Uncommon Sanctuary

[Jaron Lesan]

“As much as I am your sweetheart, or dearest love. That affectionate can be tricky sometimes...”

Jaron had to admit he loved the banter and the way she just let the humor slip from her tongue with ease. One shot after the other was traded, blow for blow without any sign of one relenting. That was the amusing part of it all. There was something a little deeper at work that Jaron couldn’t put his finger on yet. He would discern it eventually, but for now he would simply enjoy what they had on this mission. They were still strangers after all, but Jaron hoped that would not be the case for long.

The noise of her heels on the durasteel was not good. He didn’t need to say anything, and he hoped her next mission she would adjust her footwear. What she wore was not made for stealth, and while Jaron’s footfalls were as silent as the morning fog rolling in on a cool day, hers were a clanging cymbal. The conversation covered some, but not enough. At least she was practicing her sense again.

“A lot of people,” Jaron continued in their pace, not even an eye closing as he nodded. “I can discern thirty distinct signatures, and at least four others that can use the force. If they look like a master force user then leave them to me. I do not doubt your ability, but it’s my head if you do not return to Metus with your life intact.”

Jaron quickened his pace as he rushed for the next entrance. Putting his back to the wall, he looked through the doorway. As he suspected the force users were not there. Eight guards were in the room. He smiled and looked to Dianah.

“You can put the force into your movements. That’s how I enhance my speed. There are eight guards in the room. Try it. I’ll back you up.”

Just because he was concerned about ensuring she made it back to Metus alive did not mean he was going to shield her or give her freedom. His only request was that she leave the force masters alone for now. If they were indeed, it would even be a challenge for Jaron, but a challenge he could attain to. Dianah was still learning.

“Focus, and then go. Oh and watch out for the stop, as in don’t forget to...”

[member="Dianah Vrorae"]

 

[Darth Miseria]

Affection can be tricky at all times. There are a million different types of affection alone. One you keep for your family, one you keep for your friends, one you keep for your lovers... But what kind of affection should you keep for someone you met a few hours ago? A quick and fleeting one perhaps?

'I think you chose your own meaning when it comes to Mando'a.' Her head craned toward him and she smiled teasingly. 'Which would you prefer to be?'

She nodded as he talked. Thirty people would have seemed like a lot to here mere hours ago, but now it was nothing. Dianah knew now that together they made a marvellous team and he would defend her if need be. There were many benefits to holding Metus' name, this happened to be one of them. People always had your back willingly and without fear. The mere mention of his name commanded it. To top it off she was a female.
She didn't think Jaron felt like she couldn't handle herself but never the less. This was one of the more annoying reasons behind her constant protection. There was the rather irritating notion that women might not be able to handle themselves when it came down to it. But Dianah happened to know some of the most powerful women in the whole Galaxy. She had grown up around Mandalorians and the all powerful Petra. She knew what women were capable of. Still, she felt the need to reassure him.

'Your head and mine will be fine. Even if I come back with no arms and no legs. I won't let you be punished for my mistakes. That's if I make any at all, mind you.'

They reached the entrance to the next opening and Jaron peaked his head around curiously. His words set off a nervous excitement that made her titter softly. It was clear now that he held her ability in high regard. Something she had never tried before and with little to no instruction? This was a challenge she could get behind. Once again the force began to fill her very core. Dianah focused it entirely on every muscle in her body. They shook every now and then making her body dash forward centimetres at a time. With one reaffirming nod to herself and partly to Jaron, she was off in a blurr of white and red.

Three of the guards fell with gory, untidy wounds on various parts of their bodies. She had by no means mastered the art, for every now and then she would come into focus for just a few moments, then zip off again in a haze. The fourth guard went flying as she crashed into him. A deafening sound of bones crunching against one another rang out against the hollow chasm. Dianah cursed loudly, but quickly recovered to her feet. Her shi'ido bones meant she had rarely suffered a broken one. Even in childhood. But the poor sucker she had crashed into was much worse for ware.

Now aware of what was happening, the other four guards began to advance toward a slightly dazed Dianah.

[member=Jaron Lesan]

 

[Jaron Lesan]

Jaron simply grinned when she asked which he preferred to be. Just because Jaron spoke Mando’a did not mean he was an expert. He had been teasing, and she teased him right back. It had been the nature of this relationship from the start ever since she first commented on how grumpy he appeared.

“Well there is always hot stuff if you really need something.”

He stuck his tongue out at her. Though it didn’t stay out for long. The number of guards he had sensed, and the force users had been enough to take the wind out of him. Jaron would never lose his confidence, but their foray off the scope of the original mission had just become a more serious diversion, and he was serious about not wanting her to be harmed. It had nothing to do with the fact she was a woman as much as dealing with Metus, and Dianah had words for that.

Jaron nodded. She would take care of her father.

It was her time to try something new, and she did it with excitement. Jaron was unsure if Dianah was more excited to take all eight guards out herself or to learn how he had moved so quickly. Stopping was always hard as one moved fat, and she had learned that lesson by falling on her backside after running into one of the guards. The crash had made enough of a commotion that the rest of the guards in the building flooded into the room, as well as the force users.

Two of them were masters, and two of them their apprentices.

