Private Flood the Soul

[Ala Quin]

Halm​

It was an entirely unpleasant planet to which Ala had come, but not for the first time. In fact, Halm had become a regular stop for her over the past few years. Her first ever successful transplant of her beloved glowies. Since visiting Onderon, she tried on seven different worlds to release the insects from their stasis. On every occasion, they had failed to take to the new environment and she had had to rescue them before they died.

Halm had been different. An old mine that flooded, draining a nearby oasis into its depths, had made for a unique locale. Ala had left and returned to find the bugs beginning to thrive. This time she hoped to find that they were creating the serenity pool like she had encountered on Onderon.

She was dressed in loose fitting pants and a jacket. Everything had pockets. She also had a harness already fixed around her torso, and was counting out the length of the rope that she was about to drop into the old elevator shaft. Beneath the loose fitting warm clothes she wore a wetsuit, prepared for the swimming that would be involved in todays excursion.

She had sent word to the Sith Kaila Irons that she would be taking a trip into the underground waterways in the old mineshaft outside the town of Vranka. The townsfolk dared not visit this mine anymore. In fact, she had had to crawl through their fences to get in here at all. Perhaps it was not the most Jedi of thing to do, trespassing, but no one would know. Right?

There was no small thrill running through Ala as she anticipated Kaila's arrival. Given their opposing faiths, it should be something that would set her on edge. It didn't, at all.

She pushed her hair out of her face again, brushing the untamed mass behind her ears. It was instantly blown out into a tumultuous frizz again with the wind.

What if she doesn't like this kind of thing? What if she is the stay in and watch a holo type? What if she just wanted to go to a restaurant and eat food? Going down into a damp, glowworm cave might not be Kaila's idea of a good time, let alone a date. Was that what this was? No. They were...friends...enjoying time together. A friend that Ala felt very excited to see.

"Stop doubting yourself, Ala...just be yourself...but not too much yourself...keep a lid on the excitement..."

She heard the fence move behind her. Ala spun about on her heels, hands clasped together and eyes wide with glee.

"Kaila!"

 

[Kaila Irons]

"Ala," Kaila smiled warmly as she emerged from the fence, pulling her hood down now that they were in the clear.

Golden hair spilt over her shoulders, her own feint curls carefully brushed out until it was nearly straight, despite knowing that the water would undo her handiwork shortly. She wanted to look her best for Ala even still, especially after last time.

Though as she moved in for the hug, the movement of her cloak revealed that Kaila still had the sense to prepare. She may not have been wearing her armor, dressed in little more than a tight bodyglove which doubled as a wetsuit, but dangling from her belt were a pair of lightsabers and a few pouches of varying tools, one of which appeared to be an emergency medkit.

Fashionable, yet deceptively practical as always.

Yet these tools were for their shared benefit, and her golden eyes seemed alight with so much more than the fiery rage of an inquisitor. Rather she was genuinely, enthusiastically delighted to see Ala again.

"I must admit, you've picked an uncommon location for such a visit. Far removed from civilization, underground and —by the sound of it, quite old."

"Have you been stalking me?" she teased.

"Archeological digs and abandoned temples used to be my favorite haunts, you know. There's something charming about these old, quiet places. I'm excited to see what awaits us down there."



Ala Quin

 

[Ala Quin]

It was the lightsabers that caught her attention. Honest. Ala's eyes lingered on all that Kaila brought with her. She became aware of her staring eventually, and looked away while clearing her throat.

Kaila's first statement though made her heart sink. Had she made a mistake? Was this not something...OH. Ala's eyes sparkled mischievously. "Yes...I have been stalking...you...without being noticed...by the way, you need to get more sleep. You stay up way too late," she said, leaning into the joke and wagging her finger playfully.

"Well, you are in luck...kind of...this is neither archaeological, nor is it a temple...just an old mine shaft that I have visited a few times," she said while rigging herself up to the rope. She held out the harness for Kaila.

Her eyes caught a glimpse of the lightsabers again. Ala had not brought hers. They were on the ship. Why had Kaila brought hers? She glanced at Kaila with a bit of honest concern. She had every reason to distrust her, given who they were. However, she allowed her eyes to soften, and her face to break into a soft smile.

She looked down the elevator shaft. Below she could hear the sound of slowly running water, but it was not visible. Thankfully, there was a metal grate above the water, on which they would be able to stop and prepare for the water section of their descent.

"Here...let me help you get tied in," Ala said, stepping over to Kaila and taking charge of her rig.

Kaila Irons

 

[Kaila Irons]

"Well, I can't argue there." she chuckled nervously, knowing damn well she didn't get enough sleep most nights. Though it was hardly her fault most nights.

For but a microsecond she instinctively tensed up as if Ala really had been stalking her, yet it didn't take long to dispel the notion. She was no Sith, nor was she one of those damned Ashlanites Kaila had encountered on Brendok. Even if it may take some getting used to, Ala could be trusted. She might be one of the few people in this whole galaxy that she could.

And she hoped, if fate would not punish her for trying this time, that she might be the same for Ala one day.

