Useful Servant, Dangerous Master

[Armand Temi]

After stepping out of the shuttle and onto the wet ground of Glee Anselm, Bellatrix felt nothing but a dread in the pit of her stomach. For the last few months, she was working as a servant for [member="Chaf’anta’natrano"] of House Chaf on Csilla. There had been whispers of sending her out to assignments for Lady Fantana in order to gather information where she could, but that plan never seemed to materialize. Her duties consisted of household chores and some occasional “entertaining” the noble Chiss who visited the House. But that wasn’t to say she didn’t have information. Since she kept quiet and out of sight for the most part, she was privy to vital secrets of House Chaf – hushed words and strange meetings which gave her an earful of Lady Fantana’s plots and plans. But Bella had nowhere to sell these secrets, nor did she feel confident enough to find an infochant buyer on her own.

Still, she had been summoned by her former owner [member="Darth Pyrrhus"] with no reason given and no instructions relayed after she landed. She was met by the Togruta Sith Lord’s ubiquitous Nautolan guards. When he first met Bellatrix prior to this trip, she was in full slave collar, wrist cuffs and chains. But today on this overcast, quite humid day – so humid it made her blue-black hair curl in waves down her pristine blue-skinned shoulders and back, she wore a simple, low-cut gown with no chains or bindings. As a former dancer for Club Tranquility on Balosar, Bellatrix was never one to wear clothing which covered her limbs and prevented display of her hour-glass figure, nor was she also dressed that way by her former customers or prior slave owners.

Her heart beat quickly as she waited for a sign of the Togruta. She remembered him as an efficient Master, though occasionally cruel and temperamental. A human woman had also lived with him, but the girl did not like Bellatrix and eventually was the one who engineered her departure. But in House Chaf she had a measure of freedom she was not allowed by her past masters, especially the jealous brown-haired girl who kept her in a different building even from the Togruta, perhaps not trusting him to be alone with her.

But staying with Darth Pyrrhus for however long he needed her, would she still have that same freedom on Glee Anselm?

 

[Darth Pyrrhus]

Bellatrix' time spent on the surface of Glee Anselm remained brief. It was almost as if her escort had been instructed to treat her transportation with urgency, fearful of keeping her for too long out in the open. The Nautolan guard that met her remained silent for the most part, unless directly addressed. They treated her with respect, like they would a foreign ambassador or perhaps even a Sith. Certainly she was not given the dismissive treatment of a common slave.

The half-Chiss found herself dragged deeper into the depths of the ocean planet. The speeder she found herself in was a fairly standard one, with tinted windows that masked the passengers from curious eyes of the public. It was perhaps a bit redundant, as the only curious eyes glancing her way was that of fish and other creatures of the sea. What was out of the ordinary, however, was when the transport stopped. They had not arrived, seemingly being in the middle of nowhere.

After a couple of minutes waiting, another vessel closed the distance towards Bella's speeder. It was a hulking, ugly thing, likely armoured. It positioned itself above the speeder. A loud 'clank' sounded as it latched on. It wasn't large enough to have the speeder enter, but through a hatch it did offer passage. This passage was one Bella would either walk through or find herself pulled into.

After inside the new vessel, her previous transport continued its passage, further down. Its destination was Pieralos, though its passenger would never arrive. She was intended for another location entirely. More than simply Nautolans in uniform, her new escort bore the armour and insignia of the ruling Sith Lord's personal guard. The Epirus Guard took over her charge now.

At the end of her journey she would be taken to a large facility. It was no city, and was situated seemingly in the middle of nowhere. Whoever resided here clearly valued their privacy, and likely did not wish to be found. From the elaborate journey here, and slightly extravagant structure carved into the the very mountain at the bottom of the sea, covered by a membrane casing, it was also clear whoever resided here had the resources to see to it that they got their wish granted.

After landing and disembarking, her silent escort would flank her on either side, marching through the halls of the underwater facility. They stopped, and the walls where they were standing pulled away, revealing in their place a circular opening. The guards left her here, and the passage shut behind her. Inside was only her, and one tall Togruta dressed in the dark robes of the Sith.

A pressing chill occupied the room, and the air felt heavy. Half of the room, his half, was made out of transparisteel, and overlooked the vast ocean beyond. The Togruta turned, and his familiar voice called out to her "Welcome back to Glee Anselm, [member="Bellatrix Celvina"]"

 

[Armand Temi]

Bellatrix didn't remember such an elaborate entrance to Darth Pyrrhus's home or even the Academy. She sat quietly as she was shuttled around underwater for what seemed like an eternity. No one spoke to her, except an occasional hand motion to let her know that she needed to move somewhere. But there was a deferential treatment this time that was very unexpected.

