First Reply Research is the Start of Anything

[Lúthien Tinúviel]

OOC: As this is on a Sith World, its recommended to be of the Dark Side persuasion.

Moving through the doors, the darkened, but expansive room of the library made me feel extremely small in the moment. My eyes played over the host of such a knowledge base. Looking around for a moment, my boots making soft taps on the tiled floor. Such a wealth of knowledge, I needed to be researching something. I needed to find something, anything that could explain how and why I was made. Finally my eyes focused on a repository. One that would hold information on where specific tomes and books may be. My fingers tapping away on the fields. Filling out what I was searching for. If I needed to understand what made me, then I would have to start from the beginning. Trying to find what was essentially "Alchemy and Sorcery for Beginners."

I found a couple things here and there. But what caught my eye, was a specific name. One that I found interesting. Almost like the title of the book was directly questioning what Alchemy and Sorcery was. Looking up the information, I took the marker and wrote down the information on my prosthetic. My eyes looking around the room for what may be indicators on where i needed to go. Sections or how it was organized. Moving about, finding the section I needed, it took a little longer than I wanted. Having to read with my dyslectic eye sight. Finally finding the spot. I filtered through the isle. My finger skimming over the spines of the books. Reading them to find the author.

"Here."

Whispering to myself, my finger laced over the top of the spine. Pulling it down towards me, I stood up from my spot. Opening the cover of the book. Just glancing at it for a moment before starting to read the first passages in it.

"On the Subject of Alchemy and Sorcery."

I whispered again to myself. Just skimming the words for a moment. How the entry level items seemed to be indicating by the author was named as a "Lady of Secrets."

"Just what I need."

 

[Sable Varro]

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[Research Is The Start of Anything]

Tag: Lúthien Tinúviel

Equipment Loadout:

• Primary Weapon(s): SD-L1 Long Blaster
• Secondary Weapon(s): HG-88 Big Iron, VB-113 "Tidefall" Class Vibroblade,
• Specialized Gear: Wrist Mounted Weapons (Hekler'Kok WMMW-01), DS-102 "Aegis" Personal Energy Shield,
• Armor & Attire: Personal Armor

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Sable's eyes flickered over the words, but something felt off. The room, the air, even the silence—everything seemed just a touch too still. Her fingers stilled on the pages as her mind sharpened, alert to the subtle shifts in the atmosphere. She could hear the faintest echo of movement behind her, the softest shuffle of footsteps on the tile. Someone else was in the library with her.


The hairs on the back of her neck prickled, an instinctive reaction that had saved her more times than she could count. Her body tensed, and for a moment, she considered the possibility of leaving, but that would mean abandoning her search. Her grip tightened on the book, but her gaze darted to the shadows beyond her reach.


The footsteps came again—closer this time. It was a deliberate pace, as if whoever it was didn't quite care about being quiet. Foolish. Her eyes narrowed. She wasn't interested in company, not now. Not when she was so close to unraveling something that could change everything.


Slowly, deliberately, she closed the book, the soft thud of its cover a signal to herself. She didn't need to read anymore. She already knew what she had to do. The information was already sinking in, and though she hadn't fully absorbed the text, she was no stranger to the ways of manipulation and mystery. But she would need time to process it.


She turned, her expression cold as her gaze scanned the library's dim aisles. The shadows seemed to stretch longer than before, like they were waiting for her to make the next move. Whoever it was... They were a threat—or at least, a distraction. And distractions had a way of being eliminated swiftly.


Her hand rested lightly on the hilt of her blade, but she didn't draw it yet. Not yet. She could handle this quietly, without the need for violence... unless necessary. Would she be given a test so soon?

Anything was possible she supposed.

The footsteps grew louder now, more distinct, but still hesitant, unsure. Sable's lips curled into a faint smirk. Someone was trying to sneak around, unaware of the danger they were walking into. It amused her.


"You've got the wrong idea," She muttered under her breath, barely louder than a whisper.


She straightened, letting the silence stretch on, allowing the tension to build, her gaze flicking back to the book and then the direction of the sound. She could almost feel them, could almost hear their breath, their unease thickening the air between them.

