A New Friend

[The End Narrator]

She would graciously accept the offer of his arm as they departed the cafe. It had been some time for Mira since she had been on a walk like this. Years, even. The last time someone treated her like this was even before Fiore. It wasn’t to say Fiore didn’t treat her good, it was to say that their relationship was different. To say that she found a genuine sense of tranquility while walking with this man was an understatement. At times during their walk, she found herself talking too much about the Festival. She talked about the history behind it, how it originated many centuries prior from when Queen Amidala first wore a dress with the flowers adorning it. She went on about how it managed to survive the Gulag plague and the many galactic conflicts after.

During her whole historical lesson, Mira was oblivious to any staring or inclination of fondness on the part of Isar. As they approached the Hangar and he spoke up, Mira cocked her head to the side at his statement, confused. “Wha-?”

"Mi'lord, we have prepared your vessel and the estate manager is prepared for your arrival."

Mira blinked. ~What did that guy just call him?~

Crimson eyes shifted from guard to man and then back to guard. “I think yo-” She went to speak up but Isar’s voice overrode her own. Not in a rude manner but in such a way that she just stopped talking. For the most part, Mira chalked it up to being shocked and surprised by the sudden turn of events.

~I didn’t see this coming…~

Mira raised an eyebrow and turned to Isar. She gently pried her arm free from his and raised her hand up. “I thought we said no more secrets?”

[member="Isar Kislo"]

 

[Isar Kislo]

Isar rolled his eyes with a soft smile. "Does that qualify as a secret? I feel like it's more accurately just information I had yet to convey." Folding his arms over his chest, Isar figured they may as well close the loop on this. He did pride himself on being direct...when he knew how to properly interpret the situation. For certain - Mira had made that difficult for him on more than one occassion.

"Tell you what. I can sum myself up in one sentence. My name is Isar Kislo, and I like fast speeders, shockball, good food, sparring, and you." A roguish grin slipped over Isar's lips as he offered his arm to Mira once again. "What more you need to know?"

[member="Mira Rekali"]

 

[The End Narrator]

Mira smirked. “I would count that as a secret, yes.”

As he summed himself up, she could feel her face get hot – more specifically, her cheeks. A few blinks later, Mira had managed to find her voice. “I…” She cleared her throat and looked to the ship and back to Isar. “I think that’s plenty?” She said quietly before nodding to him. “I think we have somewhere to be, no?”

She had no clue where they had to be or if they were even to leave; she was too awestruck with the situation at hand to really care. It had been ages, if truly at all since Mira had been treated in such a fashion. One could not compare apples to oranges in relationships, truly they could not. Without anything further, Mira would take his arm and be properly boarded on the vessel.

This trip had turned out to be more interesting than she had originally thought it would be.

[member="Isar Kislo"]

 

[Isar Kislo]

Isar smirked slightly at [member="Mira Rekali"]'s comment about his statements being plenty. "Well. If you...want more, I can undoubtedly acquiesce your request." A simple nod of his head was really all that followed the woman's follow-up question.

Once Mira had taken his arm, Isar guided her the rest of the way to the vessel. No sooner had they walked up the ramp than R8 came wheeling up from behind them, having seen his master's detour to a different vessel than expected. The interior of the vessel was elaborate and well-appointed. The furniture and decorations were a herald to the legacy of House Veruna, the first Royal House on Naboo. By the same token, there was a dark history to the family's past. A history which, according to his father, he had worked hard to make up for.

As Isar settled into one of the chairs at the controls, he glanced at Mira. "Feel free to make yourself comfortable," he commented casually as his hands danced over the controls to initiate pre-flight checks he mostly had memorized. If Mira watched him closely, she would note that Isar seemed to be more at home behind the controls than anywhere else.

Satisfied all was in order, Isar activated the avionics and placed a headset over his long hair. Per usual, one of his ears was left exposed, allowing him to hear what else was happening on the flight deck. "Theed control, Nomad 3, request visual clearance as filed to the west, priority."

The pause was a brief one, but Mira would hear the response from the speakers on the flight deck or her own handset should she so desire. "Nomad 3, clearance is on request, standby."

