Ask Skye’s the limit

[Karys]

Karys’ father had reached out to him to deal with a family issue. Their house had ordered several shipments of valuable gems from a small mining cooperative known as “Skye-ward Mining Cooperative”. The shipments had come in short of what was ordered and piracy was to blame. The first time this occurred, it was accepted as unavoidable, the second time it was treated suspiciously, the third time it was treated as an insult.

As such, Karys’ father had ordered him to investigate what happened to the shipment, recover the missing gems, and punish those responsible. In addition, there was an additional instruction from his father and it was true to the man’s paranoid and xenophobic nature. Only other Pureblood’s could aid him in this endeavor. That last order made this endeavor infinitely more difficult. Thankfully, word was buzzing around the Umbaran academy of the return of one of his kind.

Cyutadakyr.

He was unfamiliar with the specifics of what had occurred or where she had been. But he had reached out to her with a written letter and sealed it with his family’s crest, an offshoot of House Sadow. In the letter, he had requested her presence for a dinner, hosted by him and her aid in a delicate matter. The address left was an upscale restaurant in the Umbaran capital.

He expected this dinner, combined with the other endeavor his father had financed, would cap out his line of credit until it was repayed with interest. But Karys hoped the investment would prove fruitful. Having another Pureblood he could turn to felt oddly comforting to the young adult, especially given how alien Umbara was.

Karys had arrived at the table he had reserved for them early to ensure it was prepared perfectly. He had come wearing a thin white tunic, a pair of thin black dress pants, and leather dress shoes. Despite all of this, Karys still felt overheated this world was nothing like Ziost, to him it wasn't temperate it was a furnace. He found himself constantly dabbing his brow ridge with a napkin while overseeing the preparations. Once satisfied with the table, Karys would seat himself and order both himself and Cyutadakyr a glass of water, his with extra ice.

@Xorism

 

[Nevizkas]

Cyutadakyr hadn't yet determined what kind of trap was being set for her here on Umbara. Certainly she knew of the house and to some extent its history, as much as an outsider could, but still. Was this an elaborate ploy set by Tempest to test her once more, or something far more simple yet somehow worse?

The pureblood stood outside the restaurant, staring into its reflection upon the glass, hoping for his sake that it wasn't anything like that. If this unknown face so much as mentioned anything that suggested marriage or some form of coupling, he was sooner to find a utensil lodged somewhere it didn't belong.

Of course, that didn't mean she wouldn't dress up for the dinner, entering with matching heels and token bag. As one might imagine, it was quite easy to locate her new acquaintance. If not for his vibrant colours, nor his intensive discomfort, then perhaps for his bad manners.

The lady he waited on in turn arrived not too long after he did, but instead of taking her seat, she stood behind the chair clearly ment for her.

In silence.

@Apollyon

 

[Karys]

Karys had been busting himself ensuring the table lived up to his father’s exact standards. He knew that in this moment he wasn’t simply an Acolyte dining with a superior, he was a representation of his House. It was his duty to ensure his guest was tended to and afforded every luxury. Such was the hospitality of House Sadow to those it sought or deemed as friend.

So lost was he that he initially failed to notice Cyutadakyr’s arrival. He had just finished giving a harsh order to a member of the waiting staff and was in the midst of cursing them, in Sith, beneath his breath; when he noticed her. His crimson eyes had looked to inspect her side of the dining table when he noticed the red beauty who was standing behind her chair in complete silence.

Her presence took Karys by surprise, shock blinked across his face for the briefest of moments. He struggled to grasp ahold of his instincts as a fight or flight response tried to kick in. It took him a moment, but after a few heartbeats, Karys’ eyes softened slightly and his twisted expression settled back to a neutral one.

“Apologies, my lady.” Karys stated, his thickly Ziosti accented voice rumbled out. “Where are my manners? My father would have me flayed.” He continued, a small smile graced normally cold features.

