Private Is Anyone There?

[Mona Fae]

Spies

Of course. My mind briefly went back to the two that had found me. That made sense. I wondered for a moment where they might be now, particularly the one apparently named Jurin, who'd had such disdain for my kind. I still wanted to make that right, if I could. As he spoke, I could feel the way he indulged in simply feeling, in enjoying a drink and reclining on a couch as if for the first time.

I lowered my gaze, taking another sip, as he told me I couldn't heal in secret.

"I... suppose I hadn't considered that," I confessed, feeling something of an ironic smile tugging at the corners of my lips, "it does make a bit of a fuss, doesn't it?"

A sigh uncoiled from my chest, once more I lifted the cup to my lips and took another sip. What would the order think of the decision I had made? What would they say if they found out what I'd done? I'd been following my instincts, following the force... right? The doubts began to creep in. Had it truly been the force? Or my own hubris? Was there a part of me that had only done it because I wanted to know if I could?

Once more the Sith Lord spoke, explaining what would happen now.

"I understand."

My tone was softer, a little forlorn. For the first time, I felt the walls of the prison I'd made for myself. I swallowed, a shiver gripping my spine.

"Do you have access to Jedi texts? Would I be permitted to make contact with the Jedi library... or could you have someone do it for me?" A sudden pause, and I blinked in surprise, "is... is there a particular title I should... address you as?"

After all, we hardly learned how to converse with sith lords back at the academy.

There was another question, one that nagged at the back of my mind. I'd already decided not to ask it, not now. That wasn't something I should focus on, especially if it was going to get in the way of studying. No, it was better not to ask...

What's going to happen to me after that?

Darth Empyrean

 

[Darth Empyrean]

So many questions… ​

​

Even through the subtle nature of their now synthetic bond, he could sense her emotions; Uncertainty chief among them, and it stood out like a luciferian lantern falling from the morning sky - an almost annoying new sensation Maliphant could feel growing like an anxiety in his own heart. Their proximity seemed to play a part in it, he could feel how much stronger it was when she knelt in front of him.​

​

He clenched his jaw for a moment before finishing his drink and pouring another -​

​

“You shall address me as Darth Maliphant. Nothing less, nothing more. My memories are my own, and any other names I have been called are not for you - nor anyone to speak of.”, he said with a sudden authority as he watched his glass fill.​

​

When it was done, settled, he leaned back once more;​

​

“I shall retrieve what Jedi Texts I have found for your perusal. Anything else, I shall ensure Cybele will help you.”, and almost as soon as he mentioned it -​

​

“Thank you, Maliphant.”, a feminine AI offered through a nearby speaker. There was a coyness in her tone, a playful nature all too uncommon for an artificial intelligence.

“You shall stay in the room down the hallway, a small guest room. Should you require anything, you will ask me or Cybele.”​

​

Maliphant spoke as though all this was planned already, that instead of her patient he was her father - speaking almost down to her in every transactional statement. It was… an odd authority, but one she could no doubt sense; and were she to have objections, there was a danger she could feel through their bond.​

​

Maliphant didn’t seem the type to play with.​

​

Mona Fae​

 

[Mona Fae]

I felt a brief flash of annoyance, realizing after a moment that rather than my own, it had come from my patient.

Of course, he was likely never subjected to such bumbling questions. I imagined that his apprentices - if he took any - were likely well-trained before they even were granted an audience with him. To have someone like me, some soft, uncertain creature, it was not likely what he'd expected, when searching for someone to heal his affliction.

With a grimace, I fought to recompose myself, halt the questions. The Darth poured himself a second glass, and I took another small sip from my own, allowing myself just a moment to close my eyes and savor the pleasure it brought. Don't give into the sensation. The way of the Sith is to indulge, the Jedi abstain.

Then the Sith answered me, a sudden and sharp power to his words. Instantly I sat a little straighter, blinking in surprise. His tone was authoritative, commanding, he could have been one of my Masters back at the temple for the way he simply took control, as though yanking on some leash I hadn't realized was around me.

