Ask Sacrifice and Rebirth

[Trodai Narat-iv-Adas]

Trodai was sat as usual upon Korriban, within the city of Ur looking over several old tomes and texts. Anything that might lead to his physical restoration, especially since Darth Arcanos didn't have the time or current disposition to help him. He could understand, the man was going through alot especially after the attempt upon his life and the death of his husband, Karys by his own hand. It left a deep mark. And so ever since he had been restored to Regent of Ur he had taken diving back into his research in the meantime when not assisting won't other campaigns of undertaking his own endeavours, even as he maintained law and order.

It was when he was about to give up that he came upon something that peaked his interest. Something seemingly innocuous at first that it almost slipped by. Pushing the other research aside he took a closer look at the manuscript. Etched with ancient sigils and meanings, Trodai deciphered it and as he did a smile formed. At last he found an answer to his problem after so long. An ancient arcane ritual that could restore him, a rejuvenation ritual but it required a price as was expected. Sacrifices were needed and a nexus of great dark power.

Searching he found one up in Byss, he just needed the sacrifices and the means to acquire them. It didn't matter where they were from so much, only that they would be put to use, for in the draining of them would he be given life. He knew just the person to collect them. Trodai made his way to Umbara with a bit of excitement and spring in his step, where searched for his apprentice soon being shown the right way. When one of her classes ended he waited patiently in another room, sending a summons he would discuss more there.

"Greetings apprentice. I need you to meet me immediately, there is something I wish us to discuss in private, something which could benefit us both."

@René

 

[Kyssiara Serket]

Kyssiara exited one of the Umbaran Academy's many classrooms, hands still tingling from a long hour of practicing hand signs. She certainly still had a lot to learn about the technique, but her skill was coming along nicely. The girl took a moment to lean against the wall, resting as she checked her EZPhone; she quickly noticed that her master had sent a message requesting a meeting. Hopefully he didn't have another training session in mind.

The Pureblood girl was already tired after a full day of classes, but she followed the instructions Trodai had sent and traveled down a few different hallways before entering a supposedly empty classroom. Kyssiara saw the older Pureblood standing there in all his grisly, decrepit glory as she dropped her books down and took a seat on top of a desk. "So master," she began, watching his face closely, "what's this hush-hush mission you've got cookin' up? It ain't you're usual style."

@Akheron

 

[Trodai Narat-iv-Adas]

Trodai waited patiently, with a bit more optimism now he finally was a step closer to being somewhat like his previous self. At least physically and yet everything else had begun to also take shape. He wondered had he finally passed some of the tests the Dark Side demanded of him. He didn't have time to consider it more as he felt Kyssiria approaching before seeing his somewhat stubborn apprentice.

He actually smiled a little as he thought upon the fact she was not actually that bad all considered. Although she still had a long way to go, she was getting there. He dared to imagine she was growing on him a little the more time they spent together.

He spoke calmly, not as the usual broody demeanour she had often seen. Something was very different about him, indeed he was different. For now he was Regent of Ur once more and had seen multiple successes in the name of Darth Arcanos and for the Sith.

No doubt she had heard of some of it. And the powerful, influential Sith he was becoming. Of his comeback from oblivion. He even felt stronger in the Force, as if he and the Dark Side were at last symbiotic.

"Yes I know my apprentice. Kyssiria." He said , probably surprising her at choosing to use her name as opposed to just her position. "I think you will find soon there will be alot of changes about me. I'm certain you have heard of some of them already. But there is a reason for my secrecy." He chuckled a little.

Then he got a little more serious as he explained why he was here and what he wanted from her.

"As you know I didn't come just to chat. I once told you when I first took you as my apprentice, this condition you see....this husk was not of my making or natural. And you know that since been searching for a way to remedy my condition, but thus far I met with no success."

He recalled the troubling times, the many attempts and failures since.

