Temple Residents (Neology, open)

[sparrow]

Zarene Yin sat in her room, reclining in her chair. On the console before her, four blue hologram figures flickered. "... and the 12th Regiment redeployed from Yaga Minor. Yes, I believe that concludes the agenda for this meeting." The holograms flickered out, save for one.

"Bored, Yin?" the figure in the remaining hologram spoke, his voice sounding amused. Sebban had a thin, wiry frame, a head devoid of hair save for his white eyebrows, and a member of the reclusive Chiss species, though it would have been hard to tell through the blue tint of the holoprojector.

Zarene shrugged. "I must confess that I do find certain portions of these meetings rather tedious. The troop movements and redeployments I follow just fine. But the supply logistics bore me."

"You realize that just because Bak'mral fell doesn't mean that the entire planet stops resisting, or that the Republic cannot simply take it back."

"I know full well. Doesn't mean I won't complain about it sometimes. All meetings and no missions makes me irritable." As, she stood up from her chair, her jacket flew across the room into her waiting hand, brought by a quick pull of the Force. "And yes, I know you're going to give me the lecture about how any of these Temple grunts can fight on the ground, but not all of them..."

"... have working neurons in their heads," Sebban finished. "Something you should keep in mind before you lose your other three limbs in battle. Next week then?"

"Next week, assuming you don't fall off your hover-chair in the before then," Zarene replied, rolling her eyes in an exaggerated manner. Sebban chuckled, before his holographic figure flickered off. Zarene stood, looking at the now inactive console for a moment, before shaking her head with amusement and turning to the door. I think I need a walk...

A few minutes later, she found herself in the Temple courtyard, which save for a few initiates conversing around it edges, appeared to be was mostly empty. Perhaps a bit of sun would do her good, she thought as she stretched her arms.

[Neology]

((OOC: Okay, so this ended up a little bit goofy. ))

Novus reclined in the shade, one hand idly stroking the scaly hide of her newest acquisition from Korriban's wilds, a young tuk'ata hound. Later, she would harvest venom from the creature's spines, but for now … Well, it was mildly amusing to watch the temple's denizens as they came and went, avoiding the gaze of the Dark Lady and her strange pet. Only the guards lingered, and they had very little choice in the matter.

“You – yes, you! Come here.” She motioned over one of the door guards.

The young man struggled with his blaster rifle momentarily and jogged over, sweaty and sunburned from hours in the harsh sun. His eyes darted nervously between the quiescent beast and it's master. “Yes, my lady?”

“What'd you do to get this post? Sleep with your commander's wife?”

“I-I'm sorry? I don't think I understand the question, ma'am.”

“Yes, you do, and I don't care how prestigious they told you this job would be. It's awful. You stand at the nadir of the Galaxy, supposedly protecting this pile of rocks and the many foul-tempered murderers that live within it. Most of whom would scoff at the very idea of needing protection, I might add.”

The poor man rubbed his forehead, looking vaguely harassed as he processed her words. Agreeing was dangerous, in case this was some sort of twisted loyalty test, and disagreeing doubly so. After the brief lull, Novus went on without his input.

“It's hardly even duty at this point, man. No one in their right mind would attack Korriban – nobody needs this much sand.” She frowned and shook her head, glaring fiercely at her surroundings. How she hated sand! It got stuck under her nails and in her hair and in her clothes no matter what she did.

That point seemed safe. The temple guard muttered a quiet “Yes, ma'am, I see your point ma'am,” and gazed longingly for the door.

[Poludnica]

The desert's song was always the same. After more than a year Danica knew its every tune. Long, wailing howls and hushing sound of moving sand. It was a boring, monotonous lilt. Constant white noise she found annoying at first but slowly adjusted. Even the heat became more bearable. For a girl raised in a controlled Coruscanti climate it had been a thermal shock – one Danica agreed to. It was a price she paid for freedom as this planet remained a place where Cassius couldn't reach. They were safe; her and Nieraan. Strangely it weren't the searing lashes Korriban sun or irritating, hot grains that made courtyard strolls difficult but the acrid scent of burnt rocks. The promise of swift decay. There was barely any life outside the planet's cities – desert swallowed all with frightening indifference.

Despite her discomfort, Danica wasn't a rare sight in the courtyard. Many already knew the dark haired woman who didn't really belong withing the ranks. She was a mere aristocrat that made friends in proper places. Starting from Nieraan's bed, a fact Danica couldn't really hide anymore but wouldn't allow to be perceived as just that: An expensive toy to show around. The Coruscanti businesswoman craved building a name for herself – attempting to prove one could gain power without the Force. By now Danica knew she had aptitude but no discipline to harness it. There were other ways though: money. Credits were power and those the Coruscanti aristocrat had in excess. At least enough to walk those halls, followed by curious glances. Danice made no effort to blend in – her long, flowing dress was of mint green stood in sharp contrast to lifeless brown and red the desert around held. Ebony black hair was adorned in a a net created from tiny emeralds that weren't all this visible, instead coaxed teal highlights; catching light in their prism trap. No, Danica wasn't hiding despite deadly beings surrounding her. Those people caught on fear like hounds on fresh meat.