Karys would move to pull Cyutadakyr’s chair out for her and allow her to sit. His hand would extend to take her hand bag, allow her to sit comfortably, before he hung it in the back of her chair. Once he was sure she was comfortably seated, Karys would gently push her chair to the table. That is, if she would allow him.

“If you had been a ziosti scorpion, I believe you’d have killed me.” He joked as he moved to his own seat across from her. “Pleasantries aside, I am Karys of House Sadow, I represent the will and hospitality of my House.” He stated as an introduction. “Before we discuss anything, would you prefer to speak in Basic?”

<Or a more civilized tongue?> He asked in the language of their shared heritage.

@Xorism

 

[Nevizkas]

The inescapable smirk caressed Cyutadakyr's lips as this Sadow pupling scrambled to correct his mark of disrespect. "That would be a small mercy." She suggested, concealing what she would have done for now. Offloading her bag and taking the seat, the pureblood sat quietly in the chair waiting for him to speak.

Considering that he had invited her here personally, it was expected that he had at least some inkling of who she was and more importantly, what she was. An inescapable chasm of fear, delight, danger and fire. What she hadn't exactly figured out yet was why he had approached her, but perhaps that would also remain a mystery.

The scorpion quip amused her, although she remained expressionless for now. <"There's still time."> Answering in Sith, she paused and waited for him to expand upon his reasons for her being here.

@Apollyon

 

[Karys]

Cyutadakyr was unreadable to Karys, her expression was smooth and featureless. Part of him wondered if her emotional presence in the Force would be the same, but he didn't dare to even attempt such a thing. Karys met her gaze in a calm and collected manner, a small pleasant smile appeared on his lips when she responded in Sith. It had been so long since he had heard his language spoken by a native tongue instead of butchered by the careless lips of humans and other lesser races.

<Indeed, there is.> He replied to her. <Before we get to business, thank you for accepting my invitation Lady Cyutadakyr.> Karys stated calmly with a nod of his head to show respect to her. <As you can see, this is not a proposal or coupling ritual. I lack the heartsblood and marrow of Tu'kata for that.> He would gesture at the table with his small quip. <And I doubt I would survive if my father attempted to arrange such a thing.> He smirked, genuinely amused at the thought of her butchering him.

Before Karys could continue, the Umbaran waitress would arrive with a pair of waters for the two of them on a small black tray. In addition, she would carry a drink menu and a dinner menu as well for them to order from. Karys' eyes would flicker towards her, the softness vanished from them the moment they had left Cyutadakyr. Instead, his eyes were now filled with nothing but the ice of his homeworld. Something bubbled out from him, not quite loathing towards the Umbaran but certainly distaste. It caused the woman to place the drinks and menus down quickly before she scurried away.

<This is a sort of business arrangement, between our kind.> Karys explained. <My father believes he has become a victim of scam of some sort.> He began. <Until recently, he had been ordering specific gems from a small mining guild. What he used these for, I couldn't tell you. However, his last three shipments have come in...very light.> As Karys continued, he straightened himself in his seat. <He has requested that I investigate this matter for him and has given me authorization to employ aid, if need be.> He explained. <But only if they are Pureblooded like us, he doesn't trust the outsiders at all now.> Karys continued. <My duty is to investigate this company, determine what has occurred, and seek...> His voice trailed off as Karys sought the appropriate word. <...recompense for the missing merchandise.> He stated finally. <My house will of course reward you greatly for your efforts.> Karys added before he picked up his drink menu and began to look at what it had to offer.

His crimson eyes would peel themselves away from the menu to lock with hers once more after a handful of seconds.
@Xorism

 

[Nevizkas]

The crimson delight sat there motionless, in silence, as Karys made his pitch. There were several points of interest in his story, as far as she could tell. His father had a problem, which on its surface seemed minor and unappealing. A commercial dispute, if you could call it that. Hardly a problem he couldn't solve himself, let alone require help for, she wondered.

