Private Merciless Business

[Darth Anathemous]

Location: Nar Shaddaa, Ashline Terminal
Wearing: Bodyglove + Gloves + Glareshades
Tag: Mercy

Ashline Terminal was about what she expected.

Grimey, loud, violent. Certainly a downgrade from the red light sector's fancy casinos but she'd seen worse. lived worse.

But now? Kaila strode into the bar, heels clicking, cloak draped over her broad shoulders, glareshades sorting data and patrons in two categories; worth her time, and not. Maybe she was overdressed for the location, she was certainly overqualified, but business was business and she was here to make a statement. The syndicate could meet wherever they like, but Darth Anathemous would to command the room.

They told her to look for someone named "Mercy" said "look for the biggest woman in the bar".

Kaila was used to being that woman.

And yet...

Kaila gave a once over to the largest figure at the bar and it was the first time in a long while that she reconsidered that status.

The sith would tilt her head curiously, wondering if she were looking at a borg or maybe some stim-addict merc. No matter, she figured. She was here on business, and if it somehow got violent? the young Darth had fought bigger.

"You the one they call Mercy?" she asked, coming to a stop before the titanic figure.

Her voice was younger than one of her status should have been, but carried a distinctly imperial accent, even if there was something off about it. Her voice too might stand out; soft, but with that faint bite to it, like only somebody who'd shot whiskey with the best of them and smoked with the worst could.

Even if she smelt of lavender and Nlorna flower now.

​

 

[Mercy]

Darth Anathemous

Mercy was in the middle of her cup and was always loathe to be interrupted when she was having fun drinking.

This was a sentiment the mountain of a woman was eager to share. She turned around and was about to say something rude. But she stopped almost immediately, glancing down lazily and up again.

"Well, darling, if you were trying to get my attention... you certainly got it." Mercy purred sweetly as she sipped from her drink and put it down. "Bold little one, marching into a place like this, wearing that." Bold rather than stupid, because even someone as divested in the sense aspects of the Force like Mercy could practically taste the Darkside off of her.

She stretched slowly and picked up her drink again.

"You are talking to Mercy right now. How may I help you?" Sounded positively like a customer service desk. But the smirk, the little playfulness in her eyes, oh, she certainly was screwing with her.

 

[Darth Anathemous]

Wearing: Bodyglove + Gloves + Glareshades
Tag: Mercy

Bold.

Those dour features gave way to the faintest curl in her lip.

The language was a little backhanded but Mercy was already scratching the right itch for that budding ego.

Kaila leaned forward, just enough that only Mercy would see when she pulled her glareshades down. Her eyes were golden with the darkside, and even if they lacked the usual red flecks, they pierced the dim bar lightning fiercely.

"I can afford it."

The young Darth slid her shades back on, holding that smirk a moment longer while she took a seat next to Mercy, crossing one Synthatex-clad leg over the other. Powerful of course, perhaps too much to take as light of a step as Kaila had up to this point. She'd alluded to her use of the force perhaps, but she didn't need it to defend herself.

"Anathemous, Lord of Echnos." she introduced herself, inclining her chin.

"I recently acquired an employee of sorts here in Nar Shaddaa, part of our arrangement included the Black Sun doing business in Sith Space."

"I'm here to make good on that deal."

​

 

[Mercy]

Darth Anathemous

A soft smile.

"That's a mouthful, Ana." She responded lightly. "Mercy. Just... Mercy. Lord of nothing but my fists." There were those that called her the Lord of Ash after the night they had swept through the Ashline Terminal.

Then a pause.

"Ah, well, I suppose I am a Vigo now." The title still felt odd, misplaced, but it had been offered to her after the Kaggath. Then afterwards when she had rescued Vigo Korrin from losing his little kingdom she received a powerful backer within the Black Sun Syndicate proper. Not just someone who saw potential, but someone who was depended on her.

Something told her that the Black Sun had not been counting on that.

Eyebrows lofted up.

