Roon

[Shy-Ree]

Shy-Ree re-emerged from the stinking depths of the caverns yet again, having just delivered the compensation she'd promised in return for Darla. Very, very faintly, if one really stained to hear, the sound of desperate screams could be heard. Shy listened for a few seconds, recalling the faces of the five men she'd duped into following her into the caves. They all had one trait in common and it was easily sensed out by Shy. Each had a feeble sense of loyalty. Therefore each was a potential future threat to her children in one way or another. She was simply killing two birds with one stone by giving the men to Trowa's pets.

 

Still in her altered form she made her way through the compound, straight for her room. She slipped into it and stripped out of the cloak she'd been wearing. It reeked of dampness and death. She then crept to the refresher, stepped in and shoved Trowa up against the wall. Her eyes sparked with mix of anger and frustration as she glared down at him.

 

"Barton." was all she said, her voice just barely audible over the hiss of water.

[Bad karma]

Trowa lifted his head slightly as he felt the approach. A shiver ran down his spine and he got goose bumps due to the mood he could sense within her. He shook his head slowly and went back to cleaning up until she arrived. Time evaporated and she arrived sooner then he had expected and even though he knew he was in trouble, he couldn't complain that he was able to see her sooner then previously thought.

 

A groan escaped his lips as his back hit the wall and arched forward a bit in pain. His hands reached around and ran over his back out of instinct, checking for cuts that couldn't possibly be there. With much struggle he looked up at her, wincing at her glare.

 

”œ”¦Yes, puddin'?”

[Darex Trevelian]

Darex nodded to her as she left, then headed to clean up himself. He took a quick shower to wash away the dirt and grime, then looted through the closet. Thankfully, it seemed Barton had predicted him, and there was a fresh change of robes in the closet, similar to what the Jedi would wear, although hunter green in coloration.

 

He put them on, and thankfully, they fit his tall frame. He brushed and dried his hair quickly, not giving much thought to it. He then cleaned his boots and lightsaber, pulling on the boots and reclipping the saber when that task was complete.

 

He then strode out of the room, heading to a central hall where he was sure to meet up with Darla when she was ready.

[SithAcolyte]

Darla locked herself inside the fresher and took off her bandages. The scars underneath were a lot less than she had expected. For several minutes she sat on the floor focusing deeply and drawing on the force. The medical team had done a good job of fixing her up, but by the time she had finished there was no trace of any of her wounds. There was still a bit of pain but it would be gone in a couple of days. She could live with that.

 

As healed as she was going to get Darla climbed into the shower and cleaned the grime and dried blood off of her body. After ten minutes of scrubbing she still didn't feel clean. She gave up and steeped out drying herself and then dressing. Trowa's people had left some clean clothes out for Darla. From the selection she chose a plain black t-shirt, black pants and boots. She figured that she could change into her own clothes as soon as she got back to her ship.

 

Once she was dressed she dried her hair and tied it back into a bun at the back of her head. She looked at herself in the mirror. Darla had definitely seen better days. Their were dark circles around her eyes and her cheeks looked hollow. After everything she had been through she could have looked worse. A good meal would make her feel much better.

 

It felt so strange that she was going to dine with someone that had stabbed her through the gut and tormented her. She wasn't exactly comfortable about the situation, but there was very little she could do. It was Trowa's place, they were his guests, no matter how badly he had greeted them. If they wanted out then they would have to deal with him.

 

There were worse things than sitting down for a meal.

 

 

She left the fresher and made her way to the hall where she found Darex waiting. Sitting quietly across from him Darla offered him a weak smile.

[Darex Trevelian]

As Darla approached, Darex smiled at her. "Feel better?" he asked rhetorically. He noted her fairly weak smile in return and the troubled feelings that she was emoting through the Force, but didn't address them.

 

"Hey," he said, rising. "I just wanted to reassure you a bit. I know this is probably slightly odd for you, considering that you just fought Trowa. But he's like that, and you just have to take what comes. We're fairly safe, considering. I doubt he will attack you again, and I almost guarantee it if Shy is there."

 

He paused. "It's going to be awkward, but then, you seem to excel in awkward situations," he added, remembering the time spent in the Last Call when they had met her friend Alora. "And if you feel the need to leave, just signal to me, and we can pick up Nivana and get off this rock."

