This was happening. This was really happening. Finally.

Giving Galen's hand another gentle squeeze, Terrin then stepped back slightly, wanting more than anything to give Galen and Darra space.

Mother and daughter together, at last.

--------------------

Then Galen and her daughter were simply together: hands reaching out to touch each others' face, arms gripping tightly then pushing back so they could drink in the sight of each other before tightening once more in the kind of embrace that only exists between a mother and her child.

The elaborate room grew wavering then, as the tears the Dark Lady had been holding at bay finally sprang into her eyes.

To have that simple love, how she longed for it. For of her own children...

Refusing to let forth even the tiniest of sounds that could intrude on the joyous moment she moved aside, going off to the fireplace where she laid her hand upon the mantel, losing herself in the dance of the flames held within its hearth.

[ 12-12-2005 09:54 PM: Message edited 1 time, lastly by Graysith ]

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Mother. How Shayla had longed to hear those words someday herself...

She let the thought fade, however, as she keenly sensed the feelings from Jharmeen. Quietly stepping aside then, Shayla rested her hand upon one of her chosen sister's, a clear yet totally silent understanding passing between them.

--------------------

This was JhinDarra, for he definitely knew her Force-signature...

...but Darra was supposed to be a two year old, not a twenty year old. Which meant, quite obviously, that somewhere along the lines her age had been advanced significantly.

Moving from hs thoughts of the moment, however, Shawn regained his total composure, and removed the hood of his blue Jedi robe from his head, now training his senses upon the feelings in the room.

Warmth, love, peace...

These things were not to be taken lightly, with what he had been feeling only a short time before. Which was, of course, something he was certain he should at some point address with others here...

...for he most assuredly was not the only person feeling such Darkness.

[ 12-12-2005 10:17 PM: Message edited 1 time, lastly by Shawn Petrolu ]

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He walked quietly to Jharmeen, standing behind her as she watched the flames dance their stories. Her place in his past life was unexplainable, but what mattered to him now was the present, and his love for her had not diminished since the day he had discovered it. He placed a gentle hand on her shoulder and joined her in gazing at the fire.

The flames swayed and jumped, acting out their drama to their audience, and in the wavering colors Phalomir’s tired mind caught the image of a young halfling boy. He closed his eyes tightly, but even his determination could not stop the tear from escaping. He allowed it to trickle down his cheek, and opened his moist eyes once more to the dancing flames.

--------------------

And dammit, he didn't want anything to change that ever again.

And it was that little thought that prompted Terrin into action. Not wanting to disturb Galen and Darra, Terrin took a few steps to the side, to the fireplace where both Phalomir and Jharmeen stood, both of them seeminingly lost looking into the flames.

Oh, this would never do. How were they going to protect the hope of the future they were presented with in this mode???

Clearing his throat, Terrin placed a hand on Phalomir's shoulder to divert his attention from the flame. When he was satisfied that he had it, he then spoke up. "Now, I don't want to interrupt the moment, or your own thoughts...

...but as we were discussing before, we have a very real threat facing us...

...and a future to protect."

Stating these words, Terrin's blues wandered to Galen and Darra for a moment. "I suggest we start figuring out what we're going to do to protect that said future, and to minimize the threat facing us or at least be able to meet it head on. And we know that ShaRhylla is here. We need to find out exactly what it is she is up to...

...and ensure the safety of others in the meantime."

Even if that means removing them from this place for the time being, came an errant not totally unexpected addendum.

--------------------

But Terrin was correct. They could ill afford delay in resolving the immediate threat of ShaRhylla.

“You surprise me, Terrin Danner,” said Phalomir. “I feel your desire to let this moment linger, but I hear also the sense to your words. But bear in mind the heavy weight of this moment, for all involved, and give a little time to those who need to let the past resolve itself, even a trifle.”

He felt Jharmeen move slightly under his hand, but he could not tell if she had tensed or otherwise. He looked down at her for a moment, then returned his eyes to Terrin and spoke softly.

