Can't Live With Her...

[Connor Harrison]

Cliffhold
Iego, Ash Worlds Sector​

Maybe if he just tested the theory of the Force and if he could levitate off the edge of the landing pad, Connor would go out of the galaxy with a bang - or a splat on the rocks below. Standing beside his E-wing on one of the landing pads of Cliffhold, city of the newly acquired Silver Jedi planet Iego, the Silver Jedi could see heaven.

As far as he imagined it would look from down here anyway, a dozen moons orbited the planet and could be seen above in a number of sizes of colours. Each one holding who knew what number of secrets and stories.

The city was an old smuggler settlement with some small residential units still active and spice trains running into the planet, their sounds could be heard faintly down below. There was no real reason Connor wanted to come here, but rather just for some time alone to think and have a breather away from the Order and his own head.

[member="Aika Kawakami"]

 

[Aika Kawakami]

I think we've found him.
So it would seem. We must weary. He has proven himself...capable.
All the better for us..

"Counselor, we've received clearance to land." The voice came from just under her as she stood in the cockpit, staring aimlessly out the front viewport. It was Captain Valen, a man who had all but become her personal pilot, as well as personal escort. Everywhere Aika seemed to be, he was right there at her side.

"Very well, Captain. bring us down for a landing." With a small pivot, she turned, heading towards the loading ramp, only to have her steps halted as her pilot spoke once more.

"Yes, ma'am. There is a question that I been meaning to ask you, though."

"And what would that be, my loyal Captain?"

"You've always been a bit different from the other Jedi. It's one of the reasons why I happily take on all assignments with you. But, well, I heard about the funeral for Lady Sochi Ru. Or, more so, your reaction during it, but you haven't said a word about it. You okay?"

Images of days past flashed through her mind once more, a thousand per second, maybe more. Aika stood still, silent, for those few moments as she made sure to retain control of herself. "You need not worry about me, though it is appreciated. As all things, I will survive this."

"Yes, Counselor."

Just as their conversation ended, the shuttle touched down with the landing pad. The ramp descended, lowering itself to the ground as a gust of wind rushed into the vessel, blowing back the dark hair of the enigmatic Jedi Master. The words spoken to her only confirmed what she already believed. To some degree, for whatever reason there were at least a few sets of eyes upon her. While it was no true worry, it was a thought she would have to keep at the rear of her mind. At least for the time being.

With light steps that barely made even a sound, she descended the ramp to the pad below, Captain Valen following right behind her. His hand raised, giving her a small pat on the shoulder to both comfort, and grab her attention. "Take all the time you need, ma'am. This bird needs a bit of care anyway. You know, soon enough, we're going to have to get an actual ship." His tone was more than enough to tell her that he was simply looking to lighten the mood. And get her to requisition a new ship for them.

"A ship with no crew... You intend to create some interesting times for us, Captain." Her lips curled into a slight grin as she leaned her head back, azure eyes angling up into the never ending sky above. A soft, near silent sigh escaped Aika's slightly parted lips as she found herself lost in thought once more.

[member="Connor Harrison"]

 

[Connor Harrison]

A number of ships above and a few transports below caught Connor’s attention, mostly because he was fascinated with watching them airborne, but one in particular that broke away to come over and into the city. He craned his head back and around to watch it fly over and land a few pads away.

Turning back to look out over the planet, he folded his arms and rocked gently on his heels. It would soon be time to address his thoughts and feelings about Taeli, and the bond they had struck up but the complications it seemed to arouse in him – if there were any at all?

One thing for sure was that was eager to see her again and find out one way or another. Wherever she was and what path she followed, he just hoped she was safe and hadn’t forgotten about him. It was also time for Connor to decide about his fate with the Silver Jedi. He couldn’t keep battling back and forth with indecision and judgement; it wasn’t fair on him or the others. While he felt he could serve the Light, he felt that his methods had to be accepted and embraced to help win a war where others were making the Jedi look inept and afraid.

The notion of the Imperial Knights was prominent in his mind, and something he would seriously consider taking up; it was if his Grandmaster would allow him to.

Without warning, a small chuckle escaped his lips. There was only one person who had that aura around her, and for reasons he couldn’t even imagine, she was here on Cliffhold. Turning around, he stood and saw the ship in the distance, and the landing gear down along with a number of figures around the ramp; one being the inimitable Master Kawakami.

Connor gently licked his bottom lip and chewed it slightly as he watched her. This wasn’t a coincidence – she never dealt in them.

