The Bad Touch

[Louise]

Ah yes.

The two severe-faced children. That's my favourite fairy tale, you know? The reluctant archive and the monster. I could come up with titles for this book all day. It was such a stark contrast between the pair. Where Kaine had killed Karin had ignored, not that she couldn't murder her parents, but she held so much resentment that never seeing their pointed wretched faces again suited her just fine. Knowing they they sat in their own mediocrity, no doubt breeding to produce another Karin Dorn just to elevate their names.

The bastards.

So it was funny to realise that Karin had denied her own daughter that very same right, the right to choose. She should have been honest, she should have let the girl chose her own path, even if it was born to be one of light. Did Evelynn now resent her in such a way? This, this was all the Sith's own fault. If she had let her child grow instead of smothering and sheltering...she...

...she wanted to say, no, Evelynn will grow, my daughter will survive, no, she will flourish but as Karin Dorn lay there, broken and twisted, tear-filled eyes rolling half back into her skull she just couldn't.

Once great, now shattered, her life ebbing away, all the woman could muster was:

“....no...more...”

 

[Darth Carnifex]

Kaine delicately pulled his hand away from Karin's forehead, his glove now sticky with blood from her wounds. It slowly slid down to his belt, where he wrapped his fingers around the hilt of his lightsaber and pulled it free. In an instant the blade sprang to life, the hellish crimson blade casting dark shadows upon the both of them, making this scene even more macabre. Kaine's apathetic stare bore into Karin's dismal eyes, "As you wish." Kaine began to rise from his kneeling position, but as he did he brought the blade of his lightsaber straight through Karin Dorn's neck in one quick slash. With his other hand he took a handful of Karin's hair, and pulled the decapitated head up with him. He held it up to show Evelynn, "Behold the mighty sorceress Karin Dorn. A sad fate when killed by the same person twice..." He smiled he damnable smile as dropped the head down onto Karin's wrecked corpse, and walked towards the suspended Evelynn.

"Now that she's out of the way, you and I can truly begin to bond..." The chains began to pull once more, sending forth a cascade of agony through the young Evelynn as Kaine's laughter merged together with her screams of agony.

 

[Louise]

The end approached.

Time slowed almost to a complete stop and for those few moments Karin just lay there, barely breathing, thinking nothing, being nothing. A void of a woman laying broken and battered on the unforgiving floor. It was time, long past time as a matter of fact. Funny how she had started out her day contemplating her own mortality, had she the energy for it she would have laughed no doubt.

She opened her mouth slightly but parting words did not come, instead a hoarse rasp. No more words.

For a brief moment, a split-second before the red blade kissed her neck it seemed as if a touch of fire had found its way back into Karin's eyes, that old scolding glare, but whether or not that was the case would never be seen. Perhaps it was just a trick of light, or maybe, just mayb

 

[Evelynn]

Evelynn watched it all.

She watched in absolute horror as her mother was flat out tortured, the poor girl struggled helplessly against those chains that kept her suspended, even if they were murdering her joints. She couldn't just hang by and watch, surely there was something she could do.

But alas, there was nothing.

The girl witnessed the breaking of Karin Dorn, how she went from defiant to maddening laughter to nothing was a tragic sight, especially to the girl who had only ever seen her parent as this strong indomitable figure. It had been too much, Evelynn had begun to cry long before the end was even in sight. She hadn't been built for such tragedy.

How could you prepare for this?

Then it happened.

She didn't believe it, no couldn't believe it. A great hollow gasp emerged from the young woman as if she had been stabbed. The look of horror upon her face must have brought great pleasure to the devil of a man, if you could have even called him that. Oh god, the way he just dropped the head. No. That was her mother. No. This was a nightmare, this can't have been real.

She had to wake up. The chains went taut and the young Dorn screeched as once more it felt as though she would be ripped into pieces. We're not on Dantooine any more, Toto.

It was too much. Caught in a whirlwind of agony and despair, the girl felt like she was going to explode, and she did. In a way. Evelynn Dorn vomited. A mixture of bile and gruel spilled down her front and (hilariously) onto the throne below her.

Take that, Kaine? I guess?

 

[Darth Carnifex]

Kaine's laughter slowly subsided as he realized that Evelynn had just vomited all over his throne, and he had just had it polished! You win this round, EVELYNN! Kaine sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose with his left hand, before a servant suddenly burst in through the throne room door with a mop and bucket. The chains relaxed and began to lower Evelynn down to the ground, where then a pair of guards would enter the throne room and move to restrain the child. "Take her to her new chamber, and make sure she doesn't leave. I will come to see her after I have disposed of the traitor's corpse." The guards would not in obedience and begin to roughly move Evelynn toward's the living quarters of the castle, up a few flights until they had reached a mahogany doorway. Pushing the girl inside, they introduced her to her new living space.

