View From The Top (Open)

A door opened, and light spilled onto Nieraan's face as he started up a flight of steps that led to the Temple's roof. The day had been long, but productive; the training classes he provided to students had gone reasonably well, and he'd had time to train himself, in mind and body. Now he was free to do as he wished, and so his hair was still damp from the shower, his clothes clean and free of the desert world's dust for a few fleeting moments.

Only a few moments ago, it'd been his intention to take relax for a while, to take it easy after an extraordinarily busy few weeks. Perhaps return to the Nyoka and rest for a time before he set his ear to the rail to see what the day's updated rumors and mutterings in the Temple were.

But plans had a way of changing with the winds of fate that blew them, and before he could set about to doing any of that, he'd heard a very intriguing tidbit of information.

Iniquitous, Dark Overlord of the Sith, was out of his chambers and heading to the roof of the Temple.

Coming out of his hidey-hole, he'd mused at the time, marveling at the thought; Nieraan couldn't recall the last time Iniquitous had had reason to come out of wherever he wasted away his time, let alone venture forth willingly to see the collective of individuals he'd gathered 'round his banner.

Yet here he was, or so word went.

True or not, Nieraan decided to investigate; were the whisperings true, he might see if something was going on that required the attention of the Overlord himself, off all people. And if not, well, it wasn't as though a minute's detour would make or break him.

Yet even before he'd reached the door that lead out to the steps he now climbed, Nieraan knew the word was true. He could feel the presence he recognized as Iniquitous; a presence he hadn't felt in person since he and Jack had roused the Overlord's wrath and forced his hand with their troublemaking.

Presently he reached the top of the stairs and the Temple's roof stretched before him. The sky above was a blend of purples and oranges and reds, the sun low and large on the horizon. Beneath the Valley of the Dark Lords lay beyond, flanked by hard, craggy rock with old, forgotten tombs hidden in their depths.

It was a beautiful sight, surprisingly so for a world as dead and desolate as Korriban, to say nothing of the Dark Side's taint.

And somehow, standing above it all even while seated was Iniquitous. The Overlord sat on the other side from the steps up, his back to the entrance. Nieraan could feel the strands of the Force turning and twisting around him, and it was not hard to surmise that, while Iniquitous' back was away from him, he was aware of his presence.

As well he should be; Nieraan's thoughts were shielded, as always, but he made little attempt to hide the fact that he was there, in presence or approach, as his boots scuffed softly against the stony ground beneath him.

"So it's true," Nieraan muttered loudly enough to be heard as he approached the seated Lord, "Iniquitous has come out of his hiding place to show the rest of us he's still alive." He stopped a few paces away from Iniquitous and leaned lazily against a column, arms folded over his chest. A breeze blew from the Valley, ruffling his blue-streaked-black hair and the folds of the white sash that hung from his waist.

"And not a single unruly Initiate in sight. How curious." The tip of a sharp canine showed as the Firrerreo smirked slightly, fleetingly."So what brings you out now, Iniquitous? Or did you just want to remember what the outside world is like again?"

Nieraan waited, hoping for the briefest of moments that he might be able to converse with Iniquitous without any interruptions.

But he didn't fool himself.

Word of Iniquitous would spread, just as it had to him, and already he could feel presences in the Temple stirring to see.

It wouldn't be long before they were joined.

Bellinda, was in fact an Initiate, a lowly-easily passed over one, though only under the loosest of interpretations could she be described as 'unruly'. On her first day she did not tear down columns, or start sparring in the courtyard as some did, no the young Miraluka woman wasn't nearly that brash. She had entered the ranks of the Sith quietly some months before and entered their ranks with only the robes on her back.

She had in her time, become acquainted with many of the Initiates and Apprentices, spoken with the Masters and even caught a glimpse of Darth Eurachis, but this didn't mean Bellinda was particularly well known. In fact she had flown under the radar when it came to the Order, most of her time and work being spent either holed up listening to lectures or spent off world charming Aristocrats and corrupting Senators. Not the most rewarding work, but it was glamorous in its odd way.

And it was that work that drew her from Corellia, her second home, and back to hot and dusty Korriban. An appointment had been made with a certain investor or another who then cancelled, citing some ridiculous situation involving his mother-in-law and a Twi'lek dancer, those business types always had a problem with over sharing.

Bellinda might have left the barren wasteland of a planet, agitation twisting her gaunt face if something... peculiar hadn't caught her attention. A swirling aura moved with purpose through her periphery unlike anything she had ever seen before. Twisting about, the diminutive woman began to follow the figure, watching as he scaled the steps of the temple with speed and grace so unlike herself.

The words of a soundless question sat on the Miraluka's lips as she watched, another following not to far behind, passing the frail, but elegantly robed cripple as he went, her steps sure and effortless. 'Could it be?', she mused silently, watching through the force as the overwhelming aura cut a path through the Temple onto the rooftop.

