Ascension: Part Two

[Krux Mullarus]

Of many things, Krux at least tried to be honest.

Before he spoke, he sighed softly and took a deep breath of air in. "Dear, Setzi...honestly, it would take a lot for me to say no to you. Much more than the condition you happen to be in now. To be blatantly honest with you, no, i'm not a huge fan of the child, but it is your child, not mine. If you want to keep it and raise it, I will support you if you ask me for help. A constant reminder of Darth Pyrrhus won't exactly be...comfortable for me, but I trust you would teach it morality well.

"As for Pyrrhus...well...not that I hate the man, but there is much in him that reminds me of my grandfather, and I can't stand it. If...for some reason...you actually would abandon everything he has given you just for me...it would quite literally be a dream come true for me. I'm not scared of him. I would put my life before yours to protect you from him if it came down to it. But again... I don't want to make you do any of these things. Not for me. Do it if you're willing."

He took a deep breath again. His outrageous heartbeat had died down slightly, but not entirely. His hand appeared by her face as it brushed some hair out of her eyes. "I really do like you, Setzi. A lot more than like. I was willing to give my life for you on Toola, and i'd gladly do it again, even if the enemy is Darth Pyrrhus. I just don't want to make you to do anything you don't want to...does that make sense?" He looked down at her, staring into her eyes. His fear now was that he sounded like he was begging her to take him instead. Deep down, he did. Desperately. To hell with Pyrrhus. Even if he had to live with the child of that man, he would do it for her. All of it.

[member="Darth Azurea"]

 

[Darth Ferus]

[member="Abelain Narv'uk"]

"I heal fast. Probably because if how easy I am to break." It was a joke, though probably true. After [member="Knight Mullarus"] had healed her, she felt nothing in the form of discomfort. Though that was soon to change. Her eyes glanced briefly to the storm trooper, but what ever it was he had or was doing didn't matter. People had their own secrets, and they were entitled to them in her mind. Of course, once the storm trooper was out of sight, a grin took over her features.

"Right, so. A duel."

Fortuna spoke as if she was expecting the alien to respond, but without even waiting for him to she brought up both of her hands. The Force swelled about her, and released into a powerful push meant to send the alien back. Finally with a way to alleviate her boredom, she couldn't wait for them to get to the sparing room. It had to be here, now. Her grin only widened as her heart began to pound in her ears. A cheap shot should get this behemoth quite angry, perhaps too much so. The thrill of facing death could never go away.

 

[Abelain Narv'uk]

Abelain didn't quite expect to, but he gave a slight smirk at the jest made by Fortuna. It had been quite some time since there had been humor around, and it was an enjoyable experience, even if it was rather brief. Waiting for her to say something about the stormtrooper became uncomfortable, but then she simply returned to their original conversation about dueling, and relief flooded into his mind. "Yes. A du-"

The hand motions weren't so hidden that he didn't notice them before they actually struck, but he still didn't have much time to do anything about it. The Arue'tii felt the friction under his feet dissipate, and a quick rush of air was the only warning he had before he slammed into the bulkhead. It hurt, deep within his body; though the chitin was unharmed, his muscle and flesh ached at the blow. It seemed disrespectful to attack an opponent in conversation, though it wasn't quite unexpected.

It took several seconds for the unconscious shriek he was creating to go away. His hands felt the bulkhead behind him, and there, past the metal doorway stood his assailant. Had the teacher set any restrictions this time? No. It was probably for the best if he did not kill her, but grievous injury could be inflicted. Pushing himself off the bulkhead, and taking an unsteady step forward, Abelain's 'smile' spread along his face, the toothy grin indicating a readiness for combat.

"Very well."
The Arue'tii began to approach once more, his balance having steadied itself. The lunge forward sent his hand towards Fortuna, specifically towards her hair. With a grasping motion, the explorer attempted to take a clump of it into his hand, and to promptly launch the female into the room, admittedly with much less force then how she had launched him. Should the grab be successful, Abelain would press the button on the door, and allow it to shift closed.
[member="Fortuna"]

 

[Darth Ferus]

She continued to smile up at [member="Abelain Narv'uk"] even as he streaked. Fortuna hadn't expected to hurt him that much, but it was a welcome relief to know that the impervious chitin didn't protect against anything. Not that she had much time to think about it. He was quick to move, possinky too quick, and she hardly had enough time to lift up her hand.

