A Dungeon In The Dark

[The Confessor]

[fancybox2]

CORUSCANT: GRAND IMPERIAL PRISON
1500 Hours

@EmilyHuene @One For Sorrow [/fancybox2]

And so here she was. Finally at the rank of Crusader instead of Acolyte, Eriana Fox was moving up in the verse. She'd recently taken on a new role in her workplace as an interrogator, while also a new name was growing for her out in the streets. The Confessor they called her. Like any rumor, it wasn't clear where it started, but it was born from her rather surprising results in interrogation and debriefing. The blind Sith, as she used to be called, could make even the hardest minds crack under her pressure and thus receive a confession from them of their guilt. It was only a matter of time.

As her work began to progress, Eriana realized she needed more and more space to accomplish the goals in mind. This was when Eriana had the idea to leave the prison, at least the building she was working in. She needed a safe place to get results and doing so with constant supervision of her superiors was infuriating. So a plan was formulating. Eriana had no desire to form some private prison, for running the establishment would mean duties as an administrator and she'd never have the free time she needed. So instead, she'd get herself stationed on a prison ship. More specifically: the Contemptuous-Class Dungeon Ship known by the name of The Gallows. It was a simple name, but a frightening one at that. This is what Eriana set her sights toward.

It was a simple task getting transferred to the vessel; her warden already hated her guts after all and was more than happy to get rid of her. The ship was called into orbit just outside of Coruscant and there Eriana set up work crews to remodel some of the lower floors. Up until now, The Gallows had only been used when needing to transport large number of prisoners from planet to planet. But with the war going on, there wasn't much need to have them transferred to and from Korriban or any of the other Outer Rim colonies. Eriana would give this grand beauty a new purpose. It would serve as her playground to explore the fruits of her research.

As the day loomed closer, Eriana's excitement only grew. She was constantly in a good mood. Her life had become so much more than it had in the past five years. She'd been promoted within the Sith, promoted within the Imperial Prison, and now she was being promoted again to a new stature. She was given several new toys to bring to her station, one such device being an Electro Whip. It wasn't very effective in battle, so only slavers and the like used them. But it gave Eriana more of that domineering look she really liked to flaunt. What was a dungeon master without her whip?

Dressed in her normal Sith Attire, the Confessor strolled up the long staircase of the Grand Imperial Prison where she would be meeting her long time friend -Talo Geist- who was going to escort her through her new ship. She was also being accompanied by forty Imperial Troopers which Eriana had dubbed Fox Battalion, fitting. The soldiers would be waiting for Eriana up on the prison already, as would Talo's. There was no need for any Imperial Outfit to be standing guard outside on the streets. No one would dare attack a Sith here. Especially not one dressed like Eriana. Her two curved lightsabers and her electro whip were all clipped onto her belt of her corset and her Sith Crusader helmet was tucked under the crook of her arm while she walked. Over everything, was her long, black trenchcoat with the Imperial Republica insignia's on either shoulder.

"Good afternoon, my friend. Are you ready to move up in the world?"

As of recently, Talo had been acting strange. Eriana had her suspicions, but she didn't want to say anything to the man. She didn't want him to get his hopes up until he was absolutely sure this is what he wanted. But if Eriana's theory was correct: Talo Geist was a Force sensitive. His greatest dream was coming true.

 

[Talo Geist]

Talo waited at the top of the stairs of the grand imperial prison, his hands clasped behind his back. After a while off of Coruscant his armor and boots were once again gleaming, having been polished for hours once he had gotten home. His dual pistols were as always holstered on his thighs, and his coat was new. He hadn'trecieved a promotion like his only friend in the galaxy, but he had gained quite a bit in his own right.

Waiting with Eriana's troops wothing the ship were his own thirty Imperial Troopers, behind them his very own group of ten Imperial Intelligence Agents. All his to command. He had inspected his men himself before coming here, and again when they lined up to await Lady Fox.

As his friend reached the top of the stairs he bowed slightly in his own greeting. "Good afternoon Lady Fox. Ready and willing as always." he said, keeping his tone proffessional while in a public place, "I hear many congradulations are in order."

She wouldn't see it, but he was smiling. It wasn't often one was promoted.

He noted her new electro whip hanging from her belt, an impressive piece of weaponry. Especially for the Confessor herself. He found himself wishing he had his own nickname.

The agent could feel her "looking" at him funny, he wouldn't bring it up though. He knew that she would bring up whatever was on her mind all in due time.