 

He then lead the way to the lift, where an escort was waiting to bring them up to dinner. Darex told the servant that they were ready, and the servant lead the way.

[Shy-Ree]

Shy's hands slid up into Trowa's water slicked hair. She pulled him back under the spray of water and began scrubbing him down, none too gently.

 

She spun him around and continued to wash him, Eventually Shy-Ree pressed against Trowa and whispered into his ear. Her lips curled into a demented little grin as she did. When she'd finished regailing him with promises of what was to come she shoved Trowa out of the refresher and whacked him hard across the butt.

 

"Hurry along now. Your guests are waiting, sweet-cheeks"

[SithAcolyte]

"I am feeling better thank you." Darla replied to Darex but the remained quiet and cold.

 

She continued to be quiet until they arrived at the dining room. Darla knew that she had a lot to answer for, but she still wasn't ready to talk. How Darex had made it through the nightmarish catacombs was still a mystery to her.

 

"What happened to you down there? I mean, how did you find Nivana and make it through all those monsters?" Darla's voice was quiet.

 

Whatever Darex had done, she knew that he hadn't taken a life hadn't used the darkside. She felt a little ashamed of herself, but mostly for letting Darex down. If she had to do it all over again she would, but it would be wrong to call herself a Jedi now.

 

Still not ready to tell Darex she quietly waited for him to explain his own journey through the underground caves.

[Bad karma]

Trowa was trembling as Shy shoved him out of the refresher, but whether it was out of fear or delight desire wasn't immediately obvious. In all actuality, it was a bit of both. Her words had the effects of drugs, enticing and teasing him in the short run but ultimately in the long run they had the ability to kill. And just like a junkie he paid no heed to the long term possibilities.

 

He hurried through the process of getting ready for dinner and returned to the refresher when he had finished finding Shy still cleaning. He poked his hair into the shower, letting the force create a bubble that protected it from being messed up. He quickly planted a kiss on her lips and grazed a hand over her stomach, sending minor electrical charges out of his finger tips and down her stomach.

 

”œYou know, I could totally kick your ass”¦”

[SithAcolyte]

Before Darex could answer Darla's questioned Trowa had entered bringing his children with him.

 

Any anger or hatred that had been building up inside Darla dissipated. The sight of Shy-Ree's children warmed her heart. Despite all the darkness in the galaxy, the darkness in her, Trowa, Shy, there was one thing that remained. Hope. The two beautiful children before their eyes were a shining symbol of that. Even Trowa seemed almost giddy with happiness to be around them.

 

A warm smile spread across her face.

 

Darla had not lost hope. She realised that hope was what had always kept her going, kept her fighting. It was her hope that she could make a difference somewhere somehow that drove her onwards. If she used some of her darker talents to make that difference, what did it matter?

 

She was still disgusted by the horrors she had seen in the catacombs below, but for now she was just happy to finally get to see Shy-Ree's children. The food that adorned the table in front of them was a most welcome distraction as well.

 

"Your children are very beautiful."

 

Although Darla wasn't ready to consider Trowa a friend she was prepared to be civil towards him while she was his guest.

[Niv]

Nivana woke. Every muscle in her body was a fiery ache. She was helped to her feet and promptly cleaned. As each second ticked past more memories came back. Last she recalled was fangs sinking into her neck and a surge of what felt like lava being released into her body. She'd tried to fight the venom but it worked too quickly to purge it from her veins. Soon after unconciousness had lovingly taken her into it's embrace.

 

Now she was being dressed, tended by two bland faced ladies. They didn't seem too thrilled at having to care for a wounded Jedi. When she was clothed and her hair wrapped into a tight twist that cascaded down the middle of her back the ladies escorted her through the compound.

 

Niv didn't say anything. Couldn't say anything. Her body still hurt considerably though the toxin had been filtered from her system. She had a feeling that had it remained in her body much longer she'd have died. Her body tensed and she clenched her teeth to stifle a groan. She'd come close to death far too often in such a short amount of time to be at ease.

