Private Is Anyone There?

[Mona Fae]

|| E M P R E S S T E T A ||
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The force is my guide
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This place had seen a lot of suffering.​

To every shining city there is an underbelly, and Empress Teta was no different. Her capital stood in the sun above me, tall spires and speeder lanes proudly touting wealth and power. Down here though, there was no sun. Alleys were narrow and dark, twisting and turning in a labyrinth were loose pipes and wires seemed to reach out and clutch at passersby. It was desolate, desperate, a place only for the sick, the poor, and the degenerate.

"H-help..."

A voice caught my ear, far on the wind. Turning, I hurried towards it, weaving through a maze of alleys and slums. Eventually I found a beggar's hovel, a woman not two years my senior curled up on a filthy pile of blankets. Immediately upon spying her, I hurried over with a gasp, crouching beside her.

"What's wrong?" I asked gently, reaching out to take the hand she held out to me shakily.

Instantly a few things happened.

One; the woman gasped, her gnarled fingers closed around my hand, her entire face dissolving into an expression of pure gratitude, her eyes beginning to glisten. It was as though she hadn't felt the touch of another living thing in far too long. Second, I felt a sudden rush, as all her pain and suffering suddenly crashed over me. I let out a gasp of my own, my fingers tightly closing around hers. Some sort of arthritis ravaged her body, her joins and bones singing with agony. Even as I gasped, lowering myself from a crouch to me knees from the intense pain, she gasped a sharp sigh of relief, feeling her own pain leaving her and flowing into me instead.

Glancing up I saw tears streaming down her face, her features twisted into an expression of pure relief.

"H-hold... s-still..."

It was difficult to speak around the crushing pain, but the woman remained still, clutching desperately to my hand. I took a few moments to slow my breaths and focus on the force. Soon, I felt the intense pain begin to subside, the constant ache melting away into nothing. Finally, after a few more moments, I opened my eyes. Even though the pain had gone, the woman's hands remained wrapped in my own.

"I can't ever thank you enough."

Unwrapping my fingers from hers, I found a soft smile taking my lips.

"You just did."

As I stood, taking a few moments to catch my breath, a shudder took my shoulders. There was something unsettling in the force... I had no idea what else I might find down here, but it didn't feel like it was going to be good.

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Darth Empyrean​

 

[Darth Empyrean]

The Jkiti greatcoat laid heavy on Jurin’s shoulders as he watched his target. A Torgruta, Mona Fae, a force healer on Empress Teta that was making waves for healing the poor and vulnerable; but Maliphant wanted her for his own sickness, a force cancer that threatened to rob his very skill with the Force. It made a healer like Mona more than enough of a high target for his own needs -​

​

So he sent Jurin and Kai to retrieve her, while the corvette sat just out of system waiting for them - and so they would.​

​

“Ready?”, Kai asked over the radio. Jurin’s skin had gotten tight around the scar on his face, so instead of responding he simple made an affirmation through a grunt.​

​

“Good. I’m dropping now.”​

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---​

​

As Mona Fae healed the poor woman, either side of the alley suddenly filled with a darkness she senses in some capacity. On one, a beautiful girl with a cold and dead expression, and the other a young man who’s face was more than half covered in a scar - and almost at the same time did the snap-hiss of their red lightsabers fill the alley with a crimson wash of danger. It was Kai’s voice that came first -​

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“Mona Fae. Surrender yourself and come with us. You or your charge don’t have to die.”​

​

With her lightsaber, she pointed from Mona to the woman she was healing, and Jurin offered a second snap-hiss of his other lightsaber, and the iconic humming of lightsabers filled the ears of everyone around, as fear filled even the woman who sat on the ground.​

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Mona Fae​

 

[Mona Fae]

Something cold and dark gripped my spine.

My breath rushed out in a small sigh, my shoulders racked in a shiver. The dark side was here. A moment later I felt them; a man and a woman, pain and darkness encompassing them both. But not the anguished, sad pain of the civilian beside me, no. This was different. Their suffering had been twisted and corrupted, used as power to fuel an emotional tempest.

Sith.

Lifting my head, I turned to see two figures appear ahead of us in the alley, their presence heralding the telltale hiss of crimson sabers igniting and humming with subtle warning.

Instantly I felt my heart begin to race, my stomach churning. Rising to my full height, I moved to stand in front of the woman beside me, who now trembled and gasped, clinging to my hand. As the Sith spoke, I took a moment to attempt to channel a calmness through my touch with the woman, to assuage a little of her fear.