And find out she was too slow. His lunge for her hair succeeded painfully, and with her own shriek she was thrown into his room. That was a mind numbing experience, getting thrown by her hair. She landed with a dull thud, which certainly didn't help with dealing with the pain. Thankfully, he didn't throw her as hard as he could have. Slowly Fortuna pushed herself up, gritting her teeth as she tried to clear her head. There was a hiss of the door shutting, and the dull footsteps of her now opponent walking closer.

Well, it was her own fault for not waiting.

A dry laugh escaped her lips as the girl pushed herself up onto wobbly feet, her head shaking as she tried to clear it. "Any rules we should make? Or is it too late for that now?" She cracked a grin, but given her headache it would probably look like a pained smile. Of course, she was still very much ready to fight.

 

[Abelain Narv'uk]

Abelain watched as Fortuna was flung into the room with satisfaction. He could probably have done much worse damage, but it had already been decided that this was a simple duel, not to the death. If it had been, he would have gone for the weapons still attached at his side, the Sith vibroblade and the Iridonian lightsaber. As he thought of this, a sharp pain rose up in his back, and his hand pressed into it in a worthless attempt at alleviating the pain. It had to be ignored, he could not continue the fight if he gave into pain, and such pitiful behavior would never be accepted by the prideful explorer.

The Arue'tii stepped to Fortuna, standing there as she picked herself up off of the ground. The grin present on her face seemed to represent to him that the fight would continue, that she had not yet surrendered. That was acceptable, after all, the combat had just begun and there was much to be done. "Fortuna, there is no need for rules except one: Do not kill. Understand?" With the last word spoken, the explorer would slide his right hand to his left shoulder, allowing for the elbow to point towards Fortuna.

Many people tended to forget that the Arue'tii possessed a natural weapon within their elbows. They were sharp, perhaps not enough to tear through metal as many artificial weapons, but certainly enough to rend the flesh of inferior species, and to cut the life from their warm corpses. For now, Abelain waited, it seemed unlikely to him that he would use the chitinous blades upon the female as such a thing could easily be proved lethal with error. One never knew for certain how far a duel would go however.
[member="Fortuna"]

 

[Setzi Lunelle]

Azurea appreciated the honesty, but once he dismissed the idea of the child, she pulled away and settled on her belly. As she propped herself up on her elbows, the sheets slid down the slope of her smooth, pale back. But her expression wasn’t angry. If anything she was somber. Of course, there was an ache inside that he did not cherish what was growing inside her - just as she was warming to the idea. Despite her fear that she would make a terrible mother.

“I understand your discomfort with this child. I really do! I have a plan for that too after we pick him or her up from Shili. For I still need to travel there once I give birth… to give the impression that nothing is amiss.”

There was plenty of time to question this plan, to decide she wanted to keep the child. But for now, it was better to follow the careful plan that would be set in motion post-pregnancy.

Krux was not scared of Pyrrhus, but Setzi was. He had a hypnotic passion that drew her to him, and a devotion that had kept her safe and secure. But what she had witnessed in his presence - his anger, temper and unforgiving nature…? Yes, she would not want to be on his bad side. Or perhaps he would turn cold and dismiss anything that happened and send bounty hunters after the both of them. Either way, it would not be easy to leave Glee Anselm without some type of scar, be it physical or emotional.

When Krux brushed Setzi's hair out of her eyes with his long fingers, she leaned against his hand, savoring the soft caress. “I am here because I want to be with you," she said. “I will live with the consequences if you can.” And even though she had pulled away, she leaned in, and her lips brushed his forehead. Krux, through what he had given to her not just that night but the support on Toola and wherever else they found themselves, had made her experience the old Setzi, and for better or worse, she was grateful to feel like herself again. Not lightsided, but stronger. More capable of eliminating her foes and his. More assured that she did have a place in the Sith where the rules and roles were not so prescribed.

