ORIGINS

[Lumi Snow]

Buzzing. Buzzing. The tones of the voices around her were intense. She could hear the surface level thoughts of everyone around her, and it was almost mind-numbing. It was like constantly hearing a million voices screaming at the top of their lungs, constantly, all the time.

Because to Lumi, that was what thoughts sounded like.

Her boots clacked on the soggy sidewalk as more rain fell down in droves, pelting her leather coat, her leather hood, and bouncing off in the rain. The rain. To her Force Sight it looked like beautiful diamonds falling from the sky. The surrounding buildings of this Urban Jungle in Nar Shadaa were like monolithic pillars of the ancient days. For a moment she was lost in the splendor, enough to let her shields against thoughts slip. And the voices came screaming at her, millions, once more.

She winced and tried to not stumble under the feeling. It ached so much. Her weak body could barely stand it. Her footing missed a step, scuffng the toe of her boot as she walked through the street.

Look at you. Your mine.

The thought hit her like a poisoned dart. She blinked and her blind eyes grew wide. She didn't have to turn around to hear and through the Force vaguely see the male wookie following her. She could hear his thoughts muttering, mumbling.

Bad things.

Hurtful things.

Mean things.

She wanted to stop and turn around. To tell him that he didn't have to do this. He would never really hurt anyone if he knew--

Lumi was so caught up in her thoughts she tripped head-first over a trash-heap and came crashing down on the sidewalk. Her leather gloves protected her delicate skin from bleeding on the harsh duracrete, but she hit the ground hard. And he was on her in a second.

The hairy being pounced on her in a matter of seconds, landing on her lower back, his hands wrapping around her thin biceps. She felt it like a stinging acid in her body, like poison. Her breath was knocked away and through the intense touch, even through her leather jacket, she could hear his thoughts loudly: Crush her!

STOP! YOU DON'T HAVE TO DO THIS! Her mind screamed out.

It was enough to stun him for a moment. But that did nothing to delay the inevitable. Lumi was a weak being.

[member="Zenva Vrotoa"]

 

[Zenva Vrotoa]

Rain. How fething annoying! Zenva had a special hatred for rain. Oh, Iridonia certainly had needed it's rare rain storms but it didn't change her distaste for rain. Others had hair to help stem the rainfall away from their eyes. Frell, they had eyelashes! Fething rain! Her blood red trench coat kept her body more or less dry but her bald scalp had water running down her spine. It was infuriating.

Near blind from the water in her eyes The Blood Matron stormed down the darkened sidewalks in a furry. Knee high black ridding boots scuffed and sloshed along the duracrete at a fierce pace. Bystanders to slow to move from her path were litterally jostled out of the way with a harsh thrust of her shoulder. More than a few curses and insults trailed in her wake and if not for the rain she would have stopped to gut one or two of the low lives. Fething rain.

Finally the Zabrak stopped under an overhang in front of some run down business. She spent a minute wiping water from her crimson scalp as she contemplated the quickest route to her destination. An old friend had found her some grade A meat to throw in the grinder that was her mercenary squadrons and she had every intention of collecting the sell swords before a competitor got wind of them.

She stood there for some time, watching idly as creatures of every description shuffled by in the dismal rain. One beast in particular caught the militant matron's attention, a hulking Wookie trudging through the downpour. Now that was meat worth throwing in the grinder. She stepped out into the hellish rain once more, crossing the street with urgency. The brute had a lead on her but she lengthened her stride and soldiered on after him. It wasn't much more than a few seconds before she recognised what the creature was up to. Zenva knew Wookies well, she could see it in the set of his shoulders, the quickness and measure of his stride. He was hunting. But hunting what? There wasn't anything out here worth hitting. No gang bangers around to throw down with, no half rich small time drug baron to rob. Nothing.

Nothing but a skinny little morsel half a block up the street.

Suddenly the Wookie's paced changed. He closed on the girl in a raging storm of fur and muscle the moment she fell. "Kark that!" The Zabrak spit venomously. Her quick stride turned to a run in the space of two beats from her twin hearts. Rain had plastered her black and red miniskirt to her black leggings an hour ago, leaving her primary pistols exposed for an easy draw. The heavy blasters came free on the first tug, dim light gleaming off the thick bayonets that ran along the barrels. Zenva closed moments after the big Wookie had his clawed hands around the frail girl's arms.

