Arleigh Burke

She felt very uncomfortable on this planet. She could feel a vast difference from her home planet in the pit of her stomach. it felt lighter here, less oppressive. She even felt tempted to run through the fields without her boots, to feel the caress of the plains grass. But there was stuff to do, and no matter what, she didn't want to act foolish in front of everyone. She fell into step beside the Jedi Apprentice, gripping her bow in her hand. "What Fauna are we likely to encounter on our way to these cave systems?" She could feel a tinge of jealously at him able to wield a jedi blade. Perhaps someday she would be able to as well.

(sorrry guys, my laptop asploded) She looked back at the old jedi master, "of course I will come along sir, any chance I can get to learn" She looked at Qaela "Are you to come as well?"

Arleigh laughed to herself at Ad's response about her age. She fiddled with the crash webbing until she was able to lean forward easily, "You have little to worry about master jedi, they will not miss me, nor shall I miss them." She looked to Ads, "Your first time with a weapon?" That was strange, he seemed to be an adult. Hell even she had a bow with her. "Are you not carrying one right now?" A new planet. This flying sensation was turning her stomach. Arleigh Gripped onto the arm wrests nervously as they fell out of hyperspace. That was a weird feeling.

Arleigh stop;ped, her heart full of indecision. There he was, standing before her, all that tied her to this old life. The Jedi was right of course, he didn't belong on some jedi planet. He needed to grow free, free from whatever her life would become. She leaned forward and caressed his rock-like snout. Inviting a wimper from the beast. She put her hand between its wide spaced eyes and whispered a soft chant. Ieerich Voster Hoenemhiem She kissed him again, and with a lonely howl he was gone. Her thin shoulders sagged, and she leaned against the shuttle, willing back tears. "Lead on master jedi."

((HOLY CRAP AM I BAD AT THIS GAME)) The footsteps sounded familiar. Almost as if they were Wally's. Wally. How in the world had she forgotten? The Rancor pup came bounding explosively from the undergrowth and wrapped her in his large comforting arms. "Put me down please." It wined expressively and she grabbed its collar. Embarrassed she turned to the jedi. "Is, is there room for him?" He wasn't that big at this point, no bigger than a large speederbike. If a speederbike liked to eat and poop alot.

There was a distant crack that echoed from several hundred meters behind their party. Perhaps a wild animal stepping on a large branch, she did not know. SHe drew her bow to full and doubled her speed. If they were lucky, whatever was tailing them would loose them in the night. Or perhaps it was her imagination. But it sure did sound like a rancor. She hoped the ships would be coming up soon. Otherwise, who knew what was in store. ((I sincerely apologise, my internet has been refusing to connect to Jedi.net))

Arleigh kept herself silent as they ran through the forest. She sighed slightly as various comments were directed her way, but she did not mind. She wasn't going to die tonight. Se listened harder through the sound of their movement to hear the sound of anyone else in pursuit. Nothing yet. She looked at the younger jedi knight and smiled. No doubt he was glad to get out of whatever method to smuggle her offworld. She wanted to thank the lady sith for her life, but felt that it would distract from the conversation Starlisk and Qaela were having.

Arleigh kept very quiet as they ran almost silent after Qaela. The underbrush was thick, but their footing was sure. She smiled softly at the Jedi Master, and he smiled back. It reminded her of her own father, now long gone. She had no doubt that whatever this silent escape was about, it was likely her fault. Hopefully no one would be injured or there would be no pursuit. She fell back slightly and notched an arrow. Just in case. Her ears were sharp, and any Rancor would not be silent.