[member="Aika Kawakami"]

 

[Aika Kawakami]

After few moments, actually more like a few minutes in thought, her senses seemed to return to her, head lowering to its normal position. Her head tilted sideways, eyes glancing over a few pads, as if she didn't know what already was there. Those seemingly cold, azure iris would once more fall upon a familiar being; Connor Harrison. Even from just watching, it was not hard to tell that he had grown since there first encounter, grown and changed. From the time they first met, Aika had continued to mold Connor's mind to what she needed him to be. His reactions anytime the two of them were alone told her that everything had been working as planned, but there was no true way to tell. Still, she had come here for a reason...

Hands clasped behind her, as they always were, she began her ever slow stride from her own landing pad to where he stood, hips swinging with each and every step though her eyes never once departed from her target. As with everything, she took her sweet time. There was no need to rush. She had just arrived, and he was certainly not going anywhere. It some time, probably about five to seven minutes for her to finally arrive on his landing pad. Such time gave his mind enough time to wander, to ponder what she had come for, or what she would say. Not that any amount of thought could really prepare one for a confrontation with her.

Aika's lips finally parted as she took the final steps to close the distance between the two, stopping not more than 2 feet from him. "Well, well...look at you. I must say, it has been a bit time since we've seen one another, let alone spoke, Connor. Or, as I hear it now, Master Jedi, if I am to be correct." A small snicker escaped her lips, as if signifying that she was doing nothing more than mocking him. "I do believe our last time was in your quarters on Voss... Your temper, your lack of control... My, how time has changed nothing..."

[member="Connor Harrison"]

 

[Connor Harrison]

I wonder if she could fly…?

A small smile and gentle roll of the eyes was all Connor could do at her usual snappy remark.

”Well if you can achieve the trust of others to gain Master rank then there’s hope for the rest of us damaged goods, wouldn’t you say?”

He rocked on his heels and clasped his hands.

”So is this a nice coincidence that you’ve come to the same city on the same planet as I, or are you after something? I must warn you I’m quite good at self-control now, sorry to disappoint.”

Glancing over her shoulder at her ship, he noticed it seemed they were preparing to stay grounded for a while as they were doing some sort of maintenance work. He brought his eyes back to her. She was such a complex little thing. He still couldn’t even read her, after years of knowing her. But, out of all the Silver Jedi, Aika was one he knew and had spent time with the least.

[member="Aika Kawakami"]

 

[Aika Kawakami]

She pondered for but a moment, grin never dissipating from her face. "Now, whatever could you mean by that? I have never given anyone a reason to distrust me or my actions. I have always been the one who simply manages the Order's diplomatic affairs. Nothing more, and nothing less. The thought that you would say otherwise is laughable, at best."

She took the final steps toward him, actually passed him. Aika would come to a rest just a few feet past the newly minted Master, eyes panning about as she examined the city. It was her first time coming to see Clifhold, and it was quite the sight. But her attention was swiftly drawn back to Connor, his words having reached her ears. "As most Jedi would say, there is no coincidence. There is simply the will of the Force." With a slow pivot, she turned to face him once more, though turning just enough to make eye contact once more.

"But, as you know, my will tends to exceed what most believe. I can see why you'd come here. Such a spacious, open area. What has brought you here, anyway?'

[member="Connor Harrison"][member="Connor Harrison"]

 

[Connor Harrison]

Connor let his eyes follow Aika as she sauntered past, who knows what spinning around that head of hers. He smiled as she past him, already enjoying the battle of wit and sarcasm that seemed to be the butt of the conversation whenever these two met. He doubted he’d ever really to get know the real Aika, which was partly a great shame.

He turned on his heel and met her as she turned in perfect unison – will of the Force indeed.

”I’ve been here once before, well – passed by overhead and it just looked a marvellous hideaway from everything. I’ve not stopped recently it seems. You know how it Is for us psychologically unbalanced types, right? Always wrestling with what to do next, how to do it, who to manipulate next blah blah blah.”

Her eyes were soft and sensual to look at, but the cogs behind them were always working, and Connor felt he was always being evaluated; judged; measured up.

”You could say I simply wanted…to stop for a while, and just be me, here, with nothing else.”

A gentle nod of the head towards her.

”How about you?”

