Well hello there (Neo/Rugs)

[Res]

Angelous had only been at the temple for a couple weeks at this point. She was still getting used to the layout of the grounds. But living on Ziost and Tatooine she was used to the heat, the sand and the whistle and wind. It was somewhat soothing for some reason, it took her back, made her remember her mother. The Sith Master glided down the hall, she was in the Temple she forgo wearing her cloak. So she just had her pants, shirt with the collar that covered her neck on. She also had her boots that made a clicking sound every time she stepped. Without her cloak on her face was visable. Her pale white skin, and Kryat Dragon tattoo where in plan sight.

People looked at her as she moved passed them. She didn't know anyone, no kone knew her. She kind of liked it that way. It saved her the trouble lf getting to know someone and them leaving her. Lady Angelous felt a strong presence around her but she paid it no mind. She was getting to a unpopulated part of the temple. Very few Sith were down where she was now. Walking further she felt that same presence again but much stronger. She knew she had to be getting close to someone or something that had a very strong connection to the Dark Side of the Force. They had to be stronger than her to have made Angelous cautious about proceeding. Though she did any way, she round a corner and saw figure at the end of the hall.

Stepping down the hall, trying not to make noise but she had a feeling the person had aalready been alerted to her presence. Stopping and trying to decided if it was better to move forward down the hall or turn back and go listen to her new opera she had procured before she had arrived on Korriban. Angelous changed her posdjre and made the trek down the hall toward the figure. If it was a bad idea to come down where she was then she would soon find out.

[Neology]

Novus sat at the center of a large interior courtyard, back to the statue of a long forgotten lord of the Sith, rendered by an artist of no discernible skill. She liked this place, ugly statue and all, because it was quiet. Far off the beaten path, so to say, with little chance of her work being interrupted. The tuk'ata were difficult enough without further distractions.

One thin arm wrapped around the front of the beast's neck, gloved hand holding firmly to the creature's shoulder. The tuk'ata whined softly, red eyes rolling in their sockets.

“Shhh.” Novus gave the beast's mind the lightest nudge of telepathic reassurance, turning her attention to the long row of venomous quills along it's back. She hummed softly, an Arkanian lullaby she only half remembered, and picked up a pair of wire cutters from a tray. Carefully, she trimmed down about one quill in five, placing the cast off portions within a glass sample box. Within, amber drops of tuk'ata venom slowly collected on a bed of neutral gel.

The beast suddenly lurched against her arm, though not hard enough to break her grip, growling softly. Novus followed it's glance, a frown gracing her lips. Now that she was looking, so to speak, she could feel an unfamiliar presence beyond. So much for being alone.

“Hello? It's impolite to skulk, you know.” She set down the clippers, let go of the tuk'ata, and stood, much of her natural grace hampered by the heavy leather apron. “Mind the hound, if you please.”

[Res]

There was someone on the other side of the statue. She didn't see them but she could feel their presence. Angelous saw the tuk'ata turn his gaze toward her. She hadn't seen a beast like this before. But she had heard of hounds on Korriban that guarded the tombs of the ancient Sith Lords. Then that is were she must be, in one of the tombs. And whoever the statue is, then this must be his rest place. After the tuk'ata caught her, the Sith heard a female voice from where the beast was.

"I wasn't aware that skulking about was a crime in the Sith Order. The way I see it we can what we please. Plus who are you to tell me what I can and can't do."

She finished seeing the beast was now free. The woman was now standing, by the looks of her she was and Arkanian offshoot. Getting a good look at the pale skin and white braided hair. On a closer look the woman had tattoos on her arms and face. With several piercings, also her counter part had to be just over six inches taller than Angelous This didn't intimidate the woman. Lady Angelous stood straight as she could for only being just over five feet tall. Out of the corner of her eye she saw another tuk'ata hound. She also felt another one somewhere, so all together there were three in the chamber.

