How Do You Own Disorder? [Thyrian Ashborn]

[Lief]

A lot had been accomplished in the journey from Arkania to Umbara. Kära had reclaimed the position of Captain over the Judgement, her crew were pleased to see her return for whatever reason although she made sure that they knew they answered unflinchingly to the Ashborn all the same as if he too were their Captain. No need to tip the balance too roughly, she had been gone for quite some time. She had also created a ring, her first alchemical piece in a long time, which worked wonderfully so far. A few more tests would have to be run, on others that were not Thyrian, but still! It was a start.

Kära had also given in to Thyrian's request to share her quarters. While the pair slept in separate beds, she could not help but find some minor comfort in his presence. He was the only person she truly knew in this universe, and his loyalty was unwavering even now. After all they had been through together.

After descending upon the planet surface, via one of the many shuttles the Judgement kept, Kära glanced upon the settlement which had once been her home. She had not been back here in years... It was eerily familiar even now, as though little had changed upon the world. Having no possessions to speak of, it was easy for her to descend upon the Capital. Speaking in private to one of the government officials, perhaps the only person outside of her sphere of influence who knew who she was, Kära was gifted with an entire suite for herself and the Ashborn; sending some of the ships crew to fetch supplies for those who remained in orbit, she finally settled down and awaited an audience with one of the military ministers.

"I left this world an urchin from one of the lowest castes" she said to Phoenix, when she knew that they were alone, "and I return with a place on the highest." It was strange how the Galaxy worked sometimes. The suite was nice, it consisted of a great many rooms, more than she needed or was used to, and the decor was a little.. frivolous to one who lived a minimalist lifestyle. Still, it was more than she had been expecting. It paid to have contacts in high places. "In the morning we shall seek out a certain snowflake among the mist. You recall Xavier, I'm sure? Well he was one of two... I have long been without my family. Not any longer."

Although had Kära happened upon her mother she was not entirely certain she could stay her hand. The woman was weak and pathetic, and hardly deserving of the title mother at all.

[member='Thyrian Ashborn']

 

[Thyrian Hearthfire]

At long last this were in motion once more. For years his life had been nothing but the vast emptiness of space, even before the old Queen passed away. That Kära had long since lost her purpose, and in the end she was consumed by the corruption of the dark side. He was still not over having accidentally killed her, but somewhere deep down he felt it was a mercy kill. Fortune had smiled at him when this 'new' Kära appeared before him, and he was not about to let this one fade away as she once did.

They soon found themselves within the luxurious suite on Umbara. The Ashborn scanned the room they were in, taking note of every security flaw imaginable. Finally his infernal eyes laid eyes on the lavish bed. The only bed in the entire suite. "I remember," he spoke in answer to her question. Where that boy was now, there was no way of knowing. "I didn't know you still had family, Kära. She... You never spoke of them." He came up from behind and gently placed a hand upon her shoulder. "I'll take the couch."

[member="Kära Vi'dreya"]​

 

[Lief]

Kära managed a meek smile and nodded her head, "A sister, she is called Nina. And she is very much still alive, that I'm certain of." She had felt it when Zarathustra had passed away, and even when her fake-Father had. She knew that she would also know the moment the same fate befell the twins. But that wasn't something she wished to linger on, death was not a pleasant thought not even for the likes of Kära. Death was too destructive, too final. "I never spoke of them because I never had anyone I trusted enough to talk to about them. And even when I did..." She shrugged a little, and glanced out of the window. "Somethings are not necessarily easy to talk about."

How odd this new Kära was. She herself could feel the changes too, far more talkative and social, even somewhat open. Of course, not in the eyes of anyone else, not in their presence. Just with the Phoenix. Force knew why. Leaning her head to one side so her cheek settled against the back of his hand, the woman simply smiled. "If that is what you wish, though I could have a bed brought up." She eyed the bed, it was far larger than anything she had slept in before, usually Kära had just a single. There was no need for anything else. This, however, could have fit three of those beds inside it and still left room on the edges. There would be room enough for them both without them ever touching one another, but she didn't want to bring that up just now. No need to ruin things.