Durasteel gleammed. Flesh ripped. Blood sprayed in a hot crimson arch as the back of the Wookie's thigh opened in two separate places. The Zabrak's roar of hatred joined by the Wookie's roar of pain.

[member="Lumi Snow"]

 

[Lumi Snow]

She could feel the blood on her back and hear the screaming. Someone was behind her, and they felt--

Lumi didn't know how they felt. But their mind hummed loudly: blood, anger, death, kill, kill, kill, kill. It was enough to make her cringe. It was almost as bad that she could her the Wookiee, screaming almost as loud, dying, dying, someone help me! Please, I am dying and I am so scared!

Lumi felt her body buckle under the strain of the voices and the pain. She winced and pulled her hands to her head, trying to recover. There was nothing that she wanted more than to get out of here, she wanted the screaming and the pain to stop. A tear slid from her blind eye, hitting the duracrete.

Please, help me I am dying, the wookiee cried out again, this time accompanied by audible roars of agony.

Lumi sat up in the rain, and placed one of her gloved hands on his wheezing, aching hairy body. His fur was matted with filth and rain, making a sickly stench and a disgusting slime. She gave it calming, soothing strokes, opening the telepathic channel to re-enforce what she was about to say with the same thought, "It will be alright. Sssh, nice and calm. Its almost over."

You? But--but--I don't understand--I tried to--

"Shhh, its ok," Lumi said in soft, soothing tones, patting his head, "I forgive you. I understand."

Please, I am so scared, I'm dying. I don't want to die!

"Its alright, your not alone," her other gloved hand wrapped around his, "I will be right here with you."

His consciousness was beginning to dim like a lightbulb, slowly twinkling out. His thoughts were absolving, melting, she could feel it. She could feel his life-force ebbing from his limbs and his thoughts slowly, slowly relaxed--into nothingness. The female swallowed, her unseeig eyes staring straight ahead. He had died here on the streets and no one had bat an eye except her. Part of her was glad she had been here, to comfort him in the end. The other felt the sheer weight of sorrow that he had died. Yes, he had tried to hurt her, but many had. And she forgave all of them too. She was sure that he had his reasons. He probably had a family he was trying to feed. Or a dying mother. She felt her insides crying out, if only someone would have told him there was a better way, he wouldn't have died like this. She wiped another tear on her leather sleeve and turned back to the other person.

It made no difference for her, being blind. But for those who could see, that could mean the difference between an insult and a compliment. That mattered, in the long run, and in the grand scheme of things. Her eyes remained closed as she swallwed and dipped her hooded head slightly. What was there to say? Thank you? I am sorry? I will be more careful? This had never happened for her before. In the past when she was victimized, no one had rescued her, especially at the cost of another being's life.

"Thank you," she said at last, rising to her feet slowly, "I suppose you saved my life."

[member="Zenva Vrotoa"]

 

[Zenva Vrotoa]

Blood, hot and slick, splashed across the Zabrak warrior's face and torso. The sickly sweet metallic substance filled the Blood Matron's every sense. Sweet crimson stained her plush coal colored lips, a fleeting taste of it on her tongue sent her twin hearts to racing. The heady aroma played havoc with her rational mind. More! Cried instinct. Kill. Drink deeply. She stood over the fallen panting, hot breath leaving clouds of steam in the air. The rain cut through her blood lust quickly however. Her eyes refocusing on the scene before her in confusion.

She watched in stunned silence as that frail girl struggled in vain to comfort the dying Wookie. Zenva's aim had been more precise than she had realised. The creature's thigh was a bloody ruin, the muscle had been cleaved into three pieces. His very heartbeat was killing him more quickly than Zenva could have hoped, had the intention been to kill instead of maim. If she had meant to kill she would have shot him outright. Panic flooded her thoughts briefly. Why was the Wookie's victim trying to comfort him? Had she misinterpreted his body language? No! He was hunting. She was certain! He jumped on that poor girl like a starving Nexu on a slab of raw meat. Feth! Why was the girl crying over her assailant? I was justified gorram it!