Angelous stepped closer to the woman and into a shaft of light. Her pale skin almost reflected the light. He black tattoo stood out that was above her left eye that was yellow just as was the right one. Her black hair swayed slightly and couple strains that were white fell in her face. She didn't move them, leaving them where they were. Staring at the Arkanian, she felt a strong presence of the Dark Force in her. The Sith Master stepped forward again this time she saw the clippers and the quills that sat on the neutral get. Looking back at the woman with a look of wonderment.

[Neology]

Novus plucked gently at the apron's drawstrings, letting the heavy sheet of leather fall away. Below, she wore a simple black tunic, belted at the waist, and loose pants, tucked into the top of her boots. No different than dozens of other temple inhabitants, though her posture said otherwise.

She watched the other woman approach, brows lifting, blue eyes glinting in the light. She laughed, shaking her head at the other's words. A bit of thoughtless vitriol. Most of the initiates knew better, the apprentices would know her face … That made the intruder someone of rank, presumably. And very foolish.

“You'd be surprised what constitutes a crime these days, little lordling."

She reached down, scratching the tuk'ata behind the spiny ridge of it's skull. The creature whined, deep in it's throat. The other two hounds crept closer, pulled along by Novus's will. They growled softly, watching the new arrival carefully as they settled down on their haunches.

"No one gets to do just as they please, and no. You're either sense-blind or an idiot if you don't know who I am. Unworthy of my name, in either case. Now, did you have a reason for interrupting my work, or did you simply wish to shriek self-important platitudes into my ear?”

[Res]

Angelous observed the other woman take the apron off and let it fall. It was one thing to be with the force hounds but the more Angin the pushed her senses the more she knew that this woman was of some importance in the Order. The Dark Lady prodded the Sith a little more. Angelous couldn't believe tthis woman was of importance, she didnt feel much stronger than herself. Smirking at the comment about the crimes in the Order. It was true laws are changed every day for unknown reasons. Most of the time to please the one that is inflicted the punishment on the other.

The tuna at a were settling down now after Angelous had wondered in. But on the other hand their master was getting somewhat annoyed by her. For some reason this pleased Angelous, she found pleasure in others pain and annoyance. Angelous stepped to her left as the woman spoke about her being sense blind and unworthy of knowing her name. That didn't bother Angelous, she had been called unworthy before. The Jedi that she has killed had said that she was unworthy of living and being force sensitive. Though it didn't seem like a Jedi thing to say so it amused her when they said it. It meant she was doing what she sets out to do, break the Jedis will and dedication from their philosophy. But what was getting her blood boiling was the fact that she was called an idiot. The Sith Master was far from an idiot, she was just unfamiliar with this particular person.

"As to what j can sense is that you are no stronger than I. Although, ffor some reason you are on some importance in the Order. As for the reason for coming down here, I was going for a stroll and you just happened to be somewhere along the way.

Angelous said with some annoyance in her voice. She wasn't going to start a fight here in the Temple with her but she wasn't going to be disrespected by some rude person. Angelous wasn't a fan lof being disrespected. She didn't want to let the other woman know that she was prepared to defend herself so she did her best to cloud the woman ability to sense the thoughts that Angelous was having.

[Rugs]

Nieraan wondered, at times, if he’d seen the whole of the Sith Temple. Or, for that matter, if he’d ever see all of it. He’d seen most of it, certainly, having been a part of the Order for near a year and a half, but the rocky old place was massive, with corridors and tunnels that split off every which way deep below Korriban’s sandy, windswept surfice.

And the Force only knows where Iniquitous keeps in all his secret little hidey-holes. Now there was a mission he’d have to see if he could rope some overeager young initiates into pulling off.

Subtly. Without his name attached, of course.

Whatever the answers to his questions, Nieraan decided they were largely irrelevant for the moment as he tread through familiar ground. The dimly-lit corridor led to an indoor courtyard that had a statue of some person Nieraan did not and undoubtedly ever would recognize. A few other corridors branched from the courtyard to other locations in the Temple.

The route was rarely busy, and Nieraan, after determining it to be the shortest route between his room and the training yard, had never quite parsed out why.

