Ask Those Days

[Alyse Ti'Varnus]

The last fortnight had been frustrating to say the least. Especially as it seemed the metaphorical tables had been turned round on the somewhat distorted jailor & captive relationship that was in place between the two ideological opposites, it wasn't that she was now being held captive, but more the case that the Jedi had became increasingly persistent that the the ashen haired human, stayed in her bed, rested and recouped her strength following their ill fated encounter with an ancient Jedi turned abomination. To say that the Zeltron was protective was quite an understatement, especially when the one on the receiving end was a good foot shorter and much lighter in frame in comparison and that was before the fact that she was physically exhausted and little option but to comply, without being manhandled.

Yet despite the fact that her body felt as if it had ran a lifetimes worth of marathons, in just the space of three minutes. And that he had nearly died as a result of her actions against the abomination. The white haired Sith's mind was active and growing restless and bored, the voracious reader had worked her way through the small library she had packed on the ship, and it was either re-read the books from the beginning or stare at the ceiling bulk head in her quarters for hours on end. With a resigned groan the ashen haired sith slid her legs out of her bed, leaning forwards to pick up a couple of branches that the Jedi had some how acquired from the world she had set the ship down onto, Giaca. Using the branches as an improvised set of walking sticks to help ease the physical strain on her body as she moved about, mostly to head to the refresher in the ship.

Alyse decided that she wasn't going to simply just potter about the ship and head to the refresher or the lounge but actually leave the ship for a spell. It only to get a moment of breathing fresh air into her lungs rather than the recirculated air that was pumped throughout the ship. Dressed in just a simple and loose fitting robe, the Sith took a quick look at her reflection, seeing that her features still looked drained and gaunt - but fortunately not as bad as the first time that she had seen her reflection after the encounter. The one thing that certainly was showing no signs of change was the fact that her hair was no longer its sandy blonde hue, but an ashen white.

Shaking her head, Alyse left her quarters and made her way out of the ship, stepping down the ramp with bare tentative footsteps and wooden clunking sounds of the branches being used as an aid. Before coming to a stop at the base of the ramp and taking a deep breath of the fresh air, before looking around the lush green surroundings where the ship had landed within a forest clearing by a bubbling stream. A slight smile tugging at the ashen haired Sith's features, figuring that given the world they had just been on prior, it would only be natural that the Jedi master would seek out one that was teaming with life.

Making a short way from the ship, but close enough to be seen if the Jedi happened to find that the Sith had elected to dismiss the bed rest and wander off. Alyse found a small patch of grass with a single narrow trunked tree with a large umbrella like canopy to sit under. Easing herself down, the Sith lord propped herself up against the tree as she simply sat there, and stared out towards the stream watching it froth and bubble as the water ran its course, before closing her eyes and resting her head against the bark, feeling the heat of the natural light on her. Much better than laying a metal tin can.

@Catbert

 

[Nykoria Tallis]

The last fortnight had been exhausting to say the least. Especially as it seemed that Nykoria, for all her lack of expertise in healing, got a complicated patient from the start. Despite the advice to stay in bed and recuperate, Alyse took every opportunity to limp around the ship to get "one more book".

When the Jedi Master insisted on the now-ashen blonde staying in bed—be it through Zeltron persuasion or the promise of a soft nudge, which under the circumstances would work like half-a-sleep-pill—things would take a turn for the worse. Alyse tried to circumvent the regimen by summoning books telekinetically and exerting herself even further. After stumbling upon one book too many, dropped somewhere between the refresher and the common area, the Jedi Master finally offered to bring books herself, on the condition that Governor Ti'Varnus would stop putting a strain on herself.

Things took a turn for the worse when the unruly Sith Lord had run out of books to read. At first Kori enjoyed the free time she got, and spent it on constructing her new lightsabers and studying the holocron. To her surprise, one day it's parts turned around and rearranged themselves in a manner that Kori hadn't seen before. It's vibrations in the Force became stronger, indicating that there was more for Kori to learn from it now. Apparently, a desperate attempt to heal Alyse—one that could have cost Nykoria her own life if she hadn't been careful—prompted the gatekeeper to believe that the Jedi Master had enough experience to learn more.

However, despite the Zeltron keeping herself occupied, the desire to climb the walls out of boredom still permeated the ship and Nykoria's mind. Alyse's desire to climb the walls out of boredom, to be precise. After a couple of days, the Zeltron decided that she couldn't handle it. The supplies were still plentiful, so the duo could afford a pit-stop on a barely-inhabited world. Hopefully, a breath of fresh air would do good for recovery and the feel of the ship. That's why it was not standing at a rather picturesque location, and Alyse had a couple of impromptu crutches to walk around. Ever protective of those she cared about, Nykoria made the concession only after seeing that her charge was indeed getting better.

So it was no wonder that one day the Jedi Master found the missing crutches and a missing Sith Lord, she wasn't as worried as say a week before. She knew Alyse was around—be it due to their long journey together, or due to the close call in the previous fight, Kori had found out that she could sense the blonde's presence rather reliably. So, not too long afterwards, she would emerge out of the ship, wearing an outfit reminiscent of Alyse's—a simple black tunic. One of the benefits of a remote and barely inhabited world was that company was VERY unlikely.

"Hey," the Zeltron's voice would ring straight in the Sith's mind this time, rather than in the air. Nykoria would find herself standing by the same tree, leaning against it with her shoulder. "How are you feeling?"

@Topher

 

[Alyse Ti'Varnus]

A light murmur escaped the ashen haired woman's lips, as she felt the approach of the Zeltron draw close, her brow arching inquisitively as she spoke out to her, but the words touched into her mind rather than though her ears. This was a new twist to the tale it would seem, but it possibly was not unexpected given all that they had experienced over the journey so far, more precisely what had only just transpired.

Rolling her head up, more to look at the Jedi standing beside her, the Sith's eyes slowly opened, as if she was coming back out of a slumber. "A little better" Alyse responded verbally, as a slight smile tugged at the edge of her lips. "A change of scenery goes a long way" she continued, before letting a light but strained chuckle pass her lips. "Especially staving off Cabin fever" she concluded, before pushing her hands to the ground, and shuffling herself about adjusting her legs to get a bit more comfort.

Once she had found a comfortable spot, the ashen haired Siths hands moved to adjust the light linen robe. Seeking to neaten up her appearance, though this was more out of habit and routine rather than necessity. Given the remote location that the ship had landed, and the only sentient company that she had was that of the Jedi Master - whom by now given their state of prolonged close quarter living had seen eachother in various states of undress, looking unkempt and baring the just out of bed look, or more recently in a state that would be best described as being worse for wear.

The Siths gaze raised back up to look at the Jedi, cocking her head to the side slightly to get a better angle to look at the Jedi above her. "What about yourself?" She inquired tentatively before pursing her lips and turning her gaze to the side for a moment. Her eyes tracking over her left hand, as she turned it over from the palm then the heel and then back again. Before balling and opening her hand. Her eyes narrowing as she studied the alabaster flesh, externally there was nothing visually wrong, baring a few healing scabs from a few scrapes she had acquired.

But yet despite there being no significant sign of visible trauma, there was a lingering pain that could be felt within her hand, but it wasn't confined to just her hand but radiated throughout her entire body. If she were to attempt to describe the sensation, it was as if her entire skeletal structure had been torn out from within and then forcefully put back in place.

Whether that was the fitting way to describe the sensation of having the very life essence torn out of from herself, it was difficult to say, but it was more of what the Sith lord could visualise as being a close likeness, given how deep the pain resided within her body. "Has the pain started to subside yet?" She added, with a slight sigh. She knew all to well from her own experience what the effects were, but there was a curiousity as to the Jedis current state after a fortnight had passed since the skirmish, before the ashen haired sith shifted herself to get into a more comfortable position once again.

 

[Nykoria Tallis]

With a faint smile on her lips, Kori nodded to Alyse's remark about cabin fever. The Zeltron herself was used to being aboard the ship, and had things to occupy herself with. The blonde, on the other hand, must've had it much worse. It was no wonder that the change of scenery helped. It offered peaceful joy, and no other care in the world. And given how Kori herself was affected by the emotions of others, the pit-stop did almost as much good for her as it did for Alyse.

"Likewise," the Zeltron replied, this time with her voice. The gaze shifted to Alyse's hand, then to her own purple palm, which she raised a little to see it better. The smile grew wider, and the Zeltron breathed out loudly in amusement. "Yeah, thanks for asking. Almost forgot the feeling of needles under my nails." Ironically, the palm that the abomination drew the strength through was also the palm that Alyse had used to wake Kori up once, by creating a rather unpleasant surge of quick pain.

Needless to say, the Zeltron bore no grudge. Another benefit of their shared experience was that Alyse could probably say as much. "Oh, you mean the pain from that battle," she replied with a friendly sarcastic nudge in her voice, before sitting on the grass next to Alyse. Kori's back against the same tree, she wouldn't even see the blonde unless she'd turn over her shoulder.

"I think so, yeah. I still get a jolt now and then, but I'm managing. The holocron helps, actually." One of the things that were recorded on the holocron were the techniques that allowed to use the Light side and numb down pain; something that the Zeltron was still reluctant to try on Alyse, seeing how the blonde perceived the Light as stinging.

"I'm sure you'll be fine in a while too," the Zeltron tried to offer some encouragement, even though deep down she deemed "sure" a little too hopeful. The Jedi Master didn't fully understand the nature or the extent of what Alyse had gone through. After all, the blonde had saved her from the abomination, and took the brunt of its ethereal attack. "At least if I can help it," Kori added more sincerely.

@Topher

 

[Alyse Ti'Varnus]

A groaned sigh escaped the sith's lips as her head fell forwards, as a hand raised up to rub at the bridge of her nose. "You're not going to let that go are you?" Alyse commented with a sigh as she had pulled her hand away. The dig about her use of a simulated pain technique to wrench the Zeltron out of her comatose state, certainly wasn't going to be getting old any time soon - especially since she had suspected that Kori had also caught the brief flash of red on her cheeks that had came about in response to the realisation that she had allowed for her concern over the well being of her 'captive' get the better for her. At the time there wasn't much of an opportunity to process why she had reacted in such a way, but in her fortnight of confinement to her bed, between reading her books, attempting to circumvent the Jedi's request for her to stay put - it was during the hours in-between whilst she found herself alone in her thoughts staring at the ceiling, that she had the opportunity to reflect.

Her thoughts on the matter, seemed to run over the reasons that; it was only natural that care and concern would be fostered having spent such a large amount of time being in close quarters with the Jedi, or potentially that there was something more that was being harboured within the Sith towards the Jedi, possibly there was a chance that there was an underlying guilt that it was her machinations that had resulted in the Jedi getting put into the situation, there was some fostering emotional attachment towards the Zeltron that had spurred her to come to the Jedi's defence not only against the Abomination, but also the earlier incidents such as during the inaugural flight of the newest addition to the Bakuran Defence fleet when the captain had attempted to berate the Jedi. But then again perhaps more simply it was the fact that the pheromones that the Zeltron species were known to excrete had elicited the responses. Either way she had possibly spent hours wiling away in her mind trying to find a definitive answer as to why, but she had found that in most cases whatever conclusion she would come to, more questions would come to mind. But the Sith figured that it would be best to not dwell on such matters, and just wait for better clarity.