"Truly? I hear that... business with the Sith can be difficult these days. On account of our illustrious Emperor deciding to erect the Blackwall." She did not mention the fact she had a way through. Because the hell train was frankly not conductive of business. It was too random. You couldn't count on it and you couldn't draft a spreadsheet for it.

"Who ought I thank for this generous connection being offered?"

It had to be someone Mercy knew. Otherwise Ana wouldn't have come here with Mercy's name on her tongue.

 

[Darth Anathemous]

Wearing: Bodyglove + Gloves + Glareshades
Tag: Mercy

"Mm." she narrowed her eyes. Not that anyone could see.

"Well, just Mercy, lord of the fist, it's still my name. Not given—taken."

Earned, more like. The young Darth certainly thought so.

Pride or not though, she was still focused on her potential business partner. That pause, the phrasing, Mercy didn't seem like the 'titles' type to her. Could be that she was local, most criminal types weren't in her experience, but then, they always changed tune soon as they became someone of note. So why was she so casual about her status as a Vigo?

"Truly? I hear that... business with the Sith can be difficult these days. On account of our illustrious Emperor deciding to erect the Blackwall."

"Our emperor?" Kaila quirked a brow.

"The Blackwall's been a bloody pain, it's true. However, Echnos has been made a free trade port. I control a gate in and out, authorized to conduct trade with the outside."

She steepled her fingers, chin raised just a little. Anathemous knew what she had, knew she didn't need a legion like the imperators nor assassins like the Tsis'kaar. It wasn't how she first envisioned her rise but every conqueror needed a benefactor.

But did Mercy?

"Who ought I thank for this generous connection being offered?"

"Vestra." she answered, gesturing for the bartender to pour her something.

"Good head for business, that one. On paper you and I benefit the most from this deal but I assume she's being rewarded for this, so it all balances out in the end."

"Everybody's happy. much as people like us can be, anyway."

​

 

[Mercy]

"Mm, that is his ambition, isn't it? To put us all around his wall." Teasing a little. Not quite saying that she was a Sith herself, but the implication was there at least.

"Echnos? Haven't had the pleasure of visiting it yet. I'll have to take some time to go and explore."

The name of Vestra surprised her.

They had met during the Kaggath. The woman approached her between rounds, which ended with Mercy agreeing to hire her under her employ.

"Oh, that little minx. She isn't just under your employ, darling. She is working for me too, that's why she named me, I imagine."

A different sort of Sith might have kept that information quiet.

Mercy didn't care about getting an advantage over Ana though.

Not in that way anyway.

"So what do you suggest, Ana?" She purred softly. "Are you offering your world, the gate, as a new passage way for the Black Sun to do business? With a percentage for you for everything coming in and out?"

It wasn't a bad deal.

But Mercy didn't truly care about the Black Sun at the end of day. Vigo or not. She cared about her own benefit.

Darth Anathemous

 

[Darth Anathemous]

Wearing: Bodyglove + Gloves + Glareshades
Tag: Mercy

"Hmh."

"Just behave while you're there and keep your papers in order, yeah?"

"It's not just my boys patrolling those streets. The order keeps a close eye on their front gate."

Whether that was a threat or a request, Kaila had no intention of clarifying.

Still she paused for a moment, considering all that was said. There was something her, Kaila couldn't quite put a finger on it, but it was there.

"Oh, that little minx. She isn't just under your employ, darling. She is working for me too, that's why she named me, I imagine."

Well, nevermind all that. Back to business.

"I assumed as much."

She'd wait for the bartender to finish pour from a bottle she'd pointed out before continuing, syncing the tab to her wrist computer before turning her attention to Mercy again.

"No matter, I've been in her position before. She'll take work from whoever, learn from many masters. Long as she doesn't double cross me, I won't tell a survivor not to eat a meal wherever it's found."

Kaila buried her expression behind a glass of blue liquid and ice, but perhaps it wasn't so difficult to see the slight twitch of a frown in her lip. Vestra Tane had only told her a little, but Anathemous had a nose for tragedy.

"So what do you suggest, Ana?" She purred softly. "Are you offering your world, the gate, as a new passage way for the Black Sun to do business? With a percentage for you for everything coming in and out?"

