Private Caf and a Freed Slave

[Kaalia Pavanos]

Redline Caf wasn't a place where you would expect a high-standing Sith to be found, let alone frequent. It was a small caf shop in Kaas City that was truly nothing out of the ordinary, except for one regular who came every morning to order one large, black caf. That person was best known to the galaxy as Darth Avacyn, though Caroline, the owner, knew her as Kaalia.

This was one of the few places where the woman was treated like any other, something she valued greatly. Being a regular in a small shop meant the owner knew you and every morning she was kindly greeted and her order was taken without the need to place it. She then chatted up with Caroline while the caf was being prepared, and once it was done Kaalia took her leave, ready to tend to her duties as Triumvir and Valkyrie Matriarch. No servants bringing her breakfast every morning, no chauffeur to get her to where she needed to be that day. Despite her place within the Sith Empire, Kaalia was shockingly normal.

Not that she took steps to avoid being recognized in the streets of Kaas City, though. Like every morning, Kaalia walked into the shop missing the scar that was supposed to decorate her face, though it quickly reappeared after making her way inside. A simple application of alter image, as it was called, hid away her most striking feature, an incredibly effective way to avoid being recognized in public. In the shop, however, it really wasn't necessary.

"Good morning," Kaalia said as she made her way towards the counter. Caroline was busy with the one of the caf machines, seemingly explaining something to someone who the redhead could only assume to be new. She had never seen the young woman before, in any case.

Darth Daiara​

 

[Darth Daiara]

Both females looked up at the greeting, and while the older of the two gave Kaalia her usual warm smile, Aradia quickly dropped her gaze back to her feet. Kaalia didn't need to vocalize her order, Caroline gave Kaalia an understanding nod and left the payment to the clerk. She got a pleasant, "That'll be 2.99."

--and Caroline turned back to the machine and her new worker.

Aradia took a deep breath as her master resumed showing her the method of which to prepare a caf. At first glance it was overwhelming, but Aradia had worked enough in her life to know that these new routines would soon becomes patterns. The repetitive nature of her life would become second nature to her again. It always did when she was sold. The risk of ending up somewhere worse was almost worth the change up in routines.

Almost.

But this time, it had certainly paid off. Caroline seemed like a kind enough master, with decent meals and no purposeless punishments. There was hope in Aradia's chest. And that hope crept up into a tentative smile that sat on her lips as she carefully carried over one large, black caf to the lady in black.

She held it out to Kaalia, angry red scars from shackles peaking out under her sleeves. A copper collar sat over her collarbones. Old. Tarnished. Welded closed. She looked about ready to grow out of it entirely, though her frame painted her for much younger than her actual years. There was no mistaking what she was.

She kept her gaze down, but her chin high. "Will you be wanting anything else?"

Kaalia Pavanos

 

[Kaalia Pavanos]

With a quick swipe of her credstick the payment was made, leaving Kaalia with one more simple thing left to do. Wait. It seemed to be a quiet morning as she was the only customer at that moment, though there was still a newcomer that caught the woman's eye. She certainly wasn't just another new employee, that much was very clear at first glance already. Caroline had gotten herself a slave, and there was a time when Kaalia would have been surprised by that.

She never agreed with the empire's quiet change of stance on slavery and she didn't keep that opinion a secret, but with her peers she was in the minority. In Kaalia's view it was one's right to seek the greatest amount of power they can reach, a stance formed by her interpretation of the Sith Code. The weak would make way for the strong, or they would die. But when those who could become strong were put in chains, they would never get the chance to shed their weakness. Wasted potential.

The empire's laws on slavery weren't something she could oppose on her own however, and it definitely wasn't worth risking her own position over it. And so, she watched the owning of slaves become more and more normalized as time went on. Now, it was normal for the owner of a small coffee shop to have one.

Kaalia took a closer look at the young woman as the caf was being prepared, as her eyes peered into the Force. Something in the back of her mind she wasn't an ordinary slave and what the Sith lady saw confirmed that feeling. She was brimming with untamed power in the Force and it made Kaalia wonder how she had gone under the radar for so long. The scars she bore were old, she had been a slave for some time already, yet nobody had seen what Kaalia saw.

"Is she new?"

