What does it mean to be a member of Scholae Palatinae for me? Well, there are many meanings.

First of all, our clan has taught me the true meaning of family and friendship. When I first came here to the DJB, I had no friends, no job, a broken heart after a runaway fiance, a disease doctors told me I couldn't handle, and depression up the wah-zoo. I was hesitant at first, and because of this I didn't join as quickly as I was invited to by Shadow, but I eventually took the plunge, downloaded Telegram, and decided to explore this new world. Immediately I encountered wonderful friends that were ready and very willing to get to know me simply for me: not because of what I could do for them, what my mental illnesses and medical conditions made me do, or what boobs I could show them on the internet. They wanted to get to know me because they saw something inside me that I didn't see. And through truly getting to know them and loving them, I learned a way to also get to know and love myself. I have made life long friendships in the Brotherhood that have taught me honor, responsibility, leadership, perseverance, stewardship, and most of all, worth. This clan helped me better myself and believe in my strengths while they ever so lovingly challenged my weaknesses, doubts, and invited me to explore the unknown with them. Because of all this, to be a member of Clan Scholae Palatinae has a much deeper definition. It means to belong to a family that never leaves people behind.

Secondly, being a member means to come to an agreement even if parties still disagree. Many political advancements in my DJB career and the careers of others has brought this to light several times. Just because someone disagrees with you, it doesn't mean they can't work alongside you or like you. That's something being in Leadership with CSP has taught me. Though my 'German' (as Jorm likes to call it) side comes out often and can make me out to be a real 'Lara bitch, at the end of the day, I am taught to recognize solution rather than dissolution. I have been trained to expect agreement even among people I disagree with. It has brought true balance to the Force for me, I suppose.

Finally, being a member means to be an explorer. I was always taught from the get-go to explore new fields of the website, explore new competition types, explore the wiki, explore the Shadow Academy campus, and to explore my own interests and the interests of others. When I came to the DJB at first, I wasn't a huge Star Wars Nerd. (I know, I'm a heathen. Shush. Just pass the holy rum.) In fact, it wasn't until I dove further into the Shadow Academy classes that I truly discovered my love for the realm, especially the Advanced Lightsaber Studies course. It fascinated me. Then when I watched the movies over again with a new perspective and a much older outlook, I was able to actually understand what a Republic was and the politics behind what was going on behind the screen in front of me. This brotherhood has given me a much broader perspective on the Star Wars Nerdom as a whole, and has allowed me to find my home within it.

So there ya have it.

Here is my submission for Devils Gift. It started out as something and became something else.

Alara's heart skipped a beat. It was time. She could see her prey, the sun of Seraph was setting in the background, it was just a matter of time before the time to strike would come. The Savant crept down the alleys of the Meraxis Empire and hung her head low underneath her cloak. She dared not make any eye contact with citizens that walked by in case she were spotted and interrogated for her presence here.

*The rumors and economy this Empire spreads makes me think of a legendary one... Reich was it?* Her lack of memory made her shake her head. *It is time to focus, not time to think on things that truly never existed.*

She placed her hand steadily on her hilt. Perfect. The shiny, newly poisoned Sith Blade she was just awarded was tucked away secretly under her cloak. It was ready for its very first kill. Her poison was meant to paralyze any witnesses it may come across while it would give a killing strike to the victim Scholae Palatinae waited longingly to destroy: The Meraxis Emperor himself.

Alara awaited the arrival of dusk in the city and eagerly watched the Emperor's March begin in the main street. There he was. The Emperor in all his glory: He wore a cheap suit with a ill-shapen bone crown on his head as mockery to any that betray him. The Dark Jedi moved quickly from the alley, hopped onto the medieval rooftops, and observed the early crime scene below.

*Damn,* she thought with a biting lip, *there is no way I'm getting myself in that crowd. I'll never get close enough.* Suddenly a thought popped into her brain that tickled her lips into a smile. Easy. I'll shoot him with my energy bow.

As the crowd drew nearer to her location, she found a tower to stand behind and lifted the bow to her cheek. The dashing emperor's cleanly cut black-hair came into sight, and gave her the perfect angle to strike. She breathed in deeply, called upon the Force for guidance in her mind, and let her fingers leave the bow's string. As if perfectly destined, the shot blasted a bolt of energy directly into the handsome emperor's temple, and knocked him clear off his faux leather throne. The crowd up-roared in both joy and in anxiety as each person was thankful for the shot that saved them from an anarchist Emperor, but were afraid for their own lives and began running across the street in frenzy. Alara let out a chuckle and smiled in satisfaction. The job was done. The Emperor was destroyed. It was time for the new Empress, Elincia Rei, to be in true reign on this planet.

Alara turned behind the tower and quickly flicked her left wrist in front of her to make contact with the Proconsul.

"Has the task been completed?" Braecen's voice echoed over the datapad.

"Aye. The Emperor has fallen. Let's show the rest of these Meraxis what we are made of."

Not my best work, but I started so I wanted to finish!