A Dark Calling [D1 EA]

[Tyllia Demici]

"It's important," she said, lowering the stick, "but I wouldn't tell me either."

While she'd lowered it, it could easily be raised back up in case of a sudden attack.

"Still, if you're not either of those things, then only a handful of options remain. Some more interesting than others. But I guess the real question for either of us, would be whether the other threatens our plans."

[Deonis Harik]

She could almost hear the large man's eyes narrowing in his tone but his sword lowered as well tip toward the ground "To know that we would have to know what the other plans. Do you seek to aid the Empire?" His tone was tense.

[Tyllia Demici]

She looked at him from beneath her hood; her eyes coming into view but offering little to read as they regarded his mask.

"If I get what I want, the empire will likely collapse as a result. That isn't my purpose, but I'd consider it a nice bonus."

[Deonis Harik]

There were a limited amount of things that would cause the Empire to collapse and a smaller number that Deonis would oppose "Enemy of the Emporer is an ally to me." He said standing up straight and sheathing the greatsword.

[Tyllia Demici]

"...just like that, huh?" She said, more under her breath than loud enough to be a real question.

"You still haven't answered my first question, though. Who are you?"

[Deonis Harik]

Deonis shrugged "if you mean to betray me, I'll cut you in half." It was delivered more as a statement of fact rather than a threat "I am Deonis. You are?" He asked folding his arms over his chest.

[Tyllia Demici]

"You could try. But if you give me no reason to betray you, then you won't have to."

She finally drew the hood back, revealing her face properly now. "Tyllia Mantero."

At least one of those names was real; but lying came easily enough to her that most people had little reason to suspect the name she gave them was an alias.

[Deonis Harik]

Deonis nodded "So you are called to the dark places as well. I have not met many like me that don't work for them during my travels. This is a place of destiny I think." Whether he meant this swamp or Bellionas was tough to say but both were likely correct.

[Tyllia Demici]

"Destiny? Perhaps" She looked toward the pool for a bit. "I don't know what called you here. For myself, I merely traced ancient lore and references back to this place we've visited, as others before us have done. I don't know that there is anything here that would make me call this a place of destiny. All I've seen is... something. An echo of the past, perhaps. Or an entity that genuinely still lingers. Perhaps it just made us its puppets. Or maybe destiny does linger here, waiting for the right people to come by."

She looked back at him.

"So far though, I don't feel any different. And I haven't found what I was hoping to find. Yet."

[Deonis Harik]

"I am not one for books and maps. I was drawn here by a feeling, a Sense, a pull in the Force. I have a strong connection to it even if my mastery is lacking." Through the modulation a courscanti accent was probably becoming apparent as he spoke.

"It is to be seen if the entity is a manifestation or a malicious will with its own designs. If the latter we stand a better chance working together. It is likely weaker trying to dominate two wills at once."

[Tyllia Demici]

"Yes, given your stance, I'd have assumed you were more about brawn," she said. If there was any hint of mockery, it wasn't apparent. "I don't mind working together for now."

She raised her stick a little, making a point of looking at it, "I just hope it won't result in us having to compete over limited resources. I assume that you'd like to replace that sword with the real thing, at some point."

[Deonis Harik]

He paused for a long moment "I do not think that will be an issue." He says somewhat cryptically. "Have you ever wielded the 'real thing'?" He asked with a hint of curiosity.

[Tyllia Demici]

"A long time ago," she said, just as cryptically. "Why do you say it won't be an issue?"

[Deonis Harik]

"Just don't." He said simply revealing nothing but his certainty in the matter.

"More information comes with trust, trust comes with time." He said "I'd think you of all people would understand the need for some secrets. You strike me as the sneaky type."

[Tyllia Demici]

"Fine for now," she said, "but I'd like an answer at some point. More than one, actually. Tell you what. I've been asking most of the questions. Maybe you ask me some, and maybe I'll answer one or two, and maybe that helps bring on that trust."

[Deonis Harik]

Deonos shrugged "what is it you want. You said the Empire would be hurt by it but not what it is."

[Tyllia Demici]

"Hmmm," she considered it for a while. And then another while. "Not too long ago, I would've said there's a certain man I'd like to see dead. I'd still like to see that, and having it happen would probably be a massive blow to the empire. But he'd just get replaced by another. Now, what I'm really aiming for, is an end to a cycle you probably don't even know exists."

[Deonis Harik]

A grunt tinged with curiosity "What cycle is that?" There were only a few men that would really be a blow to the Empire he considered for a moment "Do you want to kill the Emperor?"

[Tyllia Demici]

"Maybe him too." She shrugged. "Depends on whether he's just a puppet or not. As for the cycle I'm talking about... how much do you really know about any of this? About the Jedi. And about the Sith?"

Another shrug.

"I think... I know... all of this is just part of a cycle. They stand against each other. And the rest of the galaxy is always just in the way."

[Deonis Harik]

Deonis didn't speak for a long moment with helmet in place his expression was impossible to read when he spoke his voice sounded even tighter than before "I know Sith well enough." he nearly spat the word like it was poison on his tongue but there was almost a wry quality to the words as he spoke them, venom but also a bit of humor.

"And I know a fair bit about Jedi as well. Are you talking about the wars?" he asked loosening back up