Private Hollow Gold

[Srina Talon]

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H O L L O W
G O L D
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Location: Castell [Shu Mai City] - Commerce Guild
Tag: Darth Empyrean
Aesthetic: X

Grey eyes focused on the shrewd Gossam Ambassador that had been sent to greet her from the Commerce Guild. There had been a slew of reports as of late in regards to piracy running rampant along the Rimma Trade Route. It was strange, considering, the path would take any perpetrators through the heart of the Confederacy—And she had been tasked with resolving the issue. It involved working with the Ministries of War and Secrets to arrange tighter patrols, plus, a rather covert mission to determine the port they called home. Every lead brought her here. ​

​

Srina did not trust the creature that looked at her with bulbous, gelatinous eyes, that rolled lazily in a wrinkled head when she made her inquiries. His “hair” if it could be called that was swept back in a preening wave while he walked on stilts to seem taller. Either that, or, more important. More imposing. She was a long way from home, a mere slip of a girl, and didn’t seem to have any visible reinforcements. ​

​

“I have told you, Exarch.”, the Gossam wheezed, heavily accented, while gesturing toward a holo-table, “We have no unregistered vessels in Confederate space. We have no reason for illegal action that would only result in heavy taxation should our relationship sour.” ​

​

The wintry woman simply continued to stare at the three-fingered aristocrat and refused to buckle until chilly eyes bore veritable holes through him. He flinched; and looked away first. Srina accepted at the very least that this reptile was used to working withing the safe confines of tall office buildings while donning luxurious silks. He had already invited her to an “egg party” for the current Presidente of the Guild. Srina did not know what it entailed; but assumed it was a birthing ritual. ​

​

Irrelevant. ​

​

“You are a society that invests the majority of your credits in off-world bank accounts because you do not trust your own people. Explain—How am I to believe that the Commerce Guild would turn down a potentially profitable venture?” ​

​

“How dare you—“, the Gossam returned, tone brittle, from the blunt language. Srina could feel a wave of righteous indignation rise. “—We have been more than forthcoming and hospitable, despite, your ludicrous witch hunt—” ​

​

“Stop avoiding the question. You waste your time, and more importantly, mine.” ​

​

The ambassador bristled further and thin lips opened and closed a few times. The young woman across the table could feel his anger pooling, growing, though she paid it little mind. He would respond adequately to her interrogations or he would be made to comply. Someone in this building had the information she was looking for. Someone knew who it was that had targeted and ransacked their ships. Whoever gave the orders would soon find themselves in a very, very tense predicament. ​

​

Srina held no mercy. ​

​

“…Lady Talon…” ​

​

The Gossam breathed deeply to find a steadying breath behind clenched teeth. ​

​

“You have my word that I know nothing of the events described.” ​

​

“Then find me someone who does.” ​

​

“It’s not that simple—” ​

​

“Make it simple.” ​

​

“It takes time and resources to—” ​

​

“You have until the start of business hours tomorrow to produce acceptable results.” ​

​

“Or what?” ​

​

Srina stood up from the curved chair with a sweeping movement that startled the pompous lizard. She was tired of splitting hairs. Tired of bandying about words that drew her no closer to her goals. Her ability to negotiate, peacefully, only extended so far. She knew when she was being lied to or at the very least being misled. ​

​

“Or what, Exarch?” ​

​

She didn’t reply and swept from the room to let him make his own conclusions. It was likely worse than anything she could come up with on the spot. He knew what was expected. If he failed, he would be held accountable, more than that, would risk losing everything he held dear. The Echani woman could feel eyes following her while the ambassador yelled after her, down the hall, but ignored it. ​

​

Pathetic. ​

​

Srina hated diplomacy. ​

The soft pitter-patter of rainfall met her ears while she wandered through the Shu Mai City. She could have called for transport, but her lodging wasn’t far enough for it to matter. Her clothing grew damp and moonlit hair darkened as it became saturated with water. It actually felt nice in comparison to the stuffy, overly warm offices, that the Commerce Guild insisted on. Cooling. ​

​

Being alone with her thoughts helped to banish her irritation. ​

​

Denizens passed her by without paying her any mind. On the streets? She was just another outsider walking through, or by, the Stelle Marketplace. The area seemed safe enough but, at nearly midnight, it wasn’t anywhere she intended to linger. It was essentially an open-air market, with stalls staffed by various species that were full despite the late hour. The hawked their wares in a cacophony of shouts, whistles, buzzes, and the occasional roar. The young Echani had learned to adjust to a decibel barrage since first visiting the bazaar in Golbah City, but the racket produced here, was unbelievable. She almost wished she’d remembered sonic dampeners. ​

​

When she reached the end of the line, she felt something amiss. ​

​

Srina paused next to a small plasteel-and-synthwood booth that was selling ozone masks, antiox patches, nose filters, and other balms for the more paranoid oxygen breathers. Something the back of her mind started to raise in awareness and the Echani knew to acknowledge the sixth sense for what it was. Danger. Someone, or, several someone’s, were watching her. She pretended to be interested in the items on display while the Sullustan proprietor began to chat jubilantly about the fine quality. ​

​

She was only interested in the mirror on the pole of the booth that let her see what hid behind her. ​

​

A flash of red light caused her to instinctively move as the sound of a blaster being fired met her ears. The proprietor that had been speaking, nonstop, was suddenly silent. Sparing a glance saw him fall in what felt like slow motion with a smoking hole burning in his forehead. The crowded stalls began to panic and the late-night shoppers started to scream. Bodies began to slam into her while she tried to step away. As graceful as she was; it didn’t matter when there was no room to move. ​

​

She could see three humanoid figures charging forward, shoving people out of their way, and a low curse began to form in the back of her mind. Someone had figured out that she was on Castell and why she was present. It was retribution for poking her nose where they didn’t believe it belonged. A surge of adrenaline allowed her to move with the river of people that streamed away from the marketplace and she was eventually able to weave through them enough to break away. ​

​

A citizen had just died not two feet away from her. She didn’t need the Commerce Guild deciding that a Confederate Exarch was keeping merchants selling oxygen masks. It would slow down the investigation and increase the time required to get to the bottom of it. Srina steadied herself in a shadowed alleyway. It was a space between businesses, all permacrete, and without too much exposure. ​

​

There was also only one path. Through. ​

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A displacement of air caused her to shift her weight and move, spinning, to find what appeared to be a mercenary reaching out for her shoulder. Her hand caught his and she closed the distance between them faster than the eye could follow while simultaneously bending his hand in a way it was never meant to go. The application of pressure allowed the sound of breaking bones to shatter the pace between tepid rain. “Who are you?” ​

