Fact & Friction

[Anara Valnor]

Nothing else was worth her attention save the man she was wrapped around. Later Anara would wander the halls of his home, inspecting and admiring all manner of objects, but in that moment she could only focus upon Braxus. Slipping down his body in a decidedly sensual manner Anara smirked up at the behemoth as she backed away from him and toward his bed.

"Then come here so I can burn you, baby."

In a matter of seconds the pair collided, their hands moving in unison as they stripped one another, destroying their attire with little care. There was passion in every move they made, passion and fury. They seemed intent upon destroying one another in the most carnal way possible, but hours later it seemed that neither had succeeded in their endeavor. The only thing they'd really managed to due was nearly destroy his bedroom.

~ ~ ~

It was late the following day when Anara finally stirred, a content sort of hum escaping her as she shifted closer to the warmth at her side. Pulling the black silk sheets adorning his bed more firmly around her, Anara dozed lightly for what felt like ages before nature pulled her awake. She ventured to the bathroom and along the way slipped on his shirt from the previous night; the expensive thing nearly swallowing her whole.

When she returned Braxus was where she'd left him, dead to the world, and she couldn't quite keep the satisfied smile from her lips. Deciding to let the mountain of a man sleep a bit longer Anara, dressed only in the ruined remains of his dress shirt, ventured out into his home to do a little snooping around.

[member="Darth Prazutis"]

 

[Darth Prazutis]

.

 

[Anara Valnor]

Braxus' home was massive, more so than she had initially realized, and before long she was lost. Unwilling to ask for help finding his room Anara had instead tried to find her own way, but it was a fruitless effort. Thankfully, just as she was beginning to become truly annoyed, Braxus made an appearance.

For the briefest of moments Anara was apprehensive as he approached her, but such ridiculous emotions were chased away in an instant. Much to her surprise he swept her up into his grasp, kissing her lightly as though there had never been any animosity between them. She returned his kiss without hesitation, never once arguing against his hold upon her as he whisked her off to a library. For a few moments her attention was entirely upon her surroundings as amber eyes swept over the vast collection of books; her interest was plainly written on her face. It was only when Braxus settled onto one of the many couches that she let him have her attention once more.

"What?"

She gave him a mildly suspicious look as she got herself situated upon his lap, small hands resting lightly on his chest. Brows knit in thought she waited for his question, but didn't immediately answer as his touch brought forth a rather violent reaction. All at once her eyes burned with fire as she caught his wrist to prevent him from touching her brand again. Her hand didn't come close to wrapping around his thick wrist, but her grip was crushing. Anara very nearly shattered his wrist and if he'd been anyone else she likely would have; she only barely managed to restrain herself.

Her reaction seemed to startle her, but she was still slow to release his wrist as she held his gaze with eyes swimming with dark memories. "A slavers brand," she finally replied, her hand slowly releasing his wrist even as she tried to shift in such a way so that he couldn't touch it again. "My connection to the Force was severed at one time...I was captured and made a pit fighter on Nar'Shaddaa," she murmured, her eyes searching his. For all she'd been through and survived it was clear that having her connection to the Force ripped from her had been the most traumatic. The brand represented her years deaf to the Force's Song and her own weakness without it.

Nothing would ever haunt her as that did.

Frowning she threw her walls up once more, uncomfortable with being so vulnerable in front of Braxus; a part of her still feared he was simply toying with her. His curiosity couldn't possibly be genuine. Could it?

[member="Darth Prazutis"]

 

[Darth Prazutis]

.

 

[Anara Valnor]

She tensed in his grasp and even made a weak attempt to pull her hands from his. What in the name of the Gods was he doing? Frowning she stiffened further as he embraced her, confusion written clearly upon her features. It felt so strange to be held so tenderly by a man that just hours before had thrown her through a wall. However, for as strange as it felt, it also felt oddly comforting.

