[D3 LA] This Took Too Long

[Nekoinu]

"Do you suppose the Hutts would allow us to scour their planets for artifacts? I assume we would perform such a deed under the covers of secrecy.'

[Zeno Deathwright]

"That would be my assumption as well. But I'm up for doing so if you are."

[Nekoinu]

"My master may not approve of such actions. My prior actions were to please him, impress him. I am wary of trying such a tactic again.'

[Zeno Deathwright]

"It seems what he wants most of all is for effective results that don't end up with someone else being owed something. You really just need to find ways to make people owe you instead and call in support. Or create controlled alliances rather than opening up to whoever wishes to try and gain something."

[Nekoinu]

Lord Haydriss nodded. "Correct. Then I have a request for you if you aim to be so helpful: what do your former classmates desire most?"

[Zeno Deathwright]

"Depends on which..." he says with a shrug.

"Many of them likely wish expanded influence, but that's natural for young Sith like us. While I do wish to be of help, betraying the confidence and sharing the desires of those I understand best would not be my place. And I'd be happy to start working with you on things, but I barely know you compared to them and would not simply share what they would not wish shared when I've got a stronger working relationship with them already. You may be a stronger ally in time, but at the moment, I can only have similar concerns that you do for speaking with my master. I'm sure there are those you share your research with... but am I one of those? Being open or closed goes both ways and I'd need to value our alliance over potentially losing theirs for perceived betrayal before I'd consider it. Which I'd be willing to work towards."

[Nekoinu]

"My research is not to be shared lightly. If you are not naturally inclined to helping with progress, then I do not see a reason for you to be privy to it." A pause. "I can insure you that it will not harm you. To share my secrets would only harm my chances of success.

"But on the matter of betrayal, I do not believe you need to worry. I do not seek their weaknesses. I seek to know their desires and provide them."

[Zeno Deathwright]

"I am naturally inclined to help progress of research and understanding. Why else would I have chosen to follow Zash?" He says raising an eyebrow. "Simply because research isn't in my skill set doesn't mean I don't do what I can to contribute."

"Also, the desires and goals of those I am most familiar with are things they wish kept to those they trust. And as much as I would like to have reason to help and trust you, that does not mean they do. And for someone they don't necessarily know to approach them and tell them they can fulfill those desires... it would be a betrayal of the trust they've placed in me."

"When it comes to myself, I am open and sometimes naive, but not with the trust of those I count as friends and allies. As I said, I can talk to them for you or arrange meetings after discussing what you want and what you may be able to help them with. But I'm not simply going to speak about the things they want without their okay."

"But consider, as well, that I am willing to develop that kind of relationship with yourself. Where I would not share the things you wish to remain with me. Loyalty is everything to a Deathwright and we will die for it. To each other, to our allies, and to the Empire."

[Nekoinu]

"You are correct," she replied on the matter of research, though her tone was unfriendly. "I admit fault and I do not enjoy doing so."

"Sith are known for lies and deceit, Lord Zeno Deathwright. With an apprentice, I can easily dispose of them even if I find the act distasteful. Your position as a peer puts me ill at ease," she admitted. She shook her head. "I place my trust in the docile and I do not imagine you as such.

"However, you are correct; a meeting with them would be suitable. The ones you deem most trustworthy and reasonable."

[Zeno Deathwright]

"Placing your trust only in the docile means you are not likely to find most from my class trustworthy. And among them, you'll likely not find any as honest as me. I find deception doesn't agree with me. I'm not good at it and don't seek to be. There are more important things in life than keeping track of lies."

"I can arrange a meeting, but if you can't trust me, how can you trust the intentions of any I keep close? Your paranoia may help with protecting your research but it won't make you any allies. They'll seek just as much trust from you as you do from them. That is how an alliance works."

He wonders to himself how she can possibly be this thick for someone so 'smart'.