That too, was irrelevant, as the Firrerreo hardly needed company. He was, as he often did, returning to his rooms from some training under the midday sun out on the sparring grounds. He wore a snug-fitting, dark blue sleeveless shirt and some loose grey pants tucked into his black boots. His blue-streaked black clung damply to his forehead. But for as sloppy as he looked, Nieraan felt perfectly fine.

Invigorated, even.

He slowed as the corridor began to widen and merge into the courtyard, with only the quiet clink-clanking of his three lightsabers and the subtle edges of his presence reaching out to warn of his approach.

Two presences mingled in dark ahead. He didn’t recognize either particularly well, but agitation in at least one of the rang out like a songbird’s cry in a quiet night to his senses.

A voice echoed out along the stone walls, muffled at first, but rising in clarity as he drew closer.

”. . .you are no stronger than I. Although, for some reason you are on some importance in the Order. As for the reason for coming down here, I was going for a stroll and you just happened to be somewhere along the way.”

Nieraan entered the courtyard as the speaker — a pale, surprisingly-short woman — finished having her say to a woman who was of a height with himself and had a few Tuk’ata hounds sitting near her.

Nieraan smirked, realizing what was happening.

“Ladies, why all the claws?” he said, grinning wryly as he approached the two. “Now I like a good catfight as much as the next guy, don’t get me wrong, but ah….” He spoke to the short one, still grinning, and motioned to the taller woman, whose countenance he quickly recognized from descriptions, “I think you could do better than picking quarrels with her, if you’re smart.”

He lifted his hands and took a step back. “But by all means… don’t let me get in your way.”

[Neology]

”... you are no stronger than I.”

“Ah, very interesting. I disagree, of course. Would you like to make a wager of it, my Lord?” Novus asked, her voice warm and amused save for a touch of mocking lilt at the last. Pale lips quirked up into a dangerous smile, showing the gleam of sharp white teeth. “What shall you put up as hazard? Your rank? Your life?”

Darth Novus focused her will, a broad pull at the unformed minds of various beasts in the vicinity. Several more tuk'ata filed in, dark sinuous shapes winding between pillars. Other lesser creatures, lizards and insects, bubbled up from cracks in the floor and walls until a hundred eyes or more stared back at the upstart. A court of bestial witnesses.

The click-clack of metal on metal as another presence drew near. Novus focused on the hall, blue eyes shifting to a space over the other woman's shoulder until a shape resolved there. A man she had not met, flushed and vital from some recent exertion. The man grinned and drew closer, speaking as he went, clearly quite pleased with his own sardonic humor.

Well. She certainly couldn't let the other woman off now. Command within the Sith Order was a slippery slope. Once you let one mewling idiot challenge you without reprimand, you might as well fall on your own blade - or else someone else would be only too happy to hold it for you.

She lifted her hand from the tuk'ata's neck, performing a strange little gesture – as though flicking drops of something from her fingertips. Immediately, the beast launched forward, an explosion of powerful muscle and snapping jaws. It was a simple thing to trigger the pack instinct in the rest, half a dozen of the deadly beasts circling to flank the other woman. Novus applied only enough further control to keep them from turning on her or the man.

With the other woman thus incentivized toward distraction, least she be eaten alive by hungry Sith hounds, Novus ducked behind the statue. She reached out to the Force, cloaking her presence from detection. She was, after all, one of the Order's finest assassins. It only followed that she would fight like one.

[Res]

Angel stood ready to respond to the woman when she felt a presence behind her. It wasn't another Sith hound, this inebwas human, well near-human. Turning to the side barely, just so not to turn a blind eye to the woman but SK she could see the wonderer walk in. He was a tall man, well anyone compared to Angelous was tall, and he wasnt as kept as she was appearance wise but he did think he was funny. The Sith Master didn't find his playful demeanor too appealing. She had more pressing matters at hand. The woman turned back to the taller woman. After the exchange happened between the intruder and the arrogant.

