Private Sunrise after Midnight

[Kaila Irons]

Location: Jutrand, luxury penthouse
Tag: Quinn Varanin
Continued from here...

Kaila stirred beneath the covers.

It was not the usual twitching of muscles in her sleep, running stiffly from within her own mind. Rather it was the simple reaction to sunlight warming her skin. Whenever Quinn was near, she slept peacefully, even if she did not realize exactly why. She might have taken it as a sign of her presence any other day, but as Kaila awoke, she remembered only the end of her battle on Vanqor and subsequent collapse. Tamsin had come, and been asked to take her straight to Quinn.

Kaila groaned, and her eyes fluttered open.

Smaller ones stared back at her, deep amber, surrounded by lightless void.

She blinked again, to see that it was a small furry creature. A little cat, perched on her chest. It purred, rubbing it's face against the only side of hers that was not covered in bandages secured by adhesive. It continued to examine her then, slit pupils darting to her left arm, where every inch had been wrapped. Regardless of what healing any medic or Quinn had seen fit to perform, her laminanium humerus had melted inside her arm just below the shoulder and would require surgery to replace before she could use the arm again. Her opposite shoulder and upper arm had also been wrapped to cover burns sustained by repeated lightning strikes, though her own dark power which nearly consumed her that day had thankfully been relieved, and her veins were no longer blackened with corruption.

Though it certainly painted a grim picture, she would live, thanks to the timely intervention of both Tamsin and Quinn Varanin.

The cat, as if this small creature were somehow satisfied by some assessment, leapt off her chest to find a suitable place to lick it's paw. The blonde sith was left to stare up at the ceiling, wondering where she was, or how long it had been.

"...Quinn...?" she tried to call, though it came as a strained whisper.

​

 

[Quinn Varanin]

//: Kaila Irons //:

The moments of Tamsin's arrival were a blur. Quinn had been warned, but she wasn't prepared. While she waited for the ship to land, Quinn could feel her nails digging into her palms, drawing blood; she instantly felt the heat of the Force healing the minor cuts. Nothing could have prepared her for the pain that seared through her heart the moment she watched Kaila come down the ramp. She demanded that the private docking be used for their arrival. Seeing Kaila so close to death ignited something in the Echani as she received the rest of the information from the apprentice. What was Kaila thinking? Was she doing what she did?

This was another moment when Kaila had gone off without her and gotten hurt. Anger, sadness, and worry burned in her. She was helpless when things like this happened, and she hated that feeling. Quinn wondered if this was the punishment she was dealt by the gods themselves. First Vesta, then Alina and now Kaila. All of them seemed to desire death rather than staying with her. The first two succeeded, and she hoped Kaila never did.

Rushing to her side, Quinn didn't even know where to start. There was an overwhelming feeling that this could be the last time she would ever hold Kaila, see her breathing, and feel her warmth. The Princess didn't cry as she held her hand over some of the worst wounds. She needed to stabilize her; there was no time for her to break down. There was a time before when she hesitated, and in the end, she lost.

In those moments, she could see the light behind her lover's eyes begin to fade. She pulled the knight's gaze to hers as she grasped the woman's cloak. "You're not allowed to die. I forbid it - You can't leave me until I say so." Her words were commanding, burning with the pain she choked down.

---

Quinn had been able to stabilize her. It was enough to buy the actual doctors and healers a chance. They arrived quickly and used what they could to bring her back from the edge of death. All they could do now was wait - which was the hardest of all. Kaila remained in Quinn's room while she and Kirie took turns keeping vigil at the blonde's side. Right now, her familiar was on watch as she spoke with some of the aids she had brought in. Nodding quietly, she understood what damage had been done and the dangers that Kaila faced.

As she nodded and listened, her nails dug into her arm, threatening to draw blood. The Princess nodded again, thanking the doctor and letting her guards escort him out. She was tired; her usually composed self had melted away as her mind continued to push for her to prepare to grieve. Stubborn as she was, Quinn denied her inner demons to win.