That... was strange. They knew my name. My lips pursed, brow furrowed as I withdrew my hand from my charge. To the intruders I gave only a glance for the moment, before turning and crouching beside my charge.

"It's okay," I murmured softly, "just stay still until they leave. It'll be alright."

Then I rose. My heart was hammering wildly in my chest, my breaths short and ragged. My mind was spinning; a violent torrent of fear threatening to take over me. With a pause, I drew in a breath, and allowed myself to let it out, imagining all my fear flowing away with it. The force is my guide. Whatever will come, will come.

"Alright," I answered softly to the intruders, "please, there's no need for violence. If you'll spare the civilian, I'll come with you."

All the while, I concentrated on my connection to the force, exuding into the air around us a sense of calm. My intention wasn't to affect anyone's mind, will or decisions, no that was Sith territory. Rather, I wanted to simply reduce the risk or someone lashing out in anger.

Taking another step towards the two, slowly, I held my hands out, showing that aside from my simple, short robes, I had no weapons or gear on me. The academy had berated me so for my reluctance to learn and carry one, but right now, I was glad I had no reason to draw their ire. I looked from the woman to the man, meeting their eyes both in turn,

"I surrender. Please, there's no need to scare the woman with your weapons."

Darth Empyrean

 

[Darth Empyrean]

Easy enough, Jurin thought to himself.​

​

Kai quickly followed as the two walked towards her - though their crimson lightsabers still bathed the ever wet alley in a continuous red sheen. As they finally arrived, Kai motioned for the woman to put on handcuffs, while Jurin quickly began to pat her down.​

​

“There’s always a need to intimidate. Makes you more compliant.”, he said in a rough tone that seemed equal parts wolf as it was human.​

​

Kai glanced to her wrist and pressed a few buttons, signalling a gunship to pick them up - and it would. In short order, the air filled with an iconic hum of a ship, and it landed with no human pilot visible. The landing gear set itself out, and when the gates to the rear opened - two South Star battle droids stepped out with weapons in hand.​

​

“My master wishes to see you.”, Kai said gently, pushing on her to move into the ship with a hurried pace.​

​

Jurin watched the woman she healed, and while he didn’t strike, his gaze alone seemed to be a threat.​

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Mona Fae​

 

[Mona Fae]

I flinched as the two of them approached me, but held my ground.

How could I expect the beggar to be calm if even I showed fear? Their sabers remained lit, humming and occasionally hissing as falling drops of water were vanquished upon the blades. First came a silent command; manacles. The woman held them out and I obliged, showing that I meant what I said and had no intention to attempt to face them. As I closed the cuffs around my wrists, the other patted me down, checking, no doubt, for hidden weapons. It hurt to think that even Jedi weren't taken at their word anymore... it hurt that I knew it was our own fault as an order for making that the case.

My jaw clenched as I fought back a blush as the Sith roughly pat me down. Physical touch was... very powerful, and I usually only used it to heal. But I wasn't used to this.

He spoke, his tone almost lupine in nature, explaining why they wouldn't sheathe their weapons.

"I wish that you didn't have to threaten violence."

A useless platitude, of course they did. Still, I was unsettled and afraid, and without as much control over myself as I would have liked. As they called some sort of vehicle, I took a few moments to center myself, to focus on the force. There is no emotion. There is peace. Peace. Not paradise, not perfection... peace was the acceptance of what was, whether it is the Jedi's will or not.

By the time it arrived, two battle droids appearing, I felt more myself again. The Sith moved towards it, pushing me along with them. I complied, turning one last time to the woman left sitting on her ragged pile of meager belongings.

"I'll be alright." I soothed.

Whether I would or not I couldn't truly know, but she didn't need to know that. The female Sith informed me that it was her Master who wanted to see me. Now my attention could finally turn fully to them as we entered the ship.

"Is that why you knew my name?" I asked in return, "do... do you know what he wants?"

I know, I shouldn't have asked. There should be peace. That question shouldn't matter and I should be at peace regardless. Still, I found myself holding my breath, keenly focused on the Sith for her answer.

