Ask Dromund Kaas School's in Session

[Varyn Atrix]

Open to Sith​

Varyn had just arrived at the Dromund Kaas academy and was starting to realize just how in over his head he was. Sure he had a Sith lightsaber and had stashed all of his old life's gear away, but that didn't make him a Sith.

Walking through the academy for the first time, he actually didn't have to try all that hard to give off negative vibes. He ahd spent his entire life resenting the Sith, seeing them as monsters after Ajan Kloss. Now he was here to get enrolled in their Order? To take the place of one of the dead from Denon?

He had reported in and been told to head and see one of the instructors to be "evaluated." Varyn could only assume that that was to make sure he really was a Force-sensitive of sufficient ability to be taken into one of the academies. It didn't seem that the Sith had very stringent recruitment standards, deciding that they could corrupt just about anyone who walked through their doors.

So Varyn crossed the academy grounds, heading in the direction of this instructor who apparently evaluated new recruits.

Okay, you can do this, you can do this, you can do this. You can do this, he told himself, really not sure he believed what he was telling himself.

 

[Aadya Rasheer]

It had been awhile since Aadya had been to Dromund Kaas. The last time she was here she was visiting Morgan, but Aadya didn't want to think about that now. She was here for more official business. The younglings she'd taken from Yavin had been assigned here and Raze had given her a duty to watch over them. She was overdue for a check in.

Walking through the halls of the academy, Aadya's thoughts weren't really all in the present. They drifted to the idea of texting Altair to see what he was up to, but she wouldn't. She wanted to, but she wouldn't. Not her style, or at least that is the excuse she was going to go with.

As she walked, Aadya noticed an acolyte walking alone, maybe looking a little lost. Raising her eyebrow, Aadya decided to be.. nice? For once, and see if he needed help. It was probably a good idea to at least attempt to learn how to be nice to fledgling Sith now that she was a Champion.

You lost? She would ask, approaching Varyn as he walked. Aadya would do her best to keep her tone friendly, despite the question kind of coming out like a threat.

It was a work in progress.

@Phoenix

 

[Varyn Atrix]

Varyn was feeling a little jumpy. He had been here for about 2 hours and his nerves were already feeling very frayed. He was definitely going to die before all of this was over. Probably tortured to death by Inquisitors... wishing he were dead. Nooooope, nope, nope, nope, we are not having that thought, he thought to himself, shoving it forcibly aside inside his mind.

Still, when someone came up to him to ask him if he was lost, he was about a half-step away from "deer in headlights." Her tone of voice didn't really help with that either, and the intensity of her gaze was practically threatening to stab him. Oh my GOODNESS SHE KNOWS, his mind screamed completely unhelpfully.

Uh... yeah, I think so, he finally said after a moment, forcing a sheepish smile. This is my first time actually at the academy. I was told to report to... uh... he pulled out his datapad and flicked quickly to the name he had punched in ...Instructor Blackstead? he said, looking back up at her a moment later.

Do you happen to know where I might find him/her? he asked.

 

[Soleil Altan]

Soleil was walking his way across campus, dressed in a fairly standard tunic set-up and repeatedly forgetting this bullshit didn't have pockets to shove his hands into. He'd been at his own evaluation just a bit prior before 'new arrival' time and now was busying himself pulling the outer tunic layer off to replace it with his hoodie. The moment he could get custom attire he was gonna.

Who doesn't put pockets in stuff? Seriously.

Midway through that semi-awkward process he came around a corner and spotted a woman who was distinctly Aadya and some guy he'd never seen before. Blinking once he changed course in their direction, forcing the rest of his overtunic out from under his utility belt and tying it around his waist. It was as this new face was talking about Blackstead that Soleil strolled right up to them both, actively shoving his arms into his hoodie sleeves and getting it in neat order on his shoulders.

He promptly shoved both hands into the pockets. Perfect. Soleil looked at Aadya, then the new guy, and jerked a thumb back in the way he'd walked from. That's where the training/assessment rooms were, in F hall. Visible on the wrist he gestured with was a simple chain and metal plate bracelet with SOL engraved on it. Instructors didn't like name tags for some reason but the bracelet was fine so long as it was brushed steel.

Sol raised his eyebrows inquisitively at this nervous-looking new arrival, wondering idly where they'd come from.