Already, she knew Kaila had awakened. The feline had given the woman a clue that the one who claimed their bed had stirred. Walking in, Quinn ran her hands through the best of ashen hair, and the soft tap of her heels announced her arrival. "You've caused quite the commotion." Echani scolded gently. Slowly, she descended, sitting on the edge of the bed closest to Kaila, a hand searching till it found Kaila's. With a heavy sigh, Quinn did her best not to cry, but the redness behind her tired eyes showed her grief.

"I guess this is payback." She smiled gently. It was easier to jest, knowing that at least Kaila was out of the dark for the most part. "Thank you for listening and not dying." Quinn nodded as she moved closer, her body leaning into the blonde's. She hovered for a moment and then brushed her lips against her knight's forehead. "Why were you there, alone?"

 

[Kaila Irons]

Tag: Quinn Varanin

The click of heels, there were very few in her life who made that sound when they walked.

Kaila's head turned slowly towards the sound when Quinn entered, smiling weakly up at her lover, her echani silver. She tried to reach for her, and on her good hand where the bandages stopped short, the ring from which she derived the princess' pet name still sat firmly on her finger. It had not left her finger before the battle nor, nor would it ever.

But her hand didn't go far.

The young Darth was healed, but quite exhausted still.

Thankfully her dear princess was there to take her hand, their fingers quickly threading as one. Though her grip was not so iron as it had once been, Kaila nevertheless held on tight to the anchor which so stubbornly kept her in this world.

"...we..." 'have to stop meeting like this' she tried to say, coughing before she could manage.

Though it seemed they were of similar mind.

"I guess this is payback." She smiled gently. It was easier to jest, knowing that at least Kaila was out of the dark for the most part. "Thank you for listening and not dying."

She frowned a moment, reminded of Susevfi.

"...in the dropship... I promised not to leave you..." she managed a twitch resembling a smile.

A part of her felt ashamed that she'd nearly broken that promise made on their lethal trip to the Mors Mon. But she fought, let it not be said that she didn't fight like hell to keep her oath. She'd pushed her body beyond it's limits to make it right, that mess she'd made on Vanqor, ended what the witch meant to be her sacrifice.

"Why were you there, alone?"

Her citrine eyes closed as the princess leaned in to kiss her forehead, opening half lidded, pleading forgiveness from their corners.

"...my sister..." she began, regretful that she'd not explained sooner.

"She is possessed by a spirit, a sith ghost."

"...It's getting stronger..."

A shameful tear welled in her good eye.

"I traced it's name to a manor on Vanqor, expecting ruins to sift, or- or old relatives to question."

"I've tried everything! I needed answers, I—" she squeezed her eyes shut, unable to bear her own failure.

"—I'm sorry."

​

 

[Quinn Varanin]

//: Kaila Irons //:
//: attire //:

Quinn listened as it pained her to watch the woman struggle against her injuries. Kaila was always the knight who, with bones of iron, paved the way for the Princess. Yet, she lay bested in her victory against the entity she found on Vanqor. Quinn sat beside her, a hand resting against her battered cheek. Long, slow strokes of her thumb meant comfort as she struggled to speak.

"Shh," she cooed to the woman, wanting her to rest. "You can tell me after, whatever you faced, whatever Tamsin is facing, can wait for just a breath - enough time for you to rest." Quinn looked over her shoulder to another servant who worked at her estate. The Echani woman didn't need to speak words, for her fellow knew precisely what she wanted. Whatever happened on Vanqor would have remnants - evidence they could use later.

Her head turned back to Kaila as she smiled gently. The Force bled from her, filling the room with a semblance of comfort. Her hand warmed against Kaila's cheek, giving the woman the delicate touch of the Force healing she always had on hand. She could feel Kaila getting stronger, but still, something seemed to be straining her. Her eyes glanced towards her arm, the one that she was told was mangled from the inside. Quinn grimaced, knowing that there was nothing she could do.

She had hoped her lesson in Tutaminis would and could have prevented this type of injury. Maybe the teacher wasn't good at teaching - was she just pretending and playing the role of someone she wasn't? Quinn exhaled; this self-doubt that she found in herself was starting to annoy her. All she could hear were the words Ashin didn't say; maybe it was all in her head.

