Private Crimson Crowns

[Bane Kaohal]

Quinn Varanin


​

Jutrand… an idyllic planet, with a busy city. It was a living, and breathing organism… the cry of such a life form was heard and radiated outward and all around.

Life here was quaint for most, peaceful — yet even among the surface of that façade lie a deep rooted violence, an oppression that Bane was intimately familiar with. It was a natural, and primal killer, one that he courted constantly. It was a silent — a master at its craft, and it hid the individual in the roar of the masses, silencing their screams and no matter how hard you fought, only the strong would rise above and come out alive… but few had that strength.

Bane was such an individual.

The masses blurred around him as he walked slowly down the center street of the city. Just the sheer, suffocating presence the man seemed to exude was enough to clear a path that was virtually unhindered, several bystanders startled and fearfully looking away from the cold and hardened gaze he held — his mind fixated on his sheer and utter distaste for city life.

Why had he come here?

Often, he found himself wandering, unfettered by the concept of time. Occasionally, he’d perform meaningless tasks to his disdain for the simple and basic need for credits… after all, there was only so much he could take before bringing attention to himself.

His right elbow rested firmly on the hilt of his sword, which allowed his neatly tucked hands to rest suspended in front his body, his obsidian robes rippling in the wind that danced around him… but just as he was lost in his own thoughts, not doing anything out of the ordinary to bring any attention to himself, a patrol stopped him dead in his tracks.

His hard jawline would clench and relax — such an annoyance.

“Sir… I need to see a registration for the weapon that you are openly carrying — as well as your ID card.”

Bane simply stood staring down the patrol — his cold, calculating eyes internally assessing the three of them, visualizing just how long they could possibly last against him in any sense of an altercation… wondering if they would be able to put up any sort of resistance.

Truth is, they weren’t even a plaything for him to even consider worth his time.

As Bane silently stood in front of them, his outward expression reflecting the indifference he felt toward them, he spoke finally, his voice low, but crystal clear, a cold chill now biting in the soft wind that blew around them.

“If I don’t?”

This response clearly seemed to genuinely take the three by surprise, the patrol officer in the front looking to his fellow companions, his mouth fixing to open in response as Bane’s hands fluidly came out from their confinement and his right hand came to rest in reverse grip in the hilt of his katana, Shadowrend.

Instinctually the three unholstered their weapons as they barked at him with whatever authority they could muster.

But Bane…

Keeping his stance, his chilling voice once again broke free from his lips, like an animal clawing their way forth and out into the open.

“Last chance… I’m not too keen on second chances.”

The chilling pressure pouring from his presence that would now be felt would be unmistakable, and Bane its source — it was the embodiment of hate, of malevolence. The three patrolmen now paralyzed by the being in front of them as his molten amber eyes reflected in the light like an animal… the only difference though was Bane was not prey — no, he was the predator, one whom was about to make his kill.

 

[Quinn Varanin]

//: Bane Kaohal //:
//: Jutrand //:
//: Attire //:

Today was not the day for Quinn.

Everything that could have gone wrong had. Students were rowdy, she was once again behind on grading, and she had spilled caff on her favorite blouse. At least today, she didn't have many classes. The students were heavily into training their martial prowess for an upcoming ranking test - which meant her mental skills and seminars were on hold. Of course, if she was asked, Quinn would easily argue that building one's mental strength was just as important as training lightsaber skills.

Either way, today, she was glad the Professors who organized the curriculum were the way they were.

An arm tucked gently over her midsection as she held her briefcase of different datapads and other information she needed to bring home. Quinn rotated her wrist to see her watch. The speeder hired to drive her from the school to her estate was late. The drive was never late, but now Quinn was concerned and annoyed. The walk from the school to her estate was a bit far, and with everything she had to carry, it would only be more unbearable.

Quinn waited for another fifteen minutes and then finally gave up. With a heavy sigh, the woman began her long walk towards her home. Several students ran by, waving at her and calling out her name. As much as she wanted to crawl into a hole and die, the young professor waved to the students the best she could and answered whatever questions they brought to her attention as they walked with her.