Darth Empyrean

 

[Darth Empyrean]

Kai’s pale golden eyes looked at Mona with a cold expression, but she didn’t answer. She didn’t even look as though she heard what Mona said, but it was rather obvious she had - Instead, he pressed a hand heavy on her shoulder, and forced her to find a seat nearby.​

​

“Sit.”, she reinforced as the droids returned to the vessel, and disappeared down the hall to the cockpit. In short order, Jurin had joined them as well, his lightsabers now retracted as he found a seat across from Mona.​

​

She was in a suprisingly well done room, and the gunship seemed in part a mobile operating base for a small contingent of tactical soldiers. In this case, it would seem the Sith duo was this places occupants, with the droids for the sake of housekeeping. Jurin watched Mona with anger in his eyes, and he almost snarled as he spoke -​

​

“You’re a healer, huh?”, he said in a slight danger.​

​

Kai glanced to him, but she didn’t move from her place at a terminal, her fingers dancing over the keys for some unknown purpose. Likely to report their success. The ship began to float up once more, its engines coming to life as the two conversed -​

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“You any good, or another fraud?”​

​

It was obvious Jurin held some disdain for her kind, and the scars that marked over half his face may have had something to do with it - but it was hard to tell. He was a Firrerreo, and while he healed from almost any wound - it certainly left its mark on him.​

​

“Dealt with your kind before, though they usually ended up dead. You’re just lucky Darth Maliphant even cares to see a jedi.”, he said as he gaze moved to watch Kai.​

​

The ship broke orbit, and its primary thrusters kicked in with a note over the intercom from the droids. For a short time, they would blaze through space at a ripping pace - enough time for Mona to ask any questions she had.​

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Mona Fae​

 

[Mona Fae]

With a sharp word and a harsh grip on my shoulder, I was roughly encouraged to sit.

So I lowered myself into the seat, my manacled hands resting on my lap as the vessel rumbled to life and the weapons were finally put away and the male had joined the other and I where we sat. For a moment I was left with my thoughts, staring at the montrals resting over my shoulders. There was malice in this place, particularly from the scarred one. I considered offering to soothe him, to try and mend the scars, but thought better of it. They were likely hard-earned, and to remove them would be to erase the suffering that they'd wrought on him.

He turned his eyes to me, a spiteful glare. While my logical mind knew that if hurting me was his goal, he'd have done it by now, I still felt my instincts grip my spine in a shiver, forcing me to take a moment to calm myself.

I nodded silently at his question, flickering a brief glance to his partner. No, let him speak, I thought to myself, bottled-up rage is far more dangerous than spiteful words

Although, at his next question, I felt a pang. That hurt, being accused of being a fraud.

"I've never lied about my work." I answered softly, an even, calm voice to temper his.

More vitriol came from his lips, perhaps to threaten or frighten me. In the deepest part of my core, he had. While I yearned to mimic the Jedi Masters of old, I'm still young, and am far from having mastery over my fear. The best I could manage now was a soft breath in, and then out in a sigh to steady myself.

"What does he want with me?"

Oh no, I shouldn't have spoken. My voice trembled, weak and clearly choked with fear. A Darth. I'd heard tales of the Sith, the Darths counting among their most powerful members. My bottom lip quivered as I fought to control my fear. How had such a creature turned his attention on me? What did he want, and what would he do if I wasn't enough?

Darth Empyrean

 

[Darth Empyrean]

“What does anyone want with a healer?”, Jurin asked matter-of-factly.​

​

With that, he seemed to find the apex of his annoyance and stood with a grunt. He walked away from the togruta with a clenched fist and found his way to a side room not far from them - and the door slid behind him. The ship began to decelerate as Kai ceased her typing and walked to the Togruta.​

​

“Darth Maliphant will see you privately. You will be given a prisoners uniform before then. Come - there will be people waiting for us.”, she said idly as the ship beeped and a tractor beam took them unseen.​

​

Soon, the ship was docked - landed with a harsh clink of metal within a corvette’s hanger that looked rather exceptional. The small haze of the entry to the hanger implied it was stealthed, a likely result of the lack of control the Sith had over the core worlds - the implication the Darth was hiding. Kai pushed Mona forward, and glanced about as troops clad in black armor came forward to take her by the arms; but Kai was never far from the group.​

​

The men dragged her to the hallways without a word, before entering a room with a decontamination chamber. With a small vibroblade, they stripped the togruta of her clothing, threw her into the chamber as the glass closed - and the harsh hiss of decontamination spray filled the air. It was a process that lasted two minutes, and when it was finished she was pulled once more from its depths with a single piece of synthetic dress put over her comfort.​

​

“Come, now that you’re clean, you can see him.”, Kai offered in her cold, monotonous tone.​

​

The men helped carry Mona to the meeting point; the Captain’s quarters had large black doors that had no obvious sign of entry by anything electronic. Kai raised her hand, and the doors responded strictly to the force - allowing her to toss Mona forward. Behind her the doors closed, and she was left in the Sith accented quarters of a Sith lord.​