@Logan @Phoenix

 

[Darth Tempest]

Vahliri adjusted the book-filled satchel that was slung over her shoulder, keeping her honeyed eyes fixed straight ahead as she walked across campus. The half-Sephi had spent the better part of her morning buried in coursework, finally deciding to make her way towards the cafeteria while she had some downtime.

The half-Sephi was dressed casually for the day - wearing a pair of denim shorts and a black off-the-shoulder blouse. Her black hair was pulled back into a loose braid, and she wore her usual floral perfume.

After a few additional minutes of walking, Vahliri finally rounded the corner - pausing for a moment as she spotted the small group that congregated up ahead. Her honeyed gaze picked out Sol first of all before then flicking over to Varyn - not immediately recognizing the probably Acolyte. A few more moments, and the half-Sephi’s gaze eventually flicked over to Aadya just beyond - the expression on her lips immediately souring. She hadn’t seen the Firrerreo since Taris, and it was abundantly clear that the half-Sephi didn’t like the Champion now any more than she did back then.

Of course she’s here.

Vahliri only had two options - turn around and go back the way she came, or continue right along and towards them. After a moment of consideration, Vahliri huffed and walked right ahead - greeting them with a wave of her hand.

“Heya Sol,” She offered the mute Acolyte a sideways smile as she approached. Her gaze flicked up to Aadya to acknowledge the Firrerreo’s presence before flicking away. She wasn’t really in a mood to start shit at the moment, but it far from a friendly greeting either.

Vahliri finally looked to Varyn, offering him a smirk. “I don’t envy you. Blackstead is a real hardass.” She said, her sensitive hearing having picked up on the conversation while she was still down the hall.

@Phoenix @Logan @Mr. Teatime

 

[Aadya Rasheer]

Blackstead? Aadya asked, making a face like she just smelled some bad cheese. You don't wanna deal with that guy, he sucks so much ass.

Before she could continue much further with her less than stellar opinions of Blackstead, Aadya and Varyn were joined by two others. First was Sol, who Aadya greeted with a genuine smile and a wave. She'd been seeing a lot of the Wrean lately, though she figured that would change once he transferred to Dagobah. Sad.

<Good to see you, Sol.> She signed to him.

The second to join was, unfortunately, that one girl from Taris. A smirk creased Aadya's lips as she noticed how Vahl purposefully gave her a frosty greeting. Clearly she still held some feelings towards Aadya, which she found kind of hilarious. Aadya hadn't wasted a second's thought on Vahliri since Draugr had saved the acolyte from dying on the dance floor.

Nice to see you again, Mousey. Aadya said to Vahl, the smirk on her face curling into an amused smile.

Turning back to Varyn, Aadya gave him a sympathetic shrug. Do you know what they were having you report to Blackstead for? If it's just first day stuff or general instruction, I can probably fill in for him since I'm a Champion myself, after all.

Pulling out her datapad, Aadya looked at Varyn and flashed him a smile she hoped was comforting. Just give me the word and I'll shoot a message to him that I'm picking you up. If you'd rather find out how much he blows yourself though, I understand. I can walk you there.

@Phoenix @Mr. Teatime @Altaris

 

[Varyn Atrix]

Varyn had suddenly become quite popular, and he wasn't sure if that was a good or a bad thing. Two more Sith came by within a few moments, one of whom said nothing and the other of whom commented on how awful the person he was going to see was... great.

He could sense some tension in the air directed between the two women, but had absolutely no explanation as to why that was. Was he about to see one of the Sith fights he'd heard so much about? A straight up brawl in the academy courtyard?! Apparently not. Things seemed to settle into a low simmer instead.

Oh wow, that'd be great, he said as Aadya volunteered to bail him out of dealing with Blackstead. He swung his bag around and fished out a datacard that he'd been instructed to give to Blackstead. The sudden question if this was some conspiracy to stab him in the back crossed his mind, but that... really didn't make a lot of sense or seem likely.

I think just some tests to make sure I'm actually Force sensitive. I got some field training already, but no testing at the academy, he said. It would explain why he was already competent with the Force and seemed like more of a formality than anything.

I don't think I caught any of your names, he said, before settling momentarily on Sol.

Except you, Sol, I heard, right? he asked trying not to forget it until he could get it written down in his datapad. Sol like solar, he thought to himself.

I'm Varyn, for anyone who didn't hear, he said, but he was pretty sure everyone had heard.

