Private Like Father Like Daughter

[Melina Verd]

The sky over the city populated with sprawling clouds—as sprawling as the city itself. Although the clouds, large though they were, did not block out the midday sun, which gleamed over the spire atop the Kata'asaqua Institute of Technology as though it were impaled upon it. With the day at its peak, people of all walks of life were about their day; educators and students alike swarming throughout the institute, laborers creating all sorts of industrial noise on the other side of the city, construction crews building the latest additions to the city's skyline.

Amidst all the commotion—amidst all the life—Melina walked with her entourage toward the institute's entrance. Today was an important day. Although she preferred to keep her planet's events quiet, the rather loud occurrence of a nigh-revolt had attracted her father's attention. With his visit planned and scheduled before she even knew that Kyyrk was making an appearance some weeks prior.

Although her entourage did turn some heads, for the most part her visits were frequent and normal. Those who attended the campus as frequently or more as she were not in the least surprised to see even such a prominent figure as herself. The appearance of a more regal figure, however, would be sure to set their day on a more dreamlike trance of a path. Assuming that the regal visage of her father even made a public appearance as opposed to a more subtle one.

She wasn't sure what to expect. After all, it had been almost 7 years since she last saw or even spoke to her father. Not for a lack of love, but rather for the business with which her life was gripped. Understandably, then, she was nervous. After so long, her perspective on her father had shifted rather dramatically from that of a daughter to that of a vassal. And although she wanted dearly to be excited for his visit, she couldn't help but feel dread.

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Darth Metus

 

[Darth Metus]

Melina had been a special child.

When one was born of Darth Metus' lineage, it was almost expected that they would inherit a key trait. His blood was alive in the Force, and therefore his children were anticipated to be just as mighty. But, when Melina was born, the gift was not found within her. This did not cause the Sith to shun his child - far from it. Instead, he gave her opportunities to project her own might in her own way. She may not be able to move mountains with her mind, but she had the intellect and cunning to move them in other ways.

Then came a test of her abilities. A rare show of faith. As the Ascendancy took root within the Shiraya Expanse, the Dominus entrusted one of the royal family to rule Kata'asaqua. He entrusted her, his daughter who had mastered so much, to be Magnus over these his people. There would be ups. There would be downs. But he trusted her to rule as effectively as he would. After all, she was his daughter.

But then the news came across his desk. Protests in the streets that had the potential to escalate into full revolt. This would not stand. For the empire to survive the cruelty of the Expanse, there had to be order. Stability. Unity under their rule. Thus, the Dominus began by firstly sending his eyes: Kyyrk , to ascertain the severity of the situation. And following his report, the Sith descended upon his daughter's realm himself.

It had been far too long since they saw one another in person. Holo-Conferences with the other vassals were a pale comparison to the afternoon teas they once shared. He could only imagine what was going through her mind when the appointed hour came. Was she nervous? Delighted? Only time would tell.

As for his arrival, he decided that the people needed to know that their Dominus was with them. That they were not some forgotten world at the fringes of their territory. Thus, his vessel landed upon the Institute's frontmost pad with as much fanfare as the Sith could stomach. Above, his personal warship the Dread Spear cast a shadow over the world. Darth Metus' guard of Legionnaires disembarked first, forming lines on either side of the ramp before he stepped forth. Armored. Cloaked. Eyes burning with the darkness.

It did not take long for his own entourage to enter the Institute. It did not take long for Darth Metus to see his daughter.

"Magnus." he began, striding boldly whilst his soldiers kept pace. Once within arm's reach, decorum briefly flew out of the window. His stoic expression broke, giving way to a smile. Arms widened, offering an embrace that had taken too long to arrive. "My Melina."

Melina Verd​

 

[Melina Verd]

Melina started back as the hug was offered, at once unsure if she wanted it and unsure if he was attempting something more sinister. But as the first few infinitesimal moments of doubt and fear passed, her gaze fixed on her liege's face and immediately she saw not a ruler, not the stern and commanding officer of a nation, but rather her father. Her dad.

In a sobering moment of finality, she reached out and gave him a hug that she had needed since her early adulthood. A tear fell down her cheek and absorbed into the shoulder of Darth Metus . As she hugged him she felt nearly a decade of stress wash away into the ether.

Pulling away after a long moment of embrace, she thought on her contempt she had felt for him. In short introspection she couldn't discern when it had started, but she could see now that it was done. Perhaps she had only felt such contempt because of her need for independence, perhaps it was borne of her needs and wants as a ruler. It didn't matter now.

"Dad," she began, wiping another tear from her cheek. "What took you so long?"

 

[Darth Metus]

The seconds were an eternity.

But in the end, the young woman came home. She buried her face into the Sith's embrace and his arms tightened around her. Darth Metus hoped that this would set the tone for his time here - he was not there to judge or lord, he was there to support her. To be her father. As she hugged him, his dominant hand raised and gently stroked her hair.

It was hard not for him to smile.

After a few moments, she asked a question. A loaded one, whilst she addressed the tears that fell down her cheeks. The answer was the same, regardless if he was wearing his Dominus hat or his Father hat.

"I wanted you to have room to be you." he answered simply. "If I came at the first dark cloud, you wouldn't have a chance to handle things the way you want to. Lead the way you choose to."

"My coming now does not change this. I am here to help you with all of this, but it will be your choices that save the day, not mine."

Melina Verd​