Which is why the way she looked at her lightsabers brought a feint frown to her face. With rare exception, Kaila took them everywhere. Even in her own home —no, especially in her own home within sith space, they were never further than she could reach with the force. Honestly she didn't even think about it before, but now she understood why Ala might be concerned, even if she could only suspect it in her repeated glances.

So when she approached her to assist with the rig, Kaila held her arms out not only to get strapped in, but to visibly show her hands away from either saber.

"Hey... I know you said this isn't like the places I used to frequent but... It's not too dissimilar I should think, both in it's historical charms... and it's potential dangers."

she glanced down at the sabers, then to Ala.

"Maybe I'm being overly cautious, but it never hurts to be prepared, yes?"

"I would prefer if we were both protected." It seemed that Ala was unarmed, save her talents in the force, whatever those may be.

Their first meeting was so... different. Kaila had been unarmed because she had hoped, just for a day, to hide herself and pretend she was something else. But Ala knew what she was now, there was no point in hiding it, especially after what they'd shared that day. Except that she was still unarmed and Kaila now held an advantage over her without even meaning to.

Perhaps then she should, despite how her master would have objected if he could see her now, even the playing field in the Jedi's favor.

"Why don't you take one...?" she gestured to the larger saber about her hip.

"I let my apprentice borrow my shoto before getting her own, it's not a problem when I have two. Though you may be more comfortable with this one. The crystal has never been bled."



Ala Quin

 

[Ala Quin]

Her smile was tainted with nerves, but Kaila's offer softened that later emotion slightly. The shorter Ala looked up at the yellow eyes of her Sith friend. There was a depth of concern and consideration in Kaila's eyes that Ala felt endearing. She let out a sigh of relief.

However, the offer would not be accepted. She reached forward Kaila, and Ala wrapped her fingers around her hand and closed it symbolically. Ala clenched her hand snuggly around that of the Sith's. And the Jedi smiled. "If you feel you need them to be safe...I trust you."

Part of saying it was an attempt to manifest it completely in Ala's own mind. Her trepidation was betrayed in her gaze, eyes sparkling with vulnerability. Her free hand rested on top of her own and Kaila's hand. She didn't speak the words again, but her face said it all. She was determined to give Kaila her trust.

"Come on...we have a fair amount to do..."

The small Jedi relinquished Kaila's hand and spun about to march to the rope that hung down the shaft. Ala hooked herself in, and turned around. Slowly, she leaned out over the elevator shaft. The rope took her weight, and she was able descend slightly with a testing bend of her knees. She kept her eyes on Kaila the whole time. Ala's eyes spoke volumes. I am trusting you, but please don't kill me.

She pushed out slightly, feet leaving the edge, and she began to descend into the dark. Once she was far enough into the hole to need light, Ala cracked a glowstick and wedged it into a crevice. The illumination was slight but appreciated. Her eyes were still adjusting to the increasing dark.

"So...Kaila...what has your favourite archaeological dig been?" She said, and then winced. Her attempt at small talk felt so Forced. But she had not been able to find any etiquette books that dealt with Jedi/Sith dates. They were probably writing the textbook as they went.

Kaila Irons

 

[Kaila Irons]

"If you feel you need them to be safe...I trust you."

Kaila gently traced the back of Ala's enclosed hand with her thumb, smiling softly.

"I appreciate that."

Though she could see that Ala was outside her comfort zone, pushing herself for Kaila. She was thankful for the chance of course, but she felt bad for the Jedi, Ironic as it was.

She watched Ala get strapped in whilst removing her cloak and setting it aside, neatly folded and dry for when they would emerge later. All the while, she too kept a curious eye on her companion. It wasn't the inquisitive gaze Kaila was known for, rather she wished to know more of Ala simply because it was Ala, and for no ulterior motive.

Save perhaps to glimpse her beauty once again.

Yet she suppressed the feint smile creeping up as she turned towards the cave entrance, realizing that Ala's gaze did not return the same curiosity, but worry and suppressed doubts. She gazed down into the abyss they were about to follow one another into, a dark place which could hide any number of dangers. She sighed, knowing then that Ala was likely concerned that the young sith could become one of them. It felt strange that, out of all the people she wished to fear her, this jedi was not one of them. Not by a longshot.

Kaila began her slow descent with a deep breath, rappelling down with the occasional push of her strong legs and swing of the rope, as if she'd done this many times before.

Her eyes searched for Ala in the dark as they both came to a stop, her entire figure completely fading into the black void with the exception of those golden rings which were aglow in their search like some creature of the night. They glanced a few times in Ala's rough direction, not staring directly at her as she could only go off what the force allowed her to feel, but it would be visibly apparent that she was trying to spot her, and determine whether she needed to intervene or not.

"You alright?-"

The glowstick snapped to life before Kaila could finish, the soft glow illuminating her relieved smile even as she fumbled about her belt in search of a military flashlight, clipping it to her harness before continuing the descent.

"Oh good, I was having trouble finding my light anyway."

"So...Kaila...what has your favourite archaeological dig been?" She said, and then winced.

"Ah? you're the first person to ask me about my travels." she hummed excitedly.

