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Realms: These Shattered Stars Logs

Part Eleven

The infirmary currently holds Roakkana, Zero, Dhaasul, and the two Sith, who are discussing what to do as far as whether the Sith or Jedi arrive first -- in short, the two Sith are getting their stories straight. Vakkal shakes his head. "I'd still prefer it if you could tell Lord Shen that I died while destroying a Republic ship-killer weapon..."

"That's something I would say, you know."

"It's better than being ignominiously killed off during Qatto Verg's rage!"

"But not as believable..."

Freyja comes out of a side room, wandering towards the infirmary door. She's lost in thought and looks rather depressed. Fhazil and Vakkal are still trying to iron out a story which the Sith will believe, and it is Roakkana who notices Freyja's approach. "What seems to be wrong, child?" he asks, halting conversation in the room.

Freyja looks up at everyone with that slightly blank, lost-in-thought expression -- then blinks as she realizes everyone's looking at her. Dispiritedly she wanders over and sits on the closest bed, "Hi. Uhm... I just found out I'm betrothed."

Roakkana is actually speechless. Fhazil and Vakkal blink and exchange a look. "So," Vakkal says quietly. "Er, what does betrothed mean?"

Fhazil has an odd look, kind of floating somewhere between a grimace and a wince and a frown. "It... means Padawan Freyja's family arranged a marriage for her." Zero coughs.

Freyja sighs softly, "My family's allying with another business partner, so they're marrying me to someone in that family. That's not what bothers me, though. What bothers me is... they didn't even tell me!" Her tone is hurt, and she rubs her face tiredly with one hand.

Zero hacks a few times, having apparently inhaled the water he was trying to drink. "Can they do that?"

Freyja nods glumly at Zero, absently patting him on the back, "Hai. Marriage is for business; paramours are for love. I just... well, I mean, wouldn't you think it at least polite to tell me first?"

Zero says, "That sounds terribly complicated."

Roakkana makes a quiet sound. "Offhand, child, I'd say you have some choice in the manner. You are a Jedi, after all." He looks to Zero. "Under current Republic laws... only if she wished to remain a Balmorran citizen. Otherwise, being a Jedi falls under the precedent of plenipotentiary domain -- if she is Jedi first, her family will have to fight for her."

Freyja blinks at Zero, looking a bit hurt again, "Why? I wouldn't have been upset. I understand how it works. How would telling me first be complicated?"

Roakkana adds quietly. "A Balmorran citizen... and, I daresay, your father's daughter."

Zero says, "No, I mean marriage for business and paramours for love. I'd think that whole situation is complicated enough without having extra layers of complexity."

Freyja says, "Oh." She considers, then says curiously to Zero, "Why? Seems perfectly clear... no emotional messes in one's business that way, you know?" To Roakkana she says quietly, "I could do that... but it'd be a terrible loss of face to my family. Father's just..." She sighs, searching for words. "Well, he's why I believe there's more to the Force than just some crude, reductionist good vs. evil. Yes, his 'encouragement' usually felt like derisive ridicule... but I don't think he realized that."

Freyja says, "Once I read an interview with Syf where she was talking about the man who was her constant inspiration. I stood there thinking, 'Can't be Father... but who?' She did mean Father, though -- so obviously her experience of Father is not mine."

Freyja says, "And in his own way, he's there when we need him. He made sure we went to excellent schools, with other children, so we learned how to deal with people." Her small smile is ruefully self-deprecating, "Well... try to learn, at least..."

Freyja says, "Once I had a language professor who was trying to fail me. Father found out and checked to see if it was my fault. When he saw it wasn't, the very next day he was there at school, quietly and firmly making sure I got a fair shake. Not extra favors... just a fair chance to succeed, if I worked for it." She smiles ruefully and shrugs, "Father's just... Father... I think he means well? That's why I may not respect him... but I do respect what family means."

Vakkal glances to the silent Fhazil, whose brow is furrowed as if deep in thought. "Well," the canid says, "-there's sometimes something similar in the Empire... but usually if it's a marriage between Lords, there's usually some interest between the mating parties, since Sith Lords who don't like each other... usually make their dislike publicly known. Egregiously so, in some cases."

Zero says, "So what are you going to do?"

Freyja sighs and says glumly, "Go home after we visit Coruscant, and meet the boy, I suppose... and ask Father why he couldn't even tell me -- why I had to hear about it from someone who read it in the Balmorran society news." She grins at Vakkal, "Hai, I imagine that could be... messy, all those angry emotions making everyone around sick!" She giggles quietly at the mental image.

Vakkal nods a little. "Certainly. If they don't outright kill each other first."

Freyja considers, then adds, "Well... at least I have between two and five years to get used to the idea. That's how long betrothal usually is, so the two businesses can integrate smoothly."

Zero says, "Want me to kill him?"

Freyja laughs! -then pauses, studying Zero uncertainly. Finally she smiles a bit, "You're kidding, right?"

Zero hangs his head a little. "Sorry. Force of habit."

Freyja says gently to Zero, "It's not his fault, Zero... he's a token of the business arrangement as much as I."

Zero says, "So what does this mean for your relationship to the order?"

Freyja says curiously, "Pardon? I'm still Jedi... I suppose at the appropriate time I'll take a break from the Order, go get married, and then leave the family running things like usual. It's not like I could mess with family finances until I'm 21 anyways. Nowadays you don't even have to have sex with the spouse... you can just do a test-tube baby with a surrogate. That's what I intend... I have no intention at all of having my first sexual encounter be with someone I've never even met!"

Freyja pauses, then slowly turns bright red, "Er, I meant within a marria- no, that is I mea- oh..." she sighs, pulling her legs up and wrapping her arms around them, then resting her cheek on her knees. She whispers quietly, "Never mind..."

Zero coughs again, then clears his throat quietly. Don't laugh, damn you, it's not funny to her.

Roakkana's comlink goes off with a peculiar anunciator. "That would be Captain Ekilten of the Lindecrantz," he says, pulling out the diminutive comlink. "I imagine that we have some guests arriving," he ads wryly. Freyja's head comes up, listening with a worried expression.

It is, indeed, the Etian. "Master Roakkana, I bring news."

"I would imagine so, Captain. They're early."

"It could be any number of things, including rumors that the Jedi or the Sith can affect hyperspace subtly, but if that were true, they'd have been known to do it long before now, I think. We currently have an inbound blip in hyperspace, arriving within a few minutes."

Freyja looks over to Vakkal and murmurs softly, so the comlink doesn't pick it up, "You all packed, just in case?" Vakkal nods silently, looking tense.

Ekilten's voice returns, "It's emerging in the outer marches of the star system. Hard to tell at this range. We're reading a definite on one signal; very large mass. That could be the Fervor or the Vylos."

"Getting a more detailed reading... single mass, I repeat, a single mass. The signature matches that of a Sith heavy battleship." There is a long pause. "We're receiving... eh? What's this? We are receiving a truce signal, they're requesting..." He makes a rude sound. "They're requesting free transit to the planet."

At just about that moment there's a sudden surge in the Force nearby, the shout of one of the consulars on duty, and the sound of wood splintering from the main foyer hall. Zero is already up and moving. "Oh, what now?!"

Freyja looks up, then sighs, shaking her head, "We'll be right back, Master!" She's hot on Zero's heels, pulling the blaster, setting it to stun. Could this be Verg, in Kuuna?

Vakkal gives a start as the two run out. "Gnrk... careful... it's... it's him!"

Zero just sighs and reaches for his lightsaber. "Of course it is. Who else would it be? It's already been every-bloody-one else!"

The doors to the monastery have been ripped from their hinges, and standing not a few meters from the entryway is the green-skinned Twi'lek, looking into the monastery with cold, dead eyes. "Oops," she says. "Did I do that?"

Freyja stops at the farthest corner of the room, leaning to brace against the wall. She murmurs, "Go wide, Zero..." then turns all her attention to aiming. She's faintly relieved that Vakkal's got his lanvarok and lightsaber with him. If things get really bad, at least he and Master Roakkana have a chance of taking the insane dead thing down.

Zero skids to a halt, saber ignited, and says politely, "Hello there. Our hours are from noon to dusk every day, you might wish to come back tomorrow." Freyja would smile if she weren't so focused on aiming.

Kuuna looks between the two Padawans, her lekku twitching a little. Her gaze falls on Zero. "Oh, is this a bad time?" she asks. "You wouldn't shoot a fellow Jedi, would you?" She spreads her hands apart. "I'm unarmed, after all..."

Freyja continues aiming. Keep stalling just a second more, Zero... Zero says, "No, but I might shoot her rider."

Kuuna smirks a little. "That would be a trick to see, since blasters don't affect spirits." She folds her arms. "Imagine the irony. I don't even have to do anything bad, nothing to overcome Jedi Kuuna's resistance to my use of her Force abilities, and I can destroy Jedi. Either I tear this monastery down stone by stone atop your heads, or you end up killing her. This is more delicious than I ever thought it could be!"

Zero says, "Are you gonna stand there flapping your head-tails, or is there a point to this?"

Freyja murmurs dryly, "Charmed, I'm sure..." and shoots the blaster set on stun.

Verg-Kuuna moves slightly, the stun-bolt sailing over his -- her head. "Careful!" she says, laughing. "You may knock out her body, but then what fun I'll have in her subconscious..."

Freyja sighs internally. Serenity, focus... you can't help Jedi Kuuna if you're all upset... Firmly she says, "That is your first and last warning, revenant. Leave Jedi Kuuna now or I'll shoot for real." Internally she hms. Odd thing for the monster to say. Still... if they can get Kuuna, unconscious or otherwise, in to where Master Roakkana is, maybe he can chase the thing out of her. It worked once before, after all. She continues aiming, still on stun, and firmly reminds herself Verg was a liar before. What makes now any different?

Zero rolls his eyes. "I'm sick of this." He takes a step in and swings low at Kuuna.

Kuuna smiles; it's actually a rather hideous sight, despite her being a Twi'lek. "I wish you would," she says. "If I can't kill all Jedi then just causing the death of one will do nice-" In surprise, she notices Zero's lunge, and moves to dodge it.

Zero says, "I'm sick of listening to you self-satisfied bullies go on and on in what you're so bloody certain is witty banter about how bloody great you are! Shut up and fight!"

Kuuna bares her teeth as she jumps up a little, letting the lightsaber roar beneath her in a brilliant arc. "Bring it on, then, Jed-i!" she snarls, and thrusts forward her hand. Zero feels a wave of the Force reach out to try enfolding him, preparatory to something a little more painful. He shakes it off, circling wide, and replies to Verg/Kuuna's imprecation, "With pleasure, dead man!"

