Private From the Darkness

[Revna Marr]

Lina Ovmar ​

Despite Lina’s non-chalant shrug on the matter of her growing friendship with Alisteri, Revna noticed the shine in the other woman’s eyes and it made her smile in response. It had been a rocky road to get to where they were at now, but it was proof - to Revna anyway - that the Sith Lord could set aside His differences and see beyond His narrow mindset…when He chose to, anyway. And more than that, He could find possible allies amongst those He claimed to despise for one reason or another.

Revna was silent for several long moments as she regarded the woman in front of her, feeling a rather strange but welcome sense of safety and comfort with Lina. She felt a strange warmth in her heart too, knowing that Lina and Alisteri were actually working together. They weren’t hostile towards each other anymore, at least not the extend they could be - and though the connection between the two was fragile at the moment, Revna hoped it would strengthen over time.

She rather liked having Lina around, if she was being honest with herself. She wouldn't admit it aloud, but it felt like she had a family now. More than just the Wonosans, too. She had a Father, and now Lina was almost like a mother-figure, that line blurring with each encounter that they had, each heart to heart that they shared.

Lina responded to Revna’s comments, saying how she had never taken a Darth name or the title itself, claiming how she had never felt an affinity to any singular name, and not taking one was how she had flown under the Butcher’s radar for so many years.

“I…I probably wouldn’t even use my Darth name or title unless under specific circumstances. I am of the opinion that Sith Knights shouldn’t have the Darth title, personally. Darth means ‘Dark Lord’ afterall...and a Knight is not a Lord.” Revna admitted, revealing her thoughts and opinions about it. “But you can’t really deny the fact that common folk don’t really know this, and they have a lot more respect for someone titled Darth, than they do for an apprentice. Caedes said that, to him, it doesn’t really matter if I am a Darth or not. But it will help the people of Korriban to accept me and my given authority easier, if I am.” She paused, pursing her lips for a moment as another train of thought slipped through her mind and her eyes grew a touch misty.

“It is also a significant moment for me because…I think I will be the first Apprentice that Alisteri has ever had the chance to Knight. So…having Him do so and bestow that Darth title and give me a new name…that is special, especially after everything that has happened. I want Him to have that honor.” she finished with a softer voice, trailing off into a murmur as she returned to silence once more. Lina gave Revna’s hands a squeeze, and the young woman smiled, though her mind swirled with so many inner thoughts that were entangled with a myriad of emotions.

Revna’s eyes widened slightly when Lina agreed to be available to her should she need the older woman's help, and glimmered brightly at the word gift. “Oh? I- I think I can do that.” she said with a soft chuckle, before she suddenly felt overwhelmed as all the things she needed to accomplish before then popped back up into her mind. She took a deep breath to steady herself and calm her suddenly riled anxieties.

One step at a time, Revna - she told herself. She was very much like Darth Strosius and eager to overwork and overextend herself when things needed to be accomplished or done. But she had promised Him that she would focus on her recovery and healing, and not overtax herself.

"We still have time. A lot has to be done first. And who knows what may happen between now and then. I've been hearing whispers and rumors that the Imperials are gathering their forces. I can't confirm that, but with the strange feelings I'm getting when I look into the Force, I can't help but think that War is on our horizon. Hard to plan and undertake a royal wedding when one is fighting the neighbors..." she said with a grim smirk, before her gaze became a bit dreamy.

"...Maybe...once the announcement is made...you could help me find a dress or something?" she asked a touch sheepishly, as if uncertain about the request.

 

[Lina Ovmar]

Lina nodded slowly as she explained the need for a Darth title to rule alongside Caedes. Beyond that it was for Alisteri too for him to be able to grant her the title. Perhaps that was why she never took the name. She had been an apprentice to Carnifex when her mother had been killed, she had betrayed him and fled, her path to Master had been carved out by her alone. There had been no one to bestow that title on her. She felt a wave of sadness come over her, followed by gratitude that for all she had been through, Revna was able to be with her chosen family, to have the bonds that Lina was never able to form.

She watched the young woman fade momentarily into her own thoughts. Planning a wedding was no small feat and to take the trials before, Lina could only imagine how much was weighing on her. She wanted to take it from her, that weight that she knew all to well, but these were Revna's burdens to bear, to take them from he would be a disservice.

"War is ever on the horizon." Lina replied to her musings "We will always be ready for it, such is our way. Let the powers that be worry about the war, we will answer their call when it." Lina's own reports, however sporadic told the same story but she did not command armies nor lead a people. Her duty was simply to respond, as, for the moment, was Revna's.

When Revna's sheepish question rose, it struck a chord deep in Lina's chest a wave of affection rose in her chest bringing a lump to her throat. "Revna..." she said softly before swallowing, blinking against the happy tears that threatened to fall. "It would be my honour."

