was dead.

It took a few seconds but she put her sentence together, "Do you think... that would be the best way I could serve the Empire?" She probably shouldn't be asking something like this to a Darth no less, though she needed to know if there was a way to get out of this, or if she should give up and submit to her fate. If she was forced back into training a second time, clearly the Force was telling her that this was her destiny. But until then, she'd roll the dice, "I find... my business sucks up most my time with management and travel."

 

[Darth Victress]

.

Arianna turned her eyes slightly at the hesitation and stumbling of words from the red-head, lofting a brow at the intrinsic confusion that perhaps laced her guest. She remained silent for now, creating an awkward rift of moments until Cait spoke again and this time seemingly had filled with certain excuses regarding her business and how it would keep her from training. A dark chuckle came to her face, as she turned and focused her fill gaze upon the Exchange CEO. A sudden tendril of force would wrap around Cait's throat, slowly diminishing her tracheal volume and would leave the woman gasping for air.

"There is no substitute for the dark side...If you can learn to wield this power, you will be more powerful than any who oppose you.." She said, quickly releasing the force choke from the woman. The Darth would quietly sigh and move towards one of the drawers in her desk, opening it to yield a lightsaber hilt. "My first kill...an acolyte who refused to give me what was intended to be mine from the beginning.." She said, mulling over the weapon as she ignited the saber and allowed the crimson light to bathe the office in its unholy essence.

Eyes slowly drifted back towards the red-head as Victress extinguished the saber and tossed the hilt to Cait. "Yours...it's about time you had one...I can't have you walking in Sith Space without being able to defend yourself.."

@Dread

 

[Lilith (8th TL)]

It was the first time in years and years that she felt... this. Tendrils of the Dark Side coiling around her throat. Cait coughed as she began to lose the ability to breath, grabbing her throat instinctively despite knowing the move did nothing. It made her mad. Angry. So. Krffin. Angry. She wanted to lash out at Victress but gasped for air instead until the Darth let go of her throat.

She breathed in quickly when she was able to... and shortly after she realized that was the Darth's answer. She wasn't asking Cait if she wanted to train, or suggesting it. She was telling Cait she was going to train. And that made Cait even more mad. Everything she worked on, everything she did, it all lead back to this? THIS?! It made her so angry. Why were other Sith so bent on pulling her back in? She wanted to scream. To smash something. To hurt someone. To kill someone. The Dark Side swirled around her violently as the thoughts swirled around her head.

She was so filled with anger that she barely noticed when Victress pulled out a saber, though she was able to pull herself together enough to listen, snapping her eyes over to the Darth. Cait didn't have to keep a straight face because her helmet hid her expression, luckily for her; if she hadn't the woman would've seen the shocked look on Cait's face. Cait's blue eye's ran down the blade of the saber until it was unignited and she caught it when it was tossed to her. The Darth was giving her a lightsaber that held some value to her? Usually that meant something. Something more. Was this training session not a one time thing? Was it an... apprenticeship?

Cait didn't want to believe it, and wasn't sure why a Darth would want someone who'd spent their last years focused on building a criminal empire instead on the Sith Order. But the confusion didn't last long, as it soon churned into her ever growing pool of anger.

Fine... FINE! FINE! FINE! FINE! she thought, nearly screaming the words instead of thinking them. If she had no choice but to be Sith then she'd be Sith. Cait lifted the saber she was given, and thrust it out towards the Darth's chest, igniting it at the same time.

"FINE!" she screamed as loud as she could while thrusting the blade, hitting a lamp on the Darth's desk at the same time and hitting the Darth if the woman didn't move or do something. Cait snarled, "When do I start training?!" The Dark Side gathered around her, swirled around her, so much so that it was almost visible as she spoke. She knew outright attacking a Darth was deadly, likely foolish, but she was so angry that she didn't give a shit.

 

[Darth Victress]

.

Arianna watched as the young woman displayed her carnal side, the darkness of force energies swirling around the red-head as the Darth even took a slight step backwards. It was lucky that she had created ample space between them as the Sith Lord shifted her torso to the side to avoid the tip of the blade however it appeared that her lamp orifice was destroyed as it hit the ground from the blow and crumbled into numerous glass pieces.

An initial snarl soon turned into a maniacal and darkened chuckle; "Gooooood..." She said, moving closer towards Cait as her gloved hand reached out and placed itself on Cait's saber wielding grip, slowly pushing it down. She then moved her grip to affectionately grasp at the woman's chin and cheek. "Anger breeds strength and focus, a clear conviction and razor dedication aimed at the destruction of all those that oppose us.." She smirked, noticing the hatred that she had instilled in the young businesswoman, pushing her buttons until the Darth was able to see the force potential of the former Sith and relish in her power.

"We may start whenever you are finished with your most urgent transactions. As I have warned, the Mandolorians will be ruthless in their swift plan of skewed justice. You are safer under protection of Imperial might.."
@Dread

 

[Lilith (8th TL)]

Cait listened to the woman's words; they felt familiar. And really, Cait was so filled with the Dark Side currently that they made perfect sense. The anger did make her more focused, more determined.. to lash out. Cait didn't want to be a monster, but to achieve her dreams she needed to be one and Victress was only forcing the issue. Victress stood as a symbol of frustration to the young businesswoman.

A physical one that could be hurt.

