Private Such We Are Made, Such We Be

[Madrona A’Mia]

Korriban
Kor'ethyr Academy
A'Mia's Private Laboratory

Curiosity rather than compassion is what drove A'Mia to act with such immediacy, bringing Revna Marr to her private workshop the moment she agreed to a medical examination. Though the favor of her Lord Master was also foremost in her mind. If he was indeed growing close with this woman, A'Mia would be wise to take care of Revna in much the same way she sought to care for Darth Caedes

The botanical woman would engage in small talk on the way to her laboratory but it was clear her mind was elsewhere, already turning over thoughts of how best to gather the most information about such an esteemed guest of Korriban without adding to her already long list of injuries. A'Mia would need to be delicate and clever, putting to use all her skills as both a healer and Force practitioner.

The neti's lab was kept meticulously clean and organized, so when the women arrived they were able to get right to business. A'Mia politely requested that the woman change into a simple medical gown, then turned to prepare a table of sorcery components. She explained that nothing about this procedure would be invasive necessarily, though gathering as much information as possible might require that later.

Once Revna indicated that A'Mia could begin, she bid her to lay down on a clinical though not uncomfortable table. It was made of a blend of soft and firm materials that somewhat cradled her prone form and took biometric readings from her wherever pale skin met the cool surface. The neti used a range of techniques to hone in on that unfortunate wound caused by some terrible master however long ago. She could not help but give in to a wandering gaze where the Revna's spinal cage was concerned, but dutifully remained focused even as she gathered the stray bit of data about the device.

Pausing mid-examination, A'Mia drew to eye level with her patient and quietly inquired.

"You appeared surprised by news of this particular wound. Do you have any sense for when this might have occurred? Any additional details you have might be helpful in healing you."

 

[Revna Marr]

Madrona A’Mia​

Revna followed the tall botanical Sith Shadow, her dark robes flowing about her with a soft whisper as they traversed the halls of the Palace before leaving it entirely. Along the way towards A’Mia’s personal workshop, the two engaged in small talk, but for the most part the journey was quiet and filled with a sort of anxiousness, at least on Revna’s part.

Once within the Neti’s work area, Revna marveled at how clean and organized the place was. Ember eyes were taking in the sights when A’Mia handed her a sterile medical gown and requested that she change into it, before turning away to prepare whatever items she would need for the examination that was to come. Revna disrobed and wrapped the new gown around herself, setting the black robes aside in a neat pile nearby, before she indicated to the Neti that she was ready to begin.

She was directed towards a clinical table, where she got herself situated, shifting until she was comfortable, feeling the coolness underneath her pale skin as the table itself took her biometrics and recorded the information for A’Mia to look over.

The examination itself began without too much fanfare, with A’Mia taking great care as she went about her work. Revna was quiet throughout the whole ordeal, answering questions when she needed to - though she could almost sense A’Mia curiosity in regards to the spinal cage that clung to her lower back. To her surprise though, the Neti stayed on topic and seemed to ignore that particular problem - at least for the moment.

Half way through the exam, however, A’Mia brought herself to eye level with Revna and made an inquiry for more details about the specific wound that Revna had been dealt. The petite woman bit her lip in thought, ember eyes growing somewhat distant as she traced her memories for anything that could be helpful for the Shadow.

“Not long after I was purchased by my last slave-master, Voss. He had me undergo an examination by a rather shady doctor on Nar Shaddaa - I had a surgery there for an implant chip. I wasn’t told what the chip was for…I’ve just assumed it was a control device - or a death chip.”

Revna’s gaze turned distant and somewhat haunted for a moment, and her voice became low and almost devoid of emotion. “They weren’t kind to me. I was a slave…and therefore not worthy of proper medical protocol. So long as I stayed alive and useful for my master, that was all that mattered.”

Burning through came a sudden surge of hatred, the emotion causing her eyes to burn ever so slightly and her jaw the clench. The little Sith woman rarely expressed such violent emotions in front of others unless there was a purpose or a reason for it, but she let herself feel it in the moment.

It drove her dream and longing to see Nar Shaddaa glassed into oblivion.

As quickly as the volatile emotion had shown itself, however, it slipped back with the darkness of the woman’s soul and she returned to her almost calm nature as she turned her gaze to A’Mia.