 

She was lead to the dining hall. She did not enter. Instead peered cautiously around the doorway. There, before her disbelieving eyes, sat Darla and Darex. At first she was thrilled and smiled but her face muscles ached so the smile dropped away. Then she became suspicious. It wasn't possible for Jedi to be sitting down to dinner with that twisted man. Was it? Niv's eyes looked emotionlessly upon the thing, Zek, who had taken it upon himself to torment her. She nudged out through the Force towards the Jedi. She did it hesitantly, afraid she might discover they weren't real, fearing they were yet another bout of elaborate mind trickery perpetuated by the man sitting at the head of the table.

 

Her heart nearly stopped. She instantly felt and knew Darla's very distinct Force presence. Nivana rounded the edge of the door. Had she the energy and strength she might have charged Darla and wrapped around her in a blatant display of several emotions that weren't customarily associated to the Jedi. She cleared her throat and smiled through her pain. Her voice lilted across the room, not much more than a raspy whisper, as she greeted Darex and Darla. "Fancy meeting you two here."

[Bad karma]

Trowa began to prepare himself a plate of pasta, idly taking in everyone else's state. He flashed a grin at Darla's comment about the twins. He was about to speak when he felt the presence of a third just outside the room. He stood just as she was walked in and motioned for her to take a seat near her two friends. The table wasn't to big, so no one was that far away from anyone else. As he sat down he finished saying what he had began to say before he felt Niv.

 

”œTheir beauty is only surpassed by their mother's. Niv, I'm sure you are hungry”¦at the very least, I am sure you could use the energy the food would give you. So dig in.”

[SithAcolyte]

Finally seeintg her apprentice, the real Nivana, alive and well was the icing on the cake. The day had gone from despair to overwhelming joy. Darla got up from her seat and quickly made her way over to Nivana. A huge smile spread across her face and joyful tears began to stain her cheeks.

 

She threw her arms around Nivana enfolding her in a warm embrace.

 

"I'm so sorry. I've been searching for you...Im so sorry it took so long." Her words were broken up with sobs. "I so happy to that you're alive. I had a terrible vision... But it's all going to be ok now, we're going to get out of here."

 

As she held onto Nivana, Darla continued to cry. She wanted to tell her about how she had slipped back into using the darkside. She wanted to ask her if she still wanted to train with her. They'd had plans to have Nivana kinghted and then they were to join the rebellion and put their skills to good use. But everything had changed. So much time had passed and so much had happened.

 

Darla could only imagine what Nivana had been through.

 

There was so much to talk baout, but for now Darla was just happy to have Nivana back. She wiped her eyes and sat back down.

 

"We've got a lot of cathcing up to do, but for now I think we could all do with a good meal."

[Darex Trevelian]

As Darla spoke, he knew the story would have to be saved for another time. It was nothing remarkable; he had just done what he had judged right. Besides, when she saw their 'guest', there would be a chance to tell her all that had transpired.

 

But they were interrupted by three important events. The first being Barton's arrival with the twins. It filled Darex with wonder to just look at them. He could see parts of both their mother and their father in them, and it made him smile. "Hello Rose, hello Rath," he greeted them directly.

 

But they didn't get the chance to answer, as the second important event happened. Nivana arrived, and to see master and padawan reunited made the trip all worth it for him. This was why he had come, why he had agreed to take on this mission. He didn't want to interrupt, but shot a warm, welcoming smile in Niv's direction.

 

Somewhere in the middle of all this, the third, and possibly most important, event occured. The food arrived. Darex had worked up quite an appetite in the caverns, and the food smelled and looked delicious. He waited until Barton had taken some, then helped himself, filling up his plate.

[Bad karma]

In the hanger of the compound five specialist technicians approached the few figures working on Darla's ship. They had been commissioned to install a special device as well as upgrade it a bit. The first thing they did was open up a cylinder within the ship, freeing the micro-organisms inside. They were of a special design and in short would allow much of the ship to be a self-repairing machine. The only thing that would require true work from anyone would be the most intricate of workings. They would reproduce to the point there was enough of them to easily cover the entire ship, at that point they would begin consuming each other when the population reached to high of a number.

 

Next the ship was sealed off, but a few workers remained inside working on the engine output for sub-light travel. On the outside were two men in protective suits, spraying down the ship in a thin layer of liquid Phrik. The base version was able to stop blows from lightsabers as well as blasters; the thin layer on the ship would give partial protection against lightsabers”¦as odd an attack as that might be on a ship”¦and would stop many lighter laser weapons, and give defense to some of the stronger weapons.