"Iniquitous." She answered, voice as soft as a whisper, fingers clutching tighter at her cane. She had been at the Temple for months and only heard rumour of the mysterious overlord, who wore a mask and rarely left the safe confines of his chamber. What was he, in all his power and resources, doing merely sitting on the rooftop of his Temple?

Others sought to answer the same question, passing the petite woman who stood before the massive staircase, tight-lipped and lost in thought.

With a final decisive shake of her head, Bellinda Maskrr took her first step, wincing as the pain from her twisted mangled limb shoot up like a knife, stabbing from knee to hip. Standing there on the first step, gripping her cane with talon like fingers before hoisting herself up another step.

This was going to take a while.

The Sith Temple reminded her of those exaggerated high school holodramas that people loved because they were incredibly dysfunctional. The characters were all cookie cutter, and each contributed to the melodramatic plot with no point but to fill other people’s mind with mushy babble and a fake perspective on teenage life.

For Force’s sake, was that a wolf whistle? Why did it seem that maturity was compromised in order to accomplish evil? Maturity was needed to maintain control, especially when it came to something such as the Force. Whoever that was obviously was too cocky for his own good and someone would put him in his place. While those sorts of people remained, Tesa found the majority of them couldn’t really tolerate any sort of order the Temple imposed upon them, so they quit, thinking it was rebellion. Just like the teenagers in a holodrama.

Maybe the holodramas weren’t too far off then.

Like holodramas or not, Tesa simply couldn’t stomach the other Sith for very long. There was too much noise, too many voices, too many presences trying to reach out and brush against hers. Since Tesa had been named one of Iniquitous’ apprentices, more people asked her questions, asked her attention, cloyed around her. It was disgusting and an invasion of her privacy, not that she had much to begin with before she was Iniquitous’ apprentice. She was doing her very best to shut out the voices and presences, and actively ignored anyone who took a special interest in her.

With such unwanted attention, Tesa found herself seeking more and more reclusive hiding places to avoid people. Sometimes it worked, sometimes it didn’t. It usually came down to finding the places that no one had to put the effort into seeking her out. Climbing the stairs and sitting outside on top of the Temple provided one of those useful getaways that no one really wanted to chase her to. Tesa found it tolerable as long as she found shade and wore light, breathable clothing.

There were some people crowding the stairs however, more than usual, and Tesa found that extraordinarily odd. She swept by that blind Miraluka woman (Bellinda, was it?) and a few others. Beyond a sandy glare, Tesa largely ignored them. She tilted her cup to take a quick sip of water before mounting the stairs toward the top of the Temple. Removing her datapad from under her arm, she started scrolling through her lists to find one of the books she was currently reading.

Tesa only raised her eyes when she crested the top of the stairs, where she came to an immediate halt. Iniquitous and that foolish Nieraan character were up here. “It would seem my reading space is invaded…” she mumbled under her breath. Her shoulders slumped with a large sigh. Now Tesa understood the people at the foot of the stairs. She was the only one who hadn’t picked up on the Overlord’s presence at the top of the Temple and a flies-to-honey attraction was occurring.

“Force damn it,” she murmured, a slight whine to her pitch. Tesa wanted nothing to do with what might happen up here. Maybe other places would be abandoned now, due to Iniquitous’ presence. She turned to start back down the stairs.

Jessoin half fell half stood from his large bed. His feet hit the ground with a slight thud and he groaned. A massive headache throbbed within his cranium, and his vivid, if tired, green eyes looked over at the table in the living area of his quarters. A mirror sat there, with a rolled up piece of paper and lines of crystallized white material. Sugar, drug of choice for most Zelosians. Many may mock the fact that the basic material messed his race up so much, but he laughed at all the fools that never got to experience the kind of high that only sugar brought him.

A light laugh would lilt off his lips as he remembered what else he had been snorting that sugar off of, and his eyes now turned to the curvaceous human woman still asleep in his bed. He vaguely remembered doing lines off her abs and rear, before the festivities truly started. Jessoin had to admit, for his first dark skinned human, he was hoping she would know some new tricks or something. Luckily the Sith Sexual Conquest he was on was fun enough as is. He yawned and leaned over the bed to spank the woman roughly to wake her up. She groaned and rolled towards him with a smile, but he was already in the process of getting dressed.

After he was dressed in a fine set of silken casual robes, emerald and black in color. A gift from Bellinda. He inspected himself in a tall mirror and nodded in satisfaction before he brought his long fingers to slick back his hair.

"Mmmm... you look good Zarander~"

Cooed the woman. Jess darted his eyes her way with a light grin. Of course he looked good. His appearance was something the Zelosian prided himself on. After all, if there was one thing the man didn't lack, it was pride- even when undeserved. He sauntered to the couch near his table and plopped down on it to do a line of sugar real quick. Jess groaned happily and closed his eyes as the rush cascaded into his system. So what if he indulged? He was living the high life now after all. Power, women, credits. Anything the man wanted, was at his fingertips. Jessoin barked a quick laugh and snorted a quick inhale to help clear his nose again before he whiped it off and stood. He made for the door and pointed to the woman in his bed.