"That she is. Her name's Aradia. I Figured I could use an extra pair of hands during the busy hours."

The young woman held out the caf to Kaalia, at which she nodded and took it with a slight smile. "Thank you. That will be all, but do you mind if I speak with Caroline in private for a moment?" She looked over towards Caroline, who nodded.

"You can go to the back room for a moment, Aradia."

Kaalia wasn't looking to only buy a caf any longer.

Darth Daiara​

 

[Darth Daiara]

Aradia blinked, giving a soft nod to Caroline's orders. It wasn't unusual to be sent away. The reality of being sent off was a well known one, and what slave wouldn't grasp for the chance to be left alone to their own devices?

But something sat wrong in her stomach. Her gaze slowly trailed up to the strange woman, looking her in the eye for the first time.

"..."

She trailed back out towards the door behind the counter, a reproachful look being leveled on the two as the door swooshed and blocked them from her view. She frowned, her fingers tugging mindlessly at the metal around her throat. Now don't be stupid, Aradia. Why would anything they have to say have anything to do with you?

Her inner chastising did little to quell the strange feeling she had. If her life had taught her anything, it was to listen to her paranoia. It was never wrong. She paced... and then set about distracting herself by unpacking and stacking coffee bean tins onto a shelf.


By the time Caroline opened the backroom door, Aradia had convinced herself off the suspicion well enough. Until a single look at the woman's face set a sudden wash of dread over her. Aradia froze, the color leaving her cheeks.

"Come, girl," came the not unkind prompting.

Aradia's heart took off, beating rapidly. "Have I done something wrong?" She asked, unwillingly stepping through the doors. She looked wildly between Caroline and the heavy gaze of the woman in black, sensing at once what this was.

She stepped back from them both, her eyes darting towards the exit.

Kaalia Pavanos

 

[Kaalia Pavanos]

"That is... quite the hefty offer. You must have your reasons, but..."

"I know. See it as me wanting to support one of my favorite shops. It should be enough for a new slave and perhaps some renovations around this place." It wasn't much to Kaalia, but to the owner of a small coffee shop is was a substantial sum. The woman extended her hand, offering Caroline to shake it. "I will talk to Aradia, and if she agrees to it I will purchase her. Deal?"

After a short moment of hesitation, Caroline took the hand and shook it. "Deal. I will go get her." She was still a bit overcome by surprise at the whole situation, but couldn't deny that the credits she was receiving for Aradia were very welcome. After vanishing into the back room for a moment, she would return with Aradia in tow.

The first thing Kaalia sensed from the girl was fear. An instinctual reaction to the slightest thing being off, which indicated that she wasn't unfamiliar with harsh treatment. That was a powerful source to draw from. For now, however, it wasn't very helpful.

"There is no need to be worried, Aradia. I only want to talk to you for a moment. Caroline will be in the back room until we are done." The owner of the shop had indeed retreated and Kaalia had found a table to sit down at. After pulling back the chair she took a seat and motioned to the chair in front of her. "I want to ask you something, make you an offer if you will."

Darth Daiara​

 

[Darth Daiara]

Aradia watched Caroline walk away, her eyes wide an intense as she tried to will the woman to not leave her to this.

Please.

But Caroline did, choosing money over the new slave she barely knew. Aradia knew better than to expect anything different. Being sold was a simple reality of her world, often times having little to do with Aradia herself. She was money. Money was meant to be exchanged. But this had seemed like a decent place. She had been hopeful that-- You know better than that. Stop being naive.

Aradia's fists clench, her jaw tightening as she held back a wave of emotions and sat.

She stared down at her hands, ruminating.

"I want to ask you something, make you an offer if you will."

Her attention snapped up, sharp with shock. "Since when do masters ask for anything?" Came the response before she could stop it.

Kaalia Pavanos​

 

[Kaalia Pavanos]

Kaalia softly chuckled at Aradia's comment as she put her cup of caf to her lips. It was about half-full now with the drink having been in her hand throughout her 'negotiations' with Caroline. Normally the woman preferred sipping on it while on the move, but she wasn't keen on letting it go cold. Perhaps a second cup before leaving, she mused as she set her current one down onto the table.

