Private Darkness Reigns at Nightfall

[Nouqai Veil]

The last attempt on the trial of spirit had shown her many revelations - a vision of a sith. She'd thought her pet was dead, but it was the illusion of the trial showing her the darkness she had to face. That trial she once again failed. In a fit of frustration and shame, had yelled at Grrwunhoool to leave her.

Nouqai had given up, she would never pass her last trial, she would never become a knight. Raised in the temple, the life of a Jedi was all she ever known, and now there was nothing in the world for her. Years of her life wasted for something she'd never be able to achieve.

In the cold dark cave with the warm glow of a campfire flickering in front of her, she sat cross legged in deep meditation. As a caw echoed through the cave, her eyes opened wide, without turning, she extended her hand in the direction, force pulling the bird into her grip. Black feathers plumed outwards upon impact into her palm, its body now enclosed within her vice grip, the claws on her thumb and in index finger pressed against the birds throat. Not enough pressure to damage just yet.

"I know what you are.... a creature of darkness. " There was so much hurt in her voice. She always had a sense that Corvus, her pet crow, was not as innocent as it seemed. Yet the affection and company the critter provided had helped her throughout the years, so much so, she'd rather be oblivious to its mysterious presence that warped around it than to be rid of that comfort. Even now, she couldn't kill her own pet despite knowing that, how cruel she'd be if she'd just squeezed her grip a little tighter - it was that easy.

Instead, she let the bird go. "Leave!" She screamed. Frustrated, angry tears streamed, lit by the orange blaze of the fire. She couldn't wrap her head around, unable to understand what it was all for. Finding Corvus on Myrkr... her first encounter of the darkside. Yet the crow remained, staring at her even closing he gap between them, snuggling by her side even after her treatment of the bird. "What do you want, Corvus?!" Nouqai started to sob. She'd failed Darth Assimilus and she failed herself.

Corvus extended his wings, and took off. "No, wait!" She called out to the bird, despite her previous sentiments, she was so afraid of being alone. She stood, chasing after the bird, leaving the cave. The bird seemed to be leading her to something, always remaining in her periphery and never further. Something metallic soon came into view, her light sensitive eyes picked it up and soon made it out to be a ship.

A ship in Thrall. Barely rusted, looking new. It was too convenient. Just as she neared, the hangar door opened, and the crow immediately flew within. Wary, Nouqai lit her saber, stepping into the craft. The ship powered up automatically. <<Welcome, Nouqai Veil.>> A virtual feminine voice resounded from the ship speakers, surprising her. The system knew her name. She gradually ventured deeper into the ship with Corvus fluttering around her, expecting to find someone. However as soon as she wandered into the cockpit, she heard the hangar doors closed. Nouqai cursed under her breath realising she was trapped.

<<Hangar doors locked. Please remain seated. Destination: Alvaria.>> The ship began to move, as Nouqai desperately searched the controls, however, despite her meddling with whichever buttons she could get her hands on. Futile, as the craft took off into space. While she could attempt to use the lightsaber to force her way out, it was not a good idea far off the ground. Defeated she would slump into a chair. She was being kidnapped.

Eventually, the ship entered atmosphere. The skies dark, but her eyes made out a tall building that looked like a castle. The ship made its descent, slowly landing right in front of the castle. The hangar doors opened. <<Destination arrived.>> The virtual voice sounded. Naturally, Nouqai left the ship, Corvus ahead of her, entering right through the castle doors. There were no guards waiting for her as she followed. The padawan's lightsaber levelled in a defensive stance and lighting the path in front of her in a vibrant magenta glow. She could feel the force surrounding the place, it reeked of darkness - the same she had felt in the short vision, it was familiar, as if she had felt it once upon a time ago.

Following the caws of the bird, it led her into a throne room. There, exactly like what she saw in the vision he sat. Dark hair and crimson eyes. Crows and ravens surrounded him, including her pet Corvus on arm. "Its you." The teen raised her weapon. They had encountered before... in Myrkr, yet for some reason, she had forgotten about it. "I am here to kill you or die trying." She announced loud and clear. There was nothing else left for her.

