Ask Clean Up On Aisle Zygerria

[Darth Arcanos]

Azar normally kept to himself and tried to fly as under the radar as possible. Apparently that got people promoted and shoved into the limelight, and he was left with more responsibility than he bargained for. Today he was stuck cleaning up another Sith’s mess. The other working with him was a pureblood. Since when were so many of his brethren wandering around the galaxy? He despised it, almost wishing they would stay in their little corner of the galaxy and kill one another.

He was here to negotiate with the Zygerrian Prime Minister, but he arrived to complete chaos. Apparently the nonsense the other Sith pulled set off a massive revolution and the leadership was sheltering in place in the palace. It was a wonder Jedi hadn’t arrived to save the day just yet and hit the nail on the coffin. From his vantage point overlooking the main city square, he could already see explosions and smoke.

Azar had obtained a ‘chrono’ and he checked it. If the acolyte was late, he was going to find some excuse to feed him to the escaped slaves.

@Apollyon

 

[Karys]

Everything ached, the last week had been absolutely hellish for Karys. He had to do field repairs on his lightsaber twice, swam through a river of literal shit, and with some help he had taken out a Communications Jammer to reach out to the Sith for aid. Sprinkle in the involvement of some Dark Jedi or cultist and it had been a very long week. Once Karys was informed that Champion Kressh had been dispatched to negotiate with the Zygerrians, he thought his job would be finally over. The thought of taking a cold ice bath and not having to take another Sani-shower was beyond appealing.

Nope.

Because of his involvement, it had been deemed that his information was too valuable for him not be present. There truly was no rest for the wicked. As such, he made his way to the coordinates where he was supposed to meet Champion Kressh. He arrived in the same gear he had been wearing since he arrived, it smelled like the stale sanitizer he had been forced to shower and wash his clothes in. Kolto patches were slapped over small visible injuries with larger surface wounds requiring gauze to be wrapped around them. In addition, the bridge of Karys nose was still swollen and tender from catching the butt of a blaster rifle.

In essence, Karys looked like shit.

However, he wouldn't arrive late. His time in the city had allowed him to learn some of it's layouts and the best routes to take without coming into insurgent lines of fire. The hell that was Zygerria had given experience that no mere lesson could have bestowed.

<Champion Kressh.> He would state plainly as he arrived at their meeting place.

It would take a moment for him to do it, but Karys would force himself onto a knee and drop his head before his superior. <Welcome to Zygerria.>

 

[Darth Arcanos]

Azar quietly stared at the walking disaster that approached him. He looked more like a liability than actual help. The Pureblood watched him kneel and take a century to get back up. With a disappointed sigh, he reached into the confines of his robes, drawing out a small vial. Karys would hear Azar mutter a few incantations and watch the liquid swirl and pool within the vial. After a moment, he extended it to the Pureblood.

“Drink,” He ordered curtly. If Karys did so, he would feel a shocking amount of relief in all his pain in ways bacta couldn’t provide. There was a downside to this - the pain was severely numbed, but he wouldn’t notice as easily when he got hurt or underestimate how much damage he took. There was nothing Azar could do about the ridiculous superficial injuries, but this would at least make the acolyte remotely useful.

“Give me a report of your accomplishments here thus far,” He said as his yellow gaze flicked towards the chaos behind Karys.

@Apollyon

 

[Karys]

Karys' gaze would be fixed to the ground until Azar had spoken to him. The famed Potionmaster of Umbara cast his incantation on an vial of liquid which swirled and changed before his eyes. Karys couldn't help but admire the power of Azar's craft, being able to conjure potent brews had to be a useful skill to understand. However, when the pureblood handed him the vial and gave his curt order there would be a moment of hesitation. Karys was no fool, he knew the ancient feuds between Kressh and Sadow, some still clung to these blood feuds. While Karys had largely dismissed such claims are short-sightedness, he couldn't be sure Azar thought the same.