Revna Marr

 

[Revna Marr]

Lina Ovmar ​

Revna found comfort in Lina’s response - in letting the powers that be handle the matters of war and conflict, so she could focus on other things. Like healing, reconnecting with her Apprentices, strengthening the bond she was developing with her Father, and daydreaming about her future coronation or wedding. She wasn’t sure which would come first and though some part of her cautioned not to dwell on it in case something went sour, she couldn’t really help herself.

Her smile widened with joy when Lina told her that she would be honored to join her in finding a dress…or maybe even helping Revna choose the materials to have it built from scratch. Revna became lost in the daydream again for a few moments, trying to imagine what the process would look like but she had nothing to truly draw from, experience wise.

But Lina did.

“What…what’s it like? To plan for a wedding or…something like that? I am honestly clueless about any of it and no one here really knows what it’s like…that I’m aware of anyway. Do you have any advice or wisdom on this for me?” Revna inquired, somewhat shyly. She wasn't too sure how touchy or sensitive the topic was for Lina, especially around her own wedding. It hadn't exactly gone according to plan, and Revna knew she was divorced now.

Still, Lina was the only woman she knew who had been through such an experience and she was the only one Revna felt safe enough to learn from in regards to this next step in her life.

 

[Lina Ovmar]

Lina laughed. She wasn't exactly the best example to provide wisdom where wedding planning and marriage was concerned, especially considering how hers had ended. She patted Revna's hand.

"I'm not laughing at you, dear. I just..." she giggled, clapping a hand over her mouth eyes surprised at the sound that had come out of her. Lina didn't giggle, but the irony of it just made her want to laugh. "Never in a million years would I have thought the daughter of the man who crashed my own wedding would ask me for advice on how to plan one." Another chuckle escaped her.

"Sorry." She cleared her throat. "I...um...just, don't fuss over the tiny details. The most important thing is that you are there with the people you care about. And if social convention dictates it must be a grand ceremony then hire someone to plan it for you. Let them stress."

Revna Marr

 

[Revna Marr]

Lina Ovmar ​

At first, Revna didn’t know what to make of Lina laughing at what she had to say; a silvery-black eyebrow arched slightly at the giggles and, despite her mild bewilderment, she couldn’t help but chuckle back. Lina responded that she wasn’t laughing at her per say - but admitted that she never thought she’d be giving wedding advice to the daughter of the man who had crashed her wedding. Revna’s cheeks flushed red slightly as she averted her gaze, recognizing the irony in the situation as well.

Lina cleared her throat after a minute, before she offered up what thoughts first came to mind. Revna nodded, taking mental notes about these things. Don’t worry about the small things, and if custom dictated that it be a grand ceremony then it would be a huge help to her to hire someone to worry about those details.

“I-uh, thank you for the tips.” Revna started, her cheeks still pink. “I…guess it is kind of ironic that I ask about these things…considering it was my father that did…what he did. But…you’re the only woman I know, besides Srina, that could maybe help me with this. And clearly my father likes you better than he does Srina - as he’s allowing you to come and go freely aboard his ship.” She said with no small amount of humor laced within her voice. “The only other woman I could have asked about this sort of stuff would have been my mother but she’s not here anymore.”

 

[Lina Ovmar]

The mention of the Empress made Lina's smile tighten imperceptibly, it wasn't that she disliked Srina, it was just that she could not ignore her choice of friends. Friend that had taken Revna captive and for all intents and purposes had tortured her. The same way that she had been enslaved. The same way she had been tortured. She let out a small hum, casting her eyes downward for a moment, letting the flickering flame of anger die away before looking back up at the Vahla.

"If the Empress truly wished to come, I doubt very much that he would have any power to stop it, but alas our Lady Talon doesn't intrude on herself upon her children." Not unless she saw fit. Where was the line? How did their dear Empress decide what was acceptable and what was not? Again, she stamped out the flame. Not here, not now. Not with Revna. She may share Strosius's views on this topic, but she would not force them upon Revna. She was free to make her own choices and despite all her misgivings, despite the looming sensation that it was all doomed, Lina trusted her to make the right decision when it came down to it.

"I am sorry that your mother is not here to see you as you are now, Revna. I don't claim to know her, but I do believe that she would be proud of you. And I am happy to help with your wedding if that is what you want, in whatever capacity you need."

Revna Marr

 

[Revna Marr]

Revna observed Lina in silence; on outward appearances, nothing seemed amiss. But Revna couldn’t shake the sudden and very slight feeling that something she had said had disturbed the woman across from her. Was it from her mention of Srina? She wasn’t entirely sure, but she didn’t press the topic. She just nodded in silence to Lina’s remarks that if the Empress wished to get involved, then she would - and nothing Darth Strosius said or did could stop her. But Srina was not one to impose herself, not unless she was asked or she felt it was needed.