​

The man didn’t reply and only howled in agony. ​

​

“Who sent you?” ​

​

He tried to reach for something at his waist but she drew back and punched him squarely in the solar plexus to knock the wind from his sails. He doubled over and she only bent his wrist back further. Another red blaster shot whizzed over her head and she deliberately placed the body of the mercenary between her and the direction it had come from. ​

​

“Answer me.”​

​

Rapid footfalls alerted her toward more combatants that were inbound. She twisted his arm and grabbed him by the collar of a worn jacket and threw him headfirst into the permacrete wall. There were more than three distinct movement patterns approaching in the dark. More than four. Whoever had decided that she’d interfered long enough was making a stand. Here—Now. ​

​

Her hand rose to reflect several incoming shots from blasters and the scattered red plasma slammed into the chest of one of them, while the rest, uselessly pelted the sides of the buildings. It didn’t stop him, though, it did make him stagger. “Who sent you?” ​

​

The same question. ​

​

“Man…You let yourself get beat down by a girl, Brogu?”​

​

A taunt. ​

​

“Shut the kark up and do your job!”, groaned the half-conscious, injured one. “Kill her!” ​

​

Her hand snapped to the side and a wave of Force energy pummeled into his body with the force of a speeding light rail. His form smashed into the wall again, fully, and this time a sickening crunch rewarded her efforts before he bounced back down to the dingy ground. He didn’t get up this time. ​

​

“W h o?” ​

 

[Darth Empyrean]

Korriban
864 ABY

Another intelligence report was set on Maliphant's desk as he sighed heavily. The Worm Emperor's Empire was small, with more than its failing share of economic issues at this point and he could only do so much to help Darth Ourobos develop it; especially with the war time bombings of Korriban still weighing heavy on the population and the coffers. Instead, he had turned his attention to his new position as Tribune of the Frumentarii - the secret intelligence organization of the Worm, working second only to Qual'Al-Selim.

It was their one advantage against their enemies at present - a broad and omnipresent intelligence organization led by some of the finest minds in the Sith arsenal; expanding daily, with fingers in every major government and crime syndicate across the galaxy. For all the Imperial navy did with its big ships, it was the Frumentarii that gave them any chance at victory, and Maliphant was key among them to keep that network alive and stable with his history of secret identities and subterfuge.

Still, there were only so many intelligence reports he could read in a day before his blackened, ember like eyes began to fail him. Fingers moved to rub the deficit from his eyes, pausing as he did so to groan out his frustration. The reports on his desk were nothing more than what Darth Prazutis ate for breakfast - and how that could somehow be turned to their favor. Something Maliphant both didn't care about, and knew was superfilious details added to validate a Frumentarii's deep cover assignment.

Pointless details. Still, it was good to have that extra detail incase it ever meant something down the road - but Maliphant was tired of trying to memorize such despite an eidetic spell he put on the reports.

As he set it down, he glanced to the ring on his finger - a soft pulsing coming from it. It was the same one he had given Srina months prior - partially as a gift, a sign of his dedication, but also as a safety measure. Now, he could feel her pulse increasing, sense the danger she was fighting in - with both the ring as a guide and their connection driving spikes into his attention. Emotion rose in him, feeling both hers and his before he grit his teeth - protective anger rising above the others as it settled.

Maliphant stood from his chair, let Kala'anda form in his hand from its black mist - and let the ring take him to his beloved.

The transition was instant, but to the others they would see only a black mist form dense and heavy before Maliphant wanted from its depths - ruby embers looking over them with wrath. Even the non force sensitive among them would feel the darkness that flowed from the dragon headed pike he carried with him - and as the bolts were fired in his direction, they would freeze amidst the cold night air. Static, shaking as though they fought against their bonds - only for Maliphant to speak in a low and commanding tone that carried through the Force itself.

"Kneel."

And the jewel in the Staff's mouth reacted - glowing as it began to draw upon the Force and drag the assassins from the darkness. Some stayed on their knees, others collapsed to the ground, but all would be pulled into the light before him with a crushing power upon each. Heavy, invisible chains attached them to the ground - and a few of the men began to scream with unadulterated fear driving them onwards. Maliphant gave them a glance, and without a word their mouths were shut - muffling their screams by their own lips and teeth.

His gaze turned back to Srina, the darkness that eminated from him only a moment ago beginning to fade as he looked her over -

"Are you alright?", he said quietly.

He might've overdone it, he knew she didn't need the protection - but between his boring reports and the fear that it might become something worse, he had felt rather obligated to arrive to her rescue.

Srina Talon

 

[Srina Talon]

Location: Castell [Shu Mai City] - Commerce Guild
Tag: Darth Empyrean
Aesthetic: X

Red blaster fire gave the evening a deceptively ominous glow. Blinding, wild—haphazard. ​

​

The heel of her palm snapped up to drive forcefully into the nose of one of her would-be assassins. Her fingers were extended straight toward the night sky, ready, for him to try and move while her other hand snatched his gun away. If the slow mercenary managed to find a burst of speed to dodge, she would take any opening presented to gain the advantage. She didn’t want him dead. She wanted him crippled. Scratching his eyes out or gouging the jelly-like whites would do the trick. When stripped of one of the five senses and besot with unbearable pain; most fighters, men, human, or otherwise—Tended to become a lot more cooperative. ​

​

She was faster than most. Definitely, faster than most of them, but there was no doubt as to who held more muscle. When and if she got hit it would hurt. The assault had begun in earnest by what Srina could only assume were hired “professionals” to use the term loosely. She moved between livid frames that tried to box her in as if they were trapped in a dance macabre, a cage, for which there was only one exit. She struck with ferocity when the window became available and even when halted seemed to keep flowing. As if she were made only of liquid, rather than solid, sinew and bone. Burly arms came down over her shoulders and tried to squeeze the life out of her but the Echani threw her head back and slammed her skull into the face of her attacker. His grip loosened and her sharp elbow found the softest part of his stomach. Once, twice, and three times finally caused him to let go. ​

​

Srina spun around and grabbed the vibroblade weapon that another man brandished with a force unseen. It hovered for a moment before flying at breakneck speed into the narrow space between the collarbone and first rib of the man behind her, clipping her arm, but putting him down for the count. She vaulted forward and grabbed the extended arm of the surprised mercenary, the one who lost his blade, and broke his balance by yanking him toward her. Smaller than all of them by far it wasn’t hard to spin around on her right foot and pull that same arm over her shoulder. She lowered her stance and threw him forcefully overhead in a circular motion that had him land painfully on his back. She placed her boot down none-too-gently against the side of his head and pressed the side of his face into the permacrete. ​

​

“Stay down.”, the Dread Queen warned, coldly, and twisted the arm she still held until he cried out. ​