Aradia would see a friendly side of Kaalia's not many would ever see, though the redhead wondered if the girl noticed any of it as she had looked down at her hands for some time. "I'm not your master, nor am I looking to become it. Not in that way, at least." Despite the friendly face she put up her tone was much more matter-of-factly. "I'm not even in favor of the very concept of slavery in the first place."

"But I suppose I should tell you something first. Chances are you won't believe me, but I can prove it quite easily." Slowly, Kaalia's cup began to hover above the table. "I am Darth Avacyn, Triumvir of Strength of the Sith Empire. As someone who uses the Force, I can also see others who have a strong connection to it." Kaalia let the cup slowly touch down onto the table again.

"And in you, I sense exactly that." She paused for a moment, gauging Aradia's reaction before deciding to continue.

Darth Daiara ​

 

[Darth Daiara]

Her brows pulled in, confusion rippling through Aradia as the woman talked. Not her master? Not looking to be?

For a brief moment she wondered if she had misread the situation. Was she not being sold? If not, then what would this woman possibly want with her? She barely had time to entertain the concept of being hired on for help before the woman's cup started to float.

That changed everything.

She tensed, her eyes going wide and tight on the cup that moved without a source. Darth... Darth what? The name didn't strike any familiarity from the sheltered slave, but the concept of a sith did. That tight gaze gained a hint of fear as she received the final news. Suddenly it wasn't so hard to guess what the woman was doing here. She knew what she had done. Dread filled her core, a part of her knowing it had only been a matter of time until she was caught.

Aradia flexed her fingers, curling them up into a fist to mask the shaking. "I- I see... Are you here to arrest me?" She asked, her voice tight.

Kaalia Pavanos​

 

[Kaalia Pavanos]

An amused chuckle escaped Kaalia's lips. "No, not at all." It was a question that even caught the woman off-guard somewhat, given the amount of time spent talking with Aradia. There was no reason to talk to someone you were going to arrest. "In fact, I wish to offer you an apprenticeship." The words were followed by another sip of her caf, giving the girl a moment to think on what she had been told.

After setting the cup back down Kaalia crossed her legs and leaned her elbows onto the table, leaning forward just slightly. "Now before you make a decision- and yes, the choice is entirely in your hands-" the woman's said with a much more serious tone, "I must make it clear that I will guide you in the ways of the Sith. A Sith achieves power, or dies trying." It wasn't a path to be taken lightly.

"If you accept, I will buy you and officially make you a free woman. I will provide you with food and shelter for as long as you are my apprentice, and I will show you the ways of the Force." After all, Kaalia wasn't in the slightest bit interested in actually owning a slave. "If you reject my offer, then I will simply take my caf and go on with my day. Nothing needs to change if you do not want it to."

Once again, she took a sip of her caf to give Aradia time to think. "If you come with me, death may find you. It is a risk you will take. But stay here, and a slave you will remain."

Darth Daiara ​

 

[Darth Daiara]

Aradia reeled against the moment, the woman's offer the last thing she expected from this conversation.

Any other moment she would have felt a swath of relief at not being caught, the concept of being jailed for her mistake had been haunting her months. It took something big to distract her from that predicament all together. Suffice to say, Kaalia's offer was just that.

"Y-Yes," she uttered, not giving it any time to consider, as instructed. In truth no amount of consideration would change the resolve she had formed in an instant. Death awaited slaves too. And pain. And heartbreak. As long as she remained where she was, these were all things that remained out of her control. But if she was a free woman?

She would stare down death any day to be the one controlling her destiny.

"Yes," she repeated, a bit of steel strengthening her desperate tone. "I'll do it. I'll do anything." Even leave this relatively good, calm life as a barista slave. She hadn't known this place long, but it didn't surpass her that her new Master was a gentle one.

It didn't matter. She still lacked control.

"Take me with you."

 

[Kaalia Pavanos]

Kaalia had ensured the full picture had been laid out before Aradia before the choice was to be made, as was her intention. The most powerful Sith would always be the one who chose that path willingly- to force or trick one down that path was something Kaalia found to be nothing but foolish. They would never do all that was necessary to see it to the end. A willing apprentice, however, they who intended to risk all they had and all they were, could reach their apex.

