as he spoke,   qi’ra took the time to enter the code for her safe on the other side of her office.    inside the safe was her blaster..   an S-195 pistol.   it was trusty,  comfortable and the first weapon dryden gave her.    she also grabbed the holster for it before turning on her heel and shutting the safe in the wall behind her.  

    the tension between the two of them seemed to shift as soon as he stood merely inches from her.  qi’ra ignored it,  stopping in her tracks to peer into his eyes with the same intensity he carried around with him.       “    oh,  i can take care of myself.  but can you take care of yourself?    ”     she says it with a smirk and quirked brow.  truthfully,  it was in part a serious question.   she didn’t know him or his capabilities,  and countless times has she met men that appeared to carry themselves only to be faking it.     

    “    spare me a moment.    ”     it wasn’t a question,   more like a demand.  qi’ra passed him by and entered her quarters,  allowing the door to shut itself behind her.   a moment or two later,   qi’ra exited in far more practical clothes for this kind of trip instead of the floor length gown she wore when he arrived.   still,   the crimson dawn symbol was evident in her choice,  as well as burned into her skin.    -     she holstered her gun and threw on the jacket she had in her hands before heading to the lift.  

    “    well     -     lets go.    ”      she said it as the lift doors opened.   qi’ra backed into the small space with her hands resting on her hips. 

“ if i couldn’t take care of myself, you and i both know that i would not be here. the empire would not send someone incompetent to handle this task, “ sion bites back as he looked towards the woman who was smirking at him so deviously. sion was not the kind of man who would talk a big game and fail to back it up. sion is the first brother, and he was certain that he would be ascending to the rank of grand inquisitor sooner rather than later. a simple jedi would not pose a significant threat to him. it’s why his partner was likely going to do the bulk of the fighting on this mission while he continued to scope out for the powerful force connection he had sensed here.

sion nods when she tells him that she required a moment, opting not to fight her to try to maintain some semblance of peace between the two of them. during her time away, the sith starts to move around the entire office, inspecting the space and learning to memorize it’s details. it’s something that he normally does when he enters a space, but he had been completely distracted by qi’ra. she had this presence to her that commanded attention. she was almost impossible to ignore, and that magnetic personality actually demanded a bit so suspicion from sion. 

    most notably, the shift in energy could lightly be felt on her fingertips but nothing could be done to tap further. the lack of interest of how the force works first hand and the mystery behind it will be the one of the few that can’t be solved or deciphered from jaz. not in this life time, at least. sion’s intentions for the dagger seemed a bit perplexing, as if there were pieces missing to his statement and eager to know a little more. alas, it was none of her concern or her business to question further. the vast opening surrounding them and the hollow sound of wind whistling through her ears solidifies the ancient burial ground of force users who once walked about. she steps towards her right, a heavily gated passage with hieroglyphs carved along the wall. fingertips searched for a moment until she pressed the correct key. the walls shifting to match their respective images,  “  okay — so this temple creates some kind of passage leading into the next room and resets every ten minutes,  ”  she steps back and several pockets across the floor open up, revealing golden tunnels too small for their sizes,  “  create enough friction with the force, along the floor, to push open the bridge — roughly, that’s what i can make out with this ancient text.  ”

    it shouldn’t be difficult, not with terrain like this. reminds her of the days as a padawan when she was given a task to survive in the wild; forests, tundras, wherever she was sent. naturally, her mother never approved but eventually, she got around to the fact of eden appearing more resilient than she thought. even now, it applies through her injuries sizing down with the only gift she’ll ever get from the sith following behind. she’ll be fine, she’s pushing herself forward up a steep hill to make it above water levels. the texture on her boots felt sturdier than the ground prior, it was perfect enough to remain close to her ship,  “  sion, where did you crash? mine isn’t too far away. if we remain close, we’ll be off planet in no time,  ”  eyes focused ahead to find a overhang leading into a dark cave. granted, she only hopes no one lives in there already. the dozens of creatures she could be disturbing won’t be too happy about their presence. her hand reaches for her saber in steadiness, approaching the low cave carefully and using her power to search for any beings that could be tucked inside,  “  — i think we’ll be okay in here.  ”