Darth Malum of House Marr

 

[Darth Malum of House Marr]

He had left it rather late, but in all honesty that was more due to the efforts of little Nouqai Veil, more than anything else. Certainly, he did not know everything or even much about the inner workings of the Jedi Order, but from what he imagined, crossing their trials so quickly was something far beyond most padawans.

It only solidified his choice that Nouqai Veil was certainly a Jedi to turn to the darkness.

To the Sith.

Yet he had truly left it rather late, four out of the five trials passed, and all the while it seemed all his attempts to influence her through... Corvus, were either ineffective or could not be accomplished in the time frame that he had sought it too.

He should have known it would be the Trial of Spirit that would be her downfall.

He knew she blamed him, for after all, he could still seek through the inky orbs of Corvus, even as she so lost, could not decide between abandoning the bird, and cradling it to her heart as if it was life itself.

There no doubt was some merit in blaming him, he arguably played some role, he was the one that removed her memories of the events that night on Myrkr after all, and then left a Sith familiar which she had grown attached to, though having hidden its darkside nature, was a constant presence in her life.

Yet, it was not that which had made her fail the Trial of Spirit.

It was the doubts.

The anger.

The need to survive.

The Darkside made manifest, which he had bore witness to on Myrkr.

She was not right for the Jedi.

That much he knew that night.

That much Corvus had confirmed, watching all this time.

So when it was finally time for the Trial, when Corvus had led Wookie master and amphibian padawan to Thral, so close to Sith Space, just dodging Sith patrols.

He knew his moment had come.

Leaving a ship for her, allowing the darkside to make itself home within her, she failed.

And she fell to the truth.

And now here she was, the circle finally complete.

He gazed down upon blue eyes, her tentacled hair, the young woman he had watched grow.

The one he had said he would take as his apprentice.

He rose from the throne, the ravens and crows flying up to the rafters, all but lone Corvus, still upon his arm.

The closest thing to a friend this girl had left.

That she remembered him at all was curious.

He had not removed the memories, only locked them, yet the fact she had battered through the locks... it spoke to how powerful he knew she could be.

"You certainly may try, and if you do, you will fail. You have no understanding of the power needed to kill me... and certainly, I do not believe you wish to." Malum spoke gently, emotions kept out of his red eyes, as he gazed down upon the alien creature... who was so familiar to him, "No doubt you have many a question for me, would you not rather learn the answers you seek, before you lose that chance forever?"

It was curiosity that was a joy to all.

Yet to the Jedi, curiosity was dangerous, dig too far, dig too deep, and one found the darkness.

It was only the Sith that encouraged curiosity, to dig far, to dig deep, and to dig greedily, to embrace the darkness.

The darkness she emitted even now.

Nouqai Veil

 

[Nouqai Veil]

Nouqai had many questions, only the sith before her held the answers to. Nouqai had been so gullible, the need for affection, a connection had been preyed upon that the teen had been oblivious to the person watching her all these years. Now to know that her pet was more an eye for its master than what she truly was led to believe, it was so frustrating. "Do not dare tell me what I do or do not wish," She hissed, her cyan eyes glowing, the colour contrasting upon itself. Red.

The 17-year-old had walked herself into a trap she very well knew was set up for her. Under the roof of a sith, she stood no chance, but she would die trying. "Who are you and why have you been watching me? What do you want, creep?" Her weapon remained leveled, all the while taking a cautious step back. It was fear of the unknown, the memories only returning to her in a slow trickle. "What did you do to me at Myrkr?" That day on the planet was perhaps the most traumatising.

And now the most confusing.

Darth Malum of House Marr

 

[Darth Malum of House Marr]

Malum quirked an eyebrow at the amphibian's words, a reminder of a curiosity of his own, for all the time he had spent watching, and despite her words, watching only out of concern, and without any... inappropriate considerations, he had never found out what exactly she was. She was no Mon Calamari, though appearance itself would have made that obvious.

She was no Quarren, closer in appearance certainly, yet there still held key differences.

Not Aqualish, nor Nautolan.

For all the questions she no doubt had for him.

That question, he very much wanted answered from her.

