Private Homecomings Under Starlight | (SJO/Sith Keepers Open)

[Octavius Bellator]

Octavius took a slow sip from the drink in his hand, a Hapan ale he had specially ordered and brought along for this trip. He swished the liquid around in his mouth for several seconds before finally swallowing it, smiling slightly at the taste. It had been several years since he had tried anything from home, and the variety of drinks he had found across the galaxy put most Hapan drinks to shame, but there was a familiarity to this drink that brought back fond memories. Glancing up through the viewport of the yacht he was currently flying in though, he could see the slowly growing orb in the distance, and all the bad memories flooded back through his mind as well. He held the glass in his hand for a few more seconds before his rage overwhelmed him, and he rose to his feet, throwing the fragile glass across the room.

It shattered against a rich tapestry he had made himself with his family crest sewn into the center. He paused then, staring at it as he slowly regained control of his mind and emotions. Reaching down, he smoothed the bright white and gold shirt and vest he was wearing and resumed his seat on the velvet couch. The reason for his return, he had to remind himself, was not to simply relive old memories and lament the direction his life had taken. He had a purpose for returning to Hapes, a duty to a new organization. The same organization that had funded all of this to be precise. He needed to make some progress to show their efforts would not go to waste.

The Sith Keepers had an interest in establishing roots on the world. The trade connections and markets of Hapes would greatly benefit the efforts of the group, and as the only local in the organization, Octavius had been chosen to begin the process. He would follow his instructions to a certain point, but he had his own personal reasons for wanting to return to his birth world. Motives and efforts that few, besides his own master knew. Thinking of her drew his attention away from the viewport, and across the interior of the richly decorated yacht.

Turning his head slightly, he glanced at the droid sitting in one of the chairs across the room. He leaned back on the couch, folding one leg over the other and relaxing his right arm over the top of the couch before finally speaking. "Have you ever been to Hapes, Voyance?"

Darth Voyance Kyra Perl Romi Jade Argos Xalen Atlas Kane

 

[Darth Voyance]

Sat across from the young Hapan Noble Lord ( Octavius Bellator ), was a TC-SC Infiltration Droid that had assumed the image of Darth Voyance. Voyance was reclined back into a velvet cushioned couch that ran across the other side of the hull. Two viewports flanked either side of her and reflected the blue gleam of orb of Hapes. Voyance turned her head to the side to eye Hapes. She narrowed her eyes and shook her head slowly.

"No," she said flatly, "I have not."

"I have heard of its wealth and beauty however..." Voyance continued, "...word of the Consortium control over the Perlemian Trade Route is well known."

When she was a Spice Dancing Slave on Ventooine she had heard of the profane wealth of the Hapes nobility and their consortium. Blessed by the darkside, the Sith Keepers were given this chance in the manifestation of the wayward Hapes nobleborn. The resurgence of his House will aid the ascendancy of the Order's control over the markets of the Silver Jedi. If Hapes would fall under their influence, others could be warped too. Voyance looked away from the vastly approaching world to stare down her new disciple. He was dressed as a noble born, such draperies were beyond Voyance's tastes, but, they were necessary for the infiltration of the world's noble order.

"Remember your objective in this endeavor, Bellator," said Voyance, her tone now severe.

"Should you be discovered, you will die and your House with you."

Voyance stood and walked towards Octavius. She stood in the middle of the space between the two couches.

"In order for your rise to be permanent and sustainable, you must garner to trust and respect of the other nobles," said Voyance.

"The Sith Code shall guide you young Bellator. Play the prodigal son, and twist their vain adherence to noble trappings against them."

"Their vanity shall be their downfall."

Voyance then clasped her hands behind her back and paced about the dark purple rug that expanded between them.

"Apply caution however, the darkside is indeed powerful. But, You are in a sea of light this deep into the realms of the Silver Jedi."

"Should you need me, use this..." Voyance gestured to an attendant and they came to Octavius holding a Sith Oracle Stone.

