Secrets of the Light, Revealed in Darkness

[Xander Starkiller]

Chandrila
Chandrilan Academy of Sciences

It was a day like any other day on the calm world of Chandrila, people went about their daily lives without hitch, unaware of the danger that might lurk behind every corner. Among the best and brightest the galaxy had to offer attended their classes at the Academy of Sciences, a place that housed many fields, medical, physical, biology, chemistry, whatever one could want they could find roaming the halls of this prestigious institute.

Among those that walked among them was a man of many passions. Classically educated, he had a taste for the many things one could find if they only decided to observe. Underneath his act of the curious, wealthy scolar lurked something else.. something sinister and some may say evil. Dressed in his finery, the Sith Lord walked among the cattle, his deep blue eyes scanning all the happy faces looking for what may lay beneath them.

It was very rare to find someone of worth.. true worth. While all of these people were gifted, few really knew what true knowledge was. Few knew what he knew. However that didn't mean that he would stop trying. It was said that his kind looked for those huddled in the dark, abandoned by the light. Xander however felt one could find just as good while sneaking among the light.

 

[Eryn Xaltyr]

With a bag upon her shoulder loaded with books and even more books in her arms, the young red head weaved her way gracefully through the crowded halls of one of the science department buildings. Cool blue eyes glanced at the passing faces, picking out a few she recognized. No one spoke to her in greeting or even returned her polite smile, but she wasn't surprised. Though she was relatively new to the school it seemed that her reputation had arrived long before her as well as fictious stories about her species. Shaking her head, Eryn moved with part of the crowd as she exited the building. However, unlike other students she was not on her way to another class or even her dorm, instead she was on her way to the large library on campus to continue her research for a project concerning her second major, microbiology.
Heels clicking against the pavement she began the somewhat long walk to the other side of the campus, but as she took her next step the unthinkable happened. She heard a strange sound and then her weight shifted as she lost her balance. The heel of her shoe broke and with a startled cry the young Garhoon stumbled, her books and bag going in various directions as she fell to the pavement.

"Frak!"

She caught herself before she fell on her face, but she didn't escape the incident without a few scrapes on her palms and knees. Hissing in displeasure she sat up, brushing her disheveled hair from her face as she pulled her shoes off and glared at the offending footwear.

 

[Xander Starkiller]

All in attendence looked her way, including the well dressed man lurking around the halls with the appearance of having business to take care of. He noted the young woman that had taken a tumble and after a moment he took the chance to move towards her. She was a pretty thing for sure, but clumsy though until he spied a broken heel that rang true as the culprit for her tumble. Most of the students went back to what they were doing, but Xander knelt down and began sliding her books all into one pile.

"That was quite the spill you took," he said with a friendly smile as he offered a hand for her to take so he could help her up. "High heels will be the death of you, I think. Something more comfortable and sturdy may suit you better," he added in as his eyes turned to the broken off bit of the heel. One had to wonder why you would wear such a thing in this school. Maybe she just wanted to impress or maybe she liked dressing that way. Who could tell really?

"Are you okay?"

 

[Eryn Xaltyr]

Looking up as a hand suddenly appeared in her vision; Eryn smiled softly, her fangs barely peeking from beneath her upper lip. "Thank you, Sir. I’m fine, just a few scrapes is all." She accepted the man's hand; a twinge of pain running up her arm as the grit filled scrapes upon her palm came into contact with his hand. Once back on her feet she began righting her appearance before gathering her books up, a soft blush staining her cheeks as she politely avoided the man's gaze. Generally she was always calm and collected; however, it wasn't every day that her shoe broke beneath her while she was walking through the courtyard for everyone to see. So much for my graceful reputation. As they gathered her things back into some semblance of order she glanced up at the man and took in his appearance. He was not a student nor was he a professor, he was some kind of businessman judging from his attire and that conclusion only caused her blush to deepen.

Brushing soft red curls from her face she started placing as many of her books as she could back into her bag, shoving her now useless shoes in the bag as well. Glancing up at the man she caught his eye and smiled, “I don’t usually have any problem with heels, but perhaps you are right…”

 

[Xander Starkiller]

"Well as nice as they are, it couldn't hurt to wear some comfortable shoes," he suggested when she mentioned not having much trouble with them. Maybe it was possible to get used to them but Xander really only saw one use for them, that being to make your legs and butt look good. Beyond that they looked uncomfortable and impractical. Nice for special occasions but useless for everything else, especially combat, one would be surprised how many times he'd seen combat boots arranged to function like high heels.

