My Hay-day (D8, EM)

[Sylvain Torsin]

He nodded, "Thank you. I will go over what you have left. I hope to meet again soon."

[Nekoinu]

"I may follow along an old necklace of mine. That may entail me meeting with more of the Jal Shey." He paused. "I assume you will not be staying here for an extended period."

[Sylvain Torsin]

He nodded his head, "I intend to be on the move in a few days. If you will allow me, I will carry this necklace with me to converse with you in the future. I can even attempt to find whatever elements of your people still remain."

[Nekoinu]

"I am sure the Jal Shey still survive. We are not numerous but the tradition never waned too much."

[Sylvain Torsin]

"Then we shall locate them." He said confidently. "Thank you."

[Nekoinu]

Mentor Ranno looked back at the pile of rubble. "If you reach out with the Force, then it shall move with no problem. But I warn you to be wary of your accomplice."

[Sylvain Torsin]

He nodded, "Perhaps you have some insight on what can be done?"

[Nekoinu]

"I have sensed her mind. She is a woman consumed by anger and fear. Do you know how to manage such a person?"

[Sylvain Torsin]

He chuckled once, "It's a wild ride every time. I will give it my best shot."

[Nekoinu]

"You could consider it a test of your negotiation abilities," he replied with a nod. "Good luck."

[Sylvain Torsin]

Sylvain nodded his head and then closed his eyes. When he opened them again he was back in the real world he stretched his neck and turned to look at Haydriss.

"I have communed with the spirit residing in this place."

[Nekoinu]

The SIth Lord raised her head from her datapad and approached the young man. "Excellent. That fits my hypothesis exactly. What have you learned?"

[Sylvain Torsin]

"Your assessment was correct, it was a former member of the Jal Shey. His quest for greater knowledge on Force vergences led him here before he died. He supposedly left a journal of sorts with his remains over there. I can remove the rubble and have a copy sent to you immediately." He replied.

[Nekoinu]

"Remove the rubble with haste. I would see us both return to other matters." She shook her head. "I will take the contents for myself and send the copies to you."

[Sylvain Torsin]

Sylvain nodded, "The remaining articles are intended for me. I discussed my role with the mentor concerning the peace talks with the Republic. The Jal Shey are renowned for their negotiating skills. He has promised to lend me his aid, but the articles on his person are required for his spirit to travel from this cave. Surely you would not wish to hinder the efforts of the Empire so selfishly by appropriating them for yourself?"

[Nekoinu]

"I should have expected such treachery from another Sith apprentice." She shook her head. "There is no way to validate your claim, Torsin."

[Sylvain Torsin]

"And yet it is the truth." He replied.

"I don't know what you know of me but I have no appetite for needless infighting. I require this armor to improve my work for the Empire. The guidance of this spirit could potentially lead to more opportunities for research. He specialized in finding vergences in the Force. Allow me to use what he has left to search for more, and I will send you all information on my findings. I become a defacto research assistant for you... allowing you to dedicate yourself to your other endeavors while I provide you with what you would want anyway." He replied.

"This can work for both of us and the betterment of the Empire if you allow it."

[Nekoinu]

"The spirit refused to heed my call. I suppose there is merit in speaking to it." The Sith Lord shook her head. "Do you require the rest of his belongings to commune with him, Torsin?"

[Sylvain Torsin]

He nodded. "That is what I was told."

[Nekoinu]

"I see. What will I receive as collateral in order to ensure your loyalty?"

[Sylvain Torsin]

"I have little of material wealth at this moment. So for tangible objects I have nothing of note... you may have my mask if you desire... or you can accept the word of one who assisted you in your master's war... or rely on the assurance that I have no need for more enemies than I currently have... or return the favor of one who has recordings of your brother admitting to perjury and treason but has refused to tear down your family in the best interests of the Empire. Or you can rely on my need to turn to you to understand some of what I may uncover, I am not nearly the researcher you are. I have every reason to help you... and little reason to betray you other than out of pettiness." He replied.

"There are many reasons to trust me. You can choose one or all of them."

[Nekoinu]

The woman listened to him and then stood there in silence. She eventually stepped forward, "Your mask will make an excellent decoration on my wall." A pause. "Along with your head if you cross me." Haydriss looked back to the rubble and then back to Sylvain. "Do it."

[Sylvain Torsin]

Sylvain nodded and began to lift the debris away with the Force, piling the rocks elsewhere.

Soon the grave was exposed and Sylvain approached to inspect what was inside.

[Nekoinu]

The Jal Shey mentor's corpse was little more than dust and scattered bones under the debris. His armor was preserved, albeit dirty, along with the signature belt and gloves. His datapad was unfortunately crushed though there was the necklace he spoke at the neck of the remains.

"Excellent. I imagine this will lead to more discoveries regarding the Force." Though it was impossible to gauge her expression, her tone seemed to be uplifted. "You will deliver me reports on your progress. These will come after any breakthrough or after a Standard Galactic Week. I imagine there will be instances where progress will be unsubstantial but I still wish to hear it."

[Sylvain Torsin]

He nodded, "I believe this will work nicely for both of us."

He reached down and withdrew the items, including the busted datapad and folded them nicely.

"You wouldn't happen to have something I could carry this all in? I could have it returned to your office on Nar Shaddaa."