Star Wars The Last Epitaph

IC: Vy’ndall Tremyr
End of Class, lessons continue

The nagai offered Tarkin a solid respectful nod and watched as the human returned to gathering his things.

Vy’ndall had noticed the glint in Tarkin’s eyes as well as his retrieval of the paper that had fallen from Palpatine. To his credit, Tarkin's actions were deliberately open, performed without subtlety and in plain view. If any had questions or objections, they were free to speak them. Of course, Vy’ndall was slightly curious, but then again not. Well, at least not at the moment.

He was pleased with Tarkin’s answer, so much so that he would have carried on in conversation, but he chose self-restraint.

After all, class had just been dismissed.

Waiting was now an investment. He would re-engage Tarkin once he’d given the answer further consideration. There was something he needed to express in words regarding both the Sith and the Jedi, but it needed to be crafted correctly before he shared it.

As he sat and simply watched, his eyes now fell on Aurrenna. A lovely mystery so far, that one. Had her gaze followed Palpatine as he hurried after the Professor? Did she too spy the note that had fallen from him? Vy’ndall smiled ever so slightly as he mused on this. Then his own gaze shifted.

Last but not least, was the half-blood. Roan.

He too had been conservative in speaking, but such was to be expected this early on. Vy’ndall was curious on the half-blood’s opinion regarding the ‘moral pendulum’. He seemed to be pro-Jedi, so that might be a good segue into the topic.

All was well thus far. The class had been more stimulating than he had expected. This too was good.

Translating an idea into something practical required dynamic activism. Few understood what that really meant.

Vy’ndall allowed himself a small smile of satisfaction.

Perhaps it was too soon to say, but it did feel good to be among beings he could possible consider to be actual peers.

With that, the nagai slowly rose from his seat and began to make his way towards his own quarters.

******

Tag: @Sinrebirth

OOC: Now to run into Valorum.

 

IC: Aurrenna Adasca
The Amphitheater

The blows had been delivered from this meek debate. The spurs for greater had been silenced and sidestepped with a flair for the dramatic and pointing to ever more history to entice them in. Or bore her out, in the end these mountains of trivia would prove of little use. An anecdote here, a furtive message there, the only real highlight that she had not let herself rise to the bait of was the notes of how these things form fractures in many worlds. Soft weak points to be healed. . .or exploited. The notes of their power was somewhat intriguing, but it would require getting to know all of her fellow students better. The blowhards and prods, the religious and the mysterious.

The new lad was to use the Professors quarters as his resting place, she felt a stirring of both pity and jealousy at that notion. There were bound to be little insites to the man from his room and perhaps even a way to peruse his lesson plans, if such things even existed. What was laid out next was of interest.

"I expect you have to have thought of one issue close to your heart that you want us to discuss in the next few weeks, be it the corruption in the Senate, to the bi-partisanship between the Core and Rim factions, and whatever issue tickles your fancy. Think wide - Wild Space concerns, Deep Core exploration, satellite galaxy investigations... but I don't want to hear about militancy by the Republic to deal with Delmaasi pirates," the Professor said, glancing at Tarkin and Valorum, even Palpatine, for whatever reason likely to do with some ties of one form or another, "nor lifting sanctions against Arkanian gene-splicing, okay?" At that he was referring to Adasca.

She simply smiled demurely and looked under her lashes at the man. It was such an obvious ploy and stop tactic to half the class. By telling them what they could not discuss he was practically making it ten times harder for those that could now think of little else for topics. It would have been far more productive to ask for two or three and know that all but a few from the class would be scrapped then to temper their ability to even reason with a block of that kind along their most likely lines.

The Professor nodded. "I will pick one topic at random and we will debate it for a week, at minimum. We usually have an odd number of students to prevent deadlock, but if required I shall act as the dividing vote, and of course moderator," he said with a shrug.

Scribbling in thermal on her datapad she made a simple note, though she was loath to do it, as Palpatine chose his exit amid the Professor and Valorum. During which a lone piece of paper wafted out of the new kids things to land on the floor. Her head stayed on her own work as if that note and what to most looked like a blank tablet due to her thermal vision was her sole focus, while her eyes stayed ascance watching that paper, seeing what subtleties she could read as she saw that other come and take it, Tarkin. Scribbling what notes she could of note from such a class and such an odd occurrence, she idly wondered if the paper had been meant for her.

The idle thoughts of Tremyr seemed to be half question, half idle fancy. Another piece of bait that Tarkin could not leave alone. The man was a worry, if he did not tease and dissect something it likely would drive the elder classmate to murder. As Tremyr left she stood and stopped in front of the elder classmate, "If you need help with returning the paper, let me know." she simple stated before turning to return to her own quarters with a bow.

TAG: @darthbernael , @greyjedi125 , @Sinrebirth , @The Vanguard

 

IC: Roan Lath
Class Denouement

Before Roan could offer any input to Vy'dall's proposition, the professor curtly brought the discussion to a close.

"Our young newcomer strikes a chord." You could say that again professor, Roan bemused, we still don't know why he was allowed here. "it is in breaking those cycles that we seek to become something more than just powerful. Anyone could take advantage of the issues that plague the Republic, whichever root cause you select. To raise above them and break the cycle of the twin deities of economics and polity is and always has been the goal of this class. It could be said that we have succeeded, on more than one occasion." The professor took a step forward, grandstanding, as was his want.