"It's hard to choose just one... But I think... perhaps the ruins on Arcana. There was once a nightsister temple there, yet it is more ancient than any ruins on Dathomir, alluding to an interstellar history which might have proved the existence of the ancient Witch Kingdom of Dathmiri. Sadly the temple was destroyed nearly nine hundred years ago, but what's left is no less fascinating."

"Did you know that the Witch Kingdom's runes may have been the ancestor to ur-Kittat? if you look carefully-"

Kaila suddenly stopped, laughing nervously.

"Oh... forgive my rambling, yes? My passion for these studies can be... intense, at times. Do you have a favorite area of study? Or are you more interested in taking action than reading about it like I do?"



Ala Quin

 

[Ala Quin]

I could be your light.

She wouldn't see her smile, as she had passed into the shadows again. But it became very noticeable when she jammed about glowstick into the wall. Ala was taking in the sight of Kaila repelling down alongside her. Her eyes averted the moment before she could be noticed.

The first to ask you? That is...somewhat sad.

Ala had to be honest, a Dathomiri temple sounded like one of the few places in the galaxy that she thought would be fun. A Sarlaac Pit held more appeal. Still, she listened intently. It was insight into what made Kaila tick, and that was enough to interest her.

At the mention of how old the temple was, Ala laughed gently. It was a knowing laugh. "Nearly 900 years ago? I probably met some of them," she said, memories of her ancient life and her encounters with the numerous Dathomiri Witches that inhabited the galaxy at the time. They always sort of creeped her out. Especially the one that tried to take control of her mind.

She realised that her comment would raise questions. So as her feet were about to hit the metal grate at the bottom of the shaft, she clarified. "Don't worry...I am not 900 years old...kind of..."

Masterful clarification.

Ala pulled a head lamp out of her satchel, and strapped it to her head. She began the process of untangling herself from the harness. "You can ramble all you want...I like listening," she said with a gentle smile cast in Kaila's direction.

She stooped to unlatch her boots next. Then she shimmed out of her loose fitting apparel. The padded wetsuit underneath her outer layer was expectedly quite snug, but Ala moved freely in the outfit. This was clearly not her first time.

"You are here so I can show you my favourite area of study...actually," she said, standing to her full...unimpressive height.

The Jedi held out her hand. Behind her the underwater stream flowed towards the depths of the mine, and rounded corners that led to complete and utter darkness.

Ala flicked her head lamp on, but made sure not to shine it directly at Kaila. She did however extend her hand. "Want to see some light with me?"

Kaila Irons

 

[Kaila Irons]

"Oh it's much older than that, abandoned well before it's destruction." Kaila said idly, a little distracted by both the academic details and the climb.

But the further they descended, the clearer her mind got and the more questions it began to ask. What did she mean "kind of"? It did not sound as if she were of an immortal species then, and yet she spoke as if she'd lived for quite some time all the same. She looked at Ala with confusion, but no less intrigued by the mysterious elven eared humanoid. It seemed they both had many secrets waiting to be discovered.

"You can ramble all you want...I like listening," she said with a gentle smile cast in Kaila's direction.

"Good," she returned the smile as her feet touched the metallic floor at last.

"Because according to my apprentice I talk a lot, in private at least."

Though her steps appeared nimble, they belied the taller woman's surprising weight, as evident by the subtle groan of the metal beneath her feat. Neither could her abandoned cloak hide the strength of her physique beneath that thin bodyglove, it's shiny slick texture reflecting the nearby glowstick, highlighting every smooth surface and curve it stretched over.

Like Ala, she moved about as if it were a second skin, something she often trained and fought in despite speaking as if she were a scholar rather than a warrior.

She suspected the Jedi was led a similarly active lifestyle, judging by her build now that she too was down to little more than a wetsuit. Ala had the legs of a duelist or perhaps a dancer, and it made Kaila regret that they'd not had the chance to interact much during the Gala on New Cov. She'd have to inquire about a dance another time, or perhaps a sparring session with training sticks, anything to answer the question; Was she as graceful as she looked?

Kaila was pretty sure she knew the answer, but there was no harm in confirming it with her own eyes.

"Want to see some light with me?"

"Is this some Jedi metaphor?" she rolled her eyes, but the smile about her face was wide enough to tell another story.

"Of course, Ala. I am excited to see what's down here, especially with you. And maybe then you can explain what you meant by 'kind of', yes?"



Ala Quin

 

[Ala Quin]

It occurred to Ala that Kaila may not have ever had anyone that would simply listen. Listening did not seem to be a particularly strong Sith virtue, given that they were always so eager to impress their will upon others. If Kaila had been around only Sith for years, it was quite possible that she was earning for someone just to be there for her. This thought made Ala smile, but the smile had barely left her lips since seeing Kaila again so there was not much change.

The thing that did change though was her heart rate. When she turned toward Kaila, and her head lamp shone on the silhouette of the blonde woman, Ala felt her mouth drop open just a little. Her smile was officially gone, awe replacing it. She was so pretty.

"I uh...well...um..."

Head in the game, Ala.

She pulled her hair back, tying it up in a loose ponytail. Her curls spilled across the back of her neck. The action seemed to set her mind at ease, and her body into motion. It was action time.