"As lovely as last night was, kindly make sure you are not here upon my return. I may have... company..."

She stared at him mouth agape and Jess waved a dismissive gesture towards her and pulled the door open with the Force and strode out. His datapad beeped from his pocket. He slid it out and swiped up the message he had just received. A message from his Mistress.

'Urgent: Seek out the Overlord immediately and transfer attached files to his datapad'

Oh you have got to be kidding me... Though the man. Iniquitous, Jessoin had yet to truly meet the man. Seen him in passing once when the mysterious man met with his Mistress. Jessoin felt the man's eyes on him once. Even behind the mask, it was like direct lines of fire had scanned his form. There were few people Jessoin felt truly afraid of, and Darth Iniquitous was one of them, an ancient fight or flight response triggered by the man's mere name.

He entered the main atrium of the newly constructed temple and looked around the crowds and the sheer... glory of the architecture. The people that milled about though, not so much. Jess tried to slip through their ranks like a serpent through grass. Some stared at him. Those that studied under the Darth's always did seem to become minor celebrities- and Jessoin basked in the attention. His chin was held a tad higher than normal and he would occasionally cast a wink at an attractive woman. That was until a familiar presence caught his mind, and made him smile.

"Hello there, precious..."

Whispered Jess as he now saw the woman. His eyes lingered over her body as she walked, unaware of his presence. He continued to grin wickedly and began to follow the woman, to see where she was going. Jess' mind went to their time on Empress Teta, oh what fun that romp was. How close he had come to cleaving into her. In many ways. Jessoin snickered at his own play on words, and followed her more, always at least ten paces behind her. It seemed the Force was working to bring together several more prominent members of the Order, as more familiar presences began to light up for him. Bellinda. Nieraan. Tesa... Iniquitous. The Dark Overlord had left his lair.

Jessoin took a breath to steady his nerve and used Tesa's butt to bolster himself. That made things better. He saw the woman go for the stairs that led to the roof top. Of course that's where he'd be. Once Jessoin was top dog of the Order, he too would want to go to the highest point and inspect his domain. A crowd had formed around the base of the stairs, some to whisper about their Master, others to point and gawk as Bellinda tried to wobble her way up the stairs. Fools.

"Make way!"

Barked Jessoin with a blast of lighting to no one in particular. The bolt sizzled clear of anyone, but a hush of silence sounded and Jessoin glared at the other Sith as they parted to let him through. He grabbed at his lightsaber in the Force- just in case any of the scum tried anything. But none did. Jessoin picked up his pace and as he reached Bellinda his long arms would swoop around her slight form to hoist her up into them.

"Y'know B, I'd think you'd know better than to play on the stairs, you might hurt yourself."

Whispered Jessoin to her with a light laugh as his lanky legs propelled the two up the stairs. He had just recently become acquainted with the tiny Miraluka, who was his fellow apprentice under Darth Renata. However, once she had caught him in his guilty pleasure, they actually bonded over it. Who would of thought that for once, Jessoin would meet a woman he didn't want to instantly kill or screw. His eyes would glare back at the Sith that still stood at the base of the stares. He knew that they wouldn't dare say a word to him. Few messed with Renata's 'Dog'.

When they reached the top stairs however, Jessoin was met by a familiar face. He now stood but a few paces from Tesa, and his smile would slide into more of a sneer as Jess unceremoniously tossed Bellinda out of his arms and aside. With a couple long, casual strides he approached the woman and bowed graciously.

"Hell there precious... what a pleasure to see you again."

Jessoin purred. He didn't realize that Tesa was actually Iniquitous' apprentice until recently, and that only entertained him further the fact that he nearly had her. He would have to rectify that. Jess stepped close to Tesa and reached in to grab her hand and bring it up to his lips, a tender kiss planted on it.

"You know T, you and I still have some... unfinished business, and I did just move into my new quarters...they're quite nice. No conference room, but it would do..."

He chuckled and moved around the woman to stride towards Nieraan and Iniquitous. Jessoin bowed his head to Nier and grinned. Ho there, brother... He sent through the Force before he turned his gaze to the Overlord and fell to one knee, head bowed.

"My Lord... I bring a message from the Dark Lady..."

He caught a twinge of familiarity from the presence that approached and it stirred within him memories of brash arrogance. He couldn't say that those factors were enough for him to recognise the figure, but as Iniquitous slowly removed himself from his meditative state and focused on what the person looked like, he knew. That and the sound of his voice was enough to bring back some... fond memories.

Before him was a man who had been one of two initiates that had come to his attention quite early on in the Sith Order's existence. The other had become Iniquitous' apprentice, but he had not remained ignorant of this man. "Your words are as sincere and flattering as always Aurelius." Now removed from his trance, Iniquitous moved from his sitting position and faced the man. He could feel the energies of the dark side flowing through his body, his tired and weary muscles were rejuvenated.

