Private Freedom is Not for the Weik

[Kirie]

Location: Weik, approaching Cephis
With: Quinn Varanin

It was the day of her seventeenth birthday. She was wandering the forest alone, picking her way across the snow-strewn ground. Around her stood the remnants of an ancient building reduced to a few windblown pillars. Atop a hill at the centre of the structure, she kicked aside a large flat stone, revealing something buried beneath it: A strange glass sphere, warm to the touch, that bathed her face in soft light.
Without thinking Kirie knelt, and picked it up.

"Hey Quinn, come look."

Kirie carefully unwound the bandage around her arm, moving slowly. She needn't have been so careful. The skin was smooth and pristine. It was seeing what lay beneath the bandage that scared her. Scared her so much that she had refused to take it off after Quinn had healed it, and had instead sat, hyperventilating, while she gathered the courage to take it off. Eyes half closed, almost unable look, Kirie removed the final turn of the cloth, revealing...

Nothing. Just bare skin, a slight gap in Kirie's freckles where the new flesh had grown. There was no brand, not even an impression of it. Kirie let out the breath she hadn't realised she'd been holding. The mark of the Kainate was truly gone. Kirie looked up to Quinn, showing off her bare arm and grinning.

Removing the bandage was actually a welcome distraction from the spaceflight. Quinn's shuttle was beginning its descent towards the planet's surface, something that made Kirie feel sick for a number of reasons, chiefly because she hated starships. Kirie could count one one hand the number of trips she had taken since the crash of the Arkadia, and all of them she had spent shivering in a corner, or sick in a bucket. With Quinn by her side the whole time, this journey had been more bearable, but she still screwed her eyes shut and clung to Quinn every time the ship shook.

The other reason Kirie was dreading their vessel touching down, was due to a different kind of fear. Kirie had been left with nothing when she had been dropped into the Sith Empire, then she had desperately clung to the scraps of normalcy she had been able to find, and eventually managed to build something resembling a life there. But, Kirie's life in the Empire, her life with Quinn, was based on the pretense that her allies were helping her go home, even if it seemed the longer time went on that nobody really wanted that anymore.

And now, here she was. In a few minutes, the shuttle's landing legs would settle onto the icy ground of Weik's northern reaches, and then, like a spell being broken, she would be home. She had to come back, of course she did, and she would only be here for a little while before she returned to Jutrand with Quinn. But Kirie was terribly afraid that she was somehow ruining everything, and the heavy feeling in her gut was unshakeable.

What Kirie did not fear, at least, was what awaited her down below. Her town was a known quantity. She knew what she would face in Cephis, because every face was familiar to her. She knew what was coming, and she was ready for it.

"We're nearly there."

Kirie placed an arm around Quinn and leaned her head on her shoulder seeking comfort in her touch. The Princess was as collected as always, but Kirie knew she must be filled with worry and sorrow. Quinn had not wanted Kirie to go. She still didn't want it. Kirie hated making anyone feel that way, but especially not Quinn. It pained her, but it was her path. She just hoped that after this journey was completed she could take Quinn's hand and go home. Not to Weik, but Jutrand.

"Have you got your coat? It's going to be nighttime when we arrive, and cold." It was early autumn on Weik, which where Kirie had grown up meant near perpetual darkness and consistent snowfalls, which as winter approached, would become blinding whiteouts that nearly buried the town.

The ship shuddered and Kirie winced. She felt the artificial gravity shift slightly, a sign that they were slowing, coming in to land a short walk away from Cephis. It was nearly time.

 

[Quinn Varanin]

//: Kirie //:
//: Weik, Cephis //:
//: Attire //:

The flight from Jutrand to Weik was short despite the travel time having been several days. Quinn had dragged her feet planning the shuttle, knowing that the moment they boarded, Kirie was no longer hers. Quinn minded her time with the woman, enjoying the brief enjoyments of her company. Her heart ached after all of it, but she was happy she could share these precious last moments together. Kirie had become so embedded into her heart that it was hard to imagine the Princess without her handmaiden, a lady in waiting that was hard to replace. Especially one who cared for her Princess with precious intimacy.