“All I know is that it is in my lower abdomen. That’s where I sensed it, when I looked within myself through the Force some time ago to learn how to use the healing implant my Master had given me.” An implant that was no longer there and able to help her heal the way Darth Strosius had desired her to.

 

[Madrona A’Mia]

A'Mia nodded with understanding, her generally emotionless features remained placid at her patient's retelling. Unlike the spinal cage, this transgression wrought against Revna Marr was one the neti felt very certain that the two of them alone could mend. She took a moment to share eye contact the woman, knowing that the coming hours and perhaps even days would be taxing on her.

"Removal of the chip will be fairly simple, I could likely complete that procedure today in the matter of a few hours. The rest however... Your healing and restoration back to a fertile state? That will take more time, and likely both of us working sorcery together."

Her strange eyes passed over the woman, taking in far more than just the base physical nature of her- A'Mia seemed to peer deep within, to witness the flow of energy through her form and the way that her constituent parts held together.

"Do you feel well prepared for what is certain to be an arduous few days at least? I will be certain to provide for the needs of your body, of course. Mentally though, you will need to steel yourself- and I can send word of our plans... to Darth Caedes if you wish?"

That last question was both a litmus test, and a personal area of curiosity for the inquisitive neti. Was their bond stronger than the need for privacy or secrecy? Would Revna perhaps consider this an area of shame, or meet the challenge of the task ahead as something she must face as independently as possible? It had been many years since A'Mia was married, but she remembered clearly the strange and unspoken expectations of such an arrangement. She was intrigued to know a bit more about how her Lord Master and this promising woman would function together regarding such matters.

 

[Revna Marr]

Madrona A’Mia​

A’Mia listened intently to everything Revna had to say, nodding along with understanding. Once Revna had finished speaking, the neti locked eyes with her and explained that the removal of the chip was the easy part - however, the healing and Revna’s restoration would take time, and with both of them working together to undo the damage that had been there for so long. She was blunt that it would require both of them working sorcery in order to achieve the desired results, and to this news Revna swallowed a bit hard. It wasn’t that she was unfamiliar with Sith sorcery, but she’d never done anything like this, let alone on herself.

When A’Mia pulled her gaze away to look Revna over in a more thorough and introspective motion, the young Sith woman found herself momentarily lost in thought, her concerns and worries surfacing briefly. This would no doubt be risky, but she did trust the Neti. She knew that the Lord Seer of Korriban wouldn’t harm her or do anything to negatively impact her - because if she did, she would have to answer to the King. And that alone was enough of a safety net for Revna to trust A’Mia with whatever it was she felt was best or necessary in this situation.

"Do you feel well prepared for what is certain to be an arduous few days at least? I will be certain to provide for the needs of your body, of course. Mentally though, you will need to steel yourself- and I can send word of our plans... to Darth Caedes if you wish?"

Revna’s eyes snapped back to the neti upon hearing the idea that word about all this would be sent to Caedes. For a brief moment there was a surge of uncertainty and even anxiety. She hadn’t told him yet about what was “wrong” with her - beyond the spinal cage, that was. And he already knew about that. There was the thought that he perhaps already sensed that she wasn’t entirely whole, and this would come as no surprise to him.

But what if…?

If she were in his place, would she like to know that her partner was trying to repair themselves, to become whole once again? For the chance at a future family? She didn’t even know if wanted a family or if he had even considered it in his musings from time to time. But she felt it at least right to ensure he had that option available to him.

Besides, she had told him, to his face, that she trusted him - and he had told her that she could share anything with him and have no fear of rejection or reprisal. This would be the greatest exercise of that trust in their connection and their growing bond.

After a long moment of thought, Revna nodded. “Y-yes. I haven’t told him what…is wrong with me. But I think he would like to know I am trying to heal myself.” she responded in a quiet and vulnerable manner - quite unlike how she usually was. “If I were in his place, I would want to know.” She paused again briefly as a small smile curled on her lips. “Even if I didn’t say anything, he would find out through our tether. Better I just be upfront and honest with him anyway.”