She eased forward, soon finding the source of the disturbance. She stared for a time, book still in hand, as she took in the situation.

Perhaps...just maybe....this 'enemy' was merely a student looking for a book.

She stared for a handful of seconds, before letting go of her blade.

Now she was just standing here, like a weirdo, book in hand still. Maybe they wouldn't notice her standing here.

 

[Lúthien Tinúviel]

The sudden closing of a book to the side of me. The next isle over. I had neglected to search the library for sources of other living, breathing things. In an instant, all my sense flooded me. Smells of metal. Iron and salt. hearing the rapid breathing and the small movements. Shifting and barely moving as to not make anyone aware of what was possibly going to happen. Even the slight movements of what sounded like a tool or a knife being sheathed back into its home.

My presence had spooked someone. The current they stood in barely showed any ripples. The White Current was barely making any waves or flows around this individual. Clearly they were either very weak within the force, or they were someone who knew how to hide themselves. Acting like they would be a much smarter and stronger individual who hid themselves.

I closed the book softly. Speaking to myself again as though they were not there and there wasn't a care in the world.

"This is it. Alright now, how do I check this out. Maybe buy it?"

Moving down the isle towards the sounds and smells of what they were. Making my feet slow and sloppy as if I had been just not paying attention at all to them. I moved around the corner, head down and engrossed in the back of the book. Keeping my eyes trained on it but my ears and nose carrying me forward. Finally looking up at the person.

"Oh, I am sorry, I didn't notice you were in here. I hope I didn't bother you?"

Flashing a smile at them, hoping to maybe defuse the situation just a little bit, and get an understanding of why they were so tense. My eyes looking to her and just wanted to play for a moment. Knowing she had spoken under her breath a moment before.

"What idea do I have wrong?"

Sable Varro

 

[Sable Varro]

​

[Research Is The Start of Anything]


Tag: Lúthien Tinúviel

Equipment Loadout:

• Primary Weapon(s): SD-L1 Long Blaster
• Secondary Weapon(s): HG-88 Big Iron, VB-113 "Tidefall" Class Vibroblade,
• Specialized Gear: Wrist Mounted Weapons (Hekler'Kok WMMW-01), DS-102 "Aegis" Personal Energy Shield,
• Armor & Attire: Personal Armor

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This was not an assassin.

The realization hit like a slow, creeping horror. The signs had been there—the slight movements, the controlled breathing, the metallic scent that had sent every instinct in her body screaming threat. But now, standing here, actually looking at them, she saw none of the poised, lethal intent she had expected.

Just someone staring at her. Probably wondering why she looked like she was about to lunge across the aisle and break their neck.

There was a moment—too long, too silent—where Sable didn't move. Didn't breathe. Didn't do anything but exist in the unbearable weight of her own mistake.

Then, very slowly, she straightened. Shifted. Adjusted her posture like a marionette with half its strings cut.

Her fingers twitched at her sides. She should say something. Fix this.

"Ah."

…brilliant start.

Her eyes flickered toward the book in her hands, as if it might contain the answers to whatever social disaster she had just thrown herself into. It did not.

Her mind raced. What was the appropriate way to respond to mistaking someone for a trained killer in the middle of a library? Apologizing would be normal. Normal was good. She could do normal.

"I… may have," She began, voice slow, carefully measured, "Misread the situation."

That was not normal.

Her hands curled into fists, then unclenched. She took the smallest step backward, casual. Unthreatening. Definitely not preparing to make an awkward escape.

“….you're reading.”

Her skills of analysis were clearly on point today.

Damn it Sable.

“What…idea are you referring to?”

She managed to say, slowly inching forward, her face still hiding behind the durasteel mask.

She might as well gleam what she could from this stranger.

 

[Lúthien Tinúviel]

She, I assumed they were a She due to the feminine voice and body structure of the armor they wore, was rather stunned by my approach. Just a girl in an old red dress and a metal prosthetic. Sure, I was cleaned up and showered, but I thought I didn't look like the royalty that I had grown up in. A smile on my face as she continued to stumble over her own words. Not quite finding out what she wanted to say or even do. Taking steps back. Almost like she was trying to leave without looking like she was scared or just a straight nerf herder.

