Faction Soiree's and Scandals (Sith Covenant Darth Reign Intro)

[Lysander von Ascania]

Darth Reign Varin Mortifer Naamino Zuukamano Seris Velmora Astra Sadow Chasianna Nagual​

Another glance found its way back to Varin. "Social gatherings have a way of finding me, whether invited or not," the words came with a note of fondness, "though this one feels rather more fortunate than most, given the company. Legal troubles certainly do have a habit of keeping one away longer than intended. So, standing here again, seeing you in good form, means more than I'd usually admit." Turns out a few weeks locked up staring at the same four walls will get you thinking about what you should've said sooner.

In the next breath, attention shifted as Reign accepted the gift, the pen changing hands. "Only a modest token, Lord Reign. Beauty ought to have some use, and function might as well look good doing it. I trust it shall provide you with both."

From there, his gaze drifted, catching inevitably on Naamino. Much like Varin, the Zabrak had a presence that resisted being overlooked; Lysander returned the small smile before his two brothers folded into conversation with one another. The Badawan years surfaced at the sight, even if a few faces were unaccounted for. Nostalgia rose of its own accord. Simpler times, in some ways. Not easy, but less complicated. It certainly did the spirit some good.

Once some of those greetings had run their course, he found himself at Naamino's side. There was so much he wanted to ask, and really, just as much he wanted to say. Questions crowded his mind, many of them not quite suited for a crowded dinner, much less the opening moments of a reunion.

"I hope you've been well, brother. Been far too long since we've actually had the chance to talk without a battlefield, academy, or some other damned catastrophe intruding." Lysander's hand settled against the Sith's upper arm before it fell away. "We must remedy that soon."

A glass was collected en route to the table, along with a modest portion from the spread, before settling into his seat. The peacoat shifted against his shoulders as he made himself comfortable, one hand drawing the drink into reach. Twin emeralds swept the gathering then, observing familiar faces and strangers alike with a dip of the chin.

He would not have been ungrateful to keep the evening narrowed to just the two brothers; familiar company definitely had its comforts. Even so, Lysander wasn't closed off, leaving the door open in the way his attention drifted just so.

 

[Naamino Zuukamano]

Varin got a nod of appreciation and grunt of acknowledgement, having already assured his friend a few times he felt more than well accounted for.

Though accustomed to Sith social events and brushing elbows with Lord and Ladies from every echelon, Naami didn't know most of these particular people and he felt fairly certain he wasn't known to most of them either. Despite that, Darth Reign inquired as to his satisfaction with the spread before them.

Last to speak, Naamino inclined his regal head to their host again as he answered the question.

"A princely feast, Lord Reign. Your generosity is remarkable."

His voice was low and deferential, glacial eyes soon turning to the food in question. Despite his stern stoicism, which tonight was somewhat of a front for how reserved and low energy he felt, Naami would never turn down the opportunity of a good meal.

Still, Lysander recollected his attention first, and the big man grew solemn as he spoke.

There was immeasurable pain visible briefly as their eyes met, but Naami soon buried it —brushing it off and pushing it down to foment at a later date when he could use the darkness rather than be made vulnerable by it. Still, his brother deserved an answer and gruff code would have to do in present company. His eyes followed where the brief gesture of affection landed.

"Well enough, all things considered."

Not a lie, not remotely true either.

"Agreed — need t‘know who to lodge a grievance with, for your absence. Didn't have anyone to talk to about that last Rule of Two Hearts season finale," he grumbled wryly.

Rather than easing into the meal, the zabrak seemed to decide he was better off plating a heroic serving for himself. He clearly favored meat, though a few smatterings of vegetables on the side soon decorated the primarily carnivorous platter. He found a seat across from Lysander von Ascania and near enough to Varin Mortifer so they could continue to talk.

Naami's table manners were impeccable despite the heaping plate he'd served himself, and he slowly started to carve away at choice pieces of meat. His eyes remained curious and though somewhat stiff, the zabrak's body language remained open enough for a stranger to initiate conversation.