​

It held a number of Sith artifacts arranged on black pedestals of obsidian, while gold and crimson found accents on a number of things - but besides that, it was surprisingly comfortable for the rumors she heard. There was nothing besides the black aesthetic that implied he was anything but a rich individual.​

​

And yet, the iconic click of a cane had given her a hint as to where he was. He entered into sight from a small hallway, and seemed to limp forward to her - yet despite the obvious limp, his face held an immaculate beauty many could not deny. Alabaster hair, golden eyes rimmed in a fiery maroon, and a pale skin that gave no hints at any corruption.​

​

He offered her a smile as he stopped somewhat in front of her.​

​

“You must be Mona.”, he said with a quiet, predatory danger. “I’m Darth Maliphant. I apologize for the rough introduction - but it was necessary to get a Jedi on my ship.”​

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Mona Fae​

 

[Mona Fae]

Would that I could have followed the vengeful Sith, I longed to sit him down and draw out that malice that clearly cut him so.

But it wasn't like I had any say, here. The woman seemed a little more sympathetic, at least for the time being. She explained that I would have to change into a prisoner's uniform and I offered her a small smile of gratitude in response. She was hardly the one that had orchestrated this, just fulfilling her duty, it would be just a waste of energy to harbor ill-will towards her.

What came next was frightening and unnerving.

I gasped as two of the approaching troop of men grabbed my arms, their grip tight and unforgiving as I was forced to walk between them. The process of decontamination was harsh; I was vulnerable, ashamed, exposed, disoriented. While haze of gas surrounded me all I could do was recite the Jedi code quietly to keep my mind from dissolving into panic.

Finally, I was allowed to re-dress into a simple, humble garment. Gratefully I managed to pull it on, my mind still reeling, spinning from the ordeal. The terrifying black-clad troopers continued to escort me like some prisoner through the ship, again the Jedi code mumbled under my breath. Finally, with a sudden rush and a hiss, I was more or less shoved into the quarters of this Darth, and left seemingly alone.

Pulling myself to my feet, I gazed around in awe. The room gleamed, artifacts and the like on display against a crisp, luxurious decor dressed in an elegant black aesthetic. I couldn't deny there was almost a regal beauty to the place. I wrung my hands together, feeling the cold metal rubbing against my wrists, eyes wide.

clack, clack

I gasped in surprise at the sound, snapping my head around to their direction just in time to see him appear.

A Darth.

The first thing that struck me was his beauty, despite the apparent limitations. In the same moment as I gasped in awe at the golden pale figure, elegant as an angel, I felt a pang of shame. All this time I'd believed the Sith, lords in particular, to be twisted, hideous beings; their corruption borne in their features. But oh, how wrong I was.

His tone was soft, gentle, but by no means meek. There was an almost predatory purr to it, sending shivers down my spine. I took a moment to steady myself, to calm my racing heart.

"I... I am." I replied, my own meek tone wobbly and faltering. "It's okay... I understand that there are procedures in place..."

Trailing off, I took a few moments to study him, to replace the fear in my mind with what was undoubtedly my purpose here. He looked powerful, certainly, and I found myself flinching, stifling a wince as he took a few steps towards me, but there was a sickness there. Although I hadn't reached out to try and touch him through the force directly, there was almost a miasma in the force around him, it felt cold... unpleasant.

"You're suffering." I murmured, the words tumbling from my lips almost without my consent.

My feet carried me a step closer, before I snapped myself back to the moment.

"I'm sorry... I..."

I'm afraid.

Darth Empyrean

 

[Darth Empyrean]

“You’re afraid.”, he said in a gentle hum as he rested a hand on her face, and stroked his thumb across her cheek. The molten gold of his eyes washed over her features, searching for something she could only guess at - but when he found it, he offered a gentle smile that had the same predatory undertones as before.​

​

“You’re right to think I’m suffering. I am.”, Maliphant said as he turned and motioned her to follow. His cane kept him slow, painfully walking forward with a rhythmic pace.​

​

They wandered through the relatively small quarters to one of the back rooms; a meditation room that held a small square obelisk in the center, while the rest of it was designed with harsh glowing red text in ancient sith, a sign that the Darth before her knew more about the ancient arts that perhaps some she had heard of. He seemed to struggle for a moment as he moved to sit on the obsidian square.​

​

He studied her, from head to toe as he took in her form. The Sith paused as he met her eyes, his expression calm and placid, idled and waiting as though he expected something from her but wouldn’t say.​

​

At least, until he spoke. In the same insidious, coaxing tone -​

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“I’ve heard you’re a healer, Mona. I want to see if a Jedi can help me.”, he said as he motioned her closer.​

​

“Tell me, what do you feel?”​

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Mona Fae​

​

 

[Mona Fae]

My thoughts were echoed in that soft, low voice, how I imagined a lion might sound if it spoke.