Nodding to her as she continued to fumble I just finally broke the ice a bit and spoke. Continuing to play with my... food.

"Oh, Yeah I was just perusing the library for some research on Alchemy and Sorcery. Very interesting topic to cover. So much to explore and work on!"

I hyped up my voice a little. Sounding as if I was just a little girl excited about some of the darkest and inhumane secrets the Dark side of the force had to offer. Speaking as if she were a friend I knew dearly.

"Oh sugar, didn't you mutter under your breath? Something like-"

Then all of a sudden my voice transition to be a near complete copy of hers.

"You've got the wrong idea,"

Smiling brightly at the woman after what was essentially her voice being repeated back to her like a recording. Still standing there and holding the book like a school girl.

Sable Varro

 

[Sable Varro]

​

[Research Is The Start of Anything]



Tag: Lúthien Tinúviel

Equipment Loadout:

• Primary Weapon(s): SD-L1 Long Blaster
• Secondary Weapon(s): HG-88 Big Iron, VB-113 "Tidefall" Class Vibroblade,
• Specialized Gear: Wrist Mounted Weapons (Hekler'Kok WMMW-01), DS-102 "Aegis" Personal Energy Shield,
• Armor & Attire: Personal Armor

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Sable narrowed her eyes at the display, her fingers twitching at her sides. The mimicry was impressive—too impressive. It wasn't just a simple party trick; it was calculated. A test, maybe. A taunt, definitely. Either way, Sable wasn't about to be toyed with.


Her stance shifted, subtle but certain. Not stepping back like before, but settling her weight evenly, as if deciding whether to engage or walk away. The girl—if she even was just a girl—held herself too deliberately, her enthusiasm an intentional mask. Sable had seen enough deception to recognize it when it was staring her in the face with a bright, schoolgirl smile.


"That’s cute," Sable finally said, voice calm, unreadable.

Though secretly, she found the act mildly concerning.

"You do impressions I see. Are you a comedian, perhaps?"


She tilted her head slightly, studying the book in the girl’s hands. Alchemy and Sorcery. Dark side secrets dressed up in academic curiosity. Of course.


Sable exhaled through her nose, less amusement, more mild exasperation. "So, is this the whole ‘ominous child prodigy’ act?" A pause. "Or are you actually here for research?"

Her tone lacked amusement to it, weary of what the woman before her represented. She wasn't wholly unconvinced that this woman wasn't some sort of assassin.

 

[Lúthien Tinúviel]

The smile only brightened as the fumbling little girl, finally understood to a degree of what was happening. A soft shake of my head when she asked if I was a comedian. Just putting my arms down to be casually at my side. Her question of what I was actually doing here were clear. She wanted to know why I was messing with her. And to be honest, it was just because I could.

"I was here to actually perform research. However, your actions were too... desirable to pass up."

I licked my lips softly, then bit my bottom lip. Looking her up and down just to keep messing with her.

"I only do impressions when it suits me. It also helps when you can easily hear someone who has an elevated heart rate, and reaching for their blade."

Looking down to the dagger at her side. Then back up to the helmet she wore. I then tapped my ear with my free hand.

"Also, if you are trying to keep yourself hidden, then I recommend not exposing yourself with your voice. You never know how sensitive something can pick up your voice will be."

The sly smile once more showed up. Rearing its ugly head to be at the forefront of our discussion. Holding and carrying this interaction as I toyed with her. However, I knew it was starting to become too much. So I decided to just let it go.

"If I am here looking for research, what is an armored and armed individual doing in the library? And might I know this individual's name? Or if you prefer Codenames, that would be acceptable."

Sable Varro

 

[Sable Varro]

​

[Research Is The Start of Anything]




Tag: Lúthien Tinúviel

Equipment Loadout:

• Primary Weapon(s): SD-L1 Long Blaster
• Secondary Weapon(s): HG-88 Big Iron, VB-113 "Tidefall" Class Vibroblade,
• Specialized Gear: Wrist Mounted Weapons (Hekler'Kok WMMW-01), DS-102 "Aegis" Personal Energy Shield,
• Armor & Attire: Personal Armor

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Sable remained still, letting the words settle between them. There was a measured patience in the way she carried herself, the way she took in every detail of the person in front of her. They were playing a game, circling her with words instead of weapons.

