"Treasure Hunters? Do We Look Like Treasure Hunters?"

[Grima Volitu]

There where times that being in exile was utterly awful - even if it was self-imposed. There where times when being in exile brought rumours and legends to her ears. Fools of all species and walks of life would throw credits into the pockets of anyone that could pointe them in the right direction - even if it meant them dying just to turn a profit. The Togruta heard so many stories about this artifact or that artifact that she grew jaded hearing more about them. In truth there were a couple of relics that had piqued her interest - partially anyway - but her current financial standings could never meet the demands to quest for them.

Now that she had returned from her exile and was full member of the Covenant of the Black Rose she had the means to conduct such a quest. She had the approval and backing of the Black Rose. She had the means financially. She even knew the exact location of the ancient Sith artifact Helm of Dathka Graush. The helm it seemed had been destroyed but the fragments had mysteriously disappeared in the aftermath. As all Sith artifacts went they could never be absolutely destroyed - when Sith Alchemy and alittle bit of know how could put all the helm's pieces back together again.

Zarrah realized that even if the fragments would remain fragments - the idea of bringing them under the protective hands of the Black Rose was appealing. Zarrah sought out companions to join her on the trip to Elrood where the last bit of news she had heard regarding the fragments rested. The trip could provide nothing or it could provide alot of somethings. As her old Master use to say, "Nothing ventured is nothing gained."


[member="Darth Veles"] [member="Darth Venefica"] [member="Kendrix"]

 

[Darth Veles]

All true Sith appeared to have been declared traitors by the One Sith – who have revealed themselves to be nothing more than a herd blindly following its Dark Jedi leaders. That much was not as surprising to the Mon Calamari Sith Lord, unlike the identity of the sentient brave enough not to bend over for the Dark Lord and all his pets despite formerly being one of them. This act of defiance did not make Darth Veles any less wary of [member="Darth Venefica"], but his view of her has definitely improved drastically since their first meeting. The 0S was known to brutally murder people for less, therefore the Vahla’s bravery to voice her opinion equalled a death sentence. What else to expect from a group where one’s ability to lead the galaxy is judged by nothing but brutality, though? And so while the animals tore themselves apart in search for anyone connected to Venefica they could publically execute as a demonstration of strength, the Covenant of the Black Rose tirelessly worked on expanding and commencing searches and expeditions of their own, be it locating planets or artifacts.

Just a bit of cologne and Darth Veles was ready to meet his mistress and others interested in the newest artefact hunt rumoured to be led by his beloved Togruta. I meant to spend more time with her, get to know other members of the Black Rose better, and to steal a bit of power for themselves before the greedy hands of the One Sith reached it. The way the amphibious Sith marched was very much the same as always, just his manners and beliefs, yet the spark of passion in his eyes told he had changed. Spending much time with the red-skinned woman lately, the Mon Calamari appeared more lively and active. His life finally found a meaning again; in the One Sith, he was without his goddess, passively witnessing the galaxy’s demise at the hands of the fake Sith. In the Covenant, he worked alongside his beloved [member="Darth Zarrah"] and found many tasks that did not require him to go against his beliefs. Veles’ apprentice, [member="Kendrix"], also seemed to be doing better in their new company.

Avreet’s signature and presence remained hidden from the senses of others as always, yet not even the Sith Lord’s mastery over the ability was enough to hide him from his lady; their bond too strong to allow that, always having the two aware of each other’s location. With a pleasant, warm smile curling his lips, Darth Veles approached his lover and former Master. A short glance around scanned their surroundings as both amber orbs darted in all directions before feasting on the goddess’ beauty – the bodysuit left little to imagination. One more stride brought the Mon Cal even closer as his strong arm gently wrapped around the Togruta and stroked her head tail while the Sith Lord leaned closer and his mouth delivered a fleeting, yet passionate peck upon the exotic woman’s cheek.

“Heavenly, did you sleep well?” he asked in a soft whisper before letting go and parting with her by taking a step back. There would be time for sweetness after the mission.

“My lady, allow me to accompany you on the quest of recovering the artifact. I have taken the liberty of preparing my ship for the task – just give the word, Lady Zarrah,” Veles said as he swiftly and seamlessly slipped into a more formal conversation, “All stealth systems are fully operational, the cargo has plenty of supplies to sustain several beings, all is ready and set.”