​

More. They just kept coming. She didn’t want to damage all of them beyond repair because it was possible that they could supply what she required. ​

​

A wellspring of darkness pulled at the edges of her mind and a familiar sensation rang through the golden trinket that sat snugly on her ring finger. A heartbeat flooded her senses and as if a dam had broken, nearness, poured forth from nothing. Power crept through the ether and rose rapidly to the surface, only to spill over, and flood the alleyway. It would terrify the hunters present. ​

​

They were, only human. ​

​

All at once, they seemed to freeze in place before collapsing into supplicant or prone positions on the ground. The screaming and fighting would no doubt soon draw the authorities, regardless, the fact that they had been silenced. The familiar voice made some of the tension between her shoulder blades drain though she still remained focused. Adrenaline still pumped through her veins and silver eyes bore chilly holes into the mercenaries and bounty hunters that thought they were earning an easy payday. ​

​

After all, how difficult could one woman be? ​

​

Srina supposed that difficulty might be exponentially raised by whom was watching over her. In her case, he seemed to be more than a little protective and more than capable of backing that up. She did not require saving, nor rescue. She did not need to be shielded. But there was something satisfying and very pleasing about watching all of them in varying states of disarray and defeat. ​

​

Was she all right?​

​

“I am…”, she spoke softly, mentally, surveying the men. Scanning the surface of their minds to find the answers they were so reluctant to give. “Adequate.” ​

​

Srina stopped before one of the mercenaries closest to Maliphant and reached down to grasp his chin with a bloody hand. His eyes on her own, full of fear, the darkness within her drank it in and her eyes flashed burnished gold. Nearly catlike. “Who sent you….”, she murmured and a dark stream of smoke slipped from his lips and she drank it down. His secrets. The things he had seen. He had no mental prowess to speak of in order to keep her out. Images flickered before her eyes. Faces. Names. ​

​

There. ​

​

“Good night.” ​

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Her other hand fell to the back of his head and she pushed swiftly with the hand that held his chin. A definitive snap signified that his neck had snapped and she let the body fall. The rest of them would be lucky to be leaving on a stretcher let alone at all. She straightened and warm, wet liquid dripped from her fingertips. She had what she needed. It was time to go. ​

​

The white-haired woman led Maliphant from the alley and toward the rented flat. She didn’t want to be there when the authorities came to do the clean-up. The property she was staying in wasn’t overly large but it was a damn sight more secure than the alley. She stewed while they walked. Annoyed, that this mission was taking so long. Srina reached for the passkey inside her jacket to unlock the door but paused when it opened. Silver eyes flickered back to Maliphant…She hadn’t said a word the whole trip. Irritated. Lost in thought, but she was glad he had arrived. Needed or not…His face was exactly what she needed to see. ​

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“Thank you, Maliphant.” ​

​

The lights turned on and revealed a clean though militantly furnished condo. Lots of leather and metal with stone tiled floor and monochromatic artwork. She began to shrug out of the dark jacket she wore but paused when it was halfway down her arms. She felt sore. Bloody, sticky. ​

​

Still irritated about this mission. There were many things that did not add up. ​

​

“…I need to change…” ​

 

[Darth Empyrean]

When Srina had her fill of the man's thoughts, Maliphant took her cue of turning on her heel as no long needing the rest. The staff glowed for a moment, and the muffled cries of fear behind clenched teeth forced together by Maliphant's power grew into screams of pain and lamination; only to fall silent as each slowly had their eyes roll back in their heads. Their death would be none too pleasant, none too quick, and none too tracable; each would suffer immensely in their own nightmares for a few hours before their heart would give out from the exertion.

With that settled, Maliphant tapped Kala'anda against the duracrete - its Impervium spike clicking loudly against the ground just as it disappeared, back into the sickly black smoke that acted more liquid than gas. Maliphant turned and wandered with her, following without a word until they had returned to her flat; and even then, he had offered nothing until she spoke.

"Thank you, Maliphant.", she offered to him.

For a moment, there was a reactive drive to correct her - 'Darth Maliphant', he would've said, but knew the only reason he was going to say that was to maintain his reputation among the Sith. He didn't have such worries with her, and instead kept his feelings quiet, burying them where they belonged as he tried to open up to her. He usually had more time to change his 'Maliphant' persona, but the Dark Side stilled flowed in his veins, and it was hard to not act like a Sith even among her lovely company.

"Think nothing of it.", he offered her in return after a moment, moving to help take her coat before pausing at the glancing wound on her arm.

"You need to dress that wound, Srina.", he seemed to chastice before resting a small kiss on her shoulder.

"Do you have a medical kit around here? It wouldn't be the first blaster wound I've stitched up.", Maliphant offered her as he took off his own exterior robes, finding a place to sit even as he wore the regalia of the Sith Order. He only hoped the Korriban dust on his pants wouldn't ruin the white couch. A quick glance down, and he noticed the slightly orange stain already forming.

Frowning, he readjusted to cover it - though he doubted she wouldn't notice.

Srina Talon

 

[Srina Talon]

Location: Castell [Shu Mai City] - Rented Apt
Tag: Darth Empyrean
Aesthetic: X

Mistakes. So, many mistakes.​

​

She should have eradicated any sign of her involvement in the debacle in the alleyway. Her blood. If the authorities of Shu Mai City ran the data through their system, cataloged the evidence, or checked the camera feed from the Market—Her day would become very interesting indeed. Her eyes closed for a long moment when Maliphant stepped forward to aid her in removing the stained jacket. Srina knew that she should have cauterized the knife wound to keep from leaving a trail. ​

​

She should have taken better precautions. In truth, she should have never been so careless as to let it break her skin in the first place. Her distraction was proving exceedingly costly. ​

​

At the very least…It would help that Maliphant had worked his will and brought her attackers to a swift and subtle end. It would keep them from reporting in, following, or temporarily sending more. It was very clear that someone of considerable means wanted her dead. Silvery orbs seemed to bleed at the audacity that an individual would need to have in order to send such filth in her direction. The Sith corruption that she oft denied caused a deep pattern of black latticework to etch itself into the delicate skin just beneath her eyes. Mercury became honey, mottled, and piercing. As if a dying sun burned deep within her core and the light had been all but consumed. ​

​

Rain began to pelt the rooftop. Slow, at first.​

​

“You know how I think.”​

​

Could she think nothing of it? No, not at all. He had come to her side in the midst of a veritable maelstrom that had been forced into his lap by the Worm Emperor. The small kiss to her shoulder caused the edges of her glacial words to soften and round. The roughness was momentarily placed to the wayside but her posture became no less fierce while the weather only worsened outside. It was deliberate. The trail that had been left, eventually, would be washed away from conventional means of detection. Contaminated. A glance to her Holo-Comm and a swiftly coded missive would deal with surveillance. It would have to be enough. For now.​