Shoes aside though, he had yet to learn the young lady's name, just as he had failed to introduce himself. "Pardon my rudeness. My name is Alexander Stark," the man said introducing himself. The thought of the name made him smile as it was a play on his actual name. Underneath the guise of the handsome businessman Alexander Stark was the identity of a man much sinister in nature. Xander Starkiller, Darth Deimos, a Sith Lord that while not in power of any sort of Empire, was not lacking power or influence.

"What should I call such a lovely young lady?"

 

[Eryn Xaltyr]

She flashed her fangs in what she considered a charming smile as she gathered up the last of her books, placing her bag back upon her shoulder and picking up the rest in her petite arms. "They are comfortable...Besides with a vertical challenge like mine, they make the playing field a little easier." She was at a large disadvantage with her height what it was and she did wish she was just a bit taller. Her love of heels was largely influenced by her desire to be taller and her love of fashion, but perhaps Mr. Stark was right. Brushing some of hair behind one ear she held out her hand to shake his, a little in awe of meeting the Alexander Stark.

"Eryn Xaltyr, its a pleasure to meet you Mr. Stark."

He was a well known engineer, his name was on the lips of every engineering student at the school, but she really didn't know much about his work since she was a medical student. Still smiling she adjusted her grip upon her books, "thank you again for your assistance...I guess I'll start wearing something with a little less heel." She made to move away now that their introductions were complete and get back to what she had been doing, but her insatiable curiosity got the better of her.

"What are you doing here on campus, Mr. Stark?"

 

[Xander Starkiller]

Xander had taken note of her fangs, he knew of a race that had them and of course it made him smile to think of Silencia, another woman red of hair and of the Garhoon people. The differences were clear though, Miss Xaltyr had blue eyes to Silencia's green and Silencia was much taller. That must have been the main desire for heels then, to try to make herself look taller considering the fact she was a good part shorter. "If they are comfortable then I see no reason not to... though getting them made high quality may be your best bet," he told her as a suggestion.

The Sith Lord held his hand out and shook hers back when she revealed her name. "A pleasure to meet you as well, Miss Xaltyr," the man said with a smile. After a moment or two it seemed they would part ways until the young woman turned around and asked a question of him, of course wanting to know why he was there. "Oh.. I stop by prestigious schools every so often. See what bright minds may lurk in the Engineering department. Kuat Drive Yards is an ever expanding business, we're always looking for new ideas and fresh faces in our line of work." It was then that the man pointed to her bag.

"Medical student?"

 

[Eryn Xaltyr]

Eryn nodded with a smile, adjusting her hold upon her books once more. "Yes...Though these are actually the medical department buildings." She used her free hand and made a sweeping gesture to incorporate all of the buildings surrounding the large courtyard. Tossing her hair over one shoulder she turned back to Mr. Stark, still smiling. "I'm afraid you won't find many engineers around here...Just those hoping to get a free check up, if you know what I mean." She laughed and winked at the man momentarily letting her usually professional demeanor slip, but then it was quickly back in place.

"The engineering buildings are just down this path and then off to the left, they have a huge sculpture in the middle of their courtyard so you can't miss it."

She waited a moment, then turned to start her long trek to the library, which was in the opposite direction from the engineering buildings. However, she paused just a few steps away from Mr. Stark and looked down to her feet frowning with a sigh. It seemed she would have to go all the way back to her place off campus and acquire another pair of shoes before going to the library. Perhaps I should just give up the whole idea of going to the library for the day...

 

[Xander Starkiller]

A smile spread over his face when she mentioned that he wouldn't find any engineers around this part of the campus though if he didn't know any better, the part about people looking for free check-ups sounded like a come on. Maybe it was and on a day he would gladly accept such a thing however such a thing would probably hold no meaning. "Oh I know what you mean," he said with a smirk, he knew every well what she meant considering he was essentially at a college.

"I appreciate your directions but I know where the Engineering buildings are. I suppose maybe I'm just taking a tour see what I can come across," he said as he followed after her, slowly at first until she paused. In a way the man had found someone interesting, one that had taken a tumble because of shoes and had a sense of humor to boot. She was young, beautiful and appeared to be from a race he was most familiar with. Maybe she was no engineer but she held value if she was studying to be a doctor. It paid to know them personally too, one could never tell when they'd need a doctor.

"Would you mind if I accompanied you for a little while? I don't really have anywhere I need to be at the moment and I might as well spend my free time with amiable company."

 

[Eryn Xaltyr]

"Oh...uh sure..."