 

[Astra Sadow]

Seris Velmora held Astra's attention when the budding warrior admitted there might be something to what had been said. There was potential there. If she was at least able to contemplate new and unfamiliar thoughts then Seris might go far indeed in life. Provided she also learned when it was necessary to be uncompromising as well. Not all new ideas were worth consideration. Wisdom was one of the hardest things to acquire, and often only done through hardship.

"Fought one? No," Astra admitted. "They recognize me too quickly. Unless you consider that a fight when they test their own element of the Dark against your own to determine if you are predator or prey?" Fyrnoch could sense the Dark Side in someone and if you could command it, you could command them. They made for delightful pets if you could assert your will upon them through the Force. And one didn't fight one's pets.

"I have fought Leviathan, however, if that is any consolation." They weren't physically imposing by far. Most considered them mythical beasts given how precious few still remain in the galaxy. Even Astra didn't know how many were left. Seris would hopefully find the alternative Astra had fought satisfactory; they were no meager beast.


Astra smiled at Chasianna as the prophetess' cheeks turned a lovely shade of crimson. "Anything worth doing attracts unwanted fyrnocks," the dark lady replied with ease. "I certainly wouldn't mind hearing what you desired to share."

Seris got the Avulsuna to confess her fealty and its purpose thereafter. Evidently, the young woman was young. An Acolyte among the Kainate? So much of life left to experience. Perhaps they'd have an opportunity to explore less likely futures to broaden her horizons? Nothing must be more frustrating to a prophet than always being right about which future happened next.


As she awaited whether Nagual wished to speak of alchemical pursuits, Astra couldn't help but discretely observe another conversation from afar. Not that of Seris teasing Chasianna -- though that one kept Astra's smile buoyant -- but of one Lysander von Ascania . He seemed quite pleased that Varin Mortifer and Naamino Zuukamano had all congregated at Darth Reign 's gathering. Remedy it now while you fix your plate. Before the next calamity appears, Astra telepathically projected to Lysander. Her voice would be a whisper in one ear as her presence was an intangible ghast behind one shoulder.

Life always had a way of intruding. There was always something going on. Something happening. That which you wanted to do just kept getting pushed off until disaster struck and that choice was taken from you. Astra liked Lysander. He sought to seriously remake the world -- which Astra respected -- and still had the youthful audacity to try -- which she found refreshing. So, she was happy to give him a nudge now and then so he didn't end up like so many others with ideals and dreams cloaked in midnight.

 

[Chasianna]

Location: Suite Lounge - Soirée Venue
Attire: Cyan Two-Piece Gown
Tag: Seris Velmora

Chasianna did not think that her face could get any redder. But it did. And as Seris leaned towards her and mentioned the prospect of keeping her around, the seer barely restrained the urge to gasp. A delicate, manicured hand sealed her mouth shut, her overly large eyes widening with a mix of fluster and delight. Still, she silently reminded herself of her official duties. She was here as a representative of the Avulsuna, not a maiden at a courtly ball.

Going forward, she knew that she would have to be very careful around Seris when it came to formal public events!

Nevertheless, the next thing that Seris did momentarily caught the seer off-guard, in spite of the flirting from only moments prior. She sat next to her. Chasianna glanced up, food still in her mouth as her massive eyes shot open even wider. The red dress that Seris wore perfectly accentuated the athletic curves of her physique, as if it had been painted onto her form. And whatever perfume she was wearing (if it was perfume) smelled positively delightful, almost making the seer’s head swim with pleasant distraction!

Chasianna was soon distracted from her actual meal, her attention gravitating towards Seris as the tattooed Sith reached for her glass and took a sip. Their eyes met. Chasianna’s mouth opened slightly, her tongue dancing over her lips in an unconscious motion. Then, Seris asked her about Astra.