She took a deep breath and exhaled slowly before nodding to herself, as if coming to an agreement within her own mind. “So…this could take a few days? What all do you think will need to be done, A’Mia? And…I am familiar with sorcery and it's not that I lack strength in it but - I will probably need your guidance.”

 

[Madrona A’Mia]

Watching a waiting, the neti held eerily still as she observed the subtle and not so subtle changes to Revna's features as the woman considered their next steps together. The botanical kept an eye on vital metrics and relied upon her own strange, heightened sight as well in considering all that Revna Marr must be considering in that moment.

A piece of that puzzle fell into place as her patient confirmed to A'Mia that she wanted Darth Caedes notified. Further still, her suspicion was solidified at mention of a "tether" between the Marr woman and A'Mia's Lord Master. She had seen the bond forming of course, watched as the Weave shifted around them and something new grew.

Where once there had been only cold calculation, distance sought from others for any number of perfectly logical reasons, A'Mia now saw a kind of unfathomable abandon from her King. The neti was incapable of understanding what she saw forming between her King and Revna, but she was determined to try.

A'Mia broke her stillness in order to nod.

"He will be notified," she moved closer to begin tracing the air in front of and around Revna as if carving sigils into her aura.

"As to this journey we seek to embark on? My best estimations are that the first stage will take a few hours today. A basic surgery that you needn't be awake for, unless you wish to be. Then you should rest and I could gather materials before we work toward reconstruction. We could meditate together, before that second stage. That is where we might Weave the ritual together, choose the 'pattern' we seek to rebuild.Tonight I will think of what components will be needed, and I can present those to you before we begin the most energetically taxing portion."

The woman paused, allowing Revna to register all she shared before finishing the thought.

"Between the surgery today, and the secondary ritual that is likely to span days, I can offer you my private meditation chamber- or, I feel certain that the King would provide you his. Wherever you feel that you can gather the most power and bolster your resolve."

 

[Revna Marr]

Madrona A’Mia​

A’Mia nodded before confirming Revna’s wishes in notifying Caedes of what was to transpire, before the Neti began to trace what looked like symbols in the air and space around Revna. The young woman watched the Neti with intrigue before listening as A’Mia responded further to her questions about what to expect.

Revna nodded along in understanding, agreeing to the surgery that could be done in a few hours time. There was a twinge of anxiousness knowing that she would have to go through yet another surgery, and laced within those emotions was a sudden surge of sharp, emotional pain as Revna recalled the last time she had gone under the knife.

Darth Strosius had been there with her for her last surgery - a brief one to add a healing implant within her body. They had shared a deep heart to heart before the procedure, a moment in time where Revna felt in her heart that they had somehow bonded in a way that neither of them truly understood at the time - and when she had awoken she could tell he had been stressed…over her. She had never indicated to him that she could sense his distress at the time, and the relief he had felt when she recovered under his watchful and protective presence - and how much it meant to her that he had been the one she opened her eyes to, instead of a cruel slave master.

Revna sucked in a sharp breath as those memories, so bittersweet, washed over her. For a moment, the clinical space around her flickered and she was back there, seeing and hearing him. Then her vision snapped back to reality, and she felt a hot sting prickle at her eyes as she fought to blink back the tears that threatened to flow down her suddenly red cheeks.

“I-Sorry.” she muttered, clenching her fists as she fought through the memory and the pain it brought her. “My…Master was the last person who was there with me, when I went through my last operation. I…I’d ask for him to be here when I wake up this time too but…he’s not here anymore.” She finished saying in a voice that was barely above that of a whisper. She was tempted to ask if Caedes could come and be that grounding presence for her this time, but she held her tongue on the matter as she didn't want to bother him with such a thing.

Several long moments later, Revna heaved a deep breath and exhaled sharply, as if releasing whatever built up tensions had suddenly coiled within her. Her mind recalled the rest of what A’Mia had said, about the second phase taking several days and would be the most taxing for both of them. Revna would be given time to rest and recover a bit after her surgery, and it would give the Neti time to find whatever resources and materials she needed for them to successfully complete the next part in Revna’s bodily restoration.

"Between the surgery today, and the secondary ritual that is likely to span days, I can offer you my private meditation chamber- or, I feel certain that the King would provide you his. Wherever you feel that you can gather the most power and bolster your resolve."