The half-Chiss was puzzled over the secrecy of it all. Her mind flit back and forth to the various reasons for the clandestine travel. Did Darth Pyrrhus have an important guest that she was going to meet? Or was there a more sinister reason like he planned to use her in a Sith alchemy experiment? On Csilla she was able to find a supplier for her spice habit, so currently she longed to light up a deathstick and smoke away the wayward thoughts. The closer they came to their final destination, the more nervous Bellatrix became. And the lack of fresh oxygen in the air, made her skin turn a dull blue versus the vibrant color it was when they were above ground.

Once she caught sight of the Epirus Guard, she didn't know what to think anymore. And finally, she was taken to a very hidden, discreet location. Her heart was pounding in her chest, and her hands began to shake. Her former Master always made her tremble, and today was no different. When she was sufficiently high, she was more prone to defiance, but felt so isolated in this underwater city, that she could do nothing but fall back into what was familiar to her - her countenance as a slave.

Bella's gown felt drafty, the thin material not warm enough for the cold room. Goosebumps arose on her arms and chest. She would never mistake the sight of her Master, his montrals arching high, like her own antennapalps, already sensing her presence through their echolocation. As he turned to face her, he appeared a little different, perhaps older and a bit more ravaged by the Darkside of the Force. He had always been a handsome creature, she thought, but his savagery and his human companion, made certain that Bellatrix had not spent any time in his bed.

The half-Chiss did not smile, but instead gave him a well-rehearsed noble bow, most likely something she learned at House Chaf. She was also different - a little less rough around the edges. Her figure was still thin, but soft as though she did not get the same amount of exercise as she had as a slave, dancer or Acolyte. Bellatrix then asked with a thick Balosar accent, "You called for me, My Lord. What is it that you want?"

She held her breath for his reply.

[member="Darth Pyrrhus"]

 

[Darth Pyrrhus]

It had been so long since his eyes had searched across her form. His first apprentice now returned. She had been on loan to him at first, from a slaver in the Primeval who wanted her trained. It was hard to remember how things were back then. Thinking back, he imagined he must have been a relatively fresh Knight back then. Now he was the Voice of the Dark Lord. Their training had never gotten truly far, before she had been sent off on a long-term mission under the guise of a slave gift to a notable Chiss family on Csilla. It had been a plan in large parts orchestrated by Azurea, who he felt could not have been happier with her departure. Though the Human's role had been different, she taken [member="Bellatrix Celvina"]'s spot as his apprentice. That seat was now vacant.

Seeing her stand before him now made him feel nostalgic, and the slight hint of a smirk formed at the corner of his lips. It was brought forth not only by the memories she awakened, but her way of greeting him as well. "It seems your masters at House Chaf have managed to teach you manners" in a way, it was a joke with no expectations of a laugh to follow and spoken in a tone deprived of any humour. It was at her expense. Remembering her fierce defiance and addictive habits when she first got transferred into his care, he could only guess what disciplinary methods they had enforced upon her to have her behave.

Much had indeed changed, and he imagined he must have looked different to her now. Pyrrhus was older now, physically stronger. Though his form had been imposing before, he easily towered over her now. His large, curved montrals made that task easy. His once bright and fierce red skin colour was now of a more faded and rusty hue. Thin lines formed here and there where thin rifts opened, looking like the beginning of what could turn into scars. The Dark Side corrupted what it came across, and he had embraced it as a lover. Its toll was starting to show.

The Togruta Lord's smirk quickly faded however, and gave way to something much darker. He took one step towards her, and it was as if in that moment a seething torrent set its sight on her soul and slid towards her. The Dark Side's presence in the room was undeniable, and now, like a great big eye that had been previously looking away, it now gave the young half-Chiss its full attention. While his step was light, it was like a tremor through the Force. "I have called you here to have your report." he stated in his usual cool, demanding tone. "And your explanation as to why it has not reached me sooner" he added, much more sinister. There was no hint of threat to be found in his voice. It was quite obvious.

 

[Armand Temi]

“Was I so rough before?” asked Bellatrix, in a slightly teasing voice. It was clear that he remembered her as an apathetic, perhaps even lazy apprentice. Between her spice addiction and her newness to the Force, she did not take to training like Azurea had as his Acolyte. It was her strong Force signature that saved her. She could be molded, but it may take more effort and more coaxing to get her to perform the way she should at her level.

Still Bella was sure, she would not be coaxed by a gentle hand.