@EmilyHuene

 

[The Confessor]

Working her way up the stairs filled Eriana with a sense of pride and warmth. She could sense Talo looking down to her as she approached, and she sensed a certain joy in his emotions. Clearly he regarded her in the same way that she did for him. They were good friends. Eriana wondered at times if it could ever be more, but she reminded herself that it would be impossible. She -for all intents and purposes- had chastised herself to the Force. Taking anyone else who mind distract her from her true mission would not be acceptable.

As they stood in front of one another, he would reply to her saying that he was ready to depart. He'd then ask, in a rhetorical kind of way, that congratulations were in order. It was clear by his voice he was happy for her, but she could even tell a slight disappointment in his tone too. She assumed it was due to her succeeding and getting ahead, leaving him behind. It was hard to be happy for someone when one felt under appreciated in their own way.

Trying to distill any of those negative thoughts within her friend, she'd reach out and clap him on his shoulder. It wasn't often that Eriana ever made physical contact with someone, and he would know this. He'd understand it was a very special bond between them that she took the time and effort to do this now. All the while, she had a smile on her face. She'd still look straight ahead of her though, essentially looking into his collar bone. That wasn't by choice, more of height differences.

"I thank you, my friend. But I would not be where I am without your help. You deserve as much of this as I do. Maybe even and then some." She'd think back to the two times he had to practically carry her out of danger. The thought brought an odd grin to her lips. She'd then lean in close and whisper, "After all, you're always taking care of me."

Pulling away, she'd put her hands behind her back and wait for him to move out of her way. She could walk around him, but she figured he'd gesture for her to enter into the building. If the doors weren't electronic she might almost expect him to move first and hold it open for her, like some out dated chivalrous way of doing things. He had that kind of mentality about it. Eriana respected that. In fact, she adored him for it. It's what separated him from the rest of the rabble.

"Come, let us go inside. I wish to see my desk one last time before we head up to see the warden."

Moving into the building she would head to the first security checkpoint and have her belongings scanned. It was annoying, as she was covered in so much metal to throw off any sensors, but the men were understanding. She'd go through this five or six times a week, depending on if she felt the need to come in on weekends. The process was painless, just time consuming. Next she'd go to the second clearance desk where she had to sign in with a droid and enter her keycard to pass through. This was normally a quick swipe and she was through, but today she had to vouch for Agent Geist behind her. That would take a minute or two in itself as she couldn't read the documents requested of her and had to have the droid verbally read them to her. Groan!

 

[Talo Geist]

Talo was surprised at the contact from his friend, the last -and only- time she had made contact with him was when she had used to force to see through his eyes. This was...different. and Talo liked it.

He was glad for her friendship, it really did mean the world to him. Nothing in the galaxy could compare to actually having a friend.

The agent followed his dear friend through the doors. He was made to remove his armor and weapons, placing them along with his coat in a bin to be scanned while he was subjected to extra scrutiny. A guard frisking "the alien" to make absolutely sure he wasn't carrying anything dangerous. The guard said something about not wanting to return his effects while Eriana was occupied with getting him through. Talo shot the man a look and nodded towards his Sith friend, reminding the man who he was with.

Talo finished putting his gear back on as Eriana finished with the paperwork, rejoining her without a mention of the racist guard. "I never thought it would be so difficult to get in to prison." he joked as they walked through the hallway.

 

[The Confessor]

As Talo came to join her, he'd make a funny quip about how getting into prison wasn't supposed to be this difficult. She humored him by giggling a little before shoving a visitor's pass into his chest. "Cute. Now put this on so we can go inside."

Moving through the security doors Eriana would begin leading Talo through the guards' side of the prison. They wouldn't pass into any of the rooms that had the computers and security features, but they'd go by them. Glass doors and walls separated them from those rooms while solid durasteel walls completely separated them from cells and other passageways on the other side. Each checkpoint they went to they'd have to wait for one door to open and close behind them before the one ahead of them would open too. Security was super tight in prisons like these.

Once they progressed further into the complex, Eriana would direct him to a lift. She'd said nothing up until now, as there really wasn't much to say. The real reason, was that there were cameras everywhere and Eriana didn't want to get all weepy on a video recording. Inside the lift, she'd hover her hand over the panel and feel for the right button. They weren't labeled any certain way, she'd had top memorize where they were over time. It was annoying, but she dealt with it.

The lift would descend, taking them to a low floor that was for all intents and purposes, the basement. What a blow it was to her ego coming down here for the first time finding her office basically by a set of boilers. So infuriating. It did keep her warm during the cold months though. So that was something. They'd walk down the hallway past several pipes and Eriana would stop suddenly before entering into her room. She'd reach to her right, sticking her hand in between a dark patch of pipes that the light didn't hit. She'd pull her hand back and a single metal key was now in her palm.

