Private The Coven

[Alina Tremiru]

"Vincent, be a dear. Show her in."

Atop her throne, the Sangnir stared out at the singularity her base was built so close to. A black hole, consuming everything. Light included. Just far enough away they weren't being dragged in. Or at least, not noticeably. A couple hundred years and that could change. Probably would change. She'd see, eventually. A simple black dress adorned her body, made of the finest silks she could find. Money, she'd never cared for it growing up. She'd rather party in the slums than dress as she did now.

Times changed.

Vincent, a pale man dressed in a black suit, simply bowed his head. His eyes, like so many of Alina's personal guard, glowed the faintest gold. Just as their matron's did. The lowblood slipped back, seeming to fade into the darkness of the room as they went to the door. Opened it to let the guest of the evening in. The room, the base, everything had been taken to an almost gothic extreme. Dark, brooding, a classic for vampiric folktales and movies. Alina was living that.

She kept her gaze on the black hole ahead, lounged so comfortably atop her extravagant throne.

" 'Jackal'. An interesting name. Where did you ever come up with it?"

Adeline Noctua

 

[Adeline Noctua]

Equipment | In Bio
Location | Denon
Tag | Alina Tremiru

Unlike her newest acquaintance, Jackal always seemed to be adorned in the same attire... A hue of red black, giving a punk-like vibe. She gladly steps into the room, unsure how to feel about all this. Back years ago she had seen herself as the top.. Being uncontested on Nal Hutta as the only Sangir, she had ruled the back alleys in a way that didn't mess with the authority of the Hutts. And now? She had met so many of her kind, learning what she was in the first place thanks to Nyla Tacari that fateful night right here on Denon. It was a fortunate turn of events, even if Jackal had taken a chunk out of Nyla's neck as their first meeting.

Alina seemed to not only pay well, but also gave a sense of future promise to the scarlet haired lowblood. This promise being one of power, be it in its rawest form or perhaps having an ally. Her greed of course pulled the woman towards raw power, but after seeing Alina's powerful warform... Such a sight had humbled the infamously greedy one known as Jackal.

Seeing that everyone else was so well dressed, a bit of anxiety clings to Jackal's mind. Not that she was normally one to even have such finery, but it felt just a tad disrespectful. The room though... It attracted the awe of her crimson eyes, it was easy to see they approved of the place.

As Alina spoke to Jackal, they would snap their attention to the highblood. Trying to be at least somewhat respectful, they give the Sith a bow.

But how to respond to such a question? Should she tell the truth? How would someone tell the truth anyway? The truth was just as confusing as a lie, well... A terrible lie that is. And so she is visibly frozen for a time as she thought about what to do, deciding on trying to speak the truth.

"I-Well this name is me, whoever held the previous name had died many years ago in the swamps of Nal Hutta. It is hard for me to remember... It all seems faded, but I recall.. Mm, blue skin. The girl was sold by her mother at an early age, pushed around and abused by the gang that had bought her. Any efforts to claw away at the chains failed, and with no way out her demons grew. Even after getting away from the chains, she was never born to be gifted with might. Everyone knew the young woman was easy prey, and so the abuse had continued. There in the swamps her pain was finally ended by a stranger, then I woke, her demon with no name. That night the alleys had run red with the blood of all who had wronged the girl, and I was called 'Jackal'."

And odd way to put it, but anyone who could understand what was going on was that "Jackal" wasn't a nickname, whoever this person was before Jackal was long gone, their alter ego had fully taken root. Of course, as far as Jackal knew she was not the name person... This was wrong, but they didn't know. The old name had danced around in the confines of the void, unable to escape.

 

[Alina Tremiru]

That certainly explained the.. Insanity, she got from the girl's general mood. Not now, though. If anything, she seemed focused. Alina's lips curled into a smile as she finally stood. Turned to face this Jackal for the first time. The Highblood, despite her mannerisms and how she dressed, looked actually younger than the Lowblood. Forever youthful, much to Alina's actual annoyance.

Or had been. Now, she just stopped caring.

"Do you want to know the girl you once were, Jackal?"

Adeline Noctua

 

[Adeline Noctua]

Equipment | In Bio
Location | Denon
Tag | Alina Tremiru

She glances in confusion at Alina before gazing down at her pale hands, flashes of blue hands covered in dirt and scars flood Jackal's mind, a visible panic in their inhuman eyes.

"What- I- Why would I want to remember that? All I have now are vague memories of the dead, she never wanted to live anymore anyway, tried a few times to leave but never could... A failure even at that, broken and with hardly any soul left."