The Sith raised a hand to touch my cheek, and in an instant I suddenly gasped.

Pain... excruciating pain coursed through my body. It tore through me like a violent, searing torrent. With every beat of my heart, every breath in my lungs felt like agony. Several points seemed to burn, as though wounds had opened up from a battle. My knees trembled, threatening to buckle beneath me. It hurt so much, tears prickling the back of my eyes.

He withdrew his hand, and I gasped with relief, panting heavily and dropping my head for a moment. The pain instantly left me, but I knew that, as he spoke again, what I'd just had a taste of, was still coursing through him.

Darth Maliphant turned and led me through to a small room, all the while I stayed silent, still recovering from the sudden pain. My eyes remain fixed on his form as he slowly lowered himself to sit, the agony written on his features. In those moments before he spoke again, I felt a measure of my fear assuaged. I didn't have room for it anymore. Before me was no longer the monster from the stories; the faceless, nameless horror that wrought death and destruction upon the galaxy.

No, instead, he was a man, one in more pain than anyone I'd ever encountered.

For what he felt, for what he endured with such grace, he had my respect. His eyes met mine, and I gazed back with pure awe and sadness. My gaze held fear, but no longer of him... rather, for him. At the gesture, I moved closer, lowering myself to sit on my knees in front of him. With a brief shudder I wondered how many apprentices of his may have sat just here, learning the dark arts, accepting the seductive corruption of the dark side... But shaking my head, I banished the thoughts.

"I feel... such pain." I answered the Darth, "horrible, horrible pain."

My hands instinctively moved to my stomach, to touch where lay one of the wounds I'd felt. Taking a breath, I closed my eyes and lifted my bound hands to reach out to him, seeking to rest them on the Sith Master to once more feel that pain. This time, I also reached out with the force, preparing myself to once more take on that suffering, feel it, diagnose it. This time, when my touch found his, he should have felt a mote of relief; a measure of respite from his suffering. Not entirely, but perhaps enough that he might get a moment's rest.

"You're so broken." I whispered, my voice trembling as I felt the agony return.

I gasped, taking a moment to try and steady myself. It hurt so much, it felt like... like I was dying.

"Your... your connection to the force." I gasped, my fingers tightening as I fought through another wave of agony, "it's all wrong. Something's wrong. It feels like something's... like your soul is being... oh you poor, tortured soul."

I retreated, pulling my hands back to my chest and dropping my head. My shoulders heaved as I dragged in several long, deep breaths, cheeks burning. I hated that I'd had to retreat, to leave him once more to that suffering. Finally, after a few moments, I turned my eyes up to his, gazing up with fear,

"Your soul isn't here." I whispered, "and where it is... it's being chipped away."

I swallowed, leaning forwards on my knees, facing the ground,

"I've never felt anything like that before."

Darth Empyrean

 

[Darth Empyrean]

The Sith Lord let his eyes close as she reached out and touched him - let the pain and torturious agony leave him for a few careless moments that seemed more like ecstasy. How long had he been in pain for it to feel so good to be… normal? Her words came and went, and only after she let go for a final time did a moment of pain become expressed more visible, his face contorting as he slowly acclimated himself back to his sub par standard of existence.​

​

He almost groaned, but withheld it. There would be time enough when he was alone, when he didn’t have to fear showing weakness - even to a bound prisoner like Mona.​

​

Golden eyes fell on the Jedi like a hunter once again, and he studied her, watched he kneel before him and look to the ground. While he could appreciate her empathy, he grew annoyed of the pity - he didn’t need it. The man brought untold eons of pain on his everlasting soul in the pursuit of power; and for what he’d done, he deserved every ounce and more.​

​

If he didn’t survive this, it was because he wasn’t strong enough. Smart enough. Skilled enough.​

​

He almost growled, though his tone was ever the molten silver -​

​

“Then how do I get it back, Mona?”​

​

His tone seemed half a threat, but he never moved from his position. The crippled Sith Lord simply looked upon her from the obsidian square he half sat on, half leaned against - and the darkness of the room made his eyes glow like a dying sun on the backdrop of space; twin points of light in the abyss that hungered for her.​

​

Hungered for more than her.​

​

Mona Fae​

 

[Mona Fae]

As the lingering agony ebbed away from my memory, the current surroundings returned, as did the powerful visage of the Sith himself.