The princess' amber gaze lit up from the excitement of her lady's exclamation. Slowly, the bandages fell away, and Quinn reached out to touch the delicate skin of her beloved. "It healed well; I'm quite proud of myself." she grinned and laughed gently, "Of course, you did a lot of the work as well." Quinn nodded, letting her hand reach and caress the Weikian woman's cheek. Her thumb brushed against the woman's cheek, and her hand fell away as her attention went to the small announcements from the small crew of the shuttle. While Quinn knew how to pilot, she wanted to allow them to share as much time together as possible.

"Still bothers you?" Quinn spoke, concerned, as she turned to face Kirie. She could feel the fear and the unease spilling from the woman. As much as she tried, Quinn couldn't fully ease the woman's suffering regarding the shuttle - at least it was as smooth as the pilot could. The shuttle fell from hyperspace, and they drew closer to the planet, as Kirie had mentioned. Having lived in space with her parents for some time, Quinn's resistance to space sickness was high - but her stomach now churned. Nerves rose as she could feel her throat drying. There was nothing to quell her distaste for what was happening, but the Echani knew the girl wanted this.

It was always the plan; Kirie was never to be hers forever, despite the woman wanting to return. Quinn's mind refocused as the landing gear crushed the ice and snow under it. Kirie had asked her something and suddenly was against her. The Princess had refrained from sharing their relationship with the personnel that had traveled with them. Quinn was one to keep her closest a secret, but right now, she didn't care. The group was a small, trusted guard from the Imperial palace, hand-picked by her mother to protect her cherished child. Quinn pulled Kirie into an embrace, sensing the need for comfort. Her fine silk shirt was thin enough for her to nearly feel the natural heat of the woman's body and the beating of her racing heart.

"I do," she whispered in response; her jacket was prepared along with travel gear. Kirie would be leaving with enough credits to last her a lifetime on Weik, along with gifts and clothing, so she would never be left wanting. It wouldn't be right not to allow Kirie to continue to live the life she had become accustomed to. Quinn held the brunette tightly, burying her face into her shoulder. "I'm going to miss you," Quinn whispered; she could hear the crew moving things off the ship and preparing to head to Kirie's hometown.

They had a moment, and Quinn pulled back to hold Kirie's face. Tears welled in her eyes but never fell - the Princess keeping her composure as her upbringing commanded. She wanted to try to persuade her lover to have one more night alone, to convince her she didn't need to be home, and one more night just for them to be without the reminder of their truths.

Quinn kissed her gently and rested her forehead against Kirie's. Pulling back, Quinn convinced herself to ignore what her heart wanted. "Looks like everything is packed up and ready. Let's take you home…" Quinn let her hands fall and grabbed Kirie's hand. Despite her desire to keep their relationship a secret, she would let it be known now in hopes that it would protect Kirie in her home.

"I can only stay a short time. With war on the horizon, I need to prepare; I will leave you with guards - to protect you and your mother. I'll come back for you when you're ready." Quinn paused as she wrapped the layers of clothing and jacket. "If I can't return, I'll send Anathemous." Her voice was quiet- scary as it was - she had to return. She had done once already for Kirie and would keep doing so.

Quinn didn't allow Kirie a moment to respond. She pulled the woman with her down the ramp while signalling the guards to follow. According to Kirie, the walk was short, so she allowed the woman to take the lead.

"Welcome home, Kirie," Quinn leaned over and whispered in the woman's ear.

 

[Kirie]

They placed the crystal in the square. A grey stone podium with metallic braces that held it aloft. The valley was dark in the wintertime, a land of perpetual shadow. Kirie had brought them daylight. They stood huddled on the flagstones, basking in the warm glow. The village head had declared the monument would be named after her family. The Corsell Stone.

​

"I'm going to miss you,"

Quinn released her, and Kirie felt the cool touch of Quinn's hand on her face, She closed her eyes and leaned into it. Like Quinn, she did not weep, even though she wanted to.

"I'm going to miss you too." said Kirie. She rose onto her tiptoes and gave Quinn a quick peck on the cheek, one that could be observed by the crew as merely a show of gratitude. Kirie wanted to linger in the kiss, to take ahold of Quinn again and savour the sensation of her lips, but she knew better, so she just settled back, and give Quinn a bashful smile.

But Quinn leaned forward, cupping her face in that way she did, kissing Kirie properly in return. Warmth flowed through her. It was so like Quinn to be brazen, bold. Kirie was grateful for it. The lingering feeling of their kiss gave her some strength, made her braver. She hoped she would be brave enough to let Quinn leave.

