Blighted Skies

[Alkor Centaris]

"Your turn," he mused with a smirk. While it was a new home for him, and a new position, he was vaguely aware of relations between the First Order and Confederacy being strained due to past interactions with the Galactic Alliance. Given Alkor had largely functioned as a free agent during those times and even worked for the First Order as a Mercenary, it was reasonable to deduce his residency there was a recent development. "You were going to tell me more about yourself."

He stood deftly, accepting her hand to help her to her feet. He looked up at the darkening Bespin sky and took a long, slow breath. It was a cool night, and the air felt crisp. Being in the sky reminded him of the home he could never return to. That was why he enjoyed Cloud City.

[member="Samka Derith"]

 

[Samka Derith]

"I was?" She asked dreamily and tapped a free finger over her bottom lip apparently deep in thought. "I don't quite remember..."

Sam took his hand, smiling the entire time he pulled her up. She held it there as he looked at the sky growing ever darker but she didn't look away from him. Nor did she let go of his hand. If he wanted to know her, perhaps he needed a small taste of what he was dealing with beneath all of these pleasantries.

Her grip grew tighter and a flurry of lightning crackled forth from her hand, coursing through both of their arms. Sickly orange tendrils of light also came forth, binding the pair tighter together and began to suck at the man's life force. All the while she kept smiling, staring at the man intently. Her dark aura flared fully for the first time, a sudden sea of frozen bleakness drowned them both. None of this would cause serious harm, certainly not to a man with his capabilities, and it was not intended to. It was a mere taste. And a warning.

She let go.

The storm cleared.

"I think we'll make a good team," the young woman said brightly. "Provided I can trust you to be diligent, discrete and most of all, loyal, hm?"

[member="Alkor Centaris"]

 

[Alkor Centaris]

There were secrets long kept from the Galaxy, some of which hid in plain sight.

The vestigial darkness of the Jen'jidai was tucked away within those few who had survived the madness of civil war that had ripped apart Muunilnst. The teachings of C'thulu Plaga were etched into Alkor's very flesh, a stern reminder of the words that had shaped him from a meek, murderous child into the creature he had become.

At the touch of the selfsame electricity that his once Master would apply to trigger his rage-response, Alkor's eyes darkened to a violent, crimson hue. It danced from her hand and over the bandages that covered his right arm, searing them and setting them ablaze. The fabric, weak and quick to burn away, retreated to reveal the sinister truth that it was intended to hide.

Flayed flesh had twisted, melted together, and grotesquely set in a mockery of true healing. The crimson runes etched there burned hungrily for more suffering, a constant reminder of both a failure, and a vow sworn. What she would feel as she lapped at his life energy would be pure agony, and words that echoed from his past into the present, and long into the future.

Pain is fuel for power.

He did not pull away from her. No, when she tightened her grip, his own had intensified in response. He pulled her close as she made to relinquish her hold on him, and he whispered.

"I hope you do not regret your decision, Miss Sam," his voice was raspy, but bordered on an ecstasy that belied a certain learned masochism. "You will find I am a man of my word, but I expect the same in kind."

He let go her hand and closed his eyes. It seemed that he would need to stop for new bandages before leaving Bespin.

[member="Samka Derith"]

 

[Samka Derith]

Not entirely the reaction she'd been expecting. Even the most hardy men tended to at the least flinch. Instead he had... enjoyed it? Sam's crimson glare looked him over, moving from his scars to his bleak eyes. Finally a bit of true nature behind the cryptic conversation.

But she didn't react otherwise, continuing to smile pleasantly until he challenged her. Sam's head cocked and brow raised as she met the man's eyes. "I keep my promises," she said, "and I don't appreciate implying otherwise." Her cheeks puffed and hands rested on her hips in apparent displeasure but after the display just given, it would be clear any irritation was superficial.

"Now I'm feeling bold. You may ask me one question for the evening. Just one, then I have other duties I must attend to although I'd be willing to meet another day. So go on. I'll answer as best I can!" The Ren batted her lashes up at Alkor sweetly.

[member="Alkor Centaris"]

 

[Alkor Centaris]

He watched her expression remain ever cheerful as she responded, a sure sign that she was undaunted by the display. Out of habit, he cradled the exposed arm and considered her words carefully. He never knew when to take anyone seriously when they complained, especially people who lived under the veil of a constant façade.