With that story, though, came the very real chance that Aradia's choice would be to remain where she was. A choice Kaalia would accept and even, in a way, would have understood. It wasn't the choice she made that surprised her, however. It was how quickly said choice was made. The redhead hadn't even swallowed her caf yet by the time she was given an answer, causing her to have to take a moment before giving her own response.

"Very well," Kaalia said as she gave the girl a nod of approval. With one last quick sip she finished her caf before shoving the chair backwards and getting up. "Let me go find Caroline and make the transaction. I will be right back." With that, she moved towards the back room. As she did she tossed the empty paper cup towards one of the trash bins without looking. It landing inside the bin left little doubt that the Force had been involved in some way.

Some time later Kaalia emerged from the back room once more, with Aradia's ownership papers in hand. Holding them up as she approached, she smiled. "Caroline will be back in a moment, she wanted to say goodbye. But first..." Kaalia retook her seat and laid down the papers in front of her and rotated them, allowing Aradia to see they were truly hers, unless she wasn't able to read them. "This is the moment where you become a free woman."

The woman grabbed the deathstick tray and slid it towards her, making sure it was empty, then took the papers again and rolled them up. "Last chance," she half-joked before snapping her fingers, letting a flame ignite between her left thumb and index finger. The rolled-up papers were held above the tray and Kaalia put the flame against the bottom of it, causing it to catch fire. Within moments they were reduced to ashes. "Congratulations."

Darth Daiara ​

 

[Darth Daiara]

Aradia stared in what could only be described as shock.

It was surreal, watching life as you knew it change in a heart beat. For a moment, her mind couldn't keep up. Her thoughts were left behind in the sweep of events-- disbelieving. Pained. Ready for the wool to be pulled over her eyes so she could be dragged back down from this pedestal of hope.

Was this a joke? Where was the punch line? She was coiled, waiting for it, her breath tight in her chest as her papers were held above the fire.

And then the flame licked it, just the bottom, and in an instant more... she was free. She took in choppy breaths, staring at the pile of ash. She looked up at Kaalia, trepidatious before the smile that appeared genuine. ... Dare she even say kind. Had she just traded one master for something worse? She hoped not. She thought not.

A small smile cracked on her lips, shy at first, then exploding into something large. She tossed her body across the table, assaulting the sith with a sudden hug. The metal collar hit hard, propelled by her momentum. She didn't seem to even feel it, her thin arms wrapping tight. "Th-thank you," she choked out, practically trembling. Which was likely not the best disposition for a now sith apprentice, but how could she not?

She was overcome with joy. She would do anything for this woman now. Promise or not, a life debt was formed.

"I won't disappoint you." And before Kaalia could feel anything strongly about the hug, it was disengaged. Aradia fussed with her clothing, as if suddenly embarrassed by its shambled state.

"Do I come with you now?" There was only one answer she wanted to hear, the girl ready to start this next step.

Where ever it may take her.

 

[Kaalia Pavanos]

Aradia's response was quite a bit more lively than Kaalia anticipated and it certainly caught her off-guard. As she was almost tackled right where she sat she let out a small 'woah' in surprise. It was amusing, though not something she was going to allow to turn into a habit. She would let it slide for this one time, however. Her motherly instincts wouldn't allow her to get too harsh for something as innocent as a hug.

Kaalia patted herself off after Aradia backed away. In contrast to the girl's emotional state, the redhead was just as calm as she was before."Don't walk this path with the intent to please me," her response sounded. "I will give you the tools and knowledge you need to grow as a Sith, but how you will use it is up to you." She was a mentor and a guide, not a master. It wasn't a term she wanted to associate herself with.

"As for your second question," Kaalia continued while she got to her feet, "there are a few things we will need to do. First..." A hand went up and the collar around Aradia's neck began to shake. Moments later it snapped in two, the pieces falling to the floor. "Those scars look a little nasty," she said as she inspected the girl's neck. "Don't worry, I'll take a look at them when we stop by my home."

"We'll need to visit an imperial registration office as well, to register you as an imperial citizen," Kaalia said as she, once again, took inventory of the girl. "It's probably a good idea to freshen up your look for the photo they'll take first, though. Ever been to a clothing store?" The Sith lady was more than aware of how different the life of a slave was.