"You are correct, no unruly initiates as of yet, though one unruly Knight did recently rear his head. However, I understand that Lady Renata managed to tame your bite. If only the same could have be said for your bark. And what's more, you're instructing initiates now, how far you've come in such a small amount of time."

"After a few weeks behind closed doors even I have the desire to gaze outside a little. Though whilst the Jedi remain unaware of my presence, the more I need to be confined to this planet, in such extinguished company such as yours."

"Tell me Aurelius, was there any real purpose in coming to see me or did you just wish to wag your tongue and scratch at me playfully?"

More and more. He could feel them, he could see them, making their way towards the peak of the temple. Was his presence really this odd to them? Did they perhaps clamour for him to recognise their names or their faces, or that by glimpsing him they might somehow absorb some essence of his strength or power. If only they knew how little he cared for such a thing.

Along came another man, this one seemed quite at home within Iniquitous' temple as he carried a woman up the stairs and discarded her before he moving towards Tesa. From the bow that followed Iniquitous could sense a lavish egotism that betrayed the nature of the gesture. What an odd character this was. Soon after he approached, the man got down on one knee and conveyed a message. Iniquitous waited only a moment to respond. "I was unaware we had taken to using initiates as messengers. I do not know who you are child, but there are many Dark Ladies within this Order, you might perform your task better if you were to specify whom you represent. Unless you were hoping I would guess?"

Whilst he truly had no idea who the man was, Iniquitous also had a strong dislike for pride and how it plagued so many of their Order. In truth he enjoyed wounding the host and extracting its vile toxins, as he had perhaps done to some small degree with this unknown man.

Callidus had been in the Sith since its founding. He had dueled Iniquitous upon first arriving and lost, sealing his allegiance to the Sith. As Callidus would say, he "embraced the Sith". He took to Sith teachings like a fish to water. He devoured any knowledge, history, or information he could find on the Sith and their storied past. Over time he left his old identity and became Callidus first and foremost. In time, he developed a strange loyalty to the order and the empire. In his mind he saw this as the key to bringing order to the rotting husk of the galaxy. Men like himself would be crushed - those who fed off the system and took advantage of its weakness. Until such a time Callidus felt no qualms about bleeding the Republic and its citizens dry, stringing them out on spice, and robbing them of their livelihoods. With each credit he earned, a credit was lost from Republic hands. Callidus spent his earnings primarily in Sith Space, his form of economic boosting and development. It was his method for helping the empire.

He hadn't seen much of Iniquitous since that fateful day when he joined the Order. When word spread like wildfire that the Dark Lord was up and about Callidus knew Iniquitous would be like a beacon, drawing out all the fools pining for his attention. He decided he would tactically wait, allow for others to arrive before him so that he did not look like an eager overachiever. In truth he wished to know what his master desired and potentially if he wished for aid in delving into the secrets of the Sith.

Thus after a time when Callidus figured enough of his "peers" had gone to see their master, he too took up and left. He walked through the halls and as he did he grew many a inquisitive stare. Callidus rarely moved about the temple, only leaving to teach a few classes on philosophy or the Dark Side of the Force. His quirk also made him stand out - he never revealed his face. From the moment he landed on Korriban he has worn a mask to conceal his true identity. Only a select few knew the truth behind the mask.

When he arrived on the platform he saw several others in the order, mostly initiates and Knights. He nodded politely at each and then bowed before Iniquitous, "My lord, a pleasure as always. It has been some time since we have seen each other last."

"Unruly?" Nieraan scoffed, but there was something amused about it, some boyish humor that brushed across his features as the Overlord stood and faced him. "Iniquitous, you wound me," he went on, his voice thick with feigned hurt.

Renata hadn't tamed his tongue like Iniquitous thought, not in the slightest. It hadn't even been his tongue that had stirred her to wrath in the meeting the Overlord spoke of; no, that had been his hands, wrapped tightly around her throat, as she'd pushed him to fury himself.

Looking back, attempting to strangle one of the Dark Lords hadn't been the wisest choice, yet he'd walked away from that meeting with more clout and authority than he'd come into it with. And still he was as irreverent and fiercely independent as ever.

No, not tamed, he thought with a subtle chuckle and a knowing smile, levelly meeting where he imagined Iniquitous' eyes would be below that mask. Refined.

"How far I've come indeed," he went on casually, adjusting his weight slightly in his leaning against the column. That same note of amusement still rode on his voice, a current beneath the surface, speaking of things wanting to be said, but held back for another time or another place. "And to think, you might have wound up with someone like Sylvorr in my stead."

Nieraan grinned a toothy grin at Iniquitous, bearing his canines, and nodded slightly, lifting his brows slightly as he did. "What a shame that'd be.

