The Pantheon

[Soliath Devin Talith]

[member="Cameron Centurion"] [member="Amorella Mae"]

Soliael sat in the center of a large ornately decorated room. Ten statues stood around the massive circular hall, each one a carving of what the artist envisioned his gods to be. Besides these statues there was only two pieces of furniture within the hall, a massive circular table, and the three ornately carved and gilded chairs surrounding them. It was in one of these chairs that Soliael sat, his arms propped up on the edge of the table and his face resting within his palms.

There was a sternness to his features, his face could have been carved from rock.

Truthfully, this hall had not been used in some time, a few months perhaps. There had never really been need of it in the past, informal meetings and gatherings had always worked well between himself, Cameron, and Vascious, things had been taken care of swiftly and with the fewest words possible.

He doubted that habit would stay around with Amorella now returned.

They had to actually think.

That was why they were here, To think about their next move, to plan where the Crusade would next be heading, and what they would accomplish now that the Yuuzhan Vong had been silenced.

 

[Ereza]

Soft footfalls and the deft sweeping of white robes along the burgeoning sensation of calm announced the arrival of Inari the Reviver to the hall. Her days now were more demanding than ever given her abrupt departure from the realm. The Reviver's return had prompted a a surge of attendance to the Temple - not that attendance had ever been scant before. The halls of the Aesirs had always been filled with worshippers and pilgrims alike during scheduled sessions during the day, but now they were near to bursting at all hours. The tides were unrelenting - faith burned as hot and bright as Yuuzhan'tar. The eradication of the Vong's heartworld had spurned a desire within the masses to see this particular crusade through.

Burn them all, they cried.

A worrying demand for one such as Amorella.

As she stepped inside, alone for the first time in what felt days, she carefully pushed the cowl of her robes from her head and removed her silver mask with a sigh. Careworn though she looked, her ability to soldier on was as relentless as ever, especially now with Cameron so close.

"Sol," came her warm greeting. Amore approached, quietly stepping around the back of the man's chair to lean forward and wrap her arms around his shoulders from behind, embracing him momentarily with the fondness only family could conjure before moving to take the seat to his left. She set her mask down on the table and lightly pressed her fingers at her eyes.

It would be nice to speak to him in private like this, unfortunately she knew he'd called her here for more official business. Pleasantries would have to wait - perhaps forever.

 

[Cameron Centurion]

Cameron entered a few moments later, surprisingly silent for one of his size. Unlike [member="Amorella Mae"], the Sith Lord did not suffer the burdens of well-wishers, beggars, or general worshippers lightly. Within the halls of Aatrox there was a scheme, a hierarchy for being heard. Those that managed to gain actual audience with the Aesir did so largely by chance. Well..save those that earned the right to be in his presence. That was never exactly a good tiding, however.

Silver-green gaze danced over his fellow Aesirs from beneath the darkness of his cloak's hood. In one fluid motion, Cameron reached a hand up to withdraw the fabric, revealing the smooth features of his face save the scar that ran along his left cheek. The Sith Lord cracked his neck slightly before settling into the remaining seat. Sitting up straight, poised as if ready to strike on a moment's notice, he gave a subtle incline of his head. "This is new."

[member="Soliael Devin Talith"] had been correct. The Crusade had been short on planning and long on action in recent months. One thing was for certain, Cameron's own vitality and mood were markedly improved with the return of his other half. The gushing of Crusaders, however, that was starting to wear on his senses only because they did not know, could not know.

The source of her sudden departure had worked tirelessly to ensure her safe return. That perfectly characterized the unpredictable reality that was Aatrox; that was Cameron Centurion.

 

[Soliath Devin Talith]

[member="Cameron Centurion"] [member="Amorella Mae"]

As Amorella hugged him Soliael placed a single hand on her shoulder, an affectionate sign from him, all he could offer without standing up and returning her envelopment. He smiled however as she moved to seat herself to his left, settling into the high backed chair only moments before Cameron made his entrance.

When the large man settled himself into his chair as well Soliael gazed at the two.

He was not a blind man, but he chose not to comment on anything.

Instead his gaze drifted towards the ceiling of the massive chamber, eyes fixing on a massive mosaic that had been ingrained into the fine stone. A portrait of Neth the Keeper and his sister Inari, an indulgent little picture that had been crafted by artisans ages ago, when the Crusade had first gained footing here on Exocron.

Soliael remembered the time almost nostalgically, then cast his gaze from one companion to the other. “We need to plan.”

His voice radiated throughout the room, a trick of architecture.

“The Yuuzhan Vong have been cowed, Their planets burned and their backs broken.” His face was stern, but somewhat satisfied. “The Fringe remains our loyal allies, and we have cultivated armies and fleets that rival anything in the galaxy. It's time to look forward.”

 

[Ereza]

"I concur," Amore's quiet reply came rather more suddenly than perhaps they might have expected. Typically it was not she who spoke up the loudest on such things, preferring to add only when her opinion was sought out, but the last few months had changed the woman. For better or worse remained to be seen.

Presently she felt more driven than ever.

"I see we have finalized the shipyards at Kinooine and Ceto, so you both must be aware of the plans for laying down a hyperlane and trade route along the spine of Crusade space. Have either of you taken any time to consider it further?"

[member="Soliael Devin Talith"]
[member="Cameron Centurion"]

 

[Cameron Centurion]

Cameron's eyes shifted to regard each individual as they spoke. Apart from that, his silver-green gaze betrayed nothing other than the continuous intense nature of its focus upon that which it held. If he was surprised by [member="Amorella Mae"]'s newfound nature, he did not show it. He'd found her to be forward enough in private...though perhaps more to the extent of asking questions or soliciting input. The Sith Lord could admit that the woman whom held his affection rarely...took the lead in conversation?

For a moment, the False God's eyes shifted to the visage of [member="Soliael Devin Talith"]. They had not discussed the subject much when the officials from KDY had made mention...purposefully. However, they'd not seen to grant it much of their time in the time since either. "My opinion on the matter was formed and cemented the day word of it first reached my ears. However, it is not something that has been brought up in discussion since. I see merit and tactical use to the idea. I am not, however, keen on doing so through any aspect of Protectorate space. Though relations remain...agreeable, I would prefer to have the route cut across the southern border of Crusade space, connecting our westernmost reaches in the vicinity of the Corellian Trade Route and Hydian Way with our easternmost reaches."