Ziost - Crown of the Sith Empire

"I expected as much," she said, "but do not get overconfident now. Your work has only just begun."

Xyll surveyed New Adasta's skyline as she spoke into her commlink. Doing so always sparked certain memories, some of which had been the very reason she'd insisted on having this view in the first place. Though it was a shame that her eyes had been denied the feast frequent enough, what with her many travels these past six months.

"Very well, I shall expect your presence before long." she answered the final reply that had been transmitted, and then closed the link.

She gave the view one final look, before heading into the bedroom to get changed out of her armor. It had been just a short while since she'd arrived back, and while a part of her cautioned against exchanging it for comfort, she was about ready for a shower. And once that had been out of the way, she found one of her simple red-hued robes; to complement her eyes; and made sure her droid provided her with some wine while she went to peruse some recently acquired data.

Sinea eyed the arcology as she stepped out of her speeder, moving with a purpose towards the reception. It was so...modern. Which wasn't a bad thing, in and of itself. A modern bunker. How Sith-y.

"Sith Okatesh, here to visit..." She made a show of looking up the name on a datapad. "Lord..Nyx. I am sure she'll be happy to receive me."

The front desk looked her up and down, then checked one of his lists. He might've considered telling her she was not on the list... but telling a Sith no was generally a bad idea. So instead he decided to call up to the apartment in question on his commlink, and informed whoever was at the other end that a Sith by the name of Okatesh was here to visit.

A moment of uncertainty passed as the guard eyed Sinea nervously; he wasn't looking forward to the possibility of having to tell her to go away. But then relief washed over his face and he smiled at her.

"You can go up, the elevator should take you directly to her floor, my lord."

Sinea flashed an arrogant smirk, passing away from the front desk without a word. She was silent throughout the elevator trip, her thoughts expanding through the Force, picking up stray thoughts and endless possibilities. At the top, she stepped through the door knowing it will be open.

"Lord Nyx?" She asked, her voice carrying low. "Your style has certainly improved since last time."

A high-end domestic droid appeared in the hallway.

"Good afternoon, Miss or Madame. It is my privilege to inform you that Master Vanth can be found in the main chambers, and that you are welcome to join her. Would you care for some refreshments? We have a selection of fine wines available."

"Ah, how quaint. Yes, your oldest and most noble bottle." She threw her coat casually off, draping it on the droid.

"Hello there." She found the main chambers easily enough, even without her superior sensing. "The last few months have treated you well, I hope?"

"Of course," the droid answered and vanished off, taking the coat with him.

As Sinea entered the main chambers she'd find it quite expansive, but spartan in design. The most noteable feature were the many displays; showing art and historical artifacts of a seemingly non-imperial origin. Xyll herself had taken up a standing position at the window again, rekindling those memories once more.

"Naturally," she answered the question, before turning around.

Her red eyes stared at Sinea; accompanied by that same smug smile she seemed to nurture back at Korriban. "To what do I owe the pleasure of your presence... Lord Okatesh?"

It had taken Xyll a few moments earlier to actually remember the woman from her time at the academy, though once she'd made the connection, there was nothing but amused speculation as to why the woman was here, now.

"Lord Okatesh is my father, I hope I am not easily mistaken for him." Sinea sat down gracefully at the nearest place, looking around the exhibit of the room. "Interesting displays. Personal, or came with the room?"

Sinea's own eyes met Xyll's, an amused glance visible. "I just came to visit one of my students, to see what her life has come to after graduation."

"A hobby of mine," she glances toward a few of the displays. There were some interesting pieces to be sure, though few people might immediately identify their nature or origin.

Xyll then gestured toward a seating area with comfortable couches.

"I understand the rest of my class recently graduated as well. I do expect you won't be paying all of them a visit like this, though."

A curious noise let Sinea's lips. "I see. Any favorite pieces?" Her eyes haven't moved from Xyll's so far, staring contest engaged.

"No. Most are mediocre. Some pathetic. A few outstanding. And you are you."

"I would not claim to have any true favorites. These are mere curiosities, after all. Perhaps the remnants of one of the swords owned by king Ommin of Onderon," her gaze moved toward one of the display cases for a moment before returning to her guest, "however little value it may represent today."

"But I am me," she repeated, before the droid returned with a glass of wine for Sinea.

"That being the case, did you seek me out to once more plunge the depths of my mind? Or are you here at the best of our master? It would be awfully irregular for an acolyte to approach a lord under the same master this way without doing so at the master's request, I believe. Though I suppose the roles here are not necessarily so clearly defined."

She took a sip from her own glass.

Sinea eyed the sword, her gaze wondering away. "Ah, the Eye of Vecna is here as well? I heard rumors about it...some say, he was an ancient sith lord, others say he was a tiny rancor." She snorted at that last part, before returning her gaze onto her companion.

"We are not purely defined by our Master. At least, I am not." Xyll could feel the faint vibrations of the Force reaching out, a familiar presence as Sinea had done in the past. "The depths of your mind are still as deep as ever." She chuckled. "Glad to know not everything changed." Sinea started lounging like a cat, feeling right at home. "I came merely out of curiosity, your rise through the Academy has left me with some interest in your path, and this is a rare occasion to meet once again, especially in such interesting times."

Not knowing what an eye of Vecna was, Xyll decided to simply ignore it. The snort gave the intent behind that comment away, in any case.

"I do not commonly respond well to those who touch me with the Force, Acolyte Okatesh." Her smile faded for a moment before it returned. "Though I suppose your curiosity might be warranted. I had assumed your questions might cease upon learning of my appointment to the witch we call master, but perhaps that would've been too presumptious. Rare is the Sith who serves entirely faithfully, with no regard for their own future, after all."

She leaned back a little, amusement once more falling over her features.

"Ask your questions, then."

"Well, I count myself an uncommon occurrence, so no need to fear then." Her gaze traveled up and down, from bottom to top of her conversation partner. "Why would my curiosity be satisfied knowing of your meteoric rise, my dear Lord? It just sparked further questions. Besides, getting to know each other is serving faithfully...we can serve best, understanding each other's strengths after all." Her voice was low as she spoke, a touch of casual arrogance.

"You are here for the court of the Dark Council and the Emperor as well, I presume?"

She looked away, dismissively.

Meteoric rise... indeed.

"I care nothing for these petty games they will play in the pursuit of scraps of power. It is nothing more than a distraction. Though I am interested in seeing this emperor with my own eyes."

"Really?" Sinea crossed her legs, eyes still focused on Xyll. "You're just here to gawk at the Emperor then?"

"He wields real power," she lazily returned her gaze to Sinea, "why would I not wish to observe such a thing first-hand?"

A long lock of white hair fell down the side of her face as she shifted slightly. "I suppose you are here for the theatrics of filling those seats, then? Hoping perhaps to curry favor with those who take their place in them."

Sinea seemed deep in thought. "Real power, yes. Real power has real prices." Her response was idle, as she shifted once again.

"The seats are open for all, but not everyone sees power in them. Besides, anyone can use a counseling word now and then. You frown up on such approaches, I presume, my dear student?"

"I was never your student," she said. "But I do not frown upon such approaches. Those aspiring to these seats are weak, begging to be afforded the privilege of sitting in the presence of their betters. They will always be subservient, if not in thought then in actuality. But while they will never wield real power such as they dream of, the position *will* afford them *some* power. And so it is a valid strategy to impose yourself on their good graces."

"You never were a willing student, quite true. Really? That's a surprise. You seemed to frown upon everything." She took a sip of her wine. "Came with the apartment, or your own?" She asked idly, before putting the glass down for now.

"What price are you willing to pay in you quest for power?"