[member="Knight Mullarus"]

 

[Krux Mullarus]

Krux felt a bit guilty after how she seemed to withdraw at his thoughts on the child, but at least he wouldnt have to keep it a secret. He wouldnt hate the child for what it was. Whatever her plan for it, it would be a small consequence. One Krux was willing to take to have Setzi's hand.

"I can, and I will. I'll stay by your side as long as you want me here." he whispered, his hand starting to fiddle absent-mindedly with her hair. He lay on his side, watching her and still trying to wrap his mind around what was happening.

"So...does that make us...lovers?" It felt like such a childish question. One he'd never asked from a woman. He had never met one he wanted to ask so much. For some reason, he felt he knew what she would say, but he asked anyway. It would do wonders for his damaged heart and body to hear her say yes.

[member="Darth Azurea"]

 

[Darth Ferus]

There was a single nod to [member="Abelain Narv'uk"] when he spoke. No death, that seemed simple enough. Maybe. She wasn't sure how much her push had hurt him before. But she figured, sense she didn't hold back, he could take anything she might dish out. Another uphill battle. A shiver of excitement went down her back ad her gaze refocused. Life wasn't worth living if you didn't risk it, right? She figured it made sense and didn't dwell upon the broken personal mantra as the alien lifted up his arm. And showed a blade, of some kind. Well, that sucks. Fortuna was weaponless as can be, though again her own fault. She could have brought the spear, but she left that waiting in her room. Smart.

And the room they were in was small. In terms of keeping distance, she didn't really have the ability to. Once the real fighting began, he could close the gap and slap her unconscious in a heart beat. So she needed to get out, and fast. Her smile faded as she brought up her hands. If anything was going to work, let it be this. One pointed to where she assumed he slept, though not all that sure on if he even needed a blanket, she hoped for one anyway. A quick tug and she'd try to wrap it around him, just like his cape from before. Unlink last time though, should the blanket hit she'd use her other hand to active the button on the door.

Then she would wait. She knew he could get out of the blanket no problem, and he was still in the door way. The most she hoped for is the billowing blanket to drown out the sound of the door's soft hiss open so she could eventually get out.

 

[Setzi Lunelle]

Still on her stomach, Setzi lay her head down on the pillow just looking Krux, her eyes wandering appreciatively to his chest and even lower, but landing back up to meet his indigo gaze under hooded eyes. Heavy lids began to lower; sleep was an inevitability soon.

“I suppose we are… lovers,” she confirmed. The stroking of her hair was perfectly soothing, and Setzi again turned towards him on her side and let her body press against him, under the sheets now, her warm skin touching his. She finally closed her eyes and felt close to that dream-like state that occurs right before one drifts off into oblivion.

She wasn’t sure what tomorrow would bring, but lying next to Krux, she felt a seed of hope germinating, much like the embryonic visitor inside her. Setzi had hope that her life had some purpose after all, and that she may be happy as a Sith Lord, not relegated to a life of vexation and regret.
[member="Knight Mullarus"]

 

[Abelain Narv'uk]

The agreement from Fortuna signified to Abelain that the duel would be commencing any moment now. He was unsure on whether to attack immediately, or to allow for the female to regain her composure after having been so roughly tossed to the floor. The Arue'tii once more considered use of his elbows in the battle, and once more decided to stamp down on the urge, especially considering that the female was already weaponless, and it would be dishonorable for him to brandish what was effectively a weapon against an unarmed foe.

Besides, he didn't need weapons to beat her, especially in such close quarters. Her hands moved, and once more he expected to be flung into a wall. She would try to escape, that was her only chance of defeating him. His eyes flickered towards the bed that she seemed to be pointing towards, still covered with a blanket. He had not quite used the bed, nor did he intend to as he found them to be quite uncomfortable. Instead he tended to sleep tucked into the corner of the room, leaning against the bed or the wall as support.