Arleigh lay on her makeshift cot, breathing softly, trying to get to sleep. She blinked away futile tears. Everything seemed to be falling apart, and she clutched the flimsiplast photo of her father close to her heart. If the Jedi did not come through, she knew she would not survive the next few days, perhaps not even the next few hours. No doubt Qaela was already spreading the words of her failure. Her eyes flickered open as she heard the curtain swing aside. She drew in her breath and prepared for whatever axe would cleave her neck. A hand clasped over her mouth, Arleigh tried to scream for a second but bit it back. There was something strange in her voice. "If you wish to live, do as you are told and come with me. If you attempt to raise any alarm or give me any difficulties, you will be dead before your body hits the ground. Do you understand?" Arleigh nodded, "As you wish madam." She quickly stood and shrugged a thin tunic over her bare skin. She grabbed her satchel and bowed to the Lady. "Where are we going? No doubt this would mark her end, but she was ready to face it, no matter the cost.

Arleigh sighed deeply. "As you wish my lady." She sat the cup of tea down gingerly on one of the makeshift tables and with a bow, ran from the tent. She considered stopping by the Jedi's tents, but she figured that it would do her no good. She collected Wally, and made her way back to her own tent.

Of course she had disappointed her. It was only natural that she disappoint everyone she ever thought a hero. She had never cared about power. How could she tell this older sister this? Power was nice, but it held no appeal. She had seen her mother possessed by the pursuit of power, and she did not want to follow her. She chose her words carefully, thinking about what whispers she had heard about Qaela. "My mother killed my father and scarred me forever because of this 'dark' power. Our people are hunted for it. Have you not lost friends or lovers because of the lust for power? Is not hurting others abusing power? Why would I want that?" She took a sip of the boiling hot tea and grimaced.

Kindness a weakness. Arleigh almost laughed bitterly. The only weakness she had ever seen was her mother, strange even she had died in the aftermath started by Qaela. Her father would no doubt be thought of as weak for his kindness, but he had been strong. Strong and kind in the face of evil that her mother propagated. Arleigh looked up to Qaela then back at the floor. Her words were soft. “I...I don't want power, I have seen what it does to those you love...” She though of her father, “I, I could not. I would not.” She closed her eyes. “If I have strength within me it is not destined for darkness. I could not spawn hate and hurt....” She looked up to the older sister's eyes almost apologetically. “I do not wish to disappoint you Sister.”

Arleigh smiled cooly as she considered the nightsister's words. A life without Nateth or the others of her mother's ilk would be a great relief. She started to follow the older girl to the fire then stepped short. Her leather boot scraped on the stone ground as she came to a sudden halt. Without a word of curse, she had elevated the teapot and cups. Arleigh would have called it witchcraft, but that was their specialty after all. She had heard the Jedi do such tricks, but she had never seen application of the force without words of power. The power was astounding, to use the force in a way that neither injured nor maimed. It shook her to core. It was a little thing, yet it meant so much. She could have freedom. Damn it all, freedom from this stone floor, the confines of tents, rancors, and nightsisters. She accepted the cup, and blushed at the use of her name. What did she think of the Jedi? She pulled nervously at the hem of her skirt and considered her best path. Honesty to a point. “I like them, they are hardly the horrors told at the campfire.” She bit her lower lip. “They have healthy bloodlines. And they are kind and enduring, something I am not used to.”

((Hilarious post. lol)) Arleigh was slightly offset by the calm demeanor of which Qaela spoke to her. Perhaps she did not yet know that Arleigh was planning to leave with the jedi. Even if the plan was childish, it was still better than getting each on of her molars cracked with the force, then getting dumped into the rancor pits. That was not her keenest way of dying. She glanced across the children, surprised that someone with Qaela's stature could safely carry triplets to term, even if she had all the power the stars had given her. Arleigh took a moment to consider, power and the pursuit of it had been her mother's path. Did she want that? Did she want these other women who would gladly torture and kill so carelessly to gain more power? Was the power offered by the Jedi lead to the salvation of her people? Those thoughts flew scattered through her mind as she looked at the other woman. She would have to speak carefully. "The sisters here shun you, openly talk down on you for your lover from the Black Sun," She gestured to her belt, emblazoned with the sigil of Black sun that she had scavenged from the battlefield. "Do you really want to give sisters like Nateth power they would gladly use to kill you and these children?"

