Uncommon Sanctuary

[Jaron Lesan]

She did not know what she was saying, and even though Jaron knew it, he still turned, eyes flashing visible with anger thankfully hidden behind his helmet. ”Fate is an unforgiving mistress, as is the Netherworld. No matter what breath anperson has it cannot always keep entire worlds from being destroyed, and I was a fool to think it possible.”

He agreed about he next statement and gave a nod. There was nothing to be done about a coward who could not end a life trying to end theirs, or worse, others. Jaron had always been able to pull the trigger so to speak, easier than he should have. Even though he’d trained with his uncle to be a Jedi Sentinel, he was more apt to rush into a fight. It was an era long past though, and he pushed the thoughts from his mind. Jaron didn’t want to be redeemed. The dark call was one he had gladly answered and embraced.

The cave was cramped, cold, and damp. Had his helmet been off he would have picked up on the mold and must on the air, but he was thankful it was on. Darkness surrounded them for now. A faint light seemed to be coming from somewhere ahead, but Jaron was more focused on what he could sense. They were free for several meters, almost a kilometer, but there was something down there.

”You really should learn to stretch your senses. If you do not practice you will never get stronger. I’m here, you can take the time to practice. I’m certain your father wants you to get better, might even demand it. Fortunately I’m not one to lick anyone’s boots. However, if you’re gonna be watching my shebs, I want you better. I like breathing.”

Yes, he mentioned his butt on purpose. It was the last bit of flirtation before Jaron had entered the cave, and his signal that they could lighten up a bit for now. His humor masked his own insecurity and pain, but it was also what made him charismatic like most of the men who bore his last name.

”Or... I could watch yours...”

There it was, his first attempt to overtly flirt with her. Banter was one thing, this was a step above, and why not. If he was reading her right, she had been playful and why not return the sentiment. Jaron was sorely out of practice though, and could have been mistaken.

”Go on reach out, and when you latch on the dark presence that isn’t you or me... tell me. I’ll guide you from there...”

[member="Dianah Vrorae"]

 

[Darth Miseria]

The flair of emotion in his voice made her feel mildly uncomfortable. There was no way she had meant to upset him with what she had said but it seems Dianah had managed it anyway. Death was a touchy subject, that much was clear now. She raised her hands up by way of apology.

'I don't think you're a fool. I meant no offence.'

She hoped her tone was a soothing one. Having never had any use for sympathy or empathy it was a tough emotion for Dianah to convey. There was never anyone she had killed who didn't deserve to die in her eyes. Still, she felt something and assumed it to be the unknown emotion named solace.

'...if you're gonna be watching my shebs, I want you better. I like breathing.'

She gave a loud tinkling bell like laugh, throwing her head back with the effort of it. Laugh lines crinkled into vision on the corners of her lips. 'Who said I'm that interested in your shebs?' Her voice was full of amusement and she made a pretence of wiping a way a tear. She gasped loudly, shoving his chest with the tip of her fingers in a playful attempt to knock him off balance. At the same time a soft pink blush crept over her pale skin. 'And what would Metus say if he knew you were talking about watching his Daughters shebs? Besides. They're far too good for the likes of you.' Dianah shot him a exuberant wink and gave an over-exaggerated wiggled of her hips to bring attention to them. 'This is the stuff of Gods. Nothing you could handle anytime soon.'

Overall though, he was hinting at teaching her how to search for signs of life using the force. It was an interesting idea and Dianah was always up for giving something a go. Besides, she knew enough to know when something or someone was near. She had just never actively tried to look. Dianah definitely knew he was right about her Father. He would be pleased if she attempted to improve herself off her own back. Going back stronger then she had left was an appealing notion.

'Okay... I'll give it my best shot.'

Her feet stopped dead in their tracks. Dianah thought it would be better for her concentration if she didn't have the constant distraction of watching where they were placed. She closed her eyelids slowly drawing in a deep breath of stale air. With the force pouring thickly out of her body she reached out through the corridors and the surrounding areas. She hummed and shifted her weight from one foot to the other, searching for something that would give some inkling as to what lay ahead.

'There is something there... It's strong. I can feel its presence.' Dianah crunched her lids shut tighter in concentration. 'No. Wait. It's more then one. That's why it feels so powerful.' Her eyes flicked open and she whipped her head toward Jaron. 'Am I making any sense?' At this the expression she wore turned into a grimace.

[member=Jaron Lesan]

 

[Jaron Lesan]

”No you didn’t, I did,” he said with a calmer tone. ”My entire home planet was destroyed because of some interdimensional supernatural event. There was no stopping it. I have dedicated my life to preventing the things that led up to it, but it seems there are those in this galaxy that are bent only on destruction. The Confederacy is the best hope this galaxy has.”