As the topic of conversion moved away from the teasing back towards Kori's own experience with the lingering pain that resided within the Jedi following her exposure to the Force' entity's abilities. The Blonde pursed her lips in thought, before rolling her head to the side for a moment at the mention of the Holocron being of use and help in the Zeltron's recovery. Her brow furrowing at the mention of the Holocron, knowing that any indulgence on the use of the lightside to heal, whilst there was no doubt that Kori might be able to accelerate her recovery through the use of Force Healing techniques, there was of course the reservation as to how her body, so thoroughly infused with the Darkside had reacted to the Jedi's lightsided touch.

With a slight sigh the ashen haired Sith leaned back deeper against the tree trunk, before turning her head round to look towards the side profile of the Zeltron sat beside her. "Thank you" Alyse commented, as she looked over her hand once again. "I Guess I need to be patient for a little longer" She added, as a slight grin curled on her lips. Whilst the Ashen aired human was a clearly driven individual, with a penchant for long term agenda's and forward planning, if anything could be said for the last fortnight, she was far from patient, especially when she was doing nothing of importance or purpose.

The Sith's brow grew heavy as her hands folded amongst themselves upon her lap, as a pensive expression crossed her features. "But I am sorry" Alyse spoke with a Sigh, her gaze narrowing as she looked down at her hands. "If I had kept to our original agreement, and not taken you into the Unknown regions. You wouldn't have been put into harms way" she added, before a resigned exhale could be heard passing through her nostrils.

 

[Nykoria Tallis]

Kori's nudge was apparently a touche, as evidenced by the blonde's flustered sigh. "Nope. Not while it gets under your skin," she thought with the smirk going wider. Oblivious to the fact that she now needed to shield her mind, if she didn't want Alyse to catch on to its brightest random flashes. Turning the head towards the Sith briefly, she exercised all her restraint to reign in the smile, as she replied outloud: "Maybe. Some day." A shrug and a stare of brown eyes was followed by another thought, not matching the Zeltron's seemingly calm outward appearance: "Once I find something better to jab at you with."

Despite their nascent bond, Alyse's thoughts were still a mystery to Kori. It wasn't something that the Zeltron had consciously noticed. But it did give the blonde a certain air of mystery. This also made sense, seeing how the would-be Governor Ti'Varnus was originally raised as a member of a Sith cult. "I guess actions define a person more than words and intent ever do." By that logic, Alyse had been nothing but straight and true with the Zeltron... Or so the Zeltron thought. The attempts to weasel out of the daily regimen seemed were but a thing to look back at and smile.

What Kori did sense was that Alyse had something to say. So when the blonde turned her face to the side, the Zeltron's gaze met her again. She listened to the apology—a genuine one—and gave it some thought. Only then Kori replied, trying to be her most encouraging and relaxed self: "Don't be. It worked out in the end, after all. If you had kept to the original arrangement, I would've been imprisoned or worse at the behest of the Sith. Or you would've died alone out there, and I would've been left alone on Bakura. Faced with the choice of whether or not to go back and risk the devastation of the planet."

Actually, it had never occurred to Kori what would've happened if those Sith found Alyse missing, and the Jedi Master not imprisoned. Would they still go through with their threat of razing Bakura to the ground?

@Topher

 

[Alyse Ti'Varnus]

Well it had always seemed inevitable that the subterfuge and deception used to ensure that the Jedi did not attempt to flee Bakura, would eventually return to prominence. After all it wasn't as if the threat of a planet's destruction was going to act as a permanent shackle to keep the Jedi in place, in time, with there being no further interest from the Masked Sith seeking to have the Jedi summoned and brought to heel to either be further interrogated or an attempt to forcefully break the Jedi master's mind. What was there to say that the Zeltron wasn't going to attempt to rattle the shackles to see whether they were as secure as she was made to believe.

"You wouldn't have been imprisoned, or left at the will of the Sith" Alyse spoke, as her gaze lifted to meet Kori's for a moment, offering a brief glimmer of a reassuring smile, before her features contorted into a pensive expression. "You once asked me what the deal was with the Sith that had you sent to Bakura, allowing you to walk around freely. You may recall that I answered that had the decision been down to the more Hardline of the Sith lords, then it would have been the case and that you would no longer be drawing breath?" the ashen haired human continued, calling back to their earlier conversations not long after the Zeltron had woke up within her residence. Her jaw moving about for a few silent moments as she chewed over her thoughts, knowing that what she was about to now say would perhaps be either come as a shocking revelation, or a simple admission of that the Jedi master had probably come to suspect. "Fortunately it was not their decision to make. It was mine" she added, as her gaze locked with the Jedi, carrying an air of frankness visible behind her eyes, but also with a hint of wanting Kori to hear her out.

"You must have come to suspect by now that I am no Cultist, or Marauder. I am a Sith Lord. The Sith lord who you spoke with whilst you were imprisoned. And regrettably the Sith Lord who had rendered you unconscious" Alyse resumed after taking a deep breath, her eyes for the best part still remained locked with Kori's, baring for a brief moment where her gaze dipped at the admission to being the one who had rendered her unconscious with the Force Lightning. "But, before you react or Judge" the ashen haired human interjected. "I had to take such steps and maintain that façade to ensure that your survival was safeguarded. There were those within that outpost who, within a heartbeat would of seized the opportunity to claim your life, just to elevate their standing. As it would have been the case, had I not placed the ultimatum around your relocation to Bakura, they would have hunted and killed you, the instant you made an attempt to escape"