"But that's neither here nor there," he continued, pushing himself from his column and strolling casually past Iniquitous to look out at the Valley below them. Iniquitous had spoken of the Jedi, spoken of the need to stay confined here on this world, and no doubt in his little hole under the Temple. Nieraan didn't buy it.

"You're only as confined as you believe your need to be," he said. For a few moments his back remained to Iniquitous, though his senses remained open to him and to the other approaching beings. His eyes focused on something in the distance, thoughtful, before he turned his head slightly to look at the Overlord through a burnished yellow eye. "Bastion, Muunilinst, Vjuun, even Ziost. To name a few. They are your worlds, you know. Your own will's the only thing that holds you here." He shrugged and turned back to the sunset.

Another chuckle, another wisp of a smile touched Nieraan's face. "Perhaps I have come to wag and scratch at you," he conceded blithely. "Or perhaps I'm curious as to what it is you see from up here." Again he turned to regard Iniquitous over his shoulder, and this time turned around to fully face the man, gesturing at the roof around him. "At the top of this place you've built. After all, you have a unique point of view among the rest of us simple folk, m'lord."

A bit of the old sarcasm returned to his voice at the end, but through it all, Nieraan's question was genuine.

As genuine as anything from the Firrerreo could be, anyway.

Yet nearly as soon as he'd gotten the words out, the others he felt coming began to arrive. Tesa, a Sith he had only a passing recognition of--amusingly, from his last encounter with Iniquitous--appeared briefly and promptly turned herself back down the stairs.

Then a more familiar comrade came in Jess, carrying some small Sith Nieraan had enough working knowledge of to recognize as Bell-something.

At least, until he saw Tesa and tossed the smaller Sith aside. Nieraan shook his head in quiet amusement as Jess pursued his own interests. He himself took up his position on a column back up, though a different column than the last.

To the feeling of Jess' silent message through the Force, Nieraan nodded, acknowledging he returned some semblance of the feeling. For all the Firrerreo's strength, nearly the whole of his ability with telepathy lay in keeping others out of his mind, and that, he was very good at. But he could send little more than the vague impressions of thoughts or feelings, and was exceptionally poor at invading the minds of others. So he let the physical speak where it would.

Jess said that he presented a message for Iniquitous, though the Overlord didn't seem to recognize him or who his message was from. Nieraan hazarded a guess that it was Renata, from the emphasis Jess placed on her name, but perhaps that was because he'd heard of their affiliation.

Either way, he folded his arms over his chest and resigned himself to watching and waiting for the moment, knowing he might have to wait to see his question answered.

If Iniquitous deigned to answer him at all.

{weeeeeell looks like Cav got a post in while I was working on this. Nieraan'll acknowledge Callidus next go 'round}

Bellinda had very narrowly made it up the first six or seven steps when Jessoin made his little show before gathering her up in his long, thin arms in a single fluid motion, propelling the pair with almost obscene speed up the wretched stairs. She did not protest, all but happy to suffer the indignity to spare her the effort. And what an effort it was, her knee and hip all but too happy to rest.

A sly little smile worked its way across her tiny, blindfolded face as she ran spindly fingers across the fabric of her fellow apprentice's robes. "I was merely biding time until my favorite guide Dog wandered over. I take it you like the robes?" Her voice soft and even as she caressed the smooth, slippery fabric.

Though Bellinda didn't consider any Sith a friend, she to admit that there was worse company to be had than Jessoin. Thus far he had proved a useful ally, if only for carting her around.

Her mind though wandered to the strange, yet alluring aura of the figure on the roof growing closer with every step of the Zelosian's lanky legs. The suns warmth blossomed over her skin like a blanket as they stepped out onto the rooftop, certainly not alone. But her moment of contemplation was short lived as Jessoin with no pomp or circumstance toss away the heap of robe and bones that was Bellinda.

The free fall lasted for only a moment as the young woman was thrown back towards the entrance of the stairwell, to the alarm of Tesa and perhaps of amusement of others. For a single moment it appeared the woman would tumble back down the monstrous steps , before she floated with surprising grace and form to a gentle stop on the top most step. For all her frailty, the invalid was not completely useless.

Tesa moved forward, as though concerned and with a wave Bellinda assured her she was quite alright, using her cane to carefully stand upright once more while turning to see Iniquitous, now wounding Jessoin's pride.

There were others too, less familiar, but somewhat recognized, though all were eclipsed by the swirling aura of the man before her. How curious.

Haust sat in the lower reaches of the Temple deep beyond the libraries and even deeper than most initiates ventured to out of uneasiness, or queasiness. Most couldn't handle the living specimens of Republic soldiers, regular civilians or Jedi and other Force Sensitives that denied the path of the Sith. However Haust beat away the nausea caused by blood,and open muscle long ago, he sat within a medical chamber, in the center operating table a force sensitive laid struggling to be free. A Human male, dark skinned with all hair shaved from his body, head, eyebrows, chest and pubic zone. He laid bare to the sadist. Strapped down by his head, chest, arms, wrists, thighs and ankles, his eyes bolting left and right as he tried to make sense of the entire ordeal.