Standing, he walked down the steps that elevated him, that separated them, this would have been all the more easier with Elise Ahana-Gwyneira by his side. It had been after all with her, that he had been able to gain the trust of Lily Rhodes , all that time ago.

Yet...

...He was alone here now, this would be his struggle to overcome.

And every step, felt as momentous as the last, as if the earth quaked with every motion below him.

Her eyes were flickering between the cyan of her birth, and the red of her nature.

Did she really think him so cruel to be the cause of all this?

When he only wished to see her no longer at war with herself?

"I am Darth Malum, of House Marr, King of Alvaria, the world which you now stand, and Lord of the Tsis'Kaar." Malum answered, no doubt giving her even more questions to want answers to, alas, such was his way, as he stood opposite her, reaching into his robes, revealing the hilt of a lightsabre, with the prominence of his Sith Sword still strapped to his back, "You ask of me much, yet, if you want answers, put away your lightsabre, otherwise you will simply hurt yourself," Malum smirked, red eyes glimmering in the darkness, "Or otherwise, I will disarm you myself, but if you want your answers so much... simply do as I request, Lady Veil." Malum offered genially, as a spark struck across his orbs, a blazing fire, threatening to burn her alive.

As Corvus cawed on his arm, begging her to see sense.

Nouqai Veil

 

[Nouqai Veil]

Each step he took was a small descent down to her level. She didn't like that he was getting closer. He was a stranger to her, and as far as she knew, a threat. The grip on her saber tightened, warily as he neared.

Eyes flickered to his own weapon he brandished at his side. Of course, he was not unarmed, rightfully so. Nouqai had entered his castle, lightsaber unsheathed, and with the intent to kill.

Darth Malum. That was his name. A sith king of a planet - to even bother with a padawan like her, she couldn't fathom why.

Hurt herself? Did he think her a child with a toy? There was a snarl that crossed her lips as his request. This attitude, this fiery side of her was a stark contrast to the warmth she exuded around her dearest pet - that softer sensitive personality he'd witness across the years. The teen's demeanour ever so defiant, almost reflecting his own intimidating gaze. It masked her feelings, the trepidation and fear.

Until Corvus crowed. The friend who had broken her trust, she didn't know what to believe. However, Nouqai knew she would not get anywhere with her lightsaber still blazing. Rationale previaled, and the light saber was drawn back with a click. Then without warning, with a sharp flick of her wrist she directed the force attempting to whip away the man's saber at his side across the hall.

It was a precaution. And a test of character, if she was indeed successful at disarming the sith of his own weapon, was it hostility she would face?

Darth Malum of House Marr

 

[Darth Malum of House Marr]

He raised an eyebrow, watching as the lightsabre that he had drawn, however, had not yet ignited was flung out of his grip into the darkness, only illuminated by the moonlight pouring through the stained glass which presented this hall, this throne room, in which they stood.

There was the boldness which had first attracted his attention all so long ago.

Oh certainly he had found himself growing fond of the softer, sensitive girl he had watched all this time.

Yet it was not that girl who had caught him off-guard that night on Myrkr.

It was not that girl, to which the darkness attached itself.

It was not that girl, which he had sworn that he would bring to the Sith, to make his apprentice.

As he felt the fragment of her, his Mistress, Darth Ophidia , stirred in the back of his mind, his hand shot out, feeling the Force swirl about him, demanded his presence, commanded to his will, returning to his side, before, red eyes met cyan, and he allowed the blade that would be ignited with red plasma, to gently land between them.

A show of strength.

But too, a show that there would need not be a fight here.

"I recommend you do not try that again, I enjoy boldness... but I can only enjoy it so much," Malum spoke with a ghost of a smile upon his features, as he took a step forward, narrowing the distance between them, as he considered her carefully, a hollow breath escaping his lungs, "Now what were your questions again... you know who I am, as for why I watched you... I saw great potential in you within the Sith, and I saw the possibility of gaining an agent within the Jedi Order." He took another step forward, he towered over her now, if she expected him to be mysterious, to hide his intentions, she would be disappointed, there would be little good in that, especially as his manifest purpose, was to gain her trust. A commodity in hard supply, as she was certainly predisposed to distrust him, "As for what I want... much the same as before, to hone your potential, to show you the truth of the darkness, the truth you already know," There was little distance between them now, as his hand extended out, offered and reaching for her, "You ask what I did to you in Myrkr? Simple, I defeated you, after you impressed me, I locked those memories away, and sent you on your way after I saw your potential... you must imagine I did something to your mind, that my death will resolve," Malum chuckled, the sound echoing through the walls, "Alas... no... mind control is an idea which disgusts me, to take away one's free will... that would be true evil. I simply watched... hoping... knowing... you would one day come to my side."

