It's not what you think! It's much worse! [D2, ME]

[Xyll Vanth]

Xyll chuckled at that.

"You could've just thrown me out," she said, "But then where would the opportunities be in something like that? No doubt you've been thinking of ways to manipulate or use me all this time. It's only natural, after all. Hence why I mentioned my duties as a reminder of my potential uses."

[Dapper Dog]

"People can surprise you," she said honestly.

"Most that come to me do so with respect, I see no reason to reward that with malice and contempt."

[Xyll Vanth]

"Well, a refreshing change of pace then," she said with a smile.

She didn't buy it for a second of course.

"Building bridges in such a manner may not come naturally to many Sith, but perhaps those are the ones that don't last very long. Regardless of your intentions however, I would be a poor guest if I imposed on your precious time and knowledge as if it were a one-way street."

[Dapper Dog]

“You would not be the first to do so,” she said dryly.

“If you wish to learn more about Darth Traya, there is a scholar I consult from time to time on Korriban, Lord Savas… his knowledge is freakish but his manners are poor indeed.”

[Xyll Vanth]

"I am aware of this man," she said. "It was not so long ago that I still studied there, after all. Alas, we did not interact much; I'm afraid I'd be at a loss as to how best to convince him to aid me, if his manners are as poor as you say."

[Dapper Dog]

"He is Sith, give him something he might want," she responded.

[Xyll Vanth]

"I may know a thing or two of historical value that he might find interesting, I suppose. I do hope that'd suffice and he wouldn't ask something less savory or easy to give."

[Dapper Dog]

“That is between you and him,” she said with a shrug.

[Xyll Vanth]

"Well, I thank you for pointing me in the right direction at least. You have been rather helpful indeed, and that despite the irritation of that constant stream of guests wanting your knowledge. Are you quite certain it's not been too much of an imposition?"

[Dapper Dog]

"I enjoy distractions," she said wistfully.

[Xyll Vanth]

"Don't we all," she said with a raised brow. "What then, is it you seek to be distracted *from*?"

[Dapper Dog]

"I..." the power suddenly goes out in her home and then across the whole city.

"Well that is odd."

[Xyll Vanth]

Her immediate instinct was to think they were under attack, and so she reached for her lightsaber... but Zash's response to it pulled her away from that instinct. Seeing the city go dark outside the window further changed her mind.

"A power outage? Here? That seems... impossible?"

[Dapper Dog]

"It should be," she said warily. Both could feel the powerful flare of dark side energy wash over them and it was close by.

[Xyll Vanth]

"What was *that*?" She asked, standing up and alert. Perhaps it was not an ambush; but that kind of energy was by no means without danger.

[Dapper Dog]

“Power,” she said but there was no awe, only fear.

“The Emperor.”

[Xyll Vanth]

"It's too soon," she said to herself, though it was audible enough that Zash might hear it.

[Dapper Dog]

“Too soon for what?” she said walking to the wide window looking at darkness.

[Xyll Vanth]

Damnit, did she say that out loud? There was only silence from Xyll as she considered how to answer. What to say. What to reveal. But more importantly, considered what this was. This couldn't be it. Not yet.

"...for him to eat."

[Dapper Dog]

"As I said, I enjoy my distractions," she said grimly as she settled in to meditate on the darkness.