But that didn't mean she couldn't simply tag along and fleece the wealthy brat and his impeccable kin. If she'd met one 'royal' she'd met them all. They of course assumed that their name carried any weight these days, but considering the state of their home worlds, surely such thoughts could be contested. It was almost disrespectful that his father hadn't deigned to ask for her help himself.

Cyutadakyr's eyes purposefully never left his, piercing his mind, body and soul as she held her silence purposefully, cutting him off before he could continue speaking. <"I will accept on two conditions."> Her tone and inflection making it abundantly clear that she'd walk if the agreement was not struck.

<"I want land, kept off the books, somewhere nice and quiet without any bothersome neighbours."> She paused, <"And two, you don't question my methods."> These were her demands, and should he accept, she would promptly expect that he begin sharing any more details of the mission that he already knew.

@Apollyon

 

[Karys]

Cyutadakyr sharply interrupted Karys as he spoke, it caused him to bristle internally. For a moment, the raw emotion that roiled to life within him, and showed in the most unusual of ways. Karys back straightened and he sat more rigidly in his seat. Karys felt the warmth drain from his eyes; his jaw clenched which caused his features to take on the same ice that covered his homeworld. Despite this sudden and temporary shift in Karys’ posture, he still listened intently to what Cyutadakyr demanded.

Land.

Of all the things she could have demanded, it had to be land.

One of the resources Karys’ father had, land was by far the most valuable. Karys himself wasn’t sure if his father would acquiesce to such a request, he knew that he, personally, wouldn’t. His mind raced to areas that his father would be willing to part with in their fiefdom. A few popped into Karys’s mind, none of which Lady Cyutadakyr would likely take kindly to receiving as payment for her services. And then, Karys remembered the old lakeside manor.

The manor itself was in a state of disrepair it had been abandoned since before his grandfather’s rule. It had once been a summer home for Karys/ ancestors, that was until the scorpions showed up and shortly after, the thermal lake began to freeze. There were several issues with the land but if the problems there could be solved, it could prove to be a suitable retreat for a Sith Lady.

Ahem

<That is a difficult request but one I might be able to secure for you.> Karys began tentatively. <The land in question would need tending to but I can offer my expertise and continued services in those endeavors.> He offered calmly and assuredly. <As for your methods, they do not matter to me, only that we see my father’s goals accomplished.> He explained.

Before Karys could speak further, the waitress returned to their table to inquire about their orders. Karys quickly skimmed the menu before he decided on beginning with a spiced meat stew. His second course was a form of Umbaran veal which was marinated in a dark wine, served with a garnish of off-world and on-world bioluminescent vegetables. Then finally, for dessert a simple flash-frozen dairy treat which would cause the tongue of whoever ate it to glow. After both had placed their orders and the waitress left their table, Karys would return his gaze to Cyutadakyr.

<As I was saying,> Karys began, his fleeting annoyance at the earlier interruption finally bleeding through. <My father has a fascination with off-world gems and has begun purchasing them in quantity from a guild known as “Skye-ward Mining Cooperative”.> He explained. <His last three shipments have come in light. The company blames pirates, he doubts this.> Karys continued. <We are to find out what has occurred to these shipments, who is to blame, and ensure that my father feels…repaid for their treachery.> He explained.

Even as he explained, a small smile formed on Karys’ lips and ambition flashed in his eyes. It didn’t take a being sensitive to the Force to notice that Karys likely had more planned than he was leading on.

@Xorism

 

[Nevizkas]

Cyutadakyr's face surprisingly lit up for the first time since she arrived, something Karys wouldn't miss as he continued to speak about their mission. She didn't care how he sourced what she had asked for, only that it was delivered. If the other pureblood hoped to make her do any of the work, he'd have another thing coming.

<"I see."> She remarked, taking a look through the menu before simply asking for the same thing he had ordered. <"Tell me, how many fingers do these workers require completing their employment?"> She asked, completely serious.

