Tribute to the Fallen

[Darth Tagus]

Honestly, it felt good to get all of that off of his chest. He hadn't even heard of Arianna before her appointment to Sith Lord and that was just the worst thing he could imagine for the title - to be given to someone without the gravitas to actually make the title mean something. The Emperor had the gravitas and the Rask man had gravitas and they had reputation.

Arianna did not.

She made a point to focus on his own rank and he allowed himself a small smirk at that. Crusader meant a hell of a lot more than Sith Lord when it was truly earned in his opinion. He raised an eyebrow when she came closer to him and he felt a nervous kind of energy coil up inside of him as he thought about what she could be wanting to say, what she could possibly be wanting to do.

And then she spoke and he would confess himself... disappointed.

"... I insult you on a very real, very personal, level and your response is to charge me with something I have already been doing. Something that all Sith here have been actively doing?" He narrowed his eyes at the woman, "Apparently all but yourself."

He reached down slowly, deliberately, with his left hand and drew a lightsaber. It was clearly not a lightsaber of a Sith and he held it out to his left. Without taking his attention from the 'Darth' or her pet agent, and without his right hand leaving it's place resting on his own lightsaber, he ignited the lightsaber in his left hand and held it aloft.

It's blue blade was bright and clear.

"I have taken from our enemies, Arianna. Can you say the same?" He pressed her, "I hold in my hand the First Blade of the Jedi - the long-lost weapon of Grandmasters long since dead, won in combat against a Jedi Knight. And you? What do you have to show for your efforts, your rank?"

This whole thing was a powder keg and everyone knew it so, once again, he was prepared to stop mid-sentence to defend himself as needs be.

Thankfully even the First Blade had a practical use aside from being evidence that he had taken from their enemies while casting doubt that she could claim the same.

@Faded Truth @Wit @Gian Greydragon

 

[Darth Parox]

.

The arrival of several new characters—among which was Varyn Rask himself—slowly added to the tension, and there was a palpable elephant in the room. Milo stepped closer to Zeven as the unknown Imperial Agent barked back something about gutting and disrespect. This battle of wits would have two camps, it seemed. It was now up to the Sith in the chamber to pick their side; it was only a matter of time before this cold war went burning hot. The Drast's lightsaber flew to his hand, where it remained extinguished. He stood a meter to the right of the Miralan, but it was clear who he had chosen to support. "I am sure Darth Victress can defend herself and her achievements," Milo replied, spitting the last word with an irritatingly sardonic smirk. Now that he came to think of it, he could not pinpoint any specific campaign that Victress had led. "And do tone down the profanity. This is, after all, a sacred place."

His eyes glanced over the room, passing by Cait Aislinn, the known leader of the Exchange, an organization with dealings in Mandalorian space. What she was doing here was past Milo, though he had no doubt her presence was the catalyst for a brash reaction from some of her business partners. The very tip of his datapad slowly poked out of the pocket of his robe, the photoreceptor pointing out to the large chamber. The Sith used the Force to snap a picture of his surroundings—from Darth Victress standing there like an idiot to the Gungan singing and the CEO observing—and then slowly poked back down. Milo was nothing if not opportunistic.

Milo's opinion of the Darth plummeted by the moment as he watched her stand there, letting herself be insulted in front of several other Sith without retaliating. Other seemed to share the sentiment, particularly an auburn-haired Acolyte who said what many of them were already thinking. Seemingly ignoring her, Zeven pressed on, drawing a blue lightsaber and igniting it. Milo's eyebrows raised for a second as he realized what the Miralan was holding, though his expression went back to the pazaak face he had been carrying since the beginning of the intervention.

@Nefieslab @Faded Truth @Wit @Gian Greydragon

 

[Cher No Gorgon]

As Cher watched the scene escalate. The Raptor wondered why the Sith were doing this in such a sacred place. Didn't they have any respect for this place or the dead they had come to pay their respects to? Apparently not.

Now it was if push came to shove who would she support? The Sith who are insulting Arianna or her friend? Granted the Tiss does not know the full reasons behind why the other sith was insulting the new Darth. So therefore had no idea if there is a good foundation for the insults. Based on that Cher decided that she will have Arianna's back, even though the Darth should really be putting her new rank and status to good use.

