Ask Lazarus

[Leon Baudelaire]

Leon’s eyes snapped open. He was disoriented, and his mouth tasted like iron. Disgust twisted his guts as he realized how full he was. His hands shook as his mouth filled with saliva and his gorge began to rise. His clothes were ragged tatters with only what was left of his trousers still clinging to his body. He squeezed his eyes closed and clenched his jaw until he tasted fresh blood. His blood.

It was like all the times before. Flashes of grotesque gore and violence. A beast consuming the flesh of the innocent and scared… but these weren’t nightmares and there was no way for him to deny the reality of his hellish life. Baudelaire had dropped off the face of the galaxy. Once a prominent member of the Jedi, now…. Something to be hunted by them. He spit his blood onto the dew covered earth and got up. He’d been searching for a way to lift his curse since he’d found release from Raze’s control. A fact he still wasn’t clear on, but not one he was interested in investigating until he handled his current situation.

Leon made it to his stashed pack and pulled out a change of clothes. He slipped into a black tunic, and pulled on fresh trousers of the same color. A holo fell out of his bag and it spit out an image he wasn’t prepared to see.

Ezra, arms crossed chin raised and scowling while trying to hide the smile tugging at the corners of his lips, Dash, arms wrapped around Ez with a smile as bright as fresh fallen snow, Ferrin poised next to Leon himself as they struck a ridiculous pose that involved promiscuous squatting and finger guns. He could feel a smile starting… then the image dimmed and Jayna came into view. Leon couldn’t bring himself to look at her for long. It hurt too much.

Guilt welled up like a tsunami. He missed her. He missed all of them. Leon’s brow furrowed. No matter what happened to him, he’d always love his squad, and it was precisely for that reason he had to stay away from them. He’d never forgive himself if he changed and hurt any of them. It’s why he’d gone dark. Why he’d never contacted Starlight. Why he’d never answered a single incoming transmission from them. This was a path he alone had to walk, but first he had to get the hell off this planet.

Wherever the hell that was…

@Phoenix

 

[Vanya]

Vanya had fully embraced her Jedi Crusader role. In fact, it was something she was far more comfortable with than most of what the Jedi Order had been while she was with it. She was a warrior, and this shift empowered her to be a warrior for the Winged Spirit as she felt she was called to.

Denon had been sacked by the Raze Loyalists, and the planet Iseno had - rightfully - become nervous. Right next door to Denon, they were a suitable target for a potential follow up attack, and Vanya had come here because their strong military - even ceremonial - could prove an ally in the coming years. Years. It was hard to fathom that this war was only going to get worse and it was inevitably drag on for years to come.

She pushed the thought from her mind as she pulled the hood up over her head and pulled her outer cloak tighter around herself. In addition to the hope of raising an army, there was a rumor - or really more than a rumor - that one of the abominations (and a particularly deadly one) had somehow gotten onto Iseno.

There was no record of how such a person had gotten aboard, and Vanya had come to wonder if it was one of the Raze "infiltrators" that they had heard so many rumors about.

She made her way to the quarantined market where the attack had taken place, looking at the gory, disemboweled remains of the victims who had been feasted on by this beast. Her face didn't twitch, though. Inwardly, she was repulsed by what had happened here, but her disgust wouldn't change the fact.

She started looking over the scene, following down one of the side alleys leading away. People had, of course, scrambled to flee and that made truly tracking anything impossible, but the Essence seemed to draw her this way for some reason.

 

[Leon Baudelaire]

Leon fell into his typical routine. First he needed to figure out where he was, last he knew he was close to Denon, but why he was there was beyond him. When he was called he didn’t have a choice, he just went. Sure, he’d tried to fight it initially, but the pain and anguish of refusing the call was… more than he could handle. It was selfish and he was a coward for it, but that’s what it was. He assumed it was the same for all of the beasts like him. That’s assuming anyone else tried to resist.