In fact, Darth Pyrrhus seemed much stronger to her now, which was an unexpected surprise. Bella had not grown at all. Despite her courtly manners, she treated at House Chaf as a servant and nothing more. And as he turned his full attention to her, she felt unease in his presence as though she were a small twig that he could snap in two with his strong fingers. Her smile also receded as the Sith Lord did not appear to be in a joking mood.

“I cannot tell you why my report has been so delayed,” Bella answered honestly. “It is not me who is in charge of these things. It’s Lady Fantana. But there was also nothing to report. Until now.”

She didn’t wait for permission. Darth Pyrrhus would want to hear this, she was sure of it, but she spoke slowly in case he wanted to stop or chastise her.

“Recently I happened to be retrieving some material from the Expeditionary Library for one Lord or another. A security team came by and I showed them my badge that permitted me to be down there. They said I could only stay a few minutes as an important meeting was taking place. Then they left and went on the clear the rest of the building. I was forgotten about so I went on my business."

"I became distracted and engrossed in some archives, when I heard voices. So I hid best as I could and realized it was Lady Fantana’s voice and she was speaking to a Commander of the Galactic Alliance. At first I just assumed it was a love affair and that’s why they were meeting down there. But it happened to be that Lady Fantana was asking for the Alliances help in freeing Csilla from the Sith, offering assets, weapons and men. And asking for safe harbor if she were found out.”

That was it. The information was damaging enough. House Chaf was plotting against their rulers, the Sith. Bella’s only concern was that she had enough credibility to be believed. She watched the Togruta’s lined face for signs of his reaction.

[member="Darth Pyrrhus"]

 

[Darth Pyrrhus]

When she first said she was not the one in charge of these things, he thought 'you either find a way or make one'. However, he held his silence and allowed her to speak. How he responded to her after would depend entirely on the nature of her report. She had't been with him or the Sith long. Worst case scenario, she could've been turned by the Chiss. After all, they were her people. Or, at least half.

The following report was clear and detailed. Had House Chaf gotten her to abandon her reckless spice addiction as well? Maybe he should send more apprentices to the frosty worlds of the Chiss. Apparently it was good for discipline. Bella's assumption was right. Pyrrhus would want to hear this right away. It was no small piece of intel she had gathered for him. "How long ago was this? Are you sure it was Fantana? Did you see her?" those were the three follow up questions that seemed most pressing. If this was true this would mean their governorship over the Chiss worlds in the north would be far less lenient.

The blue beasts had risen up against them before, and been struck down. When Csilla was reconquered it was believed that putting one of their own in charge, leaving them largely free to govern themselves might be beneficial. They had been wrong. This train of thought awakened another concern... "Was the name of Cryax Bane ever mentioned? Either this is happening right underneath his nose and he is too incompetent to see it, or he is a part of their futile scheme." he sneered. There was a good chance Csilla's governor was involved, meaning contacting him without bringing him in for questioning would let the Chiss know how much they knew. However, there was another close to Bane who he trusted, at least as much as one Sith could trust another. Sage Bane.

"If what you say is true, then you have done well Bellatrix" Pyrrhus said with a confirming nod. The ravenous storm visible only through the Force no longer seemed intent on swallowing her whole. She was a part of it, as much of a threat to it as the floor, walls, even Pyrrhus himself. Its fury would not be unleashed on her. In his mind this proved her loyalty. Similarly, it also meant she could not be sent back to Csilla without great risk to her own life.

"I am not sure if you are aware, but I have been named Voice of the Dark Lord. Csilla falls within my jurisdiction. I will deal with this matter." he promised, while informing her of his promotion. He didn't know how up to date she was on the internal politics of the One Sith. Truthfully, what he said about Csilla being under his jurisdiction was not entirely true. Or at least it had not been. Pyrrhus' controlled Sector 5, the northern expanse of the galaxy. On the borders drawn up long before his ascent to the position, Csilla technically fell within the territory of Sector 1, although just barely. However, its Voice and Pyrrhus' former master, Darth Vornskr, was dead. The news had filled the Togruta with great fury and desire for vengeance. Meanwhile, in his absence, Pyrrhus took the liberty to absorb those territories convenient to him. Whether for safekeeping until another Voice was appointed or Vornskr's second return, or a blatant grab for land and power, was up for interpretation.

[member="Bellatrix Celvina"]

 

[Armand Temi]

“I don’t know, perhaps a week or two ago? And yes, I saw her,” said Bellatrix, beginning to pace nervously. She knew Darth Pyrrhus would not comfort her, but she gave him her best pleading eyes. She was worried about him striking the messenger of the bad news. The half-Chiss slave didn’t want her first day back on Glee Anselm to be marred with violence.