"Mm." she finished sipping.

"Something like that, but it depends on what you're bringing in, and how much."

"No people."

Though she wore glareshades, one could almost picture the way her eyes had sharpened on to Mercy's. She hoped she needn't explain her meaning, nor that this was no request.

Another sip and her freckled features eased, just a little.

There was still the matter of her name...

Sure she liked that tone, more than she cared to admit, but she was no 'ana'.

"And it's Anathemous." she gently reaffirmed.

"Or my lord. You want a name or a 'darling' then we'll need to be much better acquainted first."

Kaila reached for her toolbelt, fumbling through one the pouches until she had her cigarras.

The expensive stuff, of course.

​

 

[Mercy]

Darth Anathemous

"Oh, I always behave."

Perhaps not in the way that most people expected, but certainly behaved in the manner that one should expect from someone like Mercy.

The matter of their shared employee was left to the wayside.

While her fellow Sith didn't seem to mind, Mercy certainly had thoughts about double loyalties. It would be a topic she'd have to raise with Vestra Tane .

Instead Mercy was surprised at the Sith's seemingly raised hackles when it came to her name.

Touchy, touchy.

"Mm, I truly meant no offense, Anathemous..." She purred sweetly, honeyed words. Which might be surprising from a giant like here. "Just thought it was a cute little name..."

Watching Ana light the cigar and licking her lips at that.

"Do you loathe the practice of slavery, my Lord? Or do you simply adhere to the requirements of the Emperor?"

Either way Mercy wouldn't trade flesh through this opportunity.

But she was curious if it was personal feelings or just caution that stopped her fellow Sith from taking advantage.

 

[Darth Anathemous]

Wearing: Bodyglove + Gloves + Glareshades
Tag: Mercy

It wasn't a change in tone, just the words by which it was carried.

That suited Anathemous just fine.

Still, she caught the way Mercy licked her lips, pausing. She caught it in the corner of her eye, hidden behind her glareshades. In the end she pretended to ignore it, taking a cigarra between her fingers. It wasn't that she minded, just taking note of the ravenous thing before her.

"Do you loathe the practice of slavery, my Lord? Or do you simply adhere to the requirements of the Emperor?"

Then her features sharpened. A crease in those freckled cheeks, as her jaw tightened a moment.

Kaila was unsure how much this stranger should know. She was here on business, didn't know anybody on this planet. Last thing she needed was for loose lips to spread rumors and have them reach her... colleagues.

"I know what it's like to have control taken from you." She murmured, starring at the cigarra.

Best to keep it vague, she supposed.

"No people."

Reaffirming was all she needed to regain her composure.

"Got a light?"

She held her cigarra towards Mercy, between gloved fingertips. Else she could have solved the issue in her own way.

​

 

[Mercy]

Darth Anathemous

It was funny how people put up their limitations and how they picked them.

I won't kill, but I will harm.

I won't enslave, but I will murder.

One murder was okay, a million was a bridge too far.

In that regard the Sith could be exactly the same as the regular folk. All adhering to their own little internal code that made sure they operated in a way that let them sleep at night.

Usually.

"No people." Mercy agreed there easily because she saw a story written in hurt when it was flashed before her.

"Mm, I do." And she unveiled a lighter, using her palm to cup the burgeoning flame from any breeze as she lit the fire and leaned in close for it.

It meant that her hand softly brushed Ana's jaw.

It meant that in that moment the fellow Sith pushed through that inch-deep zone of Mercy's force presence. Always wrapped so tight around her.

It would be like going from a nice spring morning to suddenly be touched by the desert heat.

"Good smoke?" Mercy asked innocently.

 

[Darth Anathemous]

Wearing: Bodyglove + Gloves + Glareshades
Tag: Mercy

She let her in close.

Not because she was so arrogant as to disregard the danger, though it certainly played a part, in fact it was much worse. Mercy had managed something that few in Kaila's life ever could; she was bold and sly, but respectful in her own way. Perhaps it was a fluke or a 'one night only' offer, but it this fascinated the young Darth.

