Hunting the hunters (PM to join unless tagged)

[Celiana]

Lately I'd come to where I needed to check on some things back home. Both on Eshan and Coruscant there was a chance I'd run into Aria on Eshan but if she were there it would be because her path had led her there for the time being. I'd been having dreams recently of Coruscant and the men of power still preying upon young women that had no choice in their lives. While I was reluctant to follow through on this and possibly need to embrace the darkness I'd learned I was capable of underneath Arja I knew this needed to be done.

Walking to my closet I quickly pulled out several days worth of clothes before keying in my code opening the small armory in my closet. I was already dressed for this I quickly pulled on a black crop top shirt that bared my midriff before I strapped my combat harness on and mechanically slipping my two Echani honor blades into their spots on either hip. Grabbing my Katana I slipped the sheathed blade into its place over my right shoulder before placing twin sheathed wakizashi blades along my ribs. Grabbing my black combat vest I slipped it on and zipping it up slid my assorted array of blades into place on my vest and in various sheathes on my person. Loading the clips into the various slug throwers I'd illicitly stored here I loaded all of the slugthrowers and boxed ammo into a bag and after calling my sabers to my hands and securing them to either side of my belt where they'd dangle in plain view I slapped a clip into my modified and silenced pistol and slid it into my left thigh holster before grabbing my other pistol and slipped it into my right thigh holster.

Making sure I had everything I'd need for several days in a travel bag I walked out and locked my door before heading down to the temple hangars. Walking up the ramp to an old freighter I started the flight sequence and checked the logs and security cams of the hangars before leaving. I was right Aria had left not even a day before and she'd hotwired a ship no less... That's my girl. Eshan she'd be headed to Eshan she'd been having nightmares and instead of going with her to make sure things were alright I'd encouraged her to stay. I hoped everything was ok but I had a bad feeling that something had happened and I'd need to be there for her soon.

Loading up my swoop bike I erased my being here from the security cams then I took off from Voss and as soon as I hit outer atmo I programmed the destination of Coruscant and punched the hyperdrive. Walking to the cargo bay I made sure my bike was secured down then walked to the cockpit with my bags and started loading everything up. I'd be coming to Coruscant as a dark defender and I'd leave with what I needed. Closure and justice.

I hoped and prayed to the Gods that Aria was ok. I wanted, no. I needed her to come back to me safe.
As the ship followed its route I sent a message through The Force and comms both to Aria.

"Aria, I saw that you'd left the temple. I can only assume you've gone back to Eshan for some reason. Be careful love, I don't want to lose you. This is the frequency that you can send a response to me on. Or just speak to me through The Force since we've both hijacked a temple ship if you need me I can be there. May the stars watch over you Aria. Peace live in your heart and my caring for you be well known."

[member="Aria Vale"]

 

[Celiana]

As I sat in the cockpit loading several different slugthrowers and making sure all my blades were razor sharp. I worried that if the worst were to happen Aria would do things she'd never consider otherwise. Grief had a way of doing that to people, turning them against who they really were. The nav-computer was beeping at me telling me I was on the final approach to Coruscant. I did a quick search of landing zones that would allow me to avoid the authorities if need be. Last I knew Coruscant was controlled by Sith so the sabers on my belt would have to be bounty hunter trophies unless absolutely needed. A result came back of a place in the lower levels of Coruscant that would serve my purposes.

Walking back to the hangar I primed my bike to leave and loaded my weapons into place on the bike before activating the security measures that would sent jolts of electricity to anyone that wasn't me should they try taking it. Re-sheathing my blades and making sure all the blades I owned were stored either on my person or in hidden locations aboard the ship. Starting the approach vector I pulled on my black riding cloak over my combat vest and harness. As we came into the landing zone I started up my speeder bike and pulled my helmet on activating the comms inside. Checking the clips on all of my weapons I slid them back into the holsters on my thighs and bike. Landing sequence initiated. Landfall in 5,4,3, 2, 1. Contact. Triggering the hangar door to release as we hit landfall I sped out of the hangar engaging the security protocols for the ship authorizing use of deadly force if tampered with.

