The Grand Corridor

Supreme Prophet Praxeum

The Grand Corridor

The wondrous and intimate expanse that serves as side entrance/exit from The Garden Square. Doors which lead to beautiful shrines line the walls along with other structures and rooms. A beautiful, Force-suspended multitude of candles hang from the air at night when a strange echo can be heard. It is quiet here and marble dominates the floor.
_________________

High Mage Serratus

Darth Serratus strolled calmly down the Grand Corridor towards the Garden Square, holocron in hand. Nihilus's thoughts on the relationship between life and the Force were intriguing and when combined with other theories Serratus had read about, provided what Serratus thought was a clear image of the truth of things.

But Serratus did not agree with Nihilus's advice. Life was not there to be consumed, but to be distributed. Nihilus had become a wound in the Force, a void, and so he could consume indefinitely. But one such as Serratus who attempted to consume all life would eventually be too full of life and end up burning out. If Serratus was going to take life, he was going to give it too. He was not going to become a benevolent crusader, no, he was going to give it to whomever he so pleased.

Serratus continued striding confidently towards the Garden Square.
_________________

If you see dreadlocks and a staff coming towards you very rapidly, you're in trouble.

Delora Tempest · Sith Apprentice Joined: 29 Jul 2009 Posts: 94

The white marble stung coldly under Delora’s bare feet with every step she took. The warmth of the room had not managed to permeate the floor and Delora smiled at the thought of the conflicting temperatures. The heat radiating from the walls and lights was comforting to her upper body while the cold emanating from below froze her old feet. The walls and lights themselves were of old-Kuat style; the lights on the chandeliers were not encased and the walls were sparse, with the exception of a painting or two. Another, unsurprising, element which struck Delora as she ambled through the passageway was that, besides the various temperatures, the room was also full of, and emitting, the Force.

The various doors leading to other rooms and connecting corridors were all shut. This strange occurrence caused Delora to pause at one of the doors. She examined it, and ran her hand slowly across the cold, brown timber. She concluded that it was a very old door, made from the finest oak trees; most likely the same ones that grew in the gardens encompassing the temple. She also found that the door was unlocked. An unlocked door means nothing to hide, she thought to herself, or it could be calling a bluff. Either way, I am intrigued to what is behind it, and I am going to quench that thirst.

She pushed open one of the double doors with ease and little strength. She nodded in understanding as her blue eyes focused upon its interior. It was a small, warm, welcoming room; its walls were lined with bookcases and there was a fire lit in a marble fireplace at the southern end of the room. She concluded that it was a reading room, or study, and she closed the door firmly, but quietly, behind her.

She walked slowly towards one of the large chairs which was facing the fireplace. She ran her hand along its arm before elegantly taking it as her seat. Relaxing, she sat back into the chair and gazed thoughtfully into the heart of the fire.
_________________

Grand Inquisitor Prognie · Dark Lord of the Sith Joined: 11 May 2007 Posts: 1598

Prognie's boots knocked against the floor of the Grand Corridor, his echoing sounds were followed by the two individuals who were flanking him. Prognie was exerting force to cover the identities of those who were following him with their hoods covering their faces. Turning quickly to a door he was familiar with he pushed the wooden doors open and stepped in quickly. Prognie stopped when he had been nudged, and then focused upon the individual in the room. Waving the two others out, Prognie stepped forward closing the doors with the force.

"You know, it's not polite to listen." Prognie stepped forward again but did not continue forward.
_________________
A blessed rage for order

I'd break the law once every week, just to feel your touch.

Delora Tempest · Sith Apprentice Joined: 29 Jul 2009 Posts: 94

The dancing flames were almost extinguished by the sudden gust of wind when the doors opened. That and the sudden, harsh bite of the voice almost broke the peaceful calm that enveloped the room. Yet, Delora did not stir. She continued to stare into the fire. She recognised the voice although she had never met the person. The authority with which it was spoken meant that it came from someone of a high position in the Empire. It was a Dark Lord. She knew this as she had often heard the same tone come from her own Master, the Dark Lord, Darth Tarna. Furthermore, she had sensed the large, imposing Force presence for quite a few metres, but the sudden emergence of two more as the Dark Lord closed the door of the room, excluding himself from them, meant that this was a master of secrecy. “Good Evening, Grand Inquisitor”, she said respectfully.

