Private To Create The Force

[Hatred]

Traveling the galaxy was an interesting bit of progress for the Elder. While he had no ship of his own, there seemed to be plenty willing to assist his moves across the stars. Willingly so was a different question to ask, but he didn't think much of it. Even now as he descended another vessel he paid no mind to those left within and the state they would likely remain for some time. Unable to disobey, unable to break free.

They would in time, but that hate he had fed would remain with them forever more. The Thought Dowser he carried certainly had quite the effect.

His gaze drifted about the landing zone as he walked, the smile on his face ever present. Ever calm. Purpose had brought him here. There were more minds within the Galaxy he wanted, needed, to bring to his side. One such mind was here, if his contacts were to be believed. Out into the town he went, gazing to the various shops as he walked as a beggar, yet with his head held high. A simple robe, no shoes, yet the presence of a noble. It was an interesting contradiction.

"Where might you be, I wonder."

Liin Terallo

 

[Liin Terallo]

I stepped out of the small shop with a paper-wrapped parcel tucked beneath one arm and my datapad in the other hand. It wasn't anything particularly interesting. A few replacement components, some basic supplies, and one item I'd bought almost entirely because my little biomass companion had decided it was absolutely necessary. He was currently hidden beneath my jacket, apparently content to let me carry both him and my purchases.

My attention was on the datapad as I glanced through the same message history I'd already checked several times that day. There was nothing yet from Pax. I sighed quietly. "I know," I murmured beneath my breath. "Patience."

A faint chirp answered from beneath my collar.

"Yes. I do realize that that's rather hypocritical coming from me." I closed the datapad and slipped it into my satchel just as I rounded the corner of the shop's entrance.

And nearly walked directly into someone. I stopped abruptly. The man standing before me was unusual. Not because there was anything overtly threatening about him. If anything, his appearance seemed almost contradictory. Simple robes. No shoes. The sort of clothing that might have suggested poverty, were it not for something about the way that he carried himself. There was a confidence there that didn't seem to belong to someone who had spent much time worrying about what other people thought of him.

I instinctively shifted half a step to the side. "Sorry." My eyes lingered on him for only a moment before I stepped farther out of his way, giving him plenty of room to continue along the street.

There was no reason to stare. No reason to assume that someone dressed strangely was dangerous. And, more importantly, no reason to make myself memorable. I'd spent enough time recently reminding myself of that.

My fingers briefly touched the edge of my satchel, reassuring myself that everything was still where it belonged. The datapad. My notes. The small collection of things I had acquired while waiting for Pax to determine whether getting me back to New Cov was actually possible.

I glanced after the stranger for only a second. Something about him was difficult to place. Not familiar, exactly. Just different. I dismissed the thought for New Cov occupied far too much of my mind already. Until Pax contacted me, there was very little I could do except wait, prepare, and avoid attracting the sort of attention that might make the journey home considerably more complicated.

So I turned away from the stranger and continued down the street. My little companion shifted beneath my jacket. "Don't start," I whispered.

A soft chirp.

"I mean it."

Another chirp.

It looked like it was going to be another one of those days.

Tag: Hatred

 

[Hatred]

The old man remained still. His bemused smile remained as he watched her step to the side. Watched her step away and apologize. He said nothing at first, only because he was ensuring that she was the one he had been looking for. The irony that he would find her like this. Perhaps this was that sense of fate Tegan Starfall had spoken to him of.

"Lady Terallo. I had been hoping to speak with you, so I will ask you give me a moment of your time."

He kept his tone respectful as he watched her. Waited to see how she would react. He didn't want to make her feel cornered after all.

Liin Terallo

 

[Liin Terallo]

I stopped for perhaps a second longer than was entirely natural. I simply stood there with one hand resting against the strap of my satchel. My first instinct was to wonder whether I'd heard him correctly. Lady Terallo. My expression changed only slightly, but the surprise was there. I hadn't introduced myself. I hadn't given him my name. And yet he somehow knew exactly who I was.

I turned back towards him, studying him more carefully this time. The same strange contradiction remained. The simple robes. The bare feet. The unmistakable confidence in the way he carried himself.

My little companion shifted beneath my jacket. I gently rested one hand against him through the fabric. "It's all right," I murmured quietly, though I wasn't entirely certain whether I was reassuring him or myself.

My attention then returned to the stranger. I glanced briefly up and down the street before looking back at him. There was no obvious reason to be alarmed. He had asked rather than demanded, and for whatever reason, he seemed determined not to make me feel trapped. That, at least, I appreciated.

I shifted the parcel beneath my arm and gave him my full attention. "You may have it. Who are you? I don't believe that we've met before."

Tag: Hatred