When that small woman turned on Zenva she expected outrage, expected anger and accusations. She expected many, many things other than what she got. Tears stained the young woman's face as she thanked the Zabrak for saving her.

Something broke. A sharp pain pierced Zenva's chest unlike anything she had ever experienced. She had no words to convey the ache that filled her breast when she looked down at that poor girl's tear streaked face. "Hush now little one." She managed, her voice choked with a pain she didn't understand. There was no hesitation, no forethought involved as Zenva's arms closed around the small woman before her. "Come on. We need to get you dry. Can you walk?"

[member="Lumi Snow"]

 

[Lumi Snow]

Lumi felt the arms wrap around her, and through her coat and leather, could feel the telepathic fields opening once more. This time it was partially wanted, though not as much as she had wanted. She could hear the woman's thoughts like her own. Shock. Surprise. What is going on here?

"Yes, I can," she said, she swallowed, trying to close the telepathic connection, but it refused. She is weak. She is frail. "My name is Lumi. Doctor Lumi Snow."

These thoughts and so much more were true of Lumi. She was weak beyond most being's comprehension of the term. She could feel her legs beginning to bruise already from the fall. Her hands were throbbing from catching herself. They would probably bruise too. She was surprised that her lip hadn't split when she fell or worse, a broke a bone. Still her body ached from the experience. Her constitution was so meager even going up a flight of stairs would leave her breathless for several seconds if she wasn't given a slow pace.

Then her thoughts slipped through the thin barrier that separated her mind from the red Zabrak's;

Its ok. Don't worry. I'm not hurt. There is nothing to worry about, you saved me. She conveyed a sense of calm and gentle forgiveness, through it unknowingly. As if to be a salve to a hurting heart. It wasn't intentional, but it was by far not malicious, sweet innocence was felt behind it as for a brief moment the barrier between their minds was broken totally, and there was no mistaking what it was; an extreme telepathic episode. Kindness, love, gentleness. Its alright, you protected me.

Lumi cringed inside and recoiled. People hated telepaths, it was one of the reasons she was so reclusive from social settings. When beings found out you could hear their innermost thoughts, their most secret fears, aches and pains were exposed. She couldn't help it and she couldn't control it. Despite her best efforts to respect other's mental privacy, she couldn't when touched. It was her curse.

"Please, I-I'm sorry," she said quickly, "Touching--touching does that."

[member="Zenva Vrotoa"]

 

[Zenva Vrotoa]

Zenva's arm tightened around the small woman gingerly, "Alright Lumi. Come on." With more gentleness than Zenva had managed in years she turned the girl away from the corpse of her attacker. She kept the girl close at her side, using her own body to shield the girl from view of onlookers. There were always vultures on Nar Shaddaa, cretins watching and waiting to pick off the weak or scavenge from the dead.

There was a moment, as the pair began to move away from the murder scene, where Zenva's anxiety broke. Her pace slowed and she no longer tried to conceal the frail woman in her arms but shifted her grip to support her as they walked. There's nothing to worry about, you saved me. A smile played across Zenva's lips, "I know what I did, sweet meat. I was there when I did it. I just..." Her voice cut off abruptly. Emotions not of her own creation filled her mind and a war broke out. A child's pain raged against these foreign concepts of peace and caring. Zenva was Sith, not in practice but in birth. Her own dark mother had raised her since childhood with Sith doctrine on her tongue. Xenni, the demon of her youth, had tortured and abused her for years in an attempt to forge the perfect acolyte. Zenva's inability to manipulate the Force might have spared her another decade of suffering at her mother's hands.

It was several long moments before Zenva became aware of the fact that the pair was standing still. The rain cut through the confusion once again. Tears blurred her vision. Love. The thought echoed through her skull over and over. She shock her head in an attempt to dispel the unfamiliar and immense feeling that gripped her hearts, to no avail. Hurriedly she returned her pistols to their holsters one after the other, an arm or hand stayed on the girl beside her to ensure the poor thing remained upright. When she finished she turned to face the woman, one hand on her thin shoulder, the other wiping tears for the girl's face. "Hush now. You're alright, sweet meat. I'm going to take you somewhere safe alright? We'll get you dry and warm and make sure you're not lying to me about being hurt. Sound good?"