Allowing contact was something of a test, easing into whatever game Mercy was playing.

The results shocked her.

Though she did not recoil, only tilt her chin some, there was a sudden and deep, not quite controlled breath meant to cover the slight twitch in her posture.

Anathemous exhaled slowly, angling the smoke away from the Vigo while removing one last item from her belt. She slide the device over the counter between them, activating with the delicate touch of a single finger.

Suddenly the music cut. the sounds of rowdy patrons silenced in an instant.

But life moved on of course, outside their little bubble.

She set her shades aside. Mercy had those golden eyes all to herself now, unobscured and focused. Her brows raised, one higher than the other, and lips pursed in thought.

"Well now that's intriguing isn't it."

A pause, spent drinking in the woman's features much more thoroughly now.

Especially that strange tattoo. was it like her own?

"You're sith, aren't you."

"But then why would Vestra need a master if she works for you?"

Leather-clad nails dragged across her lip in thought. Perhaps there was some distrust between them and she had stolen a Lord's apprentice without even knowing. No, she wouldn't have made arrangements to Mercy's benefit if that were true.

Which meant...

"Oh~?" she hummed.

"Who is your master?"

​

 

[Mercy]

Darth Anathemous

Mercy smirked at the response and then got curious at the little device coming out.

Eyebrows went up a little before understanding dawned. She glanced around for a moment, then reached out until eventually her fingers penetrated the sound-dead bubble they found themselves in. There was practically no change in the sensation on her skin, that was interesting.

"Mm... am I a Sith?" Then a little shrug. "I broke my chains without asking or expecting help, so I suppose that must make me one."

Ana seemed to be curious about her relationship with the criminal.

"I am not much of a teacher, darling." Didn't say anything about Master, because Mercy certainly perceived herself as that at least. "My relationship with Vestra rests on more reliable things than knowledge gathering and archaic hierarchical rituals." Then she asked about Mercy's Master, perhaps assuming that Mercy was an apprentice herself and not able yet to take her own students.

"Mm..."

She reached out, lazily, and gently pushed some hair away from her eyes, to see them closer.

"You have a pleasant face, Lord. Prettier eyes." Her touch was like lightning. Each time accentuating her strength in the Force by way of a simple touch and nothing more. It almost looked like she wouldn't answer her, but then-

"I apprenticed under and was Knighted by Ashin Cardé Varanin , Conqueror of a Thousand Worlds and former Empress of the Sith." Clearly Mercy was proud of it. It was all over her tone as she said it with relish. Ashin was one of the few in the Galaxy that could command that kind of respect from someone like Mercy.

 

[Darth Anathemous]

Wearing: Bodyglove + Gloves
Tag: Mercy

"Mm... am I a Sith?" Then a little shrug. "I broke my chains without asking or expecting help, so I suppose that must make me one."

A satisfied smirk ghosted her lips.

It was good answer, and telling too, because it reminded the young Darth of her own syndicate days and that particular attitude which led her there. A kindred spirit perhaps?

Vestra too, in her own ways, though it was curious to hear there may be more reason behind their cooperation than the practical, business-like assumptions of the governor.

"Reliable?" she questioned.

She reached out, lazily, and gently pushed some hair away from her eyes, to see them closer.

"You have a pleasant face, Lord. Prettier eyes."

Those eyes followed Mercy's bold but gentle hand, reinforcing that little smirk.

"Not so bad yourself, Vigo."

There was something exciting about the gesture, despite the danger in allowing it. She was curious, and Anathemous had risked a great deal to satisfy her curiosities in the past, the more dangerous, the better. Maybe it was arrogance but for the moment she genuinely believed that danger well within her ability to handle.

Until...

"I apprenticed under and was Knighted by Ashin Cardé Varanin", Conqueror of a Thousand Worlds and former Empress of the Sith."

Kaila blinked.

Leaned back in something akin to shock.