Freyja is thinking furiously as she steadies her aim. She doesn't want to hit Zero by accident, so she must be careful... what works against revenants? Apparently hitting them with the Living Force messes up their ability to hold on to individuals they've possessed. So... how to slap Verg with a huge dose of the Light? Maybe... link with Master Roakkana again? Would angering Verg help fluster it, or just make it more powerful? She notes with relief Zero circling wide -- and squeezes off another shot.

The stun blast takes Kuuna and throws her backwards. The Twi'lek crumples to the ground, twitching slightly.

Zero says, "Well. That was easy." The quick, snickering laugh from the Twi'lek's body says otherwise.

Freyja whews! -then moves forward cautiously, blaster still ready, "Zero, call Master Roakka-" At the laugh she freezes, steadying her aim again. "Sheisse."

Zero says, "Oh -- blast it... do not get up, woman."

Kuuna begins, in fits and starts, to move to push herself up. Her fingers and arm twitch spasmodically, as if someone were trying to blindly re-wire a droid by seeing which wire did what. Slowly, fitfully, Kuuna-Verg lifts up her head, teeth bared in either a rictus smile or a grimace. "Or... what?" she gasps out. Zero's reply is to swing his lightsaber in a low arc across Kuuna's back; better she spend a few weeks in a bacta tank than blow up the monastery and the rest of them.

Freyja murmurs in slow horror, "It's... puppeteering her body... it's just a parasite..."

Zero sighs. "I know." He hopes this will be as good as cutting the strings.

The hum of the lightsaber blade modulates as it cuts through the Twi'lek's back. a high-pitched, keening scream escaping her throat as every part of Kuuna's body below her waist simply stops moving. The rest of her becomes locked in a sort of rigor, quaking as she clutches at the ground. She twitches more, then makes a sort of strangled sound, then again. She seems to start having a convulsion of some sort, made all the more disturbing as it is only from the waist up that's moving directly.

Zero stumbles back a little, "Holy..."

Freyja runs forward, holstering the blaster and reaching for her medpac. She reminds herself forcefully, not even aware she's speaking aloud, "The lightsaber is nothing more than an extension of the will of the Jedi. It is a manifestation of the will of the Jedi in the Force -- and the Force can harm revenants!" She almost slaps the medpac on the Twi'lek's body, her free hand on her lightsaber handle, watching to see if the Revenant appears...

For those with the eyes to see, for those awakened in the Force, a sickly red mist seems to form around Kuuna's body. Suddenly, with a sound that is felt more than heard, something dark and blood red and ethereal only rips itself from her, swirling above it before resolving into a larger-than-life image of Qatto Verg. With smoldering eyes and fire sheathing his arms, the apparition makes a ghastly sound somewhere between a hiss and a roar. "I am not gone yet!" it shrieks. "I am not dead yet! You cannot defeat the Dark side, fool Jed-i!"

Freyja almost gags at the sudden revolting wave of nausea she gets from the revenant. Serenity... we cannot help Kuuna if we panic... I am the Living Force, I am without fear... I am really wanting to slap this disgusting thing silly!

Verg casts his visage downward, hissing softly. "Lit-tle Jed-i," he almost purrs, his eyes growing wider as he seems to lean down and loom over Freyja. She looks up, swallowing and trying to hold onto her rapidly slipping serenity. There is a horrible 'feel' of much, much more than just Verg looming over her -- she can sense Darkside spirits all around, rising out of the ground from blights that must have been miles below the surface, somehow summoned by Verg. They make the same shrieking-roaring sound he does -- but she cannot see them!

Zero tightens his grip on his lightsaber. "Get away from her. I'm not going to tell you again."

If there is Dark -- there must be Light somewhere too! Freyja swings up her lightsaber, standing over Kuuna's body, and calls. It's not coherent -- it's just a yell for help through the Force -- anyone that can help strengthen the manifestation of her will, so she can strike the abomination down -- or at least successfully resist it.

Verg looks slowly at Zero, its face horribly twisted. "Aren't you?" it asks. "Or you will do... what, would-be Jed-i?"

A new voice impinges, coming from within the monastery. Roakkana's. "You should go now, Verg. It's over. Your former comrades have come to destroy you. Leave the waking world to the living. Accept death, and find your rest. Otherwise..." The Wookie steps out from the monastery, holding his cane as if it were a staff. "Otherwise... I shall not be inclined to be gentle."

Zero says, "Or my master and I are going to send you back to hell, dead man. Leave now. That's what I'll do."

Freyja feels a surge of determination -- she could feel several Force aware minds when she called. She's not afraid now... even if she can't stop it, there are good people who can. She says firmly, "You are so dead... now," and stabs upwards into the sickly red mist. Her lightsaber is her channel to pour Living Light into the abomination, as she did in the trance realm of the Force, and she's done everything she can to coordinate with her friends but not clearly alert the revenant. Zero is at the same time pushing his will onto the creature; clearing a path of quiet, clear thought through the space between Freyja and the creature.

As the two Padawans ravage the Darkside spirit, Verg screams, becoming a swirling mass of ethereal energy. "HOW?!" it screams. "No, NO! I won't let you end it this way...!"

Zero murmurs, "Time for you to go back to hell, Verg. Your fire's going out."

The revenant seems to claim a final few moments of coherency, enough for its face to come back together in the storm of Darkside energy, glaring at Zero. "It is you I will see in hell, greysider! The Oath of Fire will avenge me, and you will fall, fall, FALL! Such has been the fate of every greysider, such will be the fate of all Greysiders, even those who today are fleeing your pitiable Order!"

An instant later is the coup de grace, though not from Roakkana. Something large and black and sleek cuts down from they sky through the Darkside apparition, embedding itself in the ground behind Freyja and just in front of Roakkana's feet, making the Jedi master's eyes widen. Verg for his part shrieks as if impaled, writhing and twisting, pieces of himself swirling around the tunnel cast through his ethereal form by the object. The light which Freyja poured into the revenant, focused into a needle beam by Zero, spills out from the beast, washing over all those present with its warmth and light. Verg screams again, a high-pitched, keening wail, which slowly echoes through all the planes of consciousness, evaporating and dying away.

When the light clears... Qatto Verg is gone.

Zero extinguishes his lightsaber. "Tell them to leave the light on for me."

Freyja also extinguishes her lightsaber, panting as she stumbles back a step. It's perhaps a mark of how drastic she considers the situation, that she actually forgot she was standing over a patient. She sends out a quiet but heartfelt thanks to any Force users who helped her, then grins tiredly at Zero. Her voice is a bit ragged, "Told -- toldja I'd b-be there when -- when you needed... me..." Then her eyes roll up in her head... and she collapses.

Zero sighs again. "Oh... blast."

Roakkana blinks, and starts to walk forward to Freyja... though he very, very carefully sidesteps the black object first. He moves over to kneel beside Freyja. "She pushed herself again, I imagine," he says a little wryly.

Zero says, "Yeah... more than likely. You can't be surprised." He wanders back toward the Wookie, "So... what's this?" He gestures toward the black thing.

Roakkana nods, trying to find pressure points upon Freyja's temples to awaken her. He glances over his shoulder and frowns. "Well... offhand, I'd say we've gotten some visitors..."

As for the object itself... it is a sword. A sword about as tall as Zero, cast from midnight black with a huge ruby in the gold pommel. Leather from some red-hided saurian wraps the grip, leaving long tassels hanging from the base of the handle, still settling from the flight. The blade is irregularly shaped, as if the smith did not care about the shape of the weapon when he forged it, but the quality and workmanship is apparent.

Zero says, "...the hell? Where'd this... where'd it come from?"

Freyja groans softly as Roakkana starts to slowly revive her. She's got a pounding headache again. "'m gett'n' too old f'this..."

Roakkana smiles a little. "I don't even say that, child. Up, now. I think we're about to receive guests" He glances over his shoulder. "As to where it came from..." He blinks, then frowns. "I sense... we're very shortly about to find out."

Zero looks up at the sky and sighs. "More dramatic entrances."

There is a loud, heavy thud! from nearby. Then another, and another, then more. From the ground where he landed, a black-armored warrior slowly stands from a crouch, in a single smooth motion drawing and igniting a crimson-hued lightsaber. His armor is black as night, glossy, and emblazoned upon the chest plate with an odd geometric symbol. The helmet has an oddly flared neck guard, and a disturbing-looking breath mask covers the warrior's face, with a crest consisting of the Sith Empire's sigil in dark red metal. The other warriors who stand are similarly armored and are drawing various weapons: a lanvarok here, a twin-bladed Sith sword there, a long-bladed lightsaber, a double bound staff, and others.

Freyja groans again, although this is more a tired protest -- though the thuds do galvanize her dramatically! She grabs a handful of fur and pulls herself up, her eyes widening. Zero folds his arms. "This is your idea of coming in truce?"

Roakkana looks around. "Well," he says, "As dramatic entrances go, I'd say they've a future in the holovid business, wouldn't you say?"

Freyja murmurs softly, looking around, "Holy sheisse!"

The first one down turns its blank metal visage to Zero. "Secure the perimeter," he -- she? -- says, but not to Zero. The other warriors -- about twelve in all -- fan out, but do not enter the monastery. "We did come in truce," the first one says again. "And we will leave in truce."

Freyja blinks, remembering Kuuna, "Oh, sheisse again!" and darts forward to kneel next to the unconscious woman, checking the medpac a bit frantically and trying not to clutch at her aching head at the same time.

Zero folds his arms behind his head. "Well... here we are."

Freyja sighs in relief. The medpac, plus her checking, has kept the Jedi alive. She sits back with a bit of a thud, "Thank goddess..." then winces, holding her head together with both hands.

The sound of a small craft's repulsor-lift is heard, becoming more and more apparent until it is almost deafening, but it is still unseen. Even as a small gale-wind kicks up as when a ship is landing, there is nothing -- until a shimmering and rippling takes the air some twenty yards in front of the monastery. Abruptly, with a whine of disengaging mechanisms, a sleek yet thick-bodied craft is coming about with its prow pointed to the monastery, wings folding up against its side. The Imperial crest, with other decorations, is along its hull.

Freyja squints up at the leader of the group... then winces again at the ghastly noise. Her pained whisper is lost in the enormous amount of sound, "My head is killing me..." She wonders wearily if this is Ravos, and if dying will hurt less than this... then grins tiredly at herself.

The landing ramp under the prow is already open, and as the engines' sound dies away when the landing pads touch the ground, the soldiers straighten to attention.

Freyja carefully rises, forcing herself to stand with some pride. She's Master Roakkana's Padawan and he deserves no less... and she's a Rigg as well -- annoying though that might be on occasion. Zero folds his arms in front of him, slipping his lightsaber back into his belt. He's nobody important... but he's not about to let these dramatic bucket heads just walk all over him.