    “  i only said yes to a drink, not to stargaze with you by the prime minister’s balcony,  ”  eden corrects and attempts to put him in placement. even if they weren’t at odds, eden wouldn’t like to be alone with someone she doesn’t trust. there’s no telling exactly what was up his sleeve. at any moment, it could change whether the force would warn her or tell her the truth of his intentions,  “  we’ve already invaded enough space in this room, i’d rather not stick around for too long,  ”  she only insists out of anxiety-ridden notions. of course, at her leisure, she’s welcome to stay as long as she was able to complete her mission without much hassle but sion could be the only obstacle that could ruin eden’s cover, whether he’s playing nice or chooses not to. another quick sip and she maneuvers around sion loosely, just to get out of the closed space,  “ however, i do wanna know: did you finally swallow your pride and attempt to flirt with a skywalker just now? or is that liquid courage giving you a boost?  ”

    “  i didn’t. i was occupied most of the day,  ”  she lied through her teeth, smiling as she did so. peering ‘round the corner from the divider which leads into her bed, she enters the main space with loose crossed arms and a thick duster to cover majority of her,  “  tomorrow morning, you and i leave for dathomir. the tribe knows of the trip but they’re not aware of what we’re really doing,  ”  as good news could be told, she’s managed to send a hypercomm to the clan of interest in hopes of gaining more allies along the way. the day of meticulous scheming, remaining close to her former master while she still lives and her father for further information all gathers more influence of their crusade. ves steps closer and closer to the sith, letting her hands reach out to tug the bottom of his jacket and bring him towards her,  “  we won’t be long for any suspicion. just be sure to pack light – and prepare for unruly creatures.  ”

    the level of emotion that rises at a fast pace was unmatched and indescribable. but certainly, her negatvity rages within. aura vaal was a lie. the force leads her to the truth, just as she hoped it would – but letting it be someone close to her tell of her real was not what she wanted to hear. both hands at her sides closed to fists, eyes focused on the ground below. silence is the only exert from the apprentice that can be beared at the moment. nothing but pain swells her chest, even betrayal plays along from both the empire and from sion. sersi sunrider, the last of her family, it seems. what else were they hiding? and how long have they done this to her? sersi turns sharply, keeping his touch away from her being at a short distance,  “  what else are you keeping from me that’s considered mine?  ”  irritation could be best described from her tone but they both know she’s so much more than just irritated.

    the hatred for the order is buried under her skin, impossible to dig out for the times she’s been ridiculed, tortured, disciplined down to the bloody flesh of her knuckles. however, the people she’s left behind are who matter most and if encountered, where will her mind go to next is what she fears. something that could never be spoken about to sion, not by the skin of her teeth. until he asked her what exactly happened,  “  i got one. challenging but… i managed,  ”  she’s hesitant, almost shaky in her chest. the nervous habit of bringing up her hand to cover across her lips,  “  — i came across another. and realized i couldn’t do it,  ”  her voice drifts, lingering on pain and shame as she maintains a strong tone. eyes shift away from the screen briefly,  “  one of them – is my sister. i can’t take the chance of taking her life. she doesn’t deserve that,  ”  what she doesn’t know either is the possibility of her brother being a knight as well. the increase of slaying the only blood relatives that exist in this entire galaxy pushes her away from achieving the goal of becoming a sith lady, just as sion wanted for her,  “  shame me if you want, come after me, i don’t care. i’m not risking it anymore.  ”

     The thought of going to a place unknown to her, to be surrounded by random people…it was quite the scare. This man, came from somewhere, saw her, and knew that was what he wanted. It was new, of course, new to her. Her world was small compared to that go the galaxy, slowly getting use to everything around her. It was nice until she was targeted for something she wasn’t aware of. 

     “ Then all I have is your word. I look forward to seeing you keep it. ” Jixi gave a small bow of her head. Dark eyes looked to the man’s assistant for a brief moment, a little timid on what to say or do. 