<"We begin tonight, agreed?">

@Apollyon

 

[Karys]

Karys watched as Cyutadakyr’s face brightened. He couldn’t help but notice how beautiful her smile actually was. The glow of her smile caused a small smirk to appear on his lips in response.

He could tell the promise of land had made her more interested. That willingness made him hopeful. <Excellent choices.> Karys noted as Cyutadakyr placed her order. <Unfortunately, for us both I think we will find the methods we need will require some…tact.> Karys replied, giving Cyutadakyr an answer he was sure she wasn’t wanting to hear. <We cannot allow the CEO to know we are agents of my father. But I agree the sooner we finish this, the better.> He continued. <Meaning we will need a way to alter our forms. Do you have any guidance Lady Cyutadakyr?>

@Xorism

 

[Nevizkas]

She stopped to look at him abruptly. <"I don't follow."> Cyutadakyr had to wonder what information he continued to hide from her. <"If the company operates anything like your father, surely they would trust purebloods more, not less."> They would of course know his family, but wasn't that why she was here?

<"If you have a plan, explain it otherwise.."> She paused, momentarily. <"They don't know me yet, I could pose as someone interested in some shady business and see what falls into our lap?"> The fact that they knew him, could also be an advantage.

<"In fact, them knowing you could be an asset as they would be obliged to cater to your needs, which could come in handy if I need their eyes away from mine."> Which plan they used, mattered little for Cyu. As long as the plan was solid, she would proceed.

@Apollyon

 

[Karys]

Once again, Karys found himself cut off by Lady Cyutadakyr. Once again, he did his best to mask his irritation that threatened to flair up. She pointed out the flaw in his viewpoint before he could even flesh out the thought further. His cheeks threatened to flush with embarrassment for overlooking the most obvious solution to his house's problem. Karys didn't speak though, instead he simply leaned forward and rested his chin on his fist.

While he was embarrassed by his lack of foresight and his hastiness to hunt for an overly complex solution, he also understood that Lady Cyutadakyr like had some experience in these matters. So instead of protesting, Karys simply paid close attention to her rudimentary ideas. Both plans were logical, furthermore there was no reason they couldn't work in tandem.

<Both.> He replied. <You can approach as a new and interested buyer. Their attentions will likely be initially focused on you, which should let you gain access to a tour of their facilities. A better position for later.> He explained. <Then, once you are ready I can enter as a representative of the House to file a...rather loud complaint.> He continued. <This should hopefully pull attention away from you and enable you to get further into the corporate building. The only issue will be how I catch up with you once you are through and the attention is solely on me.> He leaned back in his chair as he said this. <Any ideas?>

@Xorism

 

[Nevizkas]

Listening quietly, the pureblood sipped at her drink as he provided elaboration. She pondered his concern for a few moments, wondering if corporate espionage was really all that it was cracked up to be.

<"Do you need to?"> Came her reply, genuinely asking him. It's not like they would do anything to him, considering his name would be worn like a rack of armor. Unless the job needed more than her just entering and stealing secrets, it was hardly something she expected to need his help with. <"I'm sure they'd give you a tour, if you demanded it. Then I can slip in with you that way, or not, as the need be.">

Once inside the facility, she could easily swap out for some employee clothing if she needed to sneak about without being seen. But being rather unseemly, and with a dainty smile, people often underestimated Cyutadakyr.

A slightly different approach struck her again, perhaps more to his liking. <"If you want us to stick together, for my protection, I'm sure."> She smirked. <"I could enter as an employee for the company, or even your assistant. Either way, I only need to be left alone for a short time to gather what we need. After that it's up to your father, I assume, to decide what to do next.">

Cyutadakyr knew it would probably vex the man to continuously point out how his father seemed to have a stranglehold on his life, and as much fun as it was to prolong this torture, they had a job to do. In a strange kind of way, she hoped that it would help him. Sometimes all it took to make someone take control of their life was to simply push the right button.

