Long Time No See (Pregame, Mid Evening)

[Lord Tenebrous]

Shaisha had been aware of Sinea's arrival on Ziost since it happened, but she had bided her time in reaching out to her former classmate. Allowing the seer to soak in the first impressions of Ziost before calling her up.

It had been pleasant small talk, which led to the talk of meeting up for a drink. And so here she was, in one of the more luxurious wine-bars on the promenade. Not only was it high-class, as expected of a Sith Lord, but it also had seating areas that were quite comfortable... with added possibilities of privacy.

[Sinea Okatesh]

Sinea dallied a bit, taking in the sights of Ziost, the cold planet still new for her. The host greeted her with deference, and the seer was guided to Shaisha's chosen arrangement with a silent efficiency.

Sinea smiled as she eyed her old classmate up and down, her eyes gleaming with approval. "Lord Tenebrous, if I hear right? A pleasure to see you."

[Lord Tenebrous]

Shaisha stood as Sinea arrived. While being much shorter than the seer, the Sith Lord had an air of authority to her that made her feel taller and more impressive.

She smirked in return. "A pleasure to see you too... is it overseer now, or just teacher, Sinea?" the Lord chuckled. "And Shaisha is fine, in such private circumstances. We knew eachother when we were still at the Academy, after all. A special time, for sure. A bottle of Old Stones White will be brought shortly."

[Sinea Okatesh]

Sinea eyed the smaller Lord, and her intimidating presence. Her coat was removed and taken away by the staff as she sat. "Just Sinea my dear Shaisha. Lord Okatesh is still my father." As she set down, she let her senses wander, touching upon the presence of Shaisha.

"Sounds perfect, for a starter. How is the life of a Lord treating you?"

[Lord Tenebrous]

Like most Sith, and purebloods, Shaisha had always had a strong connection to the Dark Side, though it seemed significantly stronger now - as if the Dark Side had seeped deep into her essence and fused with her. Her mind was guarded, but her spirit had a feeling of something old and powerful.

"It treats me well. Was always my destiny to reach far, after all," she grinned with some pride as she in turn sized up Sinea, and sitting back down. "No plans of your own to claim that title for yourself? Or something more?"

[Sinea Okatesh]

Sinea smiled, brushing aside a grey locke once black, as she composed her answer.

"You certainly had a grand fate in front of you, and reached it quite well. At least for now." She extended her hands, like a cat in a sunspot, enjoying the luxury they were afforded.

"Not yet. Lord Okatesh sounds nice, but there has to be a certain timing for it. Besides, you know me. I always preferred a more cautious, methodical approach."

[Lord Tenebrous]

"Nothing wrong with that," she agreed with a nod, her eyes falling on Sinea's whitened lock of hair for a moment. "Seeing the future or not, rushing in unprepared is foolish."

The ordered bottle arrived, along with two chilled glasses. The unassuming waiter silently presented the bottle to the Sith Lord before pouring the first taste into her glass. The tension could be felt from the server even if he didn't show it... and the tension dissolved as Shaisha gave a nod of approval, that it was to her tastes. He filled her glass properly this time, and did the same for Sinea before leaving the two Sith alone.

"A curious fashion-statement, your hair," Shaisha briefly lifted a finger to indicated Sinea's white lock. "Any story to it?"

[Dapper Dog]

It had been months perhaps since before the Night of Terrors that she had heard the voice of her erstwhile if not always approving companion. It was like a faint echo at first but as if someone was tuning to the right frequency his voice and image grew with clarity.

Valkorian.jpg (23.52 KiB) Viewed 7938 times

“… you *garbled* joy in playing this game of *garbled*?”

He continued looking down at the food, “The cuisine of the Sith Empire always felt lacking,” he said calmly.

Valkorian had returned.

OOC: Only Shaisha sees and hears him.

[Sinea Okatesh]

Sinea smiled as she took a sip of chilled wine, though it lacked the easy grace of the smiles of her youth.

"Not a fashion statement, more of philosophy you might say. Even power comes at a price, and that price is not always exacted on others." She let the wine flow through her, enjoying the taste lighting through her synapses.

"A pleasant choice my dear."

[Lord Tenebrous]

"Old Stones is one of the older and prestigious vineyards, taking it's name from the old Ziost, as if it gives them more weight," she enjoyed it, but the Empire was growing stale. Her mouth twitched briefly in a temporary smile. Long time no see...

"The Empire could stand to broaden its horizons more - evolve, and learn." It was intended for both of the listeners. "Preference is always that others pay the price, but sometimes we must pay it ourselves. Is that why you've come to Ziost during such an exciting time? To pay a price?"

