Private A Dangerous Game You Play

[Kaito Starfall]

Teresa Zambrano | Darth Pellax
Ascent-class Star Destroyer The Drepane

It was night cycle aboard the ship when Kaito awoke. Startled, he shifted upright, careful not to disturb the retainers still at rest. He moved quietly, searching for a place undisturbed enough to work. It took some time, but eventually, he found one; a classroom. This would do.

Settling in, he reached out through the Force, just as he had when calling down hellfire upon B/U-800 "Evelina" .

The small crystal conduit Braze carried allowed him to track Braze , having senced his critical state and more importantly find him through far-seeing. Power surged through Kaito, illuminating his porcelain features as he reached forward, intent on seizing control, threading himself into the boy's actions like a puppeteer to a marionette.

But he paused.

Someone else was there.

Not Braze, but someone else, woven into the boy's subconscious. A presence distinctly foreign, yet tethered all the same.

Kaito regarded Maple Harte for some time.

 

[Teresa Zambrano | Darth Pellax]

The Blackened Valkyrie began to stir in her sleep, echo's of past scenes, past places flashed in her dreams. They where neither good nor bad, just some random scenario that sometimes the mind lingered. Like the warmth of Panatha early sun brushing softly on her cheek whilst a monotone and dull voice droned on in the background. This was the dream she was having but no longer.

it was like a prick at her senses, brief but there. Teresa's eyes snapped open and sat up abruptly scanning around the room. She did not sense anything again immediately, though after a minuet of sitting there in darkness was when it was felt again. That was enough to pull the woman from her bed and investigate.

The presence did not come from near her area but the other side of the ship that was dedicated to those in her charge. As she walked down dimly lit halls with soft red lights illuminating the path, Teresa would feel nostalgic along one particular path. Etched into the walls and floors are old saber marks. Had the woman not felt sleepy still, she'd no doubt have reincited it as if habit.

Eventually however she'd draw closer to that feeling becoming more noticeable the closer she came. Her senses had brough her to the area for retainers. Of course it would be here of all places as these where the only ones not born within the Kainite. Step by step Teresa passed the dorms, then basic recreation area's till she reached the education area.

Her pace slowed, becoming soft and sneaky till reaching the door that felt right. The Valkyrie moved her hand sideway in steady motion sliding the door open. Stood inside was no other than Kaito, doing something rather strange in her eyes. She did not disturb him while entering the room closing the door behind her.

Kaito Starfall​

 

[Kaito Starfall]

Teresa Zambrano | Darth Pellax
Ascent-class Star Destroyer The Drepane

He stood poised in an odd stance, hands raised and splayed before him as if tugging at invisible strings. His fingers flexed, trembled—testing something unseen. His expression twisted, shifting between rigid unease and thinly veiled displeasure. The longer he lingered in that strange suspension, the deeper the furrow in his brow, as if whatever he reached for in the unseen space resisted him.

Then, after a long, dragging pause, something in him loosened. His shoulders slackened first, then his arms, falling limp at his sides. The eerie glow in his eyes flickered, guttered, and finally snuffed out like dying embers, leaving only their natural pale blue, sharp yet unfocused. He blinked, slow at first, disoriented as if waking from something vast and weightless. There was a lingering presence, something heavy in his bones, pressing at the edges of his awareness. The ghost of whatever he had touched—or whatever had touched him—refused to dissipate entirely.

And then, at last, his gaze settled upon her.

Tereasa, his keeper.

He felt it like a hand pressing against his sternum, an unspoken demand for answers. But he had none to give, at least not yet.

 

[Teresa Zambrano | Darth Pellax]

Her eyes narrowed leaving only a slight glint of glowing golden orange peeking out. To what Kaito was doing was beyond her, He gave off such a strong feeling of the force that felt itchy. Not so much that it felt unsettling like when she is around jedi but not so deep and drenched like that of sith. Oh how curious she thought seeing the Echani snap out of what ever state he was in.