 

As they were beginning to clean up their work area, a shadow slithered across the floor evading notice from anyone else. Once on board it sought out the cargo hold and took up residence within there.

 

__

 

”œSo, Darex, how come you didn't just”¦you know, comm me instead of trying to hunt me down as you did?”

[Darex Trevelian]

Darex grinned. "And spoil the surprise?"

 

He shook his head. "Well, I thought about it, but you never can predict what a person's response would be. If I commed you telling you that we were coming to take Nivana back, you might not have been willing to release her." He shrugged. "You never know."

[Bad karma]

Trowa shook his head as he slurped up a piece of pasta from his plate, the table etiquette he learned so long ago back on Naboo being tossed aside in favor of his favorite method of eating food. Once he swallowed down the spaghetti and stretched his arms and leaned back in his chair a bit.

 

”œNow, I know you guys are not that constrained. Surely you could have commed me and mentioned something along the lines of wishing to see the twins, or even wanting to discuss philosophy with me. I did express an interest in doing that with you a while back. ”œ

 

He turned his attention to Rose as Rath chased her through the room, but his method was rather abnormal. He was riding a black wave that came up a few inches off the ground. The shadow wave rippled with unseen power as the two exited the room again, having their fun.

 

”œHm”¦Well, I guess I know a bit more about what aspects Rath took after me on now.”

[SithAcolyte]

Darla decided to speak up.

 

"Well...We weren't even sure if you were here, you were just following up a rumour. We landed had a look around and before we could even think up a reason for being there you turned up in your Mecha suit...and well, you know the rest."

 

There was a large pile of food on Darla's plate. She had decided to try a bit of everything. Her insides still ached where she had been patched. The food would help her to feel more human and help her get her energy levels back to normal.

 

"If you were willing to return Nivana to us in the first place, why torment us? Oh wait, because you didn't like the things I said?" Darla's voice was calm and level, she wasn't trying to be offensive to their host, she as just trying to understand him a little better.

 

It was hard for her to think that the dark monster of a man she had fought in the caves was the same loving father that sat casually before her.

 

"Whatever it was, I didn't mean to offend you and I don't mean to offend you now. Nivana's very precious to me, imagine how you would feel if Shy or the children were in trouble. I've been thinking a lot about what's happened here... I think you and I are a lot more alike than I'd like to admit."

 

Darla offered Trowa a respectful look, a look that said she accepted everything that had happened.

[Bad karma]

”œThere were many things that brought about what I did, the least of it being what you said. Had it been someone else arriving when you did, they probably would have received the same treatment.”

[SithAcolyte]

"Well we are neither really Sith or Jedi. We both wonder the grey in-between the two. The only real difference is you embrace your darker gifts and I run from mine..."

 

It sounded strange saying it out loud. It had been so long since Darla had ft any real internal conflict. She had played the roll of Jedi and mentor and for the mot part of it she had been happy and content. She had used her talents to heal and rescued people. For the most part she had felt like she was doing her bit making a difference.

 

When Fynn had been slain the darkness within her had raged for revenge but she had fought it down and grieved her pain. But being faced with real danger and loss she had seen the darkside as her only option. She had killed the beast before she'd even snapped an had seen it as kind. She'd even used the force to kill a sea beast on Mon Calamari while she had been a Jedi. Surely the Jedi didn't use the force to kill?

 

She wasn't sure what to call herself. She wasn't sure what she was.

 

"I can see a caring loving side to you Trowa Barton as well as a darkness that rages with-in. This is what makes me think that we are more alike than not."

[Bad karma]

”œYou shouldn't run from who you are. Darkness isn't all about evil to everyone you know. Why is it even called ”˜the Dark Side?' Because the Jedi picked the name light side first.”

[Niv]

Nivana had fallen into Darla's embrace and felt safe. Safer than she had felt in a good long time. She might have wept with her master but she was far to weak. Felt vastly hollow except for the nagging ache that haunted her body.

