Midnight Special

[Connor Harrison]

He didn’t know what the feeling was inside, but he knew it was why he had broken free from the shackles of the Jedi and the blinding Light. Though Ara’s answer was short, it was direct and to the point. She didn’t skirt the issue, or mask it.

Her eyes yet again told him more than the answer, and the feeling he felt was dark and dangerous.

The lust for violence he had hungered for but tried to deny, the thrill of the fight and the trophy of the kill. Connor saw it in her eyes, the pleasure one felt when taking a life for all the right reasons. He felt invincible, and her admission alone and confirmation that he was on the right path with those dark eyes and fatal smile made him want her like never before.

Instead, he took a drink. It was hot, and burnt a little. It didn’t bother him, much like his answer.

"Yes.”

The darkness was stirring in him, and releasing it only made him embrace it more. She was right – what was the point of anything if you denied it?

"Always in battle, and while I now stand with those I had to kill, it empowered me seeing their life drain from their eyes. That is power nobody else has at that moment. You have taken that life, and thus taken all their hopes and dreams and desires. That’s one step from being a God.”

He didn’t take his eyes from hers.

"The one who bombed Korriban, Charzon Loulan. She was a Silver Jedi fleet officer and while she wsa found guilty of treason to be locked in a prison on order of the Grandmaster, I opted to take her elsewhere. Back to Korriban and the waste ground she helped create, and there I snapped her neck and left her body for the Sith to do as they please. I knew what I wanted to do for the best, and I enjoyed it. From feeling my hands creep along and grip her hair, to the snap of bone. It was wonderful. Justice served.”

With that, he nodded in affirmation.

"I can't wait to be your ally and take the lives of those who stand against us. We will be unstoppable.”

[member="Ara Ren"]

 

[Ara Zambrano]

Ara saluted him with her mug for just a moment, a complete and total sense of understanding between the two. She knew his passion to kill, to fight, would create conflict with his ascent into the Ren, she could only hope he would find contentment in fighting and killing when ordered, and not out of the lust for blood and power.

It was something she struggled with at times, the urge to do, to fight, to further the Order's goals on her own. But she was a soldier, entrusted with the secrets and powers of the Ren and she would behave as such.

His admission of killing in the sense of justice gave her hope that he could do just that, that she was not wasting her time with someone who would reject their tenants and choose to move on without the flag of the Order behind him. Maybe, just maybe, he was in the right place.

"Your talents were wasted on the Jedi, but we are not gods. We fight for order and for duty, not for power."

She knew he would hear the lie betrayed in her voice. She did fight for order and for duty, but she fought for more. It was only in the cave at Dagobah had the girl even admitted to herself why she fought, why she feared, and she would not share that reason with anyone. Not even the man beside her.

It was a weakness, a liability.

"But you are right. We will be invincible."

[member="Connor Harrison"]

 

[Connor Harrison]

He was in some zone that she had tapped into. More focused. Sipping the tea, he nodded as he swallowed.

"Indeed."

With a little lick of the lips, a dash of coffee there he removed, Connor looked at her and sat back.

"But again your eyes tell me more than your answer. And your aura."

Connor turned his head a little, watching her and working out what was behind the rather static response. A girl who thrived on serving the darkness gave a wonderfully restrained response. A response that seemed part of an induction.

"I know you want more, but something tells me you're holding back. I don't know what, not yet."

And slowly he began to tap his fingers on the rear of the sofa his arm rested on, a smile waiting to form.

[member="Ara Ren"]

 

[Ara Zambrano]

Those emerald eyes, darkened by a lust for power and by harsh memories, locked onto his. For a moment, just a moment, the mask was gone. Humor, kindness, even lust wiped away, replaced by the slow burn of anger and calculation. Dropping her gaze to the dark tinted liquid in her cup, she took another sip, disappointed in the rapid cooling liquid.

When she glanced up again, the anger was gone, replaced by the same spark of mischief and teasing as before. It was tempered by the serious turn of their conversation, but the glimpse of darkness had fled.

"Careful who you analyze, Connor. You may find you don't like the answer. Or you may find yourself in more trouble than you can handle."

She raised an eyebrow, her tone teasing but laced with steel. Her eyes darted to his fingers tapping on the back of the couch, an amused smile returning at yet another glimpse of his nervous habits.

"Do you ever just sit still?"

She laughed and the sound chased away the dark shadows that had crept into their conversation. She was once again the flirting, coy Disciple of Ren, and he the infuriating, persistent ex-Jedi.

[member="Connor Harrison"]

 

[Connor Harrison]

Ignoring her response for a moment, he glanced to his fingers, and slammed them down in a flat palm.