When they left, the woman's amber eyes narrowed in frustration. How rude was the youth of today? They didn't even offer to carry her heavy bags for her, didn't they know who she was? Quinn stopped momentarily and stomped her sore feet in place as she let herself vent the building tantrum. Taking a deep breath, the Princess continued to march on.

She drew closer and smiled, knowing a light was at the end of the tunnel. Quinn knew nothing else could go wrong at this point. Her next step almost made her stumble as something nearly slapped her through the Force. Whatever it was made her shiver and take a moment to find its source. Usually, Quinn would ignore moments like this, leaving it to the Sith Patrols - but this was different. It only took her a moment to get used to the miasma of dread, and Quinn found the thread of the Force that was linked to the source.

"By Bane's teat," She cursed under her breath as she marched forward stepping between the man who was about to kill the poor patrolmen who had no idea with what they were messing with. Looking at the fire-haired man, Quinn shoved her things into his arms. It would just be the icing on her horrible day if he dropped it, so she didn't care. With her hands now free, she smiled at the three terrified patrolmen. "Hello, gentlemen, I am SO sorry for this misunderstanding. The gentleman behind me was recently hired, but he hasn't fully acclimated yet on how things are done here on Jutrand." The Echani was highly animated, her hands motioning between her and the angry demon man behind her while using them to emphasize the man's lack of understanding of the law. The patrolmen nodded and followed along the best they could.

The center patrolman seemed to catch on and finally understood the woman - especially after realizing who she was. "Your Highness," the men bowed their heads in respect, knowing that the woman was not only of royal blood but also the kin of the Empress and Emperor of the Sith Empire. "We apologize for the inconvenience." They scampered off, and Quinn turned on her heel to face the cause of the problem. "You're welcome, but you should be a little more pleasant to law enforcement. They're just trying to do their job." She gathered her things back and sighed, looking at the man still. "So, do you have a place to go, or are you fresh off the shuttle? Either way, you can come back with me - let whatever mess you created to calm down." Quinn looked around, still feeling the weight of the man's dark side energy. Whoever she was, he wasn't afraid to fill the space with his power.

 

[Bane Kaohal]

Quinn Varanin

​

Bane had traversed the distant reaches of the galaxy, fought foes that made him think that in the moment — he would finally draw his last breath. He had lived longer than most humanoids in thanks to his species proclivity for a long life, which at times, that particular blessing felt like a curse in itself, doomed to wander aimlessly with no purpose other than the destruction of his clan. When that particular goal had come to an end — he was unsure of what would become of him then, a vessel with no purpose.

With that said…

As the young woman shoved her belongings into arms, it wasn’t necessarily annoyance he felt, but a genuine sense of surprise as he stared blankly at the young slender spitfire of a woman in front of him — which seemed to gracefully steer all unwanted attention off of him right away.

What angle was she working? No one, not one just helped someone out of the kindness of their heart — no, something always had to be given, an equivalent exchange… and as he kept his cold unwavering gaze upon her and the scene before him, he searched just beneath the surface. Her pomp and cheery outward demeanor kept a chilling and refined analytical attitude at bay, a mask she was clearly used to wearing. Lost in his thoughts as he watched the scene before him play out, the patrolmen would make a remark, and then bow their heads in reverence to the young woman, now, a small glimpse to her power would come out into the open.

“Your highness.”

She was a royal.

Bane stood composed, not moving even an inch as he kept hold of her possessions, the statue of a man towering just behind her, the difference between two starkly different.

As she turned around, and the patrol finally relinquished their fixation with Bane, the young woman began to take back her possessions and comment on his charming demeanor, feth — Bane had been nice enough to give them a second chance not to pursue their matter any further, now a slightly hard and annoyed tone breaking forth from his lips, as it somehow he had to argue his own innocence.

“I warned them…”

However, as he spoke this, his cold amber eyes resting down and on her, he spoke to her again, the edge in his tone softening slightly.

“Thank you.”

Truth of the matter was, she had redirected what would have been a mass scene of carnage had engaged the inferiority before him — and then, like a shadow, he would of disappeared, needing to lay low for sometime. So — to that effect, and to his chagrin, he did at least without verbally saying it aloud and acknowledging her having been right… he owed her thanks.