Jaron didn’t talk like a Sith, which was why he wasn’t one. He had come to terms with the fact he was a Jedi that had embraced the darkness to accomplish what those who followed the light could not. The galaxy was full of dark Jedi that refused to admit they were, but Jaron was not one of them. His red blade and his blue blade were reminders of who he had been and who he was now.

It seemed his comment had broken the thickness in the air between them. Dianah was laughing, poking him, teasing him back. What exactly would Metus think.

Jaron scoffed.

”Now who is flaunting their shebs hmm? And all while hiding behind what your father might do to me, or that I am not divine enough to handle you. A goddess you might be, but every goddess secretly longs for a devil...”

Presumptuous, perhaps, but Jaron was in no way one to ever sugar coat anything, nor was he going to deny that she had been flirting with him as well. Wonder what her father would think about that?

Her eyes closed as she finally listened to him. There would be more about her shebs later, but for now, he was going to guide her. Jaron already knew what was ahead of them, so it would be easy for him to walk her through this. Her face scrunched up which told Jaron one thing. ”You’re trying to hard. Less trying more doing.” As she spoke about what she found, Dianah was beginning to see why this exercise was important. Sometimes things were more than what an initial glance revealed.

Jaron came up behind her. His hands rested on her shoulders as he closed the space between them. His chest was only a few inches from her back and he whispered in her ear.

”Focus on what you have found. Isolate it, then separate all it’s parts. Tell me how many there, then slowly pull back to just you and tell me about how far ahead they are.”

She could do it. She was strong, stronger than Dianah realized. Jaron liked having her around, and what was more, he liked her.

[member="Dianah Vrorae"]

 

[Darth Miseria]

'Well... that's no way to talk to yourself.'

After that simple sentence she listened intently. It seemed he was talking about one of his secret pains and she was determined to give it the proper attention. There was always an air about Dianah that made people feel comfortable in her presence. Perhaps it was her bubbly personality or her cheerful natural state. But whatever it was secret pains never took long to emerge to the surface when Dianah was around.

His scoff made her beam with a wide grin that showed a glimpse of her perfect teeth. 'We might secretly long for devils but I'd be careful. Devils might have fire at their finger tips but that doesn't mean they can't get burnt.' She paused for a few moments to consider her next sentence. 'Besides. My Father is the Devil Incarnate. I doubt any other devil would want to try.' She snorted at this, mostly to herself, but in the small confines of the cave it echoed in the space between them. She couldn't imagine bringing anyone back to Metus for inspection. Even if he was the Mand'alore himself. He'd certainly leave with four less appendages then he came with.

Jaron was right, as she had found him to be often on this little mission of theirs. The raw concentration she was exhuming made things feel murky. It was like she was trying to look through a thick, unending fog or swim through a mud soaked swamp.

With the weight of him on her shoulders she relaxed, letting go of the tension that had built up in her body. His hands were a comfort and they grounded her which aided her concentration. She took another deep breath of air through her nose and exhaled it slowly through her pursed lips. Her eyelids fluttered shut once more. 'Lets try this again.' Another long inhale followed by an exhale. 'Focus, focus, focus. No wait, don't focus. Just feel.' She said the last part in quick succession, almost mumbling it. A reminder to herself not to concentrate too hard.

It hit her nearly instantly this time. At least fifteen different life forces clawing and scrambling to make themselves known in her head. Doing as Jaron had suggested she tried her best to separate them so she could make note of the actual number. Some felt stronger then others but they all screamed of their existence, making her ears ring. Dianah mumbled each number to herself. '...Twenty.'

Her breath caught in her throat. How could there be that many? What the hell was at the end of this damp and dreary tunnel that required twenty whole guards to pace about aimlessly. It instantly made her nervous. Having to fight two men at once was simple enough but twenty would be complicated. Maybe this was were Jaron would prove this swift and silent death trope worthy of notice. 'At least two miles straight ahead.' Dianah turned her head as far as she could in order to face him without knocking his hands from her shoulders. 'Have we made a mistake?'

[member=Jaron Lesan]

 

[Jaron Lesan]

”Metus does not scare me, and that is why I will succeed where other demons would shrink back at the mention of his name. Foolish? Maybe. However, I am as Metus is, my allegiance is to myself first, and as such, if I must walk through fire, then so be it...”

Dianah has a way, even in her banter to get Jaron to reveal his personality to her. It was disarming, both an endearing but frightful quality. Mystery had always been his greatest ally, and here he was opening more and more to the girl. He enjoyed it though, the chase, and almost wanted to know what type of rejection was going to come from her lips next. She had made herself seem like a prize no one could win, and that made Jaron want to win all the more.