It was a dark red crystalline polished orb and within it a small maelstrom whirled and bubbled.

"Tap into your training and I will come to you."

Voyance then returned to her seat and the infiltration droid changed image into a shiny chrome silver protocol droid.

"Goodluck, righteous noble lord," Darth Voyance said as she faded away, "The Darkside shall be with you."



Romi Jade Argos Xalen Atlas Kane

 

[Ura Iolar]

(I'm Argos Xalen . Had meant to use this character.)

Ura stood there next to Kyra Perl , seeming to question what the heck she was doing there? Ura had formed herself look like she was wearing a formal looking dress, one she'd seen on a holonet ad or something like that. She shuttered a bit, slightly starting to turn away. Maybe... maybe she could get out of this. The Padawan started to move a little, crystal structure shifting.

"I think I forgot something on the ship." Yeah... that wasn't very convincing, but maybe it'd work on Ky.... Who was she kidding? Kyra was an empath. She wasn't tricking her, no way no how.

 

[Octavius Bellator]

The yacht made its final approach to Hapes after receiving clearance from ground control. It seemed the old House Bellator codes still held some value, Octavius thought. He stood behind the pilot's chair, the droid working without pause as it followed the carefully plotted route through the atmosphere, and through the various lanes of air traffic. As the landscape began to develop ahead of them, Octavius forced the rising anger in him to simmer beneath the surface. His homecoming so far had not been pleasant, and he had yet to even set foot on the planet itself.

"The Darkside shall be with you..."

The final words of Darth Voyance still rang in his ears as he moved away from the pilot, heading back further into the yacht. He made his way towards the rear of the yacht where the ramp awaited to be lowered when they landed, but he paused midstep along the way. Laying on a small table near where he had been sitting was his lightsaber, a pure black weapon with two connected sections. A saberstaff they called it, but he always saw it as simply a lightsaber. He wished dearly to clip the weapon to his belt, but that would be bloody obvious. Instead, he stowed it away among some of his luggage, hiding it away from any potential waiting eyes, though where he was going, he doubted there would be any.

After nearly half an hour of flight, the yacht finally touched down on a landing pad extending over a sheer drop off of a cliff. The valley they were in was dotted with various structures belonging to several other noble houses, though it was largely untouched. The beauty of nature dominated the region, and Octavius was even able to remember a few fond memories of playing in the forests near his home. These thoughts were washed away though when he stepped off the yacht and was able to see his home for the first time in almost half a decade.

The Bellator's were not a rich family, or an overly powerful house, especially in recent years, but they were an old one. The Bellator's could trace their legacy back hundreds of years, and each one of those years had been spent in service to the crown. Their dedication and service had earned them their ancestral home, a facility far more impressive than a family like theirs had any right to own. Since his departure, however, and the death of his parents, the family home had fallen on hard times. The gardens looked like they had not been watered in months, and dirt-caked the cobblestone path leading towards the mansion proper. In the distance, Octavius could see rubble strewn across the path leading up to the family's shrine, something that would have brought great shame to Octavius if he actually cared about them anymore.

"It looks like I have some work to do. Pilot, please make an official request to the capital and request an update on the accounts of the Bellator family, my clearance code. Its time to get to work..."

Spoiler: The Bellator Family Home

Romi Jade Kyra Perl Atlas Kane Argos Xalen

 

[Sebastian Sebita]

Location: Hapan
Time: Morning
With: Romi Jade l Kyra Perl l Ura Iolar l Atlas Kane
​

Sebastian had come to Hapan so as to at least meet with another master of some description within the silver jedi order. It wasn't very often he left drogheda but he made an expection on this case as Master Jade was well known as someone who had fallen and then been redeemed. Something not many people knew about him is that he had also done this thanks to his sister's Asaraa Vaashe instance.

