Shroud [Cameron Centurion]

[Anesia Jy'Vun]

|Preface|​

In the days leading in to The Rise, among all the flimsiplast, every slice of information in The Confederacy's databank, she had came across a face- that once seen could not be unseen, a ghost from the past- all those lifetimes ago in an Empire that had crumbled with the times. The warmongering Sith stilled, her fingers having pressed upon the screen. Anesia wanted to say impossible, but instead she whispered, "Where..." If there had ever been a time of... unity, it had been then. If there ever had been a time of faith and fealty for Sith it was then. With such vivid clarity, the memories came like a rolling storm, clouds for thoughts, ever changing and continuous. Her face wavered from stoic to somber, a hint of a gloss upon her eyes.

The emotion present in the memoir threatened to strangle her. Always when I least expect it... Would he remember? Manicured fingers swept over her mouth, then hung loosely from her narrow chin to strum silently on the flawless skin. Viridian eyes scrolled down to search for other information. Anesia only found his name and it had not changed. Centurion.

A God now, really? How quaint. The warlord certainly had the body and mind of one, she reflected, pulling on a memory that seemed days and not centuries old. Curious and emotion driven, Anesia stood and straightened the uniform with a sweep of soft palms. It would be foolish to believe he was the same man and thus, the Sith could not very well venture into Crusade space. This was not a matter of if; it was however, a matter of when and how. With long, sure strides she brought herself to the open window of her office and gazed at the rising titan. Watched it's gold-orange aura loom and play on the cream white clouds, the rays striking the metropolis that was Drev'starn.

She looked down and then to the side, the darkness knocking. Alina... Long nails tapped on the metal sill while she awaited the arrival of a woman donning the exact visage.

A couple hours passed...​

This one had a name unlike the rest, had a place alongside her mentor and she entered with the very fluid grace upon silent footfalls that Ferrius often did. Alina's face was hidden in the shadows the hood offered, body concealed within the billows of fabric making up the heavy cloak. She did not enter through the door to the office, but instead from a hidden entry behind the expanse of bookshelves.

The smell of Jonah Wilheim curled up the Master's nose and she flinched in disgust, her gaze holding just as much as she peered over her shoulder at the clone. An easy smile flitted over Alina's lips and she frowned. What filth... better you than me though. [SIZE=13.3333330154419px]A strange part of Anesia held jealousy, if only for the uncouth behavior she would never dance to again. Omega, she thought dryly, impossible man. Her loyalty lied with him though; in his bed, his mind. The mere thought of him had her blow out a frustrated sigh between crimson veiled lips. How he managed a power over her had yet to be made clear.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=13.3333330154419px]Master?[/SIZE]

​You are going on a diplomatic mission, Anesia replied telepathically, on Corstris to court a Living God.

Perhaps court was the wrong word, but it would appeal to the pupil's nature nonetheless, making the trip albeit less bumpy.

|The RISE| ​

Three days later​

War was in the air, clouds of dust and smoke, rain like needles pelted from Bothawui's once scenic skies. The streets filled with rebellion, death, and traitors and all the while, Alina had completed her task and boarded a Lambda-Class public shuttle to escape along with an escort and over two dozen citizens. By now a great many systems would hear the news on the Holonet and see for themselves the carnage upon this world and every other in Confederate space. It was safe to say there would be those fleeing the battle in search of a peaceful retreat, perhaps residence.

A slide through Republic space was not a safety issue being as the shuttle was public. It posed no threat and merely held civilians. Mandolorian territory on the other hand would be a completely different story. There was more area to cover there and the transportation would then hold considerably less of a load having dropped some off in neutral areas along the Mara Corridor. Could seem odd to be transporting so few into a region they were probably not welcome. It did however open up cabin space and the small entourage of Jy'Vun slipped into the first available.

The days were filled with restless sleep and the unknown. There were no answers to be had, only instructions. Nary little conversation passed between the four, rather between herself and the other three. Alina used to time to meditate; preparing herself and conditioning her mind for an audience with a man she did not know. Nothing, not so much as a picture had been given to her. Suppose her master thought...

You will know him when you see him.

Nearly seven days later...​

"A God," plush lips quirked in her query. I'll just bet... To say the trip was daunting would be an understatement. It had been a week that literally had her crawling in the small space she was confined to. Scratching at the door to be let free, fingers nearly numb. This very thing testament to her lineage.

"Would you sit down?" Tess groaned, the annoyance very clear in her light voice. "We will be there in," she paused and tapped on the screen of her datapad, "twenty minutes."

Twenty minutes? That soon? She suddenly wanted more time and pressed into a chair. How long had she been in the refresher? "Fine," was all she uttered, putting her chin in her hands, eyes closing. Alina left everything behind then, delving into that part of her imagination that kept her occupied for hours. Try as she may, she could not draw a face for [member="Cameron Centurion"]. Many others, yes, but as soon as they swam into view, they faded.

"This is Shuttle five-seven-zero requesting permission to land."

"Alright buttercup, time to go."