The black cloud around them both faded, and the Togruta actually praised her. She still felt his anger and fury, but it was no longer directed at her. She visibly relaxed and stopped the pacing. “I did not know you had been named a Voice,” she said. Was she supposed to congratulate him? She remembered how other sycophants had been treated by the tall, imposing Sith Lord – they were humiliated, slaughtered or sent away. Better to just not elaborate, Bella. And later perhaps he will let you relax and have your spice, for she was still very much addicted to the drug, but hid the tell-tale signs well.

“What will you do now, My Lord?” she asked in a softer voice. Bellatrix had a feeling that she would not be returning, especially if the news had been traced back to her words. This filled her with another fresh round of reservations. Would the Sith Lord continue to train her as an Acolyte? Would he keep her as a slave only? Or worse, would he drown her in the endless blue seas of Glee Anselm, happy to be rid of a spice-addicted, hybrid alien spy?

[member="Darth Pyrrhus"]

 

[Darth Pyrrhus]

The news was recent. This was good. Their window to act would not be huge, but he felt they would have a comfortable amount of time still. Before too many questions were asked. He was pleased with her report. Its importance more than justified her removal from Csilla. Even so, he felt her fear, her concerns - and they were pressing. Had it been so long since she had been in touch with the Dark Side? Perhaps if he got her more in tune with her own vast reserves of power, her arrogance and defiance would start to show. If she had forgotten the power of the Dark Side, he would remind her. He did not require her to like it.

Pyrrhus permitted the question, as it was directly connected to her fate. "Csilla is too dangerous for you now. And we know they are the enemy. There is no more need for spies" an intelligence officer might have disagreed, but Pyrrhus had learned enough. Their treachery was revealed. Now came retribution. "I'll inquire about Governor Bane's involvement. Someone will be sent to apprehend Lady Fantana. We will see how deep the treachery of the Chiss is" though he did not say it, it was clear that their punishment would match the scale of their crime. He was not above setting Csilla ablaze. The frozen planet could use some heat.

With Vornskr dead this fell on him now. He did not mind. He already had a plan, and was ready to set it in motion. The new Voice was eager to prove his resourcefulness. "The real question is..." he paused, his eyes lingering on her a while longer, scanning her from head to toe, slowly. "What to do with you?" his eyes leveled with hers. Once more the eye of the Dark Side fixed its gaze upon her.

What happened to [member="Bellatrix Celvina"] was in many ways up to her. Such was often the case with the individualistic and freedom loving Sith. They liked making their own choices, and striking down those who stood in the way. How far would Bella go? What were her desires? "I see you no longer wear the chains. Are you no longer a slave? Did they free you?" he paused. The Sith Lord withdrew into himself as he called upon the Force, though on the outside nothing would appear to be amiss.

"Who are you, Bellatrix? What are you?" he asked the open question, allowing her some freedom in defining herself. Of course, he reserved the right to completely disagree. The Togruta extended both hands to the side, elbows close to his body. His hands were open, the inside of his palm facing upwards. Materializing out of seemingly nowhere was the mirror image of Bella. The scantily clad girl came up from behind Pyrrhus, stepped to his side and placed her hand on top of his. Her outfit was simple, yet elegant. She might recognize it as something an exotic high-class dancer could wear. Metallic collars wrapped tightly around her wrists and neck. The chain that connected them all rattled as she moved up beside Pyrrhus. Her smile was inviting, yet her eyes were dead.

A second image appeared, approaching Pyrrhus in the exact same fashion, only from the opposite side. This version of Bella proudly wore the dark robes of the Sith. They fit her well, just as the lightsaber hooked to her belt did. She too smiled, yet it was not a smile intended to please others. It was a sinister smirk, attached to condescending glances towards the real Bella. Her eyes shared some of that same fire that could be seen in Pyrrhus' eyes. Dark, powerful, hungry and all-consuming.

A soft sob broke the silence of the room. The voice was Bella's, though it belonged to neither of those who flanked Pyrrhus, nor the real one. There was a third illusion, one who lay crouched at the Lord of Ruin's feet. Though she had not been there in the moment before, it felt as if she had always been there. Finding her there, half-way into a fetal position on the ground, was familiar rather than unexpected. This one too wore chains, attire similar to the slave dancer on Pyrrhus' right. Only her clothes were of poor make, tattered and torn. Her hair was flustered, her skin marked with various dark spots and swellings. She looked overall sweaty and unclean. There was an insanity in her eyes, and as she looked up at Bella you could see she was also missing a few teeth. She embodied an extreme spice addiction gone too far.

