...there was still something she wanted very much. Had wanted, and for quite some time.

"You refuse to tell me the true cost of anything you offer," she finally responded. "But as to what I mean by wanting to be "free" and having things as they "once were...."

She paused, her eyes only darkening more.

"I have already hinted upon exactly what I mean. I once was given a choice...

...to remain loyal to all that Graysith taught and to follow, to become part of something special. But it meant leaving behind my past and those I thought cared for me."

She trailed a final time.

"All I wish for now is that I had chosen to follow instead of chosing to protect those who knew little of what I was being offered...

...and cared little about it."

She quieted then, her eyes remaining vague and distant...

...and out of the darkness a voice, one so longed for that she didn't even know it, rang out in the very fabric of Shayla's being. And it was so very, very real...

And full of heart-ache that matched Shayla's own.

Shayla knew it had been there all along. But she hadn't truly felt it until now.

The voice, and the connection...they were real.

Without even thinking, Shayla responded to it.

Jharmeen...I am here...

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

I realized of course that the literature I'd read when much younger... alright not too much younger, probably wasn't shared by those with an entirely Sith upbringing.

"The point is, perhaps we should take Panthar's fear at face value, along with whatever it is that Phalomir is telling us, and walk away from this one. Really. A need to explore is fine, and I do understand that with the return of our powers we now have many more options, but..."

I shake my head for a moment, looking out at the vague nothingness beyond the glass.

"I still cannot vouch for any plan that does not follow our original course, before we were knocked out into the far ends of space, and before we came here. This was not our original course."

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

Jharmeen! My love, I hear you! Where are you? I miss you so!

He hoped he had sent his thoughts through. He knew Jharmeen had created a link with him, using the connection with all things to find him anywhere. He did not know exactly how she had accomplished this but at the moment he cared little for mechanics of it all. She was alive, and her powers must have returned. That itself should mean that she could heal herself, and she must be well.

Phalomir’s wide eyes returned to ShaRhylla. He then processed as much he could of what Rykounagin had said.

“There is a time in one’s life when coincidence becomes less believable,” he said. “Certain events unfold before you, hiding their importance yet bending you to a certain course like the flow of a river. You may paddle to one bank or the other, taking forks at your will – but in the end all streams lead to the sea. So we stand here now, in a location that defies rediscovery, wondering what course to take…”

Phalomir shook his head. The heartache from the link still lingered, and he was forced to take a pause.

Jharmeen... I will return to you. My dear, dear love...

“ShaRhylla,” he said, his voice slightly hoarse. “To be in touch with The All is a wondrous ability, one that your mother has mastered. It was through her, and with help from Galen and Shayla, that moving these planets here was accomplished. We were told to keep it hidden away from the galaxy. You could not have known of its existence here in the Elseness, in this vast nothingness, and yet here we are, right after that connection with the All was given back to the galaxy. I feel we are here for a reason.”

[ 07-19-2010 02:41 PM: Message edited 1 time, lastly by Phalomir ]

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

Even though we as yet do not know exactly what this gravity well is associated with! a niggling voice couldn't help raising. Shrugging, she forced the thought down and away and continued.

"--especially if this Elseness is as vast as Rykounagin says it is. I mean, wouldn't you think the odds are terribly small that we were drawn here, as Phalomir is pointing out?"

She cast a wide-eyed look at both her beloved and the increasingly uncomfortable looking Panthar. Seeing his apparent weakness, she drew herself upright, a scoffing frown wrinkling her brow.

"Silly!" she admonished, but whether that was intended solely for the camoflagued human or to help erase her own deeply-hidden doubts over what she was about to say, who could really tell. "If there's a problem, I can always open up another portal and take us out of here, just as easily as I brought us here to begin with."

She turned back to the hulking Phalomir, who by now had recovered from whatever it was that had sent him momentarily reeling against the bulkhead.

"Let's see exactly what it is that is creating this gravity well, and if it is one of the Sith worlds, let's go!"

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

Shayla! Phalomir! Oh, my Sister, and my love...!

Wh-where am I? Where are you? What has happened? Are you all right?

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

Panthar looked at the viewscreen and sighed. "Make up your minds, it sure looks like a planet to me."

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

...although most of her attention was admittedly given to the latter.

I...I do not know where you are, only that you were hurt and taken away for care by K'khil to a place Phalomir claims[/b he does not know...are youi well? I was with him when I was taken by...

Shayla trailed mentally.

By a Dark Phalomir who is connected with the Realms. We are in hyperspace, but I do not know where. All I want is to return and learn from your teaching once more...

(((OCC: Cross-posted in Event Horizon in the CSWU.)))

