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As you wish, Nine. Lucky for me that Lord Jadus isn't here, and I don't have to fear his wrath for encroaching on his Hand.

[He never met the man, but the stories he's heard paint a troubling picture. Though perhaps he had the right idea to flee the galaxy, knowing what the Emperor had planned.

He hides a chuckle behind his hand at that last comment.]

He didn't even consult me on this matter, and I'm on the Dark Council.

Given that he told me to continue performing my duties as I had been in his absence, I don't think he would mind. [So long as Nine is ultimately loyal to Jadus, he can more or less act according to his own wishes. So long as Nine sees something worthy of his attention, Jadus couldn't care less.

That's been his experience so far, at any rate.] He also isn't much the wrathful type.

[Not unless someone fails him, anyway.] And I'm not surprised. I know it's... Difficult to turn down responsibility when a member of the Dark Council hands it to you... But Lana is just as much to blame. She could have told him that she lacks the experience.

[And she should have. Because she does.] After the fiasco at Ziost though...

I'll keep that in mind if he ever shows up.

[He's strong in the Force and even without the ghosts, he can mop the floor with most other Sith, but he'd rather not find out for himself if Jadus can match him.

A haunted look passes over his face.]

Yes, Ziost. I was there... I felt it when the Emperor... I felt all that death.

[Millions of lives, snuffed out in seconds.]

I find that staying respectful but confident is a good way of keeping yourself from getting spread across the floor like butter over too much bread.

[Nine has no doubt that Jadus could reduce just about anyone to a very fine paste should he put his mind to it. But dealing with him is easy enough- easier, probably, for another Sith.] Being in Jadus's presence it feels- [He shakes his head to chase some thoughts away.] It feels an awful lot like being in the Emperor's presence. Like dying.

[He's equally haunted, really, but keeps dutifully working on preparing tea.]

Like Ziost too, I suppose. Though I didn't feel it the way you do. Felt almost like I could hear them all though- the panicked shrieks followed by deafening silence.

[He still has the nightmares.] That's usually the reason why I wake up screaming in the night.

[It's happened a few times... He also sort of wishes they could stop talking so he could stop being honest.]

Sounds unpleasant. I can also put up a Sith aura, but I've been keeping it off since I've been here. Mine isn't as strong as the Emperor's though.

[He regards Cipher Nine with concern.]

I did wonder about that, I'll admit.

I got used to it. [Sometimes Nine swears he can still feel it, but that might just be the nightmares and memories of the Emperor bleeding into it.]

... No need to look at me like that, my Lord. [He fetches some cups for them- getting up on tippy toes to get them down, rather than ask for help.] The nightmares will pass eventually. Once I learn to internalize it a bit more.

[Because that's the only valid option as far as he's concerned.] In the meantime, I could get you some earplugs if you'd like.

I could teach you some meditations that might help. As for earplugs, it's fine, I can put up with it.

[Besides, Sith don't shy away from fear, no matter where it's coming from.]

I've already more or less tried them all. [He shrugs.] Suppose all I need to worry about is waking the neighbors then.

I've worked for Intelligence for almost a decade, my Lord. I've seen a lot of things that were almost as bad as Ziost.

[Nine shakes his head.] If I start to try to untangle it all with meditations and the like, it might end up getting worse before it gets better.

[...] Plus a lot of it is this place. I haven't actually had a vacation for nearly a decade either and I sure as fuck didn't want one this long.

[What is it with spies and being a workaholic?]

Just try not to get too tightly wound. You'll give yourself an ulcer.

[He gets out the lemon juice for his tea.]

I could always purr you to sleep.

An ulcer is easier to deal with than the brain damage at least.

[... Oh he really hates his life right now. Damned spirit woo-woo forcing things he doesn't want to say out of him.] ... I wouldn't be opposed to an attempt, I suppose.

[Brain damage?]

Sadly, some things even Sith sorcery can't heal. Not that I'm much of a healer to begin with.

[He probably could if it were someone he loved and couldn't live without.]

It's manageable. [He shrugs.] Would be more manageable if that blasted fox gave me back my prescription drugs, admittedly.

[The withdrawals back when he first arrived sure were something.]

I don't think it's something that can be healed, at any rate. I don't think the brain was made to be brainwashed twice, so unless you've got a completely new one lying around for me... The damaged one I have will have to do.

[Oh, Nine really hates this honesty hour.

Though he supposes this all makes it easier since he doesn't have to essentially live two different realities at once even at home. Being Aden for such a long time without any downtime to be Nine has been weird.]

I'm afraid not.

[He was brainwashed too? Talwyn doesn't know where to start with that. He wants to blame the Republic, but brainwashing isn't really their style.]

Just know that if there's anything I can do, I will. I look after my allies.

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