He spoke, a dark, almost threatening tone as though speaking to a stupid servant. Well, perhaps in a way, he was. I gazed back up, wondering how he managed to exist like that without so much as a grimace of discomfort. There was a moment I felt a slight pang, realizing with a blush that I'd been expecting gratitude. Usually, giving someone a few moments of respite was met with a gracious word or two, and I frowned at myself for growing to used to that fact.

Jedi don't work for gratitude.

I opened my mouth, trapped in that terrifying, intense gaze of the Sith. He didn't seem to merely look at me, but rather, those two piercing eyes seemed to bore directly into my soul, harshly uncovering every secret I had. I paused, took a breath, and tried again.

"I... don't know."

The words came out with a sigh of defeat, and I shook my head sadly,

"But I... I might be able to stop it from getting worse, at least."

Taking a moment, I shifted where I sat, wondering if I really wanted to suggest to a Darth what I was thinking. But even as I fought with myself, I recalled the incredible agony. We Jedi don't get to decide who deserves healing and who doesn't. We are only here to do what we can, and this was what I could do. So, Darth or not, I had to provide what help I could, right?"

"I could put an aura around your soul," I explained, "feed it with my own energy. It would stop deteriorating, and alleviate much of the pain. But, that wouldn't restore you, not completely. For that I'd need time, study..."

A Master.

I didn't know if the Darth Knew I didn't even have a Master yet, but that wasn't important right now.

"The only thing is... It acts like a force bond, sort of. I would... know where you are, when you're hurting, and you would with me."

Are you crazy?! Suggesting such a thing to a Darth?! How many had he hurt, had he killed? And you want to just, what, throw your soul at him? I grimaced, briefly turning to stare at the cuffs on my wrists. Thinking back, I recalled the woman in the alley. What if she sat there instead? I knew as little about her as about the Sith, I hadn't even questioned her past transgressions before doing everything I could.

"It doesn't have to be permanent, it can be undone when your soul is restored. I give you my word, I'll make that happen... somehow."

Still staring at my hands, I uttered a sigh. I hoped this would be enough.

Darth Empyrean

 

[Darth Empyrean]

A force connection - to tie their souls together, and insure that his connection would only fade at the pace of two souls - not one. On some level, it made sense - he was disappointed he hadn’t thought of it, but to put her own soul on the line for his was… not something he expected. He readjusted on his pedestal before motioning her to stand.​

​

When she did, he pressed a finger to her cuffs, and they fell away, landing with a heavy thud on the stone floor. His eyes moved back to her own, gold to brown and he spoke;​

​

“So long as your soul is bonded to mine, you shall not leave me.”, Maliphant said in a threatening manner he had grown sharp through the years.​

​

But it softened, as did his expression -​

​

“How would we do it, then?”, he said as he glanced to his hand, noticing a small bruise forming beneath the skin. Likely another wound from the sickness. He’d have to cover it.​

​

Mona Fae​

 

[Mona Fae]

At first, Darth Maliphant said nothing.

No doubt he would be weighing up what I'd said, deciding whether it was worth going through with it. It wasn't exactly something to be taken lightly, after all. To my own surprise, I found that I was hoping he would agree. As much as I feared him, as much as the legends of the Darths were a horror story for us younglings, I'd decided I wanted... needed to do all I can, and I was hoping he would let me.

He motioned for me to stand and I did so, slowly as I made sure my knees wouldn't buckle. After he reached out, the cuffs opened, falling away to the floor. I grabbed my wrists, rubbing them gently for a few moments as he warned that while we were bonded, I would have to remain near him. A sigh uncoiled from my chest.

"I understand." I answered.

I didn't like it, but what good would I be if I only healed on my own terms?

Following his glance to his hand I noticed the bruise forming.

"Just open your mind, my Lord," I asnwered him, "all I need is to touch you, and have a few minutes to attune to your force aura. It... may take a little while to find where your soul resides, but you'll be able to feel everything I do, there'll be no tricks."

Taking a moment, I drew a breath. There were ways to strengthen such a bond, and while I was making it, they'd be in the forefront of my mind. I hoped that the Darth didn't care to flip through my thoughts while I worked. Unlike a civilian, he'd know how to do just that.

"Are you ready?"