[ 07-20-2010 09:58 PM: Message edited 1 time, lastly by Shayla Stargazer Petrolu ]

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My love, you were injured on Endor. Our powers were blocked somehow, but K’khil managed to find us – I sent you with him to find a medical facility. Bespin was the nearest -- that should be where you are. I hope you are safe. Shayla may be in peril – Shayla, can you hear me? Are we linked through Jharmeen?

[ 07-20-2010 10:55 PM: Message edited 1 time, lastly by Phalomir ]

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I shook my head. "Alright then. Let's get down to the planet, find whatever it is we may or may not be here for, and get out. Thus all parties on board are somewhat pleased with the result."

I looked to ShaRhylla, who had that look of stern determination she wore when she'd made up her mind beyond wherever the discussion or debate may take her.

"Love, did you care to select our point to land?"

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

“Hmm?” he said. “Sorry about that, I was distracted a little. I thought I heard a voice in my head. Must be the strain of ruling the Darker Realms getting to me… oh, that would be rich, wouldn’t it?”

He blinked then resumed his posture.

“Strange, but no matter. I hear your wish, your desires. You wish to rewind, to have that which was once yours but lost because of your loyalties. You thought it was a virtue, but now you know the truth. I do not ask for loyalty, only to strike a bargain and be true to its terms. I will deliver, if you will deliver for me.”

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

...and for much the same reason on both counts. An image, one of Phalomir's hands raised to the sky, royal robes flowing from him and arrogance plastered on his face as Jharmeen, child in her arms, fell back.

She knew not if Jharmeen saw what she was seeing via their link or not, but she did her best to block the thoughts from both Phalomirs, trusting neither.

Then she turned her attentions to the arrogant Dark One. "If I deliver what?"

She quieted as a final dark thought haunted her. Or who ...

(((OCC: Partially cross-posted in Event Horizon in the CSWU.))

[ 07-25-2010 02:36 PM: Message edited 1 time, lastly by Shayla Stargazer Petrolu ]

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“I wish to give you that what you want most,” he said. “But you must realize what that truly is. You tell me of Graysith, of loyalty, of regrets. But what truly lies within your heart? What truly could I offer you and yet you deliver for me?”

His face then grew very serious, and his eyes narrowed to emphasize the words.

"Wait!!"

She paused, cutting off her own cry to Shayla, knowing that both were linked to her, and through her, to each other.

"Shayla... According to what my Lord Phalomir is saying, I am in one of the cloud cities on Bespin. I am not certain where you are yourself; Phalomir appears to be... Elsewhere.

"K'kihl is here somewhere; I must somehow ascertain his whereabouts, for if I should just depart from this place he would be worried, and might find trouble. Once I have made contact with him, I will send him--- to K'eel Doba.

"Take a care, my sister; I feel there is more afoot than the Dark Phalomir who plagues you. I trust you have the ability to fend him off; and be not afraid of my love.

"When I have found K'kihl and have sent him on his way, I shall go to Phalomir. If he is truly Elsewhere, he will need my assistance.

"Do not worry; we shall be together soon enough. But my dear, find out what you can of this Dark One. And-- watch yourself."

With that she silenced, quieting the connection until it was nothing but an electric hum betwixt the three of them.

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

She should have known...

...and she did know. The image of Graysith, of the arrogant Phalomir...

...of the baby.

Her eyes darkened as she pinned them on his. "No," she said quietly, but not without an edge.

Then she stretched back along the link she shared with Jharmeen. I went to hyperspace within the Elseness. The Dark Phalomir. He wants an heir...

She trailed a moment. ...from me.

Returning her attention to the other in the ship, she spoke once more, beginning to consider just what she needed to do next. She had her powers back, but even with those she had limitations. "Besides, any of your plans will do you little good so long as you are trapped here."

(((OCC: Parts of this are cross-posted to Event Horizon in the CSWU.)))

[ 08-03-2010 10:02 AM: Message edited 1 time, lastly by Shayla Stargazer Petrolu ]

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He smirked a little and stared off at the corner of the ceiling.

“Although the thought is rather pleasant,” he smiled. “But still, our transaction is purely business. You see, once the heir is secured he will need a mother – until he grows. Then your obligation shall be fulfilled and you can be on your way with—well, with the things you desire most. I need you for that, and for retrieving the heir. I have faith that your powers shall again be yours, and with my help you can do wondrous things.”

His face then grew somehow darker and his gaze pierced Shayla’s.

...nor could she trust the Dark Phalomir, so manipulative and calculating, one whit. Still, self-preservation yet pushed her to find out more, as did the information smuggler within her.