 

She said nothing but sent forth a rush of her undying gratitude to both Darla and Darex. Nivana turned her attention to the food. Not hungry she picked a few morsels from the serving platters anyway. Despite feeling safe Nivana couldn't totally overcome her paranoia. She glanced at the man at the head of the table and then back at her food, wondering if perhaps he'd poisoned it? She could barely believe that after everything she was now sitting down to dinner with... him.

 

Nivana picked at the food and forced herself to eat knowing her body needed nourishment. The conversation that accompanied the meal was interesting and somewhat shocking. Especially when Darla mentioned that she and Trowa were alike. Nivana stopped eating at that point and watched the two intently.

 

Her attention was eventually stolen by the shadow dancers. Nivana watched them silently as she thought over everything that was said. After a few moments she cleared her throat and spoke up. "I don't think there are two sides to everyone." she said quietly. "I think we are whole until someone or something forces us to split us into two. Whole until we decide to step into either the light or into the dark. And by choosing one side or the other... does that mean that we, as Jedi, are incomplete?" She asked while glancing momentarily at Darex and then to the others.

 

She shifted uneasily in her seat and looked down at her plate. Nivana cleared her mind and relaxed. She was in no condition to be pondering such things. Perhaps later when she was safe away from the planet upon which she still partly considered herself a prisoner.

[Darex Trevelian]

Darex sat back and thought about what was being said. "I don't think followers of one side are incomplete, but I do not disagree with the point that everyone has two sides. It's part of being a living, breathing being. The real difference between the Sith and the Jedi is what they do with those two sides. There is part of a soul that is selfish, greedy, and emotional. Often times, it is a very powerful side, and it is logical that the Sith would choose to follow it. It's built into the fabric of our beings, and I believe man in general is inherantly evil. We seek to protect ourselves, to advance ourselves, and tend not to care if others who are in our way get trampled on."

 

He paused. "I've heard of what you speak, Trowa. Many Jedi I know flirt with that line, using their emotions for the benefit of peoples throughout the galaxy. In fact, I have the utmost respect for some of them. It all comes down to how they employ those emotions. It requires the strictest discipline to control your emotions and use them at the same time; to ignore that baser part of you.

 

"However, I don't agree that some people hide their opposite side. There is a difference between hiding it, and mastering it." A light shone in his eyes. "I also think that to truly master your 'darker side', you must first admit that it exists, and vice versa with the light side. That is one thing I think is holding many Jedi back. I don't know about the Sith, as the lighter side of your soul is easier to ignore, but I'm sure it is a factor in keeping many of them from reaching their full potential.

 

"And then," he said, looking around, "there are those who choose to walk between those lines. To acknowledge and use both parts of themselves equally. I think this is the most natural use of the Force; embracing it as a whole."

 

He smiled. "It's not for me, but it is the most natural," he added. "I find my fulfillment in the increase of personal discipline, and doing what I can to help others. That way, I fulfill both sides, while employing only one."

[Shy-Ree]

Hushed giggles neared the dining room. Rose and Rath charged in. Each hid on either side of the doorway and tried to supress their laughter. The children didn't bother to look at the diners. Their attention was focused on one another, impish smiles spread across their normally angelic faces. Boundless engery radiated from the two small beings. Even those not attuned to the Force would be able to feel the near electrically charged presence of the twins.

 

Seconds later Shy-Ree appeared in the dining room entrance. She wore a simple black gown that shimmered slightly with every movement made. As she strode into the dining room the gown seemed to float along after her with an etherial fluidity. Her hair was slicked smoothly back. A simple yet elegant statement. Her eyes lit up at the sight of Darex and Darla. She hadn't seen them in so long. But before greeting them she crossed her arms in front of her chest and her brows lowered.

 

"Have any of you seen the twins. I've spent the last fifteen minutes trying to round up the little scamps." She asked with a slight grin, knowing full well they were right behind her on either side of the doorway. The twins struggled to stiffle another giggle. Shy shrugged. "Oh well, guess I'll go find them later. After dessert. The twin's favorite desert.. I might add. Too bad the won't be here to enjoy it." she said sadly as she moved to the table.

 

Rose and Rath charged Shy and latched onto her legs. Her arms shot out and windmilled a bit before she tumbled forward onto the floor. The twins crawled onto her, both announcing quite loudly that they indeed were present. Shy carefully rolled over and sat up. She burst into laughter and pulled each of them onto her lap, not caring in the least at the scene they'd just caused.