He had taken a diplomatic ship and dragged along several padawans on a day trip to hapan which included two who had attended his session on the darkside and sith spawn. He had not doubts they would have an interesting time even if it was just a couple of talks and some shopping. Eventually they came close enough to land and Sebastian entered the landing codes for the silver jedi order in through the communication array. They were accepted and sent on their way to land at a landing pad that was near to where Master Jade stayed on the planet when she decided to.

While landing Sebastian decided to check over some other communications from the tower along with one that suggested some older family had returned to the planet after a long time away. That didn't sit well with Sebastian as to be gone that long means that they likely missed the silver jedi's take over of the planet and may not support the faction. Once they landed he requested for the location of the estate for the family so he could potentially check it out later.

Taking the padawan's with him he noticed Ura's attempt at something with krya claiming she needed to return to the ship. Sebastian simply smiled and said "No you don't you look perfectly fine and if you forgot anything then I am sure Master Jade can assist you with getting it." He continued forward reaching Romi's residence with the padawans with him and knocked on the door. "Hello Master Jade, it's Master Sebita. I sent you a communique that I would be coming today along with several padawans. Also I have something you might want to read over." Sebastian added waiting for a response. While he did he pulled out a data pad and kept an eye on all communication between the capital and this estate that this old family was returning to.

 

[Taresa Kae]

Sometime later...

Tag: Ura Iolar | Octavius Bellator | Sebastian Sebita | @Any

An unremarkable freighter touched down somewhere on Hapes, carrying tourists and other holidaymakers looking for a break to the rich and bountiful world. Assassination and political machinations were more common among the Hapan than perhaps most places in the galaxy. So it might not be a surprise when once again an old, yet young, assassin disembarked.

Judgment wore the face of a beautiful Hapan noble, often taking the face of her mission to become it entirely, equally becoming a zealot to carry it out. Green clothes fitting of her station, but practical enough to complete her task, she carried herself in the role beautifully, a practiced mimic. The Hapan had a baggage attendant carrying her supplies, who also held an umbrella over her head to give her shade. For if she was to be a true noble here she needed her servants. The poor Noghri fool was merely window dressing and a fanatical Kethenite to her cause. While underneath her clothes, armor, knives, and gadgets, lay the tools of her trade true enough.

What was her mission? Well there was always the code, for only she could stand in judgment over Keth’s works and will. Judah Lesan ... Her name Talenni of House Kae, Eshan of course, but also today of Hapes. That surname got around on her travels, a favorite string to pull from time to time, and dagger to twist at very old feuds as she blackened the Kae name eternally. While Darth Centax continued to wreak bloody havoc with the Kethenite creations across the rim, she preferred twisting daggers in the dark closer to the core in the long conflict. Taresa hoped and mused that Octavius Bellator or her mission at large may partake in further ruination of the Kae's good name.

That same careful, crafted art, honed over centuries was observing the Bellator estate through her range finders, the only small clue that she wasn’t all she appeared soon passed to her manservant to hide. Satisfied the frontal approach was safe, taught by her Master(s) a certain sense of paranoia, her life’s work was well served by caution.

It would not be long till her name was announced at the crumbling path of the Bellator estate, wondering if Octavius had even been told of her arrival, or who she was. Judgment enjoyed games, much like the last daughter of Keth Kiara had. Perhaps she was one more test for him from his Master Darth Voyance

“Presenting Talenni daughter of House Kae,” the manservant announced at the door, with a touch more formality than the two of them deserved, but then this was Hapes, and she was nobility after all, both on Eshan and here. How convenient for her role, mission, and true motives...

Daggers in her silvery eyes watched the door awaiting what came next, black hair hanging down around her narrow chin. There was rarely the sense that facing her was safe and Judgement preferred it that way.

 

[Ilwynog Cysgod]

Hapan had been dealing with a few changes politically since SJO brought the world into it's graces. Ilwynog had been keeping a sharp eye on the proceedings, ensuring that the process was smooth and that they would not have an uprising to deal with. They were never too far away from the world, keeping watch over the Shadows meant that they weren't in the field as often undercover, so they had to operate on more overseer type role, something that was not always Ilwynog's speed. They were preferred boots on the ground, so to be on Hapan and actually see the world, the people and how they talked about the proceedings. It was definitely more interesting.