"That was until this week. I have come upon a ancient ritual, one which if my research is correct may actually do what all other avenues have failed to do. Restore my physical form to what it once was, and more if what I read is correct. It may also grant another the same ability of taking life to restore your own vitality. At least in theory. But to do this it requires as always a price. A sacrifice, a draining of life to restore the vitality of another or two and a nexus of great Dark power to act as a conduit. Your not the sacrifice don't worry my apprentice." he joked.

"No. I need you to assist me with the preparation of this ritual." he said.

He allowed her to consume the information and the potential revelations of such a ritual. "With your abilities as a Sorcerer, I think you will be of great benefit to aiding the success. But first I want you to find me 10 individuals. Doesn't matter who, and bring them to Byss. My research shows the planet has a nexus strong enough to do what we want. We will use them to restore me and if the theory is right grant you a boon that would be of benefit to you. Perhaps we can find some suitable candidates together. We begin as soon as you are able, I can wait if you want to grab a few things."

With that he waited, curious as to what she might say and think. Especially with how he was being, although it was true. He had changed and was evolving constantly. Finally finding his stride. She would find many things changing about him.

@René

 

[Kyssiara Serket]

Kyssiara honestly considered blasting a fireball at her master just to make sure it was actually him. Using her name, the lighter tone in his voice, not calling her simply an acolyte but a sorcerer? She could get used to this. The girl knew Trodai's old master was a sorcerer from looking through old records, he was obviously close with the king of Korriban himself, hell even the new professor Iymril's office was just a few hallways away; and yet Trodai had come to Kyssiara to help with his ritual, one that might even leave him exposed and vulnerable while energy was siphoned into his body.

He trusted her. More than than, he clearly saw her as capable; things were looking up for the acolyte. And then there was the possibility of learning to drain the life force of other living beings, an ability she'd only read about and few Sith ever even attempted, let alone mastered. Whatever this ultimately meant for her master, to Kyssiara it was an opportunity beyond any other she'd been given so far.

"Seducin' a few people into a secluded place is a small price ta pay, but wearing this ain't gonna cut it." Kyssiara replied, gesturing to her rather basic black acolyte robes. "It certainly ain't the optimal setup for performin' ancient rituals. I'll meet ya in the hangar, I'll just be a few minutes to get some supplies together." the Pureblood stood up, grabbing her books and beginning to walk towards the door. "Oh, and nobody'll hear a breath of this from me, master." she added, turning her head to address Trodai before she opened the door. "It wouldn't do either of us any good to have one of your rivals interrupting anything." With that the girl hurried out of the classroom, heading towards her room to prepare.

Not too long later Kyssiara would arrive in the hangar bay wearing her basic Sith armor, a heavy bag full of books, extra clothes, and a variety of vials and sampling tools should their use be needed. "Ready when you are, master." she'd tell the older Pureblood as she approached his ship.

@Akheron

 

[Trodai Narat-iv-Adas]

Trodai could see how his comments affected his apprentice. Her sudden shock and curiosity, indeed he could even feel it. Although that was to be expected given his approach, which was for a purpose. It seemed she reacted and acted better to other stimulus, he would need to remember this. To play on her pride and her ego as a upcoming sorcerer. It didn't mean he trusted her yet fully but this was perhaps a step in the right direction. To improving their unique relationship as Master and Apprentice.

He would see how far she would go to achieve her ambitions. And more.

He decided to use this as a kind of test, to let her think up a plan using her own resourcefulness and intellect and show him what she could really do. And so he spoke, chuckling a little at the comment "No it isn't is it. Although it could be worse. It's nothing like I did to a particular Acolyte once. A Mandalorian. Had her dress up as a maid to infiltrate a mansion." he chuckled, recalling the mission. "I'll have to tell you about it sometime, it's really quite funny as you can imagine."

He nodded approving as she said she would tell no-one. Pleased at her decision, another test. One she passed. Discretion and secrecy were useful and she would need to learn when to be either or not at all. Trodai had a larger ship but for this he had opted to use the smaller starfighter. His ever faithful The Ahriman. A Preybird-class heavy starfighter painted a black to help for any stealth purposes yet with a deadly edge. It was a beautiful if slightly older ship or so Trodai thought that served him well and had done for years.

