A P E X
Master - Is something wrong?
After all that they had seen together, Darth Metus was not surprised to find concern in the tone of his apprentice. But, at least now, the initial rumble in her voice was not caused by ash caking her lungs; but rather a premature conclusion from a nap. Once again, the Sith did not immediately answer her question; though his gaze rested gently upon her alabaster features. As always, she was a stark contrast to the man seated beside her. As always, her dresses were a testament to the quiet beauty the Echani possessed. As always, he looked as though he could dive into a battlefield with but a thought. But that was the usual. That was the norm. Though they looked so different, they were mighty as One.
And, frankly, that was what he feared losing. He feared losing Home.
For him, the towering walls of Sinner’s Well were not his refuge. The young woman had been that for her Master for months now. She alone gave him rest when the Darkness bit against his mind. She alone gave him peace when his kin met untimely ends. She gave him a smile without lifting a finger. And when they were on the field of battle, Darth Metus truly felt invincible. There was no greater power than the fury of an Echani and the wrath of a Sith Lord. Drawing a breath, he spoke softly. ”Nothing is the matter.” he said simply. Though, she now knew what was on his mind.
He just wanted things to go back to the way they were. Not in the sense that they no longer had responsibilities. Not even in the sense that they spent every waking moment attached at the hip (although that was lovely all things considered.) If Darth Metus truly had to put to words what it was that he sought, it was...to know, concretely, that he wouldn’t lose what they had built. To know that their world wouldn’t burn apart like Coruscant.
Can we even do that? Realistically? The question she posed was as logical as they came. Having freshly returned from the fall of Coruscant, one would assume that the best course of action would be to shore up their own defenses. To probe everyone within even a slightest position of authority to ensure that the Confederacy did not meet a similar end. To flex their military might and readiness as much as possible. But. Realistically - as far as the mantle of Vicelord was concerned - they were no good to the Confederacy exhausted. The candle was burning at three ends at this point, and the fatigue shared between the two of them was astronomical. In order to serve, they required energy. Energy they did not have.
But...beyond the responsibilities...he truly did believe that things could go back to the way they were. He truly believed that, if they just took some time away, whatever…magick that had claimed their lives between Coruscant and Golbah Games would return. That their Bond would feel stronger than ever. That they would be One.
He parted his lips to respond. But...what his Apprentice said next widened his eyes ever so slightly. She was apologizing. Why? Why did she not see what he did? Did she not feel the Pride which coursed through their Bond whenever he spoke her name? Did she not know that her very presence pushed him to be better? Challenged him to lead better than any of his predecessors? And above all, did she not know how much better she was at close quarters melee than he?
”Srina.” he began. Reaching, the rear of his hand gingerly touched her cheek. ”You are my Pride. You are my confidant. There is none in my life like you. There is nothing, ever, that you have done to ever bring disappointment to me. You are more than enough as you are.”
He paused, offering her a smile. There was no need to ever doubt, especially when they were together. Whatever shortcomings she thought she had, they could decimate them together. Such was his duty as her Master - to uplift her to new heights. But never once had she ever failed him. Never once had she been anything other than perfect. In fact...if there was one who had failed, it was...Him.
Tatooine would never happen again.
”With that said my dear…” he breathed. ”We can do that, realistically. We are beat, and there is not enough Force Drain in the Galaxy to refresh us to working condition. Else, we are no good to anyone. Especially not our Confederacy. We need this time so that we can guide them better. Besides, that’s what we have Ministers for, is it not?” Srina operated on logic, not emotion - so he had to address her concerns one at a time. He had to also address her rebuttals before they started. So, he added: ”And before we go, we can certainly begin the process of making sure what happened to Coruscant does not happen to us. The Knights will be charged with thorough investigations - and by the time they are even partially done, we will be back.”
He patted her lap gently. ”And...things can go back to the way they were. We just need a moment to breathe. Trust me.”