Swallowing, Anara dared to let herself slowly relax into Braxus' embrace, her head resting against his shoulder. She watched his face from her vantage point for a long time, her eyes taking on a distant look. She tensed up once more and attempted to pull away from the behemoth that held her so tenderly, emotionally uncomfortable with the current situation. Paranoia dictated that she question his motives, no matter how comfortable she was with him physically in that instant.

"Moridin," she finally murmured when she couldn't extricate herself from Braxus' arms or lap. "He sensed the coming disaster that destroyed the galaxy...the Gulag Virus...He pulled me from the fighting pits and took me back to where...I lost everything." How long had it been since she'd recounted this story to anyone? A few knew at least part of the story, but no one alive knew the entirety of it. She paused frequently in her confession, eyes haunted and face drawn in discomfort. "He put me in stasis...my connection healed while we waited out the plague...Over four hundred years later..."

"I think I'm...around four-hundred and forty...or near enough..."

 

[Darth Prazutis]

As [member="Anara Valnor"] told him more of her past she continued tensing up, visibly showing her insecurity and paranoia while doing so. It was understandable previously he had just tossed her through a wall, smashed her through a table and a number of damages. If he wasn't so skilled in the art of concealing his emotions one would be able to tell that he might've been somewhat unsure of himself. But as he continued to listen to her words he couldn't help but be surprised at the name she mentioned: Moridin. Darth Moridin, Emperor of the Old Sith Empire. Commonly known as the Dreadlord by most. Prazutis was but a young fledgeling acolyte studying under his nephew when Kaine threw his lot in with Moridin and helped him ascend the throne of Emperor. Moridin was powerful and incredibly mysterious, and what was even more mysterious was his gifting the throne to Ashin Varanin upon her coup attempt.

Later Darth Moridin left the world the same way that he came in, in a storm.

Braxus imagined she hadn't told anyone the entire story she was telling him now. By the visible looks of discomfort on her face it was so painful and uncomfortable there wasn't any way she told this story many times before. Perhaps out of concern or just reflex he tightened his grip just slightly to give her a reassurance, the look on his face telling her he was here and she was safe. There might've been a secure feeling being in his arms. Braxus lifted one of his hands so she could lift her head up and said "Well you look great for four hundred and fourty" Before kissing her, then lightly pressing her head down again. "It was some time since I breached the hundred year mark. I'm not a pure Epicanthix. My father was an epicanthix, but my mother was an anzati." Braxus said his anger spiking at the mention of his father.

For a Zambrano his father represented everything that the family wasn't. For the great namesake he carried Magnus the second was a sniveling coward, he both hated the man and was very glad the day he died.

 

[Anara Valnor]

An almost forced huff of amusement escaped her, though she did manage a small smile in response to his compliment. His tenderness continued to surprise her, but she didn't shy away from his affection. Not that she could unless she really wanted to put forth some effort. Luckily for Braxus she wasn't willing to do anything of the sort in that moment.

"I'm entirely human," she admitted, considering her much shorter lifespan for the first time. She was only as old as she was because of being frozen for so long. It was so strange to think about it. After a moment she shook the thought off, one hand idly tracing a pattern against the fabric of his robe.

They lapsed into silence and Anara actually felt herself beginning to drift to sleep again, the steady beat of Braxus heart helping her to relax. Frowning, she roused herself and shifted lightly in his grasp, but was still unable to go far given how he held her. "How are you related to Kaine?" she asked rather suddenly, deciding it was her turn to dig deeper into who he was. Plus, she was honestly curious.

Gods she hoped he wasn't one of Kaine's spawn.

"I was married to him briefly," she added, simply to see his reaction.

 

[Darth Prazutis]

Braxus's eyes narrowed suspiciously as she mentioned his nephew who was also his closest friend and mentor. Especially how the situation was going it came across as odd that she would mention him. Now he was genuinely curious to what [member="Anara Valnor"] was getting at. "Kaine is my nephew, why?" What came next was a shock he did not expect coming. Anara was married to Kaine previously? How did he not know about this? If she was he should've known about it or met her previously. Perhaps he was consumed in his studies or off on an extended assignment for Kaine at the time? It was the only reason he could think of that he didn't previously know about it.

