All-Father | Seath & Andrai

[Malok]

R E L O V I A N​

Location: The Children's Square
0930 Local Time

Her Grace was Kind.

Relovian was not ruled by a despot. The people were not crushed underneath the boot of a tyrant, nor did they ever know the lash of subjugation. Instead, the one who wore the Crown treated the people of her realm as actual people. Though her station afforded her luxuries, her mind and acts were always focused upon making their lives better. Where some Kings would raise monuments to themselves and to their accomplishments, she would commemorate her people instead. She would raise statues in their honor. Open plazas to sing their praises. Even outpouring the coffers to ensure that none of her people suffered. Her Grace was selfless, and it showed in the adoration of the people.

What, then, would they say about the Vicelord?

When the Confederacy was born anew, Darth Metus did not deceive his people. He did not attempt to place an illusion over their eyes - but rather revealed to them what he truly was. A Creature of the Darkness. He gave to them assurances that, despite the reputation of his ilk, his efforts and concerns revolved solely around them. That the nation they built together would know only prosperity and peace under his leadership. And, if necessary, he armed them with the means to remove him, should his Darkness prove contrary to his word. For the first year of his leadership, Darth Metus strove to make good on his promises. He did not abuse his station. He did not trample upon his people. He certain was no despot.

But he wondered what the people thought of him. Did they see him as a benevolent leader? Did they rejoice in knowing that the Sith was on their side? Did they adore him just as the people of Relovian adored Queen Silara? Or...did they fear him?

These thoughts circulated Darth Metus' mind in an endless loop as he calmly strode about the cobbled path. Officially, he was not wandering about the streets of Relovian's capital city. As far as the press was concerned, the Vicelord of the Confederacy was located on Geonosis. Unofficially, the man veiled himself beneath civilian closes and a raised hood so that he might not draw undue attention. In recent history, the Sith had taken to paying the resplendent world regular visits so that he might see [member="Vyra Silara"]. Their afternoon luncheons were just the sort of escape that Darth Metus needed in order to keep going at times.

Today, one such luncheon had come and gone, and the Sith was due to return to his duties in a few hours. Yet, prior to departing, he wanted to see the latest addition to the Capital: A Square, devoted to the children of the world. A statue was the centerpiece: hewn of marble and depicting a woman embracing her three offspring. Fountains circulated the piece - encouraging younglings to run through them on hot summer days. To the east was a play place for the children, whilst street vendors peddling confections dominated the west. By the Queen's description, the Square was meant to be an escape from the noise of the Capital. A place for children to be themselves.

What the Sith found, however, clashed considerably with what he had been told. Briefly, he came to a halt before a throng of denizens who were standing before the statue. The fountains had been shut off. There were no children at play. And even the vendors' stalls were unmanned. All eyes were upon a single man who stood before the statue, preaching with supreme passion. He was accompanied by a few robed compatriots who were silent at the given moment. Darth Metus lofted a brow at the scene and moved closer, pressing his way through the natives as casually as possible.

And as he drew closer to the front, he could feel another like himself. A Creature of the Darkness was here, present within the Square. But who? But what? His fingertips gingerly brushed upon the lightsaber which rested within his jacket's pocket. For now, he acted not on the awareness of this fact. Instead, the Sith made no attempt to disguise his mammoth presence in the Force and levied his sulfuric gaze upon the sermon which had captivated the Square.

[member="Seath"] | [member="Andrai Willows"]​

 

[Seath]

Never had he been to such a planet full of fools in need, least that was how the Derriphan saw it. As he walked in the body of some idiot that was more weak minded than any other being Seath had a chance to possess. There was no need for it, Seath could do what he wished if he wanted, but it would compromise it all that he had worked towards. All the followers, and power he had gained would be gone. That and not many knew what to think about a talking floating ball of energy and darkness. But there was more to this planet as he walked in his host, there was something so gigantic that it drew him in. He cursed his creation to draw him to the greater power around him.

Continuing his search for this presence, it was finally made clear what he was looking for. A bulking muscle of a man with something Seath had never felt before, the presence was overwhelming. For what ever reason, a new obsession came over the Derriphan, had the Force actually create a being like the one Seath saw. He had called himself an incarnate of the Force, but was this the true incarnation? The Force spoke to Seath in a way he had never experienced before, maybe he was growing without the need to consume the essences of the others every time.

Seath could not help it, the host's feet moved him towards the man. The giant presence drew him and Seath was at it's mercy. It was at this moment the Derriphan would either seize to exist, or gain a new meaning of being.

"Being...incarnated by the Force. Your presence is overwhelming and yet blissful." Seath stopped in his host's body just before the man he had been drawn to. His words were silent for just the two to hear.