"It is in this very room that the decision to Excise the Mandalorians was made to prevent further instability in the northern quadrant. It was here that students debated the pros and cons of undoing the Outer Expansion Zone. It was during a recess that it was decided to found the Trade Federation. That is not even acknowledging that as little as sixty years ago the class mooted extending of voting rights to said companies as functional constituencies, language that found its way into the very bill the Senate settled on."

"We have that power, it is to be said - thus we have that responsibility to think outside the box." The Sephi/Arkanian could feel the weight of the professor's words.

"I think that is a good place to stop. Palpatine, we don't have a room prepared for you - though we have plenty spare, not to worry. So, you shall come to my chambers and use the en suite." Roan shot a sly glance at the boy as Palpatine nodded.

"I expect you have to have thought of one issue close to your heart that you want us to discuss in the next few weeks, be it the corruption in the Senate, to the bi-partisanship between the Core and Rim factions, and whatever issue tickles your fancy. Think wide - Wild Space concerns, Deep Core exploration, satellite galaxy investigations... but I don't want to hear about militancy by the Republic to deal with Delmaasi pirates," he said, glancing at Tarkin and Valorum, even Palpatine, for Naboo was a relative stellar neighbour to Eriadu, "nor lifting sanctions against Arkanian gene-splicing, okay?" Roan's eyebrows raised slightly, knowing the subject all too well - he was part Arkanian after all. Even if the professor was referring to Adasca who, apart from being a member of the most influential family in Arkanian history, was his kin. Roan descended from the distinguished house Athacorr and unlike Arca Jeth of old who was also part Sephi, part Arkanian, possessed no force affinity and thus was disqualified from joining the Jedi Order. This was something his father begrudged him for but wasted no time finding an alternative solution to 'make the most of his boy' via the Exchange program.

"What about the Yaka experiments?" Roan muttered softly enough for his classmate's to hear. He knew it was a hot button issue and could understand the issues and interests of the cyborg implants, but he wanted to test the thoughts of the others if it was possible.

The Professor nodded. "I will pick one topic at random and we will debate it for a week, at minimum. We usually have an odd number of students to prevent deadlock, but if required I shall act as the dividing vote, and of course moderator," he said with a shrug.

"Any other questions? No? Good." He didn't actually give them a chance to speak up; the lesson had dragged on enough, past the ordinary time for their evening break; Palpatine had arrived midway through the day, to add to the disruption.

Valorum stood immediately and stormed from the room, his cape flowing. The Professor also turned to leave the room with some swiftness, and Palpatine, who didn't actually know where the Professors chambers were, rushed to collect his things and go.

An obscure paper dropped from Palpatine's things which was moments later picked up by Tarkin who was the only one who wasn't pretending without hesitation. Most curious, Roan thought to himself. Vy’ndall spoke up, “now I’m wondering if the Jedi experience galactic history differently from the rest of us….” Roan scratched his head at that. Well of course they did. The Jedi found themselves in the epicenter of many major historical events, for better or worse. Roan could sense his thoughts almost taking on words from his mouth but he resisted, wanting to hear from the others first.

“I would imagine many different groups experience history in their own way, it would explain why there is such conflict, so often." Tarkin responded with experience in his tone, "look at the Trade Federation that the Professor mentioned and those that oppose them, each side has their own view of history. If such ‘normal’ groups can have differing views, why wouldn’t the Jedi, or the Sith.” The last was said with a slight glimmer in his eye, although Roan wasn't aware why.

As Tremyr left, Aurrenna stood and stopped in front of the elder classmate, "If you need help with returning the paper, let me know," she said with a polite bow. Roan smiled at the confidence in her voice and watched for Tarkin's expression. 70% of communication with most sentient beings was non-verbal, and all sorts of messages were being exchanged today.

Roan had enough talk for one day, he wanted to fiddle with the new project he was working on. He stood up quietly, the smile fading from his mouth. Making his way to the workbenches across from the library, he simply nodded in the direction of his fellow classmates and left the amphitheater without a word.

TAG: @Sinrebirth @darthbernael @greyjedi125 @Mitth_Fisto

 

IC: Vy’ndall Tremyr
Student Quarters

Striding unhurriedly down the hall, Vy’ndall allowed himself to ponder on the many lessons learned in class today. So many layers, and this was but the beginning. History did have much to teach, as did the beings who lived in the present. Would they only repeat the past?

'It is in breaking those cycles that we seek to become something more than just powerful.’

The Professor’s words echoed inside Vy’ndall’s mind, for they struck a chord with the young nagai. This was more than just a simple statement, as it sounded almost like a part of a manifesto. Still, wasn’t that the trick? ‘Breaking’ the cycle? Clearly, but to who’s benefit? And how exactly?

It was at this point that he noticed a figure standing at the door to his quarters. Vy'ndall almost slowed his pace out of sheer reflex, but managed to continue on. This place was supposed to be secure after all, in addition, his trust in his own personal security lent him confidence.

A subtle hand signal made sure of that.

Donning a pleasant enough expression, the nagai finally slowed as he greeted Valorum with a curt nod.

