Facilis Exitus

[Natalie LaForte]

Rented catwalk facility, Mygeeto​

3:30PM.

Bright lights, darkened corners and nothing but a black and white landscape for Natalie to watch her intellectual genius be manifested in fabric by [member="Stephanie Swail"], her upcoming fashion icon who would be showing her father that her majoring in Fashion was the best decision he ever made, of course he was still waiting on his return investment but needless to say she was optimistic that this was the big break through that her company needed

Now all she needed was the model and outfits, of course in fairness to the woman she wasn't expected to be here until 4 O'Clock anyway. As soon as she arrived at IMF's headquarters she would be given her daily stipend of 500 credits and expected to be here within 15 minutes. Here's hoping she wasn't having any second regrets about taking this decision.

"Be a dear and fet-.." She soon realized she was here. Alone. With nobody to stop her from going crazy... what if she just killed Stepha-.. no, she wouldn't dare. Keep it under control girl. You're doing great.

 

[Stephanie Swail]

”Thank you,” Stephanie whispered as she held the envelope of credits.

The IMF host welcomed her at 3:45 as she arrived, the Ranger escort outside with orders not to leave without Stephanie giving the word. Satchel over her shoulder, braided hair and her more… comfy…training gear of vest and slacks thrown on for the journey, she was looking far more “normal” and less Jedi / Hapan like.

A room of darkness greeted her. Not in the atmospheric sense, but that of a dark room with nothing but static lights and a main feature cat-walk going around the centre in a U shape. It was like an arena; something she had never seen before except glimpsed in large billboard advertising on neon signs lit up across the cities she had visited.

She stood on one bank of steps leading down, past the seats that were empty. In fact, the whole place was empty bar Natalie down front. Stephanie smiled and started down to her "boss", even as she had her back to the Jedi, her presence would be already known.

”Nice and early just as you said,” she mused as she hit the lower floor. ”Am I ok in saying I’m a little nervous?”

[member="Natalie LaForte"]

 

[Natalie LaForte]

"Oh thank you so much, you're very reliable." Not turning around to look at her, merely listening to her footsteps as she approached, appearing to be writing something down on a clipboard.

"Nervousness is natural in this business, just take your time. I'm not expecting anything major, just some photographs, I can remove your face or blur it out if you're uncomfortable with being placed on the holonet. Basically, we're just looking for some natural photographs. Everything you need is in the back, just walk through the archway. I do hope you find everything to your liking."

Standing up and beginning to lead her to the archway, and gesturing for her to walk in.

"And finally, if you're sensitive to noise I recommend putting something in to cover your ears, the music in here can get quite loud" laughing, although there was no music, at least for now.

As Stephanie walked through the archway, (assuming she would), Natalie would begin to walk over to what appeared to be a control panel and pressed some buttons. Although they are tiny, there are cameras in various positions through the room, all lining the 'U' shaped catwalk. The room would remain vacant of lighting, and infact the lighting on the floor would just turn off. As soon as Stephanie stepped back out and changed into one of the outfits, the entire room would flair up with spotlights on her and the lit floor would turn its intensity even higher.

The particular things she would be modelling would be clearly displayed with sticky notes indicating their order, 1, 2, 3.

To say the least that some of the outfits were questionable would be an understatement, of course that's what ideas without any structure get you.

DO IT. The voice spoke in Natalie's head and her vision became blurred for a second, stumbling slightly and then re-adjusting herself to stand up straight, taking a sip of water and looking directly at the archway, becoming ever more increasingly concerned with whatever disease was plaguing her.

 

[Stephanie Swail]

Natalie seemed….different. Maybe she was tired? Nervous? Annoyed for some reason? Stephanie didn’t say much, and didn’t get the chance to, before being taken to the side and directed to the archway that led to the dressing room at the back of the stage where her outfits awaited. She had her instructions.

At least she laughed a little when she walked away. Stephanie gave a half-smile, a nod, and walked through meekly.

Coming to see a rack with clothes on; robes, dresses, latest fashion – something Stephanie wasn’t very hot on – she saw three outfits hooked up to the large mirror that greeted her. 1. 2. 3. Safe to say, her face fell a little, and her head cocked. Was this a joke? Was this fashion? Some strange…temple like igloo dress, and something that looked like fried food? At least number 3 seemed more elegant and normal.

Her fingers toyed with the satchel strap, suddenly feeling a little uncomfortable. This wasn’t her. Was it? There was nobody else here, but Natalie and Stephanie and the IMF team outside. Shaking off the doubt, she sighed, slipped off her satchel and started to undress, making sure the door was closed.

Item 3 would be her first choice. At least she could feel confident and get the hang of the work in something that didn’t look like a diner dinner.