Stepping down from the metal grate, Ala's bare feet found purchase on the slick rocks below. The water lapped at her ankles, but was the same warm water she had come to expect. Being water coming from the arid surface, it was quite warm at this point of its journey down.

"Oh. I meet a few Dathomiri back in the day, that is all," Ala said, misunderstanding the line of questioning, "they didn't seemed to pleased with a young Padawan getting in their way...but I was naive...very, very inexperienced...that was so long ago."

She looked back and up to Kaila, her breath catching again as she saw the outline of the muscular Inquisitor. Unknowingly, she licked her lips. Her gaze averted slightly, but she kept Kaila in her periphery.

"I don't look bad for being over 900 years old, right?" She said with a pixie-like expression, "if you are going by birth date that is...and ignore all the cryo pod time."

Kaila Irons

 

[Kaila Irons]

Ala took her hand and was left a stammering mess almost soon her light reached Kaila, brining a bemused look about the young darth's face.

Was this... her doing? she wondered. It didn't stop until the jedi led her to the rocks, letting go to tie her hair which seemed to calm her if only for a moment. Kaila wondered if perhaps they were similar in that their minds wondered when the body was still, something which at times made it difficult for the inquisitor to meditate, preferring instead to practice swordplay to clear the mind on particularly restless days. A frequent occurrence as of late.

If that were the case than she wondered what it was about herself which caused this. Fear? or something else? At least that was the question, until she caught a glimpse of Ala licking her lips and suddenly turn away.

Kaila was relieved. And she was... pleased simultaneously, a smug little smile playing at the corner of her lip as she too turned, silently cheering in delight of Ala seemingly feeling the same.

"I don't look bad for being over 900 years old, right?" She said with a pixie-like expression, "if you are going by birth date that is...and ignore all the cryo pod time."

Silent cheering which gave way to an audibly surprised chuckle.

"Nine hundred?"

She turned to Ala, smile faltering for a time, lips pursed in deep thought as the implications dawned on her. Kaila would tilt her head, golden eyes visibly tracing her form in the dark as she put all the pieces together. She had heard stories of beings from before the plague being unfrozen from carbonite chambers and advanced cryogenic freezing before, enough to know that it wasn't the rarest event in this galaxy even if it wasn't exactly frequent.

It seemed them that Ala had been through a lot, even if she didn't remember a few centuries. But she wasn't just some dusty old relic, no, she was more like a diamond whose beauty had been sealed away for far too long.

"...No." she said,

"Not at all, Ala. I meant what I said to you before... that you are the most beautiful woman I've encountered in all my travels."

She paused, still staring in bewilderment. The fact this woman had been frozen for 900 years, and yet she lived in the perfect moment for their paths to intertwine still, it was almost as if...

as if fate had decreed...

No. Kaila turned away, releasing a breath she had not realized she'd held. This was a line of questioning which had caused her to flee before. She would not let herself run from Ala again.

"I'm sorry... that must have been so hard," she decided to focus on something else.

"I know what it's like to miss important events, I suppose, having been sealed away in a tomb for a time... But to not even recognize the galaxy you re-emerge in, I can't even imagine."

"...but,"

She turned toward Ala with a smile meant to comfort, and gently took her hand in either of hers.

"I am glad that we got to meet, despite the flow of time."



Ala Quin

 

[Ala Quin]

She felt the heat rise up the back of her neck. Had she the ability to turn Lethan red, she would have been stuck that way permanently. Kaila's words were over the top. Ala was not the most beautiful woman. Perhaps Kaila had never met Valery Noble , Corazona von Ascania , Romi Jade or Briana Sal-Soren . By all accounts, those women broke the scales...if...there was some sort of beauty scale.

Ala was just Ala.

She didn't know how to respond to Kaila's compliment. So she jumped into the water to cool off instead. The warm water did the job, such was her body temperature at the moment. With the water up to her hips, she turned and waved Kaila in. Ala was already several steps down the tunnel and looking to get the adventure moving.

Her face took a solemn turn with the mention of missed events. It was not birthdays. It was not holidays. It was not friendly hugs with her beloved Yavin based Students of the Light from so long ago. It was the day that they all had died...that is what she regretted missing the most. All but one had died. Even...

Even Zakk.

"I don't dwell on it," she said, clearly catching her breath. Emotions swirled about her like a tempest. Normally, it was easier to control them. But Kaila frayed her emotions, left her vulnerable and open to feelings she was no accustomed to living with.

"You got sealed in a temple?" Ala said, eyes forced to lighten, "no wonder you brought lightsabers on a caving trip...though...I would like to hear that story."

She walked past a collapsed beam, squeezing past the rubble that had come down around it. The water moved fast her, and she found herself wedged temporarily before giving one big push. On the other side, she stuck her hand through the gap, reaching for Kaila. The Jedi's eyes met the yellow pupils on the other side of the gap.

"Never know where the flow will take you," she said from the other side of the short rapids. Her lips curled into a smile that hid whispered promises of moments to come.

Kaila Irons

 

[Kaila Irons]

Kaila knew there were ways to determine one's honesty through the force, and she wondered if Ala had done so when they last spoke if perhaps she would now. She was prepared for that outcome, because she meant every word.