Or she was better suited to be married and let others fight the wars for her. Quinn shook off the thoughts and focused her mind on Kaila as she let the healing warmth of the Force slowly fill her lover.

"I'm sorry I wasn't there, and I'm sorry nothing I did or taught you protected you." Her voice was quiet as she spoke, letting her fingertips gently caress Kaila's delicate skin. Her eyes counted each freckle that belonged to the woman she loved. A small smile curled her lips as she sighed softly.

A weight was off her shoulders; Kaila had returned damaged but whole. "I love you," Quinn said gently as she cherished the moment. Her warrior and her strength needed rest. "You can tell me more about your adventures once you've rested and are out of the woods."

 

[Kaila Irons]

Tag: Quinn Varanin

Kaila leaned into the echani's touch, and sighed.

Not at Quinn, but herself. She could see now that she'd stretched herself thin again, always on the move, if not in body than in mind. The voice of her princess was a soothing balm to those racing thoughts, one of very few that could bring the stubborn Darth to rest when as she feared what this stillness may sacrifice in a world that had never stopped for her.

And so she allowed her eyes to close a moment and her breath to steady, soaking up that warm touch.

Perhaps a little warmer than usual? Kaila had never known a healer's touch, but through the echani, she was learning to recognize it. Though she was exhausted, the young knight could feel her skin smoothing over as burns began to fade and dead nerve endings return. It wasn't at all like the Kainite war-surgeons and mechanical monstrosities which often stitched her back together in the confines of Malsheem. They always had a way of making her feel weaker for it, pathetic even. The princess did no such thing, her gentle touch reminding Kaila that though she was weak now, she would be whole again in time.

And it made the echani's doubts hurt all the more.

"I'm sorry I wasn't there, and I'm sorry nothing I did or taught you protected you."

"No."

She reached up to grasp her hand, feeling just a little stronger now.

"I wish you could have seen what your gifts carried me through..."​

"...you would have no such doubt then."

Her good eye opened to look up at Quinn, her lips twitching into what looked like a smile.

"I am here, because of you and Tamsin."

In more ways than they could ever know. Her ambitions had always been simple, for a sith. Every conquest she carried out, every battle she stubbornly clawed herself out of, it was all for them. For the safety of her sister, and for the empire that she and Quinn would one day build. A better place, strong but fair. One where they were free to love one another openly and without worry.

She reached up again until her shaky hand had settled, tracing a gentle line at the edge of the echani's jaw.

"I wish you could see yourself the way I see you."

​

 

[Quinn Varanin]

//: Kaila Irons //:
//: attire //:

Quinn listened softly as Kaila explained herself. There was something special about knowing the lessons that she had imparted to her paramour. She felt guilty for not being there and not ensuring that Kaila had perfected the skill. Sighing softly, Quinn accepted the woman's words and reassurance that the lessons were helpful.

She leaned into the gentle touches of her hand. "That wish is a dangerous one," Quinn smirked as she teased. "Seeing myself through your eyes would only inflate my already large ego." Quinn laughed softly as she pulled Kaila's hand away from her. She kissed her knuckles and then placed the hand in her lap.

As much as she knew Kaila wanted to be close to her, touch her, and show affection, rest was more important. Quinn held the woman's hand in her lap as she ran her thumb gently along the back of the warrior's hand. She remained quiet. Her mind mulled over the things that Tamsin had told her when she had arrived. Quinn could even feel that something was off about the entire situation.

What had driven Kaila to go to this palace alone? Quinn assumed the woman knew better than to do that, especially knowing it would worry the Echani. She gave the woman's hand a squeeze as she sighed softly.

"Enough about me and how I feel about things." Patting Kaila's hand, she continued, "It seems you're refusing to rest, but a part of me is happy you're at least lying down and you're home."

Quinn exhaled softly, almost fearing the answer that would come with her question.

"Tell me what happened and why you would do something so foolish, Kaila…I could have lost you - we could have lost you." That word—we—carried weight. Rarely did Quinn say it aloud, but tonight she did. Because it mattered. Because Kirie mattered. And if something had happened to Kaila, if Quinn had been the one to deliver the news to Kirie… she didn't know what she'd say. Didn't know how to say it.