A long sigh escaped the ashen haired females lips as her gaze briefly moved away from the Jedi and up to the canopy of the tree above. Almost as if it were a moment of relief from the weight being lifted from her shoulders, despite knowing that with that burden being eased, there would undoubtedly be the fallout to be endured, but the light curling on her lips gave a slight indication that perhaps regardless of the outcome it was for the best. "The reason as to why? Well it is because when we first met I saw that there was potential in you, not because of your connection to the Force or turning you to the dark side would make you a powerful weapon to be used against the Jedi" Alyse resumed, whilst one half of her lip curled up and her hand swatted back in forth in dismissal of all the reasons as to why a Sith would see potential in turning a Jedi "But because you had the potential to grow and see beyond the ideologies of the Jedi and challenge them, to seek better answers, to accept that the Galaxy was not just black and white, to see that the true threats to the Galaxy is not the wars that we wage against each other but what lies outside of our comprehension and narrow view of what is in front of us"

A little silent moment passed after the Ashen haired human had said her piece, before reaching for her sticks and with a grunt, forced herself up onto her feet. Her head hanging low for a moment, and her gaze adverted from the Jedi. "I have no right to apologise nor to even ask for your forgiveness for my deception" Alyse spoke out, her voice faintly betraying the feelings of regret she was holding over the deception being used over someone that she had now grown close to. "I only ask that you understand that I sought not just to protect you" she added as she shuffled round slightly to better look at Kori directly. "But to try and show you, without the shackles and the Mask and the façade of a Sith Lord, but as my true self that there is more to the Galaxy and even our own selves, than just ideological bickering" She continued before trailing off with a sigh, before lifting one of her sticks in preparation to move towards the nearby stream. "I only hope that at the very least, I opened your eyes to those possibilities"

 

[Nykoria Tallis]

Instead of reassuring the blonde that she had done the right thing, Kori's remark only elicited deeper thoughts and doubts. Realizing that perhaps it would take some more support on her part, the Zeltron shifted her position. Now she was half-lying sideways, her shoulder resting against the tree. That way, she wouldn't need to keep looking over her shoulder. Seeing how Alyse went back as far as their first meeting on Bakura, Kori realized that it was the right decision to turn towards her. Otherwise, her neck could've start hurting by the end of the talk.

The questions that the blonde brought up were the same ones that Nykoria always had since her arrival on Bakura. Why was it that a Jedi Master was put into the custody of the Governor of Bakura? Why threaten that governor? Why would that governor circumvent the will of that higher-ranking Sith in such a way, allowing Kori into her entourage? Something just didn't add up, or Nykoria hadn't seen the full picture.

And then, in one quick confession, she did get the full picture. Brown eyes opened a little wider, and the smile on the Zeltron's face was being washed away by every passing moment. She saw the blonde in entirely different light now; her eyes peering at the woman, as if trying to match the person with the mask she had once worn. She didn't see the similarity. Nor did she feel the air of confidence; characteristic both of the Governor of Bakura and the masked Sith, as it turned out. There was only sincerity, mixed with some regret, and... hope?

Needless to say, the Zeltron didn't say a word. She'd allow Alyse let it all out, especially since the blonde wanted to do that so much. Her explanation was believable. Kori had seen what the Sith were capable of when she saw Max Tionson's head on the HoloNet. Waking up on Bakura, being granted a degree of autonomy, and an opportunity to do something useful wasn't what Nykoria would've expected from a Sith.

And then, "the great why". Alyse spoke of the time when they had first met. Was it when Kori was in shackles on that Light-forsaken planet? Or even earlier, back on Ontotho all those years ago? Somehow, the Zeltron decided on the former. As she listened to Alyse's deliberations on the bigger picture, her lips curled up as well, even without Kori noticing it. The blonde spoke of higher matters, just like one Jedi-Councillor-on-the-verge-of-becoming-Grandmaster she used to know. A certain Oren Zapan, to be precise. Nykoria had always thought in simpler terms, but the similarity between the two different people—in the ways of thinking and in a somewhat benevolent approach—was obvious.

Meanwhile, the blonde used her impromptu crutches to get off the ground. Had Kori not been so dumbfounded by the revelation and her thoughts, perhaps she would've helped. But for the moment, she just stayed there, taking in not just Alyse's words, but her remorse; again, something uncharacteristic of the Governor she used to know. "Lies for protection" was not a foreign concept to Kori; but apparently, Alyse had other, "higher" reasons. And was even resigned to defeat, as evidenced by her attempt to walk off, with or without the Zeltron.

"I..." the Zeltron found herself unable to continue the phrase, but hoping that it would at least delay the blonde. Kori was just sitting there, trying to process everything that Alyse had poured out to her. "I think I always knew. Somehow..." she said the first thing that came to her mind, and the first thing that would quench Alyse's—and therefore, partly Kori's own—desire to be understood.

Nykoria exhaled abruptly through her nose, with a chuckle: "I guess that explains why I met two unusual Sith in such a short timespan... And how both of them lost to me in the ideological bickering once or twice... And have a penchant for torture," A faint smile crawled up her lips, and the Zeltron got on her knees before standing up. "Well," she shrugged, still standing by the tree and looking at the blonde rather aimlessly. As it turned out, making the admission was quite easy: "You've succeeded. Be it for your non-Sith attitude, unorthodox opinions, or the things you had me do on Bakura. So, you can tick that box of showing me the possibilities."

That still begged the question: what now? The Zeltron's gaze pierced Alyse: the woman had shared her home with Kori; who had taken her on the mission to the Unknown Regions; who had given her new perspective on the Sith and the Jedi; and who had saved her life twice now. Only once it was Alyse making things right for bringing Kori along; and the other time—just because she could, even though she too might have elevated her standing.

