"I like feeling you."

Giggle! "You're excellent at feeling me."

Hee.

They should make sure though that Lily still feels like Lily...

Double check for certainty.

And that Brin feels like Brin, while they're at it. 

Make sure she hasn't been compromised by any side effects.

That her sensation's functioning as normal. 

Verdict: yes, yes it is.

Wonderful news.

Best girl.

And after - well, some contented cuddling and destressing, but after that -

Lily wants to know more about the new enemies they've made. Do Occlus and/ or Andronikos seem interruptible?

Occlus does.

Off to interrupt her, then - or, stand there and wait to be acknowledged.

"You have a question?"

"Questions more like, my Lord, about things like your position within the Empire, and who your major enemies and allies are."

"Now that you've jumped into the ocean, you wish to know what manner of sharks it contains?"

"Or other fish."

"Fair enough."

"Of most pressing interest to you, I think, is that I am currently engaged in- not to be melodramatic, but a war with a Dark Council member, Darth Thanaton of the Sphere of Ancient Knowledge."

Thoughtful frown.  

And after a few long moments: "And what's the current balance of advantage? - Could you beat him today, and if you did would you survive the fallout?"

"Were I to face him here and now, I expect that on a personal level I would be capable of overpowering him. His power base among other Sith is larger, but it is shrinking by the day. His failure to dispose of me for these several years becomes increasingly embarrassing. When I kill him, and I plan for that day to be soon, I do not expect significant external resistance in assuming his position. There may of course be those within the organization Thanaton has built that will remain loyal to him, but those can be dealt with in turn."

"And he knows that, and he'll try to avoid facing you on an even field - or losing even more of his reputation because he failed to do so."

"Just so. His best remaining option, in my estimation, is the Kaggath ritual combat, a clash of armies between two competing Sith."

"And Brin and I will fight in that, too."

"As new apprentices, you will be primary targets, yes."