She bowed deeply, "Thank you master jedi, though I am afraid of what might await me in that tent, whatever you hear...or sense....Do not intervene, if I die from this." She held up a small vial, "My father said that the Jedi were masters of bringing back the dead to life." She inclined her head, letting her bangs fall across her brooding eyes. She stood, snapped her heels together and walked out the tent flap. She deposited her equipment, including her weapons and walked to the Sister's tent. She disguised her emotions the best she could, then knocked firmly on the tent pole.

Arleigh smiled softly and nodded. She looked at there things then towards Ads' tent. “Thank you for helping me sir, perhaps I should see your apprentice myself? Before I visit Qaela's tent and hear her own ideas for paths among the stars.” She planted her fist against the cold ground. “If this plan works, I am forever in your debt master Starlisk.” Her mind was a battleground. Everything her mother taught her screamed at her infidelity. Everything that her father taught shouted for joy. Either way, the battle was not yet over. She would have to survive the next few nights. Dathomir would hold much for the Jedi. Whether or not it would be a marriage was a different issue. One wholly dependent on the younger jedi. Either way, Arleigh was prepared.

Honesty. A bitter world that forbade it at every turn. Death was coming for her, she knew it. She had seen the terror in her father's eyes as his blood slowly ran from a thousand painful cuts. The terror of the realization that there was no after life, that nothing could save him. He had screamed at her, his shattered mouth unable to make syllables. A final goodby from the pain of Nightsister torture. If Nateth got a hold of her. The pain and death would be unbearable. She could face the Sith Sister if she needed to. Pain had its limits, death...Death she could not yet handle. Pain brought strength, she knew that at least. She had seen and felt plenty of it. Arleigh curse herself within her mind. She would have to pay for these mistakes some day. She inclined her head and wiped away the tears from her eyes. Perhaps she wouldn't be so cursed with these emotions if her father hadn't raised her. But there was no time for regrets on things she couldn't change. She would join these men, she would do anything she could. Her father had begged her to leave, and leave she would. “Your mission take priority for the rest of the Galactic Alliance. I know how important these negotiations must be. I am secondary, and I realize that.” She considered his query for a few seconds, she straightened her back and looked him in the eye from behind fire red bangs. ….”Does your lesser, your servant? The other male you came with, your apprentice?” She did not quite know the term. “Does he have....” She gulped. “Does he have a mate? There are some traditions, if it was deemed better for the clan, for me to leave with you and he.” She looked slightly stricken. “I doubt he would agree to such a thing. My father always taught me that Jedi had no such mates.” She was useless and she knew it. To have Jedi children would improve the clan's status for sure. She cocked her brow, “I cannot think of much other plans that have a high chance of succeeding. Yet if deem this an unwise plan, Nateth's judgment will be severe, and I will likely be carrion food before the morn.” She sat back on her haunches, “Unless you think I should go to Sith Sister's tent later tonight.” She was really running short on ideas. Her mother had always chided her for not having any plans before she acted. These were plans formed in desperation from a frightened girl's mind. No doubt the Jedi Master would know what to do.

Arleigh bowed low as she entered the tent. The man before her had kind eyes and a pleasant demeanor he reminded her heavily of her own father, before he passed. His accent was Corellian, or at least she thought so. Her father had shown her some smuggled holos many years before. The slightly graying hair gave him the essence of wisdom. A Jedi Master in his true form. No demon as had been described by the Sisters for so many years. He was kind, a father figure. How lucky the Jedi must be, to be ruled by kindness and not wicked cruelty, she thought bitterly. She quickly shut the tent flap behind her ensuring they were not seen. She knelt before him. And spoke, her voice terse with a slight Hapian accent. "I am Arleigh Jennifer Abigale Burke, Daughter of Captain Ganitori Burke and Sister Ansleian. My father was a Hapian Pirate who crashed here and was taken aprise by my mother. He however raised me actively trying to subvert my mothers influence. When she found out my desires to leave this place, she murdered my father and attempted to electrocute me." She paused and pointed to her scarred face. "For the last year I have served the nightsisters. Without my Father's influence. I don't know why I seem attracted to the peace that is stemming from the Jedi presence here, but somehow I am." She smiled slightly. "If you cannot help me, I understand. But my recent mistakes have doomed me to either serving Qaela or dying here. I chose option three. Escape." Her eyes watered up slightly, "Please help me, I will do anything...."