Down the ramp walks a man -- at least near human, not entirely unlike the Massassi the Padawans saw at the ambush site. But aside from coloration that is where the similarity ends. The man stands, easily matching Roakkana's height, with a hard glint in his eyes, focused and patient, his features forming hard lines upon his face. A cloak of finely trimmed olive cloth billows faintly behind him as he strides purposefully from the ramp. A kirtled cuirass of small black plates laced together offers seemingly little visible protection, but from all appearance he does not seem to feel he needs it. Sithstain trembles at his core like a living thing, strong and present but rigidly disciplined. He carries himself with the aura of a commander or general, with a force of presence felt even through the Force.

Freyja winces internally -- in her current condition, that amount of Sithstain is almost physically painful to be around. Shen Ravos -- it could be no other -- sets feet on the ground and looks around briefly, before approaching the small gathering of master and Padawans. He stops about ten feet away, as if mindful of the stain within him. "Jedi Master Roakkana, I believe." His voice is quiet, firm but not overbearing. Professional.

Freyja studies the Sith lord silently, and sighs to herself. She'd half-hoped the Jedi would arrive first, so the two apprentices wouldn't have to leave. She hopes Vakkal has tucked himself away out of sight. Roakkana stands, and nods slowly. "I am," he says. "Shen Ravos, Warlord of the Sith."

The Sith nods. "I am." He leans a little to the side, looking over Roakkana's shoulder, giving a faint grin. "May I retrieve my sword?"

Freyja occupies herself with serenity, observing the Sith lord carefully. Is this a pureblood then? If so, they're huge! She looks at the sword curiously... then steps silently to Roakkana's side. So that's what came at her yell for help? Very strange. How could a sword disrupt the revenant?

Roakkana looks dubious only for a moment, then nods and moves out of the way. From here Freyja can tell that the blade is indeed a Sith weapon... and unlike the icky-feeling but otherwise benign ones that Vakkal and Fhazil have, this one is creepy -- literally. Faint tendrils of the Dark side, fading slightly from Force-aware sight, cling to the blade, rising up through it to the handle. Where the blade pierces the ground, the soil seems to be loosing some of its color, becoming a small spot of dust. Freyja wrinkles up her nose in unwitting disgust, sticking close to the Wookie's side.

Ravos nods as he walks forward. "I hope it wasn't too much of a bad surprise," he says, quickly pulling the blade from the ground and sheathing it securely. "But the Lindecrantz started wanting to see our shipping papers. We didn't really have time to do that." He puts a hand down upon the ground where the blade had embedded itself, where a tiny spot of blight resides now. He sighs heavily. "On the doorstep of the monastery of Light, too," he murmurs. "Damn." He stands, looking seriously at Roakkana. "I am sorry. If there was any other way to strike at Qatto Verg, I would have."

Freyja tilts her head, her expression curious and thoughtful. Consideration, from a Sith lord? Today's been full of surprises. Ravos steps forward to Roakkana. "Would you wish my sword to ensure my truce-?" Freyja's eyes widen, and she glances hastily between the Wookie and the... pureblood? She doesn't want to abandon Roakkana's side -- but that sword is just disgusting. Unless... hm. Maybe the Sith lord is counting on that?

Roakkana holds up his hands quickly. "That's... quite all right. There's really no need for that." At least not that sword, he doesn't quite say.

Ravos nods. "I understand. I had to make the offer, at a minimum." He looks around. "Verg seems to be gone, at least," he says, musingly. "We will find Methel-ssa and any surviving apprentices of both, and be gone shortly."

Roakkana nods. "Of course..."

Ravos starts to move towards the landing craft again, when he stops... and turns, his piercing gaze directed to Freyja. "You," he says quietly. "You're the one who called, weren't you?"

Freyja watches the Sith lord steadily and expressionlessly. It's just another noble... you are Padawan and Rigg, remember. She stands with all the quiet pride her smaller form can hold, and nods silently once. She's surprised internally, though. A Darksider heard? -and more startling, helped?! Ah, right, common enemies. He'd kill you just as remorselessly if he felt the need.

Ravos nods, and a ghost of a smile touches his lips. "Well done," he says quietly. 'You are strong in the Force." His gaze goes over to Zero, and he arches an eyebrow. "A Greysider as well? And also strong. Hmm." He looks to Roakkana. "You must be proud of them both, Master."

Roakkana nods slowly. 'I am. Many times over." The corners of Freyja's lips quirk upward in a small, pleased smile.

Ravos seems to have no trouble understanding the Wookie. At that moment, though, he touches his temple a little, his gaze loosing none of its immediacy, then nods. "Methel-ssa has been found. She says that you have her apprentice here. Is that so?"

Freyja thinks, Well, shoot. Oh, well. Roakkana doesn't show any tension or emotion; he only nods again. "That is correct; Fhazil Taas. Freyja... would you go get Fhazil, please?"

Freyja nods, turning to dart into the building -- then wincing at the painful throb her head gives her, and settling for a rapid, gliding walk. She heads first for where the weapons are, for Fhazil's sword, then for the infirmary.

Freyja enters the infirmary with a pained expression, holding out the blanket wrapped sword as if it's something disgusting. She drops it hastily in Fhazil's lap, then backs away with a sigh, rubbing her temples, "Sorry, Fhazil Taas... I have such a headache. Anyway... I thought you'd need that; your ride is here; I release you from your promise." She sighs again, looking a touch unhappy.

In the infirmary, it looks like most everyone there is holding their breaths. Vakkal has his eyes closed and seems to be concentrating on being as unnoticeable as possible. Fhazil is doing a much less suitable job. He opens his eyes as Freyja enters, and stands, sighing. "I figured she'd want me 'rescued'," he says wryly.

Freyja nods silently to Fhazil, then gives Vakkal a gentle, encouraging squeeze on one of his hands. She murmurs softly, "Almost done... hang in there." She turns to the other Human, "Ready?"

Fhazil nods, and goes over to Vakkal. "Brother..."

Vakkal opens his eyes, not saying anything, and nods. The two clasp their arms and touch foreheads again. "Merry met..." Fhazil murmurs.

Vakkal: "Merry part..."

Both say the last line together: "Merry till we meet again." Then Fhazil says quietly, "She'll take care of you, Brother. And I'll see you and her and Zero again soon."

Freyja nods gravely at Fhazil's words. Vakkal nods, smiling a little, and returns to his meditations. Somberly, Fhazil accepts the sword from Freyja and straps it around his waist. He pauses to put a hand on Dhaasul's shoulder in silent farewell as well, then turns towards the hallway. As he turns towards her, Freyja puts a hand lightly on his chest, "Wait. Don't leave here until he's well-concentrated on hiding again." Fhazil pauses, blinking as Freyja puts her hand on his chest. She watches until Vakkal's eyes are closed again and he looks focused again... then she beckons to the Human, leading him out.

Freyja leads the Human silently through the monastery, then pauses a room away from the entrance. She looks a bit uncertainly at Fhazil... she's not really sure what to say to him, but... he's been decent to her -- to all of them. Finally she says a little awkwardly, "Merry 'til we meet again, Fhazil Taas," and turns to lead quickly out, hoping he won't laugh at her or think she's being melodramatic.

Fhazil smiles, but doesn't move just yet. "Freyja..." Freyja pauses, glancing uncertainly over her shoulder. He smiles quietly and comes forward to in front of her. "Six months," he says. "On Commenor. I promise." He grins. "Even if I have to ride there on a bantha from Ziost."

Freyja blinks up at him... then grins faintly. She touches her fingertips lightly to her lips, then reaches up to gently touch his chest, his forehead, and then, very lightly, his lips, and smiles, "An oath between the gods and us both, then. We'll be there, Fhazil Taas."

He nods, his wry grin fading into a smile, blushing a little with the touch of her fingertips. He closes his eyes briefly. Gently, he takes her hand as he takes a half step back. "Let me remember you as this way, then," he says. "As neither Padawan or noble or anything else. As you. As yourself. As Freyja."

Freyja looks thoughtful... then says gravely, "Those are both integral parts of me, just as you are Sith, hai? The trick, I think, is not to be just those things... to transcend title or label." She curls her fingers around his hand, and smiles gently, "I'm... working on it. I'm doing my best." Her smile gets a bit rueful, "Come, Fhazil Taas... wouldn't do to keep a Sith lord waiting." She turns, still smiling, and leads the way out. She feels a little better now, somehow. He nods, smiling, and reluctantly lets go of her hand, straightening his jacket and sword-belt. By the time they reach the doorway, they are Padawan and Apprentice again.

Freyja steps out to stand by the Wookie's side again, her face serenely expressionless. Ravos and Roakkana glance at each other; the Wookie is expressionless, but Ravos has a hint of wry long-suffering in his eyes. "Well," he says abruptly. "Here he is..." Freyja doesn't change her expression a whit -- although she can't help an internal smile at the long-suffering expression.

Fhazil isn't quite marching when he reaches Ravos, but he does bow deeply, coming to one knee before the warlord. "Lord Ravos," he says, looking up. "Fhazil Taas of Ziost, apprentice to Lord Methel-ssa, of War."

Ravos nods. "Arise, Fhazil Taas. It's time to go home."

Freyja blinks -- then watches with fascination. She may never again get to see how the Sith behave towards those in their hierarchy. Fhazil nods simply, and stands, moving to stand behind Ravos. His face is calm, without any show of forced expressionlessness. Ravos turns to Roakkana. "We will leave now. The Jedi are coming and I don't think they'll be very happy to see that we beat them here."

Freyja struggles not to roll her eyes in amusement at that understatement from Ravos! Roakkana nods. "Yes, of course. And... thank you for helping to deal with Qatto Verg."

Ravos nods. "Thank you. He was our problem. I am only sorry that he... did what he did."

"Of course. And the Oath of Fire?" Freyja watches silently as her Master speaks. She wishes vaguely the Sith could do more than just pick up the Sith on planet, to atone for Verg... she's not sure what, though. Help the damaged city? The Jedi would certainly be furious about that... but it just doesn't seem... fair, somehow.

Ravos looks a little thoughtful, and from the ranks standing behind the Lord Freyja can see one man, of the same species as Methel-ssa, glance to Ravos, dark eyes flashing slightly. Freyja studies the reptilian thoughtfully. Was it using telepathy to communicate with the Sith lord or something? She wonders curiously if the reptilian is another Oather.

Ravos says, "We will... have to see. Dark Lord Sadow has been informed of them. The Moot is still in debate. I do not expect them to come to a good end. They have violated the Rules of War and Naga Sadow's directives."

Roakkana nods, "I see." Freyja can't suppress a wry expression for a second, at that statement. The city's port almost shattered? No kidding the Oather violated the Rules of War! She keeps a thoughtful eye on the reptilian -- how does he react to the Sith lord's statement? The hkkal in Ravos' entourage keeps his expression perfectly neutral, almost not even appearing to try to avoid reacting.