Baudelaire rounded a corner and spotted a space port. He felt himself release a breath he hadn’t realized he was holding. This time he’d strand himself so far out there’d be no way for his transformed self to hurt anyone. The problem with that was, if he committed… There was a weight to his blaster he’d never noticed before. A beckoning. A promise of release. Killing himself would save countless lives and return him to the force. It would end his incessant loneliness but it wouldn’t bring back the people he’d killed and it wouldn’t fix the other’s that were like him.

He tore his mind from the weapon, but the temptation was always there, waiting and whispering. He passed a street that was cordoned off by Security force tape. His eyes widened in horror as the flashes and images came pouring back into his mind. The feel of skin parting under the press of his razor like claws. The salty tang of blood filling his mouth. The screams of terror and pain as he filled himself. It took every ounce of discipline he had not to vomit.

Leon forced himself to look away, to get away from the grizzly scene. He could feel the dark side calling to him. It’s seductive tones rejoicing in the destruction. Just before he managed to turn himself from the wreckage of the market he saw something that froze him to his core. A single shoe, infant size. Tremors rocked his body as the implication slammed into him. He fell to his knees, hands trembling, as tears stung his eyes.

There was a sound to his left, Leon’s head whipped to the side, fury incumbent etched in his expression.

“Stay back!” he screamed as the cloaked figure stepped out from the alley.

@Phoenix

 

[Vanya]

Vanya had no idea what she was walking into. She was - once again - scared to proceed. She had fought abominations before but usually with someone else, and the rumors that surrounded the "infiltrators" were far more terrifying. They were rumored to be generals or leaders among Raze's forces and they were rumored to be far more dangerous. So dangerous, in fact, that Vanya wasn't sure that she could actually take one on alone.

As she came to a man, buckled over on his knees as if in excruciating pain, she didn't even realize that her hand had fallen to her lightsaber, grasping the hilt in her hand under her cloak.

I will not, she said, her voice attempting to be strong, but shaking slightly as she said it. The sound of her own voice, however, made her feel stronger.

Are you responsible for these killings? she asked. Typically straightforward and direct of her, she knew the odds were that whoever this was - she couldn't see his face - was not involved. Though, as she sniffed him out in the Essence, there was no question that he had a hint - or more than a hint - of the Shadow about him.

Her lightsaber burst to life in her hands as her gaze flicked around the alleyway to look for signs of anyone else. Had he caused all the bloodshed alone? Were there others? Was he actually one of these infiltrators? Was he about to transform?

 

[Leon Baudelaire]

He’d tried to warn her… his cracked lips pulled back over his clenched teeth. Slowly, he turned his gaze on her but before he could see her he heard her question and just like a candle in the wind his fury was snuffed out. His shoulders slumped and his eyes drifted down to the soft shoe he held clenched in his fist. His vision blurred as his eyes swam with tears.

“I am,” he managed to say with choked emotion. The admission was a double edged blade. To say out loud. To admit it to someone… There was freedom in it. He’d been running from the truth. Running from the unnaturalness of it. The perversion of it. Of him. But now with his body withered and weakened from his curse, the light had finally come to call.

He couldn’t hide from it anymore. He was a beast, and it was far past time he was put down. The ignition of her lightsaber was a welcomed threat. Maybe death would be kinder than life had been. Leon wiped the tears from his eyes. What shreds of his Adumarian pride remained demanded he go down without weakness displayed. He let go of the baby shoe and turned to face the force user.

Leon’s eyes fell on her. He could tell immediately she was a light side user. He could feel it. It was strange to feel it the light this way. He missed it. He missed it's warmth. Now it only scorned him. Her face was partly obscured by her hood so he couldn't get a good look at her. He held his head up, throat out. His hair fell out of his face exposing his gaunt features.

“Make it clean, huh?”

@Phoenix

 

[Vanya]

When she saw who turned around, Vanya nearly dropped the lightsaber right out of her hand as she took a shocked step back.

Leon!? she exclaimed, trying to put together the pieces of a puzzle that was not coming even close to adding up. And... and he just admitted to killing the people? But why?

But... but why? Why did you kill those people? she asked, pointing her lightsaber point straight at him, though she made no actual strike. She didn't want to kill Leon. Leon the man who had led her around when she first came to the Order. Leon who had been a kind friend to her. Leon... who had murdered people and who had darkness lingering on him.