The blanket fluttered through the air towards him, wrapping around his right arm and slightly onto his head. She was attempting to blind him once more, but this time he would not be so easily escaped. Taking a breath of the air, he detected the scent of her blood, the iron smell that flared up a primordial hunger within him, one not entirely sated from simple consumption of raw steaks. Ignoring the feeling, he took notice of where she was based on the scent and it's strength.

The door hissed open quietly, but the sound was ignored by the Arue'tii, his senses focused on olfactory rather than on auditory. Not wanting to waste time with removing the blanket, the Arue'tii bent slightly and surged forth, aiming to strike her at about the midsection with the brunt of his mass. The blow as meant to throw the female back or possibly even to the ground, though missing would mean slamming into the bulkhead. "You try your tricks once more? You are repeating attacks, and I do learn." He hissed from the closed smile.
[member="Fortuna"]

 

[Krux Mullarus]

He watched her gaze fall lower and lower on his body, which might have made his face flush another colorful shade of red if they hadn't just done what they did. He found it somewhat challenging to keep his own eyes upon her face when she shifted around under the sheets, but with everything covered, it was much easier. Her golden eyes were breathtaking, and as cheesy as it sounded, they were easy to get lost in.

When she confirmed her interest in being considered lovers, all past anxiety over the situation faded away. There was a small parasite leeching happiness from his heart about her past lover, the powerful Lord Pyrrhus, seeking revenge. There wasn't a doubt in Krux's mind he would come after them in some way, be it personally or through bounties and assassins. This was something he was used to, being an enemy and being physically punished, so the thought didn't bring nearly as much fear to him as emotional scarring and pain. Darth Pyrrhus always had that evil ideology to him that made Mullarus secretly plot against him, relishing the idea of bringing the man who started his ascension within the One Sith to his knees. Countless past Sith Lords had done the same to prove their dominance over the very people who trained them. The idea was welcomed by Krux, even if his main reason for doing so was for her protection and not a power play.

Setzi scooted back over and settled in his arms. Her comfort brought him bliss once again. Like her, there was still a lot about Setzi he wished to get to know. Who was she before she became Pyrrhus' plaything? Before she was Darth Azurea and just Setzi Lunelle? These questions would surely be answered in time, but not now. The fatigue from their hours of 'exploration' was beginning to catch up to him, and he needed rest to prepare for the storm on the horizon.

Just as swiftly as she, Krux felt all of his worries float off into oblivion as he closed his eyes, Setzi's smell and comfort making it much easier for him to drift off to sleep.

[member="Darth Azurea"]

 

[Darth Ferus]

'Good, the door opened, and he didn't notice. Now to..' She was thinking to herself again, planning. Plotting. But something new happened. She assumed he could find her by some sort of sensory, be it the force or something else, but she hadn't expected him to be so quick as to. [member="Abelain Narv'uk"] at his fellow acolyte who was unprepared for such a quick response. Her teeth gritted together as she brought both hands in front of her, and with as much power as she could muster, she created a barrier. The Force shimmered and solidified into a single solid mass, something that the alien would have to slam through to get to her. But just like their earlier duel, she overestimated her skills in the Force. The barrier was solid enough to slow him, but no where near enough to stop him. Like glass it shattered, dissipating as soon as it had came.

And just like that she was hit. Her frail form stumbled backwards as a shooting pain formed in her stomach. It wasn't as bad as it could have been thanks to the barrier, but already she could feel it bruising. The pain was distracting, annoying, but just like [member="Knight Mullarus"] had said before, she needed to use that pain as a weapon. On here way down to the ground from the charge her hands went right above her head. There was a simple thought process for her to go through. If the Force could push others away from her, why couldn't it push her away from others? A powerful blast fueled by pain erupted from her hands to the far corner of the room, and as her head thudded against the ground her body would barrel forward.

Right towards the larger alien. It was a stupid move, that much she thought about as she rocketed forward. Her aim was to slip between his legs, but the predator could easily just close them or simply punch her on her way out. As a last ditch effort to not get smashed, her hand foggily reached up and through the pain of her headache, she'd try to simply tug on the blanket that had wrapped around him. If it worked the way she wanted, he'd be unbalanced enough for her to slip out into the hallway without getting pummeled beforehand.