Tilting her head in thought for a second or two. Cher moved towards Zeven and Arianna. If a fight does break out she will back up her friend somehow.

@Faded Truth

 

[Arial Calvic]

Arial laid down on her stomach, hearing the murmur of voices growing louder now. She drew her long blaster and peaked as to what in the world was going on down there. She didn't like what she saw one bit. Zeven had drawn a lightsaber, a blue one at that, and seemed to be threatening the Darth she was assigned to look out for. Then a stranger near him had done the same. Fantastic. She took aim at Zeven, then switched it to his buddy instead, aiming at his saber arm (@vamp). She was certain the stranger would know she was aiming at him; somehow they always knew one way or another. She wasn't going to take a shot, not yet. But if dared to strike, she'd put a bolt right into his side to keep him in his place. This was a damned funeral for force sake, not some event to show off and pound your chest like a barbaric ape. She knew the shot wouldn't drop him, but that wasn't the point; she just needed to give the Darth an opening to put him down and stop this farce before it went too far. Arial's finger lingered on the trigger guard. Even the Sith would be hard pressed to find her up here with eyesight alone. She had no intention of going down there anyways, at this rate she'd be dead.

 

[Darth Perilius]

The Acolyte sighed, noting and spectating the calamity occurring as he began getting closer, feeling the dark side grow inside him slightly: hatred and fury beginning to build up, but did he really know why? He looked over at the Sith Lord, being surrounded by the Crusader with the vibrant blue Lightsaber. He felt his left hand begin to tremble, feeling the indesicive urge to draw his curved saber and threaten either of them; for threatening a Lord, or having a undeserved title. “Peace... is a lie... there is.. only Passion,” he whispered quietly as he kept his distance, making sure he wouldn’t get struck down as he now whispered the rest of the Sith Code under his breath as he began to monologue.

“Through passion... I gain strength... through strength... I gain power... but did this Sith Lady really do this? If this Crusader has done more then he should deserve more rank... I must know...” he began to speak at a louder volume as he continued to keep a safe distance, his left hand still curled in a fist as he felt more of an urge to draw his saber either to defend either of them, or himself.

 

[Roa Roa Grisbaw]

The Gungan gave a soft surprised "eep!" as the Deucalian talked to her, not expecting to be approached. She then regained her composure and whispered at the larger woman: "From what I know, the Mirialan insulted quite hard the woman, who's a Darth, and has put in doubt her power and her actions, along with how she gained the title. I won't give my opinion on that as I honestly don't know either of them, but I don't think that this would be a place appropriate for such discussions" she sighed.

 

[Midas Drast]

Midas showed up out of idle curiosity more than genuine interest because he simply had to see if it were true; was a Darth truly honoring the deaths of a gaggle of unaccomplished whelps who had died in battle? The very idea of honoring those without worth was completely and utterly foreign to him, and this seemed like an absolute waste of his time. Yet, here he was, situated in some dark cavern, staring at memorial statues of four acolytes who had failed. Was this what his ancestors’ Empire had fallen to? Were they now affording the lowliest of the lows with honors and memorial services? If his family could see their dark empire now, he thought to himself, there would be a sea of corpses.

This newly-minted Lord droned on about each of the failures, so Midas took the time to observe those assembled. A few prominent names here, but otherwise few seemed interested in the actual ceremony, more here out of astonishment than anything. A brief outburst from a Crusader shook him from his thoughts, and he watched with idle amusement, expecting one of the two to draw blades and strike the other down for their insolence. His hopes, however, were ruined, and it appeared the two were more talk than bite, as was the case with many Sith in the modern era. The Lord sat there and took his snide insults without offering any punishment in return. Sad.