After a few moments, a few adjustments, a few nervous glances and fidgeting and staring at herself, Stephanie turned in the light salmon colour dress, hitching it down as it felt a little high, and moving her head to avoid the over-sized shoulder décor. A little wobble in the strappy rose heels that were pretty small considering. She really needed to get used to this.

She walked up carefully to the arch and came to stand out on the catwalk.

The lights changed. Music came up. Stephanie felt a surge of nervous excitement. She grinned and placed her hands on her hips for a few seconds, imagining a cheering audience and even being posted on a billboard – the face of the new Silver Jedi! Stephanie Swail – the everyday Jedi!

With that, she began to walk out with purpose, hoping she would do Natalie proud, not even worried about how she looked with her beaming smile.

[member="Natalie LaForte"]

 

[Natalie LaForte]

Natalie gave Stephanie a "thumbs up" as she walked out and began pressing buttons on the panel, several cameras would begin to flash as she walked past and the music would get ever increasingly louder, causing the speakers to sound a bit broken if I'm being honest. It almost seemed that with every step Stephanie took, it got even louder and the lights go brighter.

As the lights got brighter, Natalie found herself stumbling back slightly, but still retaining her composure to look presentable and as if nothing was wrong.

JUST ONE BUTTON.

What was that voice? It sounded exactly like the one when she was kidnapped and placed in some temple on Korriban... the one that showed her horrific visions of her mother and caused her eyes to roll so far back into her head that for a split second she could see the entire universe at a simple glance. That wouldn't happen today, she was determined of it.

When Stephanie was approaching the end of the catwalk, Natalie would gradually start turning the music and lighting down until they were what was present at the start. If Stephanie wanted to, she could come over and take a look at the photographs, which Natalie was currently browsing through.

"Great job! Now the real question is, did you seriously think I was going to make you try on those other two outfits?" She laughed to herself. "Sorry those are my personal gowns, not for other people's use." In all truth, her favourite was the igloo one. It was a real show stopper at parties.

"Now could I get your opinion on how you think that went? You looked wonderful, truly. And that's coming from someone who's usually as sour as hydrochloric acid."

[member="Stephanie Swail"]

 

[Stephanie Swail]

The music was intense, and it took a moment to not grimace, but it soon began to just blow her hearing and she let it happen. She got used it, and all she had to do was walk, smile and enjoy. She could see it now; the billboards, the holo-feeds, the aspiring men and women looking up at this Stephanie Swail. Jedi, and looking just as normal as them in protecting the galaxy from evil.

With another final stop, turn and smile, the music faded, and the lights went softer, and her ears rang. Reality was here, and Stephanie Swail stood in the salmon dress feeling out of her depth. Picking at the hem, she nodded to Natalie in her booth and walked down over to her.

Wiping the hair from her brow, Stephanie stepped up beside her and exhaled.

”They were…different! Yes, different.”

She gave a playful grimace and shake of the head.

”And thank you, Natalie. Thank you. It went well, I think. I don’t know! You’re the one who needed the model, so I hope you have what you need? It was just nice to feel…different for a moment. A little human. It was good.” A single nod cemented her thought. ”Very good. Thank you.”

She craned her head a little, seeing any of the pictures that would come through.

[member="Natalie LaForte"]

 

[Natalie LaForte]

"Well, what we'll be doing with these is attempting to transform them into combat attire for the public to use. If I'm being 100% honest, this wasn't just about clothes. Moreso, it was about getting some pictures see what we could do on a limited capacity to clothing to make them safe for anybody who needs them, and you've certainly showed us that you can be stylish in them."

Natalie moved slightly so Stephanie could see the pictures of her strutting her stuff down the runway. Bright lights, gorgeous make-up and a look to die for.

QUITE LITERALLY.

Ugh, there it is again. She groaned to herself, closing one of her eyes and placing a hand on the left side of her head, indicating that she was in some sort of pain. As for what it was, she wasn't sure. Turning to Stephanie, she not only looked for sympathy but for some advice.

"I hope you don't mind, but I've got a question for you." Looking at her with open eyes and feeling tired.

"If you don't want to answer, that's alright, have you ever.. heard voices in your head? Telling you to do things... bad things... things you don't want to do, but, you know. If you're not comfortable with answering just tell me."

[member="Stephanie Swail"]

 

[Stephanie Swail]

Seeing the pictures, Stephanie was secretly impressed. She looked happy, care-free and confident. That was an image she could get used to. The camera didn’t lie – but then could she serve the galaxy looking good in a high quality dress and shoes? Hmm. Maybe not.

As Natalie bunched them together, she didn’t mask her pain well. Stephanie frowned, arm moving out to support her back. Headache? Dehydration?

The girl looked tired, and asked a question.

”No it’s, it’s alright….” the concern evident in her voice, ”…you need to sit down and drink some water or something.”