Leaning back, Isar swiveled his glacier-blue gaze in Mira's direction. "Have you ever spent any amount of time in the Lake Country?"

"Nomad 3, cleared for visual departure to the west as filed, priority transit. Start-up approved. Departure frequency 126.75."

Isar's eyes briefly glanced out to the hangar bay as he entered a keycode to retract the loading ramp and seal the doors. "Cleared as filed, priority transit, 126.75 after departure, Nomad 3." As Isar rattled off the reply, he reached over his head to start the engines one by one by switching the engine start switches from ground to ignition. Once each engine had started and began idling, Isar switched the controls to flight mode and added just enough power to the repulsors to clear the skids from the deck.

As Isar added power to the sublight bank smoothly, he rotated the spacecraft around and dipped the wings slightly, resulting in a very rapid, tight turn towards the hangar's exit. Even before the nose fully lined up with the open sky beyond, Isar pushed the throttles forward, maintaining repulsor thrust until the vessel had departed the hangar. "Theed Departure, Nomad 3 with you on priority."

"Nomad 3, radar contact, continue as filed."

"Continue as filed, Nomad 3."

Keeping the nose shockingly low over the ground, he immediately turned out over downtown Theed and added full power to the sublight bank. Eventually, he shut the repulsors down completely as airflow kept the gleaming spacecraft aloft. "I have my father and mother to thank for this," Isar commented out of the blue. Briefly, the young Zeison Sha turned his head to regard Mira before returning his eyes to the horizon. "My father flew for the RSF for years. Interestingly enough, he met my mother when she was still...seventeen I think? She was already training to be a Jedi at that point, and an accomplished pilot in her own right. They, apparently, did not get along at first. They tried to beat each other into submission during some exhibition on combatives."

Glancing at Mira with a mischievous smirk, he added, "Funny how things work out. What about you? I presume you at least have some love for flying if you're spending your time hanging out in hangars." She certainly didn't have the look of someone that was exclusively a grease monkey, but if she was... Well. Isar would fire his crew chief in heartbeat.

 

[The End Narrator]

Upon seeing the R8 unit, Mira’s eyes lit up like a kid in the candy store but she stowed her techie excitement for a moment later on – when the time was right. For now, she’d gush over the decorations and historical legacy that she was suddenly immersed in. Her mother had been one to drive home the importance of history and Naboo had been one of those rare places that Mira happened to take up an interest in – although not as much as their homeworld of Yavin IV. She’d follow behind slowly, and at times fall behind as she’d gaze over things that could rival some items she had on her own vessel. Fingertips would go to touch but stop short as she was called to take a seat, and find a seat she would, making herself quite comfortable in the plush fabric.

Mira paid no mind to the pre-flight checks and such until the question was posed to her that was slightly delayed due to her mind being elsewhere.

“Lake Country? No, I cannot say I have…” Mira shook her head softly, drifting back to daydream land – but she wasn’t there for long. The sound of his voice brought her back to reality as she nodded in response.

“I would have to say that I do have some love for flying. I flew a few missions with the Galactic Alliance – nothing major.” Mira shrugged before attempting to backtrack on his previous statement. “Wait, your mother trained Jedi?” She raised an eyebrow and pointed to Isar. “Then I assume you have some ability in your own right. Who was she? If I may be so bold to ask?”

[member="Isar Kislo"]

 

[Isar Kislo]

Isar noddee his head slightly to Mira's response about the Lake Country. "Well I suppose we'll both be experiencing it for the first time then." As the vessel passed over the outskirts of Thees, Isar depressed a few buttons to activate the autopilot.

While the Apailana-class vessel ascended steadily to its cruising altitude, Isar turned his chair completely to regard Mira. He'd heard her question, but he was clearly otherwise engaged in trying to truly see Mira. In public he'd made attempts not to stare. In the privacy of his father's ship though...

Alright Isar it's getting creepy.

There was still a lot the genetically manipulated Kiffar-Naboo still had yet to learn about purely social interaction with those that stirred awkward feelings inside of him. "Some. Most of my training and experience has been with the Zeison Sha, however."