As he thought a upon another thought occured. His apprentice did not get have a ship or her own, something he would remedy after this excursion. Afterall he couldn't expect her to rely upon him or others all the time. She would need her own transportation.

As she arrived he approved of what she had decided to bring. It was better to be prepared just in case, just as he was. He spoke briefly before entering the pilot seat and beginning the checks.

"Excellent. When we get back I will see about getting your own ship. It would be more beneficial to us both. I shall leave the planning up to you, show me that intellect I know you are capable of. We will have to make a stop though to acquire a bigger transport for them but beyond that, the choices are yours up until the ritual itself. Where do you think we should gather these individuals and who they are your decision to make." he said awaiting her first decision and seeing what she might suggest.

@René

 

[Kyssiara Serket]

Kyssiara followed Trodai into his ship, settling into the co-pilot's seat as he ran through his pre-flight checks. It was much more spacious than she would've expected of a starfighter; but likely not enough for another passenger, let alone ten. Her master seemed to be aware of this as well, but what surprised the younger Pureblood was his suggestion that he get her a ship as well. Kyssiara knew she was no ace pilot, far from it, but it would certainly make transportation far easier if nothing else. She could save the research of an optimal ship for later.

For now, there was the matter of where and how to acquire ten different people for her master's ritual. "Slaves would be the easiest means of collectin' several subjects, though that seems like a waste of money and good obedience trainin' that could be better served for other uses." Kyssiara offered, talking through her thought process while she filtered through a list of heavily populated planets in her mind.

"We don't wanna be attractin' any kind of attention either." she continued. "We'll want to find our candidates someplace where the law is more of a suggestion than a rule, picking' people from a variety of locations and preyin' on those nobody will miss."

There was one place that immediately came to Kyssiara's mind, a relatively lawless planet where hundreds of people went missing every day and nobody batted an eye. "I think Nar Shaddaa would be as good a place as any to start." the acolyte offered. "Plenty a' drunk people lookin' to follow a pretty face home no questions asked, and nobody ta be lookin' for 'em after."

@Akheron

 

[Trodai Narat-iv-Adas]

Trodai listened as Kyssiria laid out her idea, and he was impressed. He found her decision making so far the correct choice and so she passed that particular test. Even if she did not yet know it. As to if she would passed any other time would tell on this trip as the ship slowly took off. They would head to an old safehouse, where they would find a suitable shuttle to transport the prisoners.

"Makes sense, especially as slave operators tend to be highly suspicious of newcomers. They could start asking too many questions, so far so good. Go on" he said as he listened, and gaining a insight into her thought process. He approved again when she suggested somewhere less likely to attract attention at so many disappearing and were less inclined to start investigating disappearances. A place nobody would ask such questions and miss anyone who vanished. Permanently.

"Excellent so far Kyssiria, I approve. And Shades is about as perfect as we can get under the circumstances. So your not just a pretty face and a smart mouth afterall, you actually do have a brain in there." he joked, chuckling a little at it and hoping she was also amused at the sarcastic joke comment.

"We shall need a cover story and a good way too convince them to come with us. What would you suggest?" he asked again testing her. He knew there were many options, some less messy and more subtle than others. And perhaps even some requiring no violence at all. The choice was hers.

@René

 

[Kyssiara Serket]

Kyssiara laughed along with her master's joke, the difference between his joking voice, lecture voice, and angry voice all pretty clear to the younger Pureblood. She supposed that was a hidden silver lining to the man's verbose nature, providing the opportunity to learn his mannerisms and vocal tones very quickly. "The brain's always there master, all the rest is just a disguise to distract from that." she replied.

"As for strategy," she continued, "I think it'd be more efficient ta work independently, ya know? Split our time in half, and two different people lurin' others away is less suspicious then 10 folks all followin' the same pair." Sure they were going to Nar Shaddaa, but there was no reason to be taking any risks. Gods forbid they accidentally abducted some rich sleeze with powerful friends who started connecting the dots. "For cover stories, I'm sure you'd make a pretty convincin' banker a' some kind. Just say a lotta big money words to someone who's drunk enough and they'll surely buy inta your 'investment opportunity'."

