Private Would?

[Zaavik Perl]

ORINACKRA // THE CAGE
Darth Daiara

「 WOULD? 」​

A deadpan expression betrayed the tortured volumes that bubbled up when she mentioned Bastra's assassination. It was his lowest point in years, floating just above rock bottom. As one could guess, he didn't exactly relish the dour reminiscence. A slow inhale staunched the flow of anger that her words evoked as if she was reciting some ancient sith incantation.

"Has it still not occurred to you that maybe, killing you or getting you killed isn't a desire of mine? If it was, believe me, I could out you without detriment if I tried hard enough. I'd be cozy in a bunk while they line you up against a wall, but I don't want that. It isn't the way."

He scoffed. "And if it isn't already obvious, I'm undercover, same as you. So quick to call me a friend to these Imperial bastards without having the insight to realize I'm here at their detriment. I'm a Shadow, Aradia, I steal, I sabotage, I assassinate." There was pointed displeasure as he listed off the last duty. "You refuse to see a reality that gives us a common enemy. You'd sleep well at night thinking they and I are the same. We aren't."

Zaavik waved a hand in a condescending, dismissive manner. "I already said I won't stop you. What's keeping you?"

 

[Darth Daiara]

Aradia's lips pressed into a thin line, his words cutting. He couldn't know Zoist and the talisman. He couldn't know about Jend-Ro Quill and the compassion he showed. She could see a reality where he wasn't on the same side of the imperials that slaughtered and the jedi that assisted. She could picture, for the first time, that maybe some in the pack were different.

Like her.

Like Quill had been.

Like her Master, who had always respected her will and gave her a choice.

It was just hard to picture him like that. They had been fighting against each other for so long-- her shoulder ached in a reminder.

She was both too proud and too mistrustful to say anything of that, her body wavering in place.

Zaavik waved a hand in a condescending, dismissive manner. "I already said I won't stop you. What's keeping you?"

"Nothing," she sniffed, swallowing past a large lump in her throat. "...Goodbye." She whipped around, red pony tail falling out of the collar of her imperial jacket. The souls in the camp were worth saving, just not at the risk of her own next. She stormed forward with quick steps, shoulders coiled any attack at her back.

She realized then, she didn't even know his name.