A pause.

"Long story. At any rate, my mother is the Kralice of Kiffex and Kiffu." That description typically meant nothing to most people in the galaxy. "Most know her as the former Grandmaster of the Jedi Order some time ago. Kiskla Grayson." In anticipation of any potential follow-up, Isar just rounded it out. "My father is Marcello Matteo, Baron Veruna and King of Naboo before the current Queen."

[member="Mira Rekali"]

 

[The End Narrator]

Mira blinked a few times, uncertain what words could describe what she was feeling the moment she heard the name exit Isar’s mouth. The fact that the woman that her mother trusted and loved like a sister was the mother of a man who she was actively crushing on – was something out of the ordinary. Was this the work of something beyond coincidence? Was this the work of fate? Beings in the Netherworld? The Force itself? Mira wasn’t quite sure what to think of anymore about it. At this point, she’d accept it for what it is.

Afterall, she couldn’t change who he was.

She simply nodded, acknowledging the name before looking out the viewport. “My mother and her were friends, well, good friends. I heard a lot of stories from my mom about Master Grayson.” She looked back to Isar and shrugged. “Official and unofficial stories...” Mira chuckled softly and pointed to him. “I also heard of your father.” Truth be told, she heard plenty about both of them from Aaralyn before she died.

Mira gave another nod, gazing out the viewport once more. Her arms crossed over her chest as she let out a rough sigh. “Kinda hard to live in that kind of shadow, huh?”

[member="Isar Kislo"]

 

[Isar Kislo]

Isar leaned back in his seat, occasionally sparing a glance out the forward viewport or at the navigational readouts as he allowed the vessel's automatic flight control system a small degree of freedom in doing what it was created to do. He wasn't generally a fan of any form of computerized vessel control, but he learned to accept that it could be an asset in certain situations. You know, like when you really wanted your attention to be on the alluring female sitting near you.

"Your mother?" Unlike Mira, Isar had only just recently met [member="Kiskla Grayson"], and neither of them had really been very interested in any kind of story-filled conversation. In fact, it had been Loske and Marcello that did a fair majority of the talking. "I'm curious who that might be. Let's just say...mother dearest and I don't exactly chit-chat like... Ever. Similarly, you're part of a very elite group of people that know of my lineage." Indeed...one could say Isar still had no idea what it was like to live in his parent's shadow.

Sitting up somewhat abruptly, Isar leaned forward just a bit. "You're in the circle now, Mira. I'm afraid I can't let you leave anytime soon." The young Zeison Sha offered a playful wink before settling back into his seat.

A swift glance at the navicomputer revealed that they would be initiating their descent very shortly - only a few minutes after having reached Isar's desired cruising altitude. In preparation, Isar swiveled his chair back towards the controls.

[member="Mira Rekali"]

 

[The End Narrator]

Mira took a moment to rotate in the chair, focusing her attention elsewhere. The answer itself wasn’t hard, more so the memories of Aaralyn. She loved her mother, and she knew the woman did everything she could – but they weren’t as close as they should have been. Aaralyn had been tough on her, and for good reason. Mira began to idly draw her finger along the edges of the control console, trying to shove the memories aside. “Her name was Aaralyn Rekali.” She gave a slight smile as she looked to Isar. “She passed away a while back during the conflict on Roche between the Republic and the Mandalorians.” The reality of the situation was different, and Mira knew it. Aaralyn had been murdered and Mira had withdrawn from the Galaxy at large because of it.

Her eyes had been welling up with tears, and Mira didn’t realize it until a bump brought her back to reality. Mira let off a soft chuckle, reaching up to pull the hat free from her head. She shook her head, letting free the mane of golden brown hair. It was time for a distraction away from the emotional distress. “Yeah, I’m not really worried about leaving the circle anytime soon. I rather like it.” She mused before placing the hat atop his head. “I think it looks rather fitting on you…”

[member="Isar Kislo"]

 

[Isar Kislo]

[member="Mira Rekali"]

Isar had arched a curious brow when Mira turned away, but he didn't pry any further into the subject of her mother. Despite not being able to see her tearing up, he could plainly feel the abrupt shift in the way the Force otherwise naturally radiated around the woman. In fact, it responded so decisively and intensely that Isar found his curiosity piqued slightly. It was a trait he found more and more common among others with training in sensing the Force. More accurately, it was something he saw from those with such a strong connection that they often needed to do nothing to influence the energy.