Turning, she'd hand the key to Talo then say quietly, "This key...no. Talo, my friend, this is a security measure. I don't think the time will ever come of it to be used, but if something should happen to me...if anything should ever happen to me, then I'll trust you to do what is necessary. That key will get you into my basement, at my manor. Burn everything. Do I make myself clear?"

Her eyes stared into his chest like they always did, but he could feel that if she could see him, she would have been staring deep into his eyes to see his soul. His answer meant the world to her, because he was the only one she could trust. She knew this new promotion meant more risks, and more enemies. And she didn't want to get caught in a web that she couldn't escape. Whatever secrets she was keeping, she trusted only one person to get rid of the evidence. And that was Talo Geist.

 

[Talo Geist]

Hang on. Eriana had both made physical contact with him AND laughed...no...giggled at a bad joke. Who the kriff was he with right now and what had they done to Lady Fox?

Talo followed his friend through the halls and passages, in awe of the place. He hadn't gotten to see much of the prison itself the last time he was here, especially not this side of things. Between the impressive security measures and the rooms full of computers that Talo would love to get into he could understand why one would want to work here.

Once they were in the elevator Talo noticed that there were no markings or anything to help Eriana find the right button, part of him wanted to offer to push the button but he knew that she had been here doing this long enough that she could do it. Shortly they were headed down. The Nagai agent hadn't expected that, someone of Eriana's importance should have had an office on an upper floor he would have thought.

Eventually they made it to her office, definitely not what he had expected. Talo understood now why she had been so happy to get a new station. He himself had no office of his own. There was a desk in a bullpen somewhere that he occasionally worked from, but he usually just did things from his home.

It was when she corrected herself to specifically call him her friend and gave him a key that his jaw actually dropped, he was glad for once that she couldn't see the shock on his face. But he knew that even before his fingers brushed hers as he took the key from her that she would be able to feel the shock and other emotions he was feeling through the force. "Consider it done, my friend." he smiled as he spoke. Being that trusted made him feel more special than he ever had.

Finally, he looked around her office. It was nice really. Much nicer than his cubicle. "You know Eriana," he knew he could use just her name when they were alone, "This is actually a nice office." he could have made a joke, not in a mean way. Just friendly silliness. But he was actually still a little bit in shock at just how far she trusted him.

He actually wanted to hug her. But that might be presumptuous.

 

[The Confessor]

The man didn't even pause. He took the key from her and explained that he would do what she'd asked of him. It brought a smile to her face. The key itself was old fashioned, meant for a locking door that would be completely off the grid so to speak as there weren't any electronic pieces that someone could slice into. That's what she intended for when having an engineer at a security company design for her. Inside though...well that was a mystery for another day.

He'd then say something that puzzled Eriana. The office behind them which looked clean and full of space was probably the perfect place for someone who wished to work alone and out of the way. But the girl would make a simple joking laugh and brush her hair aside.

"Oh that? No my office is upstairs. I was only down here when I first started. I haven't set foot down here in a good five years. I said what I said so I can get that key without raising suspicion."

She'd start walking back towards the lift when she'd call over her shoulder, "You don't think someone like me would ever allow them to keep me down here, did you?"

Eriana smirked and waited at the lift for Talo to enter behind her. It was fun pulling his leg a little. She liked teasing him every now and then. When he returned, she'd press another button for one of the upper floors and away they went. The world rushed by them unseen through the thick walls, but Eriana saw. She saw every ghostly flame in her vision of the hundreds of prisoners in her sight all rushing past her as she ascended over their heads like the god that she was to them.

The doors would beep and open up once more showing a more fancy sort of look to them. Higher ups worked on this floor; that much was obvious. But Eriana wasn't going to her office this time either and instead kept walking straight to the door on the end which had the warden's name on a plaque outside of the door. She waited for Talo to join beside her when she'd knock twice with the back of her knuckles and await permission to enter.

"This is the last time I have to such up to this presumptions as-"

Her words were cut off as the door whooshed aside. Eriana lowered her fist and put both palms behind her as she walked into the man's plush office. If ever there was a man spending frivolously on the budget it was Warden James Carr. But he ran the place. Until he did something actually wrong, no one would question him. Eriana made her way around the two chairs awaiting on the opposite side of the desk and took the one on the right, allowing Talo the left.

"Miss Fox," he'd say in contempt. Apparently he didn't like her any more than she did.

"Warden," she'd reply just the same.