(I apologize for the delay on my end. Had to work a doubleshift) Arleigh watched them go her eyes pleading until the Jedi Master and apprentice had entered their tents. When they were finally out of view she allowed herself to relax. Her nailbitten fingers traced the still bleeding cut and she smiled at the rather large amount of blood that she had gathered onto her fingers. She spun on her heel and ran to her own tent. She was dammed, and she knew it. She could join the Sith sister and live in exile and pain. She shook her head, either way she went, she was dammed to leave this planet. She cursed softly as she began to pack her most valuable possessions into a small satchel. She pack two pairs of extra clothes, as well as the relics of her father. She grasped the bow her father had given her and sighed. Her father had always said her destiny was among the stars. But which stars? She pushed the sudden welling of tears back. Why did you have to die? I need your advice. I need to know the way to go. The silence was deafening. As the last year, she was utterly alone. A soft drip sounded as blood from her cheek spattered onto the stone flooring. She wiped angrily at the wound and applied pressure. She slung the bow and quiver onto her back grabbed her spear and walked out of the tent. Her heart was on fire. Emotions raging, she walked towards where there was calm. Almost absentmindedly. Until she was standing before the slave tents, she gulped and making sure there were no Sisters watching, knocked on the master's doorframe. Damnation awaited.

A wicked hand grasped to her chin dark fingernails etching red lines in pale skin. Arleigh felt her heart turn to ice as the older woman began to speak. Beautiful red lips stretched into a wicked grin. Arleigh shuddered as Qaela began to speak of honesty. This was not the first time she had been grasped by the chin before a beating. Arleigh's thoughts screamed back to two years prior. Qaela's deceptively beautiful face was replaced by an older and a narrower one. High cheekbones fell into sallow cheeks, and perfect skin fell away to blotched and purple skin. Veins stood pulsing in the forehead of Arleigh's mother Ansleian as she took the part of Qaela. Two years fell away from Arleigh as well. Straight posture fell slightly, the thin body lost its slight chest, she grew shorter and fear spread across her. Two years ago. Honesty. Pain. Death. Ansleian was screaming obscenities spittle spattering upon the tear stained face of her daughter. A body lay behind, a man, a father, lay in smoking ruin before a witches onslaught. Fire burned on the side of Arleigh's face and Arleigh was brought back to the present. Slightly shaken. Blood. She could taste it, falling in a crimson line from her cheek bone, across the deep scar to the corner of her pink lips. The iron copper taste gave her strength. A strange and unnatural calm echoed from the eyes of the Jedi Lord. They understood. It was shocking really, she had never thought of the Jedi as caring or loving, or how much her heart ached for such things. Her fierce green eyes flicked back to the Sith woman. Arleigh drew a breath and steadied her voice. "Now, look into my eyes and tell me that you do not have any anger or hatred for me. Tell me that your cheek doesn't hurt and that you are glad I have humiliated you in front of Jedi and slaves alike." A smile flicked at the corner of Arleigh's mouth causing the blood to flirt down her chin. Her green eyes had an icy sheen. “No.” She had not stood up to her mother, and it had pained her immensely. Beating after beating, she wouldn't bow to the Witch from the stars. Hero she was not. Arleigh was content with whatever fate this response brought her. Hopefully Wally would escape alive.