“Hello again, good Ser. To what do I owe the honor of your presence?”


Tag: @Sinrebirth

 

IC: Vy’ndall Tremyr
The Ambuscade

His face remained pleasant as was necessary, but for several heartbeats, Vy’ndall found himself mentally hard-pressed to move past the phrase ‘like-minded’ -that, coupled with the challenge not to react ‘in the natural’.

It wasn’t that he disliked Valorum. In all honesty, he did not know the man, as they had just met. For a split second, he did wonder where Tarkin could be headed to, as his eyes tracked the statesman for a brief second as he passed them by, but such curiosity would not be realized. Valorum had just literally invited himself into the nagai’s quarters.

Internally, Vy’ndall had to force himself to remember why he was here in the first place.

Inherently, he did not trust politicians, but he found much of their tradecraft quite useful, even if such measures were not to his natural tastes. It was the efficacy in achieving the desired end result which mattered in these cases.

The man sounded genuine enough, but matters were slightly more complicated for such fancy.

It was true, that the Professor’s words had ignited some intriguing thought processes, but Vy’ndall highly doubted that this was Valorum’s first time hearing such words. Clearly, the human wanted something.

“Hmmm.”

Vy’ndall made a thinking sound and adopted a pensive pose for a moment.

“Well, yes- I agree.” He said. “The Professor did raise some provocative points….” He conceded.

“But I was merely going to change into something more comfortable, however….AH!”

Vy’ndall snapped his fingers and looked as if he’d just made a wonderful discovery.

“Come. This is a perfect excuse to visit my yacht. These rooms are about as private as the amphitheater; the things I’ve heard through these walls.”

Vy’ndall shook his head as if ashamed to admit something unmentionable.

“My yacht will provide the privacy you require.” He graciously affirmed as he started to move away from his assigned quarters and gestured towards the corridor.

“How does that sound?”

The nagai offered a small, yet pleasant and encouraging smile.


Tag: @Sinrebirth ( Yep. let’s combo )

 

IC: Roan Lath, Aurrenna Adasca
Corridors

On his way out of the amphitheater, Roan felt a wave of relief, or was it glee? He loved getting his hands busy with building things or deconstructing them and long talks were wearisome to him. There wasn't ample space for major undertakings like his shop back home. His shop where he built his own Starhawk swoop bike, or the carbon gas chamber he built from scratch for carbon freezing items to transport. He always gained a sense of competency and value when he would complete a project, and he loved that feeling. Finally, some time to myself. As he turned one of the corridors, he bumped into the Professor. Feeling gone. The human's giant smile could light up a room, even if it looked hollow.

"Remember, Roan," he said as he sidestepped to allow him to pass. "No arguments about Arkanian gene-splicing." It was at this moment he realized Aurrenna standing there. Was she following him? He was so lost in elation he couldn't hear her walking a comfortable distance behind him. "I'll make sure to keep my opinions on the topic to myself Professor, but the example of Arkanian 'off-shoots' is standing right in front of you." Roan placed his hand on his chest, referring to himself with a derogatory term like off-shoot despite how accomplished he was seemed odd, but Roan was purposeful. If anything, doing so dismantled the derogatory phrase as ignorance and made him assertive, at least in his mind he was. He locked eyes with Aurrenna, knowing she would decrypt the conversation.

"Perhaps, but with proper treatment you can still breed pure. A medical procedure, not gene-splicing in the truly banned sense as you would have consent and remain as you are." Roan's mind flickered with adrenaline, directly irritated by her utterance of the word 'pure'. "Unlike some of the other species, sentient or not, we have helped elevate." her words were cut short as the Professor turned to her with a raised hand turning her back to the amphitheater and away from what she was sure would have been an interesting if wrote conversation with the young man.

Roan just stood there as the pair walked off. He felt his emotions and his thoughts conflicted with each other. Sure he was irritated but what she said wasn't incorrect. The Arkanians have evidence enough that they have successfully elevated a given species. Particularly the Quermian species. Why am I bothering with this right now? The class was over yet he was battling in his heart with the ethics of the Arkanian experiments and his own existence as a product of it. Not now, he said to himself as he made his way to the learning area. For now, I shall decompress and put this whole day behind me.

TAG: @Sinrebirth @Mitth_Fisto

 

IC: Aurrenna Adasca
Corridors

After the Professor led her away from that brief encounter, directing her back into the amphitheater by having it present behind her waist. She was demure and static despite having the urge to rend his arm from his body and beat him with it, and it had started as such a pleasant post lecture time to think and go to her own quarters for a respite of beauty and comfort. Not to mention now that he was leading her away she felt a familiar twinge in her skull, a signal that the specialist communicator tied to her visage was also tingling for attention, back in her room. "Aurrenna, I do have to thank your family for continuing to finance the works that are required for the job. My face-lift, so to speak, it was done with impeccable care and attention to detail. I was quite pleased and appreciative of the aftercare."

"It was my families pleasure Professor. If we can not strive for excellence in something so simple we would be deserving of ruin." she softly replied with a gentle nod and smile as her fingers formed steeples in-front of her heart.