While the two barked at each other, Midas continued to watch and listen, filing away any information on his peers that he felt important enough to use. A few outbursts defending one person or the other’s honor, nothing too impressive, with a few insults or threats tossed in for good measure. In all, this was quickly becoming dreadfully dull and Midas had to stifle a yawn. There was the blue-skinned woman he had met before, as well as who he thought was a minor member of his family lineage; nobody high in the line of succession, but family and a threat, nonetheless. He caught sight of Lord Rask and began to wonder why the man did not intervene in the piteous butting of heads going on, but, then again, why would he? This was amusing to watch, and he had no stake in whatever fight the crowd wished for. Like the rest of the peanut gallery, they would sit and watch the events that would unfold.

”It’s like we’ve forgotten we’re Sith,” he groaned beneath his breath, just loud enough for the people in his immediate vicinity to hear, tired of having wasted his time and coming to this memorial.

 

[Darth Valravus]

____________

Zan thought about her own pride in herself as she pondered the scene before her. What would I do in this situation? Well I would probably avoid standing on stage if I couldn't back up my act in the first place. But that was why she was staying quiet now. She knew her limitations and obscurity in the Empire's ranks. She was just an acolyte in the eyes of others and she could not rush her ambitions over night.

Everything that the woman was witnessing was through the eyes of a relative newcomer. She did not know the politics or opinions among the ghouls around her. You are one of those ghouls dumbass. But her jugement of her current stance made Zan focus on the green skinned man again instead of her inner monologue. The activation of a lightsaber made her cock a groomed eyebrow. Well he certainly had a flair for the dramatic but so far it was better than anyone else was doing.

She wanted to say something, like watching a sports play on the holo vid she wanted to make comments but that would probably just add a few more bodies to the already present dead. Zan was not drunk enough anyways to enjoy a good deucalian brawl and few of the dark siders probably had the restraint to just have some good fisticuffs. That's what a good wake was. Plenty of booze, fighting and even yes, profanity. He could understand the gungans' words. She also heard the complaints of another man after he arrived and could not agree more.

The air was fast turning to something far more serious than posturing and hinted non lethal beating. Uncrossing her arms she would otherwise stay still but her hands dropped to hang beside her two lightsabers. Come to think of, how many of Zan's peers would she be able to slay before one of her betters tried to take her down. A mixture of her Deucalian pride and hunger swirled with the learned ambition of a sith to make for a dangerous combination. But unlike many she had control of her urges, for the most part. It certainly would her some sort of reputation to defeat her fellow Sith as well as Jedi.

@Painus @samdragon

 

[Lilith (8th TL)]

Cait got bored of the drama after awhile. While she had connections to Darth Victress, the woman could take care of herself and it was starting to get a little too tense for Cait's liking. And admittedly, it was funny at first, but more and more Sith were pouring in, which meant this might go from a small brawl to something much bigger and deadlier. And she wasn't here to die. She was a businesswoman who was begrudgingly fulfilling her deal with the emperor.

However, Cait noticed one of the Sith (@vamp) acting weird, poking a datapad out of his pocket at her then tucking it back in. That was suspicious and she didn't like it, and it got her interest more than this whole drama did. She'd have to bring up the suspicious behavior to the Emperor (@Narsi) the next time she saw him. And to Darth Victress later, when she wasn't busy, and assuming everything worked out here.

 

[Darth Victress]

.

The sith lord stood confident and without faltering in her resolve, fully knowing that despite the hostilities displayed by some of those gathered, she would show no limitation in cutting down each and every one of them if it came to that. However, these lesser Sith , were primal and gave into their inherently violent natures. As a Darth, she too anticipated the changes that Lord Rask had foreseen; if the sith were to prevail in bringing this rebellious galaxy to heel, then they must salvage talent otherwise eradicated by infighting. She knew that many expected her to draw her blade and strike the Crusader, but cooler heads would ultimately prevail.

Her attention was on the Crusader for now but it seemed that an auburn haired acolyte decided to voice her opinion. Unlike the MIrialan however, this one had no decorated service record to show for and was merely antagonizing her superior. Such behavior would not go unpunished...

As the acolyte had the audacity to address her by name, dark sided energies suddenly erupted from her left hand in a whistling blur, interrupting the remainder of Kaye's dialogue. Fingertips cackled as a cone of green lightning spewed forwards and smashed at the unarmored torso of the woman. @Wit As the acolyte was wearing no armor and had no saber armed to defend herself, the attack would likely occur in completion. Dathomiri magicks were an impressive and vile ability, the Darth known to be only one of two sith in the galaxy capable of wielding this power.