Ravos says, "Well, I imagine the common farewell for Jedi is, 'The Force be with you, Master'."

Roakkana nods, smiling a little. "And amongst Sith, I believe it is, 'Til we cross blades, Lord'." Freyja gives her Master a curious glance. He knows the most amazing things! She'll have to remember that.

Ravos grins a little. "Indeed it is." He turns to the landing craft, and moves towards it. "Captain, assemble my Soulguard, and inform the Fervor I am returning." Freyja blinks in fascination -- ALL those guys around the monastery are Soulguard?! Whoa... and she thought she might be pushing it to have only one!

Very shortly, the Sith ship is lifting up into the air with its teeth-jarring whine, its wings unfolding gracefully. Just as it turns to streak out of the atmosphere that screech sounds again, and the craft disappears from view. Freyja winces in spite of herself, making a note to ask for a potion for her head from the apothecary. She'll wait until the Sith have departed to ask her Master to carefully gather up Kuuna and bring her into the monastery's infirmary.


Kuuna is brought quickly into thee infirmary, and tended to by the apothecary. Freyja acquires something for her headache, and Vakkal and Dhaasul seem to be of good spirits. Freyja is a bit carefully touchy when she's in pain -- her 'internal editors' aren't quite as stringent as usual. She quietly hugs Dhaasul, thanking him for helping them hide Vakkal... then goes to quietly hug Vakkal also. Then she settles on the bed next to Vakkal and sighs quietly, "The headache's starting to fade, thank goodness." She smiles tiredly at the big dog Sith, "We got it... Verg is really, truly gone now, I think."

Vakkal embraces Freyja in return, still being cheerful. "Indeed? That is a great relief, Padawan Freyja. He is not a Lord I would willingly join again. As for Fhazil..." He smiles quietly. "Such is the way of both the Sith and Jedi. It was good to see him again, if even for a few days. In time we will see each other again." Still mildly cheerful he tilts his head to the side. "The Jedi are coming, aren't they."

Freyja studies Vakkal thoughtfully for a few seconds... then says with quiet formality, "Hai, the Jedi will be arriving soon. You now have no lord, Vakkal of Khar Valos. Would you take another, even if she be not Sith?"

Vakkal nods, standing. "It is best, then. A Sith I am, a Sith I shall always be, but one does not need an Empire to be a Sith." He bows his head, offering his wrists to Freyja. "Vakkal of Khar Velos, former apprentice to Qatto Verg of Smiths. I have no Lord. I ask you to take me as your Soulguard, for I vow to defend you against your enemies in this world and in all worlds, even beyond the ebon curtain of Death itself."

Freyja smiles quietly, standing herself also, and takes his much larger hands in both of hers. She says steadily, "I am the Lady Freyja Erde of Haus Rigg of Balmorra, daughter and heir to the Baron Forsetti Baldur Rigg and Baroness Erde Valdandi Rigg. Vakkal of Khar Valos, I accept your freely given offer to enter into my service as huskarl, with all the responsibilities and rights we both accrue from that relationship." She shifts his big, clawed hands so they're both in one of hers, and touches the blunt end of his muzzle lightly with the fingertips of her right hand, followed by a light touch on his forehead, then chest, "Spoken in Truth from head and heart, and received with Truth returned, between us and the gods alone." She softly touches her own lips last.

Vakkal stands straight then, smiling quietly. "What are your first orders, Lord -- er... Lady..." He finally gives up. "Er, how am I to address you? I suspect that being called 'Lord' has different connotations than in the Empire."

Freyja laughs softly, settling a bit wearily back on the edge of the bed, "Um. Well... may I ask a favor of you, Vakkal? If this would make you uncomfortable, just say so, of course..." her tone gets a little wistful, "-but... could we remain friends first, lady and huskarl second?"

Vakkal nods, "Certainly, Freyja. I would like that as well. I... if I may ask, then, that you be here for when Volc enters the monastery? While I could explain what I am now, I fear that he would not listen to me." He looks mildly embarrassed. "He, Fhazil, and I did not part company under the best of circumstances."

Freyja grins cheerfully, even through the touch of tiredness, "Wouldn't miss it for the world!" Her smile gets a bit more serious, "Would be wrong of me to be absent when you could use my help, too. Huskarls aren't punching bags -- you have to be there for them as much as they are for you, after all." She pauses, then says wryly, "That... came out oddly, didn't it..."

Vakkal shakes his head, smiling, "Not at all. It made perfect sense."

Freyja looks relieved, "Oh, good." She rubs her face, then murmurs, "Think I threw a little too much into Verg again... gotta learn restraint, 'm thinkin'..." She takes a deep breath, forcing herself to sit up straight, "He can certainly have Jiosch, though. I hope they have a bacta tank on their ship." She looks at Dhaasul, "How about you? Are you comfortable going with this Volc person?"

Roakkana ambles into the infirmary, actually grimacing a little. "Ah, there you are. I have received word from a very relieved-sounding Captain Ekiltan. The Fervor has escaped with only minimal damage and the Vylos is approaching Marnaas. The ships of the Company of Burning Spears are even now entering the atmosphere."

Freyja blinks, looking up, then smiles, "Glad to hear it, Master Roakkana. When are we expecting the Jedi? Will you still be asking them not to enter?"

Roakkana makes a quiet sound. "I expect them any moment now, actually. I still would prefer to keep them outside the... doors. Where the doors were, at least."

Freyja struggles to stifle a sudden snort of laughter at that comment from the Wookie! Then she blinks, adding in quiet fascination, "Wait... did those Soulguard people leap from orbit? Surely not?"

Roakkana, "I doubt that, child. They probably dropped from the landing craft at medium altitude, using the Force and repulsor-chutes to break their fall."

Freyja says, "Ah, all right. That makes more sense... their armor wasn't scorched, now that I think..."

Vakkal provides, "They possibly could have. It's done sometimes. Republic jump troops jump from orbit as well, but they tend to have much more equipment when they do that. Yes, it's considered a borderline case of insanity to enjoy doing that."

Freyja giggles at Vakkal's words, "All right, I won't ask if you do, how's that?" She grins tiredly, pushing her short bangs back out of her face, and takes another deep breath. She mutters to herself, "All right... if he comes in, I'm Lady Freyja, got it..."

A small ship's engine, much different in tone from the Sith landing craft, can be heard outside, approaching quickly. Freyja looks up at the sound, then at Master Roakkana, "Where do you want us all, Master Roakkana?"

Roakkana thinks for a moment. "I would say Vakkal is fine right where he is. If you and Zero wish to meet Jedi Volc, you are more than welcome to. I assure you, you will probably not wish to meet him again."

Freyja grins ruefully, then nods, looking to the big dog Sith, "All right... so you'll be thinking quiet muted thoughts... and Jiosch and Dhaasul are ready to go." She rises, falling in next to Master Roakkana, "Ready..."

Roakkana nods and walks from the infirmary to the front doorway. Seeing Zero there, he greets him cheerfully: "Enjoying the fresh air, Zero?" Freyja grins.

Zero looks up from where he's been sitting with his back against the doorframe. He stands up and brushes himself off. "Yeah... though I'm wishing it was under more pleasant circumstances." Freyja smiles, straightening her own short top and settling her weapons belt more comfortably. A moment to run her fingers absently through her hair, and that's quite enough, as far as she's concerned. Zero stretches. "So much for the quiet life of a monastic."

Roakkana nods. "As do I, Zero. As do I." Shortly, a small, green-hulled ship of Republic make arcs over a hill, coming in smoothly and quickly for a landing even as it kicks up a small dust storm. A hatchway opens in its side, and a ramp extends; down the ramp come four Jedi. There is one noticeably in front; a Togruta with that species' wild coloration. The stocky, broad-shouldered Jedi has bright, fierce eyes that flick every-which-way. He all but marches up to the monastery's doorway, bowing a little curtly. The other three Jedi with him, all in the leggings-and-tunic combination favored by guardians, also bow, though a little more sedately.

Freyja grins again, then murmurs to the Wookie at a sudden thought, "Master... if they have a bacta tank or two, maybe they could help Jedi Kuuna also?"

Roakkana nods, "That is a good hope, Freyja. They could very well have one aboard the Vylos." Zero dusts off his knees and straightens up, folding his arms. Didn't I just do this? Freyja raises an eyebrow at the rather brusque Togruta, but returns the bow to all four, as is proper.

"The Force be with you, Jedi!" Derga Volc exclaims, straightening. It's then that his somewhat short stature, compared to Roakkana, becomes apparent; he is just about able to look at the Wookie's armpits. "I am Jedi Volc of Shili, Knight-Captain of the Company of the Burning Spears."

Zero nods politely, but lets Roakkana reply first. Freyja listens with quiet interest, but doesn't comment. She's mostly focused on being restrainedly aristocratic in bearing. It's hard... she usually either has it on full bore -- or completely off. Roakkana bows in return, and seems to deliberately talk slower than normal. "Welcome, Jedi Volc. The Force also be with you. Master Roakkana of Kashyyyk. These are my Padawans, Freyja Rigg of Balmorra, and Zero Satau of Sedrak." Freyja nods politely again.

Volc nods to each in turn, then frowns, looking at Zero. "Zero Satau... I was told you were Senator Kalatis'... representative... here on Marnaas."

Zero nods, "I was, until not long ago. It appears I've developed something of a wild talent in recent days."

Volc nods slowly. "Indeed..." he murmurs. "Well, the Senator's loss is the Order's gain!" He looks to Roakkana. "You'll be relieved to know that we chased the Sith out of the system, Master. I don't believe Shen Ravos will be returning anytime soon."

Freyja's face remains carefully expressionless. Roakkana smiles a little. "Oh? We're glad to hear that. Shen Ravos was pleasant enough but fortunately he didn't wish to stay very long. His Soulguard were rather impressive, though."

That actually makes Volc stutter for a moment. "Shen Ravos? Here? On Marnaas?" He grimaces. "So it is true, then," he mutters. "The Smiths really did develop that stealth technology." He shakes his head. "I wish we'd come sooner, Master."

Freyja frowns slightly as that registers. Stealth technology... wolf-feathers. That's for sure going to be used as justification for letting the Templars make an Army of Light. Zero just grins quietly. "Impressive, if a little given to drama."

Roakkana says, "Oh, very true, Zero. They did have a proclivity for showmanship at that. That's all right, Jedi Volc, you did your best. They came and took Methel-ssa away. And Qatto Verg met his final death."

Zero says, "And good riddance." Freyja nods once, slowly.

Volc nods. "Indeed. I would enjoy the chance to discuss this with you, Master Roakkana. If we may...?" He is already half-stepping towards the doorway.

"No."

Volc almost stumbles, but regains his balance quickly enough. "'No'? I beg your pardon, Master?"