Kyssiara hadn't actually seen her master in too many social situations, so she wasn't sure if he was charismatic enough to pull off her idea. He could certainly talk someone's ear off though, and that might just be enough. The idea she had for her own role was a bit more unsavory, but it had worked before. "Fortunately for us, there's plenty of underworld scum who won't think twice about following a defenseless pretty young girl home. I got the bite to make sure they regret their decisions though, and it'll make drainin' their life for your ritual all the more satisfyin'."

@Akheron

 

[Trodai Narat-iv-Adas]

Trodai nodded as Kyssiria spoke, he would have to try and remember that. He replied in kind "So I have begun to notice. You could be a great Sith if you just used it a little more than that tongue of yours. We are quite different I know, but we are the same in that sometimes you do choose the worse moments to say something silly that will get you into trouble." he remarked. "But not today. Today I think I finally am beginning to see what you truly capable of. Keep it up."

He listened as she asserted and outlined her strategy, again impressing him with her knowledge of the underworld. so it appeared she was smarter than she looked. He nodded "Yes it would be a bit obvious wouldn't it." he chuckled a little before he got serious again "That will work just fine. As shadow CEO of the Gorse Mining Corporation Ltd. I can use such credentials to trick a few of them into thinking it is a work offer. Or a opportunity to invest into a new product line I am working on."

At the mention of herself his face grimaced slightly. It was true, there were plenty of low lives who preyed on young woman and girls. Or even men for that matter. The lowest of the low, bottom feeders weaker than the weak he thought. People he would gladly apply to the ritual and make them suffer.

"I may not agree with it, but You are right. This would be...The more beneficial to our cause. Yes I approve of it. Perhaps I can increase the odds in your favour should they get...too handsy." he said " I'm sure you recall me choking you, I will show you how to do it. To suffocate and make them suffer, to bring either unconsciousness or death if you choose it to your prey and make them live to regret the decision."

And with that he explained the principles and application of grasping the throat with the Dark Side. Of a Force Grip that could either bring unconsciousness or if enough was applied outright kill. After the explanation he spoke "That should help. Do you understand it correctly?"

Once certain she had, he took off and soon they were headed to Nar Shadda. There he headed to the safe-house where he landed the ship and transferred to the shuttle. Allowing Kyssiria to join him before taking off and landing a bit closer to the urban areas.

There he changed into suitable clothing, to look the part in the office.

He soon appeared in a luxury business suit, looking smart and professional. He may have been in a husky condition but he still had some style and good taste. He waited for Kyssiria to change if she so wished to look her part in the office, with various clothes to choose from. He wasn't the type to just snoop, so he waited patiently. Once he was sure she was ready, he begun walking towards the central area of Nar Shadda. Where he dispersed business cards and started speaking in a professional manner. With a killer smile, hiding a facade.

Little did they know the fate that would await them.

@René

 

[Kyssiara Serket]

Kyssiara smiled to herself as Trodai complimented her, satisfied that her master was finally beginning to realize where her talents lay. She possessed none of his inherent Massassi strength, nor his skill with a blade. Her strength lay in the sorcery she'd inherited from her mother, in her careful foresight, in her ability to subtly manipulate rather than physically overpower. Those were the skills her master needed in this endeavor, and the acolyte was elated for the opportunity to prove her worth.

Her master's instructions around defending herself came as little more than a refresher to Kyssiara; after all, choking was really just an aggressive use of basic telekinesis at it's core. Although her natural response was that of veiled irritation at the implication that she needed to be taught something so simple, a deeper part of the girl's mind recognized a subtle discomfort in Trodai's tone at the idea of luring away underworld scum with the promise of her body. Did he... care? About her?

Her mother had rarely even looked at Kyssiara, let along express any kind of concern for her wellbeing. The woman had preferred to remind the young Pureblood that she was a disappointment, a failure, a mistake. The girl felt an odd feeling stir in her gut, her vision briefly blurring before she blinked and rubbed at her eye. Kyssiara's hand came away slightly wet, the gears of her mind turning as she tried to process the sensation that faded as quickly as it appeared.

