Private Secrets of the Synaptic Kind

[Qyssiyana]

Location: Labyrinth Library - Netherworld
Time: Early Morning
Notable Equipment and Personal Effects: Nullsong Veil │ Nox M-10 “Wraith” │ FAE/AM-01-S1 Energy Weapon Cartridge - Tibanna Gas (4) │ FAE/M-02 Energized Forearm Vibroblade Mk. II │ Moonpetal Rings (2) │ Bag
Objective: Find books on the neurological anatomy of various species.
Tag: Darth Anathemous

It was a place that one could easily get lost in. A library of impossible scale, its shelves sprawling like a metropolis of the mind, holding within them the near-sum total of all sentient knowledge in the Skyriver galaxy. Qyssiyana had arrived by strange and uncomfortable means after paying a Dowutin ferryman a not-inconsiderable sum of credits to take her, utilizing the generous allowance that she received from her mistress. The Dark Lady trusted her to use the money wisely. And Qyssiyana was not in any way inclined to violate that trust.

This outing was a research expedition. She needed knowledge. Specifically, texts that detailed the intricate neurological anatomy of as many species as she could uncover.

In order to best manipulate the brain, she needed to know how it worked.

Such knowledge was the foundation of her neuropsychic talents. In virtually every species, there were specific light wavelengths, auditory frequencies, neuroelectric wave harmonics, and anatomical quirks which could be exploited to hijack the brain, bypassing even the strongest wills. It was that encyclopedic understanding which Qyssiyana sought, so as to hone her art into a finer, more lethal instrument.

Stepping inside the library proper, Qyssiyana nearly went slack-jawed as she took in the cathedral-like expanse of towering shelves.

“Remember to keep track of the time while you are inside. As I said before, it can pass erratically here. I will be waiting for you, but if you take too long or get trapped...” The Dowutin’s deep bass crackled over her comms, the pause heavy with an unspoken warning.

“Understood.” Qyssiyana answered, her voice a soft murmur swallowed by the vast quiet. She was acutely aware of the risks. The chronostorms that wracked this region of the Netherworld could steal months or years from the unwary. Fortunately, with the ferryman’s guidance she had picked a period when the storms were projected to be calm. She had a brief, ten-hour safe window to browse without fear of temporal distortion.

She would need to leave a three-hour margin for extraction. That left seven hours for browsing.

Qyssiyana didn’t hesitate. Drawing a soft, centering breath, she sat down on the floor, tucking her legs beneath her as she began to browse what she hoped was the neurology section of the medical sector.

 

[Darth Anathemous]

Wearing: Robes
Tag: Qyssiyana

"...embalming... scenting... but where is...?" Kaila muttered to herself.

Clawed fingers traced lazy lines beneath the titles of a dozen more books.

She'd been here for... Fanged God... she didn't know? It didn't matter, she could sense the storms were a ways off yet, and so the leisurely stroll continued. A book was taken, titled "How to train your undead" or something silly, added to the stack held close to her chest.

A pair of ghosts parted as she reached the end of this particular shelf, hissing something under their breaths.

The Sith payed them no mind, in fact she hadn't even looked up from her reading until a whiff of something drew her in.

<<"We sense it too.">>


She wondered then, following the trail until she'd emerged somewhere in the medical section, one of the most vast she'd observed yet, with intimate knowledge of every single species in the galaxy.

"Ah." she said, peeking around a shelf.

"I thought I sensed something living in here."

The Dark Lord approached then, seemingly unbothered by the notion, unhurried despite the uncharacteristic heft of booted steps against marble floors. A brief pause was given, golden curls falling over one shoulder as she tilt her head.

"You seem... familiar."

​

 

[Qyssiyana]

Location: Labyrinth Library - Netherworld
Time: Early Morning
Notable Equipment and Personal Effects: Nullsong Veil │ Nox M-10 “Wraith” │ FAE/AM-01-S1 Energy Weapon Cartridge - Tibanna Gas (4) │ FAE/M-02 Energized Forearm Vibroblade Mk. II │ Moonpetal Rings (2) │ Bag
Objective: Find books on the neurological anatomy of various species.
Tag: Darth Anathemous

So engrossed was Qyssiyana by her search that she failed to register the presence of another within her vicinity. Cradled in her arms was a neuropsychology primer on Gran, while her prehensile lekku held an fourth issue of a neuroscience journal focused on the seventeen species of Iskalon which had been published in 100 ABY. She had yet to find the first, second, and third issues, or any issues after that. Nevertheless, she read both of the texts simultaneously, while her third eyes scanned the shelves for more, trineural anatomy allowing her to read, analyze, and seek all at once.