Startling, vivid violet pools opened. As if a whole other part of her took over, Alina stood in a single smooth motion, pulling her hood about her face at the same time. There was a part to play and no room for err. "Lead the way." [SIZE=13.3333330154419px]Tess moved, stepping past her while the other two flanked either side.[/SIZE]

 

[Cameron Centurion]

The expansive halls of the estate on Corstris were indicative of another time, another aspect of life. In truth, the Sith Lord maintained many residences. In his past, he would have cared not for such things, but he could appreciate the finer things in life for what they were. A facade...an illusion maintained only for the pleasure of others. Cameron had been born of the planet's wilderness before any industry had ever graced its surface. There were precious few that knew of his true origins...most of them he thought to be long dead, of course.

As he transited through one of the large corridors, the Sith Lord's dark blue and gray cloak glided lightly over the marble floor. With each extended, fluid step, the fabric of the cloak pulled apart just enough to expose his lightly tattooed upper torso. An all too common appearance. There were several others scattered about the grounds, adorned in similarly colored fabric, denoting their service to Aatrox the Deceiver. No. Not service. Their pledge, their lives. Yet...this planet, Corstris, held no loyalties to the Moross Crusade and Aatrox had made it explicitly clear no effort was to be made in such a regard. The native-born of Corstris were the last few remaining that held some level of connection to Cameron's past. It was that past and the memory of his parents that he respected regardless of...personal choices.

"Aesir... There is a vessel approaching."

Cameron's stride did not waiver as his silver-green gaze briefly regarded the cloaked and masked man that had drawn to his side. "The point, Cronos."

"Arrival was not scheduled. It is an unknown."

Cameron's interest barely piqued, but he stopped walking all the same. Casting his gaze to the ornate, cavernous ceiling, the Sith Lord allowed his presence to expand rapidly from the core of his being. The darkness inherent within him quickly swelled over the immediate vicinity, to the nearby town of Destiny's Refuge, to the prayer lands of the mountains, to the blanket of the planet's atmosphere. What he sensed he...did not immediately recognize. However, he detected nothing that would be of any immediate...problem. "Very well." They were the only words he spoke before opening his eyes and continuing his pace off into the distance.

The Cronos that had served Cameron since before he'd even been appointed the Mask of Aatrox and shortly selected by Aatrox himself to be a vessel knew all too well what the man wanted. Bringing a communicator to his lips, he relayed orders to the mercenary group also unaffiliated with the Crusade - originally employed by one Cameron Centurion during the Gulag Virus epidemic.

Roughly fifteen minutes after the arriving vessel's initial request, a response would be received from the planet. "Five-seven-zero, permission granted. Arrival vectors are being uploaded at this time, follow them explicitly. A security contingent will meet you upon arrival at the specified coordinates. Disembark with whatever weapons you desire." Unusual for any typical Port Authority, but the message was intended to be clear without being...direct. Visitors initiated hostilities to the detriment of their health on this particular planet.

[member="Anesia Jy'Vun"]

 

[Anesia Jy'Vun]

"Affirmative," answered the Captain. "Coordinates received. Preparing the shuttle to land." With all the grace and handle the craft had, it's dark gray nose, then hull dipped into Corstris' atmosphere. Past the eerie blue glow and into the cloudless skies within a matter of minutes. The public transportation vessel straightened as it coasted meters from the ground, then finally came to a standstill, lowering into one of the Port Authority's ship graves.

The lift to the shuttle fell, albeit with a light metallic whine that only well greased parts could do. It was soft, only the switching of gears could be heard like low laughter before thudding against the duracrete pad below. Not a splash of Confederate color was revealed in the projected light of the space port, nor any other emblem, shade, or mark. It was neutral as far as the eye could see, and the logs would show as much. The ship and the captain were legitimate as far as courier transport service and had been for the last seven years. "You are clear for departure of five-seven-zero," came a despondent, artificial voice over the system's com.

Alina said nothing, the features of the young woman cast in shadow as she followed behind the head of security. The footfalls of four were in unison depicting that of military background, the only one seemingly out of place was her; deep plum robes, lined in a shade of bronze swathed her delicate frame and billowed in the faint breeze slipping through the open area of the structure.

Though it was planetside and the facility appeared to have the capability to house more than a single ship, the very make-up surrounding the port lead her to believe it was more private than the latter. Lush trees surrounded them, almost a canopy in the near distance and a pale outline of a palace further out. It did not offer the bustling sound of the various starports she had visited in the past. Corstris, or at least the part they landed on was... tranquil in nature and setting. Alina could feel the power, a darkness that almost rivaled her master's own. Still, she was silent even when they came to a stop. There was no need for her face to be seen, her voice to be heard.

