We meet for the first time for the last time [MA, Pre-game]

[Xyll Vanth]

"A lightsaber is of no concern."

She closed her eyes, and the apartment started rumbling; powerfully so; as Xyll reached out through the force to shake the arcology itself. Or at least a sizeable chunk of it. Tremors strong enough to cause some of her 'trinkets' to come crashing down from their displays. A few breaking apart, even.

"Oh dear," the droid who had lingered near said as it struggled to maintain balance.

Then Xyll opened her eyes again, her red eyes staring intently at Sinea. "What do you know of power, child?"

The rumbling stopped again, as sudden as it had appeared.

"You see puzzles in all things that elude you. Faced with such mysteries, you poke and you prod, trying to solve the puzzle. You ask a question with honey, and when that does not suffice, you repeat it with vinegar to elicit a response.The first time around, I had to see to it you were distracted with lesser concerns. But you are persistent. I quite admire that, if I'm being honest."

She raised her hand up, willing one of the fallen pieces toward it, then casually observing it as she turns it over.

"Power is whatever one wills it to be. An answer. A puzzle. Or something else entirely. Some choose to grasp it through force of will, others through wars and crusades, or through knowledge and understanding. All of us are arrogant creatures, declaring our separate interpretations of reality to be the truth, as if reality cared to indulge our delusions."

Again her gaze moved back to Sinea.

"Do you wish to finish your puzzle?"

[Sinea Okatesh]

Sinea was silent, observing the the movements. She did raise an eyebrow as the whole flat started shaking, but sat in her place, though there was a certain alertness in her poise. Child? She put the information away, for now.

"Power is what we make of it? Mhm...such a sensible thing to say." She drilled into Xyll, her eyes challenging the woman, ignoring the floating chunk of debris. "I know a few things. For example, you need power to wage a...crusade. For example."

[Xyll Vanth]

"For example, yes. You may yet solve this puzzle. Just not today, I expect."

She allowed the piece to drop to the floor. The droid, recovered from the shaking, started the task of cleaning up while the two sith continued their conversation.

"But, I wonder, which other puzzles are you aspiring to solve? There must be many you have your eyes set on."

[Sinea Okatesh]

Sinea smirked. "A random example, one might say." She extended her hand towards her glass, but saw it was shattered and spilled. "Ugh" she directed the sound towards the droid, before ignoring the clanker.

"There are few. Some mundane, some mystical." She fell silent, calculating. "Darth Arya is powerful...and there are certain talents that I desire to learn. To unravel."

[Xyll Vanth]

"And what talents might those be?"

[Sinea Okatesh]

Sinea was silent, as she debated how to answer. "she seems spry for her age, no?"

[Xyll Vanth]

"One does not reach such a respectable age through natural means," she answered. "And there are many ways through which one might be... spry... despite a frail body. Or ways in which one might project frailty instead of the strength one truly wields. Is it such things you seek? Or the secret of her longevity itself?"

[Sinea Okatesh]

"Partially. One reaching a ripe old age means they are not only concerned from natural causes of death. Longevity implies you have lived past your opponents." She stared at Xyll. "Do you think that is something in your grasp?"

[Xyll Vanth]

"In a manner of speaking. But what I have grasped is not what *you* might grasp. Nor is any such feat something easily gained. Few would share such a secret with one who might grow to be a threat. Have you, inquired after such talents, with our master?"

[Sinea Okatesh]

"In a manner of speaking. But what I have grasped is not what *you* might grasp. Nor is any such feat something easily gained. Few would share such a secret with one who might grow to be a threat. Have you, inquired after such talents, with our master?"

"One does not simply inquire after a lady's age." She chided gently. "It is something that I will discuss with our master. Of course, I know not what the price will be. Tell me then, Nyx. How old are you?"

[Xyll Vanth]

She chuckled.

"Am I not a lady, then?"

[Sinea Okatesh]

Sinea snorted. "Not particularly."

[Xyll Vanth]

"Such a hurtful assesment my dear, especially coming from one who is a guest in someone's house. But I'll admit that perhaps mother's lessons in etiquette have been allowed to atrophy a little. Still, the blood within these veins, and the chromosomes within these cells, afford me the privilege of being called a lady, I should think."

She smiled, and brought a hand over her heart.

"Understand that if I have caused you offense with my boorishness, it is only because I lack the patience for the honeyed duplicity of most nobility. It has never brought me and me family anything but misfortune, after all."

[Sinea Okatesh]

Sinea listened and smiled. "Well, most hosts don't tear the wine out of their guests hand, so I have an excuse." She let out a small chuckle. "I will forgive the trespass, if you answer my question." She raised an eyebrow. "Your age, dear?"

[Xyll Vanth]

"Just a little accident," she said with another chuckle.

"Why do you ask this question? You have seen my file, presumably. Did it not come with a number attached to it?"

[Sinea Okatesh]

"Your regular 18 year old does not call her previous teacher child. Nor graduate in half a year." She shrugged. "I have worked in the community that assembles those files. They can be falsified."

She crossed her arms. "Now you're just being insulting."

[Xyll Vanth]

"A little bit, perhaps. But then you are being very insistent that I answer your questions. I know I said that I admire such persistence, but too much of it is anathema at times."

She sighed.

"How about this, instead. We will assist one another. If need be. With our ambitions. And when such assistance is given, we may revisit these questions."

[Sinea Okatesh]

Sinea smiled. "It will do for now." Then leaned back. "A sith who is not persistent, is one who is dead. One of the lessons back at the Academy. Do you recall?"

[Xyll Vanth]

"I don't. It may have gotten lost amidst all the... what was it... bloodshed?"

[Sinea Okatesh]

Another snort. "Why were you even there?" Rolling her eyes she leaned back. "Well, persistence pays off. Usually."

She rolled her shoulders next. "Do you have any expectations for the Dark Counil? Anyone to take the seat?"