If she were an engineering student she would likely be hyperventilating at such a grand opportunity, but since she wasn't she felt almost bad for stealing him away from the few lurking about. However, her guilt passed quickly as she reminded herself that this could be a good opportunity for her own ambitions. Plus what girl her age wouldn't want to wander around with a man of such prestige and good looks as Mr. Stark at her side? With a polite smile she waited for Mr. Stark to join her and then continued on her way, leisurely heading back toward her place.

Currently her plan was to go home and get a new pair of shoes, then make for the library, but before all of that she would drop Mr. Stark off someplace. She couldn't very well take him back to her place, they didn't know each other and she certainly didn't need such rumors flying around the school. Enjoying the feel of the early afternoon sun upon her skin she glanced over at her new companion, a curious look in her cool blue eyes.

"You know...I can almost guess why you are on this side of the school and its not for the exact reason you gave before...You can walk freely here, but you'd be swarmed in the engineer's district...I can't imagine what its like to be a celebrity. So many people hounding you day and night, usually with nothing worth your time too..."

 

[Xander Starkiller]

Xander couldn't help but laugh at her comment about being a celebrity with the students of the engineering classes. "Find me as a celebrity do they? It's funny to think of it in such a way. I never really considered myself a celebrity, just a man that had a few bright ideas and the connections to have such ideas come to life," he said as he walked along, cane in hand with the young Coed. She was an astute one though because her thoughts were not far from the truth. He was a well known face in his field and he put his skills to good use within KDY. No doubt some of the students hoped to catch his eye, to gain those contacts.

"I suppose you do have a point though, I'm sure many of the students would like to get a glimpse at one such as I," he said with an amused look over his face. "Lucky you.. a student caught my eye and she wasn't even an engineer. I'm sure you'll be the talk of the campus," the Sith Lord said making a joke at the idea. He did hope that the student body wasn't that pathetic that they would bother the young red head with tails of her discussions with a man they might very well idolize.

"If anyone bothers you with questions, just tell them it's a secret. That should be good for a laugh or two."

 

[Eryn Xaltyr]

"You have no idea how much they idolize you."

She smiled, her fangs flashing in the bright afternoon sun. "Hate to burst your bubble, but I'm already the talk of the campus." Her pleasant smile and eyes suddenly took on a darker nature, but only for a moment before she was smiling plesantly once more. "A Garhoon studying to be a doctor? It isn't right according to them..." She smirked and adjusted the load of books in her arms as she looked down the path, a determined look in her eyes. "They'll see, I'm not a blood thirsty beast...all the time." She laughed and glanced up at her companion as a sudden breeze stirred her hair.

"They won't bother me...Few of them talk to me, I think they are worried that I'm going to eat them."

She ran her tongue over her fangs, before laughing once more at her ridiculous antics. "If anything they might try and rescue you from my dark clutches...Who knows what could happen," she placed the back of her free hand against her forehead and acted as though she were distraught. "I might try and take a bite out of you!" She glanced over at him and laughed, letting her hand fall away from her head.

 

[Xander Starkiller]

"Public opinion is a fickle thing," he said dismissing the idea of what the people thought of her. "As for a Garhoon doctor.. I had a feeling you were of the species. The fangs are a familiar thing to me," he said pointing out he had known her fangs. A thing he had seen with Silencia time and time again, his own daughter as well. Even he too had the trait though he rarely showed it. His body was not that of a pure Garhoon a mixture of his own DNA from a lifetime ago and that of Silencia's people. The form he had was a gift of Dark Side and that of Lady Silencia.

"Besides, we all have our secrets.. our own darkness to live with. Some might think it being saved from dark clutches, I would consider it interfering in the company of a lovely woman," the Sith Lord said with a smile. He knew the idea of hiding a Dark Side better than any and hearing her joke of such things only made him smile on the inside, one that would not match the more innocent look she could see on his face. This was something more sinister.

"After all.. who's to say I don't like being bitten? As you say.. who knows what could happen."

 

[Eryn Xaltyr]

"That it is...but it still affects me, as much as I wish that were not the case. Ah well, in time I'll be away from this place and onto better things."

Laughing once more she eyed Stark, cool blue eyes gazing intently at him as though she were trying to dissect his very soul. "Now that is something I like the sound of...Looks like I won't have to go hunting for my dinner after all." She didn't wink or really give Alexander any sign that her comment had been a simple joke; she was going to let him speculate on whether she was serious or not. However, she was curious if he was actually being serious or if he was simply being polite; she didn't know quite how to take the man.