Despite his reservations, Karys would eventually down the brew, half expecting to begin retching his innards up moments later. Instead, he would feel it's effects as the pain in his body faded and a sigh of relief would escape would escape his lips. He'd roll his shoulders and crack his neck, a content smile formed on his lips. He wouldn't stand until given the order but he did give Azar a full report on the weeks events, excluding events that wouldn't aid in the meetings to come.

<Of course Champion Kressh.> Karys replied. <I arrived on Zygerria with a free-lance agent, named Alice, in pursuit of a bounty. Once we had located the target we...retired for the evening.> He explained. <In the morning we awoke to the uprising underway. We were captured by the rebels but we were able to recover intelligence.> He continued. <The slaves here have come to an accord with the Colicoids, trading meat for munitions.> He explained. <Droidekas.> The word had become the bane of several engagements. <They are in limited supply but pockets of resistance still utilize them to hold choke points.> He pointed out.

<Before the news center was hit in a raid, they showed security broadcast of an attack on an auction house within the plaza.> Karys reported. <I believe this was the source of the uprising, the attacker wielded a lightsaber...it was red.> He hesitated here, knowing the implication he was placing. <However, Alice and I were able to uncover the presence of Dark Jedi, we slew the Apprentice but the Master was nowhere to be found.> He explained as he tossed the dead girl's lightsaber from his belt and to the Champion's feet. <They were in league with a Resistance cell still operating within the sector, using freed slaves as fodder for their war. They likely aided in enflaming this rebellion into Civil War.> He continued. <Finally, the rebels installed a Communications Jammer in the ruins of the news center, we supported military elements in the destruction of the device. And then reached out to the Order for more support.> He concluded.

Once finished, Karys would drop his head once more and wait for the Champion's decision. He knew he was out of his depth, he had been all week but somehow, he hadn't been killed outright. He'd survived this nightmare and that was good enough for him.

<Speaking plainly, Champion Kressh.> He stated after the brief silence. <I hate this place.>

@Sreeya

 

[Darth Arcanos]

Azar didn’t ask for further details, but even the tone of the acolyte implied he didn’t know how to keep business and pleasure separate. The Pureblood wouldn’t hold it against him unless it actually impacted the job, but it was mental note he made internally. He needed to know about all potential liabilities, “I trust you were smart enough not to relay too much information about our Order to this..agent,” He stated curtly, his yellow gaze piercing into Karys’ own. Azar despised leaving loose ends and was likely to kill outsiders he worked with, but he could tell this acolyte wasn’t there just yet. Perhaps with time and training, “No outsider should be involved in outreach back to the Order. We cannot risk knowledge of our numbers or locations,” It wasn’t long ago that Tempest made an address that she had captured the Empire. It was all a bluff, but it caused the perfect amount of panic. If Karys’ stupidity meant someone found out that wasn’t the case, the Order could be in jeopardy. Any bounty hunter would be paid handsomely for intel on the Sith.

“The master you speak of is long gone from the planet if they are clever,” Azar stated flatly, “We will execute our operation by order of priority,” He said matter of factly, “First order of business is not meeting with anyone. It’s to curb this rebellion,” Azar studied the other man, “Where are the slaves getting the meats for the colicoids? Take me towards where they are stockpiling,” He said. If Karys thought he was going to get a nap, he was sorely mistaken.

@Apollyon

 

[Karys]

Karys listened in silence while Azar took the information he had given and distilled it rapidly into a plan of action. The idea of not involving the Order in any discussions or placing blame was one that hadn't occurred to him. Instead the potion master wanted them to focus on the problem and destroy the root of it. It seemed Cyu's lesson of the simplest and most direct route often was the correct one hadn't stuck. The Acolyte had thought they would push a narrative as they Sith had in the past, this wasn't the case. This worked for him, at least he wouldn't have to stand in a corner for hours acting like he was listening to discussions he didn't care about.

<No, the agent was not informed of my affiliation nor was she informed of the Order's presence here.> He responded, his voice taking on an insulted tone. <Any and all communications back to the Order were made in seclusion.> He assured his superior.