She forced her eyes back into focus on him.

"What heir?" she quiered simply, her eyes betraying nothing futher and she awaited his response.

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

"I-- I cannot come... yet. Hold fast, my sister; discern what it is this one wants from you. Why does he need an heir?"

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

He wants me to retrieve an heir and mother him, Shayla thought back.

Silencing her thoughts along the link for the moment so that nothing more than short bursts of message were sent, she reiterated her question. "What heir...and why do you need one? You are an immortal being, after all."

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

He paused, smirking at Shayla.

"Oh, I know what you're thinking. 'Oh, my Lord, I thought it was you who would rule over the Darker Realms.' Well, yes, that is true. But I will confess something to you, my dear. I am but one aspect of the true master. One small fraction of the true potential, that is what I represent. But it is a powerful fraction, mind you. Once we restore balance to the Darker Realms then we will assure the continued peaceful existence of both our worlds."

He then softened his facial features and continued.

"You still speak in riddles," Shayla responded evenly. "You speak of evil deeds and of an heir that can rightfully rule the Realms...

...yet you likewise speak of an incomplete birth and tell me nothing of where he can be found aside from nether worlds."

She paused, pursing her lips thoughtfully. "Are you referring to the Elseness?"

Quieting a final time, Shayla leveled a completely unreadable gaze upon Dark Phalomir. "If I were to do what you ask then much more information is required."

[ 08-04-2010 03:46 PM: Message edited 1 time, lastly by Shayla Stargazer Petrolu ]

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A memory was niggling of something she had been told once pulled at the corners of Shayla's mind. Seeking to bring clarity to that memory, she reached back out to Jharmeen.

He says the heir he seeks is a small child that has been placed within the Elseness that he wants me to retrieve from there...

"There must be something you are still not telling me, considering you seem so certain I have the ability to find him."

(((OCC: Partially cross-posted in Event Horizon in the CSWU.)))

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

"No!! That child... it was mine, mine by Recinis, destined to become Dark Lord of the Warriors. But during my stay on Dagobah my body could not properly nourish it; I-- I lost it, and placed it within a coccoon of my love for my husband into the Elseness that it would not die.

"You must not do this, sister. You must not let this Phalomir retrieve my child. For if this were to happen, surely it would die."

[ 08-04-2010 10:24 PM: Message edited 1 time, lastly by Graysith ]

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...and understood. She knew she shouldn't make a bargain with the Dark Phalomir in order to save her little boy, as much as her heart longed for that to happen.

Zackary had been lost to them the day that he was born prematurely. Or at least, he should have been. Time and time again she had responded to his impending loss by trying to battle what simply was. First by allowing him to stay within the confines of a Sith incubator, and then by allowing the Sith healers to work and work on him in order to sustain his life. But what was destined to happen eventually happened. It was what it was.

A great pang of resignation and understanding began to emerge deep in Shayla's innermost being. And along with that growing realization followed another, equally as painful yet very poignant one.

She could not agree to help the Dark one to save her own child...

...nor could she not agree to help him to save Jharmeen's little one either.

Again, the natural order of things demanded to be respected.

The needs of the many should outweigh the needs of the few...

Despite what she decided to do, Shayla knew she needed to keep the Larger Picture in mind. She most certainly did not trust this one before her in any way, shape or form. Even so, she had been brought here by the will of the Force, and indeed by the will of something even Greater and Grander than that.

And there were, indeed, two sides to every coin.

Shayla knew she had to follow this out for the time being. Leaving her thoughts and feelings behind--for indeed her entire thought processes had taken no more than a moment--Shayla returned focus to the obstinately silent Dark Phalomir.

"Well?" she queried, waiting.

Meanwhile she reached back along the link she shared with Graysith.

I understand, my dear sister, she then thought to her, emotions of shared loss and understanding also flowing along the Link. Still, I am here for a reason...

...and I think I need to follow this through. Please, trust me.

Shayla let the Link go quiet as a final mental addendum seemed to raise its voice in damnation. And I hope you will be able to forgive me for anything I might be about to do...

(((OCC: Partially cross-posted in Event Horizon in the CSWU.)))

[ 08-06-2010 03:20 PM: Message edited 1 time, lastly by Shayla Stargazer Petrolu ]

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"I trust in you, Shayla. But in whatever you do, remember there is always two sides to every coin, and that there is always the Bigger Picture to consider. Sometimes the right thing to aim for means doing the wrong thing, or following the path we do not wish to travel upon.

"Keep me appraised; I will join you when I have safely delivered K'kihl to K'eel Doba.

"Good luck, my sister. I love you."

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