It was Tessa who spoke to security, her cool collected tone never missing a beat, "I do apologize for the abrupt nature of our visit, gentlemen. I am Ka'Tessa Kovis of the Abrion sector, we are here to have an audience with [member="Cameron Centurion"]." She held up her hand as if to dissuade them from commenting, hazel-sage eyes meeting each of theirs. "He is unaware, I know. We did not schedule this and could not afford to. Now, if you wish to remove our weapons, do so and get it over with. Our journey through Republic and Mandolorian space has made us both tired and weary. We need his immediate attention." Not the type of woman to go unarmed, Tessa reluctantly stepped forward a pace, turning so the Port Authority could easily spot what weapons she had on her person. The two men at the rear packed a little heavier, but nonetheless, given their tight fitting attire, there was nothing that could go unnoticed. "I assure you this is nothing more than a diplomatic mission."

The talk was mostly to steer them away from the woman they were surrounding, but the head of security knew eventually the one wrapped in robes would pique their curiosity. "The identity of this one is for Centurion only, she is unarmed. If you wish to run a scan..." her hand then fanned out and turned on a heel to provide them with a better view, "by all means." Coming from warring territory, this would have been something she would have expected and carried out. Them? She had not the faintest idea, but felt the need to give a certain explanation and respect due to their fortuitous arrival.

 

[Cameron Centurion]

Three obviously armed men wearing a military-style black uniform followed behind a dark-skinned male of slightly above-average stature dressed in a tailored suit. This man, clearly in charge, was clearly unarmed as well. His piercing blue eyes swept over the delegation that had arrived as one of them quickly went about stating their...requests and reason for visiting. The man in the suit, however, was little more than a messenger, a servant like so many. Sure...he was a slightly better-compensated servant, but he knew his role on the planet of Corstris and in the employ of Cameron Centurion.

When the visiting party fell silent, the man allowed his gaze to sweep over Alina briefly before refocusing on Tessa. He had little knowledge of government allegiances, and he cared less for just about everything else she had offered. His employer had already deemed the individuals worthy else they would never have found the ground in such a smooth manner. Turning slightly to the side, he motioned in the direction of the Palace. "Lord Centurion is expecting you." The mannerisms and actions of the four men did not clearly dileneate whether or not anything Tessa had said was...a surprise at all.

In silence, the suited male guided the visiting delegation as the other three soldiers followed behind the visitors, watching carefully. Though the Palace was roughly a kilometer's distance from where the vessel had been permitted to touch down, no mode of transportation was provided. The walk, like all things, did come to an end however. Arriving at the main entrance to the sprawling estate, the suited man motioned to the other three and they disappeared down a small path leading to a side entrance.

The instant Tessa's escorts had departed, the large gates to the estate swung outward, beckoning Tessa and the others forward. At the top of a large winding staircase stood a solitary figure clad in a flowing dark blue and gray cloak. The fabric was still as no real breeze currently drifted across the surface of Corstris. However, it would be plainly evident that the cloak partially covered an exposed upper torso adorned in a small number of arcane tattoos...from a time all but forgotten. The most easily recognizable feature, however, were the silver-green orbs that gazed out from beneath the veil of darkness provided by the cloak's hood.

Cameron Centurion awaited his guests with reserved intrigue so often mistaken for indifference.

[member="Anesia Jy'Vun"]

 

[Anesia Jy'Vun]

Every bit of the Hapan she was screamed inside her head, but Tessa appeared reserved and cool as per always.What she thought and how she presented it were two entirely different things. She still had to work out men in general, having grown up to see them as inferior. Perhaps they still were, she thought passively. I'll bet he is came out as, "Of course." Kovis offered a short nod in turn and they followed, with her at the head and the other two detailed at the rear, Alina in the middle. More than a little intrigued, though her hazel-sage eyes were pointed straight ahead they sought with peripheral vision to gather in their surroundings. It reminded her of home with every step closer to the palace with its lush landscape and more than likely in heaps once inside the looming building before them. Ka'Tessa Kovis was told upon taking the assignment that the probability of hostility was low, but to still keep wary and on guard as the General had not seen [member="Cameron Centurion"] in quite some time.

Unease crept slow down her spine and as if Alina felt it, she placed a reassuring hand on the head of security's shoulder. Power that the blond headed woman failed to feel before came in dark, soothing waves just as the gates gave a wide berth to what seemed to be of their own accord. As much as the clone wanted her hand to retreat, her pale violet eyes moved up the wide set of duracrete stairs that curved curiously. The fact that she could see no more, but feel the ancient radiation piqued at her. She strode forward without thinking, past her security. Tessa's silent protest was at the back of her mind, but much like her master, Alina was tempted by power and strove for it with even more steps unseen by the billowing cloak she donned.

The detail finally moved up, cautiously, the other woman now at her side and they both peered up. As if in unison, their eyes took it a literal step at a time before meeting with boots and a cloak. "Alina," warned Tessa as both ventured north on the foreign man's body. The dutiful guard's eyes revealed perhaps a flicker of awe, then closed itself off, appearing more as before and the woman cast in shadows reflected that of a sort of knowing upon seeing him. Expecting, perhaps, nothing less being the student of Jy'Vun. Powerful and more often than not, her Master was surrounded by beautiful people. The fact that Cameron came from her past and he seemed to be no older than Anesia herself... just proved, if not highlighted the fact that it had always been so.