“Well this just got interesting,” he said to himself before rushing to where the dazed woman was. He reached out a hand to help her up on her feet as he kept himself between her and the force users. It wasn’t the apprentices he was concerned about. There were two masters, and Jaron knew he might have to make a big play to defeat them at once. He had never once in battle used the skill he had learned in the tomb of Ludo Kreesh. Today he may have to.

Groups always had to circle. Fortunately that held true now. Jaron watched as the circle parted for the masters. They were going to gloat, really? Jaron rolled his eyes as whispered back to Dianah.

“Get our of the room. I’m about to kill everyone if I can. With what I’m about to do, you’ll get caught in it. I can’t control who it hits and who it does not...”

He hoped she listened, and he hoped she didn’t just attack the masters. There were two apprentices for her to deal anyway.

[member="Dianah Vrorae"]

 

[Darth Miseria]

The world spun violently for more than a few moments. Everything seemed to be covered in a haze Dianah couldn't shake. A fleeting hand went up to touch her forehead and she stumbled over her feet once or twice.

But Jaron was there in a heart beat, holding her steady. He had placed his frame between hers and the advancing Jedi. This gave Dianah the precious few moments she needed to regain her senses. She shook her head quickly as if trying to rid herself of the fuzzy feeling. Long strands of white hair caught in the air and spread themselves out into the available space. Her vision came back into focus sharply and without warning. Despite the wave of nausea that accompanied it, she was glad to have her sight back.

'That nearly went well. If it weren't for that osik eating waste of space I'd have gotten all eight of them.'

The next few moments were spent blinking her eyes heavily, as if testing out her new found vision. The reality of the situation began to sink in when she saw the approaching grunts. These, however, looked to be a little more then just nine to five average joe guards. They were Jedi Masters. Perhaps they were a little out of her league, but they were accompanied by two young apprentices. These were more suited to her taste. The long blade of her saber ignited once again with a flourish.

Her feet were poised and ready for action. His whisper came floating toward her in the nick of time.

'Get out of the ro-... what the krif are you on about, kill them all?'

The look on his face confirmed it though. Even if he was absolutely crazy and looking to get even crazier, he was definitely telling the truth. Dianah felt she knew enough about him by now to know when he was lying. He hadn't lied at all in the short time they'd known each other, that much was true, but still. She had a funny feeling that he couldn't lie to her even if he had wanted too. She trusted him enough to know he meant business.

So, in the blink of an eye and making excellent use of her new found ability, she zipped away to the entrance of the cave once again. There, Dianah was safe.

[member=Jaron Lesan]

 

[Jaron Lesan]

It was to Dianah’s benefit to believe him. Jaron was not capable of telling a lie to save his life. Perhaps it was a weakness of his, but honesty had always guided him this far, and he certainly couldn’t lie about potential danger to someone he was working with. She sped out of the room, and the apprentices followed her. The Masters stayed on Jaron as his lightsabers remained in his hands, but inactive.

As if someone had ripped off the cap off of an overflowing well, rage and anger began to course through Jaron’s veins. A rush of the force fed his body, a darkness he had not touched in years. Eyes flashed yellow and red as it took him completely. This was going to drain him, but there was no other way, not as far was what Jaron could tell. Even if there was another way it was too late now. Jaron allowed the rage he felt to consume him.

With the newfound strength Jaron had to act quickly. It started with a bubble of visible energy rippling at the core of his body, and around him. Leaping into the air in the fetal position Jaron let it build. The pressure was overwhelming. His entire body shook. Veins showed in places they normally remained hidden, and finally, when Jadon could not contain it any longer, his body opened.

​

What followed was a pulse wave of energy erupting outward from the orb he’d denerated. As it washed over the room each guard and Templar it came into contact with seemed burst into a pile of dust, as if they had been vaporized in an instant. Jaron collapsed once the bubble had dissipated, lying on the ground weak and almost lifeless looking. There was a reason he did not tap into this raw power, save one other time when he learned it. It cost him all his energy.

Jaron Lesan was now useless until he recovered. Dianah was on her own with the apprentices.

[member="Dianah Vrorae"]

 

[Darth Miseria]

She couldn't help but peak around the corner of the entrance. Partly out of curiosity but mostly because Dianah was worried about Jaron. The dark side of the force filled the cave to the brim. It felt like the moment between hot and boiling water. It was heavy and sharp. Dianah could taste it in the air and feel it on her skin where it raised the fine white hairs on her arms. Apart from the Dark Lord, Dianah had never felt a power like it. The unrefined rage and anger sent a shiver of ice down the length of her spine. Every inch of her wanted to call out to him, to make him stop before it was too late. But it was already too late. Calling out would distract him and alert the Masters and the two apprentices of her whereabouts. That in itself was more dangerous than whatever was about to happen. Dianah was not that stupid.

It was hard to notice from where she was standing but Dianah thought she saw an unmistakable flash of red in his eyes. Her ears threatened to pop with the change in pressure. The bright blue bubble of force surrounded him slowly. It was barely noticeable at first, covering only Jaron, but it increased in size as he rose up into the air. He was nearly six foot off the floor now and his feet dangled carelessly above the Master's heads. He looked so delicate hanging there, trembling with all the violent emotion he could summon. But in that moment Dianah felt she knew him fully and completely. That was the real Jaron Lesan. That was what would impress her.