Though I don't sense any...abnormal force activity around her aside from that.

Isar knew nothing of talismans used to hide force presences. In fact, he was only academically aware that the ability to hide one's presence in the Force existed. It was not something he had tried as yet - though there was a technique his mother seemed very fond of. Isar was definitely on the struggle bus with attempting to wrestle control of Art of the Small.

Pushing the thoughts from his mind, he glanced sideways at Mira when she spoke about not trying to leave the circle. A feeling that he had only just become acquainted with the day prior when he met Mira surged through his body. It was like a not-so-subtle longing, desire that forced his heart to beat just a little faster in his chest. The heat of the moment subsided slightly when Mira put a big, floppy, girly hat on his head. Maintaining one hand on the controls, Isar reached up with his other hand and lightly touched the edge of the hat. "Yeah? Good because I'm really hoping it helps to attract all the women in the lake country." A playful wink indicated that Isar was joking. The lingering look that followed indicated he presently was only worried about one.

In almost that precise moment, the sun reflected off of the pristine surface of the lake as the vessel continued its descent. The reflection caused Isar's attention to immediately return to the business of piloting. When his eyes fell upon the sprawling estate at the end of the crystal-clear waters, he could only utter one word. "Whoa..."

 

[The End Narrator]

It was in that moment between her and Isar that she seemed to forget her sorrow and a connection in the Force sparked between the two of them. She let off a soft laugh and gestured to Isar. “I’m not too sure you’ll attract all the women but I’m pretty confident the men will come flocking to your side.” The sensation that somehow connected the two of them in the ethereal tangles of the Force subsided – drifting off as fast as it had first came about. For a split second, Mira felt confusion. How could she still feel the Force with the talisman? Was it broken? The fear and anxiety would begin to rise in the pit of her stomach, causing her facial features to shift visibly but only briefly.

~I’m afraid…~ She went to speak the words but fell short, withdrawing behind the emotional shield. No sooner did she speak the words in her mind did the sun reflect in the viewport, catching her attention. Mira’s gaze diverted and attention shifted to the crystal waters and the large estate beyond. It was a breathtaking sight indeed. She found herself staring at the beautiful landscape of the lake country.

“This is beautiful…” She whispered as she sat back in the chair, knowing they would soon be landing.

[member="Isar Kislo"]

 

[Isar Kislo]

Slowly, Isar removed the hat from his head. His momentary shock at the reality of his father's casual little place by the lake had to be forced from Isar's face. Handing the hat back over to Mira, Isar returned his hands and his attentions to piloting the spacecraft through the final landing procedures. The closer he drew to the Veruna Estate, the more sense the way everyone in Theed had been acting made.

In a matter of minutes, the Apailana-class Transport had settled onto a concrete landing pad. Once the engines had idled, Isar switched the engine controls to cut-off. Standing from his seat, Isar offered Mira his arm once more. "Well. Here goes nothing." If Mira accepted, Isar would guide her back towards the loading ramp and down to the grounds of the estate where R8 was undoubtedly waiting.

No sooner had they exited the vessel than two individuals dressed in dark blue and gold and approached them. "Ah, young Lord Kislo, we have been expecting your arrival. We have refreshments prepared on the veranda." The elderly man's eyes briefly flicked in the direction of Mira, whom he afforded a polite bow to as well. "Unless you and the Lady would prefer to rest?"

Isar glanced briefly at Mira but rather immediately decided that staying busy was...best. Lest he be left to his own whims and desires... "How about...a quick tour? The estate looks beautiful from the sky, but I'm sure it's much better here on the ground."

The servant half-bowed politely. "Certainly. Please follow me."

Isar turned to Mira before leaning in to whisper something. "Plenty of time for...rest...later." He was only half-joking, but he completely meant the comment in a less-than-respectable manner.