His statement came as a surprise to Delora. She was not listening in on any conversation, at least not intentionally. However, she did not retort with this statement. Instead, she knew her place. “I quite agree, Grand Inquisitor. A conversation with another should be private and confidential. If it were meant for another’s ears, that other person would have been included”. She rose silently out of her chair and broke her gaze away from the fire. She looked at the Grand Inquisitor for the first time.

It was a male Miraluka. She had come across this species before on her travels. They were naturally blind, at least as far as she could tell. “However”, she began, “it is sometimes required to break that etiquette. I am sure, Grand Inquisitor; you have often intruded on the conversation of others. Not for your own personal gain, of course, but for the security and safety of the Empire. Then again, if it were for your own personal gain, it is not my place to comment. Sith exploit the weaknesses of others to further and empower themselves. If that weakness includes being overheard saying something that could lead to their downfall, then etiquette does not have its place”.

She turned her back to the fire and stepped towards the Sith Lord. “I would tell you my name but I daresay you already know it. I know you are the Grand Inquisitor, but I am not aware of your name”.
_________________

Grand Inquisitor Prognie · Dark Lord of the Sith Joined: 11 May 2007 Posts: 1598

Prognie smirked, searching for his two followers he made sure they made it out before switching his attention back to the woman. Moving forward in careful strides he took his place in a seat in front of the fire, "You seem to have repeated this idea before. The words so smoothly escaped your mouth that I assumed you have become very familiar with the idea."

"As for my name, well, Lord Prognie is fine for you. But unfortunately I do not know every Sith, only those that should be known or carefully watched. Unless you believe you ened to be watched?" Prognie poked through the force, he could not see her but he could engulf her in his presence, such a thing was normally overwhelming to any other sith.
_________________
A blessed rage for order

I'd break the law once every week, just to feel your touch.

Delora Tempest · Sith Apprentice Joined: 29 Jul 2009 Posts: 94

Stepping aside to let the Dark Lord pass, Delora followed him slowly to the fire before seating herself in a chair diagonally opposite him. His force presence was strong and almost imposing, but the almost sudden shift in pressure did not bother Delora. She simply continued to examine the Inquisitor before her. He seemed to be a mysterious man, but pleasant enough. His line of questioning, although it begun oddly, had become logical. He was a very intelligent man, Delora concluded, intelligent and powerful.

She cleared her throat quietly. “Darth Prognie, I am fifty four years of age. In my life, I have worked as a teacher and been around children. It became necessary to overhear and listen in on conversations that were not intended for my ears”. She nodded. She remembered well her time as a teacher. It was where she met someone who would influence her life greatly. “Indeed, since I have arrived here, on Kuat, and began my training, I admit that I have listened in on conversations that I should not have originally been involved in. For example, a certain Darth Serratus has created an organic lightsaber, capable of penetrating any security system in place to detect lightsabers. This, in my opinion, is quite strange. I would have asked why does he need a lightsaber capable of getting past security, but it is not my place”.

She relaxed back in her chair and rested her delicate old hands on her lap. She began to monitor her breathing; she often did this to pass the time, or during intervals in conversations. “In response to you second question, while it would be improbable that someone would remember nigh on eight thousand five hundred names, I thought someone of your power might be able. You, I like to think, will neither answer my question in the positive nor the negative. However, for the conversations sake, my name is Madam Delora Tempest”. She took a few breaths. “Then again, why would you stop and engage an apprentice in conversation if you did not know who they were. Especially since you were with acquaintances, although you were disguising them for most of your journey. When you closed the door, their presences became known”, she stated clearly and informatively.
_________________

Grand Inquisitor Prognie · Dark Lord of the Sith Joined: 11 May 2007 Posts: 1598

"You are observant," Prognie noted her comment regarding his followers, but he avoided the rest of the subject to not provide her with no ground to move forward with. "I do not need to know the names of all the subjects in the galaxy to know when I can stop to admire." Prognie froze for a second, admire, incorrect, "you are at the moment an insignificant blimp in the eyes of the Emperor. But I know, despite my lack of sight, when there's something near worth seeing."