They're not nearly as barbaric and bloodsucking as I expected, he thought to himself. In fact, in some ways they were nicer than some of the Padawans he knew.

@Logan @Altaris @Mr. Teatime

 

[Darth Tempest]

Despite her best attempts to simply block Aadya out of her peripheral vision, Vahliri’s gaze flicked back to the Champion when she addressed her directly. The half-Sephi was unable to help the way her eyes narrowed and fluted ears flattened towards her skull - feeling that familiar pulse of irritation course through her.

The half-Sephi was silent for a long moment as she stared at Aadya, her lips slowly but surely twitching upwards into a snide smirk. “I didn’t realize they let senior citizens wander around the Academy hallways.” She arched a brow, looking the Firrerreo up and down. “What, already scoping out another Academy student to be your boyfriend?”

Her eyes lingered on Aadya for a long moment before settling back on Varyn. She offered him a small smile and wave of her fingers. “Vahliri.”

@Mr. Teatime @Logan @Phoenix

 

[Soleil Altan]

Sol smiled back at Aadya with his stylized sign for <Hello> that looked more like a lazy salute than the proper version. <You too. Working?> he asked simply, still quite pleased she'd bothered learning. Vahl'd also arrived and Sol turned to look at her as she spoke, jerking his head in greeting and offering a lazy wave. His eyes glanced between the half-Sephi and Aadya, noting the lack of hello from Vahliri. That, and Aadya calling her 'mousy'. Was this about that party fight again?

His hand came up again to show Varyn the bracelet upon being addressed, confirming the name he'd heard, then shifted into an 'OK' hand sign. He offered Varyn a fistbump rather than shaking hands or something. Whether he'd figured it out yet or not, Sol didn't speak, so he was going to have to deal with silence.

In the middle of that Vahl started up a series of insults Soleil didn't understand, an eyebrow slowly raising in the half-Sephi's direction. Aside from the fact Aadya wasn't even old, did she forget teachers exist? The librarian herself had to be at least eighty. Sol didn't know what was up. Did Aadya steal the girl's crush or what? Sol looked at the Firrerreo again with bemusedly curled brows.

Since when did Aadya get a boyfriend and why did Vahliri care enough to mouth off to a full-fledged Sith on academy grounds? The fuck did he miss at that party?

@Logan @Phoenix @Altaris

 

[Aadya Rasheer]

Aadya listened to Varyn speak, remaining quiet as he got all of his thoughts out. Quiet not because she didn't care or wasn't paying attention, moreso that she didn't want to be rude an interrupt him. Unlike other people present, Aadya actually had a skosh of decorum.

I'm Aadya, she said to Varyn with a comforting half smile. Her gaze didn't linger on the newcomer for long, instead turning towards Vahliri.

You don't need to bother learning this one's name, Varyn. Aadya chuckled. Spend any amount of time here and you'll quickly learn to identify which of your acolyte peers is worth remembering. I can assure you that Vahliri Kahtal is not one of them. She is nothing, no one. And that is all she will ever be.

That same smirk that Vahliri would know very well creased Aadya's lips again, her gaze hanging on the acolyte, unblinking and predatory.

The next time you forget your place and your tiny monkey-lizard brain thinks it's come up with a witty quip you'd benefit from simply holding your tongue, Acolyte Vahliri. If not, I will remove it permanently to spare everyone around you from having to listen to whatever idiotic and pointless thing you inexplicably feel compelled to say. The words came out smooth and even, matter of fact. There was no anger or contempt or threat. It simply was, and through the force, each of the others present would know Aadya was not bluffing or grandstanding.

Turning her attention back to Varyn, Aadya's demeanor would return to the pleasant, good natured way it was before. We can start with a tour of the academy, if that interests you. She said to him with a shrug of nonchalance. Or we can find an empty training room and you can show me what you know.

You two can join us, if you wish. She said simply, her eyes looking to Sol and then to Vahliri.

Aadya would set off towards the west wing of the academy without waiting for either of their answers. Regardless of what Varyn's answer to her question was, their destination would be in that part of the academy anyway.

@Phoenix @Mr. Teatime @Altaris

 

[Varyn Atrix]

Varyn started to put two and two together when he saw Sol signing away rather than speaking, though he wasn't sure what would cause someone to be totally mute. Maybe someday he'd find out, but probably not today. He returned the fistbump after a moment and then started to shift his attention back toward the women as Sol did as well.