He released her from the subtle nudge his arm presented as they swept into the room, he stepped to the podium and pulled a small box from beneath where he had just been standing and speaking. She was mildly surprised that he would bring such a thing here and then leave it in the classroom, a classroom where another student had just purloined a piece of paper. It was not especially large, but it was wooden, and weighty; the Professor's arms slightly dipped as he held it, and he placed it atop the podium, the stone creaking audibly. Her head canted to convey obvious curiosity with fingers dipping just enough as though distracted by such a simple thing as a heavy box. "Just remember - those records are sealed, dear. If I discover that you have dug into my appearance before, I would have to kick you from the course. For even looking into it." He smiled genially. "The program has the HoloNet relay tapped. After all, we paid for it. Nouane may have only joined the Republic after the Mandalorian Wars but we never joined any of the Sith Empire's that followed it - not even Revan's, who saved us - we all appreciate our independence after all."

"Of course. I would never dream of trying to search the HoloNet nor my families records for such information. There is such a thing as medical privacy and a crafters sanctity of hidden works." This was all preamble and she had something waiting. She hoped that whatever that box was or this conversation was leading to would be worth the delays she causing in answering her awaiting privileged conversation. "Do you need help Professor?" she offered as she took a half step forward, arms opening slightly to show open hands. Offering, waiting.

TAG: @Sinrebirth

 

Combo with the Mod-King

**************************************************************

IC: Tarsus Valorum and Vy’ndall Tremyr
Aboard the Halcyon Dream, Vy'ndall’s room

After a short aside, they were present and accounted for. Valorum cast a casual glance at his time piece, which was in-fact a sophisticated sensor for listening devices, and it found none, or, rather none that it was attuned to.

Then he went to business.

“We need to discuss Tarkin, my friend,” he did not have a need to lie to his potentially future ally. “Militarism is afoot if Tarkin takes primacy; which increases our chances for war. I know not much about your people, but I know that they are without a homeworld. I would expect that to align you with a more peaceful approach to matters - having lost a home at some point in your history.”

Valorum sighed. “I fear that if we rearm, then we will entice conflict with the outer reaches of the galaxy, and militarism is often expansionist in nature... we have been at peace for a millennium, reestablishing our old borders. But if we push beyond them, we might antagonise devils we do not know.”

“Palpatine will agree with me, after all he is from pacifistic and isolationist Naboo.” He said, pacing. “Arkania will make Adasca neutral in any issue, and of course Roan will be the mouth piece of his monarch; who has close ties to Grandmaster Yoda.”

Valorum cut back to Vyn’dall, expecting a response.

Vy’ndall watched Valorum carefully, still maintaining a pleasant and engaging facade. Did a spy droid know why it was made, or the things it did? Was it aware that it brought ruin to others? Did it care?

In the end, it was best to have measures at play to prevent the advent of spy droids. No matter what form they wore. It was better to prevent than to lament. And there was much lamenting due to lack of prevention.

All that would change in due course.

Both Vy’ndall and Valorum were seated, their refreshments remained untouched as Valorum went straight to business.

Again, Vy’ndall’s expression remained placid, as Valorum opened with a salvo aimed at Tarkin. The nagai understood that Valorum’s brush strokes painted Tarkin as a militant supremacist, and it wasn’t meant to be complimentary. Vy’ndall much preferred to formulate his own opinion about the beings he encountered- however, Valorum was right about one thing: he didn’t know much about the nagai people.

Vy’ndall kept his focus on Valorum, while his mind began to work. He had to give the human credit for being politically canny. He’d already split the class into factions- established dividing lines according to his own understanding, and now he attempted to gain a majority through ‘predictive thinking’.

Sadly, the human -in Vy’ndall’s estimation -either assumed too much, or was here on a fact finding mission- or both. He spoke of the latest arrival, Palpatine, with great familiarity. That was curious.

More predictive thinking, no doubt.

By his own words, Valorum presumed to know how Aurrenna and Roan leaned on any given issue. True, they were by default extensions of their given political arm, but if they were here to be automatons and literal mouth-pieces, then why not send protocol droids in their stead? No, matters were not that simple. The King’s messenger always knew more than he let on.

Once Valorum was finished, Vy’ndall leaned back on his chair and made a small thinking sound, even as he brought a graceful pale hand up, and held his chin with his forefinger and thumb. His eyes narrowed slightly as he collated internalized information on several levels. How best to answer, what to disclose and so forth. This ‘interview’ was taking place outside of class, but it was still valid and had consequence in the greater scheme of things.

Like minded? That was yet to be seen.

“I wonder, when you speak of reestablishing old boarders, was that accomplished without conflict?” he stated and asked all at once, his voice carrying a thoughtful tone.

“Wouldn’t the act of ‘reestablishing old borders’ be considered expansionistic? Were the regions affected welcoming? What was wrong with the borders as they were?”

And now, Vy’ndall leaned forward, his expression becoming more neutral.

“We lost Nagi to the Tof, a superior expansionistic force, because we lacked an adequate military defense force. Conflict came to my people. Unbidden. Countless nagai were slaughtered and enslaved, but our spirits rejected the boot of oppression. We rebelled against our would-be-masters. We grew stronger because of that conflict, though the price was great indeed. Peace must be protected and defended. We didn’t have the Jedi, like you do, or anything like them- or Sith for that matter, so you can understand how they can be somewhat-fascinating.