​

The request for a medical kit caused her to pull from the distant reverie that saw lightning crash down from the sky. Distant. The thunder that rolled seemed far enough away, but still; she could feel it in her bones. “It is a knife wound. Yes, I do.”, she responded, surprisingly soft, before falling into motion. The wintry-haired woman could fall from a statue into nimble, graceful motion, at the drop of a hat. Her footsteps were light and nigh soundless while she padded across the stone floor.​

​

A few moments later found her returning to the lounge with a fully stocked medi-kit. She set it down on the metallic table nearest to Maliphant and took a delicate seat beside him. If Srina noted that the dust on his trousers was causing the white couch to turn an interesting shade of orange she said nothing of it. Instead, she reached for his face as she often did. Once upon a time she had done so in order to learn his newness. To understand the changes he had undergone in her absence; to see him beneath the vile mask of Dorian Harper. Her touch was careful while she traced his jaw. Careful, as if it might break.​

​

Or—As if she might sully his regalia with her blood.​

​

Srina leaned close enough that his face momentarily became blurry. She breathed his air, though, she did not bridge the gap. The dragon-headed staff that he had wielded reminded her of the duties he was required to uphold. Of the loyalties he stretched, often, simply by calling her his own. When the quiet beauty finally spoke, her words were tinged with bright and dark…Sweet possession, cold sin. Her lips only narrowly avoided touching his. Deliberate. ​

​

“I will need to make a report and shower once you’ve finished.”​

​

There was also a tinge of unwarranted, unbidden jealousy. Srina knew that he often had to fight through her duties for her focus and attention. Now, the tables had turned. Even now she was partially distracted by the mission that had gone so wrong, even if, nothing else would be done that evening. The storm that raged overhead was proof of that…But still. Even now.​

​

She did not want to share that which she held dear with the Worm Emperor. It was a double standard. She heeded the call of her Dark Father in the form of the Vicelord. He too had his bindings. Logically, she understood. The unfamiliar ache that his heartbeat left behind in her chest made it…Difficult. He had promised never to let anyone use him again. Not, as he had been controlled before. ​

​

He had sworn in the Nightlands never to let anyone, or anything, make him less than what he was. ​

​

“…Will you still be here when I am done?”​

Will you stay?​

​

Or will you return to him?​

​

To it? ​

 

[Darth Empyrean]

Maliphant let his forehead rest against hers - feelings how close her lips came to his with his eyes closed, her every emotion tranposed through their force connection back to him. He'd enjoy the moment, knowing it had been some time since they had a chance to be intimate - one of the downfalls of both being important to large groups of people, to be powerful, to be ambitious. Still, he couldn't help but feel her anger - perhaps not at him, but the Worm, and through that back toward him, if only slightly.

"I shall.", he said simply, standing for a moment to strip off the alchemized phrik plates he wore as regalia on behalf of the Lords of the Sith. A symbol of respect on Korriban, fanciful as it was, he didn't need such burdensome attire to be around his love. He set aside the heavier pauldrons, breastplate, and bits of bobbles before rolling up his sleeves and getting to work.

His focus became entirely on threading the needle, and slowly beginning to work through the lock-stitch suture he had done more than a few times on himself during his more wild years as 'The Slave'. He knew she could handle the pain, so it didn't bother him to stab her - they had inflicted far worse on eachother during their sparring sessions, but he still kept her comfort in mind as he worked through it.

"Do you think less of me?", he asked suddenly, amidst it all.

"For serving the Worm Emperor."

He didn't look up to meet her gaze, still heavily concentrated on finishing the suture.

Srina Talon

 

[Srina Talon]

Location: Castell [Shu Mai City] - Rented Apt
Tag: Darth Empyrean
Aesthetic: X

She lingered as close for as long as she dared in a simple moment where words would fail. It had never been and would never be been her expertise, as Maliphant well knew, but her lilting sigh of a question held undeniable weight. She wouldn’t kiss him. Yet. That was a conduit that would tear down the strength that she was required to maintain in his absence. It was just as difficult for her to release the mantle of the Dread Queen as it was for him to retreat from the expectations and requirements of a true Sith Order. She was expected to be fierce; emotionless. To do what needed to be done with no questions asked. ​

​

He pulled away and her head turned to the side while he began to remove the armor-like pieces of his uniform. The parts that lay claim to him and kept him indefinitely, just slightly, out of reach. Any other day she might have helped him. Slowly, at that. Today…She could only let the mask of an Exarch on an already heavy head reign supreme. Srina had learned to be smooth and untouchable, almost otherworldly on the outside, while the rest of her was ravaged to eternity by experience and duty.​

​

Everything, for the cause.​

​

This mask, this face, was not one that he knew. Despite the closeness that the Force lent them…She held little fear of being recognized. Of the truth spiraling through pale lips without her permission. She acknowledged nothing, save, for the desire to be close. To take what she could in the short-allotted time with the secret hope that what remained of her heart would not shatter when inevitability crashed down around them. That it would not be broken, once more, with only jagged pieces left behind. ​

​

Maliphant held two loves. The logical part of her mind ascertained that he could only keep one. Love or the chemicals that produced a facsimile of what fools waxed and waned about was fleeting and fickle. It could change. Power was absolute. Raw, pristine, and everlasting. ​

​

In the end—He would not choose her. A Jedi could not. He could not.​

​

A light touch to her arm caused her to clear her mind. Silence, the rest. It was not the time to start engaging the whimsical anxieties of a petulant warrior made soft. It bothered her to a degree that such a simple thing elicited such an immediate response. Just a touch. Srina was glad for the needle when it came. It was sobering in more ways than one. The careful, almost gentle pinch, the pull of tensile thread that would dissolve in a mere few days. As if it had never been, save, for a barely noticeable scar. ​

​

For all of her battles, her wounds tended to heal quickly.​

​

When asked a question she remained silent for a moment. Perhaps, not the most comforting of times to hold true to her quiet nature. Did she think less of him? A soft, almost bitter laugh passed through her lips. He would feel the twisting of emotion war inside her while her eyes closed and she did her best to swallow it down. It wouldn’t make sense. Too much, too fast. Her only option left required her to begin shutting down. “It would be easier if I could think less of you.”​

​

The words were muddled, but true.​

​

“I do not.”​

​

No. She did not. The things that she did feel were without name. A sudden wellspring of hatred for the Worm Emperor caused the wind from the storm she controlled to beat against the side of the building with wild abandon. Her expression never changed. Motionless, beautiful as a painting. None would ever suspect the varying degrees of distaste she felt, endured, and held in—For him. “How does one think less of the sky? Of the sun?”​

​

Words that she considered an outburst stilled. She bit her tongue. Hard.​

 

[Darth Empyrean]

Maliphant offered her a half smile as the needle found a new spot beneath the skin.