The version of Bella that was completely ruined by her drug addiction suddenly screamed at the original. In that moment it seemed as if she blamed Bella for her fate, infuriated by the source of her image, the source of her pain. In the next moment she leaped to her feet, and with an alarming speed threw herself at Bella. Her hands were extended in front of her, prepared to use fingernails turned sickly and black as claws. While mid-air but right before she could collide with Bella, she vanished into dark smoke. The smoke continued at Bella, but swept past and through her, vanishing behind her. When the rest of the room came within view, the other illusions were gone as well. There was only Pyrrhus. And he was still waiting on her answer.

 

[Armand Temi]

Darth Pyrrhus recited his plans and then inspected Bellatrix again as though appraising a fine piece of art. She shifted uncomfortably at the mercy of his penetrating, dark-purple irises.

"I was a servant for House Chaf, but since you've called me back so suddenly, it appears I'm destined for slavery again," she said in a firmer, more angry voice, the one he would recall quite clearly when she was frustrated with lessons or just felt like testing him. Bella knew that the Sith Lord would keep her now until he tired of her. Her value would be purely up to her to prove. And since she was a former dancer, she moved closer to proximity to him with a well-chorographed move that suggested seduction. The easiest bartering chip the half-Chiss had was her alluring body. But very soon, her gaze floated beyond the Togruta to the three various illusions of her he had conjured. She watched them as she would a holomovie, which much intrigue, her eyebrows raising in confusion, fear and sadness at each vision. She screamed as the spice-addicted, hag-like Bellatrix lunged at her, and as it disappeared in mid-air, the smoke curling around her, she gasped.

His former Acolyte recalled how wicked the Togruta's illusions were! Is that what he planned to do? Keep her underwater for the rest of her life bedeviling her with hallucinations for his own entertainment? If Darth Pyrrhus's goal was to get the Chiss-Balosar hybrid back to her spitfire self, he was doing a fine job of it. His maddeningly calm demeanor caused her to seethe in rage at her own helplessness.

"I am none of those!" she shouted, boldly stepping forward and grabbing him by the wrist. Her long nails dug into his red flesh almost hard enough to break the skin. A stream of Cheun hissed out of her blue cupid-bow lips. "Rah vah ttin'i ch'at ch'uscehah ch'ah, k'ir hah non!"* But as her torso was now nearly pressed against him, his fine hunter's sense of smell would detect a heady nlorna flower perfume, with just the faintest hint of spice, upon her cerulean skin.

[member="Darth Pyrrhus"]

*If you plan to kill me, do it now!

 

[Darth Pyrrhus]

Darth Pyrrhus had frowned when she had said she seemed destined for slavery. So willing she was to accept her fate. This one was no Sith yet, it was clear. Time would show if Pyrrhus could change that. With time and care, he was confident she could be molded into a terrifying weapon of the Dark Lord. Or even better, of him. Of course, to build her up the way he wanted he would first need to break her down.

The Togruta slave master watched as Bella reacted to the visions he showed her. She went through a whole range of emotions, before clearly being set off into rage. The way the crazed version of herself had attacked her clearly amped up her mood to new heights, and the fear transferred directly into anger towards him. "Not yet" he hissed sharply in return, both warning and threat. Once she placed those chains around her neck, she put large parts of her future in his hands. Who knew what he would decide to do to her, which version of Bella he would summon.

Sharp and intense eyes, bearing within them a fire awakened by the half-Chiss' fury, glared at Bella now. He was not used to people being so direct with him. Most were fearful of the consequences of angering him. To physically come near him, especially in the manner Bella did now, most would consider a death sentence. But not her. She did not have that fear. It seemed he would have to remind her.

Once more she rambled in her own language, and he made a quick mental note of seeing if it was an easy matter to learn it. It would be useful to know the insults she did not dare utter in Basic. His hand was held up by her, and he felt the pain of long nails digging into skin. Yet he did not move nor back away. That would likely not come as a surprise to her. Even as he plotted his counter, he found himself stalling. The alluring scent of her perfume felt mildly intoxicating this close, which surely was its intent. His usually so determined and goal-oriented mind found itself distracted by other, less productive thoughts.

His answer came, but two moments later than it otherwise would've. Though it wasn't more than a couple of seconds, the moment he held her gaze felt much longer. In the end, all he said was "You are as quick to forget your place as you are to accept your chains" then in a sudden burst, he called the Force to him and a blast of power exploded with Pyrrhus as the epicenter. The invisible waves of the Force pushed away from him in all directions. Unless she shielded herself, she was likely to be tossed fast and hard backwards, to meet with either floor or wall. The way she had tightly gripped his wrist in the seconds before would likely have her nails carve a path across his skin as she got ripped away.