The room was nothing less of grand, a master bed, multiple wardrobes, a holo to watch the toons, and all sorts of fancy decoration and tapestry. The guards closed the door behind them as they entered the room with Evelynn, and remained still as statues in front of the door to prevent any escape. Her shackles were disabled momentarily, and a fresh set of woman's clothes had been arranged out on the exquisite bed sheets. For modesty's sake a changing wall had been moved to the room, in case Evelynn still had the willies about changing clothes in front of total strangers, and a doorway led to a small refresher room so she could clean up.

 

[Evelynn]

Yes, score one for Evelynn Dorn. Next time she's going to be gunning for your fabulous hair.

As soon as she was lowered to the ground her first instinct was to try and move towards her mother's body, to somehow clutch at her corpse in the hopes that she could somehow bring her back to life, I don't know about you, but I think Evelynn should stop watching the Pokemon movie, your tears can't cure petrification, your hugs can't cure decapitation.

Besides, a combination of the strain upon her limbs and the guards that came to apprehend her meant that this was not meant to be, and as she was essentially dragged out of the throne room her eyes looked back to the decapitated head of Karin Dorn.

“I-I-I'm...ss-s-so sorry!” she squeaked hoarsely as the girl was removed from the room. Sorry? Sorry doesn't unspill the milk, sorry doesn't unthrottle the hamster and sorry won't bring her back! The girl was limp, like a pile of grief-soaked rags she let the guards move her through the castle. Chomp. Now her own mother? He had so happily destroyed all that she had loved. Would he prolong her own demise too?

Her new chambers said otherwise.

Nicer than any room she had been the girl was taken aback for a few seconds, her mind very nearly distracted from this hellish day of tragedy but not quite. She would have to be one hell of a superficial girl to be distracted by a nice bloody room.

There was no point in trying to leave, her new room friends would no doubt see to that. With no escape the girl thought it best to just change into the clothes that had been set out for her. Just keep quiet, wash up and mourn.

 

[Darth Carnifex]

The body had been burned in the fires of the furnaces deep below the castle, while the head had been impaled on a spike next to the re-cleaned throne as a testament to Kaine's power. Kaine redressed himself in fine clothes made of crimson linen, and traveled to Evelynn's chamber to see how his little captive was doing. Before he had even reached the door one of the guard opened it up for the Emperor, and bowed as he entered. "Guards, leave us." The guards bowed again before filing out of the room, leaving Kaine and Evelynn alone in the suite. He crossed the room to stand before Evelynn, himself quite the towering behemoth with his height of six foot five inches, even towering above many full grown men. "Your mother is dead now, Evelynn. Everyone in your immediate family is gone, and now you only have me. Your torture was merely a tool to draw her here, and I have no further intention of doing further pointless torture against you if you only do one simple thing. Bow before me, and swear your fealty to my, and I will spare you."

 

[Evelynn]

Little did he know that Karin Dorn's real dream was to be a head on a spike on day!

Well, okay, that's a complete and utter lie but a nice touch, you know? Well, granted that you kept up your impaled head maintenance, what? You like the rot? Well, whatever floats your boat, I can see Zambrano being a fan of his guests wrinkling their noses in disgust at decay's assault on the senses. Me? I like a well preserved head. Watching.

When he entered the room she was sat on the edge of the impressive bed, she looked up to him with bloodshot eyes, the hollows around her eyes red and beginning to peel slightly. She hated him, he was so completely vile, a monster who could not be redeemed but in that same breath she was deathly afraid. There was no escape there, she wasn't about to fight her way out and anybody who was likely to save her was already dead.

What would Karin Dorn do?

Her mother would have laughed in his face and probably would have tossed a mild insult in the mix to boot, but that was what she would have done, not what she would have advised. It's one rule for her and another for everybody else. Forget pride she would have said, perhaps even a short spiel about how pride only served to be a downfall.

The girl slid off the bed and onto her knees. She was a humble creature to begin with. If the options at hand were this or torture then the solution was obvious. Still sniffling, still raw, hurting Evelynn bowed, like, full on, head touching the floor bowed but she did not speak a single word.

 

[Darth Carnifex]

Kaine was pleased at Evelynn's quick submission, it meant the girl wasn't as foolish as her mother was. "Evelynn Dorn... You are hereby stripped of any previous holdings, ranks, and titles you once had before you came here, if there was any at all. Any previous commitments of yours are null and void, and you will pledge your allegiance to me and me alone. I am your Lord, your Master, and your God. I will teach you my ways, and you will grow strong... You will cast off your surname, for it is a dead name, and you will be known only as Evelynn. The name Dorn no longer has meaning to you. Rise, Evelynn, and begin your rebirth." He beckoned her to rise and accept her new destiny as Kaine's newest protege, whether she liked it or not. He would stamp any and all weakness out of her soon enough.

@[member="Evelynn Dorn"]

 

[Evelynn]

You're taking this path. I can't even believe it.

She's like innocence, you know? Naivety in the flesh. Kindness and compassion galore and you're going to try and corrupt tha-

Okay, I can totally believe it.

This was a hideous turn of affairs, once more she felt a wave of nausea wash over her, but thankfully it did not become a wave of vomit on the man's feet, I'm sure he really would have appreciated that. Just the thought of learning his ways, ways of callous cruelty and unnecessary wickedness, it just didn't compute with the young woman.