"Surprisingly simple in a storm or drought.", he said with a partial glance to the storm she created outside.

His fingers deftly finished the stitches before tying them off - grabbing a small bacta patch and laying it over the wound. It would be healed quickly, be it on her own bodily regenerative ability, or on that of the Bacta infused patch; either way, it wouldn't last long. Maliphant carefully collected all that he had pulled out of the kit and put it before, before leaning back on the seat next to her once more.

For a moment, he considered if Qual'Al-Selim had Frumentarii on the planet - ones that would be able to spy on him for his efforts here. He was certain at least one agent was planet side, but he doubted she could have her web follow her without so much as warning he would arrive. Perhaps the Worm Emperor himself sensed what Maliphant had done - but the eldritch being had far more to worry itself about than wherever Maliphant had decided to run off to.

"You know...", he said almost passively through his thoughts.

"I am one of the few Sith that exist today that truly created their own path. So many had a master for guidance, an Order to find collective purpose, something to keep them on a path to their future. Always directed, always controlled.", he offered in his own thought.

"And yet I was the slave once, while they were Sith. So many brought up in life not even knowing chains bound them - and now I am asked to kill them, to educate them, to bring them to heel."

Maliphant leaned against her, not in a full embrace but to perhaps ground himself.

"The Worm Emperor may have bound me through a Kaggath, but I wouldn't have honored it if I didn't see a purpose in it all. Once, that purpose was revenge I suppose... but now it feels greater. To lead a new generation to the reality of their strength - that autonomy is chief among the principles of the Sith. To find freedom."

"The Worm Emperor will die, Srina, but will you think less of me if I carry on his philosophy?"

Srina Talon

 

[Srina Talon]

Location: Castell [Shu Mai City] - Rented Apt
Tag: Darth Empyrean
Aesthetic: X

“The sky is no less beautiful when the weather becomes cruel. The sun is a requirement for life. Far be it from me to judge a star for shining, as intended, a little too brightly from time to time. If anything, they are more. Both command respect, adoration, and fear without any effort at all. It’s simply the way of it.”​

​

Her words flowed easily enough. Cool, collected. None would assume that Maliphant was stitching a wound closed without some sort of narcotic to dull the pain. The indent the tip of her tongue would tell a different story, though, that had more to do with her lack of social graces. Already, Srina felt as if she had said too much. Felt too much. The pale Echani warrior held perfectly still while the Sith Lord applied a bacta patch and remained the picture of tranquility while he placed the items neatly back inside the medi-kit. Carefully, she reached up to touch the patch.​

​

Her arm throbbed unpleasantly and she stopped fiddling with it.​

​

“Thank you. Again.”​

​

She could have done it on her own, or, summoned a medical droid but this was better. Preferable. He leaned back and burnished golden orbs followed the striking edges his form made against the white fabric of the couch. He was close, but, never close enough. Maliphant seemed to be processing both what had been openly stated, plus, that which she buried. The words that followed seemed to trail the depths of a personal struggle that they had scarcely discussed.​

​

The typically unflustered woman felt a tinge of unbidden shame. ​

​

From the very moment, the very second, she’d realized what the Worm Emperor had done her mind had been filled with a red haze. Hatred. The rhetoric and philosophy that he preached were not intrinsically wrong in her eyes but the blatant hypocrisy left only one result: Invalidation. Her mind shifted through phases of black and white. She hadn’t stopped to consider that Maliphant might have felt differently. That there was some lesson, something of benefit, by being tethered to such a despicable creature.​

​

The question came about again and a deep sigh spilled from her chest. It was touched with an edge of frustration, mostly, because she had no other outlet. He understood so much. He had a wealth of knowledge and experience to draw from that often let him move through her dispositions without fear of retribution. It did not seem to help him, today. “I loathe him because in my mind he brings harm to you. He lessens you. You are not asked to kill, to educate. You are bound and required to.”​

​

The fact that he allowed it caused her eyes to close.​

​

That was a whole new perspective that left an ache in her chest that was hard to identify. He claimed that the Worm Emperor would die. He seemed so sure of it. And yet, he would keep some small part of him alive in carrying on his desires. The wretched worm would live eternally in the teachings her beloved brought to others. “…You…”​

​

She breathed, though, she did not look at him again. The wind and rain outside had begun to lessen slowly while she let nature take its course. It was unwise to encourage a storm to rage on so long unnaturally. Every act held a ripple effect. As much as she wanted to wash her blood from the permacrete she didn’t want to accidentally flood homes and drown streets in an unending deluge.​

​

“You have to do what you feel is best. I will respect your choice, ultimately, no matter what you choose.”​

​

Even if he let the worm live, in any form.​

​

This was the part that grew difficult. She had offered, once, to stop running from him. It felt so long ago that he had been injured on Atrisia in an effort to protect her. When she visited his bedside. For the most part, she had kept to those sentiments. Srina allowed Maliphant to see her. To be with her as no one else could; because no one else could understand. That willingness to let him in so deep left her raw at times. He would feel that, clearly. “I cannot think less of you, Maliphant.”​

​

Srina turned slowly and slid closer, enough, so he could wrap an arm around her if he wanted. Her hand fell against his chest, near his heart, and her fingertips smoothed while she searched for the correct words. A flutter of fear jostled her and she felt a swell of defiance. “You will do things in the future I may not like. This does not mean that you are less in my eyes. I care for you. Not your title, nor your occupation. Even if I could never see this face again…”​

​

“Even if I must learn to live with the visage of Dorian Harper—My feelings will not change.”​

​

She paused, briefly, with an honest, though saddened, concession.​

​

“Unless you wish them to.” ​

 

[Darth Empyrean]

"I cannot think less of you, Maliphant."

"I take that as a challenge.", he laughed back - though it was short, almost forced.

He sighed as he rested a hand on her thigh, pulling her closer to him as his head found a place on her shoulder. With eyes closed, she could feel him focus on something distant - though not through the Force, just memories and theories, things not yet done and things he had already done; as though the mixture of it all may help him guide his movements even now.

"I hope so, Srina.", he offered back to her quietly.

"Many times I have tried to offer some semblance of trust in another - but many times it has thrown itself back at me. Irajah Ven and Darth Carach, Cerbera, The Sith Empire, the Darkstaff. Trust has... been difficult for me - but I want you to know, openly, that I do trust you. I appreciate your opinions, your advice, even if I may not always listen to it.", he said ending with a small laugh - mostly to himself.

"Even if we often live at political odds, I will never do anything to betray you - I hope you know.", he said as his head nuzzled slightly deeper into her neck.