"I'm scared." Kirie whispered, her nose already reddening in the cold. She buried her face in Quinn's shoulder, her voice muffled. "Oh Quinn, I'm really scared."

The landing ramp opened with a hum and a whine. The loading dock was suddenly full of cool air and the smell of the mountains, the smell of Kirie's home. She hesitated, but Quinn's insistence kept her moving down the ramp. Another thing to be grateful for. When they emerged from under the shuttle, Kirie stopped, her eyes scanning the landscape beyond.

From the top of the small hill where they had landed, Cephis unfurled below. Little houses dotted the valley, their lights twinkling faintly, the only sign of life in what was otherwise a wild and empty landscape. The sky was a carpet of stars, and the moonlight shone bright enough to silhouette the tall staight trees which surrounded the town. The mountains hulked further back, overtaking the horizon. Formidible, yet comforting, as their shapes were so familiar to Kirie. The whole scene had been coated in a dusting of snow that crunched underfoot as they walked. There was no denying it was a spectacular place, and a beautiful night.

Kirie's hand gripped Quinn's firmly. Though she knew that she would soon have to make do without her for awhile, she couldn't make herself let go of her hand. Instead, she savoured the sensation of her touch, and did her best to commit this scene to memory, the scent of the trees' needles, the chill breeze, the dappled moonlight that played over their skin. She would hold it all in her mind until they returned to each other, and could make new memories.

"My house was- Um, is, on the edge of town." said Kirie nervously. "Not far." She started down the path, Quinn's hand in hers, with the precession of guards and luggage trundling along behind, keeping a respectful distance. There were many things Kirie had discussed with Quinn in her time at the house on Jutrand. They had talked about her favourite stories and songs, and Kirie's hatred of dessert had been mentioned many times. But, there were a few things Kirie never spoke of: the crash that had brought her to the Sith, and Cephis.

The path was not lit, but the night was bright enough for them to wind their way down the hill with ease. They passed a couple of houses. These ones were devoid of light, and one of them had been boarded up. Kirie swallowed. The town was unchanged from when she'd left it, and the abandoned buildings had been there for years. Now she was seeing them from a different perspective.

They turned a corner, and Kirie's eyes widened. She had been expecting it, but still the sight of her house was shocking. It was right there, at the end of a small branching path of small stones, a squat one-storey cottage, a dark tiled roof, natural stone walls, and dark, unlit windows. Concern gripped Kirie's heart. Why was it so dark inside? She pushed it down, her mum had probably gone to bed early.

"This is it." said Kirie, her voice barely louder than the freezing wind that wound its way around them. "Where I grew up." Kirie shifted from foot to foot, waiting a long time before she finally walked up to the dark metal door. "Would it be okay if you, uh, waited outside for a moment?" Kirie gave Quinn a reassuring smile, but she couldn't keep the worry from her eyes.

 

[Quinn Varanin]

//: Kirie //:
//: Weik, Cephis //:
//: Attire //:

Quinn followed quietly; she admired the houses they passed, not recognizing their style. She had never seen anything like the town Kirie had grown up in; the Princess wondered if more outer rim planets were built like this, being so far from modernized capitals like Jutrand. There was a charm to it, and despite the smoothing of Kirie's palm, Quinn could understand the reasons for the roughness. The town was very quiet and peaceful. Everything that Quinn missed about Eshan.

They walked, and Quinn listened to Kirie; there was a familiarity in her steps as they walked. Very different from when they walked around Jutrand. Quinn wasn't' used to being led, but it was a welcomed change from their usual outings. Hearing Kirie speak again, Quinn's eyes left the barred homes and to the woman beside her. "Oh?" She answered as it was mentioned that Kirie's family home was on the outskirts. Having the house be far from town but not that far would mean the guards wouldn't attract too much attention, and there would be fewer worries. There was a welcomed relief that came with the news. "It sounds wonderful." Quinn smiled as she continued to follow. Every step and crunch of the snow haunted the Princess - they drew ever so closer to the end of the road.

Quinn wanted to ask about the boarded-up homes. It seemed there was a darker story to this town than Kirie was letting on. It would explain the potential reason why Kirie had become a Kainite slave. Once again, the Princess took in the town—it wasn't particularly rich; in fact, it seemed to have had some struggle. Her brow furrowed, wondering if this forsaken town had sold the girl into slavery to pay for something.