With a soft smile upon her lips she looked away just in time to avoid running right into a small group of men that had seemingly appeared from nowhere. Taking a half step away from the group she eyed them curiously, but she was of no concern to them as they swarmed around Stark. Quickly she was pushed back from Stark as the group of five men crowded around the man, all gushing at once.

Well...I did warn him. Snorting, she watched in barely contained amusement as the men thoroughly geeked out. They gushed about meeting him and each tried to tell him about their own work, all trying to win the praise of Stark and outshine their companions. Engineers... She rolled her eyes and continued to watch, wondering exactly how Stark was going to escape the crazed engineering students.

 

[Xander Starkiller]

He couldn't help but chuckle at the thought. "Is it so hard for a beauty like you to hunt?" Simply put he figured she would have a simple time of it considering she was a very attractive young lady. Had he been a normal man he too might have been enticed by such a thing. It might still a possible thing but he was far from the absent minded man that would be lured in by promises of unknown delights. For all a man could know, it was merely his blood that she might be after. That was the tricky thing about things born of base desire, one could never know.

Before the two could speak much more they came upon a group of boys that began speaking all at once about who they were and what they wanted. Such things might have seemed a distraction or annoyance but Xander dealt with it just as he would anyone. He smiled, he shook hands, he offered words of encouragement in such a broad sense. He even handed out a couple of cards telling them to get in contact with him AFTER they graduated. A simple thing to be rid of the rabble as he excused himself and returned to the side of the red head.

"Fanboys.. I'd rather have fangirls personally."

 

[Eryn Xaltyr]

Quicker than she had thought possible Stark had sent the men on their way and was once more at her side. Laughing she waved good-bye to the men as they pouted just a bit and continued down the walkway with her new companion. "Really now? Well I hope you aren't expecting me to be your first, I'm a medical student after all...I haven't got time for you silly engineers." She laughed once more and as they came to a fork in the path she veered off to the right, taking the path that would put her in the right direction of her small apartment.

This particular path wasn't nearly as wide open as the previous one, instead it weaved its way through a small forest that the school had opted to preserve during the schools construction. A cool breeze rustled through the branches above, stirring her hair as well. With a soft smile upon her lips she glanced back over to Stark, fangs peeking from beneath her lips.

"Hunting isn't a problem, I try and avoid feeding from the unwilling...Thus my choice of meals is limited...Sadly most of my meals are taken from blood packs..."

 

[Xander Starkiller]

"The first? You'd be a little late for that. Believe it or not there are female engineers and even then, their are plenty of women out there that can admire a handsome man," the Sith Lord said as he followed the young lady along the fork in the road. Despite the fans the may have had, he didn't pay much attention to all that. Work usually kept him busy and if not them then the little family that he had did as well. Much was on his mind as of late and juggling two different identities usually added to the turmoil that was his life... however he couldn't say he wouldn't have it any other way.

Listening about her hunting habits, feeling the wind on his face as he walked, she told him about how she usually only fed on the willing and most of her meals were usually left to those blood packs that one could find at a local hospital. Xander would admit the compulsion to drink blood was not what it was of a natural Garhoon but he had to believe that the older, packaged blood probably was not a very good meal.. the equivalent of those pre-made meals to a home cooked meal. Such a thing must have been frustrating for her considering her nature.

"A shame then.. I imagine fresh blood is more preferable to blood packs."

 

[Eryn Xaltyr]

She smirks and brushes some of her hair over a slender shoulder, eyes flickering over to Stark. "Oh I can admire a good looking man with the best of them, don't you worry." Closing her eyes for a moment, enjoying the breeze, she sighed. "Its delicious...Though, not everyone tastes the same." Slowly she opened her eyes, turning her cool gaze upon her hansom companion. "I'm a picky eater...I only eat the best."

As if to imply that she thought he would make a good meal she eyed his neck openly, running her tongue over her lips and fangs slowly. Then, as if she hadn't just blatantly looked at him like her next meal, she smiled and looked away. "Eventually I won't have to worry about blood packs though..."

 

[Anthony Zorne]

Alt Fail.

 

[Xander Starkiller]

"Is that so?" he said with a smile on his face as his left hand slid his walking stick up into his hand. The red head was definitely compelling and what she said made him wonder just a little bit. She seemed to have something of a dark side to her which for him seemed right on the spot. He knew exactly what it was like to have such a thing but he wondered just how far into the shadow this place was for her. After all, you didn't quite know a person until you knew the little things they tried to conceal in the dark places of their mind. He was curious though, now that he heard it and he wondered.

"Why is it that you won't have to worry about blood packs?" Maybe it was one of those little secrets of hers. Maybe she had something lined up or maybe... maybe, it was something else entirely.