He'd fold his hands on the desk, "Did you bring your list of prisoners with you?"

Eriana pulled out from behind her cloak a holo disk and sat it on the mahogany desk then slid it over to him. It rumbled a paper he'd had lying out and the grumble from his bearded mouth made it clear he wasn't happy about it. He smoothed out his paper and flipped the switch of the disk as a hologram would start rotating. It showed one prisoner, his file, and then switched to another. Three in total, then it would repeat.

"The three inmates I wish to take with me are: Gentry Bel, Horuk Mann, and Malakai."

Three inmates. Three lives that had come into contact with Eriana that she'd personally brought to justice. Bel had been the first one, escaping a prison transport and taking it for a joyride. Her and a Sith by the name of Wes Drast had managed to bring him back to custody. Mann was a very interesting dealer who worked in the slave trade who'd sold his girlfriend and a host of her friends. He faked her disappearance by going to the police, thinking they'd never suspect him a subject if he was the one coming to him. But Eriana saw through the ruse. And the final man, Malakai. She'd personally gotten to worm into his mind and pull very specific secrets from his mind. It's what granted her the nickname of "The Confessor" which was now starting to get root in her favor. Talo would recognize Malakai's picture as it had been his mission to bring the man down.

 

[Talo Geist]

Talo laughed as he walked off after his friend, tucking the key safely into an inner pocket of his coat. He thought at first that he would keep it at his home, but decided it was something important enough to keep on his person at all times.

"No, of course not. I expect someone like you to kick the warden out of his own office because he knows you're that good." he answered as he entered the elevator with her again.

The ride up and subsequent walk through the fancy upper floor to the wardens office was silent, but it wasn't unpleasant. Though after she knocked on the door Talo knew she hated the man they had come to see.

The exchange Talo witnessed was curt, he could tell that the warden disliked Eriana as much as she did him. And he had to suppress a laugh after seeing how mad he was that she messed up his papers. A move he would have made.

The list was short, but Talo knew that Eriana had a reason for wanting each and evry one of them. Even the scumbag Zabrak that they had arrested in a mission led by himself as part of a practically dead campaign against drugs on coruscant. Though they let him spearhead the operation, the likelihood of it ever getting finished was about as low as the likelihood of Aliens suddenly being embraced by the Republica as a whole.

Talo watched the warden's face as he watched the list repeat itself.

 

[The Confessor]

Eriana laughed, again with a giggle, as he mentioned her kicking the warden out. "Would you believe me if I said I thought about it. I threatened him once. With my saber. It got me where I am, all things considered, but it would not have gone over well if I relieved him of his position. The council would likely not take my actions well. I may not respect the warden, but I do respect them."

***

Back upstairs, the warden would look over the potential subjects and consider something, deep in thought, before replying, "And why these three individuals?"

Eriana's reasoning was sound, and yet simple, "I have previous experience with all three inmates and have built up a report with them in their time here. The history we share will be paramount in my research and progression of my studies. Taking in random prisoners will mean I have to start over and such would be a waste of both of our times."

"Yes yes," the man would say and wave his hand. "Did you bring the transfer paperwork?"

"Already sent to your inbox."

Leaning back in his chair he would shrug his shoulders then wave his hand again for them to go, "Very well. I'll see to it they get moved as soon as The Gallows is ready to receive them."

Eriana would stand and salute him, giving him one final thanks, before turning to leave the room. She hadn't seen any of his gestures, but Talo would have, the same one he'd give now and hold up a hand to Talo to have him stand by for a moment. Eriana got to the door when she realized Talo wasn't following and would turn for a second. She didn't need any explanation of what was happening, so she then left and headed into the hallway. Her ears would still hear them from there...

"You trust that b-tch?" he'd ask the Nagai. "She gives me the creeps. If you have any sense about you, boy, you'd best steer clear of that one."

 

[Talo Geist]

Talo stood for a moment, completely blown away by the disrespect shown to Eriana by this... this....peon. and as he thought he became angry. More angry than he had been in a long time. But this anger didn't take the form of hot, explosove rage. This anger was cold.

The relatively tall Nagai leaned down, placing both his palms on the warden's desk and looking the man in the eyes. His hate filled gaze almost cowing the man on it's own. "Warden, I would advise you to be more respectful when speaking about Lady Fox. If you had any sense about you you would realize that a Sith Crusader is far higher on the totem pole than you and that the request for her prisoners is a mere courtesy to you." Talo paused, holding up a hand and effectively silencing the indignant warden. Possibly sheerly out of shock that anyone would dare speak to him this way. "Furthermore, in general. I would suggest not insulting a powerful Sith at all. Though she may jot be inclined to do so, Lady fox could flay you alive with her mind."