Times might have changed... the people, it appeared did not. Finally, she spoke and took to the stairs. "Lord Centurion."

 

[Cameron Centurion]

Cameron's gaze lingered on the entourage as they approached the grandiose entrance to the equally dominating edifice. However, it was the cloaked woman with an alluringly enchanting gaze that practically demanded all of his attentions. Though he could only see part of her face, the Sith Lord was struck with a sudden sense of...familiarity. Silver-green eyes stared straight through Alina's pupils into the heart of her soul. The Force shifted and expanded around the woman as Cameron forced his presence firmly upon her own, groping and prodding at the familiarity that nagged at the back of his mind. It was almost a sense of...nostalgia for an era all but relegated to shadows and whispered rumor.

As suddenly as it started, the sensation evaporated. "Stop," came the deep intonation of Cameron's serenely intense command. Clasping his hands behind his back, Cameron shifted his gaze to the others, Tessa specifically. "The rest of you are welcome to wait in the sitting room adjacent to the foyer." The Sith Lord did not make any additional statement before shifting his gaze back to Alina. "Walk with me." The Sith Lord much preferred the elements to the immaculately polished nature of his residence's interior.

Stepping down the stairs towards Alina, Cameron passed closed enough to allow his body to brush lightly against her own before he began walking towards the east lawn of the sprawling estate. What he'd sensed had taken his intrigue and rocketed it to supreme interest. It had been, well, centuries now since he'd last interacted with [member="Anesia Jy'Vun"]. The memory of her had just been rekindled by...whomever had arrived to visit him. He had several questions, but the overriding one was...why?

 

[Anesia Jy'Vun]

From across the expanse of space itself, her Master tugged, voice raw. As if she knew. Did she? Alina thought, a thin dark brow raising exclaiming it physically. How far was Anesia's reach? Before she could linger any longer upon questions to herself, the massive frame of their host was upon them. Kovis' fingers were wrapped around her thin bicep, emotions so flippant, yet very concealed. She almost couldn't read the woman. The neon gaze of the protege watched him from under the heavy hood, inches apart briefly, fabrics of their respective cloaks mingling before [member="Cameron Centurion"] stepped away. It was only after he'd passed that she turned to her head of security. "Tessa," began the young woman, "it's fine."


"It most certainly is not. I cannot very well do my job if-" a soft pale hand reached to cup the guard's face, hindering her words. Her head shook at the same time, "I'll be alright," violets moved to meet a stunning shade of green, "Won't I Lord Centurion?" There was nothing the guards could do, they knew it, she knew it. This was not their land, not their home. Guests. One last time she said her name, "Tessa," and it was more of a warning though her smile was feigned. Should anything happen to her, it was on Kovis' head. She was just as weary, but even more curious, and could practically feel the strike of her master's wrath should there be err. Reluctantly, she let go and dropped her hand to her side.


A look of animosity reflected in her almost golden, pale green eyes when she drew them to Centurion, "Keep her safe." It was not a question, she did not ask the man. She flat out demanded it and watched as Alina left her side to meet with his. "This way," she pointed, directing the other two, and they followed. All of them moving slowly to a common room. The Hapan didn't like it and she showed as much disapproval without being rude. "Why are we-" a man began and she cut him off with a rapid movement of her hand.

+++​

​

​

She gave a lingering look over her shoulder at her entourage and sighed. "There was nothing you can say to me that you could not have said in front of them," voice low, naturally husky, and soft. "You do realize that, Cameron?" Alina smiled lightly, the crease of her lips still dipped and hidden with shadows. Deviant violet pools looked up then and she stared into his eyes as if trying to recall a memory not of her own. Not being able to, both hands moved, each snaking into the opposite's heavy sleeve as they walked further away from the mansion and onto the plush green landscape surrounding it, her fervent gaze retreating to the exotic plants and fawning trees. "It is very beautiful here," she said, making light of the conversation before it grew serious.

 

[Cameron Centurion]

The Sith Lord gave absolutely no acknowledgment as to the safety of the woman that had been escorted to his residence. Cameron, quite simply, knew none of these people, so he was not even remotely interested in making them promises he very well may not be able to keep. While he was often called manipulative or scheming, he was more or less always honest. Any fool could tell a lie and be perceived as deceptive. The twisting and bending of the truth to effect alternative outcomes, however, was much more mentally stimulating to the Sith Lord.

Any looks thrown his way would have fallen on a firm visage of...the back of his head. His steps did not falter or delay because the delegation had demands they were foolish enough to air and give legitimacy in his presence. Cameron Centurion had not asked any of them here, this was not a scheduled meeting. As Alina returned to his side and addressed him with familiarity, he turned his head slightly to regard her with a cold, emotionless gaze. "Do not presume to be familiar with me. I do not know you, though you remind me of a good friend from another time." Pausing for a moment, Cameron glanced at the landscape before settling his chilling silver-green gaze back on Alina. "Who are you and what can I do for you?"

He could only presume that the woman had traveled all the way to Corstris, a quite obscure planet, for a purpose. At this point in his life, Cameron had simply lost the ability to be much other than...well...that which Lord Alathor had intended to create all along. Even in death, the man was still controlling every aspect of Cameron's life.