His thoughts were frantic, he didn't deserve this for just saying no he thought of how he was suppose to grow older, find a wife have children and watch them grow up and be happy. Yet now all he wanted was to live another day and be as far from Haust as possible. However Haust stood at the side with a book laid over the man's lap, it was open and focused on a chapter specific to the use of nitroglycerin administered intravenously and it's effects. Holding an auto injector Haust pushed into the vial of Nitroglycerin before injecting it into the Brachial artery.

Pulling out the injector and setting it aside Haust then read the book out loud, his tone was condescending.

"Injection of Nitroglycerin can cause dizziness, confusion, severe headaches or migraines, Sss Oh that's not going to be pleasant. Lets see we also have swelling in hands, feet or ankles and vomiting that's not going to be fun at all. Listen here's a fact for you, it's used to treat cardiovascular problems like heart failure, heart attack, heart disease and for some time used to help create explosives before the creation of synthetic Baradium."

Haust smiled looking to the man nodding, the human clenched his eyes and gritted his teeth as he grunted loudly the cracking spasms of a migraine quivering through his head. Haust watched him and smiled at the pain, it was a feeling he waded in before nodding. "Good..."

The sudden passing thought of a fellow Sith passing outside the chamber was enough to make Haust aware of the rumor train going on in the Temple as a whole. Darth Iniquitous, Dark Overlord of the Sith finally left his chamber though the curious and comical thought ran through his mind of how his chamber must have smelled like. Never the less Haust wouldn't be a sycophant and rush to him like moths to a flame and unless someone he knew wanted his attention he would continue to put the young man through the ringer of chemical torture.

"Now next page." Haust slowly turned the page looking to the man and smiling as he looked back down to read for a few moment before smiling brightly before looking up to the pain filled man's face his tone of voice excited and up a pitch. "And now we try something called Dobutamin also for the heart, should be fun hmm?"

And there he was, cresting the top of the stairs. It would appear there would never be escape from him. Tesa’s nose wrinkled as a silent snarl overtook her face momentarily, instant disgust rising like bile into her throat. Despite their successful Empress Teta mission and his ability to follow directions, Tesa held very little love for Jessoin. He could get the job done, but if she could avoid future missions with him, Tesa would gleefully.

Tesa noticed the sneer that curled his lip as his eyes locked onto her gaze. Her own snarl shifted into a forced grin. Perhaps he wasn’t delighted in seeing her after all. Then, as delicately as he held Bellinda, Jessoin so kindly dumped the poor woman. Damn it, Jessoin! Tesa took a half-step forward, noticing Bellinda was perilously close to the edge of the stairs. Was she going to tumble back down?

Jessoin’s shoulder swallowed up Tesa’s view of the frail woman as he strode to her. Tesa withdrew her previous step, straightening into a strong disposition to meet Jessoin’s gaze. Tesa abhorred that constant predatory gleam in his eye and that creepy little smile. There were slimy words on his tongue, she knew there were.

Her obstructed view of Bellinda was clear for the few seconds it took for Jessoin to swoop into a bow. She’s all right, it seems. However, Tesa knew the tiny miraluka would struggle to be standing up, and Tesa was uncomfortable with how close she was to the edge of the staircase. Before she could get to Bellinda, there was Jessoin to contend with. His lanky form had straightened back up to meet Tesa’s suspicious and narrow eyes.

His hand reached out for hers which held her datapad. That’s mine! His hand lifted gently under her forearm as Tesa snatched her datapad in the Force, floating it away. His fingers slid down into her hand, tugging it upward slightly. His coy, smiling lips placed a light kiss to the back of her hand. The skin along her arm prickled as Tesa’s frown deepened significantly.

"You know T, you and I still have some... unfinished business, and I did just move into my new quarters...they're quite nice. No conference room, but it would do..."

“…Ew,” she replied flatly, raising her hand up out of Jessoin’s. How dare he! In front of her own Master! Tesa refused to be phased, though her jaw clenched noticeably as she bit back other hot-blooded words she wanted to say. As Jessoin passed her, Tesa swiped her hand quickly against his sleeve. That was for the mission only, you lusty creature. Give it up.

Jessoin taking a sudden interest in Iniquitous allowed Tesa to focus her sights on Bellinda. The blind lady was, as expected, struggling to bring herself onto steady feet. Tesa shifted forward, despite the miraluka’s wave-off, and grasped the other woman gently by her upper arm.

“What a punk,” she hissed, referring to Jessoin. “The moment you think he’s decent, he dumps you on the ground.”

As a precaution, Tesa guided Bellinda away from the top of the staircase where it was safer. By this time, Iniquitous was addressing the bowed Jessoin. By her master’s tone, Tesa could tell Iniquitous had no clue who the zelosian was or who he was referring to or what he was even doing in the first place. A genuine grin spread across Tesa’s face as she focused her gaze on Jessoin and opened a Force connection to him. Ha ha.