[member="Lumi Snow"]

 

[Lumi Snow]

Sweat meat.

It was a strange name, but she had been called stranger. She nodded, unsure about the woman's reaction. She was a--blur of sorts in her Force vision. Perhaps it was that she couldn't see her aura, or perhaps in a way she could. But the woman was bright red. And through the temporary telepathic connection she could feel.

Pain.

Hurt.

Crying.

Are you proud of me mother?

Abuse.

All at once like a torrent of rain, worse than any storm she had been in. Still recovering slightly from the shock of it all she nodded, "Yes, we can--that sounds alright."

She followed the woman down through to what was a high class hotel for Nar Shadaa. Lumi knew that this wasn't the type of place she wanted to stick around, though. Not for long. Thankfully, there was a turbovader to the room, otherwise she never would have made it.

She became very aware of her aching body, the bruises on her back, knees, and hands, she could feel were already starting to form. Aches on her muscles were tired from the day's walking already, even though for most it would have been no problem. She was a frail and sickly thing. Lumi swallowed. Did she dare? She trusted this woman, even though she was a total stranger but still, taking off her protective leather garments was an intense thing for her. It severely amped up the chances of skin to skin contact, which made even stronger telepathic connections than she already experienced on a daily basis. Uncontrolable connections that flowed both ways.

With delicate hands, Lumi removed her leather gloves revealing slender, long fingers so delicate they looked to be breakable by a simple look. They wrapped around the zipper of her jacket and slowly unzipped it, and gingerly discarded the outer garment in a methodically slow process. Under it she wore a form-fitting lace camisole that hugged her frail body tightly. Her Force Sight vaguely detected a coat peg behind her, the half-Mirlaku hung her coat on it before unbuckling her boot straps and easing her tiny feet from them onto the cold, bare floor.

[member="Zenva Vrotoa"]

 

[Zenva Vrotoa]

"Good." Was all the Zabrak could manage. She carefully got her arm around the girl, easily taking the slight figure's weight as she helped her walk. It might have been an unnecessary gesture but Zenva wasn't able to let the girl go unaided. Why exactly, escaped her but she simply could not find the strength of will to let the diminutive creature go. A torrent of thoughts and emotions coursed through the Zabrak's mind, not all of them her own. There were concepts she didn't understand suddenly running amuck inside her skull. Emotions she had never felt wreaking havoc on her typically cold, uncaring hearts.

She tried, futility, to shut out the impressions invading her very being. When that failed she attempted to make sense of them, catalog them and force them from the forefront of her consciousness. That helped but only marginally. There were crystal clear differences between her own callous, analytical thought processes and the girl's naive softness. The trouble was keeping the cyclone of emotions separated. Instinct carried the pair to Zenva's hotel, a comparatively safe location she had used now and then for years. Once they were secure in her room Zenva released the frail woman and breathed a sigh of relief when their thoughts separated. It hadn't been painful per say, she had dealt with pain all her life, merely intense. Unfamiliar. Disquieting.

She left Lumi at the door, crossing the room to a small desk along the wall. She spoke over her shoulder as she rummaged through drawers, "This room is on permanent retainer. Use it when ever you like. Eat, sleep, whatever you need. I pay them enough not to ask questions." Finally the Blood Matron's hand came out with a set of amber colored Shadez which she promptly settled into place and activated, "Irons. Status." There was a faintly audible reply which was quickly interrupted. "If he's not there in two hours, leave. Out." Zenva dropped the Shadez on the desk facing the wall and turned back to Lumi.

She froze.

That poor girl was skinny as a switching reed.

Dark, ugly bruises were already beginning to spread across the girl's arms from where the Wookie's clawed hands had gripped her thin biceps. Her fragile little hands didn't look fair behind either. Zenva dropped her own soaked coat on the back of the desk chair and crossed back to Lumi as the girl's small feet settled on the cold tile floor. "Let me see." There was no question in her tone as Zenva's strong fingers settled on Lumi's shoulders.