Karys would then rise and pull out a datapad with an uploaded map of the city. Areas had been painted red where insurrectionist were currently or suspected to be at. The darker the red on the map, the higher the concentration of insurrectionists. Karys would tap a location on the map.

<Since communications have been up reports suggest the hospital has maintained at minimum two Droideka guards at all times.> He reported. <I think I can get us there with minimal engagements.>

With that, Karys would set off as ordered, he would guide Azar being sure to avoid checkpoints and patrols. The hospital was one of the first areas hit during the initial attacks, and the slaves had put it's morgues and walk in freezers to good use. Thankfully, with the majority of the fighting being near a Zygerrian forward push towards the Slave's HQ, it was more likely that other areas would be less densely guarded.

Once they had arrived on the outskirts of the hospital, Karys would turn to Azar. <What's the plan? Are we raising the dead? Poisoning the corpses?> Despite his hushed tone, there was an air of expectation in Karys' voice.

@Sreeya

 

[Darth Arcanos]

Azar kept walking as the acolyte relayed more information and followed up with some eager questions. It was almost endearing in a way even to someone as frigid as Azar. The Pureblood was silent for a moment, “Something like that,” He said with a grin gracing his features for the first time, “Think of our homelands,” Azar said, “Think of those that became enslaved. Over time, subservience became a part of their DNA. Revolutions are fragile at best and it needs merely the slightest tremor in their sense of hope and faith for them to go back to what they know, what is considered safe,” He explained, “The slaves here have known nothing but indentured life. They had a sliver of hope and they cling to it with everything. They will file themselves back into the proper order once something convinces them they cannot sustain the rebellion on their own.”

There was far more to being Sith than to simply show up and hack and slash. Azar operated entirely differently than others, which was why he hoped to stay in the background. The hospital loomed in the distance, “We cannot be seen or affiliated with this operation in any way,” Azar told Karys.

Luck would have it that there were four droideka stationed where they needed to go instead of the minimum two. They had an uphill climb on getting past four of these things without anyone noticing them. After a moment, Azar had an idea. He walked back a measurable distance and applied the Force to alter the ground to make it cave in. He timed it with the sound of explosions and chaos so nothing was noticeable. When there was a sizable hole in the ground, he used the Force to move some loose branches over it.

Azar turned to the other man, “I will go ahead near the hospital. I need you to cause a distraction and have the droidekas chase you and fall into this hole. Their design will prevent them from coming back up. Try not to be seen - you only need them curious enough to rush forth to investigate. Can you do this?"

@Apollyon

 

[Karys]

Karys stayed silent as Azar spoke, he used their shared heritage as a lesson to impart wisdom. By taking away their one lifeline of hope, they would snuff out the entire rebellion here and now. Not only would this be the case, the rest of the galaxy wouldn't be aware of their presence on the world, the Order would be safe in it's web. Karys' crimson eyes fell from Azar's gaze as he mulled this over.

Then the Sith Champion guided them to the edge of the hill side to scout out the density of the droideka guards. There were four, that immediately eliminated the most direct route of destroying them. Instead, Azar showed Karys more ingenuity by drawing on the Force to dig a deep hole and then covering it with branches. The Sith Champion would then lay out Karys role in the plan.

Bait. Fuck.

Karys deep red skin visibly paled at that realization. His throat dried and he wanted to vomit at the same time. Karys suddenly found himself wishing he was anywhere but here with Azar, even floating in the sewers again suddenly seemed more appealing. But Karys voiced none of this, instead he simply nodded to Azar and began to think, HARD.

Karys fell back to his training on Umbara. There had been a time where the instructors taught the young Sith there a more rudimentary form of Force Cloak. While it wouldn't hold up to scrutiny when a student at his level of understanding in close proximity, at a distance it made him nearly invisible. However, Karys wasn't sure if droids would be able to pick him out or the distance he'd need to be from them in order for this to work.

