You Grew Up...

[Darth Metus]

Dathomir.

On the fringes of Mandalorian space existed the world characterized by Witches and Magick. Many avoided this place out of fear; for stories had circulated the stars about the Hellish rituals undertaken here. Yet while many went out of their way to avoid the magical planet, Isley Verd found comfort in its ways. For one thing, it had become his sanctuary for the past six years; a place of respite from the political backlash of his choices. For another, it had become the home of someone he had come to love.

[member="Deneve"]

She was the miracle that he had always wanted, yet was physically unable to achieve. A fling of his youth manifested into a beautiful child that he was woefully unaware of. Then, calamity struck him, removing his ability to contribute to new life; removing his pride as a man. As he grew older, he attempted to circumvent this disability by artificially creating children...but that ended up doing more harm than good. Yet, just when Isley was beginning to accept the reality of it all, he was informed of Deneve.

And he rushed to pull her from the sordid situation that she was sinking into.

Initially, he was not there as much as he wanted to; and there was no way to make this beautiful youngling understand what he had to do to ensure her safety. No one could know that she lived, lest they used her as a means of wounding him. Isley would not have his child's life ruined even more than it already was, and as such went on a rampage to prevent that. In the meantime, he placed her in the care of a congregation of people he could trust: the Witches of Clan Morte. They, his adopted kin, were more than strong enough to protect every hair on her head...

And now, he had returned to see her.

His personal vessel descended from Hyperspace and swiftly reached the Fortress nestled in the far mountains. There, he landed at the pad that he had installed; for Force knew that the place needed a technological update. It was hard for Isley to disembark at a pace that didn't scream "excited", for he rather enjoyed seeing his youngling. Well, she wasn't so young anymore. She had grown so much over the past few years; and everytime Isley saw her, he was amazed. With swift steps, the Mandalorian descended the ramp before making his way through the Morte Clan's home.

And to be honest, it was kinda like a labyrinth at times.

Before coming, Isley had told his kinsman to have Deneve meet him in the gardens. He figured it was a nice place to meet up, talk, and maybe spend a little time together. Perhaps he'd take her off world today? Or maybe he'd show her some of his trade? Whatever happened, he was just happy to be able to see his cyar'ika.

 

[Deneve Verd]

So her father was returning once more... Any child in her position would be thrilled to see the man that helped create them; Not her.

She should be happy shouldn't she? But, she came up blank. Everytime she saw her father she would continue to feel even more of a burden to him.. When he came he'd always give her a gift of some sort.. She was greatful of course but she couldn't help feeling that he was trying to hard. She was after all the product of a fling.

After all, what use could he possibly have for her. He was busy galavanting around searching for or making amends with his "projects" a term she'd use to identify those he created. It had hurt her when she had found out that he made multiple cloned children. Thankfully, she had taken any hurt she had felt and used it to focus on learning all she could from her father's clan.


So when her father's adoptive kin told her to meet him in the garden, she'd dutifully obey and go see him. Making her way towards the garden slowly, it would ne apparent to those that knew her she wasn't exactly thrilled about being there. Thankfully, none knew her to well. She made a habit of keeping to herself and doing only what was expected of her.

Soon she reached the garden and would lower herself down upon the ground, moving to sit indian style so that she could reign in her emotions and focus on just the positive ones. "Think happy thoughts. Think happy thoughts Deneve." She'd chant softly to herself before picturing what she viewed as happy. Any negative emotions slipping away with her mental imaging.

[member="Isley Verd"]

 

[Darth Metus]

Upon rounding the final corner, the Mandalorian was first greeted with the sight of greenery. A vast assortment of Dathomir's natural beauty had been gathered together to form this garden. Littered about its space were benches of stone and small tiles which former a path throughout. Isley rather enjoyed this particular place, as it was the definition of peaceful. During his era of refuge on the planet, he would often come to this very garden to clear his mind of worries and to steel himself regarding future decisions.

Yet today, he was here to see his child...and before she came into view, he could feel her presence.

It seemed as though each time he came to visit, her presence in the Force grew. What was once a simple nugget of potential was now a billowing sea, just waiting to be tapped. She had learned much, of this there was no doubt, but there was so much more that she could learn. Hopefully he would have the opportunity to do so. However, upon taking a step forward, Isley was met with a brick wall of emotion. These sensations were not his own, yet emanated from the daughter he so attuned himself to.

Discomfort. Confusion. Sadness?

Why did she feel this way? Why was there not joy in knowing he had come? These inquiries plagued the Mandalorian's mind as he drew near and were at the forefront of his concerns when he saw her. However, just as he laid eyes upon her, the wall of emotions vanished...as if she had willed them away. "Deneve..." he breathed, before descending to the ground to sit beside her. "What troubles you so?"

Straight to the point, as always. That was the businessman part of him rearing its ugly head.

 

[Deneve Verd]

"Always the business man father..."