Angelous saw she was surrounded by dozens of insects and lizards. Those were her concern at the moment, it was the extra three Tuk'ata hounds that now were in the courtyard. Angelous eyed the woman and watched her gesture something then suddenly all hell broke loose. Before she knew it the hound that wasnext to he wwoman was now leaping toward her. Instinctively Angelous drew her saber and swinging at the hound. It fell to the ground and she reached out with the Force to search for the woman. She wasn't able to be found by the Force. Standing watching as he other five hounds circled Lady Angelous. At that moment she rather be facing a Jedi High Council member than face against five Tuk'ata hounds.

"Coward!"

She shouted reaching her mind out to find the woman once more. Holding her saber ready for the hounds to attack.

"Look maybe we got off on the wrong foot here. Now, call off these hell hounds so we can talk."

Angel said hoping that the woman would make the right decision and call off the beasts. In her mind this was her backing down from a fight and it angered the Sith. She never backed down from any fight, and she certainly didn't need beasts to do her bbidding for her. She found that the cowardly way to do things. She thought the Sith weren't cowards and lived for the thrill of a good duel. Lady Angelous watched the hounds closely, didn'twant to make any sudden movements just in case they decided to attack her.

She glance at the man that had joijed them and she wondered what he thought abouttthe situation that was unfolding.

[Rugs]

Nieraan’s arrival was greeted with little fanfare. But that suited the Firrerreo just fine; he was the audience here, rather than the entertainment.

Something shifted in the Force as Novus readied her willing minions for attack on the short woman. It felt like a breath of cold air across the face to Nieraan’s skin—the quiet winter gale before a storm came roaring down the mountain slopes. I’d best move, he thought, walking along past the Lord who’d decided to challenge Novus. He eyed the Tuk’ata that gathered at Novus’ behest—six now that another trio had risen in answer to the lordling’s challenge.

Good luck with that, he silently thought at the woman. His own sardonic grin spread as he hurried his pace and quietly drew the Force into his person. Reaching the edge of the courtyard, he leapt to grab the lip of a ledge that stuck out about 15 feet above the ground. From there, it was an easy manner to hoist himself up and over the edge onto his newfound perch.

Nieraan leaned against the stony wall, one leg folded up at the knee for his arm to rest on while the other hung idly over the ledge. Something scurried over his hands, all tiny claws and panicked slithering. He looked down to see a lizard crawling to the ledge’s edge, looking toward Novus with an eager anticipation.

So this is your power, is it, Novus? Interesting.

The Dark Lord sent the pack of hounds after the other Sith. Then she vanished away behind the statue and her presence in the Force blinked out like a lantern run out of fuel. Nieraan furrowed his brow. From his vantage point, he could see Novus waiting behind the statue, but he was more concerned by her ability to make herself disappear within the Force’s whispers.

Even to his sensitive senses.

”Coward!” the small Sith screamed, though Nieraan suspected she had more to worry about than if Novus was fighting fair.

Besides, no on in this Temple fights fair, he mulled, watching the beasts circle their prey. No one who wants to stay alive for long.

Still, the woman seemed to reach her senses and called out surrender to Novus. Nieraan huffed a laugh and didn’t particularly care if anyone heard it. “Ah, you so see sense,” he crooned from his ledge. “It rankles, doesn’t it?” He leaned forward, his fangs showing in a snarky smirk. “Picking fights too big for your britches? Don’t worry. If our Lady here is merciful, I won’t tell…”

Though some small part of him wondered if this woman’s surrender was in earnest.

[Neology]

The distinctive hum of a lightsaber and the smell of burnt flesh. Novus felt the tuk'ata die, a brief flash of psychic pain as the mental link snapped shut. The pack's anger, their bloodlust, flooded her mind, thick and intoxicating. She pinned that feeling down, drawing from their strength, wishing she could bottle it up and save it for later. Unfortunately, intelligent enemies knew not to pick fights with her when she had such an obvious advantage.

”Coward!”

Novus grinned at that moniker, obviously spoken with such hatred, paradoxically followed with the other woman's immediate surrender. She glanced up, briefly, meeting the Sith Lord's yellow eyes. 'Yeah, I don't buy it either …'

At her mental urging, the hounds relented, circling just outside of easy striking distance. Her control was forced to less precision, in the face of their instincts. If the fool chose to run … Well, Novus would not mourn the loss.