It didn't matter, in his mind, it was his only option.

Karys used his fear to draw on the Dark Side, he molded it into a very rudimentary cloak around himself and his body vanished into a hazy half image. Karys would then walk backwards from his position at the base of the hill, near a pile of rubble that could be used as cover to the lip of their trap. Then he would leap over the mouth of their trap and continue to walk backwards up the hill. The effect would be the appearance of someone having ran down the hillside and towards the base of it and then potentially hiding behind the rubble.

Karys drew his blaster as he climbed the hill, the cloak that shrouded him was still wrapped around him, obscuring him. He silently hoped the droids didn't have their logic systems upgraded, he took a deep breath, raised the blaster up into the sky, and squeezed the trigger several times. As he did this, the force cloak would shimmer, allowing the optic sensors of the droids to pick up on his form. When the first droid began to turn in his direction and shift down into it's travel form, Karys ran and did his best to ensure his foot falls landed within his planted tracks.

The droids didn't take long to surge from a hole blown into the hospital wall and towards the sound of blaster fire and distorted image that they had detected. In fact, as Karys leapt over the pit and landed on the otherside, the four of the droids were already hot on his heels.

Crack. Snap.

The branches fell in and the droids with them, Karys turned around to stare down triumphantly at the trapped droids. He had began to laugh when he heard the most disturbing sound, grit being shifted and crushed by somethings approaching fast. When the droids he had tricked began pursuit their droid brains had linked up with the rest of the droidekas in the facility, they relayed the anomaly to their kin. The threat was assessed at a potentially high enough level to warrant a maximized threat response, they had all come for him.

Twelve more droidekas barreled straight down the hill towards Karys. Twelve more droidekas were unable to slow their approach fast enough to prevent falling into the hole. Once they had all fallen in, Karys nerves got the better of him, he leaned over the edge of the pit and retched on top of the trapped droids.

After taking a moment to wipe the bile from his mouth, Karys would flip the droidekas off and focus once again on maintaining Force Cloak. He'd then rejoined Azar, suddenly re-appearing next to him, a stupid smile plastered to his face.

<Well, how'd I do?> He asked excitedly in their shared language.

@Sreeya

 

[Darth Arcanos]

Azar let the acolyte leave and do his thing. The Pureblood was always prepared - if the acolyte failed, Azar would make a smooth exit as if he were never there. If he succeeded, he would make a smooth entry as if he were never there. At first, he observed from a distance, doing a double take when he realized that somehow the Sadow was able to lure all of the droideka in the vicinity. Azar squinted as he watched them disappear in the hole in rapid succession, the sight one to behold.

However, he quickly turned and slipped into the hospital, sneaking through the corridors till he could smell the stench of the dead bodies. Azar could hear some slaves in the distance and he had to make sure no one could see him. The Pureblood came across some of the corpses, bringing out a vial from his robes. He had been given a brief of the situation here ahead of arrival, and he took some precautions. Azar started to inject the dead bodies with a serum that had dormant enzymes that would trigger when the colicoids consumed them.

Azar managed to inject several of the bodies quickly before he heard footsteps coming closer. Cursing to himself, he abruptly turned and tried to find a way out. Unfortunately, his original exit plan was cut off with new slaves coming by to complain about the droidekas suddenly wandering off.

The Pureblood couldn’t risk being seen, so he crept down a different corridor, spotting an open window. He climbed out of it, jumping down into a crouch two stories below with the aid of the Force. Azar spotted Karys right as he was standing around and probably close to tears from abandonment issues. Before Karys could even say anything, Azar grabbed him by the front of his clothing, yanking him to the side and out of sight.

Almost a moment later, a flood of rebel slaves rushed out of the hospital as others ran in to replace them. Azar didn’t give indication of what he had done in the hospital, but he silently nudged Karys along to move towards a hiding spot. He crouched down next to the acolyte, “When does the trade take place?”