Prognie prodded closely at her mental defenses, she was not subtle or malicious, he grew curious of the woman before him and she was quick but soft. He suspected whatever tarna was teaching, he was doing it well and that came as a surprise as Prognie had found the man to be some times reckless in his judgments. "You are a curious subject, untested, weak but you're emitting potential."
_________________
A blessed rage for order

I'd break the law once every week, just to feel your touch.

Delora Tempest · Sith Apprentice Joined: 29 Jul 2009 Posts: 94

The sudden prod at her mental defences caused Delora to take a sharp inhalation of breath but nothing physically noticeable. It was not painful and it didn’t surprise the apprentice, but it had never been done on her before and it was an interesting first experience. She took her gaze away from her guest and stared back into the fire. The warmth was comforting to her and it helped her recover from the mind probe. However, she realised there were questions to answer; and she intended to respond to them quickly and logically.

She took a breath before looking back at the Dark Lord. “From what I understand, the Sith also exploit the potential of others. As such, I am grateful of your acknowledgement that I do indeed have even an iota of potential. Furthermore, I agree on the most part with your calling me weak. I believe it depends on the definition of weak. I agree that compared to a Dark Lord I am extremely weak, however, compared to perhaps those as inexperienced as me, there is a possibility I am stronger”.

She recounted his words. “In response to your earlier comment, in my experiences, one must always be observant. You must always observe even the smallest thing, for these are the things that often matter the most. And I am sure you know that better than most”.
_________________

Grand Inquisitor Prognie · Dark Lord of the Sith Joined: 11 May 2007 Posts: 1598

Prognie responded to her comment regarding her weakness, "Do we not compare ourselves to the most powerful beings in all cases? Who would decide what true power was if there wasn't a means by which to test it." He smirked at her comment regarding his ability to observe, for it was the job of the Inquisitors to observe the galaxy.

"You are correct, it is my duty to observe, observe every life that I come across to study it's behavior, I am the one that determines what is safe to the Empire and what is... dangerous." He prodded against her defenses, because she was not even a master, she would not be able to save herself if Prognie wished to truly rip from her the true secrets she held. But Prognie enjoyed this game, he danced around her walls, chipping at her own defenses all the while remaining calm.

"While it is my sole duty to observe, the sith do watch around them. Constantly aware of what could damage them, you seem to expand your senses more than others. What do you sense around you or what have you sensed?" Prognie's lifeless eyes were empty, the white orbs had burned deep into the minds of others as he scrutinized them.
_________________
A blessed rage for order

I'd break the law once every week, just to feel your touch.

Delora Tempest · Sith Apprentice Joined: 29 Jul 2009 Posts: 94

The end of the Dark Lord’s statement seemed to hang in the air. “Was that a question directed at me, or a general statement, Lord Grand Inquisitor? Either way, I shall respond using my own experiences”, she said quietly. She quickly scanned her memory and reviewed some strands of thought. “I have sensed much around me since coming to the Empire and learning, indeed, how to sense. I have sensed the anxiety and fear of most apprentices. They hunger for power and believe that it is through the Sith they will achieve it. When you ask them what they want to do, they say they want to kill, they want to seek revenge and they want to eventually become the holder of the throne itself”. She smiled slightly.

“While that ambition is admirable, frankly, it’s not going to happen to any of them. Indeed, if it were me, I would not seek that position itself”, she said honestly. “If I were Empress, I would be susceptible to death threats, traitors and paranoia. In addition, it is not that much of a position. It is only the traits of Emperor Shadow that makes him powerful, that makes the throne desirable".

“Furthermore, Grand Inquisitor, I can also sense you tapping away at my mind’s barrier. Would you prefer if I lower my defences? It would enable you to find out your answers quickly. I understand you could break it easily too, however, I have no desire to keep any answers from you. It would be a waste of both our times since you could find out the level of my honesty easily”.
_________________

Grand Inquisitor Prognie · Dark Lord of the Sith Joined: 11 May 2007 Posts: 1598

The Dark lord smirked, "There is no glory from an easy victory." he commented in regards to her wanting to allow easy acccess to her mind. No, not cut out for an Inquisitor, not with that mindset. "Everyone wishes to be in the throne, the glory of its holder is like none other, how could you, so young to the force, so naive to its call, assume you are above the temptation?" The dark lord felt carefully at her, any shift she might produce, no matter how small or faint he would catch.
_________________
A blessed rage for order

I'd break the law once every week, just to feel your touch.