[member="Anesia Jy'Vun"]

 

[Anesia Jy'Vun]

The signatures. But why would Anesia send her here to pretend to be her if... Only [member="Cameron Centurion"], the original would have known, thus proving his own identity. "I am one of many. The third." Alina answered rather cryptically, mouth barely moving. Those beautiful crystal eyes appeared distant now, as if clouds passed with in, dulling their luminous color. They continued to walk, her languid steps seeming to set the pace. Quite a handful of minutes passed before she continued. "Forgive my familiarity previous, I was following protocol, Lord Centurion. My master and I meant no disrespect." She let what was said linger a moment longer before she stopped all together, coming to a halt in the middle of the field.


"That good friend," both hands came up, just a flicker of fingers to send her hood to rest at her back before descending to clasp together upon her robes, "is requesting your assistance, my Lord." What was presented, came in the form of long wavy, close to raven hair framing a face, that by all intents and purposes was drawn for attention or to please that of the eyes aesthetically. And it had proved to, even after eight centuries had passed.

The siren clone was just that; an exact replica of one Anesia Jy'Vun. By appearance alone there was not a single difference and she housed a vast affinity of the Sith Lord down to her personality. Past that of a flawless visage however, the obvious decline in power was there, the signature while similar was of Alina's own. "Lady Jy'Vun beseeches that of protection and further guidance for the third." Indigo pools flickered up to meet his steadily.

 

[Cameron Centurion]

Cameron's interest manifested in full as the woman lifted the veil of secrecy surrounding her arrival on Corstris. A thin smile framed the Sith Lord's features as he came to a stop beside the diminutive woman. For several moments, the Sith Lord merely allowed himself to observe the woman in full for the first time. The resemblance was...well...identical, truthfully. Though Cameron would be lying if he didn't say he'd always been attracted to [member="Anesia Jy'Vun"]'s intense power more than anything else. He respected those that could wield such an awesome capability with delicate agility and prowess. There were precious few left amongst the stars, it would seem.

Cameron's first visible reaction was to return her courtesy. Reaching up, large hands pulled back the fabric of his own cloak's hood. Revealing dark features and a scar running down his left cheek, one of many on his body, the Sith Lord inhaled deeply as his silver-green gaze seemed to burn even brighter in its study of the woman before him. "Protection and guidance... I have not spoken to your master in multiple centuries. She announces her return to me like...this..." There was, perhaps, a hint of disappointment in Cameron's voice, but it was overshadowed by his growing intrigue. Ane always had been one of singular methods. For a brief moment, he wondered if she was aware of [member="Vascious Relens"]' existence amongst the galaxy as well.

Better to guard that truth just in case...

The Sith Lord could not forget the, well, intricacies of the two Sith. "Very well. A request from an old friend. You shall have what Anesia desires. However, you must understand that as long as you remain here, in my charge, Anesia's instructions from afar are null and void. This is not negotiable." Cameron was by no means telling the woman to forget all she had learned or accomplished. He merely wished to convey that those that served him...did not serve two masters. Alina should rest assured that she was very much in his service so long as she existed under his protection and tutelage. There was no other way. "We begin with your name. I no longer wish to here you or any other refer to you as 'The Third'. Then there will be the matter of the...individuals you traveled here with. Their welcome will wear out by daybreak, they will have to leave you behind."

Cameron's face set into hard lines as he kept his arms clasped behind his back. As was often the case, his posture was rarely outwardly aggressive. Instead he remained...poised and dignified, every bit the weapon-turned-overlord that he was.

 

[Anesia Jy'Vun]

Verily still, the third of many kept her poise as if she expected an inspection. Had she of not been fashioned in a cloak, the woman would have turned, spun slowly on her heel, alas the act of would have offered nothing as the thin, shapely frame was hidden under the billow of heavy cloth. As vain as Anesia was, she could not very well have a blemished duplicate, so this was not the first time she'd been scrutinized. Alina herself had taken up the trait of vanity her master was known for, not to the degree, but she was aware of the effect she so often had on others. More often than not did the clone exploit it as tough.

"There is a war," the woman began, still holding his gaze,"that took precedence over something that could have been a farce. It could not be avoided. She only asks of your forgiveness, my Lord. A General must lead her army whether it be for victory or loss."


You will know him when you see him. The truth of it, those words of advice, elicited a soft smile from the lovely creature. One that deepened, but ultimately disappeared in a matter of seconds. Approval maybe? But she would say nothing. Her feathered lashes came down and her gaze with it to fully take in what he was revealing from the hints of Cameron's inked chest, over the hard lines of his visage, and then finally back to those silver-green depths. "If I may..." curious of the markings upon his flesh, Alina stepped in, leaving little space between them. A slender pale digit ventured up, hovering over the art displayed on his chest, not touching though and her gaze dipped to where her hand was. Centurion's power was practically pulsing against her and soft, lush lips parted in response.

It gave her pause being that close and the young woman stepped back suddenly, albeit flustered.

