Private Aqua Regia (Alina & Xyrah)

[Darth Carnifex]

Today was a particularly peculiar day for Dromund Kaas.

The rain had ceased, momentarily of course. It would return, as it always did, and with a greater deluge than before. That was the cyclical nature of the world's tropical zone, in which the vast majority of Dromund Kaas' population resided. New Kaas City held the greatest concentration of people, all nestled within the continent-spanning city and a few outlying boroughs beyond the city walls. Once where the banners of the Ashlan Crusade were looked upon with hatred, now the banners of the Sith Order billowed triumphantly in the afternoon breeze.

When the occupiers had been swept away, the people of New Kaas City rejoiced. They welcomed the Sith vanguard with open arms, inviting them into their city and hosting them as valiant liberators. Sympathies for the Sith ran deep on Dromund Kaas, long instilled by those who had come to call the world home for many generations. Few remembers a time before the Sith, though all could remember the intervening trespass of the Ashlans. But that time was over time, the Sith had come and freed them from the invader's yoke. Again they gave praise to the Dark Side, and they could finally look up at the scarlet pendants with pride rather than resentment.

Carnifex looked down upon the city from the Citadel Spire, His shadow cast long against His back. He'd been in a frenzy restoring the city to it's former glory under the Sith Empire, washing away the indignity of the Ashlan occupation, and reaffirming Sith control over the former heartland. It had not been difficult to do so, just time consuming. The people welcomed the Sith, they knew no other master, but the holdouts of Ashlans and their witless collaborators sapped at resources and manpower. Fortunately, with the Malsheem orbiting so near, He had both in abundance.

But the time for His hand in the affairs of the world was nearing it's end, He'd never planned to stay permanently. Custodianship of the Holy Worlds was to be a temporary post, though none but Himself and His closest confidants knew that. He'd already begun to phase out direct control on worlds such as Korriban, which He had handed over to a self-proclaimed King to directly govern. The Kainate would still maintain a noticeable presence, but in all but name it was the King's government which ran the world and it's people. It would be the same with Dromund Kaas, but the Dark Lord had yet to determine who to hand it over to.

That was what today was for, to meet a potential new overlord for Dromund Kaas. He'd summoned them not long ago, and they'd be arriving shortly. An envoy would meet them at the Citadel step, and word would be relayed to Him of their arrival. With a gesture, He'd grant them entry, and they'd be guided up to the throne room where He'd be waiting. Seated atop the towering stepped plinth, He watched with cold eyes as the doors opened and she was allowed past the red-robed Crownguard at the door.

"Welcome, Lady Tremiru. I hope Dromund Kaas' hospitality has been generous. The world is in a state of reinvigoration, and the people are understandable jubilant."

Alina Tremiru | Saryn Zambrano ​

 

[Alina Tremiru]

"Do you know why we all look the same?"

A blond woman spoke softly. Not even a woman, a girl, barely in her adult years and yet dressed as any Sith should be. She sat amongst the field of the Tremiru estate, watching the clear sky above. Days like this were exceedingly rare, and they made her want nothing more than to spend time with her younger sister. The Tremiru family had long deemed the girl a failure, but that wasn't the case to the Sith sitting with her.

The girl stared up in confusion. "Isn't it because we're family?"

The Sith blinked in surprise, glancing to the girl beside her. Then laughed. There were so many twisted reasons as to why all Tremiru woman looked the same, the most important being the blade on her hip. The ancient runes carried such a huge burden, one she wanted to share with her sister. But.. She didn't. Instead she reached up, patting the younger girl's head.

"Yeah, that's right, Alina."

---

She'd arrived early.

Not to the meeting, of course, but to the planet itself. The days of clear skies had been among the few days Alina truly enjoyed. She sat in the field where her family estate had once been, now long healed over from the fire that had claimed it. All that remained was this field, overtaking and overgrown from the lack of groundskeepers. This was where one of the favored memories she replayed in the void of death had been made.

"My Lady."

Vincent stood close by, his head bowed, eyes on the floor before him. He was Sangnir like her, but had been long part of the Tremiru family by the time he'd been changed. A slave soldier, alchemically altered to both be physically at his peak, and incapable of disobeying the sovereign of the Tremiru. It was a chain she'd broken by changing him, and in the process earned his undying loyalty.

She stood, dusting off the black dress she wore of dirt and blades of grass.

"Let's be off, Vincent."

---

Alina strode through the room, head high as she passed the guards. Vincent, naturally, remained to the back as her retainer, head bowed and hand crossed over his chest to settle where his heart had once been. A sign of utmost respect for the Sangnir they'd become, a gesture to be prepared to offer the Anima their maw stored there at a simple ask. Alina herself mirrored the gesture before the throne, her eyes and head lowering towards the floor in a proper bow.