Everything that wasn't bolted down to the floor, including Dianah and the apprentices, flew hard against the wall crashing and splintering with the impact. The powerful wave of energy was enough to throw her square on her backside. It left her winded on the cold durasteel floor. But at that moment, with her chest seizing and desperate to draw a fresh breath of air, her only concern was for Jaron. Using whatever she could find on the wall she gingerly rose to her feet.

'J-...Jaron!'

Her voice called out to him. It came with a wheeze and a shaky inhale of breath. It was the wrong move. There were no Masters any more, this much was true, but there were two very highly trained apprentices also shaking themselves awake from their own stupor. And they had heard her. The click clack of their boots sounded deafening in the sudden silence the powerful force move had created.

With no time to lose, Dianah unclipped her saber from the belt on her waist and swung it into ignition. The two apprentices' blades followed shortly after. Krif. She had forgotten there were two. Her eyes darted around wildly, looking for something, anything to use as a second weapon. They landed plainly on Jaron's lightsaber. She hoped he would forgive him. Taking another force user's saber without permission was akin to bedding someone's wife. But there were no other options. Using the force, she jerked the hilt toward her outstretched hand. It instantly came to life, humming and hissing loudly in harmony with her own. Its blueish hue covered her from head to toe.

'Let's get this over with then.'

In less then a second the two blades swung and slashed, clashing against her own in bright flashes of colour. Their speed was incredible and she was struggling to keep up. Each time she parried them away she felt the keen sting of the burning saber, telling her they were inches from charring her flesh. One after the other they threw wild, unyielding blows against her. Dianah wasn't used to fighting with two weapons. It wasn't long before she miss-placed a foot and one of their blades came crashing down against the hilt of Jaron's own. A wild, high pitched scream followed shortly after. Dianah was surprised to hear it was from her own voice. Sparks flew as the hilt split in half and fell from her hand leaving behind a gruesome wound covered in black, melted skin.

It seemed this was the boost she needed. The thought of having been so careless as to let Jaron's saber be damaged and the blinding pain of the open wound filled her with such a fury that her eyes turned from amber to a poisonous yellow. Her blade blocked one of the apprentices and she took her chance to swing her closed fist directly at his jaw. Hand to hand combat was easier when you were filled with dark adrenaline. She felt the satisfying crunch of bone as the jaw broke under her hand. The apprentice gave a garbled cry of pain and stumbled backward. The next part was easy. She gave a simple flick of her hand and he was sent tumbling backward. The floor beneath him was littered with sharp metal shards from broken storage boxes. He landed flat on his back. A spray of blood burst from his mouth as a particularly large piece pierced through his chest. That one would be dead sooner or later. Now she could focus on the other.

One on one was easy. The last apprentice was strung up, swinging lifelessly on a metal roof support, hung by his own robes. The pain in her hand was unlike anything she had ever felt before. But her only concern was Jaron. Her feet quickly closed the distance between them. Being too eager, she overshot herself by a few feet and ended up scrabbling on the floor toward him.

'Jaron?!' She wrapped hands around his shoulders and gave him a firm shake. 'Answer me, you utter fool...'

[member=Jaron Lesan]

 

[Jaron Lesan]

Dark. Everything was dark, and then it wasn’t.

Jaron found himself standing in the middle of a battlefield. Bodies littered the ground, the smell of blood and burning flesh was as read a sensation as anything he had experienced. His boots carried him around the scene taking in the horrors of what took place. There were more questions than answers as Jaron could hear his boots squishing with each step as the ground was more blood and remains than soil.

Sounds of a continued battle loomed ahead, and his curiosity had gotten the better of him. Had Jaron taken the time to notice the precise strikes of the saber burns and cuts he would have recognized the work of his own hands. He didn’t pay attention. All he knew was there was a battle that had his attention. He had to know what was happening.

Running toward it he suddenly found himself in a dimly lit room. The smell was different. It was of body and sweat. Moans and cries were heard as was the rhythmic breathing of two lovers well versed in pleasing each other filled his ears. He was tempted to open the door and see who they were, but as he reached for the doorway the scene changed again.

Jaron stood in a sterile room the sound of a baby crying assaulted his ears. He looked and medical droids and nurses were attending to new life, a boy who carried the traits of his family. Jaron would know a Lesan child when he saw one. His cold features melted long enough to feel his head move for the child only for the scene to change again. Now all he saw were three sillohettes standing over the same field he started in. Three, a man, a woman, and another young man. A family was responsible, one rich in dark power.

Jaron saw the future.

His eyes fluttered open, his sight was clear, but his ears were ringing. A muffled sound came from Dianah, telling him to wake up. Jaron bolted up, grabbed Dianah and pulled her into a hug. His usually strong arms were somewhat limp, but he held her for a time. The force it took to do what he had done had nearly killed him, and Jaron had come back from the brink of his own demise, and did what, the daughter of Darth Metus? No, a friend, or something more.

“You’re safe... I didn’t kill you.”

Jaron tried to stand up to his feet, but his legs buckled. With a hand now on Dianah’s shoulder Jaron was on one knee. The force could not help him now. He needed time to rest and recharge. It was going to be a long walk back to the speeders, and then a slow return to Sanctuary Rock.

Then came words Jaron hated to utter.

“I need you to help me back.”