Maybe Kirie's mother had debts that couldn't be paid only with coins. Quinn quelled the fury in her chest, especially when Kirie turned to her. They had arrived; the end of the road had come. "Stay outside?" Quinn asked, surprised. Never in her days had she been asked to remain outside; the Echani looked around to make sure she had heard the Weikian woman right. "I guess, yes?" The guards looked as surprised as the Princess. Still, she figured surprising one's mother with a princess, luggage, and a horde of guards after being away for so long. "I'll wait outside, but don't keep me waiting too long." Quinn feigned a pout as she refused to release Kirie.

The pout faded into a mischievous grin. A swirl of the Force gently pulled Kirie to the Princess, and an arm found its place in the small of the woman's back. Secrecy be damned for now; Quinn had it in her mind that their time on Weik was going to be the last time they would share these moments together.

Reality was their enemy, but at least for a bit longer, Quinn could have Kirie. The Princess' free hand gently caressed the smaller woman's face, memorizing its gentleness in her palm and the sight of her beautiful chestnut eyes. "Kirie," Her voice barely above a whisper, "before our dream ends, I just.." She paused, leaning in slowly, "I wanted to tell you - I'm in love with you…" The Princess gently kissed the woman with a smile before releasing her quickly. Before she could answer, she pushed her along to the door to see her mother.

 

[Kirie]

Everyone was sick. The kind of sick that made your blood sour in your veins, leaving nothing but a shell. It had started gradually enough not to notice. It took her girlfriend, then her father. Half the town by then. They had called doctors and miracle workers, but nothing had helped. Finally, a passing Jedi came to offer his wisdom. It did not take him long to find the source of the rot: The crystal, shining in the square. Some sort of Dark artifact.

'Who did this?' he cried. 'Who brought this here?'

And all their eyes turned to her.

​

"Stay outside?"

Kirie looked embarrassed. She was not usually the type to give Quinn instructions. Though she didn't really consider Quinn her superior anymore, or fear speaking out, Kirie still preferred to listen to the Princess and follow her lead. That had been flipped on its head after they had landed on Weik. It was her that led the precession into town, it was her who told Quinn to wait outside. That felt wrong.

"I won't keep you waiting." Kirie promised, "I'll just be a minute or two-"

Kirie felt the now-familiar disembodied yank of the Force pull her backwards, and she yelped, losing her balance as she turned, but falling smoothly into Quinn's arms as if she was leading Kirie in a dance and they had just finished a twirl. Kirie opened her mouth to protest- why couldn't Quinn just trust her to go inside first- but then Kirie saw the expression on her face and her irritation soften to amusement, and then, when she heard the whispered words, shock.

"Kirie, before our dream ends, I just... I wanted to tell you - I'm in love with you…"

Kirie's mouth hung agape, the admission had actually rendered her speechless. She struggled to make herself say something, but she couldn't do it. She let Quinn guide her into the kiss and that was enough to restart her brain. Happiness flooded her with such intensity it locked her muscles and flooded every part of her body, even before Quinn broke the kiss Kirie's hands were shaking and she was bouncing up and down excitedly. They broke away, and Kirie again opened her mouth to speak-

Quinn shoved her.

It wasn't very hard, but Kirie wasn't expecting it at all, so instead of gently pushing her towards the house like Quinn had undoubtedly intended, Kirie simply tripped and smacked into the metal door with a dull clang. She shook her head, slightly dazed, and turned back to face Quinn. Kirie had known Quinn long enough to realise what she was doing, pushing Kirie towards the house to avoid having to hear her response. Kirie gave her a sympathetic smile. It was a nice try, but if Quinn was going to be so vulnerable, then Kirie would be too. Everything else could wait, even Cephis.

"Princess Quinn Varanin." said Kirie, taking her hands. "Your Highness, Heir to the Empire. When this dream ends, I want to wake up beside you."

Kirie gazed unwavering into Quinn's hazel eyes. Standing on the stoop, she stood as tall to Quinn as the Princess usually was to her. She moved her arm, placing Quinn's hand on her jaw, thumb resting on her chin, just as it had been on that evening on Echnos. Kirie closed her eyes and smiled. She leaned forward, into a long, slow kiss, long enough to make her lungs hurt. When she broke away, Quinn would be able to feel Kirie's happy tears on her face. Kirie laughed shyly and wiped her eyes.

"I'm in love with you too." said Kirie. "I have been for a long time."