He shrugged his shoulders.

"Now here you are, welcome home, Nouqai Veil ."

 

[Nouqai Veil]

As she had thrown his weapon, Malum summoned it right back.

Perhaps it was a fight she wanted to instigate, but his reaction remained calm as his saber lowered on to the ground between them.

He began to answer her questions just as he said he would.

Potential within the Sith - the Darkness. He waited for her, as she was trained by anothr. She'd been led by the light for so long, it was the only thing she knew. This darkness now presented before her, giving her a new path from the one of light she had given up in pursuing.

If she went down that road, she would certainly fall. But it would be a failure turned strength.

Falentra. Such was a beautiful name, glorious and so fitting, as if it had always been hers. To make home within this castle. All she needed was to claim it, to claim her place by his side.

Yet she felt so conflicted. "The Sith. The ones who terrorise children on Myrkr - who terrorised me, nearly killed me for all I did... nothing. I know what you did to the other padawans there, because they chose to deny you and flee. And you expect me to join you. Free will? Do I even have a choice here?" She scoffed. The elf lady was sith to her. Nouqai understood no difference.

Eyes narrowed as she glared the avian on his arm. "Was Corvus all you? Was it even genuine or only part of your ploy to get me here?" Anger growing in her voice, and the hurt. "You decieve." She did not want to believe that the comfort she had receive from the bird over the years was anything but the bird's own will. She would not believe that a Sith was capable of extending such forms of affection. The affection that deep down she craved.

"You underestimate me." Nouqai could feel the dark calling her, stirring within her. She had come so far... she had strayed unknowingly. Nouqai hated what she was becoming, yet knowing it was almost inevitable. "You will not have me easily, Darth Malum of House Marr." She knew what she needed to do, she very much had the strength to. There was almost an unhinged determination in her eyes having decided her own path.

In a fourth of a second her the hilt of her saber was in her palm. Not turned towards the sith, which he might have expected. It was swift. The loud hum resonated as the blade was activated. That blade of magenta struck through her chest, sizzling her own flesh and heart.

The lightsaber clicked off, leaving a hole through her chest. The weapon slipping from her grasp and clattering loudly on the ground.

Dark blue blood, mingled with ink sputtered from her lips as she dropped to her knees. The pain, so excruciating, seeming to numb her body as it went into shock. All without a emmitting a sound, Nouqai fell forwards.

The dark would not claim her. She would not allow it to.

Darth Malum of House Marr

 

[Darth Malum of House Marr]

She clearly had much on her mind, she would not have been a good pick for his apprentice if she was not ever inquisitive and curious... and well especially at this moment, this critical juncture, if she simply accepted all he said without suspicion or resistance...

...Well it would have certainly made things rather easy.

However, to get his constantly paranoid mind to accept that, would be a task all unto itself.

He hummed silently, noting down her questions and words, preparing answers and retorts, especially for the ones of rather accusing or emotional notes. There was much to say, and all the time in the world to say them, he could afford to be careful in what he said. It was the deliberate crafting of his words that had saved him time, and time again.

That he had been instructed in the arts of since birth.

A change of a word.

A twinge of tone.

Could be the difference between war and peace.

Unfortunately, he had less time than he imagined, as he quirked his eyebrow at the latest words she spoke... what did she mean...?

His eyes widened, as the lightsabre turned towards her, he had been so sure not only that it would not again be drawn against him, but too that it would not be activated in general again, that he had not consider-.