"Do you understand it correctly?"

The acolyte blinked, shaking her head as she snapped out of her dazed state. "I got it master, nothin' I ain't done before!" she replied as confidently as the tiny waver in her voice would allow. Kyssiara stayed silent for most of the rest of the trip to Nar Shaddaa, lost to her own thoughts while she practiced a variety of hand signs from a certain Sephi champion's new class on the subject. Once they arrived and Trodai gave her the space to change, the acolyte removed a casual outfit from her bag that would allow her to blend in with the crowd while sitll showing off what other people wanted to see.

"I'll lead 'em all back here and put 'em in the cargo hold with some stuff cuffs so they don't go causin' us trouble if they're light sleepers." Kyssiara informed her master before setting out into the night; while he passed around business cards, she swiftly made her way to the nearest shady bar she could find with the dumbest smile plastered on her face and swaying hips.

@Akheron

 

[Trodai Narat-iv-Adas]

As Kyssiria went through the emotions, Trodai could feel it. A small smile across his lip, knowing she might not understand but in his own way he did hold concern for her. And cared for her. She was his apprentice, and he would not allow harm upon her...unless she deserved it or it was her own doing. None but he would ever lay a hand upon her, she was his. Part of his powerbase and he would protect her zealously.

She was proving a valuable asset.

Trodai approved as she came.out dressed for her part. It wasn't too bad considering, he had seen worse from another acolyte before. One he had to tell to zip up if he recalled for showing too much. He nodded with approval as he spoke "I approve of this approach. We don't need any waking up and running for authorities. It would be...awkward and potentially messy. Drawing attention we don't need."

While she went towards the shady bars and clubs, he headed towards the homeless, those begging for work and the desperate. The weak that were easily fooled, wouldn't be missed and would for most part accept any offer without questioning too much. He spun the tale of needing extra workers even as he also handed business cards to others and soon persuaded 5 to come with him. Acquiring them separately and quickly putting them to sleep with a careful application of the Force before placing stun cuffs on they're arms and feet, and even stuffing can rag in the mouth, taping it to prevent any who felt the need to scream out for help. He even made some threats if they decided to get any bright ideas about escaping, making them aware of just what he was. Earning silence and compliance for fear of greater reprisals.

Now it was up to Kyssiria to do her part.

@René

 

[Kyssiara Serket]

While her master swindled the desperate, it was Kyssiara's job to manipulate the drunk lowlifes hiding out in Nar Shaddaa's worst bars. She'd been expecting it to be relatively easy, but it was disgustingly surprising how an older human man came to proposition the acolyte within a minute of entering her first stop. The man reeked of alcohol and a mixture of other things the Pureblood didn't even want to imagine, and she resisted the urge to vomit as he approached her with a toothy grin and a wild gaze that seemed to wander over all parts of her body except her face.

Kyssiara fended off grabbing hands as the man followed her back to Trodai's ship a little too eagerly, where the girl's foot promptly hit the creep where it would hurt most and a forceful telekinetic grasp around his throat pushed the man into unconsciousness. The rest came just as easily, though thankfully with less grabbing and drooling. The Pureblood almost felt bad for her last target, a particularly attractive Tholothian girl around her same age; but Kyssiara was a Sith, and this ritual was her opportunity to demonstrate her power, her loyalty, and her unquestionable usefulness to her master. Perhaps in another lifetime she might've enjoyed a fun night out with the girl and her bright smile, but Kyssiara didn't blink as that smile turned to a horrified gasp and she tossed the Tholothian in with the rest of her victims.

With the easy part done, Kyssiara took the opportunity to change back into black Sith robes with a small assortment of her mother's arm bracelets and a necklace to indicate her role as a sorceress. Once Trodai was similarly back on the ship and ready to go, she asked, "So now that we've got your sacrifices, what's this ritual gonna entail? I'd like to study what you found before we get to Byss, otherwise we might leave ya in a worse state than right now."

@Akheron