|~Day 2, 12:30-12:50 GST~| Zanna and Nyiss, Nyiss's Quarters|
Nyiss was relaxing in her room when a chime sounded indicating that someone had entered the entrance hall of her quarters. She did not immediately stir from her rest, it was not as though she owed anyone aboard this ship a swift audience. In short order, there was a knock on the door. Nyiss rose from her cross legged position sitting on her bed and smoothed her flowing black robes as she stood.
A quick stab at a button opened the door, revealing the apprentice Zanna standing in the entrance hall. She was by far the prettiest of the apprentices aboard, largely by virtue of her red skin. Nyiss had checked the records - the girl was very pure. She was also interested in Alchemy and the development of Force powers over physical traits. She reminded Nyiss of herself when she was young in many ways - a great deal of promise. “What brings you here Zanna?” Nyiss asked in a neutral tone.
Zanna froze for the tiniest second, her nerves convincing her Nyiss wasn’t there, or wasn’t interested and she should leave. Thus, she was surprised when the most powerful being on the ship suddenly appeared and spoke to her. And she felt Nyiss’s power.
Oh did she feel it. It scared her just as much as the unexplained traces of power and the Dark Side had.
One hand began to pull on her face tentacles in a nervous gesture as Zanna smiled like a chick trapped in front of a cat. “Darth-Lady-My Lord,” Zanna stumbled over the proper title before continuing. “My Lord, as you most likely already know I’m a budding Alchemist. Which will undoubtedly be of help getting information from or converting the prisoners. Unfortunately, I had to leave most of my lab equipment back on Korriban. While I’ll be able to make some basic drugs, I won’t be able to conduct tests to see which works best on and won’t accidentally kill the prisoner.” A bit of venom entered her tone and she seemed less nervous. “I, unlike Lord Sish, know the value of caution and control.” The venom bled from her tone, but she remained a bit more confident.
“My point is that without the proper lab equipment I’ll have to be unnecessarily cautious. You have the best labs on the ship because, well, it’s your ship. I’m requesting access to your labs so I can both further my own, private, research, and the public goals of this ship. My Lord.” Zanna paused, nervously waiting for her rejection or acceptance.
Nyiss couldn’t help but smile at the young girls fumbling attempts to find the right title. She was clearly incredibly nervous, Nyiss didn’t need the force to know that. “Is that so?” She said raising an eyebrow.
She made to move forward, expecting Zanna to step out of the way. She didn’t really fancy having a conversation at the doorway. The girl moved as expected, and Nyiss strode casually to the comfortable chairs at the side of the entrance hall. She motioned to Zanna to take as seat as she herself did.
“Yes…” Zanna replied uncertainly as she moved out of the way, not entirely sure what Nyiss wanted from her. She had already explained all of her reasoning behind her request and there wasn’t anything else she could add to the request for aid. She sat down, nervously pulling on her face tentacles and twisting the rings on them.
Here she was, in the room with the most powerful being she had ever felt, with nothing else to do. “So...My Lord. Do I have access to your labs? They would be most beneficial to helping me complete the objectives you set out for us.”
“I’m sure they would.” Nyiss stated. “But what makes you think I would grant access to such a dangerous environment to one so timid and lacking in confidence.” Nyiss knew well that Zanna was capable, and that it was only in addressing a superior that the girl was clumsy and nervous… But she wanted to see how much she could push Zanna into standing up for herself.
Zanna’s mouth dropped open, ever so slightly, before she closed it.
Alright. Time to put on another act. That’s all this was. Another act. She’d been acting her entire life. She put on a mask of confidence and relaxation. “Some Darths and Lords prefer a timid and scared servant. You, apparently, do not.” She, despite all her misgivings and suppressed fear, met Nyiss’s eye. “If you allow me access to your labs I’ll push the Jedi into acknowledging the powers of their emotions, and further my own research. If not, I will simply have a longer time period before I can do that. One way or another, My Lord, I will get what you requested done.”
“Better.” Nyiss said. Better indeed - though she could still feel the girl's emotions, and understood that this was a facade. But it wasn’t really about whether Zanna was truly confident around Nyiss or not. It was about how far Zanna would go to get what she wanted. The drive was refreshing, even if the groveling wording was mundane. “You’re almost convincing.” Nyiss said in a slightly playful tone, before continuing with a tone more suited to teaching. “You’re passion for your work is commendable… But you really should find a way to alleviate your nerves. Timidity and other displays of weakness are unbecoming of…” Nyiss paused for a moment, looking up and down Zanna’s form. When she continued it was with a slightly suggestive tone in her voice. “Such a luxurious crimson complexion…”
Zanna couldn’t help a small smile at Nyiss’ praise, before it disappeared at the Darth’s next words. She gave a shrug. She knew that Nyiss wouldn’t have fully bought the act, given that she was so much more powerful than Zanna that she could easily sense whatever emotions the younger Red Sith was hiding. What happened next blindsided her completely. Zanna had always been too busy in her pursuit of power and generally not being killed by her fellow apprentices to explore the more physical side of social relationships. Or even the more romantic side. But that didn’t mean she was completely oblivious, especially when it was this obvious.
Zanna blushed furiously, only barely able to keep meeting Nyiss’ eyes. “I...wha...what did you have in mind, m-my Lord?”
“You can start by calling me Nyiss… ‘My Lord’ is such a boring title…” Nyiss found Zanna’s surprise quite amusing. The girl really was quite naive. “And then perhaps… I can teach you of passion.” With that, she stood and turned towards the door to her quarters, casting a glance back over her shoulder at Zanna, flourishing her robe to show off her figure as she did so. “Or you could go back to your under equipped lab and let your nerves run wild.” Nyiss’ tone made it clear that she thought doing that would be pathetic and disappointing.
Zanna found that she couldn’t take her eyes off of Nyiss’s figure. She was flushed with a not unpleasant heat, her usually sharp mind tripping over everything that had happened in the last few moments. It took her a moment to catch on to what Nyiss was saying, the younger Sith quickly getting to her feet as it hit her. “No my...Nyiss.” It felt strange, to be this casual with the Darth. And...intoxicating.
Is this what it feels like, to have some modicum of true power? She wondered, slightly hazily. “I wouldn’t like or want that.”
Nyiss smiled. “Of course not.” She said, back to her sultry, suggestive tone. She continued towards her room, Zanna following, loosening the fastenings of her robe as she went. Normally Nyiss didn’t bother with the inexperienced, but this girl was just too pretty not to teach.