It seemed whatever professional distance he was upholding faded as he opened up to her - physically and emotionally close as he could get in the moment, nearly forgetting the assassins only a moment before.

Srina Talon

 

[Srina Talon]

Location: Castell [Shu Mai City] - Rented Apt
Tag: Darth Empyrean
Aesthetic: X

A small smirk pressed into the kiss of her mouth when he claimed to take her soft declaration as a challenge. Moonlit tresses had begun to slip from the braid she held it in and it loosened even further when she shook her head slowly. “It will be an effort in futility.”, she warned, lightly, in an effort to play along with what felt like a deflection. The diminutive woman couldn’t quite tell if he was serious or if he was just trying to lighten the mood. Maybe, both?​

​

The slight touch to her thigh caused her lithe form to move without thought, adjusting, so that the soft lines of her form could fill the harder edges of his. Her injured arm rose while Maliphant tucked his head against her shoulder and delicate fingers found themselves running through his hair in an almost possessive sense of familiarity. The almost earthen scent of him brought her indelicate thoughts to a place of calm while the storm faded to a mild pitter-patter against transparisteel window panes.​

​

“It has been difficult for both of us.”​

​

The pale creature could make a list a meter long of those who had betrayed or abandoned her in pursuit of their own ambitions. The man who had orbitally bombarded her homeworld had once escorted her through a wedding. Her dearest friend had abdicated his post in the dead of night. Twice. Without word. Another proclaimed to love her while sacrificing all, but in reality, had sacrificed her unborn child for petty revenge. A sibling, a mirage. Not real. Family of the Vicelord that came and went as they pleased with all the stability and mental acuity of a mental patient.​

​

Aryn Teth had left her to mourn in an epitaph of grief that ripped her soul in two.​

​

She hadn’t thought to survive it. Without her child, without, the one person in the galaxy that had pledged to love her above all else? While her family died in spades?​

​

Her duty was all she had left. People were transient; fleeting.​

​

The fact that he offered her his faith left a resounding feeling echo within her chest cavity that she didn’t know how to interpret. It was one thing to say. Another, to mean it. Srina pressed a feather-light kiss to the crown of his head while her fingers kept soothing through platinum blonde locks. There was a tumultuous cacophony of things going on inside him that she could only scan the surface of. Another kiss, longer, caused her half embrace to tighten.​

​

He felt like he meant it.​

​

She wished it could be that simple.​

​

“Are those words that you can truly keep? Your Worm Emperor could easily decide that I am an obstacle in your path. What if he requires that you bring me to heel?”​

​

It was true that the Vicelord could demand the same. Only, he never would. He would feel the truth of what Maliphant meant to her, even if it had not been voiced aloud, and would never question it. As many faults that her Master may have retained, never, had he betrayed her. Not even when it would have benefitted him. Srina did not have the same faith in the Worm Emperor.​

​

A quiet exhale escaped from her while Maliphant nuzzled closer. It bade her to forget the less than comforting shadows that darkened the halls of her mind. It embittered her, left her jaded, but the man that wrapped so easily around her lessened the impact. It left room for other things.​

​

Softness. Weakness.​

​

Somehow, with his aura seeping into her skin, while his protective walls tumbled down and the pretense of their positions faded…It was actually all right. It was day to day. Heartbeat to heartbeat. But she could breathe. She could care, without consequence.​

​

Just for a moment. Just, one.​

 

[Darth Empyrean]

"If he did, then he would simply die earlier than expected.", he said plainly, quickly back to her. It at least denoted there was no thought he had to put into the answer.

He lifted his head and rested his lips on the meeting point of her jaw and neck - just barely below the ear before he pulled back and spoke once more;

"I am not a slave to anyone's will anymore, Srina. There is nothing someone could say to make me betray you. Take faith that I am unwavering that regard."

Then he readjusted, turning to lay in her lap as his eyes closed - head looking up towards her as his hands intertwined themselves.

"Aren't you supposed to be showering?", he said with a single eye opening to glance up to her.

Srina Talon

 

[Srina Talon]

Location: Castell [Shu Mai City] - Rented Apt
Tag: Darth Empyrean
Aesthetic: X

Eyes that shifted through a myriad of metallic shades slowly seemed to settle back on their natural-born mercury. The darkness quieted. The irritation quieted. The response that was issued in regards to the lifespan of the Worm Emperor was both comfort and bane. She was once again reminded about her own insufficiencies. What was the point of climbing ever higher, fighting harder, sacrificing all—When she still could not do for those she loved?​

​

Maliphant would kill the Worm while she…While she rest neatly on her laurels.​

​

The sensation of soft lips pressing against delicate skin caused her heart to skip. Unbidden. Srina didn’t want to feel her form respond to his nearness, feel the stirrings of blissful warmth when she really just wanted to stew in her indelicate judgments. Sometimes, she didn’t want to be made whole. By a kiss. By a thought—Or a promise, that no Sith in their right mind could keep.​

​

Still.​

​

He asked for her faith. It was hard to give it. Not because he had done something undeserving, but because of those who had come before. There were times when words spilled forth and plucked at deceptively raw memories without warning. When a face she tried so fervently to forget superimposed itself along the pristine edges of this man, this individual, who had never done anything but stand beside her. Who had never done a thing to garner her suspicion; or doubt.​

​

Srina blinked hard when Maliphant moved to lay down on the formerly ivory sofa so that he could rest his head in her lap. Hair like snow. So much like her own, but with features that were incredibly different. She cherished those differences while he got comfortable. Eyes closed. The quiet woman watched him intently. Every breath, every movement. Every twitch.​

​

The easy way he proclaimed his loyalties without flinching.​

​

“If you wish it. I will accept it.”, she murmured, lightly, while doing exactly what she said she would. Believe it. She reached out with her left hand and let soft fingers lay on his that had intertwined. Her other arm was starting to feel even worse. Sticky, itchy, while drying blood began to flake. A dull throb there was all she had left to steal the ache from her chest. “Though—You must know that they will try.”​

​

Her thoughts were interrupted and pale pink lips pursed, quirking to the side, when he asked about her shower. She had half a mind to unceremoniously stand up and ‘let’ him roll to the floor. “I am.”, she intoned before leaning down to brush her lips against his forehead.​

​

“But someone decided to use me for a couch.”​

​

There was a brief smile against his skin.​

​

She would deny it if asked.​

 

[Darth Empyrean]

"And such a comfortable couch you make.", Maliphant quipped, eyes still closed as a smile formed on his lips to match her own.

His fingers intertwined with hers, and the small pulse that radiated in the capillaries became more obvious - even more so as the rings themselves seemed to transfer each of their sensations to the other - emotionally, physically, spiritually. It was like being both of them in a single moment - their force bond magnified to a point of complete wholeness beyond what either of them could feel.