Looking around, Ilwynog was curious about what was going on, and why they had a deep sense of something sinister. Maybe, maybe they were just looking for trouble, for excitement. Perhaps it was a reason to neglect the role as Master since he was also meeting a new Padawan here. Who would want to train Padawans when they could be deep undercover and learning secrets! It was very odd.

Phalsi Drynchen Kyra Perl Ura Iolar Romi Jade Sebastian Sebita

 

[Kyra Perl]

Kyra tried to keep still besides Sebastian, really of all the times to be poised and dignified, reuniting with her older sister would be it! There had just been so little sparks of light in her life as of late, and calling Romi Jade blonde head of a hair a beacon of hope was far from understated.

Ura expressed her discomfort besides Kyra, a fact of which Kyra all but ignored. She looked fine! Ura would feel pass between them. Kyra faltered, then looked closer at Ura. She softened towards her friend's discomfort, picking a flower out of her hair she had nabbed freshly along the way and tucking it into Ura instead.

She gave the girl a soft little 'patpat', straightening the bomber jacket she had worn over a more casual looking dress. Kyra herself had been unsure what to wear, but she certainly wasn't wearing those ugly paddie robes at a place like this. The paddie braid, at least, remained tucked into the folds of her waves.

She did a nervous shuffle, glancing with wide eyes over Sebastian Sebita 's shoulder at the door. "...Icanunlockitifyouwant. Yoursistertaughtmehowtodothat." She told him in quick, tight tones, not unlike a child confessing to a crime. Except this was a crime she wanted to repeat.

 

[Ura Iolar]

Sebastian Sebita Kyra Perl Romi Jade Phalsi Drynchen Taresa Kae Ilwynog Cysgod Octavius Bellator Darth Voyance

Dang it Sebastian! Couldn't he just let Ura be anti-social for a change. If he was paying attention he'd feel the annoyance she had in being stopped. She couldn't hid it either. When the Force was the only way your species could really show emotion, the ability the hide those things weren't considered easy. Heck, Lervonian culture as a whole was an open one in many aspects, emotions included. At least she had a friend there.

Kyra seemed to pass something off to her Lervon friend, and gave he a little flattery. Some happiness bled off Ura, the Lervonian equivalent of a smile. She then chuckled a little as the friend stuck a flower into her crystal structure. Ura definitely seemed more comfortable, thanks to Krya's help. She tried to share a thank you without speaking, having seemed to be improving with stuff like that. Then Krya spoke to Sebastian, way too quickly to know what she was saying. She was only able to get a basic idea.

 

[Octavius Bellator]

Octavius looked up from the datapad in his hand as the droid announced the arrival of a guest. He waved his hand dismissing the droid as he rose to his feet, reaching down the straighten his vest. Usually, the estates were taken care of by servants who had been in service to his family for generations. Several men and women who could remember the birth of Octavius's grandfather oh so long ago. Naturally, though, they could not be trusted with the current mission at hand. They had rushed to greet the return of their young master upon his arrival, eager to see the state of things turned around.

He had butchered them all. Not with a weapon or with any tool, but with his bare hands. Men and women he remembered from his childhood, who had always been there for him when his parents had not. He had relished the feelings that flowed through him as they died. The betrayal in their eyes as they looked up at him was euphoric. The droids provided by the Order had taken care of the mess and assumed the roles of the dead, beginning the process of cleaning and getting the estate back into proper shape.

Walking out of the study that had once been his father's, Octavius descended the winding staircase down to the ground floor, where two droids stood politely at the entrance. Between them was a young woman. A noble by her appearance and posture he guessed as he drew closer, his eyes narrowing as a feeling at the back of his mind told him something was not quite right. Gripping that feeling, Octavius gave a formal bow to Taresa Kae before speaking, his eyes taking her in once more as a theory began to form in his mind.