"Too much caf and high blood pressure for one night. I can't help it...just a tick of mine."

Smiling at himself, trying not to move his fingers, he dropped his voice a little quieter, not needing to look at Ara.

"In that same breath, don't under-estimate those in weaker positions than you, Ara. For they have seen and experienced nightmares worse than you can possibly imagine and have lived to tell the tale, and could help you find just what it is you're really looking for."

Then, he turned, matching that steeled gaze she had a second ago.

"If you're brave enough to let them."

And just like that, his face changed to the amused one, eyes dropping to the tepid liquid in their cups.

"Oh! Did you want another...? I'm worried they'll wary of you being out so late."

[member="Ara Ren"]

 

[Ara Zambrano]

She watched as he stopped the small movements immediately and the effort it took to keep from returning to the habit. She grinned to herself, surprised that one little comment had affected him so much.

"When they prove that they have something to teach me, I will."

She met his gaze unflinchingly, purposefully taking the moment to finish the cooled beverage before handing over her mug with a tilt of her head.

"Who would worry? I can handle myself just fine, if you haven't forgotten already."

She chuckled at the idea of someone fretting over her lack of presence. The knights hardly kept the disciples under lock and key, content in knowing that they were within easy reach if something should arise.

[member="Connor Harrison"]

 

[Connor Harrison]

"Give them time."

Connor craned over to see the staff in dwindling numbers - some talking behind the bar, some cleaning. He collared one with a look and pointed to the cups. Then, he sat back and crossed his leg.

"And I know you can handle yourself, I wouldn't think for a second you couldn't."

The waiter, stifling a yawn, poured two fresh cups of coffee, one hand holding a tray, and then placed the jug down with the pot of cream and sugar.

"So when do you move up the ranks then," he said helping himself to the cream and sugar, "as in do you have trials to go through? Something like that?"

[member="Ara Ren"]

 

[Ara Zambrano]

She poured a small amount of cream and sugar into her coffee, stirring it lightly. Tapping the spoon on the edge of her cup, she pointed the spoon in her direction and mock glared at him.

"Still hunting for information, hmm? And here I was thinking we'd escape business for one evening."

She set the spoon down and leaned back against the couch, sipping contently. She risked a glance outside, watching some of the sparkling lights of the city going out as the hour crept later and later.

"Is that how you moved up in the Jedi Order? Trials? Or do the masters just decide when their padawans are ready?"

She glanced sidelong at him, wondering if he'd push the question or tell her about the past.

[member="Connor Harrison"]

 

[Connor Harrison]

Holding a hand up in surrender, he grinned and took a hot mouthful, warming his body all the way down.

"Mm, like you said, no business this evening. We can pick this up another day I'm sure in our...robes and natty cloaks and whatever."

He set the cup on his knee, holding it with one hand.

"That girl you were with tonight. The red-head. She a fellow....ah. Damn. No, forget it. That's business."

His head dropped in defeat.

"My bad."

[member="Ara Ren"]

 

[Ara Zambrano]

She chuckled and continued sipping the coffee.

"Robes and natty cloaks, hmmm? High opinion you have there."

Her eyes sparkled with humor and she debating telling him about her master's agreement to meet with the ex-Jedi. No, that would be business and would break her self-imposed rule.

"Don't worry, I promise we'll pick this up another day...in our robes and natty cloaks"

He could take from that what he would. She watched him ask he looked defeated, her grin growing. She couldn't resist the urge to needle him just a bit.

"Kaalia? She's my date. She doesn't like parties, so she's waiting for me back on the transport."

Her voice dropped back into the purr and she purposefully avoided looking at him, waiting for his reaction.

[member="Connor Harrison"]

 

[Connor Harrison]

That was a turn up for the books. Looking up with a raised brow, Connor sipped the coffee.

"She's your date? So you're a couple? Or friends. And she's waiting for you?"

Glancing over his shoulder at the digital clock above the bar and muttered under his breath before turning back.

"She's waiting for you to go back, or what? You better not get in trouble or anything because of me. I'd hate that."

His eyes cast a cheeky sparkle her way as he sipped.

"Really hate that indeed."

He would keep her to himself as long as possible and make the most of every second. Because quite often for him the seconds became all he had after when it all went wrong.

[member="Ara Ren"]

 

[Ara Zambrano]

She sipped her coffee, fighting the grin that wanted to emerge. Years of practice kept her expression neutral as she followed his gaze to the clock and furrowed her brow in mock frustration.

She strained to hear what he muttered, a true frown crossing her face as she failed to catch any of it.

"Oh kark, she's going to be so pissed. Guess I better buy some flowers on the way home."