Revna was thoughtful for a moment, before she responded back: “Anything that would allow me direct access to the Force, the Dark side, would be good I think. That would allow me to fully empower myself and have the strength needed for the rest of what needs to be done. If either meditation chamber can do that for me, then I would be glad to use such a place.”

 

[Madrona A’Mia]

When one heavy tear broke free from fiery eyes, A'Mia's cool hand was there to capture it. The gesture was unusually tender, and though her face showed no outward sign of emotion other than curiosity, the woman moved with great care.

You honor him with your lifewater. ​

The words rustled from her like leaves on the wind, a neti expression that felt fitting for a student morning her master. One that held no small amount of weight for the arboreal woman, who'd held Darth Strosius in somewhat high regard. She did not mourn him, he was one with the Weave now, but she recognized that Revna was still struggling with his death.

A'Mia safe-kept the fallen tear for later, a powerful ritual component in the trials to come perhaps. As Revna sighed and seemed to regain control of herself again, the neti straightened up once more to gaze impassively down. Upon hearing the answer to her questions, she nodded.

"Very well, I will prepare to put you under and begin as soon as my work station is sanitized."

She turned to a control panel on one of the walls of her laboratory, entering the 12 digit code that would signal a team of surgical droids to sterilize her operating room. With that done, the neti offered Revna tea and simultaneously reached out to the mind of her Master, Darth Caedes . The little Sith woman's story had planted the seed of an idea and she thought to support her patient in a way that she otherwise might not have thought to try.

The procedure was simple, all things considered. Removal of the device was always going to be the straightforward part though, whereas healing the damage it had done was truly the most daunting challenge. Two hours and a handful of minutes elapsed as the neti carefully operated. Once done, the scientist placed a few temporary sutures on the Revna's lower abdomen. It didn't make sense to completely mend the wound that she'd need access to in half a day or so.

Once satisfied that the first half of the procedure was as successful and complete as possible, A'Mia moved the still unconscious woman out of the operating room and presented her convalescent form to the King of Korriban. She bowed her head to him and provided a quiet update.

"She is strong and all her vital signs are excellent. The wound might be more metaphysical than it is corporeal at this point. I recommend rest and communion with the Force until I must gather her for the ritual portion."

The Lord Seer would await any questions or acknowledgements, before turning away to leave. She had many components to gather and intended to ready herself for the sorcery to come.

Darth Caedes​

 

[Darth Caedes]

"The Dark Side is not absence of care. It is the will to protect what you care for, ruthlessly."
—Darth Caedes, ruminations...
​

Outer Rim Territories
Korriban System
Vardin City
Tags: Madrona A’Mia | Revna Marr

The hiss of hydraulic doors behind him quieted the beeping hum of A'Mia's laboratories. Caedes stepped into the pale light of Horuset, cradling Revna Marr in his arms.

He wore no crown, no robes stitched in gold, the unrecognizable face of a human youth. His feet were bare to the open streets beneath humble black cloth robes. Low hanging winds dragged tumbling grit across Vardin's plazas and roadways, the sand sticking to the back of Caedes' heels. They curled around the pair as he walked, bitter and cold, her arms draped around his shoulders and her face pressed into his collar. The soft weight of her resting head against him, her hair like black ink spilling round a perfect face, tangling like silks between his fingers, lips barely parted in an exhausted sleep—were all intoxicating to Caedes. He hugged her closer to him.

One by one, the Jen'ari noticed him.

A lone linen wrapped corpse halted in its labor, hunched over a large clay pot, and rose, cocking its head from side to side, as if having heard its name called out in a crowd. When those desiccated eyes found its King, reverence seized the undead, stooping low into a bow, bending nearly in half at the hips. The others followed.

Down alleyways, across courtyards, wherever the walking dead labored, their toil ceased. They turned toward their creator and their King, and they knelt. No command was given. Yet in perfect synchronicity, the dead lowered themselves to the sands, arms outstretched in obeisance.