He almost corrected her as she mumbled on about focus, though finally she said it right feel. To that Jaron nodded with a simple affirming hmm from his mouth. Feeling was everything to the darkness. Fear, passion, anger, sorrow, joy, all of these emotions fueled the power one could tap into. The stronger the emotion the greater the potential. With the right hand to guide her, Dianah would be powerful, and Jaron was determined to see her as such. In that moment, in his own mind, he claimed her as his student, regardless of who that would upset.

”Twenty, a daunting number, and now are you afraid of nervous. Nervous will get you killed, but fear you can channel. Fear will make you stronger. Fear will keep you alive if you know how to bend it to your will. Do not quench your fear, but make it your slave, to do your bidding.”

Yes, she was going to see. If she could focus it, then she would see what she could do. Jaron kept moving, quietly. His steps were deliberate, and the deeper they moved the more cautious his steps were. Despite the caution, he was confident. Twenty were not a problem, not to him. He just needed to see how they were formed.

Forty minutes it took for them to move through the cave. A pair of massive boulders blocked them from the view of the guards who were all stationary around some kind of massive drill looking thing. Jaron was puzzled for a moment, but then realized this was how they were making their tunnels, and it was headed to an old abandoned rebel base. If they could hijack it, then the Confederacy would have a surprise for the Templars when they made their move on Arbra.

Jaron grinned.

”Did we make a mistake,” he finally answered her question with a shake of his head. ”You know what he have to do.”

A small chuckle escaped his lips as one of the stalactites fell from the cave ceiling and impaled the first of twenty guards. He looked to Dianah.

”Oops... did I do that?

With a nod she would know how they would deal with the guards, at least until a few more would make the remaining guards scatter.

[member="Dianah Vrorae"]

 

[Darth Miseria]

The bell like laugh she had used previously sounded from her vocal chords once again. It tittered at the end, making her sound like a bird taking flight. 'Then you really are a fool. Everyone is scared of Metus.' She paused in her speech to adjust a section of her armour. 'Besides. Even if Metus were a myth you'd still have to impress me first.' Her amber coloured eyes flicked up and she looked at him through thick eyelashes. 'And that thought alone should scare you more than the all great and powerful Metus.' With a playful look on her face Dianah patted him on the chest with the flat of her palm, the way someone would pet their dog.

They carried on through the mess of depressing paths, finally reaching the great stone boulders that blocked them neatly from view.

In the wide, open cove they were met with there was a giant piece of machinery that Dianah did not recognise at all. She was sure Jaron would know, what with all the fancy technology he had back in his base. But that was a question she could save for later. They were faced with the mammoth task of destroying whatever guards there were defending it. There seemed to be a few more then she had guessed at, which was mildly disappointing. Dianah reminded herself of the fact that it was her first time using the nifty bit of force, but it was a let down all the same.

A wide spread over her lips as she watched the massive stone point crumble from its place on the ceiling. 'Well well well, look at Master Serious having a little fun.' She flicked the visor of his helmet gently. It was inspired and it gave her an idea. Scanning over the room quickly she noted two guards placed at either side of the drill. Their stern expressions filled her heart with a childlike glee. They would be perfect.

Reaching out slightly, her arms still in the cover of the great boulder, she stretched her fingers fully. They flicked dramatically into her palm and the dark force filled the mouth of the tunnel. The only indication she was doing anything at all came suddenly. High, violent screams pierced their way through the random chatter of the men. The two standing in front of the heavily guarded drill reached up and clutched at their skulls wildly with their hands. Dianah's nails dug into her palms. Thin, red lines of blood were trickling down her wrists from wounds the pressure had created.

There was a satisfying POP that cut the screams short. Brain matter and bone scattered wildly about the cave, finding their mark on a handful of the guards that were unfortunate to be standing close enough. Dianah released her fingers with a sigh of relief.

'Tag, you're it.'

[member=Jaron Lesan]

 

[Jaron Lesan]

Hard to get... if that was how she wanted to play it...

"Oh... you are good... this is not over... and I have not given up..."

This would resume when they were not busy trying to finish the mission. Jaron knew when to pick his battles, and as such, this was not the moment for it. However, if she wanted to be impressed, then there was ample opportunity for that happen over the course of the rest of this mission. After all, with near twenty guards to dispatch, Jaron had ample opportunity to show off. Even the way she patted him like a puppy was all part of her little game, and Jaron was more than sure she was playing one. It was only confirmed with the way she looked at him and said tag.

Her kills had been impressive. The technique was not an easy one to master, and yet again she was trying too hard. Her palms bled from the exertion and pressure, all undue for someone who had mastered the technique.

"You're still trying too hard," he said as he grabbed her wrist and made her look at the bleeding hand. "You enjoy this too much to put yourself under all this pressure... watch."