"My lady, welcome to my home. My name is Octavius Bellator, might I get you something to drink? The weather is quite humid today."

Ura Iolar Kyra Perl Ilwynog Cysgod Sebastian Sebita Darth Voyance @

 

[Phalsi Drynchen]

Phalsi was behind the other Silver Jedi, the cloak of grey-green bound up like a bedroll on her back with a single string while her clothes more closely resembled high-end common garb. Which did not lend itself to the fact that her favorite device was in her hand, scrolling through the Sawwit forum on the holonet. The others had gone ahead, and she was keeping a close eye on them even with her nose buried in reviews of several starship blueprints. Her twin lightsabers were in false pockets that peeled away, leaving the force sensitive to call them out when the time came.

Looking at the group ahead of her over the top of the PDA as Kyra mentioned opening the door. A smile appeared on her face, eye brows waggling a bit at the thought of someone other than her causing some mischief. It didn't help that a laugh had threatened to bubble up and out as she focused a little more intently on the blueprint. She paused for a moment, feeling around for the fist sized ball in the roll on her back before sighing with relief at finding it.

"You called ahead, right?" She quietly asked of Sebastian Sebita before tugging on the flip down visor to make sure it stayed in place. The visor being used as an impromptu head band rather than a high end tracking device for the sneak drone in her pocket.

Ura Iolar Kyra Perl Ilwynog Cysgod Sebastian Sebita Darth Voyance Taresa Kae Octavius Bellator

 

[Taresa Kae]

Tag: Ura Iolar | Kyra Perl | Ilwynog Cysgod | Sebastian Sebita | Darth Voyance | Phalsi Drynchen | Octavius Bellator

Spoiler

Closer she came, and so more of her face revealed itself. The daughter of Kae’s face was never quite distinguishable, pretty but unremarkable, altered every mission to lose all distinction. The wealth around her neck not all as glamorous as it could be, but her necklace did have certain care attached in its design. Her arms were always well covered with two layers of green and white clothing, and a white headdress rested against her back.

Our assassin could not help but notice the floor looked very clean… she too had cleaned floors sometimes of troublesome crimson inconveniences, often before the company arrived, but her thoughts did not tarry long on the lack of mortal servants walking the estate, in fact, part of her preferred the predictability of droids at her back.

Octavius’s bow was met in kind, like many Kethenites they were often outwardly practiced at deception, some obviously loud distractions, and some very subtle. Her Echani eyes read the motion to learn more of the man as he moved. “Ah Refreshments. Most gracious,” she too graciously dipped her head again, “do you have any… Merenzane Gold,” His reaction to that request a test of his wealth and means without saying a word, “or Bespin Fizz.” Tadietti Tann would have been proud, but then ultimately both women had received training in obtaining information from the same source.

The Kae ‘noble’ took a further page out of her grandmother's book and sharply turned to her servant, “Lokh, what are you doing, come along,” the Noghri was often silent like most of his species usually were, slightly hunched it seemed but dutiful on command, carrying at least twice his own body weight in luggage. The darkskin warrior, whose race were well-known mercenaries and assassins especially in imperial circles, looked to Octavius Bellator for where to put the luggage. If Bellator wasn’t on his toes in answering, it would mean allowing it a chance to scout the estate if that was a concern.

“The humidity can make one very light-headed,” the Kae assassin brushed her forehead with her fingertips, taking the umbrella from her servant and walking with Octavius if he did. That umbrella not just for show, light did not agree with her kind. Closer inspection would reveal her headpiece was designed to be adjusted if needed to cover her eyes, and yes there were green contacts there in her eyes too to avoid exposure, but they were very well made. Tricks of the trade, she often needed to move in daylight for her work, and each time it was a challenge.

“I hope your efforts to re-establish,” she looked at the nearest piece of art, or symbolism, “ your great house go well.” This was a small reveal of her purpose to assist, but didn’t give a lot away about why she was assisting. "Do we have any, appointments to attend yet?"