Ziost - Crown of the Sith Empire

Sylvain's ship landed gently on the landing pad a short distance away from his mother's apartment complex. He had made an end of all his immediate business here on Ziost and made one final stop before setting out for Dromund Kaas that evening.

He walked up to the entrance of his mother's apartment and rang the doorbell.

Droids were packing up the place and Raven was standing on the balcony having a holo call but he could not see who as she ended it and turned to see her son. She said, “My son, you are looking well… alive. I see you have reconciled with Baras and even improved your situation, well done.”

"Yes... Reconciled..." He said with the slightest snort of air through his nostrils.

"And you seem to be very much alive as well... I lost you in the chaos of the... 'moment'. What happened?"

“Survival happened,” she said.

“I did what had to be done to ensure that the Emperor did not take me. Now I do what I must to ensure that my family perists.”

He nodded and smirked, "Then we had a similar experience... and a similar path going forward. Is our common goal enough to warrant sharing counsel and plans with each other?"

"I will listen at least," she said giving him his full attention.

“The empress regent has asked me to keep tabs on Baras in the years ahead... prevent him from exerting too much control over the young girl.” He replied.

“I want to know what you know about him...”

“Assume that he knows that you are keeping tabs on his words and actions. People think Darth Baras wants power, that is true but he wants the power to push forward what he believes is the best path for the Empire with him integrated into the fabric of the controls,” she responded.

“He is at his most dangerous when he feels you are a threat to impeding his plans and once you have no value he will dispose of you. If you can trust Darth Baras to do anything it will be to come at you in a way you were not expecting.”

“And when in doubt, murder with kindness.”

“Attack me like... through my own mother?” He asked with a raised eyebrow.

She waved that away as if it was not worth answering and said, “You know what he is capable of, trust your feelings and always take him seriously.”

“Call me paranoid if you wish... but I need to know how you have survived to this point. You were once his operative and he does not let his operatives go freely. It begs the question as to why? And if not through him... then who shielded you?”

“Who says he stopped, I just make sure that I send a painful message,” she said.

“My method of survival will not match yours, but I was never one for over thinking things. Once I find a weakness or avenue of attack I do not relent. Though it could be that by sparing me, he could gain you back in his grip for some new scheme.”

Sylvain nodded, “He has an uncanny ability to foresee such potential futures...”

Sylvain Torsin wrote:Sylvain nodded, “He has an uncanny ability to foresee such potential futures...”

“Foreseeing the future does not always require the Force, a keen insight into how events unfold and hedging bets can go a long way. On the other hand perhaps his association with Darth Arya continued past Nar Shaddaa,” she responded.

He nodded though not completely satisfied with his mother’s opaqueness.

“So... what are your plans to ensure your family’s security?”

Sylvain Torsin wrote:He nodded though not completely satisfied with his mother’s opaqueness.

“So... what are your plans to ensure your family’s security?”

“My children are adults now; they don’t need me to assure their security and I am not sure I fully agree with some of the directions of this new Empire. Perhaps I will seek something else in this grand galaxy,” she said.

“On the other hand, playing grandmother could be safer… though I didn’t expect to be kidnapped and beaten during my stay here but there it is.”

“What troubles you about this new regime?” He asked.

Sylvain Torsin wrote:“What troubles you about this new regime?” He asked.

“Nothing specific, I just am not much for playing within the rules. Chaos is where I thrive if I am looking for opportunity of course if I admire stability if I prefer to watch my children and grandchildren but I have yet to find equilibrium between the two tendencies,” she responded.

"I would not bind you. You are free and I do not seek to direct your course. You would be welcome with us whenever you are present." He replied.

“I just need time to handle a few odds and ends and then make some decisions,” she said honestly.

“Things that I cannot do while trying to live a normal ife.”