Quickly, the living too took notice. Whispers began as the people turned to one another, confirming with their neighbors that this man was, in fact, who they thought he must be. A red skinned sith traveling down the central promenade slowed his stride as Caedes approached, squinting, then abruptly shrinking to one side of the road with a bowed head, clutching to his robes. A merchant across the way fell silent mid-bargain, stopping to stare. Even the children, wild in their street-side games, hushed at the Jen'ari's odd behavior, following the collective gazes of the adults back to their King. They watched Caedes in his passage, some bowing as he drew near, uncertain though no less sincere for it. Others stood back in solemn awe, watching until he passed beyond their sight.

He reached the palace and ascended its long stone staircase, passing beneath the tall archways at its entrance. A garden courtyard lay further within, verdant and painstakingly built to replicate a place sentimental to the Lady Revna. Lush vegetation spilled from every inch and every corner, creeping vines trailing down the courtyard walls and spilling into the adjoining palace rooms. There, recessed into the stone, lay a sanctuary of pillowy mosses and exotic, sweet smelling grasses and flowers. Vines curled and hung about from tiered shelves of red stone, sewing themselves into wooden trellis and baring fruits from far-flung worlds spread across opposite ends of the galaxy. At the garden's center, a grey-stone fountain chattered away with its water works—a rare sight on the dry and desert world of Korriban.

Caedes stepped down into the space and moved to the fountain's base, lowering himself into a bed of mosses. Carefully, he laid Revna beside him, resting her beneath the shade of an arching fern. Then he curled his body into hers, pulling her into his chest and placing their foreheads gently together, letting the tips of their noses touch. He could feel her mind beginning to stir, rising up out of delirium and coming to wakefulness.

He whispered against her lips, soft and smiling.

"Good morning, beautiful."​

​

​

 

[Revna Marr]

Madrona A’Mia​

A’Mia’s capture of a fallen tear both surprised and warmed Revna for a brief moment; it was a rather unexpected tender gesture from the Neti, but it served a dual purpose as the young woman watched the Lord Seer save the gathered tear for another purpose. Once upon a time, the sight of such might have disturbed her, but Revna was wiser and more knowledgeable about the Force and the mysteries of the Dark side and sorcery. Much could be done with a tear shed from emotion.

A moment later, the Neti was setting about getting everything prepared for the upcoming operation, even handing Revna a cup of tea. She accepted it, sipping on it as the operation room was sterilized, falling in deep introspection as she waited for what was to come next. She couldn’t quite shake the lingering fear that haunted her at the thought of going under, being completely at the mercy of the Lord Seer. It was a sentiment she recalled feeling when she’d undergone her last brief operation, the feeling of helplessness…of her total reliance on her Master to keep her safe.

It was the same here, except with someone she was still getting to know. Thankfully, Revna knew she could trust A’Mia with this - for she knew the Neti wouldn’t dare risk the wrath of the King.

​

Deep within the shadowy recesses of drug induced slumber, Revna was aware of a distinct presence there with her…yet she couldn’t feel, or see who it was. It was a sense of knowing that came through a tether, a bond, and as she slowly began to drift to the surface and to wakefulness - she came more and more cognizant of just who the presence was.

The first thing that came back to her was her sense of hearing, and in the foggy darkness she could hear the distinct and familiar sounds of trickling and splashing water. Next came sensation…a dual sense of cold and warmth…as well as the texture of living things, plants…moss, to be more specific. Then came her sense of smell, and the distinct scent of sweet flowers filled her lungs…along with something more recognizable and earthy, masculine and herbal.

“Good morning, beautiful.”

The voice, his voice, cascaded over her like a gentle caress - and the faintest touch of his lips against hers finally pulled Revna from the darkness. She opened groggy eyes, her vision momentarily blurry, and blinked a few times as she tried to register her surroundings. Her mind, slowed by the drugs that had put her under for the surgery, was slow to come back to her…but she recognized that familiar presence that held her so close, and that face that made a faint and silly, lopsided smile flicker over her lips.

“...Caedes…?” she murmured sluggishly, almost with a touch of surprise - as if she hadn’t expected to see him there right beside her. She tried to stir a bit more, wanting to snuggle in closer to his warmth, but a wave of nausea washed over her and she squeezed her eyes shut as she sucked in a deep and shaky breath - trying her very best to focus on something else so she wouldn’t get sick in front of him.

It was, unfortunately, a side effect of the anesthesia that had been used to put her under.

