“You can’t worry about upsetting them, I know why you’re telling them the dark, gritty past of your exploits and by the end, I’m sure they will too. Their view of you won’t change,” Professor Belemecuri stated to the hologram of Morrigan.

Morrigan held a sullen expression, “Perhaps… but what happened to me can happen to anyone, hell, anyone can be in the position I was the day the Federation fell…”

The older man who sat at his desk with his feet propped up nodded sagely, “true… however, that is why you're doing this, is it not? Why you want them to know the entire truth as they come into the fold of the higher echelon of the Imperium you built, so they understand that terrible things happened, not only to our conjoined races but to you, their Empress that has built an empire of unity for all, as well.”

Morrigan huffed and eyed the amphitheater doors, “I saw some of their faces… but you’re right, that is why I’m doing this… personally. They need to hear it from me, not some history log…”

Morrigan switched off the connection as soon as the doors cracked open.

Students filed into the amphitheater in an orderly fashion as the hologram of Empress Morrigan came stoically to life once again. Professor Belemecuri sat behind his desk with a content smile on his face, giving Morrigan a respectful nod.

She watched as the students took their seats, reflecting on how many of them had left class in tears, anger or in awe. She had no love of sharing the information she had revealed the day before, especially when she had seen the haunted looks in some of the students, but it was a necessary regret for the lesson she intended on conveying.

She stood regally despite dressed in comfort; her plain pants and shirt were pressed and high quality though they fell below what the students expected of their Empress.

All the students focused on her now that they were seated, some holding expectant looks in their eyes, eager for the story to continue while others sat wide eyed with worry at what else could come from their fabled ruler.

The slightest smirk formed at the edge of her mouth as she watched several wide eyed Marmuro’k S’randin flick their tongues nervously as they quietly chirped at one another. Morrigan enjoyed their animalistic mannerisms.

With a loud sigh, she started, “First of all, I do want to apologize to those who were upset by…”

Morrigan’s words were cut off by a distant howl before the large quirky canine with flowing tentacles that the students saw the previous day came into view within the holographic platform. The creature stood on its hind legs as it draped over their Empress from behind as it persistently attacked her head with its tongue.

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Many of the students giggled and laughed at the display as Morrigan sputtered and struggled to maintain her composure. To their surprise, she stood her ground against the massive canine’s weight despite being less than half its size.

“Okay! Okay! I get it buddy; I love you too but you need to sit!” she said to the creature as she snapped her fingers repeatedly.

The creature obeyed and sat directly beside her, its large shoulder leaning against her as, even sitting, sat a head taller at their Empress’ shoulders

“Pets… am I right?” Morrigan mused, a swath a giggles and amused hisses spreading throughout the amphitheater.

Morrigan let out a deep, steady breath as she eyed her companion, “For those who do not know, this trickster of a creature is Skoll…”

The massive canine let out a long howl before dipping its head into a cackling high-pitched warble that personified laughter.

Morrigan snickered at her companion while the students gently clapped in amusement. They watched as Skoll preened at the applause before shifting its head and gave Morrigan a quick lick to her face.

She let out a defeated sigh before wiping away the saliva from her face, “Damn it…behave you mutt,” she muttered before she reached up and stroked Skoll’s cheek and ear. “This majestic creature is known to the Eskarii as a Danthïr, native to the planet Turisa,” she continued. Many of the Eskarii nodded their agreement to fellow classmates, though not all of them.

“You see, I did not meet my lovely companion on Turisa… in fact, I have never been there though I hope to one day. No, I met Skoll here during the early days of my career as an Inquisitor, during a diplomatic mission to the Marmuro’k home world, Tik’Taq’To.”

The groups of Marmuro’k in the seats bellowed in cheer at the mention of their world of origin which caused Morrigan to grin.

Morrigan cleared her throat and held herself a bit higher as she pat Skoll’s muscular shoulder, one of its tentacles curling around her in an odd hug which brought out murmured awes from some of the students.

“Today’s lesson will cover my years within the Inquisition that followed just after my escape from Castile V… it will also cover how I gained the respect of the Marmuro’k and earned the honor of being able to call them our friends, largely in part, due to meeting the Bïrûskë, as the Marmuro’k called the Danthïr. Without Skoll’s companionship here, there is no telling how things would have gone,” she stated stoically before Skoll howled in excitement and hopped in place beside her, stamping its large paws on the ground.

Skoll’s antics caused laughter to ripple which only served to encourage the creature’s silly performance, even Professor Belemecuri chuckled behind his desk.

Morrigan’s stoicism broke at the display and she let out a soft chuckle before patting Skoll on the cheek, “Okay, settle down you spaz. If you behave maybe I’ll let you play with the students later after graduation,” she said, chuckling through as she eyed the students throughout the amphitheater. The look of shock on their faces only made her smile more as Skoll’s wide eyed look to her enticed nervous excitement and worry throughout the stands at the prospect of meeting the silly creature as well as the potential of meeting their Empress in person.

Skoll let out its cackle she had grown accustomed to hearing before laying down by her side waiting patiently.

Morrigan snorted before returning her attention to the class, “now, today’s lesson starts here, on the Void Star. Much like some of you, I stayed within the military district housing as well, upon my induction into the Inquisition. On this very ground, is where the start of my rebellion against the Federation truly began…”