”If our Lady here is merciful …”

Novus paced between the statue and a far pillar, shooting the other woman a withering glare.

“You don't deserve mercy. You are a disgrace to the Sith. You owe the fact that you can still walk, that you still breathe, to my overwhelming generosity. If I see you again, I shall take pleasure in ripping you limb from limb. Is that clear?”

[Res]

Standing as he pack curled her growling and snarling waiting to attack and avenge the fallen Tuk'ata. Angelous heard the man that had joined them make a common for the his perch. She paid it no mind, as her focus was not to be killed but the hounds. The Sith Lady knew if the woman hadn't called her hounds it would be a pretty even match. Though Angelous knew that if she was ever to reach her goal she would have to succumb to something that was against her nature. She would have to concede that she was the less power in this confrontation. She let out a sigh as the woman revealed herself from behind the statue.

Watching her pace back and fourth, Angel got a sneaking suspicion that the is wasn't going to end with them frolicking through a meadow together. She sensed rage and annoyance coming from the other Sith Lady. She also couldn't sense the Firrerreo that had found a safe place from the mayhem. Though she couldn't sense him she knew he was still there from what she hear next. Mercy! She thought, Sith don't show mercy. But in this case she was relieved that she was being shown it. Deactivating her saber she placed in on her waist.

"I deserve to know who want to kill me. As I, in my mind have done nothing wrong. She was the one who disrespect me first. Though I will be the bigger person and concede in this contest she is the victor."

Angelous said with her yellow piercing through the other lady. She was trying to figure out what she was thinking. It was had to do while trying to focus on so many things at once. She also had no idea if the man was going to try anything. She wouldn't know he was coming with him concealed by he force. Angelous then spoke again, she had calmed down a bit but she was still agitated.

"Before you ask. I am Lady Angelous."

[Rugs]

Nieraan leaned forward with glee as Novus responded to the short Sith Lord. He did not know the woman, and he honestly didn’t know Novus beyond his vague recognition, but he could tell that they were off to a swell start in whatever relationship was forming between them.

And to think, I could’ve taken the long way back, he thought as he shifted his weight further forward, dropping from his ledge to the dusty floor below in quiet crouch.

The woman responded to Novus, seemingly unaware of Nieraan’s presence, even though he wasn’t really taking any steps to hide himself. She went on and on about Novus starting everything and how she was going to be the bigger woman—a point Nieraan nearly burst into laughter at, given their physical statures—and concede.

Excuses, all of them.

The weak are meat and the strong do eat, he thought, recounting Kamrille’s oft-repeated motto. It was one of the few things the woman said he agreed with.

Nieraan started to approach the Sith woman from behind with quiet footsteps. The hounds, still circling wide, regarded him as he moved but didn’t threaten him—after all, he wasn’t the subject of their director’s ire, though he was probably about to earn the ire of the other woman.

Angelous, she said, in response to no one’s question.

Nieraan closed quickly, feeling that she was so caught up in her distaste for Novus that she’d stop paying attention to the world around her. As he reached her, he quickly reached out and tapped her between the shoulder blades.

“Boo,” he said as he continued past, her. “Just imagine if I’d been an ally of our Lady here,” he said, looking over his shoulder at Angleous as he pointed with a thumb to Novus. “Or if I’d been wanting to cultivate a bit of favor with her…” Nieraan patted the trio of lightsabers at his waist. “You can’t have tunnel vision, y’know. Not in a place like this.

He stopped at a place between the two women, crouching down by the fallen Tuk’ata’s corpse. The neck still smoldered quietly from the lightsaber’s burn.

“Shame,” he said quietly, touching the beast’s hide before he rose. “Though not for you, I guess. You’re lucky she called the others off, you know. Otherwise this," he pointed at the corpse,"would be you."

[Neology]

Deserve? Really? As if simply living entitled anyone to anything. The Arkanian's brows quirked up, the frown fading into cool amusement. The man hopped down from his perch and her eyes tracked his movements. Around and behind the other woman … What was he doing?