All the while, a friendly Force ghost drifted near, its spectral hand offering another volume. Qyssiyana reached for it with her prehensile tail, her gaze briefly glancing at the title before she gave a gentle, apologetic shake of her head and passed it back.

“I’m sorry but...not this one. I’m looking for Zelosian neuroanatomy, not Zeltron neuroanatomy. I was hoping to find neuroscience research on sentient plant species." Qyssiyana said, before offering a soft smile.

The ghost gave Qyssiyana a sad look, emitting a soft, mournful chime before slowly drifting away. A pang of guilt touched her heart.

“I’ll give it a look though, when I have more time! It’s still the topic that I’m researching, so you were very close. Thank you for your help!” She added, voice piping up in an effort to soothe the spirit. The apparition seemed to brighten at her words, chiming more cheerfully before fading off into the stacks.

The Dark Lord approached then, seemingly unbothered by the notion, unhurried despite the uncharacteristic heft of booted steps against marble floors. A brief pause was given, golden curls falling over one shoulder as she tilt her head.

"You seem... familiar."

A sharp gasp escaped from plush lips. The books tumbled from her grasp in a soft clatter as her triocular gaze snapped toward the end of the row. She caught sight of a tall (relative to her own stature) woman dressed in black robes, with long, golden-colored hair, piercing yellow eyes, and fair, freckled skin.

“I...am?” Qyssiyana triocular gaze traveled up the woman’s form, eyes widening in thought. The woman reminded her of someone. Her voice, at least, was vaguely familiar, bringing her memory back towards the scavenger guild fortress that she had infiltrated for a mission on Malachor V. However, the specific connection remained elusive.

The woman across from her had been wearing a helmet and dark armor then—a detail which escaped her.

“Actually, you sound familiar.” Qyssiyana replied after a moment. Her eyes fluttered delicately, before a soft, if slightly nervous smile graced her alabaster features. “Maybe we’ve met before?” She ventured, lekku shifting in an inquisitive sway as she spoke.

 

[Darth Anathemous]

Wearing: Robes
Tag: Qyssiyana

She stopped, soon as the girl gasped.

A respectful distance was being maintained now, in lieu of an apology.

"Oh?" her brows rose, just a little.

"Hm. You are Elryssian, if I'm not mistaken? I've encountered a few."

Golden eyes narrowed then, recalling their origins. With a flick of her clawed finger, the book's she'd once carried began to hover out of the way, fanning out behind her like some kind of halo, patron saint of nerds perhaps. In truth a kneejerk precaution more than flaunting, emptying hands that may be used to fight or fend.

Her tone remained cordial of course, but carried a probing edge.

"I believe you are correct." she said, slowly, as if thinking carefully choosing her words in real time.

"Tell me, Miss, do you serve the Kainites like your kin? or have you forged your own path among the stars?"

"There are few places we'd have met," she hummed "each a complicated thread fate's web."

​

 

[Qyssiyana]

Location: Labyrinth Library - Netherworld
Time: Early Morning
Notable Equipment and Personal Effects: Nullsong Veil │ Nox M-10 “Wraith” │ FAE/AM-01-S1 Energy Weapon Cartridge - Tibanna Gas (4) │ FAE/M-02 Energized Forearm Vibroblade Mk. II │ Moonpetal Rings (2) │ Bag
Objective: Find books on the neurological anatomy of various species.
Tag: Darth Anathemous

The implications of the woman’s words unfolded in Qyssiyana’s mind with the swift, cold clarity of a shattering crystal. Her expression shifted in a heartbeat, wide-eyed surprise tightening into a delicate, puckered frown. Her species had minds that moved like quicksilver. Thus, even the most staggering revelations required only a moment to be fully assimilated.

“You are familiar with my species,” Qyssiyana replied, her voice softening to a hushed register. A shocking revelation by itself, as her species’ total population numbered only in the hundreds—not even a drop in the bucket compared to the total population of sentients in Sith space, much less the total population of sentients in Skyriver galaxy. “If not familiar with me,” she added, words carrying an undercurrent of wariness.

"Tell me, Miss, do you serve the Kainites like your kin? or have you forged your own path among the stars?"

"There are few places we'd have met," she hummed "each a complicated thread fate's web."

Tattooed eyebrows arched delicately, rising gracefully up her forehead. Qyssiyana offered the woman a tight, guarded smile, but silently her mind began to race. She was wearing her bodysuit and had weapons on her person, both of which would likely prove useful in case of trouble. And naturally, she always had her neuropsychic talents. The woman appeared to be human or near-human; her mind would be familiar architecture, which she might be capable of manipulating if the need arose.

“No, I do not serve the Kainate.” She stated, a faint frown touching her lips. The Kainate. She knew their reputation and was aware of what being associated with them could mean. She also knew that they were her creators—the architects of her species.