Instinct took command of him, as the Force swirled about him, and he attempted to pull the hilt of the sabre to him, only to let out a shallow cry, as he saw the blue blade, stab right through Nouqai's chest, watching, frozen, as the hilt reached his hand, and his... his... apprentice, fall with a shallow splutter, and thud down to the floor.

Her dark blue blood, flowed free, as ink mixed in between.

A second passed.

The blade extinguished, as it clattered to the ground, as Malum ran forward, cradling the amphibian in his arms, pressing deep down onto the injured wound.

Foolish, foolish girl.

The plasma would have acted as a cauterisation, especially needed as it was a clean cut through... of all things her heart.

Bogan, no.

"I need a doctor in the throne room, my apprentice has taken a severe wound through the chest, specifically the heart, cauterisation has been undertaken, but a transplant may be necessary." Malum spoke swiftly, keeping his hand on the garish wound, as he felt his ring begin to warm, through his pointer finger, a controlled flame, like a candle emerged, cauterising further, for the blood he could see.

"You absolute idiot." Malum whispered, as he pulled the girl up, cradling her as gently as he could, as he pushed the great doors open, marching to the infirmary, where he knew he would meet his medical staff, along with whoever was no doubt running to the throne room as he spoke.

A pair of his Guard flanking him, they who had kept themselves well hidden for Nouqai's arrival, now making themselves known.

As critical seconds passed, as he felt his newest apprentice's life fade before him.

No.

Not today.

She would live.

He promised himself.

He promised her.

As they finally reached the infirmary, bright lights blinded him for a moment, as he laid her atop a bed, that was soon crawling with doctors, nurses, and other medical staff.

Preparation for surgery is underway, along with a plethora of tests.

He had never asked what she was...

...Might that damn them her?

He had to hope not.

Please Nouqai.

Nouqai Veil

 

[Nouqai Veil]

Nouqai awoke, her eyes fluttering open to the glare of white light, blinding her as her pupils adjusted. The teen stirred. Her aching body was submerged in warm fluid within a shallow glass tank. IV lines connected to her wrist and other monitors attached.

<<Patient conscious, alerting medical staff personnel>> An artificial voice sounded throughout the med bay.

Reality dawned upon her as she grew more aware of the surroundings. Her mind only just regaining back consciousness trying to comprehend the situation she was in. Such proved to be a struggle, her mind starting to panic.

Nouqai was alive. How was she alive?

The liquid sloshing around the tank as she stood, entirely disorientated as she stepped out. Groaning slightly as her body ached as if she’d just been hit by a speeder. Nouqai ripped off the IV from her wrist and even the tubes connecting through her gills.

There was the fear and anxiety, naturally. <<Warning. Transplant heartrate 110 bpm. >> The same voice resonated, only further confusing the disorientated girl.

The stimuli around the room, the beeps and the multiple staff rushing into the room was overwhelming. Some of them yelling at her to remain calm. Her eyes only darted around the room looking for an escape, wide open and wary, with her fists closed in front of her in a defensive stance.

<<Warning. Transplant heartrate 140 bpm.>>

That heart, she could feel thudding in her chest, yet the feeling unusual. And aching with every beat, as if it wasn’t quite herself.

“She needs to be stabilised. She’s putting a strain on the heart!”

“Someone inform Darth Malum of House Marr .”

“I’m preparing the anaesthetic.”

The multiple voices, the faces she didn’t know, it only made her panic even more. Especially when one of the doctors approached with a needle syringe in hand. Nouqai was not having it as the doctor was swiftly flung across the room. It only stirred more chaos.

“Get the guards! She’s going to hurt someone.”

 

[Darth Malum of House Marr]

Malum had retreated back into his office, still... himself in shock at the events of the last few hours.

Had he miscalculated?

Why would she... attempt to kill herself?

Oh certainly, he was not so blind to not know why, but it was the deeper question, which still kept him up, kept numerous papers, both physical and on his datapad unsigned, as he strummed his fingers on the table and sat still, with the cold air surrounding him, a constant reminder of the warm bed that he could rather be in.

The warm arms of Elise Ahana-Gwyneira he would rather be enraptured by.

Instead, here he was, unable to sleep, pretending to do work.

The need for self-preservation was one of the most fundamental aspects of life itself.