@Apollyon

 

[Karys]

Karys smirked at Cyutadakyr's quip about him protecting her. He knew better than there was any chance of that happening, if anything she'd be protecting him. Her suggestion made a lot more sense than what he was thinking once again.

<I think, I've been over thinking this whole process.> He finally admitted. <Your plan makes more sense than mine ever could.> he continued. <We follow your plan and if anything goes wrong, we adapt.> He said with a smirk. <And in that case we will likely need these.> With that Karys pushed a communication bead across the table to Cyu.

With that their meals would come to the table and be placed before them. As Karys sliced into his veal, his eyes flickered up to Cyutadayr before speaking.

<Your accent isn't Ziosti, are you from the homeworld?> He asked before eating some of his thinly sliced food.

@Xorism

 

[Nevizkas]

At last the meal had arrived and the pureblood's both dug in, but not before she pocketed the small comlink bead for later. In perhaps a barely perceptible shift in posture, Karys' acceptance, even if he had been stubborn at first, provided some level of relaxation for Cyu. At the very least it didn't seem like she'd have to beat a dumb idea out of him, and at best their hybrid plan would work well in tandem.

Her eyes flicked up from the veal suddenly, caught off guard by the question posed. <"Yes, much to the Empire's disappointment."> Their people had greatly suffered over the millennia, although always seeming to survive despite the odds. <"I grew up in a desert tribe. A small but hardy people, they are."> Even after returning home and reclaiming her honour, there was still tension at home to resolve, which weighed heavy on her mind.

<"Is it true that Sadow children are born with a silver spoon in their mouths?"> She asked with a small curt smile, clearly just a little harmless banter. But given her limited interaction, he was the first from Ziost that she'd ever really spoken to at length. Once their conversation was over, it would be time to depart and make their final preparations.

And then the fun could really begin.

@Apollyon

 

[Karys]

As Karys ate, he listened to Cyutadakyr's response. It was entirely what he expected to hear, when it came to the fate of his distant kin. Ziost had fallen to the same ignorant viewpoint within the Empire. They were reviled and hated, their people left to wither on dying vines but they defied fate and persisted instead.

<Ziost shared much the same fate.> He replied. <The Imperials fear what they do not understand.> He continued. <This fear usually benefits us, it wasn't the case this time.> He admitted.

At Cyutadakyr's quip, his eyes flicked up and an amused grin appeared on his face. <Only the lucky few.> He chuckled and gestured to himself. <Even then, that silver spoon is more often not frozen and covered in rust.> He tapped his spoon on the side of his soup bowl for effect. <What of the home-world? I've never been.>

@Xorism

 

[Nevizkas]

<"It has seen better days, for sure."> She stopped to take another moutful, speaking in between. <"The Empire's withdrawl set the clans against each other as they vie for power and control."> The pureblood returned the fork to her place before pulling back the sleeve on her dress to reveal a scar.

<"Got this one fighting a warband near my home."> A smile brushing her face, as she relived the memory. <"Theirs didn't get a chance to heal.">

In time she hoped to return and continue protecting her family, but that meant more war, not less. <"But it does sound like you need to complete the pilgrimage."> Another benefit to the withdrawal was that the access to the Dark Side Nexus had become easier to attain, at least to a certain degree, but that was a problem for another day.

Pushing her empty plate back, Cyutadakyr glanced up at Karys pondering her words. <"Give me the details and I'll get word the company about a meeting."> That would get her in the door and their greedy little fingers wouldn't be able to resist taking the bait. <"Then you show up unannounced and draw the bosses attention somehow, I'll handle whatevers left, get your data and peace out.">

@Apollyon

 

[Karys]

Karys pushed his plate away from where he sat, towards the center of the table, wiped his lips with his napkin, and tossed it onto the plate. He listened to Lady Cyutadakyr as she spoke of the plight of Korriban and what the Empire had done to her people. He didn't actually care of course, that really wasn't his problem but he had sparked the conversation and felt the need to at least be polite. However, when Lady Cyutadakyr rolled up her sleeve to show him her scar, Karys leaned forward to examine it with genuine interest.