The lowblood for sure never expected this to ever come up, nor for the past to dug up from its cold grave. The lingering dread wrapped itself around her throat, almost breaking Jackal of all people as she starts to remember the beatings, the abuse of all kinds... Innocence taken so swiftly, the lack of love or care, it all steadily came back now that she thought about it.

 

[Alina Tremiru]

"You're already remembering it, aren't you?"

Alina's smile took a softer turn. Her voice, a gentle coo as she reached a hand up to touch her cheek. "It's your choice, you know. To remember on your own terms or to just.. Suffer the flashes as they come. I can let you remember on your own. Better to face them on your terms, no? Face them, shatter them. Move on." Her golden eyes practically flashed.

"I'd hate to see you waste your potential, young blood."

Adeline Noctua

 

[Adeline Noctua]

Equipment | In Bio
Location | Denon
Tag | Alina Tremiru

Yes, yes she was. And those memories burned deeply, yet that is all they were, memories from the past. And this was a new future, the pain of the past could not and would not topple the mind of Jackal. Instead, her mind is now filled with new memories, those of when she got her sweet revenge. Such a past would never happen again, her adamant mind rather sure of it along with her pride.

As the hand touches her on the cheek, Jackal merely laughs a little bit.

"Hard not to remember, but none of it matters now. I am still here aren't I? I can carry on where Adeline didn't, they were shattered long ago, still are. And if I am still Adeline? Well, I have done rather well for myself. Now I am stronger, ate all those who wronged me.... Ya, that's me. Adeline, here to keep getting stronger. But I prefer the name Jackal, so I am both."

And so there it was, the lost name. Adeline.

Jackal had gotten a grip pretty quick, her mind fortified like a bunker now. It was clear that Jackal was not one that easily broke, just needed a moment is all.

"Now, as for my payment~"

She giggles a bit, waiting to see what all the Sith could offer.

 

[Alina Tremiru]

"Look at you, figuring yourself out so quick."

Alina chuckled, lowering her hand away as she nodded. Waved a hand towards the nearby table. Atop it, the usual. Credits. Money. Alina never did deal in those. Instead, a Rainbow Gem. Just one, small in size. But vastly expensive none the less.

"Your payment, young blood."

Adeline Noctua

 

[Adeline Noctua]

Equipment | In Bio
Location | Denon
Tag | Alina Tremiru

There was one motto that Jackal had always stuck with, and to this very day it proved to be true. Sith always paid well, no matter if it was just credits or something else... And this little special something else was indeed shiny; Being one to know the value of things, Jackal knew what this was. She had heard stories of these rainbow gems that were the awe of the galaxy, even decent sized ones were more than enough to buy a while cruiser and more. And so gently she grasps the gem, its shine causing colors to dance in her inhuman eyes. An genuine smile forms on the young Sangir's soft face, it was gems such as these that only the richest nobility had... And now some scrapper from the swamps of Nal Hutta had one all to herself.

"I can't say I expected this... Like at all! Where did you get this anyway?"

Her unique mind had already started to think of things, surely this gem had a story behind it right? She also instantly learned one thing, continue working with this woman. It was the same as Darth Carnifex , most likely too much wealth that they had no idea what to do with it besides pay people such as Jackal with it.. But what if someday she got her hands on a payment that was more than just wealth?

 

[Alina Tremiru]

"I have a.. Supply. It's truly amazing what people will do for a taste of immortality, no?"

Money could only get so much. But the promise of eternal youth, few would ever turn their nose up at it. At least in Alina's experience. "Do with it what you will. It is yours after all."

Adeline Noctua

 

[Adeline Noctua]

Equipment | In Bio
Location | Denon
Tag | Alina Tremiru

The story that was told made sense to Jackal, after all, she herself had made a deal much like it before.

"A bit disappointing there was no interesting action, but that all checks out as far as I am concerned. Anima is indeed a tempting poison, perhaps I should bargain with it more often since it obviously bears results. I used to be a bit of a stickler about turning people, I suppose one could call it a territorial thing. Nowadays though I see no harm in having more of my kind around-"

Jackal pauses while examining the gem once again.

"Even more so if they spoil me like this."

She giggles a little bit before yawning, appearing to have a new question form in her mind.

"I have been getting more and more easily worn down as of late, I tend to eat more and sleep longer... Do you know why I could be afflicted with this lethargy? And yes, I do make sure I am stuffed with blood.

They stuff the shiny gem safely into a pocket.

"It also seems like I sleep much deeper now, a Sith had entered my home not too long ago... Think he was undead? Mm.. Anyway my point is that if anyone even would open my door I would wake instantly, now I just doze off harder."