"How? When? I'm surprised I didn't know about it." Prazutis asked.

 

[Anara Valnor]

Kaine was Braxus' nephew? For some reason she hadn't considered that Braxus could be Kaine's uncle. It was oddly funny to her and for a moment she became lost in her own musings. When she pulled herself from her thoughts she moved to answer Braxus, her expression unreadable.

"It wasn't for very long...I was still a Jedi then," she murmured, almost nonchalant about the whole encounter except it was clear she still held a great deal of anger toward Kaine insider her. "It was...a long time ago. Not long after I woke up...He captured my daughter and I bargained for her life. Mine for hers," another shrug though a frown accompanied this one.

"He set me free," she admitted after a long pause. Why Kaine had done so she still didn't fully understand, but the man's choices had never made much sense to her. Perhaps sharing a bed with a woman that hated him had been to much? Only Kaine could answer that question, but Anara didn't honestly care enough to ever bother to find out.

"Plus his threat no longer held much power over me after Anwen died..."

 

[Darth Prazutis]

.

 

[Anara Valnor]

She thought to explain how and even why Anwen existed, but as she opened her mouth to speak Anara let the matter drop. That was all behind her now. There was no point reliving the pain.

At his words she frowned and sat up, amber orbs narrowing slightly. "I wasn't ever on the front lines. I fed strength to those that needed it through my music...arse," she poked him in the chest, though her lips were curled slightly upward even as she spoke. She wasn't truly angry or even annoyed by his words, how could she be? She was no longer a Jedi and fighting never had been her strong suit; illusion and mind games were her specialty.

"I guess you missed that part while you were knocking around inside my skull," she murmured, reaching up to tap his left temple with one finger lightly. "Should I show you who I when I was just a dumb kid?" A bark of laughter escaped her rather suddenly and her hand dropped away from his temple, her mood seemingly light as she held his gaze.

Silence settled between them once more, but unlike the last time there was an unfamiliar tension in the air. Perhaps it was all in her head, but Anara felt it practically crawling across her skin. Almost hesitantly she leaned up to press a kiss to Braxus' lips, shattering the tension she'd felt building in and around her. What the hell was going on? She couldn't begin to say, but that one tender kiss quickly became another and another, each longer than the last, but not less gentle. A stark difference compared to the kisses they'd shared the night before.

 

[Darth Prazutis]

.

 

[Anara Valnor]

When next she woke it was to find herself encased in the warmth of Braxus' grasp, his breath rumbling in his chest as he slept on. The softest of smiles curled her lips as she shifted in his arms, attempting to get up without waking him. It wasn't the easiest task, but she managed it. Slipping from the comfort and warmth of their nest upon the large sofa a chill immediately crept up her spine. The fires that had once warmed the library had all but burned themselves out, leaving a slight chill in the air. Shiver, Anara was quick to retrieve Braxus' dress shirt and don it once more.

Dressed in the too large shirt yet again Anara took a moment to simply observe the sleeping titan before her, head tilted slightly to the side as she studied him. A hundred different questions flitted about her mind as her gaze traced the handsome features of his face and exposed flesh, her expression slowly darkening. The connection between them was unmistakable, but she'd been reckless in every action since he found her. She was setting herself up to be torn apart yet again, she just knew it. She needed to keep Braxus at arms length. However, what she needed to do and what was likely to transpire were two very different things.

More than a little uncertain about the promises she'd made while at his mercy Anara finally decided to wake the slumbering man before her lest her thoughts lead her down even darker roads. Moving to kneel on the floor near his head Anara smiled to herself, a mischievous light dancing in her gaze as she let the fingers of one hand lightly dance over his ear and jaw. She cooed to him in a sing-song fashion, power twisted around the sound.

