(( Please post Delora's arrival at the Inquisitor HQ in Kuat. Make it creative, show Delora's true side in dealing with the Inquisitors, she has been summoned by Prognie to receive personal instruction. On what? She'll find out when she gets there. ))
Delora Tempest
It was late autumn and the browning leaves of the trees of Kuat were fluttering around the streets of the city. The collection of colours seemed to set a cool atmosphere as Delora walked calmly through the various, twilight-lit streets. Although it was the capital of the Empire, Delora could not help but note that upon turning one particular corner, the hustle, bustle, noise and mess of the city seemed to disappear and an eerie silence hit her like a bitter wind in winter. She noticed many aliens scurry past her in a hurry, visibly intimidated and afraid. Reaching out to them, she could tell they were non-Force sensitives. She became increasingly curious to why the sudden change occurred. However, the answer to the Sith Apprentice’s thoughts was evident not long after she turned another corner.
Although situated in the city, the looming towers of the Inquisitorus were located in a scarily quiet area. Where one would expect to see people trotting around, shopping, conversing and laughing, one saw nothing but the bleak despair of a few people, evidently afraid to be even around the towers. It was like the eye of a hurricane – a center of quiet and peace surrounded by noise, destruction and crime. It was evident, though, that the noise, destruction and crime could not pierce the boundaries of the towers, which cast a great shadow over nearby buildings.
Delora took a deep inhalation of breath, exhaled slowly and continued walking forward. She had received summons from the Grand Inquisitor’s Office regarding some material that the Inquisitorus had for her. She assumed that it was a file of some sort, but she did not bet on it. The Inquisitors were renowned for their secrecy and their organisational skills were said to be the envy of many. They had every Sith, citizen and sentient on file in one of the towers and access could only be give by the High or Grand Inquisitor, though Delora did not doubt that access was given but only on the rarest of occasions.
As she approached a flight of stone stairs, she noticed a few guards, dressed in flowing crimson robes flanking the entranceway. She smirked upon registering this observation. The surrounding area seemed to be blanketed in shades of black, and of grey on account of the towers’ shadows. However, these three guards seemed to add a dash of color to the area. She prodded them slightly with her senses. They were agitated, and like the townsfolk, obviously intimidated by the presence of so many Inquisitors. She shared some of their feelings.
However, because of Delora’s lack of contact with the Inquisitors, she was more curious than afraid. She wondered what security they had in place, how they managed to keep on file every living thing in the Empire, and beyond. She thought about how difficult the entrance exam must be and what life would be like as the Empire’s frontline of defence, and offence. The Military was often given this description, but the apprentice felt it deserved in the description of the Inquisitors. It was they who risked their lives while on missions of espionage, reconnaissance and extermination.
Passing the guards, she nodded at them briefly. Their stern, stone faces seemed to glaze over Delora – it seemed as if they did not see her, or recognise the fact she was even standing before them. She admired them for this. They had some nerve being able to be vigilant in the HQ of the Order where secrecy was mainly attributed. It was something they were obviously trained for, and for that, she made a mental note to congratulate the teaching methods of Dark Lord Tarna.
She wondered curiously when she entered the foyer of the first tower. Instead of the continuation of grey and black decor she had expected, she was surprised to see walls of cream, with a small seating area and a few painting dotted around. She smirked when she thought a bit deeper about this. The Inquisitors involved deception in their work, the fact that the outside was different to the inside should not have surprised her. The Grand Inquisitor had managed to keep traces of the Order everywhere, even in its most public of buildings.
Clearing her throat, Delora walked calmly to the solid, black marble desk that was situated about 45 feet away from the tower entrance. Behind the desk was a human woman, possible from Coruscant. Delora could not help but suspect she was an Inquisitor. Although it seemed like an unexciting position for Inquisitors, it was no doubt of some importance. The recognition of anyone coming through the doors was a skill, which few could master. In addition, her dress sense was too normal. Everything in place, at all times. When Delora worked with the public, she knew it was hard work. Very few could master the look of relaxation and ease that this woman did. Placing her hands together, Delora continued the walk to the desk with elegance and poise. “Excuse me, I have been summoned by the Grand Inquisitor’s Office. My name is Delora Tempest”.