A simple mind trick was all Jaron would use. First he had to secure the weakest mind of the group, and yes, that usually meant the largest human. It wasn't always the case, but the stereotype was generally true. There was fine line between manipulation and getting the person to actually believe the thought was theirs, and Jaron had learned to master it. With a subtle whisper, he dropped the thought into the mind of the man his thoughts were focused on.

"You want to kill them all for making fun of your smarts..."

The man was seen mumbling to himself the same thing Jaron had suggested before he drew a knife and started stabbing the man next to him. A smile spread on Jaron's face as the other guards rushed to put him down, and with a flick of his wrist one of them found their head colliding with the wall. A loud crunch echoed in the cave as the sound of a broken neck and skull filled their ears. It stunned them all, and small chuckle escaped from Jaron as he motioned to the crowd.

"I can enjoy the game as much as you can... Impressed yet?"

[member="Dianah Vrorae"]

 

[Darth Miseria]

Hard to get was her middle name and playing the game was her greatest pleasure in life. Whatever game that might be at the time, Dianah loved them all.

She wrenched her wrist free with a heavy huff, wiping the blood away on the already stained silks. It did nothing but smear it further across her hands. Silk wasn't very good at absorbing liquids. The wounds stung, but they would soon be forgotten just like the burn on her shoulder. 'It takes a lot of pressure to crack a skull, you know. Forgive me, Master.' Her lips pursed into a pretend pout and she swatted at his hand, making her look like a spoilt Princess. Her tone wavered with her quivering lower lip, but it was dosed with heavy measure of her fun-loving personality.

To take her mind off the mild sting she focused intently on his next move. Maybe she could pick up some more new things whilst she was here. He seemed more then willing to teach her and he had the patience to forgive her mistakes. It was definitely easier than learning something with the daunting pressure of the Dark Lord's eyes, always watching.

Dianah was glad she was watching. The power he displayed was incredible. It made her hungry for her own powers to grow. She realised he was just as dark as she was, under all the layers of mysterious and passive. 'Remind me to get you to show me how you do that...' Her voice was filled with wonder as she watched the guard hack away at his own allies. At his words, she chuckled and leaned into him pressing a hand against his chest. She batted her long eyelashes at him, putting on a sickly sweet tone.

'You'll have to do more then that to impress me, honey.'

As casually as if she were putting her shoes on in the morning, she jerked her wrist. A shout of surprise left one of the guards mouths as he flew off the makeshift balcony he was standing on. His arms and legs waved wildly in the air, trying to grasp onto anything that could save his life. But Dianah was too powerful and telekinesis was one of her strongest abilities. He stopped above the razor sharp tip of the industrial drill. Dianah let him hover there for a few moments. The realisation of what was about to happen hit the poor man quickly and he began thrashing back and forth against the force.

She chuckled easily, still resting against Jaron's chest. Dianah maintained her air of ease and let him fall from his great height. Down and down he went till the tip of the drill found it's target and pierced through his stomach. 'How's that for trying too hard?'

[member=Jaron Lesan]

 

[Jaron Lesan]

His head canted at the use of the word master, and the tone in her voice. If he were truly her master that comment would have gotten her slapped, but she was not. She rested her hand away with some force, and Jaron shook his head.

”You ought to care more about what you exert as it can kill you as well...”

As it was Jaron did care for life, albeit it was his own twisted way of caring, but he also did not want to see Dianah throw hers away simply because she was showing off. No game was worth it.

He chuckled at her flirtatious nature. Jaron was liking her more and more, and yes, the fact that each pass came with some form of rejection only made him want to try harder. Where he thought his display had earned him something, all he got was a request to teach it. He could have used it to get what he wanted, but she had thrown the gauntlet down and he would impress her before this mission was over.

His eyes beamed at the way she tossed the guard around before dropping him onto the spike of the drill. He was going to do that next, but now he couldn’t. Jaron shrugged.

”Not bad, not bad,” he said as a scream could be heard.

Looking around from the boulder a man floated in the air as if gripped by an invisible hand. Jaron’s own was extended, and when he closed his fist, the sound of every bone in the man’s body breaking sang through the cave. Force Crush was a skill he’d picked up from his Sith Master, and would gladly pass on to Dianah. There was one skill he was saving, one which would have seen him kill all twenty without harm. It was however, not one for stealth, and this game was more fun.

”Ten left between the two of us. You want to keep playing, or are you ready to get your hands bloody again?”

As much as Jaron enjoyed the game, he did want them all dead.

[member="Dianah Vrorae"]

 

[Darth Miseria]

'If it does it would be my own stupid fault, wouldn't it?'