“I believe strongly that ShaRylla is being used by Roan, but even if she were a puppet she must be the one we face immediately. If she has raised followers among the Sith who would remain loyal to her even after the Dark Lady’s death is proven false, then we must prepare for that. We must also assume that Roan has supplied her with powers or devices to aid her. But we must also reach the vials in the ship immediately, that was something I specifically overheard as a key point in the Master’s plan.”

He again looked to Jharmeen.

“This I can do, my lady. The rest must wait until we are all ready.”

He paused a moment, unsure, then added “Your strength inspires me, my lady, but you know I am here for you, should you need me.”

--------------------

...or are the others of us going to have to start plotting our stretegy...

...cause buddy, I garantee you we've done it before, and we're all ready to do it again, with or without the help of a Dark Lord."

[ 12-16-2005 10:32 PM: Message edited 1 time, lastly by Jasyn Lancaster ]

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But, having read those two texts far too many times, I was more than a single beings fare share of bored; though this did not register upon my assumed visage.

I moved to Graysith, and licked my lips as though a bearer of bad news. "My lady, as joyous as this occassion is sure to be, there are problems. In your absense there has been a... rift of sorts. Some sith have openly embraced your daughter as their Dark Lady. Others such as myself have stead-fastly remained your servants...

"...though the timing be imperfect, I beg your command so that we might deal with this impending threat." There was a slight wince on "my" visage, as though pained by the idea of warriors perhaps battling warriors over a senseless matter; or perhaps created by the "wounds" that dotted "salandaars" body.

[ 12-17-2005 12:45 AM: Message edited 1 time, lastly by Lord of the Masque ]

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“For the love of Sla’an,” Phalomir hissed lowly. “We can spare one single moment for this reunion, for all involved. I appreciate your eagerness, but never – NEVER – mock my station.”

He blinked and lowered his hand. Still looking at Jasyn, he released his grip.

“And we all need to be together and clear as to what our plans are. There is a complicated plot put forth by a powerful enemy at work here, we can ill afford personal matters to stand in our way.”

By this time Salandaar had addressed Jharmeen. Phalomir turned to him.

“Salandaar,” he said. “It is good to know you survived the attack. Please, have Shayla attend to your wounds before you proceed.”

“My lady,” he said gently to Jharmeen. “I shall take Panthar with me. After we quickly freshen and find more suitable clothing, I wish to determine the status of the ship in which we arrived, and if the vials have been removed. It is then perhaps imperative to find your daughter and deal with the usurpation of your position. I shall change and return shortly.”

He gave her shoulder a light squeeze, turned and nodded his head to Panthar. He then walked from the fireplace and spoke softly to the waiting servant. Panthar joined him, and the two were led through a side door to a nearby waiting room, where they would wait for new clothing.

--------------------

With an indiscernable look, "I" smiled faintly at the offering of healing. "No no Lord, the healers have been doing well enough. Besides, the group of you, if you mind not my saying, seem quite exhausted already. If the dark lady does not mind, I shall return to the infirmary. As pleased as I am to see that you are alive and well, merely comming here has wearied me."

With a bow, I clasped my hand, wincing to my chest, and hobbled out of the chamber too quickly steal down a side passage and return to my normal form- only to slide through a wall and hence, into safety.

--------------------

Flame-red hair, such as she bore. As did her sister, and her niece...

...and her daughter.

Deep within the logs which fed the fire, an ember flared, shooting out vivid turquoise blue. Graysith winced, reminded ever more of ShaRhylla, ever more of the painfully wide chasm which separated her from her daughter. For well she remembered what the young halfling had been through, whose tutelage she had been under.

And of course, she could never forget her father.

The thought made her grimace; tears sprang into her eyes as sudden sharp pain exploded in her face and hands. Her tongue snaked out to lick her lips, bleeding where her clenched teeth had chewed them; her eyes cut to her hands, the palms of which now bled for the strength with which she had fisted them.

She allowed herself the luxury of another indrawn breath of air, then raised her head.
Smiling a little, she turned to Shayla, placed a blood-smeared hand lightly against her face.