[Nekoinu]

Lord Haydriss shook her head. "I do not wish for an alliance with them. I wish for them to be placated." She let out a sigh, filtered by her mask, and looked to the sky. "I wish to be undisturbed so I may continue my research.'

She then looked back to him. "You are an interesting Sith, Lord Zeno Deathwright. A true patriot to the extent of comparing to my master or Darth Marr."

[Zeno Deathwright]

"Placating those that participated in the Kaggath? To that end, if you bring it up with those that don't realize they could potentially make an issue of it then they may realise they can attempt to leverage their position. If it hadn't been stated in front of me I wouldn't have given it a thought. If you wish to placate them to ensure leverage for the future... I think that doing so out of nowhere without prompt would be suspicious."

[Nekoinu]

"Then I may be succumbing to paranoia."



The Sith woman unsealed her mask and removed it. Her face appeared to be strained, exhausted by the proceedings of the day. She took in a breath of unfiltered air and then looked simply disappointed. "The air here is atrocious," she remarked before giving Zeno a faint smile.

[Zeno Deathwright]

He returns the smile, a bit wider. "You know, you should have more confidence. Just because a decision you made displeased your master does not mean it was the wrong decision. Think about it for a moment. Had you not done what you had, you might potentially be dead in this moment, your research lost, your master less one apprentice and the cost of the Kaggath higher. Trust me when I say that sometimes you have to make a decision your master dislikes to carve your own path. I've done so intentionally with Zash, but that doesn't stop me from serving her and the Empire."

[Nekoinu]

She maintained her smile. "You are correct. I am certain that my fellow apprentices also chose to secure total victory on behalf of Darth Malgus." Her expression turned more pensive as she watched her body containers come in. "I should have slain Lord Nemerosch. My account was truthful; he refused to face me alone."

[Zeno Deathwright]

"I don't doubt it. But he started with an advantage so he was not likely to risk what he thought was an assured victory with the state of the starting forces," Zeno replies with a shrug. "It was a strategic decision for him. And your decision after his eliminated his advantage."

[Nekoinu]

"The account I received is that he was disarmed early on by Shaisha Vreysk. An impressive feat," she stated, though her expression was not pleased. She shook her head. "Coward. He only fought when he believed victory was assured."

[Zeno Deathwright]

"Not all are interested in a challenge. They take the easiest path they can at all times. Those are the fools that atrophy and end up cutting themselves down through inaction. We always have to challenge ourselves, to transform and become stronger than we were the day before. Let the cowards be cowards, and die a coward's death," he says in a firm tone. "And let the strong grow stronger and break the chains of yesterday's weaknesses and failures."

[Nekoinu]

Lord Haydriss thought on the matter and then nodded. "I have allowed myself to become complacent. I will strive harder in order to progress more as a Sith and with my research." She nodded. "My victory today will be a path to greatness." She looked to him, again with a faint smile. "Our victory."

[Zeno Deathwright]

"The Empire's victory. One less petty Sith only interested in grabbing for power," he responds. "I disagree with your master's assessment of your decision. Even if the cost might end up higher than previously anticipated, I believe the end result will have been worth it. What is past is done and cannot be undone. Move forward with the same intent and focus and you'll undoubtedly continue achieving."

[Nekoinu]

"I best be careful that boldness does not transform into arrogance." She let out a small chuckle. "I hope you will do the same."

[Zeno Deathwright]

"Oh, my boldness is likely to get me killed. But I wouldn't get rid of it for anything," he says with a smirk. "I couldn't imagine life not living boldly. It's too empowering."

[Nekoinu]

"Then I will mourn your loss," she remarked, "I do not intend on allowing death to seize me."

[Zeno Deathwright]

"Maybe, you will. But then, I've survived long odds a few times so you may not get the chance to do so," he replies with a chuckle.

[Nekoinu]

"If I perish before you, then clearly your boldness was warranted." She smiled at first but then her expression wavered to one of concern. "I will do more than survive. I will achieve."