For the first time since entering this room the young Darth was keenly aware that she was speaking with a peer, or perhaps more. The realization was accompanied by a sharp drag from her Cigarra and contemplative stare at nothing in particular.

"That's quite the résumé." she nodded.

"If I had a cred-chip for every time I met a Varanin or one of her apprentices at strange times..."

A nervous smile, a stifled chuckle.

Today had just become very interesting.

"Carnifex." she admitted, going for her drink again.

Perhaps honesty was the move to make from here on out, lest there be anymore misunderstandings.

"...formerly..."

​

 

[Mercy]

It was rare that Mercy found a prey that could actually bite back. Made it more interesting, tempting, to keep going past the part where it was wise to do so.

In truth she couldn't help herself. She never could. Otherwise she wouldn't be who she was.

"Reliable?" she questioned.

"Our little Vestra Tane saw me fight in the recent Kaggath. It made her... curious of me, she wished to give me an opportunity, perhaps not realizing the extent of my own hunger." Mercy responded casually, still taking in the woman across from her. "Now she works for me. Carving who I need carving, breaking who I need breaking. In a way it is an education, I suppose, but I don't teach her the ways of the Force. I am just refining the sword that she is into a sharper blade."

What she didn't say, would never say, was that Mercy didn't really see Vestra Tane as Sith material. She was too... emotional, fragile, her ambitions fleeting and focused on the petty.

There was no hunger inside of her that couldn't be sated by a pile of credits.

Mercy was about to respond to her compliments and then her reaction to Varanin. But when she mentioned Carnifex, Mercy's expression noticeably soured.

"I have had the... opportunity to meet with Carnifex a while ago." It was during one of the Sith festivals. He had snuck up on her, because he recognized her from a previous fight. Then a smirk. "I questioned him about his wives. I still believe I could make better use of that harem of his than him."

A slow and lazy stretch.

"Those poor women... but that's the way of things. Old men with their toys, hm?"

Darth Anathemous

 

[Darth Anathemous]

Wearing: Bodyglove + Gloves
Tag: Mercy

Hunger.

So many possibilities, things that stoked the imagination.

It might have brought a smirk to her face, were it not for the change of topic. Her doing of course, but only because she felt the need to get it out of the way. She hid her scowl behind a drink, drowning that sour taste in her mouth with something stronger. Lucky for her, Mercy had a way of lightening the mood.

"I questioned him about his wives. I still believe I could make better use of that harem of his than him."

"I know I did."

There was a flash of something mischievous behind those eyes, despite her casual delivery, smirk peeking over the rim of her glass before another sip taken. There was a certain hint of pride in that look, and perhaps something darker.

She set her glass aside with a refreshed sigh.

"I used to be something of a collector myself, picked up a few habits I suppose."

Her brows furrowed then, and she pointed at mercy, then empty air back and forth.

"So Vestra, are you two uhm... she part of your collection?"

​

 

[Mercy]

Darth Anathemous

"Oh, lucky gal. His taste in wardrobe is nothing to write home about, but apparently his women are a different matter altogether."

Teasing her lightly there.

The question came back to her employee and there Mercy couldn't help but bark a laugh out.

She even pinked away a tear.

"I don't kark the help, Lord." Mercy finally said with another chuckle, because that was hilarious.

"She is pretty, I will grant, in a psycho doll type of way."

But it complicated things.

The last thing Mercy needed was for her to assume she was somehow special just because Mercy invited her into her bed or invited herself into hers.

"Was that you trying to figure out if she was able? You interested in her carnally instead of just academically?"

Again a tease. Not like the Sith weren't up to worse things on the regular.

 

[Darth Anathemous]

Wearing: Bodyglove + Gloves
Tag: Mercy

Kaila wore an embarrassed smile, adding some color those cheeks.

Then some air shot through those lips in a little chuckle.

"Hmh."

Then a laugh. she couldn't even remember the last time she laughed in the presence of another Sith.

"I- it's not-"

Another expression hidden behind her glass, a glance at anything but Mercy's smug face. It was all in her voice though, like she'd been caught in a harmless lie.