"Alina, my Lord," she answered, but looked off into the distance unable to meet his cold eyes. That too took her by surprise. What did her name matter? Her thoughts led to something he mentioned earlier and Alina put her focus on that, "I'm curious...what does 'in your charge' entail, Lord Centurion?" The beauty of the estate proved to have the uncanny ability to keep her eyes occupied and otherwise away from [member="Cameron Centurion"].

 

[Cameron Centurion]

For the briefest of moments, Cameron considered making a dismissive motion as Alina delivered an explanation and apology on behalf of [member="Anesia Jy'Vun"]. The woman from afar had no reason to seek his forgiveness or offer any explanation to her actions. In the grand scheme of things, Cameron was not much concerned with why certain personal decisions were made. Sentients of the galaxy either made decisions he approved of, or they did not. The mechanism behind the decision making was irrelevant to the large Sith Lord. Likewise, the precious few he could call...well...friend was not the proper word. A favored acquaintance, perhaps. A former partner in crime, certainly. Regardless - Anesia held Cameron's respect, so she would never have to want for his forgiveness. Short of outright betrayal, it existed eternally.

None of those realities were the real reason he remained silent, however. The truth of his past with Anesia was one that belonged to Cameron, Anesia, and those that had shared in their experiences. That did not apply to Alina, and the woman managed to pull Cameron from his own internal monologue with her rather abrupt closing of distance. Continuing to breathe normally, the Sith Lord allowed the woman's natural scent to waft through his nostrils as she conducted her inspection.

When Alina recoiled, flustered, Cameron could not help but allow a thin smile to touch his features. The effect for him was less, having lived amongst a variety of presences for so long. Still...passion, emotion...they radiated through the Force stronger than anything else, and even Cameron could feel the interaction of their two respective presences. Alina's own presence may have been diminished compared to her creator, but it adopted a wide variety of other similarities all the same. In his youth, Ane and her friend Ishara had been every bit a...distraction to Cameron in many instances. Those days, of course, were now past.

Still. His pleasure remained a principal concern.

The smile on his face lingered as he offered Alina a response to her question. "It means that in exchange for my instruction and protection, I expect you to be useful to me. The only way for you to do that is to adopt a position amongst my staff that will enable you to...moderate affairs when I am otherwise engaged. Tell me, Alina, what do you know of the Moross Crusade?" Cameron was not asking from a viewpoint of recruitment. However, at least a working knowledge of the organization would be required were she to spend any amount of extended time with him.

 

[Anesia Jy'Vun]

"I see," she turned, shadowed tips still nearest [member="Cameron Centurion"] fled up the fine fabric of his robe where it parted. Still careful. Still not touching the flesh that seemed to ask for it. "What position is that?" soft, silken lips quirked and liquid amethyst pools moved up, slowly and deliberately crawling past the expanse of his chest until they could hold his without wavering. This was something she knew. This tango. She lived and breathed the debauchery. Not to say this trumped the Sith Master's own, but rather the taste of it was not foreign. A sense of... ease passed over her in those moments where there was only silence. Little did it last upon hearing the question.


Too much was unknown and while time would certainly tell, the young woman could not help but feel a little lost. What was she going to tell him? It was bad enough the arrival was unannounced and the dark headed guest guffawed to herself. A living God, her thought began... what am I to lie about, what could I possibly make up? Still capturing the man's gaze, Alina stared a moment longer as if spellbound, mulling over the possibilities and upon finding none, her chin tipped down to let the wash of raven hair shield her features. Decidedly ill prepared for this, her other hand came up so that her head might don the hood once more and she stepped away as soon as the velvet fabric offered the solace of shadows. Bare feet rustled along the cushion of grass, taking in the feel of the earth below it as she all but danced in the direction they had been headed.


In the height of agitation, her hands found the belt that fastened her downy robes, fingers kneading at their ends all while venturing towards a canopy of trees. Surely he would not be pleased. However, honesty was all she could find and her dulcet tones carried on the air with as much, "That will have to be the first lesson, Lord Centurion."

 

[Cameron Centurion]

Silver-green eyes remained locked on the visage of [member="Anesia Jy'Vun"]'s clone. His dark features gave no indication of his thoughts or desires as his chest heaved evenly, steadily with the rhythm of his breathing. He sensed a familiar pull, a tug against some part of his soul that he knew in the presence of Anesia long ago. Yet still...this was different, Alina was different.

As if on cue, the girl demonstrated her lack of familiarity with...the galaxy, perhaps? God or not, Cameron was an old creature, one that had seen and done much. While he rarely spoke on his past or experiences unless asked, it showed, reflected in everything he said and did. Even more so in the things he did not do. There was no judgment. The large Sith Lord did not move to convey displeasure. Youth was not something to be ashamed of or irritated by...it simply was. Cameron himself had hailed from such just as anyone alive.