[member="Thyrian Ashborn"]

 

[Thyrian Hearthfire]

Thyrian did not return her smile. Frankly, he didn't know how to. Even as a boy he was always serious; there was not a lot to smile about when growing up orphaned and homeless. Still, he remembered his many attempts at making his brother smile. Now he was happy just knowing he could make Kära smile as well. "You deserve better," he finally said. His fingertips caressed her pale cheek. "You should never have joined the Sith. You... are a good person, Snowflake."

He didn't fully grasp where these words came from, or that he even uttered them just now. Deep down he simply felt it had to be said. "You may not think such of yourself, but there it is." It still felt odd, being so close to her all of a sudden. He was used to serving his Queen, untouchable even by him. Now the two stood as equals, all but embracing one another in a suite more suitable for newly-weds. Like a dream, it all was. One he never wished to wake up from.

[member="Kära Vi'dreya"]​

 

[Lief]

The woman cringed slightly to his words and all at once shied from his touch, taking a few steps toward the bed and making as if she was preparing to unpack. "Circumstances bade me to follow the path I did. You speak as if it were a choice, Thyrian. You of all people should know that is not the case. But I am a Sith, and I am good at what I do. Efficient, effective, and far from mindless like some of the drawl fools I see skipping out of the One Sith's Academy. I was lucky to become apart of the Empire when I did, or I daresay you and I both would be halfwitted followers of some mystical overlord." She scoffed, having no love for the Emperor even if he had brought Ashy back for her. I'd have found a way without his help. I didn't even ask him to do it.

Turning to face him she frowned a little. "It is you who were never meant for this life. Which is why I plan on bringing you to your brother. Perhaps we can break this hold you seem to think I have over you, and undo all that the witch Circe did to you those years ago. I do not dislike that you are alive instead of dead, I simply dislike that she was the one who did it, her methods, the scientists. Like you were some monstrous experiment." The memory lingered with her to this day and she despised it. Clenching one fist she she stepped closer to him and stared up. "You will meet with Thurion. That is the one thing you will have no say over."

[member="Thyrian Ashborn"]

 

[Thyrian Hearthfire]

His brows furrowed at her words as she drew close. His fiery gaze met her defiant, blue eyes and a moment of silence followed. "You think that I was made to follow you all these years, or that I was programmed to?" His eyes flared up with his mood. "All these years I have been at your side; protected you, fought for you, watch you grow from a little girl into the woman standing before me... None of it is owed to some mystical force or scientific alteration. I have a free will, and I chose to surrender it to you!" His features softened, and his hand reached out to caress her cheek. "Because I love you. I always have, Snowflake."

Thyrian turned away and took a few steps to compose himself. "You claim to not know what love is. Then tell me; why did you bring me back? Was it to serve you once more? Had I not earned my rest?" He paused. "Or was it something else, something far more personal and deeper than words could explain? Because that's what love is. It cannot be explained in mere words, or determined by scientists. It just is." The Ashborn took a deep breath as he sat down on the bed, staring straight ahead. "I loved my brother once, in another life. That life was taken from me, but it brought me you instead. I would not dare trade it away for fear of losing you, Kära."

[member="Kära Vi'dreya"]​

 

[Lief]

She took note of his disdain and for a moment was suitably dumbfounded. She had forced him to submit, when she was still a meek little child under Tyrin's watchful gaze. He had followed her ever since, and she thought it was the hold she'd once held over him forcing him to do so. But was that really not the case? She supposed that if it had been he would have left her the moment he was resurrected, his mind anew. She stood in silence for a moment, chewing on the innerpart of her lip. And when he reached out to touch her cheek the woman dropped her gaze. Was this guilt she was experiencing? "I'm sorry" she whispered, the apology barely audible.

Just as suddenly he was gone, his back turned to her. The question he asked next wasn't one she knew how to properly answer. She could be literal about it, she could tell him that the Dark Lord of the One Sith Empire had brought him back to try and sway Kära into the Order. But there was more to it than that. Because she could quite as easily have told him no. She could've had Thyrian burned before reaching that accursed world. But she hadn't. "I do not have a good enough excuse" she said, her hands fussing at her side. She felt as if she were a child again, chided by her Master for making a mistake. Turning away so she did not have to stare at his back she took a few steps to the window and stared over her homeworld.