"I don't often pursue, these days, rarely the one who makes the first move."

Then she shrugged, trying to hold back a toothy smirk as her features froze.

"...but If she asked, I'd consider."

The young Darth glanced at her from the corner of her eye, curious when Mercy would ask.

She knew it'd happen sometime.

"Hmh." another drag of her cigarra.

"Anyway I'm sure I'll get to know the girl just fine regardless, but it never hurts to do your research, yes? picking up an apprentice from beyond the Blackwall is exciting, but always a challenge. Helps to know where her loyalties lay, and why."

"Speaking of..." her tone grew more curious, brows furrowed again.

Kaila always asked many questions.

"How does Ashin's apprentice wind up on Nar Shaddaa, if you don't mind me asking?"

"Why not carve a legacy in the Blackwall, conquer a planet or two?"

​

 

[Mercy]

Darth Anathemous

It would have worked out better for Kaila if she hadn't mentioned no longer being the one to pursue.

That only encouraged Mercy... to make sure she would.

Usually the large tank was the one who approached people. It was as simple as pushing them against the wall by their shoulder and making it known that she was interested. It was quite obvious who was interested in return and who wasn't. Mercy enjoyed clear and open communication like that, but she also began to see the appeal in something less obvious sometimes.

"I am not much for apprentices myself." Mercy said finally after a moment. "I have made one exception so far." Her thoughts went back to Alcariel for a moment.

"But she was an unique case. Someone who truly impressed me with their will to power. Most people are too weak to break their chains."

And Mercy would never break them for them. In Sael's case, she had already begun the process, all that Mercy had done was equalize the process just a little. You couldn't expect a young slave to destroy a whole slaving institution to free herself. But driving all the guards and people in her pen crazy with nightmares?

Yeah, that works.

Then Ana asked about Mercy's intentions and that made Mercy smile. If there was one thing she liked to do, it was talk about herself.

"You don't carve a legacy while submitting to an Emperor, or a council of old men, or whatever, Lord." Mercy purred softly. "Sitting behind the Blackwall with a hundred Sith at my side to conquer a planet? What is the point of it? It's like stealing candy from a child." A little shrug. "Temporarily satisfying, perhaps, but it doesn't truly push my limits."

Finally she sighed and sipped from her glass. Though her sips were deep swallows that emptied half the glass.

"I kneel for no one. I go where I please, I take what I want and whoever wishes to stop me is welcome to. When I want, I will take a contract, for the Sith, for the Sun, for the Maw or anyone in between. Just for variety sake."

 

[Darth Anathemous]

Wearing: Bodyglove + Gloves
Tag: Mercy

"Hm."

Kaila brought one foot up to the edge of her seat, fingers laced atop her knee and chin atop that. All the while she began to stare at her with those golden eyes, head tilting.

With a thin smile fighting to exist.

"...Is that what you think of me...?"

She let the question hang a moment, slowly leaning forward, unblinking.

"Do you think I got this far by kneeling, just because I know the business world?"

"That I became Anathemous, Lord of Blades, by brown nosing?"

Her voice was eerily soft, almost sultry, were it not for the subtle bite.

"Do you think I would be here, doing business with the syndicate, alone, if I relied on the others?"


"No." she forced a smile.

"And I'm not here to kiss your ass either, just because you trained with a Varanin too."

Anathemous rarely swore.

​

 

[Mercy]

Darth Anathemous

Mercy tilted her head in confusion until she began to speak. Then the large woman realized she had accidentally insulted her current companion without realizing it.

"Mm, I do apologize for the unthinking words, Lord. I was not speaking of you." Drawled just as sweetly as Ana. "I was speaking of the lazy Sith who claim a world while leaning on others and never leaving the protective mantle of the Emperor."

A hand gesture.

"Clearly that is not about you, yes?" In the past she wouldn't have even bothered to explain herself.

But Mercy was older now, a touch wiser, enough to know that you didn't need to make enemies when you didn't wish to.

Another slow stretch.

"Oh, it's not my arse that needs kissing, Lord." Smirking a little.