"One of my few regrets in the void of death was being unable to see the Ashlan's be purged from this world. While I was not able to bring the reality myself, it brings quite the smile to see the Sith lord over my family's homeworld yet again." She straightened, clasped her hands behind the small of her back, lifted her head with the poise that now mirrored the very mother she had killed herself.

"You've my utmost thanks, Lord Carnifex."

Darth Carnifex

 

[Saryn Zambrano]

As his husband greeted Lady Alina from atop the throne, Saryn was reclined comfortably on a nearby chaise longue in his pyjamas, reading a holobook. His ears perked up, however, when he heard his old friend's voice, a warm smile forming on his lips as he arose from his seat. "Alina!", he said happily, standing up to rush over and give her an affectionate hug. "It's so good to see you again! I apologize I didn't dress more formally. Thought I might have a few hours to relax and read before your arrival.", he said with a gentle chuckle.

"Mmmh. My husband and I have been quite busy wiping out the last traces of Ashlan filth from the holy worlds. It has been quite the endeavour. But our work is just about nearly complete.", he said, smiling at her. "But how have you been? I havn't had a chance to get a proper moment alone with you since the gala."

Alina Tremiru
Darth Carnifex

 

[Darth Carnifex]

"Their time on this world was nothing more than transient, it was folly for them to attempt what they did. Now they pay the price."

The Dark Lord rose, His shadow creeping across the floor as He descended the dais. He cut the very image of a conqueror, flowing crimson robes concealing glimmers of black runic armor. A circlet of metal encircled His brow, inlaid with golden inscriptions and square-cut ruby gemstones. At His back hung a heavy cloak made from interlocking scales, all of which bore the crest of a Mandalorian clan; culled during His ceaseless eradication of the Mandalorian people. At His side hung a lightsaber wrought from twisted black cerakote, which radiated with power all it's own.

In contrast was the starkly underdressed Lord Xyrah, who made little effort to conform to the traditional decorum common between members of the Sith Order. Not that it surprised the Dark Lord, He'd become well accustomed to Xyrah's mannerisms, although He did sometimes express His desire to see the younger man present himself more seriously when acting in an official capacity. Nonetheless, the Dark Lord loomed large over the two of them, His baleful eyes staring down and through the Lady Tremiru as though she were carved from crystal rather than flesh and blood.

"Whatever remnant persists of the Crusaders no longer has any power to bother the Sith, and in time they will become little more than a fading memory. And then they will no longer be remembered at all. But, the Ashlans are not why I called you here. I've been preparing something that I believe you will find quite advantageous for your position."

Alina Tremiru | Saryn Zambrano ​

 

[Alina Tremiru]

"It must be quite the good read for you to have lost track of time." A kind smile rested on her face as she dipped her head to Saryn. It was rare for him not to be prepared for guest like this. Perhaps it was a book she'd have to take a gander at. At another time, though. She couldn't help but raise a brow as the Dark Lord mentioned an advantage to her specifically. Curiosity, first and foremost, filled her eyes. And a little mistrust.

Dealings between Sith were rarely just as simple as helping one another.

"They should be remembered as the cowards and hypocrites they are, less another decides to try and renew them. A group that is seen as being buried and erased can be seen as something we thought was a threat to the common folk. But if they believe the group to not be a secret but something truly laughable, it won't matter if someone tries to rally. They'll just be dismissed. Though, what exactly have you been preparing, if I might be so bold?"

Darth Carnifex | Saryn Zambrano

 

[Saryn Zambrano]

Saryn beamed her a delightful smile. "It was! And yes, I've soiled my record of being impeccably well prepared for my guests today. I apologize, my dear.", he said with a soft giggle, hugging her affectionately. He then listened to Alina and his husband exchange words, before nodding in agreement. "Indeed. My droids have been mopping up scattered Ashlan holdouts, but they're still stubbornly trying to persist. Not that it will do them much good. Their eradication will be finalized soon enough."

Saryn then reached out to force pull his bedrobe into his hands, slipping it on over his pyjamas for a bit more modesty in the presence of company, before snapping his fingers at one of his Human Replica Droid servant girls. She quickly poured drinks for Saryn, Carnifex and Alina. For Alina specifically, a fine vintage "red" popular amongst Sangnir nobility, before bringing said beverages over to them on a tray. Saryn took hold of his drink, sipping it.