As if scolding a child and once again vocalizing the gratitude he should show, she offered to allow him to come with her, to allow his mess that she’d cleaned up to simmer down.

His eyes narrowed slightly as he stood before her, his lips creased in a straight line, his facial features void of emotion, the mask that hid the turbulent sea of emotions that lie just beneath the surface — the question ever gnawing in the back of his mind.

“What angle are you working at girl? No one just offers help and excepts nothing in return.”

Royalty or not, Bane was not afraid to speak his mind, to anyone… and he wasn’t one to just blindly follow as he was told — that, and he had to know… why, why she would help him.

 

[Quinn Varanin]

//: Bane Kaohal //:
//: Jutrand //:
//: Attire //:

Quinn stood adjusting her bags and tucking in one of the corners of her red shirt that had come undone. She had only waited around to hear the man's answers. Mid-tuck of her shirt, she paused, and her eyes looked up at him. Slowly, her left eyebrow rose, and her face showed her disgust at how he had addressed her. "Girl?" Quinn repeated. The man dared to call her anything other than a proper title. "Girl? Do you not realize who you're talking to? You may be new, but didn't you hear what they had called me?" Quinn gestured towards her ears, baffled that he didn't hear the police call her by a respectable title. One far more respectable than 'girl.'

"Pfft," Grabbing her bags, she looked at him and shook her head. "You can call me Princess or Highness - until you learn manners." It was important for her to address the mistake he had made with how he addressed her, and while typically, things like this didn't bother the woman, he touched a nerve.

Staring, Quinn realized that he was completely new around here. "Okay, you don't always have to do something nice for someone because you want something." Shaking her head, she looked at him. The air of the dark side loomed around him, and she could see why the patrol men were terrified. "You're welcome, by the way. Also, my name is Quinn."

She could have kept walking easily, but the Princess figured he would get into more trouble if she left him there. Walking back up to the man, she shoved her things back into his hands. "Since you believe people do nice things for others in exchange for something, you can carry my things. My home is a few blocks this way," she said, seemingly pointing in the direction that the man was already heading.

"It also means that you won't get into any more trouble," Quinn began to walk; as they headed towards where Quinn lived, the woman stopped suddenly and looked over her shoulder. Her eyes narrowed, and she allowed her own Force presence to begin to bleed around them. "If you call me girl again, I will teach you the lesson myself." As suddenly as it came, the danger from the woman disappeared, and she walked with a small pep in her step. Despite the day being terrible, she was able to find someone to carry her things which meant the rest of the walk would be a walk in the park. She was already starting to feel the strain of the distance and the pains of being in short heels.

Quinn paused as she knelt down and adjusted her shoe. Why was it today that things had to go the way they went? Looking back towards the man she assessed if he could carry her if needed. She watched him and figured he had to be all bark and no bite. His clothing didn't do him any favors, and he did not show off muscles, but he was tall. Quinn stood back up and waited for him to catch up after she realized she was walking pretty quickly.

"You wouldn't have killed those guys, right? It sounds like an annoying situation to get involved in?"

 

[Bane Kaohal]

Quinn Varanin
​

They say that hell hath no fury like a woman scorned... in this case, the poorly chosen verb in mind was girl.

As Quinn, in a flustered tone, began to prattle on about him not hearing her title, and clearly asking who he thought he'd just addressed, his amber gaze hardened as he locked gaze with her, his jawline clenching slightly.

"I heard - don't care, titles mean nothing. All that matters is strength, true power and the depth of ones vessel, without it, that title is a hollow and meaningless little thing."

However, as Quinn continued on and implied that the words he should call her could either be "Queen" or "Princess", he couldn't help but to allow a small, and amused grin to curl up on the edge of his lips. He liked her tenacity -- she wasn't afraid to stand her ground, and that -- he respected. Following in her conversation, and then implying that sometimes people did do things just out of the kindness of her heart, a dry chuckle escaped his lips, expressing his sheer indifference to this comment... in this, she was wrong.

Everyone, Jedi, Sith, Non-Force....everyone was always out for number one. Everything people did had a meaning, a... agenda behind it. Was it to look giving? Was it to gain favor? Was it to control? Everything anyone ever did was for the sole purpose of gaining something for themselves. Bane was not a man accustomed to others doing things for him -- this was not the kindness he'd ever been afforded, or ever allowed.