And Cait was still angry; worse yet the Darth encouraged her, which in her rage, in a twisted way, made Cait smile. Her usually bright blue eyes turned yellow as the smile twisted wickedly on her face. If the Darth still had a grip on Cait's saber hand or not, Cait would boost her strength with the large amount of Force she had been pooling, and bring her saber hand up, swinging it inwards—as if she was going to give the Darth a hug, except it would be with the deadly red beam of her lightsaber. If it made contact, it'd do so across the woman's back.

"Then NOW!" Cait growled in reply to when they'd start training. She ignored the suggestion to stay in Sith space for a second time, grabbing the Darth's arm with her free hand at the same time she swung her saber; to try to keep the Darth still so she'd be hit. Cait doubted this move would catch the Darth, but she was so filled with anger, so filled with hatred and drowning in the Dark Side she could barely think straight. It was nearly bursting out of her. She was ready to fight. Ready to kill. And if there were consequences to her actions then she'd deal with them later.

 

[Darth Victress]

.

Arianna smirked, still growing prouder and in more delight with the ascension of the business woman as she embraced the darkness within. She could feel the focus and determination on Cait as well as the hatred she had undeniably provoked; was this all a coincidence, however the sadistic smile on the face of the Dark lord would make others think that perhaps this had been intentional. After all, it is not until the most dire of circumstances that we realize what our true potential could be. If the Darth wanted to do business with the Exchange, then she needed to see something more out of Cait than the mild mannered woman she presented herself as before.

This change however, was most impressive.

The Darth felt Cait move her hand while she still had her grasp on it and even while her guest invoked force strength, she tightened her grip as to resist for only a moment. Such was all she needed, as dark energies rippled across the palm of her free hand and sent a telekinetic blast towards the unprotected torso of Cait. It would create ample distance between them and in turn interrupted any attacks she had planned against the sith lord. This was enough for the Darth to prepare for a melee confrontation if that is what her guest preferred. She chuckled darkly, "I admire enthusiasm from my students...so be it.." She said, igniting her own saber as the shimmering red blade came to life in her right hand and bathe the chamber in its unholy light.

@Dread

 

[Lilith (8th TL)]

Cait felt the impact of the Darth's attack and the air rush around her a she fell back, hitting the ground with a grunt. Needless to say, that did not help her mood much. Her saber went out when she fell to the floor but she stood up right away, grunting again and reigniting it. She watched as Victress ignited her own saber, claiming Cait to be her student. And at this moment, Cait didn't feel like a student, she felt like someone who wanted to hurt Victress.

"I HATE YOU!" Cait spat, "And if you keep me I WILL kill you one day." Maybe it was a warning, maybe it was an attempt to get the Darth to give up her idea; at this point, so engrossed in the Dark Side, Cait couldn't even tell herself.

Jerking forward, the young red head pretended as if she was about to charge the Darth, but stopped and sent out a push, a blast, with all her might focused squarely on the woman's head. Cait wanted to send the woman's head jerking back violently, almost as if she had been punched in the face. The idea of punching Victress in the face right now delighted her. Though Cait did not fully engage, holding her saber in front of her in a defensive way, hoping to antagonize the woman, spur her into anger and possibly be the one who engaged. It annoyed Cait that the woman was so calm.

 

[Darth Victress]

.

Arianna chuckled darkly as the woman swore towards her, spitting on the ground before her feet. "Good..." She whispered, her voice soft and soothing but yet laced with more sinister potential than the young red-head could comprehend. The dark lord was manipulative in her methods, feeding on the anger and hatred she had fostered in Cait, just so she could twist and mold the untrained Sith into her perfect weapon of darkness. She smiled even wider as the woman ushered out a force blast towards her, but the Darth was more than prepared as she gathered invisible tendrils of force towards her upper torso and face to push outward against the incoming assault. The result was a net banter of energies, erupting in the middle and only further widening the physical distance between the two women.

As Cait's attack was finished, the Darth wasted no time and sent a cursed coil of Force choke to wrap around the Exchange leader's throat. The coil would tighten slowly but periodically, its force power significantly stronger than what the untrained Cait was capable of defending against, likely beyond her scope of abilities unless of course she managed to disrupt the dark lord's concentration. Arianna with her lightsaber in other hand, slowly began to advance towards her desired apprentice.

"Such fight in you..unrelenting, unforgiving...Yes. A powerful Sith you shall become...now...Submit.." She commanded.

@Dread

 

[Lilith (8th TL)]

Feeling the grip around her neck again shook her somewhat out of her rage and gave her some clarity again. Slowly fear started to take the place of the anger, causing Cait to backpedal away from the Darth. Something inside her told her to run, yet she knew it was pointless. She wouldn't be able to make it to the door, she didn't know how to fight against this power or how to duel while unable to breath.

But Cait backed up, almost all the way to the door before she lost that ability to breath, choking and trying desperately to get air despite the knowledge that she wouldn't be able to.

She fell to her knees, but she mustered up the ability to say one, single, word, "N-N....GAH..NO!"

Even as she felt the power she'd gathered start to dissipate around her, even as she was already on her knees in front of the Darth, she pointed her saber towards the advancing woman. Her hand began to shake as she continued to choke; she knew that her grip was failing but she still wanted to throw this small act of rebellion at the woman.