[Pregame, LA, Ausar Estate] At Odds

[Raela Ausar]

Raela sat back in an armchair, looking over the view of the city from one of the uppermost rooms in her family's estate. It really was a beautiful view of the city. It almost hid the viper's nest that it actually was... at least the part she would be dealing with soon. She swirled a drink she held in her hand, waiting, dressed in a black gown that clung to her curves, paired with an asymmetrical half-length cloak. Anything else she might have been wearing wasn't easily noticeable aside from the jewelry.

She looked up when she heard the announcement of her guest, turning toward the door. "Escort him in."

(expecting)

[Jaheem Abasi]

Lord Abasi arrived with whatever servant she had sent to fetch him from the receiving area. He strode in with confidence his black boots making a sharp sound on the floor. He was dressed in his usual robes of fine, if a touch utilitarian make, black fabric they likely concealed many things in their folds. He stood only a little taller than the tall pureblood before him. His eyes shone with a reddish molten bronze color as they always did. A sense of menace emanated from him he walked into the room but it did not seem actively aggressive rather a simple state of being for the man.

He did not bow but did shallowly incline his head toward her as he approached his voice was a bit more pleasant than his fearsome demeanor would suggest "Ms. Ausar, thank you for seeing me today." He moved to an open seat near her and sat down, ignorance of social norms or a calculated move to show he was not unsettled by being on her field of play? It was hard to say.

[Raela Ausar]

She offered a similar nod as he entered, gesturing to the chair beside her. She didn't rise, and it equally could have been ignorance or a calculated play. "Lord Abasi, welcome. I was surprised to hear from another Aspirant so soon. To what do I owe the pleasure?" She gestured to the servant. "Would you like a drink?"

[Jaheem Abasi]

Jaheem regarded her for a moment his eyes naturally smoldered but the tone of his look was inquisitive, searching. But he nodded after a moment "certainly, I will have some of whatever you are drinking." Jaheem did not drink to excess but the value of a good drink was not lost on him.

He removed his robes revealing a modest but rather form fitting shirt and pants, a much more comfortable outfit. He sat back and crossed one leg over the other in a relaxed pose "I heard you were entering the fray, I knew little about you and resolved to remedy this deficiency." He said plainly, Jaheem often lacked the guile and circular speech of many of the more scheming sith.

[Raela Ausar]

"Fair enough... I've spent a lot of time on the fringes, I suppose it's not horribly surprising that I'm not terribly well known," she mused as she took a sip and a drink was brought to him quickly. "Of course, I expect to learn more of you, as well."

[Jaheem Abasi]

Jaheem nodded "naturally, I wouldnt expect a potiential ally...or rival, to supply me with information for nothing. I do not take you for a fool Ms. Ausar, merely and unknown quantity." He took a drink from his glass and fixed her with a look "and I hate unknown quantities."

He set his glass down and laced his fingers together "So the most obvious question is...why? Why do you wish to ascend to the dark council?" His eyes held no discernable emotion as he asked the question.

[Raela Ausar]

There was no reason to lie right now. It would be a pain to do so anyway. "A few different reasons. I dislike the current situation - the peace doesn't serve us, and we should be united against a common enemy. I share Darth Marr's point of view on this," she explained. "I believe the council needs more well-reasoned voices with consistent logic."

"I have personal matters it would help, as well." She lookedd toward Jaheem. "And yourself, Lord Abasi? What drives you to aspire to a Council Seat?"

[Jaheem Abasi]

Jaheem listened attentively to her explanation not really reacting to it as he listened. When she finished he rubbed his chin in a thoughtful gesture rather than immediately respond.

He likewise saw no reason to lie as he was running due to his public beliefs "I agree with you that we fight too much amongst ourselves constantly scheming and vying for more power when we should turn our efforts to our enemies in the republic. I believe we have grown weak and decandent, valuing carnal pleasures over the accumulation of true power. Sith are ruled by their emotions rather than using them as the tools they are. And finally we allow powerful force users to be second class citizens based on archaic xenophobia." He finished with a long sip of his drink as he let his words soak in.