Freyja stands without moving at all next to the Wookie, even though the Togruta is advancing. Roakkana shakes his head. "This is a place of meditation, Jedi Volc. While I am sure we are all glad for the presence of your company, the monastery is for quiet meditation upon the Force and all things. It is not a commandery. I hope you understand."

Volc frowns. "Yes... yes, of course." He looks up at the doorway and its lack of doors, his brow furrowing. "Redecorating, I see?"

Freyja raises an aristocratic eyebrow. Ah... Togruta humor, I see... Zero leans back against the doorframe, folding his arms again. He continues to grin lopsidedly, "Verg was also given to dramatics."

Volc grimaces at Zero's words. "I see. Well, he is dead, at least. At your convenience, Master, I would like to discuss with you the events of the past three weeks. The Council is understandably concerned."

Roakkana nods, "I am certain they are. Where is the company bivouacked?"

Volc glances a little sharply to Roakkana. "We are camped north of the spaceport, approximately thirty kilometers. Master Roakkana, I know you. I know you do not want any elements of the Order Militant here. In any other time, I wouldn't blame you. But there is a war going on, and we are losing. If the Order Militant can do anything to stem the Dark tide, we will. We must." He takes a breath. "We'll contact you later today once we have settled in. Please do not hesitate to communicate with me to arrange a time when we may meet."

Roakkana only nods and bows slightly. "Of course. The Force be with you, Jedi Volc." Freyja studies Volc silently. I bet you would indeed do anything... including break your word, if the Templar are any indication. A moment later she mentally shakes her head at herself, disgusted that she actually considers the Sith of War more honorable than the Templars of the Jedi.

"And also with you, Master." With that the Jedi return to their ship, and in short order the small ship is angling towards the spaceport.

Roakkana lets out a breath. "That... went much better than I thought it would."

Freyja nods slowly, frowning slightly. Her voice is musing, "Strange..." She 'feels' gently in the Force. Can she sense Vakkal's Sithstain at all? Could Volc have completely missed it? Vakkal is barely noticeable, though part of that is from distance, surely. The blight from where Ravos' sword embedded itself in the ground, under Freyja's feet, is stronger than Vakkal. A moment later she adds, "Oh, wolf-feathers. We forgot to ask about the bacta tanks."

Zero says, "Well, at least they haven't chosen to make an issue of it yet."

Roakkana shakes his head. "We will contact the Vylos directly. I do not think the company has any bacta to spare, at least not unpacked yet."

Freyja looks down at the ground at her feet, puzzling. "It... must be that, Zero. Else why wouldn't he have said something about the Sith blight?"

Roakkana nods to Zero. "True, yes. Denying them entry was well within my rights but as you saw he was not expecting that. I do not think one incident such as that will have him contacting the Council, but I will not be able to put him off forever."

Freyja sighs, crouching and running her hand lightly over the area, "Poor damaged place..."

Roakkana frowns, nodding. "Indeed. I'm certain he felt it. I wonder why he made no mention of it."

Freyja says, "Wish I knew more how to fix it..." She 'looks' in the Force, scanning casually, "I wonder how deep it goes." The little spot of blight is only as deep as the blade sunk into the ground, perhaps a third of a meter. The blight seems limited to the edges of the hole, and is not spreading, but does seem... rather unhealthful. She fastidiously wipes her hand off on the thigh of her breeches... that sword was just disgusting.

Zero says, "We're gonna have to get Vakkal out of here ASAP."

Roakkana looks to Zero, thinking. "I have not yet received word of whom the new abbot will be, but that may come soon -- sooner, if Volc reports I am being 'uncooperative.' The Council knows how bloody stubborn I can be. Certainly, he will have to come with us, somehow, or we will have to make other arrangements...

Freyja looks up, nodding to Zero, "Hai. We need to get all of us on the ship to Coruscant ASAP." Then she covers a grin at her Master's comment about stubbornness. She adds quietly to the Wookie, "He should come with us, Master Roakkana. He's a Sith alone in the Republic, except for us. It... would not be meet to abandon him in that way."

Roakkana nods quietly. "He should, yes. Though without any papers he will be hard to explain. But we will find a way. In a sense Volc will work in our favor. He will complain about me, and the Council will send a master to take abbotage of the monastery posthaste. We will quickly be on our way to Coruscant and a most interesting debriefing."

Freyja says, "Oh, papers we can get." Her small smile is rueful, "My family's good for that, at least... and a good tailor on Coruscant, too."

Zero says, "A tailor? What're you trying to say?"

Freyja says, "That Vakkal's going to need clothes." She tilts her head thoughtfully at her fellow Padawan, "Why? We can get you some too, if you want?"

Roakkana looks to Zero. "I hope I have not caused problems with your former employer, Zero. Volc is certain to crow about it in his report to the Council.' He looks up to the sun. "Which he should be making right about now..."

Zero grins and shakes his head. "I already gave the Senator a little heads-up. I'll deal with him when we get back."

Freyja wrinkles her nose amusedly, "Volc is... weird. Is it just me, or does he seem intent on being... more Jedi than Jedi?"

Zero says, "He likes his position. Same thing happens to Senators."

Freyja snorts amusedly, "I guess. Still, how many Senators are former Sith apprentices?"

Zero says, "You saw Ravos' flair for drama. You can't think it's a coincidence."

Freyja considers... then nods, "Good point."

Roakkana chuffs softly. "Well, the immediate concerns are taken care of." He looks up at the doorway. "I think the first thing I shall do is find a contractor to get a new door."

Freyja grins, then says, "I think I better get things started on paperwork for Vakkal." She turns for the door, then pauses, "By the way, Fhazil Taas reiterated his promise. I think he will be there, on Commenor in six months." She looks at Master Roakkana, "So... now what? We wait until Volc gets snippy, and another abbot arrives?"

Zero says, "I'd rather not wait that long." Freyja nods in wry agreement.

"Unfortunately, we do not have that option." He considers. "Allow me to amend that. I do not have that option. I can send you both -- and Vakkal -- ahead to Coruscant without me."

Freyja blinks -- then says slowly, "Uhm... we could certainly wait, Master? I know I'd rather go with you... especially if I end up having to go to Balmorra after." Her tone gets wry, "I... have trouble with serenity around my Father, usually. Your presence helps a lot."

Zero says, "I don't like the idea of leaving you here with His Puissant Whatever Volc, but... it might be best." Freyja giggles at Zero's pseudo-title. Zero adds, "Hey, don't worry about Balmorra. I'll go with you."

Freyja grins wryly at Zero, "You and Vakkal? Oh, my. Why do I get the feeling I would be running interference for the both of you?" She giggles, "I'm just teasing. I just..." She falls silent for a moment, her face going still, then sighs resignedly, "Well. Father is Father."

Zero hmphs. "Just because I grew up in a ditch doesn't mean I can't leave the dirt behind, you know."

Freyja laughs, then touches Zero's arm gently, "I didn't mean it that way. I meant it more like... well... let's just say I consider being at home good practice for controlling my temper." Her small smile is very dry -- then she murmurs even more dryly, "Very good practice..."

Zero says, "Don't worry about it. We'll worry about that when we come to it."

Freyja sighs and nods... then glances at the Wookie, "Still... I'd rather go with you as well to Coruscant, Master Roakkana."

Zero says, "Well, if you'd rather remain, I can take Vakkal down with me, and work on finding some way to hide him out. I still have a few contacts in the city."

Freyja shakes her head, "Neh, as a huskarl he should stay with me. Else it seems like just a legalistic dodge."

Zero says, "A what?"

Roakkana smiles to both Padawans. "Oh, don't worry about me. Volc is still but a knight and I am still a master. There is nothing he can say or do to harm me." He looks fondly to Freyja. "Child, I have been your constant companion for the better part of four? five? years. I would rather stay with you both as well, but it is not uncommon that masters and Padawans must part company for a short time. If nothing else, I will meet you on Balmorra. Your father was not an entirely unreasonable man when I first met him, albeit a bit stubborn and set in his ways." He shakes his head. "It is better this way. You will be able to go with Vakkal to Coruscant. The Temple will await my arrival before beginning the debriefing. That is one sacrosanct principle that the Order has not shown any sign of destroying yet: a master's Padawan is his own, and nothing may be done without that master's knowledge. That is why in a mind probe a Jedi's former master must be present."

Freyja looks unhappy, but just nods at the Wookie's words. Zero tries not to make a face. Frankly, I doubt the Council would like what they found in my mind. Freyja adds to Zero, "It was part of the plan we made, remember? If the Jedi arrived first, I'd ask him if he wanted to be my huskarl. Like a family retainer?"

Zero says, "Well, that's fine, but the sooner we fly the better. I don't want to give His Transcendent Masculinity any more time to find Vakkal than we already have." Freyja snickers, grinning at Zero.

Roakkana says, "I leave it to you both as to when you should leave." Freyja's glance at Roakkana makes it clear when she wants to leave. She's not looking forward to meeting her father, either on Coruscant for some reason, or later, on Balmorra. Roakkana stifles a laugh and looks between the two Padawans, his gaze settling on Freyja mildly sternly. "Freyja. How will you be when it comes time for you to take your trials?"

Freyja says dryly, "Trials are easy, compared to Father."

Roakkana hrms. "Yes, well... there is that."

Freyja grins wryly... then adds, "Well, anyway. Is there anything else we need to do, to be ready to go as soon as possible?" She looks back at Zero, "Did you say if you wanted more clothes, or neh?"

Zero snickers, "I was just kidding. I think my clothes are fine. Besides, I have some more back in the city when we get there."

Freyja grins, "All right. In that case, I'm going to go get Father's representative on Coruscant started on paperwork for Vakkal." She chuckles quietly, "Now that might get things rolling here..."

Roakkana grins, "Indeed. You in fact might wish to depart before Jedi Volc gets wind of it."

Freyja flashes a grin over her shoulder, then murmurs virtuously, "Goodness me, would I be trying to speed things up here at all? Surely not..." as she heads in the open doorway.

Zero says, "My thoughts exactly. If you have transportation in mind, Master, I'll get started on that right now."

"I do not, Zero, but there must be something at the spaceport, some small charter transport which can get you to Coruscant for less than a thousand."

Zero says, "I'll get on it right now, master."

Freyja looks puzzled, "Master Roakkana, won't the Jedi grant you use of a Starbird?"

Roakkana nods. "Oh, most likely. But the only one that will be on Marnaas will be the one that brings the new abbot here. I will then use his to bring me back to Coruscant." Freyja nods, and crosses her fingers that it arrives soon.

Zero says, "Besides, Starbirds are diplomatic craft. What we're doing is decidedly unofficial business." He grins. "And the paperwork's obscene."

Freyja says, "Well, not if we go with Master Roakkana to..." she laughs, then finishes, "-to Coruscant with him."