     Looking for an outfit to fit the evening wasn’t something she was good at or use to. Her home planet hardly had anything flashy, but she was use to form fitting clothing. Jixi might have the assistant do a lot more than just taking her places.

 “ Thank you. I’ll see you then. ”

his assistant knew everything about the event. knew what kind of attire was required, what kind of people would be there and more importantly, knew what kind of look sion would prefer. so they were more than capable of helping her to find an elegant and alluring gown to meet and join sion on their agreed upon date. he was more than capable of guiding her to stores  and suggesting exactly what would fit the moment and her physique. 

once they settled on something appropriate, reeves, sion’s apprentice arrange for transportation for jixi to make sure that she would arrive at the gala on time and in style. a fancy speeder showed up at the local inn to pick her up and deliver her to the grandiose affair and assure that she would be the center of attention.

     it took plenty of time and patience, planning accordingly and will to strike the first knight. separating him from the pack was a lot harder than expected but never the less, his death fueled her anger, the dark side starting to make a home out of her body and soul. while fear continues to haunt, she only had one more to bring back for her master. a trophy was placed on her ship, hidden in the shadows of an unfamiliar planet. days were passing her, quietly letting anger brew until the second knight was in her sights, it suddenly deflates and has her doubts rush through like a tidal wave. 

     with the knight’s face revealed to be long lost family, there was no way to pull through with the second strike. instead of searching for another, meera mozh reminded her sister that they did not have to fight, regardless of the many times dru’s been almost killed by her. and so she fades, slipping away quickly and out of the order’s sight long enough to venture into space. drusilla plops on her holotable, bringing up contact with sion. she owes him an update and an explanation.

there was no doubt in his mind that his apprentice could complete the task and earn the title of sith. sion had every expectation that he would receive some sort of communication from her, telling him that she had killed the two knights and ascended to what she deserved. it was only a matter of time before she accepted her rightful place as a lady of the sith. she could tear open a place and claim the power that should have belonged to her from her own birth. but sion has every intention of helping to guide her to what should have always belonged to her. 

    memory served for the brief moments she’s taken in and tried to connect. they were fleeting and almost unreal to believe that the apprentice once visited this estate more often than not. then again, many of her memories have faded to a white noise and distant static in her mind. the term ‘birthright’ flutters her chest nervously. what birthright did she have, aside from the place they stood? her head turns to sion with furrowed brows, curious to know where he leads with his words,  “ ‘home’? ”  wasn’t she born elsewhere? not here on a near-destroyed war planet? she straightens up, holding her breath to what he might tell her next. in truth, she can feel the force and its rawness unfolding before her, peeling away at her soul one strip at a time,  “  how do you know if this was my ‘home’?  ”

@prodigalsith​ | x.

    “  tomorrow midnight, come by my quarters,  ”  the latest in the hour but it was the safest time they can risk. closing themselves off from each other during the day and even in parts of the night will be difficult but not impossible. ves assumes that he can handle himself without contacting to her for hours on end. a plan for action is slowly in motion as she knows to be victorious over the tribe, to minimize their influence down to dust. a sense of relief releases within as she was glad to not have sion against her on this crusade,  “  our first task will take place,  ”  the valiant daughter of the khai family was more than willing to sacrifice her own for the sake of familial love. notions for her reasons remain buried, not until this was all over and they could breathe freely. she pulls away with consideration, hanging onto the tips of his fingers and circled around him to venture off into the night,  “  don’t be late.  ”

“ i won’t keep you waiting, “ sion assures as he watches the sith warrior saunter her way around him as she ventured off. the touch of her hand against his own stuck with him and he could hardly wait to see her again. an entire day without seeing the love of his life was difficult when he knows she’s so close, but he’s is not going to break their word. because staying quiet, staying secret, staying a surprise would allow them to work without risk of being interrupted. he does not know how she intends to bring about a reform amongst the lost tribe, but he knows that he wants to be at her side.