Visiting the Reclusive Lord (MA4, Haydriss' quarters)

[Nekoinu]

"The mask is a different persona entirely. It is expressly there to make it more difficult to understand me as a whole." She inhaled, the air obviously filtered through its sturdy construction. Metallic alloys touched by her leather-bound fingers. "It is a tool many Sith employ. Surely you are familiar with it.'

[Col. Hala Moraal]

"I am, my lord. And it can be an effective tool, but a lack of understanding comes with an opportunity cost. Those I know better, I am able to serve better."

[Nekoinu]

Lord Haydriss tilted her head. "What do you wish to accomplish here, Colonel? Do you wish to align with me more fully?"

[Col. Hala Moraal]

She shook her head gently, grimacing as the mask before her eyes swam slightly.

"No, my lord, not per se. I align myself with the Empire and I serve the Sith. I have little interest in the politics, that is above my station, but I honor the needs and wishes of the lords I operate near and unless I have specific orders from my superiors then I am also at their disposal. I'm not asking for a patron. I'm not interested in promotion to simply stroke my ego. If it increases my means? If I'm able to serve the Empire better after one rather than before? Then it is worthy. But if it would be merely so I may wear another pair of cylinders and a wider insignia panel because I think that General or Moff Moraal sounds pretty then I would ask for you to silence me permanently and drive a hole through my service jacket so deep that those around me would be shattered by the fallout.

"I have already taken to a battlefield once for you, my lord. Bled for you. Been burned for you. Nearly run through with a lightsaber pike while confronting your adversary. Because I thought it best for the Empire. If I can serve the Empire better, if you can grant me increased means to widen my grasp that I might see the Empire's enemies driven before our vanguard and reduced to star dust and ash, then that I would do. But please do not mistake my interest in you or in what lies beneath the mask and the story that you wear for yourself and others for a broken marine looking to become a pet to accomplish some petty self-actualization my lord, for my intentions range far beyond that."

[Nekoinu]

"You are the most intriguing officer I have met in the longest time." Lord Haydriss took the poisoned glass and dumped it in the nearby sink. She then held it, staring at the little contents remaining, and then eventually set it down as if it was a prop for her the end of her desk. "I will deliberate on your continued usage to me, Colonel. I do not have a current task to assign to you. But if one arises, then I will consider you first among many.'"