What happened to you? she asked, still trying desperately to put the pieces together.

 

[Leon Baudelaire]

A sardonic smile peeled across Leon’s expression. Of course in his final moments he’d be revealed to someone who knew him. Shame, embarrassment, and guilt welled up inside as he forced himself to look Vanya in the eye. They’d been kindred spirits once. He remembered their meeting fondly. It had been during a time in the Jedi where he was one of the few willing to think outside of the Order’s claustrophobic diatribe. Now, he sat before her a traitor to the order and a defiler of the innocent. He was everything they’d agreed to fight.

The injustice of his situation gave voice to his petulance, and as she asked him why he’d killed the people all around the market a harsh cynical bark of laughter escaped his lips, “ You think I wanted this? You think I wanted to do this?” he was practically hysterical as the truth came bubbling out of him.

“ I’m a monster, feel me. Search for the light in me, you’ll not find it. I’ve been cursed, twisted, broken.” He waited for her to probe and prod him with the light, he welcomed it’s burn, it’s judgment.

“I was…” emotion welled up in him again and he could feel his shame sparking anger, “ I walked right into Raze’s trap.”

Was this the part where he begged for mercy? Begged for help? Begged to be killed?

“ He burned the light out of me and… and changed me, mutated might be more accurate.” his head hung as the final admission left him weak. He deserved death for his hubris.

“ I can’t stop it. No matter how hard I fight against it, I can’t stop. When it’s time, I’ll change, and with that change will come death and destruction.”

Leon wasn’t sure what else to say, surely she’d seen video clips. Surely, the Jedi had been investigating these atrocities, surely by now she’d know what he was, and what she had to do.

@Phoenix

 

[Vanya]

Vanya was still reeling from the revelation. She had dedicated her life to fighting the evils of Raze and the other forces of darkness that now ravaged the galaxy. She had given up her home and family to come out here and fight and defend the innocent without hesitation or fear.

What she hadn't expected was that the one of the faces she would be confronted with was a friend. A friend who had... fallen to the Dark Side? She knew the darkness created mistrust and lies, but something inside of her told her that his story wasn't false. He hadn't chosen this, it had been thrust upon him... and so what did that mean.

Did that mean he was free of responsibility? Did that mean there was no way to turn him back? She had... absolutely no idea and suddenly felt very out of her depth with the next step.

Then we're going to find a way to turn back what he did, she said simply. She knew it would be anything but simple, and she didn't even know if it was possible, but she refused to believe that evil would win. That its infection was so deep that the Winged Spirit couldn't heal it.

A part of her wondered - and she hated herself for it - if she should strike him down as he said. To end his suffering and keep anyone else from falling as his victim. But it felt... wrong. To execute someone unarmed and surrendering, it wasn't right. Someone whose grief and remorse over their actions were palpable to her even over the darkness that festered beneath the surface.

But she also knew that she couldn't let him go. She couldn't allow him to go on killing or to be possessed by whatever this evil was again.

She lowered her lightsaber, though she didn't actually turn it off.

Come with me and we'll get you help. This isn't you, she said.

@Zay

 

[Leon Baudelaire]

”Don’t…” Leon said, “Don’t give me hope.”

His verdant eyes bore into Vanya with a mixture of resentment and desperation etched into his features. “Where will you keep me? I can’t go to Starlight, I’m connected… or was… I don’t know what I am now, but taking me to anyplace the Jedi are would be foolish…”

Everything in him wanted to believe her, wanted to stand up and stroll back into the Jedi as if none of this had ever happened, but he knew that to be an impossibility. The flicker of hope he’d felt dwindled. This was his burden, but maybe she could get him somewhere that would weaken him, or.. What was inside of him.

The fateful moment was beginning to draw attention. As with any tragedy, people could help but poke and prod. A crowd was gathering and their voices would carry down the alley.

“I have time before my next transformation, we have a lot to talk about, I’ll go with you, but you can’t take me to a temple.”

@Phoenix

 

[Vanya]

The Jedi are built on hope, she said. The words were... relatively true, really. The Jedi had always decided to see the good in people, and Vanya was choosing to do the same now. She wouldn't give up on him so long as he was looking for a way out.