The conversation was interrupted by Caroline's re-entry, who didn't know how quickly to head over to Aradia and give her a hug. "She'll give you a better home than I'd ever be able to. I will miss you though, sweetheart."

"Oh, and before we go. Could we have two caf?"

Darth Daiara ​

 

[Darth Daiara]

Aradia let out a slow breath, her mind reeling to keep up with the swift change of events. The collar fell to floor, nearly squashing her toes. She yanked her foot back, her fingers trailing the scars Kaalia had summarized moments before.

The soft arms of the cafe worker wrapped around her. The woman's care surprised her, perhaps she had been blinded by her fears before, but she had not realized how gentle the woman truly was with her within the last couple of days. She had been too distracted waiting for the other shoe to drop, but now that that had never come ... she allowed herself to hug her back.

For a flickering moment she saw a future she could have had here-- warm nights and full stomachs. Kind smiles and simple days. She could have grown tall here. Healed here. Lived a decent life here.

But she would have never left the walls of this vision. It was a pretty concept, this place. But it was a still a prison.

As Aradia pulled back, her sadness died off ever so slightly. There was no regret in her choice. A hard path with this sith stranger was better than her future being stifled by enslavement. She saw what Kaalia offered her. She wanted it desperately.

She stood quietly by the woman's side, processing this as the coffees were made. She reached out for the instinctively, holding them both for Kaalia without thought. She was always the one to hold things, it was simply her place.

"No, I haven't been to a clothing store," she confessed, the shock passing slowly.

Was she really worth all this?

"I'd think I'd rather just start to train."

She'd make herself worth all this.

Kaalia Pavanos​

 

[Kaalia Pavanos]

Aradia had taken both the cups, holding them without showing much intent do to anything with them. With a chuckle Kaalia carefully took one of them out of her hands for herself, and took a sip as she gestured towards the door. "That one's yours, if you weren't aware," she remarked while eying the cup still in Aradia's hand. "You should try it." Only after the girl had done so would Kaalia make her way towards the exit, waving at Caroline before walking outside.

Once there, the woman would address Aradia's words. "All in due time. You're no longer a slave, which means what you're wearing isn't very fitting any longer." Her plan wasn't without purpose, either. As long as the girl acted like a slave, she wouldn't get far. Getting her out of that mindset meant removing all ties to that life, starting with her looks. Being well-dressed gave one confidence, which was exactly what Aradia needed first. "You will understand once we're done. Follow me."

A short walk later the duo would find themselves in front of a clothing store. Though no high-end boutique, the window displayed articles of clothing weren't anything particularly special or fancy, were much more presentable than what Aradia was wearing now. "I am going to let you pick out whatever you like, though if you want my help, all you need to do is ask." She was going to have Aradia make choices upon choices until it was no longer anything alien to her.

"Let's go inside, shall we?"

Darth Daiara ​

 

[Darth Daiara]

Aradia stood frozen, staring at the front of the shop. Kaalia had been wise in knowing this would freeze her up. Of all the potential the girl had, at the start she was still a slave. Until she learned to break from that mold, she would never reach her potential.

She was frightened by the clothing, or rather-- the concept of choice. Kaalia gestured they go in and for a moment, the girl faltered. "You're going to... have me pick..." The words felt odd coming out, yet still Aradia obeyed and made her legs follow the maste .... mad woman in. Aradia wasn't sure what she expected on her path to become a sith, but it had surely veered in the direction of hard work and pain.

Not this.

And still, it was strangely hard to find herself surrounded by a swath of colors and textures as they stepped in. Overwhelming was the word. Anxious. Aradia understood gestures of anger, not kindness.

She looked up at Kaalia, her apprehension showing. It was only when the sith lord gave her an approving nod that she took a deep breath and walked to a rack all on her own. She reached out, letting her fingers slide over the soft folds of something blue. She liked blue. She did not allow herself to linger on the stressors of the moment.

Kaalia wanted her to pick. She wrapped her fingers around the sleeve of the blue-cotton blouse, holding up to Kaalia for her to see.

"This?" A question, not assertion, but it was a willing step forward. Unfortunately, unless Kaalia meant to feed the girl cake every meal for a year, the shirt was many sizes too big.