"You also did save my life," the Zeltron shrugged again. "You didn't have to, might have risked a lot in the process, but you did. A part of me says I'm supposed to be mad a you for that deception... But I am not. Maybe because on the grand scale of things, this doesn't outweigh all the good you've done for me... The Zeltron tilted her head, still thinking: "Or maybe because the two of us have been through a lot, and I... kinda know what you feel now."

She lowered her gaze to the ground briefly, shaking her head with a smile: "Guess you've also succeeded with the whole "true self" thing then." With that, she'd finally raise her head again, the initial shock of the revelation now gone from her face. Kori's next question came in her usual teasing manner: "So, any more masks to take off, Darth...?"

@Topher

 

[Alyse Ti'Varnus]

The blondes eyes, raised up as Kori eventually broke her silence, slowly and with a slight breaking in her response, either as if she just wanted to keep Alyse from wandering too far off, whilst she continued to process what had just been laid before her. As the Zeltron spoke, eluding to that she somehow always knew or suspected. An inquisitive arch raised in her brow line, curious to hear how the purple skinned female had come to suspect or at least half realise that there was more to Alyse being a Sith aligned Governor. The inquisitive and curious look however washed away with a flustered rolling of her eyes, as Kori in her usual tone and manner. summarising Koris dealings with both sides of Alyses personas, with the same level of wit and light digs. Before getting up from the ground and rising up onto her feet.

What then followed from the Zeltron's lips, came as a mixture of shock and relief to the Ashen haired human, whom was whilst mentally bracing herself for Kori to lash out, rant and rave about the deception of the Sith, claim everything was just a ruse to get the Jedis trust so she could betray the Order, and completely undo all that had been done and fostered between them. But there was nothing of the sort being spoken by taller female, rather the opposite, kind and encouraging words as to how Alyse had been successful in opening Koris eyes to the possibilities beyond the usual galactic cycle, how the ashen haired woman saved her life and put her own wellbeing at risk, without there being anything to gain from it.

Then of course, the confession and statement that whilst by all rights the Zeltron should have been mad at Alyse, she wasn't. A confusing and contorted expression formed in The ashen haired females features, carrying a mixture of relief, confusion and just a small trace of lingering regret. But that contorted amalgamation of expressions, swiftly disappeared as the Zeltron brought light to somewhat knowing how Alyse felt. As a pause lingered over the two, Alyse could feel that familiar awkwardness creep over her, coupled with a warmth of her cheeks flushing. Spending parts of her confinement to bed wracking her brains as to why she had overreacted to the belief that the Zeltron was in a worse state than simply being in a trance, how the guilt and remorse stung at her as she confessed her deception and true nature.

All of which would be enough for Alyse to be stuck in her thoughts for hours on end. Yet now, standing In front of Kori, hearing her say that in a way she knew what the white haired female felt - it was possibly the clarity she needed, to come to realise that what she felt for the Zeltron were just more than feeling of concern and regret, but that she was fostering an emotional attachment to the other. Nodding, Alyse offered a light smile as she looked up towards the taller of the two, a glint in her eyes giving truth to more than what could ever be said or expressed in that moment, especially with the Bond in the Force between them, where the emotions could be felt, words wouldn't come close.

Then of course came the question wrapped in the Zeltron s typical teasing tone, whether there were any more masks Alyse wanted to remove, before raising her Darth status. Her eyes widening before letting go of her improvised canes and allowing them to rest, propped against her legs and midriff. Alyse reached her hands out for the Zeltrons own, and wrapping her fingers around them. "No..." The ashen haired woman spoke with a familiar authoritative abruptness, shaking her head slightly. Her fingers running along and lightly caressing the back of Kori's hands for a moment before giving them a light squeeze and raising her gaze up to meet the Zeltron's.

"Just Alyse," she resumed her tone softening into a more personal and intimate tone, as a light smile curled on her lips. "I would never wish for you to address me by that title" she added, before letting her gaze and physical connection to Kori linger for a few silent moments, before with a slight light squeeze of the Zeltron's purple hands, Alyse slowly relinquished her hold on the Jedi, reaching for her crutches again. "If you ever do, then that would only mean that what we have between us had been lost" she explained, as her head listed to the side. Knowing all to well that Kori's referral to her as Darth Ceryx would only come as a result of Force knows what action that would tear their bond apart and that one or both would see the other as an enemy.

 

[Nykoria Tallis]

Nykoria thought she knew what Alyse felt: remorse for the deceit; the wish to be understood by someone she had grown accustomed to, and to set things right. But the Zeltron couldn't have been more wrong. The moment Kori said that her piece, it was like pulling a curtain open. She felt a surge of something familiar; something akin to what Alyse had briefly experienced a while ago. Except that now it was two weeks, one close call, and one desperate rescue later; there was no other care in the world; and the two had found themselves growing on each other even more. And there was the blonde, her brown eyes now looking at the Zeltron with the unmistakable glint to them. The rosy cheeks were there too, and this time Alyse didn't seem to try to conceal or contain it.

Dumbfounded by the revelation, the Zeltron retorted with her usual puns. But Alyse's sheepishness and the blush were contagious to her. Before Kori knew it, alabaster fingers were already touching her palms, and she couldn't avert her eyes from them. That is, until Alyse squeezed Kori's palms a little harder and rejected disclosing her Sith identity in her usual manner: firmly and authoritatively. The shift made the Zeltron give a little start and raise her eyes. But when Alyse resumed in a softer tone and explained her reasoning, Nykoria felt genuine relief, only nodding in agreement.