Vanya felt a little bit out of her depth with this, and he was rejecting the idea of going to anywhere where there were Jedi. That was... going to be her first thought to be honest. She had been planning to put him under guard with the Jedi. Did he think he could talk his way out of that?

Fine, she said. This way. How long? she asked, perhaps the most important question she could ask. She knew where she was going to take him, but the trip from here to there wasn't quick and would likely take the better part of a day and a half. She didn't want him trying to kill her in hyperspace on her ship.

Could she even trust what he told her about how long? She wasn't sure, but she thought so. She felt genuine remorse and grief within him.

She would lead him through the city toward her ship, sending a communique to the people of Iseno that she thought she had captured the threat and was working to neutralize it. True and vague words.

She started lifting off and rocketing toward hyperspace and their end destination: a place where if there was anyone who could help her, it would be there.

As they traveled through the blue-tunneled void, she sat down across from Leon. Tell me everything you know, she said.

 

[Leon Baudelaire]

Leon knew he didn’t have any other choice, it was to go with her, or continue to be a monster, at least this way he wasn’t alone and together he knew they could mitigate the damage he caused going forward. It wasn’t perfect, but it was a lot better than what he’d ever hoped. He knew he was still treading on thin ice, and he wanted to tell her whatever she asked, but in all honesty, he didn’t have exact answers… It wasn't like something he’d been training to accomplish; it was a need that started off as an itch and then grew into an undeniable compulsion.

They came to a corner and stopped. He checked to make sure the direction they’d chosen was one with less foot traffic and answered her question, “It’ll be about a month before I change again.”

They made it to her ship without complication and as they were enveloped in the tunneling blue hues Leon felt peace. A feeling he hadn’t felt in months. A feeling he never thought he’d feel again. Then she asked him to tell her everything.

Leon sighed, “I took a scouting mission on Coruscant, got flanked by abominations, a lot of them. Even now I don’t know how I didn’t feel or notice them. They literally herded me to Raze… then… then the next thing I remember I’m coming too on Adumar. No idea how I got there, I transformed… and I—” his gaze had fallen to the floor, “I destroyed most of a residential section in Cartann City… Initially, I was a slave to the monster. I could… hear it. Or at least I think that’s what I heard.” He shook his head, “Then the voice stopped, and I was able to think again, unfortunately… it was right before a change and I couldn’t get away…”

His shoulder slummed, “I don’t know if any of this is helpful…” he admitted.

@Phoenix

 

[Vanya]

Vanya felt a wave of relief to hear that it would be another month before he turned again. That was four weeks to find out if there was a way to cure this and if not... well, that wasn't a thought she wanted to consider.

Some of the abominations seem to be able to track the Force and others might even be able to conceal themselves, she said. She had fought these abominations on a couple of different occasions now, and she had learned how dangerous they could be.

She continued to listen as he chronicled his story and it sounded... horrible. She couldn't even imagine having her Light ripped out as it seemed he had.

Raze is dead, she said, mentally connecting the voice coming to an end with the realization that Raze had died. She wondered if he even knew. It had been months now, but he seemed to have been... a little out of it.

Do you remember anything about how you were infected? she asked, hoping - though not hopefully - for some sort of clue regarding how to turn him back. How to remove it.

We'll figure this out, she said. She didn't know how, but whatever they needed to do. She was just glad to have found someone who had been lost to them.

The ship would eventually lurch out of hyperspace and into real space again. A red planet could be vaguely seen off in the distance of the viewport.

 

[Leon Baudelaire]

”I don’t really know what I can do when I’m transformed, I don’t have any control. The only glimpses I get are in my nightmares. I’m sure it’s obvious, but my attunement to the dark side is nearly seamless, like I was never a part of the light.”

Even now as he sat across from her he felt uncomfortable in her presence.

Leon’s mouth dropped open in shock. Then a terrible heartbreaking revelation hit him. If Raze was dead… then there might not be a way for him to turn back. He felt like he was going to puke.