Now learning her name, his eyes not once ever breaking contact to hers, he spoke once more, breaking his silent and stoic demeanor.

"Quinn....Bane... your highness."

Her name rolling off his tongue in a silky smooth manner as he followed up with his name, and then emphasized the "highness" part on the end as if making some subtle stab at the manners comment from earlier.

Once more, her tenacity showed as she shoved her personal effects back into his arms, offer him a place to bunker down and then walk away, until, turning around, she allowed her force presence to flow freely, hemorrhaging outwards into the open and then, like a short lived firework fading away, making her threat known to him. As she gave him the warning, a genuine smirk would form onto his lips as his eyes gleamed in response to her force presence, his pearly white canines flashing into the light -- and as he spoke, his deep voice clawed forth from his lips, like wolf tearing at a sheep's' throat, a tone of excitement hidden in the undertone of it.

"Understood Princess -- but don't tempt me with a good time, I might have to take you up on your offer."

Smug bastard -- but Bane respected strength and as he peered down at Quinn, he knew things were just getting interesting... he had to know more about this 'fun-sized' package, and he was invested in finding out all he could.

As Quinn darted ahead, he kept his normal pace -- he was never in a rush to be anywhere, until he was at least. As she stopped to tie her shoe, she looked upwards and finally realized just how far ahead she'd gotten. Finally sauntering over to her, he stopped as she asked him yet another question -- would he really have killed them, even for just doing their jobs?

Feth yes he would have.

Inhaling just slightly and letting out a sigh, he spoke, still almost confused why she'd ask such a question... what was she? A Jedi? Her force aura clearly wasn't -- her whole personality at this point was just confusing.

"Yes -- but in fairness, I gave them warning. Those that challenge others must be ready to accept a challenge. They approached me first, I warned them not to pursue... had they not given up, I would have done what would have needed done."

Pausing once more, he then sighed.

"Any other questions Princess?... I see you eyeing my clothing, rest assured all that I have on me are two possessions, and those are the least of anyone's worries, lest I make them their worry."

 

[Quinn Varanin]

//: Bane Kaohal //:
//: Jutrand //:
//: Attire //:

He had caught her gaze; her assessment was quick, but Quinn didn't expect him to notice. She scoffed, turning her head quickly, trying to let him relish in the satisfaction that she was examining him. Looks like that could easily be mistaken for other things. At least the man seemed to have one focused thought. Quinn stood, dusted off the black pencil skirt, and adjusted her shirt again. She could finally fix it properly since she wasn't carrying her bags. At last, things seemed to look better for the Princess, but she still had the stray following her.

Home was coming over the next block or two, but Quinn waited till he caught up so she could walk with him. Her head shook as she remarked as he stood closer to her. "You're just a ray of sunshine, aren't you?" She returned his toothy smile with her own, just a smidge more pleasant and not as frightful. The man seemed almost tame when carrying her things, and the sight was something out of a comedy.

"Those guys were just doing their job. No reason to slaughter them for an inconvenience they're causing you." Quinn glanced at this Bane character from the corner of her eye. Knowing someone named Bane ruined her favorite curse word. While thinking about it, she looked at his chest and then turned away. "You realize there are rules in civilization? They keep people safe and everything orderly." Looking at Bane, the Princess smirked and chuckled, "But that seems to be something new for you, ronin, boy." Shaking her head, she kept walking until the large building came into view over the trees.

Stopping at the gate, Quinn sighed and waved her hand for the man to return her things. "I have someone at the gate to meet us. Usually, no weapons are allowed in the estate, but I have a feeling you're overly attached to it." Musing, Quinn remembered him mentioning items she shouldn't be worried about. "But you said there are other things on you; are they weapons? Should my staff be concerned for their safety?" There was something different as she mentioned her staff. The people who worked for her were everything to her, being so far from her family and estranged - they were all she had. Their safety was her top priority.