Darth Maliphant; nothing else was permitted. That was easy enough to remember. I wasn't sure what I might have picked up subconsciously while I'd been in his mind, so making sure I took special care to use only that title would likely save me a harsh reprimand later on. As for the rest, a part of me ached to think that such a being had access to Jedi texts, and that he could acquire more. It was made even worse by the fact that I needed this in order to do what I had begun, what I'd promised.

As he mentioned a name, an AI chirped to life, her coy, almost flirtatious tone almost a humorous juxtaposition to his dark, commanding one.

"Thank you, Cybele," I said softly, "it's a pleasure to meet you."

I turned back to the Sith himself,

"Thank you... Darth Maliphant." It was almost strange, how he had utterly shifted the dynamic. Whereas I had only moments ago been the one guiding a force ritual, now he spoke to me as though I were a foolish child. Perhaps to him, I was. "I'll get to work right away. I will figure this out, you have my word."

A long sigh uncoiled from my chest as I disappeared behind my glass to finish the drink. Still more questions nagged at the back of my mind. What would happen to me? What had he seen during the ritual? How had he acquired those Jedi texts? Was healing this one soul only condemning countless others to die at his hand? Would I be among them?


Darth Empyrean

 

[Darth Empyrean]

“A pleasure to meet you too, Mona.”, Cybele chirped back.​

​

Maliphant ignored the two, and stood with a careful stretch that ran along his muscles - helping to loosen them from the lactic acid that had built up. He’d been… tense, for months, much of it from the ever present sickness that threatened him constantly. He wouldn’t mind a massage, and with that thought he considered bringing in one of the various protocol droids he owned for such things.​

​

He smiled at the thought before glancing back to Mona, drink still in his hand.​

​

“Go on then. Make your room to your liking, and return to me if you have questions. I have…”​

​

Maliphant paused as he considered what he could do now without the constant annoyance of pain. Alchemy? Banking? Training with his droids? The last of the choices seemed the best choice, and the newly founded droids he’d built would do exceptional work in testing his temporary limitations - expanded as they were. Nodding, he finished what he meant to say;​

​

“- I have training to do. See me when you’re done.”​

​

With that, Maliphant finished his drink and disappeared down the hallway to a seperate room; one that sealed behind him. Unknown to Mona, two of the most advanced training droids in existence sprang to life - and Maliphant began to see just how rusty he’d gotten in lightsaber dueling.​

​

Mona Fae​

 

[Mona Fae]

I chuckled at the AI's response.

For a beautiful moment, the weight of the situation; the anguish, the dire stakes and all the rest of it, was forgotten as I quietly let myself enjoy the coy, seemingly playful program. However, such moments couldn't last long, and my attention turned once more to my patient as he stood and stretched. Instinctively I studied him as he did, silently taking note of where he might have been stiff or what muscles might have been particularly cramped; a habit earned from spending all my time with the sick and injured.

As he had stood, I did also. It never felt right sitting in the presence of another person unless they were seated also. Placing my empty cup back on the table, I glanced up to meet his eyes... and for a tiny sliver of a moment, felt a flash of something. It was violent, powerful... terrifying. For that tiny flash I saw something dark, like a wave, travelling down our bond and crashing over me. But just as I blinked, drawing in a breath to gasp, it vanished. As if nothing had happened, the Sith spoke.

It... must have been nothing; just my own fears and doubts. After all, as the Darth spoke, I felt nothing from him but a pleasant sensation, likely from the relief of finally being freed from the pain.

The man smiled for a moment and I found myself smiling also; ah, to train again. I couldn't imagine how much he must have been craving that. After all, I could feel it without even actively reaching out.

"Yes, Darth Maliphant."

I bowed my head as I spoke. Darth or not, power or no, patient or adversary, I wanted to show respect no matter to whom I found myself speaking. I watched the Sith turn from me and disappear down the hallway, as if he didn't even care about leaving me alone in his private quarters. It was... not quite disheartening, but it was definitely a reality check to be reminded just how little impact I had on such a being, and just how fine the line I walked truly was.

For a few moments I waited, simply considering these thoughts, gathering myself, letting settle the events that had transpired. Eventually, as I began to make my way to the room as per his instruction, one thing became entirely clear;

Even if I lived through this: I would never stop asking myself if it had been the right thing to do.

Darth Empyrean