"Young sith...so arrogant..what makes you think you can come in here and challenge me?.." She was about to continue when it appeared Zeven pressed with his questioning, and brandished the acquired possession. Arianna simply turned and met his eyes with her own piercing gaze, verbally cutting him off before he could fully finish his sentence. She would in the periphery of her eye keep Kaye in sight in case the young girl was foolish enough to reciprocate hostility, "Your value to this Empire is more alive than dead...you were gifted leniency in lieu of your accomplishments. Next time...I will be less forgiving...". @Nefieslab She gave a momentary glance to the weapon he showcased, before moving away.

She was about to end this debacle when it appeared that another acolyte, this one descendant from the Drast lineage made a grave and critical mistake... He drew his lightsaber hilt, his voice spiked with venom as his actions spoke nothing but open aggression towards a Darth. Eyes flickered with an unnatural golden hue as dark sided corruption seeded across her features, the force drawing around her as she turned to face him completely.

"Careful..acolyte". She stated, "I afford a great deal of privilege to my soldiers...but I do NOT allow them to threaten me..." Her red saber hissed to life in her right fist, bathing her and the chamber they stood in with its unnatural, crimson light. "This is your final warning...I suggest you choose your next course of action wisely.." @vamp

As her supporters mobilized, the Darth was anticipating a response from the acolyte she addressed. If others believed she stood alone, they would be foolishly mistaken.

 

[Darth Perilius]

Hearing these words, Markov made sure not to listen to the possible traitor (@vamp) He knew that if he were to assist in his own power, he must work with others and serve the superiors first, so he could gain allies for their purpose and especially his.

The Acolyte began to take a defensive stance, ready to defend the mistress (@Faded Truth) from the assailant. “I won’t let the Mistress get hurt... not while I serve her..” his hand was ready to quickly pull his saber from his holster and then ignite it whenever either ordered or by visual. “I don’t care if I’m an Acolyte. I will do what I must for the good of the Sith, and assasinating one of your leaders will plunge us back into further conflict..”

At this point, Markov was now moving steadily as if he could get attacked or Victress would be attacked; his fury beginning to flow through him as he gave a sharp look at the threatener as he focused his energy to prepare: He felt that it was his duty to.

 

[Hannibal Grayza (Old)]

The tall figure, dressed mostly in simple but well-spun black five-piece tunic, had slipped into the cavern system shortly after the arguing had begun, light leather boots quiet on the stone. He had been drawn to the emotions within, actually having essentially followed the green one inside and moved off to back of the room somewhat away from the others. He could sense the disdain and conflict in the gathering Sith and had chosen to join them, to observe the proceeding and interpersonal disagreements more so than pay tribute to the dead. Threats and insults were made, and apparently not treated with the heavy gravitas they deserved. Lightsabers were drawn, more threats, and now an attack was made, green lightning flashing from the short woman, who Hannibal understood to be a Darth of some kind, towards another rather outspoken Sith.

The slightest wry expression crossed his face at that, noting internally the Darth had struck out at a lesser offenders, something that would bring her no friends, and likely only galvanize her enemies against her. As it seemed increasingly likely a fight was going to break out, he adjusted his position further back, keeping his second sight mostly on the acolyte who had also drawn a lightsaber in defense of the female Darth. The man's loyalty and indignation practically bled off of him in waves.

At this point, Hannibal was under the impression even a Sith funeral was a dull affair without a few deaths. While he was perfectly capable of defending himself, he had no sides in this beyond a respect towards the reported prowess of Varyn Rask. If it came down to it, he would simply pick whatever side would give him the most advantage, or whichever seemed to be winning.

Either way he'd need to wash after this mess. Soaking too long in death brought bad luck.

 

[Cher No Gorgon]

As things started to go south with the Mistress spewed some green lightning towards one of the Sith. Knowing that now it may get violent in here and that her friend may be outnumbered if other Sith start to attack Arianna. The Raptor moved to stand next to the Sith Lord as well at the same time as Markov.