Darth Carnifex
Alina Tremiru

 

[Darth Carnifex]

"It has been my prerogative to see the Sith Worlds restored, to see them wrestled from the hands of usurpers and despoilers." He reached for His drink, the glass flying through the air before landing deftly in His outstretched hand. Not a single drop was spilled. "I have done this, and have spent the time since rebuilding our holy cradle. Great expenditures have been made to see worlds like Dromund Kaas, Korriban, and Ziost rendered habitable and open for expansion. We're at a point that I feel confident in moving forward."

The Dark Lord of the Kainate took a drink, savoring the harsh, acrid flavors that now trickled across His tongue and down His throat. "My residence on Dromund Kaas was only ever intended to be temporary, to persist as long as the renovations continued. They are nearing completion, and thus I must prepare to vacate the planet. But I will not leave Dromund Kaas hamstrung, nor will to tolerate a plebiscite of the people to choose their own leader. Such populism is poison." His eyes narrowed on Alina Tremiru.

"A hand of noble blood must be there to steer this world, and that is why I have chosen you to lead Dromund Kaas once I have left."

Alina Tremiru | Saryn Zambrano ​

 

[Alina Tremiru]

Alina lifted her glass once it was given, idly taking a sip. It was a pleasant surprise that Saryn had prepared such a beverage for her. A surprise that didn't really need to be one. He'd always been good at knowing just what to serve. She would've had a problem with sipping if she had a need to breath, though, as Carnifex continued. She swallowed the sip before clearing her throat. Smiled softly as she let the glass linger by her side.

"I admit, not what I expected to hear. As the head of House Tremiru, it would delight me to no end to keep order on this world. I suppose this means I'll have to do quite he preparation for the transition?"

Saryn Zambrano | Darth Carnifex

 

[Saryn Zambrano]

Saryn gently sipped from his glass, smiling at Alina. "No one is more well suited to run things here. And well, my husband might be leaving but I intend to stick around and help out where I can. Help you get situated. Plus, I already built a penthouse suite for myself in the citadel here, so, I intend to use it thoroughly.", he said with a soft giggle.

"Plus, it'll be a good opportunity to work together more often. I do enjoy your company.", Saryn said, beaming her a delightfully warm and friendly smile. "And of course the droid garrison I installed here in the interim will be at your full disposal in continuing to mop up the troublesome Ashlan holdouts left over."

Darth Carnifex
Alina Tremiru

 

[Darth Carnifex]

"No, I suspect it was not. No doubt, it would have been the last thing you would have expected from me, Lady Tremiru. Long has the designs of the likes of Alisteri Haxim and Malum Marr been known to me, their aching need to reshape the Order. They conspire in the darkness, whisper to one another when they believe no one is listening." The Dark Lord's eyes flashed dangerous, although His smile widened to show the faintest glimmer of teeth.

"But I am the darkness."

The smile diminished, but did not disappear. "The groundwork has been laid, the transition will be ready within a few rotations. You will not find it difficult when power is transferred onto you, for the people have been primed." The Dark Lord's hand danced sensually across Saryn's shoulders, thumb rubbing possessively against the pale porcelain skin. "As Lord Xyrah said, he will remain behind as an aid to the transition. His mind has been bent towards the future, and he is not one to leave such projects undone. There are few others suited to work alongside for such a task."

"Once you have been sworn into power, Dromund Kaas and it's surrounding star system will be at your disposal. You may develop it as you please, direct it's people as you please, but with some caveats. There exists a sizable population of displaced Epicanthix that have been given portions of the world to govern autonomously, their sovereignty will not be infringed upon. They will pay a tithe to you, as they have to me, but their governance will be their own. Likewise, a tithe will be collected from Dromund Kaas as a whole, for the upkeep of the Holy Worlds and for Emperor Empyrean's government at Jutrand. All worlds are bound to this edict, even Dromund Kaas and Korriban."

"The details will be made more clear once you are ready to assume power."

Alina Tremiru | Saryn Zambrano ​

 

[Alina Tremiru]

There were the caveats. The world was hers, but not wholly. It wasn't too surprising that the Epicanthix would be given their freedom to run themselves. Lord Carnifex had never hid his personal favor. She kept her expression still, only showing more a smile at the idea that Saryn would remain here. It would be good to have someone to work with that she enjoyed the company of. Better than one of those numerous strandcasts Carnifex had working under him, certainly.

Power was not given, it was earned. Either by taking it, or proving it was not wasted. That was what death had taught her on her pride. Her eyes returned to the Dark Lord, practically glowing with her own determination. Enjoyment and thrill. This was a challenge on it's own, and one she certainly welcomed. "I will be ready to assume power in those rotations. There are only a few things I need to bring here from afar. I've already a few ideas on what I could bring to fruition here."

Darth Carnifex | Saryn Zambrano