But Maliphant wouldn't pull back despite it. Content to feel his head on her lap, sometimes confusing it with her head on his lap, an odd byproduct of the rings themselves. It was both jarring and comforting - to feel the trust she had in him, to feel that tenderness and loving embrace from her perspective. It brought a slight happy sigh to his lips as his eyes opened.

"Still, don't let me keep you. As much as I'd like to help you undress and lather up, it would seem you're on a time limit. I doubt those assassins will stop anytime soon - and I'm sure they know where you're staying."

"Though, if your arm is bothering you, I do have two free ones to offer assistance.", Maliphant offered with a coyness to his tone.

Srina Talon

 

[Srina Talon]

Location: Castell [Shu Mai City] - Rented Apt
Tag: Darth Empyrean
Aesthetic: X

Again, she was tempted to roll him right on the floor. Cheeky, Sith.​

​

Ever since Maliphant had presented her with the golden ring that graced the index finger of her left hand she had noted an increased awareness. A sixth sense, strictly, related to him. When they were on separate ends of the galaxy, she could still feel him wake up in the morning. Still, feel his heartbeat quicken while phantom lips brushed against his cheek. It aided in the Force Bond that was slowly creating, building, by exposure. Made it more. ​

​

Made the long-distance aspects of their relationship bearable.​

​

When she let her mind quiet and followed the delicate wax and wane of their innermost feelings mingling it was hard to tell where he stopped and she began. Their fingers entwined and the strength of it stole her breath. He was unafraid, unbothered, but it was still very new to her. She couldn’t say for sure that it didn’t feel as if she was drowning. Slipping beneath the surface of everything he was. Beneath the regalia of the order that he served. It was warm, there. Safe.​

​

Feeling safe was a mistake. It made her complacent. Weak.​

​

It was desperately hard not to get lost in the feedback, to slow the loop, and remember that there were things that needed doing. None of which would get done while she reveled in the satin sensation of his hair running through her fingers. His happiness, the truth of it, spurred her own into being. Things that were assured without words caused her to lean down and kiss his forehead again. Once, twice, while he murmured about the things she should have been doing. “You do not wish to keep me?”​

​

He was right. The mission. The assassins. Blood, all over the streets of Shu Mai City.​

​

Srina pulled back and leaned against the couch for a moment while her eyes closed to gain some semblance of self. Her head tipped back and her chin tilted toward the ceiling. These rings while useful, could be incredibly dangerous if they let themselves sink too far. There was some spark in him, some flicker, dark or light, that made her want to be around him. It was inherent. Just one more thing she could not explain.​

​

“They may. When we travel for the sake of work, typically, the facilities are acquired beneath a pseudonym. My official residency is at an embassy across town.”​

​

An embassy, that officially, she had gone straight back to after meeting with the Commerce Guild.​

​

Fething Gossam rats.​

​

“If they find me—Let them come.”, she finished her thought, before moving carefully to slide out from beneath him. An almost petulant kiss would find its way to his lips that lasted only part of a second. She dared not press her luck or test her restraint any further. Srina was annoyed at having to deal with such a low-level altercation in the first place. She enjoyed a good fight—That was a slaughter. ​

​

When she found her footing, she turned and marched toward the entrance to the hallway that would lead to the refresher. Though, she did pause before disappearing. “You’re covered in filth from Korriban, Maliphant. If you intend to stay…You should fix that.”, Srina called softly back over her shoulder. She had none of the coyness that he did, but there was something pointed about it. Alluring without intent, nor, deliberate design.​

​

He would hear the portal woosh open, hear the water start running, but he would never hear the portal close.​

 

[Darth Empyrean]

"Am I?", Maliphant said with a brow cocked. He offered an overzealous glance over himself before grinning -

"It seems I am.", he mused.

And so he followed the sounds, of the hot water and the portal yet closed - to a good amount of warmth and comfort beneath a dozen shower heads.

---

When the shower was complete, Maliphant dried himself with a towel before the drone had arrived with a set of clothes he could wear while here. Cloaked as it was, he was confident it wouldn't be followed - and the clothes he had to replace the Sidic armor needed to blend in better than 'Sith Lord walking' - something the Sidic didn't do very well at all. He sighed as he put the more comfortable attire on, feeling slightly naked without an alchemized phrik breastplate upon his chest.

He glanced back to Srina -

"So what is your plan, love?", he asked curiously, dawning the suit jacket before tying his hair back.

"Striking first, or waiting to see where else they search for you? Could give you a good idea on who the contractor could be, even if it only narrowed it down. Can't imagine to many people know about the rest of your hide outs on the planet - or this one."

Srina Talon

 

[Srina Talon]

Location: Castell [Shu Mai City] - Rented Apt
Tag: Darth Empyrean
Aesthetic: X

Echani typically preferred less clothing. Less armor, though appreciated, and beautiful in function and form it was not a preferred state. She had never met a weapon she didn’t like. But she had found many sets of armor to be restrictive. If it limited her range of movement, often, she would prefer to go without it. Even if it raised the potential for injury exponentially. She believed that her chances of survival raised even further simply by the ability to spread metaphorical wings.​

​

The young woman towel-dried most of the water from her hair before she dared to leave the steam-filled refresher. It was warm, comfortable, and in truth, Maliphant had left far too soon. It was the smart move. The correct course of action. She needed to get things ready and do a little research sooner than later. Her attire was light, though practical, with a pair of simple black leggings beneath a long amethyst traveling dress that split clean up toward either hip. The waist was bound with a dark sash.​

​

As she exited, she brought a brush out to Maliphant a few hair ties. He had offered to help and it wasn’t as if he was unfamiliar with dealing with long lengths of hair. Pressing the items into his hands she leaned up to brush a delicate kiss against his chin before she spun away to take a seat at the dining room table so he could reach her head. It was large and reflective. A lighted panel rose beneath her right hand and as it recognized her prints the entire table began to light up and display an extensive computer mainframe. “Report. Research.”, Srina responded quietly, “I would like to know who my enemy is. I saw their face in the mind of one of the hired hit-men. I know that face.” ​

​

It was a tingling feeling in the back of her mind that gave way to the intel that she needed as she began typing up a confidential and classified report for the Ministry of War. It was a strange feeling. To be writing missives that were for certain eyes only, though, in plain sight of another Sith Lord. Her feelings for him clouded her judgment in a way she could not halt. She trusted him. Fully.​