[member="Lumi Snow"]

 

[Lumi Snow]

Lumi nodded at the speak of the apartment, staying as she needed and the like. That was very generous of her, she thought. She felt the woman get closer and her fingers touch her skin, inspecting, looking, caring and tending. The thin veil between their minds was deadly close to being broken once more, it was all Lumi could do to keep from intruding on her hostess' mind as she received the medical aid.

Fear.

Doubt.

Regret.

Uncertainty.

"Its alright," Lumi said softly, "you don't have to be afraid. I am," she let out a soft breath. Most people didn't take to kindly when they found out that the frail woman was a telepath. There was fear, anger, and no small amount of disdain for those who could and often did see into others minds. No small part was hidden from her when she Lumi looked in, she saw it all. And what she usually saw most of all in people was the want for love.

After several quite minutes of receiving much-needed care, she gently grabbed one of the the woman's red hands. Her Force Sight was strong enough to see that. She let out a soft breath before taking the plunge.

"I'm blind," she said her words echoing through the Zabrak's mind as well as her ears, "I am half Mirilaku, half Epicanthix. And--" I am telepathic, its the only way I can 'see,' her mind said louder than words, touch makes for very intense links, leather helps. I have never felt it this intense through my clothing. I can't control it. Let me, her atrophied muscles pulled the other woman closer gently, you saw in my mind, I heal people, I help them. Let me help you. Please.

Becoming completely volatile, she lowered what remained of the thin barrier that separated their thoughts. Her mind reached into the other woman's totally, her own being opened completely as well. Acceptance. Love. Kindness. Its ok, you are alright. You don't have to be afraid anymore. You don't have to run from me. I won't hurt you. The thoughts were accompanied with tender feelings of love and acceptance. There is nothing wrong with you, you are perfect just the way you are.

[member="Zenva Vrotoa"]

 

[Zenva Vrotoa]

Zenva remained quiet while she moved the small woman to sit on the edge of the bed. A small medical kit was pulled out from a pouch on the back of the Zabrak's armored leather corset. Small scraps were washed, cuts bandaged. It was likely the most selfless thing Zenva had done in three years, tending to this small, battered girl. All the while an iron curtain formed from long years of mental disciple shut out the worst of the invasive sensations that poured from the youth like a river. A bitter laugh rolled from the Blood Matron as the young woman tried to tell her not to be afraid. "I'm not afraid of you sweet meat. I'm afraid for you. You don't want to dig to deeply in there." She said, one finger tapping her temple.

After a time the girl quite suddenly took hold of one of Zenva's blood stained hands. The effect was instantaneous. Her mental barriers shattered under the weight of Lumi's mind. It became abundantly clear that the girl had been keeping out of Zenva's thoughts not the other way around. Her breath caught in a short gasp as their thoughts bled together again.

"Lumi," Her voice was choked as she struggled to keep forming words and shut out the chaos running rampant through her mind. "You don't... know what's in there. Trust me, stay out." I am the monster in the darkness. The evil you heard stories about as a child. Zenva's free hand clamped down on the girl's hip as she was drawn closer. Still she struggled to speak, "There is no help for me." Lumi. Run. "I am a murderer kid." A monster. "I've done things you wouldn't stomach knowing about."

More emotions rolled into Zenva's mind. Fathomless oceans of tender thoughts, acceptance, love, poured through her. Her fears drowned and new emotions began to swell up in their place. Hunger. Lust. This was a battle the Zabrak was unequivocally unprepared for. Her hesitation was washing away and a part of her wept in joy, there was nothing to be afraid of. Here was caring. Here was love. Just as damaged and frightened as you are.

Yellow-red eyes snapped up to look into empty black orbs. "Lumi." She whispered. She couldn't take it any longer. Her grip tightened in the young woman's hip, almost painfully so. The girl didn't have the strength to keep control of Zenva's hand as the Zabrak wrenched the limb free. The now freed appendage locked down on Lumi's neck and throat, not crushing but holding the small woman still, as Zenva's lips closed over her's.