[member="Aika Kawakami"]

 

[Aika Kawakami]

"Unbalanced? It's horrible to talk about yourself that way. You should have a higher opinion of yourself than that. Even though you were weak enough to be controlled by a menial spirit. And made the attempt to make your fellow Jedi believe I was some evil mastermind plotting their downfall. Not to mention when you actually turned on them.. And lest we forget your attempts to resist me forcing you to kneel ,with your face on the ground, while you were locked away in that cell. No, you may be weak, but if your unbalanced, then it is because you never learned to balance two sides of a whole. As for manipulating others...well, your not capable of such actions anyway." To say all that, without her expression changing even in the slightest, without her eyes even giving so much as an extra twinkle...it was what made her, well, her.

She turned her back to him once more as she looked out over the busy port, bodies hustling about, ships coming in and out, all at the beck and call of the Silver Jedi. It was a situation that seemed all too perfect. Ever so slightly, Aika began to rock back and forth on her heels. "I am here...because you are here. That much should be obvious to you. You should have recognized it by now. I am always with you, no matter where you are. Or.." Her rocking came to a sudden halt, head slowly turning to allow her to see Connor from the corner of her eyes. "Tell me. Have you become so focused on opening your mind to that which is around you, that you have lost your own vision? So much that you have become blind to yourself? Quite the dangerous predicament to be in..."

[member="Connor Harrison"]

 

[Connor Harrison]

A shiver ran up the side of his body, and he smiled at her wonderful way with words. Never forgetting a moment, always bringing it back – years, months, weeks – irrelevant to one with a mind like Aika who kept the events she needed at the forefront of her thoughts.

There was nothing to her except simply recounting the incidents between them that had both forged and broken bridges, but now on equal Master level they were considered the same. But that was probably far from it.

With her question, and her glance sideways, Connor walked forward again one step to her, just behind her to the left.

”You tell me Aika. What have I become? No matter what I perceive of myself, it will be wrong to you, I know that now and I’m not here to play word games that take up all our time together and then we part – so you tell me. How isolated and lost have I really become, and when are you going to address your attraction to me and act on it?”

[member="Aika Kawakami"]

 

[Aika Kawakami]

"Attraction? That is hardly what I'd call it. Though, don't think I haven't noticed your eyes peering at specific parts of my own body." A small snicker escaped her lips, frame remaining steady as she continued to watch him from over her shoulder. "You are correct about one thing, you will always be wrong in my eyes. You will always be inadequate when forced to stand beside me, but this is no fault of your own. Your fault in all this is that you were too blind to see it." As she spoke, her own mind flashed back to memories of days past, where she toosaw things the same way Connor had. It was a wonder she'd managed to stand on her own for as long as she had without being pulled in either direction.

"Do you know why the Sith, at one time, obeyed what was called the Rule of Two? It meant that, at any one time, there was to be no more than two Sith. A master and an apprentice. One to embody power, and one to crave it. It was set, so eventually, the apprentice would rise to claim the master's title, and continue the circle. But there was a reason for this." Her eyes finally turned from him, looking aimlessly out over the scenery. "It gave them a goal other than destroying the Jedi and controlling the galaxy. It was something to work towards. Their reason for spending countless hours in pain and agony. All for the chance to one day rise up, and claim their master's life as proof that all they had done was worth it. So, tell me, why do you do the things you do? What's your reasoning? Or could it be that you lack such a thing?"

Always cryptic and always with a purpose at hand, Aika grinned on the inside. Knowing full well, that with the correct answer, this would be the final time the two had to have such a conversation.

[member="Connor Harrison"]

 

[Connor Harrison]

Connor glanced away to the canyons, sidestepping her observation about HIS observations. He was only human after all, and never had the chance to experience and act on certain emotions others would call normal – even when he had ever come close it had blown up in his face.

He didn’t look at her through the lecture about the Sith, something he certainly knew plenty about, but picked up a little message of where she was going. Even with the breadcrumbs dropped for him with each sly put down and question about his purpose and view.

”I know about the Rule of Two, save your breath.”

To say he wasn’t getting irked with her – again – would be a lie. She had a way of getting under his skin, always agitating him at moments when he didn’t really need it, but always acting as something of a dark voice speaking from his soul. She was the one who always asked the questions that made him think and be honest, as if talking into a mirror. He didn’t know if sometimes he just wanted to smack her or kiss her.

He last question warranted that he look at the back of her body, and he answered as honest as he thought possible.

”I do what I do…to…strip myself of everything so I can become anything that is stronger and more resilient against the Sith, or anyone who threatens what we stand for. And also to lead others. To take us in a new direction – one without rose-tinted leadership that is pulling us down to become a carpet for the galaxy to walk over.”

