You've got some explaining to do [D4-LA, Haydriss' quarters]

[Nekoinu]

Lord Haydriss nodded. "Perhaps. But they do not appear to have the same sentience as the others I have encountered. They cannot be reasoned or even conversed with. I am uncertain if they can learn or feel anything other than rage."

[Layne Hoshin]

"Force wounds then," she said, glaring at the mask in front of her, "precisely the sort of creatures you'd end up creating if your research was like that of Zash."

[Nekoinu]

"That or placated Force spirits." Lord Haydriss leaned back in her chair, lost in thought for only a few moments. "Did Darth Zash create some with her ritual? How much do you know of her work?"

[Layne Hoshin]

"Now we're back to negotiating."

She paused for dramatic effect.

"I can describe the ritual, and what it left behind. But I won't. You'd probably try to recreate it."

[Nekoinu]

"Why am I not surprised that was your answer." She shook her head and chuckled. "You witnessed her ritual? How did you manage that?"

[Layne Hoshin]

"I did not. I just happen to have a very detailed first-hand account of it."

[Nekoinu]

Lord Haydriss nodded. "There is an individual who survived it. I was informed that his connection to the Force was severed. Is this your source of information?"

[Layne Hoshin]

"Survive is not the word I'd use," she said, dismissively. "And we're getting off track from the issue at hand here, don't you think? You're just fishing for information for your own gain, when what you should be doing is finding some way to placate me."

[Nekoinu]

"It is in my nature to become distracted by such matters." Haydriss leaned back and sighed. "I offered you credits. I offered you medical expertise. Do you wish me to stop purchasing slaves for my experiments?"

[Layne Hoshin]

"That would be a start, yes."

[Nekoinu]

"'A start.' I assume you want payment for searching for the Jaw of Oblivion?"

[Layne Hoshin]

"I wouldn't say no to that," she said, getting altogether too cocky about it. Honestly, even Layne was getting a little confused as to why Haydriss hadn't tried to stab her yet.

"Look, it's simple. My history being what it is, I take issue with the use of slaves for what you've been doing. And I don't really trust you to not go down Zash's path either. Aside from that, I don't really give a shit. You're just another generic Sith to me. So if we can find some way to re-establish trust and satisfy the demands of our egos in the process, we can skip the whole revenge-parry-revenge thing. My ego's demands are simple, it just wants to think it got something out of this that's more valuable than the simple pleasures of revenge."

[Nekoinu]

Lord Haydriss sat there and listened to the Little Wrath. At the end of it, she remained silent for awhile longer. "You are a fascinating individual, Layne Hoshin. The greatest insult you have delivered me is not your demands or conceit. It is the fact that I cannot predict you. You are an enigma."

She shook her head, much more human and amused than her ordinary ominous Sith ways. "What would you do with the slaves if I relinquished them to you?"

[Layne Hoshin]

"Haven't you already killed them?"

She shrugged. "I guess I'd give them a chance to stand or fall on a more level playing field."

[Nekoinu]

"Most of them have perished. There are a few survivors from the trials."

Haydriss nodded. "An unsurprising answer for once, Layne."

[Layne Hoshin]

"And why is that not surprising to you?"

[Nekoinu]

"You appear to care about slavery and its surrounding issues. However, it would be unlike you to coddle them."

[Layne Hoshin]

"I care little for the average slave," she said. "I am not some moral crusader. But some have suffered enough."

[Nekoinu]

"You care enough to see them freed from my grasp."

[Layne Hoshin]

"Yes, I believe that's covered under the whole part where I mentioned some having suffered enough."

[Nekoinu]

Lord Haydriss remained silent. "Indeed. The remaining slaves are yours then."

[Layne Hoshin]

"Excellent," she leaned back some more, "and I believe you mentioned something about payment for searching out the Jaw."

She might be pushing it.

[Nekoinu]

"It was my plan to grant you both 500 Credits each. You could take the full share and divide it with Rumun Gol as you please," she suggested.

[Layne Hoshin]

She seemed amused at that. "Not very loyal to your underling, are you?"

[Nekoinu]

"I will admit that I am curious as to what your decision would be." A pause. "He also must have revealed pertinent information to you."