The wave of illness passed within a few moments, and setting in behind it was a strange back and forth of being overheated or too chilled, and her body began to shake and tremble as she continued to go through the waking and recovery process. Almost weakly, she reached out a pale hand to find purchase on the front of his black robes, gripping the cloth in her hand as a way to ground her. She was so incredibly thankful that Darth Caedes was there with her; she had dreaded the thought of waking up alone after the surgery…but it appeared that A’Mia had found a way to remedy that.

Revna pressed a faint and groggy kiss against his lips, before she tucked her head under his chin, scooting a little closer so that she could be fully enveloped in his embrace. “Thank you…for being here with me.” she whispered tiredly, before settling down to simply exist and allow her body and mind to rouse itself further from the drug induced haze. She was content to remain where she was, occasionally slipping in and out of brief moments of sleep, slowly regaining her strength and vitality. Within a relatively short period of time, the drugs had fully worked themselves out of her system, and Revna was fully aware of her surroundings once more.

Now that the surgery was over, she had one more hurdle to overcome before she could be made whole. It was the looming ritual that was to come next that now dominated her thoughts. A’Mia’s instructions to her had been clear: after her recovery from surgery, she was to rest and strengthen herself with the Force, to ensure she was at her best and her strongest for the grueling sorcery to time.

Thankfully, her King was right there beside her, and he was an incredible source of power and strength for her. It was easy for her to connect her mind to his, open the pathways of their bond and the wellspring of power that lay beyond it - and with a smile on her face, Revna slipped into a deep meditation while connected to Caedes - slipping deep into the well of the Force and beckoning him to join her there, so they could commune together - and she could prepare herself for the ritual to come.

 

[Madrona A’Mia]

A tall shadow swept through the palace halls. Preparations had been made sacrifices secured, and the ritual circle set. All that was left for A'Mia to do was collect Revna from where she gathered strength beside the King of Korriban. Her haunting glide nearer that sacred sanctum paused only briefly at the threshold, as if she were some spirit that needed invitation to enter.

She was corporeal though, of sap and bark, and therefore pressed on. Though she regarded Darth Caedes with the utmost respect and was even steadily forming what passed for fondness in her strange way, the neti was singularly focused. There was no sense delaying the ritual any longer, and so she approached the pair and reached out a long fingered hand to Revna.

"It is time."

The pair of women soon found themselves deep beneath the palace, very near the very bedrock of Korriban, in a ritual chamber prepared by A'Mia. The place was dimly but thoroughly lit by means of bioluminescence and great clusters of faintly glowing stones. Upon the stone floor of the large chamber was painted a ritual circle and kneeling at various points upon the circle were three captives.

It was difficult to tell they were captives at first, given the fine robes they wore and how passive their expressions were. None seemed to even notice when the women entered, all of them appearing slightly dazed with far off expressions. The only indication that perhaps they'd not come here willingly was that they wore simple shackles at wrist and ankle. From what Revna Marr knew of the arboreal woman that was leading this healing ritual, it would be fair to deduce that the three sacrifices were under the influence of some kind of sedative.

"First, you and I must commune. When you feel ready to do so we can begin. After our minds are bound and we act as one, we can begin flesh-crafting in earnest. With my sight to guide your hands, we will make yourself whole Revna."

The woman reached for her grasp as she continued, tipping her head to a stone table at the edge of the ritual circle. There lay an athame.

"Your hands, their lifeblood," inquisitive and merciless eyes fell upon the captives before raising once more to collect her gaze.

"With our abilities combined we will mend the wound within you."

​

​

 

[Revna Marr]

Madrona A’Mia
Mentioned: Darth Caedes​

Revna could feel the intentions of the Neti through the all-encompassing fabric of the Force before she ever began to make her way towards the sanctuary that Caedes and brought the two of them to. The young Sith woman had rested for some time, deep in communion with the web of the Force, and tapping into the deep reservoirs of the Dark Side that both poured from Korriban and the Sith King himself. Revna was the strongest she had ever been in that moment, rejuvenated and brimming with energetic power. And yet, she remained connected both to him and to the Force, enjoying the moment they shared for as long as possible.