[member="Bellatrix Celvina"]

 

[Armand Temi]

Bellatrix wasn't too surprised at the way Darth Pyrrhus flung her off of him using the Force. The invisible energy wall hit her straight on, and she was tossed against the wall behind her. Hitting the durasteel surface with a grunt, she slid down to the floor and ended up on her hands and knees. The Chiss-Balosar hybrid looked up at the Togruta, and with a jerk of her head, tossed her blue-black hair out of her face. Her orange eyes appeared annoyed, a sneer forming on her lips, but she said nothing. Her entire countenance was less angry now.

She had to remember that she was no longer in the rough environment of Kuryr's pirate crew, nor had the freedom to come and go as she pleased (for the most part) in House Chaf.

You are lucky he didn't snap your neck, you foolish girl, she thought. Breathing heavily from the sudden exertion, she sat up with her back against the wall. The slit in her billowy gown allowed for an ample glimpse of her long, blue legs. Bellatrix did notice how her nails had left shallow cuts on his skin, darker red slashes atop already rust-colored flesh. And finally, when she felt she could rise, she stood back up, wincing a little and holding her side.

"You're right," she said, and now she approached Darth Pyrrhus much slower, her arms down at her side so he didn't think she was going to leap on him again like a manka cat. One step and then another until she was again, within inches of him. With one hand, she pulled at the hem of her gown and gently ripped some fabric off. Grasping his injured wrist with extreme care - mostly so she didn't get Force pushed again which was still a possibility - she began to wrap the makeshift bandage around it, but then stopped suddenly. Bellatrix knew that the Sith - especially those at the upper echelons - hated weakness, that pain and agony was something they often reveled in. "At least let me make it up to you somehow... the wound in your flesh. There are ways you can still enjoy the pain," she said, turning over his veinous wrist and bringing it to her soft, blue lips, where instead of kissing it gently, she began to suck at the wound, savoring the metal taste of his blood.

[member="Darth Pyrrhus"]

 

[Darth Pyrrhus]

Pyrrhus looked down to his wrist to examine the source of the sharp pain. He had suffered worse, and this barely qualified as an injury. Yet it served as a reminder of what the one he was dealing with represented. There was fire in her eyes. She was quick to anger, and she dared speak to him like no other. He wasn't sure what drove her to such actions. He was no longer that impressionable young Knight he had been when they had first met, but perhaps she still saw him as such. He was the Voice of the Dark Lord. Still, he did not mind. It was refreshing. It was a simple matter to put her in her place whenever she overstepped. The punishment would no doubt be vastly more severe if she did so in public.

His eyes carefully examined the half-Chiss, half-Balosar as she rose up to her feet. He was curious what he could expect next. Out of all the elements, she resembled fire the most. To his surprise he watched her approach him once more. At this point, however, he probably ought to catch himself and save himself of the surprise. She was an unpredictable one, and he couldn't be sure what game she was playing.

When she came near, he did not speak. Instead he watched her as she ripped the piece of cloth off and lifted his wrist. This was a Bella entirely different to the one he was used to. Gentle, even caring. He found none of that hot temper or defiance he once had been accustomed to see in her eyes. At this point he half-expected her to reach for a dagger to plant into him next. So far, however, no dagger came.

"I find no enjoyment in pain. I draw strength from it, nothing more" he said, not necessarily because it was the truth, and always had been the truth, but because it had to become the truth. He needed a bandage for a shallow wound no more than he needed a distraction from the pain to feel better. Sith were born out of suffering, not the evasion from it.

Bella was a wild thing to be sure, and what she did next surprised him again. It was a weirdly hypnotic act that had him watch, unable to look- or pull away for a prolonged moment. Eventually he did, however. The Togruta's hand withdrew. The fingers of his other hand moved slowly underneath her chin, then lifted it upwards. His thumb stroked across her lips, drawing away any trace of blood. She was a distraction too great. Caught up in the moment and her persistence, he leaned in to kiss her

[member="Bellatrix Celvina"]

 

[Armand Temi]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NL9T42SVnN0​

Darth Pyrrhus became so quiet when Bellatrix approached, that if she turned her antennapalps slightly towards him and down, she could almost hear his strong heartbeat. She did not feel the intimidating black aura she had before. Although he appeared alert still, his countenance relaxed with her gentle touch. She knew the dramatic-looking montrals would pick up any sudden movement on the part of the hybrid-Chiss, but she was done mischief-making. Bellatrix was attempting to build a bond between them, not through the Force even, but through blood and emotion.