Azar stared at the guy for a moment and rolled his eyes, “You performed admirably,” He added. Though he wasn’t exactly the cheerful type, his tone was genuine. The acolyte had gone above the original ask. Now they just had a bit of time to kill until the trade took place.

@Apollyon

 

[Karys]

Azar would drop from somewhere above Karys. The Sith Pureblood landed in a crouch, superhero style. Honestly, it was kinda fucking cool, not that Karys would ever admit that. As Karys opened his mouth to speak, Azar would jerk him alongside his position. Both were hidden around the wall as a group of rebellious slaves walked out a moment later.

Karys’ eyes were wide, the stupid smile on face had vanished. Azar had literally just saved him from being blasted into pieces. When Azar spoke again, Karys had to blink a few times to focus on what his superior had asked.

<The first time I saw a droideka was on the third day.> He replied. <With the casualty rates, mounting pressure, and the movements they’ve had over the last few days…my best guess is soon.> He replied with a shrug. <Potentially, today at some point.>

Even as Karys uttered the reply, he knew it likely wouldn’t be satisfactory. There wasn’t much else he could give though, the intel he had come across was scarce at best and unreliable at worst. However, when Azar gave him a genuine compliment on his performance, Karys smirked.

<We probably should find a better hiding spot.> He told his superior. <These slaves don’t usually reclear buildings they feel are safe. Inside the hospital is likely the safest place.> He explained, before nodding his head towards the building.

Karys wouldn’t move to enter unless Azar agreed but he would pause, turn, and excitedly ask.

<By the way, what kind of magick did you use?>

@Sreeya

 

[Darth Arcanos]

He was silent after the acolyte’s suggestion. After a moment, he simply nodded and rose to walk towards the hospital. He chose a different entrance that wasn’t guarded, banking on only a few of the rebels guarding the front of the hospital. Azar only gave a faint grin at Karys’ question, “I prefer to show instead of tell,” He answered breezily as he continued walking down the corridor.

The Pureblood came to a pause before a large box with a glass front. Through the glass he could spy what looked like brightly packaged snacks and food items. Clearly the slaves didn’t bother to sweep the entire hospital as this was likely the only vending machine that remained standing. Azar stared at it for a long moment, “What is this contraption?” He mused aloud, pressing a few buttons, “How is one meant to obtain the food?” He squinted, leaning in to study the keypads. He followed where the food was, the trajectory, all the way down to the receptacle to retrieve an item.

Azar shrugged to himself and used the Force to tug forth a stream of snacks. He reached down and snatched up all the snacks in question, handing a few to the acolyte, “I assume you haven’t had a meal in a while,” It wasn’t exactly concern, more that he needed the other man alive and not passing out.

He nonchalantly stepped into the various rooms, pausing to study the medicine cabinets and other leftover hospital items. Azar pocketed a few hypodermic needles and other random items that would make little sense. There was a methodical precision to his movements, a pattern that was difficult to pin down. He neatly organized every item, collecting fine tools such as scalpels for his collection.

“Do the slaves know your face?” Azar asked after a moment, as if suddenly remembering the acolyte was still there. The other man had gotten beaten into a pulp, but he could have had a helmet. With any luck he had killed his witnesses.

@Apollyon

 

[Karys]

Karys followed Azar, the man was shorter than he was and slightly more robust. There was an appeal to how confident the Sith Champion was. Karys had purposefully avoided working around too many other Sith. He found many of them to be…painfully edgy. Instead, Karys had focused on either tracking down resources to exploit or trade for knowledge. So, outside of Lady Cyutadakyr, this one of his first experiences witnessing the power and cunning of a true Sith.

He was fascinated.

Until Azar refused to let him in on what he had done. Then his mood soured momentarily.

Eventually, the pair found themselves wandering down a hallway, deeper into the hospital. Azar had stopped to examine a vending machine. Karys cocked an eyebrow ridge at the man’s line of questioning. When Azar pressed a few buttons on the machine, testing to see what would happen, Karys would begin to fish around in his pocket for a credit chip.