[member="Lumi Snow"]

 

[Lumi Snow]

Lumi could hear the many many objections--she had heard them all before. That didn't matter. She was a healer, a kind and gentle heart. As she found and gave this stranger what she had longed for too long, it was nothing to her. All that anyone ever needed was to know they were loved. Cared about. That was all that mattered, wasn't it? If there was love, there was no need for anger. No need for rage, no need to hate or destroy. Love did, had, and always would conquer all.

As they touched, and yes as they kissed, she saw it all. Memories, agonies, pain. The childhood beatings, the slaughter. The canibalism. The pain, the slaughter and endless bloodlust. But more than that, deeper she a warmth, a hunger for acceptance. And she gave it. Wrapping her slender arm around the other's lower back in a warm embrace, she held her close. It was love, not in a kiss but in a true sense.

How could someone love a total stranger unconditionally? Lumi did every day. Most days. She let her other hand wrap behind the Red Zabrak's shoulders, cradling her as the kiss released. She let the woman rest her head on Lumi's shoulder. She couldn't see the tears, and she didn't have to in order to know they were there. She felt the wet trickle of water stain her skin as she held her for a timeless eternity.

"Its alright, its ok," she murmured softly, kindly and unafraid. "I am not going anywhere. I will be right here with you. As long as you need me, I will be here."

And it was true, her heart, her thoughts gave the same thought with every touch. I am not leaving you. Its alright.

"You can't push me away," she whispered, "and you can't run from me. I will be there. Always," her lips planted a tender kiss on the base of the red female's neck, "and no matter what you do. I will take care of you."

She didn't have to lie, and she couldn't have even if she wanted to. Her body resonated with warmth and love, pure kindness in its truest form.

[member="Zenva Vrotoa"]

 

[Zenva Vrotoa]

Their kiss lasted an eternity but ended in a heartbeat, over before she wished but halting naturally as the two parted slightly. Zenva collapsed on the young woman's shoulder, her hands falling to wrap around her slim hips. She wept silently, not the wracking sobs seen with the lose of a loved one. No she was too tired for that. Ancient pain had left her weak as tears streamed her cheeks. Shame tore at her hearts. This gentle girl cared so deeply it hurt and all Zenva could do was bury her face deeper into the crock of her neck and cry. How could someone so pure love such a monstrosity?

"Lumi. You don't know me. Gods above, you don't even know my name." What good left in those cruel, black hearts wanted desperately to chase this poor girl away before she too became tainted by the darkness in Zenva's soul. She just didn't have the strength. Tears flowed anew as her body shook. Run! Before it's too late for you too. She lacked the strength to argue with the girl. Her touch was intoxicating. Never in her life had Zenva felt so warm, so wanted, as she did with those fragile little arms around her. It was selfish, plain and simple. She didn't WANT to let go. Kark what it does to this sweet girl, we'll burn together if that is our fate. Just don't let go.

"Sweet meat, you don't want to know me." She felt ill, sickened by her own greed. Save yourself. Please. She shook again as she wept. Her arms tightened around the young woman's waist, pulling her small frame against her. Self serving, self absorbed, abomination. Still the Zabrak was not ready to strip away that warm embrace, was not ready to turn her hearts to stone once more. She could drive her away later.

Finally her head came up. Her eyes shot through with red, puffy and stained with tears. Never in her life had she hated herself more than she did right then. "Why? Lumi just run. You don't want to take care of me. I'll survive."

[member="Lumi Snow"]

 

[Lumi Snow]

She listened to and felt all the objections in this other woman's body. But she only held her close with one message; your not pushing me away. No matter how hard you push, how far you run, I'm not leaving you.

She felt herself pulled deeper into the woman's embrace, and she just rested in it, comforting as much as she was comforted. She knew that the Zabrak was doing everything to try and stop this, while still hungrily devouring the idea of love. She would help make the choice easier.

Her lips curled in a sweet but genuinely amused smile.

"I've read your mind, darling," she said gently. "I've seen what's inside you. And I still do. I know your a good person and you just want to be loved, it's all you ever wanted but you never received it."