She had seen this kind of ability before.

Her fingers flexed slightly at her side, the only outward sign of thought before she finally spoke.

"Observation skills like that must come in handy," she said, her tone neutral but not unfriendly. "Good ear, too."

She didn't confirm or deny anything—no name, no explanation—but she also didn't rise to the bait. Instead, she shifted her weight slightly, the movement smooth, unhurried.

"Maybe I was aiming to test my infiltration skills," She said simply. "Though, in truth I…did think you were here to attack me."

Her helmet remained angled toward them, unreadable, but there was something deliberate in her posture—something steady. Not defensive. Just aware.

A beat passed, the tension light but present, and then she added, "I came here for research purposes, though this is for more…destructive purposes." There was the faintest hint of dry amusement in her voice, subtle but intentional.

Let them take that as they would.

 

[Lúthien Tinúviel]

"Destructive?"

Answering her without actually answering. She knew now I was playing. The game of all games as it were. I made an understanding face and just nodded my head. Knowing that if someone was trying to research something then they would be doing it because of a lack of knowledge for something. It was fair to say, that her being here, was ironic.

Normally, people who sought to learn something from a book, tome, or otherwise, had no master, mentor, or they came to see the aid of one long gone. Yet she was here in full armor and carrying weapons. Smelling her, I could tell that she had cleaned the armor many times. Blood, or other viscera off of her. She was a killer. She knew how to use the weapons. At least, to a degree to be deadly.

"You aren't the destructive type. Thin blades, and stealth are your game."

I smiled lightly and just took a step forward, producing a hand to her. While it was my metal right hand, most others were right handed. So it would have to suffice.

"Nightingale is what I go by, what are you looking for?"

Sable Varro

 

[Sable Varro]

​

[Research Is The Start of Anything]
Tag: Lúthien Tinúviel

Equipment Loadout:

• Primary Weapon(s): SD-L1 Long Blaster
• Secondary Weapon(s): HG-88 Big Iron, VB-113 "Tidefall" Class Vibroblade,
• Specialized Gear: Wrist Mounted Weapons (Hekler'Kok WMMW-01), DS-102 "Aegis" Personal Energy Shield,
• Armor & Attire: Personal Armor

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Sable's would take the hand, shaking it politely though she continued to stare into the woman before her. She stepped back slightly, her movements fluid and deliberate, as if she were analyzing every micro-movement of hers. Her gaze shifted subtly, a calm and calculating presence beneath her helmet.

"You're right," She continued, her voice taking on a more measured tone, "Destruction isn't my style. I've been trained for precision, for stealth. Thin blades, quick strikes—knowing when not to strike is just as important as knowing where to land the blow. But I was here to research a specific thing, for the purposes of destroying it."

Her posture shifted ever so slightly as she finally met her gaze fully, the glow from her visor casting an almost eerie light on her features.
"But survival… that's what matters most. If you don't know how to survive, no amount of power or knowledge will keep you alive long enough to use it."
Her eyes flicked to the surrounding library walls before turning back to her, the weight of her words heavy in the air.

She took a slow breath, her stance firm and purposeful, "My name is Dopple." She paused, almost considering her next words carefully. "If you must know, I’m research entities from the Force Netherworld. I’m woefully unprepared for encountering one, but I would like to study how one can combat them.”

Her tone softened just enough to betray a flicker of something deeper beneath the cool exterior, but it was gone almost as quickly as it had appeared. Her metal hand moved to her side, fingers brushing lightly over the hilt of a concealed weapon, a subtle reminder of the precision she spoke of.

"So tell me, Nightingale," She continued, her voice cool and even, "What makes you so interested in knowledge? What are you looking for? You spoke of alchemy, did you not?" Her eyes locked onto her with an almost piercing intensity, daring her to answer.