Private As it was Foretold

[Darth Maledictio]

Shadow Emperor, Leader of the Spear, Shadow Dragon

Objective: To test the girl
Location: Surface, Carlac
Equipment: Empyrean gland | OPBC-01m
Tag: Spindle

<"High Nelvaanian"> | ~ telepathic communication ~ | << comm. channel >> ​

Curse has spent most of the last two and a half decades in the Unknown Region on Terraris, or on the surrounding planets. As always, he was researching the Ancient Mavors culture. And, of course, he continued to lead the Shadow Empire as Shadow Emperor in utmost secrecy. Unfortunately, the man never got much closer to learning more about the Mavors race and culture, they still seemed mostly legend and myth. True, he had not given up on finding their trail through the galaxy and proving that they really existed and were not just fiction.

But the galaxy was vast, with thousands or even millions of inhabited or now uninhabited planets. And searching them all was impossible, even for a powerful Sith Lord like Curse. It even took a lot of time and energy to personally investigate every rumour or legend. An apprentice or assistant who is also interested in ancient knowledge would have helped him a lot. Of course, there were many such young Sith, or other Force Users, but still... so few who met the man's criteria or expectations. For Curse was rather squeamish and picky about such things.

That is why it was a pleasant surprise for the man when his men returned with a name; Spindle . As far as he knew, she was a disciple of Lord Letifer ; Curse was unaware that the Sith Lord had also escaped and returned. It therefore seemed a good opportunity to approach the girl and ask her to be his apprentice or assistant. Of course, first he wanted to take her on a mission, a reconnaissance, to test whether she would really live up to the hopes he had dared to hope for. Curse had already scouted out the planet near Carlac, a quarantined world with ancient ruins, to test her there.

So the man arrived at the place where the young girl was; he approached in a dress that covered his whole body; a hooded robe. There was also a hood over the man's head, under which his face was not visible, only total darkness. No weapon was visible on the man's side. He moved soundlessly, but very smoothly, as if he were made of mercury, or not even walking on the ground, but floating above it, gliding over the ground. This was not true, of course, but it might have appeared so to mere mortals. In the end he stopped a few steps away from her and spoke in a pleasantly low voice. If one couldn't tell whether it was a man or a woman from his movement, it was clear from the deep, pleasant baritone voice that it was a man.

"My child, I want to talk to you." his voice was calm, pleasant, persuasive, simple people might even have called it confident, yet there was something ancient, cold and distant about him that made the cowled figure perhaps even more mysterious and special.

 

[Spindle]

Darth Maledictio

The first few weeks of her master's incarceration had been filled with a menagerie of emotions. Rage in the setback of her studies, a slight panic that she would be next, frustration that the trapping had not been by her own hand. As time progressed, the panic waned, the rage simmered, and the frustration burrowed, turning vindictive. It hadn't been the first time her plans had been foiled by a surprise independent study. Nor would it be the last, she suspected.

Nevertheless, the specter of a Sith prevailed, unearthing secrets as she came across them, continuing to build her power as well as she could without the guiding hand of a master. Curiosity was her beacon of direction in that time, the promise of influence close behind. By the time Lord Letifer was freed from his stasis, Spindle had almost developed a taste for the more winding path. Not enough to abandon the apprenticeship entirely, of course, but plenty to solidify the purpose behind such tutelage.

To learn and then discard, a perfect way for a Sith to operate.

The spirit of curiosity still ran rampant in the Nagai. Ruins and people and anything in between held such delectable secrets to uncover. It was perhaps that curiosity that stilled her hand when approached by that cloaked stranger. Spindle often looked upon those who hid behind such clothing with disdain, for where was the imagination? Where was the pageantry? But this particular figure gave her pause. There was something intriguing about the way this figure moved, a slick grace that had slipped beyond her notice until they were almost too close for comfort. Intriguing. Something meriting further study, for certain.

"Oh?" The drawled syllable held an airy tone, if one counted stale air. Her voice rested in a dissonant mezzo, fluctuating as she continued. "A cloaked stranger with words for me? How very curious. Tell me, dearie, to what do I owe this curiosity? Are you looking to commission finer wear? Or perhaps something else?"