Despite having seen master Noble once before, even if she did not know her by name nor reputation, Ala would be her first choice. She would always be her first choice. Not even The Empress, a woman who she admired a great deal, could compare. But Ala had far more than looks at her disposal, and even her quiet reaction pressed Kaila's lips into a little smile.

"And where are you off to?" she giggled softly.

Kaila sat at the edge of the natural pool, one leg swinging in an upward arc, then slowly descending outstretched toward the water as she began to test the temperature.

"Mm. surprisingly warm." she hummed, dipping her toes into the water.

It wasn't long after that she slipped in, the water coming up just barely to the taller woman's wide hips as she followed Ala in a slow, indulgent pace, her fingers gliding along the water's surface. It was strangely relaxing, almost like being submerged in soothing bacta. Perhaps that was the reason she'd built that bathhouse in Canto Bight.

Though her relaxed thoughts ran into an obstacle, a strange fog of emotions not her own. Emotions which sith typically fed on, and so they were things Kaila could identify easily. Ala was troubled by something. Her past perhaps? or lack thereof.

Her eyes opened, as did her now frowning lips.

"Ala...?"

"You got sealed in a temple?" Ala said, eyes forced to lighten, "no wonder you brought lightsabers on a caving trip...though...I would like to hear that story."

"Hm." she paused for a time, unsure whether to pursue her own questions or allow this change of topic. Then again, perhaps Ala was not quite comfortable sharing whatever troubled her yet. Kaila would not push, she was not so demanding in her curiosities as her master.

"It was an ill-fated trip to Dathomir," she began, deciding to relive her own troubling memories, for Ala's sake.

"My master had sent me after the fabled secrets of Darth Parasideus. I managed to locate his tomb on the red planet, but I was..."

Kaila paused a moment, clearing her throat.

"...possessed."

"It lasted some years, I forget how long. I missed the Brynadul, the Mawites, the Ashlan crusade, I forget if the 10th Sith Empire had fallen in my time or not. I wasn't freed until shortly before the alliance Siege of Echnos, though I suppose I've recovered quickly, all things considered..."

Even now her signature in the force felt as if several people stood before Ala, evidence of her story perhaps, or of another yet unspoken?

She did not sound fond of these memories, despite having been spared from the harshest wars of recent history. But would she have been better prepared now if her training had not been so delayed? Sometimes she still wondered if she was capable of the great tasks with which she had been charged.

"To be honest I'm... still coming to terms with that failure. Even if The Empress believes in me, though I suppose she'd not have knighted me in the field otherwise."

Her eyes flicked up at Ala's outstretched hand, and for a moment, she swore she could see a smile faintly in the dark beyond. It dragged her back out of the depths in her own mind, and even if failure still clung to her lungs, she could breathe a little easier when she took Ala by the hand.

"Never know where the flow will take you,"

"Mm. I'm usually one to fight the current, but..." she chuckled at the irony.

"Perhaps one day you'll know what it took to make this exception."



Ala Quin

 

[Ala Quin]

Even as she stepped through the water, allowing the flow to carry her as much as possible, Ala listened intently. She stopped suddenly at the revelation of possession, causing Kaila to bump into back. The Jedi spun around and looked up, her headlamp shining straight in the blonde woman's eyes.

If Kaila were even able to see Ala's face beyond the shining light, she would clearly see concern etching every possible spot that her face could wrinkle. If her expression could be read, it would clearly have said, "Tell me who to fight to help you."

"You were possessed...by an ancient...spirit...for years?" She said slowly. The water washed around them, the eddies forcing them together. Ala hugged Kaila, squeezing tighter than she meant too.

"Are you OK? What broke you out of it? Please say you won't go back there. Do you still feel it in any way? Is there anything I can do to help you? It must have been horrible, if you need to talk about how it felt, I am here for you," she said quickly, all her words almost too faint to be heard above the rush of the water. But her intent was clear.

Her ear was pressed against Kaila's chest, just above her heart. The noticeable increase in its rate soothed Ala's soul. It was a good reaction. A confirming reaction. She did not let go. This wasn't easy for Kaila. She understood that now. She understood that Ala herself was an aberration to the Sith. It was something she should have assumed already.

She finally, after what felt like an age, pulled away from the embrace. The light shone again in Kaila's face. "Oh...sorry!" Ala said, and looked away, though her eyes strained to look sideways and up into Kaila's yellow eyes.

"I am glad...for my sake...that you went with the flow," she said, with surprising sheepish, "you have given me...so much hope. That is very selfish of me."

She pulled away, clearing her throat and turning into the flow of the current again. For some reason, she nervously played with her left ear. Her fingers pinching and poking at the elven shape.

She moved on with silence for a time. However, it was noticeable that her speed had increased, a sense of urgency to determined strides through the water. Eventually, she approached a bend. There she stopped. They had been descending steadily for quite some time. Knowing they would have to go the opposite direction, against the flow of water, meant that energy would have to be conserved in some ways. Still, Ala, was breathing heavily from her pace when she turned around with a grin, and then flicked off her head lamp.

They were plunged into an eery darkness.

"Just wait. Let your eyes adjust," she whispered, again barely audible above the rushing water.

