In Darker Waters Tread

[Mammut]

"Stability and security, few things I admire more," Orcus grinned despite the twitches of a glower darkening the woman's face. "But you needn't trouble yourself over Bespin. That is- was -" he frowned, "supposed to be a bit of a retreat from the clamors of the galaxy. I had not anticipated acquiring so many... guests. I was referring to my casinos on Giju, or perhaps on the Tion Trade Nexus."

Savory smells drifted through the cool, damp air and Orcus turned his squat neck in the direction of the approaching waiter. He licked his lips hungrily.

"Ah."

The waiter quickly handed each of them a plate, or in Orcus' case two.

"Here's your krakana fillet, ma'am. And your dragon rolls and seal veal, m'lord."

"Thank you, thank you."

"Anything else? No? I hope you find it to your liking."

And he disappeared once more.

Orcus plucked his pair of utensils from the table and sawed into his veal. Hot steam drifted up into his face. Spearing a neatly cut square with his fork, the Sith Lord placed the square in his mouth and chewed. He let out a soft sigh from his blowholes as the rich juices flooded his taste buds.

In the words of the late Shara, simply divine.

"So, Miss Perl, our interests seem to co-align. If that is the path you seek, how can I help you on it?"

[member="Joza Perl"]

 

[Joza Perl]

A cordial smile settled onto Joza’s face, as if to make up for the beginnings of a scowl. Briefly, she allowed herself to venture into the thought of working for Orcus, if only to make her consideration appear more realistic for a few moments. A steady paycheck was tempting.

There’s no way I’m accepting help from a Sith Lord, friendly as he is.

Before she had the chance to turn him down, their food arrived. Thanking the waiter with a polite nod, her eyes wandered over to Orcus as he savored his first bite. Her gaze lingered for a few moments before picking up her own fork as if she’d forgotten that they were at dinner. Delicately picking at the tender fillet, Joza was momentarily taken aback by the sumptuous cuisine.

I’ve never eaten anything this good before.

Pleasant surprise over the food aside, the Zeltron perked up at Orcus’ question. Her gut reaction was to ask why he would want to help her, but she already knew why—or rather, she assumed the answer he would give. Certainly she couldn’t fault a good mentor for wanting to help his protégé’s lover?

Sith.

“I’m sorry,” Placing her fork down for a moment so she could focus her attention to the Herglic, she fixed him with a curious look. “How exactly do they co-align?”

[member="Darth Orcus"]

 

[Mammut]

"Stability and security you said," Orcus neatly devoured another section of the veal, chewed for a moment, then continued. "I value them just as much as you do. On a galactic scale, yes, but also on an individual level."

This was, not strictly speaking, entirely true, since Orcus was a notorious gambler who lived for the thrill of beating the odds. However, what greater stakes were there than setting up an empire and seeking to bring the galaxy into its secure regime?

He consumed the last of the veal and started on the sushi. "You live your life fettered by uncertainties, like how you will provide enough money to live comfortably. I can make those fears disappear. Those chains are easily broken. But it is a different sort of shackle you should be concerned about. Do you live just because your are alive, or do you live for something greater. A cause, or a purpose? For instance, I live to uphold the greater good. Hauum. But what makes you get up in the morning? What drives you?"

[member="Joza Perl"]

 

[Joza Perl]

Nibbling at her fillet, Joza likely appeared as if she was consciously being dainty. Truth be told, the Zeltron had difficulty eating when she was anxious. Regardless of how good the food was, she took care to make each bite seem proportioned to the façade she was trying to maintain. Keeping up a controlled, calm exterior was tiring—even if she allowed bits and pieces of her nervousness to leak through. Not to mention that Orcus would feel it in the Force. And in a way, it was intended—her unease was natural, and who could blame her? Having dinner with a Sith Lord would put any Jedi on edge.

Jedi. Could she still really call herself that?

Regardless, the spark of curiosity and thoughtful look that overtook her face were genuine. Though she was still rooted in her refusal, Joza couldn’t help but entertain the notion of accepting Orcus’ help. “I get by,” Picking at the fillet idly, her eyes swept downward to her meal for a moment before turning back to her companion. “I suppose you could say that what drives me is what drives most Zeltrons. A zest for life and excitement. Naturally, that sort of lifestyle isn’t as sustainable as it is on Zeltros.” Fighting for peace and justice was nice and all, but it was secondary to the rush of battle. Her own lust for danger had been and would continue to be a driving force behind her actions. Maybe that was why she couldn’t bring herself to pull away from his protégé.