[Raela Ausar]

"Mm... Yes... Emotion has its place. Everything rises from it. It's vital. But it has to lead into the rest of the code or its just spinning your wheels," she replied with a nod. Her eyebrows rose as she heard him disagree with the common stance of xenophobia. "A brave stance, Lord Abasi."

[Jaheem Abasi]

"A logical one Ms. Ausar. If we believe the strongest should rule why should their species matter? The empire only weakens itself when it does not use all of the tools at its disposal." He had a look of certainty on his face as he spoke. He fixed her with a hard stare, one he had used in many interrogations, a gaze that pierced through veils "Do you not agree Ms. Ausar? After all even the pure bloods aren't as respected as humans by some of the more radical human sith. Do you believe that one should think less of you because of the way you were born regardless of your successes?"

[Raela Ausar]

"I think that it's a sign of a long lineage whose strength has allowed it to survive this long," she replied calmly. "If they can't recognize that, their mental weakness will kill them soon enough. The same is true of anyone with that level of faulty logic."

"In short, I agree with you, in general. Strength is as strength does."

[Jaheem Abasi]

Jaheem nodded and the corner of his lips upturned in what may have even been a smile "That is good to hear." he looked about the room they were in before uncrossing his legs and leaning forward to rest his elbows on his knees and spoke to her in a slightly lower tone "How well do you trust the security of your estate Ms. Ausar?" his eyes were once again unreadable as he looked into hers and posed a second question "and are you recording this right now?"

[Raela Ausar]

"To as high a degree as reasonably possible in our society," she replied, tilting her head to the side as she watched him. "If we are being recorded, it's not by me."

[Jaheem Abasi]

"This may be a bit premature.....but you and I seem to be of the same mind on important issues. Until I see a reason not to I think an alliance might be possible. There are two chairs after all and I for one would like seeing more nonhumans in them especially ones who i agree with on other issues. We both want the empire stronger, we both want to learn the sith into a new era in ways." He leans back again, his well muscled body was actually quite visible in the tighter garments he wore under his robes.

"I understand why you may be suspicious of such an offer but know that I am no schemer, i am a man with a goal and i believe you will be an asset in achieving that goal. It's as simple as that."

[Raela Ausar]

"Perhaps... I would like to know more about you. What is your specialty, Lord Abasi? Where do your skills lie?" She asked curiously.

[Jaheem Abasi]

"Fear." He said simply at first before continuing "I am adept at causing bone chilling, immobilizing fear in my opponents. Through the force I can sculpt emotions and even without it I am skilled in the art of creating fear through intimidation and coercion. I also possess an indomitable will and discipline. I have other skills and talents but I'd say those are the two most important. What of you Ms. Ausar? What would you say you talents are?"

[Raela Ausar]

"I drink and I know things," she stated, a smirk crossing her face as she sipped her wine. "I am a researcher... until now, that has been occupying most of my time. Beyond that, I have a variety of skills that generally play into the knowing things aspect."

[Jaheem Abasi]

Jaheem nodded "Knowledge is indeed a powerful tool. I have some knowledges but it is never bad to have more. I believe our skill sets could compliment each other well. One who can control emotions and fear, armed with the knowledge of who the best target is would be a potent combination. As for working together I did not expect an answer today, think on it for a bit. We have a while yet before the trials of the aspirants begin."

[Raela Ausar]

"I will wait a bit, but the offer does sound appealing," she admitted, swirling her drink thoughtfully.

[Jaheem Abasi]

"Of course. It would be foolish to rush into such an arrangement." Jaheem seemed to relax back this casualness less practiced, a true relaxation rather than the theater of it. He even favors Raela with a small smile "So Ms. Ausar may I ask what it is you do for relaxation? When you aren't studying or uncovering secrets?"