At first, there was a familiar build-up, as if the Zeltron was preparing another of her witty comebacks to keep Alyse on the edge. Perhaps something along the lines of "What is it that we have between us?" But the idea was dismissed before it was even vocalized. "Yeah... That's for the best," her response was quiet and thoughtful. In fact, she had regretted the question of Alyse's Sith name moments after asking her. The less Kori knew about that, the better it would be for them both. So the fact that her momentary curiosity didn't result in a mistake was a welcome one. "If it's just Alyse... Then it's just Kori," she replied softly, as the blonde reached for her crutches. A placid smile started forming up on the Zeltron's scarred face: "And always has been. Unless, for some weird reason, you get the kicks out of calling me Nykoria or Master Jedi."

Even though the Zeltron couldn't change herself and avoid a little humor; even though she was thoroughly enjoying the sincere moment they shared... With the initial surge of emotions calming down somewhat, the Zeltron couldn't but start thinking about the future. What did the change mean for her and for Alyse? Was Nykoria now free to contact the Jedi, if only to tell them she was alright? How would they react to that? And where did they go from there?

Of course, the exact nature of Kori's concerns was still in her mind. But Alyse could definitely pick up the confusion, along with the Zeltron's indecisive question: "So, what now?"

@Topher

 

[Alyse Ti'Varnus]

A light scoff passed the ashen haired human's lips, as Kori made the comment on how Alyse was to refer to and address to her, eluding to her past reference to the Zeltron as either her full name or title - implying that she got some kick out of addressing her companion in a formal fashion. The scoff phased to a light grin and simple nod in acknowledgement, before her brow furrowed as she listened to the questions that seemed to float between their collective minds. There were a lot of questions to be answered, mostly focused around of how things would proceed from the recently aired revelations.

But that would have wait for the time being. As the Zeltron question what do they do now.. a slight smile curled in the ashen haired woman's lips. "First things first, maybe you help me down to the stream?" She inquired with a slight shrug and a nod towards the water's edge, before starting to shuffle closer to the stream. It was perhaps the sound of cascading water, that was coaxing her to the water's edge. Temping and teasing the human, after what must be going on a few months now, with only the use of sonic showers, the only moisture to touch her was the salt water and driving rain of Ahch-To. The feel of crisp fresh water on her skin seemed to much of an alluring prospect to pass up

A few moments later, the ashen haired woman was easing herself down onto the edge of the river bank, with the assistance provided by Kori. Setting her sticks down to the side before easing the hem of her tunic up over her knees and then sliding her feet into the crisp cool water. Her toes curling in and out for a few moments. Before her gaze turned to meet Kori's, a slight flash of a content smile crossed her features as she savoured the moment before they started to discuss how things would be for the two of them moving forwards.

"So we need to go over a few important issues firsts, so that this can work" Alyse spoke once she had gotten settled and comfortable. "The most important one is ensuring your safety" she added, figuring it would be best to kick if with the more pressing and perhaps more concerning of matters for the ashen haired human. "If you were to continue being at my side in public, we may need to think about creating an alias for you." She added, offering a light but yet pensive smile. "Having the renowned Jedi master Nykoria Tallis, as part of the Governor's personal entourage and council will raise questions and draw possible hostile attention to you. Particularly with the Anti Force user sentiment that is sweeping the independent worlds" she elaborated, before a slight grin curled in her lips, as the thought flashed through her opened mind that the Zeltron beside her like all the Jedi sought to be seen as champions and defenders that were all that was good, and making themselves known, it had its draw backs when they wanted to fall off the radar, unlike the Sith who would deliberately seek to avoid the public eye.

"As for making contact with your friends within the Order?" Alyse spoke before falling silent for a moment, and proceeded to click her tongue in thought. "That may take some time, My ship is lacking an encrypted channel, if you were to make contact then it may compromise their safety" she rationalised, before her eyes narrowed in thought and then turning her attention towards Kori beside her. "When we get back, I'll make arrangements for you to access an encrypted channel to let your friends know you are safe and well" she offered, with a slight reassuring smile - it wouldn't be the best of arrangements, figuring that the Zeltron would wish to reach out to her friends sooner rather than later. But it would run of the risk of either putting Kori or her friends in danger if the approach was rushed, and measures not taken to ensure that it would not happen.

A slight sigh escaped the ashen haired figures lips, before she shuffled a little to edge herself closer to the edge of the bank, allowing herself to slowly kick her legs back and forth within the running stream. "During the months on Bakura your company, companionship and countering point of view has been invaluable. And that has become especially more so during our travels through the Unknown regions, learning more of the Force and the threats that lay in wait for the rest of the Galaxy" Alyse spoke offering a tentative smile as she raised her gaze to meet Kori's, before reaching a hand out towards Kori, either to take her hand should Kori notice it or place it on the edge of the Zeltron's lap, so to offer reassurance. "And I will use any and what available resources I have, to ensure that not only you are and feel safe and comfortable on Bakrua, provide for what ever you may require, need or wish to pursue" she added, before tilting her head slightly preparing to question her companion. "But I would need to know, if the life I can offer you. Is what you want?"

 

[Nykoria Tallis]

"The stream... Right," a faint smile replaced the indecisive expression, as the Zeltron nodded. "You've got it." Kori was happy to oblige, following by Alyse's side and lending the recovering woman a hand or a shoulder when needed. The closer they approached the stream, the more tempted Nykoria herself was. Needless to say, the Zeltron perched on the river bank in a similar fashion, feet testing the water and getting the sense of it first. An absent-minded smile formed on the Zeltron's face as she did that. It had been a while since she could just rest and enjoy the nature in a pleasant company.

It was Alyse who started talking business, making Kori half-turn her head towards her; eyes going up from the alabaster toes in the water, and all the way toward the face of her vis-a-vis. The mention of a "renowned Jedi Master Nykoria Tallis" evoked a scoff. Of all the things Jedi, plenty of the things Kori remembered were failures. In no small part due to one of the masked Sith citing them during interrogation.