Slowly, her eyes adjusted to the light levels. Beyond Ala, from around the bend, shone a faint blue and green glow. It was ethereal. More ambient than direct lighting. And there was life there. The cavern around the corner was easily perceived through Force by all the many little critters that sat waiting, and glowing, as they heard to intruders approach.

Kaila Irons

 

[Kaila Irons]

"Mmph-" Kaila walked into Ala in the dark, about to step back and apologize when in the same breath, Ala suddenly spun and shone her light directly in the sith lord's face. A sith lord who spent most of her time of late indoors, in a library.

On a world where each ray of sunlight fought through polluted clouds to reach the ground.

She was practically blind whilst Ala went into a protective episode.

Still, Kaila could feel them pushed into a comforting embrace, and she found herself blinking for a new reason. Ala spoke every bit quickly as her racing heartbeat, but as they reached her mind, the relentless assault of emotion and lingering strain on her eyes brought a single tear forth. She was quiet for a time, but wrapped her arms tightly around Ala.

"...It was horrific." she whispered upon a quivering breath, holding on a little tighter.

"I... I resisted, my mind could not be consumed... but my body... I've had control stolen from me by sith before, but this was... different."

Kaila sniffled, resting her chin atop the shorter woman's head.

Ala was one of a select few which Kaila could even conceive of talking to about these things, and perhaps the only one she had since that day. Honestly she was amazed that she had opened up at all, but she supposed it was only fair, given some of the things Ala had shared with her.

But would the jedi still trust her, if she knew what the young darth had done to survive?

"I'm uhm... I'm fine now," she said after a time, her hold of Ala fading until eventually they embraced no longer.

"...they can't hurt me anymore."

The light shone again in Kaila's face. "Oh...sorry!"

"It's fine."

Even behind Kaila's shielding hand, it was hard to hide that look of concern. Or perhaps regret, a subtle fear even, of things yet to come. Possibilities, outcomes factored in to every word and action made.

Anxiety.

She needed this. She needed Ala... and she couldn't bear to let anything happen which might ruin this, whatever this was. Even if she knew deep down just how easily she could bring it all crashing down with one mistake.

"I am glad...for my sake...that you went with the flow," she said, with surprising sheepish, "you have given me...so much hope. That is very selfish of me."

Well, maybe not that easily.

"That so...?" she smiled, despite everything.

Honestly Kaila wasn't sure how she could inspire hope in anyone. She was a monster, and worse things. Yet this woman had invited her into her life all the same, and no matter her own opinions, Kaila was thankful for that.

"That's fine," she whispered as she caught up.

"You inspire selfish feelings in me."

Kaila kissed her ear as she passed, knowing what the little gesture meant. But this wasn't merely a distraction from her darker thoughts, though it certainly was this too, rather she also enjoyed those little things which made the elven woman happy. And if she were happy, so too was Kaila.

And so she let her take the lead once more, satisfied with her moment of mischief now passed, and ever eager to see what the jedi planned to show her. Kaila's heavy bones saw to it that she pushed through the current after her a little more easily, allowing her to stay close by, occasionally giving her shoulder a gentle squeeze, a silent reminder that she wouldn't let her float away if the water gave her trouble.

When Ala turned, her grin was met with a gentle smile in kind, though the sudden absence of light gave way to confusion, her glowing eyes visibly widening in the dark.

"Just wait. Let your eyes adjust," she whispered, again barely audible above the rushing water.

"Ah?"

Kaila paused a moment, eyes tracing dim surroundings until...

"...what is this place?"

She wondered aloud, wading through the water and into the mysterious glow.

"I can... feel them, all around. How fascinating."



Ala Quin

 

[Ala Quin]

Her legs were still jelly. That kiss. That kiss. She was leaning against the wall recovering from Kaila's soft kiss on her ear. Ala wondered why she was resisting the urge that was taking her so completely. Just kiss her back. Give into it. It would be so easy.

No. They were here for a reason. Ala had a purpose beyond...that kiss.

Her mind took several moments to catch up with Kaila's words. Even though the glow of the cavern was now enough to see rocky edges, and jutting wooden beams, Ala only saw Kaila. She pushed against the flow, defying its drive towards destiny, and bounced up on to her tip toes. Within a heart beat, she had wrapped her arms around Kaila's neck and pulled the Sith's head down towards hers. Ala kissed her.

It was the type of kiss that said something. And with every motion of her lips, Ala wrote the words upon Kaila's mouth. You are mine.

After a few flustered, imperfect, breathless moments of kissing, Ala pulled back and stepped away from the blonde woman. "Ahem," she said, clearing her throat. She tucked a few loose hairs behind her head and looked everywhere but into Kaila's eyes. Fear gripped her that she may have been too forward, may have been too...possessive.

She smacked her tender lips together, making a popping sound. "Any....way..." And she spun about and into the final bend of their journey.

She was just hoping that Kaila was following now. Her mind reeled, and heart raced. There were a million questions about whether any of this was appropriate, or viable should it progress beyond this zone of complete fascination and adoring affection. What am I doing? I can't exactly take her home to meet the family...