Cher hissed as she glanced at Arianna then to the Sith whom the reptilian was sure is being hostile. She is ready to go on the attack if one of the aggressors attack or if Arianna gives her the order to attack. She may not be force sensitive. But she will find a way to deal with anyone who goes on the attack.

She does not care how the other Sith view her actions. Arianna is a friend, she already lost one and does not want to watch losing another just because of a few jealous Sith. Just what would the Emperor think if he arrived to see all this taking place? Cher doubted that he will be pleased to see this kind of event taking place in a sacred area.

@Faded Truth

 

[Kalira Khan]

Kalira looked toward Varyn Rask The only Sith Lord present who she actually knew of. While she did not know him personally she had heard stories about several of his exploits. What she did know was that he was that he was merciless and clean suffering little collateral damage. (still no appearant reaction)

She expected both Acolytes to be punished for their offenses toward their superiors and thought it would be a waste of talent and years of training if this broke into an all out brawl. She hoped the punishment would not result in their deaths but would not be surprised if it did. This is in her mind exactly set the Empire on it's present course. The infighting, the continual loss of talent, everyone running about doing their own thing. What she really believed was necessary was someone powerful to control all the different arms of the Empire and make sure they all worked toward the same goal.

Today she was not in a position to do anything to prevent what was happening before her, she was further sure she would need several more years before her training would put her in a position of both strength and ability to impose her will upon such a gathering as she now observed. She was not foolish enough to believe that every one of the Sith present would not at some point in time either become an ally or an opponent, due to the way things were currently handled.

Even though she was still certain that this was not a situation she would currently involve herself in she was resolved to watch and bear witness.

 

[Harrison Fletch]

.

Harrison had been here long, too long in fact. He had been in the shadows, silently paying his respects....that is until the damned Sith had to get in an argument. Enough was enough, Harrison had to step in. Sure it was risky, but they were all cowards, wether or not they liked it. Harrison stepped out from dark and came into view. He sensed the immense tension, strong enough to tear someone apart. Harrison casually put his hand on his blaster on his side, and flicked the safety off. Hopefully it wouldn't need to be drawn. Harrison could see as sides were being taken. Harrison didn't know much of stuck up Sith Crusader Zeven, but Harrison sure knew much about Darth Victress. Harrison stepped in, the time was now before someone died. "Please can we all calm down. A little respect for the fallen. It may not be my place to speak, but I do not think these fallen heroes wish for us to bicker. We are all one, we are family, why must we bicker over achievements? Imperial Intelligence and the ISB are very worried at the tension between the Sith. Our fall may not be from the external enemies, we are slowly ripping ourselves apart." Harrison said, letting the words sink in.

 

[Darth Tagus]

Darth Victress - even the name she had chosen for herself annoyed him. What victories could she lay claim to? The funny thing was that Zeven wasn't standing here claiming that he DID have the right to be called a Sith Lord either. Just that Ariana had even less of a reason to claim the title than he did. This whole thing was beginning to become something of a spectacle now though and still the 'Sith Lord' did nothing to actually stop him.

Was she incapable of doing so?

Zeven moved the lightsaber he had already ignited, bringing it down to block the lightning that Ariana had sent towards Kaye. The lightning would crackle as it impacted the lightsaber's blade but it would find no purchase, the attack being perfectly capable of being blocked by the blade.

"Next time." he replied bluntly. "Of course. Next time. When you're confident others can back you up successfully because you know you don't have the strength to justify your position. You've done nothing and been rewarded with a title beyond you."

He was prepared for one of her supporters to attack him of course but he was bored of this now. There was no joy in insulting and putting pressure on someone too weak to actually try and stop you.

"Prove it. Prove you're worth your title." he glared at her as he began to build the Force within himself, "I challenge you to single combat - to the pain. Give me some taste that you deserve your title and maybe I'll apologize."

Zeven would begin to move off to one side to let Ariana join him if she wished to accept his challenge.