Talo stood then, turning and walking away from the warden. He stopped in the doorway and half looked over his shoulder at the man. "And to answer your question. Yes, I trust her with my life. Lady fox and I have been in many situations together that a man like you wouldn't have the courage to even imagine himself in."

The Nagai walked briskly out of the office, stopping once he rejoined eriana and leaning with one hand against the wall. He was suddenly out of breath.

If she could see him she would easily detect the remnants of the fading rage in his eyes as he looked at her and smiled. "How did you work under that man for so long without killing him?" he chuckled as he stood up straight once more.

 

[The Confessor]

The warden was totally taken aback that this alien was siding with the noblewoman. He figured Talo out of anyone would receive her hatred as many Sith so often gave. He didn't think this alien would be on her side. He nearly melted into his seat as the man threatened him. Not out of his own power, but Eriana's. And the man was right to fear her. Maybe he just didn't know it yet. He wouldn't move as Talo turned for the door and stopped once more to say his mind again.

Outside, Eriana couldn't help but smile. Hearing Talo defend her like that...it was heart warming. She bit her lip to try and hide her emotions. He trusted her with his life. She knew that, and he knew the same was of her. But it didn't meant she didn't like to hear it said out loud every now and then. Especially to someone as pig headed as the warden.

When he returned to her, Eriana held her hand out for him to take. A seemingly strange gesture for anyone but them. She'd warmed up to him quite a bit and would now allow him to escort her places so she wasn't so focused on the living world around her; she could relax and just let him lead her around. Though she'd still do the same inside the prison. Her reasoning now was more personal.

He'd ask her how she put up with him, and she'd answer simply, "Composure, my dear friend. Anger and rage are impure emotions and lead to nowhere but despair. The Sith code tells us to embrace those emotions, but I find believing in something greater is the true path to strength."

Her hand would then clasp his and she'd lean in close to him, her breath warm against his neck. She'd whisper ever so quietly, "And thank you." She then planted a small a simple kiss on his cheek before letting go of his hand and turning back down the hall to the lift. She said nothing more on the matter and would let whatever emotions inside Talo stir in his confused and dazed mind. While she normally liked to tease and toy with him, this time, she really wanted to express how much it meant that he'd stuck up for her.

The lift would take them down to a lower floor which after a few more security gates led them to a hangar. A shuttle would be waiting for them to take them out to orbit to The Gallows. Eriana smiled and walked inside the shuttle, taking a seat in the back with Talo. Her legs crossed over one another in a formal fashion and she folded her hands in her lap like a lady was supposed to do. It was expected of her to always look like the noble she was. While she had no actual claim to royalty, her family had grown up in that sort of circle and Eriana was raised to always adhere to their rules. Posture being the foremost important one.

 

[Talo Geist]

Talo was surprised by Eriana's reaching towards him, but he took her hand happily. He felt very different, like his whole self was on fire. He could even somehow feel his hair.

He was quickly distracted from this feeling though as Eriana spoke, listening to her talk about her religion alsays fascinated him. Even if he didn't understand the force, the passion she spoke with was enough that he could listen to her for hours.

Then she got in close to him, her hot breath on his neck making him break out in goosebumps as the hair on the back of his neck stood up. Her voice in his ear made him tingle, and when she pecked his cheek he could feel his face heat up, he imagined he was likely a somewhat darker shade and was for once thankful that his dear friend couldn't see him.

Eventually they made it to the hangar, and the small shuttle within. Talo was excited to see Eriana's new vessel. Though for a moment he did wonder about her fear of flying while living aboard a large vessel.

He watched her sit down, noting the subtleties of her movements as she did. He sat himself down accross from her, enjoying the pleasant moment as he crossed his right leg over his left and rested his hands in his lap. Not out of refinement like Eriana, this was just comfortable for him.

As the shuttle took off a strange idea occurred to Talo, and he quickly switched to the seat beside his friend and grabbed her hand. Hoping to comfort her through their flight.

 

[The Confessor]

Her friend would join her on the shuttle and after a moment get back up to join her on her side of the bench. She wondered why he chose to do something like that until his hand grabbed for hers. Eriana didn't think anything else of it. She squeezed his hand reassuringly and took comfort in the fact he was trying to ease her spirits. He knew she hated flying. With a passion. It warmed her heart that he made the effort to distract her from it.