When the girl flittered off towards the tranquil solace of the forest, Cameron allowed his silver-green gaze to follow though he did not immediately move. It was not until her question touched the air that the large Sith's muscles twitched into action. As if his presence had been little more than an apparition, he all but disappeared from view before re-appearing directly in front of the woman. A blur of dark colors was the only indication of his rapid transit. The folds of his cloak flailed briefly in the air as a result of the speed of his movement, the pressure from his arrival causing even Alina's clothing and hair to billow briefly. "Then pay attention, Alina."

In a slow, deliberate movement completely unlike that which he had just completed, the Sith Lord gently reached two fingers into the veil of darkness provided by the hood of her cloak and pressed them against her left temple beneath her canopy of thick hair. In that moment, he allowed images, emotions, the truth of the Crusade to pass directly into her mind.

 

[Anesia Jy'Vun]

Expectant, vivid gems watched. Not so much the man, but the surroundings; the flutter of the blades of grass, the artificial wind upon the leaves when [member="Cameron Centurion"] moved. Alina did not meet his eyes even though he spoke. Even though he decidedly took up her personal space that she had recently moved to gain. The familiarity of the act caused her not to rear back, but into what he gave, leaving the fabric of the belt to fall restlessly against her sides. Her own hand snaked up, soft palm gently resting about Centurion's wrist, fingers draped over his much larger ones. The other planted firmly atop his cloak donned chest as if to steady herself.


This... this was not a foreign adventure or way of telling and the naturalness of it grounded the clone, while the proximity continued to lick like a lover's tongue scouring salty flesh. The combination was appalling to most, but it kept her enthralled. Quite a novel of history and knowledge moved from Cameron to Alina and the young woman wondered in that moment why he was sharing all of this with her now. "My Lord...." began the woman whose eyes softened to the likeness of a lavender hue, still wide with wonder. They stared into his own depths of silver-green during the offering. She had done this long enough without the need to let her lids be of solace. Alina preferred to watch through another's eyes, even if they were only the screen.


"Why would you show me such things..." fingers began the ascent to his face, first gently frolicking along the flesh of his neck until she reached the plain of his cheek. A single digit slid along the notable scar when she spoke again, "Does your mouth not work well in that way, my Master?" Something akin to a smile forged upon her plush, dry pout. "This is not to say... I did not appreciate the notion." That same finger swiped, then traced the lines of his lips. "There were many a thing you could have left out," pausing, a dark brow lifted, "...what am I to think of you now?"

 

[Cameron Centurion]

When the transfer had been completed, Cameron dropped his hand by his side. While he was definitively aware of Alina's own touch against the surprisingly soft skin of his face, the Sith Lord did not flinch or recoil. An impassive expression adorned his features as he listened to the clone's comments. "You do not ask the correct question."

Still ignoring Alina's hand upon his face, Cameron took another step closer to the much shorter woman. Looking down at her with pensive silver-green eyes, he allowed the corners of his lips to curl upwards into a slight, tight grin. "The question you should be asking is what is the true purpose, meaning behind the existence of the Crusade? I showed you little more than images, limited experiences that characterized the ideal of the organization, yes. However, as is the case with life in general, the surface so often merely conceals the more vile nature of the concealed core."

Another half-step closer such that their chests were touching more or less completely.

"As for your other questions, I only set my mouth to purpose when it pleases me to do so."

[member="Anesia Jy'Vun"]

 

[Anesia Jy'Vun]

"Animals often shed their coat..." Alina gave pause both in tongue and touch, a single digit drew under his chin and stopped, "their skin when necessary, Lord Centurion." A flawless visage tipped, mouth dipping into a sardonic smile. Gentle, seamless, a pale pink. "Such things will be revealed in time as all shells eventually break. Truth, however little, peeks between those veils of lies and deceit. A vicious circle... hmm...I don't need to know everything..." yet.


As if suddenly reanimated, her hand ventured south slowly to create space between the lines of their bodies. "Really..." the words of the clone were still soft, still almost whispers. A tone that carried, intertwined with the air rather than slicing through it. The smooth pads of her fingers rapped along his chest without lifting her palm as if playing an instrument with the calm beat of his own heart. [member="Cameron Centurion"] and his vacant nature seemed to affect her less and less or perhaps... she was only mirroring his application with albeit dubious intent.


Lifting her pale gaze to his, the smile grew with intensity, "This one is in hopes that it is not to... that it will not please you to rule me." The opposite hand reflected that of her other and they swept down his chest before Alina stepped away. "With your mouth or otherwise." Again, she was bathed in the billowy confines of her robes, her comfort. It was uncertain if that were a threat or a invitation to the masquerade and even in her mind's eye, the coin would fall where it may.


"What vile core is this surface hiding, m'lord?" head inclined to indicate the very man before her, tendrils of dark lush hair escaping her velvety hood when she did.

 

[Cameron Centurion]

Cameron listened silenty and devoid of any facial expression evoking a discernable emotion. When the clone's words ceased, the large Sith Lord allowed a thin smile to touch his lips just before turning slightly to step away from their present location. As his cloak billowed slightly in the soft, continuous breeze, Cameron clasped his hands behind his back. If Alina chose to follow, she would have an answer. If she did not, then the Sith Lord and False God would content himself with the sound of his smooth, dark tones.