 

[Alina Tremiru]

"I like to make sure those I employ are well compensated for their actions. You quite literally faced down that which drives most mad." She chuckled, just a little, before raising a brow. Every curious, at that. Sleepy? Lethargy? And without a loss of Anima? Her gaze shifted to one of the dark corners of the room, where a pair of red eyes opened to stare back. Large enough to suggest something quite huge residing there. A voice clear as day spoke out.

"Highblood. Interesting."

The Sith's brow raised just a little more before she chuckled. "So that's how it is? You'll be going into a deep slumber soon enough, young blood. Seems you're destined for greatness."

Adeline Noctua

 

[Adeline Noctua]

Equipment | In Bio
Location | Denon
Tag | Alina Tremiru

Jackal of course chuckles a bit at the woman's first comment, nodding her head in agreement.

"Compensated is one way to put it, but something like this... The value on it makes me a bit anxious, I can't say that I trust anyone enough to sell it to them in return for something. What I would like is to find myself a new home, as much as Nal Hutta is my own little stomping grounds... I do desire a home that is far more than a shack in the swamps."

She glances over in the direction of the unknown voice, confused as to why she could not see through the darkness like normal..Her inhuman eyes soon snap back to Alina as they spoke again.

"Destined for greatness?"

Something inside her mind clicks, it had been a little spark at first, yet now her ambition grew more as the spark started to pick up... Becoming a flickering flame.

"Do you know how long I will be sleeping for? Or where I could even sleep? I don't think my home is safe enough, right now I keep away curious eyes and snatching hands by using husks... But something tells me they will wither away as I rest."

A highblood, the highest among the apex. Despite the worries about where to even hide while changing, a joyous feeling danced in her little ambitious head that perhaps this was the stepping stone for it all.

 

[Alina Tremiru]

"No, and.. No. Sangnir knowledge is hard to come by. Even my little Oracle likes to keep things close to the chest, don't you?"

Alina gave a chuckle, glancing to the darkened corner. Where a low, deep grumble could be heard. Not anything like the voice that had spoken from it only moments ago. The red eyes closed, disappeared from sight.

"But.. Well. I do have an idea or two that could help you. And a friend I've been meaning to speak with."

With that, she stepped away, back towards her throne. All to click a button and activate a call.

"Dearie? I have a favor to ask of you."

Adeline Noctua | Darth Strosius

 

[Adeline Noctua]

Equipment | In Bio
Location | Denon
Tag | Alina Tremiru Darth Strosius

Jackal sighs, it was indeed true that any knowledge on their species was few and far between.

"Perhaps you could use that vast wealth of yours to hire some eyes and ears, we could work together to create an archive.. A library of sorts, filled with any knowledge we can find. Surly our past kin had civilization somewhere, or at least just something that is worth logging."

Seems Jackal wasn't one to shy away from scholarly pursuits, in truth, she really did wish to create a little vault of knowledge.

The lowblood's attention though is soon taken by the pressing of the button, and the fact that Alina seemed to have an idea.

"Might I ask what idea or two it is that you have on your mind?"

She questions the older Sangir before their call really starts up, seeing as they were both waiting for her friend to answer it anyway.

 

[Darth Strosius]

There was a minute, a long minute, before the call connected and a reply came through. The initial reply was that of a light chuckle like someone amused by a joke. "Dearie hm? Must be a big favor if you're using pet names already."

To say that Alisteri had been surprised by a sudden call would be an understatement. But with the Sith sudden and unexpected things tended to happen quite often. Too often in some cases. "And to what do I owe the pleasure of a call then Alina? It's not something so simple as a little errand is it? And you certainly don't make social calls. No offense intended of course!"

He knew better than to be too coy with the one and only Alina Tremiru after all.

Alina Tremiru / Adeline Noctua

 

[Alina Tremiru]

"I have eyes and ears everywhere, dear youngblood. Though.. Rebuilding my families archive, but with a Sangnir twist? I wouldn't be opposed." Having a direct was always a good idea. Asides, artifacts had a special place in her heart after everything that happened. Her gaze returned to the hologram now that Alisteri picked up. A fanged grin was all she offered in return to his first statement.

"I truly should make more of an attempt to talk more with my favorite people. But, you're right. I do have a reason for calling you. This is Adeline. A young lowblood. Who, as I learned, is about to go through a.. Metamorphosis into a high blood. I figure we both could learn a lot with this. In exchange of course, she gets a safe place to change. Mind if we crash on by your haven?"