A hand rubbed his brow.

”The Rule of Two may not be such a bad thing for others to follow at times.”

[member="Aika Kawakami"]

 

[Aika Kawakami]

The ears upon her head perked up, figuratively, of course. She couldn't have asked him to say anything in a better way. Well, there are certain points that obviously could have been left out, but even those couldn't dent the fact that his mind was already set upon the path she'd placed before him.

"While you continue to spout the nonsense the Jedi have implanted upon you since you found them, there does seem to be a glimmer of hope for you, albeit quite slim." Finally, after having her back turned to him for nearly the entire conversation, she pivoted about to face Connor once more, a rather questionable grin upon her face. "The Jedi say that you are to give up all things, and live to serve others. But can you truly call that living? Would that not remove the very thing that separates you from the soulless droids? Passion is what drives us, it's the very thing that makes us unique.Your passion is to protect others, yes? Those you care for....those you might even say that you love..."

[member="Connor Harrison"]

 

[Connor Harrison]

Meeting her cat-like grin with a dubious smile and wave of the hand, Connor retaliated.

”Forgive me if I spout off their nonsense because I don’t intend to – it’s what years of living around them does to you, the odd word or view slips in. I agree with the end goal, but there is so much changing around us we are an Order are soon going to die out if we don’t keep up and affirm ourselves.”

He wiped his face gently and tapped his fingers on his chest plate.

”I agree with you too about emotion – it’s a funny thing, but I’ve tried to tell others that it must be addressed to keep you alive; to keep you human, and capable of thinking for yourself rather than become a soulless slave whose thoughts and feelings are dictated – that is something that leads to disaster.”

Connor sighed and looked to his right, over the city into the deep canyon below, and then returned to Aika.

”Ill protect anyone I feel I care for; there are a handful of people I would move mountains for, and none of them need to woo me with words of the Jedi. It’s because I feel for them as a human, as a living and breathing soul, and who I believe in as people, not servants of the Force.”

[member="Aika Kawakami"]

 

[Aika Kawakami]

(Sorry for the delay. Internet went splat for a few. All better now though!)

A heavy sigh escaped her slightly parted lips, one filled with an obvious distaste for the words finding their way to her own ears. Aika allowed her head to hang slightly, and there she stood. No words coming from her, body motionless as she stood, almost looking as if she had given up on the situation. But that was not the case in the least. Rather so, something within her seemed to reach its peak, a climax which no one could have foreseen.

"Ignorance... Blind ignorance." The words were low, yet more than loud enough to reach Connor. And the tone only increased as she continued on, head rising to reveal a glare unlike that which she was known for. One cold and dark, seemingly devoid of the warmth she had always exhibited. "Even now, as you stand there, admitting the flaws, you continue to follow them like a mindless creature. You are no better than a driod, simply doing as it is commanded simply because you have been dictated to. I had expected better of you. You had the potential to rise to such greater heights, but you prove to be nothing more than a waste of air and flesh. If it is a meaningless death that you seek, to watch those you care for fall, and to watch everything you hold dear burn, then far be it from me to stop you. You can run along and die, just as the rest of them shall do. Follow them into the darkness of the abyss. It is what you want, after all.."

With the halt of her words, her feet began to move forward, expression unwavering as she moved past him with each step. For once, not even halting to mock him. Rather than that, is was as if Connor no longer stood before her, just a shadow of what she believed to have once stood.

[member="Connor Harrison"]

 

[Connor Harrison]

If anything was to be said about Aika, it was that she always knew how to get under his skin. Her voice grated on Connor, and he despised being talked down to, especially by one as unstable as her. As she went to walk by, his arm shot out and his hand wrapped around her bicep to stop her.

”If you’ve got something to say to me than just SAY it. Stop hiding behind riddles and speak your intentions, not these mind games. I’ve got better things to do than waste time slapping words back and forward with you.”

He didn’t let up on the grip.

”Stop the charade and I may just do the same.”

[member="Aika Kawakami"]

 

[Aika Kawakami]

Words wouldn't have caught her attention, she was more than done with speaking to someone too deaf to hear. Physical contact, however, was a whole other thing. The list of people who had ever put their hands on Aika was in the single digits, and it didn't even reach five. Yet, here was this on, fingers wrapped around her arm as if she were some piece of property to be owned. Her head snapped in his direction, hair whipping about, eyes that could pierce the thickest of steel or shake the tallest building to its core. And it was all directed at him..