Her chest tightened at the thought. Closing her eyes, she waited for the answer - preparing herself for everything that would come from Kaila's lips.

"Please tell me everything I need to know - because if there's more to this story, more to whatever you've had to deal with, I want us to be prepared."

 

[Kaila Irons]

Tag: Quinn Varanin

"That's a risk I'm willing to take." she stifled a chuckle.

But her fun had to end sooner or later, and the gentle pulling away of her hand told her as much. One needn't speak echani to know that Kaila Irons was in trouble.

It was true that she stubbornly clung to this waking world, she meditated on the blade and "relaxed" through keeping her hands busy and mind distracted from the world around her. Even injured it seemed that Quinn remained the only one who could make her sit or listen.

Though listening seemed the priority now.

"Tell me what happened and why you would do something so foolish, Kaila…I could have lost you - we could have lost you."

Kaila's lips pulled into a slow frown.

Though things had been different since their ill-fated spar, she never wished to hurt Kirie . Kaila had no idea where they stood, if she were a simple curiosity to the Weikian or something more, nor what they were to even call themselves after that night on Naboo. Everything had been a blur since but this strange sense of separation between them still confused her.

But she knew deep down her fall would hurt them both.

"Please tell me everything I need to know - because if there's more to this story, more to whatever you've had to deal with, I want us to be prepared."

"I..." she sighed, and weakly turned the other way.

"I thought I was stronger."

How many times had she said those words recently? So many battles, each of them a close call.

"I really though that I could stand on my own two feet, that I needn't rely on you or The Empress like I used to—"

"God frakking damnit." They were the loudest words she'd managed all day, yet none outside this room could hear them.

The tear finally streaked across her face as her own frailty dawned on her. She had slain the mightiest foe she'd ever faced, held up the very sky and turned it on her enemies all in the name of family, and yet she felt her smallest now. Nothing had compared to this moment since she laid on the operating table with new bones of gleaming laminanium and not one damn anesthetic in sight.

"And I was desperate, Quinn, running out of time still. Always running out, every day."

"It's started taking control of her. Calls itself "Darth Sokar". She was expunged from the archives long ago but I found her kin, A witch of such power I've not seen before."

"But her soul is mine." Kaila turned to face Quinn again, and though she was broken, her face moistened by tears, there was something dark in her eye, or fiery besides.

"She will answer me."

​

 

[Quinn Varanin]

//: Kaila Irons //:
//: attire //:

The darkness in the woman's eyes didn't make the Echani flinch. She had seen that darkness before; she had felt that entity. Its hunger is unlimited, but she trusts Kaila to command it. She hoped that she could. If anything, Quinn would help her or try to. She listened, and her face softened when the frustration peaked within her paramour. She leaned forward and kissed gently against Kaila's cheek, removing the tears.

"You've done well," she smiled, squeezing Kaila's hand. Quinn understood how much Kaila cared about her apprentice. Their story was something akin to hers and Kirie's, from her understanding. It was a need to free someone that you cared for. Sighing softly, Quinn rubbed her thumb across Kaila's hand, trying to comfort the situation.

Quinn paused for a moment as she thought quietly. This Darth was someone she had never heard of. She was skilled with the galaxy's history, especially having her parents live as long as they were. Shifting uncomfortably where she sat, she scooted closer and ran her hand against Kaila's brow.

Everything Kaila said cut deep into the Echani. Knowing that she was this desperate to do something this dangerous worried Quinn. "Kaila, what will you do if she doesn't answer?" Frowning, Quinn sighed softly and gave her hand another squeeze. "The souls of the Force and ones that are so powerful that they no longer existed in the archives of history," Quinn's voice paused, her voice hitching, knowing that a part of her now feared this entity.

Quinn couldn't show this fear, not now—she knew it would drive Kaila to continue down this path in a desire to protect Tamsin and her. Her face showed only concern for the woman and her safety.

"This Darth Sokar," Quinn paused, "And their Kin - are they all expunged from the records? Did you find anything more?"