The shuttle was already moving when he decided to move, but her anxiety hadn't kicked in yet. She leaned into him and clutched his hand tightly with one hand; her other hand gripped tightly to the bottom of her seat. The world that was previously a vision of lines and shapes became a blur until she forced herself to stop trying to see and darkness overcame her. She had no idea what was around her, or what they were heading towards, but so long as her friend was next to her she could focus on that. Eriana took faith that he'd protect her, as he always seemed to do when he had the chance.

The shuttle ride didn't take nearly as long as some of their other adventures, so their shared hand holding came to a quick end. As they came to the docking bay, Eriana would reach out again and let the world come back to her. Sure she was living on a larger ship, but it was no different to her than an apartment building, or her work place, or any other building for that matter. She felt the walls and the various floors and all the people living inside of them. Just because there was endless amounts of space on the other side of those walls didn't mean she shared that same fright.

As the shuttle came to land Eriana would release Talo's hand. She felt kind of awkward since she only now just realized how tightly she'd gripped it. She'd give him a soft apology and take off the buckles keeping her to the chair. Finding her dignity and clarity again she'd leave the shuttle and head down the ramp where eighty plus souls were waiting for them. Fourty of them belonged to Eriana. Talo would notice they were dressed in brand new armor plating, painted with whites and reds of the Imperial Republica; a fox insignia proudly displayed on each shoulder.

Upon seeing the two warriors, the men would solute their commanders and present their arms to them. Eriana smiled and walked on, but Talo would know inside she was beaming. Having troopers under their command was not something Eriana had always wanted. It was only recently that she really decided she wanted to move up in that sort of command; she had been perfectly complacent in working in solitude. At the front of the group, or the back technically which was closest to the door, there would be a man in Imperial outfit showing his superiority. At least to the troopers. The captain still was under Eriana's command.

"Lady Fox, it is a pleasure to welcome you on board."

Eriana nodded her head and would reply, "Thank you, Captain. If you please, I'd like a tour of my ship now."

The man would salute and then cross his hands behind his back, "As you wish, Lady Fox."

The Captain -Hamilton- was his name, would turn and head to the door of the hanger after making sure Eriana and Talo were ready to follow. Eriana walked with the same poise she always had, her arms subtly crossed behind her back in the same way the commander had done. She stayed quiet, letting Captain Hamilton explain what every room was. She kept a mental note of all the steps it took to each place, maping it out in precaution, as if she ever needed to find her way through without her powers. Her own mansion back on Coruscant she could do blind -more blind than she was per se- and she knew she'd have to do the same thing here one day.

"This will be good for us," she told Talo quietly. "Together we will make a difference in the Force.

 

[Talo Geist]

Talo exited the shuttle with his dear friend, stopping for a moment as her red and white troopers along with his own grey and brown armored men, and the small group of black uniformed intelligence agents behind them, saluted the two. That was something he was going to have to get used to.

The Nagai agent followed along with the captain through the various rooms they toured, his hands clasoed behind his back in the manner as the captain and Eriana.

Asside from the huge flagships of the empire, this was the largest vessel he had ever been on. It was an incredibly impressive ship, and Talo was looking forward to the time he and Eriana would spsnd on board.

As they toured the ship Eriana spoke.to him quietly enough that the captain couldn't hear, he agreed that it would be good for them, that was certain. It was the other part that tripped him up. "I'm not sure i could make much difference in the force. You on the other hand, well I'm glad to say I have your back." he responded in the same hushed tone, then adding even more quietly, "No matter what."

 

[The Confessor]

At her pleasantry, Talo seemed disheartened. He didn't seem to sure of himself, or his abilities, despite all he'd done for her up until now. She gave him a small reassuring smile, if he happened to be looking at her face at least, and would hold a hand out to his. Her thumb brushed against the back of his hand in a soothing manner. He then added that he was happy to have her back, and to that she could agree. Eriana trusted him greatly, more than anyone else. Knowing he was there for her gave her the strength she needed to do what was necessary sometimes.

"Give yourself more credit, my friend. You are plenty capable of doing amazing things. You just...need to believe in yourself."

Eriana wanted to tell him, to give him more of a hint that he might actually be capable of using the Force as she could. But as she'd decided before, maybe it would be better for him to learn on his own. Though, she did have an idea to play the cards just right. Waiting until the Captain finished showing them the next room in their tour, Eriana would perk up and interrupt him in the lull between sentences.

"Captain, if you please. How are my special rooms coming along?"

Hamilton would turn and face them, "Oh. Well they are being renovated as we speak. Did you want to go and view their progress?" His face stiffened when he said the word 'view'. but Eriana didn't seem to pay it any mind.