<Ziost never needed an excuse to war.> He told her. <Our kin on my world have died in blood feuds and territorial disputes for generations now.> He explained with a shrug. <It's the way of the Dark Side, it's our way.> He stated bluntly. <With that knowledge I assume I was correct about you being as deadly as a Ziosti Scorpion...> He teased with a smirk. <...and that you would have skinned me had I come with other propositions.> He gave a throaty chuckle.

With that they'd be back to business and Karys would pull out his EZPhone. His eyes would flick up towards Cyu expectantly, as if waiting for her to give him her number. He'd forward all the details about Skye-ward Mining to her and how to best get into contact with them. Once that was done, he would sit back in his chair.

<I think we should be able to get this done without any issues.> He told her confidently. <As for a pilgrimage, I'll have to take you up on that offer one day I think.> He teased, he knew full well she hadn't offered to take him.

@Xorism

 

[Nevizkas]

The champion took a pen out from her small purse, a number of soft strokes against the napkin, and later folding it together. Cyutadakyr stood quietly from the table, content with the meal that had just been devoured.

"Thanks for the meal" She replied, picking up her jacket and promptly turning to slowly and confidently walk out of the restaurant, certain that she wouldn't have a bill to pay. In the napkin, Karys would find a number and a crude drawing of a scorpion, leaving it up to his imagination to discern why.

In the meantime, Cyu would depart to prepare for her upcoming role to ensure that not only she was dressed for the occasion, but that she'd have time to prepare her backstory and better understand the target once the information arrived.

@Apollyon

 

[Karys]

Cyu finished her meal and prepared to leave. However, she paused to quickly scribble something in a napkin, fold it, and place it in the center of the table. He’d unashamedly watch as she confidently strode from the restaurant. She was beautiful but also unpredictable which made her dangerous.

<See you tomorrow.> He called after her.

Karys would wait until Lady Cyutadakyr had left before he would reach over to grab it and read it. As he did this, the waitress came with his dessert. When she went to clear the table, including the napkin Cyu had left. Karys, hand shot out to prevent her from taking the note and waved her off to leave him in peace.

He flipped the note open, saw her number and the scorpion drawing. An amused smirk appeared on his lips. She was every bit the scorpion he eluded to, and he felt nothing but pity to any who tasted her sting.

Karys would stuff the napkin in his pocket, finish his dessert, pay their bill, and leave a tip for the waitress. He’d make his way back to the driver of a landspeeder his father had maintained to chauffeur him around. He told the man to drop him at specified coordinates and then leave.

Karys would return to the Academy and attempt to secure his newfound ally’s payment. It wouldn’t be easy.

The next day

Karys had messaged Lady Cyutadakyr when he arrived at the star port. He had secured them passage onboard a starship headed to the planet of Skye. Where the corporate headquarters of the guild could be found. The landing bay information had also been appropriately passed along and he waited for her arrival outside of the vessel’s onboarding ramp.

Once she came into view he would smile and drop his head in a show of respect.

<I am pleased you could make it Lady Cyutadakyr.> He greeted in a neutral voice.

@Xorism

 

[Nevizkas]

While knowing little of Skye, the pureblood had read over the information provided to her by the Sadow whelp with keen interest. So, too, did she enjoy the luxurious trip, sampling several delicious treats and wines which only made their eventual arrival somewhat disappointing.

Still, a deal was a deal and Cyutadakyr had come prepared to meet her end of the bargain and fully expected Karys to honour his. Exiting the starship with class, she glanced down to spot him as she held a clutch my her side. <"I would expect so."> She mused, cryptic and coy as always.

Stepping towards the speeder she presumed was his, considering the corporate logo, Cyu took the hand of the chauffeur who'd offered to assist her climbing aboard. Once Karys has joined and the driver left, she spoke again with a neutral tone. <"Do I need to know anything about this person I am to meet?">

@Apollyon