Life in the Vivid Dream

[Kieran Erith]

M A E N A
The Institute
| [member="Sera Sadow"] |

At first glance, Esther Nova looked considerably out of place in the library of the Maena Institute. Tall and perpetually angry-looking, with a manner like she was heartbeats away from a fight, the redhead was used to looking out of place--in fact, she usually made a point of it.

But just this once, Esther felt very much like she was where she ought to be. The Maena Institute had taken some adjusting to, but she'd taken to it quickly. Her training was gruelling to put it lightly- that had never stopped her in the past. And the Sith, well. The Empire was new to her, the word and the vast history behind it was new to her, but the codes they taught were not.

Being anywhere else, fighting for anyone else, would've been changing her ways, adapting a new set of values- and warped as they were, Esther didn't abandon her values.

All of that didn't change the fact that compared to her peers--the ones who'd learned the Sith code since childhood, who'd trained since they could carry a sabre--Esther was not in a place where she could afford to take anything lightly. Competition was in her nature to a degree that was likely excessive, but the Acolyte had a hunch that this was no longer about superiority as much as it was survival.

It helped, though, that she found studying the Sith absolutely fascinating. She couldn't afford to take anything lightly, but Esther was certainly the most relaxed here she could be.

 

[Sera Sadow]

Sera loved libraries. They were quiet, for one thing. Not that Sera minded noise (it was good for concealing the sound of footsteps, after all), but sometimes she just needed some nice, relaxing quiet. Other times, she wanted to listen to some music without having to deal with the background chatter that leaked through her headset's noise filter. And then there were all the books. The Institute Library was particularly impressive, and Sera had spent most of her time there since she arrived on Maena.

But today's trip to the library was about neither silence nor knowledge. No, today's trip was about making friends. Or as close as most Sith got, anyway.

The target? Esther Nova, Assassin Initiate. Sera had seen the woman around the Institute now and then, but she'd never approached her, mostly because she gave off the impression that she wanted to be approached like a rabid vornskr wanted to be cuddled. Still, they were both under the tutelage of Lady Ophidia, so it was inevitable that they'd meet, regardless of how dogged Esther was in her determination to avoid that moment. It was better for both parties if each determined whether they found the other tolerable before they were forced to spend any considerable amount of time together.

The Initiate found her counterpart at a desk in the History wing of the Library, pouring over her chosen subject with an intensity that the young Apprentice couldn't help but admire. With a friendly smile and a relaxed posture, both of which starkly contrasted the Institute's oppressive atmosphere, Sera strolled near-silently towards Esther.

"Acolyte Nova," she began, her voice crisp and level, "I have to admit, I didn't expect to see you here." That was a lie, of course - Sera had seen Esther in the library plenty of times, but appearing oblivious was tactically advantageous. Not that she needed an advantage.

They were all friends here, after all.

--
[member="Esther Nova"]