"Yes, if you please. I think my friend here will find it rather informative."

"As you wish then" he would say and start heading back to one of the lifts at the end of the hall.

On one of the lower levels of the ship the lift would deposit them. Right away the smells of carpentry and metalwork were in the air. On the table directly in front of them were a box of hardhats and the captain held one to each of them. Eriana did not make a move to put one on; Talo could take one if he wished. After dawning his own hard hat, Hamilton would then carefully lead them down the halls where several man and droids were working on the walls. Electrical cables were being run every which way making the terrain rather hazardous. Eriana would hold her hand out to Talo again in assistance navigating her way.

The first thing Talo would notice were that there were several rooms each in similar size and length. They were long enough for an average person to lie flat lengthwise, but only be able to sit with their legs extended sideways. There were not yet toiletries installed, nor were the beds. Though Eriana was not intending to have beds installed in these rooms. Eriana stopped in front of a section of them and felt the floor plan out with her inner mind.

"These are where I'll be keeping the prisoners. Bel, Mann, and Malakai. And several others when I get more resources. They will be my trial cases. But of course, the average prisoners will have their cells up above. I'm sure the Republica will be having us shipping war prisoners across the verse."

She would then turn to Hamilton and ask, "Are any of them ready?"

"Yes mam. The one on the end there. We wanted to see how the.....specifications worked when you sent the blueprints. It isn't fancy, but the systems work as you requested."

"Please show us."

Hamilton nodded and would lead them to the last cell on the left. The toilet had now been installed and Talo would notice lying down in there would be much harder since half the length on one side was being occupied by the metal frame. There were also speakers hanging out in open panels in the wall with their cords hanging out messily. As Hamilton said, it wasn't fancy. He'd then give the both of them a look and would flip a switch on the wall. Eriana had in this time raised both hands up to plug her ears.

As the switch was thrown the speakers would start blaring the loudest screeching alarm Talo had ever heard. Even plugging her ears Eriana was flinching and squirming; it was all over her face the anguish she was feeling. Though, some of it had to do with the fact her ears were more sensitive than others. But that wasn't all that was going on. The lights were also beginning to flash and strobe in awful blinding flash. It made the brightly, white painted walls seemingly even more bright. Eriana was glad she couldn't see that part of this torture.

The captain would only keep the sirens and strobe lights on for a moment before turning them off. Eriana could still feel her ears ringing. The blue light on the door would also go away. She pulled her hands back and used her smallest finger to pick at the insides as if she had something stuck on the insides.

"That was rather unpleasant. Effective though." She coughed and cleared her throat, straightening out her back to better posture. "Yes I think those will work splendidly. The sensory deprivation will be a perfect way to break my subjects and allow easier access into their minds. People often think pain is the only torture, but they are so narrow minded."

 

[Talo Geist]

Talo smiled slightly at his friend's encouragement, he knew he would be able to do much. But in his mind it would always be at Eriana's side, he knew that in her eyes he would be considered an equal even if he never held a high rank of his own.

He also thought that there was something she wasn't telling him. If they got some time alone he would ask.

When Eriana asked the captain to take them to see special cells he was intrigued, and he followed along excitedly. From the sounds of it his friend had designed something quite special.

Eventually they made it to where to construction was underway, Talo decided against the hardhat. He just really didn't like things on his head. He was impressed with the design of the cells, and when he saw the one that was finished his eyes widened. Then clamped shut as he slammed his hands over his ears to try and drown out the awful racket, the demonstration itself was torture.

"Indeed, in fact psychological torture is often much more effective. I guarantee this will work better than even skinning someone alive." after a slight pause a wry grin spread across Talo's face, Eriana would not be able to see it but she would definitely be able to hear the mischief in his voice, "And far less messy."

 

[The Confessor]

She giggled at his joke and replied, "Oh yes, far less messy," She then clapped her hands on her hips and sighed contently. "Now....if you please...Talo...please step inside the cell for a moment. I want to test something." And before he could interject she added, "Oh, and Captain. Do turn off the sound please? We don't need to hear that again."

"Uh...as you wish, Lady Fox."

The Captain was concerned about why she was tossing her friend in the cell, but he didn't say anything on the matter. Lest she decide to throw him inside. He'd quickly switch one of the toggles on the screen and muted the annoying sounds. She hadn't said anything about the lights. So he asked if she wanted those turned off too, to which she'd oblige.

Now surely, Talo would protest. In a safe and friendly manner she baited him in, "Please, Talo? Do this for me? I promise I'll let you back out."