She ignored the look he sent her, shifting on the couch to cross leg over the other. She sighed, leaning her head back as if defeated.

"At this point it's not going to make any difference, might as well finish my coffee."

She peered at him from lowered lids, the smile still trying to push its way through. She stifled a chuckle with a quick sip of her drink, nearly choking.

[member="Connor Harrison"]

 

[Connor Harrison]

She was his tonight, and that's all that mattered.

"Lucky girl."

He shot her a wink and downed the last of his coffee, taking back the sugary deposit at the bottom. Was she telling the truth? Maybe. Maybe not. Either way, it wasn't his place to pry. Yet.

"Just blame it on some gorgeous ex-Jedi who had a real thing for the Ren. She'll believe that."

And as he looked out across the city again, still alive even when it was so peaceful, he thought to himself, and glanced at her side on.

"Have you ever been to Star Point, on Jakku?"

This Kaalia could wait.

[member="Ara Ren"]

 

[Ara Zambrano]

Ara started coughing to cover a laugh at the first comment, turning into a true laugh.

"Gorgeous, huh? Someone is letting a few compliments get to his head."

She smiled at him, finishing her drink and setting the cup on the table in front of her. Taking advantage of their relaxed positions, she stretched out, legs bent just enough to keep her feet from his lap.

She followed his gaze out and shook her head at his question.

"One, grew up in Coruscant. Two, scared of heights. Three, Scared of heights."

She held up one hand and ticked off each reason the answer to that question should have been obvious, flashing him an amused smile.

[member="Connor Harrison"]

 

[Connor Harrison]

Connor gave a little pout.

"I may not have meant me… I was just saying…."

Without thinking, he splayed his hand on her feet, drawing his fingers up and down her ankles on foot gently, much like her tracing his hand; lazy circles, patterns and drawing with his fingers.

"The second I asked that I knew you’re answer. Totally forgot. If you ever master your fear one day I’d love to take you there – feels like you’re literally on top of the planet."

He looked at her, a thoughtful expression on his face.

"Have you travelled far in your time here? You must have been to a fair few places and seen a fair few things?”

[member="Ara Ren"]

 

[Ara Zambrano]

She flashed him a knowing smile, chuckling quietly. As he began tracing abstract designs lightly on the exposed skin, goosebumps broke out across her arms, the hair at the base of her neck rising at the pleasurable feeling. She splayed one hand on the armrest, flexing and nails digging into the fabric anytime he found a sensitive location.

She didn't bother to repress the shiver that ran down her spine as she considered the feeling of being up that high. She shook her head rather emphatically at the notion.

"I think that is one experience I'd be happy to forgo, sorry."

She flashed him an amused smile. Regardless of the suggestion itself, the back of her mind noted that it was a plan for the future. Another indication that he was serious about joining the order and possibly the Ren. As soon as she realized what her hand was doing, she adjusted, setting her elbow on the armrest and rest her head on her palm.

Turning to look at him, she raised an eyebrow at his question. Was he fishing for information or just honestly curious?

"I've been to a few places...Dagobah and here for example."

She waved a hand at the window, indicating the cityscape sprawled out in front of them.

"I'm sure it's nothing compared to the places you've travelled. Tell me, where do you consider the most beautiful place in the galaxy?"

[member="Connor Harrison"]

 

[Connor Harrison]

At each of her little purrs, her little tense digs into the fabric, he smiled to himself as she tried to talk. He didn’t let up, lazily trailing his fingers from one foot to the other, never breaking the touch and drawing small, gentle patterns on the tops of her feet, the sides and the ankles. He found himself watching his patterns more than he thought.

At the topic of travel, he looked up to her with an interested nod.

"Well it was only recently came to his jewel on Dosuun, but I’ve never even been to Dagobah in all my years. Think about what I’m missing."

With a thoughtful hum and enjoying the touch on her skin, Connor shrugged a little at her answer. It was a tough question.

"There’s this one place I’ve recently been. It’s beautiful. It’s a place where once you’re there you seem to forget all your troubles and worries, doubts and fears. It’s place that makes you feel really good about yourself and you never want to leave…and that place is right here, in your eyes."

He looked to her and nodded, but chuckled, waving his hand at her.

"Okay okay, seriously." He coughed, focusing himself, still never breaking his teasing touches. "It’s really hard to answer as what one perceives beauty may be beastly to another. To me, places like the Graveyard Of Giants on Jakku is beautiful because it’s a stepping stone to the past, and it’s so quiet but full of atmosphere and history and I just sit atop this downed Star Destroyer, lie back and look at the stars and I can see the battles that have taken place over time. And look a bit deeper you wonder what is happening out there, right now."