[member="Dianah Vrorae"]

 

[Darth Miseria]

A tidal wave of relief washed over her as Jaron stirred from his sleep. There wasn't a hint of doubt in her mind about him being alive. She had felt a light breath on her face when she lent down to shake him. Yet still there was relief. His torso flung upright catching her completely by surprise, but she clutched him back, despite the cry of pain from her hand. Her fingers worked their way through his hair and stroked the top of his head gently. She could feel how weak he was in her arms. It made her feel a wash of tender affection and something akin to motherly care. His words made her laugh. But this wasn't a laugh he had heard before. It was soft and gentle and came from the pit of her stomach. It was Dianah without the show.

'Kill me? You'll have to try harder then that, cyar'ika.'

Her voice bubbled over with the excitement that he wasn't nearly as injured as she thought he was. Dianah's eyes made a quick pass over his body, looking for anything physical that might be ailing him.

His legs buckled under him when he tried to stand. Dianah wasn't surprised in the slightest. A move like that would have blown every ounce of energy he had in one go. With his hand on her shoulder she could easily slide her own around him to offer the support he would need. She made no move to try and lift him yet. Her weak shoulder was pressed up against his underarm and her wounded hand had taken it's place on his waist. There was also the fact that he was as drained as he looked.

For now she abandoned her hold on him and sat herself down on the stone floor.

'I will help you, in time. There's no danger now. You should rest for a moment first.'

There was no shame in asking for help. Even the greatest of warriors relied on their kinfolk to watch their back. It only made her admire him more. Dianah wrapped her arms around him again and brought his head toward her chest. If he wanted to he could rest his weight on her frame and she would hold him steady.

A million questions burned through her mind at a thousand miles a minute. This didn't seem like the right time for questions though. So the silence began to creep back into the now empty cave. No more then a few moments had passed before she couldn't help herself any longer and the question slipped through her teeth. She wanted to be angry at him for spending himself so quickly and very nearly getting himself killed. But how could she be angry now? After all, he had saved her life.

'So, what was that?'

[member=Jaron Lesan]

 

[Jaron Lesan]

Jaron offered a weak smile in response. Even in his exhaustion, and her concern, she still found time for flirtatious banter. There was a weight to it now though. He could only see the vision replaying in his mind, knowing it was pieces of his future. He was dark, so dark, but that wasn’t what was on his mind. The lovers’ cries washed over his ears again, and the sound of his son. As he looked at Dianah all he could wonder was if it was her? Why had he that vision now.

Even the way she said cyar’ika seemed less of a tease, even if it was.

Jaron continued to offer a weak smile, and let it go when she told him to rest. His head rest where she placed it, and he basked in the silence. They were safe. He wasn’t dead, and the guards were gone, just gone. The only evidence of their battle were dead apprentices that had followed Dianah. Jaron just now noticed.

“Nice work with the others...” he said avoiding her question for now. Jaron was ready to describe it.

The quesrion hung on the air like a weight that pressed against him. He was unable to ignore it for long, and shrugged in response.

“The first thing, is called Rage. Ludo Kressh’s ghost taught it to me years ago. The other, was called repulse. The problem is both of them are draining. Rage more so. It takes everything I have.”

Jaron tried to stand again, but he still couldn’t. He was a stubborn Lesan, like all of them. His thoughts were on the vision and on getting out of the base. A yawn escaped him.

“Maybe we’re camping here tonight...”

[member="Dianah Vrorae"]

 

[Darth Miseria]

'There now, that's the smile I'm used too.'

It pleased her greatly to know he still had enough energy to respond to her relentless teasing. It meant he wasn't as tired as she had originally thought. The memories of the day had been slowly replaying in her head. Over the course of their little mission he had shown huge strength and determination. He had taught, protected and followed all without question.

'Well then you're worst than a fool, Jaron Lesan. You're an idiot.' Dianah glanced down at him with sharp yellow eyes. She was careful not to lace her voice with too much anger because it wasn't necessarily anger at him. It was an anger for the recklessness of his actions and the consequences they could have faced. 'You could have hurt yourself or worse. What would I have done without you, hmm?'

There was another brief moment of silence after she had finished her piece. His answer set a decision firm in her mind. They could not stay here. If he had expended such a large amount of force the rest of the Jedi would be coming soon. Rather quickly if she wasn't mistaken. She slid herself up to a stand and began to pace the room, reaching out with the force as she did so. To be completely honest, she wasn't entirely sure what she was searching for. A trap door? A hidden set of stair cases? Or maybe...

She squealed with delight and shoved a square of rock heavily with her good shoulder. The whole wall seemed to come alive with creaks and groans as the secret door swung slowly on old hinges. Sunlight poured through the gaping hole that would be their escape, flooding through the cave and lighting up the brutal scene they left in their wake. Without warning Dianah was by his side wrapping herself around him and tucking her shoulder flush under his. In no less than three seconds she had managed to stand him, albeit unsteadily, on his feet. There was a searing pain tearing through her shoulder and her palm. She couldn't help but winch and suck a sharp breath of air through her teeth.

'Unfortunately for you we can't stay here much longer. Jedi might be slow but they're not entirely stupid. They'll have felt that force rage a thousand times over. We need to move.'

The walk back to the speeders would be long and gruelling. But step by step, for better or worse, they were taking this journey together.