I sped down to the main roadways in the lower city towards a bar frequented by Mandalorians and bounty hunters. I needed different kit, gear that could be used to intimidate, torture, and kill discreetly. Pulling up to the bar I pulled the goblin slugthrower and put it in a cargo pocketin case things got ugly. Engaging the security protocols on the bike I locked down my weapons and walked through the door of the bar. Every head turned to meet me as I entered, and I just kept walking towards a Mando'a in the back who I knew sold rare gear not normally available. Her helmet turned to gaze at me and I brought my left fist against my combat vest.

Evening vod, I've need of gear that only a Mando'a would have access to. Laughing through her helmets filter she answered ,"and why would I give an aruetii jetii Mando'a equipment?" "Because this aruetii Jetii as you so politely announced is a student of Arja Prudii and on more than one occasion saved her miserable sheb." Letting that sink in for a moment she sighed, "Fierfeck'la Osik, you're Drayven aren't you? I'd heard stories, word is you're Echani as well as trained by Arja. Also that you're a wizard with blades. She emphasized that by glancing at the sabers hanging from my belt. What do you need?"

Taking a glance behind me I sensed a Rodian and Zabrak both drawing weapons and heading my way. "Gentleman unless you want to drag yourself out of here as without legs and bleeding out you'll leave me to my business." You wouldn't do that Jedi! You have a code! Pulling the goblin from my pocket I turned and shot the Zabrak in the leg completely taking it off.

There was something to be said about sawed off weapons. Raising my voice so everyone could hear I said, "As of right now my Jetii code is flexible as to what I'm allowed to do! Turning back to look at the Mandalorian woman I said, "I'll need two segmented razor whips, A pair of Arja's design of hidden blade gauntlets, a highly concealable electrostaff collapsible if possible, and the names of any open bounties for abusing dancing girls or in general being predators."

Turning to look at the mayhem I'd made of the Zabrak she said, "Fierfeck you're here as an avenger not a Jetii aren't you? How soon do you need all this?" "The sooner the better I'm long overdue on visiting some old friends... and I have a thing against Zabraks last one I encountered tried raping me and then when he realized he couldn't have me tried taking a group of dancers instead. I made him climb back out of a window on a upper city loft I threw him out of with The Force." "Fierfeck I'd heard about that years ago that was you?"

I simply nodded my head. "Well you've saved Arja a few times give me an hour to get those things from my safehouse here in the undercity. No charge you've got my kit anytime you need an ally. Name's Zara." Nodding my head I said, "that's fine and I thank you for your loyalty vod." Nodding her head Zara headed out the back and I walked over to the Zabrak who'd heard my story. Pulling a needle from my pocket I said, "this will sustain you and stop the bleeding it'll keep you alive but you'll still need a cybernetic leg. Which I will pay for in return for something from you. If he didn't agree he'd die and he knew it. What do you want? "Names. I want the name of the Zabrak I mentioned as well as a Twi'lek, Rodian, Zeltron, and a Nikto known to be regular associates of his." His eyes widened, he knew who they were... How do I know you won't just kill me? "Honor, as a Mandalorian you have my word of honor that I'll do exactly as I've promised. Currently it's worth more than my standing as a Jetii."

Sighing he said fine. He spoke the names of the hut'uune in my ear and I committed them to memory. Then I promptly injected him with the drug. "The first person I'll remove from Coruscant is the Nikto known as Spicey Nick. As soon as it's done and you see a green check on the boards this man is to be given a Cybernetic leg and the best treatment possible. Anyone who moves to harm him will end up with their pride removed. Clear?" A gathered bobbing of heads signaled that they were very clear on that. I got up and moved to the back table and waited for my weapons to be delivered....

 

[Celiana]

Not even 30 minutes later Zara re-appeared through the back and said "come with me." Standing I walked with her out the back where she presented two coiled razor whips a pair of hidden blade gauntlets and a collapsible electrostaff. "I wouldn't want to be who you're hunting tonight though I know who they are and that they'll all be at this location tonight. Good hunting Celiana, I'll make sure you get paid for removing those hut'uune predators." "Thank you Zara it'd be best for you relocate for a bit you're the one who I bought the weapons from."

Nodding she turned before coming back and bu,ping her helmet against mine. As I walked back around front I tied my datapad into the new hidden blade wrist gauntlets and secured them around my forearms. Coiling the razor whips into loose ring and clipping them to my belt I tucked the electrostaff into a thigh holster before mounting back up and riding to the meeting place for my targets. When I arrived there it was clear I'd have to deal with security quietly. The filth were already enjoying themselves inside which was perfect. Climbing to a roof opposite the building I'd be breaching I racked the slide on my silenced rifle and took out the first two guards with a shot through each of their heads. As a guard came around the corner I put a shot through his head as well as another coming around the opposite corner.