The courtyard remained largely empty, with only small groups gathered in the wall's shade. Danica quickly looked around, her gaze stopping on a familiar, tall silhouette. Only after few moments the woman recognize Zarene and a smile danced on her lips. The Sith knight had been very helpful and pleasant company – if only because quiet. There weren't many people Danica tolerated, even less liked but Zarene belonged to the former. ”Zarene.” The Coruscanti girl called out, moving closer to the Epicanthix. Trying to catch the knight's gaze. ”Have you seen Nieraan somewhere?” Danica asked, finally glad to find someone helpful. When the Firrerreo wanted to vanish, he had this outstanding ability to meld with the background. Or find a proper rock. ”I swear he is hiding from me.” Danica sighed, part of her giving up on finding the Sith Lord. She just wanted a quiet drink, maybe even outside.

Something else caught Danica's attention, something big and ugly. And a female voice carried by a desert echo. The ugly thing looked like a particularly nasty animal, completely unfitting to dainty female figure next to it. ”What's that?” The Coruscanti woman asked, not really making clear if she meant the female or the animal.

[sparrow]

"Onin? No, I haven't seen him," she replied, acknowledging the human noble with a curt nod. "But I've been cooped up in meetings all morning, so he could very well be around. Have you tried checking the training rooms?"

A voice from the opposite side of the courtyard caught her attention, chattering with one of the temple guards. The source of the voice was a white-haired woman with elfin features who seemed vaguely familiar. Zarene found herself unable to recall a name, although she had a nagging feeling that it was someone she was supposed to know.

"What is that?" she heard Danica exclaim next to her.

Then it came to her. Her first day with the Sith Order, when Iniquitous had gathered the many initiates that had come to Korriban around him, that one had stood near the front, next to Renata and Eurachis. Zarene had seen little of the woman around the Temple before had she disappeared for parts unknown for quite some time, on some secretive mission for Iniquitous most likely. Rumors had only surfaced recently of her return. Apparently the rumors were true.

Ah yes, she remembered the name now. Novus.

[Neology]

Much to the temple guard's relief, the Dark Lady lapsed into momentary silence. Much to his continued anxiety, she neglected to dismiss him. Instead her gaze flicked away, attracted by movement and bright color, to watch the woman in green stride across the courtyard. The dress was very pretty, but utterly impractical for the environment. Novus wondered if that might apply to the woman wearing it, as well. Her senses could discern no remarkable talent with the Force in the girl, only a untended sensitivity. Not an initiate, then, and surely not a guard.

“Who is that?” She indicated the woman in question with a slight tilt of her head.

“That is Ms. Danica Liviana, ma'am. The woman she is speaking to is Zarene Yin.” The guard shifted uncomfortably in place, taking care not to glance in the direction of the other two women.

“Yes, I recognize the other. Go on. What is Ms. Liviana doing here?”

“I'm very sorry, my lady, but I cannot say. Lord Aurelius could surely tell you more.”

Novus snorted, eyebrows crinkling in brief amusement. She was unsure if the guardsman intended that implication, but the inclusion of a high ranking paramour made the picture much clearer. Well, there were no rules against it. As long as he wasn't tapping into the Order's funds to clothe his lover – that dress and those gems could not have come cheaply.

“I see. Very well, you may return to your post.”

The temple guard sketched a quick bow and jogged away. She shook her head as she watched him go. Seriously, how could anyone like working on Korriban?

Now both of the women were staring at her – or perhaps at the tuk'ata, she couldn't quite tell. Well, it was go talk to them or just go. This could yet prove a worthy diversion. Novus got to her feet, wiped reddish dust off of her robes, and marched across the courtyard to join the pair. The young tuk'ata followed obediently at her telepathic nudge.

“Good afternoon, Zarene. I don't suppose you and your friend would care to come inside? Please, share a drink with me out of this blasted sun. I could use some catching up on all the things I've missed.”

[Poludnica]

((I am sorry it's so short ;)

As expected Zarene didn't know where Nieraan hid. He was a child of a street with ability vanish when needed. ”I did, no one there enough beaten up to betray Nieraan's training.” She shrugged, deciding the Firrerreo would find himself sooner or later. The Sith Lord never chose solitary recluse for longer. Instead her attention drifted to the Arkanian woman that stepped toward them before Zarene could comment. The mangy beast moved close by which gave Danica unpleasant shudders. She never liked animals, especially not the big, reeking ones.

The alien woman walked with a certain confidence, that maybe scared away the guard that trotted as fast as possible. Danica knew this demeanor, observed it all around. The Force gave this people certain air of entitlement. Especially those that carved themselves good position within the ranks. The woman showed all those traits which made her either important or simply arrogant. The Coruscanti woman didn't want to risk it so chose to play nice for this one, finding herself curious. By now Danica was convinced she knew everyone worth knowing.

Her carefully plucked eyebrows came together in confusion, Zarene and her seemed to know each other. Not happy with being just 'a friend', Danica stepped in, offering dainty, pale hand in an universal greeting. ”Danica Liviana, Livco CEO, pleased to meet you.” The dark haired woman said, her features morphing a polite, indifferent mask though flickering glances at the beast betrayed certain apprehension. Her nose crinkled with slight disgust – she became watchful for the animal not to ruin the precious dress. That would be shame.

[sparrow]

"Out of the sun? I've been inside all day," Zarene replied. "I could use a little sun." The tuk'ata approached, sniffing at the hem of Danica's dress. Zarene narrowed her eyes at the animal. She didn't share the same level of disgust for the creatures as the other human, but she didn't really like them either. Most of the tuk'ata at the Temple had been brought in by a noghri named Cho Wroth, who had no idea how to control them and ended up letting them run loose.

The animal growled at her, but retreated a few steps, slinking back to behind Novus's legs, where it continued to make snarly noises.

"I suppose a drink would be nice. If you really want to catch up on everything, I have a couple boxes of files and reports I can have sent to your office."