Her breathing quickened suddenly when his thumb brushed against her lower lip. When his grey lips locked against her blue ones, she ran her tongue around his sharp canine teeth and pressed against him. One hand was still on his wrist where the shallow wound was, the other moved to stroke the side of his left lekku as it trailed down his body. The half-Chiss slave knew that her survival depended upon appeasing Darth Pyrrhus in some way, shape or form. And now that he was the Voice of the Dark Lord and she a mere Acolyte, she felt very inadequate. But if she could show him that she was worth something, by his side and in his bedroom, than Bellatrix felt a little more in control of the situation. Her body yielded softly against him, her subtle movements signaling no resistance now.

[member="Darth Pyrrhus"]

 

[Darth Pyrrhus]

For once Bellatrix didn't fight him or do the exact opposite of what he had instructed. Of course, in this case it wasn't as much of an order from a master to an apprentice, or even a slave, as it were actions of mutual interest. He got further drawn into the moment, by the mix of emotions that came from her grip right above his wound as well as a passing touch over his lekku. He didn't expect this from her, it was an independent choice that they both made. Perhaps it was a peace offering. Perhaps it was a natural response to the tension in the room, the tension he had always felt in her presence. Or perhaps she was just happy to see him.

Regardless, the Togruta acted. Not only had his eyes secretly lingered on her, his mind drifted her way in idle moments, but due to recent events he had his fair share of pent up frustration that needed a release. The timing was convenient. This time, he did not throw her off. This time his arms gripped her tighter, and pulled her in for a second, more passionate kiss. The temperature rose significantly from what she had been used to on Csilla.

The two blended together, red upon blue. Pyrrhus introduced her body to the table, before they moved beyond mere introductions. The intel she had brought him required immediate attention and action. He already knew what to do, but it would have to wait. Now, the Sith Lord's actions were fueled purely by self-interest, and passion. Their reunion was a welcome one, and indeed, he felt it would be better if she stayed here on Glee for some time, rather than send her away on some other mission.


After re-acquainting themselves, Pyrrhus rose once more and tossed the black robes over his bare torso. His eyes scanned her once more, a dark smile appearing upon his gray lips. "Get dressed" he said. For once it did not sound like a demanding order, though he no doubt expected her to comply. His tone was more casual. "It's high time we deal with the traitors you've identified." he said, while preparing himself. It was time to make a holo-call, and he knew just the man he wanted to talk to.

 

[Armand Temi]

Her persistence paid off in spades. Bellatrix got exactly what she wanted. The Chiss-Balosar hybrid received him willingly, and they made due with the hard, cold surface of the table with which to consummate their desire. And it wasn't the oddest place Bella had ever been romanced. As a slave in Club Tranquility on Balosar, and after she was captured by the pirate, Kuryr, the Sith Acolyte was never quite sure when she would be used as a bartering chip - skin for credits or some other trade needed by her masters. Sometimes you had to improvise.

Upon his orders, she slipped back into her gown with a satisfied smile. Despite the lack of fresh oxygen in the underwater lair, her skin glowed a little brighter than it had before. With slender hands adorned with large cuffs - this time not slave ones, but wooden jewelry from Csilla - she ran her fingers through her hair to comb it.

Perhaps the lady of the house is gone, Bellatrix thought to herself. Because Darth Pyrrhus had never reacted to her this way before, although when she lived on Glee before, she felt certain he would like nothing more than to chase her around the dome-shaped home that they'd shared.

"Do you think I should have a guard on me? For protection?" asked the half-Chiss. Even though the Togruta was more powerful and well-connected, she didn't want to discount Lady Fantana's appetite for revenge. Fantana's heart was as cold as the snow on Csilla, and Bellatrix would be an easy target if she were found out to be the messenger.

[member="Darth Pyrrhus"]

 

[Darth Pyrrhus]

Pyrrhus had robed up to the point where he was presentable enough for a holotransmission. It had been a much needed release, and he felt some of that frustration that had been swelling up within him ease up. It almost made him laugh when he realized he had thought it a distraction. In the category of distractions, she was a poor one. Because in thinking that, he was thinking of her.

Bella asked if she would need protection, and he frowned. "You are on Glee Anselm." he returned dryly. "That is protection" if she were to become Sith, he thought, she would need to rely on her own power instead of depending on others for survival. "Your strength and will to survive is protection" and though he did not say it, Darth Pyrrhus also served as her protection. Yet even he would not keep alive what was meant to be dead.