[member="Mira Rekali"]

 

[The End Narrator]

Mira gently took the hat and placed it atop her head, adjusting it as they came in for the landing. Her thoughts had drifted back to a more positive outlook, the fear drifting away to the deep recesses of her mind for now. She took a moment to peek up and out the viewport, before the voice of Isar caught her attention. With a smile and a nod, she took his arm and rose up from the seat, following beside him down the ramp. Mira took a moment to note the R8 unit, almost breaking away from Isar to talk to the droid but stopped short as another man approached and began speaking to him about refreshments. Mira peaked up at the mention of food and then rest, chuckling lightly.

“I’m afraid that rest is something we can push off to later.” She met his gaze and smirked before turning back to R8, nodding. “I think we can manage a quick tour, no?” The droid beeped an affirmation and just as she turned to address Isar, he leaned in causing them to be closer than Mira had been to a man in a long time – a really long time. Their lips were nearly touching, as he whispered to her – something completely incoherent to Mira at this point. Her heart was pounding in her throat, her cheeks flushing a soft crimson as she blinked softly.

“Wh…Whatever you say...” She whispered back, lured in so close she heat from his skin. Or maybe that was just her face being so flushed…

[member="Isar Kislo"]

 

[Isar Kislo]

Isar, on the other hand, allowed the proximity to linger for a moment. Somewhere in the back of his mind, he was struggling with a decision. However, the confident smile he forced onto his lips rather clearly indicated that he had opted to...delay once again. Turning his head, he guided Mira on the start of the tour, following the servant at a distance which would allow them to speak without being overheard. It had taken maybe ten steps for Isar to realize that R8 seemed to enjoy the company of Mira much more than his own. Then again...Isar wasn't exactly supremely comfortable around droids just yet. It was...an awkward adjustment.

Quietly to Mira, Isar made a comment. "Honestly. This borders on ridiculous. I've spent the vast majority of my life living in this Temple or that Temple. Devoting myself to training designed to shape me as a weapon for my people. I can't even imagine any one person needing this much." Isar chanced a sideways glance at Mira, knowing he was revealing a fair amount of his past to a woman that was almost a stranger. Still...she seemed very easy to talk to, and he presence washed over him with a comforting sensation. A peace that he'd never known and was concerned he would miss sincerely when they inevitably had to part ways.

What Isar did not know was that it was something just north of infatuation. A middle road between the fleeting emotion and something much, much deeper.

[member="Mira Rekali"]

 

[The End Narrator]

Mira took notice to Isar’s uncomfortable adjustment to droids, in some form or fashion. Of course, she loved anything and everything mechanical and somehow, they knew that. When she believed Isar to be paying attention the least, she would coo or ah at the R8 droid that followed the pair of them around the Estate tour. In turn, the droid responded with happy chirps and beeps – no doubt attracting unwanted attention. When Isar spoke up, Mira quickly turned her attention back to him, giggling softly. “Oh? Borders you say?” Mira admitted she was foreign to the concept of being in a Temple for training or anything of that nature. Her mother trained her on Yavin IV, with other Jedi of course and a part of a larger network of Jedi but she was never confined. She could never being confined to a specific regime, no, Aaralyn allowed her to flourish. As he continued on, Mira felt an odd sense of guilt overcome her. He knew nothing of who she was or what she was capable of doing – yet he poured his soul out to her.

She took note of everything he did. His eyes when he spoke of things – how they would look upon her. His breathing when he mentioned something that bothered him. Every detail, she observed and noted. Although she could not feel him through the Force, she could see he was conflicted. Was this something of her doing? Was this something else? Mira continued to walk the slow, gentle pace of the tour as they approached an elaborate garden area. Before the servant could explain the history behind the statues, the fountains and the flora, she cleared her throat and brought attention to her person. “Could you excuse us for a moment?” The notion drew a look of concern from the servant but he seemed obligated to comply, bowing before taking his leave.