She rolled her shoulders back, trying to find a way to relax. Quinn needed to focus on the fact that the woman had made it back and not trying to figure out the puzzle she had presented. "I want to help you," She nodded. "I hate that you felt you needed to do this alone. You have to remember no matter what I have going on with me, I'll always be there for you - I would walk into chaos to find you, Kaila. Please don't forget that I love you more than anything."

The urge to shake the woman until she understood was strong, but she didn't. Quinn stood and walked away from Kaila for a moment. As she walked, the door to the room echoed with a knock. Quinn received the medicines and the creamed porridge from her aide and walked back with the tray in hand. Setting it down next to the bed, she pulled out a few of the pills and handed them to Kaila.

"Your meds should help with the pain; we need to find someone to fix your arm because the longer we leave it - the harder it will be to take care of." After the medicine was handed, Quinn grabbed the bowl of porridge and waited. She stirred the food on the spoon and offered it to Kaila as she nudged it to her lips. "You need to eat, and you can tell me more about this entity - what have you tried? What hasn't worked?"

 

[Kaila Irons]

Tag: Quinn Varanin

Her face softened as Quinn's neared.

It felt impossible to anger while looking her way, nor was it ever meant for her beloved princess. She nuzzled into her the best she could, and though always pleasant, her corrupted eyes seemed to simmer away until they'd dimmed, relaxed, much as any sith could anyway.

"Kaila, what will you do if she doesn't answer?" Frowning, Quinn sighed softly and gave her hand another squeeze. "The souls of the Force and ones that are so powerful that they no longer existed in the archives of history,"

She cast a sidelong glance at the window. Kaila was unsure that she could handle that future, certainly not well, at the very least. She'd found family in Tamsin Graves which had eluded her since the Vahla could walk. Certainly there was Quinn, and even Kirie despite the strange distance between them ever since their spar, perhaps they could carry her through mourning if her sister was lost, but she'd never be the same again. Fanged god willing, neither would the stars.

But that would not happen. She would not let it.

They wouldn't let it, any of them.

"...she's been surprisingly talkative..." Kaila confessed after a time.

"We spoke some on the way here, in a space between thought and memory."

"It's... getting crowded in here." she tried to chuckle, gesturing at her own skull.

"The witch was a clone of Sokar, much like Tamsin. She also said something about her maker's sister, on Dathomir, but I get the impression she is no clone."

"We've been... learning about one another, I think death has brought her peace in a way."

"I want to help you," She nodded. "I hate that you felt you needed to do this alone. You have to remember no matter what I have going on with me, I'll always be there for you - I would walk into chaos to find you, Kaila. Please don't forget that I love you more than anything."

"I'm sorry." Kaila frowned.

"...I love you too..."

She choked out the words, every bit guilt stricken as she was outwardly broken. Sitting up enough to take her meds was more difficult than she would have liked, being forced to scoot back on one arm and a bandaged leg, but she managed.

"The Temple of Assimilation here on Jutrand could handle the surgery, perhaps. Darth Assimilus and I used to talk philosophy and cybernetics for hours. I trust his surgeons."

Kaila took her pills with a momentary pause as Quinn offered her a spoonful, brining a slight smile to her freckled face despite her circumstances. The comment to be made about being babied was there, but after a second thought and warm food on her tongue, the young Darth decided she liked this. It caused a strange heat to rise in her cheeks.

"You need to eat, and you can tell me more about this entity - what have you tried? What hasn't worked?"

"Ahem." she swallowed.

"I can Force Walk. It is a variant of Tulak Hord's ancient ritual, perfected by Darth Nox but though lost by many. It allows me to bind a spirit, though I've since discovered a loophole that allows me to safely imprison many at once."

"It's... how I cured myself of possession." she hesitantly confessed.

"Even so, we've been unable to draw Sokar out to begin the ritual. I've never encountered a wraith so stubborn as she."