Once the Echani's gaze had met her own Teresa moved closer. She stepped forwards slowly and with a deliberate heavy tap till the woman loomed right in front of him. Her hand rested on the mans shoulder not really applying pressure yet her nails pressed lightly making it noticeable.

"Hummm, I could feel an odd presence all the way from my chambers. I came all the way here following the feeling like a canine following a scent of pray. Happen my surprise to see you doing something strange, in the dark and hidden... all... away. So tell me Kaito, what is it are you up to?" The Valkyrie spoke with an airy voice synergizing with the natural reverb of the room. Teresa's other hand came up cupping the chin of this fair skinned man her fingers reached along his jawline.

Kaito Starfall​

 

[Kaito Starfall]

Teresa Zambrano | Darth Pellax
Ascent-class Star Destroyer The Drepane

Kaito shivered beneath her touch, his breath hitching for the briefest moment. His clear, pale blue eyes widened, locking onto her gaze—an unblinking stare, sharp with awareness.

He couldn't exactly lay his cards on the table. He knew what kind of people the Sith were.

"Meditation," he stated simply, his voice measured, restrained.

His posture remained composed, but the tension coiled in his frame betrayed the wariness beneath. He knew better than to let anything slip, knew the weight of even the smallest misstep.

"I meant no disturbance," he added gently. Hesitantly, he inclined his head ever so slightly, the deference subtle.

"My lady," he appended, voice quieter now, as if testing the waters. A pause... then, carefully, "You have my sincerest apologies for disrupting your rest."

 

[Teresa Zambrano | Darth Pellax]

The nails of her pinkie and ring finger pressed close to Kaito's throat at his answer. It was Teresa's way of pointing out she was suspicious with that answer. "Weather you meant to or not, it has already been done. As for your apology, I feel like its for the wrong thing Kaito. I have the feeling you just lied to me."

The Valkyrie lowered down some, as her gaze changed to convey something more dangerous. "You didn't just lie to me just now did you Kai-to?" Teresa said playfully in her airy voice. Regardless of his answer, now she had a current use for the retainer. Besides even if he came up with another reason or stuck with it, the woman had no way to truly verify it.

"The rest are asleep, so you will serve me till they awake and take over. Besides, I've heard you've been making yourself useful. You can tell me all about that on the way." The woman rose back up standing straight and moved to the side gesturing to move. "Before that, go sort a pot out. Gunnr sent some amongst the wives and it tastes quite good. Oh.. and some small snacks too would be great."

Teresa would follow behind, their path obvious by the doors opened along her route. "Now tell me about these accomplishments you've had in battle Kaito."

Kaito Starfall​

 

[Kaito Starfall]

Teresa Zambrano | Darth Pellax
Ascent-class Star Destroyer The Drepane

"Oh, my lady Teresa, feelings are such unreliable and fickle things, are they not?" he queried with a soft murmur. "Whispering all sorts of nonsense, but that doesn't make them true. And if you believe I've lied… well, who am I to argue? Your word is law."

Kaito dipped his head in acknowledgment, swallowing any protest as he smoothly fell in line behind her. Keeping pace with her was a small feat, her longer strides forcing him to adjust his own, but he did so without faltering, matching her rhythm with practiced ease. His movements were graceful, as if it were effortless, though in truth, it required careful consideration of How he paced himself. He remained just where he should be, neither trailing too far nor drawing too close, a shadow in her wake Following where she led.

She led the way through the dim corridors, towards the study. He had been learning the layout for some time now, mesmerizing the placement of rooms day by day and ferreting away the information for later use.

At her prompting, he let out a thoughtful hum, slipping into something easy, practiced, a tale spun for her amusement Should do nicely, one carefully woven with bits of truth.

"Ah, my lady Teresa, I suppose it was only a matter of time before someone decided my particular talents could be put to better use," he mused, his voice laced with wry amusement, though never enough to be insolent. "It was deemed that I should step onto the battlefield, where I could be of… service. A sword in the right hands can cut many things. And so, I was given a task."