Zero says, "I'd rather not leave it to chance, just in case. I'll make sure we get off Marnaas, one way or the other."

Freyja nods, "Good point. Back up plans are good."

"Which will not be for some time. And believe me, as Zero can attest, some of the commercial craft are much more comfortable than any vessel of plenipotentiary livery, except for Senatorial and sector government ships." Freyja doesn't comment... she's never been in a strictly commercial craft, so doesn't know.

Zero grins over his shoulder. "I'll tell you some horror stories sometime."

Freyja laughs, rolling her eyes amusedly, "Oh, I can hardly wait..."

Roakkana stretches a little. "Well. I should go and meditate. Then sleep. Or sleep, then meditate. It's been a few days since I had an uninterrupted meditation..."

Zero says, "I'm gonna ride past the spaceport, see what's berthed. I'll see you all for the evening meal."

Freyja nods, "I'll get the paperwork started..." She covers a yawn, then looks guilty, "Er... maybe I'll take a nap before dinner too."


Freyja sends the message to her father's representative on Coruscant, repeats it firmly when the rep is incredulous, and then signs off with a sigh. She lets Vakkal know that he doesn't have to stay in the infirmary all the time... then curls up someplace quiet and snoozes for a while. Zero finds her in the cloister, half hidden under the overhanging branches of a leaning tree.

Later in the day, as the evening meal is being prepared and the scent of a festive, savory Alderaanian stew fills the monastery... Zero yawns, stretching, as he reenters the monastery. "Hey," he calls, "Freyja. How'd it go?"

Freyja starts, waking up suddenly... then relaxes, "Zero... hey. You startled me." She yawns... then rolls from her side to her back to stretch slowly, pointing her toes and arching her back. She sits up then, brushing a wispy branch out of the way, "Well, my father's rep was somewhat incredulous when I said Vakkal was a new species, and where he was from... but she said she'd have the paperwork ready for us by the time we got to Coruscant." She grins wryly, then adds, "And Vakkal's around somewhere, probably stretching his legs too. I suspect he's sick and tired of the infirmary, and was glad to leave."

Zero says, "With a dog's nose, he's probably sick of the smell of hospital. Can't blame him."

Freyja nods amusedly, then yawns, rubbing her eyes... then grins, "So, how'd it go for you too?"

Zero mms, shrugging off his jacket. "Pretty well. There are a few acceptable craft berthed down at the port, and with all the havoc I think they won't argue too much about booking passage off-world in a hurry."

Freyja nods, leaning back against the tree's trunk, "Good to hear. I suspect Volc will find out about my message pretty soon... and won't be pleased."

Zero says, "If he's intercepting our communications, he's already breaching his mandate."

Freyja murmurs lazily, "What's that, compared to the Templar breaking their sacred oaths?" She sighs, adding in more normal tones, "All right, so that really is bad... I shouldn't be so complacent about it, should I."

Zero says, "No point in worrying about it right now." Freyja nods quietly. Zero says, "So're you really that worried about your father, that you won't even leave without Roakkana?"

Freyja sighs and smiles, "Oh, it's more me being lazy, I suppose. It's an effort dealing politely with Father... and I'm going to have to be especially polite this time around, what with the betrothal and Vakkal as huskarl." Her tone gets dry, "He'll be even more um... inclined to snipe, I suspect." She thinks for a moment, then says quietly, "Don't tell Vakkal I said that, please. It's not his problem."

Zero sits down on the grass. "I won't. So... what's he like? Your father, I mean."

Freyja says, "Father?" She ponders for a bit, then says slowly, "He's... intelligent, articulate, educated, charming when first met, and usually thoughtful. He's honorable to a fault. He prides himself on his honesty, and he is so in business... but he..." she pauses, then says delicately, "-has certain illusions concerning himself and his family that he is... quite resistant to changing." She falls silent for a moment, thinking, then adds, "Well... you heard what I said in the infirmary about him."

Zero says, "Okay, so you respect him, if not like him much. So why're you so afraid to go back?"

Freyja considers for a long moment... then says slowly, "I... respect his honor and dedication, and that he represents the family. I cannot really respect some of his, um... somewhat archaic cultural ideals, or how he treats Mother sometimes. On the other hand, I suppose if she didn't like it she'd stand up to him. So far she has not." She sighs, then smiles ruefully again, "Neh, I'm not afraid of going back. I'm worn out. It takes a huge amount of energy to deal with Father, at least for me."

Zero says, "He do something to your mom?"

Freyja says, "Sort of... although I guess it had to be mutual to occur. See, he feels as the male that he's supposed to be the 'master' of his household, and that Mother should love, honor, and obey him, according to their marriage contract." She makes a small face, adding, "I don't know why she said that without insisting he say the same line... but she didn't. So... I think she deliberately plays dumb around him sometimes, so he doesn't feel threatened." She adds quietly, "It's... incredibly irritating to watch sometimes."

Zero says, "Huh." He sits back a little, thinking about that. Freyja smiles ruefully, and just sits quietly, enjoying the peace of the cloister. Zero finally says, "Sounds like she goes out of her way to keep things smooth with him."

Freyja nods slowly, "Hai... and so if I yell at him about it, it not only does no good... he takes it out on her later in passive aggression." She adds tiredly, "So... I swallow my anger a lot around him. That's why it's exhausting. And around the great Jedi Master Roakkana... he's more charming and polite. So there's less anger for me to swallow."

Zero mms, and nods. Suddenly, he laughs, sitting up. He holds up a defensive hand, "I'm not... heh... not laughing at you, I just thought of something."

Freyja straightens, her expression going very still... then she nods and relaxes a bit at Zero's comment. "What's that?"

Zero smiles, "I just thought of... heh, I've never actually told you anything about me, have I."

Freyja shakes her head, "Neh. I figured if you ever felt ready to, you'd tell me in your own time."

Zero says, "I was just thinking of... I was just thinking about my mom."

Freyja looks curious, "What was she like?"

Zero says, "Akiko Satau is her name, but in the compound no one ever called her that, except my dad. Everyone else called her the Devil."

Freyja blinks startledly, "The...? Oh, my. I'm so sorry, Zero."

Zero grins, "No, no! Don't apologize, there was a real good reason for that. My mother was an unholy terror in battle."

Freyja says, "Oh." She considers that, then huhs softly, "All right... what happened?"

Zero says, "Well, she'd always been fairly intense... but the nickname came when she broke a squad of four natives in battle with nothing more than a sawed-off length of pipe. It was actually the natives that started calling her the Devil, and the rest of the colonists started calling her that, first as a joke, but... it kind of stuck."

Freyja's eyes widen slightly, listening. She can't imagine her mother doing anything like that. Zero smiles, "She terrified the natives. They're a matriarchal society, and my mother, well... she's about six and a half feet tall, and her hair, it's just like mine, only much longer, about waist-length."

Freyja laughs in spite of herself, then grins, "Go on?" She smiles, "Which parent did you get your lovely eyes from?"

Zero says, "I think they really thought she was some kind of Devil. Strong-willed women are held in a kind of awe among them, and they become the leaders. I don't think they really knew what to do with her. She was a real soldier, I mean, she-" He blinks. "My, uh... actually, um, those are my dad's. Wulong."

Freyja tilts her head, still smiling as she regards Zero's face, "Neh, they're yours now. They look right on you."

Zero sheepishly pretends to study something on the end of his shoes. "There's... supposed to be something in the water, some kind of mineral that bonds with your pigmentation, when you've been on Sedrak a long time. It's the mark of a longtime colonist. Dad, I mean, Wulong Satau was one of the very first."

Freyja nods, "Sounds interesting. So... how are your parents now? Are they still there on Sedrak, now that it's peaceful?"

Zero takes a breath, then smiles, "Yeah, still there. After fighting for so long, I don't think you could get those two off Sedrak with a speeder and a tow hook. They're colonists by nature... real practical people, very simple, in their way. Tough. But, I mean, they're still homesteaders. My mom and dad were two of the most dangerous people up on the walls, but nobody really wanted to fight, down there. They were protecting themselves and their kids. My father helped defend the children's créche in the first days, back before the wall was completely up. It's amazing, you know, what a person can do when their young are threatened."

Freyja nods slowly. Maybe she could see her Mother fiercely defending her children, after all... Zero grins. "My father, I wanted to be just like him when I was little."

Freyja smiles slowly, her gaze quietly wistful, "So did I... long ago."

Zero says, "You know, I still do, sort of... even though he never wanted that for me."

Freyja smiles more naturally, turning her gaze back to the other Human, "Really? What did he want for you? Did you end up with that eventually?"

Zero folds his arms behind his head, looking up at the sky and wondering where Sedrak is in this part of the universe. "He wanted me to be... a Senator, or a businessman, or... heh. He just wanted me to have better than he did." He grins, looking over at Freyja, "But... that's not what I wanted. I should explain." Freyja hms curiously, watching quietly.

Zero says, "Wulong Satau, he's just a little taller than me, and built the same, only... he looks like he's made of knotted rope. And he's got these weird tattoos on his forearms from some... gang or dojo or something he was in when he was young. And everyone in our block of the compound looked to him... you remember that voice I used when we were up on the parapets?"

Freyja nods thoughtfully. She was a bit preoccupied at the time, but she vaguely recalls. Zero grins. "That wasn't me. That was Wulong talking. He uses that same tone of voice when he gives orders. And he led the defense courses; he used to be a martial artist before he took up colony life, and he taught everyone at least a little something about how to fight." Zero smiles, wistfully. "What kid wouldn't want to grow up like that? I idolized my father."

Freyja nods thoughtfully again. "Good point... even though we were under fire, folks listened to you."

Zero says, "I didn't really want anything but to grow up like him. I still idolize him, sort of, but I understand what he meant, now... what he wanted. He didn't want me to grow up inside the wall." Freyja nods again, listening... and wondering what Zero's leading up to. Must be important, whatever it is...

Zero says, "So, you know... here I am. I've been all over the galaxy, done all kinds of things, many of which I'm not proud of. But when I think about it... I got what I wanted. I can respect myself, and what I've chosen to stand for. So when I see him again, we can both be proud." He grins lopsidedly, "That I ended up a martial artist anyway is just happy coincidence."

Freyja smiles. "I'm glad to hear it. Are you planning on returning some time soon?"

Zero says, "I don't know. Sometime. When the Sith aren't crawling all over me. I think they'd be glad to hear that I was a Jedi, doing something honorable, instead of drifting through the galaxy." Freyja nods.

Zero says, "What about you?"

Freyja says, "Hm?" She grins, "What about me what?"

Zero says, "What are you going to do when you see your father?"

Freyja sighs, "Brace for impact."

Zero says, "I don't... think I follow. Surely your parents have to be pleased you're a Jedi...?"