[Sinea Okatesh]

Sinea debated heavily how to respond. "It would not my preference to pay any further prices. That said...I am interested in what is going to happen to the Dark Council. Whatever happens...whoever happens, will be a tale indeed."

She took another sip. "Trying to present proudly by stealing a name from our history? How typical." She rolled her eyes. "House OKatesh is not a large or old house. It was even smaller and younger when we climbed to where we are through determination and ingenuity. As you say, tradition and history can be overrated."

[Dapper Dog]

"The Empire could stand to broaden its horizons more - evolve, and learn." It was intended for both of the listeners. "Preference is always that others pay the price, but sometimes we must pay it ourselves. Is that why you've come to Ziost during such an exciting time? To pay a price?"

Valkorian replied with his paternal tone, “The Empire is long past evolving, it has failed… an experiment that has run its course. You think you could do better?”

[Lord Tenebrous]

"It is best to seize the best of past and traditions to use when you carve your own path. There are valuable lessons in the past, but too many make history and tradition into shackles - and well, we are supposed to break them."

She took another sip, her gaze distant and thoughtful. "My destiny is not yet done, and I will impart my will upon the galaxy. But first, I believe the Dark Council is a place to start. Because I will do better than much of what has come before."

[Dapper Dog]

He gave his patented paternal laugh and said, “We shall see if you are as worthy as I believe you to be, or if I am to be disappointed… again.”

He faded from sight, the laughter lingering for a moment more.

[Sinea Okatesh]

"It is best to seize the best of past and traditions to use when you carve your own path. There are valuable lessons in the past, but too many make history and tradition into shackles - and well, we are supposed to break them."

She took another sip, her gaze distant and thoughtful. "My destiny is not yet done, and I will impart my will upon the galaxy. But first, I believe the Dark Council is a place to start. Because I will do better than much of what has come before."

"That is a sound approach." Sinea took another sip, whilst playing with the grey lock. "Shackles are meant to be broken after all. Planning to put your pretty bottom onto one of those chairs then, dear?"

She put her glass down, yes gleaming with interest.

[Lord Tenebrous]

"It would certainly make for the prettiest bottom to have sat there in quite a long time," she laughed and sipped her wine once more. "Too long has the council been filled with crochety old men. My master, for all the respect I have for him, is at least not crochety, but he is an old man too. At least Hurn and Hoshi are not old men. Short-sightedness is something most of them have, though. With the exception of your honored master." Shaisha inclined her head slightly to Sinea.

"It's my intention to seize power. For now, that is the council."

[Sinea Okatesh]

"It would certainly make for the prettiest bottom to have sat there in quite a long time," she laughed and sipped her wine once more. "Too long has the council been filled with crochety old men. My master, for all the respect I have for him, is at least not crochety, but he is an old man too. At least Hurn and Hoshi are not old men. Short-sightedness is something most of them have, though. With the exception of your honored master." Shaisha inclined her head slightly to Sinea.

"It's my intention to seize power. For now, that is the council."

"Well, that is one reason to go ahead at least. The Dark Council of Crotchetiness could use some new blood. Or old blood spilled. Whichever." She smiled, her eyes showing a hint of mirth. "True...poor Darth Arya has no sight at all." Sinea seemed a bit bolder than last time they saw each other. "Except for the future of course."

The sith woman (no, the other one) lounged and spread her arms, flashing a body that was obviously well taken care of, though not exactly the height of fitness. "For now...and what is your plan once you are seated?"

[Lord Tenebrous]

"Turn our attention outwards again, for one. This peace has only weakened us... we're like nexu in a too small cage, lashing out at eachother and tearing us apart for no gain." That would be a start.

"In the long run, I would see the Dark Council undone. It has proven useless in the long run. It's time to tear it down and begin anew."

[Sinea Okatesh]

"Turn our attention outwards again, for one. This peace has only weakened us... we're like nexu in a too small cage, lashing out at eachother and tearing us apart for no gain." That would be a start.

"In the long run, I would see the Dark Council undone. It has proven useless in the long run. It's time to tear it down and begin anew."

"Ambitious plans my dear." She listened attentively. "Though some Councillors might disagree. Violently." Her smile widened. "Not that would deter you, of course. War with the Republic...you could find support for those. You feel we have the necessary footing?"

[Lord Tenebrous]

"Of course it would not be popular," she grinned. "But I plan far ahead. And as we said, they're crochety old men. While on the other hand I have much time ahead of me."

The contents of her glass were swirled around for a moment and she looked to see if Sinea needed a refill yet. "Nescessary footing is merely having power and talent to make a claim - this will require much more than just that, I'm afraid. Including support of the other members on the council. Vengean and the others that want for more voices supporting war would probably be interested in providing more backing. But I'm curious about someone like your master, Darth Arya. What would she want, I wonder?"