“I prefer to keep some surprises in my life,” Chasianna replied, a smile playing at the corners of her lips. She knew it was a vague, potentially unsatisfying answer which might only stoke further curiosity. However, the seer was obligated to refrain from divulging the secrets of the Avulsuna, even in the presence of Sith. That was a responsibility she took seriously, as part of the ritual oaths she had taken upon her induction into the order.

Seris mentioned how Astra had made her blush, to which Chasianna immediately shook her head.

“Only because I’m so pale!” She said defensively, her voice carrying a playful lilt. “But if you liked it...” Chasianna paused, her overly large eyes catching the amber light as a slow smile curved her lips.

“Maybe I’ll wear more blush next time.”

It was then that Seris asked her more about her abilities, and whether or not she could watch a fight between two people and know the winner in advance. And then the Sith asked whether or not she could read her future. In that, Chasianna's expression softened into something more thoughtful, her playful demeanor settling into a contemplative stillness.

“I could do both things,” Chasianna conceded. That much was obvious, so there seemed no harm in acknowledging it. “However, I will say that my order discourages the casual use of our gifts,” she continued. “There is a process which must be followed. Even if it is sometimes abbreviated.” Her voice took on an almost reverent quality then, her tone softening as she spoke. “The further you peer into the future, the more work it requires to delineate the vision. And it is never just a vision. It is always multiple. Hundreds. Thousands. Sometimes millions.”

She tilted her head then, a knowing glint flickering in her luminescent cyan eyes as she met Seris’ gaze. “So...you might just have to keep me around, if you want to find it out!”

 

[Seris Velmora]

SERIS VELMORA

Objective: Experience Sith society beyond the battlefield
Location: Darth Reign's Suite — The Bar
Outfit: Dark Red Dress
Equipment: Hidden Lightsaber
Direct Interaction: Astra Sadow | Chasianna | Darth Reign
Tag: Nagual | Varin Mortifer | Lysander von Ascania | Naamino Zuukamano

Astra had been making progress. Seris had actually been considering what she'd said about becoming known as nothing more than a bloodthirsty monster. There was a lesson there somewhere, probably. Something about reputation and being more difficult to predict. She had even been willing to admit Astra might have a point.

Then Astra explained fyrnocks properly. Seris stared at her. "Wait." Her fork stopped halfway toward her mouth. "They can actually feel the Dark Side in you, and then decide whether you're predator or prey?" The food was forgotten. Seris leaned forward slightly, golden eyes bright with immediate fascination. "And if you're strong enough, they just...accept that you're the predator?"

Astra might have intended the explanation as clarification. It had been a terrible mistake. "I want one." The declaration came with absolute certainty. Seris sat back again, already imagining the encounter. Not simply beating some dangerous creature into submission, but standing before something born of darkness and having it reach into the Force itself to judge her. Predator or prey. Master or meal. There was something wonderfully Sith about that.

Then Astra casually mentioned something else. Seris blinked. "You fought a Leviathan?" Her attention snapped completely onto Astra. For several seconds, she simply stared at the woman as though Astra had been withholding critically important information all evening. "We're talking about that later." It wasn't a request. Seris pointed her fork toward Astra for emphasis before finally remembering there was food impaled upon it and taking the bite.

Her attention returned to Chasianna—and Seris was feeling rather pleased with herself. She'd made the seer blush. Again. Apparently this subtler form of flirting wasn't particularly difficult after all. Seris normally preferred making her interests unmistakable. It saved time and avoided confusion. This was different, though. Watching Chasianna cover her mouth, seeing those enormous eyes widen, knowing that a few carefully chosen words had caused it...Seris could understand why Astra enjoyed this.

Then Chasianna struck back. Maybe I'll wear more blush next time. Seris' grin faltered. Only slightly. Her eyes remained on Chasianna as the seer continued, explaining the nature of her visions, but suddenly Seris became unusually interested in her plate. She cut into something she'd selected from the buffet with considerably more concentration than the task required. She hadn't expected Chasianna to answer like that. Worse, Seris liked it.