It was time to begin the chain of events that would see the Chiss rebellion brought to a halt. It started with Lady Fanata. Stepping onto the grey circle he began transmitting. "[member="Lord Mythos"]" the chill voice of the Togruta address the recipient. "I have a task for you" he continued. Pyrrhus imagined that he would be eager to oblige. "I have received reports that suggest our subjects in Chiss space are supporting the Galactic Alliance. They may have delusions of independence. They have betrayed us before, they will not be allowed to do so again." he briefed Mythos, giving him what he needed to know. The rest he would have to discover for himself.

"I believe Lady Fantana is behind it. I want you to seek out the Chiss Ascendancy. Capture her, and learn the truth of this. I want to know how deep their treachery lies; how many are involved, what they plan to do next, and what they have already done." and thus, the order was given. Pyrrhus paused, allowing the news to sink in with Mythos. "Take her without the notice of anyone else. It would be beneficial if they did not yet know we were on to them." he added as an afterthought.

"Oh, and Mythos" the Togruta was not yet finished. "This mission will test you. I expect to hear of success when you have finished. I will be watching" Out of all the Sith Knights, Lords and intelligence officers, Mythos had not been selected at random. It was typical of Pyrrhus to take such risks, to allow people to show their true quality, where their true allegiance lay. He would rather write it off as a failed experiment under his supervision, than suffer betrayal when he least expected it. Of course, he did not expect betrayal from Mythos. He was as loyal and devout as any. He expected him to be eager to accept this task and prove his worth.

[member="Bellatrix Celvina"] [member="Lord Mythos"]

 

[Mythos]

When Mythos received a transmission from Glee Anselm, he knew exactly who was on the other side, Mythos rushed to the holonet transmission receiver and placed his eyes on the floor and his right knee touching the floor of the throne room as the Lord of Atrisia awaited the Voice of the Dark lord himself, to speak. "Lord Mythos" His voice sent a chill down his spine, a chill of anticipation and eagerness to once again be of use for the Dark Lord and prove himself once again in the eyes of the Sith.

"Yes My Lord... I am here at your command, I am the Will of your voice, speak and it shall be done"

Mythos spoke but he did not look from the ground, his eyes stuck to the ground beneath him as he considered the servitude and service to the Dark Lord the highest of all callings and the greatest of all honors. Being on your knees before the voice of the Dark Lord, was of more importance and greatness than standing over crowned worlds as their rulers in Mythos' mind.

"I have a Task for you"

It was then Mythos looked up to the holographic image of the the Togruta Lord of Glee Anselm, a being that was responsible of handcrafting the academy of Glee, a place that Mythos considered to be his birthplace as a Sith Lord, the foundation of what he was built upon was Glee.
"Your Will my Lord, is my command. Speak and see it done"

Mythos stated without flinching in his eyes or expression, he awaited the command of the Lord of Ruin and his former Makashi teacher alongside Ophidia, patiently and did a great job of hiding his eagerness and excitement under the guise of submission and obedience. What he heard flow from the lips of the Sith Lord was... not what he expected. He did not speak a single word until he hard heard all of the briefing and again did a marvelous job of hiding his shock and true feelings about this mission. Fantana... that was a name he hoped never to see in one of his mission briefings, yet he knew one day he would. Mythos was the only Sith to sneak into the palace of house Chaf unnoticed and come out through the front door... however that visit was... of another nature.

Fantana ruled over his heart with an Iron Fist, Pyrrhus had unknowingly chosen the one Sith Lord who could see this job done and had before, however he also chose the one human who held Fantana in his heart since the day he placed his yellow eyes upon her red ones.

When Mythos responded, he fought hard to not voice his emotions about the mission and his true feelings for the Chiss Aristocrat, was he going to be put in the position where he had to kill the only woman in the galaxy who made his heart skip a beat? He would fight every last inch of the way so it did not have to come to that... but if it came between his loyalty to the order and his feelings for her, the choice would be obvious.... at least he thought it would.

Mythos finally responded. "Success or death are words my master Ophidia had drilled into me since the day i came under her guidance, i take those words very seriously My Lord... i shall not fail you while i still breathe, I leave to Sarvchi instantly, I will inform you of the success when it comes,My Lord..."

When Mythos spoke he hid the pain in his lower abdomen brought upon by a savage wound he suffered from Chazwa by gritting his teeth, he would not let his second teacher see him wounded under any circumstances. The wound however would not stop him from reaching his destination and executing his mission with extreme prejudice. If the Lady of Chaf was in Sarvchi Mythos would see to it that he again gained an audience with the woman who haunted his dreams with no force abilities to speak of.

[member="Bellatrix Celvina"]

[member="Darth Pyrrhus"]

[member="Chaf’anta’natrano"]