*​

​

A Few Hours Later​

Sanctuary Rock​

​

The sound of worn, heavy footsteps cascaded through the empty base that Jaron Lesan called home. Dianah was weak and tired but in much better condition then Jaron himself, who hung limp in her grasp. They were both covered in a thick layer of mud that reached all the way up to their thighs. It hadn't been a perfect trip. There were a few Jedi hot on their tails the whole way back. Plus, with both herself and Jaron to balance on one speeder, she had fallen over a few times.

But that was no matter now. They were back in the relative safety of home.

The last few steps were the hardest. Having little to no idea of the layout of the base, Dianah wondered around aimlessly for more than half an hour looking for the bedroom. Upon finally finding it, she let out a sob of happiness. Gingerly she released her tender grasp on Jaron. He still felt limp and lifeless in her arms, which made it easier to manipulate his exhausted limbs into a comfortable position on the bed. A heavy sigh escaped the thin break in her lips as his weight slid from her wounded shoulder.

There was nowhere to go and nothing to do but wait for him to wake up. With this knowledge Dianah settled herself in a chair beside the bed and let her eyes slip closed into the deepest sleep she ever had.

[member=Jaron Lesan]

 

[Jaron Lesan]

Not much was recalled about the return trip to Sanctuary Rock other than how difficult it had been. The fact Dianah had drug him back and placed him in his own bed had quickly endeared her to him in a way no one else had. Jaron could not recount anyone else who had ever gone out of their way to guarantee his personal safety. He would forever be grateful and loyal to her for it. Dianah’s actions more than earned that response from him.

His energy only needed normal sleep to recharge. He was not injured as Dianah had been, just exhausted. The natural clock in his body had him awake at the same time it did every morning, and as he woke he remembered why he was still in his armor. Dianah was asleep on the chair next to his bed, which could not have been comfortable. Using the force as not to wake her, Jaron laid her on his bed before walking back to the armory to hang up his armor.

Once he was free of the suit, he wandered off to the fresher for a quick shower. The kitchen was not a far walk from where he had made his room and was connected to a lounge on the east and a dining area on the west. The kitchen faced south. A pot of caf was started as was a kettle for tea. Jaron didn’t know which she drank in the morning if anything. As it worked itself, Jaron prepared a breakfast for for royalty. Dianah was in a way after all.

Eggs, sausages, bacon, potatoes, muffins, fruits, and cheeses were laid out. It wasn’t often Jaron had an excuse to raid the kitchen pantry for all the good stuff. The aroma of all the foods filled the entire floor, and it made Jaron’s stomach growl. He was determined to wait for Dianah, hoping she wasn’t that far from being awake herself.

[member="Dianah Vrorae"]

 

[Darth Miseria]

Dianah had a fitful sleep. To start with her chosen bed was incredible uncomfortable. She was light and exceedingly flexible but even she couldn't make herself fit snug into the armchair. There was also a million and one thoughts streaming through her mind, causing dreams that were teetering on the verge of being nightmares. They kept her awake into the early morning hours. The only comforting thing about the underground base was the sound of Jaron's slow, gentle breathing. It was long after the first break of light on the horizon when her heavy eyelids finally closed and the sweet escape of sleep took her.

When Jaron finally awoke and shifted her sleeping frame she was practically dead to the world.

An hour or two later Dianah stirred in her sleep to the smell of a home cooked meal. It carried on the air and invaded her nostrils in a comforting way. A hearty groan escaped her lips as she stretched in a cat like manner across the bed, tangling herself in the covers. It was warm in here and incredibly cosy. The sheets smelt of someone very familiar and it brought a sleepy grin to her face as she buried her head against the pillow. But it wasn't very long lived. She felt the dull ache of every muscle in her body. The keen sting of the blaster burn, along with the other injuries she had received, tugged at her already frayed nerves. There was no way she was going to get back to sleep now.

Dianah finally rose up from the mass of pillows It took her a few minutes to figure out where she was. The unfamiliar walls seemed to hold no resemblance to anywhere she had been before. Rubbing the sleep from her eyes, she tried to clear the groggy feeling from her mind. She remembered now. It all came back to her in a sudden flood of realisation. This was Sanctuary Rock. They had made it back after all. A sigh of relief escaped her lips, followed by a painful groan.

The plastoid armour was clutching too tightly at her weary bones. Slowly but surely she removed each piece, having to peel it away in some places where the blood had stuck it to her skin. The scene underneath was a gory revelation on just how crazy they had gotten last night. It all seemed such a blur now. There were a few patches of white to the silks she had worn under the armour, but they were now mostly covered in thick crimson stains. She looked like the beginning of a b-list horror film. So, the silks had to go too. There was nothing much beside the bed sheet to cover herself in as she had little motivation to go hunting through Jaron's drawers. It would do for now.

Her body screamed out a violent protest when she lifted herself slowly up, but the floor felt cool and soothing under her feet. Following the smell that had stirred her from her sleep in the first place Dianah padded into the kitchen.

Jaron was a sight for sore eyes. How he looked so collected after such a rough night Dianah would never know. At this moment in time she wasn't much to look at herself. Over the course of the few hours of deep sleep her form had slowly shifted from the macabre white woman to her usual old-self. Her thick curly hair was wild, it was practically the definition of bed head. Dianah knew she probably didn't smell so fresh either. The wound on her hand was still oozing something that resembled blood but at this point it was hard to tell. The gaping gash was covered in nasty third degree burns. It was a harsh reminder of what she had let happen last night. His saber was broken, lying in the massive system of caves they left behind.

