corner of visions

Prologue

2288, late August, Commonwealth. 

The rain seemed not to end throughout the whole day. Naked branches of what was supposed to be trees back in the Pre-War days were creaking and bending down from the heavy wind. The always grim fields of dried out and decaying grass were looking even more upsetting in the grey fog of rain. It was fairly quiet near the Sanctuary area as only the water droplets were heard banging against the rusting roofs and remaining patches of concrete that used to serve as roads, accompanied by the eerie swaying of trees and distant rumbles of thunder.

He stood before an open entrance to what looked like a large terrace with glass walls and ceiling, an orangery of some sorts but it had minimal plants around the place. Nonetheless, the air there seemed less dusty and dense as in the other parts of the palace, as well as the warm sunlight gave the place a cosy feeling to it. Quite a contrast, compared to the main throne hall. Perhaps the cold and strict interior made the throne room seem like a cold spot, even with the same warm light decorating it. Maybe the lack of greenery also took away the warmth from the room. Yet after a moment of observing the area that he didn’t pay too much attention to before, his eyes then fell upon a familiar figure sitting by a short coffee table, which had a pale trail of steam coming from the cups that rested on it. 

It finally clicked to him what the scent was, together with the feeling of familiarity. Well, doubtfully about the last part, because Maul still couldn’t understand this connection he had with the woman that sat by the table; he couldn’t wrap his head around what was the cause or maybe it was truly something impossible to frame into lines of logic and rationality because the feelings were instinctual, or maybe it is something the Force is trying to tell him. His eyes observed the way she, Orin, sat, or more to say half-lying, on the floor. It was a very relaxed manner, as if she was taking a break from something. His eyes trailed the lines of her body, almost mesmerising the way she stayed there; it was an unseen side from her since she’s normally a very reserved and discreet person. So it was double the curiosity that his eyes were stuck on her, but also the question in his mind was still circling. He sighed a little, giving up on the idea to figure this out on his own deduction alone, and instead decided to submerge into the sensations first. He took a couple careful steps towards Orin but the moment he saw her head turn ever so slightly just to have him in her peripheral sights, he knew she already sensed his presence long before he even poked his head into the room entrance. So with that knowledge, he readjusted his posture and continued his walk towards the table in a confident and assertive manner. His eyes were glued on the figure but he also saw that the moment he walked closer that Orin quickly changed her position from lying on the floor to sitting in a strict Jedi-like manner by the table. He both blamed himself and felt honoured by such action, it showed she might think highly of him, or at least understands his authority over her, yet, alas, he no longer could observe the rare sight. 

He stood before the table and only exchanged a quick glance with her as if asking for permission to join her. So far from knowing Orin, he understood now that if she doesn’t tell or show much with her expression or action any signs of protest, then he can take it as a yes. Maul then carefully sat down before her as he also took a glimpse over what was on the table: the same jade coloured tea set that Orin uses, and presumably carries with her wherever she goes, a small plate of various sweets and pastries and two lightsabers, one, silvery and with intricate ornaments engraved on the shaft, resting by the left side from Orin’s side, the second, a pale yellow metallic one with geometric additions but hard to recognise because of the many cuts and other damages, on Maul’s side; he also spotted a red string with a couple blue beads wrapped around the lightsaber shaft, and on the lower half he could see that the saber was missing something, almost like it wasn’t repaired from the damage that caused to lose the lower parts, and even revealed some bits and pieces of the inside. Orin, seeing how her unannounced guest was eyeing out the lightsaber, with the use of her Force made the shaft levitate towards her and enough to land into her hand so she could then place it in her back pocket. Because of that action, Maul’s eyes unintentionally trailed the trajectory of the saber and then meeting with Orin's; her long stare showed some from of aggression, or more like defensiveness, together how her eyes also squinted and one brow jerked down quickly, all signs of suspicion and irritation from her side. He understood why, yet still was eager to know more. But, for now, he decided to focus more on the woman before him and delve on the aura between them. 