It took him a few seconds but he eventually found one that he had lifted earlier in the week. He shook his head in disbelief and let out a small sigh as he walked towards the machine and Azar. Karys couldn’t help but wonder how long it had been since Azar had gotten out. He opened his mouth to explain when:

Thump.
Thump. Thump.
Thump. Thump. Thump.

Karys lifted his gaze towards the sound of several bags hitting the bottom of the machine. He blinked a few times, actually shocked by Azar. Why hadn’t he ever thought of doing that? He quickly stuffed the credit chip back into his pocket when Azar’s gaze fell back to him. He was offered a bag of chips, salt and vinegar to be exact.

In truth, he has cooked several times for himself and Alice. But that was usually reserved for when they weren’t fighting for their lives or swimming through literal shit. None of that seemed very relevant though and he hadn’t eaten yet today, so he didn’t complain. Instead, he took the bag without protest and began to idly munch.

<Yeah, that’s what I usually do too.> He lied.

He’d continue watching as Azar seemed to begin to taking and organizing different items that he gathered. Karys was beginning to think that maybe, just maybe, Azar was a little off. Then, once again, completely unspurred and almost out of nowhere, Azar addressed him again. He asked if any of the slaves had seen his face.

<None that still live.> Karys replied with relative confidence. <Why are you collecting those things?> Karys asked finally. <Will they aid you in some spell you intend to weave?>

@Sreeya

 

[Darth Arcanos]

Azar was in the middle of inspecting an IV bag when Karys answered his question. He had no reason to disregard the answer, so he assumed Karys’ face remained anonymous. His follow up question drew a familiar smirk from Azar, though this time one of fleeting amusement. The Pureblood opened a bag of chips, popping one into his mouth to contemplate the curious flavor. It was more flavor than anything back in his tribal life on Korriban combined.

“Yes, indeed,” He said with a sagely nod, “I plan on sewing the head of a colicoid to a pureblood to see how it functions,” Azar said nonchalantly, popping another chip into his mouth, “I just need a pureblood subject for my experiment. The Dark Lord demands it,” He said before his gaze flicked over to meet Karys’ to see his reaction. Azar’s face was entirely stoic.

@Apollyon

 

[Karys]

As Azar began to explain what his intentions were, Karys move over to a small couch and sit down. When his fellow Pureblood got to his explanation of attaching a Colicoids head to a Pureblood body; Karys would stop eating his chips. His crimson eyes would fall to the bag and back to Azar. He suddenly realized that he hadn’t seen if the other Pureblood actually had done anything to the chips or not.

Karys made to put the bag down on the floor, unsure if the Potionsmaster had bewitched them or not. That was, until he mentioned the Dark Lord. Then Karys, crimson skin turned a deeper shade of red. Especially when Azar’s stoic gaze fell on him.

It was a joke.

Karys would clear his throat in attempt to shake off his embarrassment. And gave a quiet, forced half chuckle.

<Yeah, good one.> He replied sheepishly.

A temporary silence would fall between them, the only sound was the occasional crunch of a potato chip.

<So, are you from Korriban?> He asked finally breaking the silence after he’d regain some of his composure.

 

[Darth Arcanos]

Karys’ temporary fear was palpable. However, when he turned to the bag of chips in terror, Azar couldn’t keep a straight face. He coughed to suppress a laugh, unable to hide the grin. Azar went back to collecting the items, “You seem strangely curious about my area of expertise,” He said, finally addressing the earlier commentary, “It is not a field most Sith are interested in. And especially not anyone from your….breeding..” He added with a quirked brow.

With the small guest couch occupied, Azar instead sat down on the edge of the hospital bed. The bedding appeared clean enough so he didn’t mind it, “I am from Korriban,” He confirmed, a faint grin gracing his lips, “I believe we are supposed to dislike each other.”

He studied the other man for a moment, recalling his injuries, “You seem like the charge in and fight type.”