Her hand trailed up from the Zabrak's shoulder blades to her face, gently caressing it. Lumi felt something wet under her fingertips as she consoled her. She cleared the tears away with delicateness.

Lumi wrapped her hand behind her crimson hero's neck and placed her forehead on her shoulder, snuggling close, eyes closed.

"I know you won't hurt me," she whispered. "You rescued me. You did it for a reason. Your a good person and you would never do anything to cause me harm." her lips planted a brief kiss on the neck, "I am going to make you better. You can tell me your name when your ready. I won't push you, darling."

Her whole being resonated with one thing; unconditional love. Love like few others could understand. Love based not on what was done but on who she was. Lumi knew who this woman was and why. She knew her hurts and her wants. She knew so much more than anyone ever would. And she loved her anyway. It didn't matter who she had been in the past, Lumi loved her. It didn't matter what she had done, Lumi forgave her. It was love. Real, unconditional love.

[member="Zenva Vrotoa"]

 

[Zenva Vrotoa]

Lumi's smile was contagious and Zenva's plush lips curled in response, admittedly out of embarrassment instead of amusement. She placed a swift kiss on the inside of the girl's thin wrist as tears were wiped from her crimson cheeks. "If you see me for what I am why do you still have your arms around me Lumi?" It was a half hearted question that they both knew the answer to. Whatever the reason this innocent young woman truly loved her. It was heartbreaking in a way, she had never felt such an immense and overwhelming emotion until Lumi had taken her hand. Red emotions were simple, lust, desire, anger, she had known them the whole of her life in one fashion or another. But this bone deep sense of caring was an alien concept. One the Zabrak could barely understand and one she didn't think she could replicate.

Lumi's head came to rest on her shoulder, her own head sinking into the crock of the girl's throat once more. She could have stayed there for the rest of her life. "I'm dangerous sweet meat. I've made a living killing people. You can't be sure that I won't hurt you. It's as easy a breathing for me." Please run Lumi. I don't know how to love you. It would be such a simple thing to end the girl's life. She was thin, sickly and weak. To weak to stop Zenva from choking the life out of her if the desire to do so ever rose up in her blackened hearts. The Zabrak's temper was a fickle thing, provoked easily and impossible to control once she was truly angry. One fit of rage, one drunken argument, one time of Lumi being the only thing near her when she lost control and the girl's life could end in a violent and torturous way. It would be simple. A few broken bones and the girl's arm's would be useless. A firm grip and a little pressure and Zenva would watch the life fade from those black eyes. It wouldn't take more than a minute to crush the life from the girl. Ah gods. Save this girl from me.

[member="Lumi Snow"]

 

[Lumi Snow]

"You know why," she whispered. The answer came in a murmuring, whispering thought; because there is still good in you. And you only did what you did because you know no other way. I will show you how to love again.

She laid down, guiding her female companion with her. Sitting up unaided too long made her dizzy as it was. Her battered body and day's exertion only made it that much harder. Her denim-clad leg wrapped around the Zabrak's waist keeping her close.

"You could hurt me, you could hurt me anytime. But you haven't. And you won't." she curled near her, her breath brushing on the crimson skin, he aura tingling warmth and kindness. The day's excitement began to wear down on the weak telepath, bringing a promise of sweet sleep to her. Lumi's fingers delicately craddled her Zeltron companion's face.

"Your not gonna hurt me," Lumi murmured. "You love me too much already."

[member="Zenva Vrotoa"]

 

[Zenva Vrotoa]

"Lumi." She murmured, hot breath stirring against the young woman's throat. Zenva's emotional state continued to war against the intrusive sensations of warmth and love. It was true, she was a killer because she had never known any other means of survival. Her psyche had turned callous to protect itself, to cope with all the horrors she had seen and committed in her life.

She didn't fight as she was drawn onto the bed. One hand cradled Lumi's soft face even as the girl's hands cupped her's. The other hand moved on instinct, traveling back and forth along the thigh that wrapped her waist, her grip tightening time and again as her hand reached Lumi's hip on each pass.

