The Sequel
Kirie mulled over Kaila's words. Within them there was a difficult truth: That sometimes circumstance, or the Force, pushed people down a particular path. Kaila had no say in what she became, she was working with what had been given to her, and Kirie couldn't fault her for that. Kirie, like her, had been dropped into the Sith with less than nothing, and since then it had felt like she was being propelled towards joining the ranks of the Sith, using her potential, becoming powerful.
But Kirie had more choice that Kaila ever had, right? She had her memories. She wasn't trained to be a killer. Nobody was forcing her to become a Sith, it was just easier. She had few options, and becoming a member of the Order would make her untouchable to the Kainate slavers, would allow her to defend herself and others, and to become someone in the Empire. But the cost, as she had found out today, was far too great. There was that slim possibility that she could learn control, as Kaila had said, but not if she had to fight. Not if she had to kill. That would destroy her no matter how hard she tried to prevent it.
"If I am to learn about the Force, I want to do it to help people, not to hurt them."
So she would stop training. She'd pick her own path. Kirie decided then that she wouldn't train saber combat, would not learn to throw others with the Force nor command the elements to dispose of her enemies. and if she died a pathetic weak fool unable to protect herself, that was just the way things were.
Still, the thought that Kirie would be equally helpless if something happened to Quinn or Kaila, that she couldn't save them. Not that she had done anything to help Kaila. Quite the opposite.
Kirie was relieved that Kaila accepted her offer, not least because it helped break up her racing thoughts. She was heavy, which Kirie now understood was thanks to the metal in her bones. Even with her strength, her muscles strained under the weight. It made her wonder how she had been so light on that evening on Naboo. The sensation of her hand on the small of Kaila's back was a reminder too. Kirie did her best to drive those thoughts from her mind.
With Kaila slumped over her shoulder, Kirie guided her the short distance down the hall, memories swirling through her brain despite her best efforts. Kaila at the party, Kaila in her manor on Echnos, and Kaila sitting beside her in the room where they were now headed, helping remove her brand.
Carefully, Kirie laid Kaila down, fussing over her as she arranged herself in the covers. She made sure the injured warrior was propped up on a few pillows that she fluffed up slightly obsessively. The room was cold, so she pulled up the fluffy quilt Quinn had provided the night she'd been delivered from the dark. Finally, Kirie retrieved a wooden chair from the cramped desk and pulled it up alongside the bed.
Kirie blinked at Kaila, not understanding for a moment. The words were perfectly comprehensible, but Kirie had convinced herself that Kaila's request for her to stay had been a moment of weakness, that she would come to realise she didn't want anything to do with Kirie anymore. That didn't seem to be the case. Kaila was a kind, and merciful person, far better than Kirie deserved. She was glad for it.
"If you still want that." said Kirie quietly. "I do as well. Strange to think after all this we barely know anything about each other." She fell silent at that, and while she'd been making a brave attempt at meeting Kaila's eye till now, her gaze slid back to the floor.
"You should rest." said Kirie. "I'll keep an eye on you, if you're alright with that."
Last edited: