Ask Rose on the Grave

[Darth Caelestis]

"Thank you Mi'Empress your gratitude is most welcome. As much as I would like further assistance, the security of the planet comes first." It had been the joint decision to keep the planet secret meant that all who resided upon had to be kept here at all costs, only those of the utmost loyalty to himself, Stolas or Andruil were allowed free reign to come and go as they pleased and even they were tracked as much as possible by the agents of Avillion.

He let out a small chuckle at the face the Empress of the Sith Empire made at him, gone was the magnitude of the office and there was only a young women standing there before him. The laugh stuck a permanent smile on his face as he looked down at Renfry. "Oh I would say nine months, give or take. Though I am sure you will like it."

It was something he had planned since they had first discussed the opening of the great shipyards upon Exegol, all those months ago back on Korriban just the three of them, long before Andruil had risen to Empress and before Artorigas was even a Sith Lord. It just took time for him to create such a masterpiece for the women.

@Phoenix

 

[Renfry]

Renfry was almost pouting about having to wait, but when he mentioned "nine months" in her mind caused her to freeze up slightly. Perhaps it was that she had had children on the brain for the last several months since becoming Empress or maybe he'd really been referring to that, but either way she balked slightly at the statement before realizing that was almost certainly not what he meant.

She coughed slightly, rubbing her cheek for a moment before pushing her mind beyond that, not saying that out loud. He had always been far too proper to be that forward about things even if he did seem to have a fancy for her.

Well, I'll look forward to it, then, she said. Nine more months! That's preposterous! she thought to herself, but decided that it must be quite impressive if it took so long to build.

Anything else I should be seeing while I'm here? I don't make my way out here all that often, after all, she said.

@Braden Drake

 

[Darth Caelestis]

Artorigas could not help but let out a slight chuckle at her facial expression when he mentioned the nine months, a number he had chosen on purpose to incite a reaction from the Dathmorian women. That timeline was not far from the truth but him saying eight to ten did not sound as funny as a direct Nine. He could rush the project forward if they need ever arose in the future, but for now other things needed more concentrated attention. Turning back to face the large empty amphitheatre he waved his hands from to side to side as if offering the whole thing to the seated Empress.

"It all depends on what you wish to look at Mi'Empress, there is still much of The Citadel to explore, the underground factories, the enchanted forests to the North and South Poles. And there is always Palpatine's Vault?" He replied turning back to look at her with a smile creeping up the right side of his face, Artorigas knew something like that would probably catch both the attention and imagination of the Sith Empress. Her innate desire to delve into the Dark Side a stark contrast to his own should not be able to resit such a temptation.

@Phoenix

 

[Renfry]

Renfry was certainly captivated by his mention of Palpatine's vault. Surely it had been ransacked by the FWA and the Jedi, right? She didn't dare hope that there was still anything in there of value, but she just couldn't stop herself from asking.

Her face lit up slightly. Is there anything still there? she asked excitedly. We should definitely go there, she said, starting to walk toward the exit, making it outside, and then realizing she had exactly no idea where she was actually going.

@Braden Drake

 

[Darth Caelestis]

He knew he had the women caught with the mention of the Vault, the fact she began making her way to the unknown destination before he had even given her a location only confirmed that further. Catching her just before she left the amphitheatre he pointed towards and exit behind the throne. "Its this way Mi'Empress." He waited for her to catch up before continuing the walk to the rear of the giant room and into the corridors beyond.

"It was surprising sealed when myself and my apprentice found it a few months ago. From the looks of both The Citadel and Exegol proper, the Jedi and Republic done little with the planet before wiping its location from the memory of the Galaxy." Once again the extremely tall corridors of The Citadel enclosed around them as Artorigas lead the pair through the labyrinth.

They reached it in good time, the endless hordes of mutated and corrupted cultists which had slowed his first approach long since deposited at incinerators. The vault door appeared as just a large piece of stone at the end the head of a T-junction, runes in Ur-Kittat were carved into the surface in intricate gold lettering reading, 'In the arms of my birth, I unlock'. Reaching up Artorigas pulled The Force into himself before he gripped the tumblers deep inside the stone casing, spelling out the word Naboo. Then with an audible click, the wall began to drop back and away from the pair allowing them free access inside.

Stepping inside he consciously looked up at the once great hole in the ceiling. "Although sealed from the outside, a TIE's wing pierced the roof there." He pointed up at the section of rock which had been replaced with black Durasteel. "So much of the contents not covered by debris were taken by the cultists to worship, though we have located a few. Please take a look around."