A familiar fear returned, that fear of failure. What if she couldn't do it? What then? The same fate as her mother? Worse? No, no, this was a case that couldn't afford failure. Oh god. Another wave of nausea, it hadn't even been a day and here she was, swearing loyalty to her Chomp and her mother's executioner, to the creature that had tortured her. Perhaps she wasn't as virtuous as once thought.

The girl rose back to her feet, trembling at the concept of this very rebirth. Perhaps it was for the best that she cast off her surname, being that she felt undeserving of it now. Still now she did not speak, the girl did not even dare to make eye contact, her head held down, staring at the floor.

@[member="Darth Vornskr"]

 

[Darth Carnifex]

Kaine lightly cupped Evelynn's chin with his hand, and slowly pushed up to make her look into Kaine's eyes. "I have sensed your fear, your doubts... and your hatred of me. Good, use your hatred of me to fuel your passions and give you strength, it will serve you best these coming days..." He chuckled and let go of her head, turning away from her to make for the door. "Rest well, Evelynn... In an hour I will recall you for dinner, and then you will retire to your chambers for the night. For tomorrow your training begins, and then you will no know a good night's sleep ever again." He then left Evelynn to contemplate her new existence while he went off to gaze in wonder at Karin's decapitated head and ponder his life up until now, you know... Like all Sith do when they're bored, although this seems like something to do when in the shower or on the toilet, but staring at heads was a good substitute.

@[member="Evelynn Dorn"]

 

[Evelynn]

His very touched repulsed her. These were the hands of a monster, a killer and hands that were eager to mould her. It was such, such a maddening thought, an image that was almost too surreal, too unreal to even draw. Evelynn Dorn the stuttering Sith, fear her and obey.

Or y'know, laugh.

Was there really no chance for escape? No, no, there was no doubt that he'd have that avenue covered. Guards constantly posted at the door, a nice accompaniment wherever she went. What, if she managed to slip them, then what? Steal a ship? I mean. It's just not viable. A prisoner of the dark side.

Once he had left her, the girl sat on the floor and pulled her knees up to her chest. Why? She was upset you insensitive mongoose! THE GIRL SAW HER MOTHER BEHEADED. You're not going to be over that kind of trauma in half a day, are you? Yeah. Just cry for one post. What even.

She would remain in that position with her head tucked down until they got her for dinner.

@[member="Darth Vornskr"]

 

[Darth Carnifex]

Dinner was exquisite, but awkwardly silent. The guards had come for Evelynn sometime later, and escorted her down to the main dining hall where Kaine and a banquet feast awaited her. Kaine himself sat at the head of the table, surrounding by a gaggle of his most voluptuous concubines and stooped servants who obeyed his every whim. Servants did indeed wait on Evelynn for her needs, if she actually moved to take advantage of them in the first place, but no matter. The dinner consisted of many exotic delicacies imported from all over the galaxy, and even featured some recently home cooked ingredients. Would Evelynn recognize the taste of Kath Hound flavored with exotic spices? Probably not, but heh... What she didn't know wouldn't hurt her exactly, but might scar her for life if she did find out. It'l help her toughen up, or wreck her even more, but we'll leave that to the whims of the almighty gods in the sky who dictated the actions of the world around them.

I'm talkin' about you, Louise.

Anyways, after dinner concluded Evelynn was free to return to her chambers for a good night's rest, but in the morning she would be faced with the trials and tribulations of Sith Training. Would she be ready?

@[member="Evelynn Dorn"]

 

[Evelynn]

Awkwardly silent was one word for it.

The girl just sat there, staring blankly at the vast quantity of food there was on offer for them. So this was what a life of monstrosity brought you. It was never the case that justice brought the rewards, oh no, it couldn't be that simple. A life of virtue brought nothing, while indulging in every sin brought you straight to the bank. Such was the naïve universal view of Evelynn Dorn.

But wouldn't that be a boring place to live.

Having lived on Dantooine for most of her life, the girl did indeed recognise the taste of Kath Hound, it hadn't been aged enough, it was too fresh. There was a clatter of cutlery as the girl dropped her fork in horror. She knew. The girl looked up at him, sitting at the head of the table surrounded by his tramps, a picture of sin. Eve trembled, with both disgust and rage the girl sat silent, fists tightly balled as she choked down the rising bile.

No. She'd show him. The unfortunate girl picked up her utensils and resumed her steak, one might say she even chomped it down. It was a moment of emotional madness. She stared at the Sith, steak knife working vigorously to saw through the tough meat. I'm not entirely sure where along the lines of defiance eating the remains of her best friend lay but for a glimmer of a moment there was lunacy.

Of course, once the girl had returned to her chambers her senses flooded back. Yes, she spewed, ejecting her departed friend into the toilet bowl. Now that was a grim send off.

She may have thought herself too shattered to sleep, but that was a lie. In truth Evelynn was exhausted, both physically and emotionally and in very moment that she had laid down on the extremely comfortable bed the sandman caught her. Just as well.

A new chapter was beginning.