Kaalia Pavanos​

 

[Kaalia Pavanos]

"Take a good look at it. You are not going to fit in that." Although the sight of Aradia and the blouse side by side was quite amusing, it did show there was a lot of learning to be done. This wasn't simply a test of making decisions, but good decisionmaking. Kaalia then decided that perhaps it was better to be a little more straightforward about her intentions.

"Aradia, listen," the woman said as the took the blouse and held it by the hanger. "I took your shackles off, but they also need to come off in your mind. Otherwise you are still a slave, just without a master."

Kaalia led Aradia to a pair of seats inside the store and went to sit down in one of them. "The ability to make decisions is what gives you power. When I burned those papers I gave you power, but it is vital that you learn how to use it." She held up the blouse again.

"You made a choice, this blouse. Based on what did you make the decision?" Kaalia did not sound judgmental with that question, but genuinely wished to know the answer to it.

Darth Daiara ​

 

[Darth Daiara]

Aradia never thought a trip to a store could be so complex, but standing before Kaalia as she brought down the semantics on choosing a shirt-- well, consider her mind changed.

Aradia sat a little straighter on the seat she had been led to, steel entering her spine as she was shown why her choice was wrong. The shirt was too big for her, and now that it was pointed out she felt foolish for not seeing it. She did not like the suggestion that there were shackles in her mind, that felt a lot like being told she was inherently helpless.

You could touch shackles on your wrist. For a spell she felt overwhelmed, following Kaalia's lesson blindly.

"I-I don't know. I didn't think about it, I like blue, so I grabbed it." she answered, her brows pulling in. "...I can not like that anymore," she offered, proactive in her attempt to meet Kaalia's lesson.

 

[Kaalia Pavanos]

"It's not about changing who you are. You just need to think a little more carefully." Kaalia looked the blouse once again and realized that it was surprisingly close to her own size. It looked nice as well, and so she decided she was going to try it on herself while sending Aradia back out into the racks of clothing.

"You'll see how surprisingly easy it is as well. Realizing it is the hardest part. So, let's try it again," the redhead said as she got to her feet. "Simply take your time and see if you can find anything you like that fits you. I, in the meantime, will be trying on this blouse." With a nod she took off towards the fitting rooms, leaving Aradia to her own devices.

If Aradia had stuck around the seats, she could have heard the sound of a curtain opening and closing as Kaalia entered one of the fitting rooms. Once inside she pulled out her holodevice, typing up a message.

Hey miala, we're having a guest over for dinner tonight.

With one last tap the message was sent and the holo was shoved back into the pocket of her jacket. Being married to a Pavanos meant there was always enough food prepared for an entire family to come over, but she figured the heads up was appreciated nonetheless.

Darth Daiara ​

 

[Darth Daiara]

Okay. Okay. Remove mind shackles. Think of everything. Think, she coaxed to herself, her face pinched into determination as she moved back between the aisles. At first she hadn't seen a thing, too caught up in the mental strife of what Kaalia was suggesting.

Her? Still shackled? The concept disturbed her, thought it was equally strange to be entertaining the thought at all. The day had turned to fast. The thick smell of burnt paper still lingered in her nose. She was free.

Free.

And if she wanted to enjoy any more of it, she would have to pick a damn shirt. And the right one to boot. Kaalia's warnings still lingered inside her to.

You will reach your potential, or you will die trying.


When Kaalia stepped out she would find Aradia by the door waiting. A loose tunic-like dress with complimentary leggings sat in her arms. It was a bit of a one size fits all ensemble, but it simple and had pretty blue embroidery. She gave an abashed grin and held up the set.

"Mornings are busy. I don't have time to wash things. And I... don't really get all the rules to clothing and stuff yet. So stuff like this-- It's smart of me to grab. I can grow into it and the material is good. And!" She pointed to the blue embroidery. "I like it too."

She had proven she could think abstractly-- though admittedly in the confines of the life she use to know. The rest would take time, but for the concerns Kaalia had walking into the store-- Aradia was already showing since of overcoming her passive quietness. "There's shoes over there too! ... Idon'tknowmysizethough." She admitted, ducking a little.

Kaalia Pavanos