Her arm rose, despite the grasp upon her, until her fingers were eye level with Connor. Immediately, she would take grasp of his neck through the will of the Force, a feat quite simple for her. "You will release me...Now!" Her hand would slam downward, palm aimed at the ground, with full intention of making sure he not only released her, but made excellent friends with the ground once more.

[member="Connor Harrison"]

 

[Connor Harrison]

It was a split-second that Aika gave him, before she retaliated with a ferocity he hadn’t seen – one that showed she was defending herself; a rage and definitive attack rather than goading. Connor wasn’t ready for her precision, and he released her as her grip on him pushed him down to the floor with a crunch.

His armour rattled on the loose stone as he fell like a dead weight under the pressure of the Force, a small groan leaving his lips and tension suddenly rising up his already sensitive back muscle.

”Well…that was…unexpected.”

Rolling over to get up, he knew this was now inevitable and would go one way or the other. He stood and looked at her, evaluating the rage.

”Come on then, Aika. Just me and you – show me your true colours. Seems I’ve got you pretty tense. Or am I getting too close to cracking that shell of yours?”

Connor stepped forward, into her proximity, standing with confidence and a slight comfort that he knew her enough…hopefully…to know he had nothing ultimately to fear.

[member="Aika Kawakami"]

 

[Aika Kawakami]

Just as quickly as that seemingly uncontrollable rage appeared, it vanished, subsiding in but an instant. By the time Connor had risen to his feet and drawn close enough to reach out to her, Aika's expression had changed completely switched. Once more, she dawned that coy grin she was so well known for, her frame completely relaxed, and even the slightest bit of anger gone, as if such a thing never even existed. It was a sight to see, and a wonder how someone could control anything, let alone their emotions, to such a degree. Her eyebrows cocked up as her hand rose once more, but only to extend her index finger and point behind Connor. "If I were you, I'd be a bit more careful about my actions, young Master.." The tone of her words were soft, and yet so obviously condescending. But the reason was obvious.

As things between the two transpired, they had attracted a bit of attention, most noticeably when Aika demanded Connor release her from his grip. Behind him now stood several of the troops aligned with SJO, her own pilot included, blasters drawn and pointed toward his back. The voice coming from the back of the group was that of Aika's pilot, Captain Valen, as he pressed forward through the group. "Easy there, kid. I wouldn't want to hurt you or anything, but it is my job to protect the Counselor by all means. So lets just relax, and back up..."

Of course, Aika had orchestrated the entire situation from top to bottom, and of course it was her doing that created the confrontation. But from an outside perspective, it Connor who would come off looking as the aggressor, making her the victim. It was just another reason to smile, having to so easily played all parties involved.

.[member="Connor Harrison"]

 

[Connor Harrison]

Rolling his head back slightly with a disarming smile at her change of emotion, the feeling soon went with the shiver down his spine of aggression and fear aimed at him. Following her finger, and that cat-like grin, Connor turned to face the armed guards.

Counting them in a small arc, Connor's mouth dropped slightly, and his head snapped back to the Master behind him.

”What the hell are you doing.” It wasn't a question.

He turned back to the guards and raised his hand. His lightsaber hilt was in plain sight, and he didn't feel the need to make it any more obvious.

”Lower your weapons. That is NOT a request I will make again, and you will do best to remember no Master in the Silver Jedi is above the other and you are not aligned to one over another. This is an act against a Council Member, and I will see you suffer for it unless you stand down and stay out of this.”

He wanted to lash out. She was turning into something rotten.

[member="Aika Kawakami"]

 

[Aika Kawakami]

The soft laughter would be able to reach Connor's ear without so much as raising her voice. It was always intriguing to see what one would do with their back pressed against the wall, and he was no different. Actually, he was more interesting to watch than most others.

"Now, now. There is no need for such hostilities. After all, they are simply doing their jobs." Her hand finally lowed, moving behind her to intertwine the fingers of both hands at the small of her back, as she usually did. "Relax. At no point did they ever say that you or I were any more important than anyone else. They simply understand their duties. While this is not common knowledge, as the sole Counselor of the Silver Jedi, I am granted certain...extra precautions. One, of which, is extra security. As a noncombatant, it's their place to protect me from a harm. A job they seem to take quite seriously."

Her gaze returned to the armed troops behind Connor, more specifically her pilot. "You may lower your weapons. No matter what he may attempt, he is of no threat to me. Are you, Connor?"

[member="Connor Harrison"]