"I don't want to hurt you Lumi. That's why you have to leave. I can't be trusted not to hurt you. I..." I've enjoyed it before. I might hurt you just for fun. She settled into Lumi's embrace, her hand coming to rest high on the girl's thigh. Her fingers flexing in a slow rhythm. "You love me Lumi. Gods I feel it. I don't know that I love you. I can't separate your feelings from mine." Again her lips closed on Lumi's. But I want to love you.

[member="Lumi Snow"]

 

[Lumi Snow]

Yes you do, sweetheart, she thought as their lips met again. She felt herself melting into her companion in an ether of half waking-half sleeping. Her tongue pressed soothingly into the Zabrak's mouth like her thoughts.

You love me.

You know you do.

That's why you have taken care of me.

And your still trying to take care of me.

You won't push me away. You know you can't.

She interwound her legs and arms around her stranger. But were they really strangers when Lumi had seen so much of her mind and heart? The frail woman let her mind run its natural course; flowing gently and sweetly into her Red Zabrak woman's mind.

She drank in the sweet flavor of her lips and mouth in a beautiful moment, unwilling for it to end.

[member="Zenva Vrotoa"]

 

[Zenva Vrotoa]

Fears ebbed and pain slowly faded from the Zabrak's mind as Lumi's tongue delved into her mouth. Her own tongue flirted in kind. Arms wrapped her neck and she rolled atop her frail little doctor. Slim legs clutched her waist preventing her from moving away but those thoughts had been burned to ash the moment their lips met for the second time. Ah gods, I love you.

Red emotions lit a fire in her mind as Lumi's thoughts blended with her own. Desire burned through her veins like a magnesium flare. The hand on Lumi's hip clamped down like a vice as lust fought to steal away her rationality. I want you.

Gasping, Zenva pulled free of the kiss first. "Zenva Vrotoa." She said breathlessly before her mouth closed on Lumi's honey sweet lips again. I need you.

[member="Lumi Snow"]

 

[Lumi Snow]

Lumi could feel the desire from her new love; the thoughts, the passions, everything.

I love you.

I want you.

Then have me.

It was as much a willing surrender as it was an offer. She heard the name and only had a moment to process it before finding herself in the woman's clutches of passion once more. Her clutches on Zenva only got stronger as she felt the red woman's fire burning in her.

I need you.

Lumi let out a soft murmur from her throat of blissful surrender. Then take me. Take me and don't let go.

****​

Lumi lay curled in her love's arms, content and blissful to have loved and been devoured that night. Their passion had lasted for seemingly an eternity. And it was an eternity of bliss. Zenva had not been her first lover, but she had been one of her most passionate. She loved every second of being the total object of her attention and affection, in return she gave love and endless love. She was warmly exhausted, but not like she had been before. This was a blissful, sweet feeling that was intense and wonderful, not heavy and destructive. It didn't matter that she had almost been brutally murdered or worse earlier. It mattered that she had been rescued and found someone to pour her endless love into. Someone she could heal. Someone who wanted and badly needed her telepathy instead of shunning her for it.

The frail woman's arms and legs were wound around Zenva's body like their hearts and minds were, and had been all night. Her lips pressed against Zenva again for another kiss. It was sweet like honey and gentle as a feather. She pulled back just enough to whisper in her ear, "I love you."

[member="Zenva Vrotoa"]

 

[Zenva Vrotoa]

Words failed to describe what had transpired between them. She had lain with dozens of lovers in her life but they had all be the same before tonight. Carnel lust, heavy breathing and the violent clashing of bodies. Lumi was nothing like that. She had never known there could be such tenderness in the act. It had started as something physically driven as it had with all her lovers but there was such depth instilled by Lumi's telepathic link that the act had been changed to something so much more than physical desire. Never before had she made love and that realisation was terrifying. But even that terror could not withstand Lumi's affections and the frail woman had soothed away all her worries.

Zenva laid on her back, her diminutive lover entwined about her. She held her close, flesh to flesh beneath the blankets, sharing her warmth with her Lumi. The euphoric sensation of their shared experience still being enjoyed long after they had stopped moving. Lumi rose to kiss her sweetly, a husky purr rumbled in her throat in response. "I love you Lumi." She whispered in reply. I will always love you.

[member="Lumi Snow"]