"So whatever it is you have on you, as long as they're not weapons or going to cause problems, then we're good. Anyways, hope you don't have some weird diet." Quinn lowered her voice and leaned her head towards Bane, her hands on her waist. She did what she could to look as edgy and dark as she could towards the man, hoping to mimic him to the best of her ability. "I can't eat normal food; I can only eat the souls of my enemies." She smiled and laughed as the gates opened, and she returned to herself.

"This whole day has been a real mess. And I hate to say it, but you've been a highlight?" she shrugged and awkwardly smiled, trying to figure out how someone out of place made things better.

"I will be honest though, I am curious about you, Bane Highness," Quinn apparently misunderstood his comment earlier when he introduced himself. It didn't take long for them long after the speeder had arrived from the main building. Quinn handed the rest of her things to one of the butlers, who bowed to her and then looked at the man with the Princess. "He's fine." Quinn waved at the man, and he understood. The pair would enter the large building, and fine wood would be used to build the foyer walls and the adjacent hallways. Eshan banners and decor colored the walls with soft blues and silvers embroidered with the royal Eshan insignia.

Stopping, Quinn waved a hand towards the scattered armchairs and sofas. "Any particular way you take your tea?"

 

[Bane Kaohal]

Quinn Varanin
​

Bane's cold, molten gaze met Quinn's as she made her remarks. His expression remained impassive, the slight breeze ruffling his hair as he listened. He noted her attempt to appear unbothered and the amusement that played in her eyes.

"Ray of sunshine," he muttered, almost to himself, the corners of his lips twitching in a brief, sardonic smile.

As she continued to speak about the guards and rules of civilization, he felt a flicker of irritation. He had already defended his actions once, and the need to reiterate his stance grated on him. His eyes, with their molten amber hue, hardened slightly.

"Did warn them," he said curtly, his tone carrying the weight of finality.

Internally, Bane wondered why he was even defending himself to Quinn. It wasn't like he answered to her—yet, for some reason, the way she carried herself, the way she acted, her chaotic personality, all drew him in. He wasn't sure what bothered him more: her or his own personal curiosity now piqued by her mere presence.

Furthering her lecture on manners, it seemed, Quinn prattled on about the "rules of society" and how they were meant to protect and keep people safe...as if. The rules of society were likened to the shackles of those incarcerated—only obstacles to be broken so that true freedom would then follow. Then, yet again, she took a stab at his very attire, calling him "ronin boy."

A low scoff escaped him as he kept his steady slow pace.

Another curious glance was exchanged as she expressed concern for those in her ward. This woman, a taint upon her, controlled and deep, her strength unknown, yet plain as day, care was also another complexity to her that he did not understand. A defeated sigh almost escaped his lips as he finally relented to Quinn, no hint of deception in his voice. "You have my word no harm will come to anyone — lest anything changes."

The one thing Bane gave that meant everything: his word, or lack thereof sometimes -- and depending on what that word was, it was either good, or terrible.

Bane's slow, sauntering gait was deliberate and unhurried, a stark contrast to the bustling city around them. He was a force unto himself, unhindered by the chaos that surrounded him. Ignoring the quip about her diet, knowing it was a direct remark at him, they came to a large building where several stewards seemed to practically fawn over Quinn. His eyes scanned the building—it seemed she was nobility; wealth obviously wasn't a concern for her. As he noted her remark about his name, he spoke, his voice dry—but tame.

"Koahal... Bane Kaohal is my name."

The tone, for the first time seemingly in all their interaction, was devoid of coldness but rather a sincere gesture to allow her to know who he was, which, in his world, was an honor in itself—not very many people knew who Bane actually was, and when they did know, he never gave them his full name.

As they entered the building, his eyes scanned the ornate gold interior with detached disinterest. Things never really mattered to Bane. All material possessions in the end would be reclaimed by the moths and fade to dust; it was immaterial to him. As she offered him a place to sit, he pulled his katana from his waist and leaned it against the chair in which he sat rigidly. Now, as he sat, she offered him a drink—tea, something he wasn't overly accustomed to drinking, normally only consuming what needed to be consumed for physical need, not pleasure. Pausing, Bane looked at Quinn, letting yet another slightly puzzled and stiff look adorn his face, still inwardly questioning the generosity he was being given.

"I'm not sure—however, I suppose."