She raised a brow loftily and cracked a charming smile. Dianah was being cheeky and she was well aware. Normally she wouldn't take such liberties with such a new friendship but she could tell Jaron was getting just as much enjoyment out of it as she was. The whole experience up to this point had been nothing but exciting, despite the minor injuries she'd received. 'Thank you, I thought it was rather inspired.' She pushed herself from his chest and stood back, ready and waiting for his next move.

The cracking of bones was music to her ears. It was one of the brutal ways of killing that she got the most pleasure out of. She shuddered to think that with just a simple move of his hand, Jaron was able to crumble a man into nothing but dust. Such power she could only dream of one day possessing, at least for now. 'Perhaps I ought to keep you around after all.' A finger lifted up to her chin and stroked it in mock thought. But there was a ring of truth to it.

He was right, without a doubt. Time was pressing on and with no access to sunlight there was no telling how much of it had actually passed since they entered the cave. Dianah was always one for fun but there was no playing when a direct order from Metus was involved. They were already pushing their luck. At least for this portion of the mission. She pulled the lightsaber up toward her side and ignited the blade in one swift movement.

It's glow was enough to alert the remaining guards of where they were standing. They were all angry enough and afraid enough to have lost their inhibitions. They were itching for revenge against the hidden power that had been causing havoc.

'Always in such a hurry. Lets get cracking then.'

[member=Jaron Lesan]

 

[Jaron Lesan]

”And a waste of such a beautiful face. If you can picture it in your mind, you can do it, just remember that... it takes time, and don’t kill yourself along the way...”

His words were not Sith at all. However, his desire to see her strong was. Jaron was not going to invest time to make anyone weak, and if this proved their only meeting, she would be stronger for it. That was why the game was so important. She showed off her skill, and he showed his. Yes, he wanted to impress her, but he also wanted her to see what her potential was.

”Good to know... I was just thinking the same thing actually. Kinda like having you around. I forgot what it was like to work with a partner...”

It was as much an admission as she would get for now, and yes, Jaron had used the word partners, whatever that would mean. The thought was out there now, and he could not take it back. Most of his scouting for the First Order had been with partners so why not with the Confederacy. There was more he could do with someone else at his side, and Dianah had a natural aptitude for it. Yes, she had impressed him, and while he came off easy, Jaron in no way was.

When her lightsaber snapped to life he had his answer. Though he tease did not go unnoticed or unanswered.

”Trust me... quick can be just as fun, especially if you’re causing chaos while doing it...”

His own blades snapped to life. Rushing out from behind the rock he took the first guard he could hit. He threw his saber through the chest, impaling the body dead on. Using the force to call it back, Jaron was already slashing across the waist of another guard when a third swung at him. The blade came down for his head, and the saber he called back to him returned in time to block the attack. Pivoting, Jaron spun under the guard’s arm and halved him from head to tailbone.

That was three down and seven to go in the matter of seconds. There was no way Dianah could not say Jaron wasn’t skilled, and if he really wanted to impress her, he’d kill them all before she could get one. Why spoil the fun for her though. This... this was a bonding moment.

[member="Dianah Vrorae"]

 

[Darth Miseria]

'Jaron, my darling, nothing I do is a waste of this beautiful face. Even in death I plan on being something you'll never catch.'

The tip of her finger flicked out dramatically, splashing flecks of blood against the side of his visor. In no way would it distract him or block his vision, but there would be little spots of liquid streaking down the glass. She accompanied it with a flourishing wink. While she had maintained her gleeful personality she was taking every word he said seriously. Perhaps she didn't need to try so hard to get what she wanted. But then again trying hard was half the fun.

Taking a moment, she brought her hands palm up toward her face. The cuts weren't deep but they sure were bleeding a lot for surface wounds. It would be nice to accomplish something without ending up with an injury or two. These cuts, however, were different. If they healed over as tiny silver scars she would at least have a reminder of today.

'Good to know... I was just thinking the same thing actually. Kinda like having you around. I forgot what it was like to work with a partner...'

She beamed wide at this as he walked past her to begin the second slaughter of their little mission. Dianah made a pretence of following him, but stopped just short of leaving the safety of the boulder. Though he wouldn't realise it, she was watching him. He certainly was an inspiration for what she could potentially become. Perhaps his shebs weren't so bad either. At that last thought she chuckled in disbelief to herself and rolled her eyes. Now wasn't the time to get caught up watching his shebs, otherwise there would be no end of torment for the rest of the trip. Besides, she was enjoying the little back and forth they were having. She was a prize and she was making herself most difficult to be achieved.

The one thing Metus had consistently taught her was to be proud of yourself and never let a person turn your head, be they male or female. 'They should always turn their head for you. For you are beautiful and powerful and deserving of attention. You do not deserve to be handing it out like some di'kut on a street corner. So help me god if I catch you doing something like that...' Metus' own words had stuck with her from day one of leaving home and she believed them with a vigour.

