Private A Good Man is Hard to Find

[Thelma Goth]

Finishing off the two remaining wolves, Thelma saw more headed through the doorway. A second later, she heard the sound of shattering glass behind her.

Genevieve didn’t make a sound as she was pushed through the window. Thelma’s last sight of her mother was of her body flying through shards of glass, before she dropped out of sight.

The wolves continued to attack, but several abandoned the assault without any guidance from Genevieve. Once she was sure Silas was safe, Thelma raced down the steps, calling out, “Max! Max, are you all right?”

“I’m… fine,” a muttered reply could be heard from downstairs. Max was lying on the floor, disoriented but unharmed. “Where is she? Where is your mother?” he asked.

Thelma turned away from him without answering, walking slowly towards the hotel entrance. She pushed open what remained of the ruined door—then froze when she saw Genevieve’s body lying in the street. Hugging herself to stave off the chill, she looked long enough to confirm that she was dead, then turned away, silently facing Silas and Max with tears running down her pale cheeks.

Silas Westgard​

 

[Silas Westgard]

Location: Dahrtag
Objective: Help Thelma
Tag: Thelma Goth

Silas took a deep breath and looked back to Thelma, concerned by what he had just done. She may have been trying to kill them, but it was still her mother "Thelma, wait..." he said just before she went down to the front door to see her body laying out in the street. A wave of guilt fell over him instantly, almost as if it was something that could have been avoided. However, if Silas hadn't done that who knew what could have happened to the both of them?

Slowly, Silas put a hand on Thelma's shoulder and gently squeezed it "I'm sorry Thelma, I... I had to do it" the knight sighed, his finger going up to her cheek to wipe away the tears "She was going to kill me if I didn't act" Silas said more silently before pulling her into his chest for a big hug to try and calm her down "Come on, we'd better take her body inside and make arrangements to finally put her at peace" he said solemnly, moving away from Thelma to walk outside.

His head looked in all directions as he went towards her mother, cautious and prepared for anything that was left. Carefully, he'd lean down to put a finger against her neck to see if she was truly dead. At the same time, questions were going through his head.

How did they know where they were?​

 

[Thelma Goth]

"I'm sorry Thelma, I... I had to do it. She was going to kill me if I didn't act."

"I know," Thelma murmured, closing her eyes as Silas wiped away her tears. "It's just… She was my mother."

Genevieve wasn't always crazy or corrupted. She had been a good person, a loving wife and mother. Thelma could remember what she was like then, though those memories only made her feel the loss of the woman she was more keenly now.

Silas' embrace was warm. Thelma hugged him back, holding on for quite some time. When he pulled away to check for a pulse, she remained standing with her back to the corpse, as if unwilling or unable to look at it.

After getting his bearings, Max staggered over to Genevieve's body. "No pulse?" he asked Silas. "That doesn't mean she's dead. Vampires can regenerate, you know. Which is why special precautions must be taken…"

He got down on one knee beside the body, pressed the emitter of his lightsaber against Genevieve's chest and activated the blade, impaling her through the heart. Then he brought it down on her neck, decapitating her.

"Should definitely be dead now," he said with a grimace, waving away the stench of charred flesh. "But we should burn her for good measure."

Overhearing this, Thelma looked over her shoulder at them, but said nothing. While cremation of remains was the norm for much of the galaxy, the people of Dahrtag buried their dead in the ground. The planet was called Necropolis for a reason.

As if sensing her eyes upon his back, Max shook his head. "It's the only way to make sure the corruption dies with her," he added.

"Then I'll help you build a pyre," she said, walking past them to find some kindling.

"Once this is done, we can leave the planet," Max continued, rising to his feet. "I will go with you two back to Coruscant, if only to get away for a little while…"

"The Order is in need of more Jedi Masters to guide them," she said. "You could stay at the Temple and teach a new generation. Or at least continue to train me."

"Haven't they assigned you another master by now?"

"Yes, but…" Thelma hesitated, glancing toward Silas. Kahlil Noble had been his master as well, and she knew he had a great deal of respect for him. "We don't see eye to eye."

"You mean that you are ill-matched?" Max asked. Her sheepish nod was met with a huff. "Well, I suppose I could resume our training. But then I'd either have to pull you out of the Temple, or rejoin the Order to make things official…"

Silas Westgard​

 

[Silas Westgard]

Location: Dahrtag
Objective: Help Thelma
Tag: Thelma Goth

"It's just… She was my mother."

"I know Thelma, no matter what she did or became your mom will always be your mom. There's no changing that..." Silas said softly while keeping a comfortable hug. Eventually, he finally let go and let her look away from Max finishing off the body. It was quite barbaric the way he did it, but if that was the only way to know she was truly dead then so be it. Silas wasn't expecting to kill Thelma's mother today, he just hoped in the future she'd truly accept why he had to do it.

"Not to rush but I'm afraid we must be quick in building the pyre. If your mother knew we were here then others must know too..." he explained with a brief look around him. For all he knew, they were probably watching them now. Silas let out a sigh and looked back to Max with a nod "Thelma's right, the order is always in need of more masters. We could use a man of your knowledge to teach the next generation, as well as continue the rest of Thelma's training in safety" Silas said honestly, a small smile going across his face.

"You'd be wasting anywhere else sir..."​

 

[Thelma Goth]

"I-I'd rather stay at the Temple," Thelma said quickly. She didn't want to leave Silas or any of her other friends behind.

Silas backed her up. Max paused to glance between the two of them. "Wasting, hm?" he echoed. "Yes. I have been wasting time..."

He fell silent. Thelma didn't disturb his thoughts, busying herself with finishing the preparations. Soon the pyre was built. Max lifted Genevieve's body onto the pile of wood and kindling, turning to retrieve her severed head—only to find Thelma waiting behind him, holding the head in her hands. She looked down at her mother's face one final time before carefully setting it in place on the pyre.

The kindling caught flame easily, the fire spreading rapidly until the whole pile was ablaze. Thelma and Max stood back to avoid breathing in the smoke.

"Yes," Max said at last. "I will rejoin the Order, if they will have me. And if not, well... I'll stay close by. You should continue your training there, Thelma. You'll learn much more than I could ever possibly teach you."

Thelma nodded her head in gratitude, quietly slipping her hand into Silas'. They watched the flames for a little while longer, then headed for the starship and home.

Silas Westgard​