[member="Darth Metus"]

 

[Andrai Willows]

*Andrai had made a very slim getaway from Vjun and the jedi who had sought her out. It was far less than the grace she usually carried and was riddled with danger. Then again, danger is what Andrai craved almost as much as she did men. Hell even some company would be nice to have. The faces of her crew may have blurred and changed from time to time but never had they disbanded quite like they had recently. The planet had proven too much to bare and their little amount of resources, as well as an even smaller booty had left them at the agreement to the agreement of every man for themselves.

That's just what Andrai did, slipping from that bar and unseen she'd hijacked a rust bucket worse then the ship that had stranded her on Vjun but it had just enough pep in 'er step to get Andy here. She wasn't exactly sure why her gut told her to come here but who has time to ask a gut what the hell it knows when you're running for your life?

Now she stood on what she'd heard was a Sith controlled planet- somewhere she didn't have to hide for once and it felt good to not have to disguise herself in poor, tattered robes. Perhaps there'd be some contacts here that would be prosperous and get her back into a ship and a path that would allow her to go out and unleash hell once more. A girl could dream.

The ravings of a man had perked her interests and beckoned her to rest against the wall of a nearby building with The Square. One booted foot resting back to steady her balance while the slender digits of her left hand worked the tip of a dagger beneath the nails of her right to clean some of the engine grease from beneath them. Idly picking her thoughts didn't really let the man's sermon sink in though her pale green gaze watched intently. As a matter of fact her thoughts were relying solely on that gut of hers. She was here. Now she just needed to know why.

An almost impatient huff of air blew a thick lock of dark hair from in front of her eyes as they surveyed the area. This place reminded her of a long, cold season. It felt as though it was supposed to be filled with warmth but appeared decrepit and misplaced. Truth be told she never was able to stick around much in places to get comfortable- Sith or otherwise. A reputation was something she had begun to gain but not to the outside, civilized world. And that's exactly how she intended to keep it.

 

[Malok]

R E L O V I A N​

Location: The Children's Square
0930 Local Time

Darth Metus understood piety.

It was the sole reason why he did not scoff at the empassioned ravings of the evangelist who bore his soul to the crowd. With but a thought, the Sith could have put this public display to rest. With but a notion, Darth Metus could have crippled the mind of the speaker and seen the Children's Square return to normal. Yet he stayed his hand - for despite how misguided he found the speaker's words, he understood the source of the passion. You see, Darth Metus was also a pious man. He, like any believer in a higher power, did his absolute best to walk the path expected of him. He did his best to listen to the whispers of direction. And when the opportunity presented itself, the Sith worshipped as well.

Yet his "diety" was not a manifestation of Nature or something that required to believe. What the Sith hearkened to was the only thing that he recognized as greater than himself: the Darkness itself. Thus did he walk the midnight path in all that he did - listening for the chilling direction that would order his steps. And today, the Darkness began to stir.

He recognized its presence very well. It went far beyond feeling the fellow Creature who resided in the crowd. For Darth Metus, the sensation was...strange to say the very least - manifesting as a faint taste underneath his tongue. Reminiscent of literal blood. Whenever this sensation reared its head, the Sith knew that what was to follow was the will of the Darkness. He knew that he had to shelve himself and how he would normally go about his days, in favor of strictly adhering to the midnight path. Such was how he was blessed with his favored Apprentice, [member="Srina Talon"]. Such was how the Confederacy began, in fact. And thus, the Sith listened for the whisper of direction.

He did not have to wait long, as he felt the Creature draw near. It presented itself as a man, just like the Sith - but Darth Metus knew better. As a Sorcerer, it was no great task for him to identify a thrall. A mere glance told the story - the pallid complexion, the dull eyes, and yet movement? Something or someone was steering the man like a puppet. A half-chuckle escaped the Sith - it wasn't a bad technique at all. When his fellow Creature made his presence known, Darth Metus initially lofted a brow at his words. Unlike many of his ilk, the Sith maintained a view of himself that lacked hubris. Though he could certainly move mountains, he never presented himself as an Event Horizon of the Force.

For the Darkness would always be greater than He.

Regardless, the words were enough to captivate the Sith's attention - but he would not respond here. There were...too many ignorant people surrounding them. Darth Metus raised a hand and motioned for [member="Seath"] to follow, before stepping calmly away from the body of believers. Confident strides bore him to the exterior of the Square, where he levied his sulfuric gaze upon the excessively pretty [member="Andrai Willows"]. Half bidden by the Darkness and by his gender, the Sith drew near to the woman and reached within his pocket. He said nothing, but lowered his hood to reveal a warm smile before offering the contents of his clutched first to her. "Pardon me miss," he began, "my friend and I would like to have a private conversation. Do you mind us borrowing your ship's hold for a few moments?"