"You shan't lose me, you shall only gain your family. You deserve that much. You've earned that... Please. Don't fight me on this."

[member="Thyrian Ashborn"]

 

[Thyrian Hearthfire]

She didn't know. How could she, not having made the choice in the first place? Where she came from he never died in the first place. The realisation struck him hard, and immediately he felt remorse for attempting to wrangle an answer out of her when she couldn't possibly know. He could tell she was feeling uncomfortable, like a child being scolded for something she did wrong. The sight was heartbreaking, watching his rock noticably at a loss for words.

Thyrian turned back to face her, only to find her standing by the open window overlooking her homeworld. A calm breeze caught her white hair, causing strands of hair flow like an invisible river. She was breathtaking to behold. He stepped towards her and hesitantly placed a rough hand upon her soft shoulder. Gently he pulled her towards him into an embrace. "It's not your fault," he whispered. "It's nobody's fault." The only one who could be held responsible for his past was dead, killed by his own hand. It was time to bury the past and start anew.

"I would never fight you, Kära. I don't expect I'd live to tell the tale were I to." Was that a joke? Couldn't be...

[member="Kära Vi'dreya"]​

 

[Lief]

She tumbled into his embrace without a word, and remained there silently as he spoke. Yet there was a disturbance in her mind which bade her to swiftly pull back without warning, straighten down her attire and stride toward the doors which opened just as she approached them. On the other side was a tall Umbara, with slick hair and shrewd eyes which took in the woman's appearance and then lingered over Ashborn. While he was able to hide his intimidation, Kära could practically taste his fear at the sight of the behemoth.

"I presume you bring news on the whereabouts of the girl I sent you to find?"

There was no leeway in her tone for failure. This was her own flesh and blood, after all, and she would not fail the sister she barely knew because some fool was bad at his job. The man fumbled with the hem of his sleeves and coolly gazed upward, meeting her own in an attempt to lessen his fear. Kära tipped up her chin in response, already reading the words which were on the tip of the mans tongue from his body language.

"She's g-gone, your Grac--"

His words were cut off by a sharp snap and moments later his body tumbled to the ground. Turning from him and the door she simply said "Remove him from my sight" and in the same instance one of her Guards entered and dragged off the limp body of the man. There was a certain fire in her gaze in that moment, and for a second the old Kära returned, she who was far more brutal and exact in her actions.

"We leave three days hence" she said to Thyrian, before turning to the bed. The doors closed silently after the Guard, and Kära stepped out of her clothes and swiftly adorned something new without any prior warning, completely ignorant of the other body in the room. She didn't fully understand how she was feeling in that moment, there was a palpable rage boiling through her, a fierce protectiveness over the child she had once promised to return for.

Then the woman slid into her bed. Let the Ashborn sleep where he desired, her determination lay elsewhere this evening.

[member="Thyrian Ashborn"]

 

[Thyrian Hearthfire]

The embrace didn't last long as they were disturbed by one of her investigators. Both turned to face the man as he entered the room, assuming their roles just like old times. Kära was understandably displeased by the news he brought and had his lifeless body taken away by the guards stationed outside. Always straight to the point, she was, when it came to buisness. One of the many things he enjoyed about her having attended numerous meetings over the years. She always seemed to know what to say, except when she was alone with him. So different they both were when just the two of them.

When she suddenly removed her clothes, Thyrian quickly turned around to give her some sort of privacy. It all happened so fast that he'd acted on instinct, and just as sudden as her getting undressed had been she'd slipped into something new. He didn't say anything - how could he? Eventually mustering enough courage to turned around again, he found that she'd put herself to bed. "As you wish, Kära." He bowed his head more out of fear of making eye-contact with her rather than as a means of respect, admittedly a bit flustered at what had just transpired.

He didn't say anything else, and while his mind tried to figure out where to spend the night he merely remained where he stood, arms crossed over his chest while looking out the open window at the world of Umbara - a place he'd never set foot on despite Kära's heritage. Hours went by without him moving an inch, standing vigilant while she rested. The outside world had long since gone to bed, leaving him to his thoughts. They were of her, of course. He finally turned to watch her as she slept soundly, his mind flashing back to the many times he'd watched her go to sleep as a little girl, looking so innocent and at peace. She still did.