Delora Tempest · Sith Apprentice Joined: 29 Jul 2009 Posts: 94

With a quick smile, Delora looked away from the Inquisitor. “Victory would not be assured, Darth. I merely said you would be able to find out my answers quickly as well as the level of my honestly. I never said that my answers would be truthful or logical”, she said slowly. “It may be a clever ruse to divert one’s attention away from what is important. And, after some difficulty perhaps, if the thought or memory is recovered, it may be too late”.

Delora looked back at the Miraluka. “Because, Grand Inquisitor, glory is not equal to power. While being the holder of the throne is admirable and glorified, it does not necessarily mean they know what to do with the power the throne gives them, or indeed, makes them powerful. I give you the example of what I know from history. Empress Saber has been glorified across the Empire, but it is well documented that the real power behind the throne was the then Grand Vizier, Darth Shadow. In the form of an eminence grise, he advised the correct decisions – decisions which he formulated. If he did not like a certain law, he “advised” the Empress to change it”.

She nodded slowly, “As such, I assume, as you put it, I am above the temptation because I do not wish to be both a decision maker and a public face of the Empire, always in the spotlight, answerable to the media. I would wish to rise to that of something like an eminence grise; being able to advise the holder of the throne in what would be the correct way to do thing, perhaps even ways that may benefit myself”. She thought for a moment. “I would prefer to be a puppeteer, manipulating the strings of the puppet which would be representing my views and being the public face of the Empire”.
_________________

Grand Inquisitor Prognie · Dark Lord of the Sith Joined: 11 May 2007 Posts: 1598

Prognie sat quietly, the fire popped loudly ending the silence. "So then you should be watched, carefully if that is the case. Or perhaps you are merely trying to impress me?" Prognie mused, she was sith and her intentions were never true or obvious, perhaps that made her interesting or worse a liability.

"Would you like to rule the Empire from the shadows?" He questioned again, he was curious and he knew there would be no truth in her answer but that was the game.
_________________
A blessed rage for order

I'd break the law once every week, just to feel your touch.

Delora Tempest · Sith Apprentice Joined: 29 Jul 2009 Posts: 94

Delora’s mouth curled slightly. “Grand Inquisitor, you yourself said that all Sith watch each other. Whether I want to be watched or not, I will be”. She gazed at the Miraluka, fully aware that although the species was blind, he knew she was watching him. The blazing fire in the background seemed to comply with the tone already in the room. She nodded understandingly after each of the Inquisitor’s questions. She knew that he was not testing her to get her to say something treasonous. The manner of questioning was rather speculative. The throne would be empty one day, someone had to rule it. Someone perhaps weaker than Shadow, someone easy to control and manipulate.

“In regards to would I like to rule from the shadows, I believe I have already answered the question. Although one may argue, only the foolish rule in the public gaze. Ruling in the shadows makes it easier to blame unpopular decisions on those you feel are not worthy for their positions”, she said quietly.
_________________

Grand Inquisitor Prognie · Dark Lord of the Sith Joined: 11 May 2007 Posts: 1598

Prognie was blind but there were few things that his lack of sight could hide, the woman's body was growing older and her years were winding down faster than Shadows, he let out a small laugh. "And what makes you believe you will outlast the Emperor long enough to be a puppet master?" The idea of immortality was something most sith explored, but very few have ever mastered the ability to live beyond their expiration.
_________________
A blessed rage for order

I'd break the law once every week, just to feel your touch.

Delora Tempest · Sith Apprentice Joined: 29 Jul 2009 Posts: 94

Bowing her head to hide a quick smile, Delora cleared her throat quietly. This man’s inquisitive nature mirrored his position to a tee. “Well, Grand Inquisitor, while I do not deny that I am getting old, I must stress that the luxury of dying from age is no longer afforded to the best of us”, she said sombrely. She knew from her experiences and from her life that many people did not live to old age; they died from diseases, suicide or murder. “And while being Emperor has many privileges, I do not think that the position saves oneself from a death other than age”.