Darth Strosius | Adeline Noctua

 

[Darth Strosius]

The situation and favor caused him to think for a moment, a noticeable pause in the call as he thought on exactly what was being presented. "A matter of the Sangnir hm? Well I shall hardly turn down the opportunity to learn more about our transformation I suppose. You're lucky that I just recently acquired a new batch of pirates or else I'd have nothing to sate the hunger of this new Highblood."

Admittedly most of said pirates were meant for more testing involving Lignan but that could be done another time. A transformation wasn't exactly a daily occurrence after all. "I shall have a facility prepared and send you the coordinates to it once you arrive in the Formos System. Although I have to ask, why come all the way to me for something like this? Don't you own a planet or two these days Alina? I figured a backwater little rim planet would be below your station." He couldn't help the teasing tone that slipped into his last two remarks, although he was curious.

Alina Tremiru / Adeline Noctua

 

[Adeline Noctua]

Equipment | In Bio
Location | Denon
Tag | Alina Tremiru Darth Strosius

It sounded so strange to be referred to Adeline, the little event leaves Jackal blank behind the eyes for a moment before they manage to pay attention to what all Alisteri had to say... Another fellow Sangir, and it started to seem like her kind filled many powerful ranks among the Sith.

His words should be heeded, for the lowblood was indeed become ever more hungry each day. Going from the normal amount needed to gorging on prey, all the flesh and blood, bones even. Finding herself becoming slothful and gluttonous, pushing her mind for two things... Continue eating, and find a dark and safe place to sleep, it needed to be a deep sleep at that.

And just the thought of food right now causes her ravenous stomach to growl, demanding input quickly. Such a growl could easily be heard by others adorning keen ears, most likely only causing confusion thanks to Jackal's appearance. The woman did not appear starving, in fact she looked the opposite of feral. And while this feeling wasn't foreign to changing Sangir, she herself could only assume this need to gorge on blood and flesh was needed to fuel her change.

"Alina.. Do you happen to have any food around here? I hate to intrude upon your conversation, but my stomach is killing me, I have found myself hunting more and more.. Eating and eating, yet no matter the amount I thankfully seem to not go feral."

It growls again, the red hunger calling... Or was it? Again, she wasn't starving for sure. Something inside the woman's body must be stashing all this anima for something, one could only assume this metamorphosis was taxing in terms of conditions on the body as well as the intense need to stuff your maw full.

 

[Alina Tremiru]

"Oh it's as much for you as it is for me. I've always been less interested in taking notes, even when I should." She snickered a little. Just a little. When she could be, she absolutely would be lazy. This? No, this wasn't her being lazy. Just making sure the one she did truly trust was involved. This was a facet of their lives they didn't understand fully. Why was she a Highblood, when he wasn't? When they were turned together, by the same blood.

How he would be able to attain this power?

"We'll see you soon."

She clicked off the com, turning her gaze towards Adeline once again. "Any blood won't do. You need blood richer in anima." She raised a hand, pulling from the unnatural shadow a vial of thick blood. It practically glowed a faint red as she held it out towards the young blood.

"This should tie you over until we arrive. Come, we'll take my ship."

Darth Strosius | Adeline Noctua

 

[Adeline Noctua]

Equipment | In Bio
Location | Denon
Tag | Alina Tremiru Darth Strosius

The vial was greedily and eagerly taken, she pops it open to take a sniff of the contents... It smelt like a sweet and alluring candy, the anima rich substance is poured onto her pierced tongue, and as it goes down into her gut she is overwhelmed with a feeling of satisfaction. The hunger was satisfied for now thanks to Alina, a kind sharing of food for sure.

"Thank you, but now I must ask, where did you get that? The taste was divine... Wait, we are leaving right this moment?

Did she want to go..? Part of her felt anxious, while another tugged her onwards as if this was destiny.

"I am ready to go, call it an idiotic superstition, but our first meeting along with this.. It feels like destiny."

Jackal fiddles with her fingers, thinking over some things as they walked to the ship.

"Have you ever had weird dreams before, Alina? Years ago in the swamp when I was first bitten I ended up having a very odd dream. Of course, dreams are normally odd but that isn't what I mean. This one was very life-like as if I was actually there. It was a large city made of black stones, the obsidian streets reflected the starlight above. I found myself in some sort of church, inside the altar was made of the finest things. My eyes glance at the window as moonlight came through, and the glass had a visage of myself adorned on it. A voice called out to me, called me Adeline right before I woke up.. Thinking on it the voice sounded much like you."

It was a description that had enough details to not be considered a lie, yet no matter how real it seemed, she still looked to her new acquaintance for potential answers.

"What do you make of all that? Do you think it means anything at all?"