New chapter up! Enjoy.

Darth Marr walked out of the dark council meeting oddly satisfied. Not with the meeting, of course, since nothing ever really got done during scheduled dark council meetings. All his fellow Sith ever did was bicker. No, Marr was satisfied with the presence of his apprentice, which he focused on during the meeting more than what his fellow Sith had to say.

Vala had fully embraced her place at the academy. Few acolytes attempted to kill her anymore, simply because all those who tried never returned from the catacombs. She'd gained an impressive body count and, to her credit, Vala never expressed any remorse or reluctance in her kills after that first one. She was thinking and acting like a Sith, which only solidified Marr's decision in choosing her.

More importantly, Vala had started to find an interest in the passion of the Sith code. Once other acolytes stopped trying to kill her, they started to make moves on her. She was, afterall, a very attractive woman, not only physically, but her power also made her a very appealing potential mate. Those strong in the darkside often were attracted to others of greater power. Her power wasn't necessarily Darkside, yet, but power was power.

Marr encouraged her to experience these emotions. He began schooling her in the art of seduction. Though he'd turned from that path when he started wearing full armor, favoring intimidation over seduction, Marr had used the tool to manipulate others in his younger years. Seduction, in some cases, worked better than violence to get what one desired. Vala was starting to learn this fact. This was one part of the Sith code Marr hoped would help push his new apprentice firmly down the dark path.

Vala could never go back to being a Jedi, once she got a taste of the pleasures which accompany the passions favored by the Sith.

When Marr returned to his chambers, he found Vala sitting quietly at the small table to the one side. She looked very contiplantive and slightly troubled. He also noted, she was sipping a glass of wine. The former Jedi seemed to enjoy drinking alcohol. Apparently, drinking was not an activity usually done by a Jedi, since intoxication clouded judgment. The idea made him cringe.

Marr said nothing, just sat at the opposite side of the table. Vala looked up and smiled. No matter her state of mind, she always seemed to smile when Marr entered a room. It wasn't the reaction any of his other apprentices used in his presence. This pleased him.

"Have fun at your council meeting?" She asked casually, as if it was commonplace for an apprentice to ask her master about his personal business. This meant she knew she was more than just an apprentice to Marr.

"Never. My fellow Sith are as irritating as usual. Sometimes I wonder why I even bother with them."

"Maybe, someday, you can just take over all of it. It's not like the Emperor is around to object and the Empire could seriously use some structure."

Marr laughed. He couldn't help it.

"The things you say, Little One. I do enjoy having you around."

Vala held up her wineglass in a quick salute, then took a drink. "I aim to amuse."

"Are you alright? You were very contemplative when I walked in. What is on your mind? Finding your new passtime challenging?"

Vala scoffed. "More like boring. It's too easy."

Vala couldn't see it, but Marr was smiling. "You are an attractive woman. Seduction always comes easier for people such as yourself."

"Yes, but I think it's also partially the targets I choose. Soldiers and fellow acolytes don't even try to resist doing as I ask. I barely have to seduce them at all."

"Perhaps I misjudged your skills."

"I've started practicing with a couple of the overseers. It's much more challenging. I need to be careful they don't turn the tables on me, though, since many of them are still sore about me being in the position I'm in with you."

"You are taking to being a Sith quite well." Marr commented. "You're using your instincts to gain what you want, but not forgetting your own sense of self preservation. Good, very good."

Vala couldn't see the pleasure on his face, but Marr allowed some of it to permeate through the Force for the young woman to feel. She was progressing much faster and smoother than he'd thought possible. She'd soon be ready for the final phase of his plan.

To Be Continued...