...he feels strangely happy about that.

"That seems like a reasonable standard for pretty much all relationships, though."

"One would think."

Sigh.

"If you wish your independence respected, you must be able to enforce it."

"Mm, or have community norms that do it for you so you can lead a satisfying life without having your independence disrespected because that's the default assumption?"

"That is a harder problem to solve."

"That's probably a cultural thing."

"Hence the difficulty."

"I'm gonna become king of a planet and make it the nicest planet ever."

"Good luck."

"Thank you."

They land.

And he has to be a Sith. Rawr. Mean Sith. So evil and dark. Raaawwwwrrrr.

Occlus nods.

And they're off to meet the overseer.

He actually does a very competent job of looking like a proper Sith, after he's gotten the silliness out of his system. An air of confidence and believing oneself more important than others—but not in a cocky overconfident way, more in a "if anyone cares to challenge this belief I have the resources to deal with that" way.

The overseer is a pale man with a thin beard. His smile is pinched when he greets them.

"Lord Occlus. Such a pleasure."

"Spare me, Harkin. Where are the candidates?"

He coughs. "As you wish, my lord. They are undertaking the first trial now. It shouldn't be much longer."

"I'll want to see them."

"Of course. This way, my lord."

Follow follow. He's not looming, that's what other Sith do. He doesn't need to, he's just that good.

They pass other acolytes in the halls, who look at Rafa following in the footsteps of a Sith Lord with jealousy/fear/respect/hatred.

That's right. He's just that awesome.

Eventually they reach what must be the overseer's office. There is one chair, which Occlus takes. The overseer stands off to the side of his desk.

     "Frankly, my lord," he says, "I don't see much hope for this lot. You'd be better off waiting for the next round."

"I have not the time. Talent will rise to the surface with enough encouragement. I trust you will not stint in providing such."

And Rafa stands nearby, looking around and taking in the place—what's it like, what's the overseer like, what's his desk like...?