The silvery-haired young woman dipped her chin and cast her eyes back to her hands for a moment, her mind suddenly aswirl with thoughts. She had many whom she might consider allies, confidants, that she would like to invite to her big day, whenever it happened…but many of them were also the enemies of her Father.

And no doubt, others that she wasn’t too keen on attending would also make their appearance - like the Dark Dyad. Whether she or Caedes wanted them as witnesses or not really didn’t matter - as they liked to intrude and flex their superiority over others. They viewed Caedes as being underneath their thumb - and when she bound herself to him as his bond-mate, then no doubt they would believe that she too was back under their thumb.

Despite herself, a heavy and tension filled sigh was forced from her lungs. She suddenly had anxiety over her future coronation and wedding.

"I am sorry that your mother is not here to see you as you are now, Revna. I don't claim to know her, but I do believe that she would be proud of you. And I am happy to help with your wedding if that is what you want, in whatever capacity you need."

Revna returned her attention to Lina and smiled at her again, though it was a bit tighter and more somber. “I’m…not sure how my mother would have felt, if I am honest. But I’d like to think or believe she’d be proud of me. But yes…should I need the help, even if I don’t and I have a plethora of aids and servants tending to that matter…I’d still want you to be involved.”

She couldn’t admit this aloud right now - but Revna had started seeing Lina as almost akin to the mother figure she never had in her life. Her own mother hadn’t truly been a mother, and she had no understanding of what that relationship was meant to look like. But in her mind Revna wondered if that relationship looked somewhat like what she and Lina had right now.

“I’m glad you came to visit me, Lina. And I am very happy to see that you are relatively in one piece and doing well. Do…do you intend to stay here, on the Harbinger? Do you have any plans? Anything I can…help out with once I have recovered a bit more? I owe you a great debt for all that you did for me while I was in captivity. You risked a lot to try and bridge the gap between my Father and I while I was aboard that monstrosity of a space station, not to mention what you did for me after His demise. I want to try and repay you however I can.”​

Lina Ovmar ​

 

[Lina Ovmar]

Lina's smile reflected the sombreness of Revna's own. She didn't know all of Revna's story, but that she spoke of her mother without the venom and hatred that Lina spoke of her own was enough of an indicator that the relationship had at least been somewhat positive. At the question of whether or not she would be staying on the Harbinger, Lina pursed her lips in thought. She hadn't considered staying, but then she hadn't left yet either, and He hadn't asked her to leave...nor had He asked her to stay.

"Revna, I didn't do what I did so you would be in my debt. You owe me nothing." she smiled, reaching to brush a strand of hair from Revna's cheek, tucking it behind her ear. "And if its any consolation, your Father has more than paid his."

For a moment, she pondered telling Revna what she was beginning to feel, opening her heart to her the way Revna had hers, but that looming threat of betrayal, of the quiet voice that told her all of this was a lie sealed shut the doors before she could truly consider it. "I believe I am staying, for now, though for how long...well, that is entirely up to Lord Strosius. Maybe you can put in a good word for me, hmm?" She winked before sitting back, taking stock of the younger woman once more.

"I'm not so proud as to deny the help you have offered, though, but think of it less as repaying a debt and more as a learning opportunity. There is a beats in the Netherworld that I need to bring under my control for future...endeavours." The less Revna knew the better, for her own safety. "Would you like to join me?"

Revna Marr

 

[Revna Marr]

Revna’s smile brightened a touch as Lina tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear, nodding in acceptance when Lina told her that she didn’t owe her anything. A curious expression danced over her features however when Lina indicated that Alisteri had more than paid back the debt He owed Lina. It made her wonder just what had transpired between Lina and her Father for the other woman to have wiped the slate clean, so to speak.

To Revna’s inquiry on if Lina was staying or not, she told the younger woman that yes, she was staying for the time being. Darth Strosius hadn’t chased her away and Lina hadn’t left yet - though she did ask Revna to ‘put in a good word for her’.

“Oh certainly.” Revna replied with a wider smile when Lina gave her a wink before sitting back in her own seat. “I rather like having you around so you bet I’m going to make it clear to Him that I think you should stay…or at least have quarters available to you for whenever you wish to stop by. I think He would respond favorably to that. I mean…if He hasn’t kicked you off His ship by now, then I’d say it's safe to believe you are welcome here.” the Vahla woman said with her own little smirk.

A brief silence hung between them as Lina looked her over once more, before speaking again: "I'm not so proud as to deny the help you have offered, though, but think of it less as repaying a debt and more as a learning opportunity. There is a beast in the Netherworld that I need to bring under my control for future...endeavours. Would you like to join me?"