...And while he was no stranger to the concept of suicide, such was done when someone truly thought there was no course other than death, that the pain of life could be wiped away by the... relatively painless act of death.

Yet... why would she take such a course? In such a risky manner as well, had she only been inches from where she had decided to impale herself, it had not only been a guaranteed end but too a painful one.

"You stupid girl." Malum whispered under his breath, his tapping on the desk ending, as he went over all that had happened afterwards.

It seemed that he had been unfortunately right, them not knowing her species had been a problem, as it was quickly established that her heart would be unfeasible moving forward, yet tests to figure out what she was came out with blanks.

She was... nothing, that they had on their records.

Indeed it seemed she was... not exactly natural.

Yet there would be times to pull at the strings of that mystery later, it took even more doctors arriving, premium prices paid by Malum for an experimental surgery to be attempted.

It seemed that her physiology was at least similar to that of a Nautolan, with a heart that matched her needs being able to be secured after much effort and expense, as she stayed on a ventilator.

It had been... many hours since the surgery.

She was stable.

But it was experimental for a reason.

Stable could become unstable rather quickly.

He should get some sleep, waiting for news, when more than likely she would remain stable would do him, nor her any good.

Unfortunately, it seemed fate had other plans for him, as the beeping by his earcomms alerted him to the fact that something had gone wrong... or perhaps optimistically simply an update...

...

...He was never that lucky.

"My Emperor," The voice began, and with the breathlessness, Malum could already find his impatience grow, "She has awoken and is panicked, using the Force against us and disallowing sedation, we fear the strain to her heart."

It was all he needed to hear.

In a flash, one second in his office, the next in the infirmary, his orbs registered the chaos in the making, as Nouqai thrashed against restraints, the heart monitor registering a beat far from safe, as the doctors were lost, one recovering from the fall, a broken needle, sedative spilling about.

Malum felt the Force swirl around his fingers, as he pushed her down back against the glass of the bacta tank, as he reached her side, red eyes meeting cyan, his lips moving faster than his mind, "Nouqai, calm, you are safe, you almost killed yourself, you need to let us sedate you, you are still healing, with a transplant heart, it could fail and you will die, slowly, and agonisingly, unless you calm down." His words were cruel, yet they were necessary, if his geniality could not break through to her, his seriousness must.

And she needed to show him.

That she had a desire to live.

Nouqai Veil

 

[Nouqai Veil]

Seeming to morph from thin air he appeared in the middle of the room. Darth Malum of House Marr, the last person she saw before… well… she inflicted a wound fatal upon herself. Still it was a face she was the most familiar with compared to the stranger faces of doctors and nurses around.

As he approached, his hand extended outwards towards her, Nouqai felt the force pushing her backwards, her back now pressing against a cold wall or glass. She couldn’t move. Most of the medical personnel scurried out of the room, leaving the area quieter. Allowing her to finally comprehend the situation.

She was in a medical bay. The tall man towering over her explained, his voice calm but stern.

A heart transplant…. She had stabbed herself. The memory of her last few seconds of consciousness flooded back.

Here she was… alive and respiring after she had been so determined to die.

<<Patient heartrate 105bpm.>>

Nouqai closed her eyes, burying her face in her hands, still frustrated and confused. But it was unlike hours ago when the darkness had such a heavy influence on her. Now the darkness lurked only passively, waiting to be called upon and tapped into. Indeed, the young woman had vast potential, but its power, its influence over her immense and ultimately a threat if she didn’t learn how to control - how to find the balance.

Cyan eyes looked up at him. He looked tired, weary. That Nouqai, that girl he would have seen through the eyes of Corvus, a self arguably more lightsided, now spoke. “You decided to save me? Why?” She asked, her voice filled with emotion.

<<Patient heartrate 90bpm. Stable. >>

Malum didn’t have to. After all, she had entered the halls with the intent to kill. She had insulted him. It was not what she’d expected of a sith at all. A heart transplant, she couldn’t fathom how much it would have cost.

“You didn’t have to. But… Thank you.” She mumbled softly. It seemed that she was almost embarrassed of her own outburst. But that darkside… the part of herself she abhorred… that part that shadowed over all the light within he at the moment. Would she have done anything differently? Likely not.