@Apollyon

 

[Karys]

Karys straightened on the couch when he saw, Azar cough and then grin. His guard lowered slightly again, but his embarrassment at not getting the joke didn’t fade. When Azar spoke of his expertise and inquired about his interest, Karys cocked an eyebrow ridge in reply. Generations ago, the warrior kings of their race practiced both Sith Magick while also leading from the front of their armies. Or at least that is what the legends told of them.

He glanced down at his five fingered hand which lazily drummed on the edge of the visitor’s couch. His eyes would fall to Azar’s own three digited hand and he understood. To Azar, he was likely thin blooded. While typically this would annoy Karys, he was too weary to comment on it.

<It is the birthright of our people?> He replied quizzically. <From Ziost to Korriban the foundations of Alchemy and Magick were explored and practiced.> He stated, he knew Azar likely knew all this as well. <Why shouldn’t I be interested in that?> He asked in return.

Unlike many modern Sith, Karys didn’t believe in focusing on a single “area” of study. While fitting into a niche was better for the Order, it could fail the individual. He intended to explore whatever might be useful to him, to understand it, and utilize it. Mastery wasn’t his goal, utility was.

<Your piercings and body art tell tales do they not?> He asked, slightly unsure of the truth behind those rumors. <I am from Ziost> His dialect of the Sith language would shift here, from the baseline Sith to the one specific to his world.

At Azar’s next question, Karys paused to think for a moment. While he certainly had served that role here, it wasn’t what he specifically chose to do. His desires were to be of more use than that.

<I am what I need to be.> He replied with a shrug. <Here, I needed to be a brute.> He explained. <Tomorrow, perhaps it will be a diplomat.> He continued. <A week ago, I was meant to be an assassin.> His voice took on a tone of disinterest. <Our lives are never simple enough to be fixed, neither can our roles. We must adapt or perish.> He concluded.

With that, Karys would crumple his empty chip bag in his hand, place his booted left foot up on his right knee, and lean back into the couch. He rested his cheek on the fist holding the crumpled bag.

<Why did you choose Magick and Alchemy to focus on?> He asked. <You could have pursued other paths if you chose, I’m sure.> Karys eyes would fall down Azar's body, openly and boldly examining the Champion’s muscular frame.

@Sreeya

 

[Darth Arcanos]

“Our people?” Azar scoffed, “You are likely to dilute the blood further by mingling with ugly, lesser beings like humans,” He chuckled at that. Any Pureblood he came across had an inexplicable obsession with humans and it perplexed him. His gaze flicked down to Karys’ five digits. The acolyte couldn’t help it, he was a lesser being through no fault of his own. Just like Azar wasn’t at fault for the twisted minds of his own parents. His posture relaxed after that, “I teach it at the Umbara Academy,” He said calmly, “You may attend if you wish.”

Azar was silent as Karys explained adapting to scenarios. He agreed with it to a degree - he adapted his mind and not his manual efforts. He wouldn’t ever choose to turn into a brute if he could help it. There were plenty of others that could do that job for him. Azar considered Karys’ question briefly.

“It is part of being Kissai,” He explained, “My lineage was one of few that escaped enslavement from the Dark Jedi on Korriban. It is important for me to keep up the traditions of my family before the art is gone forever. Besides, there are plenty of brutes that can do the fighting for me."

Azar didn’t miss Karys openly staring at him, an amused smile gracing his lips.

“Are you wondering about my body art and tattoos?” He quipped. He was adorned in robes, after all, so Karys could only imagine the Korriban traits.

@Apollyon

 

[Karys]

There it was. The argument that existed since the Drast had come and butchered the Sith’s “Perfect Being”, the Mighty King Adas. The Drast had broken their people, dominated them entirely, and stole their ancient magicks. Or so the legends told. They were stories told to most Purebloods, Karys didn’t feel the need to bring it up.

Karys face didn’t shift when Azar’s insult came at him. The old purist insults didn’t phase him, they didn’t have to. He’d seen the effects of pursuing “purer” bloodlines on Ziost, the children came out little more than mewling wretches. They were barely fit for rituals much less the powerful kings of old.