Speaking softly, it was a few moments before she would grace him with a glance, a frown marring her features. Taking a deep breath, she decided to take one from his book and dive right on into the point.
"Why are you even here?Surely you have more important things to attend to like your various cloned children. I do not need you to feel obligated to come see the the product of a fling when you were young and naive... "

Speaking in a calm manner devoid of any traces of emotion, it wasn't long before she'd rise in one fluid motion and move to place a hand upon his shoulder in an affectionate manner, an action that surprised even her. Even if she were hurting and not able to understand his actions, she couldn't bring herself to cause her father pain of any kind even. So she acted accordingly in hopes to ease any potential sting her words may have had.

Stepping back, she'd give him a polite nod, soon turning to pace a few feet away so that she could keep a lid on any potential feelings that may leak out. If anything bothered her it was feelings, she hated how they made her feel so she'd developed a method to just lock them away and be a blank slate. Taking a few deep breaths, she'd await his response.

[member="Isley Verd"]

 

[Darth Metus]

Talk about the apple not falling far from the tree.

After the words fell from the Mandalorian's lips, Deneve turned to face her sire. Her face was devoid of happiness, and was instead characterized by sadness. Why would she be sad? Had something happened while she was away? Isley waited on baited breath to hear the culprit behind his child's expression...and was met with what felt like a punch to his stomach. Deneve went straight to the point, just as he often did, and it legitimately stung.

As if anticipating the wound she'd create with her words, Deneve then placed a hand upon his shoulder: an affectionate bandage for a bullet wound. It took Isley a second to consider what to say next, but before long he reached up and placed his hand upon hers. "You are my daughter. You are the single child that was born, naturally, from me. I was stricken with the inability to do so later on in life: a side-effect of repeated interrogations. I tried to step into the realm of gods and circumvent this handicap..."

"But then I find out that what I was willing to move heaven and earth to make was already born. You. Deneve, you are precious to me, more than you will ever know. That's why I went to such great lengths to protect you; that's why I brought you here to Dathomir. I'm not here out of some mis-placed feeling of obligation, I'm here because I love you."

And that was the truth of the matter. Pure and simple.

[member="Deneve"]

 

[Deneve Verd]

C o m f o r t;

Her father always had a knack at offering her comfort. It surprised her even to this day, they hadn't know each other that long. He had missed out on quite a few years of her upbringing yet he still knew her and what words to say to her to ease and form of doubt within her. Biting back the urge to cry like some child, she would blink rapidly and then pull her hand back from under his. It wasn't long before she would kneel in-front of her father so that she could gently wrap her arms around him.

"I am sorry for doubting you.. It just gets hard. As much as I find it tedious to admit, I am jealous. I don't like just seeing you for fleeting moments. "

Speaking softly, it wasn't long before she would pull back and compose herself, any and all traces of sappiness or emotions placed with a suddenly defiantly determined look. Crossing her arms over her chest, she would stare her father down intently for a few minutes before beginning to speak, leaving him little to no room to object.

"But, that won't be a problem anymore because when you leave I will be coming with you. Be it of your knowing or not. I am not above becoming a stow away father. I've decided to be proactve and make the decision for you... "


Her words came out rushed slightly before she would move to stand up, offering him her hand so that he too could rise.


[member="Isley Verd"]

 

[Darth Metus]

Moments like these were the sort that prompted lumps in throats, and boy did Isley have one. Upon being embraced by his child, his arms instinctively wrapped around her just as tightly. They lingered there, holding one another for a moment, whilst Deneve confessed her feelings of jealousy. To be honest, Isley couldn't blame her. It wasn't exactly fair that he only pop in for mere moments. It wasn't exactly fair that he hadn't been a true father to her.

And then Deneve decided to act exactly like her father.

Upon standing, the tenderness of the moment was replaced by an air of decisiveness. With her chin practically thrust into the air, she announced her intention to come along with him; whether he liked it or not. Isley blinked...smirked...and then laughed aloud. "Alright Den'ika, you can come along. You're old enough now that I'm sure you won't get into too much trouble. Although...you'll need some armor...and maybe a suitable weapon...and maybe even some lessons..."

There was a playful edge in his voice. He was offering to train, arm, and generally spend time with her. She would be with him from here on out; assuming that she didn't mind getting shot at. A lot.

[member="Deneve"]

 

[Deneve Verd]

If she were surprised at all she was a master at not showing it. Studying the man whom helped give her life, she would then give him a greatful smile, a semi feral look entering her eyes at the prospect of training and using weapons. Pushing back the quick and suddenly strong on-rush of battle lust almost immediately, she would then give her father a relieved smile, resisting the urge to dance about in a small victory dance.


"I am glad you agree father. I look forward to training and achieving a suitable weapon. I think we should start as soon as possible. Times wasting as we stand here idly. The fact that I get to spend more than a few brief moments with you is a huge added bonus that I am most greatful for.."

Speaking in a semi excited tone, she would do something highly unlike her, returning to her father's side, she once more embraced him; only this time throwing her arms about his form excitedly for the briefest of moments before once more stepping back. Stepping back a few paces, it wasn't long before she tilted her head and studied her father, something she did each visit to determine and noticable changes within him. Finding none that drew and form of concern , she gave him a slight nod, signaling that she was ready for him to decide what it was they were going to do first.
[member="Isley Verd"]