Despite all this, she couldn't help but smile at how domesticated he looked standing by a stove. The spread on the table was a magnificent sight to behold. Especially to Dianah, who couldn't remember when she had last had something to eat.

'Good morning.'

She managed to croak the sentence out. For a few moments her voice sounded foreign to her ears. She quickly realised that this was because it was as dry as the deserts of Tatooine. A quick cough got rid of most of the rough sound but she was still dying of thirst. Clutching the sheets tightly around her she made her lumbering way toward the boiling kettle. It didn't take too long to find the things to make tea. With the first sip she let out a content sigh. The sugary sweet liquid seemed to revive her a little and she focused her eyes on the glorious array of food.

'You look a damn sight better than last night. How are you feeling?'

Choosing a chair at random she threw herself into it with a cheerful noise of appreciation at the lack of weight on her feet. Dianah brought her hand up to her face for closer inspection. It was covered in dirt and charred skin that seemed to be sliding away from visible bone. She remarked to herself that if the apprentice she had fought last night had been slightly quicker he would have sliced clean through her palm.

Using a napkin that was set out on the table, she began to clean the dirt from the wound as best she could. It stung like hell but she knew she'd be grateful for it later.

[member=Jaron Lesan]

 

[Jaron Lesan]

Jaron turned as Dianah spoke. A nod was his only response as his eyes went directly to her wounded wrist.

“Bacta can’t heal burns. The lightsaber would have cauterized that. A medical droid will need to do some work on that. It can be fixed. I’m sorry I got you hurt...”

It came with the territory, but Jaron had done something reckless. His use of the two skills combined had left him in a vulnerable state, and that had gotten Dianah injured. If Jaron was fully Sith he would have simply said it was because she was not strong enough, but Jaron was not. There was concern etched in his eyes as he looked away from the wound and finished laying the spread of food on the table.

Dianah started picking at the dirt in her wound. It was about that time he noticed that she had decided to simply clutch a sheet around herself. Being a full hot blooded male he could not help but wonder what was under the sheets. Her hair was wild, the evidence of a rough or deep sleep, and likely a bit of both. He chuckled to himself as he sat down.

“Better... did you sleep okay?”

Jaron should have asked sooner but had fogetten how to play host. It had been too long. He filled his plate with eggs and breakfast meats, offering them to Dianah as he finished dishing himself. Jaron had no way of knowing what she liked. All he could do was observe, like with the tea, he knew how she took it now and would remember for next time. Jaron hoped there would be a next time.

The silence was awkward. She had questions. Jaron wanted to tell her, but neither broached the subject really.

“There is a fresher down the hall, hot water for a shower, and I can get you some clothes to wear. I suppose your silks are ruined?”

Jaron was dancing around the obvious. She saved him, and the vision which still played in his mind. It had quieted the banter for now, because he was trying to hide it until she had to leave.

[member="Dianah Vrorae"]

 

[Darth Miseria]

'I'm fine, thanks. I slept horribly but I feel a little better.'

Taking the plate with a cheerful grin, Dianah began to stuff her face. There wasn't any delicacy to the way she ate simply because she was ravenous. It took food being placed down in front of her to realise it. She shrugged her shoulders slowly at his advice for her wounds. There had been other wounds that had required more than just "some work". For now the most pressing matter was he still seemed to think it was all his fault. They had gotten out alive, hadn't they? If Metus found out about the whole ordeal he could likely have all the money he wanted for fancy new equipment or whatever his heart desired. But he didn't care about the glory of saving a life. He simply cared that she had been hurt in the process. It touched her deeply and it showed on her face.

'It wasn't your fault, you know? You were only helping. Those apprentices managed to get out before you did... whatever you did. They were just too fast and I wasn't used to-...'

Dianah hummed for a minute, bringing her attention to Jaron's face instead of the plate full of food. He looked so worried. It softened her face and plucked at her heart strings. She really didn't want to tell him what came next. But there was no avoiding it now. Besides, there seemed to be a strange air about him that she couldn't quite put her finger on. At first she guessed it was because he noticed the missing saber. So she came right out with the truth.

'Actually, on that note, I owe you an apology and a new lightsaber. I'm afraid I had to use your blue one and... well.'

She wriggled the fingers of her slightly mangled left hand and the expression on her face turned to genuine sorrow.

Still, she couldn't place it, but she knew there was something else. Something he wasn't bringing up or refusing to face. There was an awkward tension in the air. Hopefully this bit of honest truth would break it and he would feel a little more inclined to share thoughts too. Dianah brought her head down a little to catch his eye with her own. They gave him a piercingly curious look that told him she was aware there was more to the story.

[member=Jaron Lesan]

 

[Jaron Lesan]

It wasn’t his fault. Perhaps, but there could have been another way. Jaron had just acted, it was the mark of true passion perhaps, but Jaron was not used to just acting. Like his uncle there was thought that went into his work. He enjoyed the violence, but never had he saught violence for the sake of being violent. Something in him was changing, and the more Jaron pondered it, with the vision in mind, the more Jaron understood. His future was a dark one.