One more patrol came around and the same happened to them a shot through the first ones head as I was coming down from the roof I closed the distance and pulled my silenced pistol coming up behind a guard just as he turned I triggered the hidden blade and ran it up through his throat before I twisted and shot him through the head. The other gurad came around behind me but I'd sensed him and simply turned and shot him through the head. With the guards taken care of I simply blasted the doors off their hinges and walked through the doors shooting the guards inside through the head as well. Uncoiling the razor whips I flicked them around the Nikto and Twi'lek's throats and jerked the whips back towards me tearing out their throats as I kept moving forward I shot the Zabrak through the legs dropping him so he couldn't run.

Flicking the whip back around I caught the Rodian around the the waist and maxed out the voltage on the electrostaff simply touching it to the razor segments. It fried his internal organs as I again jerked the whip back towards me tearing his stomach open. Flicking the whips to clear them of the gore I hooked them back onto my belt as I ignited my saber and walked towards the Zabrak. Removing my helmet I turned and looked him in the eyes. "You probably don't remember me last time we saw each other I'd blasted you out of my father's office window for attempting to do the same thing to those dancing girls as you were allowed to do to me. Your filthy hands all over my body, everything short of actual rape yet no less repugnant."

The Drayven girl...yes I remember you your father is still doing well I hear. You wish I'd been more hands on. I'd have given you a proper education. I was done with this hut'uune. "See that's your problem filth is that you think you're not above punishment well your hands wont' be on anyone ever again." Bringing my saber up I severed his hands. "Nor will you ever speak your poison in anyone's ears ever again. Your breathing won't be a problem either." Before he had time to realize what I was talking about I whipped back around and severed his head with my aqua saber.

Before anything else I took pictures of these filth and sent them to Zara with a message that said they won't be a problem for anyone ever again. Make sure I'm paid. I got a message back that Fierfeck'la Osik! I should say not. They were a cool million each. 4 million all together I'l make sure you get paid. Flicking the safeties back onto my weapons I stored them and quickly left. Speeding back to my ship I dis-engaged the security measures and drove my bike into the hangar quickly closing the door and securing my bike with the magnetic clamps. Pulling my helmet back off I set it on the handlebars of the bike before going to the cockpit and plotting a course for Eshan.

Reaching out with The Force I sent my arrow of thought to her. "Aria, I'm coming. Please be alright..." Engaging the take-off sequence I waited to clear atmo then engaged the hyperdive. Triggering the blades in my gauntlets with The Force I grabbed a rag from the hangar and wiped them both clean and set about cleaning the gear I'd used. Ejecting the mag from my silenced pistol I went to the cockpit and dragged my gear bag to the hangar.

I took a seat and pulled apart the guns I'd used after having ejected the magazines. I went through Arja's mechanical way of tearing apart the guns cleaning and sterilizing each one them oiling them and running through all the parts until it was showroom quality then I put them back together. Thumbing each round out of the magazines I did the same thing making sure forensics couldn't tell the gun had been fired. Then I re-loaded the magazines to full capacity and slapped them against my palm before loading a round into the chamber of each weapon. Slapping the full magazines home I made sure they were locked to the safe position.

Then I pulled the Goblin sawed-off slugthrower from my pocket and after unloading it broke it down as well and ran a cleaning cloth through both barrels and cleaned, sterilized and oiled the gun before re-loading it with that same slug and another slug. Looking down the barrels making sure the rounds were well seated I flicked my wrist and snapped the barrels shut engaging the safety afterwards. Now that the guns were taken care of I pulled every single empty magazine out of the gear bag and loaded them. A full three rifle magazines I loaded with hollow-point armor-piercing rounds. Then two of the same with pistol mags as well.

Sitting there I realized that even though what I'd done was murder it had prevented those individuals from ever committing any horror on another young woman again. I could live with that. I wondered if Aria was alright though as I'd been executing those hut'uune predators I'd been calm, methodical, precise. But I felt a storm of emotion that wasn't mine... Aria had done something similar I knew it but I wasn't sure what it was she'd done. As I finished loading the magazines with their respective types of ammo I checked my accounts and sure enough, Zara had been true to her word minus the expense of the Zabrak's cybernetic leg and treatment. 3.5 million credits sat there.

