For but the briefest of moments, the Sith Lord’s brow creased against the silence. The precious seconds which rolled by...the expression of quiet wrath transfixed upon his features...all bore the severity of his commands. His two edicts were as the forbidden treasures of the fabled garden: to trespass against them would be to incur divine wrath. Yet, with but the utterance of two words, the storm began to break. The iron expression melted away, as if the firelight finally seeped through the cold exterior. His lips moved, beginning to restore the mirthful smile that had been presented for the duration of their experience. And, as if bid by the perversion of his instinct, his arms tightened slightly about her waist. ”Good.” he began - his voice now a soothing baritone as opposed to rolling thunder.
”Then gather your things, your new life begins tonight.”
The perversion of his instinct screamed in protest to the words which fell from his lips. Every fiber of his being ached to remain rooted in place. There was a collision of personal ambition and the corruption of his most basic urges. The mind demanded that he move - that he begin the immediate elevation of this young soul into her Final Shape. But the body demanded that he stay at the fireside. That he relax, breathe, and surrender to the thunder which boomed overhead. For but a moment, he teetered against his own mandate, silently willing himself to overcome the perversion of instinct. It took some doing, but the grit of his will saw him shuffle slightly against her form. The heels of his boots dug into the thirsty earth, aiding him in pushing his back up along the makeshift log.
His posterior eventually would come to rest upon the log, where he would offer his hand.
One would think that his intention would be a return to Durango. After all, there were - seemingly - no other places to go this evening. The nearest settlement was more than a comfortable speeder bike’s ride away, but a suitable rest awaited any weary traveler in Sierra Blanca. But, the Devil had cast not a single thought to the Mandalorian Haven. Rather, his mind was set upon what slumbered behind the thundering clouds. Eventually, [member="Alora Fae"] would accept his hand and the pair would rise to their feet together; at which point the Sith would cast a glance to his wrist. Mounted there was a micro-datapad, upon which he tapped a simple command.
A new thunder would reach their ears. Not of energy dancing between the clouds, but of engines roaring to life. It would take squinting against the darkness in the distance to make out the origin of the sound, for in the distance azure light had began to shine. Dimly at first. A single, Quill-class Shuttle awaited them - and had been the Devil’s transit to the planet in the first place. With this, he would whisk her away like a thief in the night. With this, he would take her to new heights. Motioning with his head, the Sith spoke: ”Come.” Yet he did not immediately take off in the direction of his vessel. He tarried, if only for a few moments, so that the fiery-haired woman could collect her personal effects. After all, it would not do to abandon everything in the dust of Haseria.
And once she was settled, the Devil would lead the way.
”I’m sure you’ve no end of questions, Alora.” he began, striding confidently against the black. ”Speak your mind. I will answer truthfully.” And in this, he was genuine. There was no reason under the stars to commence an apprenticeship with deception. Though the Galaxy would always look upon he and his ilk as the masters of lies, Darth Metus did not think it...necessary...to pull the wool over his Apprentice’s eyes. With truth came a marvellous gem called Trust. And from Trust, Loyalty. In time, if the Devil had his way, the Wildling would follow her Master into the fray without question. And, she would carry out his will gladly - having faith that he would always be there to prevent all harm.
Thus, with his question posed, the Sith came to a halt finally before the Shuttle. It was not his usual “ride”, but he opted to go with something a little more conservative for the evening’s excursion. To utilize one of the Scimitar-class Star Couriers would mean to alert his Knights Obsidian to his venture. And they - and by extension his other Apprentices - would demand that he bring some sort of additional protection along. Whether it be droids, an escort, or one of their own. Sometimes he wondered if they recalled just who he was. No matter. His fingertips found and tapped upon his datapad once more, prompting the vessel to extend its ramp to the dusty earth.
He motioned for her to step aboard first, before following in her wake.
There was certainly no turning back now.
[member="Alora Fae"]