Thyrian moved closer to her bed, carefully and in silence, until he stood beside her. Reaching for her covers he pulled them up to cover more of her body, leaving only her head visible resting upon the pillow. The Ashborn then found a seat at the foot of the bed and would remain sat there for the rest of the night, ever watching over the woman he loved unconditionally.

[member="Kära Vi'dreya"]​

 

[Lief]

Her dreams were petrifying, to the point where Kära awoke unable to move. Her eyes opened yet they were somewhat glazed over; this was nothing uncommon, she'd suffered terribly each night since she was a child, since the incident with [member='Lucien Cordel'] and Shinju. Try as she might she could never quite shake the experience. So she lay there for a few minutes, deathly silent and staring ahead, her breathing had become more infrequent too, the way it did every night.

Finally a short exhale escaped her lips, and everything came crashing down. She could breathe again, blink, move. Leaning up she peered down the bed to where Thyrian sat and mumbled quietly. She wasn't used to anyone else being in the room, or the comfort their presence brought. But his ever-warming presence brought a steady glow to the room that could not be seen, merely felt.

"Thyrian" she whispered, shuffling out of the covers and down the bed to his side. She sat there for a moment, holding back the shakes which would not cease for another few minutes. She did not want to be seen this way. She did not wish to be viewed as weak. But deep down she knew that Thyrian was already aware of her difficulties sleeping. He had been with her for so long now, watched over her when she was a child and he knew not how to rest. He had been her silent, vigilant watcher in the night for almost two decades.

She curled up, her head resting against his knee, and closed her eyes, feeling the natural heat of his body. Pulling the blanket back up over herself she remained that way for a few moments, before carefully peering up at him through the dark. "I don't want to be alone tonight" she finally confessed, her voice barely even a whisper. "Please..." The Shadow Queen did not care anymore. What others might think. What her old self might think. She was growing tired of this facade she had built up around herself. Of the walls she had constructed to keep herself safe.

It was time to let go of the barriers. It was time to let him in.

[member="Thyrian Ashborn"]

 

[Thyrian Hearthfire]

Thyrian was lost in thought, eyes closed as if meditating. To an onlooker it would resemble sleeping, but he was very much awake and ready to react to the slightest bump in the night. Sleep still wouldn't come easy to him, having lived without it for years. He felt her stirring in her sleep even before she woke up, heard her breathing become impaired and uneven. Same as when she was a child, yet even then she would not seek sanctuary with him. This time was different.

He watched as she moved over to him, his eyes glowing in the dark like a pair of candles. She was a little girl again, looking for comfort from the only person she truly knew. He was speechless, and even more so when she rested her head against his knee and basically begging him to stay. Her words cut straight to his heart, causing his lips to tremble. He didn't know where to keep his hands, but soon he mustered enough determination and scooped her off the bed and into his arms, effectively cradling her. "I'm here for you, Snowflake. I'll always be here for you."

With that he moved up the bed with her lithe shape in firm embrace and laid down, placing his head upon the soft pillow. Unwilling to let go of her, Thyrian struggled a bit with pulling the covers on top of them, but eventually succeeded at this. The sensation of lying in bed with the person you loved so dearly was indescribable, with his eyes turning from fiery red to a soft blue colour. "Rest, little one. Many hours remain before sunrise." Leaning forward he placed a kiss upon her smooth forehead. "I love you." That last part just sort of slipped out.

[member="Kära Vi'dreya"]​

 

[Lief]

Without much warning he scooped her up and settled her into the bed, resting down at her side. She didn't care, in fact she found it almost reassuring, peaceful, comforting. She curled into him and murmured as he spoke to her, her eyes once again falling closed as sleep threatened to take her. Her hand reached to his shirt and grasped it softly, partly to keep him there and partly as a reminder that he was there.

"I love you too" she whispered, half asleep at this point. Her face burrowed against his chest and finally she gave into the temptations of rest; her breathing became calm and ordered and for the rest of the night she did not stir once. It was perhaps the best she had slept since she was a babe. And that wasn't something Kära was going to take too lightly.

Fin​