Dianah was now the one apologizing, though Jaron was shaking his head as he ate. He should have answered her right away, but he was hungry, and much more than what he knew until he had sat down to eat. At this rate, Dianah was going to have to wait for his plate to be clear of what he’d put on it to get an answer. The wait would not be long though as he ate faster than he should.

When he was finisjed, he pushed the plate away and looked up at her, looking her in the eyes for the first time that morning and since the vision.

“I saw my future after I killed all those people.”

The phrase hung in the air, heavy and burnded. Jaron left his eyes on her finally ready to voice what he was pondering.

“It is dark, and my blue saber was not in it. Though...” his eyes moved away from her, looking down at the table. Jaron was building the confidence to say what he wouod next as it would change their relationship the moment it left his mouth. He was unsure whether it would be for good or ill, and he didn’t want to. However, if there was any truth to his assumption, to what he was discerning, he had to. “...you may have been...”

There, it was spoken. He could feel the air between them thick now. It may have just been him, but suddenly there was tension.

[member="Dianah Vrorae"]

 

[Darth Miseria]

She waited for him to finish eating. The food disappeared quickly from the plate. It gave Dianah a glowing feeling. This proved indefinitely that he was feeling much better. The exhaustion and damage he had done to himself seemed to have worn off with the sleep. For the most part she could relax about that now. There was half an expectation in her mind that he would go for seconds, but he pushed the plate back with determination.

The tension rose in the air till it felt like you could cut it with a knife. Whatever it was he was trying to say wasn't coming out easy. When he looked away from her she leant her torso toward him, resting her elbow on the table and her chin on her good palm. He was cute when he was nervous.

For the most part Dianah didn't seem to understand his hesitation to the whole situation. He had had a vision and she was part of it. What was the big deal? Her chestnut brown eyebrow raised slowly and she looked rather disappointed.

'I mean, I have to say, I feel rather let down. All this tension and that's all?'

A high laugh left her lips and filled the silent kitchen, snapping the awkwardness in two. A thought suddenly entered her mind. It brought a light to her eyes that simply screamed she was up to no good. The heavy scrape of his chair against the solid floor echoed against the metal walls. Dianah scooted herself toward him with a wide grin on her face too plant her eyes firmly on his. There was a hint of amusement in her voice. After all, this would be the first time she had tried it on someone that wasn't her teacher. Could she quantify it correctly? She had a vague confidence in her ability to judge how intelligent someone was, so she trusted her instincts and went for it.

'Will you let me see?'

[member=Jaron Lesan]

 

[Jaron Lesan]

A certain look in Dianah’s eyes had told him she was up to something. Jaron should have been wary, in fact every part of him begged him not to give her permission to go digging around in his mind. She was a Sith, and his mind was relatively untouched by the Sith, save for the Sith master he had for a brief moment in his past. He should have said no, but Jaron found himself nodding.

How could he say no when he had just menrioned she was in his vision, or he thought so. What was she going to find? Not much. Yes, he hesitated because she would hear the moans and breathless cries of two lovers deep in a passionate tryst. It would be followed by the sound of a child, his son, crying. The battlefield would be the telling sign that darkness, and death filled the future of the family Jaron would one day have. While it might be an exciting thing to some, Jaron was still unsure of his own thoughts.

That was why he shoukd have said no.

“Yes... you can look. No description I can give will do it justice.”

Jaron lowered the mental shields he had learned to erect for his defense. When he knew his mind was open, he nodded to her with a shy smile. He had already given her permission. It made no sense to hide things from her now, so Jaron recalled the vision and put it at the front of his mind and made it his focus.

[member="Dianah Vrorae"]

 

[Darth Miseria]

'Yes... you can look. No description I can give will do it justice.'

The grin she gave him was wide and charming. This would be the first time someone had given her permission to use drain knowledge, save for her tutor in the subject. She wasn't exactly sure it was supposed to be used for memories but that would make itself apparently quickly. Dianah lent forward and took his hand in hers, entwining their fingers in a tight embrace. There was no need for physical contact, of course, but Dianah felt it would settle him. It couldn't be easy. She wasn't aware of his past but she knew he wasn't like an ordinary Sith... or at least for now he wasn't. But she had no desire to seach the very corners of his mind for his deepest darkest secrets. She simply wanted to know what was bothering him. He couldn't seem to say it himself so this was the only solution. Even so, it must have been an uncomfortable decision for him to make.

'Okay, well, this will either hurt or it won't.'

With the vague warning laid out on the table, she wasted no time shutting her eyes diving into his defenceless mind.

Walking through someone's memories felt like trying to swim through pudding. It was a slow, agonising process. There were a million and one doors belonging million and one memories that opened and closed with uncertainty as she passed by them. But this time it was different. Someone was actually allowing her to see through the haze and they were actively helping her by providing the knowledge. It was easier than putting one foot in front of the other.

The scene flashed before her eyes, exactly how he had pictured it. Each image passed through her mind, finding roots to put down in the empty places. Dianah could smell the rotting bodies and hear the commotion of the battlefield. In the middle of it all she could see Jaron, both the Jaron who was part of this strange vision and the Jaron who was experiencing it. His quick saber slashes made him recognisable from anywhere. She could see now why he knew of the destruction of his blue one. It went as quickly as it came, changing from a gruesome battlefield to something entirely different.