Suddenly, she felt guilty. She’d heard of some of the benevolent Sith Lord’s good deeds from Haytham—something about an orphanage?—and simply couldn’t believe that a Sith would do something like that. In her experience, they were mostly murderous monster or cunning witches. All with blood and conquest on their minds. And yet, because of how her own unruly and self-destructive ways compared to Orcus’ alleged noble acts, Joza felt that she was morally bad compared to the Sith Lord.

Guess all Jedi aren’t the good guys, huh?

Politics involving the Jedi, Sith and those in-between were confusing. Gradually, Joza felt as if she were drifting into the latter category.

“Someone as wayward as I would only bring you trouble, I’m afraid.” An apologetic smile accompanied a sip from her water. “Haytham and I have a complicated relationship. I doubt I’m worth enough to him for you to go through the trouble of extending your help, as gracious of an offer it is.”

[member="Darth Orcus"]

 

[Mammut]

Orcus leaned back, meal finished, and clasped his hands over his belly as he listened to [member="Joza Perl"]'s reply, then a smile broke across his face and booming laughter shook his gut.

"Trouble? My dear, who do you think I am? I thrive on trouble and this zest of life you speak of, I know exactly what you mean. I was a notorious gambler in my youth, playing for money. I lost several fortunes, made several more, lost them again. When I was a Jedi I tried to curb my appetite for the dice, but was supremely unhappy. Among the Sith, I discovered a secret. My stakes had been set too low. Now instead of gambling on money, I roll the dice on troubled souls. I take them in, give them shelter and-"

He paused, voice suddenly catching. His gaze flicked down to empty plates, a terrible sadness in their depths.

"Excuse me. I... once ran an orphanage on Coruscant. Hundreds of children. I only recently learned that it was destroyed and all the children.... killed." Large teeth grated together and sudden, visceral anger surged out from him in a tidal wave verging on pure rage.

"So you see," he said, voice so strangely soft, almost a whisper, "I know trouble."

[member="Joza Perl"]

 

[Joza Perl]

There were two points [member="Darth Orcus"] made that stuck out to Joza on a personal level. The first alluding to the shackles of the Jedi, placing restraint on a natural urge. Never did she think herself capable of identifying with a Sith Lord, but it was undeniable. As a Padawan she’d done her best to appear as a model Jedi, suppressing her more wild urges in favor of meditation and study. Combat practice was the only time she’d felt more like herself, admittedly. The thrill of a good fight used to make her sick, in realizing how she enjoyed it.

The second was being thought of as a troubled soul. She could call herself trouble, but other’s couldn’t. Joza hated the idea of being broken, pitied and looked down upon. Sometimes it was necessary, but would humility eventually win out over pride?

Suddenly, a shift in the mood. Joza perked up, resting her fork against the side of her plate for the moment. She had nearly finished her meal, but figured it would be impolite to continue eating whilst Orcus was speaking. Or would it be considered rude to not have finished her plate? Pushing those thoughts aside, she concentrated on picking up the Herglic’s emotions via her natural empathy skills.

Kark it.

She was almost angry that his feelings appeared genuine—unless he was somehow fooling her well-developed senses. With that thought, she studied the Sith Lord’s posture and the temporary look of defeat in his dark eyes.

Haytham mentioned the orphanage once. But was it really that?

She could not rule out that nefarious things could have been afoot there. But the look of dejection on Orcus’ face was undeniable.

“Who would do such a thing? Taking the lives of children…” Her voice was low, almost muttering to herself as her brows knitted in thought. A rival Sith, perhaps? Joza didn’t know too much about how the different dark sided factions interacted with eachother.

Exhaling the breath she didn’t even realize she was holding, the Zeltron’s youthful features settled decisively. “Would you permit me some time to think your generous offer over? It would be quite the change for me.”

Not to mention she could name several Jedi who would smash her face in to dust if they found out she was working with a Sith Lord.

 

[Mammut]

"Of course," he rumbled, waving a flipper dismissively. "Consider it a standing offer."

Orcus wished he knew who had perpetrated the act. There were a number of ways he could imagine executing such a twisted abonimation, all of them better than the butcher deserved. The death of innocents was an occasional necessity for the benefit of society, such as eliminating a rebel terrorist holed up in a village hut, but Orcus could not see how the slaughter of the orphans could in any way be construed as having a positive result... except to send a message.

Someone wanted him to know what they could do. He doubted they knew who they were dealing with and what he was capable of.