The room from the start felt already heavy when Maul entered, and that disturbance made Orin stay alert and nervous; he felt that. And that was also visible by the sharp movements when she then began serving him with a fresh cup of tea, yet, despite all that, she moved a plate of sweets closer to him, letting him know that he was still invited. With that, his eyes darted at Orin’s other saber that still rested on the table, he reached to his side and took out his long dual lightsaber to place it the same way she had it, on the same spot where the saber was that Orin put away. Maul saw how she glimpsed at his weapon, or his gesture to be exact, and with that the Force around them seemed a little lighter; or her worry seemed to drift away slowly as she took a piece of some chocolate, and he could see how her shoulders relaxed and slumped a little. 

Their eyes met again when Orin looked up at him from under her brows as Maul was still watching her the whole time. He used the time to nod his head to her as he then took his cup of warm tea, Orin nodded back but with some hesitation as her eyes dropped down back at her cup. The atmosphere still felt rather heavy and tense, but the pleasant scent of tea was doing its job to lift it. Maul noted that too to himself as he raised the cup to his face to indulge in the smell. This made Orin glance at him again as she was already taking a sip from her cup, this time out of curiosity what he thought. Perhaps she was also wondering what to say if he suddenly showed signs of disgust or disappointment. It was amusing to watch how this serious and intense Sith Lord was admiring the brewed tea, enjoying the delicate scent together with spicy and peppery notes. He finally took a sip of the warm liquid and after he gulped it down, he let out a pleased, maybe a little impressed, short hum. 

Maul opened his eyes to meet again with hers, which were intently watching his reaction, but seeing that her guest was enjoying the drink, she only let out a small scoff. Orin’s eyes quickly dropped down at the table again when she tilted her head lower, but he could still spot the corners of her lips curl up a tiny bit; oh, she was proud, maybe even basking in the fact that she managed to impress someone like Maul, a man who is nearly impossible to persuade or prove him wrong. This wasn't lost on him because it caused his lips to form into a slight smirk, which he hid behind the cup when taking another sip; yet his brows narrowed slightly as he considered this beginning of an uncertain feeling. Was he also feeling victorious to make the serious mirialan before him smile? Did he wish to see more of it and even to have her look at him when she does? Definitely. 

It was evident that he had pushed these images out of his head, or at least he tried to do that by looking away and moving his torso back a fraction; his hand placed on the ground to support him as the other held the cup, and he lifted his leg as well, letting his arm rest on one knee. Orin spotted his behaviour shift, taking it as that he felt relaxed, so it made her smile lightly once again, another point on her score list. She got back into the half-lying position she was in before, taking and eating another piece of pastry before doing so, as she returned to her own contemplation. It seemed that the room finally reached a harmonious atmosphere, two opposite side Force-wielders, with specific energies of their own, finding an agreement to co-exist. It wasn't just that they were able to take care of their own business in the same room, but the company proved to be surprisingly enjoyable, not to mention entertaining. At first they would exchange long glances, blinking slowly, like cats do in a form of acceptance. And when Orin tried to pull another sweet with her Force, Maul suddenly snatched it with his power, turning this into a small game which resulted in a chuckle from both.

Once the tea and snacks were finished, the two placed the cups on the table politely and calmly hid their saber shafts. Orin stood up with the teapot in her hands, planning to put it away, but froze on the spot when she saw Maul approaching her. He almost walked past her but not without placing his hand on her shoulder. He gave it a firm squeeze as a sign of appreciation and gratitude, as well as looking into her eyes intently but with a bit of softness in them. He nodded to her once again as he walked away from the surprised woman in peace. It seemed he got too close to her, yet instead of protesting, she just let it happen, still sensing warmth on her shoulder, stinging from the grip, but also from the intense memory it left in her mind. Her eyes darted away as she inhaled a little, unable to respond in some way to Maul and letting him continue his road to the exit.

Maul stood in the door frame for a moment, peering over his shoulder to look at her once more. To his surprise he saw Orin staring back at him. She held her hand on the same shoulder he touched, but noticed him watching. She quickly darted her head away from him and continued tidying up. He smirked slightly, letting out a quiet scoff when he walked out of the room and continued his way down the hallway. With his arms clasped behind him, he walked towards his chambers with a mild smirk on his face and a glimmer in his eyes, forgetting the reason why he had been frustrated in the first place when he walked down the same hallway hours ago.