Alkor could see through it only because he was so used to playing a part. Eventually, the actors moved completely on instinct, eschewing their lines and even the character they were playing because it all came naturally. Sam was good at what she did. He could tell.

You had to be good to remain cool and collected, and to hide something like the darkness that lurked beneath her surface.

He wondered at what to ask her when she offered. He reflected on questions that had been posed to him over the years, things that offered him insight and often a glimpse into the reasons people did things. He remembered something Isley had asked him once.

Anyone can die for something.

"What's your purpose?" he asked, matching her gaze once more. "What do you live for?"

[member="Samka Derith"]

 

[Samka Derith]

"Hmm," her lips cracked into a smirk once again accompanied by a small snort. "Do you always wax philosophy or is it only with me?"

Sam paused, tutting her upper mouth with her tongue as she considered the question. Well she implied she'd answer honestly so it was a question worth a moment's reflection. "I suppose..." she began slowly, "to ensure the betterment and security of society. Whatever it takes. I serve the people even if they don't know it." She took another glance around the plaza and the damage it had received. "Were it not for me, the so-called 'Imperials' would have inflicted damage far worse. That's a guarantee. Likewise with the Galactic Alliance's failed invasion years ago. I'm the one doing bad things in the night so they can sleep safe and sound in their beds. Societies have always needed people like me to guide them to their prosperity. So we can build, grow, find greatness. I play my part in that and I'm satisfied with it."

Sam cross her arms and looked back up at her companion, her typical smirk returned.

"And for the record, next time you speak to a lady, she may want to talk about things a little less soul searching. Like her favourite music or food. I'd ask the question back but I'm fairly sure you don't know the answer yet so instead I'll ask how long do you plan to stay in Cloud City, Mr Alkor?"

[member="Alkor Centaris"]

 

[Alkor Centaris]

He tilted his head. Did normal people not converse about these things? Alkor wondered for a moment if he might have offended her, until she kept her word and began to speak. He watched her mannerisms and expression as she did so.

She spoke of Imperials and the necessary evils that came with keeping regimes alive. He noted that she took some responsibility for wicked actions, but also left vague what actions those might be. It was an answer, but it seemed to lack substance. Still, her passion when she spoke was honest. He had to respect that.

Alkor blinked when she quipped about music and food. Were these normal topics of conversation? They seemed flat and one dimensional at best; but then, most of society seemed to thrive on that type of ceremonious, meaningless back and forth. He wondered what manner of convention that was.

"You're welcome to tell me about food and music if it pleases you," he replied in earnest. "I don't know how to understand most people," he told her, "so I attempt to understand what I can, when I can."

To her actual question, he smiled faintly.

"Oh, perhaps a night, maybe two," he glanced up at the stars as they blinked into the sky, one after the other. "I don't have a great deal of time, unfortunately."

[member="Samka Derith"]

 

[Samka Derith]

"Hmm," another drawn out sound of contemplation. "Well if you're here for a night or two, I think I'd rather show you my tastes rather than blabber on. You seem like a man who appreciates experiences rather than simply being told about them. Who knows it might help you understand them," she smirked to show she was teasing. "I assume you're not busy tomorrow then? I know a rather quaint little place, it might be your style. What do you say?"

Had she ever invited somehow out purely to socialise before? Probably not in her entire adult life. Things had certainly taken a strange turn.

[member="Alkor Centaris"]

 

[Alkor Centaris]

An invitation? Certainly not something she would offer a second time if he declined. At least, that was the sense he got as she spoke. While [member="Samka Derith"] was slippery when it came to wordplay and he could tell she hid behind a cloud of feigned innocence, the woman was quite serious.

To learn more, there was only one obvious course of action. "Alright," he nodded once, slowly. "I would enjoy that very much, I think." Accomodations in Cloud City were easy enough to make, given the current state of the installation. No excess of tourists to deal with led to an abundance of vacancy. "Tomorrow it is."

He turned fully to face her and bowed his head and shoulders slightly, this time keeping his hands tucked to his sides. No reason to impede her personal space. Not after the last experience. When his eyes opened again, he typed a few strings of text into his Datapad.

There.

Lodgings found, payment pending.

[member="Samka Derith"]

ooc: We even TALKED about this whole tagging people when you post thing.