Despite these “political” differences, Karys took note of Azar’s invitation. It was a class that Karys would most definitely be attending.

His mind turned back to what Azar had said about their ancestors. Naga Sadow and Ludo Kressh, the two Lords of the Sith that had nearly broken their people with infighting. A silly war that was still waged by some of their descendants. His interest in his House was the resources it provided to him. His loyalty to it was inspired by a rapidly withering fear of it’s Patriarch, his father.

Karys would continue to sit and listen in silence as Azar spoke. He spoke of the old ways, very old ways that Karys wasn’t aware were still practiced on the Homeworld. His story was interesting, a lineage of Kissai priests that still lived in the red deserts.

Fascinating.

<Earlier, you said that we are supposed to dislike one another.> Karys stated. <I don’t care about your forefather.> He explained. <I barely care about mine.> He continued quickly. <Both were fools that ignited a costly war, it still burns in some places today.> He pointed out. <So no, I don’t dislike you.> He replied finally.

At Azar’s offer to show him his body art and tattoos, a wry grin appeared on Karys lips. He lifted his head from its perch on his fist and light flashed in his eyes. <That is something I would very much enjoy.> He replied.

@Sreeya

 

[Darth Arcanos]

Azar didn’t miss the fascinated way the other acolyte stared at him when he spoke about the Kissai. His earlier jabs had no effect, and it allowed Azar to conclude that there was a case of ignorance happening here. The knowledge of their people had already slipped away with time, and it faded more each day. His gaze lingered back on Karys’ five full digits on each hand, a look of brief remorse appearing on his face before it slipped away.

“You should care,” Azar said gently, “And you would if you knew about the ways we had succeeded. The ways we had the power to shape the galaxy and the way we had an identity of our own that no one could take away from us,” He gave a bitter smile, “You do not care because you do not know.”

Azar stared off for a moment before looking back at Karys. Promiscuity was a common trait among Purebloods, even in his own very elitist circle. Amusement glinted in his eye as he stepped off the bed and walked towards the other man.

He leaned down to plant a hand on either side of Karys’ head, palms resting on the spine of the couch. Azar leaned in close, his vibrant, yellow eyes gleaming with the ferocity of an apex predator, “I thought I made it clear I prefer when others do the work,” His voice was velvet, and he had a teasing grin.

Azar paused there, drawing back to listen. He could hear voices in the distance, along with some unnatural, guttural noises, “Looks like the trade is happening soon,” He said quietly, gently opening the door to make his way towards the source of the noise. He wanted to see what happened after the exchange.

@Apollyon

 

[Karys]

Karys remained unflinching as Azar spoke. It was suddenly their shared heritage, their people, their history. How things had shifted. Karys allowed a smirk on his lips.

<Perhaps I need a better teacher then.> He replied cooly.

They were honeyed words, nothing more. Karys cared very little for what the past held. Especially if it didn’t directly benefit him. And right now, he wanted to fill their time with something more interesting.

He wanted to see Azar’s art. He wanted to taste the salt on his skin. He wanted to experience him.

Azar walked from the bed to the couch. He placed his palms behind Karys’ head, on either side of couch’s spine. Desire birthed lust and Karys’ amused and confident smirk turned into a hungry one. When Azar leaned down to tease him, Karys would meet his gaze with the same intensity.

One of Karys hands moved to rest on Azar waist. His was mere moments away from jerking the other Pureblood into an embrace when Azar jerked his head away. Something was coming but it wasn’t going to be either of them.

Desire unfulfilled.

When Azar moved away from him, Karys hissed in frustration. His clawed hand snapped close on the air where Azar hand been, nails dug into the pal of his hand. Black blood ran freely but Karys felt nothing.

The Acolyte would inhale sharply and exhale between clenched and bared fangs. After take a moment to steady himself, Karys rose from the couch and followed Azar. He supposed it was time for the show to begin.

@Sreeya