Pulling a whetstone from my gear bag I stacked the loaded magazines of ammo in the gear bag and slid it over by my bike then walked to the cockpit to sit and sharpen my blades and sleep while I flew to Eshan. My connection to Aria growing stronger the closer I got to her. Before long all of the blades I had were even keener than they'd been before the hidden blades razor sharp as were the razor whips.

"I'll be there soon Aria...."

[member="Aria Vale"]

 

[Celiana]

I must've drifted off... the first thing I realized is that the nav-computer was beeping at me to take the ship out of hyperdrive. As I brought the ship out of hyper-drive I saw it. Eshan, my homeworld lay before me and yet there was something not right... I engaged the scanners and set them to search for temple ships, within three minute there was a ping. Next to a lake, close enough for a speeder ride to the battle-school.

Aria! That's her ship, she must be somewhere around there. Taking the ship out of auto pilot I brought the ship in for a landing and saw the smoke.... Oh no. Aria, what course did this set you on? Quickly I set my down on thrusters with at least fifty meters between the two ships and as soon as I touched down I hit the hangar ramp and ran out to find her. Shouting at her through The Force I yelled, "Aria! where are you?!" I prayed to the Gods she was actually here on Eshan.... This time I actually screamed instead of using The Force. "Aria?! Honey, where are you?!

[member="Aria Vale"]

 

[NightSister]

The last twelve hours had been an extremely dangerous rollercoaster of emotions and Aria had been sitting by a lake on Eshan as she tried to bring herself closure through something in the middle of daydreaming and meditation. It had been far from peaceful to revisit the painful events of that night, but she knew that if she shoved the pain to the back it would fester as it already had done once. She would struggle through all kinds of agony to prevent that from happening again.

Her thoughts were suddenly cut short as she felt a sudden familiar presence landing on the planet. It was Celiana, the friend whose strength and courage were possibly the only thing keeping her from giving into the pain. If she was there, it meant that she had gone after Aria most likely. Forcing herself to get up, she ran to where the Force told her Celiana was.

As Celiana came into view, so did the smoking remains of her village, reopening the wound again. She heard Celiana calling out, and Aria could hear the fear in her voice. It helped a little to ease the pain, knowing that Celiana was worried for her.

"Celiana!" Aria ran over to where her friend stood. "Celiana, I'm here, what -" she couldn't finish.

[member="Celiana"]

 

[Celiana]

As Aria came into view running over to meet me I heard her say my name. "Celiana, I'm here, what" I didn't let her finish though I grabbed her, wrapping my arms around her and pulled her against me. I didn't want to ask what had happened here, I knew that Aria was in pain and struggling with something. So I just stood there holding Aria until my adrenaline stopped pumping and my legs collapsed under me. At which point having my arms wrapped around her brought Aria down somewhat on top of me.

"I missed you Aria, you seem alright but.....the feeling I felt through The Force...." I wanted to just hold her so I did. Pulling Aria against me holding her close until she opened up.

[member="Aria Vale"]

 

[NightSister]

Celiana's embrace both eased and worsened the pain, but mostly it was simply nice to be wrapped in her comforting presence again and to be reminded that there was still somebody left alive who cared for her and whom she cared for. It reminded Aria again of how brave and strong Celiana was, and so she sat up with a sigh.

"Celiana, the smoke - they came in the night, nobody knows who, and they just -" Stay strong. Stay strong. "They burnt everything down!" A sob lodged itself in her throat. "Seven villages just burnt down because those Hutt-spawn have nothing better to do than to take innocent lives - and there were no survivors." The last two words came out hoarse and croaky. "And then...and then..." Aria couldn't finish, so instead she called up a painful vision of what had followed the discovery, letting Celiana see everything that had happened through the Force. She let out a sob, burying her face in her hands as she hunched over.

[member="Celiana"]

 

[Celiana]

As I held her and listened tears rolled down my cheek. I was strong, but seeing Aria in such pain broke me inside. Then the vision of what these circumstances had driven her to washed over me. Her arrival on Eshan, the guilt she felt at not having come sooner, the smoke and burned villages, then asking the man who'd flirted with her. I gritted my teeth seeing that. Then her leaving Eshan and the trip to Corellia. Her breaking through the door to her biological parents dwelling due to immense grief and anger. The loss of control she'd tried so hard to train for on Voss. Then the saber leapt to her hands unbidden and in an instant two lives extinguished.