[member="Srina Talon"]
After all that they had seen together, Darth Metus was not surprised to find concern in the tone of his apprentice. But, at least now, the initial rumble in her voice was not caused by ash caking her lungs; but rather a premature conclusion from a nap. Once again, the Sith did not immediately answer her question; though his gaze rested gently upon her alabaster features. As always, she was a stark contrast to the man seated beside her. As always, her dresses were a testament to the quiet beauty the Echani possessed. As always, he looked as though he could dive into a battlefield with but a thought. But that was the usual. That was the norm. Though they looked so different, they were mighty as One.
And, frankly, that was what he feared losing. He feared losing Home.
For him, the towering walls of Sinner’s Well were not his refuge. The young woman had been that for her Master for months now. She alone gave him rest when the Darkness bit against his mind. She alone gave him peace when his kin met untimely ends. She gave him a smile without lifting a finger. And when they were on the field of battle, Darth Metus truly felt invincible. There was no greater power than the fury of an Echani and the wrath of a Sith Lord. Drawing a breath, he spoke softly. ”Nothing is the matter.” he said simply. Though, she now knew what was on his mind.
He just wanted things to go back to the way they were. Not in the sense that they no longer had responsibilities. Not even in the sense that they spent every waking moment attached at the hip (although that was lovely all things considered.) If Darth Metus truly had to put to words what it was that he sought, it was...to know, concretely, that he wouldn’t lose what they had built. To know that their world wouldn’t burn apart like Coruscant.
Can we even do that? Realistically? The question she posed was as logical as they came. Having freshly returned from the fall of Coruscant, one would assume that the best course of action would be to shore up their own defenses. To probe everyone within even a slightest position of authority to ensure that the Confederacy did not meet a similar end. To flex their military might and readiness as much as possible. But. Realistically - as far as the mantle of Vicelord was concerned - they were no good to the Confederacy exhausted. The candle was burning at three ends at this point, and the fatigue shared between the two of them was astronomical. In order to serve, they required energy. Energy they did not have.
But...beyond the responsibilities...he truly did believe that things could go back to the way they were. He truly believed that, if they just took some time away, whatever…magick that had claimed their lives between Coruscant and Golbah Games would return. That their Bond would feel stronger than ever. That they would be One.
He parted his lips to respond. But...what his Apprentice said next widened his eyes ever so slightly. She was apologizing. Why? Why did she not see what he did? Did she not feel the Pride which coursed through their Bond whenever he spoke her name? Did she not know that her very presence pushed him to be better? Challenged him to lead better than any of his predecessors? And above all, did she not know how much better she was at close quarters melee than he?
”Srina.” he began. Reaching, the rear of his hand gingerly touched her cheek. ”You are my Pride. You are my confidant. There is none in my life like you. There is nothing, ever, that you have done to ever bring disappointment to me. You are more than enough as you are.”
He paused, offering her a smile. There was no need to ever doubt, especially when they were together. Whatever shortcomings she thought she had, they could decimate them together. Such was his duty as her Master - to uplift her to new heights. But never once had she ever failed him. Never once had she been anything other than perfect. In fact...if there was one who had failed, it was...Him.
Tatooine would never happen again.
”With that said my dear…” he breathed. ”We can do that, realistically. We are beat, and there is not enough Force Drain in the Galaxy to refresh us to working condition. Else, we are no good to anyone. Especially not our Confederacy. We need this time so that we can guide them better. Besides, that’s what we have Ministers for, is it not?” Srina operated on logic, not emotion - so he had to address her concerns one at a time. He had to also address her rebuttals before they started. So, he added: ”And before we go, we can certainly begin the process of making sure what happened to Coruscant does not happen to us. The Knights will be charged with thorough investigations - and by the time they are even partially done, we will be back.”
He patted her lap gently. ”And...things can go back to the way they were. We just need a moment to breathe. Trust me.”
[member="Srina Talon"]