She gazed at Isar, uncoupling her arm from his as she walked towards one of the fountains nearby. Her hand would graze over the dome of the R8 unit, causing the droid to let off a soft beep of curiosity. Mira sighed as she stopped at the edge of the fountain, looking into the azure waters that sparkled against the rays of light from the sun. “I am flattered you’ve been so open and honest with me.” Two fingers would dip into the brisk liquid, gently stirring in circles as she tilted her head, watching the ripples it created. “There is something I’d like to be honest with you about as well…” She stopped and looked over her shoulder at him for a moment before turning back to her innocent endeavor of stirring up the water. “That is of course if you want to know, I’d understand if you didn’t.”

[member="Isar Kislo"]

 

[Isar Kislo]

Isar nodded as a simple means of acknowledgment to what he judged to be a rhetorical question about borders. It was hard to explain, and he wasn't exactly sure it was a story she'd even care to hear at the moment. The reality was...Isar actually didn't open up to anyone. This simple reality made Isar's continued interactions with Mira all the more strange and foreign to him. It was like a silent, forceful pull that compelled him to share the general subtleties of his life.

Then there was the simple fact that he couldn't seem to tear his glacier-blue eyes away from her visage for any extended period of time. When Mira asked for the servant to grant them some privacy, he fixed the woman with a curious gaze. As she slowly stirred the water of the fountain, Isar found his attention drifting from what she was uttering to the simple sight of her smooth skin glistening in the midday Naboo sun. Her entire presence seemed perfectly created for the tranquil beauty of the garden.

As Mira's statements drifted towards an intent to make a confession, Isar was pulled from his trance. Blinking a couple times, the young Zeison Sha stepped forward and took a seat on the edge of the fountain. He wasn't that much shorter than her in such a position. Managing a soft smile, he placed his hands to either side of his body. "You're married aren't you? I knew it." Isar paused as a thin smile settled over his features. "Does he have a food or drug allergy? Accidents do happen."

[member="Mira Rekali"]

 

[The End Narrator]

She chuckled and shook her head. “No, I’ve not taken the plunge into matrimony.” Mira grinned sheepishly. “Not yet.” She brought her fingers out of the water and sat down infront of him, the two wet fingers gently reaching up to touch the earthen colored talisman around her neck. “This prohibits something that would come to us as natural.” She ran her fingers along the ancient lines, before reaching up to undo the clasp behind her neck, the weighted jewelry fell from her neck and landed with a metallic thud onto the fountain base between them. Mira closed her eyes, inhaling sharply as her world began to shift. To be able to see and feel everything again, was like walking out into the sun from a pitch black room. The sensation was a bit overwhelming at first, causing her body to sway as she sat upon the edge of the fountain. Her eyes shifted back and forth beneath closed lids as the ethereal webs of the Force reached out to her, calling her name – like an old friend she hadn’t seen in a long time.

Mira welcomed them with open arms, absorbing the tranquility around her. The serene garden was perhaps one of the better places to be when she opened herself up to the Force. A hand rose from her side as she began to focus on the smallest of objects around her to the things that didn’t take shape – like the water within the fountain. The Force would take shape and make its power known as the invisible hand would lift the pebbles from the ground around them and the water would begin to rise. It was as an effortless gesture on the part of Mira, something as trivial as the ground and water around them. Crimson eyes would open slowly, as she stared out into the frozen field of earth and liquid, her gaze was focus on something beyond them. “One of my greatest assets is my abilities, but it’s also one of my weaknesses. Fear and anxiety have crippled me.” She stood up and brought her hand down to push a small rock aside, watching it float away. Mira looked back at the talisman on the fountain edge.

“That allows me to find the answers, the way to control myself again – to be who my mother trained me to be.” With a simple gesture, the talisman flew through the air into her hand and the moment it touched her skin – everything fell to the ground. After the dozens of thuds and the sizable splashing the fountain water created, Mira calmly put the talisman back around her neck and looked upon Isar. “I just figured I’d share something deep about me with you.”

[member="Isar Kislo"]

 

[Isar Kislo]

Isar smirked slightly at Mira's reply. "Oh good. I mean it would be fine if you are. I'm not a killer." The Zeison Sha paused for a moment as he leaned in slightly. "...but don't push me." A playful wink followed the comment before Isar returned to his original position.