And then things really started to deteriorate. Clearly these two did not get along (tune in next week for more insightful observations by Varyn Atrix), and he hadn't a clue as to why. But there it was. For a moment, he saw the flash of what he had expected when he came here: a darkness laced with threats that characterized the Sith, didn't it? A quick and grim reminder that these weren't Padawans on Yavin. They were the same people who massacred Padawans at Ajan Kloss.

Now the real question: should he... comment on this tension? Should he pretend it didn't exist? Should he try to pick a side? Or remain neutral? The Champion seemed like a better option and the Acolyte had kind of... started it even if the Champion was a little more intense.

Or were they secretly friends and this was just how Sith friends acted? The real questions. Somehow he didn't feel like the comment on who not to associate with was really something he was supposed to comment on.

Uh... a look around the academy would be nice, he said and also why are you being so nice to me, he wanted to add. With how quickly she turned from acid to charm this was definitely a trap, right? Wait, when she smiled she had fangs, didn't she? Oh no, she was an energy vampire and was going to try to eat him, wasn't she? No, it'd be a fine. He was a Knight now. He was trained for this. Yepo.

@Mr. Teatime @Logan @Altaris

 

[Darth Tempest]

Vahliri allowed her eyes to linger on Varyn for a moment or two more, offering the would-be Acolyte a warm, sideways smile and nod of her head. Unlike her demeanor with Aadya, the half-Sephi was nothing but friendly and polite towards him. Of course, it didn’t linger as the half-Sephi’s attention was rapidly drawn back towards the Aadya when the Champion felt the need to open her mouth once again.

The half-Sephi fixed her honeyed gaze onto the Firrerreo unwaveringly, listening with clear and utter disinterest as the Champion didn’t bother to address her words and instead attempted to demean and devalue her. Perhaps those words might’ve worked when Altair was involved - in a situation where feelings were involved and she was far more vulnerable - but this was something else entirely, and they didn’t so much as penetrate the surface.

Because who was some recently-ordained Champion with a superiority complex to determine her worth? She was no one. Nothing.

She couldn’t help the small scoff that was exhaled through her nostrils as Aadya continued, shifting gears from demeaning to threatening. It was no different from the threats the Firrerreo had thrown her way back on Taris and never followed through on. No different from the last of follow-through this time. The half-Sephi didn’t flinch then, and certainly wasn’t going to flinch now. Rather, her chin tilted up ever-so-slightly as Aadya spoke in order to sneer down at the Firrerreo’s predatory gaze.

Vahliri allowed her gaze to linger on Aadya for a few seconds more. That sneer on her lips slowly but surely began to tug upwards, a bit of amusement dancing in her dark eyes. “Strike a nerve?” She said with mock sympathy, arching her brow ever-so-slightly. The tirade her words elicited was proof enough of that.

The half-Sephi promptly turned her attention back to Varyn as the would-be Acolyte gave his answer and began to follow Aadya in that direction. She gave a small shrug, glanced to Sol and proceeded to follow along - deciding she didn’t have much else to do anyway.

@Mr. Teatime @Logan @Phoenix

 

[Soleil Altan]

Soleil would've been perfectly content to go along with the tour/testing since he didn't have any more classes today and would've just gone back to reading, maybe go for a run or something if it started raining. But apparently, it was tea time on Drommund Kaas. The silent acolyte's eyes slowly went from Aadya to Vahliri as the Firrerreo delivered her very clear warning to shut her mouth, both eyebrows slowly rising toward his hairline.

It wasn't a great sign when Aadya got with that particular look. Personal experience from when he was younger told Sol she wasn't one of those idle threat types, and he was pretty sure he remembered Aadya trying to set Vahliri on fire on Taris. The half-Sephi's sneer widening resulted in Sol taking a step away from the potential blast radius, moving his hand repeatedly across his neck to try and convince Vahl to shut the fuck up before she joined the Window Flyer Club with Draugr.

Soleil eyed them both warily, corners of his lips slightly downward curled and stance somewhat stiffening. Whatever else was going on aside, which clearly wasn't really his business anyway, he also highly respected and looked up to Aadya, appreciating the things she'd done for him. He'd learned from her straightforward attitude and had a home to visit when he wasn't in the dorms, worked hard in classes partly to repay her investment in him.

Other than his silent warning Sol made no further comment, merely rolling his eyes heavenward as if asking the gods for patience.

@Logan @Altaris @Phoenix