Had he overemphasized some of his emotions to sway the Zeltron girl? Of course he had, but what did it matter the level he felt them at, so long as she understood the difference between a Sith like him and the murderers lurking in the shadows.

He plucked his napkin from his lap and scooted away from the table, standing up and offering Joza his arm in a gentlemanly fashion.
"I fear I might have spoilt the evening with my dark talk. Allow me to make it up to you. Do you enjoy the ballet?"

Mon Calamari dancers, performing specially on D'orq at his behest.

[member="Joza Perl"]

 

[Joza Perl]

Whether or not he was telling the truth, Joza couldn’t help but feel a strong pang of sympathy for the Sith Lord. Her suspicion was still present, but edged around her predominant feeling of compassion. Perhaps, all Sith could not be painted with the same brush? It was an idea that slowly formed in her mind over time after interacting with various dark siders, and in some way she didn’t want to believe it. It would certainly be easier to crusade against the Sith had they all moralistically fit into a small box.

It brought to mind, how much had Haytham hid from her? Had he been Sith since the night they first met on Zeltros? She was only vaguely aware of her Force sensitivity then.

Before she could allow the thought to take over, she perked up at Orcus’ offer. “Oh,” She sounded a little surprise, but pleased nonetheless. “I do.” Consciously offering him a small smile, the Zeltron rose swiftly from her seat, taking a moment to smooth out her dress and grab her evening clutch before daintily taking ahold of her companion’s arm.

You are indeed a stupid woman.

While any smart person would have found the words to politely excuse themselves for the evening, Joza was drawn in by the promise of a show. Specifically, live dancers. She’d seen ballet performed in holovidoes, but never in front of her. Certainly she could allow herself this treat, and as a dancer herself no less. Perhaps she could rationalize this to herself as research. Maybe this wasn’t such a bad decision…

[member="Darth Orcus"]

 

[Mammut]

"Aha, I thought you might. Right this way."

The Herglic led her from the diner, even as the waiter shuffled forward to snatch away their empty - or mostly empty - dishes. Around them, the creatures of the water faded in and out of view. Disturbingly eerie, or hauntingly beautiful? Or perhaps a bit of both. Orcus could never quite decide. Living underwater certainly kept one alert. Never knew what might come from the depths.

As they said on Naboo, there's always a bigger fish.

Such dreary, brooding lines could float in and out of his head all day, but for the moment he wished to disengage himself from the day to day strife and simply relax. He'd just eaten a delicious meal cooked by one of the best chefs in the galaxy, a lovely Zeltron was on his arm, and he was on his way to see one of his favorite ballets - though in truth he preferred the opera.

Oh, and she'd nearly turned. He could feel her indecision, hovering on the knife's edge. So vulnerable.

He smiled.

Seldom could life be better.

~ ~ ~​

​

They took their seats inside the theatre. Box seats, naturally, best in the house. Before them hovered the great shimmering orbs of water. The Mon Calamari dancers took up their positions inside the spheres as the symphony started to play.

Orcus clacked his teeth amicably and held up the pamphlet. The title was Squid Lake.

And now for tonight's entertainment...

[member="Joza Perl"]

 

[Joza Perl]

Certainly, Joza was wary of [member="Darth Orcus"]. Sith often used deception to achieve their goals, friends betraying friends and students turning against Masters in the process. She had no doubt that in some way, Orcus would try and use her against Haytham if given the chance—in what manner she knew not, but there were certainly many ways for her to imagine. She was confident that the darkness couldn’t be nearly as freeing as he made it seem—could it? She would inwardly shudder at the thought of sacrificing not what she believed in, but those she held close.

And so, she decided not to have such dark thoughts much as her companion had. He radiated satisfaction and contentment, so why should her words and movements continue to have a tense overtone?

There was a part of the Zeltron that truly and deeply adored walking on the wild side. Rebellion had always been in her nature. Something dark lurked within her, a part of her that had been subdued with near-constant meditation and training. But it stirred when she watched Haytham execute a group of defeated soldiers, and when she allowed herself to indulge in Priestess Tiin on Voss of all places.

After being seated, Joza took a few moments to peer around the spacious theater. Quite a bit nicer than anywhere she’d seen a performance or performed herself. Club Voss came close, but the seedy establishments on Zeltros she’d danced in were very different from this auditorium.

“I see you do quite well for yourself,” She commented in a hushed tone a few moments before the music began. Not that it hadn't been apparent before, but she was beginning to get a better picture of his wealth now. Though she spoke to him, her eyes were trained on the Mon Calamari dancers within the sparkling spheres, admiring their graceful forms.