Freyja smiles ruefully, "He... um... tends to use... sniping and sarcasm as a means of encouragement. I think. Well... I don't know for sure, but I'd like to think he's trying to be inspiring." She chuckles quietly, "Oh, sure... but with my father it's more like, 'A Jedi?! Well, about time you started doing something with your life!' That sort of thing, you know?"

Zero says, "I can see where that would get old fast. What did he do before he was a Baron?"

Freyja turns her head and nods slowly, her gaze getting far away... after a moment she says absently, "He was the lord, of course. His father died when he was fifteen... so he's been the baron for a while now..."

Zero hms, "Wow. That's... kind of hard for me to imagine. Being... well, rich your entire life. It's got to be difficult, in its way... I couldn't manage a business to save my life."

Freyja grins ruefully, "It's hard for me to imagine fighting all my life, too... so I guess it works out. Besides, Father took after his father, in a way. He felt we should have chores and earn our way, like he did, so we wouldn't get spoiled."

"Still," Zero grins, "I wouldn't know what to do with that kind of power."

Freyja smiles and shrugs, "I don't either, to be honest. My allowance has been accruing interest for the last five years in one of Father's banks."

Zero says, "Really? You've got to be pretty wealthy yourself, then..." He grins, "I'd not have guessed."

Freyja considers, then nods, "I guess so. I've not thought about it for a while. It's... pleasantly like playing hooky, being a Jedi." She grins.

Zero grins. "It feels sort of opposite for me. Like I'm finally doing something right. It sure beats what I used to do for a living."

Freyja giggles, "That works!"

Zero smiles, "And I've had a lot of lousy occupations."

Freyja says, "But that's what I meant when I said trials would be nothing compared to having to deal with Father... this is easy in comparison!"

Zero smiles, "I'm sure it is. Hey, tell you what. I'll keep you company when we have to go back to Balmorra, and you can come with when I find my way back to Sedrak."

Freyja grins, "Sure! -although I don't know what you'd need me for there."

Zero grins, "It'll make my mom happy if I show up with a pretty girl."

Freyja laughs! "Oh, dear. Well, all right, I'll brush my hair first, how's that?" She grins, "No Balmorran dress though, hai?"

Zero says, "Heh, sure. I've never actually seen one, but I'll take your word for it. I don't think it'll matter too much. Like I said... Sedraki tend to be pretty simple people. My dad will likely stroke his chin a few times, then nod and say," and here Zero's voice drops at least an octave, "'Mmm. Good. I like this one."

Freyja laughs aloud, rocking back against the tree... then grins cheerfully at Zero, "Tell me please you don't get many holovids on Sedrak?"

Zero says, "We might now, but not when I was a boy. We, uh... didn't really have time."

Freyja nods, still smiling, "All right. Just... teasing, mostly." She grins again, dryly adding, "And your mom? Should I be worried?"

Zero says, "The Devil?" He grins, "Nah. She's actually very gentle... it worried her so much when I got hurt..." Zero seems suddenly far away, "You'd have thought she was the one shot and not me." Freyja sighs internally, finding herself almost envious of Zero for his family life. Zero smiles, "I think you'd like her. She's just about the only woman I know as stubborn as you are."

Freyja blinks... then grins, mock-indignant, "And what's that supposed to mean?!"

Zero smiles, "Just what I said, Freyja. I think Roakkana's rubbing off on you."

Freyja laughs again, "Wait, wait... why do you say I'm stubborn? I didn't do anything... did I?"

Zero grins and shakes his head, "No, no... don't worry about it. Where I come from that's a good thing. I like that you're strong about what you think."

Freyja smiles a little puzzledly, "Ah... all right. Are you saying the Humans on Sedrak are matrifocal too?"

Zero says, "Nah, Sedraki families are colonists; we get all kinds. It just so happens that my mom's pretty strong-willed... and so is my father, and I've seen how well they get on together, so... I always associated that with being a good thing, you know?"

Freyja says, "Oh, I understand!" She considers, then smiles a bit wistfully, "That... does sound nice. I always hoped to find paramours that weren't just um... hai-speakers, you know? Always agreeing with you to keep the peace?"

Zero nods, "Exactly." He pauses a moment, "Uh, actually... do you mind if I ask you kind of a personal question?"

Freyja smiles again, "Neh. I may not answer it, but you can ask, certainly."

Zero says, "Alright. And you can tell me this is none of my business and I'll not speak a word of it again, but... er... have you actually had any, uh, paramours? I just ask because, well, back there in the infirmary, you started to say something, and you got... pretty flustered all of a sudden."

Freyja blushes and looks away. Zero bites his lower lip. Oh, now you've done it, idiot. "Freyja, uh, I... look, don't answer that. It was a stupid question."

Freyja's voice is a bit defensively uncertain, "Um... well... neh. I've been... busy learning how to be a Jedi." She takes a slow breath, then looks back at Zero ruefully, "Neh, it's all right. You're my brother Padawan. I'd appreciate it if you didn't spread that information around, though... people will talk about anything, given a bit of gossip." She looks down, twisting her long braid around a finger, "I just... wanted it to be special. I know, that's romantic sheisse... but... I wanted to care..."

Zero says, "No, no, of course not. Believe me, if I've learned how to do anything it's keep my mouth shut. But... what were you trying to say back there? I'm not trying to pry here, just... well, I don't know, I thought maybe I could say something to help you be less concerned about it. I've never seen you hush up like that before."

Freyja sighs softly, "Well... it's just that... well, I'm really leery of hai-speakers. I mean, once they know who I am, and who my sister is... how can I believe them when they say it's really me they like? And... I don't want to get hurt like that again."

Zero ahs. "So that's it." He shakes his head. "Me, I don't watch much holovid. Never understood... I mean, what's the point in having a porcelain doll at your side? So they look good. Will they watch your back in a fight? I doubt it."

Freyja smiles ruefully, still twisting the silky braid around her finger. "I don't know, Zero. All I know is guys sort of... lose their minds or something, around my sister. She's... very charming..."

Zero says, "So what? Charming only gets you so far. If there's no steel behind it..."

Freyja smiles quietly and wistfully, shaking her head, "I don't know, Zero. Believe me, I wish I did... I'd try it myself, I suspect. I can do some of the stuff she does, but it just makes guys back away slowly from me. I don't know why."

Zero says, "So don't do it. Just be who you are." He grins, "Hey, it actually worked for me once or twice, and look at me."

Freyja says softly, looking down at her hands again, "I do... I try to be."

Zero says, "You sound like you don't believe it."

Freyja looks up curiously, "What worked for you?" She sounds a bit surprised, "You know how to do that... that kind of mask too?"

Zero smiles and shakes his head. "Nah. My masks are... a little different. I can hide what I'm thinking and what I intend pretty easily, but... I apparently wear my heart out on my sleeve. I meant being who I am worked for me. One or two people in the galaxy have decided they didn't mind it too much."

Freyja ahs and nods... then considers Zero's question. A moment later she smiles and shrugs a little uncomfortably, "It's... not that I don't believe it. It's that I'm hoping it's not holiday season on Balmorra when we go. If it's the holidays we'll be stuck there for at least a month -- and my sister will be there too. Otherwise we can probably escape after a week of family duty."

Zero mms. "I can see where that'd be a little rough. Maybe Vakkal and I can fake a Sith invasion." He grins.

Freyja giggles -- then smiles, adding, "I like who you are, Zero. You've stuck by Master Roakkana when he needed us. That's not something a bad person would do."

Zero grins, deepening his voice, "Lord Sadow demands that we break up this betrothal! And we demand tribute! In the form of all the alcohol in the palace!"

Freyja laughs delightedly -- then grins ruefully, "Goddess... I don't think I want the Shadow knowing who I am at all... let alone finding it necessary to break up the betrothal!"

Zero grins, "Oh, I'm sure he thinks it's a bad idea too."

Freyja says, "Who? Sadow?" She blinks, then says in amused horror, "Who told him about me?!"

Zero hehs. "Okay, okay, so it's not a great idea. I still say we should shake down the palace for all their liquor."

Freyja giggles again, then adds dryly, "I don't think you'll have any trouble finding alcohol at the estate."

Zero grins, "Yeah, but just imagine the look on their faces when they see Vakkal and I demanding tribute."

Freyja grins, shaking her head amusedly, "You're incorrigible."

Zero smiles and shrugs. "Gotta take your fun where you can get it, in our profession. Especially now."

Freyja nods quietly, smiling also, "True. We'll certainly be frantically busy soon... in about six months or so." She takes a deep breath, adding firmly, "We will make it work... we have to!"

Zero says, "It'll all work out. I say that a lot, lately... but since I left home, I figured that if a solution to that could be found, there's a solution to everything, one way or another."

Freyja nods slowly, a determined look in her eyes, "Very good point."

Zero says, "Something will have to give. Else there will be war, and everything will get settled the old-fashioned way. Although, I expect the war will happen no matter what."

Freyja nods again, with a slightly more grim look, "Still... if we can slow it down or alleviate it at all by showing Light and Dark are not anathema to each other... we'll have succeeded, even if only a small amount." She adds a little crossly, "I'm getting really sick and tired of everyone yapping off about how awful Greysiders are, too!"

Zero says, "Hey, it beats going to the front lines to fight more drama-prone men with buckets on their heads." Freyja giggles again in spite of herself. Zero folds his arms behind his head, "So... speaking of drama. Are you really going to go through with this betrothal thing?"

Freyja gives Zero a curious look, "Drama? I suppose it is, in a way... I'm afraid it's just going to end up being tiresome, though, myself." She shrugs, "Another man for my sister to vanquish with a smile." She considers for a moment, then sighs, "Well, at least I won't have to worry about him bothering me..."

Zero mms. "I was just thinking-" He blinks, finding himself on the precipice of saying something catastrophically stupid, and shakes his head, "Er, never mind. Yeah... I suppose at least he'll stay out of Jedi business."

Freyja adds quietly, "I... wish I knew what he was like. Is he older? Younger? Thoughtful? Greedy or clever or funny, self-centered or kind or patronizing?" She sighs again, "I don't even know what he looks like." Then she shakes her head, looking up and forcing a smile, "Sorry, I'm being thoughtless and focusing just on myself. What were you thinking?"

Zero says, "All of the above? That'd be quite a trick." He winces and shakes his head, "Actually, I was about to say something foolish. I... must not be editing myself very well."

Freyja smiles ruefully, "Oh, I just wish I had some idea who Fafnir Jotunsen was." She looks curious, "How do you mean, foolish? Um... if you don't mind me asking, that is?"

Zero says, "Do you promise not to be upset with me if I tell you?"

Freyja blinks a bit startledly, then considers for a moment. Finally she says slowly, "I... will promise to try not to be upset, but I don't think my emotional control is so good as to promise no upset at all. I'm sorry, Zero... but... well, I'd rather tell you the truth."