For some reason, one particular thing not mentioned by the Sith came to mind: Nykoria, standing in the senate, as the Prime Minister of the Free Worlds Alliance demonstrated either disrespect, or indifference. Calling her a Padawan, and making fun of the Zeltron in public. And while the politicians talked shop and did nothing, people like Max Tionson sacrificed their lives for the people those politicians were supposed to represent. Could Max's life have been saved if the Prime Minister had just listened to Kori that day? The events of that day made Kori think worse of politicians... Well, except for one or two, as it turned out.

That, along with Ajan Kloss and Sullust were not good memories, and all were associated with "Master Nykoria Tallis". And needing to hide... Kori caught on to Alyse's irony. The Zeltron had to conceal her face and nature before; but living like that all the time? It then occurred to her that Alyse had to conceal her own Force-sensitivity all the time. "I wonder how she manages living like this."

The other matter was contacting the Jedi; something that Nykoria herself had doubts about. The mention of an encrypted channel gave hope for reconnecting with some of the old friends... But as much as the Zeltron would appreciate the prospect, she was also... afraid. Afraid of what she'd tell them. Why she hadn't made contact. Why she worked with a Sith, and the one who was on Ontotho at that. Even if she knew the real Alyse, other Jedi wouldn't. And they might treat Kori's decisions as cohorting with the enemy. Maybe, just maybe, it would be better if Jedi Master Nykoria Tallis just remained missing in action, presumed dead?

The Zeltron raised the gaze at the woman she clearly cared about; but even a smile on dark-purple lips couldn't eclipse all the thoughts going on. Behind all these thoughts, she barely even listened to the words; more perceptive to the genuine appreciation that came from the blonde. That is, until she felt an alabaster palm on her knee. Her own palm came towards it... As it turns out, only to rest on it. For a moment, Kori closed her eyes, eager to let her other senses and the Force take over; Alyse's words helping the Zeltron recover from the memories of the past.

And then, the blonde said probably the sweetest thing Kori had ever been told before. It sounded like a proposal in a way; a question whether Nykoria would seek to return to the Jedi, or would consider staying on Bakura. Eyes still closed and lips curling up made the woman seem at peace. But there was internal struggle going on inside, something that Alyse would clearly catch a glimpse of. With a sigh, the Zeltron would start her confession.

"I grew up on Coruscant; a hereditary cop," she said in an apologetic tone, as if pleading Alyse to listen to the full story before passing judgement. "Protect and serve ran in the family. I would've been the same... Unless I had made a mess with my Force sensitivity and ended up attracting a Jedi." Who would've thought a month or two before that she'd be telling all that to a Sith?

"Joining their Order made sense," she continued with eyes still close, a smile forming on her face as she held on to Alyse's hand. "They teach you to use your powers responsibly, and for the good of others. Almost like the cops use their weapons. Then the Sith showed up..." the smile escaped from her lips; and yet she carried on, intent on Alyse hearing the full story. "To us, they caused death and destruction. My own concern was Coruscant, where my family lived. The planet that the Sith attacked a few times."

She finally opened her eyes, turning her face to the blonde. "That's why I joined that fight. Well, that, and because a part of me foolishly hoped that I could be the one to stop those barbarians and bring peace. You know how that turned out. With Sullust and Ajan Kloss. So much for 'renowned Jedi Master Nykoria Tallis', huh?" The purple palm pressed Alyse's alabaster one a little tighter. "To protect the ones I love, I even had my family hidden, and under eyewitness protection. Somewhere even I don't know. Could be anywhere in the galaxy."

A sarcastic smirk crossed the Zeltron's lips. "Thought that would finally allow me to go under my own name and make bigger moves without endangering them. I also figured that would also make me... unbiased. My parents and siblings could be anywhere, so any planet counts. A Jedi is supposed to let it go, and that was my way of doing it." For a moment, Alyse would feel a sense of self-loathing; something that the Zeltron tried to contain to herself. "I am a Jedi, after all. If not us, who would balance out the Force-sensitives hell-bent on murder and control? That is my duty, and I'd loathe myself if I went back on it. That's why I agreed to help you at first... To make sure the people of Bakura are safe from the Sith, even if the place is run by one."

Spoiler: KORI'S DECISION

For a moment, Kori went silent, and then shook her head. The smile grew more genuine, and the apologetic tone returned. "You'll probably despise me after what I say. But..." Kori took a deep breath, finally looking Alyse in the eye. "The whole letting it go thing went to shit after I got to know Bakura and you better. Once again, I'm partial for something and someone in the galaxy," She shrugged and tilted her head slightly to the side. The purple palm would let go of Alyse's, should she want to slip out after hearing what the Zeltron had said and was about to say. "Call me an oathbreaker and whatnot..." The brown eyes averted briefly, before returning their gaze to Alyse: "But I think I want it."

@Topher

 

[Alyse Ti'Varnus]

The ashen aired female remained silent as Kori spoke out, her gaze attentively holding over and meeting the Zeltron's eyeline, even when her companion's gaze moved, Alyse's would remain there waiting for it's return. Whilst for the best part, she sat, still and listening, the only movement coming from the human was to turn her hand around from cupping over Kori's knee, to resting the back of her hand against the knee and easing and letting the Jedi's fingers to interlock with her own - responding in turn to the gentle squeezes from the Zeltron's grasp, as well as to offer her own gentle reassuring squeeze whenever it seemed that Kori was faltering and struggling with the negative thoughts and emotions that were stirring - letting Kori know that she was there for her.