Baudelaire’s mind was still reeling when Vanya continued, he managed to calm himself, and said, “I remember the pain. I remember mind numbing, vocal cord bursting, femur shattering, pain. He shook his head, “ Then it’s black, and the next thing I know I’m doubled over on Adumar begging people to run,” he tried to press deeper, “I don’t even know how I come back to one piece. It doesn't make sense, my skin should literally rip off, but it doesn't, it just… expands.”

His brow furrowed. This was hopeless, he thought as he felt the ship began to transition out of hyperdrive. Vanya gave him a few words of encouragement. He smiled and said thank you, and as she got up and left his smile melted into a frown. There was nothing anyone could do…

Leon bobbed his head in agreement with Vanya’s choice. He didn’t recognize the planet immediately, but when he felt the call of the dark side, he knew where he was.

“Dathomir, smart,” he said, sliding in next to her. “What’s the plan?” he asked, because honestly, he was still leaning toward the whole kill me thing.

@Phoenix

 

[Vanya]

Vanya pitied him. She probably shouldn't have, but she did anyway. She couldn't even imagine what he was going through, and she felt disgustingly powerless to help. Whatever Raze did was far above her paygrade.

The plan? Yeah, because Vanya definitely had a plan. She definitely wasn't making this up as she went along.

The plan is to see if any of my people have an idea to turn this back... she said, though there was an almost palpable "and" coming ...and if that doesn't work then finding somewhere safe we can keep you when you transform, she said. It was an ugly proposal, but it was one that was necessary. She was fairly confident that he would see that.

She angled the ship down and set it down on the surface of the planet and she took a deep breath. She had left her Clan on decent terms, but there had still been a bit of tension there. Some people thought they should stay out of the galaxy's problems, but fortunately Mother Therit had supported her.

Just... stay behind me, she said, leading him down the ramp of the ship and toward the well-guarded village. He would be able to see the women in the trees above them, looking down and watching though no one struck out as they started walking along toward the village.

 

[Leon Baudelaire]

Leon frowned at her proposal, not because he had a better idea but because he had a sinking feeling he was going to learn what Rancor tasted like, and the thought wasn’t one he wanted to hold on to…

As Vanya brought them in for landing, Leon turned inward. He’d spent months trying to commune with the force like he had when Ezra had gone AWOL. No amount of meditation or spiritual ritual landed him on Mortis. His connection with the force, in the initial, had been so twisted, so vile that he’d been afraid to touch the power. Once he changed… Well, he understood why. Sense then he’d been doing his best to foster some sort of relationship with it just as he’d done with the light… it wasn’t going well.

So much had changed in the time he was gone. He was thankful none of his friends had come for him, well up to a point. When Ezra had gone missing he and Dash had been prepared to break every rule in the book to get him back. Maybe that had been the force. Maybe that had been predestined… Maybe the fact that no one had come for him meant…

Leon distracted himself by following behind Vanya off the ship and onto the surface of Dathomir. She asked him to keep close, and with a quick glance he understood why. The Adumarian, pulled the force into him as tightly as he could. If these people worshiped The Winged one a servant of the Shadow wouldn’t be welcomed, and honestly, he agreed with them. He wouldn’t want him in his house either.

“You got it,” he responded.

They were watched up until the entrance of the village. They were met by two women dressed in warrior garb. Leon wasn’t really sure what else to call it. They weren’t the typical looking witches of Dathomir, they were dressed in robes, but the robes were girded for a fight. Both had plasma bows and a pair of wicked looking short swords on their hips and the look in their eyes told him they were comfortable with confrontation. Big Warrior Princess energy.

To Vanya he whispered, “This is gonna go bad isn’t it?”

@Phoenix

 

[Vanya]

Vanya walked with confidence despite the situation they were presented with. Her people were certainly no strangers to violence, and they wouldn't hesitate to kill if they had to, but never without cause.

No, it will be fine, she reassured Leon. That was... mostly true. Vanya would be fine, but there was... risk to Leon.

Without hesitation, Vanya began to converse with the two women, though in her native Dathomirian tongue.