Zero grins half-apologetically and gives Freyja an up-and-down look. "Close enough. Honestly? I remembered what you said about having your first... encounter with someone you don't know. And I had to think, Fafnir really has no idea what he'll be missing. Poor boy."

Freyja blinks at Zero again, her eyes widening... then laughs! She covers her mouth and looks embarrassed a moment later, "Oh, I'm sorry, Zero -- I'm not laughing at you, truly, I just..." She pauses, choosing her words with more care, "You make me sound like... like someone that paramours would want, you know? Not just get paid to make happy...?" Then she sighs, "Well... ideally paramours are supposed to really want to be with you..."

Zero blinks; that was not precisely what he expected to hear. "Er... wait, are you telling me you aren't? Freyja, I have seen you nearly nude, you know; I know you aren't hiding some sort of deformity. You are desirable. Why on earth would I say that, otherwise? I'm not being paid, you know."

Freyja grins ruefully at Zero, "Oh, goddess. Don't tell me you have a nudity taboo too?" She rolls her eyes, "How embarrassing! If you do, I apologize, really."

Zero winces, "Freyja, I think you're missing my point here. Freyja, I am telling you that I enjoyed seeing you nude and hope that I may do so again in the future! I think you're quite lovely, and quite frankly I think you'd be far better off having your first sexual encounter with me and not Fafnir Jotunnawhatever!"

Freyja blinks again, going silent and wide-eyed in astonishment. Zero blanches. "Did I just say that? I just... stepped far beyond the line there, didn't I."

Freyja blinks again, then says carefully, "Um... I'm... not sure...?" The back of Zero's mind begins to calculate how long it would take to fall on his own lightsaber. Freyja hesitates, then says equally carefully, "Maybe... we should try this again... umm... what did you really mean to say, Zero?"

Zero thinks about that. Finally he says, "Er... actually I think that is what I wanted to say. I think I could have done it a bit more gracefully..."

Freyja studies Zero silently, her ice-blue gaze thoughtful, for a long moment. Eventually she quietly says, "Zero... one of the things I promised myself, years ago, was that I'd never get burned again -- I'd never fall for someone who'd not met my sister first." She considers for a moment, then says, "Thank you. I don't know why you'd say that about me, but... it's nice of you to say it."

Zero sighs, "Freyja... I like you. I can and have thrown myself into blaster fire with you. I have every confidence that you will watch my back and I yours. I think you're quite frankly beautiful, and that it's a bloody inexcusable waste for you to think you're anything less than the dependable, honorable, lovely woman that you are. That's why I said it."

Freyja blinks again... then slowly blushes again. She knows Zero's honest... and she knows what he's saying isn't true -- can't be true. So... where is the error in her thinking? The possibility of her being attractive is, by its very nature, extremely attractive... but every time she's entertained that possibility she's gotten badly hurt. She looks back down at her fingers, slowly twisting her braid around one, and swallows hard. She should... she should say something... she finally whispers a little huskily, "...thank you..."

Zero sits up a little, and runs a hand through his hair. He finds himself with a sense of digging himself into a very deep hole here. "I... can't say I'm the most graceful man alive, in these sort of things. But... let me make you a promise, if I may." Freyja nods silently, not looking up. Zero says, "When we go to Balmorra, I will meet your sister. And when I have, I will smile, say what a pleasure it's been, and then I will turn to you, and ask, 'So what?' Just like I have asked every other time. And nothing will be different from how it is right now."

Zero can see from Freyja's profile that her lips have curved up a bit into a small smile. "Well... I was kind of hoping she'd not be there." Her soft murmur is faintly amused sounding... and she doesn't speak her thought that if someone actually ever did do that, it would certainly be an astonishingly different -- and perhaps somehow more wonderful and confidence-inducing -- world for her from that point on.

Zero lets himself grin again, relieved to see that. Oh, thank all the gods there are. Thought I was going to have a heart attack. "Well, if she's not, how about you take me at my word, and we'll skip straight to the sexual encounter?" He takes a gamble on levity.

Freyja blinks, her head coming up to stare startledly at Zero... then she giggles, even if a bit uncertainly. Her voice is a touch nervously breathless as she adds, "Um... do you mind if we, ah... take it a little slower than that?"

Zero smiles, "Sure. I think it'll be worth waiting a little while for."

Freyja smiles, flushing slightly again, "Er... all right." She hastily looks back at her fingers and her braid, "Um, so... so I guess you've had lots of... of lovers then?"

Zero laughs quietly. "Nah. Just a few. Three... no, four. It's... kinda hard to keep that sort of thing going when you never know where you're going to be tomorrow."

Freyja nods, still sounding a bit breathless, "I... hai, I guess so." She hesitates, then adds curiously, "Didn't your father like them, though?"

Zero says, "Oh, I had only one when I was still on Sedrak. Just... kind of a childhood crush. A little thing. I haven't seen her since I left home. The others were brief things, just sort of passing in the night. People in my line of work. We... generally didn't let ourselves get attached, but even guns for hire get lonely."

Freyja looks up thoughtfully, considering Zero's words, "'Gun for hire'? Why would that mean you couldn't get attached?"

Zero says, "We never really knew where we were going to be next. Jobs and opportunities take you all over the galaxy. Sector to sector, day to day, always chasing down a good lead or the next big chance. Besides, when you make your living doing violence, it's hard to trust people enough to want to sleep next to them."

Freyja blinks, considering that... then says slowly and questioningly, "It... must be a bit of a relief, then, to... to become Jedi, and to lay that constant distrust aside...?"

Zero nods. "It's... a tough habit to break, but... yeah. I sleep a little easier here knowing that the Jedi aren't going to come kicking in the door at night.

Freyja grins, "Only Kuuna, and she came during the day. Otherwise, if there's any Jedi-door-kicking-in to do, I imagine it'll be you doing it, not someone else."

Zero grins. "Sure hope so. And it technically was Verg, and I've come to expect that sort of thing from Sith lords."

Freyja grins, "True. Well... some of them, at least. The Oathers, definitely. I... don't know yet about the War ones."

Zero says, "I guess we'll find out. I've seen their kind before, though... I think I've got a feel for them."

Freyja says curiously, "You have? Really? What're they like?"

Zero leans back against the tree. "Professional soldiers. Elites. They pride themselves on being the best and the baddest and the meanest. They like shows of force like that, because they like people to know it. If they give their word, they'll keep it... because it'll lower them in their own eyes not to."

Freyja says, "Ahh..." She considers, then nods slowly, "That matches up with what Fhazil Taas and Vakkal said. They mentioned the Sith wanted to arrive with pomp and circumstance... not with soldiers keeping the crowd from throwing stones at them in their arrival parade." She's silent for a moment, then adds quietly, "Interesting. I bet that's useful information..."

Zero says, "Most pros are like that. I knew a lot of guys who behaved that way."

Freyja nods gravely, "Well, hopefully that information can help people deal with them a bit more smoothly." She pauses, then says slowly, "Both Fhazil Taas and Vakkal are like that too, aren't they?"

Zero says, "Yeah... they've let their guard down quite a bit, under the circumstances, but at heart I see it in them too."

Freyja nods thoughtfully, "Well, I can't say that's a bad thing, really. Surely honor to one's word is worthwhile?"

Zero says, "Of course. I wouldn't say their way of operating is bad. It's just more militaristic than the Republic's. Well... most of the Republic, at least. Volc isn't representative... yet... I hope."

Freyja murmurs musingly, "I wonder... if Sith lords of War would give up planets they'd won to lords of State... if they knew the people on the planet would rather have them there than the State lords? Or... if there's some other way to prevent the more deliberately dishonorable Sith lords from getting to our worlds...?"

Zero says, "It's something to think about. They obviously don't need much incentive to fight each other."

Freyja nods thoughtfully, then adds, "Fhazil Taas was mentioning how the lords of War usually wanted to keep it between the soldiery, and not the citizenry. It would be nice if that could be helped along somehow by us... even if I don't yet know how..."

Zero says, "Maybe the Silver Path knows something."

Freyja brightens, "Oh, hai! We'll have to ask them that too." She grins hopefully, then asks in sudden curiosity, "Zero... what do you think of Fhazil Taas?"

Zero says, "What do I think of him? He's a little flaky, but I think he's smart enough to know when to keep his word."

Freyja grins, "Oh, good! I was wondering, because I think he's our best bet for the Dark mantle."

Zero says, "I figured. I think he might work out... but we should keep our eyes on him for a little while, just to be sure."

Freyja nods, then adds thoughtfully, "I... may be reading him wrong, but..." she hesitates, then chastises herself -- Zero wouldn't laugh at her -- he'd just correct her if she were wrong. She takes a breath, then finishes, "I think maybe... maybe he might like me too?"

Zero grins. "I'm sure he does. I'm not the only man in the galaxy with eyes to see."

Freyja blinks... then giggles, "You're funny." She grins, adding more quietly, "Thanks for not laughing. I'm... not very good at telling, I'm afraid."

Zero smiles, "Honestly, Freyja, I think he's just unused to seeing someone as pretty as you are nude... at least, so soon in your relationship." He grins.

Freyja grins sheepishly, "I... wasn't thinking of anything at the time except stopping whatever the Dark Force wielder was doing. The poor guy's been trying to deny his problems with nudity ever since!"

Zero says, "Well, so was I, frankly, or I'd have stopped to put on my shoes. The stones in here are freezing. But... I don't think he's got a problem so much as he was trying to find a polite way to not stare."

Freyja laughs again, her eyes dancing, then adds cheerfully, "He's funny too. I like being around both of you... sometimes you make me feel..." she grins, looking a bit self-conscious, "-well... like I'm as pretty as my sister, almost, you know?"

Zero smiles and gently places his hand on Freyja's, if she'll let him. "Freyja... I don't care what she looks like. As long as you're not feeling like you're in her bloody shadow anymore... that's all that's really important."

Freyja blinks, then smiles quietly, "Well... I still think it'd be nice to be as pretty as her." She sighs, looking at her darker toned skin, "She's... well... beautiful." She looks up and her smile gets rueful, "Not in her shadow? Heh... that'd be something, wouldn't it? I'd like that."

Zero smiles. "So we'll work on it."

Freyja grins quietly, "Hai... I'm hoping the four of us can do that -- be more amazing even than... than my family." Quietly, a little wistfully she adds, "...really nice..."

Zero squeezes Freyja's hand gently. "We'll be okay. We'll think of something."

Freyja smiles, turning her hand over to quietly return the gesture, and says softly, "We have. We're working on it, hai? Something brand new in the Force... or at least in the ranks of Force users."

Zero grins. "And if we help dig you out of Syf's shadow at the same time, so be it. I'm certainly going to try."

Freyja grins shyly, "That... I... all right. Thank you."

Zero smiles, "You're welcome."

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