The vision ended and Aria sat there with me tears streaming down both of our faces. Wrapping my arms around her I pulled her to her feet and making sure she didn't see the smoke walked her back down the path to the beach to a place where we could both be alone and deal with things as they came. When we got there I could see where she'd been earlier so I brought her full weight against me and fell as gracefully as I could onto the smooth pebble stones of the beach. There I simply brought her head to lean on my shoulder and ran my fingers through her hair humming as I did. I held her tight against me deciding that she wouldn't deal with this alone.

I sensed that she was still scared though, as if what she'd done would drive me away. Letting The Force carry my message I said, "No Aria, this won't drive me away from you." Then without thinking I turned her head to face me and cupping my left hand around the back of her head and I kissed her.

[member="Aria Vale"]

 

[NightSister]

Once or twice in her lifetime Aria had experienced the whirlwind that was romance. She'd flirted and been flirted with, dancing with boys and daydreaming of thrilling encounters that would leave her weak at the knees, but what came instead was something different. As Celiana held her she felt more herself, as and she kissed her suddenly it was bittersweet and comforting and beautiful. The dangerous erotic escapades that it seemed all single woman her age were so desperate for seemed so harsh, so abrasive compared to that one sweet moment as they lay on the beach wrapped in each others' arms. In that moment she knew that she would relive the horrors of the past night again and again, putting herself through the pain over and over, if it meant that she would never lose Celiana.

After what felt like a lifetime she pulled away, the tears on her face drying and a small smile that hadn't been there before playing about her lips. "Let's not go back."

[member="Celiana"]

 

[Celiana]

As I kissed Aria I had a flash of vision. Myself coming to the temple and mentioning to my first Master how I was Echani by birth but Jedi by Choice. A path lay before us both to return to the Temple and continue living that life and doing so openly, or to run from what we'd both done. Electricity passed between us and I knew that whatever we both chose I wanted Aria by my side. To wake up with her in my arms every day.

Then she "let's not go back." Gently kissing her again while using The Force I shared everything I'd just thought pass though me and my lips through hers to think about. I wouldn't run from what I'd done but I wouldn't leave Aria either. It would be important for us both to face what we'd done and now...we could do so together. The days of the Jedi not having relationships was over. Anakin, Luke, Mara Jade Skywalker, Anakin Solo, Tahiri Veila, and so many others. I'd openly show affection to Aria should we go back I wouldn't hide that, I refused to do that.

Further though if we chose to leave the Temple we were both still Force users and we also were both still needing more skills and training. Though we'd have to do so outside of temples for the most part. So much to think about... Yet something that Aria would need to do would be even if she hadn't found her parent's bodies would be to search the currents of The Force and be sure they weren't still alive...and if they weren't then while we were here we'd need to lay them to rest. For Aria's sake she needed the closure which I knew would be difficult. I was suddenly very glad I'd come home, bittersweet as it was.

I also realized I hadn't seen my mother in years....She'd be in the cities about now teaching dance as well as weaponry and training new pupils. I missed her and while the circumstances were tragic of Aria and my new beginning together I wanted to introduce them to each other at the very least before we decided to leave or spend time here healing.

I let my thoughts pass with The Force to Aria as I pulled back away from my follow up kiss. Gods and Goddesses! Her lips tasted wonderful....I sat there with her blushing and smiling until she spoke again....

https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/564x/8e/16/96/8e16967fe9d3a384aa6c7ef58fc43269.jpg

[member="Aria Vale"]

 

[NightSister]

Aria lay beside Celiana, basking in the sunlight that had streamed through the grey, all she wanted was to stay there, because she knew that the moment she pulled away and returned to the cloudy grey sky, to her stolen ship, to Voss and to the Jedi, that those beautiful few moments would fade and be replaced with the hollow pain she'd been bathing in for hours before Celiana had even made it to Eshan. No matter how wonderful her time with Celiana was and would always be, it had become very evident to her that nothing was permanent, particularly when the something that you wanted to keep forever was a fearless Jedi warrior determined to fight for what was right. The moment they abandoned the sunlight and sand and kisses was the moment Celiana became endangered by her lifestyle as a Jedi and her eternal desire to right wrongs and the moment that Aria would risk losing the last precious thing she had left. It would take more strength than Aria had left to end her beautiful relationship when it had finally blossomed, but it would take ten times that to recover if - when - they were permanently separated.