She could sense Quinn's doubt, her worry that this was the final time they could be themselves together. Kirie felt it too, but she did not believe it. Quinn was the best thing that had ever happened to her. She would never let her slip away so easily. She would claw and struggle her way back to Quinn's arms. Standing in front of the house she'd been raised in, she finally realised she no longer thought of it as her home. Home was back on Jutrand, in the large four poster bed she shared with Quinn.

"Oh stars" Kirie cried out suddenly. "Now I have to introduce you to my mum."

Kirie's heart was pounding. Her blood rushed with a mix of pleasure and nerves. Kirie felt shaky, like if she stopped, she would be unable to move forward anymore, so she gave Quinn another quick kiss and turned back to the door, reaching out to enter the entry code on the keypad. Her fingers danced across the keys, acting on muscle memory. With an electronic click, the door slid open, revealing a darkened front room.

"Be right back." Kirie murmured, and walk into the house.

​

She could tell something was wrong immediately. The air inside the house was stale, and when she'd stepped inside, Kirie had kicked up some of the thick layer of dust that coated the floor, making her eyes water. Her jaw set, Kirie walked stiffly forward, deeper into the house. The moonlit night was her only guide, her footsteps were so loud, making the floorboards creak horribly. Kirie wanted to turn and run, but she didn't, wanted to cry out, but she was silent. She just continued forward, past her empty childhood bedroom, to the end of the hallway at the back of the house. Her mother, Kara's, room.

It was empty. The bed was neatly made, the sheets giving off a musty smell. There was nobody home. Nobody had been home in a long while. She felt her knees give out, thudding against the floor and kicking up a fresh wave of dust.

"Quinn!" Kirie cried out, finally finding her voice. "Please!"

Kirie felt herself curling into a ball, all of her strength, all of her happiness and bravery leeching out of her, and into the cold wood. Something broke inside her, and she began to wail.

Quinn Varanin ​

 

[Quinn Varanin]

//: Kirie //:
//: Weik, Cephis //:
//: Attire //:

Kirie's words broke through the forced silence Quinn had put herself in. There was a fear that lingered with the feelings they had shared. Too many times before, Quinn felt love only to have it ripped from her. Only one love had remained steady throughout her life; she had loved her for longer than she could remember. Gentle touches along her hairline, soft, gentle, unspoken words, and protection the Princess knew would never falter. Srina Talon had been more than just her godmother; she was the steady figure that Quinn could lean on. She was more her mother than her birth parents, and no one could ever take the woman's place.

She had been the only love that Quinn knew to be true and unconditional.

Still, love terrified the young Sith. More often than not, tragedy struck the moment she allowed her heart to sing the melody of love. Her passion for the Zambrano heir drove her deeper into her madness. Vesta searched, unwilling to accept the devastating reason behind their meeting. A child devoid of affection finds it in the arms of her mother's murderer's offspring. Quinn's heart wasn't good enough. It wasn't enough to anchor Vesta to the reality they shared.

Quinn smiled as her hand rested gently on her chin, fingers dancing carefully against her lips. They had kissed, shared, and accepted the love that was there. Kirie had loved her for some time now - did Quinn miss it, or did she ignore it? She wondered how long the woman had held on to her feelings for the Princess. As she mused over the feelings of the brunette, Quinn paused as Kirie had been in her house longer than she had initially promised. The Force rippled and cried. Something was terribly wrong.

Before Kirie called out to the Princess, she had moved quickly, ready to deal with anything causing the emotional turmoil affecting the woman she loved. She nearly tore the door open as she pushed through the guards following her weapons drawn. The guards fanned out, and Quinn waved her hand; there was no danger, and Kirie didn't need to be startled further than she already was. "Kirie?" Quinn called to the woman; slowly, she walked into the room, seeing that it hadn't been disturbed till now. The dust had said it all, and she quickly understood the woman's cries on the floor.

"Oh, Kirie…" she moved to wrap her arms around the woman, knees taking the brunt of her fall. Quinn pulled the girl against her tightly, giving her any comfort she could. Without thinking, the room filled with her presence was one that Kirie would be familiar with. The calm warmth swirled around them, keeping Kirie tightly protected in their own world. Quinn wanted to bring Kirie back to Jutrand and return them to their dream where the Galaxy couldn't touch them.

"Kirie, what happened?" she whispered into the woman's ear as she continued to gently rock her, trying to soothe her.