 

[Darth Maledictio]

Shadow Emperor, Leader of the Spear, Shadow Dragon

Information

Objective: To test the girl
Location: Surface, Carlac
Equipment: Empyrean gland | OPBC-01m
Tag: Spindle

<"High Nelvaanian"> | ~ telepathic communication ~ | << comm. channel >> ​

Curse already knew that Spindle was a rather strange girl, and he had met countless strange and odd children in his long life, so he wasn't really surprised that she had spoken to him like that. He chuckled a little at the question, especially when she asked him if he wanted a new dress. Not often in his life had he been asked such a question, true these cloaks/dresses were not the prettiest, but they were not meant to be. When the man chuckled, the walls of the empty hall echoed with his voice, as if he were trying to emerge from the darkness of the past, or from some tomb in the afterlife.

"I don't need a new suit, my child." he said, still in a calm voice. "I came to see you for other reasons."

After his words, the man looked away and raised his eyes to the walls to see the patterns and possible inscriptions on them. He held up one hand, from which the dark robe had partially slipped off, though beneath it he wore a long-sleeved garment of similar colour and on the back of his hand he wore a black leather glove. He ran his gloved hand over the reliefs on the uneven wall. His face was still hidden from view as he studied the wall. He said to her, without looking at her.

"Your reputation, not only because of your master, has reached the ears of many." he told her. "So it seems that we have some common interests... something we can help each other with."

The man continued mysteriously, and here he was silent again to add to the tension and mystery of the situation. And of course, the pause for effect was quite important at this moment. If he saw that he had succeeded in getting her attention, he would continue. For at that moment, it was important for him to attract her interest or to see in her that she might be willing to work together, to cooperate with others.

"I am also interested in ancient, bygone cultures, artefacts and special uses of the Force. I have a project that I've been working on for some time and I think you would be an excellent assistant... if you're interested in learning about extinct cultures that you've probably never heard of."

 

[Spindle]

Darth Maledictio

"Oh? Do tell."

A paper-thin brow rose as she continued to study the cloaked figure. There was a part of her that wanted to dismiss the figure entirely, meeting the mysticism he presented with skepticism. Another part of her was oh so intrigued by the idea of peeling those layers of mystery away and seeing what remained.

At the mention of her master, Spindle's lips curled ever so slightly. Her subservience to Letifer had allotted her station and resources, something she was all too aware of. Nevertheless, any gratitude or reverence was tainted by the acrid reminders of what had been lost in the process, what the Lord of the Sith had yet to answer for.

But that curdled malice was for her and her alone, at least for the time being. In the moment, her beady gaze was still fixed on the man speaking, sliding away to take in the writing on the wall but never straying far lest she be caught unawares. An ichor-stained hand gestured as he paused, eager for him to continue.

"How very...fascinating. What sort of project had you searching for lil ol' me? Especially if you know of my master?" Blackened fingers moved to her chin in consideration, posing a stark contrast to her pallid complexion. "You have piqued my interests, certainly, dear, err...May I have your name?"

 

[Darth Maledictio]

Shadow Emperor, Leader of the Spear, Shadow Dragon

Information

Objective: To test the girl
Location: Surface, Carlac
Equipment: Empyrean gland | OPBC-01m
Tag: Spindle

<"High Nelvaanian"> | ~ telepathic communication ~ | << comm. channel >> ​

He was not unaware of her reaction when he mentioned her master. He, too, was well aware that a great and influential master has far more influence and advantage than a weak one. Sure, an apprentice could easily kill a weak Sith Lord to take their place, but that would not make them strong; they would remain as weak as their master had been. And a strong Sith apprentice might be tempted by others to seduce them, since there is a reason why a Sith Lord would notice them. In such a case, of course, there was the drawback that it was difficult to defeat such a Sith Lord, but... but so few people nowadays followed the old tradition that an apprentice could only become a Knight or Lord by killing their master.

But it didn't really matter to the man, he was just distracted for a few moments, taking advantage of the fact that the cloak covering his whole body and head, and showing nothing of his face, allowed him to do so. Allowed him in the sense that it was much harder to read him because of the lack of body language. He continued to watch as she watched the walls. He stood still for the moment, but he examined them as best he could. Only when she finally asked him a question did he turn his head away visibly.