It could happen for any reason. A Sith attack. A terrorist threat. A slave raid. A code-red mission. Or worse - Aria had already proven herself a threat to those around her once. Celiana could be scared away, or worse, not be scared away and instead experience Aria's anger the second time it exploded everywhere. However it happened, Aria was a danger, as was being a Silver Jedi, and she wasn't strong enough to deal with the possibility that at any minute, she could lose Celiana forever.

But she was also too weak to pull away, and so she simply remained blissful in her detachment from the rest of the scary, dangerous world that they lived in.

[member="Celiana"]

 

[Celiana]

As I laid there with Aria against me I could sense the mounting uncertainty in her mind. The fear that she'd lose me, hurt me the way she had with losing control with her parents, the things that could separate us. All the possibilities and it was heavy on her mind. I could feel it, I'd done something I'd only read of in the archives. Revan and Meetra Surik both had this powers, forging Force bonds. Whether or not Aria knew it I'd forged such a bond with her. We were connected now and even though I could feel the fear, and sense of impending loss radiating from her I was also anchored by her.

Letting Aria's head rest against my chest I said, "Aria, listen to my heartbeat. Listen to and embrace the determined, and steady beat. Embrace your fear Aria, face your fear, allow it to pass over you and through you then turn to look at your fear and notice you are still you. I am still here and that we both remain."

"There are many uncertainties in this galaxy Aria, many possibilities. My love for you isn't one of them any longer, that has been set. I apologize though I hadn't realized that I'd done as Revan did so long ago. I believe I've forged a Force-bond with you Aria, and even though it was inadvertent I wouldn't change it."

Turning to look at the still smoldering embers of Aria's village, her home I felt tears running down my cheeks. They burned against my skin and I knew in that moment of foresight through The Force Aria would have to bury her parents. I also knew that justice needed to be served and that a way to do so would be to catch the killers and bring them before the Jedi. Aria would have to face her pain, and fear, allowing it to pass over her and through her then come to terms with it. I wished I could spare her from this but I knew it was what would eventually have to happen.

Still there on the beach I waited for her to make the first move as this was a tragedy dealt to her. She would have to be the one to face but as soon as she moved I'd be beside her holding her hand to support her...

[member="Aria Vale"]

 

[NightSister]

Hearing Celiana's words and knowing that she was right, Aria knew right away that no matter what Celiana believed, the Echani warrior she had grown to love so much would not be safe so long as she was so intricately linked to Aria. She pushed her thoughts deep down, so that even the sharp and observant Celiana wouldn't be able to detect them, because she knew that she would manage to talk her out of her fear and bond or no bond, love or no love, Aria would not endanger Celiana. She had to break the bond somehow. Perhaps by nudging Celiana towards the countless others whose attention she held, or perhaps -

Then Aria pushed her thoughts far out of reach, beyond even her reach, because the thought that had crossed her head was the perfect solution and yet the worst idea she had ever had. These thoughts would have to wait for another time. For now, there was something more important than even Celiana. Later she could think about she could keep her one still living love that way, but first there were those loves whom she had not been able to save.

Finally she stood up, not saying a word and hoping that through whatever deadly bond their love had forged, Celiana would understand what Aria was setting off to do and follow so as to help. Tears welled in her eyes and then rolled down her cheeks as she returned to the smoking ruin where her parents had once lived, but she did not stop to wallow because she knew that if she did, the chance that she would never cease to do so went up dangerously high. She dug through the ashes and rubble until she uncovered two bodies, and her knees trembled, almost giving way, but Aria couldn't pause to grieve. With Celiana's help, she levitated the charred bodies and found the lake where she had played as a child, the lake that she had once again visited in her nightmares, and dug the best makeshift grave that she could, with simply her bare hands. By the time she had finished, her hands were raw and caked with dirt, but it felt good.

As she covered the corpses with dirt and laid the most beautiful flowers she could find atop the grave, Aria finally gave in and her knees buckled. Kneeling by the grave, Aria choked out a farewell in native Echani before sitting by the lake for several minutes. After she had cried herself dry, she at last got up and returned to her ship. One couldn't hide from danger forever.