Leon would watch the conversation unfold and more than a few tense looks were thrown his way during the discussion. One of the women with the bow raised her voice, pointing her bow toward Leon before Vanya stepped in front of him, shouting back and scowling.

It was clear there was... tension, but Vanya was still the First of her Clan, and that came with honor and privilege. Mother Therrit's decision to allow her to leave was one that had caused tension in the Singing Mountain Clan, but it was Mother Therrit's decision, and no one dared cross her.

Several more words were exchanged before one of the women left.

They're not going to allow us into the village until Mother Therrit has seen us, she said. It was what Vanya would have done as well.

She didn't have to say that at least one of the guards had wanted to kill him. He was a threat and a great one.

Vanya? a voice called out moments later. The woman who appeared was in her elder years though not old, and she carried herself with wisdom and power.

Vanya's face brightened the moment she saw Mother Therrit, eyes widening. Mother Therrit! she exclaimed. It had been too long since she had been home, and even now she could sense Therrit's... skepticism as her searching eyes settled on Leon.

You bring great evil here, darkness bearer, she said as she looked to him.

I have agreed to hear your case at the request of Vanya, First of the Singing Mountain, but do not test my hospitality, she said, her gaze harsh and serious, but fearless.

 

[Leon Baudelaire]

Leon knew immediately it wasn’t going to be fine. A scowl settled on his features as he kept catching glances and glares from the guards. Normally, that type of thing wouldn’t bother him. It made sense, he was literally a walking blasphemy trying to desecrate what they held sacred, but ever since the light was ripped from him… Leon found himself struggling to keep his temper in check.

A bow came up and Leon felt his hackles raise. He was just about to step forward when Vanya stepped in front of him. He ground his teeth in frustration. He couldn’t believe how badly he wanted to hurt them, how much he needed to reassure their fears, how much he wanted them to fear. Fear had become his newest drug of choice. There was something about it that just got his blood going and right now surrounded by all the righteous judgment, he couldn’t help but delight upon the few small tendrils of fear that permeated from within the village.

Baudelaire managed to get himself under control. With an effort he was able to stuff the desire, but he couldn’t silence it. It was never quiet.

One of the women took off into the village, the one who’d pulled the bow stayed. If looks could kill, Leon would be dead as the guard pierced him with a glare before saying something in their language to Vanya and spitting at his feet.

Before he could react, Vanya intervened. She was either very intune with his struggle, or the force was keeping the path steady. Leon didn’t waste time worrying about it. He just needed to survive this. Then again, if he didn’t would that really be the worst thing to happen to him?

“Makes sense,” he said with more than a little frustration in his voice. It wasn’t fair of course. She’d done nothing but help him, and it wasn’t like she could control the customs of her people. He knew all of these things, but that didn’t change the churning anger within from burning just a little hotter.

“This might have been a bad idea,” he said as he watched the Mother approach.

The recognition between the two women helped Leon calm down. At least where the Mother was considered, he’d have a chance. To Vanya he said, “Thank you,” then he turned his attention back to Mother Theritt.

“Yes, ma’am,” he said, unsure if he should begin recalling the story here or wait until they were moved elsewhere.

Seeing no reason to waste the mother’s time further, Leon just let it all out. He told her everything. How he’d come to the Jedi, how he’d helped the Order, how he’d been at the forefront fo the current movement within the Order before the incident. He wasn’t sure why really. Maybe it was for him, a reminder that he’d been something else before he’d been changed. His story concluded with Vanya finding him at the scene of his most recent atrocity, and as he had then to her, he knelt now, hands to his sides and throat exposed.

“If my death is your desire, please take it. I’d rather die than continue living as the monster I am.”

@Phoenix

 

[Vanya]

As Vanya put her back to Leon, she hoped she hadn't made a mistake. She felt the way darkness filled the air as if he were readying to strike, but that was just in defense, right? Right?

She didn't get stabbed in the back at least, so there was that. She walked a fine and dangerous line.

Fortunately, he and the guard had - narrowly - avoided killing each other as well.

Vanya watched as he spoke, spilling his story and she was almost touched in a way at how he had trusted her so much that he - by extension - trusted Mother Therrit. Or perhaps it was just that he didn't have any other choice.