 

"You know, next time you play sneak attack you should play with your daddy. Bet you couldn't get him. He's really sneaky." She said conspiritorily as she cast a playful look in Trowa's direction.

 

"He's not sneaky." Rose protested bodly.

 

"Oh yes he is. The sneakiest one of all." She informed her daughter. "After dinner... we'll all get him. Okay?"

 

Rath nodded. "Get daddy."

 

"Mhmm. But first you both have to eat. Alright?" Shy said cheerily as she got to her feet and took the twins' hands.

 

They both nodded. Rose trotted happily along to sit with her father. Rath stayed with his mother and crawled upon her lap when she sat at the opposite end of the table from Trowa. Shy put a protective arm around her son and smiled warmly at her company. "Darex. Darla. So great to see you again. I just wish we could run into each other under less deadly circumstances."

 

The last time she'd seen Darla had been on Mimban, just before the attack on the Sith Temple. The last time she'd seen Darex he'd been near death on Naboo. It was good to see that they were still alive and well. Good to know that light was still spread throughout the galaxy. In Darex's case, an unwavering light. A rush of guilt tried to surface as she looked at him. She shoved it away and instead focussed on the respect she held for him. She was honestly glad to have known him. Without his influence in the beginning she might have turned into another typical heartless Sith.

 

Her gaze turned to Trowa. She smiled darkly. "Why do you feel the need torment Jedi? You'd think it was a hobby of yours... or even worse, a fetish." She winked his way and added, "That on top of all your other fixations. How ever do you find the time to tend to them all?"

[Bad karma]

He had sensed the arrival of the twins near the door, but by the time he stole a glance in their direction Shy had entered the doorway. He couldn't utter a word as he looked on at the striking woman before him, neigh, Goddess before him. He was sort of glad when she spoke to no one in particular, as if she had chosen him it would be a cataclysmic struggle to find his voice.

 

It wasn't until the twins raced after her, latching onto her legs, and causing her to fall that his trance was broken. He shook his head slightly, brushing back his thick hair a bit as he did. He grinned at Shy's mention of him being sneaky.

 

Once Rose arrived at his side, he reached down with his right arm and scooped her up in his arm so that she could sit on his lap. He craned his head and looked upon his daughter's merry face, offering her a playful grin as he rested his hands on her hips and tickled her a bit, causing her to squeal out.

 

”œDaddy!”

[SithAcolyte]

Trowa's word rang true to Darla. The debate had gotten truly interesting and hearing Trowa's views made her understand him a little better. He felt exactly the same way she did about the force, but he was unashamed of his views. He embraced the force wholly. She wished that she could be that way. In order to become a Jedi she had had to subdue parts of herself. She had already decided that she could no longer be a Jedi some time ago.

 

But there was the question of Nivana. What did she want to do? What did she want to learn from Darla? They had both spoken of fighting in the Rebellion but they had always intended for Nivana to become a knight first. Was that right now? Did she even still want to become a Jedi.

 

Shy-Ree's entrance broke Darla's train of thought. She look truly beautiful. Darla could tell that she was happy to see Darex and herself. Listening to Shy and Trowa banter showed the closeness between them and the love they shared. Topped with the image of their beautiful children Darla could see that Shy-Ree had found her own happiness.

 

"Thank you for saving me Shy-Ree." Darla sent warm waves her way letting her know how deep her gratitude truly was. "The two of you have lovely home here...Well apart from the monster part."

 

She turned her attention to Trowa.

 

"Your words could be my own. You understand and embrace the force in a way that I had always hoped to but never can if I'm trapped with-in the label of 'Jedi'. Maybe I needed to get stabbed by a lightsaber for me to truly recognize that." Darla gave Trowa a little grin. "Nivana, Darex... When I fought Trowa in the caves I used the darkside. It was fear and desperation. I don't really know how to explain it and I don't even know if I should... It was the idea of Nivana getting hurt and this fierce rage erupted in me and I knew that I would do whatever I had to try to save her. My feelings, my emotions, they have always been my blessing as well as my curse.