It was a bold request out of the blue, but it was one that Darth Metus was confident she would answer in the way he wanted. Why? Because, in addition to the handful of credit chits he offered...the Sith began to affect her mind. A gentle nudge...A soft these are not the Droids you are looking for. And once the Mind Trick was deployed, the Sith looked back to his fellow Creature of the Dark. "You flatterer. Tell me, is this public display your doing?" he inquired, motioning to the sermon.

[member="Seath"] | [member="Andrai Willows"]​

 

[Seath]

[member="Darth Metus"] [member="Andrai Willows"]

A new kind of feeling arouse in Seath, that akin to excitement and joy. They were energies he could not contain as a buzzing sound began to emanate from the host's mouth, but was quickly stopped once Seath realized he was pretty much wagging a not existing tail for the darkest figure he had ever met. The Derriphan could not stop the questions that were rising inside, but he could contain them from escaping from his telepathic capabilities. He was beckoned, along with another who he also felt was dark in their own way.

Finally they were in a place alone, the congregation was busy showing the same concept he had them show on Ansion. The host's body was would soon degrade, he had opted to begin consumption of the essence instead of believing it had continue use like his saint Ken. The hooded monster wished to know if he was the reasoning for the sermons. Recognition was not something Seath knew he wanted to achieve, but it felt good to get it.

"Indeed master." The words slipped without Seath meaning them to be.

"I tell the truth of the Force, of it's nondiscrimination and it's needing of all to serve. I believe....I think there is a new hymn now that must be sung now."

 

[Andrai Willows]

Pale green hues would wash over the crowd now, taking in the display of the mixture of emotions. It was nothing that would beckon a riot quite yet but if the silent rumble of comments and criticisms were to rise it was apparent that it wouldn't take much for such an event. A sigh she'd relish. How easy it would be to weave to and fro between the unknowing and take what she wanted, silence those who would deny her, and move along her merry way.

She hadn't notice the two men who seemed to exude pure essence. At least not until they began to come closer, the first, [member="Darth Metus"], seemed to walk with an over confident air to her while the other, [member="Seath"] , had the micro movements as though the body itself didn't quite want to move or something was pulling 'strings'. It was off and she didn't know how she noticed these small things, but it was there. Something that, very honestly, made no sense.

Once the man in front let his eyes fall on her she'd give him a spare second of attention before letting her eyes fall on the pale corpse behind him. A dark, slender brow raising in curiosity before her left hand would raise, bending to use her wrist in order to wipe a drop of sweat from her forehead also removing a previously missed smudge of grease from it. Andrai seemed as though she wanted to ask what his deal was but she knew better than to ask questions she didn't want answers to.

Again her gaze would settle on the more confident man who held out some credits for her. Nimble digits spinning the dagger between her fingers to twist it down and slid it into the sheath strapped to her thick, leather legginged thigh in one smooth movement. As she did this her right hand would come out to take the credits from him gently. Full, rose painted lips pulling into a soft grin when she felt the small push.

"Now. now. There's no need for that. You're already paying me, handsome."

A gentle laugh passed into the air between them while pushing off the wall to turn and lead the men towards the outskirts of the city where the ship was. It was a beaten, pieced together cruiser that was far less than able to get off the ground just yet. She hadn't even bothered to close or lock it. There wasn't anything to steal except for maybe some tools that were strewn around the inside, obviously not hers until just recently and obviously being worked on.

She'd hoped they wouldn't speak of the patch work of the holes having recently been blasted into the hull. She was usually much better at getting away unscathed but this last attack caught her off guard. Stepping up inside she'd wait for them to enter. Once they did-if they did she would hit the button to close the door and moved to sit in the pilot's seat. Studying the credits in silence.

 

[Malok]

R E L O V I A N​

Location: The Children's Square
0930 Local Time

The Creature was in the right.

When the question formed and fell from the Sith's lips, his compatriot responded immediately. The answer that graced Darth Metus' ears did not contrast in the slightest to the message being championed by the evangelist. The passion which bled forth from the Creature's chosen voice was but a physical manifestation of the being's own piety. Darth Metus understood; and agreed somewhat by the stance presented to the masses. It was true that the Darkness would accept the worship of all - but it did not need them. No, the Darkness was a fickle, selective mistress who only required the efforts of a blessed few to accomplish its aims. In times long since past, the Galaxy was brought to heel by only a handful of faithful souls. Untold trillions made to kneel before the Dark by an extraordinary few.

However, the Sith did not voice the slight difference in opinion for two reasons. The first was the Creature's own admission that, perhaps, there was a different truth to be sung. An unknown truth as of the moment, but perhaps he would come to see as Darth Metus did. The second was a matter of simplicity - for their newfound host was leading the way forward. After pressing the credits into the woman's hand, the Sith found his efforts to sway her mind unnecessary. Clearly, her story had been touched by forceful hands before, as she recognized his attempt to influence her thoughts immediately. She was no average bystander, of this there was no doubt; and so, Darth Metus happily followed after her.