Grand Inquisitor Prognie
The receptionist eyed Delora carefully, not appearing to be too critical and then smiled. "I apologize m'am, the Dark Lord is not in today." She then looked down at the counter and looked back up quickly, "are you sure it was the Dark Lord you were meant to see? Perhaps you misunderstood the message, was there another name in the message?" The woman was middle age but still carried her youthful features, she was beautiful by most definitions and she was placed in her position for more reasons than could be shown.
Delora Tempest
Upon hearing the receptionist’s reply, Delora gave a sheepish little smile. “I do apologise, dear, but I do not believe I mentioned meeting with the Grand Inquisitor himself, merely that his Office has summoned me. Perhaps one of his advisors, subordinates or receptionists has something for me; be it information, education or something else”. Delora unclasped her hand and placed them behind her back. She understood that the receptionist was most likely following procedure and did not wish to upset or disturb the Grand Inquisitor; his wrath was infamous across the Empire, even to little known Apprentices.
“Now, dear, is it possible to contact his Office in the immediate future? I hate to be a horrible guest, but I like to keep appointments and I’d like not to anger a Dark Lord of the Sith”, she said politely. She carefully ignored the receptionist’s question. If there had been names mentioned in her summons, it was none of her business. Anything sent from the Office of the Grand Inquisitor must be highly important and classified – two members of the Inquisitors hand-delivered the message themselves. However, Delora figured that they were probably being deployed in that area anyway.
Grand Inquisitor Prognie
She followed the woman's lips as they formed into a smile, the receptionist still remained firm. "Do you believe that the Grand Inquisitor or any of his personal staff would have forgotten to mention that he would be having visitors? The Grand Inquisitor's office and even the floor where he works are off limits to any save his private visitors." She looked down at her list again of people and read carefully before looking back up. "I am sorry, your name isn't here."
Delora Tempest
Delora nodded, “Well isn’t this just odd. I do apologise for the inconvenience”. Delora paused for a moment. Perhaps she had arrived on the wrong day. She doubted it highly. The wording on her summons was accurate and the possibility of a mistake was quite slim. The she smiled. She herself has made an error. “Perhaps I have been wrong. My summons did not mention his Office in regards to his room. It merely told me to arrive at the Kuat Headquarters. Perhaps I am to meet him here instead. However, for clarification, if you could check your list again and see if I came, perhaps on the wrong day, it would be very agreeable”.
Before waiting for a reply, however, Delora turned around on her heels and headed towards a small enclave where there were some seats. She sat down and crossed her legs. She began to watch all the sentients, humans and non, scurry around the ground floor. She understood that the Grand Inquisitor was a busy man and could be late. That, in addition to the fact that Delora was fifteen minutes early, inspired her to wait. Delora was blessed with patience. She looked up as she heard the tapping of the receptionists heels come toward her.
Grand Inquisitor Prognie
The receptionist was coming back to inform Delora that she had still found nothing when she was interecepted, the inquisitor whispered something in her ear and she nodded and turned away. The inquisitor turned his attention to Delora, walking toward her he stopped and motioned to an empty hall before he was gone amongst the crowd of people coming in and out of the building.
Delora Tempest
Having looked up expectantly at the receptionist coming towards her, Delora’s curiosity was aroused seeing her turn away quickly. Looking around, she saw a hand beckoning her towards a doorway in the far left of the foyer. Delora looked around once more, and stood up slowly, smoothing down her clothes as she did so. She walked forward briskly, yet gracefully, too, weaving her way through the now trickling crowd coming into the building.
Having reached the doorway a few moments later, Delora paused before entering. She did not want to enter unawares; she might be attacked as part of a test. Standing back, she faced the closed doors. Taking a deep breath, and letting the Force flow through her, she threw open the doors, half expecting some sort of assailant dressed in black to fly at the doorway. However, nothing of the sort happened. Raising an eyebrow, Delora stepped in quietly.
The room was quite large and quite ornate. There was a large chandelier hanging from the ceiling and portraits of various figures hanging on the brown panelled walls. Looking around, Delora noticed a figure standing at the fireplace. She stepped forward in silence, awaiting her caller to speak.
