#dooku: there's a sith in the senate! / xan: don't worry i can handle that *cocks gun*

[illusorygardens]

Sifo-Dyas does not take on Padawans lightly. It's a responsibility that comes with all the complications of raising and teaching a sentient through their species' puberty and with his... condition, such a thing is difficult to do without having to, on occasions, lean on his Padawan for support. It could cause the young Padawan trauma, but neither could Sifo-Dyas take on a Padawan also prone to Visions as he was.

So no, Sifo-Dyas does not take on Padawans lightly.

But the Force wills him to take on a Padawan—to take on an Initiate all others have been balking at since they found out about the Initiate's less-than-Jedi mindset and inclinations and the status of his past life. Now, Master Yoda does get along splendidly with said Initiate and Sifo-Dyas imagines that there is no risk to him being sent to one of the Corps, but Sifo-Dyas already knows as well as the rest of them that Yoda is not the best choice for this boy's Jedi Master.

Which is why Sifo-Dyas asked for Dooku's assistance, just briefly. His longtime friend looked rather curious at Sifo-Dyas' insistence to head to the crèche, but relented and assisted him on his way there, only stopping once for a Vision of a time long gone before continuing.

And there sat the Initiate. Xanatos du Crion, formerly known as Darth Vanitas—at least, according to Feemor, who seemed bewildered by the question—sat with a slant line for a mouth, absently flipping through the pages of a book on... ah, Jedi Ethics, Sifo-Dyas pities the former Sith Lord for having Jedi Ethics piled on him every free moment.

Dooku finally asks why it is Sifo-Dyas needed to go to the crèche so badly, and when Sifo-Dyas informs his friend and the crèchemaster that he's here to choose his next Padawan, he gracefully ignored the surprise radiating off of the both of them.

The crèchemaster recovers quicker—it's more than likely that xe's much more used to having unexpected Jedi showing up to unexpectedly lay claim to a new Padawan—and xe gives him a smile and a nod. "Of course," xe says, turning xer back to Xanatos and towards all of xer other charges and gestures to them.

Sifo-Dyas is already shaking his head and meets the eyes of the former Sith Lord, who'd looked up in curiosity, seemingly despite himself.

Xanatos shows a proficiency in the dark side even still and he doesn't assimilate well with the other Jedi in the Temple. Anyone else would assume he's biding his time, but he's clearly just bored with all of the proceedings. He's been... nice, Sifo-Dyas supposes, in his own way, and he's extremely close to three other Padawans—Feemor Sylo, Shaak Ti, and Taron Malicos—and seems to behave himself.

Nobody else would take him, but Sifo-Dyas knows he can be trusted with quite a lot. Already, he's handled extremely sensitive things with great care and discretion.

"Actually," Sifo-Dyas says gently to the crèchemaster who looks at him in surprise, "I already knew who I was coming here for."

He ignores the Initiates whispering at seeing such a well-known Master who's hard to impress come into the crèche, pass them all over, and walk confidently towards the Sith Lord that calls himself their crèchemate.

"Initiate du Crion," he greets warmly.

Xanatos' eyes flicker with surprise before the Initiate straightens himself out, pushes the book to the side, and greets, ever so politely but not managing to hide his genuine surprise and curiosity, "Master Sifo-Dyas."

"I would like to take you on as my Padawan, Initiate," Sifo-Dyas says.

The flecks of gold in Xanatos' otherwise red eyes does not make the sudden calculation of his gaze and less unnerving, but the sudden wariness does. Sifo-Dyas can't say he knows of this Initiate's experiences with Masters—only that he must have had a Sith Master who must not have been kind to him. There have been a few Jedi Knights and Masters who attempted to take on Xanatos as well, only to be turned away after Xanatos unhesitatingly revealed they desired to be Sith.

The people in the crèche seem to hold their breath. They know just as well as Sifo-Dyas why many approach Initiate du Crion and why many no longer try.

There is a moment of brief silence from Xanatos before he demands, "Why?"

Sifo-Dyas smiles at him. It doesn't seem to catch him off guard. "It is the will of the Force that you become my Padawan," Sifo-Dyas says. "That, and I feel as though you should have a Master suited for understanding unconventionally gained knowledge."

Xanatos seems to pause at this. It's clearly not an answer he's been given before, and his eyes only narrow more. He doesn't know if Sifo-Dyas is telling the truth and this is fair. Too many still desire the power and rush that the dark side will give them and to have a Sith Lord in this very crèche proved to be too much for their desires.

The pause lasts longer this time, and there is quiet consideration before Xanatos says, "I'd like to meditate with you before I decide."

Sifo-Dyas gives Xanatos an approving look—there is the acclaimed intelligence and cunning many laud him for. It's not uncommon for Initiates uncertain about their possible Master to request mediation with them, but many Initiates don't know how to gather intelligence through it.

"Of course. Shall we head to the Garden?" Sifo-Dyas prods.

Xanatos carefully sweeps his eyes over the room in a calculated display of nervousness. Then he says, "If you wouldn't mind, Master Sifo-Dyas."

Yes, Sifo-Dyas thinks, the Force is more than correct about this one.