By the time she looked back up, she'd recovered enough of her confidence to find Chasianna watching her with that knowing little glint in her cyan eyes. Then came the final blow. You might just have to keep me around, if you want to find it out. Seris stopped chewing.

There was a brief silence. Then she swallowed. "Careful." She turned slightly in her chair, bringing herself a little closer to Chasianna. The grin gradually returned, although there was something different behind it now. Seris had started this because Chasianna was attractive, because making her blush had been fun, and—if she was being completely truthful—because she'd watched Astra do it first and immediately decided she could too. Now Chasianna was playing back. That made things considerably more interesting.

"I might start thinking you want me to keep you." Her voice had dropped just enough to make the words feel like they belonged between them rather than to the table. Seris held Chasianna's gaze for another moment before taking a deliberately casual sip of blood wine.

Her golden eyes flicked briefly toward Astra. Just briefly. A small, satisfied smile tugged at the corner of her mouth. Maybe Astra wasn't the only one who could make an oracle blush. Still, something Chasianna had said managed to pull Seris beyond the game. Hundreds of futures. Thousands. Millions. Seris' expression slowly shifted as she considered it.

She had imagined seeing the future as exactly that: seeing what was going to happen before it happened. Almost like remembering something that hadn't occurred yet. Chasianna was describing something considerably messier. "So..." Seris set her glass down. "If you see millions of futures, how do you know which ones matter?" The question came without her earlier teasing.

"If I asked whether I'd win a fight and you saw me win in a thousand futures but lose in another thousand, that doesn't really tell me anything." She paused. "Unless you can tell which ones are more likely."

Seris leaned an elbow against the table, turning toward Chasianna with increasingly genuine interest. "And if you tell someone what you saw, wouldn't that change what they do?" Her brow furrowed. "Say you told me I was going to lose. I'd fight differently because I knew. Maybe I'd train harder first. Maybe I'd bring another weapon. Maybe I wouldn't fight them at all." That last possibility clearly appealed to her considerably less than the others. "Then the future you saw wouldn't happen because you saw it."

Seris stared down at her plate for a moment. "Huh." Her Masters were going to be insufferable if they ever learned she had voluntarily spent dinner thinking about something this abstract. She looked back at Chasianna. "So how do you sort through all of that?" There was something approaching admiration in her expression now. Seris understood training. She understood drilling the same movement until muscle and instinct became indistinguishable. She understood the exhaustion required to master something difficult. Until tonight, she'd never considered that prophecy might require its own kind of discipline.

"And you said there's a process before you're supposed to look." Her head tilted. "What kind of process?" She paused before a mischievous glint returned. "Or is that one of those mysterious oracle secrets you can't tell me until I've kept you around long enough?"

Seris leaned a fraction closer again. "I can be patient." A beat. Her nose wrinkled. "Sometimes." She smiled and reached for her wine.

This was not how Seris had expected the evening to go. She'd come because her Masters had strongly suggested she experience parts of Sith society that didn't involve fighting. She'd expected expensive food, tedious conversation, and several hours spent wishing someone would start something.

Instead she'd discovered monsters that judged Sith by the strength of their darkness, learned Astra had apparently fought a Leviathan, and found herself sitting beside an attractive oracle discussing millions of possible futures while trying to see which one of them could make the other blush first. Seris took another drink. She was beginning to suspect she'd been approaching Sith society far too narrowly.

 

[Darth Reign]

Reign was careful to divide his time amongst the various topics of discourse. In fact he was pleased to do so for they were fascinating topics of conversation. From use of foresight as applied to future endeavours. There was much suitable conversation to be had. To the the socially bonding experience of shared love of the latest holodrama.

"Ugh can you believe they didn't kill that Jedi as soon as he walked on screen?" Reign exclaimed in impassioned disgust addressing Naamino Zuukamano and Lysander von Ascania "Let alone once they started prattling on about the Jedi Code?"