“Are you deaf as well as stupid? You don't deserve a thing.” This, spoken to Angelous with a sneer. Novus reached out her hand, pulling her abandoned tools to hand telekineticly. The heavy pair of bolt cutters slid into her pocket, and she carefully folded the leather apron over her arm. She watched the pair through the sooty veil of her eyelashes.

“Or if I’d been wanting to cultivate a bit of favor with her…”

She snorted, a faint, indelicate sound as she choked off a laugh. Cultivate indeed, as if her opinion could be bought and tended with a fool's blood. Still, the man seemed to possess a shrewd mind. He hadn't done it, after all. Or perhaps he was simply very sure of himself, and of his place within the Order. One of Renata's?

It clicked. Truncated introductions, some months past. Renata's voice. Zarander and Yarum where the apprentices, meaning this was …

“Lord Aurelious. Please, walk with me.” Novus turned to go, pausing in the hall. She made a vague, dismissive gesture at the body of the dead animal, making a mental note of which hound had been slain.

“You, Angelous, make sure this gets cleaned up.”

The tuk'ata dispersed, slinking back into the shadows as Novus's mental hold was carefully released. She followed after them, selecting a route that led back out to the older crypts.

[Rugs]

Nieraan snorted a rueful laugh as Novus berated the Sith Lady further, but held his own tongue. While he suspected he was stronger than the woman and wasn’t afraid to antagonize her—there were few in the Temple he was afraid to antagonize—the Firrerreo also didn’t feel like adding an added need to keep watching his back.

Not more so than was wise in the Sith Temple already, anyway.

He offered a sad, if teasing little smile, eyes glittering mischievously and one corner of his mouth upturned just so in a way that seemed to say “Better luck next time, eh?”

As he prepared to leave, starting to shift on his heel to continue on his way to his quarters, Novus’ attention shifted to him.

“Lord Aurelious. Please, walk with me.”

A finger of trepidation crawled up his spine as he paused, wondering at the woman’s attention. And what does our dear lady want with me? But even for Nieraan, irreverent as he was, it’d be foolishness to ignore a Darth’s request, so his shifting weight turned to a step in her direction as he began to follow.

“Of course,” he said, sparing a half-raised brow for Angelous as he turned his back to her and hurried a few steps to even his pace with Novus.

His initial summation of the woman was right, on closer inspection. She was of a height with him and managed to hold herself with a cool, steady dignity. But why wouldn’t she? She was — fittingly — one of the top dogs in the Temple and had just publicly put an upstart lordling in their place,

Even if the display had been before an audience of one, word travelled quickly in the Sith Temple, if the right people decided it should.

“One can only wonder how long it’ll be before she raises her head again,” he remarked, making small talk as he watched the hounds vanish back to the shadows from the corner of his eye. “I doubt she has the temperament to let that injury to the pride go unanswered.”

These were things Novus surely knew, of course. But better that than asking what she wanted of him like a too-eager bumpkin, even if curiosity grew with each passing step.

[Neology]

The decision nettled and stung all the more for the fact that she would not reverse it now. Lady Angelous would live, for now, and remember this. An enemy for another day; it was within a fool's nature not to learn from their mistakes.

Lord Aurelius caught up after only a moment's hesitation. She glanced over her shoulder at him, a sly smile pulling up one corner of her mouth. There was something to be said for bravery, and even more for curiosity. Or perhaps he was simply very sure of his place here? Renata obviously placed some value in the man, and of course, his files were so intriguingly sealed …

“Mm. No, I suppose she wouldn't. I hope she wont keep me waiting long.” They turned a corner, heading down a slight incline. Color drained from her vision as her eyes began to adjust to the dark. Arkanian heritage had one or two advantages, hidden in among all the bad. “What is that phrase? Something about poachers and game-keepers. I will take precautions, but there is a certain point where you get tired of having your food checked.”

The incline worsened, then was eased by steps carved into the stone. A grate spilled forth a burble of filthy water that ran parallel to their path.