Being branded a traitor by the most powerful war machine in the galaxy meant travel became harder. Of course, it wouldn’t be the amphibious Sith Assassin if he provided no possible option of solving the problem. His stealth ship was proving to be more useful every passing day, and he was determined to make the flight as comfortable for his companions as possible.

 

[Via Dolorosa]

Darth Venefica stood in her personal chambers, in a temple in a undisclosed region of the galaxy, staring at the holonews feed reporting of impending hostilities between the OS and GR; again. According to the reports, some accurate and some highly fabricated by creative journalist minds, forces were being mobilized on both sides as the proposed Cold War talks broke down. There was a time that she cared about such politics, while there was a time she did not support the Cold War; and while there was a time she had believed in the One Sith. All three now held no reservations in her heart; all three as dead to her as she was to them.​

​

"Let them squabble over another planet," she said toward the screen.​

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"This vicious circle is getting old...."​

​

The rest of her words remained unsaid. She didn't need to speak them; anyone and everyone in the galaxy were intelligent enough to see that for themselves. Nobody really loved war, except for those that profit from it, and how long could this war continue to last? Months? Years? Generations perhaps? There were many different governments, and empires, out there that despised the One Sith war machine; and their lack luster leader the Dark Lord. Yet, they had not come to the realization that bound together as one cohesive unit they could wipe the Dark Lord and his whelps from the galaxy. ​

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"They're afraid."​

​

Darth Venefica knew their fear was unjustified, a product of their own second guessing. When the edict was sent out by the One Sith Parliament that spoke of her being a traitor and the Black Rose, guilty by association, were in part a traitorous lot; they didn't give into fear, they simply laughed. The One Sith had brushed a painting depicting themselves as powerful; but they were far from it. There was no unity there only blind followers. And one day, the colours of that painting would begin to fade, until the only value it held was in a locked trunk in some deserted building.​

​

She handwaved the news feed to silence when she realized the next journalist, who just came on the air, was repeating what his predecessor had said for the past two hours. Even good news reporting was crumbling. She shrugged her shoulders as if to say this was not her problem; which it wasn't. She needed somewhere to be, a promise to keep, and an artifact to find.​

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[member="Darth Zarrah"] / [member="Darth Veles"] / [member="Kendrix"]​

 

[Kendrix]

Kendrix sat on the boarding ramp of Your Deathbed watch the Sith Lord meet his lady. Her eyes shining as he placed a single peck on to her cheek. A suppressed grin overtook Kendrix face as she watched the two. This was love in it’s truest form. The subtle passion that this Mon Cal held for the Togruta and the way she looked at him in return. Kendrix saw so many in love. So many who blindly fell into each others laps and devoted themselves for a brief few moments. She shook her head at them. That wasn’t love. That was worse than the one sided love that her father felt for her mother.

Kendrix placed her hand over her heart longing for a feeling as well. Love and love returned. Since her father left, she was left alone. There was her sister yes, but she was always busy. Time wasn’t made for Kendrix, and she still saw her sister as too much like her mother to approach her on her own. No, the love they should have had as sister’s wasn’t there and for that Kendrix felt a bitterness. Her hand griped the clothing in front of her heart. She was robbed so much by her mother. So much by those around her.

Her dead eyes looked up at the approaching lord and lady. Kendrix stood and tried to suppress the the laugh that tried to escape her mouth. She smirked at them knowingly at the moment they shared. She might be young and playful at times but she was not an idiot to the love the two showed each other. Even when they did not share a touch, the two still proved their love for one another, and for that, Kendrix admired them and held that much more respect for the two.

“Limbthír… Raisnaneth,” she paused between their names glancing between the two before lifting her chin proudly. “Are we ready to seek the helm of Darth... Whatever his name might be?”