The cave she walked into immediately drove away those thoughts, at least for the time being. What she saw brought an awe-induced smile across her face. It had worked. She had successfully introduced the Onderon glowworms to a different world and they were thriving. The cavern positively shone with the blue green bioluminescent glow of the Force-linked 'glowies'. Just below where Ala stood, was the pool that she had found and chosen this site for. The pool itself glowed with a faint glow similar to that of the bugs that made the room look like a planetarium

She turned back to Kaila. "It worked...I introduced the worms into this cave...first time ever that it has been successful...they are Force-linked," Ala was spurting out factoids as she hurriedly removed her wetsuit, modesty being somewhat maintained by the swimwear beneath. She didn't seem to even notice if Kaila was staring. By the time the wetsuit was tossed to the side, she was already half way down the series of rocks that led into the pool.

She dipped her toes in. It was on the colder side, but not horridly so. It was easily something she could adjust too. She was already half way into the pool when she turned back and the excitement faded. This was where she realised Kaila may turn back and forfeit this opportunity.

"The glowworms produce a substance that aides in entering a serenity trance. It calms the spirit. If one is open to it...it permits those in close proximity...a place of perfect peace in which to meet and converse...free...of all life's troubles," she said.

Her face was easily readable. Kaila could easily turn this down. It would make sense.

"It is something that...I think...only Jedi can do...but...if you would let me...I can help."

Kaila Irons

 

[Kaila Irons]

"So, what exactly..."​

"...are we"​

Kaila glanced over her shoulder, only to then turn towards Ala, frozen like an Alderaanian deer in the headlights.

"...looking at"

Her. She was looking at her. And there was something about the way she looked at her that she didn't know how to respond, Yet she wanted Ala to look at her this way all the same.

Before she could formulate intelligent words, Ala pulled her down to the jedi's level, and the need for words passed them by as easily as the breeze. The rapids however, and the currents of fate they had crossed to reach this point, crashed around them. Yet they stood there defiantly still, a Jedi and a Sith, locked in an embrace which anchored them against the odds.

When their lips parted, Kaila found herself smiling shyly.

Not shyly as Ala however, who seemed incapable of eye contact now. Admittedly Kaila would have had trouble doing in the same if their roles were reversed, and so she let her by without a word, her smile giving way to a sheepish grin.

There were no more doubts in her mind that Ala still felt the same as she, and for that she was thankful.

Kaila followed deeper into the cavern, hands clasped behind her back, feeling rather pleased with the situation now. She could see Ala's smile as they approached the light at the end, and though the sight was no less amazing, nor did Ala's impassioned info dump fall on deaf ears, Kaila found herself taking only cursory glances at the scene, still lost in the moment and in Ala. The way the soft blue and green hues fought to shine through the curled edges of her hair, or reflected in her dark eyes. The way it refracted from each droplet which fell from her wetsuit as it was peeled away and discarded in an awed trance.

The scene itself was beautiful.

But just like as she had observed when she wore that summer dress when they first met, Ala had a way of adding beauty to the world all her own.

When she spoke again, Kaila blinked herself awake, feeling as though her heart had stopped for a time. It took a moment to process what Ala was telling her, and even when she thought to have understood them, the true gravity of what they were about to do was lost on the star struck sith.

"A trance...?"

She took idle steps forward, casting her gaze about the glowing cavern whilst collecting her thoughts.

"I... I suppose I wouldn't be a very good sorceress if I refused to try new things, hm?"

She looked to Ala then, and it occurred to her that perhaps the Jedi's presence would be calming enough to pull this off, if she allowed it to be. And so with one last hesitant glance over her shoulder at the pitch black from which they came, she chose to wonder into the light. With a deep, steadying breath, Kaila unzipped her bodyglove, revealing her deceptively unblemished fair skin, broken up only by the dark reds of her own swimwear as she approached, dropping her suit not far from Ala's before gently sliding herself into the cool water.

"Oh dear," she stammered.

"I could warm up the water for us though?"



Ala Quin

 

[Ala Quin]

"A sorceress?" Ala said, expression showing curiosity. There was so much to unpack with this woman. And Ala wanted to know it all.

Her eyes never left the visage of Kaila as she walked down. She did however step further into the water, and launch out into the pool. Ala swam backwards, her hands sculling to propel her back. Her feet were well above the deep end of the pool by the time Kaila dipped her toes in.

Ala struggled to focus. The word gorgeous bounced around in her head like a spooked mouse. She took a moment to respond to Kaila's comment on the water temperature.

"It's not so bad...when you get in..."

Twisting, she slipped under the surface of the lightly glowing water, and took a few moments to swim about in the refreshingly cool water. The Force seemed to live in these waters. As she moved through, she felt her connection to the Living Force. Her mind reached forth towards Kaila in a gentle caress.

She rose from the water, hands running over her face and slicking back her now straightened hair. Feet kicked, and hands waved towards the bottom of the pool, as Ala maintained her station. "I honestly didn't expect you to question the trance bit about what I said...figured the serenity aspect might raise an eyebrow," she said, expression a mix of mischief and curiosity.