Revna’s eyes brightened further as she leaned forward in her seat, her interest clearly piqued. “The Nether, you say? I’ve never been there, nor do I have any experience with the place…so naturally of course I am interested and I would love to join you in that little adventure! After I’ve healed up a bit first, though, of course. I am close to regaining my strength but I’ve got a little ways to go before I am back on my feet fully. I have a couple of things I need to do with my Father first, too.” she replied after a moment, before her eyes narrowed in thought.

“Perhaps…you could ask Alisteri if He would like to join us as well? I doubt He would just ‘let me’ go into the Nether without Him there anyway but…I think He’d appreciate the invitation either way.”

Lina Ovmar ​

 

[Lina Ovmar]

Revna's smile was infectious, her enthusiasm for wanting Lina around warmed her heart and made her want to draw the younger woman in to a tight hug. She wondered if Lucia had not been taken from her, if one day she might have had similar conversations with her own daughter. The though stung and she batted it away like a nuisance. Lucia was not her daughter, she may have carried her and brought her into this world. But she was never Lina's and she never would be.

Lina pursed her lips in thought at her request. She had been contemplating asking him, not because she needed his help again, but because she thought that considering his... condition he might find some interest in exploring it. Revna's happiness made it easy to ignore the creeping whispers of doubt that echoed in the back of her mind, that warned of the dangers of getting too close to him.

"I imagine he might find the trip as interesting as you, so yes, I will ask him. We will wait until you are ready though, Revna, the Netherworld is not a place to enter without your full strength behind you."

Revna Marr

 

[Revna Marr]

Lina seemed to contemplate Revna’s thoughts about inviting the usually cantankerous Sith Lord along with them into the Nether, pursing her lips in thought for a few moments before responding:

"I imagine he might find the trip as interesting as you, so yes, I will ask him. We will wait until you are ready though, Revna, the Netherworld is not a place to enter without your full strength behind you."

Revna nodded in silence for a moment, feeling the weight of exhaustion press against the edges of her awareness. Just another reminder that she was still healing, still recuperating from her trials and her rescue. She was almost back to her normal self, mostly, but there was still some healing to be done and rest to be had. She needed to gain her strength for the next steps she was to take in her life - her Knighting trial, her ascension to Queen, and for whatever other trials that awaited her. And no doubt, war was just on the horizon. She would need to be recovered and strong enough to participate in that, should she need to.

“I agree. It would be incredibly unwise for me to go into such a place in a lesser state of strength. He wouldn’t let me anyway, I already can tell you that much.” She said with a soft chuckle. Some might have found Darth Strosius’s hovering and protectiveness irritating, but it was something that Revna embraced. She adored her Father and she soaked up His protective, almost mother-hen role He’d stepped into since He’d taken her back. It inspired deeper loyalty within her towards Him, deeper devotion and care.

After a moment of thought, Revna inhaled deeply and released her breath slowly. “I will work on my recovery and gaining my full strength back so we can go on this adventure together. And I hope we can venture out on many more adventures in the future…especially if you’re planning on sticking around.” Revna’s smile widened further for a moment, before a yawn overtook her. It was her sign that it was time to bring an end to their little reunion, at least for now.

“Well…as much as I don’t want to end this conversation, I am getting rather tired and I should probably rest a bit. Thank you for coming to visit me, you made my whole week.” the little Vahla woman said as she leaned forward to wrap Lina in a warm hug. “Though…please feel free to stop by whenever. My door is always open to you, Lina. Always…”

Lina Ovmar ​

 

[Lina Ovmar]

Lina could see the tiredness on her face long before the yawn split it, it was in the darkening shadows under her eyes, the slight paling of her skin. It was a sight that added to fuel to the ever burning fire of hatred she had for Kaine and his ilk. Her plans were in motion, the preparations for the curse she was building already underway. There were still things she needed, things that would take time. Patience would be her greatest ally. Vengeance would be her greatest gift.

"I will work on my recovery and gaining my full strength back so we can go on this adventure together. And I hope we can venture out on many more adventures in the future…especially if you're planning on sticking around."

Lina smiled, it wasn't entirely up to her and while she had thing to attend to elsewhere, there would be no reason why she couldn't stick around. Perhaps she could talk to Darth Strosius about setting up something a little more permanent. A home away from home. She'd happily extend the same to him. As the yawn split Revna's face and she asked Lina to come by again, Lina smiled.

"I'll come visit as often as I can. And if you need me, you only need to call, my shadows will hear you." She rose, placing a kiss on the top of the vahla's head. "Rest well, Revna." Giving one final squeeze of her shoulder she swept from the room, feeling more elevated than she had in weeks. There was much to be done, plans to be made, conversations to be had. One, namely, with Darth Caedes , it was past time they spoke, now more than ever. Shadows enveloped her as she walked, consuming her as vanished from the Harbinger. Korriban was calling and she wasn't going to keep her waiting.

Revna Marr