"My name is Curse." introduced himself by his real name and not the assumed Sith name.

In fact, he probably didn't even remember what his real name was, he'd been using Curse for so long that it had become one with him. In Spear, of the three leaders, he represented the Dark Side; Curse was thus a perfect fit for the man. In fact, that's why he chose it. He heard several rumours within Spear that he was supposed to be designing biological weapons or something like that and that's why he chose that name. He has never confirmed or denied these rumours. But back to the present.

"The project will not compromise your place on your master's side. I have been searching for an ancient civilization for a very long time. This species is even more ancient than the Rakata, the Gree. They too used Force based technology and to use it more effectively and to achieve their own philosophy, they implanted various cybernetic things into themselves. Their technology is such that it can take years or decades to figure out how an object works if you are not familiar with it. But even they can. They somehow saw technology and the Force very differently from others who came after them. All three aspects of the Force were present in their society... but they were not at war with each other, they were able to live in harmony." he told her some bits of information.

 

[Spindle]

TAG: Darth Maledictio

"Curse," she repeated, testing the word on her tongue. Such a curious name. Foreshadowing, perhaps? Or maybe a threat given form? The mysteries were piling up and Spindle was most intrigued as to when and how answers would come to light. The Nagai would be a fool to suggest the idea of peeling back those mysteries with her ichor-stained nails wasn't appealing.

Her nose crinkled with more open disdain at the mention of technology, personal bias bleeding in and interfering with professional curiosity. Her distaste was a superficial one, preferring a personal touch over the uncaring simplicity that often came with tech. And yet, personal disgust meant little in the face of genuine discovery.

The darkened finger at her chin dug in slightly. "That is all fascinating, I'm sure. And what is your intention with this civilization? Finding what's lost for the thrill of it? Building a powerbase otherwise untouched?" A slight grin, too long for her face spread slowly upon her lips. "Or is there something more personal you're looking for?"

 

[Darth Maledictio]

Shadow Emperor, Leader of the Spear, Shadow Dragon

Information

Objective: To test the girl
Location: Surface, Carlac
Equipment: Empyrean gland | OPBC-01m
Tag: Spindle

<"High Nelvaanian"> | ~ telepathic communication ~ | << comm. channel >> ​

The truth was that he found it somewhat amusing that she had a name as talkative as his. At least from what he'd heard. Curse didn't know the girl's real name; he had only heard from others that she was called "Spindle". And that was very similar to Curses. In fact, he also wondered if that was the reason he had chosen her. It made sense, even he couldn't argue with that. So he was forced to concede that it was partly her skills and partly her name that made her the winner in this "game". The process of selection was a game for him; the task, however, was no longer the least.

"Is this question that important?" he asked mysteriously, but with an amused tone in his voice.

Actually, the question had a slight overtone that it was a rhetorical question and he didn't want to know the answer. The man had only just moved and was trying to "walk around" her, which was probably only half a circle because of the wall. His steps were soft and soft, inaudible, as if he were floating above the ground. Even his slippers floated silently behind her, elegantly, as if he were a ghost. The man's face was still not visible, probably some kind of darkened material in front of his face, or some kind of dark mask, or perhaps a helmet, so that he could not be seen by accident. Finally, when Curse returned to the place from which he had started, he turned back to Spindle and then spoke again.

"Maybe all of them, maybe none of them." he said again mysteriously, then continued a little more seriously. "Isn't sheer curiosity and passion for research and discovery enough? They have seen the world in a special way that others have not. It takes incredible logic and intelligence to use even their simplest objects. With such knowledge, we could learn about science in a different way, opening up a new chapter in it, as well as in the creation of artefacts and different forms of life." he told her.

Here he paused for a moment, of course he was also somewhat interested in power, but that came with knowledge. In that respect, Curse was perhaps different from the average Sith, interested only in power and domination, perhaps destruction.

"And you? Why are you doing this? Why are you researching ancient artefacts and cultures?" now he asked her.