"Thank you, sister," she said softly, then straightened further, her eyes moving to the glowering, if a touch wobbly, Jasyn. His gaze caught hers and he scowled again, raising the bottle to his lips in a vicious swig.

She smiled without humor.

"You must forgive Lord Phalomir, for he has been through much-- but, take care, sir. For we have yet far to go." She nodded meaningfully toward the bottle held in his hand.

She then approached Galen and Darra, who managed to jerk themselves away from each other and face her.

"Perhaps Salandaar is correct. I am weary, you must be even more so; we have passed through many travails to return here that you might be reunited, and have more ahead.

"I believe we should retire--"

Clapping her hands, she summoned a servant, who after choking down initial surprise at seeing the group, bowed his head to receive his orders. Soon he departed, leading Matt and Jasyn and Shawn off to share a suite, while Darra led Galen and Terrin off to her own opulent chambers.

Graysith turned round to survey those remaining. The dark entity hovered in the shadows, silently watching matters through baleful eyes; a young girl who had come with them stood in anxious awe, staring round herself. A slight smile quirked Graysith's lips as she clapped her hands yet again, this time summoning a young lady in waiting who hurried in and curtsyed.

"See to her needs, and be companion to her should she need it," she said, nodding toward Sarisa. The lady in waiting curtsyed again, then led the young woman from the Dining Hall.

Graysith watched until the pair had disappeared through the enormous carved doors, then turned back to Nefrai.

"I somehow sense you do not need a private chamber; you may remain here, if you wish, or if not--"

She paused, cocking her head a little toward him to indicate that the choice was his.

[ 12-21-2005 01:28 AM: Message edited 1 time, lastly by Graysith ]

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"Perhaps you had not heared-" He said with a simpleness to his voice. "-I am not the most welcome of individuals at this time. Perhaps if there were a closet that I could hide my face in, I would do best." The way he said it was not sarcastic, but honestly simple.

He afterall, after the horrible events before- had no wish too provoke any anger amongst these people any further.

--------------------

"What do you mean by this, I do not understand," she replied, taking another step closer to the skull-faced being.

"There is no need to hide away from the others; here, refresh yourself by the fire, rest on the soft couches."

She lifted a hand, stretching it out behind her to indicate the flames which only flared more vividly in the hearth. It was almost as if they were being fanned by yet another unseen spirit.

--------------------

But this did make him wonder. Though he had long ago accepted that he had killed many, he began to wonder how many he really, in number, had killed.

Hundreds? Thousands? Millions?

Would he ever truely know who had made him, how he existed, and why?

--------------------

For be dishonorable blood that of myriad souls, or merely one, it was one and the same.

With great effort she managed to repress the shudder that strove to rise up inside her; letting a tendril of herself follow that squelched emotion ever deeper into her own psyche, she sought out the Beast within for strength.

Only to find it as strangely silent as she herself had been.

She cleared her throat and her eyes, looked up into the towering Nefrai's enigmatic face.

"There is no soul existing within this universe who is untainted; we all carry secrets, my friend," she began, shifting her weight a bit to ease a cramp from suddenly tensing muscles. Muscles tensing as if in preparation of running toward something.

Or from something.

But what?

She continued on, never letting the cadence or timbre of her voice betray the trepidation which was suddenly flooding into her being, threatening to overwhelm her.

"What is past is past; we are who we are on a daily basis, and the future always holds nothing other than a clean slate."

Even as she voiced the words she couldn't help but laugh bitterly at herself. For indeed, having gone through what she herself had over the past years, knowing what she knew and having performed the acts that she had, it didn't seem that slate could ever be wiped clean enough for her to write a new life upon it for herself and those she loved.

--------------------

The Master stepped through the portal, closing it behind him.

He waved his hands, opening another portal behind the surprised healer who stood before him. He smiled endearingly and pushed the air between them, sending the healer backwards through the portal and into the darkness beyond. The portal closed, and his dark skin seemed to glisten in the low light as he took in ShaRhylla’s beauty. He stepped to her bed and ran his hand across her forehead, feeling the darkness within her and relishing in the despair he felt inside of her.