They represent your strongest defense. They are armed with your most mythic weapons, no?”

Vy’ndall graced Valorum with a small smile, then leaned back once again before continuing.

“There is a lesson in that particular bit of history. Peace and Defense are not mutually exclusive. We see this dynamic play-out in nature no matter where we go in the galaxy. There are born predators who bring conflict. It is our duty to be ready to defend against them. Wouldn’t you agree?”

Vy’ndall’s pleasant expression returned as he looked upon Valorum. His graceful hands steepled over his chest. It would be interesting to hear what the human had to say- or- to see if he understood.

See, Valorum had no idea about the Tofs, but he was deeply intrigued by the mention of the same, even if they pushed the Nagai firmly into the militarist camp; which was itself useful to know.

Valorum would have to research these Tofs... were they a species long gone, or surviving today. He knew not the name. But; nuance.

His expression had remained cavalier as Vy’ndall verbosely threw questions both pointed and rhetorical. He response was languid, however - one he had exchanged with Tarkin back on Eriadu many times over. “Militarism creates threats both real and imagined. If not for these ‘Tofs’, then your people would essentially have created their own enemies to defeat with themselves; civil war begets militarism - it is why the Republic disarms it’s standing Navy each time the threat passes. I could name eighteen conflicts which would have resulted in a galactic war had it not been for the relative ebb of militarism.”

Valorum merely referenced all eighteen actions by Corellia to secede during a dispute in the Core, though the eighteenth had been over internal issues rather than a spat between Alsakan and Coruscant. Indeed, his point spoke on numerous levels as the seventeen conflict between those two Core Worlds had ended with Alsakan disarming - and no further violence between the two had occurred for nearly three millennia thus. “Your species felt the hammer from the Tofs so horribly because of the contrast between before and after - but had they been members of a galactic union, perhaps, before your diaspora, then the collective response of the community would have ended the Tofs shortly after.” Valorum was reaching, but, presumably the Nagai diaspora existed because the Tofs were still an issue, albeit under a different name.

He had no way in which to know the Nagai were from another galaxy; a satellite one, at that - Companion Beta, or, known more locally as Firefist.

Vy’ndall nodded as he listened. It was not an automatic motion, but one that signified that he agreed with Valorum’s words. However, agreement in this case was merely personal.

“The fact remains, there was no ‘Republic’ -no jedi- to save the day, and so, we must make the best out of our present situation.”

If only Valorum could know the horror that was brought upon by the Nagai Diaspora, perhaps then he would see things differently. But he was a product of his carefully manicured and safe environment and would remain so, through no fault of his own.

“Disarming in the name of peace is quite a diplomatic victory, I must admit. The greater good wins over pride and pettiness, although conflict seems to be a recurrence that cannot be entirely dismissed from our existence; therefore, we must devise the very best way to manage it.”

A beeping sequence sounded somewhere near Vy’ndall’s desk before any more words could be exchanged, at which point the young nagai gave Valorum a solid nod as he rose from his seat.

“Well, that’s all the time I have for now. Thank you for taking time from your busy schedule to chat with me, I rather enjoyed it.”

Vy’ndall extended a pale hand and offered it to Valorum to shake. The Tremyr Family signet ring glinted on his forefinger. A sliver ring housing what looked like an oval Blood Opal. The ornate family crest was etched upon its face.

“I look forward to our next encounter.” He said genially and waited for Valorum to respond in kind.

Valorum was quite suspicious of beeping desks, that he was. They were quite acceptable social cues to end a discussion, but similarly, a remote could trigger a comlink, and create the impression of an incoming call to end something purposely.

The Eriaduan reached out to take the hand, only absently drifting form the proffered limb to the Nagai face. Valorum was required to paint the man into a faction before he left the room - he could feel it.

Militarist.

Tarkin would take advantage of the man, and so Valorum would be required to attend on the others. If one more joined Tarkin, then the class would be divided in two - as a consequence of the even number of students that now made up the class. Valorum slightly cursed. Deadlock was the call of the Republic today; the Professor has to see that it could not afford to be the same for this program.

He took the hand and acquired his most sincere smile. “Thank you, my friend.” Valorum indicated the desk with the hand as it was released. “I shall leave you to your call.”

With nothing else to say; he departed.


TBC

 

IC: Aurrenna Adasca
Corridors

No sooner was she free of one delay, no matter how important and here she was being stopped at another. The Professor had a right to her time here, this Valorum did not. When he looked at her she had that sensation of something dropping as he asked, "I would quite enjoy the briefest of chats, Aurenna. Do you mind? Vy'ndall very kindly offered me a chair whilst I discussed our class task."

"I would not mind, but biology has other things in mind at the moment. If you would not mind a brief delay?" She replied as she hurriedly minced toward her room. Playing a part of a need that any could relate to, as well as a social faux pas one might commit if the need was great enough.

"Biology..." Valorum blinked, and then slightly reddened as he realised just what Aurrenna meant. "Oh, of course."

Biology. Why had it taken him so long to put it together?

"Did you want me, erm, want to wait outside or come back later?" Valorum realised he had performed a social faux pas then. "I will come back later. Perhaps I shall find Vy'ndall or Roan." He perked up. "Or better yet, young Palpatine."