She finally freed herself from the relative safety of the boulder and charged toward the nearest guard. He was dead in a matter of seconds. The only evidence of Dianah's presence there was a gaping hole in the middle of his face that reeked of the smell of smoke and burnt flesh. One well placed movement later and the head of a second guard was flying through the air. 'Five down... five to go!' ​She grinned menacingly and raised her hand, using the force to rip another guard from his vantage point on the make-shift balconies. He came crashing to the ground, landing head first on the solid floor of stone. 'Make that four.'

[member=Jaron Lesan]

 

[Jaron Lesan]

Now she was just being cruel. Even in death she was going to be unattainable. She played the game a little too well, and Jaron had no real retort other than to say... ”Challenge accepted...”. It was a either the best thing he could have said, or the most foolish, but he was enjoying it too much. The banter proved to be something he had missed about working alone. Dianah truly did remind him of what he was missing in life parading about like some hermit. That needed to stop.

They truly were a good team in just the short moments they had spent together. Their movements were fluid in combat, as one struck the other gave way, and without much focus, Jaron could know where she was. He turned in time to see her kill the sixth guard. Four to go. Jaron smirked.

Rushing to the cave wall he ran up the surface, aided by the force to reach higher than he could. Keeping the advantage of his night, Jaron brought his blades down upon on another guard, while pressing the force to his entire body to enhance and quicken his movements. As he had been a blur rushing to the cave on the outset of their mission, Jaron was now a blur in killing the four remaining guards. All that was discernible of his movement was the streaks of red and blue light his sabers left behind as a trail.

He stopped just in front of Dianah a mere two or three seconds later. His blades disengaged, and he removed his helmet.

”Make that ten down and none to go.”

A smile spread across his face, now she could see it. His own eyes took in the bloody mess she had become, most of the blood from her enemies. Crimson was a good color on her, and she wore it well. Reaching into the kit on his belt Jaron pulled out some bacta patches and put them on Dianah’s wounds.

”That is how we would have killed all of them before they even knew. Just because you move fast doesn’t mean you cannot enjoy it. I will teach you, make you better, faster, and stronger, if you let me. And I will find a way to impress you, because I am determined to catch you.”

There it was no pretense, simply an offer. If she wanted to get better, or learn his ways and methods, all she had to do was agree. Jaron looked around at the carnage they had caused and his smile only grew wider. What they had accomplished together was not a simple task, but one of skill. Even if they had made a game of it, their skill had won the day. Jaron could only imagine what they would accomplish if they both grew stronger.

”So... Dianah, what will it be?”

[member="Dianah Vrorae"]

 

[Darth Miseria]

'Challenge accepted...'

Music to her ears. Now the real game had begun. Nothing could stop them as they twisted and turned in symphony with each other. Dianah felt comfortable in his wake now, like she was protected. Even though there was no reason for her to feel unsafe anyway. She could handle herself. But there was something soothing about the company of this barely familiar man.

Just as she had released her grasp on the dark side after dropping the last man to his death she saw Jaron.

Her eyes widened in her head as she watched him zip around in an impossible blur. There was no way that wasn't causing him some strain. How could a body move that fast? Her jaw hung lightly open as he came to a skidding halt in front of her. 'Okay, now that was impressive. I barely got a look in.' Dianah allowed her hand to be easily led into his, the surprising expression still stuck fast on her face. The tips of her fingers twitched lightly at the bacta being spread over her wounds. It didn't hurt but it did set something off in her nervous system that made her jerk. The steady thump of her heart echoed against her eardrums loudly.

She managed to blurt out, before he had even finished his sentence: 'Come with me, to whatever silly mission I get posted on next.' There wasn't a single scrap of hesitation in her voice. 'Teach me, mould me, chase me. Whatever you like.' Dianah looked up at him with her round amber eyes. She found his own brown ones and bore her stare down onto him. 'But I will promise you one thing.' Her hand squeezed his gently. 'I will not make it easy for you.'

[member=Jaron Lesan]

 

[Jaron Lesan]

”So now you’re impressed?” he said with a smirk. ”If I would have known that I would have killed all ten of them on the outset...”

He shook his head knowing she had him wrapped around her finger already. It was dangerous, but he liked it. The banter had been fun, and now with the guards dead, Jaron had a bit more time to appreciate it. Then she blurted her comment. It was an easy request, not so easily filled. He nodded. Jaron found himself looking into her eyes. The amber stare bore into him, almost as if she was searching for the secret pain which fueled his power. Yes it was pain that fueled him, not anger or malice, but loss. It was much more powerful than any anger or hatred anyone would feel.

”It wouldn’t be as fun if you made it easy. Just don’t make it so hard that I lose interest, hmm, that is if you want it...”