She could feel her breath catch in her throat. Her eyes bulged ever so slightly as she fought to maintain her composure. A mixture of anger, shock and fear bubbled up for a second before she cleared her emotions to the side. Was there a proper response? Had she betrayed anyone? Was it smart to tell a lie to Jedi and a Nightsi....no Sith? She didn't care anymore. She raised her head slowly until her eyes caught Qaela's. Fierce Green against unrelenting Brown/Purple. Arleigh's eyes narrowed as she formulated her words carefully. There would be no argument. She had made her decision, and now her life would be forfeit. She did not have much time. Nateth would want blood. Her words were hesitant but carried conviction. “Honesty in front of those who can read minds is always the best path.” Her eyes dropped from Qaela's and glanced to the Jedi. Would they condemn her life as well?

((LOL I was in fact waiting, just to make sure everyone had their go. Sorry for the delay.)) Arleigh could feel her heart freeze in her chest. The Nightsister was obviously irritated, and that never bode well for a lesser sister. A thrashing would likely be in order. Time seemed to slow as she considered her options. One, she could lie about her intentions, and continue in her mission. However, there was a major flaw to that plan. Jedi, or at least Arleigh had heard, were human lie detectors. And she wanted to earn their trust, not piss them off. So she considered her last option, the only viable one. Truth. Arleigh, bowed low to the group of three. "I apologise for the inconvenience, I was sent by sister Nateth to find out the intentions of the Jedi, and to see if you, Sister Qaela were in league with them." She gulped, it was a nicer way of saying I WAS ON A SPY MISSION, but no doubt they were savvy enough to understand that was what she meant. After all, who could afford to lie to Jedi and a Sister of the Night?

Welp. It seemed that the jedi had indeed seen her traipsing along behind them. Not like she had been trying to be super secret about it. So, she did what any dathomiri would never do. She waved and grinned. The nerves on the destroyed side of her face screamed in protest. She wanted to get to know these kind looking jedi, as such she could not afford to be the typical rude, ugly, Misandric, witch. These men had saved Qaela's children after all. That, at least in Arleigh's mind made them heroic creatures, worthy of the holodramas she had never seen. Arleigh had idolized Qaela after she and the Black Sun had killed Arleigh's mother. As such, she would never intentionally do harm to her or her guests. Her eyes locked with the younger male then she looked at the older one. He reminded, Arleigh decided, her of her father. Which was a high compliment indeed. Memories of Kyle Burkes last moments shot through Arleigh's mind before she shunted them away. No one, even a hardened Dathomiri girl like herself should have to experience that. She shook her head to clear her memory before she quickened her pace to catch up with the jedi. She kept the painful grin on her face as she caught up to them.

Arleigh bowed her head respectfully. "Advancement is preferred my lady. I will do as asked." Her voice carried a hint of restraint. She disliked this older sister. Her hatred for her mother caused quite the celebration when she had fallen to Qaela's forces. As such Arleigh did not wish to explicitly undermine the young Qaela, yet it was better than being beaten to the inch of one's life. She bowed and walked after the younger Jedi....

Arleigh sighed loudly as they came into view of the village. No matter how hard she tried, she never seemed to get away from this place. Even the smells reminded her of her mother. The putred stench of rotting meat from the rancor pens, the sickly sweat smell of basted roast for some kind of feast. Her stomach turned sour and she held on strongly to Wally's leash. As the group rounded the bend into the centre clearing her stomach had returned to its normal hungry self. She patted Wally's knobby hide and looked to where Qaela was explaining things to the new guests. It looked like they would be staying in the slave huts. So she could likely visit them if they let her. New people were interesting, especially if they held the power to strike fear into her mother. A voice, deep and evil growled behind her. Arleigh Gasped and turned. Nateth, one of Arleigh's mother's colleagues wished to have words with her. Arleigh gulped down a breath of air, perhaps Nateth could read Arleigh's intentions? That would be troublesome. It wasn't highly recommended to piss off one of the leading sisters. She bowed and saluted with her spear. Her face wrenched into a smile. Pain coursing down her spine from her scar. “How may I be of assistance?”