 

[Darth Malum of House Marr]

Her heart rate was going down, Malum could give a visible sigh of relief at that, usually, he would be far more able and willing to control, to conceal his feelings, but his subjects, his men and women loyal to him, would not care, beyond perhaps... caring for him even more at this calculated show of weakness... of... humanity.

While of course, the same could be said of the former padawan before him.

While calculated.

There was no manipulation.

He was simply far too sleep-deprived to attempt to put on an act.

Placing his hand against the cold glass, he listened as best he could to the words filtering out of Nouqai's lips.

He quirked an eyebrow at her words, "You were dying upon my throne room at a wound inflicted by your own hand, do you see me as monstrous to simply allow you to die?" Malum answered, a ghost of a smile upon his face that was not reflected in his red orbs, more truly focused on her heart monitor, that was finally brimming down.

Wishing he could reach through the glass, and grasp her hand, squeezing to show she was not in danger here.

As... strange as that thought was.

As much as it may potentially gain some of her trust.

It was from how he should have treated an apprentice.

Her presence at the back of his mind was enough of a reminder of that.

Yet, Malum, had always been rather odd, had he not?

"No need to thank me, simply promise you will not do something so boneheaded again, we will continue to monitor your progress, and when you are fully healed, we will discuss the future." Malum spoke, as with a flourish, his cloak billowed in the wind, and he began walking away, he needed to finally sleep, with this newest excitement behind him.

Giving the nod to the medical staff it would be safe.

Nouqai Veil

 

[Nouqai Veil]

The force was no longer pinning her back, the man placed his hand against the glass of the tank. "I don't know you. And you don't know me - why would you go through all that trouble?" Nouqai was ashamed to admit that she had sought him with the jedi dogma that all sith were inherently bad. However, this man was not, part of her wondered if it was all some ploy, even if it was, it was working.

There was fear of what tomorrow would hold. There was no comfort of familiarity here, she was no longer with Grrwunhoool, and now in a place and with a person all a stranger to her. There was one. "Wait." The girl called out as he turned around to leave. "Where is Corvus? Can I see him?"

 

[Darth Malum of House Marr]

Her questions were enough to stop him in his tracks, not yet turning to face her, as he wondered what exactly to say, "I felt your potential upon Myrkr... I have been keeping tabs on you ever since... I will not lie, I do have intentions for you, but they are far from entirely selfish... indeed, I believe you will come to find yourself at home here, in this new position." Malum answered, believing it a sufficient enough answer to begin marching off once again.

Until her voice, filled with desperation questioned once more.

A question that was enough to grace a smile upon his features.

He closed his eyes, as the staff around him proceeded forth to work.

And through the Force, darkness made manifest, a familiar bird appeared.

The caws of Corvus filled the infirmary, gazing around at the unfamiliar space, before spotting a familiar figure.

Malum turned to gaze with a small amount of amusement, as his own familiar ignored him, to fly up to sit by the glass of the tank which held his mistress.

"Corvus." Malum simply noted, the bird cawing at his own name.

Nouqai Veil

 

[Nouqai Veil]

Myrkr. The memories from that day was still glazed over, the recollection akin to a terrible nightmare she had woken up from. He had meddled with her mind, and while she was not happy with that, it had led her here. To embark into a new future. "I tried to drown you." Indeed, she had tried to kill him, but not only did he invite her into his home, he had saved her.

"Home." She muttered almost wistfully under her breath. The Jedi temple on coruscant where she was brought up never felt like home and with three years spent moving around wherever her master of light took her, she did not have one. She'd never imagined that home would be in a grand castle like this.

The medical staff crowded around her, albeit cautiously. This time, she allowed them to.

There was a spark of joy and relief as the crow morphed from thin air into his hands. She had never encountered such a skill during her padawan training. She now leaned against the rim of the glass where corvus perched, a clawed finger gently scratching under his chin. "Would you teach me how to do that?" She asked.

It was late, both of her mind and body was exhausted from the surgery and everything that had played out in the past few hours. "Thank you, for everything." She told him.