Darth Empyrean

 

[Darth Empyrean]

The Sith Lord didn’t respond, simply hummed his acknowledgement as he closed his eyes and let her slowly work her ways - whatever they were. It was when the connection began to form that he trifled through her thoughts - and made a mental note of the techniques she used and how to force them stronger.​

​

Though, through it he saw more - saw her desires, her dreams, her fears; saw every detail of her life, and no doubt she began to see more of his. Something he was exceptionally private, he almost grimaced at the thought of her being able to see everything he was - everything he had done, from the weakest times as a slave, to worse…​

​

He wouldn’t stop her, not then, but the thought was clear that despite all the freedom he gave her - it very well might have come at a cost. Options sat before him, and she could very well see them herself - one of such was murder, to make sure she could never take his secrets to any others.​

​

But he never settled on an idea.​

​

Instead, he opened his eyes and watched her work, watched her focus and manipulate the force -​

​

“What made you become a Jedi, Mona?”, he said with an idle, dangerous fancy.​

​

His eyes danced across her, appreciating the Togruta beauty she carried. It was common for their species to be fetished by the galaxy at large, no different than the Twi’lek of Ryloth. There was a strong market for both species on the slave market, which was no stranger to Maliphant. He detested their value as a commodity more than anything.​

​

“You carry potential, but it seems…”, the corrupted golden gaze of the Sith finally rose to her eyes and froze.​

​

“... Wasted.”​

​

Mona Fae​

 

[Mona Fae]

Time to begin.

My heart pounded heavily in my chest, sending blood pumping in my ears. I could feel my chest fluttering, my breaths quick and ragged. Calm down, Mona. There is no emotion. There is peace. Peace... I forced myself to take in a low, long deep breath, and let it out, sending all the fear, emotion out with it. Then I reached out and gently placed my hand over the Sith's. His skin felt cool to the touch. I wrapped his hand in both of mine, and with a soft sigh, reached out through the force.

Once more, that crushing, overwhelming agony rushed through our connection, drawing from me a wince and a grimace, despite bracing for it. I felt all the pain, all the suffering. This time, however, I saw into his mind, as well. Immediately, I felt a sharp pang of guilt. There was slavery, anguish, suffering at the hands of others. I'd so readily judged the man by his title, I hadn't even stopped to consider what might have compelled him to this place.

But that wasn't what I was here to do. Focusing, I pushed past the surface memories, deeper, further, seeking to find the root of his very essence. With a tiny whimper I could feel him touching my memories, reading me like I was an open book. I'd known this was a risk, but I felt... vulnerable. He could see the little Togruta, whisked away from her family, planted in the temple to grow and flourish under the guidance of the Jedi masters; a penchant for healing, a fear of touching anyone and crying whenever she was hugged or approached.

At least they worked out why that was, and now that very curse had become my gift, a gift I now used to help the Sith Lord rifling through my memories.

There.

My hands tightened around his for a moment, as I came across his soul. It was so forlorn, so emaciated and damaged. My jaw clenched as I began to focus harder, knitting a web of my own force energy around it.

A question, bringing my attention momentarily back to the present. With a gasp I felt a blush take over my cheeks, noticing the way his thoughts had seemed to wander. Helpless to stop them or retreat, I just focused on the question, fighting the bashful blush to my cheeks,

"I was taken as a child," I answered quietly, "trained in the temple with the other younglings. From the first lesson, I knew... that was where I belonged."

I grimaced as a wave of pain overtook me briefly, focusing once more on the force aura. With every moment I could feel myself grow weaker, my own energy mingling with his. Only a few more moments to go...

He spoke again, and when I opened my eyes once more I was shocked to see his gaze pointedly fixed on me. My heart stopped a moment, startled by the sudden intensity of his stare. Frozen, caught off-kilter, I said nothing, letting the final moments of the ritual complete as I stared back, wide-eyed until I my hands fell away from his.

This time, when our touch was broken, none of the pain would return, and it had mostly subsided from me as well. What I had neglected to mention was that there would always be a measure of it, but now with the bond, I could take it on instead.

"I... am guided by the force." I answered weakly, echoing my lessons, "whatever potential I have will be realized as long as I stay my path."

With a sudden twinge of panic, I took a step back, realizing that now I stood before a Sith lord who, while perhaps not at his full power, would be significantly more capable than he was moments ago.