Jaron was good at reading people, and while she had no business throwing herself at the men she was interested in, she did need to keep them on the hook until they had fully won her over. It was a difficult yet simple balance to maintain, one that only she could control. As far as being his student, if she didn’t listen, then she wouldn’t grow. Jaron knew she was smart, so his comment was really only meant to call her bluff of sorts. He was certain she wasn’t bluffing, but he also was certain there was a part of her that was interested. Jaron was appealing to that side.

He offered a gentle squeeze in return, before lifting the top of her hand to his lips and placing a gentleman like kiss atop it. His eyes diverted to the drill which the Templar Guard had given their lives to defend. Something like this could not have been cheap, and now it was in Jaron’s control. Ultimately it was meant for Metus, but until the Confederacy arrived, Jaron would be diligent to keep it out of Templar hands.

It also occurred to him that they were stuck. There were a few other paths that led away from the room they were in, but where they had come from was not an option.

”The more pressing matter is the fact that door locked behind us when we came in. We have to find a way out before this cave becomes our tomb. If worse comes to worse we have the drill, but I’d rather not attract whatever Templars may still be on this planet.”

Jaron still had her hand, but finally let it go. As much as he would like to relish the moment they were having, he wanted the opportunity for there to be more of them than just this one. For that to happen they did needed to get out.

[member="Dianah Vrorae"]

 

[Darth Miseria]

Dianah was aware that it must have been difficult for him to agree to her strange and sudden request. After all, as far as their friendship was concerned, they were just two random people forced together in a random situation. They had survived and made it work so that said enough about their comparability, but in terms of really knowing each other? They were just two ships passing in the night. It seemed silly to want to keep him around after such few short hours. So, with all this in mind, she rewarded him with a smile that showed her gratefulness from the tips of her lips to the creases in her eyes.

'Please... Like you would ever lose interest in me. Besides if you teach me all I want to know I'll be as good as gold. You'll see.'

She said the last words with a measure of dramatic irony. Good as gold meant she would sit, listen and learn when she was required too. It didn't necessarily mean she would let him have what he wanted, not yet anyway. The kiss he had placed tenderly on the back of her hand set a soft blush off in the curve of her cheeks. Leaning forward, she did something she had wanted to do since they began their friendly banter. With the tip of an elegant finger raised, she poked the end of his nose. The flesh pressed down gently for a few seconds before she released and gave a soft giggle. The worst of the fight was over for now so she could take advantage of his relax demeanour.

Her eyes followed along with his toward the giant piece of machinery casting a shadow over them. For a few moments she let her gaze be drawn to it. Every single detail was worn somehow. It was covered in fragments of rock and a thick crust of orange rust. 'What do you suppose that's for?' Dianah couldn't take her eyes of the thing. Whatever it was they would likely have to report it to Metus. He'd want to know what they were doing with it. But most importantly he'd be interested in the technology behind it.

For Dianah, the door locking behind them had been long since forgotten. She cursed, in a rather unladylike manor, under her breath. The sound of the drill would attract every man in the place and more. Once their location was permanently disclosed that was it. Mission over. Dianah liked that idea less and less as time went by. 'I suppose we're stuck here then. Unless you want to see what's further ahead?'

Her hand lifted and one finger pointed to behind the drill. There was another wide, deep opening leading down a cave that seemed in better condition then the first. From where they stood they could see the metal floor that lined the bottom and the consistently bright lamps along the walls. They were already taking liberties at this point. There was no harm in having a little more fun.

[member=Jaron Lesan]

 

[Jaron Lesan]

”I suppose they were making these,” Jaron answered as he waved a hand about to the caves around them. ”And right under my nose too...” he added scrunching it once her finger left it.

It was an odd thing of her to do, but endearing. She was working her way past the cold, but playful, exterior that he kept. Soon he would be spilling his secrets without much effort on her part. That was the danger of a partner. True partners were close, and some even beyond that. Jaron could only wonder what they would become, but for now they needed to get out. The cave was not a place he wanted to remain, despite the fact he lived in a rock.

He nodded at the tunnel beyond them. His helmet was clipped to his belt as he didn’t see a need for it at the moment. The particular tunnel Dianah had pointed to was developed, wider, the metal plate flooring showed signs of having been there for some time. Had these Templars unearthed an underground escape from the abandoned rebel base. It would make sense that the base would have several. Jaron scrateched his chin in thought.

”There is an old rebel base on Arbra from the days that Palpatine controlled the galaxy. I wonder if they have found another way in, or out...”

Jaron motioned. They might as well go ahead and find out what was on the other end of wherever that path led. His sabers were returned to his belt as Jaron moved forward. There was no need for them now, and unless a threat presented itself, Jaron would let them rest. Provided they remained out of sight, they wouldn’t be needed. While Jaron used them, he had already proven to Dianah they were simply another tool in his arsenal.