[member="Celiana"]

 

[Celiana]

I'd sensed at least a portion of what might have been on Aria's mind she was afraid for my safety more than anything else. Not afraid of love, or me, or being with me that wasn't it but she was afraid for my safety and endangering me....As Aria rose I sensed her shut herself off from whatever she'd been thinking about. Though if I were to venture a guess, she was contemplating how to sever the Force bond I'd created between us. Which to be honest, thinking about hurt a great deal. I'd only ever read about them and I hadn't intentionally sought to create that bond but I wouldn't ever try to forcibly separate myself from someone I had done so with.

I followed along with her mute as a stone while she retrieved her parents bodies and dug them their graves with her hands rather than The Force. It was a great deal more symbolic what she was doing. Finally after covering the graves with dirt and a gorgeous bunch of wildflowers Aria collapsed to her knees and said farewell in Eshanese. She sat by the lake and cried until she couldn't anymore while I knelt by the graves of her parents within earshot crying while I spoke I said, "I wish I hadn't advised her to stay at the temple now. I wish I'd have come with her right then to help your daughter. I wish I'd have had the chance to meet you both because it's clear she loved you both dearly. I love your daughter, and I can only hope that I'd have had your approval to be with her. She makes me happy and genuinely joyful in every single way that matters. I'll do my best to protect her, stand by her side and love her as much as she'll allow me to. Just know that regardless of where home was for her she'll always have a home with me."

Pressing myself to the ground I kissed each of the graves and coming back to a kneeling position I kissed my left three fingers and held them above the graves for a full minute of silence. Coming back to my feet I saw Aria heading back to the ship she'd stolen, overriding the command codes I programmed it to lock her out of all systems and take off to Voss upon her exit of the craft. She needed someone to help her and I'd be damned if I broke that promise to her adoptive parents. She'd get a ride back to Voss or wherever she needed with me. I wouldn't allow her to just deal with everything herself....

[member="Aria Vale"]

 

[NightSister]

Tapping furiously at the control deck, Aria restarted the ship, ensuring that there was still no trace of her departure from Voss. A moment later Celiana boarded too, and shaking her head to indicate that she had already taken care of the security, she launched them into hyperspace. Although it would have been safe to enable the autopilot for the remainder of the journey, Aria needed to keep her mind off the dangerous thoughts in her head and so she stayed seating, navigating with a sense of urgency in every movement.

After a few hours, Aria came to a halt at Voss Temple, parking neatly and resetting the surveillance so that her escapade would be kept a secret from the Masters for the time being. In time it was more than likely that she would seek out the counsel of her Master, especially regarding the decisions she now had to make, but until then it was best to keep the events of that night between Celiana and herself. Taking a step back to admire her handiwork, Aria paused before turning to return to her dormitory.

[member="Celiana"]

 

[Celiana]

We went through several jumps before arriving back at the Voss Temple where Aria parked the ship erased security footage and then descended to the Hangar Bay. I followed along with her at least until we reached the lift where we both headed back up to the women's dorms. As the doors opened and Aria began heading away my hand seemed to dart out and snatch her wrist of its own volition. I pulled her back against me while we were in the hall and simply embraced her. I projected my thoughts to her saying, "I'm here, cyar'ika. I do love you and you're not alone, ever." Standing there with my arms wrapped around her I simply waited for an acknowledgement...

[member="Aria Vale"]

 

[NightSister]

Aria felt as though her heart would break knowing that Celiana was wrong, knowing that whatever bonds were forged Aria would always have to be alone, but she forced herself to remain composed. I love you too, she replied, letting the words float across to Celiana's mind. Never forget that. Because no matter what she did and no matter what happened, she loved Celiana more than anything and that would never change.

Pulling gently away from the embrace, Aria left the hangar bay and crept through the corridors. What she needed know was to get some rest, but Aria had one thing to do first. Once Celiana had seen her close the door to her dormitory, Aria lay in wait for several minutes until she knew that Celiana would not immediately notice her departure, then used a trick she had recently learned to mask her Force presence from her just in case and tiptoed stealthily over to the library. Picking the closed lock with an ease that did not miss her notice, Aria began to search through the shelves of books.

S...Sh...Shadow...Silver Shadows...

[member="Celiana"]

[EXIT THREAD]