Murky Brightness (D5, EN Shai's Place)

[Shaisha Vreysk]

Shaisha raised an eyebrow at that, giving Sylvain a sceptical look.

"Why?"

[Sylvain Torsin]

"To publicly try and execute him I'm assuming." He replied. "Ideally I'd like something similar... we need to create the right message to make sure this turns into something positive for the future of the Empire... but logistically... I find it hard to imagine how this would work in our favor."

[Shaisha Vreysk]

Shaisha scoffed softly. "Take advantage of this situation and just make sure he's dead. It's what I'd do. Then again, I don't have the same moral high-ground like you two do."

[Sylvain Torsin]

"If we can manage some type of trial at a private location near here that we can publicly broadcast at some point in the future... then maybe... but if it comes down to a choice between failure and his death... I will not hesitate to end him." He replied.

[Shaisha Vreysk]

"Too risky. Leaving Baras alive with the chance to retialiate or form a defense of some kind, even if it's just spoken, is too much of a risk to take. And he is still a powerful Sith Lord."

She placed down the empty cup.

"What does it change? That he is publicly executed by someone like us?"

[Sylvain Torsin]

"To have him executed in accordance with Imperial law helps us with the narrative we wish to create... Kris and I seek to push the Empire forward with Baras' end. We don't wish to be seen just as another pointless coup in our rise to power... but send a message to the Empire that no one is beyond the reach of the law and justice. We seek to make sure the errors of the past do not drag us down and cost us this war against the Republic... doing this in the right way would help to motivate many to join our cause and offer us their loyalty." He replied.

"The same narrative can be created without the show... but with much greater suspicion from many in the Empire."

[Shaisha Vreysk]

"Or people can think it's a showoff from young upstarts who don't know what they're doing," she sighed and pushed the empty cup around between her hands on the table.

[Sylvain Torsin]

"Not with the support of powerful men like Marr... and perhaps Vowrawn."

[Shaisha Vreysk]

Her lips pursed slightly. Vowrawn hadn't really been on her mind since she finished doing the shopping he had asked for.

"As I said, you will have to seek that for yourself from him. You will be considered cowardly if I have to ask it on your behalf."

[Sylvain Torsin]

"Once there is something to act upon... perhaps I can do just that. Have you not conferred with him on this matter?"

[Shaisha Vreysk]

"I have not," she stated casually. "Last time I spoke to him was when I arrived on this moon and passed on the info he wanted. Last time I was in touch with that base, I spoke to one of my fellow apprentices... which meant I at least didn't have to deliver the bad news of the data chit having been copied."

For which she was grateful for. She had yet to see Vowrawn displeased with her, and she preferred to keep it that way. At least for the time being.

[Sylvain Torsin]

"Makes the gamble all the more precarious..." he says, thinking aloud.

[Shaisha Vreysk]

"We're taking a lot of gamble on this entire shit-thing. Heck, it's the worst gamble we've taken so far, but it's also the best opportunity we will have, most likely..." Shaisha frowned, and resisted the urge to throw the cup into the wall.

"You're the one who has to sell him the possibility that you can be an ally and be able to fill Baras' place in the Empire. Not me."

[Sylvain Torsin]

Sylvain nodded. "Then that's what I'll have to do."

[Shaisha Vreysk]

"Make sure your offer is good." It wasn't amazing advice, but it was something?

"He's more cunning than most think."

[Sylvain Torsin]

"Underestimating him won't be the problem... Me being so far in the dark is what stands between me and making a good pitch..."

[Shaisha Vreysk]

"On the matter of Baras, you mean?"

Feeling she was going to need something more than just coffee to make it through another all-nighter, Shaisha headed to the nearby fridge as they kept talking to look for some more of that vitaminized water. "Want anything?"

[Sylvain Torsin]

"On Magpie's plans... they are too nebulous."

[Shaisha Vreysk]

"It's because she doesn't trust you, Syl," she replied as if it was obvious. "I sensed her mind; she is a ruthless killer underneath that prim and proper noble lady veneer. And she senses you are not."

It was a hunch, of course. She took a gamble, to test her will against Sylvain's for a moment as she reached out with the Force... what was truly there...?

Ugh...

The Light gave her pause, blinding her from gaining a reading on Sylvain's true leanings.

---

D5 EN Sense power on Syl to see his icky Lightness: 1eF+2eP+1eA+3eC+1eD 2 successes, 3 threat, 1 Light Side


Shaisha takes 3 strain from getting Light-side cooties.

[Sylvain Torsin]

"What are you looking for in there Shai?" Sylvain replied calmly as he felt the force emanating from Shaisha's mind.

[Shaisha Vreysk]

"Just a hunch."

She took out the bottle she had been looking for in the fridge and quickly took a sip.

"Or rather, testing the hypothesis that your mother might think you've become too weak."

[Sylvain Torsin]

"Strong enough I assure you." Sylvain said with a smirk.

"Hand me your bottle." He said as he reached out and forced Shaisha to follow his commands.

He extended his hand to take it from his sister.
---

Influence Mind Trick v Shaisha, Discipline check: 3eP+1eA+1eF+2eC+1eD 3 successes, 1 Dark Side


(Using Lyshea's Trait to Convert Dark to Light)

[Shaisha Vreysk]

Without thinking about it, Shaisha handed him the bottle.

Then she realised he hadn't just asked for it. He had used the Force to make her do it. And made her do a stupid little thing like that.

The hand that was now empty clenched into a fist as it seemed she had to restrain herself from lashing out violently.

"Fuck you," she said quietly and grabbed her bottle back.

[Sylvain Torsin]

Sylvain was already in the process of giving it back when he let her regain control.

"Ask first... Don't barge in." He replied. "I get the feeling you don't trust me when you're impolite like that."

He waved his hand and shook his head, "Anyway... Maybe this isn't our moment. Maybe mother needs to die... She is conspiring with the Republic to kill the active Minister of War... who does that sound like to you? Making the same mistakes that Baras makes..."

[Shaisha Vreysk]

"One thing is getting a better sense of you. Another is taking control of me, Syl. You do that again, and I'll hurt you." She was obviously pissed and hurt about it. Her chat with her father earlier had left her even more sore on the subject of the control the Emperor had had over her. And in his words, could have over her again.

"Your mother is making the same mistakes as Baras, yes. She doesn't want to save the Empire - she just wants power."