Sisters in Arms... Business [MM7]

[Moyr Ahaya]

Moyr and Aphr got back to the Shadow Town once the Purge started losing momentum. It was bloody down there, but less dangerous. The usual street life pretty much died for now though, and the traditional informants were either dead or hiding. So it wouldn't get any easier now.

[Aphr Ahaya]

I miss you Jaime Aphr thought as they walked passed one of the more bloody streets, noting one of the dead there you always knew exactly when to hit up the bakeries.

However, there was no time to mourn, as work needed to be done. Plus she wasn't one to mourn a contact who was more used for food than anything. A lot more of her contacts had been hit than she expected though, plus there was an obvious fear around. She could almost taste it in the air.

"They're too afraid" Aphr finally commented after a short while "you'll get nothing now. Even the one you're looking for wouldn't be here."

D7 MM Investigating It is Still His bounty. Streetwise/Cunning. Boost from Assistance, Boost from Advantages on previous roll. Daunting difficulty because previous fail: 1eA+2eP+2eB+4eD 0 successes, 2 advantage

[Moyr Ahaya]

Moyr harrumphed, a rare sound from her. "I hate it when local politics get in the way of my personal agendas. But it is what it is. Zios has helped me a lot with my equipment, and he's a steady supplier of many things a Sith would be advised to have. I don't want him out of business."

[Aphr Ahaya]

"If he's good, he'll get business. If we can't help him here, you can always work on his Sith contacts to ensure they still only buy from him" Aphr suggested "at least for smaller things. Keeps him in business while you still get your equipment."

[Moyr Ahaya]

"Probably." Moyr agreed. "Aris was a man I knew what to expect of. Then I thought Ulter might become an associate. For now I am stuck with Zios."

[Aphr Ahaya]

"Not ideal I guess, but I imagine you won't be staying here for too much longer? Or has Nah Shaddaa grown on you?" Aphr chuckled.

[Moyr Ahaya]

"No. I'll probably have some business in the Imperial Space soon after this." She paused, looking intently at Aphr. "Which brings about the question of whether you'll be travelling with me, to take your place in the Academy on Korriban."

[Aphr Ahaya]

"I think that's likely not entirely up to me. I think Zhorrid has...become attached to the idea of keeping me around" Aphr said with a small frown "I don't know what she has planned though."

[Moyr Ahaya]

"There is easily enough of powerful individuals who can countermand her on this. Proper schooling of Force sensitivities is an obligation among the Sith. So it's more a question of what you want and how we can go about it."

[Aphr Ahaya]

"What I want?" Aphr looked at Moyr "I want to help you, and ensure she doesn't do even more to you. While there are plenty of individuals that could counter her, that wouldn't sit well with her..."

[Moyr Ahaya]

"But what of yourself, dear? I cannot let waste your momentum on pampering her."

[Aphr Ahaya]

"I...I haven't planned for anything" Aphr spoke honestly, frowning a little more "it sounds crazy I know. I doubt I'm even close to the ideal apprentice for Zhorrid, even if she has taken a liking to me. I'm not thinking of myself now, because I know if I move away she'll be on you again, and that's my concern."

[Moyr Ahaya]

Moyr laid her hand on Aphr's shoulder and squeezed it affectionately. "I am a big girl, remember? You and I won't be separated for this long again if we're both strong. And to become strong, you need to focus on yourself. Zhorrid may be useful for you now, but think ahead. What would you like to have accomplished by the next cycle?"

[Aphr Ahaya]

"There's always been one goal for me sis, and that's no longer being shackled. Finding you again has added a second goal" she finally smiled "you are a big girl, but you're also very good at getting yourself into trouble after all! I know I need to focus on myself more, but I've always been terrible at that."

[Moyr Ahaya]

"Looks like we need to help each other make up for our flaws, no?" Moyr stroked the pink lekku with sisterly affection.

[Aphr Ahaya]

Aphr chuckled, shaking her head. "What a pair we are, huh" she smiled though, closing her eyes and adding "but I'm glad to have you around to help me. I'm really not great at this being strong and independant. That was your talent,
and it hasn't quite rubbed off on me yet."

[Moyr Ahaya]

"I still think you have it in you. What you're born with, the mark of the Force, is just a beginning of the story. Throughout your life you shape yourself. It is up to you whether you'll make yourself strong or render yourself weak. It is only when we master ourselves can we start reshaping the world around us. Before that, we don't choose our circumstances, but must find ways to manoeuvre amid them."

[Aphr Ahaya]

"I'm trying to shape and manoeuvre. I think I've got a way with Zhorrid now" Aphr opened her eyes "I just need to focus on where I want to go. I worry that Zhorrid will finally take things beyond where I can appease her."

[Moyr Ahaya]

"I will take some pressure of you. I know how to play the game too, and I think I have finally found an inroad. So we won't let it come that, dear. As long as she is gracious, try to benefit. Sith Lords rarely share power. She's afraid of doing it with me because she considers me a rival for her father's attention. But she has worked it into her mind that she can shape you in ways that will let her turn you against me. I know your heart, darling, so don't worry about telling her some sweet lies if it comes to that."

[Aphr Ahaya]

"How amusing" Aphr chuckled "she is calling me her little sister now. Do be careful though. She doesn't seem to be fond of you, and if my intent is to not be with her, which is what I would expect, then you become the next target."

[Moyr Ahaya]

"I have greater enemies than her, dear. But I'll be careful." Moyr smiled wryly under her mask, then pondered. "Has she asked you to kill someone?"

[Aphr Ahaya]

"That doesn't reassure me at all" Aphr frowned, then shook her head "no. Not yet. I...I rather hope she doesn't, but I suspect she will eventually."

[Moyr Ahaya]

"It's better to be mentally prepared for it, so you can make your own call. I'll just give you one advice on the matter... If you are about to kill someone, always try to do it for your own reasons, not just because someone asked you to. Taking life is too serious a matter to off-load responsibility for it on someone else. Following orders does not make you strong, it absolves you from feeling things you must feel to grow. I haven't been perfect with this in my life, but thanks to it I know the difference."

[Aphr Ahaya]

"I would rather not have to kill at all" Aphr said honestly "there's no reason or need to kill usually."

[Moyr Ahaya]

"It's actually not true, Aphr." Moyr said gravely.