Darth Empyrean

 

[Darth Empyrean]

Maliphant watched her blush, watched her writhe under his intensity - meek at his power. There was joy in it, but only so much as self aggrandizing could be; for she was fearful of him, terrified of what she was capable of; and yet Maliphant considered simply letting her leave, so long as she behaved. A grin fell upon his lips as he slowly stood.​

​

He stretched his muscles, one at a time. Maliphant worked his way up from his feet to his hands, and ended on his neck as he twisted and pulled at the tightened strings for the first time in ages - for once, his movement not so restricted by the wounds, he felt alive; and the lack of pain felt like ecstasy through his skin, forcing goose bumps and he resisted the urge to shake it off.​

​

Slowly, as the feelings settled to a more mellow high, he looked down to the Togruta -​

​

“Mona, stand up.”, he said idly, before offering her his hand. It didn’t seem like she had a choice.​

​

He walked with her, from the back of the meditation chamber to the more open living area - and although it was still small, it was far more comfortable than the dark side rich chamber she was just in. He motioned for her to sit, and let go as he walked to a nearby fridge and grabbed a decanter from it. Walking back, he set a tumbler in front of her, and one for himself - filling each with a peach liquor that smelled like heaven, and tasted even better.​

​

The Sith Lord found himself as a seat as he appreciate the flavours of his drink, closing his eyes. It tasted so much sweeter without a cancer eating him alive. Yet, it still was - if only to some degree; she had mentioned it before. It almost soured his mood to think about.​

​

Almost.​

​

“Drink.”, he finally said to her, before he idled, watching her down the liquid.​

​

“You mentioned research, to find a way to heal what has been done. How long, and what do you need for this?”, he said idly, watching her ever so carefully.​

​

Mona Fae​

 

[Mona Fae]

There is no passion, there is serenity​

I bowed my head for a moment, catching my breath, my mind reeling at what I'd just done. It was... conflicting. He looked better, standing, stretching and testing muscles that had been under so much strain for so long. On that front, I was relieved, and glad for him. In that moment, I remembered the slave, the child that had suffered at the hands of slavers. But, what more suffering could he now wrought, now that the sickness no longer kept him chained? Why did it feel like I had undone the bonds of some beast only to watch it wreak havoc?

He spoke, that low, predatory purr commanding that I stand. Glancing up, I tentatively reached out and took his hand, rising to my feet. The Darth led me back through the quarters and for a moment I was alone with my thoghts.

Perhaps this was where I was destined to be after all. Darth Maliphant offered no words of gratitude, no gushing platitudes of thanks or desire to repay me. I had always told myself that I didn't need such, but it hurt to realize that I'd come to expect it, to some degree.

This was... refreshing; a chance to actually practice the philosophies I held so dearly. For that, I was surprised to find I was grateful.

We reached a comfortable living area and at his gesture, I sat, watching him. No doubt he would be investigating the bond we now shared. It wasn't overly strong, because it was not designed to tie a Master to an Apprentice or vica versa; no, it was only to allow me to maintain and feed the aura that protected his soul.

I glanced briefly at the drink he presented to me, uncertain even at the command to drink. Jedi shouldn't partake in fine pleasures, they were distractions. Still, it was so tempting, and... he hadn't exactly made me feel like I had a choice. I took a sip, my sudden surprise and elation at the delightful beverage so strong he likely felt them himself.

His next words were a question, one I was grateful to answer.

"There isn't an existing technique that I know of," I confessed, "but, there are several ancient Masters who practiced other techniques of a similar nature. To find their holocrons and study them, then put together a technique of my own... perhaps a few months, maybe longer."

A pause. It was hardly the place of a padawan to practice something so advanced, but... in healing at least, I had something of a headstart.

"If I may... how do you know of me?"

Darth Empyrean

 

[Darth Empyrean]

“I suppose you have earned that much.”, he said with an idle fancy.​

​

Maliphant ran a finger around the edge of his glass as he crossed his legs and drove himself into the couch. Comforting, to live without pain - he could almost feel the urge to sleep creep on him. He had to enjoy being awake a while longer, at the very least.​

​

“Spies, Mona. Jurin, Kai - the two who picked you up - are often my agents in the Core Worlds; though I have a number more. All of them serve as whatever I wish, and they related the stories of a healer back to me…”​

​

He smiled as he glanced up to her.​

​

“So I decided to look into it. That’s how I found you, Mona; you can’t simply heal the poor without making a fuss.”​

​

Maliphant finished the rest of his drink, and seemed to hum with enjoyment as he set it down -​

​

“I will give you some time to investigate my condition - but I want updates. You can have free reign of the ship, investigate it as you please - and in time, we will return to my dreadnaught. Understand?”​

​

Mona Fae​