Private Audience On Bespin

[Lady Venge]

Whisperings had reached Lady Venge's ear of a young Sith Acolyte who knew how to enter the Nether and tamper with forces beyond the comprehension of mere mortals. Being a Sorcerer and Alchemist, Venge found herself intrigued by the idea of accessing the Nether and learning what mysteries could be unraveled from within, so she had put out word that she sought an audience with Sofiel in neutral territory, safely out of sight of both the Galactic Alliance and The Sith Empire (as far as she knew, Darth Empyrean still wanted her dead, and she especially didn't want the Jedi, Alex StormWolf, or that pest of a Twi'lek he was frequently with, Seku Bondara; finding out what she was up to).

After much consideration, Venge decided on meeting Sofiel in Cloud City. Following the trip to Bespin, Venge finds herself pacing impatiently on the landing platform, walking a slow circle around her ship, The Dark Embrace, as she awaited Sofiel's arrival.

Sofiel

 

[Sofiel]

"It is bold to request the presence of someone who does follow the Emperor when he wants you dead, Lady Venge."

She walked with her head up, hands clasped behind her back. Dressed in a common business suit. On a neutral world like this, a traveling business woman was the best presentation to have. No one asked where she was walking with such determination. Or they did, and she simply ignored them. It didn't matter. No, Sofiel's eyes rested only on the Sith who had reached out to contact her.

A shift of shadow brought Vorthruz to her shoulder, it's spindly form draped over her like a shade. It's white, featureless mask staring with the two black slots that seemed to be where it's eyes were. Always watching. A calm smile crept over the Acolyte's face. Far too calm for the exchange of words.

"What is it you want?"

Lady Venge

 

[Lady Venge]

Venge glanced briefly at the creature perched on Sofiel's shoulder. It seemed far more human like than it did avian.

"I choose not to live in fear of those who wish me dead," Venge said, focusing on Sofiel's eerily calm demeanor. "What I want, simply enough, is to explore the Nether. I have heard whisperings that you are able to access it directly. Being a Sith Sorcerer and Alchemist, the idea of treading in the realm of the dead itself is an idea I find most intriguing. Is it true what they say of you?"

Sofiel

 

[Sofiel]

Her head canted to the side, resting against the familiar on her shoulder. "I can't open a portal to the Nether yet, but I do know where there are portals all over the Galaxy. Going through them is easy enough. Coming back, less so."

Sofiel straightened again, gave a warmer smile that just seemed far colder than anything.

"Why do you want to walk in hell?"

Lady Venge

 

[Lady Venge]

A chilling, maniacal grin crosses Venges face as Sofiel asks her why she wished to walk in Hell.

"I've wandered from one end of the galaxy to the other numerous times in the 47 years I've been alive. As a Sith, I've seen many wonders that mere mortals would deem impossible," Venge said. "But in all that time...I've never been to Hell and back, literally."

Sofiel

 

[Sofiel]

"If I did as my Lord wished, I could give you a trip there, free of charge."

The Familiar on her shoulder unfurled it's wings, flapping once to take off into the air above them. Circle, overhead. Scout really, just to make sure they were truly alone.

"But I take it you want my help to find a way in less.. Dead."

Lady Venge

 

[Lady Venge]

"Less dead would be preferable," Venge acknowledged, glancing briefly at Sofiel's Familiar as it took flight. "I do realize you are perfectly within your rights to execute the Emperor's will, for my....um how shall I put this...rather blunt choice of words towards him and his associates, during that party aboard his yacht. I ask only for a temporary truce, one Sith to another, that we may part ways amicably. And should you still desire to carry out Empyrean's will if we ever cross paths again...then whatever will be shall be."

Sofiel

 

[Sofiel]

"Traveling to and from the Nether is dangerous, as I said. If you fail to come back, I get to report I killed you. If you come back, well. I can agree to just killing you the next time. Either way, I get to see how well you can fair in hell, Lady Venge."

The smile brightened, though her cold eyes certainly didn't.

"Shall we begin?"

Lady Venge

 

[Lady Venge]

It was a bold gamble, walking into the Nether, and attempting to return unscathed. But, nothing ventured, nothing gained, Venge decided.

"Your terms are acceptable. By all means, let's begin."

Sofiel

 

[Sofiel]

"Perfect. Do you know how a gate works? How to open the door to the Nether?"

Slowly the Acolyte clasped her hands together. Nothing happened, not at first. But as she lifted her hands, the Familiar landed behind her. Spread it's wings far and wide as she spread her own. Then it twisted. Churned and seemed to just boil behind her into a thick black mass. One that started to stretch and stretch.

"Something like a wound in the Force can create a.. Thinning, of the wall between worlds. Sometimes outright punch through it. During the Netherworld crisis, that wall was broken and beaten. It hasn't recovered, not completely. But it's hard to just punch through. A wound is what's needed. Or, an invitation."

The black solidified, thickened. And a simple black door formed behind her as Sofiel brought her hands back together as if she was molding clay. Her eyes, cold and devoid of emotion, never left the Sith before her.

"The door is yours to take."

Lady Venge

 

[Lady Venge]

Venge reached out a hand, fingertips barely touching the frame of the doorway that had formed behind Sofiel. It was solid to the touch, which defied logic, seeing how only seconds before there had been nothing there.

One nagging question kept coming to Venge's thoughts. And since Sofiel seemed to have an incredible understanding of how the doorways to the Nether worked, she would be the person to ask.

"Who or what caused the Netherworld Crisis in the first place? I've often heard the topic of the aftermath discussed, but I confess I find my understanding of the cause of it all is woefully lacking."

Sofiel

 

[Sofiel]

"A woman with the powers of a god and not the mind to handle it. Or so I've heard."

She shrugged, indifferent to the knowledge itself.

"Will you go through the door? It's not permanent."

Lady Venge

 

[Lady Venge]

Venge grasped the doorknob, and turned it. The door opened inwards. Gathering her resolve, she stepped over the threshold.

Sofiel