[member="Darth Prazutis"]

 

[Darth Prazutis]

​In the years since his fall to darkness Braxus rarely if ever slept.

​The force could be used to flood his body with vitality and the nutrients it needs including keeping him awake for prolonged periods of time. For an Arch-Prince, a god among his people, and a Sith Lord with such a vast reach sleep was a waste of time. Rare was it that he took the time to actually sleep and often it was filled with vast and often dark visions of the force. Never was it peaceful especially with the voices of the dark side, the power flowing through his veins and the crystal that always hung from his neck attempting to influence his own psyche. He remained at a state of rest through the night while his vast mind wandered through the oceans of the force, overseeing all in his domain even while he was so relaxed.

Braxus thoughts also dwelled on [member="Anara Valnor"] and what had transpired between them. Everything went too fast between them, promises were made when the pair were together. There was no doubting the connection between him and the siren it has always been present ever since their meeting all those years ago out in the vastness of space when his force came across her drifting, dark ship. It had to be a mistake.

​There was an age old tactic often used to get close to influential people in power especially through passion and affection. Many of his agents employed throughout the galaxy used the same tactics, and through them he obtained vital data and often developed the best assets. It had to be what Anara was doing she was far too intelligent and manipulative. He'd seen how she could work a crowded room with her voice alone, he knew exactly how manipulative she could be. But what he should do and what would happen had yet to be seen. When her empowered, soothing voice reached his ears his luminous sulfuric eyes opened his intimidating gaze piercing right into her crimson eyes. For the brief moment when he woke the gaze on his face could easily inspire terror. But the dark gaze fell away when his mind returned from its vast reaches to the present.

​"Already up are we Lady Valnor?"​

​Iron Mountains, Panatha
​Descending through the atmosphere

​Two weeks later...

​What should've happened and what actually happened were two entirely different events. They should've remained at arms length and perhaps even parted ways that would be the safest route. But instead they remained together much like their promises entailed and for two weeks Anara's possessions were gathered and she left his citadel on Korriban alongside him in the Immortal-Class Dreadnaught "Harbinger" ​the Sith Lords personal flagship. The woman's own ship was docked in the hangar and brought along. Unlike the first star destroyer she spent time in the Immortal was far larger and stronger in nearly every way. Not to mention an deck on the immortal was closed off from the crew and reserved as his personal chambers. Here there was a lounge, a meditation chamber, and the expansive personal quarters. She would notice unlike his quarters before that was more spartan and smaller these were far larger and more elaborate decorated with art, murals and busts of ancient Sith and scenes of battle ranging from Marka Ragnos, Vitiate to Darth Bane, and Krayt. Other scenes were more personal and related to his homeworld.

​The quarters were large once one passed through the entry hall that opened into a dining room, office and a small armory that held his artifacts and personal gear. Another short hall where one also found the door to the full bathroom led one to the bedchamber where a massive bed centered the room, with wardrobes lining the sides. For the two weeks Anara would find her home here in these halls. A pair of omnipresent Imperial Sentinels controlled entry to his chambers while the elite crownguard, the sovereign protectors of the Arch-Prince and his family patrolled and stood guard over the deck. She was given unrestricted access during this time.

​It was early in the morning when they finally arrived through the heavily guarded hyperspace lanes of the isolated Pacanth Reach descending on Panatha, the capital of the entire Panathan Empire. Braxus was in bed entwined with the crimson haired siren after a late night when his comlink blipped, quietly signaling their arrival. Carefully he peeled Anara off of him whispering "Were here" with a smile on his face before sliding out of bed, taking the time to clean and dress in a black double breasted tunic and trousers with dark combat boots. A pair of slick black gloves were pulled over his hands and an ornate crown adorned with rubies and symbols signifying him as the Arch-Prince atop his head. He clipped his lightsabers to his sides and slid the signet ring on his finger. He was ready. After eating another beautifully prepared meal they'd set out in a Delta-class JV-9 Escort Shuttle. They were unrestricted in their travel towards the closed airspace of the Iron Mountains, word was sent ahead of time to the many wings of fighters that constantly patrolled the space shooting down any unauthorized ships that came even remotely close to the massive Vain Hollow Citadel.