Jessoin kept his head bowed as his skin flushed in embarrassment from Iniquitous' words. He could feel the other Sith's amusement in the Force and hatred floated up into his chest and throat. How he wanted to use that hatred to hurl untold amounts of lightning into the Overlord's chest. But the Dog knew his place. And even if Iniquitous was somehow damaged by his attack- which he probably had some way to defy the attack- Jess doubted the other Sith would just let him go free after that. The Zelosian was no fool. Now was not the time.

But the time would come. Someday.

Shame wasn't unfamiliar to the man, the constant use of Torture by Chagrin by various people on him was a familiar sensation. He wasn't desensitized to it, but he did now know how to bottle that up instead of lash out. Jessoin stood after a moment and looked directly at Iniquitous, his eyes did not waver and he titled his head towards him slightly.

"I bring tidings from the only one who matters, My Lord. Apparently Mistress Renata only trusted me to bring you this message. I assure you, any task given to me, is handled just fine. My Lady has requested I transfer these files to you."

He spoke with the crisp accent of a Core-raised man. His hand would open slightly to pull his datapad from his pocket with the Force. It floated to Iniquitous and Jessoin stood in silence. He waited patiently for the Overlord to do so, the Zelosians eyes darted every now and then to some of the other Sith. He nodded to Callidus upon his arrival but spoke none. Once Iniquitous was finished, Jessoin took back his datapad and stowed it once more.

"I will go inform Her that the deed is finished, enjoy the sunshine My Lord, I've heard it's great for the complexion..."

Jessoin said with a slight grin before bowed with grace to the Overlord and turned away to leave. A quick wink was sent at Nieraan as Jess felt Tesa near Iniquitous. As he stepped back a quick motion propelled with a boost from the Force would send his hand to quickly spank Tesa's rump and he chuckled softly as he walked away. He still felt the burn from Iniquitous words, and his eyes would narrow as a gaggle of younger Sith had now made it to the top of the stairs. A couple pointed at him, and he watched as they whispered to one another. He glared at them and he stopped just before the group to stare them down.

One of the initiates stared right back at him, Some sort of Near-Human by the look of him. The boy sneered at Jess in a knowing way, and Jess stared back with narrowed eyes. In quick succession Jessoin lanced his hand forward to slap the boy once. Twice. Three times. He leaned in and whispered angrily.

"Turn your eyes from your betters boy. You'll live longer."

He snorted and looked back at Iniquitous and the other Sith before he turned again to slap the boy a fourth time. The sound clapped loudly around the structures of the area, and Jessoin barked a sharp laugh before he stalked back down the stairs to seek out his Mistress, and inform her that the deed was done.

As Aurelius played with Iniquitous' words, drinking in every moment of satisfaction possible from his sly retorts and thoughts, the Dark Overlord became aware of a presence he hadn't encountered for some time. He could see the man making his way to the summit, his face, much like Iniquitous', was covered, though where Iniquitous had the ability to craft an item that prevented others from seeing through his helmet by any means, Callidus' mask did little to shield his features from Iniquitous' sight. Though, logically, it was a way for him to protect his identity from the many members of the Order.

"Forgive me Aurelius, I did not mean to damage your frail being. And you speak of Shard under the assumption that you are a better alternative, which is something I think still remains to be seen."

Before he had chance to continue, they were seemingly leapt upon by some of the encroaching members of the Order. The information that this prideful child before him was a new apprentice of Renata’s was interesting to say the least. Iniquitous knew his comment had weeded its way into the apprentice’s mind, he observed the boy’s cheeks as they intensified in activity at his embarrassment, and how his eyes darted with thought.

At this moment Iniquitous didn’t care what the files were, they were probably not as important as this apprentice would like to think. Once the transfer was finished the apprentice would take his leave, but not before he made one last comment, one last clawing attempt for some form of superiority. Pride was a foul thing, and its stench was palpable around this child. Maybe it would be a kindness for him to remove this stain from the Order now, he could reach out with the Force, take a hold of the student’s head and just squeeze. A small ‘pop’ and their temple would be a nicer place, apart from the initial mess. If it wasn’t for the self control that Iniquitous preached about so dutifully, that might have been how events unfolded. But there was always next time, and if the whim took him, no one would oppose.

Jessoin departed, Iniquitous could sense the turmoil in him still. It still brought him a bit of enjoyment. Taking the fleeting opportunity, Iniquitous spoke briefly with Aurelius. “I am as confined as I desire to be. The fewer opportunities the Jedi have to learn about my existence, the more significant revealing myself to them will be, and the greater move we will be able to make. I have travelled to a few other planets,” his thoughts went to his recent trip to Vjun where he acquired his new toy Chaldus, “it is simply wise to remain here as much as possible, for the time being.”