[member="Darth Venefica"] [member="Darth Veles"] [member="Darth Zarrah"]

 

[Seras Goto]

[member="Kendrix"] [member="Darth Veles"] [member="Darth Zarrah"] [member="Darth Venefica"]

From deep within the personal chambers of Venefica the wheezing form stood of the garhoon. The burned and scarred body standing with the mechanical part in her chest pumping air into her lungs. She listened to the news feeds and tapping her tongue against her fang for the moment until she stood there. "It will serve a time, this happens with the humans." She wheezed and coughed a little laughing while propping herself up as the pale skin almost glowed with her short hair obscuring part of her face. "You ned to remember that with this darkside... you have nothing but time. You my lady can be patient, until stars burn out and the ones who have offended you are dust."

 

[Grima Volitu]

Zarrah was surprised that she had slept well. Zarrah forgot how luxurious a mattress could be when compared to sleeping on stone and cold ground - or on lumpy bug infested beds in hotels on backwater planets. Aliens and people took for granted what they had in their lives. It wasn't until you no longer had those small pleasures in life that you yearned for them. Surviving in a galaxy that always found new ways to bring tragedy to the people that lived there was no easy accomplishment.

"Thank you sweet Avreet," she said stretching out the last kinks in her muscles. Soft bed or not she was still getting old. "We go to Elrood to find this artifact. Others will be joining us." Zarrah saw the young girl Kendrix waiting for them and felt warmth in her own heart. Zarrah never felt she could be a motherly type but if she could go back and relive her life where she could bring a new life into the galaxy - she hoped her child would be like Kendrix. Zarrah loved the young girl like a daughter.

"Greetings to you Kendrix," Zarrah said then added, "It's refreshing to see young minds interested in ancient artifacts." Zarrah was pleased with how Avreet was training the girl. Shaping her into something greater than just a tool to be used. Zarrah despised how the Sith Order treated the rising generations as nothing more than objects to be used until they exhausted their need and then discarded them like trash. Only the strong would be welcomed into the folds of the Sith Order - a fatal flaw she came to understand. It was no wonder the Jedi Order hadn't completely eradicated the Sith since they - the Sith - had done so much damage to themselves.

[member="Darth Veles"] [member="Darth Venefica"] [member="Kendrix"] [member="Seras Goto"]

 

[Darth Veles]

In front of others, the amphibious Sith Lord would have promptly denied everything, if only not to allow their enemies to exploit the strong bond between the Sith Lady and her former student. The exact nature of the relationship between Veles and Zarrah was not a common knowledge within the Covenant still, yet Veles did not mind his apprentice witnessed the short moment between him and his Heavenly. Quite the opposite, in fact – the Mon Calamari hoped the young Theowei-Vahla hybrid that was his student would learn that love was not weakness as many ‘Sith’ claimed. Having someone to love gave the Sith Lord focus and determination to push forward, fight against impossible odds. All for his beloved Togruta, all for the sake of pleasing the red-skinned goddess. The smirk [member="Kendrix"] held back and the mischievous look in her eyes earned nothing but a passing glance from her amphibious Master as he approached the ramp and walked by, boots eliciting metallic clicks as he marched. His steps stopped though before he vanished within the ship, sparing a few words for his tattooed student.

“This is a great opportunity for you, apprentice,” he whispered, “To travel with three Sith Lords in their search for an ancient artifact…! I hope you’ll use this opportunity and learn as much as you can.” A wink sent her way revealed the amphibian fully knew of her knowledge concerning his obsession with his old master.

“Now!” his voice suddenly grew louder, his head turned to find [member="Darth Zarrah"] as he rushed over to the Sith Lady, “Allow me to show you to your quarters, my lady. As the most experienced and most powerful Sith, as well as our leader, you deserve the best place to sleep and relax for the duration of the flight. Of course, should you find anything unsatisfactory… just call your prince and he will come.” His smile accompanied her all the way.

As all would soon discover, vegetables made the majority of food supplies. Veles knew very well of his Goddess’ and Kendy’s taste in salads, and thus he adapted the food normally served to their wishes. Zarrah’s comfort in particular was paramount to the Mon Cal, his student’s betterment came right after that. Hopefully no tension arose from the fact one certain [member="Darth Venefica"] was Veles’ legacy’s sister. Still fresh to the revealing truth, the Sith paid closer attention to the interaction of his apprentice with her Vahla sister. Luckily, unknown to the amphibian, the dark-haired Vahla focused more on [member="Seras Goto"] lately.