 

[Hanzo Ventus]

"Stop." came a voice from amongst the small group that looked on. "Master Zeven, is this not the time to remember the passing of these great men and women? Why do we fight each other, when this is the time to rejuvenate the fire that burns amongst us? Why do we fight when this is the time to burn with the passion that is shared amongst us all? The passion that we shared with the glorious fallen?" said the new figure, even as he moved towards the centre, while also leaving enough distance to ensure that he could react if things tu

 

[Tasha Blackwell]

Tasha had been silent thus far, standing beside Varyn and enjoying the show. She was not one for drama, but she could find it appealing from a distance. It was obvious that the Sith Lord wasn’t doing so well with being put on the spot, and Zev was now officially challenging her. With a sigh, Tasha finally stepped forth, reaching a hand to gently rest on his shoulder. She privately agreed with his sentiments and the Sith Lord appeared rather weak, but if she was in that position, there was certainly one reason or another.

She spoke quietly, her voice as honeyed as always, “What’s it matter how she climbed to the top?” She grinned, “In the end, a Sith Lord will always be removed for one reason or another if they don’t perform,” Tasha turned to look at Zev, her yellow eyes gleaming, “The Empress of the Republica was killed, Elix went missing before that, and our numbers are dwindling rapidly. After a fight like this, there will be one winner and one loser. Even with that one loser it’s the loss of another powerful Sith, so our Order will suffer regardless of the outcome,” Tasha shook her head, “If she truly has no skill other than sleeping her way into power, just know she will never command the respect or the means to do entirely too much with it. We are not a forgiving people, you know this,” She turned to look back towards Arianna, “For now let us allow the benefit of doubt and see what she has to offer.”

Tasha hadn’t drawn any weapons, not as trigger happy as many others here. She kept a calm resolve, her yellow eyes always difficult to read. She stood next to Zev, but her body language did not suggest she took sides. To her, the Empire came above all, and petty battles could only be afforded when there were enough powerful Sith around to where losses wouldn’t put a dent in things.

@Faded Truth @Nefieslab

 

[Darth Tagus]

Zeven paused.

Both physically and mentally he came to a stop when Tasha approached him. As someone he knew and, on some level, liked and respected, her voice carried weight. He listened as she spoke for a moment, still eyeing the Sith who had arrayed themselves alongside Ariana before nodding once.

The other crusader had a point.

"You're right." he acknowledged aloud, still not taking his attention off of the other Sith even though he was now disengaging, "Yes. You're right Tasha - time will tell and, for now, the Empire needs to spend more of it's time focusing outwardly."

Unless attacked he would extinguish the stolen blue blade and take a step back.

"I withdraw my challenge and wish you good fortune in the battles to come."

Left unsaid was his opinion that she would need luck to survive the coming days and months as more and more was demanded of her and she, no doubt, buckled under the weight of actually having to accomplish something. He would turn back to his fellow Crusader and nod before speaking so that only she could hear him.

"Good call - thank you."

With his reason for being here done, Zeven wouldn't really want to stick around but considering the number of Sith here, he doubted that this wasn't going to somehow turn into some impromptu prep rally. So instead he would stick around and see if there was anything left to be said - or if this whole thing literally had been just to big up some dead men.

 

[Darth Parox]

.

Milo gripped the hilt of his saber, his gaze hot enough to burn a hole into the Sith Lord. He wanted to fight; every inch of him was on edge, just waiting for someone to throw the first punch so he could strike this cowardly excuse of a Sith from her "throne" above them. It was clear she thought herself to be better than everyone in the chamber, perhaps everywhere. It annoyed him, and Milo was looking forward to cutting her down.

But the first punch did not come. Zeven stepped back, and the Drast eyed him warily. What was he doing? Was he really backing out? It was a peculiar change for a man that had been ready for blood a few seconds ago, but that left Milo outnumbered. Attacking Victress would only lead to getting shot down by her pet Agent and what other part-timers she had on her side. Milo stood down, clipping the hilt of his lightsaber back to his belt wordlessly. He turned, nodding to Zeven in acknowledgment, then made his way to a corner of the chamber from which he could watch for any further developments but stay out of the way. The Drast would not get blood—not today.