But the inevitable had come, and Revna reluctantly withdrew herself from her meditation as A’Mia stepped into the garden sanctuary and approached the couple. With tenderness not typically seen in a Sith, Revna reached up and gently laid her hand against Caedes’s cheek, as if to cradle his face for a moment. That simple gesture spoke volumes, more than words ever could.

“I’ll see you soon…” she murmured softly, giving him a parting kiss before she pulled away and turned to take A’Mia’s offered hand, allowing the arboreal woman to guide her towards the prepared ritual site.

A’Mia brought Revna deep beneath the palace, near the bedrock of Korriban itself. Here, the Dark Side sang with energy that had been gathered and stored for millennia, and Revna couldn’t help but nod in approval to the site that the Neti had chosen for the healing ritual.

The chamber itself was dimly lit, the only real sources of light being provided by bioluminescence, clusters of lightly glowing stones, and upon the stone floor itself was a painted ritual circle. Eyes that glowed like burning coals took in the sights, before settling upon the three other figures that knelt at various points of the circle. Revna eyed each one, not with suspicion, but with a strange expression that seemed equal parts somber and merciless.

Like how one might look or feel before they slaughter an innocent animal to provide food for themselves.

Each figure shined through the Force to Revna, rich in vitality and strong. They were subdued, physically and through some sort of substance, kept docile for their part to play in the coming ritual.

"First, you and I must commune. When you feel ready to do so we can begin. After our minds are bound and we act as one, we can begin flesh-crafting in earnest. With my sight to guide your hands, we will make yourself whole Revna."

A’Mia’s voice pulled Revna’s attention away from the captives and she regarded the Neti in silence for a moment, her turns shifting to look upon the ceremonial knife as the Neti further explained that through her hands and their lifeblood, the wound within Revna could finally and forever to repaired.

The last chain that bound her to her slave-master, to the life that was all but dead and gone…would soon be shattered. This was the last piece to fall away, and a tremor of hope flashed through Revna. She could hardly believe she was here, after all this time.

But the hardest part was yet to come, and she didn’t want to waste any further time. She dipped her head in a nod of acknowledgement towards the Neti.

“I’ve done sacrificial rituals before, under the guidance of Lord Strosius but this…this is something I’ve never done before.” she admitted softly. “But I am confident that together, we can work through this. I trust you to be my guide, Lord Seer.”

Revna inhaled deeply and felt her chest expand, before she exhaled slowly and she leveled her gaze at A’Mia with determination written upon her face.

“I am ready; let us begin.”

 

[Madrona A’Mia]

Hand in hand with her peer, A'Mia listened astutely. She felt the way the Weave trembled around Revna at the mention of her recently departed Master, Darth Strosius

The neti wondered how she might react at the loss of her own teacher. Would the wound be so severe?

Doubtful.

It was not for lack of loyalty though— no, A'Mia recognized something within the petite Sith woman that was absent in herself. It was likely the very thing that made her family cast her out all those years ago.

If something dreadful ever happened to Darth Caedes , A'Mia might not be capable of heartbreak on his behalf but she would certainly make the wrongdoer rue the day they were born. In that, the neti found kinship with Revna.

"Bring him to mind then," she murmured then clarified, "Alisteri, his memory and teachings must carry you forward now. You must step firmly into your own power, and in that all things can be possible."

She guided their held hands toward the ceremonial blade, then moved to stand a bit behind and to the side of Revna. From that point on she would follow her like a strange, elongated shadow, walking her through the steps of each sacrifice and melding their senses so their four eyes shared one grand vision.

Though the arboreal woman didn't respirate with lungs like her companion, A'Mia began to vocalize faintly in the tempo one breathes through meditative practice. Thought not quite a chant nor song, the sound rose and fell and eventually it might become clear to Revna Marr that she was speaking rhythmically in the Ancient Neti.

With the sound of rustling leaves and the creak of twisting branches, a welling up in the Force could be felt all around them. A'Mia wove that dark power about their limbs and draped them in it like a ceremonial cloak. Guiding their steps forward to the first sacrifice, the neti paused to await Revna's strike.

Hers must be the first cut.

Thereafter her hand would need to remain strong and steady, but she wasn't alone— they would harness this lifeblood together and mend that which was broken.