There was no lie in her voice. And nothing that would make him seem like she was threatening him. He very well could reject her suggestion and leave it at that. She wouldn't try to stop him further if he got mad about it, but she would push him a little more if he still seemed uneasy. One way or another, if he chose to listen to her she'd have the captain switch on the blue shield door, and thus the Force negating barriers throughout the cell. This is what Eriana wanted to test. If Talo was Force sensitive -and Eriana believed as such- he would now feel strangely cut off from the world. As if something had been lost to him. He would not react nearly as much as Eriana might if the roles were reversed, but that's what Eriana wanted to see for herself.

 

[Talo Geist]

Talo was glad that Eriana lmhad enjoyed his little joke, and equally as glad that it seemed to make the captain at least a little bit uncomfortable.

The captain then seemed amused at Talo's look of shock when his dear friend asked him to get in the tiny cell, to test something no less. His mouth began working open and shut as he tried to think of a response but then he stopped and nodded. "Of course Lady Fox."

He was admittedly unsure, but he trusted Eriana more as much as he trusted himself. And since she was the only person not named Talo Geist that he trusted, that was quite a bit. The agent got into the small cell and sat with his back against the wall and his knees pulled up to his chest. "Cozy." he jokingly deadpanned.

Once he was situated and Eriana gave the word the sheild door activated and Talo suddenly felt very strange. He would normally chalk it up to having just been trapped behind a barrier, but this was somehow more intense. He had no clue what it was but something was suddenly missing, Something he hadn't realized was there until it wasn't. Whatever it was he wanted it back.

He knew Eriana wouldn't leave him in there for long. He assumed she just wanted to test the room with a person in it, maybe there was some kind of device she had devised to make people feel uneasy like he did right now and she had wanted to test it, Talo made a mental note to ask her when he got a chance.

Really he hoped the tour would end soon so they could have some time alone, he always enjoyed their talks when they could drop the social pretenses.

 

[The Confessor]

Talo's humor continued to please The Confessor. He moved to the back of the cell and sat down with his legs crossed. He confirmed it was comfy, but Eriana assumed he was just being sarcastic. Even still, it made her giggle for a moment. And while he did not need to go all the way back to the wall, she didn't bother stopping him. Standing at the door would have sufficed.

What happened next though would all be on her friend. Eriana could not see his reactions and he wasn't giving her any vocal clues that he was in distress. From what Eriana could tell, he didn't appear to be in any harm. She half expected him to say something at least. But they all stood there in silence as she waited for him to complain. Then after a moment of being unsure she would flag the captain and explain that her test was over.

"That's enough, Captain. Thank you. You are dismissed."

"As you wish, mi'lady."

He would shut down the gate as she instructed and bow to her (a pointless gesture but Talo could always affirm he'd done so if the blind Sith asked; which she wouldn't). He then turned and headed off the floor to leave them alone. With the door down, Eriana held her hand for Talo to come take it and join her again. She had a puzzled look on her face, but she was worried about him as well. She'd never set foot inside one of those chambers, and she prayed she'd never have to experience it. Part of this experiment was for him to explain it to her. She was, in a way, living vicariously through him again. Just like the time she'd shared his eyes with her.

"How are you feeling? Are you in any pain? What did it feel like?"

 

[Talo Geist]

Talo took Eriana's hand and held it tight as he came out of the cell. Whatever it was that he had felt the sensation of being cut off from was returning, and she was like a beacon of....normalcy was the only word that he could find to describe it.

His heart was racing, and he was so dazed by the experience that he was barely even aware that they were alone now. It took him a few moments to even realize that she had spoken to him.

"No...no pain...I just." Talo fell down on his butt, loosening his grip on her hand in time for them to slip apart before he pulled her down on top of him. "Weirdly disoriented." he muttered to himself as he managed to pull himself into a slightly more dignified position on the floor. "That was perhaps the strangest sensation I have ever felt Eriana." he began, looking at her coherently for the first time since he stepped out. "I felt...hollow? No...isolated? Cut off. From...something. I don't know what though, but as soon as the gate shut it was just gone. But I hadn't known it was there..like....You know when you're in a room, and theres a noise from a light fixture or something, and its always there so you don't really notice it, and then suddenly the noise stops and THAT'S when you realize there had been a noise in the first place? That's what it was like. But on a way bigger scale. I'm still a little dizzy from it to be honest."

Talo knew his explanation made no sense, and was erratic, but it was the only way he could get it out. He hoped she had answers for him. Otherwise he was likely to go mad.

Though he was beginning to think he already had.

@EmilyHuene