She sympathetically smiled at the man as he fumbled and excused himself. Raising a hand she fluttered her fingers at him and inclined her head, "Yes. Later would be perfect." she said as she excused him and herself from this conversation. Backing toward her door she blindly keyed in the pass code from memory behind her back before entering her suite. It was time to take care of 'business' as it were.

TAG: TBC

 

IC: Vy’ndall Tremyr
Vyn’dall’s quarters

There was a persistent rap at his door, which brought him out of his slumber. Vyn’dall had stayed up, going over certain documents and studying as required. He had gone to bed later than planned and was looking forward to some decent sleep, but that hope was dashed. Though somewhat annoyed by the sound, the Nagai got up from his bed. He squinted his eyes to see and found that the security system issued no warning or alerts- and neither did his intuition.

But the hour was indeed late.

"Now, who in blazes…”

Vy’ndall grabbed a robe, which he put on before signing the disengagement code as he reached the door, then opened it.

The initial light from the hallway shone through the open door, momentarily bathing the caller and framing their silhouette.

“This is for you, I think.”

Vy’ndall squinted to take a better look, even as he recognized the voice.

“Professor?”

Gracefully, he took the proffered book and looked over the title.

Zabrak or Iridonia - the Crossover between Dathomir and Iridionia and what it means for future relations in the Inner Rim.

Vy’ndall’s eyebrows raised-up in surprise, then a quizzical look came over his face as he regarded the Professor.

“You seemed relatively interested in the way the Jedi view history." The Professor indicated the book.

"Dathomir has suffered at the hands of the Jedi and the Sith, as much as Iridonia. It is an example of species pollination that was forced, to excuse the pun. Zabrak would never have been on Dathomir if not for the Sith, but the Jedi would not have created the system which prevails between the Nightsisters and Nightbrothers on Dathomir without, you guessed it, Jedi interference.”

Clearly, there were many thoughts running through the Nagai’s mind as his eyes searched the Professor’s countenance. Sadly, he would glean little else outside of the man’s pleasant demeanor. Absently, he found the seeming weightlessness of the volume as a momentary surprise.

“There is a decent preamble in this book, which references Iridonia and Dathomir and the Sith as early as the Old Sith Wars.” A flutter of his free hand. “Exar Kun, Revan, and all of them. But the really juicy stuff is under a Dark Lord called Kaan. Go on, take it."

"When I find my book on the original Sith species, perhaps that will intrigue you on what happens when a species divide also encompasses a political one - tracing the Sith species after the Great Hyperspace War is quite intriguing." A shrug. “Alas my library is quite disorganised.”

“Professor...I… ” Vy’ndall began, paused, then gathered his thoughts and continued.

“Thank you. This is a great boon.”

His dark eyes looked once more to the book with great interest, his mind fully awake now. He then looked back at the Professor and gave a respectful bow.

“I shall not be late for class, I promise.”

A small smile etched itself upon his face as he began to retreat back into his quarters.

“Good night Professor.”


Tag: @Sinrebirth

 

IC: Roan Lath
Quarters

Upon his return to his room, feeling collected and ready for a restful night, Roan was suprised yet again. "Oh what now? A comm call? Probably from mother."

A heavily encrypted call was incoming on his display that Roan detected to be abnormal. Apparently the comms station in his room was motion activated in sync with the hatch, since it lit up as soon as he had arrived in the room. The call began almost the moment his door closed. That particular function to his desktop had not been mentioned when the Diplomatic Corps handed it over to him with the assurance that it was impossible to tamper with... because they had already.



Roan didn't mask his surprise and did a double-take before bowing his head in respect. It was King Alaric himself and he did not avail himself of the pleasantries. "We have heard the news about the boy from Naboo. Tell me everything, my child." He was leaning forward in his throne already. That familiar face, saggy but in tact. Roan was not accustomed to speaking face to face with the King. Despite being his 3rd cousin, to Roan did not let his guard down with his Majesty. As of late, the rumors that eventually make it off the planet off Thustra and arrive to Roan's isolated existence have been nothing but whispers. Ghostly talks of King Alaric not being himself, of shutting down the wisdom of his closest counselors. Another look at the King and one would wonder if the whisperings were true. He looked riven with worry, albeit the kind of intense regal worry that had the air of penetrating intelligence.

It was quite the feat, but then again, Alaric was a king.

"Your Majesty, I was not expecting you." Roan didn't break eye contact out of customary respect as he sought to read the aged Monarch. King Alaric did not repeat himself as he maintained his gaze. "But a welcome surprise this is!" Roan was fumbling now. "I am still learning about him sire, he is most peculiar with his arrival since students aren't allowed into the program once it has begun."

A brief silence lingered in the room, this felt more like a sit-rep report than a family member checking in on him.

"I will report back once I find out more your Highness, with the utmost urgency."

TAG: @Sinrebirth (10 lashings for being tardy)

 

IC: Tarsus Valorum / Aurrenna Adasca (Combo with Sinre)
Returning to Adasca

He did not quite manage to find anyone to converse with, and he was very inclined to speak to her before anyone else. Palpatine was busy with the Professor; Vy'ndall had proven... somewhat intractable, in hindsight. Roan Lath was hardly going to come out as a militarist, but Adasca would be needed.