“I see a great many things from here.” He paused for a moment. “I fear that you wouldn’t comprehend if I were to describe what I can see, Aurelius. Rather, I do not know if a verbal translation that can do the experience justice. I see all that is to be seen.”

By this point Callidus had finally made his way to them. Iniquitous returned a slight bow in response. Respect was something he quite liked. “Lord Callidus, indeed, it has been quite some time. I trust you have been doing well since we last met?”

Callidus rose up from his polite bow to his lord. He straightened out his robe and fixed his eyes upon the younger man. Callidus admired him, so young and yet so powerful. It was truly enviable to be the man who brought back the Sith, the man who brought war to the Republic, the man who may well change the face of history. Of course this admiration came with a twinge of envy, yet of all the people Callidus schemed against, he had thus far refused to scheme against Iniquitous. He knew that the Sith could not afford a power struggle, not at this moment. The order was growing and the empire expanding, an internal division could split the empire and reduce it to ashes as it had done so many times before. However, this reservation had not prevented Callidus from gaining power within the order. Several powerful Sith now called him master, employer, or ally. Iniquitous undoubtedly knew this, Callidus didn't know how he might as Callidus worked from behind the scenes but he always assumed that his movements, much like his identity, were known to his master.

Callidus responded in a respectful, yet familiar tone to Iniquitous, "I have indeed. I have taken an apprentice and my studies into the dark side are coming along nicely. I intend to put them to paper shortly, that the Order might benefit from whatever insights I might humbly offer."

Callidus at this point was somewhat ignoring the others around him. They had taken little notice or him or viewed him as a stranger, a phenomenon he was used to and actually desired for the most part. "I trust that you are well yourself? I must commend you on the Empire's recent military success. May we one day hold your banner above the Jedi Temple on Coruscant." Callidus was a man of learning and civility brought on by his upbrining as a Corellian noble. This background often showed itself when he spoke to the few that he deemed his superior.

"Oh, ye needn't worry yourself of my frailty, m'lord," Nieraan answered wryly, imitating the silly peasants voices from the stories he heard from when he lived with his father and his merchant group. "I was born with glass bones an' paper skin, but I suspec' I'll make it, Maker willin'."

Jessoin presented something to Iniquitous before the Firrerreo could say further. It was probably just as well that he couldn't, given the nature of his tongue. So Nieraan watched, adjusting the way he leaned against the sandstone column to make himself more comfortable.

He'd just decided to glance out deepening colors thrown across the sky by the setting sun when the sound of a palm on flesh clapped out, sounding like a gunshot for all the stillness of the Temple's peak. Following the sound to its source, he turned to see an Initiate stumbling away from Jess, who was openly berating him before he left to return to wherever it was in the Temple he'd come from.

Nieraan chuckled quietly, amused at the display, though he doubted Iniquitous would approve, based on his previous encounter with the Overloard.

Of course, he and Makura had gone a mite farther than just slapping another Sith. But semantics.

With Jess gone and Tessa's attention seemingly still on him, Nieraan found himself now with only Iniquitous for a few fleeting moments, though another was approaching them. Iniquitous took the break to continue addressing Nieraan.

The response was about what he'd expected it to be, and so he didn't deign to say much in the way of his usual quips, since the comments that sparked them had been serious enough to begin with. Even so, the latter bit of Iniquitous' reply brought a subtle little smile to his face. "Yes, I thought you might say that. Don't worry, I don't begrudge you for it.

"Don't get lost in the view," he added as the second masked man, Callidus, drew nearer, "I'd hate to have to go looking for you."

While Callidus came and offered his greeting, and Iniquitous returned it, Nieraan glanced around the Temple top idly at the few others and quietly made sure his thoughts were shielded. They were of course, as ever; only a fool walked the Temple open to the world.

After Iniquitous made his greeting to Callidus, the other Sith spoke more, talking of this and that, offering some bland statement that at once both implied support and said absolutely nothing at all. Nieraan fought the urge to roll his eyes. So dull. Apparently, he was the only one not afraid to do more than give the expected polite nothings and ass-kissings when he didn't feel like it--which was rarely.

He was no respecter of person, nor was he afraid to speak his mind when he felt the situation called for it.

And now he decided the situation was entirely too stiff.

"A rousing statement, Callidus, truly," he said, nodding seriously. "But I have a question for both of you."

For a moment, he looked at Callidus, then Iniquitous, letting the air settle for a moment.

"Where do you get those masks? They seem to be all the rage these days. I feel like I'm missing out on a fad, y'know."

He returned his attention to Callidus then, a brow curiously arched. "I find myself sometimes wondering if they're like the masks worn by wrestlers in some of the pits in Hutt Space, though they don't look nearly colorful or stretchy enough.

"Do you have wrestling matches in secret down in the Temple, trying to unmask your foe? Loser has to leave the Order, forever shamed, his identity made public for all, right?"

"To be a Lord. Then I could get a mask..." He smirked subtly, looking out at the sky with a sigh. "It must be so exciting."