His gaze shifted ahead, but his attention remained on her, on the careful game they played. He remembered the padawan he spared… Diogo Talon , who had injured him in kind.

"But, as you know, war is unpredictable. I may have been a touch reckless, overzealous, perhaps. In my eagerness to be useful, I found myself in an unfortunate predicament. A misstep, and suddenly, I was left with little choice but to return. A rather painful lesson in restraint, one might say."

A small, knowing smirk ghosted across his lips, "Of course, if my lady prefers a grander tale, I could embellish, a duel against an unstoppable foe, a battle fought against impossible odds. But I suspect you prefer your truths with just a touch of entertainment rather than outright fiction." He mused.

As Teresa reached her study, Kaito smoothly departed her side. He dipped into a low bow, his voice carefully deferential.

"I will bring what you have requested, my lady."

With that, he was off, his steps near soundless as he sought out the items she desired.

He selected a small wooden platter and meticulously arranged an assortment of cheeses, ensuring a variety of textures and flavors. Cold grapes tumbled beside thin slices of peach and strawberries, their colors a visually pleasing contrast. An assortment of seasoned crackers sat neatly beside carefully folded pieces of cured meat, their edges curling just slightly. Finally, he placed a few small dishes for sweet sauces and jams, accompanied by a delicate knife and spoon for easy use.

With a soft breath, Kaito turned his attention to the meal. Raising a hand over the bowl, he allowed the Force to flow through his fingertips, channeling just enough heat to warm the dish without overcooking it. It was a small but efficient trick, saving time while ensuring everything was just as it should be.

He prepared a kettle of tea, selecting a blend that would complement the assortment, and arranged the necessary accompaniments. Finally, he placed everything onto a polished silver tray, ensuring each piece was positioned with care before lifting it and making his way back to her study.

Upon arrival, Kaito moved with the same careful elegance, stepping forward and lowering the tray onto the table with all the fuss of a well-trained butler. A crisp tea towel was draped over his wrist as he set each item down in perfect order, ensuring everything was within easy reach. With a graceful efficiency, he began to serve her, his expression composed yet unreadable.

 

[Teresa Zambrano | Darth Pellax]

The Valkyrie listened to him as as she walked leading the way. It raised a question or two, like who deemed her things was to be used without her knowing. Something for Komi to track down likely, if not someone else could be put to task just as easily. Teresa was expecting to hear more of a story of what happened however his words were so brief lacking any detail. "If I want fiction I would ask for fiction, nor did I ask to be entertained Kaito. I simply wanted to know about the dazzling white gem's escapades. Was that so much to ask?" She said finishing her words making it clear the question was rhetorical.

Reaching the door to her study, she gave a quick glance back to Kaito who bowed at her before entering. Teresa approach the closest bookshelf, her fingertips running along the spines of leather bound books. The golden lettering glinted from a soft warm light that filled this room. One book slightly stuck out and a bookmark poking out of the top, that was the book she pulled out.

Teresa moved towards the large long couch and dropped down into it with no hint of grace. She laid on her side a pillow propping her up somewhat while facing towards a holo fireplace blowing warm air. The Valkyrie still felt the hint of sleep, a heaviness in her eyes that was slowly going. For the next while she'd be stuck into her book till the door hissed open.

Not a word was spoken as her eyes watched the man place the items on the table with flowing motions. "Pour yourself one and take a seat Kaito." She said while flipping the page and placing the bookmark in the seam. "While you do that use this moment to think about what you would like to ask me for. A gift for your work, despite that sly mouth of yours, you do fine work. Given I know now that you have combat ability means I will be making more use of you in the near future."

She placed the closed book down on the rug. With simple motions she pulled a strawberry to her lips and took a bite tasting a delicious sweetly sour flavour then devoured the other half quickly. Her gaze turned to Kaito while pulling the next. "So tell me Kaito what do you want?" Normally she'd follow this sentence it with, within reason, however it was the first time she was asking this diligent not so little retainer. Teresa wanted to know if he had a greed she wanted to know how much he'd ask for.

Kaito Starfall​