“The hounds are an interest of mine.” As though he hadn't guessed as much already. Memories of Subterrel and the Everos holocron came to mind and went unspoken. “They've been here longer then us – the new us, I mean. Surviving on what they can catch. A wonderful illustration of endurance, though it falls apart a bit when you consider how they eat their young. Not the picture of brotherhood Paxis and Iniquitous had in mind, I suppose.” She selected one turn at a five-way intersection, later pausing at the threshold of a long, open chamber. A honeycomb of stone dens faced them from the opposite wall.

“Do you like animals, Lord Aurelius?”

[Rugs]

Nieraan smiled ever so slightly, showing the tips of his canines. “Oh, you and me both, Novus,” he said as the woman lead him ‘round a corner. “But much like I doubt she has the will to bear and insult to her pride for long, I doubt she’s the brain to try something nearly so subtle.” He glanced over his shoulder, where he could feel Angelous’ slowly-retreating presence, and shrugged. “But who knows. Maybe that’s how they getcha.”

He fell quiet as Novus led him along. The stone path’s gradient turned ever downward before it ultimately turned to steps that took them further downward still. Nieraan blinked, comfortable with his inherent broad vision range even in the dusty dark through which Novus led him.

Where are you taking me, I wonder? He made no open show of discomfort or distrust, even as he kept a mental note of the uneven downward terrain, should he need to draw himself to combat. But that was a distinctly small possibility, he decided — if Novus wanted to harm him, she easily could have done so with the swarming pack of hounds she’d unleashed upon Angelous.

No, something else was afoot…

“The hounds are an interest of mine,” Novus said, breaking the intervening silence between them.

“I hadn’t noticed,” Nieraan said wryly, mouth twisting with a quiet smirk before his brain caught up to him. Backtalk and little quips were as much a part of the Firrerreo as his command of the Force, but it might not be the best idea to antagonize Novus in some foreign portion of the Temple.

He made no apology for his remark, of course, but listened as she spoke and lead him further onward.

“I doubt we’re a much better illustration than the hounds are,” he muttered as she led him through a many-pronged intersection. “Always nipping at each others’ heels.” Nieraan wanted to say more, to say the illusion couldn’t hold, not perfectly. Cracks already ran rampant throughout the “Brotherhood;” it was inevitable that some would turn to fissures. The only questions were which, and when.

But this wasn’t the time, and the threat wasn’t really his problem for the moment. The thoughts faded as soon as they came, whispers on the wind.

Novus ultimately brought him to a long, low-ceilinged chamber. He could feel the life bursting from it before they even stepped into the room. His curiosity deepend as she asked her question.

“It’s hard to say,” he started, thinking. “Never grew up with them, no. Well… there aren’t that many running around on Metellos, anyway. But they can have their uses…”

He took a step forward, peering deeper into the room. A question burned in his mind, and he could not shake the urge to ask it.

“Why?”

[Neology]

”“I doubt we’re a much better illustration than the hounds are.”

The man's wry comment stuck in her mind, the specter of unrest, as she stepped down among the stone dens. A dangerous sentiment to express to an unknown Darth, she rather thought. Lucky for Lord Aurelius, Novus found herself in agreement. The incident with Lady Angelous rather proved his point. It was only a matter of time until the Sith lived up to their legend, a problem further compounded by recent changes in leadership. A beast with five heads, each pulling in a different direction ...

”Why?”

Novus was silent a moment, pulling a set of thick leather gloves out of her pocket. She pulled them on slowly, flexing her fingers beneath the snug fit. Slowly, she closed the gap to the opposite wall, peering inside one den after another until she found what she sought.

“Did you know that Lady Renata has had your files sealed?” She asked, a slight crease forming between her brows. She always did despise that, knowing the data she sought was there but beyond her reach. Still, whatever this man was, he was surely not worth slighting her sister over.

“It leaves me with all sorts of questions, as I'm sure you can imagine. Who is this man? Could I work with him? Does he deserve the honor of his title?” She shook her head. “On paper, that fool from upstairs is just as much a Lord as you, but do either of us really believe that?”