Guiding Natalie down from the booth, she walked over to the crimson stairs and sat them both down.

”And voices? I don’t know what you mean. I think, once, I heard the worst voice of all telling me to do something bad – my own. I was telling myself to jump off the highest cliff of Voss to end my own life. I didn’t want to, and that’s pretty bad to me. What would that gain? Who would benefit? There would be nothing but pain.”

Stephanie rested her hands on bended knee, concerned eyes looking at a pained face.

”Is everything ok?”

[member="Natalie LaForte"]

 

[Natalie LaForte]

EVERYTHING'S FINE.

"Yeah I'm good. I guess it's -... listen, I'm going to tell you something and for the sake of my reputation please don't repeat it to anyone you ever meet. I was knighted as a Sith on a desolate moon, I can't remember the name. When you get-... knighted. You get thrown into some pool of dark liquid and get shown your deepest and darkest desires."

SHUT UP.

"And the voice sounds like-...the one I heard in the well. It's really strange. I don't know what to do, I don't know who would benefit. I think it's the Dark side attempting to reel me back into its clutches. I mean... I'm trying, you know I am. 4 years ago I never would have saw myself speaking to a Jedi organizing a fashion company. It tells me to.."

OH YOU'RE BEING VERY NAUGHTY. SOMEONE'S GOT TO BE PUNISHED.

"It keeps telling me to.."

[SIZE=medium]K̟̞͓͓͔̀I̤̪̺͕̟̮̜L̖̟͕̘̥̪͓L̪̞̖͔Y̩̙O̸͓̙U̗̙[/SIZE]


[SIZE=medium]"Doesn't matter, it's too creepy for a mere colleague to know about. Would you have any advice on fixing it? I've heard you Jedi are great healers."[/SIZE]

[member="Stephanie Swail"]

 

[Stephanie Swail]

Stephanie looked on and nodded slowly, trying to understand.

She swayed her knees slowly, palms down, almost as a calming distraction from the feelings swelling inside her. A heavy heart, a sadness and a fear, and caring. A solemn smile masked the random punches through Natalie’s aura.

It seemed to burst from her; a second or so wave of dark energy that rippled around the pair. Stephanie didn’t know what it was, or if there was some conflict inside, but she was obviously struggling. Yet, all she could do was smile and try to understand.

”Well, it sounds like you’ve been through a lot. Emotional and physical trauma it sounds. As for helping, I mean, I do know healers within my Order. I myself am interested in that, but I’m not one yet. I can listen, I can help you try to understand, and, well, if you need…if you need someone to help pull you back, then I can do that.”

It had happened on the cliff-edge. Someone, a stranger, took pity on the girl with the Force aura and pulled her back from the edge, and because of that she was here to do the same for others. Tapping her shoes gently on the lip of the step, she looked to Natalie.

”I’m sorry. It’s up to you. It’s sad to hear you feel so conflicted. I will help you if I can.”

[member="Natalie LaForte"]

 

[Natalie LaForte]

"If it's alright with you, could you refer me to one? Or just... give me a name? I'm desperate at this point. Or even you, I can sense you're trained in the light side, perhaps just... teach me a few coping mechanisms? Something to make this-... st-op..?" Screwing her face up as another headache came along.

UGH YOU IDIOT. WE'LL TALK ABOUT THIS LATER

Whatever was speaking to her obviously detected Stephanie reading her auras and immediately stopped, although it was still quite clear that there was some sort of dark side or malevolent entity with interests in keeping the light side out of her life.

"On that note... I actually think that we're done here, at least for now. Great work today. You can collect your weekly stipend at the IMF headquarters, along with any reimbursements you need for travel, living or shopping expenses."

[member="Stephanie Swail"]

 

[Stephanie Swail]

Stephanie had a concerned frown across her brow with Natalie seeming to struggle again, obviously some major pain inside her head wasn’t helping things.

”My Master, [member="Valae Kitra"] who is based on Voss, is a wonderful healer. She is who I look up to, and she may well be able to help delve deeper into what troubles you? I can’t speak for her, but if you need a name, she’s the only one I have who is of a far higher standing than I, Natalie.”

She took the hint from the girl, and stood, brushing down the dress, fingering it awkwardly behind her back, one foot going backward.

”I will head back, and I’ll let them know at the front desk I’m all done here, minus the dress of course.” She pushed out a smile, not knowing if it was really desired. ”If you want me to help, I can give you some hours and try to tap into what’s troubling you; get you to try and face that fear and pain head on and allow me to draw it out. For you to beat it. I’ll get changed and head out if you want to come see me, but there’s no pressure today at all.”

With a little nod and silent thank you, Stephanie turned, her shoes the only sound as she walked down the small flight of stairs and across to the catwalk to get backstage, change, and think.

[member="Natalie LaForte"]