It was then that the mischief won out. Ala slapped the water before with cupped hands. The ensuing splash of water was near perfectly aimed at Kaila, spraying across her legs and leaving small beads of glowing water to trickle downwards. Ala didn't miss how it highlighted the contours of Kaila's muscular physique.

"Come you big baby! Get in the water!"

Kaila Irons

 

[Kaila Irons]

"Sorceress, enchantress, witch. I've become a lot of things, trying to break free."

She gave a melancholy chuckle, glancing at the waters below.

There was hardly a reflection to look back up at her, not even a shadowed silhouette. Normally there would have been eyes staring back at her like embers, a reminder of what she had become, of what fate had made her. But here with Ala in this cave, with waters which shone back like piercing starlight through that façade, there was nothing, and no one, to tell Kaila who she was.

In this place, she could be anyone.

"Hmh." she smiled faintly, glancing up at Ala.

Only for her eyes, and her grin, to widen as the water was thrown at her.

"Okay, okay! I'm coming."

Kaila slipped slowly into the water at first, only to suddenly sink, her metal skeleton nearly pulling her to the bottom. For a few moments, it was as if she'd disappeared entirely, the rippling pool soon returning to it's still serenity.

That is until she shot up out of the water behind Ala, throwing her arms around the smaller woman as if she were a shark risen from the depths. Thankfully she was just tall enough compared to Ala to keep her head above the water even at the deep end, else this would have been more difficult.

"That's for splashing me!" she giggled softly.

"And this," Her chin came to rest on Ala's shoulder, bringing them close enough to whisper as she held her close.

"...Is to warm me up while I get used to the temperature."

"Now, what were you saying about serenity?" she sighed sweetly, nuzzling into her neck.

"This feels close enough to me."



Ala Quin

 

[Ala Quin]

"Kaila?" Ala said, frowning as her friend dropped like a stone into the water below.

Nothing happened for a moment. Ala could still sense her, but the pool clouded her precision. "Kaila!" Ala said, as she started to swim towards where she saw Kaila disappear. Ala's heart started thumping. It pretty much stopped when she felt movement under the surface near her legs. She was too slow to turn around, being wrapped up by Kaila's strong arms and pulled into an embrace.

Relief flooded Ala's thoughts. Followed by a rash of what ifs, and needless self-blame. She had not almost gotten Kaila killed but it felt like it. It felt like she had almost lost Kaila.

Even as Kaila laughed, and held her close, Ala was in the midst of realising just how much loss she would have experienced. It was a level of emotion that she had not expected. She realised it was grief for what could have been more than what was, but 'what was' was certainly nothing that she wished to lose either.

Ala quickly rubbed a wet hand across her face to disguise what she thought may have been tears, and then she leaned back into Kaila's embrace.

"It feels warmer in here already," Ala whispered, her head tilting to welcome Kaila's ministrations.

"Just hold on to me, Kaila...not just physically...reach out with your mind," she whispered, trying not to get caught up in the physical thrill when there was so much more to unlock in this cavern.

Ala fought back the rising tempest of desire, to calm her spirit, and allow the light in the water to penetrate her being. Eyes closed, she pulled at Kaila's thoughts, urging her to follow. The world around Ala started to warp and fade into an ethereal glow...

Her eyes opened. As if transported elsewhere, Ala now stood as if on the surface of a great placid lake. In the far off distance, the shadows of majestic mountains made their presence known at every angle. Despite those peaks that rose from the horizon, there was just the silvery shimmer of the great lake on which Ala stood.

Peace washed over her. The Force itself opened like a flower. Ala could smell the living presence of creatures across the span of the galaxy.

Everything was perfect. Save for one person that she hoped would follow her here.

Kaila Irons

 

[Kaila Irons]

"Hmh. gladly."

Kaila closed her eyes and smiled. The temptation to kiss into Ala's neck was strong, yet she fought off the urge, knowing by the pulsing vein against her smooshed cheek that Ala was plenty excited already, perhaps too much so for what they were attempting. Still, she might feel Kaila's lips curl into a little smirk against her damp skin.

They stayed like this for a time, embraced in that pool until neither the temperature nor the world outside could bother her. Even Ala's pulse seemed to beat slower now.

"Ala..." she spoke up after a time.

"I just want you to know happy this makes me. I spent so long thinking about the day we met, and why I left... I panicked because... because I thought it was too good to be true. That the force put you in my path... so that it had something to take away."

"But it hurt to be apart, you know, even knowing that may be the case. Please, tell me that whatever this is, that it's true...?"

"...Ala?"

Kaila opened her eyes, studying those perfect features which Ala comprised.

"Oh..." she sighed.

"The trance."


With a sigh, she nuzzled back into the Jedi, and focused on her calmer breathing, allowing it to guide her into a meditative state. It took time, but eventually the young sith began to take shape within this strange new world. Golden hair rose from the shining lake before Ala's dreaming avatar, soon cascading over slender shoulders and soft, fair skin.

She stirred gently as if woken from a peaceful sleep by the first rays of sunlight, and for the first time, Ala would greet silver eyes, casting a the lake's glow like pale moonlight.

At first they traced the traced the shadowed mountains beyond with cautious curiosity, but as they settled upon Ala, all worry left her.

"What is this place?" she smiled in awe.



Ala Quin