A long corridor stretched out before the watching Dianah. The familiar sound of lust being satisfied filled her ears. Far away from the vision and his mind a faint blush was working its way up Dianah's cheeks. She desperately wanted him to reach out and pull the door open. She desperately wanted to find out who was behind there with him. Just as she thought her curiosity would be sated the scene was forcibly changed again.

The sound of a crying newborn replaced all other noises. The silhouette of a powerful family was deeply engraved in the forefront of her memory.

Dianah snapped her eyes open, pulling herself from his mind. Her heart beat a heavy rhythm against her rib cage as she tried to wrap her head around the vision. Unknowingly, her hand was squeezing Jaron's tightly. Her sharp nails pressed against his skin with a pressure too firm for flesh. A steady sigh escaped the thin opening in her lips.

'Right... Well... Okay... I, uh. Hmm.'

The blush on her cheeks was now a ferocious red and the awkward tension had returned to the room. For once Dianah seemed to be lost for words. So, as most people do when they feel embarrassed or awkward, she reverted to asking simple questions. But she couldn't escape one part of the vision that had seared itself into her head.

'Why didn't you open the door?'

[member=Jaron Lesan]

 

[Jaron Lesan]

He knew that he had assumed a lot by suggesting Dianah May have been in that vision. His only reason for the assumption was because he had just been with her prior to having it. Farseeing was a tricky thing, as his Uncld had always earned him. The future was not always written in stone, and the circumstances that could trigger a detailed vision as he had experienced could not alway he trusted. There was one problem with all that Jedi nonsense.

It felt so real.

Jaron knew what Judah would have told him about it, that even in the vision his feelings could not be trusted. The sharp pain of her finger nails digging into his had brought him out of his own thoughts. He winced as they broke through his flesh and pressed drops of blood onto her nails.

Her words signaled that she was out of his mind. The defenses that had been taken down for her were replaced in an instant. Jaron fortified them even more out of habit. Even though he had allowed it, his instinct was that it had been invaded. He paused and listened, but nothing coherent was really said. Immediately the tension had returned. Jaron knew the question. Was it her? Was it someone else?

Dianah asked it in her own way.

'Why didn't you open the door?'

What was Jaron supposed to say. He just looked at her, wondering if this would end the fun banter they had enjoyed previously. She deserved an answer though, and for this Jaron did have one.

“And if I had, had it been you... would have wanted the feeling over your head that some vision is the reason for whatever would happen? Would force things to follow what you saw behind that door? As much as I wanted to know, I do not want the cage that knowing would bring. I want the joy of the chase, the satisfaction of knowing I captured my prize. Anyone I chase it will be with the nagging question of ‘was it her behind that door?’ Even sitting here with you I wonder now, and I did during the vision itself. I still didn’t open the door. Isn’t the mystery so much better? Would you enjoy the chase if you knew how it was going to end?”

He spoke more than he intended with his answer, and he was not sure it would be what Dianah wanted to hear. What Jaron knew was he had been honest, and Dianah would know if as well. While the tension remained, it had softened. It was bearable, enjoyable even. The truth always set one free.

Jaron stood from his chair and grabbed a napkin from the counter. He pressed it to the open slid on his hand to stop the bleeding. When he came back to the table it was with the water kettle, and Jaron warmed up Dianah’s tea. There was another thought on his mind, but he was unsure if he should share it. In such a moment of honesty it would seem disingenuous not to, but after the vision...

His voice was soft as he topped off her tea cup.

“I didn’t want to know because I intend to chase you no matter who it was behind that door...”

[member="Dianah Vrorae"]

 

[Darth Miseria]

She listened to his words carefully. People generally make more sense when they're faced with an awkward conversation or a difficult situation. Your mind is so focused on the weight of it all you forget all the elaborates of social convention. You forget to lie and skip over words too delicate for normal conversation. But Jaron wasn't interested in any of that and nor did he make a pretence at it. He spoke honestly and truthfully and Dianah was more grateful for it then she could say.

'I suppose you're right. But you've got another thing coming if you think the chase stops just because you manage to bed me.'

A hint of her bantering mannerisms returned, though it wasn't said with as much vigour as the previous days. In her voice there was a lingering hint of deep thought. It appeared she had her mind focused on something else. But not too focused that she could let the opportunity just walk right by without a pass.

Dianah watched him stand and gave herself a nasty shock when she noticed the blood pouring from his hand. Had she done that? Sweeping the bedsheets up so they didn't catch on her feet, she stood up hurriedly. Once the distance between them was but a few inches, she gingerly took the napkin from his hands. Dianah had little to no medical knowledge but she did her best to mop up what had already spilt and put pressure on the thin wounds.

'I'm sorry... I didn't realise.'

The next sentence from his mouth came as a surprise to her. Even when it felt like fate was pulling them apart slowly he was still determined to win her. It make the bright red blush on her cheeks turn into a flattering pink hue. Her gaze remained away from him, fixed on his weathered hand. During the few moments of quiet she allowed to pass over the room after his words, Dianah found herself coming to a strange realisation. She was no stranger to the feeling of want, but this was different. In all her life she had never wished for something so hard.

She wanted it to be her behind that door.

Her eyes lifted up to meet his and she gave him one of her signature smiles to break the tension.

'I suppose I better run quick enough to keep you on your toes then. Otherwise I might lose you to the monotony of victory.'

[member=Jaron Lesan]