Instead of an armed guard escort surrounding them the token pair of guards remained in another chamber while the rest were sent ahead of their ship. They were alone in his personal shuttle now designed in an almost lounge setting. For a few moments she was alone while he moved to check with the pilots. But he swept into the chamber then moving towards her, he grabbed her hand and pulled her closer to one of the large chairs. Braxus sat down and pulled her on top of him then speaking calmly "We'll be arriving at Vain Hollow soon. My home. I'll be touring you around your new home seeing as you have a tendency to get yourself lost."

 

[Anara Valnor]

She'd meant to keep Braxus at a distance and had even intended to leave him, but at every turn she'd stood in her own way. There was always a reason to stay and when alone it was as though she were under some sort of spell; she couldn't be parted from him. It was only when she was alone with her thoughts that doubt and fear crept into her heart. It made her feel weak to allow such emotions to eat at her, but she saw no solution to the problem.

Save one.

Seated in his lap, as he so rarely let her sit in a chair of her own, Anara again found a reason to remain at his side. Leaving him seemed am impossible thing, though it was beginning to feel almost necessary as well. Could she trust him? What were his intentions? Was this all yet another elaborate Zambrano game to bend her to their will?

Doubts do not serve a Sith, but then Anara wasn't so sure she could even use that title any longer. She didn't know what she was, except that she just was. She didn't hold allegiance to anyone save herself, though she'd begun to even question that as are continued to stay by Braxus' side.

Damn him.

"Only because you find it necessary to live in opulence...Your Highness." There was a teasing lilt to her words as her amber gaze shifted to the crown atop his head. Why was she constantly getting herself mixed up with royalty? She huffed in amusement and met his gaze once more, clearly unimpressed with his title. Perhaps once she might have cared, but she was no longer that young woman. She'd seen and done to much for something such as a simple crown to impress her.

"You won't be trotting me around to show your subjects will you?" She asked suddenly, a frown pulling at her lips. "I'm not here to be a pretty little thing hanging on your arm," she reminded him flatly.

Why was she there? She refused to consider the question because the answer was ridiculous and reckless.

 

[Darth Prazutis]

​"Certainly not." ​He replied a grin forming on his face "Your too important to be considered a prize, Lady Valnor." He teased back. The quips she always tossed at him were part of the game they played. She would challenge him seemingly at every turn, and never made things easy.

It certainly made their conversations interesting.

​The part in his mind that wondered why he was bringing her here, cautioned on the problems that could come with doing so was suppressed while in her presence. It was as if a spell had been cast on him simply for being in such a close proximity, only there was no outside spell, there was no outside influence....then what was it?

​The subtle shift of the shuttle told him of their landing in the private hangers of the Royal Family high in the tip of Vain Hollow, within the black marble halls of the place the Arch-Prince and Arch-King called home. "Were here." ​Braxus said waiting for her to climb off before standing up, escorting her out of the shuttle. "The whole of the citadel will be open to you. The upper levels where we are now are additions built onto and in the mounains peak." ​​Braxus said walking beside her while they exited into the private hangar. The personal hangar of House Zambrano was small in size meant to accommodate multiple shuttles or a large freighter. It was lined in a rich, beautiful black marble design that encompassed the majority of chambers in the upper levels. A crew of men from the Crownguard moved to take care of the shuttle while he escorted her into the hallways.

​The halls were lined with beautiful paintings, busts, statues, vases, and even chandeliers most of which depicted various Dark Lords from history including Marka Ragnos, Naga Sadow, Exar Kun and more. Other images of art were mixed in while wroshyr wood was prevalent in most wooden furniture and architecture. No expense was spared.


[member="Anara Valnor"]