​

Even if she should not. ​

​

“I visited the Commerce Guild today in regards to Gossam piracy in our borders. They were less than helpful and the subsequent attack could be due to the threats I left behind for encouragement that they have results by morning. The one who gave the order to the assassins is a high-ranking member on the board. They own many shares. I did not meet with him, though, it seems this bureaucrat wants me dead all the same.”, Srina explained lightly, while her fingers touched certain lighted boxes effortlessly. “I will find him and we will speak. I will discern if his involvement is simply due to my…aggressive diplomacy…or if it is something more sinister.”​

​

The ambassador from the Commerce Guild had seemed entirely aghast that she would accuse the Gossam of hunting within Confederate borders. Tracking, stalling and stealing Confederate ships and cargo. The Knights Obsidian had found the crew floating in many a wreckage. Spaced—Long before the vessels were sabotaged and destroyed.​

​

Surveillance also raised itself displaying several different egresses and access points on large holographic modules. There were MagnaGuard sleeping, in standby, in the walls. “At the very least we will be safe to rest and eat before proceeding.” ​

​

The Exarch wanted to read a little more about the Gossam Board of Directors for the Commerce Guild before they pushed the issue. Srina felt, oddly, as if she was missing something very obvious. Something right in front of her face…But she just couldn’t make it clear.​

​

Not yet. ​

 

[Darth Empyrean]

As she pressed the brush into his hand and rested a small kiss on his chin, Maliphant adjusted himself to stand behind her - carefully avoiding eye contact with the screen. It wasn't that she would care if he saw, but he knew he wouldn't be able to ignore it with his own intelligence reports - and even hinting that he had access to such information through Srina would only complicate his situation more than it needed to be. The Frumentarii were ruthless, and he didn't intend to be the data breach that would send both the Frumentarii and the Knights Obsidian after either of them.

His brush slowly worked its way through her alabaster hair, from tip to root - careful to not tear or break the weaker hairs, using his fingers to get the larger knots and messes apart. While dedicating his physical focus to the detangling and braiding of Srina's hair, he allowed his skill in the Force to begin to separate his own. Strands would move with a mind of their own, only to slowly braid themselves into complex designs without his notice - a subtle test of his dexterity within the Force, and a nod to his dedication to training it whenever he had the chance.

"Then it seems we have our target. The IGBC has dossiers and reports on nearly every high ranking corporate entity in the Galaxy - I'll make sure to forward what we have to your holopad when able.", he said quietly as he finished on the few ties left, the Force tying his own hair together with a leather strap from the table where he laid his belongings.

Bringing his head down to rest a small kiss of his own on her forehead, he lowered his voice as he looked her in the eye from above -

"Since there's a moment to eat and rest, is there something you'd like? I don't get to cook for you very often, might as well take advantage of it."

Srina Talon

 

[Srina Talon]

Location: Castell [Shu Mai City] - Rented Apt
Tag: Darth Empyrean
Aesthetic: X

The pale woman settled into the chair easily enough and fought a soft sigh of contentment. It had been years since someone, anyone, had touched her this casually. He couldn’t have known but the practice was something from her heritage that she missed. Spending an afternoon braiding the hair of her siblings. Trying something new or more practically—Putting it up and out of their eyes so it didn’t compromise them in combat. It was a comfort.​

​

A covert one; but a comfort nonetheless.​

​

Eventually, he would hear her fingers flying across the keys. Many seemed to think that she had little skill with technology, but Maliphant knew better. The wintry woman had many skills at her disposal but most only saw that which they wished to see. The Dread Queen on the battlefield. Taking command of an SSD to ram it through weaker ships. No one cared to see her seated at a computer terminal for hours on end with the light of the holo-interface making her seem even more wan than usual.​

​

“I do.”, Srina responded softly when Maliphant commented about the case. ​

​

She didn’t know how long he planned to stay before returning to Korriban. There were a lot of details that she could hardly expect him to pick up overnight, not to mention, that it was a fool's game to hope he could stay long enough to see it through. His offer to add to her database with information from the IGBC drew a soft smile to her features. “Thank you. That will be a great help to me...”​

​

Her head tilted back in time to let him kiss her forehead and she retained that position as her fingers fell still among the lighted panels. His kiss to her forehead left her stunned and lost in thought. It was a tender gesture that she almost felt undeserving of. What had she done to merit such honest, open affection? For so long she had kept her distance. He had never given up. Even when one of her wayward siblings had done her best to get in the way.​

​

Including, but not limited to, sending Bounty Hunters after him.​

​

Hearing that Maliphant wanted to cook for her caused her expression to change with a touch of surprise. It was barely there, a crack, in the glacier surface of her skin. When she had mentioned resting and eating she had truthfully been referring to sitting still for a little bit while eating something freeze-dried and handheld. The kitchen was fully stocked in the flat but it was no secret that the graceful Echani could not cook. At all. She’d tried to make a gelatin mold once and had accidentally created a sun in a pot. “If you would like to...Anything would be fine. But please, don’t feel obligated.”​

​

Srina reached up with careful fingers and curled them in the front of his shirt so that she could pull him down. Not, for a kiss to the forehead. Something a little more direct where almost playful butterfly kisses teased him for a scant second before she leaned back a little more to let her lips press fully against his. Upside down, was different. “I’m just...”​

​

‘Happy that you’re here.’​

​

Words that felt too girlish to say. Weak. Still. It was the truth. She kissed him soundly, burying lost thoughts and little secrets, before slowly letting go of the fabric that she would soon ruin if she tugged on it any harder. “Thank you for fixing my hair.”​

​

“And my arm.”​

 

[Darth Empyrean]

Even if she hadn't said it, Maliphant could feel it in her lips - and so he smiled against her before pulling back. He wasn't born Echani, but he had long since learned their subtle gestures and emphasis on body language above everything else. It made it hard to read her when they had first met - but it had slowly grown on him. That, and the bedroom got all the more interesting when love letters were written in sweat.

"Think nothing of it.", he offered her back quietly as he slowly backed away from her - his own fingers dragging across her skin as he slowly separated themselves. Not the easiest thing to do, as he'd much prefer taking another trip to the shower - but for now, he would allow them a break for more important matters.

"Srina, you should know by now that there is nothing in this Galaxy that can make me feel obligated to do anything. I do things as I see fit -", he mused as he rounded the corner to the kitchen.

"- and it just so happens, I choose to feel obligated for you."

As he searched the fridge, cabinet, and pantry he noticed that the vast majority of what was supplied was freeze dried, pre-packaged, and unperishable packaged food. While they were fine, none of them were truly worth their weight for someone who could afford more - and he was, unfortunately, a man who could afford far more than pre packaged goods. He sighed as he wished for a moment he had the ability to order fresh ingredients, but instead kept quiet as he pulled a few bags from their containers and threw them into the rehydrators.

"You should consider coming to see me when your duties aren't holding you back, you know.", he said as he pressed a few buttons to start the timers.

Srina Talon