Returning to her door, he politely knocked. "Lady Adasca?"

That was horrendously formal, but it might prove to embarrass her, at least as much as she had embarrassed him... even inadvertently. Inadvertently? Valorum was curious to see. Palpatine had chosen to sit next to her, but Tarsus had never been able to read the Arkanian. So, what did Palpatine see in her that Valorum did not?

Wearing ridiculously plush slippers as a minor concession to 'comfort' in her private quarters she answered the door. "Valorum, thank you for your kindness. Please, come in." she waved him on into her room toward a waiting chair.

Valorum smiled back to her. “My dear, thank you for waiting up for me.”

He swept into the room, and regarded it. “I would speak to you about Arkania’s position on a topic close to my heart, if I may.” He had not yet sat, as he was leaving her to do so first as he was guest and she was host.

The smile on his face remained broad and fixed; genuine, too - he had great hopes for Aurrenna.

Taking the subtle cue, either he wanted to follow some arcane social standard from his world or feel he was establishing dominance, she took her own seat and waited to see what he would do next. It was very interesting to see him animate with her in this situation so privately, it was revealing that these were not merely grandstanding in the class room.

"By all means. Please." She simply stated as she smoothed out imaginary wrinkles in her dress.

“Tarkin is a Militarist. He seeks to rearm the Republic by repealing the Ruusan Reformation. His families expansion of the Seswenna sector fleet is nothing more than a prototype for it.”

Tarsus held out a hand. “You represent a key Coreward system. Naboo, Thustra - my father’s own administration; I know that they do not agree with Militarism. I cannot see Vy’ndall and his species history of having been subjugated wanting to militarise again.”

He casually bandied around that recently discovered Nagai history as if he had known it all along. Not that he had yet to research these ‘Tofs’ and nor would he disclose much about them until he did; it would not do to besmirch a newly discovered species in-case his father intended to do something official.

“So it behooves me to ask that you stand beside the Core principles of peace with me and the others.”

"I am very glad that you have asked. But I must admit you have a few flaws in your assumptions." She waved a hand skyward, "Those who have lost everything to war are more likely to polarize. Peace at all costs, or peace through pacification. Either at all costs. Monarchies are tricky business as well, just because the king dislikes the war the child might crave it. I don't know enough of Naboo and our green friends world to know what that stance is."

Standing she moved to a side cubord that opened to reveal bottles and assorted food cubes. "Would you care for anything to drink?"

“Please, if I may.” He accepted the drink, but not the food-cubes.

“Sephi are very long lived - virtually immortal, actually, though they don’t tend to advertise it - their monarch is a pacifist, and I doubt they will replace him anytime soon.” Valorum shrugged. “He is too close to Master Yoda, for one.”

Setting about to pouring a drink she smiled into the cabinet at the news she was getting without even trying. "Well, that deals with one wrinkle. Thustra should be firmly in line then. What of the Dark eyes? Nagii?" she said with dismissive wave as she finished pouring the drinks.

Turning she handed the slightly fuller one to him, before retaking her own seat. "Besides our class I don't see where they hold much power beyond bending ears here or there." she sniffed dismissively as she swirled her drink before taking a long smell before the small sip. Letting it linger and change upon her tongue for several moments before finally swallowing the bouquet that had been allowed to blossom there.

Valorum took the opportunity to savor the drink. Dark eyes?

He caught on. "Vy'ndall is, as you intuited, concerned about militarism, but he is ambivalent to Tarkin specifically, which works in our favor... though Naboo is quite isolationist, as you suggest. How much Palpatine can or cannot bring to the table is a question - save for a voice in the class, which is itself valuable." Valorum frowned against the warmth the drink encouraged. "But we all know what I can bring to table is - I am the son of the Supreme Chancellor of the Republic... but does House Adasca enjoy control over Arkania and its multitudes of scientifically driven factions?"

"We are a strong if not leading voice upon the councils. Which are themselves not unlike this class, small groups of barely a handful that decide for all. Each leading family has a voice, but as we are all similar we do lack the diversity and troubles that the Senate or here face." She stated with a dismissive wave before taking another sip of her drink. Working the thoughts and wheels of all of this. She almost wanted to goad the conflict onward, but if what the other was saying that would require her stand with Tarkin instead. Dismissing the notion as she focused on this conversation. "As the son of the current Supreme Chancellor, besides his ear to buzz in and a family legacy reliant on winning the regular votes. You have no real control of any world or sector do you?"

Tarsus snorted, somewhat heady from the drink. “I have replete politicians and corporate backers lobbying me. I’m being groomed as the next Chancellor, using the Valorum name to win the next election. The only question is whether I’m running against my father or not.”

A slight smile. “I will likely be nominated as a Senator in the coming months, and then I’ll go on. It will be interesting. And I look forward to helping the galaxy to come.”

Valorum slowly stood at that point, leaving his drink.”Perhaps I should ask if you’re going to be able to offer me much, no?”

Leaning back she poised a hand to support her head. "Didn't I just answer that question before my own? Perhaps this stuff is too strong for a mere human." She replied with a smirk.