”As long as there is pleasant company, we might as well keep going. The welcoming committee has been more than entertaining. Besides, I’m loathe for this mission to be over just yet.”

Jaron finished with a wink as his boots hit the durasteel floor...

[member="Dianah Vrorae"]

 

[Darth Miseria]

She hummed and hawed as he talked, making her slow way around the drill. This seemingly short journey actually took a good minute or so. It was an impressive size. She mused for a moment on how they had created the smaller tunnels. Surely not man power? Digging the tunnel alone, with what little men they had seen would take a year or so. The previous tunnel had stretched almost three miles. The walls, despite being covered in some sickly looking mould, were smoothed down so no impurities remained.

Remembering that Jaron was in the room she nodded at his words.

'What ever they're doing with it Metus will need to know. If we find a way out we should come back this way and collapse both entrances for now, just in case they decide to come pick it up again. It shouldn't be to hard to clear again when we're ready.'

The cave structure really was quite impressive. She cringed to think of ruining the carefully planned architecture, but destroying and re-building would be less of a problem than a billion credits worth of machinery falling into the wrong hands.

'A rebel base, huh? Do you think they're smart enough to use one properly?'

Dianah swung around gracefully, on one of the pistons that operated the heavy drill, to face Jaron. She was grinning like an idiot. The simplest things in life were the biggest joys. At least, she thought so anyway. Adrenaline and bliss were a strange mix but they coursed through her blood one and the same. Away from the pressures of the Jen'ari Academy and the watchful, doting eyes of her Father, she felt at peace. Completely herself.

'You're the boss, cyar'ika.'

Her voice had a silk like quality that reflected her true feelings. Once again she swung on the cool metal of the drill and set herself upright. Dianah's feet skipped cheerfully after his own into the depths of the tunnels.

[member=Jaron Lesan]

 

[Jaron Lesan]

“Yes, he will, and I trust you will tell him.”

He knew she would. It was in her nature to be loyal to her father. The Resol’nare would ensure she put family first in all things. It was what would make her dangerous. An ally that would always have a higher loyalty was one to be wary of. Jaron had learned first hand the dangers of alliances, and being too trusting. Dianah was disarming however, another reason she was dangerous. It was also why he was growing to like her.

She made him laugh, which was no easy task. How she could be such a killed, and yet behave like an innocent child was beyond him. Dianah as a walking contradiction in a way, and it made her even more likeable, a mysterious package he needed to unwrap. Jaron wasn’t the only one with secrets, he knew it. He wondered what secrets this one held beneath her bubbly personna.

“That’s smart. We can control the one cave entrance best, and if this is the rebel base ahead, then we have to wipe out whatever Templar presence is there. We can’t have them being able to detect CIS dropships coming down on top of them.”

The matter was simple, a rebel base would be a valuable asset for the Confederacy to control especially since it was out toward the direction of the Firsr Order and the Outer Rim Coalition. Not that either groups had hostile intent against the Confederacy, but if they ever did, Arbra would be valuable.

Jaron’s steps carried him forward. He caught her words to him, especially the last. His head turned to her and he quirked a brow.

“Oh no, ladies first... I insist, cyare,” he retorted as his arm made a motion for her to take the first steps onto the durasteel in front of them.

[member="Dianah Vrorae"]

 

[Darth Miseria]

'So, I'm you're beloved now am I? I knew it wouldn't take you that long to fall for me. And now I have you in my clutches you'll be hard pressed to escape.' '

It was a joke, of course. Yet, Dianah knew for a fact she had him wrapped around her finger. It was somewhat satisfying knowing that at this point she could blink and he would be there. She shot him a cheeky grin and a wink to match as the heel of her boot clicked loudly on the durasteel floor. It sounded hollow against the stone walls of the cave tunnels. The tapping of their shoes on the floor seemed to make a louder noise then she felt comfortable. She was accustomed to fighting and walking in the high heeled shoes but she detested the noise they made on anything but plush carpet. To cover the tapping sound somewhat she turned to Jaron to continue their conversation.

'I suppose we better do a small amount of recon, if you suspect it's an entire rebel base down there.'

Dianah reached out with the force, stretching it as far as she could manage without looking like she was trying too hard. She wasn't shy about practice and as people often said practice made perfect. It came easier then the first time and she was able to keep up the steady pace they had set. The force oozed through the tunnels, like the tendrils of an octopus exploring caves for its dinner. 'I spy with my little eye...' She nibbled on her lower lip, working it up and down between her perfect white teeth. There was a notion of concentration on her face, but not nearly as much as there was before. 'A lot of people.'

She finished her sentence and released her lip, craning her head to face Jaron.

[member=Jaron Lesan]