...yet at the same time seemed to be eons ago. He and Galen had shared several nights in suites similar to these before they moved out into the village of Prinnchatka where they made their home...

...with Darra, who at the time was an infant. And who should have now been no more than a toddler, around the age of two...or was it three?

"Your daughter is as innocent as ShaRhylla is evil..."

ShaRhylla...

Terrin's blue eyes darkened a bit, and he turned to Galen, the look in his eyes clearly conveying his concerns.

"I am concerned for your safety here," he admitted, his eyes now shifting to Darra, "And for yours."

Pausing a moment, he then returned his gaze to Galen. "Even with the possible security of an alliance here, there is still danger lurking within these walls. I can think of no place safer for us, however, even with the danger...

...at lest not yet.”

--------------------

She has too be warned.

He thought, starting to push through the cracks, but suddenly pausing at a voice. Who would dare-?

He pushed a single eye through with more than a fair deal of pain, and watched.

--------------------

But he still hated being Sith, no matter how good he looked.

Panthar placed the laser blade in his pants pocket, and waited for Phalomir to finish pulling on his boots. Phalomir seemed to move a bit more slowly.

“Well,” he asked. “What now?”

--------------------

“Now,” he said to Panthar, “we thank our assistant here and ask to be shown back to the hall where the Dark Lady… the REAL Dark Lady hopefully still sits. Then we proceed to the ship to ascertain the status of the vials.”

The servant bowed to Panthar and Phalomir, then turned to the door. Phalomir stood and caught the servant’s arm.

“One more thing, please,” he said softly. “I know this hall has had many visitors, some less welcome than others. I know it is foreign to our ways, but if you know of any weapon that may have been disarmed from such a visitor, please bring it to my friend. Oddly, he is skilled in such a firearm.”

The servant bowed again, hesitantly, and then proceeded to lead the two back to the door of the hall. Phalomir nodded and the servant departed. He stepped inside the great hall and looked for the others, surprised to see only Jharmeen, the strange mechanical Onidorei, and a mysterious newcomer.

Phalomir cleared his throat.

“My lady,” he said. “Panthar and I are ready. Is everything all right?” His eyes turned to the dark stranger.

“Greetings,” he said.

--------------------

--------------------

Not that fearsome really mattered these days. He'd see so much of such that it all was just sort of blending in to reality.

He scowled at Nefrai. "Woopty damn doo," he stated pointedly, loudly. "Hey everyone, this is Nefrai Kesh. Isn't that just wonderful?"

Sighing then, Jasyn seemed to realize the harshness of his words, and finished it off with, "I just wish someone here would not dismiss the imminent danger. ShaRhylla is here, somewhere. Who is to say she's going to 'stay in her place' even overnight, especially considering she may even now be hearing of her mother's return?"

He shrugged at Phalomir, trying at last to ease over any rough edges. "Maybe I'm coming off as a pushy, assinine drunk guy. Maybe that's exactly what I am. But I'm not all that fond of sitting around and waiting for trouble to find me unless I'm prepared for it's arrival."

[ 12-28-2005 10:23 PM: Message edited 1 time, lastly by Jasyn Lancaster ]

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He then ceased to speak, having barely looked up from the flames upon which he had still lovingly gazed upon.

--------------------

“Right, anyway, we’re all a bit tired here and I hope everyone went to get some rest. Phal here wants to go with me to check out the ship, but I think he better stay here and rest, after what he’s been through he needs it. Hey, buddy, you look sharp in those new threads, but leave the sneakin’ around to someone not so tall, all right?”

He elbowed Phalomir, then continued.

“So, anyway, I’m fine, so I am going to do so some recon around here and see what I can come up with. I’ll report back in a while, but hopefully you guys will be sleeping by then.”

He looked over his shoulder.

“You too, Jasyn and company. Get some sleep, everyone needs it. We’re no good if we can’t function.”

He paused, then turned to Nefrai Kesh.

“Um, yeah. We’re in a bit of a situation here, so, if you don’t mind me asking, who – what -- ARE you and what are doing here?”

--------------------