This stranger, it seemed, shared that knowledge.

“Does Malachor V mean anything to you?” She asked, the name of the shadowed world extended as a branch.

 

[Darth Anathemous]

Wearing: Robes
Tag: Qyssiyana

"Hmh." she offered a subdued smile.

"Two weapons of faith misplaced, then."

Oh yes, she was sure of it now. This meeting was no accident, but neither intentional. A higher power had it's hand in this, and the look in her eye grew all the more curious for it.

Then it came; Malachor.

"Ah~!" she hummed.

"The resting place of Darth Traya, the site of her mysterious academy."

"And an obsidian tower, if they've finished?"

Though what went on in that blackened spire brought no comfort, her smile turned toothy in the corner. The scent of ash and rust, it was all coming back now. And so the Dark Lord leaned against the shelf, nodding to herself.

"Oh yes, I remember now."

"We shared a battlefield there, didn't we? You from the ashen floor and I from a moonlit sky."

Despite everything, she spoke of that memory with a certain fondness.

Then, with a lazier tilt than before, she turned her gaze to the Ellrisiane again.

"You dominated the minds of our enemies somehow, I was quite impressed. Curious, even. I meant to find you after, you know, learn your name, congratulate you, perhaps."

Her voice turned sombre a moment.

"Strange, that fate should prevent such a reunion then, yet cross our paths here."

"May I have it now?"

​

 

[Qyssiyana]

Location: Labyrinth Library - Netherworld
Time: Early Morning
Notable Equipment and Personal Effects: Nullsong Veil │ Nox M-10 “Wraith” │ FAE/AM-01-S1 Energy Weapon Cartridge - Tibanna Gas (4) │ FAE/M-02 Energized Forearm Vibroblade Mk. II │ Moonpetal Rings (2) │ Bag
Objective: Apologize!
Tag: Darth Anathemous

A weapon of faith, misplaced.

Qyssiyana blinked, the spoken truth settling over her like a sudden mist. The reality of the woman’s observation could not be denied. She was a weapon. There was a deliberate, brutal logic to the Kainate infusing her species with the genetics of the Maelibus and the Mairan—a grafting of the former’s deadly, hypnotic voice and the latter’s mind-shattering telepathy onto a single, refined instrument.

A weapon, indeed. To some, a monster.

“The Shadow Spire? Its construction is progressing smoothly, yes.” Qyssiyana replied, her tone regaining a measure of its softness as the woman leaned against the shelf. She allowed herself a breath of relief. The Elryssia felt the tension in the air dissipate, the frantic electromagnetic symphony of pounding hearts and primed muscles fading into a calmer hum.

And in that moment of relief, realization ignited like the crimson blade of a lightsaber.

"You dominated the minds of our enemies somehow, I was quite impressed. Curious, even. I meant to find you after, you know, learn your name, congratulate you, perhaps."

“And you...” Qyssiyana nearly gasped, triocular gaze lighting with vivid recognition. “You were her, the one floating in the sky, with the dark armor!” She covered her mouth with a hand, as if to capture the escaping words. The memories came rushing back then. The way she had addressed her with the fear, awe, and reverence as befitting a...

A Sith Lady.

“I am so, so sorry!” Qyssiyana immediately turned in her direction, her form folding in a deep, graceful kneel as her lekku draped gracefully towards the floor. “Please forgive me, my lady! I thought you were someone else!”

 

[Darth Anathemous]

Wearing: Robes
Tag: Qyssiyana

Progressing smoothly?

So they'd managed even without her money. Good to know.

Nevertheless it was good to see the Elryssia relaxing, even the Sith's own broad shoulders loosened in response. While the rogue Sith was undoubtedly responsible for the tension, so prepared to execute a Kainite agent if need be, the assumption proved false. Now she meant as much harm to her as the Elryissia's books.

But serenity was short lived.

Recognition came sweet at first, a faint smile tugging at her lips. It was good they both remembered, but... She was kneeling? dark brows rose, and were caught just shy of betraying the depth of her surprise.

She should have hated it, living the life she had.

Instead she paused a moment, savored it. Chin up, eyes bearing down, she approached with the soft cadence of the lady Qyssiyana believed herself to address. Perhaps she was, if only in these quiet moments with only the dead to witness.

"In the future, Lord will do. I am quite particular about my place as an equal to my male peers."

"If not their better." she whispered playfully, as if sharing a secret.


"Though, given we are alone, you may dispense with the titles if you wish."

When the Dark Lord neared at last, there was a moment's hesitation as though considering her next move. In the end, a gloved, clawed hand was offered to the Elryssia.

Such a small thing, surely it would be no effort to pull her up again.

"Please, rise."

​