Alyse, although in many aspects it wasn't to hard not to, felt all the conflict that was brewing within the Zeltron, her words speaking of her youth and life before the Jedi, being raised as a hereditary cop, with the expectation that she was to then spend a life of protecting and serving her community, then her lack of control of the Force, drawing the attention of the Jedi who offered to train and help her control and better use her gifts. All of it seemed like the natural progression, until the somewhat expected admission that it all came crashing down the moment that the Sith attacked Coruscant.

A heavy breath escaped the ashen haired woman's lips as Kori detailed the lengths that she had to go to ensure that those she loved, her flesh and blood, her own family were protected, the sacrifice that the Zeltron had to make in order to ensure they were safe. Severing all ties with those she loved, knowing that in order for them to be kept away from danger, she could never hear from or seem them again.

Her lips pursing up in thought, as Kori spoke of her belief that by severing her familial bonds, she would be safe to use her name without risking the lives of her relatives, knowing that those who would seek to stop the Jedi Master would naturally aim to target those that she cared for either as retribution or to yield a submission. Alyse's eyes narrowed as Kori declared that she was a Jedi, before proceeding to question who would balance out the acts of barbarism brought on by those hell bent on murder and control. Her brow furrowing as her fingers relaxed a little within their interlocked state, at the mention of why out of a sense of duty she chose to remain on Bakura, to protect and safeguard the populace, even though the world was run by a Sith.

The words weakened the ashen haired human a little, whether it was intended or most likely not, the words elicited a pang of guilt from her. The words that then followed, hit a little more so as with an apologetic tone as the Zeltron mentioned that Alyse would despise her for what she was about to say, feeling her heart sink a little inside at what was perhaps built up to become a crushing blow to the prospects that they both had together.

But still, the human listened as Kori continued, before starting to ease her hand away, only for Alyse to close her fingers around the zeltron's and giving her hand a reassuring squeeze, as if to say no matter what she would support and be there for the Zeltron, regardless of her choice. With a held breath she watched as Kori's gaze was adverted, speaking about being called an oath breaker, before returning her gaze back to Alyse and saying that she wanted the life that Alyse offered.

A stunned silence fell over Alyse as she mentally processed all that had just been said and felt. The words that the Zeltron spoke, the conflict that resonated within her, the pangs of guilt and dread that washed within the human as everything gave indication that Kori would seek to return to her life as a Jedi. Only to then say that she wanted otherwise. Her eyes narrowing slightly as she mentally recapped every word that had been said, mouth pursing up in thought. Before after countless times running over the last words over and over in her mind, Alyse's eyes widened in realisation and the truth sunk in that Kori wanted a life with her.

The pensive expression, was washed away with a warm smile, accompanied by a firm squeeze of the Zeltron's hand, her chestnut hued eyes locking and looking deeply into Kori's before another few silent moments were spent, just savouring the pleasant emotions that hung in the air around them. Her free hand raising up to lightly caress the side of Kori's face for a few moments, still smiling warmly as she maintained eye contact with the Zeltron. Slowly Alyse coaxed hers and the Zeltron's interwoven hands towards her face before lightly kissing the purple hued skin of her knuckles. The gesture whilst perhaps romantic to some, but for Alyse her intent carried a deeper significance, it was a sign of reverence, respect and perhaps more importantly it was a declaration of her allegiance to Kori.

Allowing their intertwined hands to return at their place of rest above the Zeltron's leg, a warm smile lingered over the ashen blonde's features. "As a Jedi or not" Alyse eventually spoke, breaking her silence. "In time and together we will bring balance and peace, even if its just to our small corner of the Galaxy at first, and maybe someday others can learn that both light and dark can come together in union"

 

[Nykoria Tallis]

It was probably due to Alyse's support from the start and throughout that gave Kori the strength to even finish the story and come to the hesitant conclusion. The few moments of silence and suspense that followed were something like Nykoria had never experienced before. And then the anticipation suddenly blossomed in a soft wave of emotions which Kori couldn't even name yet. If the blonde was just savouring them, then the Zeltron—who felt them in an amplified form—was engulfed and carried away.

She didn't notice alabaster palm on her cheek until it was there; she didn't resist when Alyse took her hand for a surprising kiss. Kori's heart skipped a beat, as the kiss manifested as another, stronger beat of emotional waves. One so sudden that it made her eyes widen a little amidst the dreamy expression and smile. It felt nothing like the passions that the Jedi teachings warned about. It didn't feel anymore like making some sort of compromises with her conscience. And that's why it was perfect.

Surprisingly, it were Alyse's words that sealed the deal. What otherwise would've been too dramatic and could ruin the moment, made perfect sense now. Because what Alyse voiced were Kori's own thoughts. The ones that the Zeltron had been harboring since Sullust and Ajan Kloss. Since the unpleasant meeting with the Free Worlds Alliance politicians on Chandrila and the Jedi failure at Kessel.

Kori finally accepted that it wasn't in her power to change the entire galaxy and bear responsibility for everything. But she could hope to make the lives of some people better. For the first time, she understood what Max Tionson had told her when he was talking about the purpose of the Jedi. Something about serving the individuals, and not the society. And that new-found confidence in her decision was something that Alyse would feel as well.

Kori's gaze shifted from the blonde to their interwoven palms, and then back again. Somewhere on the back of the Zeltron's mind, she had a good pun that was trying to take shape. But Kori dismissed it, as it would ruin the moment. Instead, she inclined her head towards the blonde in a nod of agreement. Her mouth opened for a moment, before she finally spoke the quiet words she wanted to say: "Then it is settled. As a Jedi or not, I pledge my fealty to Bakura and to you."

It was a deliberate choice, both emotional and conscious. One that could put Kori at odds with her friends and the Jedi Council, if the truth ever surfaced and she had to meet them. But whatever the fallout, Kori knew it was worth weathering. That day, she found a soulmate.