“Political affiliations are one thing,” Tarsus said, grinning. “But what do you have to cement an alliance? You know as well as I that Roan will loath working with you, even vaguely, against Tarkin.”

The man leaned forward slightly. “I am sure a woman of your many talents would know things. The program makes use of Arkanian medics to modify the face of the Professor, after all...”

“... once you have something like that, I will make our alliance known to the others. Then we shall crush Tarkin, and once I am Chancellor... perhaps a quite lovely Vice-Chancellor will stand beside me?”

With that, Valorum inclined his head to her and left. It was political posturing at its finest, but Adasca? Vice-Chancellor? Her superiors would be pleased, and it might even encourage some of them of how easy it would be to take whatever they sought.

This little deal could be the beginning of something truly incredible for her.

With a sly smile as she stood to show the young man out she simply nodded. "Such a simple request. Until later." she simply replied. As soon as the door closed she rearmed her custom security on her room and turned toward the chest by her bed. Simply staring, thinking. Such a glittering prize more than any jewel within now shown in front of her grasp. Was it real? Or a gilded trap? Unfortunately it was one she could hardly afford to ignore.

TAG: @Sinrebirth

 

IC: Vy’ndall Tremyr
The Approaching Storm

He simply could not believe it. The rap at the door had continued with an almost feverish intensity, and with a 'huff', Vy’ndall got-up, after failing to ignore the sound which did not go away as he’d hoped. He was sleepless and seriously infuriated at the unwelcome intrusion. As he strode to the door, he managed to grab and slip into a bordeaux colored silk robe. His displeasure was clearly etched on his face as he opened the door, ready to unleash a lambasting tirade.

His eyes, which he’d narrowed into black slits-suddenly opened wide and his jawed slacked- shock and surprise on full display on his normally pleasantly unreadable countenance.

“Professor…!?”

Without ceremony or pleasantries whatsoever, the Professor had not only demanded his presence, and that of his fellow students to the amphitheater, he’d even threatened expulsion.

Vyn’dall looked to Palpatine, Aurrenna, Roan and Tarkin, all present; he wordlessly asked with his expression if they had any idea of what or why this was happening, but they seemed to have as much knowledge in the matter as he did, which was none.

As they entered the amphitheater and perhaps occupied the very same seats they had before, the nagai noticed the absence of a single student. Valorum.

His eyes lingered for single heartbeat at where the celebrated man once sat, and absently wondered at what could possibly be amiss. If he was honest with himself, which he was more often than not, he’d admit at a very distinct feeling of unease that was slowly rising to enshroud the class.


Tag: @Sinrebirth, @darthbernael, @Mitth_Fisto, @The Vanguard

 

IC: Aurrenna Adasca
Quarters to Classroom

When the summons of the pounding on her door had come she had bolted upright in her bed, one hand at her own throat and another towards the chest by her bed. It was only when she heard the stern words of the professor in the hallway that she relaxed. Quickly throwing her face on, which only took a couple of seconds with the application her family provided at ridiculous expense, and a thick shimmer robe that matched her soft sole slippers she quickly was in the hall and quickly and quietly making her way forward. She hadn't placed the call yet, such things were best left to morning light, so it couldn't possibly be her fault for whatever it was. She found herself twelve steps behind the rest of them soon as they made their way to the to classroom.

The conspicuous absence of one member had her standing with curious eyes glancing about. The eyes of the innocent. After all she hadn't done anything wrong. . .yet. Quietly removing the earrings, soft pink quartz, from her pockets she quietly put them on as she waited. Whatever the matter it seemed the lad not only couldn't hold his liquor but his tongue as well. Chancellor indeed if her curiosity fired hunch played out. If she was right, the class numbers were about to be balanced with six including the Professor again.

TAG: @Sinrebirth , @darthbernael , @greyjedi125 , @The Vanguard

 

IC: Roan Lath
Quarters to Amphitheater

Roan had often pondered the origins of dreams and what place they took in a sentient being's life. He had dreams before that were more premonitions of what eventually happened, causing him to believe in the otherly and the mysterious, even a firm belief in the Force. Yet he also has had dreams of bubbles and colors and other nonsense that didn't make any sense. To the Sephi, dreams had meaning or at least a level of sacred respect the shaman's perpetuated. Deep within a dream, Roan heard the clatter of a fist to a hatch, *slam*. Gravitating towards the grey, Roan's subconscious mind levitated towards the noise. *SLAM* The noise was getting louder, he couldn't almost feel the intensity from the dream start to escalate. *SLAM SLAM SLAM*

The Professors voice was the domino that slowly but rapidly peeled away the dream and zapped Roan into a panic.

"Everyone to the amphitheatre now." Roan shot up and hopped onto the cold ground, the tingly sensation of his nerves waking up at the bottom of his feet. "If you are not in front of me within two minutes, I will kick you out of the school myself."

Grabbing his cardigan sweater and slipping into his shoes, he hurried out into the hallway where everyone was already behind the professor. Palpatine, of course, was right on his heels. Aurrenna, however, was lagging at the opposite end of the hallway. Probably had to make herself look nice, typical females, he thought. Joining the rest of the group he headed towards the amphitheater.

@Sinrebirth @greyjedi125 @Mitth_Fisto @darthbernael