"I'm an avid connoisseur of Sith culture in all it's forms, as such I try to keep up to date with the latest developments." Reign assured them with a genial smile. "The introduction of a holodrama scene has done wonders for Sith reputation. Have you seen the latest music video of Bad Blood by Darth Huntrix? A fine demonstration of powerful Sith women don't you think?"

Reign decided to bring the conversation back to the show in case they were unfamiliar.

"The show does well to show Jedi hypocrisy through the depiction of the character though I must admit."

"A leviathan? Really? Hmm a fearsome beast, I commend you on your victory Astra Sadow

Reign smiled and nodded before turning to the rather engaging conversation on the uses of foresight. It was notable that Seris focus of use for the gift of foresight was her next match. That told Reign more about her than an hour studying her profile sheet every could.

"One can always use more insight into their decisions, I'm sure the gift of foresight is quite useful for such considerations. Although I believe one shouldn't depend on it entirely. The Jedi Grandmaster of olde Yoda depended on foresight throughout the rise of Darth Sidious first Empire. Sidious own foresight failed him when he attempted to recruit the bokken Jedi Luke Skywalker. I do not doubt your position that foresight can be a tricky proposition to interpret. The future after all is never set in stone, but even knowing the potential possibilities and pitfalls is a useful perspective when considering one's options"

Reign gave a small respectful incline of his head towards Chasianna

"Perhaps if the Rule of Two Hearts heroes had the gift of foresight they would have eliminated the threat posed by the scheming Jedi from the start. Although then I suppose we would not have gotten such an engaging story."

Reign chuckled. He hoped that by linking the two threads of conversation he might be able to cross conversations and head off any cliques forming amongst the social evening.

"Tell me Seris Velmora do you find yourself challenged a lot or are you frequently the challenger for your fights with others?"

"What about you Nagual . I am a great admirer of Nagai culture they seem well suited to the Sith code whatever their interpretation of it may be. Do you find the Sith Covenant offers suitable measures of strength?"

 

[Sorc Nenn]

The party were not quite to his tastes. His tastes were far more depraved and theatrical, gothic occult architecture and ridiculous rituals that were as nonsensical as they were elaborate. The soft droning modern music and the ensuite atmosphere was refreshing in a sense. Perhaps not all Sith dwelled in dark castles like lords of yore.

Though in contrast to the modernist surroundings, were a delightful curiosities of Sart and artifacts. He enjoyed putting his finger anxiously close to the precious and delicate selections, only to continuously arise the high-pitched worried whines of the servant droids, ever so politely reminding him that they were delicate. Yet another question dawned on him, why? Why do any of this? He had never heard of Darth Reign, which hardly made him unique,

Sith were cheap in this era, but he was clearly eager to impress upon his peers. This was nothing unusual, allies were an important currency, particularly in such cutthroat world of the Sith. Even with the Sith's Convents proclamations of brotherly love and solidarity.

But he was...simply far too accommodating. Going out of his way to import food from the guests local cultures, the politeness, going to every guest and speaking to them, sending an invitation to anyone and everyone, the display of minor curiosities, dawning himself in the sith colours, it screamed of desperation, desperate to make friends, but more then that, desperate to prove to his peers that he was indeed 'Sith'. Perhaps he had recently killed his master, whatever the case Sorc suspected that this title of "Darth Reign" was recent. Though in truth, there was nothing remarkable about being Sith, not since the Rule of Two.


Sorc had returned from stalking Darth Reign's artistic collection and began to prowl around the table. His hands clasped behind his back, and strode towards Reign with a sickly friendly smile, bleached white teeth grinning, indifferent to the swirl of conversations he was entrapped in. He was challenging him.


"Good evening Reign. I was just browsing your collection, and I knew I just had to have it. If it's not too improper, would you like to name a price?" It was crass, but that was the point.
Darth Reign