When she led them to her ship, there was certainly a judgment in his mind upon witnessing the tattered hull. He did not judge the aesthetic or the state of the ship negatively, of course. But rather saw the scene for what it was. This woman had managed to navigate out of a battlefield of some kind, alive. And she managed to make it to Relovian, alive. And she knew how to identity attempts to sway her mind. This woman was...interesting to say the very least. When at last they had all boarded her vessel, she gave them some privacy by settling into the pilot's chair promptly. Darth Metus offered a polite "Thank you." before placing the majority of his attention upon his fellow Creature.

"So tell me, what are you." he began. The Sith found a suitable crate to lower his posterior upon casually. However, despite his relaxed demeanor, Darth Metus was very much aware that he was inside an enclosed space with another of his ilk. Already the gears were turning - just in case. "And what is this hymn you were mentioning earlier, if you don't mind elaborating." His hand moved, punctuating his thoughts whilst he spoke. However, before the Creature responded, he briefly looked to the cockpit and addressed their gracious host.

"There's certainly more where that came from - and perhaps a better set of wings as well. Are you spoken for or on the market?"

His verbiage was mirthful at best, coupled with a light smile. If she was under the employ of some underworld entity, the Sith entertained the notion of buying out her obligation. For what he had planned for Hutt Space, Scrappy survivors were exactly what he was looking for.

[member="Seath"] | [member="Andrai Willows"]​

 

[Andrai Willows]

Andrai would perk a brow in curiosity while studying the credits and trying her best to ignore the conversation happening in the ship, though truth be told, that was close to impossible. There were two pretty shady beings having a conversation and what seemed to be a first meeting. The fascination with the goings on were just too much to really pay no mind.

A black leather boot would come up to rest the sturdy sole against the copilots seat, paying no mind to the tears and singed fabric on the seat itself.

Her attention and gaze came to fall toward her company as [member="Darth Metus"] spoke towards her. A crooked grin pulling at the corners of her full lips, tilting her head a moment wondering what market he may have been talking about. She had a feeling she knew-but the opportunity to be herself freely was something too good to pass up.

"You're not bad looking. I'm not spoken for at the moment and very, very on the market."

The tone in her voice had changed a little, allowing a small, teasing inflection to lace it's way around her words while she moved to stand from her seat, leaning against a wall closer to the two.

"This will do for my company, though I hope you don't expect much for this little amount of credits. I'm a rather fine looking woman, if I do say so myself. Naturally the price for more will go up."

 

[Malok]

The Sith always appreciated banter.

In his line of work - whether it be matters of State or the Dark Side - Darth Metus was typically surrounded by beings of stone. Not in the literal sense, but rather in terms of personality. Those whose lives revolved around political affairs tended to raise their noses to the heavens and carried themselves as if they had a broom stuck where the Sun did not shine. And those who followed the Darkness tended to focus upon the extremes of emotion. In either case, the Sith seldom had the opportunity to jest with another.

And so, when @Andrai Williams responded to his coy offer, a toothy grin was the response. Based upon her response, the Sith decided that she was speaking to both contexts of his words. However, it simply would not do to sling credits for a physical encounter - the Sith was on the market for the talents which saw her fly here. Matters of tousling sheets was another quest entirely.

”That was but a taste, and a modest one at that.” came his response. ”Work for me, and you will see firsthand how many zeros I add to your account.”

 

[Andrai Willows]

A slender brow would perk again, fingertips working to spin the credits between them absentmindedly. Free hand settling down to rest on the belt of her leather pants while she considered his offer.

"Oh so you want me to work for you? I was afraid I'd have to lure you into a bedroom and knock you out for a moment. And I'd really rather not. Force users are so hard to seduce."

Her words would pause for a moment while the pale gaze settled on the credits as they flipped along her knuckles and the tip of her tongue peeked out to slowly slide along the fullness of her lips as if to moisten them. Eyes drifting towards the hull of the ship and around her stolen prize before speaking out,

"Well that's an easy enough thing to answer. I'm not owned. But I'm open to doing jobs for you. As long as I'm able to work elsewhere should the need arise. As you can tell, this ship needs a little lovin'. I need credits to give it what it needs."

Fingers would finally flip the credits and let them slide back into the small sack that hang from the other side of her belt, arms crossing beneath her breasts while her attentions settled fully on [member="Darth Metus"]. It'd be nice to work for a couple different people at once and find herself a steady income. Settling down and returning to one place wasn't something she found herself doing for too long as she always had the wonderful habit of making a name for herself.

"Do we have a deal?"