"Truth...is the greatest of all lies." If there was one thing that could be said about Cameron, it was that every word he selected had a carefully crafted purpose. "Truth is an illusion, much like freedom, created between those with power and those without. The comparison between animals shedding skin and your so-called truth eventually revealing itself, however, is cute." That was where the useful reality of the illustration ceased, however. The necessity of an animal to shed decaying skin or fur that otherwise would cause it to overheat and die was hardly indicative of the shell of deceit being broken. The Sith Lord was never much a fan of the prophetic comparisons of the tangible with the intangible.

Still. He understood what the woman thought she was trying to convey. "Rest assured you know only that which others permit you to know, Alina. Whether it be access to information provided by those from whom you rely on for one thing or another...or the genetic limitations placed on you by [member="Anesia Jy'Vun"]." Now Cameron was being prophetic. "As for me...I hide nothing."

Abruptly, Cameron stopped and turned to face his guest. "I am a creature of desire. I desire something, then I set in motion whatever plan or method I feel would be most entertaining to carry me to the destination. That course is...not always the most direct method as life is simply boring when made too easy. The trick, the key...is in enforcing my will on those that desire, crave it so." With a speed that bordered on being too quuick to sense and certainly too quick to be seen, the Sith Lord reached out for Alina's waist as he used the Force to compress her body firmly into his grasp.

"So rest assured it would please me to rule you. The difference though..." Slowly, casually the Sith Lord allowed a single digit to run from Alina's bottom lip, down the center of her neck and towards her chest as he used the Force to manipulate and tease the nerve-endings in her skin even more than the physical contact. "...is I will make you crave it so first. Regardless of the length of time such an accomplishment might take. In that time...I will show you the nature of life and provide you with the tools to rule over it yourself."

 

[Anesia Jy'Vun]

Absorbing all that [member="Cameron Centurion"] spoke in silence, she portrayed the dutiful... obedient student. Even as the man's much larger frame dwarfed hers and their bodies melded for coupled moments, Alina remained pliant, forgiving in the face of strange intimacy. She did not fight the nearness to him, but welcomed it instead.

"And yet you hide everything." The statement was simple enough, void of a ringing that an assumption would hold as she fought to steady a shudder, a vocal whimper. Alina's eyes held that of Centurion's own, unwavering as she soaked in his opinion. Soaked in the little skin contact shared between them. "Limitations are self made more often than not and my lord," the heels, then soles of her feet lifted, toes perched at the tips so her lips could be so bold as to share the air he breathed. Nigh an inch from his own, "you know nothing of mine." Little knowledge was known of women and even less of one such that stood before him. For all anyone knew she was merely a shadow. A ghost.

The puppet whose strings had long been cut.

A single hand curled into the fabric of Centurion's robe, urging it's softness into her grip and she pulled as if they could get any closer. "Be careful of those appetites that cannot be sated, my lord. My deceiver." So close that when she spoke, her lips lightly teased his and the words were swallowed each time he inhaled. "Know your own hunger, Cameron, and know it well." With that, Alina's bare feet hit the lush grass once more and she turned in his hold, as if liquid, giving the living god her back.

 

[Cameron Centurion]

Cameron's only response to...all that the woman had said and done was to laugh. The proximity of their bodies did not bother him - even when her lips brushed against his own. The manipulations Alina played with, while appealing, were not the first the Sith Lord had seen in his centuries of life. Beyond that reality, the Aesir came to find himself respecting the...nature of the girl. She was a clone of [member="Anesia Jy'Vun"] indeed, but she certainly was not Ane. The similarities were definitive, however.

Unfortunately, the differences were what could quite literally get her killed should she not elect to curb the...personality that in truth was scarcely her own. Then again, Cameron had only just met the Clone...perhaps she had found a way to work around the realities of genetic imprinting and copying. That would indeed be impressive.

As Alina turned in his grasp, Cameron allowed his smile to dissipate as he stepped away from the woman. "There is nothing that you can teach me about myself, Alina. Learn that lesson well and...quickly." If there was any uncompromising reality of Cameron's existence, it was that he maintained complete, irrefutable control over his own being and his surroundings. There were always though that strived in often brilliiant fashion to break from that reality, but they ultimately failed. That is, of course, unless their success served a larger purpose; Cameron's purpose.

"In the meantime, there is something else I must show you." The Sith Lord's pace was casual, but his strides were naturally long. After perhaps ten minutes of walking across the expansive estate, Cameron came to stop at the eedge of a forest that swept the countryside. His residece at Destiny's Refuge was far different from his...more modest, intimate accomodations deep in the woods of Corstris, but there were certain...similarities. Motioning into the forest, Cameron posed a question to Alina. "What do you see."

If Alina applied herself, she would see what appeared to be...a normal forest. It contained dense vegetation, a moderate amount of animal life. Even if she groped out from in front of her with the Force, she would sense that everything appeared...well...in order. Presences seemed to fill the area in relative correlation with the living creatures she could see. So why the question?