It was a bit of a strange choice admittedly.

"But, again, there’s a moon in Silver Jedi space that is beautiful too. A tropic, with babbling brooks and a dormant volcano and a shanty town you can laze around in in private, and no inhabitants. It really depends what you see as beauty. I know what beauty means to me, and it’s not just about what’s on the surface."

[member="Ara Ren"]

 

[Ara Zambrano]

She chuckled and her gaze was drawn to his hand, watching the lazy patterns he drew. She had to admit, to herself at least, that it felt nice to just sit and enjoy his company. She couldn't remember a time when she was content to spend time with a man without any ulterior motive. Tonight was just a night to relax and flirt a little.

"You aren't missing anything. Unless you like the smell of musk and rotting plants."

Her eyes gazed out at nothing for a moment, her mind returning to the trip to Dagobah and the cave that resided there. It was a place of dark energy, a place that forced you to face your biggest fears and your own humanity. She'd survived, retrieved a Qixoni crystal, and returned, largely unchanged. But even then, she'd discovered the true chink in her armor. It was not an experience she wanted to repeat, but it was a necessary trial.

She returned her attention to him, lids lowered, one side of her mouth quirked up as he gave a flowery, and wholly untrue, answer to her question. She opened her mouth for a retort when he waved her off and continued, this time with a serious answer. She reclined back, content to watch him as he talked.

She'd never been to Jakku, but the way he described it, she could almost picture the hulking figures of ancient ships, long buried in the sea of sand. She wasn't sure she'd find the same peace he would. The sand and wind of the desert planet sounded desolate and uninviting to her, but she could appreciate the urge to sit amongst the fallen giants and reminisce about the galaxy's long history of conflict.

She raised an eyebrow and chuckled, noting a potential double meaning to his last statement.

"Beauty is what brings us peace inside. Something that when you see it, your breath catches and you can't look away."

She locked gazes with the man, daring him to contradict her. She smiled softly and finally looked away, breaking the moment.

"I would like to see this moon of yours someday. It sounds beautiful."

[member="Connor Harrison"]

 

[Connor Harrison]

Connor felt a warmth under his shirt, and it wasn’t due to the temperature. The warm tingle ran up his spine and he shifted slightly to move some air around. Was it obvious, him not looking away, or what he said? It probably was.

Still – there was nothing evidently to gain right now except a brush-off and probably another dent in the weak armour of Connor’s heart and pride.

He looked away with her.

"Oh, what was it called…." eyes closing in thought, he focused for a moment, and not even the image of Kyra mutilated by the Sith phased him. Had he become so cold and devoid of care for her or the Light that it was nothing to him anymore? "Sarkany. That’s it."

With a triumphant smile, he squeezed her foot gently.

"And I’d love you to see it. I even built a hut there by the brook. So you can sit outside, or inside, and leave everything else at home. A true escape, and only two people know about it. Three now. Me, you and…someone who let me down. But they aren’t important."

Another gently squeeze and a defiant smile. He placed one hand on each foot and sat forward, looking at her.

"For what it’s worth, you do have the most beautiful eyes."

He could see her now lazily reclining outside the hut, one foot dipping into the babbling brook and watching the nature around her.

[member="Ara Ren"]

 

[Ara Zambrano]

A smug smile quirked up one side of her mouth as she noticed his reaction to her comment.

"Sarkany."

She rolled the name around in her mouth for a moment, the syllables unfamiliar to her. She tapped a finger on her knee, doing her best to ignore the feeling of his hands against her skin. She turned and tilted her head, a calculating look crossing her faced as she analyzed the truth of his statement. She wondered if the third person, the one who let him down, was still among the living. For a second she contemplating asking, but pushed the thought aside.

If tonight was not the place for business, it was also not the place to pry into past betrayals and disappointments.

She turned her attention to the cityscape for a moment, picturing the lush nature he described superimposed over the lights of the sprawling metropolis. It was hard to imagine, Ara having only ever experienced such natural wonders imitated in the landscaped parks around Avalonia and the forests surrounding the Bastion.

"I would not have pegged you as the hut in nature kind of man, to be perfectly honest."

She met his gaze as he applied gentle pressure to her feet, surprised when he was closer than she'd expected.

Her brain took a moment to catch up, the mental image of the hut and the brook mixed with his last comment that she'd almost missed. She closed those eyes and shook her head, laughing lightly.

Leaning forward as well, she placed one hand on the side of his face, running a finger lightly along the scar under his left eye. Her eyes crinkled with mirth.

"I'm starting to believe you are running out of material, Mr. Harrison."

[member="Connor Harrison"]