We may yet require your death, she said to him, not lying about the situation.

But those who would so willingly lay down their lives to protect other should not be lightly cast aside, she continued. Even Vanya seemed to relax ever-so-slightly. Vanya was a skilled Nightsister and now Jedi, but her own power was dwarfed by that of her Clan Mother.

We will prepare a prison for if you are about to transform while we investigate your condition. As I am sure you can understand, I cannot allow you into my village, she said.

Fortunately, Vanya had an idea for that.

I can take him to the old temple, she offered, and Mother Therrit seemed to nod her agreement.

Rather than reach out to slit Leon's throat, she reached out and tapped his forehead, a flash of green rune appearing and then fading from his forehead.

Almost immediately, he would feel... the darkness was blunted. It was not gone and it would return, but perhaps a few hours or days in which it wouldn't feel as if it were trying to consume him.

This is a temporary ward only, but perhaps it will provide you with some relief, she said.

Thank you, Mother. We'll head to the temple, she said.

 

[Leon Baudelaire]

“You may have it when you see fit,” he replied to Mother Therrit. Leon’s expression was resolute. He’d been trying to get someone to take his life all day, and to be honest the constant hesitation was starting to make him self conscious. Can’t even give the damn thing away, he thought.

Leon had always struggled with self-worth. His lack of it had defined him. He was never good enough for himself and since he’d had the light ripped from his being he couldn’t help but agree. So, when Mother Therrit said he shouldn’t be cast aside lightly it took everything in him not to roll his eyes. Instead he bobbed his head in a curt nod and flashed her a thin uncomfortable smile.

As he expected The Mother was wise. She barred him entry to her village, a pang of shame crept up Leon’s gut as his heart sank. However, once again, Vanya stepped in with a solution. A skeptical glean adorned the Adumarian’s gaze. Why was she trying so hard to help him? They barely knew each other, sure he’d taken her to the dopest pizza place in Starlight, but that wasn’t worth putting your life, much less, your family’s lives at risk.

The Shadow whispered hate and doubt into his mind, but it’s seductive tone was diminished in the presence of the light. He felt himself close his eyes and take a breath. He was still weakened from his transformation and he could tell his attitude was partly due to the sheer physical exhaustion he felt. A silence had fallen between the two women as Leon’s attention came back to the present— Suddenly, the Mother’s hand shot out. To his surprise, he didn’t shrink back in fear. He tilted his head back and felt a genuine smile start to tug at his lips. Then it felt like his forehead was on fire.

Leon’s eyes snapped open wide, and crossed to focus on the tiny miasmic glyph floating there. He yelped and his hands grabbed his head. His mind buzzed with the force. The power of the light seeking to blunt the darkness. It felt like his consciousness had been wrapped in an electric blanket. He could feel the tension he carried abate marginally. He let out a breath he hadn’t realized he was holding. Confusion colored his expression as The Mother explained the ward.

Baudelaire bowed low. For the first time since Coruscant his mind wasn’t plagued by the darkness’s torment. He knew it wasn’t gone, it had just gone deeper into him. He struggled to hold back a shudder as the image of arachnid-like legs wrapped around his heart.

“Thank you,” said Leon.

Leon followed Vanya off in the direction of the temple, at least he assumed that’s where they were going, and as they walked he couldn’t help but ask, “Why are you doing this?”

@Phoenix

 

[Vanya]

Vanya began the trek through the jungle. It wasn't a hospitable place by the stretch of anyone's - even a Nightsister's - imagination, but it was where she felt right at home. She intentionally slowed her movements so that she didn't leave him in the dust, but the call to take to her home like a wild woman still clutched at her heart.

Fortunately, the path between the village and the old temple was fairly well-traveled, and a small foot path was almost present enough to make out.

His question broke the silence of their travel, and caught her... quite off-guard. Why was she doing this? Why wouldn't she be doing this? Wasn't it obvious?

Are we not friends? she asked. She half-expected a harsh answer born out of the darkness within him, but she was braced and unafraid. She wouldn't shrink back from her stance, and even if they weren't friends... they were still Jedi, which made them kin after a sort.