Kneeling, Novus reached into the den in front of her, then rose back to her feet. In her arms she held a tuk'ata puppy, wriggling and squirming to be free. She lowered her chin to her chest briefly, whispering something in the hound's spiny ear. It stilled immediately, red eyes blinking in the dark. The Dark Lady grinned, crossing back over to the where Lord Aurelius waited.

“So, I have a gift for you. Consider it a test of character, if you like.”

[Rugs]

“Did you know that Lady Renata has had your files sealed?”

Nieraan’s heart, traitorous thing that it was, skipped a beat before he forced his surprise down. He didn’t know that. It was a benefit, he supposed, but he hadn’t expected Novus to mention — intentionally, surely — that she’d tried at least once to find out who he was.

Why would Renata lock my files? His blue-streaked black brow nearly mirrored Novus’ as hers drew down in frustration, thought, or some combination of the two.

“It leaves me with all sorts of questions, as I'm sure you can imagine. Who is this man? Could I work with him? Does he deserve the honor of his title?”

Though he didn’t flinch physically, Nieraan felt himself emotionally draw in just slightly. His past — where he came from, how he got to where he stood upon joining the Sith — was a close-kept secret. A secret of the heart, shared with no one. Even Danica had only learned that truth because it decided to rear its ugly head in the middle of their personal matters.

Renata didn’t know yet, either. Of this Nieraan was certain; she wouldn’t be so bold as to let him know explicitly until it suited her, but she hadn’t even tipped her hand to that knowledge — and even hinting at the fact would be, if nothing else, a way to keep an otherwise loose cannon a bit more reigned in.

Nieraan shook himself back to the matter at hand. Per her own admission, Novus didn’t know much anything about him, so that wasn’t anything to worry about. The Tuk’ata in the pens were a much more real threat, if her display against Angelous was anything to judge by.

“On paper, that fool from upstairs is just as much a Lord as you, but do either of us really believe that?”

Nieraan smirked, his ego allowing him to relax again, if only just. “I dunno,” he said with a shrug. “I try to keep an open mind. But for the rest of your conundrum…” he paused, choosing his words carefully. “I’m not Renata, so I don’t know.” He shifted his weight from one leg to the other, shrugging slightly as Novus turned to the den nearest to both of them.

Whatever dry tag he’d been planning to stick on the end of his dismissal faded on his tongue as the Dark Lady rose from the pen with a Tuk’ata puppy squirming around in her arms. She said, something to it and it feel still.

Nieraan wasn’t sure if the dumbfounded look on his face or some hidden knowledge in Novus sparked her grin, but it was there, and he wasn’t entirely comfortable with it. Until…

“So, I have a gift for you. Consider it a test of character, if you like.”

Now Nieraan blinked, not sure to respond. “I… a… gift?” he stammered, showing a rare lack of words as the creature was foisted into his arms. He held the thing in a too-ginger grip, not entirely sure what to say or do as he looked down at it.

It looked right back up at him, red eyes watching him closely between intermittent blinks. The pup yawned wide, tongue lolling out as it settled against his arms and chest.

Nieraan looked up at Novus, still tremendously confused.

“As in… to raise?”

[Neology]

“An open mind is a rare thing. I may ask the use of it, in the future.” She watched him take the hound, holding it awkwardly. It yawned and wiggled, settling in against the man's chest. A mental nudge from her and the beast accepted this strange, clever man as surrogate parent. Durable creatures even at this age. Or perhaps it went further back, to when the beasts served as more than just tomb guardians?

“As in to do whatever you like with.” She reached out, giving the animal a fond scratch on the chin. “Though as with any test, there are failure conditions. Don't let it die.” Novus withdrew her hand, folding it into her sleeve. She crossed her arms beneath her breasts, smiling, thoughtful.

“But that is your choice. Now, tuk'ata mature quickly and do best on a strictly carnivorous diet. I recommend a eighty-ten-ten split of meat, bone, and organ tissue. Raw, of course. About seven pounds a day.” She turned, considered the intersection through which they'd entered the dens. Starting toward the right-most, she gave the other Sith a little wave of farewell.

“Good luck, Lord Aurelius. I'll be watching.”