​

 

[Quinn Varanin]

//: Kaila Irons //:
//: attire //:

Quinn continued to spoon-feed the porridge to Kaila, pausing when the woman wanted to speak or answer the questions the Princess asked. After several spoonfuls, Quinn blew on the porridge with some heat on her breath. She wanted to make sure that the food remained perfect for the woman.

The thought of the spirit being so talkative worried Quinn. She remembered her mother's lessons on the Force and the Spirits that inhabited the ethereal realm. While some were good, there were others that, while in life, were evil - continued to keep that element of their personality. Quinn's face showed concern as she paused the feeding, giving Kaila a moment to breathe. Remembering that she had also brought juice, she offered the cup with the straw to make things easier.

"She's talkative?" Quinn repeated. "I don't know if we should be happy about that."

Quinn sighed and shook her head. Things weren't going to be easy with this spirit. She didn't trust it, and from what she could gather, Kaila seemed positive about this entire encounter.

"I don't trust it. It was willing to attack you, willing to bring harm to Tamsin. She's the focus for some reason and this talkative nature isn't peace its a mind game." Quinn mulled over the information that Kaila had given. Her mind was lost, and the Princess ate the porridge herself. Each full spoonful went into her mouth as she continued to think about the philosophies of her parents and the spirit world. Her brow furrowed as she tapped the spoon on her lips as she chewed the spoonful.

"Mm, my mother could do that, not Srina—but my birth mother. She was taught by the former Emperor Moridin." Quinn shrugged as she took another bite of the porridge. She had forgotten how much she enjoyed the simple dish. It was one her mother would often make when they were sick. "It's difficult, but he had bound the entire planet of Byss," Quinn paused and looked concerned for Kaila.

"You don't plan on doing something like that, right?" Quinn raised a brow as she took another bite of Kaila's porridge.

She continued to think about the struggles and the comment on possession. It had elicited another raised brow—another point that Quinn would need to question after they finished talking about this Sokar annoyance.

"If it's being stubborn," she waved the spoon around as if they were talking about simplicities or something well-known, "Do we have any idea where they would have met their end? Or well - where their body was buried." She went to take another bite but suddenly realized what she had been doing. A sheepish little smile spread across the Princess' face as she leaned forward and offered the warm spoonful to her wounded lover.

"It's what kept Moridin able to hold so many because he was where they all died…kind of helping him root them in place."

 

[Kaila Irons]

Tag: Quinn Varanin

"I-" sighed Kaila defeatedly.

"Yes... probably..."

Her plan sounded so stupid when Quinn laid it all out. Cage a ghost and expect it to tell the truth, to turn on it's maker. Sokar may have been a cruel master, but Kaila had been the spirit's end. Of course Mystra Midnight was lying, why wouldn't she?

"I don't know what else to do. I just hope that sister on Dathomir is willing to help us."

She closed her eyes, trying to think whilst awaiting her next mouthful. When it did not come, she peeked at Quinn, who seemed equally lost in thought as she ate her food. Kaila furrowed her brows but said nothing, realizing why.

It's difficult, but he had bound the entire planet of Byss," Quinn paused and looked concerned for Kaila.

"You don't plan on doing something like that, right?"

"Gods no," she exclaimed, "I don't think I could, let alone would."

Or so Kaila wished to believe. Thinking back on Susevfi, the feeling of such overwhelming death and hatred, she had to wonder if that were true, or whether there would be another exception one day.

"Do we have any idea where they would have met their end? Or well - where their body was buried." She went to take another bite but suddenly realized what she had been doing. A sheepish little smile spread across the Princess' face as she leaned forward and offered the warm spoonful to her wounded lover.

"It's what kept Moridin able to hold so many because he was where they all died…kind of helping him root them in place."

"...not yet..." she murmured.

"But why does the name Moridin sound familiar."

All this thinking was painful. Everything was. And would continue to be so until the meds kicked in. Most of all however, it hurt to see Quinn so overwhelmed as she.

Kaila offered her best smile, leaning forward to take her share of the food, but the thought would not leave her.

"You haven't eaten since yesterday, have you." she frowned even still.

"I'm sorry, Quinn, I shouldn't have gone alone. I should have expected heavier resistance, planned ahead-"

"I should have told you."

​