She let her crystal blue eyes wander across the Dark Lord. “And do you harbour intentions of acquiring the throne someday? Or, on the other hand, do you feel that you will reach your own expiration date long before the Emperor? For when the Emperor dies, and he will, someone must replace him, else chaos will run the land”.
_________________

Grand Inquisitor Prognie · Dark Lord of the Sith Joined: 11 May 2007 Posts: 1598

Prognie smirked, "Time shall tell, for whoever shall rule the throne will have more competition than any. Because it is in the sith's nature to fight, the throne will be the grandest prize no matter the cost for acquiring it. And I have a sneaking suspicion that Shadow will leave many secrets to whoever shall take his place."

"Tell me, what would you change in your secret reign?" He mused, someone like her had probably envisioned many things if she only had her hand in it. But he still couldn't see her as more than the puppet.
_________________
A blessed rage for order

I'd break the law once every week, just to feel your touch.

Delora Tempest · Sith Apprentice Joined: 29 Jul 2009 Posts: 94

Delora replied to the Sith with a smirk of her own. “If I told you, and someday I acquired such a position, the signs would be evident and my ‘reign’ would no longer be secret”, she said quietly. Although to be truthful, she had not thought about it. Delora did not like to see too far into the future, her hopes may be raised unnecessarily leaving her disappointed. She liked to have plans, but not grand ones. That she would leave until she was more experienced in the ways of the Darkside.

She looked back at the Sith. “I do hope I am not wasting your time, Lord Grand Inquisitor. I don’t doubt you have much more to be doing than chatting to a dotty old woman”. She relaxed back in her chair, crossed her hands and raised them to her chin, which she promptly rested on them.
_________________

Grand Inquisitor Prognie · Dark Lord of the Sith Joined: 11 May 2007 Posts: 1598

"They say that we have much to learn from our elders, so I like to believe that is true some times. And while my jobs are important, even dark lords take breaks, those that I have left in charge in my absences can handle any small rebellion that might spark up." He wasn't concerned about rebellions, most of them were very quiet and those he did want to be vocal were controlled by him for show.

"Perhaps you are in a rush though? I thought having a discussion with a Dark Lord was an honor, especially one so reclusive as Lord Prognie." It was actually quite the opposite, most sith avoided Prognie for more reasons that one and it was something he enjoyed. It kept them at bay, always questioning but always scared.
_________________
A blessed rage for order

I'd break the law once every week, just to feel your touch.

Delora Tempest · Sith Apprentice Joined: 29 Jul 2009 Posts: 94

Delora let a small smile take to her aging face. “Lord Prognie, I can assure you that if I were in a rush, I would have informed you by this point. When a job must be done, there should be no procrastination. After some planning, and carefully assessing what needs to be done, then you take on the job in hand. If I was in a rush somewhere, I would not be spending my time before a fire in a study in the Sith Temple”, she said politely. She did suspect, however, that even if the Inquisitor had somewhere to go, he would not tell her directly.

She glanced around the room quickly. “And sometimes, my Lord, you often need to take a few steps back to understand some things. For example, I may find this chat to be an honor, as you put it, or more enjoyable when I’ve had some time to muse, or think, about that which we spoke about, no matter how meaningless it may appear. For it is often in these so-called meaningless conversations, that one finds the most valuable of information”.
_________________

Grand Inquisitor Prognie · Dark Lord of the Sith Joined: 11 May 2007 Posts: 1598

"Observant, a fine quality indeed." he smiled inward, she was as valuable as she would be a liability and that was part of the gamble. The dark lord stood up, turning away from the woman he walked to the door and stopped. "You are correct in that I am a busy man, as such I must carry forward with my tasks. You've got quite the future ahead of you Delora, no matter how short." The doors of the room opened and Prognie was soon gone without any hesitation. The thuds of his footsteps disappeared as the door of the room closed.

_________________
A blessed rage for order

I'd break the law once every week, just to feel your touch.