 

"There's a darker part of myself that I don't think I can quiet any longer. I've fought against my feelings for so long... I don't want to fight against myself any longer. I will complete your training Nivana...But after that, I will no longer be a Jedi. There is so much more that I need to feel and explore. I can't do anyone any good as long as I have one hand tied behind my back.

 

"Thank for helping me to see that Trowa."

 

Darla was suddenly a little more serious. She didn't want to ruin the mood at the table, but she had needed to speak and she felt like a huge weight had been lifted from her shoulder now that she had.

[Darex Trevelian]

It was amazingly good to see Shy again. He hadn't realized how strong the connection had been between them, and just seeing her happy and at peace with who she was made him feel proud of her. Even if he didn't agree with her choice, even if he wished she had remained a Jedi, as long as she was happy, he was content, and happy for her.

 

He didn't need to say anything. His green eyes met with hers, and everything was said in that moment, wordlessly. Then, he smiled at her.

 

Turning his gaze to Darla now, he listened to what she had to say. "Well," he said, "I'm glad that you've decided. You've always walked a tangled, curving road, and frankly, I wouldn't have you any other way. To deny who you are is a crime to yourself." He glanced at Shy, then returned to meet Darla's eyes. "And don't feel that you need to forsake the Order. You will still have friends and allies there, even if you are choosing to walk a darker path."

[Niv]

Nivana stayed quiet but took in everything that was happening both on and under the surface. She had known that Darla carried a darker aspect deep within herself and had accepted that. She actually admired that about Darla, that she was able to harness and control the darkside when need be.

 

The appearance of the children and their mother had caught Niv off guard. Though the woman was saturated in darkside, nearly as much as the man at the head of the table, she didn't fit the typical darksider stereotype. Neither of them did. Only as she observed the interaction between the man, woman and their children, the apparent friendship that existed between the Darex, Darla and Shy-Ree, did Nivana finally come to realize there wasn't a hard and fast line that divided the Sith from the Jedi. She had adhered to the belief that one was either in the light or in the dark. She had been wrong and this entire experience had taught her more than any bit of official training ever had.

 

Understanding that there was a historical relationship between everyone in the room but herself, Nivana felt like an odd piece of the puzzle, pushed into the picture but not quite fitting. She turned her attention to Darla after Darex finished speaking. "I wouldn't have you any other way either. You may not be the role model Jedi but you're the perfect teacher for me. I'm proud to have you as my master. I'd have no other."

 

Nivana cleared her throat a bit to add, "Thank you for coming after me. Both of you." It was all she had to say. All she could say in present company. Niv went back to the task of finishing her meager meal as she tried to understand underlying connections in the room.

[Bad karma]

Before Trowa could continue the discussion any further, or feed his daughter and generally enjoy the peaceful time with the others he was disturbed by one of his ranking officers. As much as he despised being interrupted at this point him time he knew that the man wouldn't have bothered him if it wasn't important. Trowa stood and sat Rose down in his seat.

 

”œYou're going to have to be the man of the house till I get back.”

[SithAcolyte]

Darla was surprised by the reactions of her friends. She had thought that she would be seen as a failure or worse, an enemy. The way they embraced her whole heartedly was surprising but also reassuring. Suddenly the galaxy seemed a much better place.

 

There wasa smile across her face wehn Trowa returned to the dinning table.

 

"Thank you Trowa...Should I ask what you've added to my ship or is it a surprise?" Her smile had turned into a grin.

 

Through the force she sent warm feelings towards both Darex and Nivana for being as understanding as they had been.

 

Thank you both.

 

As she finished eating her dessert Darla felt calmer than she had in a very long time.

[Bad karma]

He dabbed a napkin lightly against his lust lips, cleaning away the slight bit of pasta sauce from the food he had been working on eating when Darla had asked him about the modifications to his ship. He lightly sat the cloth down before turning his gaze on the woman off to his side to answer her question.

 

”œWell, a thin coat of liquid Phrik has been added to the hull. Phrik, in its pure form, is able to stop most blaster shots and is resistant to lightsaber blows. In this form it will make your hull ultra-resistant and allow you to take many more hits before going down.

 

I've also designed a tiny micro-organism that, in short, makes your ship a self-repairing machine. Only the most difficult of repairs will have to be tended to by an actual technician. Your sub light engine output has also been increased drastically.”