When Mira indicated the talisman around her neck and alluded to it preventing something that they both considered natural, Isar's curiosity was piqued. Even as she removed the device, he could sense it, feel it. The Force shifted around them abruptly but not violently. What had previously been mostly normal activity around Mira's being suddenly became very abnormal, indicative of someone with such a strong connection to the Force that it responded subconsciously to their thoughts and actions.

Suddenly it all made sense. The thing that had happened on the ship. Was the Force at work behind this entire interaction? There were plenty of tutors in Isar's past that would claim it was the will of the Force that brought him to Naboo this day. His mother and father, per their own admission, had never been that way in their youth. However, they both seemed to agree that some manner of destiny had seen them together from their initially rocky start.

Lik every rocky. They had practically killed each other.

Watching as Mira manipulated the elements around her, Isar found that his glacier-blue gaze almost always returned immediately to her face. It was as if something kept him from averting his gaze for any length of time. As he stared into her crimson orbs, something Mira had just said resonated in the back of his mind.

Trained by her mother. Mother a friend of my mother.

Isar did not know Kiskla Grayson exceptionally well, but he knew that the woman had very few friends. Well...few that she'd ever deemed it necessary to speak of, at least. Just after Mira released her hold on the elements, Isar blurted out, "Rekali." It was abrupt, but it was the manifestation of his completed thoughts. Motioning towards her, Isar smiled thinly. "Your mother. Aaralyn Rekali."

Coincidence wasn't exactly something that Isar believed in either.

"Thank you, Mira." Gently, Isar reached out a hand to rest lightly upon her leg. "I am truly honored you were willing to share that with me. It seems like this is a rather large part of your life that...effects you."

A pause as Isar slowly retracted his hand.

"How bad is it? Your fear and anxiety, I mean?" The look on his face was not one of judgment, merely genuine interest.

[member="Mira Rekali"]

 

[The End Narrator]

Mira sat down next to Isar, looking at the wet stone, shrugging lightly. “It has its moments where it doesn’t control me.” She looked at him and managed a half-smile. “I do my best to hide it of course.” She looked over at R8 and then back to Isar. “Mechanical stuff, droids, that sort’ve stuff.” Her thoughts drifted back to the day she began to fill it. The time she encountered Darth Vornskr on Ilum and then Soeht on Coruscant – culminating up to the death of her mother. These events plagued her with nightmares and visions every day.

So, Mira decided to enlighten Isar about how bad it was – going into detail about how she saw these events repeating themselves every time she closed her eyes. She went into detail how she lost her eye to Vornskr during her pilgrimage to Ilum and was sold into slavery. The mission that she went on for the Galactic Alliance which nearly cost her more than her eye because she was simply cocky. The sorrow she felt when her mother died and how she wished that she could reverse the hands of time and bring her back – just so she could tell her that she loved her one more time.

These were very real things for Mira, for a girl who held immense power and was afraid it would be her undoing.

“My life has been a little complicated…” She chuckled softly.

[member="Isar Kislo"]

 

[Isar Kislo]

Isar was silent throughout Mira's recounting of her life. Now he was the one that felt like he was holding too much back. For all of the information that he had given Mira about his life, it had mostly been about his current life. How did you tell someone that you were actually just a science project? A tool designed to be thrown at the enemies of a single society? More importantly, how could he tell her all of that now? Isar felt like it would have simply seemed too...self-serving, like he was trying to compare his struggles to her own.

As the woman's story came to an end, Isar nodded his head. "Yeah that's... You've been through a lot. It seems as if you've lived several lifetimes worth of tragic experiences." He could only imagine what kind of toll that would take on a person. Literally, he could only imagine.

Exhaling softly, Isar managed a thin smile. "Makes my own life experiences seem pretty minute by comparison." In truth, his life experiences were minute. It had only been ten years long. "You know. There is no reason why you should have to shoulder that burden alone. Friends...family..." Isar presumed she had some family still left. "I'm sure there is someone that you can lean on for support, to heal."

[member="Mira Rekali"]