Spread across the large room was two dozen pedestals, all now repaired or replaced, though less than half had something on them. Closest to the pair was an Amulet, further along a pair of serrated blades, a lightsabre, suits of armour, rings, a broken holocron, scrolls and a book.

@Phoenix

 

[Renfry]

She followed eagerly as they headed in the direction of the vault, wondering if someone someday would come along and loot her own vault like this. Probably because that was how things seemed to go, but that would be long from now.

She watched as he worked at the door, putting in the combination to the riddle as the vault's door clanged and then began to open.

She started to look around, taking in the sight of the masks, weapons, armors, and various jewelry that littered the room. There were many things here that contained a great combination of history and value. She just barely managed to keep her little fingers off of everything, but read a variety of titles under each.

Quite the collection. Oh, but I'm sure it doesn't interest you at all, she said, poking fun of the fact that he didn't seem to be interested in these sorts of things at all. A shame.

She stopped at a mask that seemed to be made of phrik. Under the display it read “The Mask of Supreme Leader Darth Venator.” She recalled hearing of him before in the records of the Sith and if she remembered, he ended up leaving the Sith for the Jedi. Odd that things of his would still be collected, but then, she doubted Sidious had been the narrow-minded type.

@Braden Drake

 

[Darth Caelestis]

He smirked at her sly comment about the artefacts. "Although I may not delve into there deep history or perhaps understand there true meaning. I can always tell if something is of value and items like these are." He replied as he walked through the middle of the room passing pedestals holding the Amulet of Andeddu and the Signet Ring of Tenebrous. "Though they may not have value to me initially, perhaps to someone else they do. They then become valuable to me, an economy of sorts."

Artorigas spotted the Empress hovering before a singular pillar, something seemingly catching her eye. It took him a few long strides to move far enough around the women's shoulder to see what she was staring at. A dark silver mask battle damaged and worn. Although he knew little of its master, the title gave it some heft and weight to its appearance and the fact it had been stored here within the confines of Sidious' own vault meant that it had to have some value.

Stepping up next to her, he reached around and lightly picked up the mask from its resting place and offered the mask to the women. "Please take it, as a gift."

@Phoenix

 

[Renfry]

Renfry looked over to the mask and then to Artorigas again. Her mouth dropped open ever so slightly as he grabbed it and offered it to her.

Well... thank you. That is very generous, she said, reaching out and taking the mask in her hands. She ran her fingers along it, the metal of the helmet was cold under her touch and it seemed to pulse with a darkness. War and death clung to it, and though she was no practitioner of psychometry, this items still gave off visions all its own.

She saw a floating city plummet to the ground below, slaying millions. She saw worlds - both agricultural and urban - burning under bombs, the ashes stomped by the boots of innumerable soldiers. Then she saw a battle. Two combatants in a small room. A short and ferocious duel of fire and sabers followed by... the cry of a baby? The flash of a white lock of hair entered her mind and she felt an overwhelming flood of pride and joy. The need to protect that child and the white haired woman at all cost, and a willingness to burn the galaxy down to see it done.

Her mind flashed back to the present once again and she took a gasp of air.

Wow... she said. Not a very profound statement, but it was the one that came out as she processed what she had just seen. She wondered if there was more to learn from it, but she already knew that it was... unique.

@Braden Drake

 

[Darth Caelestis]

What appeared as a lifetime for Andruil was only a moment for Artorigas. He stood and watched as the women experienced whatever the mask showed her. Perhaps it was her deeper connection to The Force or the Dark Side that allowed her to see what he could not. Or maybe it was just that she had some kind of deep understanding, a personal connection long lost within her DNA towards this mask. Who knows when items are this old, they could have thousands of decedent's, men and women from different sides of the galaxy all connected back to one person.

"It is only fitting your generosity has been ample in return. I only wish to repay the favour Mi'Empress." He said calmly as he moved back towards the entrance of the room, allowing her any time that she needed with the object. Once she was done he would continue. "Is there anything else I can do for you today?"

@Phoenix

 

[Renfry]

She continued to look down at the mask for several more moments before looking back up at Art. She was quite happy with it as a gift and had decided this was quite the worthwhile trip across the board.

No, thank you Artorigas. This is a lovely gift, she said with a genuine smile. I can see myself out, she assured him, as she had seen herself in as well, it was only fair.

While it may not be a perfect paradise, it is quite impressive, she said. Taking the mask gently in hand, she turned and headed back to her ship. Now it was just a matter of making out back out of the Unknown Region.

//Thread @Braden Drake